A/N: I don't have anything big to say right now, so let's continue on!

Actually, I lied, I do have something to say. I have NOT forgotten my other fics about Pokémon and League of Legends, and I do plan to get to them eventually. But this comes first. It's been around the longest and I should really finish it soon.

Chapter 35 – The Ride Home

Lloyd sighed contentedly as Fargus's ship rocked gently on the waves of the sea. It seemed as though nature itself was celebrating Nergal's defeat. The sun shone brightly in a clear sky, and the waters below them were gently rolling them towards Badon.

"It's really over, isn't it, Lloyd?" Linus asked. With all of the excitement and conflict finally over and done with, he, Lloyd, and Legault finally had a chance to sit back and play a relaxing game of poker.

"Mhm…" Lloyd agreed offhandedly as he threw in 20 gold to match Linus's bet. "But I'm still thinking about what I'm going to do with the future of the Black Fang. We can't go back to Bern, not now at any rate. What with the attempted assassination of the prince, it'll give those corrupt nobles an excuse to try and hunt us down."

"Perhaps we could bunker down in Lycia for a while?" Legault suggested. "At least until our numbers become strong enough again for us to return to Bern in relative safety."

"I think Hector still has that bounty on the Black Fang," Lloyd countered. "They'll be hunting us there too, although the danger from Lycia is relatively less than the danger in Bern."

"Unless said bounty ceases to exist," a gruff voice announced from behind them.

Everyone turned to see Hector approaching them, a sardonic smile etched across his face. "You won't have to worry about that bounty for much longer. As soon as we get back to Ostia I'm calling it off. You'll be free to stay around in Lycia as much as you please…provided that you don't assassinate our nobility." He gave a humorless laugh. "A lot of them are pigheads, but unlike your Bernese friends most of them know not to cross the line."

"Are you sure?" Lloyd asked, both surprised and pleased at this news. "Won't the nobles have something to say about letting a group of assassins whose very purpose is to kill corrupted nobles wander around freely in Lycia?"

Hector laughed. "Good point," he conceded, "but who's going to be in charge of Lycia very soon? At any rate, I'll convince them that the blame for the assassinations is Bern's, not yours. And we can still knock that bounty down regardless of what they say." He turned and walked away to look for his retainer. "Oswin?"

"Well then…" Legault commented wryly. "I guess that's our problem solved."

Linus chuckled. "Very convenient too, I might add." His expression quickly became more serious. "But what are you going to do with the future of the Fang, Lloyd? What with everything that's happened over the past few weeks, we won't be able to show our faces in Bern for quite a while."

Lloyd nodded solemnly. "I know," he agreed. "Our father, may he rest in peace, created the Fang to protect the helpless from the wickedness of the nobles in Bern. We can't continue to focus our efforts on just killing off who we deem as corrupt; we nearly made a terrible mistake with Lord Eliwood and his, our, allies. But there's other ways for us to help the common man that aren't quite as antagonistic." He had a smile on his face that was growing wider at each word. "Every region has its fair share of bandit problems, for example, and Bern's no exception. The royal family of wherever we serve will come after us if we execute its nobles, no matter how wicked they may be. But…"

"…nobody's going to complain about us taking out bandits by ourselves," Legault finished for him. "It saves the authorities time, money, and lives. Not a bad idea, not bad at all…"

"I firmly believe in my father's ideology, and I will follow it as well as I am able," Lloyd now asserted, "but if we are ever to be even remotely accepted by others without fear of persecution then I will have to change the nature of the Fang. Such as your role, Legault."

"Me?" the assassin looked up surprised. "What would you ever want to change about me, my dear friend?"

"Your duties, for one thing," Lloyd responded immediately. "I never really understood why my father instituted that Cleaning House thing in the first place. Executing traitors, fine. But simply wanting to leave the Fang should not be a reason for you kill someone off, and most certainly not because someone got crippled or weakened in the line of duty. As the Hurricane of the Four Fangs, your new tasks will have to be far more noble than that."

