"All or Nothing" by Tara ´Amber´ Palmer

All or Nothing

It is the year 2150, and the world is in peril. Even though world peace was declared in 2100, and English has become the official world language, there are still dangers that lurk about. A race known as the Geranni has come from another dimension to destroy the human race, which they perceive as a threat. Earth was helpless against their advanced weaponry and supernatural powers. But there is still hope for the people of this realm. The Watchers, a group of advanced inter-dimensional beings, have made a treaty with the Geranni. Earth will have six champions to fight for it, though it won’t be easy. These six will have to fight in all corners of the globe, finding gifts that will aid them in their quest. Unfortunately, the Geranni are the ones who will choose the six champions. Their names were chosen from a list of teens that were to be captured as slaves. The Watchers intercepted those teens and will start them on their quest, though their only aids will be their weapons, their special gifts, and each other. The prize is Earth. In this fight, the champions receive all or nothing…

* * *

Morrigan glanced around as she walked from one side of the cave to the other. One moment she'd been fleeing from a Geranni warrior, and the next she’d found herself in this large cavern. No one seemed to be around, and the flash of blue light that had brought her here had long since vanished. "Hello?" she called out, hearing only her voice with its Irish lilt bounce back at her. "Is anyone out there?" Nothing. Her healer’s bag tugged softly on her arm, and she set it down. That was why she’d been outside her hut, because people were hurt and needed her help. She sat upon the cold stone floor and decided to wait until help arrived, the Geranni found her, or she starved.

* * *

Sasha couldn’t believe her good fortune. Right before a Geranni raiding party had torched her house, a flash of brilliant green light had whisked her away to this cave. "Thank the Goddess," she whispered, clutching her leather pack tightly to her chest. It contained her spell book, all her rocks, and most of her potions and powders. It was all she’d been able to salvage from her hut. "Now to figure out where the gods put me," she said a little louder, hearing the Russian voice echo off the walls.

"Hey, who’s out there?" a decidedly Irish voice called back. Sasha waved to a girl she saw sitting on the floor.

"Well, at least I have company."

* * *

Kalill picked up his staff from the stone floor and gazed around. "Where am I?" he wondered aloud. A Kenyan intonation was heard throughout the cave. "Am I in the Dream World?" His staff was the only thing he’d been able to grab before the Geranni had ripped apart his mud hut. That was before a flash of yellow light carried him to this place. But his staff was all he needed, as it doubled as a weapon and a way for him to control his access to the Dream World. Two girls picked their heads up when they heard his voice. "Ah, some other travelers to talk to. I wonder if they know where we are." Smiling brightly, Kalill sat near the pretty girls.

* * *

Jung Tao’s senses were on full alert as soon as the red flash of light disappeared. His sword was clutched in his hand, a bow and arrows on his back just in case. "No sign of attack," he assured himself, though he didn’t let his guard down fully. His whole village had been ready to attack a force of advancing Geranni when the light had stolen him away from battle. He was ninja, and they never ran before a battle started. In fact, they never ran at all. A group of three people, a boy and two girls, were on the far side of the cave, and he approached them cautiously.

"Ah, another traveler. Come my friend, sit and tell us your story. I imagine it is like ours as well," the dark-skinned boy greeted. Jung Tao sat down and began talking with the strangers, still on the lookout for danger.

* * *

Richard sat up and blinked, wondering how he’d gotten into this large cave. One second he’d been skidding down a mountain trail in his rush to avoid a Geranni scout group, and then a flash of white light had surrounded him and brought him here. "I really have to get back to camp," he complained to himself. His backpack full of food, compass, fire starters, knife, and some emergency survival supplies was all he’d been carrying when he’d been spotted by the scout party. A group of four other teens were staring at the American from across the large floor.

"Come join us," the Asian boy with the sword told him. Richard shrugged and sat near them.

"So, what brought you all here?"

* * *

Alora was not a happy person. She’d been on the trail of a wounded Geranni warrior when a purple light had dumped her in a cave probably a hundred miles from her quarry. Her long knife, hundred feet of rope, poisons, and anti-venoms were all that she’d brought with her on this trip. A Brazilian bounty hunter didn’t need much to survive, and judging by the five other people in the cave, they hadn’t brought much either. Though the boy with the sword immediately caught her attention.

"Hi there, stranger. Come on over," the American called out. Alora stared at them a moment, then went over and sat next to the two other girls.

"Would someone mind telling me what’s going on?" No one answered her, and she got impatient. "I believe I asked you all a question. I would like an answer sometime soon." The ninja boy glared up at her, as if she shouldn’t be the one making demands on them.

"My name is Jung Tao. Who are you?"

"I'm Alora, and I really need to get back to tracking that Geranni."

"Alora, I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere. Those light flashes brought us all here, and without them I'm afraid we’re stuck. I'm Morrigan, by the way," the Irish beauty greeted.

"I'm Sasha. And why in Geia’s name would you be hunting a Geranni?" the Russian wanted to know. She gave off power when she moved, and Alora winced when it hit into her.

"Because I'm a bounty hunter, and that’s what we do."

"Please forgive me, but I do believe that the Geranni are a little too well-protected to let any human, even a female, near them," the African boy announced. Alora laughed at him.

"Not when they’re wounded. And you are…"

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Kalill."

"And I'm Richard," the American added.

"Well, now that we’re all acquainted with each other, what say we get down to business?" a new voice asked. Its deep tones reverberated off the cavern walls, and everyone stood up and formed a tight circle, their backs to each other. A man stepped out of the wall and smiled at them. "Oh good, you actually do know something about teamwork. That will make my job just a little easier."

"Excuse me sir, but who are you?" Kalill politely asked.

"Ah yes, that would be good if you knew I was your friend and not your enemy. But let me tell you this: With you six fighting the Geranni, they’re in for a rude awakening." His words struck them speechless. "Let me start at the beginning so you’ll know exactly where you fit into all this…"

Chapter 2

"Who are you?" Jung Tao demanded, dark-brown eyes flicking all over the cavern to see if anyone else was there. One hand reached for his sword. He wasn’t interested in this guy’s story.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you," the strange man warned. He stepped into the light, brown robe dragging on the floor. Eyes of jade stared at all the teens, no emotion showing in them. His hair was a chocolate-brown, waves of it covering his head and obscuring his eyes every so often. Jung Tao narrowed his eyes and shifted into a fighting stance. His thin, yet muscled body was poised to strike. His whole body was clothed in black, and he looked dangerous in a contained-fury sort of way.

"Is that a challenge?" While his voice was perfectly calm, anger was boiling just under the surface. Sasha and Kalill shivered when they felt his energy. It felt like a wind blasting from the far reaches of the earth.

"Please my friend, why don’t you calm down. While I’m sure you are a great warrior, I believe this stranger is more than he seems," Kalill noted, standing between the two of them.

"Perhaps if you would let me finish Jung Tao, all your questions would be answered." When everyone was calm and silent again, he continued. "My name is Alrohn, and I am a Watcher. We have made a pact with the Geranni regarding your world. Six people have been chosen to fight for Earth. They will face almost all of the Geranni army, and will then face their six best warriors. If the humans win, Earth will be free. If not, your entire race is doomed."

"So where do we come in?" Richard wondered, his sky-blue eyes roaming over everyone. Although taller than the others, his thin frame put him at a disadvantage to Kalill’s stockier build. Jeans, a blue-and-red flannel, and sturdy boots gave away his identity as an avid hiker, and his legs were thick for climbing and running. Behind the intelligent light in his eyes was a glow of naivete, which made Alora frown. She hit him upside the head with the heel of her hand, shoulder-length hair falling in front of her face. Angrily, she pulled back the mass of bark-brown strands. While a little shorter than the boys, muscles rippled under her antelope-skin clothes. A flat, tan-brown stomach showed beneath the short shirt, and the matching shorts hit her at mid-thigh. Sandals made for running through the jungles were the only things on her feet. With a dagger hanging on her hip, she looked very dangerous.

"Gee, I wonder? Maybe we’re the six champions he’s talking about!"

"But we’re just kids!"

"Everyone, please calm down. Yelling will get us nowhere," Morrigan wisely stated, shaking out her ringlets of chocolate-brown hair. Green eyes the color of new leaves radiated warmth and kindness. She stepped between Alora and Richard, grass-green dress swishing around her knees. What she lacked in muscularity she made up in courage and compassion.

"The lady has a point," Kalill echoed. His dark-brown eyes sparkled when the young woman smiled kindly at him, one hand reaching up and smoothing down the short, black curls that clung close to his scalp. His black-skinned body was bare except for a pair of khaki shorts, a pair of flat sandals, and a knife in a sheath hanging from his neck. His chest and arms rippled like a dark sea, and Sasha felt his power like the strength and patience of a timeless rock.

"Wuss," Jung Tao muttered under his breath, shaking charcoal-black hair out of his eyes.

"Oh, like you’re so tough, little ninja?" Alora demanded.

"At least I’m not a pansy like these other two. And what can you girls do? She won’t even speak," he shot back, pointing at Sasha. Her ice-blue eyes widened at the anger in his voice, and she nervously pulled white-blonde hair away from her pale face. It fell to the middle of her back. Her slender body looked frail, not strong like the others. Even her stance betrayed the fact that she had little confidence in her abilities. A light-blue dress fell to her ankles, where knee-high, black-leather boots could be seen. Richard stepped in front of her, his eyes narrowing at Jung Tao.

"Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?" The other boy merely smiled and raised his sword.

"How about you?" With that, he leapt into the air and aimed his sword right at Richard’s head.

"Mighty Hephaestos, hear my call. Chain this ninja to the wall!" Sasha shouted as she pointed at him. Chains appeared on the rock wall and latched onto Jung Tao’s arms and legs, dragging him back to the wall. His sword clattered harmlessly on the ground.

"Let me go! You bitch, let me go!"

"Polymnia, I do beseech, take from him the power of speech," Sasha chanted. Almost immediately, no sound came from the young man’s mouth. He tried to scream, but nothing happened. It was as if someone had pressed the "mute" button for the television.

"I must admit, that was impressive."

"Thank you, Alora. Richard, are you all right?" He ran a shaky hand through his light-brown hair, making it stand up even further away from his head. His face was death-white, and he sat down hard on the ground.

"Sure. How did you do that?"

"If you would allow me to finish, all things will be explained," Alrohn interrupted. The teens had forgotten his presence in the excitement of Jung Tao’s and Sasha’s feats. They all sat down quietly to listen, and even Jung Tao shut his mouth. "The Geranni chose you because they think you’ll be easy to beat. A bunch of teenagers who have nothing in common couldn’t possibly think of beating them. But my people have agreed to help you out. To each of you will be bestowed a weapon and a gift. To receive your gift, you must travel back to your homelands as a group and face each of the six Guardians. If you defeat all of them, you will gain ultimate power."

"Okay, you’ve got our attention," Morrigan assured him.

"Your weapons will have powers of their own, but that is not to be confused with the true power of your gifts. Kalill, your staff is your weapon, and with it you can walk through this realm and others. Alora, the trident is your weapon, and it will allow you to become invisible. Morrigan, to you is given the lance. With it you are granted the power of true sight. Liars and enemies will not be able to fool you. Richard, this crossbow will be yours. Using it you can call upon a rainbow bridge to reach from the lowest depths to the highest heights. Sasha, a sword will be your weapon along with your magick. With it you can summon a powerful shield to protect you and the group. Jung Tao- Sasha, could you please release him?"

"What once was done, now undo. From my spells I do release you." Immediately the chains disappeared and Jung Tao could speak again. He reluctantly bowed to her in thanks.

"Jung Tao, your sword is now your primary weapon. It will help you to fly like the birds of the air." They all looked down to see the weapons in their hands, and they held them tight. "Your quest has begun to find your gifts, so now you must journey to each of your homelands. My people and I will be watching your progress at all times. If you do succeed in defeating the Geranni, each of you will be given a reward. Good luck." Alrohn vanished into thin air, leaving the small group alone in the cave again.

"All right everyone, let’s get going," Jung Tao ordered.

"Who made you leader?" Alora demanded as Kalill stepped between them. He would have no fighting in this group.

"Can’t you two try to get along?" There were five full minutes of silence as they both thought it over.

"I guess we could try," Alora agreed.

"Jung Tao?" Morrigan asked.

"Call me JT. And if it’ll save our race, I guess we can work together."

"Wonderful. So where do we go first?" Kalill wondered.

"Why don’t we go find your gift?" Richard suggested.

"Sounds like a plan to me," JT agreed. Kalill struck the ground with his staff, and a shimmering portal opened in the wall. Beyond its rim lay a rainbow of colors that shifted like a living kaleidoscope, inviting the teens to come in and explore.

"This way to Kenya," the shaman called out, stepping through the white circle with no hesitation. JT and Alora leapt through right after him, followed by Richard. Morrigan and Sasha secured their bags and weapons, held hands, and took a deep breath.

"Here goes nothing!" Morrigan shouted as they entered the rainbow light. Sasha kept a firm grip on her hand, not saying a word. A second after they were through, the portal vanished as quickly as it had come. At the same instant, a Geranni war party clambered into the cave, weapons out just in case there were people hiding.

"I thought I heard something," one of them insisted. His partner looked around at the empty room.

"You must have been hearing things. There isn’t anyone here."

"Yes, you’re right. And besides, what could a bunch of humans do to us anyway?" the first one agreed. The two began laughing as they went to rejoin their patrol. Alrohn and a woman stepped out of the rocks and gazed at the retreating Geranni.

"Do you have faith in those children?" the woman asked him.

"Tirana, I have to believe in those children. They are the only hope for the future of their race. The Geranni have taken over countless worlds, and this one might be next. If those six fail any of their tests…"

"Let us pray they are smart enough to know what is being tested."

"Yes. Let us watch and pray." The two Watchers faded back into the scenery, eager to see how the teens were handling their first test.

Chapter 3

Courage Is What’s Needed

The group stepped out onto the hot sands of a desolate landscape. Off in the distance lay a thick forest, but where they were there was only flat nothing. "You live here?" Richard asked in disbelief. Alora and JT stood up from defensive crouches, realizing no one else was around.

"So where do we find this Guardian?" the bounty hunter wanted to know. She also wanted to get out of the noon sun.

"Yes, it would be nice if we knew what direction to go in," Morrigan added. Sasha sat down and opened her pack, pulling out her large spell book.

"Africa, Africa…" she muttered to herself, flipping through the pages. "Oh, here it is! Mondulo, lion-guardian of Africa. He protects the power of Geia from people who wish to steal it."

"Who or what is Geia?" JT asked.

"Geia is Mother Earth. To control her power is to control everything related to Earth. The trees, rocks, even the ground will obey you. Maybe that’s what your gift is, Kalill."

"Perhaps. But let’s worry about finding shelter and food, for night will be here soon, and everything will be hunting."

"Lead the way," Richard told him as the group set out for the forest.

* * *

Night came swiftly, blanketing the region in velvet darkness. While Alora, JT, and Richard built a lean-to, the others went in search of food. Kalill returned with two antelope; felled using JT’s bow and arrows. Morrigan filled the canteens with fresh water while Sasha found some herbs to flavor the meat. Richard started a fire, and soon they sat down to a satisfying meal. "Who’s going on Geranni-watch first?" Morrigan inquired after dinner.

"I will," JT offered, climbing to the top of an acacia tree.

"I'll relieve you in a few hours," Alora called up. While she retired to the lean-to, Kalill put more wood on the fire. He noticed Sasha leafing through her book.

"Working out a strategy for when we meet Mondulo?"

"Actually, there really is no strategy to fight him. Anyone who fights Mondulo is either very brave, or suicidal."

"He’s only a lion," Richard argued. Kalill turned to stare at him, the fire making shadows dance eerily across his face.

"Have you ever seen a lion in the wild Richard, much less fought one?" The other boy shook his head. "I have seen brave men go out hunting, but they don’t return to the village. Days later another hunter will find the mangled corpse, and we know it was a lion that killed him. Then more men will go out to hunt the lion, and some of them don’t come back. My older brother Kintel went out four years ago to kill a lion." Silence came upon the trio for a few minutes.

"Did he come back?" Sasha asked softly.

"No. And no one ever found his body."

"Maybe he met up with Mondulo," Morrigan spoke up. With a sad nod, Kalill excused himself and headed towards the lean-to. Richard turned in an hour later, and then Morrigan and Sasha went to bed as well. When Alora took over guard duty, JT fell asleep just inside the lean-to’s door.

* * *

Richard yawned as he watched the sun rise over the trees. He’d been up for three hours watching the horizon light up slowly. In a little while everyone else would wake up and break camp. He stretched and yawned again, then suddenly sat up straighter. Black dots were heading towards the camp, and soon he could see ten Geranni scouts through his binoculars. Their feet were like a T-rex’s: Leathery with three claws for toes. Warriors wore pants made out of a light, silver-like metal while scouts wore something akin to cotton breeches. Their shirts were made out of the same material as the pants, according to their job. Their arms and hands were corded with muscles and leathery skin, six dagger-like nails on each hand. Faces that resembled a human’s rested on foot-long necks. Their eyes were either yellow or gray, and all men had yellow eyes. Scouts carried only survival packs, rope, and a dagger, but warriors had a wide array of weapons to choose from. Most had swords, but some carried staffs or axes. Even an unarmed Geranni wasn’t helpless. With just their minds they could shoot pure energy at people and even control the forces of nature. No man-made weapon could stop them, and no human had the elemental control that even came close to matching them. "Wake up, everyone! The Geranni are headed this way!" JT and Alora were the first ones out of the lean-to, and Kalill followed a minute later.

"Morrigan, Sasha, move it!" Alora called out, kicking sand on the fire to put it out. "I wish I had some extra water." The two other girls bolted out of the wooden structure, and JT cut the cords holding it together.

"Now run!" he yelled, grabbing Morrigan by the arm and pulling her along. Sasha mumbled something and then raced off, running faster than any of them. One of the Geranni spotted the teens and called out:

"Halt humans!"

"I don’t think so," Morrigan said to the others. Suddenly, the ground began to shake, throwing them all off their feet.

"Why does an earthquake have to happen now?" Richard demanded, attempting to get back up. Another tremor knocked him down again.

"The Geranni are doing this! They can control elements!" Sasha said.

"We have no choice but to fight them!" JT told them. The earth buckled beneath them when everyone stood up.

"We can’t fight them like this!" Kalill argued.

"The hell we can’t! You’re just a coward!" He drew his sword, but just then a rift opened beneath their feet, and darkness swallowed them up. Everyone screamed as they bounced off rock walls until the light faded and they lost consciousness.

* * *

Kalill opened his eyes only to see inky blackness. He gingerly moved all his limbs to see if anything was broken. Aside from a pounding headache and a general soreness, he was okay. He reached a hand out and searched in the darkness until he found his staff, then called: "My friends, are you all right?"

"Kalill, is that you?" an Irish tone answered.

"Morrigan, are you hurt?"

"My head is killing me, but otherwise I'm okay. Can you see any of the others at all?"

"I'm afraid it’s too dark for anyone to see."

"I can fix that," a soft Russian voice assured. "Goddess above now hear my plight. Lend to me your burning light." All at once a glowing ball illuminated the cavern they were in. Sasha sat up and winced, holding her right wrist to her chest. "Broken," she replied to Morrigan’s concerned look. The healer immediately pulled out a clean strip of cloth and a green bottle.

"This salve will deaden the pain for a few days, and this bandage will keep the bone from moving to much." The two girls quickly but carefully wrapped up the throbbing limb. Sasha pulled her sword into her lap, resting the cool metal against her forehead. Morrigan’s lance was lying on her pack.

"Have anything for a popped-out shoulder?" Alora wondered as she walked over, one arm hanging limply at her side. Her trident was clutched tightly in her other hand.

"Do you want me to pop it back?" The bounty hunter nodded and braced herself as Morrigan grabbed her arm and pushed it back into place.

"That’s going to sting later." She shook the other girl’s hand with her good arm. "Thank you." Kalill then noticed JT sitting near Richard, who was still lying down. His sword was next to him, and the American had his crossbow within arm’s reach.

"Are you two okay?" Kalill asked when he walked over.

"Yeah, I’m fine," JT assured, pain crossing his face for one fleeting moment. His left ankle was twisted underneath his leg, and blood was soaking into his black pants.

"Your ankle is broken, so how can you be fine?"

"Because I am." Alora tapped Kalill on the shoulder.

"Let him be a big man and stay like that. If he complains, we’ll tell him to shut-up." Morrigan came over and gently pushed both of them out of her way, her face very serious.

"Don’t worry about me, Morrigan," JT insisted, attempting to push her hands away. She stared at him for a moment before grabbing his ankle with her long fingers. He sucked in a deep breath and clamped his teeth down to keep from crying out.

"Don’t tell me who I can and can’t worry about." JT kept quiet while she worked on his ankle. After that she moved to Richard’s side.

"My chest hurts," he complained. She gently tapped his ribs, and he winced in pain. His breathing was labored and shallow.

