STORY 2: EARTH

Written by: Amanda A. Hilliard "Shadowstar"

~This takes place after "Hunters Moon", the six Shadowstar stories and the Shadowstar and Flicker cross overs... this is also a different reality than most of you know to be... Keep in mind, at this point in time, this Flicker is reunited as a whole. Any questions about what's going on with some of these characters, please mail me. This story also doesn't focus totally on Shadowstar. I would say that Brie, Athena, Ares, and Uly tend to be the main characters.~

~ For Austin, life and inspiration

~ "This is the winter of our discontent" ~Shakespeare

CHAPTER 1: Calling of Avalon

"Rhayna, we're waiting," Oberon's voice echoed through the dim hallway.

"I'm coming," She replied levitating through the hallway.

Rhayna's heart lept with the sensing of her own kin... She had arisen to the alarming emotion and Oberon's call. Her hands shook with the fear of Hades' war, and yet, her heart sang out for the return of her loved ones.

"In the midst of a dawning war, I have my family returning," Rhayna whispered to herself nearing the throne room hallway. The sapphire haired faery had lived a life of pain and shame. She is the eldest of the first generation faeries, the oldest of all Oberon's children.

They were triplets (looking nothing alike) and held an awesome power when combined. Rhayna, the blue haired and aqua eyed, bore the crescent moon on her collar bone, a mark that fell to her children. Rhayna was the most enigmatic, arrogant, and strangely insightful. She and Apollo had a strange forbidden love which brought forth Allison, who clearly resembles her father. When Apollo had an affair, so to speak, with Cassandra, Rhayna left Avalon and fell in love with the gargoyle called Midnight. She bore a gargoyle child called Astra who was lost to the knowledge of all faes. The child recently turned out to be Shadowstar, renamed by the Kindred. She also has yet to fully recognize her mother. Rhayna had a second child to Apollo when all was reconciled, but when she was banned to punishment, Apollo took the child and encased it in time so it would never age... that brings them to what disasters may occur today.

Rhayna stood in the doorway between the light and darkness of the hallway and throne room. Her eyes took in the gathering of faeries... the gargoyles still slept except for Shadowstar. The main lines of the armies stood prominently near the front... Allison, Flicker, Shadowstar, Hermes, Deloon, Cress, Oberon, and Titania... and the other two there... stopped her heart.

"By the Styx.." Rhayna gasped in disbelief. She had known her sister to be there, but he... kept himself hidden from her senses.

"Rhayna," Apollo said softly with the sun dancing about his features.

"My god, Apollo!" she exclaimed running to him.

Apollo caught Rhayna in his arms and embraced her in a bitter sweet reunion. Too long were they separated from each other. But Apollo didn't now how to explain everything to her... He was afraid her love would turn into something cold.

"And Allison?" He questioned softly.

"Here," Rhayna told him with tears of joy welling up her eyes.

Allison walked across the floor taking in the appearance of her father. His eyes, his features, his hair, everything about him reflected back onto her. She knew she was his daughter. Yet, so many questions surrounded this event. She had to ask even if the godliness intimidated her.

"I thought the gods died," She replied almost coldly pulling her golden locks away from her face.

"I hid... the vampires would have killed me," he answered looking hurt by her coldness.

"So you lived with them," Shadowstar replied stepping forward knowing the truth behind Apollo, "Don't think I've forgotten."

"The gargoyle child," He said almost wanting to hurt her, but knowing that he couldn't. She had helped him. She had saved him. He felt her pain.

"A god does a as god pleases as always... You had the power to stop this and you didn't." "On the contrary, Shadowstar, I am but one god in the plenty. My will was nothing against Zeus'."

"Shadowstar, you have no quarrel with him, only me," Rhayna told like a scolding parent as Shadowstar's gaze slowly moved to her.

"Go ahead, have you little family reunion... backed by blood and deceit," Shadowstar sneered and turned her back.

Brie stepped forward and put her hand on her sister's shoulder, "I remember when you sounded exactly like that," She whispered.

Shadowstar heard the words with her telepathy and said nothing. She was like her mother. Brie watched her niece walk away and wished she had contact with her own child, Asher, who had disappeared from Avalon's soil. Flicker noted how different Brie looked from Rhayna. Her eyes were cobalt, much like Shadowstar's with raspberry hair long and flowing. Brie's face bore three red tears connecting her to the triplets. She was the more warring and tomboy of the girls. Ares himself fell for her ways, but Olympus shunned their love. She did not care for Olympus but Ares changed that.

