Hope everyone had a good Christmas if ya celebrate it, if not I hope you had a good weekend. For everyone who's stayed with this story series, you rock.

Own nothing in this story I do not.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass...

What was, what will be, and what is, may still yet fall under the Shadow...

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time...

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Rand walked into his room and saw Sylvanas curled up on his bed. "Feeling all right?" he asked gently.

"Stomach is a little upset but I'll be fine," she replied. She slowly sat up and held his hand. "Heard back from Daniel or Janet?"

"Not yet," he replied.

"What did you send them to do?" she asked.

"Bring in extra help," Rand answered.

"So is everything ready?"

"I don't think we could ever be ready for the possible end of the world."

She smiled. "You're probably right." She looked down then looked back at him. "So why are you here? I thought you'd be busy preparing for battle."

"I need you to go on an important mission."

"What?" she asked, already knowing what he would ask her.

Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising

Rand looked at the assembled fighters and sighed. "Something wrong?" Pedron asked, looking at the soldiers as well.

"I was hoping for more," Rand said as they began walking.

"How many did you want?" Pedron queried.

"Double this at least," Rand answered.

"There's over ten thousand warriors here Rand O'Neill," Aviendha said. "Surely the Dark One has no force this vast."

"Won't know until we get there," Rand answered.

"So where do we fight the Dark One?" Pedron demanded.

"The Borderlands. The villages lining the Blight have been evacuated."

"Which nation of the Borderlands will we fight in?" Makayla asked.

"Shiener. Get your troops ready to move out," Rand ordered. He broke away from them and walked into his room.

Kael looked over, black leather armor covering his black uniform. "We're ready to go," he said to Rand.

"Then I guess it's time for me to suit up," he said. He opened a closet and beautifully made scarlet armor gleamed in the light. He stripped down to a pair of black leggings and a white shirt and reached into the closet. He pulled on a light chain mail shirt and made sure he could move around in it. Next he pulled on a pair of plate armor for his legs along with red and black boots. He grabbed the plate mail for his chest and Kael helped him clasp it closed. Rand then pulled on his sword belt and transferred his sword into the other sheath. Last he fastened a black cloak around his shoulders and picked up a dark red shield, a dragon etched into the metal.

"You do look like the Dragon," Kael said.

Rand smiled. "Let's finish this," he said. The pair walked out to the army and silence fell upon the large force.

Moiraine and Lan walked up to him. "Your parents would be proud," she said softly to him.

"Is everyone ready then?" he asked.

"Awaiting your orders Dragon," Lan said.

Rand stepped forward in front of his army and swung up onto a black warhorse. "People of this land! Many of you do not know who I am. If you haven't been told, I am the Heir of the Dragon. I belong to two worlds! This one, and Earth. You were asked to come here to defend your home from the Dark One and to drive evil from this land so that your children and children's children could live in peace. No one is forcing you to be here. If you wish to leave, then do so now. Once you walk through a gateway, there is no going back. Some of you may die today; I won't lie about that. But I can think of no better way to die," Rand said.

"I myself was ready to take the coward's way out several weeks ago. I never asked for this nor did I want it when it was given to me. Ever since I stepped foot onto this world several months ago, I have been tested. The tests are now over and whether or not I'm ready, I'm ending it with the Dark One today! I warn you though; the Dark One may have humans fighting alongside the Trollocs and Shadowspawn. Some of these Darkfriends might be neighbors of yours. I therefore give you this warning: show no mercy, for you shall receive none. Evil doesn't know mercy, forgiveness, or compassion.

"If we fall today, then let it be such an end that tales of each and every one of you has a tale and song sung in your name. The future is never certain and is always changing. I say we make our own future here and now! We will not fall or falter! We shall drive the forces of evil back and make this world good again! Let there be freedom for all!" Rand shouted, raising his fist in the air. Cheers erupted from the vast army.

"Nice speech," Kael grinned.

"Asha'man! Gateways!" Rand yelled. He and the leaders of the nations watched as hundreds of gateways sprang open. "Forward!" Rand ordered, walking through his own gateway towards his destiny.

That'll be the last chapter for a while until I finish the other two "prequels" to this.