Mother 4

[Forte]

Heron and Falin walked out of the now quiet tower. Outside, a large amount of people had gathered around, apparently waiting for them. A man stepped up to Heron.

Man: I'm shocked you and your girlfriend are still alive.
Heron: She's not m-
Man: Even though we didn't really know him that well, we knew Allegro to be powerful.
Heron: Um yeah...
Man: Even though he only stayed here for a few days, he was a real jerk. On behalf of all the people of this small part of Sector 3, thank you for running him off.
Heron: Thanks?
Man: We've never had a leader here. Our commander might not even exist. We would be honored if you would take that position.
Heron: I can't do that, I have other things I have to do.
Man: I don't want to have to beg you. We really need leadership around here, especially this close to the tower.
Heron: Hmmm... Fine. As current leader I pronounce you leader here, at least until Rallentando actually comes by here. That will probably never happen though.
Man: I can't lead! I've never practiced at it!
Falin: Real leaders never practice. Get to work.

The man began to talk to himself and sputter half spoken words. Heron and Falin decided to walk away as the rest of the crowd looked to their new leader.

Falin: We can't possibly walk all the way back to Sector 5. You must have something else planned.
Heron: Yes, I do. Grab my hand and run with me. Never slow down no matter what.
Falin: Run beside you or run behind you?
Heron: Whatever makes you more comfortable. Just like I said, don't slow down even if you think we're going to run into a building. Close your eyes if you feel dizzy.
Falin: Why would I feel dizzy?
Heron: PK Teleport!

Heron began to build up speed, tugging Falin's arm. She closed her eyes to avoid feeling dizzy at all. A few seconds passed and all she could feel was the wind as they ran. She opened her eyes for a second to see where they were going, but she could only see buildings zooming by at blinding speed. There was no way she could be running this fast, was there? It made her head feel light, so she closed her eyes again. She felt Heron stop and stopped with him, opening her eyes again. The scenery hadn't changed much, but it was different enough for her to tell they had gotten somewhere different.

Falin: Is this... Sector 5?
Heron: Yep. Welcome to my home... Wait! Your parents! They don't know where you've gone!
Falin: Don't worry about that. My parents were caught trying to take weaponry from a Pig Mask supply truck about two years ago and shipped off to Sector 6.
Heron: Why didn't they take you?
Falin: Commander Brio ordered that I stay in Sector 3 as extra punishment to them. He's the only Commander I have ever met before today.
Heron: I've never heard his name or met him. I'm thinking we might should pay him a visit soon, then.
Falin: Don't you have business to take care of here, though?
Heron: Oh. Yeah. I made sure to teleport to right in front of my house so that we wouldn't have to walk much.

Heron turned to his door and walked in, waving to Falin to follow. His parents were both home, which was strange, but a welcome sight. His mother jumped up and hugged him.

Lily: I'm so glad you're safe! Who's this?
Robert: My son claims he's going to save the world and gets a girlfriend instead.
Heron: No, dad. This is Falin, the other Rasch.
Robert: Heh. Just messing with you. I figured that's who this is. So, why the trip home?
Heron: I gave Lento the book, like you asked... And I guess you were right.
Robert: I figured I was. Why, though? Did you ask why?
Heron: Yes. I asked him all the questions you probably have. He wouldn't answer. He just said that Len made mistakes that he couldn't fix. Lento fixed them.
Robert: I see... Well, I'm sure he'll come around to his senses one day... at least, I hope. So what about this young lady?
Heron: She helped me fight Allegro. She's certainly the kind of help I need.
Robert: That's very good to hear.
Falin: Sorry to butt in, but something feels awkward about this conversation.
Heron: Eh?
Robert: ... I guess she's right. I'm sorry that your first visit with us has to be at this time.
Heron: What's going on?
Robert: You know what's going on. It's just the overall tense feeling in here. About Lento.
Heron: Oh. Yeah. I guess you're right.
Lily: *sigh* He was a very nice guy. I wish unfortunate things like this didn't happen to good people. You know, we still don't now about Maria.
Robert: Yeah... I wonder...
Heron: Oh, right, dad... There's something I need to know. Can you get Falin and me to Sector 6?
Robert: What?! Sector 6?! Why would you want to go there?
Heron: I feel like I owe Falin a favor, so I want to rescue her parents.
Robert: Are they there?
Heron: Of course.
Robert: I won't ask how they got there, or why. Do you know anything about that place?
Heron: Not really.
Robert: Sector 6 is at the very top of the world. It's the only place left on Earth that is completely natural, but there are no animals there. There's no plants, either. Just wasteland, covered in snow and blanketed by perpetual night.
Heron: Perpetual night? That's not possible.
Robert: Well, it shouldn't be possible, and naturally, it wouldn't be. Once upon a time, the seasons there were defined by endless day turned into endless night, but when Commander Brio took over, he used the Pig Mask Army's technology to mask the day permanently, creating his own perfect world.
Heron: That sounds really depressing. Worse than here. Do people even live there?
Robert: Yes, there's a small settlement around the tower. People say that when you're in the tower, any compass you have will go insane.
Falin: But if we go there, we'll freeze to death...

Falin turned pale

Falin: What if my parents have already frozen to death...
Heron: Don't think that.  We'll get there.
Robert: Getting there is extremely hard. You'll have to travel to the far north of Sector 5, then cross a bit of ocean, but I think there's a transport highway there. The rest of the way to the tower is all frozen land. There are no people, no buildings, nothing. You'll never make it on foot, not to be a pessimist...

There was a knock at the door. Lily opened it. Lento walked in.

Lento: Lily... it's been many years since we last met. Beauty never ages.
Lily: L... Len?
Lento: I'm sorry. That name is dead.
Robert: Lento... what have you come here for?
Lento: I'm bored.
Heron: That's crap. You have to have a better reason than that.
Lento: Eh... if you insist. For one, allow me to apologize for running off like I did earlier. That was rude. I had to take care of some business, though.
Heron: You honestly think I care about that?
Lento: I hoped you didn't care... you're really mean to me, you know that?
Heron: I don't see any reason to treat you with respect.
Robert: Heron, even though he doesn't really look it, he's older than you. If nothing else, respect him for that. Lento... What happened to you...? How is it that you're... Still young?
Lento: I'll tell you the same thing I told your son, who by the way, I'm sure you're proud of. If I were to tell you what makes me look this way, you would probably go insane.
Robert: I've lived for 17 years without my best friend. I've watched the world go mad. There's nothing that can make me insane if that hasn't.
Lento: At least you had your family.
Robert: You still have your family. You just never would take them back.
Lento: ... My family. I could have taken them back, you say? You don't know what happened. How could I get back to them? Answer that!
Robert: What are you talking about?
Lento: ... No. I won't go on about this.
Falin: Stop skipping the questions presented to you. You pretend we forget, but it's really just annoying.
Lento: Fine. Just... fine. You want the truth, you can have it. How did I stay this way? Time travel.
Heron: ... That's bull.
Lento: See? You don't want to comprehend it.
Heron: You can't travel through time. If you were going to lie to us, you should have thought about it better.
Lento: Robert, think back to when we were kids. How many people were there in the world?
Robert: I can't answer that question. No one can.
Lento: I can. There weren't many. Maybe 10,000 in the entire world. Look at now. Do you know how many there are now?
Robert: No. What does this have to do with time travel??
Lento: There are millions. As of my most recent estimate, 600 million. In 15 years, is it at all possible that 10,000 people had 590 million children?
Robert: ... I don't guess, but what does this have to do with anything?
Lento: Where do you think those people came from then? If they weren't born, what brought them into creation?
Robert: I don't know! What does this have to do with the subject at hand?!
Lento: They were brought here! They were all brought here from times long past! That's where 5 of us came from! Your neighbors might even be from before you were born, but be younger than you!
Robert: Five... of you?
Lento: Brio, Allegro, Adagio, Hauptstimme, and Zahlzeit. All of them are from ages ago. Centuries, Robert.
Robert: But how does this make you young?
Lento: When you met my companions and me 15 years ago, have we aged? Have Zahlzeit or I aged?
Robert: Not physically, no.
Lento: Exactly. It's a principle of time travel. Every time you travel through time, something happens to you. Travel once, you age slower. Travel twice, you age rapidly. It follows that pattern exponentially.
Robert: And you traveled through time once?
Lento: I traveled through time multiple times, but I finished on an odd number. All of us did. I worked it out that way.
Heron: Even Rallentando?
Lento: Especially her! Preserving my youth is worthless without preserving her's as well.
Heron: This is both extremely hard to believe and convincing. But what of all these people who you brought back from the past? Do they age faster or slower or what?
Lento: There's the beauty of it. If you were simply taken from your time, you age normally.
Falin: Why did you do all of that, though?
Lento: ... Why? Why not?!
Falin: There's a reason why. Who made you do this? What did you hope to gain from it?
Lento: Who made me? No one made me. This was completely voluntary... Somewhat.
Robert: Len... Lento... As a favor to me, your friend, please, tell me the truth about this.

Lento looked at Robert. He remembered the friendly face that had greeted him so many times all those years ago. Lento turned his head toward the floor.

Lento: Robert... Let's all sit down first. It's your house, of course, so it's your call.
Robert: Yeah. Pull up a chair, we'll sit.

Everyone sat. Lento sat on the floor.

Robert: There's more chairs here.
Lento: I would rather not. The floor is the only place I deserve to sit.
Robert: What do you mean by that?
Lento: Let me tell you about the day I disappeared. You remember it, of course, since it's your anniversary. I went up to that old house in the hills with Maria upon her request. Unlike the pretty house next door, it had fallen into disrepair and was extremely grimy. Eventually, we came across a bed with a strange device on it. If you recall, I was the one who taught you the Healing PSI, which I used on the strange machine. Somehow, that fixed it and made it do whatever it was supposed to do, as it took Maria and me to a strange cave somewhere. I had seen the cave before, in a dream or something, so I knew exactly where I had been taken to. I sat there in the cave for a moment, allowing my eyes to adjust to the eerie purple light that somehow existed there. When finally I was able to see, I looked over at Maria. She hadn't said much the entire time there, so I figured something must be wrong. Something was.

Lento paused, attempting in vain to fight back tears.

Lento: Some...Somehow, something terrible had happened to her. I didn't know at the time what it was. I didn't know what to do, if I should leave her and seek help, or if I should take her with me. Suddenly, a voice spoke to me, telling me to leave her and where to walk to. I followed it to a large sphere. The voice told me to roll the sphere back to where she was, so I did as I was told. It was easy to roll, strange, considering its size. Then it told me to go find a large machine that looks like a spider. I did as I was told, trusting the voice's assurance that she would be alright. It was at this time I noticed that I didn't have any feeling in my hands anymore, but I ignored it at the moment, her life was all that hung on my mind.

Lento paused again. He looked down and held his face in his hands for a moment.

Lento: You... You wouldn't know... About this feeling. I'm glad you wouldn't. It's a feeling that you only get when you realize how much you love someone when you're about to lose them. If you never get that feeling in your life then you've lived well. I found the Spider Machine and got in it, following the voice's commands to the line. I thought about how stupid I had been to ignore her all this time, she kept showing me affection and I shrugged her off. I ignored her as if she were insignificant, even though there was no way I could lie to myself and say that I didn't love her. It was at that moment I knew she was the most important thing in my life. I went back to a time not too long ago like the voice told me to and brought back the best scientists the original Pig Mask Army had. The voice assured me they would take care of her. It told me to go and get people from different times, and so I did. It said to me to chose 6 more, and we would stand together as the rulers of the world, but I only chose 5.

Lento's expression became more and more miserable looking.

