Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King, or Final Fantasy in any way

Chuck: Sorry that my updating has been slow. I've been working on some Flash cartoons, and A.M.V's. Plus, I was in Ottawa for a week without a computer. I dedicate this chapter to "haolikestarsstephy" for reviewing this chapter so many times. - Once again, sorry for the wait. Oh, when there's Italic, that means P.M is communicating with Manta through his mind. Please R&R!

This chapter is dedicated to: haolikestarsstephy-

Chapter 13

A Rise and A Fall

"Hao-sama? Daijoubu?"

"Opacho . . . I'm sorry . . ."

"Nani?"

"I'm so sorry I lost control on Top of Star. All I wanted was a beautiful world where nature wouldn't suffer, but I screwed up. I lost control and was even willing to sacrifice our friendship, so my enemies would perish."

"Hao-sama . . ."

Tears began to build up in Hao's eyes. "If I could have anything in the world right now, you know what I'd want?"

"What?"

"A chance. A chance to make up for what I've done, and to apologize to those I've hurt, especially Yoh . . . to live, not as Hao Asakura, the Shaman king, but to just be Hao Asakura and have the normal life I could never have because of my past."

Opacho stared at his friend quietly. "Hao-sama . . . I haven't heard you speak like that, since we first met."

Hao was now silent, as he fell back to sleep, then the little boy's eyes watered up as he hugged him. "It's been so long since I've heard the real Hao."

Yoh stared at Manta's limp corpse as it became small, then dropped to his knees in an equivalent fashion to how his small friend had three months ago. "Man . . . ta . . ."

Yulin looked down then grinned. "I'm guessing this is an ironic moment." He continued to sneer at the small body, then seeing Yoh's sadness, his expression softened.

Amidamaru appeared by Yoh's side. "Yoh-dono . . . I'm sorry . . ."

Yoh remained still.

"Yoh-dono?" The samurai shook his master, but he seemed unreachable.

"Is he in shock!"

Amidamaru looked back to Chocolove. "I'm not sure."

The group began to run over, when a blast of ice was shot at their feet.

"Stay away from him!"

"What do you take us for!" Ren suddenly shot and released a blast of electricity at the demon, but it was easily dodged. "Damn it!"

Yulin disappeared, then reappeared behind Anna.

The blonde quickly spun around to inflict the 'dream like left hand' technique, but a blast of ice threw her away from the group.

"Anna-san!" Tamao began to run to her, when she was suddenly thrown in the opposite direction.

"Tamao-chan!" Ryu cringed, then raised his bokuto. "First you hurt my Lyserg-chan . . . and now Tamao-chan! I won't allow it."

As he sat over-souled in the wooden sword, Tokagero stared at his partner in shock. "You like Tamao too!"

As the group fought, Amidamaru continued his struggle to bring Yoh back to reality. "Yoh-dono! Wake up!" Tears began to well up in the samurai's eyes. "Come on, Yoh-dono! We need you!"

Lyserg dodged another blast, then cringed. "Amidamaru! Get over here and help!"

Amidamaru took one last look at his master, then shot to the others. "Daijoubu?"

Yulin smiled seeing Yoh had been abandoned. "Well, that makes things easier!" The demon began to run to Yoh, when he was suddenly tackled to the ground. "Nani!"

"Stay away from my son!"

Yulin looked to his attacker then smiled. "This is coming from the dead beat father?"

The group quickly formed a wall between Yulin and Yoh.

Horo grinned. "You ain't getting through, Buddy!"

Yulin pushed Mikihisa off of him, then grinned at the shamans. "I've waited 3000 years to get Hao back. Do you really think I'll let a bunch of snot nosed punks stop me?"

Ren lowered his kwan dao. "Of coarse not."

"HEH!" The group stared at the Tao in confusion.

"You're gonna get your ass kicked by the great Tao Ren, and his lackey's."

The group stood dumbfounded, then Horo cracked a sheepish smile. "That's the Ren I know and love." A blast of electricity shot by nearly striking the Ainu's nose. "Hey! Watch it, Ren!"

"Baka! Are you gonna help me take him down or not?"

Horo realized who the attack was meant for, then nodded. "Yeppers!"

The group all released attacks against the demon, but he had already made a shield.

