Chapter 4

The Turning Point of Third Earth

"16… 15…"

The countdown continued as Bobby and Patrick reached the forest. They ran at a fast sprint, sweat forming on their brow. Bobby really wished the forest wasn't so big and dense. He wasn't even sure they would find the trap door. Patrick looked behind him and saw the four dados that Saint Dane had sent.

"We have company," Patrick informed Bobby.

Bobby looked back too and said, "We're gonna have to fight them off."

"What?" Patrick yelled in fear.

"You can do this Patrick."

"Uh, in case you forgot, I'm not a fighter. I'm just a teacher. I wasn't trained like you were."

"Ok, ok. I'll try to do the best I can by myself. I don't know how well I'll do. I don't have anything to fight with, but once you get to the trap door, go down, and hurry as fast as you can to tell the outsiders."

"Alright… but what about you?"

Bobby took a moment to respond. "… I think it's time for me to see Saint Dane."

"12… 11… 10…"

"When I stop," Bobby continued, "you keep going. Don't worry about me. Ok?"

"Alright. Just be careful."

"Don't worry. I've dealt with Saint Dane too many times. I can handle it."

Truth was, Bobby was scared out of his mind. Sure he's dealt with saint Dane before, but he never looked forward to doing it. He still wasn't sure if he could win the fight that would come between them in the end.

Once he figured it would be a good place to fight the dados and give Patrick enough time to run to enter the trap door, he stopped, saw Patrick run past him, and turned to face the dados. They came up fast and when one was close enough, Bobby punched it in the face. The dado stumbled backwards, but it didn't take long for it to stand up right and stare blankly at Bobby as other dados just stood and watched. Bobby winced and was shaking his hand for he had busted it open, but knew it would heal in no time. He took a glimpse behind him to see the trap door close. Patrick had made it.

"6… 5…"

"Where's the other one?" one dado asked.

"Gone," was Bobby's simple answer.

The dados looked at each other and one said, "I guess we'll just take the one."

Two dados grabbed Bobby by the arms and started to drag him out of the forest. They reached the end in time when the crowd had shouted, "2…1… 0!"

There were explosions heard all around and the crowd screamed in surprise. The dados continued dragging Bobby away as Bobby watched the wall crumble. Dust and debris flew in slowly and covered the entire area. Bobby coughed a little as it filled his lungs and was jealous that the dados were unaffected. It made him wish he were a machine…

Whoa! Bobby thought. What am I thinking? There's no way in hell I would want to be that creepy! I would give myself nightmares!

As he was dragged down the path he saw an army of dados. Hundreds, no thousands of dados were on both sides of the area. Bobby could only hope that Patrick would reach the outsiders with the message in time and that the outsiders were ready. He watched as the dado army passed him. It felt like everything slowed down around him and had gone silent. It was all hard to process. Army of dados, the dust, people cheering, the wall tumbling, and Saint Dane with a smug smile on his creepy face. He was hit with it all in only a matter of seconds. Saint Dane's voice broke Bobby out of this horrifying nightmare, but really, his voice probably made the nightmare worse.

"On to victory…" Saint Dane announced. "On to a new world of Ravinia!"

The crowd was in another uproar as Saint Dane and Nevva left the stage. Saint Dane had a date with a prisoner. Bobby. Whether Saint Dane knew it was actually Bobby he was going to be seeing or that Bobby was even back, Bobby didn't know. If he didn't then he was in for a big surprise. The thought made Bobby chuckle. He couldn't wait to see Saint Dane's face.

As the crowd continued to cheer, Bobby had already entered the Taj Mahal and into the rotunda. The room was massive with elaborate wall paintings and flooring. One thing that stuck out to Bobby was two, solid gold thrones with red and green gems. Saint must've really thought himself as the king or something. Bobby's attention was then directed to the scene in front of him. Saint Dane was talking to the man who had spoken out during his "inspiring" speech. The man cowered in Saint Dane's presence and was begging for mercy, but Saint Dane didn't care. He wasn't the kind of man to show it. Nevva just watched in silence.

