The Neo Grindery has finally been completed! Magic Emperor Ghaleon, from atop his greatest creation, orders that they set course across the ocean to the capitol of the nation he feels poses the greatest threat to his rule, the one he feels has the most powerful military on the planet. "This nation must be dispatched quickly, showing that even their most powerful weapons are merely toys compared to what I can do!" he thinks. The creation heads out over sea, and Ghaleon prepares his first attack on the city.
Meanwhile, within the capitol of this nation, things are getting tense. Their reconnaissance aircraft have detected the Neo Grindery approaching. The leader orders an air strike against it using whatever means necessary to destroy it and prepares to evacuate the city.
Ghaleon sees the aircraft coming. He puts up a magical force field around the Neo Grindery which deflects any technological weaponry launched against it. Meanwhile, the planes are being picked off by the hundreds by the Neo Grindery's own high-tech defensive systems. In desperation, the nation launches a nuclear strike against the giant mechanical castle. The Neo Grindery's shield holds. "Good, my plan is working perfectly! Now is the time I reveal my hand to the world! Hahahahah!" Ghaleon places a small vial containing the few ashes of Zophar he did not use while creating Kane's sword. He places it in a chamber behind a large lens made from a very strange form of crystal. Ghaleon concentrates his energies on to the vial, which amplifies them and sends them through the lens, which amplifies them again. "Now powers of darkness, heed my command! I order you seek out my enemies and decimate all who oppose me!"
An enormous dark circle forms underneath the White House. A beam of dark light slams into the building, destroying it and sending a huge magical shock wave in all directions. Within minutes, the entire city of Washington DC is destroyed...
Back on board the Destiny, Teal seems visibly disturbed. She flies up to Lou, at the wheel of the ship, and lets him know what is on her mind. "Lou, I think I know where the Neo Grindery is..."
"What do you mean Teal?"
"I mean, somehow I sensed a big magical disturbance coming from somewhere northwest of here. I think I can lead us there. I'm not sure how I felt it, maybe it has something to do with being a Dragon."
"Well then, Teal, show us the way!"
"With pleasure, Dragonmaster!"
The Destiny alters course to the northwest following Teal's directions. The massive engines rev up to full power as the Dragonship heads at top speed towards the assumed location of Ghaleon's evil construction. Within hours, they arrived at the ashes of what used to be the city of Washington.
"No!" screams Alexis, "How... What kind of force could have done this!"
Lou answers, "Magic... Terrible dark magic, I can feel it..."
Lia points towards a dark structure in the distance, moving away from them at a surprisingly fast rate. "I think that's the Neo Grindery guys! It looks like it has some sort of force field surrounding it. That is probably how they were able to attack the city with impunity!"
"Well then, that force field is probably magic based and resistant to technology. I think it's time we showed them what this Dragonship can do. Ken, prepare to fire the Dragon Cannon! Luke, full speed ahead!"
"The Dragon Cannon, are you sure Lou? We never tested it. How do we know it will even work?"
"We don't Ken, but we don't have much of an option. We need to stop that thing before it does any more damage, and the Dragon Cannon is about the only weapon I know of that might be able to do it!"
"If you say so Lou. Looks like we'll be in range in about 10 minutes."
"Good. I'll steer this thing in a zigzag pattern, that way if we're lucky they won't be agile enough to lock their weapons on us."
The Destiny gets with in range of the menacing tower that is the Neo Grindery. Within seconds of being at pointblank distance from Ghaleon's menace, the order is given to fire the Dragon Cannon. Huge bolts of white lightning emerge from the front of the ship and blast towards the enormous structure in front of them. The blast apparently manages to paralyze the Neo Grindery, however the shield still stands.
"You fools!" Ghaleon's voice booms, "I have used the power of the Goddess Crest to protect my creation! Your pitiful Dragon Cannon may be able to slow us down, but it will never stop us! Hahahahahahha!"
"Oh great, Lou," says Alexis, "Now what are we going to do? We can't bust that shield open with our weapons!"
"I... I don't know... I'm open to any suggestions..."
Teal flies up to Lou's shoulder. "I know what you can do, Dragonmaster. Call for reinforcements!"
"Reinforcements? What do you mean? Where the hell are we supposed to find reinforcements crazy enough to go against that thing?"
"Uhh, Lou, there's more to being a Dragonmaster than just having a cool name and walking around with cool armor. Remember, 'Dragonmaster' is made up of the words 'dragon' and 'master...'"
