Chapter 13 Deserving

 

The false sunlight makes it a great deal easier for Brad to cut his way through the opposing forces. Within ten minutes he has already sent two demons, and one Death Eater, to their graves. He keeps track of the Fanatics around him, as their bladed weapons could be fatal because his armour doesn’t cover his head or neck. But he hardly notices where the Death Eaters are... nor does he care.

 

The... ‘people’ who forged this armour took great care to make sure that whomever wears it can withstand a full on magical assault... a powerful shell spell was worked into the metal, making it strong enough to shrug off nearly all magical attacks. No matter how strong a curse the Death Eaters attempt to hit him with, Brad doesn’t even feel a slight tingle from it.

 

He is quite the sight though... slashing out with the Ragnarok, and crushing down with his axe. He cuts through a Death Eater with the sword, and nearly falls to the ground when the body explodes in a great ball of red flame.

 

“WHAT THE HELL!” He scans the area, looking for who ever was throwing magic at him, when Justin comes over the communications device.

 

“Brad, Arrowny forgot to tell you that the Ragnarok will sometimes cast a Flare spell on somebody you hit with it.”

 

“Well... THAT would’ve been a nice thing to know!

 

Endowed with this new knowledge, he looks around him, finding that Saphir is getting ever closer to the MagiMaster down on the left of the battle field. To his right though, Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy are having some trouble fighting off the large number of Death Eaters that have surrounded them.

 

Brad makes his way toward them.

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Saphir uses the Glaive’s ability to create force waves to knock back the Death Eaters in his way. It’s strong enough to keep them out of the fight for a little while, and hopefully by that time, he will have made his way toward the MagiMaster.

 

At the moment though... getting to the MagiMaster would be an awful lot like committing suicide... seeing as how he is still standing right beside Kefka. His only hope is that the resurrected sorcerer takes the bait, and leaves the battle field soon.

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

“You guys need help?” Brad rushes in, separating one of the Death Eaters from their head as he asks.

 

“No... we’re good.” Draco’s calmness almost makes Brad laugh out loud. He’s holding off two Death Eaters on his own, while Ron keeps another at arms length with his scimitar... Brad jumps at the other three.

 

The first one summons a curse, which knocks the Ragnarok and the axe from Brad’s hands. The Warrior reaches out, grabbing hold of the attacker’s wand. They struggle for a moment, and Brad manages to pull the wand from the Death Eater’s grasp... and he promptly stabs the black robed man in the neck with the sharp, pointed stick. He pulls the wand out, and a great spray of blood pumps from the dying wizard’s wound.

 

Brad turns to face the second attacker. He raises the stolen wand, pointing it right at his opponent’s chest.

 

“AVADA!”

 

The Death Eater drops his wand, and covers his head, hoping to somehow block the killing curse... but Brad quickly reaches down to the ground and picks up the Ragnarok.

 

“Just kidding!”

 

He plunges the broadsword through the man’s chest. The remaining Death Eater turns and runs... but only gets a few steps before Brad hauls back, and throws the mystical sword through the air. It lands blade first in the coward’s upper back... he falls to the ground.

 

Ron hollers over the battle noises.

 

“What happened to the whole... don’t throw melee weapons, and don’t stab with distance weapons, thing?”

 

Brad shrugs as he retrieves his axe and sword...

 

“Sometimes, you just gotta improvise!”

 

Brad looks around at the fighting. The Ministry Aurors are holding their own, and the Canadian Special Forces are making easy work of a small group of demons. Every now and then, a small twister of purple and blue robes spins into existence, and Professor Dumbledore appears just long enough to cast a hex and vanish again.

 

The real trouble seems to be centred around Hagrid and his small group of the ‘old crowd’.

 

Brad turns to Draco.

 

“You guys gonna be okay?”

 

“Just fine.”

 

“Good.” The axe wielder rushes off to aid the half giant’s group, not even noticing that Draco’s eyes are focused on the man standing beside Kefka… his father, Lucius Malfoy.

 

“Ron… we’re going this way!”

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Kefka watches intently as three people move in on his location. From one direction, that damned guy with the Glaive keeps knocking back Death Eaters and Fanatics, and from another, that Draco kid whom Old Voldy had kidnapped.

 

Not wanting to waste time with the Cardboy, Kefka orders his MagiMaster to head him off. The red robed figure swiftly makes his way toward Saphir, pushing his own Fanatics out of the way.

