Sahara couldn't help the smile as she faced her rescuer.

"Thank you," she told him honestly.

She got a grunt in response as Night turned to peek outside. "Looks like the coast is clear."

The Falcon omega let out a sigh of relief. The sting in her hand made her gingerly lift it to gaze at the wound from her fall. She cautiously probed at the bloodied area. A hiss escaped her.

A warm hand reached out and Night leaned to take a closer look. "Looks like a graze. You'll live."

Sahar blinked at him as he continued to hold her hand. Green eyes met hers and for the briefest moment, she thought she was looking at Terrell. She quickly withdrew her hand.

Night chuckled at her action. "Don't worry. I don't go for those who're already taken." A teasing smirk appeared as he leaned his face close to hers. "Or perhaps you're the one seeking?"

Sahara's face flushed in horror, her mouth opening to rush to her defense.

"I'm just teasing." Night turned to the door. "Besides," he shot back a cheeky grin. "No offense, but you're not my type."

"Neither are you," Sahara blurted, face still red.

Night's eyebrows rose. "Ah...wouldn't the Phantom be sad if he heard that?"

Sahara blinked before realization crossed her face. The two looked really alike, so the attempt at a comeback was very obviously a lie.

She bit her bottom lip, refusing to utter another word.

"Let's go." Night took a step to the door. When Sahara didn't follow, he paused. "You going to wait for them to come back when they realize they missed us?"

Those words got Sahara moving. She scurried after Night, following him into the abandoned street. Seeing there really wasn't anyone, she let out another sigh of relief.

"Thank you," she told Night again before turning in the direction they'd come from.

"Whoa there." A hand grabbed her by the collar and pulled her. "And where are you heading?"

"To get my board back," came Sahara's reply.

The grip disappeared.

"No offense, but are you stupid?"

Sahara whirled to find Night had an eyebrow cocked as he looked her up and down.

"Why is it that every time you say no offense you say something offensive?" Sahara asked.

"The prefix is more to be polite...lesson the blow of the offense," came the calm reply.

Sahara's eye twitched.

"I'll do you a favor and walk you home," Night told her.

For a split-second, Sahara wanted to decline the offer, but something told her that this was perhaps the safer way.

"Thank you," she said.

"You thank a lot," Night told her.

"I'm polite like that," Sahara shot back. "It beats offending people."

Night looked taken aback for a moment. The next, his face split into a grin. "We'll take me walking you back safely as atonement for any offense." He motioned. "Would you like to lead the way?"

Sahara did just that. She turned in the direction of home and Night fell into step beside her. The two walked in silence for a while. However, curiosity at this young man so similar to Terrell couldn't help but raise curiosity within the omega. She threw several glances in his direction, trying to catch a glimpse of his face without making it obvious.

"If you have questions, just ask," he told her as they turned into a busier street.

Just like with Terrell, most of the female population couldn't help but notice the handsome young man walking down the street. Their eyes omitted the girl by his side and when they did finally notice they would burn with jealousy.

"Are you a Phantom?" Sahara revealed one thought on her mind.

Night grinned. Several girls rushed to capture the action via holopics, giggling in excitement. Sahara barely noticed. Being around Terrell had helped shut out the reactions to an extent. The only difference was that Night would shoot winks left and right, encouraging the action while Terrell would coolly ignore them altogether.

"Do you think I'm a Phantom?" Night replied with a question of his own.

Sahara shrugged. "You're around them...but other than that, I've never seen you before."

"Likewise."

They turned another corner.

"Are you in a crew?" Sahara ventured as she tried to find out more about the guy who'd saved her.

Night hummed in response. "Not in the traditional sense." He propped his hands behind his head, looking like the definition of relaxed as they passed by several stalls. "You can call me more of a free spirit or something like that."

"You sound like him too," Sahara sighed.

"Who?"

Sahara shook her head.

They proceeded, lost in their own thoughts.

"There's a reason you haven't seen me around," Night began out of the blue.

"Huh?" Sahara's eyes darted to him only to see that the smiles from before were all gone.

"I actually only came back to Regona with Lithium."

"What?" Sahara stopped in her tracks. Her heart pounded as a sliver of caution entered her. "You're from..." she looked around to make sure no one could hear, "Lithium City?"

