Disclaimer: I do not own Maplestory in anyway.

A/N: First, I would like to apologize for not releasing a new chapter for over two weeks. I just finished finals yesterday and was focusing on them. :D But no worries, for I have delivered another Special for the Lunar/Chinese New Year. Chapter 11 is still in development, but I shall have it up as soon as it is done.

Fifteen Tails: Thanks for the review. When I was typing that section, I meant to put it that way; however, it does work that way as well. I'll leave that up to you. Also thanks for the continuing support.

Blaze of Oz: Thanks for the review. I hope you question was answered. If not then, Zeru is pretty much the tour guide/tormented soul bound to the Forsaken Palace. Keep supporting this story!

Anonymous: Thanks for the review! I know this isn't really an update since it doesn't do anything with the story but here is a special! :D Also OMG THANKS SO MUCH! Your comment was just what I needed after my week of finals and horrendous pain. :D

And for my reviewers, and readers have a few cookies, cakes, and sweets! Happy Lunar New Year! On to the special!

Chapter Ten Point Five: Chinese New Year Special

For some odd reason, Empress Cygnus had wanted to go to Leafre for a few days. It was a few days before the second to last Monday of January.

"Neinheart, can you call all of my knights here?" Cygnus asked with an angelic voice. Neinheart nodded and left to find them. Cygnus sat quietly next to Shinsoo. "I hope they'll all agree; since I really want to see it." She smiled softly at Shinsoo, who nudged her with his muzzle affectionately. She petted his head with a smile. Cygnus looked up as she saw her knights come in. Neinheart had a frown plastered on his face as he walked over to her. She looked at him worryingly. "Did something happen, Neinheart?"

"Eckhart didn't want to come today. In fact, he refused to leave his cabin, saying something about being tired." Neinheart replied with annoyance. "I know I'm not extremely strict with them, but this is getting to be a bit annoying." Cygnus smiled at his frustration.

"I personally think that action is highly disrespectful to the Empress." Mihile said with a hint of anger. Cygnus merely smiled at him while sweat dropping.

"I guess I'll just go and say what I wanted to do this weekend. I want to go to Leafre. I want to see a real dragon!" Cygnus said bubbly. Her four knights starred at her in surprise. Hawkeye was the first to recover.

"You want to go see a dragon; and why Leafre for the weekend?" His voice was laced with curiosity. Cygnus smiled brightly.

"I heard that they're having a festival there; according to the lunar calendar, this year is the year of the dragon. That's why I want to go to there and find a real dragon." She replied happily. Neinheart fixed his monocle nervously.

"But that's dangerous! Cygnus, please reconsider!" Mihile interjected quickly. Cygnus looked down sadly.

"Mihile, I don't see what the problems are; especially since we'd all be there to protect her." Irena said calmly. "Plus, it seems like she really wishes to see this festival."

"As for the dragon, I suppose one of you boys would have to find one to show her." Oz supposed mischievously, hitting a nerve in a certain blonde and orange head. Neinheart merely sighed tiredly. It was another one of Cygnus's crazy wishes.

That is how Neinheart, Shinsoo, Empress Cygnus, and all of the knights, excluding Eckhart, ended up in Leafre for the weekend. The little village was full of festivities and the sound of fire crackers filled the air. Empress Cygnus smiled at the little things she had never seen before. Irena and Oz walked with her, while the two other knights were right behind them. Neinheart and Shinsoo followed behind them. Shinsoo was able to fly around too, since this place was big enough for a dragon to fly through. In the shadows, a shiny mask reflected the festive lights. The owner smirked and disappeared from his hiding spot. Neinheart turned to look at the spot where the shadow was at merely seconds before. Neinheart frowned and looked at Empress Cygnus worried.

"Shinsoo…something doesn't seem right." Neinheart muttered quietly enough for the divine bird to hear. Shinsoo nodded.

"I think we'll be fine though. Do the knights know?" Shinsoo whispered back. Neinheart merely shrugged.

"OH is that what they call a dragon dance!" Cygnus said excitedly. Irena smiled at the happy Empress. Oz was jumping up and down with excitement as well. "Oh my, they even have a lion dance!" Hawkeye and Mihile glanced at each other with bright smiles. Neinheart looked around worried. His entire body was tense for some odd reason. There was an enormous amount of flowers and plants: plum blossoms, kumquats, narcissuses, bamboos, sunflowers, eggplants, and chom mons. Cygnus looked at them all with such a bright smile that all of her knights smiled. The shop owner smiled.

"Did you know that each of these plants and flowers have a meaning?" Cygnus shook her head. "Well, the plum blossoms symbolize luck; kumquats symbolize prosperity as well as the narcissuses; bamboos, well they're just used especially to support the luck trees; the sunflowers means to have a good year; eggplants is a plant to heal all of your sickness; and the chom mon plant will give you tranquility." He handed her a small plum blossom branch, and a stem of narcissus. There were full of the flowers. "A plum blossom branch and a stem of narcissus, it is my gift for you, and Happy New Year to you all." Cygnus thanked him and continued through the festival. Her face continued to show her awe and excitement.

Elsewhere in Leafre

Chief Tatamo was standing nearby watching the festivities. A figure dropped down next to the tree that he was standing by. He smiled and motioned the figure over. He came over and stood next to him.

"What do you think of this festival?" He asked the figure. He was completely dressed in black and his cloak covered his head. The hood covered his face. "Does Her Majesty enjoy it?

"The festival is wonderful. She enjoys it, as I expected. Thanks for putting up with my selfish request, Chief Tatamo." The figure said kindly and gently. There was a hint of sadness in the man's voice. Chief Tatamo sighed at his guest.

"What's the matter?" Chief Tatamo asked. "It isn't like you. Did something happen?" The figure moved his hand to his face and removed his mask. He looked at it affectionately.

