[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 conclusion ... The world has been saved once again, however what has become of our heroes? Read and Review, please.
Revival of the Legend
Epilogue
"You have done well, my children, and you have made me so very proud. Because of your efforts, you have saved the fate of this world. There is one more thing left to be done. Awake."
Marle's eyelids slowly fluttered open. She blinked to get the fogginess out of her eyes, and then took in her surroundings. All was white. "What's going on, here," she wondered aloud. "Where is everyone?"
"Marle," Crono stated from above her. She looked up from her position on the ground, or what she considered the ground, and saw him standing there. She looked around, and saw that the others were lying on the ground, either awakening, or in the state of waking up.
"Crono," she exclaimed. He helped her stand, and she buried her face into his chest. "Are we dead?"
"No, Marle, you are simply in a place where time does not exist," Leiliah spoke. She appeared in her physical form. She stood patiently as Serin, Charis, Kikuo, and Glenn finally got their bearings.
"Mother," Serin stated, as he noticed her there for the first time. He looked around, just as confused as everyone else, and looked back towards her. "What happened?"
"When the Guardian dragons returned to their posts, this is where sent you all, for your fate to be decided," Leiliah began.
"But what happened," Serin asked again. "Where is Calisto, and Auka and Ikoa."
"The dragons had granted Ikoa and Auka its' mercy," Leiliah replied. "Calisto was not as lucky. In its' chaotic state, the dragons delivered her fate upon her."
"M'lady, what fate hath befallen us," Glenn asked, voicing the question all were silently wondering.
"And why are we here," a masculine voice asked. All turned to see Magus and Schala appear seemingly out of thin air.
"All who do not belong here rightfully may return to where they truly belong," Leiliah answered.
"Then we can go home," Marle asked hopefully. Leiliah shook her head sadly.
"All but you, my daughter."
"But why? Why must I stay," Marle demanded in a shaky voice. Crono wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into him.
"If you leave, Marle, all of Mana will fade, and the land will die," Leiliah explained. "My time is nearly up, and my descendant must take my place."
"Great Mana Tree," Schala began, taking a step forward. "Because the Mana Knight is still alive, can't the land survive until another Maiden of the Mana Tribe is born?"
"Luka has taught you well, however in this case, that can not be so," Leiliah replied. "One with the very essence of Mana coursing through her veins must live, when my time passes."
"I'll stay," Marle spoke softly.
"Princess Nadia, what about thine land," Glenn asked.
"Marle, you can't," Crono echoed.
"I have no choice," Marle stated, glancing from Glenn, and holding Crono's gaze. "If I leave, everything will die. I can't condemn another world for my own needs, or what I want."
"Leiliah, isn't there any other way," Charis asked. "Please, isn't there anything that can be done at all?"
Leiliah studied the girl, and then a small smile appeared on her face. "Charis, do you love Serin," she asked.
A pink tint of color covered Charis' cheeks, however she answered immediately. "Yes, I do."
"Then if you choose, you may take Marle's place as my descendant," Leiliah stated. She held out her hand, which was glowing with the power of Mana. "However, know that to become the Maiden, you will one day become the Mana Tree." Charis looked down at the woman's glowing hand.
"Charis, you shouldn't go through with this," Marle exclaimed. "It's my duty, and ..."
"And as your friend," Charis interrupted, "I would do this for you. I can see how much you and Crono mean to each other, and it wouldn't be fair for you to have to stay here, while he returns to your kingdom."
"Charis," Serin stated. She glanced over at him and smiled.
"All this time, we have been linked to each other one way or the other," she said. "This will just be another way." She looked away from Serin, towards Leiliah. "I will become the Maiden."
"Then join your hand with mine," Leiliah instructed. As Charis did what she was told, the glow from Leiliah's hand spread to her hand, and over her body. "Linked by a bond stronger than blood, go forth, newest Maiden of the Mana Tribe, and serve the land well. Take your place, when the time comes." The glow traveled up Charis' body, fading away until only the symbol of the Mana Tribe rested on her forehead. With most of her energy spent, Leiliah fell down to her knees.
"Mother," Serin and Marle replied in unison.
"I'm fine," Leiliah stated weakly. "However my time is almost up. I must send you all back to where you belong, now." She stood, with the help of Serin, and turned towards Schala and Magus. "I shall send you back, first."
"I can not leave," Schala state remorsefully. "I must stay here, to guard over the Water Palace." Tears welled up in her eyes, however she steeled them away. "Please, just send Janus back, so he can begin to rebuild Zeal."
"I won't go back without you, Schala," Magus replied. "If you stay, then I shall stay with you."
"Our people need you, Janus," Schala exclaimed. "I promise I will come to you when I can."
"And if you can't get back," Magus demanded.
"None of that will be necessary," a blue, glowing entity spoke, as it appeared.
"It's a water fairy," Schala stated. "How did you get here?"
"I'm no mere water fairy," she spoke. The warriors watched as the blue light expanded and grew. Soon, a woman with blue hair stood where the fairy once was.
