The Insurgency

Year: 200 CE* - 204 CE

The Pink Engine

Chapter 1

Andrei says Happy centennial!!

Cormac says Aww thanks!!

Andrei says I have a present for you!

Andrei shows Cormac train tickets.

Cormac says ....Yoooo!! Trans siberian!!

Like I've always wanted!

Andrei says the train goes from Palladia to... Whatever the city is called now..

Cormac says Palladia huh?

Well, let that be quick.

Hah..

Andrei and Cormac's flight gets diverted to Yetia City.

Andrei says Wh..

What's going on?

After landing, buses arrive at the airport to escort all the travellers out of Yetia as quickly as possible.

Cormac says Something doesn't feel right..

Andrei says Holy shit...

The train leaves Palladia but shortly stops afterwards.

The train is locked down.

Air raid sirens go off outside the train.

Andrei says ...

They're going to- BOOM

Bombs explode around the train, wrecking the buildings.

They both go under the small train table.

Cormac says I..I'm scared..

Another bomb goes off.

Cormac says A-AAh...

Andrei says It'll be over soon, the armies will come for us soon.. I know they will...

Attention all prisoners. Please move to cars 1-7.

Andrei says we're on car 6...

What's going on?

The sound of the train uncoupling is heard, the screams of those who didn't make it in time follow.

Andrei gets out from under the table and rushes to the back of Car 7.

He looks through the window.

The car still has people inside.

...

And its on fire.

The opposite locomotive pulls the flaming carriages away, along with the people inside it, back towards Palladia station.

A guard shoves Andrei back to car 6.

Andrei scrambles under the table.

Andrei says People... burning people...

Cormac says What?

Andrei says Car 8 caught fire...

They left the people on it..

He starts crying.

Cormac holds him.

Cormac says It's going to be okay.. I promise.. We'll get out of this..

Andrei sniffles.

Andrei says But we aren't are we?!

Cormac says No.. No I have an idea..

We'll get out of here and cross the lines...

But we could get shot..

But it's worth one.. Haha..

Andrei and Cormac escape the train.

They sneak through the trainyard nearby, managing to steal a train.

It starts moving out of the depot, but the guards are alerted.

Andrei says ...Shit..

They increase speed.

The train is shot at.

Andrei and Cormac's train slowly passes through Palladia.

Watching as the Yetian army runs away in despair.

Andrei says what's happening?

They see the Yomtach horde.

Andrei says HOLY SH-

REVERSE!

REVERSE NOW!!!!!!

The train slows to a halt.

But not before Yomtachs clamber onto the train as it shifts into reverse.

It chugs back into Palladia carrying Yomtachs.

They watch as they enter apartment buildings slashing people open.

Andrei and Cormac get off the train and run and hide in an apartment building's ruins.

Andrei says You don't understand..

We're the only ones to be conceived after the installation of the suppression device..

You know..

Crazy Asophania's solution to overpopulation..

We're the last ones left..

Cormac says You're right.. we are..

Andrei says We still have a chance!

Andrei says Let's try again.

Let's get out of Palladia..

We'll go to Antarctica...

We'll go to Theia.

We'll be happy again...

Cormac says If happiness costs the world..

I'd spend three just to spend it with you.

Come on. Let's go.

Trains don't drive themselves...

DIVIDER

Occa-Sierra says This place..

What were the humans doing here..?

Not even a normal, pathetic human could understand.

Occa-sierra brings in humans to investigate since they cannot themselves

California says What do you want from me?!?!

Occa-seirra says Look at document.

Tell what mean.

California says Hmmm..

Not mean much.

Very useless paper.

Occa-sierra says Take to junkyard.

Go back to mine.

California says Y...Yes..

California sneaks out of the mines and into the wilderness.

California says I have the Omnistat Plans..

Well.. some of them...

We can finally crack the code..

But I need to get back to Antarctica..

And i know just where to go..

Louisiana.

DIVIDER

Meanwhile, in Louisiana..

Sanatorium says ...And the Yomtach came up to me and demanded I surrender!!!

Soy unholy !! x

Truck says Mhhhhm.

Torium, do you also have 1000 refugees that just turned up on your doorstep?

Torium says yes, but I forced them inside!

Torium says what?

Those Yomtachs are ann-

California says Hello?

I need somewhere to stay.

Truck says Stay here!

California says Ok!

Sanatorium says AAAAAAAA I HATE YOU TRUCK!

California boards Truck.

Truck says What are those?

California says Classified files.. from Omnistat

Truck says Holy..

From Omnistat?!

Make yourself at home..

California says I would.. but I need to get to Antarctica..

Truck says I know a way.

This truck used to move but...

Icosahedron happened.

Icosahedron says hey!!

I still manage to rule the oceans..

Quit complaining. Aim high!

California says So how can I get there?

Truck says there's a tunnel from Floria to Pandaland.

You'll have to walk the rest I'm afraid..

California says Hold up..

Why?

Truck says You do not want to know..

California says well.. I'll stay for a bit..

I need to cope with what the hell just happened in the last week, really.

Echtonia says You bet.

California says Ohhh god...

Why are you here...!?!

Echtonia says Creepyland evicted me.

Welcome to Louisiana, bud.

California says My head hurts...

Floria pays a visit to Truck.

Floria says Oh my god, Cali!!

California and Floria hug.

California says You're okay...

Floria says This part of me...

I never thought being in Louisiana would actually help..

Floria says I overheard.. You can't stay for long..

California says Yeah..

Floria says Its ok.. I'll tag along!

As grateful as I am..

I need to leave too.

Cali..

Those plans are your life.

They are your key to getting your home back.

Protect them, okay?

California clutches them.

california says I will... I promise

Floria says See you tomorrow.

DIVIDER

Meanwhile on Theia.

Gensokyo says These ships are barely full..

What happened..

Macanaland says Yata won't respond..

I've tried everyone.

And we risk everything if we lower the shield to let even one more ship through.

Gensokyo says There's people still there..

And they need our help..

Catacoria says And what do you suggest we do?!

Gensokyo says NOTHING.

Because there IS NOTHING TO DO

When we got NIHILISTS ON OUR ASS TOO..

God DAMN..

Stupid Asophania..

Pick up the phone..

DIVIDER

Meanwhile in Asophania...

Denasola says Aso..

Is this really a good idea?

Asophania says yes.

Asolab must be rebuilt.

It's the only way to sustain us.

Chapter 2

Chug.. chug.. chug... they both had missed those familiar sounds.

Chug, chug, chug... they both swayed with the motion as a train hit a small kink in the track.

Chug chug chug... they felt the increasing forward acceleration push against them as the train reached a stable, slow and steady pace.

Andrei jumped off the passenger car wielding Cormac's shotgun soon after.

Running fast enough to overtake the slow moving train, he reached the lever and pulled it towards him. Clunk.

The coast seemed clear for them for a while at least.

Around 10 minutes later, Andrei had gone through about 4 switches, and boarded the car again for the final time for a while.

"We're ready Cormac, you can throttle up." Andrei said with confidence.

Cormac listened carefully as he noticed a sign out of the corner of his eye, it read: "Tritonia Express Main Line. Tritonia City, 1,442KM."

Without hesitation, he pushed the throttle to full, and walked through the door to join Andrei in the passenger car.

"Here we go, Andrei. Wasn't so hard." Cormac said arrogantly.

"You're right," Andrei replied as the train began to accelerate to fast speeds, "it wasn't hard. For now." He leaned back in his chair as he watched Palladia race beside him.

The train was steadily racing past the rotting neo-classical buildings of Palladia, like a plane that won't take off.

Its about to happen.

What is, Cormac? Andrei questioned.

Suddenly, the racing train passed through a short tunnel.

We've left Palladia. We're clear. 

After about 6 hours of travel, they began to pass by the coasts of the Black Sea.

Rusting cargo ships littered the barren sea, rotting away in the wind.

Fishing boats and trawlers too.

"My god..." Andrei exclaimed.

"I was told there were long... sandy beaches here..."

"Yeah," said Cormac, disgruntled by the long journey so far, "Out of our time-range.."

A derelict city flew beside them, however the station signs shortly after were faded. Perhaps the train was moving too fast to read them at all..

"Actually...."

There was a loud screeching noise, and the train began to slow down significantly.

"Let's go get supplies."

After the train came to a complete stop, Andrei and Cormac, weapons in hand, slowly exited the train.

The sky had gone from a murky blue to a dusty yellow, and the air was chokingly hot.

"Eugh.. where are we Cormac?"

"Andrei. Look at the landmarks. This is Zaporizhia!"

Huh.. Looks worse than Palladia. 

But it should have a lot more supplies so...

Carefully stepping over the newly electrified railway, they climbed over a fence onto a cracked street, lined with old markets and shops.

Entering the nearest building to them, they found what used to be a bakery.

The bread, now all green, mouldy and stale, glared at their ravenous stomachs.

Venturing further into the dilapidated bakery and heading up a broken winding staircase, they reached a small studio apartment.

The cupboards, luckily enough, had a few cans of lentils to spare.

Bingo! Andrei exclaimed,  something other than those stupid bean stuff, pulses, whatever they're called..

Andrei... Lentils are pulses.

Oh..

The duo, having collected enough supplies, headed back to the train.

RRRRRRRRRAAAAA-RRA!

They froze.

Andrei mouthed the words 'run' to Cormac as they both scrambled back on the train.

Shit.. Andrei muttered,  Yomtachs?

Yeah. I'm trynna... Ah..

The chants got louder as the train began to pull away.

Andrei came to the door with his shotgun, preparing to shoot anything who came in.

All seemed clear..

..

RAA-RAA-RAA

Oh-

Andrei blasted a wave of bullets at the chest of the white humanoid.

It let out a last moaning grunt, before its muscles died and the creature fell onto the tracks below.

"Oh my god... that was......."

"Woah.."

"You ok?" Cormac asked, "bit of a shock back there?"

"Yeah... but it's all good... all good..."

A faint thudding could be heard on the ceiling.

"What's that..." Andrei inquired .

"Dunno Andrei. I wouldn't go check it though. It's a bit dangerous now.."

"Alright," answered Andrei, before sitting back down in the guard chair, watching the next city fly by.

That evening, the train entered a region of grassier plains, littered with abandoned homesteads. Almost all the fog had cleared.

Andrei had prepared two beds on two damp, reclined chairs for the night.

"Alright Andrei." Cormac said, patting him on the back as he entered the front of the train, "It's time for your shift."

Andrei nervously sat down in the driver's chair, carefully grasping the throttle.

"I'll be fine, Cormac."

"I didn't say you wouldn't. Stay safe."

Cormac ruffled his coarse brown hair. He shivered a little.

Andrei stared out the front windshield as the train traversed the vast emptiness, and the sky grew darker, and darker.

He kept staring until the sky was pitch black.

Thud, thud.

There was a faint screech. The train hadn't even hit a turn.

"Huh?" Andrei said, confused.

Thud, screech..

"Hm... perhaps it is a turn."

.....

SSSSSSSSSCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

"OH MY G-"

He blacked out, and without feeling a thing, was tossed around the train like a rag doll in a tumble dryer.

.....

He raised his head and opened his eyes to fire and sparks just for a moment, before subsequently passing out again, hitting his head on the metal floor.

The surroundings were racing around him. Clusters of huge metal walls and rubble that stretched well over half a mile high, seemingly strung together by metal bridges, vaguely visible through the haziness of the raging fires in front of him..

"CORMAC!"

"CORMAC, TELL ME... Tell me you're okay..."

"Andrei, I-"

SSSSSSSSSSSCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

"..."

Andrei was flung through the fires straight out of the front window onto the tracks below. The rails then cradled him as his last moments of consciousness saw the train carriages folded like a pack of cards. Explosions all around echoed in the back of his mind as he slipped away from reality. Metal parts from the crunched train rained down all around him as his limbs were dented with hot shrapnel.

And as the final carriage flew over him he fell unconscious once again.

...

To be honest it didn't look much worse than before... the only difference was the fire.

Cormac, miraculously, wasn't too injured, with only the odd pieces of glass wedged in his arm. As he gathered the strength to stand up, he scanned his surroundings.

He had come to the conclusion the train had crashed. It wasn't that hard to guess, really.

The mouldy seats had either folded in on themselves or detached entirely. He even spotted around 2 that had left the carriage altogether.

The faint smell of diesel filled the wreckage like that of a petrol station, but the smell of smoke was the strongest in the area.

After yet again gaining enough strength he began his arduous trek - to the other end of the carriage.

The aisle was split open in some places, with gaping holes that led straight to being trapped in the mechanisms below, so Cormac had to tread carefully.

But after about a minute of careful tiptoeing he reached where the carriage was at it's lowest point, and he jumped out of the carriage onto the gravels below.

And out of the corner of his eye he spotted Andrei.

"Oh my god. Nonono.... Andrei.."

Chicaning around the fires, he reached Andrei's limp body. He was lying in a ditch in the railbed, and in his own blood.

'Andrei....wake up.... Please..

Cormac noticed that the bleeding had mostly stopped, but his arm was littered with shrapnel.

His pulse was slower than usual but still fairly reasonable, and he was breathing, so Cormac decided to bandage Andrei where possible, before scooping him up in his arms to carry him.

He looked around - He seemed to be inside some gargantuan structure. Metal walls, which looked a lot newer than he had seen before surrounded him on both sides of the railway, stretching high above and for miles in each direction.

As the murky night sky shone down upon him and a cool breeze blew over his face, he mustered his mentality, and began stumbling away from the train wreck with Andrei in his arms.

Reaching a stairwell, he descended into a dark corridor, where he turned on his torch.

