“So,” Mimi began, as she stood in the park with Ken and Rei, “you said we have to collect keys to free the queen, right? How exactly do we go about doing that?”

“There are five key fragments,” Rei explained, “and they are scattered throughout Maka. All five are needed to unlock the cage that the queen is trapped in.”

“Just 5?” Ken asked. “That doesn’t sound too bad!”

“They’re each in a different region of Maka,” Rei clarified, “with vastly different geography. There’s one in the ocean, one in a volcanic region, one in snow-covered mountains, one in a jungle, and one in the middle of a desert. My Maka-Net can track the location of each fragment.”

“Oh, so you know where they are already?” Mimi asked.

“That’s handy,” Ken said.

“Yes, but it’s not as simple as it sounds,” Rei added, disappointedly. “I can’t estimate the layout of these lands. Maka is changing. It’s no longer the peaceful planet it once was. Since the Arkhs took over, the planet itself has become angry. There have been reports of Makans falling into quicksand where there previously hasn’t been any. Vines have come to life and attacked travelers. Waves have formed in the opposite direction of the tide to drown seafarers. It’s as if the land morphs when it senses someone on its soil, seeing even Makans as its enemy… as the cause of its pain. Though the Arkhelzarin soldiers may not be as vigilant now that they have defeated our forces and their leader has taken the throne, the planet will be after you. It can no longer tell friend from foe.”

Ken and Mimi looked at each other. The task sounded daunting, but they were willing to take a chance to bring back the beautiful kingdom they had seen in their dreams.

Once Rei was sure they were on board, she encouraged them to begin. “Choose whichever area you’d like to go to first.” She showed them a map of the main continent on planet Maka.

“We get to choose?!” Ken was surprised and excited.

“Yes, the key fragments can be collected in any order.”

“Then I choose,” Ken paused as he made his decision, “the ocean!” He pointed to the body of water on the map. “I’m a bit of a sailing fanatic, if you couldn’t tell!” He proudly pointed to his chest. He was wearing his favorite sailor suit, complete with a hat, a top with a collar and tie, and buttoned shorts. “Dad’s even let me steer his boat before!”

“I’ve gone with him, and he actually knows his stuff pretty well,” Mimi vouched for him.

Ken beamed delightedly.

“Alright, the ocean region it is,” Rei exclaimed. “I’ll set the coordinates into my Maka-Net.” She pressed the small buttons on the oval device. “Now, picture waves in your mind and say…”

“I call upon the ancient powers of Maka,” they all said in unison.

“By the power of love,” Mimi said, with Ken’s hand in hers.

“And the power of the stars,” Ken added.

“Guide us to our destination,” the pair said in harmony.

The bright light flashed once again, and before they knew it, they fell with a splash into cold water.