The Guardian’s fight under the blue eyes and the letter of hope

 The sun of the fourth day had finally risen. The army of monsters, wizards and the remaining heroes had gathered outside the trap door of the Crypt and they were waiting for their leader to come.

Roxanne moved outside, coming from the trap door following Max, who in the form of a tall warrior, was making way for her to pass. She walked past the gathered groups and stood near Hook, Maleficent and Hades.

They smirked at her and she returned the smile.

“I understand that you are doing this half-hearty but after that fight you will not see me again, I promise.”

“We care only for our lifestyles, not your morals. But we get to have a good fight with Dragen and that’s the only reason for helping you.” Hades said and the fire on his head passed on his shoulders above his black tunic.

“Thank you.”

Roxanne lifted her arm and she gave the signal; the black smoke from Maleficent’s magic covered them all and they disappeared.

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Sapphire felt a strong beat on his chest and lifted his head, as far as the chains were allowing him. He felt a strong desire, a feeling of need and will for life.

Roxanne?

“No, she couldn’t have.” He murmured and looked at the closed doors of the throne Room.

The doors opened with a thud and he looked at Servus surprised.

“For what reason am I honored by your presence?” Sapphire asked with sarcasm and Servus hit him with his whip.

“I didn’t come here to talk to you! Where is my Lord?”

“Why are you asking me lowlife?” Sapphire hissed with anger.

Servus ignored the chained dragon and looked outside from the open doors.

“Today will be the final day for her…”

“Don’t say nonsense Servus…or is it that you want to avenge your wounded pride?”

“Don’t mock me dragon…besides I will not be the one fighting her.”

“Servus!” Dragen’s deep voice was heard behind them.

Servus kneeled immediately and Dragen asked him what he wanted.

“There’s been spotted a strange movement at the south of the Castle’s gate. We have yet to confirm who or what it is.”

Dragen smiled and headed outside ignoring Sapphire’s vain attempts to free himself from the chains.

“Watch now Guardian; I will soon bring her to you…” Dragen spoke with low voice, which could only be heard from the dragon.

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Cinderella and Mulan noticed the sudden change on the guards from the outside of their tower. Since they were trapped into the tall western tower, more lower decks were added in order to supervise them all the time.

“Don’t you find it strange Mulan? Why would they change the guards now?”

“It must be Roxanne. Remember what Tinkerbell said? She would come for us; I am sure this must be the reason.

“Girls, look here!” Jack whispered at them and soon everyone had gathered close to the small window.

A troop consisted of Shadows in the form of tigers and horse riders had gotten outside from the walls and stood there, without moving, in front of the Castle’s gates. They looked anxious and they were clinging their weapons with impatience.

Soon after the troop had gathered the soldiers made space for their leader to appear. John Smith noticed Servus appearing, on his horse, riding close to the leading position, until he stopped and ordered the tigers and the soldiers to stay alarmed.

“Are they waiting for her?”

“Guys, I think we forget something important.”

“What is it Jack?” Peter asked puzzled.

“Didn’t the missy say to stay away from the windows?”

They all looked at him for a moment of silence and quickly withdrew away from the windows, gathering all together close to the main column, which was supporting the tower.

“I wonder what that girl has in her mind…” Jack whispered and Tarzan pulled his mustache.

“She is smart enough to challenge Dragen; something that we couldn’t do.”

“We did it! Just…we weren’t strong enough.”Pinocchio said and Gepetto hugged his boy.

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Servus was standing with the assigned, to him troop, in front of the Castle’s gates. He was suspecting that she would come from the front gates, but still he was restless. The previous attempt of sneaking in had resulted into a complete chaos and the annihilation of the eastern tower was the proof. No wonder the soldiers were nervous.

Suddenly a figure started to appear from the windy black valley, walking slowly but steady to their direction. Servus quickly ordered his soldiers to arm themselves and they obeyed with no delay. The figure continued walking until it became clear to them who the lingering silhouette was.

Roxanne was standing in front of the gathered troop with no signs of attacking them but with a strange tranquillity. Servus noticed that she was wearing her earthly clothes and the necklace was on her neck with no trace of light in it. He came down from his horse and with his sword on hand,  aiming at her.

