The World of Balance

 -----"It is the wise man who cuts wood during the long hot days of summer. My father once said. Sit down, 
and enjoy his wisdom. The warmth you feel now even in these winter nights is thanks to his words. Alas, I 
worked hard to keep my life in line. To stay surviving in a world that wasn't meant to keep us shelter. But 
to challenge our souls and bodies to corruption. **sighs** 
      Excuse me while I whine like the old man I am. The world doesn't treat me as it once did in my youth.
Of course. Maybe that isn't always a bad thing. What? That picture...? Ah yes...
      I remember that picture. Heh, they still bring a smile to my face even after so long. 40 years...
     What's that? Who are they? Ah, friends...from long ago. You see me, right here...? Yes, oh ho ho, yes I 
was a handsome one back then. That girl used to annoy me much. Little child she was. Probably a grown 
woman by now. And he, I still remember the pain he brought my aging neck. **laughs**
     Those are people who changed my life. What...? How did I ever meet people like that? Oy...that is a 
long story. But the blizzard is keeping you? You truly want to hear? My...
     Oh, yes, I still remember it clearly. How can I forget...it was as if it were yesterday that I last seen those 
fools. Only reason I found them was because of an incident, and I know you won't believe me...but it 
started with a nightmare, and ended in a dream..."-----

PART-1- An old enemy, and new friend...

Chapter 1- The Chase!

     It was a funny thing, the forest trees moved by so fast it was a wonder he didn't hit any. The night was 
so black; he couldn't see anything but the blue horizon in the night sky, skimming over the mountain 
silhouette. He leaped, over trees and branches, dashing across the moist floor at speeds he once thought 
impossible. But this time, he needed this speed, especially when others are following at the same.
    He panted heavily; he could almost hear the Hyena like snickers and shouts of his pursuers. Chanting 
death calls and cries like a wolf. All hungry for his blood. He couldn't keep running, he did not even know 
where he was going. He just had to get away, some how.
     Suddenly, at his right, a black shadowy form emerged from the darkness and flared an intense light 
around its body. It ran at the same speed and only at this point did he see his pursuers face to face. 
     It had midnight black skin, with an oily red color over it. And it's grin showed teeth that looked sharper 
than knives.
     "Time to die Riley, time to die!" it said with its raspy voice. It's grin never fading, and they both kept 
dashing faster than the fastest vehicle. Their auras leaving trails behind them as they zipped by each tree.
      "I wasn't ready to die before, not now, not ever!" Ace Riley said, and in an instant pulled out a long 
glowing sword, slashing across from his left to his back. The black form disappeared, and reappeared at his 
left suddenly, as if it leaped.
     "Don't be a fool Riley! You can't stop us!" and with those words many others appeared suddenly 
around him, all running now together at an equal pace.
     "So, you all are planning on having a little fun!" Riley said, skipping over a trunk nimbly. 
     "Oh yeah, we're gonna have fun!" said one of them.
     "You know what else we are going to have Riley!? We are going to have...your life!"
      Immediately after, the one immediately behind him quickly slashes out with some sort of arched blade; 
it flares with a bright red glow that illuminates the forest around them with a crimson light. At his cry, Ace 
leaps up a few feet and slows down, the man's blade slicing air, and Ace quickly lands behind him and 
slashes down to the earth, scraping down the man's back with his fiery blade. The smell of ozone and burnt 
flesh filled his lungs, as the man slumped down and rolled on the floor madly from his awesome speed, 
crashing against a rock from which Ace leapt over.
     "Argh!" he heard at his right, and quickly ducked as a leg flew over his head.
     "You'll have to be faster than that!" Ace cried out and burst forwards, fast enough to gain distance from 
them all. The light around him glowing brighter now than ever, you could see 30 feet around him even 
through the oily blackness of night.
     "You are not getting away Riley! You are NOT!"
     Ace closed his eyes for just a second. These fools were giving him trouble, he couldn't outrun them, no 
matter how fast he ran. Time to show them a little Theran pride...
      For merely a moment he saw something, felt something. At the creatures words a newfound strength 
began growing within him. He smiled and opened his eyes, gasping at his once developing fatigue suddenly 
dropped into nothing. He never felt such surge of power!
     Ace turned around suddenly to his pursuer's surprise. Although he didn't stop heading his direction, in 
fact he floated backwards at almost the same speed.
     The men had no idea, what Ace was doing. His clothes had changed without them noticing, and his skin 
was pale, white, and that gleam in his eyes. What WAS that...!?
     "If any of you are left after this, send a warning to Lazarus. He is not going to get the pendant, or the 
key. No matter what he does. God himself can't catch me."
     "You cocky son of a bitch! You do not have any idea who you are messing with!", the alien soldier 
cried out passionately, "You aren't even close to Lazarus's power!". His voice extremely high pitched, and 
you could almost hear the once high and laughing attitudes drop to a sudden rage.
     Ace looked at them, dodging trees behind him despite not being able to see them, with his eyes.
     "That's, where you are wrong my friend. Wrong..." Ace laughed a bit. "You see, I have Lazarus's 
power!" he said and with that his eyes began glowing a crimson red. He laughed loudly. Almost 
hysterically as if he suddenly went insane. His laughter echoed across the forest, louder than anything they 
have heard. The men cried out fearfully in unison, as the same laugh their master cries out every night 
before going to bed. The same laugh their master did when he slayed a warrior that was after his head. That 
same laugh.... was coming from Ace's throat. Ace grinned widely and pointed a hand into the sky. He 
began floating higher, into the branches. At his speed it was hard to imagine but he didn't collide with one 
branch, and he wasn't even dodging.
      "It was fun you guys, Ja ne!" 
      "Ace wait! What are you---AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" and despite the men's cry Ace fell down to 
the floor like a bullet, right into the men's path. They screamed as Ace's collision brought a flash brighter 
than the sun into their faces, a rising white tower of flame burning through the branches and rushing across 
the forest for miles, bringing down everything in its path to flame. Their screams muted, their cries 
unheard. Only the sound of burning trees and the rumbling earth could be heard. The tower of flames, 
rising for hundreds of feet in the air, and suddenly collapsed like sand, spreading over the earth like liquid.
     The rumbling subsided. The light faded away. And everything was quiet and dark as it was. From the 
sky, one man stood hovering over the earth, looking down upon the once rich forest, and instead staring 
down at a pathetic crater of dirt and ash. He looked up at the moon with a sudden sigh and then to his right, 
staring at the blue horizon that skimmed over the mountainside. 
     "Now where is this source of great power..., above those mountains maybe?" he said to himself and 
looked up at the moon once more. The full moon greeting him with a certain welcome that Ace 
acknowledged accordingly with a nod. "Yes, I know. You and I will be great friends." He said with a smile, 
the moon just shined down on him. And maybe for a crazy second, he thought that it shone brighter, just for 
him.
     "Lead the way!" and he burst of toward the mountains, enveloped in his white glow once more. What he 
was to find was unsure, but he was gonna find it, whether it cost him his life.


Chapter 2- AE-Crisis!

     "Can someone explain to me what the HELL was that?" Locke said after dashing into the Backroom. 
The large, cool room greeted him in contrast with the suddenly scolding air of the outside. He looked about 
him, to his left, right. Even up into the rafters. But strangely, he saw nobody!
     "Where is everybody!!?"
     "I was gonna ask you the same thing." A male voice suddenly said from behind him. Locke turned and 
greeted him at once with a nod. He knew at the sound of his voice that it was his friend, Edgar. Even before 
looking at him he could see the tall man, silver breastplate and beautifully decorated robe in his mind. His 
long blond hair almost glowing in the dim light of the Backroom. Edgar nodded at Locke and grinned. 
"This place isn't usually empty."
     "Hell no," Locke said. "This place is actually filled at this hour."
     "But you did see that...."
     "That burst of light, yes...", Locke interrupted. "I saw it while I was on my way, and dashed over. You 
think it had anything to do with the lack of people around Edgar?"
     "I think so, we should check it out."
     "I wanted to bring some strong people over, but I guess you'll do." Locke said with a sneer.
     "Hey! Edgar shouted out in reply. "What you mean 'I'll do?" I can kick your ass!"
     "As if...."
     "Locke, I could arrest you for making comments like that!" Edgar said and smirked. "That is if you're 
still standing, or not I could just bury you out in front of the porch."
     "I'm touched." Locke mused with a grin. "But for now, let's get a move on shall we?"

