Here's the next chapter. Just a little something…Psion, from my knowledge, Kaiba can bother anyone whenever he wants, but I don't know if that's true or not.

Disclaimer: (I said it 35 times already)

Encounter

Chapter 34

Reunion

Serenity sat there as she saw what was remaining of Lisa's spirit finally be absorbed by the Dark Reaper. Fox stood there as his own anger still remained in his mind as he saw Lisa's final sacrifice, but he did the best he can to suppress that feeling in the back of his mind. Everyone else was ready to attack if they need be, but they knew that the Dark Reaper's powers are too strong to be able to counter. The Dark Reaper was ready for anything that was to come at him.

"I see…so that's how it will be. Nonetheless, Lisa's soul was much stronger than that girl's soul."

"I know that, but I will do everything in my power to destroy you once and for all…or die trying," Fox said.

"And if you do, then your little friend, Lisa, will be gone forever."

"I'm well aware of that, but I'm sure she prefers that than to suffer inside that corpse of yours."

The Dark Reaper began to charge energy and blasted it out at Fox. Fox used his powers to dodge the attack as it flew by harmlessly. Yugi began to charge for a spell and casted it on the Dark Reaper, but the spell was useless now that the Dark Reaper's powers are much stronger than before. Tristan threw a grenade and a few dozen shots at the Dark Reaper, but that had no effect whatsoever. Joey was about to charge in, but Serenity stopped him in his tracks.

"Sis, we have to try to do something," Joey said.

"I know his power," Serenity argued. "He's too powerful even with our powers combined."

Then…how do we stop him?"

The Dark Reaper began to take sights onto Serenity again and tried to use a blast of energy to kill her. Serenity shoved Joey aside and rolled to her left to dodge the incoming attack. As the blast of energy missed, the Dark Reaper charged for a second one. Serenity saw another one coming at her, but she knew that it was too big to dodge it by rolling. She began to feel her energy building up inside of her as she made a powerful jump up. She barely got to the 10 foot mark as the blast barely missed her. Serenity dropped back down as the blast went by her harmlessly. James kept staring at Serenity as he sensed her Force energy.

"Her Force powers have grown stronger in such a short amount of time, but how can that be?"

The Dark Reaper fired another wave of energy at Serenity. As soon as Serenity noticed it coming at her, she tried to roll out of the way. Her right leg was clipped by the attack, enough to immobilize her. Joey was beginning to go to her, but Serenity looked over to Joey, wanting to tell him that she doesn't want help.

"Joey, I'll be fine…I…I have to do this."

Joey could only stand there as he could see determination in her eyes. This determination was from the heart as Serenity was ready to accept death as a final answer. The Dark Reaper charged for one last shot as he was ready to kill someone off. The Dark Reaper shot not for Serenity, but for Joey. Joey saw the blast coming at him, but he couldn't move out of the way as he was too paralyzed to do that. Fox was able to rush in and grab Joey to get him out of the way. Fox got right back up and pulled out his lightsaber and held it high and back.

"You think you can defeat me?" the Dark Reaper asked.

"I may not be able to beat you, but at least I can stall you," Fox answered.

The Dark Reaper began to charge in with a fist full of energy. Fox was able to anticipate the attack and made a forward flipping jump that would soar over the Dark Reaper. Fox began to twist his body around as he got to the point where he was upside down while he was slashing down at the Dark Reaper. As Fox ended behind the Dark Reaper, he began to wind up for a powerful horizontal strike to the Dark Reaper. The Dark Reaper managed to blast Fox back from being able to complete his attack. As Fox landed 20 feet away from the Dark Reaper, he could sense energy building up inside of the Dark Reaper. He blasted it out at Fox, but he anticipated it by increasing his own speed to dodge the incoming blast.

