Last time our heroes reached the location of the final Stone of Power, Salusa Secundus; a world devoid of life, a world devastated by nuclear war. The Phantom Renegade had beaten Bloom and the others by about five minutes, while Malaketh and The Shadow Riders had beaten all our heroes by an hour. As both sides prepared to start killing each other, Carmen challenged Icy to a final fight to the finish, (try saying that five times fast). They fought to a standstill. Carmen then broke the stalemate with the Dragon Slave spell, apparently destroying Icy completely. On with the show!

Chapter 40: Clash at Salusa Secundus pt 2

"Is she dead?" asked Carmen in a shaky voice, "Is Icy gone?" "I can't sense her," said Bloom. "I'm not picking up her energy signature either," said Elise, "You got her."

"Then it's over," said Carmen in a voice barely above a whisper, "I finally beat the bitch." With that she fell to her knees, "And with that, I am spent." She fell over and passed out.

"She's not dead," said Ryoga, "Is she?" "Why don't you try sticking your head up your ass!" snapped Morgan, "See if it fits! Of course she's not dead!"

"Carmen may not be dead," said Musa, "But we may soon be." True enough The Shadow Riders had summoned just about every biot they had left, about 12,000 of them. The resulting battle would go down in history as one of the most violent, blood-soaked events in the history of the galaxy. I'd tell you all about it, but this story is rated 'T' for teens, so you'll just have to wait for the un-rated DVD.

Eventually Bloom managed to get a break from slaying biots. Her Winx was nearly depleted and she didn't know how much longer she could go on. Yet all thoughts of exhaustion were driven from Bloom's mind when she found herself face to face with Malaketh. They traded spells and curses, each knowing that there would be no mercy, no surrender; only one would survive

"You can't beat me, Bloom," sneered Malaketh, "I'm the superior magic user." While Bloom was nearly out of energy, she saw that Malaketh was hardly breathing hard. "That may be true in your eyes," said Bloom, "But I never give up. The only way you're getting those stones is over my dead body."

"I thought as much," said Malaketh, "That's why my brother has taken your beloved Prince Sky as hostage." To Bloom's horror, she saw that Xallos had Sky in a death grip, "One word from me," said Malaketh, "And Xallos will snap Sky's neck. All I ask is that you hand over the stones you collected and the stones collected by The Phantom Renegade. Oh yes, I know that masked bastard gave you his stones."

"Don't do it, Bloom," said Sky, "I'm not worth it." "Don't bother sacrificing yourself," said Xallos, "She won't risk losing you. You're worth a thousand stones to her."

"It's so simple, Bloom," said Malaketh, "I'll put my stones on the ground, you put yours next to mine and Sky goes free." To Bloom there was no way she could win. If she held onto the stones, Sky would be killed. If she gave up the stones, Malaketh would have the means to change history for his benefit and Sky would still probably die.

"How do I know you won't kill him just for spite?" asked Bloom. "You don't," said Malaketh, "I'm afraid you'll just have to trust that I'm in a good enough mood"

"Don't trust him," said Sky, "Trust me, everything's gonna be alright. Just don't let them get the stones!" "Say one more word," said Xallos, "And I'll kill you on general principal."

Just then Bloom realized that there was a third option to her problem, one that would probably result in both her and Sky getting destroyed, but at least the enemy would be denied victory.

She retrieved the shrunk box from her pocked and restored it to normal size. Bloom then opened the box to reveal the seven stones. "I knew you'd see things my way," said Malaketh. He then summoned a black attaché case, opened it and revealed the stones he had. Advancing ten paces he placed the stones from the case onto the ground.

After Malaketh had backed away from the stones on the ground, Bloom waked forward and placed her stones next to Malaketh's. She then backed away as well. "You see?" said Malaketh, "There's no reason that we can't be civil about these things. Yet, I'm not a civil person and you're far too trusting. Xallos, kill the boy."

"Tell your brother to let Sky go," said Bloom as she aimed her hand at the stones on the ground, a fireball already charged, "Or say goodbye to your dreams of ruling all."

"If you harm the stones," said Malaketh, his face beginning to show intense rage, "Sky dies. Besides, I don't think you'll destroy them. With these stones, you can power your own Time Bender and undo the past. Think about it: you can undo the devastation that has befallen Sparkx and live the life that was denied you. All I ask is that you let me use them first."

Bloom knew all too well what Malaketh would do if he used the stones first. Realize that this could be her last act alive, that both she and Sky would be destroyed because of it, she launched her fireball at the stones, completely obliterating them.

"NO!" raged Malaketh, he then glared death at Bloom, "You just made the biggest mistake of your all too shot life! Xallos! Kill the boy then kill the pixy!" Yet Malaketh's orders were met with silence. He turned around to see that Tatewaki had sneaked up behind The Shadow Rider and sliced Xallos's head off.

