Posted September 18, 2022.
Previously on AUF…
"Feel all your attachments fading from you," Eldora said. "Whatever bitterness you may hold in your heart, whatever fears, guilts, resentments, pains, lies, and illusions – all of them, you must let go of. They will flow from you, disappearing from your body for once and for all"…
Roxy clenched her fists. Memories of her father's anger with her, her mother's rage against the humans, her anger at the Wizards – all of those came to her mind. She winced, trying her hardest not to think of them –
"Don't ignore the feelings you have," Eldora's calm voice filled the air. "Accept them for what they are. Then allow them to go, disappearing from you, one by one" –
"I'm sorry?" Roxy opened her eyes. "I'm not sitting here and analyzing my thoughts like some old geezer! What are you, a therapist?"
"These practices are very therapeutic indeed," Eldora answered calmly. "Let it go, Roxy. Let go of all of your" –
"I'm not doing this." Roxy slammed the door shut, heading out towards the night.
-o-o-o-
"I want things to be resolved," Krithi said, her voice filled with pain. "I want humanity to be happy, fairykind to be happy, for all of us to live in peace. I want this power battle to stop, for Queen Morgana to take back her rightful place on the throne, for my father to receive therapy and become a member of society again. I want for us to be a family." She gazed at her Amma and Appa together. "And, no matter how you feel towards each other, I love both of you."
"Love is for fools," Merlin snarled. Krithi shook her head.
"You're wrong," she said. "Love is what keeps us all together. Love is what keeps humanity turning, fairykind turning, the earth moving, and our bonds so strong. Love is what you feel, deep down, for your people. Love is what stopped you from killing me. You may not feel it – maybe your heart has been too damaged at this point. But I know you will come to understand."
Merlin stared at her, respect glimmering in his eyes. "My Krithi." He squashed her and Amma in a hug.
Krithi held her father tightly, tears pouring down her cheeks. They stood silently together, embracing each other with the first stirrings of affection and care they'd shown each other for a long time. Then finally, Merlin spoke.
"I will go to therapy," he said. "I will work out my problems – for you. That I promise." He gazed at Morgana. "I will help you take Nebula down."
-o-o-o-
"Everyone has powers," Gantlos said to Krithi. "From the most powerful fairy to the meanest human, everyone has some magic inside of them. Fairies pass down their powers genetically, meaning that they can access their powers naturally. They have powers over the elements and nature itself.
"Humans, on the other hand, have to work to find that power inside. Inside every human is a source of lesser magic, which can be wielded properly if the user learns how to. My brethren and I spent several decades mastering the power of sorcery." His eyes gleamed. "And so, you shall learn as well."
-o-o-o-
"There are always at least two sides to a story," the Lady said to Roxy. "In order to strengthen ourselves, we must look not only at our side, but the side of the person or entity we are fighting against.
"What did the Wizards and Merlin want? A world where humans can live without fear of fairies. What does Nebula want? A world where fairies can live without fear of humans. None of those are bad things, on their own. The problem is, they took – and in Nebula's case, continue to take – their ideologies too far. They are completely out-of-balance, the same way you're out-of-balance right now."
"Me?" Roxy asked indignantly. "I'm not out-of-balance!"
"Yes you are," the Lady answered. "You're still carrying your old foes around, the same way you're carrying that poison inside of you. It's time for you to let it go."
CHAPTER 52: MIDAUTUMN'S EVE, PART II
Lock
On the Matter of the Seventh Chakra
The spirit chakra, the final one, is located at the crown of the head. It represents divinity and is blocked by earthly attachments. Its representative gemstone is the diamond.
In order to unblock this chakra, one must let go of all resentments, doubts, and limitations. Acceptance is key to finding balance, and will open all chakras. This chakra can only be opened when all other chakras are unblocked. Once fully opened, the new master's power shall be limitless.
– from the Book of Fay
Heart of the Earth, Central Core
The fire inside the Heart raged on, shooting through the Poles. Nebula cackled as she watched them burn their way through the Core, straight towards the Earth. She closed her eyes, relishing the power she held.
