Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Lunar games, characters, or places.

Prologue

Pearl Memories Under the Moon

The great tree of Taben's Peak stood strong in the moonlight, even after 2,000 more years of time raking across its skin, the tree remained when so much would fade away, wrapped about what was once the Grindery of that arrogant, useless inventor. Friends...family, faces in the mists of the past, leaving only memories behind. The world of Lunar had seen so much in 3,000 years of battles and adventures, even what could have been the two greatest cataclysms in Lunar's history. The world had nearly been cut down as was the brilliant Blue Star so long ago, but the hearts of but a handful of the young and mortal guided Lucia of that cold dead world to defeat Zophar, in a way that didn't destroy Lunar itself.

It was a blessing, that all the land was still green and lush in the seasons of life, the waters blue as sapphires, and the warmth of the sun shone on the people, without Althena to be their caretaker any longer. Life still had its problems, a few wars, criminals, and those who brought suffering, but Zophar would not be able to taste it any longer. If he ever was able to come back, he would be defeated all the same, for the power of humanity would never die, not so long as people with great hearts and determination existed...not so long as love existed. Love had saved Lucia, love of her friends and their love for her, and especially the true love of the boy named Hiro, who never would abandon Lucia no matter how many times she left them. His belief in her and the power within his own heart had guided him to victory, then to her on the Blue Star.

Few people knew this story of the fight against Zophar, it had become as legendary as Alex the Dragonmaster's adventures, things of bedtime stories for children, to give them a sense of purpose and allow them to believe in heros and hope. Lemina, Ronfar, Leo, Jean... Alex, Luna, Jessica, Mia, Nash, and Kyle; they had spread their tales of adventure and love in the time life gave them, but they all faded with time. The stories now were nothing more than legends to many innocent minds. The heroes had all grown older, loved, and died, leaving their memories behind with those who could not follow. Ones who were the guardians of Lunar in their own secret way, out of sight of mortals who might wish to use them for greatness or evil. Two of special note exist still, two very young dragons of sharp tongue and wit, but with many fond memories and the honor of knowing the great legends as reality, but also...holding the pain of loss of those people, tucked inside their eternal hearts. A prison of youth and responsibility, lives not given by choice, but by destiny, protecting Lunar with quiet prying eyes forever watching the Blue Star as it healed and grew lush once again. As a pair of deep amber eyes watch at this very moment, searching the past in his own mind.

- Taben's Peak Playground -

A soft humming trickled down into the surrounding woods of Taben's Peak, a song the Dragon Kids were easily were lulled by, be it hummed close or heard from afar as it was now. Nall said a very special woman used to sing it to him and old friends a long time ago, when he was still little. He called her Luna, someone he would always miss, as a person, not as the goddess she once was. Nall sat cross legged on the balcony's edge of the children's playground, letting the wind tussle his white, brown streaked hair warmly. His eyes just held the Blue Star fondly, but a quiet sadness swam within them.

He was thinking about the past, of how many times he'd seen his friends watch the Blue Star, ignorant of what was to come of it before Lucia descended to Lunar, including himself when Alex was alive. He went on humming as he thought of Luna and the others, the soft melody she had sung on the boat when their adventure began locked in his memories as a soothing activity. Funny how quickly it turned to sorrow.

Luna's pain of immortality as Althena was something he understood when she and Alex grew old and eventually left him for the afterlife, as humans tended to do. But with him, no one was fighting for his attention is the way the people of Lunar had with Althena, squabbling like bratty, attention starved children. He had to bet she'd cried often before choosing to become mortal, cried for the great lack of the people's sense of self. He never asked her though, fearing that he'd make her cry, a very horrible sight to view. Alex always cheered her up with his embraces or his music, perhaps because of the same fear. Everyone had loved Luna, even the girls that had had a thing for Alex could not be angry at her for capturing Alex's heart. To see her cry was like seeing an angel die, simply too terrible to endure.

It had never been a secret how much she and Alex had loved each other, it was just too terribly obvious. Nall wondered at times why they'd act like they were just friends, but it didn't seem to matter now. They'd ended up together, had a few children and a long happy life. Nall had been happy too, playing with Alex's sons and daughters, even the Ausa kids were fun, when they weren't trying to force a collar on him or do a magic experiment with his head. Nash nearly fried him for scratching their youngest daughter when she tries to pet him with sticky fingers. He hadn't meant to do harm, but there was only so much "Kitty! Kitty!" and petting he could take. That had been an ill week of sleeping in a tree trunk till he was forgiven, and that kid got her sticky hands all over him later on. The punishment still didn't fit the crime in his opinion, but kids...he had to love them.

