Yue Twili: We screwed up the plot! ...Is that good?

Flagstealer: That depends- is it going to be an Alternate Universe or another timeline? Who knows but if you don't like the idea of it nor the material used in this story, no one's stopping you from walking away...as long as you don't burn anything.

Yue Twili: In other news, the fandoms used here - Keroro Gunso (aka Sgt Frog in English) and Tales of Xillia - do NOT belong to us. We only own a couple of OCs that might appear on here.

Flagstealer: Now enjoy the story- and enjoy the difference between this story and the original one... if you like it that is. Because, personally, as long as it's good then I don't mind it.

Yue Twili: Yup. ROLL THE FILM!

Flagstealer: ...Wouldn't it be 'Scroll the page' in this case?

Yue Twili: It's basically the same, isn't it?

Flagstealer: Good point. Let's roll!

Character info:

Milla Maxwell. Age 20(?). Milla is the human representation of the Lord of Spirits, Maxwell. As such, it is her task to protect the Spirits and humans of Rieze Maxia from what may harm them. She is always accompanied by the Four Great Spirits of the four main elements: Efreet, Undine, Sylph and Gnome – the spirits of Fire, Water, Wind and Earth respectively. However, when she went to Fennmont to destroy something called a 'spyrix', she lost the power to summon the four.

Special ability: Spirit Shift (when using a Spirit Arte, can sometimes changes the Arte into a different Arte). Current weapon: Rapier (sword)

~o~

Back at the Hinata Household on Earth, it is once again nighttime. It was one of the rare nights that Aki, the mother of Fuyuki and Natsumi, is allowed to go home despite her busy schedule. When she noticed that her son isn't home, she went to ask Keroro about what had happened. She didn't expect that Fuyuki's other friends to be there - along with what Keroro had told her, about her son being sent to another world called 'Rieze Maxia'.

She was actually pretty calm about this as she admits, "I was aware of other planets, but I wasn't expecting Fuyuki to end up on an entirely different planet. So you do intend to go rescue him, right Kero-chan?"

"That's the idea, Mama-dono!" Keroro replied. "We all are going to head there and begin a rescue operation to save Fuyuki-dono from Rieze Maxia, de arimasu!"

"I still can't believe that Fu-ki contacted us, desu..." Tamama admitted, looking a bit surprised.

"I still can't believe that he'd bring the Kero Ball with him." Giroro commented while grumpy.

"We don't trust any of you to pull some invasion crap on us," Natsumi said, giving the red Keronian a bored look.

"Well I'd still say you shouldn't come with us- where Fuyuki landed he seemed like he was in the company of allies...or his captors." Giroro said. "We can't be too sure of it."

"I would concur with Giroro if it weren't for the fact that Fuyuki chose to help them. But I must ask for the reason for everyone to come along with us." Dororo admitted, seeing everyone gathered.

"W-Well, I'd like to help Fuyuki get back home," Momoka said. In her mind, however, she made an evil look and grin, and thinks in an evil tone, ('Yeah! Good answer! Now I'll save Fuyuki-kun!')

"Fuyuki-san is one of the reasons why Natsumi-san is upset- besides, I want to help in way I can." Koyuki- the young female ninja- admitted.

"It's not every day you get to travel to a world to rescue someone. I'll be more than happy to come along too." Saburo- the grey-white haired male admitted with a smile as he brought out a pen. "With the Reality Pen, I'll do what I can with it until I run out."

Natsumi looked over at the Keronians. "Fuyuki's my little brother; so it's my duty to try to bring him home," she answered.

"Well it's all decided then." Aki admitted. "Tonight everyone who plans on going with Kero-chan should prepare with supplies. And just in case... Giroro, do you think you can spare any gear that they can use?"

"I would be risky to being any spare weaponry- especially if we're going to a world like Rieze Maxia where this kind of technology doesn't exist yet," Giroro responded.

"It would be wise to bring along something we can carry, and appropriate armor we can conceal, de gozaru," Dororo added.

"That can be arranged," Momoka said.

"Ah, that's right!" Tamama admitted with a big smile. "Let's not forget Momo-chi can help us with that desu!"

Though Natsumi can't be sure if having crapton of stuff when going to another world...

"You guys are up to something, aren't you?" A female's voice admitted as she entered the room. But all that was seen was a hand belonging to a Keronian but it looked to be some sort of...lavender color. "It looks like you guys are up to a rescue mission from what I heard."

"Gero? Uh, why are you here?" Keroro asked with a confused look.

"I was going to stop by to see you guys were doing, but it looks from what I heard, you guys are planning a rescue operation to save Fuyuki, right?" The Mystery Keronian responded with the hand on her hip. "Do you have anyone who knows first aid?"

...Well crud, they hadn't thought of that, most of the Keronians thought.

Keroro meanwhile looked to of gave a bit of a nervous look before to admit, "Um...no, de arimasu?"

"Well that figures," Natsumi said, giving the Sergeant a bored look.

"Geez, you guys honestly planned for everything except when you get injured." The figure soon walked out to be revealed a Lavender Keronian- and a tadpole one at that with a pink hat. The symbol is a heart color divided yellow on right pink on the left. She was looking at the group with blue eyes as she admits, "I guess I should come along your rescue mission?"

"Uh, sure thing, Pururu Kangochou." Keroro admitted while rubbing his head. "We're planning on heading to Rieze Maxia tomorrow morning."

"Alright then." 'Pururu' nodded. "I'll let Lieutenant Garuru know that I'm joining your rescue team. It should be easy enough if we can track Fuyuki down."

"By the way, where did you say he was?" Momoka asked the curry colored Keronian. "We know he's on Rieze Maxia, but we don't know much about it."

"Rieze Maxia." Kururu responded quickly enough. "He left through the teleporter when something from the other side brought him on the other side. Now we're going to take an alternate route to and from it. He's currently in a continent called the 'Aladhi Trail'- but he could be moving his position as we speak- from the geography map, he's trying to reach a location known as 'Nia Khera.'"

"What's... the alternate route?" Natsumi asked, dreading the answer.

"We're taking a spaceship to Rieze Maxia- at the moment the teleporter is inoperable- I asked Mois-dono to help repair with the instructions Kururu-dono provided- that's our back-up plan to return if things don't go well, de arimasu." Keroro admitted showing a mini-diagram in his head for the plan.

"Aw, you guys are lucky," Aki commented, "I'd like to come along as well, but some of us had to hold down the fort." She bent down to the Sergeant's level, and said, "Okay Kero-chan, do you think you can take care of Fuyuki, Natsumi and everyone else while you're over there?"

"Leave it to us, de arimasu!" Keroro admitted while saluting to the mother of his two friends.

"Oh, and could you bring me a souvenir from there?" The elder Hinata added.