Finally, she would be enacting her revenge. She could already taste the sweet feeling of satisfaction for when all of humanity was wiped out. And no one would get in her way. She concentrated on the power of the fire, visualizing where she wanted it to go.
I'll send it to Gardenia first. The fire was already going to the North Pole, which meant it would destroy Aurora's Ark, cementing her fate as the traitor she was. As for the South Pole… A twinge of guilt came over her as she thought of her Warrior Fairies, who would surely be hurt by the fire.
But it'll be worth it. She was going to destroy humanity, and that was all that mattered. She focused on the North Pole stream of fire, sending it towards Gardenia.
It shot forward, filling the air with heat. Nebula smiled, relishing the thought of annihilating her enemies. Soon, her revenge would be complete.
And then I will rule the Earth…
Roxy dismounted Aonbharr, patting him on the shoulder. She gazed at him, gently turning him around in the direction of Aurora's tower.
"Head back to the Ark and warn Aurora," she said. Jotting a quick note on a piece of paper, she tied it around Aonbharr's neck. "She'll know to evacuate and to get everyone out of the area as soon as possible. Do whatever she says. Make sure you save all the people of the Arctic Circle."
Aonbharr nickered, as if to say, What about you?
"I'm going to the Heart," Roxy declared. "I'm gonna end this for once and for all." She flew towards the North Pole, staring down.
The rainbow fire was still spewing out of the Pole. Rainbow comets shot out from its center, both up into space and out to the Earth's surface. Roxy knew that, from the sheer amount that was shooting out, she wouldn't be able to bottle it up. Her only hope was to burrow to the center and stop the Heart right at its core.
But how do I get there? The portal was now blocked by the rainbow fire. There was no hope of her getting through without being obliterated by the flames. She frowned, staring down at her Key.
And then she got it. If I point the Key downwards while I fly down, it'll create a shield around me. That way, she could burrow straight into the fire without being hurt. She held the Key above her head, using all the magic she possessed.
A rainbow bubble surrounded her. Turning upside down, she felt the energy rev her up, filling her with incredible power. She pointed straight towards the North Pole, her expression determined.
And then she barreled down.
There was no time to think as she hit the fire. The bubble protected her, keeping her from scorching to death as she shot through the tunnel. At the same time, she could feel the intensity of the flames around her. One touch, and she'd be vaporized. She shuddered, shooting straight into the portal.
It swallowed her up, sending her down to the Core. Flying to the side of the flames, Roxy stared down at the ledges below her, though still keeping the bubble active. She leapt down from platform to platform, until she saw the chamber below. Taking in a breath, she flew into the flames again, shooting down into the Chamber of the Heart. She stared down, and let out a gasp.
The Heart was larger than she'd seen it in Uki's vision. It practically covered the size of the whole chamber, except for some space for Nebula to flutter. The Warrior Fairy was cackling as she focused her energy on the rainbow energy, shooting the flames out from the center through the Poles. She lifted the rainbow energy, pointing it directly at the White Circle.
"It's time to destroy this abomination," she laughed. She shot a rainbow flame at the Circle, ready to destroy it for once and for all –
Roxy shot forward. The White Circle flew to her hands, and she held it tight to her chest, watching as the rainbow flame hit the ceiling. Nebula turned around, staring as Roxy appeared out of the flames, glaring straight at Nebula.
Immediately, Nebula's eyes narrowed in fury. "You!" she bellowed in rage, shooting a comet of flames at Roxy.
But Roxy simply stood where she was. The flames hit the bubble, and she glared at Nebula. "It's time for this to end," she declared, fluttering down.
"And so it shall," Nebula snarled. "You think you can usurp me as Queen of the Earth Fairies? Well, you are wrong." She lifted her hands. "Let the final showdown begin!"
"What are we going to do?" Musa shrieked.
The flames surrounded everyone. Krithi stared in fear as they shot around them, ready to vaporize her and the fairies with a single touch. Chai neighed in terror. Krithi's eyes turned towards the vehicle they stood upon, and she instantly knew what to do.
