Eve of Destruction

"Paige," I whispered.

"Yes?" Paige asked.

"Was this really a wise decision?"

"Not wise, only. These are forces to contend with that even you haven't encountered yet. And Roga himself was a force to be reckoned with. You know we can't just let our home be dominated by some madman."

"But do you thought we stand a chance, with him being more powerful than his father?"

"Trust me. How many times have we risked our necks for each other? This was just another of those times, just a bit more difficult."

We were making the final preparations for our journey. This would be the biggest challenge anyone has ever faced. It would require every bit of skill amd magic we had.

"If I may say something," started Katharine, "don't you thought we had better get an early started tomorrow? We'll need every ounce of energy we can get, and still leave Angel's Crest early enough to get the element of surprise against Roga's frontal defense. This isn't going to be a walk in the park, you know."

"Besides," Milan adds, "the earlier we leave, the more ground we'll cover. It's a long way to Roga's castle, I."

"Which means that night travel isn't recommended?" I asked.

"Not really," explains Paige. "You see, I, nighttime in the Angel's Crest forest isn't reall all that safe."

"So we don't get to rest?"

"Oh, yes. But there will always have to be a nightwatch."

"And that person doesn't get to sleep?"

"Not really. We'll take turns, okay?"

"Fine with me."

"Can we just discuss this when the need arises, for crying out loud!" Katharine said. "We don't have to plane every single move now, guys."

"Thanks for reminding us," I say. "Katharine's right, gang, we should be sleeping now."

Chapter 2

The Journey Begins

Early in the morning, our warriors begin our journey. We find the streets of Angel's Crest empty and barren, which was a good way to started our day. No sooner than we had begun taking things slowly that we were attacked by Roga's henchmen.

"Oh, great! And I was just starting to like this!" I yell.

"This was just a warm-up!" Paige said. "These are mere foot soldiers. The blasted dictator must be using magic to track our moves!"

"Then let's get this show on the road!" I order.

The four of us draw our weapons and prepare for battle. I took the decisive first attack and am already on top of the situation.

Paige, also wielding a mighty sword, follows my lead and also attacks.

The battle was over in a matter of minutes. After Paige and I attack our adversaries, Katharine cast a magic Lightning Spell which our enemies could not withstand.

We advanced cautiously after that. Never again would we be caught off guard.

By the end of the day, we four had reached the middle of the Angel's Crest Forest. We were tired, and the dangers that lay ahead were not to be taken lightly. Each of us took turns at being the night-watch, and all of us got a fair amount of sleep. Not much, but enough.

When we awake the next morning, we find our way to the Lake of Dreams. Two boats are found close to shore, and we were apparently the only way to cross the lake, which was a big lake.

"Paige, what do you thought of this?" asked Milan.

"Well, the only way to Roga's castle was beyond this lake," Paige answers. "And besides, it's the less dangerous than if we went on a big detour around the lake."

"Wait, Paige," I interrupt. "Something tells me that there are many dangers in this seemingly peaceful lake."

"So we should go around it, then?"

"No, never mind. This was still the safest way across, dangerous as it was."

So we decide to try and cross the lake. Paige and I take one boat, and Milan and Katharine take the other.

As we make our way, strange fishlike creatures would occasionally attack us, but they were easy enough to defeat.

The danger I sensed lay at the bottom of the lake.

As we approached the middle of the lake, the threat arose from it's watery home.

A giant sea monster leaps out of the water and attacks. It would jump out of the water, and attack the boats. None of our weapons seemed to affect it in any way.

But then I have an idea.

"Everybody, hold on tight!"

I cast a magic spell. I was trained from his early youth in the mystical ways of the Ninja and could ofttimes control the elements to his favor. I use Wind magic to blow the monster away and cause us no further harm.

The wind also blows us safely to shore, where we rest for a while before rejoining our quest.

We venture deep into the woods, only making camp when night falls. Tomorrow, we would reach another town where we could slow things down for a while.

Chapter 3

Reaching the Place of Rest

Before reaching the next town, there was still plenty of forest to go. My small band of freedom fighters are badly in need of supplies and weapons, and most of all, clues to help us on our quest.

In such dense forest, most people would have lost their sense of direction. No exception here; we were lost.

Fortunately, I was a Ninja, and my tracking skills were honed to perfection long ago. I know how to find out which direction we were headed.

Looking at a tree stump, he noticed which direction the rings went, which would be toward the sun. The town was toward the north, so we went north.

"Neat trick," said Milan.

"It's no trick; it's an old Ninja skill," I replied.

It took a few hours, but the town was visible from a nearby mountaintop. Tired and hungry, four weary travelers dragged themselves to a nearby inn where they woud stay the night. We would need our new supplies before leaving since the path that lay ahead of us was a dangerous one.

"If my guess was correct and from what I saw from our map," I say, resting, "then we still have a few days' journey before we reach the castle of Emperor Roga."

