The mansion was looming largely over them, as they approached it quietly. Carrot wasn't used to this, for it was usually he who was either already inside, or coming in too late. Marron was usually the one sneaking in with the others. 'But he can't be here,' he reminded himself. 'It's too dangerous for him to be here now, since he doesn't know how to use his magic. Too bad, too, because we might really need his help.'

He was aware of the others stopping. Looking at the giant manor, he said to the others, "How are we gonna find him in this big house?"

"I wouldn't worry about it," Gateau said. "Usually, we find a sorcerer, whether we want to or not."

Suddenly, they heard footsteps. Scrambling to hide, they all disappeared around the corner as someone, wielding a sword, appeared, looking around. Seeing nothing, the guard disappeared.

They all let out a sigh of relief. "That was close," Tira whispered. The others nodded in agreement.

"But how are we gonna get in with guards around?" Chocolate asked, 'innocently' grabbing Carrot's arm. He pulled away from her.

"As of right now, that shouldn't be a concern of yours." They turned around swiftly to see a chuckling sorcerer, the same one Carrot had seen earlier.

"So this is the group of the famous Sorcerer Hunters," he said, his voice dripping with mischievousness. "Not at all what I expected you to be like, but I guess life is filled with disappointments, isn't it?"

"So, you're the one who killed Ami's brother?"

A smirk played on the count's lips. "That's right. . . . . . Gateau."

He chuckled once again, obviously enjoying their confusion. "Unlike your previous adversaries, Sorcerer Hunters, I have done my research and know all about you, including your missing hunter."

"M-missing? What. . . do you mean? There's none of us missing."

"Do you think I'm a fool, Carrot Glace? I know very well that it is your own brother that remains behind with my daughter. I also know that he remembers nothing of any of you, or himself. . . . including his magic."

Carrot couldn't help but growl slightly. This only seemed to amuse the sorcerer more.

"Yes, I am aware of how powerless he is right now. Without his magic to help him, he and Ami are nothing more than targets. But of course I know this. . . . . It was I who rendered him that way in the first place."

"What?"

"I'm sure Ami told you about my ability to turn things into ice, and that I was killing many people with that ability, am I correct? Well, she doesn't know why I do it. But since I'm in a generous mood, I'll tell you. By killing someone, their souls are transfer to me, helping me grow stronger."

"But what has that have to do with Marron?"

"I'm getting there, my dear Chocolate. But really, what did you think I asked Akio to do while working for me? He would kill people in my name, so that their souls will increase my power. That trap that Marron fell into was one I had Akio dig, for I knew you were all coming. He was supposed to kill him, but Akio refused, and I had to dispose of him myself."

Carrot snarled in frustration. "But what does this have to do with Marron losing his memory!" he demanded.

The smirk on Count Katashi's widened. "Don't you see, Carrot? With Marron's magic, his soul is so powerful, and it would help me to gain it. Unfortunately, at the time, I was only able to get a piece of it. Can you guess which piece?"

A strange silence settled over them as they tried to decode the message he was giving them. Then, Tira's eyes widened as she seemed to get what he meant. "Then. . . . you mean. . . .?"

"Yes, dear Tira. The part of Marron's soul that I was able to retrieve was where his memories were kept. That part of his soul died when he was struck in the head, and that part was transferred to me. Since his memories are mine now, I found out all I need to know about you Sorcerer Hunters.

"And once I finish off all of you, there will be no one to stop me from finishing my task of absorbing Marron's soul and taking my daughter back!" His insane laughter echoed around hillside.

"If you harm either one of them, I swear I will. . ."

"You will what, Carrot? Don't you realize that you are in no position to threaten me? You have no idea how many souls I have consumed, and the four of you could never beat me as I am now. I suppose Carrot's true form would be able to, but it can only work if he is touched by magic, am I right?" Their silence confirmed his assumption. "If that's the case, then I will have to defeat you by some other means.

"You see, as Ami had told you, I can freeze anything I desire. However, that involves magic, and if I were to try that on Carrot, his body would simply absorb it, and his zoanthropy would occur. However, Ami doesn't know that that isn't the only thing I can do."

Suddenly, an aura of fire appeared around him, seeming to consume his body. The others gasped, but the real surprise was that the flames didn't affect him at all!

"Not only do I posses the magic to turn whatever I wish into ice, but I also control the element of fire. Luckily, or unluckily in your case, it doesn't deal with magic at all, so Carrot's zoanthropy is useless.

"Somehow, I don't think your bodies could stand the heat of fire like mine can." He laughed his insane laughter once again.

Carrot felt a twitch in his eye. 'What are we going to do? I think we're in real trouble now. . . . .'

Marron felt something snap in the back of his mind. Blinking, he gazed down at Ami, who's head was resting on his lap. He couldn't help feeling a little awkward, but the young girl was simply sleeping, drawing a sense of comfort from him.