"Brie, what about Uly? Geoffe?" Rhayna questioned her sibling and love.

"That's why we're here," Apollo replied facing Oberon, "Olympus has started their strike... Rhayna, Uly and Ares took Geoffe from Delphi."

"What?!" She exclaimed with a mother's pain.

"I fear they are going to use his potential-" Apollo started as a blinding light filtered the room.

"Looks like the party has just started," Flicker whispered to Shadow as Athena, Puck, and Xanatos appeared before them.

Athena stepped forward to her brother Apollo," They have Alexander."

"And Geoffe," Apollo answered to her.

Oberon grew impatient listening to the conversations. Nothing of significance was resulting from it. Avalon just grew closer, and unprepared, for a war with Olympus.

"Athena, Apollo, will you please get on with it. The fate of Avalon is at hand so please tell us what the hell is going on," Oberon commanded them sitting up straighter in his throne.

"Very well," Athena replied as she took the floor.

The faeireis lined the walls as the twilight began to stream through the windows. Athena noted this as Oberon ordered Shadowstar to call the gargoyles. No sooner than he spoke, Shadowstar released a telepathic message. Athena waited patiently as the gargoyles filed into the throne room led by Gabriel.

"We're all here... finally," Athena grumbled, "We all know that Hades took Geoffe and Alexander, both with extreme potential. I fear they are going to use the children to their will."

"How so?" Oberon questioned.

"Hades does not have the power to restore all the gods to their previous status. Remy was no problem. The vampires are the undead, but Hades cannot match making an immortal."

"No..." Rhayna whispered closing her eyes.

"We are wasting precious time. We have to build two fronts. One remains here. Four have to go to Hades," Athena commanded with the militant leader aura all about her.

The room fell silent. Nobody wanted to take on the task. It was Hades... it was no long their territory. It was dangerous. Avalon depended on it, but they feared the name of Hades and Zeus... the Avalonians feared.

CHAPTER 2: Assembly

"Somebody must take on the task," Athena replied, "Shadowstar?"

Athena knew that Shadowstar was the most suitable to go and lead. She did with no question last time they had to venture to Hades' soil. But Shadow was different this time. The goddess knew.

"If I leave Avalon, I'll die... You know that..." Shadowstar mumbled not wanting to admit it. She was not one to admire her own weaknesses.

"Fine, we are wasting precious time. Apollo, Xanatos, Allison, and Rhayna to the Underworld." Athena quickly commanded as the moon rays beat off her breast plate giving her the tone for command.

The room fell silent with her words.

"You don't like it?" Athena questioned with the voice of a goddess, "Too bad."

*******

An unusual light swirled through Hades as the gods touched it and became fire. Hades watched the life and potential of the two young ones emanated through the veins of the Olympians. They stepped through the flames, painlessly and freely. Each one gaining life and majesty as they rose from the ashes as a dark phoenix. Not good anymore, each one tainted with a certain evil about them. They were here for vengeance and gain.

"Good job, Uly," Hades commented with an evil grin as Uly used his faery potential to influence the children.

The magic poured from all ends and death turned to life... the Olympians will walk once more. Their death was only temporary.

Zeus opened his eyes as the magical flames poured out of them, and he sneered with all his delight, "They will play once and for all."

"These children are our victory. Aphrodite, Hephasestus, and Eros. Remain here to make sure none touch these children. Oberon will send for them, I can garuntee it.

"Yes, Zeus," They replied almost mindless as zombies.

Aphrodite and Eros took the two children into their arms. Hephaesturs, the god of forge, and Hades followed them out of the cavern. This was the dawning of their day.

Zeus looked at the remaining Olympians.... many had the choice to live. Some declined, some accepted graciously, "Some prefer death to this... you are my remaining army... the Olympians, my brethren, my children. Hera, Artemis, Dionysus, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Eos, and our newest... Uly."

"How do we attack them?" Hera questioned her husband.

"Overwhelmingly," Zeus hissed and laughed into the deafening silence of death's realm.

Hades looked at Zeus with a dark glare, "My dear brother, less you forget... I control the power."