Lento: The voice explained the laws of time travel to me, saying that in order to make our rule absolute, we must each make our trips an odd number, so we all did. That only left Maria... In the time it took me to accomplish that, they had finished their operation on her. They presented her to me dressed in the clothes we all wear now, apparently in honor of some previous leader of their army. You can't imagine my joy. The voice said that in exchange for this, I would have to follow him, King Pokey (or maybe it's Porky...) and all of his orders. I gladly accepted; what kind of person wouldn't accept this to have the person most important to them back?
Falin: That's the saddest story I've ever heard.
Heron: But... why was she acting so strange?
Lento: I told her to act that way. She can talk like anyone else... Just... She doesn't seem to have any emotion anymore. I'm not sure why. I have asked King Pokey, but he never tells me why. I wish I knew though.
Robert: So that's why you've done all of this? And that's why you care about Rallentando so much? You're paying back a man you've never met for something that, for what its worth, was only half successful?
Lento: No... It was completely successful. I got her back. You don't see it like I do. If Lily were to suddenly slip away from you in some form or another, yet you were given a way to bring her back, wouldn't you take it and not argue with any side effects?
Robert: ... I can't say that I wouldn't.
Lento: Look. Do you want the truth? I hate this reality that I've created. I hate every bit of it. I want to go back to that night and stop us from going there. I want to tell her how I feel and live happily ever after like you. But I can't.
Falin: Why not? You have the ability to go back.
Lento: It's the last law of time travel, the grandfather paradox.
Falin: What?
Lento: It's a theory proposed centuries ago that you can't do anything in the past that would affect your going back to change it.
Heron: What?
Lento: Yeah, that was kind of odd. Let my try to model it. Say I ate a hamburger and got sick because it was bad, so I decide to hop in a time machine and stop myself from eating it. Because I went back and stopped myself from eating it, I've stopped myself from coming back in time.
Heron: That makes sense.
Lento: So if I went back to stop all of this from happening, I've stopped myself from even having a time machine to travel in.
Heron: What happens if you do that?
Lento: Who knows. It could destroy everything in the universe. There could be two of me in the past.
Robert: What if it worked?
Lento: The first possibility is enough to stop me from trying it. So. Now you know. Now you know why I am what I am now, and why the world is what it is. Are you happy?
Lily: You just told us the saddest story any of us have ever heard. How could we be happy?
Lento: I guess happy is too much to ask for. Are you pleased to know all of this?
Heron: I am. I think. Lento, I'm sorry I've treated you with suspicion like I have. You really couldn't help any of this, and I'm sorry it happened to you.
Lento: Maybe. I'm sorry I made you sit through all of that, either way. It makes me feel better to let someone know, though. I'll be seeing you some other time.

Lento teleported out in his usual fashion.

Heron: So... Sector 6. How will we get there and stay there without turning into snowballs?
Robert: We'll figure out something.

[Forte]

There was another knock at the door. Heron opened it. It was Lento again. Behind him was a large vehicle and around twenty Pig Mask soldiers.

Heron: Forget something?
Lento: Yeah. Actually, I did. You two are under arrest for... I'm sure we can find a reason. I hereby sentence the two of you to hard, cold time in Sector 3.
Heron: You what?
Lento: Please don't make me repeat myself. I trust you will come along peacefully?

Lento winked at Heron and Falin.

Lento: In order to survive there, the two of you will need some proper clothing.
Heron: And where will we get that?

Lento called one of soldiers over. He had two boxes in his hands, which he handed to Lento. Lento sat them down and opened them.

Lento: Right here.
Heron: They're coats like the ones you guys wear when you're not fighting.
Lento: Yep. They're warmer than you think, and good for concealing things, if you know what I mean. They're one size fits all, I hope that's okay.
Heron: That'll do for me. Falin, do you have any problems?
Falin: Not at all.
Lento: It's settled then. If you would please make your way to the prison vehicle, we'll be heading for Sector 3.
Heron: You're going?
Lento: Nah. It's cold there. You'll see me again though, worry not.

Heron and Falin picked up their coats and boarded the prison vehicle. The interior was nice and comfortable. Lento shut the door and gave a friendly wave goodbye.

Falin: Did he just help us?
Heron: Yeah. I think he did.
Falin: I think he's really a nice person.
Heron: He may be. I still don't trust him though.
Falin: Why not?
Heron: His story, while it made sense and was terribly sad, didn't make sense at all. Who's really making him do this? A guy trapped in a giant ball is forcing him to do all of this stuff?
Falin: Maybe he isn't worried about what could happen to him...

Heron inspected his coat. It was brand new. On the inside there was a place to put a gun and a sword on both sides. In the sword holder on one side was a piece of paper, folded into a cylinder. Heron opened it.

Falin: What's that?
Heron: ... It's a note... from Lento.

"Dear Heron,
I bet by now you're feeling some kind of suspicion about this. Glad you found this letter, though, it'll help me explain things to you I couldn't explain in front of all of those people. For one, yes, I did this to help you. I know about the girl's parents being held there and I'm certain you want to rescue them. Secondly, I thought about something after I finished telling you about my past, and that is that you can help me where I cannot. While on the outside, we must remain enemies, I want you to know that we really aren't. The most important thing for you to do now is to gather friends, as many as you can, and destroy what I have made. To everyone else, I will appear to be trying to stop you, but you know the truth. I know this is an odd note, and I can understand if you feel apprehension about it, but please, hear me out. It's your call.

~Lento"

Falin: See? I told you he's a good man.
Heron: Maybe. All of this seems really weird. He hates what he's created, but he's in charge, so why not destroy it?
Falin: You're smart, but at the same time, a complete idiot. Think about the laws he's set into place. If he tried to change all of that instantly, not only would King Porky be mad at him and something terrible happen to him, but he would lose his position on top.
Heron: Sounds like his problem.
Falin: You still don't get it? Look at what he does compared to how his subordinates think. Allegro would have had us both killed by now, think of what others would do? If he isn't in charge, the lives of everyone on Earth are in danger... but if he keeps up the act, we can stop what he's made and free him from the torture he's in.
Heron: I never thought of it like that.
Falin: Obviously.

Falin looked out the window. The scenery was passing them extremely fast, almost as fast as it did when Heron had used his Teleport. Heron took a seat in the nice chair against the wall. It was soft and comfortable, something told him the other prison vehicles weren't like this one. Hours passed. Heron beat on the wall connecting the cell to the cabin. A small slide window opened up and a man looked back at them.

Soldier: What?
Heron: Are we there yet?
Soldier: Eh... maybe. It's starting to get a lot more barren out there.
Falin: You mean you don't know if we're close or not?
Soldier: This is my first time taking this trip. I don't know how long it takes.
Heron: Whatever. That's all I wanted to know.

The man closed the slide window. Heron looked through the small cabinet to see what food was here. Pork Noodles, Pork Chips, and sodas.

Heron: I'm starting to hate pork.
Falin: You still have the fruit in your backpack.
Heron: Oh, that's right.

He took it off and placed it on the floor, pulling out several apples, oranges, and pears.

Heron: I forget, which one is the one I shouldn't eat the skin of?
Falin: The orange.
Heron: Oh right... I wonder why?

Heron bit the orange. He made a face and spit it out.

Heron: That stuff's disgusting! How can anyone eat it?
Falin: You take the skin off with a knife. It's sweet on the inside.
Heron: We don't have a knife anymore.
Falin: Well now that you bit it, you should be able to get rid of the skin with just your hand.

The two sat, eating fruit for a bit, when the atmosphere inside the cell changed. The air began to feel drafty and cold. Heron looked out the window. They were over a large expanse of water. To one side, there was nothing but pure white, and much of the water was beginning to turn to ice. Heron knocked on the wall again. The same man opened the window.

Heron: You're no help to me. Get your friend.
Soldier: He's driving.
Heron: Well tell him to stop.
Soldier: What do you need him for?
Heron: I want to know if this is the place.
Soldier: Yes, it's the place, even I know that. We'll be at the settlement soon.
Heron: That's all I needed to know.

Half an hour later, the vehicle stopped. The man opened the window again.

Soldier: You guys may want to put your coats on, and make sure to button them up. It's cold out there.
Heron: Thanks for the reminder.
Soldier: Here, those coats aren't good for your faces, so take these.

He handed a scarf, earmuffs and a pair of thick goggles to Heron and Falin.

Soldier: One for each of you, orders of Lento. Now get out and head towards the tower to see what you're to do here.

The two stepped out after putting on their gear. Even with all the protection from it, it was extremely cold here. The wind was sharp and bitter, and never seemed to cease. Heron could barely make out the shape of the tower.

Heron: It felt like this cold sucked the air right out of me when I got out into it.
Falin: Yeah, me too. It's colder here than it is in Winter back home. I don't know how my parents can stand it here.
Heron: I'm sure it's warm in the tower. Let's go.

[Forte]

Heron and Falin trudged through the snow as best they could, the fierce winds lashing at them and dumping more snow on them. It was almost impossible to make out anything without being right up next to it, but Heron could somewhat see the few houses here. Each one looked almost the same as the other, small, dingy, and inhospitable. Soon, a human figure came walking up to them. Heron couldn't make out any details, aside from that whoever it was was wearing more gear then they were.

????: Yo!
Heron: ... Hello?

Heron could tell by the stranger's voice that it was a he.

????: You two look like you're blind.
Heron: How can't we be?
????: You're using the goggles, right?
Heron: How do you use them aside from wear them?
????: Come on inside where it's warm and I'll show you. The tower isn't far from here.

Heron and Falin followed him to the tower. Contrary to his statement, the tower was almost as frigid as the snowy wasteland they just left. Heron could make out a bit more detail in here, especially after taking off his heavily frosted goggles. The one who had led them here appeared to be around Heron's age, his light brown hair almost perfectly matching Heron's own, all the way down to the style. Heron was amazed.

Heron: Who are you?
????: Me? I'm no one important.
Heron: Your name.
????: Oh. Toshi.
Falin: That's a strange name.
Toshi: And your names?
Heron: I'm Heron and she's Falin.
Toshi: I could say the same thing about your names. So you were having some kind of trouble seeing out there, didn't anyone teach you two how to use these goggles?
Heron: No...

Toshi took Heron's pair. He twisted a few things on it and pressed almost completely flat buttons a few times.

Toshi: There. It's configured now. These goggles are special technology, they're able to cut through snow and allow you to see as if it's not even there. That probably would have made your trip to this tower a bit easier... speaking of which, what business do you two have here?
Heron: We need to see Brio. Her parents are here and we would like them back.
Toshi: That's a pretty admirable quest... but unfortunately I don't think you'll be able to do that.
Heron: Are you going to stop us?
Toshi: No, no.
Heron: Then why do you think we can't see Brio?
Toshi: Seeing Brio is completely possible, but rescuing people from this prison cannot be done. People who are here are here to stay for life. Trying to rescue people from here is like trying to rescue someone from Hell.
Heron: I will save her parents and everyone else here, even if it means ending Brio's rule here in the most permanent of ways.
Toshi: You're pretty determined about this, then, I can see. I wish you luck. Unfortunately, I won't accompany you.

Toshi began to walk back outside. He paused and turned around.

Toshi: Oh, right, how were you two sent here?
Heron: Lento arrested us.
Toshi: On what grounds?
Heron: We're Rasch.

A look of slight disbelief came across Toshi's face. He put his goggles back on and put the hood he had on back over his head as he walked out the door. Heron and Falin stood in the quiet tower, alone again.

Falin: It's really quiet here, compared to other command towers.
Heron: Yeah. I wouldn't work here if I had been given the choice, though. Brio must be a really weird guy, or else he hogs all the heat for himself.

[Forte]

Heron walked over to the elevator and pressed the button to open the door. He and Falin got in and he pressed the 100 button. The elevator started to move upward.

