Disclaimer: I only own what is mine. My OCs and Ideas.

A/N: Wow, almost forgot to do this… so… um… I've prewritten most of the rest of the story. Yay! It is 39 chapters including an epilogue! So this is great. I loved the coronation scene for Danny that I wrote. It's really cool, magic, tradition, quoting the comics. Yeah… so anyway I got to get this up and posted because I need to study (school… yay!). Read. Review. Enjoy!

Reviews:

ArtemisBAMF1218: On NGA I put the wrong thing but this is the review I am referencing basically. I started school over a month ago… life… Anyway, review when you can. I am looking forward to the Moments review because I just know you will like that chapter… I hope you liked it… I loved it…
Um… not really sure what I had in mind when I can up with the title. But there are a few thoughts behind it. For one; Neon would just not fit the rest of the story for Danny and Aiko… it just didn't work, so that and the fact I am actually nearing forty chapters is what convinced me to start a new book… but I really love this whole plot I have going (I am certain Lights will be very, very, very long). Two; it goes with the cover I picked out (you'll see it when it is released). Three; I like the ring "Neon Lights" it has nothing to do with the song. I honestly just smiled when I thought about it and how poetic it was. Four; I like the "Wedding Lights" ideas of yours… Five; the lights of each other's lives and their future and all that romantics mushy stuff (just came up with #5 just now).
Ryu's behavior is a result of tension, stress, and cabin fever. She and Davos have this cute relationship because Davos knew Wendell when he lived in K'un-Lun (they had a friend-rivalry thing going; "if it cannot be me; then let it be you" if I remember the quote correctly). So they have that to build off of and it is referenced on occasion. But they have other things in common. Outcasts, misfits, tempers… many shared qualities.
I guess you can say some of my inspiration comes from Avatar. I will admit to being a fan but I do not do these similarities on purpose. But character types (and stereotypes) are all shared across from one story to another.
Kasumi is really sweet older sister/mother role in the group and she is very serious when it comes to being a healer. She takes it very seriously. She's got goals and she wants to achieve them and she also knows Danny and wants to support him… older sister/mother stuff.
Danny gets to show his more inner emotions toward the situation in this chapter. So I hope you enjoy that. The dancing was mostly "culturally norm and expected that upper class should be able to… blah, blah, blah- Danny you need to at least be half-decent… you are going to be King!" I thought it was cute. And same with the gummies and outside food.
You got to remember Ryu grew up a twenty-first-century kid. And not the most modest. But I live for these moments. Wing cramps from lack of use… fun… and the really sad emotional part. She's like you said way-back-when; "like their kid." So it is sad to see her cry.
Aiko's crush all starts at Prom when she was talking to Ava… *evil author smile* it gets better, I have the next few chapters (almost the rest of the book) prewritten. Her crush gets so much better, a friend of mine read all of it because she was bored (huge fangirl and romance lover) and she loved it. Read. Review! Enjoy!

Chapter 35

"Ryu, you look beautiful." Māmā smiled. She took a few steps back from Ryu.

Ryu was wearing one of Aiko's old dresses. The underskirt was an azure blue. It was silk and fell past Ryu's feet. She was standing on a stool as the dress was fixed up.

On top of that was a beautiful top that went do to her hips. There was a part in the middle and that split to show the skirt. The top went down a few inches past her knees. The top was high collared and sleeveless. It was a denim or navy blue in color. It was gold trimmed, with gold and silver creating a pattern of swirls up the sides of the top.

"Thanks," Ryu muttered looking down at it.

"Are you still upset over yesterday?" Aiko asked softly

Ryu's tail tapped the ground. "No."

Aiko looked at the young Dragon Lord. She was upset. Her ears were down. And her face was down. She looked over to Danny who was sitting at the table with her back to them.

Māmā walked behind Ryu and moved her long blue hair over her shoulder. "Now to work on that opening for the wings."

"Ryu, don't lie." Danny corrected.

