Disclaimer: I do not own it. – Man, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record.

Note: I updated my profile. It'll answer the question for who I would pair Fayt with…Hahaha…DON'T HATE ME! - Hey! At least it's NOT Nel! Some things were just never meant to be…Besides, I don't even know if I'm pairing Fayt up or not.

This one's a little longer then usual. I started typing and just couldn't stop. It was the middle of the night…and before I knew it, it was day…

Inside My Heart

Chapter 2

Gates skillfully landed the cruiser in the Irisa Fields just south of Aquios. The trio stepped out and stretched.

Sashia looked around in amazement. She never dreamed of seeing a place so…void of metal. The structure she looked at was like a castle from a fairy tale. It was beautiful.

"So, we start with an…um…audience with the queen?" Gates asked with a chuckle.

It would be hard for him to be professional. He was more the 'class clown' then the prim and proper type. He might have the brain of a nerd, but he had the demeanor of a jester. Mirage had to give him credit for trying to be somewhat civilized.

"Yup," Mirage responded. She headed for the castle gates. "Just follow me."

As they walked the street to the castle gates, the twins couldn't help but to take in their new surroundings. Everything was so new and interesting. Even the cloths of the residents amazed them.

Two guards stood watch at the front gate. Mirage approached them and bowed slightly.

"I am Mirage Koas, and I request an audience with her majesty."

The older of the two stepped forward and squinted at her. "Ah, my fair lady, I remember you. I will inform her at once. Please, come inside and wait in the chapel."

Time passed quickly for the twins. Mirage smiled as she watched the two explore the chapel. She had forgotten how breath taking it was until she witnessed the two see it for the first time.

Before long, they were called before the queen.

Following the guard, the three entered the audience chamber. Mirage walked in front, followed by Gates on her left and Sashia on her right. They stopped where indicated. Mirage bowed. Sashia and Gates followed her example.

"Thank you for seeing me, you Majesty."

Romeria smiled. "You are always welcome here. We owe you much. Please, accept this land as a second home."

Mirage almost cried. The queen's words were exactly what she had needed to hear. "Allow me to introduce my travel mates. This is Gates Keen and his sister Sashia Keen."

Romeria acknowledge the two with a gentle look. "What brings you to Elicoor, my dears?"

"I'm searching for Cliff. My sources tell me that he is here and his plans were to visit your land."

"Yes, Cliff. He was here almost two weeks ago looking for Fayt. I believe he went to meet the boy in Greeton. I'm sure, if he's still here, then that is where he can be found."

Mirage bowed again. "Thank you, your Majesty."

Mirage turned to leave when the queen interrupted her. "If I may, I wish to enlist your help, Mirage."

Mirage looked at the queen. Her face betrayed a hint of worry. "Yes?"

Romeria stood and approached the blonde. She took Mirage's hands. "A little over a week ago, I sent Nel on a mission to Kirlsa. It was a simple mission only to deliver a note to Wolter. Yet, she has not returned. No one has heard from her since." The queen's eyes pleaded. "I wish for you to help locate her."

Though Mirage was in a hurry to see Cliff, she had waited three years and more time wouldn't hurt. She also couldn't turn her back on a friend. Nel had been a good friend and now that friend was in trouble. Mirage's stomach grew uneasy. It wasn't like Nel to disappear.

Mirage looked the queen in the eyes. "I will do what I can. Nel is a friend and I will do my best to find her."

"Thank you," Romeria responded.

The three bowed to the queen and left the chamber.

They exited the castle and went to the cruiser to retrieve a few belongings.

"Mirage, what is our next move?" Sashia asked.

Mirage looked up to determine how much sun was left. "Well, right now we have enough time to make it to Peterny. We'll stay the night there and head for Kirlsa in the morning."

Gates patted Mirage on the shoulder. "This is one hell of a field trip, Sensei." He chuckled. He was clearly enjoying himself.

Mirage smiled. "Yes. And you will be able to keep with your training. This land is home to some quite disagreeable beast. Keep on your toes."

Gates hung his head. "Man! Should have guessed enough from a backwater planet."

Sashia laughed. "This'll be fun!" She withdrew her double tipped spear.

Gates followed her example and strapped on his belt which held his throwing knives.

Mirage giggled. "Let's go."

