Author's Note: Characters and concepts are the creative property of Savin Yeatman-Eiffel and Sav! the World Productions.

This is a collaborative work between me and Queenbean3.

Chapter 2: Preparations By: MasterOfThePen

It was the evening before Eva's birthday. On Nourasia, the young king slept peacefully in his light cotton robe, for the night was warm and spring had arrived early this year.

Aikka dreamed that he was floating before the majestic form of Dol Arrah, the Holy Tree which sustained all life in his kingdom. Aikka raised his head, trying to take in the vastness of their divine guardian. Dol Arrah's trunk, covered in green mold and lichen, filled his entire field of vision and rose thousands of feet into the air. It's branches blotted out the night sky, but Aikka could see clearly by the soft light of glowing insects and the incandescent pollen floating in the breeze. His gaze traveled down the trunk once more to the huge twisted roots buried deep beneath the soil. Dol Arrah's roots stretched beneath every dwelling in the Holy City of Dol, and all who lived there could feel the Holy Tree's presence, even without seeing it.

The Nourasian King returned his gaze to the trunk once more and stared at the rice rope wrapped around it. Several feet in diameter and braided by the most devout priests and priestess, the sacred rope was a sign of sanctity and that all who entered into the presence of Dol Arrah should pay their respects in the proper fashion. Aikka clapped his hands before him and bowed deeply before the Holy Tree. When he raised his head, he saw a small sphere of golden light hovering before him, which coalesced into a vaguely human figure.

The figure, its entire body shining with golden light save for its face, smiled serenely.

"Greetings, King of Nourasia!" the glowing figure said.

"You ..." Aikka raised a hand to shield his eyes from the brilliance. "Who are you?"

"Don't you recognize me? I'm not surprised. It's been a long time since we saw each other last, Aikka."

"How do you know my name? I can tell that you are some kind of spiritual entity-"

"I am the Guardian and Master of the Galaxy. I am the Avatar."

Aikka gasped as recognition dawned on him. "The Avatar! J-Jordan?" He lowered his hand, his eyes now adjusted to the light of the Avatar's body. He scrutinized the Avatar's face: the strong jaw, the cocky grin, and especially the thick eyebrows.

"So you do remember," the Avatar said.

"Yes, I remember well. I failed to protect Molly back then."

"You did the best you could."

"Jordan ..." Aikka lowered his gaze in shame. "You sacrificed yourself to save the entire galaxy. And for that, I am grateful. You also spared me the choice of having to become Avatar myself. I feel so ashamed. I tried so much to push the responsibility of becoming the Avatar onto Molly ..."

Aikka felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He raised his head to stare into the Avatar's smiling face, and was surprised to see his golden eyes full of gentleness.

"It's all right," the Avatar said. "She knows why you did it. If you had become the Avatar, who would be King of Nourasia right now?"

"You are far too kind. I betrayed you countless times ..." Aikka averted his face from those golden eyes that seemed to pierce into the very center of his being.

"The Crogs were holding your parents hostage. If Molly or I were in your position, we would have done the same thing."

Aikka managed a wan smile. "Thank you. But, why are you here?"

"I wanted to make sure you were safe, and to warn you." The Avatar's expression became solemn. "Both you and Molly are in terrible danger."

"In danger? Are the Crogs going to invade Nourasia again?"

"The Crogs are nothing compared to this. Tell me, Aikka, do you remember the name 'Canaletto'?"

Aikka gasped upon hearing that dreaded name. Memories of that terrible creature, like the haunting images of a nightmare half-remembered, surfaced once more in his consciousness. Crimson robes, clawed hands, the face of a carrion bird, and eyes the color of freshly-spilled blood; Aikka remembered it all with vivid clarity at the sound of that one word.

"Canaletto ... Satis told me of him as he lay dying in my arms." Aikka's fists clenched in remembrance of their final battle against the former Avatar. "That fiend. He was going to claim the Ultimate Prize and use it for his own selfish purposes."

