Times Change, and we with Time
Why is it I always say I won't take as long to update again, and then I inevitably do? 'Course it doesn't help that ff.net is being a jerk and took away two of my favorite humor stories I wrote, Labyrinth Chat Room and 101 Ways to Annoy Jareth. Stupid guidelines, does anyone even read those? I'm just hoping it actually lets me upload this thing.anyway, this is the last chapter, I have no idea what I'm doing, and figuring this out as I go along. My imagination is evil and keeps laughing manically for trying to finish this, but I promised myself I would before Christmas. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember to review!
Disclaimer: See previous disclaimers.
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Chapter 12: Everything comes full circle
It was now or never.
This was what was running through Mikayla's mind, as she watched the warehouse from the balcony she was on; she'd snuck into the building through a window next to a fire escape. She counted about a dozen and a half vampires in the room. Not good odds. And all she was armed with were a few stakes hidden in her clothing. Daggers would have been no effect against the LaCroix, so she hadn't even bothered bringing any.
"Mother Earth and Father Sun protect me." She prayed quietly.
She jumped down to the ground floor. The vampires finally noticed her, and attacked. She fought against them, taking hits but making progress nonetheless, and had killed three when a familiar voice rang out.
"Cease! Leave her be, and retreat, children."
The remaining vampires that had attacked Mika retreated back; the others parted to reveal the one who had haunted Mika's dreams and nightmares for almost two centuries.
Rosethorn hadn't changed a bit. Same black hair, long and silky. Same violet cat eyes, always watchful. Though her tastes in clothing ad changed to more modern black leather pants and violet midriff top, there was no mistaking the air of a by-gone era about her.
Rosethorn smirked, as she came within a few steps of Mikayla. "My my, the little kitten has grown to a lioness, I see. It's been far too long, fire-flower. Why have you hid yourself from your family, especially me? We only want to help you, pet."
Mika's stature stiffened. "You only want the spell that made me this way, Rosethorn. You can't have it, I burned it. You wouldn't want it anyway, it's torture. Having the blood lust, yet having to answer to your soul? You would hate it."
A soft clucking sound came from Rosethorn's throat. "My poor pet, what you must have gone through. Come, let Rosethorn make it all go away. Come back to us, darling pet, I've missed you. I can make you one of us again, you can forget all about your tortured soul forever."
It was tempting. Oh, how it was tempting. For once and for all to forget, to not have to remember all she had done. She could run away from her troubles. That was when visions of her friends passed by in her mind.
She'd done enough running in her life. It was time to do the right thing.
"I'm sorry, Rosethorn, but I can't do that." Mika said softly. "For once, I have to do the right thing. Pay penance for what I've done."
Rosethorn sighed deeply, then shrugged. "Such a pity. And what heroic drivel. Ah well, suit yourself!"
That was when she lunged.
They knew each other's moves well, even after so long they moved into the dance quite easily, every punch, block, kick, and flip seemingly part of a very violent ballet.
Neither noticed that the number of vampires in the room was slowly getting smaller, thanks to three certain people who had found their way to the warehouse, and were using crossbows filled with wood bolts, until there were only the two left. Unfortunately that was when they ran out of bolts.
"You can't win, you know." Rosethorn hissed, as she pinned Mikayla against a wall. "Even if you kill me, you can't change what you are. You are a mutant, a half-ling. You belong to neither human nor vampire. You'll never fit in anywhere, Mikayla. You think you will magically be made human again if you kill me? I truly hope you're not that naïve."
Mika broke free of the hold, as the two circled one another. "This isn't about me, Rosethorn. Or even about you. It's about doing what's right. I've run for far too long, I'm getting tired. It was time to stop running, and face what I have done. Once you're gone, the threat is over. That's all that matters, even if I don't survive myself."
"Glad you feel that way, my little kitten." Rosethorn purred. "Because your time is up."
Before Mikayla could react, Rosethorn lunged again, a dagger in her right hand. Mikayla grabbed the blade as it plunged towards her stomach, but apparently couldn't stop the momentum of the knife, as she doubled over, crying out in pain. Rosethorn wrenched the dagger back. It was covered in blood.
