Ni-hao! This is part two of the Finale of the Arcana Saga. Finally!

While Feral and Callie are at the Banquet, Jake is forced into a impromptu duel by Nanami, who wants Jake's engagement to be broken. Will Jake be able to win when Chance makes a sacrifice to save his friend? Also, Callie makes a shocking announcement.

Author's note: Yes! I finally finished this! A big thanks goes out to all of you that stuck by the series for a year.

Special thanks to Kris and Algena...for being themselves.

Finale chapter means a big chapter. Much bigger than I expected.

As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!

Ja ne,
AkaneKitty

****************
The Arcana Saga:
Finale, Part Two
****************

"...Will I ever see you again?"

"...Who knows where the roads of Fate may lead us?

****************************************************

"Are you all right?"

"Huh?"

Feral chuckles a bit, keeping his eyes on the road. "You seemed deep in thought."

"I-I was just thinking about the banquet." Callie says quickly, adjusting herself.

"Nervous?"

"Kind of."

"Because of Manx?"

Callie shakes her head. "Because of my surprise."

Feral sneaks a glance. "Why?"

"It's rather important, Ulysses."

"I can see."

"You'll love it."

"Wish I had a clue to what is was."

Callie smiles at him. "Patience, Commander."

*****************************************

"Let go of me!"

"Shut up. We're almost there."

"Stop this!" Phoebe against Nanami's hold, but to no avail. The president was very strong. "It is forbidden for me to go to the dueling arena without the Dragon Prince...especially when there is no duel scheduled!"

Nanami says nothing, continuing to drag Phoebe to the Sakuru shrine with one paw and tightening her grip on her katana with the other.

"Do you want to risk your title this way?"

"Why should you care?" Nanami whirls Phoebe around and holds the katana's blade to her throat.

"Madame President..."

"Give him back to me!"

"...Nani?"

"He hasn't pulled the true Dragon Sword! All he has pulled from you are only copies! Mere illusions!" Nanami holds the blade steady. "The Dragon Sword won't return for this generation, so give him back to me!"

"But, the Rules state..."

"To hell with the Rules! It's obvious that we Draconians won't see the return of the Dragon Sword. So the Engagement is for naught!"

Phoebe steels herself. "Don't you believe in Fate?"

"...I don't believe in manufactured Fate."

"Eh?"

Nanami again starts to drag Phoebe into the Shrine. "The Dragon Prince and I are going to have an impromptu duel..."

**************************************************

"Something doesn't feel right....But, what?"

Jake paces in the garage, feeling quite uneasy. "Tonight isn't the night for things to start happening..."

The phone begins to ring, and Jake grabs it. "MegaKat-"

"Come to the Sakuru Shrine, Dragon Price. Immediately."

"What the--" Jake blinks. "Nanami?"

A voice is heard in the background. "Jake!"

"Phoebe!" Jake grips the phone tightly. "Nanami, what are you doing?"

"I'm challenging you to a duel. And, if I win, your engagement is broken."

"The engagement can't be broken!"

"...Too bad for Phoebe then." A click is heard.

"Crud!" Jake slams the phone down.

"Jake...I was thinking that..." Chance wanders into the garage and notices Jake's face. "What's wrong?"

"...Nanami finally snapped."

"What?"

"She wants me at the Shrine, and if I don't I go now, something bad will happen!" Jake starts to run to the hangar.

"Wait! I'll go with you!"

Jake stops in his tracks. "Why?"

"Huh?"

"After all I've done, you still want to come?" Jake turns around to face Chance. "This is the very thing I hid from you."

"Aren't you forgetting something here?"

"What do you mean?"

Chance smiles at him. "Jake, you're my best friend...no matter what."

"But..."

"From the way things sound, you'll need all the help you can get." Chance places a paw on Jake's shoulder. "So, please..."

Jake hesitates, then nods. "All right. Let's go."

*************************************************

"Hey, Teioh! Have you seen our resident duo yet?"

"Nope...But, I did see Mayor Persain and Commander Alisa MiFurr."

Ann smoothes her clothes, a more formal dress suit. "That's important?"

"Well, Mayor Persain showing up isn't late breaking news, as it is a banquet." Teioh says, scribbling some notes. "But, seeing Commander MiFurr here is a little odd...maybe she's acting as the mayor's bodyguard."

"They do come from our neighbor city, Tokata.." Ann takes a look around, and sees Kandi. "Seems like Kandi is enjoying the press' attention...but I want Callie to arrive!"

"Feral and Briggs showing up together doesn't say much, other than they're doing the Fall Season." Teioh says. "The story is to see if their relationship is romantic or not."

"I'd wager that it's romantic...from what I've seen...huh?"

Teioh smiles. "They're here."

