It all happened all over again, just the way Swaine remembered it, the tombstone trail, the cave, the monster they had to fight, the mornstar and… Marcassin.

Marcassin, standing there, tall and proud as the sage he was destined to become, taking down that monster in one single swoop, and Gascon, standing there beside him, observing.

Both smiling and looking sad, as he spoke to Marcassin, told how proud he was.

For Swaine it was like going over it again, he didn't have to guess what Gascon was thinking, he knew exactly what Gascon was thinking!

Gascon… he knew, that Marcassin would become a great sage, he had always known, and the best role he could have, the only role he had. Was to help Marcassin fullfill his purpose.

Now that Marcissin had, it was time for Gascon to leave, to find his own path and his own way, away from here.

And all of that made Gascon both relieved and sad, relieved that Marcassin would be okay now and be able to do all the things he had to, become the true crown prince and next sage of this country.

Sad because of that meant, there was no room for Gascon any-more… Gascon would have to stop to be, and Swaine would soon take his place.

Clinging his fists together Swaine looked down on the ground, what the heck was the point of all of this?!

Why on earth did he have to go through this twice! He knew very well why he had left! The memories would still haunt him, pop up when he least expected it and tear him down from the inside.

And it hadn't become any less true as time had passed had it!? He was right wasn't he!? Even without all those exspections around him, he was still a failure of life! He couldn't even make a decent living for himself! He had looked, so hard, for some-thing to do, some-thing he could be proud of and show to people, and he had failed! Failed miserable.

It was a good thing that Hamalin hadn't been forced to bear with him for all those years! He had done the right thing! It was the one, tiny, single right thing he had managed to do, in his entire life!

So why this!? WHY!?

He could never become a sage, he could never be the son his father wanted, Marcassin was that son. Swaine just took up space, nothing else!

People were right to dismiss him, so right.. dammit! So why did this hurt so much! Why?

Slowly Marcassins eyes turned to swaine, and Swaine couldn't help it, his pained eyes looked back at Marcassin, which mades Marcassins eyes widen, then he turned to Gascon next to him, looking wide-eyed at him.

"What's up with you now kiddo?" Gascon asked.

"I just.. You're going to be okay aren't you brother?" Marcassin asked. "Just because I can magic, it doesn't mean father will just get rid of you."

Gascon swallowed as he bit his lip, then shook his head. "Don't worrie about that brother, let us just get you home, so you can tell father about your victory."

"Our victory Gascon! You helped me! Why can't we tell together?" Marcassin asked running after the older boy.

"NO!" Gascon snapped making Marcassin jump where he stood. "Marcassin, this is your victory, and you will tell father about it." He stated with his back to Marcassin. "And I.. well I.." then he turned his head and smiled at Massacin. "Don't worry! I'll find my own path, just as father told me to do."

"Brother.." Marcassin whispered, and Gascon, walked out, in front of them.

Esther swallowed as she stood beside Oliver and Mr. Drippy. "What's going to happen to him?" she asked Oliver in a whisper. "I mean, in the future.. he.. he isn't there Oliver."

"I don't know, Mr. Drippy do you know?" Oliver asked.

"Sorry lad, not a clue." Mr. Drippy replied.

"Then why even think about it?" Swaine asked. "This is our far gone past isn't it? We only came to get the Mornstar, we got what we came for, leave it be." He then commented. "What-ever happened, has in fact, all-ready happened."

"Swaine, aren't you worried at all?" Esther asked turning to the older man. "What if he got hurt, or worse?"

In response Swaine merely snorted. "Little sir holiness?" he asked. "Please, that brat will get what is coming to him."

Only for Esther to gape gobsmacked. "That's so cruel! How can you say some-thing like that?" he asked.

"What?" Swaine asked. "It's not like it even matters! What-ever happened, it still isn't some-thing we can change. You can't change the past, not really. The only reason you could take the mornstar now, is because it did in fact disappear in our own time-line fifteen years ago."