"You spoke out against me," Saint Dane said coldly. He didn't even know Bobby was in the room.

"No!" the man pleaded. "It wasn't against you."

"Lie! You believe that Ravinia won't win. You were against Ravinia the whole time, weren't you?"

"No! Not at all! I-"

"Silence! I sentence you to execution. Guards… take him away."

"No!"

Wow! Bobby thought. Saint Dane is losing it.

Now that Bobby had a closer look at Saint Dane and Nevva, he realized they were dressed like royalty, but in a Ravinian way. They had on red robes with gold lining at the edges and on the left side of their chest was the famous Ravinian star. They even had gold crowns on with elaborate red and green gems on them, just like the thrones.

Big headed much? Bobby chuckled inwardly.

Saint Dane watched with a cold stare as the man was pulled away. The man tried to fight at first, but then decided it was no use and gave in. Bobby watched the scene too. He felt sorry for him. He was about to die for something he was wrongly accused for. Nevva just stared at the man sadly, but knew she couldn't show too much emotion because of Saint Dane being there.

As the dados brought Bobby forward he said, "That was cold, even for you Saint Dane."

Saint Dane and Nevva recognized the voice before he saw who it was. They stared with utter shock. The Traveler they thought was gone forever was right there in front of them. They didn't even try to hide their expressions.

"The other one got away sir," the dado informed his "king," but Saint didn't say anything.

"Surprised to see me?" Bobby asked with a smirk. He was having fun with this. "You know, that sentence was really unfair for that man. Give him a break. He wasn't against you… unfortunately."

Bobby was serious about that. The man didn't deserve to die, but he knew Saint Dane wouldn't stop that. There was still silence from Saint Dane and Nevva. Bobby decided to continue on until one of them said something… or maybe not. Either way he was going to have a lot of fun.

"I like what you did with the outside, although I think you could've done without all the famous buildings and stuff. Are they the real things or just replicas? But I wouldn't be surprised if they are real… knowing you… and what did you do to your eyes? There almost all white… like a corpse… ok you've got to admit, that's kind of gross. You're not a corpse are you? Cause I don't think it would be fun to turn this battle between us into Night of the Living Dead… creepy… but I do like what you've done with the place. It's real nice and fancy… for you using it as a tomb. And your clothes… nice, but what did you do? Shop at the same store? The crowns are a little over the top, but I guess I should expect that from… what are you know? King of Ravinia? Congratulations, but I guess your dream isn't fully complete, now is it? I mean, with the exiles still out there."

That hit Saint Dane. "How do you know?"

"And what about that throne?" Bobby continued, ignoring Saint Dane. "I have to tell you, I've seen better… maybe not personally, but I have seen them in pictures and on T.V. I mean, it looks like a normal chair with glued gems on it… and that's saying something."

"That's enough," Saint Dane snapped. "It's uncalled for. You would think being away for so long you would throw away the sarcasm. I expected more from you."

"You would think that, but it was uncalled for when you sentenced that man to death… but I expected nothing less from you. You don't care if innocent people die."

Saint Dane ignored the comment and asked, "How are you here?" He seemed to have an idea, but he still felt he needed to ask.

"Does it really matter? The point is, I'm here now and this battle for Halla is still on."

Saint Dane smiled deviously. Bobby hated that. It always meant Saint Dane was one step ahead.

"I beg to differ," Saint Dane said.

"Really? How come?"

"Because the outsiders don't know we're coming and they aren't even ready. I guess you didn't listen to my speech well enough. I will win this battle."

It was Bobby's turn to smile, although not so devious. Maybe he wasn't confident in what he was about to say, but he liked the confused look on Saint Dane's face. "I beg to differ."

"Really? How come?"

"I guess you don't listen to your guard dados well enough. They only caught me. Patrick has probably already told them you were coming." Saint Dane had a surprised look on his face. Bobby continued to smile. He was getting to the demon. "That's right, Patrick's back as well as all the other Travelers and we know everything about Solara too. We're on the same page now. This battle is still on and those outsiders have tanks. They might've been still testing them, but they have the ammunition ready."

