A Second Life for Rose

By: Avalon

Rose looked around. There was nothing but an endless white light. I'm dead, Rose thought to herself. Or, am I dreaming? No . . . I'm dreaming. The only reasson I'm telling myself so, is because Zeig, Shirley, and the others are not here. Or maybe I need to look for them.
*
Dart looked at the remains of the divine tree. His sliver mare Sliver Moon shook her head.
"This is silly," the mare retroted. "You're too caught up in the past that you can't move on to the future. Shana is expecting her baby soon and you're running around thinking about the past. Move on!"
Dart sighed. He sqeezed the Dragoon Spirit of the Divine Dragon, hoping the Dragoon Spirits of the Red-Eyed Dragon and the Drakness Dragon would resonate with it. Nothing. Dart growled in fustration.
"Remember what Lavitz said?" Sliver Moon asked. "He said that the person you should be pursuing is not from your past, but your persent."
"I wish I could move on with my life," Dart told Sliver Moon, "but it's impossible for me."
"Try at the very least," Sliver Moon replied.
*
Miranda put Sun Shine into a graceful trot. She felt strange. An elf galloped to her side. He rode a beautiful white stallion.
"You ok?" the elf asked.
"Yes my love," MIranda replied.
"You've been acting strange ever since the cave," the elf said.
"Ok, my guts just feel funny," Miranda said. "Arron, I think . . . never mind."
Arron smiled.
"What?" Miranda asked slightly irritated at the red-headed elf with sliver-white-sapphire eyes. What is that elf prince thinking?
The white horse snorted. "Steady Phantom." Arron looked around for what could have startled the horse. There was nothing. Arron was always on egde. He was more then 11,000 years old and had lost his twin sister during the dragon campaign.
They continued down the trail.
*
King Albert looked out the window. He bit his lip. He held the Dragoon Spirit of the Jade Dragon, hoping its spiritual power would reassure him. His wife Queen Emily was giving birth. The shimmering green gem lit up.
He muttered a few words and the winds picked up. He felt a little better. Rose had taught him magical spells of the wind. She taught them all magic.
"Your Majesty," a elderly woman cried entering the corridor.
Albert put his dragoon spirit away.
"Triplets; two boys and a girl," the woman continued.
Albert felt dizzy and fell to the ground. "Two boys and a girl. How is Emily?"
"Tired, well she should be; giving brith to triplets," the woman said with little laugh.
Albert sighed and went to Emily.
"How are you?" he asked.
"I'll be fine," Emily replied. "Now for names . . . let's call this boy Alex.
"Then he'll inherit the national tersure," Albert replied. "He is my heir and the second dragoon king of Serdio. The girl will be called Lilac. She 's got a soft hint of lavendar in her glittery-hazel-green eyes. She'll be a sorceress. And the second boy will be named Carl. He'll be a knight."
"Agreed," Emily said.
"I like those names," a white falcon agreed. "You called the girl LIlac because of Rose? Didn't you?"
"She be be a flower," Albert replied. "But I hope she dosen't grow up just like Rose."
"You don't want it to be hard on her, do you?" the falcon asked.
"I just don't want her to be cold-hearted, White Wind," Albert replied.
*
Kongol loved Anne as much as he loved the earth. Her dark brown hair was dark as the soil and her eyes were a grassy green. She reminded him of home in a way.
"Have I gotten better at talking?" Kongol asked Anne.
"Yes," she replied.
Kongol was glad. Anne was an elf who's mother had been banished for in-mating with a wingly. But it was the fact that the elf princess Shirley had been killed by a wingly that made the elves mad. It was just a few months ago that Anne's mother had had enough of how life treated her, so she jumped into the ocean and never returned to the surface. Anne chose to be mortal and fell in love with Kongol.
"I wish there were no laws against elves and winglies falling in love," Anne said sadly. "If there weren't, my mom would still be alive. But in way, it makes me glad. Because I've got someone who is, like I, bonded to the earth's soul to love me."
