Chapter 10: Codex
Sky walked down the hallways of Red Fountain, absent-mindedly twirling his phone in his hand. He was of two minds about what he was planning. He should call her. He wanted to. Chat for a bit and maybe agree on a trip to the woods with Lady. His dog very much liked Bloom and was kinda missing her. And Sky had to admit that so was he. But they had both been busy and whenever he called, well... It never really went the way Sky wanted. In fact, the last couple of calls had almost managed to drive him nuts. Brandon kept saying he was too thin-skinned and Sky had a sneaking suspicion that his squire was right as usual, but that fact alone couldn't change how he felt. But then again, he would also feel bad about not calling.
So as far as he could see, he could either refrain from calling, and probably regret it, or give a call, and probably regret it. He sighed and stared out one of the windows. The view had significantly improved after the building had gone airborne. One of the definite pluses, among which were also the improved training facilities, upgraded defence systems and superior indoors heating.
He finally sighed and forced himself to stop stalling and make a choice. Already regretting said choice, he flipped through the phonebook and called Bloom. He bit his lips as he could hear it call. Part of him almost hoped she wouldn't take it. Then he would have called and could at least say that he had tried.
"Hello, Sky," came Bloom's voice over the phone. The voice brought both relief and worry to the Eraklian prince. But Sky tried to calm his mind. Maybe she had gotten it all off her chest and now they could talk about normal stuff, he tried to rationalise.
"You wouldn't believe all the stuff I've dealt with in my royal studies," Bloom continued.
Sky couldn't stop himself from sighing.
"Like for example, we looked into my family tree. Our families are actually related just a couple of generations back," Bloom said. "Not that that makes us cousins or anything, or at least Avalon told me so and I trust him on that. He really seems to have an understanding for all that royal stuff. I can't fathom how he can keep track of it all".
"That's... Nice," Sky forced himself to say. "Hey, so how was your day?"
"It was okay," Bloom answered. "Anyway, Avalon also knew a lot about your country's traditions. Like the fact that you guys have multiple crowning ceremonies, both when the heir is born, acknowledged and finally takes over, with various degrees of power invested in them at different stages. Also, is it true that if I send you teddy bears or the like, then I imply you're immature? Avalon said that was the case and that struck me as kinda odd given how many dolls and such I got, but again, I trust Avalon knows this stuff".
"That's... Fantastic..." Sky forced out as he punched the button to the elevator. "Listen, just for a change of subject, Lady has kinda been missing our walks. Something you would be up for?"
"Maybe," Bloom replied quickly. "So as I was saying, Avalon's been really supportive and he says I'm going to be a great ruler. I didn't think so, because I keep getting all these royal things wrong, but he says I'm getting a handle on it. We're also talking about possibly having me address the press at some point, to quell some of the stories that have been running around. Avalon says that not getting things under control could undermine my authority. I'm really happy Faragonda arranged for him to teach me, because it seems like there's so many ways I could have fallen through as a queen without ever knowing. Still need to learn what I can send to whom, but if nothing else, I can always get some advice from Avalon".
"Sounds amazing," Sky hissed in a strained voice as he stomped into the elevator. He didn't mean to sound angry, but he couldn't help it.
"Something wrong?" Bloom asked.
"No... Well, yes, actually, I was just starting to wonder why I'm even part of this call," Sky retorted, patience strained, as he punched one of the buttons on the elevator. He didn't even care where he was going at that point.
"What...? What do you mean," Bloom asked surprised. "I'm talking to you, am I not?"
"More like talking at me," Sky replied. "Like the last couple of times I've called".
"Gee, sorry. Maybe you shouldn't have called when you're so grumpy," Bloom grumbled.
"Oh, then why don't you just go talk with Avalon," Sky said a tinge mockingly. "As amazing as he is, I'm sure he won't mind being your personal diary".
"You know what? I think I will," Bloom responded, ire obviously rising. "Because at least Avalon doesn't call me, only to get all pissy for no reason".
"Excellent. You go do that," Sky replied, the volume of his voice rising. "Then I guess I'll just hang up so you can hang out with your boyfriend".
"Fine, you do that," the redhead responded.
"Fine," the blond replied.
"FINE!" Bloom yelled and ended the call.
"I SAID I WOULD HANG UP!" Sky yelled at the phone. He breathed heavily for a moment, before bashing his head against the metal wall of the elevator. "Deep breath," he told himself. "Deep breath". He suddenly noticed that the elevator wasn't moving. He pushed the buttons, only to realise the thing was stuck. He groaned, bashed his head against the wall again and prepared to call tech support.
...
"Let me get that one more time," Techna said. "What happened to your nose?"
Bloom was holding a piece of paper-towel to her nose. "I was outside having a... Phone call," she said evasively. "And then I walked into a pillar afterwards. That's all". She gingerly wiped some of the blood away. "And I didn't have time to go see Ophelia about it before this class".
"And now you're bloodied before we've even started battling," Musa commented. "That's gotta be some sort of record".
"So, any idea what exactly combat magic class entails?" Bloom asked the black-haired girl.
"Beats me," Musa replied. "I mean, I guess it will involve learning how to properly use magic both offensively and defensively. Most likely both for our own and others safety. It's kinda like what Knut told me over at Red Fountain. A fighter who knows what he's doing is less of an involuntary danger to himself and others".
"You'd be quite right about that, Miss Xenophon," Griselda sad as she entered the room and took her place by the blackboard. "Learning combat magic is about both becoming more and less dangerous at the same time". After a short pause, she asked: "Well? Why are you all staring like that? You didn't expect this to be a teacher-less class I assume".
