(Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the following story)
(A/N: Yes, we are nearing the end! Thank you to all those who have stuck with the story, it's turned out longer than I intended, but it kinda took on a life of its own. So if you'll bear with me, the story will tied up in the next couple of chapters. Will it be the end? We'll just have to wait and see... grins )
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Return of the Dragon Slayer.
Chapter Twenty.
Dean rushed out of the tent, ordering an Ancient to stand watch over Caleb as he ran over to Peluda "You sent the call out now? I said we ride in an hour!"
You must take your son to Fafnir. His safety is paramount and there are things you need to discuss before we battle.
Dean stared into the eyes of the dragon, his mind doing somersaults "What's she done?" he demanded.
You must speak with Fafnir. Bring the Little Slayer, we leave now.
Dean turned and went into main tent; Sam, Gideon, Gabe and Jude were going over the battle plans again, ensuring nothing was overlooked. They looked up as he entered "I'm taking Caleb to the dragons' land. Get the riders ready for the hippogryphs and hide them where we planned. Seth back yet?"
Gideon shook his head "Expect him soon. He'll select those that'll ride to the Citadel for the fake surrender. Jude'll lead them…Gabe and I'll wait as planned"
Dean turned to Sam "You got it all sorted with Ankou?"
Sam smiled "Dude…we're going to bring those assholes to their knees" he looked at Gideon and grinned "Can't wait to see the look on Jonas' face when he sees us"
Gideon returned the grin "Priceless" he looked at his brother "He sees he three of us, hopefully he'll have a heart-attack and save us the trouble"
"Heard Peluda and Raja send out the call…we moving early?" asked Jude.
Dean shook his head "Bringing in the dragons that'll be the diversion…the ones surrendering with you" he looked at his watch "Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can"
"Dean" started Gideon.
"I'll bring her back, Gideon. You know I will" he looked at his brother "You don't go anywhere until I get back" he grinned "Oh and Eve was looking for you too" he clapped Sam on the shoulder and walked out.
He went into the tent and looked at the sleeping form of his son, a smile touching his lips as the boy smiled at something in his dream. He went to the bag and took Caleb's toy dragon out, he scooped the boy up gently and took him outside. As he got to Peluda, Kubera stepped forward and blocked him "What is it Kubera? I'm in a hurry"
You remember that the battle is what is most important, Slayer. The realm must be saved or all is lost.
Dean's jaw set "I will decide what's most important. The realm will be saved but so will my family" he pushed past the beast and scaled Peluda quickly, holding Caleb to him. He turned to Kubera "Don't doubt my ability, Kubera…it'll be the biggest mistake you make" and Peluda took to the skies.
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Finn sat on the floor of the cell, her head leaning against the wall at her back, her eyes closed as she shuffled through her memories. She kept returning to the ones with Caleb, seeing his grinning face in her mind tore at her heart but she would walk to her death willingly if it meant saving her son. She knew Dean would look after him, she knew he loved his son, had seen it in his eyes…he would protect Caleb like she would; and Caleb would be okay in time, he'd have his father and Gideon, Gabe and Sam.
Dwelling in the past will not help you, Griffin.
Finn opened her eyes and looked at the dragon "Don't worry, Azhi…when the time comes, I won't back out"
I have no doubt…but your mind must be at peace when you crossover.
Finn laughed softly "My mind's never been at peace, Azhi. Kinda like it that way"
You are very much like your brothers.
"Thanks for helping Gideon and Sam" she said.
He bowed his head It was foretold. He paused You do not ask the same for you
She shook her head "I know my role in this" she brushed at the tears that pooled in her eyes "Sorry"
Do not apologise for your emotions…it's what sets us apart from evil. Your son will be alright, Griffin. He will live a long and healthy life and be one of the greatest leaders of your people.
Finn smiled "He's a good, kind kid" she looked at the dragon "When you see him, tell him I'm sorry and that I love him…always"
The dragon bowed his head again And the Slayer?
She sighed "Dean'll understand"
Like you understood when you lost your beloved?
"Dean's not my beloved" she said.
A ceremony does not a beloved make. He is yours and you are his. You both understand it even if you won't admit it to yourselves.
Finn laughed softly again "Alright, you can tell him I love him. Happy?"
I am pleased.
She looked at the cell window as the darkness started to lessen and she felt her stomach flutter "Not long now then"
The day of days, Griffin. The battle that will define this realm begins.
