Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the characters

Sapphire wrapped a cloth over her hand until it was completely covered to her satisfaction. She went to the window and bit her lip as she punched through the glass window. Ignoring the pain of the shattered glass, she stepped back trying not to nick her arm as she did so. Then with a hairbrush, she broke the remaining glass to give her greater access. Taking scissors next, she reached through the hole in an attempt to pry out the nails with them.

"Sapphire, are you in there?" She heard Lyra call from the other side of her door which was soon followed by Blue's voice as she heard the locks clicked until the door opened. "Thank goodness they didn't nail the window of the second floor and I was able to climb out to free Blue."

"I just don't know how they were able to take all the pins from my room," Blue huffed as there was another crash in the hall and Crystal came in, rubbing her sore arm looking back at the broken door muttering something to herself. "We came to free you but I can see that you were already on your way for freeing yourself. Now, can you take us to the Birches' home?"

"We can't just storm in there," Crystal told them. "They took our costumes and we would stand out without them. We must be discrete when finding this man to not involve anyone else at the party."

"Luckily men overlooks things," Blue smiled bitterly as she sat on the bed. "The man wants to meet me, not them and they couldn't honestly think their tricks would've kept us trap for long. The only thing now is to find costume but the men might expect us to remake our costumes so we must be another character. We could alter one of our dresses to be-"

"The muses." Platina and Yellow appeared in the doorway, Platina holding a textbook turned to the pages mentioning the Greek myth. Yellow took a sketch and handed each to one of her sister, "The Goddess of Dance, History, Theater, Astronomy, Literature and Art."

"There are nine muses actually and not all correctly what Yellow is listing but Yellow told me that artistic liberty allows us to bend some things slightly." Platina said as she took the sketch Yellow handed her. "I was thinking that we can alter some of our dresses to resemble Yellow's sketches. I can help her with that, to make sure their accurate, while you two think of a plan to capture this man."

"Blue and I shall think of that," Lyra offered knowing that their combined talents would be best to think of a plan. "We'll need a distraction to draw the attention of the crowd when we arrive so we can keep them from Blue's meeting and we also need to know quickest route to return home."

"I know what to use for a distraction," Crystal looked at the sketch. "May I add something to the costume Yellow? And we need to bring Winypon and Emerald with us as well for my distraction to succeed. I'll bring them in just a moment."

"I know that house better than any other," Sapphire offered and went to her satchel to pull out a map. "You all must be familiar with the stars since Ruby told me your father enjoyed the sport and I assume he spoke some of it to you. I used the stars to remember where everything was and I'm confident you all can as well. I will show you all before we leave to capture this man."

"It would have to adjust to the plan to be at night then," Blue rubbed her chin but smiled, giving her hand a squeeze. "But that should be easy enough to do for a sister."

Sapphire didn't know what to say to that but Platina interrupted them as she came in with clothes and blankets hanging over her arm. "The other problem is that they took the carriage, Yellow and I just checked with Wally who told us that it was so. Do you think that White from the theater might help us obtain a carriage?"

"Hopefully," Blue bit her lip in anger when she spotted a carriage pull in. She pulled the letter from her pocket and handed it to Lyra, "I need to step out for a moment. Lyra, you get started on the plan. Think of how to draw him out. I'll be right back. You all stay here."

Blue stressed the last few words so Platina wouldn't see the crest on the carriage or notice the carriage's presence. She tried to calm her anger as she raced down the hall. How dare the man return even after Platina had distinctly told him that he wasn't welcomed at the Berlitz estate anymore? But thinking that only made her rage grow when she threw the door open to face the two men exiting the carriage.

"We weren't expecting you to return here," Blue said in a hard voice, ready to throw them back into the carriage. She was ready to push them back on their way, the blonde man with Dia stepped in front of her to defend his friend.

"Just give him one moment to apologize," he tried reason to reason with her.

"He doesn't deserve a moment after hurting Platina such!" Blue argued and tilted her nose at them making Pearl's temper spark at the insult to his friend. Dia didn't bother listening to the two argue, instead he looked up to the window he knew belonged to Platina's study but to his disappointment he couldn't see her. Without the pair noticing, he moved around the house until he could find her.

He heard her voice coming out from a broken window and quickly pulled out a note he had written earlier as an apology to her. He reasoned that if the problem started with a letter, he could resolve it with a letter as well. He folded it into a paper plane and climbed the stairs to be better able glide it into the window. He didn't stay to watch her decision and climbed down instead.

"I can't believe they took our clothes!" Pearl grumbled as he tried to stand but found it difficult to do so since Blue had tied him to Dia. He and Blue had been arguing when she quite suddenly agreed to let Dia speak with Platina for a moment, saying that they needed to wait inside the stables as she went inside to fetch her. As they did so, they were accosted by another man just waking up at that moment.

"Are you ready Wally?" A little woman entered the stable, barely giving the men a glance, her attention to the man that exited one of the stalls dressed in Pearl's fine clothes. He nodded and went to her side, pulling her hood over her head. "Also Blue said we need to take them to Silver first since N is expecting a man to accompany her."

