~The Next Morning~
"Oh my goodness," Yuki gasps, tearing up as Peter, Edmund, and some fauns from the armory present her a beautiful suit of armor.
"It was the High King's idea, Guardian," the fauns state. Edmund smirks at his brother.
"I'm hurt Pete, you'd design armor for her but not for your loving brother," teases Edmund. "Do you perhaps fancy our Guardian?" His question triggers laughter within the group of fauns as Yuki and Peter blush.
"O-of course not!" Peter yells, pushing his brother playfully. "I just didn't think she can fight in a dress since she's not as coordinated as most girls! Come on, we have a battle to fight." Peter leads the group out and Zyra helps Yuki change into her new attire. Yuki blushes, knowing this armor is from Peter made it so much more special. She then loads the sides with the shurikens she had asked for.
"Good luck, guardian," Zyra blesses, hugging her. "Come back to us safely."
"I will Zyra," Yuki promises. She walks out the tent and meets Peter at the cliffs. To have Peter's thoughts in this armor will let her know he is truly always with her, lighting up her face.
"I know you're nervous, but please stop shaking," laughs Snowflake, Yuki's unicorn.
"Sorry," apologizes the girl. She and Peter did not get much sleep as they stayed up most of the night planning every detail. And now that lack of sleep has taken a toll of her as she continuously shakes. Peter on the other hand, seemed completely fine. Suddenly a hand is placed on her shoulders.
"You alright?" Peter asks, checking up on her.
"Just very nervous, you?" asks Yuki, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
"Very," he replies, staring at the griffin scouting the opposing army.
"You look completely fine though!" states Yuki, shocked.
"I have to, what kind of impression would I have on the troops if I show fear now?" he points out. Her eyes trail down to his hands, noticing how tightly he is clenching his fists for the first time. Pushing her nerves aside, Yuki tries to reflect Peter's confidence.
"It's okay, we'll defeat her," Yuki says bravely.
"How do you know?" asks Peter, still unsure of his plans.
"It's good versus evil, and good always wins," she points out. "Don't worry, we'll win this. There's three of us and only one of her."
"And more soldiers than ours," Peter reminds her pessimistically, causing Yuki to punch him. Their scout finally returns.
"Their army comes with far more weapons and soldiers than our own," he reports worriedly.
"Numbers do not win battles," Oreius states calmly. Yuki smirks at Peter.
"No, but I'm sure they help," replies Peter. He turns to Edmund, who stood up at the top with the archers. Then he turns back toward the Witch's army. Yuki notices the witch giving a command to her troops, some command that raised their morale even more. They wait until the Witch's army reaches a certain point of the terrain.
"Now." At Yuki's command, Peter signals to release their griffins.
"Fly!" Edmund and Beaver yell. The flying griffins fortunately distract many of the witch's troops, causing them to be hit by boulders. However her archers are smart enough to fire at the griffins, dropping quite a number of Narnia's own troops.
"Are you with me?" asks Peter.
"To the death," Oreius promises.
"Do you even have to ask?" smirks Yuki, pulling her helmet down. Peter copies her motion. They both pull out their blades.
"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" Peter and Yuki cry triumphantly together and lead the troops into battle. Meanwhile, the archers stay at the top to prepare their arrows. The two sides close the gap and time seems as if it slowed down. A cheetah throws the first bite, starting the battle. Yuki swipes her sword and an unbelievable number of soldiers are wiped about due to her blade's length.
"Snowflake, I'll leave the riding to you!" Yuki commands.
"As you wish!" Snowflake agrees and skillfully dodges every attack. This allows Yuki to worry only about attacking. "Where's the High King?" Quickly glancing around, she notices that the Witch has released her second wave of troops. At this, Edmund releases their phoenix. The phoenix sets a line of the battlefield on fire, scaring off the front row of the Witch's army. Cheers erupted among Aslan's troops until the Witch activated her magic and clears out the fire.
"Snowflake, run to Peter now," she commands, slicing a path to Peter. "Peter, she's finally started. The real fight starts now."
"Fall back! Draw them back to the rocks!" Peter yells over the troops. "Yuki, help me!" The two split and try to spread the order to the troops.
"To the rocks!" Yuki yells, helping some Narnians push away their opponents. Turning around, she sees a centaur surrounded by three other minotaurs. "Let's even out these odds!" Smirking, Snowflake runs up and kicks one of the soldiers away from their centaur, allowing Yuki and the centaur to take out the other two. "Come on, draw back to the rocks!" Warning as many troops as she can, Yuki finally takes the chance to fall back. However, a grunt catches her attention.