"But I am a giganto," Kongol replied. "No human maidin has ever survived giving birth to a half giganto."
"But I am not just any maidin, I am an elf with a wingly's blood rushing thourgh my vains," Anne replied. "I think I can manege a giganto's child."
*
Haschel listened to the conversation. He sighed at the elf's bravery. He had to tell Dart and the others about this. He saw White Wind flying toward him. Haschel raised his so the bird would land on it.
"Albert sent you," Haschel observed.
"Queen Emily of Serdio has given birth to triplets," the falcon said. "King Albert is sumoning all dragoons and their families to Bale, Serdio." White Wing flew off.
And Haschel went to tell Kongol.
*
Meru kissed Gauraha. She knew something had happened when White Wind pecked Gauraha.
"Ah, cut it out," Gauraha shouted.
White Wind repeated his messge to Meru.
"Oh how wounderful," Meru cried. "Come on my love. We have blessings to make!"
*
Everyone gathered to meet Prince Alex, Prince Carl, and Princess Lilac. All but Dart. Queen Shana of Mille Seaseu was worried. Charle Frahma, Caron, and Maita were there. Anne, Gauraha, and Arron were there as well.
White Wind arrived with the news that he could not find Dart and that he was missing. The four Sacred Sisters tried to use their gifts to find Dart, but to no success. Everyone was worried. And Shana screamed into tears. She was afraid that Dart was dead.
Luanna clamed Shana. "What horse did Dart take?"
"Sliver Moon," Shana replied.
"Let's look for Sliver Moon," Setie ordered. They found Sliver Moon near the Divine Tree Ruins.
"Send White Wind to the Divine Tree Ruins," Wink ordered.
White Wind flew off.
*
Zeig serched for Rose.
"Rose!" he cried.
No reply.
Zeig walked backwards and bumped into something.
With a yelp of fear, Zeig drew his sword and it met another sword.
"Father?" It was Dart.
"Dart?!" Zeig sighed with relief. The area turned white.
"Zeig! Dart!" It was Rose.
"Rose!" Dart and Zeig cried happily.
Dart cried.
"Stop crying and be a man," Rose snapped.
"I'm just so glad-."
"Is this a dream?" Llyod asked.
"I picked him up on the way here," Rose said. Dart smiled. Lavitz appeared.
"You're all alive?" Dart exclaimed.
"Not just them," Lenus replied.
"We are master dragoons," Doel explained, "so we called the powers of our dragoons to restore us."
"So tecnally, we're not dead," Suyviel continued. Greham appeared at his side.
"This is the dragon underworld," Shirley said. "Dragons and dragoons alike come here for a second life."
"Then I'm dead?" Dart exclaimed.
"No, you're pretty alive," Damia replied.
"Then how did I get here?" Dart asked. "I was at the Divine Tree Ruins . . . now I remember! I slipped on a rock and . . . and . . . bashed the back of my head on another rock. I died. I DIED!" Dart began to cried. "I have to get back to Shana! She's going to have baby in three months and I'm dead!"
*
White Wind found Sliver Moon.
"Where is Dart?" White Wind asked.
"Over there, but something wrong," Sliver Moon replied, "he's not moving."
White Wind went to check on Dart and turned into a human. He bent to check on Dart.
"He's dead," White Wind said. "Come on Sliver, let's wrap the body up and get out of here."
And they did.
*
When Shana saw them, she screamed. She burst into tears.
"It's Dart," Sliver Moon said sadly.
Shana cried. Miranda, Luanna, Setie, and Wink all tried to clam their queen. White Wind, who had turned back into a falcon, tossed Dart's dragoon spirit into her hands. She cried harder.
*
Rose held Dart close to her. She knew it she would return to the surface soon. And he would be all alone.
"Dragoon Goddess," Rose muttered. "If you can hear me, don't leave Dart alone hear."
"I won't," the goddess replied.
"Rose, it's time," Zeig said.
"I'm going to stay with Dart," Rose said.
"But all the others are waiting at ruins of Kadessa, Hellena, Kazas, the Divine Tree, and Prison Island," Zeig said.
"I'll catch up," Rose said.
"Okay, Dart can go up with you," the goddess said. "His body is in one piece still and it's in Bale."
"I'll see you later," Dart said. He vanished.
Rose and Zeig took each other's hands and vanished.
*~*~*

