Chapter 22

Prophecy and Destiny

Derek ran as fast as he could through the halls of Darkine's Keep. With the aid of the Black Dragon, he managed to maneuver through it without too much trouble.

"I only hope Corey managed to find his way through this maze," Derek said aloud.

"You don't have time to worry about him now, Derek," Said the Black Dragon, "He'll be there. You need to worry on getting there yourself,"

"Right."

After fifteen minutes of straight running, he finally came across a hallway. At the end of it, two powerful energies were battling. One was spiritual, and the other was something completely different.

"It's Corey! He's fighting Darkine!"

Derek sped up and ran down the winding hallway, until he spotted an exit and a body.

"Dia!" Derek slid to a stop and kneeled down. Dia was barely hanging onto life. He had a whole through his chest amongst other things.

Dia glanced up at Derek and smirked, "Look who…decided to join us…"

"Dia, what happened? How's Corey doing?" Derek asked.

"See…for yourself…"

Derek peered inside to see Corey getting pummeled by Darkine. Gritting his teeth, Derek went to move in, but was stopped by Dia.

Derek turned to him and glared, "What?!"

"What happened…to your sword?" Dia asked.

Derek frowned, "It was destroyed in the battle with my fa-…I mean, with the Elite Captain."

Dia chuckled painfully, "Don't you mean 'dad'?" Derek frowned, "Forget it…Maison. Your past…isn't my business…take it…"

"Huh?"

Derek glanced down to see Dia trying to pick up his own katana, "Dia…"

"Shut up, Maison…my father…would want you…to use it…since I cannot…" Dia's eyes began to get hazy. Derek knew he didn't have much time left.

With a soft nod, he grabbed the katana and sheath and replaced it with his own, setting his broken sword next to Dia.

"See ya…Dia," said Derek and ran the rest of the way down the hall and out the door. He found Darkine holding his sword over Corey, ready to finish him off. Derek instantly created the Black Dragon Claw and started to run over. He noticed Corey spotted him, and raised his right index finger and pointed it at Darkine…

******

Ten minutes… Derek thought to himself, Ten minutes until Corey is recovered. I can do this.

Unfortunately, the wounds that his father had given him hadn't recovered. Not that Derek expected they would, but the pain in his side kept bringing it up. He had bandaged them the best he could with the wrappings he had had on his arms, but they weren't doing much.

Darkine turned around and spotted Derek, then smiled, "Well, well. Derek Maison. We meet again,"

Derek frowned and pointed the tip of his new katana at Darkine, "Yeah. For the last time, Darkine. After today, you're going to be nothing but a memory,"

Darkine laughed, "I believe you're the third person to say that to me today, Derek, and look at the condition of the prior. Dia Jaganshi is at death's door, and Corey Kartana can barely stand." He started to walk towards Derek, his sword at his side,

"I'm sure you're just buying time for Corey so that he can recover his energy. I know a lot about him and you. Your father did an excellent job on your profiles."

Derek felt his blood boil and readied his blade, "My father is dead now. There's nothing I can do now but fulfill his last request."

"And what would that be?"

"Not let the Maison name be left in the darkness!"

Derek rushed Darkine and swung his sword. Darkine barely managed to block the oncoming attack. They both knew Derek was a much better swordsman than Corey. Derek began swinging his blade at Darkine with incredible speed and accuracy, pushing the dark lord back. Derek seemed to have the advantage.

Darkine, however, was grinning, staring at Derek's eye, "So you did get the power of the Black Dragon. He is a powerful entity, is he not?"

"What about it?!" Derek yelled, continuing his swings.

"It's just he isn't the most powerful…I am!"

Without warning, Darkine exploded with energy, causing Derek to be forced back ten feet. The Time/Space Energy began to wrap itself around Darkine's armor, giving it a glowing green look. The manifestation continued all around Darkine's body and finally the energy ceased, leaving the glowing armor in its wake.

"Soul Armor. This armor is created from all the souls that I have gathered with my energy," Darkine explained, "Which is the key to my power…and you're destruction!"

Darkine moved to Derek with speeds that surprised even Derek. He could only roll out of the way as Darkine slashed downward. The impact of his blade hitting the ground caused an explosion of energy, which blasted Derek another twenty feet away. He landed on his feet and grit his teeth.

