OH man, part II! YES! Dream becoming a reality! Let the fun begin, I'm so glad to see you! And let's get this party started! Now, same as before, and I only own the Metagang and Kitten, everyone else is owned by everyone else, and please enjoy and review and no flames!

Years passed. Leaves changed colors. The Prince Haru too grew and became the splitting image of his father, much to his mother's chagrin.

The war, in turn, had also been swept under the rug for other citizens of the Kingdom of Light. The battles became less and less of an occurance, and everyone was enjoying the time of peace. The royals began to educate their son for rule later in life, and began to choose suitable brides and suitors for his majesty.

As for the Prince, he had other matters on his mind . . .

"YAHOO!"

A thundrous clap of hooves and carriage wheels echoed in the streets as passing pedestrians ducked for cover. Screams echoed as someone yelled out 'DUMB KID!', while an old lady mumbled something about a crazy wagon.

The white carriage barraged forward, straight through several stands and bales of hay, and the horses whinnied in turn.

"YEAH! THIS IS AWESOME!"

At the reigns was a long-haired blond teenage male dressed in silky clothes, light greens and white to be exact. About his neck was a familiar white necklace, which glittered in the sunlight.

Beside him was a shaking male with bright blue hair, and his clothes were blown from the speeding winds. His eyes were wide as plates, not from excitement like the prince, but from the exact opposite.

"THINK YOU CAN SLOW DOWN A BIT?!"

"NO CHANCE! THIS IS AWESOME!"

"YOU'RE GOING OVER THE LIMI - WATCH OUT FOR THE DOG!"

The carriage turned as he pulled the reigns back, turning into the carriageway for the castle. The taller teen was shivering, pale as ivory, and panting heavily in his courtier clothes. The carriage came to a swift stop, and Prince Haru laughed as he turned to him.

He bit his lip as he let go of the reigns.

"So, uh, how'd I do?"

Silence.

The blue haired teen gulped and jumped down before running to a bush. Haru blinked, then looked ahead and said," Maybe I did too well . . . "

"Prince Haru!"

A maid and servant ran over, both looking pleased.

"How did your carriage driving lesson with Page Kokuou go?"

"I think I it went well!" Haru laughed.

From the bush, Page Kokuou was shivering.

"Never . . . again . . . " he murmured.

Haru jumped down and pet the horses in front. "Good job, guys. I'll be sure to give you extra carrots tonight."

"Excellent choice, sire," the duo said at once. The maid then coughed and said,"King Raika also requires your presence right now, your majesty."

"Dad wants me? Weird, why not just come and get me?" he asked.

The page walked by with a grumbled, "I can think of a few reasons . . . "

"Ah well then, thank you both!"

Prince Haru ran along the side, aiming for the door. He waved at the three, who all waved back with trained precision. When he stepped inside, he sighed against the door. All the same, he thought.

Everyday has been the same since he turned 19: Early morning exercises, Practice lessons, listening to the citizens, practice lessons, eavesdropping on the maids and servants' rants about his parents, carriage driving lessons, practice lessons.

He turned up the stairs and started walking into the hallway for the throne room.

"Why can't dad just let me be me?" he sighed.

He crossed his arms as he glanced at the protraits of former kings along the hallways, but quickly looked away. He felt like he was gonna be sick after doing that.

No chance comparing him to former kings. He was himself, the Prince Haruko the First. No one else.

"Man, sometimes I just wanna - "

"You 'wanna' what, my son?"

He gulped. He panned his eyes up.

Before him stood King Raika, who was now garbed in darker colored robes and clothes. While some strands of his hair had retained their natural red finish, white streaks were scattered about his frame and beard. His eyes were less jovial than usual, and his stiff body was enough of a statement.

"Oh man," he mumbled.

"Well? I'm waiting, Haru," he said.

Haru gulped and laughed nervously, then scooted out from between his father and the door. "I-uh, was . . . just remarking on how . . . I . . . "

He glanced into the throne room, seeing the usual thrones, the tapestries, and his eyes fianlly rested on a book nearby.

