Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Twenty Nodoka made it to Tokyo Tower in less then ten minutes; her training with Ranko had increased her speed considerably. Several minutes past before Seran and Raist made to the tower. Nodoka was getting ready to enter the portal, when her daughter's life was in the balance, she wasn't waiting. Both men just shook their heads neither of them noticed the shadow on top of the building across from the tower, watching them. Until it was too late. The wind blowing across the figure its long black hair tossed by the breeze and the sun glinting off a reflective surface on the top of its head. Nodoka screamed when hundreds of chains wrapped around her, the two men jumped to her aid only to be encased as well. They turned to see a young boy with sorrowful gray eyes and long black hair standing over them. Nodoka struggled to get free, the tears flowing even faster. "PLEASE MOUSSE, RANKO IS DYING I HAVE TO SAVE HER!" Seran and Raist looked from Nodoka to the young boy with surprise, Mousse knelt in front of the bound woman. "I know that is why I am here. I can not stay here any longer, since Ranko left, I have felt as if the most important thing in the world to me is gone." This caused Nodoka to stop struggling, and stare at the boy with unbelieving shock. "I don't love her as a man does a woman, Mrs. Saotome, but as I would a sibling. There is something else somehow I can feel her, I can feel her pain and I am going with you, I want to stay with you, please! There is nothing left for me here, but hatred and abuse." Mousse bowed his head after removing the last of the chains from the shocked Sylph and her companions. Nodoka looked at Seran with a questioning look. As if she was asking if they could claim him as their son. Seran smiled he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, then looked at his future wife. Mousse jumped at the hand and looked from a fuzzy Seran to a somewhat clearer but still fuzzy Nodoka. "As matriarch of the Aurora clan it is your right to allow anyone you want to become either your child or a member of the clan." Nodoka looked to her fiancé then back to the young boy. Taking his hand she pulled him to his feet and gave him a motherly hug and kiss on the forehead. She then turned and Seran opened the portal, she and Mousse stepped through followed by a smiling Seran and a very confused Raist. /*\*/*\ Nodoka burst through the gate and into the Faerie realm, still clutching a very socked Mousse's hand and headed straight for the palace of Queen Titiana, eyes set a blaze with concern and anger. Seran and Raist followed close behind. Seran came up next to Nodoka and took Mousse's other arm so he wasn't left dangling uncomfortably from his new mother's grasp. Nodoka flew at her top speed which was still only half as fast as her daughters, but more then twice as fast as any Faerie in the kingdom. Seran ended up being dragged along with Mousse since his speed is a bit less then his future wife's. When she streaked over head the Faerie folk looked up amazed at her speed. In less then ten minutes she had traveled the ten miles from the mountain of doorways to the palace. Mousse breathed a sigh of relief as she pushed past the guards, of which none even tried to stop her. She still clutched Mousse's hand in hers and pulled him and Seran through the palace. They knew to expect her and were given orders to let her pass. That and the fact that she was glowing a bright blue that sizzled with heat and electricity, helped. Mousse was wondering why her aura was not hurting him when he noticed it was because she had extended it around him as well. Nodoka had cried herself out on earth; her eyes though were still red and puffy. Now she was angry something happened to her child and she was not there for her, she was angry at herself for not being there, but she was also angry at Titiana for not protecting her baby. When she stormed into the throne room, there where thirty to forty guards stationed around it. There was a clear path to Queen Titiana and a man sitting next her, it was the king. Nodoka hadn't met him more then a few times since most of his time is spent ruling the realm of shadows. Standing at the far end of the room with several guards around them was four very nervous female elves. They watched Nodoka advance on the throne; she bowed to the royal couple then stood straight and tall. Before she could say a word Titiana began speaking. "Ranko is fine she is now staying with Silverfire in the wood elves realm, she is being taught by Silverfire and the wood elves. I have left Kajri with her to continue her education in court protocols." She explained as she watched some of the fright and anger dissolve, but not completely, Titiana tried a change of subject to allow her to calm even more. "Nodoka who is this earth boy with you?" The queen asked, Nodoka looked confused then turned to see she still held Mousse's hand in hers. "He has requested to be mine and Seran's son." She stated flatly. "Have you agreed then to add him to your clan?" Titiana continued watching as more anger drained