*walks over and dusts cobwebs off story* Let us continue!

Reviewer Thanks!

Tracker78: Wait no longer, here's more sis!

HannahHatter: Yep, Tyson *not to be confused for another OC of mine of the same name*. I figured it would fit for a sea-monster.

Disclaimer: …Is the sequel out yet?

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It had been ten minutes since the group dived through a portal and started up the mountain. The trail seemed to go up and curve along the mountain, the canyon below showing nothing but fog, making them wonder what lies at the bottom of the cliffs… if anything at all.

"We should stop here and rest," Oliver said after they came to a cave, where a few wild Wolfs Bane's lingered but quickly scurried, sensing the group's aura was quite strong. "It's really late, and will have to restore magicka."

"I'm with the wizard… I'm beat." Zeke agreed, sitting down on a rock.

"Alright- but lets not sleep too long. These mountains make my skin crawl," Liz stated, wrapping her arms around herself.

Everyone agreed, setting up a campfire in the caves and unrolling their sleeping bags. Vincent, Swaine, Liz and Luna volunteered first to keep watch- doubling their guard just to be safe.

As they sat around the fire, Luna showed Vincent the gem on her breast. "What do you think? Can you get it off?" she asked him.

Vincent was flipping through his Alchemist's Codex. "There should be something in here that can help… If not, the Purcroser could help," he said, skimming a few spells. "Can you still use a familiar?"

"Yes… it's just I can't open a portal or use my laser-vision,"

"Laser-vision…? You mean like a creature's 'heat-ray' technique?!" Swaine questioned, astounded. "…Geez, are you sure you're human?"

"Believe it or not, you're not the first to ask."

"Luna… exactly why did you leave home?" Liz asked after a pause. "You said you were coming here on vacation… but from what Melissa said, it sounds like there's more to it than that."

Swaine scoffed. "Like I'd believe a word that whore says. The way she claimed we-" he began, though noticed Luna blushing in shame; he also noticed Vincent was looking at his book with a stern expression. "*ahem* …She was just twisting the truth,"

"Don't worry, I know you didn't try anything." Vincent told him.

"Y-You're not mad?" Luna asked in relief.

"Of course not. You went to the hot-springs first- so I'm guessing 'Junpei' here bumped into you by mistake. Also, I know you well enough so I can trust you, and if he did put the moves on you… I'd punch him so hard Marcassin would feel it. And that would be if I felt merciful."

"…Good to know." Swaine replied awkwardly. He turned to Luna. "Point is, Melissa was just throwing out libel. Nothing she says about any of us is true, right?"

Luna rubbed her arm. "Actually… there was some truth. I did run away from home," she admitted.

"What?! L-Luna…!" Liz gasped. "Why?"

"I just couldn't take it anymore! Watching the kids, struggling with payments, stuck in a rut… I missed the adventures we always had! Sure, our lives were always on the line… but at least something good came out of it. We always felt alive in the end! …Then suddenly, it all stops. The only excitement we ever get is from occasional TARDIS trips- and that's when Vincent isn't busy with college work."

"So you just ran away out of boredom? Really, Luna…"

Luna gave him a sharp look. "No- if it were about boredom, I'd just hang around with our other friends. …Whenever we went on an adventure- I felt like I was more than just someone's babysitter with a bad bank account. I felt like anything could happen, and I could do anything! When it came to an end… I felt like a nobody. That's why I ran away- I wanted to leave that life behind and try to find a new one."

"I can relate to that…" Swaine responded, itching the side of his face. "…But it's not all fun and games. Take it from someone who had to become a pickpocket just to get by."

"And it's even worse in our world. Suppose someone kidnapped or killed you while you weren't with us? There's a ton of sickos out there looking for some cheap thrill!" Liz warned.

"(geez, you sound like my mother…) Even if something did happen to me, I'd just have to keep strong and find a way out like always- and if I died… shit, at least I'd die free from some humdrum life."

"Oh, yeah. Like getting drugged, raped and slaughtered is the better option!" Swaine sneered. "Being a vagabond isn't always about doing what you want- if you don't play your cards right, you'll be dead in a ditch!"

"Why do I get the feeling there's an 'R'-rated part of your past than the story let on?" Vincent questioned.

Swaine shot him a glare. "Aren't you supposed to be helping your girlfriend get that thing off her chest?"

"Well, Luna, I guess you got your wish in the end… We're on another perilous journey, this time in another world." Liz sighed. "…But once it's over, I want you to go back home. I don't want you running around looking for trouble!"

"She has a point. Life may get dull… but think of it as more as a break from the perils." Vincent said, then walked over and sat down beside her. "I think I found something for that gem, too."