"Mr. Drippy, is that true?" Oliver asked.

"Afraid so lad." Mr. Drippy nodded. "No one has ever been able to change the past, some have tried, using breach time to go back and try to change some-thing.. Only for their older self whom was forced to life up to that point in time, turn up again where they first used the spell, and tell it didn't work, it is indeed, impossible." He told. "If you tried to use breach time to journey back to before your mom died to safe her, some-thing would be bound to happen to you while you were there so you didn't succeed.. ya can't change what all-ready happened."

"Oh." Oliver blinked. "I see." He nodded.

"That's why ya just have to move on mun." Mr. Drippy told. "What happened, happened, and that's that! Now it's about what you choose to do next. So come on." He gestured. "Don't let that prince get to far away now."

It was no surprise to Swaine though, that as they neared Hogtown, Gascon stopped.

"Gascon?" Oliver asked confused.

"It's time for us to part ways now." Gascon told turning around looking at each of them. "You must go your way and I must go mine, find my own path as father wanted."

Dully Swaine observed the young prince whom spoke up, standing tall and proud. Good luck kiddo, living on your own is going to be a heck of a lot harder than you think right right now. this young prince, had yet to exsperience hunger, true hunger that nagging kind that will eat away in the stomach, he had yet to exsperience sleeping on a hard earth surface to wake up to ice cold rain and wind soaking his clothes while having nothing to change it for, he had yet to travel across a land while being alone, with no one to ask for guidens, he had yet to walk alone in a dark forest with no one to protect him and no where to go, he had yet to find himself in the middle of a gang of big massive thugs, with no idea of how to react or come out of it alive, all of this.. and so much more, the young prince had yet to exsperience first hand but.. at least he would survive, he would adapt, he would learn. That was kind of impressive Swaine supposed, but only kind of.

Slowly Gascon loosed the sword that hung in his belt, basically the crown jewel of Hamelin, it was to be worned by the crown prince of Hamelin only, or the emperor if there was no crown-prince yet. It was the definit proof of Gascons true identity, and now he handed it to Marcassin.

"This sword is the sword of a greate Sage." Gascon told handing the sword to Marcassin. "It's yours now."

"But.." Marcassin looked wide-eyed up at Gascon.

"Take it, it'll be far greater in your hands than mine." Gascon told. "Who-ever wields the sword, is the true heir of Hamelin, that's you now." he told.

Slowly Marcassin reached forward, and took the sword, now holding it in his two small hands, it looked very over siezed in this little persons hands.

"Don't worry, if you'll really need it. I'll help you." Gascon told. "No matter what, no matter where." he told.

Swaine averted his eyes.. he hadn't… he had been rather late.

As Gascon walked away, having done his final greeting, daring Esther and Oliver to meet him again in the future did Esther hesitate.

"you think we'll actually meet him again?" She asked.

Oliver also looked nervous. "I hope so." he told. "I mean, I hope nothing bad happened to him."

At last Swaine exhaled deeply. "I am quite sure you'll meet him." he stated. "And that he'll be just fine."

"Really?" Oliver asked wide-eyed and Swaine nodded.

"Really, now lets get going and get over with this." Swaine muttered a bit annoyed.


Swaine wasn't feeling well as they walked their last bit, not at all.

His chest was hurting as heck, as if his heart was overflowing, but he kept his wall up straight! As could as he possible could! He wouldn't let his guard down, he wouldn't.

Not now… they were so close to make it back home and far away from all of this, then he could leave it all behind and pretend it never happened. This had nothing to do with Swaine, he wasn't Gascon any-more! All he wanted at that moment, was to leave and forget all of it, and he fully intended to do so.

Never could he have imagined, he could have never known, his younger self was gone at that point, so he didn't knew.

That sight that met Swaine upon their return, there on the floor, his always so very proud and strong father, laying there, hurt and beaten.