"Mom, this isn't a trip," Natsumi said with a sweat-drop.

"Well it isn't but we we'll we can possibly chronicle our adventures there though de arimasu." Keroro replied with a happy look. However, there were signs of concern on Keroro as he admits, ('Fuyuki-dono...I just hope by the time we get there, you won't be in trouble de arimasu...')

~o~

Back on Rieze Maxia, night had also fallen. The sounds of the wild are pretty much the same as the sounds from the forests back on Earth. Earlier, Alvin suggested that they camp out for the night. Everyone agreed and moved out of sight from the road. They were each given tasks to set up camp - setting up tents, gathering firewood and water, while one person thinks about what to make for dinner.

Fuyuki meanwhile was thinking of what dish to make- of the recipes currently in stock, they had Sandwiches, Pudding Cakes, and even Potato Salad and some Mabo Curry. Thankfully Alvin knew a couple of recipes and thought ahead to bring some up. How he got it though...well it's for him to know but some would assume worldly experience.

Jude came back from gathering firewood, having a large bundle in his arms. "Hey, how is everything going?" The medical student asked as he set the wood besides the fire pit. He had never gone camping before - only what to do in books - so...he's admittedly nervous.

Fuyuki meanwhile was pretty much the same- though he had some experience camping it was usually his sister or of his friends who cooked. He could barely remember if not, couldn't remember the last time he ever cooked. "Not so great. I'm not good cooking to be honest. I usually leave cooking to my sister..."

At that, Jude let out a chuckle. "Don't worry," he said, "I'm a decent cook. Though, I'm not as great as Leia's Dad - he makes the best Mabo Curry there is."

Now that Jude thought about it, they had the necessary ingredients to make Mabo Curry. He remembers how to make it, but only Leia's Dad can make the best.

Fuyuki blinked at it. So they had different kinds of recipes here including Mabo Curry? Hm- maybe Kururu can try if he hadn't it. But in any case... "Do you think you can help me make some?"

"Sure," the blue clad boy nodded. "I remember how to make some."

Fuyuki could only sigh in relief as some time had passed- there was only a little trouble but in the end they managed to complete the dish. Fuyuki looked satisfied at what he done. "I think is pretty good for my first time." The male admitted.

At that moment, Milla came back with a bucket of water- and she sniffed as her nose caught a scent. "Mmm...Something smells...good," she said as she drooled.

"It's Mabo Curry." Fuyuki admitted. "I had Curry before but not exactly with Mabo Soba- or the two together."

Milla never heard of those before, but a bit of drool came from a corner of her mouth at the scent and thought of many kinds of food. Alvin, who had finished setting up the tents, came over to see if they had dinner planned when he noticed Milla's expression. Making a weird look, the mercenary closed her mouth with her teeth clicking. "You'll draw flies doing that," he said.

"Anyways," he looked over at the boys. "How's dinner coming along? I hope you didn't burn the field along with our food."

Fuyuki nodded as he admits, "It's just about ready and don't worry- we'll have water ready."

"Try to be patient for a little longer, okay?" Jude asked.

Alvin gave a sweat-drop as the drool somehow leaks out from Milla's closed lips. "Sure...try telling that to Lady Maxwell." He said, pointing at the said female with his thumb.

Milla swallowed her saliva, and said, "I'm sorry. It seems I can't stop drooling."

"Um...maybe becoming a human hits you harder than we thought..." Jude said with a sweat-drop himself.

"Well she never actually had any food before because of Sylph right?" Fuyuki admitted. "From what I recall he helps with feeding her while Undine provides water."

"That is true," Jude said as he checked on the rice. The water is boiled out and the steam cooked the rest of them. He nodded. "Okay, the rice is done, let's prepare the dishes."

Fuyuki nodded as he sets out the plates for four people as the other male severed the Rice and prepared the other part of the dish.

It wasn't long until Mabo Curry is served. "There we go," Jude said, "Dinner is served."

Fuyuki seemed to of nodded before saying 'Let's eat!" (or the translation of Itadakimasu!) As he grabbed his spoon, he realized that the three were staring at him. "Oh, sorry- It's a usual phrase from my culture to say 'thank you for the food'."

"Oh, is that so?" Milla asked. "In that case," she clasped her hands, and said, "Thank you for the food."

Alvin and Jude gave each other a look, Jude shrugging before doing the same. "Thank you for the food."

The mercenary raised a brow - briefly wondering if it's really necessary...before he sighed, reluctantly doing the same. "Thanks for the food," he said. The man grabbed a spoon and took a bite from the food- and blinked. "Hey, not bad."

Milla was already eating her fifth spoonful of the Mabo curry, and exclaimed, "'Not bad'? This is really good!"

"It is the first time I ever cooked but Jude did help out. Then again Kururu would say Curry without Mabo is better- speaking of Kururu-souchou (Sergeant Major) he makes the best you'll ever taste." Fuyuki admitted.

"You mean the one with the creepy laugh?" Alvin asked, eating another spoonful.

"Yeah, that's right." Fuyuki admitted remembering him. "Kururu is Gunso's tech expert of his platoon- he makes amazing inventions he sees including a machine that can combine together to make an even more powerful one. He even made micro-sized machines- the size of toys too." However... he noticed Milla was giving him an odd look.

"...Has spyrix ever existed on your world?" The woman asked the boy, her Mabo Curry nearly gone (to Jude's amazement).

"No, to be honest, this is the first time I ever heard of it- we have technology but none of it runs on Mana or Spirit artes- and yet we survive from what nature gives us. Maybe because...well let's just say that there have been crazy events on my planet as well." Fuyuki admitted remembering some key moments of his life- like the time his friends turned into dragons or even the most recent one.

Alvin had been silently listening. No Spirits or Mana on Earth... it would be like his original home, but...different. "Well, the fact that you're alive is pretty amazing; not that I wanted to know what other crap you were in before the 'Easter Island' stuff," he said.

Jude, however, seemed to be in thought as he silently at his food. A world without Spirits and Mana...all of that seemed to be normal compared to the people of Rieze Maxia. If they had encountered some of the things that came from Earth...there would probably be chaos and fear from such things. But still, he couldn't help but be curious, as he asked the Hinata, "So, what is 'Japan' like?"

"Pretty much normal like Rieze Maxia, only without Spirit Artes and Mana. It's has some stone buildings- most easy material to use and of course we try to regrow our materials or even reuse it. We have some...odd cultural difference though." Fuyuki admitted.

"How so?" Milla asked, her plate empty (and eying Jude's plate).

"Well I don't want to get into detail about it but let's just say that we have our traditions." The male admitted. "We have some things we can follow nationally or individually as a family."

"I see," Milla said, as Jude sighed as he took Milla's plate, refilled it and handed it back to the woman, who gleefully chowed down.

