The Legend of Dragoon
The Series
Rouge sat at her bedside. She looked over to her dresser. On top of it, was a famed photograph of James and herself. James had his arm wrapped around her and they were both smiling and laughing. Rouge looked at it so sadly, so hurt. She remembered her conversation with James inside the elevator.
"What were you thinking?" James asked her. "I-I...just wanted to help them," Rouge answered quietly. "The enemy?!" James yelled, "They fight against us!!" "No, they don't!!!" Rouge shouted, "We fight against them! You heard her! We're one of them!! And, you know it!" James slapped her across the face. "J-James...?" she gasped. She was shocked. "Oh, Rouge...I..." James began to say apologetically, "I didn't mean to..." Rouge looked down to the floor sadly. James tried to stay firm and didn't say another word to her.
"James...what's going on with you?" Rouge thought to herself, "I can't believe your letting their darkness take over you..." Then, somebody knocked on her door. Rouge quickly put the photo back. "C-Come in," she said. James slowly entered her room. Rouge looked at him angrily, "What do you want? I have nothing to say to you." She stood up from her bed and turned her back to him. "You have every right to be upset," James told her apologetically, "I didn't...want to hit you. I don't know what came over me." Rouge was silent. "But...don't you think I have a right to be angry with you?" James asked. "What?" Rouge gasped as she turned around, "Just because I helped them!" "They are our enemy," James tried to explain to her, "Can't you see that? Remember what we said we'd do from now on? We said we'd fight for our future. They're in the way of that." Rouge knew he was right. She did want to create a better future for herself and James. But, she couldn't help how she felt. She really liked the other Dragoons. "I forgive you for hitting me James, but..." Rouge told him, "I'm not going to apologize for what I did." "Can't you at least tell me what you told them?" James asked her. She shook her head. "Fine," he replied, "I told Professor Bach that you weren't feeling well today. So, you won't be going on the hunt today." "Fine," Rouge replied. James began to leave the room and opened the door. "I am sorry. And I hope this doesn't change anything between us," James told her. She didn't say anything. He then left the room, closing the door behind him. "Me too," Rouge whispered sadly.
Wanted Love
The Second Power
"And...Rouge told you this?" Drake asked. The entire group was in The Dragony's meeting room. The Dragoons were in their normal, casual clothing today. It was a Saturday afternoon. "Yeah," Julie answered. "She told us that Professor Bach has 79% of what he needs to break the seal of the Non-Elemental Dragoon Spirit," Bryant explained to them all once more. "She seemed kind of nervous though. It was because she came in secret," Julie said. "Yeah, if Professor Bach or Rose would have found out..." David implied. "She also told you that he and a group of scientists were working on finding the location of the Ruins of the Wingly Empire...right?" Sakura asked. "Yes," Bryant answered, "He wants to be able to reach it before we can even locate it ourselves." "To make sure he has little trouble in obtaining it," Drake added. "She would have told us more but, James came," Julie stated. "Do you think he told Professor Bach about it?" David asked. "No," Sakura answered, "Every time their together...I get the feeling of warmth and love. I don't think he did." "So, those two really aren't so bad after all," David said. "They're just...misguided," Sakura stated, "I know they can come with us if we can just get the chance to talk to them." "I don't believe it would be that simple," Drake told her. "I know," Sakura agreed. "What do we do now?" Julie asked. "I wish we could also find the whereabouts of the spirit but...we don't have the resources," Drake answered. "Yeah, and we tried to get Rouge to tell us where Kenkaku is, but she wouldn't tell us," Bryant added, "We could have stopped him and possibly ended this." "Yeah...their headquarters could be anywhere," David added, "Tokyo's a big city." "They have us at a disadvantage and they know it," Drake said, "This means they're going to start to hunt more quickly, more frequently, and more efficiently." "We'd better be ready," Sakura said, "The worst is yet to come." "Yes, you're right," Drake agreed, "Now, go home and get some rest. Have a good weekend." "Okay," Julie smiled as she walked out of the room, "See you later professor." The others followed, but Sakura stayed behind.
