The Next Morning
Every precaution had been taken for this last group to return to their time. Serenity was there to see these last children off. Superman was about to leave on a separate mission when Meygan walked up to him.
"I need help with Kal; what should I do….no one has had a baby that's THIS much of a Kryptonian…"
"Have Kevin take you to the Fortress and look for a small pedestal with the S shield near some crystals hanging from the ceiling. All Kevin has to do is touch it and it will give any answers you need."
"Thank you Uncle Clark." Meygan said as she hugged the Man of Steel and Kal made a noise that the Older Kryptonian took as a thank you.
While that conversation was ending, Rini kept sensing something going on with Areina. The young multi-powered girl walked up to her first cousin once removed.
"What is it sweetie?" Areina asked as she bent down to Rini's level.
Rini didn't say anything and she reached out to Areina's belly and put her hands on it.
"You aren't…?" Serenity asked her future niece.
"She is; I didn't feel them till now." Rini said with a smile.
"Awesome!" Jason, Bruce, Marik, and Reilie shouted.
Serenity was happy for Areina then went to tell her future children goodbye.
"Meygan, Marik; I have to go, the Team needs my help, but I wanted to say I will see you two soon."
"We know." The two Grayson children said.
Just then Dick and Reiena came walking up to the group with suitcases.
"Well we got everything together and that spell of Ser's helped with Rini's bags." Reiena said.
"Rini, you realize you're as spoiled as can be, right….." Dick said without thinking.
Rini pouted. "I'm not going to cry because I'm happy about the babies Ari's going to have."
Dick's eyes widened, but Reiena smiled as she was there to find out about the new twins the night before.
"Yes, Kirima Amarion and Oliver Arthur." Areina said with a blush.
"You better take care of her through this, Orin." Reiena said as she turned to her future son in law.
"We ALL will." Reilie said as she flew around Areina happily and that caused everyone to laugh.
"Ari; who's Kirima, that's a pretty specific name." Marik asked.
"That's daddy's mom; she was pretty."
"Bruce is right; I never got to know mom, but I've seen pictures and heard stories. She…she died protecting her village…"
"So gramma was a hero too?" Little Jason asked.
"Yes, she was." Orin answered.
"Schway….." The twins said together.
"Okay, , I only asked because I've been around Uncle Ollie enough to know where Oliver comes from." Everyone smiled at Mariks's question and the answer that soon followed.
"Oh, Areina; Jason won't lose control much for now, and can only get stronger. I taught him my trick." Reiena told her daughter.
"Meditation….why didn't I think of that."
"How…"
"When I use my amulet, I have to meditate to train with my fire magic."
"Fire MAGIC…SERENITY."
"May I see the amulet?"
"Sure, it's supposed to be a necklace, but I had to hide it from Mordred." Areina said as she took the amulet from around her ankle and handed it to her future aunt.
Serenity took the amulet and sent her magic aura around it. After a few seconds her magic stopped and the sorceress smiled. "My grandfather is an amazing man." She said with tears in her eyes. "He did this to not only allow her to visit her husband's underwater world, but to give her an edge in magic fights.
"So this is the charm you told me about four years ago?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad Merlin helped you. I've only seen pictures of Atlantis, but I'm sure it's even more amazing in person." Reiena said as Serenity gave Areina back the amulet and the young fire controller put it around her neck. Everyone watched as the shell pulsed to life then sank into Areina's skin and gills appeared on her neck.
Why didn't I see the gills before?"
"The amulet hadn't sunk into her skin it must have had a sock between it and her skin." Serenity stated.
Areina smiled and that gave the two the answer they needed to that question. "Atlantis IS amazing; Garth has even sparred with me on a visit before. Believe me, Merlin has helped more than I ever thought possible and I'm grateful to him for the help."
"It's time for us to head home." Meygan remarked, her body tense.
"Bye mom." Areina said as she hugged Reiena.
"Stay safe, honey." Reiena said as she hugged back.
"Bye you all, I really do need to get going." Serenity said as she hugged her family. "Kal, be good and you'll become a wonderful hero."
Kal then kicked and punched at the air to show that he was already a good hero. The adults laughed and smiled, and with that, Serenity whipped up a wind and left.
Meygan reached up to her comm. "Okay Gear, we're ready."
Soon enough a portal appeared and Kevin sent the baggage through first, then Marik was ready to head home so he ran through. Just as the others were ready to go, a dome covered the portal.
"So, how is my future apprentice doing?" A voice boomed."ssenkrad ot treah s'eilieR egnahC."
"Emod siht brosba, thgil fo tfig eht yb." Meygan chanted and the dome shattered in a flash of light. "Go now!"
Orin ushered the boys through and turned to Areina…who shook her head. Orin had a feeling that this had something to do with the vision she had while they were captured so he went on through alone.