"What are you talking about? I'm Regonan through and through. Born and raised here."

"Ahh..." Sahara resumed walking. "Then...?"

"It's quite a long story."

"We have a long walk," Sahara pointed out.

Night hummed in response. "I'll give you a shortened version." He tipped his head back, gazing at the sky that was already no longer the blue of noon. It was heading to dusk. "Let's say I grew up in the inner city. Happy childhood, great parents. School was good. Life was good."

"And then the WIS virus took it all away, huh?"

Night's steps faltered.

Only after a few more paces did Sahara realize he wasn't with her anymore. She paused and turned to find the boy standing, eyes clouded.

"No," he murmured. "The WIS wasn't what took it away."

The air felt unusually chilly and Sahara thought she briefly caught a murderous glint pass through those eyes. Her heart jumped into her throat and she took a step back as her intuition screamed danger.

Night's eyes cleared a moment later and a forced smile made it to his lips. The atmosphere returned to normal in a second, making Sahara wonder if she'd imagined it.

With a shake of his head, Night resumed his path. Sahara wordlessly fell into step alongside him.

"Things went downhill in my life before the virus." Night was no longer giving any encouragement to the girls gazing his way. "Actually, quite a bit before that."

Sahara let him get things off his chest, listening in silence.

"My once loving parents had a..." he paused, searching for the word. "Fallout," he settled on it. "Things at home became unbearable." A pair of boarders shot by quite close. Neither teen even flinched. "Just like that, my once blissful life turned into anything but that. The fights escalated and soon I dreaded going home." Night clenched his fists. "My mother tried so hard to shield me from it all...but you can't hide much when you have a screaming match at 2 am and your child is in the room next door."

Sahara's forehead furrowed. On one hand, she felt sympathy, on the other, she couldn't relate at all. Did my parents fight? She wondered. Is that why they gave me up? The blurry figure in the rain was the only image she had.

"I'm sorry," she offered what sympathy she could. "It couldn't have been easy to witness that as a child."

Night's eyes shifted to her. "They tried to make it work...for my sake." His eyes darkened. "They aren't the ones to blame."

Something told Sahara there was more meaning behind those words, but she didn't push. "So...how did you end up in Lithium?" she ventured.

Night's lips curled.

Laughter echoed from a group hanging outside a shop they passed.

"That's where I have WIS to thank." He sounded anything but that. "Actually..." he paused, lowering his voice. "I was on one of the shuttles that escaped during the outbreak."

This time, it was Sahara's steps that faltered. Her eyes darted to Night who was looking straight ahead. I'm pretty sure if others knew their attitude to him would be similar to that of Lithium, she thought, then why...why would he share a secret like that?

As though sensing her questions, Night turned to meet her eyes. "I doubt you'd tell," he said calmly. "You seem like the type to hold secrets pretty well...no offense, but like the stupid type."

Sahara rolled her eyes at the comment.

It made a smile tug at the edge of Night's lips. "We almost there?" he asked.

Taking in their surroundings, the fifth omega shook her head.

A sigh escaped from Night as they steadily continued on their path. Though boardless, the teens didn't look out of place. Many others who were awake and about didn't carry their boards on them. That didn't mean they didn't have them nearby. Those who were working in various areas to keep the city running were more focused on getting their tasks done than boarding. With another bunch actually going to the schools under the agreement reached, that left a smaller number free to roam around on their boards during the day. That was...unless you went to a cluster like the one Sahara and Orion had gone to earlier.

"To be more precise, my mother and I."

Sahara blinked as Night's words dragged her attention back to his story.

"On the shuttle," the boy explained.

"Ah. Then your father..." Sahara said the words before thinking. She instantly wanted to kick herself in the teeth.

"He wasn't dead," Night calmly replied. "We were meant to leave altogether. My parents...they They were actually reconciling. Things were getting better before the virus. Almost back to normal." He paused at an open window by a store. "Want something to drink?" he asked.

Sahara could only nod.

A few seconds later Night exchanged points and was handed two bottles containing a green carbonated liquid. He lifted both and shook them. The liquid slowly turned two shades darker. Satisfied, Night handed one over.

