Chapter 2, has anyone burst into tears yet? I hope so (he he).

Starglass

Monica was standing outside her father's room in the Raybrant Palace. She was shaking slightly, partly because of the memories of what happened here on that night, but mostly because of anticipation of what she planned to do.

"Should I really be doing this?" thought the young princess. "Perhaps Lin was right. No. I've come too far to change my mind. Besides, how could she be right? Father was a noble man and a great King. Nothing but good could possibly come from this."

Two days ago

It had been three months since the war had ended and Monica had returned to her time. The people of her time were working tirelessly to rebuild the damage caused by the influence of the Dark Element. Lord Agaris and Elaine were now more or less considered to be in charge. However, this was only temporary, as Lord Agaris' authority was only over Mount Gundor, and Elaine was a Priestess of Kasarov Stonehenge. When she grew older, it was Monica who was expected to be crowned Queen of the land. Except Monica didn't think she had what it took to be Queen. Every day she could not stop thinking about how much she had lost. Her family, her home, her people (save a pathetic number of refugees), Max…

She had tried to take her mind off her worries by training as hard as she could; both with swords and magics, and learning about politics for when she took her place on the throne. However, she had grown depressed and even reclusive, not only making bad progress with her studies but if anything, getting worse. Tonight, however, she hoped she might find an escape from her misery.

Monica had been travelling on foot for five days, on a pilgrimage to the Starlight Temple to seek advice from her old friend Lin, better known as the great sage Madam Crest. Monica had doubts about whether Lin could save her from this dark period in her life, but she took comfort from knowing that Lin would do anything she could to help.

As Monica entered the temple, a Moon Person acolyte greeted her in a hushed, feminine voice.

"Welcome Princess Monica of Raybrandt. The Great Sage Crest is expecting you."

The four foot tall hooded creature led Monica to the top of the temple, where Lin waited, meditating in front of the Moon Crystal. She was hunchbacked to the point where she was as tall as the Moon People, and her skin had a greyish, green colour to it. She had a squashed nose and her pigtails stood on end. Despite this bizarre appearance, Monica was glad to see her.

"I'm glad to see you, Monica" Lin said warmly. "It's been so long since I last saw you."

"Only three months." Monica replied, giving a weak smile. "When our adventure ended…"

Monica stopped. The pain that had lifted slightly when she'd seen her old friend returned when she remembered her 'adventure', and the person she shared it with. Lin noticed the change instantly.

"I think I know why you've come." She said solemnly.

"…Lin," Monica began. "My… my life. Everything I love has been taken away from me. I need your help. I feel so empty…" Monica choked back a sob.

"You have had a hard time, Monica." Lin said, moving forward slightly. "No person should have to go through what you've experienced. I wish I could do something to help you, but all I can say is in time your pain will pass, and in the meantime, try to remember that you still have a life to lead, and a future ahead of you."

After a moment's pause, Monica looked Lin in the eyes and said sarcastically "Well that advice was worth five days travel. Basically you're saying in time I won't care about what's happened and I can just live on as though nothing has happened. Good idea, but I'm not sure how it will work in practice."

Monica immediately regretted her spitefulness and hung her head in shame. Lin took a moment to absorb the insult from her old friend before speaking.

"I sorry that my advice doesn't seem very practical Monica, but I am only trying to help."

"I'm sorry Lin." Monica said, a tear trailing down her face. "I just feel so terrible. I've lost everyone who meant anything to me; I don't see how I could ever feel happy again. I feel as though, I've no reason to live anymore."

Lin laid a hand on Monica's shoulder, and said in a softer tone "Don't give in to such thoughts Monica. You're a strong young woman, and the princess of the Raybrandt kingdom. You have a responsibility to look after your people, as well as to believe in yourself. If you don't, then everything you've ever done has been for nothing. I know how you feel; alone and friendless, like you're the only real person in the world. But remember, I'm here for you, and so is Lord Agaris and Lady Elaine, and we all care for you and will do anything to help you."

Monica considered what Lin had said, partially comforted by her words, but not enough. Eventually she looked at Lin again and, trying to control her emotions, said "How can you say you know how I feel? When have you felt like this?"

Lin smiled sadly and said "Why, the day we first met, don't you remember?"

Monica then realised what she was talking about. A lighthouse that used to stand on the edge of a cliff before it was eroded away, a flying warship spitting flame and death ,a man sacrificing him self to save a sacred relic.

"I'm sorry Lin." Monica said, once again ashamed. "I never tho…"

"Please, don't worry about it." Lin interrupted. "I know what it's like to be distressed. The last thing that's on your mind is other people's problems."

"I should have been more thoughtful. I'm becoming something I don't want to become, because of all the people I've lost. How am I supposed to cope?"

"It is difficult, I'll confess. I felt lost after Crest died. But with a strong will, you'll pull through. I did, and if I can then you certainly can." Lin chuckled softly.

