Am not too terribly late this time around. The sad thing though is with this chapter I had ninety percent of it done literally the day after I posted the last one. Then I don't even know what happened. For some reason I couldn't finish it. Until finally I got in the groove today. Whoo! I hope you enjoy!

Shana's head swims. The darkness ebbs and a splitting headache rises in its place. She hisses and lifts her hands to her temple. Her eyes flutter open to reveal the blurry figures surrounding her. She realizes then with startling certainty that she is not well. That's right. A tight smile tugs at her lips. The cushions of her bed catch her attention then as she sits up. "I…see." Her vision clears and she focuses her eyes on Dart in particular. "I passed out." She hangs her head slightly.

Dart leans forward. He presses his knuckles onto the foot of the bed and they sink in deep. "Are you alright?" His eyes widen and he holds his breath.

Shana forces a happier smile. The light, however, does not reach her eyes. "Yes," She breathes. The smile quickly slips from her face. She drops her gaze to her lap. "But I don't think…I can go with you anymore." She holds back a sigh.

Dart smiles sadly. "It's ok." He works his way around the bed, over to her side. He lays a hand over her hands. "There is nothing you can do in your condition."

Shana meets his crystal blue eyes and it only intensifies the weight burdening her. Her lip trembles faintly. "I knew it," Her voice wavers. "From the day I looked at the moon in Furni." The day she saw Meru heal Kamuey too. She withdraws a hand from Dart and wipes it across her face. "I was sure this would happen to me."

Dart hides the grimace. "We will be back as soon as we defeat the Divine Dragon." He hesitates, then adds, "I will be back." He lifts a hand to her cheek and draws her closer. He places a soft kiss on her lips, pulling away before she has time to reciprocate. "So, wait for me till then?"

Meru groans. "Lighten up!" She spins and then leaps forward. She leans toward Shana. "Come on, girl. No reason to be so sad." She throws her arms around Shana.

Shana starts, her eyes widening. A smile soon settles on her face. She slowly reaches up and wraps her arms around Meru. "I'll try." She whispers.

Meru laughs and pulls back. "Good." She nods firmly. She turns hard and narrows her eyes at Dart. "And you," She points a finger. "Stop being so depressing."

Dart rolls his eyes. Still, he can't help but smile. "Yeah, yeah."

Haschel chuckles. "I will work hard for you Shana." He nods to her.

Kongol stands taller and crosses his arms over his chest. "Kongol too." He manages something like a smile.

Albert nods. He steps forward and pats Shana lightly on the shoulder. "It won't be long." He smiles. "Dart will be back with you soon, Shana."

Shana chuckles softly, painfully. "Don't worry." She averts her eyes. "I am accustomed to waiting." The truth burns and she can feel everyone cringe with her frank words. "But," She forces herself to look at them, one by one. "Thanks, everyone."

One by one they all turn away from her. They move to the stairs leading away from the room and out into the hall. At the last moment, Shana calls, "Miranda." She holds her breath, hoping the woman will stop.

Miranda pauses at the head of the stairs. She places a hand on her hip and turns slowly. "Yes?" She coughs and shakes away the intensity. "What is it Shana?" Her voice is surprisingly soft. She walks back to the foot of Shana's bed.

Shana struggles to face Miranda. Such intense eyes. But she has to. She meets Miranda's golden orbs. "Promise…" Shana clasps her hands at her chest. "Promise that you'll take care of…the rest…" Her face creases with pain.

Miranda bows her head. "Of course."

Shana lurches forward. She clutches Miranda's wrist.

Miranda starts. She nearly jerks back, her first instinct to get away from contact, especially contact so fierce and desperate. But she fights the urge. She pushes the shock down and contains the reaction. She bites her tongue.

"Promise." Shana's voice cracks. She trembles slightly. "I know you don't like Dart. I know he is being…strange. But please. Please be there for them. You can't let any of them die." Tears well in her eyes.

Miranda searches her face for something, but she doesn't know what. She sighs. "I said of course." She pries Shana's fingers off of her. "Of course I promise." She takes a quick step back, out of range. "Dart especially."

Shana falls back against the pillow. Relief washes over her and the weight pressing so heavily on her floats away. A smile sweeps over her face. She lets her eyes fall shut. "Thank you…"

Miranda smiles in return, even though she knows Shana can not see. "It's nothing…" With that she follows after the others, follows her destiny.

…

The group backtracks through the Evergreen Forest with Meru at the lead. All the while Rose keeps a sharp eye on Miranda. It's not that she expects the woman to do anything in particular or anything at all really, there is just one nagging thought after another that won't leave Rose alone.

Miranda notices Rose's stare from the very start, it is only after so long though that she can't stand it another second. She growls and turns her sharp eyes on Rose. "What?" She hisses. "What do you want?" Her fingers curl inward to form a tight fist.

Rose looks at Miranda a final time before the words leap forth. "Have you ever watched someone die?" She says flatly.

Miranda makes a face and recoils. "Excuse me?" She half laughs. A cold edge creeps into the sound.

Rose narrows her eyes. "Did I stutter?" She places a hand on her hip. "I asked you a simple question – have you ever watched someone die. Do you know the meaning of death and the value of life?"

Miranda scoffs. "What is that supposed to mean? You some kind of philosopher?"

