This chapter is why my story is rated T. I tried not to be too graphic with the battle, but there is lots of blood. Also, if you're a very sentimental person, you might want to grab some tissues. You have been warned.
I'd put some songs and quotes, but they would give it away.
Disclaimer: Come on, with a chapter like this, I don't think I'd trust myself with a kids show.
"Are you sure we have to go to war today?" asked Becky as she suited up into her armor. It comprised of a titanium steel breastplate emblazoned with an olive branch entwined around a sword, thin, shingled layers lining her arms, and a platinum helmet similar to the one from her WordGirl costume. The only thing Becky disliked was that there was virtually no protection from her waist down. Lord Alaric explained that too much armor would weigh her down and she wouldn't be able to fly. Esmeralda added that if her legs were chopped off, she could always hover. Yeah, Becky felt very reassured by that…
"Unfortunately, yes," replied Andrew replied. "Islanzadi's found out where we are; we caught one of her spies yesterday. If we wait, she's sure to launch a surprise attack on the headquarters. It's now or never."
Becky nodded and resumed putting on her military attire. "What I don't get is why I have to go to war in a skirt. I mean, seriously?"
"You may be a warrior, but you're also a princess," explained Adelina kindly. "You have to look fashionable when you battle Islanzadi."
"Yes, because of course everyone's going to care about what I'm wearing when she skewers me with a sword," Becky replied sarcastically, extremely on edge at Adelina. She still hadn't forgiven her for preforming that ritual on Tobey, nor did she ever plan on forgiving her. "Where's Tobey?"
Andrew smiled knowingly. "Where do you think?"
The machinery room, of course. Tobey had been working there all night, literally at lightning speed, to produce an entire army of robots to crush Queen Islanzadi's soldiers. All of Iustitia's technicians were awed by his masterful craftsmanship.
"Looking for me, Becky?" said a voice behind her, a voice she would know anywhere. Like a love-crazed, stereotypical girlfriend, Becky literally flung herself into Tobey's arms.
"You'll be happy to know that my genius is renown even on this planet. I'll be the most famous robot-builder, boy genius in the galaxy!" he declared pompously.
Becky rolled her eyes, trying to look annoyed, but soon a small smile crept unbidden to her mouth. She zoomed to the armory and retrieved her sword and shield. The shield was quite plain, just a titanium steel pentagon, but the sword was quite exquisite. It was made from diamond hydrochloric crystal, the strongest element on Lexicon and deadly sharp. It shined radiantly in the light, becoming a kaleidoscope of different colors. The hilt was forged from sapphire, embedded with a dazzling ruby star. Lord Alaric told her it was from the first Royal Family of Lexicon, passed down though the generations. It had been confiscated from one of their more recent battles especially for her. As Becky held the sword, she felt like she was becoming a different person, taking on yet another identity. It was hard to believe that a mere two weeks ago, the biggest challenges in her life were defeating criminals while making sure her homework was done on time, and now she was about to battle a army of Lexiconian soldiers and reclaim her throne. So much had changed in such a short amount of time. When she looked in the mirror, she almost didn't recognize herself. All Becky wanted to do was forget she ever came to Lexicon, to turn back time and live in peace. Sadly, that was impossible, so the best she could do was take everything in stride and hope for the best.
"Are you ready?" asked Tobey, holding a portal that would take them to Lauscha, the capital of Lexicon and home of Queen Islanzadi.
Becky took a deep breath, knowing the danger that lay ahead and the momentous task that was expected of her. She couldn't back out now. She had already decided who she was. "Let's do it."
Becky couldn't help but gasp once her atoms realigned and she took in her first look at Lauscha.
The city was located on a remote island, surrounded entirely by a vast sea, red as blood. The current rippled ominously, waves crashing to the shore violently. Oddly enough, the water had parted into two enormous waves, each suspended in mid air, with a narrow strip of dry land dividing them.
