Welcome back Mother

If this was a dream, Bean didn't want to wake up. Those thoughts invaded the princess's head as she was in her mother's embrace. All these years, Bean lived without her mother, missing her unconditional love, and now, she has it all back. Bean tried to control her sobbing, but she failed as she looked up at her mother and stared at those blue eyes she had inherited. But the tears continued to overflow, and it was hard for her to collect herself. Dagmar caressed the back of her head and spoke softly to her daughter. Telling her to calm down and that everything was alright now.

"I-I'm sorry I…I just can't believe it," Bean's voice was shaky, and she wiped her eyes. "You're alive…you're here…I can hug you and-and…"

"Beanie, dear," said Dagmar, whispering to her. She clasped her hands around her cheeks. "Look at you. You've grown so much. My goodness, it must've been fifteen years since I last laid eyes on you. How could time fly by like this?"

"You were turned to stone," Bean sniffled. "I-I can't believe you're back …I never thought that I would—"

"And you freed me? Oh, Beanie," Dagmar wrapped her arms around her, bringing her into another tight hug.

Bean embraced her mother, hugging her even tighter. The princess opens her eyes and glances down at Luci, sitting on the steps, watching them, and at Elfo's lifeless body. "Elfo…" She whispered.

"What was that, dear?" Dagmar gently breaks from the hug.

"I… Mom, I had to—this is all so insane; I-I had to choose between you and…" Bean began feeling light-headed. She sits down on the steps next to Luci and Elfo. "I…I had to choose my friend over you." She swayed slightly.

Dagmar held onto Bean and caressed her head once more. "There, there. It's ok. Mommy's here now. Let's leave this stuffy room and go somewhere a little more lively. And somewhere that has a lot, and I mean a lot of food and wine. Mommy is really, really hungry,"

"Yeah, I need a drink," said Bean, smiling a bit at her mother while grasping her hand.

All Bean, Dagmar, and Luci could see were widened eyes and low-hanging jaws when they strolled through the streets of Dreamland and entered the castle. Some thought they were still high on bread mold or whatever drugs they were consuming. Bunty had dropped a tray of tea as she let out a shriek of shock.

"T-The ghost of Queen Dagmar!" Bunty gasped. "Oh my goodness, is that really you?" She began, grasping at her face, her nose, and even squeezing her breasts.

"Having fun there, bunty?" Dagmar asked, watching the midwife fondle her chest.

"A little bit, yes," said Bunty.

"Ok, enough groping the royal rack bunty deary."

"What in heavens?!" Odval gasped, stepping out of the astronomy room. "I-I can't believe my eyes!"

"Queen Dagmar is alive?!" Sorcerio stared in shock.

"What?" said Oscar, peeking his head out of the room.

"Odval, Sorcerio." The queen nodded at them as the trio passed. "And…an unfamiliar old man I've never met before."

"How is this possible?" said Oscar, rubbing his chin.

"I am just as shocked as you are, professor. I thought Elfo's blood didn't work!" said Sorcerio.

"It shouldn't have at all." The grand wizard watched as Bean, Elfo, and Luci went around the corner to Tavish's room. "This is interesting indeed,"

Bean ran to Tavish's door and began furiously banging on it. "TAV! TAV, OPEN THE DOOR! HURRY!"

Bean could hear Tavish hurry over to the door and open it quickly. "What's going on? Are you ok sis—" Tavish paused, and his mouth hung open slightly. "W-What on earth? M-mother?" His voice quivered as she gazed into her blue eyes.

"Hello, Tavish," said Dagmar, smiling warmly at her son. "It looks like Beanie wasn't the only one who's grown."

Tavish let go of his door and stepped back. The prince could feel his eyes watering, and he grasped his chest. "No…this…this is a trick." The tears rushed from his eyes and down his cheeks. "Mother…it can't be you…how…how?"

Dagmar wrapped her arms around Tavish and tightened the hug. She closed her eyes and rubbed the back of his head. "There…do you believe it's me now?"

With shaking hands and tears flooding his cheeks, the prince embraced her mother and cried into her chest. Dagmar gently rocked Tavish, telling him in gentle whispers to let out everything, telling him she was here and everything was ok.

"H-How? How is this possible?" Tavish broke the hug and stared at her mother.

"Thank you, little sister, for that." The queen turned to Bean, who stood there wiping her eyes.

"Bean…h-how did you do it?"

Bean shrugged. "I don't know. Someone put pure-elves blood in the amulet. I don't know who."

"Well, whoever did. I am very thankful," said Dagmar, staring at the resurrection amulet around her neck.

"Oh my god, we need to go get Dad!" said Bean excitedly.

"WHERE IS SHE? YOU ALL BETTER NOT BE LYING TO ME! OR I'll CUT ALL YOUR HEADS OFF!" shouted Zog from down the halls.

Dagmar giggled. "Speak of the devil." She lets go of Tavish and steps out of his room. She locked eyes with a wheezing Zog, who stood there, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

Zog stood in disbelief. It was like he was staring at an angle. The king took a step forward with his hands held out. "S-Sweetheart…is it…Is it really—MMMPH!"

