A/N: I think I'm getting the hang of this "regular updates" thing. Some more reviews would be lovely, as I want to know that there are people still out there who appreciate my writing. A huge thanks to the people who have been reviewing, you guys are the reason I keep updating. Hope you all enjoy this, and I'll have the next one written as soon as possible!

Disclaimer: Don't own Oban Star Racers. Never have, never will.

Chapter 10

Aikka was sitting alone in his room, reviewing documents that his father had given him. One included a list of all the noble men and women that his father had invited to the palace for the celebration in a few weeks. Exactly what the nature of this celebration was, his father wasn't saying. But it was left to Aikka to oversee the final preparations as well as ensure that the earth students continued to settle in well. That part was not giving him too much trouble. Molly (he'd never become accustomed to calling her Eva) seemed to be taking to Nourasian life very well. Any time he'd seen her she'd been engaged in conversation with the people or throwing herself into the tasks set by Aquila. His concerns about David still played on his mind occasionally, but he managed to push the thoughts aside. He hadn't caused any outright trouble, although Aquila reported that it was difficult to engage him in conversation. He made a note to continue to observe the boy whenever he was in close proximity and continued examining the list his father had given him. However, the events that transpired next caused him to drop the papers in fright.

The large ornate doors that lead to his balcony suddenly blew shut, coming together with a thud. Next, a bright light appeared in the centre of his room, growing and curling into a very familiar symbol.

"Impossible," Aikka murmured gently, staring at it as the symbol vanished but the light continued to grow. Before too long, it had taken the shape of a man. A man as familiar as the symbol that had preceded his arrival.

"Greetings Aikka, prince of Nourasia," said Jordan, staring calmly at Aikka

"What are you... why... how... what brings you here?" Aikka asked him, a million questions firing in his head but eventually settling on the obvious one. At this, Jordan's face settled into a frown.

"It's not good news I'm afraid. You might want to sit down," he said, waving a hand at the chair next to Aikka's desk. Aikka seated himself in it and took a good long look at Jordan. No longer was he wearing his military uniform. Instead, he was wearing long purple robes with gold embroidery and leather sandals. His hair was still the same. But his expression was one that Aikka recognised, having seen it for many years on his father's face. Gone was the confident, often arrogant grin he had often seen Jordan wearing. These days, his expression was neutral, but his mouth and eyebrows were set in a thin line, giving him a grim expression. The responsibility of guarding the entire universe had aged him; there was no doubt of that.

"Won't you have a seat as well?" Aikka asked, remembering his manners at last. He gestured to the armchair by his bookcase. Jordan shook his head and levitated into the air, crossing his legs under him and remaining there, floating in mid air. Aikka was taken aback for only a second and then recovered himself. Jordan took no notice of Aikka's bemusement and began speaking.

"As you know, we managed to thwart Canaletto when he attempted to claim the powers of the Avatar for himself. He was destroyed in the energy blast that occurred when I took the position of Avatar"

Jordan paused and waited for Aikka to nod his agreement with these events. He then continued

"However, over the last few months I've been noticing something occurring. A dark force is gathering. I never paid it much heed at first. It was in such a tiny corner of the galaxy that I didn't really think it would come to much. But now it's getting stronger. This is just how the return of Canaletto started, and we could all be in a lot of danger. Eva especially"

Aikka stared at him blankly, before realising he was referring to Molly. He again nodded his agreement, although he felt a familiar prickle of fear when he thought about what could be about to happen.

"What do you propose to do?" Aikka asked.

"For now? Nothing. Let me keep an eye on this. All I ask is that you make sure Eva does not come to any harm. You know how she likes to go off exploring, just make sure she's watched. Make up any excuse. I've got someone else keeping an eye on her, but I'm not sure about his reliability. And I know you definitely doubt his reliability"

At last the shadow of a smirk flitted across Jordan's face as he said this last part. Aikka thought hard for a minute, and then figured it out.

"That David boy? You know him?"

"He's my little brother. Long story really. Ask him if you really want to know. I've got to go"

"Are you going to tell Molly about this?"

Jordan frowned again

"I can't. David's going to keep her informed. Just make sure both of them are safe Aikka. I'll come back if the situation changes"

And with that, Jordan was gone.

