Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Epilogue- 02/23/12

Finished Canon/Conventional Couple Fics. These stories pick up from events in the show. All complete stories from the main Canon/CC board will eventually be moved here.

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What should be Isabel's fate?

1) Execute her!
3
33%
2) A long prison sentence on Earth or Nidavellir. Someplace she won't escape.
0
No votes
3) Have her powers permanently removed and forced to live a normal life on Earth with no normal education or skills.
4
44%
4) Allow her to atone.
0
No votes
5) Send her to Antar for Khivar to deal with?
0
No votes
6) Have Michael and Avelinde wipe her mind clear so she can start anew?
2
22%
 
Total votes: 9

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Re: Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Pt29 - 02/17/1

Post by PML »

Thanks again.

keepsmiling7- Thanks. And yep. Max would forgive her anything given time. If she lives.

begonia9508- Thanks. Bad things happen, even to good people.


--
In the Hall of the Mountain King part 30

Michael

Michael woke up to a nightmare. His Maria was gone. In her place, Amy Deluca was sitting staring at him from one of the chairs by the door.

How could he possibly explain what had been going on here? Here in the same room he had recently slept with her daughter?

Of course things were significantly different now. Both he and Maria were consenting adults now. Not really something needed to concern herself with. But even after ten years, some old habits die hard.

He had talked with Amy once or twice, just checking to see if she had ever come back. Amy was not kind to him during those discussions. Trying to find where he had abandoned her ‘wanton’ daughter. How many kids he had abandoned her with, and if she was in prison.

Not nice memories. But he knew it was only fear for someone that she loved. Someone who had mysteriously disappeared. And Michael had been, and still was, the most obvious target for such inquiries.

He had also left Roswell at that time. How could she not think that Maria had chosen to run off into the sunset with him rather than repeat senior year or get a serious job. And it had been hard enough with just him. Could he and Maria have made it those first couple of years?

Michael didn’t know. He loved Maria more than anything. And he knew Maria loved him. But those had been rough times until he had learned how to use his talents make legal money.

“Amy, why are you here? Where is Maria?”

Amy tilted her head slightly, “Good you are awake. I never truly understood who and what you were. I suppose I should address you as my lord, but then you are no longer home and we do not have nobles here.”

Michael rubbed his hands across his face and desperately wished he had some clothes on underneath the blanket that hid him. “What are you talking about? Where is Maria?”

Amy smiled. It didn’t quite meet her eyes. Eyes that never seemed to blink. “You can’t hide it from me now, Michael. The Dead see more than they let on.” She shook her head, “But I doubt you care. No my Maria is not truly mine after all, perhaps she is yours. I know that she wishes it. But Isabel has compelled her to take an awful oath. One that may cause you considerable pain.”

Michael sat up with a start, “What? Is she in danger? I need to go to her right now!”

Amy shook her head sadly, “I can’t let you do that. I was told to keep you here. By force if need be.” She smiled again, “And Michael, you will not be able to beat me. Not as I am now. Not without using force sufficient to destroy me.”

This was enough! His Maria was in danger! He got out of bed and… something happened. He found himself against the far wall. Instinctively he blasted back. Not a full bore power blast, but one sufficient to knock anyone back. He stood up and looked back.

Amy was dusting herself off and looking at him, a wry smile on her face, “I must say my daughter does have good taste in men. Although I would prefer you putting something on. Sex is a concern for the living, and my desire is gone. Pity too. I wouldn’t poach, but there was a time that at least looking was pleasurable. Now it is merely tedious.”

Michael quickly grabbed some clothes and got dressed. Last he knew, Amy didn’t even know he was an alien, let alone know how to blast him. Only what she threw at him had felt slightly different. A different and darker sort of energy than anything the Skins had ever thrown at him. “What are you? You can’t be Maria’s mother despite how you look.”

“Unfortunately there you are wrong. I am indeed Amy Deluca. And I would like to make a deal with you. One that might see my daughter happy in the end. I don’t care if she carries out Isabel’s charge so long as she is free of any constraining magic. You have the power in you to cancel other magic out. I would see you free her from her oath to Isabel. To make sure she isn’t tainted or controlled by it.” She sighed deeply, “And I would have you care for my son. He is very young, but his father will not have enough time for him. Kyle might be able to take custody, but I want your word that the boy will have your protection if nothing else.”

“Okay.”

“Swear, my lord Rath! You can free others, but not yourself.” She cackled lightly, “Isabel should know this, she should. But she denies herself, denies the woman she once was. The Dead know, my Lord. We know.”

Michael could feel himself twist inside. Something… odd and old was coming to the fore. A memory and more. For it was not his voice that responded, “Name your bargain accursed one, before I simply strike you down and send you to the rest your master has denied you!”