Sahara held the cool bottle, watching first as Night popped the lid off his.

Despite the hiss, there was no explosion as she expected one would get from shaking a fizzy drink. Following his lead, Sahara took a sip. The liquid was surprisingly refreshing.

Night motioned to their path and they continued, each holding a bottle.

"Actually, we all went to the shuttle together. My father was the one that rushed us there." Night ran a thumb over the bottle opening. "He pushed us in and at the last moment..." His thumb froze over the opening, "said he'd forgotten something."

Sahara took another sip of the liquid.

"My mother pleaded. She tried everything. He didn't listen. Can you believe it?" Night removed his thumb and stared at the drink. "He abandoned us."

The word struck home. Abandoned. Sahara felt her heart squeeze.

"But why?" Sahara whispered. "Why would he go back?"

"I wonder," Night answered. Somehow, his tone made Sahara oddly suspicious that he actually knew the answer. However, the boy didn't explain as he took a long swig of the drink. "Ah." He smacked his lips. "That hits the spot."

Sahara mulled over the story she'd heard. "Then, where is he now?"

"Dead," Night replied without hesitation. "Virus got him."

"Oh." Sahara's hand tightened around the bottle. "Your mother," she ventured. "Is she on Lithium?"

Night hesitated. His eyes clouded. "Also, dead."

"I'm sorry," Sahara murmured. "The virus...did it...?"

Night shook his head. "Nah. Everyone on the shuttle was tested before." He took another gulp, emptying the bottle. Done, he calmly tossed it once and caught it. "Ever wonder what happened to those escape shuttles?"

Sahara didn't give an answer.

"I can tell you...the outcome wasn't pretty." Night tossed the bottle towards a small hovering craft that was sweeping up trash. It took only a moment for the bottle to be scanned and picked up. "If you think the virus was bad, imagine what happens when you're in a confined space meant for ten with twenty people and the food runs out?"

The image made Sahara shudder.

"No food, no water, no help in sight. Out there..." Night nodded to the protective bubble, "drifting endlessly in the wasteland. And when help arrives, it's too late for all but a lucky few."

Sahara's hand tightened, even more, making her knuckles turn white. She couldn't meet Night's eyes. "It sounds...horrible."

Laughter made her jump. Startled, she found Night watching her, amusement written on his face.

Sahara was unsure what to make of this.

"Hasn't anyone told you the number one rule in Regona?" the young man asked. His handsome face was alight, and eyes sparkled mischievously. He leaned closer. "Don't trust anyone," he breathed those familiar words.

The falcon omega's mouth dropped. "W-wait," she stuttered. She pointed a finger accusingly. "Was everything you said a lie? You made it up?"

Night flashed his teeth at her cheekily. "Who knows?" His face didn't give away a thing.

Sahara couldn't speak. She wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Had she just been played? Had Night been toying with her by throwing out a made-up story? Or was some of it true? All of it? She couldn't read the teen at all.

With a grin, Night nodded to the street they were in. "We there yet?" he asked.

Sahara slowly came out of her daze and became aware of their surroundings. It took one glance to realize it was all very familiar.

"Almost."

"Then it looks like my job is done." Night nodded to the bottle in her hand. "You owe me one."

"I didn't ask you to buy it," Sahara shot back.

Almost immediately the half-finished bottle was snatched from her hand. "Guess I'll take back what's mine then."

Sahara couldn't react to his shamelessness.

"See you around." Night lifted a hand in farewell.

Realizing she'd been dismissed, Sahara obediently turned to continue on her path alone.

"Hey."

She paused, turning back to shoot Night a quizzical look.

His smile had completely disappeared. "That Phantom of yours..." he tilted his head and the light caught the side of his handsome face, giving him a soft glow. "You haven't wondered what he's been up to all this while?"

Slowly Sahara turned to fully face him. Does he know?

Night's face didn't give her even a hint.

Fighting the curiosity within, Sahara stuck with the decision she'd reached before. "I trust him."

"Tsk." Night strode towards her. "Did you hear anything I just said?"

"Before or after you stole my drink?"

Night lifted the bottle and cocked an eyebrow. "About trusting people."