"The High King!" Snowflake shouts out, startled. Arrows have been released already, so they do not have much time. Oreius, noticing Edmund's expression, turns to see Peter on the ground and Yuki running back for him. With a rhino next to him, the two charge straight at the enemies.
"No!" Peter warns them, but it is too late. The rhino takes out about five troops before being brought down. Oreius jumps over him and courageously heads straight for the witch. Taking advantage of their sacrifice, Yuki grabs Peter by his collar and pulls him on so Snowflake can run toward the rocks.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" asks Snowflake, but Peter is too traumatized to answer. Instead, he and Yuki watch in horror as the Witch stabs Oreius just once with her wand, turning him to stone.
"Oreius…" gasps Yuki. "When he said to the death, he really meant it." Peter sobs gently on her back, gripping her shoulder hard. Anger rushes through her veins and Yuki jumps off Snowflake. "Take Peter to safety. I've got a score to settle."
"Yuki, don't be ridiculous!" Peter shouts in anger, but Snowflake is already taking him back up. Giving up his safety, Peter jumps off as Yuki did and pulls out his sword.
"Aim." Yuki's eyes lock on her targets. "Ready." She plays with the small blades in her fingers. "Fire!" Quickly releasing the blades, all of her targets fall to the ground.
"Come on!" Peter yells, grabbing her hand and pulling her back.
"What are you doing? It's easier to fight them on flat terrain!" Yuki argues, trying to pull away.
"But our troops are up there! Down here we will be two sitting ducks!" retorts Peter. "Charge!" At his command, the Narnians rush back at the Witch's army. The two go back to back, to protect each other and use their duo tactics.
"There's Edmund!" Yuki shouts, pointing at the younger brother.
"We have to get to him!" Peter yells with worry. The two fight their way through. However on the way, Yuki notices a dwarf charging at Peter.
"Peter, watch out!" she cries, pushing Peter out of the way. Due to her sudden actions, the startled dwarf accidentally slices into her arm. Yuki lets out a cry and Peter angrily cuts down the dwarf.
"Your arm…" Peter gasps. "You tried to take the hit for me."
"I'm the Guardian, you fool," Yuki retorts jokingly. "Now let's team up with Edmund."
"Peter! Yuki!" Edmund yells when they reunite. They get into a triangle formation as they often practiced during training.
"Ready to make Oreius proud?" challenges Yuki, smirking. Seeing the future monarchs together, the Witch's troops all head in that direction in attempt to take down all three at once.
"Yah!" Edmund stabs two soldiers near Yuki as she spins around Peter and helps him take out two behind him. Playing off them, Peter slides right through the middle and cuts down three soldiers with Edmund and Yuki blocking for his back. A brown blur suddenly jumps in and bites one of the enemy leopards.
"You didn't forget about me did you?" Beaver teases, slapping another soldier with his tail.
Smiling, the three add Beaver into their formation. However the four soon get tired at the endless supply of soldiers to fight.
"Edmund! There are too many!" Peter cries over the grunts. "Find the girls and get them home!" His order renders Edmund motionless, so Beaver steps in.
"Come on! You heard Peter! Let's go!" he urges, dragging Edmund up the hill. Turning back around, Peter fails to witness Yuki's hits, and finds her thrown into him when a minotaur hits her. The two quickly get up, but Yuki is picked up by a bear and thrown to the side once again.
"Yuki!" Peter yells, running to her aid. He slides down between the bear's legs and pierces the bear with Rhindon.
"Thanks!" Yuki says for the brave act and gets back to back with him once again. Another soldier knocks Peter's head, and since he is too tired to block properly, his head whips back, hitting Yuki. "I take it back!" Turning, she parries two hits from the side and jumps on the attacker's back and stabs downward. However a soldier from behind leans forward to attack as Yuki forgets to guard. Noticing this, Peter covers her as she covers Peter's right side.
"Nice hit," Peter says, cutting through another soldier.
"You too," smiles Yuki. Then she sees a familiar golden brown figure approaching. "Aslan?" Suddenly it dawned on her. It wasn't Aslan! It was the Witch! And she's wearing Aslan's mane! She then notices something else. The witch is heading straight for Peter. "Peter watch out!" Pushing the unsuspecting Peter out of the way, Yuki throws a strike with the Witch, but Edmund lets out a cry, distracting both Yuki and the witch. Peter on the other hand, is too busy handling other soldiers to notice the lack of cover he had.
