Here's the next chapter! Let me know what you think! Also, it might be good to point out now, I took some artistic liberties with timing/events in the game. I tried to stay away from most events that are featured in the game for this story, but this one just had to be written. So don't post a review saying "That's not how it happened!" or something along those lines please. I'm aware that it's slightly different. :) Anyway, hope you enjoy!

MD7

The next time it happened was a week later, while the Wizard was tearing through his home. Where is it? Where? I thought I left it on the table… he thought anxiously as he rifled through one of his many boxes. His crystal ball had mysteriously gone missing, and without it, he couldn't read the future. It felt like a part of him was missing. Growing ever more worried by the second, he was snapped out of his thoughts by a knock on the door. Already frustrated, he strode over to the door and opened it.

"What?" he snapped, stopping short when he saw who it was. Hikari stood there, surprise evident on her face. "Umm, bad time?" she asked, edging back a little bit.

The Wizard sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Kind of…yes." he muttered, turning and going back inside to continue his search.

"Oh, well I was just stopping by, but if you're busy…" Hikari trailed off, glancing inside at the mess.

The Wizard ignored her at first and started looking through more boxes when an idea struck him.
"Hikari…" he murmured, glancing over his shoulder at her.

"Yes?" she asked, looking at him in question.

"I need a favor." he stated. "Something of mine has gone missing, and I need you to track it down for me."

Hikari stood there for a moment processing what he'd said, and then spluttered "Wait, what? Why me? I don't even know what I'd be looking for!"

"My crystal ball. It's very important and I need it back. I'd like for you to help me find it."

Hikari huffed and placed her hands on her hips. "Why do I need to find it? It's your stupid ball, go find it yourself."

"Stupid-!" The Wizard forced himself to take a deep breath and ran his hand down his face again. Today was just getting worse and worse. He collected himself and then said as calmly as he could, "You're much more acquainted…with the local towns people…than I am…and therefore it'll be easier…for you to go looking for it…without drawing suspicion."

Hikari sighed and let her hands fall to her sides. "Okay, okay, I'll go look for your ball. Come on, Finn." she motioned to the little sprit by her side.

She walked back out the door and the Wizard felt a sigh of semi-relief leave him. Before he could move though, Hikari poked her head back in and asked, "Any idea where to start? I've already been to Flute Fields this morning and I didn't see it anywhere over there."

"No…no…it wouldn't be in plain sight…" the Wizard muttered, almost to himself. "I would suggest…beginning with the shops in this vicinity…" he said, walking over to her. "Look for any…suspicious behavior…anyone who's acting…weird."

"You mean besides you?" Hikari laughed and flashed him a grin before trotting off down the road. "I'll let you know if I find anything!" she called back, waving as she went.

The Wizard sighed and bowed his head. Maybe asking for her help was not the best idea.

It wasn't until late that night that the Wizard heard knocking on his door again. Praying that it was Hikari with his crystal ball and not another villager, he hurried over to the door. Hikari stood there, slightly out of breath and looking somewhat startled.

"Well? Did you find it?" he asked impatiently. Even going several hours without being able to use his crystal ball had greatly agitated him.

Hikari nodded and gasped out, "Yeah, you'd better come with me." and before he could even ask, she took off, headed down the stairs towards the inn.

"Hikari! Wait-!" he called after her. "Dammit…" he sighed, grabbing his coat and flinging it on before hurrying after her. He saw her brown hair disappear into the inn and raced after her.

He slowed as he got to the door and hesitated slightly before going inside. The Inn should have been closed by now, so at least he didn't have to worry about running into many people. He had expected to at least see the innkeeper or his wife, but instead he was met with an empty lobby.

Odd… he thought, taking a few steps forward. He glanced around and tried to figure out where Hikari had gone off to. He sighed again and headed towards the door at the back, hoping he wouldn't run into the innkeeper's chatty daughter.

He opened the door and saw Hikari crouched outside one of the doors to the rooms. She had it cracked open and was peeking inside. She glanced back and saw him, and motioned for him to come over. He walked over and looked down at her. She pointed to the crack in the door, motioning with her finger to be quiet. He stepped closer and peeked in, not sure what to expect. There stood Jake, the owner of the Inn, holding the Wizard's crystal ball and staring into its depths as though hypnotized.

The Wizard felt a rush of anger at the man, but subdued it and looked back down at Hikari. "Well?" she mouthed. The Wizard nodded and stepped back. Hikari stood up and opened the door, walking in with the Wizard close behind.

Their appearance startled Jake, and he whipped around and gazed at them, holding the ball possessively. "Wha-what do you want?" he stammered, eyes flicking back and forth between Hikari and the Wizard.