“You have already claimed my daughter. I ask that you claim my son as your ward or simply under your protection. And I humbly ask for my own freedom from the foul chains that bind me here.”

“And in exchange?”

“I will give you the knowledge to free your sister Isabel. For sister she is to you in this life, if not so in the last. And I will show you who and what you are and were. I grant you knowledge, my Lord.”

Michael sat there pondering along with the being inside of him. An entity that was in essence him. He found himself nodding. “On the power given me by the Granolith, I so swear.”

Amy smiled one more time, “Thank you. Here is what you need to know….”

And Michael listened.
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Re: Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Pt30 - 02/19/1

Post by PML »

And so the story continues, although we are indeed in the final stretch. Hope you folks enjoy.

Mt. Gazer- Thanks. Rath's actions have a big part to play in this fight. As do Kyle and Ava's, although we will see what they do next part.

begonia9508- Thanks.

keepsmiling7- Thanks. And yeah, to finally have some answers....

mary mary- Thanks. When you read this part remember I like happy endings. I don't always write them but I do like them.


---
In the Hall of the Mountain King part 31
Liz

Liz cautiously made her way past the police officers that were keeping everyone back. The bomb squad was on its way, but had been delayed for some reason.

Huh. Wonder who could have caused them so much trouble. Nothing major, just small continuous and nagging problems.

Magic could be fun.

Liz could see how even these harmless pranks could be used for evil, so she needed to watch herself in the future. It would be so easy now to make someone’s life a living hell with nothing more than a little cantrip and some planning.

Well, lots of planning. But that came natural to her. Natural as breathing. So did this new magic she had been given. Almost as if it had been made for her, or rather she for it. It meshed so very well with the gifts Max had given her so long ago when he saved her.

No wonder Isabel was such a threat. Her alien abilities would be greater than Liz’s. Would magic come as easily? Hard to say. Certainly it made getting past all the police simple.

With the spell she had active, they wouldn’t be likely to see her at all. If they were diligent and actually saw her, they would automatically assume she needed to be there. It was almost as good as invisibility without the drawbacks.

She quickly cast another spell. No one was in the mall. At least no one that was warded by spells. Now it was possible that she was wrong and Isabel wouldn’t wait for her here.

But Liz doubted it. All it meant was that Isabel was lying in wait for her. Trying to get in that first shot that could decide everything.

Well Liz had never thought Isabel an idiot, at least not when it came to a fight. And there was a good chance she had allies here.

There was a purr behind her, a dark blonde cat rubbed against her legs.

“What exactly are you doing here, huh?” Liz reached down to pick up the cat and stopped. This was just the sort of distraction she needed to avoid right now. She quickly petted the cat and said, “Sorry I don’t have time to play.” She muttered another incantation and felt dizzy as it took effect.

It should protect her from her momentary bout of stupidity. She was here to fight Isabel and save her friends, not sight-see.

Liz felt a sudden sense that she was being watched. She lifted her hands in a warding motion. Isabel was near. She could feel it.

But why didn’t the woman blast her. Liz knew she was in the perfect position to be blasted. She stood next to the second floor railing, in easy shot range of much of both the central area from either the top or bottom. Hitting Liz would be easy. She was coming nice and over confident.

Or so Liz hoped it appeared. Because what she was afraid of was that Isabel might think this a trap and leave. The last thing they could afford to do is have Isabel alone when the plan came together.

No let Isabel think that she had nothing to worry about. That she had the upper hand.

Liz slowly walked along the railing towards the center of the mall and its fountain. They had updated everything in this old mall, but it still seemed so familiar. So similar to the place where she and Maria would come for a little retail therapy after a long week.

Liz hoped that Isabel would attack soon. Holding this spell was becoming increasingly disorientating…

A large wolf the size of a horse came around the corner and bounded into her, ripping into her soft neck…

Liz let the spell drop, revealing her true location twenty feet away. She opened up with a full bore of mage lightning. Isabel was too quick to get more than singed. Her momentum did carry her over the rail and downstairs.

Liz kept up her blasts, uncaring how much damage she did to the background. It was for these situations they had insurance after all.

Well okay, technically a mage duel probably wasn’t covered. But Liz highly doubted that anyone would list ‘mage duel’ as the reasons for their damage. Bomb damage was much more likely. The specialists would have nightmares trying to figure out what kind of bomb it had been, and how it had worked… But the damage would likely be extensive enough.

Particularly when Isabel opened up. A nice mix of fire and ice slamming into her hidden position. But Liz had been ready. Already several other illusionary Liz’s were flanking Isabel even as Liz moved to get a better shot.