"So what if I am upset?" Ryu snapped. "It's not like anybody cares."

Danny sighed and turned around to look at Ryu. "You need to calm down, Ryu. You are also making me get worked up. I'm really trying to get through this. It is not easy."

"Sorry," Ryu grumbled. "What is so hard about reading a book?"

"Ryu, enough." Māmā corrected.

"Sorry," Ryu muttered. "Sorry for a bad mood."

"Did you sleep well last night?" Aiko asked.

"No," Ryu grumbled. "Someone kicked me in their sleep. I almost bit their head off."

She looked over at Danny who had his back to her again.

Aiko also looked over and watched Danny's shoulders tense.

"Ryu." Māmā corrected.

"What?" Ryu went on, watching Danny's back with pleasure. "It is completely true. He was having a nightmare. And I know exactly which…"

Ryu was cut off by Danny slamming his book shut and standing up.

Aiko caught the glimpse of wild in his eyes as Danny stormed to the door, threw on some sandals, he tied a cloak around his neck and then threw the hood over his head and then he stormed out the door.

Aiko also stood up. She got right in front of Ryu. "How could you be so heartless? He's your brother! He loves you!" She shouted.

Aiko was taking short breaths; her heart was racing to see Danny so upset. She felt horrible for him.

Aiko felt her rage boil as she put on her own shoes and ran outside to see where Danny had gone.

Danny was at the gate by the time Aiko was out the door. Aiko sighed. She had decided she would follow at a distance until a good opportunity came to talk to Danny.

Aiko trailed Danny throughout the city. To Aiko's surprise, he went right through the heart of the city, something she figured he would avoid in his horrible mood.

After the city, Danny had started off as if he was heading to one of the smaller communities that all feed into the city but were still a long walk away. But Danny had turned and started to head toward the forest.

Aiko had lost him right as he had entered. But he wasn't hard to find.

Aiko leapt slowly from tree to tree and perched herself on a branch, well above where Danny was.

Danny was throwing some knives at tree trunks and rushing from one to another to grab the next knife and throw it at the next tree.

Aiko watched him for a while thinking to herself. Ryu had made him angry and he was blowing off the steam of it. He was under more stress than anyone and he was cracking down the middle. He just couldn't do it by himself.

Aiko jumped down from the tree and instantly a force field formed right as Danny disconnected from throwing a knife.

The chi amplified blade pierced the shield but was stopped as the shield provided an exit point for the chi.

"Don't you think the color of that shield is a little inappropriate?" Danny asked as he walked over and pulled out the knife.

Aiko looked at the shield and sighed. It was a rare color combination, due to stress; light blue but mixed with light green.

"What's wrong with the color?" Aiko asked. "It's based on my emotions. It means I am relaxed and confident. Something you need to be right now."

Danny put the knife away and collected the other two before sitting at the base of the last tree he reclaimed his knife from. "I'm just worried about everything. Aiko this is a lot of pressure."

"I guess I get the feeling." Aiko walked over. "What's getting to you the most?"

"Ryu. I want to help her… I love her… she's my sister I don't get a choice. But she is going back to her old ways. And I want to make things as easy for her as I can, but she's starting to get on my nerves." Danny sighed. "She's difficult."

"But you love her…" Aiko added.

"Right." Danny sighed leaning his head on the tree. "I'm worried because tomorrow is all the formalities and official things and the next day I am King. So long as nothing goes wrong… and you know my luck."

"Nothing is going to go wrong," Aiko assured him carefully. "I mean really."

Danny sighed. "Aiko… I'm not from here. I didn't know this stuff from birth and I don't have a normal family to teach me. Right now. I just feel so out of it."

"Look, you need to let that go. You're the King. You have to take up that mantel like it or not." Aiko said crossly. "And you need to not be so panicky. You know the ceremonies and everything you have to do right?" Aiko waited for a nod. "Then stop worrying about it. Plus, you can't be the sole ruler until your eighteen. Last time I checked you are still seventeen."

