Things have gone bad, really bad. At Robyn Hill's pre-victory rally someone killed people and framed it on Penny. Now The Kingdom is in turmoil. Robyn has gone full vigilante, and Jacques Schnee is sitting on the Council. From what Ryder understands about Robyn, she's a hometown hero for Mantle and a champion of the people. She should've won but she didn't. Ironwood and many others were also invited to the Schnee Manor for "dinner" but in reality, it was just for Ironwood to defend his position of power. If things go wrong even further, Ryder isn't looking forward to it. Ryder was pacing in his dorm room with Kairos sitting down in thought.
"This, isn't good." Kairos points out. "Something tells me this is what Salem wants."
"That's what has me worried." Ryder admitted. "But I think it's time we use the Dragon Balls. Make that wish now."
"Are you sure?" Kairos asked.
"Yes. If things are heating up, then Salem can't be far behind." Ryder rationalized. "We need to be one step ahead of her."
Ryder had yet to inform Ironwood he found the last Orb because of everything that's been happening. That's something he needs to do first before he heads out to make the wish.
"Think things will get worse?" Kairos asked.
"I hope not." Ryder said.
They then hear a knock on their door.
"Come in." Ryder calls out.
The door opens and Ironwood walks into the room with Winter and Weiss by his side.
"General, how can we help you?" Ryder asked.
"I just came to ask if you found the last Dragon Ball." Ironwood said.
"Yes, I have." Ryder said.
This makes Ironwood smile.
"Good. That's the best news yet." Ironwood said, clearly happy to hear.
"Are you making your way to the Schnee manor?" Kairos asked as he stood up.
"We are." Winter said.
"While you guys do that, me and Kairos will use the Dragon Balls and make our wish." Ryder said.
"Now?" Weiss asked.
"Yes, if things are heating up then Salem won't be far behind. We need to make that wish when we have the chance." Ryder explained.
"Oh, i see." Weiss said, sounding sad.
Ryder had a good guess why. Weiss is returning to the Schnee Manor, her home and most likely would've wanted him with her. He stepped closer to her and gently grabbed her hands.
"Hey. Once I'm done, I'll teleport to you and join you at the manor." Ryder said. "Okay?"
"Promise?" Weiss asked.
"Promise." Ryder answered.
"Alright." Weiss said reluctantly with a sigh. "Good luck and make a smart wish."
"I will." Ryder said. "You can wave Salem's immortality goodbye."
With that Weiss, Winter and Ironwood take their leave. Once they were gone, Ryder grabs his satchel and leaves the room with Kairos following him. The two leave Atlas Academy before using their powers to fly away from the Academy. They were going outside of Atlas to use the Dragon Balls so that no one really saw them do this. Mainly so no one could hijack the wish. As they flew away from the cities of Atlas and Mantle, Ryder had a bad feeling that something was going to go down once this wish was made. But he pushed it aside and kept going. They eventually reach a safe distance and land on the snow below. Ryder was nervous.
"This is nerve racking." Ryder comments.
"All we need to do is summon Shenron and make the damn wish." Kairos said.
"Right."
Ryder reached into his satchel and pulled out each Dragon Ball one by one and placed them on the ground. Once all Seven were on the ground, he backed up. He took a deep breath before exhaling. The Dragon Balls were right there and all he needs to do was summon Shenron.
"Eternal Shenron! By your name I summon you forth!" Ryder chanted.
The Dragon balls then glow before a beam of light shoots up into the sky before the beam shifts and turns into the shape of a green dragon. Ryder's eyes widened seeing this for the first time in person. Kairos was also surprised, not because it worked, but because of how it looked to witness. Shenron soon fully summoned and looked down at Ryder and Kairos.
"I am Shenron, I shall grant you any wish." Shenron introduces. "Now speak."
Ryder was awestruck. He never imagined he'd be able to speak to Shenron in person. He was just a figment of imagination. But now, he's real. He calms down and steps forward.
"Shenron, I want you to remove Salem's Immortality. Permanently." Ryder said.
A moment of silence followed before Shenron spoke.
"An Easy wish." Shenron said.
Ryder's eyes lit up with joy. It worked! Even Kairos was elated. Shenron's eyes glowed briefly before they died down.
"You have two more wishes remaining, speak them." Shenron ordered.
"Wait what?" Ryder asked.
He thought there was only 1. then again, when Dende recreated Shenron, Shenron was capable of granting three wishes.
"I have been upgraded by a mysterious third party allowing me to grant three wishes total." Shenron explained. "Now, speak your last two wishes."
This changes things. What could he do with two more wishes. It then clicks to Ryder. He can revive Pyrrha, he can bring her back! Excited by this revelation he turned to Shenron.
"Shenron, I wish for you to bring Pyrrha Nikos back to life!" Ryder said making his next wish.
"Very well." Shenron said. "As a courtesy, I will bring her here."
Shenron's eyes shine once more before a figure spawned in front of Ryder and Kairos. It was Pyrrha, she even had her weapon and shield. She gasped and looked around.
"W-What just happened?" Pyrrha asked.
She then sees Ryder.
"Ryder?" Pyrrha asked before noticing Shenron.
Pyrrha was stunned to see a Dragon in front of her.
"You have one wish remaining, use it wisely." Shenron said.
"Wish?" Pyrrha asked.
"I'll brief you later." Ryder said.
What could his last wish be? There are so many things he could wish for. But he needs to be smart. What if he unlocks his potential? He could possibly match Salem in battle. But he doesn't know how it'll affect him. But nothing ventured nothing gained.
"Shenron, I want you to unlock my Magical potential." Ryder said, making his final wish.
"Very well." Shenron said. "Your final wish is granted."
Ryder then felt a massive increase is mana flowing through his body. He looked at his hands as he felt his newly achieved Magical limits before he clenched his fists and smiled.
"That was all the wishes for now." Shenron informed. "Good day."
With that, Shenron turned to light and vanished before the Dragon Balls shot up into the sky before rocketing off in different directions. As they faded from view, Ryder turned to Pyrrha who was still confused. He walked over to Pyrrha who gave him her attention. It's been so long since he's seen her. Ryder just couldn't help himself as he embraced his friend. Pyrrha was caught off guard but returned the embrace.
"Sorry it's just... I missed you." Ryder said. "We all missed you."
The two break the embrace.
"How am I even, alive?" Pyrrha asked. "I could've sworn Cinder killed me."
"I used the Dragon Balls to bring you back to life." Ryder said.
"Dragon Balls?" Pyrrha asked.
"They're wish orbs. I used them to summon that dragon you saw, and he granted my wishes." Ryder answered.
Pyrrha still seemed confused. Then Ryder and Kairos broke it down for her. Everything Salem related, Haven, the issues in Atlas, the Death of Cinder Fall, Ozpin nonsense and their current plan to defeat Salem. Pyrrha was overwhelmed with this information, but Ryder made sure to comfort his friend. She was also still coming to terms with the fact that she died and came back to life.
"This is all just so.... overwhelming." Pyrrha said.
"Ironwood can fill you in on the rest of the details once we get back to Atlas." Ryder said.
"Speaking of which, how are you going to teleport all three of us?" Kairos asked.
"Oh.... right." Ryder said, not realizing the issue. "Well I guess we'll just have to fly there."
"Uh, but I can't fly." Pyrrha said.
"Just hop on my back and I'll fly us towards Atlas." Ryder suggested.
"Okay." Pyrrha said.
Ryder turned around and bent forward. Pyrrha climbed on his back, and he stabilized her before he rockets into the sky with Kairos following him.
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Author's Note: We are finally in the last stretch of this story! the Final Battle approaches.