The Adventures of the SOL

 Rei caught her meaning.  "Are you afraid of me?" Rei asked her.

 "No," the Queen replied.

 "You probably should be," Rei smiled, "But even so, I think we should move our battle.  The walls of this castle are a bit constricting and I wouldn't want to see you back down."

 "Okay," the Queen nodded, "But the boy and Sacred warriors will come with us.  The battle will be between you and I and if I win I'll take the liberty to do as I wish with them."

 "What about everyone else?" Amy asked.

 "Stay out of it," the Queen barked.

 "What about everyone else?" Rei then asked in turn and the Queen scowled.

 "No one but the Sacred Warriors and the boy can come," the Queen said, "And my servant Set.  I think since I'm allowing you six allies you can at least let me bring one of my own."

 "Okay, but in no way is his little army to get involved," Rei smirked and the Queen's scowl tightened.  The Queen could not seem to remember that Rei had been able to read her mind, even while the Queen had taken over her body and had familiarized herself with the way she thought.

 "Done," the Queen said.

 "Allow me to make the announcement and the games shall begin," Rei said, "Wouldn't want to deal with a premature attack."

 "I give you my word," the Queen said in a mock bow.  Rei turned towards the others.  Their battle had stopped for a moment, the Shadows standing behind Set and everyone turned to Rei.

 "An agreement has been reached," Rei relayed, "The battlefield will be moved from here.  There this fight will resume, but if you are not involved as a Sacred Warrior you cannot come."

 "What?" Luke cried out first.

 "We're fighting this battle too," Donavan growled.

 "Sorry, but this is the agreement reached.  Only Set and Koty are allowed to come with us," Rei said.

 "You can't go alone," Charlie stepped forward, "Rei, you'll need us."

 "No I won't," Rei smiled at him, "I could use you but I don't necessarily need you.  Sorry Charles, you'll have to stay."

 "I'm part of SOL," he said.

 "But not a Sacred Warrior," Rei replied, "We'll be fine.  Trust me Charlie, I know what I'm doing.  Don't I always?"

 "What about the rest of us?" Jade asked.

 "Sorry," Rei shook her head, "Sacred Warriors exclusively."  She stepped towards Charlie and smiled up at him.  She created a small orb.  "Here, just so you won't be left out.  When we leave activate it and you guys can see everything that's going on there."

 "How am I suppose to let you do this?" Charlie asked her.

 "You just will," Rei said.  She stood on her tippy toes and gave him a hug, "Thanks for being my best friend, Charlie."

 "Thanks for being the best adopted little sister I ever had," Charlie smiled back at her, ruffling her hair.

 "Girls," Rei said, still looking at Charlie, "Rais.  Come on."  They all gathered in front of the others.  Rei smiled.  "Thanks for all your help and I look forward to meeting all of you when this is over."

 "Confident aren't we?" the Queen spoke up, "As touching as this whole thing is I'm getting rather impatient."

 "Don't get your hose in a bunch," Rei snapped, "Ready guys?"  She turned to the others.  They all gave a nod.  She looked at each of them with a familiar glint in her eye.  Rei then walked over to stand in front of the Queen.  "We're ready."

 "The only reason I'm letting you do this is because I know I will win," the Queen said.

 "I know that's what you think," Rei said, "I don't need a warning.  I thought you were so impatient to go?"  The Queen simply smiled and disappeared.  Rei cast a transport spell and they all disappeared from view.  Charlie took a step forward but they were all gone.  They were all alone in the castle now.

 "Something doesn't feel right," Lynda said suddenly.

 "This whole thing doesn't," Garnet retorted.

 "Something definitely is weird," Coral put in.

 Charlie looked at everyone behind him.  He gasped suddenly.  "Let's get out of this castle," he said suddenly, "We have to get out of here."

 "Charlie?" Luke asked, tilting his head.

 "Now!" he shouted.

 "Okay, hold on," Ran said.  They all started to walk out.

 "Faster, something's fixing to happen," Charlie said.  They all looked at each other and started to run.  Something in Charlie's voice urged them forward and they all began to run out of the room.

 On his way out Luke found Lacey lying unconscious outside of the throne room.  He picked her up with a frown and they all exited the castle.  They got halfway through Evilopolis before Joe finally stopped.

 "What are we leaving for?" Joe asked.

 "I don't trust that castle," Charlie replied.

 "Is that all?" Chiru asked.

 "No," Charlie said, "Something's just wrong.  Let's get to Lizerton or maybe even Reptopia. It won't take that long.  As long as we get out of here."