 

Kefka turns to Lucius Malfoy.

 

“Seems like that little brat of yours wants to hurt us.”

 

“My Lord… we have nothing to fear from him. He is a mere student… you are far beyond him. He is no match for you.”

 

“But, is he a match for you?”

 

Lucius just stares at his master as Draco and Ron kill the last demon between him and them. Draco walks slowly toward his father, his wand pointing at the older Malfoy’s chest.

 

“Father.”

 

Ron rushes at Lucius with his scimitar, but he stops dead a few inches from actually stabbing the Death Eater… not of his own accord… but rather because Kefka is pointing a finger at him.

 

“Sorry kid… but I’m kinda interested to see how this plays out!” Kefka waves his hand, and sends Ron flying back toward the castle… all the way to the castle. The Weasley boy hits the stone wall hard, and falls to the ground unconscious. Kefka turns back to the confrontation at hand.

 

“Now that the little distraction is gone... why don’t you show your son just how,” Kefka gives a sidelong sneer at Lucius, “weak... he really is?”

 

Lucius stares at his master with surprise in his eyes. By the time he realizes that he really is supposed to fight his own son, it’s too late. Draco has been waiting for this moment since last year... and he was ready.

 

“Crucio.”

 

Lucius falls to his knees as Draco starts talking in the trademark, calm, Malfoy drawl.

 

“You know, Father... I never did understand how this curse works... but now I know! Saphir told me. It activates all of the pain receptors in the victim’s nervous system, and at the same time, disables the bodies natural defence against extreme amounts of pain... in other words... it hurts like hell, and doesn’t allow you to faint.”

 

Lucius screams... Draco smiles.

 

“I’m willing to bet that the Ministry will overlook my use of an Unforgivable Curse in this case... I’m pretty sure that torturing a Death Eater isn’t really a crime.”

 

Blood starts leaking from Lucius’ eyes and ears...

 

“You took everything from me... the money, and the power... and the respect that came with the Malfoy name. You tried to kill me last year... and after all that, you still had the nerve to ask me why I was trying to help the Granger girl.”

 

The screams stop... but not because Draco ends the curse... just that Lucius has lost the strength to scream.

 

“You chose Voldemort... over you own son! You are a murderer! You deserve to die...” Draco slowly lowers his wand, and Lucius’ body stops its sickening movements.

 

“But... I will not be the one to kill you.”

 

Kefka applauds... and Draco turns his wand on the colourful sorcerer.

 

“That... was a marvellous performance kid! Really... it very nearly brought a tear to my eye!” Draco tries the Crucio cruse on Kefka... but it doesn’t even cause him to flinch... but it does cause a small distraction.

 

A bright white light flashes from within Kefka’s robes. He reaches inside and removes the necklace he got from Lucius Malfoy after Voldemort’s death. The black crystal is glowing with a brilliant light... and in an instant, it changes to a clear, flawless gem with a bright red core.

 

Kefka can feel the power coming off of the crystal...

 

“Magicite...” it comes out as little more than a whisper, and he turns to face Draco, who just looks confused. “It’s Magicite... which means that you... NOT Potter...” Kefka smiles.

 

“Oh... isn’t this a SHOCKER!!”

 

Draco tries another curse, but Kefka just waves his hand, and the younger Malfoy falls asleep...

 

“Time for us to see a man about a statue.”

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

“My Master wishes me to kill you...” The red robed MagiMaster cocks his head to one side as he faces off against the Glaive Bearer.

 

“Funny... my orders are to take you down.” Saphir spins the Glaive around in a fancy demonstration of skill, “must be fate.”

 

“If our meeting is fated... then so is your demise.”

 

Saphir just grins...

 

“Do you have any gods you prefer to be sent to, or should I choose for you?”

 

The MagiMaster throws back his arms, allowing his red robes to fall to the ground, revealing his body to the artificial light of the night. He looks like something out of a street gang in the muggle world... black leather jacket with spikes on the shoulders, torn blue jeans with chains attached at every available spot, and a strange light blue mask covering his face. Two long blades seem to be growing out of his forearms...

 

“Kefka is the true god!”

 

Saphir takes a step back, and readies himself for combat.

 

“In that case... je descendrai la punition divine des cieux sur vous!”