As they did, Yoh smiled softly. "Manta...don't worry."

Mosuke and Tokagero both looked back, being the only one's who heard Yoh's voice.

"What are you doing, Yoh-kun?" Mosuke asked.

"Mosuke, Tokagero, I need you to keep Amidamaru from stopping me, okay?"

"Aa!" Both men nodded, then continued to fight Yulin.

Yoh hugged Manta, then laid him on his back. Closing his eyes, Yoh formed an upside down triangle out of his two thumbs and index fingers above his heart, then began concentrating. "I hope Grandma taught me how to do this right." In a matter of seconds his body began glowing a soft blue, that began flowing through the triangle, into Manta's chest.

Amidamaru had just done a Shinku Buttagiri, when he spotted the light in the corner of his eye. He whipped around, then cried out seeing what was happening. "Yoh-dono, no!"

Yoh looked back, then smiled softly. "Daijoubu, Amidamaru."

Amidamaru had started floating over, when he was tackled to the ground by Mosuke.

"It's okay, Amidamaru! He knows what he's doing!"

"How do you know that!"

The blacksmith thought for a moment, then smiled. "This is Yoh. He always comes out of it okay."

Yulin cringed, realizing that Yoh was bringing his brother back. "No!" He began to push through the shamans, but he was too late.

Yoh's head drooped a little, as the small boy began breathing. "One . . ." A few seconds later, Manta transformed back into P.M. ". . . two."

"Nani?" P.M sat up a little, just in time to catch Yoh as he became limp. "Yoh-kun!"

"Kisama!"

"Huh?" The angel quickly dodged an icy attack, then drew his sword as he held the young shaman close. He smirked. "I'm back!"

Yulin began to prepare another attack, when he was suddenly placed in spirit rope. "Nani!" He cringed as Anna stood before him, a smile crossing her lips. "Finish him off!"

The group all launched a series of attacks, then in a single blast, Yulin seemed to disappear.

All was quiet for a brief moment, then Tamao took a step forward. "Is he finished?"

P.M frowned. "Not likely."

"You always were a little smarter then the average bear, weren't you Ototo." The group looked up hearing Yulin's voice. The fallen angel now stood on the temple roof. He look tired, but he was still alive. "It was a good shot, kids. I must say I'm quite impressed, but it won't be enough to stop me." He jumped off the roof, landing on the steps, then began to walk through the portal. As he did, he looked back with a smile. "See you soon."

"I think he's gonna make it."

"Yoh-kun? Yoh-kun? Can you hear me?"

Yoh slowly opened his eyes, as P.M's voice came into hearing. "Eh?"

"Welcome back."

He looked to Faust, then smiled. "Good to be back." The group now stood on the marble flooring of the temple's entrance, the aqua light tinting the stone.

"The prophesy was wrong."

"Hm?" The group looked to P.M, who had a puzzled look.

"A fate imp told me that with the coming of the end, I would have to choose between myself, and the one I love, but neither of us died in the end." P.M felt a nudge then looked to the side, seeing Ren, Horo, and Chocolove smiling at him. "What?"

"The one you love, huh? Who might that be?"

As he was nudged by the Ainu once again, P.M's face became beet red as he stood up. "We should probably follow him. If we give him time to recuperate, we may not have another chance."

Shizuka sighed, then was spun around to meet Ren.

"Do you wanna join The Ren?"

"NANI!" Horo quickly ran to Ren's side. "How can you let her in so freely?"

"Because she has a good amount of power, and she's got the same streak of dumb luck that you have."

As Horo's anger increased, Shizuka's eyes grew brighter.

Ren jumped as Shizuka suddenly wrapped her arms around him.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Ren!" She suddenly released Ren, and shot her arm up in the air. "We shall be called the Shen!"

Ren cocked an eyebrow. "Let's not take it that far."

"I've been kicked in the shin!"

The group stared at Chocolove quietly, then Shizuka's laughing broke the silence.

"Hahahahahahahaha! That was a good one!"

Ren sighed. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

"We'd better get going." Anna looked to Yoh. "You stay."

Yoh nodded with a soft smile, then Amidamaru floated to him. "I shall stay. You . . ."

"Go with Shizuka."

"Nani!"

