Chapter Fourteen
Battle of the Damned

It had been almost three months since Jade left the Shadow Realm after seeing Reo for the first and only time; she was standing on the Condor's balcony, daydreaming as she looked out to the stars, smiling to herself; everything was going just as Reo had planned; the Storm Hawks and herself were heading for a small Terra close to the border of Cyclonia. It was so small and barren it hadn't even earned a name, thanks to Firno, Zexion and Lene's confirmation, the group have determined that this Terra is a weak point between both worlds, and this is where Vexel and her RSA will exit, and create a confrontation that could lead to a full scale war.

Reo had told Jade that a war was coming within the next few months, there was no doubt about it, the typical clues of when Vexel would arrive were frequent storms, a few Terra-quakes close to the chosen area and strange wind patterns around the Terra. The Storm Hawks pinpointed it to this exact speck of land, Jade noticed the change in wind pattern quickly and smiled to her self; Reo was right, as always. "Just hold on a while longer Reo...we're coming...'' Jade whispered to herself softly.

Firno however was inside the ship, going over a plan with the gang. "Reo plans to appear on Vexel's side, but he is merely pretending. Sad to say we still have to attack him. He's a strong shadow, he'll live through it-''

''I'm sorry Firno, but I can't hurt my son...same as I would never harm you.'' Zexion interrupted after a moment, Firno simply nodded at that.

''With the exception of Father, we'll all attack him; Vexel's army cannot be defeated by you humans, but you can help us shadows by stunning them using the solaris crystals. Piper, are they all fully charged?'' Firno turned to the female navigator, who nodded. ''Excellent...now we have to wait.''

*

Reo War looked over at the strong well protected shadows awaiting his mother's commands with a sickening look. He felt disgusted in himself, never did he want to turn a weapon against his own kind, with the exception of Vexel. These were innocent shadows, they were simply just doing their duties and following orders. He hoped that when he planned to cross sides, he never had to kill one, he would aim only to unarm, not to kill, he took a deep breath as Vexel ordered for Reo to lead the first batch of warriors into Atmos...which he obeyed.

The Condor was waiting for them on the other side. The Storm Hawks were well prepared and had planned this thoroughly, for within seconds of reaching Atmosion soil, they were struck by large powerful lights, devoured by raw light, the men weakened terribly. Before Reo could be affected as badly, he felt someone tug him down to the floor, Reo looked confused at first because he couldn't see anyone. "Brother it's me...I'm shielded by one of Piper's crystals.''

Reo had to seriously contain his happiness, but he smiled widely and whispered. " I missed you so much Firno..." Reo felt two strong arms embrace him for a few seconds before Firno let go; the lights switched off and everyone attacked. Reo looked around as his fellow Shadows were taken down by Firno's invisibility before they could blink.

He removed his blades from his back and prepared to fight, if this plan was to work flawlessly, he had to pretend to hurt his own friends and family, without hesitation he launched himself at Zexion, when all he really wanted to do was attack the soldier sprinting at Jade.

Zexion couldn't help but smile anyway as he blocked Reo's attack ''You've gotten stronger, my son...if that's possible. I was happy to know Vexel hasn't changed you.''

''No-one controls me around, expecting me to mould to their will, you think mother would have learnt after Cyclonis tried it the first time'' Reo said back as he smiled unable to suppress a grin the crept onto his face.

The battle went on for what seemed like hours. But both sides knew that this was only the first wave of Vexels army, soon, the final league of warriors would charge through the gap, and they'd have trouble. Most of the humans were already injured Finn had a broken ankle and was sat shooting at all in his path, Aerrow was bleeding in a few places but still standing, Piper had a broken wrist but she still kept moving. T

The Shadows were obviously strong enough for the second wave, but they were widely out numbered; soon, the first group of the RSA were struck down with the final burst of light from the solaris lamps. The team all looked up at Reo, who ripped off his cloak and royal pendant with a smile. Jade smiled at this she was bleeding a little form a cut on her arm but she'd fought well, she laughed and jumped on him, hugging him tight.

