[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 - The final fight is about to begin. With the power of all the Mana seeds, will Serin be able to defeat the three Guardian dragons? Read and Review, please.
Revival of the Legend
Part 10
Calisto's laughter rang throughout the Temple as the six warriors ran, dodging the blocks of structure that fell down around them. "This is just like the old days," Kikuo exclaimed breathlessly, as he ran next to Serin. "I'm surprised this place is collapsing, though. You think the seed will be okay?"
"I don't know," Serin replied. "But we need all the power of the seeds." He stopped and turned around, running back in the direction they had just come from.
"Serin," Charis exclaimed.
"Keep going," he yelled back over his shoulder. "I'm going to get the seed and bring it with us!"
"I'm going with you," Marle exclaimed, turning around and following her brother.
"Marle, no," Crono shouted. As he, too, turned around, Charis pulled him back, as a large block fell down from the ceiling, blocking the passage. "Marle!"
"We need to keep going, Crono," Charis stated. "Before this whole place falls down on top of us. Those two will be fine!" She pulled on his arm, and he reluctantly went with her. As they began to run towards where Kikuo and Glenn were already standing, the building shuddered violently, causing them to trip and fall.
"Look out, above you," Kikuo exclaimed in horror, watching as a piece of the structure pried itself loose from the ceiling, dangling dangerously above the fallen warriors. "Gnome, come forth! Grant me your powers over the earth!" The gnome disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, and a net of vines appeared just as the block fell down towards Charis and Crono.
"Come on, Charis," Crono stated, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her up. "That net won't hold for long." She silently nodded her head, and the two ran towards their comrades. As they reached them, Charis put a hand to her chest, trying to still her racing heart.
"Kikuo, thank you," she gasped. "If it hadn't been for you ..."
"Don't worry about it," he replied. "You would have done the same thing. We should return to the ferry, and wait for Serin and that girl." By this time, the building had stopped shaking, however it was obviously weak, and would collapse soon. Calisto, too, had seemingly mysteriously disappeared.
"Her name is Marle," Glenn stated proudly, looking at Kikuo. "She is Princess Nadia, descendant of her royal majesty, Queen Leene."
"Well, Frog, whoever she is, I just hope she's not in Serin's way, and as stubborn as Charis was," Kikuo said with a shrug, causing both Crono and Glenn to frown.
"Kikuo, there's a lot you don't know, since you've been gone," Charis commented, a little angry at what he had just said. "Marle is a warrior, just like us."
"Well then," Kikuo exclaimed, falling to the ground with his legs crossed. "You can tell me now!" He laughed as Crono and Glenn looked at him incredulously.
"Surely, you jest," Glenn stated. "At a time like this?"
"Lighten up," Kikuo said with a dismissive wave of his hands. "We Sprites always try to keep a positive look at things, and to have fun! We have free time now, so tell me all about yourselves." He smiled broadly as Charis sighed, and retold their tale.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Is Calisto crazy," Marle mumbled as she stood shakily. She had hardly gotten out of harm's way before the piece of structure had fallen down from the ceiling, blocking the passage.
"Marle, are you okay," Serin asked, helping her stand. "It's dangerous. You shouldn't have followed me."
"Well, I'm here, now," Marle replied. "And as you can see, I'm fine."
"We'd better get to the seed, then," Serin said. "If anything happens to it, we won't be able to stop the Scorpion army."
Marle looked around as the building shook some more. "By the looks of things, we don't have much time." Serin nodded in agreement, and as the siblings ran back towards the Mana seed, he glanced over at his sister.
"Why did you follow me, anyway," he asked. It amazed him that she would risk her own safety just to be with him. He expected Charis, or even Kikuo to do something like that, but not her.
"Do I have to repeat myself," Marle demanded. "I'm here because I want to help you, Serin. That, and I'm a stubborn princess who doesn't take orders well." Serin grinned at her statement.
"If this is how you are now, I wonder what it would have been like growing up with you," Serin mused. Marle laughed in response, and as the two entered the chamber where the Mana seed was kept, they ran directly to the pedestal.
"It looks like the seed is fine to me," Marle stated. The seed emanated a faint glow, and it spread to Marle. "What's going on," she asked in alarm.