Falin: That was a bit too easy, wasn't it?
Heron: I'm not complaining.
Falin: What if my parents aren't here anymore? Or worse? Then what do we do?
Heron: Then we leave, sad. Don't down yourself like that.
Falin: I just can't help but think the worst, especially after seeing this place in person. It's crazy that anyone would ever design a punishment this bad.
Heron: No clue...
Falin: Something bothering you?
Heron: Toshi.
Falin: What about him?
Heron: I wish I knew more about him. It's strange how much he looked like me.
Falin: He didn't look exactly like you.
Heron: Close enough. I wonder why he's here?
Falin: You should have asked him that.
Heron: I guess I didn't think about it. We could have asked him about your parents, but we didn't do that either.

The elevator slowed. They were at floor 100. The doors slid open to a large, square room. Heron and Falin stepped out and the elevator began to make its way back down. In the middle of the room was a large, expensive looking desk on top of a circular red carpet. The man sitting at the desk got up. He was short and thin, and had oddly styled red hair. He walked with a strange limp as he made his way over to Heron.

Heron: Brio, I suppose?
Brio: Yes, that's me. What have you two come for?
Heron: Two reasons. Her parents, and this sector.
Brio: Say what?
Heron: I want her parents released from here.
Brio: Exactly who is she that she feels her parents are worthy of being released from here?
Heron: She's my friend.
Brio: And you are?
Heron: I'm Rasch.
Brio: That name doesn't mean much to me. In fact, if it were up to me, I would have already caught you and brought you here. Lento's so pathetic.
Falin: I'm tired of hearing you people call your leader pathetic! He's a good man!
Brio: Too good, perhaps. If I'm to trust what Allegro has told me, he's too soft. He and I have not spoken for a long while, however. I can't really remember the last time we were even in the same room.
Falin: I would stay away from people who didn't like me.
Brio: I never said I don't like him.
Heron: Look, are you going to tell me where her parents are, or not?
Brio: Do I look like some kind of mind reader?! I don't know who her parents are by looki... Wait. Yes I do. I remember you. your that little brat who stabbed me about two years back when I carted your parents off for stealing from us. You still have no respect for the law, apparently.
Falin: You still have no respect for humanity. Tell me where they are. How would you feel if you didn't see your parents for two years?
Brio: Try fifteen. I haven't seen anyone I know for that long, but at least they fixed my problem.
Heron: your problem?
Brio: Yep. I used to have no use of my legs. This army fixed that for me. Notice the limp? It wasn't a perfect success, but I can walk. As for your parents, they're not here anymore.

Falin felt as if her stomach hit her feet.

Falin: What do you mean?!
Brio: They're geniuses or something. They got out of here slightly after they were brought here... not for long though.
Falin: And what does that mean?
Brio: In a few sections of our military code, it says we can fire upon criminals escaping from any prison compound with lethal force. We took full advantage of that.
Heron: What?
Brio: Yeah. We've got an impressive arsenal here. Only took two of our guided missiles to end that problem. Hope you didn't miss them that badly.

Falin looked at Brio, a mixture of hate and disbelief shone in her eyes. Without thinking twice she kicked Brio in the side of the head.

Falin: your as cold as this wretched place! I can't believe you would do that to anyone!

Brio fell to the floor and lay there for a moment. He struggled back up to one knee and rubbed his head. He was greeted with another kick. The elevator opened and Toshi ran out. He grabbed Falin.

Toshi: Woah! Please stop.
Falin: He killed my parents!
Toshi: He hasn't killed anyone. Look, after I left you two, I thought about what Heron had said about rescuing your parents. I've been here for a while, so I've seen a lot of things. your parents escaped from here unharmed, and I helped them.
Falin: How do you even know they're my parents?
Toshi: All they ever really talked about was getting back to see their daughter in... where was it... Sector 3? So I decided to help them. I've been here for longer than they had, so I was able to tell them when supply shipments came in, which always came in two trucks. We hijacked those two trucks and sped off. That's when the few unit six forces decided to fire missiles at us. Since my truck was in the rear, it was hit instead of theirs.
Falin: He said he fired two.
Toshi: He did. I reflected one.
Falin: How can you reflect a missile?

Brio struggled back up to his feet.

Brio: your all a troublesome lot! I'll make ice statues from you! PK Freeze!

A bright blue light and extremely cold wind came from Brio. The floor around him began to turn white as whatever water vapor in the air froze and turned to ice and snow. The light began to take the form of something that appeared like knives made of white and cloudy water. Their shape constantly distorted itself. Brio brought his hands down in front of his face and threw them forward. All of the objects he had created flew towards Heron, Falin, and Toshi.

Toshi: PK Reflect!
Brio: ...What?

Toshi waved his arm out in front of him. A clear, greenish tinted wall of energy appeared in front of him, as wide as the arc his arm made. Heron and Falin got behind him as fast as possible. Brio's projectiles all hit and bounced off, returning at twice their speed to him. A sound like thousands of glass windows breaking at once filled the room.
Toshi turned and looked at Falin and winked.

Toshi: You reflect missiles like that.
Heron: That's extremely cool.
Toshi: Yeah. It's why I was sent here. Commander Allegro banned PSI use in Sector 4. It's illegal to learn it, teach it, and most of all, use it.

Falin fell to her knees and started to cry.

Falin: Thank you... Toshi... for what you did for my parents.
Toshi: It's no big deal. You know, all I really came up here for was to give you guys some weapons. Didn't know I would be helping out in such a big way.

Heron looked at Brio. He was encased in a jagged block of ice with a look of horror on his face.

Heron: Is he going to be alright?
Toshi: It's hard to say. He keeps it cold in this tower so that if he has to freeze someone, they stay that way. I'm not all too sure how alive you are when you're encased in ice like him, but I don't think it really matters. Chances are, he'll be fine. Then again, there's probably no one that cares if he's fine or not.

Lento teleported into the room. He looked at Falin, still crying, and Brio.

Lento: I would ask what's going on here, but there's no time for that. Quickly, I'm taking you guys to Sector 2. There's been a problem...
Heron: What about the prisoners here?
Lento: I'll deal with that when I get the chance, right now, we have urgent business to attend to.
Heron: What is it?
Lento: Allegro. Now get over here, we're teleporting. Is the kid who looks like you with you?
Heron: Yeah.
Lento: Ok. Everyone hold hands. We're going.

Everyone did as he said. Lento closed his eyes and disappeared, taking the new group of three with him.

[Forte]

- Chapter 8: The World -

In a matter of seconds Heron, Falin, and Toshi were all in a place completely foreign to them all. It was raining lightly here, but the sky wasn't as dark as it was in Sector 5 or 3. Lento looked around to make sure no one was near them.

Lento: I'm sorry I dragged you into this. Something terrible has happened. It's not safe for me. It's not safe for you... It's just not safe. After all these years my fears have been realized... Allegro has rebelled against me.
Heron: He what? What do you mean?
Lento: There is a code in our law... The leader of our army, that is me, is in case of emergency to be replaced by the sequential ranks of his officers. That is to say, in my absence, death, or if I were deemed unworthy of leading, the Commander of Unit 2 would step up to my place.
Heron: And that is...?
Lento: Hauptstimme. That isn't the problem though, he's a good man, and the only friend I have left. If I were to die right now, I would have no regrets leaving the world in his hands... but Allegro... bah!
Toshi: I'm new to all of this, so excuse my ignorance, but who exactly is this man?
Heron: He's Lento. Commander of Unit 1 and High Commander of the Pig Mask Army.
Toshi: Him? I never expected Lento to be so... young.
Heron: Long story.
Toshi: And Allegro?
Heron: He's some kind of insane woman. Apparently he hates everyone and is too ambitious.
Toshi: Do I want to know why that first sentence is supposed to make sense?
Heron: You'll find out. Lento, please, tell me what Allegro is up to.
Lento: Allegro accused me of not only being unfit to lead, but assisting the most wanted enemies to our army. I refused to appear in front of our high court, so of course, they believed every word he said.
Heron: Why didn't you just show up?
Lento: And lie? I would rather not be thrown into jail while you kids ran around helplessly.
Heron: So Allegro is in charge?
Lento: No, but neither am I now. I've been removed from my title, which is exactly what I didn't want to happen. Allegro is supposed to be here to inform Hauptstimme, but I know him. He's not here for that. He'll do anything to get Hauptstimme out of the way, and I mean anything.
Heron: And if Hauptstimme is unable to fill your position?
Lento: Normally, that would then fall onto rank 3... but in order to protect her in case something like this happened, I declared Rallentando automatically unfit to lead.
Heron: And that means the position would go to 4... Allegro.
Lento: Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to Sector 6. I'm freeing all of those people, arming them, and setting them loose in Sector 4. Such a huge rebellion like that will draw forces away from here.
Heron: Wait! Before you go... what's the worst that can happen?
Lento: The worst is already happening. It is our job to make it better now. Allegro has the bulk of my power now. He's convinced Zahlzeit to join him, and you know his brother is already backing him up. I'm glad Brio's a big ice block now. Please, help Hauptstimme. I need the knowledge of his safety. We'll figure this out.

Lento teleported away again. Heron wondered how Lento was able to teleport without moving. He looked at Toshi who appeared as confused as ever. Falin still sat on the ground sobbing. She stood up and looked at Toshi.

Falin: Toshi... where are they?
Toshi: Who?
Falin: My parents. If they got away from Sector 6, why didn't they come back home?
Toshi: I can't answer that question. If I could, I would. Don't worry about their safety. If you don't fight hard for them now, the entire world won't have much of a future, it seems.
Heron: It'll have a future... but it'll be worse than the future we worried about yesterday. Toshi, what weapons did you pick up for us?

Toshi reached into his coat. He pulled out a frying pan.

Toshi: It's all I could get. Had to steal from the kitchen.
Heron: Why not take... you know... knives?
Toshi: People would get suspicious about that. I do have these, though.

Toshi took off the backpack he was wearing and opened it. He pulled out a large orange wrench and a fairly long screwdriver.

Toshi: I took them from the mechanics shop there. Great stuff. I have to say, I'm a bit more fond of this screwdriver than the wrench, I'm more of a stabbing fellow myself. You don't mind the wrench, do you?
Heron: Not at all.

Falin looked at the frying pan and picked it up.

Falin: Toshi, thank you again for what you did.
Toshi: It's just a frying pan.
Falin: No... not that.
Toshi: Oh. Them. Don't worry. I love having fun like that. So I guess we need to go find Hauptstimme or whatever his name is.
Heron: Yeah. It seems really calm here...
Toshi: I'll tell you what it is. It's really hot here. Man after so long in that wretched frozen place I don't know what moderately warm feels like anymore.
Falin: Lento did us the favor of dropping us off right in front of the tower. Let's go in and get out of this drizzle.

[Forte]

The trio walked through the sliding doors of the tower. There were many Pig Mask soldiers in the lobby, all guarding various doors and the elevator. Toshi took off his coat and two shirts. Heron forgot he even had on a coat until he saw Toshi take off his. Heron and Falin followed suit. Heron put all three of the coats in his backpack.

Heron: Toshi, how can you wear three shirts?
Toshi: Uncomfortably.
Falin: I can imagine you couldn't even move.
Toshi: It was hard. Feels good to be back in one shirt.

A Pig Mask soldier finally noticed them.

Soldier: Hey, you kids, what business do you have here?
Heron: Just getting in out of the rain.
Soldier: So you came here?
Heron: Yep.
Soldier: Why not go home?
Heron: I live here.
Soldier: You can't live here. This is a place of business.
Heron: Sector 2 sells things? I never knew. What is it?
Soldier: What? Look, kid, we're really busy. Come back when Commander Allegro has secured the area.
Heron: What's Allegro doing here?
Soldier: That's confidential! Leave me alone.
Heron: I can't leave you alone, there's ten other people in here.
Soldier: Kid, please stop making sense. What do you want here?
Heron: I just want to go to the third floor.
Soldier: You can't go anywhere here.

Heron walked over to the elevator. Falin and Toshi followed him.

Heron: I just went somewhere. Here.
Soldier 2: You can't use this elevator.
Soldier 1: Ugh...