"What is it Sakura?" Drake asked her. "I have a question...about The Abyss," Sakura told him. "All right," he agreed. "After I passed the Judgment, Kai told me something...well, odd," Sakura explained. "About The Abyss?" Drake asked. "Yeah," she answered, "He said...'The Abyss is something you'd never imagine. Even more devastating than the world coming to an end'." "Really?" Drake asked surprised. Sakura nodded. "But, in all of the current records known...The Abyss has been described as being 'death and rebirth'," Drake stated. "Yeah, but they never said the destruction of the world, physically speaking," Sakura pointed out, "Maybe it's a metaphor." "It's possible," Drake agreed, "But, what could it be?" "Let's not find out," Sakura said.
"He really told you that?" Julie asked. Julie and Sakura were in the bedroom. Sakura was combing her hair while she looked into her mirror. She was dressed and ready to go out somewhere. Julie was sitting on one of the beds. "Well...not in those exact words, but basically," Sakura answered, "He told me that his daughter's name was Sakura." "Which means he named you after her," Julie smiled, "He really loves you." "Yeah, I love him too," Sakura replied, "He's like a father to me. I'm just glad he knows that now, you know?" Sakura then took out her gold brace and wrapped it in her hair as she usually does. "Yeah," Julie said, "Sakura?" "Yeah?" she asked. "Are you...scared?" Julie asked her. Sakura saw the worry in her face, "Scared of what?" "Of...you know, The Abyss and all of that. It's a big possibility it might happen, and soon," Julie explained. Sakura went over to sit next to her friend. She held Julie's hand within her own. "We all are," Sakura answered, "And it's okay to be scared. But, you know what? I know we're going to make it through this. So much has happened since we've all been here. We've grown stronger." "I guess," Julie replied. She was still a little worried. "No matter what, it will be all right," Sakura reassured her, "I'll make sure of that." Julie smiled, "Thanks Sakura." They both gave each other a friendly hug. "You know how you said that Professor Drake is like your father?" Julie asked her as they broke their hug. Sakura nodded. "I wanted to let you know...that you're like a sister to me," Julie smiled. "Same here," Sakura smiled back. They both paused for a moment, when suddenly someone knocked on the door. "Oh! It's time to go," Sakura said as she jumped up from her bed. Sakura began to walk over to the door. "Out? Where are you going?" Julie asked. "David and Yui invited Bryant and I on a double date," Sakura answered her. She was very excited. "Oh," Julie replied. "Yeah, we're going to go see a movie, have some dinner...and hang out I guess," Sakura explained as she saw how Julie was feeling left out, "Oh, but you're welcome to come if you'd like." "N-No thanks," Julie replied, "Five's a crowd." "Ok," Sakura said, "Are you sure?" "I'm sure," Julie answered. "All right. We'll be back later tonight," Sakura told her. "Have a good time," Julie said. "Thanks!" Sakura shouted as she walked out the door. Julie stood up from her bed and decided to go see them off.
David, Yui, Bryant, and Sakura were in front of the door ready to go out. The guys were putting the girls' coats on them like proper gentlemen. Julie came out of the room. "Oh, hi Julie!" Yui greeted. "Hi Yui," she replied. "Are we ready?" Bryant asked as he put on his coat. "I think so," David replied. Julie watched them all in awe. She saw both couples together, smiling, and being so happy to be around one another. It made her kind of envious. "We'll be back..." David began to say. "Later tonight," Julie finished, "I got it. Have a great time you guys." "Thanks, we will," Yui replied as they all left the dorm room.
