Hello and welcome to the tenth and final full chapter of The Guardian. I hope you enjoy the finale of my story I tried my best to make the action as dramatic as possible.
Disclaimer I do not own the Pokémon franchise
Chapter 10.
Upon the northern outskirts of the village stood Alex and Mary. With them was every person in the village capable of fighting. They were all armed with assorted swords, spears, axes, hammers, and bows. A select few were lucky enough to have some low-grade armour that might be able to stop a blade if they got lucky. But other than those few they would all have to rely on skill to avoid taking a blow.
Derrick approached Mary and Alex at their position near the front of the makeshift army of Pokémon. "I don't suppose I can convince you to stay farther back where it's safer can I sister." He said as he absentmindedly tried to adjust the katana at his hip to a more comfortable position.
"Despite my best efforts to deter her she insisted on staying on the front line with me." Alex said with a small frown.
"That's right." Mary said with mock defiance. "No matter how hard you try you won't be getting rid of me." She said trying to lighten the mood if even for a few seconds.
Alex and Derrick laughed ever so slightly at Mary's joking behaviour. They all knew that there was a good chance that even if they did win one or all of them might not live to see it.
"Well if I can't get you to stay where it's safer I guess I'll just have to stay here and save the pair of you." Derrick said smiling at the absurdity of his own jest.
"We'd surely be lost without you." Alex said with a soft laugh.
"I'm just glad we could convince Joshua to stay out of the fight." Mary said.
Joshua had been quite determined to fight for his home despite both his older brother and sister's attempts at persuading him to stay where it would be safe. The only one capable of convincing him not to fight had been Alex and he had only done so by telling him that someone needed to stay and guard the house and that he was the only one capable of such a heroic task.
Minutes felt like hours as the large group of defenders stood there in near total silence. All present were very nervous, for most of them this would be the first time they had ever really fought someone outside of the occasional fist fight over petty squabbles.
"When the time comes for us to truly fight try and stay close to me, and don't hesitate to strike because they won't." Alex said with a deadly seriousness.
"I won't." Mary said plainly.
Before long a large force of bandits could be seen approaching. Their numbers were overwhelming but Jason had devised a two-step plan to reduce their numbers and cause some chaos amongst Reaver's ranks. A loud horn was blown the signal for the archers to begin firing volleys of arrows into the ranks of the approaching bandits. Arrows flew from every bow and descended upon the bandits as locust to crops killing men beyond counting, and the arrows did not stop until the second horn was blown.
On cue everyone who had some of Leo's grenades began to throw them at the enemy lines. The great explosions of fire not only killed many of the bandits but even caused some of the less brave among them to turn tail and run, as afraid as they were of Reaver the fear of being burned alive was worse.
When they were finally close enough for the true fight to begin their numbers were not even half of what they had been, Alex figure that the enemy were in range of a hundred and fifty to a hundred and eighty. They on the other hand were a force of over two hundred and forty fighters. It was not the greatest numerical advantage in the history of warfare but it was enough to make a difference and give the defenders some much needed hope.
The third horn sounded and as it did the charge began both sides sprinting towards one another with weapons drawn and raised, the battle cries of both sides could be heard far into the distance.
Alex jumped into the fray slicing a man's neck open as he fell. He rolled forward as he landed and sprung to his feet using his swords to draw an upward X shape on the man in front of him.
Mary used her Jian to deflect a man's thrusting attack and then used an upward diagonal strike cut the man from his right hip to his left shoulder before reversing her momentum and slicing into the man's neck nearly decapitating him. She removed the blade just in time to block a downward blow from another bandit. She kicked the man in his groin and as he doubled over in pain she stepped to the side and cut into the back of his neck severing his spinal cord.
Derrick delivered a large horizontal cut with his katana, the man he was facing blocked it but Derrick stepped into him pinning both blades to his opponent's body he delivered a head butt to the man's nose breaking it and causing the man to flinch long enough for Derrick to step back and stab the man through his heart.
Alex stabbed a man through the back and then turned him using his body to catch another bandit's attack, he then kicked the man free of his sword the body falling on the other man and pinning him to the ground long enough for Alex to finish him off.
Derrick blocked a diagonal slash from one of the bandits. He maneuvered his sword so it was on top and slid his katana down to the hilt of the man's blade pinning it to the ground. Derrick delivered a powerful kick to the man's wrist breaking it and causing the man to drop his sword on the ground. Derrick then delivered an upwards diagonal strike killing the man.
Mary was now surrounded by a ring of four attackers who were all circling her. One rushed in wildly his sword held above his head in both of his hands. Mary sidestepped the attack but used a foot to trip the man. As he tried to get up Mary stabbed him through his left lung causing him to drown in his own blood. "Who's next?!" She asked fiercely.
The battle raged on continuously for hours with both sides taking loses. Alex, Mary, and Derrick had been doing well in the battle so far but they were beginning to tire and they had all received a few minor wounds.
As Derrick fought with two men in front of him he did not notice Reaver advancing upon him from behind. Alex turned to see Reaver making his way to Derrick, he tried to shout his warning to Derrick but he was too late.
Reaver used his hook swords to hook Derrick by the shoulders and pull him onto his back. Derrick tried to move away and get up but Reaver placed a heavy boot upon his neck and used one of his hook swords to disarm Derrick. Derrick struggled with all his might to remove Reaver's boot from his throat but the man was simply too strong for him. A loud crack could be heard and Derrick's body went completely limp.
Alex was half way to Reaver when he heard Mary let out a scream of rage as she rushed at the man. Mary launched a quick succession of strikes aimed at Reaver who managed to dodge or deflect all of them before he kicked her in the stomach causing her to stumble backwards. Reaver tried to capitalize on this opening but Mary recovered quickly and dodged his attack while scoring a decent cut across his torso.
