A/N: Sorry for the delay! Lots happening in my life right now. Hoping to finish this soon so I can start my original storylines as listed in my poll. Enjoy this chapter and, if you need me, I'll be in my "Hiding from Angry Readers Bunker."
Chapter Seventeen – Symphony's Power Unleashed
Joy found her husband sitting by the fireplace, staring at the flames and holding a mug of tea. Joy walked over to Peppy and kissed his cheek to shock him from his thoughts.
Peppy chuckled and hugged her. "I loved it when you did that."
"You always complained when I did that." Joy reminded him. "You used to say, 'Joy, I love you so much, but must you interrupt my meditating?' You have always been such a teacher's pet."
"Still am, even when I'm the teacher." Peppy shrugged.
"Mother!" Apollo ran into the room and screeched to a halt. "Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?"
"Not at all." Joy said.
"I just wanted to say goodnight." Apollo said. "Also, I wanted to ask Master Peppy if he would be willing to show me some kung fu techniques. I'm a great bender, but not a great fighter without bending."
"I bet, if you ask him nicely, he will." Joy said.
Apollo looked to Peppy. "Would you please teach me some advanced kung fu techniques pretty please?"
"I would be happy to." Peppy said.
"Yes!" Apollo cheered. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Dad, that's so—" He froze. "I mean…..uh….goodnight!" He sprinted to his room.
"Did he just call me…?" Peppy asked.
"Yes. Is that okay?" Joy asked.
"It may take some time, but I'll get used to it." Peppy said. "I'm already getting more comfortable around him."
"I think he likes you, too." Joy said. "Thank you for not being mad."
"What's odd is I think he takes more after you, which makes things easier." Peppy said. "We'll figure it out, especially after you and he come back to Troll Valley. You will come back, right?"
"Yes." Joy hugged him. "Absolutely." The pair heard speedy footsteps, and Apollo appeared in the doorway again.
"May I go check on Sifu Rosiepuff?" Apollo requested.
"Why?" Joy asked.
"I don't know." Apollo said. "Just…I think it would be a great idea to make sure she's okay."
"I agree." Peppy said. "Take Poppy with you. Just in case."
"You really should tell your followers to not leave trails." Titan drew his sword. "It makes finding you much easier."
"I heard you got some new powers." Rosiepuff said. "I doubt that will help much."
"We will see." Titan shot forward and swung his sword. Rosiepuff used the water to make gauntlets of ice, which were thick and strong enough to block Titan's swing. She pushed him back and made a water whip she snapped against Titan's face. Titan snarled and lunged again. Some fancy earth-bending caused him to trip.
"You really should have gone back to the Spirit Realm and stayed there." Rosiepuff said.
"I intend to return and take you with me!" Titan snarled.
"Still consider me the demon? Have you looked at yourself?"
"Your mind tricks will not work on me, Golden Rose. Your kind were never meant to exist. The nymphs who once roamed this land were not kind or benevolent. They were temptresses and warlocks. Even when they disappeared, their legacies lived on in your family. It's not your fault where you were born, but I must destroy you nonetheless."
"Your prejudice is your downfall."
"Not this time!" Titan stabbed his sword into the dirt and flicked dirt up into Rosiepuff's face. She managed to avoid it and drew The Cleaver. She created a water whip and snapped it at him to force him onto the defensive. When Titan tried to come closer and swing his sword, Rosiepuff froze one end of the whip onto the blade and yanked the weapon from his hands. She tossed it aside and lunged with The Cleaver dagger. Titan discretely pulled out a small pod from a pocket in his armor. He crushed the pod and threw the powder into Rosiepuff's face. She felt an itchy, stinging sensation in her eyes. Her vision blurred greatly. Added to the darkness, she was completely blind when Titan caught her wrist to keep The Cleaver blade away from him. He then grabbed her by the throat and shoved her against a tall boulder.
"I had intended to make your death slow and painful." Titan mused, seeming to enjoy listening to her gasp for breath. "But perhaps it would be better to end you quickly. I cannot risk you escaping again."
Rosiepuff firmly tapped the ball of her foot into the dirt, kicking up a wave of rocks that knocked Titan back. Once she could breathe again, Rosiepuff shot a powerful blast of air that sent Titan flying. Rosiepuff listened for his return, rubbing her eyes. She could hear his stone sword scraping against the ground. But then he grunted in pain.
