Lilac sat on the bed of the ship, watching as six-two-six continued to stare blankly out the cracked windshield. Since he had told her what had happened in his past, he had been very quiet. Barely speaking a word through the night or even this morning. She didn't really know how to feel about everything. She had never gone through the loss of a loved one before. How would it feel? The thought of either of her parents no longer being there made her chest tighten. She didn't like it. Her hair coiled around her fingers as she played with it and wondered.

Some more time passed. And the silence was starting to eat at her. She hopped out of the bed and walked the short distance to the front of the ship. But just as she was about to say something, six-two-six spoke.

"I have to leave," he said.

The words were simple. And there was no indication of emotion behind them. Just a simple fact stated. And the way he said it, didn't sound at all like him to Lilac. Just yesterday his voice was filled with such joy. And she missed seeing the laughter and happiness that would sneak into his words and expression as they spent the day together.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "Where are you going?"

"Tarnet is still out there." Six-two-six took a deep breath. "I need to capture him before anyone gets hurt."

"Okay," she said. "Then lets go."

"You're not coming with."

Six-two-six finally stood and faced her. "I shouldn't have gotten you involved in this. Yesterday you almost... I can't let that happen. Not again."

Lilac stood her ground for a moment. She couldn't deny that being caught up in the fire was scary. Probably the scariest moment of her life. And the thought of it maybe happening again made her heart race. While she didn't fully understand the deep rooted pain that death brings, it was clear that six-two-six has held onto what happened to Lilo for a long time. Yesterday was a very close repeat.

Despite that though, she wasn't just going to sit around while he put himself in harm's way.

"But I'm okay!" she said. "You saved me."

"What if I didn't?" he shot back.

"But you did."

There was a continued silence as they stared each other down. Six-two-six wasn't used to someone fighting back against him like this anymore. It was a long time since anyone denied him or actively fought. The longer she stared him down the more she reminded him of Lilo. Quickly cracking his resolve. He stood straight, getting as much height on her as he could, hoping that making himself slightly larger might do something.

Ultimately it didn't so six-two-six just huffed.

"Alright," he said. "Fine. But as soon as we find him you have to run okay."

Lilac smiled greatly, happy that she had won, and simply said, "okay."

"I mean it. You have to get somewhere safe. Safer than last time."

"Okay."

With that, Lilac turned and started heading out of the ship. Six-two-six stayed back for one final moment, stealing a look at his precious photo before setting it down on his chair.

"Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this?" he asked himself as he went out to join her. He had a feeling that she wasn't going to stay patient for very long.

The moment he stepped outside it looked like she was about to call after him. She quickly turned around and started walking, not noticing the smirk on his face as he followed close behind.

Thankfully they had a bit of a direction that they could follow. Their battle field hadn't been touched since the previous day. Something he absolutely expected considering how the people on the island acted. Though it was somewhat eerie and sad that there just seemed to be no one that cared. And as they followed the footprints Tarnet left behind, as well as some drops of blood, six-two-six's mind wandered towards the nature of these people.

Why did they act so distant from one another? Lilac certainly didn't seem to like it. Nor does she shun the world around her. So was it something that they learned as they grew up? If it wasn't naturally present in them at a young age then that must be what it was. She did tell him about what her father told her. How keeping to yourself keeps you from getting hurt. And as close as that hit to home, it didn't feel right. Not for a whole planet.

"Who am I to judge though?" he thought to himself. "I've closed myself off from everyone just the same."

Not only that, at the end of the day, he was going to be leaving soon. There was nothing he could do about it. It was already bad enough that he was interacting with Lilac at all. He couldn't do anything to interfere with the customs of this planet and it's people. It was lucky that he could even walk around as freely as he was. Had it been any other planet outside of the United Galactic Federation there would have been a mass panic.

"So it worked in my favour that the world is this way," his thoughts continued. "Maybe I belong here."

All the while that six-two-six was contemplating these thoughts and his feelings on them, Lilac was a bundle of energy. Sitting in the ship all morning had left her feeling stir crazy and being out was giving her the release she needed. The entire time they walked she continued to talk. Hoping that maybe some conversation would make six-two-six feel better. It didn't really seem to be working, he only gave a half hearted response now and then, but still she would try. He had his tracker in hand, and at this point she actually could tell where they were. She had seen this particular small town a lot, only from above. Her voice finally trailed off when the beeping from the tracking device started going crazy.

