Author's Note: Hello, dreamers! I've been excited to write this because it's something I've been waiting for since I first started this version a year ago. When I started writing, I had this idea for Dire. I've cultivated it more over the months, and I can't believe I'm finally getting to write it... The Land Before Time mission will be crucial because Dire and Lilith are searching for the Heart. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what it is until NEXT chapter, but it's what I've been leading up to since the first arc. So, with that out of the way, enjoy!
Disclaimer! Any of the characters, ideas, locations, or stories that aren't my OCs or part of my personal ideas aren't mine and I do not claim to own them.
Characters introduced (or mentioned)
The gang of five (The Land Before Time)
King Frostgale (OC)
Frostellia (OC)
Frostgale (OC)
Snowy Dawn (Geronimo Stilton: The Quest for Paradise)
Ice Dusk (OC)
Master Tonpetty (JoJo)
November 2012
The team had returned from their trip, with memories to last a lifetime. Once everyone was settled back in, Dire and Lilith were at the Multiverse Hotel, preparing to leave for their mission.
"Now, listen up. In the future, Lily is destined to travel through all 14 Land before time movies. She'll be able to meet the characters, but you two have to steer clear of them.
"Ok, Aurora, but why aren't we allowed to interact with them?" Lilith asked.
"Because Lily is destined to meet them anyway. I don't want to risk the plan being thrown off course. And I also don't want the children meeting you yet, because even though you're traveling through their world, they don't need to get involved with Etherian affairs yet. I don't want to worry them.
"I understand, now. We'd better be careful." Lilith said.
"Ok, are you two ready to go?" Aurora said.
"Yes, we are," Dire said. He and Lilith stepped through the door.
When they emerged, they saw sights they had never seen before. The land was nothing like back home. It was an unforgiving, barren, wasteland.
"This must be the mysterious beyond," Dire said.
Lilith responded. "This is much different from anywhere else we've traveled since we first started going on missions."
"Yes, it is, and that's why we both must be on our guard. We must try to steer clear of danger." Dire said. As soon as he said that, he sighted a Nightdreamer monster. He and Lilith hid behind a big rock.
Monsters already? Those Nightdreamers are cruel! Lilith thought.
"Let's wait for it to pass us by." Dire whispered, as quietly as he could. The monster passed by, and the two of them heaved a sigh of relief.
"Ok, now, let's check our plan," Lilith said, checking where they needed to search for the Heart.
The rock that looks like a Longneck The Mountains that burn The pond
"That's all?" Lilith asked. "It's so cryptic! Well, I guess we have our work cut out for us..." Lilith said. She and Dire began the long walk.
As the two of them trekked, Lilith spoke to Dire. "I was wondering what exactly the Heart does. I know it's extremely important, but what is it?" Lilith asked.
"I don't know. It could be a powerful weapon like the one Coletta told me she used to decimate the Trix's Army of Darkness. Maybe it can grant a wish?" Dire asked. Lilith's heart fluttered when she heard 'wish.'
"I-I know Lily will need to use it herself if it could grant a wish, but if it was mine, I would ask for one thing only," Lilith said.
Dire was curious. "What would it be?"
"Mortality. I was created by Anankos, an ancient dragon. He created me, along with the other Astral Dragons centuries ago. I have great power, but I'm also cursed with immortality. I want to be able to experience things that a normal human being would, like falling in love, growing old, and dying with them, not outliving them." Lilith said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I understand completely. Who would ever want to live forever? I would rather be with the ones I loved forever.
"You know, Dire, you remind me of someone," Lilith said.
"Who?" Dire asked.
"His name was Frostgale. I fell in love with him years ago, but sadly, he died. Something about you makes me think of him." Lilith said.
Dire's face turned white. "Frostgale? What did he look-" Dire was cut off by a rumbling sound.
"Earthquake," Lilith said.
The ground began to shake harder and split open. Dire fell through a crack, and Lilith tried to pull him up.
"Let me go! I don't want you to fall with me!" Dire said.
"It won't matter if I fell in, as long as my gem sustains no damage," Lilith said.
