The last thing he wanted was to come to Paris. He had many reasons to avoid it and to hate it, and on the top of the list was−−the boy. The only reason he came to Paris was because of an obligation. His latest bounty had slipped into the city and he didn't want to give up. He could face Ky if he managed to run into him. He wasn't a coward.

"Know this guy?"

Sol violently shoved the man he had been hunting into a station and watched as he stumbled forward, and then fell on his knees. He sat there with his head down, knowing the gig was up and there was no more getting away.

A man standing behind a counter looked up after Sol made his entrance with his bounty. He looked from the man on the floor, to Sol and back to the other again. He was in a sorry state. He had a predominate black eye on the right side of his face, a cut on his forehead and the side of his pantleg was singed.

Sol walked past the man on the floor and thumped him on his side with his boot. "Stay." He pulled a folded piece of paper from his pants and slapped it on the surface of the counter. On it was a photo of the man on the floor and the information of the bounty.

"You sure did mess him up."

"He was getting on my nerves."

The man's eyes darted in observation. "Well, that's him alright. It's only fair to give you the reward." He turned and crouched under the counter where a safe was kept. He withdrew the money, and then reappeared, handing it over. "There. All five thousand World Dollars up-front."

Sol counted it briefly, then shrugged. "See ya." He turned, heading out the door, but not before giving the man on the floor a good-bye thump on the side.

The money would last him a good while, mainly on food and board whenever he felt like coming into the towns. And his stomach reminded him that food sounded good right now. His Gear eyes shifted into the horizon and listened. Then, like a hunting animal he picked up the sight of movement and activity. He huffed to himself and walked towards it.

Where he brought himself was to a market busy with shoppers and merchants. The closer he got he could smell the scent of food−−and people. After he became a Gear his senses heightened, including his sense of smell. There were advantages and disadvantages of being a Gear.

He observed the area before he slipped between two stands and walked into the market. The sounds of murmuring and shuffling of feet flooded his ears as he began to blend in. He turned his head and lifted his nose, catching the scent of cooking meat. Walking farther on, he saw the source of what attracted him. A small vendor selling skewered, grilled and even raw meat made him start toward it. The fat, balding owner of the kiosk stared at him in hopes he had hooked a new customer, and upon feeling his stare, Sol pointed to a row of skewered beef. "Two of those." It wasn't much. It would be an appetizer until he found something that would lay heavier on his stomach.

Once the man handed him the two he departed and continued down the market, chewing on the skewered beef until only the stick was left, and started on the other. He stopped, leaning against a wooden barrel. He looked out, clearing his mind until−−

Sol's brows slowly lowered once he saw two figures in the distance. At first he only saw a police cape, and an IPF one at that. But the scene was much more interesting. The one in the cape was no cop. It was the girl, or Gear he should say, from the Grove. It had been a long time since he had seen her. The last he heard about the bounty was it was claimed and the Gear was presumed dead; therefore, he put her out of his mind. He never thought he would see her again.

What shocked him even more was that she was trailing Ky closely, who walked straight like a bodyguard. Sol watched as the Gear turned and took Ky by the arm and pulled on him.

With a tilt of his head, Sol muttered, "What the hell is this?"

She was playing human with Ky's cape. The two looked too natural together. It was dangerous. What would happen if someone scared her or pissed her off? And that wasn't the only thing concerning him.

He watched a little longer while longer before he followed at a distance.


Everything had gone well, although it was slow, almost to no advancement to his goal. But that didn't deter him. There was plenty of time and he knew cases weren't solved the next day. He had to keep in mind he was doing this alone. He was more successful when he had other officers at his side, but that wasn't going to happen in this sort of situation.

She brought a smile with her when they returned to the Mayship and her gait bounced ahead of him while she held a box of chocolates she got for the other girls. She bought two knowing it wouldn't last long.

A few of the girls were outside, and once they saw them approaching they picked their heads up alertly. Dizzy waved and called after them. Some called back but kept their distance because of his presence.

