Fan Fiction ❯ The Goddess Sagas ❯ Loss ( Chapter 30 )

Chapter 30: Loss

The group had been traveling for a few months, and the most trouble they had was a few lesser demons and some bandits. The only thing that worried the group was Lemon, who was due to have the baby any day now. The Dampire was also having very bad mood swings and was highly depressed because of all the weight he had gained. Squall comforted him, but Lemon remained the same way. It was normal they supposed...well, as normal as a boy having a baby could be anyway.

"Hey Rya." Mara smiled. " It's such a nice day, eh? It would be so nice to go on a picnic..."

"Yeah." Ryan nodded.

"How far is it to the next town?" Carrie asked, cursorily.

Genki hunched his shoulders. " I don't know....I'll check the map soon, but I know we are heading the right way."

"Hey, Genki, what is the name of the next town, anyway?" Mimi asked.

"Goldain. It use to be filled with gold mines, henceforth the name, Goldain."

"Gold?" Lima asked with a smile. "We need some more money..."

"I don't think there is anything left in those minds." Alex commented dryly.

The group continued walking, except for Lemon who suddenly stopped, eyes going wide.

Squall turned around to look at him as he felt the other stop moving. The whole group turned back to look at Lemon who was blushing, and who looked horrified at the same time.

"Ehh.....Genki, can you look at that map now?"

"??? All right....." Genki glanced at the map. " Goldain is around two miles away, we should b be there soon."

"Good...."

"What is it, Lemon?" Mimi asked concerned.

The Dampire smiled weakly. " Ah.....My water broke..."

The whole group practically jumped into the air in shock. Squall was panicking. It was the first time any of them saw Squall loose his cool, but right now they all were to panicked themselves to look at the comedy in the situation.

Lemon sighed irritably. " Gee....Am I going to end up having this baby in the field or what?"

God must have been in a good mood that day because at that time a huge wagon pulled up, an man in his mid forties stared at the group, noticing the panic among the people.

"What's the problem, ya, youngins?" He asked with an southern drawl.

"....Having baby....now.....hospital, quick!" Squall exclaimed, still panicked, pointing at Lemon as if he was giant bug or something. The boy fummed at this.

The old man nodded in understanding. " Ha....I get it, come on I'll give you a left...."

The group quickly piled inside of the wagon, which slowly began to roll forward. Lemon screamed, hanging on his stomach.

"OH!!! THAT HURTS!!! DAMN THIS BABY IS VIOLENT!!!"

"....Well it is a mix between a Man-beast, human and a vampire...." Carrie frowned.

Mimi was blushing, trying not to look at Lemon, because she did not want to see this baby be born....it was probably going to be a strange child birth.

"HEY, CAN'T YOU GO ANY FASTER!!?" Squall shouted, as Lemon gave another sharp cry of pain.

"OK SONNY! IF THAT'S WHAT YA'LL WANT!!! YEEHA!!!" The old man laugh insanely, giving the horses reins a sharp snap, sending them speeding forward at around 50 miles per hour.

Lemon continued to scream painfully. " Squall your hand!! PLEASE!!!"

The man beast quickly gave his hand to the Dampire, whom began to calm down, until the baby kicked, and suddenly the boy screamed, tightening his grip so hard on Squall's hand, that he was no longer the only one screaming in pain.

Genki, along with partly half of the group could no longer hold it in and began to chuckle. It was funny....nerve wrecking....but funny! It would make a perfect comedy if this was a movie.

"MY HAND!!" Squall whimpered, pulling his crushed bone away from Lemon, who continued screaming.

"Don't be a wimp..." Alex scolded. " Mally's not that stron---ACK!"

By the gods, they actually heard the perfect solider scream as Lemon grabbed him by the hand, for Squall kept on backing away from his violent lover, cradling his hand. Alex was practically on his knees in the wagon.

"MY HAND!!! GOD DAMMNIT, LET GO!!!!!"

"BUT IT HUUUUURRRRTSSSS!!!!!!" Lemon whined, painfully.

Mara sighed and turned weakly to Ryan, with a frown. " Just when things starts to get peaceful....looks what happens...."

"The author likes to torture us....." Ryan replied, him and the cat looking over at Alex who was still having his hand crushed.

"Especially poor Alex....."

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

Kim and Amy sat in the village, by a large and very beautiful fountain. Both deadly silent.

"I sense......Something big is going to happen." Kim suddenly spoke, looking up towards the sky.

Amy followed her gaze. "So you felt it to? I wonder what it could be.....I sense something good.....and bad.....How can that be?"

"Perhaps two things really big is going to happen...soon, but what could these events be?"

Amy smiled, slowly holding Kim's hand, who turned to her eyes away from the sky, to look at her.

"Kim....No matter what happens, we will see it threw together, right?"

Kim smiled back at her. " Right."

The two of them began to lean over, lips getting close to each others when suddenly they pulled away, and looked around themselves frightened.

"What is this power!?" Amy exclaimed, as they saw strains of magic circling around them. The magic looked like white, shimmering wind, both of them leaned over to peer threw it, and gasped...threw it, they could see a dark void.

