Iera wanted to move back out. Lee kept shouting out to her not to. "You're too injured Iera! I'm not letting you die!". His ammo started running short. Iera knew he couldn't defeat the remaining soldiers on his own. Just as another man got close to her position, she struck him down but another bullet pierced her armour hurting her side very badly.

"Iera! Get back in there!" Hester screamed. Lee was suddenly grazed across the head.

"Lee!" Iera roared. She charged again at the soldiers but her armour was no longer impenetrable. Lee came into the open again and took the men down whilst Iera got back behind shelter but a blast! A bullet pierced his collar.

"Lee, the cloud pine," a weak Hester remembered.

The wounded Lee pulled it out from his pocket. "I begged Serafina. Come help us," he rubbed it.

.........................................................................................

Will was taking a look out for Spectres on a cliff. (Y/N) was in the air making sure there were no angels nearby. Nearby, the witches were feeding Lyra and (M/C) when Serafina's eyes opened in alarm as if she had been stung by a bee. Lyra and (M/C) were drawn to her gasps. "What is Miss Pekala?" The latter asked. Roger trumpeted.

"He's in trouble,".

"Who?" Lyra asked, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Lee?".

Lyra gasped. She tried to turn around but Serafina grabbed her. "We have to tell (Y/N),".

"If we tell her, she will fly off and get killed. You all go on to find Will's father. I will save Lee," Serafina shot off. Lyra was shaken.

"Hey. It's gonna be alright," (M/C) held her. "She's gonna save him,".

"What's going on?" (Y/N) flew back down to them, Will rushing over too.

"Serafina sensed Leia in danger," Lyra lied. "She's gone to save her. She wants us to continue,".

"Let's hope Leia's alright," Will prayed.

(Y/N) was too smart. "You're hiding something,".

Lyra knew exactly what she needed to cover up her lie. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a photo. (Y/N) took it from her offered hands. She saw it was herself and her parents. "Where did you...".

"That Zeppelin, we saw was your mother's. It crash-landed here. I'm so sorry I didn't say this before. Everything was happening so quickly and with what was happening to you, I just..."

(Y/N) hugged her. She hugged her back as she cried. "It's okay," she kept her warm. "It's okay,".

........................................................................................

The golden angels descended from the sky landing on a hilltop and turning into beings wearing grey cloaks. They saw a sphere of strange material of blue, orange and black. "What is this?" an angel screeched.

"A weapon that can be used against you," sneered a voice. Arthur leapt out of the bushes and swiped his sword, taking them both out.

There are more to take of. Danal raised her trunk and saw more golden angels appear. They had to keep them away from the mountain before they could find who they had been searching for.

.........................................................................................

"Lee!" Iera tried to get to him but the last soldier had too many bullets. Just then...a black blur appeared from behind and pierced his back. He fell dead. "Serafina Pekala," she breathed.

Serafina saw Lee dying. "Lee..." she rushed forward, kneeling beside his bloodied body, Hester unable to stand on his feet.

Iera walked weakly over to them, collapsing with her stained fur. She pulled her useless armour off. "Lee, please hold on," Iera begged. "I'll carry you if I have to,".

"Don't," Lee begged. "You're too weak. I will kill you like this,".

"Lee, your daughter and Lyra are in the mountains," the witch informed.

"Good," he breathed. "As long as the knife will protect them, that's all that matters,".

..................................................................................

Will and (Y/N) chose to keep scouting ahead whilst Lyra, (M/C) and Reina kept on resting a bit more. They walked higher up and over rocks. When they heard a loud squawk and spun around, spotting a shadow approaching from further down the canyon way. "Don't come any closer," Will warned. (Y/N) fanned out her wings and Aster turned into a growling arctic wolf.

The man approaching them meant no harm. "So...you're the Knife Bearer,". He kept on coming towards them. "I mean you both no harm,".

"We're just trying to find our fathers," (Y/N) spoke up. Will pushed her a bit behind him, still wearing off the man. But as the man stepped into the full light, she recognised his shaman coat. "John Parry," she breathed.