"Damn!" Derek yelled.

"Use the Black Dragon Armor, Derek!" shouted the Black Dragon, "I do not believe in your current condition you'd be able to survive an attack like that without it!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" answered Derek telepathically. In a blaze of black fire, the armor was set on his body. The only problem was, Derek hadn't wanted to use the Black Dragon's power until Corey had recovered.

"Don't have a choice, though…" Derek said aloud and readied his blade, which was blazing afire.

Both Derek and Darkine rushed at one another. Instead of coming in contact with Darkine's sword, Derek jumped to the side and slashed his blade in the air, unleashing a blaze of black fire at Darkine.

Darkine held up his hand as the black fire was about to reach him. Green energy blocked the fire, but Derek had suspected as much. He was now behind Darkine, swinging his sword. He made contact with Darkine's green armor and felt the pulse of the souls inside of it. It took him aback, and Darkine used this to his advantage, swinging his sword and delivering a powerful attack onto Derek's left side. Just like last time, an explosion of green energy came at contact, causing Derek to cry out in pain.

Darkine laughed and swung his foot up, kicking Derek hard in the side of the face, causing him to fly into the air. Darkine followed after, but Derek had recovered from the initial shock and swung the tail of the Black Dragon at Darkine, causing him to cease his attack and give Derek the upper hand. He was close to the wall now, and landed on it, pushing himself towards Darkine, his left hand outreached.

"Black Dragon Claw!" Derek roared. Darkine held up his sword, coated in green energy, and claw and sword made contact with one another, causing a mixture of green and black energy to erupt around them.

A cloud of debris followed, and all was quiet. The dust settled, and both warriors were standing up. Derek's Black Dragon Armor was broken on the left side, and he was breathing heavily.

Darkine's Soul Armor was just as damaged, but the green energy was slowly rebuilding it, as it had with his body before.

Not good… thought Derek as he watched this, How can he do that so easily?

"The souls," replied the Black Dragon, "He uses them for his energy; that much he gave us. Which means he only has a limited supply of power."

Derek frowned, "True, but Darkine's kill rate is in the thousands! I'm only one guy,"

"Which means, you will have to deliver an attack that defeats him instantly,"

"I don't have that kind of power, even with you!" Derek replied, getting irritated.

"Do not forget the power of your friend, Derek Maison,"

Before Derek could reply, Darkine had moved towards him again, swinging his sword. Derek blocked and jumped back, swinging his own sword. The two hacked and slashed at the other, but Darkine was starting to get the upper hand. Derek couldn't afford to unleash anymore of the dragon's power, being afraid that he wouldn't have enough to defeat him once Corey was back in the battle.

Darkine suddenly stopped his attacks and jumped back, green energy gathering around his sword. Derek stopped and readied himself for the attack. Darkine swung and something similar to Corey's Spirit Slash erupted from the sword. Derek barely jumped out of the way, only to find Darkine waiting for him. He swung his sword and it clashed into Derek's Black Dragon Armor, followed by the explosion. The direct hit caused Derek to fly across the room and into the wall where Corey had sent Darkine through before his arrival.

Derek coughed up blood, his old wound and new beginning to cause him more pain. Darkine laughed and started running towards him, his blade shining with green energy.

"You don't have time to wait for Corey anymore, Derek!" Darkine shouted.

"He doesn't have to!" roared a voice. Darkine stopped in his tracks and turned to see Corey right behind him, both his index and middle finger pointed at him,

"Spirit Gun Double!"

The two consecutive blasts of blue energy shot out of Corey's fingers. Darkine managed to move out of the main force of the blast, but was still hit with some.

Corey didn't stop moving until he reached Derek, who stood up with a smile.

"Has it been ten minutes already? Time flies when you're having fun," Derek said, standing beside his friend.

Corey laughed, "Yeah, well, it's really only been like eight minutes, but why sweat the details, right?"

"This is going to be tough, Corey. My left side is really messed up, and I only have about two-thirds of my demonic energy left," Derek said, watching Darkine rejuvenate.

Corey nodded. "Yeah…even with the recovery I'm only at half…more or less,"

"Well…here goes nothing," said Derek, then held out his free hand to Corey, "For love,"

Corey grasped it with his own hand, "And for war,"

And the third round of the battle began.