Mika whimpered, as blood seeped between her hands, as she held them over her stomach. "No." she croaked, as she collapsed on the ground, motionless.
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"NO!" Kalani screamed, as she saw Mika collapse. They had been so close to winning. All the other vampires were gone; all that was left was Rosethorn. If only they hadn't run out of crossbow bolts! Mika would be alive, damn it! She didn't deserve to die, no matter what Kalani had originally thought.
She couldn't even remember moving, but all at once she was on the other side of Mikayla, Rosethorn sneering at her, Jareth, and Sarah.
"Ah, so the cavalry is here." She drawled. "Afraid you're a bit late, my dears. Such a pity, too. She was such a powerful little kitten, brave too. Just not too smart."
Rosethorn knelt next to Mikayla, brushing the hair from her fair. "Such a shame, little kitten. Such a shame. I shall miss you, my pet."
"Wish I could return the sentiment, Rosethorn." Said Mikayla, as one of her bloodied hand plunged a stake through Rosethorn's heart. "Goodbye."
As the power LaCroix Tigress was reduced to mere dust, Mikayla's hand fell, the stake clattering off into the darkness.
"Oh my God.no, please, Mika." Sarah whispered, as she started to cry. Jareth pulled her into an embrace, holding her close.
Kalani knelt next to Mika's body. She didn't cry, but looked like she'd like to. "Powers, Mika, how could you? If you'd only waited for us, you'd probably still be alive! Now I can never tell you how sorry I am for what I said to you, how I've treated you. And you've taken all of it, without complaining. Damn it Mika I love you! And now you'll never know.."
"I wouldn't bet money on that." Said a soft voice. Mika's eyes fluttered open. "Hey all, did we win? And I love you too, Kalani. Glad you finally got around your stubbornness to figure it out."
"Mika!" Sarah cried, before leaping from Jareth's arms to hug her friend. Mika winced, but hugged back with equal force.
"Mika," Jareth said, clearing his throat to call attention. "Not that we're not all thrilled to see you alive, but just how are you alive? We all saw you get that dagger plunged into your chest. And one would think, given your human half, you'd be dead."
Pulling up her bloodstained green shirt a few inches, it was seen there was no stab wound. "Oh, my stomach's fine. But my hands are killing me. That dagger was really sharp."
Mika held out her hands, showing a long gash on each palm.
Kalani looked at the hands, almost in awe. "You grabbed the knife, didn't you? And doubled over, making it -look- like you had been stabbed. The dagger would have cut your hands, accounting for the blood. Then you clutched your hands to your chest, and it looked like the blood was from your stab wound. Then you collapsed, just waiting for Rosethorn to get close enough...you even grabbed a stake from somewhere you his them while she and the rest of us were occupied talking. Mika, that's brilliant!"
"Thanks, I thought so too." Said Mika, grinning. "Now, as much as I'm enjoying this little love-fest, I'm really starting to get dizzy from lack of blood. So can we post-pone it until after I'm healed?"
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A few months later
Mika smiled, as she watched the Goblin King dance with his new Goblin Queen. Yes, Jareth and Sarah had gotten married. With Mikayla as maid of honor, and Kalani as best..er, person? And Toby walking his big sister down the aisle, it had certainly been a most interesting wedding.
As much as Sarah had begged her to stay, Mika knew it was time to be moving on. If she stayed, sooner or later the LaCroix would try to come after her again. It would be hard, being on her own again. Koko had adamantly refused to leave the comfort of the castle, and Mika couldn't really blame him. Even she didn't know where she was planning on going, but it would likely not be any five-star hotels. It was especially hard, leaving such good friends behind. But it was for the best.
She'd already said her good-byes before the reception started. It was best to slip out now, amongst the large crowd of Fae, Elves, Fairies, and the like, she wouldn't be missed. Just leave quietly, no last teary good- byes.