"If you don't trust someone first, how can they be trustworthy?" Sahara replied.

"Hmm." Night eyed her. Lifting the drink, he finished the bottle in one gulp without breaking eye contact once, as though taunting her.

Sahara calmly watched.

Done, Night handed her the empty bottle.

The girl took it without question.

Night's eyes scanned her up and down, as though looking at something he couldn't understand. He opened his mouth, "no offense but..."

"I'm stupid," Sahara finished the sentence she knew too well now.

"I was going to say an idiot, but stupid get's the same point across."

Sahara nodded, not even attempting to fight the accusation.

With a grin, Night stepped back. "The thing about naïve bubbles is that they all burst eventually. I hope yours doesn't burst too soon." Turning, he lifted a hand and calmly began to stride away. "Since you kept the drink in the end, you owe me one!" he called back.

Sahara's eyes darted to the empty bottle. "Hey!" she called in protest.

"Don't want to stick around too long in case the stupidity is catchable!" Night called as casually strode away, one hand coolly stuck in a pocket.

Looking from him back to the bottle, Sahara could only let out a sigh. She had no idea what to think of the stranger who seemed to pop up randomly at times. With a shrug, she turned and headed for home.

It didn't take longer than ten minutes before she walked into the doors.

"Sahara!" a force collided with her legs. Naomi clung to her.

"I told you she'd be fine," a voice spoke.

Orion was sitting on a hover couch. A bruise was forming on the side of his lips. His glasses weren't on his face. Alegra stood nearby, an ice spray in her hands as she looked toward Sahara with a scowl on her face.

"Don't you know how to answer IHM messages anymore?" the princess asked.

"Did you send some?" Sahara hadn't felt her bracelet vibrate at all.

"Looks like you were enjoying life while we were worried sick," Alegra told her, eyes going to the empty bottle the omega still clutched in one hand.

"The troublemakers are out looking for you," Naomi added as she tipped her head back to gaze at Sahara. "Orion was beaten black and blue."

"Only a few bruises. You should see the other guys," the boy was quick to jump to his own defense. He got to his feet. "You're ok?"

Nodding, Sahara first peeled the little girl from her legs and then walked to the counter. She placed the empty bottle on it. "Night came to my rescue."

"Night?" Alegra asked.

"He's been hanging around the Phantoms," Sahara told her as she waved the question off.

Alegra's eyes narrowed. "You hurt your hand."

"Hmm?" the Falcon had completely forgotten about the small injury. "I'll live," she repeated Night's words. "Just took a fall."

"Your board?" Orion was quick to pick up the lack of it.

Sahara's face fell. She was about to lament over the disappearance when the door burst open.

"Sahara!" a voice wailed.

A figure flew toward her, another close behind.

From experience, Sahara dodged the attempted attack.

The younger twin stumbled, hugging thin air.

Arden gave her a nod as he strode by, grabbed his brother by his collar, and prevented attack number two.

With the threat contained, Sahara turned her eyes to Orion. "Are you ok?" she asked.

As he nodded, Alegra shook the ice spray. She popped the lid.

"Sit," she commanded.

"You already covered everything," Orion tried to argue.

He got a shove in response an. fell back into the couch.

"Nonsense." Alegra nodded to his shirt. "Off!" she barked.

Both twins reached their hands to the bottom of their shirts and simultaneously made a move.

Alegra rolled her eyes. "Not you two." She stopped their actions and motioned to Orion.

Arden let out a sigh of relief while Reagan looked almost somewhat disappointed.

"I know there's more. Face is too clean." Alegra told the hesitating Orion.

With a sigh, Orion obediently peeled his shirt to reveal a well-toned, fit body.

The princes didn't bat an eyelash as she sprayed a few growing bruises. "Turn."

Orion's smooth back came into view. There were some patches of blue forming here too.

Sahara winced, feeling a wave of guilt at having escaped.

"Done." Alegra stepped back.

"I have a bruise too!" Naomi bounded over, trying to grab the spray.

Alegra turned a disapproving gaze on her. "You'll never need this, honey," she told her firmly.

Naomi froze, blinking innocently.

"Remember why?" Alegra continued to lecture.