"Go with Shizuka." Yoh slowly stood up, then handed Harasume to Shizuka. "Here."

"Yohy . . . ." Shizuka looked down to the sword thoughtfully, then smiled. "I would be honored to wield Harasume, as long as Amidamaru will have me." She looked to the samurai, but he shook his head.

"Yoh-dono, I can't . . ."

"Amidamaru, you're very strong. The guys are gonna need that."

"But Yoh-dono . . ."

"I'll be fine." Yoh's tone was bright, but Amidamaru could see through his master's words.

"You're gravely weakened."

Yoh's expression broke a little, but he still smiled. "I'm not that bad."

"But . . ."

"Please?"

The samurai stared at his master, then sadly looked down. "Alright . . . Yoh-dono." He hugged Yoh, then floated over to Shizuka's side. "I will serve you through Shizuka-san."

"Sankyuu."

Lyserg looked to Ryu. "We're gonna have a long chat about this 'Tamao-chan' thing when we get home."

"Yes, Lyserg."

"Lets be off then." P.M looked to Yoh. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"

Yoh stood up, then nodded while giving a peace sign.

With a final glance, P.M led the group through the light.

As she passed, Anna stopped by Yoh. "I know how much you care for him. I'll make sure he comes back."

Yoh stared dumbfounded. "Anna . . ."

"Stay safe."

"Aa."

Yoh watched Anna enter the light, then after a few moments, he dropped to his knees as his breathing became heavy.

A figure stepped out of the shadows. "Feeling ill?"

The shaman looked over his shoulder, recognizing the voice. "Opacho."

The group stared upon the plain of flowers, a dark fog beginning to settle in.

Horo Horo shivered. "I don't like this. This has a 'Final Battle' kind of feel."

"Be on your guard. There's no telling what could pop up." The group nodded, then followed the angel as they began to travel through the fog.

"P.M, I don't like this."

"Manta, I know you think you're weak, but there's nothing to fear. Yulin is at his weakest. We'll slay him, and then it's over."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't like how we left Yoh-kun alone, especially in that condition. Anything could happen."

"Manta . . ."

"Yoh-kun must've done something major, if he was able to bring both of us back. He can't be left alone."

P.M thought for a moment. "We'll finish off Yulin, then aid him."

They had only traveled five minutes, when a strange hissing sound cut through the silence.

Ryu instinctively held Lyserg and Tamao close.

"Oh yeah, you guys are definitely going to have to talk this out." Tokagero was shushed by the group.

"What is that?" Chocolove took a few steps forward and listened. "It sounds like it's coming from all around us."

The sound continued for a moment longer, then Ren made a disturbing discovery as the ground began to stir. "It's the flowers!" No sooner had he said it, the once small flowers became large rotting beasts, large pedals still hanging off their heads. A vine wrapped around Ren, then began to squeeze.

"Ren!"A shower of vines shot at the group, going in every direction. Horo dodged an attack while Ryu began to run, carrying Tamao and Lyserg in his arms. The Ainu quickly did over soul with Kororo, but before he could attack, he was picked up and thrown into the ground.

"Horo-kun!" Shizuka had began running to her cousin's aid, when she heard a cry behind her. She turned to find Mikihisa grunting as a vine squeezed his arm. "Miki!" She began trying to pull the vine off. "Let go of him you dumb, icky, squeezing thingy!" Left with no other ideas, she sunk her teeth into the plant, and began shaking her head savagely as a dog would, trying to tear a newspaper. The strangest thing about this was it actually worked. In a matter of seconds, the vine tore to shreds as it spewed a strange clear liquid. "EW!" The priestess quickly jumped back as she spat out the foreign substance, then suddenly froze. "Ah, sweet . . . sweet? SWEET!"

Miki watched as Shizuka began freaking out, while holding her cheeks. "You okay?"

"It's too sweet!"

P.M easily sliced the vines as he they shot at him. "They're only strong in numbers! Try to take 'em out fast"

"Lyserg, Tamao, stay behind me."

"But, Ryu . . ."

"I know you always want to do things on your own Lyserg-chan, but . . ."

"Ryu . . ."

"Tamao, I know you wanna be strong but . . ."

The two shamans yelled together. "What if they come from behind!"