 "Are you sure nothing's wrong?" Ellen asked him.

 "Of course something's wrong, why else would I…"

 Just then there was a sound, a roar several times louder than a Sound Dragon's.  With a gasp they all turned to the Evilopolis castle.  It had gone up in a great explosion.  The concussion it caused came towards them and they all ran.  They were almost to the border of Evilopolis when it caught up with them.  Charlie paused as soon as he reached the border and made sure everyone was behind him.  The person last in line was Robin with Sarah in his arms, still unconscious from overusing her powers.

 Charlie looked up as the concussion knocked Robin down.

 "Hurry!" Charlie tried to yell over the roar.  Robin looked up, pressed his glasses up on his nose and collected Sarah.  He began to run again.  Charlie kept an eye on the town behind him and saw to his horror that the ground the castle had been on was collapsing in and was spreading out over the whole city.

 "Faster!" he cried.

 Robin had just reached the edge when the ground collapsed under his feet.  With a cry and reached out to grab the ledge.  The collapse had stopped right at Charlie's feet on the Evilopolis borders.  Robin had one hand on the ledge and one clinging to Sarah's sleeve.  Charlie got down to help him.

 "Give me your hand!" Charlie said.

 "Take her," Robin replied and lifted Sarah as best as he could.  Charlie reached for Sarah.  Her sleeve began to rip but Robin kept trying to pull her up before it was too late.  Charlie reached for her.  She was almost there.

 Her sleeve made a loud ripping sound.  Charlie leaned down as far as he could and grabbed for her.  He closed his eyes and sighed as his hands closed around her wrist.  With a grunt her pulled her up and Robin used his other hand to grasp the ledge.

 Charlie pulled Sarah over the edge.  Where was everyone else?  They must have kept going; assuming everyone had gotten out safely.

 As soon as he had secured Sarah, Charlie reached over to pull Robin up.  As he did so he took a moment to look into the hole that Evilopolis had become.  It was a huge crater now, filled with churning molten lava.  Charlie pulled Robin up and the two paused by the ledge, panting.

 "Well that was an adventure," Charlie grinned at him.  Robin merely stared at him through his glasses and wiped sweat from his forehead.  He picked up his foot and looked at the bottom of his shoes.  Not only were the charred but they were a little burnt through.

 "We should go before the others worry," Charlie said.

 "What a dirty trick," Robin spat, then his eyes grew wider, "What about Rei and the others, they won't know we're okay."

 "How will they know what has happened at all?" Charlie asked, gathering Sarah into his arms, assuming Robin's own arms were very tired.

 "She obviously did that for a reason," Robin said, "She'll assume we are dead and use it against us.  Will it effect Rei do you think?"

 "We'll have to see," Charlie said and they made off into the forest.  Going to other way they ran into Luke.

 "Hey, where were you guys?" Luke asked.

 "Where were you, we almost had a situation," Charlie snapped, "It doesn't matter, we need to find a place to gather.  I still have this."  Charlie revealed the orb.  "It will show us where Rei went to and we can watch the battle."

 "Nifty," Luke said.  They continued until they were in Reptopia.  The town was fairly empty.  Hopefully Brashear and Valerie had been smart enough to get everyone out when the Shadows attacked.  On an empty street everyone else was waiting.

 In Charlie's arms, Sarah stirred.  She opened her eyes and looked up into his face.  A small blush crossed her own face.  "Oh my, you aren't Robin."

 "No," Charlie smiled a little, "I'm not."  He sat her down and she stood up.  She looked down at her feet.  "What's happened?  Why are my shoes all burnt?"

 Robin shook his head and mouthed the word no from behind her back.  Perhaps he was right, Sarah was better off not knowing, Charlie decided.

 "Robin will explain it to you," Charlie said.  Sarah nodded and walked over to Robin bombarding him with questions.  "How's Lace?" Charlie asked Lynda who held Lacey in her lap.

 "She'll be okay," Lynda said, "But not when she wakes up.  She's going to get the scolding of her life if not more.  Bringing Koty here like that…"

 "Be easy on her," Jade said, "We’ve all had a hard day."

 Charlie turned away and held the orb up.  It flew from his hand and landed in front of him, spreading out into a large circle.  Everyone's attention snapped up to see what it was.  In it they could see Rei standing in front of the Queen.

 Just in time for the battle, Charlie thought and sat down.  With grim faces they watched.

Rei followed the Queen's transport spell to the location that the Queen had chosen.  For a minute she felt as if she had made a mistake but brushed it off.  There was no room for mistakes.

