The shriek of the alarm clock startled Phoenix awake. Looking up from his bed, he turned off the alarm and glanced at the time. "Huh…it's already seven…"

Phoenix yawned loudly as he got out of bed and into the bathroom. After taking a shower and getting ready, he started to prepare breakfast. As Phoenix was beginning to put the toasted waffles on a plate, Trucy entered the kitchen. "Mornin Dad. You ready?"

"Yeah, had everything packed last night. What about you? You ready to wow the crowd?"

"Not quite…not yet at least." Phoenix pushed forward the plate of waffles he had prepared. "Here, gotta eat before we head out."

Trucy nodded and grabbed a fork as Phoenix put more waffles into the toaster. "So, Dad, would you by any chance have a spare set of keys I could borrow for a magic act?"

Phoenix glanced towards Trucy. "I have lost too many things in those panties of yours to say 'yes.'"

"Aww you're no fun." Trucy suddenly began to smirk. "You'll probably be glued to Maya the second we get there."

Phoenix, who had begun to drink a glass of orange juice, began to cough loudly, spraying a mist of juice all over the kitchen. "W-why would you think that?"

"Oh, you know…it's just that you two haven't seen each other in a while…and you're friends…so I just thought you would want to talk to her…" Trucy gave Phoenix a lopsided grin.

Phoenix shook his head. Liar…

Trucy started sniffing the air. "Do I smell something burning?"

Phoenix gasped and rushed to the toaster as the waffles began to smoke.

An hour later, Phoenix and Trucy hailed a cab and put their suitcases in the trunk of the taxi. After telling the driver to head to the train station, Phoenix sank into the seat and let his mind roam, back to the time he had first met Maya. That disturbing night when his mentor Mia was murdered in cold blood. He thought about the cases they went through afterwards and how they had dealt with the adversity.

The time seemed to fly by as soon the taxi pulled up to the station. After paying the driver and taking the luggage out of the trunk, Phoenix and Trucy boarded the necessary train. Soon, they were Kurain Village bound.

Phoenix had dozed off by the time Trucy shook him awake again. "Dad! Wake up! We're at the Kurain station!"

Phoenix slowly opened his eyes and glanced around. Sure enough, the train was just rolling to a stop, and others aboard the train began to flock out. Phoenix stretched and grabbed his suitcase. "Man…how time flew by. Seemed we had just left the office a few minutes ago."

"Probably because you were snoring all the way here. People were getting preettty annoyed."

"I don't snore THAT loudly…do I?"

"Like an elephant."

Phoenix smirked and shook his head as he stood up. "Well, time to get going then. It's still a ten minute walk to the village."

Trucy nodded and stood up with Phoenix. They disembarked the train and started the short trek to Kurain. A few passengers had stopped by the station to take pictures. One was obviously a magician, presumably to compete in the same competition as Trucy.

As they left the station behind, Phoenix looked around the dirt road they were traveling. Nothing has changed since I last walked this path. Soon, Kurain came into view at the end of the road.

Trucy pointed forwards. "There it is!"

Phoenix smiled as the village grew closer and closer. Before long, they were in the outskirts of town.

"Ah…it's good to be back."

Trucy's mouth was agape as she took in the scenery. "It's like we stepped back into time!"

Phoenix laughed. "It sure does seem that way."

The door to one of the buildings opened as someone walked out. Phoenix glanced over and gasped.

"Pearls?!"

Pearl Fey looked over in Phoenix's direction. "Oh! It's Mr. Nick!"

Pearl quickly walked up to Phoenix. "It's been a while, a couple months maybe?"

"Around that yeah. How have you been lately?"

"Pretty good. I've been assisting Mystic Maya lately in her training. She's gotten even better as our Master of the channeling technique."

Phoenix grinned. "I'm glad to hear that she's doing well."

Pearl glanced at Trucy and back at Phoenix. "Um…what brings you two to Kurain? Have you come to see Mystic Maya?"

Phoenix blushed and vigorously shook his head. "No! No no nothing like that! Trucy here was invited to join a magic competition that would be held here in Kurain."

Pearl's eyes widened. "Oh! I heard about that! Mystic Maya had been telling me that she can't wait to go watch!"

"So…Maya is…going to watch it then?"

"Isn't that what I just said?" Pearl smiled. "Anyways, I need to get going! I'll see you two around!"

Pearl waved and walked away. Phoenix sighed. "Sheesh, even after all these years, she still is going on and on about me and Maya."

Trucy giggled. "I think it's kinda cute. Anyways, we need to get a room for us to stay in."

"Yeah, you're right. I think there's a hotel of sorts just a couple blocks down. Let's check that out first."

Trucy nodded and followed Phoenix as he led them to the hotel. After securing a room, Phoenix and Trucy explored Kurain, finally finding the area the magic competition was going to be held. As Trucy was speaking with the director, Phoenix took a seat in one of the chairs that had already been set up.

Glancing around, Phoenix was impressed with the layout of the place. "Looks like it's going to be a pretty big deal then."

A sudden yawn hit Phoenix as he stretched his arms out. He was about to stand up when he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Nick?!"

Looking back, a familiar person stood behind him. "M-Maya!"