The little girl's eyes brightened. "Ah! Never take a beating, only give them," she recited proudly.

The twins shivered, both taking a step back.

Alegra reached out and stroked her little student's head. "Good girl."

"You're raising a tiger," Orion chuckled. He grabbed his shirt.

"I'm raising a queen," came the reply.

"She plans to overthrow the royals?" Reagan whispered.

Arden nodded.

Another eye-roll came from the princess as she went to put away the spray.

Sahara walked to a free spot and sat across from Orion as he put his shirt back on.

"What happened?"

Orion reached into his pocket and a pair of glasses appeared. "It was chaos," he explained as he put them on. "People just wanted to fight." He shrugged. "A few Keepers turned up, but there was nothing they could do. I left as soon as I could." His eyes landed on Sahara. "Everything was ok?"

The omega nodded. "I ran into a bit of trouble. Lost my board, but Night helped out."

"You what?" Arden asked.

"She said she lost her board, idiot. Clean your ears," Reagan told him.

"I know," Arden smacked his twin. Ignoring the pout he was sent, he turned back to Sahara. "How did you lose it?"

"A bit of a scuffle happened."

"Looks like it." Alegra walked back in the room, a small medical kit in her hands. She sat next to Sahara and calmly pulled her scraped hand over.

"I can track it for you," Orion offered.

Sahara shot him a thankful smile. She hissed, pulling away from the pain as Alegra dabbed something on the wound.

"Looks like we should thank that Night guy."

"Night?" Reagan asked. "Why would anyone name their child after a time of day?"

"Not technically day..." Arden added on.

His brother ignored him.

"Yeah. He really helped." Sahara watched as Alegra finished up and packed the medical kit together. "It looked like Noctorious was at the scene."

"Why does it feel like I'm hearing their name everywhere lately?" Alegra asked.

"Welp, Noctorious is getting quite notorious," Reagan tried to help.

No one seemed to appreciate his play on words and so he went back to sulking.

"They do appear to be looking for a fight everywhere they go," Arden jumped in. "I heard they especially enjoy targeting Phantoms when they can find them...though the latter are quite boring by not responding. Get the crap beat out of them if they're caught. It makes them quite a bit less terrifying."

We don't retaliate. Just watch your backs and stay out of their way, Terrell's words echoed in Sahara's mind. Looks like they took his words to heart.

"I don't know," Orion mused. "Terrell isn't an easy one to mess with."

"Who said anyone is messing with me?"

All heads turned.

Sahara's eyes landed on the familiar figure standing in the doorway and her heart responded by thumping wildly.

"Terrell!" she jumped to her feet with a smile. It froze when she caught sight of one of the boards he held under his arms. "My board!"

Terrell leaned both his and Sahara's against the wall.

"Where did you find it?" Sahara asked.

"Where did you lose it?" came the response. Terrell held out a hand.

Sahara needed no further encouragement to dart over and slide into a side hug. He held on to her, eyes taking in everyone in the room. They paused on the bruise forming at the corner of Orion's mouth. "Looks like you had quite the party."

"A small mishap," Orion replied.

Terrell's eyes narrowed. They moved to Sahara.

"How did you get my board?" she wasn't letting the question go.

"Picked it up along the way," Terrell replied calmly. His eyes swept over her before he gently grasped her hand and examined the wound. His eyes flickered.

"It's not bad," Sahara assured him. "Orion got quite beat up."

"I wasn't beat up!" Orion jumped to his defense once again.

"Black and blue," Naomi sang.

Terrell's arm tightened around Sahara. Alegra's eyes glared at it as though wanting to remove it by force.

"Why haven't you been taking good care of her?" she asked Terrell.

"Why have you been ignoring her?" came the reply.

"I'm trying to help run a city!" Alegra glared.

"Just let the good for nothing guy do it," the Phantom retorted. "He did so just fine before."

Alegra's eyes narrowed.

"Peace, peace!" Reagan yelled as he scuttled to Alegra's side. Arden moved over to Terrell, as though ready to pacify him while his brother took the other.

"Can't we just all love each other for once?" Reagan pleaded.

"I reserve my love for Sahara," Terrell deadpanned.

"Please," Alegra told him. "As if you even know what that is."