Cormac had about 3 of 5 bars left of battery, and he was hoping he would be able to find some more in the area.

Illuminating the path, the hallway seemed to have very small signs of wear and tear, almost as if it was brand new. Nonetheless, moss and vines descended the walls all over.

Since his sleep was abruptly cut short, he decided to take a few turns which put the two in another metal stairwell.

He carefully lay Andrei on the floor, and then proceeded to lay down next to him.

Cormac saw the moonlight shine down upon him through the stairwell, as well as a faint glimpse of a few stars.

And gently, he wrapped his arm around Andrei and pulled him a little closer. It made him feel a little safer, perhaps it made him feel a little safer too.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Cormac was awoken by a  faint dripping sound.

He opened his eyes, and looked up through the stairwell - and oh my god, he thought.

It was raining.

Normally people would dread the arrival of rain, but this time was special.

Cormac hadn't seen rain for 3 years.

Drip... Drip... Drip...

The sounds had woken Andrei up too.

Hey... Hey Andrei..

Are you okay?

Andrei grumbled and moaned in pain, but garnered the strength to nod a little.

He went limp, laying back down on the floor, staring into the faintly visible morning sky above.

Its..raining.... he said softly.

Yeah, ain't that cool..haven't seen rain in a long time.. Cormac replied,  also I think I know where we are. 

Where?

Well Andrei, we drove the train right into the heart of the spaceship works. This is where they built the Triton-class ships..

Andrei groaned.  And now we are stuck here.

Yeah. But hopefully there's some kind of parking lot in this whole place. Could be our ticket out.

It's our best bet, Cormac. Andrei said, legs shaking as he hauled himself upright,  lets go. *

One after another they both ascended the winding metal staircase back up to the surface.

They appeared in the pouring rain in what appeared to be a central courtyard. The ground was uneven, cracked and raised with plants growing through, while huge chunks of metal wall from the factory's exoskeleton were scattered across the area.

The courtyard seemed to be about a mile across, twice as long as the height of the wall.

There was a loud thunderclap as the sky flashed with light.

Andrei was startled by the sudden noise.

Th...that's thunder?

Yeah, Andrei. It's real.

As they walked diagonally across the huge open space between the factory walls, the sky began to grow brighter.

Suddenly, the ground began to rumble.

The walls began to further shed their exoskeleton as huge pink coloured lasers shot across the sky, cutting the clouds.

Holy- get inside! Cormac shouted, running to the other corner. After about 10 minutes of running, the lasers still hadn't gone away, and the ground was still shaking.

Entering back into the factory, they entered into a gargantuan chamber. The ceiling was littered with holes with light breaking through, and there was a huge open gap, large enough for a capital ship to fit through, at the other end.

This is the shipbuilding area huh.. Andrei said, pain still in his voice.

THUD. THUD.

There was a loud thudding echoing from the other side of the chamber.

Uhh.. What's that? Andrei inquired.

The thudding grew faster, and the breaks of light began to reveal a silhouette.

Mechanical whirrs could also be heard reverberating around the rotting factory.

And then it's silhouette crossed the sky in the distance.

It seemed to be a giant robot, towering tens of metres high, but that was all that could be said.

But then, a large red eye upon it opened.

And out of nowhere, a laser shot from it, wrapping around Cormac.

What-

And it threw him against the wall, at high velocity, before picking him up again and repeating.

Andrei had the look of anguish on his face.

Cormac couldn't have survived that.. Bad choice of thought, for he was dead.

This robot was miles away.

Andrei fell to his knees and sobbed, they hadn't even gotten 10% of the way there...

As Andrei's face was in his hands, wet with his salty tears, the snaking laser gently wrapped around him.

Andrei wasn't even shocked, he gently prepared for his death.

The laser lifted him up, and as he closed his eyes, he was hurtled against the wall.

Until he opened his eyes.

He was mere inches away from the steel supports, but he was stuck.

Looking down he saw another laser type appendage, and following it with his eyes, it led to a little girl.

Wearing a little purple dress, this girl characterised by her grey complexion, bloodstained skin and yellow eyes, had just... Saved him?

The robots laser slowly unravelled knowing it couldn't fight back, and the girl gently lowered him down.

The girl produced a dagger, wooden hilt, gold blade,  Use this against the appendages, and it will let go, she said,  but i do not know how to truly defeat it. We have tried everything. 

Wh- Andrei began.

I will care for your friend. His condition is grave, but he is most certainly alive. Now please... Good luck traveller. She let go of the hilt of the blade.

Andrei clutched the blade, and stared at Cormac lifeless body, where the girl had began some kind of ritualistic healing.

Turning to face the robot, he clutched it even harder, brandishing the blade with his finger. It bled. That means it works, he thought.

And then, the robot turned to face him dead on, now being no more than a mile away.

Bring it on. Andrei shouted.

Andrei walked in a brave manner, approaching the robot, while the robot ran full speed at him.

But soon it drew closer, and he caressed the hilt of the blade with his thumb, ready to strike.

It stood no more than 50 feet away, and it began making a high pitched whirring noise.

Suddenly, it began shooting out the lasers from before again, but this time Andrei was prepared.

He rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the appendage while managing to slice a small part off. The robotic beast growled in pain, and only increased its attack.

Andrei kept dodging at a rapid pace, and soon began to gain the upper hand, slowly slicing pieces of the laser appendage off.

H... how am i doing this?! I... I was injured!  Andrei said in excitement, fuelled with adrenaline from the ensuing battle.

Andrei! Hurry!! the girl suddenly said.

Andrei took no time to start running in the direction of the voice.

As he located them, he noticed that Cormac's body was lying with her in what looked like an elevator. He clutched his knife tightly as he ran full speed towards the two, with the mech in pursuit.

Suddenly, he fell to the ground, and the robot too.

A violent shake shook the earth, as the sky glowed a bright purple, lasers still shining bright in the sky.

He clambered onto his 2 feet, stumbling inside the elevator, almost stepping on Cormac's limp body. Soon after, the girl slammed the button to send them down.

They were out of harms way for now.

The mech relentlessly hit the crumbling shaft walls as the elevator descended at a moderate pace, with some debris clanging onto the flimsy ceiling.

Andrei didn't even have time to regain his breath to ask the girl about what the hell was going on before the doors opened again, letting them off.

The elevator led to a catwalk, overlooking a pitch black room. But after failing to resist his urge to scream  ECHO he soon learnt the sheer size of the room.

He took Cormac's torch out of his toolbelt, and checked the battery. 3 bars, still.

He turned it on and shone it in front of them, lighting up their path, although most of it shone through the wire grating that formed the catwalk, only faintly illuminating the deep chasm below.

Andrei finally managed to ask however,

Wh.. what.. How did I... suddenly gain so much... energy..

Wh... who are you.. 

Wh-

He turned around to face her.

But she was nowhere to be seen.

Cormac was now standing upright, although still visibly hurt.

Andrei says wh-

Cormac embraced Andrei, which shocked him, but soon he embraced his comforting affection. Cormac was alive and well, and that mattered more to him than anything.

Been waiting a while to do that. Cormac whispered in Andrei's ear.

Andrei was lost for words.

He didn't know whether to mention Cormac or the girl.

Hey, I lived thanks to that g-

Andrei dragged Cormac downwards, crouching down behind a nearby concrete support pillar.

Cormac opened his mouth to exclaim but Andrei covered his mouth, gently shushing him.

Mechanical whirrs could be faintly heard near them, and out of the corner of their eyes, red lights could be faintly seen on an adjacent catwalk.

The mech still hadn't given up on finding them.

Carefully, and still crouching, they made their way slowly back to the elevator to the shipyard.

Andrei reached up to press the button.

Creak. Creak.

Snap.

The elevator cable snapped suddenly, creating a loud cracking noise which reverberated across the void of the huge room.

The robot had no trouble with turning to face them almost instantly.

It began making the same high pitched whirr.

Andrei grabbed his hand.  Run. he said, plainly and simply.

Chapter 3

Meanwhile in Louisiana...

Floria says The Yomtachs are planning to crack down on Louisiana at some point..

We have to get out of here soon.

California says It's spring..

Leave now.. And we're stranded, for sure.

Floria says You're right.

Leave now and we make it to Antarctica just in time for winter..

DIVIDER

Andrei and Cormac run across the steel catwalk as it echoes around the huge chamber.

Cormac says It's still following us...

They turn a corner to a staircase.

They hide under it, and the robot mech thuds up it.

Andrei whispers "look, we need to weigh up our options here."

"Wherever we go.. preferably The Girl should come with us."

Cormac says "Why?"

Andrei says "It'll be.. Good protection.. I guess.."

"We need to keep following the Trans-Siberian until it stops.."

"Alternatively.. we can change at... New Sizzle."

"Too radioactive."

"Regardless.. we have to get through the Far East somehow."

Cormac says "The Far East?!?!"

"We'll die!!"

Andrei says "That's the issue."

"We have to go all the way to Patagonia."

"It's the closest crossing."

Cormac says "So we need to find another train... Or we could.."

Andrei says "Find a plane? Yeah."

"We can try Tritonia City Airport.."

Cormac says "It's worth a try. Let's go."

They climb the staircase back to the hangar.

Daylight grows brighter outside.

They spot the girl.

"There you are." She says

Andrei says "We need to get out of here, fast!"

"There is a train depot to the side of the opening ahead."

"So we have to go all that way?"

"Yes. Let's go. But tread lightly."

The trio run towards the light, Andrei clutching the dagger she gave to him.

Mechanical whirrs are heard in the background.

Andrei says "It's here!! Keep running.."

It stomps towards them, getting louder.

Outside grows nearer.

It starts to become clear what the once fertile wheat fields of Mephisinia have been reduced to.

Suddenly, it reaches for Andrei, grabbing him.

"AGH!!"

Andrei reaches with the dagger to cut the wires.

But he cannot reach.

The robot prepares to throw him.

But then..

The girl rips a portal and out comes a giant bolt of electricity.

It strikes the robot, letting go of Andrei.

The robot falls to the ground, jolting now and then.

The girl says "Keep moving!"

"We are almost out!"

Cormac says "Hey... Hang on.."

"So if you can open portals... Why can't we just open portals to Antarctica?"

The girl says "I will tell you soon.."

"Just keep going!"

They leave the hangar, and turn to the depot.

They find a rustier train, and board it.

Andrei tries to turn on the train.

"Come on.. move...!"

Distant whirrs and also yells are heard.

Cormac says Oh nonono..

"There's a horde coming.."

Andrei says "Got it!"

The train begins moving.

Cormac looks out the back to see the previous wreckage.

The fire having spread.

The train pulls away from the factory and chugs into the harsh brushlands of what is now Khumeja.

The trio sit down, avoiding the rusty floor panels and nails.

Cormac says "So how... Huh?"

The girl says "A long time ago.."

"I was possessed. By Nihilantis.."

"I led an army through my portals.. Into Yetia.."

"Against my will."

"Then I was tried by the UU."

"They took away that power."

"I can only create and destroy."

"Not pass through.."

Cormac says "Huh.."

Andrei says "Get some rest you two.."

"We should be there in 12 hours. Just about."

"And it's not gonna be pretty."

Chapter 4

Meanwhile in Kaphi...

Voidite says You want to do What.

Black Opal says You heard me.

We are invading Yata.

Samnsonite says Haven't you seen what's happening there?

We'll die!

Black Opal says It will be fine.

And I am going there personally to make sure that it is fine.

Sapphire says With all due respect.. Samnsonite has a point.

Black Opal says "Did I say you could speak?"

Sapphire says "No sir.. Sorry."

Black Opal says ...

"Hang on.."

"You're a Sapphire.."

"... You could prove very useful to our invasion."

"Maybe we can solve this diplomatically.. in a sense."

"Take him to laboratory 71-B."

Sapphire says "wh...?"

"Where are you taking me?!"

"No.. please..."

The door swings shut.

Voidite says "You're not really going to-"

Black Opal says "I am. And you dare question me?"

Samnsonite says "He's YOUR Sapphire, you know.."

"You two have an inseparable protection bond, whether you like it or not."

Black Opal says "You should know better."

"I would trust Amesidian with my life."

"It practically negates any risk."

"And those howlites have served for so long.."

"They could partake any task blindfolded."

Samnsonite says "I almost feel sorry for Sapphires-"

Black Opal says "You dare question the society WE raised?"

"They are a Sapphire."

"And it is their duty AS a Sapphire to listen and protect."

"They are our guard."

"Our backbone, our shield."

"And I sure as hell know what I'm talking about.."

Meanwhile, in the lab..

Sapphire wakes up..

Sapphire notices they are in a large tube that encompasses them.

Sapphire says "wh..."

"Ohnonononono"

"LET ME OUT OF HERE!!"

Amesidian says "Don't struggle."

"It's no use to you trying."

"It's too late now... It is his command."

"Bring in the Jade."

Sapphire mumbles to himself "It better n-"

Jade says .... "Sapphire..."

Sapphire says "Jade?!"

"No... stop this right now.."

"I love him.."

"I can't do this!"

"WE ARE GOING TO DIE!"

Amesidian says "I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING."

"Carbonado, start the procedure."

Sapphire and Jade both start radiating a blue and green glow.

Jade says "no matter what happens Sapphire.."

"You'll always be MY Sapphire.."

Sapphire says "stop.. please.. I just want to forget.."

They both get jolted with electricity as their consciousnesses transfer.

Jade says ....

"Remember me..."

They both disintegrate, and a cyan figure rises in the middle chamber...

...as a wispy essence flows into the figure.

Amesidian says ...