"Sage Luka," Schala exclaimed.
"You did a wonderful job, in my absence, Lady Schala," Luka replied, a coy smile on her face. "But it's time you returned where you belong. I shall resume me place, as Water Palace Guardian."
"I thought you had died, Sage Luka," Schala stated, still in shock.
"No, I only lost my power when you came upon me," Luka explained. "And I took up the form of a water fairy until my powers had been restored, and also to watch over you."
Schala turned to her brother, tears of happiness in her eyes. "Janus," she exclaimed, hugging him. "We can go home!"
"I shall send you, then," Leiliah stated. Schala said good bye to everyone, while Magus watched impassively.
"Sir Magus," Charis stated, turning towards him. "I thank you for all you have done. I hope your life is a fulfilling one." The corner of his mouth turned up ever so slightly, before he turned towards his one-time allies, and nemeses.
"All that has transpired between us has happened for a reason," he stated. He gave a curt nod of his head, and pulled his cape around himself. "Until we meet again." Schala and Magus stood together, and as a glow settled over them, they disappeared.
"Well, little sprite," Luka stated, turning towards Kikuo. "I could use a worthy assistant to help guard the Water Palace. It will help train you, for when you need to take over your Grandfather's place at the Wind Palace."
"Alright I'll do it," Kikuo exclaimed, as his eyes filled with mischief. He turned towards his friends. "I'll see you guys later. Don't be strangers!" Luka placed a hand on his shoulder, and the two disappeared.
"I shall tak'eth my leave, as well," Glenn stated. He turned towards Marle, bowing slightly. "Thoust will make an excellent queen, M'lady. As will you, Maiden, an excellent Guardian of this land," he stated, turning towards Charis. A glow settled over him, and as he began to disappear, he turned towards Serin and Crono. "Guard them with thine lives." And he, too, was gone.
"Say good bye to each other quickly, my children," Leiliah urged.
"I'll miss you, Marle," Charis said as the two girls hugged. "I wish we could have gotten to know each other better."
"It doesn't matter, because we're like sisters, now," Marle stated, putting a finger against Charis' forehead. They hugged again, and Marle smiled inwardly as she heard Serin tell Crono to take care of her. They stepped apart, and then she went to stand in front of Serin.
"Marle, I don't know what to say," Serin said awkwardly. "I just wish we had known about each other our entire lives. I wish we would have had more time to spend together."
"I wish we hadn't been fighting for our lives the entire time," Marle stated with a giggle. A solemn look crossed her face, and she threw her arms around him. "You're the best brother a girl could ever ask for, Serin. I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you, too," he stated. He removed the headband from around his head, and pushed it into Marle's hand. "Remember me by this." She nodded, tying the headband around the base of her ponytail.
"Mother," Marle cried, running towards the woman, and hugging her tightly. "I'll never forget you! I'm glad for what you did, and I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you by leaving."
"Go with a clear conscience, sweet Marle," Leiliah replied, returning the hug. "And have a happy life." She glanced over Marle's head, towards Crono, as he and Marle began to glow. "Please, take care of my daughter." He nodded, making a silent promise, and the duo disappeared. Serin and Charis stood together as tears fell down Leiliah's face.
"Mother," Serin asked hesitantly. She turned towards them, and opened her arms. As they stepped into her embrace, they closed their eyes as the light in the timeless place brightened.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"I could not have picked a more worthy person to take my place than you, Charis," Leiliah spoke. Both Serin and Charis opened their eyes, only to find they were back at the base of the Mana Tree. "You will do well, daughter." Charis smiled, blushing slightly.
"What will happen now," Serin asked, although he already knew the answer.
"You will both go on to protect this land, and I will finally rest eternally," Leiliah replied. She kissed Serin on the forehead, and then backed away, assimilating with the Mana Tree once again, forever.
"Good bye, Mother," Serin stated, allowing his tears of sorrow to flow down his face. Tears blurred Charis' vision, as she silently watched.
"Protect this land with all of your power, and love each other," she spoke, a soft light emanating from the tree. "I love you both, my children." As the glow faded away, Serin dropped down at the base of the tree, hugging it.
"Serin," Charis stated hesitantly, standing behind him as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned around, burying his face into her stomach, crying as he grieved for the loss of his mother and his sister.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Reunited at long last, a brother and sister return to their home, to rebuild their fallen civilization ...
The young, mischievous sprite learns the "tricks of the trade" as a certain blue-haired Sage looks forward to better days, when she has taught the sprite all she can ...
A renowned swordsman returns to his home to serve his Queen, both his faith in his swordsmanship and his honor restored ...
A young princess and her brave knight return to her kingdom, to share with their friend, the adventure they had ...
And the legendary Mana Knight and his Maiden, fingers intertwined, call upon their dragon, to begin their new life together ...
All is peaceful in the land where Mana is the very source of life. Together, the Mana Knight and Maiden of the Mana Tribe will fight to ensure it stays that way.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Thank you for reading! Please, don't forget to let me know your thoughts. Leave those reviews ... Until next time!