"Broken ribs. Those are a pain in the ass to fix." Rummaging around in her bag, Morrigan pulled out a small metal flask and held it up. "Take a sip of this. It’ll make the pain a bit more bearable." Richard grasped the bottle with shaking hands and took a sip.

"Yuck! That stuff tastes nasty! But thanks anyway. I do feel a little better." They all sat there for another half-hour, and then JT attempted to stand using the wall and his sword for balance.

"JT, don’t hurt yourself more," Sasha warned. The ninja turned towards her and rose off the ground until his feet were a foot above the floor.

"Forgot I could do this, didn’t you?"

"Actually, I was going to suggest it, hot shot."

"Maybe we should try and find a way out of this cave," Kalill broke in. He and Morrigan carefully pulled Richard to his feet while Sasha shrank the glowing ball and sent it ahead of them like a torch. Alora and JT led the way, weapons at the ready. A passage branched off to follow an underground stream, so they decided to follow it for a while.

"Hey Kalill, can’t your staff get us out of here?" Richard asked when they stopped to rest.

"I have tried to use its power five times, but nothing happens. Maybe it was damaged in the fall."

"Or maybe this is Mondulo’s home, and we can’t leave until you get your gift from him," Sasha pointed out. As if to confirm her suspicions, a distant roar echoed off the rock walls. They all jumped and huddled closer together, eyes darting all over the passageway.

"Please tell me that’s just a waterfall or something," Morrigan pleaded. Sasha shone the ball at an opening in the rock, and a pile of bones gleamed in the light, the skulls staring at them with empty eye sockets. Morrigan screamed and hid behind Kalill, hands over her face. JT lost his concentration and crashed to the ground. Alora’s eyes were wide while Sasha turned paler. No one spoke as they all stared at the gruesome pile.

"Jeezus," Richard’s soft voice finally broke the eerie silence.

"Let’s get out of here," Kalill added. JT stood painfully, a trickle of blood falling from his ankle to the ground. Morrigan moved to help him, but he shook his head and rose into the air again.

"We have to find your gift, Kalill. It’s the only way to beat the Geranni," he argued.

"Jung Tao, this is no ordinary beast. This is Mondulo, the lion-guardian. I can’t fight him." Another hush fell over the group.

"Then you’ll always be a coward," JT finally replied.

"Better to live a coward than die a hero." Alora slapped him across the face, and everyone gasped. Kalill was too stunned to speak.

"How dare you think that! Cowards might live longer, but they have no honor. Heroes command respect and admiration from everyone they meet. Even their enemies respect them. And when a hero dies, mourners line the streets to catch a last glimpse of them, even if the body is sealed in a casket. But when a coward dies, even family members are ashamed to go to the funeral. I should know, because my uncle was a coward. Even his own mother was ashamed of him. But my father died a hero. He led a counterattack against some Geranni raiders. They held them off, but most of my village was killed in the fight. My uncle became frightened of the advancing forces and ran. One of the Geranni got him in the back with an ax. My father went after the leader, and both of them died in the fight. Because of his and others’ bravery, my village fought off the Geranni. His funeral was a grand thing, and everyone knew he had died a hero. People even came from the surrounding villages to offer their prayers and praises. On the other hand, my mother and I buried my uncle quietly at night. So Kalill, don’t you ever tell me that it’s better to be a coward!" No one moved for a full minute, eyes wide as they all stared at the young woman.

"But I'm not a hero," Kalill argued softly.

"And with that attitude, you never will be." Morrigan laid a soft hand on the shaman’s arm, and he turned to face her.

"You don’t have to fight Mondulo alone. But you must be the one who defeats him."

"All of you will come with me?"

"Of course we will. That guy Alrohn said we’re a team," Richard answered. He suddenly dissolved into a fit of coughing, pain contorting his face as he wrapped his arms around his chest. "Although I don’t know how much help I'm going to be."

"Come on everyone, let’s go find this Mondulo-guy," JT interrupted, floating off down another passageway. The others quickly followed with the light. All at once the small tunnel opened up into another large cavern. The ceiling sloped a hundred feet above their heads, light pouring in through an opening at the top. A twenty-five foot waterfall fed the stream they’d been following, which led into yet another tunnel. Mushrooms and moss were growing everywhere, and water lilies were floating in the pond at the waterfall’s base. More bones lay scattered on the ground, ruining the peace of the hidden sanctuary.

"I think this is Mondulo’s lair," Sasha whispered.

"So where is he?" Alora asked.

"Right here," a deep, gravelly voice answered. The teens whirled around and came face-to-face with the largest lion any of them had ever seen. From the ground to the top of his head he was six feet tall, a golden mane reaching halfway down his chest and back, fluffing up on top of his head. Yellow eyes assessed them carefully as he licked his lips hungrily. His massive paws were about the size of their heads, and four dagger-like claws were on each foot. "How nice. I have dinner guests." JT and Alora stepped to the front of the group, weapons ready for action. Morrigan and Sasha were thrust behind Kalill and Richard as the two boys instinctively moved in front to protect them from danger.

"We’ve come for the power of Geia," JT told him. Mondulo gave a roaring laugh that shook the cave and bounced back at them in awful tones.

"Which one of you will battle me?"

"We fight together. We’re a team," Richard replied. The lion laughed again, louder this time.

"I don’t think you understand, little human. This battle is mortal combat between one of you and myself. Now I ask again: Which one of you will battle me?" JT made a motion to go forward, but Kalill put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him. The tall boy had a look of determination shining brightly in his dark eyes.

"This is my fight, not yours." He stepped away from the group, staff clutched tightly in his hands. It was a beautiful thing, cut from a baobab tree and carved with symbols that told of his family’s power. For hundreds of years the staff had been passed down from father to son. In the top of the staff was set a diamond the size of his fist, which sparkled with all the colors of the rainbow.

"You think you can beat me with that twig, boy?" Mondulo questioned, looking over his opponent.

"No, I don’t think I can. I know I can." The great lion suddenly leapt at him, but he rolled out of the way. Everyone else sought refuge behind a pile of boulders, where they watched the fight unfold.

"Do you think he’ll win?" Richard asked.

"Yes," Sasha answered, eyes on the lion and her new friend. Kalill swung his staff, but Mondulo easily knocked it away.

"Not so easy, am I, foolish human?" A claw caught Kalill across the arm, raking a bloody gash from his shoulder to his elbow. The young man clenched his teeth and smacked the lion hard in the side.

"Challenge makes the victory sweeter."

"Your brother Kintel said the same thing. Right before I killed him." A hush fell over everyone, and Kalill’s eyes shone darkly.

"But I have one advantage my brother did not." He lifted his staff over his head and closed his eyes. "Carry us to the Dream World!" The diamond began glowing brilliantly, bathing everyone in rainbow light. A moment later the glow faded, but everything seemed the same. Mondulo laughed loudly, clearly amused by the apparent failure of Kalill’s power.

"It looks like your staff has failed you." Kalill only smiled. In a flash he was behind Mondulo, bringing the heavy wood over the beast’s head. Then he was suddenly back in his original spot. No one had seen him move.

"Welcome to the Dream World. You’re on my turf now." Alora attempted to stand on top of the boulders, but what once had been solid rock was now a shifting mass of jelly.

"Amazing," she said in awe.

"No amount of speed will save you." With a roar, the lion leapt at Kalill again, but the teen didn’t move. At the last instant he stepped out of the way, and Mondulo crashed into a brick wall that simply appeared.

"Speed is only the beginning," Kalill whispered. Out of the darkness came spears that flew towards the guardian, imbedding themselves in his flesh. A flash of light followed the spears, and then there were ten Kalills standing in a ring around Mondulo. All of them raised their staffs, the diamonds glowing so brightly the light was nearly blinding. The light then turned yellow, and beams shot into the lion-guardian. He gave a last deafening roar as he faded from sight. "Bring us back." Immediately the brick wall and the other nine Kalills vanished. Mondulo was gone too.

"Are we back in reality?" Alora wondered, touching the cold rocks. They were solid under her hand.

"We’re back," Kalill assured her, his smile dazzlingly-white. Just then the ground began shaking, knocking everyone but JT off their feet. He was still floating above the floor.

"This is getting annoying," he complained. But as they all watched in awe, a green orb rose from the earth, sitting on an ivory pedestal.

"The power of Geia," Sasha whispered, her blue eyes wide.

"What do I do now?"
"Touch it," the witch insisted, gesturing at the orb. Kalill stretched his

fingers towards the green ball. As soon as his skin made contact with its surface, the orb turned into a flash of green light and entered his body. JT brandished his sword, but Sasha put a firm hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine, JT," Kalill insisted as he shook his head to clear it. He extended his hand at the pedestal, and it sank out of sight.

"How’d you do that?" Richard asked, coming up beside Sasha.

"I have the power of Geia. I can control the Element of Earth now."

"Great. So can it get us out of here?" Alora wondered, tapping her foot. Kalill pointed his hand at the opening in the ceiling, and the ground beneath them rose towards it. A few minutes later the group was standing atop a small mountain.

"So where do we go now?" Morrigan looked at the others as she waited for an answer, feeling a cool breeze blow across her face.

"How about Ireland? I hear it’s lovely this time of year," Kalill replied. When no one argued, he opened a portal that they all jumped into. As soon as the shimmering circle closed, Alrohn materialized from the air.

"Courage and luck to you, Kalill. The power of Earth has found a worthy vessel. Now may your gift aid you in your quest." As Alrohn vanished once again, a statue winked into existence. It was Mondulo and Kalill, forever memorialized in stone. Under their awe-inspiring figures were written these three words: Mondulo, Kalill, Earth. The Geranni scout party was puzzled when they saw it, and none of their powers nor their weapons could even scratch it.

A lush meadow greeted the teens when they reached the other side of the rift. Purple flowers added a splash of color to the green grass. Not far away stood a castle, its gray walls beginning to crumble. A small village lay peacefully beside the castle. The scenery gave off an atmosphere of absolute tranquility. "It’s beautiful," Sasha sighed, breathing in the sweet air.

"That’s more than I can say for us," Alora broke in. "First thing we need to do is find a place where we can wash up." JT lifted higher in the air so he could get a better view.

"There’s a lake about five miles from here. We’ll reach it by noon if we start out now," he called down. Nods followed his statement as he came back to hover again.

"Lead the way," Richard told him as they fell into step. An hour later they reached the water’s edge and went their separate ways. Morrigan quickly cleaned herself up, and was just finishing up washing her skirt when she noticed another girl’s reflection near her. She pulled back in shock, eyes staring straight at the intruder. Black hair hung to her slim waist, contrasting with her pale skin. Eyes so dark they looked black fixed their gaze on Morrigan as the woman put a slender hand on her trim hip. She was wearing an ankle-length dress of purple and black, and black-leather boots covered her feet all the way to her shins.

"Hello there," she greeted in a soft voice. "Did I startle you?"

"Actually, you did. I thought you were a Geranni at first."

"Oh, I’m sorry. I heard splashing and came to investigate. My name is Iona Shea of Portumna."

"I’m Morrigan McAllister of Kilrush. Pleased to meet you, Iona." Morrigan stepped into her skirt and came out of the water, wringing the cloth to dry it. "You live near here?"

"My village is a few miles to the east. We live in the shadow of Castle McFallon, former home of Lord Gregory McFallon. "

"Does anyone live there now?"

"No, the McFallons all left when the Geranni came to Ireland, even though they haven’t come to this area yet. No one else wants to live there."

"Iona, do you think it would be all right if my friends and I stayed in your village for the night? We’re just passing through."

"Of course. It would be our pleasure." At that moment, the others came running up, glad they’d found their missing friend.

"Hey Morrigan, where’ve you been?" Richard asked.

"Talking to Iona- Where’d she go?" Morrigan had turned around for only a moment, but Iona had completely vanished. "Did you see a girl standing with me when you came up?"

"The only girl we saw was you," Kalill replied.

"That’s weird. I met this girl Iona, and she said we could stay in her village for the night," she told them.

"Well, we didn’t see anyone when we came up. Maybe she’s hiding," Alora brought up.

"And if not, she’s probably heading home. Come on, let’s head for that village," JT ordered nicely as they found a path back the way they had come. The people there greeted them warmly and let them stay in an empty house. But when Morrigan questioned them about Iona, no one knew anything about the dark-haired girl.

"Perhaps she lives outside the village," one woman suggested. "There are still farmers who live just outside the town’s borders, and we don’t know many of them anymore."

"Or she could be a refugee who came to escape the Geranni invaders near the coast," a man spoke up.

"Thank you anyway. You’re most kind," Morrigan told them.

"We’re always glad to help others. Especially nowadays with the Geranni lurking everywhere," the mayor explained. The teens all sat down wearily in the living room, laying their packs and weapons beside them.

"Your countrymen are very generous to lend us this house," Sasha praised. She gingerly re-wrapped her wrist with one of the extra bandages a few of the women had given them. Richard was lying on the couch, and JT was sitting in a recliner with both feet up.

"Yes. Especially now that everyone needs help to survive," Alora pointed out, sinking into a red plush chair.

"We’ll rest here for tonight, then go on our way in the morning. What Guardian are we facing here?" Kalill asked. Sasha began looking through her book, flipping through pictures.

"Ireland is home to Queen Mab, ruler of the Faery Kingdom. She can take on the form of most anything, but prefers that of a dark-haired woman or a raven. Her powers include invading people’s dreams, illusions, and causing general mayhem."

"I have to fight Queen Mab?" Morrigan asked, her voice very soft.

"She doesn’t sound so tough," JT scoffed. Sasha stared at him.

"There are precious few things I would be afraid to face JT, but these six Guardians frighten me. Queen Mab is very old and very powerful. If we approach her wrong, she could easily kill us. So no offense, but I’d like to live a bit longer." Morrigan suddenly stood up and went outside. Everyone else worriedly followed her.

"Morrigan, what’s wrong?" Richard called after her. The setting sun glinted off her shiny hair and the silver necklace she wore. It looked like an intricately-woven knot with four rounded sides. Sasha recognized it as the Celtic symbol of protection. Alora put a gentle hand on Morrigan’s shoulder.

"You want to talk about it?"

"My mother used to tell me stories about the little people, or the faeries as they’re also called. Queen Mab is their leader, and she treats humans like toys. Innocent passerbies might find themselves face-to-face with her wrath, or sleeping people would find that they’d been pulled into her world. If you die there, you die in reality too."

"But those are just stories," JT insisted.

"The Dream World is just as real as this one, my friend," Kalill reminded them. Everyone nodded as they remembered what they had seen.

"Mab came to me in a dream once. My whole family was there, even my baby brother, barely six months old. She told me that we were going to play a game of chase, and that the losers would stay with her forever. My parents told me to run, and then they were right behind me. Monsters began chasing us, but my mother told me not to look back no matter what happened. As I got closer to the finish line, I could feel myself waking up. But when I went to wake up my parents, they were dead! I ran screaming out of the house, waking up the whole town. I was eight, so no one but my aunt believed my story. The medical reasons they gave was that they had suffocated in their sleep. Even baby Ian was dead. My aunt Moira took me in and taught me how to be a great healer. But ever since that night, I always wake myself up right before I start to dream. Mab hasn’t found me for ten years, and I intend to keep it that way. Though why she had to pick my family, I'll never know."

"Mab won’t hurt you while we’re around," Richard promised.

"And it has been ten years. She probably forgot about you," JT added.

"Thank you. Maybe I am being silly." The group walked back into the house to prepare dinner and get some well-needed sleep.

* * * Morrigan stirred and opened her eyes, realizing she was outside. The full moon shone brightly over her head, the dew-laden grass was cool under her touch. She looked up to see the McFallon castle, dark against the bright moon. "How did I get up here?"

"Morrigan? Morrigan, is that you?" a panicked voice called out.

"Alora? Where are you?"

"Over here," the voice beckoned. "Please hurry!" Leaping to her feet, the Celtic girl raced up a hill to reach her friend. But when she came to the top, she jerked to a halt as a scream caught in her throat. Bodies lay in the valley below as if a battle had just occurred. Weapons lay scattered everywhere, and blood coated everything. Alora was lying atop a Geranni warrior, a sword through her chest. JT had an arrow in the side of his neck while Kalill looked like he had a broken neck. Richard had a spear through him, and Sasha was crushed beneath a boulder. Morrigan sank to her knees as tears soaked her cheeks.

"I'm too late. I couldn’t help them. Now they’re all dead!" A breeze blew up from the battlefield, raising goose bumps on her arms.

"You wouldn’t have been able to help anyway. You’re not strong enough," the wind taunted. A raven suddenly appeared in front of her, its laughing cry harsh and cold.

"Mab! Then this is just a dream!"

"That’s what your parents said," the bird replied as it laughed again. "I've found you at last, Morrigan!"

"No!" she yelled, putting hands over her ears and screaming loudly.

"Morrigan? Morrigan, wake up! You have to wake up!" The deep voice smashed into her head and ripped apart the last of the dream. She opened her eyes and found herself back in the house, the entire group staring at her with concerned looks. JT was gently shaking her. "Are you all right?" he asked softly. It was his voice that had woken her up.

"I am now. Thank you for waking me."

"What happened?" Alora demanded.

"Mab invaded my dream. She told me I wasn’t strong enough."

"Well, we know that’s a lie," Kalill pointed out. Morrigan sat up on her own and sighed heavily.

"No, it’s not. I’m always running, or I'm never there when the real fighting happens. I would never be strong enough to handle it, anyway."

"Morrigan, you’re a very strong person," JT insisted, patting her arm.

"Healers have to be strong to do what they do," Sasha added.

"But I'm not a fighter like all of you are."

"I don’t think most of us are fighters, including me," Richard argued. JT and Alora snickered at him, but Kalill gave them a look and they stopped.

"If Mab is invading your dreams, that probably means she’s close by."

"But where do we start looking, Kalill?" Alora wanted to know.

"Can you remember anything about your dream?" Sasha asked.

"There had been a battle, and all of you were dead. Then Mab came to talk to me in the form of a raven."

"Anything before that? A landmark or person?" Morrigan’s eyes lit up. She did remember something else.

"The castle was in my dream! I remember wondering how I'd gotten outside. It all seemed so real."

"Of course it seemed real. Your mind was in the Dream World," Kalill said. JT rolled his eyes.

"All right, enough about what’s real and what’s not. I say we find this Queen Mab and show her we’re not afraid of her illusions."

"For once, I have to agree with him," Alora added.

"There’s a first time for everything," Richard joked.

"But they’re not just illusions," Morrigan whispered as they all grabbed their stuff and headed for the abandoned castle. On the way, Morrigan found herself lagging farther and farther behind. Soon she couldn’t see the group at all. A rustling in the bushes caused her to freeze, and she held the lance in front of her. "Who’s there? Show yourself." The bushes rustled again, and then a very pale Iona stepped out, pulling her long hair away from her face. She was still wearing the same dress from yesterday. Morrigan sighed and pulled the lance away from the girl. "I'm sorry, Iona. You startled me again." The two girls smiled at one another.

"Oh Morrigan, I'm terribly sorry. I thought you were a Geranni scout. And please forgive me for running off yesterday, but those people frightened me. I'm usually not like that, but those nasty Geranni are in the area now."

"Those were only my friends coming to make sure I was all right, but I can understand why you’re so skittish. Actually, have you seen anybody pass by here recently?"

"As a matter of fact, I have. A group of people with packs and weapons came traipsing through here not fifteen minutes ago. They’re the reason I was hiding when you showed up."

"Did you see which way they went?"

"They were headed towards Castle McFallon, though I've no idea why. I wouldn’t set one foot in that creepy old place." Morrigan gently took the shaking girl’s hand and made her sit on the soft grass.

"What’s so bad about Castle McFallon?"

"It’s haunted! Legends say the ghost of a raven-haired woman walks the halls and property, frightening everyone she meets."

"A raven-haired woman? That might be Queen Mab."

"Queen Mab? Why would she haunt the castle?"

"Because she can. Maybe she’s doing something inside and she doesn’t want any intruders."

"But Morrigan, I-" Iona’s statement was cut short as Morrigan grabbed her hand and ran through the woods to catch up to her friends. She found them at the castle gates.

"Wait up! Don’t go in there!"

"Morrigan, where’ve you been?" Sasha wondered.

"We’ve been waiting here for at least twenty minutes," Alora added.

"I'm sorry. It’s just that I met up wi-" Morrigan turned around to introduce Iona, but was shocked to see the girl had vanished once again.

"Let me guess. Your mystery-girl again?" Richard quipped.

"She is real! She just gets frightened easily."

"We believe you, Morrigan. But now is the time to be thinking about Mab. We know she’s in the castle somewhere. We’ll split up to cover more ground. Sasha and Richard, you two stay on the main floor. Alora, you and Kalill will take the second floor. Morrigan, you and I will go up to the third floor," JT commanded. The group walked through the heavy iron gates, then opened up the main doors. They found themselves in a large outer hall, dust and cobwebs covering everything. Alora and Richard both sneezed. "Everyone stay alert. Give a yell if you find anything." The three teams went their separate ways, all of them on alert.