Isabel blasted in pretty much every direction as she tried to hit the elusive Liz. She swore something in Alfar and pulled out her necklace concentrating on it.

Liz knew this would probably not be good.

And she was right as the air began to darken and ghosts began to lurk in the shadows. That could be trouble.

So she fired from her position, knocking Isabel down and into a Starbucks kiosk. Liz kept firing her blasts. Isabel would be deflecting and reducing the effects of them. Liz was hurting her, but not enough.

Isabel would pull out the big guns and really summon something nasty with the chained souls she had.

Liz grinned. She knew something Isabel didn’t. Any moment now Michael would….

A brilliant flash come from the downstairs as Michael broke the bonds that had kept Amy’s soul trapped. IN passing, and quite likely without him knowing, he freed all the others Isabel had stored. For once Michael’s clumsiness with his powers was a good thing.

Once more there was the sound of an enraged woman cursing up a storm.

Liz moved around to get another good position from which to attack. She didn’t really have to hold out much longer. According to her plans, which had gone spot perfect so far, Kyle and Ava would be dealing the death blow to Alex momentarily. And that would end Isabel’s little reign of terror.

Isabel cried out, “Face me you coward! You always did strive to climb further than you ought to have dared. Show yourself and we can finish this!”

Liz nodded. It should happen any moment now. Liz wasn’t really stronger than Isabel, Isabel even had more experience. But Liz had a larger assortment of tricks she could play. And she planned to keep using them.

Still, she should give the woman a moment to take things out. Who knew, maybe she would surrender.

So Liz seemed to lean over the balcony, while she really approached the stairs. Isabel wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. She hadn’t so far.

“Ready to surrender Isabel? To return to what you once were?”

“Never! Between I and Alex we shall raise an army which will crush all opposition an Nidavellir. Then we shall assail Earth. No one shall resist us…” Isabel fell to her knees. There was a white mist that was rising from her body. Her skin became almost translucent and full of light.

Liz sighed. It had worked. “I am sorry Isabel.”

Isabel called out, “Wait! Wait for me I am coming!”

Liz began to go down the steps to her now grief stricken friend. Getting through this would be hard for Isabel. But everything had gone exactly as planned…

One hand rapidly covered her mouth. She heard a voice whisper in her ear, “I am sorry, Liz.” And she felt a sharpness against her throat. And then the hand released her. She felt herself fall down the steps.

Not able to breathe! Her hands rushed to ruined throat. So much blood rushing from her. Only one option. Only one hope….

And Liz Parker-Evans died.
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Re: Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Pt31 - 02/19/1

Post by PML »

Well here we are so very close to the end, I just had to write another part. One or two parts remaining followed by an Epilogue. Thanks for following along.


In the Hall of the Mountain King part 32

Kyle

Kyle took his open hand and held Ava’s hand. Liz had said this spell could be disconcerting. “No matter what happens, remember I love you.”

Ava’s eyes widened, “I love you too.”

And they were off. The whole room began to spin and spin until it seemed almost unreal. Kyle turned to face the Sending who would be guiding them to Alex. “Is there anything wrong.”

It shook its head. “The Spell is beginning. For such a young wizard she is quite accomplished.”

Kyle laughed and said, “She always was a fast learner.”

It nodded, “Indeed.” It turned to Ava and said, “I am sorry for what I did to you earlier. I would say that it was my nature, but that does not excuse it.”

Avalinde sighed and looked away, “It is hard. Very hard. But I forgive you. You were only a tool. The darkness that filled me filled you too.”

It said softly, “It was me. You have given me my freedom and I killed your family. I will never be able to repay you.”

She turned and looked back at him, her face sheeted in tears. “Trust me, I know. Actions done can never be undone, only atoned for. So do what you can to help others. The part that is Alex, that is what is making you apologize. And a part of me killed him. Maybe not this body, but Tess is part of me now. What she did was wrong. She didn’t do it because she was evil, she did it because she believed the wrong things. But that doesn’t change that her actions WERE evil. They were. And part of the reason why I am here now is to help Alex recover himself. Before the last scrap of the kind hearted boy I, she killed disappears. That would be a tragedy.” She drew herself close to Kyle, “I have a chance to help her atone. Nothing I do can fix it. Nothing you can do can bring back my family. We can only go forward and try to bring good into the world.”

Kyle gave her a kiss, “Good speech.”

She smiled and touched his cheek, “Thanks.”

The Sending said, “Prepare yourselves, we are nearly there. And thank you, both of you.” It then turned around and the room stopped spinning.

It was a large room, mostly empty at the moment. Seated on the throne was a pale Alex who seemed lost in thought. “Court is not in session, you can all go wait with the other lackeys.” He waved his hands and guards began to approach them.