The person collapses.

Amesidian says "Come on.."

"This cannot have failed me now.."

They open the chamber and begin shaking the body.

Carbonado says "Hello?" Hello?"

"Sapphire?"

"Jade?!"

...

"Oh... you're right.."

"Slade."

The body snaps back to life, standing up with ease.

Carbonado says "Amesidian... we have it."

"Our diplomat."

"It can speak any language a human can."

"Even languages a human couldn't possibly articulate."

Amesidian says "Go on then... you false emerald. Show us."

Slade says "uh..."

"Est-ce..."

"Est-ce que vous savez.."

"Ou est un bon restaurant par ici?"

"..."

"What have you done to me..."

Amesidian says "You.. My fine creation.."

"Ja, es ist nur die straße runter..."

"..."

"What have you done to me..."

Amesidian says "You.. My fine creation.."

"You are now the Kaphi'si's representative."

"You are our face. Our diplomat."

"Under the orders of Black Opal himself."

"You should be honoured, you brat."

"Now get back to the Palace."

"And pack your bags."

"The expedition to Yata is in 2 weeks. Spare no time."

Meanwhile in Gapa'hia...

Sothro says "what do you think they're doing.."

Gensokyo says "leaving."

"To Yata."

Sothro says "Well...... How could you know for sure?"

Gensokyo says "Think about it. Go on."

Sothro says "...oh."

"You're right.. I suppose.."

"What should we do?"

Gensokyo says "They're not a threat."

"And they're known to be diplomatic. They're probably just on an expedition to establish contact.. Perhaps rescue survivors."

"They are part of the LOT, you know.."

"They DID listen to your humanitarian response speech.."

"This was a WEEK AGO, Sothro."

Sothro says "I'm sorry?!"

"They don't have much stage presence, clearly.."

Gensokyo says "Let it be."

"I'll keep an eye on them for you."

Sothro says "Thanks.."

"I really need to pay attention closer to home.."

Chapter 5

An event of significant concern has occurred in Tritonia City.

Evacuate. Evacuate. Evacu-

Andrei says ''Did you hear that?''

Cormac says ''Hear what?''

Andrei says ''Explosion.''

''It came from Tritonia City.''

And just as the skies cleared up, brown ominous clouds envelop it once again, full of Ash and lightning.

Then the grey snow arrived.

Andrei says "Stay inside. Fallout."

The Girl casts a protection spell around the train.

The skyline of what was Tritonia City is seen on the horizon.

Smoke billows out of the wreck of the Citadel.

Cormac says "That's... That's the Citadel.."

"That's where the... The um..."

Andrei says "The ministry of defence."

"God damn it.. it would have had human survivors in there..."

More pink lasers fire across the sky, coming from the south

"There it is again.."

Yomtach hordes can be seen dying of radiation sickness in the distance.

Cormac says "What?"

"I thought they were immune..."

Andrei says "Apparently not to whatever is coming out of there.."

"Should we really go in?"

The girl says "I can protect you wherever we go."

"You need to get to Asophania, no?"

Andrei says "Well y-"

The girl says "Exactly."

"And frankly, you two are instrumental to my own survival."

"I simply cannot let you die."

"I can keep the spell going for as long as we need."

"What do we do next?"

Andrei says "We need to go to the airport."

They get into Tritonia City.

They see all the destruction and the green glows coming from the citadel's ruins.

"Oh my god.."

Dead yomtachs and humans litter the streets.

They get off the train at a road crossing, and begin walking to the airport, about 2 miles.

Cormac says "we're low on supplies.."

Andrei says "Well.. you won't find any here."

Distant screams echo.

Andrei says "Wh... What was that.."

Cormac says ....

"Oh my god."

On the other end of the street stands a mutated silhouette.

It has 2 heads, one screaming, one groaning.

Andrei says "Nononono..."

"Don't tell me that's what I think it is.."

The girl says "Always assume the worst.."

It comes into the light, revealing itself.

A fused Yomtach and Human.

Both bodies are covered in lacerations and cuts.

...Visibly noticeable that the Yomtach had tried to claw itself from it's parasitic human, the bodies cling together by strings of clot, sinew and bone.

Cormac says "I'm so sorry..."

"I hope you don't remember who you were..."

Andrei says "Just shoot it.."

Cormac shoots it with the shotgun.

"Come on.."

"Let's get out of here.."

The streets they pass through have bodies all over them.

Yomtachs as well as mutated ones hang out of windows, from ropes on lampposts and underneath rusted cars.

The girl says "We must keep moving.."

"Can't you see the top of the Citadel??"

"I sense a flash fire."

Andrei says "I can see the air rushing in, you're right."

They arrive at the airport and they see the royal jet.

Cormac says "Bingo!"

Andrei says "Shush, wait.."

"That's King Aldren's private jet."

The lights are on inside.

"..."

"GO!"

They run towards the jet, as lightning strikes the buildings around them.

They see a figure in the window - it turns out to be the living pilot.

The pilot immediately opens the doors, and they enter, with the door swinging tightly shut behind them.

Aldren says "And who are you?"

Andrei says "I'm Andrei, he's Cormac, and she's..."

"Well.."

"And I gather you are the pilot?"

Aldren says "yes."

"And.. the King of Tritonia."

Andrei says "KING ALDREN?"

"Oh... you lived?"

Aldren says "Only just."

"I am the only one here."

"Do you have a place to be?"

Andrei says "Antarctica.."

Aldren says "Funny that.."

"I was waiting for survivors like you to come along.."

"Seems you are the only ones to make it out of here alive."

Andrei says "Wait.. so why didn't you go to Theia?"

Aldren says "My people always come first."

"I know how to get out of a tough situation, though.."

"Believe me, I'm fine on my own."

"...But I could use the company.."

"Follow me."

They are led to the back of the plane, into an office.

Aldren sits down at the desk.

"We are here."

He points at Tritonia City.

"Now.. the route to Antarctica won't be as easy."

Andrei says "Yeah... we have to go the long way round to America."

Aldren says "right."

"However, we couldn't possibly get in without disabling the shield."

"We can't contact them, I've tried.."

"The Yomtach have converted laser towers into..."

"Jammers, of some sort."

"Firing pink lasers to disturb current."

Andrei says "I thought that was coming from Antarctica.."

Aldren says "It's not easy to see."

Andrei says "So what can we do to stop it?"

Aldren says "Simple."

"Go to the top, and press the self destruct button."

Andrei says "..huh?"

Aldren says "Right, so.."

"They are large, tall towers, like the citadel really."

"They are mobile too..."

"They have hover technology that can move them anywhere."

"And the Yomtachs keep them on the move."

"I am tracking them, you can see."

"Theres uh... a blue one, a green, a purple, a red, a blue, and then the pink."

"The pink one is the main one, and we need to take down the other 5 before even getting a chance to tackle it."

"The other 5 act as shield generators too and they protect the pink tower."

"The pink tower.. It's like a mobile HQ for the clever ones."

"And also the thing counteracting Asophania's shield slipstream device that allows our transmissions to get through."

"Take down those 6, and we've left the Yomtach weak, and we can make it to Asophania."

"Got it?"

Andrei says "uhh....huh."

"I think so.."

"Which one do we go for first?"

Aldren says "Nuan Krovh.. the blue tower."

"They tried to see if they could move across water.."

"Got ahead of themselves."

"The tower just toppled over."

"They had to redivert the power to keep it up, and managed to install temporary scaffolds to do so.."

"Its been at a 30 degree angle for months."

"That one... just a matter of knocking the scaffolds over."

"Don't care how.."

"If you can do it, it's fine by me."

Andrei says "well ok.."

Aldren says "and we're leaving now!"

DIVIDER

Meanwhile in Louisiana...

Floria says "Summer now.."

California says "The drake passage would have been frozen by now.."

Floria says "And you think you could survive that?"

California says "Well, i-"

Knock, knock.

Truck says "Guys.. Crazy lady is in the lobby."

"She wants to see you two."

..........

"Ahuhuhu~ There is a Yomtach at my door!"

California says "Kill it or enslave it Torium."

Torium says "Ahuhu yes! But! He specifically said he wanted to arrest you!"

California says "...What"

Torium says "They ALSO said! That they have an army waiting to charge Louisiana if we don't give you up!"

All the Louisiana countries enter Truck and face California.

Torium nods towards them.

California says "Wh-"

Torium says "your choice, darling! Ahuhuhuhu~"

California walks backwards down the street while facing them.

Floria follows him slowly.

Floria whispers "What is it?!"

They both start running towards the driving seat, about a mile.

Torium says "Well soy be it! Ahuhu~"

"After them!"

The Louisiana countries begin chasing them through Truck.

Yyiyasiyahiyyahiyyahiyyahiya says "CALIFORNIA!"

"Think about your POOR FRIEND FLORIA."

"And what they'll do to his pandas.."

Floria says "THE PANDAS."

"The pandas.."

"I know where we need to go, Cali!"

"But you NEED to trust me."

They reach the end of the main street and they climb the ladders up the boxes.

Cyprus nearly grabs Cali's leg.

California says "GET AWAY!"

They start to cross the trailer link.

The gear axles they balance on hang 1000 metres in the sky.

They see the Yomtachs have crossed into Louisiana.

Armies of spiders rush out of Sanatorium to attack them.

The armies of all the Louisiana countries are fighting back, but they are losing.

Floria says "Do you trust me?"

California says "I DONT CARE!"

"JUST GET US-"

Floria pushes California off Truck...

...And dives after him.

Torium says "Wh- Ah-"

"No..."

They fall from the air.

Floria catches California in the air, and dives towards the Mississippi river below them.

Floria says "Oh.. You passed out.."

They crash into the water.

Floria drags him onto the shore.

Yomtach soldiers arrive behind him.

Floria conjures bolts of electricity at them.

California says "huh... HUH"

"You can do that?!"

Floria says "I am a literal demi-god."

California says "Huh.. I thought that was a joke.."

Floria says "You don't remember past me?"

"Good."

Floria grabs his hand and they run to the Florian Zoo.

...fighting Yomtachs on the way.

Yomtachs start pouring over the walls.

Floria says "Huh.. There's someone there.."

They see a body of a guy in their early twenties.

He is wearing nothing but a pair of swimming shorts.

California picks up the body.

Floria says "Down here.."

He opens a trap door.

They all climb down just as the Yomtachs enter the zoo.

They find themselves in a cavern.

Soft cyan glows light up the cave.

California puts down the body, saying "What is this place..."

Floria says "This is one of the Iujado tunnels, not the Yomtach ones."

"It takes us all the way to Pandaland, which is why it froze over."

California says "Uh.. Thats a very long way away..."

Floria says "Better get walking then.."

California says "What about this guy?"

The guy wakes up suddenly

GASP

"Why are we back in here.."

"Agh.."

"I was in here for long enough.."

"Why am I going back?"

California says "what?"

"Who are you?"

??? says "My name is.."

"Florian."

Floria says "you can't be serious.."

"My pet panda.. My pet panda is a human now."

Florian says "Flo.."

"What is happening?"

"Why are there Yomtachs?"

"Are we going back to Antarctica?!"

Floria says "oh.. god."

DIVIDER

Meanwhile, near Gapahia.

The expedition departs.

Gensokyo says "There it goes.."

Sothro says "We should be getting video and audio from it anytime soon."

A few hours later, it arrives at Yata.

Amber says "Alright Captain.. standard approach.."

"Nuan Krovh really is a pretty place isn't it?"

"Especially from so high up.."

Prismite says "Yeah.."

"Pay attention."

"See those white splodges?"

"Those are Yomtach hordes.."

"We steer clear."

"They're dangerous.."

"....and Black Opal refutes that."

Distant "WHAT"

"Nothing, my lord, nothing."

Suddenly, a pink light engulfs their vision.

The engines falter, and the lights go out.

The ship begins falling.

Prismite says "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

"RUBY, GET IN THERE AND FIX IT!"

Ruby says "I'm ALREADY TRYING."

"OUR SYSTEMS ARE JAMMED!"

"THE SHIP CANT COMMUNICATE!"

The laser stops firing, but they have already fallen too low.

The engines fire up again.

Prismite says "PULL UP! PULL UP!"

Amber says "I CAN'T"

"WE'RE FALLING TOO F-"

The ship crashes near a city in Nuah Krovh.

Hordes cheer and growl in the distance.

Slade wakes up.

Slade says "My head..."

Ruby says "Good thing this ship can take a punch.."

"Only problem is.. We're stuck here."

"And Black Opal left in the only escape pod."

Slade says "Of course he- HIC-"

Ruby says ".. Are you okay?"

Slade says ...

"I'm defusing.."

Ruby says "So soon?!"

"We need to do something.."

"Uh.."

"Ahh.."

"AGH!"

Ruby envelops herself in Slade.

There is a flash of red and green light.

and the two fuse.

Emerald says ....

"Oh.."

"Right.."

"Now I'm an emerald.."

Carbonado says "Yeah.."

"It's an unstable fusion.."

"So it picked what it knew.."

Emerald says "being three people at once isn't ea- You're talking to me?"

Carbonado says "We're the only two survivors."

"And I know.. I know. I'm a leader gem.."

"But I'm a nice guy, so leave it, alright?"

Emerald says "i"..."

Carbonado says "We need to leave. now. They're coming."

Chapter 6

Aldren's plane is flying high in the sky towards Nuan Krovh.

Aldren says "You're going to have to parachute."

"I have loads, and also a small armoury.."

"So take what you need. Nuan Krovh is a Yomtach heartland.."

Andrei and Cormac gear up.

Andrei says "We're ready."

Aldren says "Alright.."

