lychee-ran: Haha cool, I go all the emotions I wanted from those scenes X3 "Done," or "Just beginning?" Haha, once everyone's together the fun really begins!

Vlad Leonardo: I totally agree. After all, only badass characters get to duel wield, haha X3 Heh… Like I said, gotta keep it T and THAT kind of ending would definitely need to change the story to M… If you want, just imagine a more graphic scene, haha.

Guest: First off, don't worry, I read all my reviews X3 I understand, sometimes OC characters can make or break the story. Maria's character took a very long time and A LOT of thinking before I felt she was right for the story. For Muse themselves, I actually based my choices on the weapons, and whoever I felt fit the weapon style, with personalities coming after that. Oh, and I absolutely adore Honoka in elegant clothing ^,^ EliMaki could be a potential future, but we'll see what people say later on when I ask again. Don't apologize for starting late, I don't hold those kind of things against people. Thanks for the nice review =] Make a FF account if you haven't already so I can address you properly next time X3

*Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!

"Ah, there they are."

Hearing Maria's voice, the others looked up from what they were doing. They saw Nico, Kotori, and Honoka appear from the hallway and into the lobby.

"See? I told you there was nothing to worry about," the maid said.

"Onee-chan!" rang three voices.

Before long, Nico found herself being hugged by her siblings. Not as quickly as the little ones, the others got up to meet with Kotori and Honoka.

"So, where did you all disappear to?" Maki asked.

"Well…" Kotori began.

"They were trying to catch the Magistrate," Honoka finished before Kotori could say anything.

"Eh?" came several surprised responses.

"Yeah, they noticed the Magistrate trying to slip away while we were escorting everyone out of the manor. Right?"

Kotori realized what Honoka was up to. "Right. We tried to stop him, but he just managed to slip away."

"Slip away? How?" Rin asked.

"Apparently there was a secret exit he had created just in case, and he never shared with anyone," Kotori explained. "By the time we discovered it, he was long gone."

"Aw… is that true?" Kotarou asked Nico.

"Y-yeah… I'm sorry," Nico answered.

"It's okay Onee-chan," Kokoro said cheerfully. "As long as he's gone and never comes back, then everything will be fine."

"Don't worry, I don't think we'll be hearing from the ex-Magistrate ever again," Kotori said. Only Nico and Honoka knew the hidden meaning.

Hanayo started stretching. "Well, I don't know about you all, but I think it's about time to call it a day."

"Agreed," Eli said. "It's pretty late at this point."

"Now that you mention it, I am pretty tired," Maki said, fighting back a yawn.

"Then let's head back to the inn," Kotori suggested. "I think we more than deserve to rest."

"You all can go ahead," Nico said. "My siblings and I are going to go back to our apartment."

"Oh, okay. What about you Eli?" Honoka asked.

"I'm not sure. I don't have anything specific to do now that this incident is over with."

"How about spending the night with us?" Rin suggested.

"You can help us keep an eye on Honoka-sama, in case she tries to wander off again," Maria said jokingly.

"Hey, I can hear everything, you know," Honoka said, pouting.

Everyone enjoyed a laugh together as they left the manor. After crossing the bridge, they said their goodbyes to the Yazawa siblings and returned to their room at the inn. Honoka and Maria shared one bed, while Kotori and Maki shared the other. Rin, Eli, and Hanayo were fine with using sleeping bags on the floor, because of Rin and Eli's training and Hanayo being used to it from traveling so much.

Quickly and quietly, the seven of them drifted off to sleep.

The next day felt very different compared to when they first arrived yesterday. Instead of the quiet and abandoned streets they arrived to yesterday, the streets were full of people going in all directions.

"This place is so much livelier now!" Honoka exclaimed.

"Well, the Magistrate did capture a lot of people," Maki pointed out.

"True. And it seems like those he didn't capture were too scared to even leave their houses," Hanayo added.

"It's not all bad," Maria said. "Some people get to benefit from it."

They all looked over to the right of where they were sitting on the fountain. For some time now, there was a decent sized crowd gathered there. At the center of the crowd were Rin and Eli, being showered with praise and appreciation. Over to the left of them was a similarly sized crowd, with Nico at the center.

The crowds weren't very surprising to them. For the people who didn't know any better, it was easier for them to assume that the two Knights were the ones that set everyone free. The same could be said for Nico, seeing as how she's a local and very well known in the city. Of course, her siblings going around spreading tales helped as well.

The other five didn't mind the lack of recognition though. It meant that they didn't have to deal with the crowds themselves, which meant there was less risk of someone recognizing Honoka. They still got some notice from the locals that they saved last night that remember who they are, which was enough for them.

Eventually most of the crowd surrounding Eli and Rin had things they needed to do for the day, and dispersed. Now free, they made their way over to the fountain where the others were sitting.

