Chapter 18

Author's note: I know that I left the last chapter on a cliffhanger, but we need to get back to Tadase and Tsukasa. They are still in Rima's realm (Mashiro Peiro) :D and we should see if Tsukasa was able to knock some sense into Tadase.

***12 hours earlier Mashiro Peiro realm***

(Tsukasa's pov)

As I watched the others leave, I knew that at least for now, they were safe. I have the pills that Tadase had on him in my pocket and I was going to straighten this out. I did not know if he would truly die from the lack of having them, but I did know that he changed into some dark monster when Ikuto gave them to him earlier. Maybe I could slowly wean him from these stupid things if he were indeed dying. Or maybe he would have severe withdrawals and get over them faster if I kept them from him, I only knew that one way or another he would be freed from Deava's control.

"Tadase, I know that you are in pain, but can you please tell me why you think that you will die without your medication?" I asked him as I walked over to him. "Ojii-san, don't you remember? You started giving me medication at 5 years old. You said that I had something wrong with my heart" he replied.

"Tadase, you had a heart condition yes, but you outgrew that when you were 9" I told him. "Who started giving you medication again? Did Darkness start giving it to you? How did you find him? How can I help you?"

"I don't want your help Ojii-san, Dark-sama said you were nothing but a monster that you destroyed his home and that all you would do is lie to me. I want my headache to go away. GIVE ME MY MEDICATION!" he yelled.

"How often do you need it, and how long has it been since you have had it?" I asked "It's almost been 36 hours Ojii-san" he begged while starting to cry "I don't want to die; I need to clear my head. I have a headache and my chest is hurting. Why do you look so young? Why are you telling me that story yet again? Who is the prince that was taken from the Deava? Why – Why can't I – I need help" he sobbed as he passed out.

All I could do was stare as he was waking questions. What did he mean look young? What story was he talking about? As I was thinking to myself, he passed out and I checked his pulse. It was racing. His body was withdrawing from the medication. I could only hope that when he woke up If he woke up, I would be able to understand what was going on with him. Until then I would watch over him and make sure that he was breathing and pray that he would be okay. He was after all, my nephew.

***Back to the battle in Nageraboshi with the fire dragon***

(Amu's pov)

My Humpty lock vibrated as I lifted my sword. I had my water orb in the hilt. I knew that my earth orb would be of use as well, so it was in my side satchel. I knew that the training of swapping out the orbs would be useful, I just hoped that I could do it the way we practiced. I glanced at Ikuto and his key was shining. It felt as though we could get through anything as long as we relied on each other. Then I was shaken out of my thoughts as the dragon roared at me. He told me that my test to get the orb was not only to be fought with our physical strength but also of the mind.

"Hime-sama, if you want me to give you this orb, first you will need to answer my riddles. If you can solve my riddles, you and I will fight. Then if you win that battle, I will give you the orb and train you how to use it. Do you understand?" he asked. "Hai" I said, "Let's hear the first riddle."

I know that I put on a good face, but I am terrible at riddles" Ikuto told me. "Don't worry, I'm good at them" I replied.

"Poor people have it and rich people need it. It can make you or break you" he said.

After a few minutes of thought, I realized the answer. "Adversity" I replied.

The fire dragon said, "Yes, with adversity you will grow stronger. Steel can only be hardened by roaring fire in a pit or furnace. The steel is then cooled down and made strong. The human spirit's steel is hardened by adversity. You are a princess. You were born into the world of the rich and raised in the world of the poor. The privileged man often lack hardship and are spoiled and weak. The poor man must work for everything they have and so they are stronger. A word of advice, if you push yourself too hard and do not allow yourself to cool, the metal will break, and you will become angry and bitter. Know when to slow down and know when to stop"

"Riddle number 2" the dragon said. "You can only have it once you give it."

"Respect" I told the dragon.

"Yes, many times those in authority believe that respect is expected. They do not earn it. You cannot expect respect if you cannot give respect. Your people will love and respect you so long as you show them love and respect. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my mom always said to treat others the way you want to be treated, no matter your position" I said.

"We have come to the final riddle" said the dragon. "If you break me, I do not stop working; if you touch me, I may be snared; if you lose me nothing will matter. What am I?

"My heart" I said. "But what does my heart have to do with this dragon-sama?"

The dragon laughed and said, "You are wise, but naive as well. When you rule from your heart, the decisions are seldom wrong. You do not become bitter or angry with adversity because you can see the good in the pain. When you rule from your heart, you give respect to those around you and they will always respect you. Finally, when you trust your heart, it will be given to someone that will treasure it and keep it safe. Do all these and you will become the ruler your parents wanted you to be."

How did you know those answers? Ikuto asked You used to pretend as though you were dumb, why? If you were able to answer these riddles why act dumb?

I'll tell you later, for now don't we have a dragon to defeat?" I responded.

The dragon stood up and said, "Now onto the final piece, defeat me and you get your orb. Are you ready? "Yes" I replied as I lifted my sword in the defense position.

The dragon lifted his head and sucked the air around him to form a fireball in his mouth. As the fire ball flew towards me, I stepped aside and swung my sword. As I swung, I thought of the spell to make a water wall between us. It caught the fireball and nothing but steam filled the cave. I weaved to the right as I felt the fire breath coming at me again, I knew that I could fight him water, but I had to make his fire stop. I tried to switch out the orbs for the earth but wasn't fast enough. I looked up and saw the stream of fire headed straight for me. Instead of hitting me, Ikuto placed a shield in front of me protected me "Amu, Look out! You need to be faster"

"I'm trying!" I yelled out loud. As I yelled, I changed out the orbs and put the water back into the satchel. I lifted the sword and aimed it at the dragon, know that I had only once chance for my plan to succeed, I would have to be quicker than last time. Ikuto, remember when we made glass while sparring? That's what I'm going to do now. Be prepared and I am sorry if I get hurt. I'm doing my best.

The fire dragon reared up and spat his fire towards me. I swung my sword and sand shot through his fire. The fire and sand hit the spot I just at and the fire melted the sand. As it did, it started to become liquid. I took the orb out of my sword as the liquid started, put in my water orb, and swung again. It cooled the fiery sand and turned it to glass all the way up to the dragon's mouth.

"Dragon, I will not kill you, but I will not stand by and let you kill me. As you so eloquently stated earlier, my parents wanted me to become a queen and I cannot do that while being dead. If you force me, I will take away your ability to breathe fire until it is healed by breaking this glass. Or you can allow Ikuto to warm it up and you will be able to move your mouth without being hurt. Your choice." I told the dragon. He nodded and Ikuto warmed the top of the glass slide, the dragon moved his mouth from around the glass and smiled.

"You have proven yourself Hime-sama" he said and gave me the orb out of his chest. "Please put that in your sword so that we can start our lessons".

So, do you even need my help anymore? Ikuto asked, "Of course, please don't leave my side. I have a feeling that you are unable to do that anymore" I responded while smiling.

"With the orb of fire, you will be able to do many different attacks, the main ones are rain of fire, shooting fireballs, lava raids and sparkling seats. They each will take strength in order to use. The strongest one is rain of fire. You should not do that one first because it takes so much out of you that you will need to have a healing boost" he explained.

The dragon looked at Ikuto, "Sun god, you may be able to take some strain off her. If you were to combine your powers, it will lessen the draining effect on Hime-sama. You two will need to be closer than the average couple. I can see you two already share a strong bond so this should be simple. Do you accept? "Hai, I accept dragon-sama" Ikuto replied while putting his arm around me.

"Now then, lets begin the training" the dragon said.

End chapter 18