Return: Part Three: Find Your Way Back

By: KidHeart4

Duke:

After making our way through the thick forest and dissipating mists we made our trek back to the fallen kingdom of Dreamare so Heart could inform the baron of the change in hunting plans. To her relief he took the news rather well with a shrug, "I sort-of sound that out after taking down one or two near the castle so I quickly stopped."

Heart gave a slight wince to this and thanked him none the less.

A bit afterwards we found ourselves wandering the halls of her long ago home. For the moment she was forced to wear a gown once worn by her mother as our stealth suits were being mended. I myself was wearing a finely made deep burgundy tunic and dark trousers given to me by Orlock and his staff. Looking over Heart I gave a smile, "It's a rare treat getting' to see ya this way."

Her soft blushing only encouraged me as I pulled her close to me. At first she leaned into me. Then she quickly wrapped her arms around me tightly as though she hadn't done this in ages, "I missed you."

"I missed ya too sweetheart," I assured her while stroking her braided hair gently, "I'm sorry I didn't come to get ya sooner."

Then I smiled as I looked over her, caressing her scarred cheek a moment as I did.

"Are ya ready to go home?"

She nodded her head with a relieved tone in her voice, "I am."

Yet then her attention was pulled to the window looking out over the landscape we'd just traveled through. To the north was Orlock's hidden away kingdom protected by the icy mountains. In the West from us and South of him was the other Anaheim enjoying it's warm weather similarly to our own city sharing the same name. While the one we stood in remained stagnant, as though nothing could lift the gray clouds overhead of it. Yet in the distance we could see an attempt of a break in the thick nimbus threatening to unleash a steady storm.

I noticed Heart growing rigid as she watched still. Grasping her hand in mine I attempted, "Heart?"

"Would we have met...?" She asked in barely a voice.

"What are ya talkin' about Heart?"

"I keep trying to tell myself it doesn't matter. All that matters is that we did. Yet whenever I come back here I'm reminded of who I was apparently supposed to be, and why I was forced to leave. If I hadn't needed to run..." she looked up at me.

"Shadow said somethin' to ya didn't he?"

The grimace over her face was all the answer I needed.

"Heart...even then you never let anyone decide who you were goin' to be. You would have sought out adventure one way or another," I laughed softly still caressing her cheek, "An' somehow I know I would have met ya, an' I would do all I could to steal that heart of yours."

A slight smile tried to break through as she looked up at me, "You think so?"

I gave a charming smile of my own as well as a swift bow causing her to giggle a little bit, "I know it. Ya can't resist your dashin' thief can ya?"

Her blushing was my answer now. Standing up I then added softly, "Heart...you're right though. What matters now is that we did meet. You found our planet, an' ya found us. You've been with us through our fight as well as takin' on your own. We got through a lot alone before this, but now we've got one another no matter what...don't we?"

"Don't worry over this anymore okay?" I chuckled softly as she nodded her head, her grip tightening even still.

Hugging her close to me I then repeated with a cheerful tone, "Are ya ready to go home darlin'?"

"More than I can say," she sighed while pulling away.

"Let's go then," I smiled while taking her by the hand and going to retrieve our gear from the baron's well paid staff.

Once ready I gripped Heart's hand in mine and drew the star sword in the other. With that I cut through space itself, creating the doorway back to the pond. Turning to her I made sure she went in first before following after. In moments it seemed we were standing on the roof of our home just as the sun was setting over the city we knew so well now. I noticed as Heart tried to wipe the mist from her eyes, "The sunlight caught them..."

I shook my head with a soft chuckle, but didn't dare say anything. Then we headed down to our headquarters just as the sun set and the night sky came out to greet us.

Yet that's all that did it seemed. They would have seen our comms giving the signal we were home wouldn't they? Or maybe hear the elevator being accessed? However when we stepped out we found an empty pond waiting for us.

"Guys?" Heart breathed nervously while stepping into the ready room.

Without a word she darted down the hall with me quickly following after her. Every room was like the last, echoing our steps without any other sounds to blend with them. Each bunk, the galley, rec room, gym, everything was empty. Checking our comms we found nothing calling back to us.

"Avery, Elijah..." Heart stammered with fear filling her eyes.

"Hey, hey, it's goin' to be okay," I gripped her shoulders and had her look at me, "We'll find them!"

Heart looked to me with those eyes of hers begging for an answer. Pulling her close to me I tried to ease her concern with my hand running along her back smoothly, "It'll be alright Heart."

"Do you think it was the Saurians?" She asked.

"No...we have our shields to keep them out," I reminded her calmly.

In our twisting cores we felt the answer. Looking to one another we knew without speaking it. Before either of us could utter a word Drake One alerted us to a phone call coming through. Picking it up my heart leapt with some hope to hear two crying voices along with that of Captain Kleghorn, "Hello?! Wildwing are you there?!"

"No Captain, it's Duke. What's goin' on? Is that Ave an' Eli?" I asked with Heart waiting beside me.

"Yeah, we've got the kids!" He assured as I heard Phil trying to calm them down.

"What's goin' on?"

"That's just it we don't even know!" He exclaimed, "I went to visit everyone earlier and something followed me in!"

"What followed you in?!" I inquired trying to keep my composure.

"That's just it, I don't know! Nothing was there but the alarms went off and Phil said to grab the kids before I could ask any questions!" He yelled.

I had put the phone on speaker mode for Heart to listen and speak as well. At this though her hands clasped over her mouth to stifle a gasp.

"Guys, it's that thing! The creep chasing Heart! It took the others when they were trying to fight back and help get the kids out!" Phil stammered with Avery screaming over him.

"He must have left a piece of himself here," Heart realized with anger rising in her voice.

"How long ago was this?" I then asked.

"We just got out of there and we're at the station now," Kleghorn answered, "So maybe an hour ago."

"He knew..." Heart said beside me, "That's why he said I wouldn't defeat him there...as long as a piece of him survives he can regrow..."

"Then we need to stop that from happenin'," I said to her firmly.

Heart:

Suddenly before he could ask anything further the earth beneath and around us began to tremble. Quick changing into our battle gear Duke and I hurried up to the upper levels of the pond.

