Clashing Fates

Disclaimer:I don't own these characters. I only own the plotline itself.

Rated:T –Just in case.

Chapter One

Rose leaned against the wall. The group was relaxing on the sofas facing her. Everyone but Meru, that is. She was bouncing on her feet.

"Come on!" she cried, pirouetting around the couches. "Let's go kick some serious monster butt!"

Haschel sighed and put his head between his legs. "You don't consider the God of Destruction some serious monster butt?"

Meru paused for a moment, wrinkling her nose in thought. "Well sure," she decided, turning to face Haschel. "But why waste our time here when there are still thieves and monsters running round?"

"Because we need to relax," answered Shana gently, stretching out her legs on the carpeted floor. "This is an Inn after all."

Meru glared at Shana. "But it's so boring!"

"Then go run around the building a couple times." That was Dart. His arms were crossed decisively over his armored chest, his head bowed.

Meru turned wide eyes to Dart. "But Dart…"

A glance from Dart was all that was necessary to silence her. She turned away from him and pointed at Kongol. "You'll come with me, won't you?"

Kongol shifted his weight, causing the loveseat to groan. "Kongol tired too."

Meru twirled around and marched towards the door. "You guys are boring. Have fun sitting here and being boring." Stopping in the doorway, she turned and yelled, "You're all going to be so bored while I'm having fun!" At that, she strode out of the room and into the bright sunlight.

Dart sighed loudly. "She's just got too much energy."

Shana giggled. "You can never have too much energy."

Rose rolled her eyes. Yet another typical scene was playing out before her. Haschel giving quirky remarks to Meru; Shana coming on to Dart; Kongol watching silently; and Meru leaving in search of "un-boring people".

A scream echoed from outside, causing the group to race over to the windows. A scene played out before their eyes.

A giant winged beast had landed in the middle of the clearing, crushing the town's statue of the mayor. Its feathered body had a giant eagle's head with beady red eyes and a long curved beak. It had long yellow legs that were oddly muscular for a bird. Long silver talons tipped off the long knobby toes.

Meru was in front of the monster, her staff at the ready. "Leave her alone!" she shrieked as the bird turned to a civilian. Meru leapt towards the bird, flipping twice in the air. She smacked her staff on the bird's body, but it appeared just to sink into the feathers.

The monster, seemingly startled by the ferocity of this human, turned its black-feathered head towards the girl. He stared at her.

Meru met the bird's gaze. "That's right, you ugly meathead! Watch me!" At that, she leapt into the air once again.

This time the bird caught her in his giant claws. He extended his wings, the black feathers shining purple in the sunlight. And took off, Meru enclosed in his talons.

The group of friends raced outside to see the bird traveling towards distant mountains. It was just a silhouette against the blue sky.

"What are we going to do?" cried Shana, her hands traveling to her mouth. She turned expectantly towards Dart.

Dart watched the bird continue on towards the hills. "We can't just let the bird take her."

Rose shifted her weight on to one knee. "And why not? I thought she off in search of her own adventure - well she found it."

Haschel clasped his hands behind his back. "I agree. She can get out of this one herself." At that he turned and retreated into the Inn. Kongol was on his tail with a "Kongol tired too," said over his shoulder.

Dart turned and started out of town.

Rose was already in the doorway to the Inn.

"I'll come with you Dart!"

Rose paused for a brief moment before turning on her heel. She caught up to the pair in a matter of strides.

"Rose?" came the shocked voice of Dart. His blue eyes were trained on hers, but she would now meet his gaze.

Why did I come?

"I thought you wanted her to get out of this one herself."

Rose managed to turn an expressionless gaze upon Dart. "You're going to need me. I know the Rothell Mountains better than anyone else."

A/N: I just recently read a one-shot about Legend of the Dragoon. It inspired me to write one myself. Yet again, however, I discovered that whatever story I think of will have to be more than a one-shot. Tell me what you think!