That shook Saint Dane. Bobby was really enjoying this. Everything would've been perfect and Bobby would've finally had a successful comeback at Saint Dane… if another dado hadn't entered the room.

"Sir," it began to Saint Dane, "we have done it. The outsiders have been vanquished."

Saint Dane's smile appeared in victory as Bobby's fell in failure. So much for acting confident. Bobby's head reeled. The outsiders were gone. He thought Patrick might've been hurt, but remembered that even if he was and if he possibly did… die… he would return to Solara and come back here unharmed. But the outsiders were gone! Saint Dane had won.

"Thank you," Saint Dane said to the dado. "Prepare the stage and ring the bell for another speech." The dado left and Saint Dane leaned down face to face with Bobby and hissed, with Bobby making a mental note about his breath still smelling sour, "Now what were you saying about the outsiders being ready? I have won all the territories Pendragon. Solara is mine. Halla is mine. I'm in control now. Although, I do have to admit, I was shocked you and the Travelers had returned, but it doesn't matter now."

"But what about the exiles?" Bobby asked. "There's still positive energy out there."

"You're right, but I'll find them."

"How? You don't even know where to start."

"Neither do you… but it doesn't matter. The point is… I will find them and destroy them. Now, as much as I've enjoyed our little reunion, I have to give a speech. My people are waiting and I want you to join me. I want you to see just how happy they're going to be about the outsiders being dead."

Saint Dane headed for the door and right behind him was Nevva. She looked down at Bobby with sad eyes. Bobby didn't know what that was about. Wasn't she just as cold and heartless as Saint Dane? She was on his side after all. She didn't have any compassion… or did she?

Bobby was dragged yet again and the next thing he knew he was on stage standing behind Saint Dane and Nevva. He was getting really tired of being dragged around a lot. Bobby just rolled his eyes at this.

NOTE TO SELF: If someone starts to drag you away and you know you can't escape, just surrender and say you'll walk on you own.

"People of Ravinia," Saint Dane began… again. "I have just been given the news of the outcome of the battle… we… have… WON!"

The crowd was in another uproar. It was louder and more enthusiastic then before. Saint Dane was right. These people were proud that the outsiders were dead. Said Dane held up his hands and the crowd fell in silence. It was weird to hear that loud noise die so quickly. Saint Dane was their king and you never mess with the king. Especially when he's an evil demon.

"We can now start a new life," Saint Dane continued. "We can spread it around the world. We are victorious and unbeatable!"

The crowd went crazy again. Bobby couldn't believe it. These people were truly happy and excited.

Saint Dane leaned over to Nevva and whispered, "Would you like to say a few words?"

All Nevva did was nod her head. She was shaking. Bobby figured she really didn't want to speak, but she probably felt like she had no choice. She stepped up to the podium with confidence. The compassionate woman was gone. She held up her hands and, again, the crowd went silent. Guess the power of being ruler worked for her too.

"I just want to say," she began, "that I am proud of what we've accomplished… proud that we can spread Ravinia throughout the world… proud to be a ruler of Ravinia… and most of all, I'm proud of all of you. Without you we would've never gotten this far. So, I thank you."

The crowd cheered. Saint Dane stepped behind the podium again and said, "But there was someone who didn't believe in Ravinia." The crowd grew quiet. "Someone who thought we wouldn't win. Someone who was against Ravinia." The crowd booed. "Bring him out!"

Bobby watched as two dados brought the man, who spoke out at the first speech, on stage. They forced him to kneel down. His hands were tied behind his back and he hung his head. His eyes were full of tears. Bobby looked out at the audience and saw a woman sobbing. She must've been his wife. The man looked at her and mouthed the words "I love you" and she returned those words to him. That got to Bobby. His heart went out to them.

"Guard," Saint Dane said to one of the dados who brought the man out. "You know what to do."

