(Prologue: Lucas)

The night is dark. Potatoes are boiling in a nearby dish, and I'm busy peeling a pile of carrots. The potatoes hiss, and I cover the pan at once, but a nearby cough catches me off-guard.

"Lucas."

Flint's shadow is in the doorway. I look up, surprised to be spoken to.

"Yes, Father?"

He's holding something up. It's a piece of paper, an untidy scrawl writhing all over it. I thought I'd hidden it away, but apparently I didn't do a good enough job.

"What's this, Lucas?"

"It's from Ness," I say.

"Ness?" Father's voice goes deadly quiet, and I can hear the water bubbling in the nearby pan. "I thought we agreed to keep that name out of this house?"

"I'm sorry."

"You told me you'd stopped talking to him. Did you lie?"

"Yes," I say bitterly, unable to meet his disappointed eyes. "He's my best friend, Father."

He steps back, surveying me. In my filthy apron, I look a state, like some peasant boy from the streets. Father turns his back, striding deliberately from the room. The pan overboils, scorching water flooding the surface.

"Claus didn't make friends with such people. You disappoint me, Lucas."

.

.

.

~~o00o~~

Chapter 4: Under Water

(Lucas)

~~o00o~~

.

.

.

To say it's been an exciting return to school so far would be an understatement.

A terrifying monster appeared on the train. Ness and I shared a dream. There are rumours of disappearances. And to top it all off, Ness got covered in oatmeal.

In contrast, I'm bogged down by the dull idea of Business Studies with the ever-swindling Wario as my next double lesson. When so much is going on, my first instinct is to run to the library and research, but schoolwork is still mandatory. And so, I walk with Red to the classroom.

It's awkward with me and Red. We're both the quieter ones of our group, and it's hard to find much in common with him. Besides, he's always put me off with his ability to be overly expressive with how he feels about certain people.

"Have you read Origin Of Species by Charles Darwin?" Red asks, completely unaware that it's an extremely random question.

"I haven't," I admit. I've heard of it though, it's supposed to be a good read.

"Well, I have," Red states proudly. "Also, I've been checking over Wario's principles, and I'm ready to ace this test!"

"Good for you." I frown, not seeing a connection between the topics. "I'm sure you'll do great."

It always becomes a sort of bragging session with Red. He loves talking about how much studying he's done, how much he's written for an essay, or all of the complicated mathematical formulas he understands. I don't even think he's intentionally showing off, I think he just doesn't know what else to say. But even so, I can't say it doesn't tire me out a little bit. I'm just an average student; I usually get moderate grades, so when Red speaks about getting top marks in all his assessments, I do begin to feel that slight prickle of inadequacy. To be fair, I do get straight As in art, even though I don't believe anything I paint to be that great. Professor Shulk likes me though, and I suspect he boosts my grades up a little bit. But at least it's an A to show Father, even if it's not in Business Studies.

Business Studies should be the key to getting out of this family debt, but it's transpired that I'm simply not good enough at it. It's hard, remembering all the facts and figures of Wario's various companies, and remembering all of Wario's principles (especially when I disagree with most of them.) Frankly, I think that business is subjective, and different things work for different people, which means it's a dumb subject and should be instantly removed from the syllabus.

Sorry, rant over.

At least I'm not going into this lesson blind. Seeing as Ness and I will be working together on this whole business plan project, I'll have it a lot easier than the other students. Ness forewarned me about the test, too, which I'm grateful for. But, I'll admit, I'm kind of angry at Wario for sending a letter to Ness's house. From the little I've seen of Ness's father, he strikes me as a forceful man, with a lot of big expectations, one who wouldn't be pleased with such a letter coming through his door. On the whole, our fathers are both strict, but in very different ways. I think his father is more complacent, and a lot more direct. My father sort of expects me to get on with my life. He doesn't really say. See, Ness's father actually talks to him, whilst mine would rather pretend I'm not there.

Ness's little sister is fun, though. She's very wild, and far more masculine than I could ever be. She always beats us both if we take on any sporting activity, and she has an uncanny ability to use food to get Ness to do almost everything she wants. One time, when she was only six, she locked me and Ness in the bathroom, and wouldn't let us out until we promised to play Snakes and Ladders with her.