"That's right, but he needed Molly to retrieve the Ultimate Prize for him."

"Why did he need Molly to claim the powers of the Avatar? Couldn't he have taken them himself?"

"Canaletto revealed everything in the Temple of the Heart. He couldn't claim the Prize himself because the Creators forbid him from serving as Avatar twice. He needed someone like Molly to retrieve it. Her entire life was manipulated so that she would win the Race of Oban. All the pain in her life that brought her to the race was his doing, even her mother's death."

This was unexpected news. "So, Canaletto murdered her mother? I didn't know. Canaletto rendered me unconscious during the final battle. My arrows were powerless against that foul creature." Aikka bowed his head. "I was completely useless."

"Don't say that!" The Avatar grasped Aikka's shoulders and gave him a small shake. "If it hadn't been for you, none of us would have even known about Canaletto or his plans."

They stared at one another in silence as the fireflies danced through the air. Aikka had come to realize just how little he knew about the one person he called "friend" during the Great Race so long ago. So much pain and sorrow for one to endure, and at such a young age.

The Avatar released Aikka and finally broke the silence. "Anyway, I thought that Canaletto was destroyed after I interfered and took the Prize instead of him. Now I have begun to sense his spirit again, growing stronger little by little."

"I do not understand. If he used Molly to try and reclaim the powers of the Avatar, then what use does he have with me?"

"I'm not really sure yet," the Avatar's brows knit together in thought. "But the two of you are very closely connected. He may try to use you to hurt her somehow, and neither of us can allow that."

"I would never dream of hurting Molly intentionally. Though my hand was forced during the Great Race of Oban, I regretted every moment when my arrows were aimed against you."

"I'm planning to visit her very soon, and tell her all the things I've told you. I'll be sending Guardians to bring her to Oban, but first I want her to meet up with you. That won't be a problem, right?"

Aikka's ears perked up in surprise and joy. "N-no, not at all! In fact, I was hoping that she would come to visit my kingdom one day, after we parted ways a year ago."

"Perfect! Molly will meet you here on Nourasia, then you will travel to Oban where I can protect you both personally. Hopefully, I'll know more about how we can defeat our enemy once and for all."

"I see. Jordan-" Aikka said, the name falling clumsily from his tongue. "I just want to thank you for everything you have done, and are continuing to do, for Molly and I. Back then, I fear that I misjudged you greatly. I am truly sorry."

"Hey, don't worry about it." The Avatar patted the young king's shoulder reassuringly. "Besides, I owe you an apology, too. I wasn't the best judge of character myself back then, but I can see now that your intentions were good."

"So, what must I do?"

"Prepare your palace for Molly and her Guardians; they'll be arriving in just five days time. You'll recognize most of them, but a few of them are new. You may not trust them right away, but they are loyal to me and will cause no harm."

Aikka nodded. "I understand, and I shall do as you ask. Molly's safety is of the utmost importance."

"You're safety is just as important," the Avatar said. "That's why I am also sending you two Guardians, as well. They should arrive at the Holy City sometime tomorrow."

"But I already have so many guards and protectors, what need do I have for more Guardians?"

The Avatar's eyes narrowed slightly. "Trust me, you'll need all the protection you can get. Canaletto is not to be underestimated, even in his weakened state."

"I know," Aikka said with a sigh. "But I shall trust in your judgment."

"Thank you so much, Aikka. I look forward to seeing you and Molly again very soon."

The Avatar's body began to dissolve into motes of yellow light that floated in the darkness like the fireflies that buzzed about them.

"And I too look forward to seeing my old friends once more," Aikka said, watching the Avatar fade before his eyes.

"Oh, by the way," the Avatar said, dropping the formal style of speech. "Congratulations on your engagement. That's one cute fiancée you've got there!" He gave a thumbs up and winked, and for a moment Aikka saw not the Master of the Galaxy, but the brash young gunner who had once been his rival during the Great Race.