"What's going on....what is this place....?"

"KIM!!"

Kim turned quickly to face Amy, hearing his desperate scream, face going wide in terror as she watched the `'wind'' circle around her body.

"Amy!!" She reached out to her, but Amy disappeared as so did the wind before she could reach her. Kim was left, staring in shock.

"Where did she go....? Amy? Amy!! AMY!!!!"

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

Lemon breathed heavily, as he laid in the hospital bed, doctors and nurses swarmed around him confused, as to how to give birth to this child. The rest of the group, including Squall was forced to wait outside in the setting room. Everyone was nervous, Especially Squall, who was pale and sweaty, wringing his hands together, impatiently.

An short nurse with curly blonde hair and bright green eyes walked into the setting room, a clipboard in her hands. The group looked up at her tensely, waiting for her to speak.

"Um....friends of, ah, Lemon?"

"Yes?" Squall asked, trying to remain calm.

"We have found away to be able to born this child....however, it is dangerous, and may put the....err....'mother' at risk.....The chances of Lemon surviving the child birth is very slim if we go threw with this. As you probably know...this childbirth is not normal. You friend is both male and female on the inside, but fully male on the outside. So...as you can see the birth of this child, will probably, most likely kill him. However....we can....abort the baby, that was, your friend will not die.....I'm very sorry....That's all I can say...You have 24 hours to make a decision, in that time, we wont be able to stop the baby from being born."

The group was dumfounded, but forced themselves to pull away from their own shock and look towards Squall, pity shining in their eyes. The man beast looks as though he had fallen into a case of shock.

"Your asking me to choose between the life of the one I love and my unborn child....?"

"I'm sorry.....That's all I can say." The nurse repeated sadly.

The man-beast almost looked like he was going to cry. " Can I see him? Can I see Lemon?"

The nurse nodded. " Yes, of course."

The Dampire gazed up at Squall weakly as he came into the room to set down beside him.

"Squall.....I could not hear what the doctors were saying....Is our baby going to be all right.....?"

The innocence and ignorance in the boys voice was so pure that Squall could no longer contain his tears. Lemon starred at him in shock, and then in horror, turning pale, beginning to tremble.

"Squall? What's going on!? Tell me!!"

The man-beast slowly took the Dampire's hand within his own, brushing the pale golden locks of hair away from the boys eyes with his other.

"....The doctors says that if you have this baby your going to die.....your body wont be able to take it...Lemon.....I don't want you to die."

"So.....they want to kill my baby....?" Lemon asked, emotionlessly, staring up at the ceiling, not even blinking.

Squall remained silent, desperately trying to stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks. In that time Lemon came to an important decision, one that would affect everything in both of their worlds.

"I'll never kill my own child....."

"Lemon?"

"...I could never bring myself to do it, Squall...." The Dampire looked up at him with tears shimmering in his eyes. " If I die....then that is what faith has in store for me. It was a miracle....for us to be able to have a child together. I wont return this gift, no matter what."

"But, you'll die...." Squall's voice quivered, on the verge in burst into tears again.

" Squall.....You wont be able to understand what I'm telling you....because you never experienced it. But I have a child growing inside of me....it feels so magical.....Do you think that after all this time I could kill it? That I could just throw it away and forget about....Squall, I would just die of grief if I did that. Sure.....I know that this may weaken my body down so much that, even my, `almost' immortally may not help me to allow me to live....but....I don't care. I don't want to give up my child. Children are everyone's right to true immortality. Long after we are both gone we will continue living on in our children and our grandchildren, and their children...." Lemon's voice trailed off as he began to grow tired.

"Lemon...." Squall sobbed, allowing the tears to spill down his face.

The Dampire closed his eyes, and mumbled in a sleepy voice before slipping into sleep.

"Let me have this baby, please Squall....."

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

Squall walked back into the setting room 15 minuets later, and found the doctor and the nurse waiting for him. All of his friends stared at him with concerned gazes.

`Stop looking at me with pity.' He cursed to himself.

"....Born the child." He told the doctor simply, and left the hospital in an hurry.

Lima began to get out of her seat to go after him but was stopped as Ryan gripped her wrist.

"No, Lima, let him be alone."

"But....Ok." The elf surrendered, setting back down on her chair, sadly.

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

By the evening they had all rented rooms at a nearby motel, except for Squall who was still missing. The group did not see him since he had left the hospital. Right now they all sat around the dining table, in deep discussion, except for Alex who was typing away at Genki's lab top instead of speaking.

"Poor Squall...." Mimi trailed off sadly.

"Lemon too....." Carrie added, in the same tone.

"This is just unfair!" Genki exclaimed, smashing his fist on the table. "Lemon shouldn't have to die....how can the gods be so heartless....?"

"Having a child is suppose to be an happy occasion....Why is it almost everything that happens to us always has to end with sadness?" Lima whispered, being sensible for once.

The group sat around the table silently, even Alex had paused from typing on the computer.

"Is this our destiny? To fight forever...to loose the things and people we love, and still have to fight. For bad things to continue to happen to us...." Carrie sighed softly.