Six-two-six had lost all track of the world around him. So lost in thought that when Lilac had stopped talking, and the device started beeping wildly, he didn't even notice. Continuing to walk as his mind wandered around in unending circles. That was until a panicking and shrill voice cut through it all.

"Six-two-six!" Lilac shouted in terror.

Panic quickly set through six-two-six and got his adrenaline pumping. The world finally broke through to him clear, joined with the near shrieking beep of his tracking device. They were in the middle of town, people stood far off, looking in terror. When he turned though all of his energy quickly died as his blood ran cold.

Lilac was suspended in the air as Tarnet held her against him. Her legs desperately kicking, trying her best to get free. His free hand held a small flame not far from her face but she couldn't feel it. Her large scared eyes kept strongly on six-two-six. Begging him to save her.

"Put her down, Tarnet," six-two-six said. "She has nothing to do with this."

"Oh?" he laughed.

Tarnet's smile was wide but pained. Clearly still injured from yesterday. But in ways that made him even more dangerous. His control over the flame was wavering. It grew and shrank erratically as he continued to hold Lilac tight.

"You don't know who this is do you?" Tarnet asked before somehow widening his smile even more. "Now this is interesting." Six-two-six took a step forward and Tarnet stood up a little more straight. "Nuh-uh, UGF dog. One more step and the little princess here won't be doing so hot. Or actually she will be."

"Princess?" His eye's shot to Lilac.

"Yeah," Tarnet said with a chuckle. "Spent too much time in those woods didn't you? Found tons of posters around town saying she's missing. And now she's going to be my ticket out of here." He started backing away, his fire growing brighter. "I was just going to lay down low here, but you had to complicate that didn't you? Now you're going to stay right there, I'm gonna take her, and I'll be leaving her out in the forest when I take off okay?"

He continued backing away, enjoying the look on six-two-six's face as the guilt and anguish washed over. All six-two-six could do was watch. He refused to let Lilac get hurt. His best bet was to wait for Tarnet to think that he had won and had gotten away. There would be some opening along the way to wherever his ship was. That would be the best moment to strike.

That's what he wanted to believe.

That's what was the safest option.

That's what he should do.

But letting Lilac out of his sight?

Letting her get pulled into the forest and left for who knows how long?

Letting this experience follow her for the rest of her life?

That's not something six-two-six could let happen.

Lilac continued to struggle, making it harder and harder for Tarnet to keep his grip. He tried not to show it, tried to keep looking strong and confident, but before he made it too far his footing slipped a bit. Only for a moment. And that moment was all that was needed.

Before he could recompose himself and retighten his grip, six-two-six quickly spun and threw his tracking device. The added force sent it flying quick and hard. Too fast for Tarnet to react. His eyes wide as it hit him square in the face. He dropped his hostage and lost control of his flame. Accidentally extinguishing it. He tried to grab the girl again but six-two-six rushed and kicked him, sending him flying back.

When Tarnet finally stood up and got his bearings on him, six-two-six was standing between him and the girl. His eyes showing nothing but hatred and a deadly intent.

"Fine," Tarnet spat. "I don't need her. Her parents will be good enough."

And with that and a mighty roar fire bellowed out all around him. Taking hold and setting alight the ground and a few buildings around. Six-two-six managed to shield Lilac from the blast. But when he turned to look, Tarnet had already managed to get away. People were in a panic and screaming. Trying to desperately get away from the flames. There wasn't much time.

"He's after your parents," six-two-six quickly said to Lilac. "Where are they?"

"W-what?" She was still in shock. Barely keeping up with everything happening. After a moment she managed to raise a shaky finger to a large cliff at the edge of town. "U-um. My house is up there. There's a clearing in the forest with the house in it."

"Okay." Six-two-six nodded. "Now you go get to safety. I'll help the people here and then I'm going to go save your parents."

"I'm coming with!" she protested.

"No," said six-two-six. "You promised that you would run and find a safe place to hide. He already tried to take you once."

