Lydia could feel something soft underneath her. Her mind was fuzzier than ever before. Her eyelids were unable to open. Sounds gargled around her, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to just sleep in peace. As Lydia was pulled back into sleep, arms wrapped around her.

A little while later, Lydia regained some of her senses. Her vision blurred. Her skin was damp beyond belief. She slowly rolled into what felt like a giant pillow. She tried to get up but two things stopped her. One, a pair of muscled arms that didn't freak her out. Two, a lead sensation in her stomach. Ugh! What happened? She thought. Why do I feel like tossing my stomach out the window?

"Ugh…Lydia…"

Lydia looked up and saw a huge head. Her vision started to clear and realized that she was in Prince Scorpio's embrace. Lydia froze. Her cheeks flushed as the arms started to bring her closer to his chest. Breath trapped inside her, she tried to lightly tap him on the shoulder. However, her hand landed on his ear. She ran her fingers through it. A soft purr echoed around the room.

Slowly, a pair of yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. They started off as unfocused. They almost had a serene expression to them, like every burden that had been given to the troubled prince had gone away. Then, they sharpened and a look of embarrassment went into Prince Scorpio's expression.

Lydia wiggled but it only made her more nauseous. She quickly covers her mouth. Her hand frantically reached for something until she felt a smooth surface of a bowl. She heaved. After a few agonizing minutes, she was able to gulp some air. "S-sorry…"

Prince Scorpion grunted. "N-not your fault. M-my hands feel like burning." He rolled so his back faced her. He looked at his hands to see that they were bandaged. Then, he grabbed his torso. "Just my luck!" He clumsily made a grab for a pot and threw up in it. "How embarrassing…" His ears drooped until they were flat against his head.

For a while, the two laid in bed. Neither could move due to the pain that came into their core. It felt like forever until Lydia rolled to face him. She soon realized that her tails were still wrapped around him. Blushing, she slowly pulled them back.

Prince Scorpio tried his best to hide it, but he couldn't help but shiver in the sensation. It felt colder without them around him. He lets out a soft sigh. "So…After all this time…We finally met again…"

Lydia's cheeks went to a darker shade of red. "Y-yes…I'm…Sorry about the incident at the library."

Prince Scorpio scoffed. "Personally, I was surprised that anyone found my library. Let alone you."

Lydia laughed. "That was an accident."

"I never dreamed that I would want to chase you." He slowly rolled to face her. "However, the moment you stood against my father in court…I had this weird need to see you again."

Lydia looked at him. He looked surprisingly vulnerable without his armor. Her eyes soon wandered to his chest. There was a scar on his chest. It stretched from his shoulder all the way down to his abs. Her hand lightly traced it. A shiver of delight crawled through her. Tears soon burned her eyes as the memory of what happened all those years ago.

Prince Scorpio squirmed for a moment. He tried to place a hand on her, but retreated. Suddenly, he lifted his ear. He quickly wrapped his arms around Lydia once more. His thumb trying to quiet her crying. "Don't move…Pretend to be asleep."

Lydia didn't understand at first. Suddenly, her fox ears picked up the sound of feet coming their way. She instantly closed her eyes. Her arms wrapped around his neck. The sensation eased the ache in her heart. Tension slowly being released from her muscles. However, the lead in her stomach refused to leave.

"So…What should we do about these two grandpa?"

—-(Somewhere else in the caverns)-

Eva groaned loudly. She rubbed her butt as she got up slowly. She shook her clothes vigorously to get the sand off her clothes. "Man, what a drop." She could still recall what happened on that day. The sand had buried her for a few moments. It pushed all the way down until she hit something solid beneath. Thankfully, there wasn't a lot of sand in her lungs.

She looked around to see if anyone else had fallen through as well. She had to glare hard for there was barely any light except for the crystals that glowed a blue-green hue. Then, she saw a shadow slither over to her. Eva almost screamed until the shape took the form of none other than Spirit.

The Philian brushed the sand off his dress. His eyes narrow in frustration. He took a few more minutes to shake the sand away. Finally, he took his dress back on. Spirit looked at Eva. Relief sent through his eyes. Glad to see you're safe, he gestured.

