Volteer Volunteers to Go to War/Serena Takes Volteer's Place

*(Out in the streets just nearby the Makino residence, Squidward came riding into the town with two imperial soldiers on horseback of their own horses. Near the exit and the horse stable, the Makino Family and Serena's group arrived and when they spot Squidward and the imperial soldiers arriving and stopping, still sitting on their own horses' backs, Volteer immediately and calmly realized silently that something bad must've happened. As he headed out, Grace turned to Serena)*

Grace: Serena, stay inside while we see what's up.

Serena: (Trying to object) But...!

*(But Grace, Granny, and the rest of Serena's group left with Volteer, with Serena's group and even Granny silently gesturing to Serena to take a peek at their rooftop's balcony. Getting it, Serena climbed up to the balcony while Grace, Granny, and Serena's group joined Volteer with the rest of the townspeople to see what Squidward has come to announce while Squidward pulls a news scroll out to make that announcement)*

Squidward: Citizens! I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City! The Huns and Tempest Shadow have invaded China! By order of Emperor Yen Sid, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army, and have some medical army nurses accompany that chosen man of the same family, whether they're relatives and/or friends.

*(Then he read out the family names, and as he read one family name at a time, a man from that family came up to him and the imperial soldiers and accepted a prescription scroll of his own. And in some men's case, some women who have medical experiences accompanied that man to stand by him)*

Squidward: (Reading) The Hsiao Family! The Yi Family!

*(A young man from the Yi Family is silently and calmly encouraged by his father, who is an old war veteran, to take his place. Even the young man's wife walked up with her husband as he accepted his prescription scroll)*

Young Yi Family soldier: I will serve Emperor Yen Sid in my father's place.

Young Yi Family soldier's wife: And I shall assist as a medical army nurse.

Squidward: (Continuing reading) The Makino Family!

*(Serena's group, Grace, and Granny became calmly shocked and concerned upon hearing that. Even Serena is shocked)*

Serena: What?!

*(Then, having no other choice, despite his walking stick showing his condition, Volteer solemnly hands his walking stick to Grace, who calmly and reluctantly accepted the walking stick, and Volteer walked up to Squidward and the imperial soldiers, despite limping a bit without his walking stick. Even Serena's group walked with Volteer to join in the medical army nurse group, and during the walk, Fluttershy silently offered Volteer to assist him, but Volteer solemnly and silently gestured her a polite decline on her offer, to which she silently and reluctantly gave in. Seeing this in concern like Grace, Granny, and her group are, Serena immediately climbed down the balcony and ran to the exit's doors)*

Volteer: (Bows to Squidward and the imperial soldiers) I am ready to serve Emperor Yen Sid.

Serena's group except Serena: (Reluctantly bows to Squidward and the imperial soldiers) And we shall also assist as medical army nurses.

*(Just when Squidward handed over the Makino Family prescription scroll to Volteer, Serena ran out to her father and group in concern)*

Serena: Father, you can't go!

Volteer: (Surprised) Serena?

*(Seeing this, Serena's group silently watched in calm concern, feeling sorry for Serena and knowing how concerned she is for Volteer's health and condition)*

Serena: (Pleading to the first imperial soldier) Please, sir, my father is too old and crip....

*(But Squidward rudely cuts her off)*

Squidward: (To Serena) Silence! *(To Volteer)* You will do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence.

*(Volteer sighed in disappointment and then turned to Serena sadly)*

Volteer: (Grimly) Serena, you just dishonored me by embarrassing me like that. And I'm sorry. I have no choice.

*(Then Squidward holds out Volteer's prescription scroll to him)*

Squidward: Report tomorrow at the Wu Zhong Camp with your nurse volunteers.

Volteer and Serena's group except Serena: (With Volteer accepting his prescription scroll and Serena's group feeling secretly concerned) Yes, sir.

*(Then Volteer walked by himself back into his house without his walking stick, carrying his prescription scroll and Serena's group accompanied him in calm silent concern. Even Serena, Grace, and Granny are concerned for Volteer as Squidward continued reading the family name list)*

Squidward: (Reading) The Chu Family! The Chang Family! The Yong Family!

