Fan Fiction ❯ The Goddess Sagas ❯ The Winged Angel ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12: The Winged Angel

The group had fallowed the path of light which seemed to stretch on forever for almost an month now. They had been attacked

a few times by lesser demons but nothing else really exciting had happen. Then to their joy they finally came to the end of the

road of light.

"WOWIE!!!" Mara exclaimed, looking at their destination. "This city is huge!!!"

" I've heard of this place, it's Angelo, the second most powerful city in the whole world!" Carrie smiled gazing up at it. "I never got to

vist it before, I'm so excited!"

"I heard that people of all races can live in harmony there....even half breeds." Mimi said happily.

"Lima can't wait to go shopping, heh-heh!!"

"....I don't like big cities..." Squall folded his arms, looking away.

"I love Angelo...it's so big, reminds me of home. I love big cities and people, Angelo is so cool!" Genki exclaimed.

" I've never really traveled much....so I don't know much about cities...but this place does look beautiful, doesn't it Ruto?"

Ryan looked over at the girl who was gazing up at the buildings of the huge city, her hood covering her head, as if she did not

want to show her face to anyone.

".........Yeah.....I guess.........."

"Ruto? What's wrong?" Ryan asked concerned seeing the sorrowful expression on her face.

".....Nothing....your sure the orb is located hear?"

"Yes."

Ruto sighed, "Then I guess I have no choice...let's go."

The group watched confused as they watched her walk, head down into the town.

'Ruto.....' Ryan thought sadly. 'I wish I knew what was wrong.'

******************************

Lounaru sat in his chair, his eyes blood shot eyes filled with madness as he rubbed his finger over and over again against the

scar on his cheek.

'Damn you Ryan....You will pay for this....'

"Have you sat in the dark long enough?" Hikari teased as she appeared into the room.

"What is it?" Lounaru asked sharply, narrowing his mad eyes at her.

"Taromecika has ordered us to attack Angelo. Taromecika has informed King Ashram that he was staging war. The fight will

start tonight."

"And you want me to battle in it? Why should I?"

Hikari smirked. "Ryan will be there."

Lounaru's eyes widened in anger at the sound of the name, then he began to laugh madly.

"Ryan, tonight, tonight YOU WILL DIE!! MAWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!"

*********************

Taromecika sat on his dark throne, sipping red whine from a rose tinted glass.

"....Tonight, Cid, you who took my one true love away from me...tonight I will destroy your home town...Angelo....and since

you precious love...Ruto has been long dead, I will take from you the next best thing...I will take away her daughter...then all

memories of your loved one will be gone forever....just like you tried to take away all of the woman I loved....My beautiful

goddess."

*******************

The group had been walking around the city for hours, keeping an eye open for anything strange but the only think that they

spotted strange was the fact that Ruto kept on looking around herself nervously and that the streets and buildings were empty.

'Ruto, what is it?" Ryan asked worriedly.

"It's nothing, Ryan....." She reassured, her voice low, as if afraid to speak up.

The group just frowned at her and they walked until they reached a motel. They stopped as they reached the door, and saw a

boy with short brown hair and messy bangs staring at them, his face expressionless, he wore a pair of jeans, with a black

tank-top and a thin blue jacket. He stared at them threw icy blue eyes, taking a step forward he looked in Ruto's direction.

Whimpering Ruto tried to hide behind Ryan, but it was to late, the boy was approaching her.

"There is no use to hide from me...I know it is you under that cloak." The boy spoke in a monotone voice.

The group turned to Ruto in surprise as she removed her hood, her face sad and helpless.

"Alex...."

Ryan did not know why but he felt jealousy rear it's ugly head within himself. But decided to remain silent, waiting to see how

this would unfold.

"Ruto, you know this guy?" Mimi asked concerned by her friends sad expression.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Mara blurted out, hoping so, so she would not have to worry about losing Ryan to her.

"Ruto?" The man asked, raising an eye brow. "Going by your mother's name again I see."

The group gasped surprised at this, turning to Ruto with their eyes wide in shock.

"Ruto....?" Ryan asked, not believing his ears. 'Ruto was not her real name...why, why would she lie?'

"Alex...please...do not tell my dad that I am hear....I don't....I don't want...I don't want to go back there."

"Princess Marie-Maya Gazumaro, It is my duty to protect you and this city, and fallow your fathers orders. I failed before when

I somehow allowed you to escape the palace and leave on this journey, because of your silly dreams. Come back home with

me, your father will be merciful with you if you return home and apologize for running away, again."

"But--!! I want to help in the war against Taromecika! I don't want to hide in a palace like some sort of helpless princess!!"

"You're a woman, women are weak, they cannot fight. Such battles are not for weaklings to face. The most you can do is keep

the sprit of the people alive, you are their princess, they need to hear your words of kindness."

"....Alex....please....I don't want to go back there....."

"Princess Marie-Maya, A war is going to happen on these grounds soon, you will be killed if you stay hear, go to the palace,

the women and children of the city are hiding there, and they will need your support, your father will be fighting in the war...if he

dies, you are the next ruler and you need to be present to claim the throne." Alex looked into Ruto's sad eyes.

"I'm sorry Marie-Maya....."

Ruto turned to her friends, tears running down her cheeks as they stared back at her with shock and betrayal on their faces.

"Ruto...your a princess?" Carrie asked wide eyed.

"Why didn't you tell us, we would not have got mad or anything like that." Mimi asked, sounding hurt.

"Ruto is a princess of Angelo?" Lima asked, still not able to get the idea of it into her brain.

".......or should we be saying Marie-Maya, instead?" Genki asked with his arms folded.

"I can't believe you lied to us this whole time!!!" Mara growled.

".........." Squall stared at her, silently but his expression of confusion said everything. Lastly Ruto forced herself to look at Ryan,

who stared back at her shocked, surprised, hurt, betrayed.

"Ryan...everyone...I'm sorry....I did not want you to find out....I just wanted to be looked at like a person...not a shallow

princess...Please forgive me...."

"Ruto.........." Ryan trailed off.

"Come on Marie-Maya." Alex said, taking her hand. "Let's head back to the palace, your father will be waiting for you."

The group watched shattered as Alex began to pull Ruto away with him, heading towards the large white palace in the centre of

the huge city.

