Dear Duster,

I hope Lucas finds you safe and well. Your father was very upset when he had learned about it - he even cried, which I had never seen him do before. It was very startling... Is it true? Did you leave to go after Princess Kumatora? I hope you are able to find her and save her. If anyone deserves to do it, it's you. For as long as I can remember, you are the one that has been her only link to sanity in that castle with the Magypsies. With all due respect to them... they are a little loony occasionally.

I have a few requests that I hope you will follow, which is why I gave this letter to Lucas. Here they are:

1) Take care of that leg! If you push yourself and it too far, you injury could revert... which is really the last thing we need while you're out in the middle of nowhere going off on adventures and I'm not there. Please take the medicine and wear your brace... and please, remember to relax now and then, okay?

2) Take care of yourself. I'm pretty sure every time I see you, it's like you haven't slept and you haven't eaten... and it gets worrying. I worry about what could possibly happen to you while you're out there.

... lastly, but not least, 3) Please take care of Lucas. Just as I worry about you, I worry about my son even more. He's such a fragile, small boy, and for the Magypsies to send him off like this on an adventure to find his brother... I'm terrified, Duster. A mother never should have to let her son go like this.

Please, Duster, I beg of you. You're the only adult he knows out there, and the only one aside from Flint that I would trust my son with. You love him - I know you do, you love both of them. Sometimes I forget you're not a part of this family, but sometimes, I wish you were. At least then, the boys would have a reason to call you brother occasionally. Please, Duster.

Take care of Lucas.

Love, Hinawa

Duster looked up from the paper to see the boys starting a fire.

They had left about a few hours ago, and had stopped when Lucas had suddenly remembered that he had a letter from his mother and a package from Wess to give to Duster. Pretty much immediately, Duster had refused the package, but had taken the letter. Now he was interested in seeing the package, if what Hinawa said was true. She had no reason to lie, but to hear that Wess had cried over his leaving... Duster didn't want to believe it, but once again, Hinawa had no reason to lie. The things that she had said in this letter... all of it spoke of truth and nothing more.

He promised then to do as she asked, as best as he could. Watching over and taking care of Lucas would be easy. He'd just have to be more careful about his leg and his health. That sounded easy enough, but he knew, eventually, it wouldn't be easy.

Ness and Ninten would have to be under his protection, too. Or, that was how he figured it. He was the responsible adult in this group. He couldn't just take care of Lucas and ignore the other two. He couldn't just pretend that their lives didn't matter. They were young, too. They were innocent, too. All three of those boys... they were still growing up. Duster couldn't pretend like he couldn't care for those two other boys. They were Lucas' friends. Ness had helped Lucas get this far. Ninten had helped them find him. Now, the three of them were working together to start a campfire and set up camp.

Duster looked up at the sky. Last night, Ninten had another message from Princess Ana, asking for help. They had left early in the morning before his mother was awake, recalling how she had been against the idea that he help in the first place. He had stocked himself full with various medicines and asthma sprays, even packed them a bunch of blankets and food. And, to top it all off, he packed them onto a massive gray and white dog named Mick, who had been promoted from chicken guard dog to pack mule.

... Duster wondered just how Ninten's parents were going to react to all this. Their son disappeared in the night alongside some travelers they welcomed into their home, along with a bunch of their food, some thick blankets, Ninten's medicines, and their family dog. It was something that worried him, but for now, they had a goal.

Kuma, Claus, and Princess Paula. They had to find them, and save them. Right now, their goal was to find Princess Ana, who was possibly in danger. Ninten told them that he knew the way to the castle, as most people in Phoenix did. The castle was open to all the people, and the central gardens were home to many of the country's special festivals and other activities. It was certainly a bit of a culture change from Osohe, where the Magypsies more or less had to approve of anyone coming into the castle or its surrounding areas. Duster very rarely paid any mind to that - he knew a way into the castle that led him pretty much right to Kuma's room.