**************

Apollo stepped forward while the rest of his team followed on his cloak tails. Rhayna, Allison, and Xanatos were going not for themselves or for Avalon. They were going for their loved ones, the children.

Shadowstar remained silent in the back cover of the room. Flicker noticed her harsh face glaring at the four. He never did understand the way she was. But there is always a reason to the way Shadowstar works.

"Look at the nice family reunion," She sneered. There was always a method to her madness Flicker liked to say about her.

"Be happy for them, Shadowstar," Flicker whispered putting his arm around her chalky waist. Her face was so troubled. It wasn't a lie that she had it rough. Not many people would be able to deal with the loses of family, hope, power, and of life in general that she has had to overcome. But sometimes, there is a point where you have to deal with it and move on.

"Why should I? Allison's the one who's going to have the perfect life. Mommy, Daddy, and little brother. Where do I fit in? Nowhere! Because I am the fluke. I can never know my father because my life was stolen away from people who abandoned me..."

"What? Do you want to be in that picture, give up being a gargoyle... give up being you? Sometimes, Shadow, your methods are unreal," Flicker completely criticized her way of thinking.

Shadowstar fell silent and Apollo caught her eyes. It wasn't a look of disgust but of caring. Shadowstar looked away from the exiting team. She had saved his life and for some reason, she could feel his presence destroying hers.

"Your jealous!" Flicker exclaimed coming to his final conclusion on the subject.

"Of who? Allison? She may have had a near complete life here on Avalon, but it's not something that I would want."

"That's what is sounds like you want."

Shadowstar drew her eyes to the ground not wanting to admit the truth. Flicker sighed and said nothing fully knowing that he couldn't break through her stubbornness. 'She is so damn frustrating,' Flicker thought and glanced up to Athena.

"May the Styx protect them," Athena replied softly before turning about to Oberon.

"What now?" He questioned her running his fingers across his blue chin.

"We wait and prepare to defend Avalon."

CHAPTER 3: THE WATERS RISE

An echo of footsteps could be heard through the hallway. The eyes drifted towards the frail figure that entered. It was Katherine. Gabriel ran over to her to help the older woman who was in clear panic. When Katherine panicked, Avalon panicked with her.

"Katherine?" Shadowstar rose her eyes quickly with concern in her eyes and throat.

"Oberon, the waters. They're rising quickly... swallowing Avalon<" Katherine stammered hardly being able to make out any words.

"Poseidon," Athena replied looking at Oberon.

"How do we stop the oceans that hold us?" He looked at the goddess.

Athena fell silent for a moment but then replied, "We have to strike it at the source."

"We attack Poseidon and drive him back to Hades... Shadowstar, we need your mastery with shields to breath. Puck and my Queen, I want you both to go also. Your wills combined will break him."

"Yes, my lord," Titania nodded.

Oberon looked around the room wide-eyed at the gathering of Avalon's finest. It was now time to decide the first front of soldiers.

"Deloon, Cress, Hermes, Flicker and Gabriel, out on land. Odin, Weird Sisters, you keep everybody else inside protected. If we fall, it is all of your job to keep Avalon in our name," Oberon commanded standing up. They all nodded in response. His commands were his will, and Avalon will listen.

* * *

A massive light of teleportation flickered through the moonlit sky. Titania, Puck, and Shadowstar stepped from the crowd of warriors to gaze at the quickly rising waters. All of the skilled fae combined their skills told try to hold back the tides with magic. The three knew they had to do their bidding quickly.

"Make sure Shadowstar has much concentration," Athena said with an glance to remind Titania of Shadowstar's weaknesses from her last fights, "It is mainly up to you two to defeat Poseidon."

"Ah, so another chapter is written into the adventures of Puck and Shadowstar," Puck smirked resting an elbow on Shadowstar's shoulder. She smiled slightly glancing at him sideways.

"Heh, but this time I actually fear what's coming."

"Nah, we won't let him hurt you."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

The tree walked to the edge of the land as the water surrounded their feet. Flicker grabbed Shadowstar's talon and she turned around instantly to look at him.

"I know things have been difficult but-" Flicker started with worry written across his eyes.

"Shhh... no time," Shadowstar replied silencing him.

"Be careful, Shadow," He whispered kissing her.

