The Galactic Knights: Third Dimensional War

Dragons Unleashed Arc

A/N: The Imperial and Shadow Alliances begin to move. Soon the two armies will clash for control of the Golden Claw. As Natsu and Goku prepare for the conflict, Yuuka has her own situation to handle. What secrets does she hold? Find out in Chapter 74.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, Naruto, Inuyasha, Fairy Tail, or One Piece.

*LB* = Line Break

Chapter 74: Secrets of the Dark

A water droplet drips into the stone floor, a little breeze picking up shortly after. Four people walk down the rocky cavern, stopping at the entrance into a large dome.

Standing in front of the small group is Yuuka, wife of Ryo. Behind her Takeshi, Nirav, and Kavita walk slowly, keeping a small distance between them and her. Soon the four warriors move into the large dome. Yuuka raises her hand as her three followers keep a distance back.

"Lyth, I am here for the golden claw." Yuuka walks a few feet ahead.

Seconds later the ground begins to shake, a loud thumping sound occurring shortly after. Yuuka narrows her eyes as a long neck emerges from the shadows. Lyth, the Shadow dragon, lowers it's head towards Yuuka.

"I have the Golden Claw." Lyth's neck loops around Yuuka a bit.

Yuuka nods he head in approval. They managed to take the claw before the Imperial Alliance could. Now their next goal is the destruction of the Golden Claw. Only then can they weaken the seal placed upon Aloiron Mountain, where the Shrine of Barroth exists. The shrine that hosts another Ancient Lord. However, the claw can only be destroyed at the place of creation. Of course, the mountain serves as it's created origin. Yuuka knows it will not be easy to reach Aloiron Mountain, let alone gain access to the shrine itself.

Natsu and Goku stand in the middle of the army. Near them, Conan, Sean, Eliot, Wu, Tonis, Helena, Leopold, and Rolando talk amongst themselves. Near the front of the army, Wen, Huang, Tyson, Shamilth, and Ator seem to be in a small meeting. Natsu raises his eyebrow, noticing Goku with his arms crossed, tapping his finger on his bicep. Before Natsu can say something, Mei and Rhaviel appear in front of the army. Everyone stares at them, going quiet.

"I know this battle has not been in our favor. It's a hard time for us, but our enemy has the Golden Claw." Rhaviel's voice sounds across the field. "But not all is lost! For as long as the enemy does not reach Aloiron Mountain, they cannot destroy or weaken the seal on the Shrine of Barroth."

Rhaviel goes on to explain the eighth dragons defending the mountain. He already sent Nerroth and Jura to reinforce the mountain defense. However, everyone knows they can only last so long. They would have to reinforce them to ensure the best protection of the mountain.

"Today we march towards Aloiron Mountain." Mei steps forward. "It will be a hard battle. The Shadow Alliance is ruthless and they will not give in so easily. Our primary goal is prevent them from entering the shrine. Our secondary goal is to retrieve the Golden Claw."

Natsu clenches his hands. This time will not fail. This time he will beat the crap out of his enemies and win the battle. He smacks his fist into the palm of his other hand. He's all fired up.

A few minutes later, Mei heads towards her tent so she can contact the Imperial Alliance for reinforcements. In the meantime, Tyson stands in front of the main commanders looking at a map of Aloiron Mountain.

"Hmm… there are multiple paths entering Aloiron Mountain." Tyson points at the map.

Natsu tries to understand the map, but all he sees are weird lines and drawings. He scratches his head, but tries to listen to Tyson. Tyson goes on to explain the large compound on the mountain. Rhaviel states it is a good defense position.

"We cannot cover each entrance, but we can protect the most vulnerable." Rhaviel uses the tip of his claw to point at a spot on the map.

Tyson waves his fan, narrowing his eyes on the map.

"I have a few plans in mind based on numerous situations." Tyson swings his fan.

Natsu tilts his head, biting his lips a bit. He only hopes to understand.

Night befalls the camp, as the Imperial Alliance and the Dragon Kingdom begin to settle down. The two armies spent a large chunk of the day preparing supplies. In the morning they march to Aloiron Mountain.

As the quiet night continues, Natsu walks towards a small campfire where a few soldiers gather around for food and drinks. He takes a deep breath while wiping the sweat off his body.