Aiko smiled at him. "So you get a while with a safety net to help you out. You know, before you are out on your own."

"But I'm worried about the whole Ryu is legal thing. If I can't pass it right away, then you have to keep hiding her. I'm concerned because I don't have free reign yet. I'm not sure I can pass it or not." Danny sighed. "The council might start to think things about it and veto the whole law, then Ryu had to wait until I am on my own."

He looked up at the trees. "I don't know how this will work out. I'm worried about it."

"Right." Aiko sighed. "I get it."

Danny sighed. He looked at his hands. "I don't know. I don't want to become King."

"Why not?" Aiko asked.

"Pressure." Danny sighed. "You want to know something?"

Aiko smiled. "Sure."

"My history teacher, the first year I was back in New York told me something that stuck with me." Danny began. "Being president is stressful, it's the one job that will age you like no other. And it's horrible to have the pressure. That's why a term is only four years."

"Uh…" Aiko trailed off trying to remember…

"The president is the leader of the United States." Danny provided.

"Oh right." Aiko nodded, she didn't need that information anymore and had already begun to forget it. "I get it. You don't want the pressure."

"Yes." Danny sighed. "I mean. I don't know what I'm doing."

"What's right," Aiko answered him. "You are doing what is right."

"Sometimes I question it." Danny sighed in response. "I've been reflecting some."

"And?" Aiko asked.

"I don't want my life to change. I want to stay in the here and now. I want to keep living with your family, training, going on mission… everything that we did maybe three years ago. I'd give anything to go back and stay forever." Danny sighed.

"In a world of Magic, I hate to say things are impossible. But this is impossible Danny." Aiko sighed. "At least I know you aren't going to do anything dumb."

"Orson Randall ran away from K'un-Lun when he didn't want to comply with what was expected of him. Do you think I could do the same and get away with it?" Danny asked. He smiled and seemed genuine about it.

Aiko's elbow swung out and nearly hit Danny in the nose. Her hand was ready for another attack, a blood red dagger in her hand. Danny's hand moved at the last second so he could dodge it. "I'll kill you before you turn into a coward and run. Understand? I'll kill you before you run out on our home. On all of us here." Her voice was dark and horrifying.

"It was a joke Aiko, calm down. I was not being serious. I needed a joke to calm down." Danny said gently.

"Well! It wasn't funny!" Aiko screamed getting to her feet. "You are going to be the King! You should not even say that jokingly!"

"What's gotten into you, Aiko?" Danny asked getting to her feet. His voice was equally tense.

Aiko took some deep breaths. "I don't know." She muttered.

"Aiko, calm down. I cannot have you and Ryu mad at me." Danny tried easily.

"And why not?" Aiko challenged.

"I need you guys to be there for me. You both act like this is so easy. It's not! I can't even sleep." Danny shot right back.

"So what? You don't want the authority? There are plenty of people who would love to be you." Aiko replied. She felt horrible inside but made no attempts to stop herself.

"They wouldn't say that after a day being me. When was the last time you were out on the streets just walking around? Seen anything out of the ordinary? Because as much as people are getting excited to welcome me, they hate me!" Danny shouted at Aiko. His eyes were wet. "I've been trying to pretend everything is fine. I didn't want to upset Ryu by telling her what is going. She was almost caught, Aiko. This isn't paradise. The past week has been a nightmare."

Aiko froze and she felt her aggression melt away. "What?" She asked slowly. "What's been going on?"

Danny didn't reply to her. He looked anywhere but at her and Aiko knew he was trying to hold it together.

"Hey, Danny?" Aiko asked. She walked up to him.

"What Aiko?" Danny asked.

Aiko stopped right before him and quickly surprised him by pulling him into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight. She had to get on her toes a little to do so. "Everything will be alright. I promise."

Aiko closed her eyes and felt Danny slowly hugged her back. "Take your time and calm down and when you are calm, tell me everything. Alright?"

