Magolor's POV:

I've been following Sakura for several blocks, now. Poor Princess looks sort of... well, lost. Like the way I look when I have my star-map upside down and program the navi computer completely wrong, ending up clear opposite in the Galaxy of where I wanted to be. This has actually happened quite a few times, but I don't keep count of my dumb mistakes. Who would even want to? You make a mistake, ya fix it, ya move on with life. Simple, easy, not difficult, all that!

Anyway, she's wandered clear from the center of town to the docks. While I'm not worried that anyone will pick on her, (actually, if someone did pick on her, I'd be scared for them, not her,) it's still not a great idea for her to be wandering around completely alone so late, so I finally call out, "Hiya, Princess!"

Jumping, she turns around and glares at me for a second, then sighs and relaxes. "Hey, 'Lor," she murmurs absent-mindedly, then sits down on a Star Warrior-sized dock and dips her toes in the ocean.

Slowly, I go over and sit down beside her. "What's eating you, Princess? Although I don't know why whatever-it-is would want to, you don't look like you'd taste very good." Yay! A smile! Well, a little one, anyways. I'm awesome. "Seriously, though. What's up?"

"Meta Knight's in love with me," she says, staring off into space.

I stare at her for a second, trying to control myself, but I can't. I burst out laughing so hard I can hardly breathe, then somehow manage to squawk out, "Well, it sure took you two numbskulls long enough, didn't it?!?"

"What do you mean?" she glares at me, eyes narrowed, looking at me like I'm insane. Which, who knows? Maybe I am! Maybe being a little insane is a good thing, y'know?

Still laughing, I continue, "I mean, ever since that day we banished the Darkness, I could just tell you guys were gonna end up together. I can't believe it's taken you this long to figure this out! You SW's just really aren't... the brightest stars in the sky!" I collapse into laughter again at my own joke. Oh, Magnificent Mister Magolor, you really are a comedic genius.

Distressed, she yelps, "It's not funny, Magolor!"

Now that I can tell she really is upset about it, I calm down and grow more serious. "What's wrong, Sakura? Why aren't you happy? I mean, falling in love is a great thing!"

"Because I'm not worthy of him. I don't deserve him," she moans, hiding her face in her gloves and wrapping her wings around herself.

Giving her a strange look, I ask, "What do you mean, 'not worthy?'"

Looking up at me like I'm an idiot, she says, sadly, "He's Meta Knight. He's one of the few survivors of a terrible war, he's a hero who's saved probably thousands of lives over the years. And me... I'm just Sakura. Sure, I've defeated a couple of monsters. But that's it. Even worse, I've messed around with dark magic before. I don't deserve someone like him, and he shouldn't have to be stuck with me."

"He doesn't really have a huge selection," I point out, trying to be light-hearted and funny about it, but it doesn't seem to help.

"He still shouldn't have to settle for me," she murmurs, burying her face back in her gloves.

Silence, for a minute. Then, I say, looking off into space, "Y'know, I don't think anybody really 'deserves' love. We're all messed up, we all have our problems, not a single one of us is perfect. So, when you do find love, I don't think you should wonder whether you're 'worthy' or not, 'cause truth is, no one is. I think you should just treasure it, and be glad you have it, because not everyone finds it in their lifetime."

"Well, still. I'm sure he could do better than me," she murmurs, sadly stirring the ocean around with her feet now. "I'm just not that much of a hero."

"Who defeated the Monstrous Lightning?" I demand.

"Kirby," she answers.

"Fine. Who banished the Returning Darkness?"

Rolling her eyes, she replies, "All of us, 'Lor."

Grr. She's being difficult. Suddenly, though, I get an idea, so I say, "Let's play a game called 'You Never Existed.' All right, there was never a Sakura. Sakura Dee was never born. Wait- who are you again?"

"Shut up, 'Lor," she mutters, but smiles a little again.