Swaine couldn't even think! All thoughts had been put to a hold as he yelled loudly. "The emperor!" at ones he rushed to the mans side and helped him up, struggling as he fought the fight, to be able to hold the emperor and support him as good as he could. No, no no.. "Why? What happened?" he asked, holding the emperor tight.

"Sha… Shadar.." the emperor barely whispered back.

"Shadar?" Oliver asked from where he sat on his knees by the side of the emperor.

"He.. he came here. To demand, our complete… surrender." The emperor spoke, clearly each and every word was a struggle, as all colour seemed to leave his face and he groaned in pain. "But let it be known! I defied him.. I would not bow to that wretch.." and with that word, he gasped for air, crumbling together in pain, as he tried to muster strength for his next sentence. His father, Swaines so proud father whom would never ever bow to any-one, never had there been a more stubborn man, a more.. pridefull man. And now seeing him like this, so weak, as he tried to lift his hand for one final strong statement, even now he was so full of that stupid pride.

"No don't." Swaine asked, begged in fact, as he held the emperor as good as he could. "Don't try to speak." He begged.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, the emperors eyes turned to Swaine, looking directly at him, festooned on Swaines face, eyes that was felt with warmth, sadness, and just a hint of regret as he spoke. "Gascon.."

Swaines eyes widened in shock. "huh?"

"My son.." The emperor spoke as he looked at Swaine, the yerning in his voice so clear, his eyes so begging, begging Swaine to listen to this. "My.. beloved son.." he could barely whisper as he reached up a weak hand for Swaine, a hand that seemed to just want to embrace him, or touch him, any-thing! But it was to weak for even that, as that small motion cost the emperor all of his strenght and the hand fell down.

Confused Swaine looked at him, swallowing.

"You really thought, I couldn't tell?" The Emperor asked, just a bit of hurt in his voice.

"You knew?" Swaine asked, biting his lip, feeling to lump in his throat growing ever bigger as tears forced themselves through his eyes, and dripped down his face.

"Your appearance might have changed. But I know my own flesh and blood." The emperor spoke, a hint of small amusement in his eyes, before he grew more serious again. His eyes so begging, as he looked at Swaine. "The future, is a mystery to all men." He told, then finally managed to grab Swaines cheek, with a suprisingly firm hand considering his weakened state, as he looked at him, so serious, his eyes burning themselves into Swaines. "But I know." He told, in such a strong conviction. "I know!" he repeated, in a strong booming voice. "That together! You and Marcassin can… " he coughed, and up came a few small drops of blood.

"Father please!" Swaine begged, but the emperor shook his head and continued regardless.

"I believe in you." The emperor spoke, holding Swaines cheek still, so gentle, so warm as he looked Swaine in the eyes. His words, were pure honesty, which cut into Swaines stomach that much harder. "Protect the empire!" his father asked, no.. demanded! It was a clear guide-line! an order! a responsibility, a responsibility that Swaine never thought his father had thougth him worthy of, with all of his short-comings, but the emperors words were so secure! He.. He believed.. That Swaine could in fact, protect the empire, protect every-one. "Now, and in the future!" and with that, the last bit of energy slipped away from the emperor as his hand that held Swaines cheek grew limp, and his body sunk limp together in Swaines arms.

"Father!?" Swaine exclaimed. "FATHER NO! FATHER! PLEASE!" he begged cradding the limp body in his arms, tears streaming down his eyes. "I got to meet you again.. And now this?" he asked. "I just wanted.. I just wanted to make you proud! Father!" he cried. "And now this has to happen!?" He asked in a loud angry yelled. "DAMMIT!" he cried and picked up the body, holding it tight as he cried. "NOOOO!" then he opened his mouth, and the cries came out, cries and tears.

