Light...death...light...death...
AVATAR
The Celestial Sailors
BOOK THREE: DEATH
29: Defiance
The Earth is ours. The Fire is ours. The Air is ours. The Water is ours. But this light... It's entirely yours. You want to possess it all for yourself. You want to cover the world in it until there's nothing left but light, your light. I know that's what you were made to do, but we can be so much more than our design! I was born to be the Avatar, but I'm also Usagi Tsukino. I'm Kenji and Ikuko's daughter, I'm Shingo's sister. I'm a friend, a lover, and the best firefly gruel cook in the world! I'm an explorer, a navigator, a sailor, a stargazer. I fight evil by moonlight, and win love by daylight, and I will never run from this fight! I'm more than just an Avatar, and I wish you could see what more you could become. My heart aches with this battle, Iblis. I feel like I've failed the world, and my friends, and Raava, and everything else, just by fighting you. But I can't let you keep the light for yourself any more! Whatever happens, know this: you have brought this on yourself!
The earth buckled beneath her, shattering, reshaping. Spires shot out, walls pushed, pillars collapsed, boulders crushed. She gathered the wind and debris, forming a maelstrom of jagged pebbles, shredding everything it touched. The sea surged as she called to it, great tendrils lashing and whipping, saturating a land long thirsted. She breathed fire in the water, creating steam, hotter and hotter until it boiled, then spewed it around her, mowing down her foes. She called upon the air as she rubbed her palms together vigorously, sparks popping and fizzing to life. A charge built, and Usagi called forth lightning, shaping it in her hands until it formed a rope. She lashed electrical energy at the Lightbringers, snapping and crackling, ripping dozens apart. They surrounded her; she unleashed her energy, clearing a path. More were summoned. She paused to catch her breath.
The Lightbringers jabbed her with lances of searing pain, and she whipped them with fire; again they struck, again she retaliated. A burst of air forced a dozen away from her, and twenty stepped forward to replace them. She thrust her fists into the earth, ripping it asunder, opening fissures and raising protrusions. Twenty fell and forty rose; they surrounded her, twelve piled atop, grabbing and wrenching at her with white-hot hands. She blasted them away from her, reaching out to the grass, draining what little water it still had to sweep the others away. Swords of searing light cleaved bloody paths on her body; a smoldering fist slammed her head, sending her sprawling as the world reeled in dizzying pain. Clenching her teeth, she used the splitting agony to fuel her righteous fury and retaliated. Usagi chained the elements together, one after the other in a blinding display of supreme power, wiping out a hundred Lightbringers before arrows of light overwhelmed her, and she fell to her knees, filthy with dirt and blood and burns, breathing heavily, trembling with fatigue. The Lightbringer army paused, observing her, waiting for orders. Iblis grumbled, absorbing more of the world's darkness into himself, and issued out a thousand of the shining sentinels.
As she wheezed, Usagi looked around at the world without shadows, a sky of eternal sunlight, her battered friends, and swelling legions of Lightbringers. Iblis drew in more darkness, creating more of his blinding children. He made countless numbers, until they had nearly overwhelmed the island. He didn't give the order to attack, though. The army didn't even so much as twitch. It just stood there, watching, immeasurable in size and power, increasing with every sliver of darkness drawn from the world. Usagi watched it all happen, knowing full well what it meant for her and her cause. She had known what she was doing the moment she raised a hand of defiance against the Lord of all Lion-Turtles. She knew that it would come to this, that she couldn't stem the tide, that it was hopeless.
She knew that this was how everything would end.
But she was the Avatar. And she was Usagi. This was no longer her duty or her destiny: this was her will.
So, even though every muscle in her body ached, even though she was bruised and burned and cut and bloody, even though she was fighting against impossible odds, she stood up.
Iblis frowned, deeply impressed but crestfallen all the same.
"So ye still defy me. I will make no attempt to comprehend thy decision, or thy mind, O Avatar. Thy strength and fortitude is to be commended. Yet ye still operate under delusion and conceit. Thou hast seen the results of my labors, of the waning darkness and the coming of a glorious and eternal morning from which no evil may hide. Thou hast witnessed my children blotting wickedness from this world, and the world of spirits, with a success that no Avatar could replicate. Ye know of my ambitions, and yet in the end, you say to me Nay, thou wilt not have it, that the dark must have its place, that thou must contest my light; yea, even the very light which brought Raava into thy being. Thou wouldst shield Vaatu himself rather than see him diminished. I must confess, in all my epochs of experience and wisdom, I cannot understand thy reasoning. But that no longer matters. Thy rebellion is at an end. Thou dost not have the strength to challenge me anymore. Stand aside and let me purge this world."
