While Terrell and Orion planned a city-wide domination in the café business, the twins and Sahara talked.

"Where are Alegra and Naomi?" Sahara ventured.

"Busy," the twins answered as one.

Sahara tilted her head.

"Apparently the king himself gave orders for Lithium to withdraw." Reagan leaned forward, eyes shining with the happiness at sharing gossip. "We don't know the details of the agreement, but apparently we're home free for the time being."

"As long as the princess holds them off that is," Arden added.

Sahara absorbed this new information much like a sponge taking on water. She needed to know more. "Rayne?"

Reagan shot Arden a questioning look.

"You could call it something like a co-operation between him and Alegra." The older twin explained. "The Regonians aren't exactly the fondest of the royals."

Sahara scowled. "But Alegra has nothing to do with anything that happened. She fought for us. For Regona"

"That doesn't change that she's still a princess of the royal city," Reagan murmured.

Princess, it sounded strange to refer to Alegra as that. To Sahara, she was just Alegra, the girl who taught Naomi mischief and seemed content with stealing others belongings despite her own wealth. Being a royal was the last thing she would link with the stunning girl.

Arden shrugged. "From what I gather, Alegra handles the situation with other cities while Rayne continues to stay at the top of the city."

"From what you gather?" Sahara furrowed her forehead. "You don't see her?"

"Every now and then," Reagan assured.

"She's busy," Arden added.

Sahara bit her lip. "Naomi?" she pulled up the name of the next crew member.

"Where Alegra is, there the little bugger is as well." Reagan sighed. "She's living quite the lifestyle. Got those Keepers running to her every beck and call." He grinned. "Even Rayne has a hard time facing off against that one."

"Sounds like a certain someone." Sahara shot Terrell a sidelong glance, a smile touching her lips.

"Oh, you know how fathers are with their..." Arden nudging him made Reagan cover his mouth. He looked fearfully in Terrell's direction.

The memory of what happened last time he called Terrell by that title flashed through Sahara's mind. She grinned at the twin's cautious approach.

Reagan leaned forward. "Parents have a hard time saying no to their youngest children," he added in a lower tone.

He yelped when a hand tightened around his neck.

"What was that?" Terrell asked.

Having seen him in a deep discussion just seconds before, Reagan blinked in fear. "What are you?" he whispered.

Terrell leaned next to his ear. "Phantom," he whispered, making the poor boy shiver.

The Phantom Omega tightened his grip before letting go. He walked to Sahara and smoothly slid into the seat beside her. One arm was lazily dangled over her shoulder. "Please, don't mind me." He waved a hand.

Reagan licked his lips, looking very much terrified and unwilling to say another word.

Orion leaned against a seat, not bothering to try and squish next to anyone. It seemed to two young men's plot to rule had come to an end.

"Paige?" Sahara asked for news of the newest Falcon member.

"Hah!" The twins looked at each other.

"Stuck around for a few weeks, then challenged Glen to another race," Orion took over.

"Did she win?" Sahara couldn't help but wonder out loud.

Arden chuckled.

"The race never concluded," Orion continued. "What started off as a challenge turned into a full-on romance."

"Romance?" Reagan made a face. "More like sucking off each other's faces instead of crossing the finish line." He shuddered. "And I went there hoping for something fun to watch." A hand went to his eyes. "My poor innocence. Not even soap can cleanse me of that."

Sahara vaguely remembered Glen making advances toward Alegra. But then again, the latter wasn't one to easily show attention to the opposite gender. With all the boys throwing themselves at her feet she'd grown a thick skin.

Terrell yawned, the current topic seeming to bore him immensely.

"Aaron's not all too happy about his sister being an item with another Omega," Arden was kind enough to continue the story. "We almost had an Omega showdown. But then Theodore and Calvin stepped in to call for peace."

"Peace?" Sahara remembered the constant bickering that occurred when the four Omegas were together. While they'd once scared her, after being cooped up in the same classroom she'd found that they'd grown on her.

"Believe it or not, they've become somewhat close." Arden grinned. "You could almost call them friends."

Reagan grunted in disagreement. "They simply know better than to challenge each other and throw off the balance."

"School?" Sahara changed the flow of conversation. She was very much aware of Terrell's scowl at the word.

"With Lithium gone, we have a shortage of teachers," Arden explained. "Besides, we all saw it was basically a lost cause to make everyone go when Lithium tried."

"There are several hours of morning and night classes," Orion jumped in. "In order to plan for the future, we don't want any more dumb residents than we currently have." He eyed the twins openly as he said it.

"I'll have you know that Lithium placed us in the upper class," Reagan sniffed as he defended his brain power.

Orion simply hummed in response.

Arden didn't feel complied to try and prove himself. "For the city's benefit, a new rule was established."

Sahara leaned forward in anticipation.

"Every crew has to send at least forty percent of their members to classes. For every extra percent, they earn points for the crew."

The bigger the crew, the more people go. Sahara gave Terrell a glance.

He noticed it and simply raised his eyebrows.

Somehow, Sahara doubted the Phantoms would obey any rule not set by their Omega. And as far as she knew, they didn't know their Omega was very much alive and kicking.

