Same disclaimer as usual.

Seven Dragoons, a dancer, a mayor's son, and two Immortals trudged through the Barrens, aiming for the crossing in the center. Lynn and Meru were to head for Donau, which was hopefully free of bandits, while the rest of us were bound for Fletz, intent on disposing of the imposter in the Twin Castle.

"This is quite a place," Methos commented.

I glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "A lot more danger than back home, for one thing. Not to mention three different sentient races."

"Five," Rose corrected. "Humans, Gigantos, mermaids, Minintos, and Winglies. Of those five, humans and Winglies are the only species to have much impact. The Gigantos are nearly extinct, and the mermaids and Minintos tend to keep to themselves."

"Pity." Methos paused long enough to eviscerate a giant scorpion. "Where's this fork in the road?"

"Right here." Dart shook Lynn's hand. "Be careful on your way."

Lynn smiled. "Thank you, Dart. Now Donau is saved."

Dart turned to the dancer. "Thank you for your guidance, Meru."

She jumped. "What are you talking about? It's not over yet."

"Huh?"

"Dart's journey won't be easy." Meru sounded unusually thoughtful. "What you guys do isn't normal. Monsters like Virage appear, Dragoons, Gigantos…I thought they were fairy tales. I can't explain it, but I think there's still something can help with." She smiled. "So let's get going. We're in a hurry, right?"

Dart chuckled. "It'll continue to be like a traveling three-ring circus." He glanced back at Lynn. "Say hello to Kate for us."

The other smiled. "Please come to our wedding! We're having it tomorrow if possible! Bon voyage!"

"This is getting crazier all the time," I muttered, watching Lynn depart. "Amanda was bad enough, but at least she didn't stay long. Meru acts like she's on a perpetual sugar high."

"Oh, I don't know," Methos muttered back. "I think it's quite refreshing. At least she can't behead us with that hammer."

"Whatever." We traveled the rest of the way in silence, ignored by the local vermin. Despite my annoyance, I had the odd feeling that Meru's presence would be very important in our journey. There was clearly more to her than was readily apparent, or so I gathered from Rose's lack of objections to her. Great, now I sound like I believe in fate. I shrugged. She can fight, that's what's important for now.

We arrived in Fletz just in time. The sound of music could be heard in the distance, telling us that the Coming of Age ceremony, where the Moon Dagger would be passed to Princess Emille, was about to begin. We had to hurry.

"Lloyd took the Moon Gem. Want to bet this imposter is working with him?" I said, skidding to a halt just inside the castle.

Dart jerked a quick nod and led us up the stairs, only to be obstructed by a pair of "knights", actually bandits. "We need to see King Zior. It's urgent."

The bandits refused. "The Ceremony ain't for commoners like you!" one snapped.

"And you call yourselves knights!?" Lavitz snorted.

The bandits feigned disbelief. "What do you mean!? We're the authentic Knights of Tiberoa!"

"No, you're bandits," I said coldly. "As such, you are vermin." Drawing my sword, I cut down both before they could say another word. "Dart, Methos and I can hold them. You'd better find the real Princess."

"Right."

Methos stepped over the bodies. "If she's an imposter, why doesn't the King know?"

"Since she's probably working with Lloyd, I'd guess some sort of magic." I grimaced. "She is not a nice person."

She also wasn't pleased to see us. "Hey! What're you doing here!? This is supposed to be a private ceremony!"

"Shut up," I snapped. "King Zior, this woman is a fake. She made the switch six months ago, with the help of the Gehrichs."

"Come on," "Emille" said. "I'm the real thing."

"If she's the real princess, then Tiberoa is doomed," Methos said under his breath.

I leveled my sword. "Your Majesty, any minute now Dart will be here with proof: the real Emille." Dart arrived just as I finished speaking. "See?"

Caught in the act, the imposter snatched the Moon Dagger from Zior and leaped onto the balcony. "Don't you think it's too late? I've got this in my hand."

"Who are you!?" Dart snarled.

"Emille" shrugged. "I guess I can't run in this stuffy dress. I'll show you my true self." There was a flash of light, and a platinum-haired woman in revealing armor stood before us. "Surprised, huh!? This is the true self of Miss Lenus!"

Dart drew his sword. "Look around." He gestured to us, all with weapons ready. "Your only chance is to give up."

Lenus laughed. "A girl in love doesn't know the meaning of the words 'give up'! I've gotten this for my love, I won't give up so easily!"

Rose glared. "I'm sorry, but you don't have time to be in love anymore. Because you will die in here."

The thug wasn't fazed in the least. "Why don't you try!?"

Lenus got far more than she bargained for. Seven Dragoons transformed en masse, backed up by Meru with her hammer, and Methos and myself with our swords. Opposing us was a woman with platinum hair…and wings of light. What in blazes is that!?

"Wingly," Rose breathed. "Be careful! She will harder than you think!"

"Got it!" Dart curled into a ball. "Final Burst!"

Methos batted one of Lenus's crescent blades aside with his sword. "That looked like it hurt."
I nodded. "On this planet, most people have a connection to one of seven elements, though there are those who have none. If someone is hit with magic of the opposite element, the results can be devastating." I winced as a Dark Mist attack slammed into me. "Judging by her reaction, Lenus is water-based."

"Rose Storm!" Albert, giving us a defensive edge.

The battle went on for hours, draining our strength. I eventually lost track of everything but my own attacks and Shana's occasional healing spell. How much can this wacko take!? No matter what we do, she keeps coming back! Finally tiring of the game, I lunged forward, burying Ryu-Kokyuu to the hilt in the Wingly's chest.

Lenus gazed at me in shock. "How…dare…you……" Her eyes glazed over, and she fell to the floor in a heap. Dead.