Kyle and Jessica's kids were just too rough for his small form, nearly pounding him into pate several times. Kyle always teased him about it, telling him to get big and toughen up like a real dragon and stop being a little kitty sissy. Nall had never wanted to bite that man's nose more when he made it like it was Nall's fault that the kids were rude, crude and brutal like their dad. He'd decided to try it just to show Kyle up and keep those rabid brats off of him, but he kept getting pounded and his pride became even more wounded.

Nall sighed deeply, considering with a bit of guilt how Kyle died first, quite painlessly in his sleep at 93. He had really held on, to see all his daughters and only son get married off. He fought time itself and his own body just to make it to every grandchild's birth. Nall had to admire that bully for his determination to never give up. Then....Jessica faded away in health. She didn't give up either, but part of her weakened without Kyle's smile, his silly jokes and awkwardly sexist comments. They were still squabbling in their old age, yet Jessica was always smiling later. Nash and Mia passed away a year or so later, naturally as any human could, then came the worst day of his young dragon life. Alex died...

He felt warm droplets forming in his eyes, but smacked them away, humming louder. Poor Alex, his heart had just given out on a clear summer day. One moment they were laughing at Dyne's monument about old times, talking about seeing the grandkids, the next, Alex...looked so little like himself. His eyes filled with a sudden pain, then his hand clutching at his chest. Nall had tried to help him, but at his current size of past, Alex had just been too heavy to move or aid. Nall cried and yelled for help, yanking at Alex as he suffered more and more from the pain in his chest. Everything became a blur then, Nall remembered Alex's grip tightening, then there were eyes on him. The villagers, they looked horrified, shocked, screams came, and some women fainted. Nall's mind caught up with him as Luna came towards them, the fear and anguish of seeing Alex dying left Nall for a short while, the pain of her tears, relieved tears cracking through his senses.

She came to them, and knelt by Alex as his breaths grew shorter, pushing Nall's hands softly from Alex's. Then Nall understood why everyone was so surprised. He wasn't little anymore, not the flying baby dragon, but a naked young man, a human form all because he wanted to get Alex some help, to get him to Luna. He could only think of it for a few moments, watching Luna cradle Alex's head in her lap, holding his hand. "Alex...I love you... Don't be afraid, we won't be apart..for long, my love" she whispered, so low he was surprised he'd even heard it.

They could see each other one last time before Alex was to die, to say their last good-byes because of Nall, because he loved them. It still hurt, the tears coming again as Alex's life was spent, his final good-bye to his wife and only love carried on the warm winds. Nall cried on his knees, unable to fathom Alex was gone, his first friend, his greatest companion, gone forever, and Luna's tears stung his heart worse.

Luna had some of the women of the village get Nall some clothes to cover his bare body, then took him on a final journey. She told him then of Lucia, Zophar's coming, and that he would have to guide the one who would help Lucia find the power to stop Zophar's evil agenda once and for all, she hoped with all her heart. Nall didn't want to hear of it, but, with her wet eyes on her aged face, he could only nod. She recorded her message that he would get Lucia to see, and all he had to do was wait for her, and try and prevent her from using Althena's power against Zophar. "Love is the the way , Nall. Love will conquer all, defeat any conflict, and it will never die if she sees this. He cannot win against their love. Do you understand?" Luna had said, coughing softly.

Nall's eyes were sore and hurting, but he had to agree. Love was powerful indeed, for it was slowly killing him. The love for his family, his friends, and soon with the passing of Luna, he would be all alone. He would be on his own for the very first time, without any of them beside him. Still, he was able to answer her. "I'll do it, Luna. I'll try my best to see Lunar and the Blue Star receive this great power. But...Luna...can't you stay longer...? Where will I go? I don't know anyone anymore...being with your kids, any of the kids or grandkids, it'd be too hard to...be without all of you." he wept.

She had cupped his cheek softly, wiping his tears with great care. "You will never be alone, your memories will keep us alive forever. We will always be with you, Nall. You are the White Dragon of Althena, immortal and you will become stronger every day you live, adding more memories to your heart. Never forget us, and you will never truly be alone." Luna smiled, putting a small letter in his hand," Give this to the boy Lucia will be coming with. His name is Hiro, do not tell him anything too quickly. He must discover things for himself that are within his heart. You have much to prepare for, Nall...and much to look forward too." she smiled, a light teasing chuckle in her voice. He didn't wonder anymore who Luna had meant then. At the time, he hadn't given it much thought. He had burst into tears at her words and clung to her tightly like a lost child. She was a sister and a mother to him. he hadn't wanted to lose her or Alex ever.

