Lady Gaia sat alone in her haven.  She had been there for weeks now, not contacting the world above her.  She just wept.  From morning till night, crying for her children whom she couldn't save.  She didn't use anything to show her the surface, it hurt too much.  "I'm so sorry..." she whispered and wept some more.

*Phantom* strolled into Lady Gaia's chamber.  "My Lady?" he asked as he looked around, announcing his presence to an empty room.  "What has happened? I've been by for three weeks now and there has not been a sign of Lady Gaia." He muttered.

Charles opened the door to Lady Gaia's chamber and walked in. He was passing by and heard someone in there and decided to investigate. Charles looked up to find only *Phantom* in the room. "Oh, its just you," he said in a heavy and sad voice. The look on his face, the condition of his eyes and the bags under them showed anyone who saw him that he had not slept for weeks.

"When I heard you I thought Lady Gaia returned," he said and looked to the ground.

*Phantom* turned around quickly, his hand ready to drew his sword.  When he looked at Charles he stopped and straightened up.  "Sorry...what has happened?  Where is Lady Gaia?" he asked concerned.

Charles looked up at *Phantom*. "She is in her haven and hasn't returned since she was taken away. I was relieved when she told me that she escaped but know I am worried to death because she hasn't returned since then," he said. "I haven't gone to sleep since," he said slowly.

*Phantom* nodded slowly.  "You know nothing can get in or out of that haven without Lady Gaia.  She is safe for the moment, so why worry so?" he asked.

Charles looked at *Phantom*. "I miss being with her, spending time with her, holding her close..." he trailed off and looked away. "I am on the brink of insanity. The only thing that is not making me go insane is that fact that she is safe," said Charles.

*Phantom's* features didn't change.  "I can understand that," he said. He walked to the center of the room where the viewing globe was located.

"Why didn't you use this?" he asked.  "It's not the same as holding her, but at least you would be able to see her.  You hold the symbol of Mother Earth which means you can use the same equipment she could." he said.

Charles looked at the globe and walked over to it. He grabbed the symbol of Mother Earth and Charles thought about Gaia. The viewing globe came to life and Lady Gaia could be seen. Charles heart sunk. "I wish I could be with her in her time of need," he said as he looked at her. "I wish I could take with her."

*Phantom* looked at Charles.  "The reason she made her haven was so that she wouldn't be bothered while creating.  It is located in the center of the Earth...she made it to be the perfect paradise for the time she had to spend in there between the Silver Millennium and the birth of Crystal Tokyo." he said.  "She hates it there to her its just another prison...but considering what happened she might not want to return since it seems she thinks it was her fault the horse died." he said.

Lady Gaia sat by a small stream.  Tears pouring from her eyes as she looked up.  The tree she was leaning on shaded her from the artificial sun.

Charles continued to look at Gaia as he spoke. "It wasn't her fault," he said softly. "It wasn't her fault that I became a lion so long ago. Look where it got me now. I found my true love and someone I want to send the rest of my life with," he said. "People, animals, and plants are born, live, and die. That is the cycle we live in," he said softly. Charles looked away.

"Did I say that? It must be from the lack of sleep," he said and started to doubt himself.

"Yeah, you said It." *Phantom* replied.  "And yes I know the cycle of life all too well I've lived through it a few times already.  "But you have to think.  To a mother...what is the most important thing in her life, Her children.  If she even thinks that she is causing harm here, then she will do what is necessary for her children to live in peace...and if it means her absence from the surface, then that is what she will do." *Phantom* said and looked into the globe.  "Go get some sleep.  You're no good to her in this state." he said in a cold voice.

Charles sighed. "Then I guess there is no other choice," he said in a painful voice. "If she does not wish to return then there is no reason to wear this," he said and grabbed the chain of the medallion and slowly started to pull it off. Tears filled his eyes.

*Phantom* shook his head.  "You're giving up too easily.  She deserves better." he said and turned to walk away.

Lady Gaia's head shot up.  "My connection...it's fading...but why..." she whispered and sobbed painfully.

Charles stopped pulling the chain just as it was to the middle of his head.

*Phantom's* words sunk in. Predator didn't give up on me when I was wounded as a lion and he saved me by turning me into a human again and I learned allot from him over the years. he thought. Charles released the chain and it fell back around his neck. The medallion swung a bit. "I promised an old friend that I would never give up and Lady Gaia means to world to me," he said and a smile came to his face. I will never give up on you my love.

*Phantom* turned and let a small smile play on his lips.  "So...what are you going to do about it?  Sit around and mop about her, or actually think of a way." he said and crossed his arms.

Lady Gaia sighed with relief.  "The connection has returned...something must be happening...but what..." she wondered.

Charles grabbed the medallion with the hand that he wore the gold ring that helped him transform. "I am going to think of a way," he said with a determined look on his face. "I ruled a country and I think of a way," he said.

*Phantom* gave a small smirk.  "Now all we have to do is get her attention...any ideas?  You are the only one with a direct connection now." he commented.

Charles nodded and closed his eyes. My Lady, please do not blame yourself for the death of one. Without you here, many more will die without your protection. You are the creator of life for all on this Earth and without you here there will be no more life if you are not here to live among us.

