FSE

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ALL RIGHT!! The final chapter in the Freedom Fighters series. Thanks to everyone who keep reading giving their comments on how to make it better. Enjoy it to the fullest. Your comments are always welcomed.

You know that old saying, you see your life flash before you when you die? Well it was happening to me and I was still alive, for now anyway. I couldn't stop shivering as I watched Nightmare stretch his body. Even though he looked old, I could see his muscles flex with each stretch he did.

"So good to be free from that cursed void. Need to remind myself to make that little bitch suffer for putting me in there." Nightmare said giving a final stretch.

"Welcome master Nightmare," both Grimwald and Xander said on one knee.

He looked down at both of them with a smile.

"You two have served me well."

"We are honored for the compliment master." Xander said.

I guess Thanos was right. His power was indescribable. I took another step back until I bumped into Crystal. His eyes told the story as fear was all around them.

"If you have any ideas, now would be a good time for one." I whispered to him.

"Yeah, stay alive."

Nightmare looked up and locked gazes with us. Right there I wanted to turn tail and run. But I knew I couldn't. I had a family to protect.

"Arngrim Ultimus, guardian of Earth and holder of the Light stone. Its an honor to meet the divine gene of Modeen," he said with a bow.

"The honor's mine, believe me," I said with a shaky but firm voice.

His gaze slowly went towards Tyrant.

"Huitzil Tyrant, crown prince of Ro'mave and the last of the Dryads."

"What about it?" Tyrant said with a grunt.

"Still have your sense of humor to I see."

He then slowly turned his gaze to Shadow who stood tall.

"Jason Blackpaw better known as Shadow-mane. Champion of the god Canis and all around good guy. How is your mate doing? Sarah is it not?"

I saw Shadow's right ear twitch angrily at that. I don't know if he was scared or not because if he is, he's doing a damn good job of not showing it. Hell he was not even moving so I had to guess he was scared stiff, but something told me other wise.

"That's none of your concern godslayer." Shadow said angrily.

"It appears I touched touchy subject."

Nightmare looked down at his tattered and worn clothes.

"Yuck. I look like shit. And in front of important guests too. This will not do."

He snapped his fingers as the black robe he wore got replaced with set of black onyx colored armor that covered him from head to toe as it did not do anything less then only make him more intimidating. The kind of armor one would expect a black knight of fantasy to wear which only served to make him look more intimidating.

"Ah much better. Now then," he said with a smile as his eyes flashed a deep black. "Shall we get down to business."

*********

Faleen appeared outside Shadow's house and walked in. Everybody looked at her as she sat down with a sigh.

"What are you doing back here? I thought you would be helping Ultimus?" Tasha asked.

"I will help when the time is right. Right now, my powers would be no match for him."

"Is everyone still alive?" Jenna asked.

Faleen nodded her head before snapping her finger causing a mirror to appear in the middle of the room showing everybody.

"Well at least they are okay for the time being." Jenna said.

The scene switched to Nightmare standing tall behind Xander and Grimwald.

"Still can't believe I didn't kill that asshole." Faleen said in disgust.

The scene switched to Ultimus and Shadow side by side. Tasha walked over and touched the mirror where her mate's face was.

"Do not worry Tasha. Have faith."

Tasha looked back to see Canis sitting there, legs crossed and hands held together. She walked over and went to both knees, tears in her eyes.

"Isn't there anything you can do to help them?"

Canis held his head down and shook it no.

"This Tasha, is one fight I am truly powerless against."

Tasha rested her hand on her knees and held her head down, a single tear fell from her eye.

"But I did manage to give them a little extra help while they were sleeping." he said with a smile.

Canis turned to Faleen who still had an angry expression on her face.

"You really do hold a grudge don't you?" he said with a chuckle.

"Can't believe I almost fell in love with that asshole." Faleen said, her nails digging into the arm of the couch.

"Don't worry, he'll gets what's coming to him. Are the mage's ready to seal him back in?"

"Just waiting for my signal," Faleen said easing up a little.

"Good," Canis said as he looked at the mirror showing me. "Let's hope he can do what it took eight gods to do."

*********

Okay, somebody's going to pinch me and I'm going to wake up any minute now. Yep, any minute now. Hello? Anybody? Shit, I hate when my dreams aren't really dreams.

"Now then, shall we begin the fun?" Nightmare said.

I felt a flash of power vanish as Tyrant release the Ragna blade. I didn't know he still had it up.

"You are the cause of my people and my family's death. For that, I'll dismember your soul from your body." Tyrant said pointing at Grimwald who smiled.

"I was only following orders your majesty. Surely the time we spent as brother and sister should count for something?"

Tyrant balled his fists angrily as he started to glow a crimson red.

"I'll take response as a no. No matter."

He turned to Nightmare and went to one knee in a bow.

"Lord Nightmare, please grant me the power you promised to take care

of the last remaining Dryad."

Nightmare rubbed his chin before smiling.

"Very well, your request is granted."

He placed his hand on Grimwald's shoulder and pressed hard. Grimwald let out a grunt as he felt untold power flow into him making him glow a light sliver. Nightmare moved his hand back as Grimwald stood up.

"Have fun."

"Thank you my lord. You are most generous."

Grimwald turned and walked up a little before stopping. Reaching around, he undid his robe and what he had on made Tyrant's eyes go wide.

"I take it you recognize your father's outfit. It was a tad big so I had to shrink it a little."

He was wearing an gray jujitsu gi with a black belt around the waist. On the side of the sleeves were strange symbols that I couldn't make out. Tyrant was livid as he gritted his teeth.

"You.........." he said breathing hard from rage as the ground started to shake around him.

His hair began to slowly float in the air as traces of red lighting flashed around his body. His power kept rising rapidly but it didn't compare to Nightmare.

"I'll tear you apart." Tyrant yelled.

He took off so fast that you could see his silhouette standing there. Grimwald stood there with a smile before he quickly raised his hand and caught Tyrant's fist inches from his face. The force applied to the attack was so massive that a huge crack appeared behind Grimwald and went on for miles.

"Ohh, that made my hand tingle. Is this all you got?"

Tyrant was a tad shock that he was able to block his attack with all the speed and power he put behind it. He was about to swing again when he felt a crushing blow to his stomach making him double over.

"I didn't even see him move his hand," Tyrant said to himself.

He looked up in time to see Grimwald rear back and strike him hard sending him flying backwards, his body hovering inches over the ground. Grimwald smiled before disappearing and reappearing a little ways ahead of Tyrant. He reared his fist back and drove it down just as Tyrant's head appeared smashing it into the ground burying his head in the earth. I cringed as I felt the ground shake as Grimwald pulled his fist up leaving Tyrant laying motionless.

"Humph, I thought you would be more of a challenge. I guess all that secret training you got on Full Moon Mountain was a waste."

Grimwald crossed his arms as he floated in the sky.

"The last of the Dyrads will fall by my hands."

He held his hands up as he started to glow a light sliver. A medium size dark ball appeared and grew and wider as he expanded his arms. He looked at Tyrant's unmoving body as he smiled.

"With this blow, I Grimwald Talonshard, will have wiped out the Dyrad race."

He stuck his right hand into his attack and drew his arm back like a wind up ptich. His arm came forward slowly holding the massive ball, but when it was time for the release it flew downward with great speed behind it. The attack hit the ground creating a dome around Tyrantbefore exploding upwards sending a brown funnel like flame into the sky.

"Wow, what power." Venom said covering his eyes from the debris and dust.

When the dust settled, there was a huge hole in the ground. Tyrant was at the bottom but you couldn't see him because he was covered with rocks.

"A shame Tyrant. Your father said you had great power even as a kid. But I guess even parents are wrong." Grimwald said floating back down to the ground.

I wanted to do something to help but even I don't think I would've survived that. Grimwald turned to us dusting his hands.

"Well now, who wants to be next?"

He started towards us, a small on his face and hands behind his back. He didn't get far as a massive power came from the hole.

"Impossible," he said looking back at the home.

A red light shot from the hole as the ground shook a little. Tyrant floated up from the hole, his back turned glowing red.

"Impressive display of power," Tyrant said dusting himself off as if nothing happened. "But if that's all the power you have, then you're better off dead."

"You dare mock me?" Grimwald snarled.

"Do you know what those symbols mean on my father's clothes?"

Grimwald raised an eyebrow curiously before looking at them.

"They mean "Bringer of Death". Which is exactly what I'm going to do to you."

"Humph. I have been blessed with power from Lord Nightmare himself. I will never fall to Dryad scum like you."

"You want to see power?" Tyrant said turning around. His eyes flashed with red lighting. "Then I'll show you. Come forward."

Grimwald let out a snarl as he erupted in power and took off towards Tyrant who stood there. Grimwald reared back and struck Tyrant hard in the face turning his head to the left.

"How do you like that one?" Grimwald said hopping backwards.

Tyrant started laughing before he turned to look at him.

"My bodyguard hits harder then that."

Grimwald gritted his teeth in anger before attacking with a barrage of lefts and rights. He gave a final blow making Tyrant slide backwards on one knee. Grimwald was breathing hard somewhat as he watch Tyrant stand up. A small trail of blood came down the left side of Tyrant's mouth. Using his thumb, he collected the blood before licking it clean.

"Much better, but still a tad weak."

Grimwald was livid as he started glowing a bright sliver.

"I'll tear your spine out by its roots."

He took off towards Tyrant who smiled. Just as he got close enough, Tyrant launched his left fist out which connected with Grimwald's right resulting in a bang of power. Grimwald let out a yell and held his hand which was broken.

"Did that hurt sonny boy?" Tyrant smiled evilly.

Grimwald looked at him in anger.

"You bastard," he growled and with his good hand let loose an extreme wave of power that consumed Tyrant whole.

The wave died down leaving a trail of smoke in its wake. When the smoke started to clear, Grimwald eyes went wide in shock.

"Was that suppose to hurt?" Tyrant said.

"Unreal. That was point blank." Grimwald said.

Tyrant reached over grabbed his hand. With a rough twist he broke it

as Grimwald let out a yelp of pain.

"Now you will feel the pain my people felt as you slaughtered them one by one."

He let go of his hand and drove his fist hard into Grimwald stomach so hard that you could almost see the imprint from his back. Grimwald opened his mouth but nothing came out as all of his air was gone and slumped forward.

"Murphy, shall we have some fun?"

Tyrant's shadow grew bigger before it turned into that demon woman.

"Oh yes. I want to enjoy this one to the fullest."

Tyrant grabbed his neck before tossing him into the air as they literally pounded Grimwald into the ground. Each blow they connected with you could hear along with yelps from Grimwald. Murphy raised her hand as a column of light covered Grimwald taking him into the air.

"I said I was going to rip apart your soul from your body and I always keep my word."