“You have finally come…I thought that you would spend those four days whimpering but I see that you are quite provoking, human.”

Roxanne looked at him for a moment and a sly grin crossed her lips. She titled her head forward and put her hands on her hips.

“Really? Was I supposed to whimper and cry, like a weakling?”

Servus was startled from her answer. He lowered his sword and came closer to her.

“I have to take you to my Lord, human.” He ordered.

“Oh am I supposed to follow you now?” and she started to laugh.

Her face became paler and her brown hair started to transform into black as green smoke started to come out from her nostrils. The smoke covered her body completely and Servus retreated quickly.

The green smoke covered him and the soldiers began panicking, unable to see where they were going. Soon the green smoke dissolved and the giant purple dragon with two gleam green eyes was standing before them, laughing with pleasure. Maleficent had managed to trick them and she hit her jaws together echoing fiercely at the soldiers.

“Attack her!” Servus shouted and his soldiers charged against her.

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“What in the name of the seven seas is that?” Jack screamed amazed when he saw the fake Roxanne transform into a dragon.

“That’s not Roxanne, she’s Maleficent, idiot pirate!” a familiar voice whispered behind him and Jack jumped from surprise.

“Hades?”

The others noticed the smoke from the god’s tunic forming his body from their prison’s walls and floor and soon he had fully appeared in front of them.

“Let’s see…there is truce until Roxanne destroys Dragen but for now let’s get along, shall we?” and he broke the chains of everyone.

Jasmine and Aladdin got on the Carpet together with Abu, while Genie followed them from behind. Mulan and Mushu, Pocahontas and John Smith, the princesses and everyone else got up, ready to follow Hades’s instructions.

“I have camouflaged Hook’s ship and it is waiting for us outside. Pan, give dust to all; you will have to fly.”

“Got it.” The boy said and quickly Tinkerbell flew above everyone’s heads making their hair shine with the pixie dust.

Hades used his fire and soon the stone wall was heated enough for the Ginie, who hit it with his hammer hand. The explosion on the wall pulled everyone closer to the opening and, after Peter flew, the rest followed.

They saw the ship waiting for them, just above the tower and they quickly came aboard on the deck. Mickey looked around searching for Roxanne but she was nowhere to be found. Donald and Goofy looked from the deck under them and they saw the flying Shadows coming to get them.

“Fly!” they both shouted with a voice and Jack took the steering wheel from Hook turning it completely and making everyone trip.

Maleficent realized that the tower was exploded and before she flies on her dragon form, she hit her dragon feet on the ground. In an instant the earthquake shook Servus and the remaining soldiers, passed below them and then the spiky thorns appeared under the ground, rising on the black walls and pierced them.

The walls were turned into crumble and the Shadows screamed as they saw their fortress falling. She took off, flapping her wings and landed, on her human form, into the deck.

Jafar and Ratcliffe praised for her efforts and she touched the orb of her staff smiling wickedly.

“We have kept our word. Let’s get away from here.” Hook shouted to his crew and they began changing course.

“No! We must help Roxanne!” Slightly shouted and Jafar glare at the boy

“We kept the part of the deal we had with her. She promised that we will not see her again and so we intent to do so.”

“Jafar, what do you mean by that?” Hercules asked him.

Pocahontas and Tarzan looked from the gunwale and sensed the air.

“The air has changed…” she whispered and Tarzan turned to Jane.

“We must turn back; she is in danger.”

Jane looked at the others terrified but Jack shouted at everyone gaining the attention he wanted.

“She did many for us, so we will do something for her; we are getting away from here!” and Peter rushed at him, trying to take the wheel from him.

Ruckus had taken over the whole ship and they would have begun fighting if Genie hadn’t screamed at everyone with his mouth in the form of a loudspeaker.

“Now that we have calm down a little, why don’t we worry about the Shadows which are chasing us?” and he showed at the group which was still following them.

They gathered their courage and, after hiding those who couldn’t fight inside the ship, they started preparing the cannons.

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 Dragen saw with horror, an emotion he didn’t even know he had, his walls falling apart as the purple dragon casted the spell of the magic thorns. In the same time the wall of the tower, where the prisoners were, exploded and the all started to fly into something invisible to his eyes, until they disappeared. Fury and awe for their daring made him scream and the Shadows gathered around him.