"Wait, you're the teacher in combat magic?" Techna asked. "I thought you just... You know, deputised and stuff".
"I happen to be very apt at using my magic for combative purposes," Griselda replied. "Something I thought I adequately demonstrated last year. But never mind that. Today's class will consist of two parts. First, a theoretical one and then a practical one. The purpose of this class is not, and I want all of you to pay close attention to this, to teach you how to beat the daylight out of everyone. The point is to teach you how to utilize your powers efficiently during a dangerous situation. Since magic is linked to emotions, and even a fairy can get a boost from a serious fright, there's a serious risk of you injuring somebody unnecessarily. So no, this is not the class where you learn spells that will allow you to throw glowing spheres of power at each other. That's Palladium's table. This class is here because the world is dangerous and you will use your knack when it gets dangerous. It will teach you to do so without harming yourselves or others unintentionally. Now, have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, Miss Griselda," the class said.
"Good, though I suspect I will have to repeat myself at some point," the deputy mused. "Never been a year without someone trying to be a show-off and pulling some reckless stunt in order to impress everybody". She cleared her throat and continued with: "Now then, what's the first thing you should do in a fight? Techna?"
"Try to find a weak spot," the scarred girl suggested.
"An unsurprising answer. Also a wrong one," Griselda replied. "Anyone else? Jonny?"
"Try to get the first hit in," the boy tried.
"Again, wrong," Griselda said. "Not surprising, really. I rarely have anyone get it right. Musa?"
"See if there's a way out," Musa said.
"Excellent. Am I correct to assume that Red Fountain taught you that?" Griselda asked.
"Actually, my dad did," Musa replied. "Though both Ion and Knut brought it up".
"Interesting. But yes, Musa is right," the deputy headmistress said. "The first thing you should do is see if you can avoid a fight. Don't take that to mean that you should always run, sometimes you have to stand up and fight. But you should always keep in mind to see if the fight is even necessary. If there's no reason to risk anyone's health, then simply don't. Run away, have a talk or call for help. There's a lot of options, all of which means you won't have to shed each other's blood. Sometimes, that is the preferable option". Her gaze wandered across her students. "I see some of you do not agree with me. Well, that's fine, really. Why don't we move on to the practical part? Come, we'll do it outside".
...
Deep beneath the crust of the earth, behind a newly reconstructed wall, the insidious lord Darkar was holding court with his three minions.
"You called us, master," Darcy greeted the Shadow Phoenix as they kneeled in front of his massive and imposing throne.
Darkar took a deep breath and said: "The time has come to kick the second act of this show into gear. We will strike at Red Fountain and take from them their piece of the Codex".
Stormy glanced at the two others, hoping to see a glimmer of recognition.
"Don't look at me, I don't know what codex he's talking about," Icy said.
"Can we assume that this isn't just some ordinary codex?" Darcy asked.
"Hmm, I do suppose I should fill you in on the plot," Darkar pondered. "Alright, short version is that these are the plot coupons we want in order to win at everything".
Darcy sighed. She had some measure of respect for her current employer, but the fact that he obviously viewed reality as some sort of play or film annoyed her. "Do you think you could elaborate?" she requested.
"Right, exposition. I can do that," the dark lord said. "Alright, do any of you know what Relix is?"
"Ehm... Relics are really old objects, right?" Stormy suggested.
"So the codex is a relic," Icy guessed.
"No, no. Relix, with an x at the end instead of a c and an s," Darkar explained. "It's another world, in which a great power has been sealed away, one which I have spent centuries trying to recover".
"So when you say 'great power', how great are we talking?" Icy asked eagerly.
"The greatest," Darkar answered. "It makes everything else pale in comparison. The dragonflame is but a spark compared to its magnificence". He sighed. "But of course the heroes of past seasons thought it was too dangerous and sealed it. Locked the entire dimension away and hid the keys".
"And this codex is a key?" Stormy asked.
"No, the Codex is the keys," Darkar replied. "It's split up in four parts. Four wooden tablets to be specific. I've tracked and thunted them across a multitude of worlds. Each time I almost get them in my grasp, they're moved elsewhere and the hunt starts anew. But my last attempt revealed to me that the Codex has been hidden in the three schools and in Pixie Village. And judging from Red Fountain's reaction last time, they've still got their piece".
"Alright. So, what's the plan?" Darcy asked, suddenly very intrigued.
The lord of Shadowhaunt opened his hand and black flames fell from it, before reshaping into a model of the new Red Fountain. "I will send Kerborg and a large number of my mooks to attack Red Fountain," he began.
"You seriously don't expect to be able to punch through with that," Darcy pointed out. "I'm not saying they will get wiped out immediately, but you won't be able to take the school with that few troops".
"They will be the distraction. One that Red Fountain can't afford to ignore," Darkar explained. "I have no interest in the academy, only the Codex".
"And won't this deprive you of troops? What if they counter attack?" Darcy asked.
"Being underground means that we can easily hold them off with little issue. The tunnels form natural choke-points," Darkar said. "And if we need more troops I'll just raid another troglodyte village and convert them into more forsaken".
"Yeah, that was... Horrifying," Stormy said quietly. She had been the one to escort the prisoners and had been unfortunate enough to witness them being hurled into the flesh vats and re-purposed. Just the memory made her stomach churn. Though Darkar had refused from stopping the killing, citing his villainous credentials as a reason, he had agreed to let Stormy out of having anything to do with it, concluding she was one of those anti-villainous minions. He had said he looked forward to see if she had a character arc and that comment had made Stormy very afraid of her and her friends' current employer. In a way, Darkar was even worse than Icy in Stormy's eyes. At least Icy seemed to realise that she was hurting actual people, even if she got a sadistic thrill out of it. Darkar just thought them to be background characters without any importance, as if those troglodytes that had been melted down didn't have families, feelings or lives in general.