"Get into the helicopter!" she ordered. "Now!" She leapt inside.
Not even a second later, every fairy was scrambling after her. They all crowded into the helicopter, which somehow managed to fit them all. Krithi turned on the engine, shouting, "Let's move it!"
The helicopter rose into the air. For a moment, Krithi thought it was going to fail them, but then it hovered above the flames. Musa screamed as a fireball shot straight towards them, ready to obliterate the helicopter to the ground.
Immediately, Krithi slammed her foot on the accelerator. The helicopter shot forward, just seconds before the fireball could've hit it. They flew north, heading frantically towards greater Antarctica. Chai neighed once again as two Warrior Fairies grabbed frantically onto his mane, looking terrified. Musa stared forward.
"We're free of the flames," she said at last. "Now let's go to Gardenia and warn the others."
"Hang on!" the lead Warrior Fairy shouted. "Just because we escaped the comets with you doesn't mean we're allies! As soon as we get to Gardenia, we're joining our side!"
"Are you ungrateful, or what?" Musa snapped. "Don't you realize that fire was Nebula's doing? She could've killed us all!"
"No way," another Warrior Fairy said fiercely. "Queen Nebula would never" –
Suddenly, the helicopter lurched. Krithi screamed as it shot downwards, straight to the ground. "Help!" she cried. The helicopter turned left and right, spinning out of control.
And then it hit the ground.
It took a moment for Krithi to recover. The fairies stood up, dazed; Chai was kneeling on the ground. Musa shakily stood up, asking, "Is everyone all right?"
Krithi assessed the damage. Several fairies were lying on the ground, crying out with pain; she could tell at least a few were badly injured. If they didn't get help soon, some people were going to die. She could tell the helicopter was at least partially damaged as well. She climbed out of the wreckage, staring around.
They were in front of a large village. Igloos were everywhere, stained with something frozen and red. They were fossilized; even amid the fierce winds of the Antarctic, the ice had held true. From what she could make out, this place was thousands of years old.
"You guys," she whispered. Musa and Chai climbed out as well; Musa stared at the village, her eyes widening.
"I can feel something," she whispered. "Something ancient – very ancient. The magic here – it's based off of something very powerful."
"What is it?" Krithi asked.
Musa swallowed. "Blood."
That explains the red stuff. "How has no one come across this place?"
"We have," one of the Warrior Fairies spoke up. "In fact, this place has been studied by several fairy historians. There are several hypotheses that, for several hundred thousand years, the South Pole was inhabited by fairies. Then, a hundred thousand years ago, this tribe was wiped out by some kind of bloodshed. The blood on the igloos dates back to a hundred thousand years, at least."
"Why hasn't anyone settled this place since then?" Krithi wanted to know. "Why has it been uninhabited, after all these years? And how has everything not eroded away?"
"Because there is a curse on this place," the lead Warrior Fairy answered. "Every time a fairy civilization has tried to settle here, something has driven it away. There is a reason why there is no Major Fairy of the South. No one – human nor fairy – lives here. The curse dictates that, if a group of any people try to inhabit this area, it will eventually come to ruin."
"Nebula knew about this, and she still had us settle here?" Musa looked disgusted. "No wonder I defected from her."
"There's so many stories about this place," the Warrior Fairy continued, clearly pretending she hadn't heard Musa's comment about Nebula. "One even states the first High Faerie Queen lived in this very village! Can you imagine?"
"Um guys," one of the Warrior Fairies snapped, "I hate to break it to you, but we have lots of injured people here." He walked forward, grimacing as he carried an injured fairy in his arms.
Oh, right. Krithi headed back into the helicopter, helping to drag or carry the injured people out. Chai knelt down so people could climb on his back. Soon they were all huddled at the center of the village. The lead Warrior Fairy gazed at her people, looking tired.
"We did it," she said. "We saved everyone" – Suddenly, her eyes grew unfocused, and she fell to the ground.
"Oh no!" Musa gasped, running to her. "What happened?"
"I'm growing weaker," the woman gasped. "If we don't do something soon, my people and I will die. That's the way it is."