What did all of this mean, what happened, why did it happen? Swaine didn't know! All he could do was to hold the dead emperor and cry, cry openly in big wails, as a little cry-baby, as tears fell from his eyes and plastered down on the dead emperors face as a small waterfall. "Father.." he whispered holding the still warm body tight in his arms. "Father… I so wanted to become a person you could be proud of, it's the one thing.. the one thing I wanted. And I failed, how could you look at me even now and say you believed in me? How?" he asked. "I don't understand, father.. please.. Don't leave me like this.. Don't."

Then, a little hand touched his shoulder, Swaine lifted his head, and looked behind him as the tears still ran down his eyes.

And there in front of him, stood a young child, with long black hair, small droplets of water also falling down his face.. Marcassin.

Swaine gasped for air as he saw the little boy, then slowly, gently he put down the emperor, before turned to Marcassin, and embraced the little boy in a crushing hug as he cried, holding the boys head close with his hands, holding him close as he cried and cried. "I'm sorry." He cried. "I'm sorry, I didn't know! If I had known, no one should be alone with this! Least of all you.. I'm sorry." He repeated. Holding the boy tight in his embrace, crying."I'm so sorry." he repeated.

Slowly, the small pairs of arms, reached around him, and embraced him back, as Marcassin buried his face into Swaines shirt, crying as well.

There was no words either of them could give, to give the situation any other meaning, they just held each other tightly, crying.

That was until another light hand was put on Swaines shoulder, this time belonging to Oliver, neither did he say any-thing, just stood there with his hand on Swaines shoulder, giving his quiet sympathy, Esther crawled closer, putting her chin on Swaines back, and then just sat there like that, Drippy standing between them looking up at them, his little lantern lightening up the gloomy throne room.

The meaning was clear, but just made Swaine cry all that much harder… 'You are not alone, not at this moment, we are here'

And Swaine cried, all the pain, all he had held down so well for so many years, the wall had been breached and there was no stopping the flood that washed over him as he cried, wailed like a baby, begging his forgiveness, swearing to do better.. cried and cried he did.

Until, there simply was no tears left, the massive flood dried out, and Gascon could look up, suddenly able to breath, confused over what had happened or what he was supposed to do.. no one knew what to say. No one, it would be foolish to try and say any-thing.


The day after, Swaine was gone.. no one knew to where, he wasn't in the room Marcassin had given to him, wasn't in the palace.. gone.

"He can't be to far gone." Esther commented. "I mean.. we are still stuck in the past, he wouldn't want to be stuck here."

"When Gascon is upset, he always does this weird thing." Marcassin commented from where he sat on a stone pillar next to them.

Oliver blinked as he turned to Marcassin.

"Well spit it out, what is it lad?" Mr. Drippy asked.

Marcassin smiled lightly. "When Gascon runs into a problem he has no answer to, he usually goes out in the wasteland and thinks, he can walk around there for hours just thinking, that's how he came up with the idea of the hog tank.. while wandering and thinking." he told. "When father and Gascon had an argument, he would also do it, father would go to his study to think and Gascon would go to the wastelands and think. It's pretty funny actually." he smiled slightly. "Perhaps your friend Swaine is the same way?" he asked.

"Ah.." Oliver blinked. "Yes could be." he commented.

"I remember one time Gascon had a really bad argument with father, early in the morning, he went out to the wastelands to think, and first came back in the middle of the night, he was gone the entire day thinking." Marcassin smirked. "But then he had also come up with some really great ideas! Gascon is really smart."

"He's a thinker, who knew." Mr. Drippy commented.

"Makes sense I guess.. takes time to think things over from every ankle." Oliver frowned.

"perhaps he even thinks way to much, that can be a problem." Esther commented in a slight eyeroll.


The kids had no idea how right they were.

It was correct, for as long as Gascon or Swaine had been alive, when he encountered a particular troublesome problem, he would automaticly remove himself from distractions and think things over, from every single possible little ankle..

His mind was a place where thoughts could fly around in a fast pace, and he would frown and analyze it would try to find his solutions, he wouldn't even notice where he walked or where he was, his mind would be way to far gone.

