Last time we watched as Icy, Darcy and Stormy were recruited by a group known as The Shadow Riders; a secrete society bent on ruling all. After some reluctance on Stormy's part, the three witches joined the organization. On with the show!

Chapter 3: No need for Husband Hunting

"We're getting nowhere fast," said Bloom, "None of these men are right for Sasami." Tecna had provided Stella and Sasami a list of eligible royal bachelors. "He has to be royalty," said Tecna, "But can't be a royal heir like Sky." "So we're looking for someone who's like second or third in line for his kingdom's crown," said Musa, "Shouldn't be that hard."

It was hard indeed. All the candidates that Stella, Sasami and Bloom went over were either too young, too old, had a rotten reputation or were just plain ugly for Stella's taste. "We're trying to find you someone you would be happy with," she said to Sasami, "He doesn't have to be perfect, but you shouldn't settle for a total slob either."

Meanwhile Tecna was listening on Musa's conversation with Flora; "How did your date with Helia go?" asked Musa. "It was fine," said Flora, "We spent the night talking." "Was that all you did?" asked Layla, "Talk all night?" "There's no law that says a boy and a girl who like each other can't just have a conversation," said Flora, "A long one, but a pleasant one."

"Well what did you talk about?" asked Tecna. "We discussed Life," said Flora, "The Universe and Everything. We pondered the meaning of it all." "There is a simple answer to Life, the Universe and Everything," said Tecna, "The meaning of life can be summed up into a simple, easy to remember number: 42."

"42?" asked Musa. "Yes," said Tecna, "But in order to understand the answer, one must first understand the question. In case your wondering, the question to Life, the Universe and Everything is an equation so vast, so complex that it would take several million years to calculate properly. As we speak, a great computer is calculating the equation so lesser minds could understand it. I hope to live to see the results."

"This is impossible!" whined Sasami, "That last one is addicted to online gambling, the one before was a hypochondriac, and the one before 'swings the other way.' We're never going to find Mr. Right!" "Don't talk that way," said Bloom, "We're probably just looking in the wrong place."

"Perhaps," said Sasami, "You wouldn't have any male relatives that are single?" "I don't know," said Bloom, "As far as I know, I'm the last of Sparx. As for my step parents families, I doubt you'd be allowed to marry an Earth man." "All my male relatives are either too old," said Layla, "Too young or are already married." "Same with me," said Musa. Flora and Tecna nodded in agreement.

"I have two male cousins who are single," said Stella, "The oldest, Beauregard, is 24. He'd be a good catch, except he's an adrenaline junkie, he can't get enough of extreme stuff." "What about your other cousin?" asked Layla. "My other cousin," said Stella, "Roderick, is 20 and spends most of his time studying animals on other planets."

"I'm okay with that," said Sasami, "I like animals, tell me more." "Roderick," continued Stella, "enjoys gourmet cooking and reading, especially when it comes to alien animals and cultures." "I'm also a reader," said Sasami, "And I love gourmet cooking."

"We may just have a match here," said Flora. "It wouldn't hurt to introduce the two of them," said Musa, "They might just like each other." "I'll give my mom a call," said Stella as she pulled out her cell-phone, "You never know just what planet Roderick is on at the time."

Ten minutes later, Stella finished talking to her mother, "Thanks for telling me mom, I'll let the others know. I love you too mom, by now!" She hung up, a huge smile on her face, "Roderick is currently on Caladan studying the local sea life." "I've been to Caladan," said Layla, "A world with a very diverse aquatic population."

"Caladan is several days away," said Tecna, "I doubt Faragonda would let us take an extended road trip." "That's the best part," said Stella eagerly, "My other cousin Beauregard is in town getting his ship overhauled. He, his twin sister Lucinda and Amanda, my fourth cousin in the family, they own the fastest starship from Solaria. My mom is talking to them as we speak, I'm sure they'll give us a lift." "I'll talk to your headmistress," said Sasami, "I'm sure I'll convince her to let you girls help me on this venture."

"It's settled then," said Stella, "Pack your bags girls, we're going to Caladan!" "Has anyone seen Ryoko anywhere?" asked Sasami. "She's taking a nap on the couch over there," said Musa. Sasami walked over to the sleeping form of Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki, who was sleeping on Ryoko's head.

"Wake up Ryoko," said Sasami as she shook Ryoko awake, "We're going to Caladan." "Like hell I am," said Ryoko groggily, "Why?" "To meet Sasami's potential future husband," said Stella. "If we must," said Ryoko. Ryo-Ohki stretched and jumped off of Ryoko's head.

That afternoon, Bloom and the others were at the Magix spaceport, waiting for Stella's cousins who were supposed to meet them. "They're late," said Tecna as she checked her watch. "Being on time isn't their best feature," said Stella, "Beauregard and Lucinda aren't fond of the royal life, they prefer to be out there among the stars. Amanda is almost the same; she hates the royal life. Her true love is machines and is happiest when fixing something."

Just then Sky and Brandon showed up. "I heard you were helping Stella's friend find a husband," said Sky, "Mind if Brandon and I tag along?" "Not in the least," said Bloom eagerly. "I'm curious about this adrenaline junkie cousin of yours," said Brandon to Stella.

At that time a man and a woman came up to Stella. They were undeniably twins and were definitely related to Stella; they had blond hair the same shade as Stella, the girl had her hair down below the shoulders while the man kept his short. Their eyes were the same color, halfway between blue and green.

"Well look here, Lucinda," said Beauregard, "Little Stella is nearly all grown up!" "And her choice in men is excellent," said Lucinda as she ogled Brandon, "He'll make a fine consort when Stella is Queen." "I'm glad you approve of my boyfriend, Lucinda," said Stella, "But he's mine, you keep your paws off of him!"

