The Battle; Epilogue

Castle Wyvern

The dust and debris were still falling when Angela looked up, coughing. The small shelter she'd hidden in beside Broadway had barely survived the onslaught. She wasn't sure what to expect when she looked out at the courtyard but she wasn't expecting to see her mother.

No one had seen Demona for some time. She hadn't shown up when the battle had started and the clan had started to believe that she'd left them to fight alone, as usual. Yet here she stood holding a strange golden artifact, glaring at the starry sky. All around her the ground was pummeled with craters from the strange meteor-like attack. Small pools of molten stone still bubbled in each crater and wisps of smoke slithered towards the sky, but in a ten feet radius around Demona no damage was done. In fact, the amount of damage that could have been done to the whole castle was less than half of what it should have been. What had happened?

"What happened?" Broadway muttered as they helped each other stand. "Is everyone okay?" He took notice of Demona and frowned. "So, she came after all."

Angela approached her mother cautiously. "Mother?"

Demona moaned and collapsed, dropping the strange artifact. It clanked like an empty helmet when it hit the ground and rolled away from her.

"Mother!" Angela cried and rushed to her. "Mother, are you alright?"

Demona sighed as she rested against her daughter's stronger frame. Constantine had sucked more strength from her than she'd thought. It'd been ages since Angela had freed her from the binding scrolls. One would think that she would have recovered by now, but perhaps not.

"I am fine, Angela," she said at last, rubbing her head. "The shield . . . did it hold?"

"I . . ." Angela started and looked around. "I don't even remember seeing you arrive. What was that thing you were holding?"

"The mirror shield," Demona replied, her gaze stubbornly kept on the ground. "It has a sister piece. I left it with that human you told me about. It repels magical attacks. But it takes a lot of strength and concentration."

"I guess so," said Broadway, glaring at the courtyard. "But it doesn't look like it did a lot of good. There's wholes everywhere."

"It's better than it would have been," Brooklyn muttered as he approached, and everyone turned as the rest of the clan emerged from their hiding places. The twins poked their heads out from the main entrance and stared around them, stunned. Bronx and Nudnik snarled nervously before bounding out to meet their masters. The surviving strike force warriors also emerged, carefully surveying the damage.

"I saw you come in just before they hit," he continued, turning to Demona. "It probably lasted a good two minutes, if that."

Demona shook her head. "That is not long enough. Apparently Constantine drained more strength from me than I'd realized. Even two minutes is long enough for the city to be pulverized after an attack like that."

"But it is not," said Sata as she approached. "Whatever you did was enough to spare us all. Damages to buildings can be repaired, lost lives cannot."

"Thank you for helping us out," Brooklyn said. "I know it couldn't have been easy."

Demona looked away but sighed inwardly with relief.

"Okay," said Brooklyn as he looked around. "Let's take a head count and check for wounded and . . . let's help our friends with their dead." He turned to Broadway. "Help her inside so she can rest a while will you? As soon as we're done here we'll head over to Guardian Manor and see how they fared."

Broadway nodded and gently helped Demona to her feet. She wavered dizzily but stayed standing. As he led her inside, Angela picked up the device she'd dropped and studied it. It was shaped like an egg with different colored jewels and painted markings all along its surface. It was light and hollow but she could feel magic in it.

"Strange," she muttered, turning to follow Broadway. "Doesn't look like something that would make a shield."

She disappeared inside, barely missing the twins' excited chatter as they mingled with the warriors.

Guardian Manor, Manhattan.

Blackness slowly merged with light. A misty haze filled his vision. He blinked several times as awareness returned and he gingerly moved his head to look around. Dust and smoke hovered along the ground with debris, weapons and bodies strewn about. In the distance sirens wailed like banshees. It took him a moment to recall what had happened.

The skies had turned orange when strange meteor-like objects appeared in the skies. The dragon men had actually started to withdraw. He remembered a gargoyle, female, whizzing through the thick of the battle, tossing something at him as he ran. He remembered reaching out to either knock it away or catch it, he couldn't recall which, but the next thing he knew, a bright flash filled his vision, the strange object opened and released a shield.

How long it lasted he didn't know. All he remembered was falling and seeing his wife lying beside him, the side of her head was bleeding.

He sat up quickly, too quickly, heart hammering and gasping for breath. He groaned and laid back down. He lay there a moment rubbing his head before he staggered to his feet and looked around.

