Author's Note: Well, hello there. :) I know it has almost been a week since I last uploaded a chapter, and I apologize. I shall stick with my constant excuse that I have been busy. PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Anyway, here you go. Enjoy! :3

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon. It would be awesome if I did, but I don't. Oh, and these chapters until I get to chapter 21 are all written by HorseGirl784 and edited by me. Once we get to chapter 21, I will started writing on my own while trying to keep to the original story line that she came up with. She also let me know about a part she wanted to do in the story that I will try to include. Anyway, enough of my rambling. On to the story! :)

Chapter 7

Molly's PoV

My flip-flops slapped against my heels as I made my way down from Wizard's house, annoyed at the coffee-skinned fortune teller. It wasn't that I was upset with him for not telling me his name, but the way he reacted when I asked. He wouldn't even look at me! How rude! Then, he had the gall to snap his answer! I hadn't taken him as the type to get annoyed easily, but apparently I was wrong. It was just a simple question; there was no need to get all defensive about it.

Finn must have noticed my distraction, because he flew in front of my face and almost made me trip down the last flight of stairs out of surprise. "What's the matter, Molly?" he asked, his green hair plastered a bit to his head from all that swimming. "You're all huffy and stuff. Did Wizard get on your nerves?"

"Yeah," I stated simply, brushing him aside and stomping towards the Brass Bar. "Did you see how he treated me after I asked if he would ever tell me his real name? It was so rude! He actually snapped at me." My eyes widened as I stopped, putting my hand on the doorknob to the bar. "I wonder what had him so upset. He could've just said that it was a secret or something. He didn't have to get all angry at me."

Finn put his tiny finger on his chin as he followed me into the bar. It was full of boisterous people, all chattering and laughing together, drinking, dancing and having a good time. I wasn't a really party girl, but I liked to have a few drinks every now and then. Getting drunk had no appeal to me whatsoever, so I was usually very careful about what I drank and how much. I walked up the counter, manned by Chase, and plopped down on a barstool next to Luke. Kathy sauntered up, her skirt swishing as she sat down on my other side.

"So," the blonde drawled, twirling her ponytail around her fingers as she smirked mischievously. "Where were you just now, dressed like me?" She gestured to my short shorts and tank-top, then to her cut-off-shirt-mini-skirt-cowboy-boots-wearing self. "No, WAIT!" she cawed before I could answer. "Lemme guess." She leaned forward and waggled her eyebrows. "Wizard's, right?"

I groaned and threw my hands up in the air, glaring at my blonde friend. "How many times do I have to tell you, Kathy, that we're just friends? Probably not even that! I haven't even been here a season yet, and you think I'm head over heels for the wizard. Lemme set you straight." I leaned forward and poked her nose. "I. Do. Not. Like. Him. That. Way. Get that through your thick skull and go wait some tables." Kathy scowled at me as she got up and flicked my head. Then, she went over to Owen and Calvin's table, who already seemed to be a little tipsy. Even though it was only four thirty.

"It's five o' clock somewhere," I murmured to myself, and Chase snickered. "What'll it be?" he asked, taking out a pencil and pad from his front apron pocket. I sighed, not even bothering to look at the menu.

Suddenly, a rough voice slurred from next to me "I'll *hic* order fer da lil' lady." Chase whipped his head to the right and glared at the person next to me, who happened to be Luke. I slapped his arm, but he just laughed rather loudly. "Naw Molly," he said, but it sounded like mush. The empty cocktail glass in his hands was shoved forward and waved in my face. "Ya best lemme *hic* buy yoooooo sometin', udderwizzzze I won' beeee *hic* t-taken oooo ta da vireworkszzzzz festeeville tuh-mor!" Luke, obviously beyond drunk, started cracking up and banging his hands on the bar. I shot a panicked look at Chase, who glanced at me from the corner of his violet eye.

"U-uh, Luke," I stammered, way out of my element when dealing with a drunken carpenter. "I'm not going to the festival with anyone. You're drunk, okay? Don't buy anyone, especially yourself, anything else tonight, alright?" I was trying to be gentle with him, not wanting him to be all embarrassed in the morning (if he even remembered this). Finn came and peered over my shoulder at the blue haired man with a slightly disturbed expression. Luke was grinning stupidly and still waving his glass around dangerously.

