>>>>>>>>From The Timeskip>>>>>>>>>>

That previous night had been rather productive. Now Mirage, Dragon Fist, and Hunter had a lead on The Builder. And they were going to get into position to take him down.

Don's request threw Lucas off guard. He remembered when the Legacy had first come together. They seemed to butt heads on just about every subject, from how to deal with criminals to tactics. As time progressed however, they actually were able to work together very well. Some would say that they could even be friends. Which seemed far from the truth at one time.

And then the almost impossible. Don had asked Lucas to be his best man for his upcoming wedding. Lucas was honored that Don would think of him enough to ask him for that honor. Being the best man at someone's wedding was a high honor, an honor usually reserved for the groom's friend or brother.

The Legacy was like family, after all. And Don was like a brother to Lucas, though he never verbally admitted it.

And then there was Helena. Lucas could sense the feelings growing inside of him ever since the trip to Texas. Ever since he realized that Friday wasn't coming back. Though her death had been avenged in a roundabout way, the loss was devastating to Lucas. But Helena had been a rock throughout the whole ordeal. A rock of support that he really needed during that time. In fact, it was her resources that made the trip to Texas happen in the first place. And their relationship began to grow.

So much so, Lucas had to make an admission. He was in love with Helena. It almost seemed wrong, but Friday wasn't coming back. She did say that she wanted Lucas to live in...a special telepathic message she left with him before she left Weston. And with the one known as Mirage...it made perfect sense. And so Lucas put his heart in his mouth....and told her. The result was gratifying, even though they hadn't been on a date, they still knew the feelings for each other. Two broken people...who found solace with each other.

One thing disturbed him though. The presence of negative chi that he had sensed around Mirage. Something happened to her. But what? For all of her good qualities, Mirage had always kept secrets. Lucas had some of his own, which he had disclosed recently to his friends. But there were still dark corners of Mirage's life that remained a mystery. Maybe forever.

He awoke in the morning in the backroom of the dojo he had used as his living quarters, and taught the first class. Flip would take care of the afternoon classes. He was recovering very well from his ordeal, though Lucas still had to track down whoever did that to him.

But for now, it was time for business.

Wrapping up the first class, Lucas then wiped the sweat off his brow, making sure it didn't mess up his gi. It seemed that the class was conversing with each other before heading out.

As Lucas finished changing and sat down for a moment, he spied the news. And oh the news that was made today!

For on the news was someone who Lucas knew didn't like the limelight so much. But there he was!

Hotwire.

And the blockbuster announcement that he carried with him. Teaching young Paras. It almost seemed like a dream, only it was really happening. Zeke was stepping up to the plate. Lucas couldn't help but smile.

"Good for you Zeke..."

Now Lucas had to find a tailor shop in town. The last time he had worn a tuxedo was in his senior prom, seemingly a long time ago. He didn't know how long this "shotgun engagement" that Don had st up would happen. But he knew he'd better get moving and soon.

Sitting down at the desk in the back of the dojo, he began to thumb through the phonebook.

Lucas sighed. It seemed like a small fortune to rent a tux. But it was for a good occassion, so he pressed on and made the arrangements to pick it up, though he didn't know the day that the big occassion was happening. Yet.

Stepping out of the back office, he could see Flip taking the class through a series of warmups and stretches before working on their forms. He waved and smiled, as he know the students from this class as well.

Stepping outside, he felt refreshed and reinvigorated. That night's sleep had done him some good, and he would be focused for the task at hand tonight: taking down the Builder.

Looking around, he then summoned his armor, and then stretching out his draconic wings, made his way upwards.

>>>>>>>>>To The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>From The Weston Mall>>>>>>>>>>

Lucas returned to the dojo, waving at Flip and the rest of the kids as he entered the training area, and making his way to the back. He then sat down, and went over a list of what he was going to do today.

"Getting a tux for Don's wedding...check...checking on the Tanaka dojo...check"

He then sat back in his chair, deep in thought. Aaron Tanaka was certainly not the type of person to just up and skip town. Not without a good reason. Maybe he did, but if he did, he certainly didn't lead anyone to believe that this was the case. No, something had to be wrong. But WHAT?

Katy was also off the grid too. But where could they be?

Lucas then thought to himself for a moment. He then took out the "letter" that Oni had left for him, and read it.

And read it again.

He was still dedicated to the path that he had decided on. To be better than those he fought against as the Champion of Light.

There were days that it was VERY hard though. With more and more sinister figures coming out of the woodwork, it was very hard to keep that lofty ideal. This Builder fellow that they were going after was one such example. A maniac who was happy in the misery of others.

And Lucas couldn't help but wonder: what would it take for the Balance to be satisfied in regards to the maniac known as The Builder?

As Lucas wandered deeper and deeper into thought, the ordeals of the past few weeks finally caught up with him, and he sank into a deep sleep. For the first time, finally seeming to have a measure of respite.

If only for the moment.

Lucas' mind began to wander and dream as he entered the restful state of sleep.

In his minds' eye, he saw a vivid landscape. A fertile valley, not unlike Shangri-La. And from a first person perspective, he saw his hands...but his hands had some sort of dark energy around them, black as night itself.

He then remembered something that all of the martial arts instructors had relayed to him. His original sensei...Master Takeshiro....Flip...and even Kimeran...spoke to him of being pure in heart. To not let the Darkness overwhelm him. But if it ever did...he would have to take a journey to cleanse himself of that Darkness. To purge himself of the negative Chi that could overtake him.

