Chapter II

"The truth is more important than the facts."
-Frank Lloyd Wright

It had been two days. TWO whole days! This was ridiculous, by now, he should have found the boy, with help or not. Van, after alerting the majesty (and seeing the stunned face of the princess) had surveyed what ships had shipped off that day and time. There were two ships, one that was to head off to Chesedonia and the other to Sheridan, both on a quest for trading. Van had got some of the soldiers of the palace to follow after the Sheridan one, while he went after the Chesedonia. The waters were the easy part, going through Chesedonia was not so easy. Van vaguely remembered the Fon Master listing off readings of population and buildings in each town and city to counsel members that were seeking board of approval from the religious master to build more buildings.

Chesedonia had approximately over ten thousand occupants surrounding the streets. At the time Van discarded the information with the fact that Chesedonia was one of the rare places where Malkuth and Kimlasca would allow their pride to blend together to create a safe town with flourishing people and trade. Now however, Van slightly regretted not to get the complete layout of the booming city. To say it was huge was a little of an overstatement, Van had been traveling between places like the Kimlasca mansions and the cathedral in Daath after all. But the people there were all traders and hogged the streets with chatting about irrelevant things and trading gald off for new weapons or food.

Van was beyond irritated. Since he started his search from the Kimlasca side, he had only managed to make it through the doors and streets to make it to the part the Chesedonians called the checkpoint, a part strictly between Kimlasca and Malkuth's borderlines. It wasn't just that though, it was also the fact he had yet to hear from the soldiers he had sent off to Sheridan. The man couldn't help but wonder if Kimlasca soldiers were competent at all, especially with letting Luke escape.

That little detail still bothered the young man, but he refused to acknowledge that it could have been possible for Luke to actually use the ability that was in his genes. Especially since even Asch didn't know how to control it until he had started tutoring him. Another little detail that had been irritating him for within the span of the two days. While on board of the carrier ship, someone had asked him if he was the Van Grants, commandant of the Oracle Knights. Van had answered to the call and the person gave him a letter that he said was from some freaky guy in a flying chair.

Van knew immediately just by the description who it had been from and when he tore open the contents, he was slightly alerted by the news within it. Asch had been acting peculiar, it seemed from the letter. Asch had seemed to stop eating and was surprising quiet, and when he wasn't training he would retreat to his room and do nothing but lay in his bed, muttering something strange that Dist could not understand. Van knew Asch, and Asch never took to be the type to just lay around and think things. Actually ever since had kidnapped the boy (though he was happy at the time) his temper would get him frustrated to the point of needing to train just all the time.

It was a strange thing that bothered Van to no end, a reclusive Asch? It was something that was unbelievable. It was just those two little details, both relating to the same subject somewhat. Asch and Luke. Van really didn't want to think about what could have possibly happened to their personalities because there was no answer to pull out a theory anywhere. Van gave a loud sigh and marched to the room he had rented for the days he would stay there searching. Van knew it was unwise to just stay in one place searching for the replica, but Van thought it would take a few days for the travelers to actually travel. Luke had taken little money and Van knew that Guy did not have much money at all, being a servant of the Fabre household.

It was likely they would stay in a certain part, raising money and buying food and gels so that they would not get injured during the journey. When Van had made it inside the hotel, and slowly started to climb up the long stairs that taunted him as his footsteps echoed. It was troubling, again the process of elimination crossed Van's mind. Van wanted to think that it was all actually Guy's plan, that way it would make sense someway or another. However Van knew that Guy's nature would most likely want to slay the youth in front of his father and mother in the past, and as much as Guy wanted to say that he was completely changed, Van knew that human nature could not think nor change that easily. Actually, in common sense it looked all like Luke's plan.

Luke had been the one to leave the letter, a sign he was thinking and knew what he was doing indefinitely. Luke had been the one to take an item bag with him not even full of apple and orange gels that begged to be used. Luke also had a motive to get out of the household, a longing for adventure and a vision beyond the mansion. But every time Van thought about it, it just truly did not make sense. Van made it into his room and raised a brow as he saw three letters on the side of his bed, lying for the world to see. Van immediately made himself comfortable upon his bed and read the letters.

