Astral was up first the next morning, he headed to the library to research the lost prince. He still had suspicions about Yuya. It would seem no one else made the connection because of his appearance. The lost prince definitely did not possess wings or such unusual skin. However, Astral knew some things in life were never as they appeared. He knew it would take incredibly powerful magic, but it was still possible to change someone's appearance. Magic was practiced widely throughout the five kingdoms but most only used it in emergencies and used their own skills in life, they didn't like to be lazy. There were some people out there, though, who sat on their sofas all their lives and used their powers to do everything for them.

Transformation spells were very rare and took an incredibly large amount of power, but they were not impossible. Astral looked through his books to see if there was any evidence Yuya may have been transformed by a spell by this "master" of his. All throughout the story last night the group had only ever referred to him like that, not once did they mention his name. Astral decided to ask Yuya about it later, perhaps it would help. In the meantime he would research the lost prince and transformation magic to see in the two lined up in some way.

Yuya awoke only an hour after Astral. His body was still use to the early mornings of work he'd been subjected to his entire life. It wasn't until he was dressed and halfway out the door that he remembered where he was and why he was there. He sighed to himself, no use trying to get back to sleep now. So he wandered down the corridor looking for something he could do. He couldn't believe he was really in the palace in the Kingdom of ZEXAL. Not only that, but he was around other people, without a disguise, and they didn't seem to care at all. It felt like a dream… Oh how he hoped he'd never wake up.

"Yuya?"

He turned to see who'd addressed him. He found Yuma leaning halfway out a door, to what Yuya guessed must have been his room. He was still wearing his grey pajamas and rubbed a hand over his half-lidded eyes tiredly.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" He asked with a yawn.

"Oh," Yuya said. "Well… I always get up at this time, you know, to go do my chores."

Yuma seemed to snap awake at his answer. His body straightened and his eyes lost their exhaustion.

"I'm sorry." He said.

Yuya tilted his head in confusion.

"What for?"

Yuma waked over and pulled Yuya into a hug. Something, Yuya noticed, he'd done a lot of since they'd gotten here.

"I'm really sorry you had to go through so much…"

"Oh!" Yuya realised. "Don't worry." He pulled away and smiled. "I'm use to it, besides things could have been worse, at least I had my friends and a warm bed and good food, you know…" He lowered his gaze to the floor as he thought things over. "Zuzu never had any of that… She's always been alone… I wish I could have done something…"

"But you did!" Yuma exclaimed happily.

"Huh?"

"You, and your other friends, gave her a family and now that you have each other you'll all be happy right?" He flashed Yuya a huge grin. "My dad always says making friends is the most important thing in the world and everyone needs a good friend to be there for them."

Yuya smiled. "You're right, thank you Yuma."

The two laughed happily for a few moments. They were really becoming good friends fast.

"How about I get dressed then we can grab your friends and go get some breakfast."

As if Yuya's stomach heard and understood what Yuma had just said it gave a loud rumble. Yuya wrapped his arms around his middle and blushed. Yuma laughed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Back in the library...

"Well?" Astral asked. Anyone standing nearby would think he was talking to thin air, there didn't appear to be anyone in the library but him. Of course, Astral had better senses than most and could easily tell when he was or wasn't alone and right now he it was the latter.

"I did as you asked my lord." A short boy in blue clothes with big glasses and a small hat said, emerging from the shadows. This was Flip Turner, royal spy.

"What did you discover?" Astral asked. He'd instructed Flip the previous night to sneak around and find out what he could about Yuya and his friends.

"I've learned that the three animals, Tate, Ali and Fredrick, are actually children who disappeared from the Kingdom of GX eight years ago."

So… Whoever's behind this can preform transformation spells… Interesting… Astral thought.

"I also discovered the girl, Zuzu Boyle, is the missing daughter of Lord Skip Boyle of the Pendulum Kingdom."

Astral seemed shocked by this news. He'd not formally known that Lord Skip had a daughter.

"My investigation revealed she was kidnapped fourteen years ago, around the same time as the prince which is why not many people heard about it. What happened to her after that I don't know…"

"I see… Fascinating…" Astral said. "And what of Yuya?"

"I cannot say for certain if he is the missing prince, however, I can confirm he is the right age and aside from the skin and wings his features match the prince's description."

Astral nodded. "Thank you Flip. You are dismissed."

Flip bowed respectfully and left. Astral stayed still, chin resting on the palm of his hand, as he mulled over everything he'd heard.

Yuma had lead Yuya, Zuzu, Tate, Ali and Fredrick to the main dining room where the emperors and Kite were already eating. The five of them grew a little nervous, not use to this situation at all. Yuma noticed their hesitance and gave them an encouraging smile.

"Don't worry, it took me ages to get use to life around here, and even now I mess up all the time. Just sit down and eat, don't worry."

They all nodded and the six of them sat down. Well, the three humans sat, the animals hopped up onto the table and began chomping down the food on their plates. The emperors watched them carefully, still not quite trusting the strange travelers.

Everybody ate in silence for a while; until finally Astral showed up.

"Hey Astral!" Yuma cried, running over and embracing his friend. Astral smiled and hugged Yuma back. Astral motioned for Yuma to return to his seat then took his place at the head of the table.

"I hope you all had a pleasant night." He said. "Shark, you and the emperors will proceed with your normal activities. Myself, Yuma and Kite will take care of our guests today."

"Are you sure that—" Shark began but Astral cut in.

"Yes quite sure."

Shark sighed but didn't argue. He trusted the prince to know what he was doing.