"Luke," the peachy-haired bartender snapped. I glanced at Chase, thankful for the intervention. "Knock it off, or I'll kick you out." He continued to scowl as the other man hooted and hollered about buying me a drink, and I moaned and folded my arms on the counter, letting my head fall into them and hide my face from Luke. Chase sighed as he saw me, and I heard his footsteps come around the bar. I lifted my face when I heard a chair scrape, and gasped when I saw Chase grab the blue-haired man by his bandana and yank him off his seat. Chase knelt down to look him in the eye, being the freakishly tall man that he is, and sneered "Look, man. You need to stop with your antics, or I'll have Hayden throw you out. Are we clear?" Luke nodded. "Good. Now go sit somewhere else." With that, he shoved the carpenter away, who stumbled off towards Owen and Calvin, who had calmed down a little at the hands of Kathy.

"Thanks," I breathed once he was safely settled a good distance away from me. "I don't normally go drinking and all, so that was...um...weird. I didn't want to embarrass him or something like that. He didn't know what he was saying."

Chase rolled his eyes, and he stalked back behind the counter. "Whatever," he said, and I smirked. That meant 'you're welcome' in oh-so-vagueness of Chase. "What're you having? I'm busy, so I can't wait around on you the entire night."

"Umm...I think I'll get a Grape Cocktail," I said, and Chase scribbled it down on his pad before wandering back into the kitchen. I glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot before gesturing Finn over so we could talk. "So?" I said. The Sprite stared at me blankly. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and said "Why do you think Wizard was annoyed with me?"

"You're still on that?" he asked incredulously, and I nodded. The little guy giggled and said "Well, I don't really know. He's not the kinda guy that gets angry easily, I think, so..." he trailed off, looking deep in thought. Chase slid me my cocktail and I thanked him with a nod as I waited in silence for Finn to come up with something. Suddenly, the tiny Sprite snapped his fingers and proclaimed, "I got it!" He motioned for me to lean forward, as if he was going to tell me a secret. Like anybody could even hear him in the first place. "I think you mighta weirded him out when you went and touched his hair!"

I yanked back, my eyes widening. Oh, I'm so stupid. "Oh my gosh, Finn, you're so right!" I thought back to how he acted after I told him his eyes were pretty-which they were-and it suddenly made sense. "Yeah!" I said in a whisper. "That's when he started acting all funny! Oh my goodness, I cannot believe I did that. I touched his hair!" I felt my cheeks heat up from embarrassment. No wonder he was so awkward! I must've really creeped him out, touching his face and hair and telling him his eyes were pretty after only knowing him for a little over half a season. Goodness, Molly! I thought to myself. He probably thought it was a come-on or something! It wasn't, though. It was simply just a statement of fact.

Finn walked across the counter and patted my hand when he saw my mortified face. "Aww, it's okay, Molly!" he chirped. "Just tell him next time you see him that you didn't mean to make him feel funny." I nodded and smiled at the little guy, thankful for his support.

Just then, the kitchen doors burst open, and the peachy-haired chef came out, running a hand through his hair and messing up his hairpins. I quirked an eyebrow at him as I sipped my drink, and he caught my look. "Busy night," he said simply, waving a hand at all the people inside. It really was packed in here; there was Owen, Luke, Calvin, Toby (who was being sensible), and Julius (maaaaybe not so sensible) all on one side of the bar, the fisherman trying to get Luke and Julius to calm down. Kathy was also over there, taking away Owen's drink. Calvin looked okay, though, just still a bit out of it. Selena was dancing up on the stage, and Luna was the only other girl here besides Kathy, the dancer, and me. She looked okay, though wickedly amused by Luke's drawling and railing.

I turned back to Chase, nodding. "Yup," I said, popping the 'p'. "Sure is. Are you on break or something?"

The man snorted and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. I let anyone else back there try and cook, and they'd bring this place to the ground." Either way, he came around to the other side of the bar and sat down a seat away from me and let out a low whistle. "I really need to get an apprentice or something, 'cause they're gonna run me into the ground one of these days." He cast an accusing look over at Hayden, who was suspiciously eyeing Owen as Kathy tried to take away his glass again as the blacksmith held it out of her reach. Chase followed my gaze and let out a low chuckle. "Those two..." he said in a whisper, leaning closer and jabbing his thumb towards the pair, "…are so sickeningly good for each other it makes me want to barf."

I covered my mouth to stifle a giggle as I leaned away from him. "So true," I agreed, stealing another glance at them. "They'll be married by next Spring."

Chase snickered again and stood, brushing his hands on his apron. "The kitchen awaits me," he said glumly. "I love to cook, but sometimes it just gets..."