"What?" Aikka said. "But how did you kno-"

But the Avatar had vanished before his eyes, and Aikka was alone once more with Dol Arrah. He stared into the darkness as the last few sparkles of golden light winked out, leaving only the fireflies and glowing pollen to illuminate the night.

Aikka's eyes fluttered open as the morning light streamed though the opened curtains of his bed. He sat up and rubbed at his eyes, thinking about the strange dream from the night before. Jordan had appeared to him, but he was no longer Jordan; he was the Avatar. Canaletto was alive, in spirit if not in body, and he was slowly regaining his powers. And Molly was coming to visit his kingdom in five days time.

Molly ... Had it really been a year since they had parted ways with the promise to see each other again? Aikka remembered how Molly, after Oban had been reborn under the rule of a new Avatar, dashed through the fields toward him and threw herself onto him, crying, "Aikka, you're alive!" He had been startled by the gesture as he was not used to such public displays of affection, especially with someone he had known for such a short period of time, but he had been happy all the same. She had forgiven him for his betrayals, and their friendship had survived intact.

Aikka pushed aside the curtain and stood before the window that overlooked the garden. There were birds twittering in the trees and bathing in the fountain, washing away the last vestiges of sleep to greet the new day with restored vigor. Aikka opened the window and breathed in the fresh air. There were many preparations that must be made for the arrival of Molly and her Guardians.

There was a soft knock at the door. "Your highness? Are you awake, my lord?"

"Yes," Aikka said, turning toward the door. "You may enter."

The heavy double doors opened and four young women stepped inside. They were all dressed in pale blue robes, their hair bound in simplistic buns, and they carried themselves in a reserved manner with hands folded neatly before them and eyes downcast respectfully. They bowed low before him.

"It is late in the day," Aikka said, approaching the handmaidens. "Why was I not awakened sooner?"

"Your mother requested that we allow you to sleep in," the handmaiden who spoke earlier said. "Her highness said that you have been working very hard these past few days, and that you needed your rest."

"The Queen and Lady Runa have already sat down to breakfast and are awaiting your arrival," another handmaiden said.

"Very well, I shall meet them shortly," Aikka said while the handmaidens set themselves to making him presentable.

Aikka abandoned himself to the morning ritual once more, his thoughts on other matters. The handmaidens removed his sleeping garments and dressed him in the white robes of his regal station. Once that was finished, they set him before the vanity and proceeded to brush his hair and tie it into three topknots. Aikka hated this part most of all, as the handmaidens pulled his hair fiercely, but his face betrayed no hint of pain. The only sign of his discomfort was the occasional spasmodic clenching of his hands under the table when one of the handmaiden's pulled particularly hard. Once that task was completed, Aikka placed the bronze headpiece upon his head, the symbol of the royal family, and stood while he examined his reflection in the ornate mirror.

The handmaidens stood behind him and smiled at their work. It was no secret that the young king's handsome visage had garnered the attention of nearly every Nourasian girl in the entire kingdom, and many outside of it. They considered themselves very fortunate to be able to serve the king in such an intimate manner.

"You may leave now." Aikka waved at them. "Tell my mother and Lady Runa that I shall be joining them momentarily."

"As you wish, Your highness," the handmaidens said. They bowed low once more and left the room, closing the doors behind them.

Aikka walked toward the doors and paused before his writing desk. He had spent many long nights working on peace treaties and preparing speeches to present to his kingdom and their newest ally, the Earth Coalition. He ran a hand across the wooden surface, warm from the sun's light. His hand fell upon a letter sitting in the middle of the desk, with a single word written in his beautiful flowing script: Molly. The parchment felt heavy in his hand as he picked the letter up and opened the envelope. His eyes scanned the pages and his thoughts turned once more to the human girl whom he had come to care for during the Great Race.

