Chapter 1 — Butterfly Effect

From the depths of my domain

I rend their order asunder

And of my dissonance, harmony I fashion.

— A verse from the Song of Locria, Book of Magypsies


Tazmily was never this cold.

Old Wess clasped frigid hands over his chest as he lied down on a creaky, stained bed. A thin, equally dirty sheet was bundled up underneath his almost bald head. A faint squeak from under the bed gave away a wandering mouse scurrying for crumbs of food in the dark.

He groaned and struggled to turn aside. The nice nurse lady said he needed another 'shot' again. He'd come to dread the word; it implied a painful needle driven into his mottled arm. It hurt, and a feeling of weakness confined his frail body to bed for the rest of the day. He knew she used it whenever he'd been 'unruly' with the swinehead troops. It's been the same since they decided he couldn't live on his own without being a risk. It was insulting the way they threw a net over his head and paraded him down the village to this miserable place.

Alec had to move in here as well after a lightning attack destroyed his little shack up in the mountains. Poor sod, with this happening right after one of his grandkids had been presumed dead — a beautiful child, yet Wess envied the boy. Only the living could feel the foreign cold gnawing at their bones. Wess also envied Alec. His daughter and her other boy visited often, bringing hot tea and food that tasted much better than the usual, bland gruel served here. Wess' limping moron never bothered with a visit, always up to no good in the big city, or so the nice nurse said when he asked her. He knew better — he'd raised a moron, but never raised a troublemaker.

Wess cursed the biting cold and gritted his teeth, feeling a bubble of indignant anger rise within him. Mapson noticed he'd grown much balder and said this was because of the frequent angry tantrums for which the old man was infamous, but Wess needed his anger. Anger kept the cold at bay, at least for the short while before he fell asleep.


Centuries Earlier

The souls of four children stood before an abomination inside the cold frames of robots. The battle had been going on for what seemed to be ages, and the children grew weary with each passing minute.

'Someone. Anyone,' a desperate thought echoed through the monstrosity's garbled wails, 'Please help us.'

A spider-legged mech appeared through the distorted faces which filled the bizarre dimension they were stuck in. A young face, albeit discolored with an unnatural shade of blue, glared at the four humanoid machines with disdain.

"Prayers," the twisted child spat. "What a laugh! You idiots actually think silly prayers can do any good? I have essentially killed Giygas the second I stopped the devil machine, but this had gone on long enough."

The madness around them went silent for a split-second, before the flashing faces and the loud moans came back louder than their senses could handle. If the robots had faces that could convey any expression, they would be wearing one of absolute agony.

"It seems I'm going to run away," The person told them through Giygas' dying screams, "Maybe I'll just sneak away to another era to think up my next step."

'You're not going anywhere, Porky!'

One of the robots attacked the mech with a shower of psychic rays. The mech dodged, belying its bulky shape. A hook shot out from its front, hitting the robot and lifting it off the ground.

"You've been a thorn in my side for far too long, Ness," Porky said, mashing the buttons on his mech. "I can't put up with you messing up my plans anymore."

The hook impaled the robot, causing a glowing sphere to exit the trapped robot and disappear. The robot went limp and fell down. The mech stomped unceremoniously on it as it advanced forward towards the remaining ones.

'Master Ness!'

One of the weakened machines sprang at the approaching spider mech. A telepathic cry of horror sounded off from one of the remaining robots as sharp spider legs trampled the robot, slamming it repeatedly against the ground, before the mech carrying Porky levitated and warped out of existence.

The remaining two watched sparks emanating from the destroyed robots, before the devil machine exploded, casting everything in a white flash.


A hand nervously brushed through red hair as a pair of anxious eyes watched four motionless bodies lying on dry grass in a neat row, surrounded by a few stubby creatures.

"It's been way too long," a worried redhead said to an old man in a lab coat.

"Be patient, Anthony," the scientist said, then busied himself with an assistant, a burly man wearing a mining helmet. He flashed the redhead a reassuring smile.