A loud roar echoed through the room. Heron turned pale.

Heron: What... was that?
Soldier 1: Well, you know, this is the Chimera Division Tower. It's one of the Chimeras manufactured here.
Heron: What kind of Chimera was that?
Soldier 2: Something that was being developed before we got here.
Falin: Heron, you don't look so good. Something the matter?
Heron: I know that roar. It's made by an unearthly and hellish creature that these people created. None of you are safe if it's lose.
Soldier 2: Can it use elevators?
Heron: It can eat elevators.
Soldier 1: If it worries you so much, why not leave?
Heron: Because I'm crazy.

Heron pushed the button by the elevator. The doors opened. He pushed the soldier in front of it into it and reached in, pressing a random floor and the "Door Close" button.

Toshi: I don't get that.
Heron: It's a test.

All guns in the room were now pointed at Heron.

Soldier 1: Kid... you really are crazy. It takes serious mental issues to do that in front of all of these armed guards.
Heron: Yeah, I guess so.

The elevator came back down and opened up. The same soldier was in it. As he began to walk out, Heron grabbed him and got behind him. Toshi and Falin got into the elevator.

Heron: Go ahead, shoot. I dare you.

He began to back up. As soon as he got into the elevator, he pushed the soldier down. Falin closed the door and hit a random number. The elevator began to go up.

Toshi: What the heck was that about?
Heron: Getting into an elevator. You should know all about this.
Toshi: I can't say I've ever done anything quite that risky... don't you care about dying?
Heron: Well, you heard what Lento said. This is the worst that could happen. If I have to die, I want to die trying.
Falin: Or you could not die.
Heron: Look, I knew they weren't going to shoot.
Falin: What if they did? Then what?
Heron: ... Then I fail. The world falls into the hands of an insane guy in a girl's body, my struggles would be pointless. I never do anything I don't feel almost completely confident will succeed.
Falin: There's no way you can be completely confident about someone else' actions.
Heron: Don't worry. I'm here now. That's all that matters.

The elevator stopped. A tall man with shoulder length blond hair stepped in. He was wearing sunshades, from which a faint red glow came. Heron figured it was the lighting. He was wearing the typical white collared, black shirt with orange pants and polished black boots.

Heron: Are you Hauptstimme?
Hauptstimme: Yeah. And you are?
Heron: Lento sent me to help you out. I'm Heron... you may know me better as Rasch.
Hauptstimme: Oh. Rasch. I never kept up with that, really. Where is Lento?
Heron: Out doing something insane. He'll be back later.
Hauptstimme: I see. I suppose the bottom floor is flooding with soldiers?
Heron: Yeah, it is.
Hauptstimme: Same story on most of the other floors. I've been setting loose various chimeras to deal with them, so if you've encountered any along the way, forgive me.
Heron: We just got here. Falin pushed a button and we were off.
Hauptstimme: There's no other way out of here aside from getting out of the door on the bottom floor. I suppose they're waiting for us there. I'm sorry you kids were dragged into this.
Toshi: So we're all stuck here?
Hauptstimme: We can wait it out and hope that they can't handle all of the chimeras here... but something tells me they'll be able to take them down... except that one.
Heron: That one? Do you mean the Ultimate Chimera?
Hauptstimme: Oh no, not him. Something worse... you see, I have this natural desire to tinker with things, and when I was given the power to alter life and animals... I looked at the old Pig Mask records. I created the Ultimate Chimera according to the plans, but I saw a step further... I created one even more ultimate, even more indestructible, and even more unstoppable. It has no off switch. It has no weakness. It has no name.
Heron: That's absolutely horrible. Why would you ever do that?
Hauptstimme: I'm sorry. It's really not what I wanted to do... but I couldn't stop myself. Making these monstrosities is quite invigorating, to the point of feeling as if I'm a god.

The elevator started to go down.

Heron: Someone on the bottom floor finally got the bright idea to try and bring this elevator back down.

Hauptstimme pushed the button for the floor right under them. The doors opened.

Hauptstimme: Everyone out. They can have an empty elevator.

Everyone did as he said. Hauptstimme was last out. He looked around and took a look at a watch on his arm. Heron looked at the sign on the wall over the elevator. Floor 27.

Toshi: What's so interesting on that watch? It can't be that entrancing to tell the time.
Hauptstimme: It's a chimera location device. I hate to tell you... but that thing is on this floor.

[Forte]

Hauptstimme looked at his new partners. Heron looked around. He couldn't see or hear anything.

Heron: How close to us is it?
Hauptstimme: I can't say. This program for my watch only tells me the floor they're on, not where they're at.

A loud explosion rocked the tower. Two more followed.

Hauptstimme: Oh come on! Is that really necessary?! Allegro makes me mad. He's made me mad since the beginning. I can't believe anyone would ever attack their own partners.

Several more explosions, these sounded incredibly close. A loud, unearthly roar followed.

Hauptstimme: Looks like there's more people on this floor than I thought. I guess they found my little monster before it found us.
Heron: You mean they fired at it?
Hauptstimme: Fired at it? Sounds more like they threw grenades at it. They won't kill it, no matter how hard they try, so they may as well give up.

More of the same roar. The floor was filled with the screams of running soldiers. A familiar voice shouted at them. Heron ran towards the direction all of these sounds came from. Falin and Toshi followed him. Hauptstimme considered if he should follow. He decided to go ahead with them. Heron stopped abruptly and backed up a few steps. In front of him was a large, light pink beast with huge red wings. On the other side of the creature was Allegro, glaring at it as if he held no fear of it. Allegro wasn't wearing the normal uniform, and instead was wearing a suit of pure white. The only thing on him that broke the monotony of his shirt and pants was his boots, which apparently he kept from the old uniform.

Allegro: PK Fire!

He unleashed a large spray of fire on the creature, hitting it directly in the face. It began to edge closer to him through the wall of flames. The paint began to burn off of the wall around the creature, the pink carpet caught on fire almost instantly.

Hauptstimme: Try as you might, Allegro, you won't be able to kill it.

Allegro finally noticed the people behind the beast.

Allegro: Oh look, just the man I'm looking for. Can't kill it you say? Just watch me.
Hauptstimme: It's your funeral.
Allegro: Yeah right.
Hauptstimme: PK Air!

Hauptstimme gathered all of the air around him in his hands. It began to take on the appearance of white clouds. The wind coming from him became stronger and stronger, until it was strong enough to blow out all of the fire around him. Heron and his friends stepped back a bit. Hauptstimme let his concentrated air go in the direction of the chimera and Allegro, blowing both of them into a wall. Both landed with a thud on the ground. A look of horror and shock came across Allegro's face as he realized the creature was now on top of him. He engulfed himself in fire and burned a hole in the floor big enough for him to fall through. The chimera stood back up and turned in Hauptstimme's direction.

Hauptstimme: He must be able to get himself pretty hot to burn through concrete. As much as I dislike him, I respect his power.
Toshi: What are we going to do about that thing?
Hauptstimme: Nothing. Like I said, it's indestructible. Fire can't burn or melt it, ice can't freeze it. It can be pushed around by air or anything else, but it just can't be killed.
Falin: How could you make something like that?
Hauptstimme: By mixing hundreds of different animals into one being, and then adding machine parts.
Heron: Can it drown?
Hauptstimme: Never checked. It does have to breathe... I hope.
Toshi: Let's talk about this on some floor that it isn't on, ok? It's getting closer.

Toshi's statement was true. The chimera was edging nearer as they spoke. Hauptstimme nodded and the group ran back to the elevator. To their horror, the elevator had been destroyed in one of the earlier explosions.

Heron: There is a stairwell, right?
Hauptstimme: Yes... but it's on the other side of the chimera, where Allegro was.
Falin: Heron, can't you teleport us out of here?
Heron: There's too many walls around us. If I tried to get that much speed, I would have make sharp turns, which would probably screw up the teleport.
Hauptstimme: Our best bet is to hide in some of the rooms around here while it walks around trying to find people.
Toshi: It can't open doors?
Hauptstimme: It can knock doors down. But as long as we're absolutely quiet, it won't just randomly bust down the door in the room we're in.
Heron: Well... does it matter which room?
Hauptstimme: Not at all. Feel free to pick one.

Heron looked at his choices. There were five rooms between them and that monster. He ran into the room closest to his left. Everyone else followed.

Hauptstimme: What made you choose this room?
Heron: Closest one to us. That thing won't hear us slip in.
Hauptstimme: I'm not sure if it can do that... but good planning on your part. Now we wait quietly.

Allegro slammed the wall beside him with his fist. That fight had dirtied his new white suit. He walked over to one of his soldiers and took his communications radio.

Allegro: All of you idiots better get out of this building right now. You have two minutes, and the elevator is broken.
Soldier: Why the evacuation orders, sir?
Allegro: I'm burning this place down. Are all the useful chimeras captured?
Soldier: All of them except that... thing.
Allegro: As if I want that thing running around my Sector 1.
Soldier: And Commander Hauptstimme?
Allegro: Hauptstimme's stuck on floor 27 with that monster. He has those kids with him too. I win twice. If that beast doesn't kill them, they'll burn with the rest of this tower.

Allegro made his way down the stairs to the first floor and walked outside. It was raining considerably harder now.

Allegro: Damn it! Is this rain generated by a machine?
Soldier: Not to my knowledge, sir. It's natural.
Allegro: Well that's stupid. Why would Hauptstimme keep natural rain around here? Any idea when it'll stop?
Soldier: No sir... It's natural.
Allegro: Stupid nature. How am I supposed to start a fire in all of this rain? Oh well. We're not idiots, we have weapons. Plant explosives all around the base of the tower. We'll take this down in a much less flashy fashion.

[Forte]

A soldier came running up to Allegro.

Soldier: Commander Allegro, there's a problem in Sector 4. It seems Lento has headed up a large force against you.
Allegro: Hah. How pathetic. He thinks I'm still there while I let my troops run around in Sector 2? I'm not an idiot like him, I accompany my forces to make sure they don't screw up.
Soldier: What do you think we should do?
Allegro: Nothing. Sector 4 doesn't matter to me anymore. I have the rest of the world under my control as soon as Hauptstimme is out of the way... That stupid little patch of land Lento gave me is nothing but a waste of space. He can turn destroy the entire place looking for me if he wants... How goes the explosives set up?
Soldier: Taking a bit of time for some reason or another.
Allegro: Do I have to do this crap myself?

Allegro walked off back towards the tower.

Hauptstimme was searching around the floor for something. After a moment or two, Heron took notice.

Heron: What are you looking for?
Hauptstimme: Remember when I asked you why you chose this room?
Heron: Yeah?
Hauptstimme: I wanted to make sure you didn't have inside information or something.
Heron: About what?
Hauptstimme: There is a secret service shaft in this room. I don't know where it leads, but at least it'll get us off of this floor.
Falin: How would we know about it?
Hauptstimme: I don't really know. I didn't know about it for a while. When I found it, I dropped a few things down it and never saw them again, so I don't think it leads to any other room in the entire tower.
Heron: Well what if I hadn't chosen this room?
Hauptstimme: Then we would have to wait around for that chimera to leave us alone. Ah, here it is.

Hauptstimme pulled aside a piece of the pink carpet, revealing a metal guard. He removed it to expose a small, waist deep depression in the floor with a circular opening in one of its walls just big enough for a person of average size to fit through.

Hauptstimme: Luckily, I think all of us are just not fat enough to fit in this thing and be able to squirm our way through it.
Heron: I'm not sure I trust taking it if you don't know where it leads.
Hauptstimme: Your choice. Risk staying here, or follow me down this. I trust you guys, so it's your turn to trust me.
Toshi: Sounds reasonable.

Hauptstimme stepped into the small opening and began to crawl through the circular shaft. Toshi followed without hesitation.