Krithi looked at Musa, and she knew they were thinking the same thing. We should just leave. After all, these people had just tried to kill them mere minutes before. It would make sense for Krithi, Musa, and Chai to get out while the going was good.
But she knew they couldn't do that. As misguided as Nebula's people were, they were still people. "What are we going to do?" she asked Musa. Musa frowned.
"There is a way," she said. "Remember when Riven jumped in front of you to take that blow?"
"How could I ever forget?" Krithi asked dryly. Musa nodded.
"He wasn't exactly the strongest warrior," she explained. "His powers shouldn't have saved you from death; the blow should've annihilated you both. But whenever someone performs a sacrifice, the impact of his or her actions increases exponentially. Since he sacrificed himself to save you, he was able to save everyone."
"So you're saying" – Krithi began.
"I'm saying this place has a strong magical value." Musa gazed around. "Whatever bloodshed that happened here is still festering around, waiting for someone to use its power. If this land is ever to be cleansed, we need to harness the power of the sacrifice that happened a hundred thousand years ago. And that power can be used to heal our people."
"Do you really think so?" The male Warrior Fairy from before now spoke.
"It's worth a shot," Krithi answered confidently. She watched as Musa and the other fairies linked hands, focusing their energy on the earth.
Something began to stir. A ripple of energy shot across the village, filling the air with sparkling light. The antarctic lights seemed to shine brighter as the magic rose, creating incredible power. Krithi sat atop Chai, lifting her hands to the air, as if she could touch the stars.
Then something rose within her. White magic, which she'd never had before, rose from her fingertips. She stared in astonishment as her spell joined the other fairies', sending a brilliant volley of light into the sky.
Then golden healing energy sparkled down to the ground. Krithi's eyes grew wide as the injured fairies stood up, completely healed. The negative energy from the air had completely gone, and was now much calmer, stiller. She bowed her head.
"Rest in peace, spirits," she said aloud. "Go forth in the warmth and sanctity of magic, and release yourselves from the pain you've felt for the past hundred thousand years. You are free now." She lowered her head to Chai's mane.
For a moment, there was silence. The fairies of the South Pole stared around, looking astonished and delighted. "We did it," the lead Warrior Fairy murmured, gazing at her people. "We survived."
Suddenly, another loud boom filled the air. Krithi's eyes widened in horror as more rainbow comets shot towards them, filling the sky with their intensity. Rainbow flames surrounded the circumference of the village, and she let out a cry. "No!"
They couldn't fly away. The rainbow comets shot above their heads, blocking any exit upwards. Rainbow flames shot towards them on all sides, closing in on the village. The land that had just been purified was now, she knew, going to ash.
There was no escape.
Roxy dodged a black spherical ball as she shot towards Nebula, attacking her with a hex. Blue butterflies shot out from her hands, attacking Nebula's face and making her growl in frustration. "That's all you've got, princess?" She shoved Roxy down.
Roxy managed to catch the air with her wings just in time. They were in a very precarious position here; one wrong move, and she would fall to her death into the burning Heart, which, unfortunately, was the gravitational center of it all. She had to stay in the air. Which meant she had to defeat Nebula before her wings became too tired to keep her above the Heart. Holding the Black Circle above her head, Nebula lifted the rainbow magic, pointing it straight at Roxy.
Immediately, Roxy held the White Circle in front of herself, creating a shield. The Key protected her, creating a magic shield around Roxy as Nebula tried to force her way inside, the flames shooting around Roxy's bubble. Sweat poured down both women's faces as the temperature increased exponentially, nearly burning them up. One would have to prevail soon – otherwise, both would vaporize into ash.
"Give it up!" Nebula shouted, her ire ringing through the walls. "You cannot win!"
Roxy grimaced, pushing as hard as she could against the fire. But it was growing stronger and stronger; even the Key would not be enough to save her. Still she pushed all her energy forward, sending it into the flames.
