Chapter 1: Lonely in Nourasia

*Disclaimer: I in no way own Oban Star Racers*

The sun shone with extreme intensity above the magnificent kingdom of Nourasia. Tall buildings made of pristine white stone gleamed like pearls in the sunlight. Gold lines outlined the windows and adorned the doors. Supple vines grew vertical, stretching for the roof of the buildings. Lush trees bared their leaves below in a square where birds reflected the colors of the rainbow as they light danced along their feathers. There were people in the square looking at stands full of fruit and fine clothing. They stood out quite well in the white-wash square with their tan skin and elf-like ears. Up above on a large terrace, a young man watched astutely as the people hurried around going about their own business.

The Aikka stood there deep in thought, thinking about all that was soon to be his. A cool breeze stroked his light brown skin and gave life to his white garment, yet he stood there, unmoved. Nothing could break him from his thoughts. He would soon be ruling this marvelous kingdom and thus take on many new duties as king. Yet he could not possess this great responsibility until he found himself a queen. He met many young women who could possibly be his bride. But even though they were the most beautiful girls in Nourasia, he could not stop thinking of a girl that would never leave his thoughts. He refused each woman that came to the palace. His refusals worried his parents. Their sons 21st birthday was fast approaching and they desperately wanted him to choose a bride as soon as possible.

After the great race of Oban, many alliances were made between those who had suffered under the wrath of the Crogs, including Nourasia, Byrus, and of course Earth. Earth assisted in freeing Nourasia from the Crog's anarchy. It was a difficult war and of course Aikka participated in it and came out as a hero. But he was still not happy. His people were free and soon he would be king, but first he had to find himself a fiancée.

Now his thoughts were focused on his friend he had left 5 years ago on Oban. Her friendly smile and optimistic personality made him crack a smile. He longed to travel to Earth to see her again. His father had gone there before for Ambassadorial reasons but left Aikka home so he could look after the kingdom for him. He stilled remembered his promise to her, to show her his kingdom. He knew that he missed her and that he had feelings for her, but what kind of feelings he still did not quite understand.

Then he was pulled away from his thoughts when he heard footsteps coming towards him. He turned around to face his fencing master Canaan. "Your parents wish for you to speak to you. They are waiting in the throne room," Canaan announced as he knelt down. "Thank you Canaan," Aikka replied as he left for the throne room.

The throne room was enormous and adorned with gold streamers and elegant curtains made a silk. Aikka's parents sat at the end of the hall in their tall throne seats waiting patiently for his arrival. He approached them and knelt down in respect. The concerned look on their faces made him wary.

"Aikka," his father started, "as you know, you are to be the king of Nourasia and you shall soon be 21. But you still have not found a woman to take as your bride. You mother and I are worried. By law you must be married before you are to be crowned as king. I am not getting any younger and so you must find a fiancée and soon." Aikka just knelt there, knowing what his father was about to say. "If need be, I will chose a fiancée for you and you will then take your place as king."

Aikka finally lifted his head to address the king. "But father I do not like any of the women that have visited thus far." "Why, are they not pleasing to the eye and appealing?" asked the confused king.

"No, it's just that I don't feel any kind of attraction to them," he replied. His eyes began to wander off to other thoughts of somewhere else with someone else. His mother noticed the cloudy, dreamy look in his eyes and knew instinctually that something was on her son's mind.

"What troubles you my prince," she said with a sincere tone. "Your mind is not totally with us here on Nourasia. Where do your thoughts wander to my dear?"

The prince snapped himself out of his dreams and replied shyly. "Well, lately I have thinking about someone else, someone on Earth." "Is it the Earth girl you raced against on Oban? Her name is Eva correct?" asked his mother, with much interest in her voice.

"Yes," he replied, his face blushing ever so slightly. "I haven't seen Eva in a while and it seems she has been creeping into my thoughts lately. I promised to show her my kingdom some day and sense the war against the Crogs has ended, I feel like I haven't been able to keep my word as a Nourasian knight." His eyes quivered as he thought of her image in his mind and he lowered his head to hide his blushed cheeks. His father sternly listened and remained emotionless. But his mother was intrigued and could sense his underlying feelings.

Suddenly, his mother stood and proposed a plan. "I can see that there is much on your mind and remaining here on Nourasia will not clear your thoughts. I propose you go to Earth, seek out Eva, bring her to Nourasia for a few months and show her your kingdom. Once you have done this, you mind can settle and you can focus on choosing a bride. Does this sound like a good plan my king?"

The king stared at his queen and pondered her proposal as Aikka held his breath, waiting for his father's answer. "Hmm…I suppose this may work. Prince Aikka, you may go to Earth and retrieve your friend and allow her to stay her for at two months. But once her visit is over you must choose a bride or I will choose one for you."

Aikka's face lit with excitement and he could barely contain his joy. He quickly stood and bowed to his father. "Thank you so much father, I promise to do as you say." "Then you had better start packing for the trip to Earth tomorrow. We shall stay here and prepare her a room. You had better bring her back soon as well, you only have two months."

Aikka ran off to his room to prepare for the trip while his parents stayed in the throne room. The king had a wary look in his eyes and Looked over to his wife. "What are you up to Nori?" "Did you not see the twinkle in his eye when he was thinking of that Earth girl? I have a feeling that he will soon choose his bride?" "What? An earthling? But we are Nourasians. How could he want a human?"

Queen Nori cupped her hands around her husband's face. "Love is a strange thing Lao. It can transcend between any two beings no matter the differences between them." She gently kissed him for a few moments. "I trust that he will propose to her and that he will have a bride."

"But he should marry a Nourasian my dear and rule with pure blood," retorted King Lao. "It doesn't matter as long as he is married to the one he truly loves. Besides, this will strengthen the alliance we have with Earth. Don't make our son marry someone he doesn't want to just for our selfish wants to be free of our duties, no matter how tired we may be."

"You are right Nori. And from all the stories our son has told of her, she sounds as if she has the heart of a true Nourasian." Nori smiled pleasantly and they headed back to their chamber, hands intertwined.

The next day, Aikka started the voyage to Earth with much anticipation. He had not seen Eva in such a long time that he started to become anxious. 'Soon Eva, I shall see you soon.'