"Oh yeah... Damn, why didn't I think of that!"
"Stress probably... Now, here's what you do to call them." Teal whispers a series of words into Lou's ear.
"Thanks Teal. OK guys, it's time to send that Magic Emperor back where he belongs! Dragons of Althena, come forth!"
Lou's command echoes throughout the entire world. Within their caves, Nall, Ruby, and Ebony, after finally reaching their full strength hear the call of their master, and make haste to assist him. Within seconds, the White, Red, and Black Dragons appear over head and strike at the Neo Grindery. The shield is bombarded with the intense attacks of three adult Dragons. Teal, being too young to participate in the attack, watches in amazement with the five heroes at the immense amount of destruction. Within minutes, the shield is destroyed and the actual Neo Grindery becomes the primary target. By the time Althena's Dragons have completed their mission, the smoking remains of the formerly threatening device stand alone and undefended.
"Noooo!" curses the Magic Emperor, "Damn you all Althena's Dragons! You ruined my ultimate invention of destruction! Dragonboy Lou, you will pay dearly for this offense!"
Back on the Destiny, Lou acknowledges the three Dragons for all they did, "Thanks guys for the help!"
"Don't mention it Lou. Now, we did our part, it's up to you to go in and finish the job!"
"No problem! Let's get to it team!"
The Destiny pulls up along side the remains of the Neo Grindery. The group enters and to their amazement, they discover that despite the destruction of the vehicle, most of the guards, both magical and mechanical, survived the onslaught. Slowly they fight their way through the seemingly never-ending barrage of guardians that the Magic Emperor set before them. They work there way up, floor by painful floor, until they reach the palace on the roof of the structure. Unlike the original Grindery, however, the Neo Grindery lacks a secret garden on the roof, once again showing that this was the dark side of Ghaleon, purely evil with no sign of any good within him. They are about to enter the palace when Ghaleon himself appears before them.
"Well done, adventurers, I see you finally made it to my palace. Enjoy this while you can, as your lives are about to end!"
"I think not Ghaleon! I will not let you destroy my world!"
"Dragonboy, how foolish you are! Don't you see, I have won! Even with your destruction of my Neo Grindery I still have more than enough power to conquer this planet, and once I have I will repair this mechanical castle and use it to take over Lunar as well! You see, with this Goddess Crest in my hand, I can combine Althena's and Lucia's power with my own, making me invincible! Hahahahahahaha!"
"I've heard that one before... Eat my sword! Dragon Blade!"
Battle ensues between the dark lord and the five heroes. The heroes, despite a valiant effort are slowly being worn down by the Magic Emperor, who uses the power of the Goddess Crest to heal himself faster than the group can keep up. However, he does not notice that Teal had been slowly sneaking up on him. The tiny offspring of the Blue Dragon makes a quick dash in and steals the Goddess Crest from Ghaleon's armor.
"Noo! Curse you cat! How dare you steal the prize which is rightfully mine!" Ghaleon turns and attempts to kill Teal with a powerful burst of magic, but he is stopped by the Dragonmaster.
"Leave her alone! I will not let you hurt Teal! Holy Light!" shouts Lou.
"Noo! This... this light... I cannot survive it... Ahhhhhhhh!"
The intensely bright light is the fatal blow to the Magic Emperor. Once it fades out his broken body can be seen lying face down on the roof of his creation. Teal gives the Goddess Crest to Lou, and the whole group breathes a sigh of relief.
"Now that it's over, what do we do?" asks Lou.
"Well," answers Teal, "We need to destroy the ashes of Zophar, from which Ghaleon was able to get himself 'reborn' so to speak. They're probably somewhere inside his palace."
"OK, team, we still got work to do... Let's get to it!"
The group enters the palace and makes their way up to the top floor. With the Magic Emperor dead, there was no resistance during their trek. Within minutes they had made it to the top floor and had found the vial containing the last remaining bits of Zophar's ashes. However, the vial was empty.
"What gives Teal? Where the hell are those ashes I'm supposed to destroy?" asks Lou.
"I... I don't know. They should be here unless..."
"Unless what?!"
"Umm, Lou, remember that rule that bad guys never follow. The one about never kidnapping the 'big hero's' girlfriend?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Uhh, I forgot to tell you the hero's equivalent of that rule."
"Which is...?"
