Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Majesty ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

Authoress' Notes: Kali is so busy it's not even funny. (Dryad: *snickers*) -_- Clam up, dragon. Anyway…I apologize for the long wait, and I'll give you fair warning this time: updates will occur only as soon as I can put them out, as erratic as it may be. I'm just a little occupied with my classes right now, but I promise I'll try my best to get them out as quickly as I can. Now, on with the fic!

Warnings: Yaoi, language, violence, lemons, dramatic angst, etc. Need more? Too bad, 'cause there isn't any! Rated R - NC17.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or anything to do with it. Only this fic and its OC's (if any).

Pairs: TyKa, ReMa, Hilary/Tala, Lee/Mariah, others to be decided.

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Chapter 16

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"Have we got everything?" Bryan looked over at Tala.

"I think so." The redhead replied. "Except my cousin and the Kinomiya. Where the heck are those two?" He turned toward the house to go search but stopped.

"Kinomiya Takao! You are not leaving me behind!" A furious female voice suddenly shouted, expressing supreme displeasure. It accompanied the young brunette as she stormed out of the house, her cousin right behind her.

"It's too dangerous for you to come along this time, Hilary!" He shouted back as they faced off in the front gardens, each trying to glare the other down. "I'm not going to allow you to get put in any situation that might endanger you. You are staying here."

Tala and Bryan exchanged glances while Hilary gave a frustrated screech and waved her arms in the air expressively.

"No, I'm not! This is my fight, too - remember? I want to help!"

Before Tyson could snap back, his eyes glittering angrily, Tala spoke up. "I have to agree with Tyson, Hilary. IT would be best if you stayed here in relative safety…" He broke off at her murderous glare and took a step back, sweatdropping and holding up his hands in defence. "I'll just…go over here." Tala pulled Bryan over to the horses.

"Coward." Bryan snickered.

"Shut up." Tala smacked him upside the head.

"Hilary…" Tyson began again.

"NO! I'm coming with you." She interrupted him stubbornly as Kai and Kenny came out of the house. "He was my grandfather, too, Takao!"

Tyson closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing back the nasty reply he'd been about to say as he counted to a thousand, and felt a deep pang in his chest at the mention of their Grandpa. He felt Kai's hands come down on his shoulders and squeeze in silent support and he leaned back into his phoenix unconsciously.

"Yes, I know." The bluenette acknowledged through gritted teeth. "And I understand you want a piece of the action, cousin." He opened his eyes and Hilary flinched at the visible storm of emotion in his deep blue eyes. "But you forget that I am the Kinomiya and I am telling you that you will stay here. It is your duty now to stay safe and alive until we know how this whole thing is going to play out because, Hilary, if anything happens to me you will be all that's left and you will be the Kinomiya. Gramps would never forgive me if I let something happen to you that I could have prevented." Tyson stood stiffly, hands clenched tightly at his sides, eyes blazing.

Hilary felt all her outrage drain away and she looked up at him sorrowfully. "Takao…"

"You are staying. There's nothing more to be said on the subject." Tyson walked briskly past her to the horses where he began securing his meagre belongings in the saddlebags.

Kai sighed and looked down at Kenny. "You'll be alright here, Kenny?" He asked. He'd already informed his body servant and squire that he was being left behind for now. As much as the brunette would have liked to go along and be of service to his master, Kenny had been a little relieved that he wouldn't have to fight.

"Yes, Your Highness. And I promise to protect Hilary for Tyson while you're gone." Kenny declared in a soft voice. Kai smiled faintly and gave the brunette a small pat on the head.

"I know. I'm sure Tyson will feel better knowing that, too. Thank you, Kenny."

The petit teen beamed.

Rei and Max finally came out then. Rei had Tabitha in one arm and a bag held in his other hand, and Max had two bundles of what looked like clothes and blankets in his hands. Both looked a little flustered and tired - as if they'd gotten very little sleep the previous night.

"Uh…what are you doing?" Kai inquired suspiciously, eyeing the bags and the happy chibi bouncing excitedly in her father's arms. Max scowled darkly.

"We're coming with you and Tyson." The blonde informed Kai with a peeved huff. "We were planning on it anyway, but now that we've pretty much been ordered to go…"

Rei's expression became vaguely awed. "We had a very interesting conversation last night with two old friends of Dranzer and Dragoon's." He explained at Kai's confused look. "I never thought I'd actually ever meet Driger, you know, let alone Draciel, too."