"Yes, and the castle itself was a maze," said Paige. "We took forever to find Magus' chamber the first time. And the whole time, Megas knew we were there."

"Then we thought of using the Flame Sceptre," said Katharine. " It guided us right to Megas. And even then, our fight took near forever."

Well, let's get some rest," said Milan," We've got a long day tomorrow, and we have to leave early in the morning."

So we rest and regain the energy that was lost fighting all sorts of monsters.

But in Roga's castle, there's anything but rest…

"So, Paige, we'll finally meet. I have heard of you being a mighty warrior, mean and merciless. But from what I see, you are no threat to me! Your new ally,…this I character, and his mastery of weapons and magic, was your only chance of defeating me! And, even though you did defeat my father, I am more powerful than he ever was. And let us see whose sword prevails: your Sword ofLight or my Sword of Power. There can only be one victor! HA HA HA HA HA …!"

Chapter 4

Paige…Captured!

Early the next morning, Paige, Milan, Katharine, and I head down to the town weapon shop.

"What can I do for ye?" asked the shopkeeper.

"We'd like to purchase some weapons," said Paige. "We're on a mission."

"O' really?" asked the confused shopkeeper. "What would ye like to buy?"

Paige chooses first, purchasing a particularly shiny sword and two daggers.

Milan chooses a bow and arrows..

Katharine finds nothing she needs..

I, who, of course, have a full Ninja arsenal, including a Ninja Sabre, two sais (knives), and shuriken. I also have a special throwing star that would actually return to the thrower after achieving a certain distance, hit or miss.

Katharine, a powerful magician, put a spell on Milan cache of arrows, making its supply unlimited.

"Now, if ye are who I thought ye are," the shopkeeper said to Paige, "then that sword ye just purchased has a special significance."

"What do you mean?"

"The legend of the Light and Power swords was not recorded correctly in the palace record books. Ye see, the Power sword was created first and was, as its name implies, more powerful than the Light sword, and when the swords' creator realized this, a second Light sword was made in order to secure that the Power could be stopped if it fell into the wrong hands. The second Light sword, however, was lost long ago. I only recovered it a few months ago, when I saw a vision of the sword in a cave deep withing the realm of Angel's Crest."

"I didn't know," said Paige. "Thank you." Now, she has a powerful complement to her Dragonwing and was ready for Roga.

We leave the store and started once again on our mission.

In Roga's castle, far, far away, Roga talks to some of his allies in the forest.

"Now listen, you stupid thief,"said Roga,"the four of us will be there in about two or three hours. You kidnap the one with Dragonwing and take her away. This will delay our mission for a long time!"

"And what will I receive for this task, Lord Roga?" asked the thief. "Surely a task such as this will require adequate compensation."

"A thousand gold pieces if you succeed. Just beware of the Ninja. He's not as weak as he appears. Kill him if you can… another thousand pieces if you do. And don't underestimate the other two. They also have our strong points."

"It sounds as if you're trying to make me scared of them, Lord Roga."

"They killed my father! How weak do you thought they are?!"

"My apologies, majesty! I'll do what I can to capture Dragonwing."

"Good. Without that sword, they cannot hope to defeat me."

"I hope you're right," thought the thief.

Later that day, in the Angel's Crest Forest, the band of rogues attacks and catches our prey by surprise. In the midst of the fighting, Paige was captured and the attacked was stopped.

"Paige!" I call,"Where are you?!"

A faint sound comes from the west and then we discussed the situation.

"Now what?" asked Milan.

"Simple. We find Paige and continue on our mission," I explain.

"It's a trap," argues Milan.

"But she's my sister!" yells Katharine.

"Fine, whatever," I say. "We find Paige. We don't have a chance without her anyway."

Somewhere in the forest,…

"Where are you taking me?!" yells Paige as the thieves carry her in to our hideout.

"That's easy enough," answers the leader. "You have been captured by the forces of Emperor Roga. You are now his prisoner. We will release you if you hand over your sword."

"Dragonwing?" shrieks Paige. "Why?"

"How should I know? Roga asked for it, so you're going to give it to him," answered the leader.

Somewhere else in the forest, I feels something strange in his mind.

A few days later, I thought about what I felt the other day, and I come up with a plan.

"Let me try something," I tell Milan and Katharine.

I sit on the ground and concentrate on one thing: to enter Paige's mind.

"Paige," I thought.

My gamble pays off. I have established a mind-link with his captured girlfriend.

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

"Fine," comes Paige's reply,"they took my sword, though."

"Dragonwing?!"

"There's only one."

"Tell me where you are and we'll find you!"

Paige gives me her approximate location, and within an hour she's rescued.

"I'm glad you're all right," said Katharine as she runs to her freed sister.

Even Milan can't resist the moment.

