There are moments in life where most feel the undeniable pull of Fate to do something, be somewhere, or with someone. That moment, tha feeling is nothing compared to what Georgi, Growler, Saito, Ibis, Kai, Valerie, and Lily were currently going through. Growler alone recognized this for what it was, he had been recalled.

Moments before Lily had recieved a strange message that her younger brother and sister were enroute to Earth. The strangest part was that the message itself was sent from Dalaraan Prime and her father unbidden. Captain Ramius put up a screen of Mecha and was preparing the Archangel to escort them in.

The gathered students and faculty were patiently waiting for the rest of the council to arrive, when suddenly, Georgi, Saito, and Ibis vanished. There was a flash of light and Kai, Lily and Valerie, and Growler joined them. This was unlike previous dimensional travel inasmuch that they seemed to fall down a spiralling course. The world flashed brilliant white again and they all found themselves standing in a lush grass-covered clearing. The sounds of nature surrounded them, the air was clean and clear, and the ground itself seemed to pulse with magical energy.

Off to one side there was a short little man with long white hair and a flowing scarlett red robe. "Welcome to Ikaris my young heroes. I am the Wizard Arich. I hope you are ready for your task, because if you are not, then you will simply be further casualties."

It seemed almost a threat, but Growler alone knew the truth. Arich was one of the eight great Archmages of the Shards, and ruled one of the southern and most prosperous ones. It was he who had send Growler through dimensions to find suitable help. He was immensly powerful, but normally inaccessible to lower beings. That he had brough them here and appeared in person was an amazing suprise.

"Do you wish to hear what you must do to return home, or has my magic been wasted this day?" Arich was very arrogant, as all Archmages should be, but there was a wariness in his voice, and the air around him seemed to shimmer with power.

(((OOC ok everyone post. Thanks to pocket dimension the Meteor is still with you Saito, Georgi, the armor is back in Earth Prime. Don't worry, everyone got hamstrung in some way by this guy.))

Suddenly brought before this strange robed figure Saito placed one hand on the pistol that he had holstered to his back under his school uniform.

"State you business for bringing us here"

Saito's words were quick and to the point and had a hint of denial to them. He was also very quick to suspect this newcomer of treachery and did not trust anyone who would presume to command him.

"My purpose is simple child. I bargained with Growler here to send him to another world and four days later retrieve him with my power in order for him to find champions who could bring peace to this land."

He chuckles softly. "We Archmages are all equivalent in power, and thus it benefits no one to engage any other due to various alliances. However We engage via proxy continually for territory and artifacts. One of my Fellows however, has recently aquired minions that have given him a dramatic advantage. three of the other Archmages' proxies have been defeated. My own beyond Growler, are simply no match for them."

"Now I am not your master, but I do have a proposition for you. Fight for me and Ikaris, and I will give you what you seek, what's more I'll tell you how to properly use it. I will also return you to your home."

He smiles, knowing full well most probably don't trust him. "As you can see I always keep up my end of the deal, now do we have a deal?"

"Give us what we seek?" Lily asks skeptically. "What exactly is it that you think we're seeking? You haven't even asked us."

"You have come seeking The Flower that can heal all wounds, and even ressurect the dead. Or am I wrong? That is what everyone who comes to this world seeks honestly. All because they wish to try to gain immortality through it."

He Shrugs. "I care not what your purpose for the flower is, and whether it helps you, but I'd wager it is of enough importance that it was the reason you came here. That and of course, that someone agreed to help Growler back here."

What is this place? He thought to himself, slightly confused at the abrupt change of landscape. The man standing near them was dressed very strangely. He looked to be a guest at a costume party. Identifying himself as a wizard, a being from mythology and fable, made the situation less probable. Seeing Saito move for his weapon grought a similar reaction from Georgi.

As the old man spoke, Georgi relaxed. This was Growler's world. Maybe this place was real and Arich was real. When he told them of why thery were here, Gerogi mouth opened briefly in shock. The Flower! I can use it to heal Amane. His mind raced. There was hope.

Being without his armor would make his job harder. Georgi would have to rely on determination, skill and love would be his protection. Still, he wanted to know why he was stripped of his protection.