"I see the traitor and the useless one are now fighting together," the White Witch taunts. "Might as well kill the king first."
"Why does everyone underestimate me?!" growls Yuki, fighting the witch from the right as Edmund did so on the left. Jadis easily flings Yuki into a boulder and turns to Edmund.
"Yuki!" Edmund yells.
"Edmund!" Yuki responds, shaking her head to get her view back. "You stay away from him!" She quickly jumps to her feet and brings her blade down on Jadis, who at the moment had Edmund struggling to push the swords away from him. Her attack lands a hit on the White Witch's shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain.
"You!" Jadis turns toward Yuki, fury and hatred in her eyes. For the first time, Yuki actually felt fear for herself. Her body freezes and all she can do is back up slowly while the Witch advances on her. She could hear Edmund calling her name, but a minotaur takes its place as Edmund's opponent for the White Witch to deal with her. Knowing there is no one left to help her, Yuki slowly loses hope as the witch brings down her wand. It flashes a bright blue light and that's when Yuki knew it is her end.
Gradually Yuki felt her world come to a stop. Everything fades out to silence and her vision turns dark. The last thing she heard was Edmund's voice screaming her name.
~Peter~
"YUKI!" the heartbroken voice makes its way to Peter's ears as a bright flash stuns everyone on the battlefield. He turns around to see Edmund destroying the wand in the witch's hand.
'This brilliant boy! The answer is to destroy her wand! Not kill her! Edmund defeated her!' Peter thinks happily, but something constrained him from smiling or cheering. That something turns out to be the witch's next move. Everything in Peter's eyes turn red when he sees Jadis impale Edmund with the broken glass of her wand.
"EDMUND!" Peter cries, but he could hear nothing. He saw nothing but the path to her. The beautiful, yet cruel White Witch who had killed his brother. 'I will kill her for you, Edmund. I'll kill her for everything she's done to you. I'm going to kill her for killing Aslan and you. I WILL KILL HER!' Without another thought, he charges at her swiftly killing any who even attempted to block his path. He saw nothing but red. However, the White Witch remains calm as she lifts up a familiar white sword, but throws it away as if it pained her. Peter couldn't put his finger on it, but he didn't care. All he wanted now is to kill her. Snarling, she picks up another sword, evoking another growl from Peter. How dare she take his brother's sword as a trophy?
His slashes gained power as he fed from his anger, but he still seemed to be no match for her. Again and again he would bring his sword down, only for her to lightly knock them aside. It didn't take long for her to disarm his shield, but Peter wouldn't give up hope. 'No one hurts Edmund and gets away with it.' The witch continues to smirk with every cry of frustration Peter lets out. Once again, Peter uses the X slash Yuki taught him and proceeds to bring it down. Suddenly power surges through him.
"ROAR!"
"Impossible!" Everyone turns to see the majestic King of Narnia atop of the cliffs, the supreme power, alive and powerful. A smile makes its way upon Peter's face as the Witch's eyes reflect fear. Distracted by Aslan, Peter loses his footing when the witch begins attacking him angrily, desperate to kill him before Aslan reaches them.
Peter screams out painfully as she disarms him again and wounds his arm. He panics when she pins him to the ground. He watches with despair as she holds her last blade up. 'Aslan, save me!' He closes his eyes, bracing for the end, but feels nothing. Peter opens his eyes to see Aslan staring at him five feet away with the witch's carcass behind him.
"It is done," Aslan declares proudly. Peter could feel himself crying, but couldn't tell if it was from fear, pride, or relief.
"Peter!" Peter turns to see his two beloved sisters tackle him into a hug. "Where's Edmund?"
Her question returns his happy state to one of fear and shock as he scans the field. He leads them to the place he last saw Edmund. He nearly faints, seeing Jadis' dwarf about to chop his brother apart with a battleaxe. Luckily Susan thought quickly.
"Get away from him!" Susan commands. He looks up in surprise, and finds an arrow immediately embedded in his chest. He cries out and falls over dead.
"Edmund!" the three Pevensies shout, rushing to him. Susan pulls off his helmet to relieve him. Crying, Lucy pulls out her cordial and pours one drop into Edmund's mouth. They wait a few seconds, but nothing seemed to have happened except that Edmund's breath slowed down. Peter hangs his head low. How could this have happened? Why didn't Edmund leave when Peter and Beaver told him to? He's failed his father and his mother... He promised he would keep them safe, but now.. But now Edmund's...
