FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Greeting. I haven't been able to do much lately but now that I got everything squared away I'm back on track. This is a lot longer then I anticipated but everything floed together pretty smoothly. Enjoy!!!!

Jeff kept looking through the telescope at the bright red orange mass that was closing in on the moon.

"Hey Andy, that meteor is getting closer to the moon."

"It is?" Andy said walking over. "Let me take a look."

Jeff got up as Andy sat down and took a look. Jeff was right, it was getting pretty close.

"How long have you been tracking this?" Andy asked.

"A couple of weeks now. I've never seen anything like it."

Andy pulled away and tapped his glasses a couple of times.

"You got your notes from studying it?"

"Yeah, over by the desk" Jeff said pointing in back of him.

Andy walked over to the desk and began reading through his notes.

"According to this" Andy said reading a note. "You have here it'll hit us in."

"2 weeks"

Andy looked at Jeff who had a serious face.

"Are you serious about this?" Andy asked.

"At the speed it's traveling now, yes."

Andy took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"All right, get on the horn and let Kevin in NASA know."

"Right" Jeff said picking up the phone and hitting the speed dial button. "Hello Kevin, we got a situation."

---

The computer hummed to life lighting the dark room dimly. The water stopped glowing and began to drain leaving Thanos lying on the floor.

"Healing process complete" the computer voice said.

Thanos opened his eyes and stretched his body. Water dripped off him as he got out the tank taking off the breathing mask. His eyes were jet black from his anger and rage.

"Dammit, that took longer then I thought."

A column of fire danced around him as the excess water got dried up quickly. The wall opened as he walked out and looked at the mini solar system. Darkstar was days away from the moon.

"I can't believe I got careless again" Thanos said angrily remembering the fight. "I barely had enough time to make a copy image of myself."

Thanos sat down and looked at his hands where 2 of the Power stones were missing.

"Defeated again I see?" a voice said in a laughing tone causing Thanos to grunt angrily.

That same yellow flame appeared in front of him.

"Do I see a repeat of last time?"

"That will not happen" Thanos said angrily. "I had the boy right where I wanted him."

"Had is past tense. You were too busy gloating."

"I don't need you to remind me of that" Thanos said out loud instead of thinking it.

The flame went black and grew bigger. Thanos realized his mistake but before he could correct himself, the only thing he could do was scream in agony as the flame shot out several terrible arches of black lightning, covering Thanos head to toe in its terrible punishing energy. Thanos did the only thing he could, drop to the floor screaming in agony as the flame punished him for both his arrogance and his failures.

"Watch how you speak to me" the voice said angrily, stepping up the level of punishment. Had Thanos been a human, the first volley would have out right destroyed him. "You forget how easily I can dispose of you. Even with the power of all seven stones, your power when compared to mine is a joke."

"Please....forgive me...my liege. I beg you" Thanos screamed out as loud as he could twisting and writhing on the floor in terrible agony. He had never felt his master's wraith such as this.

"It seems this task is way over your head. Do I need to bring my people in?" the voice said finally stopping short of outright destroying Thanos.

"Please.....give me...one more chance" Thanos cried out as he struggled to his knees.

The voice grunted as the flame went back to yellow as Thanos inhaled deeply, as his master had shown mercy on him for now.

"You are really pushing my limits. If your brother didn't sacrifice his life for yours, you would've been dead ages ago."

Thanos looked at the flame with anger.

"One more chance Thanos. Destroy them, or I destroy you."

With that said, the flame disappeared. Thanos let out a yell of anger, hitting the floor with such impact that the whole castle shook violently.

"Just you wait. I'll show you who the true supreme being is."

---

The sun rose slowly in the horizon causing the wildlife to stir and come alive. Birds were singing their songs, bees buzzed from one flower to the other and the trees danced the dance of the wind. Tasha let out a yawn and moved her arm over to the empty space. She woke up and looked to see her love wasn't there.

"Ultimus, where are you?"

She gave another yawn and got out of bed. Getting on all fours, she did a big canine stretch hearing all the joints and bones crack. Shaking herself, she stood up and went to the bathroom and freshened up but not before seeing her love's comm on the dresser along with a note that said he needed time alone and that he would be there for the final

battle. Walking to the door, she headed to the conference room.

"Morning everybody" she said with a smile.

"Morning Tasha" Tiger said with a wave.

"Hey, have you seen Ultimus? He wasn't there when I woke up."

"Yeah I ran into him on his way out. He said he needed time alone to think and clear his head" Tiger said shrugging his shoulders.

"Hey guys look at this" Chris said rushing in and grabbing the remote to the TV.

"What's wrong?" Venom asked.

Chris turned on the TV as a reporter started talking.

"We now bring you live footage of the massive comet that appears to be on a collision course right for us."

A picture of Darkstar appeared as everybody gasped.

"My god, it's huge" Anna said.

Crystal looked at it as he knew what it was.

"Right now the president has asked the worlds greatest scientists to figure out a way to destroy it before the worse happens."

The reporter held his ear as he heard something.

"Hold on, I'm getting word that the president himself would like to say a few words about the situation. We now go live to the White House."

The scene switched to the Oval office as a brown bear with a white suit was sitting behind a desk.

"Good afternoon, my fellow citizens. As you just heard, we do have a meteor on a crash course for us. We ask that you all stay calm and do not panic. We have the world's best scientists right now creating a new type of bomb that could hopefully destroy the meteor and any remaining parts. We ask that you all go about your regular work day and have no

fear. Thank you and have a good day."

The scene switched back to the reporter as he started talking.

"Thank you Mr. President. We must take a break but we will continue with more of this meteor when we get back."

Chris turned off the TV and looked at everybody.

"My dad is one of those scientists that are trying to make the bomb. Can we do anything to help?" he asked.

"I don't know what we can do" Greywolf said shrugging his shoulders. "Besides, we have our hands full with Thanos at the moment."

"Yes, how do we take care of him now that his 2 flunkies are gone?" Jenna asked.

"He's still too powerful for any of us to take on" Xellos said with his arms crossed. "Do you think in your fusion state you and Greywolf could take him?" he asked looking at Tiger.

"I doubt it. If we couldn't handle Tyrant, there's no way we can take Thanos" Tiger said shaking his head.

Everybody was quiet until Rose spoke up.

"What about Shadow-mane and Faleen Skorp. They said...." she stopped when Skorp shook his head.

"No Rose, They won't join in the main battle. Shadow-mane and Faleen are both too smart and cunning to simply join in the main battle, they will wait" he said with a sad sigh. "They will wait until we are all dead, and Ultimus has taken his final breath before striking. They will want Thanos as weak as possible before they make their move."

"To give them the greatest chance of defeating him once and for all" Xellos said. "In the event we fail."

"Well we won't get anywhere sitting around like this. Let's put our heads together and try to find a weak spot on Thanos."

"Agreed" they all said nodding their heads.

---

"How's the Fragmentation bomb coming along?" Luke asked.

"It's coming along slow so far. We still need more time to work out the chemical compounds" Senel said taking off his goggles and examining a small metallic ball.

"We don't have more time. All we have is a week and a half to get this right."

"Okay" Senel said with a sigh putting his goggles back on. "I'll pass the word to everybody else. Looks like no rest for us."

Luke walked out of the lab and outside the building to where they were remolding a spaceship.

"How are we doing?" Luke asked.

"Still working out the kinks on the Radon engine" Moses said reading some blueprints.

"What's the problem?"

"It's the engine. The hull can't take the stress of the bomb's weight causing the engine to burn more fuel then needed."

"I thought Norma was working on that part?" Luke said reading the same blueprints.

"I am" Norma said welding some plates together.

"How long do you think it will take to fix the problem?"

"I don't know. Maybe a day or so" Norma said wiping her forehead.

"We don't have that kind of time" Luke said.

"You don't think I know that" Norma snapped back at him.

Luke sighed and rubbed his blood shot eyes. He hadn't slept in 2 days trying to get this project finished as fast as possible.

"I'm sorry" he said.

"Don't be. We're all on edge about this. All we can do is hope and pray this works" Norma said rubbing his shoulders.

"You're right" Luke said with a smile.

"Why don't you get some sleep? You could use it" Moses said.

"Nah, I'm fine. Let's get back to work for the sakes of billions."

"Right" they both said and went back to doing what they were doing.

---

I sat down in front of my grandmother's grave. Weeds had collected around the headstone as I picked them away.

"There we are, good as new" I said with a smile.

The wind blew slightly as my eyes grew sad.

"I'm sorry I haven't been by lately. Too many things have been happening. I'm sure you know what I mean."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out her ring and placed it on the ground next to her headstone.

"Thanks for letting me use this. It came in handy."

I let out a sigh as I held my head down.

"Grandma, I don't want to fight anymore. I don't want to be a hero. Even with the power of three stones, I beat Thanos by the skin of my teeth. I can't face him again. Even with the full power of Light stone, I still felt...weak against him. I know he won't be holding anything back now" I said feeling all the pain in my life.

"Normally at this time, you would've already slapped me and said stop being so negative all the time" I said aloud feeling how strong I'd become and how much pain Thanos had caused me. I wasn't about to let him get off that easy.

The wind blew softly as I got down on one knee.

"Mark my words grandma, I don't care how I do it, but I will defeat Thanos. Even if it costs me my life."

"It doesn't have too" I heard a voice say.

"Who's there?" I said turning around but seeing nobody.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's me, Ramza."

I calmed down a little as I felt the Light stone resonate with Ramza.

"Sorry if I seem a little jumpy" I said.

"After last night it's understandable" Ramza said with a chuckle. "I just wanted to ask you something."

"Okay what?"

"If you want, I can train you."

"Train me, how?"

"Simple. Head to the Cloister of Light. I'll guide you there."

I felt something pull me in the right direction. Before I left, I looked back at my grandmother's grave.

"I'll make you proud grandma. Just watch over me."

Turning back around, I let the pulling sensation guide me to the destination. I flew over lots of waters and land before finally landed down on a small island with a couple of trees and a small cave.

"Head inside" Ramza said.

I started towards the entrance when I felt this weird aura around me. Trusting Ramza, I walked into the cave entrance. It was dark and damp. I opened my hand as a small ball of light was formed and I continued deeper into the cave. At the end I came to what appeared to be a solid oak door.

"Go inside."

I took a hold of the handle and turned. The door opened up to a huge, plain white room. The door closed behind me and vanished. This startled me as I backed up until I bumped into something. I turned around to see Ramza smiling at me.

"Welcome to the Cloister of Light. It's nice to finally see you in person."

"But how..."

Ramza laughed at my confusion and motioned me towards the center of the room where there was a small section that had a bed, fridge, and 2 chairs. I sat down as I looked around.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"This is the Cloister of Light. It's a trans-dimensional hole where a day here equals about 1 hour in the real world."

"Where are we exactly? And how are you here?"

"We are everywhere and nowhere. I'm nothing but an empty shell that I had the Light stone create. This is the best way for me to train you for the battle with Thanos. I fought him before so I know a little about how he fights."

"Great, I could use whatever help I can get. So when do we start?"

"Right now" he said materializing a sword and swinging at me.

I barely was able to duck before he took my head off. I grabbed Firestorm as he came with a downward strike as the sound of metal clanging together echoed throughout the room. I pushed him back as he took a stance.

"In this place, no matter how much damage you do, it won't affect the outside world. So give me everything you got Ultimus, because I won't be holding back" Ramza said as his sword began to glow red.

"Humph, no argument here" I said with a smile as Firestorm lit up.

---

Thanos looked up at the night sky as a ball of orange could be seen clearly.

"Soon this miserable planet will be nothing more then a memory. And then, I will become what I should've been by blood, a true god."

He walked down the stairs and turned to see the castle.

"I won't need this place anymore."

He raised his as the Chaos stone glowed dimly. The castle started to shake as the walls began to crack. A hole appeared above it as the pieces began to get sucked in along with the slaves and all of his followers. Their screams of horror were music to his ears as the castle broke apart and got sucked up into nothingness

"And now, the only thing left is the complete destruction of the boy."

His eyes glowed red with anger before he disappeared in a flash of red fire.

---

"Any plans up your sleeve dear?" Rose asked Xellos who was sipping some brandy.

"Sorry. I'm fresh out of ideas on this one" Xellos said shrugging his shoulders.

"Do you think this is too much for our son to handle alone?" Rose asked concerned.

"He's a big boy Rose. He knows what he's getting himself into by now."

"But if we lose him, I don't think I could live with myself. I mean, I was forced to leave him with my mother because of what Thanos did to you. I missed 22 years of his life, I don't want to lose anymore."

Xellos walked over and held her close as she leaned into his chest. The sun was about to set as the sky started turning a bright red-orange.

"Greetings, I hope we aren't disturbing anything?"

They both turned around to see Luna and Skorp standing there.

"Oh no, we were just talking" Rose said.

"What brings you here?" Xellos asked.

"We need to talk to everybody about the final battle with Thanos" Luna said.

"Okay, I'll call everybody to the conference room" Rose said walking inside.

After about 10 minutes, everybody was seated inside the conference room.

"Okay, first things first, is everybody mentally and physically prepared for Thanos?" Skorp asked.

Everybody looked at one another in silence. Skorp looked around too and found I wasn't there.

