ROSARIO+KIVA

Episode 14: Moving On

Ruby watched over the fight with some regret. She was so sure Yukari and her friends would be able to help them in their mission. Instead they were set against it and actively fighting against them. Why couldn't they understand? Why wouldn't they help? Surely they saw humans were just a virus on the world.

She then heard a loud shout and then looked away from the battle to see the man in white armor come charging at her with his weapon. Her eyes widened in fright as he was aiming for her.

Suddenly, a golden and crimson blur appeared between herself and IXA before she heard the sound of metal clashing. She could see that it was Kiva but why had he protected her? Wasn't he the enemy?

"Get out of my way, Kiva!" roared IXA. "Once I'm done with the witch you're next!"

"Impudent youth!" Kivat growled before jumping off his perch. He flew around IXA's head, distracting him. IXA tried to swat the mechanical bat away and even shot at him with his weapon but Kivat was fast and struck at IXA with his wings and also kicked at him a few times.

Ruby was confused by Kiva's actions. "Why? Why did you save me?"

"Because you are Yukari-chan's friend," Kiva answered.

"Why protect humans then?" she asked.

"Because I made a vow," Kiva told her simply. "For my father was human." Ruby gasped. "Thus I shall not back down!"

"Wataru-san, who are you?" she asked.

"Kiva."

With a battle cry, Kiva and Kivat joined up again to engage IXA while at the same time fighting the plant monsters. Ruby was left with confusing thoughts now.

Inside of her cabin, Yukata was growling angrily. She could see what was happening through the eyes of her minions. Those kids were cutting the plant monsters down as fast as they could come out of the ground.

"Those little traitors," she hissed. "If they will not join me, then I will crush them along with the humans!"

Collecting her magic power, Yukata called out to the plants in which her magic was tied to. The ground trembled as more vines broke through the floor. These magic vines then slithered across the floor and towards Yukata herself. The angry witch remained still as she collected her power. The vines reached out to Yukata and began to wrap around her.

"I will crush them all!" she screamed before the vines engulfed her.

Outside, the girls were shredding plant monsters while IXA and Kiva battled against each other. Ruby only watched in confusion at the golden warrior who was protecting her.

The fights then halted for a moment as the cabin suddenly exploded in a pulse of power. Smoke flew in all directions as a huge shape rose from the remains of the cabin.

The beast itself looked like a huge monolithic plant. At the top were three large heads with gaping jaws and jagged teeth. All three roared at once, aiming at the gathered fighters who would stand against it.

"Master!" Ruby cried in shock. "No! You can't use that spell!"

"I DON'T CARE!" Yukata roared from within the massive beast. "I AM GOING TO CRUSH THE TRAITORS AND HUMANS MYSELF!"

"Holy shit!" Kurumu cursed as she saw the giant monster. Moka-sama's eyes narrowed at it as well while Mizore looked unaffected though her knees were shaking. Yukari gasped.

"Ruby-san, what's happening?" Yukari asked.

"It is a spell that no witch should ever use!" Ruby explained. "It combines the witch with their medium to bring out their absolute power. The problem is that it can't be reversed! They're a mixed creature for the rest of their lives!"

Kivat instructed, "Kiva, now's a good time to call on our secret weapon! Go big for big!"

Kiva nodded in agreement before knocking IXA backwards and reaching to his belt. He pulled out Castle Doran's Fuestle and slid it into Kivat's mouth.

"CASTLE DORAN!"

Back on the beach where Castle Doran was resting, the illusion around it faded around to reveal the massive castle as Castle Doran stretched out its neck and wings. Shoo Doran also awoke as its head popped out of the water before flying up to its parent. Both Doran exchanged growls before the smaller one perched itself upon its parent's back. Castle Doran unleashed a roar right before it took flight with its now enlarged wings.

IXA was shooting at the beast which had garnered his full attention now. Enemies were everywhere but even he knew he would have to fight alongside Kiva, as disgusting as that idea was.

Yukata laughed but then her laughter ceased when all of a sudden a loud roar was heard and a large shape slammed into the gigantic plant beast. The girls all gasped in shock as they witnessed Castle Doran's arrival. It let out a roar and Kiva was about to jump up to fight with Castle Doran when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to look at Moka-sama.

