Part 4.1: Set Sail for Vangaurd

Back in the escape pod, the head-strong shizznit turned quivering-little-child, Cyrus; was contemplating about what had just happened to him.

"Oh man, I can't believe I survived that deep space dogfish dogfight," he said. "I bet that Vendeeni assault carrier was the Dasvanu and that Federation flagship was the Aquaelie."

"Distress signal operational," the computer specified.

"Great."

"Searching for life-supporting planets… Planet found."

"Hmm... What is it?"

"Vanguard III, located approximately 0.5 light years from present location. Axial tilt of 35 degrees results in extreme seasonal weather. Existence of humanoid life forms confirmed. The Federation has classified Vanguard III as an Underdeveloped Planet. Civilization level: approximately equivalent to 16th-century Earth."

"What? Yes, this is great! Out of all the other planets I'd 've landed on, I somehow got to Vanguard! I guess I am supposed to help fight Luther, but why am I getting involved this much?"

"Would you like to review the Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact?"

"Of course."

"The Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact was established in order to protect planets with developing civilizations. Contact with civilizations that have not reached a certain level of development is strictly prohibited by Federation law. This is due to the fact that contact with advanced civilizations has a high probability of greatly influencing the course of history on a less developed planet. All individuals and organizations belonging to the Pangalactic Federation are required to adhere to the tenets of this Pact, unless faced with a clear danger to life and limb. This Pact is one of the most important components of Pangalactic Federation law. It also serves as a guideline for civilization conduct in emergency situations. Violators will be tried by the Pangalactic Council."

"Okay. Oh, computer, please scan for other kinds of ships or pods in this vicinity."

"Scanning..."

"If I'm correct, Fayt's pod should only be about a few miles from my current location. I might not be a space age mechanic, but something tells me it should be able to scan his life readings."

"Search complete... One escape pod found."

"Great. Open up a channel." "Man, I feel like the captain on Star Trek." Suddenly, the monitor showed up a live feed from Fayt's pod. "Hello, err.. This is Captain Cyrus of the Federation S.S.S. Winnipeg. I used the extra 'S' to warn you of how powerful this vessel is. Though me and my crew come in peace, we will not tolerate in harassment from you or your party. However, if you insist; we shall have no choice but to fire our advance weaponry upon you."

"Cyrus, it's me."

"Huh? Fayt," starts to laugh in embarrassment. "Hey, cool. Well, home boy, isn't this unexpected."

"Tell me about it. What was that all about?"

"Well, you can't be too careful about who you run into. I mean it's not wrong to try and keep it real, is it? So, you heard where we're goin'?"

"Vangaurd III. A planet within the Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact."

"So tell me, what do they mean when they say, 'violators will be tried by the Pangalactic Council.' What's the punishment?"

"Usually, it's fifty to two hundred years in a high security prison."

"Gyuuh!" Cyrus yelled as he pulled the collar of the shirt under the sweater.

"Well, we better get some rest," Fayt said.

"Alright. (starts yawning). After what just happened, I think I'll be asleep for the next week." One week later... Cyrus reawaken from his slumber to here from the computer.

"Entering Vanguard III's gravitational field. Prepare for entry turbulence." Like searing comets streaking through the sky, the two pods crashed in a forest with tremendous force. The two jumped out of the ships, unscathed by the impact.

Author's Note 1: Well, that was pretty fun.

Part 4.2: Just a Walk in the Forest

"Here we go," Fayt said before they lept out on to the foreign land.

Cyrus starts to inhale the world's oxygen. "Ahh... this is great. Can't you just smell it. It kind of reminds you that Earth use to be like this, clean, lush and ready to be exploited– I mean explored."

"Yeah. Well, I suppose it's gonna be a few days before we're rescued."

"I guess," even though he knew damn well that their equipment is going to be stolen by some trigger-happyguy named Norton and the ones that will rescue them will be a group oflow-profile peace keepers. Cyrus would say what was going to happen, but even he knew that if he did, he'd be interfering with the potential history. His existence in this dimension was already the first straw. He figured anymore mishaps in the timeline would spell complete disaster for this plain of existence and maybe even his own universe, too. All he could do is grit his teeth and bare it. Fayt pulls out his quad scanner and presses a few commands. "Hey, what was that," Cyrus said as soon as he heard the chirp of the device.