Tony set his eyes on the four bodies. One in particular wore a green suit, his blond hair and pale face reflected the sunlight, giving him an almost angelic glow. He perked up when the blond's eyes fluttered open as he woke up with a gasp.

"Jeff!" the redhead cried out, hurrying towards the blond once the latter raised his upper half from the ground.

"Where…" Disoriented eyes looked up at the worried redhead, "Tony? What… How did you get here?"

Tony helped Jeff up on his feet, supporting the shaky boy with a firm grip around his shoulders. Paula, the girl next to him stirred and rose up as well. The rest of the scientist's team gathered around the other two, who remained motionless on the ground.

"What's wrong with Ness?" the scientist asked. "Why is the Prince of Dalaam still asleep?"

Jeff stared at the two with pained eyes then cast his head down as Paula broke into silent tears. Right before their eyes, the two bodies disappeared, replaced by lifeless robots. Jeff knelt down next to one of the robots and lifted its hand in his own. He shut his eyes and gritted his teeth, touching his forehead to the metal part.

"They… They couldn't make it."


A Few Years Earlier

"Ugh. Is this really necessary?"

Three children, a girl and two boys, stood in front of a cave near the peak of Mount Itoi, one of the highest mountains in the region. The last time they were here months ago, it was to defeat a nigh-invincible alien. Only bringing the alien's past memories was the reason they got away with their lives.

"I told you I felt a huge PSI disturbance here," a boy wearing a neckerchief said to a white-haired boy, then turned towards the girl. "Can you sense it too, Ana?"

A blonde girl in a pink dress nodded, then faced the boy who complained earlier.

"I felt it too," Ana said. "I think it's worth checking out."

"If you guys could feel it from your homes all the way below," the white-haired kid said, adjusting his big eyeglasses. "Don't you think we should've come here a little more prepared? I don't even have anything on me if we run into something."

"Don't worry, Lloyd," Ana gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Ninten and I will handle it if anything happens."

"I still feel defenseless without a gun," he pouted.

"We could've asked Teddy to come with us, you know," Ninten said, entering the cave. "But I could only get you two on such short notice."

"So I'm just Teddy's replacement?" Lloyd asked, crossing his arms. He followed behind Ninten nonetheless.

"I didn't say that," Ninten said flatly, not turning around. "I said we could've asked him to come with us. As in 'you, me and Ana.' Besides, we faced Giegue with nothing but a bedtime lullaby. Have more faith in yourself."

"Right. I'm sorry," Lloyd murmured, an embarrassed flush crossed his face. Ninten didn't reply as he strode ahead. Ana stepped next to Lloyd and gave him a sympathetic smile.

"You know he means well," she said, then skipped ahead. Lloyd sulked behind. He looked around the dark interior of the cave. It still looked as unnerving as the last time they'd been here.

"Remember Giegue's last words to us?" Lloyd said after a while of silence. "He said 'We shall meet again.' What if he did come back? You don't think your great-grandmother taught you another song that works on him, right?"

"Giegue has a peculiar aura," Ninten said, "Whatever Ana and I sensed inside this cave is definitely not him."

"That's… reassuring?" Lloyd said, wiping a bead of cold sweat off his forehead. "Back then, we had an idea what was waiting for us. Didn't it cross your mind that whatever crawled in here now might be even worse than Giegue?"

Ninten shot him a wry smirk. "Oh, trust me, there's nothing worse than Giegue."

"Lloyd has a point," Ana piped up. "We should be a little more careful."

Ninten rolled his eyes, then turned around and stomped away deeper into the cave. Lloyd mouthed a 'thank you' to her.

After a while of walking inside the dark, barren cave, they reached the giant artificial hole where Giegue's spaceship used to hide. Even without the immediate threat of Giegue's presence lurking around, the three huddled together and approached the hole in skittish steps.

"I don't see anything here," Ninten looked around, "Or anyone for that matter."

"Strange," Ana mused. "I sense the disturbance as if it's right in front of me."

"Me too," Ninten said, before his eyes travelled to Lloyd, who was looking down the chasm in the middle of the cave.

