Daichi: So... my computer, which had the original of this, died.

Verity: You're acting rather... calm about it. Are you sure you remember it all? No pressure.

Krystal: Yeah, they love making my life miserable. Anyway, they only own me, Lou, Geo, and Tony.

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So many recipes unknown to mortalkind. And one human was attempting to alchemize them all. Sure, she had a Celestrian and a fairy to help, but she should have known that it would all go wrong.

"One more to go... one more to go..." Krystal, mortal guardian of the entire Protectorate- big job, yes, but she loved it- chanted as she looked at Krak Pot. The pot was less than enthusiastic about the energetic minstrel having it help out for five days straight, but the growing pile of highly complex weapons and armor showed that she at least knew a little about what she was doing. The sad thing was that, even if it went well, few if any of them would ever be used. Especially the fans. One of Krystal's first creations had clicked with her, and since then, she refused to use anything but her beloved White Tiger Fan.

Geo, best, and only, paladin in Stornway, grinned. "This'll be great!" Next to them, his soul, Bombax, laughed.

"We'll be the best, boss!"

Louisa, kleptomaniac and former crossdresser, groaned. "Shut up, Bombax. And Geo, remember the last time you got cocky?"

"I have no clue what you mean by that."

Stella, Krystal's fairy companion and world's most reckless driver, replied. "You provoked a flapping Boss Troll!"

"One time!"

Tony, self proclaimed world's most powerful mage (Admittedly, he had no challengers.) sighed. "You know they'll never let you live it down, right?"

"I can try!"

Pavo, last remaining Celestrian and Krystal's impromptu assistant, looked to be resisting the urge to laugh. Of those who could see her, meaning Stella and the four who thought eating fyggs was a wonderful idea, only Krystal could really tell that. She supposed it was a holdover from training under Pavo's brother, Aquila. Finding out about the relationship between the two had been a surprise, although she could definitely see the resemblance. Despite knowing Pavo from almost the beginning, she was only told after... she shook her head. No time for bitter memories.

"Look, kid, this is a dangerous thing. I can't really stop you, but I should warn you. The Reset Fan has the power to heal you and negate your foes healing abilities, but..."

Louisa sighed. "There's always a but."

"...If something goes wrong, it casts a one-way time travel spell to an unknown time in the past with only your natural abilities and perhaps a few things kept close to your heart carried over. For everyone in the general vicinity."

Krystal couldn't help but be curious. "What about fyggs?"

"I suppose that they would take effect as soon as such a thing became viable."

"So... I'd be a Celestrian up until fyggbloom?"

Geo groaned. "And she calls me reckless."

"Boss Troll."

"One time!"

Krystal glared. "It was a hypothetical question! It's good to be safe, is all. Tony, Stella, pass the ingredients."

Bombax sighed. "What about me?"

"Shut up, Bombax. Besides, I don't really trust you with this delicate stuff."

It had gone well, at first. And then the cat had gotten in.

"No, kitty, away from the pot!" Geo swung his hammer... and smashed Krak Pot.

Stella said it best. "Well, flap-"

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Louisa looked at herself in the mirror. Boy's clothing. So, at least before she met... "Well played, Krys, well played." She knew her best friend had an insatiable urge for adventure, and five years would be perfect for that. Seventy-five percent chance of failure. Perhaps she hadn't been concerned with whether or not it was a success. A good weapon or a new adventure? Yep, sounded like Krystal.

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Geo glared at Bombax. "Why did you have to come along? I hadn't even started paladin training yet!"

"I'm bound to you, boss. You heard Miss Krystal when we met. She was rather amused by it."

"...Shut up, Bombax."

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Tony watched his spell hit the murderer. He hadn't prevented his parent's deaths, but he did get revenge... even if it took five years and some botched alchemy to do it. "Louisa would tell me this was wrong, but she's a kleptomaniac. She has no say in my morals. Krys would also disapprove, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her." Still, he should probably hide the body. Just to be sure.

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To say that Aquila was in shock... was an understatement. He had only taken his eyes off of his apprentice for ten minutes, and something about her had changed. It wasn't that hard to see, either. He'd had three days to notice it.

It had started with the fan. Krystal had always been clumsy with a sword at best, so trying a new weapon was nothing surprising. However, while the daggers had slipped from her hand, the arrows from the bows always fell short, and she had tied herself up with her own whip, the way she moved with the fan was graceful, with fluid motions that, if he hadn't known better, he'd swear were the signs of someone who'd practiced for years.

It was other things, two. The way she carried herself more confidently. Her newfound awkwardness with her wings. A more casual manner of speech and relaxed set of her face. When he could see it. That was another thing about Krystal that had changed.

Unless he ordered her to, she couldn't seem to bring herself to look him in the eyes.

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When Krystal saw the traveling party approaching the gate, she suppressed a groan. There were so many ways that this could go wrong. A dark skinned girl in boy's clothing was nothing new, but the two boys following her with purple hair meant only one thing.

"What are they doing here?" She muttered to herself, low enough so Aquila wouldn't hear. "Don't they realize I have a job?" Actually, this could be beneficial. She just needed a way to reveal herself to them... Bombax. Of course. Still, she wondered how anyone could react to what she was planning.

Not five hours later, Angel Falls was swimming- almost literally- with Benevolessense. A bit much, but she had to be certain.

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Pavo was less than pleased. Especially since she'd have to be the one to work with the Starflight Express to put it in motion. She knew the threads of destiny well- difficult to alter, but can create a real mess. On the other hand, there was a chance, albeit a small one, that they could get a real change out of it. She arranged herself in a comfortable position on the counter. This could take a while.

At least, except for the really early fyggbloom. She was glad Patty had apparently left following the other adventurers out of town. She'd get there in time.

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As the Observatory shook, Krystal stood up shakily. It was easier for her, for some reason. She could still feel the pull, however, and knew she was due to return to her mortal existence as Krystal of Stornway. Still...

"Krystal! Take my hand!" It would be so easy. Just reach out and grab. Stay and explain her sudden change. There were so many things that she wanted to say, but couldn't yet find the words to. Perhaps staying would give her time to think on those words. She was doubtful, however.

How do you tell someone that you saw them die? She couldn't.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, so only they could hear. "But I'm needed elsewhere, at the moment." Her wings flapped once, twice, three times... and no more. Gently smiling, she allowed herself to fall.

Her friends were waiting for her.

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Daichi: I've only really played this game halfway, but I like it. And Krystal being human early is something that will break the game's script. Quite badly. The wonders of a New Game+. Or, well, close enough.