Aaaand here we are, folks...

THE END!

Info-ish things:
"Talking"
'Thinking'
/Bitbeast speaking/
Scene split: 0x0x0x0
Beginning/End: -x-x-x-x-

-x-x-x-x-
Chapter Ten:
The Final Battle

Hilary bit her lip nervously as the group quietly and quickly made their way through the secret passage way. True, they were making little to no noise, but they were up against someone who had just destroyed the entire world in under ten minutes. Who was to say he didn't know they were there and was planning a trap or ambush?

She jumped slightly when a hand was placed on her shoulder; she turned to find Kai looking at her and she was startled to see muddled emotions buried in his gaze. Then she recalled that the way to revive Kai completely was here somewhere; perhaps it was already working? Her shoulder was given a gentle squeeze before the teen returned to merely hovering protectively. The brunette frowned, wondering why they had come to a halt and approached the quietly arguing Tyson and Rei.

"Guys?" She whispered softly.

"I want to go that way and Rei wants to go that way." Tyson growled quietly, jabbing a finger in the respective direction. Mariah's pendant began to glow before it pointed the way Tyson wanted to go. "I guess that settles it." The blue haired teen grinned smugly; Kai, who had seemingly gained some of his personality back, glared at the teen, who gulped and hurriedly suggested that they move on. The group did and found themselves in the heart of the castle of the UnderWorld. They were now in the middle of a hallway with no hiding places and a group of somethings were coming from one direction.

"Run for it!" Rei hissed quietly before grabbing Mariah's hand and taking off in the opposite direction. The others hurriedly followed and kept running until they were well out of earshot of whatever had been coming. The group found themselves in a room, isolated from other areas and all sank down for a moment to catch their breath. That was when the guards burst forth from behind tapestries, wardrobes and other fixtures; the group backed into a corner, trying not to be impaled on their spears.

0x0x0x0

All were thrown roughly to the ground at the foot of the dais that held the throne Taka currently sat upon. Said evil dictator/world destroyer leered down at them.

"This is where it ends for you "heroes"." He put a world of scorn into the last word. "Here's another of your friends..."

The guards dragged in a shackled Brooklyn as he laughed; the looks on all their faces were too good not to. Hilary smothered a gasp; Brooklyn's eyes showed no emotion and it was apparent that he had been broken.

"Alright, brat." Taka stood and kicked Brooklyn to accompany his words; said redhead didn't flinch but his emotionless eyes now rested on his attacker. "Destroy them."

Brooklyn turned obediently, his power beginning to swirl around him threateningly; the group on the floor, save Kai, froze. Said Russian only comprehended that whatever was going on was a danger to Hilary, so he flung himself at Brooklyn; the other boy merely raised a hand. The dark aura surrounding him pierced Kai through the stomach as Hilary screamed. No blood came from Kai's body as it hit the ground and his eyes were wide open.

"Now the others." Taka commanded impatiently, drumming his fingers agitatedly on the armrest of the throne. Brooklyn's gaze turned to them but his eyes rolled up into the back of his head and he collapsed. His aura swirled around Kai, who was slowly getting up off the floor; there was no mark on him from the aura's previous encounter with his body.

A bar of black energy formed in his right hand as he stood up completely; it solidified to become a black sword that seemed to glow with a blood red light. Taka's eyes widened but that was the only reaction he had time for before Kai ran him through. There was complete silence as Kai removed the sword from Taka and the throne; everyone's eyes widened when Kai faced them.

His eyes were cold and they could tell just to look at them that he intended to do away with them as he had Taka. The thing that struck Hilary as Kai drew closer to her (for it seemed she was to be the first to go) was that he was no longer in suspended animation.

"And now...you die." Kai stated in a soft, malevolent voice as he raised the sword. Hilary stared up at him, silent tears streaming down her numb cheeks.

"K-Kai...don't do it!" Tyson pleaded but the sword began it's descent.

"Stop!" Cried a familiar voice; a just as familiar visage appeared behind a barred window on the left side of the room.