The first one was from his little sister, who had excitingly (yet in a strange way that Van had only seen Legretta write like) that she was doing better at her training and that the flowers in Yulia were blooming brighter then ever, and that she couldn't wait to see him again eventually. Van actually felt a little tint of happiness at his sister's 'report', glad to have a little reminder and break from this whole troublesome manner. The second one was from the guards he had sent to Sheridan, and they had been given reports of a blonde fitting Guy's description walking around Sheridan, but no heir with him. Van let the possibility of Guy just being a bystander enter in his mind for the moment and considered it, but let it go for later comparisons of theories.

The last and third one was from Fon Master Ion, and Van felt himself frown as there were eight words that Van could imagine the light yet dark tone in the man's letter.

"I heard that the sacred flame is missing." Van knew that was a sign that he needed to discuss this with the Fon Master. Van was not afraid of the man, not at all, in fact they shared a great deal in common. But very few knew the true nature of the dark-haired being, the lengths he was willing to go to just to fulfill the Score was frightening and the way he handed his diplomacy was extremely talented. It was hard to believe that it could have been possible that he was dying. Of course nobody really knew about this news, the doctors seemed confused by the strange spells of sickness that the Fon Master would have but he would always recover.

Van gave a slight sigh and looked out of the window to see a piercing sun lowering down over an endless desert. There were just too many details that were bothering him at the moment for him to deal with this right now. As though he was missing something from an obvious statement, but Van truly had no idea of what could have been possible.

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"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes."

"Are you really sure?" "Yes Anise."

"But...it's a waste."

"No it isn't."

"Your hair's too pretty to cut!"

"Anise just cut it!"

"NO! I REFUSE!"

"Hey guys, might want to keep it down? Those soldiers are still here, trying to find us you know?." Anise and Luke's argument cut as they looked over to Guy who peered through the rocket tower's window and watched as said soldiers passed, both of them grunting about what a waste of time it was. Guy then looked back to the two younger ones and stared a little uneasily as the two were both attached to a pair of scissors. "Anise I'm sure he has a good reason."

"Do I look like I care Guy?" Ouch. Guy could never get why girls were so obsessed with hair, especially each other's, but Anise seemed like she was rather mean. Luke gave a loud sigh and removed his hand carefully and gave a light stare over to the girl.

"Anise, it would be better if you cut my hair, because if you don't, I'll find a dagger and do it myself." Guy flinched at the thought of Luke using a dagger over his longish hair. Sure this Luke seemed to use weapons with certain finesse, but still, a dagger was much more dangerous to cut your hair with. Especially if you didn't know where exactly you were cutting. Anise growled and pouted back,

"Fine!" Luke gave a resigned sigh and sat as the girl started to play with his hair, and seemed to be pondering about the soon to be loss of the vibrant red hair. It had been two days they had wasted here in Sheridan, one of the days Luke had to use to recover as he felt unbelievably tired from overusing his techniques (and got an extreme scolding when he woke up from Guy) and then having to stay in secret away from the guards that had followed them from Baticul. It had been lucky that Luke remembered the blacksmith just by the tower and it had been even more lucky that the blacksmith had wanted to keep Luke's journey in secret. It seems that when Luke spoke the materials he knew very little about (only from what he could remember from the future) that he had earned the valuable friendship of their keeper.

Luke had wanted to visit the Iemon and the others but Guy had refused the redhead to going out and in time Luke agreed with the decision. Though Luke couldn't help but think it somewhat unfair that Guy would go to talk to them about fon machinery whenever he got free time. He wouldn't even know WHERE the oldies were if Luke hadn't told him about the council meeting room. Ah well...Luke would have other chances, after all, they had only died in the first place because of Van chasing after them. Luke smiled to himself, more people who weren't going to die!

Luke decided to remember the day before as Anise continued playing with his hair, getting it slightly wet before chopping it to what she considered even. Luke remembered how he stayed in bed all day, getting stared at wild-eyed by Anise and Guy would walk in and out with stew that was supposed to have healing properties. At least Guy was a decent cook, but Luke should have just told Anise to do it instead, honestly. Luke then remembered answering Anise's question on how he had survived the battle and being thrown overboard. It was a simple explanation but vague, a 'you'll learn the same technique in the future'. Luke had forgotten that nobody truly knew what skills they would get before they got it.

