Draconian Chronicles 2:
Part Six-Final Confrontation
Folken smiled as more and more of his soldiers rushed into the room. Dozens upon dozens surrounded the four rebels, who were now back to back in the middle of the room. Hitomi and Van were back to back facing the Ziaboch soldiers. Merle and the newly healed Reeko were back to back, their teeth bared in fair warning to the hoards of enemy that aimed their weapons at them.
"We seem a little outnumbered here." Reeko commented.
Merle snorted. "Did I hear right? Or did the mighty Reeko talk scaredy-cat?" Merle teased, despite the dire circumstances.
"I simply commented that…because it's more fun that way." He replied.
Merle let out a laugh. "Yeah right."
"You two love birds done talking? Or are we going to try to save our own skins here?" Hitomi asked, without taking her eyes off the soldiers.
Van laughed, and Merle let out a growl deep in her throat. "I don't recall making fun of you, when you flirted with my Lord Van!" She retorted.
Hitomi turned at this. "Why you flea-bitten alley cat!"
Before the two could start a fight, a loud bong could be heard. All turned their heads to Folken. "Enough! I give you one last time to redeem yourself brother!" He proclaimed. "Van Fanel! You are my brother, and so I give you this chance. Give up your rebel friends, and I will spare their lives. You and I can rule this separated land, and bring about order once again!"
Van narrowed his eyes. "You lead this land with an iron hand! You did not give the freedom of choice to those who deserve it most! The people! I will stand by my friends and what I believe in! A true king listens to his subjects! He does not force them around…like some…slave master!" Van spit out. "Father taught us that! The people rule the land! The king is their advisor! Don't you remember any of that?"
Folken turned his back, and stood quiet for a moment, tension filling the air. Then he turned back and faced his brother. "Father…he left us. Left me to…guide…our land when I was but a lad! You were there for mother…but she wouldn't have me there to morn with you. I had to go my studies, and learn to be a king!"
"But I'm tired of being told what to do! A king has his place, and that is above the people!" Folken roared.
"Above his people. That's right!" Reeko shouted back. "Standing on firm dry ground, while your subjects are forced under ground! Scurrying around for food, stealing to survive! You are above us in your possessions and your wealth. But we have more love, morals, and self respect…then you will ever own!"
Folken narrowed his eyes. "Take them prisoner! NOW!"
That started it. Hitomi and Van spread their wings and took to the air, grabbing the two cat youths with them. They flew to the corner of the room, and dropped down, where they ran around to face off with the enemy. The soldiers scurried about after them, but the two angels and two cats were too fast for them.
Van and Hitomi formed two fireballs in their hands and threw them at the soldiers, scattering them in disarray. Merle jumped down high from a ledge, landing on three unsuspecting soldiers, knocking to the ground…inadvertently becoming her new scratching posts. Screams were heard as she dug her nails into them, until they blacked out. She snorted. "Babies." Then she ran off to find a new pray.
Reeko took out his knife and tempted three soldiers with a wave of his hand. They narrowed their eyes and charged in with their swords and axes. Reeko flipped over them, tripping two in the process, and stabbing the third in the back with his knife. This caused him to drop his sword and fall to the ground.
"Why thank you." Reeko said smugly. He picked up the sword as the other two soldiers got back to their feet. "Are you guys ready for more already?"
They growled and slashed at him. He blocked with ease and slashed one's chest, and cut off the other's legs at the knees. He sighed. "Now what you made me do." He smirked and ran off once again.
"Water!" Van yelled.
"Wind!" Hitomi cried.
Their attacks combined into a swirling waterspout in the middle of the room. Helpless soldiers were swept into the water tornado, while the lucky others, clung to life on the sides of the room. Anything that wasn't swept up, was used for an anchor for the soldiers.
Suddenly, the tornado spat out, and the soldiers fell to the ground, their bodies cracking under the fall, many…make that most…not getting up. Hitomi didn't have time to react, because soon after…a giant net was dropped from the ceiling onto her and Van, pulling them down to the ground, pinning them.
"Van!" Hitomi struggled to get up.
"Hitomi!" Van got up to his knees and crawled over to his loved one. Soldiers quickly came and tackled him down, when he was an arm's length away from her. "No!" He fought against the guards, but the net made it difficult.
"Excuse me." A voice said. The guards holding Van down were hauled to their feet, and unceremoniously thrown across the room.
Van looked up to see that it was Reeko who had done such a feat of strength. The net was broken and beside him, Hitomi saw Merle had broken through the net. "Thank you." Hitomi said.
Merle winked and jumped over to Reeko. "Thank him." She touched his arms. "He's the one with the muscles." Both girls laughed, while Reeko blushed madly.
"Here." Reeko handed Hitomi a sword. "One of the guards didn't need it anymore." Well, that was half true…he was dead.
"Hitomi can't fight with a sword." Merle teased, half laughing.
