Chapter 11: When Darkness Gives Way to Light

Jessie opened her eyes slowly as the gray light of early morning filtered 
through her closed lids and upon feeling James' gentle breath against her neck, 
smiled tenderly at him.  She felt the warmth of his bare body still pressed 
close against hers, and his arms still wrapped adoringly about her shoulders.  
He looked so innocent and happy while he slept, and it filled Jessie's mind and 
soul with joy to know that it was her that brought him so much of the same.  "I 
love you James, you're the most beautiful man in any world I've ever lived in," 
she whispered kissing his lips softly.

She had never imagined waking up next to him would make her as happy as it did, 
and she ran her hand through James' hair once as he stirred, as if she had 
awakened her sleeping prince with her previous kiss, nuzzling the bridge of his 
nose with her own affectionately.  His eyes fluttered open, and Jessie watched 
as the emeralds sparkled with joy to find her still next to him.  "Jessie...." 
he breathed as if he didn't believe it was real.  "Hey James," she replied.  He 
smiled ecstatically at her quiet response, closing his eyes to kiss her 
lovingly.  "I can't believe this is happening, I can't believe last night 
happened," he breathed joyfully, yet nervously.

Jessie placed a finger on James' lips to put his troubled mind to rest, shaking 
her head.  "Shhh, don't worry, believe every amazing minute of it.  Having 
regrets?" she asked caressing his cheek tenderly.  "Of course not!  I just.... 
Do you think we made a mistake?" he asked fearfully.  Jessie smirked crookedly 
at the respect he had for her, and how worried he was about what they had done, 
and if they had moved too fast and acted rashly.  He had such a sensitive, 
beautiful, kind, gentle and caring soul, and Jessie loved him all the more for 
it.  "James, last night was a promise.  I slept with you, because I know I'm 
going to spend the rest of my life with you, and I love you.  I promise I'll 
love you forever," she explained, knowing that her genuine and sincere words 
would console James, "it was like making love to an angel."  James' eyes lit up 
at her happiness and security, and the reference to his wings in comparison to 
his nature, his mind finally made up, and he took her claws in his hands kissing 
the back of it gently. 

Ever since he had realized he loved Jessie, he had known he would never want to 
be apart from her, even if it was just as his best friend, but now that he knew 
she felt the same way, he was finally able to ask the one question that would 
make him eternally happy.  "I love you James," Jessie murmured dreamily.  "I 
always have, and I always will love you and I want to spend the rest of my life 
with you.  Marry me Jessie, I never want to be with anyone else," James said 
reverently.

Jessie felt tears of joy sting at the corners of her eyes, finally hearing the 
words from James' mouth she had only dreamed about hearing.  "Of course I will," 
she whispered, closing her eyes and leaning forward to kiss him passionately.  
"I love you so much, Jessica LeBlanc," James said tearfully, kissing her 
tenderly again.  Jessie let her own tears fall at hearing her future last name, 
simply embracing her fiancˇ tightly.  "I love you too James," she whispered, 
kissing his neck softly.

A sudden and furious clap of thunder sounded outside startling both Jessie and 
James before their lips could meet once again, and Jessie sat bolt upright in 
bed, holding the white sheets to her chest apprehensively.  "Jess what's 
wrong?!" James asked startled, sitting up with her.  Jessie didn't answer, but 
looked to James' window instead, gasping at what she saw and felt from the 
ominous black haze spread across the land.

The skies were clouded completely over, and they moved with each other in a 
celestial battle, purple lightning rocketing from the impacts and striking 
random places of the landscape.  "It's her, but how?" Jessie breathed, narrowing 
her eyes bitterly, watching the pair of brilliant purple eyes embedded in the 
clouds.  James frowned, but his confusion suddenly turned to terror as his eyes 
met the malevolent gaze of the feline.  "Shadow!  But you're alive!  How can she 
have the power to do this?" he asked fearfully.

Jessie felt the energy surge from the demon, beckoning her for the challenge, 
and snarled under her breath.  "Jessie, you'll be mine once and for all,"  "Not 
on your life Shadow!  I've finally found my true happiness, and you are not 
taking it away from me again!"  "I won't touch your precious James, all I want 
is your power!  But if it takes James to get to it, I suppose a few bumps along 
the road have to be hit."  "No!  Damn you to hell if you so much as touch my 
James!  Leave him alone!  I'm the one you want!"  "Then come out and fight 
coward!"

Jessie's eyes flared a furious purple as she broke the connection with the 
monster, and quickly reached for her tunic, donning it quickly.  "Jessie what's 
going on?" James asked.  He was answered by a shroud of fabric in his arms as 
Jessie roughly handed him the white shirt of the previous day.  "Get dressed, in 
your armor, and instruct everyone else to do the same.  Meet me down in the 
courtyard when you're done and make sure everyone is armed," she said sternly.

James nodded dumbly as she slipped out of bed, instantly finding her pants and 
pulling them on.  She located James' clothes and gathered them into her arms, 
turning to face him, but her face fell at his concerned expression.  "What's 
wrong James?" Jessie asked tenderly.  "I hope Jasper's okay," he whispered to 
her, accepting his garments as she held them out to him.  "I hope so too, but 
I'm sure he's fine!  He's just a little boy, he isn't mixed up in this, what 
would Shadow want with him?" she assured him, cupping his chin in her hand and 
rubbing his cheek with her thumb.  "I guess you're right, and I'll get everyone 
else as soon as I can!" James piped enthusiastically.

Jessie kissed him quickly as he finished dressing, smoothing his tangled hair 
lovingly.  "I'll see you down in the courtyard," James said adjusting his wings.  
"As soon as I can," Jessie replied, "now go, and tell everyone it's of utmost 
importance.  And don't tell them about last night, or that we're getting married 
just yet, we'll surprise them later, and I'll try my hardest to act like we're 
just friends before that okay?"  "Okay Jess, but we will tell them we're lovers 
after we can finally love each other in peace," James replied grinning in 
anticipation.  "Absolutely, now hurry up, I can feel Shadow's presence and power 
growing," Jessie said.  James nodded the affirmative and took his flight, 
rushing from the room and closing the door behind him.

Jessie sighed, listening to his footsteps grow softer as she finished dressing, 
and turned a spiteful glare back to the entity in the black clouds.  "This is it 
Jessica, to live or die, it's a choice someone's going to have to make," Shadow 
hissed.  "No one is dying except for you!" Jessie replied harshly and mentally.  
"I'm afraid you're quite mistaken, now who shall I take?  Maybe one of your good 
friends?  Ash?  Misty?  Or maybe your beloved James!  Perhaps having him 
truthfully die in your arms will be enough for you to submit to me!"  "No!  I 
told you god damn it!  Leave my James and my friends out of this!"  "I'll do 
whatever I have to, to get you and your power!"  "Bring it on."

Jessie broke off the psychic link with the sadistic feline, opening the closet 
she kept the armor of the mind, the same armor that her ancestor who had been 
the messenger of the mind had worn.  She smiled at it, grateful Cerise had 
finally told everyone about the beautiful, protective, and symbolic cuirass she 
had not allowed them to have until after they had been miserably defeated by 
Rill.  James had been reluctant to even see the outfit that would have belonged 
to Jessie, as he still thought her dead, but he had placed it in her memory in 
her room.

The elegantly crafted metal inlaid on the breastplate shimmered anxiously as she 
took it from the post, running her fingers over the symbol of the mind that 
would rest below the nape of her neck when she wore it.  It was the center of a 
dizzying labyrinth of coiled, gold colored metal that was not only gorgeous, but 
could deflect many magic and physical assaults as well.  It was accompanied by a 
short leather skirt, also inlaid with metal and bits of amethyst stone and a 
pair of knee height leather boots, also gold and amethyst encrusted which 
glittered brightly as Jessie armed herself with her new attire.  

She breathed in deeply and walked to the window, smiling at the welcome sight of 
her friends waiting for her and gripped the hilt of her sword anxiously.  "James 
I promise you, we will live happily ever after when we beat Shadow, there's 
nothing standing in our way after that.  We'll get married, and spend the rest 
of our lives together, and I swear I'll make you as happy as you make me," she 
thought to herself, noting that the purple stone set into her sword was glowing 
brightly in anticipation, "let's go free ourselves at long last."  She drew in 
one last shaky breath and exited her room, making her way down to the courtyard 
to meet her friends.

