Disclaimer: I do not own Zatch Bell or anything related to it. I only own my OC's names.

Character thoughts are italicized

Following the day's long ordeal, the group decided it was best to rest until morning. This way everyone could recover their strength. When they got back to the hotel room everyone was in the main room, doing their own thing. Mr. Goldo, Eido and Apollo were looking at the art, Folgore, Sunbeam and Uri were resting on the couch, Nick and Kiyo caught up with Li-en and Wonrei and Megumi was introduced to them. Meanwhile, Dr. Riddles approached everyone. "I recently discovered some information that might be useful when fighting Milordo-Z. His real identity is Zophise. You see, on my way here I met with other mamodo pairs to see if they would fight with us. I can't guarantee they will, but during this time I stumbled upon the strongest mamodo I've ever met. His name, was Brago and his partner Sherri. They both have a long grudge with Zophise and are coming here as we speak. But I warn you, they are not allies, we just have a mutual enemy. The girl told me that if anyone touches Milordo-Z that she would burn their book extremely fast."

"That sounds like Sherri alright." Kiyo said without realizing his mistake.

Dr. Riddles was shocked. "Kiyo, are you saying you know them?"

"Well, sorta, we fought them once but ended up losing." Now this shocked all the mamodo.

Tia began to shake Zatch, demanding answers. "If you fought Brago, why are you still here!" She yelled.

"Tia relax. We got beat pretty badly, but for some reason they let us go." Kiyo told everyone.

It seemed every mamodo had something to say about Brago. "There isn't a mamodo that doesn't know of his strength." Wonrei told the group, with a little bit of fright in his eyes.

"He scares me, even more than usual."Kanchome cried.

This continued on for a few more minutes where each mamodo had something different to say about Brago. "I must thank everyone who decided to come here, tomorrow will be rough. It is quite possible that not everyone gets out of here." Dr. Riddles said, warning them that their wrost fears could happen

Tia couldn't handle anymore negativity. "It'll be alright, as long as we combine our powers together like today no one can stop us." No one said anything, this wasn't the reaction she was hoping for. Just then Zatch spoke up.

"That's the spirit Tia." Zatch told the fellow mamodo while smiling. "By the way, I haven't thanked you yet for taking care of my book. Thank you Tia."

This unexpected act caused Tia to blush. "Oh Zatch." She replied. This caught the attention of a few others. Penny and Hyde weren't excited from this. Potat thought that he had something new to tease Tia with, while Danny could tell that something crazy was going to happen.

"Who does she think she is. Trying to take my Zatch from me. It's well known that we're practically together." Penny said from under her breath. Uri merely started to sweat. He may not have heard her, but after traveling with her he knew it wasn't good when her arms were crossed over her chest.

"Zatch, I just want to say thank you." Tia began, only to be cut off by a group of excitement. Zatch, Potat, Ponygon, Rops, and Kanchome were being shown by Kido how to make sushi from just soy sauce and pudding.

"Dr. Riddles taught me this. It's just like the fancy stuff in the restaurants." Kido began, unaware that the doctor was lying. He then handed it Kanchome to taste.

"It's just like sea urchin!" The young mamodo cried.

Tia was getting upset, Zatch wasn't paying attention while she tried thanking him. He was too busy trying to get the home made sushi from Kanchome. Tia finally snapped. "Zatch!" She yelled, finally getting his attention. "How dare you step on my face earlier today!" She yelled as she started to step on his face.

"I'm sorry! It won't happen again." He cried.

Penny merely laughed. Good luck winning over Zatch when all you do is beat him up. She thought as she walked away.

A little while passed by, but Tia was still upset. Stupid Zatch, all I wanted to do was say thank you and he messes that up. She thought to herself. Everyone was off doing different things now. She noticed that Folgore, along with every mamodo except Potat, Danny, Wonrei and Penny were stretching. She then noticed that Megumi was taking care of Kiyo's injuries, while Li-en did the same for Wonrei. That's it, I'll thank Zatch while I take care of his injuries. Tia left the room to get bandages and came back wearing a nurse's hat and carrying a first aid kit. "Oh Zatch." She called, getting his attention. "I'm going to nurse you back to your full strength."