"Take me with you," she all but commanded. Kiva nodded, knowing he couldn't refuse the beautiful vampire. He wrapped one arm around her waist before they both jumped up and landed on Castle Doran's clock tower.

IXA looked upon the appearance of Castle Doran and sneered. He was not one to be outdone. Reaching down to his belt he also pulled out a Fuestle which he then inserted into his belt. He pushed the knuckle into the device.

"POWERED IXER!" the belt announced.

Castle Doran roared and the gigantic plant beast roared right back at it. Suddenly, a blue capsule flew at the plant beast and exploded against it. It roared in agony and turned from Castle Doran towards what'd attacked it.

It was IXA and he was sitting in a chair that was attached onto the front foot of a mechanical dragon. It was mainly white with a blue bin on its back loaded with explosive capsules. The head and neck of the dragon resembled a snake's and it had four feet with gold claws and wheels under the feet for maneuverability. Though it was half Castle Doran's size, that fact didn't make it any less formidable.

"Where the heck did he get that thing?" cried Kurumu.

Yukata watched both of her large enemies staring her down. One was the legendary Castle Doran, the living Fangire fortress. The other was a machine that was no doubt a human creation. Its presence only served to enrage her as she watched it trample several of her minions.

"Yukata-san!" Kiva called from atop Castle Doran with Moka-sama by his side. "Stop this! There is nothing to gain from this fight!"

"Oh yes there is," the deranged witch hissed. "I WILL BE SAVING THIS LAND!"

The ground shattered as huge vines came out of the ground. They whipped towards both Castle Doran and Powered Ixer. Both the living dragon and the mechanical one pulled back out of her reach.

"Your life ends today!" IXA called by manipulating the controllers. The Powered Ixer's head reared back and grabbed one of the blue pods that were held within the bin on its back. Grabbing one in its mouth, it hurled the explosive pod at Yukata. The plant monster brought up a wall of vines that blocked the item, which exploded while shredding the vines.

Castle Doran pressed for an advantage and began shooting fireballs out of its mouth. Again, the plant monster reacted quickly as it created a second wall of vines to block the attacks.

"You can't win!" Yukata screamed. "Surrender and maybe I'll let you all live!"

"We'll never surrender!" bellowed Moka-sama.

"And we shall not allow you to harm the city!" Kiva shouted.

Ruby watched from her spot, stunned. This wasn't what she wanted. She didn't want to cause so much suffering and yet she'd aided in her master's plan without question. She knew why she was doing it, though. Her master had taken her in after the death of her parents so to repay her she was loyal to her.

However, she was starting to rethink a few things. Kiva had said that he was half human? Could it be possible that not all humans were evil? Humans were responsible for the destruction of nature but that didn't mean all of them were evil, right? And Kiva's father had to be a good man to raise such a man as Wataru.

Also, Yukari and her friends were also fighting to defend the human city. Why? Weren't monsters and humans natural enemies? That IXA person seemed to think so but they were still standing together against her master. Why? They would be killed and sacrifice themselves for nothing. Was saving the humans really worth sacrificing their lives for?

All these confusing thoughts were starting to give her a headache.

Castle Doran flew upwards and fired its castle towers like missiles which bombarded against the beast. Even Shoo Doran was lending a hand by firing it fireballs alongside its parent.

As much as IXA hated working with monsters, he would help them against a bigger threat. He at least knew how to prioritize and the safety of the humans and the city was top priority. He would work with them…for now. The Powered Ixer reloaded its pods and then IXA slung them at the green beast.

"Does this thing have no weaknesses?" growled Moka-sama. "What does it take to beat this thing?"

"Ruby-san!" cried out Yukari. Ruby looked down on the witch. "Please, help us stop your master!"

"Yukari…" Ruby uttered.

"Don't waste your breath, brat!" shouted Kurumu. "No way is she going to help us!"

"No…" Ruby gripped her fists. She didn't want Yukari to die. She was still a child and had a bright future. Her master had marked her for death as soon as she sided with the humans. She didn't want Yukari to die…she didn't want any humans to die…

Ruby spread her wings out and took flight, straight towards the beast which also held her master within itself.

"Ruby-san!" Yukari cried.

Ruby didn't listen. She had to stop this madness. Maybe in the past she would have helped, but things were quickly changing. She could see that humans and monsters could work together. Even more, if what Kiva was saying was true, they could even love each other.