"Do not be alarmed, my child," Leiliah spoke in her mind. "The seed is only recognizing your power. It will help to protect both you and your brother in the fight ahead."
"Mother," Marle asked, unconsciously glancing around. "But how will it help protect me?" Serin glanced over at her, a confused look on his face.
"The power will come to you on its' own," Leiliah replied, speaking so that both her children could hear her. "Unknown to you, as you have sealed the powers of the Mana seeds, a little power from each seed has been gathering within you. And because this is the last seed, you will gain your full powers, thus fulfilling the role you were destined for."
Marle swallowed nervously. "Fulfill my role?"
"Yes, Marle," Leiliah stated. "You will gain the powers you were born to control." There was a slight pause before she spoke again. "I must go now, my children. Make it so that the land is at peace."
"Serin," Marle began, turning towards him with unshed tears in her eyes. "I don't want to become a tree. I never asked for this!" She blinked, and the tears fell down her face. "It's not fair!"
"Marle," Serin exclaimed, shaking her slightly. "We'll deal with that when the time comes! Everything will be okay, do you understand me?" She nodded her head, and he smiled. "Good, now we need to get the seed before anything else happens." The two climbed up to the pedestal where the Mana seed was, and as Serin reached towards it, Marle put a hand on his arm.
"Let me do it," she stated. He dropped his hands to his side, and she reached out towards the seed. The rumbling of the building grew suddenly more violent as Marle grabbed a hold of the seed in her hands, and the structure began to fall down on them once again. As the building crashed down around them, Serin threw himself protectively over his sister.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"So that's your tale," Kikuo asked, as Charis finished the story. He stood up with a grunt and smiled towards Glenn and Crono. "Well, it is an interesting one. Now that I think about it, there was supposedly a legend about the birth of twins that symbolized the end of the world was near. But that was all it was - a legend. Who would have thought it was about Serin?"
"Yes, and I'm worried about him," Charis stated, glancing towards the temple. She gasped as the building suddenly started to rumble.
"The building," Crono exclaimed.
"Princess Nadia, she is still inside," Glenn realized.
"Serin," Charis whispered, falling to her knees. She made a throaty noise, and her shoulders began to shake silently.
"No, look," Kikuo exclaimed. He pointed towards the remnants of the ruined temple, and the others looked in that direction. There, in the distance, was a green bubble. As it drew nearer to the group, they saw that two figures were inside. The bubble touched down on the ground near the warriors, and the barrier, which carried the figures, dissipated.
"Serin," Charis cried out as she recognized the two figures. Serin slowly looked up, and released his hold on Marle. He looked down at his sister, and then slowly raised his hands to his face.
"I'm alive," he asked, dazed. Charis gave a choked laugh, and then threw her arms around him, burying her face into his neck. "Charis?"
"Don't scare me like that again," she murmured, taking a step back. She turned towards Crono and Marle as he gasped, and she was immediately at Marle's side. "What's going on? Why are you glowing, Marle?"
"I'm fine," she replied, standing. "I'm just assuming my role." They watched silently as the glow grew brighter around Marle, enveloping her body. When it faded away, she looked different. She was wearing a dress similar to the one Leiliah had been wearing; a white silky gown that trailed to the ground. Her hairstyle was the same, and a faint symbol - the birthright of the Tribe of Mana - slowly vanished from her forehead.
"You look so much like mother, now," Serin stated.
"I know," Marle replied, gazing down at herself. "I think this is what she was talking about."
"Did you get the seed," Kikuo asked. Marle looked towards him and smiled. She extended her hands, and the seed appeared there. It then vanished, causing the others to gasp.
"What happened to it," Serin asked, alarmed.
"I have sent it to Schala," Marle replied. "She can protect it." She suddenly looked in the distance, and raised her arms up into the air. No sooner did she do that, than did a burst of energy strike down towards the group. Calisto's laughter followed right afterwards.
"You are fools to let your guard down," she exclaimed from her spot on the Guardian dragon. "Ryuu-oh, land so I can relish in my victory." The large dragon disgruntlely obeyed, and landed on the ground.