Dart growls from ahead of them. He rounds on Miranda. "Just answer the question." He crosses his arms firmly over his chest.

Miranda scowls fiercely. "Fine. No, I've never watched someone die." She sneers. "There. You happy now?" She rolls her eyes and shoves past the two. Pain flashes across her face only as she is sure they can't see. "But I know what it's like to watch someone kill themselves…kill me."

Albert cringes as he vaguely hears her last words. He glances over his shoulder to gauge Rose and Dart's reactions. Nothing. He sighs. They've already turned to each other, disregarding Miranda's words completely if they ever heard them in the first place. "Miranda," He says softly. "Don't-"

"Save it." She snaps. She jerks her head in the opposite direction. "I don't need your or anyone else's pity or advice or what the hell ever." She throws a hand in the air. "I just…" She subconsciously touches the amber jewel around her neck and rolls it through her fingers. "…want to be alone." She hurries closer to the front of the group.

Albert opens his mouth to argue, but no words find their way out. He sighs and lets his mouth fall shut. What is he going to do with her? With all of them. He peers at Dart and Rose a final time. What did they say to her?

Dart leans closer to Rose. "Why did you ask her that anyway?" He watches Rose intently. He swears he remembers something like that being said long ago. Was it to Shana?

Rose sees the true question in his eyes. "Yes," She breathes. "I said that to Shana once, back in Doel's castle." She bows her head slightly. "I told her that the White Silver Dragoon Spirit needs a person with a caring heart and most importantly someone who understands the value of life. And generally…that comes with watching someone die. Right before your eyes." She takes in a deep breath to steady herself. "That's why I asked Miranda that."

Dart cringes as the memory floods back to him. That's right. And for Shana that someone was Lavitz. For all of them. He shakes his head to rid himself of these terrible feelings and memories. "So, you think Miranda won't be able to control her Dragoon Spirit?"

Rose shrugs. "I don't know." She looks intently at the back of Miranda's head. "From what I know the White Silver Dragoon has never been, so…fierce." She shakes her head. "But it did choose her. It believes she has some power to do something. Whatever that something is."

Dart nods. "I guess we'll just have to see." Dart looks up then and notices where they are. His brows knit together and a frown blossoms on his lips. "A dead end?" He wishes he were closer to the front so he could get a better look at Meru's face.

Meru sighs. She hangs the whole upper half of her body. "Here we are." She picks herself up and stands straight. "At the entrance to the Forest of Winglies." She swallows hard and unconsciously clenches her hands. Her voice is only a breath on the wind as she says, "Maybe I'll be kicked out again."

Haschel frowns and looks blankly all around them. "Where is the entrance?" He stretches out on his tiptoes. "I see nothing." Even though he isn't the tallest he's sure there should be some sign of the entrance for him to see.

Meru cringes. "I know." She creeps forward, to the very edge of the forest path. "It's because there is a magical boundary here." She turns slowly, her eyes shining with sadness and fear as she looks over each of their faces. "Winglies have locked themselves in the forest since the Dragon Campaign."

Dart crosses his arms over his chest. He frowns deeply. "How come they didn't live with humans?"

Meru sighs. "You know about the Dragon Campaign, right?"

Albert nods. "It is the war that humans, who obtained the power of the Dragoons, started in order to liberate themselves from the control of Winglies." He remembers well. It has only been told to them countless times over the course of their journey.

Meru ducks her head. "Some Winglies are still angry about that." She averts her eyes and twiddles her fingers. "Besides," She says the word slowly. "Winglies have a power that humans don't have." She closes her eyes and a pair of wings shoot out of her back. "The Ancestor told me, that the power draws a line between humans and us."

Dart gasps. "Meru, are you…?" There is no need to finish the sentence.

Meru gives a grim smile. "Yup." Her voice is tiny, too tiny to fit her. "I'm a Wingly." She turns from them and a blinding light flashes. As it fades the dead end opens up to a magical doorway that shines turquoise. She faces them again, nearly blending with the colors of the portal. "Are you surprised?" She swallows hard.

Dart opens and closes him mouth around empty words. He shakes his head to dispel the shock. "Yeah!" He half laughs. Just like Lenus.

Rose pushes off of the tree she was leaning against. "Not me." She locks eyes with Meru. "There were signs in our battles – signs I couldn't place – but I knew you were different." She crosses her arms. "The incident at the castle only made it perfectly clear."

Meru manages a tiny smile.

Haschel steps forward. "Why didn't you tell us?" He tilts his head and frowns deeply. "We're your friends." His heart aches slightly with a sense of betrayal. That's why she never wanted to talk about her home. It all makes sense now.

Meru averts her eyes. "Would you have believed me?" She tentatively lifts her gaze to meet their piercing eyes. "Would you…" She folds her hands together. "…have considered me as a friend, if I told you guys? Me…a Wingly. A human's worst enemy."

Rose scoffs. "It doesn't matter." She shoots a disbelieving look at Meru. "You are who you are. It's not like you chose to be a Wingly. And besides, you don't hate humans. Not even a little." She smiles. "What reason would we have to hate you?"

"Yeah." Haschel pipes up. "Meru is Meru, right?" He glances around at everyone else. They each nod in turn, all but Miranda.