Heron: I think he may be crazy.
Falin: Don't worry. I think Hauptstimme doesn't want any harm to come to us. He wouldn't suggest this if he didn't know we'd be ok.
Heron: Eh...

Falin crawled through after Toshi. Heron stared at the dark hole for a while. To his dismay, thinking about it further lead him to the conclusion that there really was no other way. He followed in after them. It was cool and dark inside the service shaft. Heron couldn't see anyone in front of him, or anything for that matter. It was a tight fit, and he barely had room to turn his head. What little bit he could was enough to let him look back at the shrinking light source. There was, of course, no way but forward. After crawling until he lost track of time, Heron noticed the shaft began to slant more than it had when he first got in. The incline had grown from almost flat to nearly impossible to even keep a grip on. No one in front of him had said a word since he got in. Had he taken a wrong path somehow? Heron started to speak, but he was afraid to find out. If he had taken the wrong way, what could he do to right himself? Heron began to think about his position. His one true fear was of tight and confined spaces. He knew there was a word for it, but had forgotten it. In a matter of seconds, he heard yells coming from close in front of him. He began to crawl faster, trying to catch up. The incline finally turned too steep to keep a grip on. Heron's hands flew forward and he began to slide down the shaft, letting out the same discontented scream as his friends in front of him.

Sliding so fast made the rest of the trip very easy. Heron began to see a bright white light growing in front of him, and the service shaft came back to a nearly flat surface. He was able to get back up on his hands and crawl towards the light that he soon realized was outside. After a few more seconds of crawling and squirming, he got out and fell to the ground.

Hauptstimme: Yeah. There's a drop there. I guess now I know why I never saw that stuff again. There was a door here. Pretty well disguised, too.
Falin: What did you put in here?
Hauptstimme: A few rubber balls I liked to play with every now and again. They're fun old toys people in my time played with. I was especially fond of these, so I'm glad they turned up.

Heron looked around. Adjusting to the light outside hurt his eyes. He got up and dusted himself off, looking at the wall behind him. There were strange black boxes around the base of the building.

Heron: Hey, Hauptstimme, what are these?
Hauptstimme: I dunno. I didn't put them there.
Toshi: Those are Pig Mask Army bombs. We probably should run away from this building as fast as possible.
Falin: Are you sure?
Toshi: I've seen a number of those in my life. I'm quite sure.
Hauptstimme: I already told him, he isn't going to kill my chimera.
Heron: It's certainly not the chimera he's going for. Let's get out of here.

Heron began to run away from the building, the others followed suit.

Heron: How far do you think we should get away, Toshi?
Toshi: Depends on how many they have planted there, and on what floors. If they're all just around the base of the building, the weight of the building will cause it to collapse on itself. The shockwave from that will probably be felt for miles.
Heron: Yeah, but how far from it is safe?
Toshi: From the bombs themselves, probably about fifty meters. From flying pieces of building... that depends completely on how many they have and where they're at.
Hauptstimme: I certainly hope none of my not-so-indestructible chimeras aren't in there. They're all very hard to make.
Falin: What about all the people and their houses that are near the tower? We need to somehow warn them.

Heron turned around and began running back towards the tower. Falin began to run after him, but Hauptstimme grabbed her shoulder.

Hauptstimme: I'll go get him. Something tells me you won't be able to get him out of the trouble he's going to get into.
Falin: Please be careful.

[Forte]

Lento had by now, easily made his way into the unprotected Unit 4 tower. He had very little knowledge of the layout here, making his ventures around here confusing. Allegro had changed a lot about the tower since it was created. After searching around the various floors, Lento finally found the one elevator in the entire building that led to the hundredth floor. It opened, revealing Allegro's main office. Lento walked in quietly, looking around. The tall backed seat at his desk turned around. Adagio was sitting in it. He was wearing a white version of the typical commander's outfit, the only color on his entire body now was his boots, which remained black. Looking at him dressed like this reminded Lento of his dream from so long ago.

Adagio: Ah, Lento. Good to see you could make it.
Lento: ... Where is Allegro?
Adagio: Allegro? I wonder...
Lento: Don't play games with me.
Adagio: He's in Sector 2. He knew you were going to try something like this, so he left me in charge here. It's fun to win, you know.
Lento: He must have forgotten I can go anywhere I want at any time. As long as I'm not too late to help Heron and the others stop him, you still lose. I'll be back for you soon, don't worry.

Adagio got up and jumped at Lento, grabbing his arm just as he began his teleport. The room was now still and empty.

Heron took the wrench Toshi had given him out of his backpack, grabbing it tightly in his hands. Allegro was just standing there in the rain, looking at the tower with an evil grin on his face, it filled Heron with rage to even see him. He began to run faster, let out a yell and swung at Allegro when he got close enough. Allegro blocked the hit with his sword.

Allegro: You? You're worse than a bad itch. I thought you were locked in that tower with that huge thing, how did you get out without me noticing?
Heron: That's just who I am. I won't let you blow up this tower.
Allegro: And why not?
Heron: You'll hurt innocent people.
Allegro: You're acting like I care.
Heron: That's really stupid of me, isn't it?
Allegro: It sure is.

Allegro kicked Heron back.

Heron: What's up with you standing out here in the rain? I thought you got sick if you got wet?
Allegro: I've been practicing since you and I last fought. There's no need for me to worry about getting wet at all anymore.
Heron: And how is that?
Allegro: I just have to keep my temperature hot enough to instantly evaporate the water the second it touches me. Didn't you even pay attention to the fact that I'm steaming like a boiling pot of water?
Heron: Not really. I don't care what you're doing, personally. I just can't let you do what you plan on doing.
Allegro: And why is what I want to do bad? All I want is to perfect the leadership that Lento wasn't worthy of, and, like you, change the world.
Heron: You and I have two different versions of changing the world.
Allegro: We sure do... Let's see, my way, I'm in charge, what I say goes, everything will be run effectively, and the enjoyment of the finer things in life will be reserved for me alone. Your way, everyone shares in your pathetic nature in a fixed version of Earth and lives like animals. I think my way is much better.
Heron: Your way is corrupt and terrible.
Allegro: Look around you, are you blind? Our technology is supreme to anything ever created, and it seems that I'm the only one who realizes that anymore.

Lento and Adagio appeared nearly right beside Heron. Adagio let go of Lento and gave a look of success to Allegro.

Adagio: All according to your plan.
Allegro: Perfect.
Lento: You know, I hate being used.
Allegro: Then tell that to your stupid, useless king. This world needs real leaders, not someone who pretends to be filling in for someone who probably doesn't even exist.

Lento finally took a second to even look at Allegro. He was wearing the same outfit as Adagio. Lento felt sick to his stomach.

Heron: Lento? Is something the matter? You're looking pretty sick.
Lento: I'm feeling pretty sick.

Hauptstimme finally arrived and stopped next to Lento. Lento looked both joyed to see him, yet horrified by something.

Lento: Hauptstimme... Run. Please, don't ask any questions, just please listen to me.
Hauptstimme: Why would I leave you here? These two are in direct opposition to everything you worked for, and for no reason aside from that you were trying to do what's right. How could I ever let you tell me to do something like that?
Lento: For your own good, please, leave and go somewhere that no one can find you! His leadership can't exist if you're still in power, so leaving would be the best option.
Allegro: Let him do as he will, Lento. Even if he runs, what then? We'll find him, no matter where he goes. The planet is only so big. And trust me, I will raze everything to the ground in order to find him.
Hauptstimme: You are under some illusion that you can kill me, as if I am some kind of insignificant bug. What makes you think that?
Allegro: Because I'm more powerful than anything in the world. I control with no drawbacks that which can both provide for a man, and take away from him. And then, if even my infinite control of fire isn't enough, I have Adagio controlling the other great element, that which not only powers our machines, but powers humans as well.
Heron: You have a weakness.
Allegro: And what's that?
Heron: You're insane. Both of you.

[Forte]

Allegro stared at Heron. Instead of yelling or beginning to look enraged, he gave a small and evil smile.

Allegro: I'm sure that to you, we're insane. But that's because we're winning. Adagio, let's show the nice people what you brought.

Adagio took what looked like two sword handles off of his belt and handed them to Allegro. Allegro took the ends of them and screwed them into each other and pulled on them. The two parts telescoped from the middle, making a long staff. Allegro got into a fighting stance with it and a long, curved blade of fire appeared at the top.

Lento: What is that?
Allegro: As I'm sure you remember, once upon a time, Adagio was in charge of weapons production for us. Of course, since you decided to relieve him of that position, now he's just a weapon producer for me. But that all works out well. This scythe is made so that I'm the only one capable of using it. It draws from my PSI powers, using my dominate element as the weapon's blade. Of course, had you been a better leader of this army, you would have one too, but instead, you stuck with the pathetic weapons from times past, even the same uniforms. It's almost like you're completely unoriginal.
Lento: Having changed almost nothing kept everyone from suspecting that I was unhappy being in charge. And while I don't want to be in charge of what I created, I can't allow your evil to rule over the world. If you think your weapon is what will help you defeat me, so be it, but I assure you, I won't give up without a fight.
Allegro: I'm glad you think that. When I'm done with Hauptstimme, you'll be next, I promise.
Heron: You won't hurt Hauptstimme without going through all of us.
Allegro: Is that so? Well then...

Allegro rammed his scythe, blade first, into the ground beside him. A towering wall of flame separated him and Adagio. More flames burst through the ground, making a burning cage around Heron and Lento, but leaving Hauptstimme outside. Even more flames made a giant circle, starting from the original wall between Allegro and Adagio and going all the way behind Hauptstimme. It completed itself joining with the smaller circle of the fiery prison that Lento and Heron were in. Along with Adagio, Lento and Heron could do nothing but look through the flames.

Hauptstimme: I'm amazed to see that you have enough respect for me to make this a one on one fight.
Allegro: If that idiot Lento got in the way, I would have to soil my lovely new outfit even further.
Hauptstimme: I don't think that's the real reason... however, I will not argue with you. I would like it if you would grant me one last request.
Allegro: And that is?
Hauptstimme: What made you this way? It's something you and your brother have kept secret from the rest of us for fifteen years, and since you've been this way all this time, I know nothing in these fifteen years past has made you the hateful and cynical people you are. What is it that makes you so angry that you would betray your leader, and then attempt to kill his second in command. It can't just be blind ambition.
Allegro: I feel like it would be a shame to let you die without knowing that. I'll honor your request and let you know what drives me.

Lento and Heron had taken great interest in this and did their best to hear every word.

Allegro: I was born into a family of nine, myself included. My brother and I were the only boys. Each of our siblings were separated by a year, Adagio and myself were born twins. We all grew like normal children, for the most part. In our time, war had broken out over something insignificant, and the demand for soldiers got so high they were willing to take anyone who could carry a gun. So, our country began to force people into service, and among these were our parents. Both of them. We were left alone, our caretakers were our sisters, who at the time were only just old enough to care for themselves. Our oldest sister had just turned sixteen, as for Adagio and me, we were just eight. As we aged by ourselves, it began to become apparent something was different about us. All of my sisters, even as they grew up, never truly got a feminine body shape, yet as I grew, I became more and more girl-like. The older Adagio got, the more and more he appeared to waste away, yet he remained perfectly healthy. I can honestly say that my sisters were all among the most displeasing people to look at that you can imagine. They began to have a more full mustache and beard than the boys at our school, and of course, leading to a life of misery for Adagio and I, as we were taunted and bullied for being less manly than a bunch of girls. I have forgotten the names of my sisters, all but one, who no matter how hard I try, I cannot forget - Locria. Damn her. Everything that happened to us at school happened tenfold at home with her. She was jealous that she didn't get the feminine shape that I had apparently been "blessed with". One day, the school nurse finally paid attention to Adagio's poor physical condition and had both of us rushed to the hospital. There, it was found out that he and I both had some kind of heart condition, that while not immediately deadly, would most likely prevent us from leading a fulfilling life. This was a blessing in disguise, apparently. One day, an agent of the government came to our house and told us that everyone there was to be sent to an island far away somewhere, to set up a strategic defense outpost. Upon telling him of mine and Adagio's condition, we were left, but all of my sisters were sent to that island. We never heard from them again, nor did we get any word about our parents. I have no idea how long that war lasted, but considering that there is no information on it right now, it must have lasted long enough to eliminate itself in a permanent fashion. Two years after we had been left alone, Lento found us, then brought us here, where our hearts were replaced with the mechanical ones we have now, and now you know.
Hauptstimme: So, just because you had a terrible childhood, you want to kill people for no real reason?
Allegro: There is a reason. To better our life. Look at us all. Traveling through time has made us eternally young. I don't even feel any older than I did fifteen years ago, and I most certainly know I don't look any older. It's the same with you and Lento and Adagio and all of us. We're doomed to live forever, unless someone disposes of us with weaponry. What else can we do to guarantee us a perfect infinite life aside from becoming those in charge?
Hauptstimme: Live productively. Do good things for everyone. Instead of making up for your sister's wrongdoings, you're becoming her.
Allegro: I'm a hell of a lot prettier than she was, so there's no way I could ever become her.