"Did they have to keep us awake all night, though!?" Max complained. "Because between them, Tabi, and you," he gave his mate a slight glare and Rei blushed. "I got practically no sleep at all last night!" He stomped over to the horses with the bags.

"Well, I guess you're coming along then." Kai shrugged. "We can use all the help we can get, I suppose. I'm drawing the line at the baby, however."

Rei laughed. "Oh no, Kai. We're going to leave Tabitha with Max's parents while we're gone. In fact…why don't Hilary and Kenny stay there, too?" He looked at the two in question.

"If the Mizuharas don't mind…" Hilary nodded. "It would probably be better if we stayed in the city rather than alone out here."

"I'm sure Judy will be delighted to have you around, Hil." Rei smiled. "Max has your stuff. He's loading it right now."

Kenny looked a little confused. "If that's our things, then where are yours and Max's?"

"I don't need anything for myself and Max only needed a couple of things." Rei replied, holding up the bag in his other hand. "They're in here with Tabitha's stuff."

"Oh."

"Are we all ready to leave then?" Tyson demanded, already on his horse and getting impatient. Kai grinned and led Kenny to his horse, helping the brunette to mount then swinging himself up behind the brunette.

Hilary gave Wolborg a quick pat on the head before Tala helped her to mount up behind Bryan. He would have been happy to ride with her himself - if it hadn't been for the life-and-limb threatening glare he received from the protective Kinomiya and the fact that Tala didn't ride. He was going on foot as he always did, the faithful white wolf at his side. And Hilary hadn't thought riding with her cousin was such a good idea either, in his current mood.

Rei handed his daughter up to Max. "You get to ride with Daddy, kitten, okay?" She squealed and glomped onto the blonde, clinging happily.

"Urk! Daddy has to breathe, Tabi!" Max gasped out, prying her arms from around his neck gently.

Tala raised an eyebrow at the neko-jin as he moved away from the horses and joined him and Wolborg. "Are you not riding either?"

"Nope." Rei sweatdropped. "Horses and I don't get along so well. I think they object to carrying a tiger or something."

Kai snickered and Tala blinked.

"You know, I nearly forgot you're not completely human." The ice-blue eyed warrior shook his head at himself.

"Alright, people. Let's get moving." Kai nudged his horse in the ribs and led the way. Tyson moved up beside him, and they rode side by side in silence.

As they neared Marchantria, Tyson finally spoke up.

"What do you suppose Dranzer and Dragoon are up to?"

"I don't know. They said they'd be along when they were done, though, so I wouldn't worry about it much." Kai replied.

"I guess."

Kai glanced over his shoulder at Hilary, who was smiling down at Tala, who was jogging alongside Bryan's horse with Wolborg. "Are you going to talk to Hilary or something before we leave?" He asked Tyson quietly, looking back toward his lover. Tyson heaved a sigh.

"I suppose I should. I was a bit hard on her…but she just made me so mad!" The bluenette clenched his fingers around his reigns. "For someone who's so intent on pointing out my duties and responsibilities she sure managed to forget her own easily! Still…" Tyson slouched in the saddle. "I can understand her."

"I think she feels badly, Tyson." Kenny piped up softly. Tyson looked at him and he continued. "I've gotten to know her pretty well and I could tell. I think she's feeling guilty for not thinking before she jumped head first into her desire to be a part of the fight."

Tyson was silent for a bit. As they approached the gates of the city, he ran a hand through his hair and sat up straighter.

"I'll talk to her." He decided aloud. Kai nodded and gave him an encouraging smile.

"You'll work it out, love."

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The group rode into the city and made their way through the streets crowded with early morning shoppers and merchants to Max's parents' home. At the gates that separated them from the short road up to the house, they watched until a young servant girl appeared and unlatched the gates for them.

"Hi, Emily!" Max greeted her. "Are my parents busy?"

"Good morning, Max…Rei." She gave them a short bow and motioned them inside. "I don't believe Lady Judy and your father are occupied with business today." Studying those among the group that she didn't recognize, she adjusted the spectacles resting on her nose and peered at them curiously. "May I ask who these people are? We were not expecting company today."

"They are friends of ours, Emily." Rei told her, taking Tabi from Max so he could dismount. "They are just passing through."

"I see."

