Sorry for the delayed update. I ran out of ideas, so I couldn't write for some time…

Anyway, I forced this chapter out of myself, and I know it's not that good. In fact it seems sort of boring… Please try to enjoy!

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BlackDemon567: Well, that was kinda unexpected, I wanted Delmon to be… sorta insane, you know? As for a sister… Hold it! I have never thought of and would not want to think of Felix and Sheba doing that. I mean, come on. Unless you've seen it, you definitely cannot imagine your parents having done that to have you.

Princess Viv: Excuse me? You know me better than that! I will never not feature Piers and Ivan! (raises hand) I sincerely swear to stick to the canon, and I will never throw aside any main character.

Jake Delfeir: I don't seem to be enjoying this one as much as War of the Elements either. I did try to edit chapter 2, but… Maybe that's why so many fics with the official character's kids don't work out. And oh, I'm going to borrow Slasher's food ball gun to shoot you for not going home earlier. XD.

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Chapter 3: Stolen Elemental---The Venus Star

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"I know all about it, Felix," Master Hamma said quietly before the young king opened his mouth.

"I can't believe we just let him go," Jenna said miserably. "We could've followed him or something…"

Everyone in the hall was pale and thoroughly shaken by the entire episode. Dora and Sheba were still in tears. Isaac seemed to be thinking hard.

"Master Hamma, Alex mentioned that he needed 'someone with a heart as pure as his'. What does that mean?" he asked with a grave expression.

"I'm not too sure, but it's probably because there is no trace of any evil in Kristopher's heart, and Alex will make use of that. What I do know is what he wants," the violet-haired mage replied. Her eyes darkened. "Atalanta informed me that 'a pure heart' will release Alex from his seal. Alex intends to light the Elemental Lighthouses in Prox."

"But the Elemental Stars are gone," Delmon exclaimed.

"Not gone. Their location is unconfirmed, but they do not disappear. When the rocks Alex was sealed into went to Sol Sanctum, the stars were disturbed, and therefore scattered. They will probably go to the place with the highest amount of respective power," Hamma explained. "Meaning, the Mercury Star will almost definitely hide in Lemuria. Do you understand?"

"He'll look for the stars in all the kingdoms! That's where we'll look for him!" Mia declared.

"Sheba and I have to return to Lalivero," Felix said regretfully. "We can't help much, except search for the Jupiter Star, before Alex gets it."

"I'll have to take care of Annetta and Katheryn, but I'll follow as soon as Mom can spare me," Jenna said.

"But Alex could go anywhere. We don't know where he'll head for first!" Kyle said worriedly.

"Probably Lemuria, since the Mercury Star is almost definitely there," Sheba said, sniffing. She clutched Delmon's hand tightly. Hamma shook her head.

"Alex does not have the ability to create the Haures' Tear anymore. He cannot find Lemuria without another Water Adept. As far as I can see Mia is the only Lemurian outside the kingdom," she explained patiently. "Alex is trying to get away from here, so he won't search Vale. Vault is too close by. Kolima, Lalivero and Prox have lower psynergy power, so Alex's target should be Contigo and the Jupiter Star."

"Then let's go," Jenna said firmly. "I'll get Garet to join you immediately."

"No. We're all physically and emotionally wiped out now. Furthermore it's in the middle of the night. We'll rest first, then go after Alex tomorrow. After all, I doubt he'll hurt Kristopher if he needs him," Felix said wisely.

"I hope so, I really hope so!!" Dora hugged Kyle, continuing to cry.

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"Dora and I will look after Vale like before," Kyle said quietly as he opened the door to the weaponry. "Good luck with Kristopher and Alex."

Isaac nodded as he removed the Venus Blade from his side.

"I'll bring him back safely, I swear." He placed the sword against the wall and opened a long wooden chest. In it lay the Sol Blade. As he lifted it out, Isaac noticed that the level of energy in the sword had grown a lot. Strange…

Mia picked up her Blizzard Ankh (I made this. If it appears in GS3 I shall laugh) and smiled weakly at Isaac. "Ready?"

"Let's go."

Silently, the three went out of the room and headed for the palace gates. The others (I'm not sure if it would be better to name everyone, can I have some advice?) were already there.

"I'll ask Garet to join you. It'll be a reason for him to get out of palace duties and go kick butt, I'm sure he won't say no," Jenna said determinedly. Three Mars djinn flew out from her.

