Whoo! Update! Can yo believe it!? Me either. lol I hope you enjoy! :)

They all exit the hospital and promptly make their way to the Crystal Palace. It really is grand. Their opinion is only solidified as they enter through the large double doors. The flooring is an amazing display of smoothed crystal. It shines beautifully as do the crystal support beams lining the wall. Multiple stairways stretch out before them, these more of a granite mixed with bits of crystal. Not to mention the architecture is absolutely stunning.

Knights stand erect all around the castle. It is something Dart and the others do not remember seeing in either of the other castles. It makes them wonder if there is more trouble around Mille Seseau or if the Queen of this castle is simply more cautious.

"Wow!" Meru is the first to comment. Her eyes sparkle with awe. "It's amazing! There's nothing this great even in-" She cuts herself off. She shakes her head. "In anywhere."

No one questions her odd cut off and pick up. It is Meru after all. "It is even nicer than the Twin Castle." Albert notes. "Although quite unfit to face a dragon." He half laughs at his next thought, "Then again, what human structure can really do anything against such a beast."

Rose smirks at his good humored nature. "Nothing." She, however, answers in all seriousness. "Humans don't stand a chance against the almighty King of Dragons. So it is good we are all Dragoons." Her eyes flit to Kongol. "Or at the very least a Giganto."

Kongol nods to her. "Kongol will do best to fight." It is frightening, even as a Giganto, but it does not matter. As a part of this team, as a friend, he will do all he can.

"You people really are amazing…" Setie breathes. It is the quietest she has been when speaking since they met. "Gigantos…Dragoons…" She sighs in ease. "And so brave too."

"Oh…" Shana says as they reach the top of a longer set of stairs. "This is…" She stares with wide eyes and a slack jaw. There is obvious captivation, everyone has it, but for Shana there is something more. There is a sense of familiarity.

Staring at the clusters of crystals jutting out around the narrow path lined with lights she sees something more. She sees past the beauty, back into the past. She doesn't know why or understand it. But it's there. There is a flash of this path, only through the eyes of a child, a baby even. But there's no more. It's too brief and too long ago to have emotions or a sense of the situation.

Dart stares strangely at her. A frown twitches at the corners of his lips. "What is it?" He leans forward to better see her face. There is something off about it, about her.

Shana shakes her head faintly. "Nothing…" She says vaguely. "Just…dejavu." It is the only way she can think to describe it. Because there's no way she's actually been here. This is her first time to Mille Seseau. Right…?

Haschel stares intently at the crystals below the path, above it, and even with it. "Very brilliant formations." He mutters to himself. He chuckles softly. "One of these is probably worth millions too. They could save so many people."

Luanna doesn't look at him. Her voice is as smooth and calm as always. However the is a slight edge to it now. "Do not be ridiculous. Theses crystals are immobile." A faint scowl flickers across her face. "Trust me. We've tried such a thing before.

Haschel grimaces. "Oh, no." He shakes his head fervently. "I didn't mean to imply-"

Luanna smiles. It is sudden and off-putting. "I know." She assures. "But I felt the need to point it out. We only wish the best for our people and all people of the world. If we could, we'd sell it all."

Albert smiles brightly. "Pretty selfless." He admires that in people. It's something Princess Emille possesses as well. But of course Luanna is nothing like her.

Luanna beams. "As the Sisters of Mille Seseau it is not simply our duty, but something we take the utmost pride in."

It is then that they reach the final stairway. They have passed a couple of paths that branch left on their way, but they forget it instantly as a voice reaches them. They do not recognize it, but it is definitely a man.

Just ahead in the throne room the commander of the knights stands before the Queen and a Sister of Mille Seseau. "What I am telling you is that whatever the monster is, with the force of the Holy Knights, nothing can stand against us!" He nods firmly, his face and posture overflowing with confidence.

The sister which he faces is none other than Miranda. She takes a furious step toward him. Her golden eyes burn fiercely. Still, she manages to hold a relatively calm albeit tight tone, "Have you even seen the monster?"