I'm often at Ness's house, usually if something's happened on the street and I'm ashamed to go home, or if Father's gotten fed up with my existence. It's a vicious cycle, but I like Ness's modern bungalow. I'd ask to move in, but that would be extremely rude, of course. It's just so nice to not have to cook my own meals - and Ness's mother likes me too - she often offers to cut my hair, and she always asks how I'm doing, and how school is going and...

It's a little bit like having Mother back.

I'm in a bit of a daze as I head into the lesson. Maybe I'm getting a headache. Ness must've forgotten to warn me about the existence of a seating plan, which is a nasty surprise. But I'm placed, by some convenience, away from Red, and next to Mega Man, the guy Villager mentioned. I check around the classroom, and am pleased to discover the absence of Olimar and Meta Knight. I'd sort of hoped Popo would be here, though, so I could have tried to speak to him, or maybe his twin sister Nana. Nana's a fabulous artist. Her thing is painting fruit, and the way she uses light and dark tones is unreal. I want to figure out how to paint like that - my only skill seems to be painting landscapes. I've asked Nana for some tips in the past, and she always talks about working out where the light should be with calculations, which I'll admit, does fill me with light fear.

"Hey," Mega Man interrupts my daydreaming. "I'm Mega Man."

"I'm Lucas," I stammer, coming back down to earth. "Erm - do you know Villager?"

"Oh, yeah." Mega Man smiles. "We're good mates - he said he'd tell you to say hell."

"Well, uh, hello," I say, and Mega Man laughs. My cheeks grow warm - it's not often I make people laugh - but it's a nice feeling.

"ALRIGHT!" Wario shouts, making everyone jump. He cackles. "Stay focused - we're going to start with a test on last term's work..."

It's a long, and dull test, reciting Wario's principles, all the way up to number sixty ("Rob from the rich and then rob from the poor as well!").

The rest of the double lesson continues in a haze. I don't try and talk to Mega Man - for one I have no clue how to start conversations, especially with strangers, and for another, I don't want to get yelled at by Wario. I find myself unable to focus on his words - instead I find staring blankly at the pictures of Wario and his businesses around the classroom. It's nice and warm, here. And my head is starting to ache... Maybe if I just had a small nap? Wario wouldn't notice, would he? And I'm so tired… maybe if I just put my head down… .. . . .

"LUCAS!"

Before I know it, I'm thrusted awake, Wario leaning over me with a scowl.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I-" I stammer, panicked. Why can't I stop making people angry at me? Letting them down? "I was tired..."

"I'm disappointed," he spits. "You're a disgrace."

"I'm sorry."

"I will be writing home." Wario turns, and walks to the front of the room again, leaving my heart pounding, leaving me shrouded in dark thoughts.

"Lucas?"

"What now?" I complain, before realising it's only Mega Man.

"Sorry," I mumble, sounding small. "What is it?"

"Don't let him get to you, yeah? He knows how to mess with your head."

I'm caught by surprise. I'm not used to receiving kind words, especially not from a stranger, but it cheers me up a little.

"Thanks," I say underwhelmingly, with a small smile.

Eventually, the clocktower strikes two hours. I stare at my blank business plan, and at Mega Man's scrawly sketches that he's begun. Another example of my perpetual laziness - I procrastinate, leaving big tasks until the last minute. Getting caught up in daydreams instead. I can't even motivate myself to study in the exam season, I lie flat on my bed when even Ness is working hard, and I get lost in my thoughts and theories about the world. I have some pretty great theories; I love to look up at the stars on the Wilderness Survival Week, especially with Ness, thinking about what's up there. I reckon the universe is huge. We know it's big, we just don't know how big, yet.

We're not taught much about astronomy in science, because we just don't know much about it. All we're taught are equations, and what's inside the body. But I think there's more to science than beyond our wildest dreams. I think we'll discover it someday. I think we'll figure it all out, and I'd like to help. I want to be a scientist in the future, maybe with music and art, as side-earners. Ness says I have an analytical mind, which I like the sound of.

I look up again, seeing I'm the last one in the classroom. Curse my daydreamer self. I pack fast and leave. Ness awaits cheerily outside.

"Hey." Ness smiles. "Ready for History?"

"Yeah." I smile back, but a memory quickly comes back to me.

Claus wouldn't make friends with such people.

I shiver.