Miranda scrutinizes Meru. A Wingly. Nothing has ever been done to her personally by the Winglies, still she can't just forget all the stories. She won't flat out hate the girl. She just needs to wait and see a little. She needs to know more about Meru if not Winglies altogether.

Dart shoots Miranda a nasty look, but he does not make a comment. "Now." He says with a faint strain. "Let's go see the Winglies." All of Mille Seseau depends on it. So one by one they pile through the entryway, into a world wholly unknown to them.

Perched around the teleport pad are three Winglies. They speak in whispers amongst themselves. "I wonder what would happen to us if the Divine Dragon came to this forest?" Fear creeps into his eyes and his body tenses at the very thought.

A second Wingly scoffs. "We would fight it with our magic." He smirks. But the fire is quickly extinguished from his eyes. "But…probably we would fail." He swallows hard. "Our powers…they just aren't strong enough anymore."

A third looks back and forth between the two. "But!" His eyes widen and a flicker of hope lights within them. "The Ancestor said that we won't become extinct if we cooperate with other species." He holds his breath.

The first narrows his eyes. "Other species?" He uses his fingers as quotation marks. "Are you talking about humans?" He makes a face.

The third ignores the disgust. "That's right." He nods fervently. "Still," He bows his head slightly. "I wonder if everybody in the forest can understand the necessity of it." He grimaces. "Including me…"

The second opens his mouth to add his thoughts when the whirring of the barrier catches his attention. He sucks in a breath and jerks his head up along with the other two. "The seal!" They cry in unison.

All three Winglies shoot into the air. Shock grips them as they see their traitorous brethren. "Meru!" Their eyes surge with fury as they watch one by one a trail of humans enter their sacred forest. "The humans?" Their throats tighten.

"Meru brought humans here!" Another screams. He points urgently.

The third grits his teeth and quakes in anger. "I'm going to let the Ancestor know." He yells over his shoulder as he zips across the sky in search of the wisest Wingly.

The other two swivel to fully face the group of trespassers. They jerk their hands up and an orb of blazing red energy forms before their palms.

Meru leaps forward. "Don't shoot!" She waves her hands desperately. Her eyes are wild with fear. They are my friends!" Her heart skips a beat and her breathing grows rapid.

The Winglies do not stop. They hesitate, but the energy resting at their fingertips does not fade.

Dart rushes forward. He places himself firmly in front of Meru despite her protests. "We are not here to fight." He shakes his head fiercely. He spreads his arms out wide in front of the group. "We are only here to borrow the Dragon Block Staff."

The Winglies nearly fall over in their shock. "W-What? The Dragon Block Staff?" They turn their attack on Meru in particular. "Meru!" They glare holes into her. "How dare you speak about our secret to them?" Their lips curl back into snarls.

Meru pushes in front of Dart. "But the Diving Dragon is now awake." She clenches her fists and meets their stares with equal passion and intensity.

The Winglies falter. "B-But…" They lower their hands and the energy set to hurl at the humans fades away. "What can humans do if they can't even use magic?" They shake their heads slowly.

Miranda slips around each of her teammates, all the way to Dart's back. This is just ridiculous. They're getting nowhere like this. "Should we break through?" She hisses in his ear.

Dart twists around and makes a face at her. "No," He says with added emphasis. "We should not." He rolls his eyes and turns back to the Wingles. "Please," He clenches his fists in front on his chest. "We have to take some action or everything may be destroyed. That includes the Forest of Winglies." He makes desperate motions with his arms all the while.

"Wait!" A voice comes from just out of sight. In the next instant another Wingly appears. "The Ancestor says he will meet with the humans." He looks hard at Dart. "You…please, don't agitate the people in the forest. We…are not used to seeing humans."

The other two Winglies exchange nervous glances. "And," One pipes up. He pulls at his arm. "Watch out for the Bardel Brothers."

Meru frowns deeply. Confusion creases her face. "What do you mean?"

The pair avert their eyes. All three quickly fly off before they have to answer the question.

Meru sighs. Typical. She tilts her head toward Dart and smiles. "Let's go, Dart." She nods up the path to the teleport pad. "Ancestor Blano is in the back of the forest." She zips up the path, a bit of bounce and life returned to her.

They all cluster around the glowing green pad and in a flash they disappear. Their bodies compress within a tiny green orb and they float from top to bottom. Meru and Rose are the only ones unaffected by the strange trip. Everyone else sways on their feet, grips at their heads, or doubles over as their stomachs do somersaults.

"Geez." Dart breathes heavily in and out. His head swims as he grips his knees and tries not to topple over. "There's got to be a better way to get around."

Kongol leans heavily on a nearby pillar. "Kongol agrees."

"You're telling me." Albert presses his fingers to his temple. "Can't we go Dragoon or something?"

"No!" Rose and Meru cry in unison. They each clear their throats and Rose steps back, allowing Meru to explain. It is her home.

Meru nods. "Like the others said – we need to avoid aggravating the Winglies." She smiles, but it only looks grim and apologetic instead of happy. "This is their home after all. We're the strangers." She clears her throat. "Well…I mean, this is my home too I guess. I just…" She sighs. "I left." She finishes weakly.

Miranda raises a brow. "So?" She scoffs. "What difference does that make?" She crosses her arms. "Just because I left the Crystal Palace and Deningrad doesn't mean I can't go back. It's my home after all."

Meru averts her eyes. "It's…no so simple."