"Dizzy."

She turned her eyes to where the voice of May beckoned the young Gear. She stood at the loading dock at the mouth of the ship. When they made eye contact she flashed Ky a frown. Dizzy didn't notice it and started forward, but after a few steps, she stopped and looked back at him.

"Ky, I almost forgot," she said and unclasped the cape that concealed her wings and tail, then passed it back to him. "Thank you. Ky, when am I going to see you again?" She smiled and displayed a hint of a blush on her cheeks.

"I'm going to find out," he said, then patted her on the head in a way that wished her luck. But perhaps it was more affectionate after he noticed he did it. He drew his hand away slowly and returned it back to his thigh. "Ah, Dizzy, your friend is calling you."

"I know. Thank you for today. I look forward in seeing you again."

He nodded. "And by then I hope to have better information for you."

"Dizzy!"

She giggled lightly. "I better go. Good-bye, Ky." She passed him a smile and walked away. Ky watched her as she left him, her tail twitching, and joined her friend. The two briefly chatted, and as they did, May glared at him once in a while.

"I never thought I'd see that look on your face."

Ky turned his attention away and looked over his shoulder to see Jester stalking towards him with a grin on his face.

"What do you mean?" Ky asked.

Jester snorted. "Like you don't know."

Ky shook his head. "No, I don't. Jester, where's Johnny?"

He looked around. "I think he slipped inside. Do you want me to go find him?"

"I can find him by myself, I'm sure," he said and started ahead. He looked up to the deck and when he did he saw the form of black that he instantly knew was Johnny. While the two stared at each other, Ky raised a hand to gesture him down. Johnny understood the gesture and disappeared from the deck, going inside the airship and soon reappeared, walking towards them. Johnny peeked at them from behind his shades and said, "It looks like you two are back. Everything go alright?"

Ky nodded. "Yes. I just need more time."

Johnny looked at him in an odd way. "Hmm, with a guy like you, of course you do."

Ky frowned. There was some sort of underlying meaning by what he said, and with it coming from someone like Johnny he didn't want to know what he was playing.

"As I was about to say," Ky said, "I need to see her again."

"I saw that coming," Johnny muttered to himself.

"Hopefully, I will have some information for her by then. Give me two weeks and be here by evening. Police orders."

Johnny's lip twitched. "Sure. Anything else, officer?"

"Just take care of her," he said. "And the others. But I want to remind you: Despite your chivalry, you're still a criminal."

Johnny played with the brim of his hat. "Sure, shoot a guy down while he's flying high."

"You won't be if you're not here."

"I know, that's the deal. All this for a cute girl. Now that's chivalrous. But don't worry, we'll be here. I'm a man of my word. Have I disappointed you yet?"

He had to admit, Johnny kept all their agreements and did what he requested. Johnny was actually−−trustworthy.

A pirate? Trustworthy? Really, what was this world coming to?

"No, you haven't," Ky said. "Let's keep it that way."

Johnny tipped his hat. "Right, officer! So, if we're on all good terms . . ."

He knew what he wanted.

"We can depart and Jester and I can go off duty."

"I didn't know you were on duty, officer," Johnny said.

Ky nodded. "When I come here, I'm on duty."

"And when you leave, you're not."

Ky eyed him who was bold enough to match his cold stare. "No. When I'm with Dizzy I'm still a police officer."

He shrugged. "Alright, whatever you say."

Ky shook his head and slowly turned. "Well, now my duty is over. Until then, Johnny. Come on, Jester." He walked away with Jester in tow.

"Good-bye, officers!"

Ky said nothing and kept his back to him while Jester raised his hand over his head in response. They walked along the side of the ship and when they passed the opening where he last saw Dizzy, he turned the corner of his eye towards it but didn't see her. Still, it felt he was being watched from within the spot, either by the pirates or her.

After passing the ship and a long silence Jester finally said, "So, when were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"I saw her tail."