“Destroy them!” he ordered and the Shadows took the forms of flying, formless creatures and begun chasing them.

He turned to the location where Servus was still trying to save anything he could from his destroyed troop.

“If the human wasn’t there, then where is she?” he said and looked at the main Castle, where the Guardian was imprisoned in.

He realized her plan and hurried back in haste.

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“I am going on diet, that’s for sure!” Roxanne mumbled as she continued crawling.

“What’s a diet Roxanne?” Max asked her as he continued leading the way.

“We will answer it later. Please tell me that we have more way to go!” she admitted with tiredness and the small Shadow moved its puppy tail.

They had managed to enter into the main Castle by going through the underground pipe system. Roxanne couldn’t even imagine that this Castle could have something like a pipe system but Max informed her that the Shadows sometimes liked resting here, since it was cool and they could avoid their Lord’s short temper.

“We have two more turns and then we climb up to the side door which leads to the throne room.” Max said after a few moments of constant moving and stopped immediately.

Roxanne stopped too mimicking him; they had stopped several times moving since the footsteps of the soldiers above them made them restless. Max had told her that since Shadows had sensitive hearing, they could trace them from their sounds. And thus, when Max was stopping moving so did Roxanne.

She pulled the necklace from the inside of her clothes and looked at it; it was faintly glimmering and the fact that its light was dying was making Dragen’s words seem more and more clear and truth to her.

I must hurry…he is waiting, he waited for so long…

“Let’s continue.” Max whispered and Roxanne hid the necklace inside her clothes.

They passed several dark and odd shaped tunnels and they reached a dead end. Max moved his pawn showing up and he transformed into a sparrow. Roxanne poured some pixie dust on her head and tried to think something happy; she floated some meters above the ground and she landed again.

Roxanne wasn’t surprised; her thoughts were hazy and tears came to her eyes.

“A family.” Max said above her head.

“What?”

“Will you take me to your family one day? I want to meet them.”

Roxanne was still thankful for the day she hadn’t destroyed Max; he had become her brace and he was still giving her courage, when she herself knew that she wouldn’t get outside from the Castle alive.

“Thank you Max.” she whispered and kissed the little bird’s head as she flew together with him upwards.

They reached the end of the pipe, which was heading upwards and Max pushed the iron trap door. He double checked the empty hallway, before he gives signal to Roxanne to climb up. When they closed the trap door again Roxanne got up and looked around her; the hallway they were in was made of black stones and the ceiling was decorated with black and silver shining pearls and diamonds. The walls were covered with red curtains and the girl couldn’t stop thinking that Dracula would appear from any moment.

“Is this close to the Throne Room?”

“We need to go that way.” Max answered, showing to the right side of the hallway.

They start running together, feeling the tension building up on them with every step they were making. Roxanne knew that Maleficent and the others would buy enough time for her but after that she would be alone.

She felt the necklace warm on her neck and pulled it off her clothes. It had started to shine. Max stopped running and Roxanne looked in front of her; the door was closed and it wasn’t as big as others she had seen. Hesitantly, she pushed the door and went inside.

Roxanne and Max felt the cold wind on their feet and Max quickly transformed into a black hawk; he flew upwards and checked the wide Throne Room. When Roxanne walked in, she noticed the black Throne and chills ran through her spine; she turned around and then, she saw him.

Sapphire was lying to the ice cold floor with black chains on his dragon body; his eyes were closed and he was breathing heavily, as if he was trying to fight a disease. She walked carefully close to him and she placed her hands on the white scales of his neck.

The dragon opened his eyes surprised when he felt her touch and he looked at her with the corner of his eye.

“You…”

Roxanne smiled and she caressed his neck, moving her fingers from his neck up to his head until she reached his eyes and bulging eyebrows. Their eyes met and a slight groan left his mouth.

“Hang on, I will free you in a moment.” She whispered, pulling her sword from her sheath.

“Get out of here now; there is no reason for you to fight anymore Roxanne.”

The tip of her sword was aimed at the spot between his eyes and the dragon flinched.

“How can you say that? Then for what reason did I come here? I am helping you defeat Dragen and I don’t want to hear any more of your lies!” Roxanne shouted angry and with a move, and a little of the Rose’s power, she broke the chains.