Eva smiled. "Yeah." Then she looked around. "I hope Lydia's ok…Let's find the others." She was only a few feet away from the tall alien when she spotted a dark green object on the ground. Eva went to pick it up. "Ishtar!"

—-(Back to Lydia)-

Lydia tried to even out her breath, but she was still unsure what was going on. What are they? Why did they attack her and Prince Scorpio? Well…I did attack one of their own. So, they must be really ticked off right now.

"Well…Let's talk to them for starters." The voice that just spoke was a bit rough, but held a gentle side to it. "Come on, youngn', I know you're awake. I heard your breathing change."

Lydia refused to open her eyes. She didn't want to bring any danger to her or Prince Scorpio. However, the word deceiver rang in her head. She let out a frustrated sigh and opened her eyes. The room around them was lit in simple candle light. Lydia let out a hiss of frustration. Her sight was too tender for this kind of lighting.

"I see that my grandson had put too much glowgrub spit in your dart. How are you feeling?"

Lydia's eyes adjusted to the light. The room was small. Almost as big as her apartment. A few crystals hung above the ceiling in silky baskets. She slowly inched herself up. Her neck ached as it stretched to see who was there. The sheets on top of them were also made of the same material as the baskets. Lydia turned to Prince Scorpio. The Crog gave her an annoyed look and moved his arms. She managed to get up for a few seconds before nausea hit her. Not again! Lydia covered her mouth, slinking back down.

"Curse it all!" There was a shuffling followed by a smack. "Argin! How many times do I have to tell you?! Don't go heavy on the spit! Now you made the poor girl sick!"

"Ow!" The second voice sounded more child-like. "Graaaandpa! She was attacking Qu! If I didn't act, she might've killed him!"

Lydia took a deep breath. "Y-you ambushed us and took Blazing Stars. Plus you were the ones trying to harm Prince Scorpio."

Prince Scorpio tried to raise his head but he fell out of the bed. "You did whaaaat?!" He struggled to get up but he was only able to lean against the wall so Lydia was able to see the top half of him.

"Your little friend is fine," said the one called grandpa. A few footsteps began to sound closer to Lydia's side of the bed. "What name do you go by, young lady?"

Lydia flinched a little. Her tails stood on end. "L-Lydia…"

"Well Lydia, can you roll towards me without feeling too sick?"

Lydia obeyed the voice. She rolled slowly. A small "o" formed on her lips. In front of her was a creature that was about Aikka's height. His ears were made entirely out of crystals. He looked like a Star-nosed Mole, his tentacled nose twitched around. Copper skin gleamed in the light.

The old man chuckles. His dark brown robes flapped along with his laughter. "I take it you've never seen the likes of us before?" He laughed again when Lydia shook her head. "My name's Cupuino. Before I can explain, I want you and your lover to answer a few questions for me."

Lydia and Prince Scorpio froze at those words. Lydia's face went beet red. "Lovers?! Eh-Uh-h-hold on a minute! What makes you say that?"

Cupuino pointed at Prince Scorpio. "He was holding on to you for dear life. Same with you. It was almost impossible to separate the two of you."

Prince Scorpio was about to protest when he made a gurgling sound. "Oh no!" He soon heaved on the floor.

—-(Rush, Sagittarius and Aikka)-

Rush groaned. His head took most of the fall. It gave him a while to realize that he's literally upside down. He swung his legs and corrected his alignment. He shook the sand from himself. Rush tried to call out to the other crew members but soon realized that his mouth had sand in it.

"Rush?" Prince Aikka's voice was close by. Before long the Nourasian Prince ran to him with Sagittarius by his side. "Are you alright?"

Rush rubbed his head. "Kinda…Not as bad as the time Toros wiped me out, but most of my bones are in place." He grunted as he got up.

Aikka shook his head. "How did we get separated from the others so quickly? We were barely a mile apart."

Sagittarius fiddled with his ears for a moment. "Well, sand is a very loose soil. The creature was more apt than we are." He looked up at the roof. "The sand must've funneled through the cave roof. Mostly to recycle waste or utilize it for another purpose. We probably got caught in them before we had any clue."