"We're right behind you, Emily. If you would let my parents know I'm here…?" Max requested and the red haired girl bowed shortly before running off toward the house. Max led the group onward, following her with the horses.

Kai looked down at Kenny as the brunette let out a deep sigh. "Kenny? Something wrong?" He asked.

The brunette flushed and shook his head hastily. "No, Your Highness. Not at all."

"Hn." The prince gave him an odd look but let it drop.

Everyone else on a horse dismounted at the base of the steps leading up to the front doors of a rather large house, just as a woman with blonde hair to rival Max's came out with a welcoming smile on her face.

"Max! Rei! What a wonderful surprise! Oh!" She held out her arms to Rei and he handed Tabitha to her. "My goodness! Tabitha, you've grown so much!"

"Grams!" Tabi squealed in delight, latching on to her grandmother with a purr of greeting. Max grinned.

"Hi, Mom! I hope you don't mind all of us dropping in like this."

"Of course not. Come in, everyone." She looked around at them all, pausing when she noticed Tyson and Hilary. "Oh! Is that you, Tyson? And Hilary, too?"

"Hey, Mrs. Mizuhara!" Tyson grinned and waved. "Yep! It's us."

"This is certainly unexpected but I'm so happy to see you both, and alive and well, no less." Judy smiled sadly at them. "I was very upset when I heard about your father and brother, Tyson, and then your grandfather, too. Max told us all about it."

"Thank you, my Lady." Hilary accepted her sympathy for them both.

"Actually, Mom, that's sort of why we're here." Max explained. "Ah…Tyson is returning with Kai to go after Boris and Rei and I are going with them to help, too, so we were wondering if Tabitha could stay here with you for a while."

"You're what?! Max, you can't be serious!" Judy stared at him.

"Serious about what, Judy?" Another voice inquired. A tall, well-muscled man appeared from the open doors behind her and walked up beside her.

"He wants to go to the Empire with Tyson and take on the new Emperor!" Judy informed him. "Max, honey, I know you want to help your old friends, but…"

"It's not just that, Mom." Max sighed. He'd been expecting this. "We've sort of been ordered to go along."

"Ordered? By whom?"

"Draciel and Driger, Mother." Stated Rei, sweatdropping at their expressions that plainly said he was crazy. "No, really. I'm not crazy and I'm not making it up." He explained the visitation to them and took Max's hand in his own, linking their fingers. "I know you're worried we'll get hurt or worse, but I promise we'll be very careful and I swear I'll watch over Max."

Judy didn't look very happy about it, and Kai didn't think she really believed Rei's explanation, either. Deciding he ought to say something, Kai stepped forward and drew everyone's attention.

"Listen, Lady Mizuhara. I realize you have no reason to trust me or anything that I say, but please hear me out anyway. If Max and Rei say that they have had a visitation by two of the Gods and been told to help Tyson and I reclaim our lives and help our people, then I believe them. We have every reason to believe them, you see, because we also have been favoured with the presence of two other of the Gods." He paused, feeling Tyson come up beside him and slip his hand into Kai's, squeezing gently. "It's a bit more complicated than that, of course, but unimportant at this time. Dranzer has been with me all my life, even though I didn't know it."

"And Dragon has come to me just as our legends have foretold." Tyson put in. "And they are both coming with us to face Boris. In all honesty, ma'am, we could really use Max and Rei's help."

"And we'd be honoured to have one of the legendary Mizuharas as well as a leader of the neko-jin tribes fighting at our side." Kai finished quietly.

Judy exchanged a glance with her lifemate then looked back at their only child. "Well, whether we believe all that or not, we can't stop you from going, Max." She said with a sigh.

"Just promise you'll be careful, okay? Tabitha needs her parents and we still need our son." Max's father drew the blonde young man into a rough hug. "So come home safe and sound."

"Most definitely. Thanks, Dad." Max hugged back and smiled reassuringly.

"We promise." Rei added.

Tyson sighed in relief and beside him Kai relaxed a bit. There had been a moment there where they had been sure Max's parents would refuse to allow Max to leave - even if he was old enough to have not needed permission.

"We just have one favour to ask, my Lady." Kai waved Kenny forward and dropped a hand on his shoulder.

"Could Hilary and Kenny stay here with you, also?" Tyson asked. "As much help as I'm sure they would be, if anything happens to me it will be up to Hilary to take my place and help reunite the Clans someday. She would be the next Kinomiya."