"Once you've taken care of the blue engine, meet me at the rendezvous point here."

Andrei says "But that's 100 miles away.."

Aldren says "Sorry!"

Andrei says "pffft.."

"We'll find a way."

"Come on Cormac, let's go."

They jump out of the plane above the destructed city and deploy their parachutes.

They land soon after.

Cormac says "I saw some yomtach humans on the way down..."

"Uh... Hutachs? Yommans?"

Andrei says "uhhh.."

"Yommans.."

"Hutach sounds like off-brand blu tack.."

They prepare their weapons.

Cormac says "I don't like how silent it is here.."

"Nuan Krovh was Yomtach for years.."

Andrei says "WATCH OUT!"

A Yomman lunges towards Cormac, and he shoots the Yomtach head.

But it keeps wriggling.

Cormac says "That human head.. It's' still living.."

....

"Help.... me...."

The human dies.

...

They look up to see the blue engine in the distance.

A huge tower, must have been a kilometre high when it was upright. Now it hangs over the North Sea at an angle.

Broken glass and equipment can occasionally be seen flying out of the broken windows.

And huge pieces of structural metal and rebar hang by the thread.

Andrei says "Well uhhh..."

"This doesn't look too difficult.."

"Might as well just push it over."

They see a faint dark blue glow around the corner..

And they hear soft whimpering.

Cormac cocks his shotgun.

Andrei says "wait.."

"Gun down... what is that?"

They turn around the corner.

They see a humanoid with dark blue skin crying over another dark blue body, that is dead.

Andrei says "What..."

??? says "Human.."

"Don't look..."

Cormac says "Why-"

There is a flash of light that nearly blinds them.

It dissipates, and the dead body is gone.

Andrei says ...

"What are you.."

??? says "I am from Kaphi.."

"Do they not teach you Theian bio?"

"My name is Lapis Lazuli."

"I prefer Lazuli.."

"I was a teacher back in Kaphi."

"But they made me a coroner, one day."

"They saw I knew how to take care of the dead.."

Andrei says "What..."

Lazuli says "Well..."

"That was my sapphire."

"Sapphires are bodyguards to you."

Cormac says "Yeah.. Yeah.. But why are you here? On Yata? Now?"

Lazuli says "Our leader said it was prime time to colonise.."

"He took half of the leader gems with him.."

"Our ship crashed here after we hit a pink laser beam."

Cormac says "The laser beams.."

"The interference lasers!"

Lazuli says "That explains it.. It shut all systems."

"Our leader came too.. but he took an escape pod away from this mess."

"I couldn't find Painite.."

"When I woke up.. only Slade was there."

"God.. damn it.."

"Fused for nothing.. and now he's probably dead."

Andrei sighs.

Cormac says "Well.. do you want to come with us?"

Lazuli says "Where are you going?"

Andrei says "To topple that big tower.. Then we need to get to a rendezvous point where we can fly to safety.."

"Or.. well.. Somewhere better than this."

Lazuli says "When I was knocked out.. I heard Painite say that we needed to go to Antarctica.."

Andrei says "We can take you there."

"In fact.. That's where we're headed."

Lazuli says "great!"

"Let's go."

They make their way to the tower, fighting off Yomtachs as they go.

Soon, they reach the base.

Andrei says "My god.."

"Aldren wasn't kidding."

Cormac says "Yeah.."

"We could knock the support over easily."

"Any ideas, though?"

Lazuli says "wellllll..."

"We could ram it?"

Andrei says "Ah.. That's actually not a half-bad idea."

"Well?"

"Anything you see?"

Cormac says "Wellll... uhm.."

"All the cars are gone.."

"No buses.. No trucks.."

"Only a tram."

Andrei says "That wouldn't work.."

"We'd have to derail it in the perfect spot to even get anywhere near the support."

Lazuli says "You see.. That's where I can help."

She traces her eyes along the tracks.

She sees the girl suddenly.

"WAH!!"

Andrei says "Hey.."

"When did you get here?"

The girl says "I was hunting."

Lazuli says "A friend.. Ok."

"Anyways.."

She keeps tracing her eyes along the tracks.

She picks up a brick.

"If you want to derail the train in the right spot.."

"You need to place THIS brick... right..."

"Here."

She places it down.

Cormac says "And how would you know?"

Lazuli says "I am a Kaphi."

"It's my life to know."

Andrei says "I'll take your word for it.."

He walks about a quarter mile down the street towards the tram.

He gets on it.

"Still works.."

"No-one would want to tram to safety would they? Haha... ha...ha..."

Lazuli says "Go on.. Let's prove me right."

Cormac says "Now now... Don't get ahead of yourself."

Andrei pushes the lever to full throttle and jumps off.

Andrei shouts to her "THIS BETTER WORK!"

Lazuli says "Well.. enjoy the show."

The tram is racing down the road at full speed.

It hits the rock.

The tram is knocked off the rails gently and it begins drifting across the rocky esplanade.

Sparks fly everywhere and it flips onto its side, still going 40 miles an hour.

Its windows smash spectacularly.

It smashes through the chain link fence and thuds into the support.

The thick wooden structure snaps with ease and the scaffolding comes down.

The tower remains standing, albeit groaning.

Lazuli says "See?"

Andrei says "Hey hey.. Watch it.."

"It hasn't fallen yet."

Lazuli says "It will....................... Now."

The kilometre tall tower falls into the sea.

It smacks the ocean with incredible strength, exploding.

A blue hexagon grid pattern in the sky flickers.

Lazuli says "Now... We run."

As waves swash their feet, Yomtach chants are heard in the distance.

Running out of the city, they escape into a nearby forest.

Chapter 7

Meanwhile on Theia.

Macanaland says "I'm.. receiving a transmission."

"Oh my god."

Asophania says "What is it?"

Macanaland says "It's the SS-1 satellite.."

Asophania says "SS-1?"

Macanaland says "yeah."

"It's just landed on a planet in the Alpha Centauri System.."

"And there's life there.."

Asophania says "That's cool!"

Macanaland says "And they managed to fix our transmitters and we've just received the signal 4 years later."

"As in.. the Stellar Saviour satellite?!"

"They seem to want to contact us back.."

DIVIDER

Meanwhile, in Nuan Krovh.

Emerald hears a distant explosion.

"oh.."

"What was that.."

She sees the tower falling down.

"...Carbonado!"

She starts running towards the city through the forest.

She sees an orange glow, getting brighter.

"Huh.. what is that.."

It's a flash fire, ripping through the forest almost as fast as she could run.

"AAAAGHHH!"

Andrei says "What was that scream?"

Lazuli says "It came from this way.."

Cormac says "The fire is getting really close, we need to run!"

AAAAAAAAHHH

Lazuli says "I see it!"

"I'll catch up.."

Andrei says "Be quick.."

Agh..

"Keep running guys!"

Lazuli is getting closer to the scream.

She sees Emerald, grabbing her arm and running.

Emerald says "WHAT."

"LAZULI?!?"

"YOU'RE ALIVE?"

Lazuli says "Just run..."

"RUN WITH ME, LET'S GO!"

They catch up to the rest.

Andrei says "WHO IS THIS?"

Lazuli says "IT'S SLADE!"

Emerald says "I FUSED WITH RUBY."

"TO SURVIVE!"

Lazuli says "SORRY. EMERALD. HER NAME IS EMERALD."

The fire is about 50 metres behind the group but they reach a cliff edge to a fjord.

Andrei says "Oh no.."

Cormac says "ARE YOU SURE WE'RE GOING THE RIGHT WAY?!"

Andrei says "YES! But.."

"This fall.."

Lazuli says "I gotcha."

Lazuli pushes them off the cliff

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Lazuli says "I did the calculations."

She grabs Emerald and the girl's arms and they all jump off the cliff into the water below.

Just as the fire reaches the edge, spitting tongues of flame over their heads.

Andrei swims up, gasping for air.

He catches a glimpse of Aldren's plane.

Andrei says "I don't think we have to go so far.."

"Agh.."

He spots a small wooden fishing canoe.

Cormac says "You can row?"

Andrei says "....."

"Yes. Yes I can row."

Lazuli says "in theory, I'm able to do anything.."

Andrei says "Good. Then I relegate rowing to you!"

Lazuli says "fine.."

All 5 of them get in the canoe and Lazuli begins rowing out of the fjord.

Cormac says "I'm hungry.."

Emerald says "Well we happen to be in a sea."

"Put your hand in the water and hope for the best, right?"

Yomtach chants echo in the distance.

Andrei says "Huh.. We're really doing this right now.."

Cormac says "What do you mean?"

Andrei says "Just.. All this."

"This wave of surprise.."

"It just took this long to hit me.."

The girl says "I caught one."

The girl had grabbed a fish about half her own size out of the water.

Andrei says ....

"Well, let's tuck in.."

They lay the fish across their legs and slice it open and begin to eat.

Cormac says "I got blood all over me.."

Andrei says "Well we have had blood all over ourselves for the past week... so..."

"I mean.."

Cormac says "In fairness, you are right."

"We did survive a train crash.."

Andrei says "Barely!" while eating a mouthful of fish.

Andrei says "Holy crap.. This actually tastes good.."

Lazuli turns her head back from rowing "Human indulgences, right?"

Andrei says "just because you're all vegetarians?"

Emerald and Lazuli say "Hey!"

"What do they teach you in school?!"

Andrei says "oh... where do I start.."

They sail for hours along the Nuan Krovh coast towards the rendezvous point, eating the fish and bonding with each other along the way.

Soon enough, Lazuli sees the plane, and brings the boat alongside.

Lazuli says "Here we are.."

Yomtach chants are heard again, louder this time.

Andrei says "oh no.."

The plane engines begin to spin up faster.

Cormac says "nono.. what is he doing?!"

"..."

"The yomtach horde is coming down the hill. WE NEED TO GO NOW."

They start running down the runway towards where the plane is.

But the plane starts moving.

Lazuli says "WHAT's HAPPENING?"

Andrei says "I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND LOOKING BEHIND YOU!"

The Yomtachs are less than 50 metres behind them.

Andrei and Lazuli get on the plane's aft ramp as it begins to pick up pace.

Emerald says "I'm out of breath... Agh..."

Cormac grabs her arm saying "COME ON!"

"ALMOST THERE!"

The girl gets on, reaching a hand out.

Andrei says "SWERVE RIGHT!"

Cormac and Emerald swerve right.

A yomtach reaches out to chomp, missing.

Cormac grabs the girls hand.

Emerald says "I CANT RUN THIS FAST... PLEASE... SLOW IT DOWN!"

Andrei says "WE CAN'T!"

"THEY'LL GET ON TOO!"

The engines kick in for take off and the plane begins speeding up.

Cormac and Emerald grab onto the ramp, pulling themselves up just in time.

Emerald begins slipping due to the thrust of the plane.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Lazuli grabs on to Emerald.

Andrei screams down the plane "RAISE IT!"

The ramp begins closing.

Emerald says "AAAAAAAAAAAA"

Emerald loses her grip.

Cormac says "NOOOOO"

But just in time..

The ramp angles enough for her and Cormac to slide down the ramp.

They slump inside the plane, surrounded by their friends.

The plane finally takes off, leaving the horde chanting behind them.

Emerald says "Oh my.. Oh my god.. Wha...."

The group are all out of breath.

Andrei says "Cormac.. wait here."

"With the rest.."

"I'm going to talk to Aldren."

He walks down the plane to the cockpit.

"Hey.."

Aldren says "New friends?"

Andrei says "Yeah. They're Kaphisians."

"Lazuli and Emerald.."

Aldren says "Aah..."

"Alright.."

"They'll be good!"

Andrei says "yeah.."

"Where next?"

Aldren says "alright."

He engages the autopilot climb.

They walk to the control room.

Aldren says "Well.."

"Next is red."

"Which is in... Aparty."

"In the middle of the desert."

"Getting there is our problem, but the rest should be easy."

"You'll need to climb up this one yourself."

"Aaaand.. There's a security presence there since the blue one fell down."

"You'll need to fight your way inside, then you can probably take an elevator straight to the top floor."

Andrei says "Sounds good."

Aldren says "We're stopping at Mylonagrad and Westithon for supplies.."

"It was still under construction.. so we should be okay to land."

"On a good note, it's in the middle of nowhere, not even near Mylonagrad."

Andrei says "So why did you build it there?"

Aldren says "I'm not a tyrant."

"I can't just tell them to build it somewhere, it's called democracy!"

Andrei says "oh right.."

"You're the king.."

"You sure don't feel like one.."

Aldren says "I have principles, Andrei."

"Don't confuse me with my uh.."

"Was it great grandparent?"

"Uhm.."

"Let me think."

"No.."

"Alright."

"My great-great-grandfather."

"He locked his wife in prison then locked himself in an underground vault."

"We don't like to remember World war 5 really.."

Andrei says "Alright.."

"What's next in your tragic life story?"

Aldren says "shut up.. you."

"Get some rest. You'll need it!"

Andrei says "As you wish."

He bows before leaving.

Aldren says "COME ON NOW!"

The gang all go to sleep while Aldren flies the plane

DIVIDER

Meanwhile, somewhere underground.

Florian says "We've been walking for 3 days."

Floria says "Oh, so you'd rather get mauled to death on the surface?!?!"

California says "god.. guys.."

"Just shut up.."

Florian says "Are we there yet?"

"Are we there yet?"

"Are we there yet?"

Floria says "AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!"

"FINE. IF YOU WANT TO SO BAD.."

"THERE's AN EXIT LADDER in 25 MILES."