"That the final enemy never can be defeated in only one battle..."
"What the hell are... Everybody, run!"
Lou looked down and noticed a large dark circle had formed beneath the group. However, his order was too late. The group was quickly immersed in a wave of darkness and blasted across the top floor of Ghaleon's palace. After the dark energy subsided, none of them moved...
"Hahahaha!" said Ghaleon as he faded into the scene, "Those fools actually thought I'd keep the ashes that helped enable my return to life unprotected!? That was their final mistake! The world is now mine! Now is the time I can begin my permanent bonding with these ashes, giving me power never before dreamed of! Ashes of Zophar, I order you! Combine your evil with mine! Together, we shall destroy both the Blue Star and Lunar, and get vengeance on Althena and her followers!"
A wave a dark energy similar to that which killed the heroes surrounded Ghaleon. An immense pain filled the body of the Magic Emperor, but he only laughed it off. His armor fell off, revealing the true demonic form that hid underneath. This form then started growing until it reached a size comparable that of the Neo Grindery itself. Ghaleon as he was known was no more. What remained was a new creation, born of the evil of both Ghaleon and Zophar. The Magic Emperor now became the Demon Emperor, lord of destruction and conquest. With the power of both combined into one, the Demon Emperor laughed a booming laugh as he sent out waves of destruction decimating cities in every direction. Finally, evil had won...
Alexis finds herself floating in a strange world. She has no idea what is going on or where she is. All that she remembers was being overcome by a wave of darkness. Suddenly, she meets up with a strange individual. He has a single horn on his forehead, and looks like some sort of strange combination of man and lion. He introduces himself, "Greetings Alexis, I was once known as White Knight Leo."
"Who... Who are you? What are you?"
"That is not important. I just want you to remember that you have inherited my title as the White Hero."
"White Hero?"
"Yes... Eons ago, I too fought for the side of justice and carried the crest of the White Dragon. However, the torch has been passed to you."
"But, I failed! Ghaleon killed me and my friends and still lives! There is nothing we can do to stop him!"
"On the contrary... I have come here to tell you that even with the power Ghaleon now possesses, you possess a power much greater. This power defeated Zophar so long ago, and it will defeat the combination of him and Ghaleon now."
"What is this power?"
"All I can say is to look and find it in yourself. Look at your humanity, and never give up. Farewell..."
"But, but please, Leo, don't go! Help me understand what you meant!"
Alas, Leo's image had already faded away by the time Alexis could get these words out. She stood there, thinking about the White Knight's words when she was hit by a flash of inspiration. The meaning behind them was all so clear now! A white light began to surround Alexis's spirit...
Ken looks at his surroundings. "Surely, I can't be alive anymore," he thought as he drifted in what appeared to be a vast ocean. Much like Alexis, his last memories are of being struck down by Ghaleon and apparently losing his life in that battle. He continues to drift, and eventually comes across a woman wearing some sort of karate suit. The woman extends a greeting...
"Hello Ken... Well... My name is Jean, and if you haven't figured it out yet, I was the last Blue Hero before you."
"Excuse me there miss, you lost me..."
"Look at the Blue Dragon's crest which you wear. Look at the one I wear. They are both identical. We are fulfilling similar roles in different times."
"Yes, but..."
"But what?! Look here, you have a duty to save your world as I saved mine. You are the Blue Hero, the one that knows the way of the Blue Dragon..."
"How can I save it if I'm dead?"
"That's just it, you only seem to be dead... Look within your hopes and dreams, and those of all of humanity, to prove it. Good luck!"
"Wait!"
Jean faded off into the distance. Ken concentrated on her words, and soon realized the meaning behind them. Soon, his spirit was immersed in a beam of blue light...
Lia "awakens" in what is apparently a large underground cavern whose walls sparkled with a strange purple glow. "Where am I? This can't be real... Is this the afterlife?" Soon, however, she is greeted by a blonde mage wearing the crest of the Black Dragon.
"Mega-hi! My name is Lemina Ausa, the previous Black Hero! Did I surprise you?"
"Well, sorta... I didn't expect to find anyone else down in this cave..."
"Yeah, it is mega-dreary isn't it? Oh well, I guess it's time for me to give the pep-talk I was sent to give."
"Pep-talk?"
"Yeah, I'm here to tell you that you can still put Ghaleon's mega-mangy butt in a sling! You just gotta believe in yourself, and your friends! Besides, you are the Black Hero, and almost as good with magic as I was... Anyway, good luck, I've got a million silver riding on you winning this one so you'd better not fail! See ya!"