" - catch up on my reading! Yeah, Be-because I-uh . . . can't help but do it, y'know?"

Silence. Raika's glare pierced.

"Yes, so much so your tutor has recommended that you get stricter lessons . . . ones you don't bother to skip."

Haru gulped and said swiftly,"W-well . . . then I-I guess I also . . . "

He glanced out the window and spotted the carriage.

" Ah, now I - I remember! I wanted to work on my carraige driving with Page Kokuou! I'm already pretty g-good, but I - "

Raika's eyes didn't betray.

" - have recieved complaints about citizens' conerns for their children in the streets, and several complaints about a ruined cabbage stand."

"That was an accident," Haru murmured.

"What now?"

"Nothing!"

Haru was sweating buckets as Raika sighed and rubbed his temple.

"What am I going to do with you, Haruko?"

Haru finally relaxed and let his smile vanished. "Ah man, dad, I'm just having fun . . . is that a crime?"

"It is when you destroy your own kingdom," he said sternly. Raika pointed at the crown on his head and said,"As a member of the Royal Family of Light, it is our sworn duty to protect this kingdom and all those who inhabit it from any kind of danger and damge, even if it may come from the royal family themselves."

Haru glanced away at that with an unreadable look.

"As future king, all I want you to do is dictate yourself with utmost respect, honor and dignity required for a royal of this kingdom. And, given your manners and reckless nature, it seems your mother . . . and I have failed in raising you as such . . . "

Haru's eyes dimmed at the mention of his mother.

With the years to the royals came substantial losses.

On the throne for the queen was a bouquette of beautiful red roses.

The Queen, Tomoe, suffering with depression and stress over the war between the kingdoms, wavered in both health and stance. She contracted a mysterious disease, one that belittled her, and left her breathless . . .

Her passing was slow and painful for both royals . . .

"What?! No, no you didn't - I - I don't cause mayhem EVERYWHERE I go!" Haru started to whimper. He laughed nervously and said,"I-I mean, sure I dropped a vase here and there on accident, but . . . accidents can happen . . . right?"

Raika was now facing away from him. Haru sighed.

"Oh just go ahead and punish me . . . I deserve it . . ." He murmured under his breath, "Although the cabbage cart was not my fault exactly . . . "

"Not this time," Raika said.

Haru's eyes grew wider. What was he hearing?

"E-xcuse me?"

Raika turned to him with a faint smile. "Perhaps I have been too lenient on you, Haruko. Your mother and I had always spoilt you, so . . . I will not punish you this time. It's obvious it won't work."

"Oh . . . kay then?"

Raika ushered him over, saying, "I have something else in mind."

Haru paled. "Military school?"

"Far from it, my boy," Raika laughed lightly.

Haru stepped over, and Raika's hand slowly slid to the necklace about his neck. He let the center stone glitter in the light. Several other stones shined brightly in six other colors about the pendant in the center.

"Do you understand this necklace you bear, my son?"

"I, uh, think so . . . "

He coughed and started to recite something.

" 'The land, once divided with chaos and strife,

once deemed unsuitable for human life,

gathered together seven sources of light,

each color blinding in power and sight,

all came together with powerful might,

and banished the darkness within the night."

Raika nodded. "A little off, but . . . " He ushered the prince to think harder, or continue.

Haru gulped. He bit his lip and let his mind ponder over the poem. So, there were seven colors . . . seven colors, lights . . . was it that there was a single warrior who was important? No, he'd whip him for that answer . . .

' Wait, I have it!" he thought.

"I - I think . . . it means," he started, "That . . . when the land was younger, the Darkness overtook it, and magic and humans used light to banish them?"

Raika snickered and said," Close enough." He resat on his throne, still holding the pendant in his fingers as if it were a soul. "Legend has it that in times of the Darkness Kingdom's rule, seven brave warriors fought using seven colors of light. Their power was immense, and their light created a large aurora that could be seen all over the land."

Haru's eyes went wide as he felt his heart sink. 'Of course it was that answer,' he thought. 'Can't I remember anything?'

His father turned the stone over and over in his hand before letting go.