"Lucas? What's up?" Ness asks, concerned. I think the worry must've shown on my face.

"Father doesn't want me talking to you," I admit. I feel awful as I see his face fall before my eyes.

But Ness pulls me into a hug. "That won't separate us. We're best friends forever, right?"

"Yeah," I hug him back, reassured. "I'm not going to listen to him."

We come apart. Ness looks up and down the corridor. "Hey, where did everyone go?"

"To lessons - we're late." I prod him in the chest. "Thanks to you."

"Then, let's run!"

When we finally reach the classroom, everyone is already sitting down.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor-" I explain, as Ryu gives us a stern expression. "I got held up in the bathroom."

"So did I," Ness says, stumbling in behind me. There is a small giggle - of course Ness managed to make it sound weird.

"Better late than never," Ryu sighs. "I'll be needing to see you two after class, however, so please stay behind."

It's only fair, I guess.

"As I was saying," Ryu continues. "The History course for this term will be focusing on Ancient History, from the start of the universe up to 0AD. It'll be assessed through a series of essays that will be set throughout the course. In order to write these essays, however… practice!"

He starts writing on the chalkboard.

"How to write a good essay," he says calmly. "Can anyone tell me what the first step is?"

I put my hand up in a bid to get back into Ryu's good books.

"Lucas?"

"Uh, the introduction?"

"Nice try, but even before the introduction." He smiles. "Anyone else?"

Villager puts up his hand. I notice he's sitting next to Zelda, unsurprisingly. But Zelda has the biggest jock in the school, Link, on her other side, so I don't think Villager will be striking gold any time soon. I'm not sure what all the hassle with girls is, really. Or why Villager likes someone who will never, never like him back. If, of course, he actually does like her… I muse. It could easily just be one of Toon Link's jokes...

"...Lucas?" Ryu says.

Oh no - did he ask me a question? I got caught up daydreaming again. I think quickly. Before, he asked what comes first in an essay. I got it wrong. So he asked Villager... I look at Villager, who looks pretty pleased with himself. He looks as if he got it right. So then, what would Ryu ask next? Probably what's next in the essay, right? And that would be…

"Then is it the introduction?" I ask cautiously.

"Correct, Lucas."

I breathe a sigh of relief, trying to bring my focus back to the lesson as Ryu continues to talk. But it's hard when Ness is doodling a picture of a snake, and it's actually kind of good, but I'd add some scales there, and I'm not sure about that eye being there….

Yet again, I drag myself back to attention.

"We're not certain where humans came from," Ryu is saying. "Mr Darwin recently released his book on evolution, which is of course, controversial, but it is believed by some. A common essay topic, that I might give you, hint, hint, is to assess pieces of evidence that suggest different ideas about how humans came to be. So, I'd strongly advise reading Darwin's work, the origin of species." I notice Red looking pleased with himself.

I wonder vaguely if Ryu has the book in his large cabinet of magic and mythology. It's an impressive cabinet, carved birds embellishing the sides and an ornately clear glass door. There is a dusty cardboard box on top that slightly ruins the effect, though.

Ryu clears his throat. "Now, today we have some evidence that supports a different theory - the extraterrestrial origin. Some people believe that humans originally came from another planet, and that we have forgotten this other planet over time. So, I have some samples of what are claimed to be pieces from a fallen astronomical vehicle. I'd like you to look at those samples, looking for evidence of it being from an extraterrestrial source. Then, I also have an account written by someone who claims to have seen other vehicles of a similar nature fall onto our planet. Toon Link, if you may hand both of these out?"

Toon Link nods, and silently obeys for once. There is a general silence as we observe the sources.

"Oh!" Ryu exclaims, noticing this. "You may talk. Discuss your ideas with your partner for an alternative view to add to your essays. Yes," he chuckles, after a collective groan. "I'm afraid the first essays will have to be set soon, after we have finished studying each theory for the origins of humans." He gives a wry smile, as the groans continue. "Hey, I hated essays at your age too. But you chose this subject, you just have to power through them for all the interesting stuff, hm?"

"What do you reckon?" Ness mutters, poking our sample, which looks to be a large chunk of stone.

"I don't think that can possibly be from an astronomical vehicle," I reply scathingly. If only conspiracy theorists were more creative.