"It never occurred to me to see what was down here," Lloyd said to Ninten, who stood next to him. "But I don't think we can see far enough to the bottom of this–"

A loud rumbling sound interrupted him, followed by Ana's scream. They whipped around to see her fall through a collapsed part of the ground. Ninten gasped and sprinted towards the newly formed pit. A few feet below, Ana struggled to get up amidst the rubble.

"Are you okay?" Ninten yelled at her. She dusted herself and looked up.

"I'm fine," Ana shouted back, then looked around her. Her eyes widened in shock. "Guys? You should see this."

Ninten jumped down the hole and landed next to Ana. A few seconds later, Lloyd followed, his feet hit the ground in a clumsy fashion.

"Careful," Ninten grabbed the stumbling boy and steadied him. Unlike the rocky walls of the cavern above them, this hidden area was lined by a smooth, ceramic-like material that glowed, casting a pale, greyish light on their surroundings. Alien devices, massive computers and other nameless pieces of hardware filled the wide chamber before their eyes. In the middle of the alien technology, an eight-legged machine rifled through various bits and pieces. When it turned around, it revealed a portly man at the helm. Upon closer inspection, he had discolored skin, and stared the three down with a maniacal grin.

"What's this? Is that Ness?" the man muttered, as if speaking to himself. "No, no, no. These are the kids who brought Giygas out of his sanity the first time. They look as pathetic as the other ones."

Intimidated, Ninten and Lloyd stepped back, but Ana's PSI was quicker than her thinking.

"PK Beam!"

A white beam of light shot out of her hands straight towards the mech, but it dispersed into harmless rays just inches before it made contact with its target.

"A PSI shield?" Ninten's jaw dropped. "Who is this guy?"

"I'm done with this place anyway," the man ignored them, continuing his inner monologue. "I suppose I can take those three and turn them into a fun experiment when I'm in the mood."

Ninten squinted as a psionic waves rippled under the alien devices, converging into a vortex that replaced the floor underneath. The spider mech and the alien devices slowly sunk inside the rapidly expanding swirl as if absorbed by quicksand. The three children backed away, eventually finding themselves against the wall. Lloyd threw Ninten and Ana a panicked look.

"Do something!" he screamed, squirming against the angled wall. The creeping PSI touched Ninten's foot, dragging it slowly along everything in the room. Ana and Lloyd grabbed his arm, trying to pull him out to no avail. He turned to face the other two.

"I'm stuck. You two get out of here," he yelled. Ana stepped behind Lloyd, taking up the last few feet of untouched ground.

"We're not!" she yelled, tugging harder at Ninten's arm.

"I can't get free, so leave. TELEPORT!" Ninten screamed, shoving a fist into Lloyd's chest. Everything sharply backed out of view, replaced with mad blurs as teleportation PSI lifted them away.

The world around Lloyd's eyes slowed down, the blurry surroundings solidified into the familiar forests surrounding Podunk. He winced at the dull pain in his chest. That definitely will leave a bruise. He turned to see Ana standing next to him, but Ninten was nowhere to be seen.


Claus jumped out of bed at 8 o'clock sharp. His eyes immediately travelled to the few bags he'd packed up the night before. Today was the day his mother took him and his twin brother to visit their grandfather in the mountains and play with the Dragos. His barely-contained excitement bubbled as he shot out of bed towards his little brother's side, startling the younger twin awake.

"Wake up, Lucas!" Claus barked at the other nine-year old, who let out a yelp as Claus yanked the sheets off his body.

"Ugh. Whaat?" Lucas whined, groggily rising up. "What time is it?"

Claus tapped his foot with impatience. "It's time you get your stupid butt in gear. We got a heck of a walk to Grandpa's shack."

Lucas gave his brother a bleary eye. "It's too early."

"It's not. Rise and shine," Claus said, parting the curtains to let in light. Lucas grunted and pulled the bedsheets on top of his head, much to Claus's annoyance. He marched to the bed and forced the covers off the bed entirely.