"My word is my bond," Shadowstar responded to him and formed a thin shield around her team.

As the three departed into the depths of the ocean, Flicker only looked on with concern for her safety. Behind that, his heart was breaking for Avalon.

A person tends to miss the highlights and beauty of the ocean when looking at it from an outside view. What they saw amongst themselves in the water was of perfection and beauty. As Titania looked ahead of the three faeries she knew that the creatures were not supposed to be in Avalon's waters. They were grotesque figures meant to subdue and make the fear react. But she was not going to tolerate such a manipulation of beauty. Titania was going to stop Poseidon once and for all. She nodded to Puck and Shadowstar to warn them that she was making her move. In a shield this close, her power would have an effect on all of them.

Titania wound up her strength and tore a magical beam through the waters striking down one of the creatures. It shattered just as quickly as it was created. Seeing one of it's ugly brethren be killed, one of the creatures bit at Shadowstar violently. She pushed it away unharmed but lost part of her concentration. Puck noticed this and flicked it into oblivion with a magical spell. The final creature changed it's appearance into that of a shark and attacked them with teeth ready to strike for a meal. Titania sent a command to Shadowstar as Titania put up a magical shield. Shadowstar grabbed ahold of the shark with an invisible hand and using her faery magic shattered it just as Titania had done before. Titania smiled at Shadow knowing that the girl was learning how to come from behind with the deficit of power.

Shadowstar quickly put their shield up over them and they continued to swim further to Poseidon's location.

"Shadowstar, you know you don't have to lie to us. We know that your power is not like it was when you first came to Avalon... very powerful you are... but if your power grows weak-" Titania told her as a guardian figure.

"My will never dies, Titania... I will not yield."

"She is so stubborn," Puck mouthed as a bolt of current struck them.

Poseidon was wielding his power trying to push the three sea warriors away. Shadowstar saw the trident glowing and knew that this was the way to stop him. Titania also noticed because as Shadowstar used her every being to hold away the currents, the Queen dove for the Trident glowing with energy as she touched it. Poseidon found it humorous and used all of his strength to fight back against Titania trying to overload her power with the Trident. He noticed Shadowstar trying to conceal them from the waters and knew that she would be their key. Puck watched the eyes of Poseidon and decided to act on Poseidon's distraction. Puck cast a magical spell over the corals and starfish that were laying at the feet of Poseidon. The god of waters forgot that when on Avalon's ground the sea creatures listen to only the faeries. The corals and the star fish wrapped themselves around the god's feet distracting him from his fight with Titania.

Shadowstar felt something not right with Poseidon. The gods were not this stupid and did not get distracted so easily... but she could feel it. She knew this was Poseidon. Just as she knew that she was fighting the actually Zeus in Hades. But in Hades, none of the gods ruled but one. Hades held the control and the power... and he must be holding the control over all of the gods without their knowledge. Hades probably also didn't realize that he could be overloaded and shorted out... and this one strike could certainly do that. She knew how to destroy Poseidon.

'Titania, we have to overload him to make him stop,' Shadowstar relayed and Titania nodded realizing the same thing.

All three powers combined were sent rushing at Poseidon through the dark blues and greens of the water. He knew his weakness and fought back. A god would not kindly accept their weakness and defeat. They thought they were stronger than this. Maybe the gods were wrong... maybe Hades was wrong. No, this was not their end. They were better than Avalon.

As Poseidon's body started to reflect the golds, greens, purples, and blues of magic, Hades above started to feel the spinney attacks from where he was losing a part of his power. Something made Oberon look up at the descending gods. He saw something of pain in Hades. Something was not right.

"You go back to where you came from," Titania snarled as they threw all of their might into the last instances of a magical rush. Puck ordered Shadowstar to pull back her power or they would lose their shield at this depth of water. She complied as Titania boosted her power to compensate. The colors and pain reflected off of Shadow's eyes as she held their air in her hands. Why did things have to come to this... Avalon's blood bath.

Poseidon let go to his immortal mortality and his figure faded away back to the Styx... back to being powerless... back to death's realms. He would not be a danger to the underworld travelers.

The three pulled themselves back to the surface awaiting the fresh air. Shadowstar pulled herself through the water swimming to the shores feeling an eerie deja vu like she had dreamt this before... back in her mind in parts where she can't see. They all felt this. Somehow, maybe from stories, they all knew that Avalon would have to fight for its own.

