Ami stood on the balcony of Utau's apartment. Melody and Akira were playing a card game with Il and El on the coffee table. Utau was on the phone in her room with Yukari asking her to contact Kairi.
"I'll call him first thing in the morning, Utau. How's Amu-chan?", Yukari asked.
"We still don't know. Tsukasa-san is keeping her safe in that strange secret passage of his," Utau replied," Ami's here with me. Could Yuu-san pick her up and take her to school tomorrow?"
"Of course. Good night Utau."
Utau walked out of her room. Ami was still staring at the sky. The charas finished their card game and were outside with Ami.
"Who was that?" Ami asked.
"Yukari-san. Yuu-san will pick you up tomorrow and take you to school," Utau answered.
"I hope onee-chan is alright," Ami sniffed.
"All we can do is believe in her," Utau said," Besides, if she doesn't get better, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."
Ami giggled. The two girls walked back into the apartment and turned out the lights.
The next morning, Nikaido-sensei arrived early to pick Ami up.
"Yukari told me to tell you that she managed to cancel your radio interview this morning and rescheduled it for later in the day," Nikaido said to Utau," You can hop in too. I know how worried you are about Hinamori-san."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that last part," Utau said, as she got in the back with Ami.
As the car approached Seiyo Academy, Utau saw Kukai and Tadase walking. Nikaido pulled the car over and picked them up.
"Utau, don't you have an interview this morning?" Kukai asked.
"Why does everyone seem to know my schedule these days?" Utau muttered.
"It got rescheduled," Ami said.
Nikaido pulled up to the front of the school and dropped the group off. Rima, Nagi, and Yaya were waiting for them.
"Tsukasa-san has asked us to meet him in the Royal Garden," Nagi explained.
The group walked towards the garden. The sound of a violin played loudly along the way, which made the group quicken their pace. Upon reaching the Royal Garden, they could hear someone singing.
La la la uta wo utaou
Kao age kokoro no mama utaou
Akirame ja ikenai
Dekinai koto nande nai yuuki no uta
Daremi no makenai
Yume ga aru
Tadase opened the door. Everyone rushed in. They saw Ikuto standing at the top of the stairs playing his violin. Amu was sitting beside him on the top step singing.
Arukidasou mune hatte
Watashi dake no michi ga aru
Shinjiro no saho n ta sa
Dakai yama ga ja noshite mo
Ganbatte nori koe yo
Watashi ni nara dekiru sa kiseki oko so
Amu opened her eyes. Ami had already broken away from the group and was running towards her sister.
"Onee-chan!" she exclaimed, hugging Amu.
"Gomen, Ami, for worrying you," Amu said.
"We're just glad you're alright," Rima said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"But the Dream Catchers will come after her again," Nagi said. Everyone looked at the ground.
"We'll be ready for them," Amu announced confidently," because soon I'll have some more tricks up my sleeve."
Amu pulled the blue and green eggs out of her pocket. Ran and Dia appeared out of nowhere and sat on her shoulders.
"Miki and Suu!", Ami exclaimed excitedly.
"How?", Tadase asked. Amu looked up at Ikuto and smiled.
"It's a secret," she giggled.
"Putting that aside. Everyone may I have your attention," Tsukasa-san said, walking up to the group.
Tsukasa-san proceeded to tell them more about the Dream Catchers. Their goal was to steal the dreams of all the children in the world and use them as puppets to dominate the planet. Everyone looked at Tadase.
"What?", he asked.
"That's sounds awfully familiar," Rima commented," You may become a target yourself, considering that's what your dream is."
"He doesn't plan on stealing the dreams of our subjects. Tadase is a kind king. He thinks about his people's feelings," Kiseki defended.
"Sure he does. Just like what he did to Amu-nya!", Yoru said.
Everyone stared at Yoru, confused. Ikuto grabbed him and flicked his nose.
"Yoru, be quiet," Ikuto said, sternly.
"Everyone I know I don't have to tell you this twice, but be careful," Tsukasa-san said. He left the group in a tense silence.
"Ikuto-nii-san, what did Yoru mean by that?", Tadase asked.
"I'll tell you later. For now, let's set up a plan for the next few days," Ikuto brushed him off.
They all sat on the steps and discussed options. Kukai suggested hunting for X-eggs again, only to be shot down by Utau, who said that deliberately seeking anyone or thing out wouldn't be a good idea. One thing they all agreed on was that Amu was to be protected at all times.