"Back off, you jerk!" a female voice snapped.
"Delta Dawn?" Rosiepuff still could not see.
"We got your back, Miss Rosiepuff!" That voice belonged to Trollex.
"She's over there, Kai!" Apollo's voice called.
"Grandma!" Branch went to her side, followed closely by Kai and Symphony.
"Are you all right?" Kai asked.
"He threw something into my eyes! I can't see!" Rosiepuff rubbed her eyes to get rid of the sting.
"Stop doing that! It only makes it worse." Kai pushed her hands away. He could smell the powder. "It's a powder from the blue lily plant. An old trick. It blinds you just long enough for him to kill you, but it's only temporary."
"We'll take care of Titan while you take care of that." Branch drew the Dragon Blade. He and Symphony ran into the fight. Titan used his sword and the brute strength he now possessed as a demon. He dodged elemental attacks and beat back the benders. Branch surprised Titan by swinging a sword instead of using an element. Titan jumped back, but the Dragon Blade broke off a large chunk of Titan's stone armor. Titan parried Branch's sword.
"You do not have to fight me." Titan told Branch. "The Golden Rose demon has corrupted your mind. I can free you from her spell."
"You are delusional." Branch shoved Titan back. "You murdered my family. You're the reason my grandmother tried to bury who she was, and you caused enough pain and misery to last a lifetime and then some. I had considered whether you could be redeemed, but I see now that you need to be stopped no matter what."
"Then try to stop me. I will cut you down along with her!" Titan lunged, but Hickory and Dickory appeared and shot fire at him, forcing him back.
"What's the plan?" Hickory asked Branch.
"We need to hold him off until Grandma gets here with The Cleaver." Branch said. "I'm not sure what weapons or bending will do to him."
"Let us find out!" Dickory lunged when Titan came back for another attack. Trollzart created a small twister that forced Titan to spin around, and Dickory created a ball of fire that sparkled like a firecracker. Trollex froze Titan's feet to the ground, holding him in place so Dickory could shove the firecracker into Titan's face. The demon screamed in pain.
"Now that's how we do it!" Barb cheered.
Then, Titan's face contorted with rage, and he morphed to his beast form. He shot for any bender who stood too close, and bending attacks did not deter him anymore.
"Ooh, let me at him!" Symphony snarled.
"No offense, Symphony, but I don't know what chance you stand unless you can be his size." Branch said. "I don't want you to risk it."
Symphony gasped. "Wait. Maybe I can be his size."
"Yeah?" Branch pulled her aside as Barb and Trollzart landed beside them.
"Keep him occupied. I'll catch up." Symphony said.
"You got it!" Branch readjusted his grip on the Dragon Blade, and he ran forward and tackled Titan. They tumbled a short distance away, and Branch readied his sword. Titan snarled ferociously. Branch glared hard. "I'm not afraid of you. I am Branch, the Dragon Warrior, and I will not allow you to harm another soul here."
Titan chuckled. His voice took on a raspy tone while in beast form. "You will not allow me? You were given a title just because you drew a sword from a stone. I earned my accolades through honest work. You are a mere boy, and I will devour you!"
Branch held up his sword and Titan's jaws clamped down on that instead of him. He pushed Titan back. The beastly demon charged again, swiping his claws. Branch parried and stabbed the point of his sword into Titan's foot. Snarling, Titan backhanded Branch and sent him tumbling. Branch rolled to his feet, as he was trained to do, and he slashed the Dragon Blade across Titan's side. Branch began feeling confident until Titan reverted to his normal form during an attack. The Dragon Blade missed its target, and Titan grabbed Branch's wrist. He and Branch engaged in close hand-to-hand combat, and Titan was careful to keep a firm grip on the Dragon Blade handle so Branch couldn't use it.
The benders surrounded the fighters, but no one made a move to strike. "I don't know how we can lay a hit on the demon without hitting Branch." Trollex groaned.
"We can't at long-distance." Delta Dawn confirmed. "They're moving around too much for us to throw anything."
"Where's Master Golden Rose?" Darnell demanded. "We have to get her out of here."
"I'm not going anywhere." Rosiepuff seemed to pop up out of nowhere, her sight recovered.