"I was never comfortable with that duty, especially once Nergal's scum came in and make things worse," Legault commented, "so I'll be glad to accept any new duties that my honorable commander gives me." Then what Lloyd had actually just said clicked. "Wait a minute…did you just say Hurricane of the Four Fangs?"

"I did indeed," Lloyd confirmed.

"Isn't that honor assigned only to the most powerful, loyal, and experienced of Black Fang members?" Legault asked, clearly confused.

"And what description fits you better than the one you just described?" Lloyd pressed on. "Everyone keeps saying that you're second in power to none but the Four Fangs."

"That I did know," Legault interrupted. "But why me?"

"With my ascension as commander and Ursula's death, we have open slots for two of the Four Fangs. Linus and Jaffar certainly haven't done anything that would warrant their demotion from that honor, and after your promotion to an official assassin you've become as deadly on the battlefield as any one of the true Four Fangs. You've earned it, Legault, and I won't hear another word of protest."

"Well…" Legault trailed off as he took in the news. Suddenly, he gave a mischievous grin. "I guess it's time for me to put the organization in its place, then!"

Linus laughed. "Oh, dear Elimine. With your bag of tricks, the Black Fang is almost certainly doomed."

Legault huffed indignantly as everyone else laughed.

"I just remembered!" Lloyd suddenly exclaimed. "Jaffar and Nino talked to me earlier. They've declared that they're truly in love with each other and that they planned to get married in a few years. I gave them my blessing."

Linus nearly dropped the cards he was holding. "Wait, what?" he spluttered.

"You heard me," Lloyd smiled. "Nino's the reason why Jaffar started becoming human in the first place. I think it's fair to let them be happy together if that's what they want."

Linus and Legault looked at each other and both smirked, which Lloyd was perceptive enough to catch. "Don't you go teasing them about it later," he warned them with a stern expression.

They both grinned. "We wouldn't dream of it," Legault assured him in a not-very-convincing manner.

Lloyd sighed. "Why do I get the feeling I can't ever trust you two…" he groaned.

"Obviously it's because they don't have the discipline of Ilia's Pegasus knights," a voice jokingly answered.

Lloyd smiled as Fiora came up to next to him. "It's finally over, isn't it?" she asked, looking more relaxed than Lloyd had ever seen her.

The swordmaster put an arm around her shoulder and nodded. "It is indeed," he agreed, "but my work is far from done. I'm going to have to completely transform the Fang from the ground up, and it might take several years before I can restore it back to its former glory.

Fiora gave him a quick hug. "You'll be a great leader, Lloyd," she assured him.

"Well, well," Legault grinned as he saw the two. "Since when were you two a couple?"

Fiora gave the Hurricane a sheepish look. "It kind of happened on the way to the Dread Isle."

Linus laughed. "Whatever works for you two, I suppose." His expression turned slightly more serious. "Of course," he continued, "there is the question of whether or not Fiora will be coming with you when all is said and done, Lloyd."

Fiora turned to face Lloyd. "I've been thinking about your offer, Lloyd. And…I think I will follow you. Now that I've seen the true nature of the Black Fang with noble men leading it, I think its aims to protect the weak are something that I can devote myself to. But…" she added with a warning, "I won't help you assassinate anyone. That's where I cross the line."

Lloyd gave her a light kiss. "Don't worry about that," he promised. "When I'm done with the Fang, we won't be so much assassins as we will be protectors of the common man. You'll see."

Fiora grinned. "I hold you to that," she answered. "But before I come with you, there are some issues that I need to settle in Ilia first. It'll take me weeks, if not months, to get everything sorted out. But once I'm done, I'll be ready to join you."

Lloyd nodded. "I understand. I don't you'll be able to find us so easily though; the Black Fang has always been secretive in nature. How will I be able to find you?"

To his surprise, Fiora laughed. "That part's easy," she assured him. "The Ilian mercenary guilds always have an extensive list of their units and where they live. Look up my name and ask for me. Follow their instructions, and as soon as I get the word I'll find you."

Lloyd nodded. "I will…no matter how long it takes."

As Fiora and Lloyd kept talking, Linus turned to Legault and smirked. "Well, well," he muttered under his breath, "it looks like Jaffar and Nino won't be the only ones who've found someone special. 50 gold says they'll be married in five years after they get together for real."

