Chapter Nine: Dragon Knight, Nerissa
"Nerissa calm down!", Cassidy said laying her friend back down on the bed.
Everything the Shadow Specter did, while in Nerissa's body, came flooding back to her. She looked around the area confused at what was happening. Grandpa Joe then grabbed Nerissa's head and turned her to look at him.
"Nerissa, look at me!", Joe said getting her attention. "It's me, Joe!"
"Joe?!", she questioned in a panic. "What happened to you?!"
"Think Nerissa.", Joe said calmly. "Remember what I told you about Shadow Specters?"
"Yes.", she answered nodding her head.
"Well, about forty years ago, one possessed you.", Joe told her. "Remember what it did while in your body."
"Oh no!", Nerissa cried. "Cassidy! It made me kill Cassidy!"
"I'm right here, Rissa!", Cassidy said getting Nerissa's attention. "I'm okay. You didn't kill me."
"Cassidy?!", Nerissa said shocked to see her friend alive.
"Yeah it's me.", Cassidy said happily. "I'm here."
"And Joe?", Nerissa asked looking at her aged friend. "How long has it been?"
"About forty years, Nerissa.", Joe said as a tear fell down his face. "forty long years."
Nerissa then hugged her two friends as she cried. Everyone just let them have their moment together. Moments later, after getting her hug from Halinor, Nerissa remembered all the Shadow Specter did while in her body. From from fooling the rebels, to turning Matt and Mr. Huggles into two of the Knights of Destruction. To nearly taking over the whole universe! She then looked towards Matt and Huggles.
"I'm sorry for the specter did to you, while in my body.", she said sadly. "I don't exspect you to forgive me, but I still want to apologize. To you and all that were hurt by all this."
Mr. Huggles then jumped on Nerissa'a shoulders, nuzzling her cheek. Nerissa the petted the little door-mouse.
"Well if Mr. Huggles can forgive then, so can I.", Matt said sitting on the bed he was laying on.
"Thank you.", Nerissa said kindly as she looked towards Caleb. "You're Caleb, right?"
"Yeah.", Caleb said to his now teenage mother.
"I've got something to tell you.", she said nervously.
"If it's that you my Mother, I already know.", Caleb said.
"Say what now?!", Angelo asked. "She a mom?!"
"That's just it.", Nerissa said. "I'm not your mother. The Sage was."
"But, you told my father........."
"That was the Shadow Specter lying to get you to join it.", Nerissa said. "I'm sorry that you were lied to about me being your mother."
"Well, at least I know the truth.", Caleb said sitting next to Cornelia on the bed he was lying on.
"You gonna be okay?", Cornelia said comforting her boyfriend.
"Yeah, I'll be okay.", Caleb said with a half smile. "I just have to tell my father when I see him."
"I hate to interrupt, but we have a lot do.", Halinor said getting every ones attention. "Nerissa I hate to ask this of you, but you're needed to help save the Earth."
"Just like old times.", Nerissa grinned.
"Isn't it?", Cassidy asked with a smile.
"All joking aside, Ms. Halinor's right.", Angelo said walking up to Nerissa. "It seems you, like Cassidy and me, are a Dragon Knight."
"You mean like Joe?!", Nerissa asked surprised. "But, I was a Guardian!"
"Well, now you're a Dragon Knight.", Luba said as she walked into the room.
"Luba?!", Nerissa said.
"Hello Nerissa.", Luba said. "It is good to know that you weren't our enemy this whole time. For I have something for you."
"What is it?", Nerissa asked getting out of the bed only to get a little weak kneed.
"Easy now.", Angelo said catching her before she fell. "Don't push yourself to much."
"Um..... thanks.", Nerissa said turning a little pink as she stood facing him.
"Y-yeah.", Angelo said feeling his cheeks warm up. "No problem."
Nerissa then looked down at the brown robe she was wearing.
"Why am I in this thing?", Nerissa asked as she stepped back and examined what she was wearing. "That Shadow Specter had no taste at all!"
"Let's focus for a minute, Nerissa.", Joe said. "This is important."
"Fine, but I want some new clothes when we get back to Earth.", Nerissa said. "I can go back to Earth, right?"
"Yes, once you take this.", Luba said handing Nerissa a Dragon Pendant. "This is your Dragon Pendant. With it, you can call forth your Quintessence Dragon Armour by placing it on your belt buckle to become the Quintessence Dragon Knight."
"I don't have a belt on.", Nerissa said looking over her attire. "I don't even have any other clothes to wear!"