"Is it a spell that can get it off?" Luna said.

"Not quite…" Vincent showed her an Ink-Alchemy text, translating it for her. "Should you find your abilities locked, your inner-strength trapped within, only the power of your heart can break the seal."

"…Okay… so how do I do that?"

"I guess you'll have to figure it out for yourself,"

"Wait, what about Zippy?" Liz questioned. "Would that gem still affect you if you changed into her?"

"I don't know… I guess we'll find out next time I'm able to,"

"Well, while we're waiting for that, I'm going to step out and make sure the area is clear." Vincent said.

"I'll come with," Liz said, following with her shotgun. She doubled back, pointing at Swaine and Luna. "You two stay out of trouble, ya hear?"

Luna blushed while Swaine rolled his eyes. "Very funny." Luna mumbled.

Swaine waited until they were out of earshot, then turned to Luna. "Alright, I have one more question." He stated.

"Yes?"

"Who the hell is 'Junpei'?"

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She sat under the tree on a stool, painting a picture. She still wore her gothic-lolita dress, her long black hair down her back. She looked over, smiling. "Ah, you're back. We were interrupted last time, weren't we, Ezekiel?"

Zeke, once again appearing seven, looked up at her. "Who are you? How do you know my name?" he asked.

She continued to paint, smiling still. "I took care of you when you were young. You and your sister were quite a handful, but it was worth it." She paused in her hobby to shake his hand. "My name is Rem Ember. …Do you recall me?"

Zeke thought, but shook his head. "No… You took care of my sister, too?"

Rem nodded. "Yes. I did everything in my power to make sure you were both warm and safe…" she winced. "No matter the cost."

Zeke looked at her, stunned. "You… you died… protecting us?"

"Not exactly." She stood up, kneeling in front of him. "Zeke… do not worry about the memories you have forgotten. Someday they shall return when you are ready to learn the truth; and do not worry about the future, no matter what you see. You must focus on the present- no matter what happens, know who you are now, not who you used to be or may become."

Zeke thought about his last vision. "So… you know about…?"

Rem rubbed his head. "Stay strong, Ezekiel. Let your heart guide you through your journey." She stood up, walking away.

"W-Wait…!" Zeke called, running after her; he paused in front of the portrait, staring at it.

It was a picture of him… and his other half, staring at each other face-to-face.

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"Oi, Zeke! Pick up th' pace would ya, mun?!" Drippy called.

Zeke was trudging behind, thinking about the vision he had last night. He woke up an hour before the other's night-watch ended, deciding to take over for Swaine as the thief looked half-asleep by that time.

Why was she so vague? He kept wondering. Why couldn't she just give me the full story on how she knows me and Luna? 'Let my heart guide me'… Did she get that line from 'The Land Before Time' or something?

"You alright, bro?" Luna asked, walking beside him. "You've been quiet since this morning."

"I'm fine… I just keep having these dreams about this woman. Her name is Rem," Zeke told her.

"Rem… Like from Trigun?" Vincent asked, picking up on the conversation.

"No- well, she did have black hair… but she says she knew Luna and I when we were little. She used to take care of us,"

"I don't remember anyone named Rem taking care of me…" Luna questioned.

"She said she used to take care of 'me and my sister'… unless…"

"Unless you had another sister?" Esther guessed.

"That would make sense… I didn't meet Luna until we were both 13, and I know nothing about my past." Zeke stated. "Weird thing is, I haven't dreamed about her until after we came here…"

"So you think she might be here in our world?"

"I don't know… I just hope I can find answers, soon."

"Can we focus on one brain-puzzler at a time? It's too flipping-early to be unlocking some new mystery!" Mr. Drippy scoffed.

"What's gotten into you?" Vincent asked the fairy.

"What hasn't gotten into me, mun?! We've been blowing ouer vacation-time hopping from one mystery-island to another, facing dark forces beyond ouer knowledge, an' have an angry princess out for ouer necks! Now we're charging up a flippin' mountain to find some mysterious stranger who can't bother to meet up with us in person, while youer sooth-sayer friend is dreamin' about mysterious women! Any more mystery and excitement, an' my lantern'll blow! Flippin' knickers, I'm getting too old for this-"

"Drippy, shut up! You're not the only one tired from this trip!" Swaine snapped. "You have no right to complain anyway- you haven't done anything."

"WHAT?! I've been doin' plenty!"

"Yeah. Standing off to the side and nagging must take a LOT of effort," Luna sneered.

"You have no right to talk- with that gem on your chest you can't do much either!" Esther scolded her.

