Cruz finds himself held back for the oncoming speed race but something crosses his path that can turn the tides, while Veje comes to know he's not alone in being prone to change.

Meanwhile, Cruz is circling over the palace in Avalor city. With him are two other jaquins. They're his remaining trainees and Guardians-to-be. He's taken them with him as part of their current training: patrolling the skies on the lookout for any suspicious activity down below. However, it's something Cruz isn't eager in doing; Zephyr sort of demanded him to spend more time teaching his trainees if he desires them to pass the oncoming test. If it were for Cruz, he would see himself occupied with other things, instead. Today it's something that has been distracting him since early morning, something he deems his time more valuable than teaching his trainees. This longing has been occupying his mind shortly after waking, becoming a goal he's vividly pondering over still. This makes him unintentionally bear a furrowed look, displaying a difficult gaze, equally as difficult as the task at hand. "What is on your mind, Cruz? Eh, I mean, Navegera." one of the two trainees asks him carefully.

However, Cruz wishes his thoughts not to be disturbed. He replies sternly: "Huh? Ow, nothing. I am focused on what is happening down below. As should you two."

His pondering has him focused on one thing in particular. *Being the Navegera has me carry great responsibilities. Training these two takes a lot of my valuable time and effort. I feel obliged to some privileges in return. One is that I, being the Navegera, am entitled to winning that speed race tomorrow… But – how will I ensure my victory? I must be faster than anyone else. Skylar, Luna, and Tudor will certainly be faster than me! If only I had something that could help me go faster. A trick or… Ah! Vestia told me something this morning about this palace. There should be a wizard inside it somewhere. Magic should do the job in securing my victory! But where are you? Every time I see you I have no need of you, but now I cannot find you anywhere!* he ponders impatiently.

It's at this very moment that he spots someone walking about in the palace gardens. That person is pacing around some trimmed green hedges, seemingly unaware of doing so as his head is tilted down while holding an open book in his hands. Cruz has heard of him: it's someone who knows his ways with magic, albeit it being wonky and clumsy. It'll be good enough for him still. He considers this encounter to be no coincidence. He turns to his trainees and says: "Alright, listen up! I have business to attend to. It is important. While I am gone, you two keep patrolling the area like we have been doing. Remain in search for – things… Things that look suspicious. Remember, this is all for training purposes!"

Cruz doesn't await their response and immediately makes his way down towards the person he's been looking for. His two trainees are left without a clue on what to do. Eventually, they continue making their rounds as instructed, yet without any clarity on what more they can learn.

With the grand idea of his sister in mind, Cruz descends toward the person below him. While bearing a smirk, he lands close to the person. "Hah! Found you!" he exclaims profoundly.

Mateo startles from Cruz's sudden appearance and can barely prevent the book he's holding from falling. "Oh, hi there… Uh, jaquin. I, uh… Sorry, I forgot your name." he says uneasily.

"Cruz is the name, and I am the Navegera. Remember it next time.' Cruz says cockily as he grins out of self-indulgence before adding, 'So, wizard. Got a moment?"

"Ah, right! You train newcomers to help protect Avalor! Good for you.' Mateo says excitingly yet continues in his typically modest manner, 'So, how are your trainees doing? Are they ready to become fully-fledged Guardians of Avalor? Hah, got that?"

Cruz sighs of uneasiness. Apparently, not only Dióntan has mastered these quirky puns. Then, he realises something. The purple jaquin starts looking amazed with his eyes wide open. He cannot believe what he just comprehended. *Why does everyone keep asking about my trainees? I am more important! I am the Navegera, after all!* he thinks in agony.

Cruz replies droningly: "Fine, I guess. Some teaching here, some training there. You know how it goes. So, got time?"

"Well, uh, sure. I came here just…"

"Great! Now, I want you to cast a spell on me. One that makes me go really fast. You can do this, right?"

"Go faster, you say? Hmm, let me think."

"Come on! You are a wizard. Of course you can!"

"Well, I know a spell that can speed up things for some time."

"Excellent! Go ahead, cast away."

"I need to look it up first.' Mateo says hastily and after hearing an irate sigh from Cruz he adds curiously, 'So, what do you need it for?"

"Oh! Uh, I need – I need it so… I can go more swiftly… and survey-ing the palace… more swiftly. Yes, that is the reason! So… I can keep it safe, and – uh, everyone in it, including yourself." Cruz replies hesitantly in search of a plausible lie.

"Okay… Sure – but…" Mateo says as he ponders over the spell but doesn't get far.

While he's going over Cruz's fair-sounding intentions while trying to remember what book holds such spell, the purple-and-plum jaquin just had an idea struck him. Without listening to any of Mateo's words, he immediately says: "Oh, and make sure it kicks in after some time. I do not want anyone to notice me this way, yet. You can do that, right?"

"But – why not have this spell work right away?"

"Uhm, well. Because… I do not want to… scare others? Yes! And… not to bump – into things like, uh… Mooncliff! I need to get used to flying so fast first, of course. That is… Those are the reasons." Cruz tells Mateo while nodding from time to time to come across truthfully.

