"Cody how's your injury?" Jacob asked. The workers were finally out of their hot working area and were taking a three minute break the baddies allowed them to have (when they were in a good mood). Unfortunately, time would usually flow by really fast, forcing them to enjoy every second that lasted.

"It's fine" Cody answered, brushing off his friend's worry, "But hey, do you think those rebels will find us?"

Jacob groaned, "Enough with this rebel stuff kid; honestly I don't think anyone is strong enough to defeat Mu".

"What's all that whispering about?" Captain Jell snapped as made his way towards the workers. "Your break-time is over! Now start digging!"

"But it's only been a minute!" Cody protested.

"There is still some evil hares down there" Genki observed. Everyone stood back in the same hiding place, watching and waiting for the opportunity to strike.

"Geesh, how many of them are there?" Suezo wondered.

"By the looks of this," Genki replied, "a lot".

"Then tell me what you were whispering about" Jell said, cornering the two workers.

"Nothing sir," Jacob tried to explain. "We were just..."

"Just discussing how those Rebels will beat Mu's ass!" Cody shouted with a smirk on his face.

"Cody!" Jacob cried out as he and the rest of the workers stared at the youngest male with opened mouths.

"Bit your tongue!" Jell sneered. He motioned two hares to come forward behind the boy.

"Guys, we'd better acted fast," Holly said, watching the hares push the boy to the ground.

Jell walked a few meters towards him. "I will give you a choice: either apologize or die".

"Bite me!" Cody leaned forward and spat on him! "I'll never apologize to you!"

"Cody! Don't!" Jacob yelled. He tried moving forward to help his friend, but was held back by the hares.

Jell wiped the spit off his chest and smirked. "Very well then," he said slowly, "so long idiot slave!"

Just as he was about to strike, Genki and his friends raced down the hill.

"Leave him alone!" Genki exclaimed. He stepped in front of Cody, extended his leg and kicked him square in the jaw.

The Jell fell hard onto the ground and raised his head up.

"It's you seven again!" he snarled "Hares attack!"

Genki stood in front of Cody, protecting him, while his friends unlocked the chains on each of the workers fought the remaining eight hares using their techniques:

"TORPEDO ATTACK!"

"CHERRY BLOSSOM BLIZZARD!"

"MACHINE GUN PUNCH!"

"TAIL KICK!"

"TORNADO!"

"RUBY CHAIN!"

Soon, the Jell was the only monster left standing.

"Now it's time to finish you off!" Genki shouted as he started to back away from the Jell, "Red Lady now!"

"What?" The Jell said, turning around and coming face to face with the familiar girl. "It's you!"

"RUBY CHAIN!" Holly shouted, drawing a large red circle with a line in the middle.

The Jell gasped in horror as the line headed straight for him. He froze and shook with fear before the red power cut through his chest and turned him into a lost disk.

Genki stared at the disk for a moment then turned to Holly. He wanted so badly to go over and kiss her but knew Suezo and the others were watching so instead; he just smiled at her.

She smiled back and ran towards him with the rest of the group.

Jacob quickly ran over to Cody, "you okay bud?" he said, helping him up.

"I'm okay," Cody said and smiled at the group, "I knew you guys would come and help us".

"Who are you guys exactly?" Jacob asked.

"We'll explain later," Holly said, "but right now, we need to get you all out of here".

"Any ideas where to go?"

"Yeah," Genki replied, "Come with us".

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"Straight ahead!" Genki said when everyone was walking towards the location.

"Hey, isn't that our village?" Cody said, immediately recognizing the place.

"Yeah" Hare told him, "your friend Red Rock still lives there".

Jacob stopped for a second, "Red Rock is alive?"

As soon as they reached the village, Red Rock dashed up to meet with his old comrades. Everyone was overjoyed to see their old monster friend and even happier when he led them to his home to give them food and water. An hour later, when everyone (including the group) was finishing up their meals; Holly took Cody into a small hut and treated his wounds. He sat on a bench with his shirt off, while she (still in Red Lady form) took out medical supplies from her pack.