A snarl erupted from what everyone had assumed to be Taka's corpse; a black vortex of power was flung at where Kira's face was. Time froze abruptly as the white "yin" symbol on the necklace around Brooklyn's neck began to pulse; a wave of pure white energy engulfed everyone, turning the seen into pure white before fading.

Kai, the one everyone knew, stood before them. A sword as white as the light was now clenched in his grasp and he slowly faced Taka, preparing to strike him again. Kira sat on the floor, dumbfounded; the entire wall had been blown apart but she sat amongst the rubble, unharmed.

/We shall hold him off./ Stated the bitbeasts as they all appeared and surrounded Taka; he responded by attempting to fire lightning bolts of black energy at them. Kai, eyes smoldering, looked as though he was going to approach anyway...and clutching a giant, metal sword no less. A casual glance he directed at Kira made him decide to let Taka alone for the moment; he approached his sister and pulled her to her feet. She followed him back to where he had stood, staggering and falling; she landed beside Brooklyn. Kai, observing the battle, motioned for her to see if he was alive.

"Brooklyn?" Kira questioned softly; she reached out a tentative hand and lightly shook his shoulder. Light green eyes slowly opened and when they saw Kira, the smallest of smiles appeared on their owner's face. The smile was mirrored by Kira; Kai wordlessly extended a hand. Brooklyn took the offered hand, murmuring an apology. Kai nodded, accepting it; Brooklyn helped Kira to her feet but neither could stand on their own, so they continued to hold onto one another. Said Russian approached Hilary, offering her a hand as well; she took it without hesitating and didn't allow him to apologize. Soon all of them were standing.

Their bitbeasts continued to try to hold Taka off; it appeared that they had the upper hand. That was until Taka blasted all of them with raw power; the bitbeasts were sent into the already crumbling walls, causing sections of them, and the ceiling, to buckle. The group was only able to stare as a large chunk of the ceiling began to come down on them...but then a crackling shield of white energy surrounded them. It came from the sword, which turned colors as it absorbed a bit of each person's energy. Kai's was a vibrant orange red; Hilary's a dark, blood red; Tyson's a shade of white brighter than the shield; Max's a light sky blue; Mariam's a midnight blue; Mariah's a light silver blue; Rei's a darker silver blue; Brooklyn's a foreboding black; Kira's a light golden.

Kai wordlessly raised the sword that had protected them; Taka's eyes widened.

When it came down, the creature that had taken a human form and became known as Taka was no more. The lights disappeared, and all of them collapsed to the ground, breathing as though they had just run a mile. A wave of energy was released from the sword that blinded them all, and when the light vanished, darkness took its place. Slowly, sometime later, all of them opened their eyes.

"We're..." Tyson broke off, his eyes wide. "Back at the dojo...?" It was true. All nine of them were lying on the front lawn of the huge training center that had been previously demolished. It looked as it had when the whole thing had started: whole, pristine...it was back to being their stronghold.

As everyone stumbled to their feet, they all looked around, unable to believe their eyes. The entire city from their view was restored; people wandered the streets like it was just another day.

"What's going on?" Hilary murmured in disbelief.

"I think we saved the world." Max murmured, his voice awe-filled.

"Hey guys!" All spun around to find Kenny, Daichi, Ming Ming, Garland, Crusher, and Mystel running towards them from around back.

"You guys..." Brooklyn's eyes were wide and he looked terrified. The BBA Revolution plus Mariah and Mariam ran over to greet Kenny and Daichi while Kira stayed with Brooklyn. "But...you guys..." He started to back away. "You're dead." Kira's hand on his arm calmed him a bit, but he still looked ready to bolt.

"We were." Garland admitted. "And so was everyone else. But then..." He shrugged. "We ended up here."

"So we're not dead anymore!" Ming Ming chirped happily to sum it up. Brooklyn still looked unsure, but didn't run when the BEGA 5 had a group hug. Kira grinned and attempted not to giggle at the look on his face. Although, she didn't seem to find it quite as amusing when she was dragged into the group hug as well. Brooklyn flushed, and couldn't look at her as the two were squished between Mystel, Crusher, Ming Ming and Garland.