Mateo gives Cruz a glance of suspicion, clearly overthinking what Cruz just told him and the way he told him this. "That – makes sense, I guess.' Mateo says hesitatingly over Cruz's reluctant answer yet sighs as it also makes him question the spell, 'Well, I don't think the spell will work now I think about it. It makes people go faster, yes. But when I tried it on horses… Well, it didn't go so well. They went all over the place. In one piece, of course! Hah-hah. Ehm, but honestly, you sound pretty unsure. Why do you sound like that?"

"Oh… That is – because I have not…' Cruz starts off hesitantly with his eyes going about as he thinks hard but then realises he should be in control and he adds curtly, 'Ugh, why all these questions? Stop taking my attention away from what I want and cast that spell already, wizard!"

"Uh. Well, I can't do that. As I said, it works on people, not on animals. At least, not yet… It requires preparation. And – my name is Mateo. So, hi…" Mateo replies timidly and releases a nervous chuckle while making a short waving gesture.

Cruz looks away due to build-up agitation inside. He's wondering how Mateo can be so ignorant, what more it takes to convince the young wizard. When looking back at him, Cruz asks rather aggressively: "Why?"

"Well, such spells are meant to be used on humans, not jaquins. If I cast this onto you as is, it might backfire. Perhaps a potion can do the tr– Oh, wait! I got it! I know exactly what you may need. Know what? Come back tomorrow and I will have something for you that will work! It needs some explanation but you'll figure it out."

"Wizard, I really need…' Cruz states aggressively still until he realises what Mateo said and calms down, 'Oh, right. Yes, tomorrow will do. See you then at this same spot – en la mañana…"

"In the morning…' Mateo says somewhat nervous from Cruz's obtrusive attitude towards him and adds stammeringly, 'That'll – work. And, you know, my… my name is Mateo."

"Right. I will remember it next time we meet,' Cruz replies indignantly yet calmly and after turning around to take to flight he inaudibly adds, 'wizard."

Back in Vallestrella, Dulce manages to find Veje just outside of the Palace. She feels caring towards him after having heard of his demotion from king Verago himself. It makes her feel obliged to talk to him, curious how it might've affected him. "Veje. Good to see you! Calm and steady as always." Dulce states heartily.

Dulce hopes she can get Veje to open up about this life event. However, the rose-taupe jaquin has something different in mind. "Hi, Dulce. You know, I heard Tudor is going back to Avalor. I believe he needs to drop off Kamil with his parents there. Oh, but when he comes back he needs to fulfil his quota for today. Just thinking of the tasks one needs to attend to in a single day…" Veje says and gazes up as if distracted.

He thinks about his own life now that he's a regular clan member. He's once again obliged to daily quotas he once was subjected to a long time ago, before becoming a King's Guard. Dulce notices his pondering but cannot grasp the context from the words spoken. She decides to take a different approach. "Indeed. Lucky for Tudor he is quite agile, being able to move at an incredible pace. I cannot state the same about you. Hihi, just kidding Veje.' Dulce jests and continues at a regular tone of voice, 'That set aside, you are right. I too can fathom how it may become tiresome for some to continuously find ways of attending obligations each day. But remember that hardship precedes relief. Once one has gotten through a day posing a great deal of disturbance, this should make for a certain realisation that following days causing equal distress can be overcome as well."

"I could not agree more. Your description sounds like my life story. You truly know how to 'dulcify' a situation." Veje says and winks at her.

"Hihi. Pun intended, I see. Well, it is my job to steer situations: de-escalate quarrels, soothing minds, propose alternative viewpoints. I advise wherever and whenever needed. I must say it can prove stressful at times. Sometimes Migs complains also about the many things that need doing. But I must add that he does more on average. His commitment to the clan is inspiring. Combining his life and dedication with mine proves challenging from time to time. That is why Migs and I are thinking of moving to Mooncliff."

"Okay… You are going to stay in Avalor? Permanently?"

"Eventually, yes. How and when are questions that need answering still. Perhaps we will move there once we are ready to start a family."

Veje remains silent for a brief moment. He considers her words. "It sounds like you two definitely are partners for life… This makes me wonder. I want to fly with Sienté one day, make her my mate like Migs did with you. You know Sienté well. You two hang out often and get along well being Soothsayers and all. Do you think Sienté is willing to start a – family with me?"

Dulce giggles over Veje's question. She finds it adorable that a juvenile like Veje, not yet able to start a family, is occupying his mind with such a delicate matter already. "I do know that Sienté digs you, Veje. That much I can tell. Sienté finds your personality quite attractive. That laid-back nature of yours gives her the serenity she seeks after a hard day of work. I think for this reason that you two fit together quite well."

Dulce smiles at him heartily. When Veje returns the smile, she continues using a more reluctant tone of voice: "I heard about what happened. I am sorry for you. It must feel like a relapse going back to being a clan member you once were. I have fond memories of that time. You were a clan member individual back then, and you will undoubtedly become one again. Do you feel the same way?"

