The Impact Site

[doctorzero]

Some time ago...

The Crystal Lake had the reputation of being one of the coldest, if not THE coldest, places on the island. A vast area of water frozen solid (though not too solid, allowing some to fish), with snow occasionally falling down. One would find it the ideal tourist spot if it weren't so cold.

Think nothing exciting happens here?

WRONG.

A meteor crashed into the lake, the water around it freezing instantly to prevent it from sinking. This rock, seemingly unimportant, contained a being of vast power.

Nowadays, the meteor was gone, but the crater it left behind remained as a small curiosity for befuddled passerby.

Unimportant?

YOU WISH.

---

Present day.

Lucas wished he brought a coat, he was NOT used to the cold. Thank goodness for PK Fire, he thought.

He shivered and huddled closer to the small fire he had made. He was a small distance away from the edge of the lake.

I hate interdimensional portals, he thought miserably. Why did A.J. and I have to get split up like that?

He fiddled with his ComSet a little. The device that Mr. Chadi had given him looked like a microphone headset, with a small screen that covered the left eye. It was essentially a communication device, as the name would suggest, but also with an added feature: All he had to do was speak into the microphone and his words could be translated into text, so he could communicate with anyone with a chat program if he picked up the proper signal.

One would think that a more convenient device would've been appropriate. Lucas, however, was never fond of technology to begin with, and besides, the other reason he brought it was to give it to Max. "He'll know what to do with it," Mr. Chadi had explained.

Lucas reexamined the chatlog from earlier. He couldn't believe that he had found Jaron so quickly, but the way he had spoken worried him.

Weren't Max and Kaitlin with him?

Just what HAD happened?

He wished he hadn't been sick when Kavma struck...

He shivered again, though it wasn't from the cold this time.

[gantzgun74]

Meanwhile not too far away...

Though the sun was rare in these sort of areas it was certainly not unheard of, and really if there was any sort of hope spot for Crystal lake it would have to be that. It was a temporary warmth but still welcome...

However, what really came as a surprise to Lucas was the sudden increase in heat in an area nearby...

Before a COLLUMN OF FIRE BLASTED OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. What was once a sheet of ice blended into the background was now the opening of a cave... And out of that cave stepped a tiny figure with brown blondish hair, and tanned skin.

"Well here we are my students and punks,
We've made it outside! Wit nary a debunk."

Shantotto lead the way, her tiny form waddling through the snow, however, if this bothered Shantotto she didn't show it.

[doctorzero]

Jaron and Zero followed her outside, Jaron stunned at her display of pryomania casual arson fire magic. Mental note, do not mess with the professor.

His jaw dropped upon seeing his surroundings. "Where are we?" he asked, bewildered. "This place is huge! Not to mention pretty..." He shivered a little. "Wow, it's cold..."

Zero, however, seemed unaffected by both the temperature and the beauty of the environment. "Yes, Captain Obvious, pretty and witty and..." he paused. "...nevermind. This is one of the times I wished I had a map. This island is too damn big. Anyway, what about this friend of yours?"

"Oh, yeah, Lucas!" Jaron frantically scanned the horizon. "We've gotta find him, he must be worried sick--"

Zero tapped his shoulder. "Ahem."

"What?"

He pointed. "Would Lucas happen to be that guy, who I might add is the only other living being in sight?"

[gantzgun74]

"Yes, the young soldier has a good and solid point,
Just look out to that horizon, and you won't disappoint."

Shantotto grinned as she walked along in the snow, her arms crossed, and taking in the environment with passing glances. Her magical sensors was picking up vague magical aura's all over the place. Most interesting to say the least.

But hey, she knew about two things that made this place special.

One; a sunken temple deep within the frozen waters...

and two....

An impact crater where a meteor came to Dimensional Island...

[doctorzero]

Lucas backpedaled in shock until he tripped over a mound of snow. Seeing a pillar of flame burst out of a mountainside does tend to make you nearly wet yourself.

"W-what was that?!"

---

Jaron looked more closely. "I don't see--"

Wait.

There was a yellow speck...

He tore off before either of them could stop him. "Aaaand there he goes," said Zero.

"He's rather impulsive, isn't he?" Soul Edge asked.

"I still have a fist."

Edge figured that was a pretty good indicator to shut up right then.

"That's what I thought."

Zero looked at the lake. He thought he could see something like a crater in the middle of the ice, but he wasn't sure. Probably irrelevant, unless Kavma just happens to be lying in wait there.

...considering that this is Kavma we're talking about, I would not be surprised.

---

Jaron did not stop running. He knew full well who that head of hair belonged to, and it he was due for a reunion.

"LUCAAAAS!" he yelled, waving his arm in the air wildly.

---

Lucas dropped his ComSet as he started to run towards him. "Jaron!"