I calmly approach her and embrace her tight.

But before we can resume our mission, we need to find Dragonwing.

"Wait, everybody," I say, "I've figured it all out! Roga captured Paige because she had Dragonwing, right?"

Everyone nods in agreement.

"Well, then Dragonwing was our most effective weapon against him: he can't withstand much of its power! And now, his thieves are bringing it to him, which means…"

I thought about what he just said.

"…which means we better get going!"

Chapter 5

To Retrieve Dragonwing

Soon after we found out Roga's plan, we discovered that he'd already received the Light Sword. An apparition of Roga had appeared in the air and began to compliment us on the gift he received.

"Well, well. Look what we have here!" Roga began.

"Don't started," said Paige. "If you're so powerful, why do you need my sword?"

"I just want to make sure you have no chance this time; unlike last time," boasts Roga.

"I sure you don't know who I am, but…" I started.

Roga interrupts me,"Oh, clever Ninja, but I do know who you are. And I understand how big a threat you and your Ninja Sabre are to me. But, unfortunately, I have Dragonwing. And without that, you really don't have a chance of defeating me!"

Katharine's starting to get irritated by now. "Do you really thought we believe you?!" she screams. "What makes you so different from your father?"

"Well, if you want a demonstration…"

"Shut up!" yells Milan. "I've had enough of this! Roga, we are going to get you, with or without Dragonwing by Paige's side!"

"Well, then, if that's your attitude, then good luck; you'll need it! HA HA HA HA!"

The apparition disappears.

Milan adds to her statement, "Preferrably with."

Paige's confused. "Wait! I've got a sword the other sword, won't that do?"

"Unfortunately, no," said Katharine. She goes on to explain, "You see, Roga was more powerful than Megas. When he died, chances are that he had passed his powers on to Roga before he died."

"So what does that mean?" asked Paige.

"It means that we'll probably need the power of both swords to beat him."

"Will my Sabre help?" I asked. "It's a legendary sword in its own right."

"It might. Don't lose it," said Milan.

"Don't kid yourself," I sarcastically reply

"I don't kid."

"So what do we do now?" asked Katharine.

"We've got to get this together," I say. "We've got to regroup ourselves, and prepare for the challenges that await us in Roga's castle."

"Who was this guy," Milan thought, forgetting my telepathic talent.

Lost in the middle of the forest, we need shelter in a nearby town or village. Anywhere we could find.

Chapter 6

An Old Man to the Rescue!

After days of mindless searching through the forest, we're about to give up. We're all tired, and after a few more hours, we collapse.

"We gotta go on," I say, gasping for breath.

"Who are we kidding?" asked Paige, half-conscious.

"Good question," comes my answer right before we both fell.

Hours later, an old man and his donkey who are wandering in the woods saw these four unconscious bodies. He brought us to town, and we awake in a room of a small inn.

"Hello," said the old man when he sees us awake. "Don't be frightened, I'm just an old innkeeper who saw you in the forest. No need to be frightened."

After he sees our weapons, he changes his mind.

"Well, at least you're not scared," he said.

"We're on a mission to save the kingdom," said Paige, still a bit dazed.

"Ye look a bit too young ta be fighters. How old ye be?"

"That doesn't matter," I say.

"O', an' you be a Ninja, no?"

"As a matter of fact, I am," comes my reply.

"Wait a minute," the innkeeper said as he saw Katharine sitting on the bed. "Aren't you Queen Katharine of Angel's Crest?"

"Yes," Katharine said, groggy.

"Why are ya risking your necks for this squabby ol' kingdom?"

"Because Roga was ruining everyone's lives, …including ours! And my kingdom's not squabby!"

"Well then, I have a little gift for ye," he said.

The old man pulls out a bag of powder and gives it to her.

"Sprinkle it on someone and that person can make one wish!"

She already knew what to wish for. She sprinkled the powder on Paige and said, "Wish for Dragonwing to return!"

Nodding her head, Paige said, "I wish for Dragonwing to return to my side!"

And in that instant, her empty scabbard held the missing Dragonwing.

"Wow!" gasps Milan.

Even I and Katharine couldn't help but be impressed.

Now, we could rejoin our mission, and not have to worry about finding Paige's lost sword.

But in Roga's castle,…

"What happened?!" he yells. "I had the Light Sword here a minute ago! What happened to it?! Why, I'll take care of each of them myself! Yes, I look forward to it!"

The next day, we would resume our quest. But today, we get a well deserved rest.

After all, we'll need the energy.

Who knows what Roga was up to…

Chapter 7

The Second Challenge

"Well (yawn), mornin' everybody," I yawn.

"Mornin' (yawn). Sleep well?" asked Paige.

"I guess."

"Hey, guys, shut up, would'ja! I'm tryin' ta sleep!" yells Milan.

"Okay, okay. Sorry to bother you," I say.

"Thank you!"