Chapter 1
Power of Void; Tai

Tai was the prince and heir to the thrown of the new Imperial Gloriano. His father was the new Emperor Dart, his mother was Queen Shana of Mille Seaseu, and his twins were Princess Joy and Prince Hanry.
"Hey Dad, are you going to tell me the story yet," Tai asked.
"We're not going to hear it yet," Dart replied.
"When?" Tai asked.
"When we settle in the temple."
"I can't wait."
*
Chapter 2
Power of Fire and Dark; Zlen and Rozeta

Rozeta looked at her twin brother Zlen.Then to her parents who rode ahead.She was bored and tired of riding.
"Are we there yet?" Zlen asked impatiently.
"NO!" Zeig snapped.
"Are we there yet?" Zlen kept asking every five minutes.
By the sixth day of their journey to the temple, Rozeta was extremly irritated.
"Are we there yet?" Zlen asked.
"NO!!!" Rozeta screamed.
Rose looked over her shoulder. She didn't seem the least bit irritated. "Clam down Rozeta, it's perfectly natural for him to be curious."
"For an eight year old; yes, for a sixteen year old; no," Rozeta pointed out.
"Just clam down," Rose said. "We're here."
"Finally," Zlen cried.
"At least I can get away from that idiolt," Rozeta muttered to herself.
*
Chapter 3
Power of Light; Mirah

Mirah sat with her mother Miranda, Sacred Sisters (Luanna, Setie, Wink, Amber, and Jewel,) Queen Shana, and Princess Joy.
Amber, Jewel, Joy, and Mirah talked to pass the time by.
They soon arrived at the temple where the others waited.
"Dart my love, how are you?" Shana asked.
"Glad that you've made," Dart said.
"Al isn't here, so let's wait a little," Meru said.
And everyone did.
*
Note: I made a few errors in the last episode, I'm going to fix them. Tai to Diaz. That name seems right. And I do not own the "The Legend of Dragoon"


Chapter 4: Power of Wind: Alex

Prince Alexsander, or Alex, couldn't sit still. His brother and sister, Carl and Lilac, yawned in bordom. King Albert and Queen Emilee were tired. The temple was still miles away. Alex wanted to know . . . know why they were going to this strange temple and even more, what was inside.
"Relax my son," Albert said.
"I geuss it's out of curiousity," Alex told his father.
"It's a temple," Lilac pionted out. "To me, it will be nothing new."
"I don't care too much for temples," Carl admitted.
Emilee groaned. We souldn't have made them what they are now, she thought.
"Ah, we're here," Albert announced.
*
Chapter 5: Power of Earth: Blain

Dart welcomed Albert and his family.
"How was your journey?" he asked.
"Tiring, and the childern were eitther complainig or too excited.
"That must have been annoying," Dart laughed. "I had to put up with questions all the way here."
Emilee giggled. Alex ran toward the center, but nearing it, he ran into a strangly large boy.
"Ow, that hurt," Alex exclaimed.
"Sorry," the boy apoligzed.
"Blain, are you okay?" Mirah asked. She noticed Alex. "Oh, hello."
"Hi," Alex said.
"I am fine, thank you," Blain replied to Mirah's question.
He and MIrah helped Alex to his feet.
"I ouaght to be a little more careful," Alex said. By the way, I'm sorry Blain. I was too excited to see the temple."
"Oh, well after a while, it'll get pretty boring," Mirah said.
"But there is one room we haven't been in," a voice said.
*
Chapter 6: Power of Water: Gabbriala

"Don't pay any attention to her," Mirah said. "She's down-right trouble.Her name is Gabbriala and don't let this one little wingly with her looks decive you, she's is a big time trouble maker."
"I am not!" Gabbriala shouted. "So, you, you wanted an adventure. Am I right?"
"Yes," Alex said.
"Well, then come," Gabbriala said. She ran off to Zlen, Rozeta, Diaz and another strange boy. Alex followed.
"They're going to get into trouble," Mirah pionted out.
"Yep," Blain agreed.
*
Chapter 7: Power of Lightning: Henry

"Hey buddies," Gabbriala shouted. "So, let's get to that 'secret' room."
"Hi Alex," Diaz said.
"Hi Diaz," Alex said back.
"You've met?" Rozeta asked pushing locks of black hair away from silver-sapphire-violet eyes.
"Of course, they're royalty," the stranger replied. "I'm Henry of Rouge."
"It good to meet you," Alex said.
"Now let's go to the secret room," Gabbriala said. The group ran off.
*
Chapter 8: The Door of Elements

This is the secret room I was talking about," Gabbriala reported.
"This is very impressive," Alex admmited.
"Blah, blah, blah . . . that's why we are going to try and get in," Gabbriala said.
"How?" Alex asked.
"That's what we are trying to figure out," Gabbriala replied.
"These are in anceint dragon," Zlen announced. "Mum told me."
"Then how the hell are we suppose to get in? We can't read dragon," Rozeta pionted out.
"She has a very good piont," Diaz agreed.
"You six are going to get into a lot of trouble," Mirah snapped.
"Not if you two keep your mouths shut," Henry hissed.
"And why should we?" Blain asked.
"'Cause, you don't want us to get in trouble," Gabbriala said sweetly.
"She is so full of herself," Rozeta whispered to Alex.
"I've noticed," Alex whispered back.
"Oh, I just want to figure out what's behind this damn door!" Gabbriala shouted.
"Viod, fire, metal, light, dark, wind, lightning, water, and earth," Zlen said.
"What?" Mirah asked.
"The door is refering to the nine elements," Zlen replied.
"So?" Rozeta muttered.
"So . . . we need elemental magic to open this stupid door," Gabriala pionted out. "Duh."
"Full of herself, indeed," Alex whispered to Rozeta.
"Okay, but there are eight of us," Mirah pionted out. "We are one short."
"Ahh, snap!" Gabbriala cried.
"Maybe Jewel or Amber or Joy could help us open it," Mirah said.
"A minute ago, you disapproved of the idea," Alex pionted out.
"Whatever," Mirah sighed.
*
Chapter 9: Power of Metal; Illusen

