For Glory! For Love!

Dakota opened her eyes and found herself in Melfara's office. The girl was passing out medicine and bandages so the students could heal themselves. Feeling better after her rest, the cat had enough energy to return to her normal form and began to bandage herself the best she could though it did not nothing for her pain. She knew she'd need serious help for her shoulder, side and leg or she wouldn't last a minute in another battle.

Melfara looked out a window as she spook, “Heroes are made by the path they choose not by the power they are graced with.”

"And I choose my path but if I keep walking it I'm going to get myself killed." Dakota looked over at Melfara.

“For what reason do you fight?” She didn't turn from the window.

“Revenge for my race.” Whitney said without hesitating.

Dakota laid her ears back, "For the school and revenge."

“Revenge...” Victory answered.

A few others also commented about revenge. With the lies and battles it was no surprise to anyone that most of the school fought for that one word. But Melfara was not done.

“Forget about revenge.”

Dakota jumped to her feet then dropped to one knee, grabbing her side, “I can't forget what he did to me. I went through a lot of pain for this school and I will get my revenge.”

“The fate of those who seek revenge is grim. You will end up suffering and hurting yourself even more. Even if you do succeed in getting revenge, the only thing that remains is emptiness and loneliness.”

“Forget? How can I forget when Demogorgon killed my race! My Husband!” Whitney yelled.

“Revenge is dishonor. Revenge doesn't get back what was lost... I know that. I made that mistake before. Don't let it get to you.” Te Te said to calm Whitney.

Victoria cut in, “Then what do you suggest?”

Dakota looked at Whitney then at the headmistress, waiting for an answer.

Talk continued but no one wanted to give up their fight for revenge. It's what drove them on. The thought of an eye for an eye was on everyone's mind and the little girl before them was having a hard time convincing them to forget it. Even Dakota didn't want to let go. Kazu had caused her a lot of pain from his lies to his taunts. He used her own fears against her. To break her. She didn't want him dead like most but she wanted him to pay for the horror he'd caused her and the people she called friends.

“What do you fight for Melfara?” Victoria caught everyone by surprise.

The headmistress smiled, “For love. Blood calls for blood while hatred begets hatred and the energy that comes forth begins to take root in this earth and engraves a crest of blood. They never learn no matter how many times the history is repeated.”

Whitney began to yell about her lost loved ones and how she was unwilling to let go of her revenge. Te Te pushed to her feet and started yelling at her about how revenge would dishonor those who died. Victoria talked about how she was ruined by him. There were too  many voices for Dakota to keep up with what everyone was saying. The voices weaving together made her head spin.

"Whitney! Don't shout! I understand more than anyone. But what will you do after revenge? What does sacrifice mean to you?" Melfara said in anger.

Tears streamed down the girl's face, “I have nothing left to live for.”

Melfara continued, “I never had a squad to leader. I never killed. But I see the pain and the burden. They desire revenge every time. Every day and night. They want to shout out to the world about others sacrifice. But they can't. People won't understand. But what makes them happy are the words which my family says." She bows giving honor to the fallen "Always remember a fallen soldier. Always remember the ones whom had trust in you. Always remember who they were not how they died. Don't accept loss or defeat! Accept it after you are dead. What is the reason behind our existence? Is it for the things in life that passed away? Is it for the glory? What will you be when you leave this life? Will you be satisfied? Will you have regrets? Will you die smiling while everyone around is crying? We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We all want to live by each other's happiness not by each others misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. It is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way."

Everyone listened as the headmistress continued her glory speech. Everyone could feel the emotions in her words. Even as the girl spoke, Dakota could feel herself seeing what revenge was doing to her. Instead of fighting for love of the school, she was hurt and pushed to her limits because of her lust for revenge. The cat knew Melfara was right and with a heavy sigh, Dakota let it go as if it was sand slipping through her fingers. Her physical pain was still burning her flesh but mentally the cat felt like new. A smile even touched her lips as she continued to listen to Melfara inspire the staff and students.

"The real failure is not to not succeed. But not trying at all. It's time to know what love is. Love is not what we see in the movies. True Love is sacrifice. Love is thinking about others before you think about yourself. Love is selfless, not selfish. Love is when you lay down your life for another. Whether for your mother, father, brother, sister or friend. Are you willing to lay down your life for them? Love is patient. Love is kind. It doesn't envy, it doesn't boast. It is not easily angered. It is not self-seeking. Love doesn't delight in evil. Love rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Love is everlasting. Love is internal. It is not proud.”

Whitney left and the new girl followed. Victoria dropped to the floor and cried. Te Te knelt beside her to try and comfort her. Others has tears of their own or were inspired to follow the headmistress into any battle. The girl had done what seemed impossibly just a few minutes before. The school had let go of it's revenge and was ready to follow their leader into battle for the love Melfara had spoken of.

Dakota stood proudly, “I have love worth fighting for. I'll give up my revenge for love. I will stand beside you and fight.”

Other nodded in agreement or voiced their own pledge to fight for love.

Melfara smiled, “When you seek revenge, your eyes get blind for the ones who care about you. You lose them before you can even catch their hand. The secret that my family holds to get rid of revenge is they say what they are thankful for. They say out loud what makes them happy. I'm thankful for my mother for raising me all these years."

Before anyone could speak up, the new girl returned and explained Whitney tried to take her own life. Melfara and a few others left the room to help her. Dakota was too weak to follow and knew she'd be in the way since she could not heal with magic yet. It was best for her to stay behind. Whispers filled the room about Whitney and what she had done as well as others talking about what Melfara had said. Dakota sat back down to rest and thought about what she was thankful for.

“What am I thankful for? Not my family. I am thankful for this school. Without it my life wouldn't be complete. I'm also thankful for Andrew. The one person I can always turn to no matter what."

A few minutes later, a bright light filled the school. Everyone hurried outside. Dakota was grateful one of the students could heal her wounds so she was able to join. Sanding in front of the school was Melfara with a large flag waving behind her. She smiled at the school.

“My cousin is out there fighting! Sacrificing her body, pride and life! For what? For people who are too weak to understand? War doesn't go easy on anyone. People die. When I fall protecting what is dearest to me, I want to see my life with pride. I want to make it worth watching! I want to hear the sound of the drums awaiting me in paradise! I want to see the faces of people who survived with happiness. I desire freedom! A day when people on this island will live peacefully! I want songs sang about courage and sacrifice of members of Melfar Academy!" she shouted with pride. ”I have a reason to fight. It's not revenge or hatred. It's freedom! That's why I'm going to protect, even if it's just a handful of them, the ones most important to me. There are people who died protecting the academy. When you stand with courage against your enemy! You don't know the burden of being a leader. From kids who've never known peace to those who have different values to those who have never known war. Those who stand at the top can decide the definition of "evil". Justice will triumph, you say? Of course it will! Because the strongest will become justice! We shall become justice for this school!"

And with that the whole school cheered. They were once again ready for battle. Energy filled the air as everyone's depression was swept away with renewed courage. They would win this war. Nothing and no one could stand int heir way now. Even Dakota was filled with new life. She would gladly give her life for the place she called home and those she now called friends. The cat was sorry for thinking about revenge. Melfara was right. It leads to darkness and that was the last place she wanted to go. She had love and was thankful for the new start the academy had given her. She would stand beside Melfara and fight for this place. Dakota's service was the headmistress's to use as needed. This war would end  and the light would prevail!