As we did we watched as our home began to twist and warp. Dashing out the door and turning I saw the gateway we'd opened at the roof reemerging. It tore wide open as realms began to merge with each other. An ethereal lavender cloak wrapped around our home and headquarters like a waterfall plummeting over it.

It was now that I realized I was standing alone and looking back to the rapidly shifting pond in horror and rising panic. I couldn't stop it as the building was pulled and twisted into a tower of shrouded spires. The rink inside trembled as the ice collapsed and something reformed in it's place. The front gates crumbled to reveal a metal and stone maw opening for those to dare enter beyond it's jagged teeth. As the final changes settled I thought I heard the building itself breath out through the wicked jaw, "Run...!"

"I can't." I said stepping forward, "And I won't!"

With that and telling Phil and Kleghorn to keep Elijah and Avery safe I took a deep breath and stepped forward. Just as I had those years ago when we'd been pulled apart like this. Even then without memories attached I knew I couldn't turn back from what I had. My hands balling into fists I walked through those stalagmite and stalactite teeth and into the breathing mists within our transformed home.

Inside I looked around with eyes focused seeking out my teammates. In the distance I could hear the echoes of their voices, but from moments we lived before rather than calling out in the present.

"Duke? Guys are you there?" I repeated looking into a void within the tower.

Closing my eyes I tried to block out the dizzying realm swirling around me and focus on my answer. Knowing my magic resided within each of them I could rely on that to pull me forward. This pulled me towards the transformed rink as I stepped out onto what I thought was still ice. It was as slick as ice but emitted a strange warm mist that made it difficult to see.

Beneath my blades I felt the surface tremble as though keeping something at bay. As it's fist hit the case like top I skated over I darted around energy bursting from within to try and ensnare me. Leaping forward I ended up skidding along the smooth top and finding it certainly wasn't ice. Trying to get up my hand smeared the melted glass with my reflection now staring back up at me as though it were missing an eye. Before I could react I glanced at my hand to find another image catching my attention. Emitting a light from my own sparking energy being drawn out I found a beast of electricity demanding to break out from beneath me. It's yellowed and purple face merged with two very similar creatures we'd faced before sneered at me as it saw me as a mere source of food. Again it shook the rink with it's mighty fists to try and get to it's meal.

As the surface beneath me began to crack I took another jump to escape it's erratic grasp slipping through the shattering lines. Eluding it's snare I heard two familiar voices calling out just beneath my bladed feet. Looking down I took a chance and knelt over the shifting mirror. Placing my hands upon it I found someone with his iron fists flying with hand wrapped bandages for gauntlets of sorts as he stood firm. At his back she prepared to launch another attack to cover him.

"Mal! Grin!"

Both looked up, or in their case down. Grin's expression remained steady as he gave a nod. Mallory gave a brief sigh of relief before another imp made a leap at her. She fired at it, splitting it in two as it then jumped into the mightier beast lumbering towards us. Suddenly the stomping motions began breaking up the mirror and their image. Looking over my shoulder I found the creature lumbering down over me as it did towards them as well. It snickered as it raised it's clawed hand overhead and I realized if I moved than it would shatter them beneath us.

"Go ahead!" I shouted as I quickly looked back at the mirror and balled my hands into fists and smashed open the surface with scaled claws, "Grin! Mallory! Climb out!"

Before I could get an answer I was swept up in it's electric grip. Wriggling and kicking I tried to pull free. In my panic I realized this could have been a trap and prayed desperately this wasn't so. As it lifted me to it's leering face it snickered while beginning to drink my energy. Drawing forth the energy in me I gritted my teeth to keep from crying out. Electricity poured from my core into it's being, yet I remained focused on the two trying to reach the surface.

"Take it! I don't need it!" I finally shouted with a burst of anger in my chest.

It cackled with Shadow's pitch emitting from it's shifting maw. Just then as I finally screamed from the burning sensation overwhelming me as my energy was pulled further it did as well. Before I could register what was happening I was falling as the electric fist dissipated. Then with a thud I was caught by a pair of stone like, but feathered, hands. Looking up I found the steady smile of Grin as he spoke, "Be at ease my good friend."

Without having to close my eyes and focus I knew it was him. No one could replicate the calming presence that helped ease my own erratic energy. Looking to Mallory beside us as I was set on my skates I found her readying a blaster towards the beast.

"Let's go!" She ordered quickly as the beast began to split into dozens of imps to chase after us.

We made a break for it as we darted off the shattered mirror. Before they could reach our heels we took a leap and managed to land outside the rink. Turning around we found the image of imps fade away as though it weren't there. Yet the burns in my arms from the energy pulled from me remained. Turning to Grin I found similar tarnishes on his hands from punching them aside.

"How did you know it was us?" Mallory asked.

"Shadow knows I won't be drawn in at this point by a mockery. He can use our memories against us, but he knows we'll know if someone is off...If he wants my magic and me as a vessel he needs to use the real you," I realized myself.

"We need to get you out of here and we can go in for the others," she attempted, "If he gets that magic-"

She smiled before I'd even answered, "You know I can't run anymore Mallory."

"This place will test all of us," Grin warned, "Just as it did before."

"I thought it was familiar," I agreed looking out through the fog to try and find the next presence.

"And like last time we'll pass those tests!" Mallory assured with a firm hand on my shoulder.

With a nod of my head I stood and stepped forward with them. Mallory took the lead with Grin behind us. More memories echoed out around us to try and pull us in varied directions.

As we came to a spiraled flight of stairs reaching down to where our headquarters would be one of the voices grew louder. Stammering as she tried to figure out a plan, her thoughts racing, she called out. Without hesitation we began our decent into what we found was to be a twisted laboratory of a labyrinth.

"Tanya?" Mallory called out.

Silence was our answer as we continued on through the darkened halls that mocked our home. Glancing around we could hear metallic movement in the corners of the rooms.

"I...I need to get them out!" Her voice came into ear shot.

"Tanya!" I attempted looking around a corner.

Just then Grin pulled me back as a blast of plasma came flying inches from where I had stood. This was followed by, "Stay back or I'll shoot again! I'm not letting you bots trick me again!"

"Bots?" Mallory questioned.

Before we could ponder this for long we found a pair of red eyes glaring at us from down the split hall. Mallory stared at herself as the other took aim at her. Down the other hall we heard Tanya cry out as something seemed to find her and she fired again, "Get back I mean it you cheap knock off!"