"Yeah, I don't know why a space vehicle would exist, or why it would've come here," Ness agrees, taking the words out of my mouth.

"What do you think it is then?"

"Just some rock, I guess." Ness shrugs. I pick it up, hitting it on the table. No response.

"Hmm…" I ponder. I'm not sure why I'm so intrigued by a mere bit of stone. "Uh, Professor Ryu?" I ask, with my hand up. Ness turns, surprised. "Where did you get these samples?"

Ryu sweeps over. "Aha - that's good historian work there. Always question the sample. You're the only one to do so, as of yet. And you're right to - because I found these rocks in the school grounds. Good work, but shush, don't tell anyone!"

"What about the account?" I ask.

"A book in the school library," Ryu says, shrugging. "A book called 'The Mystery Of Magic', no less, so take it with a pinch of salt." He goes to attend to the rest of the class, and Ness and I high-five.

"I guess we've got time to talk now," Ness says, pleased, but someone in front of us decides to turn around.

"Watch out on Friday, Lucas," the stranger warns ominously. I feel Ness freeze up beside me.

"What? What do you mean?" I ask, suddenly nervous. A chill runs down my spine. "Who are you?"

"I'm Tony, but that's not important." The stranger checks around to make sure he can't be heard. "I overheard some people talking. I shouldn't say any more… they threatened me, told me to stay silent or they'd trash my dorm. Just, keep your eyes out, okay?"

The mysterious Tony turns back around. Ness gives me a worried glance. "I heard about that, too."

"Now you tell me?"

"We were having fun." Ness looks downcast. "I didn't want to ruin it… sorry."

"It's okay," I reassure him. "But what exactly did you hear?"

"Well," he begins. "It was Olimar and Meta Knight…"

I brace myself. This can only be bad.

"They said 'Lucas better watch out for Friday.' They didn't say what they were going to do, sorry-"

"Why is it always me?" I mutter.

"I'll make sure nothing happens to you," Ness promises, slinging an arm over my shoulder. "Nobody hurts my best buddy Lucas!

"Ness, I'm fine, I don't need a knight in shining armour," I protest, but he insists.

"Four eyes are better than two. I'm looking out for you, like it or not."

I give in.

"Fine…" I sigh reluctantly. There is no point disputing it. He's so stubborn on things like this. But I suppose I look out for him, he looks out for me. Maybe that's just how it is.

The clock chimes, and the lesson is over already. I have a funny feeling that it was quicker than usual, but then again, we did arrive late.

"Just promise me one thing," I add.

"Huh? What's that?"

I smile. "We need to get started on Wario's business plan tonight."

"Seriously?" Ness groans.

"No. But we should head to the library…"

"Fancy hitting the pool first?" Toon Link appears out of nowhere, followed by a sheepish-looking Villager. I shrug. It's a decent enough idea.

"Sure."

"And how did it go with Zelda, Villager?" he adds innocently.

"Shut up." Villager appears, his arms folded.

"Alright," Toon Link says, holding up his hands in surrender. "Anyone seen Red?"

"I'm here," Red states, from right behind him.

"Alright!" Villager cheers. "Let's make sure Popo doesn't see us going to the pool, and we should be all good to go-"

"And let's make sure Ness doesn't forget his towel or his change of clothes," I smirk, and he elbows me, remembering this morning.

We're interrupted, however, by Ryu.

"Ness, Lucas, can I have a word?"

"Wait for us!" Ness cries out, as Toon Link, Villager and Red swiftly leave the room.

Ryu sits us down behind his desk.

"Okay. This is going to sound a bit unusual," he begins cautiously. Ness and I glance at each other. "But, have you seen, or... felt, anything strange lately?"

Ness and I look at each other again, thinking back to the dream and the Face.

"Aside from the face on the train," Ryu adds, hastily. "Anything else."

I shift, uneasy. Something's setting me off, giving me the creeps, and I'm not quite sure what it is. Maybe it's the curious, hungry look in Ryu's eye... I glance over at Ryu's bookcase, all those books of magic. Is that what Ryu's talking about? I'm unsure. I'm very unsure.

"Why are you asking, Professor?" I question, in my politest tone. He looks discomforted.

"Reasons... that you probably wouldn't believe... at least… unless it's happened already…." he ponders.