So after breakfast the emperors went to do some training exercises while Yuma, Kite, Astral, Zuzu, Yuya, Ali, Tate and Fredrick all gathered in another small living area.

Yuma began to play tag with the young animals while the others sat down to discuss certain matters.

"Now, I appologise for not informing you but I have done some research on all of you." Astral admitted.

"You have?" Zuzu gasped. Astral nodded.

"It would seem your friends over there are all young children who disappeared from the kingdom of GX, is that right?"

"Yeah." Yuya whispered sadly. "They accidentally wandered into my master's garden one day and he turned them into animals as punishment…"

"And you." Astral continued, turning to Zuzu. "turns out you are the daughter of Lord Skip Boyle of the Kingdom of the Pendulum."

"What?!" Everyone cried, except for Astral and Kite.

"She's that Zuzu Boyle?!" Yuma gasped.

"Well duh." Kite said, deadpanned. "How many Zuzu Boyle's do you think there are."

Yuma turned red and gave Kite an angry glare.

"Zuzu…?" Yuya asked hesitantly, wondering how she was taking all this.

"I— I have a father…" She whispered. "I don't… My earliest memory is wandering the streets of GX when I was five… I— I knew what my name was, but that was all I knew."

"Well…" Astral said. "The story of Zuzu Boyle is not widely known as it happened at the same time as the prince's kidnapping, however, my spy was able to find out enough about it. Apparently, Skip is incredibly close friends with Yoko and Yusho Sakaki and was visiting them with his newborn daughter when they returned with their newborn son so they could all celebrate the births of their children. Unfortunately, on the way his car was attacked by a gang of criminals who took not only all his valuables but you, Zuzu, as well. We're not sure what they intended to do with you however they must have gone to the kingdom of GX and somehow lost you there. I expect you were injured and lost your memory."

Everyone sat in silence, just absorbing what Astral had said. Thoughts raced through Zuzu's mind at a mile a minute.

"If you would like." Astral said. "I can send a message to Skip and ask him to come here so the two of you can meet."

Zuzu's eyes widened at the thought. Meet her father… After all these years.

I have a family, a father. Someone who can care for me, and love me. I'm not alone…

As soon as that thought crossed her mind she couldn't help but look around her. She looked at the three small animals still playing happily with Yuma and at Yuya who was looking at her with a mix of shock, understanding and happiness.

No… I'm not alone… I haven't been for a while now.

She smiled.

"Thank you for the offer Astral. But I must decline."

"What?!" Everyone gasped, Yuya being the loudest.

"Don't get me wrong I want to see my father." Zuzu explained. "But you guys," she gestured to the four hybrids, "are my family too, I promised I would help Yuya find his family and I intend to keep my promise. I'm sure there will be plenty of time to meet with my dad afterwards."

"But… Zuzu…" Said Yuya. "I can't let you do that. We may never find my family; you have a chance to be with your dad. You have to take it!"

Zuzu shook her head. "Like I said, you're family too Yuya, I can't and won't abandon you."

Yuya was speechless. She was willing to give up the chance to meet her father… For him? Tears welled in his eyes as he grabbed her and pulled her into a hug, sobbing into her shoulder. Zuzu smiled and hugged him back; tears beginning to prick at her own eyes.

Kite and Astral were beginning to feel a little awkward watching the emotional moment exchanged between the two friends. Yuma and the animals were still playing, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room.

"Well then…" Astral said, drawing everyone's attention. Yuya and Zuzu broke their hug, blushing heavily. "If you feel so strongly, I shall do everything in my power to help you find your family Yuya."

"Really?" Yuya and Zuzu asked.

Astral nodded. "In fact—"

He was suddenly cut off as the door burst open.

"Sire." Nash said, entering. "Pardon the intrusion but there has been a breech of security on level three."

Astral and Kite stood up. Yuma also ceased his activities.

"We'll have to finish this later. Yuma take care of our guests." Astral instructed, then he, Kite and Shark all left.

Tate, Zuzu, Ali, Fredrick and Yuya all looked slightly worried but Yuma just smiled at them.

"Don't worry, this happens all the time, it's usually nothing."

"Well... okay..." Ali said. "In that case…" She jumped and landed a hit with her paw on Yuma's arm. "Tag, you're it!"

Yuma laughed and began chasing her and the other animals once again, this time out the door and off down the corridor.

"Well uh…" Zuzu mumbled, not quite sure what to do now.

"Perhaps we should go back to our rooms." Yuya suggested.

"Good idea."

They both headed off down the hall, following their vague memory of the way they'd come. Eventually they reached the rooms and both parted ways with quick "bye's". Zuzu entered her room and went over to the window. She leaned on the pane and looked out. A sigh escaped her lips as she mulled over what had happened that morning. She'd discovered she had a father, Lord Skip Boyle, who lived in the Kingdom of the Pendulum. To tell the truth, she had said she didn't want to contact him mainly because she wanted to stay and help Yuya. However, it wasn't the only reason… Deep down she was scared. What if he didn't like her? What if he'd already forgotten her? It was thirteen years ago after all. If he was a lord that would make her a noble's daughter. Something she was certain she wasn't cut out for…

Yuya entered his room, walked over to his bed and flopped down onto it. He sighed, just as Zuzu had. She really gave up the chance to meet her father? For him? His heart clenched with guilt just thinking about it. Why did she care so much anyway? He was just a freak. He brought a hand up to his face and felt his skin; to most it would feel no different than their own, but to Yuya, it was cold as ice. His hand then moved to stroke his wings.

"I'm a monster…" He said. "Why does she care so much for a monster…"