Standard disclaimer: I don't own the series.

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AN: Well, here ya have it! The next chapter ^_^ So, what does that mean? It means that this story is close to being finished! YAHOO! Even though I have the ending finished and a loose idea has to how everything will go, I still have to write it out one chapter at a time ^_^;;;

Either way, this is the second to last battle that everyone's favorite hearty band of wannabe heroes has to face off against. So, pray that I don't screw these last few chapters up ^_^d

Anyway, here's the next chapter! Enjoy.

Leon moaned as he lay dying. He had lost the fight with Valerie, and now he was going to die along with the rest of Shevat. He had hoped that he could buy Miyuki some time to get to Navare and warn Ryu and his companions, but he knew that the dragon would attack before Yuki could get there.

Had Gideon finally succumbed to Legence’s control or was this what the dragon king had planned the entire time? Leon coughed, spraying blood. As soon as Valerie’s massive dragon form had him in her grasp, he had reverted back to human form. It was painful enough to be crushed in the dragon form, but to be in human form most certainly meant death.

And, that was what led him to his current problem. He was lying on his back, his clothes torn to shreds. The sun was rising over the still burning city. He could only watch as several more dragons appeared and reigned in the white dragon. He knew that they were there for Valerie and not to rescue survivors.

He was just glad that the dragoons could not see him still breathing from that high up in the sky. They could see him, yes, but to them he was just another lifeless, unknown body laying amongst the other dead people of Shevat.

He was only glad that Sari had not been there to witness the destruction of her city. Leon’s throat constricted tightly as he remembered Salla shielding him, dying in his arms. She had always remained loyal to him, even after he tried to kill her. Now, he was dying and couldn’t even move his head. Even breathing was becoming a chore.

Don’t you dare die on me!

Leon remembered Yuki’s last words to him. Was there an attraction to the young woman? Definitely yes. He was only sad that he would not get to see her again. He finally closed his eyes, finally accepting the fact that he would not live to keep his promises to Ryu, Yuki, and everyone else.

“Hey? HEY?! Are you still alive? Answer me!”

Leon weakly cracked open an eye and was able to make out the blurry image of a massively large man. Vision slowly came back and he realized that it wasn’t a man, but a shell clanner, dressed in a red and brown tunic.

“You!” the shell clanner yelled, pointing at Leon. “Are you alright?”

Leon could only moan a reply. He could feel the blood well up inside of his throat. He quickly jerked his head to the side and vomited up the blood. The massive shell clanner ran over to Leon and gently lifted Leon’s head up. Leon had no idea who this man was, or even how he had gotten there.

Leon tried to move, but the shell clanner gave him a sharp look. “Do not move! You will only cause more damage if you do,” the man said in a sharp voice. “Now, hold still, I am going to heal you.”

There was a light that enveloped Leon’s body. The brood screamed as he felt bones snap and twist back into place. Ladon, this was worse than the transformations!

When the light died down, Leon realized that his body was whole once more. He tried to get up, but a sudden wave of nausea hit him and he was forced back to the ground. Leon looked up at the man in confusion.

“Who… are you?” Leon managed to choke out.

The shell clanner merely smiled. “My name is Rekks Counsei.”

Leon’s eyes widened. “But… aren’t you with the Swords?”

Rekks’s smile grew wider. “No, not anymore. Now, I am with Ryu and the other Destined. Come, we must leave this city.”

Rekks stood up and helped Leon up to his feet. “How did you know that I was even here, let alone alive?” Leon asked.

Rekks merely gave Leon a look. “The great Creator has sent me on a mission. I must do what I can to preserve life.”

Leon gave Rekks a look that could only mean that he thought Rekks was crazy. But he kept his opinion to himself. “Okay, but what does that mean now? Has Gideon attacked any other country?”

Rekks shook his head. “I do not know. I do know that he will go straight for the place where the rest of the Goddess Keys are assembled.”

“Shit!” Leon swore. “That means that… Navare! We have to get to Navare! Ryu, Nunnally! Sari! They’re in trouble! We have to… uhn…” another wave of nausea washed over Leon as he fell over. Rekks caught him before he hit the ground. Leon’s eyes rolled back.

“I was afraid that my healing spell wasn’t enough,” Rekks said as he picked Leon up in a cradle position. Rekks glanced over on the horizon and spotted his transportation.

“I see that you have found the prodigal son of the Brood,” the Professor laughed. Wes was right behind the old man, a look of terror on his face. The old man’s face suddenly grew serious. “Is he the only survivor?”

