AN: To Saphira, I hope you enjoy the finale of LOG and I'm sorry it took so long! By the way, love the name!
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Ariel groaned as she came to her head swimming with an annoying buzzing pain. Suddenly she set up with a gasp of horror and pain as she clutched at her heart. The form her brother lying on the ground grasping at life seared into her mind.
"Red." Ariel whispered in horror as she recalled the spear going into his body and the vicious way the prince pulled the spear back leaving a piece embedded in her brother's body. For all she knew he could be dead and she wouldn't even get to see him one last time or to be there for Liz, she may never see any of them again.
"You are awake, good." She heard Nuada say as he came toward her, Nuala behind him with her head bowed. She snapped to her feet with a mighty roar fangs and claws bared for the kill only to be stopped short by the chains that held her at bay. "My, my, didn't we wake up on the wrong side of the bed."
"I will rip you to shreds filth." Ariel strained against the chains.
"Filth? No the filth is those pathetic humans who everyday infest the earth." Nuada snapped as he came just close enough to be out of her reach by a hairs breathe.
"Humans didn't attack my brother, humans didn't kill your father, and they didn't force your sister into hiding for fear of her life that was all you." Ariel growled with narrowed eyes with a dangerous smirk. "You are more like them than you realize Nuada."
Nuada saw red as his hand flew before he even thought, striking her across the face causing her head to snap to the side. She looked back to him with a sharp gleam in her eyes as blood dripped from her lip knowing that he was proving her right. With a snap of his fingers the chains shortened into cuffs allowing him to push her along until they came to a great golden room and just beyond the arch ways she saw them, the golden army.
"Breath taking isn't it." Nuada smirked at her wide eyes and the pale pallor that now clung to her skin.
"You're insane if you think that these…things will win you what you truly want. If you choose this path only tragedy will welcome you." Ariel shook her head.
"Oh but they will and I will reclaim my kingdom, but I will still be missing one thing." Nuada said.
"A straightjacket?" Ariel deadpanned.
"A Queen." Nuada walked up to her placing a hand on her cheek.
"Seriously?" Ariel shook him off taking a step back. "You just mortally wounded my brother, you're threatening billions of lives, already killed countless others, and you expect me to just….how nuts are you?!"
"I admit you may take some taming, but to have a prize as rare as you on my arm…" He trailed off as he eyed her. "Your species has long since fallen into myth, thought to be completely wiped from the face of the earth and yet here you are. A beautiful rare and exotic Vellus."
"A what now?" Ariel raised an eyebrow.
"Incredible, they even took away the very thing you are from you." Nuada sneered. "You are the height of fighting capability combined with exquisite beauty, the guardians of the realm before the war. Your kind was the first to fall to the hands of man as you kind were the first into battle. You will make for a great queen and bodyguard."
"Oh I am going to enjoy my brother beating the crap out of you." Ariel shook her head only for Nuada to snatch her chin holding it in a vice like grip.
"And I will enjoys killing him, his woman, and that detestable fish before your very eyes." He grinned viciously. "It will break you down to nothing allowing me to rebuild you as I want."
"You really are off your rocker." Ariel spat in his face, Nuada reared his hand back.
"Brother, please." Nuala stopped him, breaking her silence. Nuada released Ariel sharply as he wiped his face with the back of his hand.
"Take her, get her ready, I will return when our guests arrive." Nuada snapped before walking away.
"I am so sorry." Nuala said softly, her head bowed as she led Ariel to a room just off to the side away from the golden army.
"Not your fault your brothers nuts." Ariel shrugged stiffly, not sure how to act around the princess that she felt was getting to close to her Abe.
"I'm not just sorry for my brother's actions, but the rift I cause between you and Abraham." Nuala hesitantly looked up at Ariel who was starring away, her tail flicking in agitation. "I did not mean to act so friendly with him, I was out of line." Ariel looked at her out of the corner of her eye seeing the regret on the princess's face softening her heart toward her. "I truly am sorry Ariel."
"It's alright, you've been going through a lot, not unnatural for you to want to be close to someone like yourself." Ariel sighed and Nuala smiled appreciatively, but then Ariel gave her a sharp look. "But let's get one thing straight, he's mine."
"I know that now, I can still feel the bond you two share." Nuala said with a soft chuckle. "It is very strong."
"Thanks." Ariel nodded then spotted what was in Nuala hands. "What's that?"
