Mother 4

[Forte]

The Pork and Beans Robert was piloting began to slow down. They had entered the mining sector now, and sand was everywhere. They could see the mining machine now. The Pork and Beans made an odd noise and slowed to a halt. Robert looked at it's electricity gauge. Out of juice.

Robert: Looks like we're hoofing it. I hope we find a way to get back.
Heron: I think it's working out too perfectly for Adagio. He's a good deal better at planning than the rest of them, I guess.
Robert: I heard some rumors about him. Apparently no one in Unit 7 has ever seen him. He keeps to himself in the tower. He gives orders through speakers and personal communicators.
Heron: Hm. Not a social butterfly then.

They walked up to the giant tower of the mining machine. It looked like a good deal of it was submerged. Heron rubbed his hand against it. It was as thick as a house. Suddenly the entire machine shifted violently. From the sand rose two giant drills and what appeared to be a control center, stationed on a low side of the tower. As it rose more, 6 long, spider-like legs were revealed. It stood there, towering above the two. It looked like a giant spider, if spiders had drills for front legs. The automatic control system made odd noises before finally going into what seemed to be some kind of startup system.

Machine: P-002 MINING SYSTEM ONLINE. BEINGS DETECTED. STATE YOUR NAME AND BUSINESS.
Heron: We were sent for maintenance.
P-002: PLEASE STATE THE MAINTENANCE PASSWORD. YOU HAVE SIXTY SECONDS. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE THE MAINTENANCE PASSWORD, YOU WILL BE DEEMED INTRUDERS AND TERMINATED.

Heron looked at his father.

Heron: You have any idea?
Robert: No... What do you think we should do?
Heron: Well.. It would be useless to fight this thing. It's a giant machine. We couldn't take that.
Robert: So then we should...?
Heron: That control station on it should have some kind of manual override switch in it. Perhaps we can put it under our control... We just need to figure out how to get on it without getting killed.
Robert: Give me one of those energy packets, that should help me think.

Heron handed his father one of the packets. Robert opened it and looked inside. It was a bag of pork skins.

P-002: YOUR MINUTE IS UP. YOU HAVE BEEN DEEMED ENEMIES AND ARE TO BE TERMINATED. ACTIVATING DEFENSE MODE.

Robert: It's a bag of pork skins.
Heron: ... Pork skins?? They want us dead really bad. Ditching us in the desert with pork skins and a giant robot. However... That does give me an idea. That robot must have some kind of air intake vent... so if you were to block those off, it would overheat fast, especially with how hot it is here anyway... Empty that bag, dad.

Robert emptied his bag of pork skins. Heron took out the other couple of packets and dumped them as well. P-002 rammed one of its drills into the ground very close to the pair, flinging sand and dust everywhere. Heron tried to get a good look at the workings of the robot through all the dust. There were no cameras on it anywhere, so it apparently couldn't really see, which must explain why it missed... but it must have some form of locating if it's going to be a mining bot. The dust cleared away fully. Heron noticed exactly how the robot 'saw'. On top of the control center was a small antenna. It sees by sound. Heron elbowed his father and made a motion to keep absolutely still and quiet. He picked up one of the nearby rocks and flung it a small distance from him onto a pile of scrap metal. He grabbed his dad's hand and ran in the opposite direction. P-002 slammed its drill into the pile of metal. Just as Heron had planned. He ran over to one of its massive legs and jumped onto it. He still couldn't see the air intake. The leg had a small service ladder type system on it that lead up to the ore tower. Robert stood by, not quite knowing what to do. He followed his son's lead and went up another leg. Heron found a hatch on the underside of the ore tower and pointed to the one on Robert's side. They both went in.

The ore tower was a massive, multi-layer storage unit. It was even complete with elevators and stairs for workers. There must have been a way into the control center from here. The two followed staircase after staircase, finding nothing except dirt and the occasional scraps of iron. Finally they came across what appeared to be a door. As could be expected, it was locked. Beside it was a slide away section of wall that revealed a key code receptor. Heron looked at it.

Heron: Again with the passwords? Crap!
Robert: Still can't help you with it, sorry.

Heron and Robert stood there trying to think of something to do. Suddenly, another man walked in with them. He was as tall as Robert and wore the Commander outfit. He was currently wearing the battle mask as well. Heron and Robert looked at him. They weren't prepared for battle.

Heron: Commander Adagio?
Masked Man: No. I'm surprised you two got into here. This thing was supposed to kill you, you know.
Robert: We noticed. What do you want with us? Here to do what this stupid machine couldn't?
Masked Man: No! Not at all. In fact, I'm here to help you. I suppose you'll need the password to get into this room. I just happen to know it.
Heron: And what to you expect in return?
Masked Man: Nothing. I just think it's wrong to kill you, Rasch. You've done nothing, really. Besides, I want to learn more about you. Maybe we'll meet again.

The man entered the password into the receptor. The door slid open. He walked away from them, giving them a wave as he walked away. As mysteriously as he had appeared, he was gone. Heron and Robert walked into the room and initiated manual override.

Robert: So... how are we going to get back?
Heron: We're in control of this robot, aren't we? I think we'll show them what a good job we did.

Heron went over to the controls and studied them for a bit. He began to control the robot, piloting it towards the Unit 7 Tower.

[Forte]

After a short trip back, Heron and Robert came upon the main part of Sector 7. Everyone outside immediately stopped what they were doing and stared at the giant machine. Robert and Heron walked out from the same place they came in. The pair walked out, completely ignoring the heads turning to watch them walk past as they made their way for the Unit 7 Tower front doors. An eerie silence fell over the entire area. No one dared say a word.

Heron and Robert entered the tower. This one was very, very different from the one in Sector 5. Instead of the usual pink carpeting, it was some certain shade of gray, not too dark, but not light to the point of white either. The walls were white instead of the somewhat creamy pink they normally were, and even the usual gold painted wooden rims around the middle of the wall were dark gray. There was no one on this floor, and there weren't any sounds of anyone directly upstairs. Adding to the dead silence of no people was also the lack of the music that normally plays in the towers. Heron hated that slowed down version of the Pig Mask Anthem more than he hated the actual thing.  The elevator across from them opened, and a man walked out. The man seemed unhealthily thin and was extremely pale, his skin almost matching the walls. Even his hair was white, though he looked to be somewhat young. His eyes looked tired, as if he were about to drop and go to sleep where he stood. If it weren't for him wearing the typical Commander outfit, he would have almost no color to him at all. His vibrant blue eyes were the most contrast on him, and it seemed almost scary that his eyes could be such a shade of blue while the rest of him was so dull. He lifted one of his thin arms and waved the pair over to him, where he turned around and got back into the elevator. Heron and Robert followed. None of them said a word the entire ride up. The elevator let out in a room as big as the tower. There were no windows in this room, and no more color here than anywhere else. They all left the elevator.

Heron: I guess you're Adagio.
Adagio: Yes, I am. Surprised?
Heron: Well you do look a bit sickly to be a commander of anything... Maybe you need some sunlight and sleep.
Adagio: I sleep fine, thank you. And why would I want sunlight?
Heron: It would give you a little color.
Adagio: As you can see, there's no use for color here. The constant shining of the sun would distort the colors in this tower if there were any windows. Even the opening of the door would eventually bleach the pink carpet. So I decided to redo the place myself. It's more fitting of my attitude anyway.
Robert: So why was it so important to you to kill us?
Adagio: Haha... that. Yes, well, you see, Rasch is a problem to the Pig Mask Army. A large one. Pure and simple. And I got word that you're Rasch. Deported from Sector 5 by commander Zahlzeit himself. It was perfect. I could get that admiration I deserve if I were to destroy the Pig Mask Army's only problem!
Heron: Apparently it's not that important to all of you. Zahlzeit didn't show any want to kill me, and one of your superiors helped us back there with that robot.
Adagio: ...A superior?... A higher ranking commander... Lento! Bah! I should have never called him! I knew he would do something like this.

Lento walked into the room

Lento: Well then you know more than I give you credit for, Adagio.
Adagio: Grr.. Lento! How could you do this? What is it you want from this boy?
Lento: Absolutely nothing, aside from maybe figuring out what drives him to hate us so much.
Adagio: Isn't it obvious? He's a trouble maker. He hates us because he believes his cause is just, when it isn't.
Lento: What authority are you to deem what is and isn't right?
Adagio: ... What are you saying? Are you saying you admire his efforts?
Lento: I admire his courage. Out of everyone on Earth, this boy and his father are the only two willing to change anything. When I was his age... I was the same way.
Heron: How did you know... that he's my father?
Lento: Logic. A good father would never let his son go out and do something dangerous and illegal by himself. Besides, your father and I have met before... A long time ago... 15 years I think. I remembered his voice.
Heron: I see.
Robert: I'm surprised I didn't recognize you when you helped us. You're the only one of this lot with any compassion, aren't you?
Lento: Oh, no! Not at all. All of us are very good people. Sometimes, I do however, question Adagio and his brother...
Adagio: I'm right here, you know.
Lento: I'm not going to bend the truth just to please you. Also, because of your actions, Adagio, I'm suspending the use of Sector 7. We don't need all of that extra metal you've provided us over the years. We have plenty in surplus. If we need more, I will reopen this sector. For now, I want you to power down that stupid fake sun.
Adagio: ... What?!
Lento: You're also going to come back to the Capitol Sector with me. Rasch, Robert, you too.