"I say they'll be married in three," Legault countered, a sly glint in his eyes.

"You two!" Lloyd called out to them in exasperation. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing!" the two chorused as they went back to their game.

/

"CLANG!" The sound of an axe and a sword slamming against each other could be heard across the length of a ship.

"Good show, Eliwood!" Hector laughed as he brought his axe down on Eliwood's blade. "But I'm still going to beat you!"

"Don't be so confident, Hector," Eliwood coolly responded as he parried another strike. "I've always had agility on my side!"

As Ninian and Lyndis watched the two of them spar, Lyndis sighed in mock irritation. "Don't these two have anything better to do?" she groaned in mock despair. "I mean, they pretty much just saved the world! The least they could do is kick back and relax for a bit."

Ninian laughed. "I think this is their way of relaxing," she rationalized. Lyndis shook her head. "Men…" she muttered, but there was still a smile on her face as she said it.

As Lyn and Ninian were talking, Hector suddenly noticed a lone figure staring back towards Valor. Eliwood, not seeing what Hector was looking at, took advantage of the distraction to the knock the axe out of his hand.

"I win, Hector!" he proclaimed triumphantly. Realizing his mistake, Hector grunted acknowledgement of his defeat.

"This isn't like you," Eliwood commented as he gave Hector back his Iron Axe. "You're usually very focused in battle despite your reckless style."

"I know," Hector conceded, "but look over there." He pointed to the figure. "Pretty much every one of us has been celebrating our victory over Nergal, but ever since we got back on the ship Dusk hasn't done anything but look back towards the Dread Isle. He didn't even seem very happy when we left."

Eliwood thought for a moment as he recollected what Dusk had been doing between Nergal's defeat and now. "You're right…" he agreed. "He's been a somber mood for a while now. I'm not sure why, though. All he said when he emerged from the Gate with Pent and Louise was 'He is free,' and he hasn't spoken another word since. I think we should check and see if he's okay. I mean, he is the reason we made it this far, after all."

Hector nodded. "That's probably a good idea," he agreed. He turned towards Lyndis and Ninian. "We're going to check and see if Dusk's all right," he called to them. "Come with us if you want!"

The two quickly nodded and followed behind Eliwood and Hector as they approached Dusk together.

Dusk looked up and smiled. "Oh, hello," he greeted them distractedly.

"Dusk?" Eliwood gently but firmly went straight to the point. "Are you all right? You've been acting weirdly ever since we left Valor."

Dusk sighed and nodded. "Yes, there are some things that I need to tell you all. And I might as well do so now, before you become too involved in your futures as leaders of Lycia."

He took a deep breath and continued. "When I went back in to bury Athos, Nergal was still alive. Barely on his last legs, but definitely alive."

Hector swore under his breath. "Good thing you were there, then," he growled. "I hope you got rid of him quickly. The last thing we needed was another second of that madman alive."

Dusk shook his head. "You don't understand," he explained. Eliwood could have sworn that he had seen a tear leave his eye. "This wasn't Nergal, the corrupted sorcerer and sworn enemy of dragons and mankind. This was the man who had I respected and loved as a mentor for many years before the darkness claimed him. We set him free by ending his life, and he was able to pass on his final words and wishes before he passed on in peace."

"What did Nergal tell you?" Ninian asked, curious. Although she couldn't picture Nergal as anything but a blackhearted fiend, a small part of her yearned to learn his last words for a reason that she couldn't quite explain.

Instead of answering directly, Dusk reached into his robes and took out the shining dragonstone. Ninian gasped in amazement when she saw her precious jewel unharmed. "He…he's giving this back to me?" she asked. "Why?"

"To show you that, in the end, he truly did feel remorse for his actions," Dusk explained. "If he had still been corrupted until the bitter end, then he would have destroyed the stone out of spite instead of giving it back. I'm sure of it."

Ninian gently took the stone from Dusk's hand, tears beginning to flow from her eyes. "Thank you, Dusk…" she whispered before quietly staring at the stone.

"Hmph…" Hector grumbled. "One good action doesn't make up for a thousand atrocities."