 As they came out of the transport spell, Rei looked over her surroundings.  It was all black rock, shining in the dim light.  The sky was clouded over.  She realized immediately where they were.  There were on Astron Island, a large island below the Lion's Head Continent.  They were in the Dark Mountains, a place no one but the bravest dare go, but even they did not come out alive.  It was said that here, the light did not shine.

 Rei turned around to make sure that everyone was there.

 They had all come, Koty in Amy's arms.  Rei looked around but saw no sight of the Queen.  Was this a trick?

 "On your guard girls," Rei said quietly.

 "Rei…" Serena said hesitantly.

 "What is it?" Rei asked.

 "I'm so glad you're okay," she choked out and grabbed her around the neck, locking her into a hug.

 "Get off French-fry!" Rei said, "I seriously can't breathe!"  Serena let go and took a step back.  Rei panted a moment and caught her breath.  "Now what's wrong?"

 "It's just that for awhile there, you know, after what happened happened…" she swallowed, "That is to say that I was sure we had lost you."

 "Aw, come on, Frenchie," Rei smirked and gave her a gentle shove, "You think a little thing like that is going to clean my clock?"

 "It wasn't a little thing," Lita said, looking quite serious, "We were worried."

 "Yeah," Hotaru added, "What were we suppose to think being halfway across the continent with you trapped by that Queen?"

 "Especially after what you were willing to do for us," Mina said, looking at the ground.  Rei looked to each of their faces.  Her own face was astonished.

 Rei tilted her head.  "Do you guys really mean it?"  They all nodded.  Rei stared and it all fell into silence.  Suddenly Rei whirled around turning her back to all of them.

 "Are you okay?" Rais spoke up and stepped forward.

 "Yeah," Rei turned a little and a tear was rolling down her face as she rubbed the other eye, "I just got something in my eye is all."

 "Oh," Lita smiled, "Right."

 "I did," Rei said and gave a great sniff.  She wiped the tear away and turned to Amy.  She smiled at her.  "Well, it's nice to see someone listens to me."

 "I didn't do anything," Amy said, looking away.

 "Didn't do anything?" Hotaru scoffed, "I bet you didn’t.  You set everyone on the right track, even all those older people who thought they knew what they were doing.  That whole attack was Amy's idea."

 "That whole surprise thing by busting in with all those other guys?" Rei asked, "That was you Amy?  Uh oh, I may have to fight for my place as Princess."  Koty wriggled away from Amy and walked up to Rei.  Rei knelt down and gave him a hug.  She smiled at him.

 "So you're this great Prince?" Rei asked looking him in the eyes, "Yes I can see it.  You knew you were special the day we met you didn't you?"  Koty tilted his head.  "It's a story I'll have to tell you later."

 "Does it have to do with the diamonds and the angels?" Koty asked and Rei nodded.  Koty nodded back.

 "You know, you never went on that date with Chiru," Rei grinned.  Koty blushed and said nothing.  Rei laughed then said, "You think you can do me a favor, Koty?  I want you to find a place to sit where you'll be safe.  Hurry and go now before that Queen gets here."

 Koty nodded and ran the other direction.  Rei stood up and watched him run away.  He hid behind a rock and sat.  Rei wasn't exactly sure if he would stay hidden or not but it was worth a shot.  She looked around and paused.  Silence resonated in the air. "Now where is that Queen?" she asked.

 "Looking for me?" came the reply and Rei whirled around.  She folded her arms and stared at the Queen with a frown.  She had appeared in front of the group, floating about a foot off of the ground, her hair still touching the ground.

 "What took you?" Rei asked.

 "Had some business I had to take care of," she said with a malicious grin, "Are we ready?  I have wasted enough valuable time that I could be using to destroy this miserable planet."

 "I am if you are," Rei smiled.

 "Wait," the Queen said, scanning through each of the people standing behind Rei, "Where is the child, did you not bring him as promised?"

 "Unless you planned to fight him, it doesn't matter where he is.  As far as I know the battle was between us," Rei said, "So whenever you're ready.  Take your time."

 The Queen smiled.  "You really are an interesting young lady, from your past to your present," she said, "It's almost a shame there is no future."

 "Bold words," Rei said.

 "We'll see," the Queen replied.

 "I suggest you guys stand back," Rei said to the people standing behind her.

 "Will you be okay?" Rais asked.

 "I'll be fine," she said, winking.  Then she glared at the Queen. "But this has got to end.  I'm putting a stop to it right here and now."  Everyone listened and walked off towards the sidelines of the battlefield.  Rei waited for the Queen to make her move.