Julie stood there for a moment, and then decided to go outside onto the balcony. She slid open the door and walked out. She crossed her arms over her chest, for it was a bit chilly. Julie looked to the side to see their growing cherry blossom tree. It had grown quite a bit and was now just above the balcony rail. Julie smiled when she saw it and then proceeded to the edge of the balcony. She leaned on the rail as she looked out into the starlit sky. She sighed, "Why am I feeling this way? Am I...jealous? Of them? But, why?" She didn't understand what she was feeling. She just knew that she wanted to feel just like Sakura and Yui were feeling. Happy, joyful, at peace. She supposed she was a little jealous and envious. "What is bringing this on?" she asked herself, "Is it because I feel left out? Or, is it because...I want to have someone like that?" Julie didn't know what to feel. There were so many emotions running through her mind, her heart. "Urgh!" Julie screamed in frustration, "I need to get out!"
Julie had grabbed her coat and now wandered the streets of Tokyo. It was hard for her. She felt like she was in the middle of it all. Her friends had these wonderful feelings and relationships that they shared with someone they cared about very much. But, Julie didn't have any of that. It made her feel so left out, so depressed. It made her feel like she was different from them somehow. She also believed it was because maybe nobody wanted or felt for her in that way. It was an awful feeling that made her heart ache.
As she walked through the streets, passing the crowds of people through the sidewalk, she looked down sadly. And because she wasn't watching where she was going, she accidentally bumped into someone dressed in a dark and heavy coat. "Oh, I'm sorry..." she apologized. "No, it's all..." the man began to say. They both looked at each other for a moment and realized they knew each other. It was James. "Do we really have to fight right now?" Julie asked him. James saw the sadness and heard the pain in her voice. "No," he replied, "In fact, I'm not feeling too happy myself." "I guess it's not only me tonight," Julie said, trying to smile. "Is it all right...if we forget our feuds and talk?" James asked her, "I really need someone to talk to right now." Julie nodded, "Sure."
They had mad their way to a small restaurant. There were seats and tables outside. There, James and Julie sat across from each other. They both had ordered a cup of tea. The steam rose from the cups. Julie took a sniff and sighed, "This always makes me feel better, even for a little while." "I have to agree," James said. "Now...what's going on?" Julie asked him as she then took a sip of her tea, "You said you needed someone to talk to,. Well, I'm here to listen." "All right," James nodded, "I hurt someone I care about." "Physically or emotionally?" Julie asked. "Both..." he replied apologetically. "Oh," Julie sighed. "She did something she wasn't suppose to and then I...hit her," James explained, "I didn't mean to. I don't know what came over me!" "I understand," Julie told him, "We all make mistakes. Even when it involves the people we love most. It's just up to us to fix them." "I've tried," James said, "She looks at me so angrily. It hurts me." Julie smiled, "Is this person...Rouge?" "Huh?" James gasped. "And is that thing she wasn't suppose to do, coming to talk with us?" Julie asked him. He nodded, "Yes." "Well, Sakura told me once, that she could tell that you and Rouge had a loving relationship," Julie explained, "And if Rouge really does care about you...it shouldn't matter what you did. I think she realizes that you didn't mean to do what you did. But now, it's up to you to make things right. Show her how much you care for her. How much you...love her." "You seem to know a lot about love," James laughed. Julie joined in, "I've been in the middle of it more than once." "Have you ever fallen in love?" James asked her. Julie's smile faded, "Oh...no. I don't think I ever will sometimes." "Don't worry. You will," James reassured her, "It's just not your time yet." "Then, when will it be my time?!" Julie asked him, hoping for an answer. "No one can understand love," he told her, "Nor predict when it will happen for you. It's up to fate." Julie sighed sadly. James stood up from his chair, "It will happen for you. Be patient." He put some money/yen on the table, "I'll take care of it." "No, you don't have to," Julie told him. "Don't worry about it," James said as he walked off, "This doesn't change a thing between us though!" Julie laughed, "Still enemies!"
However, in a dark alleyway, a shadowy figure watched. It was a Dark Minion. Within seconds, it hurried to the back of the alley where there was a sewer opening. It slithered its way down there.