"How would you know?!"

"Everyone settle down!" Liz snapped, pointing ahead at the path, which was stretching upward. An old sign read 'Forgotten Mt- 20 mi.' ahead of them. "We've still got a long way to go, and bickering won't get us there any faster."

"Why don't we just open a portal then?" Oliver stated, turning to Zeke. "You know how to use the medallion. You can get us there quicker!"

"It's not that easy- it has to be a place I'm familiar with, or really want to go, unless someone I cared about was already there." Zeke replied.

Oliver held out his hand. "Here, let me try it then."

"I told you it's not that simple! Just because Swaine used it a few time doesn't mean you can just imagine a place and go there."

"Have you even tried?"

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be telling you it wouldn't work!"

"Maybe you weren't concentrating enough!"

"It's not like magic!"

"How is it not like magic?!"

"Blimey, would everyone just shut up?!" Swaine groused.

"I don't hear you keeping silent, wide-eyes!" Vincent sneered.

"No one asked you, mask-boy!"

"Everyone, please…!" Liz cried, then sensed something off about the group; in her vision, she noticed a dark mist around them.

"It's the mountain! It's aura is messing with them!" Tracker told her, mentally.

"You're so powerful- why don't you go up to the Purcroser yourself?!" Swaine snapped at Vincent.

"Why don't you go to hell?!" Vincent snapped back.

"Vincent, you take that back!" Luna snarled.

"Why, don't like me talking about your crush?!"

"Oh like you wouldn't feel the same way if she were talking shit about Rose Tyler!" Zeke sneered.

"What are you talking about?" Esther questioned.

"None of your business!" Luna sneered.

"Hey, she was just asking!" Oliver snapped.

"STOP!" Liz shouted. "Can't you see? It's the mountain!"

"No flippin' duh! This whole place is damned!" Drippy sneered.

"We have to get out of here NOW! Zeke- open a portal! Anywhere!"

"You can't leave now…" a voice echoed. Everyone looked up, seeing a silhouette far up the path. "Should you leave now, you will only take the darkness of Phiroseth with you, and it will spread."

"What the…?! Who are you?" Oliver cried out. "Are you the Purcroser?!"

"If you wish to go any further, you must overcome the spell that has taken its hold on you,"

"And how do you propose we do that?" Vincent challenged.

A light suddenly began to glow in the silhouette… then shot towards the group!

"LOOK OUT!" Liz shouted, stumbling back as the blast hit her friends; she ended up tripping over Drippy, the two of them watching as white lights shot between each of their friends.

The mountain trembled again, and the path beneath them crumbled, the group falling into a chasm!

"Overcome this challenge… then you can fight the force of these mountains!"

"What the heeeeeeeeeellllllllllllll!" Swaine's voice cried out in the darkness as they fell.

With a round of thuds, the group hit stone ground, their landing only 100 feet from where they last stood. Liz was the first to sit up, rubbing her head. "Ow… is everyone okay?" she groaned. All she could see in the dark was the glow of the fairy's lantern.

"Ugh… my head and my perseverance hurts…" Drippy groaned. "What th' flippin' heck WAS that?!"

"It had to have been the Purcroser… at least he didn't destroy us."

"No- just made the trek more difficult!" came Luna's sarcastic voice from behind.

Drippy hopped over. "Oh like it was easy to begin w-" he began to say, but paused as his light shined on Esther. "Eh? Oi, where's Luna? I thought I heard her over by here!"

'Esther' arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? I am right here!"

"Come off it, Esther! An' when did you learn to mimic voices?"

"I-I'm over here…" came Esther's voice… but when Drippy shined his lantern over, he saw Luna.

"Holy-!" Liz cried.

Luna and Esther looked at each other… and shrieked. "Why are you in my body?! Why am I in your body?!" Luna stammered.

"Forget that! Why am I in THIS body?!" came Vincent's voice. The light shined over…

…showing Swaine sitting there with a pissed off/stunned expression.

"Um… guys…?!" came Oliver's voice, but in his place was Zeke. Oliver's body was next to him, looking at himself in confusion.

Vincent's body stepped into the light. "What the hell is going on?!" he demanded.

"En't it obvious?" Drippy scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You've all got youer bodies swapped!"

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A/N: Next chapter… we see how well this goes XD

Also, trivia: I threw in another Persona 3 reference in Vincent calling Swaine 'Junpei'; reason being he always referred to the thief as the 'Junpei of the group' XD ...So, yeah. Expect more of these refs :P

Please review. Don't flame though otherwise I'll swap you with *name your least favorite character here*!