Rose growls deep in her throat. "Miranda," She says her name so sharply the woman jumps. "Don't make judgments about things you don't understand. This is not the same world you've lived your whole life in. The same rules don't automatically apply."

Meru nods. "She's right." She says softly. "We have rules here. And…it's a mortal sin to leave this forest. Ever. I…I don't have a right to step foot here anymore. I'm no better than a human."

Everyone flinches at the harsh judgment placed upon not just her but them as well. What's so wrong with being human? Could grudges really carry for thousands of years?

Haschel steps forward. "Whatever." He rolls his eyes. "Don't listen to those windbags." He sets a hand on her shoulder and smiles. "Maybe you broke the law, maybe that keeps you from coming back, but that doesn't make you less of a person. You don't need to place your self-worth in that."

Meru returns his sentiments. "I know." She hops backward, her face lighting up. "Alright then guys." She clenches a fist before her face. "Let's go!" She spins, but digs her heel hard into the ground to bring herself to a hard stop. "Just…walk though." She half laughs. "Ok?" She leads them on.

They form a single file line as they wind their way through the Wingly Forest. They are sort of surprised as they see Winglies hanging around near the path. Honestly they thought all the Winglies would have scattered to avoid humans. But no. It seems them are morbidly curious – afraid, but unable to leave it alone. Dart finds it a bit infuriating really, especially the way the Winglies are so obviously gossiping. He knows because every time he looks their way they jerk away and act as if they aren't paying any mind. Jerks.

Before his anger can flare too far they come to a stop at the end of the path, needing to head up farther. Meru sighs. "Well," She looks up and then back down at them. She calls upon her wings once more. "Looks like I'm going to have to carry you all up one by one."

"Oh, please." A voice says. Suddenly the group is surrounded by five Winglies.

Every member tenses and Dart goes so far as to grip the hilt of his sword.

The Winglies scoff. "You'd really draw your sword against us?" One shakes their head. "Not too smart. Still, you're lucky we have no desire to fight." His tongue curls on the lie and disgust flashes over his features.

"Indeed." Another takes over. "By the order of the Ancestor we are not to harm you. In fact, we must help you to reach him." A smirk curves his lips and a low chuckle ekes out. "Since you pitiful humans obviously can not help yourselves."

Dart bares his teeth and clenches his hands into fists. "Humans? Say that again and I'll show you how each and every one of us 'humans' can beat you in an instant."

"Dart," Meru shoves him aside.

Rose reaches out and seizes him by the wrist. She jerks him farther back, over to her side. "Enough." She hisses in his ear. "Just let it go."

Meru closes her eyes and lets out a heavy breath. When she opens her eyes again she has a little more composure. "Ansel," She looks hard at him. "Kerouac," She turns her burning gaze on him next. "Knock it off. If you want to help, then help. But if you're going to be that way about it, I'll just let them turn into Dragoons and freak every last one of you out."

The Winglies stumble back. "W-What?" Their throats tighten. "Dragoons?"

Meru sighs. "Look, we don't want trouble. We won't hurt you guys, even though we are Dragoons and fabled to have fought Winglies. I mean, that was thousands of years ago. We only want to save the world from the Divine Dragon. Alright?"

Each Wingly looks over the group in turn. They all sigh in resignation. "Yeah." They hold their arms out. "So come on. One each. Meru, you take your pick." Each Wingly takes a person and they easily lift them from the floor to a level higher in the strange treelike houses.

"Thanks." Meru nods to the Winglies, not expecting a reply. And she gets none. The Winglies scatter just as quickly as they came. "This way, guys." She motions toward the buildings set within the tree.

The area within makes all of them pause, all but Meru. The walkways are narrow and everything seems as if it was carved out from the center of some large material rather than crafted piece by piece to create the shape desired. Foreign writing dots the walls. Or is it some kind of advanced electric paneling? The beds are more like pods and nothing grounds them in this strangeness. Nothing in sight is familiar.

Meru stops, very aware of their immobility. She looks back at them, then slowly shifts her gaze to a teleport pad to her right. Should she? They don't have time really. And yet… "Hey," Finally they snap out of it and come closer to her. "Guys, can you wait here a second?"

They all exchange confused glances. "Why?" Dart presses. "Didn't the Ancestor say he wanted to see us? All of us."

Meru throws her head back and groans. "No, look, I mean, yes." She shakes her head. "I just…want to talk to someone else first." She refuses to meet any of their eyes. "I…haven't seen them in a long time." She half lies.

"Aw, come on." Haschel chuckles. "What's the big deal? Can't we see your friend too?"

Meru shoots a particularly cold glare his way. "Nosey." She throws her head in the air and stomps over to the teleport pad. "Do whatever you want." She disappears in a tiny green ball, right through the wall.

They all stare for a moment. Then Albert speaks, "Way to go Haschel."

"What?" Haschel shrugs. "I just asked a simple question."

Dart shakes his head. Despite his better judgment he directs them toward the same teleport pad. "We shouldn't be separated." He reasons. Everyone knows he is being just as nosey as Haschel and all of them.

Meru is very aware of them following her, but she can't be bothered to remain irritated. She simply moves as fast as she can to get at least a few moments alone with her friend. She teleports two more times and then walks out into a small room – his room. "Guaraha…" She breathes.