"Ruto!" Ryan called to her but she did not even turn around.

Ruto closed her eyes as tears spilled over her cheeks. 'Ryan, I'm sorry!'

****************************

"Hey Rya!!" Mara giggled jumping on his bed in the motel room. " Isn't it cool we got our rooms free just because we know the

'princess?' and who did she think she was anyway, lying to us, she must have just wanted people around her to protect her

which is why she asked us if she could join us, Princess always need people to protect them."

Ryan sighed, staring at the floor, Mara's words burning his soil like a rabid flame.

"I bet all she thought of us was slaves all along." The cat girl sniffed.

"Your wrong...." Ryan crocked out. " Ruto....Marie-Maya was not like that....there has to be a reason why she would lie to

us...."

Mara pouted, looking at him sour. " Are you sticking up for that flat-chested liar over me Rya!? Look she doesn't care about

you! I do, and it's just going to be like that, ok!"

"But she seemed so sad." Ryan protested.

"Who cares about her! I'm far nicer looking then her, and I don't lie about my name!"

"I care about her!" Ryan shouted and instantly regretted it as he saw the look of disbelief of the cat-girls face and tears spring to

her eyes.

"You....love....her, Rya?"

'Do I? That feeling I feel in my chest every time she is around....the need to see her face, the need to talk to her...is that what

love feels like?' Ryan stared frozen off into space, the image of him and Ruto kissing flashed before his eyes, and the emotions

that had filled his chest at that time. The desire to hold her in his arms filled his heart again...he looked at Mara with tear filled

eyes, not knowing what to say.

Mara took one look into his face and ran out of the room with a sob.

"Mara--!" Ryan called out, but she was already gone. "I'm sorry....but I can't deny my heart..."

Ruto stood before her father, Alex stayed by her side the whole time, as if to be there as a comfort.

" Marie-Maya." King Ashram said sourly, gazing at the girl in front of him. " You dare to go against my rules and run away from

the city, for what, to fulfill some silly dreams you have? Leave the war against Taromecika to us men."

Ruto stayed silent, not meeting his eyes.

"The brave men of our town will be fighting in the war the will take place tonight, I will be battling as well, and I know you will

be cheering for my death."

"I would not cheer for such a thing, but I cannot deny that fact that I would not care if you did die.." Ruto said, voice thick with

anger. " And if only the brave men of this town are going to fight then why, may I ask, a coward like you, a man that sentenced

his own wife to death is fighting!?"

The only answer Ruto got to this was a slap across the face.

"She was a whore! I knew sense the day you were born, now go, get changed out of those peasant clothes, you will wish the

soldiers luck, and stay hear at the palace with the women and children of my city."

"Father...how can you be so cruel to me?" Ruto sobbed, allowing a tear to fall from her cheeks.

" Your not even my daughter, your just a result of that whore's relationship with her 'dear friend Cid'."

Ruto stared at him hurt, a few tears sliding down her cheeks.

" Alex."

The king turned towards the solider who bowed. "Yes sire."

" Since tonight I may die out on the battle front, I should tell you the husband I have picked for Marie-Maya, the man who will

be next to rule over our kingdom. That man is you Alex."

Both Alex and Ruto gasped.

"Y...Yes, sire...I understand...."

"Alex, take you fiancée to her chambers. Make sure she does not try to run away again."

"As you command, Marie-Maya, fallow me."

Ruto could only let Alex lead her away, as she remained staring off into space in shock.

*******************************

"....I've never seen Ryan look so sad before in his whole life...." Genki trailed off sadly looking at Ryan who just sat at the bar,

drinking a beer dully, his eyes all red and puffy.

"He really cared for Ruto...I mean Marie-Maya, didn't he?" Carrie frowned, looking at the demon-half with pity.

"I'm worried about Mara....I saw him run out of his room in tears." Mimi told them sadly.

"You think she found out that Ryan loved Ruto?" Lima asked stupidly.

"....no, she broke a nail." Squall commented rudely before continuing." she needs time alone right now....you can't approach

that girl when she's like this."

"Hm....I just hope she does not to anything stupid." Genki commented.

"Genki...you think she would....you know..." Mimi gulped worriedly.

".......I'm not sure....." The hyper boy admitted.

*****************************

Ryan took another mouth full of the drink in front of him, he mostly did not drink this much but right now....

'Ruto....Will I ever see you again....? Even if you are a princess, even if you did lie to us...I still care for you...what I feel for you

is like nothing I've ever felt before...I wonder if you feel the same way? And Mara, Mara....I'm so sorry, you are my best friend

but I don't love you....please don't hate me....'

"The princess is back!" One of the men in the bar exclaimed.

"Yeah, she is a babe isn't she, a little small in the breasts but still very cute, I heard that she will be singing as song for us soldiers

before the battle starts to bless them."

"Yeah, I know that is why I joined the army, she's such a sweet little thing!" The other man squealed. "Thank god they are

taking last moment soldiers, or else I would have missed hearing a song sang by the princess! She has the most beautiful voice!"

"Forget the song!, King Ashram never even lets her out of the palace, it's a miracle if we even see her!"

Ryan's eyes widened, and in a matter of moments found himself approaching the two soldiers.

"Where do I go to sign up to battle in the war?"

*******************************

Mara sobbed loudly, on a park bench, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.

"....Rya....why? Why is it....why is it, you don't love me?"

a lonely wind blew, ruffling her hair, it was chilly but she could not care lest.

"We....knew each other for so long......we played, we joked...we did everything together...shouldn't that count for

something...? Oh Rya...! Why....why did that Ruto girl have to show up....what can I do to get you back from her....? What can I

do?"

"...Kill her."

Mara jumped startled, turning around her eyes widened in surprise, and slow she turned around, her heart leaping into her chest

at the person she spotted behind her.

"You--!!"

****************************

Ryan walked away, dully from the building he had went in to sign up for the war. He was dressed in a soldiers suit, that was an

all in one blue uniform, with a symbol of an sliver eye sprouting angel wings on it. He looked up surprised as he saw the rest of

his friends, minus Mara standing in front of him, with weak smiles on their faces, all dressed in uniform as well.

"We can't let you battle in this war alone...we all want to see Ruto again." Genki smiled.

Ryan just returned their smiles with a sad smile of his own.