Aikka stared, completely bewildered, at the spot where Jordan had been a mere few seconds ago, his brain working through all of the new information. Finally, he recovered his senses, and rational thinking began to take over. He decided the best plan was to go and see Molly, to make sure that she had indeed been informed of the situation and inform her that her security would be increased. He leapt up from his chair and hurried away.

As he approached the doors to the corridor where she was staying, his attention was diverted by the sound of raised voices coming from the other side. Suddenly, the doors were thrown open, and Molly's friends, the Abbott twins, were walking away from the dormitories. They seemed to be arguing about Molly

"You can't blame Eva for this! He made her promise not to tell and she hasn't. This isn't her fault!" the smaller one, Jenny was pleading with Hannah

"Leave me alone Jen! She can do whatever she wants, I really don't care," Hannah retorted

"Then why are you acting like this?"

They were so absorbed in their conversation that they did not notice Aikka lurking by the door. He had jumped to the side when the doors had been opened to avoid being hit. He watched them go, wondering what had happened, and then continued through the open doors to Molly's room.

He paused for a few seconds before knocking. He thought he heard Molly groan quietly, then a few footsteps, and then there she was, staring at him.

"Oh, Aikka! I thought you were..." her sentence trailed off, and she blushed slightly. Ignoring this, Aikka started speaking

"Have you spoken to David tonight?"

"Yeah, I got back just a few minutes ago... wait, has he spoken to you?" she asked, as she no doubt recalled the conversation she had just had. Aikka nodded, and her eyes widened.

"Come with me, we need to find David"

"Sure, but I don't know where the guys are staying"

"I do. Come on"

He led her away from the girls corridor and across the away to the boys dormitories. Compared to the calm tranquillity of the girl's corridor, the boy's corridor was pandemonium. A group of students were playing a game of tag football out in the hallway. Eva had to duck to avoid the ball that had just been launched in their direction and Aikka caught it one handed. The boys jumped at the sight of Aikka and instantly quietened down.

"Where is David?" Aikka asked calmly. The boys all exchanged bemused expressions. There was then the sound of someone knocking on one of the doors, some murmuring. The boys shuffled around, and David emerged from behind them, a book in one hand and his other hand pulling off a pair of reading glasses. He looked as bemused as the rest of them.

"David. You and Eva have been asked to join the King and Queen for dinner. I have been sent to escort you both there," Aikka announced, his expression completely neutral. There was a fresh outbreak of murmuring at this. David turned and went back to his room. Eva feared he was ignoring the summons, but he was back a moment later, having simply deposited his book and glasses back in his room. Aikka turned and left the corridor, David and Eva hurrying after him.

However, Aikka led them back to his own room. David caught on immediately

"There is no dinner with your parents is there?" he asked, smiling wryly. Aikka shook his head

"No. I need to speak with both of you. We are all aware of the new situation, and we must act accordingly" David frowned and Eva's eyes widened with fear.

"What do you mean, act accordingly?" she asked

"We are all in agreement that the top priority right now should be your safety. For that reason, I want you to stay with David at all times, or with myself, and not go wandering off by yourself"

Eva's reaction caught everyone off guard.

"No"

Aikka stared at her, surprised.

"What is the problem with this plan?" he asked her politely

"You think they don't stare at me enough right now, being the Prince's 'little friend'? What do you think will happen if I have to be by your side every single day? They will never leave me alone!"

Aikka stared at her, completely taken aback. Even David looked stunned.

"David will be watching as well," Aikka said, trying to placate her. She let out a derisive snort.

"Yeah, because that will make everything so much better. My best friend now hates me because of him! I'm not agreeing to this. Whatever is out there, it can come for me. I'm more than ready to take it on!"

And with that, she stormed from the room, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. After a minute David spoke up.

"I think that went well," he said brightly. Aikka fixed him with an incredulous stare. Was he being serious? David caught sight of the look on his face.

"Dude, it's called sarcasm. Might want to look it up if you're dealing with her," he said, gesturing out of the door after her. Then he took off running after her. Aikka could hear him calling for her.

He sank down onto his bed, and tried to take this new situation. If Eva was going to ignore the new threat and go wandering off alone, then he had a very serious problem on his hands. He had to make her understand that this was all in the name of her safety. But how?