"Where is Ultimus?" he asked.

"We don't know. We haven't seen him all day" Theft said.

"Any ideas where he might be?"

"No clue. I asked Chris and even he doesn't know" Tasha said.

"Luna can you try and find him?" Skorp asked looking at her.

"Of course" Luna said closing her eyes.

She held her hands out as a blue orb formed with lighting shooting around inside. A faint aura could be felt flowing from her as she concentrated. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and sighed.

"I can't feel the Light stone anywhere. It's like he's not on this planet."

Skorp was about to answer when a black fog appeared in the middle of the table.

"What the hell?" Tiger said.

The cloud cleared as a black raven stood there. It opened its eyes which were dark red and looked at everyone.

"Well well, it's the gathering of the fools."

"Thanos!! What do you want?" Skorp said angrily.

The raven looked at him before hopping over to Crystal who gave a growl.

"Why the angry face Lord Soa? You brought this on yourself."

This caught everybody by surprise as they looked at Crystal.

"I take it from the gasps that they had no clue" Thanos said with a chuckle. "You always did like to hide things from people, when they had every right to know."

"When I hide things it's for the well-being of those who can't know, or are not ready to learn" he said. "What do you want?"

"I want to end this little game we're playing."

"You always think everything is a game to you" Skorp said angrily.

"Where's the fun in it not being a game?" Thanos said looking at him.

"When do you want to finish this?" Crystal said.

"Tomorrow in Batallia Downs."

The raven turned to Luna and hopped over.

"Luna my love, this is your last chance. Come back to me. I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm sorry Thanos, but I cannot do that. My loyalty lies with Lord Soa. It's not too late for you to stop this. If you truly love me, come back to me. Become the Thanos I fell in love with" Luna said sadly.

The raven's eyes started to glow a darker red.

"Very well then Luna, I shall give you no quarter."

The raven hopped back to the middle of the table.

"Tomorrow, I will show you just how powerless you really are. There will be no begging for forgiveness or mercy. I will crush each and every single one of you. Then nobody, not even Canis himself, will stop what I will become."

The raven started to expand before exploding in a cloud of black smoke. Everybody went quiet as they looked at what remain of the raven before looking at Crystal who had his head down.

"You're Lord Soa?" Venom said shocked.

"Yes, I am" Crystal said.

"You've been around us all this time. But why?" Greywolf asked. Of all them, somehow he seemed the least shocked for some reason.

"To watch your growth and development. If you discovered who I really was, then all the battles you been in up to now would not have made you into the team you are today. You would have known that since I was there I would come save you. I had to let all of you face the full danger even risking your lives or even letting you die, otherwise you would never have fought quite as hard, or become this strong a team."

"Good point" Rose said. "We've gotten stronger as a team which is good. If we do have a fighting chance against Thanos, we're going to need that teamwork."

Crystal got up along with Skorp and Luna.

"Normally I don't like to say this but, if you have anything really important to do, do it now. I must consort with Luna and Skorp in private."

They watched them leave before looking at one another.

"I guess we should all spend some time with our families before it's too late" Rose said.

They all nodded their heads and headed out the door, each going their separate ways.

---

"Mom? Mom are you here?" Chris yelled.

"I'm in the kitchen Chris" Mrs. Kipper said.

Chris walked into the living room with Nicole and sat down. His mom walked in and gave a smile.

"Welcome back Chris. Who's your friend?"

"This is my sweetheart Nicole. Nicole, this is my mom."

"Pleased to meet you" Nicole said with a smile.

"Same to you. I'm surprised my son is able to get anybody with all the jerking off he does in his room at night."

"MOM!!!!" Chris said shocked.

They both laughed as Chris turned a bright red. The TV was on as every channel had 24 hour coverage about the meteor.

"Where's dad working at? I want to see him" Chris asked.

"He's at Halvung, along with his co-workers."

"Okay. Come on Nicole, let's go say hi. Later mom."

---

Annabelle stood on the small hill looking up at Darkstar in the night sky. Her tail moved back and forth lazily as she sighed.

"Leeloo, I didn't know you came back."

Annabelle turned around to see her father walking up to her.

"Hello father" she said with a weak smile.

He walked up and stood next to her as they both looked into the sky.

"Do we have a chance against Thanos father?"

"This will be the strongest battle you ever fought. I cannot give a prediction of what will happen."

She dropped her head down and closed her eyes. Her father put his arms around her as she shivered before burying her face in his chest.

"I'm scared" she said starting to cry.

"It's okay to be scared. Being scared will only make you stronger."

"But what if we fail? You and mom will both die. I don't want you to die."

"Leeloo, if we die, we die. That is fate. We cannot change fate, only embrace it."

A cool breeze blew by as Annabelle calmed down somewhat.

"Come, get some sleep" her father said.

"Okay daddy."

---

"This is it bro, are you ready?" Tiger asked Greywolf as they sat underneath a tree on both sides.

"I'm not sure. This is the fate of the world we're talking about" Greywolf said.

They sat quietly listening to the crickets chirp away in the tall grass.

"Hey, remember the time we fought that harpy down in Onzozo?" Greywolf said.

"Ha, how could I forget that? That fight really pushed us to the limits" Tiger said with a smile chuckling.

"You said to lure it into a dead end and collapse the roof on top of it remember?"

"I thought it would work, so sue me" Tiger retorted.

"We barely escaped that place before it would've caved in on us" Greywolf laughed.

"I admit it was a stupid idea, but at least we survived" Tiger said with a huff.

They both went quiet again looking at the meteor.

"Do you think we'll win?" Greywolf asked.

"We'll find out tomorrow wont we?" Tiger said closing his eyes. "But I do know one thing?"

"What's that?"

"I won't stop fighting till there's no more breath in this body."

Greywolf smiled and closed his eyes also.

"I'm with you bro, I'm with you."

"Grey you seemed the least surprised by the news Crystal was Lord Soa. Did you..." Tiger asked.

"No I didn't. At least wasn't aware of it if I did. I don't blame him for hiding among us. And I still trust him. In his position I would have done the same I guess."

Tiger just nodded as they both looked at the sky.

---

"Where do you think Ultimus is?" Jenna asked Tasha as they sat in a hammock underneath 2 cherry blossom trees.

"I don't know. I wish I did" Tasha said looking up.

"Do you think he'll show up to help us?"

"Of course he will. He's the chosen one remember? And besides" Tasha said watching a bird land on the ground. "He promised that he'll fight to the death."

The bird gave a couple of chirps as it looked at them.

"I'm not about to roll over and play dead just yet" Tasha said calling the bird over.

The bird chirped again before hopping over carefully into Tasha's hand. She lifted her hand slowly and began to rub its head softly.

"Do you think we have a chance?" Jenna asked.

Tasha raised her hand causing the bird to fly away.

"There's always a chance Jenna" Tasha said with a smile. "All you have to do is believe."

They sat in silence watching the rest of the sun fall into the horizon.

---

I woke up with a jump then regretted it as the pain from all the training kicked in, nearly two weeks of solid training mastering my attacks, my powers and honing them to a razor sharp edge.

"Here catch" Ramza said tossing me an apple.

I caught it and took a bite, chewing in silence.

"Is there something wrong?" Ramza asked.

"Do I even have a fighting chance?" I said. "I mean, if you couldn't beat him, how can I?"

Ramza sat in silence before given a sigh.

"I agree that Thanos is tough. But you have something he doesn't."

"What is that?"

"You have friends that are willing to back you up and are willing to die to protect you to give you the chance. Soa told them truth when he said he'd gladly give up his life to give you the chance to defeat Thanos. They all would."

Ramza looked at the blade of his sword as his reflection blurred a little.

"When I first met Thanos, I was glad that I had someone who would help fight along side me. To be there for me in time of need."

Ramza closed his eyes and put his head down.

"But after time, he changed. He never came out of his room and was never there during the important fights. People were starting to say he was turning against Lord Soa, but I didn't want to believe them."

I looked at him as he balled his fist up.

"When I finally confronted him, he changed so much. He wasn't the Thanos I considered a war buddy, but rather the enemy I never wanted. It hurt me deeply."

We both were quiet before Ramza stood up.

"Oh well, enough of the bad memories. Shall we continue?"

"Okay" I said standing up.

---

"Is everything ready for tomorrow's launch?" the president asked.

"Yes sir Mr. President" Luke said.

"How strong is the Fragmentation bomb?"

"Each one of these balls has roughly the power of one hundred nuclear war heads. There are 100 balls in all so I think we could see another big bang" Luke said holding a baseball size metallic ball.

"I see. Will there be a pilot on board?"

"No sir. We can pilot it from here thanks to Norma's automation."

"Mr. President, the press is waiting" an otter said walking up to him.

"I see, thank you Roger. Luke, you and your crew have done a good job. So we just hope that we have enough force to out right blow it up?" he asked.

"No sir, we are enacting two plans at once. Our plan is to detonate the bombs at an angle, so that in the event that the blast fails to destroy the meteor, we hope that the blast will alter its course away from the earth so it will crash into the sun hopefully."

"Two plans in one, can't ask for better then that. You've done good work."

"Thank you Mr. President" Luke said saluting.

The president nodded and walked outside where he was greeted with a barrage of flash photography and yelling people. Luke gave a sigh and turned around to see Norma, Senel, and Moses standing there with a smile.

"Congrats boss, you did it" Moses said.

"No, we did it" Luke said.

"I don't mean to be a downer here. But what if this doesn't work?" Senel said.

They got quiet as they looked at Darkstar in the sky.

"Then life as we know it will cease to exist" Luke said softly.

"It'll work. It has too" Norma said with a shaky voice.

---

Morning came quickly as everybody stirred from their slumber. Luna, Skorp, and Crystal were outside talking when Rose walked up.

"Be honest with me. Do you think we have a chance?" she asked.

They looked at one another before Crystal smiled.

"Thanos is not invincible. He was beaten before, and will be beaten again."

"But what if we can't?"

"You're thinking negative Rose" Skorp said. "Have faith in everybody."

Everybody walked outside and gathered around. Crystal took a chance to look at all of them.

"Today will be the hardest battle of your lives. You may get hurt, even killed. But know that if we fail today, the world will be destroyed. Are you all ready?"

Everybody nodded their heads in approval as Crystal smiled.

"Then let us go" he said raising his hand as a glowing circle appeared under them.

With a snap of his finger, they disappeared in a flash of light Thanos's eyes opened as he felt several presences heading towards him. He gave an evil smile as he turned around and saw everybody standing there.

"Welcome to your last day on this planet" he said opening his arms.

"You're wrong Thanos. We will defeat you" Crystal said. "I never should've taken you in under my wing. Now I'm going to correct my mistake."

Thanos laughed and shook his head.

"I never asked for your pity Soa. But then again, I should be grateful to you for showing me the Power stones."

A swirling black hole appeared above Thanos as a double bladed scimitar landed in front of him. The front of the blades was smooth as the back was jagged like teeth. They emitted a black aura as Thanos grabbed the handle and spun it expertly before taking a stance.

"Where is that brat? I wanted him to be here as I kill each one of you in front of him. Showing him how powerless he is to stop me. Oh well, enough talk. Let us finish this little game."

Everybody charged him as he stood there with a wicked smile. Before they got close, he slammed his sword into the ground. "Magnetic Shockwave." A blue dome surrounded him and expanded rapidly before exploding sending everybody flying in either direction. He pulled his sword up and laughed.

"That's just a taste of what I can do" Thanos said as his power started to flow out of his body surrounding him with a black mist.

---

"DAD!!" Chris yelled running over to him.

Luke turned around to see Chris heading to him with a full head of steam.

"Hey champ, how are you?" he said giving him a hug. He looked behind him to see Nicole. "Who's the lovely lady?"

"That's my girlfriend Nicole. Nicole, this is my dad Luke."

"How do you do? Chris tells me a lot about you" Nicole said with a smile.

"Does he now?" Luke said smiling back.

Chris let him go as he looked outside at the huge ship with the bomb attached.

"Are these the bombs?" Chris asked looking at the sketch.

"Yeah" Luke said look with him.

"What are they equal to?"

"100 nuclear warheads."

"Is the ship equipped with boosters?"

"Of course, need to get it up there as fast as possible."

Chris got quiet as he put his head down. Luke saw him and rubbed his head.

"Do you think it'll destroy it?" Chris asked.

"I hope so son. I hope so."

---

"Now then, which of you lucky people wants to die first?" Thanos said looking at everybody before Theft stood up. "It looks like we have a volunteer."

"I refuse to die. Not until I settle the score with him" Theft said reaching into his coat and taking out 2 sawed off shotguns which glowed purple. "Outlaw Shot."

He fired both guns as they combined into one in the shape of a wolf's head as it streaked towards Thanos.

"Cheap tricks" Thanos said as it exploded on contact covering him in smoke.

The smoke started to clear as Thanos laughed.

"Is that all you..."

He stopped when he saw a ball of light at the end of a gun pointed right in his face.

"Block this" Theft said angrily. "Overray."

Theft pulled the trigger as the ball of light went red before emitting a huge ray of light. Thanos let out a yell as he was blasted off his feet and landed on the ground, smoke coming from his body. Theft threw the gun down before taking out a sniper rifle. It glowed blue as small white wings appeared on both sides of the muzzle.