Adagio's pale face had a look of disbelief on it. His mouth was hanging open, he wanted to say something, but he couldn't. One of his now very wide open eyes was twitching.

Lento: And if ever I decide to send you back to here... Paint this place. It looks like trash.

Lento walked over to the desk in the room and pushed a large button. Adagio stood shaking, no longer from his apparent weakness, but now in anger. He reached for the sword clipped to his belt and activated it, jumping at Lento. Lento caught the sword's blade in one hand and flung Adagio back over his head. Adagio hit the wall and fell to the floor.

Lento: Have you lost your mind? You need to control your anger. Now come on. Let's get out of here. This monotone color scheme is making me depressed.

[Forte]

- Chapter 5: Welcome to Paradise...? -

Lento, Heron, Robert, and Adagio left the Unit 7 tower. The artificial sun was now gone, and thousands of stars were visible in the night sky. It was much cooler now, and the thin desert uniforms weren't really helping keep Robert or Heron warm. Lento had tied Adagio's hands behind his back, which didn't help cool him down at all.

Adagio: Lento! Think about what you're doing! You're inviting a madman and his probably equally insane father into the capitol sector, and treating me like a criminal! What are you going to do without me designing weapons for the pig mask army?
Lento: For one, you're being treated like a criminal because you're acting like one. If you would shut up for a minute and stop being so trigger happy, I wouldn't have to tie you up. You can draft weapon designs back in the capitol sector. I'm not stripping you of your power, just shutting down your almost completely useless sector. Everyone here will be relocated in a few days.

Lento rolled up his sleeve and pushed a button on his watch. A long limousine hovered down from the sky and landed in front of them. Lento invited everyone in before him, and after he got in, the limo took off.

Lento: Oh, by the way, Rasch, Robert, please, make yourselves comfortable. Feel free to rest, there's plenty of room. I'm sure you're both very tired. 
Robert: I'm not sure we want to...
Lento: ... Oh. Don't worry about Adagio. I have him under control He knows who his superiors are. Please get some rest, it's not good for the body to go without it.

After a bit of thought about it, Robert and Heron did just that. Lento went over to the mini bar and fixed himself a drink. Adagio looked at him.

Lento: ...You want one?
Adagio: You are so stupid.
Lento: That's no way to say "no". I would think your mother taught you better.
Adagio: YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
Lento: No need to yell. Can't you see these two men sleeping? You've troubled them quite enough.
Adagio: You don't like me at all, do you? I can see through your plans. You want rid of me because I'm weak.
Lento: No. I think that it's a waste of resources for you to continue work in Sector 7. You're a very smart man, and so is your brother. You two are just so violent... It's not right to be that way.
Adagio: Armies are supposed to be that way! Violence is what they are formed for!
Lento: What did I tell you about getting loud? This army wasn't formed for violence or hate. We were formed to be police. Look, I don't even know what Pokey is planning for us, he's yet to tell me. He just wanted this done, so I figured the least I could do to pay him back is to do it for him.
Adagio: Police? We're a group called the Neo Pig Mask Army, and our job is police? That makes no sense at all.
Lento: Pig Mask Police sounds retarded, now doesn't it? Besides, according to my studies, "army" can be a word for a large group of people organized for the same thing, not a violent armed group employed by a government.
Adagio: This still doesn't explain why I couldn't kill them.
Lento: ... A police force is there to keep peace. Our primary job is not to kill our people. Our job is to make ourselves look good.
Adagio: But we already have control! No one can do anything about it!
Lento: There are still more people on Earth than us. If they all came together under a common goal, we would be gone instantly.
Adagio: But people are so stupid! They can't do that!
Lento: Maybe... but people aren't stupid. Your time, Adagio, was long, long ago. You lived in an Earth full of hate and violence, where every day was a grinding task. And you, like a shameful few of the population of your day, saw that if people would stop being so childish, they could accomplish much much more. However, you're living in my time now. And something you have yet to learn after 15 years living in this time, people have come to respect each other and nature. I don't know when it happened, that people started being that way, but they just did. I don't know what caused it either. But every day as a child, I knew nothing of rivalry or hate. People are much easier drawn to a single cause now.
Adagio: ...

Adagio couldn't think of anything more to say. He sat there quietly, thinking about Lento's words. The rest of the trip went by completely silent.

[Forte]

Heron woke in a strange room. He didn't remember ever getting out of the limo. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. He was on a very comfortable bed, it felt like it was made out of clouds. The walls of the room were a creamy white color, and the carpet was vibrant pink, a stark contrast to the Unit 7 tower he had just been in not long ago. He knew he was in one of the Pig Mask Army towers, but which one now? He turned his head to see the other wall, but instead was surprised to see less wall than window. He stood up, instantly noticing that someone had taken off his shoes, and walked over to the window. The scene was both breathtaking and disgusting. Before him stretched a large city that looked somewhat like Sector 5, just more lights, and probably 15 times larger. He noticed his own reflection in the window. He wasn't wearing the mask that he had come here with. Whoever brought him into this room was really good at doing things without people noticing it, or else he had been dead asleep. He put one hand on the window and clinched his other fist. Looking at all of this spread out in front of him made him feel sick. He heard the door open and quickly turned around. A woman walked in. She was wearing the commander uniform, which shocked Heron. She looked him in the eyes. For some reason, this made Heron feel sad, as if he had done something to her that he needed to apologize for.

Heron: Who are you?
Rallentando: I... am... Rallentando?
Heron: Why are you asking me?
Rallentando: ... No... I am... Rallentando.
Heron: It's your name?
Rallentando: ... Yes.
Heron: Did you bring me here?
Rallentando: Yes... Lento ... asked?

Heron couldn't understand why she talked so strange. Lento walked into the room along with Robert.

Lento: Ah! Rallentando. I figured you would be here.
Heron: Lento, if you don't mind me asking, why does she... talk so strange?
Lento: ... I...

He turned around.

Lento: Rallentando, you're no longer needed right now. Thank you for your help, I'll take it from here.
Rallentando: Yes... Thank you?

Lento watched her walk off. He waved Robert and Heron to follow him, and lead them to his office down the hall.

Lento: Have a seat, you two. I'm sorry that your first morning here has been somewhat confusing.
Robert: It's quite all right... but I share my son's curiosity, why does Rallentando speak like she does?
Lento: ... I hate to answer it, but for you two, I will. Rallentando is... different from us.  All of us. I believe you know the history behind us commanders, right?
Heron: Somewhat. You've all been modified by your own technology.
Robert: I seem to remember you having two metal arms, Lento. Is that what you're referring to?
Lento: Yes... somewhat. *he pulled up his sleeves, revealing two very human looking arms.* Our specialists in Hauptstimme's department have developed artificial skin for any robotic limbs given to us. It's amazing, really, it's able to feel... it's almost a perfect replica of human skin. It only doesn't grow. It even feels the same.
Heron: So... Rallentando is different? How?
Lento: ... I don't tell this to many people. In fact, aside from me, only Hauptstimme knows the whole story. I guess I can add a few more people to that list. Rallentando, when I found her, was on the verge of death. The most unfortunate of all of us, what happened to her, I don't quite know. I brought her to the Pig Mask Chimera Division in hopes that they could do for her what they did for the rest of us. They stayed up for nights doing "repairs" on her. When they were finished, they brought her to me. She looked just as she did when I gave her to them, innocent and beautiful... but something seemed to be missing. I asked her if she remembered anything and she didn't respond. She didn't remember anything at all. Not even how to talk. That's when I gave her the name Rallentando, and in order to help her fit in, gave us each new names. She is currently learning to talk again.
Robert: So Lento isn't your real name? If you don't mind me asking, what is your real name?
Lento: ... I have forgotten it, having not used it in a bit more than 15 years. However, I have something to show you gentlemen. I think it will fascinate you, perhaps to the point of seeing that what you're doing is useless. Come with me.

Lento got up and walked out the door. Robert and Heron followed him. For some reason, Robert had a feeling that everything Lento just told them was a lie. They went down two floors to a large room that had an odd smell. The room's floor was concrete, as were the walls. There was a large metal door with no handles on the other end. The three stood there, silently.

Lento: I welcome you to the room where we keep our most valuable asset. He's quite an interesting creation, made by the good Dr. Andonuts and Pig Mask Chimera Division scientists in days of old. He's king Pokey's favorite pet.