"Go daddy, protect Kal first, we'll be right behind you." Rini stated.
Kevin was smiling at how his oldest was protecting her baby brother and went through. Rini was about to enter the portal, when Reilie's body language changed and she quickly hit Rini on the head….hard.
"REILIE."
"Sorry mom, but I know where I really belong." Reilie said as she turned to Meygan but now the little Kryptonian's eyes were dark and Meygan saw a dark aura around her.
"Magical possession…." Meygan said under her breath. "Great, just great…"
It was then that a wind pulled Rini into the air but left Reilie behind.
"NOOO!"
Zach appeared with Rini held against him.
"Bastard. Areina, you and Molly get out of here." Meygan cried out.
"I'm staying." Areina said, but Molly knew to listen to her big sister.
"No! Both of you go!" Meygan ordered then she turned back to Reilie. "Ssenkard eht morf eilieR eerf, thgil fo rewoP."
"My presence will see the END of this." Areina said. "Trust me."
Reilie shook her head, as if confused and she looked around. "Mom?"
"Good work, dear grandniece."
Reilie was so confused. "Mom? What did I do?" she asked fearfully.
"It's alright sweetie, we'll figure it out, just get back home." Meygan said, and Molly didn't wait for Reilie to run, just grabbed her and headed through the portal.
Meygan looked up at Zach. "Fine. You threw the challenge. Let my daughter go!" Meygan's magicks swirled around her, mimicking her anger.
"But why? I can't let an Omni wizard live, even one so young."
Areina were shocked...Rini was an Omni? "You fucking bastard!" Areina cried.
"Temper now, fire brat...I've had it with you thinking you can take me out." Zach said with a smile.
Zach threw off his cloak and revealed a deep cut on his face from a sword.
"I KNOW I can...how about we make it fair." Areina stated.
"No Areina, this is my fight. Stay out of it." Meygan told her cousin. "You too, Dad and Aunt Reiena.…"
Meygan had her hands off to one side, as if she was holding something. "Excalibur, to me!"!" she cried, tand t
The legendary sword came to her without pause, and that pissed Zach off. "Let my daughter go."
Areina held her breath...Meygan shouldn't be using the sword so soon after her last fight with it, but Meygan knew what to do.
Zach simply let go of Rini and she limply fell.
"reh hctac, kolrag fo sdniw!" she cried.
"Meygan, get her to me." Areina cried out.
Invisible hands caught Rini and lowered her to Areina, who took her gently.
"Clever...your wind magic has improved. Not to my level but it's nice..." Still mocking Meygan, Zach lowered himself almost to the ground. "Using Excalibur again so soon?"
"You're a special case. I WILL run you through!" Meygan was angry that her daughters were used against her.
"Oh dear me," he mocked. "Isn't that against your silly Bat code?"
"If it's part of a prophecy...I DON'T CARE." Meygan said with raging overtones.
"Ah, so you want me dead that badly? Then we shall begin...you know, it's too bad that your mother left before I appeared . I wanted her to suffer."
"Like you made the rest of your family suffer!" Meygan cried, stepping closer to Zach carefully.
"Ah, you know, Morgan gave the order..."
"And like a love-sick puppy, you killed your parents and youngest sibs."
"THEY DESERVED IT! Trey and Trinity had my parents' love and devotion! And Serenity too!" Zach boomed angrily.
Meygan was furious and her eyes turned red with rage.
"And Uncle Marik and Uncle Gallean?"
"They mocked me."
Areina had tears forming in her eyes. "That's not true; you did things against them just to tick them off."
"True; but then they planned to take out my wife."
"Morgan was evil incarnate back then...she tortured Arthur's family and even Merlin's...you joining her was a stain against my family." Meygan said.
"But she's Cassidee's mother. Remember that."
"And Cassidee's soul is pure, free of evil all together...like yours USE to be."
Dick and Reiena had no idea what was going on but this wasn't good. The twins were confused as to how far back in Serenity's life did this betrayal go.
"I was never pure. Your trips to Camelot showed you that."
"There had to be a pureness to you at SOME point. "
"Weakness." Zach then saw how quick Meygan moved and barely dodged Excalibur, but formed his own sword and caught the next two strikes. He pushed her away. "Tsk, Tsk...your form lacks..."
"Lack this!" Meygan threw her water orb at Zach, who sent his fire orb and they crashed, making steam.
"Remember what Arthur said; trust in Excalibur and it will never fail you." Areina cried out.
"This sword is your destruction." Meygan said tightly.
"Ha! Only Omni wizards can kill me and YOU are not one." he taunted.
Meygan then uprooted a tree and sent it at him.
Zach burned it to a crisp before it hit him.
'Meygan, can you hear me.' Areina cried out, hoping to catch Meygan's mind so as not to give away the secret.