"Not really. It's just been a long time since I've remembered…." The figure looked out at the people smiling at the festival. "It's been a while since I've seen them smile like that. You've done me an enormous favor, Chief Tatamo."

"Hahaha, no it's my pleasure. Plus it is our village's wish to do this every time the year becomes dragon. It is tradition." A sudden gust of wind blew and made the hood fall off of the figure's head. His hazel eyes were piercing in contrast with his smooth black hair. "I must thank you for helping with the preparations, Chief Knight Eckhart. If it wasn't for you, this festival wouldn't have been possible." Chief Tatamo turned to look at him. "You are much different than most of the rumors say that you are. You have a warm heart, never lose that." Eckhart put his mask back on and nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind, Chief Tatamo."

"Oh did I mention that there is a dragon resting somewhere? He's been waiting to see someone, but that someone hasn't shown up yet." Chief Tatamo said softly. Eckhart shook his head. "Well, no matter. I suppose it isn't time yet for him to awaken." Eckhart saw the group walking through the booths. "Take care of them in the future." As Eckhart registered the words and he spun to look at the Chief. The Chief merely smiled knowingly. "You'll understand when the time comes, Chief Knight Eckhart. Now, just live in the moment." Eckhart was curious, but left the matter alone. "Are you not going to join them?"

"I told them that I was going to stay on the island." Eckhart watched them laughing. Even Hawkeye and Mihile were enjoying the festivities. Eckhart frowned suddenly. "Umbra." Umbra summoned next to Eckhart.

"Yes, Eckhart?" Chief Tatamo looked over at Eckhart worried.

"Go check out that area for me. I think something is there." Eckhart said solemnly. "Please deal with it accordingly." Umbra nodded and disappeared. "I hope it's my imagination."

"Chief Knight Eckhart, please do yourself and I a favor; go to the Empress's side just in case." Eckhart faced the Chief. "Your duty belongs to the Empress, and her safety also belongs in the knights' hands" He smiled and pushed Eckhart toward the group. "You don't have to show yourself to them. Just be near them." Eckhart sighed and disappeared into the darkness. Chief Tatamo smiled once he was gone. "It looks like the future is going to be full of destiny changers. Isn't that right, my dear friends?"

"Until that day comes…Tatamo." A voice drifted to the Chief's ear.

Down by the Booths

Eckhart stood in the shadows near the group. His hood was pulled up over his head. He was leaning against a tree with his arms folded. Umbra summoned himself next to Eckhart. Another strong gust of wind blew through the booths.

"Eckhart, I lost it. However, I believe it is going for the Empress." Umbra looked over at the group. "What's the plan?"

"We'll wait for it."

Cygnus laughed at Mihile's actions. He was being weird, but she was okay with it. Irena and Oz were munching on the delectable foods. Hawkeye was hanging on a vine. Neinheart and Shinsoo just starred at the knights and Empress's antics.

"Um…do I even want to know why and how they're acting like this?" Neinheart said with a sweat drop. Shinsoo merely shrugged at the sight. "Don't tell me they got drunk…off the atmosphere…." Neinheart turned over to the shadows and starred into it. There was a glint of a light. "Shinsoo, there's something over there." Shinsoo looked into the darkness. His eyes widen in surprise once he saw who was there. The owner brought his pointer finger to where his lips would be, but the mask covered it. "Shinsoo, what do you see?"

"It is nothing that should worry us, Neinheart." Shinsoo returned to looking at his master. Neinheart tried to see what was over there, but to no luck. Neinheart sighed and returned to looking at his Empress. The group went to a place where they could see the fireworks. Empress Cygnus was watching her knights from behind. A sudden rustle of the leaves, before a goat-like monster charged at the Empress. His two horns directed toward her. The Knights noticed a few seconds too late. They wouldn't make it to her in time. Irena quickly pulled out her bow and aimed for the Hankie. She managed to injure the monster, but it was still charging at Cygnus.

"CYGNUS!" Her knights all yelled. Neinheart gasped in shock. He didn't know what to do. Shinsoo was relaxed since he knew it would work out. Just as the monster was going to reach her, a figure dug the Hankie's head into the ground with his feet. His cloak was spread out from the sudden jump. As the figure stood up, he made sure that the monster's head was broken beyond merely a fracture. Cygnus had fallen into Shinsoo's wing in surprise. The knights had their weapons pointed at the figure. A strong wind blew his hood off and his mask shone from the moonlight. They all starred at him in surprise, except Shinsoo.

"Eckhart? What are you doing here?" Mihile asked shocked. Chief Tatamo came over as he was worried about his guests.

"Ahh, Chief Knight Eckhart it looks like they found out that you were here." He smiled as Eckhart helped Cygnus to her feet. Eckhart nodded at the Chief's statement. "I must apologize for not asking for permission to borrow your knight, Empress Cygnus. We were running a little short on supplies for the festival." Cygnus looked at her Chief Knight of Darkness, who merely stood there. Mihile was trying to get him to talk.

"I'm surprised that Eckhart would do something like that." Cygnus said softly.

"He did it for all of you." Chief Tatamo whispered quietly. Hawkeye was trying to pry Eckhart's mask off. Eckhart merely dodged all of it while looking up at the sky. He put up three fingers and slowly did a countdown. At zero, the sky was littered with fireworks. The group stopped and watched the wonderful lights in the sky. Eckhart stood away from the group and smiled under his mask.

"Eckhart…," Neinheart walked over to his side, "thank you for working hard." Eckhart merely shrugged it away.

"It is my duty, but above it all…," Neinheart looked at the quiet nightwalker, "it's all I need."

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed this special. Happy Chinese New Year and Belated New Years! Year of the Dragon! Yay! See you all in the next chapter!