"Oh, this…my brother wishes for you to wear it." Nuala said apologetically and held up the outfit.
It was a flowing v neck and v back sleeveless white crop top that faded into black accented in silver, two streams of white gauzy material falling from each of her shoulders creating a train that would barely brushed the floor, white to black fading harem pants had slits that started mid-thigh on either side, a thick silver belt made up of floral and leaf design that would hang low on her hips, and silver slippers finished up the outfit.
"Seriously?" Ariel whined and Nuala nodded with a regretful look. "I think it is safe to say that I have gone beyond a simple hate for your brother."
"Understandable." Nuala allowed. "But he said if you do not do so willingly he will come and make you."
"Pervert." Ariel mumbled as she stood and with the help of Nuala got into the outfit and clipped back the hair on the right side of her face with a silver comb.
"You look lovely." Nuala tried and gained a dark look from Ariel.
"I look like a harem girl." Ariel growled lowly. "Lord I haven't been this embarrassed since Abe caught me reading The Shape of Water."
"Is that a book?" Nuala asked as she placed a thick diamond choker necklace around Ariel's throat.
"Yeah, it's a story of…well its…I was never any good at explaining plots…here, give me your hand." Ariel reached up and Nuala took hold, the story line slipping from Ariel's mind to the princesses.
"Oh, I can see why they may have caused you to become flustered." Nuala commented.
"It was mortifying, but it is one of my favorite memories. Abe's breathing apparatus filled with so much bubbles when he gleaned what I had read that I thought he was going to pass out." Ariel said wistfully.
"You both love each other very much." Nuala stated.
"With all my heart, that's how I know he'll come for me, they all will." Ariel said evenly.
"Lovely." Nuada said as he entered the room taking in the sight of Ariel. He walked over as Ariel stood stiffly, teeth bared, and refusing to back down as he loomed above her. "I cannot wait for your friends to see you as mine."
"And I can't wait for them to stomp a mud hole in your chest." Ariel growled.
"We'll see who is victorious after today my dear." Nuada grabbed her cuffed hands pulling her along the hall back to the golden army, Nuala coming up behind them. They entered the large room just as Red, Abe, Liz, and Krauss came up the stairs. "So you're here."
"Red, you're ok?!" Ariel said in relief, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Take a lot more than that to take me down sis." Red smiled, though it was a tight smile as he eyed Nuada who kept her in a vice like grip on her chained hands. "Not liking the outfit."
"Tell that to captain nut job here." Ariel nodded her head sharply to Nuada.
"Pervert." Red growled out in anger.
"That's what I said." Ariel nodded.
"So I assume you've brought the remaining piece." Nuada spoke over them.
"No, we did not, but shall discuss ..." Johann started diplomatically.
"I wasn't addressing you ... Tin Man." Nuada looked to the icthosapien. "Abraham."
"Abraham?" Red looked to him.
"Your love is well, as I promised…" Nuada went on as Ariel struggled against his grip.
"Abe! No!" Ariel snapped.
"So ..." Nuada held out his hand.
"Do not do it Abe." Ariel said as Abe held up the piece of the crown, nether Liz or Red making any real move to stop him in the hopes of getting Ariel back. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I can't risk losing you Ariel." Abe said vehemently before throwing the piece to Nuada.
"Agent Sapien, no!" Johann called out as the Prince caught the piece and put the crown together before placing it on his head.
"I am Prince Nuada, Silverlot, Leader of the Golden Army! Is there anyone here who dispute my right?" The army came to life before them at the prince's command and when no challenged was issued he grinned. "Kill them!"
"Don't do this." Nuala tried to reason with her brother, but it was no use.
"He lied to us!" Abe said in shock.
"You think?!" Ariel snapped.
"Abe, old buddy, when we get out of this ..." HB cocked his gun. "... we gotta talk." He started firing, shooting down one after the other. "'Industrible' my ass!"
Ariel glanced over at Nuada who was staring intently at the fight, his focus off of her when she felt something being slipped into her hand. She looked to Nuala who nodded her head slowly, Ariel nodding back in thanks as she used the key the princess had given her to unshackle herself.
Nuada turned sharply at the sound of the cuffs falling to the ground, but it was too late. Ariel ducked under his grab for her and leapt into the fray. She slipped between the arms avoiding their blows until she had made it to Liz and Abe.