Looking around for anyone paying attention, Natsu begins to suck in the flames before hand slaps him in the back hard.

"My lungs!" Natsu coughs as bits of flames spurt out from his mouth.

"Hey Natsu!" Goku chuckles as he rubs the back of his head. "My bad. Didn't mean to do that."

Natsu grumbles before taking a deep breath.

Silence shadows over the two men as they watch the embers of the fire disintegrate into thin air.

"Doing okay?" Goku places his hand on Natsu's shoulder.

"Have you had any dreams?" Natsu does not specify the question, but he can also hear Goku thinking, if that was possible.

Luckily, for Natsu, Goku can think of an answer.

"Yeah. I do" Goku places his hands behind his head. "I've fought many battles, but never a war. Well, there was a red ribbon army."

Natsu raises an eyebrow at the comment, but continues to listen to Goku.

"We always had dragon balls to revive everyone who died." Natsu sees Goku frown for a split second before it disappears. "But here it won't work. People are dying everyday. More people will die after the wish."

Goku explains he has always fought to the best of his ability, keeping himself focused and ready for many situations. However, he has never been to war. He has never had to be responsible for so many lives.

"How do you keep smiling?" Natsu takes a deep breath before feeling a hand on his shoulder.

Goku grins. "I think about the people I care about. I want to become stronger for them. Also my saiyan blood kind of gets my blood pumping for fights."

"Goku!" Natsu and Goku turn to Tonis, who is waving at them. Goku's hand leaves his shoulder, as Natsu watches him fly off.

Clenching his hands, images of old friends he left behind flash thorough Natsu's mind. Missing his head, Natsu slams his fist into an open palm. His eyes harden, as if a hint of fire emits from them. He has to remain strong and he will achieve power without the need for darkness. He will find a way.

Near Aloiron Mountain, Yuuka stands near the top of a cliff side, watching as twenty large space ships fly above her, heading towards the giant mountain. It is only a matter of time before they reach the Shrine of Barroth. She gazes at the army of Shadow Monster marching towards the mountain. According to Lyth, it sent Kulvak and Zlusog to open a path for them. What path the dragon is talking about is beyond her, but she figures it would benefit them.

Reaching around her neck, Yuuka goes to grab a necklace, but stops short of a black collar resting tightly on her neck. She ignores the collar and grabs the chain of the necklace. Pulling it up, she takes the small locket and opens it, revealing a picture of her and her daughter Rin. She gently traces her finger across the picture of her daughter, a faint smile on her expression.

"I promised you Rin." Her smile turns into frown.

Long ago, Yuuka stood in front of a Ryo, who looked at her with his eyes narrowed and his arms crossed.

"Are you kidding me?" Yuuka closes her hands, her knuckles turning white. "I do not approve of this! We cannot be forcing an arrange marriage on our daughter! And with Kenichi? Why? Because of political matters? That's no reason to force a marriage!"

Yuuka could see the veins appearing on Ryo's forehead, but she ignored it. She had her daughter to protect. She would stand even to Ryo.

"It is the best for our kingdom. To reinforce it and make it stronger by merging with Kenichi's family. They hold tremendous power."

"But Kenichi is almost ten years older! And our daughter hasn't even reached seven years! It shouldn't…"

Yuuka stopped talking and widened her eyes watching Ryo raiding his hand. She knew she spoke too much, but before she could apologize, Ryo snapped his fingers. As if someone threw her into an electric fence and found a way to chain her to it, an electrical current surged through her body. She fell to her knees, her muscles convulsing constantly. Her black collar turned a bright red, as electricity sparked from it. Soon she fell to the ground as her body's muscles tightened, blood beginning to deep from biting her lips too hard, her breath gone.

After another snap of his fingers, the electricity stopped, but Yuuka's body is in a mess, unable to move except for the convulsing of her muscles. She heard footsteps approaching before the sound stopped, a pair of feet in front of her face. She tried to stop her eyes from twitching, but was unable to do so.

A hand touched her head, twirling her hair. Yuuka tried to move, but her body refused to do so. A lump in her throat begins to form, tears running down from her eyes. She was able to see Ryo kneeling beside her.

"You are here because of our arranged marriage." Toy lifted Yuuka's head, pulling her hair hard.

"I don't want to be a dog." Yuuka's throat struggled to spit every word out.