Jaron skidded to a stop as soon as he saw Lucas running towards him. "Lucas--OOF!"

The psychic had grabbed him into a hug, which knocked him over and sent them both into the snow.

---

"I can almost smell the homoeroticsm," Zero said sarcastically. "OW!"

A small chunk of ice had hit him in the back of his head. He turned to Shantotto, annoyed. "Okay, what the hell."

---

MEANWHILE.

"I'm so glad you're all right," Lucas said happily. The two of them got back up and brushed off the snow.

"I'm just glad we found you," said Jaron. "Sorry if we were late, though."

Lucas put his hands behind his head and grinned. "Don't worry, I didn't have to wait long. But what about you? What's happened?"

Right, back to the thing at hand. "I'll tell you in a sec, hold on." He turned to where Shantotto and Zero where and cupped his hands around his mouth. "HEEEEEEEEEEEEY!"

[gantzgun74]

Shantotto grinned at Zero before waving back to Jaron.

"A good laugh though that may be,
Such a joke was not truely necessary."

A moment after saying this, she started walking towards Jaron and Lucas, that ever notable hoity toity strut apparent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

........... Meanwhile somewhere deep beneath the ice, deep into the hidden confines of the Crystal Lake...

The cold, dark forbidden abyss stretched out an unsure distance due to the thickness of the ice dimming out the light of the world above... Only the most resilient of creatures would have been able to make a living down here...

..... Suddenly a being jetted through the icy cold water, too big to be a fish of any kind.

"I had told you did I not?"

There was that voice again... Mizuno had been hearing this same voice many times throughout his extended stay of solitary, both in the lake and in the Lake-bed Temple deep deep in the depths. "Y-yes... Many times..." Mizuno answered back quietly as his Hydro-kinetic powers jetted him through the water. "But... They... They were still my friends..."

"Friends are all well and good, child... But friends are a brief pleasure in life. Easy to gain... Easy to lose. It is a tragedy that they have been lost... But you will not get what you need if you continue living in this cold prison you have chosen for yourself..."

Mizuno knew this... He knew all of this... "I... I don't care..."

"Exiling yourself is only a brief delay from what you are supposed to do, child... Don't think any differently..."

Mizuno sighed as he heard this....

Wait...

Mizuno's gill like ears twitched.

The one thing that Mizuno prided himself in was that his ears could pick up sounds from greater distances and greater frequencies then normal humans...

And right now, he was listening to someone shouting somewhere over the ice... But... But that...

That voice...

[doctorzero]

Zero muttered under his breath as he followed. "I swear I will cut you, you little..."

Edge wisely stayed silent. No need to get whacked again.

---

"But really, what's happened to you?" Lucas asked.

Jaron rubbed the back of his head. "Bit of a long story. But what about you? What're you doing here?"

"What do you think? After you and the others left--"

"Ahem."

They both turned to see that Zero and Shantotto had caught up with them. "Sorry if we're interrupting anything," Zero said with absolutely no honesty, "but I think we need to, I don't know, get on with it?"

Lucas regarded Zero with suspicion. "Who are you?"

"Oh, this is Zero!" said Jaron, gesturing to him. "And the other's Professor Shantotto, they both helped me out a while ago."

Lucas turned back to Jaron, confused. "But, wait, what about the others? Where's Kaitlin and Max?"

For a moment, Jaron had no idea who he was talking about. "Who?" Then he remembered. "Oh. Uh...I don't know where they are..."

"You got separated?!"

"I think? I can't remember!"

"How could you forget?" Total desperation could be seen in Lucas's expression. "Jaron, please, tell me what happened!"

Jaron placed a hand on his shoulder. "Lucas, calm down. I'm sorry, it's just...I'll tell you a little bit about what's happened."

"Oh marvelous, another waste of time," Zero muttered. Jaron shot him a dirty look.

---

Three minutes later...

"Amnesia?!"

Jaron nodded. "Yeah. You're the first person I've managed to remember so far."

Lucas honestly didn't know what to think. Then his expression turned to outrage.

"I can't believe him..." he muttered. "After all that's happened, why would Kavma do this?!"

Jaron shook his head. "I don't know, but that doesn't matter right now. Besides, you're here, aren't you? Maybe you could help me remember."

That hadn't occurred to Lucas. "Hey, yeah! Bet Kavma didn't think of that!" He rubbed his hands gleefully. "Okay, what should I--"

"If you two are done playing catchup," Zero interrupted, fingering the handle of his sword, "I'd like to get going right about now. That means today, not next Ice Age."

Lucas glared at him. Zero's attitude and attire were not sitting well with him. Jaron, however, shrugged. "I guess you're right. Why don't we talk while we go? Saves time."

"But where were you guys going?" Lucas asked.

