Gracious's Last Wish {{ Extended Version }}

Help Her. Save Her. He Couldn't.

"No more of that book. It's causing sadness." Gracious scolded Jack.
"Just a little more!" Jack said, opening the book to 'The Structure of CrystalWings'.
"I don't like that book.."
"But you can't read. Does it matter?"
"Tch! Fine, read it if you want. But I am not going to let you touch me, no matter how good it feels."
"Aww, why not? I thought you liked it when I petted you?"
"Not until you put that book down."
"Ew.. Gross.."
"What?" "Hm? Oh, forgive me. I read something very unpleasant.."
"...... I would not like to kmow what it is."
Mary was out of town that day. She was going to fetch something, but never said what it was.
"This is very unpleasant but interesting." Jack sat in one of the red chairs and continued reading.
"What on Earth could be so unpleasant but interesting for you to keep reading?"
"Crystalwing mating."
".........." Gracious just stared at him.
"What? It's interesting.~"
In Gracious's mind, she repeated the word 'pervert'. But out loud, she said, "Two thing. One: That's gross. And two: That is useless now, there is only one more Crystalwing in this world."
"Mhm.. For now.."
".. What are you thinking..?"
"Noooothing.~"
-.- "Hmm...."
He kept reading. Then a smirk came across his face. "Gracious, do you know where your-.."
"NO! NO! I CAN'T HEAR YOU! LALALALALALALA!!"
Jack laughed. "Calm down! I am playing with you.~"
;-; "Well.. I knew that." She blushed immensely.
It then became silent. The only sound was the flipping of the pages of the book. Then Jack threw a question at her. "How old are you, Gracious?"
"Erm.. In human years, I believe I am 18. Why do you ask?
"I was just wondering." He chuckled a little and continued to read.
There was a sudden knock on the door. Jack rose from his seat and opened the door. Mary was there, a glass tube in her hand. It containted a green liquid in it, but she placed it in the pocket of her cloak.
"Welcome back.~" Jack greeted warmly.
"Thank you.~" she entered the hut.
Jack closed the door behind her.
"It is freezing cold out there," she said as she removed her cloak, revealing a nice white dress decorated with silver ribbons. She may have been old, yet she was quite the sight.
"Hopefully it will be warm by dawn tomorrow. We will be leaving early so we can watch the Lavenders of Purple Peaks glow."
Mary sat down in the chaur opposite from him. "Purple Peaks must be important to the both of you, hm?"
"Indeed. Gracious and I are going to stay up there for a very long time."
"You best get some rest now then. Just so you have enough energy.~" she suggested.
"Of course." He closed the book and placed it on the wooden table.
He stood up and said, "Goodnight, mi'lady. I will see you once we return in the morning."
Mary smiled. "Goodnight.~"
Jack began to walk into the room, Gracious following close behind. She looked back at Mary to say goodnight as well, but she saw that she was smirking evilly. What did Mary have up her sleeve?

*~~~*

•Crash•

Gracious's eyes snapped open. She lifted her head and perked her ears. What was that sound? It certainly wasn't thunder, it was too high pitched. Was it breaking glass? Jack was sleeping soundly under her, snoring peacefully. She was sprawled along his stomach, moving up and down with his deep breathing.