The pair waited for the man and woman to leave before speaking. Pearl was first, "She is lucky that she is a lady for if she were a man, I would call her out for doing such a thing to me! Now let's stand on three and you lead since you know this place better than I."

"Alright," Dia counted under his breath and they leaned on each other as they rose to help each other keep balance. They had been friends for so long that they were able to read each other's thoughts and Dia was glad for that advantage. They moved as one to the stable door but weren't able to open it so opted to looking through a crack to see that it was almost night.

"How did you obtain this carriage?" He heard Platina asked and his heart lifted at the sound. He saw the sisters enter Pearl's carriage though she removed his family crest. He wondered if she had read his letter yet since she showed no sign of doing so. He could hear his friend's persistent questions and quickly shushed him so he could hear the sisters better.

"I sent Wally with a note to White and she sent it," Blue lied and he could see her turn away from her sister to hide her wince. "Rapidash and Ratty should be able to pull us. Come now, if we are to capture a madman we mustn't be tardy. Remember, we need to corner him to the place Sapphire told us so you must run quickly and be careful not to be captured as well."

"We should use the backdoor so no one will notice us enter if ya are really worried about bein' discovered." Sapphire told them. "I think I remember a secret path we can take."

"We also need to go to Red's townhouse," Yellow told Wally before she entered the carriage.

"We need to free ourselves," Dia said quickly turning to search for a sharp edge to cut them free. He could only worry about Platina and this unspoken plan of theirs. The need to protect her erupted in him and Pearl could feel the tension in him. He could hear the carriage roll away and swore beneath his breath. "We need to make our way to that masquerade."

"The woman took the knife from my boot, this would much easier is we had it." Pearl cursed the woman in his mind and stepped forward rashly when he saw shears on the wall, causing them to fall forward. Dia sighed, it seemed that Pearl still had a long way to go without Poppy to calm him. This would be more difficult than he thought.

"So we'll ride until we're a little of a way there and Wally shall drive. With that, we'll give the illusion that we have a chaperon and of wealth." Blue told the rather reluctant Silver as she pushed him out of his home to the carriage waiting outside. "With Dia's clothes, you should blend in as our second footman. You only need to stand on the back and wait with the carriage while we capture N."

"I will do this for you, sister. But I don't want to speak with… her." Silver said, not able to speak her name even though he couldn't keep her from his mind. "Please Blue, I don't want your meddling at this moment or ever again."

"Just stand here," Blue ordered and tapped her tow lightly against his feet to urge him onto to carriage. He sighed and stepped onto the back. She gave him another pat before returning back to her sisters and entering the carriage. After a moment, he heard another set of steps grow closer to him until the carriage shifted under him but from the force of the shake, he knew it was someone small beside him.

He waited a moment for the person to speak but even though she was silent, he knew who it was. The carriage was already in motion before he could step off the carriage. He snapped at his sister inside but the small whisper was ringed louder to his ears. "Don't be angry with her… I just wanted to speak with you one last time before we never speak again."

"I told you-" Silver started but was interrupted by Lyra's stuttering.

"I don't want to part with hateful words between us because I truly do c-care fo-for y-y-" Lyra started but she found herself stuttering and bit her tongue. She knew this could be the last chance she had to speak to him but her damn stutter wouldn't let her do so. She only needed to find the rights words and keep her nerves at bay.

"Why do you stutter?" He asked her in a soft voice he didn't know he had, the stutter resurfacing memories of their time together. The memories that were once bright became a sad burden because of her betrayal. But he couldn't help but have lingering concern for him.

"My tutor said it was because I was a stupid little girl," She replied with bitter memories. "I-I was n-no-nothing but a-a little girl that couldn't put two syllables together. That's w-why I enjoy writing so much. N-No one will call me stupid. I-I do have wonderful ideas, my sister told me so, a-and I only need to find my own way to express them."

Silver bit his tongue, wanting to damn that tutor but Lyra went on. "T-That's w-why I started writing, no one can hear my stutter. I'm not that stupid little girl when I'm writing so it really hurts when you rejected my piece. But I wasn't hurt enough to hurt you. When you came towards me, I thought that you were going to hurt me and that's why I pushed you. I'm sorry."

Silver was silent for a moment before saying, "You are not a stupid woman. I do not know if I can forgive you yet."

"I understand," She lied and pressed her face to the carriage. She felt searching hair press against her hair before softly staying in place. She looked back to Silver but his face was turned away from her.

Gold watched the dancers make their turn around the ballroom, keeping a keen eye for a man dressed as a prince as the letter stated he would be dressed as. It was well into the night yet none of the men were able to find him, which only irked him more. Everyone was dressed in different costumes so he should be able to pick one out of the thousands present, but he couldn't.

The band stopped suddenly and Gold's eyes widened when he saw Emerald whispering to one of the players. If he was present, then it wasn't a risk to say that Crystal was present as well. He quickly went to search for her but the sound of bells and barking stopped him. The crowd started to whisper and he made his way through the crowd to the center.