"... and then, by then, we should be right at the front gates," ended Ninten, snapping Duster from his thoughts. "It's simple, really."

"Do you know the way to her room from the castle gates, though?" asked Ness worriedly.

Lucas watched with interest as Ness and Ninten worked together to start a fire using sticks and stones.

"No... But I'm sure if I called with Magic she'd be able to hear me," Ninten replied, a tone of hope in his voice. "We'd really have no other choice - I've actually never been in the castle before and the guards would keep us away from the royal family's quarters."

Duster stood up then and pocketed Hinawa's letter. He limped up to the fire and decided then to say something. "... Well, if you call out to her like she's been doing to you, I'm sure she'd respond. As for sneaking around trying to find her in the castle... I am a thief."

Ninten was clearly thinking about it as he turned to take out some food from Mick's bundles. The big white dog with grey spots was a bit busy appearing to try and sleep. "You'd be able to keep us from getting caught? It's important that we find her quickly, too. I don't know how soon Giygas is going to act in trying to capture her..."

"It's best we hurry up, then," Ness pointed out. "I wasn't fast enough for Princess Paula, but we're going to be fast enough this time for Princess Ana."

Lunch finished quickly and soon the group was starting up again, Ninten leading the way with Mick, followed by Ness, and Duster limping at the very back, Lucas following beside him. The walk was long and quiet, as no one really talked at all. They stopped briefly twice to let Ninten catch his breath, and then, finally, he stopped a third time.

"Again?" asked Ness worriedly.

"No," Ninten revealed, pointing forward. "We're here."

The group looked up to see Castle Phoenix looking back at them. Tall and built of stone, the castle had been built to appear much like the one that Queen Mary and King George had resided in before their departure. While it was probably a tad bit off, the castle itself had been built with beauty and style in mind. Duster figured that it was actually taller than the Osohe Castle back home, and that one had to house seven Magypsies and Kuma. The group walked up the path that led to the main gate, the path surrounded by rose bushes bearing red roses. Lucas eyed them for a moment before rushing to stand beside Duster.

"Halt!" exclaimed a guard. "Please state your business with the king and queen of Phoenix."

"We wish to enjoy the gardens," Ninten very quickly stated. "Nothing more."

The guard stopped for a moment, clearly contemplating the truth behind the words, before he stepped away. "You may step through. Please enjoy your time in the royal gardens."

After a moment, Ninten decided to leave Mick tied to a tree just outside the castle grounds, and used some sort of Shield magic to defend him for danger. Then, stepping through the open wrought iron gates and into the stone walls, the group was taken aback by the sight of the royal gardens - beautifully designed and landscaped to represent the country. A path weaved in and out of bushes and soil, and there was a pond in one of the areas, and a few fruit trees. A few servants were scattered here and there tending to the flowers.

"Okay... We're in," Ness suddenly whispered. "Now what?" "

"We have to be careful," Duster replied in a whisper of his own. "We're here, but there are servants and guards everywhere. It will be hard to get to Princess Ana's quarters."

Ninten closed his eyes. "Princess? Princess Ana, please, do you hear me?"

Silence. Ninten opened his eyes once more, and a look of disappointment was on his face.

"I hear you! I hear you! Are you here answering my call? Please, please, I beg you, take me before he does!"

Her voice suddenly chimed in Ninten's, Ness' and Lucas' heads, startling all three of them. Poor Duster, who had no magical capabilities at all, didn't hear her and so was confused at their sudden shock.

"Princess, we're in the gardens. How do we reach you from there?" asked Ninten.

"Turn right at the main gate when you are facing the flowers. There is a staircase at the end of the hallway. Head up it to the next floor, and walk down the hallway and turn left at the end. At the end of the hallway is another staircase, and once you reach the top, I am in the room with the big wooden doors with engravings of snowflakes."

Ness was quiet for a moment. "... Any of you get that?"

"I did," Ninten answered quickly. "I'm good at remembering things when I first hear them. Follow me."

