(Author Note: In the flashback, all the children in the Valley of Light who are trained to become great warriors refer to the Mistress Sage as "Mother Sage". It's only when they grow up and become full-fledged warriors of Light are they allowed to call her by her name.))

Dedication: I would like to dedicate this chapter to the late but great Pope John Paul II, April 1, 2005. May he find eternal peace and happiness with the Lord. We will miss you.

Dangerous and Magical

Chapter 13: The Final Battle; Clash of Light and Darkness

"…the Cosmo Queen is Aurora, your twin sister"

Blue eyes were stunned from shock as those words repeated over in her mind. Krystal didn't want to believe Jeniva's word. How could her own sister, her twin, want to kill her? They were such good friends when they were small, and whenever they played together or trained, Aurora always won. No matter how much Krystal trained she could never defeat her older sister.

'How can I face you now Aurora; I'm not ready.'

(Flashback)

In the middle of the large cobblestone courtyard, a small circle, with an invisible wall surrounding it rose up about six feet from a long white ribbon stretched out around two figures, whom stood at opposite ends directly facing each other, breathing heavily. Both figures were children, young girls, no older than twelve years old, with flowing blonde hair and glowing blue sapphire eyes.

One was dressed in a small white dress that flowed down comfortably just above her knees with short triple-ruffled sleeves, and tied around her waist was a thick sky blue sash. Her long light spring sunshine golden blonde hair, which reached her elbows, was tied into a loose French braid, with only a few strands falling in front her crystal blue eyes, framing her youthful face.

The other opposite of the first girl looked exactly like the other. Her summer sunshine golden hair flowed down hair back to her elbows like a waterfall with bangs also framing her young face slightly covering her deep sea blue eyes. Her dress was also white but with a silver, gray silk trim lining the neck, wrists, and the bottom skirt. She also wore the same sash around her waist, but of bright silver.

All around the edge of the ring, applause erupted from the crowd, who surrounded the two girls. Then a tall, older woman dressed in immaculate white flowing robes and cape covering her entire body approached the crowd, who all quickly calmed down parting to the side. She looked very young and thin and moved with almost a ghostly grace. The tall woman faced the two girls, who both bowed respectfully at the waist, still trying to catch their breaths.

"Excellent work, to both of you; I would expect nothing less from the two of you. You both have shown tremendous power and progress in your training.

"But who won, Mother Sage?" the dark blue eyed girl spoke lifting her head, shifting her gaze over the other girl.

The older woman turned her clear gaze to the girl and spoke softly, "Now, Aurora, does that really matter?"

The one named Aurora turned down her gaze and glared at the ground.

Crystal blue eyes saw this and spoke up quietly and timidly, "But Mother Sage, how will you decide the one who receives the title of the White Magician, if you don't tell us who is stronger?"

The title of White Magician is very well known through out the Valley of Light and sought after from several other lands. It is only given to the one who has proven themselves worthy of bearing the very staff that was used to vanquish and exile the fiends to their outcast world.

"Come here my children," Mistress Sage spoke with a soothing grace, motioning the girls over to her with her hand. Aurora and Krystal ran up to her sides; Krystal on her right, Aurora on her left. Their heads came up to the Mistress's hips. Looking into both pairs of beautiful blue eyes, she saw the flames of determination and courage in both of their eyes, however, the flames had nothing to feed off of. But the woman frowned and spoke calmly yet firm, "You both are very strong in your own way, but you still have a long way to go. Aurora, your soul has the determination and the knowledge of your skills to push your abilities to their maximum limits, however, determination is not enough. You are unsure of what you are fighting nor do you know what you are fighting, I see you fighting with no clear purpose why, therefore you cannot be the warrior you want to be. Krystal, you also have the special flame of courage and faith in your heart that guides you through your battles, but I see no faith in your own skills, you rely on others for strength not using your own to your advantage, you do not improve on your own techniques and advance them, as well as learn new ones."

Then the Mistress Sage and turned away from the two girls and started to leave, but not before saying, "It's no mistake that you two born twins, use each other's strengths, then you will find your own, not just in fighting, but in living."

Mistress Sage left as quickly as she arrived and leaving the two girls speechless. Soon the crowd began to disperse as well.

"Well, that information was without a doubt useless!" Aurora breathed out in frustration and fatigue, as she jumped up and into the crystalline tree in the middle of the courtyard.

"But, Mother Sage always has good advice that was probably good too. Maybe she's right and we just aren't strong enough." Krystal piped up as she made her way to her sister, her long braid playing with the wind.

"Oh, don't be a wet blanket little sister, we both completed the stupid training lessons, with flying colors I might add. You need to learn to stand up for yourself, be proud of your abilities, not be afraid of them." Aurora jumped, directly in front of Krystal and grabbed her sister by the shoulders. "Mother is right about one thing though. You are never going to get stronger; if you don't believe in yourself."

Light blue eyes looked down then back up into the dark eyes of her twin and smiled and spoke in an inaudible giggle. "So, that means if I believe myself I'll be able to defeat anyone even you."

Aurora stepped back, stunned by the remark, "…beat me, how dare you suggest such a thing, but I know once I am older I will defeat you."

Krystal smiled inwardly at her older twin, 'but sister don't you see, you have already done that!' as she took Aurora's hand in her own and the girls laughed off their training as they ran to the spot where their little brother was waiting for them to play.

(End of Flashback)

"Aurora…why?" Teardrops trickled down her pale cheek; eyes closed, wishing to be back in the Valley right now with Aurora and Neo and the Mistress Sage and everything would be like it was, peaceful. Then within a flash, light sapphire blue eyes snapped open, and flame shown within them.

"I will make that happen, no one will suffer any longer. I forfeit my own life to let this dream become a reality."