The commander doesn't hesitate. He says strongly, "According to the briefing by my men, it is bigger than a cloud and faster than our horses." There is a slight laugh to his tone.

Miranda simmers. Her fists clench tight. "What's so funny?" The tightness in his voice increases. "Is destruction amusing?"

"No, no Sister Miranda." He shakes his head fervently. Faint fear flickers across his features. "It is just that, it is impossible for such a creature to exist."

Miranda's eyes narrow. "Where does your confidence come from?" Her tone is sharp now. She shakes her fist at him. "Huh!?"

The commander swallows hard. He, however, does not back down. "It is impossible for such a creature to exist." His voice is unwavering, but there is no denying Miranda is wearing away at his confidence and resolve.

Miranda's face contorts in pure rage. "You idiot!" She rears her arm back and punches him clear across the face.

The commander falls back on the floor, hard. He reaches up and lightly touches his face. It hurts like hell, but he can't say it was unexpected. Sister Miranda has a mean temper, especially when it comes to the ones she loves being in danger.

Miranda huffs angrily. "Talking about the enemy based on mere assumptions!" She shakes her head in disbelief. "More than that! Believing you can win simply because it 'can not exist'! Obviously it exists! It just attacked us you moron!"

"Miranda!" The queen's sharp voice interrupts her. "Do not be so harsh."

Miranda grumbles beneath her breath. "Yes, Queen Theresa." She bows her head slightly. When she lifts it again, her anger has scarcely died down. "Still," She speaks to the knight. "You're really going to expose your men to such danger because of your senseless overconfidence?" She sighs in a disgusted manner.

The commander picks himself up off the floor. He senses that her tirade is coming to an end.

Miranda scoffs one last time at his foolishness. Then she growls, "You are dismissed, commander." She points to the exit.

The commander bows deeply. "Yes, ma'am!" He turns sharply on his heel and strides out.

Once he is out of sight Miranda lets out an aggravated sound. She stomps over to the long arm of the throne arm and punches it furiously. She shoots off a string of profanities then as pain courses through her hand.

Everyone can barely believe it as they hear time and time again her familiar voice. There's no one else it can be, yet they do not believe it until they see her standing there in the throne room.

Miranda hangs her head. She breathes deeply in and out. "Idiots…all idiots." She murmurs.

"Calm down, Miranda." Theresa scolds, but with a playful note. "You are in front of guests." She turns her warm gaze upon her two other adopted daughters. "Luanna, Setie…" She smiles gently. "I'm glad to see you came back safe."

Luanna nods to Theresa.

Setie giggles into her hands. "You never change, Sister Miranda." She lowers her hands to reveal a wide grin.

Miranda rolls her eyes at her youngest sister. She is far too carefree and easygoing of a person, even as a Sacred Sister. "Setie," She says sternly, lifting her head. "He doesn't understand the current condition. He-" She falls silent as she turns to face her sisters. Shock plays across her face as she sees the group before her. "You…"

"Miranda." Dart nods in acknowledgement. He can hardly be surprised after hearing her voice for so long. Not to mention she had told him she was Luanna's adopted sister. It was all a matter of putting two and two together.

"Miranda!" Shana exclaims. "You're a Sister of Mille Seseau too?" Her eyes are wide and full of excitement. "That's so cool!"

Haschel grins. "It is pretty noteworthy."

Albert, however, does not show the same level of eagerness. His brows furrow together, his mouth curves down, and his eyes swim with confusion. "But why didn't you tell us?"

Miranda blinks rapidly and shakes her head fervently to dispel the shock. Her expression hardens quickly. "It was none of your business." She shoots back. "My personal life is for my eyes only." Her gaze shifts to Dart. "Only a select few know who I really am."

Dart can't hold her intense gaze. He looks away, over at Rose instead. She too is giving him an especially hard look. Dart makes a face. What's that for? Did he do something wrong? He isn't feeling particularly affected by the pulsing power right now. So what?

"Dart," Shana's voice cuts through his troubled thoughts. "Aren't you surprised?" She frowns deeply. "She's a Sacred Sister!"