"This is Amara Sea, also known as the Sea of Blood," explained Andrew. "This is the main source of water on Planet Lexicon and also forms that red star formation that can be seen from space. Those two waves are held up by the two rings of Lexicon, just like how the moon affects the tides on Earth, only with a much more dramatic effect."
Satisfied with the explanation, Becky turned her attention to the actual city. Lauscha was designed a lot like Vallisto, only on a much larger and grander scale, and instead of the Lucerna being in the center, all the buildings circled around one magnificent palace.
Queen Islanzadi's palace made the Taj Mahal seem like a child's dollhouse. It towered high over the city, even dwarfing Tobey's robot army. It gleamed a brilliant marble white, even rivaling the splendor of Becky's Light of Hope and filling the entire city with its awe-inspiring radiance. Sculptures of former kings and queens lined the battlements, so detailed that Becky had a hard time believing they weren't real. Beautiful and rare gemstones studded the palace and ornate carvings of vines and flowers decorated its spires, making it look more appropriate for the gods than any mortal ruler. Still, despite its glory, the palace gave off a dark, foreboding aura, a lot like that feeling you get in a funeral home. Becky didn't find it hard to believe that someone with such a cold heart could dwell in such a place.
All around her, soldiers were appearing from their portals and beginning to organize themselves into troops. The Conclave ordered that Becky should be protected by their most elite generals until she fought Islanzadi, who was presumably in the palace, according to their scouts.
The air seemed to hum with activity as captains and generals marched up and down the front lines and barking orders to the soldiers. Tobey's prized robots were all lined up in the front, prepared to defend the troops from attack. Becky looked up and down at the rows of soldiers, unable to believe that all were willing to risk their lives for her, that they had the faith to place their lives in the hands of a stranger.
Islanzadi's army was lined up a few short leagues away, standing eerily still, waiting for an attack. Ironically, it seemed that WordGirl's logo was Islanzadi's symbol. It was printed on their uniforms and flags, her symbol for justice now being used for evil. From where Becky was standing, it looked like there were at least twice as many soldiers working for Islanzadi than Iustitia. With all the terrible things the queen had done, why were so many defending her? Were they forced to? Had they been bribed? Or did they believe they were actually doing the right thing by defending their sovereign?
Becky's twelve guards ushered her to the front line where she would lead the attack. Scanning the army, she caught a glimpse of Tobey with his remote in one hand and a sword in the other. Her heart instantly panged with regret for getting him into this awful mess. She looked at him for what was probably the last time then proceeded forward. Seeing Lord Alaric nod slightly, she raised her sword for everyone to see and recited the lines he requested, first in English, then in Lexiconian:
"I am Princess Alexandria, rightful heiress to the throne of Lexicon! Islanzadi, your reign of terror is about to end! We fight for truth and justice! Surrender or feel our wrath! Iustitia, charge! Ego sum Principem Alexandria, iure heres ad thronum Lexicon! Islanzadi, tuum est regnum terroris finem! Dimicandum nobis veritatem et iustitiam! Deditionem aut sentire ira! Iustitia, crimen!"
As Becky spoke, she was forceful and powerful like a true warrior princess. She was scared as hell, but the fear seemed to be apart from her, like a panicking child screaming next to her. When she lifted her sword, soldiers on both sides gasped, for they knew whom it belonged to. The Iustitians were elated, and some in Islanzadi's army were worried, wondering if it wasn't too late to run away. The moment her declaration commenced, they charged forward with battle lust in their eyes and courage in their hearts.
The soldiers fell upon the first row of the army, many dying instantly. Tobey's robots did an effective job of crushing troops and swatting the aerial ones from the sky, but soon, all were dismantled. All around Becky, there were cries of pain and death as Iustitia advanced further through the ranks. Becky wanted to stop and help, but then she remembered that wasn't her mission. Trying to ignore the tortured screams and sounds of metal cutting through flesh, she held up her shield and continued onward.
Soon, one of her bodyguards was attacked by three brawny soldiers. He fought valiantly, but very quickly he collapsed dead like a marionette with the strings cut. Seeing a weakness in their defense, more and more of Islanzadi's army attacked the group.
