I've been busy. Beginning of summer is always when it gets busiest for me. And not just because I don't own Phineas and Ferb.

Thanks to 14AmyChan for her beta services.

The impact shook the ground ferociously.

As recorded in the stone wall on this, the first day of entombment:

My eyes flutter open, but I see only darkness.
My ears perk up, but I hear only water trickling.
My mouth takes in the air, but I am not refreshed.
My nose hunts for aromas, but I smell only dampness.
My hands feel for warmth, but I find only cold stone.
My mind searches for memories, but I recall only one.
A tune:

Alone and blind, I now must find the answers to my past
If I had some, my friends are done; I've no supporting cast
Even my name I can't retain; my end is coming fast
I'm trapped in here, and bound by fear - this moment is my last

"Ray?"

"Ray..."

"Raa-hay..."

Irving was gently coaxing the blond-haired boy awake, for he had landed on top of his companion after the explosion, and Ray had been passed out ever since. It was quickly becoming worrisome to the bespectacled young boy, who probably needed Ray to survive this strange place.

Finally, the teenager in question groaned.

"Uhhn..."

"Ray," continued Irving gently. "It's me. Irving."

"Uhhnnh... what happened?"

"We fell into the ground, and it looks like you got hit pretty hard."

"I feel like I got hit pretty hard," replied Ray, reaching up and touching the backside of his head. His hand returned with a deep crimson hue.

Blood.

"Oh, god," said Irving, clearly beginning to panic. "I had no idea it was that bad."

"It isn't, really," objected Ray. "Here, let me just–"

Ray cocked his head to one side, then the other, his neck making a slight popping noise with the movement. Almost immediately, his blood-soaked hair returned to its proper bright-blond color, and the previously mortal wound was nothing but a small scratch and a bump; and even that disappeared after another minute.

Irving watched this unfold, shocked.

"I can channel energy, remember?" said Ray, trying to explain his actions. "I'm just using that power to heal myself."

Irving nodded, understanding. His gaping mouth snapped shut.

"Unfortunately," continued Ray, quickly growing quieter and more lethargic, "it also makes me really... tired... Do you mind if we wait for a few hours so I can take a nap?"

If Ray expected a response, he did not get one, for as soon as he finished the sentence, he curled up in the dirt crater left over from the impact and passed out.

Irving was left to guard. Again.

Seven hours, twenty-four minutes, and thirteen seconds later (Irving counted), Ray arose from his slumber. After another twelve minutes and forty-one seconds, they both were ready to start moving.

"Where do we go?" asked Irving, seeking direction.

Ray looked around. "Well, see those cliffs over there?" he asked, pointing in a southwestwardly direction.

Irving nodded. "Uh-huh."

"I think those are the same cliffs as the ones near where you first arrived here the other day. If we go over to them and then follow them south and east, we should be able to find where we first arrived."

Irving's heart lightened, glad to know that Ray knew where they were.

"Once we find that place, we'll sit down and see what kind of plan we can form from there."

Happy that Ray had a plan, Irving quickly headed towards the cliffs. All he really needed was a plan to put into action, and then he was off like a rocket.

Ray, however, had his doubts about this plan, although he did not voice them for fear of worsening Irving's already bad day. Truthfully, Ray was not even sure those were the same cliffs as the ones they had entered Eden near. He was pretty sure they were the same, but he could never be certain. Frankly, he did not know his way around Eden any better than Irving did - the B.L.A.D.E. had taken him everywhere he had needed to go for every mission he had ever needed to complete.

Besides, once they had found the spot they were looking for—if they ever found that spot—Ray had no idea where to go next. He knew he should probably head for Zion, and that Zion was near the southeast corner of Eden, but he had no idea on how to get there.

Still, he got up and trudged along after Irving. Any plan, even a bad one, was better than no plan at all.

So, Ray and Irving headed to the cliff, then began walking beside it, due southeast.

It was not long before a lone figure became visible in the distance. The black silhouette was initially shimmering in the duo's eyes, but quickly came into focus as they drew nearer the man.

Then, just behind the person, another figure became visible.