"Our kingdom was founded after that, you know," he said. "Right in the center, and in turn, the necklace you wear is, in legend, the same one used by those warriors." The light gleamed off each stone in order as Raika added," And each warrior sported one of those little gemstones about your neck . . . and channeled the power of their light to the center stone.

Haru touched the center stone once more . . . then laughed.

"That's a load of bull, dad! Reminds me of the boogyman stories you told me as a ki-"

THWACK!

Haru was on the ground, groaning, and now sporting a goose-egg. Raika's hand was gripped and he swiftly flung it out.

"I would appreciate it if you respected the legends of your land, Haruko . . . lest terrible fates befall you."

"I'll keep it in mind . . . "

Haru rose slowly, rubbing his head. He hated it when his dad did that to him. It made him feel like a total idiot.

"So, uh, what does this have to do with me?"

"Since then, the necklace has become an heirloom to kings and princes within the Kingdom of Light."

" Cool, but - "

"And, I have an order to give you . . . "

"W-wait . . . or-der?"

Raika shushed him and ushered his dizzy son to the window. He pointed to the horizon, where darkened storm-clouds were brewing, and drawing closer quickly. Haru gasped and leaned out, seeing demonic faces and elven creatures buried within the clouds.

Lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and screams of death and terror seemed to deafly echo.

"Oh man . . . you think I'd notice something like that . . . "

"Well, that ignorance was something your mother and I bred into you, so don't feel so bad . . . no one else in the kingdom seems to have noticed either."

"Wow . . . we're not that smart, are we?"

"Nope."

Haru kept staring out at the clouds, which swirled and scattered, as if they were sentient.

"But . . . all my life . . . and why just now - ?"

"Good question," another voice echoed. "Why IS it always when the hero gets older? Why not when they're YOUNGER, or something like that?"

Phoenix felt a vein pulse in her head. Not even a chapter ahead after Lunatic's outburst was she interrupted again by another. But this time, the voice also sounded young.

"Because if they started when they were kids, things would turn bloody . . . fast. And no author wants to push themselves into a corner of immorality." Phoenix murmured. Her eyes peered down from the book, revealing a whistling Lunatic, and a confused and blinking Lion's Edge. "Edge?"

"Yeah, door was open, and I heard something about Haru. Guess it was the wrong one," he sighed with a shrug.

"And so you came in? Did you close the door?" she asked.

He nodded, then added with disdain, "And Harry Potter started HIS journeys as a kid, and look what he got to do for the love of steed!"

Phoenix stopped and blinked. He did have a point, no matter how bad the ending might have been.

"Now that you mention it," Lunatic snickered.

Phoenix groaned and said, "Let me guess: you also want to hear more about this story?"

"Why not? I can't get ahold of the Gladiis in this storm," Edge said as he placed his legs on the table, "so why not see this train crash and burn?"

Silence and thunder.

"You do not like that Haru-guy do you?"

"Not in particular. Why?"

"Just curious."

The two stood staring out the window, seeing the swirling clouds and incoming waves of demons. Dumbfounded and silent, the Prince Haru gaped more, now feeling his blood boil.

King Raika broke the silence.

"Your mother and I wanted to keep you out of harm's way," Raika sighed sadly. He retreated from the window and faced the thrones. His eyes rested on the roses. "Your mother most of all wanted to keep you safe . . . and never wanted you to fight . . . And now, it seems the Darkness Kingdom has gained a headwing into our own lands . . . after so long . . . "

Haru gulped. He kept staring out. It was haunting to watch the clouds swirl and encroach the kingdom. All his life, and he had never known about this . . . The entire time he was studying, working on carriage driving, skipping on lessons . . . his happy life was only a sham.

He glanced to the ground, seeing people entreat into their homes for evening meals and sleep. Ignorant of the Darkness Kingdom's forces . . . and what they could have been capable of.

"How . . . ?"

"Huh?" Raika asked.

"How could you not tell me about this?!" he yelled, "Not until now?! Why not tell me before, when mom was dying!?"

Raika kept silent.