He floated up next to Grimwald who had bruises and welts all over his body and face. Tyrant held his hand up as it glowed a bright red. Grimwald let out a yelp as he felt a burning sensation from inside his body. Out of his body came a bright white light covered in a bubble.

"Please don't. I'm sorry Tyrant. I was just following orders," Grimwald pleaded. "Blame Soa, he's the one that killed your father."

"But you killed my mother." Tyrant said angrily as the Ragna Blade formed quickly. "He will get his soul shattered also."

He spun the blade a couple of times before coming down with an overhead swing, cutting the bubble in half with a piercing light. Grimwald's eyes went pitch white as his mouth opened slightly.

"He's all your Murphy."

"A pleasure," she said hugging up on him before disappearing into a black hole.

Nightmare clapped his hands and whistled.

"Impressive. I knew the Dyrad's ability to convert the damage they receive to heal themselves was good, but that was amazing."

Tyrant didn't say anything as he landed back down and crossed his arms.

"Boy, you Dyrads really can't take a compliment. No matter," Nightmare said as he smiled. "Nothing will matter in the end."

*********

Far off in another realm, the gods of the stones watched on.

"I can't believe that bastard is out," Istar said angrily.

"We nearly got killed fighting him last time," Gannon said. "There's no way those guys can handle them."

"Let's go help them." Valz said.

"No, we stay here." Modeen said.

Everyone looked at him like he was crazy.

"Are you nuts Modeen? If we, the gods, had trouble, mortals wouldn't last one hit," Tenzen said.

Ruben looked at him as Modeen gave a small smile.

"I think that fight with Nightmare has knocked you loopy."

"How so?" Modeen asked.

"Because that's the same person that single handedly could've wiped us out."

"True, but only because of who he is. Mortals are not gods."

"That doesn't matter," Ginyu said. "They will still fail."

"Not all. Only one will be able to do what took all of us to do."

"And who is this superman? Certainly not Lord Soa." Ginyu said.

The vision they were watching switched to me.

"Now I know your crazy," Ruben said. "He may be guardian of earth, but superman he is not."

"I'll bet you the next guard duty for a millenium." Modeen said with a smile.

"Your on."

Modeen turned his attention back to the vision.

"You can do it Ultimus. Just believe and everything will come to you."

*********

My ears perked up as I looked behind me.

"What's wrong?" Crystal asked.

"I could've sworn I heard someone call my name."

"Now's not the time to be hearing things."

"You may have beaten Grimwald, but you will not beat me," Xander said.

He walked forward a little as Shadow growled.

"You broke Faleen's heart when you did what you did."

"Sorry, but serving a dog is not for me."

"You'll regret those words," Shadow snarled angrily.

"By who? You? Don't forget Shadow-mane, I know all your abilities. Without the power of the Dragon Star and Canis, you are just like your kids, weak and helpless."

I saw the rage in Shadow's eyes as his tail twitched angrily back and forth.

"And speaking of power, please give me what you owe me Lord Nightmare."

"What I owe you?" Nightmare said raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. You promised me I could be your right hand man, a demi god like Faleen."

Nightmare tapped his chin before snapping his fingers.

"Oh yes, now I remember that deal. Very well, kneel before me."

Xander knelt before Nightmare as he raised his hand. A black circle formed under Xander glowing dimly. Xander grunted as he felt untold power flow into him. The circle went brighter making him yell in pain. The circle stopped glowing as Xander knelt there breathing hard, glowing with a green arua.

"All set." Nightmare said.

Xander stood up slowly from what looked like a graceful bow before turning around to us.

"So this is what being a demi god is like. Remarkable." Xander said making a fist.

"No matter how much power you have, I'll still kill you," Shadow said.

Xander looked up at Shadow and gave a smile.

"Is that so? Well then, after I kill you, I'll take my time in punishing Faleen."

Shadow drew his swords as Xander started walking towards him. Xander didn't get far before he held his chest in pain.

"What..........is this?" he said breathing hard.

He let out a yell as his heart was pulled out of his body, still beating. Somehow he was still alive as he turned to Nightmare who stood there, arms crossed.

"My.......lord........what's happening.........to me?"

"Nothing," Nightmare said unfolding his arms as Xander's heart floated over and landed in his hand. "I'm just doing what I've been created to do, kill gods, and you are now a god."

"But why?"

"Because you disgust me quite frankly. An arrogant person like you deserves nothing."

Nightmare eyes flash dimly as Xander's heart started beating faster making him go to one knee.

"But........I did......everything......you asked of......me."

"And for that, you get the greatest gift, being killed by me."

His heart went faster before it exploded in flames, melting in Nightmare's hand. Xander's body went into flames also as he let out a yell of pain before dropping to the ground. The flames consumed his body melting him into ashes.

"Boy, am I glad he's dead," Nightmare said dusting his hands off. "Now that the secondaries are gone, how about we let the star have some fun."

********

Faleen had to contain herself from jumping for joy after watching what happened.

"Told you he would get what's coming to him." Canis said.

"True. Even though his death should have been at my hands," Faleen said with a toothy grin.

"Was he really that bad of a person?" Anna asked.

"No, he had his good qualities which is what drew me to him in the first place."

"So are you looking for anybody special in your life?" Jenna asked.

"Well, there is one person whom I've fallen for, but he's already taken." Faleen said with a wink towards Tasha.

Everybody turned their attention back to the situation at hand.

*********

Nightmare looked at us one by one with a smile.

"Now then, who wants to share center stage with me?"

"I'll share that stage." Shadow said walking up.

"I'll help you." I said.

"No, you stay here."

I looked at him confused as he looked at me.

"Why?" I asked

"I fight better alone. Besides deep down, I think you are the key to help seal him back in. Plus, Tasha would kill me if something happened to you."

I wanted to protest but he turned back around.

"Ultimus let him go. Shadow knows what he's doing." Skorp said.

Shadow cut the distance in half between him and Nightmare.

"So, the champion of Canis wants to share the spotlight?"

"Why not? I've always considered myself a leading man."

"Very well."

Nightmare snapped his finger as a pool of black liquid appeared in front of him. It started to bubble as an iron pole began to emerge from it. Nightmare grabbed the pole and pulled it out of the liquid revealing the large sharp blade at the end of it. The middle of the pole has a short chain on it with a small symbol of the grim reaper on it.

"Come champion of dogs, show me your power," Nightmare said spinning the halbred around.

"With pleasure," Shadow said spinning both swords in his hands before charging him.

Shadow leap into the air and came down hard as their weapons clashed with flashes of power from each block and parry. I was impressed that he was able to keep up with the speed of Nightmare. They came together with a clash as the struggled for advantage.

"I see the dog has taught you well." Nightmare said with a smile.

"Only the best for me."

"Then how about we up the ante then."

Nightmare twisted the pole causing it the extend from the small chain. Shadow was caught off guard giving Nightmare enough time to strike. He spun his weapon quickly cutting a hole in Shadow's shirt and giving him a small cut on his face before spinning his body and extending his left leg into his chest sending Shadow sliding on the ground.

"Not a bad toy huh?" Nightmare said putting it back together. "I got it from Sea Seprent Grotto. The locals didn't like it but who can let a fine weapon like this collect rust?"

Shadow got up with a growl and felt his chest, feeling a bit of blood but wasn't too bad. He felt the blood run down his face before he used the back of hand and wiped it off. I was able to see that cut instantly heal as well after words.

"I don't care what you do to my clothes, but when you cut the face my wife loves dear, I don't hold back."

"Interesting," Nightmare said spinning his weapon with one hand before holding it behind him. "Come show me."

Shadow grasped his swords tightly before charging him again. His attacks came from fiercer as he managed to push Nightmare back a little. They came to another stalemate as Nightmare twisted the pole again. This time Shadow was ready as he used on of his swords to wrap the chain around it. This caused the blade to circle around cut Nightmare's cheek making him recoil in surprise.

Shadow launched an attack of his own as he landed a kick jumping onto his chest. Using his own momentum, he did a back flip catching Nightmare under the chin lifting him in the air and landing hard on his back, his halberd landing with a clang on the ground besides him.

"Good enough for you?" Shadow said, keeping his defenses up.

Nightmare let out a laugh before back flipping up right.

"Impressive," he said rolling his neck around hearing some joints pop back into place. "Normally that kind of blow would kill a regular person. Luckily I'm not regular."

"So I noticed."

"But enough foreplay. Let us begin the action scene shall we?"

Nightmare glowed a dim brown as he smiled. His body blurred for a second before a copy of him walked from his body. That copy made another copy and so on until there were six of him.

"There can only be one star in this show," they all said together. "And that star is me."

Shadow looked to his left and right as he was surrounded.

"Sorry to be a downer, but sometimes even the stars get overlapped by the co-stars. Which is something I intend to do."

Every copy of Nightmare let out a laugh as the spun thier weapons around.

"We'll see who overlaps who."

They started to advance towards Shadow slowly, circling him like a vulture in the desert. I had to do something, anything to help so I started towards him. I didn't get two steps when Venom's sword stopped me.

"I have to do something to help." I said angrily.

"Our attacks will have no effects." Venom said. "We can't hurt him, not yet. That armor of his is protecting him from our attacks. He's found a way to defend against mortal attacks."

"The armor does that?" I said confused.

"Yes. That blow that Shadow landed should have incapacitated him and paralyzed him. His neck would've been broken by the sheer power."

"Does Shadow know?"

"I think he does now. Which is why we should let him do this. He might be able to shatter the armor he's got on."

I balled my fists angrily as I watched the Nightmare's advance closer to Shadow who stood there unmoving. His tail twitching back and forth as if it was watching his back. Then they went on the attack. Shadow ducked and parried the attacks very well. I watched as his body moved like it had a mind of his own, considering Nightmare hasn't even begun to get serious. Every time it seemed Nightmare had Shadow in a corner, Shadow would wiggle his way out of it without much damage.

"Impressive little moth," Nightmare said. I'm actually having fun."

"I aim to please."

"But now little moth, I must bid you farewell."

All of Nightmare's copies eyes glowed a dark black along with their bodies. I shivered as he felt his power grew little by little. Shadow stood strong as they went on the attack again, this time with more power and speed as I saw him trying to keep up. He managed to get a lucky hit on one of the them as it fell to the ground. He went for the killing blow when he felt something wrap around his right arm pulling him back.

"Curse you," Shadow snarled when he felt something wrap around his left arm.

Next came both his legs as a final chain got wrapped around his neck. All of the clones had him hogged tied and defenseless.

"You put up a good fight little moth," Nightmare said walking up. "But even you should know the star will always out shine the others."

He held up the pointed edge of the halbred to Shadow's chest before going down slowly.

"A shame that a warrior like yourself got hooked up with that guy. But nevertheless, I have a job to do."