"This might sting a little," she said, shaking a bottle of medicated alcohol. "But it will help".

"Wouldn't compare to the last six months of my life," Cody sighed.

Holly stopped shaking the bottle and poured it onto a small piece of cotton. She made her way behind Cody and bit her tongue when she saw the large, bloody gashes on his back. She pressed the soft material down on his skin.

Cody winced, but straightened his back and kept still.

Hoping to take his mind off the pain, Holly asked, "So how old are you again?"

"Just turned fifteen a couple of weeks ago," he replied, "can you imagine celebrating your birthday working as a slave?"

"No I can't," Holly said. She applied more alcohol on the cotton and pressed it down again, "but I understand what you're going through".

"What's that?" Cody asked as he spotted a familiar object sticking out from Holly's bag. "That looks just like my old blanket" he reached out and gently took it. "Hey, it is" he smiled.

"Oh, yeah I found that on the ground," Holly explained, "I thought it might have belonged to a child that was destroyed with the village".

Cody continued to smile, "well I used to play with it as a child, see that's why there's a C printed on it; my parents gave me this for my first birthday" he stopped mid-sentence when a frown came across his face, "they were killed in the battle against Mu, till that day, Jacob took me in since he and my mother were best friends and he was close with the family".

Holly hung her head. The room was filled with silence for a while until she finished placing bandages on his back.

"I'm sorry," she said and walked over to a bucket in the corner of the room to wash her hands.

Cody tossed his torn shirt aside and placed a new clean one on him.

"It's alright," he assured her, "by the way, what do they call you when you're dressed like that?"

"Well I guess I should introduce myself to you as Red Lady but you call me Holly if you'd like".

"Then you and you're friends are going to defeat Mu?"

"That's what we're hoping to do".

"Well, thanks for the help Holly," Cody said. He headed straight for the door, "I must speak with Jacob and Red Rock alone".

"Your welcome," Holly said when he left. She turned around and began packing her things when a voice came up behind her, "so how is he?"

She turned around and saw Genki.

"His injuries were a little severe," she told him, "but I think he's going to be okay".

Genki leaned against the door-frame. "Poor kid," he said, "imagine all those years as a slave, it must have...wait a minute...did you see him with his shirt off?" He eyed her suspiciously.

Holly was a little surprised by his question, but replied, "Yes. Why? You're not jealous are you?"

"Me jealous?" Genki smirked as if it were a joke "Pfft, yeah right".

"Good," Holly smiled and returned to packing her things.

The room fell silent again before his voice said, "You know if you want me to take off my shirt right now I can".

Holly rolled her eyes, turning back to him "Genki..."

"No really," he insisted. He starting pulling his shirt and started tucking it over his head, unaware that he was still wearing his hat. Holly couldn't help but smile as he tried pulling it over his head, but failed helplessly. Here he was: Genki the monster champ! Who claimed he was tough enough to fight anything and yet, he was jealous of a boy she hardly knew.

"No stop," she said as she reached over and pulled the shirt back down when it was halfway up his chest.

He stood still as she spoke, "Genki, look he was just a person that needed my help and I helped him, besides..." she gently pressed her lips on his before pulling back, "my heart belongs to someone else".

Genki sighed, but kept a smile "I know," he said, "I'm sorry, guess this is the one of the rules in a relationship I have to follow".

She nodded, "if you want this to work".

"Well I do, speaking of which," he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.

"I wanted to say great job on destroying that evil Jell back at the mine".

She smiled, "thank-you".

"No," he whispered in her ear, "I wanted to thank-you in another way". He slipped his hands underneath her legs and carried her to the bench. She lay down while he bent over and kissed her. The two lovers were so locked in the embrace...that they did not hear the back door slide open. They continued kissing, laughing with each other until a loud cough was heard behind them. Holly and Genki froze and turned to see Tiger standing in the door-frame with a blank expression planted on his face.