Corey and Derek both let their energies erupt around them, just as Darkine finished recovering. He, too, unleashed his energy, which was back to 100%. Corey took the left, and Derek took the right. They both swung their swords at Darkine, who flexed his green energy to block Corey's sword, and held up his own to block Derek's. Corey then held up his free hand and shot a blast of spirit energy towards Darkine, pushing back the dark lord's energy. The two energies fought each other, and Corey used this to jump back and swing his own sword, blazing with spirit energy.

"Spirit Slash!"

The surge of energy shot at Darkine, who had just pushed Derek back with his blade. He then turned to Corey and swung his own version of the Spirit Slash, which overpowered Corey's and sent him flying backwards. Derek leaped forward and tried to attack Darkine from behind, but the dark lord, after swinging his sword, had already turned and blocked the attack, then countered with another blast of green energy. Derek barely had time to put up a shield of black fire, which was quickly consumed by Darkine's Time/Space Energy. The blast made contact with Derek, shooting him into the ceiling.

Corey had recovered at this point and had two spirit bullets charged in his middle and index finger. Before Darkine had time to turn back around, Corey shot his Spirit Gun Double, which made a direct hit.

"Rah!" Darkine roared as the blast hit his left side.

Derek, who was falling from the ceiling, saw his chance and gathered the power of the darkness flame around his left arm, then thrusted his hand towards Darkine.

"Dragon of the Darkness Flame!!"

The flaming black dragon roared from Derek's hand, hitting Darkine with a full blast. The two attacks mixed in an explosion of power, sending both black and blue shockwaves into the air. Corey noticed something from his side. Something…different.

Was that--? He didn't have time to complete his thought, as the power of Darkine fluctuated around the dark lord himself.

Corey and Derek landed on opposite sides of Darkine, who was now ablaze with energy.

"Now what?" Derek asked, even though Corey couldn't hear him. He took a glance at his friend, who was just staring blankly at Darkine, "Corey!" he yelled, "Let's regroup!"

Corey nodded. "Alright!"

The two ran diagonally away from Darkine, heading towards the entrance of the arena. Darkine, who had lost his right arm from Derek's dragon attack, was slowly regenerating, and obviously furious with the two. His power began to grow exponentially.

Corey and Derek reached one another, standing about forty feet away from Darkine. Derek's leg was badly cut up, and his left wound was bleeding terribly. Corey wasn't in any better shape. His shirt had been blasted off, leaving only battle wounds on his chest and stomach. His left arm was also shot, resting limply at his side. He sheathed the Ragnarok and glared over at Darkine,

"Dammit all…"

"Well," Derek said, breathing heavily, "Now what do we do?"

Corey, who seemed even more out of breathe, looked at his friend, "We can't keep taking hits like that, man. Every time we get a good hit in, we end up getting knocked back…and hard,"

Derek nodded in agreement. "Yeah. The Black Dragon told me he has thousands of souls in that armor of his, and with that he can continuously regenerate from any attack we lay on him,"

Corey blinked, "So what does your lizard friend suggest?"

"Well…earlier he told me I needed to get him with an attack that he can't regenerate from,"

"That's a helluva lot easier said than done," Corey said with a hollow laugh.

"Noted," said Derek. Darkine was already back to full health, but was now charging his energy into both of his hands.

"What…what is he doing?!" Derek exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Corey grit his teeth. "Shit! He's…he's creating a Spirit Blast!" He turned to his friend, "Dude, if we get hit by that…"

Derek was already creating another Black Dragon Wave around his arm, "Corey…we gotta hit him with everything we got…now!"

Corey smiled lightly, catching onto his idea. "Yeah…maybe if we double tap him, it will over power his attack," Spirit energy began gathering into his right index finger. He didn't have enough energy to create the Spirit Gun Double. This would have to do it.

The final attack.

Darkine caught onto this and laughed, his version of the Spirit Blast growing far larger then Corey's ever did,

"Do you two think you can beat me with your level of power right now…in an energy blast nonetheless? I possess the power of thousands…you two are only two brats!"

Derek's arm was ablaze with black fire; the Black Dragon giving him everything, "You think we care about that, Darkine? We're going to give you everything we got…right here, right now!"

Corey grinned, his spirit bullet blazing brilliantly around his right index finger, "This is for everyone you killed Darkine! My teacher…my family…my friends! Everyone!"