from the woman in front of her. "Yes I have, I would like him to be a Sylph like his soon to be father." Nodoka explained, Titiana nodded then advanced on the blind boy. Titiana put a hand over Mousse's eyes, which began to tingle with little pinpricks. When she pulled her hand away Mousse blinked then gasped as he looked into the face of the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Titiana then placed a hand on his shoulder and began to glow bright white the aura surrounded her and Mousse when it died away Mousse was encased in a cocoon as Ranko and Nodoka had been. "He was a cursed Jusenkyo victim but his curse is gone. So he will still cross over faster then you did but not as fast as Ranko. By the time you return with Ranko, you should have a new son and she a brother." Titiana cringed when she saw the mention of Ranko brought back Nodoka's anger. She knew she could not put it off any longer. She looked to Seran whose anger glowed brightly in his eyes and around his body. Titiana told them what had happened a month ago to her daughter and why she was no longer in her custody. Titiana watched as Nodoka stared blankly at her, she knew the woman could hear her as she was glowing a bright red. Nodoka listened, her eyes widening with horror, at how close she came to losing her child. Then her anger grew first toward the queen, but she fought that anger Titiana could not control the heartlessness of those around her no one could. It did however, grow toward the four elves that sent her daughter blindly to her almost death, _with_ the belief that her mother no longer wanted her! "THEY SAID WHAT TO MY BABY!" She turned with her katana drawn and glowing a bright red like her. "I'LL TEACH YOU TO HURT A CHILD SO MUCH THEY WANT TO DIE!" Nodoka stormed toward the four elf women. /*\*/*\ The four elves watched as Titiana talked to the mongrel's mother, they couldn't believe that the queen was going to allow another mongrel into their midst. All four showed nothing but contempt for the whole thing. To think they have been locked away into small dank rooms with only one window, a bed, table and chair. All because of these mix breeds and _now_ there was going to be another one. The elves suddenly began to sweat as a dark red glow appeared around Nodoka, when they heard her shouts they slowly started to inch their way to the exit. Their way was blocked by ax carrying dwarves, one of whom seemed familiar to them. He was four feet in height, with gunmetal colored hair and beard, his hair goes just to below his shoulders while his beard goes all the way to his waist. His eyes were a steely gray blue, which stared at the women with pure hatred. The women pale as they recognize that dwarf as Coridan, one of Ranko's instructors. They turned when they heard a commotion coming from the throne, and stared with wide-eyed horror as a blur of red streaked toward them. Her blade drawn and glowing the same eerie red. The women began to sweat as the demon Sylph closed in on them katana raised for a killing stroke. When Nodoka was in striking range she started the downward stroke with deadly accuracy at the lead elf, Miya. "NODOKA, STOP! Their punishment is already being taken care of." The voice was clear, full of ice, and very commanding. Nodoka's sword stopped just a hairs width from cleaving Miya's head in two. Nodoka came so close she actually cut several locks of her hair from her head. With gasping breaths Nodoka glared daggers at the women, when she turned she nearly stumbled into them. She was shocked at the devastation left in her flight to get to the cruel women. Nodoka began to blush as she stared at the unconscious bodies of dwarves, elves, salamanders, and others. Seran smiling behind his hand. "Oops, I am sorry your highness." She said bowing to the queen and king. "Don't worry about it, it is quite understandable, my dear." Titiana explained, seeing Oberon trying to hide a grin as well, she scowled at him. /*\*/*\ Raist entered the palace throne room in time to hear Nodoka's yell and stopped in shock while he watched her charge four-elf women. He was so enthralled with Nodoka's actions that he never heard the commanding voice of his queen. He only saw Nodoka stop, before cutting open one of four elf women's head. He sighed as his shoulders slumped forward. He watched as Coridan led Nodoka back to the throne through the maze of unconscious guards. He saw Seran and the king trying to hide their smiles. Raist came closer and Coridan told him everything the queen had told Nodoka. Raist was at first surprised then disbelieving; Sylphs and high elves have always gotten along. Then Coridan told him what the women were calling Ranko. Coridan was sure the temperature in the room just dropped to zero. Raist stormed away from Coridan and toward Nodoka and Seran, Coridan followed, at a discrete distance. "Welcome back Raist, I think you and Seran should escort Nodoka to Silverfire so that she may get Ranko back." The queen cut him off before he could say anything, when she stared into his angry steel blue eyes. "Oh I know this is not the time Nodoka, but I wish to ask