[Facsimile]

Thanks Latty. Those who have replyed to my story help keep it alive.

I would write a whole big thing here but tonight I am extremely tired.

Now in this chapter, check out the Mudarcher and get to know him. As you will be seeing him in most of my other fanfics from now on.

I'll let you get into it...

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When everyone was through they began to walk off to their huts.

Dan caught sight of the first one he had seen and ran to catch up to him.

"Hey," he said nervously.

"Hi," the purplish Mud replied.

They walked in silence for a moment.

"Back there at the forest, how did you move so fast as to catch that Paramite? No normal Mud is quick enough to do that."

"Umm… I dunno…" Dan answered. "The first time I ever had a chance to run I went that fast. I had just guessed it was normal."

The other one laughed. "By the way, my name’s Sam." He put out his hand to shake.

"Dan," he replied. He put out his right hand but upon realizing about the wooden device he changed it with his left.

They continued to walk. Dan asked a question that had been plaguing his mind for a long time, "What’s that on your arm?"

Sam laughed again.

"Don’t you know what a Mudarcher is?"

Dan said nothing.

"Well that’s what I am. I protect the village from the village guard tower," he pointed to a tower up ahead that was hardly visible to Dan in the moonlight. "And this a Spoocebow."

"I worked really hard to become a Mudarcher, I took many tests and trained all day and night. Then the elder transformed me."

Something sparked in Dan’s brain. "I have to see him," he said.

"Ah, I thought that may be the case."

"Would you be able to take me to his hut?"

"Of course."

Sam took a step in front of Dan and held out his arm, gesturing him to a hut they were passing. It was beside the temple and was larger than the others.

Dan walked over to the door and entered.

The elder was sitting in the middle of the room meditating. Dan walked up to him.

"Come in Sam," he said without opening his eyes.

Sam, who was still standing by the door, walked up to stand beside Dan.

The elder opened his eyes and stood up.

"Who are you stranger and what is your purpose here?" asked the elder.

"My name is Dan, well that’s the name Amgine gave me."

The elder interrupted, "Who is this Amgine?"

"Well, I’m not exactly sure who he was, or what he was for that matter. But he taught me a lot, like what the different species were and a little history. You don’t learn a lot otherwise being locked away all your life."

"Where were you locked away?"

"In Vykker’s Labs, both of them."

The elder gasped, he had known about the destruction of Vykker’s Labs, all free Muds knew the tales of Abe. But he had no idea it had been rebuilt.

"How did you escape?"

"I was drinking from my ‘water’ bowl in my cage one day, when the door was opened and a sharp pain struck my neck. I grabbed at it and pulled out a needle. The next thing I remember I was in shackles but just being released from them by an Intern. I’m not sure why but I ran, bullets whirred past my feet but none could hit. There was no where else to go so I jumped out of the window."

The elder was in deep thought.

Dan continued, "Then out of the top of the complex came a metallic flying machine, which shot at me some more."

"A Vykker gun ship," the elder murmured.

"And so I ran from it, it was some distance behind but it couldn’t catch up."

Sam’s jaw dropped, "You outran a Vykker gun ship?!"

"Er… yes, it must have chased me for a good two hours before I lost it. And that’s when I found your village."

"Where were you running to?" asked the elder.

"I was aiming for the beautiful moon in the sky. Have you noticed how it looks like our hand?"

Sam smiled and said, "You cannot run to the moon. It is millions of miles away, and unless you can fly you will never reach it."

Dan’s hopes sank.

The elder, who had been taking this all in, spoke, "I see… Come to my hut again at sunrise tomorrow. You too Sam."

Sam bowed and left. Dan walked out after him.

They stood outside. "You can stay in my tower tonight," Sam offered.

"Thanks."

When they reached it they climbed the ladder and Dan stood in awe of the view.

"I can see for miles up here."

"I can see even further," said Sam.

"I don’t understand."

"It’s part of being a Mudarcher. During the transformation, physical changes take place, such as enhanced sight."

"That would be cool."

"Oh it is."

Dan admired the view for a while longer.

"Sleep in this bed."

"But it’s the only one in here."

"That’s okay. I don’t use it anyway. I have taught myself a little trick. It’s a way of meditating; I get my rest while keeping a conscious view of the plains. It is actually something that people all over Mudos have been trying to do for-"

He stopped mid-sentence at the sound of a snore and turned around to find Dan fast asleep.

He sighed and turned back to surveilance.

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... The name, Amgine is a hidden message. Why don't you look BACK and figure it out.

Space Ghost is on so I have to go. But remember if you want more at least one person needs to reply as I will not post twice without something in between.

Coming soon: It's Dan's turn to learn...