"Who are they?" Irving whispered to Ray, previous encounters with shadowlike figures saddling him with a touch of fear.

"Nomads, probably," replied the teenager. "There used to be thousands of them all over the place."

"What happened to them?" inquired Irving, slightly more at ease knowing they were not going to be under attack any time soon.

"Well, the Dragon came along, and they either got turned into Shadows, or fled."

After a moment of quiet contemplation, he added, "Honestly, I didn't think there were any left."

When yet a third figure appeared behind the two already in sight, however, Ray started to become suspicious. Maybe these were not the friendly nomads he had assumed them to be.

Then again, Shadows - the alternative - usually traveled in groups of at least fifty.

That was when the first hut became visible in the distance. It was relatively primitive; a one-room house with wooden walls and a thatched roof, but it provided adequate shelter. There were no windows on the house either, though there was a functioning door.

Once the nearest figure looked up from his work and noticed Ray and Irving, walking along, the first thing he did was scurry back to the hut, alerting the other two on his way. All three then dashed into the hut and slammed the door shut. Such a friendly welcome.

Irving looked at Ray curiously. "Why did they do that?" he asked, curiosity and a thirst for knowledge of anything human-related getting to him.

"I— I don't know," replied Ray, equally confused.

Just then, the sound of another door slamming drew their attentions to their left. Another hut was standing there, albeit slightly further back, nearly identical to the one they had just seen. Again, the door was shut.

As they continued walking, the two gradually noticed a change in the texture beneath their feet. Looking down, Irving discovered that the grassy meadow was slowly giving way to a cobblestone road. It seemed deliberate, as though the people had taken the time to create such a pathway. Interesting. Maybe they were not travelers...

More huts, like the two Ray and Irving had already passed, were lined up on either side of the road. As they walked by, the inhabitants of these houses who were not already cooped up indoors quickly dashed into their dwelling and shut the door.

"It's almost like they're... trying to avoid us," noted Irving.

"Yeah," agreed Ray, perplexed.

"Why?"

"I don't know," the blond teen admitted. "I don't know."

Despite this, the two kept on walking, presumably for answers, or perhaps even shelter or directions. Soon, they arrived at a crossroads. Literally speaking.

By now, Irving had seen enough. "I don't think these are nomads," he finally stated.

Ray looked back at him. "That should have gone without saying," he replied. "But I thought–"

"You thought?" Irving prompted when Ray did not finish.

"I thought that–" Ray stopped again, struggling to collect his thoughts and convey them in a way that was not pointing blame at anyone. After a few moments, he sighed. "I'm sure it's nothing," he said, dismissing the subject.

At that point, a man came running out of one of the nearby houses, heading directly for Irving and Ray.

"People!" he screamed. "People! People! People! People! People!"

He ran into Ray, bringing his body to a crashing halt. His mouth, however, kept moving.

"Real, living, breathing, remembering PEOPLE!" he continued, standing up and continuing as if nothing had just happened.

Whether it was due to this man contradicting the hostile treatment that Ray and Irving had received thus far, or because of the unusual way this man acted, both kids were quite surprised. At this point, the stranger was squeezing Ray's checks together, then pulling them apart, as if to make sure they were made of actual skin. He actually sort of looked like a cartoon with the way his skin was currently being stretched.

Ray tolerated this for as long as he could, then pushed the man away, screaming, "Get off me!"

"PEOPLE!" the man screamed again. "Finally! No more corruption! It's all going to be okay!"

He then started doing this crazy dance where he hopped in circles around Ray and Irving, waving his fingers this way and that, and occasionally hitting one of the two in the head. Needless to say, this began to get slightly irritating in a short amount of time.

"Seriously," repeated Ray. "Get off! It's starting to get weird!"

Suddenly, from somewhere in the distance, a gruff voice was heard. "Down, boy!" it said, leaving no doubt as to who was in charge.

Instantly, the man who had been bugging Ray and Irving stepped away and sat cross-legged on the ground. His new posture was like one of an obedient pup. Playful, but not daring to disobey.