********************************************

"You scratch it...and I'm going to have a real problem with you."

"Really, Ulysses...you'll scare the valet."

Feral tosses his car keys to the now shaken valet, while he links arms with Callie. "I haven't gotten a scratch yet, nor do I plan on getting one now. Scratches are expensive."

Callie chuckles. "I'm sure a Feral such as yourself could afford it."

"Yeah...but I'm a frugal Feral."

"Affectionately known as a tightwad."

Feral laughs at that. "What about you? Living off the Briggs estate?"

"Actually, no...I earn my living as a Deputy Mayor."

"Really?"

"Yes...although I could get access to my trust fund if I studied my grandmother's book."

"Why didn't you?"

Callie tightens her grip on Feral's arm. "I was studying grandma's book with her...but, after she died, I couldn't do it anymore. Too many memories...good and bad. So, no trust fund."

"Ah...What kind of book was it?"

"A spellbook...I come from a line of sorceresses on my mother's side."

"My mother comes from a family of sorcerers, and she was more than annoyed when it became apparent that her talents didn't pass on."

"Maybe Feral genes are too strong."

"That's what she said!"

Callie giggles. "I'd like to meet her someday."

"...Say again?"

"Come on." Callie says, pulling a surprised Feral along. "Time to step in front of the cameras."

**********************************************************

"Phew...that last class was a real killer...I knew I shouldn't have taken that evening class..."

Kia walks down the street, adjusting her bookbag to good spot on her shoulder. "I wonder if Chance will call about that translation...huh?"

Kia finds herself stopped in front of the Sakuru Shrine, sensing some activity from within the confines. Moving closer, she spots a familiar yellow kat.

"Chance?"

***************************************************

"Come on, Commander...Tell me why you wanted to accompany your boss to this banquet."

Commander Alisa MiFurr--a blue-eyed, raven haired she-kat-- smiles, stirring sweetener into her tea. "...I'm bored."

"Bored? You?" Mayor Persain feigns shock. "With what?"

"Well...I haven't been in a Fall Season spirit for a couple of years, and I was thinking that now..."

"...you can be with this Commander Feral, right?"

"He hasn't done it for years." Alisa leans back in her chair. "And, since my social standing high enough, I thought I could actually have some fun this year."

"Eligible catch."

"I know." Alisa looks up to see she-kat approaching their table.

"Ah...Briggs-sama sits here." The petite she-kat looks at place card.

"Wait a minute...aren't you Commander Feral's little sister?" Alisa asks.

"Hai. Anshi Tomodachi. Personal assistant to Deputy Mayor Briggs." Anshi bows. "They both sit here tonight."

"But, why aren't they with Mayor Manx and his...girlfriend." Persain asks, casting a quick look at Manx's table.

"A miracle."

"Pardon?"

Anshi looks up, and waves. "Briggs-sama! Over here!"

Mayor Persain also looks up. "Umm...Alisa...you might want to reconsider your Fall plans."

Alisa blinks. "What do you mean?"

"Aren't you out of your jurisdiction, Maverick?"

Alisa turns around in her chair, and sees Feral walking up to the table with Callie on his arm. "Well..."

"Callie, this is Commander Alisa MiFurr of Tokata." Feral says. "Alisa, this is Deputy Mayor Calico Briggs."

"Pleased to meet you." Callie extends her paw.

"Pleased to meet you, too." Alisa accepts the paw. "And, this is..."

"Mayor Persain!" Callie says. "It's been awhile."

"Indeed." Persain states. "I stop being in contact with Manx for a while, and..."

"I know." Callie sits in the seat Feral pulls out for her. "But, we've all learned to deal with it."

Persain nods while Feral sits between Alisa and Callie. "Good luck."

"Any talking with the press, oniisama?" Anshi asks from her place besides Callie.

"Yes. Just the usual confirming and denying rumors."

Persain raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Like what?"

"Well..." Feral glances at Callie, who blushes slightly. "We announced tonight."

"You two are doing the Fall Season?"

"Hai." Feral says, to which Alisa drops her spoon. "Are you all right?"

"...Yes." Alisa stands up. "I-I have to go power my nose."

Feral blinks as she walks away. "Was it something I said?"

********************************************

"Where to?"

"This way! Hurry!"

Jake and Chance enter the open area of the Sakuru Shrine. Jake takes a quick look around, his eyes getting used to the darkness.

Jake spots a shape on the ground and runs toward it. "I wonder..."

"Hey, wait!" Chance follows him. Jake was holding the shape.

"Phoebe! Phoebe, open your eyes!" Jake gently shakes her.

"Ah, so you finally arrived, my little Dragon Prince. And, you've brought your dear friend."