 Just then her servant Set came into view next to her.  Rei's eyes widened.

 "Did you think you would fight me right now?" the Queen asked, "I want to see you take on Set first.  If you can beat him than you shall fight me."

 "Unfair!" Hotaru yelled and Amy grabbed her arm to hold her back.

 "Maybe so," the Queen said.

 "It's fine," Rei smiled, "I'll probably be really tired when I finish with him but I'll have just enough left to deal with you."

 The Queen scowled.  "Set."

 "Yes, My Lady," he said and stood forward.

 "Then let the games begin," the Queen said, raising a hand and making a throne appear.  She sat and watched.  Set and Rei stared at each other for a moment.

 "Well?" Rei asked.

 "Ladies first," he growled.

 "If you insist," she said and ran forward.  She jumped and feinted an upward attack but instead waited until she hit the ground if front of him and kicked his legs from underneath him.  He straggled backwards, but managed to flip before he fell.  When he lifted his head and looked at Rei all he saw was a bright red attack.  He flew backwards.

 He stopped in midair and soared towards her.  He made to punch her in the face but she moved her head aside and grabbed his arm, then twisted around tossing him over her head.  He landed on his back and barely had time to roll over before Rei's foot would have made contact with his chest.  He stood up and forged a dark blue attack at her and she held up an arm to block but the force knocked her back.  She fell backwards but kept her balance.  He fired again but she jumped and went towards him.

 He disappeared and reappeared behind her in midair, slamming into her back and sending her into the ground with a loud crack.  She sat up in anger and fired at him, but he moved aside.  He raised a hand and a bright flash of light filled the dimly lit area and she had to look away.  She opened her eyes seeing spots.  When she looked forward again she only saw Set's foot and felt it hit her chin and drive her neck backwards.  She hit the ground hands and knees and rubbed her chin.

 Suddenly she turned around and before Set could react, she tackled him to the ground.  She put a hand forward and a ray of light burst from her own hand.  He moved his head aside and fired at her, and she flew off of him, landing on her back.
 He made as if to jump onto her but she raised a foot and sank it into his stomach, tossing him over her head.  She then jumped to her feet and faced him.

 "You aren't bad, Princess," Set smiled and wiped a spot of blood that slowly was leaking down his chin.

 "You either," she replied, running her hand under her nose and smearing the blood there.  Then they both ran forward and he tried a hit to her face but she ducked and hit him in his stomach.  Quick to react he brought his foot up and caught her in her side.

 "That's it," she said and raised a hand, "Black Card!"  A small black line appeared between her closed first two fingers and she held them forward.  Then she twisted her wrist so that the line showed itself to be a plain black card.  A great burst of energy flew from the card towards Set.  He jumped up and it followed him.  He flew through the air and gained some time on it, then turned and fired into the attack.  His orb pressed through it and Rei looked at the altered card in disgust, as she saw nothing but an orb inside of it.

 "I have a few of those fancy tricks that they made for children to enjoy too, you know," he sneered, "Named attacks are useless in a real battle."

 "Oh yeah?" Rei asked, then tossed a hand forward, "Twilight Technique!"  A great burst of red light flew towards Set and he backed away.

 It was too late though, the attack hit him and he stumbled backwards.  Rei stood, half hunched, panting a little from the adrenaline of the battle.  Set lay on the ground for a moment.  This battle achieved nothing but wearing them down.

 Set got up slowly and clenched his fists.

 The fight continued on and the spectators all watched apprehensively, fearing the worst.  Even Koty was taking a moment to peek from behind the rock that Rei had told him to hide behind.  The Queen was watching, not enjoying the results as much as she had liked.  Their powers were too equally matched.

 Rais held a hand on his sword instinctively, watching the two, wishing he could step in.  He had a bad feeling about the whole thing.

 Finally the two broke apart again and they both breathed heavily.  They glared at each other, more banged up than they had been when they first broke apart.  The two were definitely more than a match for each other but sooner or later, something had to give.

 Lita stood forward.  "Come on, Rei, don't take it easy on him!" she called, not able to stand it anymore, "Show him some real psychic wrath!"

 Rei looked in her direction.

 "Yeah, go for it Rei, show him how it's done where we come from," Hotaru put in, cheering her on.  Soon all of them began to yell out encouragement and Rei smiled.  She and Set locked into battle again but this time instead of fighting and breaking apart Rei was knocked backwards and skidded across the hard stone by her back.  Set raised up into the air.

 "It all ends now!" Set cried.

