"Are you ready to make that sacrifice?" Dragon Lord asked.
"We are!" they all replied.
"Very well then, LET THE DRAGON ZONE BE REVEALED!" Dragon Lord called as a sacred circle of yin and yang appeared on the ground.
Sacred positions for each dragon and human saint appeared within the circle.
"Put Ryu at the centre of the Dragon Zone" Crystal instructed.
Rokkan carried Ryu to a smaller circle of yin yang within the Dragon Zone. Then he returned to his position.
"Now someone will have to convince his spirit to return" Dragon Lord said.
"I will go. I know him and understand him since I am the spirit of fire that lives within him" Molten said.
"Very well, walk to the centre of the circle" Dragon Lord instructed.
Molten did as he was told. When he reached the centre, the smaller circle descended a few feet into the ground.
"All that's left now is the sacrifice and the ritual will begin. It must come from a human saint" the Dragon Lord said.
"I haven't known Ryu for long but I know that, he died protecting my home. For Ryu, I'll trade my sacred pendant, the last gift from my master, before he died" Rokkan said.
The Dragon Lord narrowed his eyes.
"You haven't known Ryu at all. The gift must come from someone who has known Ryu for a while longer" he said.
"When Ryu was alive, to me, he was just a pest who liked to annoy me, but now he's gone, I feel a familiar silence and loneliness. For Ryu, I'll sacrifice my Water Element powers" Nadia said.
"Without your elemental powers, you won't be able to seal Shekan, something else" the Dragon Lord said.
"Ryu is my brother. I've seen him, the real him. Without him…I am nothing, my circle of karma is incomplete" Michael said. "For my brother, I'll sacrifice my Water Ring, my power to summon Hurricane" he offered.
"You have been with Ryu but…you haven't shared his loneliness. The sacrifice must come from someone who has shared Ryu's pain and loneliness, someone like you…Atlanta. What will you trade…for Ryu?" Dragon Lord asked.
Atlanta remained silent for a while.
"Back in the Fire Kingdom, I was mocked by other Fire ninja. I had no fire abilities. My father was ashamed of me and kept me away from society. I was born there but it was never my home. I was locked up so that I wouldn't bring disgrace to the royal family. But when Ryu first looked at me…and said…'we're getting you out of here whether you like it or not…!'" Atlanta recalled as tears began to stream down her face. "…I knew that he wasn't just going to get me out of prison…but out of the prison of loneliness. When I was with Ryu, I felt accepted for who I am. I never felt lonely, I had a home! And that is why…for Ryu, I'll give up that home, my home and return to the pain of loneliness!" Atlanta cried.
The others stared at her in shock. Even the Dragon lord opened his eyes in amazement.
"That…is a huge sacrifice. You are willing to return to the darkness of pain? Why? Why would you do something so crazy?" the Dragon lord asked.
"Because…because he rescued me from my pain, because…I LOVE HIM!" Atlanta confessed.
"There are many forces in this world but the only one that transcends death…is love. However, love is not something I or the others created. It was born in you…as it was in us" the Dragon Lord said. "It may seem like I am cold hearted but in truth, I love Earth and all its creatures. When I said dragons should rule over humans, I meant the best…to protect them and to be close to humanity. Obviously, Gaiden misinterpreted my intentions and thought I craved power. For a long time since then, I have hated humanity and my own creations…however; you all have opened my eyes to the love that lay hidden beneath the surface. I will rejoin you all and by your combined powers, I will come to your aid" the Dragon Lord said as he breathed a breath of power over Ryu, and then the others.
"LET THE RITUAL BEGIN!" the Dragon Lord called
Michael and Hurricane made a current of water flow to the middle of the circle. Terranica and Rokkan did the same with Earth. Nadia joined her powers with those of Michael and Hurricane. Molten created a stream of fire from the middle of the circle to where he was supposed to stand. Crystal and Atlanta created a Crystal dome over Ryu and Molten.
"Come to the dome with me Atlanta" the Dragon lord instructed.
Atlanta obeyed.
"Now place your hands on the dome" the Dragon Lord said.
Atlanta did as she was told.