before other things come up." Nodoka looked at the queen intrigued but impatient to get to her daughter. "Ranko wants a sister, she had asked if her one true friend, a Ucchan could come and be that sister." Nodoka looked a little surprised, she looked to the cocoon containing her son, then to Seran, who smiled and nodded, she then replied. "I do not mind, I do know that Ukyo is alone and has no one." She told the queen. "Then when you go back for your meeting ask her, but she must think about it, because once she crosses over she can not cross back. My your family is growing quickly." Titiana smiled as Nodoka nodded, and then she and Seran bowed and headed out. Raist watched them leave an excited smile on his face. He then bowed to the queen and king and left the throne room. When he exited the palace he saw Nodoka leading a good hundred yards ahead of Seran as they headed for Silverfire's territory. Raist is soon joined by an escort of ten guards, who looked for the others. Raist shrugged and pointed to the two retreating dots in the distance. They then took flight to follow, Raist jumping ahead of the guards at a much faster speed. He slowly began to catch up to Seran who was lagging behind as Nodoka streaked ahead. /*\*/*\ Since Ijas refused to allow Ranko to train for at least two months, she had been busy exploring with her new friend Kiri. Kajri and Cerulean followed behind them as best they could. Today they are having a picnic near a waterfall that Kajri use to swim at when she was little. Ranko and Kiri have explored every inch of the wood elves territory, and Ranko had even gotten a quite a bit training in with Ijas since it was not to strenuous. She and Kiri enjoyed following him when he went to search for plants needed for making medicines. Ijas and Mieka came with the group today as there is a cave behind the waterfall that Ijas grows very potent mushrooms for a healing potion. Kajri and Mieka set up the picnic while Ijas played a little tag with the laughing Ranko and Kiri. Cerulean watched from near the lake, and smiled when Ranko dragged him into the game of tag. Mieka smiled and rubbed her tummy absently while she watched Ijas play. "He will make a wonderful father." Kajri smiled as she watched Mieka. "Uh? Oh, yes this will be our first, seeing him play and teach Ranko, *SIGH*. I just wish the baby would get here." She finished with a wistful smile. The silence is broken by screams from the village. They all look toward the village with concern. Ranko cried in alarm and points to the sky over their homes. "LOOK RED DRAGONS!" She yelled as she took off toward the village, Kiri following behind her, Cerulean following on the ground behind them. "RANKO NO COME BACK!" Screamed both women, as they made to chase after her. "NO, you will not go to the village, Kajri take Mieka to the cave behind the falls I will go after Ranko." Ijas ordered while pushing the women toward the cave. "_Ijas_ no, you are not a warrior you will be killed." Mieka cried while holding her swollen abdomen. Ijas looked at his wife guilt flashing across his face, and then they heard more screams. He kissed Mieka passionately and pushed her and Kajri into the water toward the hidden cave. Once they were secure he ran toward the village. /*\*/*\ Ranko flew quickly and within seconds she was hovering at the treetops surrounding the village. The warriors where fighting as best they could with bows and arrows, but they were not much help against the dragons' tough hide. Only a few got through and that was either lucky shots or magically enhanced. Silverfire was fighting with the older red dragon while trying to keep the two younger ones away from the village. Ranko grew angry when one of the young dragons raked her back with his claws, in a pass by. Everyone paused when a large white energy ball with streaks of blue, green, red and black hit the young dragon square in the chest. Their only warning of it coming was a shout. "MOKO TAKABISHA!" The blast knocked the young dragon back three hundred yards, it probably would have gone farther but it hit the nearby mountain that bordered the village. Ranko flew into the battle with a look of determination, her fists covered with the sparking of elemental fire. The dragon Ranko hit flew groggily back into the battle, revenge in its eyes when it looked at the little redhead. Silverfire took this opportunity to get a hit on opponent who was distracted by the arrival of this Sylph. The older dragon was knock back, he then signaled the two younger ones to charge Silverfire. He wanted the Sylph for himself. The two young dragons attacked Silverfire, but since Ranko had done considerable damage to one of them she was able to hold her own against them. The two young dragons stopped when a bolt of lightening streaked across their path. They looked around and saw a man with blue hair glowing a gold orange near the trees. All three dragons smiled when the man changed into an ancient blue, thinking they had an ally. The smirks quickly changed when the blue dragon took the to sky and plowed into one of the younger red. [This Sylph is very powerful