"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Pazu stepped into the room.
Makoto turned from the photo of Laputa to look at him. "Yeah, I guess it is."
"My father took this picture." Pazu walked beside him. "Most people think it's just a legend, but my dad actually saw it."
"And what about you?" Makoto asked.
"Me?" He laughed. "Makoto, I nearly died on that floating castle! How can I ever forget?" He pointed to his cheek. "Bullet scraped me here when the army came. Lucky he was such a bad shot."
"The army?" Makoto raised an eyebrow. "They were on Laputa?"
"Yeah, although they wouldn't like to admit it. But now they have no interest in it, since its weapons systems and scientific knowledge were lost –" He turned to face Makoto. "Until now."
"Build, attack, destroy then build again." Makoto's face darkened. "It's a never-ending cycle with this world. I think I can understand why the people of Laputa took to the skies. The people of the Earth were greedy, merciless and power-hungry. And they still are."
"Yeah, well it'll be a while before they translate all of the Laputian text. We're safe till then."
"Pazu, listen. There's something I haven't told you yet…" Pazu suddenly raised a hand, silencing Makoto. He went to the window and looked out. "Just as I thought." He said quietly. "A military spy plane."
"How can you tell?" Makoto asked.
"I learnt the hard way."
"Then they're probably after me. I took something from them, and they want it back."
"What is it?" Pazu walked up to him. "What did you take?"
Looking around, Makoto saw his old coat and walked over to it. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he took out a gem.
"Etherium crystal!" Pazu exclaimed.
"And a very dangerous one too." Makoto placed it in Pazu's hand. "Don't let the army get hold of it, or else we're all dead."
"Right." Pazu pocketed it. "I'd better get Sheeta."
"Hand me my pack, Sheeta." She handed it to Makoto, and he slipped it on. Snapping it open, he took out a glove and put it on his right hand.
"Sheeta!" Pazu took the crystal out of his pocket and handed it to her. Seeing the crystal, her eyes went wide. "But this looks just like…" Without finishing the sentence, she removed the necklace she wore and compared them.
Now it was Makoto who was speechless. He quickly bowed before Sheeta.
"Now I know why you looked so familiar!" He yelled. "You are Lusheeta Toel Ul Laputa!"
"But h-how did you know?" She asked stunned.
In answer, a beam of light erupted from Sheeta's necklace and hit Makoto's glove. For a moment, both objects glowed. When the beam ceased, Makoto stood up. "I am Makoto Toel Proteteur Laputa." He said calmly. "My bloodline has been personal bodyguards to the king and his family, Princess Lusheeta."