Ninten then swiftly rushed down the right hallway toward the stairs. Ness soon followed after him, but Duster and Lucas were quiet for a moment until Lucas looked up at the thief.

"... We heard Princess Ana, and Ninten asked for directions."

Duster let out a, "Aaah. Thanks."

Guards patrolled the hallways, and the group had to stay silent and watch their steps the entire way up the first flight of stairs. Ninten quickly learned that he needed to slow down, as the others weren't quite up to his speed and weren't willing to get caught. Duster stepped carefully as he began to lead the way down the next hall, making sure all three boys were out of sight.

There was a moment of silence as a guard approached their location, seemingly bored with his job as he yawned loudly in his armor. The group pressed against another hall and against the wall, hoping not to be seen.

"Hey, John," said a sudden voice as another guard approached. "There's this mystery guy downstairs demanding to see the king and no one wants to deal with him."

"Not my job," stated John. "Who is this loser anyway?"

"Some compulsive banana eater named Fassad," replied the other guard. "I feel bad for the guard trying to entertain him."

Duster's voice caught in his throat and Lucas held back a gasp. Fassad! He was here? How was this possible? It took them a while just to get here, and Fassad had still been in Tazmilly when Lucas had left. It didn't make any sense. If he was here, then he was surely after the Princess...

"Well, what does he want to see the King for?" asked John. "If he doesn't have an appointment, then just scare him off."

"Actually, he said he 'does have an appointment and it concerns their daughter'. The lard didn't even bother calling her the Princess!"

"No?! Then just tell him to buzz off, we have no need for people disregarding this country's Princess!"

"Yes sir!"

The other guard sauntered away toward the main lobby and the group watched as John sighed and shook his head. It was clear he was tired. "Well, back to work, I guess." John looked away from the group and began his rounds once more.

They were quiet for a moment until Ness decided to speak. "I'm guessing that Fassad guy works for Giygas."

"I'm assuming," Duster replied. "He's the same guy that ratted out Kuma and Claus, leading to their capture."

Something swelled inside Lucas' heart, and he figured it was happiness. Duster wasn't blaming Wess anymore! Forgiving, maybe?

Ninten let out a sharp breath. "Then let's hurry. We don't have any more time to waste. They're not going to be able to distract him for very long."

Instantly agreeing with him, the four heroes started their journey down the hall, goal in mind. They couldn't be caught by John, and they couldn't be too loud as to not wake the sleeping guard they had just encountered. They still had to go up a stair, and then they would be in the all clear. One guard almost discovered them, but Ninten had very quickly put him to sleep with a sudden spell.

"How did you do that?" Ness asked him.

Ninten glanced up at him and lifted a finger. "It's a spell called 'Hypnosis'. Grandpa Jake taught it to me."

"Your grandpa really knows a lot of spells," Lucas pointed out, remembering how he had taught him a higher form of Healing. "Has he taught you Fire and Ice like he had taught your sisters?"

Ninten shook his head as they continued their way down the hall some more. "For some reason, I'm incapable of learning those spells. Grandpa Jake figures I'm more a supporter than a fighter. I'm pretty handy with a bat, though."

The group continued on, distracting another guard with Duster throwing a rock he had found in his shoe down the hall. Another rush up the steps and the group found themselves staring straight at the door that led to Princess Ana's room. They also found themselves incapable of moving.

"I... Do we knock?" asked Lucas. "I mean... this is a Princess' room."

Ninten was quiet for a moment, before he approached the door and raised a fist, knocking lightly against it. The door opened slowly, and a pair of eyes stared back out at him.

"Y-Yes...?" asked the Princess, her voice quivering and shaky.

"Princess Ana, it is me, Ninten," he introduced, even bowing slightly. "I am here to save you, as you see... I have been hearing your calls every night."