He stopped humming, and wiped his eyes of the fresh pain. These memories were like hot knives in his gut. Luna had died the very same night he'd gotten her home. Her funeral, which attracted many who loved her voice and her kindness, was the last time anyone ever saw him in that town of Burg, or even on that continent. He never went back, simply to avoid the pain of all the memories he held there. With Althena's sword, the Dragon Wings, and a letter to a boy who didn't exist, he vowed to honor Luna's wishes, no matter how odd it felt. Finding a place to belong wasn't as difficult as dealing with so much death, but each town held a memory, and each one brought a smile then the sadness.

Meribia was no better nor Vane, too many mages who might figure out who or what he was, but between there, Luna said Lucia would have to pass through both someday. So he had settled in the forest between the two cities, his powers aiding the great tree he still called home grow and grow about the unmoving Grindery, so much it could house people safely. It was still rotten it was named after that cruel inventor, but he couldn't help how humans named things. Still, he'd never figured he'd be playing nanny, teacher, mother and father to a slew of children, let alone about 1,000 years worth, going on 3,000 now in the place that knocked Vane out of the sky.

It was hard in the beginning, before he found that calling. He'd resorted to stealing from those who were hurting the innocent and weak, those who were leaning to the evils of Zophar's desires. It worked, so he could buy food when handouts were few and far between. For a fish he did anything that was legal, though he never resorted to killing or slaving himself out just to make ends meet for his stomach or health. He had adventured as Alex had, making new memories for himself, and the days turned to weeks, then decades, the money he didn't spend piling up inside his growing home.

Then came the day, maybe 400 years after losing the last of his companions, he heard a cry. It made him think of Luna when she was little. She and Alex had been running up to see Dyne's monument and she'd tripped, ripping her new dress and skinning her knees. Her cries reached him and Alex instantly, like thorns in their flesh. On instinct, he ran towards it and found it wasn't Luna, just a little girl with brown hair being slapped by some business man. From the looks of her, she was child labor, being forced to work endlessly at best. Her little legs must have given out, for she wasn't able to get up, only her hands could drag her a few inches at a time from those meaty, cruel slaps.

Nall leapt at the man and punched him hard in the face. His momentum sent him into the man's stomach and bounced him back a bit, but at least the man wasn't one to take a punch very well and he fell over cold. Nall wasted little time in grabbing up the little girl and running back to Taben's Peak, feeling her cry against his shirt softly. He held her as if she were his own, as Alex and Luna had held him and their own children, as if she'd break if he let even a bit of air between his hands and her body form. Her name had been Mina, and she became the first Dragon Kid, helping him find some peace in life by taking care of others as he had been so long ago.

From that one little girl came many happy children, trained and schooled to become something when they got older, rather than suffer the cruel fate of losing their family and dreams to war, famine and disease, or just the cruelty of some humans. Nothing had been perfect, there were children who couldn't be helped, bad seeds who grew to despise the world and their fellow human and beast people. It hurt all the more each time he had to bring them to justice. he'd never had to destroy any of them himself, that would be too hard, and perhaps that made him a bit of a coward, but what 'parent' would have the will to kill a child they raised. he had to suppose that to protect others from that child, the need to stop them was a great responsibility, but still he could never bring himself to do it.

Others could do it, the child itself could do it, but not Nall. The hardest thing for him to deal with was the death of others. Ruby was learning that still. With passings of Ronfar, Mauri and Leo, Lemina, and even dear spirited Jean, he saw the same pain in the red dragon's eyes, those hot tears, and her shaking form. He had wanted to hold her then, each time, but he feared she would get angry at him, as if he were treating her like a child, but her sorrow grew worse. She couldn't even torch him she was so unhappy with every death. He almost missed it.

Half of him had regretted telling her that Hiro would be alive still, the half she set on fire, reaffirming his dislike for her habit of torching him being rekindled, but he kept trying to tell her Hiro was alive, and always would be, but on the Blue Star. Hiro had Lucia, no matter how much Ruby loved Hiro, even assuming human form wouldn't give her his love. She could be such a brat about it, so selfish and rude, but it reminded him of himself at her age, well, maybe he was still that way sometimes....most times. It just hurt to see her pine for a man who loved someone else, and had never felt for Ruby what she felt for him.