     "You can slow down now Vegeta." Kioten said while flying through the air at incredible speeds. "It's 
not as if we were in a race ya know." 
     The wind zipped by as they soared through the clouds and bathed in their own light, Vegeta's the 
brightest of them all.
     "No, you can go a bit faster. This is merely a minor dash. I wouldn't want to lose you slow pokes now. 
Would I?" Vegeta said, and with that blasted forth a bit faster than before, and began gaining distance
     "Damn you!" Kioten cried and increased his speed along with Toby. They now shone the skies along 
with many other forms. Some of which need not a light source along their bodies.
     One of the most mentionable was a rather young man, Eiddon. From whose speed was uncanny for such 
a normal looking figure. Along his body were the scars and marks of a warrior, a figure of a fighter and the 
eyes of a sage.
     Another was that of a young woman, dressed in a tight yet comfortable red jumpsuit, dark red hair 
which flailed in the wind as she flew gracefully above the rest. Far from the group of people who were so 
desperately heading toward the source of the blast. Sohryu Asuka Langley, she seemed so distant, so far 
from the world, staring into the distance as if she already knew what happened. A grimace on her face as 
she dreaded the sight of the scene.
   

     As they slowly arrived, they began to slow down. Faces stern and in slight awe, as the once full and 
vibrant forest, has been blistered beyond belief. Vegeta slowed down to a halt in mid-air. The others 
stopped as well. Each slowly landing in their own spot on the charred earth.
     The land was black, and still smoking. Bright bolts of harmless energy scattered the earth occasionally 
with a sizzling noise. Grey smoke, rising up into the sky in a thin cloud.
     "What...happened...." Toby said as his feet gently touched the ground. He stayed close to Kioten, 
which landed much earlier. Kioten looked out in the distance. Vegeta standing a few yards from him. But 
he couldn't help staring out into the black night, looking out for miles.
     SAL dropped to her knee as she landed on the earth. Her boots sinking slightly in the soft earth. She dug 
her gloved hand into the dirt and picked it up, staring into it with slight curiosity. The earth was heavy for 
it's small amount and deep midnight black. White energy bolts raced around her hand harmlessly., going 
around in circles. She raised a brow, as the white bolts didn't cease to surround her hand. She wondered 
why it became so alive all in a sudden.
     "...Vegeta." She called out. Vegeta didn't turn but acknowledged.
     "What...?"
     "Your feet..."
     At that moment he dropped his eyes to his legs, energy was collecting around the soles of his boot. He 
jumped up and floating a few inches off the ground in surprise, the bolts ceased and faded. The others 
noticed the same was happening as well. But to some more lively than others.
     "Oh cool!" Toby cried out and dug his hands into the dirt excitedly. Energy rising into the air, scattering 
like stars as he threw it above his head. Kioten coughed and poked Toby in the shoulder, gesturing to 
Vegeta who didn't think it was so funny.
     "What is it SAL?" Vegeta said and floated over to her, looking at her glowing hands.
     "I do not know, Vegeta, seems like the remains of some kind of energy."
     "Well, that's obvious. But what kind?"
     "That's the strange thing, usually energy remains, collect, flare and fade as the air engulfs it. But this 
seems to get more vibrant and stronger as something touches it. As if we were feeding it power..."
     Vegeta blinked. "You sound like you know about it already."
     "I'm afraid to say, I'm only guessing. For all I know it's probably draining our powers..."
     And with that Vegeta flew higher. Gritting his teeth and shaking his head. Kioten and Toby rose up as 
well and collected behind Vegeta, looking at each other nervously.
     Eiddon looked up into the sky and blinked. Squinting his eyes as he could see something, but wasn't 
sure it was there.
     "Hate to interrupt." He called out. "But how long has it been since the blast?"
     Vegeta closed his eyes and shook his head in frustration. "I don't know, about 40 minutes ago?"
     "22 to be exact." SAL said and stood up, brushing her hands of the dust. The bolts and glow soon faded 
away.
     "Then I may be wrong, but isn't that an energy trail?" Eiddon said, looking towards the blue Moon.
     Vegeta looked up at the full moon. Normally, he would refrain from such a thing, but he learned long 
ago that this moon was nothing more than an illusion. Even looked different from the true moon, which 
would have changed his body into that of an uncontrollable beast. But this had no effect. Yes, he did notice 
a trail. But it was faint, almost unnoticeable.
     "Are you sure it's not ours? I mean, we were casting energy as well."
     "Yes, but look behind you. Obviously we didn't stop so far out. And look where it leads, to the west, not 
south."
     SAL looked into the direction from which Eiddon spoke of. And nodded solemnly. "What Eiddon is 
trying to say is that SOMEBODY could have done this. And frankly I don't have a doubt he's right. This 
couldn't have been something of nature...after all...look around." She said, and they all did, nodded and 
leapt up.  "I say Vegeta Eiddon and I go follow it."
     Kioten blinked. "And what about us?!" He yelled out. "We want to go too!"
     Toby nodded furiosily. His brows furrowed angrily. "Yeah, we wanna help too!"
     "Bah, you can, go back to AE. Tell them what happened, and wait for us." Vegeta said and an aura of 
energy began glowing around his body. Eiddon and SAL burst up, leaving them behind already.
     "This ain't fair! Come on Vegeta! You know I can handle it!" Kioten cried out angrily. Vegeta just 
stared at him; he was starting to get irritated.
     "Don't start with me Kioten, if I even smell ya following me, you won't be able to handle anything for a 
few days, got me?" Vegeta said and rose up, blasting upwards behind SAL and Eiddon. Who already were 
behind the energy's trail.

     Kioten looked up, and Toby stomped the floor angrily.
     "Damn that Vegeta. Damn my stupid age." Kioten said, after all, he was only 9 years old. But truth be 
told his skill and strength proved much otherwise. But still, a lot of people find it hard to take him 
seriously. He despised people for it, most of all Vegeta. Who repeatedly shuts him down, and in public to 
make it worse.
     "Don't say that Kioten, please! I like you and your age just fine ;P!" Toby said and looked up hopefully 
at Kioten.
     "Why? Cuz that way people don't tease you about it?"
     "No...cuz you're my friend. And you're the bestest fighter I know! ^-^" Toby said. Smiling brightly at 
Kioten. After all, the young Sayian was merely 5. A young child who was very smart, and had a very 
strong capability to become a fine fighter, like all Sayians had. Kioten looked down on Toby, and a smile 
grew on his face.
     "You really think so Tob'?"
     "Yup! You could be better than Vegeta one day!"
     Kioten grinned. "Well, yeah, I am pretty good aren't I! ^.^" Kioten said with a smirk. "Heh, you're right 
kid. I can't believe I got all down like that. Heh, come on, let's go to Animeigo. And don't slow me down 
now." Kioten said, laughed, and burst into the sky in a fiery light. A sudden burst of pride running through 
his blood. Kioten has always had that about him, a certain ego that would totally change his perspective on 
almost anything. He was certain that anything was possible, anything could happen, any fight could be won 
- as long as he was around.
     Toby looked up at Kioten for merely a second, shook his head and sighed. Of all people Toby knew of 
his egoistic ways. But he takes it, as a friend and can only laugh at his misguided friend. "Oh Kioten, I hope 
you appreciate this when yer older. _" And he burst up into the sky as well, following his young friend.
     
