House of Baloo 2, 3

27.

Eerie Tower

"No! Raven! You mustn't!"

"Darling... How could you... Oh... Darling... You... Why..."

"Hey! Tippi! Snap out of it, will ya?!"

"..What?!"

"I thought you'd just gone back to town, but then I saw you lying there, not moving... And then.. you started shouting loudly. I have to say, it kind of startled me."

"Are you alright?"

"Um... I'm all right... I'm sorry for startling you..."

"Raven... Is that a person's name you were saying? Were you remembering something from your past, perhaps?"

"No... It's nothing... Nothing at all..."

"So, should we go to Merlons? We ought to tell him that we found the last Pure Crystal!" Patty said.

X nods. At Merlon's house..

So... We have gathered all the Pure Crystals and all four of the heroes, it seems..." Merlon says.

"Ha ha ha ha! Now we just end this Count Stygian guy and call it a day!" Neon said.

"I fear for the poor people of this world who must continue to look at the sky and worry. We must act quickly and ease their hearts and minds!"

"...."

"...What troubles you, Tippi?" Merlon asks.

"The prophecy... Do we really have to destroy Count Stygian to stop it from happening?"

"Much of the dark prophecy has already come to pass...but stop it we must. It was by Count Stygians hand that the Chaos Crystal was summoned, bringing this peril. Without him, the prophecy's power will wither, and all worlds can avoid their ends."

"Yes... I suppose you're right.. I guess we always knew that, didn't we?"

"Tippi? What's the matter, huh?" Neon asks.

"My dear... Was there something between you and this Count Stygian?" Merlon asks.

"Umm... No, nothing... It was nothing... I'm fine! Let's go!"

"Very well, then. Once again, your first task is to set this Pure Crystal in a Crystal Pillar. Once you've done that, you must head back to the black tower in Eiree."

They exit Merlon's house and proceed to Eiree.

Eiree

At Eiree, X and the others find the last Crystal Pillar and place the Pure Crystal into it. This causes a big purple door to appear at the black tower of Eiree.

"So, the time has come..."

Nolrem walks up to them.

"Heroes... The last door is at the top of Eiree Tower in the center of town! I'll go ahead there and wait for you.... Once you've prepared for the battle that waits beyond that door, come to me..."

X and the others go to Eiree Tower, meeting up with Nolrem.

"This is the final door. Eight Pure Crystals versus the Dark Prophecy.. Castle Stygian awaits." 

"There was something on the last page of the Light Prophecy..."

Merlon walks up.

"Only those who have not abandoned hope can turn back the prophecy of doom. They walk forward into the future, no matter how dark and uncertain it may be."

"You have fought all this way because you believed the future could be bright... I can't go through this door with you, but I send you with all the hope in my heart." Nolrem says.

"I know that you can do it. I, too, believe it in my heart." Merlon says.

"Thank you, both of you."

"Tippi.."

"I don't know what is in your mind, but... If this is too hard for you, please feel free to stay behind."

"No... I'm going... I've decided. I must do this!"

"Tippi... If your memory...returns..."

"Tippi, you've changed much. You've grown so strong... So! Be sure to return safely to me!"

"I will, Merlon."

She turns to X.

"Let's go! Let's defeat Count Stygian! Let's save all these worlds from destruction!"

They nod, then The Void expands.

"And hurry, for the worlds may not have much time!" Nolrem says.

Everyone looks at The Void.

"In that black span of nothing, you will find Castle Stygian. You may face battles harder than any you have endured thus far... If you feel ready to face this challenge, then please go forward."

They enter the door.

"X...Zephyr...Neon... Patty... Be strong." Merlon says.

"And you too, Tippi..."