"So no, I do not fear retaliation," Darkar concluded. "Shadowhaunt will not be in danger until the heroes set foot down here to engage us in the final confrontation. But that is still far off".
"Alright, it would seem that the strategy is sound so far," Darcy muttered while studying the map where several figures representing a variety of troops had popped up. "So, what do you want us to do?"
"You will be dropped in on the top once Red Fountain has been engaged," Darkar explained. "Then you will make your way to the central part of Red Fountain, open the vault and steal the Codex. Obviously, next you will escape. Also, expect that our little heroines will interfere, but I am reasonably certain that you will beat them this time".
"And why the sudden optimism?" Darcy asked. "Last time, you were pretty sure we would lose".
"Darcy, these things have an ebb and flow to them," Darkar explained, as if he was about to tell them something that was profoundly philosophical and not at all batshit insane. "Now is the time for the dramatic first villainous victory that ups the tension and reveals us to be a serious threat. Of course, the heroes will survive and you will fight them some other time, but that is for another day".
"I so wish our battle plans didn't rely on narrative convenience," Darcy groaned.
"Well, that's it for the strategy," Darkar said, dismissing the illusion. "Now then, I have an important dilemma that I face and I will need your counsel on this".
"We will aid you to the best of our abilities," Darcy replied diplomatically.
"Should I get a cape?" Darkar asked them. "Because I think it would add a lot to my look, but it might also take away some of my terrifying gaunt physique by making me appear broader. I must take my character design into consideration".
"Right, you... You just do what you find best, my lord," Darcy sighed. "We will support your decision".
"Hmm, alright. Dismissed," Darkar said and the three left the throne room.
Once outside the room, Maria asked: "Hey, have the two of you ever thought about maybe just packing our stuff and running away?"
"What?!" Icy asked incredulously. "Absolutely not. We have a castle, servants that brings us everything we want, more power than we could ever get on our own and even more coming our way. Why in the Abyss would we leave?"
"Because Darkar is an unstable madman who thinks reality is a cartoon show," Stormy replied. "Seriously, he does horrible things with no other justification than him being the villain. That's seriously fucked up. Even we had better reasons for what we did".
"That's of course assuming Darkar has told us everything about his motivation," Darcy added. "But no, fleeing is not a good option".
"Why?" Stormy asked.
"Because then Darkar would be obligated to hunt us down and kill us gruesomely, both to establish his status as the biggest bad guy around and also as an example to future minions," Darcy explained. "It will of course be nothing personal, but that is what a good villain would do".
"Don't tell me you have actually bought into the whole narrative psychosis he's got going," Stormy said a bit worried.
"Don't worry, I haven't," Darcy replied. "But I am aware of storytelling conventions and that means I can somewhat predict what he'll do. One wonders how he'll react once reality starts to go off the rails".
"Maybe he'll just completely break and then we can take over this place," Icy suggested.
"I see you're not as loyal toward him as you've otherwise seemed to indicate," Darcy mused dryly.
"I like the guy's style," Icy said with a shrug. "But really, isn't backstabbing the boss when he's vulnerable what a good minion would do?"
"I'm going to go find my diary and tell it my life has turned into a fucking joke," Stormy sighed. "Maybe then I'll feel better about it".
In the background, they could hear the echoing yell of: "MOOKS! BRING ME MY EXTINCT CREATURE CARDS!"
...
At Alfea, the class had assembled outside. It was a sunny autumn day, with a refreshing breeze blowing across the school. The temperature was a bit cold but not overwhelmingly so. The fairies had lined up and curiously awaited the next step. Griselda was pacing back and forth, not impatiently, but as if calculating or investigating something. Around them, warding poles had been raised, ensuring that spells that were hurled would not leave the confines of the improvised arena Griselda had created for the class.
"We are ready to begin," she suddenly stated. "Now, the next part is very simple. I know some of you have combat training. I know some of you have experienced actual combat. So why don't we put that to the test? I want you to try to attack me". After a moment's pause, she added: "Oh, and do not worry about holding back. I assure you that I can take it".
"Wait, so we're just supposed to assault you?" one student asked.
"Yes, that is indeed was I just requested of you," Griselda confirmed. "Come on, we haven't gotten all day".
"Will you be fighting back?" another student questioned.
"Of course," Griselda confirmed. "Otherwise, I'd just create some moving targets for you. This is to simulate a hostile encounter with another magi. I'll be attempting to throw you out of the arena and if I manage to do so, you're out of the battle. If you manage to make me yield then you'll be the winners. I'm even being nice and letting the lot of you have the first shot".
"Is there a prize for winning?" a pink-haired fairy asked.
"Well, it will show that you know enough not to need any homework for quite a while," Griselda answered.
"Wait, all of us should attack you at once?" Musa asked.
"Yes and I can handle it," Griselda assured the black-haired girl. "Now, go on".
Seconds passed before a stone was sorta hurled through the air in a very non-committed way, not even grazing the teacher.
Griselda sighed, before warning them: "Either you start attacking or I'll give you homework of such a degree that your exams will look like a walk in the park in comparison". The tidal wave of projectiles that now flew towards her told Griselda that the students had been motivated. The wave washed over where she stood before dissipating against the surrounding barrier. When the dust settled, Griselda was nowhere to be seen.
"On no, did we kill her?" one panicking student said. "She-she told us to attack her. It wasn't ouARGH". The student in question was suddenly hit by a torrent of mud and flung out of the arena.
"Due to the flexibility of magic, keeping an eye on your environment at all time is a must," Griselda lectured from her new position behind them.
