Prologue

"The full use of your powers along lines of excellence."
-Definition of "happiness"
By John F. Kennedy.

It felt and was something like a sudden rush. Luke fon Fabre found himself staring into a bright light that pulled away. Luke felt the light tingle of a grunt slightly as he heard a distinct clatter of voices. Luke blinked once and grew aware of the voices enough to listen to them carefully.

"There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him." This voice sounded vaguely familiar, yet filled with kindness and a tired bassatone drifted into Luke's subconscious.

"Are you sure?" This voice he was positive he had heard before, with the soft and worried tone in her beautiful voice. Luke felt a little bristle in his mind, the person who was talking was his mother. Luke let his head move to see his mother hovering over his body and talking to a doctor. Luke blinked again, seeing his mother seemed a bit different. The few wrinkles his mother had seemed to had lessened greatly. "Luke!" His mother said, relief flooded her kind voice. Luke sat up to this and noted one thing readily, his body was smaller. It then hit Luke and trembled through Luke like the vibrations of an earthquake.

An aching emptiness that he had only felt twice in his entire life-span and that was when he realized he was truly at fault at Akzeriuth and when he had discovered in his mind he was just truly a replica. Luke tried quickly to search for Asch's tired soul within his own fonons, but failed as it seemed to be completely shut in. His fonon slots were closed? How was that possible?

"Mom." Luke finally replied after what may have been a long time of a moment of silence, remembering quickly that his mother was talking to him. Luke felt the back of his mind grow confused, but let his body handle the situation in the best way possible.

"Does your head hurt?" Luke's mother asked, brushing back the bangs that lay at the curved angle on Luke's face. Luke gave a small frown,

"I'm fine, mom." Had he passed out? But how? Why was his mother asking about his head?

"Did you hear voices again?" The doctor who had been standing at the side walked up and grabbed Luke's wrist, timing his pulse. Voices?

"No." Luke simply said, letting the doctor do his job. This man seemed familiar...OH! Luke then let it hit him because it was a memory; he was the doctor who had taken care of Luke during his 'memory' crisis! But...he died when Luke was 'five' (fifteen)! What...how was it possible? Luke stared at the doctor then back at his mother. Was it possible? Could he accidentally have managed to blast himself so far into the past? Had his hyperressonance control actually managed to reassemble his matter to the point it could travel even to the past or future? Luke shook his head for a second, that sounded like something Jade had been worried about.

There was no way it should have been possible! There was just no way! Luke couldn't have traveled to the past! But...it could be...Asch wasn't in here with him anymore...did that mean Asch was with his body? Luke looked at his mom with a small smile, "Mon, can I be left alone for awhile?" Luke asked politely, which seemed to shock his mother slightly, but she nodded and dragged the doctor out with her, with a bright smile encompassing her face.

Luke stayed still and looked where he was. In his room, small yet overly huge and on his bed. Luke coursed his hands through his red hair and felt it long but not extremely long. Luke looked and found a nearby mirror. Luke stared quietly, he was young, he knew with his mother looking confused with his speech. Luke's body was...at least looked like it was twelve. So Luke was actually two, at least that's what Luke though. Luke then started to search for his journal; it would hold a few answers of when he was. Luke paused in his search, breathing the air uneasily. Asch wasn't with him, and it felt horrible to not feel the other's presence with him. Luke then struggled for a moment on how complete he had been with Asch's soul mingering lightly around with his own body and soul with the silent warmth of a guiding Lorelei in the background.

Luke then continued to search for his journal, letting himself get used to the horrid emptiness. It shouldn't have been possible, what was Luke doing to get so many seventh fonons that needed to change his matter? Luke growled timidly, his brain not liking the fact that he was over thinking. He'd worry about it later, right now he needed to find his damn journal.

"Luke, how are you doing?" Luke let his body react slightly surprised and saw Guy in the window sill. Luke felt the distant memories of Asch fade into his subconscious and Luke stared at the body language of Guy's. Luke then calmed down; this was the Guy who accepted him, who embraced Luke as his idiot. Luke gave a smile to Guy, who just gave him a slightly tilted smile back at the redhead.