" It seems to be true, doesn't it.....so many bad things has happened to us since this journey started...." Mimi added, drearily.

"......Life is full of woe....bad things happen, without explanation....We can't stop it......That is why I refuse to believe in a god...I didn't even want to believe in a goddess...but I guess there is no denying that they exist....What I just want to know is how the gods can be so cruel causing the very things that they created so much pain and grief, for no reason what so ever. That is why I think that god is our worse enemy not Taromecika, or anyone else under his command....At least he causes suffering for a reason....unlike god who even allows a small child to feel pain." Alex said softly, and while still having no emotion in his words, they could see a flicker of it in his eyes. The solider was indeed beginning to get his soul and heart back.

"But what can we do.....Give up?" Mara asked.

".....I don't ever want to give up, but, what can we do? We are going to Angeles, but just what can we accomplish? Do we really expect to be able to kill Taromecika...all of his followers....Saiyoua. And even if we do....we will still have loss...." Genki slammed his two hands onto his knees with a sob. " I feel so powerless and helpless....but....is seems like we are all destined to loose something irreplaceable to us, if we continue. I....I don't blood to be on my hands....I don't want to loose anyone I care about.....I....Maybe we should just....give up...."

None of them knew just what triggered this sudden turn of conversation....but the fact was this is how they all felt for a long time....it just took the depression of one of their friends possible death to bring it out.

The whole world seemed to fade from Ryan's mind and he gazed down at the bright white table cloth, eyes growing distant.

`Is this the end? After all we went threw....do we just give up. But.....there really isn't anything we can do....they are just to strong.....so many bad things are happened, and are happening to us....I just don't know if I have the courage left to go on....'

The area around him turned white, but only he seemed to notice it, but he was to depressed to act on it....or even show an slight shook. Instead he just continued to stare downward, eyes sad and lifeless.

He felt dream-like, as two arms dropped themselves over his shoulders, and Ruto, dressed in a pale white silk gown, white wings extended from her back, leaned down close to him, leaning her head against his, whispering in a soft and angelic voice in his ear.

"Ryan, you can't give up yet. That is really not like you, you know..."

"Ruto?"

"Yes Ryan it's me." The girl smiled. "Do you miss me, Ryan?"

"Do you really have to ask me that Ruto...god, I miss you more then words can ever express."

" Then don't give up on me so easily, Ryan. Please, just....just continue on for me. I want to be able to see you again...even if it's threw Saiyoua's eyes. Ryan. Please free me from this darkness....I can't stand it hear."

"Ruto....but....even if we can beat Saiyoua....you'll.....you'll die along with her...."

Ruto smiled softly. " Even if that is so Ryan, at least I will be able to be free....But, I know that god is not all cruel and we will see each other again....just, until then, Ryan, continue on, be strong and don't give up."

"But....."

Ruto leaned over closely, and softly began to sing in his ear, in a voice so pure and soft, it was like an piece of heaven.

"'ll turn my courage into wings

And fly away soon

Now matter when

I always believe in you

If I'm with you

I can cross over to the other side of the sky

Now matter how hard it seems

I'm sure we'll be all right

That's right

We're unfinished dreamers

We'll stick out our chest to the wind as we go

I'll turn my courage into wings

And fly away now

Unafraid of making mistakes

I'll turn my courage into wings

And fly away soon

No matter when

I always believe in you

There are times when I can't be strong

Times when I'm disappointed in myself

But I'll keep trying

Because I have you

That's right

We're the dreamers of the future

We've got to make our hearts evolve, too

I'll turn my courage into wings

Let's start from here

Even if I have to do it 100 times, I'll get it right

I'll turn my courage into wings

Let's start soon

Now matter when

I always believe in you

I'll turn my courage into wings

And fly away now

Unafraid of making mistakes

I'll turn my courage into wings

And fly away soon

Now matter when

I always believe in you "

"Ruto...."

The two of them slowly leaned forward, kissing each other softly and tenderly on the lips.

"All women are given wings to be able to protect the ones they love, Ryan, I'll use those wings to protect you, I'll be with you always."

Suddenly the light and Ruto disappeared from his eyes and he gazed confused at the group who sat around the table, depressed.

"Maybe we should just give up." Genki repeated, shaking his head sadly.

"No!" Ryan exclaimed, standing to his feet, the group gazed up at him, questionably. " We can't give up so easily, after all we went threw! Giving up would be another way of surrendering, and I now all of us hear, from the most strongest, to the kindness and the shyest, has to much pride to ever think about getting on our knees to Taromecika or Saiyoua and begging for our lives. But you see, if we give up, we might as well do that! Life deals us hard blows....it does that to everyone. No one is this world is without sadness, or pain, or regret, or woe, but when bad stuff happens all you can do is continue walking forward!!"

"Your right!" Genki exclaimed, detrimentally, getting to his feet to stand next to him. " What was I saying? We can't give up so easily, are we going to let them get a way with all they have done!? I say we fight to the bitter end, and make them pay!"