Through the rainbow fire, a vision appeared in front of her. A vision of herself, just a year before, on her fifteenth birthday. How miserable and angry she'd been with everyone. How she'd truly believed she'd never amount to anything. How naïve and foolish she'd been back then, but also blissfully ignorant. She hadn't known of any of the problems that were going to come.
And then she'd been forced into her role. She'd been forced to take up the mantle as the Last Fairy on Earth, saving the world from destruction. When she'd freed the Earth fairies from their imprisonment, the stakes had risen even higher. All of a sudden, she'd been thrown into a complicated battle, where no one knew what was good and what was evil. And she'd had to struggle through it all.
But worst of all, she'd always been threatened. She'd faced her death multiple times, nearly killed by both the Wizards and the Warrior Fairies. She'd fought back as fiercely as she could, but sometimes, it just hadn't been enough. She hadn't been able to save the world from falling under Nebula's wrath.
And now everyone was going to die. Everything was going to end, and it would all be her fault. She hadn't been strong enough in the end. She was just a useless girl, who couldn't help anyone. Couldn't save anyone – least of all herself.
Suddenly, Nebula stopped firing. Roxy nearly fell forward at the force, but stopped herself just in time. The Black Circle flew into the air, but Roxy caught it with her left hand. She held both Circles, turning towards Nebula.
"What are you doing?" she demanded as Nebula's fire vanished. She stared at Nebula's agape mouth, and then at the flames below.
The Heart had all but spun out of control. It was exploding, sending unstable bursts of energy into the chamber. The walls above them were beginning to crack, ready to capsize on the two fairies. Roxy stared at the fire, her mouth agape as she watched it burn.
There was no escape.
"Keep firing!" Morgana's voice called. The fairy flew down to the park, holding Klaus and Artu in a bubble. "Don't give up!"
But they were clearly winning. Cherie watched in horror as the Warrior Fairies decimated the town, sending the dark haze over everything. Buildings fell to ruins and cars were crushed. Blackness covered Gardenia, and the children cried in terror. The Warrior Fairies cackled, and the lead general smiled.
"Victory to Queen Nebula!" she shouted. "Death to all the humans in the world, and those who stand with them as allies!" She shot a burst of energy straight at Morgana.
Cherie looked around desperately. The town was almost completely destroyed, the dark haze capsizing all the infrastructure of Gardenia. If they didn't do something soon, their lives as they knew it would be over.
"We have to do something." Tune stood next to them, her face determined. "We're stronger than this. We need to prevail against the Warrior Fairies!"
"But how?" Lockette squeaked. "How can we fight against such great power?"
"There is only one way." Merlin appeared behind them, making everyone jump. Chains were draped around his neck, though somehow, he'd managed to leave the prison. Tune glared at him.
"How'd you get out?" she demanded.
"Morgana let me out to fight in the battle," Merlin answered. "Anyways, there's no time for argument. We have to defeat the Warrior Fairies – before they defeat us."
"Well, what's your plan, then?" Chatta had her hands on her hips. Merlin swallowed.
"I'm asking you to sacrifice me for the war."
Cherie gasped in horror. What? Tune's eyes boggled out of her head.
"Nobody's killing anyone!" she declared. "We're not gonna take a person's life to win!"
"You don't have to do anything." Merlin shook his head. "I know a spell that'll allow me to pass over to the next life peacefully. All I'm asking is for you to direct that energy to defeat them, for once and for all."
No. Cherie shook her head frantically. You can't do this! She couldn't let the Wizard sacrifice himself, even if his intention was noble.
But there was nothing she could do. Merlin closed his eyes, putting his hands to his throat.
"Goodbye, everyone," he said solemnly. "I'm sorry to my brethren, the other Fairy Hunters, for not protecting them before their deaths. I'm sorry to Queen Morgana and Princess Roxanne, for all the pain I've caused them. Most of all, I'll grieve for Nandini and Krithika. Give them my dearest wishes." He shot a beam of light towards his own throat.
"No!" Lockette screamed.
There was a loud bang, and all the Pixies were knocked to the ground. When Cherie had recovered, she stared up at Merlin's body in dismay. He was lying completely still, his face peaceful and serene. Amore began to wail.