"Oh...!" She opened the door fully then, to reveal that she had changed out of her princess garb into something more fitting of a regular peasant. Her blonde hair that was usually seen in curls had been left unkempt and her tiara replaced with a pink hat. "I... I have been waiting... Thank you. Thank you for coming. Please, please, all of you, take me from this castle. Before he comes for me."

"We're already working on it," said Ness, glancing out at the stairs. "It's just... there's got to be a way to quickly leave this place without being caught..."

"There is a passage," Princess Ana replied, stepping out into the hall and heading down it. "This way, please."

The Princess led the way to a portrait of the former King George and Queen Maria. Using her magic, she lifted the portrait off the wall to reveal a passage hidden behind it. She climbed into it, turning back to her saviors. "This way, please."

The others climbed in after her and Princess Ana replaced the portrait onto the wall. She used a spell to summon fire into her hand and led the way through the passage and down two flights of stairs. Yelling could be heard now through the walls, and she panicked slightly. Ninten reassured her - he placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly. Lucas whimpered and attached himself to Duster's hip, and Ness swallowed.

"Getting out is going to be a lot of fun," he stated, looking between his comrades. "I can hear him - Giygas. He's not happy that you got out, Princess."

Princess Ana gave a nod. "I realize that. I am the first royal to get away from him - to slip through his fingers. But you see... I have to escape. I need to get out, I need to find the true heir to the throne, the descendant of King George and Queen Maria. It is my task put upon me from my great-grandmother who made the kingdom what it is today.

"And, you see, I have been having dreams... dreams of three boys who stop Giygas' plans. Now that I have seen the four of you... It is my belief that you three..." Here, she pointed at Lucas, Ness and Ninten. "... that you three, are the Chosen Three. I am unsure of what purpose that the older man serves in your party, but I'm sure it is just as important. I want to help you, I want to help you free those Magic Users being used by Giygas.

"My friends, my three dear friends... Kumatora, Paula and Puu... they were claimed by Giygas, because of his plans. I don't know what they are, but they have taken my three friends from me and I wish to get them back. By all means necessary. Please, please let me help you."

The secret passage way grew quiet after Princess Ana had finished speaking. The boys weren't sure about what she wanted to do. Bringing a princess along in all the stories led to complaining about the dirt, fighting, lack of hygiene and comfort, and overall bratty behavior. They weren't sure if bringing along Princess Ana would be a good idea, but it was clear from just the few moments they had spent with her that she knew spells they didn't. Using Fire was something that Lucas had only been aware that Princess Kumatora could use, until meeting Mimmie and Minnie, Ninten's sisters. Having someone with knowledge of the spell could make making a campfire at night all the more easy.

"One thing," Ness suddenly spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "My first priority in this group is saving Princess Paula. Do you know where I can find her?"

Princess Ana was quiet for a moment before she finally shook her head. "I haven't been able to feel her... Out of all of my friends, I can only feel Puu. It is because he is still within my limits as a Magic User."

"Prince Puu?" Ness voiced out loud.

"Well, it's the only lead we have of the royal children that had been taken," Duster pointed out, startling everyone. "Kuma, Claus and Princess Paula are going to have to wait. If we have a lead, we need to jump at it. Any lead could take us to Kuma, Princess Paula or Claus."

Princess Ana gave him a confused glance at his rather casual way of mentioning Princess Kumatora, but decided to drop it before she even mentioned it. She gave a smile and a nod. "... Yes. If we can save Puu, then we'll have a powerful ally and a means of getting to Kumatora and Paula... and this 'Claus' of whom your older friend speaks of."

"Claus is the missing brother of Lucas, the blonde right here," started Ninten. "I'm Ninten, this is Ness, and the older fellow is Duster, our legal adult of the group."

"Are you and Ness related?"

"Hmm?" Ninten blinked at the sudden remark but smiled and shook his head. "... No, we're not. I know we look a lot alike, but as far as I'm aware..."

"You did say your mother's from Eagleland," Ness suddenly pointed out. "I was born and raised there."

"Why are we talking about this...?" Lucas shakily asked. "Shouldn't we be discussing a way out?"