Dart smiles down at Shana. He almost laughs. "No, not really." He shrugs. "I…" His gaze flits to Miranda. He sees the warning in her startlingly gold eyes. "…just sort of guessed."

"Guessed?" Rose scoffs. "How do you guess something like that?" She crosses her arms over her chest. "She sure doesn't look it."

Miranda bristles. Her fists clench instinctively.

Setie starts. She sees Miranda's intent as clear as day. "H-Hey!" She tries her hardest to switch tracks. "How do you know these people Sister Miranda?" She looks hopefully at her sister.

Miranda knows what Setie is doing, but she gives in to it anyway. She sighs heavily. "I met them the other day out in the Evergreen Forest." She says with a shrug. "But they were nothing special."

Dart can't help but be rubbed the wrong way by her deceit. Still, there's no point in arguing. So he remains silent. He simply shoots her an angry disbelieving look.

"Oh." Luanna nods. "I see."

Miranda returns Dart's sentiments before her gaze shifts. Her eyes narrow further and suspicion is evident. "I don't know those two though. So," She looks back at Dart. "Who's your lovely friend over there?" She motions toward Rose. "She's particularly charming." She sneers.

Rose's lips curl back into a snarl. "You don't want to mess with me girl." She hisses. "I'll make you sorry you ever lived."

Dart starts. The fury in each woman's stare meets in the middle of the room and there is almost a visible reaction where the two connect. "Rose!" He cries. He quickly moves over to her. "Don't." He lowers his voice as he says, "It's not worth it."

Rose lets her anger fade away. She understands that he means he can't stand her much either. His feelings, however, are surely not what they would be anywhere else. It's the dragon's influence. Still, it comforts her nonetheless.

Miranda's expression lights with realization. Rose? The woman Dart thinks so highly of? Boy was Albert right when he said she had less of a chance with her than with Dart. She had barely said anything! "Rose, huh?" She folds her arms over her chest.

Rose huffs. She presses her lips tightly together and her eyes intensify tenfold. If she doesn't say anything, it will be better for everyone. They'll be done with this wench soon anyway.

Miranda rolls her eyes. "What about her?" She indicates Meru.

Meru doesn't hesitate. "I'm Meru!" She chirps. She grins broadly. "I've actually lived in Mille Seseau most of my life."

Miranda blinks and stares in sudden intrigue. "Really?" She doesn't know this woman. It makes her wonder where she is from. But it is a brief thought and she quickly moves on to ask, "But why are you here?" She looks reproachfully at them. Did they follow her?

Luanna senses Miranda's growing suspicion and annoyance over not being sure of anything, so she quickly answers to quail her feelings. "I brought them in order to save Mille Seseau from the dragon." She says confidently. "They are the heroes of Tiberoa."

Theresa's eyes light up. "Heroes of Tiberoa! Oh, how wonderful!" Still, are they really powerful enough to save all of Mille Seseau?

Miranda frowns deeply. "Save?" She half laughs, but it is not from amusement. There is a cold edge. "Who says we need saving by them?" It's her country. She'll save it herself thank you very much. She has the means to put together a great team on her own.

Luanna sighs softly at her sister's hardheadedness. "If we do not take action, it will attack us again." Of course Miranda knows that. That isn't the problem. Whatever encounter she has had with these people, it rubbed her the wrong way. This was not going to be fun.

Miranda rolls her eyes. "Of course it will attack again." She says in exasperation. "You know that's not what I was talking about."

Luanna grimaces. She tries to focus her energy on someone other than Miranda in order to ignore her sister's emotions. "They are stronger than normal people." She says tentatively, not sure if this is something to be shared. "More so than all of Mille Seseau put together."

Miranda can't help but be surprised by such a statement. Coming from Luanna it must be the truth. After all, they are the heroes of Tiberoa…but still. Could they really be so powerful? More importantly, where did it come from?

Before Miranda can ask, Theresa speaks. "Do you know anything about the monster?" She holds her breath. It is the Divine Dragon, this much she knows. But the specifics elude her. After all, it's all supposed to be nothing more than a fairytale.

