Irvine:   Moonbay?

Moonbay:         Huh?

Irvine:   I have something for you.

Moonbay lifter her head up and looked at Irvine.

Moonbay:         What is it?

Irvine presented her the box, which Moonbay took with hesitance.

Irvine:   Open it. It's a birthday gift from me to you.

Moonbay was silent. She didn't know what to say. It was the first gift she had ever received from Irvine. That in return, made it truly special. She then started to open the box. When opened, it revealed a beautiful Moon shaped locket, which was the shape of the full moon. It was covered with beautiful diamonds attached to a silver chain. It began to sparkle in the glow of the moon. Moonbay ran her fingers over the locket. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Moonbay:         It's beautiful.

Irvine:   Does that mean you like it?

Moonbay:         Of course. I don't know what to say……….Thank you. I'll keep it forever.

Irvine looked down at her and smiled.

Irvine:   Now open it.

Moonbay looked at Irvine with a puzzled look. She then started to open the locket slowly. When opened, it revealed a picture of everyone. It was the one taken after the final battle with Prozen. Moonbay looked especially onto the part where it was just her, Irvine, Fiona, and Van. She missed all of them so much. This, was the best gift of all. She looked up to Irvine with tears in her eyes.

Moonbay:         Where, where did you get this?

Irvine:   Do you like it?

Moonbay:         Of course.

Irvine:   Then, there's no need for me to explain. Besides, it's too long a story.

Moonbay:         …..

Irvine looked down at Moonbay. She had her gaze to the floor. Something seemed to be on her mind. There was an awkward silence between the both of them, but he shrugged the idea off and looked over the balcony. But his feelings got to the best of him and he found himself again looking intentively at Moonbay. Moonbay looked up at him and he quickly averted his eyes with a slight blush upon his face. Irvine cursed himself inside.

Irvine: what is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this? What is this I am feeling? I mean, this is Moonbay. She's the same Moonbay I'v e known most of my life. Then why is it I keep looking at her that way? What is happening to me? Why do I keep thinking these thoughts?

Irvine took another glance towards Moonbay. She was very beautiful tonight. She was wearing one of the most beautiful dresses ever.  He felt compelled to express all his feelings towards her. Now had looked like the best time to do so. He took a step forward and put his hand against her cheek. Moonbay, shocked, glanced upward at Irvine. He then moved her face to look straight into his eyes.

Irvine:   Moonbay, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Moonbay, I-

Irvine moved in closer attempting to kiss, but the "moment" was broken when an "intruder" entered the room.

Alma:   Empress Moonbay…..Oh, am I interrupting anything?

Irvine and Moonbay quickly  moved away from their embarrassing "piosition".

Moon:  No Alma. What is it that you wanted?

Alma:   I nned to speak to the Emperor. I have some urgent news from a relentless group called the Mur Bandits. They wouldn't state what the wanted. They specifically said that they needed to talk to "Irvine" and said it was urgent.

Moon:  Mur Bandits? Irvine?

Irvine:   I'll handle this. You better get some rest Moonbay.

Irvine took her hand and pressed it against his lips. He then took leave to "handle" whatever situation there was.

*****************************************************

Alma:   Right over here your highness. The Leader of the group wishes to speak to you on the other line. Would you prefer if I were to leave?

Irine:     It would be best.

Alma:   Very well. Should I accompany the empress?

Irvine:   See that she Is taken care of.

Alma:   Yes.

With that said, Alma walked out of the room.

Irvine:   What do you want?!
Mur:     Why? Captain Irivne? Thought you could run away from me did you?

Irvine:   Shut your mouth! Where did you get your information?

Mur:     That doesn't matter at this point now does it? We made a deal, you backed out, and now….there will only be one way to solve this problem.

Irvine:   Shut it! I told you, I would pay you back once I get the money!

Mur:     My, such a bad attitude towards the man who controls everything you do at this point. I better try addressing me in another tone if I were you.

Irvine:   The deal was that if you helped with supplying men in my army, that I would pay you 20,000 per month. But I gave you back your army! You gave me a bunch of conniving thieves and worthless criminals! They ran around corrupting my Empire! I payed you your 20,000, and I gave you back your men. The deal is done.

Mur:     Oh, but it isn't. You see, your forgot one very important detail. It wasn't 20,000 as one payment. You see, it was 20,000 per head! And from what I saw, I was missing 20 men. So you see, you now owe me 400,000!

Irvine:   What? That was never in the deal! I only owed you 20,000!

Mur:     You see, that's what's great about this. You are in my command right now. You do what I say, and no one will get hurt. I let you and your people live in the Shire in peace didn't I? I could've attacked your empire easily If I wanted. Then you go around and do a sneaky trick like this? You think I didn't know? You think I don't know anything about contracts? I know what you are trying to do. You are trying to become one with the Moon Empire aren't you? So that once you are one, you are no longer bind by the contract. After all, it would only apply to the "shire empire" now would it. Did you think  I was a Fool?!

Irvine:   You robbed my people and left them to starve to death! We had no other choice but to leave! It was either that or…

Mur:     Or what? Hmmm? Have your people know that their honorable Emperor was nothing but a low life himself? That he would make deals with criminals all to better himself? Was that it? See what self centeredness gets you? Now you have to pay the price.

Irvine:   I only wanted to better the Empire!