"We do not like the name you have given us," he spoke as Calisto slid down from her perch. "Though you may be our master, you do not have the right to name us."
"I have the right to do whatever I please, so long as I have this," she shot back, holding the artifact. "Now be quiet!" Ryuu-oh narrowed his eyes, however obeyed. Throwing her cape over one shoulder, Calisto walked over to the crater where the warriors had been standing. "And the legacy of the brave Mana Knight ended on this day, stomped out of existence by the Scorpion army!"
As Calisto threw her head back in laughter, Ikoa and Auka leapt down from Ryuu-oh. They looked at each other, and then towards the woman. "Boss," Ikoa began tentatively.
"Can't you idiots ever be quiet," she demanded, glaring at them. "I'm trying to enjoy my victory."
"Aye aye, Boss," they piped in unison. A green glow cast over the area, and Calisto's head snapped around towards the source.
"What now," she exclaimed, gasping as a magical bubble floated out of the hole, landing on more solid ground. As it dissipated, her eyes narrowed. "So, you're not dead after all, Mana Knight."
"Not a chance," Serin stated. Calisto gave a war cry, and she leapt into action, sending blast after blast of energy from the artifact she held. Ryuu-oh watched impassively, until his eyes landed on Marle.
"Can it be," he spoke, drawing Auka and Ikoa's attention. "The last remaining Maiden."
"Uh, Guardian dragon," Auka began. The dragon looked down towards him, and he shrank back.
"You have nothing to fear from us," Ryuu-oh stated. He looked towards Calisto and narrowed his eyes. "It is her, whom we hate."
"What were you just talking about," Ikoa asked. "What maiden?"
"Don't you sense it from her," Ryuu-oh asked. "You, who are creatures of Mana?" They looked at Charis and Marle, and gasped as a symbol glowed faintly on Marle's forehead every time she used magic. "She should be the true holder of my power; not the selfish human. For she is the Mother of this land. She is the one foretold to nurture all of Mana."
Auka looked towards the dragon. "But ..."
"Do not be fooled so easily by the one who claims to be our Master; yours and ours," Ryuu-oh interrupted. "For her power is false. The true power lies within the statue."
"The Boss is our boss, not our Master," Ikoa insisted. Ryuu-oh seemed to smile at that statement.
"She only sees you as her pawns. How can the intentions of one who treats you so harshly be any different," the dragon asked. "Look at the Maiden. She wishes to save the land, not control it."
"Auka, Ikoa," Calisto yelled. "Make yourselves useful!" She turned back towards the warriors, blasting them again as they drew nearer to her.
"Aye, aye, Boss," they replied. The duo began to glow, once again forming their superior form. "We united as one are Ikka," they stated unenthusiastically. Vines shot out from their body, wrapping around the warriors tightly. Only Marle and Serin were left untied.
"Serin, I don't know how much longer I can keep this up," Marle stated, lowering the shield that protected them from Ikka's attack. She swayed, and then fell down to her knees.
"I don't know who you are, girl, but it doesn't matter," Calisto stated. "I should throw you to Ryuu-oh's mercy, for interfering with my plans!"
"Leave her alone, Calisto," Serin growled, standing protectively in front of Marle. "Your fight is with me."
"So it is," Calisto responded. She smirked, and then hooked the artifact onto her sash, unsheathing her sword in the same motion. "It's time you showed me your skills, and stopped hiding behind your magic users."
Marle watched as Serin withdrew the Mana sword, and then leapt towards Calisto. "This won't be a fair fight, I just know it," she stated quietly.
"Marle, you must get the statue," Leiliah spoke to her. "Return it to the Guardian dragons, so that peace can be restored. The longer they are under Calisto's control, the more chaotic they become."
"But how do I do that," Marle asked.
"I can not help you any further, my daughter," Leiliah spoke, her voice becoming weaker. "I must rest." Marle frowned, thinking over her mother's words. A shadow fell upon her, and she looked up to see Ikka.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Calisto and Serin were at a stalemate in their swordplay, until Calisto pushed him away. "With all the boasting of your great power from the Legend, this is all your power amounts to, Mana Knight," she demanded.
