"Ares? Don't go, okay? Don't.

Gregor bolted upright. "It's just a dream." He thought to himself. He'd been having this dream a lot lately, and he knew it wasn't "just a dream." Ares, his bond, the giant jet-black bat, had been killed recently by a 15 foot-tall white rat called the Bane.

Determining that there was no point in staying in bed, he lazily got up and stumbled into the room that his 8 year-old sister Lizzie and 3 year-old sister Boots shared. Noticing that they were both still sleeping, Gregor smiled and snuck out of the room. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a box of cereal and poured himself a bowl.

While Gregor was eating, he started thinking about the Underland. He missed his friends there. A lot. He missed Howard, Vikus, Aurora, Mareth, even Ripred. But the person he missed the most was Luxa. Her wonderful smile, her beautiful face, how she was always happy around him. Gregor shook his head. "No use thinking about her," he thought. "I'll never see her again.

But Gregor couldn't stop thinking about Luxa. About everyone in Regalia. He felt the hot tears forming in his eyes, but this time, unlike any other time, he let them fall. They washed over him, creating a tidal wave of sadness for Gregor. And, at least for a few minutes, he let himself cry. When he finally stopped, he actually felt a little better.

Gregor subconsciously set his bowl gently in the sink and sat on the couch. He buried his face in his hands and just sat there. He ruffled his hair a little, and then moved his hand to his chest. Gregor ran his fingers over the scars the Bane had created with his claws.

Gregor's family had come back from Regalia about a month ago. Fortunately, because of Lizzie's protests, they had stayed in New York instead of moving to Virginia. But to Gregor, it didn't really matter either way. His mother had made him swear never to go down there again, and, despite Gregor fighting it every step of the way, he eventually gave in and obliged.

"Gregor! Get me out!" cried Boots. Gregor hopped up off of the couch and jogged into the bedroom where his sister was. She put up her hands and said, "I want out!" Gregor scooped her up and poked her in the stomach. She laughed.

"Want some cereal, little girl?" Gregor asked.

"Yeah!!" yelled Boots. Gregor cupped his hand over her mouth.

"Shhhh. You'll wake up daddy and Lizzie." he whispered.

Lizzie crept up behind Gregor and grabbed his arm. He jumped.

"You want some cereal too, Lizzie?" Gregor asked.

"Sure." She replied. Her voice sounded distant. But, she had been like that ever since they had left Regalia.

Gregor made them eat quickly, because their dad was taking them to Central Park. Normally, Gregor would have taken the girls himself, but this time, his dad wanted to tag along. Gregor and Lizzie dressed swiftly, and then Gregor yanked Boots' clothes on. After everyone had their clothes on, all three children ran into their father's room and bounced on the bed, shouting, "Wake up, dad! Wake up!"

After their father got ready, which seemed like hours, they sprinted down the stairs (the elevator wasn't working) and hopped in a cab, ready to play at the park.