Sky

Chapter 11: The War

"What?!" Sky exclaimed. "How can Sakura be dead? I thought you were watching her!"

Jake frowned. "I underestimated the enemy's power. They were too fast. I'm sorry, Mother. I told her if something happened to her I wouldn't live with myself. I meant it. This is all my fault!"

Sky was mad. "No, Jake. This is my fault. I shouldn't have let her go."

Jake was surprised. "I did the one thing I wasn't supposed to, and you're not even mad?"

Sky looked at him. "Oh, I'm mad. Mad at them. Tomorrow, you and I are going to fight for revenge."

Jake grinned, "Yes! And if I die, so be it! I'll die knowing I did for Sakura!"

"That's the spirit!" Sky exclaimed.

"Although, if something happened to you, too, then I'll feel really feel guilty. Do you know where her body is? We should bury her."

"Bury who?" Sky and Jake gasped. There, standing in the entryway, were Stardust and Chase, listening in on the conversation. "Where's Sakura?" Chase asked.

Jake sighed and broke the news to them. "She ran, but they caught her. It's my fault. Tomorrow, me and Mother are going to fight, for her."

"No!" Stardust cried, "You can't go! What if something happened to you two? Who would watch us?!"

Sky looked worried, but somehow was calm. "It'll be alright. This is our fault, we need to fix it. Besides, you'll be okay by yourselves for a couple hours. We will return, I'm sure of it."

Chase stepped forward. "I'm coming too."

Sky started to protest, but then agreed. She turned to Stardust. "Star, do you want to come too?"

Stardust was about to respond when she heard a voice in her head tell her to stay. They need you, it said. She knew she had to stay. Stardust firmly shook her head. "Sorry. I wouldn't be much help. I think it's best if I stay here."

Sky nodded. "I'm sure this won't happen, but if we don't come back, go to Coral and her parents. I'm sure they could help."

Stardust looked worried. Was it really the best choice to stay? They need you, it said again. They needed her. She knew exactly what it meant. She couldn't go. If something happened to her, who would lead them? She was worried for Sky. If she was hurt, she couldn't lead-

Stardust's thoughts were interrupted by Sky. She had tears in her eyes. "Goodbye, Stardust," she said sniffling.

"Mother, you really don't think you'll come back?" Stardust began to cry too.

Sky shook her head. "No, we will, we have to!" She looked around at everyone. "We have to be brave and believe we can do this," she said. She looked once more at Stardust before saying quickly, "Let's go," and ran off.

Garion chuckled. "They're over there! I can hear them," he turned to face Russ. "C'mon! Before they leave!"

They ran over to the cave. Only Stardust was there. Garion swore under breath. "She got away!"

Russ looked at Stardust. "Well, I guess we just wait here for her to come back."

Stardust looked at the two men, angry. "Wait for who?" she yelled.

The men were shocked. "Is this a joke?" Russ questioned. "Or did you really just talk?!"

Stardust herself was surprised. "You can hear me?!" she exclaimed.

Jaws dropped, the two just nodded.

"Oh," Stardust whispered to herself. "Must be the magic."

Garion's  eyes lit up. "What did you say? MAGIC?!"

Stardust backed up. "I didn't say anything! Now, what were you saying?" she gasped. "You want Sky, don't you?"

Russ nodded. "Well, if Sky is the big black horse, that is," he babbled. "The stupid thing won't listen to us humans, so we're going t'kill her!'

Garion gave him a nasty look. "Stupid! Now she knows!"

Russ's face went blank. "Oops."

"No!" Stardust cried. "You can't kill her! I won't let you!"

After a minute of silence, Garion's face twisted into an evil grin. Innocently, he said, "Well, we could make a deal. How about this: we won't hurt your precious Sky, if..." he pause dramatically. "You let us take you instead."

Stardust thought this over. She could escape. Well, at least she thought so. But if something happened to Sky... she sighed. "Deal."

Meanwhile, Jake, Sky, and Chase were fighting. Jake had been right, their enemy was tough. Sky thought they could take them. This is surprisingly kind of easier than I thought it would be, she thought as she kicked a horse in the face. Well, until one kicked Jake right in the chest. He was already weak. He couldn't take much more.

He fell over and glanced at Sky best he could without moving his head, He could barely breathe, yet somehow he managed to make out his last words. "This is the end of the line for me. It doesn't have to be for you. Stardust needs you. Run, Mother, run!" And within seconds, Jake's breathing had stopped.

"No! Jake!" Sky screamed.  She'd ran over when she saw blood pouring out of Jake's chest. Now she had three reasons to fight. She attempted at blinking the tears back, inhaled, and turned around slowly. When she opened her eyes, she saw seven eight coming right at her. War doesn't wait. In seconds, they'd trampled Sky.

"Wait!" Sandie exclaimed. So Jake and Sky are dead?!"

Blackboots closed her eyes and slowly nodded. "Yes," she replied softly. "Sky is dead."