Becky was standing petrified in the center of the circle, unsure of what to do. She wanted to help, but they were moving so quickly that she feared harming one of her bodyguards by accident. Finally, a rookie made his may through the fighting and charged at Lexicon's princess. It's now or never, Becky thought, mustering up her courage. She easily blocked the attack with her shield and proceeded to swing at his unguarded arm. The soldier hissed and stepped backwards, blood streaming from a deep gash where Becky had cut him. Clearly, he had underestimated her abilities. Becky was alarmed and felt a twinge of sympathy before remembering this was no time to be merciful. The same battle lust she felt while sparring with Andrew returned, but instead of fire, she was filled with a sense of clarity, able to notice every little detail and work out a plan. In an unexpected move, she made an obvious move to his collarbone, which he deflected easily. However, in the fraction of a second when his guard was down, Becky kneed him as hard as she could in the groin. As he doubled over in pain, she used the hilt of her sword to knock him unconscious, for she had no desire to kill him. There would only be one death today.
Looking around, she spotted Andrew cutting down enemies with grace and ease. Becky felt a wave of peace and security with him so near to her. Andrew paused for a moment and gave her a small, approving smile when he witnessed her victory. That smile was still plastered on his face even when a soldier snuck up behind him and brutally slashed open his back.
Forgetting this was a full-out war, ignoring the cries of her bodyguards, Becky rushed over to Andrew and caught him just before he fell. Her entourage quickly resumed formation around her, fighting off enemies once more.
"Andrew, hang on, it's going to be okay," cried Becky, cradling him gently in her arms. Blood flowed freely from his wound, staining her skirt the color of death.
"Alexandria, we… both know I'm... not going to make it," he rasped, his breathing hard and labored, struggling to string words together.
Becky wasn't even crying, the full effect of what was happening hadn't hit her yet. She didn't understand what he was talking about. Andrew wasn't going to die. That's not how things worked! The heroes always win; they don't die!
"Tell… Adelina… I love her." Becky nodded, tears finally leaking from her eyes. "Don't cry, Becky. Please… just do… one thing… for me. No matter… what, just kill Islanzadi." He gazed off into space, entranced by something Becky couldn't see.
"Andrew, don't die!" Becky screamed, calling him back to Earth. "You can't die! You can't leave me! We're going to help you, and then you'll be all better. Please, Andrew, you can't leave me. You. Have. To. Stay. You need to stay because… because… I love you."
Andrew nodded, somewhat in a daze. His eyes were almost glowing with peace and happiness as his gaze once more shifted away from her. "The gate… it's real." And with that, his breathing stopped, his skin turned cold, and his heart beat its last.
"No, no, NO!" cried Becky, shaking his lifeless body. "Andrew, wake up! You have to wake up! I wont let you die!" There was only one way to save him. Closing her eyes, Becky summoned the Light of Hope, letting it wash over Andrew's frozen corpse.
"Why isn't it working?" she cried when there was no change. "Andrew, can you hear me? You've got to wake up!"
This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be real. It was some twisted trick, a delusion brought about by the strain of the battle. Becky had to be going crazy, because Andrew wasn't supposed to die. That's not how it was supposed to work. Andrew was supposed to live for centuries, marry Adelina, have a family. Him dying just wasn't meant to be! Why couldn't the universe bring him back? Her mind went numb with shock as the full reality of what had occurred finally hit her, painfully sharp. Then, she screamed and screamed hysterically, letting all her emotions tumble out into a jumbled mess.
"Princess Alexandria, let go!" ordered one of her guards, trying to pull the bloodied corpse from her grip. "There's nothing you can do for him!" But Becky wasn't about to let Andrew be taken away from her and clung to him even tighter. It took three guards total to pry Andrew away from her and subdue Becky.
"It's all my fault," she whispered over and over again, tears splattering her skirt stained with Andrew's blood. If she hadn't distracted him, he would've had time to stop the attack, Becky knew it in her heart. She was the reason Andrew died.
