Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade nor it’s characters, but I do own the plot idea of this Fic, and the world of Chrysalis.

Synopsis: The story picks up from where it left off in chapter 44 of the first book. The story continues as the group embark on a new journey to find and retrieve the stone of wishes. Everyone knows who has it, the trick is finding where Ryukai stashed the stone, and it wont be an easy task. And he wont be giving it up easily.

Author Notes: This is the first chapter of the second book. Basically it’s like the continuation, but chopped down so that it is more… new reader friendly. But yes, you have to have read the first book to understand what is going on here.

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Wishing For Eternity Book 2: The Second Scouring

Chapter #1: Family Affairs

Last time on Wishing For Eternity…

“The Crystal of wishes is not here,” Bianca interjected, before things could get even worse, “It was stolen by a powerful demon. We know who he is. The crystal will have to be retrieved if you are to return home.”

At that all the girls looked at her Sharply, “Who has it!” Takara asked.

“His name… is Ryukai.” Realization slammed down on the group even before Bianca could explain about him, thought explanation was not needed. Everyone knew who Ryukai was.

And now, the conclusion..

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“I don’t believe it. That scaled bastard has it?” Tyson choked out.

“You know Ryukai?” Cleo asked in surprise.

“Sure as hell we do, fought the bastard a while back, sent him running home to his mommy,” Tyson boasted.

“Tyson contain yourself,” Hilary warned.

“Come to think of it, he is oddly interested with the relics of the scouring, the crystal grants a wish to those who use it. Supposing… Ryukai gathers up all the relics, and uses the crystal… I could be just jumping into conclusions though,” Bryan theorized.

“No Gallaxia would not grant a wish to a King Demon. But even so, Ryukai’s interest in the relics cannot be good tidings, no.” Bianca listened to all of this. She would’ve expected the group to react in shock, Ryukai was supposedly dead. Only high priests knew he was alive to begin with, and yet this group not only met him, but also fought him, and survived to tell the tale. “Well there is nothing that can be done, I am afraid that there is no way to send these ladies home without Gallaxia’s power, she brought them here, only she can send them back. The stone must be retrieved.”

“Yea… like ugly and scaly will just hand it back,” Tyson mumbled.

“He wont, we’ll have to kill him.” Kai put in, “I have no problem with that.”

“No… it’s wrong, we shouldn’t have to kill anyone. Never again.” Charly mumbled quietly.

“Charly…”

“No… no more blood, no more pain.”

“I understand it must be tough now. Come tomorrow, when you all had time to think this through, we’ll talk again.” Bianca spoke. “Take the ladies back to where you are staying, they need time to think things through more than anyone else.”

“Alright, thank you, for everything.” Cleo spoke. Bianca nodded. Mariah and Hilary helped Hikaru and Takara along, the two were crying by now. Vega walked behind them, silent.

Charly hung back for a few seconds, the feeling of warmth radiating from within the temple intensified. It was drawing her inside for some reason. ‘It’s nothing…’ she assured herself. Turning on her heels she ran to catch up with her other friends.

Bianca watched her go, something about that human felt odd. Pulling up the sleeve of her robe she glanced at the ornate cuff around her arm, the stone set in it was glowing a bright blood crimson, pulsing like the beating of a heart, but what surprised Bianca was that the stone was not beating in time with her own heart like it used to. “Has time come to pass it on?” she wondered. Lowering her sleeve the priestess moved deeper into the temple, she’d have to seek a vision from Gallaxia to know what to do.

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That evening the group gathered at an inn, when Tala found out that the journey was not over for the girls, he seemed oddly unbothered by it, which seemed even odder considering everyone expected him to go into a tirade about the whole thing. But when he didn’t say a word, it was as if he knew all along.

Lilly spend the better part of the day in her room, while Max was on pincushions the whole time. The blond woman refused to see anyone, and it was particularly hard on Max. The others could only guess that Lilly was upset, the girls hazarded a guess that she was likely in tears, but Max knew that she cried herself to sleep. And even her sleep was not fitful and relaxed.

Dinner hour came by and the group gathered at the table. Johnny was the last to arrive with Robert, explaining that the reason he was absent the whole day was because there was some business he needed to attend to. Robert offered no explanations for his absence before departing for his room to finalize some business or other, no one was too eager to ask.

The inn kitchen staff served the food, but before anyone could begin to eat, Charly stood up, raised her goblet, and clanked the spoon against its side five times. “Before we eat dinner, there is something that must be said.” She began. All attention was instantly riveted to the brunette. “The girls and I had a talk earlier today, about the arduous task ahead of us, the long and probably dangerous journey, the trials that may befall us.” She took a moment to gage everyone’s reaction. “We’ve come to the conclusion that we would not ask you all to stay by our side. We have come to value each and every one present here as friends, comrades, and allies. We have come to consider you all… our family of sorts,” she paused again. There was silence, everyone seemed hesitant to comment. “As much as we hate to break up this family, we will not ask you to stay, because asking you to stay, is asking you to risk your lives for us. We are not willing to ask you to take the risk; we cannot ask you to take such a risk. So… as of now, this is the last supper for this extended family… each and every one of you is free to go wherever. The five of us will find a way on our own. Even if it means being stranded here, we will not ask our dear friends, our newfound family, to take that kind of risk. Thank you.” With that she sat down.

