- Good morning again! How was your night? - Saber chirped happily, coming up to me and Clay. We both sat at the table and waited.

- Good morning to you again. It was... quite nice. - Clay replied and scratched his head.

- I can see it... depressed are you? - He asked although he already knew the answer well. Me and Clay were sad. Perhaps because we were locked in our minds, locked in our own bodies.

- A little... I'd like to see what's going on with the others. - I admitted and looked at the sea in front of us.

Saber thought for a moment before a smile appeared on his muzzle. - You know... I can show you the path of your minds if you want. I can show you the different places you have, and you don't even know about them! I can show you, for example.... The Forest of Memories!

- Forest of Memories? - Clay asked skeptically.

- Yeah, all your memories are there, if you want we can go there now and later I will have a surprise for you!

Me and Clay looked at each other and shrugged. There was nothing to do here anyway, so we might as well go for a short trip.

----

Everyone was sad and depressed after Monstrox and the monsters attacked Knightonia. The destruction of Merlok's library and the assault on the castle was traumatic for everyone, also when the monsters invaded the capital and frightened the people.

All the residents didn't care what was happening, they were indifferent to everyone around them and all they did was walk around the city with their heads down in sadness. Overall, things weren't good.

The Knights at Fortrex stood in front of Ava's computer and watched the interview of Herb Herbertson, who spoke in the same sad tone as everyone else and after a while broke into tears. The entire Fortrex team couldn't understand what was happening to people.

- Why is everyone so down? We defeated the cloud, Merlok is with us and we survived.- said Aaron to everyone.

- Maybe they finally understood that life is endless pain and despair. - said Ava.

- Aaron is right! We have to change the negative attitude of the kingdom! - Macy announced out loud.

- Hmm what would you do to bring joy back to them? - asked Axl.

- We need something like...- began Macy.

- Party!- cried Lance with a broad smile.

The knights exchanged smiles and quickly went to the castle to King and Queen Halbert to tell them about the idea. The royal couple also cheered up at the idea.

- It really is a good idea! A good party is something my subjects need! - The king said with a smile.

- That's exactly how we thought! - Aaron said.

- That's exactly what I thought! - Lance announced, interjecting. - I think about it all the time.

- Oh I already know! We can hold a celebration for the whole city, yes! This will lift people's spirit! - The king said cheerfully.

- And I like your thinking, dad. - Macy said with a smile.

- In honor of the Moorington Siblings. In gratitude for saving my sweet, beautiful queen, the heart of our kingdom!

The knights visibly tensed up and looked at each other nervously, not knowing what to do.

- Erm... I think you're overthinking. - Macy said nervously. The king shook his head with a smile.

- You're right! My mind is made up! Alert social media, rally all messengers and tell Herb Herbertson to stop crying! Today we celebrate in honor of Clay and (Y/N) Moorington, who were very brave! Let's go my queen, there is so much to do. - The king took his wife under his arm and they both left the room.

- Uh-oh we need to get to work too, and we need to get to work now. - Merlok in minitrex said. 

----

Saber has been leading us through the forest area for about a good hour.

- Saber, we are here? - I asked, tired of constantly walking no one knew where. Saber looked over his shoulder at us and smiled slightly. - Already around that corner!

Saber suddenly stopped in front of a tall reed that blocked the passage. Me and Clay looked at each other. - It is here. The Forest of Memories. - He announced, his horns glowed with a cyan light and magic pushed the vegetation out of the way.

I slowly walked over to where he was standing and Clay followed me. I sighed quietly in awe and noticed the road between very lush willow trees. The sky suddenly darkened and tiny skylights emerged from the grass. Clay looked at Saber, who nodded for us to go deeper.

- Well, let's go see it. - I said quietly and walked across the grass to the road. The more I walked, I noticed that on the branches of the willows were suspended white orbs of light. I stopped at one and looked at the orb. - What is it?

Clay also became interested and stood next to me to take a closer look. Saber slowly approached us. - These are memories, these trees symbolize such.... zone of memories. If you want to see this memory, just touch orb.

- Whose mind are we in so exactly? - Clay asked.

- We are in your connected minds created by your magical bond. Now touch this orb, explanations later.

I looked at Clay uncertainly. Clay nodded and smiled slightly, I took a deep breath and lightly touched the orb with my finger. The sudden light blinded us, we had to close our eyes.

----

- This is a bad idea. - said Macy as she and the other knights watched the squirebot paint the helmet of the stone Clay in his armor with blue paint. In her hands, she held some sort of remote control.

