As some of you already know, this story revolves around Hiro and his friends. The legend started a long time ago. The soul of Goddess Althena was separated into two bodies, Lucia and Goddess Althena's final reincarnated form: a baby girl by the name of Luna. During her last reincarnation, Luna fell in love with a Dragon Master named Alex. She gave up her immortality to spend her life with this guy. Her hologram revealed this sacred secret to Lucia, who called upon Althena's power. This power was Creation, a spell that would destroy all living things and rebuild the stars. Lucia left Hiro and his group to defeat the revived evil, Zophar. Of course, knowing Hiro's feelings for Lucia, he and the rest of his friends went after her. Lucia did what she could to use beautiful Althena's power of Creation. Unfortunately, Lucia could not handle the power or the spell, so Zophar took his chance and then took Lucia hostage. Hiro and his group managed to come back to Zophar's base, free Lucia, and then defeat Zophar. Even with her friends not wanting her to go, Lucia went back to the Blue Star she was to protect and managed to turn Hiro's home, on the planet Lunar, into a place full of prosperity. That was just the beginning of the legends of Lunar...
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Hiro was exploring the Dragon Cave that he and Ruby, his baby red dragon, had explored a couple years before.

"Hey, Ruby, did you hear something?" Hiro asked.

"Nope! Not me! You know, sometimes I think you're imagining things," said Ruby.

Hiro shrugged as he patted Ruby on the head, "Well, whatever you say, Ruby..."

Ruby grinned as she looked up at Hiro from mid-air. She blushed as she gazed. Hiro had grown into a very handsome young man for eighteen years of age. Even though he was usually happy, carefree, and laid back, there were times that Hiro would space out and lose his beautiful smile.

In fact, now was one of those times, "Hiro, what are you thinking about?"

Hiro shook his head, as he smiled, "It's nothing, Ruby. Let's go back to Grandpa's!"

Ruby nodded as they walked out of the Dragon Cave and headed back to Hiro's grandfather's house. They ran inside and greeted Gwyn, Hiro's grandfather.

"Grandpa, we're home!" said Hiro.

Gwyn smiled, "You know, if you weren't late all the time, I'd worry about you."

Hiro shrugged, "Sorry."

Suddenly Gwyn led Hiro onto the roof of the house.

"Hiro, you remember when we had all those adventures in the Blue Spire?" he asked.

Hiro nodded and smiled, "Yeah! That was fun!"

Gwyn pointed at the sky of the spire to see a blue light float into the spire.

"Look, Hiro!" exclaimed Ruby.

Hiro's eyes widened, "Let's go check that out!"

They left Gwyn's house and headed to the Blue Spire. After their last adventures there, the revolving globes were still in place. They transported to the second floor of the spire and walked to the center of the spire's tower. There, they saw a familiar blue crystal holding a girl with blue hair. The crystal exploded and the girl's green eyes blinked slowly.

"Who... who are you?" asked Hiro.

The girl looked down upon him and gave a soft smile, "Hiro... it's me..."

Hiro's cheeks flushed, "?! Uh... Lucia?"

Ruby gasped, following his shock, "Lucia?!"

Lucia's kind eyes lit up, "Hello, Hiro. Hello, Ruby. How are things on Lunar?"

Hiro hesitated, "... Come home with us and... uh... we'll get you dressed. You're gonna catch cold like that..."

He took off his coat and wrapped it around her as they left the Blue Spire to go back to Gwyn's house.

When they got to the house, Hiro carefully showed Lucia to the bathroom where she could change.

He went to Gwyn's living room and sat down on the couch, "Ah..."

He leaned his back and closed his eyes as he heard her soft voice, "Hiro...?"

Hiro opened his eyes to see Lucia in a spaghetti-strapped silky blue dress, "Lucia!"

Lucia hesitated for a moment out of surprise, "Do you not like it?"

It took a moment for Hiro to come out of his staring phase, "No! I mean... you're... uh... um..."

He blushed brightly, "You're gorgeous!"

Lucia gave a confused look, but recovered quickly, "Gorgeous? Thank you... I think..."

"Out of my way! Out of my way!" called a voice.

Formerly known as White Knight Leo, Leo stormed into the room, causing Lucia to move and fall into Hiro's arms.

Leo turned back to the two, not noticing Lucia at first, "Hiro! Where is your grandfather?!"

Hiro pointed at the staircase, "He's probably on the roof."

Leo nodded as he turned away. Then he turned back to Hiro and then rook notice of the pretty blue-hair girl.

"Hiro, is that...?" he was daring to ask.

Hiro nodded, "Yes, it's Lucia..."

Lucia turned to face him as she draped her arms around his neck, "What, Hiro? Leo does not recognise anymore?"

Hiro blushed seriously debating whether he should put his arms around Lucia, "Uh... yes..."

Leo smiled, "I see you two are much closer than before."

Hiro blushed some more, "Uh... it's not what you think! Why are you here, anyway?"

Leo furrowed his eyebrows, "Mm... Ronfar made me mad, so I made him stay with my sister in the Magic City, so I could come here. I saw a bright light in the spire and I wanted to know what it was."

Hiro jerked his head at Lucia, "It was Lucia."

Leo rolled his eyes, "I figured as much. Well, I must continue on."

Hiro thought deeply as he watched Leo leave the room. He came back to reality when Lucia leaned her head onto his shoulder.

"Lucia?" he asked, "Are you okay?"

Lucia nodded, "I'm fine..."

"Are you sure? I mean, you don't act.... Uh... Lucia?" he asked.

"I'm fine, like I said. It's nice to be safe... again..." Lucia trailed off.

Hiro looked down at her, "It's okay, Lucia."

He waited for an answer, which didn't come, "Lucia...? Lucia?"

He saw that she had fallen asleep and laid his head on hers as he closed his eyes and puts his arms around her, "That's right, Lucia. You're safe again... I'll... protect... you..."

"Hiro?" he heard later.

He opened one eye slowly, "Mm?"

He lifted his head as a hand came to ruffle his hair. He looked up some more to see a young lady with green hair.

"Jean? What are you doing here?" he asked.

She shrugged, 'Sorry... I just got bored in the Magic City, but I got a lot of training!"

Hiro reached his arms up realising Lucia was still asleep and yawned, "Man... how long have I slept?"

"Approximately two hours. Hiro... why has Lucia returned?" asked Jean.

Hiro gave a look of concern, "I don't know. She's really tired and she needed some sleep. I'll let her wake up on her own. Then we'll find out why she's come back to Lunar."

Jean nodded, "Of course, Hiro. As you wish."

Hiro smiled, "Thanks..."

"Happy hour! Lady Luck, be kind! I'm a sucker for a good day! There are some times you walk and some times you RUN!!!" came Ronfar's voice.

He ran into Gwyn's living room and started to dance around with Jean, "Hey, baby. What's up?"

Jean shoved him away from her, "Stay away from me, you freak!"

Hiro put a finger up to his lips, "Be quiet you guys! You're going to wake up Lucia!"

Too late.... Lucia stretched and yawned to see she was still sitting upon Hiro's lap.

"Ronfar? Jean?" she asked, noticing the two.

They turned to face her, "Lucia?"

Lucia nodded, "Where's Lemina?"

"She in Vane working on special training. I just came back from there. Leo told me to stay, but I didn't. Awww... Hiro, it looks like you got some.... Heh, heh, heh..." grinned Ronfar.

Lemina came in behind him and smacked him, "Don't be a perv! Lucia, cream his mangy ugly butt!"

Lucia smiled, "It's okay, Hiro. I'm hungry. May I have something to eat?"

Hiro nodded, "I'll make food for us all."

He lifted Lucia off his lap and made her sit in his place on the couch.

About twenty minutes later...

"Hmmm.... What do you suppose Hiro's cooking?" asked Lemina.

Ronfar shrugged, "I don't know. I don't think he can cook in the first place. He just wants to impress Lucia."

Lucia cheeks flushed, "I'm sure that's not it..."

Jean and Lemina turned to her with surprise, "Are you crazy?! Hiro's obviously in love with you! You should hear him when you aren't around! He's always talking about how you're the most beautiful girl he's ever seen! What do you call that, Lucia?!"

Lucia blushed again, "Uh... a crush...?"

Lemina smacked herself in the forehead as Jean rolled her eyes.

Ronfar sat down next to Lucia, "It's called infatuation! Haven't you ever heard of that?!"

Lucia shook her head slowly, "No... I'm not like the rest of you. I don't really understand what all is going on..."

The three nodded as Leo, Gwyn, and Ruby came downstairs, "Ronfar? Jean? Lemina? When did you guys get here?"

The three looked at each other, "Somewhere between two hours and two minutes ago."

"Where's Hiro?" asked Ruby.

"I ate him! I was hungry!" exclaimed Ronfar.

"Not true!" said Lemina.

"Shows how much you know!" retorted Ronfar.

"That would be kind of funny..." said Jean.

Lemina and Ronfar turned to her, "Who asked you?"

That started a big argument between the three, so for convenience they went upstairs.

"Hiro's making lunch," said Lucia quietly.

Ruby nodded and flew over to where she was sitting, "You're sitting in Hiro's spot! Who gave you permission, to do such a thing?!"

Hiro's voice belted out from the kitchen, "it's okay, Ruby! I told her she could sit there!"