As they walked, Sashia kept an eye on her Sensei. She had never seen Mirage so…free. Mirage had certainly changed since they left Klaus. She knew this was a good change. She smiled. Mirage deserved something good to happen.

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Maria walked into the dojo and knocked on the office door. She was shocked to hear a male voice from the other side welcome her in.

"Hello," she said as she opened the door. "I'm looking for Mirage Koas."

The man behind the desk stood and smiled. "Sorry, but she no longer runs the dojo. I'm Maxwell Koas, her cousin, and new owner. I'll be happy to sign you up."

Maria smiled. "Oh, no need. I'm an old friend of Mirage's and I was in the area. Can you tell me where she is?"

Maxwell studied her face. He opened a desk drawer and retrieved a framed photo. He looked from the photo to Maria.

Maria stepped forward and looked at the photo. It was a picture of Mirage, Cliff, and herself. In that photo, her hair was long and blue. Maria smiled. It was good to know that the Klausian had always kept reminders close.

To someone who didn't know Mirage, she could appear cold. Maria had spent seven years with her. Mirage had been there when she was sick, depressed, happy…well; Mirage had been there for her no matter what. Maria looked up to Mirage like an older sister.

Maria laughed. "Yes, that's me."

Maxwell chuckled. "You…err…look different."

"Well, after the events of three years ago, I had to do something. The Federation and other organizations wouldn't let me be."

Maxwell nodded. "Well, Maria right? Mirage left the planet a few days ago. She said something about things she had to do and left me in charge of the dojo. I'd tell you where she was if I knew…"

"I see. Thank you, Maxwell."

Maria left the dojo. She had only wanted to visit but felt compelled to find her 'sister'. Maria wasn't one for superstition, nor hunches, but something in her gut told her she needed to find Mirage. Something told her that trouble was on the horizon.

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Cliff and Fayt got to Peterny with an hour to spare before sundown.

"Well, I guess we'll get a room here for the night. I have a home in Arias, but looks like we won't make it there tonight." Fayt smiled. "I'll go get the rooms. What about you?"

Cliff looked around. "Hey, I'm on vacation. I think I'll hit the tavern. Us Klausians can really drink with no effect. They actually have a malt here that…well…you know. Since I'm here to relax, I think I'll go there first. I'll meet you at the inn a little later."

The two parted ways. Cliff entered the tavern. He got his drink and went to the table in the corner. From his seat he could observe the whole room.

He was halfway through his drink when he noticed someone odd enter the bar. The young man was defiantly not from the area. His cloths revealed him as an off worlder. He wore a white tank top with a deep crimson red vest. His paints were the same style as Cliffs, but instead of dark hunter green, his pants were the same color of his vest.

What really grabbed Cliff's attention was when he turned to order from the bar. On the back of his vest was the Klausian symbol for strength and wisdom along with the words 'KOAS DOJO'.

The man turned away from the bar and scanned the room for a seat. When he had made it to the middle of the room, Cliff stood up and waved at him. "Yo, over here."

He looked at Cliff. The stranger's face questioned him.

"Yeah, you, over here." Cliff gestured to the empty seat at his table. Cliff sat back down.

The youth approached and sat. He rested his drink on the table and looked at Cliff. His eyes lit up. "Hey! I know you! Cliff, Cliff Fitter, right?"

Cliff chuckled. "Yup, last time I checked that was me."

"Gates Keen. Nice to meet you. Man, you haven't changed at all. You look just like your photos." Gates took a sip of his drink. "My sister's wanted to meet you for a while. She has a scrap book where she keeps all the past champion autographs in. You won top rank when you were my age."

Cliff leaned forward. "I guessed you where from Klaus. What brings you out here?"

Gates chuckled. "Well, actually, my Sensei is here to see you."

Sensei? Could he be talking about Mirage? Cliff didn't want to hope that she would be here. If he hoped and then it wasn't so then he would be disappointed. At the same time, he was nervous at the thought of confronting her.

"Where's your Sensei now?"

Gates was finishing his drink. "Man that was good! Oh, she's at the inn with my sister. It seems a friend of hers has gone missing and the queen asked us to help find her."

"A friend?"

Gates stood up. "Yeah, hey man, hold that thought. Be right back."

Gates went back to the bar and ordered two more drinks. He returned, placing one drink in front of Cliff.

"How old are you?" Cliff asked.

