A/N: I apologize for the long wait. I've been suffering from writer's block, and I really appreciate the continuing support for this story despite my absence.

Fall of the Dragon

Daphne sat in the chair next to Ven, her eyes fixed ahead on the white marble walls. She didn't dare allow herself to move, to speak, or breathe. She didn't even trust herself to feel.

But she was feeling, despite her best attempts not to. She had to remain focused, had to protect her baby sister and Ven, the two people left who actually needed her, but it was taking all she had not to burst into hysterics.

Her friends were in danger, her mother was in danger, her home was in danger, and she was sitting there. She wanted to help fight but she couldn't leave Ven or her sister. She had to protect them. That's what her mother had told her to do before she left. Before her friends left. Never to return.

When they left, Daphne had a feeling deep down that they weren't coming back. It was a low settling dread, the unspoken knowledge that as she saw them vanish one by one behind the archways and corridors beyond, they would never walk her way again. She didn't want to think about this feeling but she couldn't help it. There was so little good left to look forward to...

That's when she felt it, the walls vibrating with an intense frequency. The stone cracked and the foundation shook even though what happened was yards away. Not even a second later, bright orange flashed from behind the sealed doors. And her heart shattered as the sound hit her ears.

An explosion. A massive explosion. It was too much for her to handle. She knew this could only mean one thing, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Couldn't bring herself to believe it. She just let her dams break and started crying hysterically, collapsing over the side of Ven's bed, her whole body wracked with sobs.

"Daphne?" Ven said groggily as she came to, the explosion startling her to life again.

"Ven?" Daphne asked, both astonished and relieved that at least one of her friends was still with her.

Daphne reached down to where Ven laid and wrapped her arms around the mending girl who hissed at the uncomfortable contact but allowed it anyway. Even though it hurt, Ven let herself be scooped up in Daphne's arms. She was so afraid that something had happened to Daphne that she was just glad that she was alive.

"Daph…what's…what's going on?" Ven stuttered through sharp breaths as the pain in her body dulled. Daphne pulled away, still wiping the tears from her eyes, a total mess.

"It's Kit and Starling…and mom…they…I think that they're-"

Daphne couldn't finish the thought, but Ven didn't need any more words to know how that phrase was going to end. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in abject horror.

"The explosion…?" Ven whispered, on the verge of tears.

Daphne shook her head and both girls broke down, grasping for each other as they sobbed, tears staining their clothes as they mourned their best friends.

"What about…?" Daphne began to ask until she saw the High Queen shake her head solemnly.

"I'm sorry Daphne," Ven apologized, "he didn't make it."

New tears flowed from the Domino princesses' eyes, another friend that she had lost and one that she had cared deeply for.

"Why," Daphne mumbled, "Why do all our friends have to be dying? First we lose your brothers, then Ariel and Harmony, and now everyone defending the castle. We've lost so much because of this war…" Faint explosions echoed across the land before the floor began to shake beneath Daphne's feet.

"Our time may be over," Ven grumbled, "but it's a temporary thing. If Shion and Serafina survive then our home realms can return." A smile appeared on Ven's face as she thought about the strong young woman her sister had grown up into. The smile instantly vanished as a larger explosion caused the castle to rumble. It creaked and cracked, causing potions and medicines to fall from their cabinets and onto the floor. Ven threw her legs over the edge of the bed. "We'd better move."

"No," Daphne protested, "You're still recovering."

"You still have Serafina to think about," Ven said with a pained voice, "after all, Shion is waiting for her." Daphne nodded, she knew that this needed to be done to protect her sister. Serafina was destined to bring back her home world and needed to survive. Without another word, Daphne walked over and gently picked up her baby sister. She then trotted to Ven's side and helped the High Queen of Terra to her feet. "Where's the portal?"

"Not far," Daphne answered, "We put it inside her room." Ven nodded and did her best to walk on her own. She used Daphne as a crutch every other step, but she was determined not to slow her down. The castle shook as if a giant was about to rip it out of the ground.

