Disclaimer: I don't own the Violinist of Hameln or its characters.

Author's notes: Special thanks tonight go to Ninjas Wings, who has enojyed this work. This is my first Violinist of Hameln fic, and I'm happy you've embraced it thus far.

-Hamel Vs. Raiel: Another Silly Heroes' Duel-

Part 3: The Contests Begins...

Raiel found this situation embarrassing, and Hamel did nothing to make it any better. If it weren't for the soldiers that flanked them, the brash violinist might have done something they might not have lived to regret. Even so, Trom had a few good 'ideas' for this gentleman's duel Oboe proposed. It wasn't all that bad, the warrior of love thought, Sizer was nearby. At one time they were enemies, but at this end of things found himself attracted to the ex-Hawk King of the Mazuko. At least the sight of her beauty was comforting while Trom opened a dusty tome. Better yet, the soldiers had cut the ropes loose.

"For as long as my people have settled here, there has been a code of conduct for settling disputes through combat. While we try to avoid fights to the death, we usually allow disputes of this nature on a few provisos."

Hamel wished that he could get to his big violin, with the way Oboe Flute had treated him, a dancing in ape suits would be too good for them. "So why don't we skip the formalities and get to the part where I beat Raiel to a pulp?"

Trom closed the book, sending a cloud of dust through the vicinity. "Not so fast Hamel, there are a few provisos, as I've said. First we have-"

"-I've got your proviso right here!" Hamel grabbed Flute by the arm and dragged her in front of Raiel.

"Hamel, what the hell are you doing?!"

"Just work with me here." Hamel fumed.

Raiel felt sweat on his head, he had a feeling what was coming next.

"Take this, Raiel!"

At that instant, Raiel clapped his hands over his eyes. Flute was surprised, something felt out of place.

"...You can open your eyes, now, Raiel." Hamel said in a sweet voice.

The minute Raiel removed his hands, that old feeling hit again like a ton of bricks. "Ngh!!" Falling as if hit in the face with a sledgehammer, his nostrils unleashed a stream of blood.

Hamel had lifted up Flute's skirt and waited for Raiel to let his guard down. Now that his trap was sprung, he felt back to his old spirits. "Bwa ha ha ha! You lose again, Mr. Warrior of Love!"

"D... damn.." Raiel groaned as he lifted his head, only to have it stomped on by Hamel.

A maliciously mischievous grin was on his face as Hamel taunted. "Duel or not, I win again, dumbass!"

Trom had seen enough. "Guards, detain the idiot."

As quickly as Hamel launched into another haughty laugh, a swarm of Dal Sengian soldiers rushed the violinist, beat him to a pulp and bound him in chains, now the arrogant spat was moaning. "Hey, seven against one is cheating!"

Flute and Oboe really wished they could have done without Hamel's whining.

A single shadow was cast over the wilderness. But those who saw the shadow knew something evil was afoot. An airship of the Dragon Fleet hovered in the skies. As much as Drum wanted otherwise, Bass's orders were crystal clear: to retrieve the box as soon as possible. The mighty dragon would have had Guitar march the whole way than sooner look at him, but when one of his own soldiers protested, Bass had silenced the fool with one of his favorite displays of magic: the dreaded Bloody Death Eater. Just seeing the monstrous mouth of the damned was enough to strike fear into all who beheld it, but being devoured by it was a fate worse than death. "Damn it all.."

"Whatever is the matter, Drum?" Guitar asked cheerfully. "The skies are clear on such a day: It's as if the world itself is welcoming us."

"Just shut your mouth, mongrel." Drum growled. "And keep your eyes peeled for that box!"

Drum's airships were large vessels, specially built to accommodate the size of Drum and his dragons, so it was easy for Drum to bring a small contingent of his own beast soldiers along. "Now, now." The warrior king tsked. "All work and no play makes Drum a dull dragon."

"What was that!?" Drum felt a vein pulse on his head. He reached for his favorite mace and brandished it menacingly. "You wanna make something of it?!"

Dragon and beast soldiers shrunk away from the two-headed king of hell. But Drum just feigned alarm. "Of course not! I wouldn't dream of taking you on, o mighty Drum."

The dragon growled for a minute or two before putting his mace away. "...I'll forget you said that, but don't think you'll get off so easy next time." With that, Drum walked over towards the prow of the ship, his arms crossed in thought.

"... That went better than I thought." Guitar mused to himself. He was looking forward to finding the box and presenting it to Bass: Rewards and accolades would be his whereas Drum would have both of his nostrils eating dirt under his paws. The black ship sailed on its wicked journey, entering the outer limits of Sforzando...

In an impromptu courtyard of the ruined castle, Trom had called for a holiday so that the people of Dal Sengo could watch the duel. No one argued with having a day off, so it was easy to cooperate with them. A few of the veteran soldiers had their own ides, but after a hushed conference between Oboe and Sizer, Trom knew exactly what to do. It was now a quarter 'til noon. The people sat on felled collumns

while Hamel and Raiel were put into the center of the courtyard. Flute, Oboe, and Sizer themselves had front row seats for this affair. Though Sizer needed a few extra seats to accommodate her wings.

"So, Oboe." Flute began.