He couldn't finish that thought, unable to believe his brother's dead. The girls weep softly. Suddenly a cough makes them look up. It's Edmund! Edmund begins coughing harshly, as if he is forcing the air of death out of his body.
"Edmund!" Lucy cheers, flinging her arms over him.
"Don't you ever scare us like that again!" Susan orders, crying on his shoulder from behind. Peter stares at Edmund for a few seconds, still in shock.
"When are you going to learn to do what you're told?" sobs Peter, squeezing his little brother. 'I'm never letting him out of my sight again.' They all share the sweet family moment, forgetting one last family member.
"Where's Yuki?" asks the youngest Pevensie.
'That's true, where is she? If she were here, she'd tease me for crying,' Peter wonders.
"I just realized," Susan begins, noticing her friend's absence.
"Edmund, I heard you call her name before the White Witch... you know," Peter recollects. "What happened?" However Edmund sits there, frozen like a statue.
'No...' Peter thinks in despair. 'Like a statue!' He quickly grabs Edmund's shoulders. "Edmund! Please! Tell me the witch-! The witch! She didn't, did she?!" Now Susan and Lucy begin to panic also.
"Did she what?!" Susan asks, worry filling her eyes. "What happened to Yuki?" However Edmund simply begins sobbing again into Peter's shoulders.
"Edmund, you're scaring me, what happened to her?" asks Lucy, tearing up again.
"Where is she Edmund?" asks Peter, too afraid to hear what happened. Edmund weakly points across from him, behind Peter. They all follow his finger to see a statue, but not just any statue, it was the statue of their friend. Susan gasps, falling down again. Unable to look any longer, Lucy hides her face in Edmund's armor and weeps loudly. Edmund brings up his legs to cry in fetal position. He felt as if it was his fault since she had fought the witch to save him. The two girls suddenly stand up and run away, leaving Edmund and Peter alone with Yuki's statue.
"I'm sorry Pete, this happened because she tried to protect me," Edmund sobs, remorse filling him.
Unlike the others, Peter is the only one who could not cry. It was not because he didn't care for her, no, but because the sight of Yuki in stone was too much for him, throwing him into a state of shock. He slowly approaches her and cups her hard, cold cheek with his warm hand.
"Yuki?" Peter whispers. He couldn't believe it. The girl who had given him so much hope just last night and this morning is the one turned to stone, another victim of the White Witch. His heart aches at the sight of her face. It was filled with pain and fear, showing everything at her last moment. How could Yuki, filled with pain and fear right before death, still look so beautiful even in stone? Finally Peter reaches his breaking point and falls, crying at her feet.
"Peter, stand back," Susan suddenly says from behind Peter. He turns to see the golden lion, smiling down upon him.
"Aslan," Peter sobs, burying his face in Aslan's fur. "Please save her, you can, can't you?"
"Of course he can, he is Aslan!" Lucy smiles, hugging her brother as Susan drags the teary Edmund over.
"I will do what I can, dear one," Aslan promises and breathes slightly on Yuki's face. The boys' eyes widen in shock as the girls share a look when Yuki's hair shakes slightly. Peter and Edmund quickly wipe their tears to meet their friend with stain-free faces. They watch closely as Yuki lets out groans and gasps for air. Stone slowly change back to flesh, hair, armor, and fabric. Edmund and Peter immediately rush to her.
~Yuki~
Time has stopped.
Suddenly she finds herself gasping and panting, all energy depleted from her body. The strength leaves her legs and she tumbles forward, but instead of crashing into the ground, she feels herself being caught by two pairs of arms. Fluttering her eyes open, she sees Susan holding her up from the left as Edmund supports her on the right. Warmth fills her, seeing her friends again before death.
"Am I dead now?" she softly asks, finding it hard to breathe. Smiling through the tears, they all laugh at her as Aslan chuckles warmly.
"No, Guardian," he speaks in his deep voice. "You and I are both very much alive."
"Aslan!" Yuki gasps, regaining some energy. Both she and Peter drop to Aslan's feet/paws. "Aslan you're alive!"
"Thank you Aslan! For saving Yuki!" Peter cries, and all the children gather around Aslan for a group hug.