"This is it, "Imperial Shot."

He aimed the gun in the air and fired a white light into the sky. Soon after, tiny rays of light rained down on Thanos exploding as they hit the ground. The shot that Theft fired followed after igniting with an explosion causing the area where Thanos was. The smoke cleared as nothing but a hole was left where Thanos was.

"Shit, I didn't get him" Theft said looking around.

Before long, he let out a yell as Thanos's blade went through his body.

"Interesting trick" Thanos said appearing from Theft's shadow. "It even caused me some discomfort."

He lifted Theft up pushing the blade through him more impaling him. Theft gasped out as blood pooled from his mouth as he realized he was going to die.

"But it wasn't good enough" Thanos said angrily throwing Theft off his blade as he bounced on the ground.

"Theft" Annabelle said and ran over to him.

His eyes were closed as his blood made a pool under him.

"That's 1 down" Thanos said with an evil smile. "Who's wants to be next?"

Annabelle got up slowly and gave a growl. Fire began to cover her body as she walked forward.

"You will pay for everything you've done" she growled angrily.

The fire surrounding her body seeped into the ground causing the ground to shake. The shaking got more violent as 4 jets of lava erupted from the ground, turning into long dragons.

"Hmmm, so you can control fire and lava? Then I guess the rumors about the Vaikesh are true" Thanos said raising an eyebrow.

The dragons let out a roar and sped towards Thanos. They surrounded him as the started spinning in a circle. Nothing happened until they started going faster, creating a small funnel around him. Thanos started to feel the heat as his gloves slowly started to melt.

"Im...press...ive" he said, feel the air getting super heated around him.

"Feel the flames of hell" Annabelle said angrily. "Supernova."

The dragons turned white and started to close in on Thanos who was on one knee. As soon as they connected, an explosion occurred causing a huge dome of fire to cover the area. Everybody covered their face as the heat was intense. Annabelle let out a sigh and went to one knee out of breath.

"Did that do it?" Jenna asked.

Thanos voice could be heard laughing making everybody gasp.

"You burnt my fingernails dragon" he said appearing from a black vortex. "I guess I know who to come to whenever I need a tan."

Annabelle gave a growl and hurled herself at Thanos. He was still laughing as he easily dodged her wild attacks before grabbing her neck and lifting her up with ease. She tried to slash his face with her claws but he grabbed a hold of her arm and using a small portion of his true strength not only broke her arm but ripped it off at the shoulder

as the wound spouted gouts of her blood. Her scream echoed through the canyons as blood came from her mouth.

"I guess in the end, you Vaikesh are all the same. You have anything to say before you die" he said tighten his grip causing his fingers to dig into her skin leaving marks.

"Ul...timus" she said weakly.

Everybody heard the audible snap of her neck as her arm dangled at her sides. Thanos tossed her body next to Theft's as Jenna let out a scream.

"This is fun. I'm having a ball" Thanos said laughing harder. "Who's next? I can hardly wait to see the look and that brat's face when he shows up and finds you all dead."

---

I let out a gasp and went to both knees holding my chest in pain.

"Ultimus, Ultimus, what's wrong?" Ramza asked.

"Anna...Annabelle. I felt...I felt her...die" I said sadly.

"You felt her die? Oh no" Ramza said closing his eyes and concentrating.

A vision came to him as he saw everybody standing over the bodies of Theft and Annabelle.

"They started fighting already. I got reckless with time."

"I have to go then" I said getting up.

I ran to the door that appeared as Ramza stopped me.

"Ultimus, remember everything I taught and said. You can defeat Thanos."

"Right" I said giving him the thumbs up before running out the door.

I ran through the cave to the opening outside as the cool air from the ocean hit my nose. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Somehow, I felt calm and relaxed. I wasn't scared like last time. Keeping my eyes closed I used the stone to locate them. I felt their presence far to the NE.

"Hang on guys, I'm coming."

I floated in the air and took off like a shot towards them.

---

Crystal's ears perked up as he felt a shiver down his spine. He turned around and looked in a north east direction.

"What's wrong Soa?" Skorp asked.

"It's Ultimus. I can feel the Light stone but..."

"But what...?"

"There's something different about it."

"What do you mean?"

"If you 2 are finished trying to find a way to beat me, I would like to finish this sometime today" Thanos said.

Both Tiger and Greywolf stood up and began to glow. Thanos lifted an eyebrow curiously. They started walking towards Thanos as a white light began to pull them together as they merged with a flash.

"Fusion? So, you must be the 2 runts Skorp has been training."

Thanos laughed as he took a stance.

"Let's see what you are made of shall we?"

They took off towards Thanos who stood ready. He took a swing at them as their bodies turned to leaves.

"What is this?" Thanos said confused.

They appeared behind Thanos who turned around only to be greeted with a left hook that sent him skidding on the ground. They held their hands together as a white ball appeared. "Icicle Barrage." They threw the ball into the air as it expanded causing hundreds of sharp icicles to fly towards Thanos who recovered.

"You little maggot" he said angrily looking at the barrage of ice heading towards him.

He stood up and took of towards them, ducking and dodging his way there. One of them managed to cut his face before he raised his sword, bringing it down on Tiger and Greywolf who brought up the Dragonstorm to block his attack.

"The Dragonstorm? The sword imbued with the power of the dragon god Behemoth? What's a kid like you doing with a sword like that?"

They didn't response as they pushed Thanos back. He did a back flip before landing on his feet. He licked his lip were he got cut earlier and grunted when he tasted his own blood.

"You managed to make me bleed. For that I give you credit."

The Time stone glowed red as Thanos laughed.

"Now I will show you how powerless you really."

Thanos's body glowed red before splitting in 3. Tiger and Greywolf's combined form stood ready as they charged after him.

"Tiger behind you" Jenna shouted.

They turned around only to be met with a knee to the head. This disoriented them as they staggered backwards. Thanos quickly followed with a summersault kick knocking them in the air.

"Now I got you, "Delta Attack"."

All 3 of Thanos's copy images glowed red and disappeared. The 2 brother's body was being decimated as it jerked and twisted in the air. Thanos was virtually a blur as he assaulted their body before all 3 of them appeared above them as their fists glowed and struck them to the ground with such impact that it created a crater in the ground.

"Humph, I guess Skorp didn't teach you well after all. Oh well, this is Skorp we're talking about" Thanos said with a laugh as his images disappeared.

Tiger and Greywolf climbed weakly out of the hole, blood coming down their face. They leaned on Dragonstorm before coughing up blood from the internal bleeding they knew they had.

"We...cannot...lose" they said weakly standing up.

"Hahaha, you think you can hurt me in the condition you're in?" Thanos said laughing.

They floated in the air as the Dragonstorm started to glow causing the sky to go dark.

"You're going...to die. Even...if it...kills...us" they growled as lighting surged around them making them glow. "DIE!!" they shouted and flew speed towards him.

"Going to finish me in one blow huh? Well see if you can" Thanos shouted jumping in the after towards them.

They both let out a yell before connecting in mid air with an explosion. They landed on the ground with their backs against each other. Nobody moved until Tiger and Greywolf dropped their sword. They looked down to see an x over their heart, gushing blood. They let out a silent whine before dropping to the ground.

"NOOOOOO" Jenna shouted and ran over to them.

"Humph, they managed to get me again" Thanos said looking at his arm which had a good size gash on it.

Jenna kneeled down holding them as they gagged on blood.

"Jenna...I'm...s...sorry."

"No, please don't leave me. Not like this" she cried.

"Be...strong" they said before closing their eyes.

"Tiger? Greywolf? No, please don't leave me. I still need you."

She let out a yelp of pain as Thanos drove his sword into her chest from behind.

"If you want them so bad, then you can join them in hell" he said pushing his sword right their both their bodies hitting the ground.

Jenna rested her head on their chest, tears slowly mixing in with the blood as her eyes went lifeless. I held my chest as that same pain hit.

"Tiger, Greywolf, Jenna? Dammit, I have to hurry" I said angrily picking up the pace.

---

Thanos pulled his sword out with a wet slurp as blood dripped from the edge.

"3 for the price of 1. Now that's what I call a sale."

"Everybody, listen to me" Crystal said softly. "We have to stall him longer enough until he gets here."

"Who's he?" Xellos asked.

"Ultimus."

Everybody looked at Crystal who gave a weak smile.

"He won't be here for at least 10-15 minutes, judging by the distance."

"So we have to entertain Mr. madman until he gets here?" Venom asked.

"Correct. I know its asking much, but we have to try" Crystal said as he started to charge his power causing a purple glow to surround him.

Thanos smiled evilly as he watched everybody follow suit.

"An all out attack huh? It's about time you started fighting seriously."

They all took off after him Thanos smiled. Venom was first in line as he tried an overhead swing. Thanos held his hand up as a barrier blocked his attacked and stunned him for a second. Thanos followed up with a straight kick to the chest taking his air away as Venom went sliding on the ground. Thanos felt a presence above him as he looked up

to see Luna and Tasha, each holding a blue ball of energy in their hands.

"Ice Wave" they shouted and extended their arms as a blue wave of energy came forth, merging together.

"Your puny attacks won't work, "Flame Wall"."

A wall of fire appeared as it cancelled out their attack. He appeared behind them as they reacted too late as he grabbed them from behind and slammed them into a nearby cliff, burying them in rocks.

"You should've joined me when you had the chance Luna."

He backed away when he felt 2 more presences. To his left was Xellos and to his right was Skorp.

"Xellos, you worked for me before, why not join me again?"

"Like hell I will. You made me hurt my family. I'll never forgive you for that" Xellos said angrily.

Thanos let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders.

"Very well, don't say I didn't give you a chance."

They let out a yell as they attacked Thanos who shook his head. Even with their combined efforts, they couldn't land a single hit as they backed off breathing hard.

"Dammit, I can't hit him" Xellos said angrily.

"Xellos, you know the "Mega Flare"? Skorp asked.

"I'm a little rusty on it."

"Good, give it all you got."

Both their bodies began to glow red as a dark, yellow fire began to form around them.

"Are you ready Xellos?" Skorp asked holding a huge globe of fire.

"Whenever you are."

"Then let him have it."

Pushing their hands forward, a trail of dark yellow fire flew towards Thanos who looked amused.

"Interesting" he said creating a barrier around him.

When the attack struck, it pushed Thanos back which surprised him.

"What is this?" he said feeling his barrier crack.

Soon the barrier broke as the flame covered his body in a dome of fire before exploding.

Skorp and Xellos were breathing hard as they both everything they hard into it.

"Damn, I'm all out" Xellos said hunched over.

"Then allow me to put you to sleep permanently" Thanos said above them. "Gravity Press".

Both Xellos and Skorp felt tremendous pressure on their bodies crushing them to the ground. Thanos applied more power them to cough up blood from the intense pressure as they made an impression on the ground before going unconscious. He landed on the ground before looking over at Crystal and Rose.

"Now, it's just you two left. You don't know how long I've waited for this" Thanos said looking at Crystal.

"Rose, whatever happens, stay out of this" Crystal said softly.

"What? But why?"

"Because Ultimus would never forgive me if something happens to you."

Crystal walked up until they were a couple of feet apart.

"I'm going to stop you Thanos. This is going to end now" Crystal said with a growl.

"You took the words out of mouth" Thanos said with a smile taking a stance before charging.

Crystal charged as well towards Thanos. When they met, they disappeared. The only thing you could see were tiny distortions in the sky where they clashed swords and power. When they became visible, Crystal was breathing hard as he had numerous cuts on him.

"Is this all the power the great Lord Soa has?" Thanos said with a laugh. "Hell, if I'd known you were this weak, I would've attacked years ago."

"I may not have all the power I had back then, but you better not take me lightly" Crystal said angrily as his sword started to glow green.

He jumped into the air as green lighting made his sword bigger. "Thunderbolt Cut". With a downward swing, he aimed for Thanos who chuckled. Raising one arm, a barrier covered him as Crystal's attack struck with a bang. Crystal applied more power making the sword brighter as he tried to make a dent in Thanos's barrier. With a strong force of power, Thanos pushed Crystal off as he landed hard on the ground.

"Don't take you lightly huh? So far you haven't proven a thing" Thanos said dropping his barrier.

"Dammit" Crystal said to himself. "If only I had the power I had back then, I wouldn't be like this."

"Now then my "Lord" Soa, shall I show you what it means to have absolute power?" Thanos said as the Time stone glowed.

Thanos glowed yellow as he took one step before vanishing. Crystal looked around but couldn't sense him anywhere.

"You really are a sad one Soa. I thought you of all people would put up a decent fight. But yet again, I was proved wrong."

Crystal turned around to see Thanos with a smile on his face, the blades on his sword glowing a bright red.

"You lose Soa, "Eruption Slash".

Thanos slammed the ground digging his sword into the earth causing a circle of fire to surround Crystal. Bringing his sword out in an upward motion caused the ground under Crystal's feet to explode. Crystal let out a yell as he got hurled into the air, covered in burn marks before he landed with a sickened thud on the ground. Thanos walked over and put his foot on his chest, applying pressure making Crystal gasp for air.