The letter was the work of several months labor. Each time he picked it up, he would add a little more to it, the words slowly revealing the growing affection he had nurtured for the human girl since his return to Nourasia a year ago. It started innocently enough: he wrote of his homecoming and the celebration presented in his honor, and how proud his parents were of him. He wrote of the Nourasians' fight against the Crogs and the timely aid of the Earth Coalition, and his role as ambassador to his people. He mentioned his father's illness that struck suddenly six months ago, and his eventual death. Aikka was hastily crowned king soon afterward, and his responsibilities increased tenfold. He wrote how he thought often about Molly and their short time together during the Great Race, and how he hoped that she would keep her promise and come visit him very soon.

But the letter was never sent. Ever since his father's death, the visits from the ambassador of Earth became increasingly sporadic, and the peace talks were slow to get underway. Each time he wanted to send the letter, something would draw his attention away, and it never made it into the hands of a messenger. Aikka could not come to Earth himself, for his advisers feared he might become the target of an assassination attempt by some radical political party that was slowly gaining power and influence. So he simply kept adding to the letter, hoping that the next time it would find its way to his dearest friend. During the last month, Aikka began to despair that the letter would never reach Molly, that she had forgotten her promise to him after all, and that his true feelings would never be known.

But none of that mattered anymore. Molly was going to arrive on Nourasia in five days, and there was so much to do before she and her Guardians arrived. He could hardly contain his excitement at seeing his friend again, after all this time, but right now he needed to remain calm and make the announcement to his mother. He folded the letter once more and placed it reverently on the desk before proceeding toward the dining hall where his mother and Lady Runa awaited him.

Aikka passed though many long halls that were lined with guards and works of art. Some of the guards remained so still that one would think they were simply a part of the decor. He recognized many of the faces as fellow students from when he trained as a Nourasian Knight so many years ago. His straw sandals made no sound as he walked the marble halls. The servants were already awake and attending to their duties: mopping the floors, cleaning the windows, lighting the lanterns, or simply standing on call, waiting for his needs to be made known. Aikka smiled at each one he passed, and they in turn smiled or waved at him.

When he reached the dining hall, his Mother and Lady Runa were already seated at the round table laden with food and drink. Upon noticing Aikka's arrival, Lady Runa immediately stood and bowed before him. She wore a white dress similar in style to Queen Nori's, with a bronze tabard bearing intricate embroidery. Her auburn hair was arranged into two buns on either side of her head while the rest was allowed to flow down her back and was tied near the bottom. On her head was the same bronze headpiece that Aikka and the queen wore.

Aikka and Runa had been destined to wed long before they were born, and Runa had been raised in the palace at Aikka's side for as long as she could remember. They were always together: laughing and playing, eating and sleeping, sharing their hopes and fears. The wedding day was still far off, but Runa knew it was only a matter of time before she and Aikka would be together forever as husband and wife.

"My lord," Runa said and straightened with a bright smile on her face. "Good morning to you! I trust you slept well? I can see the color has returned to you cheeks."

Aikka made a slight bow in return. "Indeed. I certainly needed the rest."

"You looked so pale for the last few days," Queen Nori said. "I feared that you were growing ill, so I thought it best to let you sleep a little longer. You've been working so hard, but you must remember to take care of yourself, as well. If anything were to happen to you-"

"I know, Mother." He touched her hand lightly and smiled. He sat down and began picking among the choicest steamed vegetables and rice.

They ate and made small talk, discussing the hopeful resumption of peace talks with the Earth Coalition and the beginning of the planting season on Nourasia. Aikka was concerned about his diplomat on Earth, especially after hearing word that a paramilitary organization had assassinated several alien diplomats.

Aikka set his chopsticks down and folded his hands on the table. "Mother, Runa, I have something that I wish to discuss with you both in private, if I may."

Queen Nori noted the seriousness in her son's voice and bid the guards to leave the room.