In his mindseye, Lucas at first saw a mountain. Then next, he saw a staircase going up the mountain. At the top of the mountain, he saw what appeared to be a multilevel golden pagoda. And then...finally....he saw a pool of water, the clearest he had ever seen. And the pool could make the one who went into it clean: in mind, body and spirit.

Lucas then awoke abruptly from the dream, and looked around. He was still in the office, sitting in the chair. He then began to wonder what this vision was all about. Was someone trying to tell him something?

Lucas contemplated what he saw in his mind's eye. He knew that if he were to ever fall....it would be a long and hard journey to come back to the way he was. So he was going to do all he can NOT to fail. But if he did..he would endure this journey.

Then he got up out of his chair. Flip left a note on his desk while he was asleep and dreaming, indicating that all the fees were collected and all of the bills for the dojo paid. They were in the green, which was good for the year end budget.

But Lucas had more pressing concerns aside from running the dojo. There were things that he was contemplating. Kimeran had told him something during their training. The senses....sight and hearing...could be made to lie to oneself by the enemy. And in some cases would prove to be unreliable. It was here that the true mental discipline of martial art could be achieved. Having a sight beyond sight. Having oneself be in sync with mind, body, and spirit, so that nothing could distract them. Being at one with oneself, and having a sight without sight.

So Lucas went back out in the training area. The dojo was empty now after the students and Flip had left. He then went into a meditative kneeling position, and then began going through several katas he had learned, and also several forms that the dragon Kimeran taught him as well. All the while keeping his eyes closed, and letting the sight beyond sight become apparent to him.

Lucas soon came out of his trance. Ozzy's green belt test was coming up very soon.

Ozzy had worked diligently at becoming the best he could be when it came to excelling at the martial arts. He certainly had come a long way ever since first arriving at the dojo in what seemed to be a long time ago.

The fact that he was on the threshold of becoming a green belt in the art of Goju-Ryu indicated a pretty significant achievement and work in excelling. He was one of the fastest rising students in the class, which amazed both Flip and Lucas. His character as Painter was coming along as well, having become a part of Masks Inc. and being a viable presence in the New Age Defenders.

And so Lucas smiled, knowing that Ozzy would pass the test with flying colors. Even if it hadn't happened yet.

------------->> From Cliffs

  Andy rumbled from the door "That's good."

Lucas saw Andy appear at the door. None of the students had arrived yet.

He then went to the door, and unlocked it for both Andy and Victoria. "Hey guys...good to see you Andy. Who's your friend?"

  Andy grinned, and said "Lucas, meet Victoria Castillo, my Lady.  Victoria, meet Lucas Martinez."

Lucas smiled as he extended his hand to Victoria.

"Pleasure to meet you.."

Victoria shook Lucas' strong hands.

"Greetings Champion....your reputation precedes you.."

"Um...well, thank you.." Lucas replied. He then turned to Andy.

"So...what can I do for you two?"

  Andy chuckled, and shifted his form to his humanshape.  It was still startling, sometimes, to see how he looked now, very muscular and with a body that most bodybuilders would envy because it looked natural and smooth, even and balanced, but rippled with muscle.  And then compared to him when he had been still 18, and slender but tall.  He had been flatly muscled, and now he had a LOT more muscle.

Victoria looked at Andy as he shifted, then to Lucas.

"We need a map of the tunnels of Weston. We've had some....vampire outbreaks as of late, and need a layout of what might be down there."

Lucas put his finger to his chin in thought.

"Hmmmm....a couple of people I know might have what you're looking for. Don Derring....Andy knows him as The Hunter...may have some of that. He's been very busy as of late getting ready for his wedding, but with any luck I should be able to get a hold of him."

  Andy nodded, and said "I thought you could probably help us ask him for information.  We're vampire hunting, since one of them has tred kidnapping Meg, and has produced more of them."

"Meg got kidnapped? Man, a lot has happened. I've been dealing with some issues myself...Mirage, Hunter and I are going after The Builder. He hurt Rebound and Seer pretty bad."

He then briefly went to get his cell phone.

"I'll try calling him," he said as he dialed the number.

Ozzy arrived early, hopping off of a bus at the nearest stop and heading quickly towards the dojo. Since today was his green belt test, he wanted to get dressed and meditate for a little bit to clear his head. He was confident that he would pass, but he still couldn't help but be nervous, and combined with the nervousness from the next major item on his agenda... well, he just needed to clear his head.

If the door was unlocked, Ozzy would enter and greet the assembled people.

"Hey guys, wassup? Oh, sorry, Sensei, didn't see the phone there."

Lucas gave Ozzy a thumbs up as he continued to converse with Don.

Lucas hung up the phone, then turned to Victoria and Andy.

"Good news. He's got some of the maps. He said that you can get them at the Van Diemen house."

He then turned to Ozzy.

"The students should be arriving soon, then we can start your test. You ready?"

  Andy bowed his head, and said "Thanks Lucas.  I'll fly in, so he doesn't wanna shoot me for just blipping in.  Are you ready to fly Air Gargoyle again, Vic?"

"Yes I am," Victoria replied. She then turned to Lucas.

"Thank you again. One day, I look forward to sparring with you. Until then.."