Laughing, I pause for a second, then continue, "Seriously, though, Princess. Let's say, for the sake of hypothetical conversation, that you don't exist. Okay, Monstrous Lightning comes along, big monster badguy, rawr rawr rawr. He takes over my ship and puts me under mind control, then goes to take over Popstar. What happens in the final battle?"

"Meta Knight dies," she says, looking even sadder.

Oooooooookaaaaaay, that was not the response I was expecting, but she seems sure of it, so I go on, "All right. Again, for the sake of conversation, let's say that Kirby and Bandana manage to defeat the Monstrous Lightning themselves. They go home, missing Meta-Not. Although, I don't think there'd be a me anymore, either."

"Why not?" she frowns, glancing back at me again.

"Well, think about that night when Meta-Not's eyes went all vampire on me. Your being there kept him calmer than he otherwise would have been. If you weren't there, I don't know if I would've made it out of that one," I shudder. Meta Knight sure can be scary when he wants to be, I'll give him that.

Rolling her eyes, she disagrees, "I don't think Meta Knight would've killed you."

"There's no way to know for sure, is there?" I point out, then go on, "Okay, in this sad, Meta-Not and Magolor-less world, four years later, the Returning Darkness shows up. You were the only one who knew about Light. If you weren't there, they wouldn't be able to get rid of it. If you never existed, Sakura, the world would quite literally be a much Darker place."

Smiling weakly, she sighs, "I guess you're right, 'Lor."

"Yippee! So Meta Knight isn't the only one who's right! That even sort of rhymes!" I giggle, making her giggle in return.

Growing serious again, we're both quiet for a second, then she says, "You mentioned how not everyone finds love during their lifetime. If it's not too personal, have you ever been in love, Magolor?"

Tapping my chin in exaggerated thoughtfulness, I mutter, "Well, let's see, let's see. No, I've never really been in love, but I have had a crush on someone once. Just a little one."

Smiling, she laughs, "Magolor, you're such an eternal child. What was she like?"

"Thank you, thank you, I really do try. Hold your cheers, I'm here 'til Friday." I stand up and bow to an invisible adoring audience several times, then sit back down and grow faux-thoughtful again. "Promise you won't tell?"

"Of course I won't, Mags. Your secret is safe with me," she laughs.

Grinning to myself, I singsong, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeell, she's a good singer, an excellent cook, a nice sister-type, a bit insecure, has really pretty wings, all that."

"Oh, no. Not you, too, Mags," she groans, flopping back onto the dock and staring up at the sky.

"Like I said, it's just a little crush. Anyone with eyes can see that you and Meta-Not are meant for each other," I giggle, poking her playfully. "You're just a really sweet, pretty, awesome girl, Princess. I'm actually really surprised no one's ever told you they like you before."

"What do you mean, we're meant for each other?" she demands, frowning at me again. "We've never been anything but friends, before."

"Well, that night when Meta-Not went all vampire eyes, up in White Wafers, he was already sharing his cloak with you." She glares at me, but before she can argue, I go on, "And I know that wasn't romantic in any way. It was just chivalrous, friendly, gentlemanly, nice, Meta-Knight-y, all that. I know that you were still practically a kid, then. But, I'm just gonna point out, he already trusted you more than I've ever seen him trust anyone else. I've never once seen him share his cloak with anybody besides you. Not even Kirby or Bandana Dee. He trusts you, Princess, and for a lot of people, that's half of love right there."

"You really think he should have to settle with me, though?" she asks in a sad mutter, staring out into space.

"Princess, if someone like you is someone you 'settle' with, I'd be happy with someone half as sweet as you, someday," I wisecrack, poking her again, over and over, until she laughs and pokes me back. "Anyway, if I were you, I'd get back to the castle and go to bed. It's not smart to wander around outside, really late at night, like you were doing."

"You're right," she nods in agreement. "I'll go back soon, I promise."

