[Disclaimer]: I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
Summary - More about the enemy is revealed, as well as their plans. Read and Review, please.
Revival of the Legend
Part 6
"Mother," Serin called out as he and the other warriors stepped back into the grove where the Mana Tree rested. The same ball of green light appeared as it had before, and the form of Leiliah appeared.
"Yes, I'm still here," Leiliah stated. She looked up, and smiled as she saw Charis. "And I see that you have come to join us, Charis."
"How ... how are you here like this, taking that form," Charis asked, surprise written all over her face. Leiliah smiled, and gestured towards Serin and Marle.
"It's because of these two, that I'm here," Leiliah stated. A sick feeling came over Charis, however she tried her best to brush it aside.
"W-well, what should I call you then, great Mana Tree," she asked.
"Leiliah is fine, Charis," she replied. "But all is not as it seems." She turned towards Magus, and a slight smile crossed her face. "Magus, leader of the Mystics, I see that you have discarded your guise?" Magus looked up as his name was mentioned however merely gave a nod of his head.
"Leiliah, how doust thou knowest so much," Glenn asked.
"As I have explained before, my knowledge of all that goes on is extensive," Leiliah stated. "Simply put, it is within my power. The task you have at hand now, will require you all to work together." All at once, everyone began to voice his or her protests, however Leiliah held up a hand for silence.
"If you honestly know of our pasts, then shouldn't you know of our history with Magus," Marle asked. "We were allies before, but he's obviously up to his old tricks again! He knew who we were, but he didn't reveal his presence to anyone." As their protests began to voice once again, Charis cleared her throat.
"I want to go home," Charis said quietly, causing everyone to turn around and look at her.
"Charis, but we need you," Serin protested.
"No, you don't, Serin," Charis argued. "You have Crono, Glenn ... and Marle. You don't need me, anymore." She stood up from the seat she shared with Magus. "Please, Magus, just take me home. I have a kingdom I need to learn to rule."
"Charis, running away has never been the answer," Leiliah spoke, causing the girl to stop in her tracks. "It's because you ran away earlier, that you missed out on something crucial that would help you to understand everything better."
"I don't understand what you mean," Charis stated, confused. Leiliah walked towards her, and Charis gasped as the woman put her hands on the side of head.
"Then I will show you my meaning," Leiliah spoke to her telepathically. She sent several images to Charis, retelling the story she had told the other warriors. She showed her images from her own childhood, as well as images from when she fled with a baby Marle. The final image was of Marle touching the Mana Tree, and as Leiliah released her hold on Charis, the girl stepped backwards.
"Leiliah, what does it mean," Charis asked.
"Exactly what you think, Charis," the woman replied. Charis fell down to her knees, a blank look on her face.
"Then everything I assumed was wrong," Charis spoke quietly. "I've been so foolish and selfish."
"No, Charis, you're just a girl in love," Leiliah told her.
"Mother," Serin began, "what ..."
"Serin," Leiliah interrupted. "You're as handsome as your father, but you're also just as thick-headed." Serin raised a questioning eyebrow, however his mother ignored it and turned towards Marle. "Perhaps you and your friends should tell Serin and Charis the truth of how you got here, and your adventures."
"Are you sure," Marle asked. "Won't it be hard for them to believe?"
"At this point, they will believe you," Leiliah stated.
"Okay," Marle replied, turning towards Charis and Serin. "I'll tell you everything. It all started when I ran away from the castle, to join in the festivities of the Millennial Fair."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Boss, we have the final jewel," Auka exclaimed, as he and Ikoa ran to their leader. Auka was carrying a blue gemstone.
"Finally," their leader exclaimed. "You have managed to do something without screwing it up! Give me the gem!"
"Aye aye, sir," they exclaimed in unison. Auka handed over the gem, and the leader snatched it from him.
"Now that I hold the most powerful force in my hands, you can drop the act," their leader exclaimed. "I want the world to know that a woman will rule over all, and anyone who opposes, I will wipe out! No man shall hold the same power that I hold in my hands right now!" She began to laugh maniacally.
"Is the legend true, Boss," Ikoa asked, uncertain. "Will we be able to rule the world with this little statue?"
"Of course I believe the legend, fool," she snapped. "Why would I waste my time stealing something I didn't think would work? Besides, it's not the power of the statue that is so great, it's the powers of the dragons the person who has the statue controls that is great!"
"And we'll be able to make that legendary Mana Knight pay, right Boss," Auka asked.
"Yes," she stated. "Indeed."
"What should we do then Boss," Auka asked. She turned towards him, and then pulled the artifact from the folds of her cape. The object was composed of three dragon's heads, each with an open mouth. Two of the three had a white and red gemstone in its' mouth.