"I'm just playing with you, little cousin," said Lucinda, "I'd never trod on your territory. Besides, I've no patience for a steady boyfriend. "And I've no time for a girlfriend," said Beauregard, "There's so much of the universe to see and so little time to see it all."

"So these are your friends," said Lucinda, "Let me guess; Flora, Musa, Tecna, Layla and the famous Bloom. Pleased to meet you all." "And this must be Sasami," said Beauregard as he shook Sasami's hand, "The one we're helping to find a husband. I hope little Roderick is up to the challenge."

"Do me a favor, pal," said Ryoko, "Keep your mitts off Sasami and you won't get me mad." "I'm fine, Ryoko," said Sasami, "He was just being polite." "No way!" said Beauregard, "You're Ryoko the space pirate? I thought you were dead!" "Of course I'm dead," said Ryoko sarcastically, "I just haven't stopped moving yet, and I'm a retired space pirate."

"Of course you are," said Lucinda, "Well come on then, time's a wasting! We must depart for Caladan!" They followed Beauregard and Lucinda to their ship: a long, round vessel that was quite possibly the most hideous man-made object Bloom had ever seen. Painted on the side were the words 'The Night Rider.'

"It's a piece of junk!" exclaimed Brandon. "You shouldn't bad mouth my ship," said Beauregard. "Our ship you mean," said Lucinda, "The Night Rider has a maximum speed of 12,000 times the speed of light. She can outrun anything out there that can chase her. She's beautiful."

"She's also not going anywhere until I get the last power-relay installed," said a female voice from the ship; a girl that could have passed for Stella's double, except that her hair was brown and was braided. "Hi, Amanda," said Stella. "Hi, Stella," said Amanda before turning back to talk to Beauregard and Lucinda, "As I was saying, we're not going to Caladan or anywhere until that relay is installed."

"So install it," said Lucinda. "I can't," said Amanda, "Because some f#cking idiot who shall remain nameless, Lucinda, forgot to tell the spaceport authorities which ship to deliver the f#cking part I need to get this f#cking hunk of junk flying again! Now I have to wait while they find the damn part!"

"Easy cousin," said Lucinda, "I'm sure it'll get here soon enough." Just then a large package was dropped off in front of the ship. "It's about f#ck$ng time!" said Amanda as she dragged the package inside the ship to install the part she needed.

"I'm guessing that Amanda has a short temper," said Flora, "And it would be best to not get on her bad side." "Exactly," said Stella, "She has a lot of repressed anger from being cooped up in the palace up until she was 12. All Amanda wants is to be a mechanic of her own starship. When Lucinda and Beauregard said they were leaving Solaria for outer space, Amanda begged then to take her with them."

"And I got my wish," said Amanda as she returned outside the ship, "The relay has been installed, so why are you dipsticks just standing around there? We've got some flying to do!" As Bloom and co. boarded the ship, she saw Amanda stroking the hull of The Night Rider, "Oh don't be that way, baby," said Amanda to the ship, "I didn't mean it; you know I love you."

The interior of The Night Rider was more spacious than it appeared to be on the outside. Everyone had their own room to put their stuff, as well as several other empty rooms. The bridge has several empty seats. "Have a seat, little cousin," said Lucinda as Stella, Bloom and the others entered the bridge, "We'll be ready to go any second."

"Amanda," said Beauregard into the intercom, "You ready down there?" "I've been ready," said Amanda who was in the engine room, "So light this candle already!" "I forgot to tell you," said Stella, "When I said Beauregard was an adrenaline junkie, well Lucinda is one as well." "Oh we're more than adrenaline junkies, little cousin," said Lucinda, "My brother and I are a pair of fuel-injected suicide machines!"

"Initiate takeoff sequence!" exclaimed Beauregard, "In 3, 2, 1, blastoff!" He hit the 'start' button, but the engine only sputtered. "That's not supposed to happen," said Beauregard as he pressed the 'start' button again and again.

"It's the f#ck$ng primary EPS manifold again!" exclaimed Amanda from the engine room, "I asked to have it replaced, but nobody listens to me!" There next came several clanging noises from the engine room, mixed with a stream of obscenities from Amanda: "You f#ck$ng hunk of scrap metal!" CLANG "I'll have you recycled into a soda machine!" CLANG "Come on you sh$tty piece of junk!" CLANG "Start already!" Clang "You big," CLANG "Worthless," CLANG "Piece," CLANG "Of," CLANG "Crap!" CLANG!

That last clang got the engine started. "See," said Amanda, "It just needed to be reminded who the boss is. You're good to go, Beauregard!" "Here we go!" shouted Beauregard as the ship took off at a high rate of speed. Bloom and the others were slammed into their seats from the g-forces. "Wahoo!" exclaimed Lucinda as the ship cleared the atmosphere. Free of the planet's gravity Bloom and the others regained their composure.

"Now," said Lucinda, "Wasn't that fun." "Fun?" asked Musa, "That was nuts! You two are insane!" "Why thank you," said Beauregard. "And I thought my family was dysfunctional," said Ryoko. "Okay then," said Lucinda, "Setting course for Caladan, Amanda is the hyper-drive ready?" "Ready as it'll ever be," said Amanda, "Let's just hope we don't blow up while accelerating,"

"Blow up?" asked Tecna. "Look, Tecna," said Lucinda, "The first thing you need to learn about traveling around the galaxy, or any part of the universe is two simple words, 'Don't Panic.'" "That," said Beauregard, "And you got to know where your towel is. Engaging hyper-drive!" Before anyone could say anything further, the ship accelerated into hyperspace for Caladan, and Sasami's potential husband.

The end of chapter 3. Next chapter, we look in on Icy, Darcy and Stormy and see how they're doing. Please review and I'll see you next time!