"Then tell us the plan, or else I'm dragging you to the bunker." Eclipse warned.
"So that's the weird cave thing I was sensing." Delta Dawn realized.
"Right now, our only option is to stab him with The Cleaver and hope it's enough to send him to the Spirit Realm." Rosiepuff said. "We never got a chance to carve the portal symbol."
"First, we should get your grandson out of there." Joy said.
"I'm on it!" Apollo darted into the fight.
"Right behind you!" Poppy drew her sword and stayed by her brother's side. She disarmed the fighters, knocking the Dragon Blade away. Apollo kicked Titan's arm to break his grip on Branch, and Branch punched Titan squarely in the nose. Poppy finished it by kicking Titan far away from them.
"All right! Troll Tree style!" Branch scooped up his sword. Titan drew his sword and went in for another round of fighting. Branch and Poppy crossed their swords to block his strike, and Titan pushed them back. Titan telekinetically lifted a nearby boulder and threw it at his oncoming opponents, causing them to scatter. Rosiepuff held The Cleaver tight in one hand, trying to get around Titan's armor. But every strike of the blade only bounced off the stone chest plate. Apollo shot lightning the moment he had a clear shot, and Titan jumped back to avoid it. But he tripped, and Delta Dawn kicked him in the chest with her back legs, shattering his armor. This seemed to anger Titan, who went to his beast form and viciously fought back against the benders. Once he could, Titan lunged for Rosiepuff. She pulled the nearby snow over and made a wave of water that swept Titan aside.
"Benders, to me!" Eclipse ordered. She, Delta Dawn, Trollex, Apollo, and the Element Sisters surrounded Rosiepuff.
"I don't need to be protected, Eclipse." Rosiepuff insisted. "He's only after me, anyway."
"That's exactly why we're sticking with you." Trollex said.
Titan returned, and Riff went to meet him head-on. Barb was close behind. The two of them only did battle for a moment before Titan punched Barb in the stomach to knock the wind out of her, and then he grabbed Riff's arm and twisted it harshly.
"Stay back or I'll break him!" Titan snarled.
"He'll do it." Chaz warned, and the benders stepped back.
"Get your paws off him….." Barb coughed as her father helped her stand. "….or I'll fry you alive!"
"I only want the Golden Rose demon." Titan said. "Surrender her to me now."
"Over our dead bodies!" Riff growled.
Titan gave the young bender's arm another twist, fracturing it. "Your dead body can easily be arranged at this moment."
"Enough!" Rosiepuff pushed past Eclipse. "Must you cause pain everywhere you go?"
"For protecting you, I should have everyone in this village executed or imprisoned." Titan said. "But I will settle for you alone."
"You have to go through us!" Thrash warned. Several fire-benders created balls of fire in their hands.
"There is no need for anymore fighting, Golden Rose." Titan said. "I only came back to finish you. Once I kill you, I swear to return to the Spirit Realm forever."
"I very much doubt that." Rosiepuff said. "But if you want a one-on-one fight, fine by me."
"No. I tire of these useless battles." Titan put his sword to Riff's neck. "Your surrender or his life. What will it be?"
Suddenly, Titan shouted in pain, and he lifted one of his feet. Clampers had her teeth latched onto his ankle. Riff threw his head back and his skull collided with Titan's nose. Titan's grip loosened, and Riff grabbed Clampers by the back of her overalls and ran. Before Titan could chase after them, something big and red tackled him and threw him back. Jaws dropped all around as the red thing crouched between Titan and the villagers. Everyone realized this "thing" was a dragon twice the size of Titan.
"Symphony?" Branch breathed.
The dragon looked to Branch and grinned. "Hey Branch!"
"Wow!" Branch laughed. "That's some growth spurt!"
"Thanks. I finally figured it out." Symphony said. "Sorry for disappearing so much while I was training."
"Uh, guys?" Riff pointed to Titan, who had transformed to a beast and ran towards them.
"Stay back. I got this!" Symphony assured. Titan was now only a bit smaller than Symphony. She charged into battle and the two beasts became tangled in a vicious fight.
"Benders, surround them!" Kai ordered. "Keep them from the buildings in the village!"
