Sorry about last night. My friend came over and we went and saw Iron Man 3, which was awesome! Anyway, shout outs:
The Unknowing Herald: It's because of what Marek did during RTDoD. Well thanks. I'm trying to give her characterization, but she also is still taking a back seat in the group right now. Between Pierce, Ava, Lulu, Marek, and Kain, everyone else kinda has to wait a little bit, you know? Sam's DLC is pretty sick, too! You'll see!
Celeron96: Lol, thanks! Marek was just using that word because Kefka was a part of the government at one time, lol. Don't let it get you down. During RTDoD I lost almost half my reviewers for a while, but they came back. Don't worry, there is! I understand!
TWI1IGHTMAST3R: Well, he's similar to Avner right now, kinda. Marek destroyed his home world, so he's resentful. Eh, I'm not a big Kefka fan, actually. Garland is much cooler. I like Seymour too, which I know Herald will probably kill me for saying. Don't worry, it will be!
13TheAce: Well, they always need someone to blame. I did that on purpose because I REFUSE to try and fit 10 characters along with all of Camelot's residents into one chapter, lol. I'm not that crazy yet!
Gohan Roxas: Yep! Herald's idea, actually.
Shadowdragon1317: Yep, they do! Thank you!
Alright, you know what I own, and what the others own. If you honestly care about me typing out who owns what, then tell me. Otherwise I'm just gonna keep being lazy, haha.
Chapter 21: Old Grudges
"Kain, Ven, are you ready?" Marek asked as he stepped into the cockpit. The two nodded and stood up. Rayne brought the ship as low as possible over the Destiny Islands' atmosphere.
"This as low as we're going, boys!" she told them. They nodded, and Marek and Ven immediately walked out toward the loading bay. Kain remained behind for a few seconds, but when Rayne looked at him, he quickly followed the other two.
"Air drop in three…" Marek began. Kain and Ven positioned themselves on either side of him. (Terra's Theme, Birth by Sleep)
"Two…." Marek muttered as the ramp opened in front of them. "One. Now!" he yelled to his fellows. The three simultaneously dashed toward the empty Lanes. Kain shot out first, twirling in the air and waiting for them.
Ven jumped out a second later and leaped toward Kain. The dragoon held out his hand, and the blonde clasped it firmly. Without hesitation, Kain spun him through the air and shot him toward the planet. The ship lurched as Marek leaped. By the time he had made it to Kain, the ship had disappeared among the stars. With his hood covering his face and protecting him from the empty air of the Lanes, Marek grabbed onto Kain's hand. "To the ground!" he yelled, spinning Kain the same way Kain had Ven.
Kain shot toward the ground a second later as Marek floated in the atmosphere. He glowed with blue energy and flipped around, his feet hanging above while his face was closest to the planet. He crouched down as if his feet were set on something, and without a backward glance he soared downward.
Ven appeared in the sky first, glowing blue like a comet. He could see little dots of people watching him from the town and summoned his rider. Now having control of his descent, he angled straight for the water and kept heading downward.
Kain then appeared in the sky, his blue armor reflecting the sunlight. He could see Council guards entering the streets by now. So their entry would not go undetected. He sighed as a helmet appeared over his head, covering all of his face.
Ven silently headed for the water and crashed into it, disappearing into the waves. The people gasped at the sight before them, and right after him, Kain flew into the water without slowing down.
By now, Marek had appeared in the sky. His black hood covering his face and his cloak trailing behind him, he waved his arms as they glowed with magic. He soared downward toward the water where his companions had vanished. At the very last second before impact, he flexed his hands.
The water beneath him deflated, making a crater of sorts in the water that gently swallowed him up.
He calmly swam around underwater, looking. Ven, fully encased in his LE armor, was staying in place to his right. Right by him was Kain, also encased in armor. He pointed toward shore and led the way. He swam into a small, concealed tunnel by the play island, followed by the other two. He knew this way was safe, because other than Jack, who had built the tunnel, he was the only one who knew about it. (end Terra's Theme)
CAMELOT…
"Just land in that clearing. As soon as we're off, you get out of here. They can't discover the ship. Go back and keep an eye on Shin and Terra." Pierce told Rayne. She nodded, albeit grumpily, as she landed the ship.
"You know how to reach me if you need me." she told her brother. He nodded, and motioned to Griffin, Ava, and Luriel to follow him out.
As soon as they were walking out of the forest clearing, the ship rose into the air and vanished. "It's just us now. No stupid moves, guys. Don't do anything stupid, you two." he told the two girls calmly. They nodded, making sure to stay away from each other as Pierce and Griffin led the way toward the city.
"I'm sure all of our faces have been registered for their warrants. Even with my black hair and scar, I'm sure they'll recognize me. We all need a way of hiding our faces." Pierce told them, putting his hood up.
"Our faces aren't the problem. They'll know you by your clothes, Pierce." Griffin spoke up. He took off the black coat he was wearing and gave it to the older teen. Pierce smiled and put it on with a nod of appreciation. Ava put her own hood up, but Griffin and Lulu had no such things.