"This is where you belong, Soa. Underneath my foot" Thanos said laughing.

"Let him go."

Thanos turned around to see Rose standing there.

"Well well if it isn't the bitch that gave birth to the so called chosen one."

"I said...let him go" she said in a shaky voice.

"Rose...no...get...away" Crystal said the best he could.

"You want to spank my bottom mommy? Very well, here comes baby" Thanos said taking his foot off Crystal and walking towards Rose.

Rose stood firm as she held her hand to the side as a yellow circular blade appeared and grew bigger by the second.

"Let's see how you handle this" Rose said raising her hand and spinning it causing the blade to glow. "Laser Disc".

She tossed it as the blade tore the ground heading for Thanos.

"That the best you got?" Thanos said grinning.

"You haven't seen anything. Expand" she said closing her fist.

The disc expanded and separated into 10.

"What is this?" Thanos said surprised.

He ducked, dodged, and evaded them before he let out a laugh.

"Well that was a surprise" Thanos said with a smile.

"It's not over yet" Rose said.

Thanos looked behind him and saw them heading back. He took off into the air as they followed him everywhere he turned. He looked at Rose as he saw her sweating a little.

"She's controlling them with telepathy" Thanos said to himself. "Impressive."

As he said that, one of the discs managed to cut his arm. This enraged him big time.

"Enough is enough" Thanos said angrily.

He let out a yell as a dome of power surrounded him and grew bigger. The disc hit them and dissolved one by one. He looked at Rose as his eyes sent fear into her as he held his hand out.

"You little bitch. I'll make you suffer for that, "Black lighting".

A black ray surrounded by lighting streaked towards her. Rose was so scared she couldn't move as she closed her eyes. She heard a roar as she opened them to see Venom in front of her, a big hole in his chest where the attack struck him.

"Venom!!" she said sadly.

Venom didn't say anything as he fell backwards. Rose held his head as his breath was very shallow. He opened one eye and looked at her.

"Are...you...okay?"

"Yes" she said with tears in her eyes.

"I'm...glad" Venom said before closing his eye as his breathing stopped.

"Humph, you don't have anyone to save you this time" Thanos said as he fired another one. "Now watch Soa as I kill the mother of your chosen one, and then you will be next!"

"Ultimus, I'm sorry" Rose said closing her eyes.

Crystal looked on in horror as he struggles to move as fear and hopelessness came over him. He'd failed.

---

I heard and felt this and knew I wasn't going to be in time. So I grabbed Firestorm as it charged up.

"Firestorm, please protect my mother" I said and threw it as hard as I could.

It streaked like a shooting star in the sky. It reached her in time creating a barrier around her, absorbing the lighting. After it absorbed it, Firestorm stabbed into the ground shining brightly.

"That sword?" Thanos said looking at it. "Then that means..."

He looked up to see me land on the ground between him and my mom with a bang.

"YOU!!!!" Thanos said balling his fists angrily.

I stood up and looked at Thanos with an evil glare before walking towards my mom.

"Mom, are you okay?" I asked softly.

My mom was in tears as she hugged me.

"They're dead, they're all dead" she said sobbing.

"I know" I said holding her tight.

I let her go and walked over to Venom's prone body.

"He tried to be a hero" Thanos said with a smile. "So he paid the hero's price" he said licking the blood from his scimitar.

I directed my eyes at Thanos for a spilt second before going back to Venom. Kneeling down, I placed my hand over the hole in his chest and closed my eyes. My hand glowed blue causing his body to glow too. After a minute or so, the hole in his chest began to close.

"Impossible" Thanos said to himself. "There's no way he could master the art of resurrection so young."

Venom woke up with a gasp as his heart started beating again. He sat up and looked at me before smiling.

"Sorry I'm late" I said.

"Better late then never" Venom said.

I helped him up as I looked at Thanos.

"I'll deal with you in a minute" I said.

Holding my hand up, Tiger, Jenna, Greywolf, Theft, Annabelle, my father, Skorp, Tasha, Crystal, and Luna's body were covered in a yellow glow before disappearing. They reappeared again besides me as I went to work reviving them. Thanos looked on in anger but he was in a shock state of mind to do anything. I worked on healing their wounds and

restoring my friends, no my family back to life.

"Who the hell is this kid? How can he master an art without even practicing it?" he said.

Once everybody was up, Tasha hugged me tight crying.

"Thank god you're here" she said.

"We couldn't do anything to him" Theft said. "It's like he's not human."

"But with you here, we'll be able to beat him no problem" Greywolf said happily.

I didn't say anything as I walked over and picked up Firestorm, standing between Thanos and my family glaring at him.

"Soa, get everybody out of here."

Everybody gasped and looked at me.

"Ultimus, you can't be serious?" Jenna said.

Crystal looked at me as I had my back turned. He felt something different about me but didn't know what it was.

"As you wish" Crystal said.

"Lord Soa, you can't be serious?" Luna said.

"Ultimus knows what he's doing" he said sternly before snapping his fingers causing a circle to appear.

They looked at me before looking at Crystal.

"Isn't there anything we can do to help him?" Annabelle asked.

"Believe in him, and he'll be fine" Crystal said with a smile.

Everybody walked into the circle next to Crystal. Before they left, I spoke up.

"Venom" I said.

"Yeah?"

"If anything should happen to me..."

"Don't talk like that" Tiger said angrily.

"You will come back to us, all of us" Jenna said.

"I want you to look after Tasha for me" I finished.

"Ultimus..." Venom started.

"PROMISE ME" I shouted making everybody jump. "Because I'm gonna destroy him even if it kills me."

Venom balled his fists and shut his eyes tight, fighting back the tears he wanted to shed.

"I promise" he said.

I gave a smile which nobody saw.

"Thank you. Now go on, get out of here."

The last thing they saw was the side of my face as I turned my head slightly to watch them leave. Once they were gone, I focused my attention on Thanos.

"Now then, it's just me and you. We have unfinished business to take care" I said angrily.

---

"Dammit, what the hell is he thinking?" Tiger said angrily slamming his fist down on the table. "I thought we agreed to take Thanos together?"

"I know he's strong and all with the Light stone but everybody has their limits" Annabelle said sadly.

"I say we go back and help him" Greywolf said.

He ran to the door before getting repelled back by a barrier.

"Nobody's going anywhere" Skorp said.

"But master..." Greywolf started.

"Soa, you know my son can't handle him alone. Let's go back and help" Xellos said.

Crystal just sat there with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

"Has anyone noticed the aura around Ultimus?" Crystal said.

Everybody looked at one another in confusion. Crystal opened his hand as a clear bubble appeared and grew bigger. With a flick of his wrist, clouds gathered inside before clearing showing Thanos and I in a stand off currently sizing the other up.

"Take a good look at Ultimus" Crystal said. "He's not the same person we know."

"Look at his eyes" Luna said. "They're so full of anger yet his body's so calm."

"It's like he's a whole different person" Theft said.

"I think it would be wise not to interfere in this battle" Crystal said. "I think this is a battle fated by the gods. We would only be in the way."

Everybody looked at the bubble.

"They're monsters, one good and one evil" Venom said.

"Yes and only one will win" Tiger added.

"No, they are not human anymore, they are the champions of good and of evil" a voice said making them turn around to see Canis in his white and gold robes sitting down and relaxing watching the scene unfold.

Rose came up to ask almost in tears "Can't you help him?"

"No I have interfered enough as is, and to answer your next question Rose four words, Divine politics prevent me." he said making Rose bite her lip. "I can tell you this, he has more power at his finger tips then he realizes. So the question remains will he discover it in time, and be willing to use it knowing what it could cost him."

They all turned their eyes back to the scene unfolding.

---

Thanos looked at me, anger seething through his whole body.

"You have been a thorn in my side for far too long. Its time I erased you from the equation."

I gave a small smirk as the wind blew my hair back.

"So you think you're all that huh? I'll wipe that grin off your face for good" Thanos snarled and charged me.

He got halfway before he felt something and stopped. He looked at me as I emitted a blue aura.

"What is this...power I'm feeling? Why is it making me hesitate?"

He balled his fists angrily grinding his teeth. With a yell, he charged at me again and started the assault. Every single attack he did, I blocked or dodged with ease. I saw a couple of openings and attacked him, leaving a cut across his cheek and arm making him back up.

"Things not working out the way you planned huh Thanos?" I said with a smile.

Thanos was on the brink of insanity before he realized something and started laughing.

"You know, I just realized something. I'm not using my full power."

He crossed his arm over his chest and started to build his power. The earth shook around him as the sky turned black. I looked on as 3 black tornadoes circled around him tearing up the ground. With a yell and a shockwave of power, Thanos was at full strength.

"Wow, it's been so long that I've forgotten what this feels like" Thanos said stretching his body which let out a dark, evil aura.

He looked at me with a smile.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting. Shall we continue?"

Thanos flew at me so quickly I didn't have time to react as he sent me flying into a nearby cliff. He came at me again connecting with rights and lefts as each hit sent me further into the face of the cliff. Rearing back, his fist started to glow red for the finishing blow as he

swung at me with all his might. I held my hand out as I stopped it causing the wind from the swing to shatter the cliff behind me.

"Impossible" he said.

"This is your true power?" I said raising my head. My eyes turned blue along with my hair as a trail of blood came from the corner of my mouth. "Why am I not impressed?"

I pulled him in and connected with a right hook of my own sending him flying to the ground. He recovered with a back flip in mid air before landing on the ground and looked at me. Rubbing the spot where I hit him caused him to grunt as he spit out blood. Using one finger, I motioned him to come get some.

"You will regret that one boy. I'll tear you limb from limb" Thanos shouted and charged me.

We went at each other blow for blow causing each strike to send out a shockwave of power that shook the ground. He managed to get the upper hand with a knee to my stomach knocking the air out of me. Grabbing my arm, he spun rapidly in place before launching me into a nearby mountain. He held his arms up as an intense ball of energy formed.

"DIE!!!" he yelled as he tossed it at me.

I shook my head and looked up into to see it coming at me. Holding my arms out, the ball connected with force as it pushed me further into the mountain. I could feel the raw power behind it as I struggled. My body began to glow white before I reared back and knocked it into the sky where it exploded. Thanos was in my face before I could recover as he grabbed my head and slammed it numerous times into the rocks.

"I HATE YOU" he yelled before throwing me into the ground where I landed with a bang.

I managed to get to my knees before he landed on my back making me yell out as he collapsed onto me and I felt his hands go around my throat as he began choking me. He used the power stones to his advantage to keep me compressed and at his mercy.

"I will not repeat the same mistake I did years ago" he said angrily lifting me up with one hand.

He applied more pressure as I felt myself become light headed. I had to think of something and fast. Then an idea popped into my head. Concentrating hard, my body started to spark as blue lighting began to surround me. Thanos let out a yell as the lighting began to shock him but his grip never loosened. I let out a yell as a strong surge of lighting coursed through his body as he got propelled backwards in the air before landing on the ground smoking. I was one knee gasping for air before I felt a huge surge of power. Looking up, I saw Thanos and that familiar ball of power above his head.

"Shit" I said to myself. "If he does the "Dragon Slave", I don't think I have enough in me to block it."

"Now you will die boy, "Dragon Slave"."

That massive wave of power came screaming towards me. I stood up quickly and held out Firestorm knowing it could channel energy and absorb the same as I braced for the attack when a small flash caught my eye. I saw Dragonstorm lying on the ground as I used my power and called it to my hand hoping it would respond even though I was not its proper owner. Thank the gods it responded and flew to my free hand as I brought them up in an X to defend my self just as he let the Dragon slave fly at me. I channeled all my power into the bracers and through the swords, to bring up a shield. The bracers Faleen had given me, weakened by the Giga Slave move, could take no more as I felt them

finally shatter and fall from my wrists. My body was getting weaker every second I held the barrier up. Thanos laughed as he applied more power, causing the stones to glow brightly.

"I...can...feel....you...slipping."

He brought his hands back and gave another push forward as the ray got bigger. When that extra ray hit my barrier that was all I could take that as it shattered sending me full speed into a mountain as it exploded. Thanos dropped his arms out of breath as he watched the smoke clear to see the ton of rocks I was covered under.

"I know you're not dead yet" Thanos said walking over to the rock pile. "You always seem to have a knack of getting out of jams. But you won't get out of this one."

I managed to lift a boulder off my body as blood flowed down the side of my face. Looking to my left, I saw Thanos coming closer. Using what bit of strength I had, I stood up before getting knocked back down and let out a scream as he plunged his sword into my right shoulder.

"Let me hear you scream for mercy. Maybe then, I'll let you live" Thanos said twisting the blade making me scream again.

---

"We have to help him" Tasha said in tears. "He'll kill him."

"I'm sorry Tasha, but there's nothing we can do" Crystal said softly. "Thanos is at full strength and running in there now would be suicide."

"So are we just going to let him die?" she said angrily.

Crystal didn't say anything as he closed his eyes. Tasha sat down in tears as Jenna comforted her. Rose just sat there watching the whole thing in silence.

"Is there truly nothing we can do?" she asked softly.

Crystal shook his head no as everybody was on the verge of tears.