Lento inputs a code into a system in the wall. The door at the other end of the room slid open. At first, there was nothing, but then the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard. From the shadows behind the door emerged a creature unlike any Robert or Heron had ever seen. It had large yellow eyes and constantly bared a set of massive teeth that continued down the sides of it's head, though they got progressively smaller as it's disproportionately large mouth came to an end and the body began. On the creature's head sat a small yellow bird, and it had a set of purple wings on it's back, which were too small to be for anything but decoration. Between the wings was what appeared to be a button, but neither Heron nor Robert could imagine what that could be for, so they dismissed the thought that it could be such a thing. It had a long tail that ended in an arrow, and the beast's body was either pink or covered in short, hot pink hair. Heron stared at it, terrified for some reason by what he saw.

Lento: Meet the Ultimate Chimera, gentlemen, an indestructible beast created by Unit 2, the new Chimera Division. He's an extremely bloodthirsty creature that shows it's meals no mercy. I wouldn't let that thing get his mouth around me if my life depended on it, and in fact, a run in with this thing would mean your life does indeed depend on not letting it get near you. Right now, he's completely docile, since I'm here, and he knows his master.
Robert: A... Chimera? What exactly is that?
Heron: Dad, read a book some time. A chimera is an animal created by taking two or more animals and mixing them into one. There is an especially popular one in myths from some ancient civilization.
Robert: So... you created that thing by taking animals and mixing them?
Lento: I didn't create it. The only person who knows the animal formula for that thing is Hauptstimme, and it took him years to perfect it. He's our perfect little monster. You two should be glad I'm here with you... It would make a quick meal of both of you. But I guess you're luck just ran out.
Heron: What do you mean?

He turned to face Lento, but he was no longer there. Heron turned around in time to see Lento walking out the door. He stopped at the door and pushed a button beside it before walking out. Bars fell over it. He put his hands on the bars and waved.

Lento: Good-bye, my friends. I'm sorry it had to end this way for you. I wouldn't normally want to kill you, but king Pokey insists.

Lento walked down the hall, shutting the door behind him. The Ultimate Chimera let out a loud and unnerving roar. It began to walk towards the pair, left standing in the center of the room, alone with a monster that had a mouth big enough to fit both of them in it.

[Sepuku.exe]

There's a problem here, Robert isn't mentioned until Lento tells them to leave the room.

Forte: You seem to have overlooked this line - "Lento walked into the room with Robert."

I put "along with..." in there so maybe you can understand it. And anyone as attentive as you.

[Forte]

Lento walked down the hall, staring at the ground constantly. Had he just done what he thought he did? He stopped and looked at his hands, as if his gloves were covered in blood. There was nothing he could have done to stop it. It was Pokey's orders. He was given the option, and he chose this one. He shook his head. Nothing would change what's happened now. He let out a sigh and walked into the elevator, going back up to his room.


Heron and Robert were tired of running, and this thing never seemed to run out of energy.  They stood against one of the walls and tried to catch their breath. Heron looked at the Ultimate Chimera, wondering how anyone could create something so terrible. This was the way it was going to end, he thought. Him and his father, two dreamers, devoured by some pink beast. And for what? Hopes of a better future? How could he do this to the friends he had? How could he do this to his parents? Instead of creating a better world for them, he's killed both himself, his father, and left the ones he cared about without either of them. Suddenly, he heard a voice. It sounded very far off at first, but then it started to get louder. It was as if someone was standing right next to him talking to him. He tried to identify it, it sounded so familiar, but he couldn't.  There were too many thoughts running through his head now for that.

Voice: Heron, are you giving up?
Heron: Dad... do you hear anything?
Robert: No. Just that creature.
Voice: He can't hear me. Only you can. It's telekinesis, and I'm glad you have it too.
Heron: ... I can communicate with my thoughts, then?
Voice: Yes. Please, don't give up.
Heron: Who are you?
Voice: Don't worry about that. Deep inside, you know who I am. But you don't need to care.
Heron: Either way... what do you want?
Voice: That creature is indeed unstoppable. There is a way though. Have you seen the button it has on its back?
Heron: That's a button?
Voice: Yes. You must push that button. It's an emergency deactivation switch. It powers him down.
Heron: How am I supposed to get at it?
Voice: Sneak up on him. Of course, since it will follow both of you, you'll have to use one of you as a distraction.
Heron: What do you mean?
Voice: Either you or your father must distract him. The other has to rush up behind him and push the switch. Do that, and then try to get me.
Heron: How will I get you?

There was no response. The chimera had gotten closer to them now and kept approaching. Heron and Robert ran away yet again.

Heron: I have a plan, but don't ask I know it. I'll stand and let the thing come after me, you sneak up behind it and find a way to hit that switch on its back.
Robert: Are you sure it's a switch?
Heron: Yes. Just figure out a way to push it, that should sap all the energy from him.
Robert: Well even still, how will we get out of here?
Heron: That doesn't really matter. Let's just get one problem off our hands before starting another.
Robert: Ok... but if it gets too dangerous, run, alright?
Heron: Ok.

Heron and Robert ran in opposite directions. Heron yelled at the beast, attempting to draw its attention to him. Finally, it gave up trying to find Robert and walked towards Heron. Heron stood still, letting the creature get closer. Robert tried to walk quietly enough so that the chimera wouldn't hear him. It drew even closer to Heron. This was much closer than he wanted to have to ever see it. He lost his nerve and backed up a small distance. It roared, opening its large mouth once again, showing Heron the disturbingly numerous amount of teeth it had. At that very moment, it fell over on its side. Robert had pulled through. Heron fell over, his heart beating faster than it had ever before.

Heron: Well? Hello? You told me to call when we deactivated it. What now?
Voice: I'm going to teach you a trick. It's called PK Teleport. As far as I know, this will make you only the second person to learn it aside from me, but I know you're capable of it.
Heron: Teleport... as in just popping up somewhere, right?
Voice: It's more complicated than that. Not much, but still complicated. It's a PSI that allows you to travel at incredible speeds, eventually hitting close to light speed. Of course, when you go that fast, nothing is in your way anymore, and you will seem to simply appear where you want to go.
Heron: So how do I do it?
Voice: First, you have to have a place in your mind. Somewhere you want to go. You have to know that place well enough to know of a large open place for you to stop running in as well, because when going that fast, the only thing that can save you is the power of your mind. Your senses will do you no good anymore.
Heron: Ok, and then?
Voice: Build up speed. Think about the place, think about going there, want to go there more than anything else. Just run.
Heron: What if I hit something?
Voice: Don't worry about that. Just run straight for as long as possible. You should be able to do it in the room you're in right now. Get your father and go to one wall. Then run across the room to the other.
Heron: ...Alright. If this works, thank you. If not, contact someone telepathically and tell them to come in here and scrape us off the wall.
Voice: It'll work. Don't worry.

Heron grabbed his father and told him about the teleport plan. They both lined up with each other and ran, both of them focused only on Sector 5. They kept running, watching the wall pass behind them. Soon everything passed by them so fast, it made them dizzy to even look, so both of them closed their eyes. They kept running, faster and faster until finally, their legs just stopped. They opened their eyes and found themselves back in Sector 5.

Lento sat down at his desk and picked up the phone. He called Zahlzeit's Sector 5 office.

Zahlzeit: Yello'?
Lento: Zahlzeit. I have some news.
Zahlzeit: What is it?
Lento: Looks like my plan didn't go so hot. Those two... they're your problem again.
Zahlzeit: Thanks a lot. It was getting peaceful around here.

He hung up the phone.

[Forte]

- Chapter 6: The Wheels of Change are Square -

Heron and Robert looked around, unsure if they were dreaming this or if it were real. Everything seemed in order, the sky was dark and cloudy, Pig Mask soldiers patrolling the streets, and everywhere large neon lights changed the color of the dense air around them. They walked to their house and walked in. Lily heard the door close and came around the corner to see who had come in. Upon seeing her husband and son, a look of relief and happiness came over her face. A bit later, they all sat down to dinner.