"I hear classes are more practical than theoretical," Reagan shared. "Things needed for keeping the city going. They're offering really good points for those who're learning."

"Hear?" Sahara raised her eyebrows. "Who's going on behalf of the Falcons?"

The twins shrugged.

"No one?" Sahara asked in disbelief.

"Not interesting," Arden gave his excuse.

The Falcon Omega turned to look at the younger twin.

"I've got Serina fan clubs to go to at that time," Reagan added as he smoothed out his apron.

Sahara very much doubted such a thing existed in Regona. With a sigh, she moved her eyes to the reasonable.

Orion raised both hands in defense. "I'm contributing to society by running a business."

Sahara's eyes narrowed. "What happens if no one from a crew goes?"

"They get automatically disbanded," the three replied as one.

Sahara froze. "Are the Falcons...?" she couldn't finish the question that somehow made her heart grow tight.

"Oh, we're still a crew," Orion assured. "I think with almost forty percent helping to run the place, our situation is a bit different."

"How's one-person forty percent?" Reagan argued.

"He's talking about the adults, not the two children," Arden comforted.

"Oh." Reagan seemed comforted. His eyes widened as he realized something. "Wait...two kids?"

Arden ignored him. "Besides, there are a few loopholes in getting around the rule," he told Sahara. "I think doing something constructive is one of them."

Orion nodded.

"Constructive my butt," Reagan muttered.

"Though, I can't say the same about the Phantoms," Orion breached the topic not many dared to approach.

Terrell didn't bat an eyelash at the mention of the crew.

"It's not like anyone can track if they're even sending anyone to school," Reagan jumped in as his eyes darted to Terrell. "They're not just going to raise their hands and announce that it's them. Who exactly is a part is a mystery in itself. I doubt Terrell even knows all the members in his crew."

"What crew?" Terrell replied calmly.

Reagan opened his mouth to argue but yelled instead. He shot his twin a glare while reaching under the table to rub his throbbing foot.

"Have you swung by to greet them yet?" Orion asked.

Terrell pulled Sahara closer. "Don't need to."

Orion's eyebrows rose.

Reagan's jaw dropped.

"I'd at least say hello," Arden spoke slowly, as though choosing his words wisely.

"Oh?" Terrell raised an eyebrow.

"They aren't exactly being..." Arden searched for the words, "agreeable with the rest of Regona." He rested his forearms on the table. "That is when they decide to randomly pop up on the radar."

"If you ask me, they seem to hold a grudge against the world." Reagan shivered. "When they come to a boarding competition they take no prisoners. If you want to keep living happily, it's best not to aggravate them. It's a wonder the Omegas haven't said anything about it. Rayne seems to have a blind eye turned as well."

Orion pushed his glasses further up on the bridge of his nose. "It would help if their Omega went back. A large power without a master is..." he trailed off when Terrell turned his cold eyes on him. "Or not." Even the specially trained young man wasn't about to mess with that look.

"We probably should make a city-wide announcement that you're both back!" Reagan didn't seem to get the hint. "We could throw a party!"

"The whole city doesn't need to know," Terrell crushed his dreams.

Reagan wagged a finger. "But they want to."

"Tell them and I'll personally lay you in your coffin," Terrell said without blinking.

Reagan swallowed.

Arden raised his eyebrows as he turned his questioning eyes on Sahara.

She shrugged as she leaned into Terrell. "Maybe a quick swing by your crew at least," she spoke softly.

"No," Terrell replied, but his eyes softened as they turned on his girlfriend.

"Why not?" Sahara tried to once again find the reason.

"Would you willingly rush from your freedom and return to a cage filled with annoying puppies that won't stop yipping and following you?" Terrell spoke the words that made no sense in one breath.

Sahara furrowed her forehead. "I guess if they were cute."

"Trust me." Terrell chuckled. "these ones are anything but cute." He sank lower in the seat. "It's bothersome," he muttered.

With a helpless shrug, Sahara turned back to the other three. She was sure Terrell had other thoughts, perhaps he simply wasn't ready to face his crew yet. Maybe a part of him really was just shy. She couldn't help but grin. A shy Terrell sounded kind of adorable.

"He said it's bothersome," she repeated for the others, though they'd heard it. A wide grin was still on her face and Terrell watched her with narrowed eyes.

"I know how you feel," Arden sympathized, eyes darting to his brother.

"I'm no puppy," Reagan defended himself. "And if I was," he added as an afterthought, "I'd be quite cute."

"And a lot quieter," Orion added.

Reagan bared his teeth, snapping them once.

Orion simply lifted a finger and the boy lowered his head.

"Racing?" Terrell brought up the next topic he was interested in.

"Every day." Arden tapped the table. "But it's not as competitive. I'd say Regona feels more like...a family."

"Other than Paige, no one's challenged the Omega's directly," Regan interjected. "In fact, many have joined one of the Omega crews. They've grown massive."

"Don't expect it to last," Terrell murmured.

All eyes turned to him.

The Phantom shrugged. "I'm just saying. That feeling of companionship is going to fade. Crews will need something to entertain them. And when that happens–"

"–Regona will go right back to being Regona," Orion finished.