*************************

Ruto looked at her reflection in the mirror, but did not recognize the person who looked back at her. The person's brown hair

was tied back into a long braid, pearls were braided into her hair, and she wore a white dress and gloves filled with shiny pearls

and dimonds. The girls face bore a sorrowful expression and ocean-blue eyes had darkened to an dull greenish-gray colour.

A knock sounded on her door and Alex walked in, baring an expressionless mask.

"Princess Marie-Maya...it's time to see off the soldiers with your voice."

"Alex...." Ruto looked over at him sadly. "Why do you kiss my fathers butt...I know you don't like him...then why are you so loyal?"

" I was trained to be the perfect solider. It is my mission, and I must fallow it to the end. But Marie-Maya....." Alex looked up

at her, eyes showing a ghost of emotion.

"If you were to give me the order to help you escape I will fallow it."

Ruto gasped. "R...really!?"

"Over the years...I watched over you...I've gotten certain feelings for you...I never felt anything for anyone... I've known you

since I was small...your like a younger sister to me...and since I never had a family...having someone to look at like family

meant very much to me, and I can not stand to see a woman cry...they are weak enough when they act strong, tears just make

them seem pitiful. So Marie-Maya, dry your eyes, after this war is over, I will help you escape from this place forever."

"Thank you...Alex...."

Alex nodded his head and left the room, leaning his back against the wall he sighed.

"Like a sister...hmmm...no, I love her much more then that...or maybe I love the woman she reminds me of, but I can see in her eyes she loves another...I wont bondage her

with me........Ha, how ironic the perfect solider feeling such emotions for a woman..."

********************************

Ryan and his friends stood in a large crowd of soldiers as they stood outside of the large castle, all around them were

commotions from other soldiers, but Ryan and his friends remained silent. The room hushed down as a man with dark hair and

dark eyes walked onto a balcony that was high above them, his voice echoed over the microphone.

"My good people, tonight the war against the demon god Taromecika, the battle will be deadly but I know you can win, for

your hearts are brave and true, and good always over powers evil! I will lead the battle, along with the aid of my top solider

and fiancé to my only daughter your Princess Marie-Maya!"

Ryan could feel his heart stop, at the kings words. '....Ruto....Marie-Maya....is to...be wed....?'

Alex walked onto the stage, his face still frozen in an expressionless way.

"It will be an honour to fight for this city, for this world, against the forces of this great evil demon Taromecika. I will do anything to

protect Princess Mare-Maya and the people of this city...of this world."

The king gave Alex an sharp glare. "And in the name of the goddess Key who looks over us, and favours the people and strong

fighting city." Ashram added, his voice hinting the fact that Alex had been suppose to say this.

'....As if an solider can believe in god or a goddess.' The perfect solider thought, crossing his arms.

"Now to lighten your hearts before the battle, my daughter Princess Marie-Maya will sing a song for you."

Ryan could feel his chest tense as he watched Ruto...Marie-Maya...walk onto the balcony, looking like a shining angel.

*********************************

Ruto gazed over the crowd sadly, not at all feeling like singing, but then her eyes spotted a small group in the crowd that stood

apart from the rest, and her eyes widened as she spotted Mimi, Carrie, Genki, Squall, Lima, and then finally Ryan. At the site

of his face staring into hers, she felt tears well up into her already sore eyes.

"Everyone....I would like to...to thank you for your bravery of battling against Taromecika, not only for our town but for the

whole world. War is never a good thing, it's just a game that plays with men's lives, nothing good even comes with war but, if

we don't fight everyone will die anyway...at least threw battle some...some will be saved." Ruto's voice cracked, and she closed

her eyes to avoid Ryan's gaze.

"As you go out to battle keep in mind, your are not the only one fighting. Right now a group of seven is battling to stop

Taromecika and protect our goddess. I wish them the best of luck...and I want them to know...they mean a lot to me...and

that....I love them all with all my heart....and I will always remember them."

Ruto chocked with a small little sob.

The king glared at her. "Marie-Maya, your suppose to be singing, not giving a speech."

"Of course..." Ruto nodded, looking at the crowd below her again. " Instead of singing the song 'war heroes.' I will be singeing

a song I wrote just now...it's dedicated to someone out there who is very special to me...Ryan....."

The king shot her a death glare at her words, but facing his city people he was not able to scold the princess they all loved so

much. Alex just glanced at her, a ghost of a sad expression on his face.

************************

"Wow! I wish I was that Ryan guy!" One of the solders exclaimed, while a few others agreed whole heartily.

"Ruto..." Ryan whispered staring up into her face.

"Alone for a while,

I've been searching threw the dark,

For traces of the love you left,

Inside of my lonely heart...

To weave by picking up the pieces that remain

Melodies of life-love's lost refrain

Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why.

We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye

And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?

Let them ring out loud, until they unfold

In my dearest memories, I see you reaching out to me,

Though we are apart, I still believe that you can call out my name.

A voice from the past, joining yours and mine

Adding up the layers of harmony

And so it goes, on and on,

Melodies of life

To the sky beyond the flying birds---forever and beyond.

So far and away, see the bird as it files by.

Gliding threw the shadows of the clouds up in the sky.

I've laid my memories and dreams apon those wings

Leave them now and see what tomorrow brings.

In your dearest memories, will

you remember knowing me?

Was it faith that brought us close ...

and now leaves me behind?

A voice from the past, joining yours and mine

Adding up the layers of harmony

And so it goes, on and on, "

Melodies of life,

To the sky beyond the flying birds---forever and beyond.

If I should leave this lonely world behind,

Your voice will still remember our melody

Now I know we will carry on.

Melodies of life,

Come circle around and grow deep in our hearts,

As long as we remember..."

"Ruto...."

'Ryan.....Please, I know you want to kill Taromecika, but do it by finding the orbs, do not go into battle....I don't want you...or

any of the others to die...if only I could do something...if only I wasn't so weak!....' Ruto cursed herself.

********************************

Taromecika rode forward on his black stallion, Hikari setting behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist. Beside them

road Lounaru, and his two remaining warriors, one an lizard-man, with slanted eyes, long thoung, and green scale, long claws

and tight black hair tied back into a short pony tail. The other warrior was an hansom yet female looking man with pale skin,

purple eyes, white hair hair falling over his shoulders and down to his hips, two black and red devil wings came out of the

black of his gold and crimson robe while an black imps tail curled around his waist. Hundreds of lesser demons and other races,

including the corrupted 5th rank students from the magic school traveled behind them, there horses galloping forward.