"I'm fine, just those headaches." Which Luke had a feeling they were going to disappear as Lorelei probably knew what was happening and would stop from forcing energy to tell Luke and Asch about something they already knew. Guy gave Luke a smile and climbed completely in the room.

"What'cha looking for?" His voice echoed in Luke's head and Luke knew Guy would have answers.

"Guy, how old am I?" Guy gave him a predictable confused look then gave a small laugh and responded,

"Luke, you're thirteen, why such a weird question?" Ah, thirteen. So he wasn't that far off. He was a young teenager again...crazy...Luke then shook his head at Guy's questions and looked outside the window. Okay, first things first, he really need to get back to Asch. Luke needed to get back to the original Luke, or he knew he was going to feel extremely lonely and not alive. Luke then felt a little quirk of a frown appear on his face, where could Asch be? This kind of thing was going to be troublesome. Luke then turned and saw Guy starring at him with slight confusion. Luke then realized that he may seem to be acting very strange. Luke knew he was only thirteen body-wise, and Luke vaguely recalled that he was still rather snotty and enclosed when he was this young.

"Guy, I need to find the God Generals." Guy blinked and felt an uncomfortable bristle in his core. This was Luke, but when had Luke learned about the God Generals? When had Luke looked so...well much more humble and smarter then ever? It was just such a random change; Guy didn't know how to react.

"Why would you need to see the God Generals?" Guy let it go though, being careful and letting it smooth over time, hopefully. Luke seemed confused for a moment, then frowned and shook his head rapidly.

"Ah, sorry. I don't even know what I'm talking about. I think I heard it from one of the maids, something about them being strong." Luke replied, trying his best to fake a smile, but Luke knew that he had always been a horrible liar (especially when it concerned his own being) and Guy had always been someone who could read him all too extremely well. However, predictably, Guy let it go easily and was more then likely going to wait to bring it up at a more opportune moment. Luke was grateful inwardly that Guy didn't seem much different then in the future. The redhead then gave Guy a great gentle smile, "Thanks Guy."

Guy blinked, did Luke just say thank you? It was extremely shocking, but Guy felt like he didn't mind, so he just nodded to the comment.

"No problem Luke." Luke then focused his mind on the current situation. Chances were, Asch wasn't even a God General, adding more to those likely chances, were to add that Sync and Arietta probably wasn't even part of the faction yet as well. Luke then felt his heart beat loudly when Guy commented, "Hey, Van is coming here today to train you some more basics today." Master Van? Could it still be possible to somehow convince the man to change?

The memory of his entire reason for being alive originally echoed loudly in the chambers of his mind. No, it was far too late. But...then that meant...Akzeriuth was still alive and blooming! Which meant that Luke could prevent it from crashing down and the millions who suffered from the curse of the miasma, Luke could prevent the destruction he had accidentally committed! Luke felt hope blossom in his heart. But first things first, he really needed to get to Asch, because one of the few things the two shared in common was the fact that they were always extremely lonely. It hit Luke like past training situations, he had another chance! He felt so incredibly happy for the first time in his short life. Luke then slowly gave Guy the response,

"Guy, why can't I exit the mansion?" Well that was another random question, if he had ever heard of one. Guy shook his head, this Luke was quite strange, but it was still Luke, that much he was sure of. Guy remembered, long ago, how much he hated the redhead heir. A music of chaos and symphony of pain all wrought upon a want of revenge with blazing instruments would echo loudly in his mind everyday, and the impatience of wanting to rid the world of another noble would scream and screech and Guy when he was younger. However that all changed, rather astoundingly, when Luke was kidnapped.

When the boy had been rescued, it was apparent that he had lost all of his memories. The young boy had problems even talking and walking, something any toddler could do by then. It was then the music slowly blazed down as a sympathetic empathy came to tune the music in a different way. Guy couldn't even imagine being in the redhead's position, and when the time came for when Luke started to talk in a more fluid motion that was forced education, Guy remembered how loudly the boy commented the one thing that made the music crash down to stop permanently. The most unbelievable and insightful thing came from his mouth, and because of the new founded silence, Guy had time and silence to contemplate on why he seemed to hate someone who didn't even seem to have anything to do with his father.