"But what if it's damaged when you fall in?" Dire said. "Lilith, just let go. I'll be ok." Dire tried to persuade Lilith to save herself, and she almost let go, but she saw Frostgale in Dire's eyes. She tried to tighten her grip, but his hand slipped, and he fell.
"NO! I won't let you die!" Lilith shouted. She jumped into the pit after Dire.
"Dragons, give me strength!" Lilith shouted. Her body glowed with blue light, and she transformed into her Astral Dragon form. She managed to catch dire and bring him back to the surface...
Meanwhile, Percy and Megan were looking out for the heroes.
"So, where do you think they would be?" Megan said.
"I don't know, and I don't even know why we're here. If we're not allowed to wreak havoc on the heroes of this story, what's the point of even coming here?" Percy said.
"You know what my mother said. We need to defeat Lilith's guard and get that gem for mother! On top of that, we need to get that special weapon that was rumored to be here!" Lilith said.
Percy scoffed. "We don't even know what it is, let alone WHERE it is, so how will we get it?" Percy asked.
"Easy. Just try to silently follow behind Dire and Lilith! Wherever they might be-" As soon as Megan finished speaking, she saw a blue light in the distance.
"That was easy. How could those heroes be so dumb?" Percy asked.
The two followed where they had spotted the light.
Meanwhile, dire was still recuperating from his fall. But when he saw Lilith, he almost fainted. "What are you doing? You need to transform back! The Nightdreamers will see you!" Dire said.
Lilith transformed back. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to die like Frostgale. I couldn't bear losing another lover." Lilith said. "There's something I forgot to tell you. Even if my gem is just taken, and not destroyed, my spirit can never truly pass on. It will still be trapped within the gem. So I could never be with Frostgale." Lilith said.
"I understand how that feels, but, who is Frostgale? I-I think I might have known him, long ago.
"He told me he was from an ice kingdom. He was very mysterious, so that's all I ever really knew about him." Lilith said.
"Lilith... Did I ever tell you?" He was cut off by a blast of dark water.
Percy and Megan had found them! Percy was already using his new dark powers.
"Lilith, stay behind me!" Dire said.
"But dire, I can fight, too! Didn't you see what I did in that chasm?" Lilith said.
"I know, but I don't want you getting hurt!" Dire said.
"Enough talk, let's battle! Percy said, drawing his sword.
Dire drew his, also, and the two of them clashed.
Megan approached Lilith. "If those two dummies want to fight, I'll just take the gem myse-"
"STOP!" Lilith cut her off.
"How dare you tell the future Queen of Dark Etheria to stop!" Megan said.
"Why are you doing this? Look around! You can't just keep hurting people, because it isn't right! All Lily wants is for everyone to love each other, not fight each other!" Lilith poked Megan. "And you're trying to unravel it all, by turning good people bad! Dire shouldn't be fighting Percy, we should all be helping each other!" Lilith said.
But Megan wasn't convinced. "Listen. You need to respect us villains. My mother only wants to heal what Alessandria has broken!" She said Alessandria like it was a bad word.
"You guys will learn soon enough..." Lilith said.
Dire and Percy were still fighting, but it look like it would end badly... Percy sent a blast of dark water at Lilith. It hit her, and Dire prepared to use his Thunder Cross Split Attack.
"NO!" He's good, remember?" Lilith screamed.
Dire came to his senses and stopped his attack.
That gave Percy an opportunity. He aimed a blast of dark water right at Lilith's gem, and fired it!
NO!" Dire said. He lept in front of the water, but instead of hitting him, it froze in place...
"Wha-? Lilith said.
Leave now." Dire said, coldly.
"Cmon, Percy, we need to get away from them! They're obviously overpowered!" Megan said.
Percy stood down. "You're right. We should regroup. Percy said.
The two of them fled, but Megan looked over her shoulder, and said, "Don't think you haven't seen the last of us!"
"They're smart, fleeing from us! We make a great duo!" Lilith said.
But dire didn't answer. "Those ice powers you saw... Have you seen them before?" He asked.
Lilith remembered. "Frostgale uses to use powers like that! Do you know him? Lilith said.