"Wait! Damn... What was that all about? Who was she? The Black Hero? Was she referring to the fact I wear the Black Dragon's crest? This is so strange. However, she did say if I believe in myself and my friends, we can still win this. Well, I guess it's mega-showdown time so to speak! Ghaleon, we're coming for you so watch out!" With these words, her spirit was covered in a very deep purple light...
Luke appears to be within a lake of fire. Not understanding how or why he got here, his thoughts concentrate on the last event he remembered: his apparent death at the hands of Ghaleon. He tries to move around in the lake of fire, but for some reason can not move. However, he is able to turn around when he gets a strange tapping on his shoulder.
"Greetings fellow Red Hero! The name is Ronfar, the smoothest gamblin' priest you'll ever meet!"
"Uhh, hi Ronfar. Name's Luke. Can you tell me where the hell I am?"
"Beats me, I'm a preacher, not a navigator. However, I am here to tell you this: if you believe in what your humanity can accomplish you can win this! Don't ask me where I got these words from though... I'm just saying what I was told to say... However, it is true, trust me, I've seen it in action myself!"
"But I'm dead! At least I think I am... How can I stop Ghaleon?"
"Hey, not even death is final, I'm a master of Revive Magic myself, hehe... Now, get to work, and you'd better win! Lemina trusted me as her bookie with a million silver, and I don't want to get her all riled up if she loses! Now get out there and roll them bones! Later!"
"Hmm, if there really was such as thing as Revive Magic, perhaps there is a chance I can still live and fight! I mean, I didn't even believe in regular magic before, but who am I to decide how powerful it can get... All right Ghaleon, you're toast!" After figuring out what Ronfar had said, a red light begins to enfold Luke...
Lou is adrift in what appears to him to be outer space. He is surrounded by starts poking out through a blackness, but he does not understand why. Somehow, though, he is not frightened, and when he sees someone approaching him he senses a strange camaraderie with him. This person oddly enough is dressed in the same armor Lou is, right down to his sword. He reaches out a gauntlet-clad hand in a gesture of friendship.
"Welcome, Dragonmaster Lou. I am Dragonmaster Alex, the last person to hold the title before."
"Another Dragonmaster? Are you hear to help me defeat Ghaleon?"
"No, this is not my battle, this is yours. Lou, unlike you I did have someone else to look up to, a roll model as a Dragonmaster. However, you are the first Dragonmaster in many eons, and that is why I came to see you."
"So you're not going to help me defeat Ghaleon? My friends and I were no match for him when he zapped us, how do you expect us to defeat him without outside help?"
"The reason why you and your friends could not defeat Ghaleon is that you were believing too much on the powers that were given to you instead of the ones you have within yourselves..."
"What do you mean?"
"Look Lou, there is a reason why a Dragonmaster is always a human. There is more to the role than just being able to summon forth the power of the Four Dragons. A Dragonmaster must also be able to combine it with the innate power of humanity if he wishes to reach his full potential..."
"But, is the power of humanity really that strong?"
"Ask my friend behind you, he was able to defeat the dark god Zophar himself using nothing but the power of humanity..."
Lou turns around and sees a familiar figure. It is a man wearing some sort of blue tunic with a yellow cape. He has dark hair and eyes, and two green stripes on his right cheek. "You... You're Hiro, aren't you? Lucia's husband?"
"That's right Lou... Like Alex said, I was able to defeat Zophar with the help of my friends and the power of humanity. You must do the same. As Dragonmaster, you are the leader of the heroes, and it is your duty to lead them now in this final battle!"
"Very well then. I hope I do not disappoint you Hiro or Alex!"
"I'm sure you won't, at least not in this battle. However, you'd better treat my little girl right? Farewell Lou..."
"Hiro, what do you mean, your little girl?" asks Lou as Hiro and Alex fade into the darkness, neither of them hearing that question. "Oh well, guess I'll find out eventually. Right now, I got a world to save!" Bands of multicolored light surround the Dragonmaster as he quickly fades out of where ever he was...
Demon Emperor Ghaleon had laid to waste nearly one quarter of the entire Blue Star without moving from his location beside the ruins of the Neo Grindery. Many people had tried to stop them, but to no avail. However, as he took a break to admire his work, he sees a strange glowing surrounding the heroes he thought he had killed earlier. Each one of them was glowing with the color corresponding to which Dragon they served. "No... How can this be... It's impossible... You are dead! I killed you myself!"