James turned as he heard Jessie's approaching footsteps, and grinned 
seductively, noting that she was wearing the armor emblazoned with her symbols.  
"You look great in that Jess," he whispered deviously.  Jessie mirrored the 
amorous smirk as she brushed past James, assuming an air of authority, but 
whispering a scant message back, "so do you."  "So what's dis all about anyways?  
James woke Meowth up from a great nap!" Meowth said, stretching.

Jessie turned around and raised an eyebrow to the innocently smiling James.  
"You didn't tell them?" she hissed quietly.  "I thought I'd let you, you'll do 
it better than I would," James replied moving to stand next to her.  Jessie 
resisted her urge to do something affectionate, as did James, and they both 
turned to the small group in front of them as the lighting intensified in the 
sky.  "I'm guessing it has something to do with that freaky purple lighting 
huh?" Pikachu ventured, even his electric senses disturbed by the activity.

Jessie gritted her teeth, glaring up to the sky where only she could see the 
malevolent eyes of the beast and felt the hatred build in the atmosphere.  
"Shadow, the one who captured me, is here for a final showdown.  She wants me, 
and only me but I am not going without a fight, and I hope you'll help me," 
Jessie said valiantly drawing her sword, "for the resistance, the seven 
messengers, our friendship, our love, our honorary brotherhood and sisterhood, 
and for our lives themselves, let us terminate this evil once and for all!"  She 
raised her blade to the sky defiantly before pointing it toward her friends.

The rest of the group drew in a sharp breath in fear, not quite understanding 
the severity of the situation and looking to each other in vacillation.  James 
frowned at them, unsure of why they were hesitating, and loudly drew the blade 
of the wind to meet Jessie's.  She smiled in response, furtively taking his hand 
in hers, and caressing his tail with hers, reveling in the feeling of the silky 
blue feathers against the slick tan skin.  "I'll defend us Jessie, and I doubt 
everyone else knows what they're up against, but I do, and I will fight and die 
by your side to protect us, I'll do anything necessary to keep my promise, even 
if it means we both have to die for it," he said forcefully meeting Jessie's 
eyes in a passionate stare that told her everything he would have preferred a 
kiss tell.

They gazed lovingly at each other until the clang of metal against metal 
resounded in the couple's ears, and they directed their eyes to their swords, 
which now had the blade of the flame atop them.  "Ash," Jessie and James 
breathed simultaneously.  "I'll help too!  The messengers fight together, win 
together, cry together, they lose together, and they die together!  I can sense 
what we're up against, but we are not going to lose!  I swear it!" he replied, 
causing Misty and Brock to cast friendly glances to one another, drawing their 
blades assertively.

Both Jessie and James felt their hearts and spirits soar with exuberance as 
Meowth and Pikachu joined beneath the ring of swords, and they knew everyone 
felt the surge of power they created when they were together.  The messengers 
were meant to be so eternally, and they all knew that no matter the 
circumstances, they would never allow any of them to be taken away again.  
Jessie's capture with the illusion of death had taught them all just how much 
they meant to one another, and how much all seven of them were essential to 
saving Aradain, and to each other's spirits.

They could feel the power of the ancient legends and myths, the same ones that 
had pulled their ancestors into the legend, and brought them all to Periwinkle 
Village at the same time.  They knew their place in it, and were more confident 
in themselves than ever before in the new world.  They had forgotten their past, 
Team Rocket, Pokemon training, painful memories of families torn apart and 
emotional and literal scars, all born anew to face their greatest challenge of 
all, and for the two great messengers of the wind and mind, only one soul was 
depending on the victory against the evil demon of the shadows.

"Well Jessica, you may have your little friends, but you will still perish!  Mmm 
but wait, if I can have all of you, then my power will have the force of the 
seven powers behind it!  There will be no stopping me!"  Jessie's eyes flared a 
deeper purple than they had ever been before with rage, answering Shadow's final 
taunt aggressively.  "You can never beat the power of all seven of us combined!"  
"We'll just see about that."

There was an utter stillness as Jessie felt the entity recede, gathering her 
power for her first and powerful strike.  "Shit!  Hold on guys, this is not 
going to be fun," she muttered, squeezing James' hand tighter and taking Ash's, 
who was immediately next to her.  The rest of the group caught the young 
psychic's hint, linking their hands with a spark of energy that grew in 
magnitude with each grasp.  Swords were re-sheathed, and the Pokemon were forced 
to cling to the nearest person's ankle, waiting in anticipation.  "Hang on guys, 
close your eyes, focus on each other's power, and whatever you do, don't let go.  
You will let your wrists break and dislocate before you let go, and even then 
you won't, understood?" Jessie said with such authority, no one dared respond to 
it.

"I love you James, and no matter what happens, we will always be together."  
James smiled as he heard the message intended only for him, squeezing Jessie's 
hand reassuringly, his adoring emerald gaze returning the love Jessie had shown 
him through her mind.  She smiled back, stroking James' hand tenderly with her 
thumb one last time, and closed her eyes, awaiting the initial strike.

The rest of the messengers' breath caught in their chest as all sound and 
movement suddenly stopped; the winds receded, the lighting rested, and the earth 
itself to hold its breath in waiting.  No sounds dared to break the silence, and 
all present could feel the hair on the backs of their necks prickle as the 
powerful psychic energy began to coil its way toward them.  "This is quite the 
poor place to die, why don't we go somewhere a little more fitting?"  Jessie 
bristled as she heard not Shadow's voice, but Rill's echoing through her mind, 
"I killed from you once, girl, I can do it again, and this time, I won't let 
James go." 

Jessie resisted her urge to scream as a brilliant purple bolt from the sky 
roared to earth, engulfing the small circle of friends in the haze and lifting 
their bodies from earth.  They closed their eyes against the pain, and tightened 
their grip on each other's hands, for fear of being trapped in the void they 
found themselves eddying into.  It spun mercilessly, carrying the seven souls 
through a vortex leading to what Jessie knew would be the greatest challenge of 
both hers, and James' life.  "This spot should prove worthy, painful memories, 
the abundant presence of death, yes it should do quite nicely," Shadow mused for 
everyone to hear.

The group mutually sensed the ground below them, and braced themselves for the 
impact, and gritted their teeth against the icy wind that whipped their hair and 
clothing about their bodies.  They hit the ground suddenly, but more gently than 
they had previously thought, with an unnatural thud, but that was the only sound 
that dared interrupt the steady shrieks and moans of the wind whipping across 
the landscape.  James sat up carefully before the others, hearing the enraged 
and terrified messages being carried on the winds and embracing Jessie who sat 
up next to him.  "Jess no!" he cried, tears springing to his eyes, "No!  Not 
this!  Anything but this!"

Jessie held her beloved close, quieting him and running her hand through his 
hair and feathers lovingly.  "Shh James, what is it?  What's wrong?" she asked 
fearfully.  "Jessie this....This is where I held you, and....Jessie this is 
where you died!" he answered, banishing any further tears.  Jessie gasped in 
terror as she felt the sorrow centered about the place in both James' heart and 
her own, and looked up to see the hill that had once bore her sword, the 
silhouette of her roses just barely visible.  "That bitch!  How dare she bring 
you here!  I swear she dies when she shows her cowardly face!" Jessie hissed 
cruelly.

The rest of the messengers barely noticed the more affectionate as usual duo as 
they sat up, each gasping as they saw the black and tumultuous sky, riddled with 
furious bolts of purple lighting.  They each sensed a powerful presence within 
it, and all around them, and they edged closer to each other for comfort.  
"Damn, the only time I've felt a presence like this was when I fought Icthsique!  
Oh my god, you don't suppose?" Misty began fearfully.