"Because I was afraid you would charge blindly into battle . . . like I had done."

"Oh no sob stories, old man!" Haru yelled, now gripping the necklace. Tears were forming in his eyes. "I-I wouldn't have - well, I would have - why not tell me?!"

"I did it to protect you, Haruko," Raika said firmly. "I will not allow my son to become another statistic to this war!"

"You never even told me about any war!"

"It was for your own good! Now calm down!"

"HOW CAN I WHEN YOU'VE BEEN LYING TO ME MY WHOLE LIFE?"

"Do NOT raise your voice at me!"

Haru was grabbing the pendant as he yelled, "You say you did this for ME, but I'll bet you did this because you didn't WANT me to fight! You think I'm some coward?!"

"I never said that! Stop speaking nonsense!"

"You order me around like I'M one of your subjects! I'm your SON, not a MOOR! Treat me like one!"

"I DO treat you like my son! Your behavior is just comparable to a hethan's!"

"AND HERE WE GO!"

Haru broke down and hit the floor, crying. He punched the floor twice as he yelled," I'll bet your order is just for me to get lost from the kingdom! Isn't it!? Isn't it!"

A long silence followed, and Haruko's eyes just filled to the brim while the king stood on with a mixed look of sadness and anger.

"Haruko - !"

"UH . . . "

There was a door click as the two froze in place, and a young female maid peeked her head through the crack. She blinked as she saw the tension.

"Uh . . . your - highness?"

"Y-yes, Ophelia?"

"I . . . just wanted to say . . . everything is set . . . "

Silence. Haru sniffled and looked up.

"Am, I . . . is this a bad time?"

"Yes," both said.

"Right, I'll just . . . be . . . going now."

The door shut swiftly and footsteps and worried yelps echoed down the hall. Prince Haru stood back up as Raika hugged him tightly. He stroked his hair and let go, bracing his shoulders.

"My son, my Prince Haruko, remember this . . . you are, and always will be, my ultimate pride and joy." He smiled as he said so, tearing up.

"D-Dad, I . . . "

"I know, my boy, you're sorry . . . " he sighed. "It seems we both have a penchant for excitement and anger."

"No joke."

Both chuckled lightly as Haruko finally let his question loose.

"But, what did Ophelia mean everything is set? And what did you really call me here for?"

Raika smiled and touched the necklace. Bitter tears were falling down his face. Haru blinked and glanced up to his father, who now resembled more of a fallen hero than a mighty king.

He merely tapped the pendant twice.

"Look for Hikari of the North. She will tell you everything you need to know. Now, hurry on. The carriage is waiting for you."

'Wait, carriage?!"

"You must go, my son!"

He started pushing Haru out, who was now getting frantic and ecstatic.

"Wh-what, wait! Where am I going?! What does this have to do with the necklace?! Why am I asking all of these questions? Why now tell me this?! Why not before?! Father!"

He was slammed out of the room, and the door swiftly shut behind him. Haruko started banging on the gold. A thunderous clamor was growing in the throne room, and he started hearing shattering sounds. The sunlight from before was vanishing from the windows, and with it, sank the He banged louder.

"Father! Father! Answer me! Father! Father? . . . Father . . . "

He glanced up the door, and lightly tapped his head against the door.

"What the hell is going on?"

A set of gentle hands grabbed his shoulders as he started to sink to the ground. Ophelia, nodding to him, whispered one thing.

'Run.'

The next few moments of Prince Haru's life were filled with dread and adrenaline. He bolted from his spot after the maid whispered that fateful word, and he dared not look back. Down the steps, further down hallways, never once looking back.

He could feel the presence of the Darkness, and all about him, he felt it flow; he could hear screams from the outside, and the shattering of glass as demons turned from smoke to beast. And still he dared not to look.

The whirlwind of running and carriage racing about the city lasted for what seemed like forever for the prince, and for his horses. Demons carrying vast amounts of poisoned knives, spears, bombs and daggers charged after him, along with fang-bearing bats and dragons.

All intent was to kill.

"And all this is just action and dialogue meant to enthrall the reader?" Edge asked.