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

“Ryan!” Justin’s voice sounds loud and clear in Arrowny’s head, thanks to the homemade communications device behind his ear, “Kefka’s headed your way, and he’s dragging Draco along for the ride!”

 

“Damn it!”

 

Arrowny and Harry have been waiting in the Chamber of Secrets since the moment the night sky had been set alight. He knew that Kefka would be attracted to the Goddess Statue... but he didn’t count on him bringing Draco as well.

 

He turns to Harry, who is standing close enough to the headless statue that he might as well be a part of it.

 

“Harry... when this all starts... you need to stay right there, no matter what happens, got it?”

 

Harry nods, knowing the reason behind Arrowny’s request. When the three Goddess Statues are together, they create a null-magic field between them. Saphir’s research has lead Arrowny to believe that a single statue also has that effect... just not as strong. If Harry stays close to this one, Ryan will be free to use his most powerful spells to fight against Kefka.

 

They turn to look back at the entrance to the Chamber. From their position, just under the giant statue of Slytherin, they can see the entire room... but that does nothing to help the feelings of dread that Arrowny has.

 

But he doesn’t have long to consider those feelings. He can hear Kefka, merrily singing a slow clownish song, long before he sees him enter the Chamber. The sorcerer is dancing around like a madman to his own tune... with Draco lazily hovering a few feet behind him.

 

Arrowny draws Sky Render, and walks halfway between Kefka and the statue.

 

“You brought a hostage.”

 

Kefka acts hurt at the statement...

 

“Oh... is that what you think of me? Little Draco here is just an adoring fan, who wanted to watch me work.”

 

“I tend to think the worst about somebody who poisoned an entire kingdom, including his own soldiers whom had been taken prisoner, just to try and get rid of an enemy.”

 

“I had no idea that my past was so well known!” The two combatants lock eyes as they move closer to each other. Kefka just shakes his head... “I’m going to kill you... you know that, right?”

 

“Everybody dies... everybody deserves to die. Only the reasons matter.”

 

“Oh really?” Kefka seems to be almost interested... “Enlighten me?”

 

“Hero’s deserve death as a reward for their sacrifices... villains deserve it as punishment. It is the one thing that everybody gets, for whatever reason. If I have to die... I will welcome it, knowing that it is what I deserve.”

 

“That’s a load of crap! I spent nine thousand years in a dimensional void... I was the most evil villain of all time. I actually RUELD this world! I killed thousands of people... and I didn’t die! Do you honestly think that you have what it takes to KILL me, when fourteen of the strongest warriors in the history of the world couldn’t?”

 

“I have no delusions of killing you... but I am going to try!”

 

Kefka smiles...

 

“Then, by all means... please try your best!”

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Saphir lungs at the MagiMaster, attempting to thrust the blade of the Glaive through the demon’s stomach, but the leader of the Fanatics dodges, and slashes out with his own blades. Saphir brings the back end of the Glaive up to block the attack, and follows through enough to strike the MagiMaster on the side of the head with the staff end of the Poirier family’s favourite weapon.

 

The blow only angers the demon, who launches a new volley of attacks, forcing Saphir onto the defensive. Luckily, the Glaive is a well designed weapon for defence. Holding it in the center of the staff, Saphir is able to spin it around, much like a black belt martial artist with a Bo... or, like Brad had always said, like the Ninja Turtle Donatello.

 

The defence works, and the MagiMaster gets a nasty gash on his arm from trying to break through it. Saphir smiles...

 

“You’re bleeding.”

 

The, now very angry, MagiMaster rushes Saphir, attempting to get close enough to deal a death blow before he is blocked, but that proves to be very difficult. Saphir uses the long reach of the Glaive to keep the demon just beyond its own attack range. The Dragoon Warrior’s quick attack style works well... up until the point that the ground shakes hard enough to knock him off balance, and the trees lining the forest collapse under the strength of the Atma Weapon.

 

The great magical dragon moves with more speed than it should have... clearing a think path through the dense trees. Saphir is well away from it, but the sight still provides a decent distraction, allowing the MagiMaster to close the distance between them... and slash out with one of his blades.

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Brad and Hagrid are standing back to back when the Atma Weapon appears from within the forest. They both stop to stare at the beast... bigger than the Great Hall, sharp tusks jutting out of the side of its neck, with purple scales on its back, and light blue on its underside.

 

“Hagrid... I’ll distract it... you get your team ready!”