...

"Uh..."

Zero facepalmed. "Knew it."

Jaron turned back to Lucas. "Okay, lemme give you the gist..."

He told Lucas about the strange person who contacted them and told them about the Mother Gospel. "So, apparently, if we want to prevent the island from going under we need to find this thing and fast."

Lucas had paled considerably during his explanation. He didn't bother to ask for details on those monsters. He didn't want to, really. "T-that's really serious...but how are we gonna find it?"

Jaron looked frustrated. "That's what I want to know."

While Jaron and Lucas talked amongst themselves, Zero turned to view the crater in the distance. What would cause something like that? Meteor? Do they even get meteors here?

He gave the others a glance. Jaron and Lucas were still debating. "Oi, Holly Short, tell the Olsen Twins over there that I'll be heading over to that crater if anyone needs me," he said to Shantotto.

---

"And what is so riveting about this destination?" Edge grumbled as Zero tested the ice. Assured that it wouldn't break under his feet, he started to walk.

"If I just stand around doing nothing I'm going to go nuts. Now shut up."

If anyone under the ice attempted to get his attention then, it would've been completely ignored.

[gantzgun74]

And indeed someone was trying to get his attention...

Beneath the ice, Mizuno appeared to be trying to knock on the ice, hoping to catch Zero's attention. He didn't know who Zero was, but it was worth a shot. When Zero didn't even act like he existed, Mizuno lowered his head dejectedly. Well there went that hope...

"HOOO-hohohoho!
Ah yes, that old thing all the way over there?
I've explored that myself, curious as the air."

When Mizuno heard the laughter, he quickly looked to find three more figures standing not that far off...

Maybe...

He quickly swam over and knocked on the ice. He REALLY hoped this would be enough to grab attention.

[doctorzero]

The knocking was enough to grab at least Jaron's attention, thankfully. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

Jaron walked over to the ice and looked down. "I thought that--wait."

He leaned over and brushed some of the snow off of the ice. His reward for doing so was the sight of Mizuno's visage.

He tumbled back in shock. "WHA! What the--" He knelt to get a better look. "Guys, come over here, someone's under the ice!" He knocked against the barrier separating them and said, "Hey, can you hear me?"

[gantzgun74]

Mizuno nodded to Jaron from where he was, pretty sure he wouldn't hear him if he tried to talk. He was soft spoken if anything else.

Shantotto looked into the ice and seemed quite surprised herself.

"My my my what have we here on this fine winter day
Never expected to see a sahagin here, what strange display."

[doctorzero]

Jaron didn't know what a sahagin was, nor did he care. "How did he even get under there?! Come on, we need to get him out!"

He motioned for Mizuno to get out of the way, then took out the blade shard and raised it over his head. He really hoped it could cut the ice--

"Uh, Jaron?" Lucas had grabbed his arm, preventing him from plunging the thing into the ice. "I've got a better idea."

He stared at Mizuno as he said this. Was it him, or was this fellow oddly familiar?

He shrugged. Probably his imagination. "Can you guys stand back?"

Again, he motioned for Mizuno to get out of the way. Once Shantotto and Jaron had backed away, he exhaled and pointed at the ice.

"PK Fire!"

---

Meanwhile, Zero continued to examine the crater. "Still nothing," he muttered.

"I'm beginning to think this is a waste of time."

"It was either this or continue to be driven mad by those idiots."

"Then why do you--"

"Only lead I've got." Zero's tone made it clear the discussion was over.

There was the sound of what might've been an explosion in the distance. Zero turned to get out of the crater. "I'm really hoping that's not Michael Bay."

There was a crunch as he stepped on something. He bent over to pick up the object.

"...is this a rifle?"

[gantzgun74]

Back with Jaron and the others...

Shantotto looked mildly impressed.

Okay, yes, she had seen some powerful magic in her time, most of it was from her. Where she came from, when it came to magic, she was quite simply the best their was. She was unmatched, a living legend...

And yet she was slightly (VERY slightly mind you) impressed by the amount of energy she felt when Lucas unleashed that psychic attack. He was a decently powerful young man, she had to admit. Maybe this little quest will be worth her attention after all...

From the big melted hole in the ice, Mizuno surfaced once more, surprised by how warm the water seemed to be. Carefully he reached his arm out and tried to pull himself up, but his hand slipped on the ice. As he did, he looked to the gang up above...

So... He wasn't crazy...

"I... I know I've... Hurt you... Hurt everybody... But... But I never wanted that... I just... I just wanted to help my friends..."

From where he stood Lucas continued to look at Mizuno. This fishboy had caused him and his friends some misery thanks to him being friends with Gene and Lilia... But... He seemed genuinely remorseful... "I... I picked the wrong side... And... And I'd do anything to take back what... What happened..."