"What's wrong?" Ryo slammed Yuuka's head to the floor, causing a small crack. "You have what you want? Don't you? You have all the money you can get. Isn't that what you wanted long ago? More riches. My word is final. I expect you out of my throne room by the time I come back."

Letting her head go, Ryo walked away, leaving a bruised Yuuka behind. Yuuka coughed, trying to breath and move her arms.

Around ten minutes would pass as Yuuka finally made it to her feet. She would use the wall to help her balance, making her way to her personal room. She nearly collapsed as her muscles convulse. Grinding her teeth, Yuuka used what strength she had to hit the wall, punching a small hole.

A giggle down the hall caused Yuuka to stop. Her heartbeat increased rapidly, as the voice neared her location. Clenching her teeth, Yuuka pushed herself from the wall, her muscles screaming at her decision. She took deep breaths, her heart rate decrease. Reaching her face, Yuuka tried to wipe off the traces of dirt as well as the small amounts of blood from her mouth.

Just as she finished cleaning herself off, Yuuka saw the most beautiful little girl run around the corner. Her daughter Rin smiled brightly at her before running towards the weaken mother.

"Mommy! Look!" Run showed Yuuka a pair of wooden maces. "I like these. I can fight just like you!"

Yuuka smiled, caressing her daughter's head. "That's good Rin. You can learn anything you put your heart into."

"I want to be as strong as you when I grow up!" Rin twirled the maces around.

"You'll need that strength as you grow up. Become as strong as you can. Even greater than I." Yuuka urges Rin to head outside and continue training.

Run turned and ran back outside leaving a smiling Yuuka behind. Soon a slight frown formed on her face before she began to clench her hands.

"I hope you don't have to." Yuuka took a breath. "With my dying breath I promise to give you freedom from this life, no matter the cost."

Loud roars draws Yuuka's attention to Aloiron Mountain. The dragons are ready to combat her armies. After clenching the locket slightly, she closes the locket and places it back around her neck, resting upon her collar.

She touches her collar before looking to the Golden Claw next to her. She begins to walk towards the claw, but with every step she begins to slow down, her feet feeling heavier with each step towards it. Her hands touch the claw slightly a sense of dread filling her, but she ignores it. Grabbing the claw, she lowers her lips near it.

"Barroth, the Dragon King. I ask you to kill Ryo and his allies, but please spare my daughter Rin. I'll free you from your prison, but do me that favor please.

Near Yuuka, Takeshi, with a small communicator in his ear, overhears her words. He nearly pushes the button to contact his brother Ryo, but lowers his hand. He turns and leaves Yuuka alone.

Yuuka gazes at the large forest below her, feeling a single line of liquid run down her cheek. She wish she was never greedy. She wanted so much and it led her to Ryo. She never saw the horror he would bestow upon her.

A step causes Yuuka to turn to her right. Nirav walks towards her, stopping in front of her before bowing slightly.

"Lyth has unleashed the Shadow Monsters upon Aloiron Mountain."

Yuuka nods her head, turning back to the mountain just as an explosion occurs in the distance. The final push is at hand. Soon she would reach the mountain and accomplish her goal.

"Send our troops in. Take the mountain."

After Nirav leaves, Yuuka gazes at the mountain, another chill running down her back. Shaking her head, Yuuka turns to the forest near the base of the mountain. Soon the two armies will clash.

Near Aloiron Mountain, Nerroth and Jura sit near the entrance, as nearby dragons unleash a barrage of fire attacks, hitting Aloiron Forest. Explosions occur shortly after, as numerous bodies of Shadow Monsters go flying.

"Hopefully this keeps up." Jura flaps her wings, as another barrage unleashes from the dragons.

"This is too easy." Nerroth sniffs the air. "Something big is coming."

Seconds later, a large wave of Shadow Monster rush from the forest, but it is not them that draws the dragon's attention. To the north, Kulvak and Zlusog appear with a second wave of Shadow Monsters.

"Another one?" Jura orders his forces to try to attack the second wave, but Nerroth raises his wing.

"The first wave is too close. We cannot divide our attention."

The dragons roar a call of war, ready to fight the enemies no matter the cost.

Seconds later, the dragons clash with the first wave of Shadow Monsters. The battle of Aloiron Mountain has begun.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review, favor, or follow. I want to thank everyone for their support.