Marnaya struggled against the intruder as he dragged her outside onto the balcony. She broke free and was about to cuss him out (a bad habit she'd picked up from Jordan) but decided not to. Maybe they were looking for the Blue Flash...

"Blue Flash," the stranger said. "I need your help." He lowered his hood to reveal himself.

The stranger was a Nourasian, and appeared to be about Marnaya's age. Except...he didn't look completely Nourasian. He had the little white dots on his cheeks, and his skin was the same color as a Nourasian's. But his hair was black like Marnaya's, and his eyes were a bluish-green. And his ears were not as pointy as a regular Nourasian.

He looked at the young human girl patiently, waiting for her response.

"How do you know that I'm the Blue Flash?" she asked indifferently, like he was being insane to think she was the galactic vigilante.

He gave a knowing smile as he said, "Because I saw you take your mask off after you escaped from those Crogs."

Marnaya had to let that soak in before she responded, "Are you stalking me?"

"Only because I need your help."

"What is it?"

"I need help on my home of Nourasia."

"Nourasia? I can't go to Nourasia..."

"Why not? You ARE the Blue Flash."

"Yeah, but-"

"I really hoped I wouldn't have to do this..." the Nourasian continued. "But I have a proposal for you."

Marnaya looked at him suspiciously. "What?"

"I know where your mother is."

Marnaya's mouth fell open in shock as she listened to his words. "How did...?"

"I heard you speak to the other girl."

"Tell me where."

"Not until you come to Nourasia and help me."

Marnaya pondered over this. It would hurt her father and Kezi if she suddenly just disappeared. But she WAS curious about the woman who gave birth to her...

"Alright. I'll do it."

The Nourasian grinned. "Thank you."

Marnaya quickly packed a small bag of her most valuable items. She packed two sets of clothes; the rest of her bag carried her other possessions. Her favorite music player, a picture of Jordan, Kezi, and her, the new mini sketch pad and pencils Jordan had gotten her for her birthday, a few tools to fix mechanical problems...

She looked on her nightstand and found a pair of airmen goggles with a folded note beside them. Marnaya opened the piece of paper and read the message inside.

'I know you want to be a racer like your mother...so I hope my goggles will come in handy! Good luck. You're an excellent pilot. Happy Birthday!

Love, Kezi.'

Marnaya fought back tears as she took Kezi's goggles in hand and placed them on her head like how Kezi had always worn them. She fastened her bag shut and tossed it over her shoulder. Marnaya turned to her companion.

"Before I go anywhere..." she started. "I would like to know who you are."

The Nourasian replied, "My name is Matsye. And your name?"

Marnaya didn't answer at first, but then she said, "I trust you, ya know. Do not EVER tell anyone my name, alright? Do you understand me?"

"Your identity is safe with me."

"My name is Marnaya Wilde. So how we getting out of here?"

The two teenagers climbed out of the window and sneaked to the Epsilonian streets, seeking the shuttle system. They stopped to ask for directions. Soon, they were about to board when a guard stopped them.

"Where are you kids going?" he demanded. "Shouldn't you have some parental guidance?"

Marnaya wasn't sure what to say; 'Looking for the bathroom' wasn't a feasible excuse in this case. Matsye came to the rescue and quickly took over the conversation.

"Please, sir." Matsye begged. "You have to let us go. This girl and I are madly in love, we had no choice. When I saw her, I knew I had to be with her. Unfortunately, our parents do not approve of our union. We're running away to the abandoned Zair system to get married. You have to help us. Our love can't be denied!"

Marnaya played along with a sad expression on her face, but grew uncomfortable when she felt Matsye's arm wrap around her waist. She suppressed the urge to hit him as she returned the gesture.

"Please, mister." she continued their ploy. "I love him, more than my own life, ya know. You have to let us leave."

To Marnaya's astonishment, the guard had tears in his eyes as he said, "You two go on. Be happy. Don't let anyone stand in your way. I won't for sure."

"Thank you, sir." Matsye replied and walked past him, his arm still around Marnaya. They walked up into the passenger area, and Matsye whispered in Marnaya's ear, "Epsilonians, hopeless romantics."

Marnaya had to admit...Matsye was good with pressure. But she wasn't too thrilled about 'eloping'. Matsye still had his arm around her waist, and she was getting more and more annoyed with their act. The guard was finally out of sight, and Marnaya stopped and refused to move.

