Faulkner looked around the bizarre new world laid out before him. Standing atop the Zulwarn, he could see the stone gray rock quarry he found himself in earlier. Near the rock quarry, a busy city with many large buildings could be observed. Cars of varying colors drove around the rectangular city blocks as hundreds of people traversed the sidewalks, each with a different objective. On the opposite side of the city, a vibrant green park of grassy fields and mighty trees displayed its glorious splendor. Beyond the city was a quieter area of smaller buildings and significantly less traffic. Faulkner started steadily hiking towards the city before him.

Off in the forested mountains near Angel Grove, the fierce white ATAC known as Ultragunner sat in seclusion from society. At the foot of the big mech, Bastion and Puck began to walk away. Chatting with Puck as the 2 teens hiked, Bastion thought out loud, "I have no idea how we got here, but we need to see about food and find civilization."

"I'm stumped too, Bastion. Hope wherever this is the inhabitants are good to us." Puck contributed.

"Sorry about the hike, Puck, but until we know more, we better keep Ultragunner hidden."

"Yeah," Puck agreed. "People'd probly freak if they saw something that big they weren't used to."

Enduring the hot July sun as best they could, they continued towards Angel Grove.

Faulkner walked into the bustling city. He toured several contiguous city blocks, thinking and observing every step of the way. Curious about a fine-smelling coffee shop he passed by, he walked inside. The pleasant smells of many different beans and brews pervaded the lukewarm air. Near the entrance, several wooden tables with matching chairs hosted many different inhabitants engaging in activities including conversing, operating mobile computers, sipping drinks, and eating lunches and pastries. He sauntered over to a lounge area further inside the café, hosting several red and green cushioned chairs all facing a large screen. Faulkner flopped into a red chair close to the screen and focused on the news program it was showing.

"After a dangerous shootout, the Houston SWAT team successfully apprehended the suspects believed to be responsible for several recent truck robberies," spoke an attractive female reporter on the TV. She continued, "Here with is Sergeant Dan Wine. Sergeant, how did you guys bring an end to this standoff?"

"The suspects had sniper rifles with some nasty piercing, so we had to keep cover. We broke out the smoke grenades to cloud their aim and stormed into the warehouse with riot gear. Once we were in close quarters, all it took was a little karate and judo," Sergeant Wine answered.

Faulkner started to think, "So, far, nothing here that can resist Zulwarn." He turned his attention to the counter and watched as a few customers bought items, usually trading paper bills for their purchases. Faulkner looked into his own coat pockets, seeing the shining gold coins inside. He stood up from the red chair and hastily walked out of the café. He quickly scanned the surrounding businesses until he saw a large yellow sign saying "Cash For Gold", which prompted him to purposefully travel to the tiny store and dart inside.

Bastion and Puck curiously walked into the Angel Grove Youth Center. Puck looked up and said, "Looks like we can get food and information here," He then asked, "So who should we ask for help?"

Bastion answered, "Let's try the man behind the counter. He probably runs the place."

Ernie made immediate eye contact with Bastion and asked "Hi. This is your first time here, right?"

Mildly surprised, Bastion confirmed, "Yes. How did you know?"

Ernie told him, "I know my regulars," Extending his right hand he greeted, "I'm Ernie."

Shaking Ernie's hand firmly he responded in kind, "I'm Bastion, and this is my friend Puck. Nice to meet you." Puck shook Ernie's hand shortly after. Bastion asked, "Do you serve food here?"

Ernie answered, "'Course we do. I'll get ya menus."

Ernie returned and passed 2 multi-page, laminated menus to Bastion and Puck. As Bastion read the menu, he noticed the prices involved decimal quantities. Puzzled for several seconds, Bastion looked to Puck and asked, "Do you think we'll be able to pay for food?"

Puck confirmed, "I know what you mean. I guess they don't trade with gold like in Eptina."

Bastion suggested, "Let me try something." "Excuse me, Ernie?" he projected in Ernie's direction.

Ernie responded, "What's up, Bastion?"

"For our meal, could we trade some of this to you?" Bastion told him, showing a fistful of gold coins.

Ernie started in amazement at the gold and hurriedly asked "Where did you get that?"

Bastion had to think before answering. "It's hard to explain." He told Ernie. "But I promise I didn't steal it!"

Collecting himself, Ernie took one of the shining coins, bit it gently, and placed it back. He finally answered, "Tell you what: I'll buy some of your gold, and then you'll have cash for your food. And a lot of other things for that matter! But you should be careful carrying that stuff around."

"Thanks for everything, Ernie!" Puck offered.

Ernie smiled back. Looking up, Ernie waved. Bastion intuitively knew that Ernie just saw familiar friends. Looking over in the same direction, Bastion saw an Asian girl wearing a yellow skirt, and an ebony-skinned young man wearing black jeans and a 3-colored shirt both returning Ernie's wave. As they approached the counter, Ernie greeted them, "Trini! Zack! Can I get ya something?"

"Milk, please." Trini requested.

"I'll get a citrus combo." Zack answered.

"No problem, guys."Ernie told them. Gesturing toward Bastion and Puck, Ernie advised, "Oh, say hi to Bastion and Puck here. It's first time in Angel Grove."

Zack and Trini sat down at Bastion's table. Zack greeted, "Hey guys, I'm Zack."

Bastion shook hands with Zack and told him "It's nice to meet you."

"How do you like Angel Grove?" Trini asked.

Puck told her, "It's amazing. Like nowhere I've ever been before."

Zack asked, "Hey, are you guys gonna be around here tomorrow?"

Bastion told him, "I think so. Why do you ask?"

Zack handed Bastion a small sheet of pink paper. Bastion read the advertisement on the paper. In bold calligraphy, it read "Past, Present, and Future: A celebration of arts and cultures from around the world!"

Zack told him, "It's gonna be a blast! Hope to see you there!"

"I'll have a booth there with some of the amazing bottle ships my uncle built." Trini added.

Puck 's eyes lit up in excitement. "Oh, will he be there too? I love building things, and talking to people about it too!"

"He will," Trini told him.

Faulkner sat alone inside a luxurious restaurant. He sat at a black wooden table lined with a white cloth. His chair was made of matching black hardwood with a light tan cushion. Brightly shining forks, spoons and knives flanked his placemat. A waiter wearing a sharp-looking black and white uniform stepped over to Faulkner's table carrying a plate with a metal lid placed upon it. He placed the plate at Faulkner's place setting and removed the lid, revealing several slices of cast-iron roasted duck breast atop a bed of stock, laced with a variety of herbs and vegetables, flanked by a few small roasted potatoes dusted with rosemary. Cutting a piece of the duck and tasting it, Faulkner displayed a blissful expression. Savoring the rest of his dish, he started thinking, "I'll have to make sure the chefs here aren't involved in any collateral damage."

Bastion and Puck retraced the hike they made earlier back through the Angel Grove mountains towards where they left the Ultragunner earlier that day. After finally reaching the Ultragunner, they stepped inside the superstructure through an opening in the foot and rode a lift to the cockpit area. A door in the back of the cockpit led to a small dormitory with 4 full-size beds and an attached bathroom. After taking turns using the bathroom, Bastion and Puck bade each other "Good night" and laid down to sleep.