I yanked my blade out and retrieved the Moon Dagger. "So much for that." I glanced at the King. "Your Majesty, I think it would be best if we hang onto the Moon Dagger for the time being. If Lloyd comes after it personally, and I think he will, then it will be safer with us."

Zior nodded. "Yes. Yes, you're right." With Lenus's death, his mind was rapidly returning to normal. "Is it true, what you said at that dinner? That you are immortal?"

I nodded. "The only way I can die is if someone chops off my head. I just wanted to rattle Lenus, but her reaction wasn't what I expected. She knew about us."

"Probably from this Lloyd," Methos said. "I heard he's the reason Kim Sun wound up in Serdio."

I shook my head. "Why am I not surprised…what the!?"

Meru, who had been crouched at Lenus's body, was on her feet, eyes wide. In front of her was a glowing blue gem. I'd seen it at Lenus's throat when I stabbed her, and wondered what it was. Could it be? Of course, it must be.

"Rose, is that what I think it is?" Lavitz asked.

Rose nodded. "It is indeed." She turned to Meru. "The Dragoon Spirit of the Blue Sea Dragon chose you as the next master."

Meru gazed in wonder at the Spirit, now resting in her hand. "Does this mean…I'm a Dragoon too!?"

"That's right," I said, chuckling a little. "You're the Dragoon of Water." I sobered. "I have to warn you, though: do not transform when we catch up with Lloyd. He's got a sword called the Dragon Buster, and it'll go through even Dragoon Armor like paper."

The newest Dragoon's reaction took me by surprise. "How do you know about that!? How did he get it!?"

Something's up. "I know because I impaled myself on it," I replied. "How Lloyd got his hands on it, I don't know. The question is, how do you know about it?"

Meru stammered. "Uh…forget I said anything."

"This is no time for your games, Meru," I said, taking a step forward and looming over her. She flinched. "If you know something, you need to tell us." Realizing that she was frightened, I gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped, but this is important."

Meru looked at the floor. "…I'm a Wingly."

Even Rose was startled by that one…sort of. "That explains a lot." She smiled very slightly. "The Dragon Campaign ended long ago. You have nothing to fear from me."

"Nor me," Kongol added. "My goal is a world where all species are equal. There is no room for hatred of your race in such a world."

I smiled. "See? If we can accept Kongol, who did his best to kill us on two separate occasions, then we can accept a Wingly who, in the short time she's been with us, has proven herself to be a loyal friend."

"Thanks, everybody."

By then, the king had regained his composure. "Legends have come to life around us. Dragoons, Winglies, a Giganto, and a Dragon."

Albert froze. "Dragon!? Where is this Dragon?"

"It appeared six months ago in Illisa Bay. Since then, the Prison Island has been effectively off limits." Zior looked at Dart. "But if the Dragoons were to intervene…"

"Zior is right," Rose said. "Only Dragoons stand a chance." She glanced at Meru, again with that slight smile. "We do not have to kill it, however. Meru, as the Blue Sea Dragoon, should be able to control it. Then we will have a Dragon on our side."

"It's settled, then." Zior smiled. "Commodore Puler will take you aboard the Queen Fury, the strongest warship we have. You can reach it from Donau."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Dart said.

Ah, the sea. Beloved of poets, romantics, and warriors alike, the sea was enough to make even Rose mellow a little. After boarding at Donau, we had split up, looking for some peace before our next battle. I stood on the upper deck, gazing out at the water. Haschel sat nearby, meditating.

I sighed. We still didn't know why so many Immortals were showing up in Endiness, but Lloyd clearly had something to do with it. I strongly suspected it was he who introduced Kim Sun to Emperor Doel, leading to the Chinese Immortal's demise. Come to think of it, my run-in with bin Shakr in the Prairie may not have been the coincidence I took it to be.

I felt the Buzz just as the other Immortal spoke. "Penny for your thoughts, Belmont?"

I chuckled softly. "Just reflecting on my time here. Reflecting, and wondering what's next. You?"

Methos joined me at the railing. "I just had a long talk with Rose. She's quite a fascinating woman."

"She's also more than eleven thousand years old, Methos," I said, shifting to French in case we were overheard. "Rose has seen and done things few could ever understand. I don't get why she told you anything."

"Probably for the same reason she told you," Methos answered in the same language. "She knows I won't betray her."

I nodded slowly. "Dart's gonna find out eventually, though. And I can guarantee he will be very mad."

"Why is that?"

"Eighteen years ago, Rose flattened Dart's hometown of Neet, killing his parents in the process." I winced. "He's been out for revenge ever since. Even Rose doesn't blame him."

Methos shook his head. "Revenge just leaves you empty. I learned that long ago."

"Tell that to Dart. You'll get an earful." I snorted.

"Perhaps." The older man departed, leaving me to my thoughts.

He's a weird one. Since Mac unmasked him last year, he's been getting into all sorts of bizarre dilemmas. "Adam Pierson," indeed! I laughed. Methos must have had a field day, recruited into the Watchers and then given the task of finding himself. Spent ten years at it, too. And now he's with people who know exactly who and what he is, and he doesn't have a care in the world.

"Like the sea, do you?"

I turned. Haschel had abandoned his meditation and was watching me. "You might say that," I told him. "It's always had a calming influence on me."

Later, I would reflect on the irony of those words. Before either of us could say anything else, the ship heaved madly. Looking for the source of the disturbance, I caught sight of a large ship less than a hundred yards away. Being a sailing vessel, it would have looked more elegant than the Queen Fury, except the sails were in tatters. More ominous were the skeletons visible on the main deck.

"Is that some kind of ghost ship!?" I yelled. Before anyone could answer, the Queen Fury heaved again, and I was thrown off my feet. My had struck a mast, and everything went black.

Author's note: Not much action here, but the next chapter should make up for it. D.S.