Oh, hum. Another wonderful revision to this fic made by me. Not much changed in this part, 'cept for a few words and descriptions. *scratches head* Yup, that's it.

/. . . denotes thoughts or a certain word is emphasized. . ./

*. . . denotes mindspeech. . .*

. . . denotes flashback or a vision. . .

The Fate of Destiny

Part One:

The Summoning

In the city of Deningrad, nearly a month after the Spring Festival, the First Sacred Sister of Mille Seseau received her summons to go to Serdio. This summons did not come from Queen Theresa, nor did it come from any mortal source. The summons came from the white jewel she wore at her neck. The Stone of the Silver White Dragon.

The First Sacred Sister Miranda was at the time directing the rebuilding of the Crystal Palace. With the help of the newly discovered Winglies from the Evergreen Forest -- after nearly nine months -- the reconstruction of the Palace was nearly finished. She often admired the blue-green crystal spire rising into the sky. And along with the repairing of the Crystal Palace, the rest of the town was returning to its original status as being one of the most remarkable cities on Endiness.

Miranda had just sent a Wingly to check on construction on the other side of the Palace. She watched the Wingly speed off with a smile on her face. While there were certain levels of distrust between the Humans and the Winglies, there was also a rough sense of camaraderie as well. It could be seen everywhere. The children of Winglies and Humans played in the streets together while their parents worked. Their laughter gave life to the streets of Deningrad.

She looked down as a ball rolled right next to her feet. The blond haired woman picked the ball up and saw it's owners not to far from her. A little Human girl and a little boy from the Winglies. Neither ran off, they stood together bravely, holding each other's hand with determination. The looks on their faces showed that they expected to be in trouble. A year ago they would have been, but the Sacred Sister had changed in her time as a Dragoon. Her temper was now rarely seen, she smiled more often, and her touch often soothed the hurt and pained.

Miranda laughed, dispelling the children's' worries, and threw the ball back towards them. She waved them off to go back to playing and shouted a warning behind them. "Try not to play so close to the construction zone. You could get hurt."

As she was turning back to her observations that was when it struck. She felt a sharp pain within her breast and unconsciously she reached up to grab the Dragoon Spirit that hung from her neck. /This pain. . . where does it come from?/

In reply there came an unexpected answer. Soothing and melodious there came a feminine voice, like it had always been there waiting for her to communicate with it. It echoed through her head, reverberating and driving her to her knees. *The darkness. . . it comes.*

/Darkness? What darkness?/

*Serdio. . . Your questions can only be answered if you travel to Bale. There your fate awaits you.*

Then like that the voice was gone and Miranda found herself kneeling on Deningrad's marble streets surrounded by concerned Winglies and Humans. They gathered around her in a circle and both species stared at her with wonder and fear etched on their faces. Miranda wondered why they were looking at until she saw that between her grasped hands the Stone of the Silver White Dragon was pulsing with a golden white light. It lit up the street brighter than the sun that shone down.

Miranda released the Stone from her hands and staggered to her feet. The Dragoon Spirit started to lose a little of its glow until there was only a faint glimmering of that golden white light shimmering across the Stone's surface. An instant later the First Sacred Sister found herself running towards the Crystal Palace. The only thing she knew was that somehow Endiness was once more in danger and she was being called back into the role of the Silver White Dragoon.

Two hours later Miranda was heading towards Bale with the nearly awakened Dragoon Spirit still shining at her neck. After nearly nine months of peace the Light Dragoon found herself heading back into danger.

*****

Haschel and Kongol did not know of what had happened to Miranda, but nearly one week after her incident something similar happened to them. Their summons came while they were inspecting a newly made hole that Kongol had accidentally made in the side of Haschel's hut.

"Sorry. Kongol still not know his own strength." The Giganto glanced worriedly at Haschel. He really hadn't meant to throw the rock through the wall. He had just wanted to entertain some of the children and when they had asked him to throw a rock that easily weighed forty pounds, as far as he possibly could. He had forgotten that Haschel's home was in the way.

"Don't worry m'boy. It's not that bad." The martial artist took a step back and studied the damage. The people of Rouge had welcomed Haschel back home and quickly accepted the Giganto into their lives. While Kongol caused some accident similar to this at least once a week, it was hard for anybody to stay mad at the amiable Giganto. The children especially loved him. "I've always wanted a window on this side anyways."