for one so young, I must have her and the fluttercorn as well. My, I will be the envy of the others.] Thought the older dragon as he lunged toward a charging Ranko and Kiri. He was quite surprise at the speed with which she attacked. She kept dodging all his attempts to capture her. [I guess I will have to tire her out first.] He chuckled to himself, with glee. "KACHUU TENSHIN AMIGURKEN!" Ranko rained over five hundred electrically charged blows onto the dragon. The dragon was shocked that one so small could hit him and actually cause him pain. It was like being hit by another dragon. The dragon felt an intense heat from somewhere and was confused as to where it would be coming from when he turned in time to see Ranko throw a fireball with a diameter of two feet. The elder red dragon just barely dodged being brunt by the fireball, but it still got a section of its left hind flank. The wood elf archers took notice of this and began firing upon that wound. This infuriated the older dragon that a young Sylph whelp could do this to him. He began to step up his attacks, watching and waiting to make his move. He noticed his young cohorts were having trouble with the silver and traitorous blue. When he turned his attention back to his prey. Kiri felt like she was not contributing to the fight, since her magic was mostly protective, she decided to enhance Ranko's ability to endure the stress of the fighting. This allowed Ranko to hold out longer against the serpent, but she had not fully recovered from her near death experience and even with Kiri's help she was weakening. /*\*/*\ The ancient red smiled to himself as he sensed his new _pet_ weakening, in his mind flashed a multitude of things he would force her to do for his pleasure and amusement. In her fast weakening state Ranko made her first and last error against the red dragon. She over extended herself as she went for another chestnut fists attack. The dragon took advantage of it as he slammed her down hard to the ground. She landed on her stomach knocking the wind out of her; she struggled to her hands and knees, Kiri by her side trying to give her the strength she needs. It is no good since she is still weak from fighting for her life a month ago. The dragon landed next to her and reached down to pick her up. When he just about had his prize he caught the site of something glinting out of the corner of his eye. Then he roared as a sharp pain shot through his wrist. /*\*/*\ Nodoka and Seran took of in the direction of the wood elves, she knew she should wait for the guards and she knew that Seran couldn't fly as fast as she was flying. She didn't care her daughter needed her and she needed to be with her. Nodoka gave a quick look over her shoulder to see Seran falling behind. Farther back she could just make out Raist and the guards. Suddenly she started getting this nagging feeling that she was needed _now_, so Nodoka put on all the speed she had and shot forward toward her daughter. She covered the distance in less then an hour, and she knew she should rest, but that nagging feeling that Ranko was in danger kept persisting. When she reached the outskirts of the wood elves territory she spotted the three red dragons fighting a silver and the blue Ranko bonded with. No that was not right two of the reds were fighting the silver and blue, the other was..Nodoka's eyes widened with horror when she spotted her child fighting the last of the reds. Nodoka went pale, when she saw her daughter get slapped to the ground, anger rose from the very depth of her despair. Adrenaline coursing through her, she shot forward pulling her katana from its scabbard. She nearly lost her daughter while she was away she was not going to watch her die at the hands of a beast. Nodoka watched while the dragon landed near her child and started to reach for her baby. The frightened mother dug deep for her untapped reserves. She found that surge just as the dragon grabbed for Ranko. She burst forth with speed to match her daughter and came down with her katana cutting though the dragons wrist with the razor sharp edge of her sword. The dragon screamed and staggered back clutching its bleeding stump. "KEEP YOUR FILTHY PAWS OFF MY DAUGHTER YOU DISGUSTING BEAST!" Screamed Nodoka, as she waved her sword before her, while floating over Ranko. The dragon quickly casts a healing spell to prevent loss of blood. He then glared at the older Sylph in front of him. He smiled an evil grin as he made ready a spell to take care of this troublesome Faerie. If it wasn't for the fact she maimed him and now needed to die he would have made her a slave of his as well. Ranko stared up at her mother in awe as she glowed a deadly ice blue with red tinge that encompassed not only her but her sword as well. The month she had been with Silverfire, she had learned to detect when a dragon was getting ready to cast a spell, and this red was going to cast a big one. "WATCH OUT MOMMA HE IS CASTING A BIG SPELL!" Nodoka's eyes narrowed as she charged the loathsome beast. /*\*/*\ The dragon gaped when after the warning shout the elder Sylph blurred before his eyes. He