Kyle lifted a pistol, “Not so fast, buddy.”

Ava stepped forward and spoke forcefully, “I have come here to collect my blood price for my family. And to save you from yourself!”

Alex looked up and said, “Who are you? And what do you think of barging into my home!”

The Sending looked at Ava, “When you wish I shall strike. How do you wish me to destroy him.”

She lifted up her hand to the Sending. “Alex I have come to demand you pay for your actions, for the deaths of my family, and the countless others, I am returning the curse you set upon me. And with that I grant you forgiveness and ask that you forgive me, the part of me that was once Tess.”

Kyle now stood, pistol firmly gripped, “Who wants to be first, hmm?

Neither of the guards seemed willing to come forward. Surprising. He wouldn’t have though they had heard of guns.

Oh. Yeah. Ava had mentioned hunting on her farms with a rifle. They might not have mass production, but they knew what a pistol was.

Cool. He had always wanted to do something like this. Made him feel like he was in a movie or something. He was so intent on trying to intimidate the guards he almost missed what happened next.

Alex threw something at Ava, some type of magic probably. Ava blocked it. “Go forth, return to your master. But bring him what the release from darkness that I have given you and myself. Free him from his undeath!”

Alex blinked and said, “NO!”

The Sending flashed forward and into Alex. The room began to fill with light. Or perhaps it should be LIGHT.

The guards ran for the doors, but they didn’t make it, turning to puddles of water on the floor.

“What the hell?”

“They were Dokkalfar. Pure light and especially sunlight kills them.”

Kyle just pointed to the pile of armor sitting in a pool of water. “But.”

She looked over at them, “That could have been me.” She sighed, “Thank goodness I hadn’t given up. That I kept running.”

There was a pounding at the door and the LIGHT was beginning to fade taking Alex with it.

Kyle handed Ava another pistol, “I hope you know how to use this. Cause I think running is what we are about to do.”

Ava laughed and kissed him, “We never left your house, silly. The spell just projected us. Any moment and…”

The room began to whirl. It was almost enough to make him sick to his stomach, but he kept his eyes focused on hers and it kept him safe.

And they were back sitting in the Circle that Ava and Liz had made. Oh.

Kyle looked over at Ava, “Why did you let me get all my gear ready if we weren’t going anywhere?”

Ava smiled, “It kept you out of our hair. And made you happy.”

“Yeah.” He looked around. “So now what?”

She shrugged, “We wait for the others to come back. Not much else we can do.”

Kyle smiled slyly, “I can think of something.”

Ava shook her head, “Is that all you ever think about?”

Kyle just shrugged, “Well?”

Ava nodded, “The bedroom is the only room we didn’t pile full of furniture. I guess that would be the best place, to rest.”

Kyle smiled.

Ava ran into the bedroom, “Last one on the bed and not naked starts on bottom.”

Kyle followed, “Hey that’s not fair…”

Not that he minded. Everything was going to be okay.

More than okay.
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Re: Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Pt32 - 02/20/1

Post by PML »

Thanks again to anyone following on. One important point before reading this particular post as it won't make much sense. Make sure you have read chapters 30, 31, and 32 as they all happen roughly simultaneously. It would be easy to miss chapter 31 as it is on page 12 and written on the same day as 32 with no comments between it. This is the next to last part.

Keepsmiling7- Thanks. Ava is an interesting case, most of her personality is her own, but much of her memories and essence is Tess's. Her soul is a mix of the two. In a very real way, she IS Tess, albeit a nicer one. She feels guilt for Tess's actions, even though she didn't commit them.


---
In the Hall of the Mountain King part 33

Michael

Michael drove up to where he felt Maria to be. The Mall. He should have known. Where else would Isabel take Maria too? Sure they planned to ambush Liz there, but they undoubtedly did some shopping too.

He shook his head and a tiny smirk crossed his impassive face. Amazing how people didn’t change. He frowned, and how they did.

He certainly had. Rath had been a burned out veteran of countless wars when he died. He had spent the time he was not at Zan’s side protecting him as he went about the countryside trying to heal the harms they had done in the name of stability and order.

How he wished he could heal like Zan could. He had on Antar too. Rath had stretched his powers as far as they would go, but he would never be more than mediocre in healing. Good for a sprain or a cut, but simply to unfocused for a serious injury.

He was simply too powerful, stronger even than Zan. He invariably used too much power in severe healing cases, killing the subject. It did not good to have your organs healed or cancer cured if you were cooked from the inside at the same time.

That knowledge hurt. That the sense of inferiority that he felt in regards to Max stretched back to Antar, as did his loyalty. Michael had sided with Zan even when most of his own people rebelled.