Both kats look up to see Nanami entering the center of the Shrine, with katana in one paw and a red rose. She tosses the rose to the ground. "To arms, Dragon Prince."

"Nanami, have you gone mad! This isn't the way you call a duel!" Jake says, still trying to awaken the unconscious Phoebe.

"If you refuse the rose, you forfeit the duel." Nanami smiles. "Where's your family honor?"

Jake says nothing, and hands Phoebe to Chance. "Take care of her for me."

"Jake, you can't go against that sword without one of your own!" Chance says, worry in his voice.

"...All I have to do is knock the rose off." Jake spies a long piece of wood on the ground and picks it up. "This will do nicely."

"...Jake..."

Jake looks back at Chance and gives him a reassuring smile. "Wish me luck."

****************************************************

"Great...she outranks me! No way I can intercede on that."

Alisa looks at herself in the mirror, retouching her make up. "And, Clawson's is probably going to laugh at me..."

"Hey, you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine." Alisa sees Callie enter the restroom.

"That's good." Callie takes her own makeup out.

"Umm..."

"Hmm?"

"If you don't mind me asking, is it real between you and Ulysses?" Alisa asks, a little nervous. "I mean, you don't have to answer if you don't want to..."

Callie shakes her head. "It's okay."

"So..."

"Between us...yes it is. I mean, we're in the beginning stages."

"Ah..." Alisa looks at her. "I hear that Mayor Persain is looking to strengthen the ties between Tokata and MegaKat City. But, Manx leaves a lot to be desired."

Callie smiles. "That situation may remedy itself."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Oh, so here you are!"

Callie cringes as she hears the voice. "What do you want, Kandi."

Kandi enters, a smile on her face. "Manxy wanted me to find you."

"Why?"

"He just loves what you did with the press." Kandi says. "And, I came to see if you were looking like a school marm."

"Obviously not."

"Aww...you and the Commander make an adequate couple. Too bad with his choice of date, though."

Callie calmly closes her purse and smiles. "Kandi dear, your padding's showing."

Kandi's face turns pale and retreats. "No way! All this time?!"

Callie continues to smile as she hears an announcement about awards being handed out. "I'd better go and see how many awards Manx racks up."

"I'll go with you." Alisa casts a look for Kandi, who had disappeared. "*Smooth. Couldn't think of a better retort.*"

****************************************************

"Chance!"

"Huh?" Chance looks up to see Kia sneaking up towards he and Phoebe. "What are you doing here."

"I heard the commotion." Kia looks at Phoebe and whispers. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know." Chance casts a glance at Jake, who was parrying Nanami's slices with the stick. "And, I don't know how long Jake can hold out."

Kia reaches into her bookbag and extracts a small bottle. She waves it under Phoebe's nose. "That should help."

"Uh..." Phoebe stirs. She slowly opens her eyes. "...Who are you?"

"Chance Furlong...Jake's friend."

Phoebe smiles. "...We finally meet."

***********************************************

"Huh? Where did Ulysses go?"

"He got a call and left for a moment." Persain says as Callie and Alisa sit down at the table.

"I hope it's not serious..." Callie says, halfheartedly listening to awards being announced.

"I hear that the Commander has lowered the crime rate." Persain states.

"Yes. He worked really hard this year."

"...and, this year's League of Cites Excellence Award goes to an individual that planned and made sure two major community centers were built and stuck close to budget. A civic center and a planetarium. So, it gives me great pleasure to give this award to host city's Deputy Mayor, Calico Briggs."

"Briggs-sama! They called your name!" Anshi says, standing up and clapping.

"What?"

"You got the Excellence Award!" Persain says, also standing up. "Congratulations!"

*******************************************************

"I don't know much about all this, but can you help him?"

Phoebe straightens up and looks at the duel. "I can try and Call the sword, but..." She begins to feel that familiar stirring. "Can it be?"

Jake's wooden stick was getting battered, and was on the verge on splitting in two. He still protected his rose. "What does all this prove, Nanami! You can't break the engagement!"

"I can try!"

"J-kun!"

"Phoebe!" Jake rolls out of the way of Nanami's blade. "The sword!"

Phoebe starts her chant, but no sphere of light appears. "Oh, no..."

"So it was a copy after all." Nanami makes a swipe at Jake stick, which splinters and knocks him off balance. He falls to the ground while Nanami prepares to attack again.

"I've got you!"

*******************************************************

"I swear...the things I get calls about..."

"Ulysses! There you are."

Feral turns to see Callie walking towards him, holding something that looked like crystal. They were in a quiet part of the restaurant.

"What's that?" Feral motions to the piece of crystal.

"The League of Cities gave me their Excellence Award!" Callie exclaims, a gleam in her eye.

"Really? That's great!"