     "That was definitely no role fight..." the young lady said and leaped up and onto a higher branch. 
Perched up on a long tree by the edge of a cliff, Aijin surveyed the horizon. She saw the blast incredibly 
clearly, and was still stunned by its force. The young and experienced fighter knew her enemies, and 
friends. And as many as they are, she never met one with capabilities of that sort. Not of that sort.
     With a light jump she darted into the air and flipped forward, her light armor flailing in the wind as she 
gracefully headed toward the ground. 
     She had dark red hair and a fairly dark tan. Her slim figure was unlike most fighters in her area, for 
unlike the others she had a deadly aura of her. One look into her eyes, and you could almost taste the fear 
running through you, as if you were looking into the eyes of a wild beast. 
     Although her face, and incredibly well built body proved far from beast like. In fact, you would say she 
was an angel sent from heaven. But you would be a fool if you believed that.
     She dashes forward, running quickly toward the source of the blast with urgency. She thought that 
maybe her friends from AE would be there, if they even cared. She wouldn't be surprised to see none of 
them there, well maybe the fighters. But AE wasn't like it used to be, not anymore.
     She shook off her thoughts of AE and concentrated on the blast. What it could be she had no idea. But 
something else distracted her from her thoughts...something in the distance.
     "And who might you...BE?!?" she cried out, as a speeding blur slammed into her from the front, The 
collision was terrible, she felt her body crack under the hit unlike anything she experienced before. It felt as 
if she was hit by some kind of vehicle, and at light speed.
     She rolled, faintly, she could feel someone rolling beside her. Finally, they both came to a stop, 
unmoving they lied there on the floor weakly, both breathing heavily from the crash.
     She blinked twice, the first thing she saw was the moon. Right above her head the full circle greeted her 
weary eyes. It's brightness stirring her awake. She looked to her right from the ground and saw the other 
body coming to a stand. It staggered slightly, trying to regain ground.
     "Who the hell...! Ack!" she yelled out, trying to stand immediately but her body instantly pulled her 
back. A surge of pain running through her, had she actually been injured?
     "Who the hell, am I?" the figure finished Aij's statement, and coughed. Aijin grit her teeth and tried to 
rise slowly, fighting the pain with all her strength, or what remained of it. "My name is not important, you 
should watch where you were going, as if you couldn't see me coming. "
     "You crazy, I didn't..." she stopped, checked herself. Saying she didn't even saw him coming would be 
a mistake. This guy actually thought he was going at adequate speed. And she couldn't let him know she 
was hurt, not now. "I didn't think you would just run into me, I mean, come on I saw you like miles away. I 
thought you would have the decensy to move a little bit to the right." She winced. She needed to work on 
her lies, and fast.
     "A shame, you're obviously hurt."
     "Am not! I'm fine! Just a bit scratched up!" Aijin said between her teeth and tried to sit up, she felt a 
white-hot surge of pain go through her spine as soon as she made it. It hurt so badly, she felt like she was 
gonna scream out, but somehow she supressed it to a low screech, wincing as she pressed her lips tightly 
and shut her eyes closed. Impossible...this couldn't be the impact. Nothing could be so strong, for the 
impact itself didn't hurt that badly, yet it felt as if she had been mortally wounded.
     "My, strong woman you are, I would think you've broken, one, two, maybe several bones in fact. 
Impressive to see you even move. But I suggest you don't, unless you want it to become irrepairable. Pride 
in a moment like this is foolish, and incredibly trivial and hardly worth it."
     Who was this guy? Whoever it as, he sure was getting on her nerves, and fast. Normally she wouldn't 
take crap from nobody, especially this guy. But right now nothing could be worse than the pain her body 
was in now, she was rigid, sitting up and not daring to move.
     "Here, this'll help." He said and dropped to a knee next to her. She couldn't see him well but could 
sense him reach for her. Oh heavens have mercy on him that he don't even think of tapping her shoulder.
But he didn't touch her, he just placed a hand in front of her eyes.
     She grit her teeth, his hand had a fingerless glove on, and began glowing a dim white light. She couldn't 
help but just stare at the glow. Her mind suddenly easing, slightly forgetting about the pain. She wanted to 
fight it, to rip from its effect. But it was so soothing, she just let it go through her. Her pain melting away 
slightly.
     "Interesting, your wounds heal quickly. Obviously you are quite a find." He said with an almost 
humorous tone. His voice was soft, yet deep. And by its tone she couldn't tell how old this guy was. She 
guessed 20 something, 'maybe early forties, oh hellz' she thought. It was impossible to tell. His words were 
soothing however.  She closed and opened her eyes slowly, her body felt weak, but she felt able to walk. 
But she didn't. it felt oddly, and so incredibly comfy just sitting there. "You're not gonna move for now, 
your wounds, whatever they may be, are healing three times the amount my spell would normally do. 
Thanks to whatever magic you already had. I'd give it 15 minutes..." he said and stood. He looked down 
on her, her short and stylish hair just waving in the wind slowly. Her eyes set forward, as if she was looking 
at nothing at all.
     "As bad as I feel leaving you here I must go. I am in a hurry. Maybe, we'll meet again..." he shook his 
head. Heh, cute as she was a lot of strange things have been going on lately, and running into a girl at the 
death of night, and a rather, good looking one at that was, rare you might say. Too rare for him, and he 
decided to run off, dashing forward quickly like the wind.
     "...wait." She said, her voice barely a whisper. She kept looking forward, she was getting better she 
knew. And her dream-like state was wearing thin. Never has she had such an effective healing spell. Never 
had she felt so weak and controlled as that. He could have done anything, ANYTHING to her in that state. 
Grimly enough, he could have killed her right there. Meeting someone at the death of night like that. She 
was lucky, she knew. And to make it worse, she didn't even see his face...

     Locke walked calmly across the grassy fields. The plains had very few trees, with the image of the 
mountains painted in the dark blue horizon. Edgar close behind, wrapped in his thick blue robe.
     "We're near." Edgar said, staring toward the ground.
     "Near what?" Locke said, momentarily turning his head to see his long known friend.
     "...don't know..." 
     Locke merely looked forward. Certaintly he knew it was too quiet. Too damned quiet. To make it worse, 
it has been long since he has left AE grounds. A lot has changed. In a way, everything has. His last treasure 
hunting was nearly a decade ago. With the dark war, and the Destruction of the world of Balance. His life 
has taken a destructive turn. His losses great...and even with all the things he has found in this realm, in 
AE, there is something which he probably will never find again...
     "...and that is?" Edgar said, suddenly looking up and taking off his robe swiftly. Suddenly attentive, 
Locke looked up, to see a bright ball of blue light.
     "Hmm, I think our little trip is over..." Locke said. His hand already reaching for the hilt of his dagger.
     "It's quite far, and we shouldn't jump to conclusions. I have seen many of that type of light before."
     "Something's different about it Edgar," Locke said, his eyes set on the incoming glow, "It just doesn't 
seem right somehow."
     "You and your hunches." Edgar said and reached behind him. Locke turned his head slightly, and saw 
that Edgar was taking out a small but thick rod from a belt around his back. It was hidden by his robe, so he 
did not notice it before. Suddenly, as Edgar brought the rod forward the ends extended, and suddenly took 
the form of a long spear. A long and fine blade coming out of each end. "They always get us in trouble."
     "Yeah, and I always seem to be right..." Locke said, and stared into the distance. It would be a few 
minutes before it got into a clear, visible range. Or so it seemed. Locke swallowed and gripped the hilt 
tighter. 
     "Ready...?"
     "You know I am..."