Will's hand lowered. "Dad,".

Jopari was shocked. "Will," all this way he had journeyed with Lee and Iera only to find the last person he wanted to bear the Knife.

"It's really you," This time, Will could not believe his eyes. Neither could his friend. Jopari came closer. "I thought you were dead,".

Jopari became emotional all of a sudden. "Your mother? Will, where is she?" Will bit his lips. He didn't know what to say. "Will?" his father begged.

"She's safe," Will promised. "In our world. Why didn't you come back to us?".

"Will..." (Y/N) gently criticised him.

Jopari eyed the knife intently, his osprey daemon perching on a rock. "My son is the Knife Bearer,".

"You have a daemon," Will couldn't take his eyes off the daemon's beautiful feathers.

Jopari eyed (Y/N) Scoresby. "(Y/N), it is so good to see you," he greeted with a deep smile.

"You saved my life. And now I can repay that debt. But tell me. Where is my father?"

Jopari froze. "Dad, where's Lee Scoresby?" Will demanded.

"Your father is fighting soldiers down the mountain. They were pursuing us but he stayed back with his bear friend Iera to give me time to get to you two,".

"Who's Iera?" Will asked.

(Y/N) gasped. "My father. "Will, stay with your father! I have to help mine,". Before Will or Jopari could stop her, she unfurled her wings and took off to the sky, Aster flying beside her as a snowy owl.

"(Y/N)!" John screamed but it was no use. She shot down the mountain, barely noticing the soldier that was climbing up the mountain. She threw into the trees, crying out: "Dad!" multiple times. But she came across a carnage of dead bodies and her eyes saw a white, wounded polar bear with damaged armour, Serafina and...

"Father!" she cried. He was wounded terribly, Hester lying weakly on a rock, about to fall into his arms.

Lee's eyes tilted and he could feel his decelerating heart beating strongly with its last ounce of strength. She fell before him in tears with her wings blowing back the wind. Iera saw her and was amazed at her silver radiance.

"(Y/N)" Lee breathed.

"It's okay. I'm here. Jopari made it up to me and Will. Lyra's safe too. Serafina, please do something,".

"I've tried everything," Serafina sympathised. "His wounds are too much,".

"No. No. He can't die,". She begged. But Lee didn't care about his wounds. He could see how beautiful his daughter was in her angelic appearance. "Oh Dad, I'm so sorry,".

"What on earth for?"

"I was so angry at you for not telling me before. And all this time, I hated how you kept me under watch all the time,".

"It's okay, baby girl," he cupped her face. "It's okay. You look so much like your mother. I'm sorry I lied to you. I just wanted to protect you,".

"I know," she cried. Lee reached weakly into his pocket and she saw the rabbit toy she had given to Jopari years ago. She took it.

"I know I'll see her again on the other side. And I will see you again. And Lyra too," Hester nuzzled Aster one last time. She evaporated into the air in sparks of gold.

(Y/N) cried into Lee's chest, still warm but with no heart beating underneath. Aster touched his head and scrunched his eyes. Serafina closed her eyes too, unable to watch such suffering. Iera bowed her head, blaming herself entirely for her friend's death. She roared in a grieving range to the heavens. She would avenge his death.

.............................................................................................

Lyra and (M/C) were in a deep, needful sleep. Reina was on guard watch. But a Spectre crept up behind her and devoured her slowly. Roger was the only one to hear her low but audible screams. But as he woke up, he saw a grown-up woman with golden money appear from a canyon path. And she sneaking up on Lyra. Quickly he paraded towards a sleeping (M/C) and trumpeted into his ear. Leo screamed and ran away.

"Roger! What the..." (M/C) paused. "Lyra look out!"

Lyra woke up and saw her mother touching her. "Hello Lyra,".

"Get away from her!" (M/C) threw a rock. Mrs. Coulter fell back to dodge it whilst Lyra grabbed Pan and sprinted to her friend, keeping close to him. She was so scared her mother had found them. They watched as the beautiful but wicked woman regained her stance and glanced down towards them from fifty feet away. She took a step.