Flicker and a few other soldiers ran through the shallow waters to help pull the three onto the shores. They dodged away from lightening bolts that were electrifying the area. Out of breath, the three tried to speak but much of their energy was surpassed by extreme exhaustion from the pressures and the drainage of energy.

"Overload them..." Shadow blurted out as Flicker held her up.

"What?" He looked at her as if she was insane.

"Overload the gods with energy... Hades controls them. It will go back to him," Titania informed trying to locate Oberon. He came through a clearing after sending a shot of energy to the skies. He wrapped his arms around Titania hearing her words.

"I saw the pain on him. It is the truth."

He then counted the gods that were coming for his lands. The forests were burning, people were dying, but the waters stopped rising. Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Eos, Dionysus, Artemis, and Uly all came forward under the control of Hades. In faith they were stronger, but Oberon knew that Avalon would not fail it's own.

CHAPTER 4: WE TAKE WHAT IS OURS

The battle call to Avalon came across all ears. The plan was overload, and as the gods came to foot on the land they had to organize. The gargoyles with the lead of Gabriel stood around the shores fighting by fist, sword, and magic to give the rest of the lines time.

Athena and Brie looked at each other knowing they had to face those they chose to avoid, but it was the only way. Athena nodded to Oberon as their orders came across. Ares and Uly were theirs to talk to, theirs to convince. Cress and Puck must face Artemis who hid herself among the forest slinging bows and arrows and cause harm to the lands. Titania understood her need to fight the queen. Woman against woman. Hermes and Deloon were the only ones who could see or catch the god with swift feet. Shadowstar and Flicker had to withstand the charms of Dionysus and stop him from corrupting and destroying anything that falls to his ways. Oberon alone would fight the king of the gods... and together with all of their might... they will take down Hades.

The chosen ones watched the gargoyles fight before them as the gods and goddess spread themselves amongst Avalon ready to bring down the destruction. Athena and Brie took to the walls of the castles, they knew what feat Ares would take. He would try to crush the gates... and Uly would follow him like a servant.

Maybe it was unwise to have the Avalonians chase after the Olympians... but somehow, they had the perseverance to overcome any strength. They wanted their home, and they would not accept no for an answer.

When Athena and Brie came face to face with Ares and Uly at the top of a parapet, the fighting stopped for them. The dead faced their siblings who meant more than anything to them... something here broke the spirit Hades tried to evoke. Something here would crack.

"Don't stop us, Athena. The Olympians will prevail," Ares told his bright eyed sister.

"The truth of Apollo knows who will succeed in this battle, Ares. You know who Avalon belongs to."

"You lie," Uly shot at her ready to strike but Brie caught his arm and looked at him with her caring eyes.

"Brother, this is your home. We are your people... Why would you strike us?" She asked him trying to reach the part of him that was locked away.

****

"The vines are wrapping to make a wall," Shadowstar yelled trying to push the tangling thorn branches away from her. Dionysus was charming the fields to do as he pleased.

Flicker pulled out his colorwhip and started to knock the greens away from he and Shadowstar's path. She yelped as a thorn lurched into her skin. He pulled it out and realized that she wasn't exactly happy with this. Rarely did she take out the sword of Zeus but nothing stopped her this time. Shadowstar unsheathed the sword and hacked away at the vines like the prince in Sleeping Beauty. Expect this time, the dragon was nothing more than a dead god in Hades' clothing.

"This has gone to far. This isn't a battle, this is a child's game," Flicker growled flicking some of the shredded vines off of his clothing.

"Yea, well, let's defeat the opponents before I get bored," Shadowstar griped, "It's already proven, that the more we defeat the gods, the more we take Hades down..."

"Is that so..." A suave and yet, dark, voice came from the vine wall. The two faeries barely had time to breath when the were suddenly attacked by a rapture of vines, needles, and shrubs from the fields. They became entangled in the green like ropes. Shadowstar lost her sword to the ground and Flicker whip was tangled by branches. Dionysus walked up to Shadowstar as violet magic started to filter from his eyes. He was trying to seduce her with his charm. Trying to poison her mind. She tried to fight back but the vines started to tear into her skin. She had exhorted so much energy in stopping Hades that she was having a difficult time controlling her will power.