Kongol sighed. /Good. Haschel not mad./ He knew that he had a home in Rouge, but every time he did something wrong up came the old fear that he would be rejected. Slowly however that fear was being vanquished. /Good friends here. They not fear Kon-/

The Giganto found himself doubling over as waves of pain washed over him. /Where hurt come from? Kongol not injured./

A deep and rumbling voice answered within the depths of his mind. The sensations that washed over him gave a feeling of great steadfastness and calm. *No, you are not injured. Evil is once more on the rise. That is what you are feeling.*

/Something evil? Kongol want to know what evil./

The voice gave a laugh. *You will know soon enough. . . Go to Bale and that will be a beginning.*

Haschel was amazed when he saw Kongol fold up in pain. /What's wrong with him?/ He had not even taken a step towards the Giganto when it struck him and he found himself clutching the wall in an effort to stay standing up. The agony rolled over him in waves. /This is not right. What is this?/

*You are correct. This is not right.* A masculine voice, sharp and crackling like breaking trees answered inside his head. It brought a sense of a quick and furious temper to Haschel. Something that could not be contained.

/Who are you?/

*Go to Serdio to find the answer to that. Bale to be exact.*

The voice was gone in a flash and Haschel looked up see Kongol regaining his feet as well. The Giganto's Golden Dragoon Spirit burst forth with a great golden light and Haschel's own Dragoon Spirit answered in kind. With purple and golden light bathing the area, Haschel and Kongol looked into each other's eyes and knew without a doubt that they both knew what they had to do.

As the light from their Stones died down both found themselves packing for a trip to Bale. The Lightening Dragoon and the Earth Dragoon had a date with destiny there.

*****

It was nearly two months after the Spring Festival and almost one month to the annual Summer Celebration when Meru had the Stone of the Blue Sea Dragon awakened. The little Wingly was in Fletz and she had just finished a gigantic meal that left her feeling overly stuffed and terribly pleased with herself.

She had the Twin Castle's cook wrapped around her finger. All it had taken was a couple of months of playing the role of a sweet but mischievous girl before the cook had been charmed by her actions. Unfortunately it also meant that the cook had decided to take Meru under her wing and teach her how to be a proper young lady. That meant that whenever it wasn't meal time, Meru had to escape the attentions of the cook.

So now she was laying on the balcony that jutted out from the guest bedroom she was staying in, and admiring the stars. She was considered a friend of Princess Lisa's and given the respect of all the staff. No one, with the exception of Princess Lisa and her handmaiden, knew she was a Wingly not even the King. It had been nice at first, getting bowed to and being treated like royalty, but now it was just getting boring. /Maybe I should go someplace different. I could visit Haschel. He always liked me./

Nine months ago at the wedding of Albert and Emille was the last time she had seen any of the other Dragoons. /I miss everyone. I guess it is time that I move on. I've stayed in one spot long enough./ Meru was pushing herself off the cold floor when she suddenly found herself falling back as shudders of pain went through her body. The Wingly curled up in a ball in a desperate attempt to rid herself of the agony. Moans and cries issued forth from her mouth. /Is someone attacking me?/

*No one is attacking you little one.* A light and cheery voice sounded within her mind. In its wake the feeling of understanding and never-ending patience washed over Meru. *It is rising. Soon it will wake.*

/What is rising? When will it wake?/

The voice let out a girlish giggle and replied in a sing song voice, *Your answers lay in Serdio. Your journey begins in Bale. Your destiny awaits thee in the future. Hurry there, little one.*

The voice departed and Meru opened her eyes to the blue light of her Dragoon Spirit vibrating throughout the night sky. The light died down as Meru moved into her room and started to pack. In the dawn of the next day as Meru was leaving Fletz, she ran into Haschel and Kongol waiting at the entrance of town for her. After a quick conversation amongst themselves, all three headed to Serdio.

Not far down the trail they found Miranda waiting for them. The Water Dragoon wasn't surprised in the least. They were being called together once more.

*****

All the way in Seles, Dart had his Dragoon Spirit awaken with only two and a half weeks left till the Summer Celebration. Only it was in a slightly different way than the others. He had just escaped from the attentions of Shana's mother, who was demanding to know what the color scheme of their wedding was going to be.

He ruefully ran his hand through his hair. /You would think that the wedding was tomorrow with the way she's acting, not three months away. I hope Shana's almost finished with the dress fitting./ It was perfect timing, Dart looked up to see his fiancee hurrying towards him, relief on her beautiful face.

He prepared to sweep her up in his arms and swing her around when it came over him. Without warning, he found himself stumbling backwards in a hopeless attempt to stay upright as wave upon wave of pain wracked his body. His back hit a wall and he was sliding down to the ground. He heard Shana's panicked scream but it no longer mattered to him for he was beset upon by images and sounds.