      Locke grit his teeth. The object was slowing down. It's light diminished as it got closer to the hunter 
and king.
     "It noticed us..." Edgar said. Locke looked at Edgar. Strange how he's acting, he thought. Edgar usually 
is not this serious. Even though Edgar is also is a mysterious man. He never goes into such a mood. Lost in 
his thoughts, did he manage to miss something in his royal friend?
     A loud clashing noise surprised Locke suddenly. Turning his head quickly toward Edgar, he saw that his 
friend was struggling, blade to blade, with some sort of hooded creature. Glowing red eyes within the 
hood's shadow, dark enough to cover it's entire face, except for those dreaded eyes. Locke reacted quickly, 
taking his dagger and throwing it directly at the creatures face with keen precision. 
     With the grace of the wind, and the power of an animal, a bony arm came forth from the creatures long 
black cloak and swatted the dagger away from itself. Sending the fine blade far from it's owner. Locke 
stood there, his face red with frustration. He stared as the hooded warrior shoved Edgar back with one great 
push. Sending the king dragging back against the earth on his back.
     "Edgar!" Locke yelled out, but he had no time to concentrate on his friend. The warrior was heading 
toward him now. Floating over the ground, Locke noticed it had no legs, only a long cloak floating over the 
earth gracefully
     Far from unarmed, Locke pulled back both his arms and grit his teeth as he channeled energy into his 
body.
     "Swat this!" he yelled out as he thrusts both his arms forward. A fiery red glow emerging from his 
shoulder and quickly flowing down his arms and off his palms in the form of a translucent flame. The fire 
flowing straight out like that from a flame torch and spreading all over the ghostly creature. Locke grinned 
the instant his spell was cast, but maybe it was too soon to smile, for the flames engulfed the warrior with 
absolutely no effect! It merely stopped, and the top of the hood moved about as if it was looking around 
itself. The red glow that was it's eyes suddenly came alive again, and the flames dispersed and faded away. 
Leaving it unscathed.
     "Why...it ain't solid." Locke whispered. Realizing that his magic was useless against his attacker. The 
creature began to move toward Locke again, if a bit slower. Locke just walked back, an entire field 
sorrounding them, with not the least bit object to use. What a battlefield. 
     Locke looked for his blade, in the darkness it could not be found. And the cloaked warrior simply got 
closer, showing no move or form of hesitation. Locke felt like he was gonna stumble, and that's when he 
saw it. A bony hand quickly emerged from the cloak pulling out a long rod, a crescent shaped blade on it's 
end. It twirled it like a fan as it unsheathed it, and brought it up high, prepared to deliver a powerful blow to 
Locke. 
     Locke was just about to duck the creature's swing, whether it would have worked in such a situation he 
would never know, because the robed feature of Edgar came from the dark sky in such a ghostly form that 
Locke gasped in amazement. Edgar landed on the floor behind the cloaked warrior. Kneeling on the earth 
on contact, he looked up and rolled back, coming to a stand as quickly as he could. The creature paused in 
it's swing, it relaxed. Dropping it's arms to it's sides, and lowering it's guard. Locke found it to be the 
perfect chance to strike. But one second later, he found he didn't need to. 
     The cloak fell, lifeless, a large spear that Locke didn't notice before thrust through the back of the cloth. 
Edgar's spear stabbed into the earth, and waited it's owner to sheath it once more. The warrior- fallen.
     "It's dead?" Locke managed to say after a long silence. Edgar nodded.
     "Yeah...but..." Edgar hesitated, "...I didn't feel the spear go through it, in fact, I thought I dropped my 
spear. But that couldn't be..."
     "I thought it'd be a bit harder than that." Locke said, a sort of dissapointment could be heard in his 
voice. Although Locke did realize death could have been claimed if Edgar didn't do what he did.
     Edgar picked up his spear and cautiosly looked around himself, the area was beginning to get a bit 
brighter, as if the creatures presence made the place darker. He walked toward Locke..."What you think 
made it? Random battles in Animeigo?"
     "No way, this place has role fights, not real fights...." Locke manages to spot his blade in the forming 
moonlight and walked toward it, Edgar at his side. 
     "A rift?" Edgar said doubtfully. Locke picked up his blade and thought...
     Animeigo was merely an illusion, a world between worlds. To make the point clearer, it was an artificial 
dimension, created by a man simply known as, Trebor. The world was composed of complexes where 
people from other, dimensions, can meet and converse. A large complex with bar's, some restaurants and 
much music existed, known as "The Backroom". The Parlor existed, a beautiful serene place where chatters 
can go for some peace and quiet, with palms and lakes. And of course, a large open patio where people can 
sit and talk. Because of the need for battle between warriors from all dimensions, the "Jurai Arena" was 
created. A domed arena that reconstructs itself over a period of 24 hours, if it's ever destroyed, it will be 
perfectly new in the morning. And the bulletin board, which hovers over the very center of the complexes. 
And can be seen by many. This is a lonely place, this bulletin board, but many go by it before leaving or 
when entering the AE dimension. (What I mean by dimensions, is for example, The Dragon Ball Z 
dimension, which includes their universe and planets, and characters. And maybe, the Final Fantasy 3 
dimension, which includes, it's universe and planets and characters. It's the only way for me to explain 
how Dana Scully can give Prince Vegeta a hug and a few words...) Anyone can enter AE, if they know 
how...but if they do not belong to one dimension, they cannot visit or intrude without a member of that 
dimensions strict permission.....
     "Trebor has been careless, leaving rifts around. But I don't think this is just a normal rift...." Locke 
picked up the blade and looked at Edgar. They were both tired, and worn. And the trip back would take 
forever...maybe they should just camp out where they were at. Edgar nodded and they sat, not even 
bothering with firewood or a tent, and lying on the grass under the blue moonlight...

Chapter 3- "Against all odds..."