Mandy continued glaring at Mizuno, very likely wishing to speak her mind, but deciding to send the fishboy cripling looks. Gantz meanwhile seemed equally unsure. And really no-one could blame him. This was an unfamiliar situation. He wanted to believe Mizuno, but past experience weighed against him saying anything.

........ Finally Lucas held out a hand. Mandy looked displeased, Gantz looked surprised... The PSI user meanwhile smiled.

"Then... Help us."

Mizuno looked to Lucas, his head half submerged in the water.

"H-H... Hello Lucas..."

[doctorzero]

It took a moment for Lucas to process Mizuno's appearance.

"Mizuno?!"

He reached in and took his hand, helping him out of the water and giving him a hug. "I can't believe--what're you doing here?!"

"You know him?" Jaron asked.

Lucas turned to him, then Mizuno. "Uh...actually, so do you, Jaron. You've met him too! It was a couple years ago."

THAT took him by surprise. "Oh! Um, well..." he scratched the back of his head sheepishly and held out a hand to Mizuno. "Well, whatever the case, it's nice to see you, Mizuno, even if I can't remember it! Sorry, I'm having a lot of problems remembering stuff lately."

Lucas mouthed 'amnesia'. "Well, even under the circumstances, it's great to see you again! But what were you doing under there, anyway?"

[gantzgun74]

...... Mizuno lowered his head, looking a touch depressed. "I... That's... I..."

He didn't appear to try saying much else... Defeated by shyness, go figure.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

....................

In the deepest corners of the void, one sound was quite prominent as nothingness remained as it was. After all, nothingness was everywhere. Nothingness was eternal...

In here, nothingness was absolute.

[glow=purple,2,300]Let's all be Tangle Buddies...
Let's all be Tangle Buddies....[/glow]

The haunting whisperings of beings beyond understanding and comprehension was truely something to fear, especially for the Void's new occupants...

For now... All we see is Gantz.

"Oh... Oh my god..." He had his hands clenched against his ears, trying to block out the horrifying whispers. His face looked utterly pale. "Wh... Where am I?"

.... Suddenly, he made out a figure amidst the void. A splash of Dark blue amidst all of the endless black.

The figure almost seemed to be...

Looking at him.

"He needs your help."

That was all Gantz heard before he found himself lurched somewhere into the abyss...

All the while the Eldritch beings from deep in the abyss continued their haunting melody... And the one wearing the dark-blue robes held his hand out, causing Gantz to feel a powerful burst of some odd energy... One that felt like the void itself...

[glow=purple,2,300]Let's all be tangle buddies...
Let's all be Tangle Buddies...
Let's all... Be...
TANGLE
BUDDIES...[/glow]

[doctorzero]

Meanwhile...

"Oh, f*ck."

Over a dozen men and women with firearms were surrounding him in the crater with their weapons aimed at him. Now that he thought about it, separating himself from the others was a dumb mo--wait, what am I talking about, those guys would've been useless.

"You've caused us a lot of trouble, Mr. Zero," said one of the soldiers, probably the captain.

Zero bowed mockingly. "So happy to entertain you with my sole redeeming attribute," he said scathingly.

He HATED it when CRL henchmen showed up out of nowhere. He was convinced that Kavma hired ninjas.

(He DOES, but that's a moot point.)

"Zero, you are under arrest for theft, attempted murder--" the captain began.

---

Jaron felt concerned when Mizuno lowered his head. "Don't want to talk about it? Well, that's okay. You don't have to if you don't want to--"

The loud screams of pain in the distance cut him off. "What the--"

---

The squad that had just been about to capture Zero were now completely frozen. Though to be fair to them, they really hadn't been expecting it.

"What...exactly...just happened?" Soul Edge asked slowly.

Zero ignored the question and lifted up the rifle he had picked up. Whoever did that is going to get it straight between the--

There was a sound like shattering glass as the ice in front of him broke apart, making him stagger backwards.

---

Jaron and Lucas gave each other a single look.

"We'll be right back."

The two of them ran off to the crater before either Mizuno and Shantotto could protest, with Lucas yelling back at them, "this'll only take a second, guys!"

---

Zero shielded his face as the ice shards flew everywhere. "What the hell--"

A dark shape darted from the broken ice and into the air, landing at the edge of the crater. At the same time, Jaron and Lucas had arrived, stopping when they saw the figure's back.

Lucas nearly panicked right then and there. There was NO way he could forget that dress.

"LADIES AND GENTLEB*TCHES!"

Oh, and that voice.

Princess, wearing her brand new iceskates (complete with random ice powers) pirouetted in place and stopped when she was facing the two, slamming her foot down and cracking the ice further.

"PRINCESS ON ICE!!!!!!!!!"