Ky suddenly halted and stared forward.

"I'm no dummy," Jester said. "I was going to find out eventually."

Ky sighed. "You are right. It's why I'm bringing you here rather than another officer. I trust you, Jester."

"Well, you picked the right guy. I haven't opened my mouth about you and the pirates. And I don't plan to unless you say so. But I got one question for you, Ky."

"And that is?"

Jester turned his head slightly and looked at him through the corner of his bright emerald eyes. "Is she . . ."

He knew what he was going to say. Without the need to finish his question, Ky said, "The maiden of the Grove, yes."

Jester raised his brows and kept his eyes locked on him. "So the Gear wasn't killed."

"The pirates took her in," Ky explained. "I didn't know she left the Grove until a few months ago. I spared her, Jester, I spared her. I thought she was the kind of Gear the reports said and I wanted to see for myself. She wasn't. I attacked her first. You should have seen the look in her eyes."

"I don't blame you. I'll be by your side until you find the mysteries behind this girl. Sure, the pirates are a handful but you need a partner on this kind of, umm, case. But one thing, Ky."

"What's that?"

"Will you fill me in?"

"No, Jester. This is only between Dizzy and I." He quickened his steps. "I need to get home soon." He briefly closed his eyes.

"To do some, ah, research?"

"No. I need some rest. I have the representatives from Ilyria to meet."

"Ilyria," Jester repeated and paused thoughtfully. "Why does that sound familiar?"

"It's a place we've been to during the war. Their king was killed by Gears. I'm surprised you don't remember it. You were there. I didn't recall it at first, either."

Jester's eyes suddenly flashed wide. "Those guys! Yeah, I remember now. What do they want?"

"I don't know. I will have to wait until later tonight to find out."

Jester bit down on his lower lip. "Well, well, alright. I wish you luck with them."

Just thinking about what they may want from him made him anxious, and he didn't like it. There was something−−

"There's nothing I can do," he muttered and began walking again.

The two said little after that but it wasn't going to stay quiet. Did it ever?

"Hey! Hey, boy!"

Ky instantly halted and focused on the voice that called him, and then slowly turned his head. He saw Sol step out of hiding from behind a collection of crates, his face grim as always. Ky felt his eyes burn the moment he saw him. And then his hatred turned to fear when he thought of−− Dizzy!

"Sol!"

Sol put a hand on the side of his neck and popped it twice. "What's going on here, Ky?" he growled. "What are you doing with the Gear?"

He had seen them together?

Ky's brows flicked and his mind called off an alarm in his head. Still, he stood his ground and kept his eyes on him, watching for any signal or threatening movement.

Sol stared back at him and tilted his head. "Why are you staring at me like that? You wanna say something? Come on."

"I got tons to say to you," Jester muttered over Ky's shoulder.

Sol turned his eyes up to him. "Hey, tell your lackey to go lay down."

Perhaps it was best to send him away. If a fight broke out he may try to get between them, although, he knew better. He learned when he caught them fighting it was better to stay out of it, otherwise he might as well be apart of it. Ky was actually guilty of stunning him last minute when it was meant for Sol.

He glanced at Jester and mouthed, "Dizzy."

He got the message and took off running back to the Mayship. Sol seemed ready to grab him but decided against it and looked at Ky.

"Sending your dog to guard the Gear?" He rolled his eyes. "Smooth move." Sol dismissively waved him off and took a step away to chase after him. If he did he may have to protect Jester, too. Sol had little patience for him. But it was Dizzy he was worried about. As a former knight, Jester could handle himself.

Ky jumped in front of Sol and threw his arms out, making himself a barrier. "Stop!"

Sol stared at him and tilted his head. "Boy, if you don't get out of my way I'm going to throw you straight across this port."

Ky unconsciously bunched his right hand. Now was the time to have Furaiken but without it he had to work around this situation, and with Sol they weren't going to talk it out. It always led to a fight.