"Don't worry about that.", Cassidy said. "You can borrow some of my stuff."
"Thanks.", Nerissa said putting the pendant around her neck.
"Doesn't Nerissa get a weapon?", Angelo asked.
"Yes. She gets the Star Whip-Blade.", Luba said handing Nerissa her Star Weapon. "With this weapon and armour, it will be up to you to strike the final blow to free the Keeper of the Heart."
"That's Will, right?", Nerissa asked rubbing her head. "My memory from what the Shadow Specter did, while in me, is still a bit fuzzy."
"Yes, it is.", Halinor said as she and Luba combined their power to open a fold back to Earth. "This fold will take you back to your home, Joe. Kadma's been worrying about you, and your grandson."
"We're in trouble.", Angelo said.
"Oh yeah.", Joe said. "You first, boy."
"What?!", Angelo questioned. "Oh no! Age before beauty!"
"Respect your elders.", Joe said. "Now go!"
"She's your wife!"
"She's your grandmother!"
"Oh for Pete's sake, I'll go first!", Cassidy yelled going towards the fold. "Big brave Dragon Knights, are scared of one woman!"
"A woman with a powerful slap upside the head.", Angelo replied. "You've seen her in action, Cass!"
"Good point.", Cassidy agreed.
Cassdiy then walked through the fold, followed by Caleb and Cornelia. Matt wasn't to far behind them. Grandpa Joe went in next, after saying his goodbyes to Halinor and Luba.
"I'm going too.", Phobos said getting to his feet.
"But, we've just been reunited!", Elyon said. "We have so much to catch up on!"
"And we'll have plenty of time for that, Elyon.", Phobos said smiling at his sister. "But, I want to do what I can do to help them. They've done so much for me. I must return the favor. Plus, it something I must do."
"But........"
"It's something he feels he must do, you Highness.", Raythor said placing hand on Elyon's shoulder. "Just as Meridian needs you."
Elyon didn't want to let her brother go, but she knew she had to let him do what he felt was right.
"You're right, Raythor.", Elyon said breathing a sad sigh, facing at her brother. "Please be careful, Phobos."
"I will, sister.", he said as they shared a hug. "And after this is all over, we can spend as much time as we want catching up on lost time."
"I'll be waiting.", Elyon said as the pulled apart.
"Please watch over my sister, Raythor.", Phobos said to Raythor.
"With my life, Pribce Phobos.", Rathor said bowing to Phobos.
"Not Prince Phobos.", Elyon said. "King Phobos. When this is all over, I'm going to make it so that we both rule together."
"But, that's not the way of our people.", Phobos replied.
"Well, I'm the Queen.", Elyon said. "So, I can make it so."
"She has a point there.", Angelo said. "Besides, I don't think she's going to take no for an answer."
"You got that right!", Elyon said proudly.
"I guess you have no choice.", Raythor said with a grin.
"I believe your right.", Phobos said. "Alright, sister, you win."
"Good.", Elyon said as she opened a fold back to Meridian. "I'll see you soon."
"Farewell, sister.", Phobos said as Elyon and Raythor walked through their fold.
"She's something else.", Angelo said.
"She reminds me of our mother.", Phobos replied as Elyon's fold closed. "So, let's get going, shall we."
"Let's roll.", Angelo said as he, Phobos and Nerissa walked through the fold to Earth.
"Good luck to you you all.", Luba said as the fold closed.
'Watch over them all, Lord.', Halinor prayed as she and Luba returned to her post.
Once through the fold, Angelo, Phobos, and Nerissa came face to face with Kadma and Yan Lin, who were somewhat surprised to see Nerissa.
"Kadma?! Yanni?!", Nerissa questioned looking at her age friends.
"Nerissa.", Kadma said calmly as the fold closed.
"Is that Phobos?!", Hay Lin asked.
"Weird, huh?", Cornelia said. "Wait! What are you doing here?!"
"I want to help you for freeing me from the Shadow Specter's hold.", Phobos said. "Please allow me to repay you for what you've done for me."
"I say let them help.", Angelo said walking toward the others. "There's strenght in numbers."
"Fine by me.", Eric said.
"Same here.", Nigel agreed.
"What about the rest of you?", Angelo asked the others. "I mean, if Mr. Huggles is okay with her then, the rest of you should be to."
Everyone looked to see Mr. Huggles sitting on Nerissa's shoulder.
"I'm cool with it.", Matt said. "Will may not like it, but from what we saw, Nerissa's the only one who can free her."
"And we need all the help we can get.", Caleb said. "I say yes."