"So, what do you all plan to do from here?" Eli asked the group.

"The princess here wants to visit my hometown of Dahngrest," Kotori answered.

"Dahngrest… So you'll be taking a boat to Telos Astue then, huh?"

Honoka noticed that Eli's voice had trailed off toward the end, and that her gaze felt a little distant.

"Is something wrong?" Honoka asked.

Eli sighed. "I just don't feel completely comfortable with the idea of you leaving Izolle on a whim. And traveling to Dahngrest of all places…" She caught Kotori's eyes. "No offense."

Kotori shrugged. "I'm pretty aware of Dahngrest's reputation around here." Though to people here, my family's reputation is A LOT worse, she thought to herself.

"Don't worry," Rin said. "I'll be going with them."

"You are?" Honoka asked in excitement.

"Of course. It is my duty to protect you after all. You can count on me."

"Us too," Maki joined in. "We'll all help with protecting Honoka."

"That's right," Hanayo nodded.

Rin turned to Eli. "Is that reassuring enough?"

"Hmm… Well I know I can count on you and Maria. And the rest of you proved yourselves to be very capable last night…" Eli closed her eyes as she considered a few more points in her head.

Honoka chose then to speak up. "You know, you could always come with us."

Everyone turned to look at Honoka. The princess saw from the others' faces that the thought never crossed their minds. They all looked back to Eli for her answer.

"I suppose I could…" Eli said slowly. "Though, it's unusual for a Cygnus Knight to ever have to leave Izolle for any reason. For two to leave on a whim…"

"If it makes things easier, I can make it an official assignment," Honoka said. "For my protection, right?"

"Well we only listen to the King, which includes the Royal Family by extension, so that would work." Eli smiled. "Okay, I'll be joining you all then."

The first to cheer was Rin, who also hugged Eli. The others showed their approval as well. While they were distracted with that, Maria tapped Honoka on the shoulder.

"As nice as their sentiments are, it's not like you're some helpless princess or anything," the maid whispered.

Honoka smiled. "I'll be counting on you, like always."

Hearing her hidden question answered, Maria smiled as well. "I won't let you down."

"Well," Kotori said, addressing their group, "We still have some time before the boat leaves. What should we do?"

"Boat? Where are you all going to?"

They all turned to see Nico, having finally gotten rid of the crowd keeping her busy earlier.

"To Telos Astue, to visit Dahngrest," Kotori replied.

"Telos Astue…" Nico repeated to herself. Then she spoke up. "If that's the case, let me come with you."

"Eh?" Everyone was surprised by the sudden request.

"Are you sure?" Hanayo asked. "What about your siblings?"

"I can arrange things with people here. Besides, I have some unfinished business in Telos Astue." There was a bit of an edge in Nico's voice.

"Unfinished business, huh?" Kotori repeated. "Are you from Felgana?"

Nico nodded. "We don't have to go there right away, but I'd like to stop there at some point, and I'd feel better if I had you all with me. So…"

"You don't need to explain yourself to us," Honoka interrupted. "We'd love to have you with us, right?"

The others all nodded their agreement. Nico smiled.

"Thanks everyone."

"We still have time before the boat leaves," Kotori said. "And you still have to talk to the owner of your apartment complex, right?"

"Yeah. It'll be really quick, so I'll meet you all at the dock."

Nico turned and quickly ran off. They watched her go before deciding to just go to the dock to wait.

"Do you think it's really alright for Nico to leave her siblings like this?" Maki asked.

"Well, with the old Magistrate gone, there shouldn't be any problems here anymore," Rin said.

Eli nodded. "I sent a report of what happened here with Yuri back to the King as well. They'll have a new, much more trustworthy Magistrate appointed sometime soon."

"Oh, that's good then," Maki said, satisfied.

I had no idea all these things were happening in Izolle…, Honoka thought. How am I going to make a good queen someday if I don't even know what's happening…

Sensing her master's thoughts, Maria rested a hand on Honoka's shoulder. "You shouldn't worry about things like that right now. Those concerns will be answered when the time is right."

Maria had spoken softly, but Kotori, who was walking close by, managed to catch it.

"What are we talking about over here?" Kotori asked.

"Nothing," Maria responded, smiling to keep her composure. "Just words between master and maid."

Kotori raised an eyebrow at the vague response, looking to Honoka for a better answer. Honoka mimicked Maria, smiling.

"That's right, nothing that you need to know."

The small laugh the two shared told Kotori there answer was far from the truth. But realizing they wouldn't answer her directly, she just shrugged and dropped the topic.

Hey guys, nobodD here!

So after the events of the last few chapters, I thought a short and relaxing chapter was definitely needed. Also Eli and Nico officially join the party.

Really there's not much to say. This chapter is just to unwind a bit. Pretty short, to make up for making you read that long last chapter X3

Next stop, Telos Astue! See you guys then~