Spirit Energy from Corey and Demon Energy from Derek erupted around them, a new source of power coming from their resolve. This was everything.

"Ready?!" Corey yelled to his friend.

"Yeah!" Derek shouted back.

"Give me everything you think you got insects!" roared Darkine.

And simultaneously, each warrior unleashed their attacks.

"Spirit Gun!"

"Dragon of the Darkness Flame!"

"Blast of Destruction!"

The blue bullet of the spirit bullet. The black blaze from the dragon. The green explosion of energy. All three of these hit the center of the arena, ripping up everything in the way. What looked like a super nova of green, blue, and black energy sparked and grappled with the others.

Corey grit his teeth, trying to push everything he had into this final bullet. He glanced over at Derek, who was trying to hold his arm up, the Black Dragon pumping more energy into the attack. Darkine was holding his own just fine…and even pushing back the two warriors. Corey then spotted the same thing he saw earlier when he and Derek attacked Darkine from his sides. This time it was clearer.

A gold spark of energy. The Sacred Energy…the mixture of spirit and demonic energy.

Slowly and carefully, Corey made his way closer to Derek, who was still concentrating on his attack.

If I can just get closer to Derek…maybe, just maybe… He was having a hard time forming thoughts at the moment. Something in his gut was telling him this would work. This had to work. The fate of the world depended on it. The fate of all three worlds.

After what seemed like a painstaking eternity, but was more like fifteen seconds, Corey was inches away from his best friend.

"Corey! What're you doing?!" Derek asked, trying to look at both him and Darkine.

"Trust me…on this one…" Corey stuttered out. He noticed his hand was starting to bleed from the length of time he was holding the bullet; the tail end of it still connected to his index finger, "Can you…move closer to me?"

"What?!"

"Trust me!!"

Derek, having no other choice in the matter, inched himself closer to Corey. Finally, the two's shoulders touched, and everything changed.

Their energies connected, swirling around each other like a tornado. The blue and black energies suddenly mixed, and soon a blast of golden power erupted from the two.

"Is…is this--?" Derek asked, completely bewildered at the new sensation.

"Yeah…" said Corey, having felt the power of the Sacred Energy a few times before, "Now! Give your dragon everything it's got!!"

With their new source of power, both Corey and Derek gave another wave of power into their attacks. The Black Dragon suddenly wrapped itself around the spirit bullet. The Black Dragon Wave now had a wave of spiritual energy around it, with sparks of gold trailing it.

Darkine, who had thought he was winning this fight, suddenly gasped at the new power the two friends were creating. With a loud roar, his own blast of energy grew exponentially, taking on the dragon head on. He was giving 100%, just as Corey and Derek were.

"You…can't hold this…Kartana…Maison..." Darkine screamed from behind his energy.

"The hell…we can't…" Derek grumbled, but both he and Corey knew the combined version of the Sacred Energy wouldn't last. Corey could only hold it usually for about five minutes, and Derek's demonic energy far surpassed Corey's spiritual, making it to difficult to maintain a balanced state.

"Derek,"

Derek looked over at his friend, who was smiling at him, "What's up…Corey?"

"How long can you hold this without me?"

"What?"

Corey slowly, and painfully, lifted his left arm and unsheathed the Ragnarok. He then stabbed it into the ground right next to Derek.

"Corey! What're you thinking?!" Derek asked frantically, trying to hold the 'Sacred Dragon' attack.

Corey, still holding his own blast, was grinning, "Just hold down the fort, buddy!"

Before Derek could even protest, Corey had jumped out of the attack and ran to the side of the room. Darkine, who was too busy with his own attack, didn't even notice.

"Corey!!" Derek shouted, but his friend didn't look back.

Corey slid to a halt and gripped his right wrist with his left hand and closed his eyes.

I know…what I have to do…

Suddenly, a new power started swirling around Corey's body. It wasn't Spirit Energy, or Sacred Energy. It looked almost like Demon Energy, but a dark maroon color rather than red.

It was his Life Energy.

******

Liz wiped her forehead, giving a loud sigh as she moved troops in and out of the battlefield. It seemed like they had won the day, for the most part. Once she had arrived on the battlefield after leaving Corey and Derek, she found that Kurama was completely drained of energy, but was fine health wise. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to go help Corey and Derek with the final battle against Darkine.