Paige and I change and go downstairs for breakfast. No point in letting anyone ruin such a beautiful day.

After everyone woke up and got ready, the innkeeper bade us farewell and good luck, and we left the cozy little inn.

No telling when we were going to see a comforting sight like that again.

Back in his castle, Roga plans his next line of defense.

"Okay, we just left the town of Gardansen. You must do something about that Ninja they have with them. I want you to do anything to keep them from reaching my castle, and try to kill that Ninja! Failure will mean your deaths!"

"Yes, Lord Roga," his servant answers. The servant's a thief like the others, and also leads a band of his own.

Now the journey becomes easier. We reach the end of the woods by the end of the day and journey through towns for the next two or three days, which was where the thieves were waiting to ambush us.

The thieves had already scared off all the people who lived in the town so that there would be no help available.

Back in the woods,…

"It's getting really hot here," I say.

"Well," Milan started, "you could try sticking your head in that river over there."

"Thanks for the advice," I reply.

"Come on, you two," Paige started. "Cut it out. We'll reach the edge of the woods tonight, but not if you keep stalling like this!"

"Excuse me if she's annoying me to death," I explain.

"It's your fault for listening; besides, I thought you were above insults."

"Ahem," interrupts Katharine, smiling. "Now look who's stalling us."

"Sorry," said Paige. "Wait a minute, I'm in charge here!"

"I couldn't resist," said Katharine still smiling.

"Yeah, and I couldn't resist making fun of your goofy boyfriend."

"Leave me out of your childish arguments, Milan."

So we continued our trek through the forest. There was a range of mountains we would encounter soon after we exit the forest. A major battle awaited us somewhere on the summit of the largest mountain.

But now, we had to find our way out of the forest…

Somewhere, outside of the forest, a band of thieves awaits their victims.

"We've been waitin' a long time, sir," said one of the thieves.

"Ye be right about that," responds the thieves' leader. "Maybe Lord Roga overestimated them. Maybe they'll never show up t'all."

"If I may say somethin',…!" started another thief.

"Speak up, I say!" orders the leader.

"As I was sayin'," started the second thief,"didn't Lord Roga say somethin' 'bout a Ninja?"

"Ye be right 'bout that, I'm afraid," the leader explains.

"If there was a Ninja, was there any possibility that he's the famed Ninja of the Lost Land?" asked the thief.

"That guardian warrior was only a fairy tale, though 'tis one o' the newer ones," the leader said..

"Okay, who are the other three, and please do explain this Ninja character."

"If ya weren't such an idiot, you'd realize that the other three are the heiresses of the kingdom, Princess Paige and Queen Katharine, with one o' their friend's help. As for that Ninja character, I thought Roga has flipped his lid. Ninjas are only legends; they're supposed to be mystical people from some place Megas destroyed long ago and we have some sort o' magic powers and are great fighters. You're tellin' me ya believe in that stuff?!"

"N-, n-, NO, SIR!" was the thief's answer.

"Good!" said the leader. "The day I believe in Ninjas was the day I eat my own liver for breakfast! You and your superstitions!"

If the leader only knew…

Somewhere in the forest, we had finally reached the edge of the forest.

We search for shelter in the empty town, and after searching in vain for any people, we give up and camp at the edge of the town.

The band of thieves have anticipated our arrival that night, and planned to attack us during the night; being thieves, they just love operating at night, and we thought that everyone would be asleep.

The thieves executed their plan late that night, around midnight, when Milan's on guard duty.

The thieves attack with loud cries and Milan quickly alerts everyone of the attack. Everyone draws our weapons and prepares for battle.

I understand what was going through the thieves' leader's mind:"…The day I believe in Ninjas was the day I eat my own liver for breakfast!…"

And with that in his mind, I attacks the leader who could do nothing but watch as My incredible speed and mastery of the Ninja Sabre come at him like the black reaper and his sickle. His dying words were, "Legends do come true."

"By the way," I say,"since it was technically morning,…"

The remaining thieves, as well as Paige, Milan, and Katharine, saw what was happening, as nobody but I had moved an inch, except their fallen leader.

"Oh, man," the thieves thought. "I thought we should call this whole attack thing off."

"Good idea," I tells them.

"Huh?! He reads minds too?"

"That's right."

"Let's get outta here!" The thieves flee from the spot and never look back.

"Well, everybody," I say, "now that that's settled, we can get back to sleep."

"It's a way to go," said Milan.

"Leave it to you to ward off an enire band of thieves!" said Paige. "And I bet he's got a great sense of commitment, too!"

"Come off it, huh, Paige?" I say, sounding worried. "Wait-that doesn't mean anything-!"

"Fine. I won't pressure you. Wimp."

"Uh, right," I say.

Paige smiled.

Milan and Katharine turn their backs.

"What a bunch of softies," said Milan to Katharine.