"No," she announced. Usagi spread her arms out, a tiny barrier against an enormous surge. Her voice was coarse and gravely from the long fight but still rang out strong: "My name is Avatar Usagi Tsukino! I fight for love and justice! In the name of this world and all those who live on it, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil—and that means you!"
Iblis grumbled. "Ye wage a hopeless war, Avatar. Thou art valiant, but ye stand alone. Thy friends hath fallen. Thine allies hath forsaken thee, and for good reason. They would be mad to contest the Light. Now I believe we must part forever. Goodbye." Iblis slowly advanced towards her, the ground shaking with every step. Usagi stood hopeless but resolute, tears streaming down her face, teeth bared. She squeezed her eyes shut as the Lord of Lion-Turtles drew closer, closer, waiting for an end she prayed would be quick.
"Usagiiiii!" Immediately she opened her eyes and turned around, seeing two figures eclipsing the bright horizon. They were running towards her, waving and calling her name. Usagi blinked her tears away as she recognized Naru Osaka and Gurio Umino. They eventually caught up to her, bent over and breathless. She was too stunned to do anything but stammer.
"Naru...Umino...what are you two doing here?"
"We're here...to help you!" Umino wheezed. "We came to fight!" Usagi could've been knocked over with a feather. She knew that Naru, and even Umino, would've dropped everything to save her if she was ever in trouble, but she never expected this. Even though they were only two people, and had nowhere near the level of combat experience one would hope for, she was overjoyed. Usagi half-collapsed as she hugged them both.
"Thank you... That means the world to me. But I don't think we'll be able to do much on our own."
"Oh, don't worry about that," Naru smiled: "We brought some friends." At that moment a loud chorus of horns broke out. On the horizon, a wave of green, brown, and yellow banners flapped in the breeze as a massive force of Omashu soldiers marched into view. Leading them was King Motoki atop a great badger-mole, and alongside him was Princess Unazuki, Captain Reika Nishimura, and a hundred Tellurians, all mounted on badger-moles. There were hundreds—thousands—tens of thousands of soldiers with them: spears, archers, infantry, artillery, mounted units, and benders beyond count. Usagi's spirits swelled but that was barely the beginning, for King Endymion III and his forces appeared on the horizon as well: Ael, Ann, Nephrite, Wu Yung, and thousands of infantry, cavalry, and artillery from Ba Sing Se, many mounted on badger-moles or other beasts of war. Mamoru's grin gleamed at her in the everlasting sunlight.
"That's a lot of friends," she murmured in awe. But even those forces were soon eclipsed, for tens of thousands of air-benders were now seen in the sky, some riding bisons while others flew in on kites, gliders, balloons, and skiffs. Leading them was Kinsei Aino, Boris, Uta, and Ho Hsien-ku, with countless other sifus, acolytes, masters, and monks, including Blie Xhu, Ao Xhu, An Shu, and Yuichiro. Thousands of ships and boats were pulling into the shore, issuing a multitude of water-benders from both poles, led by Chiefs Oomari and Wathohuck, and hundred more bore riverfolk, led by Darryl and Rubella. There was even a fleet of privateers, led by Captains Scum and Mathena, alongside their own crews. Ami's mother Saeko surfed in on a wave as hundreds of sand-benders, led by Hakim, also filed in.
The massive army expanded exponentially as Fire Lord Kuni's forces sailed, marched, and even flew in, led by their Lord and his Lady Iku. Kasei Hikawa was with them, riding a dragon; alongside him were Kotono, Ittou, and Oboro, also riding dragons; Lark, Ku Sheng, Suo, Salamander, and Kartta came in with a large team of Thunderhorns trailing behind them. There were thousands of civilians as well, many of them garbed in Avenging Shadow costumes, one in particular riding a Thunderhorn that pulled a massive cart of radishes behind him. Linka, Kwame, Wheeler, Gi, and Ma-Ti were there; Suen, Nabu, Nergal, Marduk, Ishtar, Anshar, and Keya were there; even Shinji, Ikuko, and Shingo Tsukino were there. Finally, wonder of all wonders, Bodmall and Liath appeared in the distance, leading a massive force of wild Fomoriians. All in all, there must've been hundreds of thousands—no, millions of souls there, and still more were pouring in every moment, from every nation in the world: warriors, benders, sailors, mounted units, travelers, soldiers, drifters, officers, peasants, Generals, Kings, family members, loved ones...