Lily: I can't say enough how glad I am that both of you are alright.
Robert: I think that you've said it enough by now. Really, we weren't faced with anything life threatening.
Heron: Yeah... nothing. You know, dad... All of that nothing life threatening that we faced made me think about something.
Robert: And what is that?
Heron: I want to continue this... alone.
Robert: Wh..what? Why?
Heron: Because I don't want mom to have to put up with losing both of us, if anything were to happen to us.
Lily: Don't talk like that. You're going to stop all of this, right?
Heron: Mom... I have to continue this. I mean you no disrespect, but there's nothing you can say to stop me.
Lily: I agree with what you believe. I don't think what the Neo Pig Mask Army has done is right. But... I don't think you should risk your life for it.
Robert: I agree with your mother. Heron, I'm sure probably everyone that's ever lived wanted to be a hero... but sometimes there's nothing you can do.
Heron: But there is something I can do. I've started something now. Something that can't be undone and something that can only be stopped by one of two things happening. Either I die, or the Pig Mask Army falls.
Robert: ... You're so dead set on this, aren't you? There's absolutely no changing your mind is there?
Heron: No. There isn't. I'm sorry, I know it worries you both, but they've destroyed everything that made Earth what it was. I can't just sit back and read books about nature and history, and not be able to live in the same environment that these people basked in. And I don't want that for the future, either. This was something that was never supposed to change, you know? No matter what humans did, nature would always be there. At least... it should have been that way.
Robert: I understand exactly what you're saying. But why? Why you? You're still a young boy, these kinds of things shouldn't worry you.
Heron: Dad, when you were my age, what did you do?
Robert: I... visited with friends... and we stayed outside and did things. Nothing very important... I've told you all about this.
Heron: Yes, you have. You see. That's the problem. Why would I want to go outside and do things like when you were my age? The air stinks, the sky is constantly cloudy and there's an armed military marching the streets constantly, accomplishing nothing but further enforcing their iron grip on the world. That's what I want back. That's the cause I fight for. This is what I don't want anyone to ever have to put up with again.
Lily: It shouldn't happen, you know. This kind of worry shouldn't fall on a young man's shoulders.
Heron: That's the way things are now, mom. I didn't ask for this. But I feel like it's my duty now, more than ever, to save the world from this. If I have to do it alone, so be it. I will.
Robert: Regardless of what you say, I'm going with you.
Heron: No. I won't allow that, dad. I can't risk both of us, I've said that already.
Robert: What kind of father would I be to let you go out on your own like that?
Heron: A father who isn't afraid to let go of his boy. I'm going to have to go out on my own one day, dad. Sooner or later, it would happen.
Robert: But... not like this. Not out on a suicidal mission, doing a favor for no one.
Heron: Suicidal, yes. Is it a favor for no one? No. It's a favor for everyone.
Robert: Still! You're in danger.
Heron: I'm in no more danger than someone moving out of their house hundreds of years ago. You can't argue with that because you know it's true.
Robert: It's not the same! You're not moving out, into a nice safe house of your own.. it's...
Lily: He's a smart young man, Robert. I don't like the idea, no, but... I think we should let him go. It's what he really wants, and we would be terrible parents to not let him listen to his heart.

Robert sat silently with his face in his hands. He got up and walked to the bookcase on the wall and pulled out the old diary. He handed it to Heron.

Robert: If you see Lento, give him this. I can't really figure out why, but I feel like he should take a look at it. Who knows. Maybe it'll tell him a truth about King Pokey that he didn't know... or for that matter, didn't want to know.
Heron: So you're letting me go?
Robert: I didn't expect you would wait for my permission. There's nothing I could do to stop you, unless I chained you to a wall. But then, I guess you would take a wall and some chains with you.
Lily: Before you go out with no goal in mind, perhaps it would do some good to tell you something I overheard. Sector 3 has its own Rasch, apparently inspired by you. I've heard he even claims to be you, saying that he hails from here and attempted to take the life of Commander Zahlzeit. Maybe you want to go meet him...
Heron: Thanks, mom. That's a lot of help. I'll find a way to go there.
Lily: For now, though... I think it's a bit late. Will you at least stay one more night here with us?
Heron: Yeah. You bet.

Heron went up to his room and arranged some things to take with him tomorrow in a backpack. For some reason, he quickly found himself extremely tired. It must have been using that new PSI he learned today. He got in bed and was almost instantly asleep.

[Forte]

Since I can't really think of a good way to advance the story... Filler!

- Neo Pig Mask Army Data Files: The Commanders (Part 1) -

Though uniformly dressed and fighting for the same cause, the seven commanders each have their own methods, ideas, and fighting styles. In the Neo Pig Mask Army, unlike its predecessor, has only two ranks - Private and Commander. This decision was made by Lento in an attempt to put equality into an otherwise unequal system.

Lento is the commander of Unit 1, though the only people who know about what exactly Unit 1 is... is Unit 1. Although his official title is Commander in Chief of the NPMA, he prefers to be called by the significantly lower Commander rank in order to close the gap between his fellow commanders, since he firmly believes that none of them truly outrank each other. Of the Mod Seven, He holds the most knowledge of the world, being the only one from this time who still holds memories of it. His past is shrouded in mystery, as he prefers not to talk about what put him where he is. He is a master of the teleportation PSI, able to use it at such a high level he doesn't even need to build up speed for it anymore. He is the only one of the commanders that fights with two swords.

Hauptstimme is the commander of Unit 2, the Chimera Research Division. Over the fifteen years he and Lento have known each other, they have become good friends, and Lento trusts Hauptstimme most out of the other commanders. He always wears a pair of sunshades to hide his eye cameras, which only came in pure red. Originally from the late 1900s, he has a good grasp of the technology around him, learning how to use it almost instantly. His unit is responsible for the creation of such monstrosities as the Ultimate Chimera, and came up with the ideas for how to remove nature from Earth. His own specialty PSI which he created himself is PK Air, with which he has complete control over the air around him, capable of creating anything from a slight breeze to an F-5 Tornado.

Rallentando, the commander of Unit 3, is the product of her own unit. Before her placement as head of Research and Medical Operations, she was their biggest success, being brought from near death to a functional state. She is the only female commander, and like Lento, is from this time. Though it is true that she forgot everything after her "repairs", she does know how to speak perfectly well, though she rarely says a word unless ordered to speak. Lento exhibits an extreme care for her, not allowing her to fight until he's completed a series of tests on her abilities. Her PSI abilities, if any, are unknown.

Allegro is commander of Unit 4 - PSI Research, and the older brother of Adagio. He is a master of the fire PSI, however his warm powers are stark contrast to his cold heart. Of the seven commanders, Allegro is by far the most ruthless. His research of PSI lead to the discovery that PSI could be mastered beyond Omega level, and even in some cases, used constantly in conjunction with physical battle. He refuses to ever wear the battle helmet, since he claims to be too proud of his hair. His and his brother's past is kept secret between the two of them, so it is unknown what makes them so cold and uncaring.

- End Neo Pig Mask Army Data File Part 1 -

[Forte]

Lento sat at his desk. Allegro walked in to the room, taking a seat across from Lento.

Lento: Took you a while to get up here. Distracted by something?
Allegro: I was on the first floor. Even our elevators can't go but so fast.
Lento: No worries. I'm in no rush. It'll take Heron a while to get wherever he's going. It's late over in Sector 5 now, anyway.
Allegro: You called me up for what?
Lento: You love to get right down to business, don't you? Oh well. As I'm sure you've heard, there is another one who calls himself Rasch. Over in Sector 3. If Heron's heard of him, he'll most likely want to side with him.
Allegro: And I'm involved in this because...?
Lento: I want you to go and take care of the other Rasch.
Allegro: Rallentando can't handle this?
Lento: No. She can't.
Allegro: Bah. By "take care" of him, what do you mean, exactly?
Lento: Do whatever you want. Kill him, deport him, just do something. I don't want Heron and this one meeting, twice the problem is... well it's a double problem.
Allegro: Your reasoning skills know no comparison.
Lento: I'll ignore your sarcasm.
Allegro: I must know, why the change of heart?
Lento: What?
Allegro: You gave me permission to kill. That's unlike you.
Lento: You only have permission to kill if it's your only option. I'm not fond of it at all. And ONLY Rasch. Do you understand?
Allegro: Yep. Do you have any idea what this guy looks like? You know, I've never seen either of them.
Lento: No clue. You'll most likely know him when you see him, though.
Allegro: I'll have fun with this... Don't worry about a thing.
Lento: Don't have too much fun with it.

Allegro smiled. He got up and walked out of the room. Lento sighed.

[Forte]

Heron sat up and looked at his clock. 4:05 AM. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. He didn't know what woke him, nor did he really care now. For a moment, he sat on his bed, thinking about the days to come. He stood up and picked up the backpack he had put some snacks and drinks in, flinging one strap over his shoulder. He went and picked up an old bent metal rod from the corner of his room. His father had given him the rod when he was 10, back then he couldn't even lift it. He rested it on his shoulder and walked out of his room, making sure to keep quiet. He didn't want any more resistance from his parents. As he made his way out of the house, he stopped by a small cabinet where his dad kept maps and took one that had the locations of all the sectors. Sector 3 was located west of 5, but it was still no small accomplishment to get there, since Heron was right in the middle of Sector 5. He sat down right outside of his front door, thinking about how to get from here to Sector 3. He had no money, so taking the bus or the train was impossible, walking was most certainly out of the question, since that would take, in best conditions, at least a week. He looked up, and then noticed his perfect answer. Of all of the huge billboard TVs that were on many of the buildings, this one stuck out: "Friday and Saturday only, 19:00,  Pigtallica: Live in Sector 3!" Heron smiled. Though he didn't really care for the band, He had kept up with their movements just because they're sponsored by the Pig Mask Army. In the days prior, they had been in Sector 6 on their worldwide tour. After leaving there, if they were heading for Sector 3, they would have to stop here in Sector 5. And if they plan to make their show on time, they'll be leaving in about 4 hours. This was perfect. All he had to do now was to find where they're staying. Heron stood up and thought about the most luxurious hotel in the sector.