Aikka and Rush stared at him in shock. Eyes were wide. Jaws dropped to the floor.

Sagittarius drooped his ears. "Sorry. I get a little carried away sometimes." He fiddled with his fingers. He slowly scanned the area. There was a never-ending field of crystals around them. Suddenly, something blue stood out in a cluster of green crystals. He picked it up. "Oh…dear…We better hurry and find Lydia."

—-(Lydia)-

Lydia started to gradually feel better. She answered the questions with ease. Except for the girlfriend questions that Cupunio and his grandson hammered her with. She was even able to sit up. Right now she was enjoying a cup of tea made from grounded Stone Cactus. It gave a sweet tinge that relieved most of her symptoms. "Mmmm! This is great!"

Cupunio laughed. He was sitting in a chair that was in the farthest corner of the room. "I'm glad you're doing well. I do apologize about what my grandson and his friends put you through." His smile went into a frown. "It's just…survival here is tougher than you can possibly imagine."

Lydia stared at him confused. Her fox ears twitch. "What do you mean?" She looked around the room. "You've got so much material. Even the water was pristine."

Argin scoffed. He was sitting on the floor in a disgruntled manner. His silver skin sparkled against a fire made by Blazing Stars. The little lizard eating a treat next to him. "Problem is that we can't drink it. Not without the Monarch's permission anyway."

Lydia raised a brow. "The Monarch?" Something about those words sent shivers down her spine. Her tails fluffed out.

"He leads our planet," Cupunio answered. "Along with several others of course. He controls monsters that we call the warped. You don't see them yet, but they patrol our borders. Even when he leaves the planet for certain errands."

"Sounds like a pleasant fellow," Prince Scorpio said. Sarcasm dripped from his voice. "How did he come to power?"

"No one knows," Cupunio answered. "He just appeared one day when our monarch was killed."

Lydia leaned forward. "What does he look like?"

"Thin, wear a black cloak." Cupunio scratched his head. "Might've been taller than you, but smaller than a Crog."

"Does he carry any weapons?"

"A scythe!" Argin shouted. He knocked a basket over, the crystals spilling onto the floor. "Ooops! Anyway, I once saw it used before on some bandits that got desperate and well…" He shuddered. "Let's just say they were used as an example."

Prince Scorpio grunted as he shifted to stand. He was able to sit on top of the bed. Next to Lydia. "Graaaannnd. How long before those collections start?"

"In about a few days," Cupunio got up from his spot and coughed. Argin immediately stood by his side. "Forgive me. I've been battling an illness for a few days. Argin, why don't you get some things ready? The bags are in the cupboard along with the metal we found. Get some cloaks too." He looked at Blazing Stars. "Also, give this young man his lizard back."

Argin looked as though he wanted to protest about something, but kept quiet. He handed Blazing Stars to Prince Scorpio. Argin went up the stairs with a soured expression on his face.

Lydia and Prince Scropio looked at each other for a moment. Lydia soon noticed that Prince Scorpio was starting to look better than he was before. His ears didn't droop as much. Even his breath no longer reeked. However, his body still held the scent of sickness. I wonder if we can have a chance to bathe before we go, she thought. She mentally shook herself. No! We need to find the others! Lydia turned to Cupunio. "Did anyone see any outsiders like us?"

"Outsiders?" Cupunio raised his head to the ceiling. "Not that I recall. What do they look like?"

Lydia took a moment to think before she talked. "Well…There are two Crogs aside from Prince Scorpio-"

Cupunio's eyes widened. "A prince?!" He bowed to Prince Scorpio. "Forgive me, your majesty! I-"

Prince Scorpio raised his hand. "It's quite alright. You've probably don't see my kind too often. I'm just glad you actually gave me something that…uh…" His ears drooped in embarrassment. "Made me stop tossing my stomach."

Lydia sighed. "May I continue?" Upon seeing the nods, she relayed her information once again. "There's a Philian that goes by the name of Spirit. A Nourasian Prince. A Byrian and several stone creatures like Blazing Stars."