She felt Danny nod and she stiffened her hug. This was different… Aiko felt this warmth radiating from Danny's body as she hugged him and he hugged her back. She almost felt like he was drawing strength from her. His grip was tight and his chin was rested on her shoulder. His breathing was slightly uneven but it was fixing itself.

Aiko tried to clear her head… that was just her imagination.

It was a moment before Danny pulled back. "Some people, I don't know who, but two men stuck onto your family's property last night and tried to break into my room. I was already awake and I heard them but I was horrified for Ryu's life. They would have killed her on the spot while she was asleep. They had weapons and intent of doing some damage."

"What happened?" Aiko asked.

"The commotion woke Davos up and he scared them half to death and drug them off somewhere, he told me to go back to bed. I have no idea what he did, but he told me this morning he will not mention it to Ryu." Danny admitted. "Chances are he just gave them a major beating, took them to the Abbey, and the authorities are dealing with them today."

"At least you didn't get hurt," Aiko said softly. "What else is going on?"

Danny flipped the hood of his cloak over his head. "Come with me, I'll show you what else."

Aiko watched Danny for a moment before covering her face too. The pair slowly started to make their way out of the forest and into the town once more. Aiko recognized that they were going to a busier road. It was pretty clear.

It was the wrong time of day for the road to be cleared out. The street was normally busy at this time in the morning.

Then Aiko saw it.

The guards and the mess.

A fountain had been the centerpiece of the action. A burned straw figure was still propped up on top. And it bore a piece of cloth, that had clearly been placed on after it was burned. The fabric was green and embroidered with the same symbol burned on Danny's chest, the dragon.

There were signs everywhere and some makeshift weapons.

Aiko looked them all over. All of them, in one way or another, were protesting Danny's right to become king.

Danny laughed next to Aiko.

"What are you laughing at?" Aiko asked.

"Irony at her finest," Danny replied. "All the protesters have been mortals. It's not even the Immortals who hate me, it's normal everyday people, who themselves have ties to the outside world. And yet, they seem to forget themselves."

Aiko nodded. "I think Immortals respect you and plan to outlive you. But for mortals… you will be around for a long time to them, it makes a difference in their lifetime."

"Don't remind me that I'm mortal, alright?" Danny sighed. "I don't like to think about it."

"It's all about how technical you are. The Iron Fist will allow you to live as long as me, you have to be careful." Aiko replied.

"So I either die young and you live forever, or I get to live forever and watch Hiroshi and Kasumi die." Danny sighed. "Thank you for that Aiko. You have now split me on myself."

"Just forget about it then." Aiko sighed. "It's not worth the headache."

"Hey!" A voice shouted. Aiko and Danny looked up to see a guard walking toward them. "Keep it moving!" He shouted.

Danny's hands came out and he moved his hood back some so the man could see his face. "I am sorry. I wanted to see the aftermath of what had happened this morning. And this is only Lady Aiko Kung who is with me. I am certain our presence is not a problem." His voice took on his unique soft and smooth All-Speak accent.

The guard froze in his tracks and knelt on a knee. "Forgive me, Your highness. I was only doing my job. Even for you the streets are more dangerous now than ever. Do you need an escort to anywhere?"

"I think I can keep an eye on him," Aiko replied with her own thick All-Speak.

"Of course, forgive me." The man repeated.

"All is forgiven, you may rise," Danny said swiftly. Aiko caught the undertone of annoyance. "You may return to your post."

The man obeyed. He stood up straight and bowed deeply to both of them and was on his way.

Danny sighed and looked down at Aiko. "I hate the formality."

"It will grow on you," Aiko replied with a smile.

Danny sighed and looked up at the sky. "I could eat." He commented.

"You're a teenage boy, of course, you could. Not to mention how many hours a week you put in burning all your energy." Aiko laughed.

"Coming from you," Danny replied smoothly.