"You didn't answer my question," Sol said. "What are you doing with the Gear? You're gallivanting her around like she's human when she should be in the grove."

"You hunted her, too?" Ky asked.

"Yeah," Sol replied flatly.

"I'm surprised, Sol. Did you let her go?"

Sol clicked his tongue like he was shrugging him off when he was trying to avoid the question. "You're already getting on my nerves," he said. "If you're bringing her out in public, I'm not going to risk it." He then shouted: "She's a commander, don't you know?"

It felt like he ran into something. Was she? Was she really?

"She's−−"

"Enough of you! Get out of my way!" Sol threw his fist out with a burst of flames flashing in front of him. Ky was almost blinded but his instincts didn't fail him. He avoided a hit to the face and shifted his body. Sol was quick though and managed to punch him on the chest, throwing him against a pile of wooden crates. He stumbled and tried to keep his footing, grappling for something stable and fell to the ground. He lay there a few seconds, winded by the hit but he quickly recovered when he saw Sol's boots go running off towards the Mayship.

"Stop!" He forced himself to his feet and with a terrible ache in his chest he ran after him. He pumped his legs as fast as he could get them to go. Now was the time he would launch a Stun Edge while his back was to him and hope it hit, that is, if he had Furaiken.

There was only one thing he could do now.

Ky leapt forward and grabbed a hold of Sol's leg while he was in mid-stride. The two went down with Ky's already aching chest hitting the ground. When he looked up he still had a hold of Sol and saw a sneer on his face while he looked back.

"Get off me!"

Sol threw his boot out, aiming for his face which Ky avoided with a quick shift of his head. He then thrust himself up and dropped one knee down on Sol's chest and straddled him. Their eyes locked until Sol broke it by untangling himself from under Ky and flipped him. Ky didn't hesitate getting up and neither did Sol.

Sol was up and running first but Ky quickly built speed as he pursued him. He pumped his legs until they began to burn, but he was too focused on Sol to care about any sort of pain.

Sol looked back and by then Ky sprinted up to his side. Sol began to raise his arm to strike him. Ky took no chance. His best defense was an offense. He threw his elbow out swiftly with it connecting to his chin, making Sol's head jerk back and stumble. He kept his footing and stopped to prevent himself from falling.

Ky skidded to a stop with his feet parted and faced him. "I won't let you pass. We can be here all day and I will still stop you."

Sol straightened himself and popped his neck. "Stop playing hero. It gets old." He cocked his head and eyed Ky, then looked past him to the Mayship. He didn't notice until now how close they were. If Sol got past him again he might−−

"Hey! Hey! What's going on here?"

Ky glanced back quickly and saw Johnny approaching them. Now was not a good time.

"Johnny, get back to the ship."

"But−−"

Ky snapped his head around. "I said move!" he shouted.

The aggressive command made Johnny step back, and then return to the airship in haste. Ky watched a few seconds at the corner of his eye. When he returned his full attention he saw Sol looking at him from under his wild bangs. His eyes were chilling. They always were, but they didn't move him.

Sol then jabbed a finger in his direction and then turned and walked away.

"What?" Ky said in confusion. "What are you doing? Don't walk away!"

He looked back. "You want that Gear so much, you got an opening." He started off again. "See you soon, Ky."

Ky shook his head but with Sol backing down for now he had to get back to Dizzy. He took one more look at him before he turned back and ran to the Mayship. He only saw Johnny and May outside, both armed and standing by one of the hatches. Jester was a few paces away on his guard.

"Where is she?" he asked the three.

"Inside and safe," Jester said. "She doesn't know what's going on."

Ky sighed with a pain pushing on his chest. He put a hand over it. "Good."

"What's going on here, officer?" Johnny asked.

Ky refused to answer and said, "Go."

"What's−−"

"Go!"

Johnny was taken back again and did as told with May following. She glanced at Ky quickly as she went. He stayed where he stood and remained there until the airship took flight. He kept his eyes on the sky.

"I must protect her," he whispered to himself.