Dagmar grabbed Zog by his robes and pulled him in for a deep kiss. "Yes, it's me, my love." She rubbed his cheek and kissed him again. The King and Queen shared a long, overdue kiss that made Bean and Tavish feel very, very awkward.

Zog broke away. "I've been waiting to do that for fifteen years." He lets go of Dagmar and steps back, admiring her beauty. "Look at you. You haven't changed a bit!"

"Well, zoggy, I have been a lump of stone for a long time. It's good for the skin." Dagmar smiled and stared at Zog's physique. "And you have gotten so much bigger—I mean—wider, I mean," She chuckled nervously. "You look fair, dear."

Zog let out a laugh. "Yeah, I have packed on a few pounds over the years. When you were gone, I turned to food for comfort."

"I tried telling him to slow down on the roast beef and mashed potatoes," said Tavish. "But he never listens."

"Let's forget the bread he packs on," said Bean.

"Or the steak," said Tavish

"Annnd let's not forget the shrimp," said Bean.

"Oh yes, those poor little sea creatures,"

"Ok, we get it. I'm a fatass!" said Zog, glaring at his kids. The red-headed king wrapped his hands around Dagmar's waist and lifted her off her feet. "But you're back now! Let's throw a huge feast to celebrate!"

Dagmar giggled happily. "Alright, love. But nothing too big that'll draw a large crowd. I'll arrange for something small and tasteful."

"Oh, Mother, is it ok to invite my lov—I mean—my friend Hilda?" said Tavish. "It would be wonderful if you could meet her!"

"Why, of course, Tavy. Bean, feel free to invite anyone you want to," said Dagmar.

"Thanks, Mom!" said Bean excitedly. "Besides Elfo, there's Luci, Miri, and Koga—Wait, has anyone seen Koga?"

"Oh yeah, I had him locked up in the dungeons awaiting execution," said Zog.

"DAD!" Bean glared at her father.

"What? You can't expect me to let that guy roam free after all the trouble he caused!"

"Koga is a part of why we were able to bring Mom back! Why can't you let him go?"

"I gave him too many slaps on the wrist! That's why I'm cutting his head off!" Zog shouted.

"Now, now," said Dagmar, rubbing Zog's head. "Whoever this Koga person is, we can all let it be water under the bridge. I wonder who this man is if our Tiabeanie is vouching for him. Let's let him out, dear."

"But sweetie," said Zog. "I can't go around letting everyone off the hook like that."

"But Zoggy," Dagmar stared into Zog's eyes, fluttered her eyelashes, and rubbed his cheek. "Not even for me?" She pouts.

Zog smiled at his wife. "Awww…I can't say no to you, Daggy. Alright, get the guards to let him out. But this is his last warning!"

"Wooohoo!" Bean cheered. "I'll be right back!" She rushed past them and sprinted down the stone hallways.

"I'll let everyone know about the celebration and then fetch Hilda. Thank you again, Mother," said Tavish. "It's…it's wonderful to have you back."

"I'm glad to be back, dear," Dagmar smiled vibrantly at her son. "We have much to catch up on after our little party."

"Indeed. Well, I'll be back soon!" said Tavish, leaving the king and queen alone.

Dagmar turned to Zog. "Well, now that we're alone." She pinned him against the wall. "Where were we?"

Zog grinned. "Getting the good part." he and Dagmar gave each other bedroom eyes as they locked lips in the stone halls.

The hybrid dragon towered over Akane. His heavy feet shook the foundation; he held the dragon's soul in his scaly hands and shoved it into Akane's chest. The lieutenant screamed at the top of her lungs. Her mind shuffled, and her body ached. She and the dragon were becoming one. Their souls clashed. Their thoughts mixed. The dragon's memories of its birth, the memories of Akane's home, her mother, sister, father, the pain she felt when her father scolded her, The dragon's cry hammered in her ears along with Akane's painful cries. It was all too much. With a loud gasp, she snapped her eyes open and sprang up. Her eyes darted around, frantically scanning the area.

It was dark. The only light was the torches hanging on the wall. The torchlight revealed the cell doors, and its shadow danced in the flame's light. Across from Akane, she focused on Koga, who stared at her from his cell.

"About damn time you woke up," said the wanderer, sounding annoyed. "Whatever you were dreaming didn't sound good at all."

Akane just stared at him. She was still processing everything that had happened. However, she didn't quite remember everything. Akane moved her arm and flinched. She grasped her shoulder and noticed bandages wrapped around it. She looked down and saw she wasn't wearing her dark legion armor.

"What did you all do to me?" Akane glared at Koga.

"Oscar had to remove the armor to heal your wounds," Koga replied. "As for the cut around your shoulder, that's on me. You had some tough skin even if you were a hybrid."

Akane let out a light gasp. She lowered her eyes and turned away. "So…It was real…all of it…" She whispered.

"Yup." Koga leaned his head against the cell walls and looked at the torchlight. "If it makes you feel better, you looked really cool as a dragon." Akane turned her head to Koga and gave him a searing glare. "What? I'm just being honest."