Jessie pulled away from James as she felt Shadow approach, and reflected on what 
Misty had said, trying to remember anything about Shadow herself.  She 
remembered a lithe black cat, with outrageously large ears and plain gold 
bangles about her legs.  "Jessie, didn't Shadow wear a charm?  And it had a 
symbol on it," James said, as if reading her thoughts.  Jessie's jaw dropped in 
terror as a clear image of her oppressor came to mind, the gold disc with the 
symbol of the mind etched into it standing out against the ebony fur.  She 
gasped in consternation as the knowledge finally percolated and cleared into her 
mind, hitting her psyche with unmitigated and omnipotent force to bitterly 
remind her that this was not going to be a simple battle.  She cursed herself 
for not guessing it sooner, and tightened her grip on James fearfully.  "It is 
her!  James, Shadow is the power of the mind!  That's what my scroll meant!  It 
told me about Shadowrun, where Shadow was, and it pointed me to the power just 
like Misty's did!" she exclaimed victoriously.

The joy was to be short lived, as a particularly large and irate bolt of purple 
surged forth from the sky to land in front of the small group, startling them to 
demand their attention.  "So you finally figured it out!  I'm surprised you did 
it this fast!  Humans are such a pathetic race, weak, and gullible, why, by 
showing Jessie James' death, I almost got her to submit to me!  But this time, 
she will not escape!" Shadow's disembodied voice rang out eerily above the 
crackle of electricity as it solidified into a living entity, with the vague 
shape of a black cat, flaring purple eyes standing out brilliantly against the 
jet black miasma of the body.  

The feline laughed insidiously, rising from the ground as her power built, 
searching the terrified souls with her mind.  She found Jessie's and smiled 
briefly, her mirth interrupted by the different presence surrounding it, her 
gleeful smile fading.  "You've changed girl...." She started, searching for what 
had caused the disturbing difference.  Jessie held James tightly in fear, 
realizing what Shadow meant, and horrified at what she would do to her beloved 
when she discovered the problem.  "NO!" Shadow roared, her eyes flashing nearly 
black with rage and Jessie swallowed hard; she knew now.  "You've allowed 
yourself to be defiled!  Your purity and innocence!  All of it gone!  Who would 
dare take it from me?" she growled, leveling her eyes at James.

"What?!  What does she mean?" Misty asked, sensing what the other messengers 
were thinking.  "Her soul has been tainted and weakened with love!  She is no 
longer a virgin!  No matter though, once her lover is out of the way, even in 
its marred state, her soul and his will be more than enough to get me into this 
realm!" Shadow hissed cruelly.  Ash's brow furrowed in confusion, not knowing 
exactly what was going on, but his stomach twisted in consternation as James 
slowly stood from his spot next to Jessie, glaring daggers at the enormous cat 
in front of him.  "I didn't defile her," he spat cruelly.

Shadow grinned in understanding, satisfied that her guileful plan to humiliate 
James in the process of forcing him to admit what they'd done had worked 
beautifully, laying her ears back at the bold messenger of the wind and the 
collective gasp of surprise and understanding from the rest of the messengers.  
She could not help but snicker as all eyes focused on James, wondering exactly 
what had happened, and why on earth he had slept with Jessie.  "So it was you.  
Ah, and you don't think it's defilement?  The human act of love, its 
so....Primitive and disgusting, I don't know how you do it!" Shadow said 
haughtily.  "It's not disgusting!  I love her, and I was willing to share 
everything with her!  My heart, my soul, my mind, and my body!" he shouted.

Jessie sprang vivaciously from the ground at this, throwing herself into James' 
arms protectively and mirroring his hateful glare at Shadow.  "I love him 
Shadow!  And you're not taking him away from me or me away from him again!" she 
screamed defiantly. "They....They love each other?  I never would have guessed, 
but I know they'll be happy together," Brock whispered to himself with a good-
natured smile.  "That's so beautiful!  You tell her guys!" Misty jeered from the 
background.  "I always knew it would happen!" Meowth added, his voice laced with 
tears of happiness for his old friends.  "So did I, congratulations James, you 
did it," Ash breathed, overjoyed he had made Jessie realize how she really felt.  
James smiled at the comments of not only acceptance, but joy and happiness from 
his compatriots, embracing his lover tightly as Shadow fell silent, the gold 
charm at her chest glowing a bright purple.  "I end this now, this fight is 
between you two and me, you should not have involved the other messengers," she 
said, the purple glow expanding.  

It grew into a gargantuan bubble over the earth, enveloping the two standing 
messengers and the black entity of Shadow, solidifying and running clear to form 
an impermeable barrier.  The messengers made a mutual move to assist their 
friends, but before they could even rise to their feet the battleground was set, 
and there was no way in or out of it.  "No!  Jessie!  James!" Ash cried leaping 
to his feet and resting his hands against the glass-like spell.  The duo turned 
and smiled warmly one last time at their friends before engaging in the private 
battle between them, and the monster that threatened their happiness one last 
time.

They let go of each other, drawing their swords menacingly at the black beast 
before them.  "Whatever happens, I'll always love you," James said, never taking 
his eyes from Shadow.  "And I'll always love you, but we're going to win," she 
replied.  Shadow smirked, her stature dropping until she materialized into the 
solid easily distinguishable cat form both messengers knew from before and 
raised a paw decisively.  "Think whatever you like, but I have the trump card 
this time!" she said, flicking her wrist downward.

A small glitter of purple shot to the ground with the action, materializing into 
the form of an eerily familiar little boy.  He sat up immediately, searching 
with wide emerald eyes for anything familiar, but only when he found it did the 
full severity of his identity strike the terrified duo at the mercy of the cruel 
entity.  He brushed a strand of unkempt, shoulder length ebony hair from his 
face, and upon seeing Jessie and James, let his jaw drop in horror.  James 
recognized the child instantly, his stomach twisting in terror and shock as he 
pulled away from Jessie to run after him.  "No!  Jasper!" he cried, reaching 
out.  "James!" the boy replied lifting his hand to meet James', but a flash of 
silver stopped both Jasper and James dead in their tracks.

"You want your precious boy back, you fight me first.  I do believe we have an 
old score to settle," James bristled at the voice and raised a spiteful glare 
into the cold and heartless ice gray eyes of Rill once again.  The demon stood 
between his beloved Jasper and himself, blade of the alliance drawn and rested 
on the ground parallel to him.  "Rill," James hissed derisively.  The former 
alliance captain wore a confident smirk, and James lifted his sword slowly to 
the challenge, Shadow's insidious laughter penetrating to the depths of all of 
good heart present.  "I brought along a little friend for you to play with!" she 
cackled.  James barely heard her through his bitter glare into the lifeless and 
demonic eyes of Rill.  They seemed different to him, as if they no longer had a 
living being behind them and they were pure advocates of the demon.  "I swore 
I'd get my revenge you heartless bastard, I didn't want to kill you, but if 
that's what it takes so be it," James growled.

Rill batted the tip of James' sword playfully, remembering the last time they 
had fought, and knowing that this time, James would fight with his full 
abilities which were far above his own.  "You're better than me James, we both 
know it, but in return for my soul, which gave Shadow the power to come here, I 
got a lovely compensation for it," he said smugly.  Jessie and James finally 
understood how the beast had arrived outside of Shadowrun, and Jessie sprang 
forward, raising her sword to assist James.

Rill shot her a foul look from the corners of his vision, extending his hand 
toward her calmly as his narrow eyes flashed purple briefly and dully.  "James!" 
she cried as her body halted of its own accord, freezing to the spot as if time 
itself had stopped.  She found she could still speak, and lifted her eyes 
balefully to a shocked James.  "Now that's just not cricket, this fight is 
between James, and me, no outsiders," Rill said cruelly.  "James be careful!  I 
can't lose you now!" Jessie called to him as Rill assumed a defensive position.  
"Don't worry Jess, I can take this guy," he replied.  "Oh you can, can you?  
Well how do you think you'd do matched with powers exactly of your own?" he 
asked in response.

James said nothing, not quite understanding what his adversary meant, and gasped 
in terror as Rills eyes flushed purple.  "When I submitted my soul to Shadow, 
she gave me a power to finally kill you with," he started, and James noticed his 
voice wavering, and beginning to change, "would you like a taste of real power 
James?"  The winged messenger stepped back as he heard his own name called in 
his own voice, and watched as Rill's stature rose slightly to meet his height.

