Due to popular demand, I am posting the first chapter of my other SoA fanfic, Valuan Skies. As usual, all SoA characters belong to the good people at Sega. Any upcoming OCs are mine (not yours! BLEH!) and any similarities between them and other characters, dead, alive, or fictional, are pure coincidence. Any similarities between this fic and any others are also pure coincidence. I did not completely steal the Master Roshi character for this fan fic. ;) Anyway, enjoy this journey into a parallel Arcadia. One where everything you thought you knew, just isn't how it is.

Valuan Skies

Chapter 1: Everything is Not as it Seems

"Air Pirate scum. You have attacked a Valuan Vessel for the last time! Prepare to die!"

The pale skinned, white-haired youth drew his sword. He was standing on the deck of a large, wooden air ship, known across the world as the infamous Albatross. The captain stood in front of his cabin, shouting commands.

"Luke, Briggs, take care of this Valuan scum. I'll look after the girl!"

The youth turned to his opponents.

"So. You are the cannon fodder that is to slow me down. Are you so low on the ladder as to be sacrificed to me? Ha. You do not stand a chance."

"Shut up, and die!" shouted Briggs, raising his pistol and pulling the trigger. With a single fluid motion, Ramirez twisted away from the bullet and used his momentum to charge toward his opponent. His blade was extended to the side as he rushed past the pirate. He stopped, and turned around. Briggs gasped and looked down at the gash in his stomach.

snap went Ramirez's fingers, and Briggs fell to the ground, now in two pieces.

"Briggs!" cried Luke, as he drew his own blade and rushed at the youth.

"Ah, a swordsman. Let me see how skilled you are." Luke slashed wildly, trying mightily to remove his opponent's head from his shoulders. The youth easily parried every attack with a slight movement. Finally, he disarmed Luke with a flick of the wrist and impaled his head, killing him instantly.

"As I thought. No match at all." Turning away, the soldier entered the Albatross, searching for the girl that held the answers.

After marching through the ship and killing several other crew members, Ramirez came to the escape pods.

"So, you found me after all. Well, you're too late. I will not deign to fight you now. However, maybe this will be more your style. Garbanzo! Come forth!"

Smash! Boom Crash! the door fell in and a huge beast in armor marched out.

"Do you like my war beast? Garbanzo, finish off this infiltrator!"

Garbanzo charged forward, trying to trample the soldier. The youth was too quick, however, and jumped over the beast. He dashed forward, grabbed the girl, and placed her out of harm's way. Then he faced the beast. It charged again, but this time the soldier met it with his blade extended. At the last moment, he turned aside, slashing a leg with his sword. The beast fell down on it's side, wounded. In the same movement, the young man pulled out a set of throwing knives and threw them, each finding it's mark in the belly of the beast. With a loud roar, it died.

"Hmm, you may become a pest. For now, though, I congratulate you. We will meet again." said Dyne as he flew away in an escape craft, safe from the man's onslaught. The youth walked over to the girl, just as her eyes flickered open.

" . . . R . .. Ramirez?" was all she could manage before falling unconscious again.

The youth was thunderstruck. How does she know my name!