He was surrounded by darkness. It hid everything from sight. The blood that he knew covered the ground and the people who's agonized screams tore the air. The only thing he could see were the others. Miranda, Kongol, Haschel, Meru, and Albert all stood next to him sheltered within the light of their Dragoon Spirits. They were in their Dragoon Armor, as was he. /What is this?/

The powerful and ageless voice that responded to his unspoken question shook him to the core. It was a voice filled with pride and authority. *A glimpse of what could be. Of what might happen in the future. Of the evil you will have to face.*

An enormous figure rose in front of Dart and the others. It was so massive that Dart could not even get an idea of its shape. The figure struck a paralyzing fear in Dart. Unbelievable amounts of power rolled off it and with out a doubt Dart knew that it would take all of the Dragoons' power to destroy that, if it was even possible. /There is no way only six Dragoons can defeat that!/

*You are right. All eight Dragoons are needed to defeat the rising evil.* Two lights appeared in front of Dart. One was fire-red, the other a purple-black, and within each was the silhouette of a person in Dragoon armor. He knew who they were. The Fire Dragoon and the Darkness Dragoon, each of their Spirits, along with their carriers, had been destroyed with Melbu Frahma. Hadn't they?

/Who are they?/

*The journey to finding your answers starts in Bale. You must go there. Hurry, soon it will begin.*

Everything disappeared into darkness around Dart, except for the two glowing frames in front of him. They stood there unchanging, just burning in their own light. Nothing showed to give him any clue to their identity. The two lights mingled with each other and slowly faded away.

Dart gasped for breath and when he opened his eyes, he saw that he was bathed in glowing light. The whole square was bathed in a multitude of colored light, all dancing and shimmering, revealing every dark nook and cranny in it's brightness. The light came from the Stone of the King of the Dragons where it hanged at his neck.

Shana's eyes were wide open and she looked down at him with anxiety. He met her chocolate brown eyes with a fierce urgency. "I need to go to Basil. Now."

His fiancee never questioned him. Amid the fading light from his Stone, she helped him gather his things. Her things were packed right along with his.

A short time later they headed out of Seles for the Capital of Serdio. It was then that the Ultimate Dragoon told her what he had felt and seen.

*****

Not long after Dart's experience, King Albert had his own Dragoon Spirit awaken after having it sleep in silence for nearly a year. He stood on the roof of his castle with his arms wrapped around his wife's waist, his hands resting slightly on her slightly bulging belly. Together, at the end of each day, they stood like this and watched the sun set.

Albert glanced fondly at Emille and gently patted her stomach. "She's going to be very beautiful. Just like her mother. And kind and graceful."

She turned around and threw her arms around his neck and wrapped her fingers in his long brown hair. "And how can you be so sure the baby will be a girl." She looked up into his face and gave a teasing smile. It was no wonder that the people of Serdio already loved her. She was everything that could be wanted in a Queen. "It could be a boy."

Albert returned the smile. "A boy it may be. . ." He bowed his head slightly to kiss his wife on the forehead, "but I know it is a girl."

The King watched his Queen throw back her head and laugh. /She is my life now. I would do anything for her./ He wrapped his arms around her tighter and brought her in for a kiss. /If only I was free to do so./

Before their lips could touch Albert jerked back out of her arms. Pain and agony pounded into him. It crushed him in its grasp. /Why is this happening to me?/

A voice, wise, gentle, and masculine, spoke to him. Something in the voice was ever-changing, continuously moving. *Because an ancient evil rises from its slumber.*

/What ancient evil? And who is speaking to me?/

The voice gave a wispy sounding sigh. *I cannot answer those questions. I can only tell you that the other Dragoons will be here tomorrow. And when they arrive together you must go to the Marshland. There everything will start and a question will be answered.*

The voice was gone leaving Albert standing and the green light of the Stone of the Green Tusked Dragon resonating into the dusky sky. Without reason he knew that he could trust the voice and that he had to do what it asked. His wife stood nearby her hand covering her mouth in shock. He locked his brown eyes with her blue ones. "I have to leave tomorrow. When I go you will have to take care of Serdio for me."

She hugged him to her and he explained what he had to do. After, when tears welled up in her eyes and in his as well, he promised that he would be back before the baby was born. That gave him four months to finish whatever he was setting out to do.

When morning came King Albert was in the front foyer of his castle. When the other Dragoons -- plus a very weary Shana -- came in the Wind Dragoon greeted them.

*****

In the town of Isren, not far from Lohan, Terran pushed himself to keep up with Meirra. The black haired girl moved fast and with a grace that had never been with her before her accident. A lot about the girl had changed since the accident. Her eyes remained violet and her temperament had take a turn in the opposite direction.

No one could explain how she miraculously started to breathe on her own. Or why in a weeks time she was back on her feet as if nothing had ever happened. That wasn't the only unusual thing however. The day she had started to walk around she had been found throwing her dresses all out the window and changing into some of her father's clothes. This started the suspicion that maybe she had hit her head on the ground a little harder than thought when she had been injured and her mind was now addled. So Terran's mother, the town's doctor, had told Terran to keep an eye on her.