He spotted Winypon first, barking at anyone who tried to near the woman in the center. At first he didn't recognize her since she wore a brown wig and a mask but there was no mistaking the gypsy veil draped over her shoulders. The white peplos was a contrast to the light blue veil she wore, matching her mask. The bells edging the veil rang with her movement as she moved and the castanets on her fingers rang.

Crystal breathed in heavily, feeling the gaze of everyone in the room and her mind raced questioning her state of mind to offer to be a distraction. This wasn't proper and this wasn't something she would usually do. She closed her eyes and thought of her sisters and what was at cost, she needed to distract these people and clear the room.

"Run from the Muse of Dance or you shall regret not doing so!" Emerald warned as she clapped the castanets together and in reaction Emerald set off his little drums. Everyone jumped when one of the windows shattered in time with Crystal's step. "Leave or be cursed forever!"

People started for the door when another window shattered but Gold stepped forward and Winypon was confused on what to do when approached by the familiar man. He ignored the dog, more concerned about what she was planning. Emerald's eyes lighted at the sight of the man that had become a father figure to him and urged him forward, hugging the dog.

Gold held out a hand to Crystal, "There is a third option, I believe. May I ask my Dancing Water Nymph for a dance?"

Crystal clapped her castanets together, signalling her sister to shatter another window in hopes of warning Gold away but he stood with his hand outstretch to her. Seeing the determined glint in his eyes, she placed her hand in his and he pulled her closer so he could whisper in her ear. "What are you doing here?"

"I am here to help my brother," She whispered to him as they danced and could see worry mixed with something else in his eyes. She couldn't feel guilty for her action but she did worry at the emotion in his eyes she couldn't read. She knew the question he was keeping within himself but stopped when she looked over his shoulder and saw a man among the few that stayed staring at her.

"I believe this dance is mine, Lady Blue." He interrupted them but Gold pushed Crystal behind him and glared up at the abnormally tall man. He felt Crystal move behind him and her eyes were shadowed by her mask so the two couldn't see her glare. She placed her hand on his shoulder so she was better able to whisper into his ear.

"Please take care of Emerald," She said simple before turning gracefully around him to face the man. She then spoke with a French accent as Blue would and pulled out a ring that he stole yet Red recovered. She saw his ire raised and turned to leave, trusting him to follow in his rage. "I shall not involve anyone in this discussion, follow me. Gold, protect Emerald and wait with the carriage!"

She was already running out the ballroom with Winypon following her and N, blinded by his rage, followed her. Gold started to follow her as well but stopped when Emerald latched onto his leg. Feeling conflicted between going after Crystal and following her orders. Looking down at Emerald's eyes he knew that he couldn't leave the boy.

"Come Emerald, you're going to tell me exactly what Crystal is planning."

Red was shocked by the windows shattering suddenly and went to investigate, but stopped suddenly when he saw the woman standing before him. He looked from her to the woman dancing at the center of the ballroom. They were dressed in identical peplos yet her dark mask sparked his memory, it was the one he wore when he first broke into the Berlitz estate and her cloak resembled the one Platina gave Yellow.

"Yellow?" He gawked at her for a moment and she stopped as she prepared to break another window with a slingshot when she heard him call out to her. Her eyes caught a movement in the window and turned on her heel to run off but Red was quick to follow her. He called after her yet she didn't slow until they were in the hall. She placed a hand over her chest though it only pained her mildly and steadied herself against the wall.

Yellow felt Red's presence as he bent over her, his face soft with concern as he raised the mask so he could see her amber eyes fully. He had so many questions to ask her but she shook her head and said quickly, "I must help my sisters. I promise that I'll be alright, please trust me on this and let me do this! I can see you're worried about me but this is something I need to do."

"Don't let my worry be blind," Red took her hand desperately. "Tell me what you and your sisters are planning. I need to know that what you're doing isn't too dangerous and that you've thought this out. Please tell me you've done so!"

"We have," She promised him but she could still see the doubt in his eyes. She looked over Red's shoulder and saw Crystal running out the open door. She whispered something under her breath, knowing that this encounter with Red would slow the plan. Wanting to catch him off guard so she could move under his arm, she stole a kiss.

The kiss was quick but gave her enough time to move away from him. She looked back to Red as she ran after her sister, "I'm sorry Red but please leave this to us."

Yellow was already off and wished that Red hadn't been the one to find her or she would've been more willing to run from his eyes full of shock. She wanted to clear the storm of worry in his eyes, even if it was just for a moment so stopped for a moment but know this might cost them N's capture. She wouldn't be a burden anymore and quickly called to Lyra when she spotted her out the window.

"Take my place, I don't feel well enough." She fibbed and Sapphire nodded, running off to where Yellow was supposed to be positioned. Luckily they had already discussed what they would do if her heart started to cause her pain. She ran to the front of the house, knowing one way she could be as fast as she needed.