"Lucy, I believe you still have something to do," reminds Aslan, breathing on a nearby soldier and bringing him back to life. Lucy glances down at her cordial and runs off to begin healing. Aslan follows her.
"You two go round up the wounded for Aslan and Lucy," orders Peter, helping Yuki stand up. "I've got some things to talk to Yuki about."
"Right," smirks Edmund, sticking his tongue at his brother.
"What are you talking about?" asks Susan as Edmund whispers something in her ear. Whatever he whispered must have been funny because Yuki notices Susan grinning ear to ear after. "Take your time you two! We've got this covered!" In just a few minutes, Peter and Yuki can hear soldiers yelling across the battlefield.
"Someone help me with our brothers!"
"I found some of our troops here!"
"Quick! This soldier is dying!"
"There are many here!"
"Aslan please hurry!"
"What did you want to talk to me about?" asks Yuki, still weak. Peter follows her as she goes to pick up her sword. Still not answering her, Peter continues to watch her as if she is a delicate porcelain doll that can be easily broken. "Peter?"
"I want to thank you for saving yet another one of my siblings," Peter says.
"It was nothing-" she is cut off when Peter flicks her forehead super hard. "OW! What was that for!?"
"For scaring me half to death!" Peter suddenly yells at her. "By the mane, I thought we lost you!" He suddenly hugs her again.
"Do boys have periods? You seem to have a lot of mood swings," asks Yuki, slightly confused, but hugs back. She could feel herself slowly melting in the sweetness of the hug.
Peter quietly mumbles in her ear, "I've never been so scared in my life. I really thought you died. Don't ever do anything stupid like that again." Tears form at the corners of her eyes.
"But I promised you I'd protect your siblings for you," she replies, pushing him off to look at him in the eyes. "I know how much they mean to you."
"But you mean a lot to me too," Peter confesses. "I nearly lost my head when I thought you died!" He forces her back into a tight hug, making sure she would never leave again. Giggling, Yuki sighs and kisses his cheek. Due to the shock, Peter jumps back and blushes. "What was that for?" He moves his hand to where her lips had been. It felt like his cheek is on fire!
"For caring about me," smiles Yuki. "Thank you." They share a short smile until a gleam of light shines into Yuki's eyes.
"Yuki."
"What's wrong?" asks Peter.
"Yuki."
"Do you hear that?" she asks, looking around.
"Hear what?" Peter questions, not understanding anything.
"Guardian Yuki, come to me."
"Yuki?" However this time Yuki doesn't pay attention to Peter. As if under a trance, she slowly walks toward the source of the voice. Peter follows her worriedly. They gasp, seeing her stop in front of the White Witch's broken wand.
"It's time to end this evil," Yuki states coldly, lifting her sword. However a mysterious force prevents her from bringing it down.
"Listen well, Guardian. Wield this wand and use it for good. As long as the bearer's heart is pure, this wand will never be used for evil."
"No, how do I know I can believe you or that no one else will access this wand's evil powers?" demands Yuki, completely cautious. Peter gives her a look of confusion.
"Are you talking to a wand?" he asks, flabbergasted.
"Only those with enough strength can use this wand's power. Its true bearers are the Guardian and the White Witch. Therefore as long as your heart remains pure, this wand will harm no one but thy enemies." She continues to glare at it. "Tell the High King to wield it and then wield it yourself."
Can she really trust this? It's a broken wand for crying out loud! But then again, Father Christmas had said she would find her second gift once the White Witch is defeated. Maybe this is it. Glancing at Peter, she looks back at the wand. Slowly and carefully, she picks up the wand, with much yells of disapproval from Peter. A bright flash shines from the wand, forcing Peter and Yuki to look away or cover their eyes.
"Yuki what have you done?!" Peter growls, trying to remain by her side. A blast from the wand blows everything backwards. As power surges around, the wand's broken end forms again, but for some reason this time it didn't look as an evil weapon anymore.
"Do not worry, Peter," Yuki suddenly says. "This wand is Santa's second gift to me. I will use this wand for good and never evil. I will protect Narnia with what the witch tried to use to destroy it." She raises it into the air and another blast comes from the wand, except this time it sucked up a dark aura. Peter stands by, watching in amazement as any surrounding stone soldiers regain their life force.
"That was incredible!" Peter gasps. "I trust you Yuki, so if you're keeping this, then I approve." Yuki then frowns as she looks at her sword's hilt. "What's wrong?"
