This is Yage's story... or is it? Yage Orijean is a pale-skinned alien who looks human enough that he can get away with living in the town of Moonlight Falls. It's full of witches, werewolves, and vampires, after all. Just one problem: finding a job with no identification or proof of citizenship.
Way back in a small valley leading up into the mountains, Yage finds a park that no one seems to have visited in a long time. There are a few fish in the pond and a solitary bench to rest upon. For now, this will have to do. Home sweet homeless home.
All things considered, it doesn't last as long as it could. Yage is abducted by aliens several times, a race that is not his own kind. He hears rumors around town that these abductions can lead to unexpected childbirth regardless of gender, and then actually meets the child of a local rich man who is the source of these rumors. Yage has been collecting things around town to sell, and makes a big push to raise the funds to finally buy his own place.
Just in the nick of time, too. Winter sets in, and this tiny, custom-built abode is perfect for his needs. He's not even home for long before making the big jump and travelling abroad.
Yage finally visits China and begin studying martial arts, part of his dream towards being in perfect physical condition. He explores most of a tomb beneath an ancient dragon monument before he has to go home again.
Inventing is becoming a slow but steady way to pay for future travels. One of the devices Yage invents is a time machine! So... this thing goes back in time, right? And forward? Is it worth risking a space-time anomaly to test it out?
Sure. Let's do this. There are adventures to be had all across history, the most noteworthy in Yage's opinion involves ninjas and a dojo. He even rescues an orphan from nearly dying in an accident, and the child looks mysteriously a lot like him. As a reward, Yage is unceremoniously dumped back out into his normal time... on his tushie. Oh well, that was fun. Didn't change anything major in the timeline, right? Everything's just as he left it here?
"Umm, excuse me, mister? I think you're my dad..." Oh snap. Her name is Stacia and she really does look like Yage, even has his last name. Seems the time machine accepts stowaway... gender-swapped clones?
"Wow, this place is tiny! Where am I going to sleep?" Time to make an emergency addition to the second floor of the house. Then, a mirror and a new change of clothes are in order, to create a style that better fits this century.
Ta da! Much better. Stacia has an artistic flair and a taste for photography, which is interesting considering her father takes photos as a hobby. She is also a witch by natural genetics, it seems, whereas Yage received his witch's powers by investing in a potion early-on to ward off zombies during his homeless days.
The new addition makes the house look even more eccentric. An outhouse has been added because Yage has magical abilities to never need to pee. Stacia is jealous, but there are promises that if she works hard and follows her dreams, she too will be able to acquire magical abilities like that and more!
Check it out, it's a Monster High doll! ...Sort of. She doesn't have a name, because she is an outcast and shuns all things normal.
Perhaps trying a sweets stand in the middle of the night is not the most brilliant idea. Better luck tomorrow, but wait, tomorrow is Stacia's first day of school! Will she be able to fit in? Yage seems to be doing alright in the adult world now, so in the morning it will be time to test a formal education and the acceptance of other children.
With Stacia off at school, Yage works on building another time machine because as life-altering as the machine has turned out to be, the darned thing sells decently. Too bad he can't set a higher price, but with a daughter to care for now, he'll take any amount he can. He wants to take Stacia to China soon, so she can see the same amazing sights that he has.
But all is not right. Across town, a huge boom is heard and the ground has slight tremors moments later.
A meteor has hit the school, so close it kills four elementary-age children, including poor Stacia. The teacher barely makes it out alive. Grim Reaper has his work cut out for him today, maybe he should hit up the cafeteria afterwards for a snack? But for the mortal world, there is no joke to be had, only tragedy for four families.
Is it right to keep the extraterrestrial beast that killed his child? Perhaps, for it came from the stars just like he did. He also brought Stacia to the present by accident, and somehow it all seems like a cruel but fitting fate, if it is to make any sense at all and not just be the result of chaos and randomness in the universe. All of that does little to console an aching heart.
Later that night, Stacia returns to tell her father that they have disrupted the space-time continuum and her death was required to set things right again. But in turn, others have died unfairly, yet space-time does not care about that.
"There are others mourning their children," says Stacia. "People who shouldn't be going through this now, or possibly ever."
"No parent should ever outlive their child... unless they are immortal and the child is not, I suppose. Still, it's not fair they died this way... not fair to anyone involved."
"Anyone at all."
"I think I know how to fix it," explains Stacia. "I have figured out a way to turn them into ghosts forever, ghosts who can walk around in the day and continue on with their lives, even get older as if they are growing up properly. I'm pretty sure it will work, and I have to try. But the process will destroy any ability I might have to return like them. My fate is sealed, time must be restored properly and I must remain with the distant dead. I can visit you at night sometimes, but I may not always have my senses. I'm not even sure how long I'll stay sane at all. I'm sorry, father..."
"I'm sorry too, Stacia. This is my fault more than it will ever be yours. I wish I could do something to help."
"You can't... don't worry about it. Just live, okay?"
"I will. I love you, Stacia."
"I love you too, dad."
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