Dart grimaces and shame enters his eyes. "I'm sorry." He shakes his head slowly. "We only know what you know."

Miranda scoffs. "You're just like my knights. You think you can beat it just because you have to." She rolls her eyes and sighs irritably. "It takes more than that."

"Miranda, please," Theresa frowns and shoots a disapproving look at her daughter. Then she speaks to Dart once more. "You said…you will save this country?" She waits for his agreeing nod. "Well, I mean no disrespect to the heroes of Tiberoa, but is it possible for us humans to defeat a dragon?"

"Well…" Dart side glances. They never even told King Zior of their powers. Helping out this country should require nothing more.

Miranda laughs coldly. "What fools." She taunts. "All this confidence over nothing." Her eyes narrow and spark with a cold challenge.

Dart growls in utter aggravation. "And you think you are so much better?" He stares her down. "You're nothing more than human."

Rose starts. His words chill her to the bone. They sound just like she did no more than a few months ago. "Dart…" For once she can think of nothing to say. Don't lose yourself. Don't turn into me…

Miranda starts as well. "Only human…?" She says to herself. Her brows knit together and she tilts her head slightly. "Then what does that make you?" She is almost afraid to know.

Dart stares coldly at her. Then suddenly, it's gone – the contempt. He sees her fear and it grounds him, maybe even softens him. "We…" He sighs. What's the point of hiding it? "We are the Dragon Knights, who rule dragons, the Dragoons."

Miranda's eyes bulge from her head. She struggles to regain composure.

Dart ignores her shock. "There is nobody but us who can stand up to the dragon." He says with complete confidence. "And that is why."

Miranda opens and closes her mouth repetitively. "Are…are you saying you are the heroes from the Dragon Campaign?" She shakes her head slowly. "The Dragoons?"

Setie's eyes light up and she smiles brightly. "I was surprised too."

Luanna nods faintly. "But I don't see any falsehood in their heart." She smiles softly at her sister. "They really do mean well. And have the power to fight just as well."

Miranda gasps at this revelation. "What?" She jerks her burning eyes over to Dart. "You told them and you wouldn't tell me before?" Her lips curl back in a snarl. "Thanks a lot."

Dart returns her cold, hard gaze. "Life." He shrugs.

Theresa feels the inklings of panic swell within her. "Miranda," She says urgently. "Please." She shoots her daughter a meaningful look.

Miranda tries to focus solely on Dart, but she inevitably looks to the queen. She stares for a long moment before sighing and averting her eyes. She scowls at the ground and presses her lips tightly together.

Theresa sighs. "It means," She smiles widely. "May we request your help in vanquishing the Divine Dragon?"

Rose smiles wryly. "You are free to ask." She flips her hand about to show her indifference. "In either case, we have to fight him." Her eyes jump to Dart. More than anything he has to face the dragon. Not just for his sake, but everyone. She looks back at the queen. "But, we do have a favor to ask, Your Majesty."

Theresa eyes Rose curiously. "Oh?"

"There is one thing we need in order to cross swords with the Divine Dragon." Her gaze drifts up to the ceiling. She remembers the days where she once had ahold of the tool. "It is said that Winglies made two weapons in ancient times to fight against dragons. One is a sword to kill dragons, called the Dragon Buster."

Meru gasps. "Wh-What?" She spits out. She whirls around to face Rose. "How do you know about that?" Her eyes are wild and her heart beats double time.

Rose swivels her gaze around to meet Meru's. Suspicion lurks at the surface of her eyes.

Meru grimaces and ducks her head. "Oops." She backs up slowly. "I didn't say anything." She chuckles and smiles nervously.

Shana eyes Meru strangely, but before she can comment on it a thought strikes her. "Wait a second." She breathes. Her throat constricts and cold fear slinks up her spine. "Isn't that the sword…?"

Dart tenses and clenches his fists. "Yes," He says in a thick voice. A shadow passes over his face. "It's the sword that the bastard used to kill Lavitz." He shakes his head stiffly. "I'll never forget."