All present watched in terror as the entity before them seemed to lose all 
tangible form, his body mutating into one that was not his own.  His normally 
short sandy hair grew and flushed a brilliant cerulean, a pair of wings and a 
tail the matching color erupting from the now glittering gold and clear crystal 
encrusted armor that replaced the old alliance garb.  Rill cackled mercilessly 
as James' emerald eyes traveled in terror up his scarred hand which held a 
transformed blade of the wind, and up to his now youthful face, opening his own 
eyes to stare into the ones that matched his.  "Impossible," James breathed 
raising the blade of the wind and shaking his head in disbelief.  "Believe it 
James, think you have the skill to beat your own?  I know all of your skills, 
your weaknesses, I am you," Rill spat in James' voice. 

Jessie shrieked as James' presence was blocked from her mind, and she was unable 
to distinguish where he was, Shadow's voice the only thing audible as her vision 
clouded to conceal her true cherished friend and lover.  "Let's see you help 
your precious beloved now!" she hissed.  For the first time, Jessie felt truly 
afraid of the two beings, her stomach twisting as she heard metal against 
itself, one of the two James' touching the tip of his sword to the other. 

"Well, it won't be so bad, whichever James wins will get to sleep with Jessie!  
She is quite the arousing young woman.  I wouldn't mind taking her, even if it 
meant by force.  Or wait, I completely forgot!  She'll be dead!  But even then 
she still might be useful for a good fuck!" Rill laughed to the factual person 
through a link to his mind as not to alert Jessie to whom he actually was.  The 
real James closed his eyes, a fire of hate burning deep within his soul at the 
suggestion that Jessie would be killed, and sexual comments and insults about 
the woman he respected and cherished, lunging forward with a loud battle cry.  
"How dare you say that about my Jessie you bastard!  I'll kill you!" he shouted. 
The doppelganger deflected the blow easily, throwing the blades to the side 
roughly, the enraged James falling to the ground roughly with the force.  He 
regained his ground quickly, and screaming furiously, abandoning the sword, he 
pummeled into what he knew was Rill, and knocking his false blade of the wind 
loose from his hand.

Jessie watched in horror as the fight became nothing more than a cruel 
altercation of flesh only, and winced as one of the James' landed a punch square 
in the other's jaw.  "Jessie!  I lost track of which one is our James!" Jasper 
whispered fearfully, "can you sense him?"  She winced, and growled under her 
breath.  "Ugh, no I can't!  Shadow has his power and presence blocked from me, I 
don't know anymore either," she whispered mournfully, still frozen in the same 
spot Shadow had placed her in.  Jessie glanced over to the cat, lowering her 
eyes in abhorrence as the feline simply smirked as one of the combatants cried 
out in pain, and by the looks of Shadow's expression, it seemed that it had been 
the real messenger of the wind.

The incapacitated young woman snarled under her breath at the sadistic beast, 
who merely sat and watched as the battling duo stood up suddenly, one of them 
with blood streaming from his nose and at the mercy of the other.  "You'll never 
win Rill," he hissed throwing the bleeding James to the ground.  "Rill!?  I'm 
not Rill you are!" he replied, tripping the other swiftly with a deft movement 
of his leg.  They simultaneously retrieved the analogous swords from the ground, 
whirling around with a scream of frustration and fury.  Metal screamed in 
anguish as it met its own kind, both blades stopping in a disquieting stalemate.  
Emerald eyes met spiteful emerald eyes and tacit hatred was passed between 
identical merely in physical appearance winged young men.  "Our skills are 
completely equal, there's going to be one victor, and that's whoever can predict 
the other's moves the best," one James said, breaking the silence and cessation 
of movement with a hard jab with his sword.

The other James knew that was how he usually broke free from locked situations 
and guarded from it, striking back with a hard blow to the side.  It was 
blocked, and a cruel fencing battle eventuated between two natural masters of 
the art.  Jessie and Jasper watched in terror, praying silently that the James 
they knew and loved would prevail, finally liberating them from the cruel 
despotism from Rill and Shadow.  "Please James, please.  I need you, don't lose 
now," Jessie whispered.

The battle intensified, one James crying out in pain as his back collided with 
the ground.  The other roared in frustration, charging into to make the kill, 
but the James on the ground foresaw what was to come, extending his blade and 
drawing it swiftly and cruelly across the other's stomach.  The scream of agony 
that resounded from deep within the soul of the slain young man as he crumpled 
to the ground pierced through Jessie's psyche with unmitigated force, and she 
knew that evil had prevailed.  "NO!" was all she could manage to scream as the 
sadistically grinning James rose from the ground.

He kicked the body at his feet condescendingly, the sword he still clenched 
tightly in his hand falling to the ground with a mournful thud.  He looked up to 
his prize, wiping the blood from his upper lip disdainfully as he turned to walk 
slowly toward her.  "Well Jessie, you know who lost, and you should have 
submitted to Shadow long ago, at least then I wouldn't have had to kill him," he 
said smugly.  "You'll never win, even if you kill me, you'll still be stopped," 
Jessie replied through choked tears.  "Oh?  And by who?  Shadow chose me as her 
advocate, I'm part of her now!  My power is invincible!"  "Invincible my ass!"

There was a brilliant glint from behind the mockery of her beloved James, and 
Rill's next sentence was cut short, both Jessie and Jasper gasping as the tip of 
a sword was suddenly thrust through his chest from behind, protruding 
grotesquely far for the duo to see.  He screamed in pain and animosity, slicing 
his hands on the nimble blade as he gripped it, time seeming to stand still as 
the great bearer of evil and the man James had sworn revenge on finally fell, 
sinking to his knees in pure agony.  He breathed heavily through gritted teeth 
in fury and pain, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth from them, and he 
dropped his sword as he was forced to the ground by an unseen force.  "ARGH!  
Rill!  HOW DARE YOU!" Shadow roared, suddenly springing to life from her 
formerly silent vigil.

Rill turned over, his sinful, stolen emerald irises fading with death as he 
stared the man who had finally caused his downfall in his matching eyes.  
"James," he hissed abhorrently.  The authentic messenger smiled crookedly as he 
placed the already bloody blade to his doppelganger's throat, drawing a small 
bead of blood as he had done to him on the battlefield so long ago.  "I promised 
I get my revenge, and this time, I do believe it's fair to kill you," he 
sibilated.  Rill snarled in contempt, his magic fading as his appearance melded 
back to his own and the blood still streaming from his pierced chest.  "End it, 
for the sake of the seven powers kill me!" he cried hoarsely.

Shadow felt her counterpart's pain, releasing her hold on Jessie with a shriek 
of anguish.  "My power fades with his death, but I will still kill them both!" 
she thought as she watched Jessie run to James' side.  The winged young man 
didn't lift his eyes from his hated enemy, even when he felt Jessie's tender 
touch on his back, staring harshly with complete enmity.  "You'll die in the 
fashion you let my Jessie die, a blade through your gut, but I won't slit your 
throat because, that, would be murder.  I killed you in a fair fight," he 
hissed.  Rill stifled his scream of fury as his lungs filled with blood, and he 
closed his hateful blue eyes for the last time.  "Good riddance to a cruel, 
heartless bastard," James spat turning to his lover with remorse in his eyes.

She smiled warmly and embraced him lovingly, running a hand through his silky 
tresses reassuringly.  "You did the right thing," she whispered, kissing him 
gently.  "I know, and we're finally rid of him," he replied, smiling at the 
inert form of his archenemy on the ground.  "But how did you do that?  I thought 
for sure Rill had killed you!" she exclaimed, pulling away slightly to check 
where she had seen the blade strike.  She sighed in relief as she found no 
wound, and knew that James was perfectly alright, hugging him tightly her body 
once more.  "I knew he would try that, so I faked it, I stopped right in front 
of where I know my blade goes out to, and fell, like he had killed me.  I knew 
Rill couldn't ever have my battling sense, so he'd walk away assuming he'd 
killed me, that's when I took my chance," he explained, and Jessie sighed in 
relief and understanding.  "You're not hurt are you?" she asked tenderly.  "I 
got a few scratches here and there, but I'll be fine," he answered, caressing 
Jessie's cheek gently.