"Now, Landon," said the voice, as its bearer stepped into view. "I want you to go home silently."

The man scurried away on four legs awkwardly by first taking huge leaps, then sliding on his stomach, then a few more huge leaps. The traveling boys watched awkwardly.

After Landon had scooted out of sight, the other man turned to Ray and Irving. He was wearing a Los Angeles Galaxy T-shirt and blue jeans, but his tone of voice and facial expressions made it clear that he was the one with authority. Irving did, however, take note that the man's tee shirt specifically said "Los Angeles". Perhaps they had an LA baseball team over here, too?

"You'll have to excuse Landon," he apologized, politely. "The lad's kind of insane. It's not his fault, either."

"Umm... who are you?" asked Ray before looking around himself once more. "And what is this place?"

"Walk with me," the elder man said, turning around. "I'll enlighten you."

Cautious, Ray hid his hand behind his back, then made a fist, allowing his hand to transform into a sword. Then, keeping Irving behind him, he followed the stranger. Far better to be safe than sorry.

"The name's Amadeus," the man introduced. "Amadeus Pitzer."

"Pitzer..." Ray repeated, trying the name out on his own tongue. It sounded so familiar, yet he could not place the man's name from anything he had heard before.

"Anyways," the boy said, moving on from trying to figure it out for now. "I'm–"

"Ray Hawkridge," interrupted Amadeus. "I know. I doubt there's a soul in Eden who doesn't know who you are."

"Okay," replied Ray. "Yeah. So, I'm Ray, and next to me is Irving."

"Irving," Pitzer said, extending a friendly hand. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Irving gratefully shook the hand, happy that someone would be 'pleased' to make his acquaintance.

"Next question," continued Ray as soon as the two had finished their handshake. "Where are we?"

"Exodus," Amadeus responded briskly. "A small village near the cliffs. Right now, I'm their chieftain."

"I didn't know there were other towns in Eden," said Ray, confused. "I've always been told that Zion was the only one."

"That's what the S.C.A.R. wants you to think," explained the chieftain.

"Huh?" asked Ray. That response raised more questions than it answered.

"Let me put it this way," Amadeus Pitzer said, attempting to clarify the situation. "You've heard about the mysterious disappearances in Zion, correct?"

"Yeah," Ray agreed. "They still don't know who's behind all of those."

"And they never will," confided Amadeus. "Because it's the S.C.A.R., the ones leading the investigation, who are the masterminds behind the whole thing."

"The scar?" asked Irving, puzzled.

"The Supreme Council of Authorized Representatives," explained Ray. "They're basically the governing body of Eden."

"I see."

"But there's no way that's true," continued Ray. He trusted the S.C.A.R., and many of its members were good friends of his. There was no way they would purposefully mislead him. Mislead the entire realm of Eden. No way.

"Better believe it," Pitzer argued. "The S.C.A.R. is corrupt."

"Prove it."

"All right, then. Who was the first person to disappear from Zion?"

Ray thought hard, tracing everything he knew about Eden's recent history, and even farther back. Yet his mind came up blank. No names came forth in his memory. "I can't remember," he finally admitted.

"It was me," confessed Amadeus, a serious tone encompassing his voice and facial features. "They didn't like the work I was looking into, so instead of outlawing my scientific experiments, they outlawed me. And that's what they've been doing ever since."

"Why?" inquired Ray.

"To improve their PR," said Irving, comprehending the situation far more quickly than one should have.

Both Ray and Amadeus looked at him, the former confused, the latter nodding in confirmation.

"They don't want to look bad in front of the public," Irving explained. "And it puts them in higher regard if they vow to search for a missing man and his kidnapper than if they banned the sect of science that you were looking into."

"Ahh," Ray said, still wearing an expression of disbelief.

"By the way, what branch of science were you studying?" asked Irving, his curiosity shining through his glasses.

"The brain," replied Pitzer, tapping onto his own head. "More specifically, the relationship between chronology and memory, and its potential effects. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," replied Irving, and the conversation began to drift off.

"Oh, and one other thing," the bespectacled boy added a moment later, as he thought of it. "Why was everyone hiding from us as we walked into the village. Literally everyone except you and that crazy guy ran into their homes and shut their doors."