"No, it doesn't," Dusk agreed, "but atonement that comes at the brink of death is better than no atonement at all. After all, isn't that what Elimine teaches us?"

"You're a follower of Elimine?" Lyndis asked, confused. "I thought dragons worshipped Naga."

"I have faith in both," Dusk answered, "for both teach ethics and philosophies with which I firmly agree. But I digress. Before his death, Nergal also confirmed Athos's prophecy of the darkness that is rising in Bern."

"What did he tell you?" It was Eliwood's turn to ask.

"He focused the evil star down on Bern's royal family specifically," Dusk recalled. "And Nergal also said that the star, while no doubt strengthened by his actions, would have existed and risen with or without his intervention. And…" at this, sadness seemed to fall on Dusk's face, "he told me that a seed of darkness has found its way into Prince Zephiel's heart."

"That's not hard to believe," Eliwood mused, "considering how abusive and worthless his father is. Still, that doesn't tell us that Zephiel HAS to be the dark star. For all we know, it could mean Desmond breaking out a full-scale war in all of his wickedness."

"Mhm…" Dusk nodded, "it is hard to say whether Desmond or Zephiel will be the future scourge upon Elibe. But either way, we must look carefully towards Bern. I, for one, am thankful that the Black Fang will be there to keep watch for whatever dangers may come ahead."

"That's right!" Hector realized. "Once Lloyd recreates the Fang, they'll be able to keep on guard to protect Bern's innocents, especially if a war breaks out!"

"Very true indeed, my friend," Dusk smiled.

"Was there anything else?" Lyndis asked.

Dusk's smile instantly faded. "No…" he answered a little too firmly.

"You're not very good at hiding secrets, Dusk," Hector called him out on it. "Whenever you want to keep a secret from us, you act a lot more seriously and a lot less openly than you normally do."

Dusk sighed. "Nergal had me swear an oath not to reveal my last secret," he explained.

Hector looked like he was about to press the subject, but to Dusk's relief Lyndis came to his rescue. "That's enough, Hector," she berated him. "Regardless of whatever secret Dusk is hiding, I'm sure he has it for good reasons. And I'm sure we can trust him that this secret has nothing to do with the future of Elibe, right Dusk?"

Dusk nodded. "I would not hide this secret if it was relevant to your futures," he asserted.

Hector decided to drop the subject. "Okay, okay," he muttered, "yeesh."

Ninian looked up from her dragonstone. "What was Nergal like?" she asked him. "Before he became evil?"

"He was a good man," Dusk answered with a confidence that convinced her to believe in. "Not unlike Lord Athos, as a matter of fact."

"If only I could be there to see those days," she said wistfully as she put away the Dragonstone in her hands. "I don't think I'll ever be able to turn into a dragon again," she reflected. "Much of the power of the dragonstone has been used up with Nergal opening the Gate multiple times. But I think I like it better this way. I wouldn't ever want to accidentally transform into one and harm the ones I love and care about."

Eliwood gave her a light kiss. "It wouldn't make any difference to me," he promised.

"Ahoy there!" Dart called out to them. Everyone turned to see him and some of the other pirates bringing out some blunt practice swords, axes, and lances. "We're about to have a battle tournament! You'll see some of Fargus's best pirates right in action!"

Hector and Eliwood turned to each other and grinned. "Now this sounds like fun! The two quickly made their way to where the pirates were gathered.

"Ugh…" Lyndis sighed. "Men…"

Dusk laughed and put a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for rescuing me back there," he thanked her gratefully.

"It's the least I can do for you helping me save Caelin," she brushed away the apology. Rolling her eyes, she continued, "Hector doesn't know when to stop sometimes."

"He's getting better," Dusk responded with a chuckle. "He has the assertiveness that a leader of all Lycia needs."

"I suppose…" Lyndis conceded. The three of them turned to watch as Eliwood and Hector began the tournament, defeating the first pirates they faced without breaking a sweat.

/

A/N: Finals are done! Wheeee! This also means I can start writing chapters on my other fics now! Woo hoo!

That is all. Keep reading and reviewing, everyone!