The sharp sound of the teleport pad catches Guaraha's attention and he turns slowly. His face lights up and his breath catches in his throat as he sees Meru step out from it. "Meru!" He races toward her and wraps her in his arms. "I knew you'd come back."

Meru wraps her arms around him and hugs gently. "You know I always miss you." She whispers. She breathes in deeply, memorizing his scent. But she quickly withdraws her hands and pulls away from him. Her face is disconcertingly melancholy.

Guaraha blinks and his brows knit together. A deep frown mars his lips. "What's wrong, love?" He drops his arms and reaches up to run his fingers gently over her cheek.

Meru smiles sadly. "I only have a minute." She reaches up and lays her hand over his.

"What?" The teleport pad comes to life again and he starts. He jerks his hand back and whirls.

From within, Dart and all the others pile out.

Guaraha's mouth gapes. He hurries backward. His wide eyes dart back and forth between them and Meru. "Y-You…" He swallows hard. "You are humans."

Dart nods. He regards this man coldly. He is getting quite sick of being called human as if it is a disease. He isn't even really human anyway.

Guaraha shakes away the fear and narrows his eyes into slits. "So," He growls. "You are the friends of Meru, huh?" His lips curl back slightly.

"Guaraha." Meru scolds. Her brows furrow far down on her head. "Don't say it like that." She walks closer and very nearly reaches for his hand to soothe him. She catches herself and merely points a finger at him. She can't let them know. "They are my friends. They care a lot about me." Just like you.

Guaraha hears the words beneath her words, but he can only scoff. He noticed her shift from reaching for him to pointing and scolding him like a child. He doesn't like it.

Meru side glances at her friends. "Since you had to follow me, this is Guaraha. He's…a friend of mine." She bites her lip and clasps her hands behind her back. She readies for the outcry even as much as she hopes Guaraha catches the look in her eyes.

Guaraha chokes on air. "Excuse me?" He gapes and looks at her in complete disbelief. "You said I am just your friend?" He breathes heavily in and out.

Meru runs her foot in circles on the floor. "Um," She lays her hands together and tilts her head against them in a poor attempt at innocence. "We grew up together?" She half laughs. She looks meaningfully at him. Please don't tell.

Guaraha explodes. "You are my fiancé!"

Meru stumbles back with the shock of his reaction. Did it really matter so much to him that people knew? Wasn't it enough that the two of them knew? Guess not.

Dart crosses his arms over his chest and raises a brow. "I didn't know you were engaged, Meru." He smirks. It's just one secret after another with this girl.

"Hmm…" Haschel clasps his hands behind his back. "There is more to you than I thought." He would have never pegged her as someone who was in any kind of romantic relationship, let alone engaged. Not to mention it meant she ran away from him, just to explore the human world. Cold.

"Whoa." She waves her hands frantically. "What are you talking about?"

Miranda contemplates Meru. "I thought she was just a kid." She says half to herself and half aloud for everyone else to hear. "So I guess it must be true that Winglies have a longer life than humans and rarely look as old as they are."

Meru fusses over them. "What are you analyzing me for?" She glares at them. "See? This is why I didn't want you guys following me." She points an angry finger at them. "I just wanted to be able to see Guaraha in peace without being dissected like a fish."

Guaraha turns an icy stare on them, Dart in particular. "What exactly is your relationship with Meru?"

"Relationship?" Dart snorts and can't help but smile. "There is no 'relationship'. We are just friends. Nothing more and nothing less."

"Actually," Albert interjects. "She is the one who insisted on following us in the beginning. Not the other way around."

Miranda makes a soft sound of intrigue. She tilts her head toward Albert. "Is that so?"

"Enough, enough!" Meru stops the conversation from continuing in that direction. "We don't have time to talk about this nonsense." She blows out a heavy breath. "What I came here for was not this." She whirls. "Guaraha!" She crosses her arms firmly over her chest. "I didn't want to lead into it this way, but I'm just going to ask – why are you cooping yourself up in here? Huh?" Her gaze is sharp and her words sharper.

Guaraha blinks down at her. "What do you mean?" Is this a trick question? She knows the rules, even if she is willing to break them, and should know even more he is nothing like her.

Meru huffs. "There are terrible things going on outside. That's what."

Guaraha scoffs. "You think I don't know that?" He crosses his arms. "I'm the one who told you about the Divine Dragon in the first place."

Meru snorts. "Yeah, alright." She narrows her eyes at him. "So why aren't you defending the forest?" She snaps. A fire lights in her eyes.

Guaraha slumps. "Meru," He reaches a hand for her face, but hesitates. The look in her eyes warns him against it. He sighs and drops his hand to his side. "The other day, I let you in the forest." He shakes his head. "I am on probation now."

Meru shakes her head. "I can't believe you." She turns hard on heel and refuses to look at him. "You…" She crosses her arms and stares hard at the wall. "Coward." She flinches despite the truth in it, or perhaps because of the truth.

Guaraha cringes. He hangs his head. He always knew she thought it though. It hurts all the more because he knows it is what he is. It's not just harsh words spoken of anger.

Dart licks his lips. He keeps his eyes down as he struggles to find a way to end this horrible conversation. They need to hurry to the Ancestor. "Meru," He begins slowly, carefully. "We-"

"I know." She sighs. "Go on." She waves them on. "I…" She runs her fingers through her hair. "I'm right behind you, ok?"