Kaboom!

The room shook upon impact. Crystals scattered around the floor. Tables and plates rattled by the vibrations. Lydia sat upright, her tails puffed out and straightened. Her fox ears flicked with annoyance. "What now?!"

—-(Earlier, elsewhere in the caverns)-

Eva and Spirit went down a visible path. They had to be careful of the sharp crystals that stuck out in every direction. Eva was lucky enough to miss them by just a hair. Eva looked down at Ishtar as they made their way down to a river. Her fingers wrapped gently around it. "I hope we find Lydia soon. We're going to need Ishtar to get out of her.

Spirit tapped Eva's shoulder and pointed to the river. At least we found a supply of water for the next trip, he gestured. He nervously glanced back at the water. I hope.

Eva gave a small smile. She folded her arms. The cold stone made her shiver. "You know. I'm kinda glad you're on this trip with us." She took note of his startled stare. "No. I'm serious." Suddenly, she noticed something. She raised her hand against her brow, eyes squinting. "What's that?"

Spirit followed Eva's gaze. Eyes narrowed. He soon saw robed figures carrying something in their arms. Swaying about were lanterns that gave off an eerie green glow. He nearly had a heart attack upon seeing their ships being dragged by a large anteater-like creature. Spirit immediately gestured to Eva about the details.

Eva stared in shock. "What?! The ship? How are they carrying it?" A shriek filled the air. Eva's heart stopped. In a cart made out of pure stone was G'dar. The giant Nourasian beetle was tied down by a thick set of ropes. It let out more roars than ever. The cart rattled with each impact of the head. "G'dar!" Eva tried to run over but Spirit stopped her.

We don't know anything about this planet. He pointed to the figures once more. Let's follow them and see what they're up to. They might lead us to the others.

Eva was silent for a moment. She looked at Ishtar once more. The stone boar has yet to wake up. Symphony and Alon were nowhere to be seen. Aikka, Rush and Saggitarius were somewhere in the caverns. Eva gritted her teeth. "Fine. But if they so much as hurt G'adar…" Eva stomped down the path. Her rage was barely concealed.

The two made their way through the shadows. Stony slopes slick with water as they got closer to the river's edge. Eva nearly slipped in. Her fingers grabbed Spirit's thin arm. They had to duck a few times as one of the figures would turn his head around every once in a while. An exchange of voices were barely heard between G'dar screaming and the roar of the river.

As they went deeper into the caverns, the colors of the crystal turned to shades of purples and blues. They soon came across a town that was only ten feet from them. Eva and Spirit stared in shock at the sight before them. Buildings made of green crystal rose high. Roof of robin egg blue sparkled in the light of the torches. Sounds of crunching and grinding faintly heard.

"Woah…" Eva breathed. "What is this place?"

—-(Aikka, Rush and Sagittarius)-

It had seemed like hours for them to find the ship. Let alone G'dar. Aikka couldn't help but feel worried that his beetle was injured or worse. He was glad that he had his blade on him. Right now, his bow and arrows were smashed to pieces after they found them in a small pile of sand. Aikka turned to Rush. "Find anything?"

Rush huffed out. He shook his beard of sand. "Not a single piece of metal or any stone figurines in this pile." He nearly screamed as Sagittarius' hand popped out of a nearby pile.

"Plugh!" Sagittarius coughed out the sand. He shook himself, spreading sand. "Trying swimming in the sand. I didn't find a ship part. I think we should consider that a good thing." His ears drooped. "If it's damaged beyond repair, we're as good as stuck."

Before Aikka could say anything, he heard a screech in the distance. A sound he was all too familiar with. "G'dar?" He ran to the noise with Rush and Sagittarius behind. Aikka peeked over a large cluster of blue crystals to see G'dar fighting off the thick rope around his body. Next to G'dar was their ship. The vehicle was intact but there were a few dent in them.

Rush sighed. "Well, at least our ticket out of here is still in one piece."

Aikka gritted his teeth as a loud whip rang in the air. He pulled out his knife. Suddenly, he was held back by Sagittarius.

