Alisia was dumbfounded by her surroundings. She was within a red beam of some sort along with her seven inhuman allies and the two evil mages. None of them tried to move. Outside the shimmering light all she could see was a vast blackness with white stars glowing in the distance.
"What is this?" she thought to herself. "Is this what truly lies beyond the blue skies above us?"
Then she noticed a circular object racing toward the crimson beam...very rapidly...
"The moon," Alisia continued her thought. "But why are we going there? I thought it was but a far-off dead body of the sky."
Without warning a high pitched whine was emitted all around her. The scarlet color of the beam intensified to white. She watched in horror as the light seemed to shatter and disperse in many separate parts.
The Blade wizards were in the same shard of light, but the sudden breakage had surprised one so much that he accidentally dropped the shadowy blade. His brother began mouthing a curse at him as the two of them flew off in one direction. The sword was now in its own 'light vessel' and shot off toward another landing site on the moon.
Alisia had no chance to do anything as she watched her friends also be ripped away from her. Frye, Thundra and Whisp all plunged toward the planetoid's surface in separate beams. Boomer and the trio of water drakes were huddled together in a single shaft of illumination.
The young thunder sorceress viewed the separation in sadness and looked ahead at the moon. It seemed the shard of white light that she was currently inside nearly followed the same direction as the red beam had originally been going. Her path may have deviated a bit to the left though.
Alisia felt a wave of blackness sweep over her and promptly fell unconscious as she thought of her friends...
In the southern Salyan desert, a small cabin held a wise, but aging, scholar. Hiro’s grandfather Gwyn had lived alone since his grandson left for the Blue Star. He spent most of his time with his research and books, fairly self-sufficient even though he was isolated in the desert. Other than the occasional visit from Ruby or Leo, Gwyn's life had become rather uneventful and quiet.
One particular day, the old man happened to be observing wind currents from the high scaffolding above the cabin. His study was interrupted, however, by a falling white light which was heading toward the Blue Spire.
"Hm... perhaps my grandson is finally coming home," Gwyn thought to himself. "Or at least he's stopping by for a visit."
The scholar climbed down the ladder of the scaffold and chuckled to himself.
"I guess I had better tidy the place up a bit."
He entered the cabin and looked around. Papers and books were scattered everywhere.
Gwyn coughed. He had meant to clean the house last week, but was ensnared by a wonderful book.
"Erm... this may take a while."
He started to clean and spoke aloud.
"I hope this is just a friendly visit... last time someone arrived from that spire, it was actually the start of trouble..."
"Wow, this place is amazing! Don't you agree my brother?" The Blade wizards now stood in a strange room. It was illuminated by a strange metallic device with a large blue crystal in it. This thing appeared to be similar to the one they had entered back on Earth. A portal stood at the other end of the room.
"Yes... but I wish that you had not dropped the blade. Now we must recover both it and its counterpart... and this is a whole new world to us."
"I know and I am sorry," the other nodded. "Perhaps we can find some kindred spirits on this moon."
The duo floated toward the doorway and began to climb down the lightly inhabited Blue Spire. Encountering monsters was not expected, so their descent was slowed.
A white beam slammed into the mountains northwest of Raculi. More specifically, the light crashed into the heart of the Dragon Nest. The pile of treasure scattered as four shapes poked their heads out of it.
Boomer crawled out of the shimmering coins and rubbed his head with a claw. The three water drakes eventually slithered to the ground dizzily. The boomerang lizard looked up and around to view the surroundings. Tall mountains surrounded them on all sides. The blue skies above confused him... as did the fact that Earth was in view far away. Apparently the moon was not as lifeless as he thought.
A cave opening to the south was the only way out of the enclosed 'valley' since the mountains were too high to fly over and Boomer couldn't carry a single water serpent on his back, let alone three of them. The four of them moved slowly into the opening.
The caverns were certainly not empty. There were bands of strange creatures everywhere. The quartet of reptiles were astounded by some of them, particularly the VERY fat worms that slowly shuffled around and the weird skull-headed birds that accompanied them. A few of the cave's denizens were similar though... the 'alien' animals had seen Wyverns and things resembling their cousin Hellgoyles before.
Surprisingly, the newly-landed creatures were not attacked as they explored the subterranean tunnels. Most of the monsters completely ignored them after giving them a look. A few, particularly the Wyvern-types, did notice them but appeared to act friendly. A couple of Hellgoyles even walked with the group for awhile.
Exploration took a long time. All that was discovered were a few empty equipment chests. The reptile creatures accompanying them had a little information which the drakes were able to understand. They were on the planet Lunar now and in a place called Dragon Nest, an ancient place where the dragons of Lunar used to frequent. It was now a breeding place for creatures such as them, rarely disturbed by humans and beast-men.
Boomer and company eventually reached the exit to the caves. They said farewell to the accompanying monsters as they proceeded out. One Wyvern approached them and warned them of the human settlement to the southeast.
The four lizards thanked the reptile for the information and proceeded south. Boomer figured that Alisia may end up in a town eventually and decided it would be best to perhaps go to one and watch for her on the outskirts.