Alex was now running hoping that he could get to Mary in time to assist her but he was slowed down as various members of Reaver's raiding party tried to block his path.
Mary was now on the defensive blocking and dodging Reaver's furious assault. He came at her with lightning fast strikes that hurt the wrist to block and were near impossible to predict. Eventually Reaver managed to hook Mary's sword and disarm her. He dropped his other sword and grabbed Mary by the neck lifting her off the ground choking her.
"Stop!" Alex cried as he came to a stop no more ten paces from Reaver.
"So you care about this one do you hero?" Reaver asked mockingly as he looked at Alex, his one eye gleaming with sadistic joy. "Then prove it drop your weapons and I won't break her neck like the other animal." He said as he motioned to Derrick's body.
Despite his rage Alex did as Reaver had bid him and threw his Dao swords on the ground far enough away that Reaver wouldn't think he was pulling some kind of trick.
Reaver threw Mary to the ground and walked towards Alex as she struggled to contain her coughing and regain her breath.
Reaver laughed psychotically as he approached Alex. "You know I could simply kill you now while you are unarmed." He stated as he inspected his sword. "But that would be too fast, and I want to take my time and Make you suffer." He said as threw his other sword away and took a fighting stance.
Alex took a fighting stance of his own and for a moment it was as if all was silent, but this did not last as Reaver launched a powerful kick at Alex's head. Alex dodged diagonally and tried to throw a straight kick at his enemy's ribs but before his kick could connect Reaver caught it with one hand and punched Alex in chest.
Thanks to of his years of training Alex managed to stay on his feet but he was pushed a few feet back. Reaver ran forward and jumped attempting to land a flying knee to Alex's chin but Alex stepped ever so slightly to the side and Managed to grab Reaver while he was in the air and slam him into the ground.
Reaver managed to roll out of the way of Alex's shoe as it was brought down in a stomping motion that would have connected with Reaver's head.
Reaver kicked Alex in the knee giving him enough time to get to his feet. The two warriors began to circle each other looking for an opening to throw their next attacks.
Alex rushed forward and kicked for Reaver's front ankle hoping to break it and cripple his opponent. Reaver raised his leg before Alex's kick could connect and used it to deliver a swift straight kick to Alex's solar plexus forcing him back and momentarily knocking the wind out of him.
Alex managed to recover in time to block a powerful right hook. He retaliated by delivering a powerful uppercut to Reaver's ribs causing him to drop his guard long enough for Alex to elbow him in the side of the head and knee him in the stomach.
Reaver shot forward with a yell of rage and tried to perform a wrestling style Takedown on Alex. Despite Reaver's weight advantage Alex managed to stay rooted and threw the man off of him.
Reaver landed on all fours. Alex dashed towards his downed enemy hoping to deliver a swift kick to his head and finish this fight. But before he could Reaver shot up and threw dirt into Alex's eyes blinding him temporarily and opening him up for a powerful kick to the ribs that brought him to his knees. Reaver proceeded to knee Alex in head repeatedly.
Alex fell onto his back and found that he couldn't get up because Reaver's foot was pining him down. "Once I'm done with you I'm going to find that little whore of a fox you seem to have taken a liking to and let my men have their way with her." He said maliciously.
"Not likely." A voice said from behind Reaver. But before he could turn around a sword slashed at the back of his legs hamstringing him and making him fall off of Alex.
Alex rose to his feet and saw that it was none other than Mary who had saved him.
"Are you okay Alex?" She asked worriedly.
A grunt of pain could be heard and both Alex and Mary turned to see Reaver trying to crawl away. "I will be." Alex said coldly.
Reaver had crawled his way to where one of his swords lay but before he could pick it up it was kicked out of his reach by Alex. Reaver tried to stand but could only get as far as sitting on his knees.
"You think this proves anything hero." Reaver asked with laugh. "Do you think this makes you stronger than me? Well you're wrong. You'll always be a pathetic dog."
"Who's stronger is a topic up for debate. But the fact remains that you have been bested." Alex said with a tone of finality. "And the reason you lost is quite simple really."
"And what's that?" Reaver asked with a sickening chuckle.
"You fought for greed and to prove that you were strong, we fought to defend our homes' and our loved ones'. That is why you lost, because you faced an enemy who stood for something other than themselves." Alex said as he stepped behind Reaver.
"Burn in hell hero when I recover I'll…" Reaver was unable to continue his rant because before he could say another word Alex snapped his neck.
Mary walked up to Alex and held him in an embrace. "It's all over now." She said comfortingly. And as Alex looked around he realized that she was right.
The last of Reaver's forces were retreating and all throughout the allied ranks there were shouts of joy. They had protected their homes.
But at what cost?
A day later.
Alex, Mary, and Joshua stood side by side in respectful and sorrowful silence.
They were at the commemoration and funeral that was being held to remember those who had died in the battle. Among the listed casualties was Nelson, a few of Alex's students, and of course Derrick.
Alex could not help but feel guilty for Derrick's death even though he knew that there had been nothing he could have done to save him.
The group approached the still opened casket that held Derrick's body. He paid his respects and put Derrick's Katana beside his body. "May you find peace friend." Alex whispered softly before he moved on to let others pay their respects.
It was hard for Alex to see Mary and Joshua in such a state of sadness but he could do nothing to take away their pain. All he could do was be there as a shoulder to cry on.
Despite the hardships they had faced and the hardships that losing a loved one would bring, Alex knew that they would not only survive but in time they would heal because Joshua had Mary and Mary had Alex, but Alex he felt that he was truly the lucky one for he had Mary.
End of chapter 10.
I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story I'm very grateful to all of you. This may be the end of the conflict in the story but there will be an epilogue chapter to show you how things turn out for everyone. Once again thank you for reading my story I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.