"Yes, Flute?"

"Just what is this plan you have for this duel?"

The crow perched himself on the girl's shoulder, stopping to pick his feathers for dirt. "It's simplicity itself, Flute. If these two want to fight so much, I'll let them have at it."

While Flute wasn't a violent person, she wasn't eager to see what might happen.

"Just relax." Sizer looked at her with a smile. "It won't last long with these two idiots."

"But what if they hurt themselves?" Flute asked. They may act stupidly at times, but she really didn't want to see Hamel or Raiel get hurt.

"These two won't have the stomach for it, trust me." Sizer reassured as she pointed towards Trom, who was now entering the stage with a few soldiers in tow.

"People of Dal Sengo! In the many generations we have dwelt on this land, we have shown the world the might of our swords!"

A cheer rang out from the crowds.

"Today, we have before us, a Gentleman's Duel! We have before us the two combatants who have come to settle their dispute." Here, Trom gestured to Hamel. "To my right we have the violinist whose musical might is known and feared among the Mazukos' ranks. Wielding the big violin, it's Hamel, the Hero of Justice!"

A light applause rippled through the audience.

"Is this the best these bumpkins can muster?" Hamel grumbled to himself. "I'm supposed to be the main character, here."

Trom motioned to the other side of the stage. "and to my left, we have the pianist from the ruins of Anthem. With the golden piano, he sends demons to the underworld. It's the Warrior of Love, Raiel!"

The applause was a bit more enthusiastic, much to Raiel's pleasure. He simply produced a rose and smiled.

"Now before we begin, there are several rules we must go over. First of all, there will be no killings for this duel, so don't even think about it! Secondly, this duel will be involve a series of challenges-this can range from either feats of skill or trial-by-combat. Thirdly, This is a formally sanctioned duel, so there is absolutely no cheating. Any offenses will punishable by torture. Now if all is understood, I must ask that both contestants come to me and shake hands.."

It took a little prodding from the guards before Hamel and Raiel stood face to face. Each of which had a train of thoughts running through their heads..

"Raiel, you're going to have a fate worse than nosebleeds."

"At last you will receive your punishments from Heaven, Hamel.."

The hands were shook.

"Now let us begin the duel!!" Trom raised his sword to the sky, and the audience cheered.

In their seats, Oboe and Sizer wrung their hands eagerly, but Flute wasn't so sure of it. Yet a little something in the back of her head looked forward to the crow's scheme coming to fruition.

"First, we shall begin with the basics: Let's start with clubs!"

"What!?" Hamel protested. "Don't we usually do things like pistols at ten paces or that kind of crap?"

"You're right." Trom nodded. "Except Dal Sengian rules state no killings in duels. But don't worry, Hamel: we have an excellent program to facilitate your needs."

Raiel was now in his element. "So Hamel! The time for your punishment is neigh!" He stole a quick glance of Sizer. "This might be my big chance: ...If I can impress Sizer-san.. then maybe..." The pianist felt his heart flutter at the idea, though he called himself the Warrior of Love, Raiel had not felt the subject as a whole until he saw-

"-Hey!" A voice snapped Raiel out of his sugared thoughts. It was a soldier, pressing a crude wooden club into his hand. "You don't wanna space out during a fight."

Sniggering rippled throughout the crowd as Raiel's face turned red.

"Hey, golden idiot!" Hamel called out, with a club on his own. "Are we going to fight or what?"

"Duh!... ready or not Ha-chan.." Raiel broke into a charge. "Here I come!"

Everyone watched as Raiel neared his target, club raised to strike. Hamel, however wasn't taken so easily. "Hey, Raiel! Sizer's waving to you!"

Raiel stopped dead in his tracks. "Really!?" He turned to see. "Where?" And was greeted with a heavy blow to the face and a trip to the ground.

"Ha! You fell for the oldest trick in the book!" Hamel towered over his fallen opponent.

The audience responded with mixed applause and jeers.

"You've seen it here, the Hero of Justice; doing what he does best!" Hamel launched into one of his boastful laughs, which turned into a scream. Hamel skipped about, holding his shin.

"Acting like a moron?" Raiel smirked. "That sounds about right."

"How dare you show me up like this!? You key-tickling little pansy?!"

Raiel responded with a bludgeon to the ribs. "Like this, jerk!"

"Agh! So that's how you wanna play, huh? Take this!!" Hamel swung again. But Raiel blocked it. "Hold still, you little gnat!"

"Yeah, like I'll do that: Have at you, Hamel!"

The exchange of insults and blows was turned into another mess secluded in a dust-covered cloud. Few swings of limb and club poked in and out. Along with thuds and angry muttering, it wasn't much for a duel.

Back in the stands, Sizer was getting into things while Flute and Oboe watched on.

"Oboe, just what is is this plan of yours?"

"Hm?" the crow asked.

"Do you really mean to just have Hamel and Raiel beat themselves up?"

"...That's the idea." Oboe nodded.

"But-.. how could you?"

Sizer had heard this as well. "It's what these two want, isn't it?"

"Sizer, not you too?"

The expression Sizer wore was quite serious as she nodded. "True, I'm always up for a good battle. For something like this... it's exactly what Oboe is counting on."

End of part 3