"Iona says people see a raven-haired woman walking the halls and grounds. She thinks it’s a ghost, but I say it’s Mab," the healer said when she and JT were away from the others. He suddenly stopped short and stared at her. "What’s wrong?"

"What does Iona look like?"

"She has pale skin, and eyes that look black. Her hair is a shiny, coal-black and falls freely to her waist. She’s about my height and a little thinner. Every time I see her she’s always wearing a purple-and-black dress."

"Morrigan, I think this Iona-person is really Queen Mab."

"JT, I'm surprised at you. Iona has never done anything to hurt me."

"Maybe because we were always nearby."

"And maybe you’re being paranoid." Just then they heard an ear-piercing scream, and ran for the stairs. When they reached the main floor, Morrigan stopped short when she beheld the scene. Sasha and Richard were sprawled on the stone floor, eyes closed and no visible marks on them.

"What happened?" Alora wanted to know as she and Kalill came racing around a corner.

"We heard a scream and came as fast as we could," Kalill added.

"We just got here ourselves," JT explained. Morrigan knelt beside the two on the floor, checking for pulses. She was relieved to find their heartbeats were strong, and their breathing was slow and deep. Then she saw their eyes moving behind their closed lids.

"Are they dead?" Alora asked bluntly.

"They’re asleep." At her statement, Kalill sighed heavily.

"That means Mab has them. We must find a way into her Dream Realm. My staff won’t be able to help us this time. There must be an entrance somewhere in the castle."

"Then let’s find it," JT urged. "You two search that hall while Morrigan and I go this way." Against her better judgement, Morrigan followed the ninja, leaving her two sleeping friends lying on the floor.

"JT, where should we start looking?"

"Check all the rooms in the hall. Maybe the entrance is a mirror or something." The two of them began opening the wooden doors lining both sides of the hall, searching every room thoroughly. Morrigan walked into one room and marveled at the antique cradle and dresser.

"I must be in the nursery. Let’s see if there’s anything in here." But all four walls were solid, the closets were empty, and the mirror was just a plain mirror. "Nothing in he-" She was cut off by a loud yell that made her jump. "Kalill! Alora!" she cried, racing back down the hall. JT was right in front of her. In a small bedroom lay the bounty hunter and shaman, both fast asleep on a king-sized bed.

"Mab got them too. Damn it!" JT yelled in frustration.

"JT, I think we should get out of here. Maybe if we find Alrohn, he-"

"We’re not going anywhere! If you don’t want to fight Mab, then fine! But stay out of my way, because I'm going to find her!" Morrigan bit back a tear and shook her head.

"I'll come with you," she whispered, following him back out into the hall. They walked past an open room, and then a hand covered Morrigan’s mouth while another pulled her inside. Iona stood there, eyes very serious. "Iona, what’s go-"

"Shh! Morrigan, listen to me. You’re in great danger. Mab is hunting you. Please take your friend and leave."

"And what if we don’t?" A shout from the next room made her face go pale. "JT!" She raced around the corner and saw the young man lying on the floor, just like the others. "Not him too."

"I told you to leave," Iona said sadly. Morrigan whirled on the girl and put the tip of her lance against her chest.

"JT was right! You are Queen Mab!" Iona’s eyes widened.

"Morrigan, please-"

"Shut-up! All this time you pretended to be my friend, and you were really out to destroy me. You lied to me!"

"If that’s true, why hasn’t your lance done anything?" Her question caught Morrigan completely of guard.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your lance gives you the power of true sight. If I'm really Queen Mab, then why hasn’t your true sight seen through me?" Morrigan took the weapon away from her chest and stared at her.

"How did you know about my lance? Who are you?" Iona took her hand and led her back to the main hall. On the walls hung pictures of all the McFallons and their ancestors. The dark-haired girl pointed to a portrait, which was of her. Morrigan read the details beneath it.

"Iona McFallon, born- This can’t be right."

"What does it say, Morrigan?"

"It says you were born in 1654 and died in 1672. But then that would mean that you’re a-"

"Ghost. I'm the raven-haired spirit I told you about."

"But I can touch you. Ghosts aren’t solid."

"We are when we want to be. You see, this castle has always had a bit of bad luck. It was built on ground where people worshipped Queen Mab. Because of that, she would visit the McFallons every fourth generation and try to take at least one person. The whole immediate family would be forced to run a race against her monsters. Anyone who lost was kept in her world, only to be a ghost in the Physical Realm. I was one of the unlucky ones."

"That happened to my family too! But I never understood why she bothered us." Iona put her hands on Morrigan’s shoulders.

"Some of the McFallons became frightened and moved away. Your mother and aunt were McFallons before they married. You and your brother Ian were the fourth generation. Why do you think your aunt believed your story? And after her husband died, she never remarried, did she?"

"No. I suppose she did that so she would never have children. So the rest of the McFallons left because of Mab, and not the Geranni?"

"I'm afraid so. I'd face a hundred Geranni before I'd go up against Mab. But now isn’t the time to worry about that. You must leave before Mab pulls you into her world as well."

"I'm not going anywhere without my friends. Iona, I need your help to find them. How do I get into Mab’s realm?" The ghost sighed deeply.

"Come with me." She led Morrigan up the stairs to the north tower. A single window gave a marvelous view of the countryside, but also made the five-hundred foot drop all the more terrifying.

"Now what?" Iona was standing on the sill of the window.

"We walk through."

"Are you nuts? I'll fall and kill myself." Iona took her hand.

"This is the only way into Mab’s realm. I promise you won’t fall. You just have to trust me, Morrigan." The healer took a deep breath and stepped up beside the other girl.

"Let’s go." Still holding hands, the girls jumped over the ledge into oblivion… And landed in a dark forest. "Are we there?"

"Yes, we’re here. Mab’s castle is just ahead." The two of them walked out of the woods and across a flat field. A great stone castle loomed a few hundred feet ahead of them. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the ground directly in front of them, and they screamed. When the dust cleared, both girls gasped. Standing before them was a tall woman with ivory skin and straight, obsidian-black hair that fell to her knees. Eyes that had pupils so dark and shiny they looked like black onyx stared at them. Her nails were long like a cat’s claws, and they were painted black. A dress with a silver bodice and black skirt accented her thin, yet curvy figure. Black-leather boots covered her feet, and a silver crown sat atop her head. A raven was perched on her shoulder, its beady eyes fixed on the girls.

"Mab," Morrigan whispered in awe.

"That’s Queen Mab to you, little Morrigan," the woman replied in a raspy voice. "How nice to see both of you again." Iona shrank behind her friend, afraid of what the Faery Queen would do.

"Where are my friends?" the green-eyed girl demanded.

"Right over there. Just untie them and leave." Morrigan saw her five friends, bound and gagged a few feet away.

"It’s that simple?"

"Of course. Take them and go. I've no intention to fight you." With a smile, the healer walked over to her friends. But as she got closer, the lance began to glow. Every step she took made it brighten. Right before her eyes, her "friends" dissolved into poisonous snakes! The five reptiles hissed angrily and slithered away.

"Nice try Mab, but she has the lance of true sight," Iona revealed.

"Silence, you little pipsqueak! If not for you, all of them would be mine!" Mab attempted to strike her, but the ghost-girl vanished and reappeared at Morrigan’s side.

"I've had centuries to learn the rules of your world, Mab. One of the perks of living here is to see what’s going on in the outside world. The Watchers have made a pact with the Geranni concerning Earth, and they’ve sent Morrigan and her friends here to destroy you and take your power!"

"Well, well, the Watchers sent you? Then by all means, let’s finish this." With a snap of her fingers, the trussed-up teens appeared next to the black-robed woman. This time, the lance didn’t glow.

"Morrigan!" they all shouted in unison.

"I'll have you guys out in a minute. But first Mab and I need to settle a few things," she told them.

"Be careful," Kalill warned her. "Remember, we’re in Mab’s realm."

"Yes, little girl. My realm with my rules."

"You don’t frighten me, you old hag." Anger flared in the woman’s eyes. She was clearly upset at the "old hag" comment". A sword appeared in her hand, a smile on her lips.

"Do you find it easier to fight me like this? Well, let’s make things more interesting." A flash of light followed her statement, and then there were two JTs standing with their swords drawn.

"Which one is the real one?" Alora asked.

"I am! No, I am! Liar!" both boys shouted in unison. The raven was circling both of them, its cries piercing the sky.

"How do I tell which is the real one?" Morrigan demanded.

"Ask something that only the real JT would know," Richard told her.

"All right. Which Guardian did we fight before coming here?"

"Mondulo," they both replied. One of them turned to face the other. "You don’t fool me, Mab! I'm the real JT, and I'll prove it by getting rid of you!" Their swords clashed together again and again, both of them putting all their force into it. Morrigan watched the fight in fascination, but then realization hit her. She should the one fighting, not JT.

"Jung Tao, you get away from her! Queen Mab is mine!" Both turned to face her, and then Morrigan saw what she needed to see. The JT on the left pivoted on his ankle, and pain flashed across his face. The other one could move easily. That one was Mab. "Move!" She knocked the real JT out of the way just in time to block a thrust of the sword with her lance. With her weapon’s long reach, it was easier to keep away from the deadly blade.

"How did you figure it out?" Mab asked in her raspy voice as she reformed into her true self.

"JT broke his ankle in Mondulo’s cave. You couldn’t imitate that." The sword came down again, this time with more force, and Morrigan’s arms tingled as she blocked.

"You can’t beat me." Another strike came, and the lance fell from the girl’s grasp, her arms numb. As Mab brought the blade down again, a bubble suddenly surrounded Morrigan, and the sword bounced back at the Faery Queen, slicing her arm. She shrieked, but then waved her other hand over the wound. Everyone gasped as the bleeding stopped and the cut healed instantly, leaving unblemished skin.

"Thanks for the shield, Sasha!"

"No problem!" Morrigan picked up the lance again and began to attack once more. Mab reeled under the vicious blows the girl dealt.

"Stop!" she cried as she slipped on the grass. The tip of the lance was suddenly at her throat.

"Yield or die," Morrigan whispered cruelly. "You’ve been killing my family for centuries, so maybe this is poetic justice. Got any more tricks?"

"Actually, I do." Another flash of light, and then in place of Mab was a woman with chestnut-brown hair and green eyes as dark as emeralds. Her kind face was terror-stricken as she looked up at the girl holding the weapon.

"Morrigan, my baby." The healer gasped.

"Mommy?" Her knees shook as she took the lance away from her mother’s throat. "I've missed you, mommy."

"And I've missed you too, Morrigan."

"Morrigan, it’s a trick! That’s not your mother, it’s Mab!" Iona called out. And the lance was glowing brightly, but the healer sat there sobbing quietly, unable to move.

"I can’t! She looks like my mother!" JT got to his feet and floated over, his sword pointed at Mab.

"Then I'll do it," he assured her. But Mab leapt up and grabbed her sword, slicing deeply into the young man’s arm. He cried out and fell to the ground. "Morrigan, help me!" Mab advanced on him, ready to finish the job. Everyone else was still tied up, and when Iona went to help, vines sprouted from the ground and wrapped around her. Morrigan was still crying.

"Morrigan McAllister, listen to me! That woman is not your mother. You have to help your friend. Look within yourself and find the strength of the McFallons. The strength that I never had!"

"Silence, little fool! She’s no match for me. She’s too full of compassion for her poor, dead family. The McAllister Clan, what a joke!" As Mab went to make the final blow, a tearing sound caught her attention, and then the tip of the lance blossomed from her chest. Her breath caught in her throat, and blood trickled from her mouth. Before everyone’s eyes, she again reformed back into her true body. The raven fell to the ground, dead. Morrigan stood holding the lance, anger a bright flame in her eyes.

"Don’t you ever speak about my family like that." Mab slid off the lance and fell to the ground, breathing her last. At the moment of her death, her body dissolved into a sphere of rainbow-colored light. The glowing ball entered Morrigan’s body, and the young woman gasped. Power radiated from her, healing everything it touched. With a sob, she fell to the ground. Sasha and Iona held her until the shaking stopped.

"It’s all right Morrigan, she’s gone," Sasha reassured her. JT gently took her hand in his.

"Thank you for saving me."

"You’re welcome, JT. It was the least I could do after you vowed to fight for me." She blushed a little, and the ninja quickly stood up. Just then, a large mirror appeared in front of them. Iona looked first at it, then at the six teens. They seemed puzzled.

"We’re free of Queen Mab’s world now. This mirror will take you all home. And then the rest of us will leave this realm.

"You mean, my parents…" Morrigan couldn’t finish the thought.

"I'm sure they’ll be waiting for you when you return from your quest. Thank you Morrigan, for defeating Mab for us. Your strength will never be forgotten as long as the McFallon name lives on." The girls embraced.

"I'll miss you, Iona. But I'll return someday, I promise." Kalill and JT stepped through the mirror, followed by Alora and Richard. Sasha gently tugged on Morrigan’s arm.

"Come on, we have places to be." The friends stepped through the mirror, and then Iona was off and running to find her relatives and get them home safely. Today was a day for celebrating! Meanwhile, the group found themselves back at the castle, and they quickly gathered their things.

"Where to next?" Richard asked.

"I say we head for Japan," JT suggested.

"Sure, I'm in no rush to see my home anyway," Alora added. Kalill opened a portal with his staff, and they all jumped through it.

"Onward and upward!" Richard shouted as everyone groaned. As soon as the portal had closed, Alrohn appeared.

"Well done, Morrigan. Inner strength will help you along, and so will your gift of Healing. Let’s just hope your compassion rubs off on a few of the others." As he vanished again, a statue appeared next to the gates of the castle. Mab and Morrigan were carved in stone, and under them were written these words: Queen Mab, Morrigan, Healing. Iona and the others smiled when they saw it, and cheered for Morrigan and her friends.

The six of them stepped into a deserted village, their eyes watching for any surprise attacks. "Let’s find shelter, just in case the Geranni are around," JT ordered, glancing at the small homes all around.

"Okay JT, let’s just stop a minute. We need a plan before we just run off and fight another Guardian," Alora told him.

"All right, but we need some cover. Let’s duck into one of those homes." Moving swiftly, the group ducked into the nearest house, which was unlocked. Once they were safely inside, Sasha pulled out her book and flipped through it, earmarking some pages.

"Okay, so what sort of plan should we have?" Richard wondered.

"How about a strategy to fight the next Guardian? Then we’ll discuss where we’re going after this." Everyone nodded at the South American beauty, who smiled in delight.

"Well, the next Guardian won’t be easy to defeat," Sasha warned. "JT, you’ll face Tiamat, the Queen Dragon."

"There’s a Queen Dragon?" Morrigan asked in disbelief.

"It seems so," Kalill replied.

"Okay, so how do you fight a dragon?" JT wanted to know.

"I was hoping you had an idea. You’re the one who has to fight her," Sasha said, thumbing back a few pages. "After that, I say we head for Brazil to face Alora’s Guardian."

"What am I up against?"

"The Kraken, protector of the sea." Alora paled, but shook off Morrigan’s hand when she placed it on her arm.

"What’s a Kraken?" Richard asked.

"A giant squid about ninety feet long," the bounty hunter answered. "But let’s worry about defeating Tiamat first."

"We’ll use tonight to think of a plan," JT explained.

"Where are we, anyway," Kalill wondered out loud, looking out a window towards a distant mountain. The sun shone off the mist that clung to the peak like wispy cotton.

"We’re in Shimizu, a few miles east of Fuji, my hometown. That’s Mt. Fuji in the distance."

"My guess is that’s where Tiamat is," Sasha brought up.

"So that’s where we have to go," Morrigan added.

"No." All five teens turned to stare at JT.

"What do you mean "no"? "No" to what?" Alora demanded.

"I mean you girls aren’t going." The silence lasted for five full minutes, all of them trying to make sense of what he’d said.

"What?"

"You heard me, Alora. As of this moment, you girls aren’t allowed to fight anymore."

"What gives you the right-"

"Because I'm the leader-"

"And why is that-"

"Because I said-"

"Enough!" Morrigan screamed above their shouting. Amazingly, the two warriors listened to her and closed their mouths. Sasha, Kalill, and Richard stared at all of them. "This is insane! Alrohn said we all need to fight. You can’t order us to the sidelines, JT."

"Yes, I can."

"You can order us, but who said we have to listen?" Sasha pointed out. Richard snickered and winked at the blonde, who blushed.

"Who asked for your opinion?" JT demanded, getting in the other boy’s face. Kalill immediately stepped between them.

"Please my friends, let’s not fight. Especially in front of the ladies."

"Don’t let us stop you. Kill each other for all we care," Alora piped up. JT whirled around to face her, his eyes on fire. The young woman held her ground. "You don’t frighten me," she whispered. Clenching his fists in rage, JT stormed out of the house. Alora went out the back door a moment later, and Kalill went off to meditate. Morrigan ran up the stairs, tears forming in her eyes. Richard left on a walk to clear his head, leaving Sasha all alone in the living room.

"Great Goddess alive, people can be such idiots!" she screamed to no one, stamping her foot on the wooden floor.

"But that is their nature. Stubbornness comes naturally to you humans," Alrohn said as he stepped out of the wall.

"Unity Alrohn," Sasha greeted. He smiled softly at her.

"I would say the same, but it appears there is little unity among this group at the moment."

"Do you think you could help? We were okay for a little while, but as soon as we come to Japan, JT decides to get all chauvinistic."

"Perhaps Jung Tao has reasons for saying what he did." Sasha’s head perked up, and she locked eyes with the Watcher.

"You know something, don’t you?"

"My dear, I know all about everyone in this group."

"What do you mean, you know all about everyone?"

"I mean, that I know everything that has happened to the six of you since you were born. Even you, Sasha," Alrohn replied, his voice dropping to a soft whisper.

"Everything?" Her voice sounded small, like a child’s. The brown-robed man nodded.

"I won’t tell you what I know, but I suggest you find Jung Tao and talk to him. The group already knows about Morrigan and Kalill’s past, and Alora has revealed half of hers. But the demons that Richard, you, and Jung Tao face must be dealt with too. Find out what happed to your ninja friend, and help him deal with it."

"But what if he won’t?"

"Then he is not worthy to receive his gift, and Earth is doomed." Alrohn faded into nothingness, leaving Sasha to ponder his last words.

* * *

JT had walked for a long time, letting his rage gradually subside. By the time he reached his destination, a gentle breeze was blowing, casting delicate flower petals from the trees into the air. Stone markers rose from the flat ground, some carved with Japanese words and others in English. All the graves were adorned with flowers, streamers, pictures, and partly-burned candles. JT sank to his knees in front of one marker, running his fingers lightly over the cool, tan stone. "Hello Mai Ying. I haven’t seen you in a while, and I'm sorry. You see, our village was attacked a few days ago, but these stupid people called Watchers took me away from the battle. I don’t know what happened to everyone. I've been running with five other teenagers, searching our homelands for these Guardians who give us special gifts when we defeat them. I'm here to face Tiamat, the Queen Dragon. Could you imagine me fighting a dragon?" A sob tore itself from his throat. "I miss you so much."

"Who was she?" The soft voice startled JT, and he got to his feet and spun around with his sword drawn. Sasha stood a few feet away, hands clasped in front of her. She’d left her sword back at the house.

"What are you doing here?"

"Who was she?" the witch repeated. "Your girlfriend perhaps?"

"Mai Ying was my older sister," he answered, resheathing the sword.

"What happened to her?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because you’re part of this group, and how you feel matters. Something obviously happened to your sister that affected you. Maybe if you talked about it-"

"There’s nothing to talk about!" Sasha took a step back, her eyes wide. She could feel his anger flare out, warning her away. The breeze intensified slightly, causing her to shiver. But while anger was right at the surface, another emotion was just underneath. Sasha reached out with her mind, attempting to get past the anger. Just as she breached the last wall and felt the other emotion, JT’s mind blasted her with power, throwing her violently back into her own body. "Get out of my head!" he screamed, drawing his sword on her. But before he took another step, Sasha’s knees buckled underneath her. Her skin was as white as bleached bone, and her body refused to obey her commands to stay standing. The force of JT’s mental blow caused her to pass out.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, falling to the ground.

"Sasha? Hey, are you okay? Sasha!" He shook her shoulder, worry on his face. "What did I do to her? All I did was yell."

"No, that wasn’t all. Your mind didn’t like me snooping, and you blasted me with mental energy. All I wanted to do was see what emotion you were hiding beneath the anger," the girl explained as she slowly opened her eyes. JT helped her sit up.

"Mental energy? I didn’t know I could do that." Sasha laughed shakily, putting her fingers to her temples.

"Neither did I. I'm sorry I pried, but you can’t bottle up your feelings."

"I don’t bottle them up. I just don’t have emotions any more."