"She's good," Techna stated approvingly.
Another barrage was flung in Griselda's direction, which the deputy blocked by raising an earthen wall. Several students fanned out to try to get around the barrier. A group of them suddenly felt the earth shake beneath them, before it suddenly opened up. Three fairies weren't quick enough and was literally swallowed by the earth, before being spat out outside the arena a few seconds later.
"Okay, any ideas?" Bloom asked Flora as they took cover behind a tree.
"Given the environment, Griselda has a clear advantage," Flora stated. "She is also both stronger and way more experienced than us. I doubt I could take her on alone and most of us do not have the experience to handle her".
A giant hand made of rock sailed through the air, carrying a screaming Aisha within its grasp.
"But most of us fought in a war last year," Bloom pointed out.
"Yes, but Griselda is a survivor of much harsher times," Flora pointed out. "In fact, I would not be surprised if she herself had participated in the wars that raged back then. She is much more dangerous than some construct which is just marching towards you".
Techna was flung past them in a river of mud while yelling: "BEST CLASS EVER!"
"And our side is steadily losing, if you will, troops," Flora pointed out. "I am not seeing us winning this".
"Well, I'm not giving up," Bloom stated, feeling a familiar surge inside her. She could feel her powers blossoming and with it came an appetite for victory. She leapt forth from cover and flung a charged ball of flame at Griselda, who was currently flinging some students out with an arm made of rock. She noticed the glowing orb speeding towards her and raised an earthen barrier to block it. There was an explosion as the fireball collided with the wall and pulverised it.
"I see you have taken 'not holding back' to heart," Griselda mused as she eyed the eradicated wall. "At least you paid attention to that part of the lesson".
Bloom charged her magic again, the dragonflame surging through her, and flung another glowing orb. Griselda didn't try to block it this time, instead sinking into the ground.
Bloom immediately started looking around for the teacher. The moment something popped out of the ground, Bloom turned and flung another charged projectile, blowing a defenceless pillar of earth to smithereens. Bloom realised it was a trap and tried to turn around, but she was too slow. A wave of mud hit her and washed her out of the arena.
"That was amazing," Techna said as Bloom landed besides her. "I'd never would have thought that Griselda would be into magical mud wrestling". The redhead groaned in response.
"Now then, anyone else?" Griselda asked as she surveyed the arena.
"Actually," a pink-haired fairy said as she peaked out from a bush. "Me and some of my classmates were wondering if we could just leave the arena?"
"If you leave, you lose the chance to get out of homework," Griselda stated.
"Yes, but it has become quite obvious that you simply outmatch us in every aspect," Flora stated.
"And if we're going to leave the arena anyway, I'd rather do it without being covered in a layer of mud," Musa added.
"Very well then, you may leave," Griselda said with a gesture of her hand. "In fact, I'd say class is over now. I hope that this has been a memorable demonstration of why you should sometimes seek not to fight".
"Wait, so the point of this fight was to not fight?" Bloom asked. When she saw Griselda nod, she threw her head back in the surrounding mud while groaning: "It just isn't my day today".
...
Bloom sighed as she sat down in the common room sofa.
"Rough day?" Flora asked as she looked up from her book, her eyes framed by her reading glasses.
"SeFogelia is still sick so the food still sucks, Sky was a jerk over the phone, I got a nosebleed from bashing against one of the school's pillars and I got beaten up by my teacher in class," Bloom grumbled. "So yeah, not a good day today".
"Hmm, most of that I can do nothing about," Flora noted as she put the book down. "But tell me about Sky".
"I don't feel like it," Bloom mumbled.
"Well, that is your prerogative," Flora replied.
The redhead sighed and continued with: "I just don't get it. He calls me and then he suddenly gets angry that I'm talking with him".
"That does sound weird. And very uncharacteristic," Flora noted. "What were you talking with him about?"
"Well, I just told him about my royal studies. I thought he might be interested and have something to add," Bloom explained. "Instead, he just got angry. He's always getting angry lately".
"Really?" the brunette asked. "This is not the first time?"
"Well, no, but it was the worst time," Bloom clarified. "He calls me and then gets angry. Then why even call me? I should just stop taking his calls".
"And what were you talking about the other times?" Flora asked.
"Well... My royal studies mostly," Bloom said. "It's really been taking up a lot of my time recently and Sky is a royal. I figured he might show some appreciation for it".
"You talked with Sky, the guy who refuses to go by his title and could not host a formal event if his life depended on it, about royal protocol and history?" Flora asked.
"Oh, so now you're taking his side," Bloom snapped.
Flora just raised an eyebrow. Seconds passed in awkward silence.
"Okay, that may have... Been a... Bit out of line," Bloom admitted sheepishly.
"Really, implying that pointing out obvious facts somehow makes me allied with Sky in a conspiracy to piss you off is out of line?" Flora asked.
The redhead fiddled with her fingers for a bit, an embarrassed look on her face. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I just kinda... Lost my head there".
"I will agree with that conclusion," Flora mused. "Anyway, to return to the subject, how has Sky been lately?"
"Well, he's..." Bloom began. "He has... Been at Red Fountain I think".
"And how many of these calls has he made?" Flora asked.
"A couple over the last week or so," Bloom responded. "Why?"
"Well, from what you're telling me, every time Sky has been trying to talk with you lately, you have told him about stuff he probably does not care about while never taking the time to find out what he wanted to talk with you about in the first place," Flora summarised.
"Well... He did say something about... Maybe he and I could walk his dog again," Bloom slowly said.
"And you replied with?" Flora continued.