What am I?
Who am I?
What is my purpose?
Where am I?
When did I did I come to be?
Why am I here?
How did I get here?
Questions raced through Illusen's head. She screamed in pain as those questions burn in her. Blood covered her clothless body, crimson-scarlet-orange wing stretched out of her back. She screamed again.
Illusen . . .
Maybe that's my name, she thought scornfully.
Dragoon . . .
Maybe I am this, uh, dragoon creature.
Land of the Dragons . . .
Sounds dangerous, but it makes sense.
Just now . . .
Really?
Figure that out by yourself . . .
I hate that answer.
And to save the world.
What?! Who the hell are you? Illusen asked mentally.
"At least you know how to swear," the voice laughed. "You're pathetic."
"When I find you, I am going to murder you!" Illusen shouted out loud.
"Let's get some clothes on that back," the vioce said. Silver armor appeared on Illusen's drencthed body. "And my name, you'll just have to find out for yourself."
I hate you so bad, Illusen thought.
"Get over it, you have some place you need to be right now," the vioce said.
"Where?"
*
Chapter 10: The Dragoon's Hearing

I honestly don't know if we can count on our kids to save the world like we did," Shana admited. "We were much older and ten times more serious when it was us."
"Dart, do really think the childern can handle what they're up against?" Meru asked.
"I honestly don't know," Dart replied.
"All we can do is hope," Albert said.
"Rose, Father, what do you think?" Dart asked.
"And who the hell is this evil?" Miranda qeustioned.
Rose and Zeig exchanged glances then looked away.
"Rose and I have talked about it," Zeig admitted. "She knows more about it then I do."
"Plaese tell us Rose," Shana pleded.
Rose removed her chocker from around her neck. Nineteen years ago, it was what kept her immortal, now it was just for fashion. She sighed. "It has been developing for the past five thousand years. I don't know what caused it, but it happened. It started on the years of the Moon Child. That hateful year that I, I mean we, fear the most. But the evil . . ."