James began to charge in with his lightsaber high and back as the blue beam was shining from the hilt. James struck the Dark Reaper from behind and managed to down him for a little bit. James backed off and let Falco and Joey do their work. Falco and Joey came in with a powerful top down hack from each, but the Dark Reaper was able to teleport out of there in time. Falco looked behind to see that the Dark Reaper managed to get behind Yami, Noah, Duke, Mai and Seto. Seto, Mai, and Duke looked behind and saw the Dark Reaper lurking behind them and began to run, leaving Yami and Noah there. Yami began to use his powers to suppress the Dark Reaper in place as Noah was able to get away. Fox was already on the rush over as he had his lightsaber high and back while he made a mad dash for the Dark Reaper as Yami got away. As soon as Fox was near striking range, he unleashed a powerful top down hack. The Dark Reaper teleported away from the group, but he also had a strong energy build up inside as he stood his place.

"Since none of you will die, then she will!"

Fox saw the Dark Reaper point his bony hand at Serenity, ready to blast her with a powerful attack. Fox began to run towards Serenity as he wanted to save her. Joey did the same, but because of the armor, he couldn't run as fast. The Dark Reaper unleashed a powerful wave of energy as the bright beam began to approach Serenity at high velocities. Serenity looked away, wanting her death to be quick if that's the end result. She waited as she heard the beam approaching her, waiting for the pain to come. Just as she heard it to be near, she heard something else as if someone blocked it. She looked up to see someone standing in front of the beam, holding it back with such great force that it even surprised the Dark Reaper.

"What? Who has that kind of power?"

Serenity could barely see an aura of energy around the newcomer as she held the blast of energy back. Everyone could see the person as she kept her hand out in front as a layer of energy was the only thing that was holding the blast back. Serenity wanted to move, but her leg still hurts from the blast that she took earlier. As the Dark Reaper's energy attack finally subsided, a blue aura took its place around the Cornerian that saved Serenity. She then blasted a powerful energy wave that struck the Dark Reaper and caused him to lose composure. Fox was standing there, sensing the energy off of the Cornerian as she turned her soft gaze towards Fox.

"Who…is that?" Yugi asked.

"I don't know," Téa said.

"I don't know why…but I feel like I've seen her from somewhere," Joey said.

Everyone heard something strike the ground as if someone dropped something. They all looked over to Fox as his arms were shaking. His eyes were beginning to fill with tears, hoping that what he's seeing isn't a dream.

"…Is…is it really you?"

The Cornerian turned to Fox as she stood there with tears in her blue eyes. She began to run over to Fox as tears began to fall from her eyes as Fox did the same. As they met, they both were holding each other in a strong embrace with tears flowing from their eyes. The Cornerian buried her face into Fox's shoulder as she kept a strong embrace around his neck. Everyone else heard Fox mumble something into the Cornerian's ear, but Serenity could recognize one of the words. Serenity's eyes began to fill with tears as she thought back on her memories.

"I know how that feels, and I'm glad Fox found his sister."

Fox let go of his embrace around her as Lauren did the same. Fox stared into Lauren's eyes, seeing how much more mature she's become; even after death.

"Lauren…you've grown."

"I'm sorry about not being able to be with you for all of these years…and I won't leave again."

The Dark Reaper managed to regain his composure and began to hover again as he saw the two siblings' reunion.

"Well, I'm sorry for breaking your little reunion, but I must have the souls of those that will make me stronger!"

The Dark Reaper blasted an energy wave once again at Fox and Lauren. Fox managed to hold onto Lauren and jump away from the blast. The Dark Reaper charged for another shot and waited for the most opportune moment to strike. Lauren shoved Fox away from her as she began to charge her Force energy into one blast. Her arms were crossed in front of her from shoulder to shoulder as energy was building up. The Dark Reaper managed to blast his energy wave out into one giant blast, just like the one that went for Serenity. Lauren's arms spread out side to side as leaned forward with one step forward, unleashing her energy in a dome like shape that kept spreading out. The energy wave that the Dark Reaper shot out was negated by the wave of energy as it also struck the Dark Reaper. The Dark Reaper was consumed by the bright flash as everyone kept standing there, watching every second of it. The energy subsided as the Dark Reaper stood there, beat up from the blast. Lauren began to fall over, but Fox was able to catch her in his arms.