Fuyuki took a bite of his own plate as he admits, "We also have different jobs as well- I told Jude one time about how my mother drew drawings showing a story through character dialogue called Mangas- and of course, me and Nee-chan go to school to attain an education to plan ahead for our futures. To be honest... I don't know what to do for my own future."

Although the mercenary was wondering what 'manga' is, but he shrugged it off, saying, "Well, that all depends really. You're still young; you'll find your own calling one day."

"Yeah, I know." The male replied nodded before taking another bite. "Hey, Milla? You said that Spyrix can hurt both man and spirit because absorbing Mana right? If the four are gone because that Lance stole all of their mana, then why are we going to Nia Khera?"

"I am not sure if the Four are dead or not," Milla admitted. "If they are dead, or have their bodies destroyed, they'll simply reincarnate into new forms; but, in their new forms, they won't recall their previous lives."

"And if that does happen, I can try to re-summon them back at my shrine," she continued after taking another bite. "Then I'll simply return to Fennmont and destroy the Lance of Kresnik."

Of course there is the other possible problem... Fuyuki always think on some possibilities when necessary- although he seems to be much sharper than intake than before- like that fact that maybe he can think of something on a possibility such as when he figured that the loss of the great spirits made Milla more behavior in human? In any case, Fuyuki just thought of something- but...he has no proof of backing it up- yet. "I see..." Fuyuki admitted. "So by re-summoning the four new great spirits, you can finish your assault and destroy the lance."

"That is the plan," Milla said.

"We don't want to but there is a reason I thought of." Fuyuki admitted as it shows something on the side with four chibi versions of the soldiers seen before with Jude fleeing with the four, the soldiers surrounding Jude forced questions onto him and then shows all four in jail. "If Rashugal soldiers find Jude, they could interrogate him for information on what we're doing. They could find us and actually capture or kill us when they do with an ambush. And because could've heard some valuable information about what we're doing and even some military sensitive stuff, they could've find a way to imprison Jude too for that matter!"

"...So even if Jude DID find a safe place to hide, the army would still be hell-bent on finding him and you guys, huh?" Alvin guessed. "And me too, I guess."

"So in the end, the Duress plan was a failure and you be trailed as a conspirator for knowing any valuable information..." Fuyuki admitted, saddened. "I'm sorry, Jude."

The ex-medical student let out a sigh. "I figured..." Jude said, taking a bite. "But you were thinking of not getting me in trouble, right?"

"Yeah." Fuyuki nodded. "How to say this...I've got my share of stopping Gunso's plans. There was one time I actually stopped him from going too far all because I just got...angry."

The three gave each other a confused look - why would Fuyuki getting angry stopped his friend from going too far?

"It's a long story." The male responded while giving a nervous laugh.

At that, Alvin shrugged. It wasn't his business anyway. "Well, who's on night-watch duty?" The brunette asked, before taking a bite.

"Well, I'll be the first one." Fuyuki insisted. "I need to see if I can contact anyone if they are still awake."

"I'll take the second shift," Jude volunteered, holding his hand up.

Alvin raised his brow at them. "Can the two of you take it?"

"With the Kero Ball I can handle it." Fuyuki admitted as he held the device. "And I still have my Light spell too. If any monsters decide to attack, then I can handle it."

"Well, I've been through enough 'ambushes' from my friend," Jude admitted with a sheepish smile. "I think I can also handle a few monsters after Fuyuki's shift."

Fuyuki looked to his plate before handing it to Milla- there was less than half of it left but he said, "I'll make try to make contact. Milla, you can the rest of my food."

Milla had already taken down her second plate of Mabo Curry, so she happily devoured Fuyuki's portion.

Fuyuki gave a sweat-drop with a nervous smile as he soon walked out. He soon walked towards the path. He soon looked to of advanced of the path before activated something on the Kero Ball.

Back on Earth...

In the underground base of the Keroro Platoon- in the communications room stood a lone female- tan skin blood hair and has a very calming aura about her... she soon noticed the light blinking before it looked like it came from the Kero Ball She gave a happy look as she admitted, "Ah, Fuyuki-san! Good to hear from you again! Ojii-sama (Uncle) and the others are actually taking care of something so I'm in charge of receiving any transmissions. You can say, answering machine?"

"Uh-huh, I see, Mois-chan..." Fuyuki replied. "I'm calling you guys to get an update on what you plan is if you were trying to find me."

"Ah, I see!" Mois replied with a smile. "Well, Uncle is currently making a plan with the others including Natsumi-san to help find you and bring you home! They're planning on taking a ship while I work on the teleporter as a back-up plan- you could say, thinking ahead?"

They're taking a ship...? "Wait, did you say Nee-chan was going with them?" Fuyuki repeated for confirmation.

"Yes! Saburo-san, Koyuki-san, Momoka-san and even Pururu-san is coming too!" Mois replied. "They're currently trying to find the best path to getting there! They should be there in a few days!"

"...A few what?" Fuyuki replied. "Sorry I thought I just got some static interrupting my contact. How long will they be there?"

"A few days I said!" Mois replied before noticing something. For some reason her transmission seemed to faltering a bit. "Huh? What's this...?"

The transmission gave out a few static like sounds, before the two sides could've sworn they heard an elder man saying, "You...will not enter..."

To the young lady's surprise, the transmission really did cut out. Who was that just now...? It wasn't Fuyuki and it can't be one of his companions...who was it? "You could say, trouble brewing?"

Back with Fuyuki...

"Mois-chan! Come in! Is anyone there?" Fuyuki definitely looked worried- did Kero Ball short out? He had a feeling that it might be, considering the situation but...what's going on? And could've sworn through the static something garbled was said on his end...

Whatever it was, it looks like his transmission was brief and it looked like Keroro and the others will be coming here via spaceship... But it looks like he couldn't get anything else in edgewise- and on top of it it'll be only a few days...

But the Hinata couldn't get rid of that strange feeling of unease in his chest.

~o~

...In strange vibrant location the night sky was seen as several golden hollow gears were seen sticking out on various parts of the ground...which looked a lot like water with sand underneath.

A strange...silhouette is seen- it looked to be a float device of something but in it was a man with a very long white beard. He looked fairly old as he even has glasses but he seemed to be contemplating something...

"How could this be...?" His voice (the same one Mois and Fuyuki heard), echoed out. "An Earthling...on Rieze Maxia. How is he able to get past the schism?"

He knew of the existence of other planets, beyond Rieze Maxia and the...other world. Some of them have Mana, but many others don't. Earth is a prime example of a world not filled with Mana...along with the other planet, filled with the invaders. The barrier is made so that no one - even those from other planets - would be unable get in. But the fact that one Earthling is on the world...

He closed his eyes. "Muzét, I have a task for you..."