"Don't you come a step closer!" (M/C) warned.

Mrs. Coulter wasn't afraid of him. Her daemon snarled. Roger cowered behind Lyra's legs. "I take it Lyra hasn't told you who I am,".

"I know who you are!" (M/C) spat venomously. "And Lyra's not going anywhere with you!". Lyra saw Reina dead, devoured by a Spectre. He clutched to (M/C)'s shoulders, horrified more than ever of her mother.

"I don't want to hurt you,".

"Says the woman who kills without mercy!" Lyra growled over to her. Still, she couldn't bury her fear and repulse.

"Stand aside boy," Mrs Coulter ordered.

"I'm not afraid of you!" he roared. But fear crawled onto his face when he saw Spectres appearing from the canyon passages beside Coulter.

Lyra was horrified. "How are you...".

Mrs. Coulter chuckled arrogantly. "I control them. Something I picked up trying to find you. Now move boy,".

"Never! Run Lyra!" (M/C) shouts were followed by screaming cries of agony as Mrs. Coulter unleashed the Spectres on him. And they consumed him.

"(M/C)!" Lyra screamed in horror. "Stop it!" she cried her mother. "Let him go! Stop it!".

But Mrs. Coulter wouldn't release him. She chuckled. With great courage, Lyra threw herself upon the Spectres consuming (M/C) and they flew away, unattracted to her. But (M/C) was in great agony. He couldn't move. Lyra cupped his face, hearing shallow breathing from his throat.

"(M/C)," Pan's furry eyes couldn't find life in them. "Stay with us,".

(M/C) saw their eyes. "Lyra, run," he begged. But Lyra would not leave him. Not like she left Roger. Life seemed to leave his eyes and tears left Lyra's.

"Lyra, listen to me. We have to leave. There are bad people coming for you," Mrs. Coulter begged. She came closer but as Lyra's head turned, she saw anger and hatred. How dare her mother kill another of her friends. 

"Murderer!" Lyra screamed and without thinking grabbed a rock and struck her mother's father, grazing her badly. "You killed him! You killed him!" Pan attacked the golden monkey daemon, turning into a wolverine again but the monkey was prepared this time. He threw Pan against the rocks, hurting him and Lyra. Mrs. Coulter tried to restrain her daughter but Lyra bit her arm and struck her again with the rock. Her mother smacked her face and disarmed her of her weapon whilst her daemon gained the upper hand over Pan and strangled him again.

"Let go of us!" Lyra shouted. She would not give up without a fight.

"I can't do that. I'm sorry but I have to do this,". Mrs Coulter smothered her mouth with a handkerchief. A strong scent whiffed up Lyra's nose. She tried to fight it but the strength left her eyelids and she fell into oblivion. The last thing she saw was (M/C)'s weak hand reaching out to her whilst the Spectres crawled towards him again. Then as they went dark, she heard painful screams and her world went completely blank.

........................................................................................................................

Will and Jopari sat together having an emotional talk. "Did you come through a window?" John asked. "How did you do it?".

"You owe me answers, Dad. Not the other way round," Will gently snapped. He began to cry. "Do you have any idea how hard mum found it without you? Thinking you were dead?".

"I couldn't get back to you. I tried everything. And in trying, I got a better understanding of these strange worlds. The knowledge that I could use to help people,".

"And you chose these people over your own family?".

"No. I thought by helping them I could help you. I'm talking about the end of this tyranny Will for you, for everyone. I thought about you and your mother,".

"I know," Will reached into his pocket and pulled out the photo which Jopari thought he had lost years ago. It was of Elaine holding their baby son. "(Y/N) gave it to me. She told me how you saved her life. She told me everything,".

Jopari sniffled, seeing his wife's face again in black and white. "Every day, I tried so hard to find a way back to our world, to get back to you and your mother. I gave up all hope after trying for so long. But Will," he wiped his eyes and held up the knife. "If you're the Knife Bearer, then you have a task ahead of you. And it means you will need the help of your friends,".

.............................................................................................................