"There's something moving at about 40 clicks. I suppose it's an animal." Fayt said. "Great. I'll get some weapons?" Fayt walked over to his pod. He typed in some commands. Suddenly, a ball of light shown up and materialized into swords. He gives one of the swords a light swing.

"Here you go." Fayt handed the other sword to Cyrus.

"Nice fell,"Cyrus said when he twirled it in his hand. Fayt put the sword he had back on the ground.

"The sun's setting soon. We better find somewhere to rest at nightfall." He checks his quad scanner again. "There's something there, I'll expand the range a bit. Hey, I'm picking up humanoids. It seems like there's a village. If we go now, we'll make it by nightfall."

"Cool," Cyrus said. "Shall we?"

"Let's go. I know it's a UP3 infringement, but this is an emergency. They'll probably cut us some slack if we keep a low profile."

The two took the long trek through Pesotto Forest. They reached the edge of the habitat right near the village's entrance. They both start to walk oddly, suffering from fatigue. Fayt knelt to the ground. "Made it…finally! Whew, that was farther than I thought. Looked so close… …on the scanner."

Fayt fainted to the ground. Cyrus lowerd, leaning on the sword. "Hey, Fayt. Get up... man," he said while nudging at him. He was about to stand back up too when suddenly, he slipped off and slammed to the ground. They both laid there, unconscious, no will or strength to get up.

A girl with bobbed hair appeared at the scene. "Hey! What's wrong, mister? You got a belly ache?" Suddenly, she realizes there are two people on the ground. She looks around the area.

"Oh no! Niklas! Niklaaas!" the girl yells as she runs off.

Author's Note 1: I bet all of you think that Cyrus is just following the storyline. That he arrived in this universe here just by accident. That he has no real reason here but as an accidental gamer that must rely on the characters to survive, right? Well, it's time to show you how wrong some of you are. The start of this chapter will describe our friend's purpose; short, sweet and quick. Try to keep up (no offense, figurative speech).

Part 4.3: The Dream

During his unconsciousness, Cyrus was having a dream. He was wondering in a red and black landscape. As he wanders, he sees a familiar face. "Ah Cyrus. You look well," the man said.

"Master Diogo," Cyrus shouted in surprise. He ran over and respectfully kneeled down.

"I see you have a great many questions on your mind my student."

"Yes. I mean, why have I been sent here, master. If this is all as real as I think it is, what could have caused something to break through the dimensional barrier? This is all a mistake, sir!"

"I understand. You see, a great evil is the cause of all this. One that would conquer all or destroy all. Its power was locked away for thousands of years."

"Wait, a great evil with absolute power... that would be Luther, sensei."

"No, Cyrus. Your Luther is but a pawn on his chess mat."

"Okay, so if Luther isn't responsible, fully; who is? What could have the power to rip open a vortex? The only one that could do it is Luther, and he's the 'creator' of this universe."

"Or so you say."

"Alright. If Luther is the tool, and my game that's really a universe, as well as my own is but the work table; who's the person making the blueprints?"

"That is a question that will reveal itself to you when the time is right. But do not fear... I leave you with these." Master Diogo chanted a powerful magic. Suddenly, two symbols appeared on his shoulders, one on each side. "These symbols will help you on your journey. One has the power of fire, the other, of darkness."

"Sweet! So I'm going to use symbology, too. That's tight."

"These symbols shall work when you are near another such as yourself. You'll also be able to learn other skills. And remember, you have your other strengths too."

"Huh? Oh yeah, my training in the swords and drunken boxing."

"Well, yeah. That's a few, but you also have him and the others..."

Cyrus looked up at the portal shown behind him, it showed Fayt and the others doing their current activities while Cyrus was sleeping. Fayt was awake, talking to Niklas and Meena. Cliff and Mirage were heading to Vanguard III. Nel and Albel were overlooking their subordinates training on different sides of Elicoor II's Continent of Gaitt. Roger and his gang were competing with their rivals. Peppita was with the Troupe, traveling to Moonbase. Adray was investigating an island nation off of the Continent of Gaitt. While Sophia was in a cell on the Dasvanu.

"I have a feeling that you're not alone, my pupil."