Meanwhile back with Fuyuki...

Fuyuki was keeping a watch out for monsters as he rubbed his eyes a little to keep himself awake.

Fuyuki soon looked up to the night sky as he admitted, "At least the night sky looks just only a little different." He soon looked to the Kero ball as he admitted, "But...who was that anyways? The one who brought me here..." A quick memory shown Fuyuki seeing the woman and even at the moment she touched the sides of his head.

The boy didn't know why but...for some reason he felt perfectly at peace when she was near him. It was like he was near his mother after she gave him her 'Killer Love Lock' when he was hit with May Disease sometime before.

But...it was strange - the woman (or Spirit) isn't his mother...but she has the air of one. What type of Spirit is she? She had a humanoid look...maybe she is a Great Spirit like he had previously guessed last night.

He soon gave a bit of a sigh before looking at the time. The moon looked like it just got over the halfway point so he would assume that it must've passed midnight. He soon gave a bit of a yawn before to admit "I better wake up Jude. His shift is next." He soon made his way to Jude's tent before noticing something was wrong. "?"

Fuyuki soon noticed a low growl before noticing a wolf was nearby. He soon turned around before using the Kero Ball, hitting the Flame Jet Button. However, he points away from the tents and wolf before using the motion to actually ram into the wolf bashing it against the tree. Fuyuki stumbled a bit after recovering as if he pretty much got sent for a loop.

The noise awoke Jude and he poked his head out of the tent after a few moments. "Fuyuki, what is it?" The ex-medical student asked.

"I just knocked out a lone wolf." Fuyuki said in a daze. "I think I'll take turn in for the night- it's your turn anyways..."

The boy nodded. "All right then. I hope you sleep soundly."

"Thanks." Fuyuki admitted as he soon made his way to his tent to lay down.

Meanwhile, Jude quickly disposed the monster, and he took on his role (for the night) as the watcher. As he sat down...he couldn't help but think about the dream he had. A voice...telling him that he isn't fully Rieze Maxian. But why? The boy tried to get it out of his head, keeping an eye out for any more monsters...

The next morning...

"...llo. Fuyuki... Time to wake up," a voice called out in the Hinata's subconscious.

"Huh?" Fuyuki admitted as soon came to as he noticed Alvin Nearby. "Alvin... Morning."

"Well, up and at 'em, kid," the mercenary said, with his coat and scarf absent. "We gotta get moving after breakfast." With that, the man left the tent to let the young Hinata dress in private.

Shortly after dressing and exiting the tent, Fuyuki soon noticed Alvin actually made something himself- it looked like... "Is that French Toast?"

"Well, yeah," Alvin shrugged, as if it was normal. "I know a few recipes growing up; but this is one of a few...normal dishes that I like. Some of the others are just plain weird, like Croquette Parfait or Soda Rice or Orange Soup; stuff like that."

Fuyuki gave a nervous laugh before giving a nod. He soon received a plate as he admits, "So Hamil is just a little longer ahead then?"

"Pretty much," the mercenary said, watching as Milla trudged out of her tent with Jude following after her - the female rubbed her eye to get the sand out as she yawned. "Mornin' Sleeping Beauty." He handed the woman and boy their own plates of French Toast.

After they had finished breakfast (or rather, tried not to watch Milla practically inhaling her breakfast), they took down their encampment and scattered a few things, making it look like no one had camped there at all. Milla used the Spirit Arte Splash to wash away the charcoal, before the group continued their way to their destination. They encountered a few monsters along the way but the four quickly took care of them. They made a few stops (such as for lunch, and running into a traveling merchant to buy some medicines and a couple of items) along the way. Before long, it was around sunset when they finally reached Hamil.

A quiet little town within Auj Oule, Fuyuki soon took in the layout of the location- the place seemed to of reminded of his own grandmother who lived out in the country... Fuyuki gave a nostalgic sigh as the four entered the town.

Jude looked around at the abundant trees around the town. "Wow, that's an impressive amount of fruit," he commented.

Alvin sniffed a bit. "I'm catching a whiff of cider," he said. "They must have orchards here."

An elderly woman noticed the four and walked over to them. "Well, well, well!" She said, "We don't get many visitors here!"

"Uh, hello there." Fuyuki bowed. "We're actually just passing by, ma'am."

"Do...you live here ma'am?" Jude asked the elder woman.

"I would hope so," the elder woman smiled lightly. "I'm the mayor!"

Milla stepped forward. "Is this the right road to Nia Khera?" She asked the mayor.

The elder woman looked over at the blonde woman with a surprised look. "Nia Khera?" She repeated. "Now that's a name I haven't heard in ages."

"What do you mean?" Alvin asked.

"It's what people called a long forgotten village," she explained. "I don't even know if it still exists. I heard tales of the village as a child. People claimed it lies beyond the Kijara Seafalls."

Jude tilted his head as he rubbed his chin. ('The Kijara Seafalls...') He thought. The blue clad boy straightened up as he asked, "Is it far from here?"

The mayor let out a thoughtful hum. "Well...there is rugged terrain you have to cross, but perhaps you'll be able to reach the seafalls after a few hours. It won't be an easy journey doing so."

"In that case, we'll have to rest here for the night before heading out," Alvin said, putting a hand on his hip.

Fuyuki looked intrigued before looking down the path they came from. He then turned back to the woman before to admit, "Um, You don't have an Inn, do you?"

"I'm afraid our little village doesn't have an inn," the woman apologized. "Not much call for one. But I have an extra room in my house. You're welcome to use it if you like."

"Thank you for your hospitality ma'am," Jude nodded to the woman.

"Anytime," she smiled before she walked off to her house.

"Well, we've got time before we have to hit the sack," Alvin said as he stretched his arms. "I think I'll go exploring for a bit."

The man did just that - as he walked off, Jude looked back at Fuyuki and Milla. "What are the two of you going to do?" He asked them.

"I want to take a look around town myself." Fuyuki insisted. "Seeing the country here reminds me of my grandmother's hometown."

"Perhaps I'll look around myself, as well," Milla said.

"All right then," Jude nodded. "I'll meet up with you guys later." With that, they split up to explore.

Fuyuki and Milla soon walked out to the town as Fuyuki soon took to another part of town. As the sun continues to set he soon got a look to the orchard they had as he looked amazed. However before he stepped forward, he thought he heard something before glancing to the shed nearby. "Huh?"

Milla looked over at the young Hinata. "What is it, Fuyuki?"

Fuyuki blinked before facing the shed. He though he may of seen an ash-colored strange of hair and an eye looking at him before the door closed. "It could be just my imagination."

"...If you are sure," Milla said before they continued their exploration.

As the two continued to look at the apples Fuyuki soon asked, "So uh...I got to ask you something. Did you always know when you were Maxwell? Or were you raised as a human?"