Krystal reached out her hand, gathering more confidence with every movement, and pulled open the massive black doorway. Sensing an eerie evil presence, Krystal was about to ready herself for attack, but stopped for she knew now it was Aurora giving off that threatening aura. Standing her ground, Krystal slowly approached the tall steps at the front of the large barren room, where a top the steps stood a large alter table made of stone as black as the twilight and illuminated only by the two bright candles placed on either side.

It was then Krystal froze in her place, as her traveled up the steps, there in front of the alter was the figure of a young woman, no older than Krystal herself. Her back was turned, long golden blonde hair swept down her back like a waterfall made of gold. Sapphire eyes widened as Krystal soon broke into a run, forgetting all else, making her way up the steep alter steps. She stopped just behind the woman; she reached out her hand again, faltering this time, to place it on the woman's shoulder. However, to her shock as soon she made contact, the woman disappeared, a mere hologram. Tears were about to fall once again, when a calm, collected eerie voice broke through.

"If you're looking for that woman; it's too late, she already dead."

Krystal turned quickly, wiping away the newly forming teardrops, and stared into the dark eyes of the Cosmo Queen. Dressed all in black robes, and elegant gold covering her shoulders and chest, as well as a headpiece making her look like an dark Egyptian queen. The Cosmo Queen saw Krystal's tears and laughed, her echo filling the great hall.

"You're still so weak Krystal! You can cry at the drop of a hat. I summoned you here because I want to defeat you because of how strong you have become. Show me now, you are worthy to carry the 'White Magician's' staff! Attack me, White Magician!"

The Cosmo Queen spoke growling in anger at each word. She saw her sister wasn't making a move but firmly stood her ground, but seemingly more confident.

"I want to know, Aurora. Why would endanger our home just to fight me? Besides you know I cannot defeat you, you had proven that time and time again when we were children. What reason do you have now?"

The Cosmo Queen didn't answer but growled again just as she launched her attack at Krystal, who in turn jumped out of the way to the ground, so now they were looking into each other's eyes.

Krystal did not want to fight her sister and tried to find a way around it, but she couldn't keep dodging the Cosmo Queen's every hit no matter fast she was. She had to attack. Just then her promise to herself resurfaced in the back of her mind, and with that dream in clear focus, the White Magician started the attack this time, attacking relentlessly with her ideal purpose clear. She was going to see her sister again, and then they, Neo, and the Mistress Sage, and all the Dark warriors would live in peace in the Shadow Realm.

"That's more like it Krystal!" The Cosmo Queen shouted, laughter filling her voice, almost as if she was enjoying this fight. Both warriors could not see the outcome of the match; all attention was focused on the heat of the battle, nor did they care if either of them survived.

There was a strange feeling pulling at Mace's heart that only made him sprint faster down the endless corridors. This sensation told him that Krystal was fighting with her whole heart, for her very life.

'Krystal please don't give your life up, there are still people who need your guidance and wisdom. Your friends are trying to save you. They need you. I need you. I want to be able to hold you in my arms again and look into your beautiful gem-like eyes. Krystal…I…' But he couldn't say it, not even in his dreams. Whenever, he dreamt of Krystal he could tell her his true feelings.

The group continued to run endless hallways of eternal darkness. Catalina couldn't help but take a few glances at her master ever so often and she knew just by the clouded look in his eyes, telling her that all his thoughts were focused solely on Krystal's well being, however, as the young apprentice shifted her gaze over to the equally young Magical Swordsman. The dark magician girl was stunned, almost tripping in her strides but gained her balance, for there in the cool ocean blue eyes sparked like bright red fire that looked as if it could set anything the viewer set his gaze on, on fire.

The group continued on determination flaming the already burning intent in the glare of their eyes, with every stride they took. Until all of a sudden the seemingly endless passageway made the group halt, confusion now added to their expressions.

The hall had split into two directions, both leading off into even more equal darkness.

"Now which way do we go?" The Celtic Guardian pondered aloud.

"I don't understand," Neo proclaimed, "this path should lead directly to the throne room; this should not be here!"

"It's probably one of the Cosmo Queen illusions." The Wingweaver said darkly, "The only way to continue is to split up into two groups."

"But splitting up like that could put us in even more danger!" the Elf Mistress, Sarah, pointed out.

"But Krystal could be in even more danger by now!" Catalina pleaded, tears of anxiety welling up in her eyes.

"All right then we'll split up; if anyone gets lost, come back here to this spot got it?" the Magician of Black Chaos informed everyone, trying to stay calm about the whole series of incidents.

"Hey, Celtic Guardian," The Buster Blader called out, "do you still have that communicator, like the one you gave me?"

Kevin looked down at his belt around his waist, and there on left was his sword and his right, the communicator. Blake saw it and nodded once.

"Now we can still keep in contact at all times, so let's go!"

And so, the large determined group split up and took different paths neither of them knowing where it would lead them. Blake, the Magician of Black Chaos, Black Luster Soldier, Courtney, and Necrophia took the right passage, while in the other group, Mace, Catalina, Neo, Kevin, and Sarah, took the left passage.

After about an hour or so of running once more, the Dark Magician's group soon arrived in front large towering black doors, about half the size as the front gate. Mace, with a sinking heavy feeling weighing heavily on his heart, stepped forward and with his free hand pulled open the doors wide. Soon all of them stood in horror at the sight before their eyes.

TBC>>>

I am very sorry but it is late, and it has been so long since I updated this I had to put something up so…I am also this is cliffhanger, but in the next chapter that will be the last chapter, maybe…

Whispirah

Oh, and for those people reviewed and loved my YYH story 'My Celestial' it might be awhile before I continue that one because I have to finish this one and two others as well. I'm sorry but I promise I will continue it, I got such great reviews. Thank you so much for that!