"I guess…I still know…Divine Light," Lauren said.

"Yeah…one will always have that gift they were given at birth," Fox said.

The Dark Reaper was still hovering there as his energy began to overflow with power. Lauren managed to get on her feet as the Dark Reaper's essence was exhuming a lot of energy. Joey was able to get to Serenity and help support her over to the others as they stood far from the Dark Reaper as well as Fox and Lauren. The Dark Reaper had one last thing to say.

"If you all wish to stay together, then you all can die together!"

The Dark Reaper blasted a powerful energy wave that would be nearly impossible to dodge by normal means. Everyone was too paralyzed to move out of the way as the blast was approaching them. Lauren whispered something into Fox's ear, hoping that he remembers something.

"Fox…remember the gift you were given when you were born?"

Something jolted into Fox's mind as he could see events of his use of a special technique that he was gifted with. He positioned himself so that his legs were right over left. He rose his hand up and held it there as the blast came near him. As the blast was about to come close to Fox, the blast stopped and began to be absorbed into what appears to be some kind of curved energy field. Everyone else stood there, watching as the blast was being absorbed.

"What's Fox doing?" Duke asked.

"He's using a technique he was born with," James said.

"Which is what, to absorb all energy?" Tristan asked.

"No…Mirror Force."

Fox kept a firm stance as the energy was absorbed into the barrier that formed in front of him. His arm went into a quick motion as it appeared as if he clawed at something. The forward barrier disappeared as the energy he absorbed shot back at the Dark Reaper in one giant blast.

"I…IMPOSSIBLE!"

As the blast came into contact with the Dark Reaper, his body began to disintegrate slowly as he began to make a somewhat high pitch that sounded like him being in pain. The Dark Reaper's body disintegrated completely as his existence has finally vanished. Thousands of small spheres of light dispersed from the body as it disappeared. The spirits of those that have been victims of the Dark Reaper have finally been released to rest in peace. Fox stood there with his arm in the same somewhat diagonal position as he was heaving from the energy build up.

"It's over. The Dark Reaper has vanished from existence."

Lauren wrapped her arms around Fox, holding him as he began to stagger. Everyone's faces began to light up with a smile as they watched as the McCloud siblings can finally enjoy time together. Everyone stood there as Fox and Lauren began to disappear from their view. The same was for Joey and Serenity. The realm around them changed from an eerie looking place into a whole area that looked like the night sky. James stood there, ensuring that they'll be all right.

"Don't worry about them. They'll be all right. Joey and Serenity will also be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Fox and Lauren need some time together. Joey and Serenity were sent to a different part where a spirit wishes to speak to them…one last time."

Fox looked behind him to see that everyone else was fading from his view as the realm around him began to change. Everything around him changed into something that looked like a night sky full of stars. Lauren held him back, knowing that it's useless to try to save them.

"There's no point in trying to save them. They'll be all right; Father's going to lead them back when they're ready."

"…Okay…I trust you on that one."

Lauren released her grip as they were finally alone in the realm. Fox backed off a couple of steps and looked into Lauren's calm, soft eyes.

"We're alone only because I wanted to talk to you…before you leave," Lauren said.

"Lauren…we can talk to each other through the Force, remember that."

"Yes…but I want to hold you while you're still here."

"…Okay. Just one question. Where have you been?"

"I've been protecting Serenity from some of the harm she's gone through when I died. I…I felt that she would bring some kind of importance to you."

"It did…and thanks to her, I found you."

"Fox…if she wasn't around to help, you may have been a different person by now."

"…Lauren…I've had you in my thoughts for a long time. Ever since I got my memories back, I wanted to find you…but…how did you hide yourself?"

"Simple. I kept myself dormant with Serenity's spirit. Now that we've found each other, I want you to not worry about me. I won't rest until you find the one who will bring balance to the Force."

"And I will fulfill that promise. I won't fail."

Fox began to embrace Lauren one last time before he left. He gave her a light kiss on the forehead before he broke his embrace. His view began to darken as his sister began to fade from his view.

"Lauren…thank you."

