As soon as they got to Zophar's base, they burst into his lair with Lucia in their grasp.

"Master Zophar, we've gotten the princess," they chimed together.

"Leave me. You four are dismissed, my loyal servants," said Zophar.

Lucia turned her back to the four and gasped when her eyesight was placed upon the looming figure before her, "You're... in human form!"

Zophar sneered as he laughed, "I told you I was more powerful this time. Now I'm even more powerful with Goddess Althena by my side."

"Just because I'm Goddess Althena doesn't mean anything," said Lucia.

"Well, there is something.... If you consent to remaining here with me then I can forever remain immortal as you are. There, I've proved you wrong," Zophar replied.

Lucia crossed her arms over her chest, "If you think I'm giving my consent to stay here with a creep like you, you're barmy!"

Zophar began to chuck some more, which made Lucia tremble, "I'm not as foolish as I look, Little Princess."

Back at the Magic Guild...

"You guys, I think something bad's happened to Lucia!" exclaimed Lemina.

"How do you know?" asked Ronfar.

"I can sense it," Lemina replied.

"I'll bet it has something to do with Tanko and her group," Jean commented.

"Leo, did you notice anything strange about the Destiny?" asked Mauri.

Leo thought about this for a moment, trying to recall that morning's events, "Now that I think about it, when I was aboard this morning, I heard some odd creaking sounds and decided to get it checked out in Pentagulia later."

"You idiot! You let my girlfriend go aboard without checking it out yourself?! Thanks to you, she's probably with Zophar now!" Hiro exclaimed.

Everyone was silent at first and then they spoke, "...Girlfriend...?"

"Well, uh... she's kinda my girlfriend. Like you, Lemina, and you, Jean, and you too, Ruby! You're all my girlfriends!" said Hiro.

Suddenly, the door to the guild was busted open and a very wind-blown Ghaleon burst in.

"Ghaleon, that's your best entrance yet. I've never seen you look more suave," Ronfar chuckled as he grinned.

"Can it, man whore. Lucia's been taken hostage by Zophar. I watched Tanko and the others take her. I got the Destiny back, so if anyone's up to it we can go save Lucia," Ghaleon offered as he shrugged.

"Good job, Ghaleon. I shall see that you are commended for your condolences and courageous acts toward the Goddess," said Leo.

"Thank you, but that's not necessary," said Ghaleon.

"You know, as much as I'd like to fight, I'm kind of tired," said Ronfar as he yawned.

Lemina yanked him up, "I don't think so! You're coming with us, Ronfar! We need a healer in our group!"

"Okay, okay. Don't get all touchy on me. If you want to touch me then just ask and pay me some money and you can touch all you like," said Ronfar as his lips raised in a smirk.

"Mauri, my dear sister, is this truly the man you wish to marry?" asked Leo.

Mauri smiled, "Leo, I appreciate your concern, but I believe that I can take care of myself. Hiro?"

"Yes?" Hiro asked.

"Please make sure that you bring Leo and Sugar Buns back to me safely or I'll break all of your limbs, okay?" Mauri asked sweetly.

Hiro beamed as he blushed and palmed the back of his neck, "Of course, Mauri. Leo and... Sugar Buns will be returned safely."

"Thank you. Boys, behave on the trip and bring back pretty Lucia to eat here again," said Mauri, as she kissed her two males on their cheeks.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, my cleaning up isn't complete yet," she commented and left the room.

"I guess it's time to go kick some Zophar butt," said Hiro.

"Yay!" exclaimed Jean, Lemina, and Ruby.

"...What if we lose against Zophar?" Ronfar asked suddenly.

No one said anything for a moment.

Hiro chuckled nervously, "Um... knowing us, we won't let him win. Ghaleon, what do you think?"

Ghaleon smiled and nodded in agreement, "You guys have a good deal of a chance. Just don't give up."

"Whoo hoo! All right! Let's hit the road!" Lemina shouted.