Mara stood up next. " Yes! I agree! We have to protect the ones we love, because, I could not picture a world without my friends beside me...I tried to live a life like that for a few short months....but....even though the months were short, they seemed like forever for me...and I never want to be alone like that again."

After her Carrie stood. " I'm not about to let Taromecika get away with what he did to my family, not by a long shot....I vowed I would get revenge that day, and even though I am a child I know the importance of keeping my word....and I'll be damned if I start breaking my vows now."

Mimi followed her. " Yes....life is really something that should be lived with peace, and not in the fear that Saiyoua is bringing into everyone's lives....Life is short and it should be enjoyed while people still got it. Everyone should be able to live in complete peace!"

Alex stood up next, eyes half closed. " It is my mission to fight, for the peace of this world, but can peace and the expensive of lives really be defined as peace, but.....I'll continue to fight, it's the only I know how to do...but...something about fighting along side of you all....about fighting to save the world, and not just for some mission...it feels sort of right."

Lima was the last to stand, she smiled weakly. " I know, that I may not be the brightest bulb....even when I'm not acting, but I do know when something is right and wrong, and the only wrong thing we can do is to give up! Besides...I've become very found of all of you, and I don't want us to separate from each other soon....not leaving things how they are."

The group all placed each others hands on top of each others, smiling sadly, but filled with a new courage and hope. An hope which they would not let slip again.

"Lets go find Squall." Ryan finally spoke, the whole group nodded.

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

Finding the man beast was harder then they thought it would be, and they decided to spilt up. The city was huge...on the outside it was surrounded by tress, and old gold-mine shafts that were concealed in the mountains behind the forest. Dispite their old rule of never going off alone, they found that in this case, if they ever wanted to find Squall they would have to break apart to cover all the ground. Of course they knew to be careful even though there had been no attacks for a few months, they could not be sure when Taromecika would suddenly decide to spring an surprise on them.

Mara was looking in the park

Mimi was looking around in the flower garden area of the town

Carrie looked threw the streets on the left side of town while Genki looked at the right, and Alex the north and Lima the south.

Ryan began to search the woods, but was finding nothing, but continued to venture forward. It was getting later by the moment and colder. Shivering the Demon half wrapped his arms around himself, deciding that maybe he should head back, but as he did, he found that these woods were a maze and could not find his way out. It began to get colder, and started to rain.

"Oh great....." He mumbled, blonde hair becoming soaked.

Suddenly he shivered, whatever it was that touched him wasn't cold, but something about it was just cold. Blinking confused he saw white wind blowing around him.

Leaning forward he saw a dark void inside of it and gasped. "Huh? What in the world."

Suddenly it wrapped around him, Ryan struggled to free himself but found that he could not move. Suddenly the wind disappeared....and so did Ryan.

Flash to the park; Mara was gone, and only a small gust of white wind was left, and that too quickly blew away.

Flash to flower garden; Mimi was also gone, leaving behind only white wind too.

The streets in the four directions of the ground was empty of the four group members and in each place were one of them once stood, white wind was quickly retreating.

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

Squall had transformed into his wolf form and was running threw the woods at full speed, letting the rain and the wind hit him directly in the face. He was not running from anyone, it was just.....Running was the only thing he could do right now. Running....running to where? To anywhere.....just away from the pain... away from the sadness. He felt like he could run forever, but he knew that no matter how much he ran, he could never out run the loss. While in his wolf form he could not think in words...but one did not need words to feel heart break....

Just where was he now? Did he know? Did he even care? How was Lemon now.....was he asleep....was he crying....did he have the child already......is he.....dead?

Squall came to a stop suddenly, his eyes were wavering, but that was another thing about being in his wolf form, he could not cry....no, all he could do was let loose a single mournful howl to the moon.

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

Lemon laid weakly on the bed, blonde hair plastered to his face with sweat. ` Squall....did you leave me alone.....I know it must be hard for you to face me.....but please, Squall.....I don't want to die alone.......Squ---'

The Dampire cried out weakly, hanging onto his stomach. The nurse that had been in the room jumped to her feet.

"Oh no! The baby is coming sooner then we though, we have to born it now!" She exclaimed and ran off to get the doctor.

Lemon's eyes glistened with tears. " Squall....."

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

Kim forced herself to walk weakly threw the woods, she was completely cut up, blood gushing from wounds all over her body.

"I....got to.....save....Amy..."

She grunted with pain, gripping her side with a blood stained hand. Suddenly she stopped as she heard a rustling in the tress and a wolf jumped our of them. She screamed, falling onto the ground, shielding her face, but the wolf jumped over her head, tackling a lesser demon behind her, slashing it open with huge claws. Kim was shaking slightly as the wolf turned to her.

"....."

Squall suddenly transformed back to his human state, causing the girl to sigh in relief.

"Thank god, you scared me. Those lesser demons followed me out hear and attacked me while I was looking for Amy."

"Looking for?"

"Yes." Kim nodded. " She was carried off by a white wind...The only place I have yet to look is the mind shaft but...." the girl groaned painfully. " In my current shape I will not be able to protect her...."

"........I'll go with you."