     They were almost there, skimming over the clouds like flying fish on the surface of a calm blue lake. 
Ducking in and out of the white puffs in the sky. Toby was laughing, his gift of flight was one which he 
enjoyed, he would spin around Kioten, who was in a determined straight line to AE, taking Vegeta's orders 
seriously. He looked at Toby, and wished he could just break free and fly around like he, but he's got 
responsibilities. And it's time to follow them out.
     "Kioten, come on, see that cloud that's shaped like a slug?" Toby cried out in the night air. Kioten 
looked around, no cloud looked like a...oh there. A floating mass which definitely looked like a slug. He 
laughed, it sure did look weird.
     "What about it?" 
     "I'll race you there, first one to get there is a Super Sayian!"
     "Toby...we have to get to the Backroom." He winced, "Vegeta's order's...." Toby coughed and spit, the 
saliva narrowly missing Kioten in the wind. "Hey!"
     "Order's orders, come on! it'll only take a sec!" Toby grinned evilly. "Besides, Vegeta can kiss my..." 
he stopped, in fact they both stopped startled to death. The cloud before them was, glowing! The glow 
would get brighter and brighter, what the....boom! The cloud exploded in a puff of air and a huge comet 
like streak flew right at them. Kioten and Toby shouted aloud and Kioten got into a fighting stance in mid 
air, but the glow before them faded away, oh man...
     "Mama!!!" Toby made a mad dash to Zealot-chan's breast, smashing against her and giving her a tight 
hug. Zealot, dressed in a tight purple shirt and long, purple baggy trunks and a black bandana tight around 
her forehead returned the gesture and grabbed the tike by the waist. Holding him before her...
         "You seem happy to see me..." she said and kissed Toby's forehead, she spotted Kioten and laughed. 
"Hey there Kioten."
     "Hi Zealot." He bowed, grinning a bit. A bit shooken up by her sudden appearance.
     "What you two doing here in the death of night?" Zealot asked, letting go of Toby.
     "We were with Vegeta and Sal and Eiddon and..." Toby stopped, "Well, we were with Vegeta and the 
guys because of the huge blast and..."
     Zealot rose a brow. "What blast?" Toby got all excited again. "You didn't see it?! It was huge!! It made 
the night look like day for a few secs, and that rumble! It shook up Iori's bar to pieces. Now he needs a new 
set o' cups!" Toby smiled. "Though it wasn't entirely the blasts fault." He grinned sheepishly.
     Kioten moved forward. "We decided to check it out, and when we got there the great border forest was, 
well, burned up and gone. It's literally ash and dust out there." Zealot consumed this and gestured for him 
to go on. Kioten didn't know Zealot very much, and the fact that there was a female sayian before him, a 
hot one at that shook him up a bit. But he was very, very sure of himself. "Vegeta Sal and Eiddon went up 
to follow an energy trail, they think a person might have done this, and not just Trebor."
     "Why didn't you go with them?" her attention went to Toby, who was flying around beyond her reach, 
her eyes went back on Kioten.
     "Aaanyways, we got to go to AE." Kioten said, speeding up the subject. "To tell people the news."
     Zealot smiled and nodded, a dark purple glow engulfed her and she sped along past Kioten, making 
good speed.
     "Waait!" toby shouted, "Where you goin'!?"
     "To see if I can find Vegeta!" she turned and shouted back. She grinned and blew a kiss in their 
direction, waving and preparing to head off. Kioten grinned, oh well, time to get...wait a minute.
     Toby didn't see it, nor Zealot. For they were a bit to busy to notice a cloud in the horizon, but it was the 
"slug". The slug like cloud didn't break up or anything, and without them noticing it seems to have moved 
a great distance, it was right in front of Zealot's path, and for a moment he had a very, very dreadful 
feeling. Toby got beside Kioten.
     "You starin' a bit too much at my ma'..." Toby said and punched him in the shoulder.
     "It ain't that..." Kioten punched him back. Zealot stopped before the cloud. She was quite a distance 
and not very clear in the dim moonlight. Why did she...she was heading back! Kioten didn't feel right, and 
Toby gasped!  "Zealot!"
     About 5 red blots of light began glowing at different spots on the cloud, Zealot made a mad dash for the 
kids, but suddenly the red spots fired huge quick energy beams out at her, each one colliding and smashing 
against her in joined force. She rolled forward in mid air and dropped a few feet, but quickly gained speed 
and pulled up. "Get outta here'!!!" she yelled out. Passion in her voice and a pinch of rage. Kioten 
hesitated, but snapped out of it, taking Toby's arm and heading in the opposite direction but he suddenly 
stopped. Who the...
     Kioten's face was back-handed by an unknown man. It smashed him hard and took him by surprise. 
Sending him down a long distance. He dissapeared into the night sky. Toby was left in mid air and with 
sudden rage burst in fiery light.
     "Kyaaaaaaa!!!!!" Toby, at point blank range fired a bright beam of yellow energy from both fists, 
crunching against the man's abdomen with the force of ten Pro NFL linebackers. It sent him reeling but he 
quickly rose up, staring at Toby with challenging eyes. It reached behind him, Toby recoiled for another 
blast. The man gripped his rifle and brought it forward, charging it for a quick burst...
     Bam, the gun flew out of the man's hands and into the air. Two punches were received in his face and a 
hard kick into his chest sending him back 20 feet in the air. He controlled his flight and stopped, gritting his 
teeth.
     "Ma!!" Zealot stood before Toby and glared at the offender with hatred burning in her eyes. The man 
was cringing a bit but seemed to gain control over his pain. Dressed in green uniform, made of some kind 
of rubber material. A black outline on his shoulder and arms in a confederate design, and a mask on his 
face like that of a ninja's. He reached for a gun on his belt, big mistake...
     Zealot shot forward, she sent kick after kick rapidly. Her leg a spinning blur aimed at the man's face and 
body. The offender quickly blocked with his hands, his arms a matching blur as he pushed away each kick 
dodging with his head and stopping Zealot's boot with his hands.
     "Urgh!!" Zealot turned and made a large spinning roundhouse at his face. The ninja ducked quickly and 
brought his hands up grappling her knee. What the hell!? He squeezed his palms and Zealot cried out in 
pain, a shock went through her as the man began crushing her knee cap with his bare fists. Who the hell is 
this guy. 
     Toby grit his teeth and dashed forward, screaming his head off as he flew toward the man hurting 
Zealot. He kicked him in the face with a blow that would rip a wall apart, but he received it like a boxer 
would receive a jab. Toby didn't see it, but the offender was grinning under his mask. Nothing made him 
let go.
     Zealot was in a very bad position, she couldn't fire a blast because he was hiding under her leg, and he 
was holding her so tightly she couldn't control her flight. She grit her teeth, rage pulsing right through her 
veins like a drug. She charged her pain and anger into energy, ki being channeled right into her chest. Her 
eyes flashed a bright yellow and she released the energy. Her entire body exploding with a red blast, the 
concussion knocking both Toby and the man flying in the air uncontrollably. Zealot looked out for Toby, 
but she couldn't see him.
     "Tob..." her voice was lower than she intended, "Toby!!" she couldn't see him, and she saw the green 
ninja first. He flew up before her, fearlessly. She grit her teeth and clenched her fist. "Who the hell are 
you..." The man looked with eyes that spoke nothing, he brought a hand up and stretched out his index 
finger, waving it from side to side. Zealot was about to attack again, when he pointed over her head. Zealot 
took the risk and looked behind her and if she ever clenched her fists it was now. Three ninja-like men were 
floating overhead, two of them in green, and the one in the middle was robed in red, blond fiery hair 
waving in the wind, and Toby held lifelessly in his arms. The other two were holding rifles out at her. It 
was then that he spoke.
     "It has been a long time Zealot. You see now what I meant of, 'reinforcements'?" he laughed silently. 
Zealot wanted to spit at him.
     "Bastard, let him go!"
     "It isn't that easy dear, you see, I hold the trump card." He gestured toward Toby. Zealot's expressions 
softened, but she never let up, give her the chance, and she'll kill em all right now. She swallowed hard.
     "What do you want..."
     "I want what my people want, the Sayian blood line...deleted."
     Zealot heard it all before, but the words still stung her. The nerve, how dare he. "Fuck you Striker."
     Striker laughed, and so did the others. She shouted out when her arms were grasped behind her, she 
began struggling but it was as if the man behind her was matching her very force. He just wouldn't give.
She looked up at Striker, rage in her eyes. "I'll kill you..."
     "We'll see, you had the chance Zealot. You and the others had their chance when I found this place a 
year ago. Now it's my turn, and see, I don't fail."
     "Urgh, fuck y-"
     "Yes, yes, 'fuck you Striker', 'I'll kill you Striker'. You talk too much... knock her out..."
     She looked up and her eyes widened, knock her out? Hell no. She fought hard against the man's grip but 
it was too late. No pain, no hit. But suddenly...all she saw was darkness.