"And I want Kenny to be safe and away from the fighting. He's a good fighter, but…" Kai trailed off, not sure how to say it without insulting Kenny.

"I'm not ready for this kind of battle and I'm afraid I'd just get in the way." Kenny finished for him, looking up at Kai with a small smile. "I appreciate the sentiment, though, Your Highness."

"I'm sorry, Kenny."

"It's alright, my Lord."

"Of course they can stay here." Judy nodded. "I would very much enjoy the company."

"Thank you so much." Tyson smiled. "The Clans owe you both a great debt."

"Oh what nonsense." Judy waved that off. "I've known you and Hilary since you were in diapers and you've been great friends to Max all your lives. It is the least we can do to look after them for you while you're gone."

"Still…thank you."

Tala brought Hilary her bag of belongings and Kai handed Kenny his. "I hate to say it, but if we're going to make any distance today we need to get moving, cousin." The red haired warrior gave Kai a meaningful look and Kai nodded.

"Yes. We had better go." The prince agreed.

Max and Rei took a few moments to say their farewells to the blonde's parents and to their daughter.

Tyson left Kai's side and went over to Hilary, looking down at the ground as he prepared to apologize.

"I'm sorry I was hard on you, Hilary…earlier. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that."

"No, Takao. I'm sorry! I didn't think it all through very clearly and I got very angry with you about something I shouldn't have. Not to mention that I forgot about my own responsibilities to our people." Hilary shook her head and sniffled a little, and Tyson gathered her into his arms in a tight embrace.

"We both got carried away. But I'll forgive you if you'll forgive me, cousin."

"Deal. You promise me you'll be very careful? And that as soon as you and Kai get everything straightened out you'll send for me?" She pulled away and looked up at him pleadingly. "I won't be able to sleep well or at all not knowing how you are, Takao."

"I promise. Don't worry, Hilary! Everything's going to be fine."

Hilary hugged him hard once more then pushed him away, sniffling. "Go! Before I don't let you."

Tyson turned and went to his horse, mounting up. Bryan and Kai followed and got up onto their horses, too.

Tala glanced at the Kinomiya once before he simply walked up to Hilary and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him and leaned down to kiss her lingeringly.

Tyson blinked then snarled and raised a hand, blue sparks flashing around it. Kai reached over and bravely laid a hand over Tyson's.

"Let it slide, lover. Just this once." He advised under his breath.

"What does he think he's doing?!" Tyson hissed but subsided, muttering darkly and glaring hard at the back of Tala's head.

Tala slowly broke away, very conscious of the angry glare at his skull but brazenly ignoring it, and stared down into honey brown eyes that were slightly dazed and a little surprised. "That was a promise, Hilary. We'll see each other again."

"Uh…yes. Okay." The brunette blushed and smiled sadly as he let her go and walked away. Wolborg whimpered and let Hilary pat him on the head in farewell before trotting after his master.

"Max! Rei! We have to go!" Tyson called, hating to tear them away from their family - but then, he hated nearly everything about this whole situation.

The two joined them and with a few final waves and tearful goodbyes, the somewhat odd team of young warriors began the final journey to set right the wrongs that had plagued the world for too long.

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Riding (or running) until well past sunset, the group finally found a place to set up camp and settled in for the night. They arranged a schedule to keep watch, switching off in pairs. Kai and Tyson stayed up first, sitting together on a large boulder and sharing a blanket, since the nights turned quite chilly now in the autumn. Rei and Max were curled up together near the fire under their own blankets. Tala was asleep, with Wolborg stretched out next to him, and Bryan was sitting on the other side of the fire, leaning against a tree, also asleep.

Kai looked down at his dragon as Tyson let out a sigh that ended on a large yawn. "Sleepy, huh?"

"A bit. Just nerves, I guess." Tyson answered, snuggling closer. "You're nice and warm."

"Try not to worry too much, love. We can't be entirely sure what we'll be up against until we get there."

"I know. It's just…we can't go fight a Goddess, can we? Boris aside, that's who we're really going to have to face."

"Let us worry about that, Takao."