"Wow," Umino whispered, unable to grasp it all. "Not even Sung Chiang had an army this size." Usagi was completely beside herself with joy, and it only intensified as she saw her friends rise to their feet, renewed from the overwhelming show of support. The horde chanted for the Avatar, their united voices shaking the heavens themselves. Usagi could only smile weakly, and weep from happiness.
"Thank you," she whispered. Then, in all of her glory, she faced her foe, who no longer looked quite as secure in his victory. "Iblis!" she shouted. "You may have an army and the light...but I've got the entire world by my side!" She then turned around, assuming the Avatar State, her voice ringing out so that everyone gathered there could hear. Usagi wanted to deliver a stirring, inspiring speech, but ultimately she decided that brevity was the true soul of wit. She could save the valedictions for later, when they had won.
"All right, everybody: LET'S WIPE EM' OUT!"
The horde's cacophonous battle-cry was only outshone by the deafening roar of their charge as the incalculable multitude surged towards Iblis and his Lightbringers as a single unstoppable force. They shot forward on the wind; the ground quaked under their heels; waves of ocean-water carried armies; animals of all shapes and sizes bellowed and thundered—all led by a single icon of burning brilliance. Iblis stood petrified as the teeming masses bore down on his creation like a massive tsunami. Saying that the collision was monumental only underscored its unprecedented scope.
Hammer pounding in my heart, I think it's gonna burst
Spring unwinding in my head, I don't know which is worse
I hear ya talkin' but the words are kinda strange
One of us is crazy and the other one's insane
Stay calm, don't be alarmed, it's just a holiday
Back at the funny farm
The spears of the Fire Nation burned into the enemy ranks, some of the barbs actually awash with flame. Thunderhorns squashed countless Lightbringers; every shake of their massive heads swept the enemy aside with gargantuan tusks; archers mounted on their backs peppered the Lightbringers with a storm of arrows. Dragons saturated the battlefield with their lethal breath; claws and teeth sunk deep and tore Lightbringers apart without mercy; their riders shot slings and arrows, or fireballs of their own; Ittou led the cavalry with an iron will, waving a large paper fan around that some swore spewed fire all on its own. Kasei Hikawa vaulted himself off his dragon, floating above the carnage with jets of fire streaming from his hands and feet; he whirled dizzily, creating a spinning tornado of fire; he landed to catch his breath, perspiring slightly; his dragon whipped him back up with its tail, which smashed everything it touched.
Massive numbers of soldiers roared as they charged, overeager for blood and battle. Some were cut down and retreated; Kotono quickly checked them by charging forward, mounted on a ferocious ox-rhino, a quiver of lances strapped to her back. She slammed her first spear into the enemy ranks, skewering one, two, three, four; she discarded it, launched another, piercing two. As she reached for another, her mount stomped two of the enemy, goring another, and launching another into the air, where Kotono flung her spear up to snag it. It fell; she caught it, slamming it against another Lightbringer.
Not to be outdone by his older sister, Ittou slid down the tail of his dragon, shooting fire out of his mouth. He stared down one of the colossal Lightbringers, peppering its knees with countless explosions; the creature reached down to crush him but was repulsed by a concentrated beam of hot energy. Ittou struggled but quickly turned his beam into a whip, lashing it with such blinding speed that the giant had no time to react; the head was cleaved off neatly, the body collapsing; the boy-prince wasted no time celebrating and instantly went after the next. Salamander kept firing arrows from atop her mount; Suo had lost his and was now fighting with spear and oar and even anchor. Next to him, Ku Sheng wielded a massive war-hammer, bowling down five Lightbringers at a time with each swing. They grinned at each other in the heat of battle, and continued fighting, back to back.
Dozens of Lightbringers converged on Ittou's dragon; Oboro leaped from his, whirling his spear in the air like a windmill, slashing and whipping until the enemies were cleared. Ittou returned the favor by roasting three Lightbringers that were charging from behind; the old lancer smirked and thrust with lethal precision, pinning three and hoisting them in the air for his prince to roast. Kartta roared into the fray with steel and fury, cleaving two at a time with every stroke. She paused briefly as her sister approached, cutting enemies apart left and right, Pavarti singing for joy as it glimmered underneath the twin suns. The twins reunited on the battlefield, crossing swords but once before clasping arms.
"Sister," Kartta observed, "I see you've found a blade worthy of your talents!"