"YOU CAN GO UP THERE AND GET KILLED BY YOMTACHS IF THAT@S WHAT YOU WANT YOU STUPID PANDA!"

Florian whimpers.

California says "That was a bit much.."

Floria says "DOES IT LOOK LIKE I GIVE A FUCK?!"

California says "oh boy..."

Chapter 8

Asophania says "..."

"It's really him.. it's really him.."

Macanaland says "What do you mean? who?"

Asophania says "I only know 5 people who could fix a Mei'ran transponder.."

Macanaland says "...Being?"

Asophania says "uhh.."

"Me.."

"Denasola.."

"California.."

"Nihilantis... and uhm.."

"..."

"I need to get there right away."

Macanaland says "The shields are up, they're not going to just let you out.."

"How do you.."

"What?!"

Asophania says "..."

"I'm going."

Macanaland says "ASO! WAIT!"

Asophania gets on his spacecraft and starts flying towards the shield exit.

Iujadogia says "What is he doing?!"

"He's heading for the shield exit!"

Gensokyo says "we can lift it.. but not for long.."

"Asophania. Asophania do you copy?"

Asophania says "I've sent the calcs. I need to get out."

"Make it quick.."

Gensokyo says "I'm trying.. I'm trying.."

Gensokyo says ".."

"Got it!"

The shields open and Aso flies through and shut just in time.

Asophania says "...Radio silence."

The engines warm up as he inputs the coordinates and turns to the star.

Asophania begins flying through the asteroid belt to escape the gravity well of Alpha Sol.

While moving through the thousands of space rocks.. Asophania seems to notice a strange looking one..

One of them has satellite dishes and seems to have a hollowed out area and some windows..

Asophania says "huh.."

He logs the coordinates to relay back to Theia.

The Sattelite fishes start pointing at Asophania.

Asophania increases speed.

"Come on.."

"Almost out.."

Some unidentifiable spaceships fly out and start following Asophania, however they do not attack.

Aso crosses the gravity well.

Asophania says "Well.."

"Truth time."

Aso jumps to Voidspace.

Iujadogia watches Aso's ship get faster and faster on the radar.

Until it drifts off the map.

Aso soon enough exits hyperspace.

Asophania says "Ohh... Oh my god.."

Asophania says "I'm coming back.."

"Please.. don't get mad.."

"But I'm coming back.."

"He wouldn't want this.."

"He's still watching us Sycoryo.."

"He's still here.."

Asophania flies down over the surface.

Natives leave their medieval style homes, in awe of what is happening above them.

It flies down the river valley and lands on a hill near a medieval market.

Again, the natives stare in awe, some in horror.

Asophania walks down to the market, people shift to the sides to let him through.

..to face someone just like him.

Sycoryo says "Citizens."

"Go home."

People stare.

"NOW!"

They all scurry into their homes, which look very middle ages.

Asophania says "Sycoryo I-"

Sycoryo says "You have no business here."

"And you haven't for 600 years."

Asophania says "The satellite, I- Please-"

Sycoryo says "I DONT WANT ANY MORE OF YOUR EXCUSES."

"YOU AND YOUR TECHNOLOGY."

"IT RUINED US."

"WE WERE JUST FINE BEFORE."

"We sent you away for a reason.."

Asophania says "you don't understand, he's bac-"

Sycoryo says "I DONT CARE! YOU COME BACK HERE AND FOR WHAT? TO RUIN US AGAIN?!"

Asophania says "NIHILANTIS"

Sycoryo says "AND I-"

"..."

"..."

"........."

"..................................."

"Oh.."

"Really..?"

Asophania says "He's back.."

Sycoryo says "God... Damn it.."

"I thought we did it.. I really did.."

"Look.."

"You gotta understand though.."

"We don't live like you."

"This is our life.."

"And we've been peaceful ever since.. you know.."

Asophania says "Yeah.."

"I just regret throwing it all away.."

"Relinquishing my spirit.."

"Pretending I didn't even remember who I was.."

"And it haunts me.."

"Along with everything else I've had to see and feel on that planet.."

"They all died..."

"Under my watch.."

"The things I made to protect them - IT KILLED THEM SYCORYO!"

Sycoryo says ".."

"Please.. don't worry.."

"I've moved on.."

He extends a hand.

"But are you ready to?"

Asophania says "you're not.. you're not offering to- are you?"

Sycoryo says "please.."

"Stay."

Asophania hears screams echoing in his mind.

He takes Sycoryo's hand, and the screams fade away.

A wispy mist flows out of his body towards the ship, disintegrating it.

It circles him, replacing his clothes with the ones of the natives.

Sycoryo says "come."

"We are not yet complete."

Asophania says "Yes."

"At long last.. hmm?"

Chapter 9

Aso and Sycoryo walk through the tunnels they used to run through together.

Asophania says "..."

"It never changed.."

Sycoryo says "It's been waiting for you for so long."

Shamanic chants echo through the cave.

A faint purple glow lights up the other end.

DIVIDER

Andrei says "Look at the pink lasers.."

"They're... Stuttering.."

"Something is happening.."

DIVIDER

Iujadogia says "We just stopped receiving transponder messages from.."

"From.."

"Who was it again?"

Macanaland says "Huh?"

"..."

"I don't really.. remember.."

DIVIDER

Back on Skantos, they arrive in the cave.

The altar glows brightly, and all the locals, dressed in white robes, are circling the altar.

They stop in silence, and part to let Asophania enter.

Sycoryo says ...

"Brother."

"Are you ready?"

"Ready to be born again?"

Asophania says "I am."

Sycoryo says "Then lay down."

Asophania lays on the drapes on the altar, and reaches to clasp the rods.

The people begin chanting as Sycoryo leans over him.

He drops a bit of oil onto his forehead.

Wisps of purple essence drift out of Asophania's body.

ᠳᠡᠭᠡᠷᠡᠬᠢ ᠬᠦᠮᠦᠰ ᠦᠨ ᠠᠴᠢ ᠢᠪᠡᠭᠡᠯ ᠢᠶᠡᠷ

ᠪᠢ ᠴᠢᠮᠠᠢ ᠨᠢᠭᠦᠯ ᠡᠴᠡ ᠪᠡᠨ ᠴᠢᠯᠦᠭᠡᠯᠡᠵᠦ ᠪᠠᠶᠢᠨ᠎ᠠ᠃

Asophania's body suddenly jerks into an arched position as he gasps for air.

Lightning strikes the poles he is holding on to.

His eyes spurt out a purple flame as he screams.

Sycoryo says "So much sin.."

"So much..."

Floating apparitions drift out of his body..

Hybrites..

Iujado..

Void energy..

Nihilantis..

These apparitions are captured in jars and are taken away by priests and priestesses

DIVIDER

Iujadogia says "Why is there a decaying body in room 201?"

Macanaland says "It's not there anymore.."

Iujadogia says "WHAT?"

"Let me see.."

They enter the room

Two people are in the room.

Iujadogia says "Who are you? Show identification."

.......

"Tritonia."

"Drenemoria."

Macanaland looks at them in horror, before collapsing and seizuring.

DIVIDER

"..."

"It is almost done, everyone."

"So much sin"

...

The priests and priestesses respond in agreement.

One final apparition is captured.

Macanaland.

Asophania passes out as the ritual comes to a close.

Finally, a wispy grey essence floods his body.

Sycoryo says "It is done."

They take his body and they all process to the pits of magma.

Asophania is chained into a cage above the pit, leaving his hands free.

Sycoryo says "Are you ready?"

Asophania says "y...yes..."

Sycoryo says "Lower him."

The cage suddenly drops.

But just before it touches the lava, Aso snaps his fingers.

Time stops.

He looks around in awe at the frozen people surrounding him.

He opens the cage, stepping out

Walking around the people, looking at how still everything is.

He sees spurts of magma centimetres above the pit, frozen in time.

he snaps again, unfreezing.

They all turn around and face him.

Sycoryo says ...

"Well done."

"Then we shall proceed."

The five priests form a pentagon around the pit, holding the jars.

The Nihilantis jar is dropped into the lava.

The star disappears from the sky.

...

The Hybrite jar is dropped.

and on Yata, the under construction Asolab crumbles once more.

...

The Void Energy jar is dropped.

and the scars on Antarctica's surface heal.

and finally, the Iujado and Macanese jars are dropped.

and on Theia, Iujadogia drops to the ground next to Macanaland.

Tritonia says "What's happening?!"

Drenemoria says "HELP! SOMEBODY!"

Luvuria comes rushing in.

Luvuria says "It's too late.."

"No one could have foreseen this.."

Tritonia grabs Macanaland's body, cradling it.

"Come on.."

"Co-"

Both the bodies crumble to dust...

Sycoryo says "It is done."

Asophania says "..."

He remains silent until the two exit the cave network, back outside.

Asophania says "At last.."

"I am at peace.."

Sycoryo says "And your spirit has returned."

"Now Sycorians shall die no more."

Asophania says "Is the sanctuary still there?"

Sycoryo says "yes."

"You are our oracle."

"It is good to have you here.."

"Where you belong."

...

Chapter 10

The team just landed in Aparty.

Aldren says "Alright. Everyone know what they're doing?"

The girl says "Yes"

Andrei and Cormac say "yes"

And so does Lazuli and Emerald.

Aldren says "Red engine is guarded."

"Be. Careful."

They start walking the miles long journey to the tower.

The dark red spire rises high into the desert sky, waving in the blistering heat.

They hear distinctive desert hordes roar in the distance.

Andrei says "I really like this," brandishing his new taze weapon

Lazuli says "barbaric.."

"Can we make this quick?"

Cormac says "we don't really have much choice.."

Lazuli stops for a split second.

Lazuli says "That's where you are wrong."

"We need a.."

"A catapult!"

"That can.."

"Okay, I give up."

Andrei says "Thank you.."

They sneak around the grounds surrounding the tower, a desert military base.

Avoiding all yomtach encounters.

They enter the tower into the main chamber.

It seems that 7/10ths of this tower is one big room.

It stretches up, with windows shining desert sunlight down upon them. Hot water drips like rain down upon them, and large beams spanning the gap are spread numerously up and down the tower.

In the middle is an elevator.

Andrei says "oh.."

"It needs a Yomtach biometric."

Lazuli says "Nonetheless it is a risk."

"The windows are very large."

"And its an open elevator.. They could see.."

Andrei says "If there's danger, we are facing it one way or another."

They hear a yomtach entering the tower.

Cormac says "Here's our chance.."

The lone yomtach walks in as they creep round a corner.

Then they jump him.

The Yomtach starts shrieking and screaming.

Andrei says SHHHH!

They cut his throat and he howls.

Cormac severs his finger and they all run to the elevator.

They activate it, and it begins moving up the tall tower.

The yomtach dies painfully, but not without signalling his friends.

The towers alarms start ringing.

Andrei says "GO FASTER, DAMNIT!"

A yomtach swings from an upper floor on rope wielding a knife.

it smashes through the window, flying towards them.

The girl conjures a shield to block it, and it thuds into the shield, splattering.

Even deeper, louder alarms start ringing as the elevator approaches the top floor.

They slowly arrive at the top floor, to a group of Yomtachs.

Andrei says "GET 'EM!"

The group attacks the yomtachs.

They fight for a few minutes, but they win.

The girl looks around.

She runs up the stairs.

"Come see this..".

They all follow her

Andrei looks at the other side of the upper floor room.

Andrei says "Oh.."

"Controls.. So many controls.."

"And.. And a yoke?"

Cormac says "It looks like some sort of flight simulator.."

"There's no window to see out of from."

"Let's get this over and done with."

They press the self-destruct.

More alarms begin ringing.

Cormac says "Ok.. but how do we get out?"

Lazuli says "...We jump!"

Cormac says "But there's no wat-"

Lazuli pushes everyone down the lift shaft.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

She jumps after.

They all land at the ground floor, in the now warm water.

Andrei says "Agh.."

"How did you know th-"

"..."

"......."

"O..kay."

They all run away from the tower as it explodes and crumbles to the ground.

They all cheer as the pink lasers in the sky begin flickering again.

They walk together across the sand dunes back to Aldren's plane.

Later...

Aldren says "That was amazing!"

"Nice work, everyone!"

Andrei says "yeah!"

"Which engine is next?"

Aldren says "black."

"Black engine is in.."

"The eurasian steppe."

"I don't really know any other words to say it's location.."

"You wouldn't understand."

Andrei says "Come on.. A country?"

Aldren says "Lineland.."

Andrei says "Oh... Right."

"Yeah.. fair enough."

They take off and make their course to the black engine.

Meanwhile...

Carbonado says "EMERALD?!"

"EMERALD?!?!"

"WHERE ARE YOU.."

"THIS BLUE TOWER THING FELL OVER.."

"CAN YOU HEAR ME?!?!?!"

"Hello...."

A small ship lands in front of him.

Black Opal steps out.

Carbonado kneels down.

Black Opal says "Oh.. oh no need."

"We have business to do."

Carbonado says "Yes... My lord."

The ship makes course for the black engine.....

Chapter 11

The gang arrive near the black engine.

Lazuli says "huh!"

"It's on a hill. We can shoot a zipline across."

Andrei says "It's a huge gap.."

Lazuli says "Yeah."

"About.. A kilometre long."

The girl says "I can get a zipline.. but I'll be out for a while.."

Andrei says "Alright.."

They climb the hill.

They look down and see a vast military base swarming around the tower.

The girl says "are we ready?"

The gang reply "Yes"

The girl says "Alright.. see you in a few hours."

The girl opens a tear, creating a zipline across the gap, collapsing in the process having used her energy.

Emerald says "i'll take her back to the plane."