"It's not over yet, not by a long shot" Canis said and his words alone were enough to fill them with hope and bring their spirits back up. They all looked at the scene wondering what would happen next.

---

I hit the ground with a thud, my body taking every bit of punishment Thanos was dishing out. Blood come out my mouth as my hair changed back to its original color along with my eyes. Thanos laughed as he walked up to me.

"You have no idea how much fun this is. I don't want to kill you just yet but I don't want a repeat of what happened last time so we'll think of another way."

Thanos watched me struggle to my feet before an idea hit his head.

"I know exactly what to do now."

He raised his finger in the air as the Soul stone glowed brightly causing a black orb to appear and grew bigger.

"I finally mastered the ultimate attack from the Soul stone, the "Eternal Void". It can rip your soul from your body and seal it away. A fitting end for such a pain in the ass like you, don't you agree?"

"I'm honored" I said holding my arm.

"This is the end boy, enjoy the same afterlife Tyrant got" Thanos said with a smile as he pointed his finger at me.

The orb floated towards me as I felt it pulling me in. I didn't have enough strength to fight back as I got pulled into the orb. Thanos laughed as the orb turned red. I could feel it draining my strength away and there was little or nothing left of my strength.

At that moment when I was just about to finally accept defeat I heard Thanos cry out as I dropped to the ground. With his focus broken, I looked up to see Shadow-mane giving him a vicious right sucker punch. Thanos flew through the air as he tried to correct himself only to be greeted with Shadow-mane in his face. Thanos back handed him, knocking him away as he rolled on the ground. Before Thanos could do anything

else I heard Faleen yell out, "Phoenix Fire" and watched a red and yellow bird made of pure fire, fly from somewhere and strike Thanos making him scream out in pain as Shadow-mane launch himself into the flame to press the attack. They were giving me the chance to recover as I sent a summons out for the stones of Power and Reality to come to me. They responded from the base, exploding out of their holding room and came to me.

---

"What are they doing!" Skorp shouted out as everyone recovered from the blast wave of when the other two Power stones answered Ultimus's call.

They looked up watching Thanos struggled to deal with this carefully planned attack by Faleen and Shadow-mane.

"Those fools I thought they had more cunning then this!" Skorp yelled out more then a little pissed off.

Everyone watched as Shadow-mane slashed with his claws trying to hurt him in every possible way.

"They are doing what we couldn't, standing against Thanos, giving him the chance to win" Crystal said.

They watched in awe as Faleen and Shadow-mane fought as a perfect team. They watched Thanos backhand Shadow-mane away only to be forced to block an incoming spell from Faleen as he raised his barrier just in time to block. By the time the spell was over Shadow-mane was not only back on his feet, but had jumped through the air and so did Faleen attacking him as one.

No one looked at Canis, whose passive face took on an ever so slight smirk.

---

I felt Thanos use the Stone of time to speed up his reflexes as he watched Shadow-mane and Faleen rush him. He broke his scimitar in two just as Shadow-mane and Faleen reach him he lunged out. I tried to warn them only to watch them get impaled right through their hearts. What I saw next was a shock when they grabbed Thanos by the arms and I

saw their bodied issue light from the swords coming out their backs and Thanos gasped in shock as I watched their bodies turn to crystal and then explode.

I threw up a barrier as the force of a nuke went off point blank range to Thanos as his scream of agony was blocked out by the terrible roar of the white spike rising into the air. The shock wave hit my shield threaten to break it just as the stones of Power and Reality burst through the shield and embedded themselves into the backs of my hands as I used their added power to strengthen the shield as the blast wave dissipated. Once I was safe, I drew on their power to heal my wounds and replenish my energy

---

Everyone watching the scene was aghast to the terrible power that had hit Thanos. The silence was broken only by Crystal who burst out laughing so hard that he hit the floor and rolled around in laughter.

"Thanos you fool!"

Skorp and Luna also burst out laughing as everyone just looked at them. Soon the soft voice of Faleen spoke out in the air.

"I told you I was watching over all of you. I'm glad you enjoyed the surprise. I'm sure Thanos got a blast out of it."

"Thanos just destroyed two simulacrums. They are copies. Faleen must have sent them to aid Ultimus. But to make them explode like that, ohhhh" Crystal said wiping some tears away as he stood up.

"I thought I told you no interference?" Canis said.

"You said we couldn't intervene directly until Ultimus was dead. You said nothing about the two free willed simulacrums I sent there" Faleen's voice retorted getting a bigger smirk from Canis.

Faleen knew well how to bend the rules of a god with out breaking them.

---

I knew Thanos wasn't dead as I saw the area simmer with pure power. Thanos blasted his way out from the rubble with a bang.

"How dare...they" he said angrily turning to look at me

In my right hand I held the stone of Space, and Firestorm. In my left, I held the stone of Reality, and Dragonstorm. Thanos was covered in light burns, cuts, bruises, and very pissed off as he started laughing.

"You think you can use those stones on your hands as well as I can?" he said as I looked at him.

I gave a smile as Thanos looked at me confused.

"Your right Thanos guess I need help, "Reality Tear!" I yelled out focusing my mind on one thing, bringing Ramza's body here from the past moments after he died. I didn't have the Time stone so the only thing I figured was possible was to tear a hole in reality itself like a worm hole.

"What the hell are you doing boy?" Thanos yelled out blinded by the light and sound.

I saw a hole appear with Ramza drop out mere seconds after he had died and Soa had placed his soul in the Light stone. I used the Light stone to not only heal the injuries and put his soul back into his body, but I also tore a portion of my own life-force away and infused Ramza with a spark to jump start his body reviving him back to life and restoring

all his energy dispite the strain and drain it caused me.

Within moments, Thanos was not confronted by just me but Ramza as well. Ramza looked bewildered for a moment as he turned to see me and Thanos. Taking an attack stance he prepared to attack Thanos as I tossed him Dragonstorm.

"You where saying Thanos?"

Thanos just stared wide eyed at the stunt I had pulled. His face turned first to anger then he burst out laughing.

"Good trick boy. No wonder my agents never found his body through out the years. Not that he's gonna help you."

"This ends once and for all Thanos" Ramza said as we both approached him as he kept laughing.

---

Crystal stood there blinking in utter shock and surprise.

"So that is what happened to Ramza's body. No wonder I couldn't find it anywhere."

"Who's that Crystal?" Xellos said looking at the other wolf beside his son.

"Ramza. Ultimus has some how brought his body from the past to the present and resurrected him to help him fight Thanos."

"Now maybe this madness will end once and for all" Xellos said.

"Don't bet on it" Skorp said. "Thanos hasn't used his trump card."

"What's his trump card?" Anna asked.

"You'll know it when you see it" Skorp said not taking his eyes off the ball.

---

"You should've stayed in the Light stone Ramza. That way you won't have to die again" Thanos said with a smile.

"We'll see about that won't we?" Ramza said with a smile.

"It's time we finished this" I said letting the full power of the Light stone take over my body.

"You took the words right out of my mouth" Thanos said as he took off towards us.

An all out battle broke out as the earth shook from every shockwave we emitted. Ramza appeared behind Thanos and tried for a back attack which Thanos read as he grabbed the Dragonstorm inches from his face.

"You haven't changed a bit have you?" Thanos said with a smile before sending Ramza to the ground with a wave of power.

I got to him before he landed. We both felt a surge of power as we looked up to see Thanos with a smile on his face.

"Feel this, "Chaos Stone, Spiral Hell"."

He opened his arms as his body glowed red. I looked at him confused before I saw the air around me ripple. Seconds later, a scythe blade whizzed by my face and disappeared into thin air. More and more appeared as me and Ramza tried our best to dodge them but too many came at us at one time. I felt the wound in my shoulder open up as blood ran down.

"We can't keep this up" I said dodging one after another.

"I know, I'll handle this" Ramza said. "Solar Flare".

An intense dome of energy surrounded us as all the scythes melted. Thanos took that moment to strike and strike hard. He appeared right in front of Ramza. "Howling Fist". He swung his fist at Ramza as the head of wolf appeared. Ramza only had a spilt second to react before he got sent streaking to the ground in a blaze of black fire.

"RAMZA" I shouted.

"Worry about yourself boy, "Flash Bomb".

I turned around in time to see a red ball explode in front of my face sending me to ground with a bang. Thanos landed on the ground laughing away.

"Don't you 2 understand? I cannot be defeated by you. But now, I must bid you both farewell."

The sky began to get dark as thick black clouds covered the sky. The clouds began to part as a huge black dragon floated down from the sky and landed next to Thanos. Its eye's were red as it looked at both us, the flesh rotten and decayed as ribs and other bones stuck out of the corpse like creature.

"It's time you both felt why I will be the true god" Thanos said as the dragon began expanded its wings, opening its mouth as a white ball of fire began to form. "Dreaded Dragon, Crimson Devastation".

The dragon let out a roar causing the ball to expand larger. When it got larger then its muzzle, it fired it towards us with massive power behind it. We both got up weakly putting up a defensive barrier which didn't do any good as the attack hit us like a nuclear bomb. The effect was powerful as the earth spilt open. When the aftermath was over, the

dragon disappeared, leaving Thanos looking at the huge hole where I and Ramza were buried in, not moving.

"I win" Thanos said with an evil smile before laughing hard.

---

Everybody held onto to something as the earthquake reached them too causing the lights to flicker off and on and furniture to be moved this way and that. When it receded, everybody was quiet.

"Is everyone okay?" Crystal asked.

"I believe so" Jenna said shaking her head.

They looked at the ball to see me and Ramza not moving. Tasha's eyes started to water as she looked.

"Are...are they...dead?" Venom asked.

"I don't know" Luna said closing her eyes. "I can still feel their power but it's very, very faint, like they are barely hanging on."

"What the hell did Thanos do?" Tiger asked.

"He used the Chaos stone to summon an undead dragon. That was the one thing I was hoping he didn't do" Skorp said.

"We have to help them" Xellos said.

"I'm sorry, but by the time we get there, it will be too late" Crystal said shaking his head.

Everybody broke down in tears as they looked on helplessly.

Canis rubbed his chin and sighed. He was torn. He wanted to do nothing less then utterly destroy Thanos, but he couldn't, it was forbidden.

---

"Ultimus, Ultimus, you must get up."

"I...can't...so...tired."

"I know you are. But if you don't get up, I'll never forgive you."

"Grand...mom?" I said weakly.

"Ultimus, you have the power to defeat him. Look deep within and bring it all out. Show me the strong man you've grown up to be" my grandmother said before her voice faded.

"Your out of power and now your gonna die just like I said" I heard Tyrant say out loud. "When I get out of here Thanos will surely give your friends to me as my playthings" he said laughing madly.

"I maybe out of power, but your not."

I focused my thoughts on his power and opened myself to it as I began to siphon his strength away letting it restore my own as he screamed out in utter agony as I ripped the energy from his trapped form.

Thanos looked shocked when he saw my hand twitch. I got up to my knees feeling like shit as blood came from every part of my body. Thanos grabbed at his hair in frustration.

"WHY DON'T YOU DIE?" he yelled. "WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO KILL YOU?"

I stood up wobbling as I turned to see Ramza getting up too. His fur was completely red with blood as his left eye was closed and swollen. I could feel my strength return, as my body absorbed Tyrant's power. I also got his anger, hate, and evil. The effect of it was my hair turned red and my whole body was now charged with Tyrant's energy changing my appearance to that as if Tyrant had taken over causing Thanos to burst out laughing.

"Tyrant, shall we finish this once and for all."

I looked at Thanos then at Ramza and smiled evilly at him allowing time for my body to fully heal.

"Yes let's finish this, Ramza is mine though."

Thanos nodded at me as I lifted the Power stone at Ramza as he looked at me in disbelief.

"Of course be my guest, make him suffer."

"Take this" I yelled out firing a powerful blast of energy at him through the power stone. "Spiritual Empowerment" I yelled causing Thanos to recoil in shock.

"What the hell? What are you...!" he yelled out as Ramza was now fully healed as I turned to stare at Thanos who just looked at me. Ramza chuckled a bit at the trick I had played.

"I'm sorry Tyrant's not in right now, but if you leave your name, number and brief message, I'll make sure he gets it after I'm done siphoning his energy away."

I smiled at him trying to focus my thoughts through the anger, rage, and hatred that flowed through his power and I directed them at Thanos to help give me focus.

"I will not give up until you have been utterly destroyed" I said starting to glow. "My grandmother told me to not to give up. I have too much to lose if I die now. My friends, my family, and mostly my mate Tasha. I will not let you defeat me."

I let out a yell as I felt incredible power surge into me. Ramza let out a howl as he felt that same surge of power flow into him. Thanos looked on in confusion as he felt our power go from 0 to unbelievable. He took a step back shaking his head.

"What is going on here? Why are your power levels so high?"

We didn't say anything as we each took a step before lunging at him. I yelled out as he threw up a barrier with all his power. I channeled so much anger, hatred, and evil into Firestorm as it began to burn my hands. Firestorm was a holy weapon, it wasn't meant to be touched by evil, and because I was using Tyrant's power and channeling his evil as

well, it thought I was evil as my sword struck his shield as did Ramza with Dragonstorm. The barrier around Thanos cracked and shattered as the full power of our attack knocked him back.