"I told you, wake up." Claus barked into Lucas's face. The latter scrunched his nose and drew back.

"Eugh, did you even brush your teeth?"

"Nope," Claus beamed.

"Stink-breath," Lucas murmured, pushing a hand into his brother's face and getting out of bed. He suddenly broke into a sprint past his brother.

"I get the bathroom first," he called behind his shoulder.

"No fair, I woke up first!" Claus yelled after him. Lucas had a nasty habit of hogging the bathroom for ages, so Claus figured there would be no toothbrushing until this twin decided to get out. He went to the mirror next to the fireplace, rubbing sleep gunk off his eyes and hand-brushing his red hair.

"Lookin' handsome," he grinned to himself, adjusting his fiery locks, before noticing something amiss — Mom was still asleep.

That almost never happened. Mom and dad always woke up at dawn, so that dad would tend to the sheep while mom made breakfast. Dad's side of the bed was made, which meant he was already outside. Hinawa lied down on the bed, awake but visibly tired. Now that he thought about it, she did seem a little off yesterday.

"Mom?" Lucas approached her bed, worry evident on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Hey, sweetie," Hinawa tried to sound fine, but her voice came out a thick croak. "Mommy is a little sick, so don't come too close or you'll catch a cold too."

"We're still going to Grandpa's right?" Claus shot her a nervous smile. Lucas frowned at him.

"Is that all you have on your mind?" Lucas chastised. "Can't you see mom's tired?"

Claus puffed a cheek in annoyance. Before he could reply, Flint walked in, hoisting a pitchfork on his shoulder. Claus immediately jumped towards his father.

"Dad, mom is still taking us to see Grandpa, right?" he said, giving Flint his best puppy eyes. Flint sat down his tool and sighed.

"Your mother's got a fever, son," he said. "I think a visit to gramps can wait 'til she gets better."

"But… She promised to take us today," Claus frantically said, "Can't you take us to grandpa, dad?"

"Nope. Gotta tend to the sheep," Flint leaned on the wooden handle of his pitchfork, apparently amused at his son's distress.

"Please dad?" Claus whined, then turned to his twin. "Lucas, tell him."

Lucas fidgeted, not appreciating being put on the spot. "But… he's busy and Mommy's sick, and—"

"Fine!" Claus threw his arms in the air. "Be like that if you want. Some brother you are. From now on, Fuel is my new little brother."

"But Fuel's a year older than us," Lucas said, apparently more confused at the illogic rather than being promptly disowned.

"At least he always sides with me," Claus shot back, angry veins bulged from his reddened neck.

"Claus," Flint exclaimed, shooting him a disapproving look. "Cut it out. Apologize to your brother now."

Claus stiffened. He gritted his teeth and bit his lip, before he sighed and grunted a halfhearted "Sorry" towards Lucas.

"It's fine," Hinawa said, sitting up and leaning her back against the headboard. "Claus? Why don't you take Lucas and play with your friends for today? We'll go to grandpa tomorrow morning."

"I… I want to stay home," Lucas said, bunching some of Hinawa's bedcovers in his hand. "I want to look after mom."

Claus shot him an infuriated glare, then turned around to leave. "Ugh. I'm going."

Before Claus' hand touched the front door, Flint placed a hand on top of his head, stopping him in his tracks.

"I don't know what you're thinkin'," he drawled, "But no son of mine's leaving the house barefoot and in his pajamas."


Claus kicked a loose pebble off the stony road with a grunt. He was still steaming from having such a letdown first thing in the morning. Although the more he thought about his tantrum, the sillier it sounded, but his pride refused to acknowledge he was in the wrong. He spotted Fuel standing near the town well. Claus approached his friend with purposeful stomps, coming to a stop next to him. Fuel hoisted a bucket of water out of the well and set it next to the low stone wall lining the well.

"Hey," Fuel said, then took a long look at Claus. "Didn't you say you were going to visit your grandpa today?"

"Don't remind me," Claus said. "Mom caught a cold, so she can't get out of bed today."

"Aw, tough break."

"Whatever. What are you up to?"