Chapter 11: A New Friend

Illusen gentlly landed on the ground before the temple. The rain poured onto her armor, wings, steel black-gray hair, and face. She didn't know what was waiting at the top of the steps. Her steel gray eyes were adorned with silver slivers. Her wings and armor vanished, leaving blue breeches, a short, short-sleeved gray dress, a white, long sleeved shirt underneathe, black boots that reached up to her knees, and silver armor adorned her shoulders, knuckles, elbows, and knees. She walked up into the temple; the rain struck her face, but she payed it no attention. She walked inside and saw eight youths about her age stood talking.
One was a boy wearing crimson, scarlet, and blood-red armor and clothes. He had golden-bay hair, was well muscled, had a dazzelingly cute smile, and emerald-sapphire eyes.
There a girl with long, red-blonde hair, stary blue-silver eyes, beuatiful, delicate skin and features, and wore a white, sleevless dress.
Then there a bronze skinned boy who was well muscled himself with black hair, bronze eyes, and wore purple robes with red trimming.
There was a short girl with braided, platinum hair, mocking, sweet maroon eyes, and copper skin. She wore a short blue skit, a white, short-sleeved shirt that was tucked into the skirt, and a silver vest with a jeweled colar.
Another boy, one that was slimer then the rest wearing jade clothes and armor with gusty-gray-green eyes and blonde hair, sat on a bench.
There two more boys, one was as handsome as the first boy, but he was different. Instead blonde hair, he had shestnut hair, deep sapphire eyes, and platinum clothes and armor, but he had the same handsome smile.
And the last boy was tall, not so handsome with deep, golden skin, earth brown-green eyes, and dirt brown hair.
But there was one more girl. She was tall and wore dark colors, had black hair that was braided, and deep violet eyes.
*
"I'm so freakin' tired of waiting to know what the heck is in that damn room!" Gabbriala shouted.
"Quiet down Gabbriala, the adults will hear ya," Henry exclaimed.
"Hey, who's that?" Zlen asked. Everyone looked to the strange girl, soaked to the bone, at the entrance.
"My name is Illusen," she replied. "I came here because I was suppose to be here. Of course, I really don't know the reasson. Someone, I don't know who, said I was meant to come here."
"Here's a thought, I don't trust her, so let's send her on her way," Rozeta snapped.
Zlen thought fast. He came between his sister and Illusen. "Don't mind her, you'll come to find she's virulent when you get to know her."
"Who's virrulent?" Rozeta snapped.
Zlen chuckled nervously. "So, Illusen, where are you from?" he asked.
"I'm from the Land of the Dragons," Illusen replied.
"Really, my father told me it was dangerous," Alex exclaimed. "Is there really dragons there? Were you really born there? Are you a dragon's kit? What-?"
"Settle down Alex, you'll tire her with all your questions," Diaz snapped.
"Where did you get that pendent?" Gabbriala asked.
Illusen held a little gray sphere in her hand. It shimmered a little.
"Grandfather Haschel has a violet one just like that," Henry exclaimed.
"So does my mom, only her's is blue," Gabbriala said.
"My father has a platinum one," Diaz told them.
"My mother has a light blue one," Mirah muttered.
"And my father with his jade sphere," Alex said.
"My father has an orange sphere," Blain said.
"So does our parents," Zlen said.
"Only their's is indigo and crimson," Rozeta told them.
With that, Illusen's sphere blazed to life. "What's is this?" she asked.
"That's a dragoon spirit," Diaz replied.
"Dragoon? Wait, the one who sent me here said I was a dragoon. What the hell is going on?"
*
Eight dragoon spirits blazed brightly with a shrill singing.
"Alright, whose holding their dragoon spirit?" Shana asked.
*
The nine teens stood before the door of elments.
*~*~*
*
Chapter 12: The Secrets of the Secret Room.

"Whose ready to know?" Diaz asked.
Everyone, even Illusen, raised their hands.
"Alright. Viod!" Diaz shouted. Platinum flames, water, lighting, rocks, wind, metal, dark mist, and light mist struck the door. The platinum gem on the door shattered.
"Fire!" Zlen cried. Crimson flames hit the crimson jewel on the door and it, too, shattered.
Without thinking, Illusen stepped forward. "Metal," she muttered sternly. Gray metal hit a gray gem and it shattered.