He searched all over, looking for some clue of where they were staying until finally, the obvious hint he had been looking for was right in front of him. Parked directly in front of the Unit 5 tower was Pigtallica's tour bus. Heron walked around it, looking for a way to get in without anyone noticing him. He looked at his watch. It was almost 7 now. He had better figure out how to get into this thing fast before the band comes out. Before Heron could think any further, there they were, the four members of Pigtallica: Zip, Zane, Zart, and Zitternd.

Zip: Hey kid, what are you doing sneaking around our tour bus? Trying to sabotage it?
Heron: No... actually, I... eh... I want a ride to Sector 3.
Zitternd: That's a laugh. Why would we take you to Sector 3 with us? What makes you more special than the other groupies that want a ride with us?
Heron: Well... That's a good question.
Zane: Since you can't think up a good answer, we'll just have to leave you.
Heron: What if I told you I was Rasch, and would kill every last one of you in order to get to Sector 3?
Zane: I'd say you're lying.
Zart: So would I.
Heron: Oh, but I'm not.
Zitternd: You see kid, we're not stupid. We know the real Rasch is already in Sector 3. You're just some stupid kid trying to pretend to be something he's not so that he can brag to his friends about the time he scored a ride with Pigtallica.
Heron: And you guys aren't afraid of Rasch?
Zip: Not at all. He won't attack while we're there. We've received word from the Capitol that Commander Allegro is going to take care of Rasch so that we won't have to worry.
Heron: Is that so? Well then...

Heron sighed and looked down, grabbing the metal rod with both hands. He swung at the group in front of him, making them all jump back. He kept swinging until they had moved away from the tour bus.

Zip: Kid are you insane?!
Heron: Give me the keys to this bus.
Zart: What's your deal?
Heron: I told you my deal. I'm Rasch and I wanted a ride. A friendly, peaceful ride. But you idiots won't give it to me, so I guess I'll just have to take it. Now throw me the keys to this crate.
Zitternd: The keys we have are just to the door. The bus switches on with a password entered into a keypad. These keys will do you no good.
Heron: That's quite alright. I know the password.
Zane: You what?! That's impossible.
Heron: Clearly it isn't. I know that the password is Allegro. Your biggest fan, and also your biggest supporter.
Zip: ... How did you... gaaah... You'll make us late kid. Commander Allegro is looking forward to this performance.
Heron: Too bad, he won't get it.

Heron slammed the door with his rod, the force ripping it right off of the vehicle. The members of the band were too stunned to do anything. Heron ran inside and entered the password on the keypad. The bus started up. He switched it into gear and sped off, scattering pedestrians and Pig Mask soldiers left and right. After about 5 minutes of speeding off, he decided to slow down to a more casual speed, so that most people wouldn't get suspicious. There's almost no distinguishing features to tell you when you've left a major part of a sector and a more casual part, aside from the buildings getting farther apart and the streets being less crowded. Heron couldn't understand where all these people came from, since there's now way the population could grow at rates like this. Heron began to think about what he had just done. Not only had he stolen the tour bus of the world's most popular band, he broke several laws just getting away from the scene of the crime, namely speeding and driving recklessly, not to mention driving without a license. Some hero he was.

Allegro had just arrived in Sector 3 and sat down at the desk in the top floor of the Unit 3 tower. He turned around and looked at his reflection in the window, smiling. The phone rang.

Allegro: What?
Zip: ... Commander Allegro?!
Allegro: ... Who is this?
Zip: It's Zip sir... from Pigtallica
Allegro: Oh. Hi. Why are you calling me? Don't you have like... a bus to be driving?
Zip: Well that's the problem. Some kid calling himself Rasch stole the bus.
Allegro: ... WHAT?!
Zip: Yeah... about thirty minutes ago he came by and started asking us for a ride... when we refused he snapped and tried to kill us, then stole our bus. I don't believe for a second he was Rasch though...
Allegro: Idiot! Why didn't you fight back! Of course he was Rasch!
Zip: But Rasch is supposed to be in Sector 3!
Allegro: There's two, you moron! I'm here to kill the one here!
Zip: Why isn't someone taking care of this one though?!
Allegro: We've tried, but he somehow escaped us... Bah! Stop stalling me on this phone. Now I have two problems. Gee, thanks retards.

Allegro slammed the phone down. He walked over to the window and kicked it out, jumping out of it. He softened his landing with PSI produced hot air, landing with little more than a bit of dust kicked up. The passers-by stared at him.

Allegro: ... Well?! What are you looking at? Nothing to see here!
Pig Mask Soldier: Sir... couldn't you have just used the door? It's hard to repair windows up that high...
Allegro: Well that's too bad. I've got a Rasch to kill, and now there's two of th... Wait. This is perfect!
Pig Mask Soldier: Sir?
Allegro: If the other Rasch comes here, I can kill him! If Lento asks... I'll just tell him I didn't know the difference! It's perfect!~
Pig Mask Soldier: Do you talk to yourself like this often, sir?
Allegro: Shut up and get to fixing that window.

Allegro walked off into the jungle of buildings and metal that is Sector 3, looking for info on the Rasch of Sector 3, and waiting for a large tour bus to drive into town.

[Forte]

Heron had been driving for a while now. Two hours. The scenery didn't change much, from one sector to another. He felt as if he remembered a very long time ago, when his father had taken him to the neighboring town for something. Although construction had begun, there were still trees, grass, and flowers covering the world, making it a different experience to go somewhere. Now, instead of trees and flowers, there were huge buildings and lights everywhere, large neon signs lining the buildings advertising everything. The buildings were all a dull color of metallic gray or black, and asphalt, concrete, and metal plating on the ground lasted for as far as the eye could see. The now lifeless world before him was depressing. A large sign alerted him to how close he was to the main part of Sector 3. He stopped the bus. By now, they were probably on the lookout for him.  They would be expecting this to drive into town. He got out and walked off, leaving the bus running. As he expected, a small group of Pig Mask soldiers had formed, and were heading towards him. Heron ran off into the jungle of buildings and lights toward the giant Sector 3 Command Tower. While it didn't dominate the skyline like the Sector 5 tower did, it was still a pretty obvious feature, and easy enough to keep up with. He looked behind him to make sure no one was behind him and bumped into someone. He stopped and looked at who he had ran into. She had long pink hair, one small part was braided in a long straight string and pushed to the side of her face. She was wearing a Commander's uniform, which Heron didn't understand, since to his knowledge, the only female Commander was Rallentando, who looked nothing like this one.

Heron: I'm sorry, miss.
Allegro: ... It's MISTER. You should watch where you're going, kid.
Heron: Oh! I'm really sorry about that... just... your hair and your figure... seem...
Allegro: Well you're wrong. You must not know who I am. I find people around here so ignorant. I'm Allegro, Commander of the PSI Research unit, here on a special mission. You haven't seen Pigtallica's tour bus drive through, have you?
Heron: Um... No, I haven't. I'm very sorry to have troubled you.
Allegro: Whatever... Hey! What's up with that rod you're carrying? Looks kind of... Used.
Heron: It's for protection.
Allegro: From what?
Heron: Muggers?
Allegro: You don't trust the police force?
Heron: Not at all.
Allegro: You're weird. I have more important business than to shoot the breeze with you.

Allegro walked by. Heron couldn't believe how feminine he looked. He also couldn't believe how easily he was fooled. While he was flat chested... Heron had seen girls manlier than Allegro looked. Heron wondered exactly how many people hadn't mistaken him for female. Heron figured Allegro's "special mission" was to find the other Rasch, so he stopped thinking about all these odd things. Right now he would have to find the other Rasch before Allegro. After that, if they absolutely had to fight Allegro, they would. Heron thought hard. Where would he be hanging out right now if news had gotten out that the Rasch of Sector 3 hijacked Pigtallica's tour bus and was en-route to Sector 5? He looked up at the Sector 3 tower and continued on towards it. Of course, if this Rasch thought anything like him, he would be waiting there.