Slinging her knapsack over her shoulder, she turned to go. She hadn't expected to see Kalani, dressed in casual traveling clothes, a pack at her feet. She hadn't spoken to the Fae much since that fateful day. She couldn't handle it; knowing she would leave soon.
"Didn't think you were getting away that easy, were you?" Kalani said lightly, smirking.
"What do you think you're doing, Kalani?" Mika asked, puzzled.
"If you honestly think I'm going to let you go a second time, you're crazy." Kalani countered. "So, where we off to?"
"I don't know. You know it won't be easy."
"What fun would it be if it were?"
"It could be dangerous, the LaCroix don't give up easily."
"All the better, far too quiet living in that damned estate. And Jareth and Sarah will be all newlywed-ish, the very idea makes me retch."
Mika just sighed. "Kalani, why must you be so stubborn?"
Kalani didn't answer right away. Instead she grabbed Mikayla by the waist, kissing her deeply. "Because I am, and because I love you. Are we going, then?"
Even Mika knew when to give up. "Yeah, we're going."
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And the two left, to places unknown, to find adventures a plenty, dangers unknown, and hardships un-numbered, to the second star to the right and straight on 'till morning...wait, wrong story. But the point is made all the same.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I finished it? I actually finished the damn thing? Hallelujah, praise Bob, and otherwise rejoice, the story is finally finished!
I want to thank everyone whose read this story, and reviewed even when this poor writer has not been doing her work. I'm grateful to all of you. I do regret to say, though, this will likely be my last dramatic fic. It's just become to constricting for me, I'm a writer, I need my personal freedom to really write, using all I can without restrictions of fanfiction. Don't worry though, I will still pen a humor piece every once in a while, I do adore reviews and enjoy making people laugh. Not to mention there will be a new addition to the Scarlet house sometime in late May or early June, if you get my drift.
So to my short list of loyal fans, and to all reads, I thank you for reading my story. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this story, and remember...
"Please leave a contribution in the little review box"
Emerald, The Lady Destiny a.k.a. Emmy-chan
Why is it I always say I won't take as long to update again, and then I inevitably do? 'Course it doesn't help that ff.net is being a jerk and took away two of my favorite humor stories I wrote, Labyrinth Chat Room and 101 Ways to Annoy Jareth. Stupid guidelines, does anyone even read those? I'm just hoping it actually lets me upload this thing.anyway, this is the last chapter, I have no idea what I'm doing, and figuring this out as I go along. My imagination is evil and keeps laughing manically for trying to finish this, but I promised myself I would before Christmas. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember to review!
Disclaimer: See previous disclaimers.
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Chapter 12: Everything comes full circle
It was now or never.
This was what was running through Mikayla's mind, as she watched the warehouse from the balcony she was on; she'd snuck into the building through a window next to a fire escape. She counted about a dozen and a half vampires in the room. Not good odds. And all she was armed with were a few stakes hidden in her clothing. Daggers would have been no effect against the LaCroix, so she hadn't even bothered bringing any.
"Mother Earth and Father Sun protect me." She prayed quietly.
She jumped down to the ground floor. The vampires finally noticed her, and attacked. She fought against them, taking hits but making progress nonetheless, and had killed three when a familiar voice rang out.
"Cease! Leave her be, and retreat, children."
The remaining vampires that had attacked Mika retreated back; the others parted to reveal the one who had haunted Mika's dreams and nightmares for almost two centuries.
Rosethorn hadn't changed a bit. Same black hair, long and silky. Same violet cat eyes, always watchful. Though her tastes in clothing ad changed to more modern black leather pants and violet midriff top, there was no mistaking the air of a by-gone era about her.
Rosethorn smirked, as she came within a few steps of Mikayla. "My my, the little kitten has grown to a lioness, I see. It's been far too long, fire-flower. Why have you hid yourself from your family, especially me? We only want to help you, pet."
Mika's stature stiffened. "You only want the spell that made me this way, Rosethorn. You can't have it, I burned it. You wouldn't want it anyway, it's torture. Having the blood lust, yet having to answer to your soul? You would hate it."