"Rude," Aiko complained.

"I need to start heading to the monastery to start preparing. It's almost time. I don't want to be late." Danny sighed. "I'm nervous."

Aiko sighed and looked up at Danny as they walked. She looked back down at the road and sighed.

"I'm with you." She muttered.

"What?" Danny asked.

"I'm with you on your time travel idea. This is really here now, it used to be that we had forever, and now… it won't be the same without you in the house." Aiko admitted.

"We'll hang out together. Ok?" Danny smiled. "We'll train together. We'll do stuff. Just… I'll be busy."

"Right." Aiko smiled. "I just miss you already and I am still walking with you."

Danny sighed. "Same. It almost feels like it's the end. The door is closing on us."

Aiko adjusted her hood over her face more so Danny couldn't see her face getting red. "Don't put it like we will never see each other again."

"Sorry," Danny said softly.

When the pair reached the palace Aiko sighed heavily. "Don't worry about a thing Everything will be just fine," Aiko said softly.

"Thank you." Danny smiled. "For everything. I really mean it. All these years. I wouldn't be here now without you. And don't tell me to stop being so… ominous. I really want to thank you, no matter what is next."

Aiko smiled. "Alright. I trust you."

Aiko took a step back, she pulled off her hood and bowed down so she was on one knee. Her elbow rested on her knee and her head was bowed, much like the soldier that had confronted them at the fountain. Her mind raced.

"You, the Lord of Ten Thousand Years," She addressed using the Chinese way of addressing royalty, she also used her All-Speak to show her higher status before him, all according to tradition. "I wish you the best of luck on the path ahead. May the Dragon Lords of the time that has passed guard you in heart and mind. Namasté."

Danny smiled not that Aiko saw this she was still bowed with her head down and eyes closed. She felt so serious. This was it. He would be King within the next twenty-four hours.

Danny looked up at the sky, hating the formalities that he was in but smiling because it was Aiko.

"My dear subject, Lady Aiko Kung Daughter of Thunder, I'll see you soon. Namasté, My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty, and peace within you, because it is also within me. In sharing these things, we are united, are the same, we are one." Danny smiled as he recited what he had been taught years ago about the word that he used so frequently.

Aiko looked up at him with shock at first, her face turned a little red. She was surprised he remembered it all.

Danny offered down a hand and Aiko took it as he pulled her up to her feet. "Surprised I remember it?" He asked jokingly.

"A little. I don't remember all of it." Aiko admitted. She sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, when she noticed what she was doing she stopped.

She looked at Danny and they both laughed at the strange habit that Danny had done over and over again in his life.

"Would it be weird if I asked for an awkward hug?" Danny laughed, keeping the mood light. His face was a little red from embarrassment of the question. His arms were extending the invitation.

Aiko stepped closer and hugged him. "Take care of yourself."

Danny hugged her back. "You too, and tell Ryu that I'm sorry about leaving."

Aiko pulled back. "Will do."

The bell tower started to chime the midday bell and Danny started walking to the palace.

Aiko watched him walk away. He was ready, his body language was confident.

Aiko walked into the house to see Davos and Ryu playing Chinese chest.

Ryu looked up when Aiko walked in. "Where's Danny?" She asked. "I need to apologize for being a jerk to him."

"He's at the Palace. The preparations start today and he is King tomorrow." Aiko explained. "You won't get to see him until after he is crowned King."

"Oh, I wanted to apologize to him." Ryu sighed as she moved a piece on the board.

"He wanted to apologize to you too. He said he is sorry about storming out." Aiko sighed as she hung up her cloak.

"You should be careful, Ryu," Davos said looking over the board. "I have experience in this. It's not like you won't ever see Danny again, but as a rule of thumb, don't split apart while on bad terms."

Aiko noticed something in her brother's eyes as he picked a piece and moved it. "You had better make a move, Blue."

Aiko walked over and sat down at the table watching the game. "I'll play the winner."

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