- Hey, we can't reveal that Clay and (Y/N) are stone figures, especially in front of the king. - Aaron said.

- Yeah I know, but.... it looks like... - Macy stuttered, trying to find the right word.

- Pathetic/lack of respect for the dead. - said two voices. Everyone turned around and saw the entire band of The Trouble Makers. Ben and Allison were the ones who said it.

- Clay is not dead. - Macy hissed at them.

- Well, sure... But I doubt he'd like painting his body with cheap wall paint. - Allison said.

- What are you guys even doing here? - Lance asked.

- The king asked us to perform in honor of Clay and (Y/N).... (T/N) is Peacebreaker and the star of the band, so we couldn't refuse. - Thomas explained.

- Aha... And how do you want to do it? (Y/N) is also a stone. - Axl said and looked at the mech (Y/N), which was off.

- We just got a solution for that. - Finn said.

- How? - Lance asked.

The Trouble Makers looked at each other and smirks slowly appeared on their faces and they looked at the knights slyly.

- Oh I already hate those smiles. - Macy said.

----

// Memory //

The young girl tiptoed through the empty, dark hallway of the house, trying to sneak out of the building. She slowly walked past a door in which a slight light shone, suggesting that someone in the room was still awake.

- Where are you going? - a voice asked. Little girl jumped up frightened and looked over her shoulder and saw a young boy with brown hair and wearing blue pajamas.

- Be quiet or Ms.Luna will hear you.

- You're trying to escape! Again! - the boy called out to her in a whisper. - You know what Ms. Luna said about disappearing from rooms especially at night.

- I know, I know, Clay. I want to see this show in the city. 

Clay sighed and rubbed his forehead. - Again, these artists. Give me a moment, I'll go with you, you won't go there alone. Who knows who lurks in the night.

Little girl sighed and nodded. The boy also tiptoed quickly back to the room from which he had left.

- Skipping time  - 

By some miracle, the siblings slipped out of the orphanage and ran to the center of town. In the center was a big circus tent from which music played and you could hear people laughing and cheering.

- I don't like this idea. - Clay said as the children snuck into the tent. His sister ignored this and walked quickly towards the stage as if in a trance. The curtain parted and spotlights illuminated the stage.

Two men stood on the stage. A wide smile appeared on (Y/N)'s face and she looked with stars in her eyes at the singer, who was dressed in a red plaid shirt, brown pants, had a red bandana around his neck and a brown leather hat. The other had white pants and a blue shirt and bandana and a straw hat.

https://youtu.be/qPxKBSVgo_o

They sang with passion and energy. In them you could feel that energy and the power of conveying the song to the crowd, (Y/N) stared at them with her jaw dropped in amazement, though Clay couldn't understand why. When the crowd started clapping that's when she shook off the trance.

- They sing so amazing. - the girl sighed.

- Yeah... It's all nice, but we'd better get home, before Ms. Luna realizes we ran away. - Clay said with worry.

- Wait brother! One more song I want to hear. - (Y/N) groaned and looked at the stage again. The two men looked at each other and, after nodding, began to play. The man in the blue shirt stepped forward and began to play.

https://youtu.be/yY3wc58yo2A

The crowd began to cheer, as did the young (Y/N) and cheer loudly. The two artists looked at her and she immediately became ashamed noticing their stares. The two men smiled at her and winked, and even the man in the red shirt tipped his hat a bit.

- Did you see that? They noticed me! - the young girl wheezed to her brother, who smiled slightly in response. - We really should go back now, sister.

- Let's hear one more, please. I've never been to a festival like this, I want to listen to more. - (Y/N) replied.

Clay groaned. - One last song, after that we go.

- Deal!

https://youtu.be/mfavkCY52MI

As the song went on, (Y/N) became more and more involved and even began to sing quietly to the lyrics and walk in place, feeling into the melody. Clay watched her with a smile, seeing her so delighted with the song. The two artists glanced down at the girl in front of the stage every now and then and were pleased that someone could vibe to their songs and not sit still and just clap.

Eventually Clay and his sister returned to the orphanage at four in the morning. Unnoticed, they tried to go inside through the first floor window and walk between the corridors to their room, when suddenly someone grunted, telling them to stop.

- May I ask where have you been? - a female voice asked. The siblings smiled nervously and noticed an older woman with gray hair and amber eyes looking at them with her arms crossed.