"This battle will be an easy one, The king is an coward. Keep in mind, our main objectives is not to kill the soldiers but to take

over the city and capture Princess Marie-Maya, use her as bate to lure Cid to me." Taromecika instructed. "But bloodshed is

fun, so don't try not to kill anyone."

"Master, we do not know whom the princess is, and not minding that fact, I hear she is a powerful fighter, not as strong as you,

but how do you plan to find the princess?" Hikari asked confused.

Taromecika grinned at her, his fangs glistening in the red sunset. "Let's just say, I have two pawns in the city that will take care

of that for me."

'Pawns....' Lounaru's blond, purpled eyed warrior frowned, wrinkling his nose bitterly. 'aren't we all just pawns in this little game of yours Taromecika?'

Lounaru glanced at the follower, his eyes narrowing as a grin came on his face.

"You have that look on your face again."

"What look?" The warrior asked amused.

Lounaru frowned. "That look you get when you think."

The blond laughed. "Oh? So you care enough about me to notice the different expressions on my face? Hm, I didn't know you

were like me Lord Lounaru." the warrior pretended to blush and get all shy in an stupid idea to tease his master

The blond was just rewarded with a slap across the face.

"Lemon!! DON'T THINK OR SPEAK UNLESS I ORDER YOU TO!!!"

Lemon just grinned, bearing two sharp white pointed fangs. "Aye-aye! Gotcha!"

Lounaru growled. 'Cocky reject of a fighter! I have no idea why I care about him so much....'

**************************

"Marie-Maya, you stay below with the villagers, I don't want to see you getting caught up into the battle."

"But---" Ruto frowned, but Alex laid his hands onto her shoulders.

"I know, you want to fight, but...your weak...you'll be killed instantly...leave this battle to the men!"

Ruto scowled. "Can you stop saying that? I'm not weak!!"

"Fine...you're strong for being a onna."

"Alex!" Ruto puffed her cheeks out. "I know 'onna' means 'woman' in Japanese! Can you stop it with that sexist attitude of

yours?"

"Fine...." Alex began to walk away from her, towards the other soldiers. ".....onna...."

"OH!!" Ruto crossed her arms over her chest. 'Hmmmmm....I think Ryan and the others left....I don't see them...I'm happy that

they wont be fighting Taromecika this way...but I'm also terribly sad, because I know, I'll never see them again...but why would

they want to see me...I'm just a helpless princess....a helpless, lying , shallow little princess...'

*********************

"Ryan!?" Genki gasped, as he watched Ryan climb onto an horse. "Hey, I thought we were only going to become soldiers to

see Ru---I mean Marie-Maya again. Not actually fight!!"

"Taromecika is out on that battle field right now. If I fight him, maybe I can kill him, at the very least, I might find out what

happened to Parfait..."

"Don't be an idiot!!!" Genki cried. "Taromecika would not plan a fair war, he probably has some kind of trick up his sleeve!!"

"Genki's right!" Mimi exclaimed, tears in her eyes. "It's suicide!!"

"So? My sister was my only family, Mara was my best friend...and Ruto...." Ryan shook his head. "I've lost them all! What do I

have to live for? To battle Taromecika? Well, I'm doing that, right now!"

"FOOL!!" Carrie exclaimed, jumping upward she slapped him across the face. "If you die then all the chances we have of

destroying Taromecika are gone, and a person always has a reason to live, if not for yourself then for us, we are you friends,

and then if not for us then Parfait, she's out there somewhere, how would she feel if you died? And if you don't want to live for even

her, what about Ruto!? She cares for you, I can see it in her eyes, and you care for her to! Don't throw away your life like

some coward giving up just because things went down hill a little!"

Ryan stared at the child shocked, who stared at him with an angry expression.

"Carrie your right, but I'm still going to fight, because I know Taromecika is not going to fight fairly, and that he has something

planned, and I don't want to see Ruto harmed...because if this town is destroyed then...so is Ruto."

The group watched silently as Ryan galloped after the rest of the soldiers. Slowly Squall began to climb up onto another horse.

"....I was never the one to back down from a fight...." And slowly one by one the group members slowly began to head

towards the battle field, except for Genki who stood watching their retreating shadows for a moment, he glanced at the horse

and smiled weakly to himself.

"Oh well, I guess we all have to die sometime, I guess it's better dieing doing something that counts then die being a coward!"

Climbing the horse Genki road after the rest of them. `Messiah, I swear the things I go threw for you! Why did you have to go and get me invovled with all of this?'

*****************************

Ruto hid in the basement with the townspeople who were either trembling and or crying, staring at her or just talking her head

off. Ruto tried to block them out of her mind, and turned sadly towards the one small window in the room from where

moonlight leaked in.

'Everyone....please, stay safe.'

************************

'Oh boy, what was going threw my mind, I'm probably going to get killed out hear, but....I've never ran from anything before

but, oh god I'm scared shitless! I'm not a coward....but, I am terrified to die....but I wont abandon my friends, or run, I wont

run away from anyone, not even if they can kill me!'

A solider glanced at him, grinning. "Hey boy, you seemed scared!"

Genki blushed embarrassed, and snapped back at the man in defence. "Well, I was never in a battle like this before, who wouldn't

be scared!?"

"I know what you mean, I'm so scared I could piss my pants, but I'm going to fight anyway."

"How come?"

The man smiled, taking a large gold locket from around his neck and opening it to reveal a picture of a woman holding a baby

and two teenage daughters.

"My family, I wont let them be harmed. My oldest daughter gave this to me as a good luck charm, as long as I have it, I know

the gods wont let me die because they know I have a family waiting back home for me. Fighting is meaningless unless you have something, or

someone your fighting for. What about you sonny? Do you have anything your fighting to protect?"

Genki paused looking over his shoulder at Mimi who road behind him, he smiled.

"Yes, I do."

********************

"Lounaru, you are in charge as I take over the city and find the princess, I don't want those soldiers showing up and causing a

sean, kill them, make it bloody if you want, just make sure, they all die."