Sapphire got up and looked down at her; her face was pale and her eyes were deep in her eye sockets. Max flew to her side and rested on her shoulder, looking at him angrily.

“Idiot dragon! You should have spoken from the beginning! Then nothing from all this would have happened!” the hawk squirm squawked at him.

“Max! Don’t say anymore!” Roxanne ordered and the Shadow was silenced.

Sapphire’s eyes widen when Roxanne lowered her head. Her hands were shaking and her brown, long curls were falling on her shoulders, covering her teary eyes.

“Roxanne…you knew?” he asked with consternation and lowered his dragon head closer to her.

“I…found out…three days ago.” She said with trembling voice and lifted her head and her hands touched the tip of the dragon’s muzzle.

“But now it doesn’t matter anymore…I can help you destroy Dragen and everyone will be saved!” she said with broken voice and smiled at him as the tears started to flow on her face.

The doors opened widely and the familiar feeling of shiver consumed both of them. Dragen was standing on the entrance of the Throne Room with his fists shaking from anger.

“You!” he screamed at them and Roxanne stood in front of Sapphire.

“What’s the matter Dragen? Did you lose your composure?” she asked with irony and Dragen snapped.

He screamed and the earthquake shook the ground. The Castle started to crumble and quickly Sapphire grabbed her with his claws and flew as the ground started to crumble beneath them.

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On Hook’s ship Phil saw the Shadows retreat from the fight and heading to the Castle. Although they were on midair, they felt the deep sound of the earthquake shaking the ground.

“What is happening?” Belle asked when she found the courage and headed out from the cabin.

“Dragen has gotten serious. We can’t land as the ground is now.” Phil explained, looking below him.

“Let’s wait and see what happens. I doubt if Roxanne and the Guardian want us in this battle.” Hercules said and looked at the erupting Black Volcano.

“We will believe…” Jack murmured and Peter took off his green hat looking at the crumbling Castle.

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The Volcano had erupted. Roxanne could see the smoke and the black lava flooding from the sides of it and tried to look for Dragen; he was nowhere to be seen. Sapphire was flying above the already crumbled Castle when they both noticed the shadow which rose above them.

The sky became darker, the thunders started to crush the ground and the top of the Volcano was covered with smoke and the remains of the Shadows. From this mass a body started to form, dark and ominous with huge black wings and gleaming golden eyes. On his head the man’s body had horns and giant claws were forming on the tips of his fingers.

“Chernabog[1]…” Roxanne whispered in terror and Sapphire tightened his hold, pressing her body close to his chest.

“I will fight him Roxanne, hang on until then.” He whispered at her and she touched his chest, leaning her head on him.

She knew he was lying; there was no way for him to defeat Dragen as he was now.

Sapphire made a loop in the air escaping the firing black shots of rocks and smoke Dragen was shooting at them. He had to find a way to secure Roxanne before attacking him; Max was flying close to their side in the form of a flying soldier and he too was trying to repel his attacks.

Suddenly, the dragon felt something warm around his neck; he leaned his head down and saw the silver chain of the Rose’s necklace shining around his neck and the Rose glimmering more and more with every flap of his wings.

He looked terrified at the girl inside his claws and she turned her head at him, smiling weakly.

“Kick his ass Sapphire. I am giving you back your powers…” she said with low, but crystal clear to the dragon, voice and the blue light covered them both.

Everyone saw the light blasting its radiance in all directions; Hook’s pirate ship was carried away from the blast wave and everyone on deck braced themselves, looking at the miracle happening in front of their eyes.

Roxanne felt warm; something soft and warm was caressing her cheeks and she tried to open her eyes. But everything was blurry; she could only see a blurred face burning on something golden but the green eyes were clear to her. The golden light enveloped her body and she felt her back resting on something hard.

“Keep her safe Max, until I am done with him.” The familiar voice said and Max barked in his wolf form.

Roxanne’s eyes were still blurry and she could feel her breathing becoming harder and harder. She moved her hand to her belt and tried to pull something from it.

“Let me help you.” Max said quickly and pulled the folded paper from her belt.

Roxanne put the strength she had on her trembling hands and unfolded the paper; she held it close to her chest and smiled.