This worried Zatch, he knew that Tia could either do a really nice job, or end up hurting him more and it all mattered on how upset she was. After earlier Zatch didn't want to risk it. "I'm fine. Thanks Tia, but I don't need help." He told her, hoping it would work. Unfortunately it didn't, Tia grabbed Zatch by the arm and pulled him to a seat.

Tia began to wrab the bandages around Zatch. While doing this she tried talking with him. "Zatch, you're pretty banged up. You really are careless." She began with. By this point, she wasn't paying attention to what the bandages covered. "Zatch about today, I just want to say..." Tia was unable to finish as Zatch yelled out in pain, as Tia had covered his mouth and nose with it.

After her two failures Tia headed off to the balcony to be alone. She could overhear the group's conversation from inside.

"I'm really jealous of those two." Megumi said, looking at Li-en and Wonrei. "They're extremely close."

The duo blushed, the whole time they had been staring at each other completely unaware of the others. Kanchome couldn't resist any longer, so he asked a harmless question to the two. "Have you two kissed each other? That's what really close friends do." He said innocently while pretending to be kissing someone.

"Kanchome, where are your manners. You ask like this, go on kiss the girl." Folgore said, asking Wonrei to kiss her. This embarrassed the duo in front of everyone. Everyone else was shocked as well. The only one who wasn't annoyed was Dr. Riddles who was laughing at the scene before him.

Li-en immediately ran outside and onto the balcony, trying to control her emotions. Once she had them under control she noticed Tia outside with her, looking sad. "Tia, what's the matter? Why aren't you inside with everyone else."

Why can't I just say the words thank you. It would be strange to just say them now. Tia thought to herself. Li-en's voice brought Tia back to reality. "Oh hi Li-en." Tia said, raising her head. "I'm having a hard time telling someone my feelings and I'm trying to think of how to tell them."

"Tia, why this all of a sudden?" Li-en asked the mamodo.

"Well, you and Wonrei are real close and I want that same feeling." Tia said, before trying to cover what she said. "Well, you know, when I meet that someone."

Li-en smiled at Tia, "Well, the best way to tell someone your feelings is by finding a nice and quiet place, somewhere that you two can be alone without anyone ruining it."

This was exactly what Tia needed to hear. "Thank you Li-en." She then ran into the building, only to see Penny all over Zatch. At that moment she decided she needed help. Tia decided to go find Potat and ask for help. After a few minutes she found him playing with Danny and Hyde. "Uh, Potat, can I talk with you." She said, getting his attention.

Potat got up and followed Tia down the hall until they were the only two around. "So, what did you need me for?"

"I really need your help."This surprised Potat, his smile turned serious as he didn't know what was happening. "I really need to talk to Zatch alone, but Penny is always around him. And I can't say what I need to with her around."

Potat's smile returned. "So, you want me to keep Penny away from Zatch long enough to allow to tell Zatch everything. Even your love for him." Potat added the last part in for a joke and was now ready to be hit.

"Relax, I'm not going to hit you this time. You are helping me, but, I just want to thank him for everything he's done for me." She paused now. "In case some of us don't make it out of this fight. Tonight may be my only chance to do so." A few tears started to form in her eyes.

"Hey, I understand. He's helped us all out. Just let me know when to distract Penny okay? And tomorrow, we are all leaving here together." He reassured her before leaving.

Later that night Tia decided that now was the perfect time. She flashed Potat a look, meaning it was time. Potat walked over to Penny and asked her if she could help him with a problem he had. She was hesitant at first, but Potat was able to convince her. Tia walked over to Zatch and asked him to follow her somewhere. The duo walked down the hallways of the building until they were all alone outside. All Tia thought about was how she was going to thank Zatch. She decided to try how Megumi told her.