"Ghaleon, will you take us to Zophar's base?" asked Hiro.

Ghaleon nodded again, "Of course. To the Destiny!"

They boarded Leo's ship and were set off.

Meanwhile...

"Please eat something, Princess!" Sagami protested.

Lucia was sitting on a chair with her arms crossed against her chest, "No, thank you. I'm not hungry."

"But Master Zophar wishes you to eat!" said Kasumi.

"He's your master and my foe. Do you listen to your foes?" asked Lucia.

"No," said the four.

"Then why should I?" Lucia stated.

"She has a point," said Satoshi.

"Hmmm... true," said Tanko.

She continued on, "Lucia, you're much too proud of your stubbornness."

Lucia smiled, "I suppose it pays to be stubborn. Oh, do you perchance have any green tea? I would like some tea."

Sagami grinned, "Teas are my specialty. I used to be a bartender, but many things have changed since then."

Kasumi yawned, "Like you can't tell."

A few minutes later, warm green tea was served to Lucia as she sipped from her small cup.

"Thank you. For being my enemies, you guys are really neat," she said.

"No, thank you. It's an honour to serve the beautiful Goddess Althena," said Satoshi.

"All guys are the same. They always fall for a pretty girl and forget what's really important," said Tanko.

"Oh, don't mind her. She's just jealous of you," Sagami informed.

"I am not! I just don't like her!" said Tanko firmly.

Lucia glanced to Tanko, "Why don't you like me?"

Tanko didn't reply.

"Do you even have a reason for not liking me?" asked Lucia.

Tanko shrugged, "May I be excused?"

Lucia nodded and gave up on getting an answer as she stood up and brushed herself off, "Of course. You may tend to Zophar if you wish."

Tanko left the room as Zophar's dark figure entered. Sagami, Satoshi, and kasumi all hid behind Lucia.

Lucia chuckled slightly as she glanced to Zophar, "Why... you intimidate them, Zophar."

"All for good reasons," said Zophar.

"We'll be leaving now, Master. Good-bye Lucia of the Blue Star," said the three before edging their way out cautiously.

After they had left, Zophar pulled out Lucia's seat for her to sit and she accepted.

"The time has come for an answer, Lucia. Why should I allow Lunar to thrive?" asked Zophar.

"Zophar, no matter how many times we die and reincarnate, it's set in stone who we live for. Even if you destroy this planet and versal world, it will rebuild itself. It's an everlasting cycle. As long as I am Goddess Althena, I shall continue to save this world and the next. I hope you do not intent to attempt to stop me," said Lucia.

"I believe you are wise in the tongue, but not in the actions," Zophar replied.

"Do I care what you believe?" asked Lucia.

Zophar shrugged, "I don't know. Do you?"

"You should not answer a question with a question," Lucia answered, a bit aggravated.

"And you should not dare command things of me, Zophar, Master of darkness!" Zophar snarled angrily.

Out of fury, he brought out his hands to her and the darkness that emanated from them caused her to be encased in a sand-filled hourglass created from spun glass. She planted her hands against the spun glass, and then brought them back, as blood dripped down her wrists and droplets began to stain the sand where they fell. She looked towards the door as Hiro and the others burst through the door, followed meekly by Kasumi, Satoshi, and Sagami.

Satoshi bowed before Zophar, "Master, some people to see you..."

Hiro nodded to Satoshi and then looked past him to see Lucia as he started to go after her when Ronfar grabbed his arm, "Lucia!"

Lucia's eyes met his as sand began to topple down against her creamy-hued skin, "Hiro!"

"Curse you, Zophar!" exclaimed Ronfar.

"Well, well, it looks like we have company, Lucia. How shall I dispose of them? How about a slow and torturous death for each one? Heh, heh, heh," cackled Zophar.

"Let's do this! Poe Sword! Dodge this!" Hiro exclaimed.

"Anger Dice! Lady Luck, be kind!" Ronfar shouted.

"Blue Dragon Fist! Gypsy Magic!" Jean continued.