"Of course, we're all targets now that they know that we oppose them," Utau pointed out," We should work in teams. And everyone should have at least one person from a different team on speed dial."
"I agree with Utau-chan," Nagi said," Teams of two or three should be acceptable."
Everyone nodded
"How do we decide who's on what team?" Yaya asked.
"Draw lots?" Kukai suggested.
"I'm just going to assign them," Utau said matter-of-factly,"Kukai is on my team. Ikuto is on Amu's team. Nagi, Rima, and Yaya-chan are on the last team. Ami and Tadase can switch between my team and Amu's team."
"You don't want Ikuto on your team?" Kukai asked.
"I do. It's just with my schedule I won't have much time to hang out with him. Besides, he's staying at Amu's house anyway," Utau sighed, casting a friendly glance at Amu.
"Ami's going to be in school. How does that work out?" Rima asked
"Ami should be safe at school during the day and she's Amu's sister so there's that. But this Sunday Ami's helping me with a photoshoot so she and Tadase will switch. Tadase will be on Amu's team while Ami's with me,"Utau explained," Hope you have no plans this Sunday, Kukai."
"Anyways, you guys should probably get going. School will be starting in fifteen minutes," Ami stood up and dusted off her skirt.
"Ami, make sure you tell Hikaru-kun and Rikka-chan about what's going on," Amu said as she and the others walked to the door.
"I will. You be careful onee-chan," Ami waved to them.
As the group walked away from Seiyo Academy, they discussed the rest of their day. Kukai and Tadase were going to do chores at Kukai's house. Nagi was heading to the dance studio for practice. Rima and Yaya were going to watch. Utau had her radio interview at noon, so she was going to hang out at Sanjo Productions for a while. Amu was going home to change clothes, as was Ikuto. After that, Amu had no plans.
Everyone split up in their respective groups. Kukai and Tadase decided to escort Utau to Sanjo Productions before heading back to Kukai's house.
Once everyone was gone, Amu latched onto Ikuto's arm, smiling.
"Don't be too hard on Tadase-kun, okay? He had good intentions," Amu said.
"How long are we going to keep this under wraps?" Ikuto lifted his arm briefly.
"Utau will probably figure it out first, if she hasn't already. We can tell the others in a few days," Amu said cheerfully," You can tell Tadase-kun if you want to."
"Heh. He's the one who told me I could have you," Ikuto chuckled," That is, if you believed me this time."
Amu pouted. Ran, Dia, and Yoru laughed.
When Amu and Ikuto reached the Hinamori residence, Ikuto went into the guest room to change. Amu ran upstairs and opened her closet doors
"What should I wear?" she mused.
"You know you're going to have to tell him that you love him. Not just show it," Dia said.
"I know and will," Amu sighed," Anyways, are you two gonna help me or not?"
"The pink skirt with the white shirt!" Ran shouted," And the red sneakers with the pink and red striped socks."
"No, the black ruffled skirt with the dark blue off the shoulder top," Dia argued," And the black ankle boots with black lace tights."
"Well now I know what I'm not going to wear. Ran I'm not going to a sporting event. Dia, I'm not going on a date or to a funeral," Amu said.
"But what if Ikuto wants to go on a date with you?" Dia asked. Amu blushed.
"I got it!" Ran exclaimed," The black skirt with that baby pink and blue striped top and the black ankle boots!"
"Fine," Amu shook her head," Dia, you can pick the accessory then."
Amu then proceeded to change into the suggested outfit. Dia went through the infinite pile of accessories on Amu's dresser. Ran glanced over at the spade egg and sighed. Picking outfits would be easier if Miki was hatched, she thought.
"Amu-chan, how about these?" Dia asked holding up a light blue heart necklace with a silver chain and a pink heart barrette.
"Okay."
Amu took her hair out of her side ponytail, brushed it and put it back up again.(Replacing the red X clip with the heart) Ran and Dia fastened the necklace around her neck. Amu grabbed the boots out of the closet and headed downstairs. Ran and Dia hurried behind with Amu's egg case and the other two eggs.
Ikuto was sitting on the couch watching Yoru play with a small piece of string, when Amu and her charas came downstairs. He was dressed in blue skinny jeans and a white t-shirt that had the words 'Live Free' in a stylized font written on it. Ikuto looked up at Amu and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Amu asked.
"Nothing," Ikuto replied
"What're we gonna do now-nya?" Yoru asked, dropping the string.
"Still don't know," Amu said, sitting down on the opposite couch.
"There's that art exhibit at the museum today," Dia suggested.