"My last slot, it hasn't gained a gem," she says softly. Peter's face twists in confusion after. Shouldn't she get another gem after defeating the great evil?
"I guess this means your journey is not over yet," he suggests.
"King Peter, Guardian," a familiar voice calls. The two turn to see Oreius, well and full of strength again.
"Oreius!" laughs Yuki, flinging herself into him. "You're alive and well!"
"It is thanks to King Peter for defeating the White Witch," he bows.
"No, it was Aslan," Peter replies. "He was the one who truly killed her."
"I must thank Aslan later then," Oreius chuckles. "I've come to pose an important decision. What shall we do with the traitors?"
"We shall wait for the others to come before we make that decision," Peter declares confidently, in a tone a king should have.
"I believe we should banish them," Susan suggests angrily. "After what they've done, they will only continue to threaten Narnia's peace."
"I second that," Peter agrees. "For all we know, they can summon the White Witch in the future and we will be right back to where we started." Yuki frowns at their harshness.
"I know they've done something bad," Lucy whimpers. "But can't we forgive them?"
"Lucy!" Susan scolds in disbelief.
"If they are remorseful and are willing to pay retribution, I think we should forgive them," Edmund adds, earning glares from Susan and Peter.
"Edmund, how can you say that?" asks Peter.
"I've betrayed Narnia, but everyone accepted me back with open arms," recalls Edmund. "The guilt killed me the entire time I was with her, but no matter how much I wanted to go against her, I was scared. And I believe some of her soldiers were forced under her rule through fear as well. I got my second chance, so we should grant them one as well."
"But Edmund, that's because you are raised with humanity and a conscience!" Susan retorts. "We let them back in and they will betray us later."
"Yuki, what do you think?" asks Lucy, turning everyone's attention to the quiet girl.
"You all have outstanding points, but I agree with Edmund and Lucy," Yuki states. "Of course, I don't believe everyone will deserve it, but I'm sure many of them would be willing to start anew. Those who refuse to pledge their allegiance to Aslan and Narnia will have no choice but become banished."
"Oh and I'm sure they can simply return easily after all they've done?" Peter continues, still disproving the idea.
"Of course not," argues Yuki. "I volunteer to take in any soldiers of the White Witch that wish to start over. They are all powerful warriors and I believe they can save Narnia in the future if they are led down the right path. I wish for you to grant me an army to command, and this is the perfect solution."
"She does have a point," Lucy pipes up. "It will be fair. Then the soldiers of the White White can make up for their actions and those who do not must face their punishments!"
"And Narnia will gain back some of their strongest fighters," Edmund points out. "Yuki, that's genius!"
"The best part is, I get my army and Peter doesn't have to spare a single one of his soldiers!" Yuki chirps happily.
"You three are absolutely delirious!" Susan spouts angrily. "What if they lie? Of course they'll say they'll repent just to live in Narnia!" Sighing, Yuki had to agree that Susan has a point, as always.
"I do agree with Yuki's sentence for them," Peter comments. "But Susan's right too. What will we do then?"
"We're giving them a chance Peter," reminds Edmund. "I'm sure they'll be grateful."
"And if they lie, then I will take the responsibility of executing them myself," Yuki promises solemnly. "I'll be held responsible for their actions. If they lie, I will personally kill them."
"Peter, please," begs Lucy. "We can't rule Narnia without benevolence."
"Where on earth did you learn a big word like that?" asks Susan, shocked.
"I guess I learned a bit from Susan after all," smiles Lucy, bringing a smile to her face.
"Alright, I guess I'll support your decision this time," Susan groans playfully, pretending to think.
"Alright," Peter sighs. "I guess we'll go with that since everyone is for it. Yuki, as the new general of Narnia's newest army, I will leave the naming and relaying the message to you and Edmund." Cheering, Yuki grabs Edmund and Lucy, leading them to the former troops of the White Witch.
"Of course, if any of you lie, I will slay you on the spot," Yuki threatens, standing in front of the crowd. Some of the traitors grumble, angry at the low status they've been bestowed. Yet at the same time, a handful cry at her sparing them.
"Guardian, if you really believe in us, I will be honored to pledge my allegiance to such a merciful leader," a minotaur growls, getting on one knee and offering his battleaxe to her.
"For being the first, I will have you as my assistant," Yuki smiles, holding out her hand, but the minotaur stares at it.