"Not you, Canaan." Aikka gestured toward his fencing master.

"Your highness?" Canaan said. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Sit down, and I will explain." The elderly Nourasian Knight did as he was told and sat across from his young ward.

Aikka took a deep breath and said, "Last night, I had I dream where I was visited by the Avatar."

"The Avatar?" Queen Nori said. "You mean, the being who invited Nourasia to take place in the Great Race of Oban?"

"Yes, and no. This was the new Avatar. The one who claimed the Ultimate Prize one year ago."

"The human boy from the Earth Team?" Canaan said, his cold blue eyes going soft. He had been tormented by the idea that he might lose his ward to the responsibilities of the Avatar, but the gunner from the Earth Team had spared Aikka that painful decision.

"Yes. Jordan," Aikka said. "He told me that I am in great danger, as is the Earth girl, Molly."

"I remember you telling me about her," Runa said. "She was the one who won the Great Race of Oban, correct?"

"Indeed. The Avatar told me that Canaletto is not truly dead, and that he is gathering strength. Somehow, Molly and I are important to his schemes, and he is after us both."

Canaan put a hand to his sword. "That foul creature! Just let him try and lay a hand on you-"

"Calm yourself," Aikka said. "The Avatar said that he would be sending Guardians to protect Molly and myself. She is going to arrive on Nourasia in five days, and we must make the necessary preparations. She and her Guardians are to be treated as my honored guests, and I will spare no expense on their behalf."

"But your highness," Canaan said. "Outsiders are forbidden within the Holy City!"

Aikka's lips formed into a smirk "I will make an exception for the Champion of the Great Race of Oban."

"Then what?" Queen Nori said. "Surely even with the divine protection of Dol Arrah herself we cannot hope to stand against the powers of a former Avatar."

"That is why once Molly and her Guardians arrive, I must journey with them to Oban, so that the Avatar may protect us both personally. That is all I know, for now."

The three Nourasians looked at one another worriedly while Aikka stared at them each in turn.

"My lord-" Runa said.

Suddenly, the doors burst open and two Nourasian Knights dashed inside, sweating and breathing heavily.

"Your highness!" They bowed hurriedly. "Forgive the intrusion, but there are two frightful-" he struggled to find the right word, "-women outside the city gates demanding to see you. We tried to turn them away, but they kept saying they were sent here to protect you. They have injured several of our best Knights!"

Aikka stood quickly, a knowing smile on his face. "Very well, I shall go and meet them."

"Your highness!" Canaan stood as well, his hand on his sword hilt. "You cannot-"

But Aikka was already at the door. "Do not worry! These are the Guardians the Avatar spoke of, I'm sure of it."

And with those last words, Aikka disappeared down the hall, leaving the others to stare at one another in bewilderment.

There is a planet at the center of our galaxy that is larger than the Earth's sun. It is known as the "Mother Planet": Oban.

The gray light of dawn streamed though the glassless windows of the Avatar's Temple. He opened his eyes slowly, the vision of Aikka and Dol Arrah fading from his sight. He had already sent two Guardians to Nourasia and four to Earth. But would that really be enough? There were very few people he could trust. Canaletto was a master of manipulation, and even those with the best moral fiber could succumb to his wiles easily. With a thought, the Avatar teleported to his private apartment. He would need to rest and meditate.

The Avatar found himself in a snug little chamber deep within the Temple. It had once belonged to his predecessor, Satis, and little had been changed since the previous Avatar died. There were bookcases crammed with ancient tomes that detailed many lost histories. Shelves were lined with strange bottles filled with potions and unguents, and he could only begin to guess at their intended uses. Woven rugs lined the floor, and strange jewels and ornaments dangled from the ceiling, twisting and sparkling in the slight breeze. The only thing the Avatar saw fit to change was to scale everything larger so that he could move about comfortably. Satis had been a very small creature compared to a normal-sized human being.