Rekks lowered his head. “Yes. There are no other survivors.”

The Professor looked at the surrounding landscape. He then looked up in the air. The dragons had noticed their movement. “Then we must go. We are not safe here.”

And with that, the foursome vanished in a plume of light.

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“This is bad!” Sari yelled. She was still standing on the balcony that connected to her sleeping quarters. What she was yelling over was the simple fact that there was a white and silver-scaled dragon flying high in the morning sky, several massive black and gold-scaled dragons flanking the silver dragon.

And they were heading straight for Navare.

Sari shook her head. She was about to head for the door to her quarters, when the first wave of dragons flew a little too close to comfort and started to spray her with fire. A quick barrier kept the fire from burning her. She noticed that her shield was starting to fizzle out a little bit. She knew that she had to seek cover, or fry.

She made another move to the door, but was blocked off by another dragon. This dragon was blue and red scaled. It was about to breath fire or ice or whatever element it was at her, when another dragon, a red dragon, slammed right into the blue and red one.

Sari and the dragon looked up and saw the red, serpentine dragon, the very transparent dragon floating only a few feet away. Sari nearly yelled in relief when she saw the figure in the middle of the dragon. The man inside of the red dragon snarled and positioned himself between Sari and the other dragon. Sari looked up and realized that the man bore a striking resemblance to…

“WYATT?!” Sari yelled in surprised.

The man looked down and flashed Sari a grin. He then turned his attention back to the dragon at hand. Sari blushed slightly. Whatever happened to that boy, it was something else. It would appear puberty had done wonders for that boy.

Sari was snapped out of her reverie when two dragoons reverted back to their human forms and jumped onto the balcony. They charged at Sari, but a sudden blur appeared before the two men and a swift kick upside the head caused one of the dragon men to fall back. Another kick sent the other one flying against the railing of the balcony.

Sari could only gape in surprise when she was that her savour was a young girl that looked to be no older than seven at the most. The girl had chin length brown hair, bright green eyes, and was dressed in a black and pink jumper. The small girl resumed her battle stance, not unlike the one that Jin or Yuki usually stood in.

The two men were equally as surprised as Sari was. The little girl gave the men a calm, stoic look before she charged at them again, but was cut off by another quick moving blur. The blond haired woman launched into a round kick that sent both men flying once again, only this time they went over the balcony.

Sari looked at the woman and the little girl. The woman she knew as Seth MacCallahan, but the little girl was a mystery. The girl took notice of Sari’s confused look and smiled ever so slightly. The little girl was about to say something, but was cut off by Shelley.

“We have to secure the area!” Shelley said in a sharp voice. The little girl nodded.

“Yes,” the girl said in a calm, cool voice. “They are no doubt after the Keys.”

Seth turned to Sari. “Lady Saria, we apologize for the… sudden entrance. We would have come sooner, but we had other business to attend to.”

The little girl took a small robot out of her pocket. Honey, Sari realized. The robot was holding a small Key. Sari’s eyes widened in shock when she realized that it was the Time Key.

The little girl took the Key from Honey and looked up at Sari. She held up the Key for Sari to take. “It’s the last Key,” the little girl said. Sari took the Key and turned it over in her hand.

“No,” Sari said, her voice taking on that of despair. “There’s still one Key left… and it’s…”

“FUCK!” Wyatt yelled as he dodged another blast of fire from another dragon. The red dragon let loose a stream of fire at the dragon, causing that dragon to stumble back. Wyatt took that moment to get his people moving. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR?! GET INSIDE NOW!!!”

The little girl’s eyes narrowed and in one quick motion, shoved Sari through the door. Sari stumbled back, reeling from the shock of the entire events taking place. The little girl waved Sari off.

“Get Ryu out here, now!” The girl shouted. She then turned her attention back over to helping Seth fend off the dragoons that seemed to be swarming the balcony.

Sari could only shake her head as she slammed the door shut.

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Ryu knew something was wrong when he saw Sari running through the hallways of Navare in a panicked state. Or maybe it was the fact that she was screaming something about being under attack. Either way, it took Jin grabbing Sari and forcing her to calm down before any of them were able to get anything out of Sari.

“What the hell is going on?!” Ryu yelled.

Standing behind Ryu was the assembled party, most of them not looking too happy at having one of their friends come running around screaming at the crack of dawn. Even Troy looked slightly irritated.

Jin finally released his grip on Sari as the green haired woman took a deep breath. She looked at everyone and shook her head. “We’re under attack!”