Joey stood there as he couldn't see anyone around. He could see what appeared to be a night sky full of stars as a small sphere of light was there before him. The light took form of what he now can see as his mother as she's smiling, just like how she did in the past when they were still together.

"Joey…I'm sorry for what I did earlier."

"Mom…"

"Yes, Serenity is too dear for me to lose, but my thoughts clouded my judgment. I'm sorry for the way I acted…but to leave you two alone should be for the better for you two."

"Mom, I don't hate you for anything. Fox and Falco explained to me everything that happened to you, and I do forgive you for your actions."

"I just wanted to see your face one last time before I leave to rest in peace. Promise me that you'll protect Serenity and be a good brother…just like how you are now."

"I will."

"Just remember, like Serenity, you'll be in my wishes."

As Marie faded away from existence, Joey's eyes began to fill with tears, happy to know that his mother's heart is now pure once again.

Serenity kept looking around to find anything of sorts as the world turned into the same starry sky that everyone else is in. She didn't see anyone else around except for a sphere of light. The violet light took form of Lisa as her eyes were filled with tears while she was smiling.

"Serenity…you're okay!"

"I'm sorry that I caused you this much trouble to keep me alive."

"It's okay…I'd sacrifice myself for you. You're the only friend that I've had…ever since Lauren died."

"So…that's the friend you were talking about…who died at the Academy."

"Yeah…I wish that I can watch you as you become a Jedi Knight later on in life, but I guess that's not happening."

"Lisa…it's my fault that you died."

"Don't blame yourself, okay? You gave me a reason to die peacefully…and now that I can, I want you to keep a promise to me."

"What?"

"Promise me…that you'll watch over Fox…as he finds the one who will bring balance to the Force."

"…I promise."

"If you ever get a chance, ask my sister to sing for you."

"I will. I would like to hear her voice."

"Serenity, please don't forget me."

"I won't. And…thank you…for everything."

"Right back at ya."

Lisa went up to Serenity and wrapped her arms around Serenity. They both held each other in a final embrace as their eyes began to swell with tears. Serenity began to feel Lisa fade away. She looked over to a fading Lisa as they broke their embrace. She made one last comment before fading away.

"Remember, the Force will be with you…always."

Lisa faded away as a single tear dropped to the ground. Serenity felt a sharp pain in her heart as she saw Lisa fade from existence. Her eyes filled with tears as they started to flow faster. She was happy that Lisa found peace, but she was also sad that she'll never get to see Lisa ever again.

"May you rest in peace…my friend."

Serenity began to see her friends as they began to fade in. She saw that Joey did the same as well as she finally could clearly see everyone. Fox and Falco were nowhere in sight as they were already sent back to reality.

"Are you all ready?" James asked.

"We're ready," everyone said in unison.

"All right then, I'm going to send you back to reality. You'll feel weak and fatigued from being away from reality. Once you return, you'll have to rest. Thanks to your efforts, we've defeated the Dark Reaper and saved countless lives."

"And I can also rest in peace as well…my friends," Noah said. "I can rest in peace now that I've repented for my wrong doings."

With that said and done, Noah disappeared from existence as his soul found peace again. After a few seconds, everyone's view began to fade as they couldn't see James or each other anymore. Their bodies began to feel weak as they all felt tired. They began to smell the air around them as they all were sleeping peacefully.

A few hours has passed as Fox, Falco, and Mokuba finally finished packing the stuff into the yacht as everyone was lying in the yacht peacefully. Falco already checked the engine and such as Fox was waiting for Falco's signal. Fox was about to go up when he heard Serenity wake up. She still looked a little groggy, but she wanted to say something.

"Fox…I'm happy that you found Lauren," Serenity said.

"…Thank you. It's thanks to you that I'm able to find Lauren again. Without your help…I may not have been the person I am now."

Serenity began to smile again as she lie down again, feeling happy for Fox that he and Lauren found each other. She began to sleep again with one last thing in her mind.

"Fox, I'm glad to see you happy again. I won't fail to become a Jedi, nor will I fail anyone else ever again."