Last time we shifted views back to The Ramblers as they prepared to stop the source of the time/space distortions disrupting their world. Violet argued with Jill on whether or not she could go on the mission. Jill finally agreed to let Violet join the team, making Violet a full Rambler. With everything ready, the team stepped through Violet's invention that would hopefully transport them to the source of the disruptions. Meanwhile, Max showed Steve, Julie and Tyler the grave of Dracula. On with the show!

Chapter 16: The Dadga Khan

Finally," said Cornelia as the train slowed to a stop, "I thought we'd never get here." After debarking from the train, Will and the others found themselves in front of a three-story office building. "North H.Q.," said Al, "It's not much, but there it is." "From what I've been told," said Ed, "There are about 40 demons running around the forests and hills in the general area. I figure that if we take it one area at a time, we can have the monsters dealt with inside a week."

Before anyone could say anything next, Guts grunted in pain and clasped his hand to his neck, when he drew his hand away, it was covered in blood. "The demons?" asked Hay Lin. "They're close," said Guts, "Lots of them, more than 40. Either that or a really powerful demon is near."

"How perceptive of you, Black Swordsman," said a raspy voice coming from the roof of the building. Will looked up to see a man sized demon in a red cloak and holding a long metal staff. The demon had black cat-like paws and a distinct feline face. "That thing is pulsating with evil," said Hay Lin, "What is it?" "From where I'm standing," said Nigel, "Pure evil incarnate." "Who or what the hell are you?" asked Ed.

"I," said the demon, "am The Dadga Khan, and you Guardians have interfered with the plans of The God Hand for the last time." The demon jumped down from the roof and landed near Cornelia. "Today is the end of The Guardians," said The Dadga Khan, "Except for you, Earth Guardian," it pointed at Cornelia, "You are now mine in body and soul."

"What the f#ck does that mean!" asked Caleb as she stood between Cornelia and The Dadga Khan, his sword drawn and pointing at the demon. "Do not waste your energy you young fool," said The Dadga Khan, "You are no match for me." "Care to back that up?" asked Caleb.

"Don't," said Guts, "This thing is way out of your league. It's an ancient creature that would swat you like a fly." "True words, Black Swordsman," said The Dadga Khan, "I thought I recognized you, you're the one that got away from the masters. I shall enjoy presenting your head to master Femto." "If Griffith wants my head that badly," said Guts as she readied his sword, "he can come and take it himself."

"Before we start to kill each other," said Will, "Answer me this; are you responsible for all the earthquakes and demons on this world and on Metamore?" "As a matter of fact," said The Dadga Khan, "I am responsible, but the credit isn't all mine. I owe Pai-Mey Matoya the credit for pointing out to me that disgusting little world called Metamore."

"So Pai-Mey is behind this somewhat," said Taranee, "Where is she?" "Watching us as we speak," said The Dadga Khan, "I promised her that I'd bring her evidence of the destruction of you Guardians."

"I have one more question," said Will, "why do you want Cornelia?" "You might as well know, Keeper of the Heart of Candracar," said The Dadga Khan, "You won't live long enough to use such information. I am indeed ancient and powerful, yet all that power isn't infinite. While I may seem immortal to others, my time is running out. In order to continue my glorious work I must mate with a human and transfer my mind into the body of the offspring. I have chosen the Earth Guardian to have the honor of mating with me."

"You got to be f#ck$ng kidding!" laughed Cornelia, "No way am I doing the dirty deed with you!" "You misunderstood me," said The Dadga Khan, "You have no choice in the matter. You are mine!"

"She does have a choice!" exclaimed Caleb, "And if you come any closer to her, I'll cut your damn head off." "It's always the hard way with you humans," said The Dadga Khan, "So be it. Come forth my minions!"

Before Will's eyes the demons appeared as if out of nowhere, hundreds of them in many shapes and sizes, all of them with a mixture of lethal looking claws and teeth. "That's more than 40," said Irma to Ed, "A lot more than 40." "Well don't blame me if that thing that's controlling them brought more," said Ed.

"You small one," said The Dadga Khan to Ed, "stand aside or be destroyed." "Who are you calling so small you need a magnifying glass just to get a good look at!" exclaimed Ed. "You, short one!" said The Dadga Khan, "Are whom I am speaking to!" "Don't call me short!" raged Ed as she used Alchemy to create another spear from the ground.

"Consider yourself lucky that you and your brother aren't meant to die today," said The Dadga Khan, "But you should mourn for The Guardians. Now my pets! Destroy The Guardians; yet leave the blond one for me! Kill anyone who get in your way!"

Just then Guts started to laugh loudly. "Why is he laughing?" asked Martin, "We're facing impending death and he's laughing, why?" "I'm laughing because this is nothing compared to what I've faced," said Guts, "I thought Griffith would have realized that it would take more than a few hundred demons to kill me."

"These demons are stronger than any you've ever faced, Black Swordsman," said The Dadga Khan, "They're at their strongest when en mass. You've run from your destiny long enough, Black Swordsman. Bring me his head!" ordered The Dadga Khan, "And make sure the crystal is smashed into dust!"

"If you want to destroy The Heart of Candracar," said Will as she held the crystal in her hand, "Come and get it yourself. Guardians Unite!" With a flash, Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin had transformed into their Guardian forms. "Form up around Cornelia!" shouted Will as she, Hay Lin, Irma and Taranee formed a circle with Cornelia in the center, "Don't let the demons get to her!"

"It's foolish to resist destiny," said The Dadga Khan, "She is mine!" "I won't let them get you," said Caleb as she stood beside Cornelia, "I'll die before I let that beast get its paws on you." "Don't get yourself all worked up," said Cornelia, "I have no intention of becoming that creep's play thing."

Before they knew it, Will and the others were completely surrounded by the demons. "This is your last chance," said The Dadga Khan, "Give me the girl, and I promise your deaths shall be quick and somewhat painless." "Go f#ck yourself!" shouted Matt, "You're not getting Cornelia!" "So be it!" shouted The Dadga Khan, "Make then suffer!"

Before any of the demons could move, the sky, in a sense, opened up about ten feet from the ground in a field of bluish-white energy. Will saw eight figures fall from the opening in space and time. When the light form the opening faded, she saw four men and four women, one with long black hair and really thick eyelashes that she recognized almost instantly.

"Well that was an experience," said Jill as she stood up and brushed the dust off her jacket, "I wasn't expecting to land on our faces." "Yeah," said D.P., "what happened, Violet? I thought we would just walk onto the other side." "Your guess is as good as mine," said Violet, "I'll have to check the data on my PDA."

"I'm sot sure we're where we're supposed to be," said Michael, "This isn't what I thought the source of the time/space distortions would look like." "We may not be at the source of the displacements," said Laura, "But I feel that this is exactly where we're supposed to be." "And there's your proof," said Fay as she pointed at Will, the others and the demons surrounding them."

The end of chapter 16. Next time the fight begins. What's going to happen to Cornelia? Will Violet prove herself capable as a Rambler? All this and more in the next chapter. Please review and I'll see you next time!