"What dark power...", Emma shook her head at the results that they saw, the rest of the team quickly getting back together with her. "To be able to entrap the spirits of those lost over the years here...".

"All the more reason to kill Frollo... his dark puppeteer will meet the same fate shortly after.", Logan huffed as the rest of the Talons agreed.

The armies gasped in awe as the blue wisps of the villagers' spirits was having an echoing cheer as they discovered that they are free, and a great shadow appeared over the town, and they looked up to see a giant Peregrine Falcon with piercing green eyes, wearing a purple ribbon around one of its legs.

Phoebus blinked in shock, "Esmeralda...", and Esmeralda gave a screech-cry, and all the blue wisps went to Esmeralda's bird form, riding on her back. Being a village-town, at least 500 people, along with 100 wisps from the forces of good as the battle was quite vicious despite the counter-ambushes to Frollo's forces, are now heading home to the heavens, with one last wisp who changed shape into a very familiar young girl that Emma recognized from the movie, the one who accepted Quasimodo right on the steps of Notre Dame, floating straight to Phoebus.

She opened her mouth, her voice heard yet soundless, 'Thank you for saving Sarip. We waited a long time. Will you take the positions of Lord and Head Judge to lead Sarip back into peace, Captain Phoebus?'.

"I... I will...", Phoebus stammered as he was still in just total shock from the revelation and seeing Esmeralda again. "He'll have help...", Helga added as she walked up next to him.

The girl smiled widely, and then scowled, 'Mother says I shouldn't say bad words, but kick Frollo in the nuts, okay? He's a dirty, old, weaseling, sniveling, yellow-belly meanie!'

Helga laughed heartily, "Oh, he sure is, and we will do that, little one. Now, go to your mother. You're free now.". The girl gave an echoing laugh of delight as she nodded, needing no more encouragement, and changed shape back to a wisp, joining the other wisps, and Esmeralda screeched-cried, flying off to the skies and disappearing.

"You alright?", Helga asked Phoebus as she looked back to him. "I'm sorry... it's... it's almost too much for me to take.", Phoebus admitted.

"Yeah, I know the feeling.", Jason told him. "Quite a few of us have shared a similar experience and all when it comes to those long gone to our past returns to talk... even if it's brief...".

Emma nodded, "That's for sure. Either way, I bet you'd make a swell Lord, and a fair Judge.", and Helga smiled, "She's right. You have called Sarip home, and you know it deeply. It may be rebuilt differently, but Notre Dame is still the same, just need some cleaning and such, and besides, with those positions, you'd be better off than being General, and I can do that. I mean, we're gonna be Lord Phoebus and Lady Helga Sinclair respectively, with you as Judge and I as General, and Sarip is covered from that aspect...And of course, one day once the war is over, and Frollo is dead, we will bring Cassie home somehow...", referring to their almost officially adopted daughter back on Earth.

Phoebus and Helga have been visiting Cassie at her orphanage via the Silver Heart almost every day, and the last time they did was the day before they set out on the march, telling her that the final battle will be the deciding factor of ending the war.

"Thank you.", Phoebus leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. "And you too, Lady Emma, and the rest of you Talons. I just really needed to hear that.".

"Happy to help.", Jason gave a warm smile. Mickey came up to them with Mulan, back to human form, smiling, and Jason looked so relieved to see Mulan, and Mickey chuckled softly, "Well done, Phoebus. You have turned the tide on the enemy excellently.".

Phoebus bowed his head, "Thank you, your majesty.", and Mickey exhaled, "We will rest for an hour before setting out again, and we will camp later this evening further down the path. I suspect the fortress is but only a couple days away.".

"It has to, why else is Frollo trying to ambush us at nearly every corner?", Emma asked. "He's obviously trying to buy time... or whittle our force down until we arrive, and he'll have the numbers again.", Haku suggested.

"Even if he has the numbers, it has rarely proved successful. The only reason they ever were winning was just overwhelming force. It's always been a losing battle for them going one on one... but having ten to one number? You just throw enough of your own minions until eventually you win.", Mulan explained.

"Human wave tactics... or just feeding the meat grinder, depending on how you want to look at it.", Zuri said.

Jasmine nodded, "That actually makes sense, a whole lot of sense. Still, what I couldn't do to see the look on Frollo's face when he finds out that the dark magic is gone from Sarip, and that more of his forces is dead.".

Smirks and grins adorn everyone's faces, wondering when the news will reach Frollo as they rested and talked with King Triton and the other leaders over the next hour, looking over the maps, and the conditions of the march.

"The army is still in pretty good shape; the clash at Sarip was much less of a costly fight than it was for the pass.", Mickey used his sword to point to the areas of the map. "Of course, as the Talons have suggested and what my gut feels, is that Frollo is just trying to delay and wear us down before we can reach his fortress... which should be right around here.".