"Well... I said maybe... Because I wanted to... Talk about something Avalon brought up..." Bloom slowly admitted, before defensively adding: "But still, he was being a complete jerk about it".
"I am not saying that Sky is completely in the right," Flora added. "But what I want you to think about is that maybe Sky is not being a jerk just to be a jerk. He should have said something to you about how he feels. But not everybody is good at that, Bloom. That does not make him a villain. That just makes him flawed". After a short pause, she added: "How about we go visit him tomorrow? Me and some of the other girls can come along and make a trip out of it".
"I don't know," Bloom mumbled, fiddling with her fingers. "It might get kinda awkward".
"I guess is might. But the question is, do you want to patch things up with him?" the brunette asked seriously.
"Yes, I'd rather that we got over this," Bloom sighed. "I should probably apologise for not caring about what he had to say while wanting him to care about everything I said".
"That would be the mature thing to do. Hopefully, Sky will be just as mature," Flora noted as she picked up her book again.
...
A new day had come. The sun was shining, the remaining birds were singing and the landscape was coloured with all the beauty of autumn. Despite this picturesque scenery, Sky was not happy. In fact, he was grumpy, still sore over what had happened the preceding day and he wanted nothing more than to be left alone to brood in peace, as he stood by the balcony of his team's barracks. Which of course meant that Brandon was on him like butter on bread.
"So what happened yesterday?" the squire asked as he trained his arms with some weight lifting.
"Nothing," Sky grumpily responded.
"Really? Nothing happened" Brandon echoed. "That must have been quite some nothing the way you yelled at the guys in the tech department. You know, Timmy was there and he says you told those poor nerds some very horrible things about where your phone was going if they didn't fix the elevator".
"Hey, I apologised afterwards," Sky insisted defensively. "I just... I just had a bad phone call and the tech department put me on hold for twenty minutes, making me late for training, which meant I would have to spend extra time after training in order to catch up".
"And that would mean less free time. I know man, it sucks," Brandon said understandingly. "Still, not our tech department's fault".
"I know," Sky said. "But I did apologise".
"Yeah, Timmy also told me that," Brandon said. "Which brings me to the actual point of interest. That being your phone call. Sky, what happened to turn you into such a grouch?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Sky sighed annoyed.
The brunette squire rolled his eyes and started counting to five on his fingers.
"You see, I tried calling Bloom," Sky began, while behind him, his squire folded his arms in a way that signalled 'called it'. "And it did not... Go well".
"Because?" Brandon egged the blond on.
"Well... Because every time I've tried talking to her lately, she's been flooding me with all these things about royal studies and traditions and how amazing Avalon is," Sky angrily ranted. "She hasn't cared one bit about what I've had to say, she just wanted me to just sit there and listen to her ramble on about royal traditions and whatnot".
"And did you tell her that in a mature and rational way?" Brandon asked.
Sky tensed a bit. "I... Might have... Snapped a bit at her," he admitted.
"Right. Because that always leads to fruitful discussions and discourse," the brunette said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"I know," the blond prince sighed, slumping over the balcony's railing. "I want to apologise but... She'd probably prefer that I never speak to her again".
"Oh, I don't know about that," Brandon said enigmatically. "Because a little blonde bird told me that Bloom is coming over today".
"She is?" Sky asked in a mixture of surprise and panic, and turned around. "What... When?"
"They should be on their way right now," Brandon said. "Well, not all of them. Stella and Musa didn't have the time today. But yes, Bloom, Techna and Flora are coming to visit". Then with exaggerated enthusiasm, he added: "Coming to visit you".
"Oh no, oh no," Sky muttered. "What do I do? What do I do?"
"You could apologise for being a dick," Brandon suggested conversationally. "Would probably be a good ice breaker".
"Not helping," Sky grumbled. "How do I... I... What is that?"
In the distance, a swarm of creatures were advancing towards Red Fountain, led by a flying black orb with long tentacles.
"That's trouble," Brandon muttered and hit the button on the room's intercom. "Brandon Hauser of B-5 here. Unidentified creatures advancing en masse towards Red Fountain".
Meanwhile, in the shadow of the military academy, Bloom, Flora and Techna were walking towards the point where the academy's teleportation beam would bring them in.
"So, what do I say?" Bloom asked. She had started out quite eager, but as they had slowly gotten closer to Red Fountain, she had become more and more apprehensive.
"Just apologise for being a bitch," Techna suggested helpfully. "That's what I normally do whenever I've fucked up".
"I don't think I've been a bitch," Bloom muttered.
"What Techna means is that you should apologise for being rude," Flora translated. "Hopefully, Sky will too and then we can resolve this in a peaceful and productive manner".
"Yeah, by the way, what is that?" Techna asked and pointed at the hordes of forsaken.
In the distance, explosions rang out as the advancing hordes of forsaken began to be bombarded with artillery from Red Fountain.
"That's Darkar's creatures," Bloom gasped. "Oh no, what do we do?"
"We have to quickly get inside Red Fountain," Flora ordered as the three girls broke into a run. "We will be much safer inside". They charged up to the point directly beneath the school and disappeared in a flash, re-materialising in a room in the bottom of the school.
"Good, you made it," a soldier said as he looked up from a control panel. "Alfea?"
"Yep," Techna responded.
"Can we speak with one of the staff?" Flora asked, as explosions echoed in the distance.
"The closest would be Cordatorta. He's in the command room by the hangars," the soldier instructed them. "Though unless it is absolutely necesarry, don't disturb him. He's coordinating our air forces".
"Ay-ay," Techna said as the three hurried out of the room.