Leo pulled out his sword, "I saved this for you, infidel!"

Lemina twirled about with her mace, "Mega Magic Flame!"

"You all are pathetic!" laughed Zophar.

(Note: by the way, only those who have played this game will understand what the fighting thing is all about. If you really want to know, email me and I'll explain it to you.)

"Another round!" suggested Ghaleon, "Death Scythe!"

"Ferocious Wind!" Hiro exclaimed.

"One for me, and one for you!" Ronfar stabbed at Zophar.

"Blue Dragon Palm! Taste my anger!" Jean shouted.

"Mega Magic Ice!" Lemina called.

"I will send you back to Hell!" Leo concluded.

"Impressive, but not good enough! Destroyer!" Zophar claimed.

Hiro pulled out his red dragon wings, "Ruby, morph!"

Lucia remembered the white wings and brought them to her hands, trying not to mind the blood upon them, "Nall, we need you! Come... henshin... and fight alongside with Ruby!"

Hiro turned to her quickly and raised his eyebrows, "...Lucia...?"

Suddenly, a loud rumbling was heard and Ruby and Nall appeared in their dragon forms and their fangs tore at Zophar's evil flesh and being.

"Synthesis!" Zophar yelled out as he began to heal himself.

Ruby and Nall turned back into their baby forms and stood back.

"All that work for nothing! Will he not just die?!" Ghaleon snapped.

Hiro held out his hands in a shrugging manner and then he glanced to Lucia. The sand was nearly covering her as she pressed herself to the spun glass surrounding her, yet not enough to wound herself again.

And then... she thrust her hands through the spun glass and her blood spilled down her arms as she held out her pendant, "Power of Althena, come to me!"

"Lucia, no! You'll destroy yourself!" Jean exclaimed.

"This is for the good of Lunar. I will not use the Power of Creation. I call upon Althena's Destruction!" Lucia summoned.

At that moment, the remaining sand weighed her down and the pendant dropped from her hands to the floor and her body collapsed beneath the sand.

Zophar's figure inflated and then combusted as his remains came together and the destructive dimension that Lucia had created swallowed his being, never to be conjured again.

"Lucia!" Hiro exclaimed as he ran to the hourglass of spun glass.

As the others followed behind him, he grabbed a few strands of the glass and yanked them apart, until he had broken the hourglass and the sand poured out along with Lucia's lifeless body.

"No... Lucia... no! This can't be what it seems! You can't die! You're immortal! Luciaaaa!" tears streamed down Hiro's dirty cheeks as he embraced her.

"There was nothing we could have done, Hiro," said Leo.

Hiro looked up to him, his eyes having been wounded, than ever before, "But... she was everything I had. She was my light... my guide... on my path..."

"Hiro, she gave up her life to save us all. She destroyed Zophar once and for all. We should be more grateful," said Jean.

Hiro began to notice that Lucia's figure vanished into rose petals, "What...?! No! Please don't take Lucia from me! Please!"

Jean knelt beside him as he turned to her and cried into her shoulder, "Hiro... we have to get back to Vane. This place will collapse any time now!"

Hiro nodded and stood up as he brought up his hand and brushed away the tears from his face, "...You're right. Come on, everyone."

They boarded the Destiny and dropped Lemina, Ghaleon, and Ronfar off in Vane. Then Hiro piloted to the Circus Caravan where Jean was to go. Leo, at the last minute, joined her, saying he needed to have a good time. Waving a farewell to the rest of his friends, he and Ruby finally arrived at Gwyn's house as they exited the ship.

Gwyn was standing in the doorway, almost as if he had been waiting for the return, "Hiro, m'boy! You've come back!"

Hiro nodded and hung his head as he walked past Gwyn and then made his way to his room, where he closed the door and silently wept himself to sleep. The next morning, while it was still dark outside, he awoke to the sound of an angelic voice. He carefully made his way out the front door and closed it behind him. He followed the soft voice out to the lake behind Gwyn's house and he could've sworn that Lucia was swimming through the lake again.