“You really…are a…liar…Sapphire…”

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Dragen saw the light and felt for a moment his powers weaken; he hadn’t thought the possibility of Roxanne giving the Rose back to the Guardian. And since he was an existence made from the hatred and selfishness of the human heart, he screamed with fury.

He saw the flash coming at his side and he quickly tried to repel it. But his defense was in vain; the golden flash quickly passed right near him, chopping off his left arm. The demon screamed from pain and fury, holding his shoulder and the light stopped in front of him.

It manifested into a human body, taking the form of a man. His armor was made of silver and the relief of a flying dragon was carved on it. His shiny golden hair was like the burning sun and his green, sapphire eyes were glaring at the demon with anger. The sword on his right hand was lifted and the man charged against the demon.

Dragen used his right arm, transforming it into a black sword, and crushed it with Sapphire’s. It was like a giant fighting a tiny person but the flow of their powers was the same. Sapphire used his light speed again and managed to destroy Dragen’s wings, until he left Dragen as a remnant of his Shadow body, kneeling on a crumble of rocks and burnt black lava.

Sapphire stood in front of him and his light made the Lord of Shadows scream from pain. He looked at the Guardian and laughed.

“You know that I can’t lose…”

“I know, but a long as the human heart fights the darkness and bears hope, you will never be reborn again.” Sapphire replied with cruel voice and his sword’s blade crushed the Shadow’s body piercing his chest and making Dragen disappear.

The sky became brighter again and the thunders stopped falling. The sky was painted with the colors of afternoon but still it was brighter, as if a sorrowful shade had disappeared once and for all.

Sapphire sheathed his sword and as he was ready to fly back Max’s mourning howl was heard.

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The heroes had witnessed a miracle; they saw Dragen’s demonic form crumbling under the radiance of the Guardian’s light and joy filled them. Hook ordered everyone to help land the ship on the ground and both good and evil worked together as one. They couldn’t wait to meet Roxanne and Guardian again and because of their happiness Max’s howl didn’t reach their ears.

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Sapphire ran to the ruins of the Castle and jumped quickly above the fallen rocks and columns. He had heard Max’s howl and prayed that he could make it in time. By the time he had reached the spot where he had left Roxanne and Max, the Shadow was already mourning over his Master’s cold body.

“No…” and with slow steps he walked closer to her.

Roxanne was still sitting on the same position he had placed her before leaving, with her back lying on the fallen wall; her long curls were falling on her face while her eyes were closed and her head was leaning a little to the right. Max had curled his wolf body near her feet, resting his head on her lap, as if he was waiting for his Master to caress him.

Sapphire touched her cold cheek and he slowly took her on his arms; she seemed lighter than before and he tried to suppress his anguish. He couldn’t believe that just one moment ago she was talking and smiling, even if he had used her in order to reclaim his powers. He pushed the curls behind her ear and he noticed the piece of paper in her palm.

The paper was unfolded and, placing her head on his chest, he took the paper in his hand. He saw the drawing and a sob left his throat; it was his portrait of that time on the beach, when Roxanne had decided that she wanted to become a painter.

Max, who was standing near him, showed something in the back and Sapphire turned the paper on the back. She had written something and he started to read.

To my idiot dragon,

 If you are reading this now, it means that I have died (and I thought that it was tragic). I am sure you kicked Dragen’s ass and Max is sobbing near you. Are the worlds now safe? Is my family now safe? I hope the others have escaped and you have taken your powers back.

When I learnt your story three days ago, I was sad and furious with you; you lied to me first about my being here and second about your cool form. But I am glad. I met new friends, I had an adventure and you took care of me all this time.

When you first came to my dreams, I had once more cheated death; I was 14 back then and that first dream, strangely gave me hope and the need to draw. I will never regret meeting you and everyone.

P.S. I am also sorry for being so late but I want you to know that I love you.

Thank you for everything, Roxanne

 “You are the idiot! Of course I would be sad!” Sapphire shouted and held her tighter.

“Guardian?” Mickey asked him.

When he raised his head, everyone had already gathered around them, looking at Roxanne with horror; they never expected that she would lose her battle.

Bambi and Pinocchio dared to come closer, only to see the young girl sleeping soundly in Sapphire’s arms.