"Let's just hope people aren't too suspicious then. After all, I'm their main target." Pierce muttered as they walked through the main gates.
They walked through a poor district and marketplace, before finally coming to a street where many peasants and nobles alike were gathered. The group quickly moved to the side and kept to the shadows as much as possible, all of them keeping their eyes open for Merlin or Gaius.
Pierce suddenly turned to them and put a finger over his mouth, telling them to be silent. He held up his hand to them, pointed at himself and motioned forward. They nodded in understanding, he went ahead alone.
The reason for this was because he had spotted a familiar looking old man standing by a poor man, giving him a remedy of some sort. He recognized the old man from the transmission that Merlin had sent them. He brushed past the old man inconspicuously. "Behind the tavern, now." he whispered, knowing the old man could hear. Gaius pretended not to have heard him and finished talking to the man while Pierce walked back toward his group. They did not have to wait long before Gaius came around the corner, checking to make sure he wasn't being followed. "Well, you lot certainly took your time." he told them as he walked up.
"What has happened since your last transmission?" Pierce asked him at once. Gaius sighed sadly.
"Agravaine and Morgana set up an evil plot to separate Arthur and his love Gwen. They resurrected Lancelot, the knight who sacrificed himself to save us all, and put him under their control. They used him to get Gwen caught in false adultery. Arthur banished her. I fear what Agravaine may do next." he told them. Pierce nodded, thinking about this news.
"We need to talk to Merlin. How can we get into the castle?" he asked. Gaius raised an eyebrow.
"I've already thought of that, Pierce." he told him with a slight smile.
A FEW MINUTES LATER…..
"Out of the way!" Gaius told the guards as he walked in the castle. The four were now wearing flowing red cloaks, and their hoods were all up. Their hands were crossed as if in prayer.
"Sorry, Gaius. We can't let anyone but castle staff and knights in today, king's orders." a black haired knight told him. Gaius turned back and stared at him bravely.
"Gwaine, unless you wish to examine the body of the most recent patient with red thrush fever and possibly catch the disease yourself, you will let my assistants through so they may cleanse the body!" he said irritably. Gwaine looked at him, and quickly looked at his fellow, a tall broad man wearing sleeveless chain mail.
"Percival?" he asked. Percival sighed.
"Let them through." he said, waving them forward.
"Thank you!" Gaius told them impatiently as the four followed him inside.
PHYSICIAN'S QUARTERS…..
Gaius led them inside and shut the door. No sooner had they shed their disguises when the back door opened and Merlin walked into the room. Pierce turned to him. "So you must be Merlin." he greeted. Merlin nodded, smiling widely.
"You must be Pierce!" he replied, walking up and hugging him. Pierce raised his eyebrows as Merlin stepped back. "You look just like your father, except your hair. It seems like just a few days ago that he, Terra, and Ven were in here, asking for help. Arthur has forgotten their loyalty, though. Agravaine has turned him against you." he told him. Pierce sighed.
"How could Arthur just let them go after being friends with them for over fifteen years?" he asked. Merlin sighed.
"That's just it. It's only been four years since Arthur and I left for to fight in the Final War. Time is…..different here than in your worlds. That is why Lorans has such impatience when trying to schedule Council meetings. He has to find a time that fits Arthur's schedule." he told them. The group gasped.
"What?!" they exclaimed. Merlin nodded.
"But you didn't come here to talk. You came because we need your help." he told them.
HUT IN THE VALLEY OF FALLEN KINGS…
Agravaine silently walked down the stone steps toward the valley. He turned and walked up to a tiny hut with smoke rising out of the chimney. He opened the door and stepped inside. "Morgana?" he called out.
"What do you want, Agravaine? You better have a good reason for coming here." Morgana appeared out of nowhere. She wore a long black dress, and her hair was mostly in long dreadlocks. Agravaine turned to her and sighed.
"It is as you predicted. They are here." he told her.
DESTINY ISLANDS…..
"You did not jest when you said that Jack had many contingency plans." Kain muttered. They had reached the surface of the water inside a small cave on the play island. They were now gathered in a circle to draw up plans.
"What now?" Ven asked. Marek put his hood back and drew in the sand with the tip of his Keyblade.
"The governor's house is here." he began, making a dot in the sand. "That's where Xehanort will be. We have to get past here, where all of the guards are." he continued, drawing a line to represent gates.
"What if they already know we're here?" Ven asked. Marek sighed.
"Then we fight our way through. We're two Keyblade masters and a Holy Dragoon. I think we can hold our own." he said simply. The other two smiled and nodded. They stood up and left the cave.
By the time they had crossed to the main island, a great crowd had gathered before them. Not only civilians, but countless Council guards. (Jump, Two Steps from Hell)
Marek, Ven, and Kain stepped onto the beach side by side. The soldiers smirked as they formed lines facing the fugitives. The civilians screamed and scattered in terror as all of the soldiers drew swords.
Marek, Ven, and Kain took a few more steps forward, staring into the eyes of those facing them. Kain twirled his lance in his hand and prepared for combat. Marek and Ven summoned their Keyblades, which glowed in the sunlight. Marek took a step forward and held out his blade toward his opponents. "Let's get this over with." he muttered as a dark aura appeared around him. Ven gasped.