Shadow seethed with fury as she felt Rill's spirit and power flee her own, but 
she utilized his death, capturing his spirit before it could retreat to the 
afterlife, and using it to build her power for one last stint in the outside 
world.  Her eyes flared a hideous purple as she narrowed them bitterly at the 
young lovers standing above the body of her confidant, feeling a surge of energy 
within her.  "They've under-estimated me for the last time!  Now they both die!" 
she screeched, purple flames licking at her body tenaciously.  Shadow's black 
fur stood on end as she lowered her stature to the ground, preparing the beam of 
pure energy that would destroy everything in its path, and her vision was 
blinded as it gathered in front of her in a writhing purple mass.

Jasper felt the surge from the entity, whirling around from watching his two 
friends tend to each other and looked on helplessly as time literally slowed, 
the blast of miasma rocketing forth from the cat.  He forced himself to get up 
from the ground, feeling as if he was moving through an impermeably thick 
substance, assessing the situation carefully.  Though his friends had not yet 
seen the blast, he knew that they would never be able to avoid it in time, and 
they would both be killed.  The thought of losing them crossed his mind briefly, 
but in his heart he knew where his place was in the legend.

He felt in one instant the pain he had endured as a child, with parents he knew 
were not his own, ones that didn't really love him, and his only friends being 
the wildlife he'd encountered alone in the woods.  He thought back to the love 
James had shown him, and how he knew Jessie hadn't been dead as well, and how 
they had helped each other through the hardships.  He had befriended the 
elements of the legends and myths he had been told as a younger boy by his 
grandfather, and he remembered the words well.  Jasper knew his destiny, and he 
set his face as he knew what he must do to fulfill his part of it.  He could 
almost feel the power of his friends, the legendary messengers of Aradain, with 
him as he careened ever so slowly into the path of the beam, his expression of 
dignity never faltering in the face of adversity.  He heard James call out his 
name as he finally noticed the danger, its tone dramatically lowered by the 
slowing of time and he closed his valiant emerald irises as the beam plowed into 
his body.

The pain at first was unbearable, feeling as if an unbounded number of knives 
had been plunged into his body at once, but it soon gave way to a relaxed, 
pleasant sensation of dulling senses that accompanied death.  "Only for those I 
love....I sacrifice myself," he whispered longingly as the beam of light shot 
upward at finding its mark, forming a column of light that could be seen for 
great distances.  The world held its breath in waiting as time finally froze 
from its laggard state, all eyes directed toward the great beam of light that 
enveloped the boy greedily.  "It couldn't be....No one is this strong except-" 
Shadow was cut off by the thunderous crash of the pillar of energy as it 
descended upon the noble, but hapless boy, exploding with a brilliant and final 
flash of white light.

Time surged back into motion as the attack abated, the only remnant of it a 
small, scorched circle on the ground where Jasper stood, eyes still shut against 
the fury of the psychic energy.  He opened them gently as his ears no longer 
screamed with the roar of energy, and smiled warmly at James who looked on in 
horror and rushed forward, arms outstretched toward him.  "No!" he cried as the 
boy allowed himself to fall to the ground, the pain so intense it no longer 
registered in his mind, and directed his eyes toward the sky longingly as he 
collapsed gently onto his back.

James let the tears of sorrow fall as he dropped to his knees by his young 
friend's side, gathering him gently into his arms.  "Jasper?  Jasper no," he 
breathed smoothing his singed black hair away from his face.  The boy squeezed 
his eyes shut in pain, but smiled as he held his friend in his slowly blurring 
vision once more.  "James....At least I got to see you one last time, to say 
goodbye," he whispered.  James was silent, and Jessie cupped her hands over her 
mouth in shock as she knelt by James and the mortally wounded child, placing one 
hand on the winged young man's shoulder reassuringly, but remaining silent.  
"How could Shadow do this?  How could she murder an innocent little boy?" James 
asked tearfully, stroking Jasper's cheek affectionately.  He closed his eyes at 
the pleasant sensation, placing his own hand over James' reassuringly.  "Don't 
be sad James, in a weird way, this is what I always wanted.  I wanted to do 
something so great, I'd be remembered forever for it, and now I know I have," he 
whispered weakly.

James held the boy close, his labored breathing growing shallower as the 
precious minutes slipped away into nothingness.  "Y-You told her you love her?" 
he asked looking up to James.  "He did Jasper, and I love him back, and we're 
even getting married after we're free," Jessie assured him, taking his battered 
hand tenderly into hers.  "Good.... I'm just sorry I won't be there to see it," 
he replied, wincing in pain.  "Shhh, don't talk Jasper, just rest easy," James 
hushed.  "I-it's hard to breathe," the child gasped quietly, his eyes never 
leaving his older friend, "b-but I m-might as well use my last breath to say.... 
G-goodbye."

A sob escaped James' throat as the youthful emerald irises clouded with pain and 
death, holding him as close as he possibly could, never wanting to let go.  
"Never say goodbye kid, you only say goodbye if you're never going to see 
someone again, and we all end up in the same place," he whispered.  Jessie let 
her own tears fall as she recalled the same words James had said to her before 
she died, and knowing that he would have to bid his young friend a final 
farewell.  "I always considered you more of a father to me than my real one, and 
thank you for showing me what it felt like to be truly loved for once in my 
life," Jasper whispered quietly.  "Anytime kid, and I considered you to be a son 
to me Jasper, and I'll always remember what it feels like to love someone like 
that," he replied.  Jasper moaned in pain, opening his eyes furiously to stay in 
the mortal realm long enough to bid farewell to those he loved.  "Goodbye James, 
Jessie," he whispered nearly inaudibly.  "I love you kid, and until we meet 
again, goodbye Jasper," James replied.

Upon hearing James' final words, Jasper smiled, closing his emerald eyes for the 
last time, and drew one final, shaky breath, exhaling peacefully before gently 
going flaccid in his friend's arms.  "Please no," Jessie breathed.  The winged 
young man stared hard at the body of the little boy in his arms for only a 
moment before stroking the side of his face lovingly, wiping his own tears from 
the pale cheeks.  "No," he whispered mournfully, "Jasper!  Please don't, 
Jasper...."  James held his friend close, knowing he was gone, and kissing his 
still warm with life, forehead lovingly, crying silently for the loss of the boy 
he had treasured so deeply.

Jessie cried along with her friend and beloved, but drew her sword furiously, 
standing to face the malicious cat.  "Damn you!" she screeched, "how can you do 
something like that with a clear conscience?"  Shadow merely smirked, flicking 
her tail nonchalantly.  "I enjoy causing pain, it weakens the spirit, makes it 
easier to take!" she explained with relish.  "You, Shadow, have hurt me and the 
people I love for the last time!" Jessie shouted, raising a hand to gather a 
bolt of energy.  She fired it with a vengeance, missing the feline who dodged it 
artfully.  "You'll have to do better than that!" Shadow retorted sending her own 
blast back.  Jessie deflected it with a swift movement of her sword, lunging 
forward with a scream of aggression as a fierce battle ensued.

The fight became white noise in James' ears, oblivious to everything but his 
sorrow, and the death of his young friend.  "You sacrificed yourself for me, and 
my Jessie.  You did so much for me and I did so little for you, I'm so sorry 
Jasper, please forgive me," he whispered tearfully.  "Don't be sorry."  James 
looked up instantly at hearing a very familiar disembodied voice, searching with 
wild emerald eyes for what had created it.  "J-Jasper?" he cried hoarsely.  
"Please don't cry James, you loved me, and that's all I needed."  James laid the 
body down, crossing his arms across his chest respectfully and smiled.  "I just 
wish you could be here with me," he replied mournfully.  "I'll always be with 
you James, just as long as you believe."

A light and gentle wind tossed James' shoulder length blue hair about his face 
playfully in comfort, and he closed his eyes at the familiar sensation.  
"Goodbye kid, I'll always remember you, and I'll always believe," he said 
quietly.  "It's never goodbye forever, and never forget me."  "Never Jasper, I 
will always remember you," James said, his determined tone reassuring to 
himself.

The peace was to be short lived, for James' attention was forced away by a 
shriek of pain from Jessie and a victorious yowl from the sadistic feline.  
"Jess?" he cried as she stumbled backwards, clutching her side in agony.  He 
stood to catch her as she fell, letting her collapse into his arms and easing 
her to the ground tenderly.  'No!  Jessie are you okay?" he asked, deeply 
concerned.  She groaned as she removed her hands from her side, revealing a 
singed and burnt mark across it where she had fallen victim to a psychic bolt 
from Shadow.  "It's not bad, I'll be okay," she assured him, turning her 
spiteful gaze back to Shadow.