Gates smiled. "Nineteen, why?"

"A little young to be here. Does your Sensei know where you are?"

Gates chuckled. "Naw, she's cool. I told her I was going for a walk and I'd be back later. She knows I'm not a trouble maker…well not that bad of one anyway."

Cliff squinted. The boy reminded him a lot of himself at that age. "So, who's the friend that's missing?"

Gates tapped his cup. "Oh, what was her name…Nel? Yeah, seems some chick named Nel is missing and the queen's real worried."

"Nel?" Cliff nearly chocked on his drink. "That's not like her to go missing."

"That's what Sensei said."

Cliff stood. "Come on; let's go see your Sensei. If Nel's in trouble then count me in."

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Albel stood and paced the floor. He had been sitting long enough and his legs were beginning to cramp. He walked to the window. Peering out, he saw the same two guards on duty.

"Hey, maggots, tell your boss I'm tired of waiting."

One of the guards banged the barred window with his metal stick. "Shut up in there!"

"Humph. Why don't you come in here and make me, worm?"

Before the guard could respond, a loud bang sounded. Albel looked to the source. The noise was coming from the cell beside his. Leaning against the window, Albel could barely see the other cell's door.

One of the guards quickly jumped to the door and peered inside. "Stupid wench! Stop that now or you'll be sorry."

"I'LL BE SORRY! ICE NEEDLES!"

A cluster of ice shards leapt from the barred window, hitting the guard in his face.

The other guard moved quickly. He pushed a button on the wall beside the cell door. The room was consumed by a dark green mist. He then pulled a device from his waist band.

"I need medical assistance on level 2B." he spoke into the device. "I also need a restraining device. Seems our new customer has a few surprises up her sleeves."

Albel felt like time was moving at a very slow pace. That voice. It had sounded like Nel. He hadn't confronted her in three years, but he could never forget that voice. He had never forgotten anything about her.

"Bah." He said more to himself as he approached the small bed. The only furniture provided and this was the first time he used it. He sat down and rested his head in his hands. He lowered his left hand and flexed his fingers. He missed his claw. His claw and katana had been taken away when he was taken prisoner.

He looked again at the flesh on his left hand. When the events three years ago were over, his arm had been treated. He now had a left arm and hand no different then his right. Still, he rarely removed his claw. The claw had become as much him as his own flesh.

He used his left hand to hit the metal wall behind him. Now, it wasn't only him he had to get out of this forsaken hellhole. If that was Nel, then he would have to figure out how to get her out too.

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Mirage and Sashia sat at the small round table in the lobby of the inn. They were enjoying a cup of Goosberry Juice when the door opened.

Mirage, who was facing the entrance, at once recognized Fayt. She waited until he had finished his business at the counter. He turned and started her way, not paying much attention to his surroundings.

"Long time no see." Mirage made sure her voice was loud enough to carry across the room.

Fayt looked up. Shock covered his face. Then he smiled and walked up to the table.

"Mirage! Good to see you again."

"Sit." Mirage motioned to the empty seat.

Fayt sat between Mirage and Sashia. He noticed Sashia and smiled.

"I…err…I'm Fayt. Who are you?"

Sashia chuckled. "Sashia Keen, top of my rank and fighter extraordinaire."

Fayt looked at Mirage who was chuckling. "What brings you here, Mirage?"

"I was in the area and now I'm on assignment by the queen's orders." She stopped smiling and looked Fayt in the eyes. "I thought you were in Greeton."

"I was, but I've finished my research there. Did you say orders from the queen?"

She nodded. "Nel is missing."

Fayt's eyes grew. "Missing?"

"Yeah, and the queen wants us to help find her," Sashia said. "We're on our way to Kira…Kilsa…umm…what's the name again?"

"Kirlsa?" Fayt asked.

"Yeah, that's the place." Sashia smiled and slapped Fayt on the back. She hit him harder then she meant to and he found himself wedged against the table.

"Um…sorry 'bout that."

"It's…okay…I'm…fine." Fayt said between breaths. He made a mental note never to make her angry.

"Yes, Nel never returned from her last mission. We're on the way to Kirlsa. She was sent to deliver a note to Wolter over a week ago and nothing had been heard from her since."

Fayt shook his head. "That's not like her. Something must have happened."

"We're leaving first thing in the morning."