Looking up I found there was a break from the wall and the ceiling that could be balanced on possibly. Growing out my claws I quickly scaled it while Grin and Mallory went into battle with the emerging bots of our teammates. Once atop the wall I carefully surveyed the twisting halls. I could see the other replicas patrolling by. Even Phil and Kleghorn had their own mechanical doppelgangers among them. Towards the back of the lab I could see Tanya charging up a blaster. Upon seeing me however she took aim and went to fire before I ducked down, holding onto the ledge with one clawed hand.

"Heart?! Is that you?!" She called out as I steadied my breathing from the panic trying to rise.

Before I could answer I found one of the bots had gotten the same idea. Shaking my head as I looked up I of course found him smirking at me. Duke's robotic clone reached down to grab my wrist and pull me up in a vice like grip. Mallory tried to take aim at him but was caught off guard by Nosedive's bot checking her in the side while Grin wrestled Wildwing's. The rest were making their way to our team tech as they marched along their winding routes.

Then with a growl Grin suddenly chucked the bot of our leader through the wall, sending him crashing with a huge display of force. Collapsing the walls, including the one I was on with the robotic thief, it made a decent sized opening to Tanya. Having taken out other bots along the way they lay in a heap. Mallory had in turn blasted Nosedive's apart while scoffing, "You know I hate machines, and you're not helping by mocking my boyfriend!"

As our wall crumbled the bot version of Duke and I had fallen into the heap. As he tried to pin me down with both crimson eyes sneering down at me I managed to catch my breath and kick him off of me. He snarled mechanically as he went to attempt once more when Tanya shouted, "Can't you take a hint?!"

In seconds he was broken apart along with the others. Seeing it was indeed us Tanya hurried over and helped me to my feet.

"Any new scrapes?" She asked good naturedly.

"Probably," I smiled before hugging my friend.

Then she laughed while we looked to the pile of wires and metallic limbs, "I'm sorry but this one isn't as sturdy as the usual model."

She gave me a wink as I couldn't help but laugh in the moment at this, "Not quite!"

"Glad to have you back Tanya," Mallory sighed with relief before we continued on.

"So what happened to you guys?" I then asked as we walked along.

"We were waiting for Duke to come back with you. A little while ago though Kleghorn dropped by with his usual report and...he wasn't alone," Mallory explained.

"Shadow was able to find the Captain with Wildwing's memories he'd seen while he was under his control," Tanya informed, "After he got in it all happened so fast."

"And it appears he's pulling himself together, through time and space to make sure he gets what he's after," I said with frustration seeping into my voice, "Guys...I'm sorry..."

Grin quickly rested a hand on my shoulder, "We will get through this my friend. Shadow doesn't understand the downfall he has promised himself to."

My brow furrowed with determination as I nodded my head, "You're right about that."

Yet deep down, I couldn't ignore the sliver of doubt tugging at me. He'd already escaped countless times. No matter how much magic I used to fight him he got away. Each time it was worse. If he got away this time he could find Avery and Elijah next. None the less I knew I simply couldn't run.

We soon found ourselves reaching a pit below that lead to a sealed door.

"Tanya, what were you trying to do when we found you?" I then asked, "You mentioned getting them out?"

"I saw Shadow drag Wildwing away and Nosedive with him. Before I could hurry after those bots woke up and the lab labyrinth formed around me. They started chasing me before I could form a plan," she explained.

"Was this where they went?" Grin asked as we looked over the twisted doorway beckoning us.

Tanya gave a silent nod with worry washing over her face. Resting a hand on her shoulder Mallory assured, "Let's go get our guys back!"

Focusing my energy I reached for the door and pushed it open carefully. Stepping through I felt something shift over me, but was too set on what stood before us.

"He's not even trying that hard at this point is he?" Mallory scoffed as Wildwing and Nosedive stood ready for a battle it seemed.

"Get back you cold blooded freak!" Nosedive shouted suddenly while taking aim at me.

"Dive?" I asked just as Wildwing raised his blaster on his gauntlet as well, "Wing?"

"After all this time you've finally show what those scales mean haven't you?!" Wildwing scowled.

Looking around us now I found we were somehow back on in our old yard, though the house it went with rested in shambles. Around us the city we had once known matched as monitor ships landed and transformed into walking monstrosities taking aim at other ducks and their homes. The sky bled out from the rising flames lapping the skyscrapers throughout the city, no the very planet.

"You're one of them! That's why you've never shown us those scales before now! You hid them to grow close to us!" Nosedive shook his head as though shaking out years of memories he wanted gone.

Only now did I glance down to find my form shifted into that of my partial dragon frame. My clawed hands balled into fists as I took in the scales that was pushing them back from me. Looking up to my brothers I stepped slowly forward, "Wing...Dive...you know I'd never..."

"Back off from my brother scaled scum!" Wildwing warned.

"Guys, this isn't what happened, you know that!" Mallory attempted, but it was clear they heard something else as they glared at us.

"Traitors!" Nosedive shook his head while taking aim at her.

Glancing down I could see their shadows shifting, puppeted and thinned from his influence.

"He's drained their essence, that's why they can't see past this," Grin confirmed what I'd seen.

Then Wildwing narrowed his glare at us and snarled, "You're why I can't find him!"

We all looked to one another bewildered before Tanya's eyes widened and she turned back to him, "Wildwing...that isn't true."

"He's talking about Canard? But we found him, he's helping the B.R.A.W.N.s with their patrol," Mallory commented.

"He was trying to keep that monster at bay when we saw him last," Tanya realized, "A part of him must know Canard must have been in trouble if he got out like that!"

"Wait...does that mean...?" I wondered while glancing around the area for an answer of some sort.

"Wildwing!" I shouted suddenly, "You're right, it is my fault!"

"What are you doing?!" Tanya exclaimed, "That'll make this worse!"

She then caught sight of what I had noticed slowly creeping towards us. As large as it had been when it had wrapped around our ship that fateful day. Drawing ever closer our group gathered together to try and figure out a plan.

"It'll consume everything if it isn't stopped!" Tanya exclaimed.

"Unless this is like the creature from before," Grin mentioned, "It could be a manifestation of past nightmares."

"Are you willing to take that risk?" Mallory commented.