- Ms. Luna! We have a beautiful morning and.... we decided to see the sunrise? - Clay tried to explain himself to the orphanage caretaker. She only raised an unconvinced eyebrow and looked at his sister, who was humming and singing without paying attention to what was going on.

-... You have escaped.

- But ma'am I can explain...!

- Enough. We'll talk about it at a human hour, now.... To bed and I don't want see you or hear you until the clock strikes eight! Now!

- Yes Mrs. Luna... - they both said, looking down and went to their room.

------

- You got us into a lot of trouble back then. - Clay said to me when the memory was over. - We were grounded from going out for two weeks! Two weeks in a gray room with books!

- Oh but don't say you didn't like the concert! It was beautiful, thanks to it I decided to play and sing. - I replied, trying to defend myself. - With the rest... it was a long time ago and not true! Let's go see the next memory.

We went to another white orb and this time it was Clay who touched the orb and turned on the memory. The day when Merlok adopted us.

------

// Memory //

- Clay, (Y/N)! Could you come to my office, please. - said Ms. Luna as she entered the room of the two siblings. They looked at her from over reading books and nodded.

They quickly went to the office and saw an old wizard in a blue robe and blue hat. He had a long beard and a wooden staff. The siblings looked at each other uncertainly and looked at the sitter.

Ms. Luna smiled at them. - Dear ones, this is the Great Wizard Merlok, the wizard of Knighton. He has come to adopt you.

The wizard looked at them and his eyes lit up joyfully as he looked at the children. Clay and (Y/N), who was slightly hidden behind her brother looked at him uncertainly. - Wizard? How... who knows magic?

Merlok chuckled slightly and got up from his chair, approaching them. - Yes, I know magic very well. I am a great, wise wizard in Knightonia.

- In Knightonia? This is the capital of the realm! - Clay gasped in shock.

- So far away? - his sister also gasped.

- Yes. And Merlok came to adopt you, only, of course, it's just up to you to decide whether you agree to live with him.... So? - Ms. Luna asked.

Clay and (Y/N) looked at each other and started whispering to each other, having a debate, occasionally throwing their eyes at the wizard, who waited patiently for their decision. After a while, the siblings nodded in agreement and looked at Merlok.

- We only have a few conditions and questions. - Clay answered very seriously. Merlok and Luna exchanged glances and looked at them curiously.

- What is it, young Clay? - Merlok asked.

- First of all... Will you love us and treat us as.... someone from the family? - asked (Y/N) uncertainly.

Merlok felt his heart warm up at the sweet voice of his niece, who looked just like her mother. - Of course I do... I will be like an uncle to you, the best uncle in the world. And I will love you as much as I can.

The siblings looked at each other.

- Do... Do you really live in Knightonia? There... where the king lives? - Clay asked with interest in his voice.

Merlok nodded his head. - Yes, I am a close friend of the king and his helper.

The siblings looked at each other again in shock. Merlok smiled more at their behavior, the great bond was evident at first glance.

- Are... are you and will you be good to us? - asked (Y/N).

- Of course I will, dear child.

- And... Will you promise not to leave us. Never? - Clay asked.

Merlok looked at him soft. - I would never even think about it.

- But you will have to know that sometimes we will be a big trouble for you. - (Y/N) said completely serious.

Merlok and Luna laughed out loud. Clay and (Y/N) also laughed lightly.

- I will be prepared for this, thank you for the warning. - Merlok said and nodded.

- In that case... We can go with you. - Clay said.

Luna smiled slightly and clapped her hands. - Good. You children go pack, and I will prepare the necessary documents.

The children nodded and quickly ran out of the room to get ready. Merlok led them away with an warm gaze and focused on talking to Luna.

------

 - And Merlok didn't lie... He accepted us and loved us. - I said with a soft smile at the thought of the wizard.

- Yeah... Merlok is the best man in the world. - Clay agreed. - Let's go to the next memory. We went to the next orb and now I touched the memory. Another memory opened up. Joining to the Knights Academy and meeting Jestro and Macy.

------

// Memory //

Young Clay and (Y/N), already dressed in armor, blue and yellow. Merlok escorted them to the large building where they will begin eight years of study and training to become knights. Knights Academy. Clay and (Y/N) stopped at the gate to the school and looked at it uncertainly.

- Come on (Y/N), Clay, you'll be fine. - Merlok said.

- We are just feel you know.... nervous. - Clay replied.

- I understand, but now it's time to start training, brave knights. - The wizard encouraged with a smile.