Professor Bach was still watching his scientists at work, while Rose supervised them. The Dark Minion came rushing in through the door. "Ah, I see you've returned," Bach smirked, "What do you have for me?" The Dark Minion went up to Professor Bach's ear and began to tell him something. When it finished, Bach nodded. "Well done. I can use this to take her out," Bach pondered. The clockwork was turning in his intelligent mind. "You can leave," he told the Dark Minion. The Dark Minion then changed into a mere shadow on the ground and slid under the doorway.
Rose came through the door, "A new plan?" "A new plan," Bach repeated. "Now, don't keep me in suspense," Rose urged him. "The Sea Wave Dragoon longs for love...we can use that to our advantage," Bach explained. Rose realized what he was conjuring in his mind, "I get it! It's perfect. We can kill two birds..." "With one stone," Bach finished as he laughed, "Ha ha ha!!!" Rose joined in on the evil and malicious laughter.
Outside of the door, James had listened to the entire conversation. He continued to listen to Rose and Professor Bach's laughter. "Oh no. They're going to trick her," he thought, "But, I can't..."
The next day, Sunday, the Dragoons were doing their weekend chores. David was in the kitchen mopping the kitchen floor. He had a bucket full of soap water next to him. He would dip the mop head in, rinse the water out, and was back to work. Meanwhile, Bryant had a gray vacuum with him and he was running it up and down the floor, while it made its loud noise. Sakura walked in through the door with a basket full of laundry. The clothes that could be seen inside the basket were mainly their school uniforms. She had a white bandanna wrapped around her head. Just as she had entered, Bryant finished the vacuuming. He turned off the machine using his foot. He wiped his forehead.
"I'm back," Sakura said to them cheerfully. "Well, the vacuuming's done for today," Bryant told her. "I'm almost done with the mopping," David added as he continued to mop the floor. Sakura went over to the sofa and sat down. She put the laundry basket next to her and began to fold the clothes. "Oh, I'll help you with that," Bryant volunteered. He sat down next to her. "Thanks," Sakura smiled as she gave him a kiss for his generosity. They both took shirts, pants, and other such things and began to fold them. "Aren't we missing someone?" David asked. He had just finished mopping and put the mop into the bucket. "Yeah, where is Julie?" Sakura asked. And at that moment, Julie came out of the bedroom. She was wearing make-up, dressed in a skirt and blouse, and was very cheerful. "Well, well, well," Bryant smirked, "Don't we look nice." "And where are we off too?" David asked. "Oh, I have a date for lunch," she answered. "A date?" Sakura asked as a smile appeared on her face, "With who? Do we know him?" "Van, and no," Julie replied, answering her questions. "When did you meet him?" Bryant asked. "Last night when I went out for a walk," Julie answered. Sakura stood up from the sofa and went over to her friend. "And, you like him?" she asked excitedly. "Yeah, I do..." Julie blushed. Sakura's eyes changed into beating hearts, "This is so wonderful!" Sakura grabbed Julie's hands and held them together, "Now we all can go on triple dates together! This is the best day ever!" Sakura's eyes now changed into sparkling stars as she looked at her friend. A sweat drop fell upon Julie's head, "S-Sakura?" Bryant came up from behind her, "Honey, sweetie. It's time to let go now..." He grabbed her by her shoulders and dragged her off. "Thanks for the support though...heh..." Julie smiled as she scratched her head. In that moment, somebody knocked on the door. "Oh, that's him!" Julie shouted happily. She hurried to the door.
Julie opened the door to reveal, Van. "Hello Van," she smiled. Van was the typical Japanese teenager it terms of looks. He was a bit taller than she was. He had jet black hair, his eyes were an eerie violet. Julie just thought they were contacts. He wore a black sweater, with black dress pants. He looked very dressy. "Please come in," Julie told him. "Thank you," he replied. He entered the dorm room. Julie's friends stood behind her waiting to meet him. "Oh, Van. These are my friends," Julie said. "It's nice to meet you all," Van told them. Sakura stepped forward, "You're Japanese, right?" "I am," he nodded. "Hajimemashite. My name's Sakura and..." she began to say as she shook his hand. A strange and odd feeling rushed through her body.