While we tried to form plan Nosedive and Wildwing glared at me. Looking down at my clawed hands I knew what they saw. With these scales I looked like those that had taken their home away. An omen of what horrors they would face. Their essence drained away I wasn't their sister they'd taken in.

We all knew this wasn't how it had been, but that didn't matter in the moment. Wildwing's glare held strong from behind his mask. Nosedive's distrust burned in his blue eyes that I was grateful to never truly know.

"I'm going in," I said.

"Not alone you aren't," Grin stated firmly.

"Are you crazy? That could be what Shadow wants?!" Tanya exclaimed.

"We can't just stand here though, it'll swallow us one way or another," Mallory realized.

"Let's go!" I breathed before darting forward.

Behind me Grin's thunderous steps followed as Nosedive and Wildwing prepared to fire. At our leader's mark Tanya and Mallory fired their own shots to deflect theirs. Despite the shocked shouting of my brothers the two charged forth to distract them. Ahead the sluggish creature slithered closer, rearing it's head it seemed once it noticed us. As it plummeted it's face towards us Grin held up his wrapped hand and tried to wrangle it while I began clawing my way through. The energy of the other worldly beast lashed out at me, burning me through my scales.

Extending my claws a bit I began creating an incision in it's side to reach through.

"Keep it away from them, but be careful!" I pleaded.

"You too my friend," Grin affirmed before I pushed through in a burst of light.

For a split second I could have sworn I heard my twin scream my name as I vanished.

Was it possible to be in a void within a void I wondered as I stepped into a vortex ever swirling around me. With every foot forward I felt my energy drain from me further. Yet turning back wasn't an option either.

"It's like the gateway," I realized, "When we came to Earth..."

"Not just that," a voice snickered in an echo.

Continuing my steps I could hear shouting from the past as Wildwing begged Canard not to give himself up. Then the months to years of his growth went on in flashes, pulled from him it seemed. Deeper still I carried on in search of what I wasn't sure of. Yet my energy continued to pull from my core as I walked through.

"Run! Run and you'll be free and they can take your place!" It hissed, "Let them be swallowed instead. Hop to another realm and forget all there is to this one!"

My feet planted firmly in this spinning vortex I focused my sights ahead of myself. Just ahead I could see slivers of doorways it seemed, attempting to open to allow me through.

"There are countless doors to escape through here, so why focus on the one you've been stuck in for so long?" He taunted, "You can go on and-"

"And allow you to follow? I'll become the herald of chaos and your vessel if I slip through now!" I shouted.

"Don't you want to explore other realms and have the freedom you always wanted?"

Thousands of openings to further gateways attempted to unlock as my energy rushed from me to spark the doors open.

Suddenly they all slammed shut tightly as I cried out, "But they aren't in other realms are they?! My freedom is with them, and right now they're anything but because of you! I will not run and leave them this way! They are here and so I will stay here with them!"

Looking ahead I found an enveloped figure lying on the ground. Focusing on it I ran, ignoring Shadow's shrieks as the doors around us continued to close. His snarls nearly deafened me as I reached the prone form wrapped in a shroud of ethereal fabric. Pulling at it I felt the energy of the creature I was in begin to lap at me, preventing me from getting them free. Yet I also couldn't move them on my own as the figure had a much taller and stronger frame than I, even with my draconic like shape emerging.

Still I tugged at it, trying to break them free. Then looking up I realized the danger we were in the longer we stayed there. With the gateways now closing rapidly a pull into limbo began. A limbo that Shadow had left in shambles from the doorway I could see. There I would be grabbed up without any hope of getting back to the others.

"Get out now!" I thought I heard in a muffled voice.

Looking to the figure encased in shadows I tried to get them free still. Finally pulling at the cloak pulled over their face I found the long ago familiar tan feathers of a friend. Yet just as I uncovered them the shadow wrapped over them once more.

"I can't! I can't leave you here!" I argued sharply, "I'm not losing anyone else to him!"

Still I tried to get him free only for a repeating result. Around us the lights dimmed as limbo began to open up and pull us back. Holding onto his arm I tried to keep him from shifting closer to the twisting doorway.

Just as the gateway began to close around us we heard a sudden blast as a gape of space ripped open. Turning quickly I found Nosedive leading a charge with Grin and Mallory while Tanya kept Wildwing held back still. Seeing us my twin pulled me up without question while Grin picked up our long lost friend still covered in shadows. Then as swiftly as they'd entered they carried us out as the creature began to collapse on itself. With a leap we rolled into the chamber we'd actually been in before, the image of a destroyed Puck World gone along with the creature we turned to find Wildwing fighting through his binds as he looked to us reemerging, "Dive!"

Trying to catch our breath Nosedive set me down as Grin carefully placed our shrouded friend in front of Wildwing. We all held our breath as our leader looked to them bewildered. Seeing him relatively calm Tanya cut his binds as he got up. Nosedive and I stood watching him unsure of what he'd do. Fear and anger lingered in his eyes while Tanya held the mask, taken for the time being to keep it safe.

"I thought I'd lost both of you..." Wildwing's voice crumbled looking to us.

His voice was thinned, as though the courage he'd grown were missing. Or would have been. For as he began to unravel the shroud over his best friend it seemed to gradually pour into him instead, creating his shadow now steady at his knees as he knelt down still.

"I know I said I would visit soon, but you didn't need to drag me here like this," Canard chuckled once freed and able to sit up.

"It seems the invite to our wedding got lost in the mail," Wildwing chuckled glancing at Tanya who threw her arms around him with a relieved sigh escaping her, "So we had to get you here somehow?"

Then Wildwing turned to me as he got up, helping Canard to his feet as well. By now I was shaking slightly from the energy used and extracted. Burns from the creature lingered on my arms, tarnishing my scales and then my skin as they broke away for now. Nosedive offered a shoulder of support that I accepted.

Before either of us could speak our brother pulled us into a hug, "If my feathers weren't already white..."

Nosedive gave a laugh at this, "I would have caused that years ago bro!"

"Even still, don't scare me like that again," he chuckled while pulling away.

Then turning to the door across from the entrance we'd come in through I felt a strange tug in my core. Stepping forward with them, Wildwing now taking the lead with his mask again, I heard something calling to me.

"Not much longer now..." he assured me with a wicked snickering.