King Daniel nodded, "Yes, I can see why it's tactically advantageous for Frollo as the fortress stands high on a strong ledge of the main mountain, but it's backed up against other mountains almost like an ancient forest, so nobody can sneak up from the back...Only the sides and front is vulnerable to any attackers...".

Queen Kida replied, "The United Talons and my army of Martags and Ketaks can attack the high spots of the fortress if not for the triple layered shield of dark magic...We need to take them somehow...Can your trident do that like with the dark magic wardstone, Triton?".

King Triton sighed heavily, "I only can do one shield, and I will need a lot more time if I take the next two shields. And no, I don't think illusions or golems would work this time as the fortress is high enough to see through issues like this, I believe.".

King Frederick replied, "And don't forget that we have killed off over 2,000 enemy troops in the pass, and perhaps just under 3,000 enemy troops here in Sarip... We have lost 1,100 people total, ourselves. I might be wrong, but I think Frollo is going mad. He doesn't seem to care about sacrificing his forces...".

"That's what I'm worried about.", Emma said. "He might not even care about his forces because he might not have much need for them in the coming battle. If he wipes us all out; the conquest will begin again, and it might take a whole another generation before the kingdoms would have the strength to fight back again... and even then, it wouldn't be enough time. He would just sit back and wait for another attack.".

"All the more reason we push on him now!", Frederick slammed his fist down as he coughed. "The longer we wait, the more time he can harass us! I say we march through the night with little stops.".

"And then the army will be dead tired before the final fight...", Logan reminded. Lord Arthur cleared his throat, "Prince Consort Logan is correct. If we march through the night, the entire army will be easily lost to the enemy rather quickly without being on guard.".

King Mickey nodded, "That's why we're setting out when we can for today, and camp out once the sun sets, in a highly defensive position and cover our tracks, and then set out once more in the morning.".

"There's not much other options... I doubt just us alone will be enough to win the day. We got lucky when we caught Tremaine off balance... doubt we'll get the chance with Frollo.", Pippa said.

Zuri replied, "We're not alone, Pippa. That was only us and some of our spouses, and friends that time, but now, we're surrounded by allies and 14,000 soldiers, archers, swordsmen, you name it. We just need to do a different tactic, that's all.".

"I certainly hope we can figure it out... I fear we'll be in serious trouble if we're forced to commit to a siege.", Mickey admitted. "We didn't prepare ourselves for that, no supply lines to us at the moment. If we have to wait out Frollo... we can't.".

Nods and murmurs of agreement rang around the circle surrounding the map, and General Timon replied, "We could do alternative waves of our armies. Waves of soldiers, waves of archers, waves of Griffins, waves of Ketaks and Martags, waves of shapeshifters, waves of Centaurs and Talking Animals, and waves of the trident and mermen, and waves of the United Talons as dragons. After all, the surroundings of the fortress look like a large clearing with the river.".

"Not a bad idea...", Emma said. "I think though we probably should be able to first see the fortress before we truly plan how we're to attack it.".

"I agree.", Mickey nodded. "Planning without at least knowing somewhat what we're up against is almost all but useless.".

"Just remember, 'No plan survives contact with the enemy.' ", Logan pointed out. General Pumbaa blinked in curiosity and confusion, "What does that mean?".

Emma smiled wryly, "It means plans always need to be changed. We all need to be flexible, not stick to strategy the whole time.".

"What we've had in mind since the start is the best course of action.", Kida reminded, especially towards Frederick. "The army will arrive to the fortress in good order and in good shape; if that happens, we stand a better chance of victory.".

"I know...", Fredrick sighed as he coughed again. "I just speak for the army when I say we want this all over sooner.".

Haku frowned in concern, "Your cough is getting worse.", and Frederick waved him away with a bittersweet smile, "I appreciate your concern, Healer Haku, but it's the mountains and climate that is making it worse, but I am still having strength to fight for my home, my family, for freedom and peace.".

Triton spoke, "Shall we set out then? The sooner we get going, the sooner we camp, the sooner we will reach the fortress, and the sooner we fight.", and Mickey smiled, "Couldn't have said it better myself, Triton.".


The army quickly was recognized once more, after giving it a bit of rest from the recent fight before it was on the march once more. Of course, everyone was a bit worried about what lied ahead of them; if Frollo was continuing his ambushes, it would really start getting to the troops and their mentality. Everyone was constantly checking behind their shoulders and keeping a firm look out ahead, below and above to make sure that they wouldn't get dropped again.

The march went well for the rest of the afternoon, stopping for camp upon a vast meadow with boulder caves, and with Pippa & Jason's help of their powers, they made the boulder caves so vast to fit the most weary-looking army soldiers inside with the alert ones outside to be on watch, taking turns with the Griffins. The land is still desolate of life and all, but luckily, with rations of seaweed-kelp soup and meat jerky, the army is keeping strong.