"I don't need your help...."

"Yes you do, if it wasn't for me you would be dead now. Besides....I need to do something to get my mind off of....somethings."

"Suit yourself. Come on, we have to hurry."

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

Saiyoua stared out at the city below her, a cruel and cold smile spreading across her lips as she watched the townspeople bow before her.

"Their wills are sucked dry...all these people, just hear, waiting to deliver to me their Magention....hah,hah,hah, such weak-minded fools. This is wonderful! The world shall be reborn!!"

In the crowd gathered below, there was one woman in her mid-twenties, short brown hair tied back in a tight pony-tail, and a pair of gold rimmed glasses the framed her soft brown eyes, sighing she looked towards the ground.

"This is terrible.....What can I do.....?" She whispered to herself.

"Don't worry, Bra, your brother and his friends are coming, they can stop this."

The woman turned around surprised, and found herself staring at a woman, dressed in a tattered brown robe, but she could see her face and gasped.

"It's....you!! But....."

The woman in the brown robe put her fingers to her lip to keep Bra quiet. "Shhh...everything will be all right, I promise you. Just trust me, ok?"

"How can I.....?"

"That is for you to find an answer to yourself."

"........Ok, I'm not saying I'll trust you, but come with me."

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

Squall and Kim climbed up the mountains, fighting off some more lesser demons that attacked them. All the mind shafts were boarded up, all except for one. They turned to each other and nodded, remaining silent. Blending into the shadows they tip-toed into the shaft. It was pitch black and they could barely see their hand infront of their face.

"Damn...How do we find our way around in hear...?" Kim muttered, trying to peer threw the darkness.

"....If I change into my wolf form, I could find my way around using my heightened sense of hearing and smelling..."

"Then what are you waiting for, Amy might be in trouble."

Ignoring Kim's rudeness Squall transformed into an wolf creature once again. Hitting Kim's hand with his nose he gestured for her to climb on to his back. Reluctantly Kim did as told.

"Can you sniff her out?"

Squall sniffed the ground, then the air. His eyes widened. Not only did he smell Amy's fresh scent but also the scent of the rest of his friends, except for Lemon of course.

"What's wrong?" Kim asked, noticing the wide, shocked eyes on the wolf. " Oh I get it....your friends are hear too, aren't they?"

Squall nodded.

"Well then, Taromecika's followers must be behind this. Let's hurry."

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

Ryan groaned opening his eyes, he blinked confused not knowing where he was...and still not knowing because everything was pitch black. He tried to move, but found the he could not.

"I need some light....I can't see anything....everything is just to dark."

Suddenly the talisman around his neck began to glow golden. Gasping he stared down at it, and the area was bathed in an golden light. He drew in a shock breath, his legs, arms, and half of his body was stuck inside the stone of the wall. Looking around he saw the rest of his friends in the same shape as he was in.

"Hey guys." He whispered. " Are you ok?"

Mara groaned as she opened her eyes. "Rya is that you?"

"Yeah."

"Were are we?" Lima asked, looking around herself.

"Looks like the mind shafts..." Alex replied.

"The mind shafts?" Carrie repeated.

"But....how?"

"Hey, were you guys carried away by an white wind too?" Genki asked, trying to break free of his imprisonment.

The group nodded, surprised that they were all brought hear by the same thing, but what was that thing?

"Hey, excuse me..."

The group jumped startled, and turned towards the voice, it was coming from a part of the shaft still bathed in the darkness, but they recognized the voice.

"Amy?" Ryan asked, just to make sure.

"Yes, it's me. I was brought hear by the white wind too...Is Kim with you?"

"No."

".....That white wind...I recognized it's power. That magic could only come from---"

"Me." A voice laughed, insanely threw the darkness.

Ryan and his group froze in shock, their eyes growing wide. There was no way...it couldn't be!

The figure stepped closer, a lantern held in one pale hand, the fire light lighting up the cave. Laura!

"But....I killed you! That time....with my sword....!" Ryan exclaimed.

"...I am dead....it's only my body left alive. My soul forever trapped between the dead and the living. I died the day you murdered my son, and I am hear to get my revenge on you." Her eyes flickered towards Genki.

"You will be forced to watch all your friends die, then I'll kill you off the most painfully of them all!!"

"I WONT LET YOU!!" Genki exclaimed, struggling.

" You can't kill us, Laura! We are much to strong for you, even if we are trapped! We can just focus our soul energy, and you'll die!!" Amy hissed.

Laura titled her head back and laughed, slow and cruel. "You poor, poor fools. The reason I did not try to kill you until now is because Saiyoua took my dying body from the village in where you left me to rot, and she infused me with power....the power to destroy all of you!! BEHOLD!!!"

The group screamed as Laura's body began to glow with a bright, unholy light, the mere energy coming from her person was maddening! Slowly she began to transform. She grew taller, her head almost hitting the top of the very large shaft, her skin turned as pale as milk, her arms long and skinny like twigs from a tree, her hands however was long a large enough to cover their whole bodies in her grip, her finger nails also became razor claws. Her hair stuck out like the roots of a tree, no longer looking like hair, but large red roots, but of all things that changed the most was her face. Her eyes had become soulless glowing white orbs, her skin was so thightly stretched around her face that she looked almost like a skeleton. The skin on the side of her face spilt open, as he jaws became large, and her teeth became longer. It was an image from a nightmare....an horrible nightmare.