It was slowly then, when he started to like Luke. True, the boy's personality had seemed to warp to the snobby rich types that were generally hated by the entire populace, but Guy had still started to like him. Most likely because of the fact that Luke had managed to stop the music, the chaos and hurt echoings that had plagued him since he was young. In a small way, Guy actually admired Luke, even if the boy was an idiot.

"Because you were kidnapped by Malkuth, remember?" No, he wasn't, but Luke couldn't just come out and say that. Luke nodded to this then sighed wistfully,

"I want to know what it's like outside." Guy blinked once more; Luke was definitely acting quite odd today, wasn't he?

"It's very beautiful." Guy responded and Luke nodded in the back of his mind. It was very beautiful when it was peaceful.

"Yeah, I bet. Well I'll go see Master Van." Luke started, only to see Guy already slipping out from the window. 'I have to get a hair-cut' Luke thought to himself absentmindly, playing with his overly long side bangs. Luke exited his room and frowned. Hm, it seemed his body only remembered Fang Blade. That means if he just tried hyperressonance, it would most likely screw up. Luke knew he could at least port out from the manor and travel the rest of the way by foot, but it made things just more troublesome with traveling expenses, his identity, and the time that it would take to travel. Luke wanted Asch by his side now. Luke then stared up to the sky, seeing the patches of fonons in the air. He really was here...he was in the past...It was just...Luke felt happy, just because of the small fact he was in the past. The small little fact that he had another chance.

A chance to be with his original, without their little arguments that Asch would force upon the two just so they wouldn't cooperate with each other, a chance to get stronger, and a chance to save the world before it had to get in trouble! Luke could be a hero, and he would finally feel like he could be saved from the darkness he almost buried himself in from the constant stain of being the murder of Akzeriuth. Luke entered into the manor from the entrance from the side and Luke frowned slightly as he caught a glance of Guy's father's original sword. Luke stared at it with a slight tint of regret. Guy still had that hatred...being in the past meant that all of the good things that had happened in the future, hadn't happened. Those things had to be repaired again.

But...that was okay! Luke was sure he could do it. Luke then marched into the dining room, and saw his father and mother sitting at their respective places.

"Luke, should you be moving so soon?" Luke smiled; his mother was always so kind.

"I'm fine mother, thank you." Suzanne blinked at Luke's words and gave a bright soft smile back. "I heard that Master Van was here today," Luke commented, looking over to his nodding father.

"Indeed I am." Van's voice boomed from behind Luke, which the boy immediately jumped and stared at the overly seemingly tall man. Van! Luke felt his heart bunch a little, no matter what the man did; Luke could never find himself to truly hate the man. Another thing he shared in common with Asch. Van...Luke took a breath and stared at the man, this man had no idea what Luke knew. What Luke knew of his future plans of a crazy idea of destroying the score completely by making a world of replicas. Luke however, let his body rest, because he knew it would raise suspicion.

Luke really didn't want that, because the boy knew that if Van knew what Luke knew, that the boy was from the future and what the boy knew. Luke shuddered at the thought of Van starting his plans early and a frightening thought of not being able to stop him at all.

"Master Van!" Luke let excitement flow through his voice, especially when the man gave a slight mentor smile to Luke. "We're training today?" Van nodded to this and pointed out to the center where they oftened trained before. Luke nodded at his gesture and led himself outside, making a grab at his wooden sword stuck in the sheath, and preparing for a battle. Van noticed the overly eager Luke and raised one of his eyebrows; Luke's battle stance...seemed unusually experienced. It wasn't anything Van couldn't find holes in, but it was...different.

"Van," Suzanne's voice drifted into his ears, "please be gentle with him today, he fainted earlier..." Again? Van frowned and nodded to the lady and wandered out to the waiting student. Van stared more closely at Luke's stance and couldn't help but notice he was heavily guarded and ready to use his offense to his advantage.