(Hajiimemashite: 'Nice to meet you' in Japanese)
"It's nice to meet you as well," Van replied. Sakura didn't understand what she felt, but she put on a smile anyway. "Shall we go?" Van asked Julie. "Yeah. Let me get my coat," Julie said. "Julie, wait!" Sakura said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?" "Sure," Julie replied, "Van, could you wait for me downstairs?" "Of course," he answered. He left the room. "Isn't he great?" Julie smiled joyfully. "Yeah, great..." Sakura said. "What's wrong? Don't you like him?" Julie asked her. "It's not that..." Sakura said, "When I shook his hand...I got a really bad vibe." "W-What?" Julie gasped. "You did?" David asked. "Yeah," Sakura answered. "I cannot believe this," Julie said in disbelief. "Yeah, Julie I know this is hard to believe..." Sakura began to say. "Damn right it is!" Julie yelled. "What?" Sakura gasped. "Julie, what's wrong?" Bryant asked. "What's wrong?! Are you guys listening to yourselves?!" Julie asked them, "Now that I've finally found someone, you guys don't like him?!" "Julie, when Sakura gets these feelings, that means usually..." Bryant began to explain. "Nothing! It means nothing!" Julie yelled, "I don't care! Van and I are together now, whether you like it or not!" Julie turned around to grab her coat. She slipped it on and walked over to the door. As she opened it, she said, "Don't wait up." She slammed the door behind as she left.
"Why is she being like this?" David asked himself. "You guys don't understand," Sakura told them, "She wants so badly to be in love. She's always seeing Bryant and me together, and also you and Yui, David." "What did you feel from him Sakura?" Bryant asked her. "He had no soul. It was like he wasn't even human," Sakura explained. "We'll keep an eye on him next time then," David said, "Even though she hates us right now, Julie'll thank us if this guy isn't who he says he is." Bryant nodded, "I agree." "Yeah, but...she wants so much to feel what we feel...It'll be devastating for her..." Sakura thought to herself. Her heart went out to her best friend.
Julie and Van had just come out of a Japanese McDonalds's. Van had his arm around Julie as they walked throughout the crowded streets of Tokyo. Julie was very quiet. "Julie, is there something wrong?" Van asked. "Huh? No, of course not," Julie answered, "Why would there be anything wrong?" "Well, you have barely spoken a word to me," Van explained, "Don't you want to be with me?" "Of course I do!" she replied, "It's just that..." Van waited for her to explain. "Well, it's going to sound weird, but...my friends got a bad vibe from you or something," Julie told him. "Bad vibe?" Van asked. "Yeah, I know. It's stupid. It's just their way of being...well, them I guess," Julie explained, "I don't understand why they can't be happy for me. It's almost like...you're the only one who understands me sometimes." "We did talk quite a bit last night. We have a lot in common you and I," Van added, "You are happy with me, right?" "Yes, I am," Julie answered. "Then, forget your friends. Just be with me," Van told her. "Yeah, you're right," Julie agreed, "Forget them." "Exactly," Van said.