"You wanna stick around for the next chapter?" Phoenix groaned.

"Mind if I get some popcorn or something?" Lunatic asked.

Prince Haru raced forward, barely reaching the edge of town before his eyes were opened with the falling of one of his steeds.

He dared to not yell at the fall, lest he attract more attention to himself from the incoming demonic hoards. The collapse of the carriage thereafter forced him not to, especially when it involved his body being layered with the wood and metal. The second horse screamed as it fell onto the stones and cobbles, the scent of blood and sweat mixing with its mangled cries.

The prince lay hidden under the splintered wood, biting his lip in terror and ecstasy, as the horse he once trained with was dragged off by disgusting demons and diabolically hungered dragons.

Only a few tears fell.

Within an hour, the coast was cleared for Haruko to break his cover. He kept himself hidden, barely breathing from shock and terror. He kept low to the ground, never once looking back at his home.

At least, until he reached a far enough place.

The hills outside of town.

Haruko stood shaking, fighting his tears, as he veered his gaze towards his home. Or, what was once his home. The steeples of the city, once the brightest for miles around, were smoked and dark black. Screams were deaf to him at this distance. The pain, the suffering . . . all unimaginable.

Had he the courage or ability, he'd charge blindly into the city, wielding a demonic axe . . .

"But how can I?"

He gripped the necklace harder and sniffled before leaned against an oak that was growing at a slant. He ignored his pains as he gripped the necklace. His closed and teary eyes never caught the glimmers of light before him.

"H - how c-can I g-go back . . . ? Everything . . . my home, my mother, my father . . . " He sunk low, sitting at the roots of the tree. "What do I do? Where do I go from . . . here?"

The wind blew into his face, making him cough.

"Oh-blergh-gah!-geez!" he spat out sand and dirt, as sparkling dust blew onto his face. "AH IT BURNS! What IS this?!" Haru wiped his face as he moved from the tree, rubbing his eyes. He blinked back towards the tree, now seeing a faint lining of a person. "Oh man, I think I've having an allergic reaction or something . . . "

"Wrong again, Prince Haru!" the person said.

"Wait wha?!" he yelped.

He jumped back, hitting the tree, as he blinked a few more times. He gasped as he regained full vision.

Standing before him was a beautiful woman wearing a golden dress and wielding a star dusted wand. Her wings beat swiftly as she smiled behind her silvery-white hair. She blinked and landed on the ground before curtsieing.

"Wh-what?! Creepy dudette in the house!" he yelped.

Her smile fell into a frown as she glared right through him. Haru paled as he moved closer.

"S-so, uh . . . who are you, chicka?"

"I am the Golden Fairy," she smiled. She giggled and said," Of course, others know me more as Hikari of the North."

Those words made Haru's eyes gleam.

"D-Did you say Hikari of the North?" He gripped the necklace and rocketed to her, holding her hands tightly. His eyes shined brightly as he started with "My father told me to find you! Who knew you'd find me? But - but still! You can help me!"

"Indeed, and my aren't you the cheeky boy?" she giggled. She thrusted her hands from him, leaving Haru wide eyed and gaping. "However, I am afraid I have gotten here too late to provide much help . . ."

Haru blinked before he turned to her, dumb-founded. "B-but . . . my kingdom? My father? You can't just - there has to be - ?!"

Hikari sighed and dusted her gown off before nudging to the shrouded kingdom. Haru, wobbling on his right leg, looked with her. Her wand glimmered and dimmed as she pointed at the kingdom. A sigh of regret escaped her lips as a sob escaped Haruko's.

"It would appear the Dark Kingdom has already staked their claim in the Kingdom of Light . . . and I have come too late to stop them."

Haruko asked, almost afraid, "W-were you busy with other feats of magic, o-oh wonderful fairy?"

"No, I was with my boyfriend and lost track of time."

The prince could not have made a deeper indentation in the ground.

XxXxXxX

"THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT SAYS?!"

Lunatic was on the floor, breathless, while Phoenix was stiffling her laughter at a fuming Edge.