"Everyone has emotions. I'm sure even the Geranni have them." JT sighed heavily and turned back to face the grave.

"But you have to have a heart to have emotions. My heart died the day Mai Ying died. I've had to live with that for six months."

"What happened to her?"

"The Geranni had only been on Earth for a week before they came here. My family was vacationing on the coast when they launched a surprise attack. While my mother took my youngest brother to safety, me, my father, and my younger brother Tao Lin stayed to fight. Mai Ying stayed too, but she kept out of my father’s sight. You see, my father is old-fashioned Japanese, and he believes women shouldn’t fight. But Mai Ying felt that she should be able to defend her friends and family. When I became a ninja, she begged me to teach her what I knew. So for about a year, I worked with her in secret. She was a staff-fighter, and really good at it." He laughed then. "I taught her so well, she kept beating me when we fought." His voice became serious again as he continued. "But the Geranni were more powerful than anything we’d ever seen. I had been locked in sword combat with one warrior, when another snuck up behind me and sliced open my arm with his sword. I went down on my knees, letting my weapon go. I knew that if I didn’t get up, I'd be dead, but I was in too much pain. I yelled for help, even though I thought it was too late. The first warrior brought his sword down at me, but it never reached me. Mai Ying pushed me out of the way, but she couldn't save herself from being impaled. She died in my arms a minute later." Sasha was silent for a moment, thinking about what he’d just told her.

"JT, I'm very sorry about your sister, but what does that have to do with why you don’t want us girls fighting?"

"A guy would’ve let me take the blow, but girls are too emotional."

"So you’re not letting us fight because we care about people?"

"Yeah, something like that." The blonde stared at him, unblinking. All of a sudden she tipped back her head and laughed. "What’s so funny?"

"That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard!" she replied between giggles.

"Stupid? Why is it stupid?"

"Do you really think someone you know would let you die? If your father or brother had seen you, I'm sure they would’ve done the same thing."

"No, only girls would think that. A real man would’ve let me handle the situation on my own."

"Oh, so now you’re saying that all guys are cold, unfeeling bastards."

"No, but a real man-"

"You don’t even know what a "real man" is!" JT pulled back, feeling her energy flare out like a bonfire. It bit into his skin like thousands of sharp needles, and he winced. "Real men don’t leave their friends to die! They would risk their own lives to save someone they care about! And real women would do the same thing! Your whole attitude reeks of macho bullshit! If you were even half the man that-" Sasha cut herself off, a tear sliding down her cheek. JT stood there with his mouth open and nothing to say. "Just apologize to Alora and Morrigan, okay?" He voice was barely above a whisper, and choked with emotion.

"All right, I'll apologize." Before he could ask what her problem was, she spun on her heel and bolted down the path back to the village. JT watched her run away. "What a strange girl." Then he too began the trek back, but at a slower pace.

* * *

Morrigan opened her eyes as a knock sounded on the door. Wiping her already-red eyes with her hands, she opened the door to the small room. JT was out in the hall, hands shoved into the pockets of his black cotton pants. "May I come in and talk for a bit?" he asked politely.

"Sure JT, come on in." She stepped back and let him in, then sat back down on the twin bed. The ninja crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the opposite wall, not sure where to begin.

"I, um, want to apologize for what I said earlier. I was being chauvinistic when I said you girls couldn’t fight, and I'm sorry."

"So why did you say it?" JT paused in his thinking and took his first real good look at Morrigan. Even with her puffy cheeks and red eyes from crying, she was still beautiful. Her hair tumbled down in soft, rich-brown curls, framing her oval face perfectly. A slim waist led up to an impressive bosom, drawing his attention back to her face. A sad smile was on her scarlet lips, tugging ever so gently at his heart. He knew he had one, but now it was suddenly coming to the front instead of hiding. Morrigan was gentle, kind, smart, and caring. All the qualities one would want in a woman. Looking into her eyes, which sparkled like a pair of pale emeralds, he knew he had to tell her the truth about what was bothering him.

"You remind me of my sister." She made a sound that sounded like a cross between a laugh and a sob, covering her eyes for a moment. JT waited for her response, wondering if he’d hurt her feelings further.

"That makes me feel so much better. Is your sister a wimpy crybaby too?" JT straightened up and bit his lip for a moment.

"No. My sister was intelligent, loving, brave, strong-willed, and willing to give it her all."

"She was?" JT nodded, feeling his throat choke up with emotion.

"Mai Ying was killed by a Geranni who meant to kill me. She was only twenty years old." Morrigan focused on his chiseled face, noting the hardness around his mouth was softening. His coal-black hair was wind-blown and fell across his eyes, which were the color of burnt wood. A single toss of his head forced his hair out of his eyes, making her view of them clearer. Her eyes then roamed lower to his muscled chest and arms, also seeing his flat stomach. He’d taken off his shirt soon after getting back into the house, and her heart skipped a beat. She met his eyes and blushed, knowing he’d caught her staring. But she was surprised to see him blush too.

"I accept your apology, JT." He smiled at her then.

"Thank you, Morrigan. Now I have to apologize to Alora too."

"Does she remind you of your sister?" JT paused in the doorway and turned back to face her. Raw emotion was in her eyes, and he wanted so much just to hug her and tell her not to worry. Instead, he said:

"Alora reminds me of me. I love my sister, but I don’t love myself." Then he walked downstairs to locate the bounty hunter. Morrigan repeated his last sentence to herself a few times, mulling over the words.

"Does that mean he loves me?"

* * *

Alora accepted JT’s apology after he swore never to say anything like it ever again. He made her promise never to challenge him again. Both still weren’t sure the other would keep their promise, but they decided to put their personal quarrels aside for now. "It’s at least five days’ walk to the top of Mt. Fuji, so I suggest we start early in the morning," JT said when everyone was gathered in the living room. Kalill had spent the rest of the day meditating, figuring that at least one person should keep their heads on this quest. Richard had returned from his walk an hour before sunset, but Sasha hadn’t come back until half-an-hour after night had blanketed the land. Neither told anyone where they had been.

"Which means we should get to sleep within the hour," Morrigan added. She’d washed her face after talking to JT, and looked much happier.

"That’s fine with me. It’s been a long day," Kalill added.

"And tomorrow will be even longer," Alora pointed out. Sasha stood and trudged up the stairs without saying a word, and Richard followed a moment later in silence too.

"Does anyone know what’s wrong with them?" Morrigan asked.

"Has anyone asked them?" Kalill brought up.

"No, I thought they’d tell us when they were ready," JT answered.

"Ditto," Alora agreed.

"I'll talk to Sasha later," Morrigan assured them as she stood up from the floor and stretched.

"Perhaps we should all retire for the night," Kalill suggested.

"Good idea," Alora said as she yawned. "See you in the morning."

"Night all," JT followed her example, escorting Morrigan up the stairs. Alora and Kalill promised to come up in a few minutes.

"Goodnight JT," the healer told him as she opened the door to the small room. Sasha was lying on a twin bed by the far wall. Alora had the one closest to the door, and Morrigan slept in between them. A single window in the middle of the room spilled a ray of moonlight on Sasha’s hair, making it appear white. "Sasha, are you awake?" The girl turned over and faced her.

"Yes Morrigan, what is it you want?"

"Are you okay? I mean, you were gone a long time."

"I went to talk some sense into JT, then I went for a walk. While admiring nature, I lost track of time and didn’t start back until sunset."

"You just seem to have something on your mind." Sasha sat up and stared at her for a moment.

"We all have a past to deal with, Morrigan. But sometimes personal demons remain just that: Personal." The brunette climbed into bed and pulled up the covers.

"Well, if you ever want to talk about it, we’re all here for you."

"Don’t hold your breath," the witch said as she rolled over and fell asleep. Morrigan heard a noise and turned to see Alora in the doorway.

"Any luck?"

"I'm afraid not. She’ll tell us when she’s ready." Alora lay down on the bed, resting her head on her tan arms.

"Somehow I think it’ll take a miracle to get Sasha and Richard to open up. Some secrets are buried very deep."

"What about you? I know you haven’t told us the whole story of your past. Will it take a miracle for you as well?"

""No, just a tragedy," she replied, closing her eyes. ‘Riana…’

* * *

It was still dark when JT woke up and yawned. He stood up and tapped Kalill on the shoulder. "Come on, time to get up."

"Is it morning already?" Richard sat up and rubbed his eyes, staring at the other two, their talking having woken him up.

"We leaving?" JT nodded and slid his sword into the sheath on his back, then checked the dagger he carried in his boot.

"Yeah. Will you get the girls?"

"Okay." Shuffling his feet on the wooden floor, the American picked up his crossbow by his bed and then walked out into the hall, knocking lightly on the girls’ door. A moment later Sasha opened it, combing her hair away from her face with her fingers.

"Is it time to go?"

"Yeah, JT and Kalill are coming in a minute. You better wake up Morrigan and Alora, then grab your stuff."

"All right. We’ll be down in a minute." Richard nodded and slowly made his way to the stairs. Sasha closed the door and faced her sleeping companions. "Girls, it’s time to go. Rise and shine." Alora rolled over onto her stomach and shot the blonde an evil look.

"I'll rise, but I refuse to shine," she mumbled as Morrigan giggled.

"I'm up, Sasha. You can head downstairs," the healer assured her. A few minutes later Alora and Morrigan met Kalill and JT and walked to the first floor, where Richard and Sasha were waiting.

"Okay, let’s get going," JT told them, heading out the door. Richard, Morrigan, and Sasha readjusted their packs and followed while Kalill and Alora brought up the rear. The sun was almost completely over the horizon when JT signaled for them to stop.

"What is it?" Morrigan whispered, tugging on his arm. He pointed to a rising plume of smoke, then lifted into the air to get a better view.

"A Geranni camp is a mile ahead. I count five three-person tents and four scouts acting as guards. We have to pass the camp to get to Mt. Fuji," he replied when he touched down again.

"Can’t we sneak past?"

"Scouts have good eyesight. We’d be spotted easily."

"Not if we had a distraction," Alora argued.

"Got any ideas?" JT asked. The young woman smiled slyly and vanished from view. Only Sasha wasn’t surprised by this.

"Alora can make herself invisible. Did you all forget that?"

"Yes," Richard sheepishly admitted.

"Good thing I didn’t," Alora’s disembodied voice added with a laugh.

"All right, here’s the plan. Alora will wreak havoc on the Geranni camp while the rest of us make a break for the foot of the mountain. Alora, once you’re done, you join up immediately. When we’re all together, Kalill will block the way we came with a wall. If that doesn’t stop the Geranni, at least it’ll slow them down," JT instructed.

"Wish me luck!" Alora took off running for the camp, eager to cause chaos. She saw two guards leaning on spears, having a conversation. Their language sounded like a series of whistles, grunts, and clicks. They had learned English only to fight the humans. ‘Good thing they can’t become invisible too. Earth would’ve fallen a lot sooner if they could,’ she thought to herself. A shadow fell across her, and she quickly looked up. A Geranni warrior stood right over her, and it took all her willpower not to scream. Instead she tightened her grip on the trident, pressing the cool metal to her forehead to calm herself. After a moment’s pause, the Geranni moved on, and Alora breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Time to do some damage.’

"Chich-wrrr, cree-rrr phweet!" one of the guards called. Tents started moving, and Alora dashed to cut the supporting ropes with her knife. The heavy material immediately caved in, trapping a few sleeping Geranni. Moving swiftly, the girl cut loose the other four tents.

"Cick-cree, rearrr!" someone shouted as the camp dissolved into utter mayhem. Out of the corner of her eye, Alora saw her group make a run for the mountain, and she quickly followed. When she had caught up to them she became visible again, startling Kalill when she appeared next to him.

"Nice work, Alora," JT called back as he led them over the rocky terrain. When they reached the safety of the steep path they stopped to catch their breath, and Kalill turned to face the narrow trail they’d just come from. He raised his hand, and immediately a thick wall of solid stone blocked the narrow pass they’d ran through. No one knew how long it would last, so they began walking up the path that led to the top of the mountain.

* * *

The sun was at its zenith when Morrigan sat down hard on the ground. "I refuse to go another inch until I rest awhile."

"All right, we’ll take a break," JT sighed. He really wanted to continue on, but knew the others probably needed to stop too. Sasha walked over to a flat rock as tall as she was and chanted:

"I strike this rock and make it sing. From the crack pour forth a clear, cold spring." She cut the rock with her sword, and water immediately poured out in a tiny waterfall while everyone grabbed cups, canteens, or used their hands to scoop up the cold liquid.

"This is delicious," Alora praised. Richard’s stomach started growling, and he blushed when everyone turned to stare at him.

"That’s quite all right, my friend. We’re all hungry," Kalill assured him, giving the young man’s shoulder a firm pat.

"Not for long," Sasha added. "Make a table from these rocks and rubble, and give us a grand feast on the double." A wooden table suddenly rose from the dust, laden with all kinds of food. Alora cut into a juicy steak while Kalill buttered a roll. Sasha started with a plate of veggies, and Richard fixed himself a ham sandwich. Morrigan noticed JT eating little pillars of meat with chopsticks and put down her glass of water. He looked up and saw her curious stare.

"Sushi. Want to try some?" She tentatively took a piece from his outstretched hand and put it in her mouth. A smile lit up her face as she chewed and swallowed it.

"Hey, that’s pretty good. Can I have some more?"

"Sure." He moved closer to her and slid the platter in between them. They all ate quickly, and when they stood up to leave, the table disappeared.

"Gee, I guess we can’t go back for seconds," Richard quipped as they continued up the trail. Down in the valley they could just make out the town they’d stayed in. The cemetery was visible too, and JT gazed at it and sighed heavily. Morrigan patted his hand, and he smiled at her and continued on. Everyone was silent as they walked, conserving energy for the fight they knew was coming. The sky was streaked with orange clouds when they reached the rocky peak. "Do you think this mountain is short, or is it just me?" Richard asked as he looked around.

"I think the Watchers got us up here faster," Sasha replied.

"You put a lot of faith in Alrohn and his people," Alora remarked. The blonde faced her, voice quiet but confidant.

"They are the ones who interceded for Earth and saved us from possible annihilation. For that, I think they deserve a little faith from us."

"Well said," Kalill agreed.

"She speaks very well for a human," a deep voice added. The teens whirled around to face a blood-red dragon. Its serpentine body was fifty feet long, and it had four small legs with dangerous-looking claws that shone like polished coal. An orange beard was on its chin and the sides of its face, and the underside of it was cream-colored. Black eyes as large as saucers stared down at them as a forked tongue flicked out of its mouth. A pair of leathery, red wings stretched thirty feet across from its shoulders.

"Tiamat," JT whispered in awe. The dragon rose into the air and laughed loud enough to shake the ground.

"She is my mate. I am Ryu," he introduced as he bowed respectfully.

"My name is Jung Tao, and I must fight Tiamat."

"No, she will not fight. I will, but not her." Jung Tao shook his head and drew his sword. Everyone else stepped back.

"I came here to fight the Dragon Queen, and I’m not leaving until I do." Ryu glared menacingly at him, and Morrigan was worried that JT was in way over his head.

"You will fight me, human, and not-" Another shape, a little smaller than Ryu, rose up from behind a pile of boulders. All eyes turned to face it.

"If he persists in wanting to fight me Ryu, then I shall fight him," the higher-pitched voice told them.

"But Tiamat-"

"This is my choice, Ryu. Go and guard our…" She let the sentence hang unfinished as she walked into the light. Her body was as white as newly-fallen snow, her talons like diamonds. A forty-foot body and twenty-foot wingspan only added to her beauty. Eyes as black as onyx stones gazed down at the teens. Ryu nodded sadly and nuzzled his mate as they passed.

"I don’t like this," Sasha whispered to the others.

"Yeah, they’re too easy," Alora agreed.

"No, that’s not what I meant."

"It’s like they don’t want to fight," Richard noted. Sasha nodded at him, her eyes following Ryu as he walked behind the rocks.

"Exactly." Meanwhile, JT was approaching Tiamat.

"If you’re a queen, where’s your brood?" he demanded.

"Safe from people like you." A sudden thought flashed through the ninja’s mind, and he stared at her.

"That’s where Ryu went. He’s guarding your nest." He stopped walking forward and fixed his gaze on the boulders. Tiamat realized his intent and leapt into the air, landing heavily between JT and the rocks. She roared loud enough to split the heavens, and everyone yelled in fright as they clamped their hands over their ears to block out the awful sound.

"Now we battle, foolish human!" the dragoness growled. A stream of fire shot from her mouth, but JT flew backwards to avoid it. He then came at Tiamat with the sword, but another fire blast forced him lower to the ground. At the last moment he sliced a line down her back. A claw caught him across the shoulder, but he ignored it and slashed at her side. The fight continued for another twenty minutes, the ground shaking as the Dragon Queen moved. Suddenly JT sliced deep into her neck, and Tiamat let out an ear-splitting roar and toppled onto her side, blood seeping down her white skin. Almost immediately a small form the size of a collie bolted from behind the boulders, throwing its body in front of the wounded dragoness.

"Mother!" the small dragon cried, its gold coat shining in the last rays of the sun. Tiamat tried to push her child away.

"Sunstone, please go back and watch your brothers," she pleaded weakly. Then she looked at JT. "Please human, spare my daughter." Sasha looked towards the rocks and saw five smaller dragons, each a different color. JT lifted the sword.

"I have to kill the Guardian to get the power," he told everyone. Sunstone growled at him, refusing to budge. Morrigan couldn’t stand it any longer. She ran across the gravelly ground and threw herself in front of the gold dragoness. JT pulled the sword from its downward motion and fell to his knees. The look in the Irish girl’s eyes wasn’t kind.

"How dare you! She’s just a child, and yet you would kill her for the sake of power! And then you’d kill her mother! See those dragons back there, JT? You would’ve made them watch the deaths of their mother and sister. How heartless can you be?"

"He doesn’t think he has a heart," Sasha called out as the other dragon children crowded around their mother. A tiny black one licked JT’s hand and peeped. The ninja looked down at the baby and felt like his heart was breaking. He flashed back to Mai Ying’s face as she took the blow meant for him. As she had died in his arms, her last words had been:

"Sssh. It’s okay, JT. It’s okay."

"I can’t do it, Morrigan. You’re right. Power isn’t worth destroying a family. I should’ve learned that months ago." Alora led the others up to them as Ryu walked over and nuzzled Tiamat.

"Can you help her?" he asked softly. Morrigan nodded and eased JT into a sitting position, then placed both hands on Tiamat’s neck. Rainbow light trickled from her fingertips into the wounded dragoness. After a few seconds the gashes began to close up and the healer lightly touched JT. The slices that Tiamat’s claws had made also healed themselves.

"Thank you," the Dragon Queen said as she got to her feet. Her dark eyes focused on JT, and the fact that the black dragonet was trying to climb into his lap. A smile crossed her face and showed her five-inch dagger-like teeth. "Nightrider has taken a liking to you," she noted, indicating the kitten-sized baby, who was still peeping.

"He’s cute," JT admitted. His eyes traveled upward until he was staring into Tiamat’s eyes. "I'm sorry for what I did. It’s just that… You’re a Guardian, and I needed to defeat you to get my gift. Without my gift, the Geranni will destroy the human race. But since I won’t fight you, I lose." Tiamat and Ryu smiled brighter.

"Jung Tao, you will find in life that sometimes a defeat is really a hidden victory," Ryu explained, handing the young man a pearly egg the size of a basketball. It shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

"What’s inside?"

"Crack it open and see," Tiamat told him. Slamming the shell to the ground, JT split open the egg. Immediately a yellow orb zipped into the air, circling the dragons and humans. It then hovered in front of JT’s face, glowing brightly. He reached out his hand and touched its surface, and as soon as his fingers made contact with it, the orb dissolved into a stream of light and entered his body. He gasped, but felt no pain.

"Now what?" he wondered.

"You now have control over the Element of Air. Rest assured that you have earned it," the dragoness replied. JT bowed to her and Ryu.

"I promise to use it wisely. Thank you for teaching me that I'm not completely heartless." Ryu blew a smoke ring and sighed.

"If I were you, I'd be thanking Lady Morrigan. She’s the one who got through to you." The Irish girl blushed and picked up her pack. It seemed a little heavier, but it was probably because she’s been carrying it all day.

"We must continue on our quest to find our gifts," Kalill broke in. He opened another portal with his staff.

"Good luck, young humans!" the dragon family called.

"On to Brazil!" Richard shouted, leaping through the glowing hole. The others followed his lead. As the rift closed, Sunstone tapped Tiamat.

"Mother, I can’t find Nightrider." Both adults looked at each other for a moment and then smiled.

"Don’t worry, he’s in good hands," the red dragon assured his daughter. As they all retreated into a nearby cave, Alrohn materialized.

"Jung Tao, today was a great victory for you. May the power of Air carry you to new heights." As the Watcher vanished, Tirana appeared.