The damn fools.

No it had taken Vilandra to open him up to what he could do. She too had thought out of the box to develop her immense talents. So capable and yet in the shadow of her brother.

Rath had loved her. He and Vilandra had been lovers. He had even managed to persuade her to take his hand in marriage. But it was not to be. For even as she reluctantly agreed, she was still seeing another. One that she deeply loved. The ever ambitious Khivar.

She had loved him completely. Like Isabel did Alex.

When she fell, the woman fell HARD.

So did Zan, although Rath had been right about Ava. Ava had been another climber, eager to give her family access to the wealth and opportunities that such a close tie to royalty would give her. Zan had let his lust over the beautiful but scheming woman overcome his common sense.

No wonder Michael had been so suspicious of Liz. Pity that this time he had been completely wrong. Liz was made for him, the rare situation of a true match. True soul mates.

Which he and Maria were not. Not yet anyway. But they could be. If they worked at it, were good to each other that would come. Amy had told him that love that Liz and Max had was the sort that usually destroys more than blesses. That Max had simply gotten lucky despite the high price he had paid for loving Liz. Usually it lead to the death of one or both of the two parties, often many others.

As it had with Vilandra and Khivar.

Liz had paid as well. More than Michael had believed.

Amazing what a few answers will do to your world view.

He didn’t bother being subtle as he drove his motorcycle into the mall. If what Amy said was likely to occur here, there would be little hiding that something severely out of the ordinary was going on. So why try to hide? He summoned forth the ancient armor that Rath had worn and encased himself in a shell of light.

Bah. Take your pictures. Just another fake looking effect on youtube. Good luck making this anymore than another mass hysteria event in Roswell.

He blasted the glass in front of him, using Rath’s advanced knowledge to vitrify and reform the shards as he drove past. So many useful tricks with molecular manipulation!

He almost hoped someone did get that on video. He certainly would search for it when this was all done.

Michael had indeed learned much from Amy. The most important was how to call on his old self, to summon up the ancient memories for his use. To remember who and what he had been.

And in turn, what he could do. For Rath had never learned to heal like Zan could, but he had learned how to destabilize malicious energy patterns. He could search and shatter mindwarps and what were in effect curses on someone. That was why Amy had been willing to free him so easy, why she had been willing to give him so much.

He could shield Maria from Isabel. Break the ties that linked the two. And he could do the same for Isabel, break the tie that linked her to Alex. That fed the dark energy directly into her soul.

Rath could not heal, but he could set people free.

Hopefully he would be in time.

The mall was full of devastation, but it was quiet. Was he too late?

He drove to the center where a stunned Maria stood at the top of the steps. She turned to face him, a momentary flash of defiance filling her gaze. It melted when she saw him.

He still had the visage of Rath, but Maria saw with her heart and saw who he was. She dropped a bloody dagger in her hands and rushed to him.

Michael was careful not to run her over as she all but leapt on him. He noticed some blood on her arm. He might not be good at healing, but he could do a little. So he scanned Maria and found no wounds.

Nothing physical anyway.

She clung to him for a few moments before she said quietly, “I killed her. My God I killed her!”

Michael closed his eyes, “Isabel is dead?”

Maria pulled back and shrank into herself. She shook her head. “No. Isabel is still, still alive.” Maria pointed at the stairs.

Michael grunted and got off his motorcycle and walked toward where Maria was pointing. Isabel was huddled in a fetal position by the fountain. Amazingly the fountain was untouched. He looked around in a circle. Every store in sight was damaged, a few small fires already breaking out.

He did not see Liz’s body. There was a little bit of blood on the stairs, but it seemed to be steaming. He watched as it literally evaporated off the ground. Michael shook his head in disbelief. “Where is Liz’s body?”

Maria came over to him and pointed down the stairs, “Right… My God, where did it go? It was there a few minutes ago!”

Michael gave Maria a kiss on the head. “I believe you. Stranger things have happened in the last couple of days.”

Maria shuffled her feet, “It is good to see you, but my mother… She is dead isn’t she?”

“I am sorry, Maria. Yes she is. But her soul is free. That much I could do for her.”

Maria just nodded.

Michael sighed, “We need to leave.” He started down the stairs to the bottom level to get Isabel. He would examine her later and make sure she was safe. In the short term he could simply negate her powers. “It looks like a bomb went off in here.”

“Liz actually called a bomb threat to thin out the people here.”

“I saw the police lines.” Michael cocked head to the side, “You know that is not a bad idea. Help me with Isabel.”

Maria helped Michael carry the near catatonic Isabel up the stairs.