Nall would keep trying to get her to listen to him, but how to approach her and not get fried in the face was the ultimate trick he had yet to master. It was her answer for everything that ticked her off and sometimes when she was being obnoxious. He'd listened to her talk about how rude Ronfar had been to her, making him imagine the gambler getting a face full of flames. It made him happy to know he wasn't the only one getting the treatment, but it darn well hurt even if he'd heal up later.

'Had to have changed out that damn twig he was always sucking on. Yick...' he thought, his eyes reflecting the Blue Star. It had taken much time, but it was healed, the time of bringing some of Althena's children back to it wouldn't be far off, but instead of the goddess, they would have two guardians who were very much in love to secretly watch over them. He truly hoped Hiro and Lucia would be spared the pain Althena had not been.

No one but the Four Dragons knew that Lucia and Hiro were the cause of the Blue Star's revival, nor that they were even there. No one else needed to know, and it was all the better. This way, the mortals would leave them all in peace and live for themselves, not the affections of deities and dragons. He and Ruby would remain here, until the next time they were needed, a day he prayed would never come. Althena could no longer see what would come, meaning now they all were truly flying blind and free, living for themselves. He sighed a bit, wondering what new memories they'd make together.

"HEY NALL!!" Ruby's voice yelled right in his ear.

"UAAAGHHHHHH!!" he screeched and fell off the balcony," Ruby, you little pink pimple!!" He fell only a few feet before assuming his small dragon form, flapping up furiously to get in her face. She looked pleased with herself.

"You brat...I could have broken something, or landed on someone! What the heck were you thinking??" he squeaked, his voice all high in this form. She started giggling at him, her own high voice radiating some joy in his reaction. "Girly voice, girl voice. It was worth it to make you shrimp up. You never ever assume this form, hahah! I just had to see if you'd do it. Hahaha, girly little Nall!" she chirped.

His left eye twitched a bit, and he flapped to the balcony, perching. In a moment his was human again, and scowling down at her. She stopped giggling for a moment, seeing his hand shoot out, but she was too late. He was very good at grabbing the scruff of her neck, the wings didn't hurt as bad as her fire breath, and this way he could aim her away from his face, and give her a good shaking. "You scared the crud out of me to hear my chibi choice? You have to be kidding me, how bored are you to go around freaking people out off of balconies?? You're such a little pimple."

"Stop calling me a pimple, jerk." Ruby screeches, trying to scratch his hand, but she couldn't twist around enough to reach.

"Oh, real original, you've been calling me that for centuries. Can't you find a better name for me besides something that simple??" he retorted, grinning sharply.

Ruby grumbled and crossed her paws a bit over her little chest. "Oh, you want a new name, fine, how about cream puff!?"

He frowned, thinking about it. White and light brown, it fit a more or less, but it was also taking a stab at his masculinity. It reminded him of Kyle's teasing a little, enough to make the smile soften a little. Here he'd been thinking about talking to her seriously about Hiro and Lucia, and they were already fighting over something he escaped easily. 'Why's she have to be so cute angry? I'm turning into a cream puff over her...' he thought. He hopped off the balcony and set her on it. "Ok..you got me...I guess its more original than jerk." he let out, his little fangs glinting in the light of the Blue Star. Ruby made a puzzled face, then just sighed and shared his gaze to the planet.

"So, why are you out here humming again, Nall?" she asked, her tone evidently a little annoyed. She sure held a grudge for a while, but it wasn't a concern just yet. "Thinking about them, my old friends...and yours... You know we..really have to have a talk about Hiro and Lucia. I know you think I'm lying but, I'm not... I have nothing to gain from lying to you, Ruby. Set me on fire all you bloody want, its the truth." he replied, bracing for a funnel of flame.

"I know..." she said, still looking up at the Blue Star. He looked sidelong at her, looking over her pink fur, that sunshine yellow bow and her deep red eyes. "So you were listening after all..."he stated. She sighed deeply, shutting her eyes a moment. "I guess, I didn't want to hear it, that he gets to be immortal for her...not for me...but I guess he loves her enough to leave Lunar behind. He left everything for her...I can't compete with that so...really, if he loves her, and they're happy, I can live with it. I hate it to death, but I can live with it." Ruby said, her voice trying not to break.

Nall just nodded. "Mhm...love is a great power, Ruby. In all the forms that it comes in, it can cause great joy or sorrow, but love is still love, the greatest power of all. And through their love, Hiro will become a god with his goddess, forever hidden from the eyes of man of what they really are."

"A god? You didn't say that!! Since when??" she squawked.