"Three down, three to go. The Geranni might have finally met their match." She then faded as well, a small smile on her lips. The air then started swirling around a pile of rocks, and a statue slowly came into existence. JT was riding Tiamat, and both of them were smiling. Below their figures were written the words: Queen Tiamat, Jung Tao, Air. When the dragons saw it, they all blew jets of fire into the air to celebrate the intended victory of their new friends. By the time the Geranni arrived at the peak, it was well past nightfall, and the dragons were long gone. All they could do was send a message back down the mountain that another mysterious statue had appeared, and someone needed to alert the High Rulers.

Chapter 6

Teamwork is the Key

Richard arrived first and rolled into a tree, rubbing his head where it had hit the hard bark. Alora came through next, followed by Sasha and Kalill. JT and Morrigan brought up the rear. The dense rainforest around them was filled with bird whistles, monkey shrieks, croaking frogs, and buzzing insects. Leaves and branches littered the ground, while the fifty-foot trees filtered in a little sun from the canopy. "It’s hot," JT noted, pulling off his black shirt. Morrigan’s eyes widened as a smile lit up her face. She thought the ninja looked absolutely delicious when he was half-naked. Richard took off his long-sleeved, blue-and-red flannel and tied it around his waist, feeling much more comfortable in a navy-blue T-shirt.

"I'll show you guys a place where you can cool off," Alora told them. As they walked along, Kalill realized that while everyone walked on the leaves and sticks, the bounty hunter and ninja were the only ones who made no sound. Soon a deep rumbling was heard, and a waterfall was seen through the trees. It fell from rocks twenty feet above their heads and tumbled into a crystal-clear pool sixty feet around. With a whoop, Kalill threw his staff on a rock and jumped in after flipping off his sandals. Alora gracefully dove in after him when she had removed her sandals. JT was grinning from ear to ear as he looked from Morrigan to the water and back again. He slipped the sheath off his back and stepped out of his boots, placing the six-inch dagger beside the sword. The healer caught the look and slipped the pack from her shoulders and took her shoes off just in case.

"Don’t even think about it," she warned with a smile.

"Too late," he answered, grabbing her around the waist and jumping into the pool. Sasha started laughing as Morrigan came up for air with a shriek. The brunette then tried to dunk JT, but only succeeded in splashing him. Alora rolled her eyes, but Kalill splashed her and she smiled. Sasha sat down on a flat rock, laying her skirt over her legs and untying her knee-high black-leather boots. Richard sat beside her, slipping off his pack.

"Don’t you want to swim?" he asked.

"I'm fine right now," she assured him.

"You sure?" She turned her blue eyes on him, like she was daring him to try something. Richard squirmed under her intent stare, but he didn’t break eye contact. "If you throw me into that water, I promise that I will turn you into something very unpleasant."

"How about a newt?" Sasha stared at him for a moment longer, trying to determine if he was serious or not. Then she blushed and laughed, and Richard joined in. Meanwhile, JT and Kalill were whispering to each other and pointing at the two on the rock. Alora tugged on Morrigan’s damp sleeve and dragged her to the far corner of the pool.

"When boys whisper, stupidity and pranks tend to follow," she explained. Suddenly a violent wind kicked up, making large waves on the surface of the pond. Before anyone could say anything, the rock that Sasha and Richard were sitting on tipped forward, dumping them both into the water. JT and Kalill burst out laughing as they fixed the rock and stopped the wind. Sasha came up out of the water with fire in her eyes.

"To get me wet was just not nice! Now you’ll become two little white mice!" The moment the words were out of her mouth, the ninja and shaman began shrinking. A minute later Sasha picked up the two squeaking rodents by their tails. Almost immediately, Morrigan’s pack began shaking, and a black reptilian snout poked out. The baby dragon then proceeded to pull himself all the way out and dash to the edge of the pool.

"Nightrider!" Morrigan yelled in disbelief. The dragonet was now hopping up and down with his mouth open.

"He wants the mice," Richard realized, brushing his hair out of his eyes. Alora saw the blonde’s evil grin.

"Sasha, don’t do it. All they did was get you wet."

"I wasn’t going to, Alora. I'm a witch, not a bitch."

"Could you please turn them back?" Morrigan asked. Richard swam to where Nightrider was and pulled himself onto the rocks. Reaching over and grabbing his backpack, he pulled out a package of beef jerky.

"I'll feed him while you turn those clowns back," he told her. He then held a piece of meat out, and the tiny creature jumped up and grabbed it. Sasha put the mice on dry land.

"What once was done, now undo. I return you to the form that’s true." A flash of light followed the spell, and then JT and Kalill stood there.

"Sorry Sasha," the shaman apologized.

"Don’t do that again," JT warned. Sasha leapt out of the water and landed on both feet on the rim of the pond.

"Or else what? If you can’t take the heat, don’t piss me off."

"Heat?" the dark-haired boy echoed.

"Fire low and fire high, now at last I will be dry." A blast of super-hot air engulfed the girl, and she was completely dry when it passed.

"Impressive," Alora remarked. She and Morrigan calmly walked out of the water, the green-eyed girl wringing out her dress.

"Think you could dry me off too?" Sasha did the same spell, and Morrigan fluffed out her hair. "Much better, thanks."

"Someone grab the dragon and let’s get going to my village," Alora ordered, preferring to dry naturally. JT turned to face her, and she smiled slyly. "We’re on my turf now, little boy. I'm queen of this jungle." She stalked back into the forest, the other five at her heels. Sasha held back as Richard picked up Nightrider. The baby was chirping happily.

"Got anything on the "Care and Feeding of Dragons" in your book?"

"Once we get to wherever Alora is leading us, I'll look." The American nodded and let the dragon sit on his shoulder, where he could see the scenery clearly.

"I wonder why he followed us?" The Russian scratched the little creature between the two short horns on top of his head.

"Fate must have a reason. Everything will be revealed in time."

* * *

Alora’s village consisted of twenty large huts, bustling women, laughing children, and stern men. A large woman in a knee-length, deerskin dress came running to embrace Alora, five children following her. "Sweet daughter, you’ve returned!"

"Good evening, Mother," Alora respectfully greeted. "Hiya rugrats!" she added, hugging her little brothers and sisters.

"Who are they?" the oldest boy demanded, his dark eyes alighting on the other teens. Alora gave him a chiding look when he reached for a spear.

"Rio, they’re my friends. And don’t think that just because Father isn’t alive and you’re twelve, that you’re man of the house. Until next year, you’re still only a child."

"He doesn’t like being reminded," the oldest girl said.

"Shut-up Kara, I don’t need your comments," Rio told the ten-year old, who frowned at him.

"Don’t talk to her like that," the eight-year old defended her sister.

"You be quiet too, Marika," the six year-old piped up.

"Tell ‘em, Tyro!" the three year-old shouted.

"All of you be quiet!" Alora ordered. Her siblings listened and closed their mouths. "Now take Danno to Aunt Karina’s. Mother and I have to discuss a few things." Kara picked up the toddler while Rio herded them to another hut, where a round-faced woman holding a baby greeted them with hugs. After the children were out of earshot, Alora’s mother asked:

"Did you get that Geranni bastard?"

"No. I was right on his heels when this weird purple light brought me to this cave…" The bounty hunter filled her mother in on all the details. She listened attentively, her nut-brown eyes flicking to each teen as Alora introduced them. "Everyone, this is my mother, Paltina."

"Pleased to meet you, ma’am," Kalill replied.

"The pleasure is all mine, sweetie. Now I want all of you to join me for dinner. It’s the least I can do for the saviors of the world." They walked inside the twelve-foot circular hut. A fire was in the center of the floor; eight hammocks all around suspended from poles. In the leaves that made up the roof was a small hole to let the smoke out. A kettle with soup in it and a roast pig were on the fire. On a nearby table were pitchers of water and fresh fruit. "Help yourself," Paltina offered.

"Alora, I love your mother," Kalill said with a satisfied smile.

"Ditto," Richard added as he grabbed a wooden plate off the table. When everyone had a cup, bowl, and plate, they began eating. Sasha picked up pieces of pork and fed them to Nightrider as she looked through her all-purpose book. Richard leaned over her shoulder.

"What Guardian are we facing?"

"The Kraken." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Alora’s mother’s head shot up.

"What is Alora going to fight?" she asked.

"The Kraken," the witch repeated. Paltina stood up abruptly, her dress rustling as she put her hands to her hips.

"My daughter will not be fighting that- That… Thing." Alora calmly stood up and pointed outside.

"Could I talk to you privately, Mother?" The two women walked out of the hut, where they proceeded to argue. They yelled and swore vehemently, neither one giving in. The others just stared at the scene, and even Nightrider had a puzzled look on his face. Three hours later, Sasha sat up in the hammock she was sleeping in. Alora and Paltina had gone to bed without a word to each other after an hour of arguing, and the rest of the group had decided to turn in early too. Something Alrohn had said back in Japan had come to the front of the blonde’s brain, and she mulled it over.

"The group already knows about Morrigan and Kalill’s past, and Alora has revealed half of hers."

"I wonder if the Kraken has something to do with Alora’s past?" Nightrider chirped angrily from his resting-place on Richard’s chest, and the witch giggled. "Sorry little one, I'll go to bed now." She lay down again, but couldn’t help but flash back to Paltina’s highly negative reaction to Alora having to fight the Kraken.

* * *

Dawn found most of the village still sleeping peacefully, except for Alora. She jumped out of her hammock and silently gathered her supplies and her trident. "Goodbye Mother," she whispered as she gently kissed Paltina’s forehead. Moving on silent feet, she crept out of the hut and headed for the forest. A long-forgotten trail would lead her to the sea, and the Kraken. Today she would either kill the wretched beast, or die trying.

"Where are you going, Alora?" the deep voice broke into her thoughts. She whirled around, the trident up in a defense position. Kalill was standing a little back on the path, his staff in his hands.

"Why are you following me?" she demanded, leaning on her trident.

"I believe I asked you a question first."

"I'm going to face the Kraken."

"Alone?" He seemed mildly amused, but Alora narrowed her eyes.

"Yes, I'm going alone."

"I won’t let you do that." Alora tipped back her head and laughed.

"You won’t let me? Oh, that’s cute, Kalill. That’s real cute. This is my fight, and no one else is coming along. If I don’t destroy the Kraken, then the rest of you will just have to continue without me."

"But we’ll never defeat the Geranni without you. We’re a team, Alora," he gently reminded her.

"Stop saying that! I never depended on anyone else for my livelihood. We aren’t a team. We’re just a bunch of teens who got thrown together because the Geranni picked our names out of a hat! But even if I hadn’t been picked, I'd still face the Kraken alone!"

"But why?"

"Because it killed my sister!" she shouted, sinking to her knees and bursting into tears. Kalill was stunned by her words, and didn’t know what to do at first. But then he bent down next to her and gently put his arm around her shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." Kalill patted her hand, and she looked up at him.

"You already yelled at me about your father dying a hero. Can’t you yell at me about your sister too?" A small smile flashed across her face.

"All right, I'll tell you. My twin sister Riana and I were inseparable. Father called us his two jewels. I was the fighter, and Riana was ever the peacemaker. On the day we turned thirteen, we were taken to the sea for our consecration into adulthood. We had to swim twenty yards out into the cold ocean, turn around, and then swim back. We’d done it already in practice when no one had been watching, and we were eager to show our tribe what we could do. We made it out and started to swim back, when I felt a… Presence in the water. I couldn’t really describe it, but I knew we weren’t alone. At first I thought it was a shark, but there was nothing. Suddenly Riana was pulled underwater, and I heard people start screaming. She surfaced after a minute, and I told her to swim for her life. But whatever had gotten her pulled her under again, and I dove to try and see what it was. What I saw will haunt me for the rest of my life. The Kraken was eighty feet long, with hooked tentacles and a large beak. Its huge eyes were as big as plates, and it focused its eyes on me. Riana was struggling, but it did her no good. The Kraken wrapped its arms more tightly around her and dragged her down into the depths. The last I saw of my sister was her hand being lost in a cloud of ink and blood. I never forgave myself for what happened that day."

"It wasn’t your fault-" Kalill began.

"I should’ve done something! Instead I floated there like a brain-dead fish, staring at my sister’s killer. That’s why I don’t depend on people anymore. My sister was depending on me to save her, and I couldn’t. I won’t make that same mistake."

"You were a child!" Kalill argued. "There was nothing you could’ve done! You’re lucky the Kraken didn’t kill you too!" Alora sobbed against his chest, and he hugged her tightly. "Your sister loved you, and I'm sure that she doesn’t think it’s your fault that she died. But you can’t face the Kraken completely alone. It’s just like you girls arguing with JT about him not wanting you to fight because of his sister. Let us help you, Alora. We’re your friends, and we’ll stand by you no matter what."

"But I couldn’t-" He shushed her gently.

"No buts. Let’s go back and wake the others."

"No need. We’re right here." The two of them looked up to see the rest of the group standing on the trail, all their stuff with them.

"Nightrider woke us up," Richard explained.

"Did you hear?.." Alora didn’t finish the sentence.

"We heard enough to know that this is personal for you. And Kalill is right. We’ll stand by you through anything," Morrigan told her. The bounty hunter sniffed and wiped her eyes as she stood up.

"Then let’s go get that Kraken." The teens raced off down the path, smelling the salty air of the ocean as they came closer. At last they came upon a sandy stretch of beach, littered with rocks, shells, and birds flying overhead. The waves lapped against the wet sand, and the sun was rising higher in the sky. A breeze blew cool, moist air against their faces.

"This is it?" JT asked.

"This is it. Now all we have to do is find the Kraken," Alora replied.

"How are you going to get its attention? Stand in the water and shout at it?" Richard wondered. Alora glared at him, and he decided to shut up.

"I'll get its attention somehow."

"Perhaps we can help," Kalill offered. He nodded at JT and Morrigan. They exchanged glances with each other, then nodded back.

"Sure. I think we can cook up something," Morrigan added. Without warning she sent a multi-colored ray of light into the water. Kalill caused the earth to shake, and JT called up a mighty windstorm. The sky darkened as lightning flashed across the sky. The waves now struck the beach with increasing force, and Nightrider hid in Richard’s pack. Suddenly, a huge tentacle shot above the water, waving wildly. Then another appeared, followed by at least four more. The Kraken surfaced, its dinner-plate-sized eyes rolling in its head and its huge parrot-like beak open. Morrigan and Sasha screamed, and Richard jumped. Kalill and JT stood in shocked silence, but Alora shouted above the melee:

"You wretched creature! I've come back to kill you for taking Riana away! Prepare to taste my trident!"

"Then come out here and face me," the creature called back, its voice sounding like it was talking through the water still. Alora turned to Richard, who took out his crossbow and made a rainbow bridge to where the large squid was waiting. Immediately Alora jumped on it and ran out, followed by JT and Kalill. Richard put his pack down, assuring the whimpering dragon that he’d be back. Morrigan and Sasha followed him, their weapons ready.

"Die, you hateful beast!" the bounty hunter screamed as she struck at one of the tentacles with her trident. The other five surfaced from the water, all ten arms engaging the teens in combat.

"Cut them off!" JT shouted, hacking away at one of the spike-filled appendages. Kalill used the diamond in his staff to slice through flesh, while Morrigan and Sasha used their weapons’ sharp points. Richard discovered that his crossbow also fired a never-ending supply of arrows, and he continued to assault the main body of the Kraken. Nightrider cheered the teens from shore, jumping up and down while chirping. Alora managed to sever one tentacle, and then three more fell off. Kalill got a fourth while Richard pinned down another. Sasha and JT tore a sixth one off, and Morrigan helped Alora take away another. Soon only two tentacles were left, but they were the longest ones.

"Get the one that Richard pinned down!" Alora ordered, dashing across the rainbow walkway. Sasha went to turn, but slipped in a pool of blood and toppled into the sea. Richard dove in after her. With a laugh, the Kraken pulled its tentacle free of the arrows and knocked the other teens into the water as well. With numerous scrapes on them from the tentacles’ hooks, they’d be easy targets because of the blood trail. Alora came up sputtering next to Morrigan and JT. Richard and Sasha were a few yards away, and Kalill came up next to them.

"Swim to shore!" the shaman urged, trying to swim with his staff. When Sasha and Richard tried to follow, they were pulled under. Kalill vanished under the waves a moment later. Morrigan screamed as something tugged her ankle and pulled her down, and JT was grabbed a moment later. The Kraken dove beneath the surface, laughing insanely. Alora shouted and followed it underwater. She saw her friends struggling to free themselves from the deadly grip, but to no avail. The sharp hooks dug into their flesh, and more blood flowed into the water. Soon the sharks would come around, and they would die anyway. Anger seethed inside Alora as adrenaline flooded into her veins. She swam down to the laughing leviathan and plunged her trident into its eye. It let loose a sound that sounded like a scream and a squawk. Again and again Alora plunged the trident into its body, smiling as blood flowed faster. The creature surfaced with Alora on its head, still stabbing at it. The tentacles lost their grip and dumped the teens back into the water. It then tried to grab Alora, but the nimble girl avoided the two bloody arms.

"You cannot beat me! I am Master of the Seas!" Alora stared straight into its good yellow-and-black eye.

"Not anymore," she whispered as she stuck the trident into its heart. The Kraken spasmed violently as a geyser of blood shot into the air, throwing Alora into the ocean. As they all watched, the Kraken stopped struggling and began sinking into the sea. But before it disappeared completely, it transformed into a glowing ball of blue light. The orb danced over the waves and bobbed up and down in front of Alora. She reached out and touched the sphere, and a stream of blue light entered her body.

"Are you all right?" Morrigan asked her.

"I'm fine." JT looked towards the beach.

"How are we getting back to shore?" he inquired. Alora smiled and pointed at the ocean. Immediately a wave picked them up and carried them to land. All of them were laughing.

"We’ll surf back!" she finally answered. When they were once again on dry land, Nightrider and Paltina were there to meet them. Alora hugged her mother tightly. Both of them were crying softly.

"I knew you would do it. I knew you had the courage," Paltina said.

"I couldn’t have done it without my friends, Mother." The woman smiled at the sopping-wet teens.

"Thank you for helping my daughter. Our family owes you a great deal of gratitude."

"Alora has done the same for us, and she’ll have to do it twice more. We’re repaying our debt to her," JT replied. Morrigan shed her rainbow light on everyone, and their gashes disappeared. Richard recalled the rainbow bridge, and Sasha dried them off. Nightrider nuzzled each one of them.

"I think he’s happy to see us all safe," Kalill noted.

"So am I," Paltina added.

"Where to next?" Morrigan asked.

"Yes, whose gift are we going after now?" Alora wondered.

"Richard’s," Sasha said, while at the same time Richard said:

"Sasha’s." JT looked at them for a moment.

"We’re going to Russia," he announced. Sasha sighed heavily as Kalill opened a portal. Alora said goodbye to her mother, who waved as they stepped through the glowing ring. When the gateway had disappeared, Alrohn and Tirana appeared a little further down the beach.

"Teamwork will serve you well, Alora. Depending on others isn’t a weakness if they’re the right people. And now the power of Water will allow you to drown out the Geranni," he spoke.

"Four of them have passed their tests, but the two others will find their tests harder. Do you think they’re ready?" Tirana questioned.

"For their sake, let us hope so." The two Watchers vanished, and the waves came farther up the beach. Suddenly a great wall of water crashed onto the sand in one spot, and when it was gone, a statue remained. Alora was stabbing the Kraken with her trident. Underneath were written the words: Kraken, Alora, Water. Paltina smiled when she saw it, and ran to get the entire village. Word soon spread through the rainforest about the girl who had defeated the Kraken. The resistance to the Geranni was strengthened by the tale of the bounty hunter and her friends.

Sasha leapt out of the portal and landed in a snow-covered valley. She mumbled something to herself, and then a beautiful, snow-white cloak materialized in her hands, which she put on. It fell to her ankles, and was trimmed with soft, white fur on the sides and bottom. A fur-trimmed hood covered her head from the cold wind. Richard stepped up next to her, followed by Kalill. The hiker put on his flannel, then rubbed his hands up and down his arms. The nearly-naked shaman was shivering. Alora, JT, and Morrigan stepped through the glowing hole as it closed. "It’s freezing!" the Brazilian complained. Kalill nodded in silent agreement.

"Travelers from across the seas, here are cloaks so you won’t freeze," Sasha chanted. A flash of light momentarily blinded them, but Kalill smiled as he pulled a sun-yellow cape tightly around his shoulders. It fastened at his throat and went to his ankles, but it didn’t have fur or a hood like the girls’ did. Alora’s cloak was a shade of dark-purple, and JT’s blood-red cape caught everyone’s attention. Morrigan pulled the sky-blue fabric of her cloak around her body, pulling up the hood as well. Sasha’s cloak was now a soft, leaf-green, but Richard was in a white cape. A wind whipped across them, and the witch began walking towards a nearby cliff-face. Nightrider squeaked and burrowed deeper into the American’s pack as the group followed the green-covered figure. After trudging through the light snow and crunchy grass for half-an-hour, they came to a large cave.