“Wait a moment! She had your powers! Can’t you give them back to her?” Jack asked with his pirate hat on his hands.

“Impossible...I don’t have that power, only something bigger than me...”

“What is bigger than you?” Meg asked and new sobs came from everyone.

The footsteps made everyone turn; the elk appeared from the burnt woods and it walked slowly to Sapphire’s direction.

“He says that she is sleeping, she is not...dead?” Max translated the elk’s words.

“WHAT?” everyone shouted.

“How can I wake her up?” Sapphire asked the elk and looked at Max, ordering him to continue translating.

“He says that the price and the thought can wake her up.”

“Price and thought?”

And then Sapphire's eyes lightened.

“Everyone step back!” he shouted as he got up, with Roxanne’s body on his arms.

They all did as instructed and Sapphire called Max close to him.

“How...how will you make her wake up?”

“She didn’t die on Earth. Beings who have left their world, if they die, this death is just trapping their souls between dimensions, while their bodies are in the state of sleeping. I can channel a part of my powers on her but i need you and the rest to call her back. But all depends on your strenght.”

“Got it!” Max barked as he ran to the others passing Sapphire’s words.

“Hang on Roxanne, just a little more.” He whispered and smiled at her.

The elk walked away from him but it didn’t left. It stood away from the others looking at the girl and the Guardian.

Sapphire kneeled and pulled his sword; he started carving symbols and words on the ground and by the time he completed them the sky had already darkened. He got up and lifted Roxanne’s body to the sky shouting a long forgotten spell.

His armour shined and the blue light crossed his arms and consumed Roxanne making her glimmer.

“Now!” he screamed and everyone began shouting her name or thinking her with all their might.

Max was screaming, taking all the forms he had showed to Roxanne; even the bad ones were making some kind of thought for her. The ground started to tremble and on the sky the aurora appeared, making the pack of the flying whales appear as well. Thunders could be heard from all directions and the sound of the raging sea came to everyone’s ears. Rafiki and the lions made their entrance to the destroyed castle and the baboon started to wave his staff howling to the stars.

Roxanne’s body began floating, just inches above Sapphires hands, and in a moment it dissolved into crystal shards, which became crystal dust and scattered into every direction. Everything calmed down and Sapphire put his hand on his chest; now it was up to her if she had heard their calling.

Max sniffed the air and transformed into a hawk; he flapped his wings and took off, screaming that he had caught her scent. They all began running, following him with Sapphire leading them; he had too sensed something changing, something being reborn and hope filled his heart.

By the time they had reached the location Max was leading them many earthquakes had happened as they run on the continuously changing landscape. The trees were growing back, rivers had started to flow again and the remnants of the Black Volcano were disappearing.

They stood in front of a small lake, which was surrounded by grass and more trees. Max was flying above the still water and he returned to Sapphire’s side, sitting on his shoulder.

“Are you sure this is the place Max?”

“I would never mistake her scent!”

The water suddenly moved upwards forming a pillar and the same crystal dust started to shine again. The elk was the only one who dared to walk into the water and touched with the tip of its muzzle the water pillar.

In a moment the water calmed down and in front of everyone a familiar face stood. She was made of water and her eyes were golden. She smiled at everyone and hugged the elk. She passed it and headed to the shore; when her feet touched the ground her water body transformed into green and blue roses bloomed all around the lake.

She stood before Sapphire and bowed with respect; she smiled at him and opened her arms; from her green floating body, Roxanne’s body appeared and the sprite placed her in Sapphire’s arms.

He looked once at Roxanne and at the sprite again.

“Thank you...” he said with trembling voice and the sprite flew to the sky, continuing her work on restoring Lost Star back to its original form.

“Is she alive?” Max whispered and Sapphire touched her cheek.

She was warm and she was breathing; he couldn’t even move from his fear of waking her.

“If she hasn’t blown up, wake her!” Jack shouted from behind and Peter with Beast hit him on the head.

The Lost Boys started to fight with Hook and Meeko went to steal the lamp from Aladdin.

“Too.Noisy.” a soft voice was heard and everyone stopped petrified.

Roxanne opened slowly her eyes and the sea of gold consumed her as Sapphire kissed her softly on her lips. She raised her hand and touched him on his hair, caressing him warmly.