- What if no one there likes us? If it's not the place for us? - (Y/N) said and took a step back. Merlok walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. 

- You can do it, little one. I believe everyone will like you as long as you are nice to them. Now... Get to work!

- Hm... Right! - Clay said with determination and nodded at his sister for them to go to school. (Y/N) sighed quietly and followed him. As soon as they walked through the door, all nerves and fear disappeared from their bodies and they looked at the building with amazement.

- This school is even bigger than from the outside. - said (Y/N) stunned. Clay nodded and began to look around in amazement.

Suddenly he bumped into someone with his back, when he turned around he saw a red-haired girl the same age as him. Clay stunned and looked in shock at the girl, who also stopped. They both stepped back slightly and a pink color appeared on their cheeks. Clay's mouth opened to say something, but he closed it not knowing what to say. (Y/N) came closer and looked at her brother or at the girl confused.

However, she shook her head and greeted her with a slight smile. - Hi, I'm (Y/N), and that boy who bumped into you and is staring at you is my brother Clay! What's your name?

The girl shook her head and also smiled. - That's all right. I'm Macy!

Clay shook his head and smiled nervously. - Princess Macy? You're the girl from the castle! I'm Clay. - He said and bowed slightly.

All three then heard laughter and looked in that direction. They saw two boys teasing one with a cap. The boy with the cap fell to the ground and the other two started laughing at him and throwing balls at him. (Y/N) growled and ran up to them.

- Hey, leave him alone!

Clay and Macy also ran after her to support her. The two boys who were laughing quickly panicked andescaped. (Y/N) looked at the boy and helped him up. - Are you all right?

- Yes, they think they're so funny. I'm juggling when... You know... nervous. - he replied shyly. Macy looked behind the fleeing boys. - These are some jerks!

The boy looked at her curiously. - Hey... Are you Princess Macy?

- Yead, I am but just call me Macy. I don't care about the whole.... princess thing.

- I'm Clay, and this is my sister (Y/N). And you are?

- Oh, I'm Jestro... Talented! I want to be a knight and an alchemist and a host of games and...! - Jestro was interrupted by the bell. Macy sighed excitedly.

- Yes, it's time for class! I have my first lesson in knighthood.

Jestro and (Y/N) wheezed with smiles. - Me too!

- So what are we waiting for? Let's go! - Clay called out and all three of them went to the classroom. They spread out comfortably in their desks. Clay with Jestro and Macy with (Y/N), they all took out their textbooks and waited for the teacher.

------

- Then I realized that you fell in love with Macy, brother. - I said with a smirk, poking my brother with my shoulder. Clay blushed slightly and rolled his eyes. He grabbed my shoulders before I could continue and chose the next memory. My meeting with Aaron.

------

After class (Y/N), she left the school for a long break to explore the whole area and what this school, where she will study for the next eight years, has to offer. She got as far as the large courtyard from where the large birch trees grew to provide shade.

The girl walked through the gate and entered the grounds, looking around. - I guess this is where we'll train or something. - she muttered to herself. Suddenly she heard someone cheering happily from a distance. Before (Y/N) even could turn around and look who it was, something flew over her head at high speed with a loud noise. Like a rocket.

(Y/N) fell to the ground in shock and looked with widened eyes at this someone and saw a ginger-haired boy in green armor who was flying on a hoverboard and performing various tricks. (Y/N) felt herself pause for a moment as she looked at the boy's face. He was laughing, happy and in his amazingly green eyes she could see the desire to be adventurous and make jokes. However, she couldn't get a closer look at him, because he riding this hoverboard like crazy and looked like he was disappearing in a streak.

(Y/N) shook her head and opened her mouth slightly. - Woah... Amazing...

Suddenly, her senses hit her like a speeding bullet as the boy lost control of his device and speed. With a wild scream, he kept his balance on one leg and his board quickly flashed towards the girl, whom he didn't notice at the first moment. - LOOK OUT!!

(Y/N) screamed terrified and quickly ducked down, the boy passed her in a second and after a moment a huge bang sounded. (Y/N) turned towards him and saw the boy lying in the bushes and his board hit the ground.

- Are you all right? - (Y/N) cried out frightened and ran to the boy. The boy groaned and tried to get out of the bushes with sharp branches.

- I think so... Can you help me get out?

- Of course! Try to grab my hand! - (T/N) said and extended her hand toward to the boy. The redhead tried to grab it but the sleeve of his armor was caught on a branch.

- I can't, try to pull me out! 