"Well, fine! Hmph!" said Ruby.

She landed on the couch softly and rested her head upon the soft cushion beneath her. She usually sat Hiro's shoulder, but there was no way she'd do that for Lucia. To her, Lucia was just trying to steal Hiro away. This caused many conflicts for Ruby.

"Lucia, get your feet off my cushion!" she snapped.

Lucia looked at her apologetically and moved her feet, "I'm sorry..."

Suddenly, Hiro came out of the kitchen, "Lunch time! Come and get it!"

Steps sounded like thunder as Ronfar, Lemina, and Jean blundered down the stairs. They caught themselves in the kitchen doorway and fought over who'd get to go through first.

"Don't you know ladies go first?!" Lemina asked Ronfar.

Ronfar shrugged, "Well, first of all, I don't consider you a lady. You don't act like one!"

Lucia got up off of the couch followed by Ruby and stopped behind Lemina, Jean, and Ronfar.

Lemina tried to hit Ronfar, but he ducked and she ended up hitting Jean, "Ronfar! You jerk! Hold still so I can cream your mangy ugly butt!"

Jean shook off Lemina's hit and shoved her way past Ronfar, but he grabbed her and pulled her back, "You're no lady, either!"

Jean tried to control her anger, "At least I dance! Ladies do that!"

Ronfar sighed, "You two are poor excuses for women! You guys are an insult to women society!"

Lucia tapped him on the shoulder, "...Excuse me?"

Ronfar turned to her, surprised, and shoved Lemina and Jean out of the way so Lucia could go through, "After you, pretty Lucia."

Lucia smiled as she walked past Ronfar who was trying to bow charmingly (and not succeeding), "Thank you, Ronfar."

Lemina's mouth dropped open in awe, "Why'd you let Lucia through?!"

Jean nodded in agreement, "Yeah!"

Ronfar smiled, "Lucia is a true young lady. She's got elegance, grace, and beauty. To me, she's the perfect woman. I like her figure too. Not too big in the front and back and not too small either."

Lemina threw a punch that actually hit him, "Well, take that from this elegant, graceful, and beautiful young lady!"

Ronfar sunk to the ground as Jean kicked him in the chest, "Yeah!"

The two girls left Ronfar wincing in pain and walked through the kitchen doorway. As Ruby tried to go through, Ronfar weakly stuck his arm out to block her.

"Halt.... Who goes there?" he asked.

Ruby flipped out her claws and glared at him. Ronfar quickly moved his arm as Ruby walked through, gracefully. Leo helped Ronfar up and brushed him off.

"Thanks, Bro!" Ronfar exclaimed.

Leo raised his eyebrows as to question.

Ronfar noticed this, "Oh! You know, Leo! If I marry your sister, Mauri, then I'll be your brother-in-law! Get it?"

Leo sighed with exasperation, "I get it. Why Mauri goes for a young man with the intelligence quotient lower than a rock, I do not know, but I will not stop her."

Ronfar stuck his tongue out, "I have the good looks."

"You... you do not have good anything about you. I am highly displeased," said Leo.

Ronfar smirked, "At least I look better than you, 'cause you ugly!"

Leo held his head high as he walked past Ronfar, "Come, Gwyn. I have nothing more to discuss with this rogue."

Gwyn gave a funny look to Ronfar and shrugged, "Of course, Lord Leo. Let us eat."

Ronfar was the last to be seated at the dining table.

Lemina was already chowing down.

Jean looked at her with disbelief, "Is it really that good?!"

Lemina nodded, "It's great!"

Hiro blushed as he palmed the back of his neck, "Thanks, Lemina! Heh, heh..."

Jean took her first bite. Then another. Finally, she ate at a steady pace, "This is good, Hiro!"

Hiro smiled, "Thank you, Jean!"

(Note: This next part is completely pointless. I only wrote it because I was hungry. Feel free to skim through...)

Really, Hiro had just made some cherry tarts from sweet black cherries and sweet Vienna bread dough. He managed to grab a bunch of salad items too: chicory, watercress, Chinese cabbage, and cos lettuce. And there were vegetables: Swiss chard, rhubarb, cardoon, sugar peas, sweet white corn kernels, Jerusalem artichokes, kohlrabi, celeriac, rutabaga, salsify, shallot, and scallion. Lots of fruit too: okra, Japanese plums, quince, currant berries, kumquats, kiwi, guavas, litchi, pomegranates, and Indian figs. Next came nuts: chestnuts, pecans, pine, Brazil, almonds, and hazelnuts. Following that was Ronfar's favourite group, cheeses: Muenster, chévre , Camembert, Danish blue, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Gruyere, emmenthal, petite suisse, ricotta, and tomme au raisin. Last, but not least, desserts: charlotte, cobblers, pies, soufflé, crème caramel, profiterole, tarts (like you don't know this already), turnovers, Swiss roles, Yule logs, and crêpe suzettes.

Lucia looked at all the food, "Hiro... you made all of this?"

Hiro blushed again, "Yes. Some of it was in the refrigerator, though. Most of it I made in the last twenty minutes... with some help from this."

He held up Lucia's pendant as she gasped, "Hiro!"

Hiro laughed, "Just kidding! I used some of my magic! Here, you can have your pendant back."

He handed it to Lucia who took it quickly and laid it gently around her neck, "Thank you."

Hiro pulled out Lucia's chair for her to sit down, "Sit, Lucia! Sit and eat!"

Lucia tried to protest, "I'll be happy to help!"

Hiro shook his head, "It's okay, Lucia! Really! Just eat! It makes me happy to see you all eating together like a family! That's thanks enough!"

After they were done eating, they all wandered into the living room to sit down.

Hiro sat in his seat on the couch and pulled Lucia next to him, unaware that he was still grasping her hand within his.

After everyone had found a place to sit down, Lucia tapped on Hiro's left shoulder, "Hiro...?"

He turned to her, "Yes, Lucia?"

Lucia blushed faintly as he smiled, "May I have my hand back?"

Hiro's face turned a crimson hue, "Of course! I'm sorry!"

Lucia, Lemina, and Jean giggled, ~ He's so cute! ~

Leo was the one who had brought the question up that was on everyone's mind.

"Lucia," he started, "Why have you come back to Lunar?"

Lucia looked down at the floor, "I do not know. I was reawakened and sent back here to the Blue Spire. I feel an evil premonition and I have a feeling someone in Zophar's league has come to turn Lunar into a state of devastation and destruction! I am here to stop it- whatever "it" is!"

Hiro took Lucia's hands and brought them to his lips, "As long as my name is Hiro, I will stand by Lucia and help her fight this evil feeling!"

Lucia felt a bit taken back, "You will...?"

Hiro nodded as he kissed her left hand, "Anything for you, Lucia!"

Lemina and Jean exchanged looks, thinking the same thing, ~ How sweet! ...Lucky for Lucia! I wish I was her! ~

Lucia blushed fully aware that everyone was waiting for her reaction. She lunged forward and threw her arms around Hiro to embrace him.

"Thank you, Hiro! You and the others have always come through for me!" she exclaimed.

Hiro was surprised at first, but he gave a relaxing smile as he wrapped one hand into Lucia's hair and another around her to hold her close, "You're... y-you're welcome, Lucia! Heh!"

"Hiro, that's enough! Thanks to your gourmet lunch, it's time to sleep! I'm going! See the rest of you later!" exclaimed Ruby as she floated outside to sleep.

Hiro nodded pushing Lucia away, "Ruby's right. We all need our sleep! See y'all tomorrow!"

The others followed him outside and set up their blankets and pillows, falling asleep after looking up at the blinking constellations above them. Hiro awoke during the night and recognised the sweet song of a familiar voice. As he sat up, he looked around. Ronfar had tried his best to sleep close enough to Jean without actually sleeping with her. Ruby was asleep on his pillow. And Lemina was sleeping close to Hiro's blanket.

He sighed to himself, "Uh-oh... where's Lucia?"

As he got up he could hear the others stirring and talking in their sleep.

"That's right. Come here. Let me touch your fuzzy dice... that's a good girl!" muttered Ronfar.

Hiro snorted, "Great. Ronfar's having another bar dream."

"Whaddya mean I can't dance?! Are you crazy? Blue Dragon Fist! Taste my anger!" Jean was exclaiming as she twitched in her sleep.

"Grr... I could've sworn that my one hundred twenty-three yen was in my purse! Now... where did I put it?" Lemina asked herself.

Hiro ignored the sleep talkers and walked to the lake that was behind Gwyn's house. He came to a clearing from the evergreen trees and came closer to that angelic voice. As he walked closer, he caught the familiar glimpse of Lucia skinny-dipping like she had done so long ago. It was her! She was the one with the angelic voice! She pushed herself onto the dock and sat as she brought her hair in front of her left shoulder and wrung it out.

Hiro watched spellbound, not capable of removing his eyesight from the beauty of her moonlight body, "Lucia..."

Lucia turned as if she had been called and her cheeks flushed, "Hiro!"

She jumped back into the water and peeked over the dock's edge at him, as the tips of her ears became a ruddy hue.

"I'm not looking!" Hiro protested as he brought his hands to his eyes and closed them.

"Hiro..." Lucia started with surprised calm, "What are you doing here...?"

