Part 4 of The Last Stand

The six teens began their training as soon as possible. They left their stone hut and began traveling the roads of the Mystic Kingdom fighting trolls and demons that were attacking defenseless towns and villages. They soon were very powerful and very close. They also learned how to combine spells to make them more powerful. Their names became very common and people respected and feared them.

Duo stared through the leaves at the starry sky above him. The others were all asleep but something was keeping him awake. He knew they were safe, he himself had done the protection spell around their campsite. The fire was still burning slightly, throwing off enough light to see around the edges of the clearing. He got the eerie feeling he was being watched. Something moved outside the clearing hidden by the dense trees. A wolf howled, a crow cawed, a snake hissed and all hell broke loose.

Duo was up in a flash, sword drawn. Heero had heard him and jumped up ready to fight. The others were soon awoken and on their guard. Growling could be heard just outside the clearing. A branch cracked to the left and the crow cawed on the right. Then...the forest went deadly silent. Six wolves crashed into the clearing howling and snapping at the Riders. They ran around the group keeping them in the clearing. Just as Wufei was about to attack a wolf pounced on him. He lost his temper and chased it into the trees, disappearing into the darkness.

"Wufei, come back!" Relena called. "Your not safe outside the circle!"

It was too late, he was gone into the forest. None of them had time to talk, they were all to busy fending a wolf off. By the time Relena looked around everyone else had disappeared also. The wolf finally stopped attacking and raced off into the woods. Now that she could look at her surroundings she found she wasn't even in the camp anymore. The wolf had lead her away from everyone else into the woods. It had gotten her lost.

In every direction the wolves had lead a Rider away from the group into the forest. They were lost and separated and alone. Duo found himself near a small river. Trowa could see the Dragon Cliffs from where he was. Quatre was back on one of the roads but had no idea where it went. Wufei ended up in a deserted village on the edge of the forest and Heero found himself on the edge of a strange village. Relena looked up and saw a dark castle far off in the distance and decided to head in that direction. Hopefully she would find one of the others.

~ ~ ~

Heero wandered into the village and was surprised to find the huts were built into the huge trees. The homes must have went lengthwise through the tree because there were rope bridges connecting some of the trees. Another strange thing was the fact there were no people around but lights glowed softly in some of the windows. He walked cautiously down a dirt path suspecting an ambush.

Nearby two slanted eyes flashed in the light of the windows as a dark form moved from shadow to shadow. "Rhaaa!" Something tackled Heero to the ground and pinned him there with a small dagger.

"Hey!" Heero threw the person off and scrambled to his feet pulling out the spear.

"Who are you?" Asked a voice from the shadows.

" Heero Yuy? I am the Earth Rider." He said quietly.

A gasp was heard from nearby and lights flared to life revealing an astonishing sight. A youthful looking female elf was standing holding a lantern. She had a very slender form and seemed fragile but was dressed in a warriors outfit. Her eyes were open wide as she stared at Heero bewildered. Other elves were peeping out of windows and opening doors. Two more elves came up behind the first one. These were older males also dressed in warriors clothing.

"I'm very sorry. We thought you might be one of Treize's demons. They've been attacking our peaceful village all month." The girl said. "I'm Princess Raine Li of the Wood Elves." She told him bowing.

Heero looked at her silently.

"We're honored to have you here Earth Rider. Please come join us and explain why you're so far into the forest." She said smiling warmly.

Heero nodded and followed Raine to a huge stand of trees. He assumed it was the palace, this proved true when they entered. Raine dismissed the two guards and lead Heero to a large dining hall. A fire was roaring in the fireplace and two chairs were set out for them. She gestured for him to be seated.

"I heard the Dream Riders had returned. It good they did too. Treize is getting unbelievably stronger everyday." She paused to look over him again. "Where are the rest of the Riders?"

Heero sighed. "Spread out through the forest. We were split up by a pack of wolves...I'm positive they were demons." He said without looking up. "I've got to find them."

"We could help." Raine suggested. "My troops can move through the forest undetected. They can try and find the others."

"You'd help me?" Heero asked finally looking up.

"Yes. The Earth Rider of old once saved this village and we never got to return the debt. We'll return by helping you." Raine told him warmly.

"Alright. I'll help too." Heero said stubbornly.

"Yes, but you should rest first. We'll make a plan in the morning." With that she sent him off to a palace bedroom to sleep.

Neither of them noticed the orange tabby cat follow Heero down the hall. A cat with icy silver eyes... like the winter moon...

Author's note: That's part four. Review for the next part! Heh...cliff hanger...