Mur:     You only wanted to better yourself and give your Empire a name and you know it! You never did it for the good of the Empire! You left your people to die!

Irvine:   That's' a lie! Our Empire desperately needed an army force. We just didn't have the money!

Mur:     So you made a deal with me….Oh come on Irvine! You know all too well what you were getting into! Don't be a fool! And now, innocent people of the Moon Shire will also have to pay.

Irvine:   You cant!
Mur:     Oh but you see…I can! And that's the beauty of it. I can do anything that I want! You, are in my dept! But I could make a deal.

Irvine:   What kind of deal?

Mur:     Come and join my forces!

********************************

Moonbay was in her night gown, but she still couldn't sleep. She walked over to her window and looked out of it. The moons were shinning brightly above. The scenary was beautiful even at night. In fact, some would say it was most beautiful in the dark. She looked down below and could see glowing figures walking below.

Moon:  Who could be out at a time like this?

It was a happy pair. The were playing a little game of tag. A young boy, a young girl, laughing. Their voices echoed throughout the empire. Moonbay tried communicating with them, but neither seemed to respond. Just then a knock came at the door which frightened Moonbay.

Moon:  Who is it?

Alma:   It's me your majesty. The emperor sent me to see that you are taken care of.

Moon:  You may come in.

Alma walked in to find Moonbay looking out the window.

Alma:   What are you looking at your highness?

Moon:  They're gone.

Alma:   Who is gone?

Moon:  I saw them. I even heard them! They were so loud. They were laughing. I'm sure you heard them didn't you?
Alma:   I heard no one your majesty.

Moon:  But I'm sure I heard them! A little boy and girl!

Alma:   You must mean Ben and Tiva.

Moon:  Ben and Tiva.

Alma:   Yes. I have heard lotts of stories about them, and I myself, have only encountered them once. When I was a little girl.

Moon:  Ghosts?
Alma:   Yes, you can call them that. But I prefer to refer to them as spirits. For they mean no harm you see. My father once told me the story of them. They were both the best of friends who lived in this land 50 years ago. But one day, Ben caught an illness. Ben was an orphan you see, so, there wasn't anyone to take care of him. But, his best friend, Tiva, stayed by his side, she eventually caught the illness and they died together.

Moon:  That's sad.

Alma:   Well, it all depends on how you look at it. Ben and Tiva were both happy till the day they died. They were happy just being together, being in the land of the Moon colony. Strange things happen in this land you know. There are many many stories of "Ben and Tiva". All similar in a sense. They never wanted to be anywhere but in this land. And so, there spirits never leave. They never come to rest. They live out forever here in the land. In a sense, it gives us a happy feeling to be amongst these beings. They don't hurt us. If you ever encounter them, you have a feeling in your heart like none before. One of complete happiness. And you say to yourself, "that's how I want to be". In the end, all anyone wants is to be happy. I still remember the day I encountered them. They looked straight at me. I was frightened, yes. But I didn't run away. It was Ben who turned to me and said, "Look at her Tiva. Do you think she wants to play?" I know it sounds funny, and even strange. But, I felt like, like I really wanted to play with them. They look so happy, so content. I don't even think they knew what they were! I don't think they knew they were dead! For my father came, and the looked at me and said, "We have to go, but, come here tomorrow, we'll play with  you. You wont be lonely anymore. You have friends now." And then, they disappeared. I was always a lonely child, but I never came that night. But I looked out my window and saw them playing. And I smiled to myself, and learned to accept them, along with all the other spirits of the moon forest. For it is true, once you come to this land, you never want to go. And at night, if you  would just listen, you could hear the past, the present, and what is to be.

Moon:  The past come to life?

Alma:   Are  you frightened?

Moon:  No. Actually, I feel happy. I thought I was frightened. I even tried talking to them, but they didn't respond.

Alma:   You must have frightened them!

Alma began to laugh. Moonbay laughed along with her.

Moon:  Alma, you are a good friend.

Alma:   I wouldn't have wished for any other empress myself.

Moon:  It's getting late. You better go.

Alma:   Yes. Good night your majesty.

Moon:  Goodnight.

With that said, Alma closed the door behind her. Moonbay looked once more outside the balcony. She heard once again the laughing of the little children. She closed her eyes, and then, she listened. She could hear the sound of some beautiful voice singing, a song which she knew all to familiar. Then, she heard the sound of laughter, and the sound of church bells, and last, the words "I love you". Moonbay quickly opened her eyes. What were these visions she was having? Surly they were all the effects of lack of sleep. She was about to walk away when she felt a cold hand  on her shoulder. Being frightened, she quickly turned around only to meet the face of someone she knew all too well.

Moon:  Irvine! You scared me!

Irvine said nothing. Only looking deeply into her eyes.

Moon:  Irvine? What's wrong?

Irivne made no noise, no movement. But inside, a million things ran through his mind. The fact that he was running out of time. The fact that he might not ever see Moonbay again. He had to act swiftly.

Irvine:   Moonbay? Have you ever thought of what is best for the empire?

Moon:  Yes. Many times. But-

Irvine:   You remember what we were talking about before right? How happy everyone seems. Also, my empire needs your finances, and your empire needs my forces! It all works out! Don't you see how happy everyone will be?
Moon:  Yes, but….

Irvine:   Moonbay, lets get married.

***************To Be continued************************