[Forte]

The walk to the Sector 3 tower was longer than it first appeared. Heron couldn't help but wonder why the tower was so close to the border of Sector 3 and 5, or if it even made a difference. The people got no less dense the closer he got to the hulking structure, and all of them seemed to be doing nothing important. Is everyone in this place mad? After fighting through a large crowd that seemed more interested in watching some men high up repair a window than worried about the threat of an attack on their sector, Heron made his way into the building. There was a woman at the front desk who seemed to not even notice his existence as she babbled away on the phone. He looked around the lobby. Nothing much of interest here. He sat down on one of the comfortable benches, waiting for something to happen. The elevator had come down and made the familiar "ding" noise that all elevators do. A person walked out carrying a basket full of odd, round, red things. It was a girl, and for some reason she was wearing a lampshade on her head. It went down to her nose, and he wondered how she could see with it on. She sat down beside him and took out a small knife. Heron made a grab for his metal rod, but she lifted up the lampshade and gave him an odd look.

Girl: It's ok. I'm not going to stab you. No need to try and beat me to death. Not like the woman at the counter would notice. She's been on the phone for hours.
*She picks up one of the red objects and hands it to Heron*
Girl: Here. You look hungry.
Heron: What... is it?
Girl: It's an apple.
Heron: Apples don't look like this. They're white and smell odd.
Girl: Not when they're fresh. Go ahead, eat it.
Heron: I don't trust you.
*She takes the apple from him and cuts it in half.*
Girl: Now do you believe me? White inside.
Heron: They're not supposed to be wet like this.
Girl: You don't have fresh apples where you live? You obviously aren't from around here. We get our apples fresh from here, that is, what I don't steal first.
*Heron takes a bite. Aside from being much more moist and crispy, he finds it to be the same as the "apples" he's used to.*
Heron: The ones I'm used to are dry and kind of snap like Pork Chips.
Girl: We never have to put up with dehydrated apples here. Sector 3's tower is a wonderful place. Every fish in the sea lives here, and apples, oranges, pears, and bananas grow here too. It's kind of like a zoo for fruit trees.
Heron: Every fish? That's impossible.
Girl: I don't think so. We have a lot of them here in what they've called an "aquarium". They grow the trees in the "terrarium". I guess they end things in "um" because they can't think of a better name.
*Heron can't help but laugh. He catches himself and gets serious again.*
Heron: Why exactly are you wearing that lampshade?
Girl: So I won't fit in.
Heron: But if you steal food, then shouldn't you want to fit in as best as possible?
Girl: No.
Heron: Why not?
Girl: Because, if I did my best to fit in, they would catch me, but if I made it super obvious that I'm up to no good, they would shrug it off.
Heron: That's odd tactics. Do you perhaps know someone who goes by Rasch?
Girl: There's one in Sector 5. Maybe you should go there.
Heron: I'm from there.
Girl: Then go home.
Heron: If I go back I won't meet him.
Girl: Why is that?
Heron: Because you just met him.
Girl: Then so did you.

Heron felt odd. This girl's responses matched his own, but there's no way she could be Rasch... was there? He looked at the apple in his hand and ate a bit more of it. It was delicious. He looked back up at her.

Heron: There's no way you're Rasch.
Girl: There's no way you're able to prove I'm not.
Heron: There is so.
Girl: Enlighten me.
Heron: You're...
Girl: Hm?
Heron: You're just obviously not.
Girl: Then you're lying about who you are.
Heron: I'm Rasch.
Girl: So am I.
Heron: That's impossible.
Girl: Why is that?
Heron: Because domestic terrorism is a man's job.
Girl: Well I'm glad you got that off of your chest. You need to open your mind.
Heron: Prove to me you're Rasch.
Girl: Your name is Heron. You live in Sector 5 and you're the son of people who currently are enslaved by this stupid army, doing their dirty work. This fact alone makes you hate the Pig Mask Army more than anything they ever could do. I know you, Rasch. I do my research. You should have studied up on me more. You can't even tell me my name.
Heron: ... I... eh... can't.
Girl: It's Falin. Now we're officially introduced. I guess I can take this stupid lampshade off.
Heron: Nice to meet you.
Falin: I guess you're here to end this? I've heard of what you attempt to do, and what you accomplished in Sector 7.
Heron: Yeah. I came to find support though, and you're looking like the best I can get.
Falin: It bothers me, though. As much as I'm for your cause, like I said earlier, here there are a lot of fish. And you know, we have all of these delicious fruit. Destroying this tower and sector 3 would be like attacking what little nature is left in the world.
Heron: Do you think there is a better way to get the world back to the way it was?
Falin: I can hope there is. By the way, in case you didn't know already, Pigtallica will still be here. It's going to be a pretty huge event, and Allegro will certainly be there.
Heron: When will they arrive?
Falin: In time to make their deadline. The tower has two Aquarium rooms. Sector 3's tower really doesn't have 100 floors. It has this one, a few others for random purposes, a top floor office penthouse, and the rest are taken up by the aquarium and terrarium. One Aquarium is used while the other is being cleaned, which takes days. Due to the effect that all that water can have on lighting, they're planning on having the concert there.
Heron: That's a strange place to have a concert. Wouldn't it be kind of... wet?
Falin: The room is a circular shape, held off by tons of very thick glass. It's floors upon floors tall, just like the terrarium. The ceiling is where the other tank begins. On top of that is the terrarium, which, to emulate the expanse of wide open space, is built as a series of elevators and cliffs going up. It's actually quite fascinating, if it weren't being used for such evil purposes.
Heron: I'll go sightseeing later. Right now, it's time to, if nothing more, take down Allegro.
Falin: You mean... kill him?
Heron: If it takes that, but I would prefer not to. He's human... I guess... so I don't think it's my place to decide if he lives or dies.
Falin: It's strange to see people who will treat their enemies well. Of course, people don't seem to have many enemies, so even treating your enemies bad is rare.
Heron: The dude's weird. I don't want to disfigure him anymore than he already is.
Falin: I've never met him. Is he ugly?
Heron: No... it sounds strange, but he's hot.
Falin: That does sound strange. Why would you say that?
Heron: When you see him, you'll understand. I hope. You're a girl, so you might not.
Falin: I don't talk to people very often. If we meet more people to help us, I hope they're not as odd as you. Let's get a plan worked together for later. We've got one shot at this, let's make it count.

[Forte]

Heron and Falin brainstormed for what seemed like ages. Heron couldn't think of any way to flawlessly execute any scenario they could come up with.

Heron: I want to see these places that we're working with.
Falin: Do what?
Heron: I want to see the aquariums and the terrarium. I have to know what the place looks like before we can start up anything.
Falin: If you insist. I don't really see your point in this, other than sight-seeing, though...
Heron: You live here. You haunt this place like a ghost. I don't. To you, it's everyday, to me, it's completely new. All I need is a good look at the place, in case of emergency.
Falin: I understand that... I just don't understand what the layout of the rooms will do for you.
Heron: If you're lucky, you won't have to understand.

Falin led Heron into the elevator and pushed a combination of buttons. None of the buttons were clearly marked with anything; no numbers, letters, or even short descriptions were visible. The elevator felt as if it were moving in ways elevators shouldn't move.

Heron: What's up with this elevator?
Falin: You didn't notice when you came in?
Heron: Notice what?
Falin: The shape of the tower.
Heron: It's... roundish?
Falin: Yep. This elevator doesn't go up and down like normal elevators. Well, it does, but it's got two extra directions on it: Right and Left.
Heron: That's pretty insane. Why?
Falin: The doors to the Aquariums and Terrariums are on different sides of the building, and since they all take up so much vertical space, it was too hard to make a common elevator system match up with them. Think about a long cylinder, then put another cylinder inside of it. Not so small that it's dwarfed by the bigger one, but not so large as to be barely distinguishable from the other, that's how this building is. The space left between those two cylinders is the elevator shaft.
Heron: Every time I hear about some Pig Mask Army invention, I begin to wonder if they're even for real.
Falin: They do weird things that no one else would ever try. I guess it's a shame no one else did. It makes me think maybe they're all being led by a child.
Heron: Lento? He's no child.
*The elevator stops and the two walk out*
Falin: Lento? That name sounds familiar, but I can't match it to a face.
Heron: If you could do so much studying on me to know who I am, I would expect you to do enough studying on the real enemy here. Lento is the one in charge of all of this. All these other goofballs in orange pants and black shirts bow to him. Maybe. At least, I think that's how it's supposed to work.
Falin: I know the one you speak of. I just didn't know his name, nor do I know what he looks like. But now I know his name, at least.

The two passed through a small door at the end of the short hallway connecting them to the elevator. Falin opened the door and a sudden burst of cool, yet warm air rushed out. Heron followed in after her, looking around awestruck at the green grass, flowers, trees, and the clear blue sky. It smelled so fresh in the room. Heron believed it was impossible for them to be inside anymore. They had to have been taken to some secret place outside where the sky could be that beautiful, and the plants around him so lush. He fell onto the grass at his feet, admiring how comfortable it was. It had been many long years since he had even felt this.

Heron: Th...th...this? This is the Terrarium?
Falin: Yep. Pretty place, isn't it?
Heron: How? How is it that the sky is blue but we're not outside? I hear birds chirping, yet I see none. How is this possible at all?
Falin: More of their technology, I guess. I'm not able to figure it out, myself. I guess it doesn't matter. Take some fruit. However much you want, it's free.

