Our story takes place in a world divided by three large continents. This world contains two large and vastly different powers, that of magic and that of technology. The continent’s, though different, lived in balanced harmony. Until one day that balance came crashing down with the arrival of powerful figures that became known as the tyrants. The tyrants desired all of the power of the continents, and using their monstrous strength were able to obtain it. Each continent became ruled over by the power of a single tyrant. The continent of Unitia is where our story begins, conquered by the overwhelming power of the tyrant Cyber Tech who through many processes became more machine than man. Cyber Tech’s desire for technological advancement has blanketed the once peaceful continent. To fuel his desire, he has his robotic servants go all throughout the continent to steal any technology he finds worth his goal, including the abduction of scientists, professors and even humble mechanics…

One year before the rise of the tyrants, on Unitia was a town located in a dryer region of the continent known as Gears Work. This town, though small, was widely known for its mechanical knowledge of how things work and tick. People with machine related problems came from all around to Gears Work, seeking the aid and knowledge of the local residents. The town’s buildings were mostly cube shaped and colored white, surrounded by mechanical gizmos and metals of all sorts. Toward the middle of town was a mechanic shop run by a couple named Maximus and Rachel Shima. Gears Work was full of brilliant mechanics, but the Shima family always stuck out from the rest due to their seemingly endless flexibility when it came to anything technical. One fateful day however a surprise was in store for the young couple.

Maximus was doing his usual thing at the shop, repairing this and that for his customers. Max was interrupted from his tinkering by the familiar sound of his shop doorbell ringing, signaling that a customer had entered. “I’ll be right with you!” shouted Max from the back of the shop. The customer entered the dirty shop and walked up to the front counter. With every step a small amount of dirt puffed into the air. He was dressed in a brown robe that hid his body, and a brown wizard like hat that hid most of his face. While waiting at the counter a young boy pokes his head up from the other side.

“Sorry about the wait”, the young boy said. “He can get very wrapped up in his work”.

“No trouble at all”, said the mysterious customer. “I know what it like is to become engrossed in one’s work. What is your name small child?”

“I’m Zed. I watch the counter when my parents are busy with stuff”, Zed replied. Zed was your average, short black haired little five-year-old boy. He wore a red t-shirt with black striped sleeves, jean shorts, and black sneakers.

“What a mature young boy you are aiding your parents in the workplace.”

“Meh”, replied Zed as he goes back behind the counter to play with his homemade toys made from left over metal scraps. The customer curiously peeks over the counter at him.

“Those are fine toys you’ve got there. Did you make them yourself?” said the mysterious customer.

“I did”, replied Zed. “Dad said I could use any scraps I find to make things with. Says I’m a chip off the ol’ block because I can make things like him.” Zed looks perplexed at one of his toys as he speaks. “But no matter what I do can’t get this arm to stay on”. As Zed says this the arm to his scrap toy pops off. “Ugh!” The mysterious customer looks down at the flustered Zed, walks around the counter, and kneels down to his level.

“You know child, you and your family are quite gifted with knowledge that can help so many troubled people”, said the mysterious customer. “Now me, I’m no good at any of this mechanical or technical curiosities. That’s what brought me to your unique shop. But my talent lies elsewhere”. The customer brings his hand down to Zed’s broken toy. Zed looks confused, but curious by the stranger’s actions. His hand begins to glow faintly as the metal of the toy and broken piece slowly moves and mingles back together into one figure. Zed looked at his toy with astonishment! The customer smiles and picks up some nearby scrap metal. His hand glows again and the metal’s shape twists and turns until forming the shape of a small sword and shield. He hands the newly crafted toys to Zed. “Never limit your thoughts to only one solution.”

“Wow…” responds a Zed in awe. Max suddenly bursts into the room.

“Sorry for the wait!” exclaimed Max. Maximus was a well-built muscular man. He had a short, rugged beard that matched his strong jaw line. He wore a striped red and black bandana around his head, a sleeveless black shirt, black sneakers and a pair of ripped up jeans, all dirtied by oil and dirt. Max looks at the customer “Ah! You were here about the pocket watch! I’ve got it right here!” Max reaches into the counter and pulls out a shiny, gold pocket watch.

“Thank you very much”, says the customer. “I’m just no good at the inner workings of these things.” He gives Max some gold and silver coins as payment, then looks back down at Zed. He pulls out a large, striped, brimmed hat from his garment. “A little extra payment for the spectacular job on the watch.” He hands the hat to Zed. Zed’s eyes widen with glee and happily puts the peculiar hat atop his head.

“Thanks guy! You have a great day and come again!” exclaims Max. The mysterious customer smiles, turns and leaves the store as the door rings it’s familiar bell. “Well he was a strange one! But a customer’s a customer! Pretty cool he gave you that weird hat! Kinda suits you…” Zed smiles, gripping the hat.

“Ya,” Zed replies. His father grins at him.