"But-"

Before she could continue to fight back she felt six-two-six's arms around her. Pulling her in the tightest hug she ever had.

"No 'buts'," he whispered. "You need to be safe. I promise. I will save your parents."

For a few seconds Lilac did nothing. Just stood in the experience. She was scared. But she felt content. Actually somewhat happy. She returned his hug, the exposed fur from the blast tickling her skin.

"Okay," she finally agreed. "But you need to promise that you will be okay?"

"I promise."


So Lilac ran. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her. And when she felt like she was reaching her limit, she continued to run. There was nothing that could stop her. No matter how many times she tripped, stumbled, or fell. She was not going to stop.

The forest was a blur. The tress almost felt like they were moving passed her, instead of her running passed them. She and six-two-six had walked a long way that day. But she could somehow feel that she was going the right way. Straight towards the ship she had spent the last few nights in. An almost impossibly accurate path through the island's thick woods.

She had no idea if it was luck, maybe even fate, that allowed her such easy passage. And before she even realized it she was there. The broken down ship, with debris still strewn about in the small clearing, laid before her. This was most likely the safest place she could possibly be. But that wasn't her goal. She pulled open the heavy door with all her might and quickly made her way inside to the console that six-two-six was using the night before.

"How do you turn this on?" she asked herself as she stared at all the buttons. "There's no time."

Without any idea how to work it, she started to push every single button she could reach. Hoping that eventually something would work.


Angel was sitting in the bridge of the ship. She had a feeling that they should all have gone down to the planet. But orders were orders and Stitch wanted to be there alone. It at least gave Reuben time to make sure all the logs were wiped clean of any trace of the girl Stitch had ended up getting involved with. No audio, video, picture, or data entry to could mention her. Or they could all be in trouble.

When the communications channel began beeping, she was excited. Perhaps Stitch had already completed the mission. But, unfortunately, the smile on her face fell when she saw the little girl on the screen instead.

"Hindale!" the girl shouted. "O'kura more hindale!"

"Um," Angel responded with few words. She tapped a few buttons, hoping that the translator would come online. But her end seemed okay. It was the Captain's ship that was the problem. "I can't understand you. Where's six-two-six?"

"Six-two-six kommo nitore hindale," she pleaded. Lilac could tell the pink alien couldn't understand her. But this was her only hope. "Fortuna sipi. Hindale six-two-six." But it didn't seem like it was getting through.

"Six-two-six is in trouble isn't he?" Angel asked. Though she wouldn't get an answer. But that much was clear. She wondered if she could break orders for this. "Is... it... Tarnet?"

"Tarnet! Tarnet!" Lilac shouted back while nodding.

It took a few minutes of back and forth. Angel managed to show Lilac a drawing of a button she needed to look for and pushed. And eventually the distress beacon on the crashed ship was activated. Angel and Reuben would have a direct path to their island.


After Lilac had finished contact with the pink alien she sat for a moment. She was terrified. More scared than she thought she could be. Six-two-six was in danger. That fiery man could hurt so many people so quickly. And now he was after her parents? She wanted to cry.

She wanted to.

But she didn't.

"I have to go help," she said to herself. "I can't just sit here. Not when mommy and daddy need help. They're in danger because of me. I have to fix this."

So once again she ran. The little break was nice. And once again it seemed like the pathway before her was opening up and leading her exactly where she needed to go. She would need to thank the forest properly later if it truly was helping guide her. And with hope in her heart, she pushed forward to the home she ran away from. She held onto the image of it strongly in her head and heart. It was going to be okay. They had more help coming. They could stop the fire man.

But not entirely.

Her home being on fire was probably the most devastating thing she could see. And it brought her to her knees when her stomach sank. One section to the side had already been completely engulfed. And she knew that even though it was a huge building, nearly a palace, it wouldn't be long before the rest was too.

She felt a soft paw on her shoulder. Six-two-six had just arrived after her.

"It's going to be okay," he said.

She expected him to get mad at her for being there. For not listening to him and staying somewhere safe. But he didn't. He just tightened his grip on her and repeated his promise.

"They're going to be okay. I'm going to be okay."

And he started walking towards the burning house.