"Master!" Ruby cried as she hovered in one spot. "Master, please, stop this! It's not too late! We can stop the humans a different way!"

"So…even you turn against me now," Yukata growled. The three heads of the giant plant monster turned to glare at the teenage witch. "I'll just crush you too!"

"Master?" Ruby gasped.

Below her, the ground rumbled as even more vines lunged into the air. Ruby looked down, but soon found herself wrapped securely in the plant material.

"Gah!" she cried. Her body was slowly being crushed by the plant.

"Ruby-san!" Yukari cried.

"No!" Kiva roared. He dashed forward, leaving Moka-sama on the clock tower. Kiva continued running by leaping onto Doran's head and standing on the snout. "Let her go!" Kiva demanded.

"All traitors should die," Yukata laughed insanely.

"Wataru-san!" yelled out Ruby. "Her book!"

"Nani?" Kiva wasn't sure what she meant.

"The book is her weakness! Please, stop her!" Ruby screamed.

"Silence, stupid girl!" Yukata ordered as she continued to crush Ruby.

"Wataru-sama, tug my head!" instructed Tatsulot. "Wataru-sama, hurry!"

Kiva hesitated but he knew he had to do this. He gave Tatsulot's head a gentle tug before the images within Tatsulot's window began to spin rapidly. The image soon stopped on a blue one which resembled the Garulu Sabre.

"GARULU FEVER!" shouted out Tatsulot as he flew off Kiva's forearm and then attached himself to the hilt of the Garulu Sabre. Tatsulot breathed out a jet of flames which took the form of a blade as the Garulu Sabre's main blade was also enveloped by flames. He looked to his side to see Moka-sama standing by his side.

"Let's finish this, Kiva," said Moka-sama. He gave her a nod.

IXA watched as Kiva and his allies fought the plant monster. Why? Why were they fighting this thing? Were they trying to protect humans? Was it a trick? They seemed sincere but…No, they were still monsters. This was just him prioritizing. Kiva was a threat, true, just like any other monster, but this giant abomination was the present threat. It would destroy the city.

Not on his watch!

IXA hit the acceleration and charged into the mass of plant monsters. The Powered Ixer's wheels smashed them down as it charged closer to the giant creature. Vines came out to try and stop it, but there's wasn't much for them to latch onto that the Powered Ixer couldn't run down.

IXA then hit the controllers, extending the Powered Ixer's head. Opening its jaw, the white construct latched onto one of the three heads of the beast.

"What?" Yukata growled, turning her attention towards the Powered Ixer.

"Now, Kiva!" Kivat called out. "While she is distracted."

"Right!" Kiva nodded before he took a flying leap at the main head of the plant creature.

Tatsulot then hit the flames again, rocketing Kiva above the giant plant monster. Once he was high enough, Tatsulot stopped the rocket flames and let Kiva plummet. The flames that surrounded the blade of the Garulu Saber began to glow brighter as more power was put into it.

"HREEEEEE!" the beast roared as its main head looked up.

"Haaaaaaa!" Kiva bellowed as he slashed down at the plant monster.

From a distance, a fiery gold line could be seen running down the middle of the centre head. The beast was screaming loudly as its centre head was split in half with the golden flames. As the source of the golden flames left the centre head, the plant formation split wide open with a burst of green ooze and a scream of pain.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Yukata screeched from her space. She was now visible inside the centre head, but her body had fused with the monster she was controlling. In front of her was a tome with a yellow jewel in the centre which looked to have fused with the creature as well. "YOU'LL DIE LIKE THE TRAITORS YOU ARE!"

"You first," Moka-sama frowned as she took a flying leap at the witch within the monster.

Castle Doran roared behind her and decided to give her a boost. Aiming carefully, it unleashed another fireball. It easily engulfed Moka-sama, but didn't cause her pain. Instead, it added to her velocity and would allow her to hit her target.

Yukata's book!

Moka-sama reared back her right hand with the fingers pointed forward. Her target was Yukata's book. Yukata tried to stop her with vines but the flames surrounding Moka-sama incinerated them even before they could latch onto her.

With a shout, Moka-sama jabbed her fingers right through Yukata's book. Yukata looked at the vampire in shock and horror. "Why…?" she asked. Moka-sama gave no answer except for a characteristic smirk before leaping backwards.