0x0x0x0

Kenny and Daichi were startled when everyone, save Kai, tackled them.

"Okay, okay, we're alive, leggo!" Daichi grumbled from on the bottom. Everyone laughed and untangled themselves. Five minutes later, another huge group hug ensued, much to Daichi and Kai's displeasure, for the latter was included this time as well.

0x0x0x0

"All's well that ends well," Sekhmet grinned as she gazed at the two groups of teens that were now sitting in a rather large group, just enjoying spending time with one another.

"Not quite..." Bastet replied, a mysterious look on her face.

"What exactly do you mean?" Sekhmet raised an eyebrow.

"Not all has been resolved just yet," Bastet returned blandly. Confused now, Sekhmet returned to gazing into the crystal ball. What else could they do, now that they had stopped Taka?

0x0x0x0

The lone flower swayed in a gentle breeze as the noise of the bustling city immersed it. Despite the air of normalcy and rush, there was an underlying sense of peace and relaxation; clouds that threatened rain hung lazily over the city, but no one bothered to bring an umbrella. The flower bloomed, unfurling pure white petals as the clouds thinned, then vanished to reveal a brightly shining sun.

-x-x-x-x-

...to be honest, that darned flower wasn't in the original ending...or what I had planned for the story...at all. But it fit, somehow, so...it got a part.

Special thanks to:
sky d
Sonzai Taz
Nubia
Moonlight Serenity
Star Fata
-Kai Isolated-
Angelic Kitsune
aqua-dark-angel
lovette ngbeken
Marine Dweller

Without you guys, I probably never would have continued this story.
Thanks everyone!

I shall begin my work on the third story!
(however, I must first decide which plot I want, as I have two! ...well, three, technically. if I use the one, I might end up spawning a FOURTH story...oy. anyway, thanks for reading!)

Be sure to vote in my poll for which summary you like better! (if it's not up when you read this, it will be soon)
Emma
PS: I maaaay be posting an epilogue...I'm still debating, but...we'll see.
hehe...:points down:

-x-x-x-x-
EPILOGUE

Two weeks had passed since then, and all of the teens were still at the dojo.

Garland, Ming Ming, Crusher and Mystel had taken over a small section of the dojo; they were living there for now, as none of them wanted to return to Garland's mansion. No one minded as long as they did their fair share of the chores, which they did. Brooklyn's room was next to Kira's; both avoided any questions and would not confirm or deny a friendship, let alone a blossoming romance. Kai, who was obviously annoyed about something, had taken a room right by theirs. Hilary, who was rather annoyed at that, had received no explanation; she was currently sulking. Mariah's room was right by Rei's, though it was not an uncommon sight to find one sneaking from the others room at dawn. Tyson and Daichi's rooms were the same; Max and Mariam's rooms were by Mariah and Rei's.

It was what had become a normal morning in the dojo when, after everyone had been woken, Mariah's absence was noted.

"Guys...?" Silence reigned as soon as everyone heard the panic in Rei's tone. "Has anyone seen Mariah?"

"She probably just went for a walk." Mariam waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't you think she would've left a note or something?" Hilary was walking past the main room with a laundry basket; she had taken to some of the household chores with an enjoyment that...startled...everyone.

Rei, who had begun to calm down, was instantly wired again. "What if she was kidnapped?! WHAT IF--"

"Taka's gone, Rei." Kira soothed, wincing when he raised his voice. "So calm down, 'kay?" Brooklyn nodded; he was half-hidden behind Kira, though, so it was difficult to spot.

"Kon, it's too early for this." Kai growled from where he sulkily sat on the floor; he was roused a half an hour ago by Hilary and he was NOT PLEASED.

"Yeah..." Tyson and Daichi murmured in unison from their spots on the floor; both had flopped down there after being awoken by Hilary as well...albeit in a less pleasant fashion.

"Well...have you checked her room?" Max rubbed an eye sleepily as Mariam dozed, her head resting on his shoulder.