The beast lowered her head in contempt, slowly slinking forward toward the 
terrified duo in the ground, merely smiling as they embraced each other lovingly 
for the last time.  "Well, if you must die, I suppose in each other's arms is 
best, no?" she mused cruelly.  Jessie and James looked away, knowing that the 
cat had won, and there was no way they could escape from her now.  "We're no 
match for her James, even together, her mind is too powerful," Jessie whispered, 
closing her eyes as she felt James' forehead against her own.  "I know Jess, I 
doubt the seven messengers combined could beat her, but we tried our best, and 
at least we go out together," he replied.

Jessie smiled at the reassuring words from her friend and lover, holding him 
tightly and pressing her lips to his in a brief kiss.  "I love you," she 
whispered.  James closed his eyes returning the affectionate gesture, and turned 
his head completely away from Shadow, not wanting to see the attack that would 
end their lives.  "And I love you," he replied with an amiable smile.  Jessie 
smiled as well hearing James tell her again he loved her, and was comforted by 
his words.  "Let's not say goodbye," she started, hoping James would remember 
the phrase they had affectionately come up with long ago.  "Let's just say, 
we're gonna die," he replied with a small chuckle.

Jessie chuckled as well, but her face fell as she heard the wail of energy 
gathering from where she knew Shadow was, and sensed the power about her.  "You 
remembered," she breathed fondly.  "Of course, I almost told you I loved you 
then," James replied, to which Jessie sighed deeply.  "I wish we could have been 
together for longer before....Before this," she said distastefully.  "Yeah, me 
too, but at least now we'll be together forever, just like we promised," James 
said, turning over his palm for Jessie to see the scar from the blood pact they 
had made in school.  Jessie stifled her tears and slid the same hand that bore 
her scar into his, kissing the back of it gently.  "Forever and a day, James," 
she whispered lovingly.  "Very touching!  But now you die!" Shadow interrupted, 
shrieking shrilly, and both Jessie and James looked away, dignified in their 
last moments.

They heard the hiss from the cat as the deathblow was fired, and the roar of 
pure and unrefined psychic energy the only sound audible aside from their own 
heartbeats.  "James," Jessie moaned, clutching him tightly.  "Look away Jess, 
and don't let go of me," he said firmly.  "I'll never let go, as long as you 
hold onto me," she answered and pressed her lips to his one last time.  The kiss 
did not break away, even as they both felt a surge of white energy from behind 
them, and a great rush of wind accompanied by a shrill war cry.  They knew 
nothing but each other, facing the concept of their deaths with bravery and 
love, never wanting to let go, and knowing neither of them would.

They felt so strongly the bond of their mutual soul together, that they would 
not allow anything to tear it apart.  They were meant to be together, destined 
long before they had even been born to find each other and complete the one 
beautiful soul created for them to share forever.  Through adversity, triumph 
and sorrow, they had managed to stay with each other, their love growing 
secretly, but true and unconditional despite the fact that neither had the 
courage to admit it.  Their lives finally felt complete now that they had 
confessed, and given themselves to one another with a physical, mental and 
passionate promise to love and cherish each other for eternity and eons to come.  
These thoughts, feelings, and love were with the two souls as the passionate 
kiss deepened, and they felt the beam approach them, their grip on one another 
so tight it began to be excruciating.  They braced themselves for the inevitable 
pain, ready to perish with no fear in their hearts, but contrary to what was 
expected, over the deafening roar there rose a gorgeous note.

It began as a soft harmony, delighting the ears and senses with a sensual play 
of whimsical tones and instruments, rising to a valiant crescendo when the beam 
struck, but the soulful kiss finally broke away when they felt no pain.  The 
lovers retained their hold on one another, the gorgeous song filling their 
senses as they witnessed the deep purple beam deflect off of a vague figure, 
sending a shower of the energy about them harmlessly.

James gasped and looked down to the scarred hand that was still in Jessie's, 
resisting the urge to separate them as they glowed softly with a white and 
purple light, respective to their powers.  He felt Jessie tighten her grip on 
the same hand as she too noticed the strange phenomenon, looking deeply into 
James' emerald eyes before turning to face the figure that averted their demise.  
"It is not yet time for you to leave this mortal realm," it said, seeming to 
speak with a gentle and oddly comforting voice.

Shadow snarled in contempt as her attack failed, diminishing completely with one 
last screech of defiance.  The remaining weak and sickly purple mist coiled 
lazily away, revealing a white pillar of energy in its wake, standing 
protectively in front of the duo on the ground.  "What?!" was Shadow's only 
response, "impossible!"  "Believe it you cowardly tyrant," the entity snarled, 
lifting itself from the ground with a rush of sweetly scented air.

It performed a lissome flip midair, slowly materializing into the form of a 
great bird, white energy spilling over every curve of the glistening wings and 
the blade-like crest atop its head as it rocketed from the sky to land a mere 
feet in front of the feline, spreading its wings with a shrill battle cry.  "I 
won't let you hurt them," it said in a deep and triumphant masculine voice.  
Shadow backed away, obviously afraid of the powerful creature that stood in 
front of her, letting her spiteful purple eyes take in every detail of the 
beast, not believing what it was.

She recognized the white, metal like feathers that hissed as the creature opened 
them, lowering its head in challenge, and the fierce talons that glinted even in 
what little light there was.  The entire creature looked to be made of metal, 
save for the long, elegantly coiled tail that that bore a striking resemblance 
to the one James had inherited with his power of the wind.  The blade-like 
crests adorning its head flexed in anticipation, and the bird opened its beak 
menacingly at the cat, scrutinizing her with serious and wise eyes.  "Don't 
believe Shadow?  Well how about this?" it asked in the same distinctly male 
voice, bringing a wingtip to his chest, pulling aside a few feathers to reveal a 
medallion not unlike the one Shadow possessed.  She yowled disdainfully at it 
instantly, recognizing the symbol of the wind emblazoned in white enamel in the 
gold, her tail flicking furiously.  "Blade, power of the wind" she hissed 
rancorously, which drew a collective gasp from Jessie, James, and the rest of 
the messengers who looked on in horror.

Blade folded his wings back in respectfully, grinning, and rose to his full 
height in mockery of the sadistic cat at his feet.  "So Shadow, power of the 
mind, we meet again, and killing off the messengers for energy?  You really have 
sunk to a new low!" he said vindictively.  "I did not have any other choice!  I 
was sealed in Shadowrun with a powerful spell, I needed the girl's soul to break 
it!  She tainted it with love, taking your messenger to her bed, so now I need 
both her, and her precious lover!" she replied, black fur bristling with anger.

She unsheathed a set of deadly looking claws, raising them defensively to the 
composed and calm Blade.  "Actually it was my messenger who took her to his bed, 
and I respect their love, but you forget, the young woman is your messenger," he 
answered.  "I'm aware of that, but why should I take part in the liberation of 
Aradain when I myself seek to rule it?" the cat said lunging at Blade.  The 
attack came too swiftly for the power of the wind, and he was barely able to 
escape a serious injury, the claws merely raking across the seemingly metallic 
feathers.

He rose to the challenge, crying out a challenge to the skies and winds, 
spreading his fiercely razor like wings to their full length as he lifted 
himself into the air.  "You've been corrupted, just as the rest of the powers!  
Icthsique has already fallen, and so shall we!" he cried, swooping down and 
raking his claws across Shadow's back.

She yowled in pain, ignoring the black blood that streamed down her side, and 
retaliated quickly with a furious slash to Blade's chest, tearing through the 
defense of the feathers to the flesh underneath.  The bird barely flinched, but 
was forced to land, spiteful eyes narrowed to an abhorrent level at his 
adversary.  "You can't win against me Shadow.  You can tear families apart, you 
can ravage cities, you can murder innocent children, but you can never defeat 
me, or the power of the love between the messengers of the mind and wind!" he 
spat cruelly.  