"You seem to be ready for this today Luke." Luke blinked then hesitated slightly, well the truth was that he was eager to relearn as much of his old moves as possible. Luke then frowned, noticing that he knew the Albert-style fighting and not just that, all of his future AD skills seemed to be with him. How was it possible for his body to know it just because he remembered it? Now that Luke thought about it, there were little patches of what seemed to be memories slightly missing. Luke felt a little frustration lead its way to his subconscious but nodded over to Van.

"I'm just anxious to learn Master Van." Luke replied, pulling his bukuto out. Van's battle stance was relaxed, which Luke knew it would be. He was thirteen-years-old, why take someone you knew was actually barely three, seriously? Luke knew he couldn't over show like he wanted to, so it was best to be calm. It was a sparring match, nothing serious, after all. As soon as this was over, Luke would start on his mission to get to Asch. After all, if Asch was training to be a God General (even if Asch didn't want to), then Asch would be training with the other oracle knights (or so he had hoped) which meant he needed to get to Daath. That would definitely be a long journey.

"Very well, show me what you can do Luke." Luke immediately launched himself at Van, not expecting his feet to actually respond to what his mind was thinking. Luke inwardly cursed for forgetting the fact his AD skills enhanced his movement naturally. Van seemed a little surprised as well and barely blocked Luke's sword. Luke jumped back and flipped to the side, yelling and summoning the energy,

"FANG BLADE!" Van grunted a little as it hit slightly and Luke jumped in the air, recovering from his arte quickly and gave a blow to Van's head. Luke knew it didn't do much because he was currently much weaker then Master Van, but today was Luke's short-lived victory. Van stood, slightly shocked as Luke grinned at him cheerfully. How? How was this possible? Guy stared from the benches and continued to stare in awe. When had Luke gained these abilities? When had Luke's battle movement become so fluid that only a skilled fighter could move with that much ease?

"Why Luke, I see you've been training while I've been gone."

"A little." When? Guy had never saw Luke training to that sort of dedication at all! Luke let those words exit his mouth and backed off from the teacher. "Are we done for today Master Van? I want to rest a bit."

"Hm...for today." Van thought of Luke's fainting spells and thought it best. After all, what use would a replica be if he didn't live to the day where he was supposed to die? Van looked over to where Guy had been watching at a comfortable distance and noticed the shocked look of silence upon his face. That would be strange, considering that if Luke had been training, Guy would be one to usually know all about it. The rapid improvement was highly suspicious. Van watched as Luke vanished into his room, wondering to himself of when Luke had started to fight so well. Van shooed himself, seeing that Guy had frantically wanted to follow the redhead into his room. Had Guy not known about Luke's improvement? It was a shocking change though.

Van had ended up deciding he needed to talk to the many guards and maids to see if Luke had done any secret training. After all, the last time Van had left Luke wasn't that long ago and Luke had no experience whatsoever with a fight and seemed open with his feelings. The changes in this Luke...was strange. Very strange indeed. Guy ended up sneaking into Luke's room as soon as Van left as there could be no witness for a 'commoner' as Guy associating with the redhead. When Guy had sneaked in successfully, he watched the teenager grab various items and stuffing them into an item bag.

"Luke, what's going on? You've been acting strange and what are you doing?" Luke paused in his gathering, thinking for a moment. Guy would be a valuable asset to traveling to Daath. But the instant Guy found out about Asch...No, it wouldn't matter, Guy could get over it. So Luke answered,

"I'm leaving." Guy seemed shocked and Luke understood why to a level. To Guy, a day hadn't passed and Luke was a lot different then he was yesterday. But to Luke...his mind was stuck in trying to get to Asch and saving Auldrant.

"You're...what?"

"Guy, you might not believe me and might even call me crazy, but I need to get to Daath."

"Wait! How do you know about Daath? Did your memories come back?" Guy was scared about that idea. If Luke was starting to remember the past, which would mean their friendship would have some awkward moments because of the fact on how Guy would mistreat the poor boy when he was younger. Guy then shook at the thought of this Luke not really being the true Luke. Guy wanted to believe this strange new person was Luke, with a kinder personality, with a strange strategic mind and powers of evasion. Luke shook his head rapidly and Guy felt relief flood his system slightly.