"Sure thing." Lounaru grinned insanely, as Taromecika disappeared in a flash. "How I love the moment before that slaughter

begins."

************************

Ruto screamed along with the other city people who hid in the basement below, the whole palace was shaking, pieces of

plaster falling from the ceiling, all around herself she could feel dark power trying to engulf her soul.

"Everyone, get out of the palace, it is not safe hear! The whole place is being surrounded by darkness!!"

The city people panicked rushing outside, Ruto fallowing last. 'No, no!! They all couldn't have lost already, they can't all be

dead! This darkness....it's.....I felt it before, Taromecika!!

****************************

"Looks as if Taromecika was to much of a coward to show up." King ashram observed, as Lounaru and the rest of the troops

approached.

"Oh!" Mimi gasped spotting the corrupted 5th rankers from the magic school. "They too....how can we fight against our once

friends....?"

"They aren't friends anymore, they never really were in the first place." Ryan told Mimi and Genki, who had been pretty close to a few of the kids they saw before

them. "It's kill or be killed in war, you can't let your feelings get the best of you."

Alex turned his eyes towards Ryan staring at him threw icy eyes.

"In war it's more like, kill and be killed."

Lounaru laughed. "NICE speeches!!! Good enough To be in SHAKESPEARE!!! MAWHAHAHA!!! But speeches aren't

going to save you, no, you will all die!! TROOPS ATTACK!!!!!"

The slaughter begun, forces from both sides were falling to the ground like flies, the soil beneath their feat bathing in blood as

the death continued.

Mimi did her 'Acid toxin!' which was acid in the form of flower pollen, the attacked melted a few of the enemy, but the

fairy-half was begging to break. Staring at the bodies which laid scattered at her feet, she began to sob and scream.

"NO!! PLEASE NO MORE, I DON'T WANT TO KILL ANYMORE, PLEASE, MAKE THIS FIGHTING STOP!!!!

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mimi was sobbing so much and her sense so out of control she did not notice

one of Taromecika's followers leaping towards her, it's large claws extended forward.

"MIMI!!!" Genki cried, jumped in front of her, griping the beasts claws in his hands. The creature struggled but was let lose from

Genki's grip only after he tore the claws from it's finger, and waiting no time did an energy blast which killed the beast in a

matter of seconds.

Mimi was staring ahead of herself, tears trailing down her cheeks as if lost in some kind of trance, lost in shock from the death

she was witnessing before her.

"Mimi, come out of it!" Genki pleaded shaking her shoulders. Mimi did not make a move, she only stared out into the battle

field watching a the pointless slaughter continued.

Genki clenched his fist, looking at the ground, tears forming in his eyes. "Mimi....I'm sorry, but---"

A loud cracking sound filled the air, and a short cry from Mimi as she fell onto the ground. She looked around herself dazed as

she came out of her trance, and put a hand to her sore and red cheek.

"....Genki?"

"I'm sorry, Mimi, but if I didn't find a way to wake you up, I would have lost you forever."

"Genki....thank you...."

*******************************

"Hey!" Lemon grinned, staring at Squall, who was partly transformed. While partly transformed he did not look the much

different but had a wolf tail, claws, sharp teeth, and some patches of fur hear and there.

"You're a wolf boy huh? My name is Lemon, I'm a vampire part devil, you know vampires and were-wolves

are natural enemies right? So why not take me on? I promise, I'll be good." Lemon giggled cutely.

Squall frowned. " Hn.....you sound like a girl and look like one, I don't fight girls...'

Lemon blushed, growling angrily. "I am NOT female!!!"

"Oh. Well then, let's fight."

"YEAHH!!!!" Lemon squealed in delight, making Squall look terribly confused.

'Is this guy for real, he sounds like a little kid, pretty cute, but I wont let any of Taromecika's demons live.'

Lemon smiled cheerfully. "Your cute too, honey, but I'll beat ya to the ground anyway!"

Squall blushed hugely. 'I forgot, devils can read people's minds....'

************************

Lima and Carrie were fighting pretty well, only receiving a few minor wounds every now and then. Well, Carrie was fighting,

Lima was just setting on the ground wailing, her powers spinning out of control sending electric beams out all over the battle

field frying some enemies.

Carrie faced a few of Taromecika's fallowers who stalked towards her, they were black mages.

"You know, we once served your sister Kathy." One of the grinned, Carrie's eyes widened in surprise.

"You was a real bitch, always pushing us around, glad she's dead."

Carrie's eyes narrowed as they filled with burning tears.

"Don't cry." The black mage mocked. "You'll be joining the bitch in hell soon."

"You....YOU BASTARDS!!!!" Carrie began to glow with power, causing the mages to try a scamper off with fear.

"TASUEHIYA!!!!!" the girl called her attack in the old ancient language. All around her a huge dome of glowing energy

blasted from the ground, causing the mages to scream as they were caught in the blast and melted into puddles of steaming

flesh. Carrie stood in the centre of a large carter left by the attack, looking around herself, she saw it had taken out half of

Taromecika's army. Everything around her began to spin and she passed out from weakness.

'Kathy....I wont let anyone say such things about you....'

Alex slaughtered follower after follower mercilessly. Blood splashed against his skin but he did not even seem to notice.

"Hey you!"

Alex turned to face the lizard man.

"Who are you? You don't appear to be the same rank as the rest of these pitiful fighters." The boy spoke in his same monotone,

his face never showing any emotion.

"My name is Citssssssssseeh, One of Lounaru'ssssssssssssss great fightersssssssssssssssssss"

"Can you stop hissing out S? It gets annoying, I can't understand what you said."

"DIE NOW!!!!!!!!!!"

Alex, smiled, but yet it was emotionless, " I understood that. I'll be glad to kill you, killing is my hobby."

*************************************

Ryan killed off three of the enemies as he twirled around with his sword, cutting off their heads. Lounaru spotted him, his eyes

widening and then narrowing in rage as he touched his cheek.

"YOU!!!"

Ryan turned to face him, getting ready to attack.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!!!!!!!!"

Lounaru dashed towards Ryan, his own sword bared, he vision began to blur though, and in front of him, where he once seen

the teenage Ryan he now seen a little boy, with red hair, green eyes and a tail, staring up at him innocently.

Ryan's paused, watching as Lounaru stopped running, gripping his head and screaming.