"He's dead," she sobbed. "We just saw someone die."
Time seemed to slow down. The sounds of the battle didn't reach Cherie's ears; she was too much in shock. "What do we do?" Piff whispered.
"I tell you what we do." Tune flew upwards. "We don't let Merlin's sacrifice go to waste. We have to use the energy he created to create a shield around Gardenia!"
"What energy?" Chatta cried.
"Don't you feel it?" Tune held her hands out. "The raw energy of sacrifice hangs in the air. In order to bring his soul peace, we have to carry it out!"
Yes, Cherie did feel the magic in the air. Amore dried her tears and flew up, holding Tune's hand. She took in a deep breath.
"We'll save the crying for later," she said hoarsely. "Now we have a job to do."
"Everyone, form a circle!" Tune called.
Cherie clasped onto Tune's right hand and Piff's left hand. The other Pixies – Digit, Chatta, Amore, and Lockette – joined the circle. They converged their powers together, focusing all their energy. Tune was the first to go.
"Perfect harmony!" she shouted. A blue flash of light shot into the center of the circle.
"Digital order!" Digit called. An orange flash of light shot into the center.
"Voice of the sky!" Chatta declared. A green flash of light shot into the center.
"Heart of the warrior," Amore whispered. A red flash of light shot into the center.
"Shining gateway!" Lockette cheered. A purple flash of light shot into the center.
"Nighttime glimmer," Piff squeaked. A pink flash of light shot into the center.
Rainbow arc, Cherie whispered in her head. An azure flash of light shot into the center.
The Pixies' Convergence rose into the air, sending a brilliant flash of light across the town. A white orb rose into the sky – the power of Merlin's sacrifice. It strengthened the power of the Gardenians, who stared up at with amazement. It passed by Morgana, who caught the orb in her hands.
"Now!" she ordered, raising the magic high into the air. Rainbow lightning shot into the sky, forcing the Warrior Fairies back. "Everyone, converge your powers!"
The seven other Faerie Queens – Hippolyta, Berenice, Kwan-yin, Rudabeh, Six Sky, Sita, and Áine – linked hands, sending their magic up. A similar rainbow shot into the air, sending energy above the sky. With the power of the chakras, they sent magic as far as they could, far into the heavens above.
The Major Fairy of Nature, Diana, lifted her hands. The trees uprooted themselves, stomping towards the Warrior Fairies. Her Amazon Fairies did the same, weaponizing the plants of Gardenia. The Arctic Fairies drew water-molecules from the air, turning them to ice. They stood together, their eyes filled with the strength of war.
The villagers of Findias, Gorias, Murias, and Falias shot magic into the air. They converged with the warriors of Sein Isle, the nine priestesses standing together. Silver magic shot from their fingertips, gleaming on their swords and over their entire auras. They roared, the fierce cry of women and men who would never give up battle.
The fay of Greece, Egypt, China, Persia, and Maya stood together. The phoenixes and the Simurgh sent fire at the Warrior Fairies, the sphinxes and aluxes lifted earth into the sky, and the dragons weaponized water at their foes. They united together, their power bringing strength to the battle.
And then something astonishing happened. The humans on the ground began to glow a white color, their bodies filling with energy. They stared at each other, gasping in amazement and shock.
"Woah!" Jason shouted. "This is incredible!"
How did this happen? How had humans unlocked magical powers, powers which had not been seen in many centuries? One of the Lacandón men smiled.
"This is what happens when we unify," he said. "Now humans and fairies are equal in the power they hold."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Mitzi shouted. The mayor's daughter shone with a brilliant white aura. "Let's bust these losers outta town!"
And then the humans fired. Cherie watched as Mitzi, Ana, Baston, Giovanni, Eldora, Jason and Jason King, Juanita, Justin, Mike, Nandini, and Vanessa all shot their energy at the Warrior Fairies, straight into the sky. The human world leaders and diplomats shot white energy upwards, their expressions determined and resolved. Klaus too shined a brilliant white light; Morgana held his hand high. Black and white swirled together in the air, shooting the lead general of the Warrior Fairies right in the heart. She yelled, falling to the ground.