"Jenna, the welfare of Vault is important too! If Garet is busy, don't force him!" Felix cried in alarm. But Jenna and her daughters were already gone on Tiamat. Sheba hugged Mia.

"We'll join you as soon as possible," she sniffed.

"Thanks, you guys. I really don't know what to say," Isaac said gratefully.

"Don't say anything, then," Hamma replied. Her face became serious. "I'd help if I could, too, but I have to return to my job…"

"What job?" Felix asked in surprise. Hamma blinked.

"Anyway, I'll be going to Contigo with you. I'll tell Ivan to watch out for Alex first," she said hurriedly, obviously evading Felix's question. She summoned Procne and climbed up on its feathery back, motioning for Isaac and Mia to do the same.

"See you sometime, then," Sheba said doubtfully, wondering if she should read Hamma's mind. The Jupiter adept would probably sense it and clam up, but she might be able to catch her off-guard if she was lucky.

Hamma nodded and Procne took off.

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Alex glanced behind him. Kristopher clutched onto the feathers of the Firebird tightly, his usually rosy face white with fear.

"Don't look so scared. As long as you cooperate and work with me, you won't have a hard time," he said. Kristopher looked down.

"I'm not supposed to work with bad people," he said quietly. Alex raised his eyebrows.

"Your father called me a bad person?"

"Mom did. She said you were the evil adept that took control of the Wise One, though you were once nice," Kristopher replied, his blue eyes large and worried. A memory stirred in Alex's mind. Shit, should've read his mind more thoroughly.

"Who is your mother?: he demanded.

"M-Mia. Princess Mia of Lemuria," Kristopher stammered. Whatever colour left in Alex's face drained out. Silently, he cursed. Kristopher watched him, stunned at the sudden change in expression.

"We'll be nearing Kolima in a few seconds. You must be hungry. We'll eat there," Alex said shortly. Then he shut up.

Kristopher was puzzled. Alex suddenly seemed pretty nice. Why?

The Firebird landed on top of a flat rood. Alex dismounted and pulled Kristopher down.

"Get the child something to eat. I'm going to find the Venus Star," he instructed before he leapt off the roof.

The Firebird immediately swooped down to a fruit stall and grabbed three apples with its talons. With amazing grace and speed, it soared back up, ignoring the furious cries of the stall owner. Nimbly, it tossed two apples to Kristopher and started to peck at the third one.

"…Firebird? Do you know if Mister Alex knew my mom or something? He seemed so strange when I mentioned her," Kristopher said, staring hesitantly at the stolen apple.

"My name is Andrea. I've been with Alex for a few years; I sensed him in Sol Sanctum when I flew there. Yes, he knows Princess Mia. He once loved her, even though their age gap is way far apart. I believe he still does…" it said, sounding sad. (A/N: Whoa. Can monsters talk? I'm not sure… But hey, this is a giant one, it's… special?)

Kristopher dropped his apple. Mom? It can't be!!

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"Kolima. Do you want to stop, or head straight to Contigo?" Hamma asked.

"Head straight on, please," Mia said. "I want to find Kristopher as soon as possible."

Hamma nodded. Procne's tail shifted and she started to head east. Isaac suddenly gasped.

"Hamma! Over there! Alex's Firebird!"

Instantly, Procne turned sharply.

"KRIS!!" Isaac called, seeing a small figure beside the bird. Mia gasped and stood up.

Kristopher looked up. His blue eyes widened. "Dad!! Mom!! Over here!"

Andrea hissed and gave a sharp, ear-piercing whistle. A familiar blue mist appeared and Alex stepped out.

"Isaac. Mia. Nice to see you again," he said, smirking. Isaac felt suspicious. Why isn't he calling her 'Princess'?

"Alex, let Kristopher go!" Mia ordered, her weapon raised.

"I'm afraid not, Mia. And your attacks won't work on me either, I have the power of the Wise One," Alex replied, pulling Kristopher onto Andrea's back and climbing on.

"I've defeated you once and I'll do it again," Isaac growled.

"That was with the interference of Sol and Luna. Do you think they'll come now just to save your son?" Alex sneered. Andrea rose.

"No, but they will come when they realise you're after the Elemental Stars," Hamma said. Alex's forehead creased. His hand raised a small bag woven from mythril.

"As expected from a Seer. I'll have you know that the Venus Star chose to hide in Kolima," he said, taking out a small brown orb.

"Odyssey!" Isaac cried, leaping off Procne, his Sol Blade drawn. Alex put the mythril bag on Andrea's back and jumped down with the Shaman's Rod in his hand. A purple barrier generated by the wooden staff blocked Isaac's long blade, then exploded.