The vines wrapped around Ruby loosened and Shoo Doran swooped down to catch her with its neck. The small dragon also flew to catch Moka-sama and she grabbed hold of a bar beneath the windmill dragon. Shoo Doran then took her to Castle Doran. Moka-sama leapt onto the dragon's back before Shoo Doran dropped Ruby into her arms. Kiva was also on top of Castle Doran and watching.

Meanwhile, as the energy from her magic began to overload, Yukata began to see images from her past. She then saw how she'd taken in Ruby and raised her as her daughter. A moment of peace and clarity passed through the witch's eyes as tear fell from them. She uttered one last sentence, "Ruby…forgive me…" before closing her eyes.

Ruby's eyes slowly opened and she realized that she was lying in Moka-sama's arms on Castle Doran's back. She looked down towards the plant monster and screamed, "MISTRESS YUKATA!" before the entire creature exploded in a mass of green energy.

Luckily, before the explosion, Castle Doran had sucked in Mizore, Yukari and Kurumu into itself for safety from the explosion.

IXA wasn't as lucky as the force of the blast actually threw him and his Powered Ixer backwards. Thankfully, the wheels had a good grip on the ground so he didn't go tumbling along it. Looking up, he saw that Castle Doran was flying away. He then swore, "Next time…Kiva."

"Why are we even helping her?" questioned Kurumu after Ruby was placed in one of the empty guest rooms to rest. She'd fainted after Yukata's destruction and was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

"Because it's the right thing to do," said Wataru as he and Moka (she had her rosario back on) exited the room.

"Wataru-sama is very kind," said Tatsulot.

"So, what's going to happen to her?" asked Mizore.

"She has nowhere else to go," Wataru said. "I think that…maybe…" he rubbed the back of his head.

"What?" asked Yukari.

"She should stay here," Wataru finished. He saw the looks he was getting from the girls. "Her home was just destroyed and she really needs a place to stay."

"That's very generous of you, Wataru-kun, but…" Moka began. "I don't trust her."

Wataru sighed. Yes, Ruby had technically led them into a trap but she wasn't a bad person. "But she did help us at the last second. She told us what Yukata-san's weakness was."

"But I still don't like the idea of her living her with you," Kurumu frowned. She had taken notice of Ruby and she was attractive.

"It's my decision," Wataru affirmed. "She's staying."

Ruby's eyes fluttered open and she took in her surroundings. Where was she? She was in a soft bed but in an unfamiliar room. Then, it all came back to her. Yukata was gone and it was all her fault.

Sitting up, Ruby wrapped her arms around her legs and began to cry. She'd betrayed Yukata but what she'd been doing was wrong, she realized it now. That city also had innocent human children along with adults. It just wouldn't be right.

The door creaked open and she looked up to see Wataru walking in with a tray. On it was a bowl of soup and a glass of water. He smiled at her, "I see you're awake. That's good." She blinked as he walked over and put the tray on the bed stand.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"Castle Doran," he answered and she gasped.

"You mean…the dragon?" she asked. He nodded. "Why did you bring me here after all that has happened?"

"Well, I…I mean we couldn't just leave you there," reasoned Wataru. "And you were hurt."

Ruby winced and then noticed that she had bandages wrapped around her body. She blushed a bit as her top had also been removed.

"Moka-san and Yukari-chan were the ones that tended to your wounds," said Wataru. She let out a breath of relief. So he hadn't seen her. "I think you'll be alright after a few days rest."

"Why?" she asked him in confusion.

"Why what?" he replied to her question.

"Why are you protecting humans?" she asked. "I really want to know."

"Isn't it simple?" he answered. She shook her head, "Because it's the right thing to do. Even if some humans are bad, that doesn't mean they don't deserve to be saved. If given the chance then maybe they can change for the better."

Ruby still didn't quite understand it but she knew what it meant to help others. She then remembered something and asked, "You said that you were half human. Is that true? Is that part of the reason?"

"Not really," he shrugged. "Being half human isn't actually a reason for me to protect humans but it does help me remember who I am and what I'm meant to do." Ruby began to cry and Wataru panicked. "What's wrong?"

"I'm so sorry, for what I and Mistress Yukata tried to do! I'm so sorry for tricking you! And I'm sorry that…"

"There's no need to apologize," he told her. "Really. It's all been forgiven."