"Burn!" Naomi cheered.

Orion watched the exchange in a resigned silence and even Sahara didn't butt in. It had been a while since Terrell and Alegra had exchanged fire, and it honestly felt kind of nice...like the good old days.

"Besides," Alegra stormed pushed passed Reagan, "She deserves so much better than you." She marched by Arden and grabbed Sahara, pulling her from Terrell's grip.

"Of course, she does!" Terrell snapped as he pulled Sahara back. "And if there is anyone better then bring them forth!"

"W-what?" Alegra pointed a shaking finger. "What gives you the right to be so full of yourself?" She pulled Sahara toward herself. "He's so narcissistic. He'll ruin your innocence," she warned.

Sahara opened her mouth but couldn't get a word in as Terrell tugged her back.

"You're going to break her," Arden warned as he tried to intervene.

Naomi's eyes widened in horror and she rushed to Terrell, promptly kicking him in the shin.

"Owe!" Terrell glared at her.

"Don't break Sahara," the little girl scolded.

"If you want to hit someone, hit her!" Terrell pointed a finger at Alegra who'd retreated to safety with a helpless Sahara by her side.

Naomi looked from him to Alegra and back again. Without a word, she kicked Terrell in the same spot.

"You twerp!" Terrell lunged for her.

Giggling, the little girl escaped his clutches, sticking out her tongue in the process.

The twins looked torn between stepping in or simply watching. Their decision was made for them when Naomi chose to use Arden as her refuge and darted behind him.

Terrell's glare ended up on the older twin who promptly raised his palms. "I have nothing to do with..." he yelled and dodged when Terrell came for him.

"Eeek!" Reagan was once again the unlucky one to be caught in the path. He was tackled.

"Why always me?" he wailed as he crashed to the floor with Terrell on top of him. "Arden!" he pleaded.

"You're on your own, buddy." Arden and Naomi stealthily slipped to the other side of the room.

"I don't know what you see in him," Alegra told Sahara as the two watched poor Arden get put in a chokehold.

Sahara's eyes twinkled. "I should ask him that question when it comes to me."

Alegra shot her a look. "Please. You're a hundred times better than he is." Flipping her hair, she turned to the couch and sat. She patted the spot next to her, ignoring the yells from the horsing around. "Let's catch up."

With a smile, Sahara took a seat. Soft paws landed on her lap, as though Mo had been waiting for this very moment. Purring, the cat rubbed against her before settling down on her lap.

The girls began to chat, and it only took a moment for Naomi to bound over and snuggle in beside Alegra.

Arden, who felt somewhat sorry for his twin, decided to try intervening. As a result, his rescue mission failed in such there were soon three boys wrestling on the floor in a two vs one match. Oddly enough, the outnumbered one looked to be winning.

Orion, who had made his way over to the counter, calmly grabbed some water. He took a sip, eyes roaming over the room. They paused at the hanging holopicture the crew had taken before the Lithium incident. The happiness in that picture was a mirror of the current mood in the room.

Eyes crinkling, Orion's face lit up in a rare and handsome smile. He leaned on the counter, taking another sip and watching both the chaos of the boys rolling around and the calm of the girls engrossed in conversation.

As he twirled his glass, he couldn't help but soak in how pleasantly warm it felt with everyone together again. He caught Sahara's eyes and raised his glass slightly at her. She smiled in return before falling back into the conversation.

Finishing the water, Orion turned. He paused when he saw the empty bottle Sahara had brought with her. Grabbing it, he disposed of it in the trash. As he was about to rejoin the others, something caught his eyes.

Two boards leaned next to the wall by the door. One a sleek black board. The other was slightly wider, blue with a falcon on it.

Orion's eyes lingered. They slowly moved to where the twins let out a cry of triumph as they pinned the Phantom down. Orions' eyes narrowed ever so slightly as they returned to the board.

"Orion! Help!" Reagan's voice attracted his attention.

The twins, having lost the upper hand once again, shamelessly called for another party to jump in.

His expression returned to normal. Pushing his glasses up on his nose, Orion took his time striding over to join the mayhem that was the Falcons.

The room was indeed warm as it was filled with the laughter and joy of family.