"I don't know how you 2 got so powerful all of a sudden, but it will do you no good" Thanos said feeling a blood trail come down the side of his face.

He didn't even take a step before Ramza appeared before him and struck him hard in the stomach taking the air out of him. I followed up with a kick to the chest sending him flying into a nearby tree cracking it in half. He coughed up blood before standing up and looking at us with evil eyes.

"For all the pain and hell you put me through, now you will die" I yelled at him lifting Firestorm and rushed at him as he called his swords and he lunged at us.

"I refuse to be beaten by the likes of you" Thanos said angrily.

Ramza as I took defensive position as he attacked with both swords we blocked and dodged his attacks as I used the stones to transfer power and strength to Ramza. Thanos felt that power flow as I knew he would and focused his attacks mainly on Ramza. I watched as Thanos brought both swords down on Ramza as he blocked them both with Dragonstorm.

Ramza growled out as he sent a charge through Dragonstorm causing to flash as bright as the sun as Thanos had his eyes open it blinded him forcing him to recoil in pain as I moved in. I attacked his left sword and charge my power through Firestorm and attacked his left arm as I could feel Tyrant now trying to focus to take me over I had to end this

now.

I brought Firestorm down on the left sword he held and with a thunderclap it shattered the sword as I could feel Firestorm had some how cracked. Thanos was surprised I had broken his sword as he changed targets.

"Now you die boy" he said channeling all his power onto his sword.

Ramza wasn't doing anything as he dragged his sword across Thanos's blade as he swung to attack me. I utterly trusted Ramza while I lifted my sword above my head leaving my self wide open to his attack. It seemed like time slowed down as I watched Ramza spin around as hard and as fast as he could allowing his sword to clash with Thanos' sword

surprising him as Ramza used all of his power to knock Thanos sword arm back. I brought Firestorm down as hard as I could as I watched it strike some barrier Thanos had up as Firestorm carved right through it and his arm. In one hard firm blow I severed the power stones and his arm from his body as he screamed out in agony. Ramza yelled "Blast Wave" and hit Thanos with a wave of power blasting him away as he was in shock from having his power drop so sharply at having lost the power stones.

I used my own power to summon the stones as they burst out of Thanos's glove and floated around me as he hit some rocks trying to recover as he held his bleeding arm. Ramza held his hands up as he started the "Dragon Slave".

"Now, you will pay for your crimes with your life" Ramza snarled.

I held my hands out in front of me as the sky got dark again. Thanos knew what was coming next as he started to plead with me.

"Listen, you don't want to do this. Without me, the power stones are useless. Let me live and I can give you anything you want."

I looked at him with angry eyes as black lighting struck the ground around as my hair rose up with the rising of the wind. I began channeling every ounce of power I could from the all the Power stones including Tyrant which cause his screaming to raise a few more decibels in my mind.

"Can you give me back the girl you stole from me 3 years ago? You took her life like it was nothing. Can you give me the life I would have lived if you had never existed? Now I'm going to take your life like it was nothing." I said with pure hate and anger feeling Tyrant's evil was trying to infect me.

I closed my eyes as I remembered everything that Thanos has done to me. My anger started to grow quickly exciding Tyrant's own as I forced everything, every moment of pain, sadness, happiness, and joy. I started to recite the only thing that would destroy him once and for all. I could feel Firestorm react with another crack as I channeled all my power into it along with the power of the other stones as they danced around. I put all of the anger hate and the evil flowing into me from Tyrant into Firestorm, making it flare and burn me as pushed through the pain and I felt the words from Tyrant form in my mind.

"Sword of the dark, cold void. Free yourself from thy bonds. Become one with my body, one with my soul. Let us both walk the path of destruction together. May the fools who stand before us, be cut down where they stand by the power you and I possess, Ragna Blade."

Black lighting struck my body and circled around me before going to my hands channeling the full power of this evil attack into this sword. I felt Firestorm crack again as it would not survive this attack. It finished with a bang of power as I held onto the handle. Ramza threw the Dragon Slave" at the blade as it absorbed it causing it to glow

white.

"Game over" I said as I flew at Thanos.

I took of towards him as he stood there with his back against the boulder. With what power he had remaining, he put up a barrier. I struck the barrier head-on which shattered immediately. I let out a yell as I impaled him through his black and twisted heart and on into the boulder. He let out yell before blood came out his mouth as he held onto the blade. I let go of the handle and looked at Thanos who started to chuckle.

"You...don't....understand do you boy?"

"What are you talking about?" I said.

"I...was never...the...real enemy" he smiled as I had gotten him through the heart.

"What?" I said confused.

"And believe....me...when I...say that...his power...supersedes...mine."

"Who is it? Tell me?"

"I'll let....you find out...for...yourself" Thanos said as he started to laugh before more blood came out his mouth.

He closed his eyes as his body went limp before drying up leaving him looking like a mummy. I dropped to the ground in pain as I couldn't feel anything as I was utterly drained. Tyrant had stopped screaming and seemed as utterly drained as I was.

"Thank you Ultimus. Now Kirin can rest in peace" Ramza said as he came over and held me kneeling down to let my head rest on his legs as I coughed up some blood.

---

Everybody let out a cheer when they saw Thanos defeated. But when they saw me hit the ground, their hearts stopped with fear.

"We need to get to..." Greywolf said not getting a chance to finish his words as there was a flash of light around them as they were all teleported near Ultimus.

They at first thought to question how, but they ran over to Ultimus.

---

Looking up, I saw everybody running towards me as I gave a weak smile. Tasha was the first to reach me as she gave me a tight hug causing me to yell in pain.

"Tasha....you're...hurting me" I said.

"Just shut up and hold me" she said in tears.

I reached up weakly with my left arm holding her as I couldn't feel my right arm. It felt like it had burned off as my body had returned to normal now as Anna came up

"We need to get him back now" she says as I looked at her seeing her holding my right arm.

It was burned and blackened as if I had held it in a fire. The price for using such evil power through Firestorm. Crystal came over to help Ramza as he tried to stand up but fell. Out of breath he felt weak as Crystal was feeling the link between him and Light stone fade.

"Wait, don't go yet" Crystal said sadly.

"Lord...Soa. It was...good to...see you again" Ramza said starting to fade.

He turned to me with a smile and thumbs up.

"You...did it Ultimus."

"No...we did it" I said, a single tear falling own my cheek.

Ramza held his head down as he started to turn into balls of light and fly into the sky.

---

Everybody looked at Ultimus as he was bandaged up heavily and sleeping soundly. Tasha was laying by his side with her head on his chest as it rose and fell.

"You've got a good son there Rose" Venom said with his arms crossed.

"I know" Rose said moving a couple of strands of hair from my face.

"Now what do we do?" Theft asked.

"Do about what?" Tiger asked.

Theft turned on the TV as the news showed the countdown of the bomb heading to space.

"Oh yeah, the meteor that's going to hit us" Greywolf said.

"That's not a meteor" Crystal said.

"It's not. Then what is it?" Xellos asked.

"Let's go talk in the conference room and leave Ultimus to rest."

They gave Ultimus one more glance before heading out. Anna looked at Tasha who was almost asleep next to her lover.

"I take it you're going to stay here?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'm not letting him go anymore" Tasha said sleepily.

"I understand. If anything goes wrong give me a call."

She nodded her head and closed her eyes as Anna walked out, turning the lights off.

---

"All systems are green" Norma said typing away. "Liftoff in T-minus 2 minutes."

Everybody stood by the window looking out as smoke started coming out off the exhaust pipe of the rocket. "All personnel please clear the launch site" a computer voice said. Everybody hustled off the pad and into the waiting cars before speeding off.

"We got the green light Mr. President. Just waiting for you" Luke said.

The president gave a nod as Luke smiled.

"All right Norma, let it go."

"Blast off in T-minus 10 seconds. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, lift off" Norma said pressing a red button.

The engine came to life as it propelled into the sky leaving behind a long trail of smoke. They watched it go until it was no longer in sight.

"Get the satellite feed up" Luke said to Moses.

"You got it" Moses said spinning in his chair and typing away.

An image appeared as the rocket broke the atmosphere and glided towards Darkstar.

"Arm the Fragmentation bomb."

Chris pushed a couple of buttons causing the bomb to detach from the ship. The bomb opened up as each metallic ball was attached to a string making a 50 x 50 grid covering a large area.

"Wait for my signal. We need the maximum impact" Luke said as Darkstar traveled closer. As soon as it was inches away he gave the signal. "Do it."

Chris put the key in the slot and turned the handle. A supernova explosion occurred as the satellite feed ended due to the explosion. Out in the street, bystanders watched the sky as the massive light show could be seen.

"We need a visual. Andy can you see anything?" Kevin asked over the intercom.

"Nothing yet, still too much light" Andy replied. "Wait, the light's clearing up and..."

"And what...? Did we destroy it?"

"Ne...negative" Andy said in shocked.

"WHAT?" Kevin yelled. "Those bombs had the power to wipe out this planet. Did we alter its course any at all?"

"I'm telling you, it's still coming for us. It's not even slowing down. It seems to have absorbed the blast and speeding up. It's like it has a mind of its own!"

"Sir, we got the satellite feed back" Moses said. "Putting it on screen now."

The screen crackled to life as Darkstar appeared, unscathed. Everybody was beside themselves with confusion and anger. Norma started to tear up as silence was heard all around.

"What now, Mr. President? We've done all we could" Luke said sadly.

"I know Luke and I thank you for you're hard work, all of you. I must go make the announcement" the president said sadly as he walked outside to the waiting reporters.

"Mr. President is the meteor destroyed? Is the planet safe?" a reporter asked.

"I'm sorry to say that the bomb did not destroy the meteor and is still on a collision course to us. I'm also sorry to say, that I've failed my fellow citizens."

People started talking all once as the president took a seat on a nearby chair and put his head in his hands.

"May god have mercy on our souls" he said sadly.

---

I opened my eyes and looked around. This place was not my home. I stood under a tree on top of a hill as a forest surrounded it, stretching for miles, hundreds of miles utterly untouched by human hands. There was a peaceful aura in the air filling my very being with warmth, peace, and happiness. I could hear people playing, laughing, and saw some in the forest as they waved to me before going back to having fun. A clear blue sky with soft white clouds drifting in the air. Looking up in every direction I was utterly surprise that there was no sun, as if the light was coming from every where and yet no where at the same time.

"Is this heaven?" I asked, as it was more beautiful and words could not do it justice.

"One of many different forms of heaven. I see you're up" a voice said behind me.

I turned around to see Canis sitting down next to a table drinking what appeared to be wine. He motioned me to a chair as I sat down.

"Let me congratulate you on your victory against Thanos."

"Thanks. It wasn't easy."

"It wasn't suppose to be. But let's not dwell in the past, drink a toast with me" he said pouring me a glass. "To a peaceful future."

I raised my glass and took a sip. The drink was exotic as I felt power rush through my body. He gave me a smile and took another sip before setting his glass down.

"Did you enjoy the flashbacks?"

"Flashbacks? Wait, you did that?"

He nodded his head as he sat back in the chair.

"Then you unlocked the Light stone for me."

"I didn't do anything. I just gave you something to fight for. You did everything else on your own. Like Venom said, you are one hell of a son."

Canis face turned serious after he said that and looked at me.

"Your battle isn't over yet. Darkstar stills remains."

"Yeah, I have no idea how or if we can beat him" I said crossing my arms.

"Do not worry about that. When you awaken, check your dresser. You will find all the info you need. I must bid you farewell now. Remember, I'll be watching."

With a snap of his fingers, darkness surrounded me again before I opened my eyes. I was back at home in the ER room. Sitting up slowly, I looked to my right to see Tasha fast asleep. I got up very slowly as not to disturb her. Dispite the fight, whatever Canis had given me had not only healed all my wounds I was damn near bursting from the energy

I was feeling. When I got out, I saw Chris and Nicole enter through the front door. They saw me and ran over I exited the ER.

"Dude, you should be resting, not walking around" Chris said surprised I wasn't limping.

"I just wanted to go to my room."

"Why?"

"Something is there I must see."

We walked to my room and I opened the door in time to see a note appear in a puff of smoke on the dresser. It was folded and at the fold, it had a red wax seal with the engraving of a non morphic fox sitting with it's tail lifted up to its chest with a six pronged star behind it. I picked it up and sat down on the bed to read it as it read this:

"Greetings from Faleen. I am pleased you have unlocked the full power of the Light stone and defeated Thanos. Now that he is defeated, you must seek out the Shrine of the Sa'karra dragon. There, you must place the all the Power stones in a circle and stand in the middle of a flat stone. A mystic dagger will merge away from the stone. This dagger is used in the awakening of the dragon. I'm sorry to say that it will require a blood sacrifice to awaken it. The sacrificial alter is in Madman's cave. Again, I'm sorry to have to tell you this after you went through all of this. Good luck, and may the gods of light watch over you. If there was another way to destroy Darkstar, I do not know of it and wish you both the strength and luck to do what you need to do."

Chris read my face as he knew something was wrong.

"What is it? What did the note say?"

I handed it to him as he and Nicole read it.

"You...you can't be serious?" Chris said looking at me.

"There has to be another way?" Nicole said.