Alexis is the first to awaken. "Reports of our deaths have been prematurely mistaken Ghaleon! I am White Knight Alexis! In the name of the White Dragon and all of humanity, I will defeat you!"
Ken awakens next. "Ghaleon, evil like yours can never stand in the face of good, when will you learn! I am Blue Master Ken! In the name of the Blue Dragon and all of humanity, I will destroy you!"
Lia follows Ken. "You tried to corrupt the power of humanity through Kane, but that effort failed miserably! Humanity will never yield to your dark ambitions! I am Black Wizard Lia! In the name of the Black Dragon and all of humanity, I will punish you!"
Luke proceeds to get back on his feet. "Ghaleon, you can never completely extinguish the hope that lurks in the hearts of all humans! I am Red Priest Luke! In the name of the Red Dragon and all of humanity, I will obliterate you!"
Lou is the last to awaken. "Ghaleon, it's time someone brought you reign of terror to a permanent end! I am Dragonmaster Lou! In the name of the Dragon Tribe, the Goddess Tribe, and all of humanity, I will conquer you!"
"How can this be!? I killed you all, this is not possible! You are dead! No matter, I'll just kill you again!"
"I think not Ghaleon!" answered the Dragonmaster. "Now everyone, hit him with everything you've got! Holy Light!"
The five heroes combined their might against the Demon Emperor. He was pummeled left and right by attacks of such power he had never seen before nor even thought possible. The enormous being was slowly driven back by the tremendous onslaught he was sustaining. He lashed out at the opposition, but somehow they were resisting it. Ghaleon was being forced further and further back with each successive blow. He was losing his ability to stand up straight. His knees were buckling, his strength being drained away. Soon, he had fallen over on his back, too weak to even support his weight.
"Now everyone, this is our chance! Combine all our attacks into one fatal blow and finish this evil for eternity. Ready... On my mark... NOW!"
Alexis, Ken, Lia, and Luke concentrated their energies on Lou, who was holding his sword straight up above his head. The combined power of all five heroes made Althena's Sword glow with a brilliance unlike anything they had ever seen before. With the power of all five brought together as one, Lou leaped up into the air and delivered the finishing blow to the Demon Emperor. A tremendous explosion shoot the entire planet and could be felt even on the neighboring world Lunar. When the dust settled, nothing was left of Demon Emperor Ghaleon, not even his or Zophar's ashes. The evil that composed these two beings had finally been completely purged from the universe.
"Wow, you guys did it! I don't believe it! I thought you were goners for sure!" said a small nearby voice.
"Teal! I don't believe it! You're alive!"
"Of course I am Lou! I was the only one who made it in time to avoid getting zapped by Ghaleon. I was worried you five were..."
"It's OK, we sort of were... But something seemed to call us back together to finish him off... Finally, our mission is over."
With the defeat of Ghaleon, the five heroes were treated to a celebration that had never been seen before on the face of the Blue Star. The greatest threat the would had ever seen in "modern" times had been defeated, and they had cause to celebrate the few that saved the multitude. After the celebration, Lou took the Destiny and brought the other four heroes back to their homes with promises that they will always remain friends. Lou however did not return home...
"Lou, how come you're not going home either? Your work is done like the others..." asked Teal.
"Not quite. I still have my promise to Lucia that I would find out what happened to Diana. For that, I still have a lot of work to do. You wouldn't happen to know where I could start searching?"
"I have no idea, however I do know who may..."
"Great, off we go then!"
First of all, I'd like to thank Game Arts, Studio Alex, and Working Designs for inspiring this piece of fanfiction through their amazing Lunar series of video games.
Second, I'd like to thank the Lunar mailing list, both present and past members, for supporting me as I wrote this with all their great positive comments and constructive criticism. Gee, I never thought I wrote this good until you guys said you liked my story. :)
Third, I'd like to thank Brian Peterson for the Middleground IRC RPG from which I got some of the ideas for this story from.
Fourth, I'd like to thank Dragonmaster Blake for allowing me to use his character name of "Ebony" for the Black Dragon in my story.
Fifth, I'd like to thank whoever came up with the idea of the Epilogue in Lunar:EB as I plan to have one to this story (that's right... there's more to come!).