Realizing I was alone somehow I looked ahead to try and find them. Focusing the magic in me I could feel them close, even Canard who was now being shielded as well.

"You won't find him, your thief," Shadow assured me as I kept a lock on the others somehow.

Remaining calm I tried to ignore him.

"I have something special in mind for the vagabond rogue that stole you away," he assured me, "The fate he deserves after all these years."

I tried to ignore him. I tried to move forward as he continued to mock me in my head.

"Did you know I wasn't always a mere Shadow, but became this way after being sealed away," he taunted me, "Only my name was the same as it is now. Long before my banishment I'd had a body of my own, instead of craving a vessel to inhabit once more. I wonder if he'll end up the same."

Panic gripped my chest as I stood frozen in horror at this remark.

"He'll crave the magic I do, forever stealing it to get by, to keep from vanishing," he hissed, "A fitting sentence for a thief if you ask me."

I knew he was pushing me forward. I knew he wanted me to find where he was. None the less I ran, breaking through the mist that had wrapped around me and sprinting pass the others. My teammates called after me as I hurried down a winding path reaching deep under where our headquarters had rested. Tree branches from seemingly nowhere reached out to grab for me as I darted by them.

Only now did I come to a sudden stop, finding the place I had long forgotten as Wildwing and Nosedive each grabbed one of my arms. The moment of time that had started all of this. Wandering in before, this time knowing, I found a pocket of space untouched by time. Though instead of a stone seal cracking upon the ground at my feet, there stood a mirror ever darkening despite us bringing light to it. The monstrous carvings beckoned a moment of panic I had known once before, and countless times since in the last few years. The dread of possibly losing him pulled me forward.

"Heart!" Wildwing pleaded from beside me, "Heart what are you doing?!"

"You can still escape child," Shadow snickered, "Leave with the others and you'll be safe won't you? Leave him to his fate! Who knows, maybe one day he'll break through and come looking for you, as I did!"

Standing at the edge of what I found to be the very seal I had cracked long ago, the mirror at the center, I knew what would happen. I knew what it would take.

"It's Duke...isn't it?" Mallory asked without my needing to answer.

I knew they wanted to pull me back. We all knew what was about to happen. Yet if I turned back now...he'd...I could be safe...but...he would...My hands trembled at my sides, reaching up as I gripped the sides of my head. Choking back sobs as I closed my eyes my heart resonated with the one beating from within the reflection before me.

"I once heard..." Grin started from behind me, "That the best mirror is a good friend."

Tears stung my eyes as I began to step forward, "You're right."

My brothers tried to pull me back. Nosedive held my arm tight, "Sis he wouldn't want this!"

"But I don't want this!" I caved in looking towards the mirror.

They knew there was no use. I knew there was no turning back. Gradually pulling back they stood ready as I took that first step. With every one after the earliest of memories with him rushed through me. Not simply from being in love, but the reflections of what lead us to one another. How much we looked for one another to be around, knowing the other needed a chance. A chance to change, and a hope for a shared freedom. Both of us running from a past that somehow scarred us.

Trembling with the stone beneath me I realized I didn't have to force my steps. No matter how afraid I was of what was about to happen, losing him was far worse to me. I knew this as energy burst around me in sparks, my hands encased in crystals as I slammed them into the glass of the mirror. As it attempted to reseal I continued until there was a doorway before me that I kept open with a breath of crystal spreading around the frame.

"Duke!" I called as I reached my hands through, "Duke I'm right here! Please!"

This time when he didn't answer I felt a tug from within my chest. Then along with this came tendrils shooting out as they lapped around my limbs and began pulling me in. Ripping an arm free I grasped the frame quickly.

"Heart!" My brothers cried out.

"No matter what happens, stop Shadow!" I looked over my shoulder to the others.

My brothers, my teammates, each of them meant so much. With tears blurring my vision I begged, "No matter what it takes?"

They each gave a response of their own. A nod from Tanya, a steady smile from Grin, a salute from Mallory, a wave from Canard, a thumbs up from Nosedive, and an echo from Wildwing, "No matter what it takes!"

With that I let go of the frame and was pulled through the opening threatening to close again.

Then it was dark. The only bit of light was that of the energy sparking around me as I struggled against the tendrils binding me. Looking ahead I recognized his frame in the black void around us as he fought to get free of the bindings he'd been imprisoned in, "I won't leave her again!"

"Duke!" I called out, causing him to look to me in shock.

"Heart?!"

As I was drawn in closer Duke managed to get his arm free and reach out to me. Yet as I got my own hand loose I tried to grasp his only for it to pass through his. Horror gripped my chest as I looked to see Shadow's curse reaching from his wrists to his finger tips, threatening to climb up his arms.

This only fueled my fire as I tried to get free and grab hold of him. If I could just pull him out of here.

Duke:

Watching Heart try to get me free over and over while tendrils slithered ever closer I tried to tell her to leave. Yet I knew what her answer would be. What it always would be. What it always had been. Looking at the one person who'd never given up on me, still refusing to, tore my core to shreds.

Seeing the wisps of shadow trying to grab a hold of her I managed to tear my arm free and pull her close to me with it. As I did I thought I could hear her heart pounding along with mine as we held onto one another. The tendrils wrapped around our waists, attempting to pry us apart. Shadow's cruel chuckle echoed in a distance we couldn't see. Still we held on. My hands of shadow desperately gripped a hold of her, but began to slip.

"Your fate will be to crave her magic as I do. When this seal breaks one day you'll seek her out to claim it or vanish!" Shadow's vow echoed in my head.

More tendrils wrapped around my arms to try and pull me back from her.

"No!" Heart screamed, hearing his laughter grow louder around us as she pulled free, "You won't take him from me!"

Energy bursting around her, lashing out at our living bindings, we were released. Finally free we quickly looked to one another, gave a nod, and made a break for the closing gate. As we did we thought we heard a deep guttural roar from within the depths of the mirror we were in. Ignoring it for now we hurried to find a closed off barrier keeping us within. Turning around I found healing tendrils inching over to us. Unable to draw my saber I simply stood to defend Heart, shielding her however I could. While she ran her hand along the sealed surface to try and find a way out. Outside we could hear our teammates as though they were locked in a struggle of their own, and yet trying to reach us as well. We could hear the cries of her brothers, the shouts of our friends as they fought. With every breath of battle Heart's electricity continued to ignite, despite the fatigue she was showing.