"Since you're here and with free time," Fuel said, lifting a heavy bucket of water and handing it to Claus. "Here. Help me get this to my place."

Claus tried not to drop the weighty bucket. He balanced it in his grip so the thin metal handle dug less uncomfortably into his palm.


Claus set down the bucket and groaned, his arms and back felt sore after a long walk into the forest with the heavy thing in his hand.

"I don't get it," he panted. "How can you carry two of those here every day?"

"I'm used to it," Fuel grinned, before he looked at a point behind Claus. "Oh, hi dad."

Claus turned to see Lighter, a big man with black hair and a goatee, carrying a two-by-four plank of wood.

"Morning, Mr. Lighter," Claus greeted.

"Oh, hello Claus," Lighter said, then went silent for a beat. "When did you kids come here?"

"We just arrived," Fuel answered. "What's wrong?"

"You didn't run into any strangers on the way?"

Claus and Fuel exchanged a bewildered look, then shook their heads.

"It's probably nothing," Lighter said. "I just saw a few men in strange getup run around the forest carrying strange, heavy-looking things. Didn't want you running into them."

"Sounds cool," Fuel said, intrigued. Lighter didn't seem to share his son's opinion.

"In any case, I'm off to work," Lighter adjusted his plank. "I'll probably see those strange folk again. You two kids stay inside and never open the door to anyone who isn't me, got it?"


Lucas placed a candle on the nightstand next to Hinawa. Since Claus had left, he'd been fussing over his mother despite her assurance she was fine. She smiled at his worried expression when he replaced the damp washcloth on her forehead.

"As much as I like being doted over," she said, "You shouldn't worry about me, sweetie. It's just a fever. I'll be alright."

"Claus sure is taking his time coming home," Flint said as he lit up another candle and placed it on a flat candleholder on the table.

Lucas looked through the window towards the orange sky. "Maybe he's playing with Fuel?"

"Probably," Flint got up. "Take Boney and go tell Claus to come home."

"Me?" Lucas lifted his eyebrows and pointed to himself.

"Yes," Flint adjusted his hat. "You haven't left the house all day. Be back before dark."

Lucas looked behind at his mother, who nodded and smiled.

"O-okay."

After he pulled on his shoes, Lucas paused, sniffing the air.

"Do you smell that?" he asked. Hinawa shook her head.

"I don't think I can smell anything right now."

"Smells like something's burning," Flint said. "Maybe it's the rancher nearby burning off hay."

"But Mr. Butch is afraid of fire, dad," Lucas said, then walked over to the front door. When he opened it, he saw a man running towards the house, almost plowing into the boy. Lucas recognized the man as Thomas, who ran the town's bazaar. Thomas supported his hands on his knees and gulped for breath.

"Flint!" he yelled, "You gotta do something quick. It's a fire!"

Flint bolted up and hurried towards the man.

"Calm down. What are you saying?" he asked, "What fire?"

"It's the Sunshine Forest," Thomas said through his panting. "It's on f-f-fire. A huge fire. All over the forest."

Flint ran past the barely-coherent man towards the sheep pen. Lucas followed behind and gasped at the view.

Rising columns of thick smoke turned the whole sky north of Tazmily pitch black. Underneath, vast stretches of the forest glowed red in a sea of flames, matching the sunset. Lucas' heart sunk down to the floor.

Claus must be trapped somewhere inside the blaze.


A/N: Hey. :D I had this fic in the works for a while, so it's great I can now get it out here. I've only written fics with one protagonist and one story arc, and this one has three so it's going to be a long story. I'm assuming the readers know the games' story and characters, but I tried introducing characters as best as I could. Not that I'm keeping it all canon. I'm more like taking canon and making it stand on its head. Anyway, if what happened to Ness, Poo and Ninten was too jarring or the chapter was too vague, I'll just say they're still pivotal characters in this story and it won't be the last time we see them. Everything should be explained in due time. Not sure if I'll be updating on a consistent schedule, since this is me we're talking about, but I'll try updating as often as I can.