Shadow thought for a moment, and smiled wickedly, showing both rows of perfectly 
white and cruel teeth.  "They may be soul mates, and that may be a rarity, but 
they are still only human!" she sibilated, lunging forward into the battle 
again.  She caught the wounded Blade off-guard, tearing into soft flesh as she 
forced him to the ground, squalling in pain and anger.  He forced the cat off of 
him with a vengeful kick to the stomach, utilizing the presence of his talons 
artfully.  He took to the air after that with a flurry of blood and razor-like 
feathers, screeching his plight to the winds.

Jessie and James cowered in the presence of the two battling powers of Aradain, 
holding each other tightly in comfort.  "Where did my power come from?  And am I 
going nuts or did Shadow just say we're-" James started, to shocked to finish.  
"Soul mates?" Jessie stated flatly, turning to her friend and lover.  He smiled 
broadly, raising their still glowing hands to eye level.  "I think this speaks 
for itself," he said softly.  "I always knew I was meant to be with you," Jessie 
replied warmly.  "I love you Jessie," James said, their hands pulsating with the 
sounds of the battle and growing in intensity and magnitude as he leaned 
forward, closing his eyes wistfully.  "I love you too James," she replied, 
pressing her lips to his passionately, their joined hands flaring with an depth 
that mirrored the calenture in the kiss that demanded the attention of even 
Blade and Shadow.

They stopped their battle, staring in awe as the duo was completely enveloped in 
a brilliant white light, one half of it darkening into a deep purple.  The two 
intermingled perfectly, playing with each other in an ethereal dance of the 
legends forged by the ancestors of the two long time friends.  Shadow felt a 
sudden sense of peace with it, wrapping her tail about her legs as she felt the 
impending escalation of power.  "The legends were correct Blade, the messengers 
will be our downfall and rebirth into the equitable minds we were created with," 
she breathed closing her eyes as she felt the choking power that Jessie 
possessed intermingle with her mind, and surge throughout her body.  Blade 
shrieked as he felt the same, merely white in color energy surge from James.  
"They're much more powerful than we gave them credit for," he said with 
difficulty, beginning to illuminate a brilliant white himself.  "Not them, 
they're not two people, but one, it took each other for them to realize the 
power they have inside of themselves, and that they share one soul," Shadow 
managed as her body illuminated purple.  "I-I always knew how strong James was, 
and I always knew he was destined to be with Jessie, and now I finally know 
why....Thank you, James, my angel," Blade whispered as his final thoughts before 
he felt the impact of the full power of the legendary messengers of Aradain.

The rest of the messengers looked on in consternation as the dome that Shadow 
had encased the combatants in shattered with the force of the energy, exploding 
with millions of tiny glowing fragments that whizzed harmlessly through the air, 
only to disappear.  The area flared with an intense light for only a moment 
before dying down, leaving a scant circle mark in the ground, and a very stunned 
looking Jessie and James, and not trace of the cat and bird that had nearly 
killed everyone inside.

They pulled slightly away from each other as they realized the tranquility of 
the world, looking at their surroundings as the mutual grin widened.  They met 
each other's eyes only briefly before they exploded into a fit of overjoyed 
laughter at their victory.  "Jess, you did it!" James cried, throwing his arms 
around his beloved, free at last to love her and be happy.  She returned the 
gesture, laughing joyously with him as they fell to the ground in euphoria.  "No 
James!  I didn't, we did!  We both did it!" she answered ruffling his hair 
affectionately.  He closed his eyes happily, kissing her quickly and sighed 
contentedly.  "Oh Jessie, I never believed in myself until this whole Shadow 
thing, and now I know why it happened, and I know that we'll both be happy 
forever," he breathed, settling into her arms.  "It was meant to be, and so are 
we," Jessie smirked at her impromptu rhyme, looking up only when she heard the 
exuberant shouts of their companions. 

The duo sat up as they heard them approach, and weren't able to get anything 
said before they suddenly found themselves in the arms of the rest of the 
messengers, amidst tears of joy and indiscernible shouts of praise and relief.  
"You're okay!  I knew you guys would pull through!  I just knew it!" Misty 
cried.  "And I knew youse two would finally stop beatin' around da bush about 
how much ya love each odda!" Meowth added leaping into James' lap.  Jessie 
chuckled and patted the feline affectionately.  "I hope you don't mind your old 
team mates and friends being in love!" she mused fondly.  

The congratulations and ovation were white noise in Ash's ears as he looked 
lovingly to James.  He had seen him in his darkest hour, and watched him 
prevail, the outcome the one he knew was destined to be, and would make his 
winged friend happy for eternity.  He felt an odd closeness to both Jessie and 
James he hadn't before, and now that their souls were joined in passion and 
respect, that the group would be even closer to one another.  "I knew you could 
do it James," he said quietly, at length, placing a hand on James' shoulder.  
The blue-haired youth winked furtively at him, and smiled warmly, remembering 
that Ash had been the only person who had known that he had loved Jessie for as 
long as he had.  His smile broadened as Brock embraced both lovers at once one 
last time idolatrously before standing and clearing his throat, gaining the 
undivided attention of the entire group.  "I'm glad you two found each other, 
but you really do have a lot of explaining to do," he commented once the reunion 
had calmed down some. 

"Jessie, James...."  The disembodied voices startled all present, and the two 
messengers that had been called stood instantly.  "That sounded like....James 
come on!" Jessie said snatching his hand to lead him behind her.  The white and 
purple points of light directed them to the sources of the voice, and they 
sprinted to the center of the vague circle in the ground.

They stopped when they came upon two crystal figures in the grass, both falling 
to their knees in front of them as they recognized the intricately carved 
figures, gasping in awe, and consternation.  One was made of clear stone, 
crafted in the exact likeness of Blade, the other of a purple variety, shaped 
precisely like the cat that had caused the entire adventure.  "I believe we have 
some explaining to do as well," the figure of Blade said softly, pulsating with 
a warm white light as James gathered it gently from the ground.  "Yes, you do," 
he replied.

He heard the great bird sigh, and Jessie picked up the figure of Shadow 
distastefully, the expression on her embittered face one of utter resentment and 
hatred.  "I'm sorry Jessie," she said, "please let me explain now that I'm at 
peace again."  The psychic young woman ran a hand down the sinewy back of the 
purple crystal, a sudden maternal feeling for the power of her abilities 
sweeping over her warmly.  "Go ahead Shadow, I think we'd all like some 
clarification here," she said placing her back on the ground.  "Very well, all 
of you shall hear the tale," Shadow said reverently, and flashed brightly.

The messengers found themselves blinded for only a moment before their visions 
swirled with color, forming into various objects and scenes they were not 
familiar with, but they were forced into silence as they heard Shadow's reverent 
voice begin the tale, and watched as the visions performed it for them in their 
own minds.   
 
"Long ago, when the great sorcerer first created the powers, he crafted them 
with the ultimate power over their element.  We prevailed in an epic battle 
against the oppression of the world, but our lust for control over all the 
elements of the world grew strong.  Fights and more battles ensued, and the 
powers were nearly destroyed, but our spirits were able to be contained, sent to 
different areas of the world to be awakened should the need arise, and he wrote 
the seven scrolls with allusions to where they lie, and how to tame their wild 
spirits.  But I was a bit different.  My powers of the mind grew so intense, I 
corrupted my own, and was unable to control it any longer.  I became vengeful, 
and broke free of my prison where the wise sorcerer had sealed me eons before.  
I killed mercilessly and constantly, seeking to rule Aradain myself, and I 
became obsessed.  There was another, when the world cried out for retribution, a 
powerful being who was able to create Shadowrun, where she bound me with a 
spell.  The only way I could break that was with the power of emotions and magic 
and such, of human souls.  Yours is extremely powerful Jessica, your brilliantly 
bright love and passion for James, the deeply rooted affection and unconditional 
friendship with the other messengers, and the intense power of the mind you 
received made it optimal for me to release myself from my binds, so I discovered 
the heathen Rill.  He believed not in the power of the legends and myths, but in 
the power of the sword, and gaining ultimate control over Aradain.  He joined 
the alliance army because of it, volunteered himself to my service and I used 
him to achieve my goals.  I'm glad James was able to kill him, for his heart was 
black, and such people do not belong in the serene world of Aradain we hope to 
consummate.  Now that I am once again the sane power of the mind, I can see the 
golden light of Jessica's and James' hearts joined together, and I know that it 
is truly meant to be.  You two are written into the stars as soul mates, and 
your love will never falter.  It is rare indeed that soul mates find one 
another, but since the seven messengers lives are the ones most deeply 
interlaced with the legends, it was written long ago for it to happen."