"Tiger!" Genki immediately got off Holly and cleared his throat, "uhhh..." he suddenly leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest."What's up?" he said, trying to act casual.

Holly got up from her position, but remained on the bench. "What's...wrong Tiger," she said, trying to seem casual as well.

"Just thought I heard noises," Tiger said, "are you guys okay?"

"We're fine," Holly told him, "Genki was just showing me a defence position, you know...we always have to be prepared".

"Since when does being prepared require making-out on a bench?"

Genki laughed dryly at his friend's comment, trying to break the awkwardness.

Tiger shook his head. "Okay guys, the fun's up," he said, "I know you both really like each other...I saw you at the river".

Holly and Genki looked at each other.

"Wait?" Holly asked, "If you knew about us before, why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to blab it out in the open," Tiger told her, "I haven't known you for very long Holly; but I know Suezo wouldn't be the happiest person on earth if he knew about your relationship".

"Point taken," she said with a nod.

"Look Tiger," Genki said, "I know this is a shock to you, in fact, it's a shock to everyone." He paused and took Holly's hand, "but Holly and I are together because we love each other. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, despite meeting you guys".

Her eyes sparkled, "Really?"

He smiled back, "Really".

She was about to kiss him again but quickly remembered Tiger was still present.

Tiger smirked, "don't worry your secret is safe with me. I know you guys love each other so perhaps it's best if we wait to tell everyone the truth".

"Thank-you Tiger," Holly smiled, hugging him. "You're the best".

"Yeah, thanks man." Genki said, "We owe ya one".

"Just one request," Tiger said as they all started to leave the room.

"What's that?"

"Never let me catch you guys doing it again".

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The next morning after everyone finished breakfast; the gang packed up the rest of their supplies and got ready to hit the road.

"Thank you all for saving us," Jacob said as they prepared to bid farewell. "We don't know if we could have survived without your help and I'm sorry for doubting you".

Cody agreed, "are you guys sure you don't want to stay?"

"Thanks," Hare said, "but no thanks".

Holly nodded, "we must continue our journey".

"It was a pleasure meeting you all," Red Rock said, standing behind his two friends.

Everyone turned around but as they did, something caught their eyes. Captain Evil Hare led his group and they were coming closer and close to the village.

"What?" Genki said.

"More hares chi!" Moochi gasped.

Tiger growled, "They never give up, do they?"

"What are we going to do Jacob?" Cody asked.

"We're going to have to fight them!" Jacob said, "there's no way they're going to drag us back into that mine!"

"Are you sure everyone is willing to battle again?" Hare said.

He nodded, "We all discussed this last night; no one is afraid anymore. This time we will fight these hares until none of them are left standing!"

"We will too," Golem said.

"Yeah," Genki agreed, "if you're going to fight them, you can count us in".

"Come with me," Cody said, "we must inform everyone at once".

As they all agreed and headed back to the village, Red Rock called to his friend "Jacob!"

He faced him, "Yes?"

"Let me fight with you".

"What! No, that's out of the question!"

"Please".

"No, Red Rock we almost lost you once due to the battle, we can not risk it again".

Holly, who had heard the conversation, decided to step in. When the rest of her friends followed Cody, she turned to Jacob.

"Jacob? I think if Red Rock wants to fight he should get the chance".

"I've already made my decision," he told her firmly.

"A decision I'm not happy with," Red Rock said, "I want to help protect this village, you weren't the only one affected when our home was destroyed".

Jacob paused for a moment, looking at Holly then at Red Rock. Finally, he nodded, "All right you can fight with us".

"Thank-you".

The three of them hurried to join the others and Red Rock gave Holly a small smile. Soon, the rest of the villagers were gathered together, creating a protective line in front of the village entrance.