The man swore as he chased after the damn woman. He was taken back when she turned the corner but saw her standing behind him in the mirror. He looked from where one disappeared around the corner yet the image still stayed in the mirror. He turned to see a woman behind him as she pulled out one of the heirlooms Red stole back from him.

His brows furrowed and turned to the woman behind him but she was already running away. For such a small woman, she moved much quicker than he thought she could and she pushed at a wall until a door opened and she escaped out of his sight. He ran after her of course and as soon as he exited the short path outside, he was struck by a rock.

Platina shook the necklace to catch his attention and placed it around her neck before turning to run as well, leading him away. He felt his ire rising, confused at how one woman was able to maneuver herself around the house so quickly. He followed her into the maze, thinking that he would be able to trap her well enough.

Not wanting to become lost, he made sure to stay near the entrance of the maze. He waited for her to show herself but the only indication she was still present were the French words daring him to follow her or be capture. He told himself that he would keep calm but followed her voice to a checkpoint in the maze where there was a small garden that aligned with the stars.

"Kya!" He turned sharply but he was already being tackled from behind. Sapphire braced herself for the impact as she jumped down from the tree she hid in. Using her short experience of pickpocket, she ripped the mask from his face so she was able to confirm it was truly N. She quickly rolled away from him so he wouldn't be able to catch her.

He froze at the telling click of a gun being cocked. He turned slowly to see another masked woman standing behind him with a gun pointed at him. He bit his lip when more women came out from their hiding place, each with their own weapon. Sapphire let out a breath at the man, "Uncle?"

"Where is n?" Blue was confused at the sight of the man. She turned back to the man, putting on an act of confidence. "We have some questions to ask you and at this moment, you have little choice but to answer them. One of us will tie your hands and if you think of hurting her, I will remind you the path to my anger is rather short. Place your hands behind your back."

He didn't react when she shot a rock at his feet in warning when he moved backwards but did stop his retreat. He placed his hands behind his back and Platina stepped forward to tie his hands. She held her breath as she wrapped the rope around his wrists, knowing that they were not safe yet.

"Sapphire? I heard a gunshot, are you okay?" They heard Ruby call as he turned around the corner and Sapphire's uncle stepped roughly back to knock her off her feet. He made one random shot at Ruby to distract them as he took Platina by her hair and pulled her in front of him as a shield.

"Move and she dies," he hissed. Platina saw all of her sisters freeze before Blue raised her hand in signal. Platina bit her lips, glad that they discussed the possibility of one of them being in this situation. She slipped a glance at the gun, an 16th century model, and knew that it could only hold five bullets, that left only four that endangered their lives.

She discretely mouthed the number four to her sisters even as N pulled her back. She could see Blue struggle not to go after them, the worry and determination conflicting in her eyes, and she screamed to distract him from Lyra going into the path he would most likely take. "Don't worry Platina, you're my sister and we won't let anything happen to you!"

Gold looked down the hall, making sure that there was no danger before pulling Emerald after him. He searched for a safe place to keep Emerald while he went to help Crystal. He didn't know how, but when Emerald went to where the carriage was supposed to be, was gone. He couldn't leave Emerald with anyone he trusted and was wary of leaving Emerald in such an unfamiliar home.

He froze at the sight of a wardrobe at the end of the hall, used to hold linens. He knew that it could hold Emerald but something about the simple design made him stop and he felt himself break into cold sweat. He could explain why he felt as if rats were gnawing at his feet once again and it took Emerald tugging at his hands to pull him from his confusing feelings.

"What's wrong?" Emerald looked up at him confused and Gold shook his head. The gun of a gunshot made him worry more and despite the ominous feelings the wardrobe gave him, it was the best place to hide Emerald at the moment. Gold let out a frustrated breath and threw the wardrobe, half hoping that it was too small for Emerald but alas, it wasn't so.

"Emerald, you're going to have to wait here until I come back for you. Don't leave with anyone else and I'll be right back for you," Gold hugged the boy but Emerald still clung to him.

"Will Momma be alright?" Emerald asked Gold and he remembered the boy's pale face when they couldn't find the carriage. He could only imagine the panic the boy was feeling being left alone. Crystal told him that they were going to capture a bad man but he would not be near the man and in the safety of the carriage with Wally.

"I'll bring her back to you," He promised and helped the boy into the wardrobe. "I'll be right back, I promise you that."

"Weren't those the last words your mother spoke to you?" A voice spoke behind him and he turned to see a man standing behind him that he never met before. Gold reached for his gun hidden in his coat pocket when he saw the gun the green haired man was holding. He stepped in front of Emerald, to protect him from the man.

"Three hostages would be better than the one sister," The man whispered and Gold clenched his teethes at the thought that the sister he might've been referring to was Crystal. Even though he worried for Crystal, his mind raced at the mention of his mother and he could feel the rats bit at him again.

"I won't let you touch Emerald," Gold stated but the man only stared through him.

"It's a shame that you are so much like your mother, so stubborn and determined to protect. It would seem that I must kill you as well. If you don't wish to share her same fate as your mother you will step back and bring me the boy. Don't be foolish and risk your life."