"If you wanted us to fight, why was I stripped of my armor?" Georgi finally asked.

"You were not wearing it at the time my spell brought you here, You do however have the bag you were carrying and it's contents, the same as The young man who is preparing to draw his weapon has access to his own personal realm and the Metal Knight within it."

"Uwuuu..." were the first words out of Valerie's mouth as she landed face first on the floor. "What's going on?"

Val sat down with her legs bent on her sides, wiping dirt from her eyes and face, her ruffled hair from the fall and her clothing dirty. "Awwww! I'm all dirty now, and I don't know where I am and...and...and I was just getting to make a new friend." Valerie eyes water as she looks around herself, seeing that Coach Georgi, Saito, the girl who has been hanging out with him, Lily and Kai.

"Senpai! Where are we?!" Ignoring Growler and Arich, Valerie literally jumped on Kai as her small frame latched onto his looking for protection.

Kai smiled. "We're on an alternate version of Earth Called Ikaris. It's one of the Seven Prime Realms. Evidently when we agreed to help Growler in exchange for his aid it allowed this Wizard Arich to basically summon us to this world without the benefit of using one of the Gateways."

Kai looks to Arich and nods. "Unless I'm mistaken."

"Not at all, Kai. You are quite correct."

Carefully, and perhaps a little irritably, Lily tries to pull Valerie off of Kai.

"It's okay, Val. We're all here together..."

Val dosen't let go of Kai. "A...A different earth? You can look for different dimensions?" Valerie looked intently at Arich, scanning him over.

"I don't buy it. I have been tossed around dimensions enough to know that this time was too weird." Valerie still does not let go of Kai, scanning her recorders for the conversation she simply missed along the way of her tauntrum. "You say you brought us here for what? to be pawns in a game of chess between 8 players that all want the same board?" Valerie now lifts her arms, unconciously lifting Kai between them as she stands on the ground and starts shaking Kai.

"Growler said he needed help, we offered tht help. I don't see the problem, but the problem is when that help comes with strings attached!"

Kai while being physically shaken by the smaller Valerie tries to speak. "You were-re-re there Val-l-l-er-r-ri-ie-ee Growler bargained for help in exchange for hel-ll-ping us.."

It's disconerting to be shaken by someone like Valerie like this but through it Kai tries to be the same as always. You can stop shaking me any time Valerie... I'm not a maraca."

Val turns beet red as she immediatly lets go of Kai, dumping him on top of Lily who had been trying to pry him from her hands. "I'm really sorry Senpai!" Valerie bows before turning back to Arich. "But..It's just that everyone who has so far transported us to another dimension or time has dumped us in a battlefield. I'm starting to get weary of strangers with powers."

Studying the elder Arich she bows again. "I'm sorry if I insulted you in anyway."

"Oof!"

Lily props herself up on her elbows, on her back with Kai sitting on her belly.

"We already said we'd help...and Growler's good in a fight. We could really use his help in our war too. Still, the timing could be better. We were just about to address the schoolkids."

Arich nods as Valerie bows and shows what he deems proper respect. "You will do quite nicely, and I can feel the power of your Mana, young lady. You too hail from a world of magic."
He chuckles as Kai is dropped on Lily, in a fairly suggestive manner. "Ah young people...."

"Kai turns beet red and practically jumps off of Lily. "Sorry." He quickly stands up and extends a hand to Lily to help her back to her feet.

Arich nods sagely. "Whether Growler chooses to return with you to your world after Ikaris is safe will be his decision. I certainly will not barr him from going. Now, depending on just how long it takes for you to restore things, I may be able to return you to your own dimension within moments of when you were taken."

Lily's cheeks pinken a bit, but she keeps some dignity intact as she graciously takes Kai's hands and lets him pull her up to her feet.

"All right," she says coolly. "Okay. It's a bit of a shock, but if we can go back the moment we left, this should be fine. Archmage, what exactly is it you need us to do? These...champions we're supposed to fight, what are they? Where are they?"

Valerie is taken aback by Arich. "A world of magic? But my world didn't had magic......Robots and Technology ruled the lands so to speak and I'm literally the living proof of that."