"Let me go." she demanded. Matsye laughed and said, "Remember...we're madly in love. Feel free to show affection at anytime."

Marnaya felt heat rise to her face, and she broke free of Matsye's embrace. She walked ahead of him, her temper blazing out of control. She was beginning to wonder if this was a mistake; after all, she was sneaking away from the people who had always loved and protected her just because she wanted to meet the one person who had never done one thing except give birth to her.

Marnaya still stayed with Matsye, being worried about where they were and were going. She'd never seen much of the other systems, considering she preferred to stay near Jordan and Kezi. Now she didn't have that option. Sometime later, after Marnaya and Matsye had taken a pair of seats, the ship took off for Nourasia.

Marnaya had only been to Nourasia once before when she was very young. So seeing it again was like seeing it for the first time. She could see everything from the shuttle...the green landscape, covered with forests and jungles, the bright sun,...

However, Matsye beginning chuckling at her. "Have you been kept in a box? How can the savior of the galaxy be surprised?"

Marnaya grew annoyed. "I didn't have a lot of opportunities, ya know...considering I was being chased down as the Blue Flash."

"I have to admit...I was quite surprised to discover that the Blue Flash was a girl."

"Considering where I grew up, I had to learn some fighting techniques. And I like to use them to defend the innocent, ya know."

As soon as they were off the shuttle, Matsye quickly led the way through the streets. Marnaya was silent, but surprised as he led her into the palace. Walking along the corridors, Marnaya took in all the sights until she heard a voice call her companion's name.

"Matsye!" yelled a tall, Nourasian man. He wore the royal's emblem on his head so Marnaya inferred this was the king. At his side was a human woman with tattoos on her cheeks; one had a star and the other had a stripe. Her hair was black like Matsye's though it had red highlights. Both had an expression mixed with worry and anger.

"We've been hunting you all over, Matsye." the king demanded.

"I apologize, Father."

Marnaya processed the dialogue. 'Father?! He's the...prince?!'

"Who is this that you have brought with you?" the human woman inquired noticing Marnaya. Marnaya smiled timidly at her.

The King sighed. "Matsye...how many times have I told you NOT to bring the first pretty girl you find on the street home with you?"

"Father, I brought her here to help our planet."

The human woman looked harder at Marnaya. "What's your name?"

"Marnaya." Marnaya answered.

The human woman replied, "My name is Eva. You're welcome to stay as long as you need."

The King looked at her. "Eva..."

"Aikka...Trust Matsye this time. He's telling the truth."

"Thank you, Mother."

'Mother?' Marnaya thought. 'So that explains why he doesn't have all Nourasian features...he's half-human.'

Aikka sighed and turned his attention to the human girl beside his son. "I welcome you to Nourasia. You may stay in one of the guest rooms. Let us know if you require any thing else."

"I...I...really appreciate it, ya know..." Marnaya said. Matsye spoke.

"Well then, Father. I'll need to show Marnaya around the palace if that's alright with you." Aikka simply nodded as Matsye led Marnaya away. As soon as they were gone, Eva turned to Aikka.

"Does that girl not look familiar to you?" she asked.

Aikka remained silent for a few moments before answering. "She does. But...where?"

"I know where. She's the spitting image of Jordan. Except for Kezi's eyes...that's their daughter. She's even ends her snetences with 'ya know' like Kezi."

"Hmmm." Aikka dwelt on the idea for a moment, then laughed. "Yes. That has to be their daughter."

Eva turned to look after the direction Matsye and Marnaya took. She grew confused and said, "There's one thing I don't understand."

Aikka looked at Eva. "What is it?"

"How did Matsye get to Oban?"

Marnaya soon grew bored of Matsye showing her around; she always grew bored with tours like this. Garan took her on them when her father and Kezi had to go in meetings, but when she started her heroics, Garan just couldn't handle her anymore; she lived up to the name 'Wilde'.

Marnaya bumped into Matsye's back as she hadn't paid attention to when he'd stopped. She glanced around him and saw a young, full-blooded Nourasian girl in front of them. She had stopped to flirt with him. Marnaya got irritated and walked away. Their conversation went on for a few minutes before the girl asked where his human friend had gone.