"No, nothing about the past has come to me." Every minute he was away he could feel the second ticking, taunting and reminding him how far away he was from Asch. Augh, why was Luke so obsessed with the feeling of being full again? Luke sighed as Guy gave him an admonished look. Guy couldn't help it thought, what he had been thinking of keeping inside until it seemed more important burst out.

"Luke," his voice sounded deadly, even to himself, "what's going on here?" Why are you so different? How do you know all of these things and don't you lie to me Luke." Luke felt himself flinch slightly. Guy...if there was anyone who would understand and accept the truth and stay by his side...Luke took a big breath.

"Guy, I..." But Luke felt fear for some reason, he was terrified. Why was he finding all of these conflicting feelings? Guy...Guy would accept him right? Luke felt his breath tightening and he felt like a little kid again. "I'm...not..." Tell the truth! Tell the truth! Guy wanted to know and he deserves to know!

"Luke?" Guy gave him a concerned touch as Luke shuddered slightly. Guy really didn't mean to alarm the teenager; it was just that it was so different from his perspective. Guy truly didn't want this Luke to be a fake, didn't want it to seem like a dream. Guy didn't know what to think though. Why? He shouldn't be so afraid. Was it because he felt all alone? that aching emptiness and he wasn't a friend with anyone at the moment. Luke was terrified; it was like the terror of dying. Only it felt like it hurt much worse. Luke knew he was being ridiculous, he knew from the future that Guy accepts him as Luke, no matter what, but Luke was so afraid...

"I'm not the real Luke! I'm a replica of the original! I was born the day he was kidnapped and the original Luke is probably somewhere in Daath and the only reason I know all of this is because I'm from the future!" Luke knew his speech was hastened and in a fury that very few could understand. But Guy did, Guy was always too excellent in listening to Luke. Luke was too lucky to have Guy as a friend instead of an enemy like Asch had. Luke felt silence penetrate the air and didn't look at Guy. Why was he so afraid?

"Luke...?" Luke felt his back shudder at Guy's tone. there was a longer silence when Guy put both of his hands on Luke's shoulders. Luke looked up and felt like he was a little kid who was afraid of a scolding, but the look on Guy's face told him he was just confused but completely open and he wanted to understand. Luke felt relief seeing the odd look on the older teen's face, he was so happy. "Luke, try going a little slower for me, please." Luke stared and nodded very lightly.

Luke then started to explain in detail from what he could remember about the future and only said details of himself (leaving Van's crazy plans out it, leaving the fact he knew that Guy couldn't remember one moment of his life-time). Guy accepted the knowledge with surprise written all over his handsome features. "So let me get this straight." Guy started, walking over on the floor, letting Luke watch him pace. "Your..." Guy had to think of the word and accepted the word that came to mind, "soul," Luke nodded at this, agreeing absentmindly, "somehow came to the past from the future, but you can't quite remember how or why, and you are actually a replica of the real Luke, who now calls himself Asch and you know stuff that you can't tell me because it might damage the future?"

Luke nodded again. Guy took an exhale, letting his mind calculate everything Luke had said. "That's...amazing." Guy finished, sitting next to Luke on the bed, somehow feeling more comfortable with the redhead who had just spilled his innermost secrets. What reason would Guy have to believe this Luke was lying? Especially with all those little proofs of a more polite and controlled Luke. Luke started to feel less lonely and less afraid and childish. It was just the biggest relief that Guy understood. Luke gave a slight abrupt sigh and commented,

"Now you see why I need to go to Daath?" Guy blinked,

"I guess, but the whole castle will go crazy without you."

"They'll live, they did in the future." Luke commented, though rather backwardly as the thought of his mother lying in bed sick of worry appeared in the back of his head. Luke would have to write and leave a secret note just for her. Though Luke knew she'd worry no matter what.

"Really?"

"Yeah, how did you think I found all of this out? It certainly wasn't from sitting in my room!" Guy laughed at Luke's comment and Luke felt himself blush lightly at Guy's light laughter.