"How did you know this was here?" JT asked.

"I live here, remember? I know every inch of this area. All twenty square miles of it."

"How long have you lived here?" Morrigan wondered as she slipped off her cloak and pack. The others followed her lead, and Richard began to pile up some dead grass and branches that he’d found in the back.

"I’ve lived here my whole life," Sasha answered the healer. Nightrider crawled out of Richard’s bag and over to the pile, where he proceeded to light it. Soon there was a decent blaze to warm the cave.

"Sasha, shouldn’t you look in your book to see who the next Guardian is?" Kalill mentioned. The blonde didn’t look up from the fire.

"I know who it is."

"Who is it?" JT pressed.

"You’ll find out soon enough."

"Can’t you tell us now?" Alora broke in.

"Leave her alone," Richard spoke up from across the fire. The shadows dancing across his face made him appear threatening. Sasha stood up abruptly, grabbed her cloak, and walked outside where the sun was beginning to peak through the clouds. Nightrider chirped and dashed out after her. Richard followed the dragon a moment later, taking his cape. When they were out of eyesight and earshot, JT turned to the other three.

"What’s up with them?"

"Everyone has demons to face," Morrigan replied.

"Sasha will tell us when she’s ready," Kalill wisely stated.

"Maybe," Alora mumbled to herself.

* * *

Sasha was vaguely aware of being followed as she trudged through the valley, but it didn’t matter. Her past was personal, and it would stay that way. A pine tree came into view, towering twenty feet above the ground. Underneath the snow-laden boughs was a gray stone with a pentacle carved in it. On the trunk of the tree was tied a tattered black ribbon, a little faded around the edges. Tears formed in her eyes as she kneeled down and kissed the pentacle. "I'm so sorry, Nikolas. Please forgive me," she whispered, looking at the ribbon.

"Eep?" Nightrider squeaked, nuzzling her hand. Sasha looked down at him through her tears.

"I let him down, baby. I didn’t have the power to save him."

"Save who?" Richard’s soft voice asked from behind her.

"None of your business."

"You have to talk to someone."

"I could say the same about you. This is personal Richard, so do me a favor and mind your own business."

"You are my business right now. Just tell me what’s wrong."

"No!"

"Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Because I'm like that!"

"Just tell me-"

"No!"

"Who’s under the stone?"

"None of your business!"

"How did-"

"Because I couldn’t save him!" She whirled around and instinctively threw a bolt of pure energy at him, which hit his chest and knocked him back three feet. Sasha got up and rushed to his side, worry on her face and in her eyes. "Richard, are you all right?"

"Sure," he coughed. "Just had the wind knocked out of me."

"I'm sorry, but I do that when I get upset."

"Remind me never to make you mad." He sat up slowly, the pain in his chest fading to a dull ache. A silver chain slipped out of Sasha’s shirt, and he saw two silver pentacles hanging from it. She helped him stand, then tucked the pendants back in.

"Who died?" JT asked as he walked up, his eyes on the grave. Richard saw the icy glare in the blonde’s eyes and shook his head.

"Don’t bother her, JT," he softly warned the ninja. While the boys had their backs to her, Sasha bolted across the open field. Nightrider chirped and flew off after her. JT started to follow, but Richard grabbed his arm.

"Richard, we have to help her."

"We can’t do anything if she won’t accept our help."

"When I went to my sister’s grave, Sasha followed me. She got me to thinking about what a jerk I'd been, especially to Morrigan. Now she needs help, and I'm going after her. Besides, there’s something she said that’s really been bothering me."

"What did she say?"

"We were arguing about what a real man was, and she was yelling that I wasn’t half the man that someone else was. But she didn’t say his name, and then she ran off."

"She does that a lot."

"Runs away? Yeah, I've noticed it too. And she really didn’t want to come back here. There’s fear in her eyes."

"No offense, but I don’t think any of us were too keen on going back home to face the Guardians. Everyone except you so far has lost someone to them. I can’t blame Sasha for being a little skittish. Frankly, I'd rather not face my Guardian, but I know I have to so I can get my gift."

"If Sasha doesn’t face her Guardian, she won’t get her gift."

"Just leave her alone, JT. It’s what she wants."

"But it’s not what she needs. I'm going after her. You stay with the others and try to find out who the Guardian is this time. I'll be back before you know it." With a swirl of his red cape, the ninja ran in the direction of Sasha and Nightrider. Richard began walking back to the cave, when he heard a loud HONK! He looked all around, but saw nothing.

"That’s weird. I could’ve sworn I heard a goose." Taking one last look around, he started jogging back to the others.

* * *

JT felt the wind whipping up and quieted it, wanting to find Sasha before another snowstorm hit. Burned trees began dotting the snowy ground, and then he came upon the shell of a cottage. The white walls were charred and had a dusting of gray ash on them. Timbers were cracked and burned, and the smell of smoke still hung thick in the air. "I wonder who lived here?"

"I did," a soft voice said from the wreckage. Sasha stood up with a smashed bottled in her hand, Nightrider perched on her shoulder.

"What happened to it?"

"The Geranni burned it. If the Watchers hadn’t saved me, I might’ve burned too. As it is, whatever I didn’t throw in my bag was destroyed." She gazed wistfully over the remains of her home. "And we worked so hard."

"Who’s we?" JT pressed, moving closer.

"That’s not your concern," she snapped in reply.

"Sasha, you can’t keep running away from your problems. If something’s bothering you, then you should talk to someone."

"You wouldn’t understand."

"Yes I wou-" She whirled suddenly, and Nightrider dug his talons into her shoulder to keep from falling off.

"No one understands me! No one ever did, except Nikolas! And now he’s dead!" JT stood in silence as she sunk to her knees, hands covering her face. Her shoulders shook as a sob pulled itself from her throat. "He’s dead, and it’s all my fault," she whispered.

"Sasha, I'm sure it wasn’t-"

"Nikolas died for me! He died to save my life!" Tears poured down her cheeks in hot rivers, and JT knelt beside her. Nightrider licked Sasha’s hand with his small forked tongue.

"Why don’t you tell me what happened?" the ninja urged. The witch lifted her head and wiped her eyes with her cloak.

"All right, I suppose no one will leave me alone until I do. Many decades ago a coven of witches came to this land to practice their craft without persecution. But little by little, the families began retreating more and more into themselves. It got so bad that soon no one left their own plot of land. My parents died of a fever when I was ten, and I raised myself with magick and intelligence. A year later I was out gathering wood, when I stumbled upon the body of a boy a year older than I. He was nearly frozen, but I got him home and took care of him. When he awoke, I learned that he was also an orphan, and a fellow witch. The two of us moved in together, after we built a cottage of our own. Our old cottages were where our parents had been buried when the ground outside was too hard to break through. For the two years it took to build, we lived in the cave the others are in now. With Nikolas around, I felt safe and secure from everything. And he always said I could comfort him anytime he needed it. One day I was being curious, and was doing a spell to discover who my soulmate was-"

"Soulmate?" JT interrupted.

"Every person has someone that’s perfect for them. Someone who completes your soul, and makes everything right in the world."

"That sounds nice." Sasha nodded and continued her story:

"The spell I cast created two pendants. One held a piece of my soul, and the other held a piece of my soulmate’s soul. If I hold them together, then a picture of the two of us will materialize." She pulled out from under her shirt the silver chain with the two pentacles. Clasping them tightly in her hand, she closed her eyes. Immediately two pictures appeared in the air like holograms. One was of a Sasha, a bright smile on her face. The other was of a young man who looked like he stood about six feet tall. His hair was as black as night, and fell to his shoulders in a thick sheet. Eyes of sapphire shone like blue fire in his pale, oval face. Broad shoulders led to muscled arms and a flat stomach, then down to tapered hips. Legs that were one-and-a-half time the size of his arms completed the look of strong, yet somehow gentle as well.

"Your soulmate?" JT then noticed the look on Sasha’s face. A slight blush added color to her white cheeks, and her crystalline-blue eyes were shining. She looked pretty like that.

"Nikolas," she whispered. The ninja stood there with his mouth hanging slightly open, staring at the blonde for a full five minutes.

"This is Nikolas?" he finally broke the silence.

"Yes, this is Nikolas. I was surprised too when I found out, but he wasn’t. Somehow he always secretly hoped that I was his soulmate. We swore to raise a family and grow old together. Unfortunately, that never happened. Nikolas died a year ago today. I buried him under the pine tree where I'd first found him, then conjured up a gravestone."

"How did he die?"

"You’ll find out soon enough." Nightrider chirped and nuzzled her cheek, and she got to her feet. The 3D pictures vanished. "Let’s get back to the others. It’s getting late, and we haven’t eaten since yesterday."

"All right." He walked next to Sasha, but kept a space between them, not sure how she would react to his body even accidentally brushing against hers. An hour later they could see the cave, and Morrigan came out to them.

"Is Richard with you?" The pair shook their heads.

"I told him to head back to you guys while I went to find Sasha."

"He’s been gone for about three hours," Alora added as she and Kalill came up. Sasha walked into the cave and grabbed her bag and sword. She took out a package of dried fruit and tossed it at the bounty hunter.

"Eat on the way." Morrigan grabbed her arm before she could leave.

"Where are we going?" Sasha looked right at JT as she said:

"You wanted to know who the Guardian is? Well, here’s your chance. But if we don’t hurry, then Richard will die." With that she loosened the healer’s grip on her arm, turned on her heel, and headed across the valley again. The four others ran and got their stuff, then followed her. Sasha turned to look grimly at Nightrider. "This ends today."

* * *

Richard slowly opened his eyes and tried to focus on something in the dimly lit room. A fireplace had a roaring blaze going, and a mantle held all sorts of colored jars and bottles. The bed he was on was standard size and had a brown, goose-down comforter on it. He didn’t know how he’d gotten there. The last thing he could remember was something heavy cracking him across his skull. He rubbed the back of his head and winced when his fingers touched a sore lump the size of a baseball. "What hit me?"

"I did, young one," a creaky voice spoke from the shadows. A woman walked into the light made by the fire in the hearth. Her snow-white hair was streaked gray and hung in scraggly strands to her feet. Bleached skin sagged in thick wrinkles on her face and arms, and her bony fingers looked almost like claws. A black dress covered her small, round body to her ankles, and black shoes were on her small feet.

"Who are you, and why did you hit me?" Richard demanded, attempting to stand. Immediately a flock of twenty geese rushed into the room, honking furiously. The young man pulled himself into a tight ball and stayed near the wall next to the bed. The old woman smiled at him, though it definitely wasn’t very friendly.

"It appears my pets don’t like you very much," she said as the birds quieted down. "And to answer your question, I hit you so I could bring you here without a problem." Richard peered out a nearby window and saw that they were fifteen feet off the ground. To make matters worse, the house was spinning itself in circles on giant chicken legs! The geese then started honking again. Suddenly the hag wrapped her bony fingers around Richard’s throat and dragged him to the threshold. Throwing open the door, she dangled him over the ground like a worm on a hook.

"Help!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, locking his hands onto the woman’s arm. For all her seeming-frailty, she was as strong as steel.

"Richard, we’re coming!" Kalill’s voice reached his ears. The group burst into the clearing where the cottage was. All of them except Sasha stared at it in utter shock.

"What is that?" Morrigan wanted to know.

"Welcome to my humble abode, children. I do hope your stay is short." No sooner did she finish the sentence then the old woman released her hold on Richard’s throat, and then she slipped her arm from his death-grip. He plummeted to the ground like a stone, but JT caught him in mid-air.

"Thanks," the American said shakily once they were on the ground. Sasha handed the baby dragon to the quivering young man as she strode bravely towards the house.

"Come out and face me, Baba Yaga!" she called.

"Baba-who?" Alora asked quietly. Everyone else just shrugged. A loud, cackling laugh assailed their ears and sent chills up their spines. The black-clad figure came zipping out of the house, sitting in a gigantic mortar bowl and holding a huge pestle in her hands. The geese followed behind her.

"So my dear, you’ve returned. Do you remember what today is?" she inquired, landing on the ground and getting out of the mortar.

"I remember." Baba Yaga smiled slyly.

"But I bet you haven’t told your friends, have you?"

"Please don’t," Sasha whispered, all her bravado gone. Her face paled, and her eyes grew wide.

"Oh, I think I will. I'm sure they’d love to know why you hide from people all the time."

"I don’t hide." The crone chortled.

"Well then, let’s get on with it. You want your precious gift? First you must earn it, little novice."

"Then let’s dismiss with the games."

"But my dear, games are half the fun." The geese hissed as she raised her arms. "By my power as an ageless crone, make these children still as stone." Sasha attempted to budge from her spot, but found that she could only move her eyes and mouth. Everyone else was paralyzed as well.

"Leave Sasha alone!" Morrigan pleaded. Baba Yaga turned evil, brown eyes on the healer.

"Silence, faery killer! Queen Mab was a dear friend of mine, and now that fluff Morgan LeFay is Faery Queen. Once I break Sasha, the rest of you are next, that I promise."

"You won’t break Sasha. She’s stronger than you think," JT shot back, defiance shining in his eyes.

"JT please, you don’t know what you’re saying," Sasha told him, tears forming in her eyes. Baba Yaga slapped her across the face.

"Silence! You knew what coming back here meant, little girl. Now see what my power can do. Summon the magick, a spell I cast. Bring to life your awful past. That sad day I will retell, and make your life a living hell!" Suddenly a ghost-image of Baba Yaga appeared at the door of her house. Phantom geese flew in, dropping a slightly younger Sasha to the ground.

"Please let me go," the image begged as the old woman’s copy jumped to the ground and shuffled towards her.

"But don’t you want to be as powerful as I am? I chose you for your potential, Sasha. I can mold you into the perfect witch," ghost-Baba said.

"The perfect evil witch! I vowed never to use my powers to harm people! "Harm ye none, do as ye will", and I intend to live by that. I'd rather die than be your apprentice!" ghost-Sasha retorted as she stood up.

"Then so be it. You’ve chosen your future, and it will be a short one!" A bolt of black power struck the phantom-blonde in the chest, knocking her to the ground. She tried to get up, but sagged back down.

"Get away from her!" a deep voice ordered as a young man ran into the clearing. He cradled Sasha in his arms, but kept his gaze on Baba Yaga. His sapphire eyes were blazing with hatred and protectiveness.

"Nikolas, get away," the ghost-girl protested.

"I won’t leave you."

"No, not again," the real Sasha begged. Nikolas’ image stood facing Baba Yaga’s image, neither one moving.

"You can’t take Sasha away from me! She’s my soulmate, and we belong together. Nothing can keep us apart, especially not you!" he yelled.

"What a foolish boy you are. There’s one thing that can separate you."

"No, nothing in all the universe could part us. We are bound for all eternity, living out our lives together."

"Then try to destroy me, if you think that will help your lady love," the crone challenged. He threw a ball of turquoise energy, but the hag simply caught it in her claw-like hand and smiled evilly. "Pathetic. Your punishment is death." Black lances of power shot from her fingertips and headed straight for him. The past-Sasha threw up a shield in front of Nikolas, but it didn’t stand a chance as the lances shattered it like glass and sliced through the young man’s chest and stomach. Blood streamed from his body as he collapsed on the ground.

"NO!" both Sashas screamed in anguish. The cackling laugh of the old woman rose above the screams as the images faded away. With a wave of her hand, the crone released the teens from their statue-like stances. Sasha fell to her knees, head in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"I do believe she broke," Baba Yaga told JT. Then she turned to the geese. "You can dispose of the others, but leave Sasha for me." The honking birds rushed at the five teens, and Richard put Nightrider into his bag to keep him safe, though the little dragon was squealing all the while.

"Fight back!" JT ordered, drawing his sword. Kalill tossed Richard his crossbow, and then both boys jumped into the fray. Morrigan and Alora were right behind them. Sasha stayed on her knees, letting the green cloak settle around her while she cried.

"Why? Why, why, why?" she kept asking herself. A hot tear slid down her cheek and splashed onto the pentacle that held the piece of Nikolas’ soul. Then she felt a cool hand slide gently down her face. She looked up and was staring into sapphire-blue eyes that were framed by tendrils of midnight-black hair.

"How’s my little ice maiden?" a familiar, deep voice wondered. Nikolas leaned down and kissed her; a soft brush of lips that made her heart rate quicken and her stomach tighten.

"Nikolas? But how-" He put his hand gently over her mouth.

"Before I can be reincarnated, I have to avenge my death. Besides, I'd use any excuse to see you again."

"But once you’re avenged-"

"Sasha, I don’t regret what I did. I'd walk through Tartarus a thousand times if it meant saving your life. I know you tried to save me, and I thank you. Once Baba Yaga is gone, I'll be reborn. The pendant will help you find me. Now let’s go help your friends." He pulled Sasha to her feet and took her hand. The couple called out in unison:

"Baba Yaga, we challenge you! Choose your weapon, or choose your champion." Morrigan looked up in shock to see the soulmates. Her lance wasn’t glowing, so that meant that it really was Nikolas.

"I need no "champion" to fight for me. Prepare to-" the old woman turned around and stared at Nikolas for a moment. "Prepare to taste my power." The geese took to the sky and flew off quickly, and the hag pointed at the two other witches. "This is mortal combat between Sasha and myself. Not even her dead soulmate can help. The weapon will be magick." Sasha took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

"I accept your terms." Nikolas squeezed her hand and backed up towards the others, his eyes not leaving Sasha’s face.

"Can Sasha beat her?" Alora asked him.

"If she believes she can, then she will." Meanwhile, the old witch and the young one circled each other, power flaring around them in green for the blonde and black for the Guardian. Sasha fired a bolt of electricity, but Baba Yaga blocked it and threw a ball of energy at her. The blonde did a back flip and landed safely in a defensive crouch.

"You’ve been practicing," the hag complimented.

"You left me no choice." A barrage of green energy-arrows flew at the old woman, and she dodged all but one. It caught her across the hand and drew a thin line of blood.

"You wound me more with your words, dearie." She struck at the green-cloaked figure with a whip of black energy, and a cut appeared on Sasha’s cheek. Her eyes narrowed and turned icy.

"Enough games. This ends today." Black fur suddenly sprouted on her pale skin, and her nails lengthened into lethal claws. A long, black tail broke through the skin at the base of her spine as she dropped to all fours. Her clothes finished molding themselves into velvety fur as she opened a mouth full of sharp teeth and snarled. Her eyes had changed to yellow, and her tail thumped the ground. The panther was impatient.

"What just happened?" Richard demanded.

"She morphed into her animal," Kalill replied.

"Everyone has an animal inside them, and Sasha has learned how to bring hers to the front. It takes skill to do that," Nikolas added. Baba Yaga was smiling as her neck lengthened and her arms became brown wings. Webbed feet brought her even closer to the ground, and a beak grew grotesquely out of her mouth. When all the changes were complete, a brown goose stood facing the black panther. Without warning, the large feline leapt at the bird, which honked and flapped its wings in the cat’s face. Claws sliced feathers as a beak pecked at flesh. Blood started falling to the ground as both animals collapsed and began to painfully reform.

"You don’t have the power to beat me!" Sasha slowly got to her feet.

"Yes, I do," she replied. Baba Yaga threw a lance of power at her, but it bounced off Sasha’s shield and fizzled.

"No one defies me and lives! You think you knew pain and darkness before? Well get ready dearie, because this time the darkness will claim you! Darkness, despair, all the pain; upon this girl you will now rain," she chanted. The ground around Sasha exploded with dark power, and she screamed and dropped to her knees. Her body began turning shadowy, and her cries of pain and horror intensified.

"Sasha!" Nikolas called to her.

"Fight it!" JT yelled.

"Hold on!" Alora and Morrigan encouraged.

"Chee-eee!" Nightrider squealed, sticking his head out of the bag.

"It’s no use, children. Once the darkness takes over, she will die!"

"Sasha, fight her magick!" Richard told his new friend.

"I don’t have the power," she feebly responded.

"Yes, you do!"

"Believe in yourself, Sasha! I know you can beat her!" Nikolas added.

"I can’t-"

"You can!" everyone shouted at her. Closing her eyes, the young witch searched within herself for power. A spark answered her search, and she shoved into it all her anger and energy. An inferno raged inside her heart as she flashed back to the day that Nikolas had died.

"Light conquers darkness as power I gain. Silence the madness and end all the pain," she whispered with her last bit of strength. As a giant sphere of green energy shot out of her, she slumped to the ground. The dark power suddenly stopped, and her body returned to its pale self. The sphere shot towards Baba Yaga and enveloped her. She cried out as the ball began shrinking, crushing her inside. When it was the size of a basketball, it turned from green to red. The orb floated over to Sasha, and she placed a shaking hand on it. It entered her body and filled her with power. Nikolas took her hand and pulled her gently to her feet.

"You did it, my little ice maiden," he whispered as they kissed deeply. Morrigan smiled shyly at JT, and he blushed.

