Oh MAN, I've got so many good ideas for this; it's gonna be so good. SO GOOD.

Also, longer chapter. Woo.


"What's so funny...?" He tried to stop chuckling, and failed miserably. I sighed, scratching the back of my neck. Melting finally stopped after a few minutes, coughing a bit.

"Hee... look, I'm sorry, it's just the idea of bringing any sort of end to the mass chaos out here seems so absurdly far-fetched. It's a nice thought and all, but I'm not even sure a god could accomplish it at this point." I went to object, before he put his hand up to cut me off. "I'm not saying you shouldn't try, just that I think it's extremely silly." I looked to the side, picking up my guitar. Slinging it over my arm, I plucked at a few of the strings; keeping my head down. After a few moments, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up, to see Crystal standing there, with a small smile on her face.

"...I don't think it's that far-fetched." She sat down on the ground next to the stump. "I think it's the most noble thing I've heard in this forsaken world. You've officially earned my trust; and aid. If you're serious about doing this, I'm behind you all the way." I returned her smile, feeling better. Melting sighed, placing his hands behind his head.

"You know, this is usually a trip mutants take by themselves; for obvious reasons. With the little team we've got going here, this might not be the suicide wish it is for most." I frowned.

"Is it really that dangerous a journey? How bad could it possibly be?"

"I don't know. Haven't done it myself, and no one's ever come back. Ever. Even the Proto Mutant lived out the rest of his life in the Palace." Crystal tapped her fingers on her knee.

"So how does anyone know the Throne exists? Or even that this 'proto mutant' survived?"

"Actually... rumor is that one mutant wound up back here, but he had completely gone mad. He raved to anyone he encountered about giant salamanders and scorpions, a frozen city full of killer robots, and most of the other things I've told you about the throne. Like he was possessed or some shit." He sighed. "But it's the only explanation we have for the portals or where they lead, so I believe it." He started to stand up, grunting as he did.

"What are you doing?" He slung his shotgun over his shoulder.

"I wasn't planning on staying too long. I said a bit, and I meant a bit. Can't stay in one place for too long. Isn't the IDPD after you too?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"The ID what-now?"

"...Inter-Dimensional Police Department?" I stared at him blankly. "Wow, you're either stupidly lucky, or... no, you're just the luckiest bastard in the wasteland. I mean, I guess you guys haven't been headed towards the throne, so that might be it, but still. The IDPD are a bunch of assholes who's motto is shoot first and ask questions later. Running around in their damn protective armor; like hell if I can figure out their motives though." Crystal stood up as well, one hand on her hip.

"Well... are they good? Or bad?" He shrugged.

"All I know is they don't want anyone getting to the Throne; and they'll do everything in their power to make sure of it."

...

?'s POV

"Erghhh..." Pain is very unpleasant. One might even say extremely unpleasant. I moaned in displeasure, as I attempted to open my eyes. My vision was completely blurry, and the sun blinded me. The searing light wasn't exactly helpful in clearing my head, and neither was the stabbing pain in pretty much every spot on my body. My right eye was particularly bad.

I tried to move, but a jolt of pain went straight up my spine as I made the attempt; I screamed out in agony. The edges of my vision darkened, and it became a struggle to keep from passing out. My scrambled brain caught a few voices some distance away, but they were muffled to the point of incoherence. My vision became even more blurred, to the point where it was nothing more than a mix of colors and light.

The pain got the better of me, and everything went black.

...

Fish's POV

"So, you two got any special abilities?" I turned to Melting, my arms crossed. We were on our way, on the lookout for the portal that would start our journey to the mythical throne.

"What do you mean by 'special abilities'?" He placed his hand up, and stopped, signaling for us to as well. He then pointed to a dead bird on the side of the path.

"You see that bird?" The two of us nodded. He quickly opened and then closed his fist, and the rotting corpse... exploded. Fortunately, no blood or guts went flying, but the sound it made wasn't exactly pleasant. Crystal jumped back a bit in surprise.

"Holy crap man!" He chuckled.

"Yeah; I can explode dead things. Weird, but obviously useful in a battle or something. So, how about you two?" The two of us were silent at first, before Crystal spoke up.

"Um... I can do this." She took a few steps away from the two of us, before going down on one knee. She placed her fingertips on the ground. Nothing happened for a moment, before a hollow shell of gleaming crystal shot out of the ground, forming a complete shield around her. It receded into the ground a few seconds later. She stood back up, rubbing her arm. Melting started clapping.

"Damn! Impressive!" A small smile worked it's way onto her face. She looked at me.

"How about you Fish?" I looked to the side, scratching my neck.

"Er... well..." My train of thought was cut off by an ear-splitting scream pierced through the air. It sent chills down my spine. Melting turned towards where it came from.

"...Now, what in the hell was that...?"


Now, who might this mystery character be? A hint: It's not Eyes.