He shrugged. "Maybe you should have listened more instead of frying my head, but yes a god. Lucia took Althena's powers as her own, humanity has regained it with their courage and bravery as each heart awakens, just as your friends' did. But, Lucia was already immortal as she is one of Althena's children, not a dragon, but she is still a child of the goddess. Lucia has given Hiro Althena's power so he may stay with her. They won't let the tragedy Althena felt in her heart occur again. No temples, no begging, and no praises, they'll be quite anonymous. Only we four dragons know this, you're just a bit young to know it yet."

She frowned at him. "You can't be that much older, smart ass, which dragon told you?"

He almost laughed, but foolish pride wouldn't give in to that look she was giving him. Maybe he was still a smart ass after all, but he liked his attitude, same as Ruby liked her own. They were both hot-heads, sarcastic, tempermental, tenacious, and at best didn't like their toes stepped on. This was a challenge to himself, but....he smiled instead. "Ole Babblin' Blue...he always learns the latest gossip of Lunar and the Blue Star first what with Althena gone. I know we're the youngest of the dragons, but we're also kind of more experienced with the ways of the world than black or blue. We've lived among the people and seen them go through many things. Those two oldies don't know much but what the planets say, that makes us a bit...eh Ruby? Ruby? what's wrong?"

Her faced just looked stunned, like something bit her tail. "Ruby???" he yelped, gripping her paws. She blinked a moment, and Nall noticed they were now nose to nose. He felt his cheeks burn a bit, the soft blush on her cheeks flashing across his eyes. He knew he should probably let go and duck before embarrassment became anger, but her red eyes held him in place. Such soft paws, it made him consider how her human fingers would feel. She'd never yet become human in his presence, and with all his teaching her to try, to find love in her heart for others, to want to become human to help and to be with others as they were with her, never once had she become a human. His own dreams conjured up many images of her form, but he doubted any of them did Ruby justice. Her eyes were enough to stop his heart.

"N...Nall...you're...squeezing my paws kind'a..h..hard." she said quietly. He took a breath, letting his eyes shut slightly before lidding them. She seemed to blush worse, making his heart thump. He let go in that same instant, picking her up and placing her on his shoulder. "Sorry...got...lost in thought. I must be tired. It is...kind of late." he replied, smiling to himself as she got comfy.

"I guess it is, but that's your fault, Mr. Hummer." she snickered.

He rolled his eyes. "I'm too tired to reply to that with a fine remark. Let's just go to bed, ok?"

Ruby smirked, probably feeling she had won the argument itself. He didn't care right now, he just wanted to go to bed and stop feeling so awkward. With a heavy yawn, he started for the doorway.

A soft white light flashed behind him, a cool breeze raking across his arms. He whirled, the feel of that air just made his hair stand on end. He felt Ruby's paws dig into his shoulder painfully, but held his discomfort back as he looked to the sky. His blinked, a soft flash of white grazing the sky for but a few seconds, then fading into the stars. He waited a while, the cool breeze quietly going across them. "Nall...? What was that?" Ruby asked.

He rubbed his arms a bit, shaking his head. "I don't know...but...its gone now. Its getting cold though, probably rain, we best get inside before we get soaked." Nall said evenly, but the chill in his skin just didn't want to leave, even as he got within the warm confines of his chambers and the soft covers of his bed, it stayed. Ruby laid upon his stomach softly, her natural warmth driving that chill away a bit. Still, the feeling bothered him. 'Just looking too deeply into a cold breeze on a summer night... Its probably nothing, I hope. I'll consider it in the morning...mhm...the morning...'he thought, his amber eyes growing heavy, taking him into a deep, sound sleep.

As they slept, the wind crept cooly over them, biting at their unconscious forms. Nall twitched softly, his arm draping gently over Ruby's small stomach. He wanted to roll over, calm the tugging at his stomach, but he'd become accustomed to Ruby sleeping on his stomach at night, so resting on his back became normal, no more tossing and turning in hot, sleepless nights. He remained on his back, the tugging fading after a while.

Now it begins, White and Red Dragon, she will rise up with your powers, and Lunar will be hers!

Nall and Ruby couldn't hear the deep, melodic voice, the ice within it, the evil. They were only concerned with their dreams. Sleep till the morning light, and the new nightmare would begin. The voice would see to that.

To Be Continued...

Next: Chapter 1: Body Wise, Mindless Mayhem

Nall and Ruby awaken to more than just the loss of their dragon auras, and set forth on their adventure to reclaim their powers, and find the Blue and Black Dragons, fearing they suffered the same. Its a journey to the reborn floating Vane, to seek clues to what has robbed them and gain a possible ally, but first they must deal with a familiar face that blocks their way to Lemina's Museum of Wonders.