     Vegeta's light shone true, like a flare, it lead SAL and Eiddon when even they lost track of the thinning 
energy trail. Vegeta saw the trail whenever they didn't, and so they thanked the gods he was around. AE in 
itself is huge, but is only one continent, if he's anywhere, Vegeta'll find him.
     They flew for what seemed like hours, but in reality it was only one and a half before the monotony was 
broken. Vegeta stopped, halted in mid air and his aura faded as if it was just switched off. Asuka and 
Eiddon followed, gently coming to a stop. "See something?" Eiddon started, "Cause I'm really tired of 
seeing mountain and sky if ya catch my drift."
     "Shhhhh..." Vegeta hushed him, "Shut yer yap and look." He pointed downward, it was hard to see 
because of the distance and the clouds but there it was. A long white streak of light was etched on the 
ground. It was fading fast. Vegeta dived down toward the earth and Sal and Eiddon followed immediately.
There, in the distance, a ball of light led the trail like that of a comet, and Vegeta wasted no time.
     "Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!" he bolted forwards, his aura flaring with an orange light, and he quickly was 
catching up with the energy source. Sal and Eiddon were not dazzled, but knew that they would have to 
take their time, Vegeta was just too fast sometimes, though they could match his speed...
     Vegeta was way ahead of the others and with pure determination gracefully hovered a few feet off the 
ground in hot pursuit. Who is this guy, friend or foe? Whatever, we'll just see in a minute now won't we? 
He thought to himself, and got even faster. 
     It was a bit premature though, because the light in front of him quickly went to darkness, and he past 
right by...someone, a vibrating ebbing off energy was felt as he sped by it's side. What was that? Who 
cares, he spotted us, Vegeta thought, but that'll be to his disadvantage. Vegeta turned around sharply and 
slowed down, he was nearing the unknown form and within 20 feet he stopped, gently lowering his body to 
the ground. Ace dropped as well, preparing to meet his pursuer.
     Ace looked forward, what a nunsance. Being tailed. He hated it when he was pursued, how popular he 
has become since his arrival. Anyway, this guy sure is short. It amused him so much that he started to 
laugh.
     The man began to laugh, at...him? The nerve!! "What you laughing about!?" Vegeta roared. He stared 
at the silver robed man, straight silver-black hair falling at his shoulders, and a black plate armor molded to 
his chest. He looked uniformed. For it certaintly didn't look like something any sane man would wear. 
Hard boots and black finger-less gloves. He looked like countless of people he has met in the arena, and 
he's whupped every one. What made him any different? That he wiped out a forest?? Now Vegeta began to 
laugh.
     "Ok, so you're supressing your energy read-outs so I can't get a detailed energy count. Hmm, 
elementary, annoying, and hardly useful. If I wanted to--," he halted, and felt the presence of two more 
beings coming from behind, and that was his only acknoledgment. "...to find how strong you are. I'd just 
fight with you."
     "Them's fighting words." Eiddon said. It was then that Ace turned to look at them both. A woman, cute 
one too. And a man, dressed in a martial arts gi, though rather different than the one used by Vegeta, which 
looked less gi-like. The man, had a purple streak in his hair, and a small frame but wide upper body. "What 
you staring at...?" Eiddon said and furrowed his brow angrily.
     Ace was bored. "Ok, who the hell are you? And what do you want with me? I've had a very-"
     "We wanted to ask you the same thing...and you will answer accordingly. I am not in the mood for any 
trivial battle. And you seem a bit too itchy for a fight." It was Sal who spoke. "So do yourself a favor and 
don't give us any trouble."
     Ace read there read-outs and jumped back. Hell no, HELL no. Only Theran grads had these energy read-
outs! They were abnormal! They must be scouts from home. Ace reacted quickly and flicked out his hand 
pulling a card from his sleeve. He threw it to the air and a huge burst of smoke erupted from the space 
below him. The three quickly stanced, at it was Eiddon who was struck first, but like always, he was ready 
for it. Ace leaped at him with a large sword in his hand, he flung it downwards at Eiddon's face but Eiddon 
quickly slapped his hands together on the flat sides of the blade catching it. Ace let go of the sword and 
side kicked to Eiddon's left side and then quickly with his right in the blink of an eye and took back his 
sword. Eiddon stumbled back but was ready for another one. "Come on!" he said, and punched the air 
before him, his body flying forwards, dragging against the ground. Bash, his fist hit Ace's chin hard and a 
second swing caught him on the brow with a rock shattering blow. Ace was knocked back and into the 
arms of a rather hyped up Sayian.
      Ace was ready to retaliate Eiddon's punch but was grabbed by Vegeta. He struggled and broke loose, 
kicking backwards at Vegeta's stomach. It was like hitting a wall! Vegeta laughed and grabbed Ace's boot, 
spinning his entire leg to the side and twirling Ace to the ground. Ace rose his legs and leaped up to his 
feet, stanced and ready to go. He was breathing hard, more for effect than for need of air.
     Vegeta walked toward him, cracking his knuckles as he did so. Ace was ready, and was making sure not 
to get attacked from behind by taking a special stance, but he noticed that they didn't even try.
     Vegeta took in a deep breath and then swung forward, Ace dodged to his left, right in the way of 
Vegeta's following kick. Vegeta kicked again, and again repeatedly and then dropped to the ground 
sweeping  at Ace's legs, but Ace quickly brought his legs up under him, hovering for a moment then 
stomping hard on Vegeta's foot. Vegeta quickly kicked up with his other leg at Ace's stomach but Ace 
grabbed that and yelled between clenched teeth. "Orokuza!!" and yanked back Vegeta's leg so hard that 
both he and the sayian exploded in bright light. An orange flare lighting both the Sayian and the Theran up 
in energy. Vegeta cried outloud, taken aback by surprise. His leg had been dislocated from his hip! 
Impossible!
    Ace was to continue his attack but he had to dodge, a spear like weapon barely making it's mark on his 
back. He turned to see Asuka with spear drawn thrusting the Heaven's Feather at Ace again. Ace moved his 
head back to avoid the lance and grabbed it by the shaft. Instantly his hand flew off it with a burst of raw 
energy. Damn that smarts! 
   He took a few steps back, Sal had her arm outstretched and her eyes were closed. Ace was not surprised 
when light began forming under him out of nowhere and began crackling alive with energy, he leaped back 
but the beam that erupted got him in the front and knocked him into the air. It felt like a truck hitting from 
below. He landed on his back and stood up slowly, staggering a bit. He couldn't beileve he was being 
beaten, but he was outnumbered. No way...no way. No way was he gonna be beaten. He was too close...or 
was he? "Why are you attacking me? Leave! I want nothing of any of you!"
     "You attacked first little one." Sal said, teeth on edge but tension was softening. Ace flinched at her 
remark, 'little one'...
     "You're following me!"
     "We only wanted to know who made that damage back at the great forest, and why."
     "You mean that silly old bush!?" Ace spat. "It was in the way, and shouldn't be there in the first place!" 
Vegeta began to laugh. He lay on the floor, but he laughed heartily, despite his predicament. The man was 
insane! Ace thought. Vegeta just chuckled at something he thought funny, hilarious even.  The solemnity of 
his compatriots showed this was not unusual. It irritated him more than words can say.  "Shut up! Pathetic 
wea-" Vegeta sat up and was floating over the air within seconds. He looked at Ace, still chuckling, and 
fell down toward the ground like a bullet, his leg stiff as a board as it came down, with a satisfactory clack 
of bones clenched together. He cracked his knuckles, again.
     "You talk like I would..." Vegeta laughed again, shaking his head from side to side. "Sal, Eiddon, it 
doesn't matter. Let's just welcome this tike to AE and go home."
     "Yeah, I need a drink. "Eiddon said and turned with a sigh, walking away. Ace stood there, not knowing 
whether to be angry or happy for their withdrawl. His body still crackled with the rush of battle, every jab 
and swing feeding this need, but his bloodlust was thinning.  "Wait..."
     Vegeta and Sal looked up, Eiddon kept walking. "AE? Is that the name of this place...?"
     Vegeta rose a brow. "Didn't you know how you got here? Who invited you anyway?"
     "I, wasn't invited."
      Sal resheathed the Heaven's feather. "Well, this is Animeigo, and you shouldn't be roaming the plains. 
There's nothing, I mean, nothing here. If you make it past the mountains all you will find is more mountain. 
And if you clear the beam you'll be flying over the ocean for years. This isn't a planet, it's a simulation." 
Sal made the point clear.
     Ace looked confused. A simulation? But, but he was told...damn, time to get out of here. But how? 
Blast, he better make friends, and quick. There has to be something here, there just HAS to be. He could 
feel it all around him, there was something here and they were hiding it. He was sure of it. "Then you don't 
live here?"
     "Heck no..." Vegeta replied.
     "Then..."
     "Mira mano...Just get your groove on, we'll show you the place..." And with that Vegeta hovered 
backwards and past Eiddon'' side. Eiddon quickly followed and Sal bowed. Ace was taken aback by their 
sudden gentleness, the fury of these fighters were something he has never seen, something his years of 
training never given much planning, for as ready as he was for battle...never did he expect opponents like 
these. These were going to be hard times, but he was so dazed and confused...some rest will do him good. 
He joined Sal in flight...

Chapter 4-"Whoa! Where the fun go?"

    Iori's bar was usually filled weekend nights. Music of all types and worlds, the sweet aroma of incense, 
and the bitter taste of liqour made the place the top spot in the AE complex. Though Iori wasn't always 
around to tend the bar, the place was usually open on it's own. Wrey sat tiredly at the counter, for once Iori 
was there, cleaning a cup with a clean rag. He stood in front of Wrey, saying nothing.
     The monotony was weak, the place was totally dead with only the murmuring of a few people talking 
between themselves, Dawn, the guide was there, chatting to a friend on the far table. There was nothing 
physically different from her and others that indicated she was a guide, other than a glowing red pin shaped 
like...a duck? ...on her chest.
     "Wrey?" a voice called out, Wrey woke up from his tired slumber, the blurred vision of the bartender 
came up in his view and the loud clang of a cup before him startled him again. "Try this out..." and Iori 
poured Wrey a drink, purple in color with fizz stemming from the bottom of the cup.
     "I'm not in the mood to be poisoned Dave."
     "No seriously, I insist you try this man, you'll get a kick out of this one."
     "I don't want to drink." And Wrey shoved the purple juice forward. He was about to lie his head again 
when the cup got in his way. "Damnit Wrey, I just mixed it up and I swore never to try my new drinks first. 
Just take a fucking sip it ain't gonna kill you."
    Wrey looked up with clenched teeth and tired eyes, but he took the cup. "If I choke, just a little bit, I will 
shove this cup, and the liquified death up your arse, got it?!" Iori simply grinned.
     Wrey took the drink, it wasn't as if he wasn't a drinker, it just wasn't the time. I mean, come on, 'I'm 
sleepin' here damn...'    He swallowed it in one gulp, with a loud 'paaahhh...' after finishing it. Iori looked 
forward, one brow risen higher than the other. Wrey looked at him and then at the cup, licking his lips. 
"Hey, this ain't half bad. Tastes like lime and...root beer."
     "Give it a second."
     "What?!" Wrey burst out. Suddenly he felt his chest get warmer,  whoa, way warmer. He gasped and 
grabbed his chest. Damn Iori! It was poison after all! The warmth covered his entire body and his throat 
was breathing enough hot air to fill a balloon. It slowly dissipated, leaving Wrey gasping for cool air.
     Iori stared at Wrey and a smile burst on his face. "All right! Good shit huh?" Wrey looked up at him, a 
bit more color on his face. 
     Wrey stood up quickly and grabbed Iori by the collar. "Dave...." He sighed, gritting his teeth. "I will 
hesitate from killing you this one time, oh god forgive me, but I will forgive you this one time." He shoved 
Iori away. Iori's grin never faded. "Just fix me another one and shut up."
     "Woke you up didn't it?" Iori said with a laugh. Bashing his fist hard against the counter as he laughed 
heartily. Wrey tossed the cup at him, missing purposefully. "I told you to shut up."
     A man sat next to Wrey suddenly, a shadow was cast on the bar as 5 feet of upper body loomed over the 
counter. A black trench coat robed the beast of a man, tall and muscular, with his face masked in shadows. 
"Hey there DS." Wrey murmured, sipping the drink that was served to him.
     Darkstranger looked down on Wrey, a grin forming. "Hey Wrey...Iori, the usual." He said. His voice 
deep and soothing, full of soul and character. Wrey just nodded, wrapped in the blanket of liqour.
     Iori looked up into DS's eyes. "That shit might give you a tumor man, I mean, it's made for torpedo 
shells not for drinkin', I mean it's one hell of a drink, but it can run a truck if ya fill it up with the stuff."
     "Thank you for your concern Iori, but I'll take my chances." They both laughed, and Iori took a mug 
and went into a room outside the complex, where a steel barrel held his beverage.  He waited paitiently. His 
mind racing with the many tasks he must carry out. His world was one which he did not dare share with 
others, it ain't their problem. No way. Maybe a drink will do him good, stress will do anybody in.
     "Hey, what's going on DS, why the long face?"
     "That supposed to be a joke?"
     "A figure of speech." Wrey said, chuckling at his own joke. "No really, everything ok?"
     "It's all good Wrey, all good. RFA is growing steadily, and things are smoother than they were before, 
all in all, I'm...better. And you?"
     "Drunk, but other than that...the same." He grinned.