Heron got up and walked over to one of the many lush and thick green trees. It had little orange orbs growing from it. He climbed up into high enough to get a few and jumped back to the ground, nearly falling right onto someone who hadn't been there before. Heron looked at him, startled by his presence.

Lento: They're called oranges. Don't eat the skin, that's quite tart and bitter.
Heron: Where did you come from?
Lento: Wherever I was at last time I was anywhere.
Heron: I should expect senseless answers from you by now. None of this makes sense. Why keep natural things like this if you want to destroy all of it?
Lento: No need to let good things go to waste, eh? Gotta feed the population of Earth somehow. Keep them clothed, give them a job... that's what all of this does. Without it, we wouldn't even have air to breath.
Heron: Compared to in here, there isn't air to breath out there. It's so clean and perfect...
Lento: I can see why you risk your life to restore this. So, who's your friend?
Heron: The other Rasch you lot were so concerned about. Positively ferocious, isn't she?
Lento: Eh. I guess. You know, I gave Allegro orders to kill her. But I have this idea in my mind that he intends to do away with both of you, then use some silly excuse like "I didn't now which one was the one from Sector 5" or something to get out of trouble, which he probably would.
Heron: Why do you want to go to such measures just to make sure that I don't get support?
Lento: It's something you don't understand. You probably will never understand. A long time ago, our great king Pokey lost his first battle to a group of four, each with PSI powers. Then, more recently, but still long ago, he lost a battle yet again to a group of four. Four is a special number, I guess. I feel it's my duty to not let you come to 4.
Heron: King Pokey? You're not the one in charge?
Lento: Of course not. King Pokey is... a bit... unable to do anything right now. He chose me as his proxy until the day he's able to do things.
Heron: So you're in charge...
Lento: Just not permanently.
*Falin walks over*
Falin: Who is this man?
Heron: Well... this is Lento.
Falin: The Lento? THE Lento?
Lento: I guess that's THE me.
Falin: Doesn't look much like a person fit to rule anything.
Lento: I guess you're entitled to your own opinion.
Heron: Falin, look out. He's here to kill you.
Lento: Don't tell her that. I'm not here to kill people. I don't do that. It's not right. I gave Allegro orders to kill her, but now that I'm here, those orders are shot.
Heron: You're calling off your own death order?
Lento: Yeah. Why not?
Falin: I sense something about you. Something strange. You hide a heartbreaking past under your calm smile. It's as if what you're doing right now isn't for you. Would you mind telling me about it?
Lento: Yes, I would mind.
Heron: That's an odd thing to say to someone the first time you meet them, Falin.
Falin: I can't help it. It's what I feel. He's hiding a dark and sad past. It's almost obvious.
*Heron remembers the book his father gave him to give to Lento*
Heron: Here, Lento. My father wants you to have this.
Lento: This...? I recognize this book. I'm surprised he still has it.
Heron: I'm surprised he would want to give it to you. It's a gift from a man who my dad says was and always will be his friend, no matter where he is.
Lento: He remembers then. I figured he would be the first to notice...
Heron: What are you talking about?
Lento: Have you ever read in this book?
Heron: A... bit. Less than I can be proud of, though.
Lento: It's very important to both of us, and I'm surprised he's kept it looking so good over the years. How long... 15... 17 years? It hasn't changed a bit. If anything, it looks better.
Heron: My father tells me about how you visited him roughly 15 years ago. before all of this happened. Is that where you know the book from? Did you give it to him?
Lento: ... let's say that's how it happened. What are the circumstances your father gave me this book under? He's not ill, is he?
Heron: No. He told me to tell you that you may benefit from viewing it's pages one more time.
Lento: So then he does know. That makes me very happy. Heron... you're a bright young man, apparently with a new friend who rivals your intelligence. I'm surprised that you couldn't figure it out like your father did. But I guess you will eventually...
Heron: What does that mean?
Lento: I really must get going. You have a job to do here.  I suppose you're itching to fight Allegro, and I think a good beating will show him he's not immortal like he wishes he is. Have fun, and maybe if you survive, we can talk then.

Lento closed his eyes and in an instant was gone from the room. The wind stirred in the terrarium and soon stopped, leaving it lifeless as it was before.

Falin: What was that all about? Do you know him?
Heron: No... I don't know the man he is, but I know the man he's pretending to be.
Falin: What's with people and their cryptic speech? That really makes no sense.
Heron: Lento, Supreme Commander of Unit 1 and the Neo Pig Mask Army is the man I know. But Lento, Supreme Commander of Unit 1 and the Neo Pig Mask Army is a fake. He's a man hiding within himself. For years, my father has told me about this man, his friend... Len.
Falin: Len?
Heron: I'll explain later. Let's go to that aquarium where the concert will be held. I doubt we have much time left.

[Forte]

The pair started back to the elevator, Heron's backpack now filled with fruit of all sorts. The doors to the elevator slid open, revealing many people riding it up to the Aquarium where the concert would be held. Heron and Falin squeezed in.

Falin: Tight fit, eh? So why not tell me now who this Len is.
Heron: My father was once in charge of a little town called Toso. Before moving there, however, he lived in a smaller town to the Northeast called Oet, where his best friend Len lived. My father's told me a lot about him, but one thing stands out the most. One night, Len and some girl went to an old house to look around. The house fell down with them in it, but no trace of either of them was found. Before he disappeared, he gave my father a diary written by a boy a long, long time ago. That was the book I gave Lento. My father loved that book, as it was the only physical memory he has of Len, so the fact he would have me give it to Lento surprises me, unless he believes Lento is indeed Len.
Falin: That's a pretty sad story. But how could Lento be him? He looks very young, but by now he would be old enough to be... well, your dad.
Heron: That's true. It could be something to do with the technology used to modify him. I wonder if any of them have noticeably aged much over the last 15 years?

The elevator came to a halt and everyone rushed out, aside from a young couple who were searching the floor frantically for their tickets. Heron and Falin walked out towards the man at the door who was taking tickets.

Heron: What'll we do about this? I don't have tickets to this.
Falin: I do~
Heron: Where did you get them?
Falin: That couple in there will never find theirs.
Heron: You stole them from them?
Falin: ...Yeah. I can steal pretty much anything from anyone. My parents taught me how to do it, and their parents taught them. It runs in my family.
Heron: I don't know whether that's extremely cool or extremely terrible. Right now... It's cool.

Falin handed the two tickets to the man at the door. The Aquarium was much more massive than Heron had imagined it would be, and was effectively the Terrarium with water instead of trees. This particular room was obviously the upper Aquarium, its roof emulating the surface of the ocean. No fish were in the tank right now, it was just as Falin said. The room only contained the members of Pigtallica and the people who were on the elevator with them just now. They took a seat near the back. One of the members of Pigtallica went up to the ticket guy and struck up some sort of conversation, then went back on stage. Heron recognized him from earlier, Zip. He looked around a bit and lifted the microphone.

Zip: Heh... smaller turnout tonight than we expected... stupid Rasch scare... Well, we'll get started as soon as Comma-

He was cut off as a red carpet rolled down the main aisle followed by eight Pig Mask soldiers. They took their places on the opposite sides of the carpet. Two were carrying drums of different sizes, the others each had one horn of different shapes and sizes. They began playing the Pig Mask Army's anthem as Allegro began walking down the aisle.

Falin: Who's she?
Heron: That was kind of loud...
Falin: I have to be loud. That music's loud.
Allegro: Loud enough for me to hear it! Who said that?!

The music stopped and the audience fell silent.

Falin stood up.

Falin: I did.
Heron: Sit down!
Allegro: That's the fifth time today! You people in Sector 3 are so... ignorant!
Falin: You look like a woman, but you sound mostly like a man. Are you... confused?
Allegro: ...wha... WHAT?! You little cur... wait. You. Kid. With the stick. I remember you. You're the one who I met earlier. Why don't you explain this crap to your friend so we can get on with the concert?
Falin: A.D.D. much...
Zip: Hey! That guy with the metal rod is Rasch! He stole our bus!
Allegro: ... Seriously? Everyone, get out. Right now. I'm going to take care of business. The concert has been postponed until further notice.

Everyone obeyed his orders and got out as fast as possible.

Allegro: Strange girl, why didn't you leave too?
Falin: I'm with him.
Allegro: ... I know what this means. Both Rasches! Lucky lucky day! I'm about to free us of our biggest problems and get a promotion!
Heron: We'll see about that.
Allegro: What's your deal? Haven't you ever heard of me? I'm Allegro, most powerful of all the PSI users in the world!
Heron: That's really not many people. It's a lost art, you know.
Allegro: Not in my day, kid. But there's no need to tell you two this. Coming here was basically signing your own death certificates! Now, be glad that the last thing you'll see is how to REALLY use PSI! PK FIRE!