Looking over my shoulder as she prepared to smashed the mirror open I could see her strength wavering. As the tendrils drew nearer, pulled forward by their craving for her magic, and seeing such shadows doing the same to our friends I realized, "Your magic!"

"What?" She looked up at me.

"Heart, you've got to drop the shields you've built for us!" I told her.

She shook her head, "I can't! It's to protect you-!"

"It's also how he knows where we are darlin'. We can't get to him without him knowin'!" I told her.

"If I drop those shields, they could...you could..." her voice wavered with fear, "I can't..."

"Ya won't lose us Heart, an' ya sure as heck won't lose me," I promised her, "but you've got to trust me on this!"

"Duke-"

"Heart!"

She trembled as the tendrils drew nearer, trying to reach for us all. Seeing how frightened she was, adrenaline pushing her well past exhaustion, was heart breaking. Taking a breath of my own I smiled over my shoulder, catching her attention, "Everythin's goin' to be okay sweetheart."

At that I watched as she fought through her tears and took a breath. Releasing it I could feel her magic that had wrapped itself around my heart pull away. Once it was done she looked to me and then passed me. All of the tendrils outside and in were now refocusing their efforts. Turning to her all at once they darted forward.

Seeing this I grabbed her up, pulling her into me with my arms and using my shadowed hands to grasp her with the energy she had rushing back to her. In that second the shadows collided with a spark of her electricity igniting along the mirror, shattering the door. In that instant the roar we knew we heard shook the space around us, nearly knocking us to our feet.

At this we made a break for the entrance together, dashing for the shattered mirror as the tendrils backed off from the light created by the electricity sparking over it. Pushing her through just as her brothers reached in to pull her into their arms I then followed after with Grin's support.

Once through our teammates gathered around us, pulling us into a group hug that we knew we didn't have much time for. Knowing that they stepped back, and they soon noticed my hands. Behind us the angered roar followed after us. Yet Heart remained looking up at me.

Not knowing how this would all end, not knowing if we'd ever get another chance, Heart stepped close to me. Taking a deep breath she gripped my shirt front and pulled me impossibly close to her, as though afraid I would slip away somehow. I in turn leaned in as we sealed the sliver of a distance between us with a kiss.

"I love you," I felt her breath gently and my grip on her grew firm as it always had been, holding the treasure I couldn't bare to lose.

When we pulled away I nuzzled my forehead against hers gently. Again I could hear both our hearts pounding, afraid to let go as the roar threatened to sever us. Before it grew louder, nearly deafening us, I heard her breath, "...my thief..."

"Of course love," I swore.

Just as we pulled back I felt Heart shove me back into the others. For as she did all of the shadows strengthening around us darted towards us. Wrapping around her we tried to blast them apart only for them to harden on their grip. Shadows inside and out of the mirror poured into one merged being, enclosing her in it's grip, and then making a rush for freedom towards the roof of our warped home.

Heart:

Carried up to the roof in a space deeper than any shadow that could be cast I tried to remain standing. Struggling to break free I stumbled back trying to evade the clawed hands grasping for me. My glaive drawn to keep me steady now failing to do even that as I slid to my knees. My battle gear was torn to shreds, the ribbon from Duke long pulled free.

"It's been so long..." Shadow hissed from a depth I couldn't see.

In fact I couldn't see anything but the hands clawing at me, and just barely.

"My return to form," he beckoned cruelly as a waft of shadow revealed the body long ago pulled away from him.

There were the remains of a sealed away beast of a dragon. Lying in a heap of shattered bones the skull sneered at me before the image eroded to pieces and then into nothing.

"Y-You were...?" I stammered in disbelief.

"The very thing you swore to protect!" He mocked, "Yet apparently I was cast out for being too violent, too hungry. For that I was sealed away by others, including your dear mother!"

"My body eventually gave up the struggle, but my essence never died. I remain a shadow in name and body now, needing a new vessel. With every bit of me free I will finally take what I want, and that magic I gain will ensure I am never sealed away again!" He vowed in a deranged deep cackle, "I hope you've enjoyed the chase as much as I have!"

My reserves all but tapped out, exhausted yet still pushing to try and stand, I didn't know what would happen. Stumbling onto my hands and knees, seeing my battle gear torn from our struggles this fight, feeling the wavering of strength in me. All I could do was look up as the claws savored their sought out meal.

Then I felt it, my core screamed as my body began to shift with my puppeted shadow. For I wasn't in the shape he wanted to take on. An agonized cry ripped from my throat as my scales began to emerge rapidly. He drank my voice as a shadowed hand gripped my neck, "Shadow's don't speak, nor do they scream!"

My heart raced in my chest as he pulled at me. Shaking my head desperately before he tried to lock me in place, securing me in the stance of the dragon I could have become. Energy lashed out in a desperate last ditch effort to fight him off as a tail was pulled free with the spines of it running up to the back of my neck, tearing my battle gear further. Muscles begged to stop as he tried to bulk them up.

"I will soar out of this tower, my claimed domain, and this realm and all others will know my new form! Your precious teammates, and that cursed thief will never raise a finger against the shell of their dear friend...will they? Not when there's a chance to get you back, am I right?" He taunted as tears began to fall.

Seeing this he snickered, "It's alright my dear...the blessing in all of this is you won't be around to save. You can finally stop running. Your battle is over!"

It wasn't. Memories I clung to desperately overwhelmed my breaking heart. Without a voice I called out to each and everyone of them. My chest burned to finish the battle we'd begun together, to stand with them. As those of my children and his name echoed out from my mind, tears flowed freely while he pulled my wings into being. Still I fought back with every fiber of my being, trying to force back the changes.

"And now, you are finally mine!" He swore with hands at last closing around me.

Suddenly, as he uttered this vow, I thought I heard...no...felt something beside me in the dark. Slipping into the pitch black someone knelt before me. A velvet hand brushed along my scarred cheek and a swift kiss was stolen with my breath and my skipping heart beat.

In the same quick motion the figure I knew stood, spinning on his heel. Yet his hand remained caressing my hair ever so gently while he cut through the umbral void with the light of the Star Sword. The light of the enchanted blade revealed Shadow's twisted grin, his form enveloping the dome of the roof of the tower he'd created. We were to break through it, shattering the barriers of the realms for him to be free.

