My schedule for school is actually perfect! This is a miracle! I don't own MKR.

Previously

"There is a horrible darkness deep within me. It is rising everyday & it won't be long until the darkness comes."

Cephiro noticed Hikaru's shock & nodded, taking the figures away. "You already know Nova, but the other two are new. And yes, they are the dark sides of your friends. The blue-haired girl is Stellar & the blond haired girl is Ally."

Cephiro nodded. "You will not be able to defeat them as you are now. You need the legendary jewels of Cephiro."

But when Umi opened her mouth to say something, a high pitched giggle broke through the air.

Hikaru's eyes shot open & she shouted "No!" She began to run, tears running down her face.

Chapter 7

Lantis' POV

"Hikaru!" he cried out again, cutting through the thick foliage with his sword. "Where could she have gone?" he wondered out loud as he walked on.

He wanted to help her, but he didn't even know what was wrong. He smiled. 'That's Hikaru. Always keeping things inside to not bother other people.' He sighed. "But I wish she would tell us what's happening once in a while."

He stopped as high pitched giggling cut through the air. His eyes widened as Nova appeared in front of him. "Nova?" he whispered, shocked.

Nova giggled again, smiling an evil smile. "Hello, Lantis. Long time no see."

Getting into defensive mode, he held his sword up. "Where's Hikaru?" he asked calmly.

Nova giggled once again. "She's sleeping & when she wakes up, she'll play with me only."

Lantis fought to keep his temper down. "Why are you doing this, Nova?" he asked, stalling for time.

Nova became serious. "Because she would never play with me with you around. Or her stupid friends. If I take Hikaru away, she'll only have me to play with."

Lantis lowered his sword. "Nova, that won't work. Hikaru won't like that."

"Of course she will…" But she was interrupted when Lantis went on. "No, she won't. And you know it. If you take her away, she'll find a way back. She's stubborn like that." he smiled, despite the situation.

Nova glared as the created her lances. "If I get rid of you, she'll play with me! You'll see!" She began to attack the swordsman.

Hikaru's POV

Finally stumbling onto a clearing, Hikaru fell to her knees, sobbing helplessly. Slowing down the tears, she began to hiccup.

"Why is this…hic…happening to…hic…me…?" she questioned, as she stared at her hands.

"It's all my fault somehow." she said. "It wasn't strong enough to protect Cephiro. I can't even protect myself against a dream, what makes me think I can find these legendary stones?" she shut her eyes & curled up.

"I'm tired & I want to sleep." She cried herself to herself softly as a cocoon of sorrow began to envelope her.

The cocoon was to her waist when she saw a bright light. "Hikaru, you must be strong…" a soothing voice said.

Hikaru slowly opened her eyes. Standing in front of her was an angel; long golden blond hair & green eyes. She wore a long, flowing dress with angel wings out the back.

"Who are you?" she asked softly.

The angel smiled. "A friend. You must fight this. You're friends are counting on you." The angel created an image & Hikaru gasped.

Lantis was fighting Nova & seemed to be losing. "Why won't he hurt her?" she asked, then realization dawned on her. "Of course. He doesn't want to hurt me!" She looked up at the angel, tears in her eyes. "Why is he doing this?"

"He's worried about you. So are your friends. You must stay strong to help them. Without you, all is lost. Please Hikaru." the angel begged, sending a bright light at Hikaru.

Hikaru's eyes glazed over & the cocoon broke open. She slowly floated upwards, hair growing to her knees, the crimson dress coming back & she sprouted angel wings of her own.

Slowly opening her eyes, she looked at the image in front of her. "I must help him." she said, but in a different, soothing voice.

Closing her eyes, she leaped into the air & flew away, leaving the other angel behind.

Lantis' POV

He dodged another jabbed by Nova. He knew he didn't have long until dodging become futile, but if he hurt Nova, he would hurt Hikaru. And he would never hurt Hikaru for anything in the world.