"We should be going," Kalill interrupted the moment.

"Yeah, we have to get Richard’s gift," JT brought up.

"Speaking of gifts, what was yours, Sasha?" Morrigan wondered. Not saying a word, the Russian held a fireball in her bare hand.

"Fire. Very effective," Alora noted. Kalill waved his staff, and a portal opened. JT, Morrigan, and Alora leapt through immediately. Kalill jumped in right after them, and Richard sighed and walked through. Sasha and Nikolas stood with their arms around each other for a moment longer, and Nightrider perched on her shoulder.

"I don’t want you to go," she pleaded.

"I'll always be with you, Sasha. Don’t worry, we’ll find each other again. If there’s one thing I believe in, it’s that."

"I love you." He smiled and kissed her one final time.

"I love you too." Then he turned to the dragon. "Take care of her for me, okay?" His voice sounded thick with emotion.

"Chirp!" Sasha giggled, then got serious again. She started to step through the portal, and then turned back. Tears were in her eyes, and one slipped down her cheek. Blowing him a kiss, she walked into the gateway. As the shimmering hole closed, Alrohn appeared beside the young man, Tirana on his arm.

"Would you want to be reborn?" he asked.

"I would rather live out my life with Sasha, sir."

"You gave your life for her. That was a very noble thing to do," Tirana commented. Nikolas wiped away a tear.

"I would do it again if it meant she was still alive. We made a promise to raise a family and grow old together."

"Perhaps that can be arranged. We’ll see what the other Watchers say," Alrohn told him.

"But for now, come back with us and watch your soulmate finish her quest," Tirana invited, taking his hand. Nikolas smiled as they both vanished. Alrohn sighed as he gazed at where the teens had been. "My dear witch, today you realized your true potential. Believing in yourself and your powers will help out your group. May the power of Fire keep your heart warm against evil. Your soulmate is in good hands." He disappeared, and a huge flame shot up from the ground where he’d been. When it subsided, a statue of Sasha fighting with Baba Yaga stood with these words carved on it: Baba Yaga, Sasha, Fire. The house stopped spinning and slowly faded from existence, and the nearby geese dissolved in rabbits, squirrels, and foxes. A light snow dusted the valley, finally free of the old crone after centuries of being under her dark power.

You Must be a Leader

JT felt the dry leaves crunch under his feet as he surveyed the thick forest. Alora was sitting on a tree branch five feet above his head, getting a better view. When everyone was through, Morrigan walked over to Sasha and gave her a hug. "I'm so sorry you had to relive that."

"Thank you for being there," the blonde replied. JT noticed that Richard’s eyes were darting all over the woods, like he expected an attack.

"Where are we?" the ninja asked him.

"The Pine Barrens of New Jersey. My cabin is a mile to the west. We should get there before nightfall." He started walking away, weaving in and out of trees. The white cape made it easier to follow him. Richard’s house was a small log cabin with a large creek running behind it and a generator to power the lights. As soon as they were inside, he double-bolted the door shut. Alora gazed out the large front window and watched the sun sink slowly below the horizon.

"All right, let’s get down to business. Sasha, you figure out the Guardian while Morrigan and Kalill get dinner. Richard, you show them where everything is. Alora and I will go out on patrol-" JT began.

"No!" Richard shouted. Everyone turned to stare at him. "It- It’s not safe out there at night."

"Because of the Geranni?" Alora wanted to know.

"Even they won’t walk around at night."

"Why not?" Morrigan wondered.

"I'd rather not go into it." JT looked over at Sasha, who nodded.

"You will tell us when the time is right," Kalill predicted.

"Let’s all get dinner ready," Morrigan advised, wanting to get off the subject. The group nodded, and Richard showed them the pantry. A meal of stew, bread, dried fruit, and fresh water soon satisfied their appetites. The American showed them the ladder to the second level, and they helped him bring up blankets and pillows to lay on the floor.

"Where are your parents?" Sasha asked softly when the others were asleep. Richard rolled over and shook his hair out of his eyes.

"They travel around a lot, mostly working in various parks as temporary rangers. I've lived on my own for about three years now."

"What’s out in the woods that you’re so afraid of?"

"Something that the Geranni are afraid of."

"You didn’t answer my question." He met her eyes as he spoke.

"Sasha, I couldn’t describe it even if I wanted to. But just trust me on one thing: If you ever feel like you’re being watched while in these woods, run as fast as you can, and don’t ever look back."

"Why?"

"Because the creature that lives in this area is something you’d never expect to see this side of hell."

* * *

Richard was jerked awake a few hours later by the sound of glass being scratched. His heart thudded in his chest, and his breathing quickened. Sweat dampened his brow, and he quickly wiped it away. "Please, let it be a tree branch," he said softly, so as not to wake anyone. The scraping began again, and he jumped. Sasha sat up quickly, her eyes wide as she stared at him.

"What’s that sound?" she whispered, Nightrider clutched to her chest.

"The creature." A high-pitched scream suddenly echoed through the house, and everyone sat bolt-upright.

"What the hell was that?" JT demanded. Alora moved towards the ladder, but Richard grabbed her arm.

"Don’t go down there," he warned.

"Why not?" He sighed heavily and released her.

"Then we’ll all go down." With JT in the lead, the group descended to the first floor. No lights were on, and the night was pitch-black.

"Need a light?" Sasha asked. The scratching came again at the front window. Morrigan grabbed JT’s hand.

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you," Richard whispered. A ball of flame flared to life in Sasha’s hand, and they all saw the creature at the window. It stood four feet high, and its stick-thin legs ended in horse hooves. A long serpentine tail moved over the ground. Arms the thickness of its legs led to paw-like hands, and a pair of three-foot bat-like wings grew from its shoulders. A two-foot neck looked too thin to support the dog-like head. Its eyes glowed red as it pressed its broad nose against the window. Morrigan and Sasha screamed, and JT stumbled backwards. Richard covered his eyes with his hands as Alora sat down hard on the floor. Kalill shouted and turned away. Nightrider whimpered in Sasha’s arms. The creature let loose another blood-curdling scream and flew away.

"What-was-that?" Morrigan asked slowly, holding on tightly to JT. He stroked her back to calm her down. Sasha hugged the shaking dragon as Kalill helped Alora to stand.

"That was the thing that even the Geranni are afraid of," Richard answered. "It’s called the Jersey Devil."

"The what?" Kalill confusedly asked. Richard sighed and gestured for them to sit on the two couches in the living room.

"No one knows the true origin of the Jersey Devil, but they know it exists. Though most call it a hoax, everyone who sees it knows it’s real. I met the creature three years ago, right after I started living on my own. It was dusk, and I was gathering water in the creek when I heard what sounded like a horse or deer walking through the brush. When I looked up, the Jersey Devil was staring straight at me from across the creek, six feet away. It let out that awful scream and attacked me." He pulled up the sleeve of his T-shirt to expose a raised, red scar on his left shoulder that looked like a sixteen-box tic-tac-toe board.

"Goddess alive," Sasha gasped.

"After it scratched me, it flew back into the forest. Every so often it’ll stand outside the window and scratch or scream. I usually ignore it, but tonight I figured that the rest of you wouldn’t believe me until you saw it."

"We believe. We definitely believe," Alora assured him. Meanwhile, Sasha had picked up her book and was leafing through it.

"I don’t believe it," she whispered as everyone turned to face her.

"What don’t you believe?" JT wanted to know. She flipped the book around and pointed to a large picture on the page. It was of the Jersey Devil.

"Tell me that’s not the Guardian," Morrigan pleaded.

"I'm afraid so." Richard turned pale.

"I can’t fight that thing," he argued.

"You have to," Kalill gently explained.

"Kalill, that thing is a demon."

"So we’ve noticed. But you still have to fight it. Remember that it holds your gift. Without that, Earth won’t survive the Geranni," Alora reminded him. The American shook his head and slowly climbed the ladder back to the second floor. Nightrider flew up after him.

"He can’t chicken out now," JT said to everyone.

"Give him time. The Jersey Devil is frightening enough. The fact that it’s Richard’s Guardian is even worse," Sasha reasoned.

"We’ll go search for this thing tomorrow, when there’s light out. For now, let’s head back upstairs and try to get some sleep," Morrigan suggested. Nodding to each other, the other five teens climbed up the ladder and pulled the blankets over themselves. Sasha gazed a moment longer at Richard sleeping with Nightrider curled around his head before going back to sleep herself. Outside, the Jersey Devil stared at the house, smiling.

* * *

Sunlight came in through the windows as the group opened their eyes and sat up. Richard was downstairs in the kitchen, making pancakes from a pre-made mix. "I love these "just add water" containers. Makes life simple," he joked as they sat at the table. After they’d cleaned up, Alora handed him his backpack. "What’s this for?"

"We’re going on a devil hunt," she told him.

"I'm not going."

"Richard, stop being a baby," JT admonished him.

"I'm not being a baby. I'm being smart. If you guys want to go out and find the Jersey Devil, then be my guest. I'm staying here."

"Richard-" Kalill began, before Sasha shushed him.

"If he doesn’t want to go, he doesn’t have to. If we find the creature, we’ll deal with it," she explained.

"That’s a good plan," Morrigan agreed. Alora and JT were speechless, and Kalill just picked up his staff and walked out the door.

"Nightrider will stay with me, so I'll be fine," Richard assured them.

"Whatever," Alora finally said as they began their trek into the forest. Richard shut and locked the door, then turned to find the dragon staring coldly at him from the couch.

"What? Nothing will happen to them. They’ll be fine. Besides, I doubt they’ll even find the Jersey Devil."

* * *

An hour into the hike, the trail split into three smaller paths. "Looks like we’ll be going in teams," JT noted.

"I'll be fine by myself," Sasha spoke up.

"You sure?" Morrigan asked.

"Of course I'm sure. If you hear me scream, just come running."

"In that case, Morrigan and I will go left. Alora, you and Kalill take the right fork. Sasha, you get the middle trail."

"We’ll meet back here at dusk," Kalill called as they all walked off. Sasha shifted her pack and walked deeper into the woods, marveling at the bird songs she heard. A deer stepped across her path, and she giggled as a fawn wobbled out of the bushes to follow its mother.

"I love Mother Nature’s handiwork." A twig snapped behind her, and her breath caught in her throat. But when she turned around, nothing was there. "Probably just a rabbit or chipmunk. Nothing to be scared of." She continued walking, focusing on her mission and the trees around her. The sun was slanting downward when another twig snapped behind her. "Not again," she whispered. This time another twig snapped, and she heard leaves crunching as well. "Just turn around nice and slow." Her feet shifted, and she turned her head to stare behind her. Looking directly into her eyes was the Jersey Devil, standing a foot away. Sasha paled as her eyes widened in fear and surprise. The creature let out an ear-piercing scream, then grabbed the terrified girl. Flapping its wings to gain altitude, it flew off with its prize clasped tightly in its steel-strong paws.

* * *

Dusk came and went, and the other four teens ran back to the cabin. Sasha hadn’t come back, and they were all silently hoping that she’d gone back to the cabin early to try and talk some sense into Richard. But when he opened the door, they realized the blonde was indeed missing. "Does anyone have any idea where she might have gone?" Alora demanded.

"She doesn’t know the area, but I doubt she went off exploring," JT surmised. Morrigan was pacing back and forth.

"What if she fell somewhere, or got attacked by an animal?"

"Then why don’t we go out and find her?" Kalill advised.

"Where would we start looking?" Richard asked. "Besides, it’s almost nightfall. If she’s still out there, she’s in danger."

"From the creature?" Morrigan wondered. He nodded his head. Just then, they all heard a heavy object strike the roof, and everyone froze. Nightrider hissed at the window, but nothing else happened. Richard walked outside, and the others followed. On the ground beneath one of the windows was Sasha’s book.

"What does this mean?" Alora wanted to know.

"It means that Sasha is in great danger," Richard replied.

"So what do we do?" JT asked him.

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because this is your homeland and your Guardian."

"JT, I'm not a leader."

"Perhaps it’s time you started," Kalill brought up.

"I don’t have what it takes. I'm more of a follower."

"Richard, Sasha is in trouble and needs our help. You know these woods, and I bet you know where the Jersey Devil lives. Or at least you know what area it hangs out in. Now you can either lead us through the trails in an effort to rescue our friend, or her death can be on your head," Morrigan yelled at him.

"That’s not fair," he protested.

"Life isn’t fair," Alora shot back. Richard looked at Nightrider, who blew a smoke ring from his nostrils. He sighed heavily.

"All right, let’s go. Everyone get all your stuff. I'll take you to where the Jersey Devil lives, but I can’t guarantee anything after that." With grim nods, the five of them took everything and followed the hiker and dragon through the twisting trails and underbrush, hoping they’d arrive in time.

* * *

An hour later the group broke through the last of the underbrush and found themselves in a clearing. Giant oak and pine trees ringed the grassy circle, blocking out the last of the sun. A cave stood a few meters away, and Kalill shivered as he felt the presence of evil. "This surely must be the place," he whispered to the others.

"This is where the Jersey Devil lives," Richard answered. Suddenly an ear-piercing scream broke through the stillness, making all of them jump.

"Sasha!" Morrigan called out into the growing darkness. Leaves began crunching, and JT drew his sword. Alora pointed her trident at the noises, and Morrigan stood by her side.

"It’s coming," the ninja whispered.

"Sounds like it’s dragging something," the bounty hunter added. A final scrape of dead branches sounded, and the creature stalked into the clearing, dragging Sasha with it. She had her eyes tightly shut, and bruises colored her skin like someone had thrown black-and-blue paint all over her body. Nightrider hissed at the Jersey Devil, flaring his small wings. But the demon only growled back, its red eyes centered on Richard. It dumped Sasha at his feet, then backed up. Saliva dripped from its mouth as it seemed to smile, showing all of them a mouth full of pointed teeth.

"You don’t frighten us," JT told it, though he realized too late that a fine trembling had seized his body. Cursing silently, he tried to maintain a steady stance. The creature smiled wider.

‘I don’t need to frighten you. Richard is the one I wish to frighten. Your fear is merely icing on the cake,’ it whispered in their minds in a deep voice that made even Alora pale.

"What do you want with us?" Kalill asked.

‘I want you all to die. Worthless humans that you are, not one of you can claim the right to continue living.’

"And how would we claim that right?" Morrigan whispered, not sure if she trusted her full voice at that moment.

"Don’t do it, Richard. This Guardian is more powerful than any of the others we’ve faced. It will kill you."

"But if I don’t fight it, I won’t get my gift. And without my gift, the Geranni will destroy the Earth. I can’t let that happen." He got a fresh grip on his crossbow and strode out to meet the creature. Morrigan pulled Sasha back towards the safety of the trees while Kalill, JT, and Alora stood in front of them. "I'll fight you," Richard challenged the Jersey Devil.

"Whether I die or not remains to be seen, doesn’t it?" With a scream the creature flew at him, but Richard fired the crossbow three times, tearing a hole in its left wing. It sprang to its feet and lashed out with it tail, using the appendage as a deadly whip. The tip caused slash marks on Richard’s right arm, but he gritted his teeth and fired the crossbow again. This arrow lodged in the Jersey Devil’s leg, and it screamed loudly.

‘You will still die! No man-made weapon can save you!’

"But the Watchers made this weapon, and with it I was given a task. Fear can be conquered, and so can you." Fire flared to life in Sasha’s hand, illuminating the battle. "Surround the creature and don’t let it escape!" Though Alora and JT were surprised by the command, they followed it. A circle of weapons were pointed at the Jersey Devil, and Richard stepped to within a foot of it. "Am I worthy?" he whispered.

‘You will never defeat me,’ it replied as a snarl curled its lip.

"Wrong answer." Richard pulled the trigger and sent an arrow through the creature’s neck. Its scream pierced the night as blood dripped from its mouth. The wings began flapping furiously, and the limbs began twitching violently. Without taking his eyes from its face, the American fired another arrow into its heart. The creature shuddered one final time, then died. A flash of light blinded all of them momentarily, and when they could see again, a white orb was floating next to Richard’s face.

"You did it," JT said in awe. The hiker smiled wearily, then reached out to touch the glowing ball. White light entered his body, and he dropped to his knees as the power rush continued. A wind whipped over all of them, and even Nightrider stood silently. When at last the surge was over, Richard stood up. His entire body seemed to glow with a soft light, and he looked stronger than he had a few minutes before.

"Spirit. He has the Element of Spirit," Sasha whispered.

"What is Spirit?" Morrigan asked.

"It rules the other four Elements and the power of Healing. It’s the most powerful Element there is."

"So does that mean that Richard is our leader now?" Alora inquired.

"It would seem so," Kalill replied.

"That’s not the way I see it," Richard broke in. "JT is still better at leading than I am."

"But now you’re more powerful than all of us," the ninja brought up.

"If power determines leadership, then maybe I am the leader. But knowledge and skill are still needed. If all of you are so bent on making me leader, will JT and Alora be my two second-in-commands?" Both of them stood there for a moment, thinking it over.

"Sure," Alora agreed.

"Whatever works best for the group," JT added. While they were talking, Alrohn stepped out from a tree.

"Well done, Richard. With great power comes great responsibility. Being leader is knowing when to back down, and when to delegate jobs."

"Thank you, Alrohn." The Watcher stared at each teen for a moment, and a sad smile crossed his face.

"You six must now face the High Rulers of the Geranni. Remember everything that you have learned, and trust each other. You are the Earth’s last hope." Morrigan smiled at him.

"We won’t fail our people," she promised. With a nod, Alrohn opened a portal, and the group bravely walked through. When they were gone, he too vanished. In his place stood a statue. Richard was firing an arrow at the Jersey Devil, who had its mouth open in a shriek. Underneath the figures were the words: Jersey Devil, Richard, Spirit. Though the evil creature was dead, the Geranni still refused to go into the forest. And now the six teens were speeding towards the spaceship of the High Rulers, where either victory or death awaited them.

Chapter 9

Elements Unite!

The teens stepped from the portal, weapons at the ready and senses on full alert. "All right, does anyone know where we are?" Richard asked. Shrugs and shaking heads were the answers he got. The bronze-colored corridor they were in seemed to stretch on for a few hundred feet. Every twenty feet or so was a recessed area that had a highly complicated computer set into the wall. Once in a while the lights on the ceiling fifteen feet over their heads would shine with different colors.

"My guess is we’re aboard a Geranni warship," Alora spoke up.

"Oh lovely. Out of the frying pan and into the fire," Morrigan complained. Suddenly they heard the unmistakable sound of marching coming their way.

"Everyone hide!" Richard ordered as they all sought cover. Sasha and Alora made themselves invisible, and JT flew to the top of the ceiling with Morrigan and hid in an air duct. Kalill flattened himself against a wall, hoping the Geranni wouldn’t turn around and see him. Richard and Nightrider ducked behind a pile of scrap parts lying near Kalill. Soon the teens heard frantic voices getting closer.

"Let me go!"

"I want my mommy!"

"I hate you stupid monsters!"

"What did you do to my father?"

"Take your hands off my sister!"

"I wanna go home!" A group of six Geranni marched down the corridor, dragging six children and teenagers with them. The kids looked like they ranged in age from five to sixteen.

"Silence humans! You were chosen to serve our Rentaks, and that’s what you’re going to do!" the lead Geranni shouted. Richard and Kalill stepped from their hiding places, weapons drawn.

"Release the children," Richard said calmly.

"Unless you wish to deal with us," Kalill added. The Geranni in front began laughing, drawing his broadsword.

"A couple of pathetic humans think they can take us?"

"How about six humans?" JT wondered as he and Morrigan settled behind the group. Sasha and Alora materialized, spooking a few of the warriors. They all drew their weapons, which consisted of three axes, another sword, and a staff. The children huddled in the middle of their captors, their eyes wide with fear. Without warning Alora rushed at the Geranni with the staff, catching the heavy weapon in the prongs of her trident. JT got one of the sword guys while Morrigan had an axe to deal with. Kalill and Sasha were also fighting axe-wielders, and Richard fired away at the leader with the sword. JT decapitated his opponent, and Morrigan ran hers through. Sasha tore through the double heart of her Geranni, and Kalill broke his adversary’s neck. Alora rammed the three points of her trident into her guy’s brain while Richard’s enemy got a head and chest full of arrows. Morrigan and Sasha then knelt down by the children and younger teens.

"Are you all right?" the blonde asked softly. The oldest boy stood up, holding a ten year-old girl in his arms. His emerald-green eyes were shining with gratitude, and he bowed slightly to all of them. The girl’s eyes were the same color, but were slightly hidden by raven-black hair that curled just under her chin. Her brother’s hair was a shade darker than hers.

"My name is Sean MacDougal, and this is my sister Laurel," the boy introduced. "We wish to thank you all for saving us."

"Don’t mention it," Morrigan replied, hearing his Scottish accent roll through the small space.