Luke's day was also composed of Guy's questions whenever Anise wasn't around. Like 'How did you learn those techniques?' and 'You seemed to have recognized that monster, what was it?' and other questions that made Luke feel a little dizzy in the head. Guy had wanted to know to much so Luke had, in a little bit of an irritated manner, told Guy to shut up, it was the future and he'll learn about it later. Luke regretted saying that but it seemed like Guy had gotten over it. Luke opened his eyes as Anise gave a loud sigh. Luke surveyed Guy's brow raising and a finger lying on his chin.

"Not bad."

"I guess," Anise surveyed her look, but chopped a bit more from his side bangs to match with his haircut. Luke requested a mirror and the boy smiled as he looked more like his future self. Luke didn't know why he liked it, especially since it was just a sign of how pathetic he was and the strange hope a haircut could only bring of a forced change, but it still made Luke slightly happy. He really didn't know why though.

"It'll be easier to hide me now. They're all probably looking for a long haired redhead."

"Even then, there aren't many people with that hair color Luke."

"Right, right." Anise gave another loud sigh and placed the scissors on a table while ignoring the red fibers on the ground and folded her arms at the older boy.

"So you're really Luke fon Fabre?"

"Yup."

"And you're heading towards Daath."

"Yes."

"Why?" Luke could have sworn he had this conversation before but just shook his head and folded his own arms back with a light smile to the dark-haired girl.

"Why do you need to know? Aren't you supposed to be traveling around the world?" Anise gave a frustrated blush and nodded,

"Yeah well...I'd just like to know! You don't see a prince everyday you know!" Luke had actually been surprised that Anise had not tried to play sweet on him, from knowing this fact that he spilled out to the girl yesterday. Actually, maybe she was, but she was too overwhelmed with curiosity at the moment to charm Luke. Luke laughed slightly,

"I'm not a prince."

"Well close enough!" True. Luke didn't deny that, faintly remembering his future title as a Viscount and possible Duke. Luke then shrugged lightly,

"Well you don't really need to know, do you?" Anise pouted at the redhead and Luke frowned as he remembered that Anise had been a spy. Though he held no anger towards the girl like most people would over a betrayal, he couldn't help but think if the girl was going to end up reporting his presence. How stupid of him! He had been so excited and happy to see a familiar face and being friends again he completely forgot about the fact she was a spy under Mohs! That must have been the real reason why the girl was digging deep and hard for information. Luke remembered if Anise was curious about something she ask twice and if she didn't get an answer oh well, let by gones be by gones. But information that was important...

"Why not?"

"Well are you done with your journey?"

"Almost." Anise admitted lightly, her tone wary of the sudden change of subject. Luke continued,

"Well then you still have to go somewhere, it's likely we'll be away from each other, so why bother your mind with little details?" Guy went to take a seat and watch the conversation between the two. Luke seemed to be hiding something more then usual, which was odd because Luke had not seemed to have an extreme problem with informing this girl about the fact he was an heir of royalty. Luke had seemed happy about meeting the girl but right now he looked...suspicious. Guy wasn't exactly sure of how to deal with this and just continued to stare. Guy had never felt so useless in his entire life (well except that one moment he couldn't remember, but really, what if he wasn't useless? He couldn't remember...). Anise gave another loud sigh and sat down as well, the three sat at the table and leaned into the silent cloud.

"Well what if I traveled with you?"

"You would do that?" Guy interrupted Luke's next sentence with a sense of amazement. What kind of nine-year-old was this girl? First she wants to travel the world to become a fon master guardian, and apparently she was really close to finishing but she was willing to give it up to follow two teenagers who were on an unknowable (to her) quest to Daath? What a crazy nine-year-old!

"Well sure, why not? It'll help...broaden my horizons." Luke felt a snicker exit his mouth and Anise gave him a light tap on his shoulder with a slight glare at the edge of her eyes.

"I dunno...wouldn't you get in trouble or something?" Guy asked, not really sure of a young girl actually accompanying them.