Rose looks sadly at Dart. Lines crease her face. "Yes," She murmurs. She moves her hand and slips it over Dart's. Once she feels him squeeze back she adds, "Therefore, we have no choice but to count on the other weapon."

Theresa frowns. She raises a brow. "What could that be?"

"The Dragon Block Staff." She keeps an eye on Meru all the while. "As the name implies, it is a magic staff to block the power of dragons." As she watches, Meru in fact tenses and looks all kinds of nervous. There's only one explanation really.

Miranda clenches her fists and jumps forward. "And?" She looks hard at Rose. "Where is the Dragon Block Staff?"

Rose narrows her eyes as she scrutinizes Miranda. "I was going to ask you all. Since it reasons it would be in your protection somewhere." She turns her head sharply. "Actually," She zones in on Meru. "It seems that one of us knew about it. Meru?"

Meru backs up as everyone turns their gazes on her. "W-What are you talking about?" She chuckles and rubs the back of her neck. "Why would a girl like me know anything about a magical item like the Dragon Block Staff."

Shana frowns and her brows furrow. "Do you know about it?" She tilts her head slightly.

Theresa steps forward. "I implore you – please tell us." She clasps her hands at her chest. "For the sake of this country."

Meru whines softly. She ducks her head and squirms in place.

Dart locks eyes with her. "Why are you hesitating?" His voice is thicker than usual. His eyes are a little colder. It's no so much a plea, Meru realizes, than it is a threat.

Meru sighs. "Okay! Okay!" She throws her hands in the air. "I'll tell you guys, alright? Just…" She grimaces. "Stop looking at me that way." She begs the question of Dart in particular. When they each nod, she concedes. "It's in the Forest of Winglies."

They all start, all except Rose. I knew it.

Dart's mouth gapes slightly. "Forest of Winglies? You mean those fairies you were talking about earlier?" He struggles not to give her a sharp, questioning look. He promised.

Albert steps forward. "Where is that?"

"Um," Meru pulls at her arm. "It's in the northern part of the Evergreen Forest." She averts her eyes.

Theresa stares with wide eyes. "If so, are you saying that Winglies still live?" She covers her mouth with her hand.

Meru bows her head. "Uh huh." She murmurs.

Theresa lowers her hand and smiles in disbelief. "It seems that the myth of fairies in the Evergreen Forest area was true." She half laughs.

Miranda looks over each of the people before her. Her gaze even skirts over all her sisters before finally settling on Theresa. She steps forward and pivots to face the queen. "Queen Theresa," She glances at Dart as she says, "I am heading to the Forest of Winglies with these people in order to borrow the Dragon Block Staff."

Dart chokes on air. "What?" If not for Rose's hand still holding his he would have sprung forward. "You can't be serious." He narrows his eyes at her. "No way. We already told you-"

Miranda jerks around to face him. She lowers her head, leveling him with an intense glare. "Yeah, and I told you - I won't let my country fall apart and while I do nothing. I have to fight for the place I live."

"Miranda…" Theresa tries to argue with her daughter, but the conviction dies before it truly surfaces. She sighs and looks away from Miranda. It's no use.

Dart growls beneath his breath. "What can you do?" He bites back. "You'll only slow us down. Get in the way." No different than Shana all those times. He cringes at the horrible thought. Shana is not useless. Never.

Miranda holds her head high. "You want to be?" She smirks.

Dart opens his mouth to argue further, but Rose cuts him off. "Enough." Her voice resounds in the room. "This petty fighting is getting us nowhere." She sends a sharp look at both Dart and Miranda. "If she wants to come and die then that's fine by me. We can't be held responsible for her recklessness."

Shana starts. So cruel. Still, it's true that they have no time to waste. Still, as always, there are other ways to say such a thing. Rose doesn't have to be so harsh.

Albert sighs. "Don't be so harsh Rose." He speaks Shana's mind. "You don't even know the girl."

Rose glares at him. "She's not a child." Rose shakes her head. "It's her choice. I just want her to know exactly what her choice will bring."