"...Lucia...?" he asked.

The voice stopped and Hiro's blood turned cold as he rubbed his eyes sleepily, "I'm such a fool.... I let her go... and I never told her how I felt.... I never even tried...!"

He sat down upon the soft grass on the shore of the lake, "...It's sad that my imagination is trying to make me feel better..."

"Hiro..." called the soft voice.

He glanced around again, but there was no sign of the blue-haired beauty anywhere. His thoughts retained her gentle voice when she spoke.

'Thank you, Hiro! You guys always come through for me!' She had once said.

Hiro looked about the water and tossed a small pebble as it skipped a few times, "Why did this end like this, Lucia? I wish I could've lived my life with you. I love you..."

"And I love you, Hiro..." came her soft reply.

Hiro heard the rustling of someone moving, but assuming it was still his imagination, he dismissed it.

"Hiro... are you mad at me...?" she asked.

Hiro finally looked to his left to see Lucia, looking more beautiful than he had ever seen her, "Lucia! But... you... you died right in front of me! And your body... it..."

Lucia smiled as she brought her right index finger to his lips, "Ssh. Like I told Zophar, no matter how many times we die and reincarnate, it's set in stone who we life for... and I live for you, Hiro..."

"Then... I live for you," Hiro decided.

"Let's go inside, Hiro. I'm tired. Killing evil people kind of takes it out of you, ya know?" said Lucia.

Hiro nodded as he led Lucia inside. For that night, she got his bed and he slept upon the couch. Only more tales could tell what happy dreams he had at that time.

Later that morning, Hiro and Lucia had woken before Gwyn and Ruby. They decided to wander into the kitchen and make breakfast.

"For your first time cooking I'm glad that I get to be the one to teach you," said Hiro.

Lucia nodded, "I didn't know there were such things as stoves and refrigerators."

"How old are you anyway?" asked Hiro.

Lucia shrugged, "Biologically... I guess I'm 17. Other than that, I'm thousands of years old."

"Well, you're never too old to learn how a kitchen works," Hiro grinned.

"Not with you by my side," added Lucia.

Hiro blushed, "Yeah... anyway, I'm going to make French toast this morning and turkey bacon. How does that sound?"

Lucia nodded, "Okay! Sounds good to me!"

"Great! Now watch me cook up a storm!" Hiro exclaimed.

Step-by-step, Hiro taught Lucia the secrets to cooking perfect French toast. Then he explained how to cook the bacon.

"There! You can cook the bacon!" said Hiro.

Lucia nodded as she turned on another burner upon the stove. Then she got out a pan and the turkey bacon after placing some butter on the pan to melt. When the bacon started to bubble, she poked at one of the bubbles to pop it and jumped back.

"Ow!" she shrieked.

Hiro stuck his head into the kitchen, "Lucia? You all right?"

Seeing that she was as far away as she could get from the pan and the stove, Hiro walked over to her, "Lucia..."

"What just happened? I thought bacon was deceased when you cooked it!" she said.

"What?" asked Hiro.

"The bacon made little bubbles at me, so I poked one and it bit me!" Lucia exclaimed.

Hiro began to laugh, "Interesting analogy, Lucia. The bubbles were caused by the butter, which was boiling. You were just burned, that's all. Let me see your hands."

Lucia held out her hands to him.

Hiro's eyes widened, "Lucia, you healed your burn! You didn't say anything about having that kind of power!"

"If I'm Goddess Althena, then isn't it right that I should have the power of healing?" asked Lucia as she smiled.

"Yeah, I guess so. Well, your bacon's done. Let's put it on the plates for breakfast! I already set the table," said Hiro.

Lucia nodded as she followed him into the dining room. Apparently, while she'd been bickering with the bacon, Hiro had already made everything else and everything was ready except the presence of Gwyn and Ruby.

"Grandpa! Ruby!" Hiro shouted.

