Disclaimer: ToL belongs to Namco...still.

Chapter 1

Solon stepped onto the bridge with an exceptionally large grin on his face. "Commander Vaclav...I have some exciting news."

Vaclav turned to face him. "What is it, Solon? You have an unusually large grin on your face."

"You know your enemy, the Holy Rexalian Empire, right?" Solon asked. "I know you're going to love this. My ninjas have reported that a radical virus has broken out in Castle Rexalia, and it's spreading across the empire like a wildfire."

Melanie and Cashel lit up, but Vaclav's face remained expressionless.

"So this means that the Rexalian Empire is falling..." Vaclav said.

Cashel shrugged. "Who would've thought that the illustrious Rexalian Empire would be taken down by a microscopic bug?"

"Unfortunately, I have no use for a dead empire," Vaclav added.

"But I have a plan," Solon continued to grin. "If we can learn more about this virus and how it spreads, we may be able to use it. If we can unleash the virus on the Legacy, killing everyone onboard, we would have the entire ship to ourselves!"

"Sounds like a good plan," Melanie said. "But how can we be certain that we don't get infected ourselves?"

"Hmm...how about we capture that apothecary, Alcott? I'm sure he can create some sort of immunization to the virus."

"Yes, that's true...but first he would need a sample of the virus, would he not?" Melanie asked.

"Very well, I'll leave that to you three," Vaclav said. "Melanie, Cashel, and Solon...you are to go to Castle Rexalia and find out more about this virus."

"Yes, sir!" the Terrors responded in unison.

The three Terrors vanished from the room in a puff of smoke.

---------------------

Senel's group stepped into Madame Musette's house, having been summoned by the Bantam Bouncers. They stood around the table, waiting for Musette to arrive. As they waited, there was a knock on the door. Since Jay was closest to the door, he was the one to answer it.

"Thyra?" he gasped.

"Jay," Thyra smiled. "Are you busy?"

"Well...yes. We were summoned here by Madame Musette."

"Thyra!" Shirley called. "Won't you come in?"

Jay looked annoyed. Thanks, Shirley.

"Sure." Thyra stepped inside, joining the group around the table. "What's going on?"

"We don't know yet," Senel said.

"There's no doubt that Her Excellency has another mission for us," Will said.

At that moment, Musette came downstairs and Curtis and Isabella. The party waited for Musette to sit in her chair before seating themselves.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Musette said. "I've received a serious report from Rexalia."

The party glanced at each other, already sensing Musette's disturbance.

"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.

"There's been a viral outbreak in Castle Rexalia," Musette replied.

"It's not like rabies or the flu," Curtis said. "Tell 'em, Isabella."

"The scientists have been researching the virus for the past month," Isabella said. "The plague originated from a serum that was created to restore the brain functions – to bring back the dead."

Everyone gasped.

"You mean...zombies?" Jay asked.

"No, they're much worse than zombies," Curtis said. "These things are faster, more aggressive, and more vicious."

"For convenience, we call them 'hypersapiens,'" Isabella added.

Norma's eyes widened. "Whoa, this sounds serious!"

"The hypersapiens have completely overrun Castle Rexalia and are spreading across the empire," Musette said.

"So what should we do?" Senel asked.

"We'd like you all to go to Castle Rexalia and obtain a blood sample from the original hypersapien, the one that started the outbreak," Musette said.

"Hold up!" Moses protested. "We're supposed to go inside that castle where all those hyper...things are?"

"Even if we go, how can we tell which one started the outbreak?" Shirley asked.

"With this." Isabella pulled out a small device with a syringe inserted at the top. "This will analyze the DNA from the blood samples." She handed the devices to Will.

"We have these for you as well." Curtis handed each of the party members a laser handgun. "Use these to protect yourselves against those hypersapiens."

"Uh...thanks, but we'll be fine with our eres," Senel said.

"Are you sure? Your eres may not be quick enough...this especially goes for crystal eres."

"Uh, I think he has a point, Senny," Norma said.

"What happens after we get the blood sample?" Chloe asked.

"Alcott will use the sample to create an antidote," Isabella said. "The current hypersapiens should be put out of their misery, but if any of you should become infected, then you can be cured after the antidote is made. Just don't take too long to get back. The longer the victim is infected, the more the body will decay...like a corpse."

"I don't like this mission one bit," Will said. "But your wish is our command, Your Excellency."

"Good luck to you all," Musette said. "I pray that you will succeed."

Will stood up, placing his right fist on his left shoulder. "Thank you."

The others stood up with the same gesture.

"All right, everyone; let's head for Port-on-Rage," Will said.

"Wait!" Thyra called. "I want to go with you."

Shirley turned to face her. "Thyra...we can't let you put yourself in danger."

"But I really want to help."

"Are you sure you want to do this? This could be our most dangerous mission."

"That's all the more reason why I should come with you."

"Shirley, let her come with us," Jay said.

"Jay?" Senel asked.

"If this is our most dangerous mission, we'll need all the help we can get."

Shirley sighed. "All right..."

Curtis handed another gun to Thyra. "Here you go, missie. You're gonna need it."

"Thank you," Thyra responded.

She followed the group outside as they began to leave town for Port-on-Rage.

"Jay..." Moses nudged the boy. "Why did you want Thyra to come with us? I thought you didn't like her."

"I don't," Jay said.

Moses paused for a second. "Oh, I get it. You're hoping' that she'll get killed, right?"

"No. But if we're lucky, she'll get scared and run off."

"Ah...I get it!"

------------------

The party arrived at Port-on-Rage, preparing to board the ship to the mainland.

"Will!" a voice called out.

The group turned around to see Arnold and Elsa Alcott racing onto the port, both carrying heavy bags on their backs.

"Arnold?" Will asked. "What are you doing here?"

"We're going with you," Arnold said.

"But if you get infected, who's going to make the vaccine?" Chloe asked.

Arnold shook his head. "No, no, we're not actually going into the castle. We'll just wait on the mainland for you to bring the blood sample. It'll be quicker than sailing all the way back to the Legacy, getting the antidote from me, and then sailing back to Rexalia to deliver the antidote."

"You have a point there," Will admitted. "All right, we should reach Rexalia by sunset. Let's get some rest while we have the chance."

The group nodded, then began to board the ship.