"I just hope everything is okay in there," Liz said aloud.

"General Rain!"

Liz turned to see Ellen running up to her, her M-16 still in her hands. She was covered in a mixture of blood and sweat, but she seemed alright.

"Status report, Ellen," ordered Liz, sheathing her two main daggers.

Ellen saluted, "We've got control over most areas of the battlefield! It seems like Darkine hasn't been sending out anymore troops for the past hour,"

Liz smiled, "Good. I think that means that Corey and Derek are doing well,"

Ellen grinned, "You think so, Liz?"

Liz nodded, "Yes. I believe everything will—" A wind suddenly picked up, sending a cold chill down her spine. She grabbed her arms and rubbed them. Ellen looked at her with a confused expression,

"Liz? Are you okay?"

Liz nodded, "Yes…that was an odd wind…"

Ellen blinked, "Wind? Liz…there isn't any wind right now,"

Liz blinked and turned toward where the wind had come…Darkine's Keep. She hugged herself tightly and bit her lower lip.

Corey? Derek? Are you…are you both okay?

******

Derek could only take small glances at Corey as he gleamed with his new energy. With the overpowering explosion of the Sacred Dragon and Darkine's Blast of Destruction, he couldn't feel what type of energy it was. For now, he just had to trust Corey's judgment…but something didn't feel right.

Corey…what are you planning?

A strange sensation suddenly swept through Derek's body, almost causing him to lose his balance on the attack. He quickly shook it off and concentrated once more.

"Corey…"

Corey grit his teeth as the power of the Life Energy moved from around his body and into his right index finger. He nearly collapsed as it did. He slowly held up his right hand, index finger blaring with the maroon energy.

He grinned wildly as he yelled, "Darkine!!"

Darkine, who still hadn't noticed Corey to this point, looked over at the young general, "What the--?!"

"Spirit Gun!!"

The maroon blast of energy erupted from Corey, knocking him off his feet. The blast hit Darkine right in his side with an explosion of power.

"Gah!" Darkine roared in pain, losing his balance.

"Yaaah!!" Derek screamed, giving the Sacred Dragon every last ounce of demonic energy he had. The blast shot through his arm and into the main attack, and the attack swiftly devoured Darkine's Blast of Destruction.

Darkine gasped as his attack was swallowed, and could only watch as the dragon opened its mouth, revealing the blue spirit bullet inside. The bullet blasted Darkine, and right after the dragon began consuming the bullet along with Darkine.

"Damn you…Corey Kartana…Derek Maison….raaaaaahhhhhh!!!"

Darkine's body began to evaporate in the air, the power of the combined energies consuming his body and soul. After ten seconds, his body was gone.

Darkine was destroyed. They had won.

******

Liz and the entire rebel army watched in awe as a green light was emitted from Darkine's Keep. The keep itself was beginning to crumble before their very eyes, being lost in the green light. It seemed to be turning into ash.

"Corey! Derek!" Liz screamed, and tried to run towards the keep, but found herself falling instead. She had used far too much of her spiritual energy and Territorial powers. Before she hit the ground, she was caught by a strong pair of arms.

"It's over now," said Kurama, "Corey and Derek have won,"

Liz shook her head, "Something's wrong, Kurama! I…I can feel it…"

Kurama helped Liz to her feet and gave her a light smile, "Don't worry. I'll go check things out. Wait here," And with that, the spirit fox ran off towards the collapsing keep, leaving Liz to stand there, a tear falling from her eye.

******

Derek slowly opened his eyes, finding himself on the ground. His body hurt more than it ever had before. He slowly picked himself up and looked around. The arena was gone. All that was left in its wake was a large cavern and a crater from the destructive blast of the final attack. Darkine was nowhere to be seen, and a smile was about to come onto his lips when…

Corey!

Derek quickly looked around and spotted his friend laying down on the cavern surface. With a sigh of relief, Derek slowly moved over to him. He found it hard to move. The adrenaline of the battle had kept most of the pain away, but now his leg injury was making its painful appearance.

He made it over to Corey and kneeled down, shaking his friend's should gently.

"Corey…hey, Corey. Wake up, bro. We did it…Darkine's dead,"

Corey didn't stir.

