Sitting back in his chair, Nash sighed. It had been a hard six months, but Vane was finally semi decent again. We still can't fly though... We probably never will again, either...

He got up and decided to go for a walk. Maybe a little fresh air is all I need...

Walking through the garden, he thought about everything that happened during their journey. We all grew so much... I grew so much... He looked around the garden. Everyone was rushing about, setting up for the carnival.

Mia had decided that she wanted to have a carnival to celebrate the six month anniversary of defeating Ghaleon. In a few days, the carnival would be running, and everyone from around the world would be there. I get to see Alex, Luna, Kyle and Jessica again. Yay... It's gonna be fun when they all ask what's going on with Mia and I.

He spun around as he heard the door to his study slowly creak open. Mia popped in her head.

"Nash... can I talk to you for a minute?"

Nash was startled by this opening. They hadn't spoken for months. "S..sure Mia... What can I do for you?"

"Nash, I...I know we haven't really had time to talk much lately... and I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know I've been a bit preoccupied... but I really want us to talk again... I want my best friend back..."

Of course. She doesn't want me... she wants her best friend. That's all I am, after all. "Mia, I'd like to talk again too. Are you going to be making an apearance at the festival?"

She sighed. "No, unfourtunately, I don't have time to actually be there. I'll be too busy running it."

"Ah."

"No, but really Nash, I want to spend some time with you..."

"Well, we'll just have to wait until after the carnival then."

"Okay... I have some things to do, so I guess I'll see you later..." She turned around and walked slowly out the door.

Nash slowly shook his head. "Should I even bother? I know what's gonna happen. We'll eventually get around to talking, and we'll both avoid any topic that needs to be discussed..." He said to himself. "Well, I suppose I should go check on the final preparations for the carnival..." And with that he left the room.

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The carnival was finnaly up and running, and Nash was walking around, watching everything around him. People were laughing and running around. The place was packed. Lemia had given Nash plans she had made for a ride powered by magic. A roller coaster..... I just don't see the point. It was a car on a big track that moved around, courtesy of a mage on the sidelines. People were calling it fun, but it looked nauseating to Nash. He continued to wander aimlessely until he heard someone calling his name.

"Nash!"

He turned in the direction of the voice and saw a little white cat fly towards him.

"Nall! You made it! Where's everyone else?"

"Oh, they're all around. I left Alex and Luna cuz everyone's making a big fuss about the news."

Nash looked perplexed. "What news?..."

Nall laughed. "You mean you haven't heard? Luna's gonna be a mom!"

Nash stopped. "You mean... Luna's pregnant?!"

Nall nodded. "Yea. Everyone's so excited. Alex can hardly talk now with all this attention."

Are you kidding me? "Nall, maybe you didn't notice... but Alex wasn't the biggest talker before... never mind.."

Nall gave Nash a puzzled look. "Umm..ok. Well, I'm gonna head back. We'll catch ya later!"

And before Nash could say a thing, Nall flew off into the mass of people. Jeez, that was a little rude. I could've used some company, even if it was Furball's....Ah well.... Let's go see what's going on with the new parents...

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Alex and Luna were sitting on a bench somewhat away from the crowd. Nash walked over to them and put on what he hoped was a decent smile. Well ladies and gentlemen.... Mr. and Mrs. Perfect.

Alex looked up. "Hi Nash..."

Nash looked into his emerald eyes and felt a pang of.. something grow inside of him. Was it jealousy? Or maybe it was depression..."How's everything going Alex? I heard the good news..."

Alex simply smiled. Luna laughed. "So you heard it too...Isn't it great, Nash?"

Nash forced a weak smile. "Yea... it's wonderful... I'm really happy for you guys..."

Luna looked concerened. "What's the matter Nash." She smiled. "You make it sound like you and Mia still aren't together or someth..." She stopped short when she realized she had struck a nerve. "Nash... I'm sorry... What's going on?"

Nash growled. "I don't need your sympathy... I'll talk to you later." And with that Nash turned around and walked off, horribly angry at the unintentional low shot.