Red Fountain was buzzing with activity as a warning klaxon rang out and people hurried to their stations. The girls quickly made their way to the hangar command room, where Cordatorta was busy barking orders into a microphone. He acknowledged them with a nod and the three sat down in the back so as to not get in the way. The dragonmaster immediately got back to ordering: "Get those owls in the air and take out the big creatures. I think they might be carrying infantry. Dragonriders, flank the enemy air forces. Use hit-and-run tactics until we can gauge their capabilities".
"All defences are online and firing. Enemy forces are taking losses," one of the operators in the room reported.
"Belisma reports that the big round creature has electromagnetic capabilities. Our missiles lose guidance whenever they get close to it," Timmy, who was also working in the room, reported. "She says we'll have to rely on our cannons and guns".
"Knut and Xanti have their squads in position," another reported.
"Electromagnetic interference is also messing with many of our sensors. We're relying almost exclusively on cameras and incoming reports at this point," another said.
"Dragonriders are engaging. Enemy is taking loses," yet another reported. "The majority of the enemy lacks ballistic capabilities".
"Owls are fired up and going in the air," came another report. "Engaging in five".
Outside, the forces of Darkar and Red Fountain collided in mid-air battle. The hordes of flying forsaken had the advantage of numbers and mindless obedience. The Red Fountain forces had the advantage of technology, tactics and guns, which tore the undead creatures apart. Kerborg, in the shape of a long extinct creature, used its new powers to blast the airborne soldiers with blasts of lightning. Big flying creatures, resembling the rotting husks of whales, advanced on the school. Many were blown apart before even getting close, but others tackled the school and began disgorging hordes of footsoldiers, whom engaged the defenders of the school.
"C-5's owl has gone down. Navigator Carl dead on impact," Timmy reported.
"Defenders have engaged enemy troops near the cafeteria. Few loses on our end so far," another reported. "Enemy casualties are staggering".
"Dragonriders! Take care of the big lightning thing," Cordatorta bellowed. "Watch out. Its blasts are powerful enough to knock an owl out of the sky".
"Enemies engaged on the grounds and near training hall five," came a report.
"Belisma and her group are being besieged at defence control. They're handling it, but requesting reinforcements," Timmy reported.
"Report a negative from here. All our forces are out there keeping the fliers away from the school," Cordatorta reported.
"Negatives from other sectors as well," another reported. "Reserves are being sent out to reinforce all combat zones".
In the midst of the attack, above the sounds of gunfire, explosions and the clashing of soldiers, Icy, Stormy and Darcy slowly glided in inside a miniaturised version of the forsaken transporter.
"I can't wait for my diary entry today," Stormy muttered grumpily. "Dear diary, today I rode in an undead whale made of innocent lizard people in order to secure a wooden block for my boss, who thinks he's a cartoon super-villain".
"Our lives have indeed become a bit... Absurd," Darcy admitted. "But we must make the best of it. And right now, that involves doing what Darkar says".
"You two are way too bothered about this," Icy commented. "Alright, looks like we're landing".
The transporter opened its maw and the three witches exited out onto the edge of the arena.
"Follow me, I know the way," Darcy said and moved through the rows of seats.
Back in the control room, Timmy reported: "Enemy is taking considerable loses, but is showing no sign of retreating. Hangars five and seven have been attacked. The enemy forces are being contained and no ground has been lost".
"I don't like this," Cordatorta muttered. "Why send your troops into the meat grinder like this. It's not even a proper display of power".
"Cordatorta, C-4 just ran across D-8 on their way to reinforce hangar five. All members have either been killed or severely injured," Timmy reported. "Signs of an ambush. Looks like whomever is responsible is heading for the vault".
"Dammit!" Cordatorta swore and smashed his fist into the metal table, denting it. "Have the guards at the vault reinforced, now!"
"We're getting negatives from all over. Everybody's tied up engaging the fiends," another reported. "Wait, B-5 is responding. They're not currently engaged".
"That might not be enough," Cordatorta replied. "Isn't there anybody else?"
"Negative," came the reply. "Saladin was going to reinforce along with E-3, but they were stopped by a group of invaders".
"We can go help them," Bloom offered.
Cordatorta eyed them for a moment. "Saladin, some fairies from Alfea are offering to assist in the protection of the vault," he said into his earpiece. After a moment's silence, he said: "Alright, you have been permitted to assist them. Timmy, get them to the vault".
"Yes, sir," Timmy reported and got up from his console, another soldier immediately taking his seat to continue the reports.
The girls quickly followed Timmy down the halls, the sounds of fighting echoing through the academy. Moments later, they ran into Sky, Riven and Brandon.
"Oh, Bloom," Sky said surprised. "You're here".
"Yes. Yes, I am," Bloom said stiffly. They shuffled their feet for a moment.
"Alright, we got a battle going on, so can you two feuding lovebirds get your act together and be all awkward and shit once we're done fighting?" Riven asked impatiently.
"I agree with the asshole," Techna said. "We're mondo busy".
"Right, let's get going," Brandon said and lead the way.
Meanwhile, inside the vault, one of the guards screamed as a blast of lightning flung him across the room.
"That settles that," Darcy said as she re-sheathed her daggers and surveyed the room. Five soldiers had been guarding the room, all of them now either dead or too beaten up to fight.
"Was that really necessary?" Stormy asked, eyeing a soldier whose head had been crushed by an oversized ice cube.
"He shot part of my ear off," Icy replied angrily, pointing to the bleeding wound on the side of her head. "He should be happy that I made it quick".
"Alright, let's save the arguing for later," Darcy said and eyed the statue of the scales. One end was weighed down with a big red rock. "Now, Saladin seemed mighty protective of this last time, so I figure this is the key".