Even if there is evil in this word, there is one thing that remains. That everyone helps each other to live on this earth and live there life to the fullest and when people learn to help one another then we truly find happiness and peace, he sent to her and he hoped that she heard him

Lady Gaia looked up...her eyes filled with tears.  Yes...I heard him...but do I dare answer... She thought to herself.  Dear Charles...my presence on the surface in more hinder than help now.  I cannot even begin to think of the trouble being on the surface has caused.  Please know that you are in my heart.  I know that one day peace will be found, but I'm afraid that I am not the one to help you in the quest for it. she sent...her thoughts filled with a quivering tone of tears.

Charles listened to Gaia. There was something else in her voice. I understand My Lady, he said with a sad voice. But I sense something else that is making you cry, he said.

Lady Gaia let her tears fall slowly.  Charles...I... she started to say, but stopped.  This was the hardest thing I've ever had to decide.  It came down to my happiness and my children's happiness...and I choose theirs.  I'm so sorry Charles, but I can never come back to the surface again...it breaks my heart knowing that you are there and that I shall remain for eternity here. she said.

My Lady, said Charles in a sad voice. Tears came to his eyes. That animal that died three weeks ago during battle sacrificed her life to save her master. She gave up her life so another can live, he said. I saw this once before on my travels with Christopher. A village chief had to decide if he should sacrifice 50 of his tribe to a warlord or chose death. He chose death over the death of 50 of his tribe. That was a noble act I witnessed that day. Sacrifice one to save many, he said. Just because you couldn't save them all, a life continued because of that one scrifice.

Lady Gaia sobbed.  I'm so confused, Charles...I...I don't know what to do... she said.

*Phantom noticed the tears on Charles' face.  "What has happened?" he asked in a demanding voice.

Charles looked up to *Phantom*. "She does not wish to return," he said softly. I am here for you my love, he said and looked back down into the globe. My Lady, I can never give up on you and you can not give up on the people of Earth. No matter how evil they are. Take *Phantom*, he sent and looked up to *Phantom*. He my not be the Lucas we all knew long ago but he still believes in protecting the people of Crystal Tokyo and making sure you are safe. Are you going to give up on him and what he believes in? What I am trying to say My Lady is that no matter how evil someone is they were once good before that and can be changed back. Only love and time can help them see there way back to the side of good, he sent to her.

*Phantom* just nodded.  "That is understandable." he said softly and relaxed.

Lady Gaia sent no reply.  She looked up beyond the trees and to the artificial sky in her haven.  Lucas her mind called, softly at first. She then stood and went to the bank of the stream and looked down at her reflection.  Charles she said, a bit louder this time.  Then she vanished from the viewing globe and her haven.

*Phantom* looked at the globe.  "Where'd she go?  Did she tell you?" he asked in a small panic.

Charles looked up to *Phantom*. "She did not say. But she said your name and mine before she left," he said and turned and walked out of the room and headed for the garden.

*Phantom* watched Charles go.  Can't just follow him around...I'll just stick to the walls and shadows he thought and secretly followed Charles out of Lady Gaia's room.

Lady Gaia stood at the edge of the garden and looked at a rose bush that had not yet bloomed.  She waved her hand over it and dozens of buds bloomed to life.  "Charles..." she whispered softly.

Charles walked into the garden and found Lady Gaia in front of a now blooming rose bush. He walked over to her slowly and stood behind her and placed his hands onto her shoulders. He didn't say anyothing for several seconds. "Lady Gaia," he said softly.

Lady Gaia hung her head.  "Charles...I...I don't know what to do..." she said softly.  "Help me...please."

Charles turned Lady Gaia around so she was facing him. He titled her head so he could look into her eyes. "I will help you anyway I can. Just tell me what you need me to do and I will do it with a second thought," he said softly to her. His eyes held love and understand.

Lady Gaia sobbed in Charles' arms.  "Help me to know what is it I must do to make my children happy." she whispered.  "Some wish me gone and others wish me to stay...I don't know what to do.  I hear all their voice, there are so many." she said softly.

Charles wrapped his arms around Lady Gaia and held her close. "To make your children happy my Lady is to show them that you care for them, talk with them, show them that you are interested in them," he said softly. "And the children that want you gone do not understand how important you are to them and everyone else. Without you, none of us would be here now," he said softly.

*Phantom* watched the couple.  She is in good hands for the moment, and she has returned to Earth, so all is well, for now. he thought and teleported away from the palace.

Lady Gaia looked up at Charles, her eyes filled with tears.  "Do you think so...I mean, the children have found a way to make their own children without my help.  They eventually will no longer need me, and I fear that I have already disrupted the balance of nature by being here now." she said and leaned into his chest.  "But here and now, this feels so right."

"They still need you. To create other life; trees, animals, and happiness," he said softly. He then looked down then back up into Lady Gaia's eyes.

"I need you," said Charles softy as tears came to his eyes.

Lady Gaia allowed the tears to fall from her face.  "Oh Charles...help me to be strong, please...I need you...I need you so much." she said and cried as she leaned into his arms.

"I am here for you my love," he said. "I will lend you my strength so you can be strong again. I will give you as much as you need," he said softly.

Lady Gaia sobbed into his chest.  "Thank you, my love...thank you."

"I will do anything for you. All you have to do is ask do and I will do it," he said softly.

"What would you like me to do?" he asked softy.

"For now...just hold me," she whispered to him and wrapped her arms tighter around him.

Charles held on to Gaia. Never letting go.