"Corey? Hey, man, wake up! Come on! We're heroes! Let's go outside and meet up with Liz! Corey!"

Derek stared at his friend for a moment when a grim conclusion swept his body. Shaking, he slowly moved his hand over Corey's chest and pressed down gently. After a few seconds, his conclusion was proven correct.

Corey didn't have a heartbeat.

"No…no! Corey! Goddammit, don't you dare die on me! Not now!" Derek felt hot tears stream down his cheeks, "No! Come on, man! We…we were supposed to beat Darkine together! What did you do out there?! Don't leave me, Corey, please! Please…dammit…"

Derek pressed his face down on Corey's cold chest. There was no spiritual energy coming from his body. No heart beat.

Corey Kartana, his best friend…was dead.

And all Derek Maison could do was cry. Cry for his best friend…the hero who sacrificed himself for the entire world…

******

Kurama maneuvered himself through the long stretch of caves. Bodies were littered the path, making it easy for him to guess where to go next. When he reached the top of a long stair way, he found himself in a large cavern. He glanced around and spotted a katana stabbed into the ground next to a sheath. Kurama couldn't help but wonder why it was there, but soon there were other matters at hand.

Derek Maison had just emerged from another flight of stairs, carrying the body of Corey Kartana in his arms. He looked like he was struggling to move.

"Derek!" Kurama shouted, running up to him. Derek looked as though he was in a haze. Dry tears stained his cheeks. It took Kurama only a moment to realize what had happened,

"Corey…"

Derek looked up at Kurama, still shivering, "Kurama…he's gone…"

Kurama only nodded, "I know, Derek…I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…"

Kurama carefully helped Derek move through the cavern, Corey still in his arms. Derek knew he'd have to face Liz once they exited the cavern. He'd have to face everyone, and tell them what went on in Darkine's Keep.

The walk through the caverns was a quiet one. The battle kept replaying in Derek's mind. Finally, something made him stop walking. Kurama blinked, "Derek?"

"Kurama…I forgot about Dia. Can you please go check on him…he wasn't doing too well," Derek asked, and Kurama merely nodded,

"Can you make it on your own, Derek?"

Derek nodded, and Kurama quickly ran off to find Dia.

Ten minutes later, Derek had emerged from the caverns. He had to close his eyes as the sun light nearly blinded him. Once he could see again, he found Liz standing in front of him. Derek reflexively gripped Corey's body. Liz didn't have to say anything. She felt her own set of tears stream down her cheeks.

"Liz…" Derek stuttered out, "I'm so sorry…"

Liz shook her head, "I knew…I knew what happened. I felt it. He…he died a hero, didn't he?"

Derek smiled slightly, chocking back his own tears, "Yeah. Yeah, he did, Liz,"

As Derek and Liz walked towards the rebel warriors, each stood back and looked at their fallen hero. Some cried, some smiled, but most were cheering for Corey's sacrifice.

They were free now. Free from Darkine's evil rein. And it was all thanks to Corey Kartana, the teenager who had come from the past and worked to free the future.

******

The next week went by in a blur for Derek Maison. Before he knew it, it was the day of Corey's funeral. He just couldn't bring himself to admit it. Eighteen years ago, when Corey and Derek battled Shura, Corey had lost his life, but thanks to Yusuke Urameshi, he was able to come back from the dead with Yusuke's spirit energy.

"It won't happen this time though," Derek said aloud, lying in his bed. He sat up and looked over at his sleeping son, who didn't even stir. He couldn't help but smile at his child. Cory was told about his godfather's death, but he didn't seem to understand. He was only three, after all. He seemed more confused at why everyone was crying, when his 'Uncle Corey' was a hero.

"The logic of a child is flawless," Derek said, chuckling a bit.

After a quick shower and a shave, Derek changed into something he hadn't worn since his wedding: a suit.

"Well, Corey…this is the second time you haven't gotten to see me in this thing. Except this time, I'm wearing it for you," Derek said with dry sarcasm.

After dressing himself in the jet black suit and slicking back his hair (something he realized he hadn't done in ages), he helped his son into his suit, a smaller version of his own. After a bit of fuss and struggle, Cory Maison was looking like a miniature version of Derek. Derek couldn't help but smile and remember his wife, knowing she'd be proud at what they had accomplished.