Nightmare gave a smile as he watched Shadow to struggle to get free. Taking a couple of steps back, he pointed the halbred at him as the blade glowed a crimson yellow. I wanted to help him but Vemon held me back.

"He's going to die. Let me go."

"No he's not. Remember, he does have one final ace."

"Final ace?"

Venom nodded his head as I looked in horror as Nightmare brought his weapon up.

"Any last words warrior?"

"Yeah. Think you give me a shave also. I haven't had one in a while."

Nightmare then lunged the blade forward and then Shadow was gone as Nightmare's blade went into the clone behind where Shadow was. And then there was a flash of something white that ran into Nightmare's legs and knock him down, as I saw a nonmorphic white wolf just run away from him away from us and some good distance away.

The wolf stopped turned to look at Nightmare and then lifted on it's hindlegs, and turned back into Shadow. Who then tore the Dragon's star from his neck.

"Forgot I'm a shape shifter did you? Canis I ask you to trust me and grant me your power, it's the only way."

********

"Oh no, he wouldn't!" Faleen said fearfully as her ears laid back and tail moved between her legs.

Canis stood up lifted his arm up and said.

"My power you need, my avatar you shall become." he stated and snapped his fingers.

"CANIS!" Faleen yelled.

Everyone more or less burst into a panic asking questions and when none came they could only watch what unfolded.

********

I watched Shadow suddenly flare with a bright white light and when it faded his normal colors had been changed his fur was now pure silver, and his eyes shined like bright back lit sapphires. Then the star in his hand glowed bright white and then I heard Thief yell out.

"What's happening?

Everybody was glowing along with the Dragon Star except for me and Tyrant. Shadow opened his eyes slowly, locking onto Nightmare.

"It's my turn."

********

"What's going on Faleen?!" Sarah asked as her heart was in her throat.

"Shadow's channeling the divine power of Canis to transform him into a divinely empowered warrior of sort. He's also using the Dragon's Star to give even more strength and power. Added to the fact he is now drawing directly on the power stones. He's effectively become a lesser deity."

More or less everyone shouted out, "WHAT!?"

Faleen explained, "He can't handle that level of power, if Nightmare doesn't kill him, the power he's channeling sure as hell will."

**********

There was a blast of light around Shadow and once more he had changed, his power his strength was drawning on the stones. Shadow's fur was gone, in their place were golden scales. He had a pair of huge dragon like wings on his back, his entire body was a hybrid of dragon and wolf. The claws on his hands and feet had to be over a foot long.

Nightmare looked confused as to where this power came from all of a sudden. Then he saw the necklace around Shadow's neck as he smiled.

"Ah, the Dragon Star. Giving to only the true warrior of Canis. Holding fragments of the gods of the stones for passing their trials. You certainly have an impressive resume."

"I aim for the best."

All of Nightmare's clones glowed with power.

"Shall we start round two?"

"Indeed."

Shadow got circled again as they approached him slowly. One behind him struck first with a baseball swing. Shadow felt the wind behind him as he turned quickly and swung himself. The impact shattered Nightmare's halbred stunning him. Shadow reached over and grabbed his face with his massive hand and lifted him with ease, squeezing him.

"How does it feel?" Shadow said with an evil grin before slamming him into the ground, burying him.

"You little maggot. How dare you."

I watched the rest of the copies attack full force expect the original Nightmare who watched with interest as Shadow pretty much somehow overpowered them one by one. Once the dust was settled, Shadow stood tall as Nightmare's copies dissolved into thin air.

"So this is the power of the Dragon Star? I must say I'm impressed. But you are still no match for me."

"We'll see won't we."

Shadow took off towards Nightmare at great speed which caught him off guard as he barely had time to put his weapon up to block the oncoming attack.

"What is this?" Nightmare said to himself as he dodged and countered. "His speed and power has increased ten fold! But why is that?"

He dodged another attack that would've taken his head off as he took off into the air.

"The Dragon Star isn't suppose to give him this much power. Unless........."

He directed his attention on us as he saw everybody glowing making him smile as he realized what is happening.

"Of course, the stones are here giving him the extra power. But even his body can't sustain that power for long."

Nightmare smiled as he landed back down.

"All right champion, how about a draw? Each of us use out strongest attack when this coin falls to the ground."

"Very well."

Nightmare smiled as he tossed a coin that appeared in his hand into the air. Shadow looked calm as his body got covered in a ball of yellow light while Nightmare got covered in a black ball. The coin spun in the air lazily before falling to earth. As soon as it hit the ground both balls dashed towards each other. I could only watch before shielding my eyes as they connected with a bright flash of power. The light died down as I heard a thud of a body fall near us.

"Shadow," I shouted and ran over to him.

He had reverted back to his anthro form as he laid there. Dare I say this that when I saw him he looked, helpless.

"I underestimated your strength," Nightmare said with a touch of anger as he tossed the broken halbred on the ground. "You managed to break my good weapon."

"That's not the only thing I broke," Shadow said with a smile. "Your armor, I diced it like an onion."

And in that instant we watched as the black onyx armor split and shattered falling away in shreds.

"I can see why Canis choose you."

Shadow looked at me with a smile.

"Now's your chance. Strike him hard and fast to weaken him enough so Faleen can seal him back in."

"But what about you?"

"My body won't be able to move for a while. This is the draw back of using the Dragon Star."

I gritted my tetth. I didn't want to leave him here. Then I remembered something as I turned to see Mystina still here.

"Mystina, come here."

She looked confused but hurried over.

"Take Shadow back home."

"How can you trust me after all I've done?"

I looked her straight in the eyes as she saw my anger making her shudder a little.

"Because you don't want my wrath as well as his mate on you."

She smiled softly and nodded her head.

"Lezard, help me."

"Of course."

He hurried over and put Shadow's left arm around his neck and lifted him up carefully. Mystina drew a circle in the air as Shadow's house came into view. I watched them enter as the portal closed with a bang. I gritted my teeth angrily. Everyone was always getting hurt trying to protect their loved ones. My fist were balled tightly as my hair showed streaks of blue lighting. Nightmare raised an eyebrow as he felt my power grow rapidly.

"I don't care what it takes. But mark my words, I will seal you back where you belong."

********

Mystina opened Shadow's door and walked in followed by Lezard who held Shadow up.

"Shadow," Sarah cried and hugged him tight.

He couldn't even move his arms as he nuzzled her neck softly. Lezard helped him into the living room where he sat him down on the couch.

"I warned you what would happen being so close to the parent stones." Faleen said.

"You know me," Shadow said with a weak smile.

"And what shall we do with these two?" Faleen said looking at Mystina and Lezard.

They both looked at each other with a worried look.

"How about working for me?" Canis said.

This shocked them a little as he smiled.

"Your skills as a thief and spy could prove valuable to me. And as for you Mystina, Faleen could always use a good wizard."

"What is we refuse?" Mystina said.

"Then you will both be charged for treason for attacks on the chruch as well as kidnapping." Faleen said.

Lezard let out a laugh before shaking his head.

"Seems we have no choice," he said raising his hands in defeat. "But if you need my services, you shall have them my lord." he said with a bow.

"As well as mine," Mystina said bowing too.

"Excellent," Canis said with a smile.

Shadow let out a chuckle before turning to the mirror.

"Its all up to you now Ultimus. I've done all I can to help you."

********

Whatever scared feelings I had vanished when Shadow left. Maybe it was his courage of not backing down even in the darkest time. I didn't care if he was a godslayer. I was going to seal him back, even if it killed me.

"I sense your anger towards me guardian. Did I do something wrong?" Nightmare said nonchalant.

Every word that Nightmare said just fueled my anger even more as my hair went larger and turned blue along with my eyes.

"You know damn well what you are doing."

"I'm only doing what I was created to do. If you want to blame anybody, blame the gods."

"You kept killing to satisfy your needs."

"True." Nightmare said with a smile. "But with all this power, how can I not?"

I gave a growl at his arrogence. Nightmare took a stance before pointing at me.

"All the power you have, don't think the thought hasn't crossed your mind?"

"Not even once."

Nightmare's smiled turned into a scowl as his eyes narrowed.

"Then let me show you how good power can feel."

I gave a growl and flew towards him. I threw my fist at him which he blocked easily causing a flash of power. He countered with an attack of his own which I blocked as we went at it. The ground shook violently as we exchanged blow for blow.

"Wow, I've never seen Ultimus this mad," Greywolf said trying to keep his balance.

"We should help him," Tiger added.

"Wait," Skorp said.

"Why?" Tiger said.

"Let him fight for a while."

They looked confused but nodded their heads. Everything was surprisingly pretty balanced until Nightmare got the first strike in. He saw an opening and drove his knee into my stomach stunning me before striking me hard sending me into a nearby cliff wall. I shook my head and recovered in time to see Nightmare coming towards me. I ducked quickly as his fist shattered the cliff with ease. In that spilt second, I balanced myself with on one hand and delivered a straight kick to his stomach sending him flying backwards. I followed up with a large beam of power that trailed after him. Nightmare back

flipped before sliding to steady himself. He looked up in to see my attack as he put out both hands. It connected hard pushing him back some but he held his ground.

"Not bad guardian. But if this is all you got, then this game is over."

He reared back and struck my attack sending it rocketing back to me. I put up a barrier as it exploded covering me in dust. I had my eyes closed as I coughed. When I opened them, I saw a black ball of raw power inches from my face. Nightmare smiled before the ball exploded sending me flying into another cliff wall, smoke coming from my body.

"You still have much to learn guardian. Too bad I'm not going to be your teacher."

Nightmare pointed his finger at me as a small ball of red light appeared and grew to the size of a tennis ball.

"Goodbye guardian."

An intense beam shot from the ball coming at me full speed. I didn't even see it coming as my mind was still reeling from that earlier impact. My eyes managed to adjust enough as I saw it coming.

"Shit. Not enough time to put up a barrier," I said to myself.

All I could do was watch as it came closer. Before it connected, a blur appeared before me and deflected the attack, sending it off in the horizon.

"Well this is a surprise," Nightmare said at the person in front of me.

I recognized the person which sent confusion on my part.

"Tyrant?"

"Don't get the wrong idea," he said turning his head slightly. "If anybody is going to kill you, it'll be me. And nobody's going to do it for me."

I let out a chuckle before getting off the wall.

"So I guess we have a common enemy then?" I said standing next to him.

"Everyone is my enemy."

"Guess I should say thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. Killing you is the only thanks I want. But he stands in the way of that."

"I take it this is a temporary truce?"

"Very temporary."

Nightmare looked at us as he crossed his arms.

"What an interesting combo. The last of the Dyrads teaming up with the guardian of earth. Very well, I will fight at your level of power."