It was truly a wild brawl between two savage animals. Symphony and Titan clawed, bit, and wrestled. Symphony even shot fire—real, huge blasts of fire instead of sparks—and scorched Titan. Titan swiped his claws and caught Symphony's face once. They were such a tangle of teeth, claws, and scales that nobody dared to get closer in fear of getting caught in the mess. Thankfully, it was a rather quick fight, and Symphony grabbed Titan in her teeth and threw him with all her strength. He hit the wall of the nearest cliff, and he didn't get up again.
"That's my dragon!" Branch whooped. The other villagers cheered and clapped as Symphony half-limped to her friend. She leaned her head down and Branch hugged her.
"You okay?" Symphony sighed.
"Of course, we're fine." Branch said. "You were awesome!"
"Thanks." Symphony froze, and she snarled. Everyone turned to see Titan charging towards them, reverted from his beast form and his sword raised high.
"You have to admire his tenacity." Eclipse droned. Symphony grabbed Branch and Rosiepuff and pulled them close.
However, Titan stopped once he got a few feet away from Symphony. His body turned completely to stone, and a white comet shot from the statue and disappeared into the darkness.
"What is he doing now?" Kai growled. Everyone stood tense, searching the night for the spirit. A few benders kept a wary eye on the statue of the demon. Symphony stared skyward. Even in the middle of the night, she could see the clouds getting between them and the moon and stars.
The white comet reappeared and went into Symphony's body. She clawed at the ground and grit her teeth. Branch and Rosiepuff jumped back.
"Not again…." Rosiepuff groaned. Symphony's eyes turned red, and the possessed dragon snarled at the benders.
"Titan! You get out of my dragon right now!" Branch ordered.
"Or what?" Titan shot forward, teeth bared, but then froze again. He growled and shook his head, his eyes squeezed shut. He looked to be in pain. He slammed his claws in the ground. When his eyes opened again, they were Symphony's eyes instead.
"Symphony?" Rosiepuff asked hopefully.
Symphony let out a strained laugh. "I knew he'd go for it if I let my guard down. He's so predictable." She growled, clawing at the dirt.
"Are you okay?" Branch asked.
Symphony snarled again. "I'm really sorry, Branch. I have to do this." She turned and pushed off the ground to shoot into the air.
"Symphony!" Branch shouted. The dragon disappeared into the dark clouds above.
"What's she up to?" Apollo asked.
"I don't know." Branch shrugged. "Is Titan still possessing her or something?" Thunder rumbled, and a few bolts of lightning flashed in the clouds to show the outline of Symphony.
"A storm…." Rosiepuff murmured.
"What's that?" Poppy asked.
"Myths and legends always talked about how dragons could summon storms, control lightning." Rosiepuff said. "I think Symphony summoned this."
Branch stared at the brewing storm. "Symphony?"
Symphony never before felt what she felt now. Titan fought to escape her, but she kept her hold on him. Energy flowed through her. The storm seemed to pull towards her at her own will. She couldn't even explain how she did this. It felt like instinct. Natural, dragon instinct.
Dragon! Titan's voice echoed in her head. I know what you're planning, and it won't work!
"I think it will." Symphony said.
You cannot defeat me this way! Titan sounded desperate. You will either destroy us both or simply force me back into my spirit form!
"I will take that chance." Symphony stopped, hovering in the center of some swirling clouds. Lightning crackled all around her.
Why do you protect her?! Titan demanded.
"Because I love her." Symphony blinked away her tears. "Because I love all of them."
On the ground, the villagers jumped when lightning leapfrogged from one cloud to another. Several strands of bolts stretched towards one area. Everyone had to shield their eyes when the lightning bolts hit the same spot, lighting up the area in a huge flash. Branch scanned the dark clouds for his dragon. He saw a dark shape falling from the clouds.
"Symphony!" Branch shouted, running to where Symphony would soon land. Rosiepuff followed close behind.
"Benders, scout the village!" Kai ordered. "Make sure Titan hasn't returned. If anyone is wounded, go to the healers." Once they dispersed, Kai jogged after his wife and grandson.
Branch found Symphony on the grassy field where the earth-benders practiced. She was limp, and Branch immediately began to panic. He shook her in an attempt to rouse the dragon.
"Symphony!" Branch shouted. "Symphony, come on! Get up!" He looked around in desperation, and he waved Rosiepuff over. "Grandma! Grandma, help!"
