Igonia: Thank you for being such a faithful reviewer! A fluffy anonymous savior? He actually does kind of do that, as you will see in this chapter. As for the Dark Lord, yes he is dear Dumbledore – nothing against him, I was just playing a small joke to myself when I wrote this.

Lap: Thank you for the compliments (blushes), and thank you for being so supportive. I have never seen Gundam Wing actually. As for why I did not like this part of my story? You shall see in this chapter... (gulps)

Lady Cinnibar: Thank you for reviewing!

diaper-baby: Thank you for the compliments, and I am finishing this story (sweats), although many of you may find the ending unsatisfying. But that is how I wrote it, and I found it difficult to just change the ending alone. Although I do plan on a rewriting sometime in the future.

Night-Owl123:Thank you for being such a faithful reviewer!

A/N (Please read): Please don't hurt me…and please don't hate me for doing this to you. I've tried to soften the blow by giving you many warnings, and I've tried to delay this day by adding many things into this little fiction. But, (gulps) I suppose we can say that everything has to end sometime? (cringes and hides behind her desk) I know this is sudden, and much is left undeveloped – now you should understand why I hated the last part of my story so much… Please, however, believe that I did not write this thing up just now because I'm tired of this fiction and want to end it once and for all; I would never do something so irresponsible to you. As I said before, I've already added a lot of things to make it look less sudden. But I do understand if you feel betrayed and/or enraged by such a sudden ending, so you can flame me if you really feel the need.

Chapter 15:

Tom looked around him; he was still fighting by Neville's side, as were their best soldiers. But their number was small. The Dark Palace was in sight now, the eerie green fire of its gate burning – just as Harry had described. He heard Neville gave a frustrated sigh and gave his friend a quick glance of understanding. He knew how Neville must be feeling – being able to end this all with his power but doing nothing excepting fighting in the ordinary way and seeing his own soldiers fall. Yet they both understood that Neville must reserve his strength – for the final encounter with the Dark Lord.

Harry's strategies and maps had helped them this far, and the fate of the war would be decided in this battle, the kingdom's own attack upon the Dark Land itself. Tom smiled wryly at his own thought, who could have thought? It was a goal people couldn't even dream of achieving, yet here they were, fighting on the strange and bare land.

Just then Tom saw Kerr in dire danger and yelled to warn the man. He was too late, however, and the soldier fell before he could reach there. He furrowed his brows as sweat almost blinded him; this was not going well, at this rate Neville will have to risk using his power to end the battle before too many of their men were killed. In his heart however, he had secretly hoped that something would show up. He knew it was ridiculous to think so, and he really shouldn't count on that hope. Yet ever since five years ago, there had been a mysterious warrior who left no name and fought the enemy at dire situations. They had never met the warrior, as he tended to avoid battles where they were present – whether by coincidence or by choice no one could tell. Although Tom had certain ideas of whom that person might be. Harry had left just as abruptly as he came right before the mysterious fighter surfaced. Tom knew Harry must have his own reasons for leaving, yet he would like to know that at least Harry was able to find peace with himself and pick a side, not wandering with internal turmoil he was so accustomed to.

Realizing he was still in battle, Tom quickly brought back his attention and only narrowly missed a blow. With the edge of his eye he saw Neville drop his shield and knew that the Prince could wait no longer and was about to use his magic.

Yet before Neville could act, a power wave hit them all. Tom however felt no hostility in it and saw in his amazement as the enemy turned into dust. Without turning he knew who was there, and his heart pounded.

Harry of the Mask appeared before them, slowly pulling back his hood.

"H-Harry," Neville began.

"There was no time to lose, follow me," Harry merely replied coolly, as if his presence was nothing surprising at all. Saying so, he turned and started walking towards the Castle, confident that they would follow.

Neville looked at Tom and back at other soldiers, then he followed. As they walked on, even the most suspicious followed once the Prince did. Harry expertly pointed out deadly traps and enchantment along the way. And he must have used some short-cuts, too, as with what felt to be less than an hour, they were already on the edge of the Dead Forest and could hear the roar of Arwan.

At that Harry stopped them and addressed Neville, "A few more step, and the River's power will be felt. It shocks all that are weak into its current, so be wise in you choice of who should accompany you and who should stay; you wouldn't want them to lose their lives pointlessly."

"Harry I thank –"

"No...listen. I knew little about the castle as I was always received at the throne room in the first floor. He may meet you there, He may not. In that case you will have to find him though the Palace. Be sure you have enough torches, as in it you will know the meaning of true darkness. And beware of his voice."

Tom stared, the implications of the words dawning on him, "Are you not coming with us?"

Harry looked at him sadly, "No, I think not." He then turned back to Neville, his face deathly pale, "Fetch your sword, Prince."

"Harry?"

"This is the land I grew up on, after all...I have to defend it," Harry unsheathed his own as he spoke, a lone figure against the army, before the gate of the Dark Palace.

"But I thought you broke the bound between you and the Dark Lord..."

"This is not the Dark Lord's doing but my own. How can you preach love to me if I were to turn against the man who raised me and see the very land I grew up on destroyed?"

"Harry –"

"Unsheathe your sword, pass me and you can enter the castle. After that," he paused, looking into Neville's eyes so the other would see his sincerity, "good luck."

Tom looked between the two, and was horrified to see Neville drew his sword, his face grave. Without a word they began, each blow a combination of physical force and magic. Tom found himself hardly able to stand, and many lesser soldiers were clinging on to rocks for support. Despite the swirl of powers, he gazed anxiously on, not wanting either to be hurt.

Neville dodged a small force Harry sent his way, but before he could recover another was directed at him. He knew it was too fast for him to dodge, so he concentrated and unleashed a counterforce. He had no idea what would happen yet he knew it was his only hope, though in his heart he knew he had lost; Harry's force was much too strong.

Yet the clashing of the two forces never came, for Harry's had turned at the last second and went astray. In dream-like slow motion he saw his own hit Harry squarely on the chest – who was sent over the bridge without a yelp. But before Harry could fell, Neville heard a yell and someone flew to Harry's aid – Tom.

Not hearing the cheering of the other soldiers, not even aware of anything but Harry, really; Tom caught his hand. Arawn called to both of them, but Tom held on. He called over the river's roars, "Wait, Harry, hold on."

The other boy just shook his head. He raised his other hand, directed the power that was still in his command, and separated himself from Tom, falling into the river with a splash. Tom stared at his hand where the force had dwelled, it was so gentle that it almost felt like a touch of wind; why?

Wordlessly, Neville put his hand on his shoulder. When Tom did not stir, he sighed, "He had to go; I suppose he's been trying to find the balance between his loyalties for a long time...he could have beaten me, the last blow was fake."

Tom didn't trust himself to speak. He looked at the men, whose faces shone with hope and confidence, and realized what Harry had done for them; he had won Neville the trust that was essential for their victory. With a nod he stood up, "What are we waiting for then? Let's go."

– Finis –

Important A/N: Just to make you feel better, when I was writing it, I had felt that Harry wasn't really dead; it was only Harry of the Mask. Harry did so because he had to be cleansed by the river and thus be rid of his past sins/responsibilities. Ever since his birth his fate was governed by an outside force and not his own. By dissociating himself from the past I had hoped that he would be able to start a life as he wanted it. Yes, call me twisted, but I hope this explanation made you feel better.

Thank you all so much for sticking with me through all this! I really did not like the ending (at least no corny last words for Harry!), but I tried unsuccessfully to rewrite it for many times until I realized that I need to rewrite the whole story. And I will do just that sometime in the future. So tell me if you want to be alerted when I do so.