Allegro picked up his scythe.

Allegro: Now that you know, you die. I hope you enjoyed that final request.
Hauptstimme: If it has to be, then it will be.

Hauptstimme looked at Lento and Heron in their small, flaming cage.

Hauptstimme: I'm sorry, Lento. I know you don't want me to do this, but I can't find another way.
Heron: Lento, can't you teleport out there?
Lento: I wish I could. Technically, this fire is touching us. Wherever we teleport, the fire comes with us. Allegro clearly had this planned out quite well.
Heron: How does something technically touch you?
Lento: Fire is just released energy. As long as we feel the heat from this fire, it's touching us.
Heron: That's unfair.

Hauptstimme reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, golden disk. He threw it through the fire where it landed at Lento's foot. It was very scratched and somewhat dirty, with patches on the edges that looked as if it had been stuck into an electrical outlet. In the middle there was an engraving of a lightning bolt.

Hauptstimme: Please keep that safe and never lose it. It has powers that our science can't explain.

Hauptstimme drew his sword and activated its blade.

Hauptstimme: I give you the offer once more - consider your ways.
Allegro: Shut up. It's time for me to live on top of everything.

Toshi and Falin had gotten tired of waiting for Heron and Hauptstimme to return and ran to the side of the fire.

Falin: Toshi, can you do anything to get us in there?
Toshi: Reflect doesn't work like a shield. It's just a reflector. If something isn't moving, it can't reflect it. I'm sorry.

Allegro rushed at Hauptstimme, swinging his scythe at neck level. Hauptstimme ducked and tried to stab Allegro in the stomach. Unfortunately, Allegro was just out of reach because of his long weapon's range. He brought the scythe down on Hauptstimme, stabbing him in his arm. Hauptstimme's sleeve caught on fire around where the scythe had stabbed him. He built up a bit of air in his other hand and blew it out. He rolled out of reach of Allegro's scythe and stood back up. He looked at his arm. The wound went all the way through, but it didn't bleed. The heat of the scythe must have treated the wound at the same time as it was inflicted, leaving nothing but a burning pain in his arm. Hauptstimme swung his sword at nothing in a peculiar pattern - left, up, and then back down, pointing at Allegro. Lightning came from nowhere and struck Allegro, knocking him down. Hauptstimme deactivated his sword and put it back on his belt. He began to build up air in both hands, summoning two well controlled tornadoes, which he brought down on Allegro, slamming him back and forth between them and the ground. As quick as he could find the time that his face wasn't on the ground, Allegro used his PK Fire to engulf his body in raging, blue flames. The tornadoes grew smaller until they disappeared completely. His scythe's blade was now a bright and fierce blue, just like the fire that completely covered his body.

Allegro: What's the matter, not able to get any air?
Hauptstimme: I suppose that was the best you could do, eat away my air with fire. I admire your effort.

Hauptstimme drew his sword again and went through the lightning pose, calling forth another bolt to strike Allegro. Predicting the attack, Allegro dodged it slightly and changed the blade of his scythe to face straight forward. He tried to take a stab at Hauptstimme, but he used his sword to pin the handle of the scythe down, then grabbed the part right above Allegro's hand and tried to take it from Allegro. Allegro set the entire handle on fire, causing Hauptstimme to jerk his hand from it. Hauptstimme cut Allegro's arm in the same move and went in for another cut, but was instead greeted with a stab to the heart from the now straight scythe. Allegro let off his PK Fire, taking away the blade of his weapon and returning the staff to its compact form. Hauptstimme fell to the ground. The flames around the area still hadn't gone down, but Lento ran through the fires of the circle he had been trapped in, overcome with rage. He threw off his burning coat and jumped on top of Allegro.

Lento: I save your life and call you a friend, yet you betray me, strip me of power, and if that's not enough, kill the only true friend I have left in this world? You must think that your life was so horrible that no one else could possibly have problems that they fought for and suffered through?

Allegro engulfed his own body in flames again.

Lento: You think I care?! Burn me to death if you can! PK MARIA!
Allegro: What's a PK Mar-

He was cut off as the same incomprehensible force that Heron had used on him back in Sector 3 slammed him into the ground further and further, tearing apart a large crater where they were at. Unlike Heron's, Lento's was even stronger, and continued for longer. The force of the energy being released felt like it was going to tear him in half, and after five seconds of it constantly pounding on him, Allegro wished it would. He was no longer able to keep concentration on the fire around his body, and his temperature fell to that of a normal human's. Finally, Lento's PSI attack stopped. Lento picked up Allegro by his hair and threw him out of the hole in the ground they had just made. The giant wall of fire died down to nothing. Lento stood there for a moment with tears running down his face. He used his healing PSI to cure any burns on him and he crawled out of the crater. Heron, Falin, and Toshi ran to Hauptstimme. Lento walked over and got down on his knees beside Hauptstimme. It was too late for any final words from him. Allegro twitched and squirmed until he finally got some feeling back into his body. He pushed himself up and looked at the mourning group across from him.

Allegro: You fight your hardest... and for nothing. If your best couldn't kill me, what makes you think anything will?

Falin looked at Allegro, crying from both rage and sadness

Falin: How is it that you could kill someone that you worked together with? You're on the same team, why would you do this?
Allegro: It's simple, you little wretch. This is real life, and the good guys die too. Now, if you'll excuse me, you four can cry all you want, but I'm going to take my position as king of this world.

Allegro got up and walked over to Adagio, who then pushed a button on a strange little device. In a matter of minutes, a giant flying ship hovered over the area and dropped a rope ladder. Allegro and Adagio climbed up and got into the open door on the aircraft. The ladder was retracted and the door closed, then the ship floated off as quickly as it came.

[Forte]

A small group of soldiers marched over to the group standing around Hauptstimme's lifeless body. One of them approached Lento.

Soldier: Sir, we were given orders by Commander Adagio to dispose of his body in a "respectable fashion", so you need not fear what will become of it from here.
Lento: That sounds too kind to be Adagio... but there's nothing that can be done for him... or to him now. I won't resist you taking him.
Soldier: Thank you for your compliance in this matter. We were also given orders to arrest you and these kids... but if we're asked, you got away.

Lento nodded and walked over to Heron and his friends.

Heron: Lento... why couldn't Healing be used on him? Wouldn't that help?
Lento: The Healing PSI can cure almost anything... but it can't fix death.
Falin: I'm sorry Toshi and I weren't here. We may have been able to help.
Lento: There's nothing that can fix this. I don't know what to do now. I have no idea what Allegro will do from here...
Toshi: He's heading to the capitol, right?
Lento: Most likely.
Toshi: Then do your teleport thing to get there.
Lento: Our airships are extremely fast, and as you can imagine, Sector 1 is pretty close to here. Besides, I haven't been back in Sector 1 for weeks. I'm number one on their wanted list, just being seen there would get me killed.
Heron: What was that thing that Hauptstimme gave you?

Lento pulled it out of his pants pocket and looked at it.

Lento: I'm not sure... looks like a pin of some sort. But I do know what I'm doing with it...

Lento unhooked his belt and took it off. He turned it over and took off the pig snout buckle that was on it currently and threw the buckle to the ground. He turned the little object over and found a way to hook it to his belt. He slipped the belt back through the loops on his pants and hooked it back together.

Heron: That looks very nice. Maybe it is a belt buckle.
Lento: Hauptstimme loved to find and collect things from long ago... this is just probably something else that caught his interest.

The giant TV Screens that were on some of the buildings, which normally advertised various things or played music, started to flicker. They regained their clear and perfect signal with Allegro on the screen.

Allegro: People of the world, may I have your attention? Today is a sad day indeed, especially for the citizens of Sector 2. As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, I feel it is my duty to announce this to everyone, so please, if you're prone to fainting, sit down now, grab your children, and hug your spouse. Today, or tonight depending on where you are, our glorious leader Hauptstimme was murdered in cold blood by ex-commander Lento, that tyrant who we thought we had rid ourselves of for over a month now. While I cannot say exactly what drove him to this act, be it jealousy or just unchecked evil, I can say for sure that there is no mistaking that he is most certainly the perpetrator of this horrendous act.

You all may now wonder: "who does leadership fall on?" While next in line would normally be Rallentando, commander of Sector 3, Lento, while he was still in power deemed her unable to rule in the event of any emergency like this. While I do question his decision on this matter, I cannot change it at this point, as it was set up in our laws. In that scenario, with Unit 3 incapable of taking command, Unit 4, yours truly, is to take the leadership role. Generally, I believe I am of the more liked commanders, and I promise to you, the citizens of this world, that I will do my best to maintain the leadership standards that Hauptstimme had when he was in charge. Thank you for your time, and I hope that everyone will be able to overcome this tragic, unprecedented loss. As a countermeasure against that criminal who so savagely took the life of our great leader, I ask you all to be on the lookout for him, if you forgot or never knew what he looked like, a picture will be provided at the end of this message and displayed until his arrest and punishment. Once again, thank you for your cooperation.

The screen switched over to a picture of Lento. Above and below the picture, "Wanted" appeared in bold black letters. The usual music began to play over any TVs that weren't already playing advertisements, but the picture stayed frozen there.

Heron: A month? You've been out of power for a month and we just learned?
Lento: Well, you know, with your recent world travel, time flies. You've spent a lot more time traveling back and forth than you think.
Heron: I can't believe that.
Falin: I can't believe that he would have the nerve to come on international TV and lie to everyone in the world.
Toshi: Seems like something he would do. But so soon... He wanted us to see this.
Heron: There's no way we couldn't have seen it.

The music and sound stopped on the TVs again. The somewhat upbeat music and noisy ads were replaced by Allegro's voice once again. The picture didn't shift from Lento's wanted poster.

Allegro: Hi again. In about an hour, we'll be transferring the entire population of Sector 2, 3, 4, and 5 to Sector 1. With no commanders over these areas, there is no use in having them populated. Please pack your belongings and say goodbye to the scenery you know. Don't worry, Sector 1's big enough for all of you. Also, any soldiers in these units, you are to report to Sector 1 for retraining. Thank you.

Heron: What do you think he's up to?
Lento: I don't know... Those white suits... it only means one thing... those dreams I had so long ago were warnings.
Heron: Dreams?
Lento: It's a long story... but now I don't have anything to fight for anymore. I may as well give up.
Heron: That's not true. You still have Maria. You obviously care a lot about her, to name your PSI after her.
Lento: There's nothing I can do for her anymore. I couldn't save Hauptstimme, even when I knew it would happen.
Toshi: You can only try your best. Hauptstimme knew it had to happen. He never feared for his own life.

Lento looked at his old belt buckle on the ground. He kicked it away like a piece of garbage.