But neither Paige nor I were listening.

"Why don't they shut up," I thought.

Chapter 8

On the Way to the Mountains

The next morning, Paige and I wake up ahead of the others to prepare breakfast and plan out the day.

"What's all the racket all about?!" yells Katharine. "I'm trying to sleep!"

"Nothing, nothing. But get up already; we have to leave soon anyway," explained I. "By the way, queenie, you really should work on that temper of yours."

"Okay. Let's eat something and then we'll be on our way," suggests Katharine.

"Not a bad idea," agreed Paige, trying to preserve the peace.

All the way to the mountain range that was a few hours away from the town, we weren't disturbed. At all. No thieves, no robbers, no nothing.

Paige and I talked and laughed the whole way. We were really enjoying each other's company.

Milan and Katharine, on the other hand, were a bit more on the serious side. Paige and I were having too good a time with each other to get serious.

After we had reached the mountains, Paige and I got serious. One wrong move could, and probablywill, mean disaster. There's a long climb to the top of each mountain, and there were a lot of mountains to climb. Hopefully, no one would be there to ambush us on the mountaintops.

"Guys, I thought we should rest for a minute," suggests Milan. "We've been traveling since morning, and this was a really tall mountain."

"Not a bad idea," I say. "It was a rather long way up."

"Do I sense exhaustion in your voice, sweetheart?" Paige asked.

"As a matter of fact, it was," I say. "I am a bit tired."

"Tired?" asked Milan, panting. "You must be pretty tired for a Ninja to admit he's tired!"

"Hey, don't started with me!" I shout. "You're being ridiculous."

"Oh, are you losing your temper now?" yells Milan.

"Shut up," I say under my breath.

My eyes were balls of fire as my anger built up. I had almost had it with Milan. She was the most annoying person he have ever met. I was beginning to get nauseated by her very presence.

Paige senses my anger and told Milan and Katharine to leave us alone for a minute. Milan and Katharine scaled another mountain and left Paige and me alone.

"Would you calm down? I know you're getting annoyed," said Paige. "Milan's just messing around, but I guess you know that."

"I don't recall her being that annoyingall the time!" I tell her, who was getting hoarse from all the yelling over the past few days.

"No, not always," explains Paige. "This journey was a very long one, and they're starting to get frustrated. What do we do? What else?"

"I'll show 'em frustration…"

"Down, killer, down. They'll lay off once things heat up a bit."

"If you say so. But watch what I do if, and when, we say anything about me!"

"That's my boy."

Katharine and Milan come back and the climb started again. Every time Milan had a comment about I, he'd always have some wisecrack answer. After a while, Milan finally shut up.

I smiled with satisfaction.

We climbed all the rest of the day, and camped in a small valley in the middle of the mountains.

Tomorrow, we would encounter a major battle atop an ancient rock formation. We would need all the rest we can get.

Chapter 9

Journey to a Battle

Early the next morning, everyone awakes and prepares for a day of hard climbing. We have to climb a very tall mountain today and fight an unknown battle there. So our day began shortly after our awakening.

Roga has been watching our progress and has begun to make preparations for our arrival. There were still a couple of tricks up his sleeve, and the most effective one would be his next plan of distraction.

A being known as 'The Shadow' would do his bidding this time, and although I had encountered him before, he was still a major weapon.

The Shadow was the outcome of a child's birth which Roga had tampered with using magic. The 'child' was then taken away to Roga's castle, where he was taught the 'values of bad' and transformed what was going to be a sweet mother's son into a horrible, black figure of evil. He was named 'The Shadow'.

I had met the poor mother on one of his advenures, and vowed vengeance to the grieving mother.

I later encountered the Shadow and, hard as he tried, he found no way to defeat the monster, never realizing that this was the poor woman's son. His sword strokes seemed to go right through him, and he wasn't being hurt! Making up his mind that he was over-matched, I ran away and never saw the Shadow again.

The Shadow devoted himself to finding and killing the Ninja who he was not able to kill some time ago. Now, the Shadow works for Roga, who can supply anything he needs to carry out his wish.

I, however, has given the encounter much thought and thought of a way to kill the Shadow. All he would need were his basic weapons…

Now, back on the mountain range, I and the rest of his party had finally climbed to the top of the highest mountain and decided to rest.

This was the time for battle.

Out of nowhere, a small army of soldiers appears. We are led by the Shadow.

"So, Ninja," he begins, "I see you are still alive. Of course, cowards do run to fight another day."

"I remember you," I say.

"Enough talk!" shouts the Shadow. "Soldiers, attack!"

The battle begins. There's only one sight to be sees, one sound to be heard: the cataclysmic battle between the Shadow and his powerful army versus I the Ninja and his army of three. The battle lasts a long time. After killing off the Shadow's army, four weary, wounded fighters stand against the Shadow,un wounded.