"Why aren't you fighting back?" Nova asked, creating an energy ball. "Scared to hurt Hikaru by hurting me? Well, you won't have to worry about hurting anyone after I'm done with you." She raised the energy ball above her head & was about to throw it when a bright light hit it.

Crying out in pain, Nova was shot down. Lantis stared up at the sky as a girl with red hair floated down. She looked familiar. He watched as she floated downwards, hair flying in the wind.

"Hikaru…?" he whispered as the girl in question looked up. Lantis felt his heart lurch seeing the pain & suffering in her eyes. This wasn't his Hikaru, this seemed to be an older version of the girl.

Nova, finally recovered, flew up, lances in hand. "Whoever you are, I'll destroy you!" She threw the lances at the girl.

The girl lifted her hands up & stopped the lances in midair. Turning them around, they shot back at Nova.

"Aaaa!" she exclaimed in pain as her own weapons slashed at her. She gasped for breath, floating downward.

The girl floated over to her, eyes holding so many emotions; sadness, pain, suffering, anger. She looked atNova & held out her hand.

Nova stared at it as if it were poisonous. "Who are you?"

The girl smiled, eyes lighting up. "I am a friend here to help you. Please take my hand."

Nova reached up when she cried out in pain again. The girl turned & saw a dark figure laughing. "Nova, you will return!"

Nova, weak, nodded. "I am sorry, my master." She disappearing, leaving the girl & Lantis alone.

Lantis walked over to the girl. "Hikaru…" he whispered again, louder this time.

The girl turned around & smiled a sad smile. "I inhabit her body only. I am not Hikaru, but the legendary stone Ka."

Lantis nodded. "What does Hikaru have to do with this?"

Ka walked over to him & placed something in his hand. Opening his hand, he looked down to see a single rose petal. Looking up, he looked confused.

Ka turned away from him. "This single rose petal represents Hikaru. Alone, she is vulnerable & weak, but if you gather others…" She created a rose whirlwind, surrounding.both of them.

Lantis stared as the rose whirlwind whipped Ka's hair out of place. Finally dying down, she let the petals fall. "…they will create a powerful force." she finished.

Lantis nodded, watching petals fall. "I see."

Ka becomes serious. "Please protect her, Lantis. She is vulnerable right now. The dreams are taking its toll on her. She needs someone."

Lantis bowed. "I will protect her with my life."

Ka smiled weakly again. "That is all I ask." She shut her eyes & a bright light surrounded her.

Lantis shielded his eyes. When the light dimmed down, he watched as the Hikaru he had come to love come back.

Falling into his arms, unconscious, Lantis held her to him. He kissed the top of her head, whispering in her ear. "Don't worry, Hikaru. I'm here."

"Lantis…" a soft voice murmured out. "I'm sorry." she cried.

Lantis held her tight to him. "No, Hikaru. I'm sorry. I should have known something was wrong."

Hikaru shook her head, crying harder. "I just didn't want to burden you with my silly nightmares. I thought they would go away. But they won't go & I'm scared you or the others might be hurt!" she admitted, sobbing into his chest.

Lantis pulled away, holding Hikaru at arms length. He stared at her, heart breaking at her tear filled eyes, her hair disarrayed all other the place & her face stained with tears. "Hikaru Shidou, Magic Knight of Fire." he started with a stern voice. "Don't you ever think that keeping things bottled up inside will help anyone." His voice softened a bit. "It helps to share things."

Hikaru nodded, tears slowly stopping. Wiping them, she flashed a weak variation of her trademark smile. "Thank you, Lantis."

He smiled down at her & brought her back into his arms. "Don't scare me like that again, ok?"

Hikaru nodded. She felt a hand lift her chin up & she looked into the eyes of the man she had come to love. Closing them softly, she felt his lips meet hers.

Pulling apart, Lantis looked down into Hikaru's sparkling eyes. "Ready?"

She nodded & grabbed his hand. "Ready." She laughed as they walked off together.

Oh that was so sickening sweet! I cried! Not really…Please RR