A few minutes later, Gwyn and Ruby came down the stairs. Lucia and Hiro were leaned against each other head-to-head as they looked out the front window.

"Lucia??" the two asked.

Hiro and Lucia turned around, holding hands and beaming, "Hee, hee! Hee!"

Ruby and Gwyn looked at each other, "Huh...? What did we miss?"

Hiro came out of his beaming stage as he pointed to the table, "If you're hungry, we've got food!"

"Great!" exclaimed Gwyn.

The four sat down to eat as Gwyn and Ruby scarfed down their food. Lucia took her time eating of what she did eat.

"Hey! This is the best tasting bacon I've ever had! Who made it?" asked Ruby.

Hiro pointed at Lucia, "Don't look at me. It was all Lucia."

Ruby nodded slowly, "Well, maybe it's not the best, but it's okay."

Hiro sighed in exasperation and then turned his attention to Gwyn, "Grandpa, what do you think?"

"I think you and your little girlfriend here would make wonderful parents in the future," said Gwyn.

Hiro and Lucia blushed as they looked down at their plates, trying to avoid this uncomfortable scene.

"Lucia, my dear child, why haven't you eaten much? Are you feeling ill?" asked Gwyn.

Lucia shook her head, "I decided to go on a diet."

"What?" Hiro asked.

Suddenly, as if Gwyn read Hiro's mind, he cleared the table and left the room, dragging Ruby behind him, so Lucia and Hiro could talk privately.

"Do you even know what a diet is?" Hiro asked.

"Lemina said it was when you cut down on food," said Lucia.

Hiro sighed as he took Lucia's hands, 'Lucia, you don't need to go on a diet. You're already so pretty. You eat perfectly for yourself. You are almost a perfect female."

Lucia thought for a moment, "Um... care to repeat that?"

Hiro shook his head, "Never mind. Who told you about diets?"

"Why... Lemina did," said Lucia.

Hiro grabbed Lucia's hand as he walked out the front door, "Ruby!!"

Ruby fluttered out one of the kitchen windows, "Yes?"

"We're going to Vane! Are you coming with us?" asked Hiro.

Ruby nodded, "Sure. I'll be here to help."

"Great! Let's go!" Hiro exclaimed.

Lucia smiled, "Good!"

They boarded the Destiny as Hiro began to pilot it towards Vane and the Magic Guild.

As soon as they got there, they left the ship and ran up the stairs to the guild.

"Lemina!" Hiro exclaimed.

"What is it?" asked the blonde haired female.

"You told Lucia about diets?" asked Hiro.

"Um... no," said Lemina innocently.

"Leminaaaa," said Hiro.

Lemina sighed, "Yeah. So what? Why are you talking about her anyway?"

"Because she's come back," said Hiro.

"No, she's not," said Lemina.

Lucia came in then, "Lemina, where's Ronfar?"

"Huh? Lucia...? Um... Ronfar's in the library with Mauri," said Lemina.

Lucia beamed, "Thank you!"

She left as Lemina shook Hiro a look, "Is that right?"

"Yeah. Come on. Let's follow her," he replied.

Lemina nodded, "All right, dude. Whatever."

They followed Lucia as she went to the library and snuck up behind Ronfar and then tapped him upon the shoulder, "Ronfar, can you tell me where to find the manuscripts for plays?"

Ronfar turned to her with a big smile, "Sure, Sweets. Just go to the left far back wall. Lucia? Oh, no! You've come back to haunt me! You found out about the dream fantasies I had about you!"

Mauri elbowed him in the ribs, "Ronfar!"

Lucia gave a look of surprise, "What?! Ronfar, I don't even want to know. Well, after getting Ghaleon, we should..."

Hiro broke in, "We should go to the Caravan and get Jean and Leo!"

"Whatever you say, Chief," Ronfar saluted to him.

"No need to get me," said a deep voice.

Ghaleon jumped over the balcony above the library and landed to the side of Ronfar, "I'm here!"