"Woo-hoo!" everyone shouted. The people of Gardenia cheered as the Warrior Fairies turned around, heading as far as they could away from Gardenia. Tune grabbed the Pixies in a giant hug.
"We did it!" she shouted. "We defeated the Warrior Fairies!" Cherie grinned, tears rolling down her eyes as she embraced her sisters, joyful that their enemies were gone. But it wasn't without loss. Merlin had died, and they wouldn't be able to forget that. She looked over at the other Pixies and saw they had tears in their eyes.
But we're safe now. She couldn't worry about anything else right now. Wings fluttering, she sank to the ground, her knees collapsing as she held her head to the grass.
Suddenly, the temperature rose about fifty degrees. The Warrior Fairies were fleeing back into the town, looks of terror on their faces. To Cherie's amazement, no one was attacking them. Digit looked up into the sky, gasping, "What is that?"
Cherie stared up in shock. Rainbow flames were appearing on the edge of town, burning down everything in their path. Comets of fire rained down on them, obliterating just about everything in sight.
"What's going on?" Chatta cried out. It was pure chaos; everyone was screaming in fright, even the Warrior Fairies. The Pixies huddled together, staring around as the fire burned down on them.
Soon rainbow had taken over everything. The brilliant fire was driving closer and closer, and the sky was falling, flames scorching the very air. Cherie covered her head in fright, knowing this wasn't a force they could win against. This wasn't something they could fight.
There was no escape.
Roxy stared desperately at the exploding Heart, staring as it shook the chamber with its energy. "Stop it!" she cried to Nebula. "Close the Heart!"
"I can't!" Nebula had a distraught expression on her face.
The Heart's flares became more and more volatile. A massive rainbow flare of energy rose into the air, sailing in an arc around the chamber. It shot straight towards Nebula. The Warrior Fairy gasped in horror as it bore on her, providing her no escape. The rainbow light illuminated her features, every bit of carnal fear illuminated in her eyes.
Then her face seemed to change. With the trick of the light, her features changed to that of a child – an abandoned, terrified child. It reminded Roxy of all the months she'd spent terrified in the last year, terrified of the endless threats that bore down on her. Terrified of… herself.
In that moment, every single resentment she harbored vaporized into smoke. She forgave her bullies for tormenting her throughout the years, forgave her parents for not being there for her as a child, forgave the Wizards for their attempts to kill her, forgave Merlin for poisoning her whole, forgave Nebula for trying to destroy the world. But most of all, she forgave herself. All fears and doubts melted away as she shot forward, her pink wings shining in the rainbow light.
She threw herself in front of Nebula. With the Black Circle in her left hand and the White Circle in her right, she pointed them straight at the fire, channeling the blow back into the Heart. The Key suspended in air ahead of her, glistening beautifully against the comet's light. A white light appeared at the crown of her head, and then shot everywhere through her body, filling her with cosmic energy from bottom to top. The fires shot back into the Heart, burning towards them no more.
The North and South Pole fires began to diminish. Instead of shooting out of the portals, they reversed directions, channeling back into the Heart. Roxy focused all her energy as fire burst into the chamber, filling the air with unbelievable energy and heat. The Heart glowed stronger and stronger as the flames were sent back in, burning straight into its very center. The last of the fire shot into the Heart, and it stopped flaming, the rainbow energy dimming its light. Roxy fell over, exhausted by the energy she'd expended in sending the fire through to the Heart.
"It's over," she whispered. "We're saved."
Then the Heart began to shine again. A sucking energy pulled at Roxy and Nebula, pulling them downwards. Roxy screamed as she fell down, down towards the Heart, the menacing sphere that'd nearly destroyed all life.
She hit the surface of the Heart. But unlike every other battle she'd fought before, the fires inflicted no pain – not even a little bit of warmth. Just… nothing. She fell into the Heart, pulled straight into its core.
Then she gave in to the sucking, absolute power that took her life.
End of Part IV.