"Ridiculous?"

"Yeah, that." The handsome chef turned and, with a flick of his hand that I took to be a wave, sauntered back into the kitchen and out of sight. But a second later, he poked his head back out through the door, only one shoulder and hand visible. "Hey, uh, Molly?" he asked, eyeing me weirdly.

"Hmm?"

"You are going to the festival, right? It's sort of a tradition around here. It'll help you get to know some of the people better."

I thought about it for a minute, wondering if I could squeeze in the time. I had a lot of work I needed to get done; Bellie, my new little black calf, was still quite unaccustomed to her new home and was having trouble settling in. I needed to do some major weeding and fertilizing, plus the lawn needed to be mowed outside my house. I also really needed to clear out the stable for whenever I got a horse, and the chicken coop wasn't exactly in prime condition, either. I sighed in defeat and said "I don't think I can make it, Chase. I have TONS of work that I need to get done, and I really need to find the yellow bell." Yes, the townspeople knew of my quest to help the Harvest Goddess and her brother. So what? A couple extra pairs of eyes out wouldn't hurt anyone.

He looked a smidgen disappointed. I guess he was trying to brush me off on someone I would meet at the festival so I wouldn't pester him so much. "Alright then," he said indifferently. "Have fun." He retreated into the kitchen once more, leaving me to sip at my cocktail and wonder about the yellow bell.

"Argh," I groaned as I straightened up, bracing my hands on my back as I stretched. "Why does farming have to be so darn hard?" Finn flitted up from among my rows of ripe tomatoes, looking exhausted.

It was around 8:30 pm of Summer 17th, the day after my fiasco with Luke at the bar and my talk with Wizard. I was at my farm, as I had been all day, and only just now finished pruning and weeding and fertilizing my field. Bellie still needed some TLC, the coop and stable were still in bad condition, and I stank to high heaven. I was not in a good mood. I hadn't even gotten the harvesting done for today. I looked once again over my rows and rows of tomatoes, promising to get to them tomorrow.

"Maybe we should take a little break," Finn suggested, pointing to a winding path that lead to a little beach on my property. "The fireworks will be starting soon." I sighed but gave in, desperately needing some rest. I hurried inside and took a quick shower, throwing on an old pair of faded, ripped jeans and a white tank-top before sliding into my shoes and meandering down to the small coastline. Finn fluttered along happily by my shoulder, chattering to me about nothing in particular. That is, until I stubbed my toe really hard on a stray branch.

I flew forward, plowing face-first into the tannish sand, the little grains wedging themselves between my teeth. I sat up and growled, rubbing my big toe, which had turned a nice, bright cherry color. I turned to glare at the offending piece of wood, only to find that it actually wasn't wood at all. There, peeking out of the sand, was a small, almost unnoticeable sliver of bright yellow.

I turned to stare at Finn, wondering if we seriously happened to just quite literally stumble upon the next ancient bell that Wizard and I had been trying to find for forever. He was gaping at it too, his tiny eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. I lurched to my feet, scrambling over to what looked very much like the bell and frantically began to claw at the sand. When I finally managed to uncover enough of it to confirm that it was, in fact, what I had thought it was, I gave a good hard tug on it, then another and another until it popped free of the sand. I tripped again and fell backwards, the bell landing on my chest a bit painfully. Finn flew over, squealing "Oh my gosh, Molly! We found it, we found it!"

"I know!" I squealed back, holding it up and beaming at it. "Now we just need to find the pedestal to ring it, and then the soil will be perfect again!" My mouth watered as visions of plump apples and Shining Strawberries danced in my head.

Before I could get to my feet though, the air right next to Finn began to shimmer faintly. I watched, totally flabbergasted, as a small, almost see-through Sprite appeared in yellow clothes. He wasn't normal; he was too pale, and his wings weren't fluttering like Finn's and Alan's do. "Molly," the little Sprite rasped. "I...cannot ring the bell for you. I am...too weak." He fought to muster up a smirk. "But still tougher...than your little groupie."

"Hey!" Finn protested indignantly. I hushed him quickly and turned back to the fading pixie. "How can I help?" I asked, not wanting him to completely disappear.

"You...must..." he paused to cough. "Go...f-f-f-find..."

Then he disappeared.