Michael looked at the bike, “This could be a problem.”

Maria smiled sadly and shrank down, a blonde colored cat hopping up onto Isabel.

Michael just sighed and said, “Right. Hold on tight.”

Michael closed his eyes and called upon Rath again. He felt the power flow into him and he drove straight. As he drove he could feel the entirety of the Mall. And he disassembled it, summoning a shockwave to emulate a bomb.

But he was careful not to hurt anyone. Simply blowing up the structure would have been easier. Rath in full rage could have emulated a small atomic bomb. No, Michael wanted it to look like a bomb had gone off without hurting anyone.

More molecular manipulation magic.

Too bad it didn’t work on emotions or broken spirits. Because both Maria and Isabel were going to need some serious help. More than he could give.

But he would try. He would do his best.

Because he loved them.

Michael drove on.
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Re: Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Pt33 - 02/21/1

Post by PML »

This is the last part remaining outside of the epilogue. Its been a bumpy and uneven story, but I hope you have enjoyed it anyway! Thanks for reading.

mary mary- Thanks. It gets frustrating sometimes.

begonia9508- Thanks. I completely agree. But in this story....

keepsmiling7- Thanks. How else was Liz going to get the Mall evacuated for their fight? They basically trashed the mall, if there had been people there.... Not a good scene. And Michael blowing up the place essentially covers all their tracks. Sort of.

--
In the Hall of the Mountain King part 34

Isabel

Isabel wanted to die. It was a simple as that.

Michael wouldn’t let her. He had even locked down her powers so she couldn’t use them. The whole night had been full of nightmares.

The day had dawned but the light wasn’t for her. Her nightmares hadn’t ended when she had opened her eyes. No, they lingered.

Alex was gone. Not simply dead but gone. Her heart was empty again like it had been for that horrible year before Alex had come to fetch her.

Then it had been her need to move on, to escape the memories that had helped to push her at Jesse.

If Max wouldn’t let her physically leave, there were other ways to make changes so severe she would be all but a different person. The Isabel had told him at school that the old Isabel was dead. That she had died when he wouldn’t let her flee.

And she had. Oh, she had kept up pretenses until she had graduated, but she then changed everything about herself. Then when she could she had fled to Jesse, she had even considered going to Antar with Khivar. Anything to not remain as she was.

And then at that horrible day when the Special Unit tried to kill her…. When Alex had sent his loyal Myrkridder to fetch her….

Isabel had been reborn. She was once more a warrior princess. Learning magic had been fun and enlightening, even the scary dark parts. And she had excelled. Had become an important facet of Alex’s plans.

The things she had done….

There was more than Alex being gone that she wanted to die. For whatever had stolen Alex from her had restored her conscience. She could remember doing things and feeling no remorse. In time she had come to enjoy inflicting pain on others. Not so much for sport, not like some of her troll and Dokkalfar troops had, but she too had tasted the coppery blood spilled out of a man’s throat.

She had killed so many people, had allowed her troops to commit atrocity after atrocity in the hopes of instilling fear.

How could she reconcile that? How could she go on knowing that she was such a monster? It wasn’t like Vilandra had been anything like that. She had been a fighter sure, had seen things, but still had maintained a level of optimism. A level of naiveté that Khivar had exploted.

How she had loved that man! She as Isabel had fallen just as hard, but as Isabel she had been warier. Had pushed Alex away long enough to be exposed and unprotected.

And her friend had killed him. Had ripped his mind to shreds in the hopes of finding a way home.

She kept her eyes closed, but she felt as Michael entered the room. She tried to pretend that she was sleeping, but that wouldn’t have worked on the old clueless Michael. On this newer more aware one it failed utterly.

He quietly said, “Do you want to talk about it?”

She opened her eyes and looked at Michael. His face was impassive, almost grim. Maria peeked at her from the door.

Isabel sighed, “And what, confess my sins as if that would do anything for anyone? Say that I am sorry that I was an evil Ice Queen of Death? What the hell good would that do? It won’t bring anyone back.”

Maria looked away.

Isabel called to her, “Liz probably isn’t dead.”

Maria said firmly, “I don’t like it, but trust me; I know when I kill someone. I cut her throat pretty deeply. People don’t survive that.”

Isabel had a wry smile, “People maybe, but what about wizards?”

Michael looked between the two of them. “What are you talking about?”

Maria began to look excited, “Yes. That is true.” The expression changed to doubt, “But she was so new to it. A Hel trip usually takes a lot more experience. It’s not something picked up in casual passing.”

Isabel shook her head, “I think it was all part of a plan. I certainly didn’t know what hit me. She knew a lot more than I would have suspected. I always did underestimate her. You would think I would have learned. But I had so much practice with what I knew….”