"I'm sorry, but nothing weird has happened," Ness interrupts, quite firmly, sensing my unease. "That's all there is to it."

"That's alright," Ryu nods.

There is an awkward pause.

"So, we'll be on our way now," Ness says pointedly, getting up. "Good day, Professor."

"Good day, Ness. Lucas."

Ness leaves swiftly, and I follow after him, sure to close the classroom door behind me - and surprise surprise, our friends didn't wait for us. Of course. But I don't mind, there is a lot on my mind now. I'm glad Ness didn't tell Ryu about the shared dream we'd had. I kind of feel that our dreams should be private, something for just me and Ness to keep secret, like a sort of personal connection. It's weird, and it probably sounds clingy, but still.

I hold these things sacred.

"Why was he asking us those questions?" Ness asks, worried.

"Maybe because we saw the Face?" I theorise. "He could have been asking us to find out if some of his magical theories are true, or... something." My tone lacks conviction.

"I always thought he was okay," Ness mumbles.

"He still might be okay," I reassure him. "He might just be curious."

Ness sighs. "Lucas, you're so naïve. You see the best in people, but sometimes, people have a dark side. A hidden, but dominant dark side."

"I know." I stare at Ness, taken aback. "You don't need to tell me that."

Ness looks guilty, and I instantly feel bad.

"Let's just go to the pool," I say, trying to diffuse the awkwardness.

"But first," Ness exclaims charismatically. "Clothes! Towels!"

One collection of towels and swimming shorts later, we arrive at the pool. Toon Link, Villager and Red must've changed already, so the changing room is nice and empty. I think my headache is getting worse though, as I feel a strange jolt as we enter the pool. The shorts Ness lends me are nice, they have red and yellow stripes, while the ones he wears are yellow and blue.

The pool is my favourite place in the school. It's really out of the way, located in a far-off wing of the main school block. There is a beautiful glass roof that makes the orange sunset ripple and reflect in the water below, glowing like a gentle fire. The stone walls around the outside are decorated with seashells, which make them look like mosaics, and embedded with various ornate fireplaces, that manage to keep the water, and us, from freezing.

I glance at Ness, slightly self-conscious. Ness has somewhat muscular arms, compared to my extremely skinny ones. And Ness's figure too, he's taller than me, and he's a nice cuddly shape, compared to myself, a bony, perpetually cold boy who's difficult to hug. Ness must see the look on my face - I need to work a lot more on hiding my emotions - because he comes closer as we head into the cool water.

"Is something up?" he asks nervously.

"Nothing to worry about," I smile, before quickly performing a strange dive that results in me being completely submerged. I come up again, my hair covering my eyes. Curse its length! It usually keeps itself up out of the way, but when it's wet, of course, it decides to blind me. I sweep it aside, but Ness pops out of the water and sweeps it back over my eyes again.

"Nice look," he says evilly, swimming off.

"Not so fast!" I cry, grinning, launching myself into a swim. He's fast, but nowhere near as fast as me. I guess being skinny has its perks after all. It doesn't take long for me to catch up to him and mess up his hair, but we're interrupted by a cough to the side.

"You two noticed us yet?" Villager smirks. "C'mon Lucas, let's get him!"

Villager and Toon Link come over and assist in the messing up of Ness's hair, until it's a complete state and we're laughing for what feels like hours, free, completely and totally free. This is why I save money, this is why I trade on the streets for the expensive school fees. This is why it's completely worth it not to have an easy life at home, and a place at the local public school. Who cares about the Face - about whatever is happening on Friday, about detention tonight, about Father, and debt. Who cares?

I love my friends.

Toon Link, Villager and Red eventually decide to get out of the pool, but because I'm too shy to get changed with so many people, Ness and I decide to stay just a little longer. I feel bad, but Ness doesn't seem to mind. It's somehow gotten dark already; it's winter, after all. The only light comes from the warm glow of the fireplaces, and the beam of the moon through the skylight. There are no clouds tonight, just stars.

Ness looks across at me. We're both too exhausted from swimming and being generally chaotic to talk at this point, so we silently agree to just lie there, floating side by side on the water. It's perfectly still. There is nobody else - the room is silent, except for the gentle crackle of the warm fireplaces. I look up at the stars, trying to make out the constellations. Orion, the Big Dipper, Scorpius.