"Are you sure you want to do this? To return to the suffocating pain?" the Dragon Lord asked.
"Give something else Atlanta. Anything but your happiness" Michael said.
"Without Ryu…it's all the same. Let's do this" Atlanta said with absolute certainty.
"VERY WELL THEN! LET THE DEAL BE SEALED! LET THIS COVENANT BE UNBROKEN!" Dragon Lord roared as he breathed a breath of sealing over Atlanta. "IT IS DONE!" he called as a bright light engulfed the dome.
Molten shut his eyes to protect them from the light. When he opened them, he was in the Netherworld, also known as the Spirit Realm. It was just like Crystal Village except that, it was more beautiful. It seemed to be lit by an unseen light and the sky was lit with a variety of colours.
Molten walked to the Crystal Temple and its Gates opened. Inside, Molten saw Ryu (Ryu's soul) sitting with his parents talking happily. Ryu's father told Ryu how proud, how proud he was of him.
"You were able to give your life to protect someone important, the highest ninja honour" Ryu's father said.
"We are proud of you" Ryu's mother said.
Ryu noticed Molten.
"Molten!" Ryu called happily as he ran towards his dragon companion.
As Ryu drew closer, his face changed into a sorrowful one as realization hit him.
"If you are here, then it means you…died. What happened?!" Ryu roared.
"I'm not dead Ryu, I came for you. Everyone is waiting for you to come back" Molten informed Ryu.
"Send a message to them, I'm…not…coming…back! I like being dead, it's fun and painless!" Ryu laughed.
"Ryu, I know Atlanta deceived you and I won't deny that she betrayed you…BUT…" Molten paused.
"BUT WHAT?!" Ryu roared.
"Don't be so hard on her. She suffered the same pain of loneliness you did" Molten said.
"So that's enough reason for her to betray me. Fine! Let's all betray each other! Let me go back and unseal Shekan myself!" Ryu yelled sarcastically.
"For a dead guy, your humour hasn't changed one bit" Molten said.
"Nope! Ain't it great?!" Ryu laughed.
"Don't believe me then? Fine, I'll show you" Molten said as the scenery changed.
The Crystal Temple became the Fire Temple. Ryu could see the Fire Ninja training. In one of the front lines, he could see Atlanta, a younger Atlanta trying desperately to release fire.
"Fire comes from the heart. By converting the feeling of fire with your chakra, you can release the pure element" the Fire Master instructed.
The other ninja pushed their fists forward in a high punch style. Fire came out of their fists, all except for Atlanta's. The students exclaimed in awe at being able to create fire. The Fire Master glared at Atlanta in disappointment. Atlanta stared at her palms in despair and ran out of the Temple in tears.
The scene changed and Ryu and Molten found themselves in the Fire Castle. Ryu could see Atlanta hiding behind the door to the Castle's library while the king and the Fire Master were meeting inside.
"I'm sorry King Reige but your daughter is a naturally born mukenin (exiled ninja). She doesn't belong to any ryu. She is powerless, a disappointment since your powers are legendary. I'm sorry but I've done my best. Nothing can help her" the Fire Master said.
The King sighed.
"So what do you suggest we do?" the king asked him.
"My suggestion may be very harsh but…we must exile her!" the Fire Master declared.
Ryu tightened his fists.
"The jerks! How dare they judge a person like that?!" Ryu roared in anger.
He watched Atlanta open her eyes in fright and ran out of the Castle and out of the Fire Kingdom. Now Atlanta was in the fiery forest. She kept running as wolves howled and began to chase her.
"Run Atlanta run! You must make them pay! You must become more powerful and gain your revenge! You just can't die now!" Atlanta kept telling herself as she ran through the forest.
A pack of wolves surrounded her. Atlanta removed a kunai and held it protectively in front of her. The wolves began to attack all at once! There was a flash of lightning and a roar as Molten appeared. The wolves scattered in fear, trying to escape the fierce beast.
"Brave Atlanta, you can't die yet. Fate has chosen a higher path for you. A day will come when you will join with other ninja and together release the Dragon Zone!" Molten prophesied.
"You are…the Fire Dragon Saint?!" Atlanta exclaimed in awe.