Both teens looked up to see their ancestors standing in front of them, hand in hand. Next to them were two other people of similar stature - one male and one female. The male wore clothes that closely resembled Rei's in style, but were multi-shades of greens and browns. He looked even more neko-jin than Rei, however, with ears that had a more pronounced pointy, cat-shape to them and a set of piercing golden eyes that were decidedly feline, and his white and green striped tail was curled tightly around his waist like a belt. His hair was a shock of pure green, long and straight, and wrapped in a ponytail that brushed the ground it was so long - much as Rei's hair was wrapped, only Rei's raven locks were quite a bit shorter.

The female was a petite little sprite with impossibly curly purple hair framing her face and her sparkling sapphire blue eyes. She wore a gown much like Dranzer's only it shimmered and gleamed in the moonlight, appearing to reflect the light as a fish's scales would, in shades of blues, greens, and purples. Around her waist was a belt of pearls.

Startled at the arrival of these new, obviously divine, visitors, Kai and Tyson exchanged quick glances then looked at their Guardians for an explanation, unable to form words at the moment.

"Do they not speak?" The feline male blinked slowly at the two teens, studying them carefully.

Dragoon rolled his eyes. "Oh yes. I'm afraid we may have startled them, though. Takao! Snap out of it, kid." He snapped his fingers in front of Tyson's face and Tyson swatted his hand away.

"Cut it out, Dragoon!"

"Well…you were spacing out! And close your mouth, little dragon. You'll catch flies that way, if you leave it hanging open like that."

Tyson glowered and pressed his lips together firmly.

"Allow me to introduce Driger and Draciel. My friends, these are our descendants: Kai and Takao." Dranzer hastily made the introductions before an argument could start up.

"It's so wonderful to meet you both!" Draciel exclaimed, smiling brilliantly at them and skipping over to shake their hands in greeting. "We've heard so much about you!"

"Uh…nice to meet you, too." Kai responded, resisting the need to sweatdrop at the sprite's Max-like genki-ness. "May I ask what brings you here?"

Dragoon crossed his arms over his chest. "Like I said before, leave Drisana to us. Dranzer and I were discussing the situation when these two dropped by and threw in their help."

"Yes. And neither of us could turn away the assistance." Dranzer nodded. "We all discussed it, and together we decided that it would be best if we faced my little sister together - to drive home the point that all the wrongs she has done have affected not only myself and Dragoon but all the inhabitants of this world we've been given the duty and pleasure of protecting."

"I don't understand." Tyson scratched his head in confusion. "It hasn't really gone that far. It's mainly between…well, my family and Kai's."

Driger shook his head. "To a point, that is correct. However, the blood staining the earth already - as well as the possibility of even more being spilled if nothing is done - compels me to do what I can to help solve the problem. And if left unchecked, I believe the evil in Boris will grow and he will come after my people next. It would be the end of the neko-jin tribes - not to mention any other demi-human peoples."

"I go where Driger goes." Draciel stated, dancing back over to him and looping her arm with his as she gazed at him fondly. "And I will fight because even the waters here are beginning to be affected by the deeds of that evil man." She leaned her head on Driger's shoulder and her eyes glimmered with tears. "The rivers and streams and even the lakes within the Empire are becoming little better than murky pools of sludge and death - if they remain at all. So many have run dry…"

Kai's eyes widened in distress. "You're kidding me. How is that possible?" Tyson made a noise of sympathy and agreement with his question, leaning against Kai.

"I wish they were kidding, young phoenix." Dragoon sighed and ran a hand though his spiky, white hair. "It's happening and it's possible because that is what evil does. It corrupts and then seeps out into everything it comes into contact with - spreading like a plague and increasing in strength as it grows."

"It has to stop." Dranzer's ruby red eyes blazed in the darkness. "It will stop."

There were nods of agreement all around.

"Perhaps you should wake up whoever is next to stand watch and get your sleep." Draciel suggested when Tyson yawned sleepily once more.

"What time is it, anyway?" The bluenette asked.

"Just after midnight." Dragoon answered. "Draciel's right. Go get some rest, Takao. We just wanted to introduce you and the young phoenix to Driger and Draciel."

Kai nodded and stood up. "It was a pleasure to meet you both." He said, bowing shortly from the waist, in respect. "It's Max and Rei's turn so if you want, you can stick around and keep them company."

Driger stretched lazily, a large yawn of his own flashing a set of sharp-looking fangs. "I'd rather sleep, actually." He said, looking down at Draciel as she tugged on his arm. "What?"