"I can only thank Allah you were here to help us," a young Muslim added, fixing his sky-blue turban. Skin the color of wet sand hid his dark-brown eyes, and a shock of coal-black hair peeked out from under his head covering. "I am Muhammad Abassi of Pakistan." He appeared to be twelve.

"And I am Mi Li of China," a young girl of about eight greeted them. Her almond eyes held a smile that nearly matched the one on her face. Midnight-black hair was in a tight bun on her head.

"Thanks a bunch!" a five year-old boy said excitedly. "I'm Zack from California." He shook his tiny ponytail of blonde hair, and the dimples on his cheeks enhanced the sweet look in his cornflower-blue eyes.

"We are in your debt," a shrouded girl spoke softly. Eyes of cinnamon were the only things visible behind her black veil. "I am Sakina Khan of Saudi Arabia." With her veil and black dress it was hard to judge her age, but she seemed to be about ten or eleven.

"Don’t worry about it," Alora broke in. "But can you tell us why they were dragging you here?"

"We were to be servants to their Rentaks, or high generals. But none of us wanted the job," Muhammad explained. "You see, it was discovered that we can understand their technology. When the Geranni saw that, they wanted to train us so we could help them conquer this planet and others."

"When our parents wouldn’t let them take us peacefully, a fight broke out, and they kidnapped us," Mi added.

"How awful. But don’t worry, you’re safe now," Kalill assured them.

"But our families are not. And there are millions of people who are still slaves of the Geranni. We must do something," Sean argued.

"We’re here to do just that," JT promised.

"Our destiny is to fight the Geranni and hopefully win back our planet," Richard told them.

"So the best thing for you guys to do is get out of this ship and hide somewhere," Sasha suggested. Sean and Muhammad nodded to each other.

"The Geranni have transporters back to Earth. We’ll get to that room and get away. After all, we do know how to work their gizmos," Zack spoke up. The two older boys gently guided the rest of the group back down the corridor. Laurel waved to the three girls as they rounded a corner.

"Good luck!" she called back.

"We’ll need it," Morrigan whispered as they went the other way, keeping their eyes open.

"We’ll have to find the High Rulers. Everyone stay alert and see if you can find the door to their area," Richard advised. Moving cautiously, the teens began looking for the door or hallway they needed to find.

* * *

After an hour they still hadn’t found the entrance to where the High Rulers were. "Let’s split up," JT suggested.

"Maybe we shouldn’t. Remember what happened last time?" Morrigan brought up.

"Don’t worry, Morrigan. Queen Mab is gone. You saw to that yourself. We’ll be fine," Richard replied as he and Sasha went down a dark corridor. Kalill and Alora went off into yet another hallway. JT gently took Morrigan’s arm and opened a door. They stepped through cautiously, eyes searching for any hidden Geranni or traps.

"This ship is huge. We don’t even know if we’re going in the right direction. Besides, the High Rulers are the most powerful Geranni. What makes everyone so sure that we can beat them?" JT turned and stared at her for a moment, then took her hand.

"Morrigan, listen to me. The Watchers have faith in us, and the world is counting on us. Now is not the time to doubt yourself. I have faith in you."

"Why do you have faith in me? You barely know me."

"I have faith because… Because…" He turned away, not wanting her to see the emotions that flooded over his face. They were trying to save Earth, and now was not the time to do this. But Morrigan wouldn’t let him get away that easily.

"Why do you have faith in me, JT? Please tell me."

"Morrigan, I can’t. If something were to happen to you or me when we face the High Rulers…" The sentence hung uncompleted, but the meaning was still there.

"This has something to do with what you told me about your sister. How you said I'm like her, and that you loved her. Please tell me, JT. Why do you have faith in me?" The ninja whirled around and grabbed her by the shoulders, bringing her mouth to his. Their lips met in a delicate kiss as their arms wrapped around each other. When at last they broke apart, they were still holding on to each other.

"Because I love you, Morrigan. You are the woman of my dreams, and I will do anything to serve and protect you." She blushed and kissed his cheek, then his mouth again.

"And I will do anything to keep you from dying. Now let’s go find these Geranni mucky-mucks and teach them not to play with humans."

* * *

Kalill and Alora were opening every door that they could find, but still they found nothing. "This is ridiculous. We need a map or something," the Brazilian complained. Kalill nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps one of these computers might tell us where they are," he suggested as they came to yet another console in the wall.

"That’s great, except for one problem: Do you know how to work this thing?" The two of them stared at one another. "I didn’t think so."

"It was worth a try, right?" Alora smiled at him.

"Sure it was. Now let’s get back to opening doors." At the end of the hallway they met up with the other four.

"Did you guys find anything?" Richard asked.

"Nothing," JT reported.

"Same here," Alora replied.

"Then there’s nothing left to do but go down this hallway," Sasha told them, starting to head down the dimly lit corridor. This one was a little different than the others. It had walls that looked like they were made out of liquid mercury. The floor seemed to be done in solid gold.

"I think this might be it," Morrigan reasoned as they all headed to the end. A pair of large, red doors twenty feet high stopped their progress. There were no handles or buttons to push.

"How do we get in?" Kalill wondered. JT smiled and raised his hand. Instantly a wind whipped over them, hitting the doors with hurricane-force. They began creaking, and finally swung open slowly. Senses alert, the six teens stepped into the pitch-black room. Sasha held a fireball in her hand as they looked around.

"Welcome, young humans," a deep voice greeted them from somewhere above their heads. "We’ve heard so much about the six of you." Lights came one and illuminated six pulpits that stood ten feet high. Behind each one was seated a Geranni. Three females and three males.

"Are you the High Rulers?" Richard wanted to know.

"We are," a female answered, staring down at them like a buzzard eyes a meal. Morrigan and Sasha shivered when they caught the look.

"Then we’re here to battle you," JT explained. A chorus of squawk-like laughs came from the High Rulers, but they soon settled down.

"Foolish children, your powers are no match for ours," another male said. Alora put her hand on her hip and eyed all of them.

"We’ll see about that." The teens lined up, Richard in the middle and JT and Alora flanking him. Kalill stood beside Alora while Morrigan was next to JT. Sasha stood alongside Morrigan. The Geranni jumped down from their seats and stood in a line as well.

"So, I see you have the power of the Elements," the leader said. "But it will do you no good against the power of our anti-Elements."

"Anti-Elements?" Kalill questioned. Sasha drew her sword and threw it across the room. It landed in a dark corner with a loud Clang!

"Shadow, Lightning, Void, Ice, Chaos, and Sex are the anti-Elements. They’re as powerful as our regular Elements," she explained.

"I guess this means our weapons are useless?" Morrigan asked. When the witch nodded, they all tossed their weapons aside. Linking hands, they stood against the High Rulers.

"We challenge you for control of Earth," Richard calmly told them.

"We accept your challenge," the Geranni leader answered. Nightrider leapt onto Richard’s shoulder, then flew to one of the pulpits to watch as the fight for Earth unfolded below him.

Chapter 10

Light vs. Shadow

The Geranni started by breaking up the group into pairs. Richard found himself facing Shadow while Alora was against Lightning. Sasha was confronted by Ice, and Kalill battled Void. Morrigan found herself staring at Chaos, and JT faced off against Sex. "What a handsome human you are," Sex told him, fixing her gray eyes on him.

"Don’t even try. You’re nothing compared to Morrigan," he shot back. The healer blushed slightly when she heard the comment. The Geranni smiled and closed her eyes. Instantly her features began to waver; body fading from view, only to appear a moment later as something completely different. A young woman of about twenty stood smiling brightly at JT, brushing sunshine-blonde hair from her face. Her eyes were a dark sapphire-blue, and sparkled with mischief and a tiny hint of wickedness. A bikini top barely held her large breasts in, and they jiggled ever so slightly each time she breathed. The rest of her body curved gracefully down to small hips and long legs with dainty, bare feet. Her skin had just a hint of a tan to it, and it shone in the glow of Sasha’s fireball. A thong covered only a portion of her small backside. JT sucked in a quick breath.

"How about now?" she whispered, her hips swaying as she came closer. Her voice sounded like a cross between a cat’s purr and soft bells.

"You can’t fool me. Underneath that you’re still a Geranni." Sex smiled again, this time in a way that made all the boys shiver.

"Would you really like to see what I look like underneath this?" her long fingers went to the straps of the bikini. Suddenly a deluge of water poured over her, and the lovely image faded back to her true form. JT also found himself soaking wet.

"You both needed a cold shower," Alora yelled, trying to dodge the bolts that Lightning was throwing at her.

"You cannot dodge my electricity forever," the Geranni woman bragged. "Nor would your metal weapon be of any use to you."

"I don’t need a weapon. I can kill you with just my powers and my brain. I've fought your kind before, and some died real easy," Alora taunted.

"You will not find me so easy to kill." As she said this a bolt of electricity whipped across the floor. Alora leapt into the air to avoid it, but couldn’t dodge the second one that was in the spot where she landed. She screamed and fell to the ground, every nerve in her body on fire. Lightning advanced on her wounded opponent. "You however, might die easily."

"Not this time, bitch." As a ball of electricity grew in the Geranni’s hands, Alora thought of a quick plan. She showered the alien with rain, which reacted with the ball and heavily shocked her. With the Geranni temporarily out of commission, Alora could regain control of her body. Ice kept throwing hard icicles at Sasha, but the blonde was able to melt them easily. So far, the Geranni was doing all the attacking.

"Surrender human! You cannot block me forever!"

"And you can’t attack me forever. Sooner or later one of us will tire."

"Then perhaps I should take you out quickly." As she spoke, Ice threw a power beam at her, which launched Sasha back and froze her to the wall.

"Nice try, but not good enough." Fire flared up and quickly melted the ice. Launching a fireball, the witch broke through Ice’s shield and scorched her arms and chest. "Fire does more damage."

"That only depends on your Element," Ice replied, pointing a hand at Alora. Suddenly the water around the bounty hunter froze, and she found herself encased in a cocoon of thick ice.

"Alora!" Sasha yelled, attempting to make her way over to her friend.

"No you don’t," Lightning said as she blasted Sasha with a powerful bolt. The girl slipped to the floor unconscious.

"NO!" Richard shouted, looking back at the scene. Kalill tried to help the girls, but Void blocked his path.

"Out of my way," the Kenyan ordered the Geranni.

"Make me." Kalill concentrated on summoning something, but nothing happened. "You need a source of Earth to use your powers. Too bad we’re up in space." The shaman narrowed his eyes and glanced at his staff lying a few feet away. Of course! His staff had been carved from a tree, and would be a source of Earth. But Void realized what he was trying to do and opened a portal that sucked up Kalill’s staff. Then another portal deposited the young man in a cage high above the fight. His staff reappeared below him, out of reach and still useless.

"That’s three of yours down," Shadow reminded Richard.

"But two of yours are wounded," he shot back. Meanwhile, Morrigan was trying to figure out how to fight Chaos.

"Our powers are not mere weapons," he told her as they circled one another. "They are used to create or control greater problems."

"You create Chaos?" the healer questioned.

"I could, but where would the fun be in that? I know when to wait for an opportunity, and how to take advantage of one."

"But I have the power to stop you."

"A novice trying to control a master? That’s very cute, young human. But unfortunately your efforts will be in vain."

"We’ll just see about that."

"Well then, let’s make good on your challenge," Chaos insisted. Black light streamed from his fingertips, hitting everyone. Kalill’s cage fell to the ground and split open, spilling him hard to the floor. The ice around Alora melted, and Sasha woke up. The six Geranni joined hands and then seemed to walk into Shadow. Soon only he was left, but he was now a foot taller and much bulkier. JT stared up at him.

"We’re in trouble." Nightrider suddenly leapt off his perch and landed in front of the huge alien. Richard touched him, and a spark of power passed from human to dragon. The young man had an idea.

"Give Nightrider your powers. That way we can use our weapons to help him." Though the group was puzzled, they too touched the black baby. Sparks of power jumped from all of them into him, and he began to grow. Higher and higher he went, shooting past their heads. Finally he stopped at twenty feet tall, eyes locked on the Geranni.

‘You thought that Earth would fall easily? Well I have news for you. The humans won’t give it up without a fight,’ he told the combined aliens.

"You will all perish today."

‘Let us just see who lives and who dies.’ Fire shot from the dragon’s mouth, but a void opened up and swallowed the inferno. Ice tendrils attempted to wrap around Nightrider, but he dodged them. The teens grabbed their weapons while the two creatures fought fiercely behind them.

"We have to help him," Kalill said as they all nodded. Richard began shooting arrows at the Geranni while JT flew around to distract it. Kalill, Sasha, Morrigan, and Alora took up positions around Nightrider to defend his sides and back. Suddenly the combined Geranni gathered all their powers into one blast, which pulsed with dark lightning and red hues.

"Get down!" Richard shouted, seeking refuge in a far corner. Sasha turned to go, but then stared up at Nightrider. Even though he was now the size of an adult, she saw an innocence in his eyes that betrayed his young age. Facing off against the High Rulers of the Geranni was a baby dragon, when it should’ve been them. She touched his leg and felt her power enter her body again. JT and Morrigan followed her lead and took back their powers. Alora, Richard, and Kalill did the same. Nightrider shrank back down to his normal size and perched on Sasha’s shoulder. The Geranni divided, but Shadow still the held the huge mass of energy in his hands.

"Foolish humans. Now you die!" He released the energy, and it came hurtling at them with great force and speed. Kalill threw up a rock wall, but it didn’t even slow it down. The teens focused their minds and called up their own powers, which they threw at the ball. Energy and light exploded in the room, throwing all of them back. JT rose above the melee to try and see clearer, but Chaos spotted him.

"That was your last mistake!" he called out, hurling a barrage of energy at him. Morrigan saw it and screamed, throwing her own energy as a shield. The combined force threw JT into a wall, where he slumped to the floor. Sasha found herself by his limp form, facing off against Ice and Lightning. The two Geranni already had a bolt and an icicle in their hands.

"Last time you were lucky, but this time we will triumph!" they both shouted at her. Sasha smiled and had a fireball in her hands a second later.

"Promises, promises." But then she caught sight of Richard and Shadow gathering all their energy to launch one final attack. Before she could warn anyone, the white and black orbs of power contacted and shook the very fabric of the ship. Colors flashed in the room, and everything began shaking. Embers and hail began pounding everyone, and small stones began falling. Portals began springing open while a violent wind blew over all of them. At the same time that peace was trying to be established, it was being ripped apart by a feeling of utter mayhem. Out of the corner of her eye Sasha saw Ice and Lightning launch their attacks, and she leapt to intercept them before they reached their new target. Unfortunately, an explosion ripped through the ship, and white light surrounded them all. Everyone faded into unconsciousness as the Geranni ship blew up around them.

The Champions

JT struggled to open his eyes, his head pounding fiercely. "Is anyone there?" he called out feebly.

"JT?" a soft voice answered.

"Morrigan, are you okay?"

"I think so. Nothing seems to be broken, except that I'm pinned beneath some metal. Can you help get me out?" The ninja finally succeeded in opening his eyes and surveyed the surroundings. On the grass and dirt lay pieces of the Geranni mother ship. Underneath a piece of a wing lay the body of Void. Swallowing hard, he started to get up, then realized something was in top of him too. Looking down, he saw that it was Sasha! Blood dripped to the ground from her back, where a hole the size of a golf ball was.

"Morrigan, Sasha’s hurt!" he yelled to her.

"Richard is in pretty bad shape too. It looks like he got electrocuted. But unless I get free, I can’t help them."

"I can help," Kalill offered, pulling himself from a pile of twisted metal. Alora came through a moment later, her right leg badly mangled. She leaned heavily on her trident, face twisted in pain. Kalill had a deep gash on his left arm that had cut into the muscle, which visibly twitched. He and Alora pulled a computer console off Morrigan, who had a large bump on her head and several cuts all over her body. JT gingerly stood up, cradling Sasha in his arms. Her face was death-white, and her breathing was shallow.

"Richard’s still knocked out, but he seems okay. Let me see her," Morrigan said as she came over. While she worked on the blonde, JT decided to find Nightrider. Other than a deep gash that ran from his chest to his stomach, he was fine. Morrigan gave him a chiding look, but let him go. She’d deal with JT later. While exploring the wreckage, he saw Nikolas step from a shadowy corner. He held Nightrider’s body to his chest. When JT looked hopefully at him, he just shook his head. The two boys walked sadly back to the group. Kalill had dragged Richard out into the open, and Morrigan was just standing up from examining Sasha. She was crying.

"What’s wrong with her?" Nikolas wanted to know.

"She’s dying. I tried using my powers on her, but nothing worked. We don’t have our powers any more."

"I guess once we defeated the Geranni, we didn’t need them anymore," Alora brought up. Kalill stamped his foot on the ground.

"But we do need them. Without Morrigan’s healing ability, Sasha will die." Then he saw Nightrider. "And one has already passed away."

"Not him too!" Morrigan cried, burying her face in JT’s shoulder. Sasha’s eyes fluttered open, and Nikolas went to his knees beside her.

"Please my love, don’t leave me."

"But if I die, then we will be together again," she whispered.

"Please Sasha, we need you here," Alora pleaded, wiping a tear from her eyes. JT hugged Morrigan tightly as she continued to cry. Kalill seemed angry, which was unusual for him. Sasha’s gaze then centered on Nightrider’s lifeless body in Nikolas’ arms.

"What happened to him?"

"We don’t know," JT told her. A tear slid down Sasha’s cheek as she gently kissed the dragon.

"He helped us, and we couldn’t… Help…Him…" she sighed as she passed out from the pain in her back and the loss of blood. Nikolas gathered her in his arms and wept, tenderly brushing her hair away from her face.

"I love you, Sasha. Please don’t leave this world yet," he begged. At that point Richard woke up, holding his chest and head.

"I got shocked," he told them. "What’s wrong with Sasha?"

"She is dying," Alrohn told him as he and Tirana came towards the group. "Ice hit her when she went to protect JT, and Lightning struck you when you tried to intervene as well."

"She tried to save me? Oh please, not again. You have to help her," JT implored. Tirana stared at all of them.

"Because you have defeated the Geranni, the Watchers have agreed to grant you each one wish as a reward. Think wisely before you answer," she cautioned. Morrigan stared down at Nikolas, who still had Sasha in his arms.

"Since my family is alive again, I wish that Sasha and everyone else was healed." A moment later a soft glow surrounded the girl, and the wound disappeared. She opened her eyes again, and Nikolas hugged her tightly. Kalill found his arm in one piece, and Alora stood on two feet. JT stared at the soulmates’ happy reunion, then looked at Alrohn and Tirana.

"I wish that my sister was alive again."

"Done. Your family will be waiting for you at home," Alrohn said.

"I wish that Riana and my father were still alive," Alora spoke up. Tirana nodded at her.

"And I wish my brother Kintel was alive and well," Kalill added. Alrohn smiled at him, then looked down at Richard.

"What is your wish?" The teen looked at the body of the black dragon.

"Can you bring him back to life?" A moment later a cold nose nuzzled his hand, and he scooped up the small baby into his lap. Tirana looked at Sasha and Nikolas and waved her hand at them. Both looked up at her.

"Nikolas, enjoy your second chance at life." Sasha’s eyes lit up as she kissed her soulmate and burst into tears.

"But what about our powers?" Alora wondered.

"They have been spread throughout the world to all humans. If ever the need arises, the entire population of Earth will be able to defend itself. You can still access your powers, but it will require training," Alrohn explained. JT smiled and kissed Morrigan.

"Well that’s a relief. Now I'll be an even better warrior through my training. But what about our gifts?"

"You still have them, but make sure you use them wisely. People might not be too accepting of your abilities," Tirana warned.

"We promise. But maybe we’ll just keep this our little secret," Sasha told the others, who nodded. The Watchers faded from view. Morrigan pulled JT down to her and kissed him softly. Alora hugged Kalill, and then they all started hugging each other.

"So it’s over?" Richard wondered.

"I think so," Morrigan replied.

"I hope so," Alora added as they all laughed, then left to go and celebrate the defeat of the Geranni.

* * *

Five years have passed since that fateful year when the Geranni came to Earth. Without their High Rulers, the rest of them retreated back to their home world. They agreed never to come back to the small blue planet. The people are still fixing all the damage done, but everyone is starting to heal. A year after the teens said goodbye, they were invited to Alora’s crowning as queen of her village, which by that point had joined three others. A month later Kalill was looked upon by his friends as he became head shaman of his people. In the spring, a double wedding was held in Ireland for Sasha, Nikolas, JT, and Morrigan. The girls looked radiant in flowing white dresses, and the boys were very handsome in black tuxedos. Richard took up the priesthood and was ordained four years later in a church that encompassed all religions. He and Nightrider make a very convincing pair in the pulpit. JT and Morrigan became the proud parents of twins. A boy named Kai and a girl named Lily. Sasha and Nikolas celebrated the birth of their daughter Iliana and son Pietro a few months after that. Earth will never forget these brave teens who got it all, nor will the Geranni who got nothing.