"If there is, I'm all ears. Until then, Chris, drive me there" I said getting up.

Chris was hesitating as his brain worked overtime. I walked over to him and put my hand on his shoulder.

"Chris, its okay" I said giving him a weak smile. "If it's the only way, so be it."

Chris's eyes started to water as he got up and walked to his car before heading back inside and coming back out with all 6 of the Power stones. Putting the car in drive, we headed for the cave. Stopping at the entrance, he came with me to the very edge of the cave and looked at me, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Thanks man" I said with a smile.

He didn't say anything as he held his head down, tears coming down his face.

"This isn't fair" he said between sobs.

"I know" I said sadly.

I held my hand out as he looked at it. He grabbed it as he gave me a hard handshake before giving me a hug.

"I'll never forget you man" he said.

"Neither will I Chris. You've always been there for me" I said almost in tears.

He let me go and backed away. I gave him and Nicole the thumbs up before heading inside, the stones floating around me.

"Come on, let's go back" Nicole said softly as Chris stood there until I disappeared into the darkness, they knew I didn't want them to see what was about to happen.

"Yeah" Chris said sadly

---

"Okay, so what exactly is that meteor?" Tiger asked.

"Darkstar, destroyer of galaxies" Crystal said.

"How can we stop it?" Venom asked.

"We can't, even Thanos couldn't stop it once it was summoned."

"There has to be a way" Theft said as he turned around to his computer and began typing away. "The computer said it's an organic organism, meaning it's alive."

"Alive? But how can that be?" Xellos asked.

Before anybody could answer, Tasha came running in.

"Ultimus is gone" she said in a panic. "So are all the power stones!"

"Gone?" Greywolf said shocked. "Where could he go in the state he was in?"

"I don't know. I woke up and he was gone. I checked our room and he wasn't there. I also checked on the stones to see if he was there and they were gone."

"Let's just calm down and go look for him. He couldn't have gone far" Luna said.

They searched for a while until nobody could find him as they assembled outside.

"Any luck?" Rose said.

"None. I looked everywhere" Venom said.

They heard a car approach as Chris put the car in park. He got out and went to his knees in tears as Nicole comforted him. Tasha ran up to him.

"Chris, where's Ultimus, tell me please?"

"He's....he's..." was all he could say before he started crying again.

"Here read this. This will tell you where he is" Nicole said handing her the note.

"That's the seal of Faleen" Crystal said looking at it. "Let me see that."

Crystal grabbed the note, skimmed the letter as his eyes went wide.

"Dammit, I should've seen this coming" he said angrily.

"What did it say?" Jenna asked.

"He's going to sacrifice himself to awaken the guardian of the earth."

Everybody held their mouths open. Tasha growled angrily and grabbed Chris, slamming him on top of the car.

"Why did you take him there?" she snarled.

"It wasn't my decision. He wanted to do it all by himself" Chris said shocked.

"Why didn't you stop him?" she said pulling on him and slamming him into the hood about ready to kill Chris.

"Because he couldn't even if he wanted to" Rose said sadly. "Once he sets his mind on something, he completes it, no matter what the cost."

"We have to stop him before it's too late" Greywolf said.

"Then let's go" Crystal said holding his hand up as they all disappeared.

---

I placed the final stone on the altar as the floor glowed underneath my feet. A ball of light appeared as a jagged dagger encrusted with jewels appeared before me. I took a hold of the dagger and held it over my heart.

"I guess this is it. Usually the good guy lives at the end of the story, but not mine it seems."

I took a deep breath, letting the cool air wash over me. Looking up, I saw Darkstar getting closer. Now or never Arngrim, there's no turning back from this train you're on. Lifting the dagger up, I plunged it into my heart in time to hear a scream. I turned around to see Tasha running towards me. Dammit, this was the last thing I wanted her to see.

"NOOOO" she screamed as I dropped to the ground pulling out the dagger as my blood hit the alter causing it to glow.

My blood flowed out of my wound as Tasha ran to me only to be repulsed by a barrier around the alter. A circle formed as the stones lit up one by one. They each shot a ray of light into my body causing the Light stone to explode out from my chest, dispite the wound that it and the dagger caused. There was no pain as I slowly felt my life fading away. All 7 stones floated into the air before shooting into the sky as they unleashed their full power causing an orb of light to form around them. Their light and power filled the sky like a second sun as they shot a light down into the chasm below. The earth started to shake as everybody kneeled down to keep from tumbling over. Up from the chasm, a huge dragon blasted out of it that split the earth as it gave an earth rattling roar before landing on the ground. The stones launched and embedded themselves into the dragon's forehead. It looked down at everybody with its green eyes as everybody stared back. Its body was gold and silver as all 7 stones were embedded on top of its head.

"S...Sa'karra" Crystal stuttered out.

---

I opened my eyes as I looked around.

"What's going on here?" I said confused as I saw everybody looking up at me as I heard Crystal say Sa'karra. "Am I inside the dragon?"

I raised my arm as the dragon did the same thing.

"I guess I have complete control over it. God knows how though."

I looked as I saw Tasha holding my body crying her heart out. It hurt me deeply that I had to make her suffer but I'm doing this for her. Turning my head, I saw Darkstar in the sky.

"Let's do this" I said.

The dragon spread its huge wings and took off causing massive winds as everybody covered their faces. Breaking the atmosphere, I stopped and saw the massive size ball of orange fire. It seemed to notice me as it stopped.

"Sa'karra" it said in a deep voice. "Do not attempt to stop what you cannot."

It's voice and mine where heard around the entire world in the minds and hearts of everyone as they at last realized that this meteor was something else.

"I will not let you destroy this galaxy Darkstar. I will stop you for the sake of everybody."

"Very well. You have signed your own death warrant."

The ball began to morph as a dragon's head appear, then another and another. 6 giant black and red wings expanded from its back as its massive frame began to take shape. Its body was silver with a black pentagram covering its chest and on both its arms. Each head let out a roar before looking at me.

"You do not stand a chance" the right head said.

"Once we destroy you, your galaxy will fall" the left one said.

"You should've never tried to face us" the middle head concluded.

My body started to glow as I gave a growl.

"Every life down there is precious to me. If I don't stop you now, they will all die. And I'll be damned if I let that happen."

I let out a roar and charged Darkstar causing all 3 heads to roar as well.

---

"Please tell me I'm dreaming? Please tell that huge ass meteor did not turn into a 3 headed dragon?" Luke said watching the satellite feed.

"Yes Luke, it did turn into a 3 headed dragon" Norma said with her mouth open.

Everybody around the world looked into the sky as they saw the battle between me and Darkstar crystal clear.

"Do you think that this Sa'karra dragon fighting it will win?" Moses asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine" Senel said.

---

"Soa, what just happened?" Xellos asked. "What was that dragon?"

"That was Sa'karra, guardian of our world and all life" Skorp said.

"Okay, but doesn't explain why my son had to die" Rose said.

"In order to awaken the guardian, a blood sacrifice is needed along with the stones" Crystal said looking at my body. "Faleen must've known about it and wrote Ultimus that letter. This is what the stones where intended for. This is why they were left behind when the gods left our world."

"I guess everything is in Sa'karra's hands now" Venom said watching the fight along with everybody else.

---

I dodged the lightning each head shot at me as I got closer to Darkstar. Getting close enough, I reared back a connected with a solid strike to its chest knocking it backwards. It countered by wrapping its tail around my neck, choking me.

"You cannot beat me with the power you have now" the right head said before digging its jaws into my left side making me roar in pain as blood leaked out.

Darkstar's tail pulled me closer as each head went to work on my body, biting and giving me strong head butts. I had to break free so I opened my mouth and bite hard into its tail causing it roar and recoiled its tail. I took that time to catch my breath.

"You will pay for that" the left head roar and flung at me.

I evaded and took it in a choke hold as it squirmed in my grasp while I hit it non stop. The right head came out, fangs bared out. I saw coming as I let go of the left head and caught the right head with a tail slap sending it back. Opening my mouth, fire began to grow rapidly. My eyes flashed as a massive fireball erupted from my mouth and went soaring to Darkstar. It connected dead center with its chest as it let out a roar flying backwards. It recovered quickly as it looked at me.

"You will die a painful death for that" the middle head said.

"Prepare to know the power we possess" the left head added.

"Die, guardian" the right head snarled.

Darkstar body began to glow as I felt enormous power coming from him. Each head opened its mouth as an orange ball appeared, growing bigger with power. I looked on as Darkstar's power grew more and more causing its wings to glow.

"It's over for you Sa'karra. You can not hope to match the power of all the galaxies we have absorbed. "Dragon's Rage, Armageddon Blast"."

Each head shot a power ray towards me before combining into a massive power beam. I put up a barrier as it struck it hard. I couldn't keep it up for long as I felt my power draining quick. It was taking every ounce of strength I had to just hold this thing off.

"Don't fight death" the middle head said applying more power as the beam turned from orange to white.

I heard the barrier crack and I knew it was over. With a final push from all 3 heads, my barrier shattered as I got consumed by the beam's explosion. When the light died down, I was floating motionless in space as each head let out a victory roar. I was barley able to keep awake as my eyes started to water.

"I'm sorry everybody. Darkstar's too strong. Please, lend me your strength."

---

"Unreal" Tiger said as he saw the explosion. "Even Thanos couldn't stand a chance against a blast like that."

"Do you think Sa'karra survived it?" Venom asked looking at Crystal.

Crystal was quiet as he looked at the sky. Tasha was still crying until she heard my voice as her head shot up.

"Ultimus?" she said confused looking at my body.

"What's wrong Tasha?" Jenna asked as she saw Tasha look into the sky.

Tasha got up and walked a couple of steps forward.

"Tasha, are you ok?" Luna asked.

"It's Ultimus. I head his voice."

Tasha held her hand out as her body started to glow. Everybody looked confused until Jenna did the same thing as her body glowed.

"Everybody, lend Ultimus your strength. He needs us now more then ever" Tasha said.

They all nodded their heads holding their hands up as their body glowed.

---

Alex watched the fight from the playground with all the other kids from the hospital.

"Did the good dragon win Dr. Ikenna?" Alex asked.

"I don't know Alex" he said.

Alex held his head down before he heard my voice causing his ears to perk up.

"What's wrong Alex?" Ikenna asked.

"It's...uncle Ultimus."

"Uncle Ultimus?" Ikenna said confused.

Alex walked forward a little and raised his hand as his body glowed causing everybody to gasp.

"Come on guys, help uncle Ultimus" Alex said looking back at the rest of the kids.

They looked at each other before nodding their heads and joining Alex as their bodies glowed.

---

Chris watched the satellite feed, tears in his eyes. Nicole rubbed his shoulder until his head shot up in confusing.

"Chris, what's wrong?" Luke asked.

"It's Arn. He's asking for help" Chris said.

Chris held his hand out towards the screen as his body glowed. Everybody gasped as Nicole did the same thing.

"Mr. President, you have to tell the world to help Arn or it'll be game over" Chris said looking at the president who was still in a semi-shocked state. "MR. PRESIDENT" Chris yelled snapping him out of it.

"Of course" he said walking outside to the awaiting reporters.

Chris looked at the screen again, hope in his eyes.

"Hang on Arn, just hang on."

---

"Don't you see Sa'karra, defeat is inevitable" the middle head said as it moved closer towards me.

It stopped when my body started to glow, along with the earth.

"What is this?" the right head said confused.

I stood up right before opening my eyes that blazed with white fire.

"You don't understand the strong will a human has to live do you? Their will, their power will be your downfall."

"Absurd. I am the destroyer and the creator. Nothing will defeat me" the middle head said. "One entire planet's will, can not match my power."

"I'm not asking for just one world's help, I'm asking for the power of this entire galaxy" I yelled out as I jerked erect feeling power from all over the entire galaxy flowing through me.

All 3 heads let out a roar before charging me. I stood there motionless as Darkstar surged forward. When it was inches away, I disappeared as all 3 heads snapped at thin air. They looked around everywhere for me.

"Running away guardian?" the left head said.

"Who said I'm running?"

I appeared before him in a flash of light and with a swipe of my claws, decapitated the left head completely off. Darkstar roared in pain as I held the left head which twitched violently before I burned it. The stump which remained spewed black blood which floated in space. The 2 remaining heads lunged for me as I grabbed them both by the necks. Its tail lashed at me which I caught with my mouth and bite down hard, severing it.

"Anymore tricks up your sleeve?" I said with a grin.

Darkstar did something that caught me off guard. It started to chuckle then the two heads burst out laughing as I watched in surprise as the head I severed and it's tail burst into flame as it regenerated all the wounds it had incurred. I recoiled as I felt the terrible power this creature had. It was at that moment we both knew its power was far beyond anything we could hope to match on our own.

"Fool! The power of one galaxy is no threat to us. We have destroyed hundreds of galaxies and absorbed all their power. You are no match for our power."

I took a defensive stance as it looked past me to earth.

"I will destroy your world while you try to stop me in vain."

It moved at earth as I rushed it only to repulse with an even more powerful blasts of energy, knocking me back. It had been toying with me just like Thanos from the very start. I did my best to recover as I took after it needing to stop it as it launched yet another attack knocking me back.