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Dean questioned Peluda relentlessly as they soared over Larten Vola towards the dragon lands but he refused to answer any of the questions no matter how much Dean demanded. He was pretty sure he knew what Finn had done…he knew she would do whatever it took to save Caleb but he'd be damned if he'd let it happen. He held tight to Caleb, the son he swore he never wanted…the son he knew he'd now die for…like Finn was going to. He'd turned into something he swore he'd never be…a father. He smiled at his son's sleeping form…and he'd never been happier.
Peluda landed softly at the cave entrance and Dean slid carefully from the dragon's neck. He carried Caleb quickly and carefully toward Fafnir's cavern. He entered and found another dragon waiting with Fafnir.
Slayer, place your son there
Dean followed the dragon's gaze and took Caleb to a bed of straw in the corner near a small fire and laid him down gently. The straw was like velvet and he tucked the boys toy dragon under his arm and Caleb smiled and hugged the toy to him. Dean brushed his son's head gently then went and stood in front of Fafnir as the other dragon took a protective position over the boy.
"What has she done?" asked Dean.
I must explain something to you, Slayer.
"I'm listening"
The hippogryphs have arrived
"Yeah, Finn bought them. Their leader's a bit of an asshole but they'll be valuable allies. Now what has Finn done?" he asked again.
The hiippogryphs, as you are aware, are distant cousins of the griffin…their existence is considered myth even amongst your kind. Their presence on the battle field was needed, to effect their co-operation they asked for a sacrifice…
"Finn?" Dean laughed and shook his head "No fucking way!"
Your son was to be the sacrifice…Griffin took his place. We agreed to the sacrifice to save the boy, as did Griffin. We promised to keep the little Slayer safe in return for her co-operation. It was a promise made before your arrival, before we understood both hers and your value to the realm.
"I don't give a shit what you all agreed to! She is not going to be sacrificed! You hear me?" said Dean angrily. He shook his head and laughed nastily "And Azhi? He's not gonna be sacrificed is he?"
Griffin will save Azhi before her sacrifice is made. Her destiny was always to bring about his salvation.
"Yeah? Well change of plans" said Dean.
Griffin bought the little Slayer to you for a reason. She knew you would care for him, guide him like she has been. She would not agree to the sacrifice unless she knew her son would be safe and looked after…by you
"I don't care what she thought…what she agreed to …she's not gonna be killed" he looked at the other dragon "You guard my son" he turned to Fafnir "If Finn dies…so does Azhi"
You threaten my son?
"You threaten my…."
Beloved?
Dean stared Fafnir, saying nothing.
She is what she is, Slayer. Now you must listen carefully. We have rethought our position on this, we will protect the Little Slayer, he is more important than even we realised. The Phoenix is aware of this, speak with him. But there has been a change on the wind…the evil one that now rules the realm has sent out a call for you. He will not accept the surrender of which you plan unless you are there to effect it. He does this only to show you the death of your beloved. He will kill her, attempt to kill Azhi and then slaughter all who have defied him.
"We figured that. I have plans in place. We know the Rukh's are assembled in the forest behind the Citadel, we have people on the inside, our information is good"
Fafnir bowed his head We are aware of this. The griffins are particularly angry at this development. They will not allow the death of Griffin…and neither will we.
"Then why the hell did you agree to it?" asked Dean angrily.
We believed it the only way. We have since changed our minds. The hippogryphs will not be pleased but they will battle to save the realm, do not judge them for their nature…they are skilled combatants and will fight to the death. You must leave now…we will watch out for your beloved but their army is assembling on the plains…our time draws near.
Dean nodded, went to Caleb and kissed him softly on the forehead "I'll be back for you, Caleb. Me and your Mom. I promise" he rose and turned, Fafnir was gone. Dean looked at the dragon at his side "Where'd Fafnir go, Mhagin?"
He is where he is meant to be.
"Great" he took one last look at his son and jogged from the cavern. It was time to go to work and Jonas was going to have his ass handed to him on a plate. He turned out of the cave and stopped, Peluda was gone, Fafnir was waiting for him "Fafnir?"
We ride into battle together, Slayer.
Dean grinned and scaled Fafnir quickly. The dragon only just fit on the ledge…he was easily a hundred feet in length, his muscles bulging under his golden scales and as soon as Dean was in place, Fafnir took to the skies, shooting into the darkness and rocketing back to the encampment.
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Fafnir circled the garrison before landing gracefully in a cleared section in front of the main tent. Gideon, Gabe, Jude and Seth came out and stared at the dragon in front of them.