They both reached an opening to an alleyway. Van took Julie by the hand and pulled her inside. "Van! Where are you going?" Julie giggled. "I have a surprise for you," he smiled. "A surprise?" she asked. "That's right," he replied, "Now, close your eyes." Julie closed her eyes, "Oh, I can't wait! I love surprises!" "Yes...I'm sure you're going to love this one," Van murmured. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large and sharp knife. "Come on! Can't I open my eyes now?" Julie asked impatiently. "Not yet..." Van said evilly. He held up the knife, ready to strike Julie with it. Julie just stood there, unsuspecting. Then, from the other side of the alley, a golden magic attack pulsated through the ground and hit Van. He fell outside of the alleyway. Julie opened her eyes, "Van?!" Julie looked to see who had done it. James, in his armor, stood, "Get away from him!" "What?! You're in on this whole bad vibe thing too?!" Julie gasped. "He's not who you think he is," James told her. "Oh sure. That's an original excuse," Julie said. Van stood up from the ground. Julie ran to his aide, "Van! Are you all right?" "I will be..." he told her as his voice changed to a more deeper tone, "Once I've killed you." "What?!" Julie gasped. Van stepped away from her. His body began to grow and morph into that of a Virage. "A Virage?!" Julie shouted. The people in the city began to panic and frolic around. The Virage took this chance to grab some spirits. Using its large violet eye, it blasted dark energy into a few of the people's chests, revealing their spirits. The spirits flew off into the sky and away from the scene. It seemed they were going back to Kenkaku. "I hate to say I told you so, but..." James said, "I told you so!!" "Sorry!" Julie apologized, "So they were right...Note to self, big remorse when I get back home!" "Forget that, change yourself!" James told her. "Right!" Julie agreed.
Sea Wave Dragoon Power!
The other three Dragoons waited inside their living room watching TV. Sakura, however, stood next to the window looking outside. "Don't worry Sakura. Julie can take care of herself," David told her. "It's not her I'm worried about," Sakura replied, "The aura that guy had...it's so familiar." Sakura thought about for a moment. Then, an image of a Virage filled her head. "That's it!!" Sakura exclaimed. "What's what?" Bryant asked. "The feeling I got from that Van guy. It's the same as a Virage's!" she explained. "You don't mean..." Bryant began to say. "Van is a Virage in disguise!" Sakura finished for him. "We'd better find her then," David said as he got up from the sofa. "Where do we look? We don't even know where she is," Bryant pointed it. A news report then appeared on the television. A video clip of the Virage's attack appeared on the screen. "Here next to the infamous McDonald's here in Tokyo, a strange monster-like creature is attacking the city..." the reporter explained. "I have a feeling that's him," Sakura said. "We need to transform," David said. Bryant and Sakura nodded in agreement.
Jade Dragoon Power!
Red-Eye Dragoon Power!
White Silver Dragoon Power!
The Virage attempted to pound on Julie with its large fist. Julie swiftly leaped out of the way. She looked over to James who simply stood there. "Aren't you gonna help me?!" she asked him. "I've done enough," James replied, "Remember, we're still enemies." "But...!" Julie shouted. James spread out his wings and flew away. "Great!" Julie yelled angrily. But, before she could even think, the Virage knocked her into the alley wall. Her body was imprinted in the stone wall. She slid down the wall in pain. "Ow, that hurt," Julie said. She looked behind the Virage to see the scrambling people. "I have to draw him away from them," she thought. She looked around for answers. She looked up to the sky and then to the rooftop. "That'll work," she said. She stood up from the ground and faced the Virage. The Virage stood before her. The Sea Wave Dragoon lifted her arm into the air as a magical stream of sparkling blue water spiraled up to her hand to form a ring. "Aqua Ring!!" she shouted as she threw the ring at the Virage. The ring wrapped around and contained it. The Virage couldn't move its arms. "Okay, I think that's my cue to fly," Julie told herself. She spread out her blue Dragoon wings and flew straight up into the air. Letting out a monstrous roar, the Virage ripped the water ring. It looked up to see Julie's silhouette heading up to the roof. It spread out its sharp wings and followed her.
Julie landed on the rooftop and looked around to see if there was anything that could help her. She knew that she couldn't take on the Virage without Sakura's power. "Come on Julie," she told herself, "We've come this far..." The Virage then landed right behind her. Julie slowly turned around. The Virage's eye glowed and then blasted Julie in the chest with its purple laser beam. Julie hit the ground and slid all the way to the edge of the building rooftop. The Virage sluggishly approached her. "What can I do? There's no way I can beat him," Julie thought to herself. As the Virage approached, a fire and wind attack hit it from behind. Julie's friends flew in. "You made it!" Julie shouted happily. "Yeah," David replied. "Sakura, finish it!" Bryant yelled. "Wait. There's something I have to do first," Sakura told him. "What?" Julie asked. "Oh, yeah! What you did with me! It's Julie's turn now!" David said.