---

Far removed from the battle with Darkstar and Sa'karra, stood seven beings of unimaginable power. Istar, god of power, Gannon, god of time, Ginyu, god of space, Valz, god of reality, Ruben, god of chaos, Tenzen, god of soul, and Modeen, god of light, all stood looking into a viewing mirror as they watched the fight between Darkstar and Sa'karra. Their attention was diverted from the battle as they turned to look at Canis who stood there.

"I come on behalf of all mortals of this realm you reside on with a plea for you to assist them."

"Interference is not allowed by us. You have already bent a number of rules to the breaking point" Modeen said.

"These mortals do not know you. Why should you care for them?" Ruben asked.

"Unlike all of you, I never have forsaken my charges or duties. Like the way you did at the end of the god wars here so long ago" he said with venom in his words.

"Watch your tongue Canis, we did not forsake by choice. We had no choice in the matter. The overpowers forbid us from interfering, and we can not break those rules now" Istar spoke.

"If you do not help the chosen one, all life in this galaxy will end. They do not deserve this fate just because of your mistakes" Canis pleaded.

"The chosen one and Sa'karra have linked all life in the galaxy in a vain attempt to stop Darkstar. It would be possible to give Sa'karra the power needed to be Darkstar's equal, giving him a fair chance to win" Valz said.

"Yes, but to wipe the memory from all the beings they have touched, would require Sa'karra to be destroyed" Ginyu said.

"Sa'karra and the chosen one would gladly give their lives to protect this galaxy, and change the minds of the mortals to believe their weapon destroyed Darkstar" Tenzen added.

"Very well Canis my friend, we shall all give Sa'karra and the chosen one the power needed to stand as Darkstar's equal. If they win, we shall take steps to alter their perceptions as if the battle never occurred and their weapon succeeded in destroying Darkstar. If they fail, then we can do nothing more" Modeen said as they all turned to

look back to the fight before them as barely a fraction of a second had passed in that time linking their power to Sa'karra.

---

I was pelted with the terrible energy as my left wing was nearly blown off. I felt the stones throb and then send power through me as I could feel my power level sky rocket. I could feel their master's charging their power through me.

"We are granting you the power needed to stand as Darkstar's equal. Now you have a fair chance to defeat him, no more no less. The fate of this galaxy is entirely up to you and this battle" Modeen said.

I could feel my wounds healing fully and looked to see Darkstar now facing me as the heads all snarled at once.

"How dare those gods interfere. I will make them watch as we destroy you" they roared at me and I used my new found power to enhance my speed and get out of the incoming attack just in time.

"Have any idea how to defeat Darkstar?" Sa'karra asked.

"Just one. Hold back our full power till just the right moment" I responded.

"We have one chance at this and if we make a mistake we will fail" he said as Sa'karra and I dodged an incoming blow.

I growled out with as I caught sight of the sun and an idea hit me. We had enough power to make us an equal to Darkstar, we needed more power, power to make us stronger and as I spun around some of Darkstar's lightning blasts. I allowed the terrible power flowing through us to build in our stomach and throat as I turned around feeling that fire build in my mouth and I took aim right at Darkstar as it flew right at me and opening my mouth I let the power flow it a white hot stream.

I watched the Darkstar reel in surprise as the blast hit him in the chest as all three heads screamed in agony from the force of the massive explosion. I floated there flapping my wings as a white ball of power erupted around him and could hear his screams of agony as the energy really hurt him. When the energy ball dissipated Darkstar snarling out with foam forming from the intense anger and rage he had and he roared.

"You have done the impossible" the right head said.

"You have done what none other has done" the left head said.

"You have injured us. We will destroy you and then after we destroy this galaxy we will use those stones and drain the power of the Gods who gave you this might" they roared at me and began their attack.

"Catch us if you can" and I turned tail and ran like the devil was after me. I needed to get him away from earth as I flew a direct line for the sun.

"Cunning plan. It is doubtful that we will survive this" Sa'karra said.

I could feel a tear run down my cheek in regret of everything I hadn't done yet or was meaning to do.

"So be it" I said feeling some of Darkstar's attack miss and a few hit my back as he raced after me as I used all my power to aim for Venus planning to sling shot my self around it to give me enough speed to get to the sun with enough time to siphon off all the needed power to end this once and for all.

I entered orbit with Darkstar hot on my tail and could feel the gravity of the planet pull me out ahead of Darkstar as I speed up flying right into the planet's atmosphere and could feel the acid vapors burned and stung me as I sped up with tremendous force and then flew right through the orbit having gained enough speed to sling shot me in the direction

of the sun.

I took this chance to look back as I saw Darkstar still in pursuit, it wasn't thinking clearly consumed with it's own rage and anger at being hurt and faced with something as powerful at it was, it's only thought was to destroy me as fast as possible. It had no idea what I was planning and that was my only edge. I could feel the powerful energy from the sun hit me and I began to soak it up needing to get right into close orbit. I could feel the power building inside me. The heat at first was wonderful but then grew to a burning as I could feel my scales start to burn and melt as I got with in ten thousand miles of

the sun and roared out in pain as I turned around and looked to Darkstar as it had stopped. I wrapped myself in the sun's power and could feel mine growing as Darkstar began charging its power and it readied for one final attack realizing what I had lured it into.

I began to build my own attack feeling the power grow in my throat as my wings burst into flames as I used the Power stones to draw directly on the energy from the sun and this caused a geyser of fire to burst out of the sun and start to wrap around me and flow into me. I opened my eyes looking at Darkstar as he yelled out, "Destroyer's Rage!" He

fired a white beam at me and I launched all that welled up power inside of me.

"God's Vengeance" I shouted as a colossus ray shot forward, intense energy behind it. I channeled all the power of the stones through me and the fire of the sun pulling off more and more energy to keep my power level high.

It connected with Darkstar's but cut right through it and penetrated Darkstar right through the chest, boring a hole through it as it roared in pain. The ray came back around and wrapped around its body as all 3 heads looked at me.

"Im...pressive guardian" the left one said.

"You have done...the impossible" the right one added.

"You have...bested me" the middle one said.

Darkstar's body began to glow white along with the ray before it exploded, causing a huge shockwave. I gave out a sigh before turning to look at the Earth shine with such beauty and grace in the distance.

"Thank you all" I said quietly as I felt my body begin to change. Not in a good way as I felt the uncontrollable build up of raw power. Power which grew painful as light issued from cracks in my scales. I felt the hearts of every living thing in this galaxy flow through me forcing me to roar out in terrible pain moments later. That power couldn't be contained as Sa'karra and I exploded sending waves of power racing through Earth to the farthest reaches of the galaxy leaving no part of it untouched.

"Continue to live in peace and harmony" was the last thing we said before everything faded to black.

The energy mist covered the earth as everybody watched it fall to the ground. When it was finished, everybody looked at one another confused. Their minds clouded as time turned back across the entire galaxy as those on far away alien worlds forgot the plea Sa'karra made and went about their lives as if nothing had happened. On earth however as Gannon turned back the clock and Valz altered their reality, save for a select few. Allowing the world to believe their weapon had worked and Destroyed what they had thought hand been a meteor.

---

Everybody watched as the stones floated softly and landed on the altars before they stopped glowing.

"What just happened?" Tiger asked.

"The mist wiped the fight against Darkstar from their memory as if it never happened" Crystal said. "It's made everyone think that the weapon destroyed Darkstar, save us."

"What about Sa'karra?" Theft asked.

"It scarified its life to seal away Darkstar forever" Skorp said softly.

"What do we do about Ultimus?" Anna said sadly.

They all looked at my body with broken hearts. Looking up, Greywolf saw the Light stone as it hovered over my body. It glowed brightly as it covered my body in a white glow.

"What's happening?" Greywolf asked.

"I don't know" Crystal said.

---

My eyes opened as I saw Sa'karra looking down at me.

"You have done well chosen one" it said in a deep voice.

"Thank you" I said sadly with my head down.

The dragon looked at me as it smiled.

"I will now give you a choice. You can go to people who loved you before" he said making a gesture with his hand showing me an image of my grandmother and Vicki. "Or with what is left of my power and life force, you can return to the people who love you now" he said showing another image of everybody I worked with. "The choice is yours, chosen one."

I looked at Vicki and my grandmother. I thought about how wonderful it would be if nothing ever happened and I still had Vicki and my grandmother. But if I did make that choice, I never would've met my mom, dad, Tasha, everybody that taught me that I wasn't alone in the world when something went wrong.

"I want...to go back where I belong" I said looking at him.

"Very well. You have done well, so I will grant your request Ultimus, the new guardian of the earth."

With a flick of his wrist, I started falling.

---

"What should we write on his tombstone?" Venom said before the Light stone started flashing, causing everyone to step back watching the Light stone bathe me in it's light.

My body lifted hovered in the air as the Light stone return inside my body. The wound in my heart healed as I floated back to the ground. I opened my eyes and gave a smile.

"Hey guys" I said kind of sheepishly.

Everybody was speechless until Tasha walked up and raised her hand to my chest. I grabbed her hand and pulled her close to me as she started crying, hugging me close.

"Let's go home" I said looking at everybody. "I'll explain everything when we get there about what happened."

They all nodded their heads in approval. I walked around and gathered the Power stones before Crystal teleported all of us home. When we got home, I explained everything to them, Darkstar, what Thanos said, and the life given back to me by Sa'karra.

"I guess Sa'karra considers you the new guardian of earth" Luna said.

"I guess it's not bad. I just hope the hours are good and the pay is nice" I said causing everybody to laugh.

We heard a loud popping sound catch out attentions as I saw Shadow-mane standing there popping the corks of some champagne bottles as Faleen smiled at us.

"Ultimus, you did it" Shadow-mane said with a laugh coming over and he gave me a hand shake and then pulled me into a firm hug. "Damn, I am not easily impressed."

Even in his anthro form, he was strong as I felt him crushing me in his hug.

"Yeah thanks" I said once he released and I caught my breath. "And thank you for the help you gave me Faleen."

"I've done some studying and found a way to seal Tyrant away, permanently. With the help of the Power stones, I can make a prison that will hold him forever" Faleen said happily.

"We also came to invite you guys to our world for a little rest and relaxation, which I know you guys could use right about now" Shadow added. "You won't need anything besides the clothes on your backs, we'll take care of everything else" he said.

"Sounds great" I said.

"How soon can we leave?" Greywolf said, his tail wagging non stop behind him.

"Whenever you're ready, just break this glass rod" Faleen said with a smile handing me the glass rod. "I'll come and pick you up. But for now, we must return. I await your call" she said with a smile.

"All of you listen to me. You are the champions of this world. From one champion to another, listen. The dangers you have faced were not small, but they are not over. There are demons, devil, and all sorts who would love to get their claws on those stones" he said and I sighed out just wanting to relax.

Faleen nodded "Yes. As you know they can be used for good and evil. Don't go looking for trouble, it will come to you. So enjoy what ever peace and quiet you have while it lasts" she said and smiled. "Now you should take the next few days to rest, relax and unwind before you are ready for your real vacation time" she giggled at me and in a puff of smoke they had vanished.

Crystal got up with Luna and Skorp as they headed for the door.

"I wish to thank you guys again for all the hard work you have done over the past year. I know it was a hard, tough journey but you guys prevailed. Thanks to you, the world is a safe place" Crystal said with a smile.

"Are you going to join us when we go?" I asked.

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world" he said before all 3 of them disappeared.

Everybody was quiet before I stood up and stretched.

"Well, I'm going to my favorite hide away to look at the stars. Catch you guys later."

"You're a hero Ultimus. Why not stay for a party?" Venom said.

"Tempting offer, but I'll have to pass. I need some serious time to unwind after all the hell I've gone through."

"Fine by me" my dad said. "More alcohol for me."

---

I sat on the cliff underneath the tree looking at the stars in the sky as the Northern Lights could be seen in all its glory. My thoughts returned to what Thanos said before his death. Who was this mystery guy he was talking about it? My train of thought was interrupted when I felt those familiar paws wrap around my chest as I gave a smile.

"Well hello there beautiful."

"Did you really turn down the offer to be with Vicki? This could've been your chance to return with her" Tasha asked.

I chuckled and looked into her eyes as the Northern Lights made her look so beautiful.

"Yeah, I could've of. But when I think about it, if Vicki didn't kill me for making that mistake, my grandmother would've."

She chuckled a little and gave me a soft kiss before resting her head under my chin.

"I bet I make every girl jealous."

"How so?" I asked.

"I'm married to the strongest person in the world" she said softly before drifting off to sleep.

I gave a slight chuckle before sighing and remembering what Thanos said. Who was this person he was talking about and why didn't Crystal know? Bah, more questions to think about. I laid down with Tasha in my arms. I gave her a kiss on the forehead causing her to murr lightly and lick my neck. Whoever this mystery person is, I'm pretty sure I'll be hearing from him soon.

---

"Thanos has failed" the flame said to the person concealed in the shadows.

"Do not worry my liege. My men will strike when the time is right" the shadow said.

"Do this for me and you will have anything your heart desires."

"Of course my liege, I will not fail you. I will bring Tyrant to you before she seals him away."

"And when I'm finally free of this void, I will rule supreme."

They both started laughing as it echoed around the empty building.