"Kaoru-dono!" he cried, looking around desperately for any sign of his wife.

Someone was at his side in an instant. "She's okay," said a husky voice. "She's inside resting. She got clubbed pretty good when the fireballs hit. But it's over. They stopped. The dragon-men are gone too."

He turned to look into the beaked face of the clan's second in command, Brooklyn. His stark white hair seemed ridiculously bright to his tired eyes but seeing him there filled him with relief. "It is over?" he asked, throat dry and voice hoarse.

Brooklyn nodded and offered him a hand. "Yeah, it's over. Someone pulled in and shielded us with magic for a bit before the guns fired just as the fireballs hit. We managed to take a few of them out before they did too much damage. Unfortunately, Lex is gonna have to lay low until sunrise. He broke his arm when the first hit came and we think there's a possibility he broke his neck too."

Kenshin stared at the Timedancer, horrified.

Brooklyn quickly waved his hands. "It's okay, it's not as bad as we'd feared. His neck was broken in a spot where it's not life threatening and there's no threat of paralysis either. He got lucky, but he's gonna have to stay in bed until tomorrow night."

Kenshin nodded and rubbed his head. "Stone hibernation, yes," he said, sighing. "I am just glad he is alright."

"So am I," Brooklyn said, smiling sadly. "He's my brother. But being the smallest of us it's hard for him to ward off big hits like that."

Kenshin nodded again and swooned. Brooklyn steadied him and he felt the bandage on his head. "Seems I did not escape unscathed either," he muttered, looking down when his foot hit something metal. He was surprised when he saw the object he remembered falling towards him just before the onslaught started and it wasn't what he was expecting; gold with jewels and painted designs, it was shaped like a very large egg. But he remembered it looking slightly different, as though it had opened or was cut in two.

Brooklyn chuckled. "Yeah. Got a pretty good sized goose egg there, buddy. You're lucky that's all you got, minus a few scrapes and bruises."

Kenshin grinned and looked around. "Where are the others? Are Hiko and Sano alright?"

"The behemoth and the lanky goof?" Brooklyn inquired, grinning at Kenshin's funny look. "Yeah, they're over there helping the Crystal Moon warriors."

Kenshin followed his finger and sure enough spotted Hiko's huge frame near the pool. Both he and Sanosuke were laying the bodies of dead dragon-men warriors in one pile and neatly laying out the bodies of their fallen allies in lines along one wall. He was appalled to see such death but knew it was unavoidable. The wounded must be inside the house because their voices carried from the hall and main room.

"How many are dead?" he asked softly.

"I haven't gotten an exact count, but I think there's at least twelve, maybe fifteen," Brooklyn said. "Almost a fraction of the number who came to us. The rest are wounded, some more seriously than others but most are still able to stand and move."

Kenshin closed his eyes, saddened. "This is why I hate battle. So much death."

"Yeah," Brooklyn agreed softly, guiding him towards the Hiten master and the street fighter. "But it's not as bad as it could have been. We'll give them a remembrance ceremony before their comrades return them to their families on Crystal Moon."

Kenshin nodded. "Thank you for aiding us, Brooklyn-san. I hope that our warning came to your clan in time."

"It did, and thank you," Brooklyn said, shaking his head. "It's nice to know we've got friends in high places – so to speak."

Kenshin smiled and made his way over to Hiko and Sano. His master was the first to spot him.

"Finally awake are you?" his deep voice chastised, but the concern was not so veiled as it might have been.

"In a manner of speaking," Kenshin replied, regarding them with concern. "You are both unhurt?"

"Not exactly unhurt but well enough," Hiko grumbled, rubbing his head. "I woke up before you did, at least. You STILL sleep late, you know that?"

Kenshin sighed and shook his head, but inside he was chuckling. Hiko was Hiko no matter where or when they were.

"Jou-chan alright?" Sanosuke asked him.

Kenshin nodded, noting how Sanosuke favored his right leg. A sprained ankle perhaps? "Aa," he replied. "She is inside recovering. I am going in to see her in a moment."

"I saw the fireball," Sanosuke grumbled as he rolled a dragon-men's body towards the base of the pile. "I thought for a moment it took you both."

Kenshin sighed. "Iie. Even if it had I doubt we would've been killed."

"I agree," Hiko muttered with a smirk. "You're both too stubborn to die."