"You see, Bloom," said Sky, "I told you that all would be alright." "It's not over yet!" said Malaketh, "I still have enough power to destroy you all!"

"Malaketh!" shouted Tenchi. He stood less than twenty feet away, his sword in one hand, raised back and prepared to throw, "DIE!" he threw his sword like a spear. The sword flashed through the air and impacted blade first into Malaketh's black heart. Yet the warlock was still alive.

"You think you've gained a victory here today," gasped Malaketh, blood gushing from his pierced heart, "You think today's battle will make the universe a better place, don't you, you little pixy. But let me tell you this: you've won nothing. Today I die, but someone will take my place. Evil never truly dies, so your efforts today are meaningless; you've won nothing!"

"No, Malaketh," said Bloom, "We did win something today: we've stopped you. True, someone more evil and more powerful than The Shadow Riders may come tomorrow, but not today. The universe has been spared from your tyranny. Today countless people are assured to live free lives, and that makes them, the people we fight to protect, the real winners."

All Malaketh could say to this was, "F#ck$ng pixies," and he died.

"And so ends the great struggle against The Shadow Riders," said Tatewaki while Tenchi retrieved his sword from Malaketh's dead body. "Great," said Ranma as he and the others headed towards Bloom. She looked around to see that all the biots were destroyed and the remaining Shadow Riders were either dead or bound and unconscious. "Now can we please go home?" asked Akane

"The only place you're going Earth woman," said Salamei, "Is straight to Hell!" Beside Salamei were Darcy and Toro. "I forgot about them," said Stella.

"You may have killed my beloved Malaketh and his brother," said Salamei, "But as long as I live, The Shadow Riders live. Darcy! Toro! Destroy them!"

"As you command, mistress," said Toro in a sly tone. He took one step towards our heroes, spun around and delivered a hard chop to Salamei's neck, nearly crushing her windpipe. The female Shadow Rider fell to the ground gasping for air, her fingers clawing at her assaulted throat.

"Thanks for telling us that you're the last pillar holding up the organization," said Darcy as she knelt down beside Salamei. She looked up at the witch with horror-filled eyes as she realized the full extent of her betrayal. Salamei tried to shout her rage, yet all she could do was gasp what little air she could get into her lungs.

"For the record," said Darcy, "I don't like it when I get involved in something without being first told all the details. You Shadow Riders thought you could make slaves of me, my sisters and Toro, that we'd be your obedient minions," Darcy then grabbed Salami's face and blocked her nose and mouth, "You thought wrong." It wasn't long before the life left Salamei's eyes.

Almost at the same instant as Salamei's death the rings that were on Toro's hand and Darcy's hand fell off on their own. "It's done," said Toro, "We have our freedom again." "Yes," said Darcy, "We are free, and this time, I've learned my lesion about joining up with evil organizations. Now let's get out of here."

"Hold it!" exclaimed Elise, "You didn't think you could just walk away without dealing with me, did you?" "Not now, Elise," said Darcy, "I'm not having a good time."

"I'll say," said Stella, "after having lost her sisters, I'd be in a bad mood." "You pixies are lucky," said Darcy, "I'm in no mood for any more fighting. So this is goodbye, for now."

"As for you, Saotome," said Toro, "Next time we meet, I'll kill you and destroy everyone and everything you care about." "I'll be waiting," said Ranma. With that, Toro and Darcy teleported off the planer for parts unknown to our heroes.

"I guess that it then," said Tenchi. "It's not over just yet," said Sky. Everyone turned to see what Sky was looking at: The Phantom Renegade was on the ground by what little remained of The Stones of Power.

"I destroyed the stones because I had to," said Bloom to the masked man, "Otherwise they'd be in the hands of The Shadow Riders." "I don't blame you, Princess of Sparkx," said The Phantom Renegade, "You did what you thought was right. My only regret is that now I can never repay the debt I owe King Oritel and Queen Miriam."

"That does it!" exclaimed Stella, "We've got questions and you've got answers, so start talking. How do you know Bloom's birth parents?"

"Very well," said The Phantom Renegade, "I shall answer your questions." He removed his mask to reveal his face, "My real name is Jake Avatar. My father, Laurence Avatar, was the personal body of King Oritel. My family has served the royal family of Sparkx for several generations, until the last coven desecrated the planet."

"If your family worked for mine," said a stunned sounding Bloom, "Then that means…" "Yes, Princess Bloom," said Jake Avatar, "I too am from Sparkx."

The end of chapter 40. Didn't see that coming, did you? Next chapter we learn the story behind The Phantom Renegade, or should I say, Jake Avatar. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie! See you next time!