The group screamed in fear and disgust. Fear from the power they felt rolling off of her and disgust of the monster that stood before them.

"Now, you will all die!!" She exclaimed in a small, snake like voice, raising her hand up to blast an ball of fire at them.

Suddenly a large white wolf jumped smashing into her side, causing the blast to hit the roof of the mind shaft instead. Rubble fell from the ceiling, raining down on their bodies.

"YOU'LL BE THE ONE TO DIE!!" Kim exclaimed. " DESTINY'S FORCE!!!"

Laura screamed as the attack smacked her, dead in the side.

"KIM!!" Amy exclaimed happily.

Squall ran up to the group, imprisoned in the rocks, and using his claws he cut threw the stone, freeing all of them. The mind shaft shook, throwing them off balance. Kim turned to the group, shouting a warning.

"That blast that hit the roof is going to cause this whole place to cave in! We've got to get out of hear now!"

The group quickly tried to run, but Laura sent out a blast of magic, throwing them all against the shafts wall with such force they all tumbled weakly to the ground.

"YOU'LL NEVER ESCAPE HEAR ALIVE!!!"

Squall, to weak from the blow to stay in wolf form transformed back into a human.

"You'll die along with us if we don't get out of hear!"

"I don't care!" Laura hissed. " You killed my son! My child meant everything to me, don't you understand!?"

Squall stared at her for a moment, as she continued to speak.

"No, you couldn't understand....You don't know how it feels to raise a child, to give something life. It means every....my child meant everything to me. And now that he is dead I have no will to continue on. When he died, I died as will, my grief of loosing my child was that strong! Why couldn't you have killed me instead of Rex, it was I who made the plan, it was I....not him!! I'll never forgive or forget what you done to him! It's all your fault!! ALL YOUR FAULT!!!" Laura exclaimed, tears of rage and anguish falling down her face. " I'll never recover from this loss....no mother....no one who looses a child could."

Squall's eyes widened, suddenly turning very pale, and trembling.

FLASH

Squall.....You wont be able to understand what I'm telling you....because you never experienced it. But I have a child growing inside of me....it feels so magical.....Do you think that after all this time I could kill it? That I could just throw it away and forget about....Squall, I would just die of grief if I have to do that. Sure.....I know that this may weaken my body down so much that, even my, `almost' immortally may not help me to allow me to live....but....I don't care. I don't want to give up my child. "

FLASH

`So Lemon, that is why you would prefer to die then give up your own child....I did not understand....I did not understand why you rather have died and left me, then give up our child....but now I do.....Oh god Lemon, I just hope it is not to late. Your not giving up your life because you don't care about me or yourself....your giving it up because...you could not live knowing that your child was dead....'

Squall stared up at Laura, as the shaft shook again. " Laura, because of you, I have I better understanding of Lemon's choice....But even though I know the pain you must feel I cannot allow you to hurt my friends! EVERYBODY I NEED YOUR HELP!!"

"What's this!?" Laura gasped as suddenly the whole group, including Kim and Amy began to glow. Ryan; Gold, Mara; orange, Mimi; pink, Carrie; white, Genki;silver, Lima;Red, Alex;green, Kim; yellow, Amy; Purple, and Squall glowed blue.

Squall gathered the energy his friends were giving off into his hands, and sent it in a beam blasting towards Laura.

"No!! I wont let it end like this!!" The monster screamed, throwing her to hands infront of her face, charging up her own attack, sending it blasting into their own magical beam. The two attacks fought each other, but after a few heart stopping moments it seemed like Laura's attack was the stronger. For a moment Squall felt hopeless, and powerless. They were all going to die...Lemon was going to die....and their baby would be left all alone, never knowing it's parents.

`Why....Why is it I always loose everyone I love....why am I fighting...I lost....everything....Everything I love......what can I do to protect everyone here when I could not protect, Ganderdof...Angie....Lemon....or maybe even my own child....'

If given a second, anyone can give up and run

So just keep on walking

There's something only you can do

So that this blue planet doesn't lose it's light

Seize the dreams you had!

Protect your beloved friends!

You can become stronger

Unknown power dwells in your heart, when its fire is lit

Any wish, it's true

Will surely be granted...show me your brave heart

Not every day is sunny, so sometimes

Even though a cold rain is falling, just open your umbrella

There's no map of how to live, that's why we're free

You can go anywhere

Run faster than the wind!

Aim farther than the skies!

You can meet a new you

Unknown courage sleeps in your heart, and when you realize

The downpour in your heart

Will surely stop...show me your brave heart

Seize the bright tomorrow!

Protect the ones you love!

You can become stronger

Break that weak self!

Destroy the walls blocking you!

The warm beat of your heart will be your weapon

Believe in your heart

" NO!! WE CAN'T LOOSE!! I NEED MORE HELP!!!!" Squall screamed, as Laura's attack almost engulfed their own.