"Are you sure about what you are talking sir Archmage?" Valerie looked incredibly doubtful, all traces of that fiery temper she had a second ago gone and given way to a doubtful optimism.

"The other champions are people or creatures who also possess special abilities. The most dangerous one is a white and red wolf, that moves with unmatched speed and can level a mountain with his breath. Beyond that he has a vast undead army, and has brought forth all the hordes of Orcs, goblin, and trolls. One on one humanity is up to the task, but when outnumbered thirty to one, even humanity's drive can be outdone. Thus I have sought out champions who can even the odds against someone who can fight and defeat three other archmages."

He looks to Valerie. "Perhaps that was how it seemed to you Valerie, but trust me, I know when i feel magic, and the aura emanates from you more than any other in this group. You're saying you know no spells?" His face suggested he knew something, but he said no more.

"Spells? I...I only know one, and I didn't learn it until about 3 minutes ago." Valerie produces the SdZ from within her clothing.

"This is the Stock der Zaburei, its what my parents called an Ambient Energy Transformer, it recollects energy from the surroundings and creates physics defying effects, it might look like magic, but it's just technology." Valerie hands over the SdZ to the Aarchmage.

"Anyother thing I do...I do it because I'm part machine." Val picks up a rock from the ground and grinds it to dust between her bare hands "Not because of any magical powers within me. I'm really sorry to dissapoint you Sir Archmage."

The Archmage examines The SdZ and hands it back to Valerie. "You've done nothing to disappoint me."

He looks at the others. "You will find more as you Journey inward towards the Dragonspine Mountains. Be wary, He has many followers, and many armed raiding parties across all the Shards now, even mine. His Castle is actually further North, but he is moving somewhat latterally towards the mountains, Something is there that he desires, he must not get it. Go their first, and once you find what he's seeking, we will go from there."

He turns to walk away. "Before you go, each of you should carry one of these." He produces a small roll of parchment for each of them. "These scrolls will gain you what aid the normal citizens of the other Three Shards can offer, and grant you safe passage from each of their lords. Such a thing has never been done before, and has cost me a great price."

He hands each of them a scroll and nods. "The hopes of a Free and United Azar rest with you. Go forth, and I will deliver what I have promised."

He vanishes in a small flash of light leaving the group alone, on another world.

Saito was taken off guard by the sudden dimension shift but soon regained his composure.

"I dont trust this Archmage. Something about this entire mission seems underhanded."

(((OOC the "alone on another world" part refers to being on Ikaris, not an actual other separate world.)))

"It seems pretty straightforward to me," Lily comments, examining her scroll curiously. She then looks at Growler.

"Maybe you should tell us about this world while we travel. Oh, and we'll probably want some local clothes to blend in."

Looking down at the suit he was wearing, he had to concurr with Lily. He would stand out. It was not wise. As for the wizard, he seemed honest enough, but they were in another realm. Things here, might not be as they seem. For now, Georgi would follow with the current plan, although with much caution.

"Should we follow the path given, I would recommend that I hang back slightly from the group. If trouble comes, I will be in a better position to eliminate threats if my presence is not known. Of course, if you don't think that's wise, I will remain here."

Georgi removes his sniper rifle and assembles it. After removing his coat and dress shirt, he loads a full clip of his standard ammo and slings it over his shoulder. He then begins to gather foliage that matches the local flora. Some of it he stuffs in the collar of his t-shirt until it sticks out above his head. The rest, he places elsewhere on his body. When he finishes, he looks like he is sprouting branches and leaves from his body. It should help him camoflage with the surroundings.

"I'm ready to move out."

Lily nods.

"I'll take a look and see which way to go..."

In a rush of wind that leaves a little vortex of dust spinning momentarily in her wake, Lily soars straight upwards until she can see the surrounding area clearly. She turns around in place, searching for signs of settlement...roads, buildings, even the regular square coloration of farmland.

A moment later she rockets back to the ground, slowing and stopping just before dropping lightly to earth.

(How's this for a plan? Lily will point us in the right direction if she found anything, then we can hear the story of this world as we walk?)

(((OOC works for me There's a town about ten miles from where y'all are. The town is fairly small, but seems to be quite active jdging by it's marketplace.))

When Lily lands, she waves her hand, pointing.