Duster immediately nodded in agreement. "I agree with him." He then limped over to the exit and carefully opened it just a tad to get a look at their surroundings. He was quiet for a moment as his eyes took hold of everything...

... a possible victim for pickpocketing. There was a guard that was half-asleep leaning against a corner of the building, and he had a loose grip of his sword. His wallet was sticking out of his back pocket, and Duster knew, he just knew that he could easily swipe that wallet and even the sword without so much of a glance or even getting noticed. Another man was patrolling the surrounding area, but his eyes were focused on the sky rather than the ground, and Duster could easily avoid him with careful stepping and leading the kids by hand. Even with his limp, he'd pass by unnoticed.

The guards were hilariously dull and easy to avoid. This was far easier than Osohe.

The one problem was the man arguing with the soldier that John had been talking to earlier. His eyes were glancing everywhere, almost as if he had expected Princess Ana to try and escape today. His black mustache clued Duster in that this was definitely Fassad and not some pushover imitator to scare them. He was here on official Giygas business. As he argued with the soldier he stepped away and removed a banana from his satchel, opening it and eating it before arguing even more. Attached to him by a leash was a little monkey that he had called Salsa.

The constant glancing around that Fassad was doing would cause some problems, but Duster was optimistic. He closed the door again and eyed the children behind him carefully. He was attempting to make an escape plan, but every single plan he came up with was bound to fail, and he knew it. If they were captured, he'd at least stay true to his unspoken promise to Hinawa through her letter - take care of Lucas. He'll at least make sure Lucas and the other children got out. He was certain Giygas had no real need of a man with a limp anyway.

"No sign of Giygas anymore, but Fassad is down here," he announced. "The guards would be easy to avoid, but he's the main problem. He's constantly changing his attention to somewhere else. I think he knows that we're busting out the Princess."

Lucas gulped. "So, we're caught and gone?"

Duster shook his head. "If anyone's getting caught today, it would be me, not you. The four of you are getting out of here, and I'll make sure of it."

"But what about you, Mr. Duster?" Princess Ana asked timidly. "As Ninten explained, you are the legal adult. We need you as much as a child needs their parent. Without you, we won't get anywhere, won't be allowed anywhere."

Duster sighed and rubbed at his eyes. She had a point, and that slightly shifted things around a bit, making him realize one thing: the kids would try to get him back, just as much as they were attempting to find Kuma, Claus and Princess Paula. "Right... are there any other ways out of here?"

The young boys and Duster turned to look at the Princess, who suddenly became very quiet as she gained a look of realization. "The waterways... there's a maze of waterways below this castle, that leads to many of the nearby villages of towns."

"Well, that's strangely convenient," noted Ninten. "Do you know your way around down there?"

Princess Ana frightened them slightly as she slowly shook her head. "No... but Giygas' forces have actually frequented down there if my father's court is to be believed. According to one of the court members, they marked the walls with small, tiny arrows that lead the way to one of their bases! If we find our way to one of them, for sure, in the main offices, there will be a map of all the locations of their bases... including the ones were Puu, Paula, Kumatora and Lucas' brother would be!"

Lucas' heart flared with excitement. This was fantastic!

"You're talking breaking into bases, Princess! I'm getting excited just thinking about it!" stated Ness happily. "Let's get down there, then!"

"Wait!" Ninten suddenly exclaimed. "I have to pick up ONE thing first!"

Slow, dripping water sounded through the catacombs of the waterways down below Phoenix Castle. Princess Ana held on tightly to Ninten's hand as the children followed Duster's limping, off-temp steps through the stone pathways. The water streamed by them slowly, but none of them were too keen on falling into the dirty, murky water.

None of them knew how Ninten had managed it, but the young asthmatic had managed to somehow move his way through the guards and pick up Mick his dog, and then make his way back. All he had stated upon being questioned was that he used Magic that he had invented, that enabled him to escape apparently very quickly.