Hiro turned his back to her, "I just heard your singing and I followed it here. Please don't be mad at me, Lucia! I'm sorry! I'll see you later!"

Before she could reply, Hiro had run back off to his sleeping bag and the others. Lucia pushed herself out of the water again and dried herself off with a towel before putting back on her blue dress. When she returned to the scene where Hiro and the others lay fast asleep, she kneeled down to Hiro and pressed her lips to his forehead.

"You always make my life complicated... but exciting at the same time..." she said softly before she went off to her blanket.

The next morning, everyone received Ruby's rude wake up call.

"If you don't wake up everyone will leave you behind!" she was yelling.

Ronfar took off one of his shoes, sleepily, and threw it at Ruby only to miss her, "Hiro, tell your fat cat to shut up and let us sleep...!"

Ruby turned red with fury, "I'm not fat and I'm not a cat!"

Hiro pulled Ronfar to his feet and smiled brightly, "Too much sleep will ruin your day, Ronfar."

Ronfar didn't smile back, "Whatever. Why don't you go make out with Lucia or something?"

Lemina smacked him in the back of his head, "Ronfar, he's not you! Why don't you lay off?!"

"Yeah!" exclaimed Jean in agreement.

Hiro sighed, "Just what we need early in the morning... an argument between those three..."

"Good morning, kids!" exclaimed Gwyn from the front door with Leo and Lucia.

~ Lucia! ~ Hiro thought, ~ Uh-oh... ~

"Morning, Grandpa!" Hiro greeted quickly, "Uh... I have to go to the bathroom!"

He ran past the three in the doorway before anyone could say anything.

Lucia's face held obvious concern, "I wonder what that was all about..."

Gwyn laughed, "Lucia, Hiro's all right!"

Leo gave her a broad smile, "Hiro's just constipated, I bet. He'll make a wonderful husband for you!"

No one replied to that for a moment.

"Husband?" asked Lucia, furrowing her eyebrows.

Leo nodded, "Yes. A husband is like the one you fall in love with and you marry him, meaning you basically split your life in half and give him, your husband, half of what you own and yourself. You make true love vows that you'll both forever cherish and hold each other dear to your hearts."

Lucia shook her head, "No, I don't think you understand. Hiro and I aren't getting married..."

Leo turned red, "I was under the impression that you two were... together... uh... a couple.... Ya know?"

Lucia shook her head again and smiled, "No... I... um... I don't like or love Hiro in that way you speak of..."

Hiro came back out and then walked past Leo, Lucia, and Gwyn cautiously.

Ruby flew over to him and sat upon his shoulder, "Come over here, Lucia!"

Lucia hesitated, but walked over to the other side of Hiro, "Hello, Ruby, Jean, Lemina, Ronfar, um... Hiro."

She blushed furiously as she said his name and turned away.

"Um... hi, Lucia..." Hiro did the same and turned the opposite way.

Ruby noticed this and raised an eyebrow, not liking secrets to be kept from her, "Hey... did something happen between you two that I should know about?!"

Hiro and Lucia turned back to each other simultaneously, "No! Of course not!"

Hiro calmed down first, "I mean, no. Nothing happened."

Lucia nodded, "Right..."

Ronfar smirked as though he knew, "Oooh... kinky..."

Lemina rolled her eyes, "Oh, shut up, Ronfar!"

Hiro put his hands together ignoring Ronfar's disturbing comment, "Well, what should we do today?"

Jean, Lemina, and Ronfar smiled, "Let's go to the Circus Caravan!"

Lucia and Hiro smiled, "Okay!"

This was agreed upon, so everyone except Gwyn and Leo left to walk to the Circus Caravan.

They'd all been there before. Of course, this was when Leo had thought Lucia was the Destroyer. And then, of course, she was no less than Goddess Althena herself. Do any of them remember this...?

Lucia twirled about happily, "I feel like a little kid again!"

Hiro turned to her, surprised, and blinked a couple of times, blankly, "Huh?! Lucia... what'd you say??"

Lucia blushed as she covered her mouth for a moment and then spoke softly, "Nothing! I mean, I've just always wanted to say that!"

Lemina threw her arms around Lucia and gave her a hug, "It's okay, Lucia! You're still a young lady! And you're totally full of dreams!"

Hiro smiled at the two, "Lemina's right! You're still a young lady! A beautiful one, may I add. I'm sure your dreams are gorgeous just like you, Lucia!"

Lucia ducked beneath her silky blue hair, "Thank you, Hiro. You're much too kind..."

Hiro took her hand as Lemina released her, "Lucia, come with me..."

Lucia looked behind herself as she was pulled after him. Hiro led her to the back of the Circus Caravan and up some against a ledge. From the high elevation, she could see quite a bit of the landscape of Lunar.

"Wow!" she commented.

Hiro smiled, "You like?"

Lucia nodded excitedly, "Oh, yes! Yes, I do! This is like looking at Lunar from the Blue Star! Or... in the past... looking at the Silver Star..."

"Silver Star? What was that?" asked Hiro.

Lucia shook her head, "It's a very long story. I don't think you'd be interested."

Hiro sat down and pulled Lucia down next to him, "No, tell me, Lucia! What was the Silver Star?"

Lucia smiled and started to speak with her musical voice, "A long time ago, there were inhabitants upon the Blue Star, which was known as Terra. The Magic Emperor, Ghaleon, gained too much power and greed. He and his loyal subjects all turned to the dark side of our Blue Star. Emperor Ghaleon fought free of his evil, but his advisor, Zophar, killed him. Zophar took over the others and the rest of the inhabitants, so Goddess Althena brought everyone who was not already taken over to the Silver Star, now known as Lunar. She returned to the Blue Star and used the Power of Creation to defeat Zophar. She did this and destroyed Zophar, the Blue Star, and herself. When she was reincarnated, as you know, she was reborn as Luna and gave up her immortality to rebuild the Blue Star. The Blue Star is still not a safe place, that's why you now continue to live on the Blue Star's moon, Lunar... the Silver Star."

Hiro nodded slowly, "You seem to know a lot about the history of Lunar and the Blue Star. How?"

Lucia held out her hands in a shrugging manner, "I really don't know. Just one day, I was born onto the world as Lucia with only one clue as to what to do, protect the Blue Star. That has always been my mission, but now, I protect Lunar as well."

Hiro smiled as he put his hands upon her shoulders, "Yeah, but you're not alone! The rest of us will always help you!"

Lucia gave a slight smile, "That's true. I can always count on you guys."

She stood up, "As much as I'd like to stay, we should probably go back and meet the others."

Hiro nodded, "Right! Let's go!"

They rushed down the stairs just in time to hear Ronfar shooting off his mouth.

"You know... Hiro's been gone for a while. Maybe he's got a bunch of girls and he's getting' it on! Maybe he's really a pimp in disguise!" Ronfar had stated.

At this point, there was nothing that anyone could do that would tell Ronfar to get a life. If they hit him anymore, they'd probably get sued by his fiancé, Mauri, or they'd cause brain damage. Then again, not like that would change anything anyway. Maybe if they threatened to take Ronfar's bar privileges away...

"Ronfar, if you say something that mean, rude, and stupid about Hiro or anyone else in our group, Lemina and I will chain you to the wall where you'll never see another bar or female again! We'll make you watch sappy soap operas twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and three hundred sixty-five days a year. Are we making ourselves clear?!" Jean snapped.

Ronfar nearly dropped to his knees, "Please don't do that! I wouldn't be able to live! I won't say anything more!"

Hiro smiled, "Jean, it looks like we've found Ronfar's weak spot, thanks to you!"

Jean winked at him, "No problem!"

Lucia came down the stairs after Hiro, "Many times what Ronfar says I do not understand. "Getting it on?" and "pimp?" What is the meaning of those words?"
Lemina shook her head, "You do not want to know and no one here will tell you. It's better left unsaid."

Lucia nodded, "I understand..."

Lemina smiled as she turned to Jean, "Great! Hey, Jean, remember our old hand rhythm and song we use to sing? Let's do that!"

Jean snorted, "All right! You start, Lemina. Then Ronfar, me, and Hiro!"

Hiro shook his head, "I think not. Leave me out of this!"

Jean rolled her eyes, "Lemina, do the hand rhythm with Ronfar and I'll teach Lucia."

She grabbed Lucia by the arm and taught her the hand movements very slowly, so Lucia would get them.

After repeating them three times, Lucia nodded, "Okay... I've got it..."

Jean smiled, "Yay! Okay! You're up, Lemina. Let's see if you can still keep up the speed!"

Lemina laughed as her and Ronfar's hands began to clap (Note: this part is extremely pointless. I'm so sorry... I was bored when I wrote this...), "Aggravation, mental retardation! Aggravation, this is how you play! First you take a bowling ball, then you roll it down the hall. Smack your dad and make him mad! Oh-oh-oh!"

Ronfar continued on, "Aggravation, mental retardation! Aggravation, this is how you play! First you take a garden hose, then you stick it up your nose! Then you turn the water on, oh-oh-oh!"

Jean had been doing pretty good too, "Aggravation, mental retardation! Aggravation, this is how you play! First you take a pillowcase, then you wrap it 'round your face! Wake up dead, in your bed! Oh-oh-oh!"