Julie's body began to glow blue as she floated up to where Sakura was. Sakura closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. Her Dragoon wings began to change into her glowing white angel wings. Julie floated in front of her and did the same. Her Dragoon Spirit began to shine. "Of the seven spirit elements," Sakura began to say, "I evoke only one. Water, let your sparkling waters evolve!" The Sea Wave Dragoon Spirit began to shine rays of bright light. The rays of light spiraled around it. It soon finished, and Julie's body began to glow. Her body turned towards the Virage and began to prepare for her new and most powerful attack.
Julie summoned the power of the legendary Dragon whom she got her Dragoon Spirit from. She lifted her arm into the air and called out the spell, "Sea Wave Dragon!!" Made of massive water, the Sea Wave Dragoon appeared behind her. She threw down her arm releasing the dragon. The water dragon created an immense attack on the Virage. The dragon made of sparkling blue water struck through and surrounded the Virage, immobilizing it. "It's your turn now Sakura!" Julie shouted.
The aura around them changed into a white and holy place. Sakura floated into the air as the clouds above them began to release beams of holy light. "God, give me power!" she cried. Behind her, a large and golden gate engraved with holy markings appeared and began to open.
"Gate of Heaven!" Sakura finished.
Out of the gates, large and thick beams of light fired through like an army was on the other side. The beams struck straight through the Virage's body and soon turned it into dust.
The four Dragoons landed on the rooftop. "What was that?" Bryant asked. "It seems that when I passed the Judgment, I was given the power to make you all stronger," Sakura explained. "Yeah. I've already gone through and it's quite a rush," David added. "I'll say," Julie agreed. "When will it be my turn?!" Bryant asked impatiently. "I can't just do it now. It takes a lot out of me," Sakura answered. "So...Julie, about Van..." David began to say. "Forget about it," she said, "You guys were right." "We didn't want to be. Honest we didn't," Bryant explained to her. "We were just looking out for you," Sakura told her. "I know," Julie said as she hugged her best friend, "You are my sister after all." Sakura smiled. "And besides," Julie said as they broke their hug, "I learned a valuable lesson from this." "And what's that?" David asked. "Well, it's more like someone told me," she said, "About fate. It's just not my time to fall in love yet. I just have to be patient and let nature take its course. It'll happen for me, and it'll happen for everyone." "Wow, and who told you this?" Sakura asked her. Julie turned around, looked to the sky, and smiled, "A friend..."
James knocked on Rouge's door. "Come in," Rouge told him. He entered the room, "H-Hi..." "Hi," she replied. "C-Can we talk?" James stuttered, "There's something...very important I want to say. Something...I need to say." "Okay," Rouge agreed. They both sat down on her bed. "What I did...to you...was wrong. I know this," James began, "I didn't mean to. But, a friend told me, that we even make mistakes involving those we love most." "Oh, James...I," Rouge began to say. "Let me finish," he stopped her, "This friend also told me that it was up to me to fix it. And that one way to do it...would be...to show you how much I care about you. How much I...love you." "James..." Rouge gasped. Tears welled up in her eyes. "And that is the truth..." James told her, "I do love you Rouge. Like a friend, like a sister, and beyond that." "J-James..." Rouge blushed and then smiled, "I...I love you too." James smiled back. They both paused for a moment as they looked into each other's eyes. They both leaned into one another, slowly. But soon enough, their lips would meet. They finally showed each other how they really felt about each other. Love happened for them.
Even though they lived in harsh circumstances, love found a way through the evil and the darkness and reached them. Even they could be happy. Fate had brought them together.