"You think the Codex is beneath it?" Stormy asked. When Darcy nodded in response, she said: "Alright, time to use the universal key". Electricity charged in her hands and she blasted the statue with a concentrated bolt of lightning. Which was immediately reflected back at her, flinging her across the room and into a sofa.
"Good thing you're trained in absorbing lightning," Darcy mused.
"Still... Hurts..." Stormy wheezed from the broken sofa.
"Now that we have confirmed that brute force is not an option, let's see what we have to work with," Darcy said as she investigated the statue. "Aha. A button". She pressed it and a compartment in the statue opened up, presenting them an array of objects. A big rock, a crystal, a statue of a noble knight, a scroll, a sword and a feather.
"The Abyss does that have to do with anything?" Icy asked.
"I think that it is a riddle," Darcy responded.
"So they want us to balance the scale, eh?" Icy mused. "Well, we can do that".
"The rock that's already on the scale looks kinda heavy," Stormy said as she joined up with them, rubbing her sore back. "So maybe the rock goes there".
"Would be too simple an answer," Darcy said. "Hmm, I suggest that the red stone represents Red Fountain itself. So we gotta find what is equal to it".
"Maybe the feather then," Icy suggested.
"Again, too obvious. Neither the feather nor the rock holds any meaning," Darcy continued. "And Saladin is nothing if not a romantic. He has a lot invested in the academy and thinks highly of it. That is the key to the riddle. But which object is it?"
"The sword," Stormy suggested. "It is a place for soldiers".
"Hmm, maybe. It's not the crystal," Darcy added. "Saladin may be a warlock, but magic is not that important to Red Fountain".
"So what's on this?" Icy questioned nobody and opened the scroll. "Huh, a battle plan. Tactics. Now that's something Red Fountain is all about".
"What about the statue of this knight guy?" Stormy asked. "Isn't Saladin all about the noble ideals of warriors?"
"Oh yes. I remember his speeches," Icy grumbled. "Honour, morale, valour, blah, blah, blah. Repeat ad nausea".
"Yes, that is exactly what Saladin is all about," Darcy said and picked up the statue. "Well then, I shall now place the statue and reveal the Codex. I am sure Darkar will be most pleased".
"Oh no you don't," Icy snapped and ripped the statue from her. "You always act like you're the leader. I'll place the statue". With a snort, she did so. The scales balanced out and with a rumble, the whole thing moved, revealing a stairway.
"I didn't think you cared about Darkar's approval," Stormy said to Darcy.
"I don't," the dirty-blond frankly admitted. "I just wasn't entirely sure the answer was right".
"Wait... You used me as bait?" Icy asked angrily.
"Hey, you're the leader, right?" Darcy asked with a smug smile. "That sometimes means taking the biggest risks".
"Oh shut up and get down there," the white-haired witch venomously retorted.
The three walked down the stairs, leading to a small room, with a block of wood inscribed with mysterious symbols placed behind a piece of glass in the wall.
"I'd guess that's the piece of the Codex," Stormy said.
"Gee, you think?" Icy asked. She walked up to it and placed a hand on the glass. "Now, let's get ouARRRGH!" Suddenly and with a surprising amount of force, Icy was hurled back.
"You will not lay a hand on the Codex, you fiends," Athena menacingly warned them as she faded into view.
"Cute. A pixie," Darcy commented flatly.
"Wrong. A corpse," Icy snarled from her position on the floor and hurled an icicle at the pixie.
Athena danced out of the way and responded with a ball of pure force. The white-haired witch rolled out of the way as a small crater was knocked into the floor.
Stormy let a blast of lightning loose, but the pixie teleported out of the way and sent a ball of force at the witch, knocking the air out of her as it collided with her midsection.
"This is taking too long. We risk reinforcements coming any second," Darcy stated and concentrated. The entire room was filled with darkness.
"Stop hiding and fight, you cowards!" Athena called.
From somewhere in the dark, she could hear glass shattering and she fired several balls of force in the general direction. "Where are you?!" the diminutive being called out angrily.
"We're out of here," Stormy called as the witches ran up the stairs, Darcy carrying the piece of the Codex in her hand.
They stopped at the top, Sky, Brandon, Timmy, Riven, Bloom, Techna and Flora standing in their way. Behind the witches, Athena flew out of the hidden room, saying: "I'm not done with you yet, you despicable wenches".
"Great. You three again," Bloom sighed.
"Yes, us. But unfortunately for you, your precious paladin is not here to save you," Icy said with malicious glee as an icicle formed in her hands.
"Yeah, but we know your new powers now," Techna said and twirled her pipe.
"Alright, as soldiers of Red Fountain, we hereby place you under arrest for breaking and entering, engaging soldiers in hostile combat and theft," Timmy ordered, aiming the assault rifle he was carrying. "Do you stand down?"
Stormy's response was a bolt of lightning, which the bespectacled nerd barely dodged, the bolt instead knocking Brandon out of the fight.
Sky and Riven charged, blades ready. Icy concentrated and Riven momentarily stopped as his thoughts fogged over. It wasn't enough to stop him completely, but Icy didn't have the time for that, what with being busy blocking Sky's sword with an ice-covered arm.
Meanwhile, Timmy started firing at Stormy and Darcy, who took cover behind a pillar. When he reloaded, Maria popped out, hand outstretched to fire a bolt of lightning, only for her thumb to be broken when Techna whacked her hand away with her pipe. As Stormy yelled and cursed, Darcy popped out of the wall by Timmy and lashed out with her dagger, knocking the rifle out of his hands and scratching his one arm at the same time. However, she was immediately knocked back as Flora tackled her shoulder first, knocking her breathless to the ground where she immediately melted into the floor.