It took a moment for Lucia to understand, but then her pretty voice sung out, "Aggravation, mental retardation! Aggravation, this is how you play! Grandpa's in the nursing home, thought he broke his middle bone! Tried to eat, broker feet! Oh-oh-oh!"

They all sang the last verse together, "Aggravation, mental retardation! Aggravation, that was how you played!"

Lemina and Jean broke into giggles, followed by Lucia, who giggled uncertainly.

Hiro joined the laughter, but only to laugh at them, "You guys... you crack me up!"

Lemina glared at him, "Lucia, aren't you going to hit him?! I mean, he's your boyfriend!"

Lucia gave a perplexed look, "What do you mean? He hasn't done anything wrong!"

Hiro broke in, "And I'm not her boyfriend."

"You're not?" asked Jean and Lemina.

Hiro shook his head, "Nope!"

Jean and Lemina exchanged looks and then smiled sweetly back at Hiro, ~ Great! He's free! I'll take him! ~

Hiro saw this and backed away, "Hey, I think I hear Ruby calling me! See ya guys later!"

He departed from the group as he sprinted through the Circus Caravan.

Ronfar looked around for a moment and then started to run after him, "Hiro, wait for me! Don't leave me here with these women!"

Lemina gave Jean an odd look as Ronfar ran off, "That was slightly awkward..."

Jean nodded, "Tell me about it..."

Lucia raised her eyebrows, "That was odd. I wonder what's going on..."

After a moment of silence, the three girls looked at each other.

Suddenly, Lemina grinned from ear to ear.

"Oh, Luciaaaa?" she started.

Lucia looked at her, "Yes, Lemina?"

"You said Hiro wasn't your boyfriend..." continued Lemina slowly.

Lucia was waiting for a finish, "Yes? Is there a point to this?"

"Yes, there is! Anyway, I was wondering... do I have permission to chase after Hiro and make him mine? I mean he's not your boyfriend or anything," Lemina finally concluded.

Jean nodded excitedly, "Yeah! Yeah! Me too!"

Lucia thought for a moment, "From my perspective, I'd say yes, but Hiro shouldn't be treated like a possession. I mean, you two should let him decide who he wants to be with."

Jean and Lemina rolled their eyes, "Lucia, we all know he'd choose you, but you don't like him, so he's up for grabs!"

Lemina smiled big, "And he's mine!"

Jean shoved her, "No, he's mine!"

Lemina shoved her back, "No, mine!"

Jean: "No, mine!"

Lemina: "Mine!"

Jean: "Mine!"

Lemina: "Mine!"

Jean: "Mine!"

Lucia looked up at the Blue Star, ignoring the two fighting girls, "That's right..."

She turned to the direction that the breeze was blowing, as it blew her ocean of blue hair over her shoulders and across her back, "Hiro..."

"Lucia?" asked Jean.

"What do you think?" asked Lemina.

Lucia turned to them quickly, "What?"

Jean and Lemina giggled, "Maybe he'll court both of us! Hee, hee!"

Lucia didn't reply.

"Lucia's not amused..." said Jean as she stopped giggling.

Lemina shook her head, as she came up with an idea, "Let's go get Lucia a new outfit!"

Jean nodded, "Yeah! This will be fun!"

They each took one of Lucia's hands and dragged her to the dressing rooms for the Caravan's performers (Jean, being one of them).

"What do you want to wear, Lucia?" Jean asked her.

Lucia shrugged, "I really don't have a preference."

Lemina pulled out an ivory button-down dress with no sleeves, "How 'bout this?"

Lucia shook her head, so Jean pulled out a low cut black dress, "This?"

Lucia shook her head again, "I like what I'm in!"

Jean and Lemina ignored her as they finally pulled out a last outfit, a blue blouse that was shiny, and tight, shiny black bell-bottoms.

"This will look terrific!" they concluded.

Before Lucia could protest, they grabbed her and put the outfit onto her as well as gave her a make over and put her hair up into a high ponytail.

When they were done, Jean handed a mirror to Lucia, "Check yourself out! You're one hot chick!"

Lucia gasped when she saw her reflection, "What did you guys do?! I mean, what gave you two the nerve to do this?! I mean, whatever! This is the first, only, and last time I end up looking like this!"

Lemina showed signs of panic. They'd never seen Lucia get mad, so it was probably not a good time to get on her bad side.

"For what I think, Lucia, you're beautiful," said a deep voice.

The three girls turned around to see Leo.

Lucia's cheeks blushed, "Thank you, Lord Leo..."

Leo smiled broadly, "Don't mention it, Lucia..."

He looked around quickly, "Hey... where's Hiro and Ronfar?"

Lemina giggled, "They got scared and ran away from us!"

Leo put his left hand to his chin, thinking, "It must've been you and Jean then."

Jean glared at him, "What do you mean by that?!"

"I was just saying! It's not supposed to imply anything! Hiro and Ronfar wouldn't run away from Lucia, so it'd have to be you two!" explained Leo.

"You should've said that earlier..." muttered Lemina.

"Well, my apologies," said Leo.

"I don't know about you, but I'm going to sign up for tonight's dinner theatre. Coming, Lemina, Lucia?" asked Jean as she looked at the two.

Lemina nodded, "All right. Yes, I'm coming."

Lucia hesitated, "Um... okay..."

Leo shook his head, "Come with me, Lucia."

"What?! Why?!" Lemina snapped.

"We just have to talk. Come along, Lucia," said Leo quietly.

Lucia smiled, "All right. Coming..."

She followed Leo uncertainly and bid farewell to Lemina and Jean.

"'Bye, Lucia!" they chimed.

They left the dressing rooms and stopped by the dinner theatre.

Lemina was watching over her shoulder, "You're evil, Jean..."

Jean turned and smiled after she put the clipboard back, "No, I'm not. Lucia needs help adjusting. She's got a beautiful voice. This will help her so much. You'll help me right, Lemina? And you won't tell her?"

Lemina thought for a few moments and after what seemed like hours, she nodded, "All right. I'll help you, Jean, and I won't tell Lucia. Let's go pick out your guys' outfits!"

Jean nodded happily, "Yay! Let's go!"

They ran back off to the dressing rooms to pick out the outfits.

Meanwhile...

Lucia smiled, "Thank you for telling me, Lord Leo."

Leo smiled back at her, "It was no trouble, Lucia."

(Huh?! What's going on?! What'd Leo tell Lucia?! Like you can't tell, we won't be hearing this conversation or not much anyway.)

Lucia nodded, "Well, after hearing what everyone else has said, I should probably believe it."

Leo nodded in agreement, "You're probably right."

They turned a corner from one of the Caravan tents and saw a poster scroll for the dinner theatre. Leo looked at it and began to read it aloud:

He turned to look at Lucia, "Uh, Lucia... take a look at this!"

Lucia looked to the poster as her face showed, confusion, concern, and fury, "Who put my name on this?! Who played this tease on me?! How unnerving!"

Lemina and Jean ran around from behind the corner, which coincidentally, they happened to be behind.

"Uh... judging by Lucia's face, she found out she's on the sheet," said Lemina.

"Who did this?!" Lucia demanded to know.

Jean laced her hands together, "Lucia, please don't be mad. You have such a beautiful voice and everyone deserves to hear it. Well, thinking this, when I signed my name I thought you'd like to join in the fun, so I put your name next to mine. And we're last up."

"Do you know that this is a competition?" asked Leo.

"Uh... I didn't, but now I do. It's no big deal..." Jean trailed off.

"It's not that! Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?!" Lucia snapped.

Jean shook her head, "No! Lemina and I thought this would help you to adjust to Lunar."

Lemina turned her head from Jean, "Not-uh! Leave me out of this!"

"Lemina, you said you'd help me!" Jean exclaimed.

Lemina crossed her arms, "Well, I changed my mind."

Jean gave a look as to pull out her hair, "You are making me mad, Lemina! Take some credit too! You helped with the outfits!"

Lemina smiled, "Right! The clothes are so pretty! Jean and I did good with those!"

Lucia bit her lip, "Um... I'm sorry to ruin this for you, but I'm not doing this."

"What?! Please, Lucia! You'll do great!" exclaimed Jean.

Lucia shrugged, "I'm not sure if I should. I'm a bit nervous."

"We'll teach you a dance and the song Jean sings, okay?" asked Lemina.

Lucia sighed, "Fine... you guys are going to have to help me a lot."

A couple hours later...

"Why are we here anyway?!" whined Ruby.

"Because Jean's in the competition! We need to support her!" said Hiro.

Lemina beamed, "I'm so proud of them! I mean, her! She'll be great!"

Apparently, everyone had met together again and they were waiting to see the last act, unaware that Lucia was also a part of it (except Lemina, of course).

"Come on! I don't have all day!" Ronfar muttered impatiently.

He stopped and thought for a moment, "Actually, I do. Well... whatever..."

"Talking to yourself, Little Brother? It looks like Mauri is going to have to take you to a psychiatrist," said Leo.

Ronfar shook his head, "I ain't goin' to see any shrink! Forget that! In your face, dirt bag!"

Lemina rolled her eyes, "Leo, shall I dispose of this pesky creep?"

Leo shook his head, "No... We'll let him see Jean dance before we torture him..."

"Last," started the hostess, Himeko.

"But not least," continued the host, Kakeru.

"Our final and probably best act!" the two chimed.