Cormac says "Alright.. stay safe."

They see a black ship arriving at the top of the tower.

Andrei says "Huh.."

"Probably Yomtach command.."

"We gotta hurry."

Andrei, Cormac and Lazuli all take the zipline.

They fly over planes and many yomtachs, hundreds even.

The yomtachs notice them, but they are powerless to stop them.

Lazuli says "We need to be REALLY quick.."

They approach the end of a zipline, a platform over a small gap.

Suddenly, the other end of the zipline gives way.

The trio scream as they fall short of the platform, and are left to hang on the wire as it slacks over an edge.

They look down..

Andrei says "Woah..."

"That is.... a steep drop."

The sheer weight of the wire slacking on the other side is slowly pulling them up.

Lazuli says "It's about 854 metres.."

Cormac says "THANKS, BUT YOU ARE NOT HELPING."

Lazuli, who had been behind them, is the first to get pulled over the top.

Andrei says "Lazuli?!"

"Is it safe?"

"..."

"Lazuli?"

There is no response.

Andrei says "Nononono.."

"Lazuli is gone.."

Aldren radios in.

Aldren says "What's happening!?"

"Lazuli has just been taken away by a ship.."

Andrei says "WHAT?!"

Aldren says "I'm tracking it..""

"God damn it.. just keep climbing the tower.."

Cormac says "it's just us.."

"WE can't get out.."

"They're waiting for us over the top.."

"What would Lazuli do.."

Andrei says "She.."

"She would want us to jump."

Cormac says "Jump?"

Andrei lets go of the wire.

Cormac says "AAAANDREEEIIIIIIII"

...

"FOLLOW ME.... Follow me.... follow me.. follow me..."

Cormac lets go too.

They both splash down in water at the bottom.

Cormac says "AGH!"

"What?!

"How did you know we would-"

"Oh.."

"Should've known."

Andrei says "These elevators don't need a biometric."

Cormac says "Well.. Let's go.."

They ride the elevator to the top floor as per usual.

But instead of Yomtachs being at the top, two black figures, one broad and tall, and one shorter and skinnier.

"...well I need to find her now.."

...

"I Last saw her after the crash, sir.."

"I'm sorry.."

...

"JUST Sh-"

"Oh.."

"We have guests."

Andrei says "hey.."

"Aren't you Kaphisians?!"

Cormac says "Hey, we-"

Andrei covers Cormacs mouth, stopping him from speaking.

Andrei says "And you are..?"

Black opal says "WHAT?"

"PREPOSTEROUS, YOU FOOL! YOU DO NOT KN-"

Carbonado says "I am Carbonado."

"Sir here is Black Opal."

"Our leader."

Black opal says "Yes, and i-"

Carbonado says "We are looking for 2 lost gems."

"Lapis Lazuli and Slade."

"Happen to know their whereabouts?"

Andrei says "No.."

Black Opal says "They're lying."

Carbonado says "Uh.. Uhm.."

Alarms start blaring as Yomtachs are heard.

Black Opal says "DEAL WITH THEM!!"

Carbonado rushes upstairs.

Andrei and Cormac follow.

Carbonado tries to use the controls.

Andrei says "We need to hit the self destruct.."

Carbonado says "...Is he gone?"

"Opal.. is he gone?"

Andrei says "Yes."

Carbonado says "I saw it in your eyes."

"They're with you.. Emerald and Lazuli.."

"Black Opal doesn't know they fused yet.."

"I need to reunite with them..."

Andrei says "And how do we know we can trust you?"

A creeping shadow outside of another tower approaches, unnoticed.

Carbonado says "Please.."

Cormac says "Tell us why we should."

Carbonado says "They're my only way out.."

"I'm disposable.. Black Opal will just leave me here.."

Andrei says "Whatever." and goes to press self destruct.

But before he can...

THUD.

A metallic rumble echoes through the tower.

The shadow the tower casts on the steppe seems to have doubled in size.

Andrei pushes it.

"Access denied."

"Admin override is in effect."

DIVIDER

Sirens are heard as well as alarm bells.

"Docking procedure now underway."

Cargo ready for transfer to - PINK ENGINE.

THIRTY kilograms of foodstuffs, TWO tons miscellaneous, ONE prisoner - risk level: HIGH.

"Oh my god.. that's Lazuli they're talking about."

Cormac says "They're taking her to pink engine?!"

Aldren radios in "NO!"

"You will NOT cross over."

"Under any circumstances, you hear me?!"

"We will rescue Lazuli BUT WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

Andrei says "WE NEED HER!"

Aldren says "FORGET IT FOR NOW!"

"Look."

"There's a way to cut the admin override, but it's dangerous."

"One of you needs to go to the roof."

Carbonado says "I will."

Aldren says "alright.. whoever you are."

Carbonado goes to the roof.

"Oh my god."

"Guys.."

"The towers.. they've like.."

"Bridged together.."

"Docked with one another.."

Aldren says "Alright, Carbonado."

"Towards pink engine, you should see an extended bridge."

"I need you to go onto the catwalk, very carefully, and go to the middle."

Andrei watches security footage "Come on..."

Carbonado carefully tiptoes across the mesh walkway, a kilometre in the sky.

It creaks under his feet.

Suddenly, it gives way and the catwalk splits in two.

He is left hanging on the piece of bridge that has fallen over.

Aldren says "Oh.."

"Come on.. climb up.."

"You've got this.."

Carbonado struggles at first, but begins slowly ascending it like a ladder.

He reaches the top again.

Aldren says "Alright.. second chance, go across the other one."

Carbonado makes it to the middle with no problem this time.

Cormac says "Thank god.."

Emerald says "You've got this carbonado.. I just know Lazuli would be cheering you on.."

Carbonado says "I'm there."

Aldren says "Alright."

"In between the two catwalks, you should see a cluster of wires."

"The orange one on the outer ring."

"That is the admin cable."

"I need you to cut it, and then run."

"Get to the elevator, everyone else get to it now."

"Ready when you are."

"Andrei, be ready to self destruct."

Carbonado says "Alright."

He takes a deep breath.

"Come on.. Carbonado.."

"You can do this.."

Deep inhale.

Snip.

An alarm blares.

Warning. Admin override has been fatally disengaged.

The alarm gets louder.

Alert. Alert. Alert. Self-destruct sequence engaged.

Carbonado runs down the catwalk, and down the stairs.

In about a minute, he makes it into the elevator with Andrei and Cormac.

The elevator starts moving as the tower creaks and rumbles.

They arrive at the ground floor, and run outside.

The Yomtachs are fleeing.

..but some begin to chase them.

They run back to the plane, which begins taking off as soon as they board.

In a few moments, Carbonado and Emerald are reunited..

They embrace.

Carbonado says "I was so worried.."

"I was still there.. at that blue tower.."

Emerald says "I shouldn't have ran.."

"I'm so sorry.."

Andrei smiles, before heading to see Aldren

Andrei says "Hey.."

Aldren spins around the co-pilot seat for him, "Hey."

Andrei sits.

Andrei says "Where next, buddy?"

Aldren says "We have taken down 3."

"So we have 3 left."

"Green, Purple, then pink."

"And along with pink, our Lazuli rescue mission."

"Pink is protected by the rest.."

"That's why we have to do the others first."

"Sorry she was taken away.."

Andrei says "Don't blame yourself.."

Aldren says "Yeah..."

"Oh.. right."

"Green engine. Siberia."

Andrei says "yeah.."

"Alright. Goodnight."

The gang goes to sleep on the plane.

In a few hours, though, Emerald wakes up to a bright light.

It disappears, but he keeps staring out the window.

He sees a train, with lit up lights, travelling along the Trans-Siberian!

"Oh!!"

"Didn't know Yomtachs could drive trains.."

"Black Opal would know.."

"Wait.."

"..."

"Oh my god...

"OH MY GOD, BLACK OPAL"

The engine catches fire.

"AAAAAAA"

"Oh my god.. I should have known.."

"Aldren will sort it.."

He stares in awe at the engine as it extinguished itself.

"Wait.."

"What was I thinking about.."

He sees a bright light zooming past them.

".."

"BLACK OPAL-"

A massive explosion rips the roof of the plane open.

He can barely hear his friends scream as they all hold on for dear life as howling winds try to fling them away.

The plane spirals to the ground.

Emerald sees the body of the girl fly out of the plane.

He lets out a silent scream, too quiet over the wind.

He sees a faint glow in the corner of his eye, getting brighter, a purplish hue.

Suddenly, he feels sleepy..

He passes out.

Everyone on the plane passes out.

..And seemingly unbeknownst to them, the plane smashes into the ground with extreme force.

Seemingly shattering into an unimaginable number of fragments, debris, fuel and fire.

It decimates the forest it crashes in and starts a raging fire.

Emerald suddenly wakes back up again.

...In the plane wreckage.

Emerald says "Wh- Ah-"

"Guys..?"

Emerald was first to wake up.

"Huh.."

He staggers out the wreckage to see they are in a forest clearing.

He steps on a piece of metal, getting a slight electric shock.

"Ow.."

"Wh.."

"Why did i Get.."

He looks down.

It's a train track.

A train horn blares in the distance

"Oh my god.."

Emerald goes backin the wreckage, and one by one, carries people's bodies out of the wreckage.

Emerald keeps them far from the tracks.

The horn gets closer and a bright light shines upon the wreckage.

Emerald says "Whea.."

"Where's Cormac?!"

He goes back in the wreckage.

But the horn keeps getting louder.

"Sh..SHIT"

Emerald jumps out of the wreckage in time.

The huge freighter train, filled with Yomtach soldiers, ploughs through the wreckage, derailing instantly.

A huge explosion engulfs the area, Emerald shields his eyes from the light.

Most of the soldiers die.

As a new fire spreads, a tearful Emerald drags the bodies to a small outcrop and hides the bodies from sight.

Cormac appears behind him.

"Hey.."

Emerald says "OH.."

"Oh my god.."

Emerald hugs him.

"I thought you were dead.."

"We need to get out of here.."

"Carry them out of here.. let's go.."

The two carry bodies through the forest as it burns.

They follow the railway.

Emerald says "Hopefully we can find a train to complete our journey to green engine.."

Cormac says "Yeah."

"I checked on the map.."

"It's in a place called Irkutsk."

"Let's hope we're not too far.."

Emerald says "What about the others?"

Cormac says "What about them?"

Emerald says "they'll wake up.."

"Won't they?"

"Won't they..."

"..."

"Will they?"

divider

Meanwhile, underground

Floria says "Wait.."

"I hear something overhead.."

"It's like a hovering sound.."

They head to the nearest ladder and climb up.

They emerge in Brazil to see a giant purple tower crawling through the thick jungle northwest.

California says "I know that.."

"That's a Yomtach engine."

Florian says "What?"

"Do you plan to board it?"

California says "Yes."

Floria says "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

California says "I figured that if we hijack it.."

"We can cause it to self destruct."

"We need to.. to contact Antarctica.."

"We'll be shredded as soon as we enter the shield otherwise.."

Floria says "Good point.."

California says "We stow away until the tower docks with another."

"Then we strike when most vulnerable.. border crossing."

"When the towers trade goods.."

"We can sever the mother connection to the main engine for both of them at once!"

Floria says "I don't see the use of the effort.."

California says "Oh.."

"You'll see."

"Believe me.."

Chapter 12

The gang had found a train, and are riding to Irkutsk.

Aldren says "Green engine isn't that far away.."

"Guess I'll have to tag along this time.."

Andrei says "Sucks to be youuuuuuuuuuuu...."

Cormac says "So much pity. So much."

Emerald says "Cut it out.."

"Hey.. I can see it in the distance..!"

"It's green!"

"Just like me!"

Andrei says "Yeeeees. I CAN SEE THAT."

Emerald says "What?"

Andrei says "I'm just.."

"Whatever."

In about an hour, they had reached it.

Andrei says "No presence.."

"It looks.. hastily abandoned though."

Aldren says "My guess is they're rushing to protect pink engine after what happened.."

They all get in the elevator and press the button

Emerald says "Easier than I thought."

Aldren says "Guys.. look."

"About Lazuli.."

Andrei says "It doesn't matter.. I understand."

Emerald begins sobbing.

Emerald says "I.. Ahhh...."

Carbonado says "It's ok, Em.."

"We'll find her.."

Andrei says "We will get Lazuli back.. I promise.."

They reach the control room area.

Andrei says "No lights.."

"Power is out up here."

Carbonado says "Well.. If we can find where the electricity runs through up here.. I can fix it."

Cormac says "Be our guest."

Carbonado goes to try and fix the power.

Emerald goes to the flight sim room.

He pulls a lever on the wall.

The screen drops and the walls open.

"OH.."

"Another window.."

"..."

"What's that.. that purply thing?"

"Guys?"

Meanwhile, downstairs.

Carbonado radios in.

"There's Yomtachs on the roof.."

"By the bridge thing, it hasn't extended though.."

Andrei says "They're probably evacuating. Just stay out of sight."

Carbonado says "I'm fixing it as fast as I can.."

"It's tricky though.."

Emerald is heard in the distance "Guys?"

Andrei says "what?"

Cormac nods towards the stairs.

Andrei says "Oh.. Forget about it.."

"These blueprints.."

"Like Hybrites.."

"But for Yomtachs?"

Cormac says "What? Like cyborgs?"

Andrei says "In theory.. yeah."

"A way to.. repurpose yommans.."

"GUYS.."

Cormac says "Well.. I think they should just be put out of their misery.."

Emerald rushes down the stairs.

"PURPLE ENGINE IS HERE."

Aldren says "Uh... Oh."

