EPISODE TWENTY-THREE: Ali's Back-Story Explained & The Road to Yokka

As they were disembarking the stagecoach, Ali asked TRITHAL: "So, whatever happened to my father, I mean, Macha-Bou?"

TRITHAL: "When he met with Minako almost 15 years ago he said he was going out on his own to find a way to stop Liiche. After that, Minako never heard from him, or any other macha again. As far as I know, he may be still out there somewhere... or maybe Liiche found him then executed him. Liiche did say he knew about Macha-Rei's escape. Maybe Macha-Bou told him about it."

Ali then looks away with a disappointed expression. TRITHAL takes her hand and says "I know it's hard for you to realize, but your father died that day. He's never coming back. Because of that, you have every right to hate the macha. But you shouldn't go around accusing every macha you meet of killing your father. The only thing that would accomplish is making you into a psychopath. And trust me, you don't want that."

Ali: "But what should I do? How will I ever gain closure?"

TRITHAL: "If defeating Liiche wasn't enough for you, then I don't know. You'll have to look deep into your soul and find out yourself."

As the party made their way through town, TRITHAL was met by an acquaintance of his and parted from the group. The other three found a sidewalk cafe and sat down for some coffee.

CHRIS: "So, now that we know more than we care to know about Trithal and what his connection is with you, tell us some more about you, Ali."

Ali: "Well, as Trithal said, my real father was Annan, Duke of Tanchi. My mother died giving birth to me. Me and my father lived in the duke's residence in Tanchi City until I was three... when Liiche's army attacked. I then went to live with my aunt Queen Mia and her husband King Midus at the mountain castle. My aunt and Uncle have been a part of my life since day one of my birth. They helped my father through the difficult times with the passing of my mother. My father named my Uncle Midus as my Godfather which is why I am sometimes referred to as his Goddaughter when I also happen to be his niece. Anyway, my Aunt and Uncle adopted and raised me, and had me educated by the finest tutors in the region. Growing up I took an interest in swordplay. One of Midus's guards taught me how to use a dueling sword. I don't think I could have had a better childhood... But, witnessing my father get assimilated left me with deep psychological scars. Before then I didn't even know what a macha was. For years afterward I was withdrawn and kept to myself. It wasn't until some of the younger servants in the castle reached out to me that I began to go out and play and whatever. As I studied, I learned what the macha were, and began to fill with hatred toward them. I even learned the ancient macha language. I wanted to go out and kill every last one of them for what they did to my father... I mean, that was until this whole unfortunate episode unfolded and I ended up meeting your friend Trithal. Now I don't know what to think."

CHRIS: "What's the ancient macha language?"

AXEM: "It's probably that foreign gibberish you keep complaining about." (to Ali) "So what are you going to do now?"

Ali: "First I'm going to return to the castle and help restore King Midus, then I don't know. I spent most of my life hating the macha, but knowing what I know now I don't know what i'm going to do next. What other purpose do I have in life?"

TRITHAL rejoined the group at the sidewalk cafe and interjected "I'm sure you'll find something." Accompanying TRITHAL was some tall, scrawny guy with long hair and a scruffy goatee. "Everyone, this is Daisuke, an old friend of mine. Dice, this is Axem the Stone Pillar, Princess Ali of Mount Sabretooth, and Chris... just plain ol' Chris."

Daisuke (half-stoned): "Woah! So, like, you're the guys who defeated Liiche? That's awesome, man! You guys must have some really big brass balls to pull that off... oh sorry princess."

Ali: "That's... uh... ok."

Daisuke: "So, I guess you're headed back toward the mountain castle? Hey I can, like, give you a ride to Yokka in my van. Me and my band 'Post-Nasal Drip' are headed there for the big Mount Sabretooth Battle of the Bands competition. The winner goes on to the reginoal finals. It's gonna be awesome! If we leave now we should be there by tonight, and the competetion is tomorrow."

AXEM: "Uh, are you sure you're ok to drive that far?"

Daisuke: "Don't worry about it, man! I can make the drive in my sleep!"

AXEM: "Yeah, but what about when you're awake?"

Daisuke: "Dude, don't worry! Let's just go!"

The party carefully considers the risk, then decides to go with TRITHAL's friend, since they can fend for themselves if necessary.

Daisuke: "Dudes! My van's over here!"

The party approaches a beat-up older model Chevrolet van with psychadelic paintings all over it. On the back was a banner which read "Yokka or Bust!" It back-fired twice as Daisuke attempted to start it. Inside the van were drums, guitar cases and amplifiers. Daisuke insisted the princess ride shotgun while the other three cram into the already-overloaded back.

As they made their way out of town and down the road, TRITHAL asked, "Uh, Dice, where's your band?"

Daisuke: "Oh, they all went in Kevin's car already. They left early so they could, like, sign in and everything. Kevin has this big-ass car, man! He could fit a whole football team in it... although there wouldn't be any room to breathe.... but he could if he wanted to!"

AXEM: "So, how many bands are gonna be in this competetion?"

Daisuke: "A whole bunch... like maybe fifty or something. I don't know for sure."

TRITHAL: "And, you think your band has a chance at winning?"

Daisuke grabs his chest like he had just been stabbed, and said "Dude, you hurt me bro.... Just listen to our demo!" He then pops a cassette tape into the car stereo. "This is the best song we got right now. It's called 'Emergency Snot Rags'." Seconds later this horrific sound emanates from the speakers while Daisuke dances around in his seat as if it were music. "Now tell me that this isn't the greatest music you've ever heard!"

TRITHAL, CHRIS, AXEM & Ali: "THIS ISN'T THE GREATEST MUSIC WE'VE EVER HEARD!"

CHRIS: "Hell, that cheesy victory music was better than this!"

Just then, a puff of smoke jumps out of the stereo and the engine sputters to a stop while Daisuke pulls over to the side of the road. TRITHAL, being apt with electronics, disassembled the dash of the vehicle and inspected the wiring inside.

TRITHAL: "Dice, who wired up your stereo?"

Daisuke: "Uh, I did. Isn't it awesome?"

TRITHAL: "It's awesome this van isn't on fire right now!"

TRITHAL went into detail with Daisuke about how faulty and haphazardly his wiring job was. Daisuke was lost after the first three words. After TRITHAL vented his anger by chopping down a tree with one stroke of his super-sharp pizza knife, he proceeded to re-do the wiring in the van. TRITHAL then explained to Daisuke that his stereo would be inoperative.

Daisuke: "Woah, no tunes? Not cool, Trick."

TRITHAL: "It's either no tunes or no van, Dice. It would suck if you came all this way for nothing, wouldn't you say?"

Daisuke: "I guess so. You're still a pretty smart prick, Trick."

TRITHAL: "Don't ever forget it! Now, let's get this show back on the road!"

After TRITHAL was done, the van started as a nomal, properly maintained vehicle would, and the party loaded up and headed back in the direction of Yokka.