"I gotcha," Daphne whispered as she helped to steady Ven as she stumbled. Ven muttered her thanks and the two quickly staggered to Serafina's room. It was covered in sky blue pain and fire orange drapes. The little sun and moon mobile that hung above her cradle chimed as it was jostled about. Daphne bit her lower lip, thinking of the future her sister would have had there, wondering if she'd ever see her take her first steps or see her learn to fly in the future.

"She's going be a powerful fairy," Ven assured her friend. Daphne nodded and took a deep breath. She let her friend go and moved behind her sister's bed where the portal was already humming with intense energy, just waiting to be opened. The symbol of Linphea was emblazoned upon it. Daphne placed her hand on the dainty seal and mumbled the spell to break it open. She had almost finished when Ven suddenly shouted, "STOP!" and fell onto Daphne and the sleeping Serafina.

"What?" Daphne asked.

"The portal's blocked," Ven hissed, pointing to a small crack in the wall. "Trying to open it will direct the witches directly to your sister!" Anger boiled in Daphne's heart as she swore repeatedly. How could she have missed that? Her grip on her sister tightened, causing Sera to whimper.

"Now what?" Daphne asked, suddenly very desperate, knowing they were running out of time.

"You're going to have to open a new portal for Sera to go through," Ven answered.

The castle shook once more, but this time a new sound reached the two girls ears. The worst sound that they could possibly hear. Three different, yet distinct cackles roared down the halls.

The two fairies moved as quickly as they could down the hall away from the three voices heading in their direction. As they turned a corner Ven leaned against the wall, Daphne could see that her friend was extremely fatigued.

Ven smiled at her friend before giving her a light push, "Get out of here."

"No," Daphne protested, "I'm tired of running away."

"You have to," Ven replied, "You must save Serafina; you need to make sure that the witches don't get a hold of her or everyone will pay for that mistake."

"Not if we defeat them."

"Do you really want to risk that?" Ven smiled. "Sera's safety comes first. Once she's through the portal, then you can help me. Besides you can't even transform into your Sirenix form."

"No but I can use Enchantix."

"Not for long," Ven said, "It takes all your magic to cast the smallest of spells." Ven took a deep breath and looked at her friend's sad eyes, "If you were not cursed then things would be different."

"But you're in no condition to fight them." Daphne pointed out.

"That may be," Ven muttered, "But Shion is safe. Now I can fight to the fullest knowing that she will live and be able to bring Terra back." A small smile appeared on the High Queen's face, "Send Sera to Linphea, then you can fight with me. The witches will not know what hit them."

Daphne felt the tears starting to build in the corner of her eyes; she knew that Ven was telling her the truth and that she needed to get her sister to safety. But she did not want to lose any other friends. Daphne nodded her head before taking off down the hallway.

"Please hang in there until I return," Daphne whispered to herself.

The witches' screeches of joy rang through the hall as Ven watched her friend turn around the next corner. Turning her vision the other direction she could see three figures floating toward her. Pushing herself off of the wall she put herself between them and where her friend had just disappeared.

Turning the next corner Daphne neared the throne room, she knew that she needed to do this fast. Nearing the door she could see debris blocking the entrance. The Princess of Domino leaned against the wall, she felt so defeated.

Glancing down at her little sister, she pushed herself off of the wall. She had to do this; she had to save her sister and then help her friend. After that she could go and retrieve Serafina.

Daphne ran as fast as she could, desperately trying to find somewhere to set-up the portal. Linphea was out of the question, she decided. Ven might right that the Ancestral Witches probably know where she was about to send Sera. With each step she took, she thought of a place to send her sister. Somewhere close to Linphea, in hopes that one day Shion and Sera could reunite. Some place safe from the Ancestral Witches' reach.

The end of the hallway appeared in Daphne's sight. The rumble of the castle hadn't affected the walls yet. It was as smooth and still as the days before the war. Daphne looked down at her sister, brushing aside a soft strand of red hair. The baby smiled and began to glow a radiant orange color. Daphne couldn't help but smile at her little sister. Even through these dark times, her sister managed to smile because of her. She placed her hand gently on her sister's chest and carefully channeled some of her magic to lock away the Dragon Flame she still had left. A parting gift and a birthright.