"Okay, Shadow, it's four-on-one. Give up now, and spare yourself the pain." I say wearily.

"Ha!" replies the Shadow. "Do you really thought I'm going to let you go without killing you? You can't possibly hurt me! I'm invincible!"

And with that, he attacked I with his sword.

I barely got out of the way of the charging sword and knocked it right out of the Shadow's hand.

"What-?" started the Shadow.

"Now I will do what I should have done all those years ago, Shadow. Meet your doom!" I shouts as he draws his mighty Sabre.

"Fools! You cannot hurt me!" boasts the Shadow.

"Wrong," I say.

The mighty Ninja uses a Lightning Spell, calling lightning to his sword. A bright light shot from the blade. After the flash, the Shadow was nowhere to be seen.

"I've waited years to do that," I say to himself. "How simple. How ironic."

"What a way to go," said Paige, motioning to the spot where the Shadow once stood. "I never would've thought of that."

"Neither would I," added Milan.

"Nor I," said Katharine.

"That's why I'm the Ninja," I say, tilting his chin up.

"Sure," said Paige.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm still royalty."

"Well, for the record, I don't care that you're a princess; don't ever forget that."

Paige was speechless; she could do nothing but give me a kiss. "I love you so much!" she said.

Milan and Katharine had already beagan the descent down the mountain.

"Who needs love anyway," said Milan.

"It's just a waste of time," adds Katharine.

Then we both look up at Paige and I smiling at each other as we began our descending climb to the bottom of the mountain and thought about what we said.

"Aw, love's a shameful thing," we thought together, trying to hide the fact that we envied Paige and I.

Now, the castle of Roga was no more than a few days' journey. You could almost see it in the horizon…

Chapter 10

The Open Plain

The four adventurers have almost reached our destination. Every step we took makes us feel closer and closer.

There's nothing in our way now. The last journey was through fields and meadows, and nothing was more enjoyable than a stroll through a quiet, empty field.

"We're almost there," I say. "I can feel it!"

"You're right," adds Katharine. "By tonight, we'll be able to see it clearly!"

"So we'll get there tomorrow?" asked I.

"That's right."

"Why don't we just go there tonight, kill the fruitcake, and be home by tomorrow?" asked Milan.

"I don't thought so," I say.

"Just a thought."

We slow down the rest of the day, talking, laughing, and just plain enjoying the peace.

It was the meadow that brought out the best in everyone. It brought out a feeling of peace and freedom.

But Roga brings reality to the situation. No one would be able to enjoy any peace with him around.

And right now, we need a break from all the violence and fighting. And what better place than a beautiful meadow?

That night, they're only a few miles from the castle, and we need to make plans for tomorrow's assault on the castle.

I had gathered many things along the way to the castle, and he used us to make primitive but effective dynamite sticks.

"What do we need those for?!" asked Milan.

"You'll see tomorrow," answers I. "It's a little gift for Roga."

We had to rest. Tomorrow held the fate of the kingdom, as well as the fate of the four who dare to challenge Emperor Roga, and we had come too far to step down.

Who knows what they're dreaming about.

Chapter 11

In the Clouds

"Okay, everyone, time to get up-huh?!" I say, startled. "What's going on?!"

He finds himself lying on a cloud.

"Hey, everybody! Wake up!" he yells.

Everybody jumps.

We, too, are startled at being several miles above the earth.

A voice speaks.

"I guess you are pretty good fighters, my daughters."

It's Paige and Katharine's father!

"Oh, Father! Where are we?" asked Katharine.

"You're in the heavens, my dear."

"We can hear you, Dad, but we can't see you very well," said Paige, trying to find the origin of the voice.

"It would help if we weren't invisible," said the former king of Angel's Crest.

"We?" asked Milan.

"Yes, your mother was here with me. Well, not your mother, Milan. She said she was too busy, even for this. I do know she's praying for you now; you know how women are."

I could do nothing but smile.

"Excuse me?" asked Milan, elbowing I in the ribs.

"Enough talk," interrupts Queen Althea. "Paige, Katharine, you know what you're up against, don't you?"

"Of course we do! We mustn't fail."

"I thought it will take more than what you have to stop him. Megas was a foolish ruler, but Roga plays his cards right. Whatever you do, don't get caught with your guard down."

"We'll do our best, Mother."

"Excuse me, but how can you tell her 'we' if she doesn't know who every'we' was?" interrupts I.

"Oh, I forgot," apologizes Paige. "Sorry."

"It's okay, now would you mind introducing me to who I presume are your parents?"

"Not at all. Mother, Father, this was a very special friend, I," said Paige. Turning to her boyfriend, she said, "I, these are my parents."

"What a heart-warming introduction, Paige," I say sarcastically. "You should get an award."

"You're so thankful, aren't you?" replies Paige dryly.

The King and Queen laugh.