"Stand back!" Rosiepuff already had water ready, and she got to work trying to heal the burns on Symphony's body. Then, Symphony's claws moved and pushed Rosiepuff's hands away.
"Don't…" Symphony's eyes only opened halfway.
"Just hold still." Rosiepuff soothed. "I can fix this."
"You'll kill yourself trying…" Symphony murmured. "Just shut up and listen to me."
"Symphony, what were you thinking?" Branch demanded.
"I had to." Symphony said. "The Cleaver was never going to work as long as Titan was in demon form. You knew that, Grandma, but I commend you for being hopeful. I found out that demons and spirits can be weakened if they possess someone and then that person is killed."
"So you blew yourself up with lightning?!" Branch gawked.
"Technically, I electrocuted myself." Symphony laughed weakly. "Really hurt, too."
"Symphony, why would you do that?" Rosiepuff demanded. "Even if we absolutely had to make that sacrifice, why did it have to be you?"
Symphony sighed. She felt her strength dwindling. There wasn't much time. "The soothsayer. She predicted I would die saving my family and realize my destiny at the same time. I figured that I was the best option for this, since I was destined to die anyway. The sacrifice was necessary. Titan would never give up. He's going to be back. This time, he won't wait until he can be a demon again. Be ready for him, okay?"
"Let me help you, and we can go into the fight together." Rosiepuff insisted.
"Even a Golden Rose can't save me now." Symphony said. "Just go kick Titan's ass. The Cleaver and portal combined will send him to the Spirit Realm for good."
"We can't do this without you!" Branch had tears in his eyes. "I don't want to do this without you. You have to stay with us."
"I'm really sorry, Branch." Symphony nuzzled him, and he hugged her tightly. Rosiepuff tried to approach Symphony again, but the dragon hissed fiercely. "Don't! I knew what I was getting into when I did this. That blast already killed me. I'm only here now to say goodbye and wish you luck."
"I don't want you to go." Branch sobbed.
Symphony put an arm around Branch to hug him. "I always hated imagining what might have happened if you hadn't found my egg. I heard stories of dragons mistreated or butchered or poached. You gave me the best life I could have asked for. Hey Grandma? Thanks again for lifting your No Pets rule for me."
Tears streamed down her face, but Rosiepuff tried to smile. "You will always be the only exception, Symphony. Thanks for keeping the mice out of the restaurant."
"Yummy mice…." Symphony sighed. "You'll be okay, Branch. I love you."
Branch held Symphony as tight as he could, as though that would keep her with him. "Best dragon ever."
Symphony giggled. Branch used to say that to her all the time when he was a kid. She took comfort in Branch and Rosiepuff holding her, and she let herself slip away to rest. Branch completely broke down when she stopped breathing. Then, Symphony's body began to glow. Her scales became like flower petals, and the rest of her body vanished. The pretty petals swirled around Branch and Rosiepuff and then disappeared into the darkness. Rosiepuff pulled Branch into a hug, just holding him while he cried. Kai had stood a short distance away, and then joined the comforting embrace while Rosiepuff and Branch mourned.
"I promise you," Kai said after Branch calmed somewhat. "Symphony's sacrifice will not be in vain."
Symphony opened her eyes and saw a swirl of colors. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again, and then repeated the action a few times. Her environment was nothing but color and glitter stretching in every direction. She appeared to be laying on something, but she did not see a ground. She stood and tried floating. That only helped her feel a little less disoriented.
"Where am I?" Symphony wondered.
"This is the lovely land known as 'The Bridge.'" A voice said. "Spirits come here before they move on to the Spirit Realm."
Symphony looked around, and a figure emerged from the color. "Master Ryu? Why are you so small?"
Ryu chuckled. "To be more precise, my dear, you are actually very big."
"Oh." Symphony said. "That actually makes more sense. So, are you here to escort me to the Spirit Realm?"
"Yes, and to explain a few things." Ryu said. "Walk with me?"
"Uh, sure." Symphony reached a paw down and touched an invisible ground Ryu stood on. She tentatively walked, trying to focus more on Ryu as he spoke during the stroll.
"You were very brave to do what you did, Symphony." Ryu said. "The soothsayer was right when she said it was destiny. In life, I was good friends with your father."
"My father?" Symphony repeated. "How?"