'Yeah.' Meygan caught the ashes and smacked the heated ashes into him.
'Have you used that spell yet?'
He yelped as he caught the next sword hit in the right arm.
'Yeah. It takes time to take effect.'
'How long ago?'
'I cast it 5 minutes ago.'
'How long does it take?'
Meygan went on defense as Zach fought back. But she got him to back off. 'Don't know. Grandpa Merlin isn't here to ask!'
Areina said nothing more and left Meygan to fight Zach .
The Future
As the heroes set off to leave, sShadows flickered in the portal and the last of the heroes and children returned.
Or so they thought.
As soon as Reilie and Molly came through the portal, it closed, and everyone was wondering where Rini, Meygan and Areina were.
"What did I do? Was it a dream?" Reilie asked herself.
"Reilie!" Kevin ran to his little girl and hugged her to him. "Duchess, where's your sister? Your mother?!"
"I...I hurt Rini and let that meanie get her...…." Reilie said with tears in her eyes. "Mommy said for me to go, so I did..."
"No...oh, nonononono..." Kevin snapped his head back, fear in his eyes. "Ser! Mathen, Marik! Somebody open another portal!" He shouted in desperation.
"Meygan's the only one with the power like that."
"Ari's there too, she wouldn't come back." Reilie said with the tears starting to fall.
"It's ok, little one. Your mom is ok..." as Kevin hugged Reilie to him, he repeated those words, knowing that he needed to believe them himself.
Everyone waited for Orin to be ready to go back, but something about the look on his face said he had some idea what was going on.
"Orin?" Dick asked, realizing that Orin had a really good guess as to what was going on.
"All I know is that Areina will gain a new skill by the end of the war...and that she'll get BADLY hurt. She wouldn't tell me any more than that."
"Then I need to get to the past. Now." Dick was very determined to do it.
"Can't, the trips everyone took to get their kids fried the portal machine." Gear stated.
"There must be some way?" Percival stated.
"There is." A voice said and soon a fire filled the area, revealing the demon, Etrigan.
"And that is?" Mathen asked.
"The fire teleport combined with the time travel spell. But for someone unfamiliar with it, the combination must be practiced."
"We can watch the fight from here. Show us the fight between the omniwizards that is happening in the past." Serenity said and the fight was on the nearby computer screen.
"I'm going with you when you're ready Mathen." Cassidee said as she ran up to her cousin.
"Alright; we'll be back when I'm more familiar with the combo." Mathen said as he and Cass went into another room to practice the spells.
"I don't care what he says, I'm going to." Marik said as he began to glow and turned into his 28 year old form and ran after him.
Dick and Serenity sighed at the antics of their powerful young son.
"What did you expect, he's YOUR kid." Wally stated and with that everyone that DIDN'T glare holes into the Fastest Man Alive turned their attention back to the computer screen.
Thirty Minutes Later, The Past
The Arthurian descendants were down, but not out. Areina was in the worse shape of those on the sidelines as she did everything she could to protect Rini. Zach wanted to END the line and was starting with those present right now, he was happy to do so….meaning that Meygan wouldn't have ever existed and neither would have Areina.
It was then that Areina realized what was going on, and she knew that this was the end.
"I've had it with these thoughts of NEW Camelot, and I will take down all those that threaten me with its return." Zach said as he readied a lightning bolt to send at the three heroes…and unconscious hero in training.
Meygan couldn't move, she knew her dad, aunt, cousin and daughter were going to get zapped, but she couldn't do a SINGLE thing about it.
Areina handed Rini to Reiena and got in front of them.
"So, going to sacrifice yourself, that's fine with me…I'll kill your mother and uncle soon enough." Zach said and he sent the lighting right for Areina.
She screamed out as the lightning surged through her body but after a couple of minutes, Areina Grayson was still standing.
"Areina, stop." Reiena said cried out to her future daughter.
"No….mom; I can't let you die…" Areina said as she fought through the lightning.
"Honey…I…"
"Dad can't lose you…not till I'm born. I love you mom." Areina said.
Dick walked forward to try and get the lightning's attention onto him, but Areina created a fire wall to stop him.
"I'm glad your sons will know loss like I have, Areina." Zach stated.
"You'd…you'd think that, but NO!" Areina said as she actually stood there now with NO pain showing as the lightning still surrounded her body and there was confidence in her stance.
Zach was shocked. "IMPOSSIBLE, a lowly mortal like you can't have THIS kind of magic control."
"Haven't you heard Zach; I'm favored by Merlin and am King Arthur's descendent. I can do anything if I put my mind to it."
With that Areina took control of the lightning around her and sent it back to the villain. He screamed as it hit and he went down.
Meygan's strength was back and she stood up. "How…?"