Maria walked over and wrapped an arm around Michael. “Michael, on NIdavellir you don’t usually bother killing wizards. They just come back like weeds. You can break their powers, but it is difficult and not always effective. And when they come back, they are usually a lot stronger with hidden knowledge of how the world works.”

Michael shuddered, “The Dead know.”

Isabel nodded, “It was Amy wasn’t it? She told how to access your past self.”

“Yes. And I swore to protect Maria and her brother.” He looked intently at Isabel. “Where is he? I went over to their house and he wasn’t there. He is only eight. He wouldn’t just leave.”

Isabel sat up and chuckled lightly, “Of all the things you cancelled out, you didn’t destroy my earrings.”

“They weren’t a threat.”

Isabel handed her left earring to Maria, “Open it up, he is in there.”

Maria took the earring and looked up at Michael. Michael shrugged.

So she opened it.

Inside was a tiny sleeping child.

Michael made a sweeping gesture and the child was sleeping on the floor. “We will need to speak with Valenti about what we are going to do about him.” He picked him up and carried him to the other room.

Maria glared at Isabel. “Michael has told me that for now you are under his protection. That I need to let you make your next set of choices freely. But I have to know, why did you kill my mother? Why?”

Isabel looked down. “I wish I could say I had more of a reason than the one I stated to you. I wanted leverage over you. I didn’t know if either Michael or your brother would be enough. Your relationship with Michael was rocky when we left for Nidavellir. And you didn’t know about your brother. But Amy, you knew and loved her. I knew it would make you do what I needed you to.”

Maria calmly said, “I don’t know if I will ever be able to forgive you for that. I don’t know what we are going to do with you, but for that and making me kill someone I considered a sister… I will never forgive you.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

Maria was about to say something when her phone rang. Maria was perplexed who would be calling her, but she answered the phone. Her face became animated. “My God, you are alive! …. Okay, I will tell Michael…. Bring everyone?” She glanced at Isabel, “Okay…. Half-hour. Right. Yep I remember where it is. How could I ever forget?!” She hung up, still grinning like a mad woman. “Get dressed Isabel, we have a lunch date we don’t want to miss.”

Maria all but skipped into the next room.

Isabel sighed and smoothed out her dress. She would have to get Michael to fix it for her.

Funny all the things she had always taken for granted. Her basic powers being there to fix her clothes had been one of them for years.

Were they going to leave her like this? Remove her abilities forever? Force her to live out her life as a complete mundane?

Isabel laughed. Once that had been something she had thought she wanted. Now she simply wanted a trickle of power to fix a couple wrinkles.

No point in waiting. Time to face whatever judgment her brothers and Liz thought wise for her. She would accept it.

She didn’t really have a choice. She was after all the remaining villain of the piece.

The only thing she knew they would not grant her was her dearest wish, to join Alex in death.

Isabel marched off to face her new fate.
PML
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Re: Hall of the Mountain King (CC ALL/Mature) Pt34 - 02/22/1

Post by PML »

And here is the end. Thank you all for reading.

Begonia9508- Thanks.

keepsmiling7- Thanks. I hate that so many good stories lie half completed. I am going to do my best to finish what I have started. Heck, I have finished three stories in the last ten days! End is next, cause February is my month to finish my older stories. Then its sequal time.


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In the Hall of the Mountain King Epilogue

They met at the Crashdown naturally. It was still as kitschy as it ever had been, even under Nancy, who had kept the theme in honor of her late husband. Roswell still harbored the same Alien Museum, still drew tourists to the Crash Festival and Annual Convention.

Some things never change.

But not everything remained the same. There were new members to their group now. Eddie was there with his wife.

Jim Valenti was there, comforting his youngest son on the death of her mother. Nathan had been shaken up by events but he would survive. Grief would shape him but he had his remaining family to support him. Including his big sister Maria, and her soon to be husband Michael.

Maria was pregnant, and Michael had proposed to her. She still hadn’t answered his question, but everyone knew it would only be a matter of time. Their relationship had changed and matured as they had. No longer did they constantly fight, although they did still find things to argue about. Michael started to settle down, gambling less and doing more Private Investigation, a task his wife was more than happy to help him with.

Both of them occasionally visited Nidavellir and assisted as they could. With the Dokkalfar kingdom that Alex had controlled crumbling and in disarray, there was little need for direct action. In time they would sponsor trade between Nidavellir and Earth.

All made possible by the actions of Liz Parker-Evans. She monitored and protected the local gate network. Nothing could go through in either direction without her say so. And in this she was supported by Max. Neither of them was known for their warlike temperament, but no force on either world could sway them.