"All I have to do is put the last gemstone in the dragon's mouth, and then I will have complete control of the three dragons which protect the way to the Mana Tree," she stated. "And control of the world, as well!" She placed the final gem in the mouth of the dragon, and the artifact began to emanate a green color.
"What's going on," Ikoa exclaimed as the ground began to shake. He grabbed onto Auka, and the two cowered together as a pair of large red eyes could be seen from the cave the trio stood in front of. The cave entrance began to break apart, and a monstrous dragon emerged.
"What's this," the Boss exclaimed as she looked up at the dragon. "What's going on? Where are the three guardian dragons of the Mana Tree? I, Calisto, demand an answer!" The dragon spread it's wings, and then closed them again against its' body. The dragon seemed to glare at her.
"You, who holds the statue," it spoke to her telepathically. "We, the three guardian dragons of the Mana Tree are as one. You are our Master, now."
"Boss," Auka began nervously.
"Shut up already, you coward," Calisto snapped at Auka. She looked up towards the dragon. "I ask again, what's going on?" The dragon roared, and stomped its' foot.
"You would call upon our power, and not know how to use it," it demanded angrily.
"I hold this artifact, therefore I hold power over you," she exclaimed, holding the object above her head. "Now answer my question, for I have the power to destroy you! That much, I know." The dragon narrowed its' eyes to red slits down at the woman and her companions.
"Our power is greatest, when combined as one form," the dragon growled. "And we are strongest in this form." A smile slowly began to form on Calisto's face as a plan formed in her head.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"You've been through just as much as we have," Serin exclaimed as Marle finished the tale of her and her friends' adventures. "It's amazing you're all still alive, considering how much you've been through."
"I have to agree," Crono stated. "Especially in my case. I was lucky." Marle smiled at him, and then turned toward Leiliah.
"What should be do now ... Mother," she asked. Leiliah looked at her, surprised at what Marle had said, and smiled gratefully.
"The reason Luka sent you to me, is because she sensed a great disturbance," Leiliah began. "And something isn't right in the land right now. Someone is trying to reawaken ..." She allowed her voice to trail off as she fell to her knees, grasping her head in her hands.
"Mother," Serin and Marle exclaimed, rushing to her side. They reached out to touch her, however their hands went through her.
"I was too late," Leiliah said. "My children, I can not stay in this form for much longer. Go to Luka, and I will help you through her. I will leave you a parting gift." Leiliah stood, and as she backed towards the Mana Tree, Serin and Marle could see the tears in her eyes.
"Mother, wait," Marle exclaimed as Leiliah disappeared, assimilating once again with the Mana Tree. Suddenly, a light washed over everyone, and they disappeared. Seconds later, Calisto, Ikoa, and Auka walked into the clearing. The remaining animals scattered as the trio approached the Mana Tree.
"Hey, Boss," Ikoa exclaimed. "Someone was here."
"But they're gone, now, Boss," Auka added, kneeling to examine the footprint impressions left behind by the warriors.
"Well that much is evident," Calisto snapped, walking closer to the Mana Tree and kicking it. She stumbled back, however, as it spoke to her.
"Why have you desecrated this place," Leiliah spoke, causing the Mana Tree to emanate lightly with Mana energy. "Do you not have the desire to have the power of Mana flowing throughout the land once again?"
"I have the desire for power," Calisto stated. "And with the help of your guardians, I have the power to do so." She held up the statue, a confident smirk on her face.
"You may hold the power of the dragons, but you will not succeed," Leiliah stated quietly.
"For far too long, we, the Scorpion Army, have been taken too lightly," Calisto began. "Well no more! We will rule the world, and no one will stop us!"
"The Mana Knight will stop you," Leiliah stated. "Now, be gone from this place!" A wind blew over the grove, picking up the trio into the air. The wind carried them above the island, and dropped them into the sea.
"And still we are mocked," Calisto screamed as she, Ikoa, and Auka broke through the surface. As they floated in the water, she seethed with anger. "Well, we'll just have to take care of the Mana Knight." She held the artifact up, summoning the dragon. A shadow loomed over them as the dragon flew above them.
"I don't know how one such as you is our Master," the dragon said. "What is your bidding?"
"Well, be of some use to me," Calisto stated indignantly. The dragon growled, and then a wind picked them up, dropping them roughly onto its' back. "You stupid dragon," she yelled.
"Uh, Boss, what should we do now," Ikoa asked. Calisto sighed, losing her patience.
"First, we must find the Mana Knight," she stated. "Let's go to Pandora. He's sure to show up there."
To Be Continued . . .