"I told you to trust me; he's stunned enough to finish off. Mom, Uncle Dick, I know we were raised with a no killing policy, but he won't quit hunting us down. He has to die." Areina said as she turned to the twin heroes.
Dick and Reiena looked to each other.
"There's no other way. He has no pure side anymore and Etrigan told me that he has to die to save the world." Meygan said as she moved to finish the job.
"The children are right." A voice boomed, and the young heroes smiled as a figure appeared.
"Grandpa Merlin..." Meygan said as she turned back to look at her great grandfather and father.
Dick looked from Reiena to Meygan and then to Merlin and back to Meygan. "Do whatever you have to, if it saves everyone and is the ONLY way, then do it."
"A true knight indeed." Merlin said with a smile then vanished.
Before they could turn their attention back to Zach, he had gotten up and was ready with a fire sword and coming right for Meygan. Areina got between the two and blocked the sword with her own fire sword. "You really DON'T have any honor….what kind of knight or wizard, especially a descendant of Merlin's, attacks an opponent with their back turned."
"One that wishes to END their opponent's life." Zach said and he quickly (and unknown to the heroes) created another sword and it hit Areina though the chest.
Dick and Reiena were quick to get to her after the fire sword disappeared while Meygan pushed Zach back from Areina. While she fought her villainous EX-uncle, Meygan also created a portal. "Get her and Rini to our time, then come straight back."
Dick picked up Areina as Reiena carried Rini and they didn't hesitate to get them through.
"Such a shame…oh well, I'm sure everyone will be weak enough for me to kill once I'm done with you." Zach said.
"No…because I'm DONE with you." Meygan said as she blocked a swing of the fire sword then hit Zach with Excalibur…right across the chest. "You want to see TRUE power, Zach; well it will be the LAST thing you ever see. RubilacxE otni elif; em nihtiw stnemele evif eht no llac I."
One by one, Excalibur gained a new element and new strength.
"FIVE…it can't be…" Zach said.
"Yes, Zach, and it will be your end." Meygan said as the ice fire was the last element to merge with the legendary sword.
"I will NOT DIE TODAY." Zach cried out as he came toward Meygan one last time.
However, this time was different as a wind protected her and she was true to her word at the start of this duel, she ran the elementally powered Excalibur through Zach's stomach, actually about two inches into the body, and he coughed up blood. Just as Meygan pulled Excalibur from Zach's body, Dick and Reiena came back through the portal.
"You think that will kill me, I'm better than you in every way and I will see the end of YOUR line."
"That was just a taste of what I'm going to do to you." Meygan said as she closed the portal.
"Areina and Rini are safe with your family." Reiena said.
"Thanks, Aunt Reiena." Meygan said as Zach was getting up.
The Future
After Wally took Areina from past Dick, the young fire controller was laid out on the closest table and Molly went to work.
"This is the last straw." Mathen said as fire started to spare from his body.
"We're ready with the spell, let's get going." 28 year old Marik remarked.
"remember Remember I'm going too." Cassidee said.
"Alright; Ni si ylimaf ruo tsap eht ni thgif eht ot su ekat, emit fo semalF."
With that fire came around the three Grayson wizards and they vanished.
"Good luck kids." Dick and Serenity said together.
The Fight
Meygan was using her newly powered sword to send Zach running away...but she was also weakening because of calling the elements into the sword. Zach saw the weakness coming forth and knew that he could finish her quickly.
Meygan dodged a quick fire spell and as she called forth her ice fire magic to embrace her sword, Zach thrust his sword forward and got her in her side. He pulled his sword back out and blood splattered on the grass.
But Meygan then swung her sword in a wide arch causing him to back away, and she got his sword arm.
His arm was on fire as his natural fire magic wasn't a match for the ice fire magic that tore his arm up, freezing it before burning it.
"HOW...I can't believe this." Zach said as his voice betrayed the anger he was feeling.
"I'm an Ice Fire wizard as well...so now, I CAN take you down." Meygan said as she held her side.
Meygan then sent a stream of ice fire at Zach, a whip-like line of blue flames smacking him back as if he was a rag doll.
While the two omni wizards fought, Mathen teleported in via a flame with Cassidee and Marik at his side. They were whole, and they saw everything that was going on.
It was then that Mathen felt a spike in his own magic. "You was right….I needed to break the wall." He said to his brother.
"We have to help Meygan." Cassidee remarked.
"Not yet. We wait." Marik stated.
Cassidee was about to protest when she caught Dick and Reiena's eyes and they showed everything.
"That magic died centuries ago!" He shouted as he rushed at Meygan and when Excalibur hit Zach's sword, rainbow sparks flew from the swords as the pair traded sword hits, trying to overpower the other.
"You'd think so, but Grandpa Merlin confirmed it when Areina and I visited...if she dies because of you, trust me, I don't care about grandpa's code; I WILL decapitate you just for the hell of it." Meygan said, but just as Zach smiled at the thought that Areina would die...he caught sight of his daughter and nephew standing on the sidelines now.