Dart sees the words unspoken and nods. "Ok." Only a minute.

Meru smiles weakly.

They all slowly trail into the teleport pad. Each one looks back at her before they disappear and move like ghosts through the wall. Guaraha watches them too. Despite how low he keeps his eyes, he is very aware of when they vanish. Only then does he murmur, "You have changed…"

Meru lets out a heavy breath. She turns slowly, letting her anger seep from her. "Guaraha," Regret shines in her eyes. "You can change too if you go outside." She walks slowly toward him.

"I…" Guaraha frowns deeply. "There is a commandment for us Winglies. It is not so easy for us to do what you want us to do, darling."

Meru stiffens, but she refuses to yell at him anymore. She lifts her arms up and hooks her hands around the back of his neck. She pulls him down, closer to her. "Yes you can." She whispers.

Guaraha shudders as her warm breath tickles his skin. He wraps an arm around her waist. "I'm sorry, Meru." He presses a soft kiss to her lips. "If I were as brave as you…"

Meru shakes her head. "Then you wouldn't be you." She kisses him and then withdraws her hands. "So I…I'm sorry too. I just…"

Guaraha presses a finger to her lips. "It's nothing. We all make mistakes. Like me never going after you all those years ago."

Meru smiles softly. "Guaraha…" She furthers the distance between them. She reaches up and cups his face in her hands. "I won't disappear like that again." She looks him dead in the eye. "I swear. After we stop the dragon and catch Lloyd, I'll be back for good."

Guaraha nearly asks who this Lloyd is, but he saves the effort. What does it matter anyway?

Meru can practically hear Dart's urging in the back of her head as if he is standing right there. This is taking too long. She grabs his hand and brings it to her lips. "Goodbye." She moves backward. She doesn't take her eyes from him, not until the green orb captures her and whisks her away.

Guaraha smiles sadly. "Bye…"

Meru finds the other waiting for her and she doesn't say a word to them. She nods toward the teleport pad adjacent to the one she came out of and they all pile onto it. In a flash they move further up the Wingly home. Many Winglies reside in the room they land in, but none are surprised. Word of mouth must travel faster than even their teleport system.

They take another teleport pad and then find themselves in a blindingly pink room. Directly in front of them is a single Wingly. Dart narrows his eyes. But this isn't like the ones before. He tenses – immediately on guard. There is a look about this Wingly, something that sparks in his unsettlingly red eyes. More red than even Meru's. Dart opens his mouth to question the Wingly's intentions, but another voice rises up.

"Bardel!" Meru plants her hands on her hips and leans in close. "Are you gonna bother us?" She scowls. "After everything – even the Ancestor's judgment?"

Bardel scoffs. "The Divine Dragon can be taken care of by us without asking humans for help." He looks Meru over, his eyes narrowed into thin slits. "Besides," His lips curl in disgust. "We have no business talking to a betrayer who ran off to humans."

Meru stands straight. Her mouth hangs open slightly and confusion creases her face. "What happened to you?" She asks in earnest. Her red eyes dance with sympathy. "The Bardel I knew was much kinder." She resists the urge to reach out and lay a hand on his shoulder. She is getting a very unsettling vibe from him right now. It makes her hairs stand on end.

Bardel snarls. "You fool!" His hands curl into fists so tight the knuckles turn white. "My baby sister was killed…" His eyes flash with fury tamed only by the imminent pain. "By a human."

Meru starts and gasps. "No…" She shakes her head slowly. Her body trembles faintly. It's all she can do to keep herself standing as the truth presses hard on her.

"Yes!" He glares a hole through her. "My baby sister who was influenced by you, Meru, and left the forest. She left believing that the outside world was wonderful." He says in a biting tone. Tears blur his vision despite how hard he tries to fight them down.

"I…" Meru searches desperately for the words to say. Her eyes cloud with a mist of tears to match Bardel's. "I don't…"

"Huh!? Do you have something else to say?"

Meru bows her head and her shoulders slump.

"Say something!" He rushes at her, his hand open wide in preparation for a vice grip.

Meru sucks in a sharp breath and jerks back. She can't think to do anything else in her shock.

Haschel jumps into action. He turns hard and thrusts a fist just in front of Meru, connecting with Bardel's hand and knocking his aim far off course. "Don't you dare touch her." Haschel's eyes burn with ferocity.

Bardel growls deep in his throat as he withdraws his hand. He cradles it gently in the other as he sends a death glare at Haschel. "We don't need humans' help." He backs away, to the far side of the room. But he is nowhere near giving up. "So get out! All of you!" He locks eyes with Meru in particular over Haschel's shoulder.

Dart growls in aggravation. "Don't you get it?" He takes a firm step forward. "There might be more people killed now. People no different than your sister."

Bardel seethes. How dare he mention his sister? "Good!" Bardel utters a cold laugh. "It's a good chance to learn how helpless you humans are." His eyes glint with pure malice. "But us?" He laughs again. "We Winglies won't die. Our magic power surpasses the dragons'."

Rose scoffs. "You are strong, huh? Don't make me laugh." She shakes her head in disbelief. "I wonder if you have noticed you are declining because you cling to the glory of the past." She folds her arms over her chest.

Bardel falters, if only for a flash. "W-What are you talking about?"