"…Seems like the power of your psynergy has improved a lot. Or is it because of your weapon?" Alex questioned, eyeing the Sol Blade. Nothing looked out of place. "Diamond Berg!"

"Shade!" Mia unleashed the bright blue djinni, blocking Alex's blow. Her eyes were flashing with anger. "Ice Missile!"

"Clay Spire!"

Spires of earth and ice came crashing down. Loud cries were heard from the unfortunate victims in the marketplace. Alex dodged most by jumping, but he could not maneuver well in mid-air, and was crushed onto the roof by several shards.

Andrea swooped down and unleashed streams of fire at the two adepts.

"I've no time to play with you now!" Alex snarled, healing himself with Ply Well. He put one hand on Andrea.

Hamma held up a long white wand and pointed it at Alex.

"Super Psy-Seal!" she called. The staff glowed brightly. A white energy ball appeared near Alex's chest and sank slowly in.

Alex yelped. Gritting his teeth at the hot, searing pain, he raised his Masamune.

"Diamond Dust!" Nothing happened. No blue glow came to his hands; no psynergy exploded out.

"My psynergy is self-explanatory," Hamma said, leaning on her wand for support. "Your psynergy will be sealed for thirty days. You no longer have the ability to warp."

She dropped to her knees, thoroughly exhausted.

Alex's face was pale. His deep blue eyes were cold and filled with fury.

"You will regret this. I know of your job, Master Hamma. And I'm not going to make it easy for you," he snarled. He climbed slowly onto Andrea.

"Douse!"

"Mother Gaia!"

This time Andrea did not use Kristopher as a shield. She simply dodged every single blow. Looking directly at the worried parents, her eyes softened.

"Don't worry. Prince Kristopher will not be harmed," she said gently. "Continuing your pursuit might, however, prove harmful to him. Please leave."

"NO!" Mia rushed forward, tears springing to her eyes. Hamma stopped her. The three flew north.

"The Firebird will soon run out of energy. They can't go far. And she's right; Alex won't harm Kristopher. At least not yet. The Elemental Stars are more important. And I have to return to my job. Immediately," she added.

"…" Mia could not say a single word. Her head hung down, and tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

"Mia, it's okay. I… I trust that bird," Isaac said gently. Somehow, those eyes… I just know they're telling the truth. "Her expression wasn't evil. Kris is probably safe."

Mia continued to sob. Her hands moved and covered her face. Isaac wanted to kick himself. Now I probably seem like an uncaring father. But… I have to think straight!

"We have to get to Contigo. Now," Hamma said urgently, climbing onto Procne, who was by now pretty tired.

Why? Isaac couldn't resist asking himself. Stupid me, but why?

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"Isaac! Mia! Master Hamma!" a clear, familiar voice rang out. A large, purple dragon flew up beside Procne.

"Hello, Tiamat. Hello, Garet," Hamma greeted, her grave face lighting up.

"Jen's told me everything. Have you found that dumb Alex yet?" the prince of Vault demanded. Hamma shook her head wildly, indicating Mia. Garet ignored her, pouring out a stream of curses and swears.

"He managed to escape. With Kristopher," Isaac replied heavily. He put an arm around Mia, who ignored him. Ever since Alex flew off a second time with her son, Mia kept to herself and was seemingly oblivious to everyone around her.

Procne landed in Contigo and disappeared. The three tired Jupiter djinn flew back to Hamma.

A green flash of light appeared next to them and a much taller Ivan appeared with the Teleport Lapis.

"Ivan, help them to look for the Jupiter Star. I have to return to the sanctum," Hamma said hurriedly. She transferred seven Jupiter djinn to Ivan, took the Teleport Lapis and disappeared.

"Ivan, what's wrong with your sister?" Isaac asked. The blond boy pressed his lips together.

"Not much. She has her job, after all," he said quietly. "Come on. We have to find the Jupiter Star."

He reached into a small pouch and took out a yellow star-shaped crystal.

"Psynergy Crystal?" Garet asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's like a detector. When Psynergy Crystals are near an Elemental Star, they flash. Feizhi saw it," Ivan explained. "But other than that, we have no other clue."

"Meaning we have to walk around until the crystal blinks?" Isaac exclaimed. Garet looked slightly put out.

"I'm afraid so. Let's start walking."

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Ahhh, this took me ages. Simply ages.