 Rais gasped and looked at Rei, lying on her back below him, but noticed a look of concentration in her eyes.  What was she doing?  Still he felt that if he didn't go save her soon that Set would kill her.  He started to go forward but Set was faster than expected.  A life threatening attack flew right for Rei and she ducked her head so she didn't have to look and cried, "Reverse!"

 The attack stopped in front of her, seemed to revitalize itself, then turned to Set.  Rei looked up when she realized it had worked and watched it ricochet back at him.  He was taken by surprise and knocked backwards.  Rei squinted into the light that the attack set off, unable to see what damage it had caused.  Finally the energy began to dissipate and she saw Set lying on the ground.  Dust filled the air around her and she stood up.

 She heaved a relieved sigh.  She had been studying the spell since she had first seen Rais do it, but had never actually used it.

 She walked over to Set and stood over him.  His eyes seemed far away and there was blood streaming steadily from the corner of his mouth.  He was smiling.

 "Finally," he rasped, "Finally."

 Rei put up a hand to fire but hesitated.

 "Well, go on," he said weakly, "I've waited thousands of years for this moment, now finish me off.  Do what you have come to do."

 Rei paused, her eyebrow twitched for a moment and her hand shook.  What was stopping her from destroying him right now?  Well, he was helpless, she began to think, and he wouldn't be any harm to her for some time.  What if she had destroyed Rais when she first met him?  She could have.

 She put her hand down.

 "Kill me!" he cried, "Put me out of my misery!  Will you leave me here to suffer?"  He stared into her eyes and she tried not to look away.  "Give me what I ask for."

 "No," she said.

 "You people and your mercy!" he cried in agony, "You people and your need to let others live even if it harms you.  Why won't you destroy me instead of leaving me to live this half life I am suffering for right now?"

 "I can't," Rei said.

 "Why?" he cried again.

 "I just can't."

 "Coward…" he murmured and passed out.  Slowly but surely from behind Rei, she heard the steady applause of a single person.  She turned around and saw the queen clapping her hands and smiling at her.

 "The epitome of mercy," she grinned, "The savior of the lost.  What a pathetic human you are.  Interesting but pathetic.  You just fought a very intense battle in which you came within increments of losing and you are going to walk way from your opponent now that you have almost won?"

 "Yes," she said.

"Yes, you are pathetic," the Queen said, "I find it useless to fight you if you won't even claim victory when you have the chance."

 "Don't expect the same.  I have to destroy you, there's too much on the line," Rei said.

 "If you can," the Queen smiled.

 "Of course I can’t," Rei said, "I see the game you've played by having me fight Set.  You wanted to lower my strength to make it easier for yourself.  So I claim unfairness.  It's unfair that I fought Set in the first place.  So to fix this inequity I choose to fight with my friends with me."

 "That isn't really fair," the Queen smiled.

 "No, it's not, but sometimes we must ignore one injustice to rid ourselves of a greater one," Rei told her.

 The Queen laughed.  "Such wise words from someone so young."

 "It isn't my words you should fear," Rei said lowly and steadily, "This time we will not simply take your soul and leave, this time we will destroy you."  The others looked at each other and readied for battle.

 "So all of you are willing to fight me?" the Queen asked, "It's almost cute.  How long will this battle last, though?  We have used much time in fighting already, how long will it take to finish it?  I am unstoppable, even when you think that you may have won.  You cannot end my reign of terror."

 "You are a terrible creation," Rei said, "And I say shame to the person who created you.  Do you know why it is you are the way you are?  Why you are evil beyond all words?  It is because someone created you besides the God Himself.  You were not created with a proper soul."

 "What you say is true, I was created by a person not this God you speak of," she said, "And for it I am different, but it is you who has chosen your fate.  It is your kind that has nursed my anger.  You could never understand why I would destroy this world, because you cannot feel as I do."

 "You think you feel sorrow," Rei said, "But in truth you are only trying to justify your crimes with something that isn't there."

 "Enough of this talk, I don't care if you and your warriors all fight me, it won't spare you your fate.  You see, they don't quite make up the difference in power lost in your last battle, though it ended shortly."

 "We'll see," Rei said.

 "Oh yes, quite right, we will see," the Queen said, "Attack if you dare."  Rei walked over and stood with her friends.

 "Are you ready?' she asked.

 "Ready," they replied.  Rei stood ready also and they all stared at the Queen.  She began to laugh and, still laughing, she launched a huge attack upon the SOL.