"What was that!? What is going on!!?!?"

Panting Lounaru stood to his feet once again, that little boy had vanished and Ryan stood in his place once again.

"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

Ryan got ready to attack, shielding himself from Lounaru's attack his own blade, the battle between the two started.

*************************

Ruto stared upward at the palace before her with the other townspeople, the white walls had turned black, and it reeked of evil

and impurity.

"Taromecika....he is in there, I can feel it."

"RUTO!!!"

The princess jumped startled and turned to see Mara running up to her.

"Mara!?"

"Oh Ruto, it's horrible, Taromecika's captured Ryan, he is in the palace, we have got to save him!!"

"Ryan!" Ruto turned towards the palace in horror. "Ok, we may not have a chance in the world of beating Taromecika, but I

can't let anyone die!"

Ruto ripped the bottom of her long white dress off so the dress reached only to above her knees, and taking the holy-whip in

her hand.

"Come on, Mara, let's go....thanks...for telling me...I never thought I would ever be able to speak to anyone of you again after

how I lied to you...your not that bad, kitty-cat."

".........Come on, let's go!"

**************************

The king stood in the battle field, shouting out orders to his troops, staying a safe distance from the fighting, until Hikari

appeared in front of him.

"Oh my, aren't you a coward, making your men fight while you play it safe."

"You're the one to talk, your master Taromecika is not hear either now is he!?"

"No...he's, taking over your palace, and now has your daughter." The demon woman ran her fingers over his chest. "And he

now has control over your city, isn't it sad that the lost of all your men's lives were for nothing?"

The king growled, his hand gripped around his sword as he prepared to attack but suddenly stopped as he felt something stab

him threw the chest, he looked down to see Hikari's long claws embedded in to heart area, the warm blood spilled over her

hand as she smiled, removing her claws from his person allowing him to drop to the ground.

Coughing up blood he gazed at the sky. "I can see my wife ....Ruto........don't....please, don't walk away from me....."

The man's eyes dulled, and was left staring into space threw his dead eyes.

"Long, live the king." Hikari smirked down at him, eyes glistening with cruelilty.

Alex chopped the head of the lizard man off, turning around to look at the dead body of the king. 'Killed by a woman, what a

disgraceful way to die.'

********************************

Lounaru had Ryan pinned to the ground, his sword raised above his head and he was about to ram his sword threw Ryan's

heart. The demon-half closed his eyes, tears of defeat forcing themselves threw his eyes.

Lounaru froze before he could deliver the finally blow, below him he could see the small boy once again, looking at him with

tears in his eyes.

"NO!!" Lounaru screamed throwing his sword across the ground, gripping his head, he pulled himself away from Ryan,

screaming. The demon-half stared at him surprised.

"Ry---an, Ta---ro---me---ika----is---at the---palace---he has----Marie----Maya ----"

Ryan stared at Lounaru in shock, not understanding what was happening. Hikari glanced over in Lounaru's direction, her eyes

burning.

"What the hell!? YOU TRAITOR!!!" Turning to the remaining fighters of Taromecika group she ordered. "Kill off the rest of

these insects!!"

Her and Lounaru disappeared in a flash of light

Lemon had looked away from his battle with Squall, watching startled and shocked at Lounaru's sudden weird display, and because of his carelessness got hit in the side, causeing him to bleed.

"Oww..." he whimpered, frowning at Squall. " Your mean....Can't you see I wasen't paying attention? Hm? Oh well, let's continue!" `What just happened there is Lo...I dare hope.....'

*************************

Ryan gasped as he realised what Lounaru was saying. "Ruto!!"

Alex turned to him, his eyes burning as he watched Ryan jumped onto one the horses which had not been killed or wounded.

"Are you running away like an weakling!?" Alex demanded harshly.

"No! I just found out that Ru...I mean Princess Marie-Maya is being held captured by Taromecika back in the city, I'm going to

save her!"

" It is my mission to protect the princess, I should go, but I'll allow you to come with me if you wish." Alex turned to Genki who

had just finished off two of the enemies.

"You!! Your in charge until I get back!"

"WHA--!!!"

Genki was not able to protest any further as Alex and Ryan climbed to their horses and road off toward the palace.

*************************

Ruto opened the door to the throne room, it had been transformed into an dark room, no light except for the moonlight that

leaked threw the open balcony door, the white curtains blew in the wind. The princesses eyes grew wide as she stared at

Taromecika who was setting on the dark throne, looking somewhat asleep.

"Mara...." Ruto whispered. "He's asleep, let's sneak up quietly and---"

Ruto yelped as suddenly she was hit by something heavy over the head and she fell to her knees. Suddenly she found her arms

being tightly held from behind her back, and she look behind her and gasped.

"Mara!! Why--!?"

The cat-girl laughed. "Master Taromecika, I've got Princess Marie-Maya hear, she traveled with Ryan, going by the name

Ruto."

Taromecika opened his eyes and stared at her, a grin spreading across his face.

"My, I would never have thought the princess to be such a plain looking a girl. Mara you have done well, if it wasn't for you, I

would never have found her."

"Mara why!?" Ruto cried, as the cat-girl pushed her onto the ground, sending her landing in front of Taromecika.

"Because, without you, Rya will love me, you wont be around to get in the way of our love, you little flat-breasted pest!"

"Mara!! Don't be a fucking fool!!"

"Now, girl, don't be a sore loser, you lost fair and square. I've taken over this city, your father is dead, and surely your friends

are going to die on the battle field."

Ruto forced a mean grin on her face. "My father you say? What if I told you that man was not my father?"

"The who is? Who was the man your whore of a mother had you with?"

" According to the king it was Cid, your old best friend."

Taromecika's eyes filled with rage. "CID!? Cid's daughter...yes, I can see the resemblance in attuide, grrrr...I will kill you. But first, we

are going to see the public."

Mara just watched, smiling as Taromecika pulled Ruto outside. 'Now...Rya, is all mine."

*******************

Alex and Ryan gasp as the show up in front of the palace, on top of the balcony they could see Taromecika and Ruto. The

demon god began to talk over the microphone.

