Prologue: The Yawning Moon's Knights

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the story line.

Note: If you haven't read my Season Four fanfic, I advise you to do so, as this is a direct continuation of it. If you don't do as I say, you're probably terribly confused…OR REALLY LACKING IN GOOD JUDGEMENT! Any who enjoy the fanfic!

It was a cold and stormy night at the Valethir Yawning Moon tavern. Rain fell hard and fast on the ground, mixing in with the hail that broke like glass on the hard ground. The night sky was churning and dark. No one was out in the streets. Everyone, even the homeless, sought shelter wherever it lay. Most sought refuge at the Yawning Moon.

The Yawning Moon was the resident's home away from home. It held an old, nostalgic, rustic charm that attracted even the most forward thinking clientele. No one knows why this is. But it is the reason why it has been in business for as long as anyone can remember or even as long as historians can map out. It was wooden in frame and was built with stone from a local quarry that has been out of business ever since one-thousand years ago. But this fact was attributed to the current owner's resourcefulness and cunning eye for business. The inside was just as rustic and traditional as the outside would imply. Long wooden tables stretched from one wall to the other wall. There was a large hearth fire to keep the place warm, and a small stage where traveling bards would often come to perform for the room and board. And tonight was one of those nights.

Many people crowded the tables. They all chatted and cheered as they had a small or large drink with their friends depending on their fare and how urgent it was for them to get home. The Chaeons had a good constitution when it came to the drink, but they detested getting drunk. Still, the ordered their drinks consistently, and many were on the third round. The soft music in the background was delightful and many people cheered the bard who was playing tonight. Even though he was a most unusual fellow.

The bard was a Gizoid. Yes, Gizoid, as in one of those mechanical warriors rumored to be nigh unbeatable in combat. But this one held no interest in war or fighting, at least physically. It, or rather he, was more interested in the humanities and music and poetry; quite a soulful fellow. He was silver with blue eyes, but other than that, he looked like any other Gizoid. He strummed his fingers across his lute with lithe precision, moving quickly and letting the notes hang and linger in the air to help the customers focus on their drinks. He had a name. His name is Chemerl.

One Chaeon left his spot at the table and clanged his spoon and glass together. Everyone in the tavern looked at him. He was the owner, Razinmire, who often ate and drank with his customers. He spoke in a deep voice.

"Listen up! I know you all like music, but it seems to me we are all in for a night here. If that is so, then we should have some good night time entertainment. I think we should have the bard tell us a tale." Everyone spoke in agreement. They all turned to Chemerl.

"Will you tell us a story, bard?" A customer asked.

"Well sure," Chemerl said in an almost normal voice, "I have plenty of tales to tell you all. Shall I regale you all with the tale of the valiant heroes that saved us from a nightmare world?"

"Sure," they all agreed.

"Alright. But first, I will give you all a bit of a prologue."

"Go to it then! We have plenty of time to kill!"

Chemerl cleared his voice and slung his lute across his back. Sat in his chair.

Long Ago In A Distant Land…which is about five kilometers away from here or so…

There were three knights clad in their armor waiting outside a cathedral of Chaos. They stared at the magnificent building as it radiates all colors of the light around midday when the sun reaches its apogee. The knights were a bit unusual, as they were like humans, but at the same time they were not humans. They were of the anthropomorphic race that inhabits Mobius, One knight was a two tailed fox, with yellow fur and a knack for invention, another was a strong pink hedgehog and the other was a red echidna who was also quite strong. They were known as Sir Prower, Sir Rose and Sir Knuckles. They were waiting for their illustrious knight-captain to emerge from the bowels of the holy cathedral, so they chatted amongst themselves.

"You know what I would want when we get back to the Emerald Hill zone?" Sir Rose said.

"What?" Responded Sir Prower.

"I would like to meet some nice woman when we get back. I've been thinking about it ever since you got married that one fine morning."

"Yes, and I can see why. Mystara is so beautiful and intelligent. That's why I picked her; she had all of the qualities I want in a woman." Said Sir Prower with a sigh.

"Which is why I wonder how you got a lass like her to marry you. Sorceresses are always so picky," said Sir Knuckles.

"Because in addition to having balls, Sir Prower has brains. Women like men who can think, you know," Sir Rose said.

"Oh don't talk such rot," said Sir Knuckles as they all laughed.

Sir Prower then spoke. "But it is too bad we won't be able to spend so much as a passing moment when we get back home. Heaven knows lovers like to talk in another way when they see each other after such a long time…"

"Oh, perish the thought. We'll be back in a week afterward. You and Mystara can bed together at that time." Said Sir Rose.

"Yes, but still-" The cathedral bell rang thrice and the birds around the bell took flight. People flooded out of the cathedral. All except for the knight-captain.

"Call me crazy," said Sir Knuckles, "but I think Sir Nazo has a crush on the priestess Annabelle."

"That is crazy. A knight cannot marry a simple priestess. Besides, we are not permitted to marry someone of another species of anthro. Sir Nazo is a hedgehog, while Annabelle is a cat." Sir Prower said.

"I'm glad Mystara wasn't around to hear that. Besides, Sir Nazo is the king's son. He just has to convince him to give her a title and then they can marry. Besides, remember last year? He spent an entire month in that cathedral. And I don't think he was praying, either."

A few minutes later, the stomping of metal feet echoed out of the cathedral. Out of the hall stepped the prince knight-captain Nazo. His quills stood up in an odd manner on his head, his fur was ice blue and his eyes were green. Emerald Green. His armor was gold and it shined in the sun. His sword was sheathed at his hip. He motioned to his three knights and they headed out on horse.

"Where are we going?" Asked Sir Rose, "The road to Emerald Hill zone was back that way."

"We are heading toward the Leaf Forest zone. The scouts have reported sightings of Reavers in the wilderness." Sir Nazo said.

"Reavers?" Sir Prower asked frightened.

"Yes. We need to see if these reports are true. We will stop by the garrison near the forest to get some troops."

Around evening the knights and the garrison guard walked in the forest. They all were silent, listening for any sound. The wind rustled, the leaves scattered in the night, and the darkness encroached around the group. They all had hidden their torches to avoid being seen. Reavers were terrible monsters, and almost gods if the Chaeons' stories about them were to be believed. Sir Prower was quite frightened because he claimed he was attacked by one in his youth and he almost died. If there were Reavers here, then they needed surprise, or else no one would be walking back home tonight.

A voice shouted. They all turned around and saw tall, skeletons with energy exhuming out of their skulls with swords and shields attacking.

"Reavers!"

"No!"

"Argh!"

"They're attacking the left flank! "

"Sir Rose is wounded!"

"Noes mah piez. They iz ruined! "

"O.O"

"Where is the knight-captain?"

"There he is! He's…he's…summoning- Gargh!"

"Run away! HYEEEEEELLLLLLLLP!"

Only Sir Prower, Sir Rose and Sir Knuckles survived. No one knows what happened to the knight-captain.

They only knew that something horrendous was about to begin.

Now to the present day!

A/N: This prologue will make sense…eventually…