#0: Prologue

Everything was different before The Impact.

There were cities, proper means of food and transportation, and a lot of water.

Ever since the impact, though, things have changed.

Water was no longer as plentiful as it was before.

Food was harder to get.

Soon, the world became a land of dust.

And normally, civilization would've died out.

But it kept thriving and even evolved.

Now, in the desert called Earth, life is plentiful. And nobody would change it for a bit.

Even if it can get a bit odd, sometimes.

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"Have ya heard? The Band of the Tornado turned criminal!"

"Did they now? Bet they've got a niiiiiiice bounty on their heads."

"Yeah, yeah. Like a couple hundred.. THOUSAND!!"

The group cheered, drank the rest of their beer, went for another round of drinks, and continued with the festivities.

The bar was full, overflowing with people celebrating, people coming here to drink away their sadness, and people who worked as bounty hunters. Despite the diversity of the people there, no conversation was had without mentioning the well-known and admired group of people like themselves, suddenly going criminal and being convicted of thievery and murder. It came as a shock to many. Hunters who once admired them were telling their friends how they would get the group arrested or killed. Civilians who once looked to them as a beam of hope now shivered in fear. It was a little bizarre, how quickly they switched sides.

The bartender kept serving orders and listening to the people talk, when a large, sweaty looking man walked in and sat right down in the seat in front of the bartender. The bartender looked up from the table at him and smiled. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked gently. The man gave her a smile that had no innocent intention behind it. "Yes... I would like a beer, please..." he said, barely masking what he was likely here for. The bartender, already unnerved by the way the man was looking at her, prepared his beer and slid it to him. But right when she about to let go of it, the man took the beer and her hand. She shuddered and try to tug her hand away. "Let go, sir." She gave him a firm look, but he just chuckled. "And why...? By the end of the night, your pretty ass will never want to leave me..." He grinned, revealing his very poorly cared for teeth. His eyes grew more malice filled, and the bartender started desperately trying to pull back, as the man was pulling her towards him.

Suddenly, another hand grabbed on to the man's hand and pulled it away from the bartender. It was slimmer, and far more elegant looking than the other, much more sweaty man's hand. The bartender looked up to see who it was, to find a handsome young man standing before her, mouth gaping open. He was tall, with medium length, dark brown hair that was in a spiked, choppy style that covered his left eye. His skin was tanned, and he had a very warm but clear complexion. He had a long black coat that accentuated his height, and his eyes were a striking yellow color. His expression was serious, and he let go of the other man's hand.

The other man stood up and shoved him "Just what do you think you're doing, you son of a bitch?! I'm busy—" But before the man could finish, he was cut off by a swift punch to the face. The elegant man then spoke. "Didn't your mama teach you how to treat ladies? No gentleman acts like that." He wiped his hand on his coat and turned to the bartender. "Pardon me, madam. I would like to order—" but then he too was cut off, because the greasy man swung at the elegant man. The two began to fight, the elegant man easily dodging every attack that the greasy man handed out. Eventually, he got tired, and the elegant man landed the finishing blow, which got him out cold. The elegant man sighed, and turned to the bartender again, who now seemed to be more curious than shocked. "Who are you, sir?" she inquired, tilting her head.

The man attempted to speak again, but was then cut off again, due to the fact that he was hit by a smaller human like a javelin. The two fell over, and the elegant man got up and dusted himself off. The smaller person perked back up and turned to him. "Ryster, we've been found out.." The smaller person had a baggy tanktop, cargo shorts, and large boots and gloves. His hair was short and black, his skin was darker than the elegant man's. His eyes were a warm golden color and he spoke with a cockney accent. "Elinore and Packit are over there, trying not to get shot," he mused. Ryster sighed, and placed his hands on his temples. "Good FUCKING Lord, Jack, I told you to keep them in check!" Jack put his arms behind his head. "Not my fault Elinore decided to get heated over the damn pronunciation of kwi-no-wuh with someone???" 

A girl with long violet hair emerged from the crowd. She had bright blue eyes, and she wore glasses. She had a large black poncho on that went down to her knees. It was decorated with lace and ribbons, and she seemed to wear a frilly white dress underneath. She had pale skin, much more lighter than the other two and had an almost ashen complexion. Her eyes were a vivid green color, and right now they were full of rage. "IT'S PRONOUNCED QUINOA!! QUIIINOOOAA!! " She screeched. Jack covered his ears. The bartender got even more confused. 

Packit was enjoying the festivites while trying not to become Swiss cheese. "HYEGYEGYEGYE! I'd love to continue, but we gotta bounce!!" They were in a jester's outfit, patchwork and colorful. So many mixes of colors of patterns, they were almost overwhelming to look at. The only feature that seemed to come with them biologically is their platinum blonde hair. Their mask was doll-like, with clown makeup. They bounced all over the place, then out the door of the bar, people chasing after them. 

Ryster and Jack looked at each other, then back at the door. Elinore stomped her foot. "Well? Are you two going to keep staring like the slack-jawed dumbasses you two are?" she snapped, walking past them. Jack shrugged and followed Elinore, and then Ryster turned back to the bartender, a glint of the metal on the left side of his face showing. "Sorry madam. I'll return someday." he purred, and he made his way out the door.