“What?” Karn asked as he walked up to the group, Hawk and several others right behind him. “What do you mean…hm?”

Manna growled and whipped out her staff. She held it out and the staff flashed, converting to a long sword. Manna started to walk off, her back to the rest of the group. She turned her head a little to look at everyone.

“Legence’s made his move,” Manna said, her eyes flashing gold. “It’s time.” Manna turned her attention to Ryu. “What are you going to do now?”

All eyes were on Ryu. Ryu tensed, but relaxed slightly when he felt Nina’s hand intertwine with his. He took a deep breath and gave them all a bold look. For once, Ryu actually looked the part of a natural born leader. At least, that’s what Ryu liked to think.

Too bad he never took lessons in public speaking. Ryu shook his head. “Okay, Sari and Nina, you guys know tank magic, right?” the two women nodded. “Okay, you guys will attack from the distance. Uh…” Ryu glanced over at Manna, Troy, and Jin. “You guys will be with me. We’ll attack them headlong.”

Hawk coughed, catching Ryu’s attention. “I will assist you,” Hawk said. Ryu looked like he was about to protest, but Hawk cut him off. “Look, I know you know Navare inside and out, but I know about passages that you don’t even know about. I can help you.”

Karn nodded. “He’s correct. We are constantly changing the passages around here as to confuse anyone trying to invade. It gives us the home advantage. It would be in your best interest to take him.”

Ryu sighed. He nodded and turned his attention to Yui. Yui merely shook her head and crossed her arms. “I will stay in here and help everyone fend off the dragoons that get passed all of you.”

Ryu nodded. “Okay… I guess we’re all set,” Ryu said as he turned to his party. “Well, everyone, it’s “let’s kick major amounts of ass!” take two!”

There was massive movement of eye rolling, but everyone nodded in agreement nonetheless. What in Ladon’s name had the Dragon God been thinking when he chose Ryu to be the saviour of the world?

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Mina knew that she didn’t have to go. Garr had told her to stay put at Angel Tower. He said that it was for her own protection. She knew that he was right. She was by no means a melee fighter, let alone a magic user.

All she knew was that Garr had said that Ryu was in danger. Ryu would need his help, Garr had said. Garr had been the first individual in over a thousand years that had shown her kindness. He had saved her from those people that had wanted to use her as a sacrifice to Legence.

She knew that she couldn’t just let Garr go alone to face Ladon only knows what. She knew that there wasn’t much she could do for Ryu and Garr and the rest of their companions. She knew that if she weren’t careful, she would end up as a liability rather than an aide.

There was one thing, however, that she could do that none of the other could do. She could fly. And it was in that form, the form of a massive pink and white-feathered avian, that she headed off in the direction.

She didn’t know why, but she felt the Great Bird was needed once more. Images of people dying filled her head as she raced off towards Navare. She didn’t exactly know the way, but she felt that she would find the place before it was too late.

She had faith, after all.

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Ryu wasn’t sure what exactly he needed to do. Manna, Troy, and Jin seemed right at home on the battlefield. He knew that from when the three traveled together all those years ago, they could read each other’s movements and attack in synch with each other.

Sari and Nina were a completely different subject all together. Sari rebounded every single attack that came their way. Nina was busy casting one massive spell after another. Fire, ice, lightning seemed to be her favorite trio of spells.

Hawkeye, on the other hand, was making it painfully aware that he had trained in Navare all of his life. For every one of the dragoons that one of the party had missed, Hawk was right there, usually behind that unfortunate dragoon, ready to take him out. And take them out he did. He was showing that he was able to hold his own.

Ryu took notice that the thief was taking full advantage of the close quarters in his fights. He would dip behind the shadows, only to reappear right behind a dragoon just in time to take that one out.

He knew that they hadn’t even gotten outside of the fortress yet. If it was getting hard to take down dragoons that were inside of the fortress, there was no telling what would happen when they managed to get outside.

Ryu knew that everyone could hold their own. He knew that everyone here that was with him had their own reasons for fighting. They had their own abilities and skills. He also was painfully aware that everyone that was fighting with him had placed their trust and faith in him.

It was a little unnerving.

Ryu knew that he was the Destined Child. He knew that it was his duty to save the world from the darkness of the Mother Goddess. Why did Ladon and Myria have to drag the world into their squabbles? It pained Ryu to be fighting his brethren. He was only faintly aware of knowing some of the dragoons that he was currently cutting down.