We took a stance as we glowed with power. Nightmare took a stance too with a smile.

*********

Everyone looked shocked as they watched me and Tyrant take on Nightmare.

"How can Ultimus trust him? He might turn on him," my mom said.

"Given the present situation, they have no choice." Shadow said.

"But even still, this is the person that tried to kill us all." Anna said.

"Maybe this is a way to redeem himself," Faleen added.

"You can do it Ultimus. I know you can," Tasha said to herself holding the angel charms.

*********

I took another vicious blow to the face making me slide backwards before Nightmare grabbed my neck and lifted me with ease. My left eyebrow had a cut on it as blood went into my eye.

"Christ, even with the Light stone I can't touch him," I said to myself as I tried to break his grip on my neck with no luck.

"A shame. You would think since I'm fighting at your level of power you would pose a challenge." Nightmare said as his eyes flashed making his grip tighten causing me to gag.

He let a smile on his face before he felt a presence above him. He disappeared just as Tyrant came down where he was standing with his fist as he made a hole where Nightmare was standing.

"Too slow Dyrad," Nightmare said reappearing behind him and kicking him into a nearby dead tree face first.

Tyrant hit the ground dazed as Nightmare walked over and grabbed his right leg.

"Prepare to join your family."

He lifted Tyrant with ease as he swung him like an axe into the tree. Each hit was followed by a grunt as blood started to come from Tyrant's mouth. Nightmare gave one final swing breaking the tree half as Tyrant yelled in pain. Nightmare dropped him face first on the ground before kneeling down and lifting him up by the hair.

"Look at you Tyrant. How can a person of your caliber hope to defeat me?" he said in his ear. "I don't think your Dyrad abilities can help you with as much damage I inflicted on you."

Tyrant coughed up blood before turning his eyes to him.

"Don't mock what you cannot understand."

"Oh I understand. I understand you will die by my hands."

Nightmare let out a laugh before tossing him up in the air easily. He began to glow a dark red as he made a circle in the air.

"Be gone maggot, "Meltdown Flare"."

An intense fire like beam fired from the circle towards Tyrant who wasn't moving in the air.

"Tyrant!" I said getting up and flying towards him quickly.

I managed to get to him quickly but didn't have time to do anything else as Nightmare's attack hit me dead on. I let out a yell of pain as the attack covered in red fire and sending me screaming into the distance before exploding into a mountian causing a light show in the sky.

"ULTIMUS!!" everyone shouted as they saw the cloud of smoke in the horizon.

Nightmare laughed before clapping his hands.

"What a wonderful light show. A shame I didn't bring my camera."

Everyone was speechless as the smoke started to fade away.

"You............monster," my dad said angrily breathing hard as he glowed.

Nightmare turned around with a smile.

"A monster you say? I am more then a feeble monster. I am the godslayer," he said as an evil aura rose from his body creating a human skull above him. "And its now time to show you why I am the godslayer by destroying each and everyone of you. I'm going to give you all my power."

Nightmare's eyes flashed as the sky got dark. Lighting struck the ground around him as his power kept rising with no signs of stopping.

"This is it everyone," Crystal said glowing with a green tint. "This will be our ultimate battle. If we lose this battle, the world along with every galaxy will be destroyed. We may die here but I'll tell you this, I'm not dying til I give him hell."

Everybody nodded their heads in agreement as they glowed and took a stance.

"Come at me. I will show you the monster you so claim I am," Nightmare said angrily.

*********

"He's at full power Modeen. We have to go now and help them." Tenzen said.

Modeen stood there, arms crossed as he watched Nightmare literally bulldoze his way through them one by one.

"Are you even listening?" Istar said.

Modeen closed his eyes before looking at him.

"Tell me something Istar, what good would it do to go down there now that he's at full power?"

"Helping them live a little longer is a lot better then watching them get slaughtered," Gannon added.

"And what happens after we help them? He'll turn around and wipe us out for real this time. We don't have the help of Faleen and Canis this time."

"So your saying just let them die?" Valz asked.

Modeen didn't say anything as he turned back to the vision.

"All of their divine genes have been awakened by the Dragon Star. We will wait and help them when the time is right, no sooner."

*********

"Weak, you're all so weak," Nightmare said laughing madly as he had his foot on Skorp's chest.

He bent down and grabbed him by the throat lifting him up.

"The great tactician Lubrid Skorptine. A shame I have to kill such a talented genius like yourself."

Skorp coughed weakly before chuckling.

"Guess I can die happy having gotten a compliment from you."

Nightmare smiled as he raised his hand, a black ball forming in it as he pointed it right at his face. Skorp closed his eyes, his mind thinking about Luna. Before his life could end, gunshots were heard as they got absorbed by Nightmare's powerful aura.

"Are you trying to insult me with such futile attacks?" Nightmare said turning his head to Theft.

Theft dropped the empty gun on the floor and let out a grunt as his ribs were badly bruised.

"No, it was to get your attention."

Nightmare looked at him before tossing Skorp like a doll.

"Well you have it. What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to pull out all my bag of tricks."

"Really? Then show me."

Nightmare started towards Theft who reached behind his back and pulled out two Uzi's which glowed a bright yellow.

"Hope I remember how to do this?" Theft said to himself. "Havent used this in a while."

Crossing the guns, he started firing, shell casings flying to the ground. Nightmare stopped and looked confused.

"All that and you missed?"

"Actually, I never started. Take a look."

Raising an eyebrow, Nightmare looked around him. All around him were shining balls of lights. There had to be at least a hundred of them all shining a different color.

"Interesting."

"It gets better," Theft said with a smile.

He pulled out two 9mm's and took aim. He fired a shot at one of the glowing balls. It ricocheted around before grazing Nightmare's right shoulder. This shocked him as he reached over and felt the little bit of blood from the graze.

"This is my "Ricochet shot". Taste the full effect."

After he said that, he started firing non stop. Each ball of light shined brightly as they got hit making it look like an orcestra. Once one of his guns went empty, he would pull out another one until there were almost six empty of them on the ground.

"Time to finish this," Theft said angrily as he felt a huge mass of power surge from inside him as the stone of Reality appeared in his chest and glowed. "Reality stone, Plasma Storm"."

He pulled out the gun Shadow gave him as it glowed a dark yellow. He fired four shots that expanded to baskteball size and made a square around the dome of glowing balls which solidfied around Nightmare. The balls glowed with power before firing a beam into the dome making it glow red. Aiming the gun, he fired one more shot right into the middle

of the dome causing an explosion followed by lighting as the ground shook. The smoke started to clear as Theft stood ready knowing it would take more then that.

"The desendant of Valz. I can see the resemblance in your eyes," Nightmare said walking through the smoke.

His clothes had holes in it from all the shots fired. With a flash of light his clothes went back to normal.

"I must say you caught me off guard with that. But in the end, your attacks felt like a nice massage. Now that you had your fun, its my turn."

Nightmare took one step forward and appeared right in front of Theft who looked shocked and gagged as his throat was grabbed. With an evil smile, Nightmare drove his fist into Theft making him yell.

"Oh, such lovely music to my ears. Let me hear more," Nightmare laughed as he proceeded to pummel Theft.

"Come on, we have to help him," Tiger said.

Everybody ran towards him making Nightmare smile as he held his hand out towards them creating a barrier.

"Patience my little lambs. You will all get your turn. Right now, I'm going to finish this one. Are you ready to die?"

Theft could only cough up blood as his insides felt like liquid. Nightmare tossed him in the air before drawing a circle with his finger. A black bubble enclosed Theft as it floated in the air.

"Sleep forever, "Eternal Darkness"."

Black waves of power started to converge on the bubble making it bigger. When it hit the right size, Nightmare pulled out a needle and smiled.

"You might want to cover your ears."

With a flick of his fingers, the pin flew upwards and struck the bubble causing a deafening explosion. Theft was propelled in the air before landing with a thud, blood coming out his mouth as he laid unmoving.

"Theft!" Xellos yelled and hurried to him.

The Reality stone that was glowing brightly before was a mere dim as the light started to fade. Xellos felt his neck as no pulse was felt. Lowering his head, he used his fingers to close his eyes.

"He's dead."

Everyone had their heads down except Venom who stared at Theft's lifeless body.

"He was my best friend." Venom said angrily, his body started to glow with an orange tint.

They all felt his power level rocket up as the stone of Power appearead in chest.

"I'll never be able to make fun of him or hear his laugh. And its all your fault," he said with a snarl as Nightmare smiled.

"Friends are for the weak. Power is for the strong."

Venom balled his fists tightly as smoke came from his nose.

"You want power? I'll give you all you want."

He took off like a shot towards Nightmare who was surprised at his speed. Before he could react, Venom reared back and struck him hard in the face sending him flying into a nearby cliff making a hole inside of it. Venom was quick to follow as all you could hear was a bang of power that sounded like thunder as the cliff shook. Another loud bang was heard as Nightmare was sent spinning in the air. He righted himself before staring evilly at Venom.

"Desendant of Istar I see. Even though you did the one thing he couldn't do, make me bleed," he said spitting out blood. "But just like Istar, you will fail."

"I may fail, but I'll make damn sure you will feel pain."

"Really? I have never felt pain before. Please show me. I'm anxious to feel it."

Venom brought his sword out and crossed his arms over his chest. The Power stone glowed a bright orange covering him in an orange flame. The flame covered his wings and extended outwards making them look bigger. He locked gazes with Nightmare who stood waiting.

"Your mine," Venom snarled and launched himself towards Nightmare.

A trail of fire was left behind as he sped towards him. Venom came at him, his sword blazing as he came down with an overhead swing. Nightmare raised his hands and caught it inches from his face.

"Interesting," Nightmare said as he saw smoke coming from his hands.

Venom added more power as Nightmare felt the heat near his face. With a strong push, Nightmare pushed Venom back and followed it with a strong blow to the stomach. Venom let out a grunt but recovered quickly and using his tail, wrapped it around his neck.

"Do you think you have the advantage?" Nightmare said with a smile. "Then you better play your cards right."

Nightmare grabbed his tail and with a strong movement, broke Venom's tail in three places. Venom let out a roar of pain before being struck to the ground with a bang.

"Guess it pays not to have a tail to worry about," Nightmare said laughing.

Venom got to one knee, tears in his eyes from the pain as he wiped them away.

"Just like Istar, I'll give you one free shot. Make it count dragon."

Venom got up with a growl and looked at Nightmare. The orange flame covered his body again as he prepared himself.

"Fine. That's all I'll need."

He crossed his arms as the flame got bigger. Holding his sword up, the flame travelled to it as it burned brightly. Letting out a yell, he drove his sword into the ground creating a fissure around him as the cracks filled with the orange flame before exploding into the sky in a huge funnel around him. The funnel started to take shape as a dragon's head appeared with two blazing orange and arms.