A soft clucking sound came from Rosethorn's throat. "My poor pet, what you must have gone through. Come, let Rosethorn make it all go away. Come back to us, darling pet, I've missed you. I can make you one of us again, you can forget all about your tortured soul forever."
It was tempting. Oh, how it was tempting. For once and for all to forget, to not have to remember all she had done. She could run away from her troubles. That was when visions of her friends passed by in her mind.
She'd done enough running in her life. It was time to do the right thing.
"I'm sorry, Rosethorn, but I can't do that." Mika said softly. "For once, I have to do the right thing. Pay penance for what I've done."
Rosethorn sighed deeply, then shrugged. "Such a pity. And what heroic drivel. Ah well, suit yourself!"
That was when she lunged.
They knew each other's moves well, even after so long they moved into the dance quite easily, every punch, block, kick, and flip seemingly part of a very violent ballet.
Neither noticed that the number of vampires in the room was slowly getting smaller, thanks to three certain people who had found their way to the warehouse, and were using crossbows filled with wood bolts, until there were only the two left. Unfortunately that was when they ran out of bolts.
"You can't win, you know." Rosethorn hissed, as she pinned Mikayla against a wall. "Even if you kill me, you can't change what you are. You are a mutant, a half-ling. You belong to neither human nor vampire. You'll never fit in anywhere, Mikayla. You think you will magically be made human again if you kill me? I truly hope you're not that naïve."
Mika broke free of the hold, as the two circled one another. "This isn't about me, Rosethorn. Or even about you. It's about doing what's right. I've run for far too long, I'm getting tired. It was time to stop running, and face what I have done. Once you're gone, the threat is over. That's all that matters, even if I don't survive myself."
"Glad you feel that way, my little kitten." Rosethorn purred. "Because your time is up."
Before Mikayla could react, Rosethorn lunged again, a dagger in her right hand. Mikayla grabbed the blade as it plunged towards her stomach, but apparently couldn't stop the momentum of the knife, as she doubled over, crying out in pain. Rosethorn wrenched the dagger back. It was covered in blood.
Mika whimpered, as blood seeped between her hands, as she held them over her stomach. "No." she croaked, as she collapsed on the ground, motionless.
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"NO!" Kalani screamed, as she saw Mika collapse. They had been so close to winning. All the other vampires were gone; all that was left was Rosethorn. If only they hadn't run out of crossbow bolts! Mika would be alive, damn it! She didn't deserve to die, no matter what Kalani had originally thought.
She couldn't even remember moving, but all at once she was on the other side of Mikayla, Rosethorn sneering at her, Jareth, and Sarah.
"Ah, so the cavalry is here." She drawled. "Afraid you're a bit late, my dears. Such a pity, too. She was such a powerful little kitten, brave too. Just not too smart."
Rosethorn knelt next to Mikayla, brushing the hair from her fair. "Such a shame, little kitten. Such a shame. I shall miss you, my pet."
"Wish I could return the sentiment, Rosethorn." Said Mikayla, as one of her bloodied hand plunged a stake through Rosethorn's heart. "Goodbye."
As the power LaCroix Tigress was reduced to mere dust, Mikayla's hand fell, the stake clattering off into the darkness.
"Oh my God.no, please, Mika." Sarah whispered, as she started to cry. Jareth pulled her into an embrace, holding her close.
Kalani knelt next to Mika's body. She didn't cry, but looked like she'd like to. "Powers, Mika, how could you? If you'd only waited for us, you'd probably still be alive! Now I can never tell you how sorry I am for what I said to you, how I've treated you. And you've taken all of it, without complaining. Damn it Mika I love you! And now you'll never know.."
"I wouldn't bet money on that." Said a soft voice. Mika's eyes fluttered open. "Hey all, did we win? And I love you too, Kalani. Glad you finally got around your stubbornness to figure it out."
"Mika!" Sarah cried, before leaping from Jareth's arms to hug her friend. Mika winced, but hugged back with equal force.