"I love you Abe." She grabbed Abe pulling him down into a deep passionate kiss, Abe returning it, glad that she was safe…well as safe as one could be surrounded by an indestructible army bent on their destruction.
"I love you as well." Abe said when they came up for air.
"Liz, blades!" Ariel called out and Liz threw Ariel her swords she had brought with her. "You guys stay back."
"Ariel look out." Red called out.
Ariel barely had time to lift her blades to meet the attack of one of the robots, deflecting its slice and cutting through its arm detaching it from the rest of the body. Another thrust its blade at her forcing her to flip back kicking off her shoes as she did for better traction. The blade embedded itself into the ground allowing her time to run up its arm and cutting its head off of its body bringing to its knees.
"So this is your rescue mission huh?" Ariel commented as she and Red fought back to back.
"About par for the course when you think about it." Red grunted out shoving one of the robots back.
"I'm glad you're ok." Ariel smiled.
"Me to Aunt Ariel." Red smiled back taking out a few more then looked to where Johann had taken over one of the golden army machines using it to cut down its fellows.
"Aunt?! What do you mean Aunt?!" Ariel looked at him wide eyed, but the next tide of robots came down on them before he could answer.
"Throw me a bone here!" Red called out and Johann threw him a large sword arm of one of the machines which he used to fight against the army taking down one after the other until piles of the things covered the floors. Everything seemed to be going their way when there was a lull in the battle and the machines started to put themselves back together piece by piece. Krauss was forced back into his suit when he was stabbed from behind by one of the beasts as it was repairing, the team regrouping as they were surrounded. "Oh, crap!"
"Well, I'm out of ideas." Krauss commented.
"I've got one." Red said standing to his full height. "I challenge ... Prince Nuada…for the right to command... this army."
"You challenge me?" Nuada sneered in disgust. "Who are you to challenge me? You are nobody! You are not royalty!"
"Yes, yes, he is Anung Un Rama. Son of the Fallen One." Ariel said in excitement.
"He has the right, the challenge must be answered." Nuala spoke up.
"Are you too much of a coward hiding behind his army to fight." Ariel taunted gaining a dark glare form the prince who hesitated only a moment before answering.
"Very well, then." Nuada strode forward, the others instantly opposing the idea, afraid to lose him again so shortly after saving him.
"Guys, guys!" Red tried as the others spoke up worriedly. "Don't worry, babe." Red assured them, his eyes on Liz, cupping the side of her face lovingly. "I got this."
"Red, what about the princess?" Ariel asked in concern.
"I'm not gonna kill him..." Red looked to the prince as he descended down to the main floor using the large cogs, the robots moving to the sides to make room for the fight. "…but I'm gonna kick his ass."
Abe wrapped his arm around Ariel who pressed into his side as the opponents glared at each other before Nuada took one of his blades from his back and threw it to red who caught it in his stone hand. Red took the blade into his flesh hand blowing dust from his stone hand nonchalantly. Nuada flipped the rest of the way down landing before HB in a crouch then drw his own blade as he stood to his feet.
They charged and became a series of flashing blades, the clangs ringing in the air. Red moved with power, but Nuada had flexibility on his side though HB made full use of his stone hand as a shield. After a series of moved Red managed to cut Nuada's arm, the same cut appearing on the princess. Not deterred Nuada moved right back into the fight flipping backwards until he was back on top of the cogs, Red following him at a dead run and leaping after him, almost falling back over the edge.
The battle resumed raging all over the large cogs, the prince managing to force Red to the ground under some of the cogs, but he recovered resuming the fight only to be forced back into another set that disappeared under the platform, red going with them.
"Red ..." Liz and Ariel called out fearfully. Nuada turned back to the others with a dark smirk.
"There is still a way for all of you to yet live…" Nuada looked to Ariel.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me." Ariel glared, her hands tightening around her swords.
"Come with me Ariel and I will let them live." Nuada offered and Ariel was ready to come back with a honey of a retort, but was beaten to it.
"Like hell she will." Abe pulled out his gun, surprising the heck out of Ariel at his tone of voice. "You'll never lay a hand on her again…" He stated darkly and Ariel felt a shiver down her spine as she gazed up at him in awe. "…not as long as I'm alive."
"A trivial matter that it easily fixed." Nuada started forward.
"Hey!" Red appeared coming back up the cogs, much to the relief of the others. He used the cogs to make his way back to Nuada who looked beyond angry at the demons reappearance. "Nice ride, huh?"