     
     The air was chilly, like usual, one got used to living on a ship. Steel walls ad bright lights, the occasional 
murmer of people in some dark corner or the groan of steel against steel. Even ships settle in.
     Right now, Striker was in the mood for a card game. A hobby and skill which had nothing to do with 
combat. It relaxed him when tension runs high, and coming back to Animeigo made his blood boil. Though 
he knew he had to return, this mission was not meant to be failed. As he sat down to a drink and a game at 
the officers lounge, he wished he never found this place. Somebdoy else should have been assigned. He just 
felt, he didn't belong there after what happened.
     'I'm getting soft.' He would think. 'And lowering my guard...'
     Though he knew his orders, and the purpose of the sword in his sheathe and the blaster on his belt. The 
reason for his travels and his skills. Nanten's goal and duty, to destroy the Sayian race. He remembers his 
first kill, his first Sayian. A wild one, a loner on Fliston. He was a rookie then, and the sayian went berserk, 
precision was never seen by Striker until he saw what this sayian could do. Boom, bam, bash! His knees 
were smashed and his chest caved in with a series of blows with the fists. He was so fast, his training meant 
nothing. But Striker swung then, a mighty blow was received to the other which sent him flying and 
crashing right through an assortment of trees and branches. To the Sayian's unfortunate demise, and 
Striker's dumb luck, one branch was not so forgiving...
     It has been a long career, and the Sayians had their limits, he knew. And technology made the hunt so 
much easier. They were no match to even a slight cannon blast. "Striker Keios, report to the Admiral." It 
was said on the overhead communications. All eyes were on him as he stood, taking his winnings.
    "Excuse me..." he said, as the chips were slid into his pockets.
    "Coward, leaving so soon?!" his opponent said. A woman, a not so attractive one, but female 
nonetheless.
    "Insubordination?" Striker said and pulled out his blaster. The woman reared, stumbling out of her chair 
and into the lounge walls. "Striker! Please!!"
     Striker shook his head, he would have shot her, but first things first. He turned and left the room, leaving 
her gasping for air. Heh, kids...
     "Mirra, please. Control yourself." Striker said and reholstered his weapon. His pockets fuller than they 
were when he entered, he left the rec room and strolled the open halls of the TCS Spyder.

      Standing in a poorly lit hall with Admiral Tarkin at his side, he watched as the Admiral opened the 
detention center doors. A jail house with a security system that would astonish the magnufacturers 
themselves. Completely re-designed to the needs of the cause. 
      Ahead he saw her cell, Zealot, sitting idly on the still made bed, looking forward at the wall, waiting for 
something. She didn't move, or look up at Striker when he stood in front of her window. She just sat there, 
with a look on her face that demanded to be left alone. He walked on, obviously the Admiral was interested 
in the boy, who was two cells away from the other Sayian. How interesting, this boy. It managed to make a 
ruckus with the security crew, damaging a control console and sending a man to the infirmary. The lil' boy 
was so young, but his eyes showed the flame much like someone he knew. He looked through the window 
and the boy looked up, his eyes focusing onto Striker's. Yes, they were Trunks's eyes. But the glare, too 
much like Vegeta's...this boy. What does the admiral want from him?
     "You are...to train him." The admiral said and looked at Striker's masked face. Striker looked at the 
Admiral and gasped silently. What in God's plan...
     "'Train' him? Sir, he won't listen, and for what needs. He is a Sayian!"
     "And Sayian's can be useful when they're young. Train him, fight with him, do whatever you want with 
the boy. But he is to join the cause one day. Make him understand, he is a child." The Admiral said and 
walked by Striker, making a quick exit. Striker turned and stood there, gritting his teeth. "Sir!"
     The Admiral turned and looked up at at Striker. "What is it?"
     "With all due respect sir, they aren't animals. You don't just train them." He said boldly, the Admiral 
turned and looked at Striker for one silent moment. His face showed frustration, but he kept cool, Striker 
was one of his best men, though he never told him that. But he was expendable, and he was showing signs 
of weakness ever since he returned from AE the first time. 
     "Animals...are just like men, just make them think they are the ones in charge, and they will fall right 
into your hand...like a herd of sheep or cattle. Figure something out Striker, even you can't foul this up."
     "What of the girl?"
     "What of her?"
     "She to be spliced?"
     "Striker, you shock me, of course. Procedure."
     "Yes sir...as you say." Striker nodded and turned, walking away from the Admiral. Whatever the 
Admiral was cooking, Striker Keios did not like it. He despised even worse the idea that he had to spend 
his precious time with a...sayian. IT was too irritating to think about, it was an action. A duty he was to 
carry out as a soldier. 
     As an officer of the rank of Mayor, Striker walked through the barricaded doors of the young Toby. The 
boy looked up, a child-like brightness in his eyes were spotted before they ignited once again into that 
flame. Striker looked straight into the boy's eyes and he could swear he saw someone else within him. 
Watching at him with those very eyes. It was a chilling feeling, one Striker fended off immediately. He 
walked toward Toby and the sayian quickly became alert, his eyes darting quickly around him, but he saw 
nothing that would be useful to him, the room was small, and he already tried an energy round, for it to 
quickly be bounced off the metallic walls. He didn't enjoy Striker's presence, he didn't like cowards. And 
that was what Striker was, a coward. He didn't even do battle anymore. He played dirty, like a thief.
     "Calm down, I am not gonna hurt you." Striker said, kneeling to the boy's height. Toby took a step 
forward and lunged quickly with a straight punch. It connected beautifully and Striker stood up and grasped 
his face in more so in shock than in pain. The little fuck!! 
     With an angry grunt he ripped off his mask with one hand and felt his lip, he checked for blood since it 
felt cut but there was none. He quickly turned his stare at Toby, and saw that Toby stood against the wall 
with a shocked look to his face. Striker didn't understand it, it didn't register to him till much later that he 
just removed his mask in front of the boy. But he had nothing to hide, no hideous mark or disfigurement 
that would induce such an expression.
     "No way..." the boy said and took a step forward. "No way..."
     "What is it?" Striker said harshly. "It's impolite to stare."
     "You...you seem familiar." Toby said, and took a step back. His expression softened and then furrowed 
into that fiery glance again. No, no way. The resemblance was spectacular. But it just couldn't be.
     "Well, enough of that. How good are you at sparring boy?" Striker said, a grin coming on his face. Toby 
rose a brow, was Striker inviting him to a match? 
     "Say again?"
     "Your skills? Other than that little show you presented outside, how good can you move when it comes 
to combat?"
     "More than you ever will be jerk." Toby said and clenched his fists. Striker laughed, it was a soft laugh. 
Not an evil one or one done to chide. Striker was attempting to be friendly. But Toby didn't trust him, there 
was a big red sign that said "Danger" before Striker's face. And he trusted that more than anything. Striker 
turned around slowly, heading to the door and Toby clenched his teeth as well. Ever since he got there he 
was waiting for the cvhance that door might open, and he would run out and fight anything in his way to 
escape. He stood up and mentally prepared himself for the split second, but Striker opened the door and 
stood aside, bowing slightly even. Toby stood his ground.
     "Go ahead, run little boy. I won't stand in your way."
     "What are you doing?"
     "What am I doing? I am showing you that I truly mean you no harm. But truth is, you couldn't escape 
even if I let you, and even if you got out of the ship. By whatever hole in hell you might find. We would 
chase you all the way to your little Animeigo haven, and get you there. It'd be useless."
      "My friends would help me...they'd fight you and your cronies."
      "So they would. Good friends that they are and such. But I am not alone this time. They will have their 
turn. And so will you." Striker walked out the door, leaving Toby's cel door open. Toby didn't know 
whether to stay or follow. Staying in that cell wouldn't help anyone, he had to give himself a chance. Even 
if it meant following Striker's little charade. He sighed, and sucked it in.
     "Striker, wait up..."