"It's because they've never seen strangers before," Amadeus replied. "They're not used to them."

"Huh?"

"You see, before casting them into the wilderness, the S.C.A.R. injects everyone they want to get rid of with a serum that induces memory loss. So, while they can remember most of their lives, they have no recollection of the S.C.A.R. or the existence of Zion. In essence, they remove their world from ours."

Irving looked at Amadeus oddly. "If nobody who gets kicked out of Zion can remember Zion, why do you?"

The chieftain's eyes widened, and he hesitated a moment. Ray waited patiently, Irving eagerly.

"Umm... I was the first one they kicked out," he answered. "It hadn't occurred to them until afterward."

Ray, still not up to speed on the scenario, spoke up again.

"Okay, so let me get this straight," he said. "According to you, the corrupt S.C.A.R. is kicking everyone they don't like out of Zion..."

"Yes," confirmed Amadeus.

"And you were the first one they kicked out."

"Right again."

"And you didn't lose your memories of Zion because the S.C.A.R. didn't think of doing that until after you got kicked out."

"It sounds like you understand it," Pitzer summarized.

"No," answered Ray. "I don't."

"Why not?"

"You haven't explained who these villagers are, and why they were so hostile to me and Irving."

"I thought I just did," said Amadeus, frowning. "But I'd be happy to go over it again if you'd like."

"Humor me," Ray insisted, frowning in return.

"I went around gathering the missing people of Zion and bringing them back here to this village. They are hostile to you because you aren't one of them. They don't know you. You're strange and different, and they're not used to that."

Ray thought about it for a moment. This revolutionary information was a lot to take in.

Eventually, the blond sighed. "Well, Amadeus, your story does explain a lot of the mysteries that have been going around Zion. But I still won't believe it. I know most of the S.C.A.R. personally, and they seem too honest to stoop as low as that."

"But isn't that what they'd like you to think?" retorted Amadeus. "Believe what you will, but unless you can come up with a better explanation, you'll have to accept mine as the truth."

"So there is a better explanation?" asked Ray, hoping to expose a flaw in Amadeus's story.

"No," Pitzer replied, attempting to dash the boy's hopes. "But I'm a scientist. We're always searching for better explanations, so I have to say things like that. Even if there isn't a better explanation."

"Right," said Ray, having heard enough.

"Actually, there is one more thing," added Irving. "That other man - Landon, I think you called him - you said he was insane?"

"That is correct," Amadeus Pitzer confirmed. "Most of the time, Landon utters nothing but nonsense. And on the days he makes even half an ounce of sense, he's always blabbering about some ridiculous conspiracy theories."

"I see," said Irving, finally understanding. "Thanks."

"Glad I could help."

Irving then turned to Ray. "What do we do now?" he whispered urgently.

Ray looked back at Irving. "Ask for directions," he replied simply. He wanted out of there as humanly possible, if not faster.

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Pitzer?"

"Oh, please. No need to address me formally. Amadeus will do fine."

"All right," said Ray, moving to the point. "Can you give us directions to Zion?"

"Are you sure?" replied Amadeus. "After what you've just heard?"

"Yeah, I know what you told us," said Ray. "But I still want to go there. That's where we agreed to meet our friends."

"There's more of you?" inquired the chieftain, suddenly curious.

"Yeah," said Irving, chipping in his two cents worth. "Six more, not counting Mr. Crook."

Amadeus spun to face Ray, eyes wide. "Is it the-"

"Prophecy?" Ray interrupted the man. "Yeah. I believe it is."

"Well," continued Amadeus, "I'd be more than happy to give you directions to Zion. But as it happens, I was just about to ask a favor of you. Maybe we can arrange a deal. You perform the favor, and I can give you directions to Zion."

"What kind of favor?" Ray asked immediately.

"There are strange noises coming from the catacombs behind this village," explained the chieftain. "From the cliffs behind us. None of us in the village are brave enough to go in there. We think it might be some Shadows, but there are rumors that the mysterious noises are being made by an Aberration. Landon has even dared to suggest that it might be the Dragon."

