AN: So, you may be wondering why it took nearly three months for me to post a new chapter.

Basically, it's the same excuse as always. I was unmotivated. Simple as that.

Well, actually, it's a bit more complicated than that. You see, this chapter starts a new style for my story that will be used for many chapters to come.

As a result, I have to have the chapter that introduces this style be a good note, and I was struggling with that.

But now the chapter is finally finished and published. I feel like this is the true end of the hiatus and I will start releasing chapters at a faster pace now.

With that said, enjoy the chapter, and sorry for the wait!

May 1st, 2005

It was a lovely day in the castle. The move had gone well, and everyone was almost finished unboxing their belongings.

Cut to Ike. He was sleeping in his new bedroom. Except he wasn't because he had just woken up.

He looked around, and spotted Soren, his roommate.

"Good morning, Soren!"

His friend said nothing. Ike walked up to him.

"Soren? Is everything ok?"

No response.

Ike tried to hug Soren, but he bit him on the arm.

"OW! What was that for?!"

"S-Sorry. I'm in a... REALLY bad mood today."

"How come?"

Soren tried his best to hide his tears.

"Soren, you're my best friend. You can tell me anything." The ranger hugged the mage again. This time, there was no biting.

"Okay, I'll tell you!" Soren's emotion went from sharp anger, to embarrassed sadness. "... I... lost my dragon stuffie."

"Your dragon stuffie? You mean that dragon plush you sleep with every night?"

"Uh-huh. I swore I packed it, but I haven't seen it since we moved. I've looked everywhere I can."

"Everywhere? Even the fridge?"

"Why would it be in the fridge?!"

"Oh yeah, good point."

"What am I gonna do?! I can't sleep without my dragon stuffie..." Soren was having increasing difficulty holding back his tears.

Ike thought for a moment.

"Soren, I have an idea!"

"Really? Let's hear it."

"Well, not an idea, but a way we can get some. Let's do a noodle dance!"

"WHAT?! Ike, I am not doing that. PB&J Otter is not the solution to everything."

"You know, you're right Soren. PB&J Otter is not the solution to everything, but it is the solution to a lot of things! Come on, let's noodle dance!"

Ike began to noodle dance. Soren just sat by his bed, all grumpy and crossing his arms.

A lightbulb appeared above Ike's head.

"I've got it!"

A long sigh escaped Soren. "What is it?"

"Hm... Soren, I must say, I thought you would eventually dance, because in the show Peanut doesn't want to dance because he'll 'look silly', but always gives in and-"

"JUST TELL ME THE IDEA!"

"Okay, okay! We get in a time machine, and go back to before we moved! From there, we grab the dragon stuffie from your old room, and boom, problem solved!"

"Do you have a time machine?"

Ike paused.

"Oh. No."

"THEN WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT WOULD WORK?!"

Ike took a step back. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just woke up, okay? Now, let me think of a better idea..."

Soren huffed in response. Sometimes he just didn't have the patience for Ike.

"... Wait, Soren! Why don't you ask Titania to help you look for it?"

"WHAT?! There is NO WAY I'm doing THAT!"

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because it's STUPID!"

"How is it stupid?"

Soren took a deep breath. He needed to let go of his anger.

"... Because if I do that, everyone will make fun of me..."

"Oh, Soren..." Ike hugged him again. "Sleeping with comfort objects is a normal thing to do. I'm sure you've never seen me asleep without my favorite cape." He giggled.

"... You're sure?"

There's a bit of silence.

"Well, if you're still nervous, we can go together to ask Titania if she could help."

"But... what if she teases me?"

"She would never do that. In fact, I got a feeling that just like how you keep a close eye on me, she pays attention to you."

Soren almost thought he saw his friend wink.

"Wait, you don't mean..."

"Yeah. She knows."

Soren looked down. "Oh..."

Ike was about to exit through the door.

"Come on. Let's go..."

"... Oh. So that's why you're upset. I thought you seemed a bit more grumpy than usual."

Soren pouted, but deep inside, he was relieved that Titania understood his concerns.

She kneeled down, now at Soren's eye level.

"Don't worry. I'll look for it when I'm finished folding the laundry, alright?"

"Alright..."

About an hour had passed. Ike was playing Super Smash Bros. Melee, as he had a TV in his new room. Soren was reading a book, but was having trouble concentrating. His mind was still thinking about his dragon stuffie.

The door opens slowly. Ike and Soren turn around.

"Look what I found!"

And there it was. Soren rushed over as fast as he could, grabbing the stuffed animal to hug it tightly.

"MY DRAGON STUFFIE! Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou-"

"Wait. Hold on a moment." Ike was thinking. "Where was it this whole time? Soren said he checked everywhere."

Boyd entered the bedroom, somewhat embarrassed. "It got in one of my moving boxes... somehow."

Soren stomped.

"BOYD!"

"Look, I thought it belonged to Mist and she'd come get it eventually. You can't blame me for thinking that, right?!"

It was now nighttime. The room was pitch black. Ike and Soren were in their beds, about to drift off to sleep.

Ike was about to catch Zs when he heard Soren talking.

"Um... Ike?"

"Yea?"

"Thanks for helping me out today. I feel a lot better now."

"That's good to hear."

"I guess asking for help isn't something to be ashamed about after all."

"Soren, if you're ever worried about anything, I'll be there for you..."

"And whenever you-" YAAAAWWWWN "-need something, I'll be there for you... Good night, Ike."

"Good night, Soren."

I'm sorry if this chapter was boring or something. I tried.

Once again, the hiatus is over and you should be seeing the next chapter in less than a month.

What will the next chapter be about? Who knows?!

Either way, see you next time!