Firno reappeared as Reo saw a light purple crystal wrapped in a cloth fall out of the air. Reo raised his eyebrow at the cloth, thinking it was strange, but it was ignored when his brother hugged him properly. Reo clung to the both of them before literally knocking the air out of Firno as he hugged his brother hard, letting Jade slip under his arm. Firno smiled and hugged back just as tight.

''I'm sorry for being such a failure...'' Reo muttered in Firno's shoulder, his brother sighed and ruffled his hair.
''Don't be so foolish, it's not like we could do better...'' Firno said with a grin, but that smile faded suddenly and a grimace replaced it as he looked behind Reo.

''How DARE you deny me, Araxta!'' Vexel shrieked, the remaining army growling and sneering from behind her. Reo stood up bravely and stepped back to join the row of his friends and family.
''This is the final straw, Mother...I've had it! It's over...'' Reo said; his tone was soft but it was strong and suthorotive; there was no doubt in his voice; this was where he belonged. Jade smiled at Reo before glaring up at Vexel.

''It's time to give up, Vexel. This has gone far enough.'' Zexion said, a hand on Reo's shoulder. ''You will leave our sons alone.''

Vexel screamed curses and horrid remarks in shadow tongue. Jade and the Storm Hawks all winced and covered their ears while moaning in pain.

''Oooh, harsh.'' Firno chuckled "Such language mother!"
''Attack you useless garbage!'' Vexel barked at the remaining RSA.

For about the fifth time that day, Reo ducked to the floor as low as he could, as Finn and Junko shot hundreds of solaris crystal tipped arrows and bomb like weapons, Stork activating the lights once again and shooting the weak shadows with the Condor's normal guns.

Reo gave it his full force this time. And with all of them back together, they made a hell of a job for the RSA. Vexel only tried viciously attacking either the Brothers or their father, craftily making shadows into her weapons.

''Two can play at that game...'' Reo muttered as he stabbed a shadow in the chest with a wince, he sheathed his blades back on his back.

''What the hell are you doing?!'' Jade screamed as she pushed a shadow back with her katana; Reo just winked and her before ducking and placing both palms on the dusty, shadow matted ground. Seconds later, large spikes started the sprout out of the darkness, through a lot of the soldiers. Zexion, Firno and Lene looked at Reo with wide eyes. Neither knew Reo could be as powerful to par with Vexel, but they weren't suprised as such.

The war was tiring, hard and exhausting, but slowly the numbers of Vexel's army dwindled down. Vexel got so angry that in her madness, she no longer cared if her weapons killed her men or not. Which it did by the dozens. Reo was the only protection the gang had against Vexel's cruel and inhuman ways of killing.

But his power was weakening. Finn and Junko had long gotten into the fight as well, with Stork still shooting at the enemies from the safety of the Condor, but he was fast running out of crystal power. This had to end soon or things could make a complete turn. Jade rapidly noticed Reo's condition, his arms were shaking weakly and he was panting; in all truth he looked exhausted.

''Reo, stop it! You're going to hurt yourself!'' She yelled over the noise in worry, she tried to reach him but she was blocked but the shadows she was fending off. Reo ignored her as he stood up, running straight for the centre of the battle, dodging and killing all in his way, each throw of his blade he winced.

''What are you doing, you idiot!'' Aerrow shouted and Reo ran past him. Junko was about to intercept when everyone noticed Reo properly. A dim light of scarlet was gleaming around him like an aura. Vexel snapped her head towards him, looking utterly confused, while she was confused Reo took his blades off his back as fast as his tired arms would let him and clicked the ends together. Falling and skidding to his knees just a few metres from Vexel he stabbed the ground with his blades with a yell.

''Everyone get down!''