 They all jumped up and out of the way, startled by the attack, and were scattered for a moment.  Taking the opportunity, the queen went for Mina, who stood the farthest away from everyone else.  Mina shut her eyes and held up her necklace, the only thing she could think of to do.   Despite the Queen's wishes, TK appeared and sent a light from the jewel onto his forehead but it came out through the necklace.  The Queen, taken by surprise, was tossed backwards.

 The Queen was backed up and turned on to Serena.  Serena was ready with her scepter and fired directly at her, but the Queen moved aside.  Before she could attack, though, she felt an attack from behind.  Amy stood with Sady next to her glaring.  Before the Queen could even react, she felt her feet go out from under her.  Lita had tripped her.  Then Hotaru burst through, in tiger form, and jumped on top of the Queen, ready to maul her.  The Queen knocked Hotaru off and stood up, four parallel scratches running down her face.  She raised her hand in fury but once again was stopped when an attack hit her from a different direction.  It was Rais.

 As she turned on Rais, the final straw was broken as Rei flew in with a drop kick and got her right in the stomach.  They all stood back and were preparing to attack again when the Queen threw out a hand and they all had to jump aside.

 The Queen was up and held out her right hand, aiming for Rei.  She fired and knocked her back, then turned and attacked everyone else.  They all recovered quickly but the Queen had also.  The Queen then disappeared and everyone looked around carefully for any sign of her.

 "On your guard," Rei shouted.   Dust had filled the air and no one could see very well.  They all watched and listened for any sign of an attack.

 None came and they began to let their guard down.  "This would be a lot easier," the Queen's voice floated down, "If I would just settle on one of you.  Not Rei, I would like to save the best for last.  So who…?"

 Everyone tensed up again.

 "Where is she?" Lita cried, then heard a low sound from right below her.  She looked down and then gasped, trying to jump out of the way but it was too late.  The attack surged upward and she had to take a giant leap and run as it went after her.

 The dust grew so thick that no one else could see what was going on.

 Lita ran faster as the huge orb chased her but her speed was no match.  Suddenly another attack hit her from the side and before she could react another attack hit her.  She cried out and fell over.

 Rei heard her yell.  "Lita?" she called, "Where are you?"  No answer.

 "One down," the Queen's voice taunted, "Now who's next?"

 Mina felt TK beside her and jumped onto his back.  They rode away from the area where she was standing and Mina instantly realized why.  It had just exploded into a show of rock and dirt.  She squinted and covered her face as pieces of it rained down on her.

 This Queen was out to get them one by one and Mina had been selected to be next.  Mina had to duck as an orb soared over her head.  Several more came but TK managed to move around them.  Then from out of nowhere one of the attacks came for TK and Mina was jolted as he was struck down.  She flew forward and banged her head on the solid rock ground.

 "Now…" the Queen's voice murmured, "Who now?"

 Hotaru growled in her tiger form.  She somehow knew she was next.  Four orbs flew at her from every direction, but she was ready for them and gave a huge leap.  They all ran into each other and disappeared.  Hotaru then ran and whirled around, letting out a deep-throated growl.

 She tensed up as everything got quiet.

 Then she felt something hit her on her back.  The attack had come from above and with a loud roar she fell over, then transformed back into human.

 Amy thought she could hear Rei's voice in the other direction and she began to hurry towards it.  With a quick yip Sady began to follow.  Amy heard Rei call but then hesitated.  Sady began to bark wildly.

 "Grow," Amy ordered her dragon and Sady started to get larger.  As she did Amy ran towards her and got on her back before she got too large.  Amy looked down into the dusty storm below and still couldn't see anything until she saw an object out f the corner of her eye.

 An orb flew from the dust and overtook Sady, who immediately shrank back down.  Amy plummeted to the ground, landing hard.  She barely had time to lift her head when she was attacked.  She lay on her back eyes closed.

 Serena squinted through the dust, looking for anyone else.  She hurried through and barely had time to step aside as she heard the blast come whistling by her.  They seemed to come from all directions and Serena wasn't sure where to attack.  If it hadn't been for all this dust…

 Serena raised the wand and cried "Wind!"  A great wind started to blow through but before the spell could finish there was a barrage of three orbs at once.  Serena felt the impact then fell over.

 The dust had been slightly cleared and Rais could now see through it a little.  He searched frantically for Rei anywhere.

 "Rais…" he heard and whirled around.  He was face to face with the Queen.  He reached for his sword, a bad instinct and was immediately attacked.

 The Queen wasted no time as he flew backwards and landed.  She attacked again and he hit the ground.  By then the dust was see through a little and Rei could make out movement from where she stood.

 The Queen jumped from nowhere and was over Rei before Rei could do anything about it.