"Me too.", Cornelia said.
"Me three!", Hay Lin said in a happy tone. "As well as Phobos too."
"Thank you, Guardian.", Phobos said walking to join the others.
"Kadma, Yanni? What do you say?", Joe asked his wife and friend.
Kadma and Yan Lin both walked up to Nerissa. Fearing the worse, Nerissa closed her eyes, bracing herself. Then she felt two sets of arms wrap around her. She opened her eyes to find that Kadma and Yan Lin hugging her. Soon, tears started to run down her face as she hugged them back.
"I'm sorry!", she cried. "I'm so sorry!"
"Hush now.", Yan Lin said as the three pulled apart. "Joe told us everything."
"We're just glad you're yourself.", Kadma said placing a hand on her shoulder. "Now let's get you into some better clothes."
"I'm all for that!", Nerissa said. "I feel like a monk in this robe!"
"Same goes for you Phobos.", Angelo said. "You need new clothes too."
"No need.", Phobos said. "I can change my clothing with my powers."
Phobos then closed his eyes and focused his powers. Soon, his robe began to glow and change shape. Once the glow faded, Phobos was wearing a whole new set of clothing. He was now wearing a pair of pants that were the same color as the robe he used to wear. His shirt was a smaller version of his robe, and he had on brown boots. The headpiece he normally wore, while under the Shadow Specter's control, was gone, and replaced by a headband.
"Okay, now that's just cool.", Nigel said.
"That is cool.", Eric agreed.
"Really?", Phobos asked. "I don't feel cold."
"No, no, no.", Angelo said. "They mean it was impressive how you were able to do what you did with your clothes."
"So, cool means good?", Phobos asked.
"Yes.", Angelo answered.
"Earth people have a strange way of saying things.", Phobos said scratching his head.
"You have no idea.", Caleb replied. "Wait until you see television."
"Television?", Phobos pondered. "What's that?"
"Something that will blow your mind, dude.", Nigel said. "Follow me."
Phobos then followed Nigel, with Matt, Eric,and Hay Lin right behind them. Angelo went to the kitchen, to get something to munch on, while Uncle John went to read a book. Grandpa Joe went with the watch some TV with the others, while Kadma, Yan Lin, and Cassidy took Nerissa to get a change of clothes. Caleb was about to join Matt and the others, when Cornelia grabbed his arm.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?", she asked him.
"About what?", Caleb asked get curious.
"About us.", she said softly. "Let's go to the kitchen."
"Okay, sure.", Caleb said as he followed Cornelia into the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, they found that Angelo was in there, about to eat a bowl of ramen noodles. He then looked up to see Caleb and Cornelia standing there.
"Hey guys. What's up!", Angelo asked.
"Um....... can you give us a moment alone, Angelo?", Cornelia asked. "We need to talk about somethings."
"Okay.", Angelo said as he left out of the kitchen. "Have fun talking."
"So, what do you want to talk about?", Caleb asked as he leaned against one of the counters.
"I want to talk about us, and our relationship.", Cornelia said leaning against another counter. "Do you really think I was selfish for wanting you to take a break from helping restore the towns and villages of your kingdom?"
"I may have over reacted when I said that.", Caleb said putting his head down. "I was having a bad day."
"Well, it still hurt when you said that.", Cornelia said. "I wasn't being selfish. I just wanted to spend some more time with you. Even when I came to Meridian, to spend time with you, you always found something to do.
"Cornelia.....", Caleb began to say.
"It was like you were avoiding me.", Cornelia said as she had her head down, rubbing her left arm nervously. "I feel like you don't want me around anymore, Caleb. If you don't want to be with me anymore, please just tell me."
Caleb then walked up to Cornelia, and held her in his arms. Doing this surprised Cornelia.
"Caleb?", questioned confused by his actions.
"Why didn't you tell me you felt like this?", Caleb asked. "We had that argument about two weeks ago. You should have said something."
"I didn't want another argument to start between us.", she said.
"I don't want to lose you over some stupid argument, Cornelia.", Caleb said as he pulled away from her. "I care for you to much to let that happen. So, the next time somethings bothering us, we tell each other about it instead of keeping it to ourselves."
"Okay.", Cornelia said before they kissed.
A/N: Nerissa a Dragon Knight, and Phobos joining in the fight against the Shadow Horde? Not to mention that, the Sage was Caleb's real mother. Didn't see that coming, did you?! And now that Cornelia and Caleb have had they're talk and fixed things, things will start going for the better for our heroes. Hopefully.
Please review.