The Avatar closed his eyes and prepared to clear his mind of all conscious thought. A soft voice entered his mind, and the Avatar snapped his eyes opened.

"Can you hear me?" The voice said. "Someone, anyone, I beg of you, please help me."

"Who are you?" the Avatar said.

"My name is Rakesh," the voice said. "I have been imprisoned for so long. Please, set me free, Avatar."

"Where are you?" The Avatar looked about the chamber. He could sense that the voice was very close, but could not pinpoint its location.

"Here, inside this moonstone." The Avatar noticed a milky white stone hanging from the ceiling with an assortment of crystals and feathers. The stone was glowing softly with silver light. "I was sealed away by the Old Crow many years ago. When his body was destroyed, the seal on me began to slowly weaken. But now that he is gaining strength once more, the seal on me is growing stronger as well. Please, release me before it's too late!"

"All right, just give me a moment."

The Avatar raised his hand and closed his eyes as he set to breaking the seal on the mysterious stranger. The moonstone began to glow with golden light as a hairline crack snaked across its smooth surface. In a matter of moments the stone shattered and a small sphere of silver light coalesced into a human form. The light slowly faded to reveal a young man with long white hair and silver eyes. He was dressed in pale blue robes with silver trim. Silver crescent moon symbols were embroidered on his white mantle. On his forehead was a silver bindi shaped like a crescent moon with the horns pointing upward.

"Thank you, Avatar," Rakesh fell to one knee, his hand over his heart. "For freeing me from the Old Crow's spell, I humbly wish to enter into your service. You are my master now, and I pledge to serve you and only you."

The Avatar's eyes widened in surprise. "Old Crow?"

Rakesh stood and smirked. "I would not deign to dignify the greatest evil the galaxy has ever known with a name. To give him a name would mean to give him power."

"So Canaletto sealed you away? Why?"

"I fear that my story would be far too long to tell, and time is a precious commodity which we cannot afford to waste. If you would simply read my thoughts, then you shall know all."

"Very well," the Avatar said and placed a hand on Rakesh's forehead. In a matter of moments, he had witnessed the entire life of the mysterious stranger. "I see. You are a Lunarian. I have read much about your people."

"Indeed I am," Rakesh said. "Master, I wish to become one of Eva's Guardians, if you will allow it. I failed in my promise to protect her mother, Maya. I would like to do what I can to make sure her daughter arrives here safely, even at the cost of my own life."

The Avatar was silent for many moments. "Very well, I can see that you are trustworthy. Before I send you to Earth, let me explain to you my plans." He placed his hand on Rakesh's forehead once more and showed him what he needed to see.

"It is all clear to me now," Rakesh said. "I understand. I will go to Earth and accompany Eva and her Guardians to Nourasia. I swear that I shall do whatever you ask of me, without question."

"I know that Eva will be in safe hands." He waved a hand and Rakesh's body was encased in golden light. "Now, let me help to speed you on your way. Her other Guardians will be arriving in two days, and there isn't much time."

"Thank you, Master," Rakesh bowed. His body was dissolving into golden motes of light. "I will not fail you. You have my solemn word as a Lunar Knight."

"Farewell, Rakesh. Guard Eva well," the Avatar said. The Lunarian had vanished and the Avatar was alone once more.

At last, the Avatar closed his eyes and was able to meditate on the next phase of his plans. He would need to contact Eva tomorrow night and warn her of the danger she was in. Though he felt apprehension at seeing his partner after being separated for so long, he knew it was necessary. Tomorrow, Eva would be turning sixteen years old. He was anxious to see her, and yet was afraid of her reaction. He had changed so much during their time apart. Would she feel the same way about him that he felt about her? He prayed with all his might that things would be the same as they were before, but that was an impossible wish. He was the Avatar now, and she was just a mortal girl ...

Molly, he thought. I have wanted to see you for so long. But will you still remember me as I once was? Or will I be a stranger to your eyes?