"How many can you name?" Ness whispers softly, almost as if he's reading my thoughts. The moon dazzles us, illuminating our pale forms.

"I can't tell…" I whisper back. "A lot."

"Tell me them all." He smiles. "I want to know what they're called."

I blink, looking closely. "There's Orion. See, up there?" I point. "The three stars in a row, in the middle, that's Orion's Belt. And then, four corners around the belt - see?"

Ness nods slowly.

"And, there." I point again. "That's Aquila, right in the middle of that square."

"They're pretty names," Ness says.

"How about you?" I ask, tilting my head. "What can you see?"

"I can see…" I catch a glimpse of Ness's eyes focusing up, into the sky. "A snake."

"A snake?"

"Yeah."

"Where is it?"

"Do you see just left of - what was it - Orion?"

"Yeah?"

"There's a sort of zig-zag, and it ends in a diamond."

"Hm," I say, impressed. "What are you going to call it?"

Ness frowns. "Call it?"

"It's your own constellation. You've got to name it!"

"Well, how about 'Snake'?"

"No, you goof." I laugh quietly. "It has to be a big, fancy-sounding word, like… hmm… 'Alpha Centauri'. But that already exists."

"What about... Amici Optimi?"

I'm impressed. "Is that Latin?"

"Yeah." He reddens slightly.

"I didn't know you knew Latin. What does it mean?"

"Mother taught me a bit," Ness explains. "It means 'best friends.'"

I sigh. "That's so cheesy."

"I don't care, I don't care," he grins at me. "It's what I'm calling it."

I sigh again. He's so sentimental. It's kind of sweet though, in a ridiculous way. I reach out in the darkness, taking his hand. It's soft from all the swimming, and it feels surprisingly nice in mine, like a funny kind of glove. We lie there in silence just a little longer, at peace. Just us. Us, the moon, and the stars.

Dammit, I'm becoming just as sentimental as Ness.

Eventually, we get out of the pool. I'm shivering - it ended up getting quite cold - so upon seeing my fingers going blue, I made the executive decision to leave. We change quietly, before returning to the halls of the school.

"That was really nice." Ness nudges me, a lingering smile on his face. "We should hang out like that more often."

"I feel relaxed," I smile. "I feel really relaxed." And I do - I feel like I could just go to sleep right here and now. Even my headache feels a little better - I'd forgotten about it completely during our time in the pool.

"We should find the others," Ness decides, and I sigh. I suppose he's right... but other people, they're so loud. I don't feel like dealing with Loud right now.

"Or we could sleep?" I suggest.

"Or check the library," Ness remembers, and I nod in agreement. He's right - I want to find out what this Face is as soon as possible. If we sleep now… we enter the land of nightmares.

So we make our way there.

The library is a pretty place. A plethora of bookshelves stretch like mountainous peaks, reaching upwards into the dark abyss above. The gas lamps mounted on the walls create a rather mythical atmosphere. Everything's a lot prettier at night, I decide.

Ness grabs the first book he sees. I grab a book called 'Magical Monsters and Mythical Creatures', and we read in silence. It's a puzzling text, full of many images of grotesque things that no doubt will make my nightmares significantly worse. Worst of all is a graphic drawing: 'Future Human', with yellowing fangs, mad, red eyes, grey skin, wooden bars across its chest. I have no doubt that Future Human is cold. If that is, supposedly, the future of humanity, then I certainly don't want it.

My head throbs again. The soporific atmosphere slows my reading down, until I'm hardly taking in the words on the page. They all blend into one.

A crash comes from behind me.

I look up. "Ness?"

We're not alone.

I turn hastily to Ness, but he's gone.

"Ness?" I call out, but there is no reply. There's only silence. I turn again to whatever seems to have arrived - and - it's just like in the book - it's Future Human! I'm sure of it, and oh Lord, it's horrible. That smell - of rotting flesh, of dirt, of grime - I compulsively bundle myself backwards, out of sheer repulsion.

"What do you want?" I stammer.

It looks at me, directly in the face.

"Placet Auxilium."

My heart pounds as I observe it. "What does that mean?" I ask, trying to stay calm. But it doesn't reply - it takes a step forward instead. Where the hell is Ness? I back away slowly, fear attacking me from every angle.

It reaches out a terrible arm.

