Part 5 of The Last Stand

Duo looked into the river sadly. Everyone had been split up by the wolves and he had no idea where anyone else was. The river bubbled along silently in the moonlight. As he stared at the water he didn't notice the huge panther slinking through the forest towards him. Something streaked past his head, a black blur and attacked the panther. Duo jumped to his feet and watched the flash of claws and metal, finally the panther ran off into the forest. The other creature turned to face him. From the shadows to eyes flashed green.

"You are the Dark Rider...?" A purring voice came from the shadow.

"Who are you?" Duo questioned, hand on his sword.

The shadow moved forward into a pool of moonlight. Short dark hair framed a slender pale face. With shining emerald eyes and sharp fangs she was quite a sight. She had a fierce look about her, with tattered remains of clothing and a sharp sword at her side. She also had leathery black wings and talons on her hands and feet. Duo recognized her as a Shadow Creature but they supposedly died out. Duo watched her drop to one knee and bow her head. He stood awkwardly in front of her waiting for her to speak.

"I am Thorn, the last of my kind. I am the loyal to Dark Rider for she saved me when I was young." She said still kneeling. "I have sworn to protect the new Dark Rider and that is why I attack the large cat. She was a demon, a Changeling I suspect." She finally looked up. "It has been tracking you for some time both as a wolf and the large cat... I also saw it as a young female. I am assuming that is it's human form."

Duo sighed. "I wonder if the others are being tracked." He muttered to himself.

"I would not matter. The Dream Riders of old helped many creatures in the past, many are in debt to them, the Elves, the Dragons, my kind, the Serpents, Griffins, Unicorns even Phoenixes received help from a Rider...and they are very proud birds." Thorn said.

Duo noticed she had a deep accent. "How did the old Riders help so many species?" He questioned when she finally straightened up.

"The Dark Lord destroyed many villages, many homes, he destroyed almost all of the dragon clans...he killed my family. I would have been destroyed like so many others but Raven took me and gave me to the elves to raise." She explained sadly.

"Thorn, will you help me find the others, my friends.?" Duo asked hopefully.

"I will. I can find others to help also. I have seen elves on patrol for a few hours now. I suggest we go to them. Maybe they have seen one of your friends." She suggested.

"Alright, how do we get there?" He suddenly realized he had no idea how to get to the Elf village.

Thorn suddenly smiled. "It will be faster if we fly."

It was Duo turn to smile. "I have a quicker way." He grabbed a handful of powder from the poach on his belt and made a circle with it on the ground. "Give me your hand." He drew his sword and grabbed Thorn's hand. "ELF VILLAGE!" He slashed the air over the circle and a rift appeared in front of them. "Time to go." He pulled Thorn through and the rift closed.

~ ~ ~

Trowa looked up at the dark cliff, wondering what to do. He figured he should go up and look for everyone else, but there were supposedly dragons on the cliff who had a terrible dislike for humans. There was a huge drop off before the cliff and the only way across was a thin rope bridge. He trotted over and tested it quickly. Deciding the best thing to do would be to go across and hope for the best.

Once over he was amazed to find o wide field covered in flowers. Trees grew here and there and a small brook flowed into a pond at the other end. Huge holes in the cliffs loomed dark and foreboding all around him. He realized he was in a dragon cove. He heard stories they were some of the most beautiful places on Earth. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud rumbling. Quickly glancing around he found no sign of the source. Then an odd thought struck him...what if this dragon cove was still inhabited by dragons. Would they think he was trespassing?

Something shot out of the pond into the sky, spraying water over everything. Trowa recognized the creature as a dragon, a water one at that. It soared over him shimmering blue and violet. Its scales were like jewels. It was enough to take your breath away. It circled over and finally land in front of him, towering over his small human body. Two great silver eyes stared down at him and them the dragon finally spoke.

"Who are you and why are you in our home?" It asked with an incredibly quiet voice. "We do not like disturbances."

Trowa read about dragons and they were a creature to be respected. "Oh mighty blue dragon, I am Trowa Barton, the Water Rider. I have stumbled upon your home by accident and wish you no harm."

A grin, or what seemed like one(which is a very scary thing on a dragon) spread across its face. "Water Rider? We owe a debt to the Water Rider of old. He was one to be respected by us. Our kind vowed to return the debt but he was killed. We shall return it to you." With that the dragon folded its wings and laid on the ground. "Trowa Barton, I am Ice Flame. The only dragon able to breathe ice. How can we help?"

Trowa bowed and sat on the ground. "My friends have been separated by Trieze's demons and I fear I am being followed. I must find the other Riders before Trieze."

"I see. Well the fastest way would be to search by air." He chuckled. "Would you like to ride upon my back Trowa."

Trowa nodded, rose and bowed again. "I would be very honored."

"I will send out some of our best. They will surely find your friends. Now climb on and we'll be off." Trowa obeyed and as soon as he was seated between the dragons great wings he found himself in the air.

Looking back he saw a few other colored blurs soar into the air and off in separate directions. He was positive he would find his friends. He had to, he couldn't stand the thought off them dying at Trieze's hands.

~ ~ ~

Author's note: So now you know what happened to Trowa and Duo. You'll have ta wait and find out what happens to the others and if Heero and Duo meet up.