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

Lemon laid in the bed, eyes closed, face pale. `Squall....' he thought, slowly his body began to glow the same pinkish-red as the sun-set.

Squall's eyes widened as he felt more power join his attack knowing who it came from his closed his eyes, smiling sad. `Thank you Lemon....'

He turned towards Laura, pushing all of his strength into the blast. " I WILL NEVER BE BEATEN!!!!!"

Laura screamed as Squall's attack completely engulfed her own, and hit her dead on. The group stood, watching with wide eyes until the mind shaft began to tremble harder.

"Come on! We have to get out of hear!" Ryan exclaimed and the group took off.

Squall paused, turning around to look at Laura, who had transformed back to her original state. She was laying on the ground watching them.

"Hey! What are you waiting for!? If you stay hear you'll die!"

".....And you care, why?"

" I don't....it's just because....I know the pain you must feel....."

The shaft shook again.

"Squall....take care of that kid of yours...."

The man-beast stared at her shocked, but Laura just smiled. " Now go..."

Squall stood still for a moment, but turned and ran away. Laura just watched him, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Rex.....Finally our suffering is over....you were right.....all this death....is pointless...."

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

Not a second sooner did Squall escape from the crumbling mind shaft as it all completely caved in. The whole group watched in silences until Kim spoke.

"So is the end of Laura...Second of the Great L's...."

"Kim, your hurt." Amy noted, gazing worriedly at the blood stains.

"I'm fine...." Kim dismissed it and turned to Ryan's group. " Just because we helped you this time does not mean that we are going to team up with you. And Genki....next time we will destroy you. But until then...."

"Take care." Amy finished.

The group watched as the both of them walked away into the night, leaving them alone.

" The suns coming up..." Carrie noticed, staring up at the sky.

Squall's eyes widened. "Lemon!" He exclaimed, quickly turning into a wolf a dashing forward. Leaving his friends to gaze at him sadly as he disappeared threw the tress.

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

He quickly transformed back into human form as he reached outside the hospital, slowly he forced his feet to move forward, body trembling. He opened the doors, walking inside, his feet ringing on the hard floor.

`Lemon, oh please god, don't let me be to late....Don't be dead already...I don't want to not be able to say goodbye....Lemon.....Be alive....be alive....' He opened the doors to Lemon's room, hear tin his throat.

Lemon laid unmoving on the bed, the Nurse waited for him. Closing her eyes, she shook her head sadly. " I'm sorry....but, at least you have a very healthy and beautiful baby...." she left the room to leave Squall alone with his lost love.

The man-beast could feel his whole world crash down on his shoulders.

`No...no....it can't be.....' he whispered, shaking his head, slowly approaching the bed. He was no longer aware of anything, not even the tears the rolled down his cheeks.

`Lemon.....' Squall took hold of the Dampire's hand, it was cold and limp. Slowly the tears began to fall harder.

"Lemon....oh, no, god please no....." He squeezed his eyes shut in an vain attempt to stop the tears, but as was stated it was vain, and he broke out into a sob, pulling Lemon close to his body.

"Lemon, you meant so much to me, you can't leave me behind yet. We didn't start out on the right foot when we first met, but as time went on, love grew between us, two races that were meant to hate each other. I still don't know what brought us together, you like the day and I'm the night, but there is just something about you that I love more then this whole world. Lemon, you mean everything to me. Even we you do act like a spoiled little child. Please, let me see you smile again...let me see your eyes twinkle like the sun....let me hear you laugh, let me see you play games. Let me hold you in my arms, let me hear you voice, let me be able to feel your breath come and leave your body as you soundly sleep beside me. Lemon...please just come to life....I'll never ask you for another favor...just....come to life....come to life..." Squall's voice broke and he began to cry, body shaking.

"I'll never ask for anything else....just, please Lemon....please.....OPEN YOU EYES!!!"

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

Genki gasped suddenly, gripping his head. Ryan turned to him concerned, placeing a hand on his shoulder.

"Genki are you ok?"

".....It's Messiah...." The boys body began to shimmer silver.

"Genki?" Ryan looked confussed then the tailsman began to glow, silver and gold light suddenly flashed and flew off into the air like a shooting star.

"Huh...what?" Genki looked confused.

"I...I don't understand...what just happend?"

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

Squall gasped as the whole room was bathed in light, it disappeared as quickly as it came. The man-beast looked around in confusion. ` Just what was that...?'

".....uhhh...."

Squall's eyes widened and he turned to Lemon in disbelief. "Lemon!? LEMON!!"

The Dampire's eyes slowly opened and he gazed up at Squall weakly. " Squall.....I'm alive...?"

The man beast, unable to contain himself began to sob, and held him closely to himself, running an hand threw his hair, never wanting to let him go.

"Lemon, I thought you were dead!"

The Dampire smiled and weakly returned the hug. " Squall, I could never leave you....and besides, do you think I could die without never being able to see my baby....or hold her in my arms?"

"Her?"

