…nawa!

Lucas came, accompanied by his friends. Our dog, Boney. One of the thieves, Duster. A mysterious girl. And a less mysterious girl, who was holding hands with Lucas. I smiled. My son had found love. But… my other son… he was in great danger. He was brainwashed.

A flash of lightning, and all four people accompanying Lucas fell unconscious. I felt bad for them. But it was between Lucas and Claus. Only one could possibly win. And that's what scared me.

The Masked Man took damage from the lightning bolt!

Lucas raised his stick. It took a while, but…

He dropped it.

He kicked it away.

"Claus. I cannot fight you."

Claus said nothing. He did attack. He shot beams. And he used PK Love. I held my hands to my mouth. If Lucas didn't attack, he'd die.

"Lucas…" I called. Lucas turned, looking for the speaker. He checked Ana. He checked Kumatora. He didn't remember my voice. And Claus was beating him up.

"Claus…" I tried. A smile was brought to Lucas' lips. He knew it was me. But my voice failed to reach Claus.

"Claus… Stop this… You aren't Porky's robot. You're our son!" I tried. Claus looked around. Lucas could get in a quick heal. But Claus was soon back to torturing Lucas.

"Lucas! Look out!" someone called. It was Flint. Riding in to save the day. But it wasn't me he swept from harm's way. He stepped in between the boys, and took the full force of PK Love Ω.

"Claus, please remember… I've been looking for you for so long…" he said. Claus simply repeated the attack. Flint could no longer stand up. Not him… please… not him too…

"Claus… You and Lucas are brothers!" No dice. Claus was still savaging Lucas. At least he wasn't going for Flint.

"Can you hear me? You're Claus. Your name is Claus! You're our son!" I sighed. He wasn't stopping. I was gone. Flint was uncertain. Not Lucas. I didn't want to see any more of my family dead.

"Please… Remember! Lucas… Claus…" I said. But this time, I let them into a long forgotten memory.

"To think we would be blessed with two children at once… I bet that they'll accomplish things together that they couldn't alone… I'm sure they'll argue a lot, too. And I see them helping each other out when they need it. Claus… …and Lucas. I bet we'll mix them up a lot until they get bigger…"

"Claus… …and Lucas, huh… How do you want them to grow up to be?"

"To be kind, just like you."

"Oh. I was just going to say… …to be kind, just like YOU."

"Great. Then it's decided. Claus."

"Lucas."

"Make us proud."

Lucas didn't know what to do.

Claus gazed at Lucas. He covered his ears. He shut his eyes.

Lucas wanted to cry.

"Claus… Claus… Claus… Come to your mother. You must be so exhausted. Come here, Claus," I said. It pained at me, but Claus was very definitely not brainwashed. He was attacking Lucas, though. I could tell he felt like he was irredeemable. I also felt that nothing would work to tell him otherwise.

Claus looked around, as if searching for something. He removed his mask. The sign that he was the Masked Man. His face looked just like Lucas's. It was Claus. Claus fired an intense bolt of lightning. Lucas hurriedly clutched at his shirt, where a bright badge was pinned, but it was too late. It reflected the lightning right back. Claus took mortal damage. He staggered towards Lucas. He embraced Lucas.

"I'm sorry it turned out like this… I'm really happy you could be here before the end… Thanks. Dad. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I'm going to where Mom is now. Lucas. I hope we meet again someday. Bye. Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm sure we'll meet again." These were the words that left Claus, along with his final breath. Not a dry eye was among the crowd standing around Claus.

"Lucas… thank you. Claus was just hasty, that's all. You'll forgive your hasty brother, won't you? … Alright. This is it," Flint said.

"The time has come for you to pull the Dragon's last Needle. Are you ready?" the blond girl said. Lucas wiped his eyes.

"Yes, Ana."

"Both Hinawa and Claus have entrusted fate to you. Believe in yourself, and pull that final Needle. Nothing needs to be sealed away anymore. Let's make the Dark Dragon sealed away underground our new friend. Pass your heart onto the Dragon! Pray to it from the bottom of your heart. Ask it to protect all life in this world. Me, and everyone else… we all believe in you. So now you need to believe in yourself. Now go. The Dragon is waiting to wake up." Ana extended her hand. Lucas took it. They both walked around, savouring their time, before Lucas was at the Needle.

"Wait!" Ana said. Lucas turned. "In case we don't make it…" she said, and pulled Lucas into a kiss. I wept as best I could. I barely noticed the others doing the same. Ana let him go, and took a step back.

*SHINE* *WHIRR* *CLICK*

Darkness stole the sky and the cataclysm rained down. The Dark Dragon… was awakening…