Dart sighs. "Fine. Whatever, Miranda." He throws a hand in the air. "Come if you want. I don't care. Just know Rose is right. You don't stand a chance. And we won't save you."

"Damn, Dart." Haschel intercedes. He frowns deeply. "You're acting way too much like Rose."

"Save it Haschel." Dart rolls his eyes. He internally cringes at his harsh words. He sighs. "Sorry." He mumbles as an afterthought. "I just…need to get over this." Whatever this is.

Meru paces in the back. She hands her head low and mutters to herself about how bad this is. They could be the key to saving everyone, sure, but it's against the rules. Even she isn't supposed to return to her home. Humans definitely can't. Being a Dragoon has nothing to do with it. She sighs softly. What a mess.

Miranda offers something similar to a smile. "I'd rather die than live and wonder if I had fought I might could have made a difference." She removes her hat and tosses it to the side. Without this simple piece of clothing she looks so much fiercer. It must be the eyes. "Besides, I want to see how far you Dragoons can go. If you really have the power as described in legend."

Theresa silently thanks the gods for having ended a fight before it began. "I beg you people," She clasps her hands. Her eyes are wild, desperate. "Please save Mille Seseau from the Divine Dragon."

Dart keeps his eyes trained on Miranda. "Alright, let's get going to the Forest of Winglies. Meru?"

Meru jumps in her skin. "Huh? What? Oh." She nods. "Yeah, alright." She curls her fingers around her opposite arms. "Let's get going…" She leads the way down the stairs and out of the room.

Shana doesn't move for a moment. She stares blankly at Theresa. Something about her. She shakes her head and dispels the illusion. She turns to follow the others, just behind Kongol. At the edge of the stairs, she pauses. She slowly shifts, but not toward Theresa. Her gaze wanders to a narrow stairway in the corner of the throne room. "Oh…" Her eyes glaze over.

Kongol stops. "Wait." His voice echoes. He looks over his shoulder.

Everyone turns to look at him. Haschel speaks, "What's wrong?"

Kongol motions behind him. "Shana. She, gone."

Dart starts. His heart leaps in his throat. "Where did she go?" He tenses and he feels a darkness swell within him. Did someone do something to her? His eyes narrow at the idea.

Miranda blows out a breath. "What timing." She throws her hands in the air.

Dart turns on her. "Don't even start." He growls. "Shana is worth more than anything – to me and to all of us. Finding her isn't some inconvenience. Got it?"

Rose shakes her head and pushes by all of them. "Stop wasting time." She shoots into a sprint. Who knows what Shana will get into on her own. That night in Furni was enough for Rose to believe Shana can get into danger anywhere – especially in ancient Wingly establishments.

Dart charges after her. "Come on." He yells over his shoulder.

They all rush back into the throne room. They catch everyone off guard, but only for a moment. The panic on the group's faces is enough to let the queen know what they seek. "Shana wandered into that room." She nods to the left.

Rose doesn't miss a beat. She flies up the stairs. She sucks in a soft breath as she sees Shana in a heap on the floor. "Shana!" She hurries forward and kneels down in front of Shana. "Shana?" She gingerly lifts Shana up on her knees. "Hey, are you awake?"

Shana groans. Her eyes flutter open. "R…Rose?" She blinks away the blurriness.

Dart is there a second later. "Shana!" He slides in next to Rose. Shana," He says breathlessly. He manages a tiny smile. "Hey," He runs a hand over her cheek. "Are you all right?" He holds his breath.

Shana's face creases as she peers around her. "Where…" Her throat tightens. A fear slithers up her spine. "Where am I?" Soft glowing lanterns line the barrier between where they sit and a mass of large crystals. "When…" She presses her knuckles to her mouth. "…did I come here?" A tiny sob ekes out.

Dart helps her up. "What happened?" He says gently. He keeps his hands around her arms, not willing to risk her falling.

Rose stands slowly. She looks Shana over. The girl's legs are trembling. She looks sufficiently shaken. Rose tenses. What is this?

Shana shakes her head. "I don't know." She tears her gaze from him to look up. "But," Her voice wavers. "That took me?" Her brows furrow. I think. High above them three strange devices jut out toward the center of the room. In the center of all three a large orb of yellow energy pulses.