 "You!" the Queen shouted, "You are the cause of all my problems.  It was you who joined forces with the Prince to stop me and it's you now who has led this rebellion."  She grabbed Rei by the throat and squeezed.  "I am tired of your interference.  It shall all end," the Queen said.

 "Not quite," Rei rasped and raised a leg.  The Queen looked down and saw that there was a bight blue orb in Rei's hand.  Before she could move, Rei fired close range, knocking her off.

 The Queen jumped for her in a blind fury and with brute force that Rei could not reckon with.  With arms outstretched the Queen held up two attacks and flew towards her.  Rei grabbed both of the Queen's wrists and tried to hold her off but the Queen was gaining and she was very strong despite her lack of fighting skills.  Finally Rei pushed her to one side and sent her into the dirt.

 The Queen fired out two attacks and one hit Rei on the shoulder.  The other hit her in the leg.  Rei fell over in a hard sit.

 "It ends!" the Queen cried.

 The Queen fired a large blast that sent Rei to the ground and unable to stand.

 Slowly Rei could see the Queen's feet make their way towards her.  She was walking, certain of her victory now.  Rei looked up into her face and the Queen reached down to pick her up.  She grasped her by her shirt and lifted her eye level.

 "You see, this is what you've become Sharondia, this pathetic human child, obsessed with saving the world, too stupid to save herself," the spat, "Some great warrior you were, now you are nothing but a weak juvenile sorceress who will die at my hands."

 "But my friends…"

 "The ones you left at the castle?" the Queen smiled, "Dead.  I caused an explosion that would destroy a God.  And even if your friends were out of the castle I have leveled the whole city.  I couldn't have them to deal with when I got through with you could I?"

 Rei stared.

 "And your other friends are alive for now," she said, "I wanted to make sure that you were dead this time.  I wanted to be sure that you would not come back to haunt me if the others were dead before you.  Now Sharondia, Princess Rei, your luck has run out."

 "My friends," Rei closed her eyes, "This whole world.  I won't stand for it!  I won't let you do this!"

 "You have no choice," the Queen smiled and whipped out a dagger, ready to cut Rei's throat, "You have failed Rei."

 "NOOOOOOO!"  Suddenly Rei started glowing and the Queen's hand felt as though it was on fire.  The blast of light faded and Rei stood in front of her, fuming.

 She looked behind herself at her friends.  They all lay among the battlefield, looking like casualties of a war.  Slowly they all opened their eyes and sat up.  Rei backed up towards them.

 "Rei?" Amy asked weakly.  Rei gave no reply.  She simply stepped into the middle of all of them.  They stared with wonder.  She didn't quite seem herself.

 Rei raised her hands above her head and in them appeared a clear ball.  Inside of it was a symbol.  A sign of ancient times.  It was a sun with a crescent moon tucked into it.  The Twilight Mark.  "All of you," she said at last, "Join our powers together."

 No one really thought about it.  It just happened.

 Mina held forward the same clear ball with the symbol of a heart with wings on it.  Serena's symbol was a jewel-incrusted star.  Amy's was a butterfly.  Lita's was a heart with two swords crossing over each other in it.  Hotaru's was a cross with purple jewels on it.  Rais's was a fire symbol.

 Each ball flew from their hands and into the sphere that Rei held up.  A great wind began to blow and they were all knocked over from the power of it.  They covered their eyes from the wind and attempted to watch.

 "What sort of game is this now?" the Queen asked.

 "It isn't a game," Rei said simply.

 She looked up at the orb above her and closed her eyes.  It grew bigger and went over her until she was inside of it.  It stood alone, flashing every color of the rainbow and the wind grew stronger still.  The others had to cling to the rocks of the surface to stay where they were.

 "Rei!" Rais shouted.

 The orb then moved slowly forward and the Queen took a step back.  "What trick are you playing Rei?"  No answer as the sphere suddenly shot forward and enveloped the Queen.  With a shriek she was inside the orb.  There were sounds that no one could later remember hearing and black lightning began to radiate from the ball.  It shot out everywhere and they all let out a cry as it shot over their heads.

 "What's happening?" Mina cried.

 The ground underneath them began to shake and cracks ran through the stone earth.  The sphere began to rise into the air and they dared to watch even as they clung for dear life and fought against the wind.

 Then suddenly it was like all the disturbances were sucked into the sphere.  The wind, the lightning, the world shaking all disappeared and went into the sphere.  Then, as though it was an explosion, with a blast of color the ball exploded.

 "Rei!" Serena cried.