"We should stay up." The little deity gave him her most adorable pout and Kai and Tyson stared, trying not to laugh, when Driger groaned and pretty much caved in immediately.

" 'Ciel, little sprite, that's just not fair."

"Yay!" She cried, knowing he'd given in, and jumped up into his arms, curling her own around his shoulders and neck and planting tiny little kisses all over his face. The White Tiger sighed and his tail uncurled from around his waist to encircle the bundle of genki Water Goddess in his embrace, emitting a soft purr.

Dranzer shook her head and flashed into her phoenix form, flying up to perch in a high tree branch for the night. Dragoon sweatdropped at their friends and waved at the two demi-humans before taking his dragon form and floating up to join his mate.

"Uh…Rei and Max will be over in a moment." Kai declared, tugging Tyson off toward the fire to wake up the neko-jin and the blonde.

After doing so, the couple cuddled up together near the fire and let the steady beating of one another's heartbeats lull them to sleep.

*~*~*~Tyson's Dream*~*~*~

"What the…? Oh, not this again." Tyson groaned, recognizing the blank whiteness of everything around him. "Gramps? You here?"

"Right here, T-man!" His grandfather's voice declared loudly from directly behind him, startling him badly and making him jump.

"AH! How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?!"

The elder Kinomiya waved that away. "Never mind that, Takao. We have more important things to discuss."

"Such as? And where have you been, anyway? I haven't talked to you since just before I transformed for the first time." Tyson folded his arms over his chest. "Did you not want to talk to me or something? Have I done something wrong?"

"Oh, nonsense. There was no reason for me to come to you again, then, Takao. His Divine-ness was with you and he told you everything you needed to know. I had nothing to add." Gramps reached out and ruffled his grandson's hair. "Except to tell you how proud I am of you and how I approve of the agreement you have reached with the Hiwatari. But I assume you already knew that?"

"I do now." Tyson blushed hotly and looked at the ground. "So…you don't mind that I've chosen Kai to be my lifemate? And his choice of me?"

Gramps snorted. "Of course I don't mind. Even a blind man could see how much the two of you love each other. I have to admit I wasn't entirely sure about him at first, but I've observed him and now I think he's very much your equal in every way that matters. He is a worthy mate for the Kinomiya."

Tyson looked up at the old man and sniffled, wiping away a single tear and smiling happily. "Thanks, Grandpa. It means a lot to hear you say that."

"It's just the truth, Takao. Now…" Gramps dusted off his hands in a business-like manner. "About why I've come to you this time…"

"Yeah?" Tyson asked eagerly - though he was a bit wary at the same time because he was seriously hoping it wasn't more bad news.

"I have something to give you." Gramps grinned and suddenly held out a shiny, brand new sword to his grandson. The polished blade was made of gleaming obsidian, and inlaid in the blade itself was an intricate pattern of a sinuous dragon of pure silver with two sparkling blue sapphires for eyes. Tyson gasped as he recognized the sword.

"That's our family sword! The one that you said is gone! How…?"

"Let's just say I have friends in high places." Gramps winked at him and laughed. "The sword isn't meant for battle, mind you. It's purely for ceremonial purposes. But I want you to carry it with you when you go up against Boris. And when you win, Takao…"

Tyson reached out and accepted the beautiful weapon when the elder Kinomiya offered it to him hilt first. "We don't know that we will win…" he began, but Gramps cut him off.

"When you win, I think you'll need that sword to gather the Clans once more and start over - and be expecting a small miracle when you do, little dragon. Something will happen to that sword and it will help the Clans to accept not only your leadership of them, but Kai's as well."

Tyson looked down at the blade for a moment then glanced back up at his grandfather, hugging the sword close to himself. "Okay, Gramps. I promise I'll take good care of this until then."

"I know you will, Takao. Now, I think you should sleep. You need all the rest you can get for the coming days. I know the future still seems uncertain and that you aren't sure what the outcome will be, but have faith and trust in yourself, Takao, and things will be just fine."

Gramps' words echoed quietly in Tyson's mind as he slowly disappeared and Tyson fell into a peaceful state of slumber once more.

*~*~*~ End of Tyson's Dream*~*~*~

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Authoress' Notes: I know. It's just another one of those necessary, intermediate chapters that nobody really pays much attention to…though you should! *shakes a finger at readers* Bad! LOL Stay tuned, folks… Please R/R!