"Did he have long blonde hair?" Dire asked.
"Yes, he did," Lilith said.
"Then it must be him... This may be painful for toque to recall, but how did he die?" Dire asked.
"I never truly knew how, but he was rumored to have been in a storm at sea with his entire family. He and I made an agreement that he would never tell me about his family, because I didn't want to grow attacked, because of my immortality." Lilith said.
Dire's face turned white. "It must've been him..."
"Who?" Lilith asked.
Dire took a deep breath. "I think I should finally tell you the truth about where I come from. Frostgale was my younger brother."
Lilith's eyes widened. "I-I knew you two were connected all along, but it's still shocking..."
Dire continued. "My father was King Frostgale, the king of the snow people. One day, it snowed for 700 nights and days in his kingdom, leaving our homes completely covered. He saved us all by making us board a ship to a new land. Onboard were my father, my mother Frostellia, my sisters, named Ice Dusk and Snowy Dawn, my brother Frostgale, and I. The voyage was going smoothly, but something horrible happened. There was a storm at sea, and my father ordered everyone below deck, but my youngest sister, Snowy Dawn was left behind by mistake. She was swept away by a wave, but I survived. I washed up to shore, and Master Tonpetty found me and took me in. My true name is Snowhawk." Dire told his story with pain in his voice.
"That's horrible..." Lilith said.
"But there's still hope. I've heard rumors that Snowy Dawn is still alive somewhere. In the future, when we go on more missions, I will search for her." Dire said.
"Well, at least you have hope. I feel your pain because I am the last of the Astral Dragons." Lilith said.
"Thank you for understanding," Dire said. He remembered. "We're behind schedule! We need to continue the search." The two of them stared at the ruined world around them. That earthquake almost completely changed the land. It looked as if the Nightdreamers did it themselves, even though it was only a natural disaster. So Dire and Lilith cautiously trekked forward, finding the rock that looked like a Longneck.
"Wow... it's beautiful..." Lilith said, marveling at the majestic rock's beauty.
"Let's start the search..." Dire said. The two of them began to search for the Heart, even climbing to the very top of the rock. Alas, they didn't find it anywhere.
As Dire and Lilith descended the rock, Lilith stopped and realized something.
"Dire... This is just how searching for your sister feels, right?" Lilith said.
"Yes, it does... Searching so futilely, but never finding anything." Dire said.
Lilith shook her head. "I didn't mean that. What I meant was, even though we didn't find the Heart here, it could be at the Mountains that Burn! Even though you can't find your sister in the places you look, there are still other places where she could be." Lilith said.
Dire smiled at Lilith. "When you say it like that, you give me hope. Thank you." Dire said before the two continued on their journey.
Meanwhile, Percy and Megan were already at the Mountains that Burn and were prepared to surprise attack the heroes!
"Alright, Percy, when the two of them get here, you know what to do! I'll use my powers to get the gem, and you'll face Dire!" Megan explained.
But Percy wasn't listening. What Lilith said about the villains trying to unravel everything the heroes were working for was awakening something inside of him...
Megan's eyes widened. She realized what was happening. "Percy, listen to me. I know you're having doubts about who's side you should be on, but know this! Those heroes are just trying to lure you in! Before I started going on these missions, I actually wanted to make friends with Lily! If villainy can change me, it can change you!" Megan said.
"Ok, Megan..." Percy said. He was just pretending to agree with her because the spell she cast upon him was slipping. The deep red color of his eyes was lightening.
"Don't worry, Percy! You'll love being a villain!" Megan said before she saw something in the distance.
"It's them!" Megan said, springing into action. She looked behind her and noticed Percy wasn't following her. "C'mon, Percy! We don't want them to get too far ahead!" Megan grabbed Percy's arm and pulled him along. Percy's eyes turned dark red once again.
"There they are!" Megan whispered, laying low, staring at Dire and Lilith. "Are you ready to do this, Percy?" Megan asked.
"Of course," Percy said. He was now under full control by the Nightdreamers.
Percy conjured a blast of dark water, and prepared to fire it at Dire! Lilith heard the rushing sound of him conjuring the blast, and jumped in front of Dire!