"Everything alright?", Logan asked as he walked up to Jason who was helping with the guarding at this hour. The Talons were also taking their turns with the watch as to at least have some of their dragon advantage immediately if another battle broke out.

Jason nodded, "The meadow is really wide that I can see anybody coming under the bright moonlight, and right now, nothing. It's really clear that no one can't sneak up on us tonight, with the Griffins back there on the boulders, watching the back side of the meadow, and the rest of the alert soldiers watching the sides as well.".

Logan smiled, "Good to know, but I was really asking about you.", and Jason blinked before exhaling, "I am glad that Mulan has found a way to keep herself safe as her tactic of staying back yet still helping out, is remarkably effective.".

"Of course... that's not what's been bothering you.", Logan pointed out as Jason nodded. "Got it in one. This whole situation wouldn't have happened had we not lost Ping. Three weeks... he was still barely anything...", Jason sniffled.

"And yet it was like losing him if Mulan had given birth and you had at least a decade to spend with him...", Logan nodded with an understanding, sad smile.

Jason exhaled even more sharply, "It would be unbearable pain if that happened...Of course, we would have moved on for the sake of Dove either way...I never knew what Ping's gonna look like...He was transparent blue when he appeared as a spirit wisp...Oh, sure, he looked like he had my eye shape, my nose shape, and my hair style, but he had Mulan's smile and forehead...But the colors, nothing...".

Logan gently spoke, "He would have been some incredible competition in the realm of true love if that's true...", with a chuckle.

"And we still have Dove... at least there's that... we didn't lose both of them...", Jason said. "Already decided on a name then?", Logan smirked. "Didn't think I would be an uncle so soon.".

Jason chuckled, "Well, I am younger than you by a few minutes, bro, so it makes sense for me to be first. And yeah, it's actually Doveva Zhang Fa-Valkara...Dove is her nickname.".

Logan smiled, "That is a brilliant name. After all, doves are creatures of peace and goodwill.", before chuckling with a bit of a blush, "Jasmine wants three kids, a couple years apart here and there.".

"Sheesh, you're not likely to get a break then...", Jason teased as Logan rubbed his head. "Hey, at least we're not having to deal with five!", He reminded.

"Yeah, but Emma and John's kids are already toddlers... we'll have to deal with the whole downside of parenting a baby for a few years...", Jason mentioned with a raised eyebrow.

Logan nodded, "True, toddlers are technically babies up to at least 2. But hey, you're gonna be fine, little bro.", and Jason smiled at his brother's support, "Thanks, Logan.", looking up at the stars for a moment, "Do you think our dads and mom is smitten with Ping?".

"Probably.", Logan gave a small smile. "Certainly quite a world they're in these days, for sure.".

Jason chuckled, "True, and the heavens of Neverland sounds nice. I mean, Evangeline the Blue Fairy is in charge of it all, I think.", and Logan nodded, "Well, they have tons of new friends up there.".

Jason laughed softly, "That's for sure. Mom, Dad, and Pops looked like they're at peace when we both met them.", and Logan nodded, "Exactly. So, are you feeling any better?".

"After this conversation? Yeah...I think I am.", Jason smiled gratefully at Logan who patted his shoulder, "Good. Go back to Mulan, I got this, and tell Jasmine to join me. She was talking with Mulan last I saw her.", with a reassuring grin.

"Sure... like I said, we should be fine out here. Frollo's not getting the drop on us again.", Jason said. "Certainly not after how we turned the tables on that ambush in Sarip.", Logan chuckled. "Poor bastards never saw it coming."

Jason smirked, "They deserved it.", and began to leave with a smile, "And Logan, thanks.". Logan smiled warmly, "What are big brothers for? Now, shoo.", and Jason nodded, and left Logan on his post.

"Hey there.". A few minutes later, Logan looked back to see his wife sitting next to him. "You know, this whole place is quite strange... the land looks dead and lifeless... a truly barren landscape... and yet the sky looks so beautiful...".

Logan grinned, "Indeed. I don't doubt that Frollo is afraid of the unknown. The stars are far more powerful than any of us...And of course, they are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you are, Jazz.", reaching to squeeze her hand warmly.

"You're such a flatterer, Logan.", Jasmine blushed as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "That's why you love me.", Logan smirked.

"One of the many reasons, for sure.", Jasmine chuckled as he kissed her again. Logan scooted closer to hold her close to his side, and looked out, "This final battle will change everything...Oh, don't get me wrong, I believe we'll win with our numbers and planning, but it is practically huge, you know?".

Jasmine leaned closer, "Yes, it is. Mulan told me one proverb. A single grain can tip the scale. One man or woman is the difference between defeat and victory...".