She was partly scared and partly thrilled to finally meet a dragon saint, the creator of fire in the flesh.
"I have heard your cries of anguish. A path will soon be revealed to you. It will lead you to your destiny. The fate of the ryu and the world will rest in your hands and the hands of a few others. Take this ring and summon me in your time of need" Molten said as he handed a ring to Atlanta.
Atlanta stared at the ring in amazement and wore it. A flash of light engulfed her and she could feel new power enter her
The scene changed again and now, Ryu could see Molten and Atlanta inside a cave. A storm was raging outside.
"Hurricane and Tornado, still causing storms, they haven't changed one bit" Molten muttered in disgust.
"You promised to perform the sorting ceremony for me today! Let's do it now!" Atlanta ordered excitedly.
"I'm tired" Molten said plainly.
"Come on, come on, come on, come on, COME ON!" Atlanta struggled to pull at Molten's forelegs.
Molten laughed. "If you insist" Molten gave up.
"YES!" Atlanta leapt for joy.
Molten summoned a smaller replica of the Dragon Zone that had no sacred standing positions.
"Stand in the centre Atlanta" Molten instructed.
Atlanta did as she was told and Molten breathed over her. Nothing happened for a while. Atlanta's smile turned into a look of disappointment.
"They were right, I am a naturally born mukenin" she sighed as she tried to suppress tears of sorrow.
"I don't think so. Look!" Molten pointed. The crystal portion of the Dragon Zone began to glow a bright purple colour.
"You are an Earth type ninja, Crystal to be more precise. That's very special and…very rare. Gaiden was from the Crystal ryu and the Dragon Master, Crystal, happens to be the Crystal Guardian" Molten informed Atlanta.
Atlanta smiled in satisfaction as tears flowed down her face. That night, she fell asleep on the back of Molten, at home for the first time in many years.
Ryu wiped his face with his hand. He could feel warm tears on his hand. The scene changed and Molten was flying through the skies with Atlanta on his back.
"Molten look, an island, let's explore!" Atlanta said excitedly.
Molten landed on the island. No sooner did Atlanta dismount Molten than an army of Dark ninja surrounded them.
"What's this?!" Atlanta exclaimed in fear.
"LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!" a voice ordered from behind the Dark ninja.
They obeyed. Nemesis walked through the ninja towards Atlanta.
"I only wish to talk with you. I promise you that no harm will befall you" he promised.
"You can go now Molten, I'll be okay" Atlanta said.
"Are you sure?" Molten asked.
Atlanta nodded and Molten disappeared in a flash of light.
"Amazing! It's been so long since I last saw humans controlling dragons. You are a gifted child" Nemesis praised.
"Th-thank you" Atlanta said uncertainly.
"How would you like to join us? Your talents will be most appreciated. In short, we need you" Nemesis said.
"Need me?" Atlanta asked uncertainly as a wave of happiness swept over her. "It will be an honour to work with you" Atlanta bowed respectfully.
Nemesis smiled in satisfaction. "Call me…Nemesis!" he said.
In the next scene, Atlanta was as old as she looked now. They were in Nemesis' throne room.
"You sent for me my lord?" Atlanta asked.
"We just invaded the Crystal ryu. I met two brothers. They were about your age but…their abilities were quite impressive" Nemesis said.
"Gee…I'm flattered" Ryu said in sarcasm.
"The younger one…Ryu, he possessed the Crystal ring and his chakra was…strange…so varied, like the colours of the rainbow" Nemesis said with a distant look on his face.
"What has this got to do with me?" Atlanta asked.
"They are heading for the Fire Kingdom. You will unite with them there and help them search for the Dragon rings, and then…you will steal the rings…FOR ME! How do you feel about a reunion with your father?" Nemesis asked slyly.
At this question, Atlanta's rage grew. "LET'S SET OUT NOW!" she roared.
"I see" Ryu admitted, "Nemesis manipulated her lonely feelings, her desire to be needed…and used her cruelly. So what happened to Nemesis?" Ryu asked.