Nuauda thrust his spear at him, but Red deflected with his hand, the battle resuming until Red went under the cogs again, Nuada trying to stab his hand to force him to let go with no luck. Nuada moved to the other side of the cog waiting for Red to come out. Red instead came up another set behind him, sneaking up. Nuada realized too late as he swung his spear which red easily caught then grabbed the prince by the throat.
"You jumpy slippery bastard." Red glared. "I got you now."
Red tossed him through the air back to the main floor, jumping after him with spear raised bringing it down just centimeters from the prince's neck.
"Kill me. You must. For I will not stop. I cannot ..." Nuada replied breathing hard.
"Sorry, pal ... I win. You live." Red shot back taking the crown. He turned to the others making his way to them with crown in hand not seeing the prince draw a dagger coming up behind him.
"Red, look out!" Ariel called out, Red turning just in time to see Nuada freeze in pain moments before stabbing him in the back. Nuada shuddered looking down at the blood that was seeping through his clothes, then to his sister who drew a blade from her own chest.
"Nuala ..." Nuada fell forward, red catching him holding him up as Nuala fell to the ground. Ariel ran to Nuala with Abe right behind her. "The humans... they will tire of you. They'll wage war against you. Leave them... is it them or us. Which holocaust should be chosen?"
"Nuala, hang on." Ariel kneeled at her side holding her up in her arms, Abe next to her. "Just hold on, we can get you help."
"It's ok Ariel." Nuala said taking her hand and Abe's placing them together, Ariel breathing out in surprise as she felt what Abe and she must have felt every time they touched something. "I wanted to save this, this love." Nuala gasped out. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"We die... and the world will be poorer for it." Nuada stood away from Red staggering toward where Nuala had fallen. "Nuala, my sister..."
Nuada and Nuala turned to pale brown stone as they die, Nuada crumbling away to dust as he fell to the ground. Ariel cried softly as Abe held her close, mourning the princess, wishing she had more time to really get to know her instead of letting her jealousy stand in the way. Red looked from them to the crown in his hand, mulling over some ideas in his head.
"All that power." Red commented holding the crown.
"Don't even think about it." Liz took it from him melting it down to nothing with her fire, flickering away the residue from her hands before quenching her flames once the job was done. The golden army shut down, falling to its knees with the destruction of the crown.
-0-
"No, no, it's nothing. I told you, it's a dead end. What are you doing? Go away! Check their belt locator. Check their belt locator." Manning yelled out orders. "Over there. Over there!" The opening appeared in the gut of the stone giant allowing them to file out looking a little worse for the wear. Abe held Ariel close to his side refusing to let her to far away from himself. "You! You took that plane without an authorization, young man."
"Manning, here to help... as always." Red said sarcastically.
"What's going on? What's going on?" Manning questioned them.
"I quit." Red said shoving his holster into Manning's hands.
"What? Are you serious?" Manning demanded.
"Looks that way, doesn't it?" Liz smiled gave up her holster as well.
"What's wrong with you? You can't all just quit!" Manning panicked.
"Watch us." Abe replied patting Manning cheek before adding his gun to the pile in Manning's arms.
"Ariel, come on…" Manning tried.
"Bye, bye Manning, I will miss….absolutely nothing." Ariel waved over her shoulder, her other arm firmly wrapped around Abe's waist. "I'm keeping my swords. Hey Red, you really want to give up your gun? I'm keeping my swords."
"Good idea…" Red walked back over to Manning taking back his gun. "On second thought…I think I'll keep this."
"Come on ... Come on! Johann... they can't do this, stop them." Manning ordered as they all walked away without another glance back.
"Dr. Manning... suck my ectoplasmic Schwanztcher!" Johann snapped.
"So what have you said before, about us living anywhere? Anywhere. You and me. Let's find a place in the country. Clean air, green hills. A yard with lots of room to grow in. It will be great for the baby." Red said in excitement.
"Babies..." Liz held up two fingers as Red looked at her in shock.
"So twins huh?" Ariel could see Red's shocked face from where she and Abe were.
"Yep." Abe nodded.
"You know, I always liked kids." Ariel commented, slyly looking up at Abe through her lashes. Abe looked down at her in surprise, flushing slightly feeling butterflies taking wing in his stomach.
"Me to." Abe smiled, dipping down and kissing her firmly on the lips.