"Alexandria, I understand you're upset," said one of them, a woman in her early twenties. "But you have to remember your mission. You must kill Queen Islanzadi for his sake, okay sweetie?" Wiping the tears from her eyes, some part of Becky's grieving, ravaged mind registered her words. She had to set her grief aside if she wanted to live. With a tormented cry of sorrow and rage, Becky raised her sword and threw herself into the bloody fray. Asteria passed over a thick patch of clouds as if she was shielding herself from the death and gore below. Warriors on both sides were now being pushed or dragged into the Amara Sea, their blood blending perfectly with the crimson water. The ground was slick with blood as the battle grew more intense, and soon, Becky was drenched with it. Soldiers dropped like flies under her hand, although none of Becky's attacks were deathblows.
The ironic part was that she was in the most pain. All Becky wanted to do was rip out her heart and rage at the world for taking Andrew from her. Maybe she loved him; maybe not: it didn't matter anymore. Nothing did. All Becky was aware of as she fought her way through the clashing armies was that she should be dead, not him. Maybe if she struck down enough soldiers, Andrew would come back, send those electric sparks tingling down her spine once more, just like when they first met. She could almost picture him running to her side, stunning her with his captivating smile, entrancing her with the smell of fresh pinecones, honey, and cinnamon. He would hold her close and apologize for scaring her, promising to never leave her again. When Becky realized that was all gone, she lashed out at the world, letting rage consume her. She was so blinded by her anger that she didn't notice the fatal dagger hurtling at her neck.
Swifter than any of Becky's guards, a mysterious figure leaped up and plucked the dagger just millimeters from her tender, exposed neck. Turning around, she beheld her savior, the one person she least expected to see.
"Huggy?" she breathed, gazing at her former sidekick in his human form.
"Me," he replied simply, with no hint of the bitter contempt in his voice, yet no compassion either.
"I thought you were dead. Princess Bloom said she had you executed."
"Another shape-shifter volunteered to take my place," he said tonelessly.
"Why did you save me? I thought you hated me."
Huggy sighed. "Islanzadi took everything from me. When she took over the Sparx Empire, she killed my friends, family, and the one person I loved more than anything, even more than life itself. I feared that despite the goodness you inherited from your father, you would turn to your mother's path of evil. I tried to steer you to the path of goodness by helping you become a superhero, but I could always sense a darkness around you. I feared you would turn on me, letting your true colors show. This is why I turned against you. However, when I heard that you were allied with Iustitia against her, I realized I was wrong. You're not defined by your parents, Alexandria, something I should've seen a long time ago." He allowed himself a smile for his former friend. "Take care of yourself, Becky. Never forget who you are."
Becky wanted to ask him more questions, but with an unnatural stealth, he slipped into the battle once more. He does care, she thought happily. Plagued with enigmas yet heartened by her friend's survival, Becky battled on once more, and after a few hours, she reached the palace.
"This is as far as we can accompany you," said the lead guardsman gravely. "I wish you good fortune, Princess Alexandria. The fate of Planet Lexicon rests upon your shoulders." Then, all the guards preformed the sign of respect and turned to face Islanzadi's army.
Becky stood timidly before the palace doors, fully aware that her death could be lurking behind them. Then she remembered that Queen Islanzadi was the cause of all her suffering since she arrived on her home planet. She razed the Sparx Empire, tore apart Huggy's life, and was ultimately the cause of Andrew's death. She was a villain, and one only Becky had the power to stop. Stiffening her resolve, she threw open the doors, prepared to face her mother, knowing only one of them would come out alive.
Did I make any of you cry? That's why I told you to get tissues! Please don't hate me for having Andrew die, but that's just how I decided to write it. I tried to sweeten it by having Huggy live, that's a plus, right? That's why I named this chapter "A Life for a Life", because Andrew dies, but Huggy lives.
Next chapter, Becky finally meets her birth mother, Queen Islanzadi. (I can't wait to see your reactions for that!)
Prepare for MAJOR cliffhangers as I post the final chapters that I've been dying to write ever since I started this story.