The team only had seconds to duck and cover their heads; almost the entire area was agleam in a bright stunning white. The light dimmed after a few seconds. Jade rubbed her eyes, it took her eyes about a minute to adjust from the harsh light that had pierced through her closed eyelids. She stood up with her jaw wide open in shock; all the shadows, the remaining RSA...were dust. No-one said anything as the shooting stopped, the yells and cries died down...and silence echoed in their ears. Jade snapped back into reality and looked around for Reo until she spotted him; he was still kneeling and clutching to his blades, but he looked only half alive: his skin was severely burnt, the remaining pale skin was burnt crisp and black, Matter pouring form his wounds.

She gasped as Vexel was in the same condition, possibly worse...just how powerful were they to live through that? The other Shadows were shielded weakly by Reo, but were still wounded by the light, but not enough to stop them running to the causality.

''Reo! Reo, talk to me!'' Firno yelled, half in shock and half in awe, collapsing on his knees next to his brother Reo weakly lifted his head as everyone gathered around.
''D-Did it work...?'' Reo gurgled, matter building up in his throat.
''Yes...their all gone...'' Jade panted, she really couldn't get her mind around it.
''You IDIOT, you absolute fool!'' Zexion shouted, more out of fear. ''But you're a brave fool...''

Suddenly, they were all taken by surprise as a small black tendril wrapped itself around Reo's neck and lifted him high into the air...strangling him. The gang turned. Vexel very slowly and very weakly stood up.
''You'll die...right here...right now...'' Vexel spat.
''Go burn in hell!'' Jade screamed as she thrust her katana into Vexel's chest; her kanata was embed with a solaris crystal causing more damage; Vexel shrieked into the dimming sky, as she fell back, the tendril dropped Reo to the ground with a thud. Reo gasped for breath before coughing.

Zexion, Lene and Firno worked together to try and ease Reo's pain as best they could. ''We need to get him into the Condor, quickly.'' Lene said. It was then when Reo fell unconscious.

*

Reo awoke with a groan almost twenty four hours later, resting in a dark corner, bed-ridden and Jade by his side dabbed at his forehead with a damp cloth. ''Hey.'' Jade said softly with a smile as he opened his eyes and focused on her; she looked tired and had a bandage around her own forehead and left arm

''Hi...'' Reo coughed into his hand, bandages and plaster on most of his body, he slowly and steadily sat up, leaning on his pillows. ''Are you okay?''

''Idiot it's you, you have to be worried about, I'm fine I'm tougher than I look'' Jade grinned and stroked his hair softly, it was only them in the room; Firno was asleep next door and all the other Storm Hawks were still recovering. Jade however had sat by Reo's bed the whole time; she had been terrified the past day,even though she saw Reo's recovery right before her eyes, it scared her a lot to think of what would happen if she lost him forever...especially with the news she had to tell him.

''Reo...before the others come to see you…I need to tell you something…it's really important you know before anyone else'' Jade whispered, trying to stop herself from giggling; she was nervous, which was natural but she was also excited

Reo looked at her with a slight raised eyebrow but he nodded ''Go ahead...'' He smiled weakly.
''You know a few months ago...we, uh...made love.'' Jade blushed deeply as she remembered it herself
''Yes...why would I forget?'' Reo smiled more and stroked the top of her hand as she clasped his gently.
''Well…there's no other way to say this…but…I'm pregnant.''

Reo's smile faded and his eyes became wide; he really didn't expect this; loads of questions filled his head as his mind raced; How was this possible? Would the baby be able to survive? And if it did, what would it be like? Reo began to feel a panic in his chest.
''Really...?'' He whispered softly and Jade nodded as she squeezed his hand.
''Four tests, all positive.''

Reo stopped his thoughts; he was worrying over nothing….possibly. Right now, he needed to think of the lighter side...He was going to be a father, soon he would hold his child, one life he helped to create...and all his worries melted away.

Jade kissed him gently when she saw him smile before she giggled ''You're going to be a Daddy...''

''Then I'll be the best Dad in the Atmos AND the Shadow Realm.'' Reo grinned.