(Y/N) looked around and grabbed him by the leg and started pulling him out. - It might hurt a little.

- I know that.

- What's your name? I'm (Y/N).

- Aaron... Aaron Fox.

- Aaron... Cool name, nice to meet you!

Aaron smiled slightly and freed his hands from the sharp branches of the bushes, however, slightly injuring his hands. - Sharp bushes... Who puts sharp bushes in the backyard!?

(Y/N) giggled slightly and pulled the boy out of the bushes. Aaron lay on his back and closed his eyes defeated. (Y/N) looked at him worried and leaned over him. - Are you all right? Can you get up? 

Aaron opened one eye and smiled at her. - I'll live, thanks for caring.... (Y/N).

(Y/N) smiled more and now she could get a better look at his face. This boy was pretty, emerald green eyes that had a mysterious sparkle in them and on his nose she could see a few freckles, on his cheek he had a cut from a branch. There were leaves and branches tangled in his hair.

- Do you like the view you're looking at? - Aaron asked with a light laugh. (Y/N) immediately stopped staring and shook her head and a blush of embarrassment appeared on her cheeks. Aaron smiled more and thought the girl was cute.

- I wasn't looking... I just ... You have branches and leaves in your hair. - she replied, pointing her finger at her hair. Aaron quickly rose to a sitting position and began to pull them out of his hair. 

(Y/N) giggled quietly and ran her eyes over his clothes and noticed several tears and wounds on his arms. - You are injured. Shall I help you go to the nurse? - She asked concerned.

- What? No, no! I'm good, I had worse wounds than this. - Aaron replied and got up slowly from the ground, shaking off the dirt. - It will heal.

(Y/N) shook her head. - I insist. You should go to the nurse, you may have developed some kind of infection. Later you will get sick and who knows maybe you will die!

Aaron laughed at her statement. - Don't worry, sweet. I'll be fine. However, thank you for your care and rescue.

(Y/N) nodded slightly with a slight grimace. - Okay... What class do you go to? Are you also training to be a knight?

Aaron nodded. - Yeah I guess you're too, since you wear this armor.

(Y/N) also nodded, looking at her clothes. - Then... maybe we meet at some classes?

- Of course we will. A pretty girl like you is impossible to forget. - Aaron winked with a slight smirk.

(Y/N) blushed and looked shyly at her feet. Then the bell rang for the next class. - I guess it's time to go to the next class.... Will we see each other again?

Aaron nodded. - Sure, listen... Then maybe when there's dinner we can meet? I could introduce you to my friends!

(Y/N) brightened up and looked at him with a smile. - I would love to! Well... See you around, Aaron! - she waved to him and ran to school. Aaron led her away with his eyes with a slight smile and sighed softly.

- Wait... I also have a class! WITH BRICKLAND!! - Aaron grabbed his head, quickly grabbed his hoverboard and started running to the school as well.

------

I had a gentle smile on my face as I watched this memory and a slight blush appeared on my cheeks.... Me and Aaron were so sweet back then. I looked at Clay and he was already looking at me with a smirk as wide as he could afford.

- You never told me about this meeting.... You already fell in love with him at the start! - Clay exclaimed.

I blushed more and hit him on the shoulder with my fist. - You yourself were no better!

- But I was less obvious than you!

- What!? You were the one who was more obvious!

- Oh yeah? You literally looked at him with dove eyes as early as 9 years old! 9 YEARS OLD!!

- YOU TOO AND MACY LOOKED AT YOU THE SAME WAY! But you had such a brick brain that by now you're in the friendzone! I already have the boy of my dreams!

- But I will have her! As soon as we return to our bodies I'll tell her so!

- Sure will sooner be Merlok returning to his physical body than you will reveal to her!

Clay wheezed dramatically. - How dare you bring Merlok into this!

- I say that as a metaphor, you brick head!

- BRICK HEAD!? YOU... You.... You....!

I looked at him with feigned anticipation. - Me, me, me what? Did you run out of words? You do not have an approach to me! Learn to express yourself first, and then throw retorts!

- You.... GIRL!!

I looked at him in shock. - GIRL!? I'll show you who is the girl here, you.... you brick head! - I roared at him and threw myself at him, knocking us both to the ground. I sat on his stomach and grabbed him by the collar and we began to struggle.

Saber looked at us with pity. - Can you please stop? You're disturbing the silence of the forest, memories are about to escape you.

-----

AN: I will have to split this chapter into two parts....