Hiro's group gave lots of whistles and claps to see Jean walk out in a short blue, sequined dress with her hair in a ponytail, and dark green ringlets falling around her sienna complexion. Following her was Lucia in the identical style to Jean. She seemed radiant (or maybe that was the dress or the glitter upon her face...).

Hiro nearly fell over as his eyesight laid upon her, "Lucia!"

Lucia gave a smile and winked at Hiro to let him know it was no joke, "Let's go, Jean."

Jean nodded, "Right on, Lucia! You go!"

Lucia started, "Una mujer quiere sentir..."

Jean echoed her, "Una mujer quiere sentir..."

"Yo te agradezco por insistir, por seguir. Dando tiempo a que me antregue a ti. Comprendiendo mis miedos, sin vencerte jamás..." Lucia sand.

She flipped her hair back behind her shoulders as she closed her eyes (this is another pointless part), "Me atrevo a ver pero sin tocar. Yo quiero más que una noche loca. Gracias por comprender. Por no ser impaciente y serme fiel."

Jean joined her finally, "Una mujer, quiere sentire. Que es bienamada y no la haràn sufrir. Y tendras su amor como lo sonaste. Una mujer quiere sentire. Antes de darse que es feliz. Te dirá que si, sin miedo a entregarse."

Ronfar grinned as he elbowed Hiro, "What do you think?"

Hiro nodded and grinned back, "I was right! Lucia's got a beautiful voice!"

Lemina grabbed his arm and leaned her head upon his shoulder, "Yeah..."

Ronfar thought for a moment, "Anyone know what they're saying?"

No one said anything, but shaky laughter broke the ice.

Hiro chuckled, "Nope!"

Lemina giggled, "This is normal for me! Jean's always speaking Español!"

They waited for the rest of the song to end before they crowded before the door to Jean and Lucia's dressing room.

Jean opened the door after they had freshened themselves up still wearing the same outfits.

"What'd you guys think?" she asked.

Hiro nodded excitedly, "You guys were great!"

"That's right!" exclaimed Lemina, who placed a hand upon Hiro's shoulder.

Jean smiled as she opened the door, "Come on in. I'm sure you'd all like to see Lucia."

Lemina went in first, leading the others in.

"You two were totally radiant!" exclaimed Ronfar.

"Not to mention, beautiful," added Hiro.

Lucia blushed as she took her hair down, "Thank you."

Ruby crossed her paws, "I suppose you guys did do good."

"Lemina, would you help Lucia comb her hair? I'm trying to comb mine right now," said jean.

Lemina didn't answer. She was turned to Hiro, who was holding her hands. They were both smiling to one another and then gazing at each other.

"Lemina?" asked Jean.

She started to say something, but stopped when she saw Lemina and glared at her, "Lemina, would you please help Lucia?!"

Lemina gasped as she came out of her gazing faze, "Sorry, Jean, Lucia!"

She grabbed Lucia's hairbrush and started to brush Lucia's hair, as she smiled softly, "Your hair's so pretty..."

Lucia blushed, "What?"

"And it smells good too..." continued Lemina.

Lucia tossed a look to Jean who shrugged, "Um... really..."

"And it's so soft..." added Lemina.

"She's not listening, is she?" asked Ronfar.

When Lemina was done with Lucia's hair, she turned Lucia to her and grabbed her hands as her eyes showed a light blue hue, "Lucia, you're so lucky.... You've got gorgeous hair that's blue like the ocean and always flowing. You carry yourself with such grace, beauty, and elegance. You've got eloquence and good etiquette. You're so innocent, you're like an angel..."

Ronfar smiled, "Like a Japanese Shinto priestess.... Well... maybe not.... Oh, well..."

"Or like a princess..." said Jean.

Hiro shook his head, "None of those.... Lucia's a goddess..."

Everyone smiled at Hiro's comment, knowing fully well that he was right.

Lucia began to unlace the back of her dress and slip it off.

"Lucia!" Jean exclaimed.

Lucia turned her head, "Hmmm?"

"Why don't you wait until the others leave before you undress?" asked Jean.

"Why don't the rest of you turn around and not watch me undress?" Lucia asked.

Everyone sighed as they turned around. Lucia quickly changed into her new outfit that Lemina and Jean had gotten her. At one point, Ronfar had been watching her, but Jean slugged him in the shoulder.

"Keep your eyes to yourself," she commented.

When Lucia was done, she embraced Hiro gently, "I'm done..."

Hiro pushed her away slightly, "Uh... okay. Well, uh... I better get going. Coming, Lemina?"

Lemina nodded, "Right. I guess it's time for me to go too. 'Bye, you all!"

She left the dressing room led by Hiro.

Upon hearing this, Lucia's eyes lost their sparkle and grew glassy, "Why did Hiro...?"

Jean turned to her surprised, "What?!"

Lucia shook her head quickly, "Nothing."

Jean could see what was going on, "Let's go home, you guys."

She gathered the rest and they returned to Gwyn's house.

Lucia sat on the couch, staring into space as she continued to think about the event between Lemina and Hiro.

"What's wrong with Lucia?" asked Ruby quietly.

"She's probably sad because Hiro doesn't like her now," said Ronfar.

~ What? ~ Lucia asked herself. ~ But what Leo said to me? ...Was Leo lying? No! It can't be! ~

"I won't believe it!" Lucia exclaimed as she jumped up from the couch and she brushed away the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Wait, Lucia!" Jean called.

Lucia ran to the downstairs bathroom and locked the door behind her. She heard a quiet knock on the door a few moments later.

"Lucia, please let me in," Jean said, hopefully.

Lucia stiffened on the edge of the bathtub and didn't answer.

"Lucia... Hiro does like you. In fact, he's in love with you! Ronfar's a jerk for saying that! Lucia, please tell me... do you like or... love Hiro?" asked Jean.

She could hear a muffled "yes" through the door.

"Ah, progress! Now, Lucia... which one? Do you like or love him?" asked Jean.

"I don't know..." Lucia hesitated.

"Just because Lemina and Hiro are-" Jean started.

A loud wail came from Lucia as she pressed her hands over her ears.

Jean sighed with concern, "I won't push anything, Lucia. Come out when you're ready..."

She walked slowly back to Gwyn's living room and sat on the couch, "Ronfar, you just broke Lucia's heart."

Ronfar actually looked a bit ashamed of himself (hmm... must've been a glitch), "I wasn't serious! I'm sorry, Jean! I didn't know Lucia liked Hiro!"

"Well, now you do," said Jean.

Suddenly, the front door busted open as Hiro and Lemina bounded through the doorway.

"Hey, everyone!" Hiro exclaimed.

Lemina nodded happily, "Yeah, hi!"

Jean gave what appeared to be a half wave. Ronfar looked away from them and Leo and Ruby didn't say anything at all.

"What's going on? What happened? Oh, no! Where's Lucia?! What happened to Lucia?!" panic grew into Hiro's voice.

Still no answer from the other four.

Lemina waved her hand in front of Jean's face, "Anyone in there? Oh, I guess not."

Jean glared ahead, "You wanna keep your hand? Get it out of my face!"

Lemina backed away slowly, "Um... Jean, does this have anything to do with today's events?"

Hiro's cheeks brightened as he turned to Lemina, "No, Lucia!! She'll go back to the Blue Star! Jean, please tell me where she is!"

Jean shrugged slightly, "She's in the bathroom. I wouldn't talk to her if I were you. She's a miffed right now."

Hiro nodded, but proceeded, "Thanks for the warning."

He walked to the bathroom and knocked on the door, Lucia, please come out."

"No. Go away and let me sulk in peace," said Lucia.

"Come on, Lucia! This is our only bathroom and I need to go pee right now!" Hiro exclaimed.

Lucia crossed her arms, "Then go outside! No one's stopping you!"

"Except you," said Hiro.

"I am not!" Lucia retorted.

"Sure you are," stated Hiro quickly.

He started to say a really long speech that no one could really understand and ended, "See?"

Lucia shrugged as she raised her eyebrows, "Um... yeah, sure! Whatever, Hiro. Just go away. Go do something with Lemina..."

~ 1 + 1 = 2! ~ Hiro finally figured out. ~ Oh, my Buddha! ~

"Lucia, come out! For me...?" he asked.

Lucia couldn't turn him down, so she slowly rose from the bathtub's edge and cranked the door handle and then let it open on its own.

"Hiro..." she started as her tears still trickled down her cheeks again.

Hiro grabbed her in his arms as she nestled her head against his shoulder, "Lucia... poor pretty Lucia."

He caressed her hair gently and held her close until he quit feeling her tears soak into his shirt.

Ruby and Jean walked into the ha;; to see what was going on. They stopped moving when saw Hiro holding Lucia.

"Hiro, she came out?" asked Jean.

Ruby's eyes softened as she looked at Lucia, "She'll be okay. Hiro, you work wonders."

Hiro blushed, "Well... it's nothing really. Lucia just needed a good cry and that's all right."

"What do you suppose Lemina will say?" asked Ruby/

Hiro shrugged, "I don't know. I don't suppose it'll make any difference."

"Lucia, are you all right now?" asked Jean.

Hiro leaned Lucia back to see that she had fallen asleep on him, "Uh..."

He lifted her up into his arms, "Well... what should I do with her?"

"Lay her on the couch," said Lemina who had just joined them.