Ray's heart skipped a beat. From fear, though, not excitement. Never excitement when it came to the Dragon. "The Dragon?" he affirmed nervously.

"That was Landon talking," Pitzer said. "We can probably dismiss that theory out of hand. But it could very easily be Shadows or an Aberration. So, will you do us the favor?"

Ray paused, weighing his options. "We'll do it," he said finally. "And when we get back, you'll give us directions to Zion."

"That sounds like a deal," Amadeus answered, extending his hand.

Ray shook it vigorously. "Let's get started," he said.

The catacombs actually were not that far away, and it was not long before Ray, Irving, and Amadeus arrived at their destination at the base of the cliffs.

"The catacombs start there," the chieftain said, pointing to a simple door carved into the side of the cliff. "But once you're inside, there's no telling where you'll go. There are paths that take you inwards, upwards, left, right, and I think there may even be a few paths that take you underneath Exodus itself."

Ray whistled, impressed. That was quite the maze. But he and Irving were prepared. After the chieftain introduced the two to the village, they had quickly been supplied with everything they needed to navigate the catacombs: a blade to slay whatever lay in there, a flashlight to see in the darkness, some rope for climbing (or falling), and more, if it was necessary. The only thing they had not been handed was a map of the catacombs. Apparently, that did not exist. All in all, they were as prepared as they could be to tackle the labyrinth ahead.

"Good luck," Amadeus said, shaking Ray's hand once more.

"Thanks," returned the teenager.

At that point, Landon bounded onto the scene. "It's a trap!" he screamed. "The Wicked One will come after you and serum you! You'll be nothing but a Shadow of your former self! The Prophet has spoken!"

"The Wicked One?" Irving asked.

"I think he means the Dragon," replied Pitzer.

"Be warned! Judgment day is within the labyrinth of injustice and cruelty! Run now and free yourself!"

"He sounds pretty adamant that we shouldn't go in there," noted Irving.

"He's the one who discovered the strange noises," the chieftain explained. "They scared him half to death.

"I'm not scared! I fear only burglars and thieves and robbers and chi-"

"LANDON!" screamed Amadeus. "Quiet!"

Landon calmed down.

"Now, go home."

Landon waddled away, again in that awkward combination of sliding and leaping that he had used last time.

For whatever reason, Irving decided to take note of this - maybe there was a pattern or something.

First came a leap.

Then a slide.

Then two more slides.

Slide. Leap. Leap. Leap. Leap. Leap. Leap. Leap. Leap. Slide.

Irving thought about it, puzzled, then dismissed the thought out of hand. He had more important things to worry about then some weird steps that could have been turned into some whacked out dance.

Amadeus Pitzer turned to face Ray and Irving.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Yes." replied Ray. "See you soon."

Then he turned and walked into the cliffside without looking back. Irving followed closely behind.

It felt like they had been walking for ages, but the boys were no closer to solving the mystery of the groans in the catacombs. They heard no sounds, saw no tracks, and had no idea where they were.

Eventually, Irving could not help but break the silence.

"What are we looking for again?" he asked Ray. "An... anomaly, Mr. Pitzer called it?"

"Aberration," Ray corrected, running his hand against the wall of the cave.

"What's that?"

"Well, there are legends here of larger-than-life animals. Spiders that prey on dogs, birds who make nests the size of a treehouse."

Irving whistled that impressed whistle.

"Those are Aberrations," explained Ray. "Some people claim to have seen them, but we've never actually gathered enough evidence to prove they exist. Personally, I'm hoping that they do. That's why I accepted this mission."

"I see. Do you know what kind of animal we're looking for?"

"No, but I'm hoping we meet the legendary octopus. It's my favorite one. If you believe the tales, this creature is so big it can swallow a person whole," Ray admitted, his eyes shining a bit with excitement.

"Like the Kraken?" Irving asked.

"Where do you think the idea came from?"

That comment quickly silenced Irving. Ending the conversation too soon, in Ray's mind.