"What is this?" Nightmare said.

The dragon let out a roar before it grabbed Nightmare in a strong hold, the fire beginning to burn his body.

"It's over for you," Venom said as he brought his sword from the ground. "Power stone, Ifrit's Caress"."

The dragon let out a roar as it glowed white before bringing Nightmare to its mouth and swallowing him in its funnel like body. Venom took off upwards in the funnel, the fire wings on his body glowing white along with his sword. Nightmare felt the fire all around him as he couldn't move his body.

"Die," Venom shouted as he swung sword causing the funnel to explode in a ball of white fire.

The fire died down as everybody watched Nightmare's body fall to the ground with a bang.

"Did he do it?" Xellos asked.

Venom looked down from the sky at the hole Nightmare made.

"That was a direct hit. There's no way he could survive along with that heat."

A black light shot up from the hole as Nightmare floated up from it. He landed on the ground before turning to look at Venom, intense hatred in his eyes along with a gash in his chest.

"Congratulations dragon. You are now going to die a very painful death."

Before Venom could response he let out a yell of pain as Nightmare drove his knee into his before striking him down to the ground hard. Venom couldn't recover as Nightmare drove his knee into his spine making him yell as Nightmare used his back as a trampoline.

"Little maggot," Nightmare snarled bending down and grabbing Venom's sword. "You want to see your friend so bad, then join him."

With that said, he drove his sword into Venom's back. Venom let out a yelp as he felt Nightmare push it deeper and twist.

"Looks like I'll be joining you after all Strider."

Venom's eyes closed slowly as his heart stopped beating and laid motionless. Nightmare let out a grunt before spitting on him.

"Who's going to die now?" he said in anger.

*********

"Venom, no," Anna said sadly starting to cry.

"There has to be something you can do?" Jenna said looking at Faleen.

Faleen shook her head no sadly.

"There is nothing I can do. My powers as I said before will not work on him."

"So we just stay here and watch them die?" my mom said.

"He has to be weakened enough for Faleen to do anything," Shadow said. "I know its tough to sit here and do nothing. Hell, its tearing me up that I can't do anything."

Tasha looked on watching Nightmare stand tall over Venom's body.

"Where is Ultmius?"

"Good question," Faleen said.

She flicked her wrist as the vision turned to a massive pile of rock that use to be a mountain.

"Looks like he's under all that along with Tyrant."

"Is he alive?"

"I couldn't tell you that answer. He took a pretty powerful attack head on to protect Tyrant."

Tasha looked at the rubble, the charms in her hand she held close to her heart.

"Come on Ultimus. Everyone is counting on you."

*********

Skorp held his head down until he felt two powers besides him. Looking up, he saw the stones of Time and Space appear in Greywolf and Tiger's body.

"Wait a minute. You two aren't......"

They both looked at Skorp with a smile.

"Thank you for everything master Skorp," they both said.

"Wait you two, don't do this."

"Skorp," Crystal said touching his shoulder. "Let them go. They are no longer students."

Tiger and Greywolf smiled at Crystal before turning their attention to Nightmare and walk slowly towards him.

"You ready bro?" Tiger asked.

"More then ready."

"This could be our last battle together."

"Then I suggest we go out with a bang," Greywolf said with a smile.

"There's only one thing I regret."

"What's that?"

Tiger closed his eyes, a picture of Jenna appeared in all her beauty.

"I won't be there to hold my first born."

He opened his eyes and locked them on Nightmare.

"But I know this much. As long as he is free, my kids have no future."

"I agree. So lets do what we do best."

"You said it."

Nightmare looked on curiously as they both fused into one.

"Interesting. I've never seen fusion before."

"Then we'll make sure we don't disappoint you."

The Time stone glowed brightly covering their body in a greenish tint. Taking one step, they vanished before striking Nightmare hard making him stagger. Their body was a blur as they struck him rapidly.

"How is he moving so fast?" Nightmare said to himself.

He felt a presence behind him as he turned quickly and stopped their attack inches from his chest. He gave a small as he saw the ying-yang shape the stones took.

"Ah yes, the desendents of Gannon and Ginyu. I should've known."

The brother's went for a jumping spin kick which Nightmare read as he grabbed their leg and slammed them into the ground. They managed to roll out of the way from a stomp to the head as they regained themselves.

"Fusion is truely interesting. Two people sharing one body. I wonder if they share the same pain?"

They didn't respond as Dragonstorm appeared besides them. Nightmare was surprised again as he rubbed his chin.

"The sword of the great dragon god Behemoth. Do you think it'll work on me?"

"Doesn't hurt to try," they said as the sword glowed blue. "Ice Wave"."

They made a veritcal slash in the air as a tusami like wave of ice surged towards Nightmare.

"Child's play," Nightmare said as he used one finger and drawing a vertical line himself, cut their attack in half.

The wave came crashing down causing a blanket of mist to rise up and cover him.

"Trying to blend in huh? How corny can you get?"

He felt a presence a few meters to the left as he fired a ball of energy causing an explosion.

"Too far," a voice echoed out.

Nightmare eyes narrowed angrily as he fired again and again with no luck.

"I'm really going to enjoy killing you."

Nightmare looked around til he felt a pulling sensation above him. Looking up, he noticed a black hole above him that was pulling him. The pulling got stronger as he knelt down to keep from getting pulled up. Soon the pulling got too strong as he got sucked into the hole. Opening his eyes, he looked around as he saw the planets all around him.

"What sort of illusion is this?"

He looked over as he saw the fused form of Tiger and Greywolf by the sun.

"You are the root of all evil. As long as you are free in this world, no one is safe."

"Are what are you going to do about it?"

"What we can do."

Nightmare smiled evilly before something slammed hard into making him lurch forward. Turning around he saw hundreds of meteorites aiming for him.

"Prepare to feel the wrath of the heavens."

Nightmare stood ready as he flew towards the oncoming barrage and started to break the meteorites left and right. He felt a presence above him as he looked up in time to see a wave power coming at him full speed. He didn't have time to put up a barrier as it connected hard and sent him flying towards the sun as he disappeared in its body.

"Time to finish this," the brothers said as the stones glowed. "Time and space stone, Blackhole Supernova"."

All the planets seemed to get drawned into the sun as it turned into a worm hole sucking everything into it. The hole seemed to shake as it got bigger before it closed and exploded sending Nightmare flying to the ground in a heap of smoke.

"All right, enough fun and games," Nightmare said angrily as he stood up. A cut was on his left eyebrow as a thin trail of blood came down. "You may be their descendant, but I'm not going to let this game continue. The game ends here, "Hyper Grab"."

A strong barrier converged on the brothers as their body got constricted tightly.

"Dammit.......can't move."

Nightmare smiled as four dark flames appeared around them. With a snap of his fingers, they exploded causing a huge dark flare in the sky.

"Tiger!! Greywolf!" Skorp shouted as he watched them fall to the ground.

"I guess they do share the same damage," Nightmare said laughing.

Smoke rose from their bodies as Tiger tried to get up but couldn't. Whatever attack Nightmare hit them with took their strength.

"Greywolf, you ok?"

"I....don't know. I can't feel anything."

Nightmare floated in the air as he looked down on the beaten wolves.

"Time to put the doggies to sleep forever."

He cupped his hands to his side as a purple ball of fire appeared.

"You doggies had a lot of tricks. But its time to put you down, "Dark Nova"."

Pushing his hands forward a giant wave of power shot forth with great speed and power behind it. Both brothers look on helplessly, waiting for the end. It connected with a deafening boom as a dome of white covered them along with smoke. Nightmare waited for the smoke to clear to see his handy work. When the smoke cleared, he was shocked at the scene.

"Humph, who would've thought you would do something like that."

The brother's opened their eyes to see Skorp standing in front of them, a barrier protecting them as he took the full blast.

"Ma....master Skorp," Tiger said.

Skorp smiled a weak smile before blood came out his mouth and dropped to the ground.

"Master Skorp!" Greywolf whined as he crawled over along with Tiger. "Why master?"

Skorp closed his eyes as he chuckled.

"Because you......two are like......the sons....I never had."

"That attack was meant for us, not you," Tiger said.

Skorp raised his hand weakly as they both took it.

"You two.........are the.........best things........that ever could.........happen to me. I never........said this before...........but I........love you two.......like you were.......mine own."

"Master Skorp," they both whined, tears streaming down their face.

They felt his grip go weak as he chest stopped moving. They both let out a howl of grief and despair as they cried over his body.

"A teacher protects his students to the end. Well, I guess I can say I have some respect for that." Nightmare said with a smirk.

Crystal was in tears as he went to both knees and hit the ground.

"Dammit, not Skorp."

"What do we do?" Xellos said holding his broken arm.

"We can't win. There is nothing we can do. Its over."

*********

Istar balled his fists tightly in anger.

"I've had enough. I'm going down there."

He snapped his fingers as a portal appeared.

"Wait," Modeen said.

"I'm sick of waiting Modeen. He's picking them off one by one while we sit here with a thumb up our asses. Once he kills them you can bet your ass he'll be gunning for us next. Well I'm not going to wait for him to come. I'm going down there."

"No your not. Not without all of us."

This took him by surprise as with everybody else.

"Decided to grow a pair huh?" Tenzen said.

"No. I'm just doing what is right in my eyes. We can't beat him, you all know that. So we stall him."

"Why stall him?" Ginyu asked.

"To give me and Ruben enough time."

"Enough time for what?" Valz added.

"You'll see. Come on, let's go."

*********

Canis looked on as his light of hope was slowly fading.

"We have to do something. I'm going to help," Rose said.

"Rose, that's not a good idea." Faleen said. "You're better here then there."

"Its not going to matter where we are. He's going to find us, and when he does............."

She couldn't finish as tears filled her eyes. Luna walked over and held her close as she cried.

"Dammit. I wish I could be there." Shadow said.

"You've done your job Shadow-mane. The rest is up to the chosen one."

"But what if he fails?"

Canis held his head down, eyes closed.

"Then life as we know it wil end."

*********

"You know something? This is probably the most fun I've had in a millenium," Nightmare laughed.

He looked down to see Crystal and Xellos with their heads down.

"Are we giving up? I was just starting to enjoy myself too."

Crystal let out a sigh of defeat before standing up.

"I'm sorry to get you involved in all of this."

"What are you talkikng about? I choose this path myself just like my son."

"Thank you for all your hard work."

Nightmare shook his head in disgust."

"So sad. The great Lord Soa admitting defeat. I never thought the hero of the War of the Gods would be this......pathetic."

He held out his hand as a red ball appeared.

"You disgust me to call yourself a lord of anything. But seeing how your ready to die, I shouldn't keep you waiting."

"Meteor Strike"."