In Duster's hands there was a kerosene lamp, one that Princess Ana had very quickly swiped from her father's study. She had also smuggled out a bottle of the oil needed to keep the flame going - just in case they needed it. The light flickering off the flame lit up the pathway nicely, and Lucas was just glad to not be left in the dark down below the ground.

They stopped when Duster spotted on the wall a small marking - an arrow that pointed to the right. He glanced down the walkway to see, in the distance, another one pointing down the left walkway at the end.

"... I guess we're going this way," he stated, beginning to lead the way.

"The waterways don't go all the way through Phoenix," Princess Ana offered as trivia, stepping carefully alongside them. "There is a point where they stop - it actually details how small the country was when King George ruled over it."

"America was rather small before it was Phoenix, wasn't it?" Ninten asked. "Your great-grandfather had actually widened its borders."

"He had," Princess Ana confirmed with a small nod and a smile. "He figured that they needed more land back then to play with, to make safe from Giegue and his destruction. My great-grandfather had good intentions, too: he had wanted to make the perfect kingdom for when King George and Queen Maria returned to take their throne. It's just a shame that they had never actually returned during his time."

"They must have been happy where they were," Ninten replied softly. "They preferred the quiet life, I guess."

"... Perhaps."

Duster led them a few more turns before suddenly stopping. Gripping tightly on Lucas, he pulled the boy back and gestured to everyone else to go against the wall. As soon as he had followed suit, he suddenly blew out the flame, leaving them in the dark.

"Duster...! What are you...?!" Ness quietly asked.

"Shh..." Duster replied. "They're coming..."

In the dark, the boys and Princess listened. Under the sound of the dripping water and the echoing waves of the waterways, they heard, in the distance, the sound of marching. One man in the mess was ordering them, telling them what they were expected to do as they stayed in these walls and in the base they were going to be working with - told them that under no circumstances were they to listen to the one prisoner they had to take care of, and never take his word for anything, no matter how good it sounded.

And finally, finished the commander as they approached the group, under no circumstances were they to let anyone know what Giygas' plans for Magic were.

Duster gulped, lowering his head and trying his best to blend into the background. He was also trying to hide Lucas from view, as the boy's blonde hair stood out like a flame. He noticed Ness and Ninten trying to do the same with Princess Ana and Mick. With a grunt, he turned to face all of them and took off his cloak.

"Shh..." he repeated, and covered them with it. "... Stay quiet."

He ducked down behind them, making sure the cloak covered them all completely. The army of Giygas marched past them, singing along to a song that one of them wrote, detailing something about dark beings, eight melodies, and a witch. Really, the song sounded like he had invented it while drunk.

In the cloak, the children did their best to stay quiet. Ninten tried to keep his breathing in check - the moisture in the air from the waterways was threatening his asthma to act up. Mick stayed cleverly quiet, his snout rubbing up against Ninten's leg, offering encouragement, perhaps. Ness gripped Lucas' shoulder for support. Princess Ana was close to panicking, fearful that they would be caught. Lucas was close to tearing up, panic rising up inside of him as he reached his breaking point. Duster stayed close near them, trying to stay out of view.

The army marched on.

... and on.

... ... and on.

... ... ... and on.

... ... ... ... and on.

Until, finally, the last group passed right by them.

Silence.

Nobody moved.

Duster swung the cape off of the children after a moment, content that they were in the clear. All four instantly pounced on him in relief, glad that they had managed to escape capture.

"That terrified me...!" Ness harshly whispered. "Let's follow them - they're probably heading to one of their bases, right?"

"Probably," Duster agreed in a low voice. "Let's move."

Princess Ana suddenly perked, her eyes widening in realization. "... Hey. Remember when I said that I still feel Puu...?"

"Yes," remarked Ninten in reply. "What is it?"

The Princess smiled at him and the others. "... He's in that base. Puu is in that base we are approaching. Do you understand? We can save Puu, the Prince of Dalaam!"