"How about we end this once and for all." Zach said and he soon had wind surrounding him and he flew with his fire sword aimed right at Cassidee.
Cassidee went into ground, vanishing from sight and leaving the ground undisturbed.
"NOOOOO!" Meygan called out and she instantly teleported. When she reappeared, Zach's sword was stuck within her stomach.
Marik was quick with an Earth spell and that threw zach Zach off his game.
"Time to end this, with Meygan around, we have the elements to fight back." Mathen said as he readied a fire sword.
Mathen had been standing behind Cassidee and Meygan protected her brother.
"MEYGAN!" Dick, Reiena and Mathen cried out.
Cassidee came out of the ground and had tears in her eyes as she saw that Meygan had teleported to protect her...but instead got hurt protecting Mathen.
Meygan reached out and grabbed Zach's hand, which was still gripping his fire sword. "Hsa, hsa, wohs flesruoy."
Zach's hand became ash before his eyes but he countered with a spell in which he let go of his sword; however his ash hand showed the orange glow under it. "Very clever...trying to take my hand away..." He backed away.
Mathen was quick to put his own sword away and reached for the other sword's handle to pull it out of Meygan.
Meygan fell back and her big brother caught her; she was conscious but weak...VERY weak, and Excalibur fell from her hand.
Mathen reached for Excalibur and laying his sister gently on the ground, he stood up holding the sword out in front of him. His heart was beating far too fast and he had no clue what to do with the sword itself.
"Like you can do anything...brat." Zach remarked.
Mathen thought flame and he burst into flames, becoming a living fire.
"I'm ready for you this time. You may be an omni wizard, but how about we have a good old fashioned fire fight."
Mathen didn't hesitate to go after Zack. With fire magic in Excalibur staying on the surface, he just ran at Zack and launched fireballs at Zack from his fingertips, swearing at the evil wizard like a man possessed.
Zach grinned. "You think you have the balls to match me, you've forgotten our last little fight!" Zach sent out acid flames at Mathen from his fingers.
"I KNOW I do." Mathen said and he quickly stopped the acid flames with his own fire wall.
Marik stayed by his family's side as Mathen had declared a FIRE battle, but was ready to step in should Zach cheat.
"Erif erif...evoba morf niar!"
The dark clouds above rained fire droplets on Zach, turning blue just before hitting him.
Zach cried out and a water bubble stopped the fire droplets from hitting him.
Meygan had a hand raised up to the air, turning her brother's fire droplets to ice-fire droplets. But she was pale and weakening fast.
"Meygan...rest. Let Mathen do this." Marik urged her gently.
"Marik's right; your brother has this." Reiena said.
"You're Flamebird…I've seen pictures." Cassidee stated as she realized who the person was not only from pictures, but because the woman looked like Areina.
"You have; Marik?"
"Yeah. Dad tells lots of stories."
"So who are you?" Dick asked.
"My name's Cassidee."
The twins recognized the name, but soon enough the fight was taking a turn for the worst as Zach started to use wind magic and fire magic in exchange so Mathen was thrown off his game.
Mathen turned his attention to his family and Zach struck him with a barrage of high intensity fire that overwhelmed the newly achieved tier 5 fire wizard and he crashed to the ground, Excalibur flying to land in front of Dick and Reiena.
The twins looked at each other and knew they had to do it.
"You're better with a sword, sis." Dick said and Reiena reached down for it.
"NO." Meygan weakly cried out.
Meygan forced herself to her hands and knees.
"We can help." Dick called out to his daughter.
Marik rushed to itExcalibur, picked it up and threw up a wall of Earth to stop the next attack. He then leaped over the falling wall to attack Zack without a 2nd second thought.
Cassidee cringed as she held Meygan's hand.
"Wow...…"REiena Reiena remarked as she saw the fighting spirit of her brother in Marik now.
Zach had to resort to either wind or water magic-Earth was is weakest and Fire his strongest. B, but Marik easily countered both sets of magicks.
"Cass...you need to jump in," Meygan sat up, staring at her younger cousin.
"It...I can't. H, he'll know."
"It's ok to be scared, Cass. B, but...Marik can't hold him off forever. And I can give you the mastery you need for a short time."
Cassidee looked nervous before she nodded. "Cast it."
Meygan then spoke in Welsh; the spell ancient as she winced.
After it was done, Cassidee glowed an aqua hue and she felt like her magic wasn't fighting to get out anymore. She felt calm, inside and out.
Marik, meanwhile, was giving Zach a run for his money. They were equally skilled in magic and sword skills. It was going to take luck for the other to win the fight.