"Fight Shadow-" Flicker yelled at her before vines started to wrap around his face choking his words and breath. She heard his pain and tried to use it to filter her strength. Dionysus came closer to her but he was stronger. No other gods were defeated yet... And she knew they would be counting on her to succeed... that was the game they played always.

****

"Look at me brother!" Athena screamed at Ares turning his devilish eyes towards her.

Ares and Uly said nothing as they stared down the two women. Brie dug her sword into the brick preparing for the backlash of energy she was in Uly's eyes. She clenched to it, her protector, for life. These gods were overpowering even if it was a shared source. The babes gave them much... somehow it had to be taken.

Athena groped her shield as the last flecks of energy passed her by. Hades watched this from a distance and was proud. his gods were winning.

"You fight a useless cause," Uly stood above his amethyst haired sister, "Look at them falling!"

"Brie saw Shadowstar ensnared, Titania beaten, but Oberon- her father- he was making Zeus cower. She was the child of Oberon. THEY were the children. This was their home, their Avalon.

"And THIS is your home, your land, and YOUR family," Brie shouted at him with a hidden passion in her eyes. She stood meeting the glare of Uly while clenching her sword. She grabbed his arm and made him look at Avalon, "This is where you grew, where you learned-"

"And where we were damned."

"No longer! We are no longer the pawns of the Olympians. Let Avalon free you brother," She grabbed his face making him see her passion and pain.

"Oberon betrayed-"

"No! We betrayed ourselves- We were arrogant and fools. What this is, what they are- is evil. You, Uly, Son of Oberon, ar enot evil. You are my brother!"

Something in his sister's words and voice touched the parts of his soul he locked away... and Ares saw this. He knocked Brie to the ground with a hard fist. She looked back at him hurting trying to break into his heart.

"Stop begging for your souls," Ares told her kicking her sword to the ground below.

Athena stepped to him, "We aren't the ones who had the beg and steal for a false life."

The god sized up his sister then looked down at his once love. He clenched his sword wanting to run them through. But a voice caught his attention, a voice from the past. He was so consumed by it that he forgot the magic in which Brie started to wield.

In his ears he remembered the voice of his son, of Asher... a son he loved. The past came back to him and broke his heart. Uly stepped on Brie's wrist stopping this magic and brining Ares back to the present where he was angry and vengeful.

"Sister-" Uly warned as the evil returned to their eyes.

Athena positioned herself and nodded to Brie. Athena held Ares back with all of her power as Brie jumped to action.

"Avalon give me strength!" Brie commanded knocking Uly over making the hands of Avalon wrap around them.

Ares heard a scream in the distance as Avalon, through Brie, tore Hades' will away from Uly replacing it with pure life- the goodness of Avalon magic. False life to pure, real individual life. Brie's forehead cringed with the strength she needed. Rhayna would have been a better conduit for this life-force.

The light of Avalon reflected around the land signaling a new birth, a new hope. As the flashed of life and light stopped, Brie fainted from exhaustion while Uly breathed true life. He looked at his fallen sister as Ares put his hand on Uly's shoulder... they finally understood and lost their anger and hatred. Athena let go of Ares who no longer fought her hold.

"Life Ares... I have my own," Uly whispered, "Sister-"

He gently shook Brie trying to wake her. Ares knelt down and touched her head.

"Uly, get her sword," Ares softly commanded and Uly obeyed leaving the landing roof.

Athena knelt down looked at her dark eyed brother, cloaked in blackness, "You know you choose right."

"It's not my nature, Athena."

"Call war with the ghosts of gods. That is your nature," She said with the head of Medusa gleaming under the ending moonlit night. It was almost a prophetic wisdom by the looks of it.

"Avalon is losing."

"No, not with you."

****

Titania pulled herself off of the ground seeing a pain in Hera. She didn't hesitate at all before she tore a flame of magic into Hera's front.

"Bitch," Hera growled attacking Titania with a weaker physical force.

****

"You can't beat the gods," Zeus roared tearing lightening into Oberon's shoulder.

Oberon found strength to redirect much of the lightening with outreached blue fingers.

"You come to my lands to thief it, to steal it from us. You kill my people more times than once. Hellfury, Eutaru- It ends Zeus. Avalon is ours."