Nor could Antar. It would be decades before the Antarans opened up trade with Earth. But it did happen. Max was acknowledged as being the legitimate King of Antar, but he was uncrowned as they had come to form a coalition government without the Royals.

Max was just as happy.

Avelinde and Kyle were there as well, holding each other close. Kyle also would help with Nathan’s recovery. As would Avelinde. She never went back to Nidavellir. There was nothing for her there any longer. Even when her husband travelled there, she stayed home and took care of their growing family.

And what of Isabel? They argued long into the night over what to do with her.

For there was a problem. Killing her was not truly acceptable. She would become like Tess, a spirit unable to fully die. She would be able to fixate on anyone who had any major investment in her and she would be able to do things.

Not acceptable. And the methods to kill her permanently involved destroying her soul, as had nearly happened to Avelinde. Also not acceptable.

Maria had proposed locking her up in some prison, some deep dungeon on Nidavellir. Where she could do no harm.

But Isabel could do so much damage. And there was no prison that was sufficiently impregnable that someone of the Dokkalfar side might not try to spring her.

Avelinde pointed out how much good she could do now. That like Tess she could change and atone for her actions. Which was fine in theory.

In practice no one trusted her enough. There was too great a chance that she would try to find some way to bring back Alex. Then they would be right back to where they started.

The same held true of a simple mind warp. It had all the weakness of simply letting her free along with putting the dangerous woman in a prison. She would be free to walk around, and those old memories would still be there. The Isabel they had known and loved as their friend and companion ten years ago had been nothing like the evil woman who sat with them now. Could they trust that the powerful personality would truly disappear under those warps, or would they slowly seep to the surface like Rath and Zan had for Michael and Max?

It simply wasn’t safe.

So what could they do?

It was wisdom from an old woman that in the end was taken. She had kept silent most of the lunch and ensuing dinner. All of them had regaled to her all that had happened to them over the years. And Diane Evans had cried over the loss of her daughter. For while the woman was still sitting there across from her, Isabel was no longer the girl she had once known.

And yet, like a mother, she loved her yet. “Free her. Free her from this burden of magic and powers and all of it. Just let her have herself. Her normal human self. She won’t be able to harm anyone then. She will be able to live her life how she wanted to.”

All of them had listened to her and argued further into the night. But they kept coming back to Diane’s plea. And how to effect it became the topic more than anything.

How could they take from her powers and be certain they would not return?

It took weeks and lots of research. And In that time they had to deal with the Federal authorities over the events that had occurred. But no one knew that they were the once responsible for the destruction of the mall. Only that they had helped with the events on the Indian Reservation.

In truth the Feds had stopped looking for them. Max and Liz would see their bed and breakfast again, a legacy that their children would appreciate.

But it still remained to deal with Isabel. And after their research it came upon them to remove the essence of Vilandra from her. To make her fully human and without powers by simply removing the alien aspects from her.

It took all of them, Liz with her wizardy, Avelinde assisting her, as well as using her powers to help remove Vilandra. Max too was needed to make sure that Isabel lived through the process. But it was Michael who provided the abilities to remove her, gently carving out the soul of the woman whom he had once loved.

The shard was given to Maria, not to absorb but to gift to the daughter in her womb. For Maria didn’t want to give up anymore of who she was. In fact it took a great deal of persuasion by Max and Liz for her to accept it at all.

But despite the risks, they had decided that they needed Vilandra if ever they were attacked by Antar. How a small child or infant could help them was beyond Maria, but the soul of Vilandra wasn’t native to Earth and would not and could not die here. Barring returning it to Antar, it would suffer a fate worse than death.

And so she accepted it. In the years to come, she would be glad to call the happy girl her daughter. For in this life they knew who they were and Michael was able to shield and protect their daughter from the worst aspects of her heritage.

Isabel, once freed of her past spent some time with Diane. And after taking classes and getting a degree, she moved to San Francisco as she wanted to all those years before.

But no matter how much she wanted to atone for her actions, the dreams of power never truly left her. And while her alien gifts were taken from her, she still knew magic. It was weak and fitful, but with practice and study she became quite powerful. Not equal to the Ice Queen she had been, but powerful none the less.

Perhaps she over estimated her skill and power. Perhaps something remembered her from before and finally found her on Earth. No one will ever know.

For one day she simply disappeared. When the police finally entered her house they found a series of magical circles on the ground and the torn body of Isabel Evans in the center. More than that no one would ever know.

For even those skilled in necromancy were never able to reach her.

Perhaps she was with her banished lover Alex. Pray that is where she is, for the other alternatives are simply horrific.

So let us say she even now dances in his arms, dressed in red, their blighted lives forgotten.
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