"Why can't won't you just fucking die!" Zach cried out in frustration
A quick spell had a dome bounce the sword stroke back at Zach. "You and everyone elseDeathstroke have askedks that about us Graysons. You should know the answer: Because you broke my mom's heart."
Zach was pissed off. "She's nothing more than a brat."
"My mom is no brat; she's more MAN than you!"
Reiena chuckled at that. She couldn't help it; Serenity obviously hadn't changed at all.
Zach kicked out at Marik, who caught the leg and pushed him back with it and Marik swung Excalibur down at him and Zach stopped the legendary sword with his own.
"She should've been dead already! Instead I have to deal with her and her brood of overconfident welps!"
Dick was starting to get mad at this man, not only because he's Serenity's sister and broke her heart, but he's dissing her up one side and down the other.
Marik merely glared and made the Earth open under him. Zach fell in before he knew what the young man had done. Then Marik quickly closed the Earth and focused on holding him in the Earth. Marik was straining with it but he was too stubborn to allow Zach any freedom.
"Cass, you have to help now..." Meygan said softly.
"I...I..." Cassidee started shaking. She was scared. Very scared.
"Cass, it's alright; you're part of the family, albe it a darker part of the family, but still family. I'm sure you've been around me enough to see that even when scared, you can still fight." Dick said.
"Meygan..."Cassidee looked at her. "It was never you, was it?"
Meygan shook her head no.
"It was me. I'm the prophacy. I'm supposed to bet him. A…and you knew I couldn't do it..." Cassidee had tears in her eyes.
"That's what's been eating you up." Dick stated.
"Yes." Meygan said VERY lowly.
"She really is your kid, bro." Reiena said to break the tension.
"You can do it Cassidee." Dick said with his patented smile.
"I can stay in here with you while I heal up." Meygan touched the center of Cassidee's forehead. "I can give you the spells; I can lend you my magic. But you can do it. You must do it; Marik can't hold him any longer."
Cassidee stood up, nodding with a confidence she didn't feel. She was then flooded with Meygan's power and spirit.
At that moment, Zach broke free of the Earth and punched Marik so hard, he flew back into a rising Mathen, and both were knocked out.
Excalibur flew at Meygan but Cassidee caught the sword by the handle and then charged at her Fatherfather, her hand slowly tingling that held the sword.
"Why is my hand.…is it because I'm the child of evil?"
"Yes, the sword is rejecting you, but you have to do this."
"I know."
"Starting to hurt, daughter?" Zach said as he was fighting off her sword swings.
"I've disowned you, Zach, and I'm a pure soul, Meygan said so herself. I don't care who my parents are, I'm a hero now, and I'll stop you." Cassidee watched her father. "Meygan's not the only omni wizard in our time. Omni wizards give birth to other omni wizards, REMEMBER."
Zach's eyes widened as she spoke those words.
Water from the Wayne Manor fountain rose out of the item in a geyser and rushed Zach in a two-part wave that knocked him flat on his face.
"I'm glad I've found my home, and if it comes to it...I'm NOT afraid to kill you, I'm being raised under Batman's code now, but I wasn't until I was 13." Cassidee said. "You always said kill your enemy when you can, and that's what I'm going to do."
Zach rose to his feet and glared at her. "You're no match for me."
He sent dirt then fire rain at his daughter.
She put a dome up to protect herself.
"I may not be a match, but I'll defend my family." Cassidee said, and it was then that the twins saw the young girl's hands were starting to burn...the sword was rejecting her as its user, but she wasn't letting go.
"I should have left you alone the day dear Morgan abandoned you..." Zach said as he walked toward Cassidee.
Cassidee's eyes were wet with tears. She held firmly onto the sword. "Maybe you should have."
"But then you wouldn't be here, and your aunt and everyone else on her side would die." Zach remarked.
"What about Aunt Kathryn? Aunt Alyssa?" Cassidee had a hold of an Earth Spell and she was waiting for the right moment to strike.
"So, your cousin did manage to find them...well they'll be dead soon enough." Zach stated.
"My uncles protected them from you...and so will I. Pu nepo, htrae eht fo lios."
The ground opened up and swallowed Zach.
"That won't hold him for long." Cass said, and the pain from the sword rejecting her was showing in her voice.
"Can you pull the elements from the sword...that way one of us can us it." Dick asked.
She nodded and sighted, "lacigam stelnemle, ot em!"
All the elements left the sword...but one.
"I can't pull the ice-fire. I don't possess that magic."
"I'll risk using it...we have to stop Zach." Reiena said. "You're hurt from holding the sword."
"I see where Areina's risk taking comes from." Cassidee said, but she wasn't letting go of the sword just yet as she saw Dick's glare toward his sister.
The ground rumbled.
"At least let me keep him distracted while Cassidee figures out a way to stop him with her magic." Reiena said, recognizing her brother's glare.
The evil omni wizard just laughed.