"That's what it flipping says!"

XxXxXxX

"But," she said, "we did agree that we can aid you on your journey."

"If it's a journey I have to go on, then I'll do it." Haruko, having regained his composure, was now standing straight and almost saluting the fairy as she floated. "Just tell me what to do . . . Anything to get my kindgom and home back."

Hikari tsked and said, "That much determination for that kind of goal will get you hurt later on."

"You think?"

"Positive. Lose the idea," she said in a surprisingly dark tone.

"Yes ma'am."

"Now then . . . " she said and waved her wand. The tip of it touched the necklace about Haruko's neck, which made it glimmer bright once more. "You are aware of the Legend of the Seven Lights, correct? And how it pertains to the necklace you now wear about your neck, young Prince?"

Haruko nodded. He gripped the necklace, and felt immense power race into his body. His hair flew up lightly and fell back as the necklace glow dimmed once more.

"The time has come again for these seven lights to be relit, and for new heroes to be chosen."

Haruko nodded, and said, "And to make the aurora, ju-just . . . just like . . . "

Hikari gently pressed her hand on his, and said softly, "Your father did what he had to do to protect you."

"How do you know?"

"All will be revealed in due time, young Prince Haruko. But for now - "

Her gentle finger laid on a pure white stone.

"You must find the seven heroes, all of whom will help you save your kingdom." She moved her finger back and swirled it above her head, displaying seven colorful auras. "Each of them will have different aspects, different ways of life, and overall . . . " she sighed then said flatly,"will not kill each other before you get back here."

"I can see why they'd have to not, " Haru snickered. He turned to her and pleaded," But how will I know them from others?"

"They will be identified when the necklace you wear glows," she said. The gemstones lit up in a row from the left to the right, creating a rainbow of sorts. "Once the stones glows, you will know."

Haru stared in a gaping silence before laughing,"I don't quite get that, but that's bananas."

"Yes, now pay attention." He nodded. "I will also give you a map to follow around this kingdom and country," she said. Hikari of the North waved her wand and a scroll appeared in a flash of pure white light. The scroll looked almost new, and as it landed in Haru's hands, it spread open automatically. "Every line, every tree, every river is marked. The heroes you find will help you, so long as you comply with them, and -"

Haru was already scanning the map and looking back, barely listening to her. Hikari tapped her foot and coughed loudly, getting his attention back.

"Huh? What was that? Sorry, babe, I was reading this map . . . " he said. "Can't figure out what 'no-ruth' is."

"Good thing brains isn't part of your quest . . . " she sighed silently.

"What now?"

"Nothing, nothing . . . "

Haru looked up and stared off at the decaying kingdom of light; it looked as if someone had shattered a mirror then painted it black. Just looking at it pierced his heart and shattered his soul.

"I'll do it," he said under his breath.

"Good," she said," but you must get going, young prince." She made a pack appear in white light and handed it to him gently before pushing him in the back with her wand. "The sun is setting, and the dark forces grow stronger with shadows. And once they are ready, the darkness will move eastward on their conquest."

"R-roger . . ." he said, rubbing his head. He rolled the map up and " Man there's too much information to absorb . . . what do I do when I get all of them together?"

"Come back to the kingdom, and kick the Dark Kingdom leader in his teeth!"

"THAT I do understand!"

Haruko tightened his grip on the pack and started running down the hill. "I won't let you down, Hikari, nor will I let anyone else down! I'll find those heroes, and I'll help save my kingdom!"

He slipped a few times on the hill on his right knee, but he kept running. Hikari, watching him, started to fly off. She sighed sadly.

"If he's the best they could do, then maybe this IS for the best . . . "

XxXxXxX

"Dude's dumber than the real Haru," Edge snickered.

"No argument there, but can I PLEASE read this without issue or criticism?"

"But that's what makes it fun!" Lunatic said, now holding a soda.

"Where'd you get that?!"

"I have a stash."

"No getting it on the books! And . . . I'd like one. All this talking is making me thirsty . . . "

"I'll take one," Edge said nonchalantly.

To be continued!