A girl sat in the stands, seemingly alone, not even bothering to hide her tears for her dead King. It was probably strange that she should be so sad given that the position was hers, but even so, Lucy was mourning. However, it was not only his death that was causing her this pain. Since the Green King's death, the Fanged Rangers had been forced to fight because of the Black King's declaration. Lucy was a caring leader, but she knew nothing of war. Her healing protected her guild members, but she was so new to leadership that she was not sure how to keep the Ebony Strykers away from their territory. 

And then there was her fear for her own life. No one really knew what had happened to the dead Kings, why or how they were killed, just that they were no longer living. What if that happened to her because of her new position? Lucy had been careful, but still she was frightened. Unlike previous Kings, she had not revealed her real life identity to any who did not already know it. All Fanged Rangers meetings took place in DGO or in the forums, never in person. She wasn't even wearing green to classes anymore. Lucy trusted her guild members, but the more people who knew her real identity, the more likely it was to leak out to other guilds.

Lucy wiped the tears from her eyes and just stared at the stage. What would Michael have done if he were still around? Would he have built up an army, just as the Black King had, to fight against the Ebony Strykers? Or would he just have given up? She did not believe he would have chosen the latter option, but Lucy couldn't be sure what was best for her guild. The Fanged Rangers were few in numbers and thought of each other as a family. If she fought back with what little she had, it could cost her guild members their future, something she would never want.

As if on cue, one such member sat next to her, though she suspected it wouldn't be for long. A hand was placed on her shoulder, a reassuring voice in her ear. "There's nothing you could have done Lucy, and he would be proud of the way you're leading us now. Despite what the Black King has forced of us, you are still trying your best to keep us a peaceful. I imagine it must be hard to do."

Lucy shook her head, showing her disagreement and responded, "But maybe I'm wrong to continue our neutral position? Look where it has gotten us. We have no enemies, that's true, but we also have no allies. Perhaps if we took the war path... made some allies, fought back... It is not something I wish to do, but maybe it would be better for all of you." She sighed, keeping the rest of her doubts to herself. For years Lucy had been working to gain this position, but now that she was a King she realized she hadn't been prepared. Not one bit. 

The boy next to her smile and spoke again. "We believe in you Lucy. That's why we're still here and why we won't leave. You'll make the right decision." And then he was gone, just as quickly as he'd come leaving Lucy to wonder if he was wrong.