Luna called out after Nash. "Nash! I'm sorry! Please wait!... Oh Alex, go after him..."

Alex nodded and got up after Nash. He caught up with the fuming mage and put his hand on his shoulder. "Nash... wait.."

But Nash angrily slapped his hand off. "Beat it Alex! Why don't you just go back to your perfect world? There's no reason for you to sit around and feel sorry for someone pathetic like me! Just leave me alone!" Nash took off away from the pair.

Luna walked up beside Alex and took his hand. "Oh Alex... what can we do..."

Alex just shook his head silently.

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Nash stormed angrily through the carnival, as people jumped out of his way. I can't take any more of it. Why is everyone else happy? It isn't fair...

He stopped as a voice called out from behind him. "Well, looky what the cat dragged in!"

Oh great... Just what I don't need....

He turned slowly, but this time he didn't make any attempts at a smile. "Kyle." He said it merely as a fact, not as a greeting or agnowledgement.

"Hey buddy. You look pretty down. What's going on?"

Nash sighed. "It's not really important. What do you want?"

Kyle smirked. "Well, first off, I want to make a complant. Jess went on that roller thingy bob of yours, and now she's sick in bed. I told her not to go on it... but you know her, she just doesn't listen... Ah well. Where's Mia?"

Nash fumed. "She's not... here. That's it."

Kyle stopped. "Well, it looks like we're two single guys tonite... And you know what single guys do, right?" He flashed a huge grin.

Nash rolled his eyes impatiently. "Act like idiots?"

Kyle laughed. "Close! We get drunk!"

Nash went to swipe at the arm Kyle had slung over his shoulder when he stopped. Do I really have anything better to do? It's not like I have anything to lose, he thought bitterly. "Fine Kyle. Lead the way."

Kyle stepped back. "Whoa! It actually worked? I've been trying that line on Alex for a long time, but he never agrees..." He flashed another huge smile. "But that's ok with me! Let's go buddy!"

Nash shook his head saddly and took up a slow pace behind Kyle.

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"La Lalala la....La lala lala lalala... la la la..." Kyle stumbled drunkinly as he stumbled off the stage laughing. "I sound just like Luna, don't I, Mr. Nashy?.. Hehe."

Nash tried to roll his eyes, but found he lacked the proper cooridination for it. "Kyle... you are one of those... what'd ya call it's... the people who aren't very smart... the..." Nash struggled with the word.

Kyle shrugged. "Meryod people?"

Nash forced back a smile and shook his head. "No... hold on... I'll think of it. People who aren't smart.... ummm..." His face strained as he tried very hard to concentrate. "Oh yes. Idiot."

Kyle shook his head. "Nope... I ain't one of them... That time with the dress at Nanza... that was only a.... a thingy where you think a head... umm...."

Nash nodded. "A plan. That's what those are called... I think?"

Kyle shook his finger. "Yea, that's the ticket. It was just that. Jess asked about that too, but I kept telling her not to question my manhood..."

Nash held up his hand. "No!... That's not what idiot means... Idiot means someone who's dumb...."

Kyle nodded. "Oh yea... Well, I guess I am one of those... But that's only part of my plan too..."

Nash laughed. "Hah! I bet you don't even know what a plan is!"

Kyle shook his head. "Yes I do. It's one of those... ... ..." Kyle stopped and thought about it. "Just shut up or I'll cut you with my sword thingy."

Nash nodded. "Okay."

Kyle suddenly took a serious tone. "Nash, what's going on?"

Nash looked up suddenly. "Wha...? What do you mean?"

Kyle sighed. "Nash, you're not being yourself. Something's bothering you."

Damn.

Nash shook his head. "It isn't important. Just forget about it. Hey! Aren't they playing your song up there? Why don't you go sing?"

Kyle shook his finger at Nash. "Hey! Just because I'm drunk doesn't mean I'm completely dumb. You're trying to change the subject."

Damn.

"Look, if it makes you feel better..." Suddenly Nash's eyes felt droopy. "I..." I knew I shouldn't have had that last one.... And with that, Nash's drunken night came to a sorry end.