"Light."
"Dark!"
"Wind!"
"Lightning!"
"Water!"
"Earth!"
All the gems broke with the words of their elements.
"Why . . . why is this so familiar to me?" Illusen asked. "Why do I feel like . . . never mind. It's probbally nothing."
The door creaked open.
"Let's go in," Gabbriala snapped.
This all seems familiar to me, Illusen thought. Have I been before? Oh, who am I? And why do these people seem so familiar to me?
"Don't cry. Cowards cry." the vioce told Illusen. "You are Illusen, Dragoon of the Metallia Dragon; the dragon and dragoon of the element of metal. Metal is cold. Now go."
Illusen obeyed. When she entered the room, she gasped. The statue of a mighty king stood tall, holding a sword. Behind him, were eight statues of proud, winged warriors.
"Whoa, two of them looks like Mom and Dad," Rozeta exclaimed.
"Gee whiz, do you really thinkit is Mom and Dad?" Zlen asked.
Rozeta whacked her brother in the back of his head for that qeustion. "You idiot, these statues look thousands of years old! Speaking of which, do our parents look over a thousand years old?"
"Dad does, but Mom still has her youth," Zlen said. Rozeta groaned.
"It's humanly immposible for one, even if it is a wingly without an E.T.S. on them, to live over a thousand years," Alex said.
"Oh, he's not only cute, but smart too," Damia giggled.
"I think this is a real bad idea," Mirah muttered. There was a loud roar. Mirah ran to Blain.
"Don't be scared," Blain told her.
A monster appeared from around a corner. The nine teens screamed and the monster roared back. Illusen saw wepons of all kinds. The monster was over twenty feet tall and thirty feet long from nose to tail tip. This monster had eight wings of different colors: gray, crimson, light blue, indigo, jade, violet, blue, and orange. The rest of the body was platinum, except for the nine eyes, four on one side, four on the other, and one on its forehead. There were rows of white, razor-sharpe theeth in its mouth.
"Holy shit, it's the Divine Dragon," Diaz exclaimed.
"The Divine Dragon that my mother described was a lot uglier then this," Rozeta said.
"I gotta bad feeling about this," Gabbriala announced.
"Don't we all?" Mirah asked.
"Looks like we'll have to fight this thing," Illusen said. She tossed a crossbow to Mirah, a lance to Alex, swords to Diaz, Zlen, and Rozeta, an axe to Blain, and a hammer to Gabbriala. Henry already had his weapons: his fist and feet. Illusen thought he was crazy. She held the staff she had been carrying since she came into the world. She walked over to the dragon and whacked it. It wasn't real. "It's . . . it's some sort of illusen."
Everyone sighed in relief.
"And I was really looking forward to a fight," Rozeta muttered sadly.
"Let me cry you a river of tears," Zlen muttered.
"What was that?" Rozeta asked dangerously.
"Nothing," Zlen replied in fear. A screen came on.
~
"That's him," a man in red said.
"I don't like this," a woman in dark colors cried.
"Me neither, but we still have to go and face him," a little girl pionted out.
"Yeah, fighting the king of dragons is the second to last thing I ever want to face," a red head woman muttered.
The man stepped forward.
"Please don't go any further," the dark woman cried franticlly. The red man took her into his arms.
"Don't be afraid," the red one said. "We'll just talk, and if things don't wotk out, death will be a setence that I will take for your safety. Don't worry."
"Let that little slut be a corward," a man in purple snapped.
"You're not still angry with her over that whole 'camping out' thing, are you?" a giant man asked.
"And if I remember correctly, you were the one who forced-."
"Shut-up you little whore," the purple one snapped cutting the dark one off.
The red man threw a hateful glare at the purple man.
"Watch it Kanzas, because someday that will come right back at you," a man in green snapped. "And besides, that's my sister-in-law you're snapping at." He turned away from the man in purple, Kanzas.
"He is such a bastard," the dark woman whispered to the red man.
~
"What the hell was that?" Gabbriala asked.
"To me: trouble if we don't get the fuck outta here," Henry replied.
The gruop turned to leave, but Illusen didn't budge. Zlen went back. He grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her away. The door slammed shut behind them and the gems reappeared.
*~*~*
*
Chapter 13: Who Am I?