Silence reigned at the table, stunned silence. A pin drop would be heard at the moment. Rei exchanged glances with Mariah who smiled and nodded, no words required exchange; both knew what the other was thinking. “I’m afraid we must reject the offer.” Rei spoke up. Mariah nodded.

“Rei is right. We began this journey with you, we were there for you from day one, what kind of people would we be, to abandon you when the going got a little rough. When the road ahead seems a little too bumpy?” Mariah asked.

“Mariah and Rei are right!” Hilary jumped in. “As you said, we are a family. And as such we stick together like birds of a feather. I’m coming too.” She proclaimed.

“I’m not afraid of ol’ ugly and scaly! Besides… I’m Hilary’s body guard, I have to do my job.” Tyson piped up. “Bring all those demons… I’ll pound them all until we get that crystal thing you need. I’m not afraid. I say… bring ‘em on!”

“You still owe me for that wagon, sure as hell I’m not leaving before I’m paid back, in full. Besides… you might actually need someone who can fight,” Tala added, folding his arms. Vega smiled; she could see a hint of a different emotion in his ice blue eyes. It was clear to see it wasn’t just about the money for him, this was pride.

“I’m a mercenary, consider me hired. I want to have one last fight with Tahmores, not for revenge, for myself… to prove to myself that I am stronger than that arrogant mutt,” Bryan added.

“I’m coming as well, I was never the one to take orders from anyone, and I’m not about to start now.” Kai commented.

“Humans… you think you can order me around? Fat chance… I’m coming too, this might actually be fun. Finally a worthy adversary to test my swordsmanship on,” Johnny bit out cockily.

“I don’t know about everyone else here, but I feel a little honored that the ladies would consider me family. I also know one thing, in my short while being with this family; I have seen some very amazing things, from long forgotten relics, to ancient demons that people considered dead for a long time.” Max stood up, swallowing his nervousness, “Yes, the destination is far now, and we might be tested again and again sometime down the road, but I’m willing to take that risk.” Max smiled, his tone taking on a calm affectionate edge as he raised his goblet, “So what if the journey will be longer? So what if it takes us a week, or even a year? I know this much… I can’t think of a place I’d rather be than being right here, with my friends… with my family. So I will offer this toast… to the journey.”

“Well said Max, well said,” Tyson spoke up, raising his own goblet. “To the journey!” he called.

“To the journey!” Rei picked up, a wave of goblets clunking went around as everyone acknowledged the toast, even the girls, hesitantly.

“Thank you guys… so much,” Hikaru choked out, biting back the tears.

“It means the world to us to hear all this support, it really does,” Takara added.

“Yes… thank you all, so much.” Lilly was crying again, but not in sorrow. Charly and Vega were smiling, it was obvious to see the speech Max gave touched hearts, nothing else needed to be said.

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The next morning Tala was flying above the market streets. His mind was set on his course of actions. He needed new weapons, something more powerful than his current katars and sword. Flying above he could see all the wares the vendors sold, there were many things, from useless knick-knacks to expensive, exquisite runite swords. But he wasn’t interested in a sword. Finally what he sought caught his eyes, the assassin landed in a flurry of white feathers, startling the owner of the stall. Before him on the counter lay a set of katars, their blades were covered with cloth, but their sheer length was still evident, each one was the length of a short sword, curved. They were mounted in a mechanized housing that strapped unto the arms of the user, these blades did not retract into the housing like his present katars, they swung back and forth on springs, judging by the mechanism, powerful springs.

“How much for these?” he demanded, indicating the weapons. The shop owner stared.

“Are you sure you want them?” The shop owner asked. “Dragon fangs are not like regular kata-“

“How… much,” Tala repeated, he was growing annoyed.

“A thousand copper, or ten gold,” the shop owner writhed under the intent stare of the red-haired Angelwing.’ Tala begrudgingly pulled out the gold coins and slammed them unto the counter. “I must protest! This is an army shop… I am not allowed to sell Dragon fangs to regular ruffian-“

“I am not a ruffian,” Tala cut the man off again taking hold of the dragon fangs. With deft ease he took off his right katar, putting on one of the two dragon fangs. They weighted quite a bit more than his old katars, the blade alone weighted as much as his old katars, mechanism and all. “This will take a bit getting used to, but it’s doable… thank you,” with a flutter of his wings the Avian was in flight, the shopkeeper stared. At last pocketing the gold.

“May Gallaxia protect that young man…” he uttered.

Tala smirked, dragon fangs were katars that only specially trained warriors could use. They were like swords, mounted on hinges that swung back and forth. Normally folded back the blades ran along the length of the whole arm, far extending over the elbow, one blade exposed, making an ideal defense. But when the fist was flexed, the spring would trigger and the blade would swing foreword, with all the strength of an axe coming down, forming a sword, and since it was mounted on his arm, allowed for precise control. The dragon fang was a lethal one hit weapon, one did no fight with it like with a sword, one moved to finish the fight off with a single attack, a decapitating blow.