In the Guild Mansion of Vane, Lemina stormed out of the main room after watching Borgan with her mother Miria again.
She muttered softly to herself through gritted teeth. All that was discernible was, "...that mega-tub of lard..."
The young Junior Premier of Vane calmed a bit as she stepped outside in the fresh air. A strange feeling permeated the air... a feeling of the magic that coursed though the historical city of Vane. Lemina was quite used to this presence by now, of course.
She hurried along to one of the new classrooms toward the eastern half of town. She was late for a new group of magical students... all of which had surprisingly paid their entrance dues on time. As Junior Premier, she often acted as a teacher for the new members of the Magic Guild of Vane.
Lemina looked to the north as she dashed. The Silver Spire and Crystal Tower each stood quiet and sealed to the north of the mansion.
She remarked to herself, "You know, one day we ought to open those and do a little renovation..."
Suddenly, a shard of white light jutted down from the clouds toward the side of the Crystal Tower. Lemina stopped in her tracks as it happened, as did many of the surrounding townspeople.
"Now what?"
She turned and ran toward the tower as the beam moved closer to it. Without warning, the intensity of the white shard's light increased and then died out before colliding with the wall of the Crystal Tower. Its passenger, however, continued to soar forward with too much momentum.
Thundra slammed into the pinnacle's side with tremendous force and rebounded off. One wing flapped irregularly as she tried to slow her fall to the ground twenty feet below. She fortunately caught an updraft with her good wing and was able to level out. Thundra's left wing was throbbing in pain as she tried to descend and land.
Lemina stood on the edge of the water channel that surrounded the tower, looking up in amazement as the strange bird started to come down.
The thunder raven without warning convulsed in the air and started to plummet toward the water ten feet below... A sudden sting of pain had hit her as she tried to move her left wing slightly. The blond-haired girl gasped and held her hands up in an attempt to catch the falling bird.
Lemina was soon standing on her tip-toes with her arms stretched across the water stream. When the raven landed in her arms she nearly lost her balance and plunged into the channel. At the last second a nearby townsperson grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.
The Junior Premier sighed and thanked the person.
"Whew... that was close," Lemina remarked as she gently cradled the wounded bird. Thundra was obviously in pain, breathing very softly with her eyes tightly closed. "Poor bird... that wing looks like it could be twisted."
Lemina reached into her pouch and pulled out a Dover Nut. She placed the nut inside the raven's slightly open beak and watched it 'chew' and swallow it.
"That ought to get rid of some of the pain, but I better brace that wing soon."
Thundra abruptly lifted her head off of Lemina's hands and opened her eyes. She emitted a soft yet pleasant note of song as she looked at the girl.
Lemina grinned.
"Now where did you come from, I wonder," she began, staring into the small eyes of the raven. Then she remembered her class and gasped.
"Ooh... I'm going to be late! I guess I'll have to brace you while the newbies take their first exam."
With that, Lemina darted back off to the eastern side of Vane, trying not to bump the strange bird on her hands too roughly.
"Okay, it's done! Who wants to ride it first?"
"I wouldn't be caught dead getting into that thing, Bulgy!"
A middle-to-old aged man bustled about the tents, trying to get someone to ride the strange catapult-launched machine in the center of the fairgrounds.
"C'mon...no one?!"
Jean finished demonstrating her latest dance step nearby and was rewarded with torrents of applause by her fellow Carnival-mates. She took a rest over by one tent as the others prepared to open the Carnival for another day of business.
"How about you, Jean?" Bulgy asked as he approached her.
She grinned and shook her head.
"I already had one trip in that thing...I'm not too thrilled to do it again."
Bulgy shrugged his shoulders and walked off looking for another guinea pig. Jean watched him for a moment and looked up into the azure skies. Her gaze settled on the Blue Star, far away.
"I wonder what Hiro and Lucia are up to right now," she thought.
With a shrug, Jean sighed and walked into her tent to towel herself off. She had worked up quite a sweat in her latest exhibition and needed to change into her regular costume anyway before the Carnival opened its doors.
As Jean finished changing and picked up her fans, a loud crash was heard outside.
She giggled momentarily, "I guess Bulgy convinced someone..."
Then she heard yells outside and voices coming closer to her tent.
Jean poked her head out of her tent's flap and looked around. A large group of people were gathered around the tent next to hers, which had apparently collapsed.
Voices in the crowd spoke out: "What was that?!" " Didya see that light?" "Was anyone in there?"
The dancer walked out of her tent and moved next to old Gibdan, the troupe leader.
"What happened?"
He turned and responded, "A strange shaft of white light fell from the skies and hit the tent. Fortunately, no one was in there."
The crowd gasped as a shape twisted and turned under the fallen tunic.
"Are you sure?" Jean asked as Gibdan and she hurried forward with him to see what was underneath.
They lifted the flap of the fallen tent and a peculiar lizard-like head popped out. They quickly backed up as the crowd gasped once again.