"Thank you master. You can count on me. I'll make sure that whoever's doing this, it will not succeed. The entire Time-Space Continuum is relying on me. I will not fail you."

Cyrus started to run back to were he came, but stopped.

"Um... Before I leave, were's the exit?" he asked.

"One of my most successful student, and he doesn't even know where the doorway to his mind is. Over there," the teacher pointed to his left that had the "Exit" sign and a large blue rectangle as a doorway from his mind.

"Heh... Go figure." Cyrus ran through the door and found himself awake. "Where the... Oh, it was just a dreeeaaaaa..." Cyrus screamed in his head when he looked at his shoulders, both with the inscriptions of symbology. "Okay, so it wasn't just a dream. So that would mean... Oh Shizznit!" he thought.

"Aa" Cyrus heard. He turned his head and saw a young girl at the doorway.

"Hello, young one." Cyrus said.

"Here's a pitcher of cold water if you need it." She put the pitcher on the counter near the bed Cyrus laid in. "Niklas!" she yelled.

"Oh, I see you're awake too, sir. You were talking in your sleep as well. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, you could say that," Cyrus said. "So, you're the one who rescued me? I owe you my life."

"No, I just carried you here. It was my sister, Meena, who insisted."

"Well, none the less, I thank you both. Sorry if I caused any trouble."

"Hey, it's alright." Meena said.

"I guess intro is in order," Cyrus said. "My name is Cyrus. Cyrus Splicer."

"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Niklas and this is my sister Meena. We found you and your friend, Fayt, collapsed in the forest."

"Is he alright?"

"Yes. Please, you must reserve your strength."

"Well, I guess I should... Alright, and again; thanks." Cyrus laid back, turned on his side and went to sleep.

Part 4.4: The issue in Whipple

The next morning, Cyrus risen out of bed and started stretching. He suddenly stopped because he was struck by pain on his right thigh. "Argh... Great, right on my leg. Oh well, as long as I don't need to run, it don't really matter, right?"Cyrus started looking around the two rooms. "Hey, where's my sword? I guess Niklas must have kept it. Bet he did the same with Fayt's. Hmm... I wonder if he's up?" Cyrus walked into the room across the hallway. In there, he saw a well rested Fayt standing next to the bed. "Hey!" Cyrus said.

"Cyrus, good to see you."

"Likewise homes. So, did you find out anything?"

"Yeah. When we were talking, Niklas asked if I knew someone named Norton."

"Norton, huh?"

"Yeah. I told them that we don't know anything about him."

Cyrus thought for a minute. "How about we explore this place. Maybe we'll find out more about this Norton guy."

"You're right." The two left the house and went outside. They tried to talk to the people, but the only thing they got were negative replies and threats.

"Geez. These guys are heck 'o mad, man." Cyrus said.

"Yeah. It seems that whoever this Norton is, he's got the village people scared." Fayt replied.

"True. Hey, I just remembered something that could help us."

"What's that?"

"One of the people I just talked to said that we should ask the Village Chief. He might know what's going on."

"Okay, where's his house?"

"Over there," Cyrus said as he pointed to the house in the corner.

"Let's go." They headed to the house at the corner of the village. Inside the house, they saw an old man wandering around a table.

"Ah... You must be our new arrivals, are you not," the man said.

"Yes. That's right, sir," Cyrus said.

"Are you the village chief of Whipple?" Fayt asked.

"Indeed I am, young man."

"Could you please tell us what's going on?"

"Of course. Recently, a sinister stranger settled to the west of our village. Our Lord refuses to send soldiers to such a remote village as ours. Perhaps the stranger knows this. We have constantly been at his mercy. That is why the people here are so wary of strangers. I am sorry

they are treating you so brusquely, but you must understand our situation."

"I see," Cyrus said. "Thank you, sir. Sorry we took any precious time."

"It is quite alright. I can tell that you people are different from this ne'er-do-well." Fayt and Cyrus left the house and walked back to the residence of Meena and Niklas.

Part 4.5: Meena's Music Box

Inside Meena was sitting down, looking at a broken music box. "What's that?" Fayt asked.

"It's my treasure box! Daddy gave it to me on my birthday," Meena said.