Illusen thought. More questions poured into her head. She didn't know much about her past, she wasn't even sure if Illusen was her real name. She couldn't keep her emotions locked up forever, so, she burst into tears.
Zlen entered the room. "Are you okay?" he asked. He sat next to her.
"I have no idea who the fucking, god-damn-hell I am at all!" Illusen cried. She curled up into a ball.
"You know, I may not have known you very long, but I think . . . you know what?" Zlen asked. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
Illusen uncurled and looked at him. "I don't know," she replied.
"I do," Zlen told her. Illusen sat up, but her gaze never left him. Zlen leaned over and kissed her.
*
"Where the fucking hell is Zlen?" Rozeta asked.
"You know, it seems to me that you don't like your brother at all," Diaz pionted out.
"Ya think. What kind of girl my age does like her brother?"
Diaz chuckled. "You truly are strange."
"Thanks for the comment."

Chapter 14: The Search Begins

Everyone gathered in the great hall. Emperor Dart stood in the center of a circle. Zeig, Rose, Miranda, Albert, Haschel, Meru, and Kongol stood in a circle around him.Zeig faced north, Rose faced west. Miranda faced east. Albert faced northeast. Haschel faced northwest. Meru faced southeast. And Kongol faced southwest.
"Okay everyone, we've worked on this for years, we can do this," Dart told everyone.
"It's just a shame we're one short," Rose muttered with an evil, yet so sweet grin.
Zeig chuckled.
"You know, if you look just hard enough, you could see my father was terribly handsome in his more youthful days," Rozeta told Gabbriala.
"Girl, I'll believe that, 'cause I just saw that through your handsome brother," Gabbriala said.
Rozeta giggled.
"All of you, focus," Dart ordered.
*
"It's time," the voice hissed. "Eight shinning powers, your powers are mine to command."
*
Illusen gasped. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I've been using you to get the dragoon spirits," the voice replied.
"Mine too?" Illusen whispered.
"I said I was using you," the voice said. "Once I have their powers, you'll come to me, in Mayfil. You will meet me there. And after our meeting, you will give me what I want."
"Oh yeah, what's that?"
"Melbu Frahma."
"NO, ANYTHING BUT HIM!!!" Illusen cried out loud. Her dragoon spirit blazed to life. There were eight other stars of light. Without thinking, Illusen ripped her dragoon spirit off her neck. The jewel lost its glow and returned to normal. Everyone looked to the center of the great hall. Nine jewels adorned each symbol of direction.
"What have you done?" the vioce asked.
"I refuse to give you what you want," Illusen replied.
"You'll regret this. You will deliver the dragoon spirits to me. You have no choice. I awoke you, now you owe me. I have the dragoon warriors."
Illusen began to weep.
"What's wrong?" Zlen asked.
Illusen looked at him with desperate eyes. He hugged her.
"No," Illusen cried. She pushed him away from her. "I can't be trusted. I'm sorry, I-I-I must go." She gathered her skirts and ran from the temple.
"Illusen, come back," Zlen cried as the girl ran into the rain. Zlen pursued her. The rain was covering Illusen's tracks and Zlen's eyes. But the lightning always helped Zlen find her again. Soon, he had her. "What's wrong?"
"I've been working for the evil," Illusen cried. "I'm the reasson your parents are now missing."
"I don't believe that," Zlen snapped. "I want you . . ."
"No, I'm the one to hate, I was trying to steal the powers of your parents," Illusen shouted. "I'm the evil you must fight! If that's true, kill me and end it!"
"What are you doing?" the voice asked.
"Dying for the world," Illusen replied.
"Hey, what's going on?" Gabbriala asked. The others had cauht up, each wearing their dragoon spirit.
"Bring them to me now," the voice odered.
"Never," Illusen snapped. "Now go away."
"You will do as I command or I . . . I will kill Zlen," the voice said.
"NO!!!" Illusen screamed. "I'll do it." The Dragoon Spirit of the Matallia Dragon. "I know who has your families and where he's holding them."
Everyone looked to Illusen. "But . . . if I take you there, you must be prepared to face your wrose fears and kill me."
"But why," Zlen asked.
"I am-."
"Illusen, the Black Evil," Shana replied. "She is the one you must destroy. The name Illusen means an image and something that is not really there."
Zlen felt Illusen. "She feels real."
"You dolt, what Queen Shana is trying to say is, Illusen has been deceiving us with kindness," Rozeta snapped.
"I was lying a lot, but I didn't realize it until I heard a certian name," Illusen explained. "But there is one thing that was real. It was . . . Nothing."
"Oh for crying out loud, if you're truly in love, then just spit it out," Gabbriala cried.
"I really can't tell if it's true, or just another lie," Illusen admitted.
"Oh Goddess Bless, love is never a lie," Gabbriala snapped.
"I agree," Zlen said. "And I know you know that. I know you aren't lying, and we are serious about love. I will never harm you."
Illusen faced him. The rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared. The were in the meadow near the temple. The sun was shinning beuatifully. Zlen and Illusen kissed.
"Well, this doesn't get any better," Gabbriala sighed. Alex held her.
Rozeta giggled. "That is so cute."
Shana, Wink, and Setie sighed.
*~*~*
*
Chapter 15: Expecting You

Illusen looked down at Mayfil. She just wanted to turn this little adventure around. I'm leading them into a trap.
"Relax and they won't notice," the voice said.
"Who are you?" Illusen asked. Anger gripped her now.
"I am-."
"You okay Illie?" Zlen asked.
"We're walking into a trap," Illusen replied.
"So you're still evil?"
"Nothing, not even love can change that," Illusen said. Tears streaked her cheeks. "I don't know who I am, or where I came from. I'm just a lost little girl who is evil and doesn't even realize it until it's too late."
The group walked into Mayfil. They turned their horses loose and entered the city. A demon flew before them.
"We have been expecting you," it said. "I am Lord Zackwell, and this is the Black Lord . . ."
(*)
*
Chapter 16: The Fight