 

The half giant stares blankly at Brad...

 

“How’re you goin’ ta distract THAT?”

 

Brad suddenly looks dumbfounded...

 

“Um... dance a jig... maybe?”

 

“Well,” Hagrid slaps Brad on the back, nearly knocking the Warrior to the ground, “I’ve seen crazier things work!” With that, the Keeper of the Keys turns away, and starts speaking through the communications device behind his ear.

 

Brad runs as quickly as he can toward the Atma Weapon, taking the heads of two Death Eaters, who were unlucky enough to be standing between the beast and him.

 

“HEY!” He shouts as soon as he’s close enough to the creature. The truth is, he isn’t even sure that the creature can understand him... but the general sound seems to be enough to make it look at him.

 

“YOU ARE FOOLISH TO STAND IN MY WAY.”

 

The Atma Weapon’s magical voice booms across the battlefield...

 

“Um...” Brad looks from side to side... and sees nobody around to back his play. “Yup... I’m a fool.”

 

”MOVE OR DIE. I MUST DESTROY THE CASTLE. IT IS THE WISH OF MY MASTER.”

 

“Yeah, well,” Brad puts on as brave a face as he can in this situation, “three things stand between you and that castle! My sword!” Brad holds the Ragnarok high in his left hand...

 

And with one mighty swing from its claws, the Atma Weapon sends it flying to the other side of the school grounds... it lands blade first in the back of a dead Fanatic... whom promptly explodes when the Flare spell is cast from the sword.

 

Brad gulps as he watches the red ball of flames die down... and turns back to the Atma Weapon. He speaks with a great deal less bravery than he did before...

 

“And... um... my... axe.”

 

Another swinging claw, and another of Brad’s weapons flies away... Brad turns back to the beast once again.

 

“And...” his voice is little more than a squeak, “... me?”

 

If the Atma Weapon could have smiled... it would have. Instead, it rears its head back, and blasts a huge energy beam from its mouth straight at Brad.

 

Brad’s battle instincts take over, and before he even knows what he’s doing, he raises his left arm, and clicks a small button on the gauntlet covering his hand. Instantly, the raised, almost triangle section of the metal glove springs out, and rotates around, expanding to form a shield.

 

The energy blast hits the shield, but since it is magical in nature, the material of Brad’s armour absorbs a great deal of its force... but not all of it. There is enough residual energy in the beam that it causes the shield to begin to melt...

 

With only a few seconds of defence left, Brad hears Hagrid’s voice over his communications device...

 

“GET OUTTA TERE!”

 

Brad presses another button on his gauntlet, detaching the shield, and dives to the side... the shield remains in tact just long enough for him to get clear of the energy beam. Once he’s clear, he runs as fast as he can away from the Atma Weapon.

 

When he feels he’s far enough away, he turns to watch the show.

 

A great dragon flies up from over the edge of the cliff on the far side of the school grounds... and as it moves higher, Brad can see that its claws are wrapped around the collar of a giant, brown, three headed dog.

 

“FLUFFY, NORBERT... MAKE ME PROUD!”

 

The Atma Weapon seems as shocked as anybody else on the battle field, and its hesitation costs it dearly. As Norbert, the Norwegian Ridgeback, gets close, it lets go of Fluffy’s collar. The Cerberus like dog rushes forward, slams against the Atma Weapon hard enough to knock it over, and then latches each of its three sets of teeth over the evil creature’s throat.

 

As the Atma Weapon rolls around on its back, Norbert makes a fantastic aerial dive, and slashes at its underside with long dragon claws... blood spills out onto the ground... and the Atma Weapon stops moving... Fluffy releases its hold on the dead creature’s throat...

 

... and then starts to eat.

 

Brad stands, transfixed on the gruesome sight... wondering just how long an Atma Weapon’s intestines are supposed to be... because this particular one seems to have much more than its fair share. It makes the battle hardened Warrior gag... and yet he cannot look away, even as Fluffy begins to rip and tear the very entrails from the Atma Weapon.

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

The MagiMaster stands over Saphir with a victorious look on his face... there is blood on one of his blades, and one of the Poirier family Cards in his hand. He holds it out before him, showing Saphir its face... a large grey wolf standing before a full moon... the FENRIR Card.