"Fuck me…" said Gideon as he stared at the enormous beast. It was twice the size of any of the dragons he'd seen.
Dean slid from the dragon's neck and grinned "This is Fafnir. King of the Dragons and we're gonna kick some serious ass" he looked around "Where's Sammy?"
Jude grinned and pointed to Dean's tent "Aaah, he and Eve are getting…better acquainted"
Dean grinned "Banging her brains out is he?"
Gabe laughed "From what we've heard…and then some"
"Seth?" asked Dean.
"Everyone's assembled and in position. The hippogryphs left with riders about twenty minutes ago. Caleb's safe?" he asked.
Dean nodded "He's being guarded in Fafnir's cavern"
"We've had word come through that Jonas wants you at the surrender" said Seth.
"Fafnir told me. We've a slight change of plans" he grinned.
"Finn?" asked Gideon.
"No one's killing Finn" said Dean, he turned to the dragon "Right, Fafnir?"
The dragon bowed his head Things have changed.
"Alright, we'll go over this quickly then we ride" and they followed Dean into the main tent.
Sam came in twenty-minutes later, grinning like an idiot "So what'd I miss?"
Dean looked up from the maps and grinned at his brother "I'm hoping you didn't miss anything, Sammy. You're a Winchester…it doesn't happen, dude"
Sam gave Dean the finger and looked at the maps "You've changed the plans?"
"Not your side of it, Sam. You and Ankou ready?" asked Dean.
Sam nodded "Just waiting on you, dude"
"Alright, we're set. Time to go kick some fucked-up Ancient ass" and they walked out of the tent. Fafnir, Peluda, Ankou, Raja and the three other griffins were waiting. Dean grinned "Mount up" and he scaled Fafnir. Gabe went to Peluda and scaled him and Sam to Ankou. "Well?" said Dean. He sighed "Gideon, ride Raja…Seth and Jude…you'll ride the griffins to the meeting place. Move your asses"
The three men grinned and jogged to the griffins, scaling them carefully but quickly. The six men, in full battle gear; leathers, swords and shields at the ready, riding mythical beasts into a battle that would either save or destroy their realm; they couldn't hide the grins on their faces as the adrenalin kicked in. Fafnir let out a roar as he took to the skies, the phoenix and griffins echoing it as they, too, shot skywards. The battle would begin within the hour.
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Finn stood when she heard the key turn in the lock at the end of the dungeons. She felt the rush of butterflies in her stomach and quashed it. She would show no fear, she would walk tall and proud to her death…let her people see Jonas for the true evil he was. Let her death be the wake-up call her people needed.
Xavier arrived with Wil and Daniel and they were pissed. She smiled at them "It's alright, Xavier"
He shook his head "It's is far from alright, Princess. First your brother and now you. We cannot allow it"
Finn smiled "You can and you will. Please don't make me order you"
He nodded slowly as he opened the cell "Jonas is waiting for you both on the Citadel walls. The army is assembled out the front, the Rukh's are readying behind the Citadel in the forest. Our men are in position amidst the army, we will turn when the call is sounded" he looked at her "We will win this battle, Princess. Your death will not be in vain"
She smiled "I know. Have you got the dagger?" he nodded and passed it to her and she tucked it into the back of her leathers, out of sight. She turned and put her hands behind her back and Xavier bound them.
He took out his dagger and cut them a little "That should give you enough time to free your hands and get to your dagger"
"Thanks"
Xavier turned to Azhi "I'm sorry, Azhi…I need to…"
Azhi lowered his head I understand.
Xavier looped a rope around the dragons neck and Wil led Finn from the cells while Xavier led Azhi.
They walked out into the square, the people were gathered, lining the path they would take to the Citadel walls; Finn held her head high, her shoulders back as she walked through her people. She looked at them and smiled at those that smiled at her. She saw the fear in their eyes and the hope that this would all end…that their home would be saved. She also saw a sadness in some of them as they realised that this may be the end of everything.
A woman stepped from the crowd and stood in front of her "Princess" she whispered "We know who our true leader is"
Finn smiled "He's on his way. Have faith"
A guard stepped forward and yanked the woman back into the crowd, slapping her for breaking with protocol.
"LEAVE HER BE!" yelled Finn.
The guard stepped forward and slapped her "KNOW YOUR PLACE, TRAITOR!" he yelled.