Reagan and Arden exchanged a glance.

"You think they'll start challenging Omegas again?" Reagan sounded doubtful.

"Racing hasn't stopped, neither have crews," Terrell pointed out. "So of course, the Omegas are expanding while there's peace." The Phantom scratched an itch on the side of his nose. "They're gathering strength before the battles resume."

"True. There're several new crews making names for themselves out there," Arden agreed.

"So..." Reagan looked to Sahara. "They'll come after the Falcons?"

"I think," Orion began, eyes on Terrell, "there will be a lot more interest in racing the Phantom."

"Good luck to him," Terrell spoke as though it had nothing to do with him.

Sahara shook her head, yet she couldn't help but feel a twinge. Maybe the quiet will last for a bit longer, she couldn't help but hope. Though a part of her also itched at the thought of racing.

"Now, for the most important question of all." Terrell dropped his arm from Sahara and sat up straight. His eyes turned serious and his lips formed a line. He reached into a pocket and magically pulled forth a lollipop.

"I need you to be completely honest with me." He stared right at Arden while unwrapping the candy. Not once did his eyes waver. It was as though the older twin was the only one he trusted for a truthful answer. "It's a matter of life and death."

Reagan held his breath and even Orion straightened. Arden met Terrell's eyes evenly, preparing himself for the question about to be thrown at him.

"For the sake of all Regona and my own sanity." Terrell leaned forward.

The twins copied him.

Orion strained his ears.

Sahara stayed in the same position.

"Tell me," Terrell breathed. "Tell me the supply of strawberry milk has been restocked." He stuck the lollipop into his mouth, waiting expectantly for an answer.

Arden blinked. Reagan opened and closed his mouth as though trying to eat the air. Orion let out a sigh and simply shook his head in disbelief.

"Forget all I said about enlightenment." Sahara giggled.

Terrell moved the candy in his mouth from one cheek to the other. "Well?" There was so much hope in his voice.

Reagan closed his mouth. Arden let out his breath.

"That depends on if we get the next shipment or not," Orion bravely spoke.

Terrell's eyes darted to him.

"As we're not currently under his majesty's direct command," the boy with glasses continued to explain, "other cities seem to not be sure on how to handle our special situation. From what I know, trading agreements are currently in process."

Terrell pulled the lollipop from his mouth with a pop. "Who's in charge of the agreements?" he asked with utmost urgency.

"Alegra?" Reagan regained his voice. He shot his twin and Orion a questioning look to see if he was correct.

They both nodded.

Terrell stood, a hand slamming on the table with a bang. Both twins jumped.

"Then what are we doing here?" he asked. "Let's go!"

Terrell stuck the sweet back in his mouth with one hand and laced Sahara's fingers in his with the other. The Falcon Omega let him pull her out of the booth and onto her feet.

Orion stood straight, and the twins scrambled out of the booth.

"Where are we going?" Reagan asked as Terrell marched to the door.

"To speed up the trading agreement," Terrell called over his shoulder as though it was an easy thing to do.

Reagan shot his twin a helpless look.

"You sure you want to go?" Orion asked.

"It's important!" Terrell called as he and Sahara reached the back door.

"Rayne will be there," Orion spoke softly.

Terrell froze in mid-stride. The twins almost bumped into him Sahara, their quick reflexes stopping them just in time.

"They're working hand in hand at the moment, after all," Orion finished calmly from where he watched.

Sahara peered at Terrell's face to see the battle waging in his eyes. It was the fight between wanting his beloved milk and not wanting to face his clingy older brother. As he seemed to consider his options, his face turned all sorts of interesting shades.

"You still have a few cartons," Sahara offered him a way out.

Terrell's fingers tightened around hers. He turned his battling eyes on hers. "Let's go rescue the twerp from evil clutches."

Sahara raised her eyebrows. Didn't you hear what the twins said about her bossing the Keepers around? she thought in amusement.

"Naomi doesn't need rescuing," Reagan, who never knew when to not speak, said.

"Yes, she does," Terrell told him.

"But she's–"

Terrell's glare stopped him short.

Sahara grinned. Just admit it, you missed Naomi and Alegra just as much as I did, she thought. But she also knew the boy would never say it out loud.

"Also, take that ridiculous apron off," Terrell pointed a finger at the offensive clothing Reagan sported.

Reagan grumbled but didn't dare disobey. The apron came off as was carefully folded. Terrell had already turned and jutted his chin out. With confident strides, he resumed his journey.

Orion had no further arguments and followed after the twins.

As the other three tracked down their hoverboards, Terrell calmly waited on his with Sahara.

"Anyone know where my board went?" Sahara ventured as the twins shot over right behind Orion.

"It's back at home," Arden assured her.

Sahara's curiosity was raised. "And home is where now?"

"An apartment close to the center of–" the rest of Reagan's reply never made it as Terrell shifted and his board zipped forward.

"Hey!" The younger twin yelled. "Wait up!"

The group moved as one, heading to the tall building towering in the middle of the city.

"Hold on a little longer, twerp," Terrell urged. "Your knights are on the way."

As four boards and five figures glided through the air, Sahara's laughter rang across the city.