I hope everyone had a great holiday, because it's back to work.

I'm hoping to finish this fic by the end of this year, as I have much, bigger plans for this year. What they are, is a secret until then.

Anyway, thank you for your patience.

Enjoy.

"My Lord, we have everything prepared. All we need is your command,"

"Good. Are all the persons I specifically asked prepared?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Wonderful. The plan is in motion."

"Shall we execute the first phase, My Lord?"

"See to it."

It had been a few days since Joe's and Snowy's snow-filled adventure, as the day was calm, with only a slight breeze in the air.

Joe decided to take a day off of working, as he laid sprawled on the couch, supporting his head with his hands.

Cupa, Andr, and Yaebi sat next to him on the floor, talking among themselves. Mostly about current events that had occurred in the village.

"We really should see what that librarian has one of these days, maybe we could have a better time gathering food with the right knowledge." Andr proposed.

"That would sound like a good idea. How would that sound, Joe?" Yaebi asked the resting young man.

"Well, I think that would only be necessary for if we really can't find anything, but I made sure we have more than what we need." He replied, smiling.

"Yeah, maybe you're right…" Yaebi said, scratching his head.

Meanwhile, something caught Cupa's attention.

"Does anyone else hear that pulsing sound?" She asked, causing Joe to open an eye and ear.

Cupa was correct with one thing, there was definitely a sound of a pulse in the air.

"Yeah, I can. What is that?" Andr asked.

Joe then rose from the couch, and walked in the direction of the sound.

"I think it's coming from upstairs." He said, as he trailed upstairs, with the rest following after.

Once Joe reached the top, something caught his eye in the corner of the room.

Across the room laid a pile of the pieces of Joe's armor, but with a small glimmer of light pulsing from within the pile.

He dug through the armor pieces, and revealed that the small jewel on his right-hand gauntlet that Blazzette had given him was glowing with a pulse.

He picked up the glove, and looked at it closely.

After a moment of thought, he finally realized the significance.

"Uh oh." He said flatly, as he dropped the gauntlet to the ground and ran over towards a chest that was placed near his bed.

He pulled out his backpack, and a few bottles of different colored liquids. He swiftly ran to the armor-pile, and put on his armor as fast as he could.

Meanwhile, Cupa had come upstairs, and saw Joe's frantic state.

"Joe-kun? What's wrong?" She asked.

"The Troublestone is going off." He said, buckling his gauntlets on his forearms.

"Troublestone? Is that whats making that noise?" Cupa said, staring at the pulsating jewel on his hand.

"Yeah. It means there's something going on back at the kingdom. The Princess is calling me back." He said, as he tied his boot against his bed.

Cupa's expression dropped at this.

"Oh, right. The Princess." She said annoyingly.

Joe heard this, and sighed with a smile.

"I know you don't like her, Cupa. But I was royally knighted, and I'm their General." Joe explained.

"N-No, no, I'm not mad about that anymore. But...Just be careful this time, ok? I don't want you in any danger." Cupa replied.

Joe chuckled at this.

"Have you seen what's been happening the past few weeks?" He coyly said.

Cupa made a small laugh under her breath.

"You got me there." She said, as she stepped towards Joe. "I'm just saying that if I hear one more story about how you almost die, I'm going to hit you with a shovel."

This made Joe laugh quite a bit. He then held out his hand, his pinky extended.

"Promise." He stated.

Cupa smiled, as she returned their pinky swear.

"Now, I'll only be gone for a little bit. I'll try and be home as soon as I can. In the meantime, You, Yaebi, and Ria are in charge." Joe explained.

Cupa nodded. "I'll watch over the house, got it."

Joe smiled, as his attention went towards the window.

"I'll be losing daylight in a moment. I'll gather whatever supplies I need downstairs." He said, making his way towards the stairs, with Cupa following suit.

He reached the lower level, only to have Yaebi waiting at the bottom.

He looked at Joe with a smile on his face, and he seemed to have Susano in his arms.

"Yaebi?" Joe asked.

The young zombie-boy raised the sword and offered it to the young man.

"You'll need this. I heard everything." He stated.