The purple tower nears them, full to the brim with Yomtachs.

Carbonado says "Almost there.."

Andrei says "GET BACK HERE!"

Carbonado says "BUT IM NEARLY DONE!"

"..."

"UGH... FINE."

Carbonado goes downstairs.

Carbonado says "What's happeni- Oh.."

"We need to get out of here.."

THUD.

Aldren says "oh no."

"We've attached."

Docking has been completed.

Admin override initiated.

The controls zap Andrei

"AGH!"

"NOT AGAIN!"

Aldren says "We can't cut the bridge link.. It's too heavily defended.."

"What do we do?!"

The alarms ring, and the engine goes into lockdown.

The doors begin closing forcefully.

But three men slip under just in time...

Aldren says "Hold on.. Wh-"

"Oh my god.. no way.."

Florian says "Hi. I'm Florian! King of Floria!"

Floria says "And I am the prime minister!"

California says "And I am the president of California-in-exile!"

Aldren says "WHAT?"

"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"

Floria says "Purple engine."

Aldren says "WHY WERE YOU ON PURPLE ENGINE?!?!"

Floria says "To try and take it down.."

"It's too guarded.. so we crossed over."

Andrei says "WELL NOW WE ARE ALL STUCK HERE."

California says "Do you want us to bomb the bridges or not?"

Andrei says "Will it cut the link?"

California says "Yes?!"

Cali pushes the button.

Explosions are heard.

ALERT. ALERT. ALERT.

ADMIN OVERRIDE DISENGAGED.

California says "Shit.."

"It's trying to redock.."

"We can't blow it up as well.."

"We need to get away from purple before we can do ANYTHING."

Andrei says "WELL HOW DO WE MOVE THIS THING?!"

They all go upstairs.

Emerald says "THIS STUPID FLIGHT SIMULATOR."

"IF ONLY IT WAS REAL."

He hits the wheel in frustration.

It pushes inwards like a button.

The engine begins to rumble.

DISENGAGING. DISENGAGING.

Alarms sound louder.

The tower begins to topple over.

They all hold on for dear life.

Aldren says "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!?!?"

The side of the tower facing the ground bursts into flames.

Emerald says "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

And the ship begins to hover.

A seat raises out of the ground.

Recalibrating.

The room rotates 90 degrees, so they can all stand upright.

The window now faces another window, what would have been the top of the tower

Emerald says "It's a..

"It's a ship.."

Andrei says "Yeah.."

Aldren says "AND WE NEED TO FLY IT OUT OF HERE NOW!!!!!!"

Emerald pushes the back engine ignition.

They all jolt forward.

The engine begins flying slowly.

They hear alarms from purple, a sort of distress signal.

The engine picks up speed, and they disappear into the clouds.

Aldren says "It's leaving too.."

"They're following us."

They break the sound barrier as they pierce through the clouds.

Emerald says "Where do we go.."

Aldren says "Anywhere.."

"Somewhere flat pref-"

The ship rumbles and an explosion is heard.

"..."

"Does this ship have guns?"

Emerald says "Uhh.. uhm.."

Floria says "Yes!"

"Upstairs, to your left."

Aldren rushes there.

Andrei says "we're getting shot?!"

Florian says "Of course we are."

The ships guns begins firing back as Aldren shoots them.

Each time the ship gets hit it shakes violently.

Emerald says "Agh.."

"We need to increase speed.."

Aldren says "Get out of the chair.."

"I got this."

Emerald says "Wait.."

"What are you doing?"

Aldren pushes buttons above him.

Mechanical whirrs echo around the room.

The ship begins to accelerate quickly.

Andrei says "No...Nonono.."

"Don't do that.."

Aldren says "I know what I'm doing.."

He takes a deep breath.

He pushes the throttle forward then pulls it backwards instantly.

White streaks of light zoom past them as the world outside turns light blue.

Cormac says "We're not.."

"You're not.. right?"

"You-"

The ship jumps to hyperspace.

And in a split second, exits it.

Aldren says "Welcome to Catania."

Within a few minutes, he lands the ship upright again.

He pushes the self destruct.

"We're done here."

"Let's move, people."

The elevator moves down, and they get off at the docking floor.

"Right.. so."

Andrei says "Why are we here?!"

"The tower is gonna self destruct.."

Aldren says "Watch."

Purple tower arrives, and begins docking.

"Now we go."

The gang runs across the snowy wilderness.

Andrei says "Wait so w-"

Green engine explodes violently.

Causing a chain reaction in purple engine.

They both crumble to the ground.

They all watch in awe.

Cormac says "Oh my wh-"

Emerald says "Wh-"

California says "Oh my god.. How"

"How did you do that?!"

Aldren says "I embedded it as a trojan."

"I hid it inside a distress signal, which is a whitelisted cross-transmission."

"A self destruct isn't."

"So I managed to get them to beam out a distress signal.. and then blow up."

"Pink engine is on it's way."

Emerald hugs him.

Emerald says "LAZULI!!!!! :D"

Carbonado says "Thanks, man."

"It means a lot to us for you to rescue Lazuli."

Aldren says "It's no problem."

"Let's find somewhere to rest.. Pink engine won't be here for a while."

Pink engine warps out of hyperspace.

Aldren says "Oh... Sh-"

Chapter 13

While negotiating on what to do about Pink Engine, the girl and California notice something.

California looks at the data packet "What is this?"

The girl says "I have one too.."

"I remember.. we were going to go somewhere to deliver these..."

"But to who?"

Andrei says "Wasn't it.. Denasola..?"

California says "Oh wait.. you're right.."

"Huh.."

DIVIDER

A lone ocean liner sails across the Southern Ocean.

It's once beautiful coats of paint now replaced with armour.

And armed with water cannons, and most importantly, weaponry.

Gale force winds and torrential rain darken the oceanscape, and rolls the ship from side to side

"I'm detecting a Yomtach ship inbound."

"Well.. let's do something about it then?!"

"The storm got worse, visibility is close to nothing out there.."

"Do I care?"

"We need to stop every ship we see."

"HOW AM I GOING TO SHOOT IT?"

"Arm the homing missiles. This is our ticket off the planet we are compromising if we do not do this.."

"Yes, captain."

Shortly afterwards, explosions and Yomtach roars are heard.

And the roars stop.

"There you go captain."

"Good work Amelie.."

"First name basis now, huh?"

"No."

"I am the captain.."

"We don't have time for such nonsense.."

Amelie scoffs

"Well.. If you insist, cap'n.."

A loud scraping sound is heard.

Captain says "What... What was that?"

The lights suddenly flicker, followed by a muffled explosion as the ship lists.

Before they have a chance to react, the ship hits the ground on it's side.

They pass out.

... ... ...

A few hours later...

Amelie comes to again, soaked and covered in sand.

She hears the waves gently crash on the beach, albeit to the sound of creaking metal.

"Huh.."

"Cap'n?"

Captain says "I'm here.."

He offers a hand to her.

She takes it, standing on her feet.

Captain says "We got ourselves beached.."

"No wonder there was a damn raid.."

"They could see us from the shore."

They hear roars and chants in the distance.

Amelie says "We gotta go.."

They climb out of the wreckage of the ocean liner.

Captain says "Bodies.."

"Huh.."

"They're all clumped together in this hole.."

Amelie says "Our crew.."

"They must have retrieved their bodies and torched them.."

"Look how burnt they are.. goddamn it.."

Captain takes a closer look.

"Hang on.. those aren't burns.."

"We need to run, now."

He grabs her hand and they run into a nearby forest.

Amelie says "What is it?" as they dash through trees, panting.

Captain says "Those weren't burns.."

"I know where we are.."

"And the Yomtachs weren't raiding.."

"They were escaping.."

"The Yomtachs aren't trying to make the run to Antarctica to raid it.."

"They're fleeing.."

Amelie says "FROM WHAT?"

They stop, he turns to face her, grabbing her shoulders

Captain says "Those aren't burns."

"It's necrosis.."

"Amelie..."

"I think we just hit a newly dug.."

"Plague pit."

divider

Biological forms detected.

Eliminating...

Rockets shoot from the tower to where they are.

Aldren says "Come on guys, let's go!"

The gang all charge through the snowy forest towards the tower.

Yomtachs ambush them from all sides.

Andrei says "We're getting near.."

Emerald says "We're coming Lazuli.."

"Hang in there!"

The girl casts protection spells around them as the Yomtachs come to fight at close range.

Carbonado says "Keep running.. we can make it.."

The top of the tower begins to glow.

Cormac says "Huh... what's that.."

Aldren says "Just keep running!"

They fight their way inside, and they get into an elevator, pressing the top floor button.

The lift suddenly stops a few seconds after, and the lights go out.

Attention all workers. Expect a routine power cut.

Emergency power has been drawn.

A low pitched hum is heard as the building vibrates gently

Andrei says "Damn it.."

Aldren says "We gotta wait here until they can restart the generators.."

Emerald says "What was that glow, though?"

Aldren says "It looks like it's firing a communication laser."

"Whatever it is, we need to rid of this tower fast."

"It's the only way we can get into Antarctica."

"And whatever Cali and the girl have.. We need to keep it safe."

"It seems impor-"

A loud, piercing constant explosion sound rocks the building

A hue of pink glows through the door

Aldren says "Oh my god.."

"A transmission is going out."

"Andrei, check the orbital status of Sooz prime."

Andrei says "uhhh.."

"Pericenter 354."

Aldren says "We need to cap the tower."

Cormac says "What do you mean?"

Aldren says "Each laser tower has a cover that prevents the laser from firing unless the failsafes are off."

"It's like a lid.."

"It rests on the ground and functions as an auxillEry tower."

"But it can slide up, and slot into the laserpiece at the top."

Andrei says "But why?"

Aldren says "If we can interrupt the transmission, we can stop the decoding signal from being sent out."

Carbonado says "Decoding signal?"

"What.. they're sending a message to Sooz prime?"

Aldren says "Yes."

"They are calling for help."

Carbonado says "Nothing's happened.. Other than the towers..?"

Aldren says "I know.."

"Something else is going on."

"But whatever help they can get is the end of the line for us."

"Emerald, Carbonado, Cormac."

"Go cap the tower."

"Andrei and I will rescue Lazuli."

The elevator starts moving again.

It stops at the brig, and Andrei and Aldren get off.

Andrei says "Which way?"

Aldren says "Follow me."

"Get your weapon ready.."

Andrei racks his shotgun.

"You'll need it."

Yomtachs burst out of doors and attack them.

Andrei shoots their heads off with his shotgun.

Aldren uses hand to hand combat to take them down and immobilise them.

Aldren says "Let's keep going!"

"We need to be out of here in 10 minutes."

A mechanical clunk echoes across the tower.

Yomtachs roar outside and alarms blare.

Aldren says "WHAT?!"

"THEY'RE CAPPING THE TOWER ALREADY..."

"We don't have time..."

"Oh my god.."

They run to the brig, and start looking on the console.

Andrei says "Where is she..."

"I FOUND HER."

Aldren says "GET HER OUT THEN!"

Her body, in stasis, begins slowly moving on a rail towards them.

Meanwhile, at the cap.

The trio are in the cap control, as it moves up the rails.

Cormac says "Oh my god.. look in the windows.."

They see humans and Yomtachs fighting in apartment-like rooms.

Emerald says "Humans?"

"Here?"

Carbonado says "It's common practice for Yomtachs to spare humans and keep them as trophies.."

"It looks like an uprising when they knew we were capping the tower..."

Cormac says "Why couldn't we have just blown it up..."

Carbonado says "It conflicts with the self -destr-"

There is banging on the doors.

"Hello?"

"We're human.."

Cormac looks on the cameras.

"Human."

"Let them in."

Emerald opens the doors.

"Hi."

"I'm Captain."

"Captain of the ocean liner Mesopotamia.."

"Beached near the Cape of Good Hope, about a month ago."

"And I'm... Amelie."

Cormac says "Wha.."

"Are you the reason the tower started capping.. before we got here?"

Amelie says "Duh."

"We need to stop that transmission.."

...

"You also headed to Antarctica?"

Cormac says "Yes.."

"Got a way to get there?"

Captain says "We found a 10 seater spaceship in Abard on our way here."

"We were gonna fly out.. but we realised something is holding the shield from Antarctica."

"Then we realised something is holding the Antarctic shield shut.."

"From here."

Cormac says "So you can take us?"

Amelie says "Of course.."

Cormac says "...and three more?"

Captain says "That makes eight.."

The cap starts turning over at the top.

Captain says "Come on.."

"We gotta get out of here."

They get on the spaceship and fly away.

Cormac says "WAIT! OUR FRIENDS!"

Amelie says "Where are they?"

Cormac says "The brig."

Amelie says "ARE YOU CRAZY?"

"WE CAN'T GO B-"

Cormac knocks them both out, and takes control of the ship, flying back.

Meanwhile...

Andrei says "The cap is turning!"

Aldren says "Come on.."

"It's here!"

Andrei takes Lazuli's body

Andrei says "Come on now.. let's go.."

The ship arrives at the opposite end of the tower, hovering by a window.

"They're here!"

Aldren says "Wait.."

"I found something else.."

....

"Alana.."

Andrei sees the laser suddenly get deflected.

It is reflecting inside the cap, amplifying its output towards the ground.

Slowly heading towards them.

Andrei says "THE LASER ITS COMING OUR WAY!"

Aldren says "JUST WAIT!"

"WE HAVE TIME!"

"I CAN DO THIS!"

Andrei says "ALDREN NO"

Andrei begins to back away, clutching Lazuli in his arms.

Aldren turns back.