"You wouldn't have had to have coped if I'd been more efficient all those years ago. When we got a second chance to help at the lighthouse, I should have…"

Monica suddenly stopped talking. She stared at the ground. Lin sighed and tried to make eye contact with the distressed young princess. But as she learned closer, she saw Monica's face had no tears, no sad face or dead eyes. Her eyes were wide and bright, and her face showed an expression of shock with her mouth partially open. Before Lin could ask what was wrong, Monica's head jerked upwards, surprising Lin.

"Lin…" Monica gasped in what seemed to be a breathless voice. "Give me a Starglass. Like the one we used a hundred years ago. Let the Moon People sell one to me."

Lin was stunned by the suggestion. For a moment she didn't know what to say. Finally she said "Why? What for?"

"My father." Was Monica's reply, more to herself than Lin. "I'll go back, and I'll save him."

Lin gaped like a Priscleen.

"Monica." Lin struggled to decide how to say this. "I can't let you have a Starglass. It's too dangerous."

Monica's eyes stayed wide open but the rest of her face became a violent frown.

"What do you mean? I know how to look after myself. Look at this." Monica whipped out her sword. Blood stains streaked across the blade. Apparently she met some unfriendly creatures on her way but hadn't bothered to clean her weapon.

"I know how to fight. I survived the attack on my kingdom and I can survive it again."

"Monica," Lin pause, unsure whether she should complete her sentence. "It shouldn't be done. I can't let you have a Starglass."

"Why?" came the slow yet strangely calm reply through gritted teeth.

"It's… unnatural. It shouldn't be done."

Monica snapped.

"What do you mean it shouldn't be done?" she shouted. "My father was a great person. The people need him," her voice then faulted, but she managed to whisper "I need him."

"Monica..." Lin struggled to find the right words. "Things are best left as they are."

"So you're saying that it's best my father's dead?" Monica half shouted, half cried.

"Yes." Lin said

Monica looked like she'd been slapped. For a long moment they were both silent, neither of them knowing what to say. Eventually, Lin said "I know it sounds harsh, but s..." but she was cut off by Monica.

"How...can...you...say that?" she demanded in a voice shaking with rage.

"Monica, going back in time to change things that have already happened is a dangerous thing. You could make things far worse."

Monica took a step forward. Lin shuffled backwards slightly, afraid Monica might actually hit her.

Monica's eyes were practically blazing with fury, but she spoke with calm voice

"I need my father back Crest, and I need you to give me a Starglass." she took another step forward.

This time, Lin stood her ground and said "Please Monica, think about what your saying; what your doing."

At these words, Monica's anger disappeared, to be replaced with despair.

"Since I came back, all I've done is think. I have to go back Lin. I know you're only doing what you think is right, but I think this is right, and I have to have a Starglass. Will you let me have one or not?"

Lin looked down and sighed. Strictly speaking, Lin couldn't stop Monica from having a Starglass since she'd already use one before, and had already made changes in history, and Lin had even accompanied her when she used the Starglass.

"Very well Monica" Lin conceded. "You may take a Starglass with you."

Monica gave a slight nod, the most gratitude she could bring herself to show, and began to walk back down the ramp at the top of the temple.

"Although," Lin called out, causing Monica to turn around. "You should consider the effect this will have on King Raybrandt."

This time Monica looked confused and said "You mean saving him from death would be bad for him?"

"Death is the best kind of suffering." Lin said. "Anything else you live to remember."

Monica didn't know what to say to this, so she didn't say anything, and simply left.

Present day

But she hadn't forgotten Lin's words.

"Anything else you live to remember."

She kept wondering if Lin might actually have a point. But surely, she could be there for him. She could save him and they could look after each other, no matter what happened.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand. She checked her equipment; her Long Sword, her Star Armlet and the Starglass. As she checked everything, she noticed that the Starglass seemed contain a lot more stardust than necessary.

"Strange." thought Monica.

When she had bought the Starglass, the assistant had said the great sage sent a message saying there was enough stardust for a quick trip, and be sure to use it correctly. Monica had ignored the message, but now that she looked, the Starglass had enough dust for at least six hours. She thought about it briefly, but eventually she decided it didn't matter, and put the Starglass on the floor.

Just before she was about to turn it over, she checked the items in her pockets one more time. Everything was in place, but as she searched she felt something she didn't recognise. As she felt it in her pocket she suddenly realised it was the picture Max had given her. She had been so depressed since she came back she hadn't looked at it once. But she didn't look at it then, afraid it might distract her from what she had to do. So instead, she whispered "Wish me luck Max," as she felt the picture, then turned the Starglass over. As soon as the Starglass was upside down, the room began to spin.

(Gasp) That took so long to write. You better be enjoying this. Third and last chapter coming soon, AND the answer to Eucharion's question.