The woman paused a moment before admitted, "Well...true I was a normal person to human standard. During my first six years of life, the Four had always nagged me about being Maxwell. At the time, I didn't care much about being the Lord of Spirits - even if I am the human form that I had created. But when you are child with knowledge of that, you don't think too much about it…at first."

Fuyuki blinked at the comment before to admit, "Well I guess everyone has their moments when they wanted know what or how they wished to follow their lives. I guess the great four were also- well- like the people who cared for you- like parents or something."

"Indeed," the woman said, "The Four did raise me ever since I appeared in the Human World." She made a small smirk as she admitted, "When I was young, the Four went off somewhere, so I snuck off to the village and watched a few children playing around. I wanted to join in... but I have no idea if I should ask or if I should play with them, so I stayed hidden. After a while, when I returned to my shrine, I made my first lie to the Four when I told them with what I was doing. I read about lying in a book, that it's a normal thing humans do; but I had no idea what it means. But it made me excited - that's when I began to have my interest in humans. However, it was fourteen years ago that I decided to take on my role as Maxwell, the protector of both Spirit-kind and man-kind."

Fuyuki seemed to give a smile at the comment before to admit, "Do you want to know something odd? Gunso and I had our own interests in our hobbies grow at a young age too- I was probably six years old when I first looked at the poster of statues looking like humans- statues called Moai on an island called Easter Island. That gave my interest in the occult. And Gunso? Eheh- he saw his model statue of his favorite toy when he was younger."

"I see," the woman said. She seemed to have made a sigh, as she murmured, "I wonder if that child is okay...?"

"?" Fuyuki looked confused look when he thought she said 'Child.'

Milla merely shook her head. "It's nothing." She looked up at the canopy covering the sky, adding, "We should head back to the mayor's house now."

"Mhm- okay." Fuyuki admitted with a nod before heading off.

As the boy walked away, Milla closed her eyes, recalling the image of a small baby with a bit of black hair, and wearing a shirt and diaper, giggling with a smile on his face as he reached out for something. She opened her eyes and followed the Hinata.

As the two soon went down the way, it wasn't long that the ash haired girl from before soon emerged from the home.

The girl looked over at the boy in the blue-green coat, as something floated near her head. "Hey Elly, what'cha looking at?" The thing asked in a boyish tone.

The girl looked up at the object before back at the Hinata. "That boy...he's the first to notice us..."

"Eh? That guy?" The object asked, before looking over at Fuyuki. "...I dunno. He feels kinda odd."

"How odd, Teepo?" The girl asked, looking up at 'Teepo'.

"I dunno," 'Teepo' answered. "He just feels odd."

The girl let out a curious grunt, before looking over at the boy's retreating back. She stared at him for a few more moments before she closed the door again.

As the two made their way back to the mayor's house, they pass by a tree- where something purple shined, catching their attention.

"Huh?" Fuyuki gave a curious look before looking up to the item. It looked to be a diamond shaped device of some kind. However he tried to approach it, someone stopped him- a boy around his age.

"Stooooop!" The boy called out before stepping in front of the tree. "Leave that thing alone!"

"Um, what is it exactly?" Fuyuki admitted with a curious look.

"I don't know but it's mine! Finders, keepers!" the boy said, trying to defend it.

Milla stepped forward and took the diamond shaped object out of the tree.

"H-hey!" The boy yelled. "No fair!" However, as he said it, part of the device begins to glow as strange lettering appears on the device.

"What in the world...?" Milla let out, looking over the object again, trying to decipher the letters.

Fuyuki and the boy looked confused as well before the former admits, "It looks like some sort of...message." The male deduced. "But I can't make heads or tails of it."

"This language looks old..." Milla said, "It's been so long since I have seen this."

Fuyuki blinks at this before admitting, "Do you think Jude or Alvin could translate this?"

"Perhaps," she said, before looking at the boys. "Let's go and find them." She looked over at the other boy. "Do you want to come?

"Um, sure." The boy nodded before he let one of the two lead on.

A bit earlier (before Milla and Fuyuki discovered the strange box) the scene shifts over to Jude as he wondered around Hamil. The scent of fruit is strong on his nose. The village reminded him a little about his hometown...but a bit more...natural. But, for some reason, he felt something...unpleasant about this place. And he isn't sure why.

However, it only took a matter of time before Jude ran into the two plus the young male from before. "Hey, Jude!" Fuyuki called out before approaching the ex-medical student with the strange container before admitting, "Um, can we ask you something?"

"Huh? Uh, sure I guess," he said.

The three soon presented the strange item from before. "This kid founded a strange item in a tree- part of it started to glow with some lettering on it- something we're not familiar with," Fuyuki explained.

Jude takes it from them and looked over it himself. "It... looks like a container...I guess," he said. "I think I can make this out...a little."

Fuyuki looked intrigued as Jude read the item. "From the looks of it, it looks like our language but...more on the ancient side. Let's see... 'Heed my words, for I am Aifread, the intrepid explorer who has cross the world's edge without fear'."

Fuyuki seemed to of blinked at the comment as Jude continued to read the thing. 'Aifread?'

Alvin happened to be walking by when he heard Jude reading what's written on the box. He let out curious grunt as Jude looked to of skimmed over some part of it before noticing something else. "Most of it in between was self-promotion but something else too- 'At last I have reached Terra incognita. But alas, I am unable to return home. I shall take my many treasures, seal them in arks, and scatter them about this land. It is my hope that they shall serve as beacons to those who follow in my footsteps.'"

"...Um, I don't know what it means." The boy commented with Fuyuki nodding.

"Hey, what did you guys got there?" Alvin asked as he walked over to them.

"We don't know," Jude answered, "Milla and Fuyuki found it - along with him -" he gestured to the boy with them "and, according to what's written on it, it seems to be an...ark?"

"Um, it was mine." The boy admitted as Fuyuki and the others looked at the boy. "It just activated some strange lettering and these two were translating what it said- although I still don't get it..."

"Someone named 'Aifread' left them." Fuyuki commented.

"Aifread..." Jude muttered, furrowing his brows- then blinked. "Wait. That's the name of a legendary pirate who raided villages back then; they say that he hid some of his treasures within special chests."

"Oh yeah, I think I've heard of that as well," Alvin spoke up, "I heard that Aifread set out for the edge of the world...and was never seen again. No one knows what had happened to him, which is the world's greatest mysteries..."

"Whoa..." The boys looked amazed before the unnamed boy spoke up. "So this is one of the pirate Aifread's treasures?! I can't believe I found one here of all places!"

"Could this be a coincidence?" Milla asked, rubbing her chin as she looked at one of Aifread's chests.

"Maybe, or maybe someone else found it and left it somewhere when he found it." Fuyuki commented (with him being the boy.)