‘Perfect weapon to fight those king demons with.’ Tala thought grimly. ‘I’ll keep the old katars… these are much too powerful to be used on regular adversaries, and much harder to maintain and clean.’

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Meanwhile, Bryan knocked on the door of Sir Albert’s. He wasn’t surprised to see Cleo open the door. “What is it brother?” she asked.

“There is something I have to tell you, “ he spoke. Cleo nodded, letting the Ravenwing inside, closing the door behind him.

“I have a feeling I know,” she spoke. “Come, I think Lord Albert might want to know this too.”

The two found the general sitting in his study, reading over some paper work. “General Albert?” Bryan announced his presence. Cleo smiled.

“I was expecting this visit,” Albert got up from his seat, “Cleo told me about your comrades, and what happened, I must say it all came as a bit of a shock. Even to this seasoned veteran.”

“I really came to tell Cleo that I would be going on with them, if it means fighting every single King Demon Ryukai has for a friend, that so be it, but we’ll get that wishing stone.”

“I have foreseen even that. You’re very much like your father Bryan, head strong, and noble.” Albert moved to the wall and passed a hand along the surface, touching an invisible button, the book case slid aside, clanking along as the gears and springs ground.

“Brother… you’re adamant about this? Let… let me come along!” Cleo pleaded. Bryan shook his head.

“No Cleo, if you came along, you’d be in too much danger. You’re a Valkyrie your responsibilities lay here. So no, you are not coming along.”

“But brother…”

“No buts Cleo,” Bryan flashed her a small glare, he knew that she meant well, and some part of him wanted to bring her along, but he couldn’t. It would put more people into danger, and she was his sister, he would not, knowingly put her into danger.

“Here it is,” Lord Albert proclaimed, Bryan glanced at the man. In his hands was a cloth covered weapon, a lance. “This was something Gabriel left with me when he left the army. He said he would not need it to protect his mate and children from petty ruffians.” Albert explained, pulling the cloth off, underneath was a long lance, with a titan redwood shaft; the point, forged of reunite, had three prongs, the center one the longest and curved, gleaming with two edges, one on each side. On top of it was a smaller prong, curving along the main one; its one edge was smooth, that of a sword, but the other one was serrated like a saw. The third prong below the main one was curved inwards just slightly, both of its edges shimmering. “This lance has been passed along from father to son for over three thousand years, I have a feeling Gabriel would like you to have it.” Bryan approached, taking hold of the weapon. It was heavier than his javelin, and definitely more dangerous looking. This was the type of weapon wyvern riders used from atop their mount, the longer shaft allowed for a better reach. “Use it wisely boy, that weapon contains power not limited to the strength of the blade alone. The Farina is far more than just a weapon.” Albert explained.

“This will take some training to get used to.” Grabbing hold of the discarded cloth Bryan wrapped the weapon up again. “Thank you,” he replied.

“About training brother, you could ask Spencer to help you, he’s very good with his own weapons. And he is always looking for a worthy adversary, can’t say the cadets offer him much of a challenge.” Cleo spoke. Bryan’s eyes narrowed marginally at the tone of high regard with which she was speaking about the wing commander.

“I’ll think about it,” Bryan replied. “Thank you again General, I really should get going now… I promised to help the ladies I travel with today, they need to make a short market trip, and require a translator.”

“Understandable,” Lord Albert nodded.

“I’ll come too Brother,” Cleo called after him.

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An hour later, the girls were well on their way with shopping. Cleo seemed to enjoy herself in the presence of the women, she was used to being around the General, and Spencer, with only Lia as her other female friend. So she felt a bit liberated to be able to be herself around the seven of them. Hilary and Lorelei having decided at the last minute to come along too.

Bryan tugged along behind the group, not keen on the idea of female gossip. The market stalls stretched far along the city, with every ware imaginable being sold somewhere. As they neared the Sol Sanctum, the end of the market ‘street’. The girls paused at a stall. Examining the items on it.

Cleo seemed avidly interested in pointing out every single item and what was it’s purpose, but after she mentioned the word ‘cosmetics’. No further explanation was needed. Bryan rolled his eyes and strayed away to examine the stall close by selling daggers of every variety.

Charly noticed the wandering guard and pulled away from the group. She could feel that calling again from the temple, and this time it was much stronger, much more insistent. She could no longer deny it. She sneaked away before anyone would notice, and made a dash for the temple.

‘I think I’m officially losing my mind’ she thought. Having made it past the gates she took a moment to breathe before proceeding inside. Past the wooden doors and into the temple. In the hall she could feel the presence even stronger, it was drawing her deeper, beckoning. The feeling guiding her she walked past the inner doors, deeper into the temple. This was wrong and she knew it, but the feeling was too strong to deny.

Author Notes: Okay so this is the first chapter of the second book. Hopefully you enjoyed it in its entirety. I’m particularly proud of Charly and Max’s speeches. So… touching if I may say so myself. More-so Max’s than Charly’s. This chapter ended up a little... montage heavy.