"I knew it!" he yelled, stepping forward to kill the man. Kain held out his lance, stopping the blonde. As several soldiers raised their guns and shot at Marek, the former lord of darkness disappeared in a flicker of dark vapor. Ven and Kain angrily charged, two against several hundred. The dragoon leaped high into the air, jumping over bullets shot his way. A second later, he crashed down, knocking several dozen off their feet.
Ven threw his Keyblade, taking out a small group, while at the same casting a tornado spell. The whirlwind fell into the midst of soldiers and scattered many of them.
Kain twirled his lance around his back and struck a soldier, and then crouched to avoid a slash from behind. He put his hands on the ground and held his lance with his feet. He began to spin rapidly, his lance reaching out and clearing the area around him of enemies. He dashed over and kicked one in the back that had been aiming at Ven. The blonde angrily jumped up and shot out a chain lightning spell. The chaotic bolt of electricity shot through several dozen guards and knocked them back, but for however many guards were felled, just as many took their place. "We've been abandoned!" Ven yelled furiously as he and Kain stood back to back, trying to hold off the overwhelming number of enemies. Kain smirked as he saw was Ven didn't.
Right as Ven had said that, a dark vapor had begun to hang over the area. Once the vapor covered the entire army, they began to cough and clutch their throats. "What's going on?!" Ven yelled as enemies began to drop all around him.
"We were not abandoned." Kain told him simply. The vapor rose into the air and exploded. After the flash of light had faded, the vapor was gone and Marek hung suspended in the sky, a look of fury on his face.
"Xehanort…will pay!" he yelled as he whirled around and crashed down to the ground. A chaotic shockwave went in all directions, knocking the entire army off their feet, and not one of them got back up. (end Jump)
"So you still use the darkness. I knew you couldn't be trusted!" Ven exclaimed, glaring at Marek while Kain simply walked over to the man's side. Marek stood staring back at him.
"There is no evil in darkness, only in the hearts of those that choose to use it. There is no good in the light, only in the minds of those too biased to know that both are interchangeable. Lorans is immune to light, and must be fought with darkness. I don't care what you think of me. I'm not out to get anyone's approval." he told him, turning to walk away from them, heading toward the big, fortified building in the distance. (Marek's Theme{He Who Brings the Night, Two Steps from Hell})
"Marek!" Kain called out, but was ignored.
More soldiers came rushing out of the building toward the advancing man, but he easily brushed them aside. He twirled his blade and raised it back as another came at him. With a swift swing, the soldier went flying onto his back. Marek calmly walked toward the advancing soldiers, showing no fear. He ran forward and slid onto his knees. Spinning while sliding forward, he swung his Keyblade quicker than any eyes could see. The men dropped like flies and could not get close to him.
Suddenly, they withdrew, like some unseen force held them back. A portal appeared behind Marek, who was breathing heavily with rage. Out of the portal stepped his target. Xehanort slowly stepped out, holding his Keyblade at his side and smiling evilly. Marek turned to face him. "You!" he roared angrily, charging. Xehanort held up his blade and blocked Marek's strike.
The younger man quickly sent strike after strike down on the old man's Keyblade, but somehow Xehanort knew his every move.
"You've grown sloppy in your years of exile, Marek. You broadcast all of your moves before you even make them!" he told the younger man. Marek grunted in anger as he back-flipped, kicking Xehanort in the face. He landed a few feet away and looked up to see Xehanort sending dark thunder at him. He leaped up into the air to dodge it and landed right in front of him, where their blades locked together, each trying to knock the other off-balance.
"You will pay for what you did to me, old man. You manipulated both me and Jack for your own gain! You even knew you would lose the second Keyblade War. That's what I was for! The darkness you put in me that day took on its own form. The Illusion controlled me long enough to begin the final war, long enough for me to be unable to stop it! How did you plan all this?!" he yelled. Xehanort smirked.
"How quick you are to forget that you were the one who hungered for darkness in the first place." he replied. Marek shook his head.
"SHUT UP!" he roared, pushing forward with all his might. Xehanort fell of his feet, but teleported up to the top of the building near them. (end Marek's Theme)
"Kill them and take their bodies to Lorans!" he told his troops. The troops rushed in again, but Ven and Kain arrived just in time. While Kain held them off long enough, both summoned their riders. Ven soared into the air, closely followed by Marek, who had Kain on the back of his.
"Rayne." Marek began, speaking into his wrist communicator.
"The mission?" she asked him. He sighed.
"The assassination ended in failure. We're coming back." he told her.
Well I hope you liked it! If you didn't, bite me, I don't care, lol. But I do have one favor to ask of you all, minus Herald and he'll know why: if you possibly have any spare time, please check out Celeron96's KH3: Dawning War. He's lost a lot of reviewers and he's really struggling right now. If you could please do that for me, then you have my absolute thanks.
One last thing: With this chapter, we have passed the length of IDoD! Hopefully we'll pass the reviews too!