*(Later at night after Squidward and the imperial soldiers have already left, Volteer went into his armor room with Serena's group, except Serena, in there, watching him open his closet to reveal his armor set, colored black with bluish green rims, complete with a sword. Nearby the room's doorway, Serena, back in her attire she wore before she got ready to go see Yzma earlier, secretly peeked and watched Volteer unsheathe his sword and then holds the sword blade up in front of him like a soldier, calmly amazing her and her group. Then as Volteer practiced his sword fighting skills for a bit, the pain in his left gives out, making him yelp in pain as he dropped his sword on the floor. Serena and her group looked at Volteer's sword in concern and on the blade are three written Chinese writings, meaning in the following order; "Loyal," "Brave," and "True." Then they looked up at Volteer in concern to see him panting in pain a bit as he clutched his one hand to a nearby column for support and grabbing his prescription scroll in the other. Concerned with Serena's group, Twilight Sparkle asked away in concern)*

Twilight Sparkle: Are you sure you want to do this?

Volteer: (Calmly panting in pain a bit) I'm sure. I can endure, for you and my family, especially Serena.

*(He groans in pain a bit as he clutched his leg. Despite still showing concern, Serena's group, except the hidden Serena, gave in reluctantly)*

Serena's group except Serena: Okay.

*(Then with that, Serena's group left the room, leaving Volteer alone. Noticing Serena looking sad and concerned for her father's condition, they calmly and silently tear up a bit and they group hugged in comfort)*

Fluttershy: (Whispering to Serena, voice breaking) We all know how you feel.

Pinkie Pie: (Whispering to Serena in agreement, voice breaking) He might never come home after that.

*(Then they silently resumed their sad group hug. Later at dinner in the kitchen, everyone is seated at the table, eating silently in calm concern and sadness, or in Volteer's case, calm hesitance only, despite being a little determined to fight for his family and country, not saying a word as Serena poured some tea for everyone in their own teacups. Then after putting the teapot down, Serena was about to take a sip from her teacup when she saw Volteer make a silent bit of a painful groan on his leg as he ate a small scoop of white rice from his white porcelain bowl. Having enough finally upon noticing this, Serena slams her teacup on the table in frustration, finally breaking the grim silence)*

Serena: You shouldn't go like this, Father!

Grace: (Trying to speak up in surprise and concern) Serena...!

Serena: (Ignoring Grace) There are plenty of young men who will fight for China! So why would you risk your healthy for this?!

Volteer: Because it is an honor to protect my country and my family.

Serena: So, you'll die fighting for honor instead of being concerned for your condition?

Volteer: (Starting to lose his temper) Serena, I will die doing what's right.

Serena: But what if you...?!

Volteer: (Snapping, cutting her off) I know my place! It is time you learned yours.

*(Staring in disbelief hearing him say that, Serena got calmly sad. Seeing this, Volteer realized his temper and calmed himself silently)*

Volteer: (Feeling guilty and apologetic) Serena, I'm sorry. I didn't....

Serena: (Starting to cry calmly) But do you *really* know what my place should be, for our family and country's sake?

*(No answer, as Volteer, still feeling calmly guilty for snapping as well as speechless on that question, sat down to resume his dinner with the family. Then Serena ran out of the kitchen into the backyard near the garden entrance. Grace, Granny, and Serena's group, except Serena, turned to Volteer in concern)*

Volteer: Was I too hard on her?

Grace: Very.

*(Out near the garden entrance, Serena sat by the archway entrance and buried her face in her arms above her knees and cried softly a a soft wind blew around the area. Then someone gently approached her and touched her shoulder, calmly getting her attention. It was Volteer and the rest of Serena's group)*

Serena: (Sniffles, sobs a bit) I'm sorry I snapped at....

Volteer: (Nods in forgiveness) Apology accepted. *(He and Serena's group sit beside her in comfort)* In fact, I'm the one who shouldn't have snapped. It was not honorable of me to do that.

*(Then he asked away, changing the subject)*

Volteer: Do you remember when you were children, when the Powerpuff Girls were not born yet, you leapt high into the air back to our house, unharmed?

*(Remembering that moment, Serena's group smiled calmly a bit, giving a nod as Serena composed herself and wiped her tears away)*

Rainbow Dash: Who could forget that?

Serena: Why do you ask us that?

Volteer: The reason I asked is because recent studies have confirmed that it is what represents the power of the chi, a type of spiritual magic used by warriors by their willpower, for some consider it a great power that gives the warrior to fight skillfully, whether it's physical or psychological. Others, however, consider the chi as witchcraft and not to be used by women.

Blossom: Well, lucky for us, none of the townspeople here believe the chi is witchcraft.

Volteer: (Nods in agreement) That is, fortunately, true, Blossom.

Serena: (Confused) But why do some people consider the chi witchcraft and that it shouldn't be used by women?

Volteer: Because....

*(He tried to think up a proper way to explain intelligibly to Serena what they meant by that. Then he found it)*

Volteer: Do you recall a long time ago when Emperor Yen Sid's young chi warrior apprentice was cursed by a scar inflicted on her by a mysterious monster made of black substance?

