Carefully, Lisa wiped the sweat off her brow. All morning she had been scaling the ancient tower. Looking back, this might have been too big of a challenge for just a knight-in-training, but the pixie that had given her the quest had seemed so worried. Lisa knew she couldn't have just abandoned her.

Finally, she reached the window. With one last gasp for air, she pulled herself up and through the window.

"Ah," She sighed in relief, finally getting to rest her weary limbs. Slowly, her eyelids started to flutter, heavy with exhaustion. It couldn't hurt to take a quick nap, right? The prince could wait couldn't he?

"Hey, you alright?" Lisa had just closed her eyes when cold hands shook her shoulders.

"Gah!" She squeaked as her eyes flew up to reveal a boy with a curly mop of brown hair kneeling in front of her. "Wait you're the prince! Don't worry your Highness, I'm here to save you!" She struggled to get up but the prince pushed her back down.

"You couldn't save me from a fly in your condition." He clucked like a mother hen. I have some tea from yesterday, you stay there while I get it."

Lisa was too tired to argue, so she complied and sat there observing the room. Pastel colors decorated the place, while dozens of books were scattered everywhere.

"Bet you're wondering why a prince would have such feminine quarters," She heard the prince's chatting from what she assumed was a kitchen. "My father just told the workers one of his bastards would be living here, didn't specify a gender." After those words, he came out holding a teacup and saucer.

"I'm not complaining though, it's a nice place, not to mention they left these awesome dresses." He gave a little twirl, causing Lisa to giggle at his playful expression. "Now drink up, then we can get to some explanations."

"Thank you," She gave a quick bow before sipping the beverage. "Oh I'm so stupid!" She slapped the side of her head once she remembered. "I never got your name, your Highness?"

"Twelve." Lisa had to keep from laughing at the strange name.

"What's so funny 'bout it?" He cocked his head to the side, hazel eyes full of confusion.

"It's not the most common name I've heard for royalty." She took another drink of the tea, feeling better already. "Oh I forgot to introduce myself as well!" She gasped as she hastily gave a salute. "Lisa Mishima, apprentice to Sir Shibazaki."

"What's a knight-in-training doing all the way out here?" Twelve flicked a speak of dirt off the lavender outfit.

"A pixie told me you were danger! I couldn't leave an innocent in such a lonely place!"

"In danger huh?" A smirk slowly curled around his lips.

"Yeah, she warned me about a-" Suddenly a loud crash was heard downstairs, followed by a terrifying roar.

"TWELVE!" The demonic voice roared.

"Dragon!" Lisa sprung to her feet, shielding Twelve from the doorway. She held her sword steadily despite her trembling, ready to protect him from the monster she heard thumping up the stairs.

The footsteps grew louder and louder, Lisa willed herself to be brave, she could waver with a prince's life on the line.

The door flew open. Lisa was ready to charge at the beast, but stopped when she realized it was only a boy with black hair and glasses.

"Twelve did you bring home another knight?" The boy sighed as he adjusted his glasses. Only then did she notice the black scales decorating part of his skin.

"Not this time, Nine. I found her collapsed on the floor of my room." Before Lisa could react, he separated the two, lowering her sword. "Why don't we straighten this out over some lunch, alright?"

Before she knew it, Lisa was sitting at a small dining table across from the strange dragon-boy.

"Here I made porridge." Twelve passed a bowl to each of them before joining them with his own meal. "Why don't you tell your story, Lisa, and then we'll clarify the details.

"Lisa Mishima, apprentice to Sir Shibazaki." She bowed her head at the boy. "A pixie warned me that a prince was in need of rescuing from a dragon." She only realized the implications of what she said once it was out.

"Five..." The dragon-boy groaned as a clawed hand ran through his hair. "That's the third knight she's sent this month."

"So Twelve's not in danger?" Lisa timidly ventured.

"Nope, Nine's actually my friend." He gestured to the dragon-boy. "He's a familiar, and turns into a dragon when pesky armies try to use me as a hostage."

"Woah." Lisa gasped at the taller male.

"As you can see you were tricked. I'm sorry for your wasted time, madam." Nine pinched the bridge of his nose, annoyance evident.

"No, you don't need to apologize!" Lisa hurried to reply. "In fact it was interesting meeting you two."

"Well why don't you come tomorrow then?" Twelve suggested.

"We're not prepared for guests, the place is wreak." Nine growled. "You still haven't cleaned up your experiment from yesterday."

"But I thought royalty didn't have to clean."

"I didn't raise you like this!"

"Yeah but-"

"It's ok." Lisa laughed, breaking up the two. "That sounds great, I need to ask Sir Shibazaki, but does lunch work?"

The two nodded in response, and Lisa couldn't help but laugh again. It wasn't like the pixie had described, but she found it wasn't a waste of time going on this quest.

A.N. I fell in love with Lisa as a knight, clumsily trying to fight while dressed in bulky armor. When I saw there was an AU day, I knew I had to include this.