Finn moved quickly, head-butting the guard and knocking him on his ass "KNOW YOUR PLACE, ARSEHOLE!" she yelled as she stepped over him, trying not to smile at the cheers that rang out.
Wil leaned forward "Nice. I've been wanting to do that for a long time, Princess" he moved her gently forward.
She climbed the steps, her eyes on Jonas as he watched the goings on below him. She could see the anger, the madness in his eyes and she worked subtly on the binds around her wrists as Wil bought her up to the Citadel walls, Azhi taking his place next to her.
She looked out, Jonas' army was assembled and ready, they were fifteen thousand strong, in full-battle gear, the cavalry at the front of the army, ready for the first attack, the catapults ready at the rear. She looked towards the horizon as the sun started its slow rise. She smiled as the pink and orange hues of her sky started to shimmer into existence.
"You smile?" asked Jonas as he laughed "Make sure you're smiling when your beloved watches you die!"
"Dean's left the realm, like he promised me" said Finn, not taking her eyes from the sky.
"Oh, no…I've asked him to join us…his surrender is now part of the deal"
Finn finally turned her eyes to Jonas "He will not surrender!"
"Oh he will" and he pointed.
Finn turned and saw a fleet of dragons shoot over the horizon and head towards them, she knew it was Dean that was leading them, riding who could only be Fafnir. She dropped her gaze and saw a legion of Ancients led by Jude, gallop towards the Citadel, flying the blue flag of surrender.
"No…" she whispered.
"Oh YES!" Jonas yelled in her face "Did you really think I would hold to our deal?" he laughed "After what you did to my brother? I swore you would pay. And once you and the Slayer are dead I will hunt down your spawn and kill him with my bare hands" he laughed.
Finn spat at him and he slapped her, rocking her head sideways and she stumbled into Azhi, Wil pulling her gently back to her feet.
Stay focussed, Griffin. Do not give him reason to alter his plans.
"General! Ready the execution!" ordered Jonas.
Xavier stepped forward and looped the nooses round Finn's and Azhi's necks and she and the dragon stepped towards the edge of the Citadel walls…
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Dean and Fafnir raced towards the Citadel, a fleet of thirty dragons riding in formation at his back. Gideon, Gabe, Sam and Seth were in position and he could see Jude riding with the selected Ancients towards the Citadel. He would pull up early, giving enough room for the dragons to take their place in front of Jonas' army.
They are in position, Slayer.
Dean looked and saw Finn and Azhi on the city's walls, standing next to Jonas and his anger rose as he saw Jonas slap Finn, knocking her sideways. He yelled as he watched the noose placed over her neck and Fafnir increased his speed, the dragons matching it and as they settled in front of the army, Fafnir headed directly to the Citadel.
'NO FURTHER, SLAYER!" yelled Jonas.
Fafnir pulled up, hovering two-hundred feet from the Citadel walls "RELEASE FINN AND THE FLEDGLING!" Dean yelled, his eyes never leaving Finn's.
Jonas laughed nastily "MAKE YOUR SURRENDER AND I WILL RELEASE THEM!"
"DON'T YOU DO IT, DEAN!" yelled Finn, which earned her another slap from Jonas, this one drawing blood.
"TOUCH HER AGAIN AND I'LL KILL YOU!" roared Dean.
"SURRENDER!" yelled Jonas "AND YOUR ARMY WILL BE SPARED AS WILL THE DRAGONS!"
"YOU SEE OUR FLAG! OUR SURRENDER IS ON THE TERMS OF FINN'S AND THE FLEDGLINGS RELEASE! YOU AGREED TO IT, JONAS!"
"I'VE CHANGED MY MIND, SLAYER! COMPLETE AND UTTER SURRENDER! YOUR DEATH FOR THE LIVES OF YOUR ARMY AND THE DRAGONS!" he laughed "TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!"
"LEAVE IT!" yelled Finn.
Dean looked at Finn and smiled "ACCEPTED!"
"NO!!" yelled Finn and she stepped forward and looked into Dean's eyes "NO, DEAN! YOU FIGHT!" she turned to Jonas "FUCK YOU, ARSEHOLE!" and she and Azhi stepped from the Citadel walls.
Dean screamed as Finn stepped off the wall, and he watched in horror as she plummeted, the sounds of Jonas' laughter echoing across the army. He saw Finn's arms get free and throw a dagger, slicing through the rope around Azhi's neck and the fledgling took flight, sailing towards Fafnir, issuing the call to arms as he blocked Dean's view of Finn, saving him from the sight of her death.
To be continued…