Joe chuckled at this, and rubbed Yaebi's head. "Thanks, Little Man. Now, remember what I taught you about sword play. Someone or something could come up at anytime, and you'll have to defend the family."

Yaebi nodded. "I've been practicing, I can take anyone on!"

"Sure sounds like it." Joe said, chuckling his words.

Meanwhile, Andr had joined the group.

"Good luck, Joe-kun. You might need it this time." She said, with a slight sarcastic tone.

"Accidents and stuff just happen all around me, I guess." He said laughing a tad as he stuffed his backpack full of spare supplies.

"Let's just hope he doesn't come back with his soul attached to something." Cupa joked, her arms crossed.

This joke made everyone laugh for a few moments, until Joe was all packed up.

"Ok, I should be going. The castle could be on fire for all I know." He said, as he walked towards the door, slipping into his shoes. "Be safe everyone, I'll be right back." He said as he left through the door, leaving everyone inside.

"Did you mean it when you said you would hit him with a shovel if something happens to him?" Yaebi asked Cupa, breaking the silence.

"Oh, yes. Yes I was." Cupa sternly replied.

Joe was set on the trail towards the cave housing the Nether Portal, growing more worried with every step her took.

"What if there's a murderer in the castle, o-or an assassin for Flare? Even a War!?" She said as he ran along the green grass.

He eventually reached the opening to the cave, in which he practically kicked the door leading inside.

He quickly sprinted through the dark, long corridors of the cave, following the trail of torches he made leading towards the Nether Portal.

He could see a distinctively purple glow at the end of of the corridor.

He stood in front of the portal, watching the purple matter swirl in itself.

"God, I don't like using this thing...I almost barfed last time…" He said, hesitatingly holding his hand towards it.

The thought of the princess in danger crossed his mind, convincing himself.

"God dammit…" He sighed, as he slowly stuck his hand within the rift.

He already felt queasy from his hand alone, as he fought back the urge of hurling.

He took a few deep breaths, as he slowly stepped forward into the portal, feeling more sick as he continued.

He soon found himself surrounded in nothing but a glowing, purple void, floating within the light.

The result of the crossing of the portal caused his mind to fail him, as he grew exhausted and felt his strength fail him.

"Huh…" He said, enduring the raging headache he was given. "I don't feel like passing out-Ah, there it is." He said, shortly before blacking out, his body limping.

Then, with a quick flash of light, Joe disappeared, leaving the portal empty.

Joe sat within the dark void of his mind, crossing his arms.

"Man, I come here a lot, don't I?" He asked himself.

Moments pass, as the void remained silent.

This confused the young man.

"What, nothing to say? No wisdom of what's to come?" He asked into the empty void.

Silence.

"Well, that's unnerving…" He said, looking around himself, seeing only the abyss of black. "Hey! Where are you?" He asked, raising his voice.

He could only hear echoes of his own voice.

The silence was deafening to him. "Come on, of all times, now you don't show up?"

Looking for me?

This made Joe jump. This was not the same voice as before. instead of a soft, encouraging voice, he heard a deep, raspy tone. He immediately recognized the voice.

"Y-You!?" He exclaimed, standing straight.

Miss me, Big Guy?

"W-Where's the other one!?" He screamed into the void.

Oh, that one's just a little caught up. I thought I'd fill in. The voice replied, in a sinister tone.

"You're planning something, aren't you!"

Oh, how rude, and all I was trying to do was say hi to my favorite mortal.

"Cut the shit! What's going on!?"

Wow, looks like we got a tough guy here. I seem to remember you shaking to the bone when you heard my real voice, felt my presence The voice chuckled.

"I've taken on the challenge of the Tourney, and defeated Dreu. I'm not afraid of you anymore!" He said, pointing into the darkness.

An evil cackle came from the voice.

I see. I see, that's good! That's very good!

"What?" Joe said, concerned.

Let's just say, keep your bravery of me going. I might need it later.

"W-Wait, what?" Joe asked, growing more concerned.

Don't you worry about that. I'll see you in a bit, kid.

"W-Wait, I'm not done with you!"