"Uh . . ." Ryu stared at his loved ones for a moment, then gave a hearty laugh. "I never thought about that!" His laugh was followed by a cry of fear as three vines shot at them. "How dare you try to touch my beloved Lyserg and Tamao, foul rejects from a green house!" With a quick swipe of his bokuto, the vines were cut down.

"Mmm . . . huh?" Horo sat up in a daze. Only the sound of Ren's cry fully woke him up. "Ren?" He looked around, until he spotted Ren being held by the two vines. The vines began to give off a golden glow, as Ren became limp.

"Ren!" Horo shot at the demonic flower, then, using the dagger Pirika had given him, he sliced through the vines with an icy attack, then caught Ren.

Anna preformed a small spell that blasted 4 monsters with a bursts of fire, then she looked to P.M. "There's too many!"

"Aa, let's just try and run through them! Everyone, let's go."

Shizuka still continued to jump around from the sweetness that seemed to burn her mouth, when she was suddenly swept from her feet. "Nani!"

"You want a piggy back?"

"Mmmm . . . Okay!"

With Shizuka's arms and legs wrapped around him tight, Mikihisa began to run through the plant beasts, catching up with the others fairly quickly.

"What do you want?"

"I've come to ask you a great favor." Opacho sat next to the weak shaman. "You love Hao-sama, do you not?"

"Well, yeah. He's my brother."

Opacho sat next to the Asakura, crossing his legs. ""Hao-sama is missing vital pieces of his soul, and he is spent from your battle. He hasn't the strength to even move. It's a horrible site. "

Yoh's eyes saddened, never leaving the ground in front of him. "I'm sorry to hear that."

The small boy leaned closer. "You can help him."

"What do you mean?"

"As I said, Hao-sama's missing vital parts of his soul. If an almost identical soul were to fill the gaps, he could recover."

"You mean . . ." Yoh looked down to his chest, remembering how his soul had been torn away. He thought quietly, then shook his head. "I can't."

"You love him, don't you?"

"Yeah, but Hao did horrible things. I can't give him another chance to hurt people."

"A world where nature was no longer frozen out by cold, heartless steel. A world where a tree is much more important than a gun. Clear, clean water could always run without interference, and lives could be born into a safe and peaceful world. This is what Hao-sama dreamt of. A world where we are all equal with nature. If you could have a world like this . . ." Opacho looked into Yoh's eyes. " . . . how far would you go to get it?"

Yoh was silent with this thought. He too had developed the empathy of his former self, and he could understand Hao's goals.

"I know Hao-sama became consumed by his past-self, and that's why I ran away, but I can still see the real Hao-sama that's inside him. Not the one who set out to become shaman king 1000 years ago, but the one who gave a small orphan boy a chance one rainy day. The one that is trapped inside his own body by the hatred from his past. You know, as Hao-sama laid in his bed suffering, he told me that all he wanted was a chance. A chance to make up for the things he's done, and apologize to the ones he's hurt."

Yoh looked to the small boy who's cheeks were now illuminated by the moonlight that was reflected by a single tear.

"All he just wants is to live a normal life, but instead he's suffering."

The Asakura looked down.

"You're the only one who can help him . . . so will you?"

"We're here," declared P.M.

"Ren? Daijoubu?"

"Mm?" Ren awakened to find Horo holding him in his arms. "What the . . ."

"Are you alright? That plant thing was trying to suck the furiyoku out of you."

The Tao jumped out of Horo's arms, then brushed himself off. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy." Ren's eyes widened as Horo wrapped his arms around him. "Nani?"

"I was really worried."

Ren stood dumbfounded for a few moments, then smiled. "Kisama. Why wouldn't I be fine?"

Horo looked up with a smile, then joined the group as they stared up at the temple that now stood before them.

"What is it with this guy and temples?" Chocolove asked, scratching his head. "I mean, this is the 20th century. He could've at least installed an automatic door."

"You forget, Yulin and I come from long before there was anything like that. Their natural to him. Temples to us are like hotels to you."

With a nod from the group, they followed P.M into the temple. The angel led them through quietly, always on the look out for any danger.

"I have a really bad feeling about this P.M."

"Manta, we're so close. Once we defeat Yulin, everything will be alright." After a few moments, P.M stopped at a door. "Behind this door is a small room. There is bed and a wooden chair. That is where they will probably be."