"I still can't forgive myself for what I had to do," Ruby sniffled. "I betrayed Mistress Yukata."

"I believe she was like a mother to you," Wataru frowned.

"After my parents died she took me in and raised me. She wasn't always so bad. She just…"

"Lost sight of what was really important," Wataru finished.

"That's right."

"Oi, woman," said Kivat as he flew inside the room. Ruby looked up at the gold and black mechanical bat. "What's done is done. You can cry all you want but sooner or later you need to dry those tears and move on."

"Kivat's right," Wataru said as he placed a hand to her shoulder. "You are among friends now."

"Friends?"

"Yes, friends. Now, have some of the soup. Riki-san made it. It's supposed to be good for you."

Ruby took the bowl into her hands and picked up the spoon before taking a slurp of the soup. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled at him. "It is good!"

"You really want her to stay?" asked Jiro.

"Yes," Wataru nodded.

"Even after all that's happened?"

"Especially after all that has happened. I'm the master of the castle so I have the last word, don't I?"

Jiro sighed. "Fine, she can stay, but I'm still going to keep an eye on her. Also, she's going to be performing housework here as a maid."

"Maid?" Wataru blinked.

"I think Castle Doran needs a woman's touch," Jiro rubbed his chin. "It seems a little dull, don't you think?"

"Ano…"

Ruby was in deep thought when she heard a knock at the door. She looked up to see Kurumu leaning against the doorframe with a serious look on her face. "Hey," said Kurumu. Her arms were crossed and Ruby didn't like the glare she was getting. The succubus approached the witch and leaned down to look her eye-to-eye.

"You're…Kurumu, right?" Ruby recalled the succubus' name.

"That's right," Kurumu answered. "And right now I'm going to give you a few words of advice." More like a warning. "Wataru is a nice guy, a really nice guy and you won't find any guy nicer than him. That's one of the things I like about him. Of course he's too nice for his own good and that's why he's letting you stay here." Kurumu's glare then hardened, "So, let's get one thing straight, Ruby. If you do anything, anything at all, to hurt my Wataru, I will kill you." Ruby gulped. "Got it?" Ruby nodded and Kurumu grinned. Her expression softened, "Good. I do hope you get better soon." She turned and exited the room. Seconds later, Yukari came walking in.

"Ruby-san," said Yukari as she approached the bed. "Are you feeling better?"

"Right now I am," said Ruby, relieved to see the little witch. "Yukari-chan, I'm really sorry for deceiving you."

"We know. Wataru-sama told us." Yukari beamed. "He just wants you to get better soon."

"I don't think I'll ever feel better after what happened. I've lost everything." Ruby looked down.

"No you haven't," Yukari objected. "You got us now! Your friends!"

"Friends?" Ruby blinked and Yukari beamed as she nodded. "I think I could use some friends." Ruby smiled.

A week later Castle Doran landed in the sunflower field on Witch's Hill again. This time it was for a different reason. Ruby, with the others behind her, walked towards the spot where her master had perished. There was no tombstone but Riki took care of that. He'd made one just for Yukata and placed it on the spot. Ruby knelt down in front of the tombstone and prayed as the others watched. After praying, Ruby wiped away her tears and stood up. Wataru then walked over and played his violin, for the late Mistress Yukata and Ruby.

When the song ended, Ruby stood up and turned to her new friends, "Thank you for doing this. You didn't have to, but I'm glad you did."

"It's the least we could do, Ruby-san," Moka smiled. "Yukata-san was someone very precious to you. She deserves this now that she has passed on."

Ruby smiled as she tried to hold in her tears. She understood now. She understood why these people wished to defend humans. They wanted to protect everyone. They wanted to keep people safe from the kind of things that harmed her and Yukata in their lives. If only she had met people like them sooner.

"Okay, enough sad stuff," Kurumu called out. "Let's go back to Castle Doran and enjoy the rest of our vacation!"

"Yeah!" the girls cheered.

"How about you, Ruby-san?" asked Wataru.

"I…would like that," Ruby smiled.

As the group headed back to the castle, the sun began to peek out of the clouds. The sunlight landed on the tombstone, illuminating the mound. In the light, a new sunflower could be seen rising from the ground in front of the stone.