•tap..tap..tap..•

The sound of footsteps came from outside their room. She wanted to investigate. Quietly and slowly, she got up from Jack's stomach. She sheathed her talons as she jumped to the floor so she wouldn't make a sound. Exiting the room, she strained her eyes so she could see in the dark. The windows gave only a little light since it was beginning to be sunrise.
"Why are you up so early?" came a hoarse voice from behind.
Gracious quickly turned her head and saw Mary. She was holding a syringe in her hand. It was filled with a green liquid.. The one she was carrying yesterday.
"W-What are y-you doing!?" She exclaimed, becoming frightened.
"CrystalWings should be extinct. After what they did to Chiliad's population. I won't let yoh repopulate and destroy Chiliad again!"
Gracious's eyes went wide as she realized that Mary was going to kill her!
"M-MASTER JAAACK!!" Gracious screamed.
There was a thud in the room as Jack had rolled off his bed. He scrambled to his feet and rushed out the room, wondering what the Hell had happened. But by the time he was out there, Gracious was already on the floor, holding her chest. Her teeth were gnashed and her eyes were shut tight. She breathed quickly and deeply, showing she was in excruciating pain.
"Gracious!" He exclaimed, getting down on his hands and knees, thinking she was stabbed or something.
"CrystalWings deserve to die." Mary walked in, gripping a glass tube with pink liquid in it.
Jack looked up at her, anger raging in his eyes. "She was not evil! It was unnecessary to do so!" He yelled at her.
"Oh, but it was necessary. You never know when she could have become evil and turned on you. I did us all a favor."
"She would never do such a thing!" He looked back at Gracious, seeing the agonizing pain she was in.
"Where.. is.. the antidote?" He asked slowly.
"Is this what you're looking for?" She asked, holding up the pink glass tube.
"Yes!" Jack reached for it, but before he could lay a fingertip on it, Mary released it from her grip. She let it drop to the floor and break.
Both pair of eyes stared at the pink mess and broken glass.
Jack looked back up, his expression filled with conceit. "YOU-.."
"M-master Jack!" came the faint cry of his dying CrystalWing.
"Gracious!" he turned his attention back to her.
"Well, this is sad. You didn't succeed to fulfill your promise to her." Mary had a slight smile. "She'll never live to see Purple Peaks.~" and with that, disappeared out the door.
"No.. P-Purple.. Peaks.." Gracious mumbled. She attempted to stand, but only fell back down.
"No.. You will see Purpke Peaks." Jack gently lifted her into his arms. He didn't bother to throw on his coat. He just slipped on his boots and ran out, running like he had never ran before. The cold wind bit at his face and his long braid fluttered behind him. Gracious was held securely within his arms, not moving a bit. Jack ran into a large grassy area, panting heavily. The sun was beginning to come up the horizon, lighting up the way to Purple Peaks. He could see the mountain. It was true. The tip was purple. Coated in lovely Lavenders. He ran towards the path the led up the side of the mountain. There was another path the spiraled along the side of the mountain. Jack had a long way to go.
Step by aching step, he made his way up the spiral. His legs and arms ached and his chest hurt. Jack wanted to stop and rest, but he couldn't. Gracious needed to be up the the mountain as soon as possible. He was running out of time. He forced himself to keep going. And before he knew it, he was on the top. Dropping to his knees, he gently set his beloved dragon in the bed of Lavenders.
"Gracious.. We finally made it.." he panted.
No reply. Gracious was motionless at the moment.
"No.. Please.. Open your eyes.." he pleaded.
She still didn't move. Not even a twitch.
"No.. I promised.." he sniffled as a few tear drops rolled down his cheek and dripped on her scales. The sun began to come up over the mountain, shining golden light, causing the Lavenders to glow, as well as her scales.
"Why are.. y-you.. crying..?"
Jack looked down to Gracious just to see her eyes were open.
"Gracious! I though you died in my arms."
"Not until.. you.. fulfilled.. your promise.." she turned her head a little so she could see the glowing Lavenders. "It's so.. pretty.."
Jack smiled and whispered, "I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do."
"It is.. alright.. you did well.." A smjle spread across her face.
He planted a soft kiss upon her head. "I am glad that you could see the Lavenders."
"You know.. I never got to.. th-thank you.."
"Hm? Thank me for what?"
"For taking me in.. Taking care of me.. Thank you for.. giving me.. all of these years.. of l-life."
"How could I not? I'd ever leave someone like you to die on your own."
Gracious tried to give a small smile as she slowly lifted a paw and gently intertwined her claws with Jack's gloved hand. "I have.. three more.. wishes.."
He raised an eyebrow. "Anything for you, my dear Gracious."
"One.. please bury me here.. in the Lavenders.. two.. I want you.. To be the last thing.. I see.. before I pass.. three.. plunge the world.. into the abyss.. for me.. and for Lacie.."
Jack had a shocked look on his face as she stated her last wish, but he returned to his soft smile. "Of course. It will all be done."
Gracious held his hand as tight as she could, which wasn't very tight at all. "Thank you.. and farewell.. Master Jack.."
Jack laid down next to her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her against him. Goodbye.. my lovely Gracious."
Gracious closed her eyes and took one last breath.. And just like that.. she was gone. Her body rested in her arms, seeming so peaceful.
"I can promise you.. it will all surely be done.." he whispered, planting a soft kiss on her nose. He allowed a single tear to escape and roll down his cheek and drip on her face, sinking into her scales. "Sleep well.."

*~~~*

About a year later, Jack carried a bouquet of Lavenders and roses in memory of his beloved dragonet and Lacie. He looked around him. The sun was shining brightly, but not for long. Darkness was beginning to spread. He had done it. The world was plunging into the abyss. "I love you, my dear Lacie.. but Gracious.. I love you more."

THE END