"You killed my mother," It was more of a statement falling from Gold's lips as fragments of that night flashed before him. His hand tightened on his own gun and charged blindly at the man.

"Don't cause me any trouble," Sapphire's uncle hissed when he opened a secret door and pushed her roughly inside. She stumbled down the short steps but kept herself upright, glaring up at the man though she absorbed as much of the details in her surrounding as possible. They seemed to be in a secret passage way built in the time of the Anglo-French war.

She was sure that she would be able to escape using the markings and she would only need to find an opening to do so. "You know my sisters will stop you. You cannot possibly escape now without my telling everyone the crimes you have committed."

She didn't know the exact crimes he committed but he was guilty of something if he did take her as hostage and was the one to confront Crystal in N's place. "That is why I will kill you at this moment."

"With only four shots?" Platina taunted.

"I will not leave a body for them to find," he shot back at her and she knew that he would either set fire to her or try to drown her. Since setting fire in such an enclosed place was dangerous and draw too much attention outside, she knew that he would try to drown her. "Listen to me!"

He screamed and set off his gun again and she breathed out the number three. He had tied her hands rather loosely and she had been able to undo them but kept her hands hidden in her skirt as she walked. They came at a crossroad and he stopped for a moment as if contemplating which path to take. She crutched down and gathered sand in her hand. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Lyra.

When he turned back to her, she stunned him by throwing the sand into his eyes and at the same time Lyra pushed him roughly to the ground. Platina knew the path he should've taken so they ran ahead of him, hearing him fire another shot, chipping the wood above their heads. They followed the marking and were glad that he didn't seem to be so familiar with the rounding paths. They found a ladder quickly enough though she could still hear him swearing behind her.

They climbed out of the secret passage and found that they were in another part of the maze, facing the exit of the maze. Platina was about to run but froze when she saw Dia running towards her. She forgot her anger towards him for a moment feeling relieved at the sight of him. His face paled for a moment and he drew a knife from his boot, throwing it over her shoulder and knocking the gun out of the man's hand.

The cry of pain behind her brought her back to reality and she ran to Dia though he was already before her, taking her such she was behind him. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Lyra calling out directions to their sisters but she didn't know if they would be able to reach them before he used his three shots. The man had recovered his gun.

"I am damn tired of this!" He raised his gun again and Dia moved back, keeping Platina behind him as he did so.

"Don't you dare hurt Missy," Dia said lower than Platina ever heard him speak but knew that he was being silly protecting her with his body when they could run to shelter of the bushes. She tried to urge him away and when she placed her hand on his back, she could feel his heartbeat race. "I won't let anything ever hurt the woman I love again."

She heard herself whisper her name even as the man snickered at Dia's declaration. "Do you think you can protect her from this bullet, boy? I will kill you and then her."

"Please get back Missy," Dia didn't have much for a weapon, he had already used the knife he and Pearl found in the stable. But he would protect his princess and he heard her make a strangle cry at the endearment full of memories. He felt her pull him back and he stumbled with him out of the exit of the maze. They stumbled out of the path of his next bullet and she could hear the beating of hooves.

"Platina!" She saw her others sister come behind the man but the person calling her name wasn't among them. Dia pulled her back from the man advancing towards them but that wasn't what stopped his attack, but rather the horses rushing between them and stunning the man. Everyone gawked at Yellow on top of the horses as she kicked the man from her perch on the horses.

"This is over!" Green grabbed the man from behind to stop any more attacks from him, pushing him to the ground as Blue took the gun from the man's hand. He and Red had followed the sound of gunshots to found the chaos they caused of their plan yet they were able to follow them with Winypon's nose. They were all breathing heavily from their run.

Blue allowed herself to slump into Green's arms when the man was properly tied and secured in the carriage. He held her gently, knowing that she was tired and pressed a kiss to her temple not thinking of his actions. She whispered for him to take care of her sisters and he promised to do so, knowing that was what most important to her. "I know."

"You did great!" Red cheered to Yellow and reached out to help her down from Ratty but his heart stopped when she started to slump toward him. The scene was so eerily familiar to the first time he discovered her illness and his heart stopped. He cradled her in his arms as he sank to his knees and press his ear to her chest.

He didn't give them any answers as he drew the sword of his costume and cut Ratty from the carriage and jumped onto the horse's back. "I'm taking Yellow to the doctor!"

Crystal was about to follow them but they attention was diverted when there was another crash and Crystal's heart dropped when she spotted Gold falling from the window to the bushes bellow. She ran to his side and pulled him from the bushes onto her lap even as she looked up to a man staring down them and raising his gun towards them.

Crystal kept her arm around Gold as she tried to pull the heavy man out of the line of fire. Her other sisters came by her side and tried to help as well. Blue recognized the man and quickly shot at his knee but once again, that didn't seem to affect him until Emerald pushed the man from behind and he went tumbling down as well.