"It's not like I'm a time limit or something." Though compared to the rest of the Fon Master Guardians who had went through this, she was actually early then most. Anise admitted proudly to herself, so it wouldn't hurt to do a detour, after all, all she had left was a stone somewhere in Malkuth (she assumed near the capital) and she could go back to Daath to get initiated officially.

"Are you sure you would want to?" Geez, what was with all of these questions? Anise stared at the strange teenager and couldn't help but think that he was trying to get rid of her, and Luke wasn't helping, just by letting him talk! Geez! Anise frowned and smirked,

"Yes. I'm sure." Guy felt a little quiver of fear as the young girl smirked, "Why, you scared of me?"

"N-N-No, of course not!"

"Don't tease Anise." Anise stopped from rising from her chair as Luke chuckled slightly, "I'm sure it's his way of foreplay." Anise got confused by the word but Guy apparently did not.

"LUKE!" Luke just gave a loud laugh but then seemed to have realized what he said and leaned his head into his hand and groaned something that sounded very much like 'Dammit, Jade must have rubbed off me' which made Anise even more confused and it was one thing that Anise truly did not like and that was to be confused. "When did you get so dirty-minded?"

"Ah you know, this and that." It was dirty-minded comment? Seriously? Anise never would have though Luke to be the type to make any comment like that unless it involved cleavage, but she had been used to hearing any man talk about the female anatomy. Anise was about to speak about something different when there was a knock at the door. The three tensed up and Luke immediately went off to hide while Guy slowly answered the knock to the door. It was the two guards from earlier and one asked loudly,

"May we come in?"

"I'm afraid the owner is out at this moment." The guards laughed cheerfully,

"Great, then let us in! Maybe you have some ale that we can borrow?"

"I'm sorry but-" The guards introduced themselves in, bypassing Guy and sat at the table with laughter of abusing their position. Guy narrowed his eyes over to the doorway where Anise stared from in a rather good hiding position. The guards slapped their hands on the tabletop, yelling happily about an order of beer. Guy shook his head darkly, on the Duke would have guards like these degenerates. Guy simply nodded and forced himself to comply with their orders. Sometimes having a controlled anger was irritating, as it would come out in the most annoying times. The music was so loud in Guy's head once again.

Guy passed Anise who kept staring at the knights with a suspicious stare and Guy made it to the kitchen, glad that there had been enough to hopefully satisfy the men. Guy jumped a little though as he turned to see Luke in his cloak once again. "Luke!" Guy whispered, hissing slightly as he could hear the chattering of the other men in the room easily and knew if he said anything too loudly they were be alerted of the boy with him in the kitchen. "What are you doing? Go back into your room."

"It's a ruse." Luke whispered back and Guy blinked in slight confusion. Luke then thought about his choice of words and muttered more clearly, "A trap." Guy blinked again, though this time with understanding. Guy frowned and stared directly at Luke, who was frowning to an extent that Guy would never thought would fit Luke's face. "We need to escape."

"How? And how do you know?"

"I saw guards surrounding the place, apparently this is the only place they haven't searched." But why bother using a trap? Had they hoped to bring Luke out just by their presence? Annoying, Luke thought then looked back to Guy, "There's an elevator to the upper levels, we'll jump from there. I'll get Anise while you handle the machine." Guy nodded as Luke pointed to where the elevator was. Luke sneaked upon Anise, shushing her as the guards started to get louder about needing their ale right away. Luke held her hand as they quietly went to the elevator where Guy waited to pull the lever.

When Guy had pulled the lever it made a loud horrific sound that Luke had not remembered it would and pulled up to the second floor. Just going up though Luke heard the crash of the table and a loud yell of command. The three joined together as they opened the window door. Guy went first, jumping upon a guard's helmet and bringing out his sword to combat the beings around him, however those who had pulled their swords were squashed by a growing Tokunaga, which Anise quickly jumped on his head and the Tokunaga bashed its way through the enemies. Luke was the last, landing on his feet harshly, and following as Tokunaga broke the ranks slowly.