Niklas walked into the room. "That music box was passed down through our mother's family. It is the only thing we have left from our parents. But, alas, it is broken now, and does not make a sound," he explained.

"I see… Can I have a look?" Fayt asked.

"Sure!" Meena answered. Fayt examines the box.

"Well, what seems to be the problem?" Cyrus asked.

"The gear box is broken," Fayt said. "This shouldn't be too hard. Want us to fix this for you?"

"Yeah. It'll be our way of paying you back for rescuing us," Cyrus said.

"Really? Can you fix it, Fayt?" Meena asked.

"Can you really do that? It is an expensive music box. They told us it would cost a great deal to fix it," Niklas said.

"If I can get my hands on the right parts, yes, and I think I know where to get them. It's a little ways away but I'll go get them later," Fayt said.

"But, we cannot ask you to do something like that for us!" Niklas protested.

"You saved our lives. It's the least we can do to repay you!" Cyrus said.

"Still…"

"And I'm sure that Meena wants it fixed, right?" Fayt added.

"Thank you…good sir."

"In return, do you think we could get our swords back? We won't be able to go through the forest without them."

"You swear you are not with Norton and his gang?"

"That we're not. What…you don't believe us?"

"No, I trust you."

"Thanks."

"But be wary. If you are not one of Norton's gang, you will be in even more danger outside the village."

"I know—We'll be fine."

"That's right. Whoever this Norton guy is, he's no match for me." Cyrus stated. Fayt started to clear his throat. "I mean us!" Niklas gave the swords back to Cyrus and Fayt. The two swordsmen left the village and headed back to the pods. As soon as they got there, they were welcomed by an ugly surprise.

"What? What happened? The pod's parts and equipment have been stripped!" Fayt shouted.

"Oh man! The fools went for seconds too!" Cyrus exclaimed as he saw his. Fayt kneeled down at the damaged ships. He thought to himself that the inhabitants might have just smashed the equipment. "I'll bet you a million fol that it was Norton and his crew," Cyrus said.

"Maybe. Well, there's no use staying here. Let's head back to Whipple." Fayt said.

The two left the forest with unsatisfied looks on their faces. They walked back to Niklas and Meena's house to hear surprising news. "Fayt! Cyrus!" Meena shouted and ran toward the travelers.

"Hello there!" Fayt greeted.

"What a relief, you are well! Norton's gang was lurking around the forest in the direction you left in. We were worried," Niklas said.

"Hmm... Guess we came back at the right time," Cyrus said with bent arms.

"Niklas… Could you tell me more about Norton and his gang? Who are they?" Fayt asked. As soon as that question was asked, silence fell within the establishment.

"I do not know everything myself. He…Norton appeared suddenly in our village about half a year past. He ordered the village to supply him with food. Of course, we refused at first. The village needs it supplies to survive the harsh winter. Norton was in fact ordering the village to die… But when people refused him, he called upon this mysterious light, and those it touched disappeared, one after the other! Carl, Sirin, Kurt… All gone. And our father, who resisted until the very end. Of course we told our lord, but he said the idea of people disappearing into thin air was nonsense, and didn't want to hear about it. Now some of the villagers have even joined Norton's gang!"

"Hmm... now I truly see why you guys are so hush-hush up inhere," Cyrus said.

"A mysterious light, that makes people disappear…? Niklas… When you first met me, you asked me about my clothes and ears, right?" Fayt asked.

"Ah, yes—Norton wore clothes made out of a strange material that was neither linen nor cotton—just like the clothes you wear. And his ears were shaped like yours… That is why I did not trust you at first. I apologize."

"Don't worry about it."

"Fayt's right. It was all just a little misunderstanding, that's all." Cyrus said.

Fayt was in a trance of deep thought. Maybe this Norton, to him; was another off worlder as well.

" Is…something the matter?" Niklas asked.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking… I'm really sorry, but it's going to take me a little more time to fix your music box. Can you wait just a little longer?"

"Okay!" Meena agreed.

"That thing Norton's gang carried off—did it belong to you?" Niklas asked.

"No—I thought it might be, but it wasn't. Don't worry, I'll fix your music box."

"Niklas, I'm hungry! Let's eat!" Meena said.

"Ah yes… Very well, let us eat." After dinner, everyone went to their rooms and slept.