Rose smirks. "You can barely fly and that's about it, right?" She raises a brow at him.

Bardel opens and closes his mouth around empty words. Then the fury surges. He bares his teeth and leaps into the air. "Maybe you won't think that way after this!" He charges energy in his palms and unleashes it at Rose.

Dart's eyes widen and his heart skips a beat. He acts on impulse. He leaps in front of her, his hand shooting to the Dragoon Spirit around his neck.

The blast lands, but in its wake there is no damage. The flash of power subsides to reveal Dart in his almighty Dragoon armor and a shield of flames blocking him and Rose.

Bardel chokes on air. He sinks to his feet, his wings retracting. "N-No way…"He shakes his head slowly back and forth. "Is this really…the legendary Dragoon?" His legs go weak and he falls to his knees. His body trembles fiercely and his mind runs wild with disbelief and worst of all the stabbing accusations of failure.

Dart taps the Dragoon Spirit and in a flash he is back to his human self. "Please," He looks hard at Bardel. "Let us take care of the Divine Dragon."

Meru maneuvers around Haschel and carefully approaches Bardel. "I'll come back to take care of your baby sister's matter, after my journey has ended." She hesitates, but then chooses to lay a hand on Bardel's shoulder. She bites her lip. "So please, trust us for now." She trails her hand off of him and walks with too fast footsteps away from the scene. She just can't look at him anymore. Not after what she caused.

Rose steps around Dart and stands directly in front of Bardel. She scoffs at his pathetic state, saying, "The ones who flaunt their power disappear when the truly powerful appear." She shakes her head. "Let's keep going." She motions the others onward.

Dart stops in front of Bardel. He narrows his eyes and clenches his fists. "Don't. Mess with my friends." A cold thought of kicking Bardel while he's down slithers into his head, but he restrains it. He walks stiffly on. He knows Rose along with everyone else – except maybe Miranda – would chastise him.

They trail out of the too bright room and leave the eldest Bardel to himself. He chokes back sobs and struggles to contain his fierce shaking. "If we can't even have revenge for our baby sister anymore…" He covers his face with his hands. He hides his shame. "The Divine Dragon can not be…"

Bardel's younger brother appears in a flash. He scowls down at his brother, his lips curling back in a snarl and disgust written in every crease of his face.

"I feel weak in my knees." The eldest Bardel babbles. "I can not move." His voice reaches an unbearably high pitch. "Is…Is this real?" He gasps as a sharp, painful presence cuts into his back. He collapses in a heap and his world goes black.

The younger Bardel snorts. "You wimp." He clenches his fists and he strains to keep himself from striking his brother again. "Brother!" The word rips out of him. His breaths are so rapid his whole body moves with each one. "How dare you humans!" He jerks his head upward. "Just because you are afraid of our magic power, you are sending the destroyers of old – Dragoons – at us." He activates his wings. "Inferior human scum! I'll pass sentence for the sin of killing my sister." He kicks into the air. "I'll annihilate them now." He disappears in a flash.

Meru's breath catches in her throat. She curls her fingers over her mouth and bows her head. Her stomach twists and she feels like she might throw up. "It's…my fault." She says to herself. "Their sister…she…I…"

The same five Winglies from before are waiting for Dart and the others. Ansel is at the head with his arms crossed and an irritated look on his face. He sees Rose first and then Meru. As he lays eyes on Meru his cold front drops and something like pity stirs within him. She must have found out. He steps forward, brushing past Rose. "Meru," He says softly.

Meru jerks her head up, her heart leaping into her throat. Every muscle in her body tenses and her eyes are wide with fear. Even as she realizes who said her name, she can't relax.

Ansel lets out a heavy sigh. He swings his arm back and forth ever so slightly, lingering between action and hesitation. "It's…" He bites his lip. "It's not your fault you know."

Meru's eyes widen further, this time without fear. "W-What?" Her voice trembles.

"The Bardels' sister. She may have followed your example, but it's not your fault." Ansel shakes his head. "They won't admit it, but their sister was already on the edge of leaving anyway. She would have run away anyway. So, it's not your fault."

Meru lifts a trembling hand and wipes at her eyes. "Thanks…" He voice wavers. "But…I gotta take responsibility." She sniffles. "I gotta make up for it as best I can. And I will, once all this is over."

Ansel offers a weak smile. "Alright." He finally makes a choice and lays a hand on her shoulder. "Just don't beat yourself up too badly."

Meru manages a tiny smile. "I'll try."

Ansel steps back. "Well," He clears his throat and his hard expression returns. "Are you all ready to go up again? The Ancestor is waiting just up there." He nods in the direction.

Dart nods stiffly. "Yeah." His expression is looser than before, softened by Ansel's kind words to Meru. "Thanks."

"It's nothing." Ansel directs them each to a Wingly before grabbing Dart. They ascend in one swift motion and drop the humans just outside the entrance to the Ancestor's hall. "The Ancestor is kind." He shoots a sharp look at Dart in particular. "Do not show disrespect."

Dart holds his tongue, but he makes sure to send a hard look back at Ansel. "Of course." He turns quickly and leads the way into what can only be the Ancestor's chamber. The sight takes his breath away. The floor is like little waves with ridges. The walls have strange designs carved into them and the pillars have the same ridges as the floor. The ceiling is dotted with large green jewels not unlike the one at the center of a Virage's face. A sort of throne sits at the end of the room.