It was when they finally reached the entrance, was Ryu aware of more fighting going on outside. They busted outside just in time to see the red dragon get slammed into the ground by a silver and white scaled dragon.

That took him off guard. There was something about those dragons… he took a closer look and felt his throat constricting. Images of a blue haired woman filled his mind. His mother! The dragon was his mother!

Ryu staggered back, a look of complete shock on his paling face. He wasn’t aware of Nina and Jin shouting at him to move. He wasn’t aware of that one dragoon that managed to slip past Hawk’s never ceasing attacks.

Ryu was in shock. His mother was still alive! But how…? He vaguely remembered Manna and Troy telling him about finding Valerie, but his mind had shut that down. He hadn’t really been listening to what they had to say. He just couldn’t believe that she was still alive. The news hurt too much.

Ryu didn’t hear the desperate yell for him to move. He only noticed the dragoon about to impale him when he was right on top of Ryu. Ryu yelled and tried to move for his sword, but the dragoon’s sword sliced into Ryu’s sword arm, causing the dragon prince to scream.

The dragoon made another move to strike, but a well placed kick from that little girl caused the dragoon to jump back in surprise. Ryu blinked and looked down at the little girl. She shook her head.

“You need to pay attention,” the little girl said crossly.

The dragoon yelled and lunged at Ryu once more. Ryu growled and grabbed up his sword with his left hand and parried the blow. The little girl jerked around, only to be impaled by another dragoon. The girl shrieked as her jumper was quickly staining red. The dragoon jerked his sword out.

Ryu sliced through the dragoon that was in front of him and turned around to find out what happened to the girl. Ryu’s already pale face got paler as he saw the little girl on the ground, a pool of blood quickly forming around her. Ryu spotted the dragoon. Ryu raised his sword to strike at the bastard for even thinking about harming a little girl, but a fast moving green blur stopped Ryu from attacking.

Ryu never thought he had ever seen Jin move that fast in his entire life. Before he knew it, Jin had sliced into the dragoon several times. The dragoon screamed as he collapsed to the ground. Jin’s eyes flashed as he started at kicking the dragoon as he struggled to stand. Ryu couldn’t understand why Jin would attack an opponent that was already down.

Ryu shook his head as he ran over to the little girl and gently gathered her into his arms. Ryu’s eyes widened as he got a good look at the little girl. Yes, she was somehow older, but there was no mistaken who she was.

“Momo…?” Ryu croaked. The girl didn’t respond. Ryu turned her head forward and noticed that she looked on ahead with a dull and lifeless expression on her face. Ryu flinched at the look. Was she already dead?

Ryu grabbed Momo’s wrist and felt for a pulse. There was one, but it was so faint. Ryu was surprised that she was even still alive. Yes, he and his companions could take a beating, but Momo was just a little girl. Ryu realized that the girl was in shock. If he didn’t do anything, she would die.

Ryu wasn’t aware of Jin walking over to him and Momo, nor was he aware of the steely look that Jin gave him. The only thing that Ryu was aware of was his own heartbeat that seemed to be sounding in his ears. Ryu closed his eyes and prayed to whatever god that happened to be listening that he could do something to save Momo.

Heal light.

Ryu’s eyes flashed open. Of course! He had forgotten of the healing powers that Yuki had given him. He concentrated on the light, praying that he could reach enough of it to heal with. A sudden flash of light appeared around Momo. When the light died down, Momo’s eyes flashed open. She looked up at Ryu with a look of confusion.

“You need to pay attention,” Ryu said with a wry grin.

Momo nodded and flashed Ryu a small smile. Momo blinked and noticed for the first time that Jin was looming over Ryu and her. Ryu followed Momo’s look up and froze. The look that Jin had on his face actually frightened him. But only for a second. Jin frown and merely nodded before he turned around.

Jin stopped in his tracks when the white and silver-scaled dragon suddenly loomed over Ryu and Momo. The dragon roared as it lunged forward, its mouth opening to let loose a stream of fire.

Ryu yelled and threw his body over Momo’s. His yell caused his other companions to jerk around and start to move to intercept the dragon, but none of them were fast enough. They were all too far away. Ryu’s body tensed as Momo called out for Jin. There was a sudden shadow over the threesome. Ryu looked up and to this day still could not believe what was before him.

There was a massive black and gold robot right behind the silver dragon, it’s massive arms wrapped tightly around the dragon’s torso.

Nina took the time to stop and point at the robot. “Oh my god!” Nina wailed. “You mean to tell me that the Professor was actually BUILDING THAT THING?!”

 

To be continued…