He shook Hiro's hand, "Welcome back!"

"Thanks, Ghaleon. Well, let's go to the Caravan!" Hiro exclaimed as he grabbed Lucia by the arm.

"Why do you suppose he wants everyone together?" Ruby whispered to Lemina.

Lemina shrugged in reply, "I guess we'll find out when the time comes."

They followed Hiro aboard the Destiny and flew to the Caravan, There, they departed from the ship and left for the back of the Caravan where the dressing rooms were.

They walked into Jean's room to find Jean and Leo sitting at her table drinking green tea.

"Jean, Leo!" they exclaimed.

"Hiro, Ronfar, Mauri, Ruby, Ghaleon, Lemina! ...Lucia...?" the two replied.

Hiro nodded, "I went around gathering everyone together."

"Hiro, you read my mind," said Lucia.

"Huh?" asked Hiro.

"You knew I had to leave and you brought everyone together so I could say good-bye! You're so sweet!" Lucia claimed.

"You're going back to the Blue Star?" asked Mauri.

Before Lucia could reply, Hiro reached out and grabbed her hand, "I have something to say about that."

He kneeled down before her upon one knee as he pulled out a small velvet case, containing a moonstone ring, "Lucia... will you marry me?"

In spite of no one saying anything, Hiro was almost certain he heard Ruby choke.

Hiro waited for Lucia's reply.

Lucia's eyes filled with tears as they streaked down her cheeks, "I'm sorry, Hiro. I can't! I am to protect the Blue Star!"

"Lucia, you can protect the Blue Star from here, you know. Besides, you're supposed to protect the Silver Star too! What about that? I can't live without you, but I can't leave my friends, either!" exclaimed Hiro.

Lucia nodded slowly, "Hiro... are you sure you'd want to be tied up with me? I mean, I'm not sure how good of a wife I'd make..."

Hiro nodded as he stood up and Lucia's hands into his, "I know what I want and I want you. Please don't break my heart now, Lucia. Will you marry me?"

After what seemed like hours (but was really only a few minutes), Lucia finally answered, "Yes..."

Hiro did a double take, "What?"

Lucia smiled, "Yes... I'll marry you, Hiro..."

Hiro blushed as he took out the moonstone ring and placed it upon her left ring finger. As he did that, he put one hand into her soft and silky hair and the other around her slender waist as he pulled her closer. They both leaned forward and sweet passion left Hiro's lips and filled Lucia's heart. This was what she had been waiting for.

*At their wedding*

Lemina, Jean, and Ruby were off to the side crying.

"Oh, it's so beautiful!" Lemina whined.

Jean sobbed, "Lucia's so lucky!"

Ruby was hysteric, "I always thought that Hiro would be mine! Now I have to let him go!"

Ronfar was over in the cake section sneaking all the cake he could eat into the picnic basket that Mauri had brought. Mauri and Leo were watching Lucia and Hiro dance together.

"They look so good together..." trailed off Mauri.

"Whoever would've thought that Goddess Althena would marry a smart young man like Hiro? Now I just wish you would marry someone who was better suited for you, Mauri, instead of that arrogant and rude rogue, Ronfar," Leo replied.

"I'm so proud of him," said Gwyn.

"You should be. He's really done quite well," said Ghaleon.

As Lucia danced with Hiro, she laid her head upon his shoulder.

"What are you thinking about?" Hiro asked.

"About how happy I am," said Lucia.

"So you are happy? Did you want this?" Hiro asked.

"More than anything!" exclaimed Lucia.

"Me too. From the first time I saw you, I knew you were my goddess. I'll never let you go, Lucia... I love you," said Hiro.

Lucia lifted her head as she looked up at him, "And, Hiro... I love you..."

With that said, they kissed again softly. Something was new each time. Because of her prosperity, Lucia gave almost eternal life to Hiro and his group. They all passed away eventually, but that'll come way later. However... this was only the beginning of the legend of Lunar.