Hiro nodded and walked to the living room, followed by the others and placed Lucia gently upon the couch.

He started to get up, but Lemina pushed him back down.

"Lemina...?" he asked.

"Stay by her side, Hiro..." she replied.

"Where are you going?" asked Jean.

"I'll be outside if you need me," said Lemina.

Hiro quickly stood up and grabbed Lemina's hands as he kissed her on the cheek, "Please be careful, Lemina."

Lemina nodded as she walked out the front door.

Ruby flapped her wings, testing them, "I'll go talk to Lemina and figure out what's going on."

Hiro nodded as a sign of approval, "Okay. Thanks."

He knelt down beside Lucia and held her hands in his, "Lucia... I'm sorry. I should've stayed by your side. When you cried, I felt your pain."

"Hmm.... It seems it was you who caused her pain," said Jean.

"What?! How can you blame this on me?!" Hiro snapped.

"Perhaps you can't tell or your skull's just too thick to get anything through to you, but Lucia's got feelings for you and she has since she first met you! She didn't tell you 'cause she didn't believe that you liked her. We all told her you did, but then tonight, she watched you push her aside and leave with Lemina and Ronfar said that she was probably sad because you didn't like her anymore. She ran into the bathroom then and well... you know the rest of the story..." explained Jean.

Hiro's next reaction was the clunk of his jaw against the floor, "No way!"

Jean nodded, "Uh-huh. Now you see what's happened?"

"Yes. I wish I had known this sooner," said Hiro.

"Me too. I learned about half an hour ago, but you know, there are some things we just can't prevent," said Jean.

"Yeah. I know. Like this for instance," said Hiro.

Jean crossed her arms, "What are you going to do about Lemina? What are you going to do about the rest of this conflict?"

Hiro sighed as he shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I'll wait for Lucia to wake up and for Lemina to come back before I decide what to do. In fact, I'll let them talk it over. Come over here and sit next to me. We can watch over Lucia until she wakes up."

~ Great... just like a male to not take care of something that he did... ~ thought Jean.

She nodded as she knelt next to him and took Lucia's other hand, "It'll be all right, Hiro."

Hiro saw her smile and smiled back, "I know. Our problems have a way of working themselves out, even when they have to do with Lucia."

Lemina came in a few minutes later followed by Ruby. She knelt next to Hiro and put her hand upon his.

"She's still asleep..." said Lemina.

Hiro nodded, "Yeah..."

"Not now!" Jean announced.

Hiro and Lemina watched Lucia yawn and stretch.

"Hiro? Lemina? Jean? Ruby? Why are you guys watching me sleep" asked Lucia.

Hiro blushed, "Uh... no reason!"

Lemina smiled softly, "Hiro was worried about you."

She hesitated for a moment and then grabbed one of Lucia's hands and then one of Hiro's as she pressed them together.

"Lemina...?" asked Hiro and Lucia.

Lemina smiled at Hiro, "You are such a jerk. You really need to quit trying to find a replacement for the one you love."

She turned to Lucia, "And you... are too quiet. You need to follow your heart and not so much your mind. It's so obvious you two are in love..."

Lucia shook her head slowly, "I don't think I understand..."

"I get it," said Jean.

"Huh?" asked Lemina.

"Lucia, you're in love with Hiro and he's in love with you. You two are destined to be together. It doesn't matter what anyone else says or does," said Jean.

Lucia nodded as she sat up, "Okay... I get that."

Hiro caught her eye and his cheeks blushed, "I knew I'd fall in love with a beautiful girl and you're my beautiful goddess."

Lucia smiled as she tried to hide a little bit, "Like I always say, you're much too kind."

Hiro then turned back to Lemina, "Not that you aren't beautiful. I like you a lot. I've always liked you too, Jean!"

Lemina nodded, "I understand, Hiro."

Jean gave her usual hard-to-get look, "I didn't need to hear that."

"Learn to take a compliment, Jean. You're going to get a lot more as life goes on," said Ronfar as he entered the room.

Jean turned to look at him and crossed her arms over her chest, "And I should listen to you because...?"

Ronfar hesitated, "Um... uh... you should listen to me because... uh... because I said so!"

Lemina rolled her eyes, "Oh, that was so original."

"Stop fighting, you guys!" Ruby exclaimed.

"We're not fighting," said Ronfar, innocently.

"We weren't, but he was," said Jean and Lemina, indicating Ronfar.

Hiro laughed, "You guys have too much time on your hands! Ronfar, you should be getting ready for your and Mauri's wedding! Jean, you should be back at the caravan. Lemina, you should be studying at the Magic Guild in Vane."

"And what should you be doing, Hiro?" asked Leo, who'd come in after Ronfar to join the others.

Hiro blushed. Here, he had told everyone else where they should be and what they should do, yet, he had no idea as to what he was supposed to do.

He tried to think of an answer to Leo's question, "Um... uh... I should..."

"Hiro should be running for his life. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh!" bellowed a deep voice.

Suddenly, Gwyn's front door opened as a hooded figure's silhouette stood in the doorway.

"Is that Ghaleon?" asked Lemina.

The figure chuckled, "You think I'm Ghaleon? You amuse me, my mortal enemies. Perhaps you will remember, Lucia, my sweet."

Lucia gasped, "No! It can't be!"

The hooded figure burst into evil laughs, "I am Zophar, master of shit!! Well, it seems like it, anyway. Judging by the way my life has been going lately."

Ronfar shook his head, "Great. It's Death himself."

Hiro chuckled at this, but automatically went into cue, "You can't toy with us, Zophar! We killed you last time!"

"Ah, but I'm back. It looks like you and your wimp-ish friends and you failed," said Zophar.

"What the...?!" Gwyn started as he came down the stairs to the living room.

He took out his mace and decided to use Fractured Armour, an attack that would lower Zophar's defense, "Take that, you hellish freak!"

Zophar chuckled with amusement, "Your puny attacks won't harm me, Grandpa Gwyn. Well, in any case, I'll come back and fight after getting what I want."

He eyed Lucia then swiftly turned and walked out the front door. Jean ran and closed the door, locking it behind her.

Lucia thought for a moment, "Zophar's back.... He was the evil premonition after all!"

Ronfar shrugged, "Hey, we beat him last time. We can do it again. I'm gambling on us."

Jean spoke with Lucia's wisdom, "Zophar might be more powerful this time! We have to take more precautions!"

Lemina nodded, "I agree! No doubt within in mind!"

Hiro sat on the couch and leaned back, "We need Ghaleon here."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Ronfar groaned, "How predictable."

Leo nodded, "Judging by our luck recently, I'd say that that's Ghaleon."

Jean ran back over to the door and quickly unlocked it. As she opened it, the night lights revealed Ghaleon's dark silhouette.

As he came into the light of Gwyn's house, he smiled, "Hey, homies!"

Hiro's face brightened, "Ghaleon!"

"Good! You're here!" exclaimed Lucia.

Ghaleon nodded, "It's a long story. Coming back to life and all, but I'm here to warn you guys! Zophar's on his way here! I'd hate to see what he'd do to you guys, so you all better come with me!"

"Hey, I hate to burst your bubble, but Zophar's already been here!" said Lemina.

Ghaleon did a double-take, "Wha...?! Zophar's... already... been here?! Aw, shit! I mean... uh... damn it! I'm so out of here! They don't pay me enough to do this!"

Ghaleon stormed out of Gwyn's house, slamming the door behind him.

"I wonder what that was about..." Lucia showed signs of concern.

Hiro reached out and grabbed one of her hands smiling, "Don't worry about him. He's just miffed that he missed his cue."

"You think he'll be all right?" asked Lucia.

Hiro nodded, "Knowing him, he'll be fine. Meanwhile... we need to figure out what to do about Zophar."

An hour later...

"We got enough stuff?" asked Jean.

"I think so! Thanks for donating all this magic, Lemina!" Hiro exclaimed.

Lemina nodded, "No problem! Zophar's just as much trouble for me as anyone else!"

"He's trouble for all of us," Ronfar muttered.

"You said it," agreed Leo.

"Well, let's get cracking. We need to go to Vane! Right, Lucia?" asked Hiro.

Lucia nodded, "Right, Hiro! Let's go!"

The group of six boarded the Dragon Ship Destiny and left for Vane.

As soon as they got there, it was dark, which meant... sleep!

"You guys can stay at the Magic Guild, if you want," Lemina offered.

Hiro nodded, "Great! I'm zonked!"

He pulled out his sleeping bag and pillow, and then fell promptly asleep. Lemina took out her Chinese gong out of no where (like most anime girls do) and rapped upon it loudly while everyone covered their ears.

"Time to WAKE UP!!!" she yelled.

Hiro jumped up and covered his ears, "Ow, damn it! That hurt!"

Lemina smiled sweetly as Hiro hesitantly removed his hands from the ears, "If we're going to sleep here, we have to sleep on the balcony."

Jean nodded, "Anything so we can sleep. I'm tired!"

Ronfar agreed, "Yeah! Same here!"

"Calm down, everyone. We're all tired, but complaining about it won't do any good," said Leo.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel better after complaining," muttered Ronfar.

Leo shot him a look, "Shut up!"

Lucia gasped, "Lord Leo!"