"Placet Auxilium."

"I don't know-"

History makes me sad sometimes - humans always repeat-

Of course. Of course, we'd go back to what our English language was built on. Everything reverses. Future Human, past words... it's speaking Latin.

But I don't know Latin - I need Ness! But he's not here. What would Claus do? With his sharp tongue, and his quick thinking? What would he do?! Panic rises - and - I realise I'm trapped in the corner. The beast - The Future Human - steps forwards again, and I realise with a sickening crunch of horror, that it's here, it's here for me. Its now indistinguishable sounds scream with savagery, with brokenness. Desperation. Its arms reach out for me - it wants me. It wants everything I am. It wants to take me - take my form! It's so hungry. I let out a childish whimper, diminishing in the corner.

There is a sudden shift, to the side. Is that somebody? A saving grace?

Professor Ryu.

"Lucas!" He hurries forward, holding out something I can't see. "Stay still - I've got it!" The creature turns sharply towards him. The sound of nails, knives tear through my ears, through my mind. Future Human lumbers towards Ryu, and I blink, and suddenly, it's gone. Ryu starts coming over to me, and-

"Lucas!"

I open my eyes.

"Lucas, what happened?" Ness comes down beside me. "I went away to go get a book, and you're shaking. You're as cold as ice!"

I look up. Everything is blurred. I'm so… dazed. My head is pounding. What happened? What was that dream? Was it a dream - but yes, yes, it must've been… such a creature count never exist...

"Wha…" tumbles out of my mouth. "What was - what happened… Ness…?" I sound weak. I sound helpless. I am so helpless - where am I? I can see myself. I don't feel like myself. What the…?

Ness catches me as I fall.

"Ryu was standing over you." He speaks quickly. "He saw me and he left, Lucas. Did he hurt you? Did Ryu do something to you?!" The panic edges through his voice.

"I don't..." I flounder. "He saved me - there was a thing - Future Human - in the book -"

"Lucas-?"

I vaguely point at the book that I was reading.

"Lucas, that's a recipe for plum pudding-"

I twist around, staring at it, not comprehending. A list of ingredients stares back at me.

"N-Ness - I think I had a dream, a nightmare," I stutter, trying to make sense of everything. "It can't have been anything else - I'm - I'm alright. Ryu probably saw me - shaking, or something, and he must've woken me up...?"

"Do you promise you're alright?" Ness pushes, still holding me steady. "You completely promise?"

"I promise," I say weakly, letting Ness support me as I try and regain my balance. "I was - tired, everything was so relaxing. I drifted off."

"What - what was the nightmare?" Ness asks, uneasily.

"I-"

The clock chimes.

"I'll tell you later... It's time for dinner."

And just as well. I think I need time to process whatever… that… was.

Ness takes my shaking hand, and we walk into the dining hall.

Placet Auxilium.

The dining hall is headache-inducingly full, bursting with an incessant humming of people and atmosphere. It gives me slight peace to see Red, Toon Link and Villager again, but then some annoyance too, when I see that someone's taken our usual seats. It's Pit and Dark Pit, the unusual twins we met in English this morning. I point it out to Ness, and he sighs.

"I guess there are enough seats for everyone around the table. But still..."

Ness doesn't like change, not at all. I get where he comes from, change is always weird, but sometimes change can be for the better, I believe.

"Replaced us then?" Ness jokes, as we sit down.

"Nono-" Pit jumps.

"Of course not-" Dark pit adds.

"We were just offering to sell some stuff," Pit clarifies.

"Sell some stuff?" Ness wonders. "What stuff?"

"Well," Dark Pit says, before Pit interrupts.

"We're selling a bunch of stuff because our dad-"

"No, your dad!"

"I thought he was your dad-"

"But we're twins-"

"But we're not twins-"

"We're arch nemeses-"

"Best friends too-"

"Arch nemeses-"

"Whatever-"

"Anyway-"

"Back to the point-"

"You were the one that got off the point!"

"No, you!"

"No, you-"

"No, you're doing it now!"

Placet Auxilium

Crimson eyes, boring into mine. A filthy mass of flwsh, grime, and wood. My head throbs again. I look dizzily around at everyone on the table, barely watching the scene unfold.