Nightmare was taken by surprise as he turned to see a huge chunk of rock come falling from the sky at full speed towards him.

"What is....."

He couldn't finish as it struck him hard sending both him and the meteor down to the ground with an explosion. Crystal and Xellos covered their eyes from the light as it died down.

"Giving up is not like you Lord Soa."

Crystal looked to his right as his eyes went wide.

"Mas....Master Ginyu," Crystal said going to one knee.

"Crystal, are they who I think they are?" Xellos said.

"You would be correct Xellos," Istar said.

"My lords, what brings you here?" Crystal asked standing up.

Before anybody could answer, they felt a massive power as the ground shook. With a yell of anger Nightmare erupted from the rubble sending debris everywhere. He looked at the new comers with extreme hatred in his eyes.

"You.........," he growled, black waves of power flowing from his body.

"To answer your question Soa, we've come for a little payback," Valz said.

"It seems I wasn't thorough enough to kill you last time. This time I'll make sure the job is done." Nightmare yelled, black streaks of lighting striking the ground around him.

Everybody took a stance as they glowed with power.

"Whatever Modeen is planning, he better do it quick." Istar said to himself.

*********

Canis looked shocked at the scene as well as Faleen.

"What are they doing?" Faleen asked.

Canis thought about it but nothing came to mind.

"I guess they are redeeming themselves."

"Aren't you going to help them?" Jenna asked.

"Not this time," Canis said shaking his head. "I think they are there for a reason. Whatever reason they have for being there, its best not to interfer."

*********

I gave another push as the pile of rocks covering my body finally gave way as the red sun loomed overhead. My body let out screams of pain at every movement I did as I managed to get to my hands and knees. Blood covered my entire body as it dripped off my chin.

"Shit, I don't know have anything left after that attack."

I looked over to see another rock pile as Tyrant appeared from under it. The right side of his face was drenched in blood as he sat up weakly before blood slowly came out his mouth.

"You okay?" I asked.

"What the fuck do you think?" he said angrily.

I tried to get up but my body said no way as I rolled on my back looking up at the sky.

"How the hell do you even try to match up to him?"

"I could've taken him if you didn't interfer."

"Get real. He was fighting at our level and we couldn't even touch him."

Tyrant let out a growl as he balled his fists.

"There has to be a way to at least stand up to him."

"There is Ultimus."

I sat up quickly despite my injuries expecting a fight. My eyes went wide at who was before me.

"Modeen?!" I said shocked and confused. "What are you doing here?"

"Giving you the chance you need."

He knelt down in front of me with a smile.

"Looks like he did a number on you."

"You ain't kidding," I said with a small smile. "You said something about a chance. What do you mean?"

"Individually, you two aren't strong enough to compete with him."

"Tell us something we don't know idiot," Tyrant snapped.

"But if you two were to fuse together, you might have enough to weaken him."

I thought about it as Tyrant snorted.

"No way in hell will I fuse with him. I'd rather die."

"You may get your wish if you don't do this," Ruben added.

"You expect me to fuse with a person like this?" Tyrant said standing up. "This guy lets his emotions control him. A true warrior fights with no remorse."

I gave a growl as I stood up.

"Modeen is right. Together, we stand a better chance."

"Forget it. I won't do it."

"Stop being selfish and think about other people for once."

"Why? Nobody cares if I live or die."

"Your wrong."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, cause I care."

Tyrant looked at me before laughing wildly.

"Get real. You hate me as much as I hate you."

"That may be ture, but these last twenty two years I had with you proved something."

"Like what?"

"Everybody can change."

He gave me an evil look before turning his back.

"I'm sorry about your family and your people. But if we don't work together, then everybody's going to die."

"Good."

"Don't you see, he's the cause of everything's that happening. He's the reason Grimwald killed your parents. He's the reason everybody I love is getting hurt. I know I'm not a true warrior and never claimed to be one. But I'm fighting to protect the ones I love. You may not have anybody to protect, but that doesn't mean you can't help. So I'm asking you, no, I'm begging you, help me protect my family."

Tyrant was quiet as his back was still turned.

"Also look at it this way," I said with a smile. "If he kills me, you won't get the chance to do it and neither will I. We have unfinished buisness but that won't happen if we're both dead. Plus, you owe it to your family as a Dryad warrior to take revenge on the true killer."

It was quiet for a minute before Tyrant chuckled and turned to face me.

"For once human, you are right."

He walked up to me and looked me dead in the eyes.

"Like I said before, this is a temp truce until we take care of him. Once he's down, it'll be you and me."

"Agreed." I said holding my hand out.

He looked at my hand then at me before shaking it. Modeen smiled as he walked up.

"Are you two prepared?"

"We are."

"Good. Ruben, if you please."

Ruben walked over and opened his hand as the Chaos stone appeared.

"Take this Tyrant."

Tyrant grabbed it as he felt the power coming from it as he disappeared and attached itself to his chest.

"Now then, both of you synchronize your powers."

We nodded our heads as we started to charge our powers. We were still beat up but we did what we could as our bodies glowed.

"Good. Since you two took a lot of damage, I don't know how long you will be able to keep the fusion form. So your going to have to beat him hard and fast."

"Understood."

Modeen nodded his head as he held his hands out. We each felt a pull as he slowly merged us together. A flash of light followed as out bodies fused together. It felt weird as I could hear everything Tyrant was thinking and him probably the same thing.

"Perfect." Modeen said as he saw the ying yang shape the stones took created. "Now then, remember, fast and hard."

"With pleasure," our voices echoed.

*********

Nightmare let out a yell as he slammed Valz head into the ground, dragging him ruthlessly and tossing him into a tree.

"I've had it with all of you," he said losing his sanity.

He felt a presence behind him as Istar came flying at him. He met him halfway delivering a vicious clothsline.

"You want to die so badly Istar?" Nightmare said grabbing his leg. "Then I'll help you."

He lifted him up with ease as he slammed him into the ground over and over. Feeling another presence, he used Istar's body as a baseball and swung hard as he struck Gannon sending them flying into the air.

"Die." he snarled throwing a black ball of pure power at them as it exploded sending them to the ground.

He felt two more powers coming closer. Turning around he saw Crystal and Tenzen circling him at high speed, each going a different direction.

"Nothing you do can hurt me. I am immortal."

They circled him fasted causing a green funnel to come down from the sky. Nightmare felt the air pressure drop as gravity seemed to disappeared causing him to get pulled up the swirling vortex.

"Soa, do it," Tenzen said.

"Right with you."

They both drew their sword before striking it causing it to explode in a green light.

"Not good enough," Nightmare yelled as he exploded from the light, striking them both to the ground hard. "This will finish off you roaches."

He held his hand up as a purple ball appeared. Pointing at them, the ball descended at rapid speed, striking the ground making it shake before it exploded.

"Tenzen," Istar said covering his eyes.

Nightmare was laughing madly as the smoke cleared. His laughing stopped as he saw a dome of red where the impact was.

"What is this? Nothing should have survived that."

The dome receded as our fused form stood over Tenzen and Crystal's body.

"Who the hell are you?" Nightmare snapped before noticing the stones. "Impossible. Don't tell me........"

"We are neither Ultimus or Tyrant. We are the tool that will stop you."

"Stop me? Hahahahahaha. You may be fused together, but you are no where near my league."

"Let's find out," we said with a smile.

*********

Canis let out a laugh at what he saw.

"Who would've imagined those two would fuse together."

"Is that Ultimus and Tyrant?" Luna said shocked.

"Yep. That's them."

Our hair was a deep shade of red while our eyes were blue. Black fur covered our body as white silver fur covered our chest where the stones glowed brightly.

"They look.........scary," Jenna said.

"Scary or not, those two just may pull it off," Shadow said.

"I'll go get the wizards in place. Mystina, you come too," Faleen said getting up.

"Of course."

*********

"Very well then, let's see how good you really are. I'll even give you the first hit."

"If you insist."

We moved so fast you couldn't sense out presence as we connected with a knee to Nightmare's midsection making his mouth open in surprise before he got sent to the ground with a double axe to the back. He slid on the ground leaving a trail before stopping.

"You get what you asked for." we said.

Nightmare got to his feet before looking at us. The vision in his left eye turned red as blood went into it.

"I'll wipe you off the face of the earth," Nightmare growled before taking off towards us.

We stood still as an enraged Nightmare sped towards us and started swinging wildly. Each punch and kick we avoided easily before grabbing his arm and driving an elbow to his ribs. He let out a grunt as we followed with a headbutt straight to the nose stagging him. He recovered to see a hand in his face with a bright shining ball. A smile appeared on our face before it exploded sending him to the ground in smoke. Nightmare got to one knee as everybody saw him cover his mouth as bood leaked out.

"I can't be hulimated like this," Nightmare said angrily to himself. "Both of their bodies were pretty much unuseable so how can they match up against me, even at full?"

He looked up at us and studied our face as he saw the one thing that made him smile, a tiny bead of sweat.

Nightmare laughed as he stood up which caught off us guard.

"Now I understand. Very clever. How about we try this again?"

"Your move."

Nightmare smiled as he looked to his left at the mountain in the distance. He held his hand out as a long black whip appeared. With a snap, it flew towards the mountain snapping around it. With a grunt and a pull with both hands, the mountain broke in half.

"Batter up," he shouted as he swung the huge chunk of rock towards us.

We had seconds to react as it collided with us. Nightmare kept swinging it as he laughed. We were stuck on it as the pressure from the spinning kept us from moving.

"This won't hurt much," he laughed as he hurled the rock towards another mountain as it came together with a crash, smashing our body between.

"Ultimus," Crystal said looking on.

Nightmare looked on as he crossed his arms.

"Protecting their body from that had to have taken a toll on their power."

The rock started to slide off revealing our body indented into the wall unmoving.

"Hahaha, I was right. You two are still suffering from the damage I gave you. Meaning it won't be long before you go back to normal."

A smile appeared on our face as we chuckled.

"Is that what you think?" we said removing our body from the rock wall. "Then I guess we should pull out all the stops."

We held our hands to the sides, palms up as they got covered in a red dome of light. We smiled as we started to raise our hands upwards over our head.

"The "Dragon slave"?" Nightmare said amused. "Do you think it'll hit me at that range?"

"We'll find out won't we?" we said with a smile as the attack grew bigger.

The Dragon Slave finished with a bang as we held it to our side, eyes locked on Nightmare.

"Dragon Slave"."

We pushed our hands forward as Nightmare stood there. Using what speed we had left, we disappeared and reappeared behind him.

"Impossible," Nightmare said.

We gave him the full impact up close as he let out a yell as the attack sent him screaming towards a mountain as it exploded with a massive dome of aftershock.

"Dammit, that took a lot of power," we said as we floated back to the ground holding our chest.