"What happened to Commander Lucius?"

"Dead," Koga stated bluntly. "Bean killed him."

Akane clenched her teeth and shut her eyes. "Damn it."

Koga's formed a bewildered look of confusion. "You're upset about that?"

"Of course I am! I failed my commander, and I failed my general! I am ashamed!" Akane yelled, slamming her fist to the stone floor in frustration.

"You mean the same commander who turned you into a dragon by force? Did your general even know about this little mission of yours?"

"I don't have to answer to you!" Akane spat.

"Fair enough." Koga repositions himself and lies on his side. He watched Akane place her hand on her chest, remembering the inner turmoil of her soul clashing with the dragon. "If you're wondering how you're back to normal, you can thank the old coot for that." Akane looked over at Koga, confused. "He separated your soul from the one Lucius put inside you. I've never seen anything like it."

"Why?" Akane whispered.

"Why what?"

"Why did you all save me?" She asked painfully. "Do you think I want your pity? Or do you think I'll give you valuable information about the legion? Is that it?"

Koga just stared at her. "I was going to kill you back at the dragon world," He said, his voice deepened with that statement. "But Oscar stopped me. He told me that he wouldn't wish your soul to suffer like that. So, if you ever see Oscar, thank him for saving your life."

Akane went silent. She placed her back against the stone wall and stared at the torchlight. "I thought you became a vagabond…"

"A what?" Koga looked over at her.

"It's what we call people who wander the lands with no title or place to settle in my homeland. When you left with that elf and the old wizard, I thought you would never return to his kingdom."

"That's a cool ass name. I might call myself a Vagabond. Koga the Vagabond. Yeah, I like the sound of that," said Koga, lying flat on his back and staring at the ceiling.

"So, you're in a cell because you're accepting punishment to become a knight again?"

"Why so curious all of a sudden?" The wanderer turns his head to her.

"No reason." Akane watched him closely.

Koga went silent.

Akane got to her feet and walked to the cell door. The lieutenant reached the gap of the cell doors and placed her hand around the lock. The lock began melting and fell to the floor. Akane opened the cell door and walked over to Koga.

"See you," said Koga.

"Why don't you come with me? With your strength and skill, the general would take a liking to you. You can be a commander of thousands."

"No thanks," The wanderer replied bluntly.

"Then why stay here?"

"I have my reasons," said Koga.

Akane put two and two together and rubbed the right side of her cheek. "I see." She snapped her eyes to the exit of the dungeons.

"KOGA!" It was Bean.

Koga raises his head. He looked over at Akane but saw that she wasn't there. "How the hell?" The wanderer gets to his feet and walks to the bars of his cell. "Damn, she's fast."

Bean rushed over to his cell with a guard. The guard stood before Koga. "Koga the Wanderer! On the orders of Queen Dagmar, you are to be released and pardoned for your crimes!"

"Huh, that was fast—wait, Queen Dagmar?" Koga looked at him, confused, as the guard opened the cell door.

"Queen Dagmar has been resurrected! Thanks to Princess Tiabeanie!"

Koga looked over at her. Bean dropped the excited expression on her face and dawned an anxious look. Koga looked at her for a moment. He immediately realized what she had done. "I see," He said quietly.

"Koga," said Bean, holding herself nervously. "I…I…"

"You never talked about your mom a lot," said Koga, cutting her off. "I'm curious to see if she's as crazy as you." Bean looked at him, surprised. Koga smiled at her. Bean, still anxious, smiled back.

As they left the dungeons, the guard commented on seeing something brush past him. Koga told him that he was seeing things and needed a break. "Ah…I must be fatigued. It's a good thing the celebration of Queen Dagmar's return is happening tonight!" He left Bean and Koga alone, humming happily to himself. Bean stopped walking and stood in the stone hallways, frowning.

Koga turned to her. "You ok?"

"So, are you just not going to say anything?" said Bean, staring at Koga.

Koga sighed and glided his hand through his long black hair. "What do you want me to say, Bean?"

"I know you're upset with me. I saw the look on your face. Just say it."

Koga took time to collect his thoughts. He walked over to the princess, stood close, and spoke quietly to her. "Look…I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little upset. I don't know where you got the elves' blood, but having to choose between your mom and Elfo that…must've been really hard."

"That's an understatement…" Bean whispered, closing her eyes and trying not to cry. "I just…I made that decision without you being there and—" Koga placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him, staring into his emerald eyes.

"It's ok," said Koga. "You're way stronger than I am. I don't know what I would do in that situation. Besides, Elfo would've understood." He rubs Bean's cheek. "You have your mom back. Focus on that."

Bean placed her head onto Koga's chest and wrapped her arms around him. "Just…I thought you would hate me…" She let out a sigh of relief. "Just hold me for a second…please…"

Koga wrapped his arms around Bean, embracing her. "You big baby…" He pats her head softly.

"Shut up…I'm not…"

The two stood there momentarily before they left the halls and parted.