Lento: I can't... no, I won't let any harm come to her.
Heron: So, will you teleport us to Sector 1?
Lento: I'm sorry, but I'm unable to do that. I used up every last bit of my PSI energy on that attack. Maybe with a good night's sleep to recharge it... but we don't have time to sleep now. We're going to have to walk all the way there, or at least find some way to get there other than teleporting.
Falin: Walk? That's going to take us forever!
Toshi: Depends on how close we are to Sector 1 now. Exactly... how close are we?
Lento: We're pretty far. It's completely by land to get there, but if we go nonstop... I think maybe about four days is a reasonable guess.
Heron: Isn't it easier just to get some sleep and teleport?
Lento: If we were to sleep here, we would be captured. In fact, if we sleep in any heavily populated areas, we'll risk capture. Let's get going now. There's a pretty large area that isn't all too densely populated about six hours from here. We can try and rest there.

[Forte]

Lento's guess of how far away the small area was proved to be exactly right. The four of them fell to the cold concrete they were standing on. The area was just like everywhere else, no trees, no flowers, no grass, no dirt, but there was another obvious thing lacking - no buildings. None of the tall buildings, houses, lights, and giant advertisement TVs were here. It was just a huge empty field of concrete and obviously unused road.

Heron: Why is this place here?
Lento: Places like this dot the entire world. They're unused areas for expansion if the population ever grew beyond the currently civilized areas.
Falin: How far are we from Sector 1 now?
Lento: A very long way off. Look over there.

Lento pointed off in the distance to something that looked like a giant rectangle on the horizon.

Falin: What is that?
Lento: It's the tallest tower of Sector 1's complex.
Heron: Complex?
Lento: All of the other sectors have their own little tower, each one 100 floors, right?
Heron: Yeah.
Lento: Sector 1's tower is seven towers in one. You see, A long time ago in the first New Pork City, Porky made a giant tower, the Empire Pork Building, which was the basis for all of the ones we have in each sector... but at the time, his New Pork City had the only tower, suggesting dominance, so a bigger building than the original one had to be made... Thus the Unit 1 Complex was created.
Heron: You mean when I was there, I was only in one part of it?
Lento: Yes, you were in the tallest part, that one that you can see now. You were able to see over all of Sector 1, right?
Heron: Yes... how big is that tower?
Lento: It's huge. Chances are, you saw some of Sector 4, too. The entire Complex is big enough to house all of the world in it alone. Sector 1 has more than enough space for everyone in the world, which is a good reason Allegro didn't hesitate to move everyone there.
Toshi: I want to know why he did that.
Lento: Now that I think about it, it's obvious. With that many people supposedly on the lookout for me, there's no way to get back in there, or so he thinks.

Heron took off his backpack and lay down on it, using it as a pillow. He was asleep almost instantly. Lento looked at Falin and Toshi and shrugged.

Lento: I guess he has the right idea.
Toshi: I won't argue with him. This is more than I planned to do today.
Falin: I wish he weren't so reckless...
Lento: Hm?
Falin: When he and I first met, he was being reckless and it didn't really bother me, but the more we did... the more it seems to worry me, especially if I'm not there beside him.
Lento: You care a lot about him. He's a lot like me, even though he doesn't want to hear that. I hope he doesn't ignore your love like I ignored Maria's, or he'll live to regret it.

Falin sat there quietly. She looked somewhat embarrassed.

Lento: If we're lucky, we'll live through the night. Let's try to get some sleep.

Morning came all too fast for the tired group. Lento was the first awake, after not really sleeping much at all. He got the others up one by one.

Lento: I didn't sleep very well, but it's enough to get us all there. One way trip though... By now, if Allegro worked as fast as he can plot, everyone in the world except us is currently in Sector 1. Are you guys ready to do this?
Heron: I am.
Toshi: Let's go.
Falin: As ready as I'll ever be.
Lento: Ok. Everyone hold hands.

Lento joined the circle and closed his eyes. He stood still for a moment. His eyes shot open and he screamed, falling to the ground.

Heron: What's the matter?!

Lento twitched for a moment. He stood back up.

Lento: Allegro put a PSI shield over the entire Complex. I can't get anywhere near it. He's smarter than he looks.
Toshi: So we're stuck?
Lento: Of course not. Give me a second.

Lento closed his eyes again and joined hands with the others. In an instant, they were all gone. The group appeared next to a giant wall.

Heron: Where are we at?
Lento: Right outside of the main section of Sector 1. Inside of there is everything that makes Sector 1 tick, a huge residential area, museums, libraries, multiple zoos, everything.
Toshi: Sounds impressive.
Heron: Impressively destructible. Let's go.
Lento: Wait. Don't do anything rash.
Heron: I can't help it. It's in my name.

Heron ran up to the massive open gate. There were people all over the place inside. The impressively huge structure of the Sector 1 complex caught his eye for the first time. The very top was impossible to see, it was wider than any single structure he had ever seen before, and seemed to stretch on forever. The others caught up with him and looked around.

Heron: How can any building be that big?
Lento: Because when you take tens of thousands of people and tell them to work together on something, it gets done and it gets done right. Like I said, that tower could hold everyone in the world.
Falin: Lento, aren't you in danger to be in public like this? Your face is plastered all over everything.
Lento: Don't worry. I'll be fine. First, I want to stop by that museum. It has some important things in it.

Lento ran off down the street to a tall building. The others ran after him. It didn't take long to get to the museum. The four went in together. Lento walked around, looking all over the place, squeezing by the masses of people who had never been here and were now taking a tour of the place. Finally, he got to a fairly large display of a couple of strange looking items. Lento punched the glass over it, shattering it and sending a shower of glass parts everywhere. Everyone in the museum looked at him, amazed. He pulled three items out of the display and ran off in a completely different direction than where he came. It was almost impossible for Heron and the others to keep up with him in this incredibly crowded place. Soon, they were back outside, this time behind the museum.

Lento: Man, that was fun. Anyone behind us?
Heron: No... everyone here seems too distracted by... everything. No one even noticed us, really.
Toshi: I think it's kind of scary. Is there something special about Sector 1?
Lento: Here and there we have these things that Porky told me to have built called Happiness Boxes. Just being near them for too long will make you forget all of your worries. I don't really know why he wanted those created, but we made sure to put plenty of them in places that would be widely popular. Aside from that, I'm sure everyone just wants to take a tour of this new huge area they've been brought to, it's only natural.
Falin: So, what did you steal?
Lento: Some interesting weapons from the past. Heron, for you, take this. It's a baseball bat made of lightweight metal. It'll last you until we get to the weapons development section in the complex. In there we have some weapons that were designed for Allegro's use, specifically so that he wouldn't melt them. That way, you won't have to worry about him melting your weapons again.

Heron took the bat. It felt well used and powerful.

Lento: Falin, I would give this to you, but nothing is more brutal than a frying pan to the face. So instead, I'll give it to you, Toshi. After extensive research, I found that it's called the Sword of Kings. Sounds as regal as it looks.
Toshi: Wow. I've rarely seen swords made of metal. I'll make sure to use it well.
Lento: I think we're all appropriately armed now. Let's get inside.

The giant advertisement TVs and music TVs all over the place started to break their signal. Allegro appeared on all of them.

Allegro: Lento! I guess I should have indeed put a PSI shield over the entire area. I guess that wouldn't have kept you out, still. Don't try to hide. I have eyes everywhere. You and your miserable team aren't safe here. No matter where you go, there will be someone to stop you. Something to stop you. Anything. If you really think you're good enough to undo this and take power back from me, come on and try it! This is an order to all of you from your new supreme commander! If Lento is seen, attack with extreme prejudice, and make sure to take out anyone who is even near him.

The TVs all went back to normal.

Lento: I'll take that challenge. Let's go.

[Forte]

A large, well organized group of soldiers began to flow into the area. They stood in front of the door to the Sector 1 Complex, the museum, and even several houses.

Heron: They move fast.
Lento: These aren't the soldiers I remember being in our army. Allegro's "retraining" made a lot of progress, apparently.
Falin: How are we supposed to get past them?
Lento: Fight, if we have to.
Toshi: If they're better trained, then we don't stand much chance of fighting against them.

Heron stared at the front door of the massive building so close to them.

Falin: What are you looking at?
Heron: I'm waiting for it to open...

He didn't have to wait long. A short man wearing the standard commander uniform stepped out. His face was concealed by the special helmet Heron had last seen on Zahlzeit.

Toshi: Who is that guy? I've never seen him.
Lento: Neither have I... but I have a bad feeling about him. I can't really tell what it is, but it feels extremely evil.
Heron: I got what I wanted. I saw inside. We can teleport inside.
Falin: Do we have enough room to get a running start?
Lento: Actually, you do. The second stage of the Teleport PSI allows you to simply run in tight circles until you build up speed. It's a simple addition to the first stage, unlike mine.
Heron: So is your Teleport the final stage?
Lento: Actually... it's just the third. The final one will let you teleport to any person anywhere in the world without having to know where they are. Other than that, it works just like mine.
Heron: Shame we don't know that one... Ok. Let's try this version of Teleport.

The group all joined hands and began to run around in tight circles. After a few circles, Heron stopped.

Heron: I feel incredibly stupid doing this. Are you sure it'll work?
Lento: Of course.

Heron started running again, building up more and more speed. It was beginning to be harder to maintain the small circles.

Lento: When you've built up enough speed running in the circle, run straight like normal.
Heron: When do I know how much speed is enough?
Lento: Take a guess.

Heron kept going. It finally felt like fast enough and he ran straight toward a group of soldiers. They were caught off guard and hurried to draw their weapons, but it was too late for them to react. The entire group vanished. The four reappeared inside. The scenery was really no different from the other towers throughout the world. Strangely enough, no one was at the reception desk, or anywhere really.

Heron: Well, Lento, you know the layout of this place. It's your call.
Lento: Actually... I don't.
Heron: What? All these years of being around here and you don't know how to get around!?
Lento: I never really left the top thirty floors. This entire place was only completed about 6 years ago, and when you're busy secretly protecting the world, pretending to kill people, and traveling with the express intent to help your enemy, that's not really enough time to explore somewhere this big, especially to remember all the rooms, twists, turns, and hallways.
Heron: Ok, ok... But we can't just run around here blindly.
Lento: Well, the obvious direction is up. Get to where Allegro is, confront him there and take him down before he does something horrible to everyone.
Heron: So there's an elevator to the top floor, right?
Lento: Wrong. There's an elevator to the top floor of this section, but that's only 100 floors.
Heron: That doesn't make any sense.
Lento: Actually, it does. Allow me to explain how this place works. The main entrance is located in a wing that makes up the front of the building, which is where we are currently. This part, the low middle wing only has 100 floors. From the 100th floor of this section, we can take one of two paths, either into the mid-west wing or mid-east wing. Both of those only have 100 floors as well, but we must venture back down to the bottom floor of either one and go into the middle wing, which is directly behind the back of this area. Does all of this make sense to you?
Heron: Not at all... but go on.
Lento: Ok. From the middle wing, we must go up to its 300th floor, from which we'll have to visit both the west and east wings to get the two parts of a security code and take it to the 700th floor of either the west or east wing. The security door there will lead us to an elevator which will take us to floor 1 of the main tower. If Allegro is commanding this entire area as efficiently as it seems, he'll be near the top of that tower.
Toshi: That's a ton of walking back and forth accomplishing nothing!
Heron: I have to agree. Whose idea was this?
Lento: It was actually mine, to keep the threat of attackers such as myself at a low. If you have to run around pointlessly for a long time like this, it maximizes the possibility of your capture and arrest. Never thought it would turn around and bite me like this.
Falin: Well... I guess all we can do is to go with it now.
Lento: The elevator is right this way. I doubt you want to take the stairs.

Lento walked forward and pushed a button on the wall. The elevator opened and the four got in.