The calm blue light in the massive room quickly became a burning orange and red as Allegro's body became engulfed in fire. The fire died down from around his entire body and condensed around his hands. Not a bit of his long hair or his clothes had been burnt.

Heron: What is this?
Allegro: Heh. Like what you see? Shame you won't see it for long.
Heron: Fine. All I want is an explanation. It doesn't have to be long or drawn out or anything.
Allegro: Bah. If you insist. It's PK Fire's ultimate and true power. Centuries ago, people thought PK Fire could only be used as an offensive and long range weapon, but I've actually researched it and come to know it. With time and training you can learn to control it as if it were just another body part, and with that control comes the ability to use it not only as a sword, but a shield as well. Fire in my control can't hurt me or anyone I don't want it to hurt. It's the perfect weapon.
Falin: Using it like that has to be extremely draining on you, though.
Allegro: Oh, but it isn't! That's what's so great about it! I can carry on like this probably for a day without feeling the slightest bit of fatigue. Now... time for you two to know what a terrible idea your rebelliousness is!

Allegro swept his hand forward flinging fire at Heron and Falin. They dodged, watching as it hit the glass wall behind them melting away a deep gash where it had hit.

Heron: Thick walls... There's no way to get close to this guy...

Heron threw his rod at Allegro, hoping for a direct hit. Allegro held up his arm at it and engulfed the beat up metal rod in flames. It fell to the floor white hot. Allegro kicked it in half and stepped on both parts, caking them to the floor. It was true, he really was immune to fire. Falin hadn't come prepared for a real fight. She took out her small knife and ran toward Allegro from behind. She swung blindly and hit his arm, leaving a small cut and taking off a bit of his hair. Allegro's eyes opened wide. The fire on his hands died down as he looked at the cut on his arm and the little bit of hair on the floor.

Allegro: ... You... You... C...C... CUT MY HAIR!

The wound on his arm barely worried him. He clinched his fists and looked at Falin.

Allegro: You're really low! I see what this is, you're sad that you have to be ugly your entire life, just like my sister! In fact, I can almost see her in you! You'll pay for this!

Falin threw the knife at Allegro. it stuck in his other arm. He acted as if he felt no pain from it and yanked the knife out. He held it in his clenched fist and melted it. Falin got up just to fall back down and began crawling backwards away from him. Allegro kicked her hard enough to make her slide to the wall. Heron ran over to her and stood in front of her.

Allegro: Get out of the way. I'll deal with you after I make her suffer for what she's done to my hair.
Heron: Make me.

Allegro's entire body ignited again.

Heron: PK Earth!
Allegro: Wh-

Allegro was pushed back against the far wall, the force cracking the glass around him all the way through. He fell down the few feet he had been lifted onto his hands and knees, the fire around him once again extinguished.

Allegro: What... the hell... WAS THAT?!
Heron: That's my special PSI.
Allegro: I've never heard of PK Earth... it was like a thousand punches to the face... mixed with being struck by lightning...
Heron: Well now you know.

Heron helped Falin up. The wall that Allegro impacted began to crack more.

Heron: Looks like you have a problem on your hands.
Allegro: What do you mean by that?

He brought back the fire around his body, weakening the glass behind him to its limit. Allegro turned around just in time to see the wall of water and 4 foot thick glass about to cover the entire room. Heron and Falin had already made it to the elevator and were on their way out of the tower.

[Forte]

Heron and Falin's elevator ride down seemed especially long, perhaps because of how high up they had been, or maybe because of what they just survived.

Falin: Do you think... he's dead?
Heron: I can't say I care about him all too much. He's insane and no better than a murderer.
Falin: I can't help but feel a little sorry for him.
Heron: Why? He tried to kill both of us!
Falin: I could just feel something about him, some kind of intense sadness masked by hatred.
Heron: I didn't notice anything like that. All I noticed was that he's a freak.

Heron put his hand on Falin's shoulder.

Heron: PK Healing!

Falin's scrapes from being kicked across the floor disappeared.

Falin: What was that?
Heron: PK Healing. It's a trick that runs in my family. It's able to heal wounds that aren't life threatening, anything from minor cuts to broken bones. Any pain you were feeling you shouldn't feel anymore.
Falin: Everything seems fine now. I wish I knew PSI, but for some reason, everyone in my family is unable to learn any.
Heron: I always figured anyone could learn it, but perhaps it's a unique thing.
Falin: You know... I just thought of something. The elevator was waiting right on that floor for us.
Heron: Huh?
Falin: The elevator doors opened right time we pressed the button.
Heron: You're right. What of it?
Falin: It shouldn't have been on that floor. All those people left, so it should have been on the first floor, or wherever they went.
Heron: Maybe it came back by itself?
Falin: Someone sent it there.

The elevator stopped. First floor. The pair walked out to be greeted yet again by Lento.

Heron: Oh. It's you. Your friend is up there, you may want to check on him before he drowns.
Lento: He'll be fine, he can swim. There's a drainage pipe in there in case of anything like that happening... but I don't know how fast it can get water out of there.

The elevator started going up again.

Lento: See? He's fine.
Heron: How do you know it isn't someone on another floor?
Lento: No one's up there.
Falin: You're a weird guy. Why do you follow him around?
Lento: Me? You're a weird girl. Why do you follow him around?
Falin: What kind of stupid response is that? If you're going to dodge the question, just don't answer!
Lento: I didn't dodge the question, I answered with another one.
Falin: You did so.
Lento: I know I did, I just told you.
Heron: Enough, Falin. He gives odd answers, I've learned that much.

Heron looked at Lento. This was the first time he ever really looked at Lento as a person and not just a figure. He had a very troubled look on his face, bordering on sad even though he had just been joking. His straight black hair was cut in an ordinary fashion, ending above his shoulders.

Heron: Lento... you're... plain.
Lento: ... wha?
Heron: You're plain. You don't have any distinguishing features like your peers. You're just... an ordinary person. I want to know... why? Why all of this? Who are you exactly to take everything that was and change it to your liking?
Lento: I'm the same person you are, who tries to take everything that is and change it to the way it was. The difference is that one of us has done it.
Heron: Don't compare you to me. My father may want to believe you're his friend, but you're nothing like the man he told me about.
Lento: It's sad that you view me like that. How can you honestly say that I'm not like who he describes?
Heron: You just aren't.

The elevator opened again. Allegro walked out, soaked and smelly.

Lento: Ick. Allegro, you smell like low tide.
Allegro: Shut up. I'm cold and wet.
Lento: I guess you could say... you're all washed up!

Lento laughed at himself. Allegro unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. Lento stopped laughing and made a strange face.

Lento: Allegro... even though you're a man, it makes me uncomfortable for you to undress around me.
Allegro: Look, if I don't take off these wet and smelly clothes, I'll catch a cold. I catch colds easily, you know.
Lento: Then go to a bathroom or something. It's just strange to see someone with your figure undress...

Allegro looked over at Falin and Heron.

Allegro: You two will pay for this insult. And you, Lento. I can't believe you. Shooting the breeze with them like they're your best friends. You're a disgusting disgrace.
Lento: Oh, I'm so sorry. I wish I always followed the rules like you, Allegro, and might I add, you're insulting me, your superior. I don't often bring up that fact, but right now, I think I should.

Allegro walked away, stopping only to slap the phone out of the hand of the lady at the front desk and fire her for slacking off.

Lento: He's just a big lovable ham when you get to know him.
Heron: He makes a good point. You have had so many opportunities, yet you never kill me yourself or even arrest me.
Lento: First you tell me I'm not a good person then you ask me why I'm not doing evil.
Heron: Well, evil's your job.
Lento: My job is to run the world for a man who is currently unable to. He didn't give me any specific way to do it. I would never harm you. I admit, I did send out orders to have her killed, but I won't now. She's safe. I knew you would flaw that plan anyway.
Heron: What if I hadn't?
Lento: Then she would have. Allegro would have never found her if you hadn't gotten here.
Heron: But that means you knew he would attack both of us.
Lento: And I knew you would win. Look, I don't kill people. It's not my place to tell a person his life isn't as valuable as mine. I think you and I share the same values, but you don't want to compare me to you.
Heron: ... How?
Falin: I'm curious now. Exactly what are you?
Lento: I'm a person.
Falin: No... how is it that you're a man who by now would be in his thirties, but you look no older than maybe twenty?
Lento: If I told you that... well, it would fry your brain. There are some things that you don't want to know ever.
Heron: Then... you really are Len?
Lento: If I wanted to answer to that name, then I would be called Len. Len made a mistake that he can never undo. Lento fixed it. I hope that you'll never know the pain I know.
Heron: What does that m-

Lento disappeared. An eerie silence fell over the room.

Falin: Well... where do you think we should go now?
Heron: I don't know. I guess back to Sector 5 and my home. My father might want to know that he was right.