"I have taken control of this city, as well as many other cities in this world. My goal is not world control but to save the world. The

goddesses has been taken away from us many years ago by Cid, the so called 'saviour of the light.' And now there is a new

'saviour of the light.' Hear to stop me from allowing Gaia's only hope the rise again. How can we live without the goddess to watch over us,

we have nothing without the goddess! This city does not even have a ruler anymore, your 'Princess' is nothing but a result of the

whore Queen Ruto's relationship with Cid, and your king was a coward who watched and allowed his own men to die while not even

fighting. I promise you, With me in charge, the goddess will rise once again, and we all can be happy, no more suffering will

come to us!!"

Ruto stared in disbelief as the crowd below stared to cheer, grabbing the microphone from Taromecika hands she cried.

"YOU FOOLS!!! YOU CHEER FOR YOUR DEATHS!?"

"Result of a whore! You don't know anything! He's right, the goddess must rise!" One of the people cheered, fallowed by many

more cheers. Ruto's eyes began to brim with tears as she stared at the people who once loved her and now were scorning her.

"Cowards....foolish cowards. Your like dogs wagging their tails in front of their master."

"You dare compare us to dogs!?" Another city-man exclaimed, other angry comments came up from the crowd.

"No...your right, your aren't dogs wagging their tails, your the tails that get wagged!!!"

Taromecika laughed, gripping Ruto's arm. "I think we should end this Take-over, with a sacrifice. "

The crowd cheered, and smirking Taromecika raised his hands into the air, a dragon statue which had been on the Palace roof

as an decoration began to glow and slowly it became real.

Ruto stared up in horror as the dragon jumped down in front of her.

*****************************

"RUTO!!!" Ryan exclaimed, dashing forward, Alex fallowing him as they ran into the palace.

Ruto had ran back into the throne room, but the dragon had fallowed, she whipped at it a few times, getting a few hits but on

her 5th attack the beast twirled around, slamming her against the wall, knocking her out.

Ryan and Alex ran threw the throne room door and watched as the dragon crawled towards Ruto who laid slumped against the

cracked wall unmoving.

"Freeze." Alex said calmly, putting his hand out, the dragons feet became frozen to the floor, it was unable to move. The beasts

began to breath fire, melting the ice.

"Hurry, attack it with your sword of light..."

Ryan nodded, jumping forward, his sword cutting the dragon open, causing Green blood to spray all over him.

Ryan turned away from the dead remains of the beast, and dropped down next to Ruto's side.

"Ruto! Ruto! Wake up!! Ruto!!!" He screamed franticly, shaking her.

"Nice, moves, kid." Taromecika commented grinning at him. "I would love to stay but, I have some business to attend to. But

don't worry, I have a playmate waiting for you."

"Wait!" Ryan demanded, but Taromecika disappeared.

"Ryan, long time, no see."

Ryan could feel his heart stop in his chest and his breath was caught in his throat. In horror and disbelief he slowly turned

around, his eyes huge and distant as if lost in a trance. He spotted the figure behind him, it was to his terror the person whom he

thought it was.

".....Keith............."

******************************

The battle had ended, everyone except the members of Ryan's group had been killed. All of Taromecika's followers had left the

battle field, except for Lemon, who laid to injured to stand on the ground which was covered with corpses, leathering the

ground like toys a spoiled child discarded of, their flesh and blood fertilising the ground.

Ryan's group stood numbly looking at the death the surrounded them. Genki had tears falling down his face, as he limped

forward looking for survivors among the dead. He fell to his knee, no longer able to stand the pain of being on his legs, which

had been ripped open and broke in five places during battle. Before him he saw the dead form of a man, his face no longer

recognizable, yet one thing hung around his neck that allowed Genki to recognize him. An golden locket, taking the locket into

his hands, her opened it staring at the mans wife and family in the picture, he choked back a sob, letting the locket fall from his

hand.

"What is the point of war that plays when men's lives, all it does is separate families and kill...all it does is make grief!!"

"That is why we are fighting for peace." Carrie frowned sadly.

"Peace is nothing but a result of war!! To get peace people have to die!!"

"Genki, cheer up, it is not like you to be sad, please be brave, Lima and everyone needs you to be brave." The elf girl

comforted putting a hand on his shoulder but had it thrown off.

"I can't be brave! I don't want to!!! I'm a coward, I can't fight, I can't stand seeing people die, I'm a damn coward...."

The group gasped shocked as suddenly Mimi punched him in the face.

" There is nothing cowardly about having a heart! No one wants to fight or see people die, but if we don't fight, everyone will

die."

Genki stared at her, blinking but then nodded smiling weakly threw his tears.

"Thanks Mimi, I needed that."

Lemon pushed himself off of the ground, moaning painfully. He began to sing in a low and raspy voice, his fingers drumming of

the strings of a guitar he had magically summoned in his hands.

" War is nothing, but feelings of hate,

We fight and we die, our families cry,

Nothing good comes from bloodshed,

All what comes out of battle and war are,

Soldiers with unmarked graves.

Innocents dies, and purity is lost,

Hope fades, and friendships ends,

Love does not exist in battle,

So there is no kindness to our enemy,

Or even in any truth to our battles.

War brings an new start to things,

But ends everything else....

It is pointless to fight, against each other....

What is the point to kill others?

Soldiers with unmarked graves,

Doomed to never be remembered,

Doomed to exist no longer,

But in war, isn't it better....

Never to have existed at all?"

"Hey...Your one of Taromecika's followers aren't you?" Carrie asked, confused.

"He is, I fought him, thought he was dead." Squalled frowned.

Lemon grinned weakly. "Not yet....*cough! cough!* But I swear, wolf-boy! You can be quite dangerous! Heh....you almost had me! You really did! "

"Why aren't you attacking us.....?" Mimi wondered.

"Forget that, if the way you feel about war in your lyrics was threw why in the hell are you on Taromecika's side!?" Genki

demanded.

"Yeah! Lima, very, very confused!"

Lemon laughed weakly. "On Taromecika's side? Well, let's just say, that's a secret! But it is not your concern, good luck to

you on your quest, I promise we'll see each other again very soon! I'm looking forward to it, especially, seeing you again

Squall." Lemon blew a kiss at the embarrassed man-beast before disappearing.

'Yeah.' Squall thought. 'I look forward to seeing you to, and I wont let you get away alive next time.'

***************************

"Keith, your alive!? Why, why, are you on Taromecika's side!! Have you gone mad!?!?!"