*****

"It's her protector; she will wake," Ares placed the sword in the hands of Brie. He watched the green light of magic start to shimmer off of blade of the sword. Slowly its warm glow gave Brie back the strength that she sacrificed for her brother's life.

The faery slowly pulled herself up above the bricks knowing that only she could give Ares his life too... she wished secretly that her sister was here with her. Uly was not trained for this... only Rhayna was... or Titania, even that Shadowstar.

"Child save your strength to defend against me," a booming voice towered over them.

Hades was not going to lose because of her. She was of the lost ones, the downfall of Avalon. Brie was not going to stop him now.

"Uncle, I won't let you do this," Athena stood up as defiantly as him.

"You think? Your gargoyles are dead or stone, your faeries are losing. I am your judge today!"

Hades consumed the tower with the powers of death bearing down on all of its occupants. He reached out with a limb of death's arm trying to pull Ares back to him. Athena, Uly, and Brie gripped the ground fighting against the strains of the Styx.

*****

"Look Shadowstar, Hades is pouring death into them. All work is useless now," Dionysus said holding her face to the tower. She tried to fight against her binds but something made her suddenly stop. She closed her eyes and thought very clearly and direct.

"Your will is stronger than death itself- you love," She thought bringing a light to Brie's eyes.

"What do you think of that?" He breathed down her neck. She looked at him with sparkling blue eyes.

"I think I want to join you."

Flicker choked, "Shadow?"

Dionysus stepped back releasing the hands that tore her flesh and kept her fighting. She painfully stood on the ground in front of her captor. He put his hands on her shoulders weaving the charm that was his. He leaned over to kiss her in Flicker's horror. She put her hands on the back of his head and quickly sent it to meet her rough gargoyle knee. He screamed as bones shattered and hadn't had a chance before the pain knocked him out.

"You bastard, you know nothing of love," She told him drawing her sword, cutting the binds which held Flicker.

"Shadow- I'm-" He looked truly sorry for misjuding her.

"No time for apologies."

"Time to make a mark," He took he rhand ready to implode Dionysus with their full force of energy. The god of drama pulled his dirty body up off the ground holding his broken face. He laughed hideously as the bones started to form back together from the power of death. The violet color of wine swarmed around him.

For everybody now, it was the battle of the will. Force against force. Drama against the light and shadows. The Queens pair off. King against king. Faeries against the ghosts of gods.

*****

Brie heard the words of Shadowstar in her ears like the most prominent of thoughts. She mustered some form of ability and splendor to fight against the grey barrage of Hades. Ares had no control of his own, only the streams of the Styx that pulled him back to Hades' control.

"Avalon... protect your own... protect your love..." She summoned gasping for the energy, the lands of her father responded.

She lurched forward fighting against the pain and power of death, and her arms reached for her love. Thousands of years separated did not change the heart. Rarely is love so pure and true, but these children of Avalon have the heart of find it. This is the heart Brie reached for.

Ares did not fight against her as she battled the arms of Hades pushed by Avalon's fury. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him filling him with the strength and life of Avalon. Wanting to let go as Hades' anger swelled, some force kept her going. Hades was losing his pawns and they knew this.

As Hades grew weaker, the faeries stood in victory. Deloon, Cress, Hermes, Puck, Shadow, Flicker, Titania, Oberon and all of Avalon stood above defiantly after winning the brunt of the war for their home. Dionysus, Hera, Zeus, Aretmis, all of them... faded away back to the Styx, back to the death that held them for so long. Their arrogance, as arrogance has always, lost them this war.

Ares broke away from Hades' hands with the freedom he once felt before the vampires gave him death. He held Brie in his arms as the breath of Avalon broke through hazy death swarming around the tower. Brie fell limp no longer needed as the conduit. Athena took her from Ares and disappeared to take the child to the care of her Weird Sisters.

One by one the faeries appeared on the tower. Ares, Uly, and Oberon stood in the front lines staring at the cowering Hades.

"We take back our children and we take back our lands. Meet the finality of the Olympians," Oberon told Hades as he had to face their wrath.

And Avalon took back it's own.

~Fin

***The story of the underworld and what becomes of Hades will be told in the final part. Part three of Armageddon. Prepare for "From Death Comes Light"***