"Yeah, but it's the same art as the one from last month," Amu said. Ikuto got up and walked to the door.
"Where are you going?" Amu asked, standing up.
"For a walk. Wanna join me?"
Amu put her boots on and followed him out the door. They walked for about 20 minutes when Ikuto stopped.
"What's wrong?" Amu asked.
"We're here," Ikuto said.
"The amusement park? But why-", Amu started.
"You know why-nya," Yoru giggled.
"Let's go," Ikuto grabbed Amu's hand and they got in line. When they got up to the ticket window, the cashier looked at them and grabbed for something in her drawer.
"Here Tsukiyomi-san, Hinamori-san," she said, handing them each a bracelet.
"What?!" Amu asked.
"Hikaru owns the place, remember? So every time we come here, we get in for free. That applies to Utau, Kukai, and the others," Ikuto explained, guiding Amu through the entrance.
"You mean, I could have been coming here this entire time with everyone?" Amu asked, slightly irritated.
"That's right-nya."
"What do you want to do first?" Ikuto asked.
"You're not going to just watch me the whole time, are you?" Amu eyed him.
"As much as I'd love to, you'd make me ride something anyway."
"Roller coaster."
Amu grabbed Ikuto's hand and pulled him in that direction. The three charas watched in amusement as their bearers got on the roller coaster. Amu screamed her head off during the ride, while Ikuto stayed quiet.
"You're weird. You're supposed to scream and yell on a roller coaster," Amu said when they got off.
"You did enough screaming for the both of us," Ikuto sighed, "It's my turn to pick now."
Amu looked at him questioningly as he walked away. She followed him through the park. Ikuto stopped in front of a rundown building. Amu froze. The sign above the door read: Haunted House.
"I'm not going in there," she protested.
"I went on the roller coaster with you. So it's only fair that you go through the haunted house with me," Ikuto pointed out with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.
"No fair!"
"MURI!" a shrill voice exclaimed. An X-egg flew past them. It was followed closely by one of the strange eggs.
"Amu-chan, we sense more eggs coming this way," Dia said.
"Really?! You have got to be kidding me," Amu crossed her arms.
"Fraid not," a sweet voice said. Amu and Ikuto looked up. Standing on the roof of the haunted house was a girl wearing a dark green cape. She looked to be about Amu's age. Her hair was shoulder length and black. Her eyes were bright green.
"It's nice to finally meet the keepers of the Humpty Dumpty set," she giggled.
"Who are you?", Amu asked.
"I'm Hotaru. And you're about to get an electric shock," Hotaru said, "Hoshi, onegai."
A flash of bright green light engulfed Hotaru, blinding Amu and Ikuto.
"Chara nari: Punk Pixie!"
Hotaru's hair was pulled into twin tails and now had streaks of white and lime green in it. A bright green star was drawn over her right eye. Her outfit consisted of a black corset trimmed in lime green with a poofy lime green tutu and black knee-high combat boots with lime green laces. She had a black garter on her left leg. Black fishnet gloves adorned her arms: the left one reached from just below her shoulder to her hand, while the other reached to her forearm. A black choker with a green star was on her neck. To top off the outfit, a pair of lime green pixie wings were attached to her back.
"You are no match for me," Hotaru boasted as a green star shaped electric guitar appeared in her hands.
"Ikuto," Amu looked over at him. He nodded.
"My own heart: Unlock!"
"Chara nari: Amulet Heart!"
"Chara nari: Black Lynx!"
"Sprite song!" Hotaru strummed her guitar and green music notes were sent flying towards Amu and Ikuto. The two narrowly avoided getting hit.
Hotaru reached down on her guitar and turned a knob.
"Starling Howl!"
She strummed again. This time the notes came out in a wild spiral that hit Amu and Ikuto before they could even get a chance to evade it. Amu and Ikuto covered their ears due to the painful noise that was being emitted.
"Ready to give up yet?" Hotaru asked, an evil smile on her face.
Something's different about her, Amu thought, There's a sparkle in her eyes, unlike Kaori and Hayate. Their eyes were cold and emotionless. Amu looked at Hotaru closely. She noticed something peeking out from behind Hotaru's skirt. Shugo tama? But it's different, Amu thought, It's X'd!
The Humpty Lock started glowing brightly. Amu became engulfed in and orb of light.
"Amu-chan, chara nari," a voice said. Amu looked around for the source of the voice but found nothing. Nonetheless, she nodded.
"My own heart: UNLOCK!"