I know you and Corey are looking down at us, Jade…

******

It was a beautiful day; weather that Corey would have appreciated it. Derek and Cory walked out of the Spirit Palace, their home as of right now. Once everything had settled down, Derek had planned to take Cory to his old home, the small cabin that he and Jade had built. He wanted to raise his child in peace.

As the two walked down the bridge to the palace, Derek wondered what had happened to Dia Jaganshi. He recalled the conversation he had with Kurama once he had gotten Corey's body situated and everything else at the rebel camp.

"What do you mean Dia wasn't there?" Derek had asked, getting his wounds patched up by a medical unit.

Kurama shook his head. "His body wasn't there. All I found was this," Kurama held out his hand and revealed Derek's broken katana and sheath. Derek slowly took it and stared, and then a small smile appeared on his lips.

"That sneaky bastard…"

Derek still could only shake his head about it as he continued to walk down the bridge with his son, wondering if he really was alive or not. It seemed almost impossible, but then again, he had thought Dia to be dead before.

After ten more minutes of walking, Derek and Cory arrived at the funeral site. It was filled with people, all either sitting or standing in front of a podium, where Liz was standing next to both Kurama and King Koenma. Resting a few feet away was a casket, where Corey's body now rested. A picture of him and a large ring of flowers were sitting right next to it.

Derek walked up and set little Cory down next to Ellen, gave her a smile, and then walked up to stand beside Liz. She was wearing a black gown, still bandaged up from the battle, just like Derek and Kurama were. She gave him a small smile, and then stared at the remaining rebels and everyone else who had gathered for the funeral.

"I was hoping the day we beat Darkine would be more joyful," Liz admitted quietly to Derek.

Derek nodded. "Yeah…but remember. Corey would have wanted us to be happy right now, not sad…" He paused and started to chuckle, "I'm just glad he matured a bit since we first met. He told me once he wanted to be stuffed and put in a Lazy-Boy chair with a TV in front of him for all eternity,"

The two laughed, but it was merely a cover up. Today was the day that their worst realization was made true: Corey Kartana was dead, and he wasn't coming back.

Once everyone had settled down, Liz stepped forward and stood in front of the podium. She cleared her throat into the mic and everyone quieted down. After a few more seconds, she began to speak,

"We are here today, not to grieve Corey Kartana's death, but to embrace his life and the sacrifice he made for all of us to be here together. Most of us are aware of what happened to Corey, but for those who do not…Corey lost his life battling Darkine. He sacrificed himself so that Darkine could be destroyed once and for all. It's thanks to his and all of our bravery that we can stand tall…and once again be free!"

A loud cheer echoed through the crowd. Liz raised her arms for silence.

"All of us have lost people to Darkine, and Corey made sure that he was the last person to be lost, so that no one else would have to suffer because of the wickedness of Darkine. We must all remember Corey, as the hero he was and still is. The hero who helped free us from the tyranny of Darkine!"

Another roar of cheers blasted through the area, being heard for miles. Liz nodded to everyone and stepped back, then motioned for Derek to take her place. Derek, looking a little nervous, stepped forward and began to speak once the cheers had died down,

"Corey was my best friend. He believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself. I know…that I have done things that should not be forgiven, and I do not expect anyone to forgive me for my sins," He made a quick glance at Liz, and then continued,

"I was with Corey at the very end, and it was thanks to his final Spirit Gun that he and I were able to defeat Darkine, fulfilling the prophecy that was told long ago. I think Corey knew, going in, that he wasn't going to come back out, but that didn't stop him. His bravery fueled us all, and fueled me, when I didn't think I could go any farther…and now I know, we need to go every farther forward…towards a bright future,"

Derek turned to Corey's casket and walked over to it. The casket was open, and there laid his best friend, eyes closed and dressed in his leather jacket, brown t-shirt, and blue jeans. Even his hair was spiked, as it always was. His brown goatee, with a slight shade of red, was trimmed perfectly. His silver oval necklace lay motionless on his chest.

"Good-bye, Corey. You will always be my best friend…and the brother I never had…"

And Derek turned away, allowing all the rebel warriors and civilians to say their last goodbyes to Corey Kartana.

Derek stopped and glanced over his shoulder one last time, smiling, and held up his right hand.

"For love…and for war…"