"Hey, I have a name! And my name is Van!" The boy commented.

"Well, Van, I'm Fuyuki." The boy said introducing himself. "The people here are Jude, Milla and Alvin."

As Fuyuki was talking, Alvin snagged the 'chest' from Jude and looked over it, trying to figure out how to open it. "There's gotta be something that could help open it..." the man muttered to himself, looking over every nook and cranny of the diamond shaped object.

Fuyuki then got an idea before taking out the Kero Ball. However it took one press of a button for multiple tools to spring out, surprising Van. "Will this work?"

"Whoa..." Van admitted with a surprised look.

"Wait; shouldn't there be an easier, less destructive way on opening it?" Jude asked with a worried look.

"It's alright- it has multiple tools for this purpose- and don't worry I'm sure you find the right one." Fuyuki admitted with the tools still out for Alvin to use to open it.

It took several moments as the group wait for Alvin to try to open the chest. After some tinkering, there was a 'click' from the box. "Ah, there we go," the man said.

After receiving the device and putting the tools away, the ark soon shifted around by itself before revealing a purple sphere inside of it. Fuyuki took it out as he admits, "What is this?"

"No idea," Alvin said as the five of them looked at it. "...Do you think it's worth anything?"

"I don't know..." Jude said, staring at the purple sphere. "It seems rather...ominous..."

The others seemed to of blinked before Fuyuki admitted, "Let's hold onto it for now. Maybe we can find someone who can tell us more about it?"

"Is that okay with you?" Milla asked Van.

"Umm...well I guess so." Van replied. "If you find anymore treasure would you tell me about it?"

"We will," Jude promised.

As Van walked away, Alvin stretched. "Well, seems like we've got time to get some grub. You guys in?"

Fuyuki nodded as well as the others as they went down the hill. Fuyuki soon gave a curious look as he admits, "I wonder where Aifread founded this anyways..."

"Perhaps we'll never know," Milla said. "We won't be able to get any answers from a dead man."

Jude glanced over at the purple sphere in his hand. He doesn't know why but...he felt something...demonic coming from this sphere. It's making his spine tingle and his hair standing on end just by being around it. Jude quickly stashed it away. They had no idea how many of these things are out there - he didn't want to be anywhere near them.

He hoped that a meal would take his mind off of the jewel.

As the group soon arrived at the elder's home Fuyuki gave a curious look before he soon noticed a basic supper and a fruit parfait as a dessert.

"Ah, hello dears," the mayor greeted them. "It's not much, but I hope its good enough."

"Thanks, we appreciate it." Fuyuki said while bowing.

"It all looks so good..." Milla let out as there is a bit of drool at the corner of her mouth.

"Milla, take it easy- we'll eat soon enough." Fuyuki admitted while giving a sweat-drop behind his head.

"Just try not to inhale your food, okay," Alvin lightly chided the Lord of Spirits.

Milla looked over at the mercenary in confusion, but before she could open her mouth, Jude quickly said, "We'll explain later."

"Oh, very well, then," the blonde woman said.

~o~

It was early morning at the Hinata household as for one Natsumi was awake and already dressed as she looked to be waiting for the others.

The girl couldn't help but fidget - their mom had somehow managed to convince her and Fuyuki's school (along with the others) that they'll be absent for a while; the perfect cover for their rescue operation. Yet she had no idea what 'Rieze Maxia' is like. All she knows - from what the frogs told her - that the place has Spirits and 'Spirit Artes'. She hoped that, by the time they find her brother, he would be okay - mentally and physically.

However, it was just a short while as Giroro soon entered the room. He soon looked like he dug out something- it looked similar to the one Keroro gave Fuyuki, only it's a skull instead of a star. "The Rieze Maxians will speak an entirely different language- this will allow you to speak their language while translating what they said to a language you understand easily. That was how we were able to speak to you all this time."

The girl takes the skull badge from the red Keronian, thinking as she looked at it, ('Well, that DOES explain a lot.')

It wasn't long until Koyuki and company soon arrived with everyone looked prepared- including Pururu with medical gear. "All set. Is everyone ready?"

"Might as well," Natsumi said, standing up after she put the badge on her shirt.

"Tamama, Dororo, Kururu, did you give them the Military badge?" Giroro asked the remaining members. Tamama immediately stammered before digging around before presenting a similar all-military badge- his version is of course his symbol. Kururu did the same before the two handed them to Momoka and Saburo. "The Military badges will remove the language barrier between us and the Rieze Maxians."

"I already provided mine to Koyuki-dono." Dororo admitted with Koyuki nodding. "We should head for the docking bay and prepare for departure now, de gozaru."

They all gave a nod as they all headed down to the docking bay.

Around a short half-hour later, outside of the house some of the citizens seemed to go around minding their own business until... something causes the ground to shake and the house to open up, literally as the citizens fled. There a launching bad was seen aimed at an angle as a stylized cruiser ship was ready to go. The ship looked to be mostly green in color but with a bright yellow star emblazoned on the top as Mois' voice was heard on an intercom system. "Systems online! All pre-launch checks are cleared and ready to go! Preparing for countdown!" The scene shifts to Mois and Aki as Mois soon asked, "Mama-san, do you want to say any words before they leave?"

"I think I said what I need to say except," Aki said before clearing her voice and saying into the system, "Good luck, everyone. Bring Fuyuki home safe and be sure to tell me about it as soon as you return home!" Aki replied.

"Don't worry, Mom," Natsumi said over at the other end of the line. "We'll try to be careful."

Aki seemed to give a small smile as Keroro announced, "Alright, Keroro Platoon, begin departure! Next stop, Rieze Maxia, de arimasu!" Keroro announced with the others giving their confirming 'right!' as the ship soon rockets off towards the sky. Of course, the Anti-barrier prevents anyone from seeing them leave...except for those who wants them to see them through adjustments.

As the ship disappears out of Earth's orbit, Aki let out a sigh. "Please be safe..." She murmured.

Meanwhile, back at Rieze Maxia...

It is still dark at the village of Hamil; the sun isn't due to rise in a couple of hours. We turn our attention to one of the rooms, where Jude lies asleep on one of the two beds. The boy groaned, tossing, turning and shifting in his sleep. Within his mindset, his dream is...chaotic.

Within his mind's eye, there is fire. Fire and explosions. He has no idea what was going on, or why he was there in the first place. Then the attention is focused on a small baby wrapped in a blanket. The baby is crying; crying because he was afraid. Afraid of...what? As the baby is crying, it opened their eyes - an amber yellow color - and looked up at the person holding it. Jude is now suddenly looking through the baby's point of view, and saw what the baby is seeing. The person is...a blur. He can't make out the shape of the person...but Jude could've sworn he saw four lights above the person - red, blue, green and a yellow-brown. After a few moments, the person soon placed him/the baby into a carriage, began to turn and run, with him/the baby reaching out for them-

"Don't go!" Jude exclaimed as he shot out of the bed- then did a take. "Huh?" He let out, looking around. He suddenly remembered where he is and then sighed, palming his forehead. "What...was that about...?" He asked himself.