"Just before I passed out, I heard the doctor say it was a girl....a little girl...Did you see her Squall? Is she all right?"

"I didn't see her, but the nurse says she is healthy and beautiful."

Lemon smiled tiredly. " Squall, can you go get her...I want to see our baby."

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

Squall could not describe the magical feeling he felt inside as the nurse handed him the small little baby girl, she was sleeping soundly, covered in an soft pink blanket. the nurse smiled at him, and said something about beautiful, but he wasn't paying attention to her, all he could focus on was the new born baby in his arms, his baby....his little daughter. He walked back into Lemon's hospital room, holding the child in his arms. The Dampire smiled, widely, and proudly as Squall carefully handed him the child. They both watched the magic as the baby opened it's eyes, shining violet orbs that twinkled with life and innocence. She giggled, staring up at them, they could see it had all of it's teeth, normal for a Dampire child, and it already had two small fangs. It was the cutest thing either of them had ever saw, and Lemon found himself gently stroking the baby's thin brown hair.

" She has your eyes, and your fangs." Squall smiled.

"And your hair, and your small little nose..." Lemon giggled.

"She's the most beautiful baby...our little, Pan."

The baby giggles, clapping her small hands together.

Lemon and Squall laughed lightly.

"Squall, I think she likes the name we picked out for her." Lemon observed, letting Pan take hold of her finger.

"Our little Panny...You'll grow up to be an heart-breaker, the most beautiful girl in the whole world."

The baby laughed, as if agreeing with him, reaching out to grab his finger with her free hand. It was so amazing....it's small little hands reaching out to grab his...it was so magical...For a moment he allowed himself to think back to Laura. Did feel the same way about Rex when he was born....I don't think she was all bad....I probably would have wanted to kill anyone who harmed my child....and I know I will never forgive anyone who ever harms my little Pan...I'll never let any harm come to you Pan....or you Lemon.

The rest of the group choose that moment to rush into the room. The look of nervousness and worry dissolved from their faces and was instantly replaced by smiles, as they spotted the happy family all together...all alive.

"Come in, our baby is so beautiful!" Lemon exclaimed, cheerfully. " This is such an happy moment, I hope that Pan can remember it when she's older."

"Hey..."

The group turned towards the doorway and were surprised to see Amy and Kim standing there.

"We may not be friends but...Letting happy memories live on is something we can help out with." Amy held up an video camera. The whole group smiled at them, happy and grateful.

Pan was passed around to each group member and Amy and Kim tapped the happy images.

Ryan smiled down at the baby in his hands, as the video camera was aimed at him. " There is nothing I can say except you guys are so lucky. This is just the most beautiful baby girl I've ever saw in my life, congratulations."

Mara went next, the baby was giggling at the ticklish feeling of the cats fur.

"She's just so cute!! Pan, aww...such a cute name too....She'll have lots of men in love with her when she's older."

Carrie carefully held Pan in her hands. " Wow....she's so small...I wonder what kind of girl she'll grow up to be..."

Suddenly Pan reached up and pulled Carrie's hair.

"Oww..." Carrie chuckled weakly. " I guess she'll grow up to be tuff...."

The group laughed, and the baby was passed to Lima.

"Ohhh! So sweet! She looks so much like you Squall!! You guys are lucky she doesn't have wings like you Lemon."

Lemon laughed. " Yeah I know! I could just picture us trying to catch an flying baby!

Mimi and Genki stood close together as Mimi held the bay in her arms,

"She's the most innocent child I've ever seen, as pretty as a rose." The fair-half smiled dreamily.

The baby chattered nonsense in baby gibberish, Genki laughed.

"Hey Squall, she seems to be the talkative type, you'll have two talkers in the family!"

The man-beast smiled. " Guess I've lost my silent-moments, but, I gained something much greater. Besides....I don't think she'll be that noisy."

Lemon gave him an gentle nudge and smirked. " Wait until mid-night feeding time."

Alex took the baby last, the child just pointed up at him and laughed loudly, clapping her hands together. When Alex looked up at the camera the baby frowned, but when he looked back down at her, she laughed.

The whole group giggled.

"She finds you funny looking, Alex!" Lemon teased.

The perfect solider almost smiled, shaking his head. " She looks like Squall, but I've got the feeling that she's going to act allot like you, Mally."

"Hey!" Lemon called out to Kim and Amy. " Don't you want to hold the baby?"

"Us?" Kim repeated, unsure, but Amy smiled widely.

"Sure!"

The video camera was handed to Mara who filmed Kim and Amy. Pan was held gently in the purple haired girls arms.

"I see a great future for this girl....she'll have a very happy life."

"Yeah, I can sense it too, take good care of her, Squall, Lemon."

The baby was passed back to Squall and Lemon. Sleepily the child yawned, closing her eyes and snuggling up close to her mother. The video camera was turned to the new family.

"I've never been so happy in my life! It hurt like hell to have, but it's the greatest thing to ever happen to me!" Lemon smiled happily.

"And I have never been so proud...and I promise I will always be there for my family...always."

Pan laughed, gazing up into his eyes.

`Always...'