*(Realizing, Serena's group nods)*

Serena's group: We remember that story.

Blossom: She was then banished because her chi was cursed by the scar the mystery monster inflicted on her.

Buttercup: And then she was never seen again after that.

Bubbles: And because of that experience, it was forbidden by Emperor Yen Sid himself to ever mention the banished apprentice's name.

Sunset Shimmer: And then as the Huns began to grow over the years beyond China, invading us all, our country eventually made enemies with a mysterious female witch with a very powerful chi and shapeshifting abilities.

Applejack: By the name of Tempest Shadow, who, according to the surviving soldiers, somewhat resembles that of the banished cursed apprentice.

Rainbow Dash: Then later on that time, the imperial army found the apprentice's remains in the Mongolian Desert.

Rarity: And nobody knows where Tempest came from exactly ever since.

Pinkie Pie: Which is somewhat sad, compared to the now deceased banished apprentice.

Fluttershy: Very sad.

Twilight Sparkle: And the people of China actually believe that Emperor Yen Sid might know something about Tempest, but he declined to speak of it because of his fear of her chi placing the similar curse to the apprentice's if he mentioned it.

Serena: And to this day, answers for it were never brought up to Emperor Yen Sid ever since.

Volteer: (Nods in agreement) That's right. And you, girls, are definitely smart to know this kind of history.

*(Then he changed the subject again)*

Volteer: Anyway, have a look at this.

*(Then he showed Serena his sword, confusing her and her group)*

Serena: Your sword?

Volteer: Did you and your sisters notice the three symbols on its blade?

*(Calmly realizing, Serena's group nods)*

Serena's group: Yeah.

Volteer: You remember the three virtues that represent the honor of a soldier fighting for his country?

*(Remembering, Serena immediately answered calmly)*

Serena: Loyal, brave, and true.

Volteer: Yes. Although the soldier's code of honor has these virtues, everyone had also hoped that the chi would eventually become part of the code of honor with a fourth virtue word, but the tragic incident involving the apprentice's banishment and death destroyed that chance.

Serena: And that's why the code of honor only has these three virtues.

Volteer: (Nods) Precisely. And as long as I have all of these three virtues burning in me, alive and well, our ancestors and their spiritual guardians, especially the Statue of the Great Stone Dragon's spirit, *(Gestures to a tall dragon statue in the garden)* will always protect me and keep me, as well as my family and our country, strong. So, yes, I may be concerned about my condition as much as you and your sisters are, but like I said, I have no other choice. And even if I were to die for honor and country for our family, you must always be strong, no matter what.

*(Smiling sadly and calmly, Serena and her group then hugged Volteer, who hugged in return. Then after that's over, Volteer headed back in)*

Volteer: Now, time to get some sleep. I am to be leaving for war tomorrow.

Serena's group: Good night.

Volteer: Good night.

*(Then with that, Serena's group and Volteer returned to inside the house as it slowly began to rain outside. Later that night, however, Serena's group, now dressed in their pajamas, secretly and quietly snuck out of their rooms, walking out to the Great Stone Dragon Statue in the garden as it continued to rain. Then as they approached the statue, getting soaked from the pouring rain, Serena's group looked at the statue silently, and then while her group prayed silently to the statue, Serena then looked down at the rain's water puddle on the ground below her and looked at her reflection silently. Then she and her group, after they finished praying, began to silently think over their conversation with Volteer earlier, and then they see from inside their master bedroom, the shadowy silhouettes of Volteer and Grace talking softly as they prepared for bed. Then as soon as they see Grace's silhouette go to bed, they then see Volteer's silhouette blow out a candle, extinguishing the light from the window, darkening the room. After contemplating silently as they saw this, Serena's group then quietly said the three virtues, slowly and calmly becoming determined, having made a decision)*

Serena's group: (Whispering) Loyal, brave, and true.

*(Then, with that, Serena's group immediately rushed into the ancestors' shrine and after Serena lit a smoke stick and placed it into the little shrine with the two dragon statues, she and her group silently prayed. Then with that done, they hurried inside the house quietly. Watching all of this, Kirby and even Lillipup got calmly confused)*

Kirby: (Whispering in curiosity) Poyo?