However, as Duke remained standing before me, his battle suit torn from the claws and tenrils trying to keep him away, yet his fingers still holding strands of my hair, a light wrapped around both of us, keeping Shadow's claws at bay. Then I looked to find my changes completely erased and my voice returned as I breathed, "Duke?"

"I will pull your shadow apart thief!" He snarled, "It will be the last thing she remembers!"

Duke's stance didn't waver. Looking to me he said with a charming smile, "I doubt that. Ya won't be stolen from me love."

Shadow shrieked with anger, his hollowed eyes seeking a way around the light to pull me from Duke's careful grasp. A cruel laugh blended with his voice as he pulled himself into one being, encompassing himself around us. The light of the Star Sword a flickering candle against his darkening form.

As Shadow laughed Duke said to me, "Heart, use whatever you've got left ta seal us in."

My heart pounded rapidly against my chest as I looked to my trembling hands and set them against the cold floor. Taking a breath and releasing it I felt my energy flowing out of me, and yet kept going as Duke remained with a hand brushing over my hair, keeping a strand of a connection between us. While doing so he stood ready as Shadow reached for us. His form covered the crystal reaching along the ground, climbing the walls of the dome he'd encased us in. Only now realizing the twisted egg he'd have us emerge through I continued to focus. Not on my magic, but the reason I was refusing to run.

Looking to Duke I knew all I needed to push forth the magic I didn't know I had left. This I did with a brave smiling meeting his as the dome sealed shut in a crystal within that shadowed egg.

"I have to let go Heart...," he told me in a feint voice, yet steady tone.

"I trust you," I repeated with a faithful breath as he released me, seemingly from fatigue.

In this instant Shadow saw his chance and darted towards me. His claws closed rapidly around me, sealing shut any source of light, including my own. Then it was pitch black, a void of nothing pushed at my core as it held me tight. Then tighter, desperately even as in a split moment a brilliant force of radiance tore through the black. A horrific shriek deafened us as I felt myself fall and then was caught. Held up in his firm grasp, Duke pulled me against his lean frame and swung his blade.

Shadow writhed holding his jagged tendrils against himself, snarling at us in a beastly cry. Looking up I found the hardened glare in Duke's eye that Shadow found focused on him. Then a proud smirk curved his beak as his hand gripped tightened over my shoulder, "Sorry, but once I've made up my mind to steal a gem, nothin' will stop me. An' she is the most precious one I've ever found."

The light engulfing the sword in his other hand now he focused on the shadow cursing us both. Done listening to his screams, the drake holding me swung his blade towards him. The energy bursting forth from the enchanted steel cut through the lasting dark and began to lap at Shadow, pulling him apart. His shreds of a being began to climb and crawl, seeking a way out. Even a sliver that he could slip through and return strengthened.

Looking to us he knew what we had done. His hollowed eyes wide with desperation, his mouth agape in dread as the shreds of him dissipated in the continued onslaught of the Star Sword's magic. The magic he couldn't absorb. Then he sneered as he made one last dash towards my shadow cast behind us without a word.

Duke shifted, turning swiftly with me and pulling my shadow away from his claws. Duke's shadow shielded mine as his body did for mine, stealing me from Shadow's grasp in every way. Still Shadow glared as he grasped for Duke's instead, determined to take one of us with him. Without hesitation Duke unleashed the another swipe as the blade suddenly shattered from the intense heat coursing through it and my thief collapsed to the ground with me. Shadow cackled upon seeing this, knowing his chance to strike as he dashed towards us, "I'll let you be together then!"

While Duke grasped the hilt still, gasping for breath, I quickly closed my hand over his. Glancing to me with a nod to one another I breathed out as a blade of crystal emerged from the star sword's base and filled with it's light once more. Standing together as Shadow raced towards us with a sliver of himself left, unable to stop his momentum, Duke and I swung the blade and it's light. With a shriek of pained horror Shadow collided with the burst of radiance that engulfed him, his hollowed face filled with that light until it broke away along with his desperate cries.

As Shadow ceased to be so did his tower that we stood at the top of in that now crystallized egg. Rapidly the shell began to break away as the realms pulled apart. The tower trembled beneath our feet as we clung to one another. The crystal blade broke away and shattered with the crystals we were encased in. Suddenly falling together, Duke grabbed a hold of me and shot out his grappling hook to try and stop our fall with anything nearby. As a piece of the tower fell away it slowed our fall just enough with the hook latching on. Then it broke apart, dropping us to the city below. Our saving grace was the roof of the pond reforming as it caught us from our plummet.

Refusing to let go we heard our home shifting back into place beneath us. In the streets we heard our teammates calling for us through the chaos. This was followed by their distant footsteps hurrying inside of the building.

Then...it was still...and quiet. The only sound that reached me was his breath and the heart in his chest pounding as he held me tight. Light gently washed over us as the sun broke through the crimson sky, parting the realms and the forcing back the rage of their twisted merger.

Slowly propping myself up I looked around us to find the roof of the pond as we knew it, standing strong as though it had never been changed. The staff of my glaive and the hilt of the shattered Star Sword rested nearby, having fallen when Duke had released it to use his grappling hook and keep me in his grip. As...he did now...

"It...it was always you..."

My gaze turned to him as he lay beside me. His chest rose and fell calmly with his breath to assure me he was alive. Reaffirming was his tightening grasp as he opened his eye and looked to me immediately, "...Heart?"

Sitting up as though ready to fight still he looked around us. I followed suit, taking in the light and warmth wrapping around us. As the late summer air reminded us we were indeed home, Duke stood up. Around us the sky no longer bled, but shimmered with a dreamlike gold, glistening over us like stars washing the Earth, healing it from the tears caused by Shadow. I watched as the drake with me looked out at the city as people got ready for their days in the strange morning light.