Veje looks at Dulce. A nonchalant look, one without a clear expression, adorns his face. Yet, he listens to Dulce's words carefully and shrugs. Apparently, he hasn't evaluated the situation for himself and deems it inferior. After a brief silence, Veje replies calmly: "Things happen the way they do. I simply follow that flow."

"I must say I admire your stoicism but I think you take this mildly. It is a great honour serving king Verago as a Royal Guard. Now that you have been demoted I hope you do not hold a grudge against him. He must have had his reasons. But, more importantly: how will you go about your day now? Any thoughts about that?"

"We are serving king Verago all the time, Royal Guard or not. Now that I am no longer with the guard, I must collect food again… That is why I am now heading for Nautíca."

"Well, nothing at all seems to stir you. Good luck with your quota!"

"Only one thing can stir me: Sienté…" Veje states amiably and flies off into the air.

Not far from them, the rescue party is on its way to the Palace to bring home Avira. Without her ability to fly, the party resorts to walking the orange-and-yellow jaquin there. Unbeknownst to them, however, the party slowly had split up, although a jaquin's innate tendency to coalesce has both groups remain close to one another.

The wounded Avira is being accompanied by the white-and-gold Tornado and the blue-and-green Dióntan, with the former clearly leading them. Tornado walks behind the two with a continuous and stern gaze fixated on both, expressing her inner desire of keeping those she leads on a short leash.

A little further down the open woodland and ahead of them, is the other group consisting of Skylar, Luna, and Migs. It has just caught Migs' attention that they've separated from the others. He gazes at them, and at Tornado in particular. A sense of aversion comes over him. Her bossy attitude repulses him because he, too, wants to captain the crew, albeit preferring a different approach. This explains why he never got along well with Tornado. To him, having the party split up like this feels like a welcoming relief. Yet, he's not given much time to think it all over. "I do not know about you guys but I rather not want to be close to that Tornado. She always bellows at everyone.' Skylar states complainingly but changes to a curious tone of voice when noticing Migs being distracted, 'What is on your mind, Migs? It looks like you just…"

"Oh, it is nothing. No worries, Skylar. I am just happy that of the six of us, you two are here with me. It feels good being part of this well-bonded team."

"Mm-hmm. I hear ya." Luna agrees calmly.

Skylar adds joyously: "Haha, yeah! We are the best of, uh… We make the best trio – triple – threeso–"

"Alright, Skylar. Let me stop you there.' Migs interrupts the enthusiastically blue-and-yellow jaquin calmly in his futile attempt to further the conversation, 'You know, back in Avalor we were a fantastic team. We did outstanding in helping out Elena against the Noblins."

"And now those Noblins are our friends! Thanks to the princessa." Skylar adds happily.

"So, now we must be an outstanding team once more and bring home Avira safely." Luna states solemnly.

Just as the legendary trio is well into their conversation, they start hearing a voice calling out to them. One that's getting louder, to the point they start recognising it. The voice belongs to Kamil. He calls out to them exuberantly. As the three jaquins look up they notice the cub arriving at the open woodland closely behind Tudor. Skylar happily greets both jaquins, in contrary to Luna and Migs who themselves aren't too happy in seeing Tudor. They remain silent.

Once Kamil spots Avira and sees her sad face, he flies up to her. The little jaquin wants to lift her spirits and shouts: "I help you! We back to Palace!"

With a voice trembling slightly from pain still, Avira says slowly: "Thank you, Kamil. That is very brave of you… But you cannot help me. How can I be brought back home on your little wings?"

"I guide home!" Kamil exclaims joyously and starts darting in the direction the Palace is located.

"Well, someone needs to go after Kamil and see him home safe as well.' Migs comments with slight worry after which he eyes Tudor and adds with sarcasm to his voice, 'No rush. It is not like your little brother will be out of sight soon."

The yellow-and-orange jaquin's intent is to lure Tudor away from the trio. Somehow seeing him has agitation build inside both him and Luna. They both know Tudor can start bantering at any time. His joking serves no purpose for them other than it being annoying. Skylar, however, doesn't really care. He's always in for a joke, especially when he can make fun of Migs. Tudor takes his time to look at the trio. He does so with a grand smile. "Good to see you, too!" Tudor gleefully addresses the three jaquins as if happy to see them.

"What do you want? I have not got all day." Luna adds resentfully.

Tudor's smile widens to the point of appearing as mocking, as if he was waiting for such a reply. "Ah, look at that!' he opts frolicking and continues while alternating his gaze from Skylar to Luna and then to Migs, 'It is the good, the bad… and the ugly, hehe."

Luna glares at Tudor and states: "You better go after Kamil before I make you need help, too."

Migs groans of frustration. Before he can say anything about the green-and-red jaquin's ill joking, Tudor quickly flies off after his little brother. After all, he promised his parents to get his little brother back to Avalor today.