"I kinda like you like this Luke." Which was true. Luke smiled despite himself,

"Gee thanks." He kept smiling though from the slight compliment. Luke felt incredibly happy, now all he needed was Asch at his side (giving a glare of disdain) and he'd be really happy. "So Guy, will you help me?" Luke asked and Guy took a slight breath, thinking about it. However Guy did not think long and spout out,

"Yeah, I will Luke." Luke immediately started to get ready, gathering his item bag and started to write a note to ease his mother's pain in the future.

"Thanks Guy." Luke gave the other a smile after finishing his note and Guy actually smiled back, glad he agreed to help the red-haired sacred flame of light. Guy sighed then,

"Realistically though, there's no way we'll get out." Guy blinked then, when Luke gave a somewhat uncharacteristic smirk. Well at least that's what Guy thought, as he never had seen that look on the boy's face, so how was he supposed to know if this Luke did that often or not?

"I'll meet you at the port." Guy blinked and stared as a Luke glowed and disappeared. Guy felt panic light up in his limbs. Three words echoed in his mind at a loud and rampant pace: OHMYGOD. Guy didn't outwardly panic though, forcing himself to calm down and think about what had just happened. Luke said something about the port, so Guy should probably get going to the port. Guy started to move with the thought of a Luke outside the mansion alone was actually incredibly frightening. Never mind that this Luke was not exactly the Luke he knew, and apparently frequented outside.

Guy rushed though, avoiding the questioning looks that spawned from the guards and many various others as he fled to the mentioned destination. Guy made it and found Luke as the boy stood in the shadows of the abandoned side market with a dog resting near his feet. Guy was a little alarmed how annoyed Luke looked and he wondered what had happened to make the boy so sour looking. The truth was Luke had a huge headache building up and Luke had a feeling it was because of the use of his hyperressonance. Luke knew then he probably shouldn't use it anymore without training in it. Luke felt himself groan at the thought of training without the stern lecturing of Tear, what a pain! Guy wondered up to the redhead and frowned,

"What in the world did you just do?"

"Second-order hyperressonance," Luke answered nonchalantly, as though he hadn't did something that should have been physically impossible, and pulled out a cloak from his item bag and started to place it on himself.

"Second what?" Guy raised an eyebrow as Luke hid his long red bangs and Guy couldn't help but think Luke looked extremely different with just the helm covering his face.

"Second-order hyperressonance, it's a higher level of hyperressonance and it happens when two seven fonists collide in attack or something to that nature." Guy frowned, not used to the knowledgeable Luke.

"But there's only one of you...kinda." Guy was still a little confused about the replica thing, but all he knew was that he had to repeat to himself that Luke was Luke and that was all that mattered.

"Yeah, I can just do it." Luke didn't feel like explaining the whole prophecy of the Fabre clan that came from the Score. Ugh, the annoying thing about the Score would be around this world, how was Luke going to fix that? Luke then turned to the blonde and gave a slight sigh, "We should start heading out."

"On a boat then, right?"

"Yup." Guy nodded and turned to start heading toward the dock area. Luke felt himself smile though slightly as he started to follow Guy to a ship that was heading towards Sheridan. Luke felt the wind pick up slightly as the sun shined brightly above them with the echoes of a true hope blazed loudly.

Luke had another chance!

End Prologue

I wave with an awkward face, "Haha...if this isn't your first time reading this, sorry it took me so long to get the prologue out again. But I had momentarily forgotten that I was going to New York...a place where I barely had time for the internet, let alone sitting down and writing stuff." I bow, "So forgive me." I then turn to those who just started reading, "Hello! I hope you enjoyed the prologue, because I think this will be interesting to write. Especially since the original Ion is alive, and the original Ion is a jack-ass!"
"M-chan..."
"...A-san..."
"...Just do the disclaimer..."
"...Hai..."
"I'll do it for you, M-chan doesn't own ToA and she hopes you enjoyed this prologue." D bows and A glares at her for encouraging me. I just sigh and nod once again then blink,
"Oh yeah, thanks once again to Meimi no Kage for pointing out the fact I accidentally overwrote the prologue with the fixed version of Chapter I." I bow again, "Thank you!" I bow again and A rolls her eyes, "Thank you for reading! Please review!"