"Whenever dark magic strikes you, the Dragon Flame will protect you," Daphne whispered to her sister, holding the child close to her heart.

She then looked at the blank wall and gently waved a hand in front of it. Orange inscriptions began to glow, creeping across the wall to form directions. Daphne then placed the palm of her hand into the center. A white light burst from Daphne's hand and spread across the writing, enlarging the writing. She pulled her hand back to shield Sera's eyes. Her sister squirmed in her arms and groaned, but she didn't cry out. 'Good' Daphne thought as the white light finished filling the circle. It then dimmed and revealed to her a world, a place where there was no sign of the Witches' influence.

The vision quickly focused on a single town on the planet. Tall buildings stood peacefully as little, odd-looking vehicles zoomed by. Many shops were open as people took advantage of the beautiful, sunny day. Others sat in parks or played around on the grass. The Princess of Domino sighed; she wished that her world could be this peaceful and not mixed up in this war - that she and her sister could be in the sun with their parents. She could watch her sister grow into the beautiful and powerful fairy that she knew she would be.

Her throat tightened and her daydream disappeared from her mind. Looking down at her sister, she gave Serafina one last hug.

"No matter what," she whispered, "I'll always be with you and protect you."

Tears silently flowed down her cheeks as she carefully placed the clueless baby into the portal. She made sure that Sera rested comfortably on the ground before letting her go. As a final precaution, she used the last of her magic to create a protective shield around her. When someone found her, it'll vanish, but until then, it'll keep her safe from unwanted danger.

"Goodbye Serafina," Daphne whispered.

Clapping her hands together the portal blinked out of existence, her baby sister vanishing from sight. The caption remained burnt on the wall, scarred to remind anyone who saw it that there was hope for Domino.

Daphne turned on her heels and ran back to Ven. Now the time had come for her to fight by her friend's side. As the three witches came into view she brought forth some of her magic and instantly launched it at the three witches. For a moment, they were paralyzed; shocked by the surprise attack. In that moment, Daphne saw Ven knocked out on the ground. Wounds had reopened and stained the blue carpet red. She was not moving and it was breaking her heart seeing her friend lying on the ground.

"No," Daphne whimpered, her legs giving way, making her slip to the ground. The Ancestral Witches slowly began to laugh as their powers began to return.

"She didn't stand a chance," Belladone hissed.

"It wasn't long before we finished her off," Lysslis said.

The three witches began to crowd around Daphne.

"And now," Tharma said, extending a cold, bony finger toward Daphne's head, "We'll destroy you too."

Daphne looked at the three witches, and then her vision turned toward her friend on the floor. She had nothing else to lose. Her magic began to hum beneath her skin, growing more and more as she thought about her friends: Ariel, Harmony, Starling, Kit, Ven. All of those warriors and men they loved, gone, and souls lost by the hands of war. If she was guaranteed to suffer, then at least she'll try to take the witches with her. The witches cried against her power, shrieking as the light touched their dirty skin.

More power, she thought, conjuring up all the Sirenix magic she could muster. The bright glow of her spell pushed the witches away from her, making the hallway erupt into a powerful golden light. She heard the shrieks and screams of pain from the witches and for the second time, Daphne felt that she'd done something to aid those she loved in this war.

With that, her vision blurred, and soon the hallway that she was in was consumed in darkness.

Faint voices reached Ven's ears, stirring her from her unconsciousness. Her wounds burned her skin as the pain throbbed in tune with her beating heart. The voice grew louder as Ven opened her eyes. Everything was a blur, but the voice became clear.

"James," she whispered, causing him to sigh in relief.

"Oh, Ven!" he said, holding her close, "You're alive." He cupped her face and kissed her lips. They were cold to the touch, but she welcomed it, glad he was alive of all people.

"My queen."

Ven weakly turned her head, a weak smile sliding across her lips.

"Zoar. You're alright too."

He bowed, but said nothing. She stared back into her lover's eyes. "What happened?"

"That's what we wanted to ask you," James answered. "I guess you and Daphne had quite the battle."