"Prince Aikka." Sagittarius kept his voice surprisingly low despite his large size. "We need to be careful. We don't know what we're up against. If we rush in now, we could wind up prisoners. Or worse."

Aikka was silent for a moment. Then, he put his weapon away. He sighed. "Alright. However, we'll need to follow them. They might lead us to Eva and the others."

Rush and Sagittarius nodded in agreement. The trio soon followed the strange inhabitants as best as they could. Sounds of a river entered their ears. Rumbles were heard from above. It was soon followed by a roar. They froze momentarily, gazing around in case the worm-like monster came back.

After a while, they saw a city loom out before them. The glittering walls almost gave an inviting look. Statues at the front gate appeared to resemble the very same worm that attacked them. They watched as the inhabitants marched to them. Suddenly, one of them blew a whistle. It produced no sound.

"Yoewch!" Sagittarius grabbed his ears in pain. He crouched down as best as he could.

Aikka and Rush did their best to hide him as one of the robed figures turned in their direction. Their backs plastered against a purple crystal. It slowly turned black upon contact. Several spikes suddenly appeared and jabbed into their skin, making it harder to stay quiet.

"What was that?" One of the figures said.

"Probably some baby snake mole that got too close to the Vikra Crystals. Let's get this moving before the Monarch has a fit with us."

The gate opened wide. The grinding stone echoing into the air. The figures marched forward. Their steps are almost in sync with each other. G'dar only let out grumbling noises as he was pulled away with the ship.

Aikka grimaced as he slowly pulled the crystal out of his arm. He bit his lip so hard that blood was starting to leak from it. He peeked from his hiding place. His blue gaze soon landed on the gate and two very familiar faces. "Molly!" The name came out as a harsh whisper. His arm stung greatly as he made his way to Eva hiding behind one of the doors. "What are you doing here?"

Eva almost threw a fist at Aikka, but managed to pull back in time before giving the blow. "Aikka?" She let out a sigh as she saw Sagittarius and Rush head over to them. Both giants grabbed their arms in pain. "I'm so glad to see you guys," she whispered. "Have you seen Lydia?"

Eva shook her head. She held up Ishtar. "I did find her though. I bet Prince Scorpio has her somewhere."

"Well, aren't you a clever one."

Everyone jumped and turned. Aikka raised his weapon. Eva raised her fists. Rush and Spirit glared. Sagittarius' ears flickered with anger. Standing before them was General Leo. His suit was slightly torn up around the sleeves, but he remained steady. On top of his head was Symphony, the little bird hopping from one branch to another.

"You!" Sagittarius growled. He put up his fists. His footing in a fighter's position.

General Leo looked at him with mock amusement. "Well…Well…I guess traveling with this pathetic lot finally gave you a spine. I guess I wasn't the only one to find this place." He looked up at the gate. His eyes shifted in a way that showed that he was grinning. He went back to the group. He pointed to Symphony. "This little birdie here landed on my lap after the fall. She sensed her mistress here. No doubt Prince Scopio as well. How about a deal?"

Everyone blinked. A ruthless Crog general that was chasing them mercilessly was now asking to make a deal with them. Rush was first to break the silence. "What?! You can't be serious."

Eva moved forward. She gripped Ishtar as best as she could. "Why would we be willing to make a deal with you?" She gritted her teeth.

General Leo chuckled. He crossed his arms. "Do I really have to explain it to you? You need your ship, he needs his bug and I need to bring my prince back home. For plus, you're going to need more than fists and a little knife." Before anyone could say anything, he pulled out a sword. The blade was blood red with dark markings on it. It curved slightly at the tip. It was the average length of a regular sword but it was as big as Rush's arm. He dug the blade into the earth. "So? Truce?"

Symphony hovered over to Eva. Her eyes filled with concern. The little hummingbird moved closer to Eva. "Don't worry. I'll make sure he won't pull anything on us later." She soon perched on top of Eva's shoulder.

Eva looked at Aikka for a moment. She let out a low growl of frustration. Once, Spirit stopped holding her back. "Fine, but on one condition."

—-

Thought to end it there. Be ready for the Monarch. Review please!