A/N: Yeesh! Sorry about the cliffhangers. I don't do it on purpose . . . okay, so maybe I do. But the chapter has to stop somewhere.

I guess you're all gonna be out for my blood at the end of this little installment.


The nerve center of Tempest was a confusing mess and the mechanical buzz of the massive machine rang in his ears as it drew the energy needed to perform its appointed task. Cain ran straight, heading for the Seladium generator, which according to Glitch was located centrally, directly beneath the tower. He could see it, a tall domed structure that loomed over everything else in the expansive cavern. He quickly glanced at the device in his hands, noting the switch that would release the gas that would react with the core.

The generator glowed a bright orange in front of him. He could see an access door on the side of the massive device where fuel was obviously added. All he had to do was deliver his package and get the hell out of there.

A mass hit him hard from the right side, leaping from behind a bank of cables that nearly reached Cain's waist. With a yell, he landed on the ground and the bomb rolled from his grasp. He went to skitter after it but a thud on his back sent pain tearing up his spine.

He rolled quickly, grabbing the length of pipe before his assailant connected with his skull. With a grunt, he pulled hard, flipping his opponent over onto the floor beside him.

As Cain swung to his feet, he got a good look at who was after him. Disbelief and shock made his blood run cold. The deep gash ran from his temple to his chin. Cuts ran the length of his arms and dark bruises had formed under his eyes.

There was a spark of insanity. He was feeling neither pain nor fear at this point.

Only hatred.

Zero was grinning like a mad man. "Thought I was dead, didn't you?"

Cain reached for his gun, but was a hair too slow. With the pipe, Zero lunged, knocking the weapon from Cain's hand before he could bring it to bear. His trusted sidearm slid across the stone floor beneath a computer terminal and well out of his reach.

Cain grabbed for the pipe again, using it to pull Zero close enough to knee him in the gut. The crazed man doubled over and Cain managed to land a fist on his jaw, sending Zero sprawling again.

The need to get the bomb in place took him again and he spun to find it. It was lying, about forty feet off, not far from the generator.

He was almost to it when Zero roared and tackled his legs. His fingertips grazed the casing as he was dragged back. He rolled to his back to defend himself, aware that time was running out for DG, Jeb, and everyone else in the O.Z..


DG could feel her strength beginning to wane. The palace was huge and keeping the magical barrier over it to contain the machine was beginning to drain her. Not only did they have to generate the shield, they also had to resist the power. They weren't going to be able to keep this up much longer.

Azkadellia was beginning to feel the strain as well, but she squeezed DG's hand in reassurance. "Just hang on, Deej."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"I know."

DG looked up to see two of the Royal Army's soldiers escorting two wounded prisoners from the castle. "Hurry up!"

With amazement, the young soldiers took in the sight before them. They obeyed the order however, moving apprehensively through the shield at the princess's urging.

One stopped, shifting his burden. "The corridor is clear, Highnesses. All of the prisoners are out."

"Good." Azkadellia called, breathily. "Now get back. This whole thing is going to blow any time."

The soldier obeyed the royal command, helping his injured charge towards the lines.

DG felt a wave exhaustion wash over her. "Come on, Cain. Where are you?"

And then, there was another hand in her's. DG looked in surprise at her mother, who now stood beside her, holding tightly to her hand with her strong, firm grip. "Just a little longer, darlings."

Her energy was restored, even if only a bit. DG noted the shocked expression on Azkadellia's face as the burst in vigor hit her as well. It wasn't just moral support their mother lent. There was magical support as well.

It is her ability to see the good in all beings and to see their light, even if they can't see it themselves.

The old tree's words came back to DG as she smiled as she let the combined magic of her mother, her sister, and herself course through her.


Cain spat blood as Zero hooked him across the jaw. He was losing, bad. Driven by insanity, Zero was stronger than Cain had ever remembered him being.

Cain lay on the floor and coughed.

Zero crouched down, grinning maniacally. "Game over."

Cain couldn't move. He could barely breathe. Get up!

"The O.Z. is dead, just like your friends, Cain." Zero's voice raised in pitch as he tortured him. "Failed again, Cain."

Failed again. Too weak. They are all lost.

Wyatt Cain. The voice was strong in his mind, drowning out every other doubtful thought. As strong and vivid as if she were standing right beside him.

Adora?

Damn you, get off of the floor! She was angry, annoyed. She floated in front of his eyes. Not the wounded vision he had seen in the corridor, but the strong determined woman he had always known. Don't you give up now.

He was off of the floor before Zero even registered that he had moved. He bowled him over, kicking viciously at him as he grabbed the bomb.

Moving fast, he grabbed the handle to the access door and wrenched it open, flicking the switch that would detonate the bomb. The heat of the molten Seladium core hit him as he dropped Glitch's device down the machine's gullet.

When he turned, Zero was up again, but before he could attack, there was a groan and a shudder that threw both of the men off-balance. The chain reaction caused sparks up the cable that fed the Seladium core and powered Tempest.

Cain wasn't sticking around to watch any more. He ran past Zero who was staring at the generator with a growing sense of horror. Cain grabbed him by the collar, making him run with him. He wouldn't condemn any one to death if he could help it; not even his mortal enemy.

But Zero yelled, too taken with his mad desire to see Cain dead to care about his own well-being. He grabbed Cain around the shoulders taking them both to the floor again. Fine.

Cain elbowed Zero in the face. The man screamed in pain as blood flowed freely from his nose. Cain slipped from beneath him, his inner voice screaming at him to move faster. You want to see your son again, Wyatt.

Overhead, he could hear the fortress coming down around him as the Seladium core destroyed itself. There was a shriek of metal and stone above him as the rocks and dirt came falling down around him, striking him in the head and shoulders as he ran up the final passage. He could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And then the walls fell down around him.


DG whooped as the tower exploded above her but her mother gripped her hand tighter. "Hold on a little longer. Keep the flying debris from hitting the soldiers if you can."

"We're fine." Azkadellia called over the roar as the tower fell in on itself. It was followed by the uppermost floor of the fortress and then the next.

DG's eyes flew to the corridor. "Where's Cain?"

She felt both her mother and sister grip her a little more tightly. Azkadellia leaned over to whisper to her. "He's coming."

Her fear for her friend grew as the fortress continued to destroy itself. With every falling tier, she felt her heart constrict a little more. This couldn't be how it ended for a Tin Man. Not Wyatt Cain.

She found herself repeating Azkadellia's words. "He's coming. He'll be all right."

Raw was behind her, now, as were Ahamo and Jeb. The Viewer's voice was low and mournful as he said. "Cain not coming."

DG screamed and the magic barrier fell as the fortress fell in on itself. Ahamo's restraining arm flew around his youngest daughter and she strained against him, making herself hoarse as she screeched Cain's name.

Jeb bolted past her, disappearing into the dust that floated in the air after the bastion's destruction. She finally managed to get free of her father and turn to Raw. "Please, Raw, we've gotta find him."

The Viewer nodded and followed Jeb, DG and her parents right on his heels.