“And who is the idiot dragon?” he asked her with fake anger after breaking their kiss.

“You are...” she answered and smiled.

He helped her got up and Roxanne looked at everyone.

“I could hear you...some were really noisy but others were whispering. Jack, don’t you even dare call me chick again, I will kill you!” and she ran to the pirate’s side attacking him with her small fists. Everyone fell on her, hugging her, kissing her on her cheeks and even Genie lifted her on his shoulder as everyone were hooraying for both her and the Guardian.

Roxanne stepped down from Genie and she placed her hand on her neck; she realized that the necklace wasn’t there anymore and she signed.

“The Rose is still there.” Sapphire said when he noticed her reaction.

“How?”

“I embed it on your heart; with mine, and everyone’s help, you have acquired a part of me.” He smiled and pulled a little her shirt.

On her chest, where her heart is placed, was a small sign of burning; it had the form of a small wide bloomed rose, which became warmer when Roxanne passed her fingers on her skin.

“Is this mine?” she asked with trembling voice and Sapphire smiled at her, as he hugged her.

“This is my gift to you; I am so sorry Roxanne. I am sorry for everything.”

“I have already forgiven you; I took my revenge after all.” And she hugged him too, hiding her head on the base of his neck.

“So what we will do now?” Belle asked and everyone realized that the time had come.

“I will take you home. This is something i promised after all.” Sapphire declared and everyone overjoyed.

Roxanne looked at them; she too knew now what her mission was and she pulled Sapphire’s hand.

“I am going back home too.” She stated and Sapphire looked at her sadly.

“Hey Roxanne don’t ruin the mood! You can stay here!” Peter shouted and flew to her side.

Roxanne took the flying boy’s hand and smiled at him.

“Dragen might have been defeated now but we don’t know if or when he will return. I am going to work hard back on Earth and I will ensure that he will never reawaken again or threaten your worlds.”

She turned at Sapphire and she took Max from his shoulder.

“Max...don’t cry.”

“But you will leave me alone!”

“I will not leave you alone.” And she looked at the Guardian, “will take care of him for me?”

“Of course. I promise.” And he took her hand.

“Everyone, let’s go to Tortuga’s port.” And he moved his sword, making all of them disappear from the shiny lake with the blue roses.

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The port of Tortuga was no more when they arrived; it had transformed into a wide shiny floor made of granite, with low stair leading to the sea. There King Triton, Ariel and the rest of the mermaids were waiting for them.

Roxanne waved her hand at them and she turned to Sapphire, waiting for his instructions. But he simply took her hand and walked with her in the edge of the granite floor, where also the end of this world was.

She saw the dark, starless sky and the black void under her where the sea water was falling like a waterfall.

“This sure is high...” she commented amazed and she looked at him.

He wasn’t speaking but his shiny green eyes were reflecting his emotions. She pulled his cheeks and made him frown.

“Sapphire my offer is still open. Since i have a bit of your powers i can tell what will happen when we leave from here.”

“The boundaries will close...”

“But I will open them again, I will try.” And she cupped his face with her hands.

His golden hair, her blue eyes reflected the powers of their existence and Roxanne placed a kiss on his lips.

“Don’t call me idiot again Sapphire.”

“I won’t, I promise. I will wait for the time we will meet again.”

They hugged each other and the blue radiance grew stronger around them. Their light flew above their bodies and covered everyone behind them, transforming their bodies into glowing blue orbs.

The orbs flew above them and their happy voices were echoing all over the Lost Star. Max ran to Roxanne’s side and hugged her too just before her glowing blue body, starts to float upwards, but her hands were still holding Sapphire tightly.

She looked at the green eyes once more, she patted Max’s crow head and she loosened her hold. Their fingers were the last to part and Roxanne flew too upwards, following the rest of the orbs, which were waiting for her.

When she reached them they combined their light together and they disappeared from Lost Star in a echoing blast, leaving behind Sapphire, in his dragon form, and a crying Max.

“Don’t expect me to be your nanny dragon...” Max said between his sobs.

“Who will nanny who?” Sapphire said with concern and hugged the small Shadow with his wing.

“We will definitely see them again, I am sure of that.”

 [1]Reference to Fantasia 1940