"But these are all just legends," he said, hoping to distill the silence that was rapidly growing. "It's more than likely these sounds will just be a rogue group of Shadows."

"Speaking of weird sounds, have you noticed that we haven't heard any yet, Ray... Hawkridge?" Irving asked, while also trying to make sure he had hear his companion's last name correctly.

Ray flinched. "Please don't say my last name."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to talk about it," the blond snapped suddenly, taking an unnatural defensive tone.

Irving jumped at the rapid change. He threw his hands back in defense. "All right, then!" he said, before changing the subject. "As I was saying, have you noticed that we haven't heard any weird noises yet? And it feels like we've been searching for hours."

"It does, doesn't it," replied Ray, as the two pulled up in from of a fork in the road. Or, more accurately, tunnel.

Irving gestured left, and the two moved on. They had been going at it like this for a while. A ragtag approach, indeed.

"Honestly, though, I think there's something fishy about the whole town of Exodus," Irving confided.

"I don't know what to make of it," agreed Ray. "I can't get over the fact that the S.C.A.R. is secretly removing its enemies from Zion in order to retain power."

"But that's just it," said Irving, squinting his eyes in thought. "The explanations just don't add up. There's a hole in them somewhere. I just can't–"

"Irving, duck!" screamed Ray, clenching his fist and swiping at the air behind him. He hit nothing but the walls of the catacombs.

Irving, fortunately, had ducked, and avoided getting his head cut off by Ray's sword.

"I'm sorry," apologized Ray. "I thought I heard something behind us. Guess I hadn't."

But something inside Irving had snapped while he was on the ground. When he next spoke, it was a different Irving than the one Ray had come to know. This Irving was much more menacing, much more sure of himself, and much more calculated. He spoke with a certain sense of darkness and foreboding that freaked Ray out.

"Of course you hadn't," he said. "Because there's nothing to hear. Nor will there ever be."

"Umm... Irving?" Ray asked, scared. "Have you gone crazy?"

"No, my friend," said Irving, not losing his menacing undertone. The placid nerd had suddenly transformed into a violent conspiracy theorist in a matter of moments. "Not crazy," he continued. "No, for the first time since getting here, I can see clearly."

"So," asked Ray, stepping back in fear. "The Aberration is silent?"

"No, my friend. Not silent."

Ray didn't respond, too stunned by Irving's sudden transformation to speak.

"There is no Aberration, Ray."

"What do you mean?" inquired the teenager, puzzled. "Are the sounds Shadows?"

"Wrong again," said Irving, laughing. "You really are bad at this detective work."

"Then what?"

"Oh, you mean to say you haven't figured it out?" asked Irving, laughing as if Ray were blind as a bat. "The truth is only one question away."

"And what question might that be?"

"Who was Amadeus Pitzer's lab partner?"

"How does that help us solve the mystery?" Ray asked. "That's a completely irrelevant question."

"It's entirely relevant, my friend," said Irving, with complete certainty.

"How?"

"ANSWER ME!" Irving bellowed. Ray jumped back. Until now, he had only feared one person. But Irving's 'dark side' creeped him out. More than a little.

"Umm... Donovan," replied Ray, shivering. He remembered this case. Donovan's disappearance had been one of the more famous ones. "When Amadeus went missing, Donovan went out looking for him. He never came back."

"Just as I suspected," said Irving, speaking with an unnerving calm. "Thank you, my dear. That was all I needed to know."

"Well, what's behind the noises then?" asked Ray. "It can't possibly be Donovan, can it?"

Irving laughed at Ray's stupidity. How had he not figured it out by now, with the truth practically staring him in the face!

"There are no noises," explained anti-Irving, practically gleeful in having solved this exquisite riddle. "Here in Exodus, there is only deception. Oh, and a deception of the most wonderful kind!"

Ooh, a mystery... Do you think you can solve it? All the clues are in there. If it's too hard, might I recommend trying it backwards? Come up with an explanation, then see if it fits the clues. But the real question is, how is Irving's question relevant? Answer any of these and you're really very smart. There is a logical explanation. Go ahead, take a guess. Or leave a review. Or both.