"Is everyone ready?" Genki asked his team. They nodded, including Holly who was back in Red Lady form.

"Everyone ready?" Jacob said to his men.

"Ready!"

"Okay!" Jacob shouted once the hares entered, "let's go!"

After a series of attacks and battles to what seemed like hours and hours, all the hares were mostly defeated thanks to the workers and the courageous seven. Unfortunately, there was only one more Hare left hiding in the bushes-Captain Hare.

"I think that's all of them," Genki said, as Jacob and Tiger knocked down the remaining hares.

"Good work man," Cody said, setting his weapon down.

"Thanks," Genki said, "you too".

"Guess I misjudged you Red Rock," Jacob said, "You fought pretty well".

Red Rock smiled.

Before anyone could rest, Captain Evil Hare peeked out of the bushes. "I might be going," he hissed, "but I'm taking someone with me". He jumped out of the bushes.

Everyone gasped.

"LOOK OUT!" Hare yelled.

Genki and Cody turned around.

"GENKI!" Holly screamed.

"CODY!" Jacob yelled.

The hare launched a massive machine gun punch attacking, using all his remaining strength. But before he could attack the two boys, a huge figure ran in front of them and blocked the attack. Captain hare punched Red Rock very close to the heart and caused him to collapse on the ground. He gave a smirk as he turned into a lost disk.

"RED ROCK!" Cody cried.

He and Jacob ran to his side while Holly went to check on Genki.

The two people placed their friend lying down on his back before speaking to him.

"Red Rock?" Cody said.

Jacob leaned forward, "Red Rock are you okay?"

The monster said nothing and coughed loudly. It was at that point, that Jacob saw a circle of blood dripping out of his chest.

"J-J-Jacob?" Red Rock stammered, "C-C-Cody?"

"Yes?" Jacob said, placing his own hand on the monster's huge arm, "what is it?"

"Forgive...me."

"Forgive you? For what?"

"I was...such a coward...after what happened to our village...I could have gone up to save you all...but I was afraid...afraid I might lose again...this is why I wanted to fight right now..." he stopped to cough out blood and then continued, "thought it would prove I wasn't worthless".

"You're not worthless!" Cody said, hugging him tightly as tears started spilling from his eyes, "You're part of our family!"

Red Rock managed to smile, even though it hurt. "And I always will be," he closed his eyes and his body slowly disappeared and turned into a lost disk.

"No!" Cody shouted, banging his fists on the stone, "RED ROCK!"

Jacob wrapped his arms around his friend but he started to cry as well, "good-bye my friend".

Holly felt raindrops on her hand and looked up. The clouds in the sky had turned grey and the rain began to pour. She de-transformed and her real hair and clothes got soaked but that did not matter to her. Everyone hung their heads, as the rain began to pour harder and mourned for the loss of their friend.

The next day, a funeral was held and the workers managed to move Red Rock's lost disk into the small graveyard he had built for the others. The searchers packed their supplies again and stepped out of the village.

"I don't know how we can thank you for helping us win the battle," Jacob said as him and Cody were going to say the final farewell.

"It's no problem," Genki assured him with Moochi on his back, "We're always happy to help".

"Help chi," Moochi said.

Jacob smiled, "well, thank-you".

"So what do you all plan to do now?" Holly asked.

"We're going to rebuild our village like it was before," Cody replied, "we'll protect it and never let it down again, I'm sure that's what Red Rock would have wanted".

"Red Rock was a very nice monster," Golem said.

"Yeah," Genki agreed, "he'll always be a hero to us".

Cody said, "Thanks, and good luck on your journey to defeat Mu, I'm sure you guys will win".

Jacob and Cody waved as the searchers started walking down the path away from the village. As they got further away, Holly looked back at the two men. Red Rock was gone, she was sure of that, but one thing she knew for sure, he would always be in the hearts of those who loved him. That was one-hundred percent clear.