Fuyuki soon came in sounding surprised when he heard the yell. Although he was tired he soon asked, "Uh, Jude, are you alright?"

"Oh, uh, sorry about that," Jude apologized, feeling his cheeks getting warm. "I just...had a weird dream is all."

"...Eheh, It's fine. I just heard you yell that's all." Fuyuki admitted as he rubbed his head. "I think that this is the earlier I've ever got up- then again it wouldn't be the first time."

Jude wanted to ask, but thought better not to; it's not his place to ask. "Well...what time is it?" The ex-medical student decided to ask instead.

"It must be a few hours to sunrise..." Fuyuki admitted seeing outside. "The sun isn't even up yet."

"...Oh," Jude let out. "Well...let's try to go back to sleep," he suggested. "We've still got a long road ahead of us."

Fuyuki soon nodded. However, he soon got a bad feeling... "I'll be back in a bit I need some air."

"Well...okay then," Jude said.

Fuyuki soon stepped outside of Hamil. However as he did he manage to use the Binoculars provided from the Kero Ball. He soon used it to view the Seahaven. However, what he founded...was not a good sight to behold.

There was at least a ship or two slightly different from the one he rode with the others to Auj Oule. He actually noticed someone was coming up the road ahead...wearing similar armor to ones seen before.

The boy lowered his binoculars. This doesn't look good...

Fuyuki definitely paled before running into the house. He just managed to get to Jude's Room before he exclaimed, "Jude, we got a problem, and it's coming in fast!"

"What, what is it?" The honor student asked - wondering why Fuyuki is panicking like this.

"It's Rashugal! They're catching up to us!" Fuyuki said that will definitely be an eye opener.

"What?!" Jude let out. Oh, this is something that he didn't want to hear; or rather expect. "How did they manage to catch up to us?" He asked as he quickly got out of bed and put his clothes on.

"I'll wake the elder and tell her what's happening; meanwhile you alert Milla and Alvin!" Fuyuki admitted as he soon went to another room before knocking on the door. "Excuse me, Elder? We need to talk to you about something!"

There was shuffling before the mayor opened the door, rubbing her eye. "What? What is it child? It is not even sun rise yet."

"No, but you have to come outside, there's trouble coming!" Fuyuki insisted before carefully bringing the elder outside and uses the binoculars. "You have to believe me- this is no trick."

The elder took the binoculars and peered through. "Oh my...are those Rashugal soldiers?" She asked in surprise.

"Yes." Fuyuki nodded. "Listen you have to tell everyone to hide- close shops, take cover in your home, everything. By the looks of it, they'll be here a bit after sunrise."

"Well..." the woman let out, lowering the binoculars.

"They're after me and my friends. If we had known that we would've passed through this village we could've avoided this." Fuyuki admitted while pounding his own forehead. "We have to stop them or you all are going to get hurt!"

The binoculars were gently taken from the elder woman, as Alvin (who had come out moments ago) peered through them himself. "Looks like you aren't kidding," he said as Milla and Jude came out. As he lowered them, he added, "And knowing them, they would probably force their way into homes to find traces of us."

Milla took them herself and peered through them (through the wrong end). "There's nothing to worry about," she said, "They're far away."

"Um, Milla?" Jude let out, and once he got her attention he took the binoculars and flipped it.

"Oh," she let out and looked through the right side.

"What are we going to do?" Jude asked. "We can't let these people get hurt because of us."

Fuyuki soon looked at the Kero Ball and the Binoculars...before getting an idea. "I got it!" Fuyuki exclaimed. "They can't attack anyone if there is anyone to attack!" He soon looked to the Kero Ball and admitted, "We just need to get the citizens in a place outside of the town."

"The night is dangerous with a lot of monsters around," Alvin reminded the boy. "We need to find another place to hide the villagers."

"...What about underneath the Village?" Fuyuki suggested.

"Is there a way to do that?" Milla asked him, lowering the binoculars.

All did Fuyuki did was point to the device and admitted, "Just trust me- we'll be safe underneath."

"...Are you sure this is safe?" The mayor asked the Hinata, worried.

Fuyuki nodded as he said, "My friend made an underground base in hours with this- I'm sure we can make a safe place for everyone to hide."

Everyone just gave a weird stare at Fuyuki- not so much his friends but rather the elder did.

As little as a few hours have passed as the Rashugal soldiers soon entered the town. However...to their astonishment not a single citizen was in sight. "What in the name of...where is everyone?" One of the soldiers asked.

A few feet underground...

On screen provided, soldiers soon spread out and took a look inside of the buildings. They even looked in the look in the orchard area. However, the last place they looked inside of the shed...and even that one was entirely empty! "Damn...it's like they...disappeared without a trace." One of the soldiers described. "How can they do that? They're farmers aren't they?"

"Keep searching! They're bound to be somewhere!" One of the troopers responded- obviously frustrated.

"Looks like it worked." Fuyuki commented as he faced the others including in a huge area like a dining hall, the populace of Hamil.

"...I'll never get used to this," Alvin said, running his fingers through his hair.

"I know what you mean." Fuyuki admitted. "It was amazing the first time I saw my friend's base- and all he had at the time was himself, three of his friends and this." Fuyuki admitted of course pointing to the Kero Ball hidden in his pocket. Of course, he looked to confused people as he admits, "All of you should be safe underneath Hamil's underground whenever dangerous travelers come. Listen, I understand that we did something that- by your standards- would be impossible on your own, but then again I got you guys underground and we managed to dig out a large enough place for everyone to hide together and even some way to check if they left yet, right?"

"But we can't stay here for long," Milla informed the boy. "We have to leave soon."

"Right!" Fuyuki nodded. "I've built the exit to the orchard we've been to yesterday- the trees furthest to the entrance from near the shed are you can exit- there also hidden holes you can uproot to get underground near the base of the other trees. We should probably head out now while they're distracted."

Of course Fuyuki soon faced the elder and presented her with Binoculars- at least three of them. "If it's quiet for at least an hour, have someone look outside and use these to see any soldiers. Be sure to check the trees too- otherwise they could figure out where you're all hiding."

"Oh, thank you, lad," the mayor said, taking them. "Just be careful out there."

"We will," Jude said, before bowing. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Just a reminder- you need to assign people to both entrances." the young man insisted. "See you!" The four soon made their ways upstairs.