P.M suddenly found himself in a strange, large room. There were strange designs on the floor, and in the middle there was a circle of marble stone that shone bright, reflecting the flames of torches that sat on the walls. In the center of the circle, sat a boy in robes. His head was lowered and his hands were clasped. "Nani? Yoh-kun?"

Yoh lifted his head, revealing a soft smile.

"Huh?"

Just then a dark figure dropped from the ceiling, and impaled the young shaman with a long katana.

"P.M?"

"Huh?" The angel looked to Ryu, then smiled. "Aa. Just a strange daydream." After a moment, P.M opened the doors, but was surprised with what he saw. The room was now large and empty, only containing a stone chair at the end of the room and on the far right, there were burgundy curtains. The strange patterns on the floor all led to a shining marble circle in the center of the room. This was the room he had just seen. Sitting on the chair, was Tak.

He looked up to the group, then his eyes became sad. "So that's how it is?"

P.M frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Just watching the show."

"Where's Yulin and Hao?"

The imp looked to Lyserg. "Hao's in the room behind those curtains."

Faust tilted his head "And what of Yulin?"

Tak merely sighed sadly. "It's too bad."

"We don't have time for games, imp." Anna said, as she grasped her beads tighter.

"Yeah! What's your problem!"

Tak merely stared passed Horo and Anna. "I should've known you would choose yourself."

"Nani!" P.M cringed. "What are you talking about?"

"You choose your hatred towards your brother rather then Yoh's life."

"Nani!"

Ren stepped in front of the angel. "But neither Yoh or Manta , or whoever this guy is died. The prophesy was fake."

"Was it?"

P.M thought for a moment, then began stepping back. "No . . ."

Tak gave P.M a painful smile. "I'd be running if I were you."

"No!" P.M suddenly shot out of the room, leaving the group in shock. As the angel tore down the hallways he kept shaking his head, remembering Yoh and his argument earlier.

"Manta, I don't want you to kill anyone! No one deserves that!"

P.M. slapped Yoh. "Grow up, Yoh!"

Tears rolled down P.M.'s cheeks as he remembered Yoh's words. "How could I have been so blind! I knew that was more then just a daydream, so why did I ignore it!"

"Because you're a block head! I told you I felt something wrong!"

"Okay! I get it! It's all my fault! Let's have a fricken field day!"

"That doesn't matter now! All that's important is that we get back to the entrance before anything happens to Yoh-kun!"

" . . . so will you?"

Yoh thought quietly, his mind plagued with different answers, then tears began to build up in his eyes. "I want to . . . but I can't . . ."

"Nande?"

Yoh stood up sadly, then turned to Opacho, now facing the entrance. "I can't put my own feelings before everyone else." Yoh wiped tears from his eyes. "I wanna help him so much, but if I give him my soul, Yulin will use it to make Hao and me become the original Hao, so I really wouldn't be helping him at all. I'd just be making more danger for my friends." Yoh looked down. "I could never do that . . . no matter how much I love Hao."

"YOH-KUN, WATCH OUT!"

Yoh looked up in confusion, then suddenly felt a long blade go through his back. He fell to his knees, then hung on the sword as his eyes became wide and breathing heavy.

"YOH-KUN!" P.M stared in horror.

Yulin slowly looked up with a blank expression, then grinned the most sick grin that was possible. He then slowly pulled the sword out of Yoh, pulling him up. It seemed like slow motion as Yoh fully fell to the ground. The fallen angel looked up to P.M with a dark smile. "I've won."

Chuck: TA DA! I did it! I posted it! Finally! God, I can't believe those jot notes I did actually amounted to about 8 pages.

Mr. D: Believe me. It was a shock to us all.

Chuck: Back! Back into the Flash in which you came from! Sorry to leave you with another death scene for an ending. It just seemed to work. It was so cool when I was typing the scene with Tak in the temple, cause the music I was listening to went in really really cool. Like, right when I started typing "P.M thought for a moment, then stepped back, " The music began doing this awsome beat. Anyway, sorry to keep everyone waiting so long. Oh, if you wanna check out my Flash cartoons, my DeviantArt account is listed on my bio page.