And that's exactly how it was as he quite alone wandered the hamelin wastelands, the wind blowing in his hair and coat.

And this new problem he had encountered, this new information he had to digest and make sense off, was the most troublesome yet!

He still didn't quite know what to think or say, it was like, that massive flood that had been let loose the day before, had actually helped him, it was like.. had been carrying all of that around, for a very long time. But every single one of his tears he had kept abay for so long, had actually been a weight, now thrown away back to where they came.

And Swaine felt lighter than he could ever remember having felt, but also he felt so weirdly empty. His mind, his chest.. it was so empty. What did all of this even mean? He tried to process all his father had said, he had said.. Marcassin wasn't supposed to be emperor, what about Gascon? Could Swaine really have been that wrong? For all of that time? He had been so convinced, so sure, that his father saw him as nothing as a burden, some-one whom shouldn't be emperor.. But now he had said, that he not only wanted Gascon to be emperor, but.. he believed in him? He.. really did. And, he had been so confident, so extremely confident in giving Swaine this new responsibility, even though Swaine looked as he did, even though he had become a thief, his father still.. Still believed. Thinking that, made the space that had now been left empty, after all those heavy weights of emotions had been thrown out, it made that space feel all sqeeshy.. it was exciting, scary, sad, proud. It felt like a purpose, a good purpose! After so long a time, a reason to be there, and it felt good.. but christ was it scary to.

Swaine hadn't had any responsibilities for so long, but perhaps now.. it was the time to do it. Protect the empire.. he had been asked to protect the empire, his fathers one wish. His father whom had refused to bow for shadar.. Shadar whom had attacked all of them, Swaines father, Marcassin, Swaine himself.. No longer could Swaine allow himself to bow to Shadars wretch, it simply wasn't right.

You can't change the past but.. the future laid right open in front of him!

Suddenly it felt like Swaines eyes had been unclouded, and for the first time in his life, he could see. The future! The possibilities! His potential to help.. his father believed he could, even after seeing his poor state of being. He had still spoken with such love and devotion, such confidence.. even thinking about it made it tug in Swaines heart.

And he both felt like crying and smiling by the memory, he didn't quite know which one to chose yet.

All of that and so much more had gone through Swaines mind on his lonesome wandering through the waste, he had chewed carefully on every aspect, analysed every word, he thought back on how he first had met oliver, how his heart had gotten broken, how so many hearts had been stolen away, he thought about Marcassin both here in the past and the future, he thought about the empire, he thought about Shadar, the missing wizards and the sages.. he spend a lot of time thinking. And as he was finally back at the cities street an entire day after, he sat by himself out-side on the stairs, looking just as thoughtful as before.

As expected he wasn't allowed to be left alone for long as some-one had come to check up on him, this time being Oliver whom carefully stepped up in front of Swaine sitting spot on the door steps.

"Swaine.." Oliver hesitated.

"Yes, Oliver." Swaine exhaled deeply not even facing the boy.

"Your heart it's.."

"Hm?" Swaine asked.

"There was a wall around it, a wall you build." Oliver whispered. "But it has been breached open now, please don't let yourself rebuild that wall, it'll only hurt you further." He told.

Slowly Swaine turned to Oliver, looking at him.

"You were sad, and you were angry." Oliver hesitated. "And you took out that anger on those around you, now though I think is the time, you need to ask yourself. Who were you actually really angry at?" he asked.

Swaine looked at Oliver. "Honestly.. my.." he stopped himself, just before managed to finish the word, 'myself' … and as he looked up, he realised it, it all laid so clear and bare before him, all that anger, aimed at his own person, for not being good enough. All this resentment, all aimed at his own inabilities.. Every last drop of anger and resentment, he had so easily spewed out towards those around him, were actually aimed for himself and him alone, that was the place where it had all hit, and that was were they had hurt the most.. at his own person.