Green pulled the man up to tie him and noted that he was extremely heavy despite his thin frame. At least the man was unconscious and therefore easier to bind. Green was eager to get answers from him and pushed him none too gently onto the carriage. Thinking of all the pain they caused Blue only made his anger toward them grow.

Gold felt as if his body had been beaten over with rocks when he came to consciousness and found himself on Crystal lap, her worried and tearful eyes staring down at him. He groaned and she let out a relieve breath even as she snapped. "You are the most reckless man I've ever known!"

"Weren't you supposed to teach me to be otherwise, my water nymph? For not doing so, I must say that you rather enjoy this side of my more than you claim." He teased even as he winced at the pain when she hugged him as best as she could in their position. He wiped the tears from her eyes and reassured her with a crooked smile. He turned to see Emerald sitting across from them and beckoned to him.

"Poppa!" The little boy crossed the small distance between them and hugged Gold who tried to hid his pain from the pair around him to not worry them. He laughed at the little family they became as Winypon came next to him and liked his face. "You wouldn't wake up."

"Sorry for worrying you," He looked into Crystal's eyes even as he addressed the boy. He realized their surroundings and found that they were alone in the carriage driven by Lyra and Silver. When he asked about everyone else, in particular N, Crystal answered him.

"They took the other carriage, Blue knew that we would want to be alone with you." She helped Gold when he tried to sit up on his own and let him lean against her shoulder. "He was wearing thick armour from the theater that the actors would use to practice battle scenes on stage, that's why none of our attacks seemed to work on him. Emerald told me what happened."

Gold looked back to the little boy between them who had fallen to sleep, exhausted by the night's event. He hoped the little boy wouldn't carry guilt over the night's event since he was so young. She must've known his thoughts for she said. "I already spoke to him with it but we should watch him in case this did affect him negatively. But do you want to talk about you?"

Gold closed his eyes for a moment. "Did he tell you what happened to my mother?"

"I thought it would be better for me to tell you than him since it would only anger you if you had to be taunted by the man." Crystal truly wanted Gold to be the first to hear but she didn't know if his reckless behaviour would cause him to do anything rash, they needed the man alive after all.

"Your mother loved you," Crystal started. "I can't say that she felt the same towards your father, but she did know love… with another man. Your mother and father were arguing the night he came to steal a painting but he thought they were already asleep. He went into your room first and your mother was already in the room. She made you hide in a wardrobe but he already knew you were there.

"She wanted to protect you so tried to lead him away to the place she would meet her lover, saying that it was where the jewels were kept. She didn't know that he would take you hostage. A tower my mother had allowed her to use as a sanctuary from your father. She left a note hoping that her lover would come and save her since they were planning to run away together that night.

"He came too late for her. He was able to save you though." Crystal stopped for a moment to stare into Gold's tawny eyes that were awash with emotion. His hand was holding hers in a death grip but she could only feel the pain in his heart. "He took you to Lance then."

"I came from a broken family. I was born from hate." Gold laughed bitterly but lowered his voice when Emerald shifted between them.

"But you don't hold any hate," she whispered to him. "And our family won't be broken."

"N?" White froze at the sight of the tall man standing in the middle of her theater when she entered and Black was quick to stand in front of her. Green raised a hand to stop any of black's attack and gestured to N, showing them that he was bound and unable to hurt them. She looked from one to the other but trusted Blue so nodded to Black in silent signal.

"Why is he here?" Black asked through clenched teeth and Green pushed the man towards the basement.

"He is here to show us where all the paintings he stole are." Blue explained as they followed the rather reluctant N down the steps. Green held out a hand to her to help her keep balance as they descended down the stairs. She was a little surprised at his action but his face was focused on N so she couldn't read his thoughts. She wondered if he even knew that he was holding her hand or if it was an unconscious thought.

"It's under the trapdoor, isn't it?" Blue toed at the carpet that engulfed most of the basement floor.

"You are sharp, my lady." He didn't convey any emotion for to know it was a taunt or a compliment though from his previous behaviour, she would hazard a guess that it was a taunt. "If you knew that, why did you not search for it yourself?"

"I didn't have time and catching you was my first priority. Now tell me what was so important about this theater that you tried to convince me to steal it from White." Blue demanded but N didn't seem to react to her words. "You have little choice but to tell us now."

"No one bought this theater before her. No one so much as entered this theater before she bought it. It was the perfect place to keep my art until I've gathered the fund to buy the place myself." N snapped a glare at White but she refused to show any fear to the man.

"You will never have this theater!" White snapped and N turned a glare to her.

Green and Black kept watch over N as Blue and White rolled the carpet aside to reveal the trapdoor. Blue pulled it open and gestured to Green to bring the lantern. As they came down the stairs to a floor lower than the basement and she could see paintings and other antiques around the room. Green stepped in front of a painting and recognized it.

"This belonged to Red's parent." Green told her and a relieved smile spread through her face that they had finally captured the correct man. She looked back to the woman in the painting, dressed in a beautiful dress and her mask reminded him of Blue. He looked back to Blue who was in her costume for tonight's performance, her final in accordance to their deal.