Kenshin glared at his master but it had no fire. He was probably right anyway.

"That magical shield took most of the hit too, anyway," Hiko added. "What was it anyway? I saw that female fly through and then madness."

Kenshin shook his head slowly. "I don't know for sure. I will ask Brooklyn later."

"Why don't you go inside and check up on Jou-chan," Sanosuke suggested as he turned to his friend. "I'll come with you. Gotta put some ice on this ankle anyway. It's really starting to throb."

"I told you to go in a long time ago," Hiko glowered, but Sanosuke shrugged.

"Oh well," he said.

Kenshin shook his head, smiling, and turned to go inside, but stopped cold when he saw a figure laying among the dead. "No," he gasped.

It was the rhino-faced strike force leader.

Sanosuke followed his gaze and sighed. "I didn't see it happen but apparently he took the brunt of the fireball's explosion when the shield deflected it," he explained sympathetically. "I saw you and Jou-chan fall, but I didn't see him step in behind you. I think he was trying to save you and I kind of owe him now, y'know? Saved the life of my best friend."

He felt Hiko's hand on his shoulder and turned slightly to glance at him. "He died a hero's death, Kenshin. Don't grieve for him. He wouldn't want you to."

"I understand," he said softly and started towards the house. Along the way he spotted Broadway and Angela helping the wounded. They had a few wounds themselves but none that were too severe to hinder movement. Sata and Katana were nearby giving water to thirsty warriors waiting to go home. All in all, it looked like the aftermath of any other battle he'd ever been in. It brought back a slew of memories he'd rather not think about but a few others he cherished.

"Oh, Mr. Himura," said Angela when she spotted him and hurried over. "I'd heard you were injured. Are you alright?"

He nodded, smiling serenely. "I am well, Miss Angela, thank you."

She smiled and folded her hands in front of her. "I wanted to thank you again for all of your help. It's rare that we find friends like you. But I'm glad that we have."

He smiled and bowed. "As am I. Thank you for your help in tending the wounded. I will aid you soon, but I wish to see to my wife and the children."

"Is she alright?" Angela asked.

He nodded. "A head wound from what I understand. No worse than mine."

He fingered the bandage at his temple and she smiled. "I'm glad I patched it up correctly," she said, reaching out to check the bandaging. "I was worried I'd bound the wound too tightly."

"Ah, so you did this then?" he said, smiling gratefully. "You did very well. Thank you."

She smiled shyly and turned to leave. "You're welcome. I'll let you visit your wife now."

He smiled, bowed once more and went inside.

Sanosuke went straight for the kitchen to fetch a pack of ice for his ankle, grateful that Kenshin had not admonished him for staying on his feet with such an injury. He waved to Kenshin as the older man went up the stairs to the second floor and gently opened the door to their room.

Kaoru was lying on the bed smiling at their youngest son, Kennichi, who was chattering away at her. He'd seen the battle from a safe place, sheltered by his older sister, Hikaru. He'd sat huddled with his nieces and nephews – it was odd for one so young to think of them as such when they were all about the same age as himself – as the battle raged, terrified yet fascinated at the same time. They'd all cried when his father and mother were struck by the fireball but now he knew his mother and father were safe.

"It was really bright too," his little son was saying as he approached the bed. "It wasn't that big, but it sure made a big whole."

"I know," Kaoru muttered, glowering at the bump on her head as she held an icepack to her wound. Her right wrist was sprained and she was sure she broke her ankle in the fall when the fireball hit. She still couldn't fall or land as gracefully as her husband, no matter how well he taught her.

And speaking of her husband . . .

"Kenshin-love," she greeted, smiling brightly when he quickly scooped her up in his arms and held her tight. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, now," he said, kissing her on the lips. "You?"

"Could be better," she mused. "I'm still not as good as you at some things, like falling."

He chuckled and caressed her cheek. "I'm just glad you're safe."

"So is our little munchkin," she laughed, tickling Kennichi's side. He squirmed and giggled before slapping her hand away.

"I hate that!" he cried with mock vehemence. It was a very poor imitation of Hiko.

"Are you alright, Ken-chan?" Kenshin asked his youngest, taking his hand.

"I'm fine," the boy replied, hugging his father. "What about you? Did you get a headache like mother?"