"Holy shit," Zlen exclaimed.
"In a book, a character like me would say: 'That was unexpected!'" Gabriala shouted. "But instead, I'm going to say: 'That is so unoringial!'"
Alex laughed.
"Normally I would disagree with Gabriala, but this, I'll make acception to," Mirah agreed.
"We have an older brother," Rozeta exclaimed. "And he's the bad guy? That is so wrong."
"No duh," Illusen muttered.
"I think it's time to call for Dad now," Mirah said.
"It figures we'd meet up with something like this," Gabriala whimpered.
"You: shut-up, you: don't think so, and you: quit crying," Rozeta snapped.
"How dare you tell my daughter to shut-up," the voice snapped.
"DAUGHTER?!" everyone exclaimed in uion.
"What?" Illusen asked. Tears streamed down her face as she cried.
The voice walked past the dragoons and up to Illusen.
"Get away from me!" she cried. The Black Lord stroked his daughter's hair. Illie clutched her fist. She was ready to strike out at the Black Lord. "Why?! Why did you leave me in the Land of the Dragons?"
The face Zackwell had was amazement and shock.
"My Lord, you didn't tell me you had a daughter," he exclaimed.
"I didn't want you to know about her," the Black Lord said.
"Who was my mother?" Illusen asked.
"Emperor Diaz's daughter," the Black Lord replied. "She lives to this very day. That boy over there was named after you grandfather and you already know my parents."
"But that doesn't explain why she doesn't remember her past," Zlen snapped.
"I didn't want her to find her way back here where Zackwell could harm her," the Black Lord said. "Elane!"
A beuatiful woman just like Illusen walked into the room. She smiled softly at Illusen.
Zackwell laughed.
"What's so funny?" Rozeta asked.
"Oh, it's just the fact that my Lord and Lady are being brought back together with their daughter," Zackwell replied.
"Oh really, 'cause I would be crying," Rozeta said.
"Oh shit," Diaz exclaimed. "Run!!!"
"Why?" everyone asked.
A beam of light was their answer. It shot through and through Elane. She hit the ground. The Black Lord ran to her, only to meet the same fate. Illusen screamed.
Diaz, Rozeta, and Zlen drew their swords.
"If he wasn't much of an enemy to our parents twenty years ago, he is now," Diaz exclaimed.
Alex drew out his lance, Mirah to her crossbow-gun, Blain to his axe, Gabbriala to her hammer, Henry to his fists, and Illusen to her staff.
"Let's fight," Illusen growled.
They started swinging their weapons and at Zackwell. But he dodged every blow.
"Hey, slow down," Gabbriala shouted.
Zackwell changed his shape and became a blood-thirsty monster.
"Oh my fucking god," Gabbriala gasped.
Illusen charged. She jumped and also changed her shape. Gray and silver armor covered her body while great wings stretched out of her back.
"Oh duh, she thinks of that and we don't?" Henry snapped. Soon armored warriors with wings flew into the air.
"Let's kick his ass," Rozeta snarled.
The nine warriors charged Zackwell. He lashed at Gabbriala and missed.
Blue Sea Dragon!
Red-Eyed Dragon!
Darkness Dragon!
Divine Dragon!
White-Silver Dragon!
Jade Dragon!
Golden Dragon!
Violet Dragon!
Matellia Dragon!
Nine dragons appeared, all roaring, snarling, and growling.
"ATTACK!" Diaz ordered. The dragons obeyed. They charged at Zackwell. All eighteen warriors and dragons; slashing, bitting, ripping, blowing elemental breathes.
Divine Dragon Canon!
Final Burst!
Metra Steel!
Star Children!
Astral Drain!
Gaspless!
Atomic Mind!
Diamond Dust!
Meteor Strike!
Nine powerful spells attacked Zacwell. Soon, everyone started getting gashes and covered in their own blood.
Matella Heala!
Gates of Haeven!
Astral Drain!
Rainbow Breath!
The four healing powers healed the wounded dragoons, themselves, and the dragons. Everytime one got hurt, Mirah struck him or her with a Moon Light spell. If it was two or more, heavy healing spells were used. After a while though, Mirah began to tire. The White-Silver Dragon faded away and Mirah hit the ground. She changed back to human-elf and slept. Some time later, Diaz fell, following Rozeta, Gabbriala, Alex, Blain, and Henry.
Only Illusen and Zlen remained. They fought unwilling to give up. There were cuts on their heads that bled. Blood fell into their eyes. The two warriors were getting weaker. Finally, Zlen jabbed his sword into Zackwell.
EXPLOSION!!!!!
Zackwell blew up . . . along with Zlen.
The explosion sent Illusen flying. She hit the ground. All went black.
*~*~*
*
Chapter 17: If I Cannot Find You, I Will Look Up to the Sun

A week went by and Illusen tacked her new horse up. The Dragoon Spirits of the Red-Eyed Dragon and the Matellia Dragon had fused somehow. It was now the Red-Eyes Black Metal Dragon.
"So you're ditching us?" Rozeta asked.
"Where are you going to go?" Gabbriala asked.
"I guess so and I honestly don't know," Illusen replied answering both questions. "I think I'll return to the Land of the Dragons.
"Not the best place to raise a child," Rozeta pionted out.
"I guess it all depends," Illusen said. She mounted and rode out. As she looked up, she could have sworn she seen Zlen. It all depends.

Find a way
To bring back yesterday
Find a way, for love.

If I cannot find you,
I . . . will . . . look . . . up . . . to . . . the . . . sun!