...As the four soon emerged from the underground area they soon noticed Rashugal troopers near the shed as they hide out. "Looks like they're guarding the exit..." Fuyuki admitted.

"Great, now what?" Alvin let out, frustrated.

"We have no choice but to force our way through," Milla said as she reached for her sword.

"Wait!" Fuyuki whispered. "Even if we do, they...wait do we know how many there are?" For once...Fuyuki didn't think ahead on this one.

Jude tried to think of a plan as well...then he sensed someone behind them and swiftly turned his head. It was a girl.

The girl looked to be a year younger than Fuyuki, with ash blonde hair and yellow-green eyes. Her dress is purple with a light pink designs and ruffles and frills, with ribbons tied around her upper biceps. In her arms is a strange looking...doll colored purple with small curved 'horns' at the sides of its head, small pink 'diamond' designs above the eyes (which seemed closed), the part from the mouth down is colored pink with purple diamond designs and stubby little legs. Jude could've sworn that the jagged mouth seemed to have made it look like the doll is...breathing.

"Um...e-excuse me," the girl let out, getting the others' attention.

Fuyuki immediately blinked at the girl before admitting "Uh...Who are you?" He then remembered something. "Weren't you with the villagers we hid?"

"Um, well...we were hiding somewhere else," the girl admitted, "We had no idea where the rest of the villagers are at, so we had to look for them. You're the first people we ran into." It looked as if the girl was avoiding the question entirely, but Jude and Fuyuki couldn't be sure.

"Really?" Alvin asked, his eye brow raised in surprise. "How did you get pass the guards?"

"What guards?" The girl blinked.

Fuyuki soon thought of something before to admit. However he added a mental note before replied to ('Did she say 'we'?') however he shook his head before to admit in a whisper, "That means they must be stretched thin enough for her to slip by... Err, anyways, the villagers are hiding in a safe place because those mean people in armor there are trying to find me and my friends. We're trying to find a way to sneak by these guards without them causing trouble for us or for the people here."

The girl looked at the west exit of the village, to the Rashugal soldiers standing guard, and back at them. "So those people... They're in your way?" She bowed her head in thought...then nodded. "Okay, we'll help out." She said.

"Huh? Help how-?" Jude was cut off when something...astonishing happened. The doll in her arms blinked its eyes open and floated out of her arms. It...It actually came to life!

"What the-?!" Alvin exclaimed in shock as the others jerked back in surprise.

Fuyuki was also surprised- it wasn't the first time he seen a living doll, though... the guards however never seen one either as they were panicking- one of them gave a startled 'W-What the- Ahh!' before the two scrambled around as the doll floated around above them. However, it was enough to bring the attention of someone as he asked, with an older man's voice, "What's going on here?"

Five heads turned to the source to see a rather large man coming to their direction. He has a long beard (colored brown), his eyes are squinted as he wore a yellow cap-like hat, a yellow coat with white fur around the collar and cuffs over a dark brown shirt with yellow designs on the front, a pair of dark brown pants (with yellow designs at the front) and boots; strapped to the man's back is a large red hammer with dark brown strips, and a small bracelet made of black fangs around the part that connects the hammer and handle together.

"Whoa." Was the first words out of Fuyuki's mouth before the man notices the ash haired girl. "Child, you know you're never to leave the shed."

('Shed?') Jude repeated in his mind, looking back at the shed they're hiding behind. From what the man seemed to be implying, this shed...is where the girl lived?

The older man soon noticed the troopers being attacked by the doll before to admit, with a quick sigh "First the people of this town go missing and Rashugal troops arriving here? This is a strange day all around- but none the less, they would curse the day they would come here!" He soon ran towards them with the doll latching free of the soldier's head.

As the man ran towards them, Jude looked back at the girl when the doll...floated next to her. She gave a quick bow before running off with the doll following.

The older man easily subdued the last soldier before returning to the group. "Which way did she go?"

"Back to village- but the villagers are in a safe location- they're underneath the orchard- we managed to dig out a way for them to hide before the Rashugal troops arrived." Fuyuki explained.

"...A young boy of your age- just bit older than the young girl..." The man soon looked over Fuyuki and admitted, "You have my thanks for saving the people of the village- for someone so young, you must be either amazingly smart or endured plenty of experience in your lifetime. People might be intimidated by you though- but your kindness runs deep." The older man soon thought of something before to admit, "But I must find the girl- it's dangerous for her to be roaming the streets of this village."

"W-wait!" Fuyuki insisted before the man stopped.

"You should hurry and leave this place if you're outsiders- if it's what you said is true and the people are safe, then they'll never forget your kindness- but it could put previous actions to questioning though." The man soon made his way after the girl down to the square.

"...Who was that man?" Jude asked once the man is out of ear shot.

"I don't know," Alvin said, "But I'm not complaining. Things just got easier for us."

"We best leave before reinforcements arrive," Milla said.

"Right." Fuyuki nodding before looking to where the yellow cladded man and mostly purple cladded girl fled before they soon made tracks exiting the village.

"I hope the villagers would be all right," Jude said as they entered the Galia Trail.

"I'm sure they will be- we tried our best to help them." Fuyuki admitted. "It's up to them now to do their best..."

"If I remember right, the mayor said that the Kijara Seafalls is only a few hours from Hamil," Milla said. "We have to move quickly if we want the Rashugal soldiers to lose our trail."

"Yeah, I'd rather not get caught, thank you," Alvin added.

"I just hope I can keep up!" Fuyuki admitted as the he tried his best to keep up with them.

As the four made their way to the Kijara Seafalls, they could not have known the hidden dangers that awaited them there…

And as for our rescue team...what in the world awaits them when they reach Rieze Maxia?

Only time will tell.

To be continued...

Flagstealer: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! And if you're wondering how come Fuyuki is a more active thinker...well I could say that maybe he could be thinking ahead with the mana lobe helping him.

Yue Twili: Maybe, or maybe with all the crap he had went through made him like this.

Flagstealer: True enough- but then again the ideas of the teleporter the experiences with Keroro that actually helped him a lot more here- after all he was actually pretty calm in combat- must be because of the dangerous situations before he came there.

Yue Twili: I guess. But, eventually, there will be things that not even Fuyuki can handle.

Flagstealer: Like how *spoiler* has planned for the rescue party?

Yue Twili: Yup. What dangers will our four heroes encounter at the Kijara Seafalls? And will the rescue party safely get to Rieze Maxia to help the young Hinata?

Flagstealer: Who knows, but one thing's for sure- we're currently making plans for certain characters and arte plans... right?

Yue Twili: Yup... Though, we'll need to work with a few characters, wouldn't you say?

Flagstealer: Right. Anyways please be patient with us as thinking on this might take some time.

Yue Twili: Indeed.

Flagstealer: So until then, see ya and hope you enjoyed the chapter!