Fayt looked at Mirage. "I'm coming with you. Oh, almost forgot, Cliff's at the bar. I'm sure he'll come too. I'll just go get him before he gets to…inebriated."

"There might not be a need for that," Mirage replied.

"Huh?"

Mirage pointed at the door. Fayt turned to see Cliff enter with someone he hadn't seen before.

Mirage felt her heart stop. She had been planning to see him. That was the whole reason she left everything behind. But fear suddenly clouded her. She felt like running away and hiding.

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Maria sat at the public communications terminal in the space port. She didn't have a ship of her own and relied on public transportation to get from planet to planet. Earlier that day, at the library, she had hacked several systems before finding a file on Cliff.

Cliff was currently in the Elicoor system and that was one place public transportation wouldn't go. After Luther had been defeated three years ago, Elicoor requested that the planet not be used as a sight for tourist and such. They preferred their peace.

Since there was no clue to where Mirage could have gone, Maria would start with Cliff. He talked to her and knew her better then anyone. He might know where she could have gone.

"I'll really owe you big for this Marietta."

"No problem, Maria. We'll be there in less then two hours. Just hang tight."

"Will do." Maria cut the communication and leaded back in the chair. She really didn't like how uneasy she was feeling. Maybe she had spent too much time around Cliff. Or maybe her past was catching up to her.

She stood and walked over to the small refreshment counter. She ordered a light lunch. Only two hours. After that, she could start her search and hopefully put her mind at ease.

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Sophia met Peppita at the docking station of Moonbase #7. The two girls exchanged hellos and hugs.

"Oh, thank you so much for coming, Sophia." Peppita was truly happy to see an old friend.

Sophia smiled. "I wouldn't miss your big day for anything."

Peppita grabbed the older girl by the hand and lead her out of the docking station. "We still have a few hours before the show starts. Let's go grab a bite to eat. It's on me."

"Oh, but I couldn't. I'm working for the university and I can cover my own…"

"No need. The performers get free meals."

They entered the finest café and order their meals. They chatted during their meal.

"So, Peppita, did you get in touch with anyone else?"

"No, and it's a shame too. But, at least you're here so that's something!" Peppita was always the optimistic type. She never let much get her down for too long.

"I'm glad you finally get to perform. Sorry it took so long for things to get to this point. After all that…you know…I thought you would be able to perform earlier." Sophia rarely talked about the events from three years ago.

"Oh, no worries. I'm going to really blow the audience away tonight…"

Peppita was interrupted when the alarm went off.

"Attention all personal, citizens and visitors. There is a hostile fleet heading this way. Please move calmly to the nearest transporter and prepare for evacuation. Attention all…"

Red emergency lights began to blink. Sophia and Peppita stood in unison.

"WHAT? Not again…this is my big night."

Sophia grabbed her hand. "Sorry Peppita, but we better get out of here."

"Ohhh! Why do we always get attacked when it's finally my turn to perform?"

The two made their way to the center of the dinning area before the first blast was felt. Peppita and Sophia nearly fell from the impact.

The café hadn't been crowed to begin with and Sophia suddenly felt that they were too much in the open. She felt her gut instinct go wild. She had to reframe from panic.

They ran toward the nearest door. A few of the other customers had made it first, but never had the chance to open the door.

Without warning, the door was thrown open. The people who had once stood in front of the door were now on the floor. A group of armed men entered the room.

Sophia and Peppita froze. These men were not Moonbase security.

"Targets confirmed." The guard that led the group pointed at Sophia and Peppita.

"Come along quietly and you won't get hurt," another guard announce, aiming his weapon at the two.

Peppita raised her fist. "Not without a fight."

Sophia followed her example and prepared for battle. She no longer carried her staff, but after everything she had been through, she wouldn't give in with out a struggle.

The battle never came. Before either could react, the guards shot them.

Sophia looked down at the point of impact. In her right arm was a dart. She knew she had just been drugged. She lost her balance and fell. As her head hit the floor, her vision blurred.

The last thing she remembered seeing before she passed out was one of the men lifting Peppita off the floor.

End Chapter 2

Blue Afterthoughts:

I know, my last story (Only In Your Dreams) had a lot of suspense and now I'm doing it again. Sorry. I'm trying not to let this story jump around too much…it's just that in order to play the scheme out that's in my head, I have to "round up the group".