Leo hesitated, "I mean, don't be a fool. If you leave your mouth open in distaste a fly will flutter in and leave a bad-tasting surprise."

The others had nothing to say in reply to Leo's dumb remark.

Ronfar yawned, "I'm so scared."

Jean nudged him, "Don't push it."

Ronfar threw up his hands in surrender, "Fine. Let's just go."

Lemina nodded as she led them onto the balcony. Lucia stood up near the edge and looked at the Blue Star as she leaned upon the railing.

"It's so beautiful..." she said softly.

She felt an arm glide around her shoulders. She turned to her right to see Hiro.

"It is, isn't it?" he asked.

Lucia blushed and smiled, "Yes."

Suddenly, as though she wasn't anticipating it, she shivered.

"Are you cold?" asked Hiro.

Lucia turned even redder with the next blush, "No! I mean, it's not too much! I mean, not a lot..."

Hiro smiled as he took off his cape and wrapped it around her, holding her in his arms, "Is that better?"

Lucia smiled as she leaned into him, "Yes, thank you, Hiro."

"Hey, you two. Coming to bed? Or are you going to stare at the Blue Star all night long?" asked Ronfar.

Hiro's eyes lit up slightly, "Hey, that's an idea!"

Lucia playfully hit him in the shoulder, "No! Let's go to sleep! I'm tired..."

Hiro nodded and smiled, "All right."

He opened his sleeping bag, so Lucia could at least sleep next to him, on account that he was worried about her safety.

"Good night, everyone. Good night, Lucia," he said as he fell asleep.

"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh," laughed Zophar who was watching them from his inconspicuous ways back in his lair, "Hiro and his little group have settled down to sleep. Now's my chance to grasp Lucia, princess of the Blue Star! Tanko, Sagami, Kasumi, Satoshi! Come to me!"

Four new characters appeared before Zophar, "Yes, Master Zophar?"

"I want you to raid Hiro's group and bring back to me Lucia... alive... and with her pendant," said Zophar.

"As you wish, Master Zophar!" the four vanished.

Zophar dissolved into fits of laughter, "Now the fun's begun."

Meanwhile, when everyone was asleep...

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"Power of Althena, come to me!" Lucia exclaimed.

Zophar chuckled, "You really think you can defeat me?"

"What do you mean? We did last time!" Lucia protested.

"Maybe so, but I'm bigger and better this time! I'll show you!" snarled Zophar's dark voice.

He brought out his hands as black Kai power emanated from them, and then he held his hands out at Lucia.

Hiro jumped in front of her, "I won't let you hard Lucia!"

Lucia closed her eyes as the flash of dark light appeared and collided with Hiro. When she opened her eyes, her beloved had fallen.

"Hiro!" she cried.

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Lucia's eyes flashed open as she sat up, "Hiro!"

Her sudden outburst woke up Hiro who was still sleeping next to her, "Lucia? What's wrong?"

Lucia shut her eyes as she hugged him, "You're okay! I had a horrible dream that you gave your life for me!"

"Hey! That was pretty noble of me!" Hiro grinned.

Lucia shook her head slowly, "Hiro..."

Hiro blushed as he palmed the back of his neck, "Sorry!"

Then he held Lucia close to him, "You won't ever lose me. I'll never leave your side."

Lucia smiled, "I'm so glad!"

"You won't be glad for long!" said a girl's voice.

"That's right!" agreed a male's.

"Prepare for trouble from us!" said a third.

"And prepare to lose to us!" concluded a fourth.

"Lucia, Hiro, stop your escapade. I'm still tired..." muttered Ronfar.

"Ronfar, the rest of you guys, wake up! It's not us!" exclaimed Hiro and Lucia frantically.

The other four woke up with a start along with Ruby, who was cranky anyway, and pulled out their fighting weaponry.

Suddenly, a female with long brown hair came from the secluded shadows, followed by a guy with dark brown hair and dark eyes, another female with strawberry blonde hair, and then one last male with black hair.

"Greetings, Hiro and the rest of you. Greetings, Lucia, Princess of the Blue Star..." said the first female.

Hiro furrowed his eyebrows, "Who are you?!"

The first girl smiled, "We'll introduce ourselves if you introduce yourselves first!"

Hiro nodded, "All right..."

He looked around only to get the feeling that he was forced to go first, "I'm Hiro. I'm an explorer..."

Ronfar tossed his loaded set of die, "Win against me in my little game and I'll tell you who I am. Because as long as I've lived life, I've found that truth is the only game."

The first girl looked at the others and then looked back at Ronfar and nodded, "We'll play your little game."

Ronfar smiled, "Good. By all means, you may call. Even of odds?"

The girl smiled, "Even."

Ronfar tossed his die with a flick of his wrist and then watched them land, "Aw, too bad. Odds. You wanna try again?"

The girl sighed and nodded, "I call upon odds."

Ronfar tossed his die again, "Too bad, so sad. It's even."

The girl narrowed her eyes and grabbed Ronfar by the collar of his shirt as she yanked him close, "Tell me who you are or I'll stick those die up where the sun doesn't shine!"

Ronfar nodded frantically, "Fine! My name's Ronfar. I'm the best gambler here on Lunar!"

Lemina turned her head from the other four, "I'm Lemina. I'm a magician from Vane."

Jean crossed her arms, "My name's Jean. I'm a dancer and a shadow ninja."

Leo placed his hands by his sword, which was in its sheath, "I'm White Knight Leo of Althena's Guard."

"Who are you?!" snapped the male with black hair, indicating Lucia.

"We already know who she is, you idiot! She's the one!" exclaimed the first girl as she smacked the male across the ear.

"Now... who are you guys?" asked Hiro.

The first female with chestnut brown hair brought up a hand and brushed it through her hair, "I'm Tanko!"

The male with the dark brown hair smiled, "I'm Sagami!"

The female with the strawberry-blonde hair made a peace sign, "The name's Kasumi!"

The last male with black hair smirked, "When flames engulf the world, society will turn to Satoshi! That's me!"

They all crossed their arms, "We're Master Zophar's Kage Clan!"

"What?!" exclaimed Lucia.

Tanko reached out and grabbed Lucia's wrist, "That's right. We're under direct orders to take you into our custody, Princess. Come with us, Lucia!"

Ronfar pulled out his made, "I'm a sucker for a good day!"

His attack of sharp leaves left the four breathless from dodging. Of course, Lucia was in the same state on account that she was being dragged behind Tanko.

Jean pulled out her iron fan and carefully spun herself out to each of the four, "Taste my anger!"

Hiro pulled out his long sword, "Burn! Burn! Burn!"

The others were about to spring forward, but Tanko held out her hand after releasing Lucia.

"We don't stand a chance. We must get back to Master Zophar," she commented.

She turned back to Hiro and his group, "You've won this time, but next time, you definitely won't be so lucky."

She and the others turned away and ran into the darkness.

"Lucia?" asked Hiro as he ran to her.

Lucia shook her head, "I don't... I don't understand!"

"I do," said Ronfar. "They'll stop at nothing to take Lucia back to Zophar. We have to protect her."

Jean and Lemina nodded, "Right!"

"Well, we should sleep inside from now on," said Leo.

"Yes," said a voice.

The group turned to see Mauri, Ronfar's fiance.

"Mauri!" exclaimed Leo and Ronfar.

"Do come inside and sleep. We'll catch up later," she replied.

She opened the door to the mansion and let the welcoming warm air from inside relax Hiro and the rest of his group. Once they were in, they got to sleep in soft and comfy beds and drifted into dreamland.

The next morning, Mauri rushed into the guestroom where everyone had been sleeping.

She threw open the window curtains as she let the bright sunlight in, "Rise and shine!"

Ronfar tried to burrow into his pillows, "It's not fair! I'm still tired!"

Hiro sat up and closed his eyes inhaling the scent of something sweet, "Mmm.... What's that?"

Mauri giggled, "Lemina's in the kitchen making breakfast!"

"Okay! Now I'm up!" Ronfar exclaimed.

Hiro, Jean, and Ronfar got out of their beds and went to separate showers. When they came back they had freshened up. Mauri had made their beds and was working on dusting at the moment.

"Hey, where's Leo? He wasn't here earlier, either!" exclaimed Jean.

Mauri shrugged, "Now there's what I've been asking myself. No one has seen my brother."

"Don't worry, Mauri," said Ronfar as he slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm not. Leo will be fine. He can take care of himself," said Mauri, smiling up at him.

He kissed her lips quickly and chuckled, "There. Good morning, Mauri."

"Good morning, Sugar Buns!" Mauri beamed as her cheeks flushed.

Ronfar's tan face turned red with embarrassment, ~ I forgot she called me that! That must've been another reason I left her- ~

"Ronfar, you're Sugar Buns?!" Jean laughed.

After the group had calmed down, Mauri left the room to go help Lemina with breakfast.

Hiro looked at Lucia who was still asleep, "You guys... look!"

Jean smiled as she watched Lucia, "She's still asleep..."

Hiro nodded, "She looks so cute when she's sleeping."

"I almost hate to wake her up," started Ronfar.

"No, you're not! I will!" Jean replied.

She gently shook Lucia to rouse her, "Good morning, Lucia."

When Lucia was somewhat awake, she sat up and pushed herself out of the bed she'd been sleeping in, revealing her curve-hugging blue nightgown, "Worried about me again, Hiro?"

