We were in the dragon's lair. The very one that had given MiracleStar the paintbrushes in exchange for her service. He lay there, his massive bulk watching us in idle curiosity. MiracleStar let her stiletto fall to the ground, surprising her shuddering sobs as best she could.

"You have done it then," the dragon said to Diganis.

"I did. Why must you ask these things of me?" she snarled in reply.

"It amuses me. Now… MiracleStar - listen to me."

She stood and regarded the dragon before her, for once ignoring the massive wealth around us. I couldn't though and discreetly pocketed a handful of NP.

"Put it back," the dragon said softly, not even looking in my direction.

I sighed and endured a dirty glare from Diganis, reluctantly dropping the coins back onto the ground.

"So why did you save us?" my owner asked.

"I didn't save you; I saved Diganis. She just found the pity in her heart to save you even after you drug her into this mess. Or rather, had me do it. That was the coward's way out."

MiracleStar was silent for a long time.

"You always take the coward's way out," he continued, "You sold your freedom to me and now you were going to sell your life because you didn't like what you are. A coward's way out."

He gazed at her until she was forced to drop her gaze in shame.

"Be ashamed if you want, but don't let your past destroy your family. Now, I have one last task for you. Give me the starburst necklace."

She slowly unhooked it from her neck and walked forwards, dropping it into his massive paw. He closed his hand and squeezed tight. When he opened it the necklace fell from his hand - crushed.

"I release all bonds. All of you are free."

"What...?" she gasped.

"I have done what needs to be done. I am not the selfish being you think I am. The Essence has been restored, the Last Gifts have been divvied out, and the wielder of the Guardian Blade has been found. I have nothing more to do in this strand of life."

"What are you saying? We're just pawns... for what? You never really needed us? It was just a ruse?" Diganis cried.

"Pawns... for your own good. Perhaps someday you will understand. But yes, all this was a ruse. I never needed any of you. Go then. You have one last task. MiracleStar - go free your pets. Also, free An'feil no matter what the cost. Give him that sword. That is all."

MiracleStar followed his gesture to a cloth-wrapped bundle. She walked over and picked it up, feeling it's weight in her hands. Then I stepped forwards, my burning curiosity driving me forwards.

"I don't understand. The Essence? The Last Gifts? What are they?"

He smiled down at me.

"The Essence is an ancient thing I was charged to protect until the person who could wield it would come. That is done. The Last Gifts were spells of great power wrought by the faeries in their glory days. I was entrusted with them to guard. I modified them and gave them away as I saw fit - to you. Thus the spells are used up and shall never be used again. The Guardian Blade is another thing I was set to guard until someone would come that could wield it. I am released from my tasks. I too, am free."

"We were just a means to an end."

"Precisely. Off with you, you have things you need to do. Oh, and Nianso, you may want to restore some old friendships. You might need them. An ixi and draik duo, I believe?"

I bared my teeth at the mention of the two but didn't reply. I started to walk to the entrance but was stopped by a shimmering surrounding me. I heard the murmuring of the dragon in a spell and then the world blurred. I was standing outside the faerie palace, MiracleStar and Diganis with me.

"That stupid meddlesome dragon!" I shouted.

"MIRACLESTAR!"

A tan blur shot past me and tackled MiracleStar. She managed to stay upright, even with the sword in her arms, but that was before Taffin and Jaix also joined Skyil. She fell over backwards, three pets fighting to hug her about the neck.

"Get off!" she shrieked, laughing.

"Losgadh'eolas is quite resourceful," Diganis murmured.

"It would seem so," I marveled.

"We were hiding - "

" - and this light surrounded us - "

" - and now we're here and here you are!"

"How'd you get out?"

"What's that you've got?"

MiracleStar laughed and shoved them off, sitting up on the clouds.

"Alright. The dragon got us out of here. He gave all of us our freedom. We don't have to answer to him anymore. He also gave us this sword and one last mission. So let's go see Fyora."

She picked herself up and led the way into the palace. We were met by a light faerie who quickly brought us up to see Fyora in her throne room. We were the only ones in there.

"Diganis," she said in distaste, "Why have you returned?"

"To piss you off," she retorted, "And to see that something gets done."

"Hmph. Very well... I will release your pets Kristen."

MiracleStar raised her chin in defiance to that name but did not say a word. One by one Fyora removed our collars. I growled at her as she took off mine.

"There. It is done. You have your freedom now and I have my safety. I doubt I will ever need you again Kristen, and if I do, I will find some other way of having it accomplished."

"Did your faeries find the hideout after we left?" she asked.

The queen nodded.

"And it was quite a mess they said. Jhudora has quickly avowed any involvement with it, claiming the captured members are just using her as a scapegoat. I am officially denying involvement also, claiming my own faeries arrived there only on the reports of a lone individual acting on their own initiative. I would never condone such violence."

She smiled at the irony.

"And now everyone that would think of trying to overthrow me is terrified because they all know I was responsible, although no one will dare say it. We shall not have trouble for a long time, at least, not in your lifetime. You always did have such a unique style of handling your missions..."

"I did," the thief replied grudgingly, "Violent, bloody, and I left because I was a selfish coward. But I have my pets now and that's all I need. I... can't say I really hate you. But I do have one request."

"Name it."

"Release the faerie An'feil."

Fyora was silent for a moment.

"But why?" she asked in genuine confusion, "You cannot hope to think that he will forgive you so easily."

"That doesn't matter. I'm tired of seeing people suffer. You owe me this."

"Yes. I do. I will see to that he is released and all of you are taken down to Neopia."

She stood and led the way out into the hallways and down into the dungeons. She unchained the air faerie with her own hands. He slowly stood, rubbing his wrists.

"Here to kill me?" he asked bitterly.

"No. You are exiled, nothing more. Go with these people."

And she waved her hands, murmuring soft words and the now-familiar sensation of teleportation surrounded us.

We were in a field on the very outskirts of Neopia Central. Diganis raised her head, looking up at the clouds, then sighed and walked away from us, her arms wrapped around her waist. An'feil gazed at each of us, pale and wan, the bruises on his face standing out strongly against his pale skin.

"I'm sorry..." MiracleStar murmured.

The faerie didn't' reply. He simply drew his fist back and hit her across the face as hard as he possibly could. I snarled and leaped forwards, ready to hurt this person who dared lay a hand on my owner. But MiracleStar stopped us with one gesture, staggering back to her feet, holding a hand against her cheek in pain.

"Leave him. I deserved that. I did. You quite satisfied now?"

He nodded sharply.

"Good. Then take this."

She tossed him the sword. He unwrapped it and stared at it in confusion.

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure," MiracleStar replied with a soft grin, "But I was told to give it to you. Now go protect her."

He looked confused for a moment, then turned to look at Diganis, at her back facing us, devoid of wings. He started to walk towards her, then paused, looking back at us.

"You know," he said, "I really don't understand you. I really don't."

"Neither do I," MiracleStar whispered in return, "Neither do I."