"Did you get him?" Modeen asked walking up.

"That was a direct hit full force. If he did survive, he should be hurting."

We felt a wave of power coming towards us as we looked on. Off in the distance, a shadow was slowly approaching.

"Looks like he survived, and very pissed."

"In more ways then one," Modeen said.

He stopped about half the distance, intense hatred in his eyes. His shirt was competely torn off as numerous cuts were on his chest. The left part of his leg pants were ripped off as well. His hair showed streaks of red as he looked at us.

"You.......have just made.....the biggest mistake of your life."

Black lighting started to strike around him as waves of power started to ooze from his body and seep into the ground.

"I've only felt pain once in my life. And that was just now."

A grunt came out our mouth as something grabbed us from behind. Looking back, a hand made of shadow had a tight grip on us.

"Death is too good for you. Burning is too good for you. You should be torn into tiny little pieces and buired alive."

The sky above him got distorted as an eye appeared and look at us. It flashed a deep yellow causing three more eyes to appear around us in a triangle pattern. We felt our body get lifted in the sky as a pentagram appeared with strange symbols locking us in a place.

"Now you will witness first hand, the true power I possess."

The pentagram started to glow brightly as we felt a tremendous amount of power. He held his hand up as about ten more shadowy hands appeared, each holding a purple ball before it got tossed at us, enclosing us in the circle.

"Oblivion Smash"."

Black lighting shot into his hand forming a sword that reached into the sky. Using both hands, he reared back and brought the sword forward in an overhead swing. As soon as it hit the bubble we were in, it kept going til it struck the ground causing a massive explosion shaking the very sky itself.

"Christ what power," Istar said covering his eyes and trying to steady himself.

When the light died down and the shaking stopped, there was a line that only god knows how long or how deep it went for. On either side of the crater laid me and Tyrant unmoving. Nightmare walked over to me and rolled me over on my back. I opened my eyes weakly as I looked up at me.

"Goodbye guardian," he said bluntly as he made another sword of pure darkness and drove it into my chest.

I let out a weak whine as I felt my life drain away.

"I've let everyone down. Please forgive me," I said sadly in my head as my eyes closed.

*********

"Nooo," Tasha yelled as she watched Nightmare drive the sword into my body.

"My son," Rose cried freely.

Jenna held Tasha as she cried uncontrollable. Canis had a blank expression on his face as Shadow gritted his teeth.

"I've failed," he said angrily.

In Tasha's hand were the angel charms we bought as one of them slowly started to turn black.

*********

"So this is what's its like to die," I said floating in pitch blackness, eyes closed. "It feels..........peaceful."

The Light stone floated above me as it glowed dimly before a voice spoke up.

"Get up UItimus, you can't die now."

"That voice..........Ramza?"

"Ultimus. I know the situation looks grim, but you can do it."

"How? Even me and Tyrant combined were no match."

"Your friends are with you. Use their power again and you will see. Everything will come together."

His voice faded as a shadow of Venom appeared.

"When I first saw you, I thought you were a wimp. But you've proven to me that anything is possible. Use my divine gene and seal him away again."

He touched the Light stone as it glowed before he vanished and Theft appeard.

"I don't even know what to say but give him hell. Show him what happens when people don't back down."

He also touched the stone causing it to glow yellow as Tiger and Greywolf appeared.

"Come on bro, you can't give up now. I know you want to be there to see your first born as well as I do." Tiger said touching the stone turning it green.

"You can't die yet Ultimus, not until we have our one on one session," Greywolf added touching the stone turning it purple.

Skorp and Crystal appeared as they looked at me.

"You've come this far Ultimus, don't give up now." Skorp said touching the stone.

"All I can say is that you have made everyone a believer, even me. Yes, I had my doubts but you proven them wrong everytime. Make my last doubt wrong too." Crystal said touching the stone.

Tyrant appeared which shocked the hell out of me as he looked at me.

"You asshole. I'm the one who's suppose to kill you, not him. Get your ass up so we can finish what we started."

He touched the stone reluctantly causing it to flash as my body got covered in different colors of light.

"I can feel them. They gave me what they had left to stop him."

My eyes opened as I saw them.

"I won't lose. We can't lose."

*********

Modeen let out a yell as blood came out his mouth as he hit the ground hard. Nightmare walked over and picked him up by the throat.

"You won't get away this time. And don't worry about Canis, I'm going after him once I killed you all for good."

He tightened his grip making Modeen gag.

"Any other tricks up your sleeve before I end your life?"

Modeen was about to answer when they both felt a huge wave of power.

"Impossible. It can't be," Nightmare said dropping Modeen to the ground.

My body started to glow as all the power stones floated towards my body before attaching themselves to the Light stone making one. I reached one hand up and grabbed the blade imbedded in my chest and pulled it out.

"What.........what are you?" Nightmare said looking at me.

"I........have to stop you," I said getting up slowly.

Nightmare growled angrily as he took off towards me. He reared back and struck me hard staggering me backwards but I didn't fall, despite my injuries. He struck again and again but I still didn't fall.

"This will put you down for good," Nightmare snarled as his fist got covered in a dome of black.

He let out a yell as he swung. My hand rose up as I caught his hand.

"Impossible."

"You must be stopped," I said opening my eyes which held a rainbow like color from the stones.

I applied intense pressure on his hand bringing him down to one knee to his and everybody's surprised.

"This.........can't be happening. I am the godslayer. None can match me."

He lunged his other fist around as I ducked it before bringing my right hand up and driving my fist into his stomach. Nightmare's mouth opened in shock as he went to both knees holding his stomach.

"Why? Why is he so strong all of a sudden? I will not be beaten."

He got up quickly and pushed both his hands forward as an intense black wave of power covered my body and blazing a trail. The wave died down as his eyes went wide to see me standing there unfazed. I did a wave of my own sending him screaming backwards before hitting a tree and falling to the ground.

"How?" he said weakly before blood came out his mouth.

He manage to stand up as he looked at me.

"A mere boy is causing me so much damage? I can't believe it. I won't believe it. Very well then, I will settle this in one shot."

He crossed his arms over his chest as he glowed his power. A dark shadow of what appeared to be a demon rose from his shadow. It let out an inhuman yell before it held its hands out forming a red and yellow ball of power that was growing bigger.

"No one can survive this. Your body will be consumed by the flames. Block this if you can, "Armageddon Blast"."

The demon let out a massive wave of power that ripped the ground up as it made a bee line for me. I stood there still watching it before I raised my hands slowly creating the "Giga slave" as I recited the words in my head. That grey and white ball of massive power appeared before I let it fly as both attacks clashed with a massive bang as we each tried to get the edge over each other.

"Give up boy, you can't hold out forever."

I felt my attack be pushed back little by little.

"If you are not sealed back, many people will die. I can't let that happen," I said angrily. "You must be stopped."

I let out a yell as I erupted in power. With an extra push of my hands, the "Giga slave" expanded larger as I gained the advantage.

"This can't be," Nightmare yelled trying to add more power but was to no avail.

He let out a yell as he attack got cancelled and enveloped by the massive explosion. Everybody had their eyes covered by the blinding light. The light died down as Nightmare had his arms crossed in defense.

"So..........strong," he said weakly before dropping to his knees.

He barely managed to get to his feet when he felt chains wrap around both his arms and legs. Looking to his left and right, he saw the wizards all around him chanting away.

"You........." he said evilly as Faleen appeared.

"This time, I'll make the seal stronger."

Nightmare felt the pull on his body as he begun to sink into the hole underneath him.

"Mark my words, I will be back. And when I do, I will not make the same mistake twice. You will all die."

The hole closed with a bang as everybody looked on, shock and happiness in their faces.

"He did it! My god he did it," Valz said.

"Looks like your on guard duty," Modeen said with a smile.

"Yeah yeah," Ruben said.

I let out a sigh before falling forward. Istar caught me as he laughed.

"You did it again guardian. How, I don't know."

I gave a weak smile as Faleen walked over.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I've been through hell and back. Can you revive everyone else?"

"Oh yes. Your friends will be as good as new."

I opened my mouth to say something but all that came out was a yelp as a black whip wrapped around my throat.

"I'm not going alone," Nightmare's voice echoed out.

The whip pulled me towards a distortion in the sky as I got pulled into it.

"Ultimus!" everybody shouted.

All you could hear was Nightmare's laugh and my yelps of pain.

"Open the seal, we have to get him out." Xellos out.

"Its too risky," Snibe said. "If we open it, he might escape."

"We can't just leave him there," Crystal said hearing another yelp.

"Me and Ruben can send one person in but not for long," Modeen said.

"I'll go."

Everybody looked back at Tryant in surprise.

"The longer you stand there looking stupid, the more he suffers."

"Very well, Ruben do it."

Ruben made a circle in the air creating a rope as he tied it around Tyrant.

"We can't hold it open for long. Be quick," Modeen said.

Tyrant nodded his head as Modeen and Ruben opened the seal. Tyrant rushed into the darkness as everybody waited. Seconds turned to minutes as everybody looked at each other.

"Maybe he got caught?" Xellos said.

Another minute passed before rapid jerks were received on the rope.

"Everyone pull," Istar said.

They all pulled on the rope as it got met with heavy resistance. They pulled harder before Tyrant appeared holding me in a fireman's carry.

"Close it quickly," he said dropping to the ground, smoke coming from both our bodies.

Modeen and Ruben closed it quickly as they heard Nightmare's yells of anger. Crystal let out a sigh as he looked at my beaten body.

"I think we all had enough excitement for one day. Can we go now?"

*********

Everybody was back to normal thanks to Faleen and the priests. Venom, Skorp, and Theft were brought back to life by Modeen who said we did an awsome job before returning to their realm. Everything was settled except for one thing.

"What do we do with him?" Tiger said looking at Tyrant who was magically bound.

"I'd say we kill him before he gets a chance at us," Theft added.

Tyrant didn't say anything as he had his eyes closed.

"What do you think we should with him Canis?" Crystal asked.

Canis looked at him as he rubbed his chin.

"It is proven that everybody can change either good or bad. Perhaps he's seen the errors of his ways?"

"Do whatever you want with me I don't care anymore." Tyrant snorted.

"Then I'll kill you now," Greywolf growled pulling out his sword.

He went for an overhead swing but I caught the blade inches from his face.

"Ultimus, what gives?" Greywolf said confused.

I didn't say anything as I looked him straight in the eyes.

"Everybody deserves a second chance, be they friend or foe." I said.

Shadow smiled at me which earned a curious look.

"How about Tyrant being a guardian to your kids?"

"Are you INSANE?" Tasha yelled. "There is NO WAY IN HELL I'm letting him even a mile near my cubs."

"I'll take responsibility for him," Crystal spoke up. "It'll be my redemption to him. Even though I know my actions will never be forgiven. Its the least I can do."