 

Saphir is crouching on the ground a good distance away, holding on to the Glaive as best he can with the gash across his chest. Luckily, his vest took most of the MagiMaster’s blade, but not all of it. The Fanatic did manage to grab one of his Cards from the torn pocket... but the fight is hardly over.

 

The MagiMaster looks down at his fallen opponent...

 

“You’re bleeding...”

 

The sneer in his voice was enough to convince Saphir that he truly thought the battle was won. He thought he had taken Saphir’s hope with that Card... he thought he had injured him badly with the attack... he was wrong... and all the Dragoon Warrior needs to prove it is one, single opening.

 

And, as luck would have it, the opening comes in the form of a small tremor, traveling through the ground from the point where the great Atma Weapon had been knocked over by Fluffy.

 

As the MagiMaster turns to see the cause of the slight shaking, Saphir lunges at him with the Glaive... not attempting to hit him... but rather aiming for the Card.

 

As the Glaive strikes the Card, it changes into bright beams of light, which are absorbed by the blue, star sapphire at the base of the blade. The Magi Master looks at Saphir in shock... and Saphir smiles...

 

“FUah-haneayn KU-deoo-bae!”

 

The spell has an immediate effect... the MagiMaster stops moving... no breath... no heartbeat... he has been taken out of time. And Saphir capitalizes on the situation.

 

He plunges the blade of the Glaive into the MagiMaster’s stomach... feels it cut cleanly through the flesh and bone... and then makes an upwards swing. The blade easily moves through the Fanatic’s body, from his stomach to the top of his head, leaving a very thin black line in its path.

 

Saphir turns his back on the MagiMaster. He holds out his hand, and wills the Card to return to its proper state... ending the Stop spell.

 

From behind, he can hear the sickening sound of a human body falling into two neat halves...

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Arrowny misses Kefka... again. Since the start of the fight, he has yet to land a single blow with Sky Render. And using his magic was rather useless... as Kefka is easily able to absorb or block every single lightening bolt, fireball, or ice storm that he could muster.

 

Kefka’s magic is much more efficient though. Arrowny has a number of gashes and bruises on his body from where concussive and cutting spells have hit him. With one more wave of his hand, Kefka hurls Ryan back across the room to land at Harry’s feet.

 

“You look tired... wanna give up?”

 

Arrowny can do little more than shake his head in response. He glances around, and is happy to see that Harry is staying as close to the Goddess Statue as physically possible. At the other end of the Chamber, Draco lays motionless in the tunnel just outside the entrance... and Kefka is right in the middle...

 

... right where he’s supposed to be.

 

Arrowny hates relying on Salazar Slytherin to have secured the Chamber so that magic performed within its walls would not leak into the outside world... but he has little choice.

 

Kefka watches with amusement as Arrowny slowly stands, propping himself up with Sky Render... but his amusement turns to something more closely resembling fear as Ryan raises his hand high above his head, and mutters one, single... simple word...

 

“...Ultima...”

 

A sphere of blue energy forms around Arrowny’s clenched fist... expanding at an incredible rate. It rushes through the cavern, destroying everything... all the serpent statues, and even the giant statue of Slytherin himself. The stone floor of the Chamber is reduced to a fine grey powder, the statues become little more than piles of rubble... and when the dust settles... Arrowny is on one knee, trying to catch his breath... Harry is still standing close to the Goddess Statue... Draco is still unconscious outside the Chamber...

 

Kefka is still standing in the middle of the Chamber... his robes are covered with dust... his breathing is ragged... and there is a small trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. He stares at Arrowny...

 

“You... have that kind of POWER!” He wipes the blood from his face with the back of his sleeve. “No matter. You may have caused me pain... but in the end... I WILL KILL YOU!”

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Brad, Saphir, Snape, Hagrid, and McGonagall gather around the Atma Weapon’s corpse. All of the Demons have been killed... and all of the Death Eaters, that are not dead, have been rounded up. Only a small number of good guys died... a few Aurors whom will be remembered with honour... but beyond that, everything worked out very well.

 

There should be a victory celebration... but as far as Brad and the other Dragoon Warriors are concerned, there’s still business to attend to.

 

As Brad unsnaps his armour, he turns to the rest of the group...

 

“How do I get to the Chamber?”

 

McGonagall points to the castle.

 

“You already know that the entrance is through the girls washroom on the,”

 

“I need to get there QUICKLY!” He doesn’t really mean to snap at her... but it is kinda important. Dumbledore steps in, placing a hand on Brad’s shoulder.