He had been the one doing it, the one punishing himself, for all those years!

And yet, some-how.. there was just no anger left, no resentment, no nothing. It was an odd, weird feeling, not feeling any of that.. like so much else, it made him feel weirdly empty. What was he supposed to do with this void? Fill it up with something else? But then what?

"How.. odd.." Swaine commented as he closed his eyes. "I.. I don't remember ever having felt like this before." He admitted. "It feels quite different than being given back a piece of heart, this is.." then he breathed in deeply. "Oliver.. look." He then hesitated opening his eyes.

"Yes Swaine?" Oliver asked.

"My original plan was merely to follow you to Hogtown and sort out my own business, then leave." Swaine admitted. "But, I see now that. Well, will you allow me to continue with you on your journey?" he asked.

Making Oliver blink.

Swaine smirked a little amused as he sat down on the stairs. "You have a long journey ahead of you yet Oliver, I want to assist you, from now on." He told. "This is bigger than just me, or what happened here in this past, isn't it? In comparison to what you try to accomplish, every-thing else is small." he stated. "And I think perhaps, only by working together towards this common goal can we succeed, and we must. It's the world that is at stake, our world and every-thing in it, including Hamelin, all of this." He admitted. "It needs rescuing and some-one needs to do it. I wish to help now, honest!" he told, then exhaled deeply. "I can't remember ever having done any-thing, that wasn't because of anger or disappointment, but this time. It just feels right." He admitted. "I was.. erh.. I was asked to protect the future and.. that's what I want to do." he told. "To do that though, I need to help you. Help you safe the world, may I?" he asked looking up at Oliver.

"Of course you can continue with us!" Oliver beamed. "I hoped you would!"

"Really?" Swaine asked looking up.

"Uhu." Oliver nodded. "Some-thing just told me you were the guy we needed." He told.

"Hm, I see." Swaine smiled lightly. "Well then, for now. This journey is the most important thing in the world, every-thing else. What-ever small quarrels I took with me, they have second priority at best."

"That's very selfless of you." Oliver smiled.

"Hey, don't you start. I am a thief remember! Thiefs are self serving, you are ruining my image kiddo." Swaine stated resting his head in his hands as he leaned back, making Oliver chuckle amused. "As far as you are concerned, I am a cowardly, self-serving, unreliable, thief!" he stated. "You got that?" he asked glancing up at Oliver.

"Sure thing Swaine!" Oliver beamed, then chuckled. "Opposite you! I got it!" he told, dashing about.

"Opposite?" Swaine asked looking up at the place Oliver had been, though the boy was all-ready long gone. "What nerve! That's exactly what I am!" he told. "And I am not even sorry about it!" he stated importantly.

Unknowingly to him, being observed from above, from the window to the throne room, it was the young sage Marcassin, whom had observed it as he smiled. "No, it's opposite you, you are so good at pretending to be the opposite of your true self brother." He sighed. "I see now, you have your own reasons, when we meet in the future, you will be in the middle of this travel you will have to continue, dearest brother. I will protect our empire, while you safe the world! And thusly also our empire! That is your place right now! So when we meet again, I will honour you wishes and keep pretending." He told. "Then when you saved the world, you can come home for real, so we can rule together! I'll make sure every-thing will be ready for you! And I'll count the days brother. I promise brother, it will be ready for your return." He stated as he led the curtains slide back, letting Swain be alone and do his own thing. "I will do my best." He whispered. "So I can become as courageous and selfless as you, dearest brother, whom is so good at playing opposite yourself." He chuckled down in his hands. The warmth of the belief he had in Gascon overflowing in his chest.

It sure was a nice feeling, actually knowing what was to happen to Gascon, and knowing they would meet again, his amazing big brother, whom was going to safe the entire world! for sure!

And when they did meet again, Marcassin could order Gascon to take a bath! He smelled funny these days, what on earth was that about?