Well, I am. Besides, you're waking up.

In that moment, the black void started to illuminate, covering the darkness in light.

"H-Hey!" Joe said, before the light encompassed around him, bringing him back reality.

" Oh dear, oh dear! P-Please Master Joe, please wake up!"

His consciousness started to come back to him, as he slowly started to open his eyes.

He could see above him, and could see a maroon colored ceiling.

"M-Master Joe?"

He turned his head towards the voice.

"K...Krieg?" He asked, recognizing the creature standing next to him.

"Oh, you're awake, Master Joe!" The pig-man excitedly stated.

Joe sat straight, feeling his mind return to him.

"W-Where am I?" He asked, holding his head.

"Oh, you're in the guest room, sir. You see, we found you completely passed out when you crossed the rift. We hauled you all the way here." Krieg replied.

"What about the princess? Is she ok?" Joe asked in return.

"Oh, her majesty is just fine. She led the search for you when you hadn't come for six hours."

"S-Six hours!? But I came as fast as I could! How long have I been asleep!?" Joe asked, with a worrisome tone.

"W-Well, if you count the time it took to bring you here...around another six hours." Krieg replied.

Joe's eyes widened in shock.

"But..How long has it been since you sent that distress signal?"

"W-Why, it had been twelve hours sir!"

"W-What!? But I came as soon as I could when I got the beacon!"

Krieg fliched at this.

"T-That means...You were out cold for those first six hours before we found you…"

Joe's jaw hanged over after he heard this.

"H-How could I have been passed out for almost twelve hours? I felt just fine when I went in…"

Krieg cleared his throat. "I'm afraid we can not explain the phenomena, sir…"

Joe rubbed his head, as his mind flashed back to his passed out state.

He heard His voice.

A large sigh came from Joe. "Screw it...So, where's the princess?"

"O-Oh, she's in her quarters. She said she would be in there until you awakened…" Krieg replied.

A wind of relief blew over Joe, as he flew the covers off of him.

"Oh, thank god…" He said, standing straight.

Once he did, He felt less of a burden on his body.

He looked at himself, and noticed that his armor was gone, leaving him only with his t-shirt, pants, and socks on.

"Uh, Krieg…?" He asked.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry, Sir. Her majesty took it upon herself to hold onto your possessions. You'll find them with her."

This surprised Joe.

So, the girl who was more than ready to marry me, a regal princess of all people, is holding onto my clothes...I don't know whether to feel thankful or disturbed. He thought as he rose from the bed.

"Oh, ok then. I should be going to her then." He replied, scratching his head.

"Oh, yes you must. Though she is in no danger, it is still a grave matter at hand." Krieg replied, with a concerned tone.

Joe nodded at this.

"Guess I should get there fast then!" Joe stated, as he darted for the door.

"Good luck, Sir!" Krieg yelled back before Joe closed the door.

Joe jogged through the regal hallways of the North Kingdom's Castle, passing by maids and servants tending to their jobs.

He then heard a voice once he reached the lobby.

"Hey, Joe!"

He turned his attention to the direction of the voice, and smiled at who he found.

"Maggie!" He yelled back.

Better yet, the young Magma Cube stood downstairs of the lobby, smiling as she held onto what looked like a stuffed animal of a pig-man.

He walked down the stairs towards the little girl, only to have her run to him and jump towards him.

"Hugs!" She yelled, as she thudded into Joe, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Joe laughed at this, as he returned the hug with one arm, as Maggie rubbed her face against his in affection.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're awake! I thought you would never wake up!" She cried, tightening her grip on the young man.

"Well, I was asleep for a while…" He said, as Maggie loosened her grip on Joe, as he let her down to the floor.

"People don't sleep for that long!" Maggie said, puffing her cheeks.

Joe scratched the back of his head, with a sense of guilt in his smile.

"I'll be more careful next time, then." He said, smiling. "Now, I'd love to play, but I got to get to the Princess."

"Aww…" Maggie whined. "Can you next time, then?"

"Promise." Joe said, flashing a toothy grin. He turned and waved towards Maggie, who waved in return, and started back up the stairs. He continued along the upper corridor until the Maggie and the lobby were out of sight.