Terran found that a harder job than expected and he had thought it was going to be hard. Meirra was no longer the snobbish arrogant girl she had once been. Now she walked around with a calm and dangerous air that sent people scurrying away from her. She refused to wear dresses any longer as well. She wore men's clothing all the time. That had started almost immediately. She had been found throwing her dresses and other womanly articles out of the window and onto the street, while being dressed in her father's overly large clothing. That had been a spectacle and had sent people in town muttering about how she was possessed by a demon or something.

Then she had started to work out. She would run for miles on end and then practice with any weapons she could get her hands on. Terran had found himself helping her to get those weapons, fully intrigued by the change in her. Keeping an eye on her was a full time job and he found himself missing practice with his uncle more often than naught. Not that he minded, working out with Meirra had gotten him into better shape than he had ever been in his life.

Meirra stopped running in the middle of a glade, Terran came to a halt beside her. Neither spoke, they just stood there with the sunlight shining down on them. Terran found himself staring at his companion. The first time he had gone on a run with her, she had given him a glare that if it could have would have left him dead on the spot. Slowly a bond had formed between them and now nearly four months after that day, they had a strange friendship. But it was a friendship.

"Soon it will be the time for the Summer Celebration. Am I right?" Meirra gazed at him with those violet eyes that had the townspeople talking of demons and possessions.

"Yes. In a week there will be the festival for it." He gave her a smile, hoping that she would give him one in return.

Meirra looked at the ground thoughtfully before she raised her head and graced him a small yet noticeable grin, but not before he saw sadness flicker in her eyes. She stood poised, relaxed and ready to move in a second. A faint tan covered her skin, but other than that her pale skin refused to hold any color, no matter how long she was outside. The sun's golden rays shone on her hair, lending the black strands a bluish tinge. /By Soa is she beautiful./

Terran frowned. Where had that thought come from? And why now? He had known her nearly his whole life and now he was developing a crush on her? But she wasn't the same. She had changed after the accident, but why? Then Terran remembered the glittering lights he had seen over her body just before she had started breathing again. But how had that changed her unless. . . /She's not really Meirra./

"Who are you?"

Meirra jerked her head around and Terran saw fear flicker over her normally unemotional face. "What do you mean?"

"You're not Meirra. Who are you?" Terran grabbed her arm before she could even think about running away. He was angry. He should have seen this sooner, that she wasn't what everyone thought. Or perhaps he had. . . and he hadn't wanted to admit it. "And what did you do with Meirra?"

The violet eyed girl. . . no, woman sagged in his grip. She stared up at him with unnerving calm. Something in her gaze gave Terran shivers down his spine. "You're right. I'm not Meirra. And I didn't do anything to her. Meirra died the day of the accident just as it was meant to happen. I am not able to tell you who I am though."

Silence filled the meadow and Terran felt the sharp cold of metal against his throat. "Still you know too much even if you do not know my true name. I should kill you. . ." The woman held the dagger at his throat and Terran knew his death was approaching, "but I don't want too. So I will make a deal with you."

Her voice had been calm and unaffected sounding the whole time, but now she hesitated. "I was planning to leave Isren tonight, however, your discovery has changed my plans. I will be going to Lohan now and from there on to various other places. I have a quest to fulfill and if you go on it with me, you will most likely die. But I offer you the choice. You can die now, or die later journeying with me on my quest. And don't even think that you could run away from me." She gave a crooked smile and that combined with her next words made Terran want to take her in his arms and comfort her for some reason. "I have plenty of experience on killing those who try to run from me."

As Terran stood there, he realized he wasn't afraid of this woman who stood in front of him, able to control whether he would live or die. /She's taking a risk bringing me with her. Why is she doing this? I guess there's only one way to find out./

Terran lifted his head away from the dagger. "I will go with you." Everything fell into place, this was supposed to happen. His entire life had been in preparation for what lay ahead of him. "Only I won't die and I won't run away."

The woman took the dagger away from his neck. With a toss of her head she set forth in the direction of Lohan. She wasn't worried at all about Terran following her. She didn't need to worry, because he found himself following her like a dog and he knew he couldn't bring himself to do her any harm, whoever she was.

"Since you are not Meirra. . . what should I call you?"

His question brought the woman to a stop and she looked over her shoulder at him, a thoughtful expression gracing her face. "Continue calling me Meirra. And when you do find out my real name. . . for you will, do not even think of calling me it. No one may know who I am."

She resumed walking, leaving Terran following in her footsteps. /You say that no one may know who you are. Then why did you nearly admit that I would find out who you are? Is there a specific reason for keeping me alive. . . Or are you just going on your feelings?/

*****