I hesitate a second, then give her a hug. "You're a good friend, Princess. I can't believe I'm saying this, but, Meta Knight is worthier of you than any other guy I know, and yes, that includes myself."

"Thanks, 'Lor. You're a really good friend," she grins at me, and I wave a chipper goodbye, which she returns just as cheerfully.

Floating off, I head back towards the castle. Even though I'm glad they're ending up together, I still feel a little bit jealous of Meta-Not. He finally finds someone to love, and me? I'm still forever alone, I guess.

Space is a lonely place when you're on your own. And sometimes, even a crowded city can feel a little bit lonely, y'know?

Well, that's just the life of a Magolor, I guess.

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Sakura's POV:

Taking Mags' advice, I hop up after a few minutes and begin to walk back towards the castle. But then, the streetlights on the street I'm on flicker out. And then, there's a small explosion sound, and a bunch of smoke appears. A Ninja smoke bomb? Why would there be one of those here in Nintendo City? I didn't know badguys were allowed to live here...

Nervous, I draw my sword. I hear someone breathing somewhere within the smoke, but since they're a Ninja, I have no way of knowing where they really are. "Come on, whoever you are. Come face me like a warrior... Unless you're scared," I taunt, making sure to keep my voice calm and even.

Moments later, a rag of some sort is shoved in my face. Instantly, I try to hold my breath, but the Ninja kicks me and forces me to gasp and inhale the gas. My vision grows fuzzy, and I feel myself go limp. "Meta, help," is the last thing I manage to whimper before it all goes black.

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???'s POV:

When is that fool going to return? He has had more than enough time to find and capture the target. Maybe his skill is exaggerated. I would not be surprised, all of Nightmare's monsters, manufactured or hired, are oftentimes far less than what they are advertised as being.

Finally, though, he appears. "Master, I have brought you the girl. Just like you asked," he bows, tossing a burlap sack at my feet.

It stirs, and immediately my demeanor changes. Here is where the play-acting must start.

"You foul beast," I shout, drawing my clear magic-glass sword and spreading my sunlight-yellow wings out behind me. "How dare ye treat a fair maiden like this? Thou shalt pay for this, ye churl!"

The bag stirs again, and moans.

Angrily, Yamikage growls, "What are you talking about? What's with the archaic speech?"

"Silence, knave. Leave, before I smite thee dead!" I go on, stomping right over to him.

Growling even deeper, he turns and runs off with blinding speed.

Turning to the bag, I open it up and help the girl inside get out. "Are ye all right, fair maiden?" I question in faux-anxiety and concern. "That knave shoved ye in a sack, poor dear."

Blinking a few times, she mutters, "I'm all right, I think..."

"Do ye need a doctor? He did not harm ye, did he, dear?" I question, taking her arm and pretending to look for injuries.

Laughing, she pulls away. "I'm fine, I think. Thank you-" That is when she really looks at my bright-yellow face for the first time. That is when she recognizes who I am. The first time someone has recognized my face, in several hundred years, actually.

"G-general S-Solar!" she stutters, then draws her sword and salutes me. "B-but you died! You sacrificed yourself in the attack that everyone thought got rid of Nightmare!"

Smiling kindly, I tell her, "Nay, I survived. Yet, even Death himself could not keep me from coming to save a maiden so fair as thyself."

"Th-thank you," she murmurs, saluting me again.

"Oh, dear, ye need not be so formal. I am no longer a general, the army I led is all gone, by now," I assure her.

General Solar. That is indeed my name and title. I was the First Star Warriors' War's equivalent to that pathetic little 'Arthur.' I led the army bravely into battle for years, but sadly for them, power has a tendency to corrupt. The fact that Dark magic is so much easier to use than the Light variety played a role, as well. Why, I began to wonder, would I ever want to settle for just being general, when I could someday call the whole Galaxy my own? So, I struck up a deal with Nightmare. He could have Star World for his own devices, I got to work as his right-hand man, of sorts. First, I faked my death. Then, patiently, I waited the two-hundred years until the second war. And then, when Nightmare was injured by Kirby, I traded my help for the immortality he could grant me.