Said male neko-jin tore off to Mariah's room.

"He's too animated in the morning." Ming Ming murmured sleepily from where BEGA, minus Brooklyn, sat. Crusher and Garland nodded tiredly but Mystel didn't, as he had secretly gone back to sleep.

0x0x0x0

"I can't find her ANYWHERE!" Rei yelled; Kira flinched and quickly left the room; she was followed by Brooklyn, who was then tailed by the rest of BEGA (though Mystel had to be woken up).

"Will you relax?" Mariam growled from Max's shoulder. "That was a cool dream too..."

"Was it the one where we're in Hawaii, surfing?" Max wondered aloud.

Mariam flushed. "Possibly."

0x0x0x0

When lunch time rolled around and there was still no sign of Mariah, the others began to worry too.

"Should we look for her?" Daichi suggested; the entire group living at the dojo had gathered in the main area, though they were in their own little sub-groups.

"But where should we look?" Tyson groaned.

Everyone sighed when Rei wailed "what if she went back to China?!"

"She made that mistake ONCE, Rei." Mariam growled. "She wouldn't make it again." The others hid smiles, as it was known that Mariam and Mariah still didn't quite get along.

"If Mariam's defending her on that, I don't think it's anything to worry about." Garland added, causing the smiles to widen (BEGA had returned once Rei had calmed slightly).

"Let's search the dojo." Kai commented boredly; he had been watching Kira and frowning when she flinched. He was pleased, though, that Brooklyn would always make a soothing gesture whenever that happened. Hilary, meanwhile, was getting slightly annoyed; she recalled that Kira 'needed to see Kai' but 'wasn't a fangirl'. So what was she, then?

0x0x0x0

The entire group searched the dojo in teams and nothing was found; Rei, who had been comically worried before, was now REALLY worried.

"I'm sure she's around here somewhere." Max soothed; Mariam frowned and Rei didn't seem to be buying it.

"Why don't we check the woods? Maybe Mariah went for a walk and...got lost?" Brooklyn spoke up, though his voice became steadily quieter when everyone turned to look at him.

"Let's go!" Tyson shouted, punching a fist in the air; the others followed his enthusiastic lead.

"You alright?" Brooklyn questioned, noting the lack of flinch.

"I'm fine...they're just loud is all." Kira mumbled as they trailed the group.

"Stay close, gang!" Tyson called from the front.

"If I walk any faster, I think I'll trip." The blonde muttered as she stumbled over tree roots.

"Yeah." Brooklyn murmured in agreement. "What's that?" He pointed to a pink thing.

"I think it's..." Both drew closer. "Mariah?"

"Mmm?" The sleepy girl sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Sorry. It was so warm and comfy here that I lay down to relax and I guess I fell asleep..."

"Next time, take Rei with you." Grumbled Kai, who had noticed Kira's defection from the group and come to investigate.

"KAI HIWATARI!" Hilary yelled as the rest of the group back tracked. Kira, Mariah and Brooklyn levitated for a moment and could only stare at the incensed brunette. "What is going on, exactly?" She demanded, poking his chest with every word for emphasis.

"...?" Kai stared at her.

"Are you jealous, Hilary?" Brooklyn questioned; everyone looked from him to Hilary. "Why would you be jealous of siblings?"

Said siblings, who were creeping away, froze.

"SIBLINGS?!" Hilary yelled; both gulped.

Kai turned to Kira. "I'll run if you will."

Kira smirked. "Waaay ahead of you!"

Both took off, chased by the majority of the group behind them; the others followed at a more sedate pace, interrogating Brooklyn on how he had figured that out.

0x0x0x0

When they returned to the dojo, Mariah spotted a piece of paper, weighed down by something, lying on the front steps. She warily approached it and picked it up as the others followed, curious.

The weight was revealed to be Mariah's pendant; the paper bore this cryptic inscription:

Keep this near, for troubled times lie ahead.

-x-x-x-x-

Haha. OWARI!!

...so. yeah. GO TAKE THE POLL!

Emma