“Well I’ve got some free time now. Wanna check out the latest project?” said Max.

“Is it another piece of junk, made with smaller pieces of junk?”, replied Zed.

“You betcha’!” replied his father. Zed sighs with a smile on his face and follows his father into the garage portion of the shop. Max brings his son over to a tarp, and with a silly grin flings the tarp away revealing a junky, boxy shaped, wheel-less car. Zed looks at his father jokingly, one eyebrow raised.

“A car with no wheels dad? How’s it supposed to move?” Zed says sarcastically. His father gives a hearty laugh, before getting into the driver’s seat of the rusty, makeshift car. Max holds the key gallantly upward and then pushes it into the ignition and turns the key. The car starts up with a rough, gear turning noise before beginning to hum. A blue energy begins to pulse out from the bottom of the car, before becoming a solid flow that thrusts and hovers the car a foot from the ground. Zed’s mouth opens with surprise.

“That’s how”, His father says with a dorky grin. “Wanna go for a spin?”

“Heck ya!” an excited Zed responds. Zed runs over and jumps into the passenger side of the car.

“Honey! We’re going out for a few minutes!” shouted Maximus into the shop. A woman walks and stands in the doorway of the garage. She was very feminine and had a slender body. Long, red hair flowed from underneath a red bandana tied around her head. She wore a red sleeve-less shirt, black jeans and black sneakers; all dirtied with oil and dirt, much like her husband’s, Maximus, were. She looked at the excited boys in the junk car.

“Alright you two, have fun! Don’t be too late!” she told them.

“Don’t worry Rachel! We won’t be too long!” replied Maximus. Rachel sighs and pushes a button toward the right side of the door. “Let’s give this baby a test drive.” The garage door clunkily opens in response and away the two boys went. The hover car drove effortlessly over the ground and through the moderately busy streets of Gears Work. The two drove right through the town and into the surrounding wastelands. Zed held on to his new hat as they rode. A trail of dust followed behind the vehicle as it drove through the nearly barren plains on a clear, sunny day. Max and his son were enjoying the ride with the wind to their faces until suddenly the car began making loud thumping noises. The car began to slow, stopped and dropped to the ground. Zed and his father slowly turn their heads to look at each other. “Uh oh”.

Max and Zed get out of the car. Max walks up to the front and pops open the hood. “Yup. Knew this might happen. Just the reason I was taking her out for a test drive”, Maximus said. “Zed, why don’t you explore around why your old man works out some kinks to this rust bucket.”

“Ok dad”, responded Zed. “I’ll have a blast out here in the hot nothing”.

“That’s the spirit!” Max replied with half his body in the engine compartment. Zed rolls his eyes and walks away from his father. Zed kicks a couple rocks out of his path and picks up a stick to drag behind him. His surroundings including some dried, withered trees and rocks. Lots of rocks. Zed was already quite bored as he scanned the horizon for anything interesting. The hot air made images dance, rocks and dead trees waived and swayed. One blur however stood out from the rest. Definitely not a tree, it kind of looked like a blurred rock but a bit lumpier and darker. Just then the hover car’s engine purred back to life behind Zed. “Sweet! She’s up and running again!” exclaimed Maximus. “Hmmm? What you see there Zed?”

“Something out there looks different”, said Zed as he pointed toward the blurred image.

“Oh ya? Well let’s go check it out!” Max responded with a grin. The boys hop back into the car and drive up to the object. They park the car and get out to investigate. Upon closer inspection the lump is revealed to be a grey, child sized hoodie laying on the ground. “Now who would just leave this here?” asked Maximus. He kneeled down to pick up the abandoned hoodie. As he grabbed it and began to lift, he quickly realized there was weight behind it. “Holy cow! There’s a person still in there!”

“Out here?” questioned Zed.

“Ya. Definitely. Poor kid must’ve gotten lost or something. No one could’ve lasted long out here for long wearing such heavy clothing…” Maximus said glumly. Both Maximus and Zed looked down at the body sadly. Zed still carrying his stick from before, pokes the body. Maximus quickly snatches up the stick away from Zed. “Boy! Rude! You don’t just go jabbing dead people with sticks! Disrespectful!” shouted Maximus. “You gotta be gentle. Like this.” Maximus gently pokes the body.

“I have so much to learn from you dad”, sarcastically said Zed. Suddenly the body responded to the poke with a small movement and a muffled voice. The two jumped with surprise!

“This kid is still kicking!” exclaimed Maximus. “We gotta get this kid out of the sun!” Maximus quickly scoops the child into his arms and puts him into the back seat of his car. His face now revealed, though half covered by black hair, was red from the heat. His breathing is heavy, and his body was drenched in sweat. Maximus and Zed hop back into the hover car. “Come on girl. You just gotta make it back to the shop! Don’t you crap out on me!” Maximus puts his foot down on the accelerator. The car revved and zoomed at a high speed back into Gears Work town.