"Uncle Dick, I know you were raised with a special code, but there's NO other way around this...if I don't kill him now, he'll just keep coming after ALL of us heroes." Cassidee said as she turned a bit to look at the twins.
"I know, if it's the only choice, then do whatever it takes." Dick said.
Zach then attacked his own daughter, his hands alive with fire.
Cassidee screamed as her arms were burned but she then turned into water and fell from his grasp, flowing away by the fountain before reforming into herself again.
Excalibur was left behind and Rei was eyeing it.
"Ready to show this guy he screwed up..." Dick asked his sister, and she nodded. Dick pulled out his eskrima sticks while Reiena picked up the sword.
Mathen had come to and once on his feet got over to his sister.
"Be careful Aunt Reiena, this has never happened before; a mortal wielding a magically enhanced sword, and we don't know what could happen to you." Mathen said as he held his sister close.
"I will Mathen, just protect my niece." Rei said.
"Can't you close her wounds?" Mathen asked.
"I'm needed in this fight; I can't be taken out of commission by the cold her body gives off." Reiena stated.
"She's not that way anymore; Grandpa Merlin saved her from that when she got her immortality."
"I know…. But Dick- can you…."
"You help her; I'll be alright till you're done."
"Go get him dad." Mathen said as Reiena kept Excalibur close and went to work at closing Meygan's sword wounds. After a couple of minutes, Rei saw that she couldn't fix them.
"Aunt Reiena?"
"Both injuries were made with a fire sword…the wounds are sealed open like this. She needs to rest….doesn't her demon power heal her?"
"Yes." Mathen said, and Reiena heard the sadness in his voice.
"None of us knew that Cassidee would vanish into the earth…but Meygan is protecting her family, like she always does, it's the Grayson in her. Just keep her safe." Reiena said and with that she picked up Excalibur and went to help Dick and Cassidee in the fight.
Meygan moaned and her eyes opened, but Mathen could tell she was only awake through sheer stubbornness. "Mathen…..how's the fight going?"
"Cass is an omni….."
"I knew for a while now…but wait…is Aunt Rei using Excalibur?!" Meygan asked with SOME excitement as she saw Reiena wielding the legendary sword.
"Yea, Cass pulled all but the Ice Fire out of it…Aunt Rei said she would risk any injury if it would help stop Zach."
Meygan tried to stand up, but she couldn't and coughed up a bit of blood. "I have to get the Ice Fire out of it…."
"You can't even stand…just rest; let your demon power heal you." Mathen said as he held his sister down, but made sure she could still watch the fight.
Just then, Meygan felt a spike in her magic, and she knew the spell had kicked in…which meant it did for Cassidee as well.
Meanwhile in the Future
She felt funny, but then again she just got stabbed through the chest.
"Do not worry, your highness , your soul is safe with us." A deep voice said.
"What…..I don't…."
"You're on the verge of death."
"NO, I have my sons to care for…a husband…..and I'm expecting."
Just then four people came into her view.
"We know; that's why we brought you here." A young voice said.
"You…you look like Aunt Serenity." Areina said.
"I'm her younger sister." The girl said.
"So you're Trinity, it's nice to meet you."
"My father was right; your soul shines bright, even to us spirits. I am John, this is my wife Elizabeth, and you already seem to know our youngest daughter."
"I've heard stories about her and Trey from Meygan and Aunt Serenity." Areina said.
"That was a brave thing you did, dear." Elizabeth said and the sincerity Elizabeth's voice gave drew Areina's attention to her, and she noticed something about the special glow she had.
"I had to protect Meygan." Areina said. "Forgive me, but….were you pregnant with another child when you died?
"And any other ruler would have done the same, be it for a knight or family." The woman of the four said. "You are very astute, dear Areina. Yes, but I had not yet told my children."
Areina eyes held sadness as she thought on it then she smiled as another person appeared. "Hello Areina."
"Hello…Uncle Marik."
"You should know that your sacrifice, even though you will survive, will see to Camelot's return sooner than anyone thought, including grandpa." Marik said as he appeared.
"You saved my older sister from my traitorous brother, I hope he gets his." The little boy said. "And not only Seri, but you saved her daughter as well."
"I'm sure he will get his, Trey. My cousin is strong."
"It's not by Meygan's hand that he will die." John said.
Areina's eyes widened. "But….she bonded with Excalibur, she's the only one that can use it properly."
"While you are here, we can let you watch." John remarked as he moved his hand.
Some of the mist surrounding everyone formed into a screen and Areina saw that Cassidee had used the sword; then saw her pull four elements from it.
"Ca…Cass….I should have seen it."
"She's reaching her true potential."
"She's got to do it?" Areina asked as she turned to her aunt's family.
"Yes; but she chose my sister's side, and that shows she was always meant for good." Marik stated.