Serin stumbled back, and rose his sword once again. "Sorry to disappoint you," he replied sarcastically. He thrust his sword with a powerful swing, and Calisto warded off the attack. "I never asked to become the Mana Knight," he grunted as they pushed away from each other. "But because of people like you, I'm forced to fulfill my duty."
"Then you might as well join me, boy," Calisto offered. "This is your choice, unless you choose death. I will become the ruler of this world, and there's no one who can possibly stop me."
"I will stop you," Serin boasted. Calisto growled and slashed at Serin, cutting his arm and forcing him to drop his sword. He reached down towards his sword, however she kicked him in the face, sending him sprawling onto his back. "How," he demanded, wiping his bloodied nose with the back of his hand.
"You had your chance, Mana Knight," Calisto stated, raising her sword above her head. "Good bye." As she swung the sword down, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind.
"Not so fast, Calisto," Charis exclaimed, turning her head to the side. "Now!" Kikuo ran towards Calisto, and grabbed the artifact from her sash.
"Got it," Kikuo exclaimed triumphantly.
"No," Calisto yelled. She drove the heel of her boot into Charis' foot, and the girl lost her hold on the woman as she gasped in pain. Calisto turned towards Kikuo, a look of hatred on her face. "Give it back, you pest!"
Kikuo stuck his tongue out at her as Glenn and Crono stood in front of him protectively, their swords raised. "Nah, nah, I don't think so, Calisto," Kikuo taunted.
"Why you ... Boys," she screamed, turning towards Ikoa and Auka, who had returned to their single forms. "Get that statue from them now!" They looked away from her, and she seethed with anger. "You would dare to betray me?"
"No, they have realized you for what you truly are, human. They have sided with the Maiden," Ryuu-oh stated. His eyes darkened, and a growl escaped from his throat. "And I am no longer under your control." With a beat of his wings, he lifted up into the air, grabbing Calisto with his clawed feet.
"Quickly, Serin, you've got to get up," Marle exclaimed, rushing to her brother's side. She handed him the Mana sword, which she had charged to its' full powers.
"Marle," Serin said in awe. "The Sword ..."
"Yes, I know, Serin," she interrupted. "We've got to stop the Guardian dragon. He's chaotic!"
They looked up towards the sky as Calisto's screamed were silenced. The dragon roared, throwing fire from his mouth. The sky darkened, and the ground began to shake.
"What magic is this," Glenn asked.
"The Gods are angry, and the Guardian dragon is their tool of destruction. He is carrying out Their wishes," Marle replied, turning towards the sprite. "Kikuo, give me the statue."
"What are you going to do," Kikuo asked, handing her the statue.
"What I need to do," she replied. Marle lifted the artifact above her head, and a green glow softly emitted from both her and the statue. Serin gasped as the Mana sword began to glow as well. Suddenly, a beam shot out from the statue, striking the dragon, causing it to fall to the earth.
"Maiden," Ryuu-oh spoke as it struggled against an invisible force holding him to the ground. "You would betray all of Mana to save these pathetic beings? We wish only to purge the land of these vile creatures! They have proved time and again their greedy intentions." He clawed at the surface of the ground, leaving deep slashes.
"I wish to only put a stop to this madness," Marle replied. "To put you back at peace." At her statement, Ryuu-oh closed his eyes in defeat.
"We will give this world another chance," he spoke. "And hope humans will not make the same mistakes." Marle turned towards Serin, and he nodded his head in silent understanding. He ran towards the dragon, and drove the Mana sword deep in the Guardian's chest. As it roared, Marle released the artifact, and it floated in between her hands.
"I release you to your eternal vigil, three Guardian dragons of Mana," she spoke. "Go, and be at peace until the time arises when you are needed once again." The statue began to crumble, and as the three jewels floated in the air, Ryuu-oh split back into three separate dragons. The three jewels floated towards their owners, and as they reentered the three dragons' bodies, everything turned white.
To Be Continued ...
I'm really sorry this took so long. I knew what I wanted to write, only I just didn't know how to write it! -_-* I hope to get the final part/epilogue out tonight, but if not tonight, then definitely over the weekend. In fact, I'll work on it now. Please, review!