Hiro blushed as he smiled, "Gladly not."

Jean took Lucia's arm, "Come Lucia. I'm going to bathe you today and we'll wash your hair."

"I'll do it!" Ronfar offered.

"No, you won't! Hiro, I'll need your help! You can wash her hair and I'll wash the rest of her," said Jean.

Hiro hesitated and thought about the consequences of this, "Um... well... I know better than to argue with you, Jean."

Jean nodded as she pulled Hiro into the bathroom followed by Lucia. After a while, the sound of water starting could be heard, and then the sound of drainage came later.

"All right, Lucia. Now stand up. That's right. Don't trip. Over the bathtub's edge," coaxed Jean.

Ronfar was listening through the door, "She sounds like she's talking to a blonde."

"What was that, Ronfar?" asked Lemina, who'd happened to walk in and hear that stereotypical statement.

Ronfar turned to see her and realised that he sort of forgot she was a blonde.

"Uh... you're a special type of blonde! You're a smart and pretty blonde! That's it!" he exclaimed.

Lemina nodded, "Glad we got that straightened out. I'm a smart and pretty blonde."

Suddenly, because Ronfar was so close to the bathroom door, when Jean opened it, she sent him sprawling to the wall.

He slowly toppled over and collided into the floor, "I'm not drunk, just suicidal."

Jean stood over him, "Ronfar? Sorry."

"He can't hear you. He's out... cold. I like it better this way," said Lemina.

Jean bent over, her lips close to Ronfar's ears, and began to yell, "I'm sorry for hurting you, Ronfar!"

Ronfar instantly awoke and looked like he was having seizures.

When he finally stopped shaking from his melodramatic imitation of an epileptic, he accepted her apology, "Didn't know you cared so much."

"Believe me, I don't," said jean quickly.

Hiro and Lucia were the only ones not listening. He was busy holding up a towel in front of Lucia, so Ronfar wouldn't realise that she was dressing right in front of him.

"Hiro, why are you holding up that towel?" Ronfar suddenly asked.

Hiro hesitated for a moment, wishing he could palm the back of his neck, "Oh... no reason!"

"You taught Lucia how to play the bull fighting game?? I wanna play too! I'm good at being the bullfighter! Toro! Toro!" Ronfar exclaimed.

Before he could get an eyeful, Jean pulled Ronfar back as Hiro shot her a grateful glance.

"C'mon, Ronfar. Let's go eat," she said.

Ronfar didn't say anything and Jean led him away. Lemina followed behind them out the door.

After they left, Hiro glanced at Lucia after she was done changing.

"Hiro... that was really sweet of you," she said.

Hiro chuckled as his cheeks a light pink, "Anything for you, Lucia."

She looked up into his eyes as he placed his hands upon her shoulders gingerly.

Lucia glanced at her shoulders in awe and then blushed before she looked back up at him. He leaned in closer to her, closing his eyes, his lips nearly brushing against hers.

~ Almost there, ~ he thought. ~ My first kiss... with Lucia! ~

"Hiro!" exclaimed a whiney voice.

Hiro's eyes flashed open as he turned to the door to see Ruby, flapping her dragon-like wings while in mid-air, "Ruby, you scared me! Don't do that anymore!"

Ruby nodded apologetically, "Sorry, Hiro. Hey, I need to talk to Lucia without you around, so you mind going to the kitchen? We'll be in shortly."

Hiro shrugged and walked through the doorway and then very carefully pressed his back to the wall, just outside in the hallway to listen in on the two.

"Lucia..." started Ruby.

"Yes, Ruby?" asked Lucia.

"Just because Hiro's nice to you doesn't mean he's your boyfriend. He's MINE!!! And I recommend that unless you want to be out on the street, that you had better watch out for yourself!" Ruby snapped.

"I don't quite understand..." Lucia said.

"I mean, you cannot marry Hiro! He's going to be my husband!" said Ruby.

Lucia blinked a couple of times, "Marry Hiro? Why does everyone think we're going to get married?"

Ruby sighed. There really wasn't a reason to chew Lucia out if she was too dense to comprehend that the subject of marriage may come between her and Hiro some time.

"Come on, Lucia. Let's go eat," said Ruby.

Lucia followed her uncertainly, neither of the two noticing a Hiro pressed against the wall. He followed them hesitantly.

~ Great... Ruby thinks I'm her boyfriend... ~

After they got to the kitchen, the three sat down with the other.

"Yay! Let's eat!" Lemina exclaimed.

"Well, eat as much as you guys can. You guys will need your strength for the tough battle with Zophar," said Mauri.

Ronfar's face blushed as he put his arms around his fiance, "Mauri, I'll stay with you forever!"

Lemina pulled him back by the ear, "Nonsense, Ronfar! Inhale the scent of adventure! This is it!"

Mauri giggled, "You guys are so funny!"

"Hush! Just eat quietly..." said Jean.

"Lemina, Mauri, you guys cook great! Thank you! I'll be out on the balcony..." said Lucia quickly as she got up.

"Lucia...?" asked Hiro as he watched her leave.

Lucia looked out at Vane and the surrounding Lunar landscape.

"Lucia..." said a deep voice.

Lucia turned to the side to see Ghaleon, "... Ghaleon...!"

"Your mission is nearly at an end, dear Lucia..." he said as he raised his lips in a smirk.

"What do you mean?" asked Lucia.

Ghaleon held out his hands in a shrugging manner, "Well, you're not after Goddess Althena since she's been dead for a long time."

Lucia nodded, "Until... I came along..."

"Right. Well, what about Zophar?" asked Ghaleon.

It was Lucia's turned to give her shrugging motion, "I honestly don't know. Hiro will have to fight him again. Well, no, he won't. That's my job."

"You'd better get to work then. I'll see you again, Lucia..." said Ghaleon.

He vanished into the morning mist as Lucia thought for a moment, "Right. I better get to work..."

She ran back into the Magic Guild and changed into her red cloak. On her way back out, she ran into Hiro.

"Lucia... where are you going?" he asked.

Lucia held her pendant close, "It's time to rid of Zophar once again."

"You're going alone?" asked Hiro.

Lucia nodded, "It's my duty as Althena. Humans cannot defeat a creature with his new power."

"But we helped last time!" Hiro protested.

Lucia held out her hand, "Please! It was based on pure luck last time! You're staying here! I won't let you fight for me!"

She pushed him aside and ran to the Dragon Ship Destiny and began to pilot it.

"Not my ship!" Leo called.

"Luciaaaaa!" yelled Lemina.

"Whups, whups, whups..." stated Jean.

Hiro's heart felt as if it were breaking, "Lucia..."

Meanwhile, on the Destiny, Lucia piloted to Taben's peak, the home of Nall and his little kids that he was taking care of. Little did she know that an ambush was waiting to happen.

She jumped off the ship and ran through the fort of Taben's peak.

"Princess Lucia?" asked a small voice.

She looked down to see a small boy pulling upon her cloak, "Yes...?"

"Pretty blue-haired Princess Lucia, will you please tell me a story?" asked the boy.

Lucia hesitated, "Um... once upon a time, a girl had to defeat an evil called Zophar. When she was done, she returned to the Blue Star and everyone lived happily ever after. The end. Now... if you'll excuse me."

"Even though it was really short, I like listening to your angelic voice," said the boy and then he smiled and rushed off.

Lucia ran to the cliff of Taben's peak and stopped when she saw the handsome Nash in his human form, "Nall...!"

Nall turned to her and smiled, "Lucia... what a nice surprise. What are you doing here? Where's everyone else? Where's Ruby and Hiro?"

Lucia looked down at her hands, "They're at the Magic Guild."

"Why are you here alone? ...Oh, no.... What are you going to do?" asked Nall.

"What makes you think I'm about to do anything?" asked Lucia, innocently.

Nall crossed his arms, "Do you think I'm that naïve?"

Lucia shook her head, "I'm going to defeat Zophar."

"Lucia... then again, what's the point? You're too stubborn," said Nall.

"Sorry," said Lucia meekly.

"Well, in any case, try to be careful," said Nall.

Lucia turned to leave, "Thank you for your condolences, Nall."

"Lucia, wait. I have something for you," said Nall.

He followed after her and took her left hand, placing a pair of velvet white wings into the palm, "Here are the dragon white wings that belonged to Dragon Master Alex. It will strengthen you in battle and if you need me, it will summon me to you. Farewell, fair Princess of the Blue Star."

"Good-bye, Nall," said Lucia.

With a brush of her cloak, she left the city and boarded the Destiny.

"Beautiful Lucia..." said a voice.

Lucia turned around on the deck of the ship and tried to orient herself, "Who's there? Show yourself, if you please!"

Satoshi appeared before her. Lucia turned around after backing away from him, and Kasumi stood at the entrance to the pilot's cabin.

Lucia gasped, "?!"

She turned to both of her sides where Tanko and Sagami prevented her escape.

"Lucia, there's no use in running," said Kasumi.

"That's right. You're surrounded," said Tanko.

"I haven't done anything! You can't hold me accountable for anything!" Lucia exclaimed.

"We're stopping you before you can do anything," said Kasumi.

In moments, they had tied Lucia and placed her on the deck of the Destiny as they then began to pilot it.

"Leaving for Master Zophar's base!" shouted the four.