"It's really the other way around," Keya answered humbly. She noticed her twin's weapon was already suffering wear and tear. "And yours?"
"It's fine work, but poor use against these creatures. I feel inadequate."
"Then allow me to provide!" She raised her arm and shouted; from several fights away, Suen reached to her side, removed the sword strapped on her belt, and tossed it to her friend. Keya caught it and presented it to her sister. The blade was scarcely exposed before Kartta recognized its quality.
"By the spirits! What a masterwork! Is this..."
"Yes," Keya smiled, "Damascus steel, finest in the world. I'd like to see the Lightbringer that can rend that asunder!" Kartta exposed its liquid song for all the world to hear, ringing clear as a bell with the bite of a Fury. She then noticed a small symbol etched on the blade.
"You made this," she whispered reverently. Keya nodded.
"I've taken the liberty of naming it Sheeva, after father. I carry Pavarti." The two sisters stared at each other solemnly, love and devotion shared in silence, linked by blood.
"So the four of us will fight," Kartta whispered. The sisters clasped hands.
"To either triumph or die, as one." They nodded at each other and charged; the enemies were shorn like wheat, trampled like grapes, ripped apart like straw huts in a tornado.
Nothin' in this cold white room to help me recognize
I don't understand why everyone is in disguise
I gotta leave right now, I can't stay here no more
But I'm afraid to try in case they've locked the door
Stay calm, don't be alarmed, it's just a holiday
Back at the funny farm
A ferocious badger-mole ripped through one of the larger Lightbringers, its fur singeing as the titan's white fire spewed across it. Its rider raised a large shield, only getting the hem of her thick battle-robe scorched. Unazuki batted the flames away and tossed the shield, then followed up with a hefty throw of her war-mace, striking the titan hard. Her mount shifted the ground beneath the giant, causing it to slip and fall; the princess was on it in a moment, striking hard with her mace even as her greaves melted. Another figure leaped onto the giant, driving a lance through its chest; the princess grabbed him as the Lightbringer exploded and dissolved, both of them rolling to a breathless stop.
"That was reckless of you!" she glared. Her assistant, Fong Wei, hung his head, though he was smiling.
"I...I know. B-but I saw an opportunity... A-and besides, y...you're the princess. I couldn't..."
"Yeah, I'm the princess," she said sternly: "It's my job to protect you. And you're my friend."
"You're my friend too," Fong Wei grumbled, sounding hurt. Unazuki sighed.
"Get back with the others. My brother's making a charge for Iblis and he'll need all the able-bodied warriors he can..." Unazuki trailed off as something broke her train of thought. One of the Thunderhorns had strayed from the herd, its rider cackling and shouting with sadistic glee as a salvo of radishes were relentlessly launched. The vegetative attack did little harm but it definitely kept the Lightbringers distracted.
"Aaahahahahahahaha! How's that for ya, huh? Yeah, choke on some radishes, ya monsters! Ya hear that!? CHOOOKE ON IIIIIIT!" The radish merchant continued to laugh and assault the enemy from his mount, leaving his allies astounded and a little disturbed.
"Umm...you were saying?" Fong Wei managed. Unazuki shook her head.
"Never mind. I forgot."
Kinsei Aino flew around on a large glider, directing his troops to swoop in and clear the field if an ally got overwhelmed, or blast open a path for a charging unit, or to draw a large number of Lightbringers in for a massive attack. One of the titans was swatting air-benders out of the sky, but Kinsei faced it head-on, bellowing so loud that the force of his voice nearly knocked the giant over. Yuichiro got an idea as he watched Kinsei yelling, and called for Boris and Hakim's sand-benders to help him. He shouted for Kinsei to give the titan another blast; as it recoiled, he and Boris struck the creature's legs with a surge of air, knocking it off balance. Hakim's people shaped a enormous pointed spire for the giant to fall on; the group cheered, Yuichiro and Boris giving each other the air-bender salute.
"Over there!" Kinsei shouted, pointing to a large gathering of Lightbringer surrounding Reika's Tellurians. Sifus Uta and Ho Hsien-ku swerved through the sky, throwing explosives and air-bombs on the Lightbringers, clearing a path. Reika raised a battle-ax and guided her troops to pick off the stragglers, personally wading through the ranks like she was fording an ocean of white fire. Her ax swung left and right with cool precision; her mount fought the creatures off until it was overwhelmed; she leaped off and hurled her ax, disposing four of them, then withdrew two daggers, preparing to make a final stand. A fiery boulder crashed through the ranks, coming to a sudden halt and issuing steam. It exploded, wiping out masses, revealing Ail inside; he quickly adorned himself with stone and fire, lashing with jets of wind and water.