 

“There is an entrance through a cave on the cliff. You will need to fly down about halfway on the far side of the grounds.”

 

“Thanks,” Brad drops his armour to the ground, and looks over at Saphir, “You and Justin get down through the main tunnel in the school, I’m taking the shortcut.”

 

Saphir nods, and Brad heads toward the still feasting dragon named Norbert.

 

“HEY!,” Norbert lifts his head from the carcass of the Atma Weapon to look at the little man who’s shouting, “Stop eating, I need your help!”

 

As if he understands, Norbert turns away from his meal, and faces the far side of the school grounds. He holds out one of his massive legs, and lets Brad stand on the clawed feet. Once it’s sure that Brad has a good hold, he flaps his wings, and takes off through the air...

 

Hagrid stares, open mouthed and amazed at the spectacle.

 

“How, he, fly, Norb... talk... ride, nobody, never...”

 

Saphir just pats the half-giant on the arm in a sympathetic way...

 

“Just accept it man... he’s always doing that kind of thing.”

 

With that, Saphir heads off toward the Castle to meat up with Justin.

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Kefka strikes out with yet another curse... forcing Arrowny to his knees once again. The Dragoon Warrior doesn’t even have enough strength to hold on to his weapon... and Sky Render falls to the ground.

 

“I read up on you Protectors.” Kefka talks like he and Arrowny are old friends, “I know all about you,” he is calm, apparently having overcome his earlier anger, “and how you’re willing to die for those you protect.”

 

He smiles sadistically...

 

“I kinda want to test that theory!”

 

Kefka draws his hand back, pulling Harry away from the protective shield around the Goddess Statue, and launches an energy ball directly at the young Gryffindor... Arrowny has only a second to react...

 

He runs, fighting the pain in his chest and legs, and manages to block the path of the spell just before it hits Harry. He feels... warm... all over... but he doesn’t seem to be hurting.

 

He looks at Harry, trying to ask if he’s okay...

 

But all that comes from his mouth is a great stream of blood.

 

As he falls to his knees, he can actually feel the colour draining from his skin, as more and more blood seeps from his mouth, nose, ears and eyes.

 

He knows what spell Kefka used... back in the day, the sorcerer was famous for it.

 

Fallen One... a terrible magic, which brings the victim as close to death as they can possibly be without actually dying at that very moment.

 

Only thought is going through Arrowny’s head... he’s very glad that he took the curse to protect the Descendant of the Espers... to protect Harry. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Brad, slightly tinted red from the blood in his eyes, enter the Chamber from a small cave in the back wall... and he hopes that his friend will get Harry out of here.

 

“Oh, Mister Protector!”

 

Kefka calls out in a mocking tone as he uses his powers to pull Draco toward him. Brad helps Ryan turn around so that he can watch through bloody eyes as Kefka wakes Draco from his slumber.

 

“I bet you’re feeling really, really good right about now... having given your life for the one you were here to protect, right? Well, guess what?” He reaches into his robes, and pulls out the necklace... showing Arrowny the pure magicite crystal. “You’ll never guess whose magic changed your little black rock to this lovely magicite? It wasn’t Harry, no sir... not the one you just sacrificed yourself for. It was this guy!”

 

Kefka points at Draco... and Arrowny’s hope falls to the lowest place it could ever be. He sacrificed himself... for the wrong person...

 

“You get to die... just as you wished. And me... I get to WIN! ARGH!”

 

Kefka is taken aback as a powerful electromagnetic field surrounds his body, preventing him from performing even simple spells, and even stopping him from making any movements at all.

 

Ryan is relieved to see Justin standing behind the sorcerer, focusing all of his power in to the field... and he is even more relieved as Saphir runs by, grabbing Draco on his way past. The Glaive Bearer doesn’t stop moving until he and Draco are standing behind Brad and Harry.

 

It doesn’t take long for Justin’s power to fade... holding back Kefka’s magic is not an easy task... and as soon as the field vanishes, the sorcerer throws the technomage across the Chamber. Justin lands beside Saphir... he’s still conscious, but he doesn’t have enough power to be of any more use in the fight.

 

Kefka starts to advance on the group...

 

“It’s nice that you are all here... gathered in one little spot like that. It just makes my job so much easier.”

 

There is only one thing that Arrowny can do...