     "Hey..." 
     "Wussup Edgar?" Locke said stopping a few feet behind Edgar who seems to have noticed something. 
Edgar peered closely and saw someone walking, slowly. Whoever it was seemed injured, but it was 
strangely familiar.
     "Hey look at the rags, think it's Kioten?" Edgar said and began jogging forward, trying to catch up with 
the other fellow. Locke followed without a word, and within a few seconds they saw him, it was Kioten. 
Not badly injured, but his face had the stain where blood was once, and his hair a total mess, as if he spent 
the night very uncomfortably. It was already day, and Kioten looked as if he has walked for a very long 
time. So did Locke and Edgar, but they were travelers already acustomed to the rigors of trail walking.
     Kioten turned and met Edgar and Locke with a cordial nod, and for a minute Locke thought he would 
collapse but Kioten didn't, he just kept on walking, there was a vibe sorrounding him, it was the remains of 
battle aura.
     "Hey, Kioten, what happened?" Locke tried to say, but Kioten didn't answer. Edgar and Locke met each 
others gaze and decided to walk by Kioten's side to coax him into talking.
     "What happened lil' guy? You don't look too good, and you're walking..." Edgar said, and he had to. 
Why in the world would anyone walk if they could fly...
     "Exercise, and there is nothing you can do about it so it's no use telling you. Let me be, this isn't of your 
concern."
     "Hey dude, chill, really. We want to help." Locke said and pat Kioten on the back. Kioten stopped and 
shoved Locke with a hand on his chest. Locke fell back onto the floor and was dragged back by mere force 
a few feet, muddying up his trousers in the brush. "Hey! What's your problem!?"
     "At the moment you were." Kioten snapped back. "They got Zealot, they got Toby, they totally forgot 
about me, and I used so much ki on the mountain back there trying to exhaust my frustration I can't fly. 
There is nothing you can do, and I can't fly for a few hours, so leave me the hell alone. This is the concerns 
of the Sayia-jin, not some thief who couldn't rob an ice cream cart."
      Edgar burst out laughing, it was too funny to resist, and Kioten found himself grinning again. Locke's 
face however flushed red with rage, which just made them laugh harder. Locke would have swung at 
Kioten if this was any other time, but his senses went back to him...what of Zealot and Toby!?
     "Whoa! Wait a min! What do you mean they got Toby and Zealot!? WHO got Tob and Zealot!?" 
     "That fuck, Striker what's his name."
     "Keios?" Edgar added.
     "Whatever, yeah, that fuck. We were going back to AE when we met up with Zealot, she was going to 
join Vegeta and the guys to find whoever made the explosion or whatever last night and she got blasted by 
some cloud. She was heading back, the blast didn't harm her, but there was some guy who with a charge of 
ki he must have been saving up for a few hours slammed it all onto my face. I fell like a sack of potatoes 
from the very sky and when I came to they were gone, cloud and all. They didn't even try to get me I 
suppose."
     "What makes you think it was Striker?" Edgar asked, the story had gaps, but that was understandable, 
Kioten was out of the action for quite some time.
     "The guy who attacked us looked like Striker, except it had black hair and a green mask. I can't forget 
that cheesy outfit."
     "Well then, let's get going. This is Zealot we're talking about." Locke said and began walking, Kioten 
looked up for a moment and stared at Locke's back. "Locke, this is Sayian buisness!" Kioten said, gritting 
his teeth. "If anyone is gonna get this fucker, it's us. All of them will learn not to mess with us anymore, he 
declared war on us from the very beginning and we're gonna give it to him!"
    "That's where you're wrong Kioten." Edgar said, walking past him and joining Locke's side. He turned 
his head and brought a finger up, "It's personal...mess with Jen, and mess with us."
    "Veg is gonna be pissed..." Locke murmured. And Edgar shivered...Kioten looked forward and shook 
his head. These two shouldn't get involved, and if they get involved, so will others. Humans...damn, 
Striker sure will have his hands full, and maybe...nah, but maybe we'll destroy this Striker and his group 
once and for all. Kioten shook again, he was getting excited. But why? They could get hurt, or even killed. 
They were going to go on a real battle, and who knows what will happen. A sense of adventure came 
through him not even Locke felt yet, maybe this was natural to a Sayian, this battle psyche. This urge to go 
out and fight. But no, he knew they felt it too. There was little more "umph" in his step that moment, and 
Kioten darted into the sky, through the air and into the sky. Kissing the wild blue yonder, once again....

End of Part 1.


Part 2
   
       A few hundred yards in the distance, the stellar formations of Animeigo's complexes could be seen. 
The grand arena, standing tall and proudly under the afternoon sun. The glowing energy field around it 
shimmering beautifully, and shadowing even the towers of the main complex. Where the Backrooms and 
Parlor were hidden. A foggy trail was enclosed to the east, leading to the dark remains of an Imperial 
castle. Once owned and ruled by a clan of Samurai. Lest alone, it also is a place the AE dwellers walk 
around in, it's walls giving a sense of peace and tranquility in comparison to AE's almost too chaotic 
atmosphere.
     Locke and Edgar made good time in their journey. Their feet ached, but that was neither here nor there 
to them. Zealot was not to be at the Backroom, or the Arena, or anywhere anymore. And with that in mind 
they were going to go into action. Whoever this Striker Keios is, he played a very bad move. Kioten was far 
ahead of them now, landing somewhere within the Jurai arena field, where a collection of chatters seem to 
have found it comfortable. But none of them were fighting, or even planning on one. Which made the arena 
nothing more than another room.
      Kioten noticed a group of people on the far wall. With a more focused view he saw who they were. It 
was Eiddon and SAL. And Vegeta! There was a stranger before them, sitting on the ground and they all 
seemed very serious, they also weren't attracting much attention, maybe purposefully. Who cared. Vegeta 
has to know this and fast! He soared over the heads of many and landed a few feet from the group.
      "Vegeta!" he yelled out. The prince Sayian looked up, noticing Kioten when he was coming in but 
giving him total attention now. He brought a hand up to interrupt the conversation and stood up, walking 
toward Kioten. The lil guy looked troubled, and there was a look to his face that showed trouble. More 
interestingly, Toby was nowhere near. And he should have been...what is going on?
     "Vegeta..."
     "What's going on? Where were you, and where's Toby?"
     "Give me a sec...*sigh* You aren't gonna take this well, so prepare yourself for this. When we were 
coming home, we met up with Zealot and we said a few words before she headed off to find you last night. 
We were gonna just keep on going our way when we were jumped by some ninja-clad man and they 
knocked me out before the bell even rang. I got back...and Toby and Zealot were gone. I don't know what 
happened to them."