 Everything shook with great magnitude and then stopped as soon as it had begun.  They all opened their eyes as an unnerving still filled the air.  They looked around.

 "Where's Rei?" Hotaru asked, looking around frantically.  She stood up and called "REI!"  She scanned the ground and the sky.

 "Where did she go?" Lita gasped, standing up.

 "Rei!" Serena called, "Where are you?"  They all looked around but there was no trace of the girl anywhere to be found.  She was gone.

 "Is she…?" Amy asked, "Did she…?"

 "She sacrificed herself for us," Mina said sadly.

 "For the world," Lita added.  They all looked at the ground remorsefully.  Somehow Rei had known what to do.

 "Then it was all in vain!"  Hotaru shouted suddenly, tears running down her face, fists clenched, "We went in there to save her and she went and got herself killed!"  She landed on her knees and slammed a fist against the ground.  "It was all so stupid!"

 "But we saved the world," Serena said quietly.

 "I didn't want the world!  I wanted her back!"  Hotaru's shoulders were shaking, "We all did!  And now..."  She sobbed.  "She's so stupid!  She always has been!  So stupid..."

 Lita placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder.  No one knew what to say.  What could they say?  Rei had made the ultimate sacrifice.  They agreed with Hotaru.  As selfish as it had seemed, they had wanted Rei back and not the world.

 Amy shook her head sadly.  Suddenly she thought of Rais.  "Rais?" Amy asked suddenly and looked at him.  He was staring up into the sky.  "What are you doing."

His arms dangled at his sides and he didn't move.  He just stood there, looking up.  They watched him as he stared into the heavens that over this land had never broken sunshine when suddenly a great beam of light shot from between the clouds.

It was the sun.

 They all stared into the clouds above them and watched as they parted.  A gentle breeze blew.  Rais's clothes and hair were whirled around as he stared straight up.  He looked like a little boy, the sun shining softly off of his face.  He didn't look sad.  He didn't look upset.  He simply looked like he was waiting.

Then, suddenly there was a ripping sound and a body appeared from no where.  Rais took a step back and caught it as it fell.

 He looked at her and everyone else rushed forward.  She looked as though she were sleeping.  Every inch of her was scratched or bruised or hurt in some way, but her unsteady breathing said she was alive.  Slowly she opened her eyes.

 "Did we win?" Rei asked Rais who was looking down at her.

 "It's over," he nodded.

 "Good," she smiled and closed her eyes again.  Everyone sighed with relief.  Hotaru gave a small laugh, wiping away the tears.  They all stared up into the sky and watched the clouds continue part and sun rain down on a land that hadn't know it for some time.

 "What happened to the Queen do you think?" Mina asked.

 "I guess she was destroyed," Serena said, "What else could have happened?  She didn't come back when Rei did."

 "Maybe she won't," Amy said.

 "I can't believe we actually made it," Lita smiled and felt the sun warm her face, "We actually did it, we won."

 "Stupid Rei!" Hotaru said and everyone stared, "How many times did she plan on making us worry?"  Serena gave a small laugh and hugged her.

 As they looked out over the landscape they saw a single form lying there. It was Set, still unconscious.  Standing a little ways from him was Koty.

 "Koty come here," Amy called, suddenly alarmed.  Koty stared and walked over to Set.  The man sat up and stared at the boy.

"Will I live forever?' he asked the boy.  Koty said nothing but walked forward and stared him in the face, then reach over to hug him.  As he did Set began to cry.

 "You won't have to suffer any more," Koty whispered and withdrew from the hug.

 "Koty?" Amy asked.

 Set stared at Koty and the child raised one small and childish hand.  He placed it on Set's forehead and Set disappeared.  Amy came running over.

 "What happened?" Amy asked.

 "That man was sad," Koty explained, "I made him feel better."

 "You were a good boy, Koty," Amy smiled, hugging him tight, "You did very good.  You were very brave and very smart."

 "I know," Koty said and Amy laughed loud and long.  She carried Koty over to where everyone else was standing.

 "It's amazing," Lita said, "That one girl like Rei could save the entire planet."

 "No," Rais smiled, "I knew she had it in her.  She's no ordinary girl, believe me.  She's much much more than just ordinary."

 They all nodded in agreement.

 "So do you think it's over?" Serena asked, "Creton's gone, the Queen is gone, all of her minions are gone, even Set is gone. Will it be over?"

 "There will always be something out there for us," Hotaru said, "But for now, it's over."

 They stared up at the sky one last time before Rais created the spell that took them home.

Chapter 32