...

The laser starts slicing through the tower itself as the laser reflects.

Melting everything in its path...

Aldren dies instantly.

Andrei says "NOOOOOOOOO"

Cormac says "COME ON ANDREI WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE.."

His voice echoes..

Andrei's vision grows blurry and he feels dizzy.

As all the sounds around him echo.. Yomtachs burst out of doors around him..

He runs towards the ship.

Cormac says "COME ON!"

"THIS IS IT!"

"FOR ONE LAST TIME, JUST RUN!"

Andrei gathers his wills.

He holds Lazuli tight and runs down the corridor.

The laser tears through the tower as alarms fail and the heat grows.

Yomtachs are heard dying in the blaze.

Carbonado says "You're almost there, Andrei!"

"You can do it!"

Andrei gets ready for the last jump.

He takes a leap out of the window.

Gently, he falls.

and rolls onto the ship, which instantly closes and flies away.

The pink engine explodes fantastically as the pink lasers in the sky disappear entirely.

Amelie says "We did it.."

The voices get fuzzier and blurrier.

"Contact the lab in Antarctica.."

"Let them know we have 8 survivors on their way."

"Two need medical attention, imme-------"

Andrei loses all hearing and vision.

He speaks one more word..

"Willful..."

He falls into a coma.

divider

A few hours later, the ship crosses the shield surrounding Antarctica.

Captain approaches to land at the docking area, ambulances rushing towards them.

He yaws the ship and they land facing away from the lab.

Emerald and Carbonado carry out Lazuli and Andrei onto the ambulances.

Captain says "I'll go speak with the crew.."

He goes to the ambulances.

But no one is there.

Captain says "DAMN IT.."

"The facility is in full auto."

The girl says "What do you mean?"

Captain says "Everyone left without us.."

"We need to disable the planetary shield ourselves... then somehow re-enable it."

The girl says "Alright.."

"I must heal them myself.."

The girl goes to heal the two that have fallen into a coma.

The ambulances carry them to the facility.

Andrei says "Wh..."

"Aldren.."

"No.."

Lazuli says "Wh..ah..."

"He... died...?"

Andrei sobs "Yeah... t...to save you.."

"AAAAAGHHHHH"

Cormac says "Come on Andrei.." helping him out of the ambulance.

"Captain told us to go to communications and make contact with Theia."

Andrei says "A..Alright.."

They go to the comms room, and they sit down at a computer together.

Andrei says "So this is it.."

"We made it."

Cormac says "And we're both.. both still in one piece.."

They both chuckle.

Andrei says "Thank you."

"For everything."

"I love you."

Cormac says "I love you t-"

Warning. Warning.

Planetary shield disconnected.

Vulnerability high.

"Don't worry you two.. it's set on a timer for 10 minutes."

"Use it wisely."

Ffffsssssssssssssssssss....

Andrei says "Huh.."

"We can't contact Theia.."

Cormac says "We can sort out the shields by ourselves.."

"We can try the ship's comms once we near the planet itself.. don't fret.."

"But wait.. there's something else here..."

Andrei says "Do I tune in?"

Cormac says "Go for it.."

Andrei says "Alright..."

"Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Who's there?"

Tritonia says "Is that Asolab?"

"Well... no.."

"But that's where we are.. yes."

A female voice says "That's impossible..."

Tritonia says "Well what is your name?"

Andrei says "My name is uh.... Andrei."

Tritonia says "Hm.. Alright."

"Aren't the Xenians still attacking?"

Andrei says "What do you mean? That was like.. 50 years ago?"

Tritonia says No.. it's the year 151...

Andrei says "No... it's definitely the year 204."

Tritonia says "What?"

"So.. not only are we talking across dimensions... but across time as well.."

"What is it like there?"

Andrei says "All of humanity, well.. spare a few like us.. They all went to Theia.."

"They left many of us behind, but as far as I know only me and my friends here survived."

Cormac says "Friend?"

Andrei says "Oh shut up..."

Tritonia says "So you were right, Denasola.."

Denasola says "So there was a bit of truth in what i said.."

Andrei says "We're waiting here because we sent the callsignal."

"Theia was trying to re-establish contact with the Antarctic Lab so we came here for our best hopes of survival..."

Tritonia says "Survival? Why did all the humans go to Theia?"

Andrei says "You wouldn't believe me if I told you.."

There is a knock on the door.

"Give me a minute.."

Andrei goes to the door.

Carbonado says "Don't.. mention.. anything."

Andrei says "About what?"

"If you mention how this happened.. You risk making a temporal paradox."

Andrei says "I don't understand.. but I wont."

He walks back to the computer.

"I'm back."

Tritonia says "Whatever... I'm just seeing things.."

The call cuts out.

Captain says "Come on!"

"We're gonna miss our shield window.."

Cormac says "Well.. let's go."

They all get back in the spaceship, and begin taking off.

Andrei says "Let's go.."

Cormac says "We did it!"

Lazuli says "Black Opal isn't going to be happy..."

Emerald says "uh oh.."

"Black opal.. Yikes."

"Can't wait!"

Amelie says "Voidspace?"

Captain says "You bet.."

"Theia here we come.."

They pass the shield and the shield appears again.

Andrei says "Just in time.. huh?"

"We did it..."

The ship jumps to hyperspace, on course for Theia.

The world around Andrei suddenly grows dark.

Andrei says "Uh... guys..."

"Guys??"

"Guys.."

Andrei is left floating in a black void.

"Come back.."

"Remember who you were?"

...

"There's still time to be fully reborn.."

"Ｎ Ｉ Ｈ Ｉ Ｌ Ａ Ｎ Ｔ Ｉ Ｓ"

"N̶̦͋ ̴̉̈́ ̶̎̊ ̵͂̓ ̵̄̆ ̷̓̐ ̶͑́ ̸̓̽ ̶͂̾ ̸̣̅ ̵̃͘ ̴́̈ ̷̛̎ ̵͗̉ ̷̾̇Ơ̶͠"

Chapter 14

Andrei wakes up in a grassy field.

Two men stand over him.

"Wh..."

"Where am I?"

Sycoryo says "Home."

Andrei says "What do you mean?"

"I don't recognise this place?"

Asophania says "See? I told you.."

Andrei notices two dark clouds surrounding their backs.

Everything goes blurry.

He feels dizzy.

"We will guide you, Andrei.."

"Gather your wills."

...

Asophania says "And so you shall be sent back in time to prevent my mistakes..."

"Prevent my existence.."

Sycoryo says "Yes.."

"My dear brother's mistake cost us our ways.."

"And he has valiantly agreed to sacrifice himself."

Asophania says "We will send you back to kill me."

They grab him forcefully and drag him to the altar cave.

Meanwhile on Theia...

A monk says "It is happening."

"Inform Gensokyo."

...

Gensokyo says "We have no time to spare."

"It is all aligning.."

"This is our chance to break the cycle, once and for all!"

Macanaland says "What do you mean?"

They get on a ship, jumping to Voidspace almost immediately.

Gensokyo says "I've seen it all before..."

Cormac says "Wh.."

"Why am I on this ship?"

Gensokyo says "Over and over, Asophania sacrifices himself to the Sycorians to send someone back in time to prevent himself from ever existing."

"But there is no Asophania without Nihilantis.."

"I've worked it out.."

"They are creating Nihilantis himself."

"That's why he follows us whenever Aso is here too!"

Cormac says "Whats... Asophania.."

Macanaland says "Cormac.."

"Gather your wills. You will need them."

They fly into Skantos.

...

Andrei says "Get... OFF OF ME!"

Asophania says "Your task is a noble one, young boy!"

"DON'T RESIST."

"YOU ARE OUR SAVIOUR... OUR SAVIOUR DO YOU HEAR ME???"

Aso sees the ship fly ahead.

Asophania says "It's happening sooner than I expected.."

They get off the ship and start running to where they are taking Andrei.

Towards what looks like a massive totem pole, surrounded by people in a circle, chanting ancient prayers, all dressed in white.

They hide in a small dip near the ritual center, and they see Andrei being strapped to the pole.

Cormac says "Andrei...."

"Wh-"

Gensokyo says "You're here for a reason.."

"Gather your wills, Cormac.."

"Focus on him.."

"All the time you spent together.."

All the priests and priestesses fall to their knees, as purple whisps stream out of their heads towards the bottom of the pole.

Asophania says "BROTHERS, AND SISTERS."

"WE ARE HERE TO SACRIFICE THIS VALIANT BOY.."

Andrei says "LET ME OUT!"

Sycoryo says "FOR A NOBLE CAUSE."

"THE TIME HAS COME TO UNDO WHAT ASOPHANIA DID."

The crowd throws insults at Aso.

Asophania says "AND HE SHALL GO BACK IN TIME."

"AND SEARCH EVERY UNIVERSE... EVERY DIMENSION.. EVERY TIMELINE.."

"AND RID OF ME FOREVER."

Sycoryo says "Brothers and sisters.."

"We are all stardust."

"This sacrifice, will become a star once more."

"Nihilantis.."

"Our saviour.."

"We shall use our power to launch him towards the stars.."

Andrei notices Cormac running towards the crowd in the distance.

"LET IT B-"

Cormac screams "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Gensokyo says "Goddamnit he-"

Gensokyo and Macanaland crawl out of the dip and stand behind him.

Cormac says "You can't do this!"

"I love him.."

Asophania says "Whatever, you-"

...

...

...

"You are dismissed."

The priests and priestesses scatter in all directions.

Aso and Syco both take off their cloaks.

Asophania says "You may be like us.."

"But you lost your way long ago."

Gensokyo says "I wish it never had to come to this."

Sycoryo says "Oh... but it does!"

"This is where it ends for you three."

"We shall not abort this."

"This is the end of the line."

A large pulse of blue energy spits out of the pole Andrei is attached to, sending Cormac, Gensokyo and Macanaland flying in all directions.

Cormac gets knocked out.

He hears his heartbeat thud loudly.

...

"Gather your wills.. Gather your wills..."

He takes a deep breath.

"Will...ful..."

"Aso...phania..."

"Asophania.."

"WE NEED TO DELIVER THE DATA TO ASOPHANIA!"

He wakes up just to see Asophania dissolve in front of Sycoryo.

Sycoryo says "I..."

"Wh..."

...

He passes out.

The trio scramble to get Andrei out of the restraints.

Gensokyo says "It's too late..."

Cormac says "What do you mean it's too late?"

Macanaland says "Void energy.. so much void energy pulsing through his veins..."

Gensokyo says "We must kill him."

Cormac says "WHAT?!"

"YOU CAN'T.."

Gensokyo says "I'm sorry Cormac.."

"We have to break the cycle.."

"If we do nothing he'll become Nihilantis.."

"And we will be doomed again.. and again.."

Cormac says "I'D RATHER HE WAS ALIVE.."

"THEN FOR HIM TO HAVE NEVER EXISTED AT ALL!"

Gensokyo says "I'm so sorry.."

"We can only do so much as to cement the timeline, but only in a way that prevents Nihilantis from coming back.."

"It's the only way.."

Cormac knocks Asophania out.

Macanaland says "Why, you little-"

Macanaland holds him against the pole

Cormac hears a swift cutting sound.

Cormac says "..."

Macanaland says "It is done..."

Cormac says "No.."

"Wh... what have you done.."

"Please.."

"I want him back.."

"Please..."

"Please.."

"I miss him so much.."

"Please, goddamnit.."

Macanaland grabs him and Gensokyo and drags the two back to the ship

Cormac clings onto Andrei.

Cormac says "STOP IT!"

"LET ME- GO!"

"I HATE YOU"

"I HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

"LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE!"

"HE'S DEAD. HE IS DEAD AND YOU KILLED HIM IN FRONT OF ME"

"I HATE YOU!!!!"

"I-"

"..."

He lets go of Andrei..

Blankly staring at him, tears rolling down his eyes as he is dragged away.

He sees as Andrei's corpse disintegrates to dust.

...

Meanwhile on Theia..

Asophania says "California!"

California says "Wait."

"Hold on... nonono.."

"It's you.."

"You're here!"

Asophania says "We spoke like... a minute ago.."

California is suddenly struck.

...And becomes willful.

"They did it.."

"They managed to restore the timeline while keeping Asophania.."

"They knew!"

"Oh of course.."

"How silly of me."

"I'm excited because.."

"Well..."

"I almost died like 5 times to get this data to you."

The girl hands him her data packet.

So does Cali.

Asophania says "What are these?"

The girl says "What you made in Astakaram.."

"When you knew the plague had resurfaced.."

"You made an antidote.."

"Then Omnistat came.."

California says "About that.."

"My data packet contains... well... intel."

"Everything about him!"

Asophania says "This..."

He plugs them both into a computer.

Asophania says "Oh my god.."

"California.. how did you get these blueprints?!"

"This is.."

"This is amazing.."

The girl says "So.."

"We can go back to Yata?"

Asophania says "Soon.."

"We can catch the Yomtachs while they're weakened!"

They hear the ship land.

The trios walk to meet each other.

Cormac rushes straight into the facility.

California says "So you remembered the plans.."

Macanaland says "Well... Cormac did."

"We can't really take the credit."

Calfornia says "Had he not remembered.."

"It would never have gotten back to us.."

"He saved us!"

Gensokyo says "So we can go back to Yata soon.. right?"

Asophania says "Within a few months, even.."

"We can go back."

"The plague has the Yomtachs on the edge.."

"We have a chance!"

California says "And Omnistat too.."

"We can eliminate him once and for all."

"And I can get my c-"

Asophania asys "Wait.."

"What is this..."

"..."

"California... I..."