"There's a town that way a little ways. If we go around these trees we should find a path to it. It doesn't look very big, but there's a pretty good sized crowd." She shrugs. "Some kind of fair or open air market. Probably take at least a couple of hours to walk there."

She starts off towards the town at a brisk, lightfooted walk, glancing back to see if anyone's coming with her.

Kai nods. His eyes close and suddenly his uniform shimmmers and returns to the Robe of Clan Amaha, upon which standard Satoshi robes are based. "Somehow I feel this may be more appropriate." He places Senbonzakura through his obi in the manner of a samurai and nods to the rest. If you're still wearing the clothes provided by Satoshi Industries you should be able to adjust it into another form."

He heads off after Lily, his sandals making no sound as he moves.

Growler follows silently, The Archmage had yet to release him from his service.

When Kai catches up to Lily he smiles. "I wish I could do that you know, Flying is so cool."

Lily laughs and shrugs, blushing a little.

"It's a lot of fun," she admits. "But it's probably less useful than being able to open gates and portals like you can. I've read up a bit on Keys, but honestly, the Empire hasn't got a lot of information about what the limits of a Skeleton Key's power is. In theory you could go anywhere, to any world, at any time. That's pretty cool too, ya know."

"Anyway, if you want to fly sometime, I could carry you if you wanted."

Did I just say 'if you want' twice just now? Gah!

"Well yeah, but it seems like every time I use my power I nearly kill myself doing it."

He chuckles softly and gives her a big smile as he walks. "I may just take you up on that offer one day. I've always dreamed of flying."

His eyes have a sort of far away look, as though remembering something from long ago. In his heart he'd always dreamed of flying. He wished to be able to go anywhere like a bird, to not be bound to just one place. His wish had come true in a most miraculous way, but it came with a pricetag no single soul should have to pay.

He asks almost absently, "Do you think we can bring peace to this world? Our own is a sea of chaos and here we are setting right another. It's hypocritical, such a human way of doing things."

"I don't know if we can bring them peace," Lily muses. "But maybe we can help them find it. Maybe helping them will help us find it for ourselves too."

Kai nods. "One can only hope." Senbonzakura pulses in his sash, seemingly in agreement. Strangely enough, Lily can actually sense and feel the sword agreeing with them both.

Lily peers at the sword, surprised at the unusual, almost empathic feeling from it.

"Kai, what is that sword?" she asks.

He smiles. "This is "Senbonzakura." It means "Thousand Cherry Blossoms." While we were in the past Priestess Yuna knew that I'd exhausted my lifeforce and bound part of hers to me. She knew as a Key and a Clan Amaha Noble I would need a sword that represents my soul. I was dying and it was too dangerous to try to have me forge my own, so she used Sakura, her own."

The sword was reforged withn me, and my own power amplified the power she gave me. When I awoke, Senbonzakura was there, and has answered whenever I have called."

"To put it simply, the Sword is a gift from an ancestor, one that I am truly honored to have recieved."

Then why can I sense it too? Lily wonders...but she's not sure she's quite ready to ask that yet. Telepathy wasn't a power most Dalaraan manifested...her father could sometimes communicate that way, with his children at least, but this was the first time anyone other than him had touched her mind.

Not to mention, her blood was chilled a bit to hear how badly off Kai had been. What if he'd died back there?

"We need to find some ways for you to use your abilities without hurting yourself," she says.

"I want to master it, but it just doesn't seem like we have the time."

His face darkens considerably. "There's no one that I can ask for advice. Well no one on our side at least." Theimplied meaning was clear. The other side had posession of a Skeleton key. "Takashi is the only other Skeleton Key, and if I want to truly master my power I will have to do it without the guidance of another one like me."

"I know some things. Atsushi taught and Yuna both gave me memories of some spells, some methods of control, but I was told rely on them if I had to, but that I'd find my own way to harness the power."

He looks at her. "What about you? I saw you materialize a sword from nothing but energy, and you can fire off bolts of destructive power and Teleport and even generate a forcefield. Where does all that power come from? Are all Dalaraan like that?" There was a tone of awe and amazement in his voice, but something else. Even though he'd been a field away, dueling with Amaya, he'd been watching the others, watching her.