"Anise, we need to get going!" Guy yelled at her, though glad he didn't feel fatigued because of the helpful doll. The girl nodded and Tokunaga shrank very quickly and Anise followed the two fleeing teenagers as a crowd of bashed in armors followed them, yelling a loud together 'GET THEM'.

"Where are we going?" Anise yelled, nearly tripping over the rocks of the harsh brown dirt that surrounded Sheridan from living near mountains.

"The port! We'll lose them on a ship!" Though that would only delay them, Guy knew. But Luke was definitely intent on not getting caught, and Guy supposed his reason was important after all. Luke had been the fastest of the three, though Guy felt he had been trying to force himself to hold back. The three got the port in time of a ship just barely leaving. Luke grabbed Anise surprisingly effortlessly and threw the girl unto the leaving ship. Anise yelled and when she crashed on the ship she cursed at Luke with a fury as the boy looked at Guy anxiously.

"We need to jump."

"Right behind you." It was practically an army as they swarmed the port but Luke and Guy both jumped towards the ship, both grunting barely making it to hang unto the side. Anise helped Luke up, falling on the ship's top while doing so and Luke immediately helped the hanging Guy. By the time the three were settled comfortably on the ship and looking back at the port of Sheridan the guards themselves could not jump on said ship. One of them, assumed to be the head yelled and looked over to one of the porters. Grabbing him roughly he yelled,

"Where there hell is that ship heading too!?"

"G-G-Grand Chokmah, sir..." The man replied back, afraid and was thrown back to the wall as the head knight felt anger and fear course through his veins.

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Guy had been feeling really dizzy as of late. Strange things seemed to have appeared in his mind, but he wasn't quite sure on what to make from it. Guy had discussed his with Jade and the general had simply given him the explanation of the fact the man was stressed and not getting enough rest. That had been true, but Guy felt like there had been something more to it. Like strange flashes of a young Anise and a young Luke with his hair cut like he had it back when they were saving Auldrant.

Guy walked the long taunting halls of the castle, looking for Luke the rappig as Peony had lost him and requested Guy to find the poor rappig ("I can't certainly leave my poor little Jade, he'll probably run off again! Oh please find Luke, he might end up breaking one of his legs again, and I don't want to go through that tragedy again!")(Guy had once again been creeped out from the way His Majesty used his words). Guy started to feel a bit dizzier then usual and he stumbled with his steps slightly. Maybe he should get checked out by some cute nurse or something, yeah, that's what he should do...right after he found Luke.

The rappig was found by the waterfalls that ran outside the throne room and Guy laughed as the animal looked up at him. "Now, now Luke, you've been troubling the king again, come on, let's get you-" Ta-Tump, a sway, "...back..." Memories crashed into his subconscious but he leaned against the wall before he could tumble down. Guy frowned as strange memories of escaping guards and Luke getting his haircut...what the? Guy groaned and held his head.

"Sir Galardia, are you alright?"

"I...I'm fine." Guy grunted back as a reply to the worried man in armor, "Could you do me a favor and get Luke back to His Majesty?" The guard hesitated for a moment, looking over to the rappig and then back to Guy but nodded in reply.

"Yes sir."

"Thanks." Guy gave a good-natured smile and the guard did as Guy request. As soon as the man left Guy let his body slide to the ground, in a sitting position to hold his head as the biggest headache of a lifetime consumed his entire body. What was this? Why was Luke? From the future? Guy shook his head rapidly only to help the migraine in its power. Guy cursed silently to himself and looked up to the ceiling as his eyesight started to blur. What in the world was this? Guy closed his eyes, not having the power to do anything but succumb to the pain.

Jade had been the one informed as soon as someone had found Guy and placed him in a resting area. Jade had slowly gathered his things and made his way to Grand Chokmah's hospital wing and had placed his infamous doctor's clothes on before entering the room. Though Jade was no doctor, he knew enough to examine if what was wrong with Guy was physical or mental. Of course some of the nurses were afraid to approach now that Jade had been there, but no matter. Jade had done the normal procedures and frowned as he could not find an exact physically ailment.

"Umm...general...I...I don't believe it's wise to be playing doctor over something serious." Oh if this nurse had only known, she would have shut her mouth. Ah well, nothing big though. Jade nodded and the nurse frowned, looking over to Guy who lay still in the bed. "A guard said that he was looking a little strained before he was found sleeping on the ground against the wall."