The guard nodded, took out his gun, and shot the man, but it wasn't in the way Bobby expected. It vaporized him into ashes! Bobby saw the whole event happen in front of his eyes. His mouth hung open. He looked at Saint Dane, who had a proud smile and Nevva… something about Nevva was off again. She had looked away from the shot. You would think she would act the same as Saint Dane and watch the show. The crowd was actually in shock and an eerie silence filled the area. The man's wife's sobbing could be clearly heard as she kneeled in the ground. She couldn't support herself anymore and a few people kneeled next to her to comfort her in anyway they could.

"I know you have never seen something like this happen in front of you," Saint Dane said to his audience, "but let this be a warning to you. If anyone betrays Ravinia your fate will be the same. Now carry on with you lives."

Yeah, sure. People are really going to be able to carry on after that. Bobby thought.

The crowd left in a murmur as Saint Dane left the stage proudly while Nevva followed as if she were his shadow. Bobby noticed a tear roll down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. She didn't want to show weakness near Saint Dane.

Bobby was thrown into a cell, literally. At least it wasn't dark and gloomy. It actually had some red-ish color to it. He sat against a wall thinking about what all had just happened. It all came so fast. The Travelers lost Third Earth, the outsiders were dead, and he saw an innocent Ravinian man turn to ashes. Unbelievable. He sat there for about twenty minutes when the door opened. Patrick had been thrown in the same cell. His clothes were torn, dirty, and bloody. Bobby hoped that it wasn't Patrick's blood… but then again, it would be bad if that was someone else's too. Patrick's hair was a mess and there was fear in his eyes.

"Patrick!" Bobby yelled. He ran over to his friend and helped him sit up.

"I'm sorry, Bobby," Patrick said. He sounded so defeated.

"I'm sorry too."

Patrick sat against the wall in daze as he tried to process everything he had seen. He was tearing up as he explained the events to Bobby. "It was horrible. When I got there, the outsiders had stopped testing their tanks and weapons all together. They were just sitting in the basement. I warned them about what was going to happen, but by the time everyone was getting ready, the army was already upon us. They had bigger tanks that destroyed the outsider's tanks and… it's just all a blur. The next thing I know people were being shot… no they turned to ashes and I was grabbed and brought back here, but I tried to escape. That's why I look the way I do. The dados wouldn't let go."

Bobby guessed that was Patrick's blood then, but knew his friend had probably healed already. One benefit about being a spirit.

Bobby just shook his head and leaned back on the wall again next to Patrick. "I just can't believe it. We lost Third Earth. Saint Dane has all the territories. Those people needed us. We should've just convinced them to attack instead of figuring out when Ravinia was going to attack."

Patrick nodded. He was coming out of his dazed state. "Yeah… but you heard what they said. They weren't ready. They probably wouldn't even have agreed to it."

"I know…"

Silence fell between the two until Patrick said, "… There's just something I don't get."

Bobby looked at him confused. "What's not to get? We lost Third Earth."

"I know, but I'm not talking about that. If Saint Dane has all the territories, then he's stronger, right?"

"Yeah? And his eyes are probably even more white which makes him look like a corpse and it's creepy."

"So, is the positive energy of the exiles really strong enough to stop Saint Dane?"

Bobby shrugged. "It must be, otherwise I think we would've disappeared along with the other spirits."

"Do you think we'll find them before Saint Dane?"

"I hope so. Maybe the other Travelers have found them."

"Maybe. I just hope they're all together and not spread out."

"If they are, we'll find them. We just have to try our best and hope Saint Dane doesn't reach them."

The cell door opened with a loud creak, making Bobby and Patrick jump and look up in alert. They heard a woman's voice say, "Maybe I can help."

As the woman stepped into the cell room, both Bobby and Patrick gasped. It was Nevva Winter.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: oooohhhh! How's that for a cliffy? lol I really enjoyed writing the part where Bobby and Saint Dane meet again lol. Oh Bobby and your sarcasm ~cough cough~ I attempted writing the sarcasm ~cough cough~ lol. Either way, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D … Even though it is sad in many ways T.T
Please review! :D Or… um… else! Yeah! Or… um… Nevva won't explain why she's there… yeah! That's it! LOL jk everyone… jk… ^.^