"I've still got one," he chuckled tiredly, gingerly fingering his head. "But I am alright. I will need to go back outside to help our friends with the wounded soon, but I wanted to check on your mother and you." He caressed his son's cheek. "None of the invading warriors got inside did they?"

Kennichi shook his head. "No. Nobody let them. I don't think they knew we were in here anyway."

"Good," he said, hugging his son.

"He was telling me all about the battle before you came in," Kaoru explained proudly. "He's a true Himura. He was willing to go out and fight at your side."

"I could've too!" Kennichi told them hotly. "Uncle Yahiko fought in bigger battles than this when he was my age."

"Not quite this big," Kenshin corrected. "But yes, he did."

"At the same time, the circumstances were slightly different," Kaoru added. "I doubt even Yahiko could've stood against these creatures no matter how stubborn he is – or was."

"These creatures have far more power than our old enemies, son," Kenshin warned gently. "You are brave, capable and strong, but against these beasts . . ." He shook his head. "No. You were safest inside."

Kennichi sighed. "It's okay. I'll fight 'em soon enough."

"You bet you will," Kaoru laughed, tickling his side again.

"HEY!" Kennichi yelled, squirming violently when his father joined the assault. "No fair! Cheaters!"

Their laughter permeated the room for several minutes before Kenshin stood, kissed his wife and son and went back outside to help with the wounded.

"I love you," he called softly, closing the door behind him. "I'll be back soon."

Emerald City.

The cheers woke him as they entered the city. The streets were full of people, human and gargoyle alike. Flowers, streamers, bubbles and rice showered down from the taller buildings, ordaining the returning warriors and spreading sweet perfumes through the air. Those returning on stretchers were taken immediately to local clinics where they could rest and recuperate. They'd suffered fewer casualties than they'd initially feared, but still grieved for those who had been lost. As such, the return home was bitter sweet.

Goliath was wavering between wakefulness and sleep when the cheers became deafening. It happened the moment his lavish carrier entered the city. Made of mahogany and pulled by two beasts – were they dragons of sorts or just very large gargoyle beasts? – it floated over the ground via magical stones. There were no wheels and he was grateful for that. Most of his injuries were healed but a terrible ache remained and the exhaustion from the battle and those lingering effects of the injuries had sapped his strength. However, he was glad to be home and smiled at the people as he passed them by.

This lavish carrier and the treatment he received was not a gargilian tradition. It was in fact insisted upon by their human allies and friends. He felt silly and out of place, but he was grateful for their thoughtfulness and care.

Now if only they could get such kindness and trust to pass between humans and gargoyles of the outside world.

He sighed and closed his eyes. Tanner and Delia were returned to life. They walked at his side, hand in hand, now fully flesh and blood with their memories quickly returning. He was glad of it but he was sad at the same time. Thailog had disappeared, not something unusual but he had hoped that perhaps the clone would choose to stay. Perhaps he should have known better but for a while it really felt like Thailog was going to change. Maybe he still would. Crystal Moon seemed to have had an effect on him.

Regardless, the battle was over and the world was safe. Constantine was defeated and his armies disbanded. Many of his minions still lived and might return later to hound them again but they'd deal with that as the time came. Right now, they needed to check on the clans in the outside world, do 'damage control' as Brooklyn put it and help with the wounded and dead there.

"Three cheers for our Guardian! Three cheers for our warriors!" cried a voice in the crowd. "The night is won!"

"Hip-hip hurray! Hip-hip hurray! Hip-hip hurray!"

The cheers reached a thunderous climax as he was carried onto the palace grounds, but he couldn't stop the smile that spread over his face.

A/N; I was actually quite pleased with this when I wrote it. At first, it was very long. So I split it into two parts and then into four parts. It's still longer than I would have liked but a big battle usually requires more writing time, right?

I'd had previous questions by folks who'd previewed this story before some of the changes, mainly regarding the clan and why they weren't in the battle. I hadn't involved the clan in the battle much because it was too much to put in, too crowded to have the entire clan on Crystal Moon although in the very beginning stages I had wanted them there. So I had to find an alternate way of putting the clan into the story somehow and this is what I came up with. I hope it passes.

Please tell me what y'all think of this. There were parts that were a joy to write and parts that were a real pain. Some parts I was kind of lazy with too and I think you might be able to tell where those parts are, 'cause they reflect an almost bored . . . um, whatever. Lost the word I was going for. :P

So, yeah! Please read and review! It helps, and thanks for reading!