Keith laughed cruelly. "No, my eyes were just opened."

"What do you mean?"

"You always thought you were better then me Ryan, you always looked at me in battle as if I was lower then you, you took

everything away from me! My leadership! My honour and pride! Even my best friend...and love...my sweet Mara...took her

away and then went to another, captured her heart meaninglessly just so I could not have her!"

"I never took Mara way from you! What are you talking about!?"

"Before you came, Mara was my best friend, she meant everything to me, but when you showed up you took her away, like

you took everything else away!!"

"Keith....I didn't mean too, I'm sorry, but this is no reason to join the side of evil!!"

"Ohhh, yes it is. Not only that but in this darkness, my destiny awaits, I have just joined my family."

"Your family!?" Ryan gasped. "Your mom, your dad, Genki!! They are you family members, not Taromecika!!"

"Fool, they aren't my real parents! Genki is no relation to me at all! It took the darkness for me the figure it out...I'm the son of....I'm not a lowly human."

"Are you saying that......" Ryan trailed off, unable to think straight.

"It's not your business! Now, I've got everything I want...now all I need is your death!"

"You don't got everything. You don't got a soul any longer...or Mara."

"Your wrong, Rya."

Ryan gasped horrified as Mara stepped out of the shadows standing next to Keith.

"I loved you Rya, but you never returned my love, you broke my heart, you did not care about me ever. I tried to kill Ruto and

first thinking that with her gone you would love me, but then I realised, that you would never love me, I knew all along, but at

least if I killed Ruto or rather Marie-Maya, you not be able to love her. I know you wont ever love me, but I refuse to ever let

you love another."

"Mara...." Ryan sank down to his knees sobbing. "Mara, please, I'm so sorry, you my best friend...I never meant to hurt

you...please! Don't sell your soul to the devil! Mara, please don't!"

"Rya...."

Keith stepped forward, grabbing Ryan by his neck.

"Why wont you fight?"

"I can't fight my friends...."

"I never was your friend."

"I still knew you, I always looked up to your skills Keith, I never thought myself higher then you, I never wanted to be higher

then you.....I can't bring myself to kill you."

Keith squeezed his neck harder, punching him in the face.

"Keith is dead! And soon Ryan, you will be to." Keith began to walk towards the balcony.

"Mara...." Ryan coughed, unable to move, Keith had grown a lot stronger, and the lack of breath made him weak and dizzy.

"p....p....please...."

The cat-girl closed her eyes, turning away, a few tears rolling over her cheeks.

Alex dashed forward but was sent crashing into a wall as he was thrown backwards by an invisible force-field.

"Damn!" He swore, unable to get up. "I'm too weak!! This is Injustice!!!!"

******************************

Ruto's eyes slowly opened and confused she looked around herself, she spotted Mara looking away from something, tears

rolling down her cheeks. Looking to her right Ruto gasped. Keith was holding a dangling Ryan over the balcony railing.

"Don't fear death Ryan...." Keith whispered. "All things die....Death was given at birth."

Keith's fingers slowly let go of Ryan neck and the boy began to plunder towards the ground.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ruto screamed in tears, dashing forward, but getting stopped by the balcony, she

watched as Ryan plunge to his death.

"There is nothing you can do!" Keith taunted.

"RYANNNNNN!!!!"

There was the sound of tearing fabric and everyone's eyes opened wide in amazement as two large white angel wings burst

from Ruto's back, tearing threw the silk of the dress, the angel jumped over the balcony, flying towards Ryan, catching him in

her arms, she slowly flew to the ground, the city people backing away in amazement. Ruto laid his head in her lap, as he laid

with his eyes closed in her arms.

"Ryan....Please, speak to me." Ruto begged threw tears.

Slowly Ryan opened his eyes staring at her tear streaked face and wings. "Ruto....you're an...angel..."

Ruto took his hand into hers and sobbed. "Yes...I'm your angel, remember?"

Ryan smiled, touching her tear streaked face with his other hand, recalling the dream the both had of each other.

"And I'm your light."

***************************

Keith cursed, clenching his fists. "Dammit!!! I guess I have to kill him another way!"

'Keith! Report back to me! We'll take care of Ryan later!' Taromecika's voice demanded. Grumbling Keith turned away from

the balcony.

"Mara, let's----" The room was empty except for Alex who was ready to attack at any moment.

"Where is Mara!?"

Alex narrowed his eyes. "You mean the woman? She ran out of hear."

Keith began to walk towards the exit.

"Hey! Don't you walk away from me!!!" Alex growled. "Your going to flea like a coward!? Weakling!!"

Keith ignored him, leaving the room.

"INJUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!" Alex shrieked.

***************************

Mara watched Ryan and Ruto from behind the palace, tears falling down her cheeks.

"I...I can't belive what I just did. Rya....I....I almost caused you to die....I....I can never forgive myself! What was I thinking! I am so sorry! I must be crazy...how could I? How could I!? Rya.....I almost cost your life and Ruto saved it....I wont trouble you anymore....I wont in danger you....but I can't bar enot being the one you love...and I know that you probably wont forgive me for what I did....and I can't bare living with out us...so......goodbye, Rya....I will always love you."

Mara raised one of her razor claws above her, the large sharp knives on the ends of them pointing towards her chest.

************************************

Keith walked out the back exit of the palace, and froze as he spotted Mara's body laying on the ground. Sobbing he cradled

her in his arms, his hands being covered in her blood as they both. He growled, enraged, clenching a bloody fist, hissing the words "Damn you Ryan." before he and the body of the cat disappeared back to Taromecika's palace.

"Master Taromecika....something is wrong with Lounaru...." Hikari frowned. "During the battle he kept on screaming clutching

his head, and he told Ryan about your plans at the palace. And right now he is just setting in a trance, trembling all over..."

Taromecika's face twisted in a grimace. "Looks like the site of Ryan is breaking the hold of the spell......I'll summon the

sorcerers at once."

*********************

Lounaru screamed as he was strapped down to an bed by a group of sorcerers, who injected needles and wires that hooked

up to a few machines into his arms and did other painful things to him.

"PLEASE STOP!!! PLEASE!!! I DON'T WANT THIS, I DON'T----!!!!!!"

One of the people threw the switch, turning the machines on. Lounaru screamed his eyes widening.

"ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"