could not keep track of where she was, until he felt the biting edge of her sword. He roared with pain and tried to lash out at the maddening Faerie, but could not touch her. The other two reds, Silverfire and Cerulean paused when they heard the deafening roars of the older red. All four were surprised when cuts seemed to appear out of no where. Then Silverfire spotted Ranko on the ground, she looked back up and saw a flash of red. She raised an eyebrow when she realized who was fighting the old red, Cerulean realized it a moment later. The fight lasted for an agonizing two hours, they watched mesmerized as cuts appeared like magic on the red dragon. Soon though the cuts became deeper, some to the point where they were going clear through. Parts of the red started falling and the two younger reds began backing away from the area with a look of awed amazement. /*\*/*\ The dragon watched in horror as parts of him became dislodged. He knew he had better end this or he would be dead soon. He took a deep breath ready to expel it in the general area of Nodoka, when a blast of ice hit him square in the maul. Temporarily blocking his mouth, this was all Nodoka needed as she sliced through the dragons neck with a ki enhanced katana. The red plummeted to the ground, they were lucky that their fight had taken them away from the village and toward the mountain where there was less people. That part of the village had been evacuated when the battle headed in that direction. The two younger reds stared in disbelief at the body of their leader and teacher scattered across the ground. Finally ending with what was left of his body next to his severed head. Nodoka turned to face them her fury still not satisfied, as she lunged for them katana raised. The two reds took this as their cue and left very rapidly. Nodoka lowered her sword as the adrenaline faded leaving her exhausted. She then slowly turned to the silver dragon and bowed respectfully. Silverfire nodded at her, as she turned to fly quickly to her daughter. Only to have her riding the blue and heading straight for her. The dragon held Ranko in his front paws as she was too weak to ride on his back. The blue landed next to the floating Faerie. She looked at her daughter then at the dragon. The blue suddenly held Ranko out to her mother. Nodoka snatched her up and held her tightly to her as she slowly landed at the feet of the towering blue. A male elf arrived and tried to give her and Ranko a potion. Nodoka was to busy covering every inch of her daughter's face with kisses. She then pulled back and gently moved her hair from her face. Nodoka stared into the blue orbs of her daughters eyes, hers filling with tears. "_Do not_ ever doubt my love for you, my precious one, with out you I am nothing. Please remember always that I love you." She told her daughter while pulling her into another tight embrace. Tears poured from Ranko's eyes as she realized that her mother still loved and wanted her. "I love you momma." She gasped in between sobs while holding tight to Nodoka. While still grasping her daughter tightly, she noticed a unicorn with butterfly wings. It seemed to be deciding whether to attack her or not. She then noticed that many of the wood elves with the same expressions. "You will have to forgive them, after fighting to save Ranko's life they are not so sure her return to your care is in her best interest." Said a soft silky voice that carried great authority. "I will not leave here without my daughter. If I have to fight all of you to claim her, then I will. I have already killed a dragon do you think you can stop me." The elves looked both shocked and angered, at her challenge. Then a large shadow fell over Nodoka, Ranko and Silverfire. They turned to see the blue dragon staring down at them. His face twisted in rage and indecision. He slowly reached down and picked up Nodoka and Ranko in his paw bringing her up to look him in the face. His eyes glowed a pale blue, when the light fades he looked down at Lady Dracon and the wood elves. "SHE IS RANKO'S MOTHER, AND SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT _THEY_ DID TO RANKO. I WILL STOP ANYONE WHO PREVENTS THEIR REUNION!" Cerulean glares down at the elves, while Ranko holds fast to her mother, as Cerulean put them down. Victoria comes forward raising a calming hand to the elves. She walked up to Nodoka, with a small smile. Nodoka held Ranko closer to her while they stood there surrounded by wood elves. Ijas standing on the outside of the ring of elves watching the events unfold. Victoria searched Nodoka's face she believed that the elves were lying to Ranko, but now she wanted to make sure, before she relinquished Ranko to her. Silverfire smiled and bowed to Nodoka then held out a slender hand to her. Nodoka took her hand warily, when Victoria got a firm grasp of Nodoka, her eyes began to glow a soft white. Nodoka's eyes went blank as she stared off into the distance. "Momma? Momma, what's wrong?" Ranko asked frantically while shaking her mother. She looked to Victoria's glowing eyes than back at her mother's blankly staring ones. She then grasped their joined hands and began to try and pull them apart, but Victoria had a firm grip and wouldn't let loose her grasp. "LET GO OF MY MOMMA!" Ranko screamed while she tugged to the two joined hands. "DO NOT FRET CHILD SHE IS NOT HURTING HER, SHE IS JUST MAKING SURE SHE CAN TRUST HER TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!" Cerulean told Ranko as she looked back up at him with eyes brimming with tears. Not long after that Victoria's eyes returned to normal as did Nodoka's. She released her hold on the elder Sylph with a genuine smile. Nodoka however, was not happy, at having her mind _raped_ by this creature. "_How dare you!