"Strained?"

"Yes, as though he had an extreme pain somewhere." Ah, Jade had those sorts of pains. He was such an old man after all. Jade frowned again and sighed absentmindedly and looked over to the sleeping man. It is very strange that Guy out of all people would just drop down and fall asleep, especially in some sort of pain.

"Sir!" Jade turned to a random soldier who had came to the room. The man was hesitant as he saw the women glaring at him for interrupting their 'diagnosis' procedure's on Guy.

"Yes, what is it?" Jade gave his usual tired sounding voice, though it was accompanied by a not so pleasant smile.

"You have received a summonings from Master Florian of Daath." Jade rose an eyebrow in slight confusion. A summoning? How very strange, and from Florian? Even stranger. It seems that Jade's days have been piling up with strange affairs.

"Has His Majesty made allowance for this?"

"Yes Sir! I also have this letter from Master Florian!" Why did all of these drones have the need to shout whenever they spoke to him? It was as though he wouldn't acknowledge them unless he had to hear their voices from the heavens.

"A letter?" Jade questioned though, his interest piqued a little as he looked over the letter. Oddly, it wasn't written by Florian (though his signature was on the bottom with a little P.S. of HIIII JAAAADE! xoxoxoxo and Jade could sense Anise yelling at Florian for leaving it in ink) but by Anise. Jade scanned it quickly and felt his interest rise. Apparently, in the letter, Anise had fainted two days ago and when she had woke up, she was alarmed to have new memories of the past. Anise wanted Jade to come by immediately to check if there was anything wrong with her. Jade thought it strange, but found it funny at the same time. Jade then looked to the soldier and the man stiffened at the red-eyed stare of the man, "Very well, please prepare a ship to Daath for me, a small carrier."

"YES SIR!" The man ran off immediately and Jade looked back at Guy, who actually moved a little uncomfortably in his sleep. How very interesting.

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Guy's eyes darted nervously between Luke and Anise. The two stared dully at the captain who had found them stowing away on his ship. How could these two be so damn calm!? Didn't they know that some captains actually threw off stowaways?

"And what do you have to say for yourselves?"

"We jumped on your ship."

"And we're very sorry." How is it possible to say that without really actually sounding like it? Guy stared at the two younger ones who looked relatively calm. Had Luke done this before, was that way he wasn't panicking? Or was there a different reason? It annoyed Guy that he didn't know.

"Reeeaaallly," The captain stared and stared wide-eyed at Luke, who backed up a little from the old man's stare. Guy felt a little twitch but then the captain backed up and nodded, "Fine. Alright."

"Thank you sir." The two who had not cared at all, thanked the man and Guy just felt himself sigh loudly. The captain turned to Guy and Guy stiffened under the calculated stare,

"You'll be working to pay for all three of you." Guy stared, how...how unfair! Why was it that Luke and Anise got off easily? Sure Guy could understand Anise getting off easy, but Luke? Why? Just when he thought he'd get a break from duties as a servant. It's just crazy!

"Don't worry Guy, I'll help out." Luke smiled and pat Guy on the back, still with the helm of his cloak on.

"How come you didn't panic?" Guy asked as the captain went off as Anise followed him to their new room.

"He didn't seem like the guy who would do anything." Luke answered truthfully and Guy stared at the boy.

"Or did you know he wouldn't, from the future." Luke paused at this and shrugged,

"I've never met him before." Guy gave a slight groan, kind of feeling like a real teenager, though with the tiresome task of cleaning a ship wasn't helping.

"Seriously?"

"Yup, never in my life-time." Luke admitted, folding his arms, oops, forgot to ask where the ship was going. Ah well, it can't be that far off from Daath, at least Luke hoped. Luke pulled back his helm, squinting at the sun shined upon him abruptly. "Ah, on the sea again." Guy laughed slightly and looked over to the young redhead, it really was unbelievable. Luke even looked different now with his short hair. "We should probably start cleaning a bit, I'm kind of surprised there isn't that many crewmates on board."