She had a sad smile on her face when she turned to him though he didn't understand her final words before she turned away from him to go back up the stairs. "Thank you."

He took her hand when she turned away and pulled her back into his arms. He ran his hand through her wig until it dropped to the ground and her heart faltered at the fire in his eyes. "Tonight, they shall clap for Blue, not Aqua. A scandal is something one must be ashamed of but I refuse to feel that towards you. I love everything that you are, Blue, even the way you pester me at times."

"But you said that the scandal could ruin this theater." She said breathlessly.

"We're going to change that tonight." Green stated though she knew that they couldn't change an entire society's viewpoint in one night. "You won't be up there alone. I've practised with you long enough to be the Chris to your Iris. I'll give everything I am to you because I trust you as he did her!"

Blue wiped the tears from her eyes and laughed. "You are many great things, sir, but an actor you are not. But if you wish to stand against the ton with me, I think their words will not hurt as much. Thank you for standing with me."

Yellow felt someone press their lips to her fingers and she opened her eyes to see Red sitting on her bedside yet she couldn't remember how she came to her bed. She closed her eyes at the pain and the memories of the previous night came back to her. She sat up sharply which only caused her heart to tighten further and Red was quick to rub her back as he held a glass of water to her lips.

"Is everyone okay?" She asked desperately and Red nodded. She realized that she was no longer in her costume but a man's shirt and blushed. Red must've known where her thoughts had gone for he blushed slightly as well.

"I thought that you would be uncomfortable in your costume so had someone change you." Red looked away slightly though she could still see the blush creeping up his face. She was still wearing her chemise and was glad when he told her that one of her sisters was the one to change her.

"You were great last night," he took her hand again and smiled down at her. "You stopped him from escaping and you probably saved Platina's life. I just wish that you wouldn't have scared me so. I thought that I might've lost you."

His voice stuttered at the last few words and she placed a hand on his cheek. She knew he was flustered and wanted to say something but she didn't know why he could be so nervous. He started speaking but she wasn't sure that he knew exactly what he was saying.

"I know that with everything I've done, you wouldn't consider me as a good match but in our time together, I found that I've grown fond of you- no that's not the right word to use… Nevertheless, what I want to say is that I want to spend more time with you, if you will allow me. Why couldn't I be better with my words?"

"You want to spend more time with me?" She echoed in a breath and he ran a hand through his hair. He had spent hours while she was asleep, trying to think of the rights words to say to her yet they were coming out a mess that seem to confuse her more. In the end, he could only say.

"When I first met you, it was to steal your painting under false presumptions. I know that I was wrong for trying to steal from you and I wish that we could've met as most do: dancing together at a ball. But that night when I would've stolen your painting, instead you've stolen my heart."

He took her hand and slipped a ring onto her small finger though it was a little big for her. "The first thing we stole back was my mother's ring and I can't think of anywhere safer to keep it than with you. Please accept this ring and be my Countess or at least allow me to court you."

Yellow played with the ring for a moment, smiling slightly. "I will allow you to court me I you allow me to paint you at the picnic. My sisters arranged it for next Sunday."

"I would be glad to!" Red burst out into a smile and gathered her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her lips. They both stepped back from each other when the door opened and Ruby entered. He saw the pair blush and quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, I was just checking in on Yellow." He said quickly as Red sat fully beside Yellow. "I wanted to ask for her assistance on something."

Lyra sat at the table, drinking tea as she read the article written about N's capture and how the pieces he stole would be returned to their rightful ownership. She was glad for them but couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at how her love story ended. She was taken back when two books landed in front of her. One was the series of short stories she had been working on to create while the second was her Viking novel.

She took them both with shaky hands before turning back to see Silver standing behind Blue who was quick to leave them in privacy. He used his cane to find a chair next to her and his searching hands found her face. Though she couldn't see, she felt as if his eyes focused on her.

"I've learned how to live without my sight. I've adjusted," he started. "But I can't seem to learn to live without you. Every time I hired a new assistance, I've constantly compared them to you and they all fall short, though that's not fair of me to do. I've been listening to your footsteps and when I don't hear them, I feel so empty.

"I need you so much more than I thought… my sister calls it love but I don't know how to do that. No matter what you call it, I only know that I need you in my life for you make me the better man I want to be for you. It's selfish to ask a woman with such great prospects to share her life with half a man but I can't help but hope that you will agree. I don't want our story to end yet so-"

"I won't wake half a man," She stopped him and risked taking a kiss from him. She set the books back on the table and placed her arm around him. "I'll take the man that holds my heart. I'm so glad that you've forgiven me Silver. I love you."

"I have so much more to thank you for than to forgive you," He whispered against her lips.

"Ruby?" Sapphire asked as they placed the costumes away in the attic. He turned back to her with his brow raised but she could hear the words echoed in the back of her mind even if he only mouthed the words. "It's 'bout sha'cha said to me when ya left for the ball. Ya said that ya wanted to protect me because… ya loved me."