"Jake," Hikari began gently. "That doesn't belong to you. Can't you see it's possessing you? Just let us have it."

The Wizard glanced at Hikari in approval. She was definitely handling this better than he initially would have. He turned his attention back to Jake when the innkeeper shook his head violently and took a few shaky steps backwards.

"No! It's mine, I found it! And with this, I can see exactly what my dear Colleen wants!" he started to chuckle manically, and Hikari opened her mouth to say more, but the Wizard stepped forward.

"Jake." he said calmly. The innkeeper stopped and looked at him, fear evident on his face.

"That belongs to me, and I'd like it back now." the Wizard said quietly. "I appreciate you picking it up for me…but its power is too strong for you. If you continue to use it…you will lose your mind. Besides…do you really think…you need a crystal ball…to know how to make your wife…happy? Just listen to her, talk to her. You can make her happy…on your own." the Wizard held out his hand and looked sternly at Jake. "Please…return it to me."

Both the Wizard and Hikari watched as the haze slowly lifted from Jakes eyes and the color returned to his face. He stumbled a little, and then glanced down at the ball then back up to the Wizard. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I don't know what came over me…" he muttered, handing the crystal ball back to the Wizard. As soon as it was in his hands, the Wizard quickly tucked it safely inside his coat, careful to make sure it wouldn't fall out again.

Jake looked back and forth between the two of them, close to tears, and he murmured, "You're right. I don't need magic and a crystal ball to make Colleen happy…I just need to spend more time with her, talk to her. I've been a horrible husband…" he trailed off, bowing his head.

"Oh, come on Jake, that's not true. Everyone messes up. Don't beat yourself up about it. Just do what you can for Colleen. I know she appreciates it." Hikari said, smiling at the innkeeper. Jake raised his head and gave her a watery smile. "Thank you…both of you."

The Wizard nodded, turned, and strode from the room.

"Uh, hey, wait up!" Hikari stammered after him. She bowed to Jake before turning and following the Wizard out of the inn.

Once they were back in the Wizard's home, the Wizard reverently removed the crystal ball from his coat and placed it on the small table in the middle of the room. "There…" he murmured, relieved to see the bright light it was emitting. He turned to face Hikari, who was watching in awe. "Hikari."

Hikari jumped a little and turned her attention to him. "Sorry, what did you say?"

The Wizard stifled a laugh and smiled a small smile. "Nothing…yet. I wanted to thank you…for helping return this…to me." he said.

Hikari shrugged and smiled at him. "No big deal, happy to help. Even though it did take most of the day…" she muttered to herself.

"As a token…of my appreciation…please feel free…to come use the ball…whenever you feel like it." he said. Hikari looked up in surprise. "I can use the crystal ball…to peer into people's hearts…so if there is a certain someone…you'd like to know more about…".

Hikari blushed and turned her head away, chuckling slightly. "What makes you think I'd be interested in stuff like that?"

The Wizard looked at her in surprise. Weren't all humans interested in love? "Are you saying…you're not?" he questioned.

"No! I mean, I'm not saying I'm not interested in anybody, I mean, I'm not saying I am…I just…" Hikari stammered and then looked down at the floor shuffling her feet awkwardly. The Wizard watched in mild amusement, until she lifted her head again, meeting his gaze steadily. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't know how much good it would do me. I don't think his heart can be read by your crystal ball, and even if it could, I think I'd rather find out about it myself, if you know what I mean?"

The Wizard furrowed his brow and looked at the usually bold young farmer. What on earth did she mean by that? His crystal ball was powerful. There were very few people whose hearts he was unable to gaze into. He shook his head and decided not to dwell on it. Humans were indeed weird. "All right…if that is your wish…".

Hikari smiled. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I might use your services on special occasions, like if someone's birthday is coming up, but otherwise, I don't think I'll need it."

The Wizard nodded, and watched as the girl said her goodbyes and exited his house once again. He turned his attention back to his crystal ball and jumped when he heard the door open again and Hikari call out. "Oh, hey! I almost forgot!".

She walked back inside and crossed over to him, rummaging in her back for something. Once she reached him, she pulled out a cup of coffee and handed it to him. "Sorry, it's gone cold now, but I meant to give it to you this morning. That's why I stopped by, but it completely slipped my mind after you asked me about the ball."

The Wizard stared at the cup in his hands. She had come here this morning to give him a gift again? He was taken aback to say the least.

"Thank you, Hikari…that's very…thoughtful." he gazed up into her brown eyes and saw her smiling at him.

"Well at least now you have something to keep you awake while you play with your crystal ball." she teased, grinning at him before crossing back to the door and exiting into the night. The Wizard watched her go, still clutching the cup in his hands. Of all the villagers, she was by far the strangest. Perhaps though, he could come to like this one.