"From here, Atlanta faked an attempt on the King's life and got arrested. She didn't reveal her identity. And that was where you came in, she really loves you Ryu" Molten said. "After your death, Nemesis set out to continue to plague the other ryu for the powers of the Dragon" Molten answered Ryu's question.
"I understand that Atlanta was lonely. I'm not angry with her anymore but I'm not going back" Ryu said.
The scene reverted to the Crystal Temple.
"But for whether Atlanta loves me or not…it doesn't change the fact that she betrayed me" Ryu said.
"And to atone…did she have to sacrifice her happiness, her home with the others…and you so that you would return? If you don't return, that sacrifice will be in vain…and she will suffer in loneliness…all for nothing! Is that what you want?" Molten asked Ryu.
"SHE WHAAAAT?!!" Ryu exclaimed in shock.
"You heard right Ryu. Whether you return or not won't change the fact that she will return to the pain of loneliness…for you!" Molten said.
Ryu remained silent, thinking of Molten's words. Then he turned and walked towards the Temple.
Molten sighed, "I guess your mind is made up."
"It is. I'm coming back!" Ryu exclaimed pointing at the symbol of the dragon hanging above the Temple. "I remember now. I made a hero promise huh?! Until I free Nemesis…and stop Shekan, I cannot die! I'll keep coming back till my promise…is fulfilled. Watch out Nemesis…Ryu's in the zone, the Dragon Zone!!!" Ryu yelled as he threw his fist forward in a middle punch.
The elements of water, fire, crystal, earth, lightning, dark, wind and light intertwined, flew out of his fist.
"NEUTRAL ELEMENT! RAINBOW JUTSU!!!" Ryu called.
"A combination of various elements. I see, the Spirit Realm increases his powers, but what's more amazing is that…he didn't use any seal! Such a technique will be impossible to use on earth!" Molten said.
"I know what you are thinking Molten. I don't have enough chakra to use this technique on earth. Maybe you're right…or maybe you're wrong. When the time comes, the truth will be revealed, but for now, I will concentrate on Fire element jutsu" Ryu said.
"You're right" a calm voice said from behind.
Molten bowed. Ryu turned to see a boy no older than him with pure silvery-white hair like snow. The edges of his hair were a little purple.
"Who are you?" Ryu asked.
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about finding my sword Rai?" the boy said with a smirk.
"Y-your…sword Rai? Then…y…you must be Gaiden?!" Ryu half questioned, half declared.
The boy nodded.
"B-but you're so young! I expected Gaiden to be…" Ryu was saying when…
"Older?" Gaiden completed Ryu's sentence.
"Age doesn't determine courage, I believe in you Ryu, I have been waiting to pass on my power to you but now, I realise that you don't need it. You are more powerful than me…or Shekan. Free my old friend Nemesis, son of Shekan who fought along with me" Gaiden said as he touched Ryu's shoulder. "You will find the sword of Rai where the Light changes its path in the light Ryu which you must visit last. And one more thing, sometimes, it is wiser to follow your heart than to listen to orders from someone else" Gaiden said as he began to walk into the Temple.
"Be careful son, and remember that we will be watching you!" Ryu's parents waved.
Ryu mounted Molten.
"Let's go back!" Ryu said certainly. Molten spread his wings as a bright flash engulfed the area.
"Soon, it will be…the legend of Ryu" Gaiden's voice silently said to Ryu.
Ryu and Molten flew through time and space. Many different elements whirled around them.
***** ***** ***** ***** ****
Meanwhile, back in the Temple of destiny, the others were waiting patiently for Ryu's return.
"What's happening? It's been almost two hours since Molten left to find Ryu" Nadia complained.
"Obviously, Ryu's spirit is being stubborn. He doesn't seem to want to return" the Dragon Lord said.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light and the dome disappeared, revealing Molten. Ryu's body was still lying on the ground.
Atlanta, Michael and Nadia ran towards Molten.
"You did it didn't you? Ryu is coming back, right Molten?" Atlanta asked.
Molten looked solemn.
"He didn't…" Atlanta's smile dropped.
She heard gentle breathing. Ryu opened his eyes.
"RYU! YOU CAME BACK!" they all exclaimed.