Ruby was silent for a moment before he smiled. "I don't remember that."

"For the love of God!" She twitched and threw the costumes at him in her frustration. Why did she have to be so hopeful about his words such that she made a fool of herself? He knew that it was wrong to tease her and awkwardly grabbed her around her waist to keep her from running. He pulled her into his chest and asked.

"Were you hoping that I loved you?"

"Why would I want a man like ya?" She blushed and turned her face away and she felt him tense beneath his hand. He laughed awkwardly and reached for his bedroom door, throwing it open.

"Then it seems that I am a fool to do this." She stepped inside and was taken aback by how the room was now painted. On the ceiling was the night sky that she loved so much and she turned back to Ruby who was rubbing his nose nervously.

"I am merely a viscount but I will be honoured if you shared that title with me. Since I don't wish to sleep outside under the stars as I know you would, I thought a compromise would be best. I thought these stars would be an engagement present to you and even if you reject my proposal, I would have something to remind myself of you."

"You did this for me?" Though she already knew the answer, she couldn't help but ask him breathlessly. He nodded and explained that he had his sister's assistance to do so. She remembered their journey when he would state that the stars were nothing to him yet they now adorned his room. "Why?"

"Because you love them and I love you."

"Stay still Silver!" Yellow ordered as Lyra took out a plate from their picnic basket and handed it to him later that week at their promised picnic. Yellow was trying to sketch them for a base and Blue laughed at how nervous her brother was around this new crowd since he only interacted with Gold before now. "How can I paint everyone if you all move this way and that?"

"Come eat with us for just a moment then," Red held out a plate to her and patted the spot next to him. She was only too happy to join the group but told them that she was determined to finish the base for the painting before they returned home. She sat next to Platina and saw that she was staring at the letter on her lap.

"Are you alright Platina?" Yellow asked concerned and Blue offered her something to eat in hopes of drawing her thoughts from whatever was causing her sister sadness. Platina smiled and took the bread from her sister but Blue could tell that her mind was still on the letter that had been folded and creased many times from many readings.

"He left as soon as he came," she said to no one in particular. "He said that he would only cause me pain if he stayed."

"I think leaving only caused much more pain," Silver spoke, seeing another carriage come towards them from the corner of his eyes. "You're letting your feelings fester without release and that's unhealthy. From what Lyra told me, Dia seemed to be motivated by fear of rejection. Or she may be romanticizing her story but the root stays. Doesn't make it right, it just makes it a mistake."

"He apologized so much and I know that he's a good man but I just can't see him lying to me when I bared my soul to him." Platina felt tears sting her eyes. "I felt betrayed when he told me the truth and I felt betrayed when he left me."

"I won't leave you ever again Missy," She didn't need to turn to know that it was Dia behind him when he placed his arms around her hesitantly. "I'll keep every promise I've made in those letters even if I can't give you a title. I'll give you everything a princess like yourself deserves."

"I didn't fall in love with you because of all the things you've promised me," She turned to him even as her sisters moved away to give them privacy. "I fell in love with you because you were the kind of man that I knew would catch me even when I thought I didn't have anyone who loved me. I felt that in your letters and in your actions when you were Dia."

"I spent this time trying to think of all the ways I could win your love again and gain your forgiveness. But nothing I think could make up for betraying your trust though I had to try." Dia's voice shook. "I only wanted to be the man that would make you happy."

"And you are," She leaned her head against his. "I missed you when you were away and keep seeing you standing in front of me. I was infatuated with a dream in those words but I fell in love with the man that tried to give me such happiness in his time here."

"I am only asking for a chance," he moved away from her and bowed as a knight would. "A chance to win back your love."

"You never lost it to begin with." She said softly and he looked into her eyes shocked, as if trying to judge if he only heard her correctly. She nodded as if understanding his hesitation and he let out a breath of relief. He caught her around her waist and spun her in a circle. Her feet were still off the ground when he stopped with her still in his arms.

"Pearl gave me leave to take you to whatever ruin you wish to visit in Scotland," Dia told her against her lips, feeling braver than he did when he first came to her.

"I trust you to protect me, wherever we go." She pressed her face against his hand as he wiped the tears from her face. "But I must ask you how you knew to come to me tonight."

"I was already on my way home to you when I received a letter from your sisters. They were worried about you that said you were in your study yet weren't writing any articles to the university anymore." Dia explained to her and she smiled softly to her sisters.

"They truly care for me." She waved to them before turning back to Dia. "As you do, I am sure."

I am currently dying T^T after my finals, I immediately threw myself into this chapter and I am burned out at the moment. (Just watch me post my next story tomorrow :P) I had so much fun writing this that I'm a little disappointed that it's over since there's so much more I wanted to write of them yet I'm also excited for my next piece.

Once again, since this was a big project for me, criticism is encouraged! Please tell me if there's anything I can improve on since there were a lot of new things that I've been doing with this piece. I know that not all of them will work so to know how to make my next one better, criticism is welcomed ^-^