I sat, staring at the place where the Sprite had been only a moment before, and felt a rush of defeat. He was gone; I couldn't ring the bell now. Now the earth wouldn't get its fertility back, and I wouldn't get my Shining Strawberries! I glanced down at the bell, my shoulders slumping as I desperately tried to think of a way around this. Finn came by and plunked down in the sand, taking fistfuls of it and letting the tiny particles fall between his equally tiny fingers.

I studied the ancient bell, noticing that along the rim of the bottom was a strange language, the runes twisting and curving in a way that seemed vaguely familiar. I sat up fully, leaning down close to get a better look. I studied the archaic markings, trying really hard to remember where I had seen them before. Then it hit me like a tidal wave.

I sprang up, lugging the bell with me and tearing down the beach, back up to my farm. Finn wailed behind me at my sudden escape and flitted to my side, asking again and again where we were going and what had me so wound up. I ignored him for the time being, giggling like crazy in my elation at a quick and easy solution.

We hurtled down the small path that led to Harmonica Town, the streets empty because everyone was at the beach. Everyone but one person, and that person happened to be the only person that would be able to read what was written on the bell. Hopefully, it'd explain what the yellow Sprite had been trying to say before he vanished.

I took the steps two at a time, my breathing labored as we climbed to the very top of the stacked-up houses. The bell was really heavy and was starting to feel like an anvil by the time I reached the top. Still, I flew towards Wizard's door, bursting through and yelling "WIZARD! WIZARD WIZARD WIZARD WIZARD!"

"Ack!" came the reply. I had come in so suddenly and yelled so loudly that I had startled the ashy-blonde magic man so badly. He fell off the couch that he had been lounging on, his novel plunking down next to him. He hopped up, rubbing the back of his head with his green eye closed and winced as he touched a sore spot. "Molly..." he said as I grinned up at him like an idiot, holding the bell behind my back. "What are...you..."

"Look what I found!" I thrust it forward, watching his one visible eye widen as he took in the ancient artifact. He gently took it from me, his eyes roving over every little detail, especially the scrawled runes on the bottom rim. "Well?" I chirped, watching as he glanced up and arched an eyebrow. "Can you read it or what?"

"Read...what?"

"The writing, silly! We went and found this on the beach, but a little Sprite appeared and said we needed to find something for him to ring the bell for us. But he faded away before he could tell us, and I found the words on it that I can't read, but you might be able to tell us what he meant-" I stopped to catch my breath, my chest heaving up and down from all the running and talking. Wizard stared at me for a moment quizzically before turning and placing the bell on the coffee table. He turned back to me, nodding and placing a finger on his chin.

"Yes...I can read...it," he said, walking over to a bookshelf and taking out a huge volume. Flipping to a page, he came back over and sat down, scanning the words in the dusty book quickly before glancing at the bell again. I went and sat by him, not too close because I didn't want to creep him out like I did yesterday, and stared at the bell. He finally closed the book gently and picked up the yellow object on the table once more, turning it over in his tanned hands. "It says..." he began "...that there...are three hidden...moonlight stones...around Castanet. The bell...is powerless...in its current state. To...recharge it...you must find...the hidden stones...and bathe the bell in...the moonlight. Only then...will you be able...to restore fertility to...the island."

I nodded and asked "Do you know where the spots are? There's a lot of writing on there; does it say?"

Wizard hesitated a bit before nodding. "It...says that one...spot is in...the Garmon Mine district, another...by a house of guidance, and the...last in a field of music."

"Okay!" I cheered, leaping to my feet and seizing his wrist without thinking. "Let's go find those spots!" I snagged the bell from the table, called to Finn and bolted out the door once again. Wizard stumbled along after me, not quite sure what to make of my sudden burst of energy. I skidded to a stop outside, glancing at the night sky; I had forgotten my watch at home when I took a shower. "Umm...I'm guessing it's around nine. What do you think?"

"I think...that I want...to go back inside."

I giggled and dragged him down the steps. "Nuh-uh, Wizard! I need your help; you're the only one smart enough to read what's on the bell and figure out where the spots are." We stopped in the outskirts of the town, and I dropped his wrist and turned to him. He looked annoyed and a bit shocked. "Now, where to first?" He glanced down at me from his really tall height. I couldn't help but notice that he was way taller than me, even though I was above average at 5' 7''.

"The Garmon...Mine district," he mumbled, glancing at the yellow bell again. "If you...insist on dragging...me along, we best...be moving. The stones...will disappear after...midnight." I nodded and took off again at a brisk jog, my stamina way up there from my years of working at a fitness club and farming here on Castanet. Wizard kept pace easily, his long legs taking huge strides. The summer night was muggy and hot, and soon we were panting.