"They don't know what hand shakes are," Lucy whispers to her, causing Edmund to snicker while Yuki blushes from embarrassment.
"Oh! Lucy, please demonstrate it with me," Yuki requests. The two perform this 'astounding' handshake, shocking the Narnian crowd. By now, Edmund is on the ground laughing and rolling side to side.
"Did I hit him on the head too hard earlier?" one of the polar bears from the crowd asks, causing the crowd to laugh at the bear's innocence.
"No, no, don't worry about him," Yuki laughs. "He's just slightly out of the ordinary. With that aside, if you agree to serve under my command, I will help you regain your reputation and status in Narnia! But let me warn you that it will not be an immediate action, but will be a long and painful task."
"How do we know you aren't lying about this and just want to use us?!" a hag suddenly asks angrily. Boos and hisses are then heard, but Yuki calmly holds up a hand to silence them.
"I know what it feels like to live and labelled as a traitor," Yuki speaks calmly, but balls her fists. "However unlike you, I did not betray my country. Most importantly, I know how it feels, and no one deserves to live like that. Prince Edmund agrees that to live with guilt is cruel, and all should deserve a second chance. As a result, we have pleaded and convinced Aslan and Prince Peter to allow us to form this army. I promise you that I will not judge you for the past, but your loyalty from today onwards. I will judge you by your hearts and your thoughts for us, not for your past deeds. If you are willing to start fresh and fight for the good of Narnia, you will not be exiled and banished from Narnia. Those who agree, come up here, shake my hand, and form rows behind me!" The minotaur from earlier starts it off.
"I am Garen, and I am most honored to serve you," he repeats, shaking her hand before lining up behind her. Slowly, one by one, the members of the White Witch's army walk up to shake her hand and accept the monarch's goodwill. Lucy and Edmund help her by starting two more places to shake hands at. Once the lines finally stop, Yuki smiles at those who have agreed to their conditions but frown slightly at the amount left. There were still hundreds of followers who preferred to be banished than ever serve Aslan. Edmund and Yuki share a look of sorrow as the group is led away.
"We tried our best," Lucy says, clutching Yuki's sleeve.
"Yes, we did," sighs Edmund. "It's okay, we've saved many today with your plan."
"Edmund, I would be honored if you would be my second in command," offers Yuki, holding out her hand. Smirking, Edmund takes it.
"If Pete doesn't give me an army of my own, then the honor would be mine," Edmund replies. The newly joined troops cheer at the sight. It was then that Susan and Peter decide to join since they finished their own duties.
"How did it go?" asks Susan, frowning at a hag next to her.
"We managed to rally most of them to our side," Lucy cheers, hugging Peter.
"What are they all cheering about?" laughs Peter, earning handshakes from those who are excited to perform this new ritual with their new kings.
"Edmund has agreed to be my second in command," Yuki says, winking. Peter blushes slightly before leaning on Edmund.
"So does this mean you don't want your own army?" asks Peter. "I mean, I was going to assign one to you but..."
Edmund's eyes went huge as he grabs Peter by the collar. "Are you crazy?! Of course I accept! I'm sorry Yuki but-"
"No hard feelings, Ed," smiles Yuki. "I guess Prince Edmund won't be your second-in-command after all." Her statement is met with boos and disappointed "awww"s. "But do not fret, I have the perfect candidate in mind!" Who else better to be second in command but Beaver? His eyes widen as Yuki stares at him.
"Me?" he gasps, tearing up.
"Oh Beaver!" his wife laughs wholeheartedly.
"I accept!" Beaver cries, running beside her.
Yuki turns to the troops.
"Take out your weapons!" Yuki hollers loudly. "From today on, our army will be called Aslan's Shield! Our duty is to protect Narnia and rid it of any predators! Be loyal, stay strong, and keep your faith! For Narnia and for Aslan!" She ends her speech by lifting her new wand and sword of pure light into the air, forming an X. Edmund and Lucy follow with their own sword and dagger. Chuckling, Beaver lifts and presents a small dagger.
"For Narnia!" Edmund repeats.
"And for Aslan!" Lucy yells. Susan holds up her bow for all to see as Peter moves beside Yuki and holds his sword at an angle so that the tips would touch. Their new army erupt in cheers, everyone with high morale and genuine promises to protect Narnia.
"Aslan's Shield?" questions Peter, smirking. "What a brilliant name." The sarcasm was strong.
"Oh shut up, it's the meaning that counts," Yuki retorts, kicking him.