"Yeah I'm surprised too." Guy joined in the conversation, glad that he could actually talk to Luke without worrying about status and all those troublesome things. Guy probably would have had time to talk earlier but he had been busy worrying over Luke's recovery and knowing what Luke knew but Luke wouldn't tell. Guy really wanted to know what Luke knew, of the future, of him, of anything that could be helpful during their journey. But Luke really didn't want to talk about it, and though Guy didn't know why, he stood away from the subject. The two grabbed two brooms on deck and started brushing at the deck.

"Guy..."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks again." Guy blinked, it was still surprising to hear Luke say those words, even though he kept hearing them the day before.

"Your welcome Luke, but why do you keep saying that?"

"...Because it must be hard to believe me, that I'm really Luke...that I'm from the future. I...I'm just glad that you still believe me." It was hard not to, especially when the boy seemed to give reasonable mature vibes and the moves with his body that was unnatural.

"Don't worry about it Luke." Guy knocked his arm with his own and gave the boy a soft smile, "It's something friends do." Guy blinked again when Luke gave him a big smile. Guy wondered why it seemed to make Luke more comfortable hearing these words. "Oh yeah, I've been wanting to ask..." Canons blazed in the back of his mind angrily, "Why do you want to get to the original you so much?" Luke paused in his sweeping to look up at the slowly growing dark sky. Luke's eyes dwarfed around the question for a moment then answered and Guy felt the canons pause to hear him speak,

"Because in a way he's me, but he isn't me...and I really don't like being here without him." Guy stared at the somewhat longing look that was in the teenager's eyes. Guy couldn't quite understand it, but he sensed there was something about the two that probably couldn't be expressed in words. Guy had no idea what that may have felt like and he couldn't help but be a little confused over it.

"Is that all?" Luke shook his head,

"Also...he's important...for the future." Luke looked down and Guy couldn't help but feel a strange change he had never seen in the boy's body, but it was fairly obvious what it was. A feeling of overwhelming sadness that effected the body directly, so directly that it was so obvious in an 'aura'.

"...How so?" Guy paused, staring at the stance uneasily and not knowing how to fix it. Luke looked up at the blonde and Guy felt something was off but he wasn't sure what,

"He...He just is." Of course Asch was important! Asch was always more important then Luke! Luke had no qualms admitting that, even after hearing Asch yell at him about it for so many times (even bonded), Luke would never give up that fact. Asch was better then him, Asch was worth more then him, Asch was the one they needed for unleashing Lorelei!

"Okay." Guy simply said though, easing Luke's memories of stupid angst that was to only come into the future. Luke nodded to this, "Then we'll just have to hurry up and get him." Luke nodded again and gave another smile, recovering from his mental power,

"Okay! Guy you take that side of the ship and I'll take this side!" Guy nodded and saluted the redhead.

"Yes sir Mr. Fabre sir!"

"Carry on!" Luke mocked a captain's voice, saluting the older teenager off and Luke laughed as he went to his side that he assigned himself to. Hm...He just has to keep reminding himself. He was from the future, he was going to prevent it, and everything was going to be okay! A shame Luke didn't know how naive his thinkings were, in fact if Asch knew what he was thinking he would hit Luke upon the hit and yell at him for being stupid. But...it was a part of his charm.

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Asch felt incredibly irritated, and that was saying something. Asch had once sorted out his moods because of an extreme boredom and lack of anything to do. Asch varied his moods to Normal, calm, irritated, pissed off, and I'm going to kill you if you say another word. But now...even though he had all these moods sorted out from the future, he decided to just use them again. Asch was rightly irritated, he felt like a stupid damsel in distress who couldn't do anything but sit in her tower all day weaving her hair. Asch then rolled his eyes at his own comparison to an old fairytale.

Asch stared at his door, hearing a knock on it and he narrowed his eyes as Dist invited himself in a gallivant mood. Asch was glad he was suffering the future, he was one of the most annoying of the God Generals. Though he didn't compare to Sync, Asch supposed...glad that the replica hadn't been born yet.

"Good evening Asch." Asch glared at the man, feeling his irritation grow as the white-haired fonist walked towards his bed.