"Lord Endymion sends his greetings!" he exclaimed. Reika nodded.
"You have my thanks. Can you make weapons out of stone?"
"As many as you need!" Ail shaped a spear, an ax, a sword, anything Reika needed; meanwhile An Shu had found Ann, and together they uprooted the earth and blew the enemies into the stratosphere. She noticed several of the Lightbringers streaming in from above, some knocking out more air-benders, and got an idea. Taking a cue from one of Avatar Xuanxang's companions, she made a stone platform, covered it in steam until a thick cloud formed, and asked An Shu to step on. He recognized the device at once and smiled; Ann lifted him into the air, where he was able to snipe down the enemy and save his companions. She made cloud-walkers for Ao and Blie Xu; Boris and Yuichiro covered her as she guided her flying allies.
"Just like Sun Wukong!" Kinsei laughed. He lashed out and punched one of the Lightbringers, wringing his pain as a freezing fire numbed his skin. "Bah! Didn't like that, did you? How's everything down there?" His voice carried to the surface; Captain Scum was rallying his troops for another charge. They were staring down an entire mountain swarming with Lightbringers who were going to avalanche at any moment. Captain Scum raised is sword, trembling with excitement (and some fear).
"Avast, me hearties! Answer me this, ye thrice-bedeviled dogs! Who are the filthiest, dirtiest, most detestible lowlifes who ever lived?"
"WE ARE, SIR!"
"Who are the most malodorous, contemptible, rotten cluster of savages in all of history?"
"WE ARE, SIR!"
"Who are the most bruised, bloodied, blistered and burned barnacles on the briny seas?"
"WE ARE, SIR!"
"Who's the biggest scum that had ever lived?!"
"WE ARE, SIR!"
"And who's dead proud of it?!"
"WE ARE, SIR!"
"WHAT ARE WE, MEN?!"
"PURE SCUM!"
"Say it again!" he shouted as he led the charge.
"PURE SCUM!"
"Again, ya landlubbers! What are we?!"
"PURE SCUM! PURE SCUM! PURE SCUM!" The pirates roared and cheered as they charged, and the Lightbringers of Iblis, scion of Light, knew what it meant to fear that day.
Can't find the windows but I gotta get outside
Can you help me stand it feels like both my legs have died
What was that injection, 'cos I think it's goin' wrong
I really like this jacket but the sleeves are much too long
Stay calm, don't be alarmed, it's just a holiday
Back at the funny farm
Nephrite put up another wall, keeping the enemy bottled in. A few tried climbing over the edge, but they were perforated with arrows and stone slabs, or badger-moles gone mad with fury. There was only a slender passage between the high stone walls where a Lightbringer army could charge in, but they were met with arrows, spikes, swords, spears, javelins, slings, and anything else that could be thrown or thrust. Wu Yung's strategy was working so far but even with nearly the entire population of Ba Sing Se on the offensive, the two sides were at a stalemate. Iblis was churning out Lightbringers as fast as the Avatar's army was destroying them. The tide needed to turn.
Endymion was already galloping around the field, rallying his allies and cutting down enemies where he could. He watched as Kenji and Ikuko Tsukino fought off a small group with staffs and spare swords; he saw Saeko Mizuno mowing down enemies left and right with Darryl and Rubella; he gave an encouraging smile to Shingo, Gurio, and Naru as they fended off a number with swords and sticks and even rocks. He tossed his sword to Umino, who scrambled to catch it, then noticed Motoki handing a spear to Naru.
"My friend!" Mamoru called. "How goes the fight?"
"We're at a stalemate, Mamoru," Motoki confessed. "We have the numbers but they have entropy on their side. My real concern is that barrier." He pointed to Iblis, who was currently engaged with Kuni and Iku. Occasionally a stray fireball would bounce off a shimmering bluish-white energy field, dispersing harmlessly, or a column of flame would terminate prematurely. Mamoru had noticed at times when scalding water or flaming boulders were hurled at Iblis, to no better effect.
"Yes," he stated grimly. "If we can't remove the source, eventually we'll be slaughtered, regardless of our number. Do you have any plans?"
"No, nor does Reika or my sister. You've got the genius strategist on your side."