The group's visions faded as the theatrical storytelling ended, and Jessie 
reached forward quickly, snatching the crystal figure of Shadow from the ground 
lovingly in her arms.  "Thank you Shadow, I know now why this happened, and my 
life is a thousand times better for it," she whispered.  "My power grows weak, I 
must return to my dormancy to await the time when I shall do battle with the 
evil Vinetra alongside my friends the seven powers again, but you must know 
something," she replied.  "I need to know more about the legends!  Was my little 
Jasper a part of them?" James piped suddenly, anxious for closure before the 
spirits left as Icthsique eventually had.  "Don't you recognize me James?  My 
savior?  My very own angel?"  James' breath caught in his chest as the white 
crystal that was Blade spoke to him.

He reached out to it, almost afraid of it, and drew back as his hand nearly 
touched it's slick surface.  "It can't be," he breathed, cupping a hand over his 
mouth.  "It's nice to see you again old friend," Blade said fondly.  James 
fought back his threatening tears and smiled broadly, cradling his crystal into 
his arms as Jessie had done.  "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly.  "I 
didn't know, it took the incredible poignancy of seeing you about to be killed 
for me to realize how deeply my life was entwined with the legends.  I was right 
when I said my parents were not my own, I was created as Blade, power of the 
wind eons ago, but unlike my comrades, when I began to sense my mind slipping 
into the power starved rages of the others, I concentrated my power to form a 
little boy with the same emerald eyes the legends foretold for my messenger.  I 
knew I would find him when I saw them, and I knew you were special when I met 
you, but when I was an infant, I underestimated the innocence of children, and I 
forgot whom I was.  I grew up Jasper, knowing nothing but his life, and of the 
rebel leaders Aaron and Rhianna.  My grandfather was a descendant of the 
sorceress that contained Shadow, and he knew the myths.  I knew my life would 
change when he was killed, but I didn't know how, as I always felt an odd 
connection to the myths and legends, and until today, I had no clue why.  I 
could always speak to birds, which are the very spirit of the wind themselves.  
They've been in touch with its power for longer even than I have, and they gave 
me guidance, which is what I was destined to do for you.  I created the boy, and 
named him Jasper, after the very powerful stone, which has the power to protect 
against unseen entities, such as Shadow, to stabilize emotions, and to deal with 
heavy negativity, such as your loss of Jessie.  It even has the health aid of 
protection, and to reduce fears and insecurities, such as yours about being a 
coward, and too weak to rescue your friend.  I still love you James, you're the 
bravest person I've ever known in my life, and I'll always be looking over you, 
even though now I must lie dormant like Shadow and Icthsique, but I will rise 
again, and that time, it will be to vanquish the ultimate evil by your side."

James wiped the tears from his eyes, finally understanding everything about the 
journey, and about the odd little boy he had loved so dearly.  "I'm looking 
forward to it Jasper, Blade, power of the wind, my friend," he whispered 
reverently.  "Good luck in all your future endeavors my friends, and beware, not 
everything is what it seems, your next adventure draws near, and I fear it will 
be a difficult one," he replied as Shadow's glow disappeared completely and his 
faded.  "I'll never forget you, or anything that happened," James assured him.  
"But there is something you, Meowth and Jessie do wish to forget, and though I 
wish I could erase the past or even your memories of it, I can't, but I can do a 
small kindness to help you always remember that you have overcome it, and it 
will never haunt you again," Blade said carefully.

James felt his stomach twist in anticipation at this, knowing that the power 
meant the hell he and Jessie had gone through in Team Rocket and wondering what 
he could possibly to do help.  "What are you going to do to us?" Jessie spoke 
up, obviously thinking along the same lines as her beloved.  "Nothing harmful I 
assure you, but it's the least I could do after all you did for me.  I'm going 
to take the scars of your past, the physical ones, as I know they are a daily 
reminder of events you mutually sorely wish hadn't happened.  For Jessie, though 
I can't take the scars and wounds from your mother's death, the scars from 
Giovanni's harsh words and Team Rocket in general, or even the ones from nearly 
losing your James, but I can take the imperfections from your back, as I can see 
you have a deep interlacing of scars there from a severe whipping," Blade said 
mournfully.  Jessie forced back her tears, nodding dumbly as she felt James 
gingerly run a hand along the pathways he knew the white pattern took.  She 
closed her eyes reverently as she felt the warm, tingling sensation of the 
healing, smiling in gratitude and knowing they were gone, along with the wound 
Shadow had given her just moments before.  "Thank you so much, that means so 
much to me, and James," she said quietly.  "I know, and from James, I take a bit 
more.  I cannot heal the still open wounds from your family, but I will take the 
lashing scars that your fiancˇ gave you, and as well as Giovanni.  I also take 
the scars from the wound in your shoulder, the one I healed without knowing it, 
and the one you received in Team Rocket.  Most importantly, I take the scars 
from your hand, the ones that most poignantly remind you of painful events," 
Blade explained.  James gasped and looked down to the hand in question, smiling 
broadly in gratitude, joy, and at the memories that would no longer haunt him as 
the scars glowed gently for only a moment and were gone, leaving only perfect 
flesh.

"Oh James," Jessie breathed as he showed it to her.  He wrapped his arms about 
her lovingly, running his hand tenderly down her healed back and smiling in pure 
ecstasy and joy.  "Thank you so much Jasper, I can never thank you enough," he 
whispered.  "Your friendship and paternal love was all I needed, ever James, but 
now I fear my power is nearly taken up entirely into reserve, and I must go 
now," Blade answered.  James eased himself out of Jessie's arms and to the 
crystal, running a hand down its spine affectionately.  "Goodbye kid," he said 
fondly, bidding a final farewell to his friend.  "It's never goodbye forever 
remember?  Until we meet again James," were the final words from the entity 
before it too, withered and became an inert white crystal.

James held his crystal close, smiling warmly as he finally felt true happiness, 
and Jessie's tender embrace about his shoulders.  "It's finally over Jess, we're 
finally free," he whispered joyously, returning the affectionate gesture.  "I 
know James, I know," she replied smiling broadly.  

They sat there in each other's arms for as long as they could, each never 
wanting to let go again, and knowing they neither would, nor have to.  The whole 
circumstance involving Jessie's death and liberation from Shadow had drawn them 
indefinitely close, and they both felt the bond between their souls that they 
were positive would never be broken.  They held each other as the black clouds 
lifted with a cleansing mist of rain, spreading a gorgeous arc of color over the 
now peaceful scenery, and illuminating the symbolic rosebush that James had 
planted.  They stood up at last, smiling warmly, their hands entwined with one 
another's, and staring off into the beautiful sun sinking below the crest of the 
same hill to engulf the ever-growing bush in a crimson beacon of flame.  The 
rest of the messengers joined them with mirrored smiles, feeling the same 
reassuring surge of power they always felt when they were together, and placing 
arms about each other.

Another chapter of their adventure in the fantasy and fickle world of Aradain 
was over, but their saga was still far from completion.  They now had three of 
the seven great powers that would liberate it for all time, and Jessie and James 
had finally found everything they wanted to love in each other.  No more 
explanation was needed, and all were pleasantly silent as they turned to return 
to the palace, picking up the crystals to lay to rest with Icthsique in the 
ceremonial room, but James insisted on bringing the body of the little boy he 
had treasured, intending fully on giving him a proper burial.  They knew that 
another break was in store for them just as they had before the fateful battle, 
but just as Icthsique had warned them that the Shadowrun events would happen, 
Blade had warned them another would occur, and that it would be difficult.  They 
cared not what the power had said, as they had a wedding to prepare for, and 
they knew in their hearts that they would meet any adversary with confidence, 
fearlessness, love, true friendship, and pride in their hearts.  All evil would 
falter and fall at their hands, but most importantly, they knew they would 
prevail, and they would always do it together.

Fini