Master Fire Adept from the North

Really, there are a small collection of them here.

The simplest AU is "Well, Saturos and Menardi fell backwards into the lit beacon of Venus Psyenergy. And Venus Adepts are the only ones with Revival abilities.

... Its not that far fetched to think that they survived, honest. Really, we aren't in denial." They, for obvious reasons, remain on the continent where everything started, and spend the time of TLA recovering until they spot the bright beacon of Jupiter.

That's when they realize "welp, we might need to head home."



The other idea involves two slightly different paths. One that allows for Isaac and company still to be a bit of a threat, and one that doesn't quite so much.

Saturos and Menardi did stay in Vault, early in the first game. It is mentioned by an NPC lady that their group left several hours before Isaac got into Vault.

Ivan was in Vault. Saturos and Menardi lacked a Jupiter Adept, but they also lack tact. Option one is that they send Felix to negotiate with the boy to get him to join them (Felix is clearly a better talker than the rest, and they need to explain things to Jenna and Kraden so they stop dragging their heels. That, and kidnapping a boy seems like it would cause them more problems than they would want, even as ready to take the road and road alone as they are), and Felix convinces Ivan that sure, he should head with this group to save the world. Just as soon as he gets his magic stick that helps him. (those poor thieves, that poor inn-)

This would greatly hinder and unbalance Isaacs party, but we can pretend that the mandatory WHIRLWIND rock was "Saturos and Menardi covering their trail", and it becomes easier for them to stalk the other group just because they are rushed. On the other hand, Ivan likes reading minds, so he could find out that Isaac and Co think Saturos and Menardi are out to destroy the world, and open Isaac and Co to discussion at Venus. (Mercury would be brushed off, but settle in their minds a little)


The other option is that they start talking to Ivan, only to spot Isaac and Garet (or perhaps hear them noisily being excited about a new place), and have to run. Ivan joins the party as is normal, but is more open to talking to Saturos and Menardi.


At Venus, regardless of what path was taken, Saturos and Menardi fall off the other side of the lighthouse. In the second path, it would be a split second Hero Moment, Ivan trying to save them because he's the only one who can catch all four.

Obviously, this drastically changes the second game.

Their ship is still wrecked, however, so much of it retains a similar look. Only Karst and Agaito join them instead of Alex, who is forever not quite sure he likes this.