And now, here I am. Speaking to this little sorcerer girl, who is practically still a baby when compared to me.

Studiously, I look at her hard, then gasp, "You! Thou art one of the workers of the magic, are ye not?!?"

"H-how can you tell?" she gasps, staring into my scarlet-red eyes in amazement.

Grinning, I grab her hands in mine. "Finally! I find another like myself! Finally, someone who knows the old arts!"

Laughing, she asks, "You can use magic, too? Although, all I know how to use is Dark magic," she finishes in shame.

"Dark is easier, but Light is stronger," I admit. Thank you for telling me that, little girl. That is valuable information to know. "I am sure, though, that ye will eventually learn how to use both, my dear. Just have patience."

"Are the legends true, then? Can your Light really shine brighter than a hundred suns?" she demands excitedly. I am actually growing a bit fond of her, in a way. This is the first person I have met in centuries who recognizes me, who knows my tale.

"Well, dear, every legend is a bit exaggerated," I remind her solemnly, and she frowns, disappointed. Grinning, I continue, "However, that one is not exaggerated that much." Since I can no longer use my Light, having abandoned the Star Power, I instead just force myself to use the Light magic, filling the air with a blinding light. It is not really my Light, but it is enough to amaze her.

"That's so cool!" she squeals, shading her eyes from the glow. "So, you really were the only one left who still used Light! That's why I learned so much about you, that's why I look up to you so much. You were the only Star Warrior who knew how to use Light, just like I used to be!"

Nodding, I agree, "Yes, 'tis sad that the rest of our kin have abandoned their glowing weapon, is it not?"

Smiling, she tells me, "Well, I have a couple of Star Warrior friends who also know how to use Light. Their names are Meta Knight and Kirby." Very good, little girl. I appreciate knowing that, as well.

"The Meta Knight and Kirby?" I gasp, faking astonishment. "You know those heroes of legend? What a blessed maiden you are, then!"

"I am a lucky girl," she agrees, blushing a bit and growing just a tad starry-eyed. Ah, so she and one of the heroes, I am assuming Meta Knight, are in love. That is also useful information, which can be quite easily used against them. Keep talking, little girl. Keep talking.

Smiling, I touch her glove and say, "Well, my dear, such a beautiful face must have an equally beautiful name to go along with it."

"Sakura," she smiles brightly at me. "My name's Sakura, sir."

"Please, just call me Solar, dear," I say kindly. "Well, we should probably get ye back home. Shall we?"

"Well, it's not my home, but I do need to get back to Nintendo City," she agrees with a frown. "The others are probably going to be worried about me if I'm gone too much longer."

"Well, my dear, we shall certainly get thee back, very soon. But first, might I see your Light?" I request. "I have not seen a fellow Star Warrior's Light, ever. It would be wonderful to see one, finally."

Nodding eagerly, she produces a sphere of soft pink Light. Very good, very good. Let us see what powers it possesses. Dipping my hand in it, I am filled with a sense of healing and peace. Good to know, good to know.

"That is beautiful," I compliment her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, sir- I mean, Solar," she laughs.

"Well, let us get you back," I say. After conjuring up a portal that will take us straight to the castle's front gate, I offer her my arm and lead her through.

Once on the other side, I hold her hand to my lips. "It was a pleasure meeting thee, my dear. Fair Lady Sakura, I hope we shalt meet again."

"Thank you, Solar," she curtsies again, then goes inside the gates. My flirting is going right over her head, but no matter. I do not need her to fall in love with me, I just need her trust.

And so far, that's exactly what I'm earning.

All is proceeding according to my plans.

(Another double chapter day! Ta-da! Just wanted to point out, the paragraph where Sakura is captured by Yamikage... does it seem familiar to anybody? }:) Anyways, thanks for reading! Vote/comment please! :D)