 

With his last bit of strength, he reaches into his jacket pocket, and pulls out the small vile of Unicorn’s blood. He removes the stopper, an act which takes some amount of effort in his weakened state... and with one gulp, drinks the contents.

 

He can’t quite get over how sweet the substance tastes... and how much better his body feels... like he hasn’t been injured at all. But his mind... and heart... feel empty... hollow from the curse he has willingly accepted.

 

Much to Kefka’s shock, Arrowny stands, and rushes forward, meeting the sorcerer in the middle of the Chamber, where their battle first started. Ryan puts all of his strength behind his fist, and is almost surprised when his punch connects with Kefka’s jaw... apparently, he is just too weak to defend himself in the same manner as he was earlier.

 

The successful attack strengthens Ryan’s resolve, and he continues to beat on Kefka... punching him in the head... kicking him in the stomach... but with each small victory he feels only emptiness.

 

Arrowny channels all of his remaining magical power into one last attack... fire, ice, and lightening flow through his fists, and he knocks Kefka back against the far wall with a tetra-elemental attack... and then falls to his knees once again.

 

Harry rushes forward, trying to help Arrowny stand.

 

Saphir turns to Draco.

 

“You need to help!”

 

Draco just shakes his head.

 

“I don’t know what to do.”

 

“You have the power of the Espers. You can use magic that has been lost to the human race for nine thousand years.”

 

“I... can’t...”

 

“You HAVE to. Ryan is out there, living a cursed life for you. You need to use you power.”

 

“I...” But he can’t bring himself to say the he can’t... because, he suddenly realizes... for whatever reason... he knows, beyond any doubt... that he CAN.

 

With a simple wave of his hand, Draco tears a hole in the fabric of reality, creating a dimensional portal directly behind Kefka. He doesn’t even feel amazed at this act... because he knew that he could do it.

 

Saphir recognizes the spell from its description in some old book or another... the X-Zone... a portal to a void dimension, which sucks up everything that is close to it, as long as they are weak enough... which, Kefka, apparently, is not.

 

Arrowny and Harry stare at Kefka as he fights off the effects of the X-Zone spell, standing his ground in this dimension.

 

“Harry...” Arrowny sounds more serious than he has ever been since coming to Hogwarts... “every choice you make is important. Every choice could lead to a perfect possible future. Remember that, okay?”

 

He doesn’t even look over to see Harry nod... but he does give one last glance back at his friends... the Dragoon Warriors... savours of the world, a few times over.

 

Arrowny breaks out into a run, building up as much momentum as he can... and slams into Kefka in a way that would make even the most successful football player jealous. With the sorcerer on his shoulders, he runs full tilt through the portal... into the X-Zone.

 

Brad turns to Draco...

 

“Close the portal.”

 

“I can’t... if I close it now... he’ll never get out.”

 

“... I know.”

 

Draco closes his eyes, understanding fully what Brad is asking him to do. He lowers his hand... the portal vanishes... taking both Kefka and Ryan with it.

 

Brad slowly walks forward, picking Sky Render up off the ground as he makes his way to the exact spot where the portal was only seconds before. He slams the sword, blade first, as hard as he can into the dusty floor, making sure that it stands up on its own.

 

He turns toward the group...

 

“This sword... doesn’t get touched... by anybody.”

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Severus Snape kneels down beside Lucius Malfoy... a man who was once his best friend.

 

“Lucius... are you alright?”

 

Through bloodshot eyes, Lucius, still unable to move thanks to Draco’s attack, looks up at the Potions Master...

 

“Draco... spared my life. After all I did to him... he did not see fit to kill me.”

 

Snape smiles.

 

“Yes... he has grown into a better man than I ever thought possible. He has honour, Lucius... something that we lost many, many years ago. He could not take a human life... even yours. He is... very different from you... and me.”

 

Lucius’ eyes widen in shock as Snape pulls a small dagger from within his robes, and plunges it through the Death Eater’s heart...

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

“Come on kid! After what we did to your parents... you have every right to kill us!”

 

Neville stands before Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange... the Death Eaters who tortured his parents to insanity. They are securely tied to a tree at the edge of the Forbidden Forest... completely vulnerable... and Neville has his sword drawn.

 

“They screamed, you know!” Neville starts to cry as Bellatrix taunts him, trying to get him to kill her. “They begged me to kill them... but I wasn’t even kind enough for that! Don’t you want revenge?!”