Many golden angels had lost their lives. Arthur had taken out as many as he could but now he had to continue his search for Jopari. Hurry, my friend. Hurry. He begged his mount.

Danal carried Arthur through the canyon. Loud echoes reached out from the foggy bank up ahead; the screams of a boy. The sounds seemed to motivate Danal to bolt faster and faster until her rider saw a shocking sight. Spectres were devouring a poor, helpless boy; he was close to death.

Quickly the adventurer dismounted Danal and pulled out his energy ball made of the same material as the Subtle Knife and the Spectres were scared off. He looked down and saw the boy was pale black. He pressed his ear against his heart and detected a very slow heartbeat. He was alive. But only just. He heard a little trumpet and saw a baby quadruped animal come out from his hiding spot.

.....................................................................................................................

Lee's body was loaded onto Iera's back. She carried him up the mountain with the heartbroken (Y/N) who couldn't find the strength to fly with all the dread in her heart. But as they made it through the canyon towards where she had left Wil with Jopari, they passed a fallen soldier with a gun.

"(Y/N)" Aster said quietly. She looked ahead and her hands flew to her mouth. Jopari's body was against the rock wall. No daemon. Eyes were shut. Will stood up, his face with tears. As he saw the body on the polar bear's back, he realised what had happened too.

Serafina, who had flowed back towards the campsite to find Lyra and (M/C), landed beside Iera and saw the body of Will's father. She bowed her head in sorrow. Aster landed on (Y/N) as a snowy owl and hooted in sorrow. The children ran to each other and embraced each other tightly, mourning for their fallen fathers. Will felt her tears damping his shoulder and she felt his raining onto her hair. "I was too late," she sobbed.

"He saved my life," he cried back. "He died for me,".

"Then it wasn't in vain,". (Y/N)'s heart was gripped by guilt. If she had seen that soldier hiking up the mountain, she could have saved Jopari. And now he was dead and he got to see his home world or his wife one last time.

...........................................................................................

Keeping the cold-skinned (M/C) against his chest, wrapped in two cloaks, Arthur galloped across the forest towards an opening near a glade of grass. He looked back towards the valley. "Forgive me Jopari,". And with that, he disappeared with Danal and the dying boy into the other world.

................................................................................................

Lee and Jopari's bodies were buried at the top of the mountain. The two children stood before their graves with Serafina and Iera who roared to the heavens. "I am sorry dear children. I failed your fathers,".

"No, Iera," (Y/N) cupped her face. "You could never fail them. You did all you could. If my dad hadn't come back to you, you would have been killed too. You never would have seen Iorek again,". She hugged her tightly in tears, burying her face into her cleaned fur.

"We will avenge your father. And yours William Parry," she eyed him sorrowfully. "He loved you. For him there was no better way to show you. Come here,". She allowed Will to hug her too. He found comfort in her warm fur. They prayed and mourned but nothing more could be done.

"I'm so sorry for your losses. I failed you both," Serafina apologised. "And I have failed (M/C) and Lyra too. We need to find them before it is too late. But that is not all. There's a Great War coming,".

"Then you must prepare for it," Iera said. "Gather your witches and find Iorek, tell him of Lee's sacrifice and the Great War we must all fight in,".

"I will do that," Serafina swore.

"The three of us will search for Lyra and (M/C)," (Y/N) declared, wiping her tears away. She was going to be strong. She was going to do it for her father.

"Then I will complete the task that Father set me," Will swore to his heart.

"Good luck," the witch queen bade. And she shot into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

Will pulled on his father's shaman coat and (Y/N) pulled on her father's aeronaut coat and donned his hat. In their warm cotton and leather, they felt like being back in their father's arms. They gathered all their supplies again and walked off into the sunset on their three quests: to find Lyra and (M/C), help (M/C) find his home world and deliver the Knife to Asriel to aid him in the Great War against the Authority. 

...................................................................................................................

That's Season 2 done. You will not believe how much it made me cry writing these scenes. Still, I hope you all enjoyed it. Please let me know what you all thought. The start of Season 3 should be out next week. See you all soon.