But the feeling he had worried him about his 'brother' and the others. His free hand closed into a tight fist, while his other hand slowly left its place on the girl's arm. It was brought up to his pale forehead, rubbing his eyes. Something was wrong. . . . . very wrong.

'But what? Are the others in trouble?'

"Marron?" he jumped slightly, as Ami sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Anything wrong, Marron?"

"Wrong? Why would you think something is wrong?"

"I dunno, just a feeling."

"Everything's fine, Ami."

Her emerald eyes met his gold ones, and she looked as though she didn't believe him. But she said nothing more.

"How do you feel now?"

"A bit better, I guess." She reached into her shirt pocket and pulled out a white, lace bandanna, fingering the soft fabric gently.

"What is that?"

"This used to belong to my mother, and she gave it to my brother before she died. Then, when Akio had left you here for me to care for, he gave it to me. It was the last thing he gave to me before he died."

"I…I'm sorry."

Her green eyes sparkled with fresh tears, which she blinked away. "It's all right. It's fine." A single tear slipped through, and she dabbed at her eye with the silk cloth.

Marron gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a comforting embrace. She looked at him with gratifying smile.

There was another sting, this time coming from his heart. Something was definitely wrong, but he wasn't sure what it was. He found himself thinking and worrying about his brother. 'Has something happened to him? What if he is hurt?'

Ami couldn't help but noticed the worried and pained expression etched in his pale features. "Are you sure everything is alright, Marron?"

He seemed to snap out of a daze. "Yes. I assure you, everything's fine."

She looked at him, then looked away. Suddenly, she tilted her head in curiosity, leaving Marron's grip. He watched as she picked up a sword that was leaning against the wall.

"Doesn't this belong to Carrot?" she asked, holding it.

Getting up, he approached her, carefully examining the sword. Yes, it did look like the one Carrot had when he had first arrived. Did he leave it there on purpose? Or did he just forget it?

Reaching his hand out, he felt the cool metal under the tips of his fingers. His initial action was to take the sword from her, to observe it better, but as soon as he touched it, a violent feeling ripped through his body, and he felt as if his heart had been torn in two for a split second. He pulled his hand away from it quickly.

Ami was just as surprised as he was. "What's wrong?"

"I. . . . I don't know, I. . . . . . I felt something strange as soon as I touched the sword."

"Hm. . . . . This sword is your brother's, right?"

"I believe so. That was the sword he had when he came. Though why he forgot it. . . . ."

"Marron, are you sure that nothing is wrong?"

"What? No, everything's fine."

"Are you sure? You've had no bad feelings at all?"

Marron bit his bottom lip. "Well. . . . . I suppose. . . . .I do feel that SOMETHING is wrong. . . . . ."

"And you felt something strange when you touched this sword?"

"Well. . . . yes. . . . ."

"And you keep saying everything's fine?"

He looked down at the floor. No, nothing was fine. Not now. His brother could be in danger.

He felt Ami's hand slip into his, and he looked up into her eyes. "Marron, I want you to go to Count Katashi's mansion and help your brother."

"But. . . ."

"I know Carrot asked you to stay here and protect me, but I think he does need your help. He's gotten stronger over the years, I know that, and they need all the help they could get. At the very least, you should go over there and give him his sword."

"I don't know. . . . ."

"Marron, he's your only brother! I don't want you to lose him like I lost mine."

Her eyes held a thin layer of new tears, yet beneath those was a reflection of determination.

"When I was sent that package from Count Katashi, I had my brother's bandanna. When I touched it, I also felt some kind of weird feeling, like he was in danger. Then later, I found out he died. You have no idea how angry and miserable I felt. I don't want that to happen to you or your brother."

She presented the sword to him once more. With a slight nod, he took it into his own hands.

"It would take too long for you to go by foot," she said. "You wouldn't make it time. But there is a faster way. Follow me." She led him through the back way, to the stables. Both horses perked up at the sight of her.

"I somehow don't think Caramel wants to go back to see Count Katashi, seeing as how she never liked him either, so I guess you will have to take Midnight." She led the black horse out of its stable, setting it up with its saddle and bridle.

Marron secured the sword to his own hip, before ascending on the stead. It nickered softly, tossing its head to the side, but was still as Marron rubbed its neck slightly.

"Marron?" Ami said. "Do you have those charms?"

"Yes, but I do not see what good those would do if I do not remember how to use them."

"Just in case, okay? Now, you better hurry if you want to save your brother."

He nodded. "Yes. Thank you." Gently steering the horse in the direction of the manor, he kicked his feet into Midnight's sides. It neighed softly, then began to gallop away, its hoofs pounding the ground rhythmically. It seemed as if Midnight understood the desperation in Marron, as if it identified with it, and was hurrying to the mansion because of it.

'Hold on, Brother. I'm coming!'

TBC