The others file in and look over the room. Miranda in particular looks intently around her. A deep frown mars her features and her brows furrow on her head.

Dart crosses his arms. "There is nobody here."

Miranda lets of a heavy breath. "Where is the Ancestor?" There is no time for waiting. They must retrieve the Dragon Block Staff at once. In the next instant a ball of white light descends from the ceiling and flashes, blinding them and bathing them in warmth.

Dart's eyes widen and his mouth turns into a small 'o'. He lifts his arms and looks himself over. "My body is being healed." The stress drains from him and the irritation toward the Winglies and this whole place in general disappears, even if only for the moment.

Rose nods thoughtfully. "I wonder if it is an apology for the discourtesy." She sets a hand on her hip and lifts her eyes to the ceiling.

Meru kneels with one knee on the ground before the emptiness. She supports herself with a fist on the floor. "Ancestor," She peers up at the throne. "Sorry we are late."

The Ancestor appears on the throne in a flash. His face is worn with wrinkles and he no longer has hair. "Welcome. Humans and Giganto." He nods to each of them in turn. He rises slowly. "I am Blano, the Ancestor of the forest."

Meru stands as he greets them. She smiles knowingly at him.

Miranda strides to the front. "I am the First Sacred Sister of Mille Seseau, Miranda." She kneels before the Ancestor. "Please forgive our sudden visit."

Dart steps forward. "I would like you to listen to our story. The Divine Dragon is-"

"I know." The Ancestor teleports closer, just in front of Dart. "The Divine Dragon came back to life in the Mountain of the Mortal Dragon, and there are Dragoons that have come to us." He sighs and shakes his head. "It seems that the times won't leave us alone."

"So it seems." Albert agrees.

"The messenger from the Crystal Palace, and the people who were fated to come here…our opponent is enormous." Fear creeps into his eyes. "We have to combine each of our strengths or none of us will survive." His voice is suddenly tight, ominous. "Neither the Crystal Palace or our forest."

Dart starts. "You mean…" A chill races up his spine. He can't bear to finish the thought.

The Ancestor nods. "Let us put the power of the Dragoons and our wisdom together." He folds his hands together, demonstrating his words.

Miranda leaps up and charges forward. "You will let us borrow your Dragon Block Staff?" She catches herself and quickly steps back. She clears her throat and keeps her gaze low. "Right?" She holds her breath.

The Ancestor smiles at her. "We don't have the Dragon Buster now. So the Dragon Block Staff is our last resort." He shakes his head. "We of course no longer have the power to master that. However, if you, who rule the dragons, can use it we can fight against the Divine Dragon. So of course you may have it my dear. For the sake of the world."

Miranda smiles back. "I appreciate your kindness." She bows her head slightly.

"However," He licks his lips. "We cannot participate in the battle." He averts his eyes but he can still feel their intense gazes on him – accusing. "We are all that remain, you see. We can't become extinct."

Meru scoffs. "I'm going." She clenches her fist. She smirks.

Dart chuckles. "I know. You are a Dragoon too, Meru."

The Ancestor turns and lifts his hands. A revolving door opens. "Go inside." It is just big enough for all of them. "I will show you the way to the Dragon Block Staff."

They squeeze into the lift. Only Dart pauses just outside. He notices one member of the team lingering. He tilts his head back to see Meru. He parts his lips to pry, but decides against it. Instead he smiles and says, "I'll meet you there, Meru."

Meru nods. "Thanks." At least there are some things she doesn't have to explain.

Dart fits in with everyone else in the lift. Then the door slides shut and spins as the lift within rises up.

The Ancestor stares at the spinning door for a long moment. "You are attracted to those humans." He says absently, almost to himself.

"Yup." Meru nods with the whole upper half of her body. "They are really cool!" She moves her hands in her excitement. She laughs. As her laughter fades into silence her tone too becomes somber. "Ancestor…I wanna go on the journey with them. And," She walks away from him and lowers her head. Then she turns, her eyes sparking with determination. "I wanna see my mother and father anytime I want!" She clenches her hands into fists.

The Ancestor frowns. "Are you telling me to throw our commandment away?" He crosses her asrms over his chest.

Meru ducks her head and bites her lip. She drops her gaze to the ground.

The Ancestor sighs. He paces back and forth. "It is not the right time yet." He anticipates her reaction and holds up a finger. "But…eventually, in the near future, the time will come when we and humans live together."

Meru lights up. She grins.

The Ancestor smiles. "Go with them." He nods to the room where her friends once were. "As a Wingly, go see humans, or better yet, the entire world. Your experience will lead us." The door slides open.

"Okay!" Meru throws a hand into the air. "I hear ya!" She darts into the lift. She turns hard on her heel as the door begins to close. "I'll meet you there." She waves.

The Ancestor stares at the space where Meru once stood. He sighs. "If Meru is the one leading us to the outer world…" He grimaces. "Where are those humans leading the world to?" He pauses. Eventually he shrugs. "It must be the flow of time. Only the fates can tell." He teleports up after them, ready to seen them off to a desolate land where only ghosts of the past linger.

So what did you think? This one ended up being way longer than I anticipated. Like usual. lol I really liked what I did with Meru though. It was fun. I hope you all liked it as well. Please review!