Tyrant opened his eyes and looked at Crystal.

"And how do you know I won't kill you when I get the chance?"

"Because you won't," I said. "You have no where else to go in the world or a place to call home."

Tyrant smiled before closing his eyes again.

"You are too trustworthy Lord Soa. But if that's what you want to do, make sure you always watch your back."

"If you want to kill me, you are more then welcomed too Tyrant," Crystal said.

"I think we all should get some rest," I said looking at the night sky.

"Who's going to watch him?" Xellos said.

"Those bonds are too tight to try anything," Faleen spoke up. "Let's all get some rest. We need it."

*********

I was still awake as I held Tasha from behind. She was fast asleep as I ran my hand slowly down her stomach where I could feel the bulge forming. Getting up, I put on a pair of pants before leaving and walking downstairs. I turned the corner to see Tyrant in the same position we left him. He was on his knees with his hands behind his back, head slumped forward as it looked like he was asleep.

"Aren't you suppose to be asleep?" Tyrant spoke up.

"Too much on my mind. But let's have a little talk outside."

"How do you suppose I'm going to get outside?"

I walked over and grabbed the binds holding him. With a flash of power from me, they disappeared. Tyrant rubbed his wrists together before standing up. I pointed outside as he nodded his head. Getting a good distance from the house, we stood under the full moon looking at each other.

"One question human? Why are you helping me? Even though I tried to kill your family and your friends?"

"Because despite everything we've been through, you are not a bad person in my eyes. You risked your life to get me back from the seal and for that, I thank you," I said. "Also when we were fused, I felt your pain and sorrow. The pain of having to watch your family and friends get killed right before your eyes."

Tyrant let out a humph before looking at the moon.

"Now, about our rematch? How about five years from now on the next full moon?"

"Why so long?" Tyrant said.

I looked back at the house before looking at him.

"I'm going to be a father. I want to be there for my first born."

Tyrant closed his eyes before chuckling.

"I was suppose to be married after I went through the Trails of Kings. Her name was Rubette. I never did liked her but I had to followtradition. But then your Lord Soa came with Grimwald and killed everyone. I'm a little thankful for getting me out of the marriage but I still won't forgive him."

"He's not expecting you to. He's willing to accept his punishment."

Tyrant opened his eyes as the moon reflected in his eyes.

"You know what's weird human? I feel a bond with you which makes me sick."

"We've been together for twenty two years, its only natural."

"You still haven't thought it through have you Tyrant." a soft voice said in the forest.

From out of the shadows, I saw Jason walking towards us using a large staff for support. Seeing him up and around but wrapped in bandages breathing with some difficulty. The injuries he suffered at Nightmare's hands couldn't be healed magically, only naturally.

"You." and I felt Tyrant's energy try to rise, as Shadow looked at him and spoke firmly.

"Back off Murphy if you know what's good for you, I'm not in a game playing mood." Shadow said sharply.

That was when I felt Tyrant's power drop and he smirked.

"Takes a lot to make her back down that fast. Now what haven't I figured out, and be quick I don't have a lot of patience regardless of Murphy."

"Fine, here it is in a nutshell. Nightmare's the one who is responsible for your family's death. The God wars, Nightmare was the one who told Thanos about his divine gene, he's the one who seduced Thanos into betraying Soa and starting the Gods' war. Nightmare's plan from the start was to find the one person who could free him, you Tyrant."

Tyrant recoiled some when he was flatly told that.

"Remember when Grimwald said, "doesn't the time we spent at brother and sister count for anything?" It wasn't your sister who taught you how to summon Murphy, it was Grimwald. Think with your head, not your rage."

Tyrant gave a growl, "How do you know that!" he said seriously pissed off.

"I asked for a favor." Shadow said simply.

That made me open my eyes wide in disbelief.

"One does not lightly waste the favor of a god." Shadow said."The Ragna Blade is an attack of a god, it's true power can only achieved when it's empowered by evil. Nightmare's the one who plotted and planned the destruction of your race and family so he could get free. Soa was tricked, and he's gonna spend the rest of his life with that guilt hanging over him. If you continue on your rampage, Nightmare still wins in the end, you gonna give him that satisfaction?"

Tyrant went to say something when we all felt a strange power.

"You feel that?" I said.

"Yeah."

Out of the darkness, a shadow appeared looking at us.

"Such a touchy feely moment."

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I can't tell you that guardian. If I did, I would have to kill you. But I will say this, I am nothing like my sibling."

"Sibling?"

"Well I've spent to long over here. We will meet again, be assured of that. Oh yeah, I'll be borrowing this too," the shadow said holding the Soul stone.

"Like hell you will."

I tried to take a step but couldn't has something was constructing both our bodies.

"Farewell guardian, dyrad, and werewolf." the shadow said as it disappeared.

"Damn, now what's happening?" I said.

"It doesn't matter. He'll be back and when he does, I'll make him pay. But in the meantime, you better train your ass off for our rematch," Tyrant said with a smile.

"You got it."

I watched Tyrant turn to Shadow and just nod at him.

*********

Epilogue

"What happened then daddy?" a small white cub said looking at me along with two others.

I was in the living room of my grandmother's house with my three kids, Elena, Maria, and Alonzo. Elena and Maria looked just like their mother, pure white fur along with the golden eyes but Elena had black hair while Maria had blonde hair. Alonzo was a brown wolf with opal eyes and teal hair. I've never been prouder in my life when they were born. Maria was the first, then came Elena and Alonzo.

"Yeah daddy. what happened?" Alonzo said. "Did you get the bad guy?"

"Come on daddy tell us," Maria said.

I was about to answer when somebody cleared their throat. We looked back to see Tasha with her arms crossed in the doorway.

"And why are you three still up?" she asked.

"Daddy was telling us a story," Elena said.

"Well its past your bedtime. Upstairs with you three."

"But mom," they all whined.

She let out a small growl making them yip as they scrambled upstairs quickly. I gave a chuckle as I stood up and walked over to her.

"So strict," I said with a smile.

"Only when it comes to you."

I gave her a small peck on the cheek before heading upstairs. Walking into their room, they were all in their beds, clothes neatly folded on the dresser. I gave them all a kiss goodnight before Maria stopped me.

"Are you going to finish the story tomorrow daddy?"

"Only if I let him," Tasha said from downstairs. "Now go to sleep."

"You heard your mother," I said as they let out a sigh. "But I'll see if I can convince her."

"Thanks daddy. Goodnight."

I turned off the light, leaving only their nightlight on and closed the door. Walking back downstairs, I saw Tasha on the couch reading a book. I walked over and hugged her from behind as she let out a murr licking my cheek.

"Why are you so beautiful?" I said sitting down next to her as she sat in my lap.

"I guess it runs in the family."

"And what a lucky family it was. Our kids are just as beautiful as their mother."

"You really know all the right words to say don't you?" she said with a small lustful growl grinding herself against me.

"I guess it runs in the family."

She let out a chuckle before kissing me deeply, running her hands through my hair and moaning as I trailed my hands over her back. I laid down on the couch as she didn't waste no time stripping me of my pants and whining softly as she sat fully on me. A shiver ran up my back as she squeezed me loving before moving up and down. She laid her chest on mine as I felt her heart beat pick up faster.

"God you feel so good," I said softly turning us around as she laid on the couch, legs wrapped around me.

"Only for you baby," she said licking my neck before kissing me lovingly.

I picked up the pace a little as I felt that magical feeling in my stomach. Tasha let out moans but not to loud as she held me close, claws digging into my back. She felt my penis twtich inside her hitting her in all the right places making her tighten even more in pleasure as her eyes were closed. I stopped my thrusting as I looked down at her. She opened her eyes slowly, the moonlight coming from the window hitting her eyes just right.

"Why did you stop?"

"Just admiring the woman I'm spending the rest of my life with." I said with a smile.

She smiled happily as she placed her hand on my chest. I grabbed it and kissed it softly.

"I guess you can say my life is now on the best chapter I could ever hope for."

"There's always room for more chapters love. You just have to have imagination."

"Perhaps," I said laying on top of her. "But right now, I'm content with ending my book on a happy note."

Tasha giggled softly before letting out a yip as I nipped her neck.

"Shouldn't you finish this part of the chapter?" she said squeezing me softly making me shiver.

"I don't know, should I?" I said with a sly grin.

"If you don't I'll rape you where you stand," she said with a playful growl.

"Sounds kinky. But I can't have you messing up my good clothes."

I gave her a quick, deep thrust making her yip loudly in surprise. She gave me a pinch as I laughed quietly before continuing with deep thrusts making her grunt and moan. My mouth found her neck as I bit into it again making her whine submissively as she tighten her embrace around me. With so much that's happened to me over the years, its hard to beileve I would be where I am now. I picked up the pace making the couch groan in protest in response. Tasha kept moaning my name pushing me and her to our limits. I felt her body start to tense around me as her moans turned to whines of needs. With one final push, I let loose with a grunt as I filled her. She bit into my shoulder letting out a muffled howl as she came hard herself, body tense as she milked me for everything I had to offer. I rolled us back over as she laid on my chest with a content sigh.

"You didn't tell them about your little romps did you?"

"I'm not that evil yet." I said with a smile making her chuckle.

I looked at the sky as the moon was full. Getting up, I got dressed before heading to the door.

"Are you really going to do this?"

"A promise is a promise."

"I understand," Tasha said.

I gave her a kiss before leaving the house. It took me about five minutes as I landed down in the meeting place. Tyrant was there with his back turned.

"Your late Ultimus."

"My apologies. The kids are rowdy."

"So they are," he said with a chuckle before turning to me. He looked so different now that he let go of his anger. His hair went back to the natural green but he couldn't get rid of Murphy due to their pact, however he was able to manipulate the deal to his advantage now that he knew the full true. "How are they doing?'

"They are doing good. They ask about you a lot."

"Do they? I'm honored."

It was quiet before Tyrant spoke again.

"I just want to say, I'm grateful for everything you have done."

"No thanks needed. Like I said before, we all deserve a second chance. And speaking of second chances, we still have a match to finish."

Tyrant smiled as his hair turned red and took a stance.

"Brother you ain't kidding."

"No holding back," I said as my hair turned blue.

"You should only wish I do."

*********

"I heard you met the boy. Why didn't you kill him?"

"In due time brother. There are more important things to do right now."

"I won't be satisfied until I'm drinking his blood."

"And you will. But in the meantime, we have a job to do."

"Of course brother."

"Soon, not even the Gods of the stones will stop what will happen."

There is a high chance I will start a second series with Fighters. With a few twists and turns, new stones and a returning enemy and new ones. I have a couple of ideas from a friend who is helping me and so far I like them. Hopefully, it'll come to play.