Everyone else rushes into the room. Meru's voice, however, rises above everyone else and their cries of concern. "Shana!" She pushes Dart to the side and leans in close to Shana's face. "Are you ok? Why'd you run off like that?" Her eyes are wide and her mind a flurry.

Shana shakes her head. "I…"

Albert notices the ball of energy above them. "Miranda," He doesn't mean to disregard Shana, but this seems important. "What is that for?" He motions to the strange object above them.

Dart nearly snaps at Albert for not asking of Shana's welfare, but he can't deny he wants to know about this object as well. It might explain why Shana ran off too.

Miranda shakes her head. "Well, this castle used to be a fort for Winglies." She motions her hand in a circle. "And I was always told this room used to be a chamber for a ceremony to seal something." She shrugs and chuckles. "But it was more than ten thousand years ago. Whatever it was for has long been lost. Probably wasn't even true. You know, legends and all that."

Albert bows his head slightly. "Hm, could it be the reason the Divine Dragon made a raid on the Crystal Palace?" He taps his chin. "In other words, he is trying to work off his hatred against Winglies."

"Shana!" Meru cries. Everyone jumps at her sharp voice.

Shana shakes violently. She sways despite the hold Meru has on her.

Dart caresses her face. "Shana, what's wrong?" His eyes are wild with fear.

Rose narrows her eyes. "Why did you come here alone?" The possibilities run wild through her head. "Were you called again? Like the time with the Virage?" The girl's face is flush and her eyes don't seem to be focused on anything.

Shana gives a weak shake of her head. Even this slight action makes everything spin. "No," She gasps. "It was different this time." She strains to pull the words from her mind. "I…I woke up and I was here." She yelps and slumps forward, into both Dart and Meru's arms. "I-I feel hot."

"Shana!" Everyone says in unison.

Shana's breaths are heavy. "It's…gone. My…" A burst of light blinds them. The Dragoon Spirit around her neck snaps the rope looped through it and floats upward, away from her. The shine dims as it descends, down toward Miranda.

Miranda stares captivated at the bright stone. She thoughtlessly reaches for it and catches it in its descent. "What is this?" She breathes. The stone pulses with renewed light, a golden glow only meant for the chosen ones.

Shana reaches her shaking arms up and around Dart. "I…" She clings to him. "I can't manage it anymore." The blackness creeps in at the edges. The sounds of their voices fade. "I…don't feel the power of the White Silver Dragon."

Dart jerks his head around. His breath catches in his throat for a moment. "You…you are a Dragoon too?" His face creases and a deep frown mars his expression. He shakes his head slowly. No way. And Shana's Dragoon Spirit!

Miranda unfurls her fist and looks intently down at the stone. "Me?" Her lips curl into a smirk.

Rose presses her lips into a flat line. "Dragoon Spirits manipulate fate." She bows her head. "Hmm." Was Shana never meant to be one of them? Only a transport system? She cringes as her thoughts shift to Lavitz. At least Shana didn't have to die.

"I can…no longer…" Shana's eyes roll back into her head and her body goes limp. Everything fades to blackness and silence.

"Shana!" Dart screams to unhearing ears. He trembles faintly.

"Shana!" Meru echoes Dart.

Everyone else converges on Shana. They try desperately to see what exactly is the matter. No one listens as Miranda yells at them from behind.

"Hey!" Miranda snaps. She waves her hands at them. "What's going on?" She glares heatedly at them. "What is this stone?" She growls loudly and jerks her head around, down at the stone resting in her palm. Her gaze softens slightly, turning to a look of confusion and intrigue. Is this it? Is she finally one of them? A small smile curves her lips. Finally.

So, what did you think? It's been way too long since I last updated. So I hope you really enjoyed this. Maybe I'll have another update sooner than the last time. lol And SHANA IS FINALLY GONE. YES. No, jk. Through writing her I ended up kind of liking her. Still, after next chapter we won't be seeing much of her until the finale. But you all know that.

Please review!