Me: Yo. I'm back.

Mikey: A full year later and now you're writing again?

Me: Well, writer's block and my last year of high school got in the way. Plus, I was talking with CatMuto about her latest Tales of Symphonia story, Crazy Couple.

Mikey: Well, stop messing with your girlfriend and get back to writing. Also, why'd you change your name to mine?

Me: Well it's my name, first of all. I gave it to you because I'm uncreative at times. Secondly, I like it. Disclaimer!

Mikey: Guardian Mikey does not own AdventureQuest nor any other Artix Entertainment products. He does own me, even though AE can still do what they want with me.

Me: Meh, it's in the Terms of Service.

--

Chapter Two-

Mikey landed a few miles on the outskirts of Battleon, making sure the Frogzard child wasn't scared to the point of wetting itself. After taking care of any possible spills, he walked toward the small town. He started to remember all the things that had happened since he was last in this town. The battle against the Devourer, The'Galin, and his Network, the Fall of Granemor, his journey into No Man's Land to find Maurinelle's voice and return it to her, and many other small adventures. Being a Guardian and a Paladin was no easy task.

He waved to the two guardsmen as he walked past and headed to the small shop next to Warlic's Spell Shop. His motto is "Master the Arcane and learn how to spell." Mikey shook his head at his dad's antics and how Artix has rubbed off on him.

After debating silently whether to let Warlic know that he was turning into Artix, he decided to just leave it be. Warlic was over sixty years old now, and Mikey had a feeling that he was going senile pretty fast. It might've been those assassination attempts by Nytheria or the trauma over having to fight Xan and finish him off, his once best friend, but it didn't matter. He was probably two cards short of a full deck at this point.

Meanwhile, at Mikey's home, more guests were showing up and the decorations and food were almost ready. Faith was being about as hyper as a kid can be on their birthday. After all, there were people, cake, and best of all, presents. What more could a child want? After exhausting her mother, Faith ran over and decided to ask Kinshra all about his adventures. Eliac had arrived a few minutes before, having to sneak out. Being a queen of an entire race was not the best occupation in the world. But she knew her people needed her. They looked up to her for advice and guidance in times of dire need.

She would never say it out loud, but she loved the attention. She liked how people treated her and she loved each of her citizens as if they were her own child. Most would say that she was selfish for thinking such, but in reality, she was a selfless person, who wanted only others to be happy, even if it meant she wasn't. She gave a small groan, "How are they going to react when they find out I left for a party?"

Kinshra looked up at Eliac, stopping for a moment from his story, "Ah, they'll do what they did when you left seven years ago to help out Mikey: Find the second-in-command and make him do stuff."

Eliac cracked a smile, "Yes, you're right. Faith, did your dad or your uncle Kinshra ever tell you about the time your dad fought off a dragon?"

Faith's eyes were wide as she slowly shook her head no. After looking to Robina, who gave a small nod giving her the okay to tell, Eliac sat Faith down on her lap and began to re-tell the story of how Mikey beat the Dragon Matt.

Back in Battleon, Mikey walked into Aria's small pet shop and glanced around. As usual, Aria was behind the counter, making sure that the animals in her small store were happy and well-fed. Good battle pets were so hard to find those days. Aria was the best pet trainer on Lore, having been taught by her Grandmother before she passed away a little over a decade ago. Mikey walked up to the counter and greeted Aria with a smile, "Hey there, Aria. I haven't seen you in a while."

Aria was pleasantly surprised and gave him a smile back, "Well, if it isn't Mikey. The hero of the Nightbane campaign."

Mikey blushed, "Okay, seriously, I'm not a hero. After all, there were a lot of others fighting alongside me and my friends."

Aria laughed at his red face, "I know, Mikey. But I can't help but tease you. You're ripe for parody. But what brings you over? I haven't seen you since Blue's little bathroom problem a few years back."

Mikey had to laugh at that, "Yeah, he luckily got over it. I was tired of cleaning up after him. And I bring you a gift." Mikey plucked the little Zard off his head and set it down on the counter.

Aria cooed at the little tyke,"He's a cutie. Where'd you find him?"

Mikey re-told the events leading up to his discovery of the toddler and Aria listened along. She nodded as he finished, "Yeah, there's no doubt this little guy is an orphan now. But you can to the right place! I'll have this little guy trained to be the best Frogzard, even greater than the Fire Guardian Frogzard that Kinshra got for his birthday!" She took the Frogzard into the back room and got him acquainted with all the other animals. Most animals fought over territory, but they knew better. Last time someone got into a fight, they either got no dinner, double exercises, or both.

If there was anything Aria could hate, it'd be fights. Mikey bad his farewell, knowing that the Frogzard would be in good hands, and headed back for home. After all, he couldn't miss his little girl's fourth birthday. He has never missed a birthday of her's yet and he doesn't plan to start now. Running into the open fields on the outskirts of Battleon, he summoned his wings and began his flight back home.

--

Me: Well?

Mikey: Wow... I did a lot of stuff while those 7 years passed. Still it's a bit short.

Me: D'uh. I mean, other than banging Robina, having a kid, training, and inventing new things, you had to do other stuff on the side. And yes, I know it's short, but my brain is tired.

Mikey: You make it sound so little... and blushes don't say I banged her...

Me: Sorry. I meant having continual sex with.

Mikey: facepalm

Me: Review please. After all, I like reviews. They make me all... loosey-goosey. :3

Also, I'll try to get another chapter up by the end of next week.