Chapter 24: The Final Battle-Part 1

Sari

“What the- what is this?” I was confused. Ryuu’s parents… not even recognizing Ryuu? What was happening? “Are you sure these are your parents, Ryuu?”

Ryuu just nodded, staring up at his sneering parents in disbelief. “Y-yes. It’s them. But something’s happened. They’re different…”

“Yeah, I think we’ve noticed that…” Muri snorted, looking from parent to parent.

“Muri! How can you be so rude?” Ayumu protested, glancing from Ryuu to Muri.

“No. It’s okay.” Ryuu said, collapsing on the ground, putting his head between his knees. “I think everyone is aware of the fact that we will have to battle them to win the key, right?”

“Huh?” Everyone stared at Ryuu with shocked faces; even I had no idea what he was talking about.

“You mean- you don’t know?” Ryuu sighed, and got to his feet. “Well, while I was traveling I heard rumors of some brainwashing device that could make people do another person’s bidding. Just as long as someone doesn’t get the soul key to that person who is being controlled…”

“Uh-huh.” Ayumu said, nodded her head and pumping her fists. “But- just one question… what’s a ‘soul key?’”

“Young people… so uninformed these days…” Ryuu sighed. “A ‘soul key’ is a key made out of the person’s soul. It can be used to access a person’s soul to return it to normal. But- to get a soul key: you have to challenge the person in a battle and win. Not so they’re dead, but so they admit defeat."

“Woah…” I murmured, amazed. “But- are you really sure about battling your parents, Ryuu?”

“Yeah. Whatever it takes to get them back.” Ryuu said, staring up at his parents.

“Then, Ryuu; I’m going with you!” I cried, looking at the others.

“Me too.” Muri said, putting his hand on Ryuu’s shoulder.

“Oh! And me!” Ayumu shouted happily, jumping up and down.

“Me three!” Hemu cried.

“Thanks you guys…” Ryuu said, his eyes filling with tears.

“No problem.” I said, putting my hand out. “We’re all friends, aren’t we?” Everyone put their hands on top of mine and shouted “Yes!”

“But- we don’t have any weapons.” Muri said, raining on our parade.

“Well, I do!” I exclaimed. “I have Yumiko.”

“Well for the others, nobody came to be their weapon.” Muri said, frowning.

"Well, I think I saw an old battlefield on our way here..." Ayumu said, pointing into the trees.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Muri ran back through the forest, with us just a few yards behind. Suddenly Muri stopped, and we all tumbled into him. Just to our right, was an old battlefield. "There it is..." he said into the grass. He was facing downwards.

"Oooops!" we said, getting up. Muri spat out grass and dirt, then we all walked into the battlefield.

There were old swords and daggers. The ground was trampled and worn. I sighed. Rusty weapons like these were no use.

Suddenly a big fat booming voice came out of the air. "Ho ho ho! Does someone need a gift? Or, let me say, a wish?" Before you could say 'chapter 24,' a fat red guy dropped out of the sky. He landed on two feet in front of us.

"Santa Claus?" Ayumu asked, amazed.

"No, no dear child. Santa is my brother. I am Wadsworth Claus." Wadsworth said merrily. "Now, who needs a wish?"

"All of us," Ryuu said.

"No, that can't possible. I can only grant one wish. Decide carefully." Wadsworth grinned, rubbing his tummy.

"Then we all want something to fight and protect ourselves with." Ayumu blurted, frowning.

"Okay, if that is what you wish." Wadsworth wiggled his fingers and conjured a phial. "This small phial holds 'accium lorenby,' a magical liquid that does whatever you want it to do. You only need one drop. For example, if some one is hurt, put one drop on the wound, and say 'heal'. If you wish to fight, pour one drop on a place, and say 'explode' and it shall explode. This gift shall go to Ayumu."

Ayumu took the gift and smiled, putting it in her pocket. "Thank you mister."

"Your welcome. Now the next gift is for Muri." Once again, Wadsworth wiggled his fingers, and this time a sword appeared. Its hilt was decorated with rubies and sapphires. There were also emeralds and diamonds. "Use this wisely," Wadsworth said, handing Muri the sword, which was wrapped protectively in its scabbard.

"Thanks," Muri muttered, pulling out the sword to admire it.

"Then, for Hemu." Wadsworth grinned, and wiggled his fingers. A fat phial appeared and came to Hemu's hands. "This is sleeping potion. Just dip two fingers in the solution, and rub it on the person's forehead. That will make them fall asleep. But it only works on humans."

"Woah, thanks a bunch." Hemu said, shaking the solution around.

"No problem. And last but not least, Ryuu." Wadsworth took some time to smile appreciatively, then wiggled his fingers for the last time. A tiny 6" tall spray bottle appeared and rested into Ryuu's hands. It was fill with a bright yellow liquid, and smell strongly like flowers. "This, will help you in a time of peril. To use it, spray it all over yourself and make a wish. Don't you it rashly, as you only get one wish. And if you make a wrong wish, your efforts will be wasted." With a nod, Wadsworth, jumped into the sky and became no more.