"Lilith, no!" Dire said, as the water collided with her. but in her place was a magnificent Astral Dragon! She used her stronger form to take the attack.
Yes, I've got you right where I want you! Megan thought, preparing to face Lilith when she turned back into a human.
Wait, what am I doing? They've seen my Astral form, and how powerful it is! Lilith thought. When she used her astral form to save Dire from falling, she turned back before Percy and Megan could see her. Now they'd both seen it!
Human form Lilith stood in front of Megan, not afraid to face her.
"I won't let you get away with this, Megan! You think you have to hurt my new friends because your evil mother tells you to, but she's wrong!" Lilith held her hand out for Megan to take. "Come home with us, Megan! To a place where no one will make you be evil ever again! Randall, Waternoose, Tex Richman, and others are already living happily at the Mansion of Lucidity! Lily's not here right now, but if she was, she would do the same thing! She would try to bring her cousin Megan away from the dark!" Lilith said.
Megan's gaze softened for the briefest of seconds but turned right back icy. "Nice speech, Dragon of stars, but I have a responsibility to uphold. I'm the future queen of Dark Etheria, so I can't waste my time listening to heroes blabbering." Megan stretched her hand out, and Lilith felt her powers leaving her!
N-NO!" Lilith screamed as Megan began to take her gem. She felt light-headed and swayed on her feet.
Just as the gem was about to leave Lilith's forehead, a blast of clear, pure, blue water blasted Megan's hand! "What the heck was that?" Megan shouted.
It was Percy! His formerly red eyes were back to their normal sea green color!
"You're back?" Lilith asked.
He turned to Lilith. "Yes. Those words you just said about Megan going home with you were enough to break the spell I was under!" Percy said.
"Uh, um... I should get back." Megan said, before teleporting away. At least she was smart enough to realize when she was outnumbered!
When she was gone, Dire ran to check on Lilith. "Are you ok? He said. He examined the gem for any cracks.
"Yes, I'm fine. It takes a lot of power to take an Astral Dragon's gem, and since Megan isn't powerful enough yet, she didn't have enough strength to take it." Lilith said.
Dire was relieved. "I'm glad." He turned to Percy. "Thank you for helping Lilith." Dire shook Percy's hand.
"You're welcome. I can't believe I turned dark..." Percy said.
"It's alright, Percy. After all, you weren't even in control of yourself." Lilith said.
"It won't be as easy in the future to break Nightdreamer spells. Megan is still practicing, and when she gets more powerful, words alone won't be enough to bring them back. Until then, Lily should practice using her powers." Dire said.
"We can think about that after we find the Heart. Let's go to the next location!" Lilith said.
The three heroes trekked to the pond, which was the next location on the quest. When they arrived, they were greeted by a beautiful sight. It was a pond with a rock overlooking it. The body of water looked majestic, Like the site of an old kingdom.
"Wow. Could this be where it is?" Lilith asked.
Just then, the three of them heard footsteps off in the distance.
"The characters!" Dire said. "We need to get the heart before they get here, so we don't interfere with their story!
The three dove into the pond, in search of the Heart. Their efforts, however, were futile. Lilith, Dire, and Percy surfaced empty-handed.
"It's no use..." Lilith said. Just as the three of them were about to give up, Lilith thought of Lily and the others back in Haventown, and how much they needed the Heart. "No. I can't let any of my new family get hurt." She turned to Dire and Percy. "If the Heart can't be found, or falls into the wrong hands, we all could die." She had renewed resolve.
Lilith stepped over to the pond's edge and looked at the water before her.
"Lilith," Dire said. Lilith looked back at him. "Good luck." He said, with a warm smile. Lilith nodded and dove into the water.
As she swam deeper, she found it harder to hold her breath. She was about to resurface when she thought of something.
Since I take the form of a fish in my Astral Dragon form, I need to take a chance and use it, even if I'm detected by villains again! My friends are counting on it!
"DRAGONS, GIVE ME STRENGTH!" She shouted. A brilliant light surrounded her, and she was transformed! Lilith swam deeper and deeper until she could see a faint pink glimmer shining from the dark depths.