 

Neville slowly nods his head between sobs... Bellatrix smiles faintly. Neville takes deep breaths, steadying himself as much as he can...

 

“I do want revenge...” he throws his sword to the ground... “but it won’t bring my parents back to me.”

 

He walks away, listening to her scream at him to kill her...

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

“A toast to the hero’s!” Dumbledore raises his glass, and all of the people gathered in the Great Hall do the same. The house tables are back in place, but they seem to have lost all meaning. There are students from each house at each table. The battle gave them a chance to see beyond house colours... forced them to rely on one another... forced them to grow closer together. Even the muggle born students, whom were brought back to the school as soon as the fighting ended, are affected in ways the Headmaster never thought possible.

 

Dumbledore couldn’t bee more pleased at this... but he has to wonder if it is worth the cost.

 

“I would like you all to give your attention to Justin at this point in time. He says he has something to share with all of us.”

 

Justin steps in front of the Head Table, and places a small, circular object on the floor.

 

“This is a holographic recording device. I found it in Arrowny’s room, with instructions to play it if... if he didn’t live through the battle.”

 

He steps back, joining with the other Dragoon Warriors as the device comes to life, emitting a full, life size, three dimensional image of Ryan Arrowny... dressed, as always, in his denim jacket, t-shirt, and blue jeans. His arms are folded behind his back, and he has a very serious expression on his face...

 

“All Protectors are required to leave a Last Will and Testament before starting they’re mission.” The holograph sounds exactly like Arrowny... “If you are watching this, then it is a good thing that I recorded it.

 

I hope that my death was in the line of duty... that I died nobly for king and country and all that. I really thought I’d be able to come up with some really cool speech here... but nothing’s coming to mind... so I guess I’ll just get on with it.

 

To the Protectors... I leave the Saturn Scythe. Hopefully, it never has to be used again, but just in case... I don’t want to force somebody to go looking through all of creation for it. At least this way, everybody will know where it is.

 

To Saphir... I leave my entire research library. It seems only fitting, seeing as how you’re the only one who could ever use it right. You are a powerful warrior... and the power does not come from the Glaive, or the Cards... it is your power. I hope that when you finally complete your duty, you have time to live your own life before the end.

 

To Justin... I leave all of the computer systems that we took from the Apocolypse Incorporated office. I know you built most of them from scratch anyway... but there may be something there you can have some fun with. One day, you will realize that you are not to blame for the events that happened way back when... and I hope you eventually find some peace with yourself.

 

To Brad... I leave the entire contents of my weapons case... hopefully, if you ever break your axe, you won’t have to pry your next weapon from a dead demon’s hand. You are the only one of us who doesn’t have powers... you’re not special in any way... but you still fight the good fight. I’ve always respected you for that.

 

The last thing I have isn’t for anybody in particular. It isn’t even a tangible object. It’s a simple concept that I wish I could share with the entire world. The first time I heard about this, I thought it was a joke... and you all might think the same.

 

I leave, to the entire world... that one, perfect, possible future that may come from any single choice that any single person makes. If you hold on to the thought that whatever you do may lead to this future... that whatever you chose may bring perfection into the world... just imagine what your life would be like.”

 

The image cuts out, leaving the Great Hall silent...

 

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

The day after the feast, the Dragoon Warriors stand on the train platform in Hogsmeade, waiting to be taken back to muggle London. Since Saphir is still drained from the battle, they cannot simply Warp back to the Dragoon Warriors offices, and need to take more traditional transportation back to Nova Scotia.

 

Harry, Ron, Draco and Hermione are standing with them as they’re luggage is loaded onto the train. Harry looks up at the three of them...

 

“That... perfect possible future thing... Ryan told me to keep fighting for it... it was the last thing he said before... you know. I just want to know... what does it mean?”

 

Justin and Saphir smile at the students, as Brad nods his head...

 

“I think... I think it means he’s finally happy... that he finally accepted his place in the world.” Seeing the confused look on Harry’s face, Brad grins. “It’s something that he wouldn’t have been able to say a year ago. It was his way of telling us not to mourn for him.”

 

They stand in silence for a few long minutes before the Conductor calls for them to board the train.

 

The four Hogwarts students wait on the platform until the train disappears behind the horizon on the tracks... each thinking about what the battle has brought them... each hoping that they can do their part to reach a perfect, possible future.