"Anyway," Dark Pit says, "Our father is sick with something. We're not sure what it is, so we need money-"

"To pay for him to be cured-"

Oh.

I can relate to this. I remember when my father was ill a few years ago. I'd had to sell and trade extra hours, into the dangerous hours of the night, just to get enough money for medicine. He healed, in the end, but he didn't even thank me. There were no thanks for me. Only Porky skulking around, stealing from my stall, from the box I kept the money in. Ness had helped me, sometimes, when he was allowed out of the house. Father didn't care whether I was in the house or not. He still barely talks to me, though he speaks a little bit more now, I guess. Maybe I'm doing something good.

"I'll buy this and this and this-" Ness says, handing over various coins. I once asked him where his money came from, considering I doubted his father was the kind of person to treat him.

"Mother, she slips me some money sometimes. She's awesome."

And I'd been unable to tell him what had happened to my mother. I envy him. I envy that he still has a mother, but I wouldn't swap places with him in a heartbeat. His father is awful. My father has ranted enough about how he treats him and the other miners. I want to free Ness and my father from him, someday.

Placet Auxilium.

A sudden graphic image of Mother's body rotting in the fields, beaten down by the sun, flashes through my mind. I convulse. Thoughts of Future Human flood back into my head, its reaching arms, its hunger, its cold, empty eyes. I seize up completely as it invades my thoughts, until suddenly, nothing anyone says reaches me anymore - I am surrounded by Future Human, and troubled images-

Lucas?

Lucas!

Lucas, are you okay?

No. I'm not. I think I'm sick. I feel like death. My head still hurts, and now my stomach is aching. My dinner is left unfinished.

I recover enough to walk with Ness up the stairs. It's time for our detention, and that means figuring out how to get to Headmaster Hand's office, despite my delirium and weakness. My head shouldn't be hurting this much, should it?

Ness leads the way. I'm silently nervous, I have no idea what to expect, but I'm sure it'll be a cruel and unusual punishment. Ness knocks on the great wooden door, and Headmaster Hand opens it.

"Ah, yes," he says. "Enter."

Ness hangs his head, walking in. I follow suit.

"Snowballing a Professor," Headmaster Hand says, taking a seat. "An unusual crime."

"Headmaster, what will our punishment be?" Ness asks, fearing the worst.

"Oh. Oh yes." Headmaster Hand smiles. "It's not that bad, don't worry. You just have to write a letter home to your parents, explaining what you did wrong."

Not that bad?! I'd rather have a beating. But then again, it's not like Father cares enough to read the letters I send. But poor Ness, considering the pressure that his father applies, having two letters home will get Ness straight in his bad books.

"We need to have a discussion, though." Headmaster Hand eyes us sternly. "You need to fix up this bad behaviour. This school has no place for students that are not performing to the best of their abilities, or for students that fail to follow simple instructions."

"Yes, Headmaster," Ness and I say in unison.

"My brother was a troublemaker," he says, his stern expression remaining. "It would do you very well not to become like him."

"Yes, Headmaster," we say again.

"When you have finished writing, show your letters to me, and if they're good enough, you're free to go."

"Okay."

My head throbs again, but I push the gruesome images away. I shakily write:

Father,

I got detention for throwing a snowball at a professor.

Sincerely, Lucas.

It's the most half-hearted thing I've ever written, and I almost laugh at it, but with Future Human still on my mind, and my tired eyes unable to focus on the words, I can't find the energy.

Placet Auxilium.

At some point, we're dismissed from the office. Death. Suffering. The end, of time, of life, of humanity. What does it mean? Maybe my dream was trying to tell me something - something important - perhaps - I need to know...

But… my head, it hurts badly... I cannot. A nice rest in bed... but where am I? What's happening…?

I'm dizzy, so, so dizzy.

Is this a castle? I like castles.

Ness's worried face appears next to me. Ness… Ness… a nice name. I want it. Ness is pretty. Ness is my best friend, my pretty best friend. Isn't that funny?

"Ness," I giggle, before tripping over my own feet.

I catch a brief glimpse of a figure before the darkness swallows me whole.

A/N

Oh dear, poor Lucas.

If only it wasn't the 1800s, then I'd be able to give him some decent medicine.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Notes:

-The Origin Of Species is Darwin's book in which he published his theory of evolution.

~ReadyForTeddy