"Is there something you need?" Trash, Asch wanted to add but wasn't in the mood to get over powered by pathetic excuse for a man.

"No not at all, I just wanted to invite you down to eat dinner tonight."

"No thanks." Asch rightly rejected said invitation and turned in his bed to get in a more comfortable position for sleep. Dist twitched at the young teen's rejection and growled beneath his breath. What a brat!

"Very well." Asch hadn't been eating lately though and Dist was sure that Van would kill him if Asch had started to become malnourished. Dist exited the room, thinking of methods to force the boy to eat. Hm...perhaps a conversation with the Fon Master would do something, or introducing him to that wild-beast girl, whatever her name was.

Asch frowned to himself again, feeling the irritation not going down. Why couldn't he just rush out and beat the crap out of anyone who came his way!? He had his basic starting skills and AD skills! He could surprise them with a massive improvement of strength and strategy! Asch then gave a groan to himself, what the hell? Did that replica truly ruin his mind so much that he was starting to think like him? How idiotic!

But...Asch would never admit it out loud, but he slightly missed Luke. Stupid annoying Luke who was an idiot that needed to be taught a goddamn lesson! Asch made a grab to his head from the sudden headache of just thinking of his 'other self'. Only Luke could make him have such a headache! Augh, he was so annoying! But if it weren't for Luke, Asch wouldn't even be feeling this annoyed. Asch recalled for a moment of his monotonous life of training and listening to Van like some god of the world. If it wasn't for Luke...

Asch jumped off from his bed, giving off a random scream that sounded like a temper tantrum to some. He couldn't help it, he was oversurging with emotions he hadn't had for a long time! When they were in the future, Luke had control of the body, Luke had control over most of the emotions! Being 'dead' was so much easier then being alive! Asch then growled at the room loudly, feeling light anger over the fact that there were no windows to spy on the life of normal human beings.

Asch had nearly forgotten what this stage of his life had been like, and now he had to relive through it! He swore, if he ever got his hands on Luke again, he would strangle the idiot! The redhead original had no idea how they were sent to the past, and he had no idea what Lorelei was up to, because he was sure it was his fault!

He felt like a little kid again, a stupid little kid who was frustrated and wanted to know answers. The original particularly did not like feeling like a little kid and stamped around his room impatiently. What else was he to do? Asch didn't want to think, he wanted to do something! Where was Luke when you needed that idiot!?

As soon as the chance arose, he would go to Choral Castle and get this damn fon slot seal open, because it was annoying not being able to talk to the annoying replica! Asch then went back to his bed, feeling tired on his mind, and coming up with plans was stupid and troublesome. However before he fell asleep, Asch whispered,

"Get here soon you stupid replica."

End Chapter II

"I suppose this is what one would call a filler chapter...I guess. Just more about the situation and stuff...I don't think I wrote Asch right..." I sigh and bow my head humbly.
"M-chan."
"Yes?"
"Say the disclaimer and shit."
"Such language A."
"Shut up D, not in the mood."
"Of course darling." I sweatdrop,
"So...uhh...I still do not own ToA and I shall see you next Wednesday for another update."

Thanks To.

killerbunbun ("How indeed? Thanks for the review.")

Harada Risa ("Hah, thank you for the compliment. I'm actually a pretty bad writer. Especially with little typos like that, thanks for pointing it out. I would have never noticed until to late...hahaha...ha..." I stare off into the distance uneasily.)

Silence ("Really? Thank you very much. I hope this chapter helps make you just as happy and stuff.")

Meimi no Kage ("See, I had thought I had edited that (I tend to switch editing on my file manager because I work with computers a lot) so I didn't even know. Forgive me and thank you pointing it out immediately, and thank you again for pointing out my stupid move on the fact that I accidentally replaced the prologue with the first chapter. I guess that's part of what makes you so awesome. Anyway, thanks again. I'm such a fangirl...")

LatyfeSurLeSora ("It wasn't as soon as I had originally promised but...well, here we go..."

Chaotic Blades ("Well anything's possible in this fanfic! Any scenario could be possible because it IS the past! You know, time paradoxes and all that. Well I hope this chapter pleased you, though it probably didn't, knowing my luck. Hahaha.")