Just a little closer... She thought.
She swam with all her might, harder than she'd ever swam before, and finally...
She got it.
Lilith grasped the Heart in her hands. In a split second, two things happened. First, Lilith was surrounded by a light more blinding than the brightest star, then She felt herself falling.
"AAAAHHHHHH!" She shouted, not knowing where she would land, or if the landing would be soft.
The next thing she knew, she was in a world made of pink clouds.
Dire and Percy were beside her. Lilith looked at Dire with a 'What the heck?' look, and he shrugged in return.
Power of the Gods - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Just then, a brilliant light appeared before them. From the light, a woman emerged.
Lilith knew immediately who she was. "Q-Queen Alessandria?" Lilith was in awe.
"Yes, it is I. Thank you for finding the Heart." She said, with a warm, motherly smile.
"Does it belong to you?" Lilith asked.
"It belongs to all of us. Every Etherian and Fictonian is an owner of the Heart. Even the Realiteans rely on its light because, without it, the real world would be completely overtaken by the Nightdreamers' power." Alessia said.
"What makes the Heart so powerful?" Dire asked.
Alessia suddenly got a serious look on her face. "This Heart not only possesses immense power, but it possesses the truth. The truth about who I truly am, and where we all came from." Alessia said.
"When will it be revealed?" Lilith asked.
Aurora had already started to fade. "I can't talk to you for much longer." She was almost completely transparent. "But I've entrusted Colette with the information." Alessia said. She was gone, but her disembodied voice said one more thing, before it faded completely. "Tell Lily I love her..." Alessia herself was probably more exited to meet her daughter than Lily herself was...
Lilith, Dire, and Percy began fading away, also. They were transported to the foyer of the Mansion of Lucidity, where Coletta, Aurora, and Cadenza were awaiting their return.
"You found it..." Coletta said. "I know you did, because the instant you got here, I could feel Alesia's intense power.
Lilith approached Coletta. "You bet we did!" She said.
Coletta turned to Dire. "Dire. Thank you for protecting her." She said.
Dire bowed. "You're welcome, but Lilith is the one you need to thank for saving me. During the mission, she risked her safety by using her dragon form to save me twice ." Dire said.
Lilith intervened. "But, wait, you sheielded me from one of Percy's attacks, remember?" She turned to Percy. And if you wouldn't have stopped Megan from taking my gem, I would've been lost forever, and the Nightdreamers would have an Astral Dragon's power!" Lilith said.
Dire looked at her. "But you got the Heart. If not for your Astral Dragon form, we wouldn't have it." Dire said.
"Thank you, but I think we all deserve credit." Lilith said.
"Yes, you all do. It takes a special person to put their life on the line to protect a friend." Coletta said.
"One more thing. What about the 'truth' Alessia told us about?" Lilith asked.
"It's what I was just about to tell you." Aurora said. Lily was playing outside at the moment, so Aurora called her in.
"You're back!" Lily ran up and hugged Dire and Lilith. She saw Percy, with his original eye color, and hugged him, also. "You're purified? That's awesome! But how did you do it without the staff?" She asked.
Aurora explained. "Since the villains from the movies you've already traveled through were made evil by their creators, who have ultimate power over their characters, only the power of the Daydreamers could save them, because, as rulers of the world where anything could come to be, we also have dominion. But since Megan's powers are untrained, she didn't turn Percy evil all of the way." Aurora explained. "Now, I'm going to reveal the truth of everything to you." Aurora said to the room.
Listen well... Aurora thought.
Author's note: Sorry I'm late again, but I was kinda nervous about this chapter... I don't know how well you'll receive the whole Dire secret thing... The next chapter is going to be the big one. It's the start of the final arc of this book, and I'll reveal the big secret... I'm more nervous about next chapter's secret than this one's! I also can't believe it's been over a year since I first posted this version! What's even more weird, is the fact that the first chapter and the chapter before this were both posed on September 24th! I wasn't trying to make that happen, but it did. So, stay tuned for the next chapter, and don't forget to Stay lucid!