Dragon Frye crawled out of the collapsed tent and shaded his eyes from the bright sunlight with a wing. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs of the crash, then looked straight up to see Earth far away in the sky. Voices brought his attention back to the ground.
Gibdan murmured to Jean, "A young dragon by the looks of it... though it doesn't seem to resemble a dragon of Althena."
She responded, "Yes...it doesn't look like Ruby or Nall at all. It does kinda resemble a smaller version of them when they're full grown though."
A few members of the crowd started to yell as they saw the dragon.
"A monster!" "Grab it!" "Kill it!"
Frye understood the yells and looked sheepish for a second, then narrowed his eyes with a look of anger. As the size of the crowd grew and weapons appeared, the young green dragon looked apprehensive. He couldn't see Alisia or any of his friends around to help against the mass.
He looked up at the Earth again and then looked back at the crowd with a look that could only resemble fear on a dragon's face.
Jean watched as the normally joyful Carnival personnel became tense with a little horror. If this 'new arrival' was a dragon it should certainly not be destroyed.
Gibdan spoke quickly to her.
"Look at his expression..."
The green-haired dancer turned and looked.
"He's... he's scared..."
"Yes... he looks fearful of this predicament... maybe even lonely."
The old leader quickly tried to stop his friends from doing anything to the creature as Jean walked toward it.
More voices: "What are you doing Jean?!" "Stay away from the beast!" "Stop!"
The dancer slowly approached the young dragon. It backed away a step or two and stared up at her.
Frye watched the girl with sad eyes and scanned over her person. It didn't appear she had any weapons in her hands or on her skimpy (more so than Alisia's) dress, only a single fan in her left hand. Her face seemed kind as she smiled.
Jean saw the dragon relax a little and she reached out her hand.
She spoke soothingly, "There, there... don't worry, no one is going to hurt you."
Frye indeed did relax at these words and permitted her to pat his head as she reached out to him. He emitted a pleasant rumbling sound and grinned slightly.
Jean was indeed surprised as she watched the dragon's jaws twist into a smile. He seemed very tame now. Gibdan looked over his shoulder to see how the star dancer was doing and was pleased. The crowd was dumbfounded and silent as the dragon emitted a sound somewhat like the purring of a cat amplified.
Jean was impressed with herself and the behavior of the dragon.
"Hm... are you hungry from your... uh... trip?"
Frye nodded his head and licked his chops, then grinned again amongst the amazed members of the troupe.
"If the master is gone, why are we still waiting here... guarding an old relic that's probably useless."
A palely-shimmering figure wearing a yellow cape looked over at a similarly pale figure with blond hair and a wand.
"Quiet!!"
Anti-Hiro glared at Anti-Lemina who was standing by a solitary chest in the corner of the chamber.
"Oh, why don't you nega-buzz off 'hero'?"
Anti-Jean knew what was about to erupt next to her and motioned to Anti-Ronfar to duck and cover.
"STOP THIS POINTLESS BICKERING!!!" Anti-Leo exploded. "We have a mission to wait here and ambush the heroes as soon as they come down that corridor. The master's word is all."
The three standing shades tensed up for a moment, then relaxed as the other two stood back up.
"Maybe guarding the Dragon's Eye would have been a better target... that at least has a use," Anti-Hiro started.
"Yeah," Anti-Ronfar began, "What would be more valuable: traveling to the Blue Star or being able to swipe magic-"
"Heck, I can do that without this piece of junk," Anti-Lemina interrupted.
The Leo doppleganger only shook his head and thought to himself, "Maybe they're right... who knows if the heroes were already here in the Dragon Ruins, grabbed the Eye and left."
A rumbling shook the chamber. A beam of white light smashed a hole in the roof of the ruins and stopped right above the chest. The quintet of dopplegangers shielded their eyes from the illumination.
When it cleared, Whisp was floating above the aforementioned chest, spinning in place. The four flares around him were mimicking his movement.
"What the?"
"Oh, another blasted Fire Elemental," Anti-Hiro spoke. "They just aren't challenging anymore. Why don't Blood Lords come up here anymore?"
Whisp saw the five shapes and listened intently.
"Who wants this one?" Anti-Jean asked her evil comrades.
The Hiro clone answered, "This one's mine." He then crouched down and leapt high into the air. He brought down his Poe Sword attack with tremendous force, but ended up only smashing the tiles on the floor.
"Eh?"
"You missed... getting rusty I see," Anti-Leo replied and dashed toward Whisp (who had just flew out of the way of the first strike). The shade vanished suddenly. The ball of fire moved quickly toward the hallway leading out of the room. The Flash Blade missed and Whisp was chased down the hall by the other three dopplegangers.
The fire elemental soared down the stairs to meet face-to-face with a beast-man that looked exactly like one of the shades who attacked him.
"Another elemental... I see that we didn't explore the whole ruins the last time we were here."
Whisp stopped in his tracks and dashed back the other way, not seeing the Fire Elementals that in fact were chasing the beast-man Leo as he followed the recently-arrived Whisp.