[Forte]

The elevator ride was smooth and quiet. Ascending 100 floors always took a while. Toshi decided to break the silence.

Toshi: Lento... are you going to be staying with us now?
Lento: I think it's right of me to do that.
Toshi: Have any objectives you want accomplished?
Lento: As selfish as it sounds, I want to get Maria first. I have to try to get her to remember everything.
Heron: What does she remember?
Lento: As I think I've told you before, she only remembers how to speak. Your memory span is pretty short.
Heron: Well, it's hard to remember things like that when you're told once and then thrown into war.
Lento: Ah, this is barely war. I bet Allegro knows a lot about war.
Falin: When we get to the next tower over... depending on which we want to go to... is there an elevator down?
Lento: Two floors down.
Heron: Is either one particularly dangerous?
Lento: Eh... I dunno. I'm pretty sure they're both the same, and each have just as many people guarding them.

The elevator slowed to a halt. The display at the top read "100". The doors opened. The 100th floor looked just like one of the floors in the Unit 2 tower, nothing but doors and wall. The pink carpet was really starting to get annoying.

Heron: There aren't any soldiers here. I wonder why?
Lento: I find it strange myself. There's no way they can all be outside... however, those told to protect this one wing may be. I imagine it will become harder from here.
Toshi: Which way should we go?
Lento: I think left would be nice.
Falin: Let's trust Lento's opinion.
Heron: That's fine by me.
Toshi: Right, then.
Lento: Oh. Right. I suppose Lento is a name that means nothing to me anymore. Call me Len, at least that way I can feel human again.

The group went to the left. They reached the end of the hallway and found the door leading to the mid-west wing. Beyond it was a flight of stairs leading down into a large room, reminiscent of the very top of the Unit 5 tower. The four walked into the middle of the room.

Heron: Hey Lent...Len, this place is pretty tall.
Len: Yeah. It counts as two floors. It's also a combat training area. The high ceiling provides for the ability to practice shooting airborne targets, and testing out flying devices.

The door on the other side of the room opened. A large, imposing figure walked in with a much smaller one beside him. As they drew closer, it was apparent that the two were Zahlzeit and, shockingly, Brio.

Zahlzeit: Ah, Lento. So it's true, you are rebelling against us. I kind of hoped Allegro was lying.
Len: I don't think you should call it rebelling. I'm fighting for what's right, and you two have a chance to now. Please, consider helping me.
Brio: You never were very nice to me. Sticking me in the middle of nowhere with a few convicts that Allegro sent my way.
Len: I gave you the ability to walk again.
Brio: And my legs are extremely thin now. It looks like I'm a bird.
Len: That's sure a huge price to pay for one of the most important abilities a human has.
Brio: And then there's these three kids! Freezing me with my own attack? How pathetic. Allegro made sure to take care of that. I didn't see you helping me, Lento! I have no reason to help you.
Zahlzeit: And me, you leave disfigured and in charge of the sector that this original Rasch is in. That's the treatment I get? I don't owe you anything.
Heron: Listen to yourselves! You aren't gracious for anything he did for you. He didn't have to choose you two, of all the people in time he could have gone back and helped!
Brio: I would rather be without the use of my legs than confined to an icy Hell.
Zahlzeit: Obviously, Lento, we have no intentions of helping you at all. You may as well forget that. Instead, we'll stop you here, for master Allegro.
Len: What has he done for you?
Zahlzeit: Given us the promise of a future where we hold power.
Toshi: Then it's true, that old saying? Power does corrupt.

Zahlzeit transformed his robotic arm into its high powered gun form, and Brio drew his standard issue energy sword.

Brio: I hope you've lived a good life, Lento, for it ends now. While you die, you can think about what you've done to us.
Len: I gave you both another chance at life. I have nothing to feel bad about. I don't want to fight you two. Unlike you, I refuse to turn on people I once called friend.
Zahlzeit: Then die without resistance!

Zahlzeit fired a volley of shots at Len, all of which were reflected by Toshi, who had been concentrating on his Reflect PSI for quite some time.

Brio: Look out for this kid, Zahlzeit. He has the power to reflect.
Zahlzeit: Obviously.

Heron took the baseball bat out of his backpack and backed up to Toshi.

Heron: How long are you able to keep reflect, and on how many people at one time?
Toshi: As long as I'm not hit I can keep it up on any one person at full strength without much waste of my PSI energy. If I gave it to all of us, it would almost wear me out, and we would each have a very weak version which would wear out after reflecting a few things.
Heron: Cover yourself, Falin, and Len. Don't worry about me, I can dodge easily.
Toshi: But that's unfair to you.
Heron: I don't worry about myself, I worry about my friends.

Toshi did as Heron said and protected everyone except him with the psychic reflection shield. Falin and Toshi began to attack Zahlzeit, protected from even his most powerful shots. He began to fight back with physical attacks, prompting them to go on the defensive. Heron ran at Brio with his bat, taking a swing which was blocked by Brio's sword.

Brio: That's an interesting bat, to have not been cut in half just now. Must be made of some good stuff.
Heron: I don't know what it's made from. But right now, that doesn't matter.

The two stood there, trying to force the other to draw back his weapon. Heron kicked at Brio's legs, tripping him. 

Heron: I don't fight fair, and I don't have to.

Heron stomped on Brio's stomach and kicked him in the side. Brio's breathing sounded labored.

Heron: Give up now?
Brio: The only thing that'll make me give up is if I die.

He rolled away from Heron and stood back up. Len finally decided to draw his swords. He activated them both and followed a set pattern with both of them, crossing them in front of his face, swinging them out to be parallel with him, and then brought them up over his head and back down, pointing directly at Brio and Zahlzeit. Lightning came from nowhere, striking them both. Brio fell to the ground and didn't get back up. Zahlzeit's arm fell beside him, all the glowing blue lights on it stopped flashing and turned off.

Brio: Wh... what have you done? I... I can't move my legs...
Zahlzeit: My arm won't function either. What is this?
Len: You would rather not walk than be sentenced to an icy Hell, eh? Well how about not being able to walk and having to crawl to wherever you find suitable?
Zahlzeit: You forget, I can walk. I have another usable arm, too!

Zahlzeit ran at Len, letting out a loud yell and slamming his fist forward when he got in range of Len's face. Len dodged and sliced off Zahlzeit's mechanical arm. He swept one foot into Zahlzeit's leg, tripping him.

Len: And so you no longer have a disfiguring arm. Be natural once again in the state I found you in. And enjoy the lack of what you have had for these years. That is the price of betrayal.

Zahlzeit got up and and tried to attack Len again. Len slashed at Zahlzeit's real arm, not severing it, but leaving a deep gash.

Len: Give up. It's over for you. Both of you. Your artificial limbs will work no more. I would say to consider what you're doing next time... but there won't be a next time.

[Forte]

Len deactivated his swords and clipped them back onto his belt. Heron walked over to him, followed by Falin and Toshi.

Heron: That was awesome! How did you do that, though?
Len: These swords were designed with the ability to excite electrons in the air if swung in a certain pattern. It also acts as a magnet, pulling these excited particles to the sword. Then, when you're ready to use it, you point in the direction you want to send the newly formed lightning.
Falin: Amazing.
Toshi: But, what about their limbs?
Len: I'm the only one who knows about that. Our artificial parts run on electricity generated from our body, but if we were to be shocked by anything too potent, it would overload them and destroy the circuitry connecting them to us, rendering them absolutely immobile and incapable of repair.
Heron: What about your arms?
Len: Same goes for me... and pretty much everything in Maria's body now... Since Adagio is a master of PK Thunder, it makes me worry that the two may get into a fight.
Toshi: I wouldn't worry too much about that.
Len: I can't help it. Oh well. The door those two came in leads to the elevator to the bottom floor of the mid-west tower. We may as well go.

The group walked out of the room. Brio struggled up onto his arms.

Brio: Zahlzeit... Zahlzeit, stop laying around feeling bad for yourself. Get over here and help me up.
Zahlzeit: What? If I help you up, you'll fall back down. There's no reason for me to help you up.
Brio: You can walk. Carry me, I'll be the only firepower you need. If we fight together, we can win in the end.

Zahlzeit got up. He walked over to Brio and picked him up, placing him on his shoulder.

Brio: They were obviously going to the mid-west wing. If we take the mid-east, we'll be able to cut them off in the Middle Tower.
Zahlzeit: Whatever you say.

The elevator stopped on the bottom floor of the Mid-West wing. Len walked out calmly, as if he knew no one would be there to intercept him.

Len: It's safe. Come on.

Heron, Falin and Toshi walked out. The air here was different, for some reason thicker and had a smell that none of them were able to recognize.

Falin: Why does it smell like this here?
Toshi: Not only the smell... but it's pretty warm here too.
Len: Oh. Yeah. Since the Mid-West and Mid-East wings are right in front of the West and East Wings, the environment from those two kind of seep into the lower ones.
Heron: Say what?
Len: I'll show you when we get there. The elevator over here only goes up to the 70th floor as a security measure, and would normally be reserved specially for staff. Lucky us, eh?

Len walked over to the elevator on the opposite side of the room and entered a code on the wall. The doors opened. He walked in. The others followed him in. The doors closed and the elevator began to ascend.

Len: We could have walked, if you wanted to.
Heron: I don't think so.
Len: I figured.
Falin: You seem somewhat happy, Len. Something got you in a good mood?
Len: Nah. I'm just trying to keep cool. There's no way we would get anywhere if I was constantly worried about something, or depressed, so if I just fake happiness, we have a better chance of achieving it truly.
Toshi: I'm sorry that things are so hard on you.
Len: Oh. No. Don't be. Once again, I'm sorry I dragged you all into this. You're each too young to have to deal with this kind of thing. If it weren't for my selfishness, this would have never happened, and you would all three have normal lives with a normal family in a normal world.
Heron: You aren't the cause of this, even though you want to blame it on yourself. It's that king of yours. And when I get close enough to him, he'll get his.
Len: Oh. Right. Did I not tell you? Porky is... well... he's locked up in a giant ball.
Heron: I remember you mentioning a sphere...
Len: Well yeah. He's in there. A long time ago, he locked himself in it, hoping to keep himself safe from the destruction of everything... or the reconstruction of everything... and it backfired. His lead scientist made it impossible to be opened.
Heron: You did all of this, not only for a man you've never met, but never seen, either? Never even had physical contact with?
Len: Yeah, pretty much.
Heron: Then what was there to fear the entire time?
Len: He has this supernatural control of things. I don't know where it comes from, but people are for some reason compelled to follow him. If I turned against him, something bad would happen to me. Of course, I turned against him in secret, and something bad still happened to me. What a coincidence.

The elevator stopped. The doors slid open, revealing a large open room. It was empty, like the other rooms they had visited so far.

Len: Five floors from here is an elevator that leads to the 100th floor. We'll have to take the stairs, of course, but it's been much quicker for us than it would the normal vigilante group.

The group made their way to the stairwell. They quickly ascended the stairs to the 75th floor, opening the door to reveal a corridor.

Len: This floor is a maze. It's just as big as the one we were just on, so put two and two together and you'll find that this won't be an easy maze at all.

A small animal came walking around one of the corners. It looked like a mouse, or maybe a hamster, yet where it once had forepaws, there were drills, both of which were almost bigger than the animal itself.

Heron: What is that thing?
Len: It's a Reconstructed Mole. It's one of Hauptstimme's creations, but it's not really a threat.
Falin: What is it doing here?
Len: I imagine Allegro took the chimeras from the Unit 2 tower and brought them here. If he brought weak ones, he most certainly brought the powerful ones too. Let's try to get through this maze as quickly as possible so that none of the stronger ones notice us.

The group walked around for some time, fending off chimeras, large and small, having to retrace their steps numerous times. After running around in circles, trying different paths and finding the same outcome, the group finally arrived at the elevator.