_ Invade my private thoughts!" Nodoka snarled as she slapped the silver-hair elf. The crowd of wood elves gasped and many pulled their weapons, but Silverfire warned them off. Rubbing her cheek she turned back to the angry redhead. With a sad understanding smile she reached out and stroked Ranko's red tresses. She then looked at Nodoka with defiance. "After what this child had been through I was _NOT_ about to let you take her away from here without my knowing it is the right thing. For all I knew you were just what those _women_ said you were." Nodoka bowed her head then looked into the face of her young child, a tear streaming down her face. "I am sorry, it is just that after all that has happened...!" Nodoka left the thought uncompleted. Silverfire smiled and embraced the woman who was mother to the little bundle of energy, whom she cared so much about. Nodoka hesitated at the sudden show of emotion. Then slowly with the help of Ranko, pushing her arms around Victoria, she hugged the elf woman back. Then Ranko hugged them both. They turned and started to head to Silverfire's cave when a commotion started behind them. They turned to see Seran and Raist panting, and trying to catch their breath. Nodoka tried to hide a smile, and Victoria looked at them with a raised eyebrow. The men looked at the devastation around them and the body of the dead red dragon, Seran then looked up at the silver-hair elf. "_What in the name of Rhiannon has gone on here?" He staggered a few steps forward as he looked at Victoria and Nodoka, while Ranko peeked from behind her mother. "Nodoka you should have waited for us and the guard...ah where is the guard?" Seran turned to ask the still gasping mage. "They're back there somewhere." Raist managed to gasp out between deep intakes of air. Shaking his head he made his wings vanish, which to Ranko was an open invitation. Victoria and the wood elves stared in shock as a red and purple blur slammed into the two men while they held each other up. They landed flat on their backs with what little breath they had knocked out of them. Laying on top of them was a very excited Ranko. "Hi! poppa Seran, Raist! What did you bring me?" She asked as she began searching their pouches. "RANKO! You don't ask for gifts, now come here and let them up. Besides your present is back at Queen Titiana's palace" Ranko looked a little sad but then jumped up and ran to her mother. "What! What! What is it? What didja get me?" Ranko asked dancing around her mother. "I THINK, I KNOW WHAT IT IS, AS IT EFFECTS ME AS WELL!" That was all Ranko needed to hear as she flew up to land on Cerulean's nose. "WHAT! WHAT DID I GET, TELL ME!" Ranko demanded looking right into Cerulean's crossed eyes. "I WILL GIVE YOU A HINT!" Ranko looked at him with a big smile, she liked guessing games. The dragon just lifted Ranko from his nose, putting her on the ground in front of him. He then began to glow golden orange, shifting into his male form. Nodoka gasped when she looked into the face of her son. The glow continued as did the morphing. When it stopped Cerulean was standing there in the shape of duck. His color was sapphire blue. Everyone looked in shock at the blue duck including Lady Victoria. Ranko ran forward and grabbed the duck and gave him a big hug then looked deep into his dragon slitted eyes and with a scolding tone. "_How_ is this a hint, turning into a duck?" Ranko smiled and hugged the duck again. /*\*/*\ Raist and Seran stare at the sky gasping to regain their breaths when the sun is suddenly blocked, they focus on the shadow. Their eyes widen in disbelief as they look up into the face of a fluttercorn, who seemed quite curious about them. Her eyes sparkle with mischief while she fluttered around them in a circle causing the men to become a little dizzy. When Seran bolted upward the fluttercorn shot over to hide behind Ranko. Before Seran could say anything the rest of the guards show up and tumble to the ground in a heap of bodies and wings. Slowly they disentangle themselves but are too tired to stand up and they just fell back to the ground many on their faces some on their backs. Victoria, Nodoka, Ranko with Cerulean in her arms and Kiri walk away laughing while Seran, Raist and the guards tried to move after them. They gave up and soon many are a sleep snoring loudly. Those awake are served honey cakes and nectar tea. Seran and Raist watched as the women, blue duck and fluttercorn disappeared into the dragon's den.