*(Then he and Lillipup secretly followed to see what's up. Inside Volteer and Grace's room, while her group waited outside quietly, Serena snuck in and after taking Volteer's prescription scroll and gently placed her comb onto the nightstand in the prescription scroll's place. After giving a silent goodbye stare, Serena then snuck out of the room back to her group with the prescription scroll in tow. Then in the armory room, Serena's group packed up their supplies for the war and then Serena went into the armory closet and found Volteer's armor set and sword in there. Then after pulling Volteer's sword out, Serena then used the sword's blade to cut her hair chin-length short at a somewhat perfect length. Then after that's done, Serena then let Rarity trim any remaining long hair strands she forgot to cut with her scissors. Then with that done and her hair now perfectly cut chin-length short, Serena then tied her hair into a high bun. Then she let Rarity carefully trim her eyelashes to make her look like a man and then after she and Serena's group helped Serena secure her covered cleavage in a comfortable corset to make her look like a man, Serena then puts on Volteer's armor set, and then she did the same sword pose as Volteer did earlier in determination while nearby, her group watched proudly. Then with Serena all dressed up like a man and her group all prepared like the medical army nurses they are, they went out to the stable and went up to Epona. Noticing them, Epona almost neighed in a panic a bit at first upon seeing Serena in her man disguise, when Serena eased her down calmly and reassured her horse that she's Serena. Realizing calmly as she calmed down, Epona then left the stable with Serena's group. Nearby, Lillipup and Kirby watched in calm silent amazement to see Serena going to war with her sisters, taking their father's place. Then after looking back at the house for a brief moment, Serena's group then got determined and with that, Serena climbed on Epona's back while her group attached a roofed wagon to Epona's saddle buttons, and then with that, Serena's group rode off to the direction where the Wu Zhong Camp is located from far away, with Serena riding on Epona's back and her group riding in the wagon. Seeing this while hidden, Kirby and Lillipup became concerned calmly and then retreated into the garden. In the ancestors' shrine, it glowed a brief blue light and it briefly lit the Great Stone Dragon Statue's eyes, as if warning any of the Makino Family members of what just happened. In her room, Granny bolted awake in surprise, sensing the message. Then after grabbing a lantern and lighting it, she rushed over to Serena's group's room and found it empty and Pluto in there, looking concerned. She gasped. Then she rushed into Volteer and Grace's room in concern)*

Granny: Serena and her sisters are gone!

*(Bolting awake upon hearing her, Volteer and Grace got confused)*

Volteer and Grace: (Groggily and confused) What?

*(Volteer then noticed Serena's comb on the nightstand and picked it up in confusion. Then realization slowly dawned onto him calmly as he slowly became concerned)*

Volteer: It can't be....

*(Then he rushed into the armory room with his walking stick, with Grace, Granny, and Pluto accompanying him. He ran up to the closet and found his armor set and sword, as well as Serena's group's supplies, all gone. Realization and concern striking him like a freight train running him over, Volteer immediately ran outside the house towards the stables' exit)*

Volteer: Serena, girls!

*(But then he tripped and fell down, dropping Serena's comb. He got up in recovery and saw the exit's doors opened, as well as the stables empty, with Epona and the wagon missing, and realization dawned upon him on why Serena's group did this; To take his place and help their family and country. Grace and Pluto then ran up to him and kneeled beside him in concern)*

Grace: You must go after them! They could get killed, especially Serena!

Volteer: But if I reveal her, she will be, and the Powerpuff Girls and Mane Seven will just be expelled and sent home if exposed on being associated with her.

*(Pluto whined in concern a bit)*

Grace: Then what can we do to help them?

Volteer: I guess.... The only way we can help them, is to pray for their safety.

*(Giving in calmly and silently in agreement, Grace and Pluto then hugged and nuzzled Volteer, to which he returned the gentle hug in comfort, all of them hoping Serena's group will be safe out there. Even Granny, watching this at the doorway of the front door with her lantern, is concerned. Then she prayed softly)*

Granny: Ancestors, hear our prayer; Watch over Serena and her sisters.

*(Hearing her prayer, Volteer, Grace, and Pluto silently and calmly got up and went up to her, giving a look that means that they agree with her prayer. Then in calm silent sadness and concern, they went back inside, hoping Serena's group will be safe and pull through out in war in Volteer's place)*

***Coming up: After accepting Volteer, Grace, and Granny's prayers to watch over Serena's group, the ancestors then decide to have a certain group of demoted guardian spirits led by two apprentice dragon guardian spirits to go awaken the Great Stone Dragon's spirit from the statue to go help Serena's group. But when the statue breaks, that group then decides, under the two apprentice dragons and even Kirby and Lillipup's advice and suggestion, to go help Serena's group, to help the group prove to the ancestors that they're worthy of being guardians again, as well as the two apprentice dragons passing their test to prove they are worthy guardian dragons.***