"Daphne?" Ven repeated, confused. She weakly rolled over to her side and glanced around the room. On the ground, covered in a faint, gold hue was Daphne. Her magic was gone. Ven could sense that. Tears rose into her eyes as she began to shake her head.

"No," she mumbled. Ven tried to stand, but James and Zoar insisted she rested. "No!" She shouted, pushing their hands away, and desperately crawling to Daphne's side. Ven slipped her arm beneath Daphne's head and checked her pulse. Nothing. "NO!" She shouted, shaking her friend, hoping she'd wake-up. Finally, Ven let out a cry, hugging her friend tightly, as if something was trying to take her away.

"Don't be too devastated your Highness," Zoar said, kneeling down to his queen, "From the looks of things, she sent her sister to Linphea. The Dragon Flame is safe." Ven held onto Daphne even tighter.

"I'm glad you succeeded Daph," she choked, her throat growing tighter and tighter. Another round of tears poured from her eyes, slipping onto her precious friend. If only there was something she could do…

An idea popped into Ven's mind –a sudden horrible idea. There was a way to bring Daphne back in some form, but there was a price. Ven didn't waste her time and energy to think. She pressed the palm of her hands onto Daphne's chest and brought forth all of her magic.

"My Queen!" Zoar shouted, "What're you doing?" Without thinking he grabbed her wrists. Ven shook them off and answered,

"I'm bringing Daphne's spirit back."

"But that will kill you!" Zoar reminded harshly, ready to take her hands away again.

"Kill you?" James repeated, absolutely horrified.

"Daphne will be the one to protect our sisters," Ven explained determinedly, "Not me."

Her boyfriend rushed to her side and turned her to face him, his eyes watering and full of fear. She could sense his disapproval of her plan, of his desperate attempts to pry her away from her plans.

"Don't do this," James begged, his eyes pleading. "We've lost so many people. I don't think I can handle the thought of losing you too." Ven looked into his eyes memorizing their shape and color, and the way they made her feel. She loved this boy with all her heart, but she knew that some things were more important. And she also knew that Daphne was better suited for the job of protector than she was. This was meant to happen; as much as she didn't want to die, she had to.

She smiled at him and brought her lips to his. Soft as usual, still a little cold, but their kiss was just as unforgettable to her – all passion and emotion. A perfect last kiss.

"I have to," she replied, set in her ways, "But in a way I guess I am lucky…"

"How?" James asked miserably, clutching Ven to him, never intending to let go. He saw no good in this situation.

"I got to spend the rest of my life with you."

Ven felt James crumble beneath her, and she herself could not stop her tears, nor could she stop her words. This would be the last time she could speak to James, and she had to make it count. "I got to be loved by the most amazing person - love that I didn't even think that I deserved at times. Thank you."

"Please, please don't do this!" James cried brokenly, looking down at Daphne, not bearing to think that his precious Ven would be in the same position.

"I love you," was the only response that Ven gave. She had nothing left to say.

"I love you, too," James replied, nodding in a defeating acceptance, crushed to the core but knowing that he couldn't change Ven's mind. It was one of the things he admired about her after all.

Ven then looked at Zoar, whose own eyes were clouding over. "Take care of him for me."

Zoar bowed deeply, a fist over his heart. "Yes, my queen."

To his surprise, she let out a weak laugh. "Finally, my friends will be at peace."

She took her hands out gingerly out of James's vice grip and repositioned them over Daphne's heart, channeling her remaining magic into the girl, feeling the transfer of energy drain her dry. The gold hue began to glow brightly once more, painting the room a radiant gold color. Then, the light consumed Daphne, transforming her body into a little ball of pure energy. With her last bit of magic, Ven launched that ball permanently into Lake Roccaluce, the one place that she knew Daphne loved above all others.

Ven sighed, collapsing limply into her boyfriend's arms. He was cradling her to his chest, whispering words she could not understand. But she felt safe. She felt at home in his arms.

Spots of black began to impair her vision. She knew this would be the last time she'd see anything, but she wasn't afraid. She was ready. "At least," she muttered, her energy evaporating around her, "one of us will be here to watch over our sisters."

She smiled, and then permanently closed her eyes.

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