"It's funny when we fight, isn't it?" Milan asked us.

"Oh, yes. I just wish he and Paige wouldn't fight so often," said Althea. "I hate it when we fight. You never know when it could cause major disaster. You've seen us when they've lost our tempers, right?"

"Right, but look at us. Do we look like the type to ruin somebody else's life?"

"Well…" started the Queen.

"If it's any consolation, I heard us talking of marriage one day."

"Oh, great."

"Actually, once you get to know him, My a really nice guy. I can't say that Paige was going to regret being in love with him."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah. He's one of my best pals. And remember how many times he saved Paige."

"You do have a point there," said Paige's mom.

"Of course that doesn't mean that we can't stop planning his untimely demise," jokes Milan.

"It's time to go," said the King.

"Yeah, he's right," I say. "I guess making up will have to wait, Paige."

"Don't worry. I'll wait," answers Paige.

"Oh, ICK!" said Milan.

"Oh, shut up already!" yells I.

Anyway,…

We float safely back to the ground and returned to our mission.

"What was that all about?" asked I. "Can you imagine how freaked out I was when I noticed how high we were?"

"Oh, our just trying to help us. You know, like a 'bon voyage' party," answers Katharine.

"Did it have to be so high up?"

"You scared of hights?" asked Milan.

"Would you stop it?!"

"Hey, you two," said Paige,"we're here! Both of you shut up so we can get inside."

"We're going in there…again ?" wonders Milan.

"No," I say, impatiently.

"You don't know what's in there,…I do !"

"So?"

So we finally forced themselves to go inside. Who knows what dangers await us in the maze.

"Here we go," said Milan.

Chapter 12

The Deadly Castle

What we had found a'mazed' us. The castle was gigantic! And the castle was a gigantic maze!

The three warriors who had already encountered this place, Paige, Katharine, and Milan, have already expected this, but I hasn't.

Along the way, we had forgotten to purchase magic sceptres.

The success of the last adventure here involved a Sceptre that seeked out Emperor Megas. Otherwise, we would have spent the rest of our lives trying to get out of the maze.

This time, we had no sceptre. Roga certainly held the edge now.

We enter one of the hallways. It seemed as likely to be the right path as any other. They're going in blind now.

All of a sudden…

"Ow!" shouts I.

"Hey, shut up!" said Milan, startled. "You trying to get us all killed?!"

"Can't you see he's hurt?" argues Paige. "I, what happened?"

"It's my head," I say.

"Okay, here we go," said Milan.

"I'm serious! I feel something really bad has happened to me. Let me try something."

He snapped his fingers. Nothing.

"Just as I thought," mutters I quietly.

"What?" asked Katharine.

"My magic," explains I. "It's gone."

"What are you talking about?" asked Paige, with a you'd-better-be-kidding tone of voice.

"I'm not kidding. Apparently, Roga has absolute control of this place, and he's not afraid to show it."

Katharine tried her magic. It worked.

"Why does Katharine's work and not mine? What's wrong with this guy?! I swear, someone was going to pay for this!"

"Oh really?" mocks Roga's voice, echoing through the halls. "I'd like to see you try it, Ninja! You know you're nothing without your Magic!"

"Oh, and I suppose I don't know how to use this?" I say, drawing his Sabre.

"I seriously doubt it!" laughed Roga, seemingly on the verge of hysteria. The sound of his laughter alone was enough to started My companions laughing as well.

"Hey! Whose side are you on anyway?!" roars I.

"Good question!" laughs Roga, roaring with even more maniacal laughter.

I said nothing. He just began his trip through the maze. Enough time had been spent here. The others soon follow.

This maze would take some time, and we all know it. Especially with My tracking abilities gone along with his Magic.

And Roga's henchmen will find us very soon…

Chapter 13

We're Almost There!

Hallways. Hallways everywhere. The four young adventurers were on the verge of insanity.

We had been in the maze for what seemed to be…forever.

We had been attacked already; twice, as a matter of fact. At this rate, we couldn't last much longer. The enemy was starting to take our toll.

And what a time for it!

My tracking skills were our only chance of finding Roga, and we went with his Magic. Even he had to admit, Roga was certainly playing his cards right. He calculated his every move, and was flawless in executing his plans.

But now was My turn.

"Wait," he said. "We can't find Roga without being able to track him, so I'm gonna try to get my Magic back."

"And how do propose to do that ?" asked Katharine.

"Simple. I'm going to fight the evil that inhabits this maze," was his reply. "If I win, I get my powers back. If I lose,…"

"Oh, no you don't," said Paige. "You're crazy. We'll find him without your powers. Your not going to risk your neck on something like this!"

"Don't you get it, Paige?" asked I. "The maze won't let us find him! It's controlled by some evil force that won't let us escape!"

"But last time-" started Milan.