Areina smiled.
"You must go back now." Another new voice said.
Areina turned around and she saw someone she hadn't expected, well not come to her at this point. "Arthur?"
"These wonderful wizards are right, Camelot's return is near. Good luck, your highness, and I must say, I'm glad you're the one to take my place." King Arthur said with a smile.
"I won't let your legacy down, and I'm sure you've seen that I've already instated some knights." Areina said as she started to fade.
"Yes, and you couldn't have made a better choice in starting the order back up." Arthur remarked.
"Thank you, all of you." Areina said and her soul faded from the spirit world.
As she felt that she was back in her body, Areina opened her eyes and saw she was within her own memories. "WAIT…..what's going…"
"So, you are the child that Merlin favors."
"I'm no child." Areina said.
"That may be true, but you are an infant compared to me."
She sighed and then turned…it was someone she had never seen before. "Who…."
"It is alright, you've heard my voice before, when I saved Dr. Fate's powers."
She started to think…. "You're Carlos' mentor, the Master Fate."
"Yes, but I have done MUCH more for you than just save your younger cousin, Marik."
"Thank you for allowing Meygan to save my father."
"It was ALWAYS meant to be that way, but before he was saved, you and your brother needed to know the pain of not having a parent around."
"So that's why I have BOTH timelines of memories regarding him."
"Yes; as well as the fact that your mother survived for three days when she really should have died as she gave birth to you."
"Yeah...Meygan tried."
"And she has been reprimanded despite Carlos' protest as well as her great grandfather's."
"What happened to her?"
"She has altered the timeline. Therefore, she has been defeated by Zacharius. She knows this and still will never concede the battle."
"NOOOO, she's...she can't be defeated, she has to help Cass." Areina called out.
"It is Cassidee that will defeat her father. With Meygan and Excalibur."
Areina's eyes softened. "I know that Cass is the one to defeat him, but how can she use Excalibur, she's not of Arthur's bloodline, and even more so, she's the child of evil even though she herself isn't. Meygan can't stay out of the battle...I almost died protecting her, she's just..."
"Hard-headed?"
"Yes, but she's also part of my family, we don't EVER give up." Areina said as her eyes became more determined.
"Understand that although Meygan has five elements, Cassidee has only four. The Ice Fire WITHIN Excalibur will make all the difference. And Cassidee's hands will be scarred from holding Excalibur."
Areina thought about what the Master Fate had said. "That's right, Cass pulled all BUT ice fire out of the sword...so even though she's not physically capable of fighting him...Meygan is helping Cass against Zach. I'm sorry I've been so hard headed...but it's the Grayson in me and well...I'm not only thinking about Meygan and Cass...but my sons and the rest of Delta Squad….my whole family…..."
"They are safe, and VERY WELL protected."
"Merlin has always talked around it, but WHY did he favor me of all people, and don't say because I'm to be New Camelot's queen." Areina said as she gave a loose batglare.
"By birthright, it is Meygan that is meant to be Queen but she chose to wait until all of you get the chance before her. And before you ask, Mathen will grow old with his wife. So his reign will be very short."
"So he doesn't choose immortality." Areina said as sadness was revealed in her eyes.
"No, he does not. Please do not tell him. Neither will Molly. There are events that have not happened that can change their fates. But Meygan outlives you all. She will live until the very end of time itself."
"So...and I guess I should have asked this first, why was I allowed to keep both timelines for my parents' deaths?"
"Simply so you would understand the gift you were given. You and Vincent."
"I always wondered if he had the memories. One last question, I'm sure you have some Fate matters to attend to. Carlos said that Nabu changed the timeline because my older cousin Marik, the one that saved me after my mother's funeral, would become like Merlin, granted special privileges for an earth bound wizard, will my younger cousin Marik be the same way, and just WHAT happened to Nabu?"
"You do not need to be concerned with Nabu. You do not need the imagery of his punishment. As of right now for Marik, no. That part of his fate was altered. Could he? Perhaps. Fate isn't set in stone at the moment."
"Thank you for the answers." Areina said.
"My pleasure. But I should tell you now. There is one more coming to you."
Areina's face had a curious look. "If you mean a baby, I know, Meygan said she protected it."
"Yes. She will grow to be Batgirl and then Delta Squad's Oracle."
"So I guess Orin's mother WILL be honored after all." Areina said with a smile.
"Yes. Now off you go."
"Thank you Master Fate; for everything."
"You're welcome."
Areina then faded once again.
"Two actually, a boy and girl, Molly told me."
"I see, well they will be wonderful parts of their generation…..an archer and a new Batgirl, amazing."
Areina's eyes widened at the news and her smile showed the excitement. "Thank you, Master Fate."
"You are welcome, QUEEN Areina." The Master fate said with a smile and with that Areina faded once again.