"Mika," Jareth said, clearing his throat to call attention. "Not that we're not all thrilled to see you alive, but just how are you alive? We all saw you get that dagger plunged into your chest. And one would think, given your human half, you'd be dead."
Pulling up her bloodstained green shirt a few inches, it was seen there was no stab wound. "Oh, my stomach's fine. But my hands are killing me. That dagger was really sharp."
Mika held out her hands, showing a long gash on each palm.
Kalani looked at the hands, almost in awe. "You grabbed the knife, didn't you? And doubled over, making it -look- like you had been stabbed. The dagger would have cut your hands, accounting for the blood. Then you clutched your hands to your chest, and it looked like the blood was from your stab wound. Then you collapsed, just waiting for Rosethorn to get close enough...you even grabbed a stake from somewhere you his them while she and the rest of us were occupied talking. Mika, that's brilliant!"
"Thanks, I thought so too." Said Mika, grinning. "Now, as much as I'm enjoying this little love-fest, I'm really starting to get dizzy from lack of blood. So can we post-pone it until after I'm healed?"
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A few months later
Mika smiled, as she watched the Goblin King dance with his new Goblin Queen. Yes, Jareth and Sarah had gotten married. With Mikayla as maid of honor, and Kalani as best..er, person? And Toby walking his big sister down the aisle, it had certainly been a most interesting wedding.
As much as Sarah had begged her to stay, Mika knew it was time to be moving on. If she stayed, sooner or later the LaCroix would try to come after her again. It would be hard, being on her own again. Koko had adamantly refused to leave the comfort of the castle, and Mika couldn't really blame him. Even she didn't know where she was planning on going, but it would likely not be any five-star hotels. It was especially hard, leaving such good friends behind. But it was for the best.
She'd already said her good-byes before the reception started. It was best to slip out now, amongst the large crowd of Fae, Elves, Fairies, and the like, she wouldn't be missed. Just leave quietly, no last teary good- byes.
Slinging her knapsack over her shoulder, she turned to go. She hadn't expected to see Kalani, dressed in casual traveling clothes, a pack at her feet. She hadn't spoken to the Fae much since that fateful day. She couldn't handle it; knowing she would leave soon.
"Didn't think you were getting away that easy, were you?" Kalani said lightly, smirking.
"What do you think you're doing, Kalani?" Mika asked, puzzled.
"If you honestly think I'm going to let you go a second time, you're crazy." Kalani countered. "So, where we off to?"
"I don't know. You know it won't be easy."
"What fun would it be if it were?"
"It could be dangerous, the LaCroix don't give up easily."
"All the better, far too quiet living in that damned estate. And Jareth and Sarah will be all newlywed-ish, the very idea makes me retch."
Mika just sighed. "Kalani, why must you be so stubborn?"
Kalani didn't answer right away. Instead she grabbed Mikayla by the waist, kissing her deeply. "Because I am, and because I love you. Are we going, then?"
Even Mika knew when to give up. "Yeah, we're going."
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And the two left, to places unknown, to find adventures a plenty, dangers unknown, and hardships un-numbered, to the second star to the right and straight on 'till morning...wait, wrong story. But the point is made all the same.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I finished it? I actually finished the damn thing? Hallelujah, praise Bob, and otherwise rejoice, the story is finally finished!
I want to thank everyone whose read this story, and reviewed even when this poor writer has not been doing her work. I'm grateful to all of you. I do regret to say, though, this will likely be my last dramatic fic. It's just become to constricting for me, I'm a writer, I need my personal freedom to really write, using all I can without restrictions of fanfiction. Don't worry though, I will still pen a humor piece every once in a while, I do adore reviews and enjoy making people laugh. Not to mention there will be a new addition to the Scarlet house sometime in late May or early June, if you get my drift.
So to my short list of loyal fans, and to all reads, I thank you for reading my story. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this story, and remember...
"Please leave a contribution in the little review box"
Emerald, The Lady Destiny a.k.a. Emmy-chan