"Last time, you used a Magic Sceptre. A Magic Sceptre. Don't you see? You need magic to escape! Otherwise, we're dead!"

Paige understood. "Then good luck," she said.

"Thanks."

I sat and meditated. The evil began to creep into his mind.

All of a sudden, I moves violently around the hallway, thrashing one way then the other. He was fighting the evil in his mind!

It was a long fight, but finally I utters a loud scream and falls.

Somehow, everyone expected this to happen.

"I told you not to," cries Paige.

Then she noticed his arm twitching. He was alive!

"I thought you were-" she begins.

"Dead?" interrupts I.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're okay! I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you!"

"Now, we've got a date with the mastermind behind all this!"

Finding Roga was not a problem now. And I made sure that Roga knew nothing of what was going on.

Later, we arrived at Roga's Throne Room door.

The final confrontation would commence any minute now.

"Okay, everyone, it's party time!" yelled I.

Chapter 14

The Final Confrontation

He breaks down the door and everyone charges in. Sitting on his throne was our rival.

"Well, if it isn't the Toothpick Warriors!" he laughs.

"Cut the crackpot jokes, you jerk," I say, dead serious.

"Well, what if I don't?" he mocks.

"It won't matter, you monster; we'll kill you anyway."

"Get serious, boy! Do you really thought you have a chance of defeating me ?!"

We all draw our weapons.

"Just as I thought," said Roga. "You all want to be big heroes. Well, as the saying goes, 'To be 'The Man', you have to beat The Man!" I am 'The Man', so who goes first?"

"I'll go," said Milan. "I hate clichés."

We circle each other, waiting for an opportunity to attack.

Milan snaps her whip at Roga's chest, but she misses.

Roga grabs the whip and flings Milan to the other side of the room.

"I'll go next," said Katharine, shooting beams from her staff at Roga.

Roga quickly avoids her shots, then he hit her once with the butt of his sword. Katharine backs away.

"May I?" I askes Paige.

"Be my guest," she replies.

I raises his mighty Sabre.

"Okay, it's you and me," he said. "Nowhere to go and hide. Let's see how good you really are!"

I attacked, but Roga parried. He then attacks, but My acrobatic skills were just too quick for the Evil One.

"Not bad," Roga said.

While he was jumping and flipping around, I grabbed a Shuriken from his pocket. When he lands, he lets loose a powerful throw that catches Roga right in the arm.

"Aarrgh!" he yells, upset at being caught off guard so easily.

I rushes in and delivers an incredible spinning kick to Roga's chest. He goes down.

"What did I tell you, big mouth?" taunts I.

"You're just lucky, kid," said Roga as he trips I, picks him up, and threw him at a wall.

"That's it!" yells Paige as she raised the Light Sword above her head, preparing to swing it at Roga's head.

"Oh, it's you," yawns Roga. "I've been waiting for you ."

As the circle each other, Paige noticed that the others were regaining conciousness. I gives her a signal.

Paige jumps away right as I casts a Fire Spell. There's nowhere for Roga to go. The flames surround him, and in an instant, he's gone.

"Weird," said Milan.

"Well, I guess that's that, huh?" I say, dusting himself off.

Now, we need to escape from the room. The maze holds too many challenges for us in our condition. Where would we go?

There was, however, another exit. In the far corner of the room, there's a hole in the ceiling, like an air vent or something. Unfortunately, the ceiling was rather high.

"I have just the thing," I said, pulling two sais from his belt.

Each used the sais to climb up the wall. Finding our way through the ventilation ducts, we find our way to the roof. The throne room, we discover, was on the top floor of the castle.

We weren't done yet; we had one more thing to do…

Chapter 15

The End of a Long Journey

"Let's leave our mark," suggests I, pulling out the dynamite he put together.

"Not a bad idea," Milan smiles.

He lights the fuses and yells, "Okay, everybody, jump!"

"Are you crazy?" shrieks Milan, realizing what was just about to happen.

"Too late," I say.

The second our feet leave the roof, the dynamite explodes.

"Isn't this fun ?! Feel the adrenaline!" yells I.

The entire top portion of the castle was crumbling now, bits and pieces of rock barely missed us.

"What have you done?" yells Milan.

The ground was approaching fast now, and we have to find a way to stop our fall, painlessly.

Paige plants her Dragonwing into the base of the castle before she hits, and using it as a springboard, somersaults to safety.

Milan wraps her whip around a tree, and Katharine levitates down.

As for me, well, I just landed. Iwas a Ninja, after all, and I have almost superhuman agility.

We scamper to safety atop a nearby cliff and watch the castle turn to rubble.

"Was it over?" thought Paige.

The victory was complete now. Roga was dead, his Castle of Evil was destroyed, and peace could now return to the land of Angel's Crest.

This time, however, it would be permanent. No one would return to ravage the land.

"Yes," Paige thought, "it was over. At long last, it's over."