Then he turned, his brown eye filled with disbelief. While I, still on my knees, looked up at him trembling from shock of my own. Without realizing it my vision grew blurred as tears tell from my eyes, taking in what had just happened. Breaking free of his own frozen state Duke as a warmth returned to his eye, he hurried to me as I tried to stand. Still convulsing I nearly caught myself on my hands and knees just as the drake swept me up in his arms with a strength he didn't know he had left. Despite his own trembling he wrapped his arms around me, holding me up as I clung to him. A laugh of disbelief blended with my weakened cries while I pulled at the already torn burgundy fabric he wore. With one hand securely looped around my back to keep me up, I felt the other caress it as though it ached to, finally running up through my hair long pulled free of the ribbon I usually held it back with. While I in turn clutched my hands at his chest and shoulder, terrified of letting go to find this wasn't real.

Then with a breath he said to me, "I've got ya sweetheart, as I always have...I've got ya now."

Choking back a sob I looked up to find a warm smile over his face. His velvet hand slowly ran from my hair to caress the side of my face, all the while shaking until he brushed the tears from my eye firmly, but gently.

"H-How did..how did you...?" I stammered as everything crashed over me that had just happened.

"You were callin' for me sweetheart, an' jus' like before...I couldn't take it. I couldn't leave ya like that," he smiled as he had years ago.

"Heart?" He then asked me, looking into my eyes, "Would you have given up on me?"

He knew my answer before a smile of my own curved my trembling lips. His hand slid to my chin to tilt it towards him. Trying to laugh through my fatigued sobs he nuzzled his forehead against mine again, being careful as always. His beak brushed against my cheek softly, kissing it sweetly, "Why me darlin'?"

"You know why," I breathed while slipping a hand along his shoulder until it rested along his neck and then cheek, then reaching back and grasping carefully his feathered ponytail.

He smiled looking at me, "I'm honored to be your thief my love."

With that we closed the sliver of a distance between us with a kiss ,holding one another impossibly close as though we'd never let go.

Duke still held me as our kiss ended, nuzzling the top of my head with the chin of his beak as we heard the rooftop door open. Looking over we found Wildwing holding it as such before he and our teammates rushed over to us, having paused barely a moment to take in what we were as well still.

"It...it's over...?" Tanya inquired in disbelief.

I nodded my head, looking to them through a half blurred vision. At this they hadn't held back running over and pulling us into a group hug. Wildwing's grip was like an iron vice with his gauntlets, but was welcomed all the same. Nosedive made sure he got between he and I before the others closed in around us. Laughter of lingering shock washed over us, shared with tears as we realized...it was over. My own grip, though trembling, remained strong as I stood with the ones I had chosen not to run from. Though not because I ever imagined this would happen, but because I was afraid of what wouldn't happen.

Looking to them I found my family, my teammates, my thief, all with me after having taken on this battle without knowing initially. Yet never once backing down from it once the first fight commenced. Those years ago when Shadow had tried to rip me from them, they hadn't given up on finding me through that mist. Just as they hadn't given up on me now as Duke pulled me from Shadow's claws again.

Barely pulling away Nosedive then asked with vigor, "So should we go stomp out Dragonus while we're at it?"

Bursting into laughter of sorts together we just pulled him back in. Shaking my head I wept with joy through these slightly pained laughs.

Then I felt Duke's grip begin to loosen little by little. Only now did I realize how fatigued his body was by this point. Glancing at the shattered Star Sword and then back to him he smiled none the less, "I jus' need to rest a bit...I'll be alright."

To reassure me he hugged me as tightly as he could, "Trust me, you are more than worth this."

With that the others began to guide us, offering support as we both wavered in our steps. Nosedive giving me aid, and Grin holding Duke up. Mallory had gathered my glaive and the hilt of the Star Sword, carrying them behind us. Tanya walked with Wildwing leading the way, calling Phil and Kleghorn who had felt it was safe to begin heading back. Reaching the pond we found them holding Avery and Elijah, both cooing peacefully in their sleep. It were as though they knew as we looked over them, holding them now, that they were safe. That we were safe. Then Wildwing and Tanya each took one of our twins as our reserved strength began to fail. With that we were lead down to our restored headquarters and the overwhelming joy that wrapped around us to see it as such.

Words couldn't begin to describe what ran through me as I took in the brightly lit rooms and hallways. As though brand new after not having been truly home in so long. Yet it was more than that. After all these years, even ones long lost to me, I knew this was...my home. Stronger than any castle, safer than any tucked away cavern, filled with laughter more sincere than those I'd ever heard in the filled ballrooms back in my home realm, this was everything I had ever wanted. Looking to them, knowing they were everything I had ever needed. Heroes to stand with and share our adventures still unfinished. Allies to hold me up when my strength wavered, giving support I had never felt before them. What I was before simply wasn't of concern to them. Who I was, a decision I could make, and they would support it. With only a look they understood all of this and smiled with me.

At long last, though I'd given up on running since meeting them, I knew I could finally rest these fears that had lingered all these years. With them I could be at ease and realize, I was no longer being chased as though by my own shadow.

"You're free to go where ever you wish now," Wildwing chuckled knowing full well my answer.

"I've already found my way back."

Hours later, with the day spent resting from a long and exhausting battle, an odd energy spurred me awake. Looking beside me I found my thief missing and I knew that's part of why I had woken up. Getting up and searching for him, I found he was nowhere to be found among our headquarters. Tanya tended to our children with Wildwing, Nosedive played games with Grin with Mallory close by talking to Phil and Kleghorn. Yet Duke remained missing, until I went up to the rink.

Dressed in his usual burgundy jersey he turned knowing I was stepping out from the elevator and locker room. Wearing my own matching, but white, team jersey, I walked up to him. Without a word he then wrapped an arm around me, pulling me against him as we looked out over the ice. The familiar fabric was achingly comforting in a way. Though I could still feel how fatigued he really was, he held me close all the same. Nuzzling his head against mine with a relaxed breath he smiled as I looked up at him. Yet he then raised a perplexed brow as he asked me softly, "Heart...is this really what ya want? Our team for champions to be your companions? The pond for a castle? A thief for a prince?"

"You know the answer Duke," I smiled, knowing full well I was blushing at his last remark.

He knew it too, encouraging him as he gave a charming smile of his own, "Well if that's what ya want darlin', don't let me discourage ya."

"It is," I breathed just before he kissed me, pulling me ever closer to him.

"Then I'm yours love," he swore as I leaned in to kiss him in return.

Then pulling away just slightly, before giving in once more, I promised in a soft reply, "This all I've ever wanted...my thief..."