"He has his hands full keeping everyone else alive," Mamoru sighed. A bright flicker caught his eye; a white light wholly unique from the infestation surrounding them passed in the distance. Usagi! "I'll consult with the Avatar," he swore, grasping his bridle with renewed energy. "In the meantime, take care of yourself! You still owe your wife a honeymoon!"
"The gods themselves couldn't stop me!" Motoki boasted. He stayed with Gurio, Naru, and Shingo until reinforcements could rally; in the meantime Mamoru made a beeline towards the Avatar, who was currently fending off one of the titans. She was giving Ao and Blie Xu a boost; they knocked it over just in time for Mathena to run it through with her enchanted spear.
"Lord Endymion!" the weathered sea-captain shouted, raising her weapon in salute. "Come to join us this fine bright morning?"
"Could I borrow Usagi for a moment?" The Avatar ran over to him, and he passed along Motoki's concerns. Suen's group was nearby, as was Ma-Ti's; they all converged to consider their next move.
"Do you think we could all join forces and attack it at once?" Ishtar posed.
"We'd be too exposed for that," Mamoru said. "The Lightbringers would cut us down in seconds."
"How about a concentrated hit?" Kwame suggested. "Perhaps if we were to get something large enough..."
"But have you seen the size of this thing?!" Marduk gestured. "It may as well be a mountain! We don't have anything that big with us."
"Not yet," said Wheeler, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. He grinned suddenly and smacked his palm with his fist. "Hey, I got it! It's perfect! If we don't have anything that big, we just make one! We've got enough benders with us, right?" Linka grumbled doubtfully.
"What half-baked plan is passing through that numb skull of yours now?"
"Hey, don't be that way! My crazy ideas have gotten us out of a few scrapes!" Linka rolled her eyes, despite most of her friends agreeing. Nabu, as always, was more practical.
"But to construct something that enormous, we would need a massive number of unimaginably powerful benders."
"Or an Avatar," Usagi piped up. Her friends came to stand by her side; Suen's group realized the implications of her words; Ma-Ti's face lit up. Mamoru nodded.
"Do what you need to, my friends. I'll pass the word onto Motoki and cover you from—"
"Ooooooooh no you don't!" Usagi exclaimed, grabbing Mamoru by his cheek before he could gallop away. "You're coming with us, buster! She said we needed powerful benders, and we're getting powerful benders."
"I didn't say I wouldn't," he laughed sheepishly. "I'm just saying, somebody needs to watch over you while you do...whatever it is you have planned."
"Yo!" A dull, feminine voice called out to them; the group turned to see Bodmall riding in on a cloud-tablet. "I overheard bits and pieces of your insane plan. It sounds completely insane, you know—and I want in." She grinned, lifting the cloud-tablet up and spinning it on her fingers.
"That would be a great help!" Mamoru gushed. "Thank you, my lady." The shaman dismissed him with a humble wave.
"Hey, let's not get too sappy just yet. You go ahead and make the big thing, and I'll watch your back. Just don't take all day; my back is killing me."
"Yes, ma'am," Mamoru chuckled. He was about to stir his mount into action, but Bodmall stopped him.
"Can I borrow him? You won't need him where you're going."
"Are you sure? He's usually wary of strangers." Without saying a word, Bodmall produced a cube of sugar from her pocket, which the horse eagerly took. She smiled and combed through its mane.
"I got this." Mamoru bowed, then all the earth-benders in the group drew up a massive slab. Everyone climbed on, and with the air-benders, they guided it to a safe place where they could put their plan into motion. Bodmall stroked the horse's mane one more time before mounting it.
"So, what's your name?" she said. The beast whinnied softly. "Darien, eh? What's your real name?" It hesitated, then whinnied for joy, causing her to grin. "Ah, Red Hare! It's a good name." She and Red Hare turned to face a wave of Lightbringers, and the battle raged on...
The End of "Defiance".
Next time: "Rei's Concert"
Author's note:
Hash tag: "Everyone is here". The song is "Back at the Funny Farm" by Motorhead, because if you're going to have an epic final battle, ya gotta do it right.
Sorry it took so long. I wanted to take a quick break to focus on a few other things, but that turned into two months of me basically doing nothing. I've gone on long hiatuses with this story before (I have been working on it for the past five or so years, on and off), but I shouldn't be doing that now that I'm so close to the finish. I'm depressed a whole lot, but that shouldn't have to affect this story or anyone who reads it. I want to—no, I need to finish this. Updates will be slow, but they will be steady.
That having been said, if you're reading this when the story is actually complete, uh...pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!