Hitomi suddenly lurched forward, making Merle squeal. Reeko's mouth fell open as he saw a guard fall dead behind Merle, the sword in his chest, right under Merle's arm. "She can't?" He asked. He turned to Merle, who just now opened her eyes. "You sure?"
Merle growled. "It must be the stone! That's the only reason."
Van laughed. "Can we have this discussion later? Jump!" Reeko pulled Merle to him by instinct, and back flipped. Hitomi and Van took to the air, as five soldiers lunged for the spot where they had just been.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Reeko taunted, after he landed on an overhang, Merle by his side.
"We have not given up yet!" The soldier said.
Merle and Reeko smirked, then as one, jumped into the fray.
Van and Hitomi knew who they were after. They flew to the pedestal, to find a surprisingly calm Folken. "Why do you fight me so?" He asked.
Van seemed taken aback by the question. "Why do you fight against me?"
"I do not. I simply fight to hold onto what I have accomplished."
"By sending people from their homes? Taking their children for your armies?" Hitomi asked.
"One can not rule without having some enemy. I had to be prepared." He replied.
"The people of Petite Beau do not want to be ruled." Hitomi said.
"They do not have a choice!" Folken boomed. "Just like I did not have a choice!" He pulled back his cloak, and revealed his black wings. Without saying a world, he formed a black double bladed ax in his hands, and brought it down hard upon the Draconians.
Van and Hitomi dove to the side, each forming their own weapons. Van paced his fists together, and when he pulled them apart, a fire blade formed in his hand.
Hitomi held one hand in front of her, and the other pulled back. Soon a blue streak formed in her hands…taking the shape of a bow and arrow.
Folken smirked. "Now this is a fight."
He charged at his brother first, Van barely blocking the blow of the hefty ax. Folken brought it down hard on him, pushing the youth down. Suddenly though, Folken let out a scream as an arrow was shot through his heart. Time seemed to freeze.
Reeko stabbed one last soldier to the ground, and he and Merle turned to see the happenings above the room. Van and Hitomi watched as Folken fell to his knees on his pedestal. He breathed heavily, but he had done that before. So they kept up their guard.
Folken growled low at first, then louder, and a dark energy void formed behind him. His eyes glowed red and he sneered. "This is not over brother. You will come over to my side…sooner or later." He laughed and fell backwards into the hole.
Van and Hitomi flew forward, only to see Folken disappear into the abyss. The hole closed and the room was silent. Van and Hitomi flew to the ground, and Van held his head low. Hitomi placed a gentle hand on his shoulders. "Van…"
"He's right." He said quietly. "Mother didn't let him attend the funeral. He was sent to the dragon's nest that same day. Mother thought it best if Fanelia had a king as soon as possible."
"She was probably only looking out for the best of the country." Hitomi replied. "I don't think she meant to harm your brother. He needs to see that."
Van nodded and looked up with a smile. He turned to Reeko. "Petite Beau if free. Ziaboch Empire is gone from here…for now."
Reeko smiled and nodded. "Thank you. You truly are the guardian angels."
Hitomi smiled. "Your grandmother was a very wise woman."
"Is…" They turned to see an old cat woman, with the people of Petite Beau behind her. "A very old and wise woman." She smiled, and Reeko's mouth fell to the floor.
"Grandma?" He asked…not believe his eyes.
She nodded. "We are free."
Reeko grabbed Merle and twirled her around. "We're free!"
She giggled and blushed. Then her eyes went wide as he pulled her close and placed a kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her by her small waist.
Van smiled. "Not a bad idea." He turned to Hitomi and pulled her into a passionate kiss…that when they parted, left them both breathless. "I love you."
"I love you too." Hitomi replied.
"And I you!" Merle said to Reeko.
Reeko stopped. "Y-you d-do?"
She giggled and nodded. He smiled. "I love you…too." He kissed her again, this time longer.
"Whoa, did we miss something here?" Another voice said.
Reeko turned in surprise again, as his mother and father appeared beside Grandma Hishona. "M-mom? D-dad?"
"Reeko?" The woman feline said.
"Reeko!" His dad proclaimed and they ran to him and all four, hugging and kissing him.
"Mom! Dad! It's really you!" He exclaimed happily.
Hitomi placed her head on Van's shoulder. "We did it."
Van nodded, yet his face remained in a frown. "Yes…but now it is time for us to go."
Hitomi nodded in understanding. They couldn't stay here. They had to keep moving. But how would Merle take the news? What would Reeko do now that he knew she loved him to? They would have to wait till morning. Hitomi decided. Let the two love cats…have their last moments together.
A/N: Okay, okay. That was the last chapter. Everyone is happy…but does that mean they have to leave again? I don't think so! I got an epilogue in my mind…but when it comes out is up to you. Review this story quickly, and I'll have it out by this weekend, promise…if you don't review…maybe next month. You decide. Happy reading!!!