Icy hurled a block of ice at Sky, which knocked him back, just as Riven was on her again. She jumped back and got ready to freeze his heart over, when she was knocked to the side by a force projectile from Athena.
Stormy dodged as one of Bloom's fireballs exploded near her. She concentrated while Techna ran towards her, ready to bash her with a pipe, and a powerful wind flung a big vase through the room. The projectile blindsided the scarred girl and knocked her off balance, the shattering fragments cutting rifts in her face, which wasn't helped by Stormy hitting her with another powerful blast of wind and sending her tumbling down the stairs to where the Codex piece had been stored. Then Maria had to dodge as another projectile from Bloom almost hit her, the detonating fireball singing her clothes and skin.
Meanwhile, Darcy phased into the wall again to avoid being hit by Flora's various seeds. She popped out of a wall, but the brunette was quick and flung seeds that exploded into big cloud of pollen. Darcy gagged as the sweet smelling powder clogged her nose and throat. Then she gasped as Flora's fist hit her, almost dislocating her jaw and definitely knocking at least one tooth out. Darcy fell to the ground and melted into the shadows, noting that this at least removed the pain and pollen.
Riven swung his sabre again, trying to hit Icy, but she blocked the attack again. As they struggled against each other, Icy stomped her feet and froze the ground Riven stood on. When he tried to move, he slipped and fell on his stomach and smacked his jaw into the floor. Sky immediately jumped in to assist his friend, while Athena kept trying to hit the white-haired witch with her force balls.
Darcy popped out of the shadows again, and Flora hurled another handful of seeds. However, this time Darcy was prepared and flung one of her daggers, which penetrated Flora's shoulder. The brunette gasped and stumbled, giving Darcy the initiative. She leapt forward and plunged the other dagger into her leg, before pulling both her weapons out, letting the brunette tumble back as the venom coating Darcy's dagger took hold. The dirty-blond turned and eyed the situation, trying to figure out where she could be most useful. She aimed and flung her dagger again.
Bloom screamed in pain as the metal dug into the back of her leg. Stormy reacted quickly, jumping out from cover and blasted the redhead with a bolt of lightning. Bloom was flung through the air, before colliding with a bookshelf, which tipped over and buried the redhead beneath an avalanche of books.
"Handle Riven. I'll help Icy take care of the pixie," Darcy ordered.
"Gotcha," Stormy said and charged Riven, who was struggling to get off the slippery floor. He was almost completely standing up when he noticed Stormy running towards him. Instinctively, he tried to dodge, but instead lost his footing again, landing on his back. Stormy took the opportunity and pounded her fist into his midsection, before letting a torrent of electricity loose. Riven briefly screamed before blacking out.
In the other end of the room, both Sky and Athena were wailing at Icy, who had completely sealed herself in a block of ice.
"Come out and fight you spineless cur," Athena snarled. Then she was suddenly enveloped in a globe of darkness. Icy saw an opportunity and shattered her cocoon, sending big fragments of ice in every direction. Sky was knocked back and Athena, blinded by the surrounding shadows, was smashed out of the sky, her battered body crashing to the ground.
"Is that all you got?" Sky groaned provocatively as he readied his sword and shield again.
"Not. At. ALL!" Icy roared and charged the prince. Ice grew on her fists as she hammered them against Sky, who blocked with both sword and shield. With a victorious grin, Icy lashed out with her foot, which collided with the Eraklian prince's midsection. Sky gasped as an icicle grew from it. Shaking, he looked down at his stomach. As he slowly moved, he could feel his spine scratching against the other end of the icicle, which was poking out of his back. With a smile, Icy retracted the ice, allowing the blond's vital fluids to flow freely from his grievous wound. With a groan, he sank to the ground, trying to keep his organs in place. Icy raised a hand to finish him off.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Timmy yelled.
The witches turned and saw that both Timmy and Techna had gotten up again. The magenta-haired girl was bleeding from her face and bruised from her fall, but now she was holding the rifle Timmy had droppes before. The bespectacled warrior himself was using his only functional arm to hold a sub-machine gun.
"Ah, how cute. You really think you stand a chance?" Icy asked mockingly.
"Darcy... Can we talk?" Timmy asked.
"What... No," Icy hissed. "No talking".
"Actually, I'm curious," Darcy said. "So, what do you want?"
"A deal," Timmy suggested. "We can't beat you, but with these weapons, we sure can hurt you. Heck, we might even kill one of you before we die or delay you until reinforcement arrives. But that would be kinda pointless. So here's my proposal. We stand down and let you go, in exchange for our and our friends' safety".
"Don't," Icy said warningly to Darcy. "We have a chance to finish them off now. You know they're just going to keep getting in the way".
"Yes, but I don't exactly fancy my chances against bullets. They are hard to dodge," Darcy noted. "You were lucky before, remember. A little to the right and he would have blown your brain out. In fact, we were also pretty fortunate when Timmy here opened fire on us. So I for one accept. If you don't, that's your choice. But I am not helping you fight".
"Me neither," Stormy said.
"Hmph, fine. Have it your way," Icy grumbled. "But you know as well as I they will come back to be a nuisance later. We ought to finish them off now".
"Huh, means Darkar was right," Stormy noted a bit surprised. "That's actually pretty scary".
"Okay, deal, we're leaving," Darcy said.
Timmy and Techna nodded and moved out of the way, allowing the battered witches to exit. The moment they were out, Timmy said into his earpiece: "Team B-5 here. We need immediate medical assistance. Sky is critically wounded and will die within the next few minutes. Also, objective failed. They got what they came for".
"Fuck," Techna muttered angrily as she let the gun drop to the floor and reinforcement burst into the room. "Just... Fuck".