"Huh?" replied Matsye, who hadn't notice her absence. "Oh, great. Where did she go?"

"Who is she?" she demanded.

"Marnaya. She's a childhood friend." he lied smoothly. The girl relaxed some. "It looked like she was headed for Queen Eva's module."

"Great." he said sarcastically.

"Well, I best depart. Oh, Natsuri is looking for you."

Matsye looked surprised as the girl walked away; his younger sister hardly ever looked for him unless she wanted something. He sighed.

But he needed to find Marnaya first. Who knew what kind of trouble she could get into.

Marnaya gazed at the star-racer in awe. She couldn't believe that the queen was a pilot, too!

Marnaya thought of Jordan and Kezi. Kezi was a gifted pilot, considered a prodigy where she'd come from, though she rarely spoke of her previous life. Marnaya remembered a conversation she'd had with her father about Kezi...

'How come Kezi never talks about her home planet and her parents?' the seven-year-old Marnaya had asked her father as he tucked her into bed that night. She'd dared ask because Kezi had to go work on some project.

Jordan frowned at the question. 'She never has, baby. She didn't have such a happy life.'

'Why?'

'Her parents died when she was just a little kid. Then she joined her planet's army at twelve years old.'

'WHAT?!' Marnaya had never heard of this. 'What was her job?'

'She was a pilot.' Jordan said. 'A very gifted pilot. The Guard had flying and stunt competitions when they weren't busy fighting for independence. She became a legend with her flying style.'

Marnaya hugged Skittles close to her as she became absorbed in the story. Jordan continued.

'I remember the first time I flew as her gunner; it was absolutely terrifying.' He laughed as he recalled their first lesson with Rick. 'I thought she was trying to kill us. I'd made a smart comment on how 'fun' it was going to be. So she made sure I had 'fun'. I sometimes wonder how I didn't lose my stomach.'

'She was that good?'

'Was? Marnaya, I'd venture to say she was the BEST. Of course, if she heard me, she'd say I'm biased.'

'Why's that?'

Marnaya seemed to sense Jordan's reluctance to answer as he spoke. 'Well, she's been such a help to me...with caring for you and all...'

'Why'd she stay behind? You said that her brother who she hadn't seen in years left...why didn't she leave?'

'She loves you, Marnaya.' Jordan said quietly. 'She loves you so much that she couldn't leave.'

Marnaya sensed there was more to the story than that, but she didn't press it.

Marnaya climbed into the star racer's cockpit. She grabbed the controls exactly the way she'd seen Kezi do. She was about to start the engine when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

'What're you doing?" Matsye asked harshly behind her.

"I was...um...well...ya know..."

"No, I do not know. What are you doing in my mother's racer?"

"Brother!" cried another voice. Matsye and Marnaya turned to look at the owner. She was a young girl, probably 14 years old with hair the color of light pink. She was a shade lighter then normal Nourasians without the dots on her face. Her ears were shaped like Matsye's only smaller and her eyes were blue.

Marnaya knew this had to be Matsye's sister.

She walked over to her brother and his strange companion. HSe smiled up and said, "Matsye! I need you to come down here!"

Matsye sighed as he turned to Marnaya. "Keep an eye on the racer while I'm gone...and DON'T. TOUCH. ANYTHING."

Marnaya gave a slight frown as he climbed down to where his younger sister was. As soon as he was gone, Marnaya muttered, "Kill joy."

Matsye followed his sister into the small shed where their mother kept her mechanical designs. As soon as they were inside, Matsye whirled around to her.

"What is it, Natsuri?" he demanded.

She looked up at him innocently. "Why do you think I want something?"

"You've gotten to where you only talk to me when you want something. Now what is it?"

Natsuri cut off her innocent act. "I would appreciate it if you would let me use Doyati tonight."

"Why? What do you want with my mount?"

"I just want to meet up with some friends...they're riding their own mounts. Mine is ill so..."

Matsye sighed loudly as he gave in. "Fine. Just be careful. I don't need either of you getting hurt."

Natsuri smiled widely. "Thank you, Brother."

"Yeah...whatever."

The siblings heard a loud sound at that point. The sound of running reactors...

"Oh great!" Matsye complained as he opened the door to see his mother's star racer speeding toward the dirt track.