Flashback

"Tia, what is up with you today!" Megumi demanded after bringing Tia into the hallway. Tia turned around, showing Megumi tears in her eyes. "Tia.."

"What's wrong with me. I can't even say thank you. Every time I end up messing it up and it would be strange to just say it now. When he showed up to rescue me, I felt extremely happy, but despite how I felt, I can't say thank you. I'm the worst, why can't I just say the right words."

"Oh Tia. It's because you're trying so hard to have it be perfect. It doesn't matter how you tell him, when talking about something important just be straightforward with him. And even if you can't say the right words, if you express it from your heart he'll understand. I know you can do it Tia." Megumi said, bringing Tia into a hug.

"Tia, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Zatch asked.

"Well, tomorrow we begin our hardest fight yet, and we might not all make it."

This got Zatch's attention. "Don't worry Tia, I won't let anything happen to you. I'll protect you and you'll protect me just like before." He now had a smile across his face.

Tia smiled back at this, "That's just like you, always looking out for me. Just like with Maruss and today. You see, when I'm around you, I feel safe and happy. That's why I just want to say thank you."

Zatch continued to smile, but was confused. "Tia, you don't need to thank me for anything, we're friends and friends always help each other out."

"That's just like you Zatch, but I want to. Whenever I feel weak, you're always by my side helping me feel better. So thank you Zatch, for everything you've done."

"Your welcome Tia." Zatch said before the two started laughing as they walked inside.

As Zatch headed to his room Tia continued walking until she found Potat with lumps and bruises all over him. "What happened to you?"

"Penny. You see, I tried having some fun by having Hyde go along with it." Potat began before seeing Tia's face. "Relax, he didn't know why. Anyway we had the room set up romantically and when Penny entered we told her she was lucky enough to win a date with Hyde. Needless to say she didn't enjoy it and attacked us. I got it the worst out of the two of us. I hope everything went well." He finished before heading to his room.

Tia stood there for a momant before yelling back. "Potat!" This got his attention. "I just wanted to say thank you for helping me."

Potat turned around and spoke one last time for the night. "Anytime." He smiled even though it caused him pain and then continued on his way. Tia then continued until she came to her room.

Elsewhere Nick and Kiyo were standing on the balcony talking. "So, this is the object that heals them?" Nick asked.

"Ya, the mamodo who gave me it said it heals injuries."

Just then Dr. Riddles walked out to them. "That wouldn't happen to be one of the moon stone pieces would it?"

"Ya, I was telling Nick about how it heals injuries. Unfortunately it's light has faded so its useless now." Kiyo said as he handed the doctor the stone. "I take it you couldn't sleep either."

"No, I couldn't. Though we need any rest we can get. Tomorrow is going to be extremely difficult."

"I was going to lay down now anyway. Nick you coming?"

Nick didn't respond for a second, he was looking at the moon. It looked the same as the one he saw the day he met Potat. "Huh, oh I'm going to stay here for a few minutes."

Kiyo then walked inside as he left the others on the balcony. Silence was all there was outside, until Dr. Riddles spoke. "Nick, I must really thank you. Without you none of this could happen."

"I'm sorry, but you're wrong. I didn't do anything. You found this location, you gave everyone the information, you gathered everyone together. See where I'm going. I should be thanking you."

"Ah, but you're wrong my boy. If you didn't help convince some of these mamodo to help us, we wouldn't have as many on our side. The truth is, I couldn't get anyone else to join us. They all turned us down. So you deserve as much credit as I do."

"Its just, I feel like I'm living a lie. On the outside I'm making it seem like I'm fine. But on the inside, when I'm in a battle, my heart is racing, I'm anxious and nervous. I'm still that same coward you met in Boston."

"You have changed and quite a lot. It takes courage to overcome your fears. It takes a lot of it to look as calm and collected as you have lately. I'm going to bed now, I recommend you do the same." Dr. Riddles then left with Nick behind him.

The next day came quickly and the group was all packed and ready to go. They were then off on their way, ready to defeat Zophise.