"I found him when the both of us were much younger." Ryu explained. "He was the slave to a poacher, and I freed him and the other creatures the poacher took. Your father and I worked together for years. He was my loyal partner no matter what the situation. He was so grateful for my friendship that he made a promise to me: his firstborn would be my partner in death, fulfilling the same role he filled in life. I was honored, but I did not want to pressure him."
"Why is he not your partner in the Spirit Realm?" Symphony asked.
"He knew a long time ago that he wanted to go the rebirth and reincarnation route." Ryu said. "Your father and I agreed that his firstborn should have the best life in the Mortal Realm, and I added that they should not find out about our deal until after their death. Around the same time we had this conversation, I had a vision about the Dragon Warrior. Your father agreed to help me. He had some sort of magic that I never could understand. He used that magic to find the Dragon Warrior."
"How could my dad know Branch was the Dragon Warrior?" Symphony asked.
"Like heck if I knew. He would never explain, either to purposefully be cryptic or because he never understood his magic himself." Ryu laughed. "When your father found Branch and Rosiepuff, he came rushing back all excited."
Part of the colors to Symphony's right swirled and changed, and an image of a younger Ryu and a large red dragon appeared. Though this dragon only shared Symphony's scale color, she knew this was her father.
"Ryu!" Symphony's father said. "I found your Dragon Warrior! Even better, I found my daughter's caretaker! Oh, you should meet the boy! He and his guardian are some of the nicest trolls I've ever met!"
"I'm very glad, my friend." The younger Ryu said. "You're sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, my partner." Symphony's father said. "My daughter will be happy with these people, and she will have a good life. When her time comes, as destiny decides, she will look back on her life fondly. I'm certain of it." The two images faded away.
"At first, I was confused why he wanted to send you away. Did he think you would not have a good life under my care? Or under the care of my son?" Ryu looked down sadly. "It became clearer to me when your father passed away soon after discreetly leaving your egg with Branch. Your father had been sick. With what, and for how long, he never said. He was right to guide Branch into finding your egg. I was a bit of a mess after my friend died, and I had so much going on in my life that I couldn't take care of you."
"I don't remember you ever coming to visit with Branch or Grandma." Symphony said.
"Your father never got the chance to tell me who the Dragon Warrior was supposed to be." Ryu said. "I had to trust in him, and pray that the Dragon Warrior would reveal himself and fulfill his destiny."
"To defeat Creek?"
"More than that. My vision was a prophecy. Mere images that often returned in my dreams, but a prophecy nonetheless. In my vision, I saw the Dragon Warrior bring peace to my beloved homeland by defeating a great evil. I saw the Dragon Warrior save a treasured family from total destruction. I saw the Dragon Warrior carry on a legacy as ancient as your species. When I saw you with Branch the day he released the Dragon Blade from my grave, I knew I found my Dragon Warrior."
Symphony thought about each part of the prophecy. Branch did indeed defeat Creek and bring peace to Troll Valley. He really did save the Golden Rose Clan by convincing his grandmother to not hide her true self. The legacy part? Well, since he and Poppy were engaged, maybe there was a child in their future who had something to do with that.
"Branch did some pretty cool stuff. Then again, I always thought he was awesome." Symphony said.
"Did you have a good life, Symphony?" Ryu asked.
"Yes. I did." Symphony confirmed. "It was hard going through with what I did, but I don't regret helping my family with this Titan business."
"Which we will get to in a minute." Ryu said. "First, I want to ask you: do you really want to be my partner? I realize your father promised me something without ever consulting you. If you decide you want to follow your own path in the Spirit Realm, or go the reincarnation route, or whatever you want, you can. You do not have to be my partner if that is not what you want to do."
Symphony thought about it. "I want to be your partner. I don't know why, but this feels right. I'm ready for whatever adventures the Spirit Realm might bring!"
"Very good." Ryu said. "We will solve many problems in the Spirit Realm and ghost issues in the Mortal Realm. The first thing we have to do is monitor this issue with Titan."
"I guess I didn't destroy him, huh?" Symphony asked.
"No. Titan is a powerful spirit." Ryu said. "But you did the right thing to help. Titan is not fully destroyed, and he will certainly strike again. But your sacrifice has made him beatable. It's up to our families from here on out."
Symphony stared off into the mass of colors and glitter around her. "Good luck, Branch. I'll always be with you."