Callie nods, moving closer to Feral. "It makes my decision much easier."

"Oh?"

Callie tilts her head upwards. "You can be so hard to kiss, you know."

"I'll make easier for you..." Feral leans down a bit.

"Here we are! Our lovely Fall couple!"

"Huh?" Light bulbs flash all around Feral and Callie, almost to the point of blinding them. Callie spots the ring leader. "Kandi..."

"You two look so much in love. Why not capitalize on it?" Kandi smirks.

The press was beginning to surround them, firing multiple questions.

"So, is it real?"

"How long have you two been involved?"

Callie straightens up, and hands her award to Feral. "May I have your attention?"

The press immediately quiets down. Callie spots Kandi with Manx and smiles.

"After being the Deputy Mayor for many years, I've decided it's time for a change. Therefore, I hereby announce my intention to run for mayor."

The press starts up again, this time turning it's attention to a flabbergasted Manx and Kandi. Callie taps Feral on the arm. "I think it's time we leave."

"Quite." Feral takes Callie's paw and begins to sneak away.

"Wait a moment." Callie spots a water valve and begins to open it.

"What are you doing?"

"Payback." Callie steps back and pushes Feral through a door when the fire sprinklers go off, drenching everyone that was in the room. "Okay. Now we can go."

***********************************************

"I've got you!"

"I've got to do something!" Chance starts to run towards Jake.

"Wait!" Phoebe calls. "You can't!"

Nanami slings her blade down as Chance comes between her and Jake. The blade slices across Chance's back, tearing his clothes. The yellow kat collapses in a heap on the ground.

"Chance!" Jake rushes to his friend. The blade had cut across his back, leaving a large wound. He looks at Nanami with contempt. "How could you?"

"A mere causality." Nanami shrugs. "He shouldn't have got in my way."

"He's not a causality." Jake stands up slowly , hatred in his eyes. "He's my best friend!"

**************************************************

"I think we're safe here."

"I hope so. I'm not going near City Hall until things die down."

Feral sits down on one of the wooden planks that line the beach. Callie joins him. "Unusually starry night."

"Yes." Callie leans up against him. "Can you point out anything?"

"...Too many stars, for once." Feral says after awhile.

"...Did you like my surprise?"

"You running for mayor? Yes."

Callie smiles. "I'm glad."

"I bet it made a lot of kats happy..."

Callie looks at him "I did it because I--"

"Hmm?"

"I..."

Feral smile and reaches into his collar. "You don't have say anything."

"Huh?" Callie watches as Feral pulls a locket out. "What's that?"

"...I want to give this to you years ago." Feral opens the locket. "But, circumstances prevented it."

"...Really?"

Feral nods, taking out a emerald ring. "I hope you accept it now."

Callie accepts it. "...An engagement ring?"

"No! I mean..."

Callie smiles, slipping the ring over her claw. "Don't worry. I love it."

"I'm glad."

"So, where to now?" Callie asks. "I doubt things haven't died down enough."

Feral thinks for a moment. "How about..."

"Okay." Callie stands up.

"I didn't even ask yet!"

"You don't have to! Let's go." Callie grabs Feral paw. "And, Ulysses..."

"Yes?"

"You already are my Knight..."

****************************************************

A blinding light envelops Jake, which in turn blinds Nanami. Phoebe goes towards Jake's side.

"O Power of Draco that stirs within..." Phoebe begins to chant, touching her paw to her chest. A sphere of light forms.

"I implore thee..." The sphere concentrates, and the hilt of a sword emerges from it. "...reveal to us now..."

Phoebe falls backwards, and Jake's catches her. He grips the hilt of the sword, and begins to extract it.

"...The power to Revolutionize the world!"

Jake takes the sword and slices at Nanami. The rose is sliced and pink rose petals fly. The blinding light disappears, and Nanami collapses.

Jake takes a deep breath, his paw still clasped tightly around the hilt of the sword. Kia makes her way to Chance, while Phoebe looks at Jake.

"Jake...look at the hilt..."

"Huh?" Jake raises the sword and opens his paw, but the sword was beginning to fade away. But, in the middle of flashes, Jake could make out the distinctive of hilt of...

"The Dragon Sword!" Jake blinks, a sudden thought hitting him. "But, it's not possible! I lost it back in..."

"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asks.

"...Nothing." The sword gives one last flash and disappears, leaving nothing behind. A soft groan from Chance snaps Jake back into reality and he runs to Chance's side.

"Are you all right?" Chance says weakly as Jake props him up.

"Don't worry about me." Jake grabs Chance's paw.

"...Good..." Chance closes his eyes. "...I'm glad..."

"Chance?" Jake shakes the kat, but he doesn't respond.

"Oh, no..." Kia says softly.

"Chance!"


Fin