He counted the doors, and until he stopped at the right door.

He raised his hand, and was about to knock onto the door, until he heard a voice come from the room.

"Ohh, which one? Which one would he like more?"

Joe grew confused after he heard that last line. He could have sworn he heard Blazette's voice, which only confused him more as he thought about it.

He then took his raised hand and knocked onto the door, causing the voice on the other side to chirp in surprise.

"W-Who is it?" Came the princess's voice.

"Uhh...It's me…?" Joe replied, only to hear a slight squeal.

"O-Oh! J-J-Just a minute then!" She said back, with a few sounds of metal clanking and paper crumpling ringing from the other side.

After a solid five minutes of waiting, Joe heard the princess's voice ring out.

"Y-You can come in now!" came her voice, only it sounded nervous to his ears.

He then opened the door, to see the familiar room.

At the window, stood the familiar figure of the princess Blazette, who was looking out the window.

"I got your message, and came here as soon as I can. Little did I know I would be out cold for twelve hours after crossing over…" Joe explained himself, as he closed the door behind him.

"O-Oh, no, it's fine." Blazette replied as Joe walked to the center of the room.

He could see his set of armor and sweater neatly folded on her bed, and his bag and sword laid near the pillow of her bed.

"So, what's the problem? South Kingdom spy? Assassination attempt?"

The princess seemed hesitant, as she turned towards the young man.

"No, its none of that…" She replied, walking up to Joe.

"Well, are you hurt? Any danger?" Joe asked.

"No, no, no danger or anything like that…" She replied, twiddling her fingers.

Joe then noticed that Blazette seemed more timid and quiet with her words.

"Are you alright? You seem a little troubled by something." He asked, crossing his arms.

Blazette flinched at this, as she seemed to grow more frantic, yet timid.

"W-W-Well...I…" She started. "I...h-have a question…"

Joe raised an eyebrow at this.

"Shoot." He replied, his attention fixated on the young woman.

The princess then took a few deep breaths, seemingly collecting her thoughts. She then raised her head to the young man.

"W-What...do you think of me?" She asked.

Nothing but confusion struck Joe after hearing this.

"What...Do I think of you?" He asked.

The princess timidly nodded, and winced her face in embarrassment.

"Well...I think you're a good person...You're really responsible with your work, and you do have a good sense of justice…" Joe replied.

"B-But...What do you think of me..as…" Blazette muttered. "...As a woman?"

Crap.

"U-Uh, w-well...I...er…" He said, turning red. He could see the princess looking at him, waiting for an answer. "Y-You're definitely one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen…" He said, scratching his head.

The princess went beet red after hearing this.

"R-Really..w-well, that's good…" She muttered, slightly smiling.

"Flare, what's this about?" Joe asked in a stern tone

Blazette raised her head at this.

"You call me here, with the thoughts of the castle burning, or you possibly being hurt. And now you ask me of how I think about you? Whats going on?" He asked.

He seemed to hit the spot, as Blazette took a deep breath.

"Well, it looks like I'm backed into a corner...I'll tell you…" She started.

She then took Joe's hands, and held them with hers, as she started into his eyes.

"Would you...Be my date for a Ball?"

Joe's mind went blank with shock after hearing this.

"W-Wait...What?"

Wow, I finally got this out, and it's not 8 AM this time!

But I think I do owe you guys an explanation…

For the last few months, I have been hunting for a new job, since the one I got the last time I was unemployed did not end so well.

I've been so busy getting a new job, that I had no time nor the inspiration to continue with this fic.

This doesn't mean that I don't have ideas for it, but I just couldn't deliver it into words.

You all are awesome for being his patient. I know I say this a lot, but know when I say that I am truly grateful that you are so supportive and patient towards me, even in this rut in my life.

The plot of the story shall be more prominent from now on, as there is going to be less filler. I'll also be introducing a lot more characters from here, so I hope you can keep up with everything.

With that all said, I should be running off. After all, I have a job interview tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.

Thank you for your time, I shall see you all in the next chapter.