We finally managed to reach the district and paused out in the street, glancing at our surroundings. "I don't see anything," I said, Finn coming to land on my shoulder. "Is there a certain order we have to go in or something?" Wizard shook his head and made his way towards Ramsey's empty shop, standing by a small ladder. He pointed to it, asking with his eyebrow if I'd ever seen or noticed this before. I smiled sheepishly and shook my head no, and he sighed.

He climbed up agilely and I followed, a lot less graceful, and heaved myself up over the top of the cliff edge. Wizard's back was to me and I skipped up to his side, wondering what he was staring at so intently. It turned out to be a large disk-like thing lying on the ground. It glowed faintly and was the same pale color of the moon. It was just as smooth, except for a large rune on the center, identical to one which was on the bell. Wizard nodded to himself as he stared at it and, glancing down at me, said "Place the bell...in the...center."

I obeyed, situating the musical instrument right smack dab in the middle of the moon disk. Almost as soon as my fingers lost contact with the rough and worn metal, it began to vibrate, hum and glow brightly, looking very foreign. I yelped and rushed back to Wizard's side; it looked like it was about to explode or something. He watched it with rapt interest, taking in every detail.

Abruptly, the eerie light faded and the disk disappeared, the bell completely normal. Wizard walked forward calmly and scooped it up. As soon as he touched it, the same shimmery light that I had seen once before when the yellow Sprite appeared came into existence, and with a poof, he once again materialized.

"Wow, Molly!" he said, not noticing the wizard. "That was pretty fast." His voice was still soft and raspy, but he wasn't gasping like before and he could speak much easier. Turning to Wizard, he said, "Thank you for helping Molly. It's a real piece of luck you could read the ancient language inscribed on the bell." Wizard only nodded at the praise and motioned for him to continue. The Sprite rolled his eyes. "Impatient one, you are. I'm Collin, by the way, and you will find the next two spots by the Lighthouse and in Flute Fields. Run along now!" Then he vanished. Again.

"All right then," I said to the wizard. "Let's go get this done!"

Hours later, at half past one, I trudged up to my farm and groggily shoved open the door with a huge yawn. We had barely managed to get to the last moon spot on time; Wizard had to take it and run because I wasn't fast enough. Incidentally, I also had to fork over ten of my best tomatoes to Ruth to convince her to open her field gate, where her "useless husband" had discovered the pedestal. I was grumpy about that, but the joy of bringing fertility back to the land sort of cancelled it out.

"So," I began, interrupted by another yawn. "Wizard, do you want some coffee or something? I know you stay up pretty late and stuff, and it's, like, the only thing I can make without completely butchering it." I was a horrible cook. Chase would be absolutely appalled.

I turned to face him, standing in my doorway. My eyes were half-closed from fatigue as I watched him. He seemed reluctant to answer, perhaps from taking from me, so I added "It's just a mug, Wizard. You don't even have to stick around." He finally relaxed and nodded slowly, and I dragged my feet to the kitchen. "You can come in, you know."

"I'll be...leaving shortly."

"Suit yourself."

I came back with his coffee and handed it to him. He took a huge gulp and sighed, and my eyes widened. "Wow, you really like coffee, huh?"

He chuckled quietly at my face and answered "Yes. It...is my favorite. Thank you...for offering me some." I smiled and nodded at him, trying to hold back another yawn. "Molly?" He said quietly. I looked up at him in confusion. "That was...fun. I have not...been outside...in a long time. Thank...you." He seemed a bit sheepish at the end, trailing a finger around the edge of his mug. I stared at him in disbelief. The wizard had...fun?

With me?

I beamed up at him, and he looked at his feet. "Anytime Wizard!" I stuck out my hand. "Friends, huh?"

He stared at it for a moment, looking as if he was deciding. Finally, after a period of long deliberation and making me feel more and more like an idiot, he finally reached out and tentatively took my hand and shook it gently. I grinned even wider.

"...Friends."


Author's Note: Wow, two of these. :O Anyway, I wanted to say that I do not like drunkenness. I contemplated taking it out but decided to leave it in for the sake of trying to keep the story as similar as possible. I'm just going to keep in mind that it is a sin to get drunk, and they are not perfect. Technically, they could be perfect since they're fictional characters but oh well. I'm leaving it be. I hope you have a marvelous evening or whatever time of the day it may be when you are reading this. Oh, and I hope you liked it.