Well here it is the last of the of the hero arc, now I hope you all enjoy it. This is my longest chapter up to date, and I hope it is worthy for you guys. Now time to answer some reviews. To the many people who guessed at Magnus being the Knight. Good job I wrestled with many ideas on how to do the Knight arc whether I wanted to make it a Magnus from the future which was kind of stupid. Or have the Knight outfit be a magical artifact that took over Magnus and erased his memory whenever he took it fully off, I even tempted with the idea of having Daring as the Knight...Good thing I didn't do it. Now the Spring Unsprung event will be in chapter thirty, and yes Magnus could have the destiny of being the Dark Knight but...That isn't what his true path is, you guys will find out later. Now I am glad you all enjoyed these recent chapters, now this will be the last time the Knight will have an appearance for a while, I want us to get back to the silly and wacky things we all love Magnus for. Now enjoy and thank you all for your support. :)
It had been two weeks since Darling had found out my secret and her training had begun, I started her out with some sparing just to see where her martial training stood. In the Fox Hole, she had proven she could handle herself but her moves were not polished and unrefined. Doing the basics, we were both in sweats in a small arena that was in the Cave. Slowly we circled one another with Giles and Mister Knight watching over the both of us.
"Now Darling if you are going to work with me, I have three basic rules for you to follow." Raising my hands in front of me I spread my legs out slightly. Frowning Darling rushed me and sent a kick toward my side, catching her leg I spun her around throwing her onto the ground. "Rule number one, you give me everything you got."
Standing to her feet Darling nodded and tried to swing at me, but when I grabbed her arm and tossed her onto the ground. "Then you give me more."
Backing off I opened my arms out to Darling who got up and ran forward swinging wildly, catching her arms I quickly pined her on the ground. "And third, I make the rules."
"Look out for that last one Darling, it's a doozy." Brooke giggled to herself.
And that is how the start of Darling's training was. We did an assortment of different training, everything from martial arts, parkour, picking locks, to anything and everything that I, Giles, and Mister Knight could teach her.
"You know how to fight six men, I can teach you engage six hundred. You learned how to disappear, but I can teach you to become truly invisible." I said as we walked around the cave.
"Invisible?" Darling asked but saw that Magnus had vanished from sight. "Magnus?"
"In my world, there were warriors known as ninja…" I said appearing from the shadows with a small grin. "Ninja understand that invisibility is a matter of patience and agility." I said pointing to the parkour course that was set up for her. Motioning for her to follow me I led her over to one of the tables that held my gear, grabbing a pinch of black powder I held it up to her. "Ninjutsu employs explosive powder." Dropping it on the ground it caused a spark and smoke drifted up into the air.
"As weapons?" Darling asked with a raised eyebrow
"Or distractions, theatricality and deception are powerful agents, you must become more than a human in the mind of your opponent." Holding out the powder to her Darling took a pinch and dropped it on the ground examining the smoke. "Magnus I have to ask some of this gear…Where did it come from?" Darling asked. "I mean the advance computers the weapons you use the grappling crossbow…Where did it come from?"
I shook my head. "You'll find out one day, but let's say two friends of mine helped me set this all up. One of them builds all the gear she is in charge of the hardware, while the second does all the programing among other things."
As Darling trained one day with poles being jabbed at her to help build her agility up, I frowned watching her move my mind going many places.
"What is wrong Magnus? She is doing well, incredibly well." Giles said walking up to me. "I think she is ready."
"I don't."
"Now Mister Maverick she is a quick learner, in fact she is learning so fast that she is coming close to matching you." Mister Knight patted me on the back. "She is ready, you're just worried about her safety."
"Can you blame me?" I asked turning to face them. "She has only been training for a few weeks- "
"And yet she is mastering things in weeks that took you what? A few years to learn?" Giles looked at me with a small smirk.
Sighing I shook my head. "Fine tonight will be her first night out." Taking a deep breath, I called for a stop to Darling's training. "Alright Darling you can stop for today."
The poles stopped moving and slowly Darling made her way toward me with a raised eyebrow, panting softly. "What's wrong Magnus?"
"Nothing, I just want you to get cleaned up and rest because tonight you and I will go out and patrol." I said nodding at her.
Smiling brightly Darling wrapped me up in a hug, blinking I hugged her back. "Oh, thank you Magnus thank you!" Blushing slightly, I nodded. "You're welcome now go." I grinned slightly watching her leave, sighing I rubbed my face. "I just hope things are slow tonight."
Later that night I stood in front of the glass case wearing a black body suit, taking a deep breath I opened the case. Taking out the leather under suit I placed it on over the body suit, slowly I placed on the black boots and gloves and bracers, the next thing that followed was the segmented black plates that covered my torso, arms, legs and feet. Next came my belt with all the pouches containing my gear. Taking the black cloak, I wrapped it around my shoulders and using the black clasp that held my cape in place, the last thing was the mask with the white eye pieces. Placing it on around my face I pulled the hood of my cloak up and turned around facing Giles, Mister Knight and Darling who stared at me impressed.
"Spelltacular…" Darling gasped, she couldn't believe it even though she had seen Magnus place on the outfit but still his transformation from the loveable prankster to the dark and brooding Dark Knight was amazing.
"Now get ready." I said staring at her.
Nodding Darling walked over to the wall and pressed her hand against the stone showing her uniform, standing there gazing at it Darling took a deep breath and put on the uniform in a similar fashion to Magnus, the only major differences between hers and Magnus's uniform was the color. Magnus had nothing but dark gray and black, while Darling's armor was a pale silver, her leather armor was dark gray and so was her cloak and mask, though she chose not wear the hood she instead wore her hair out but it was braided tightly and short to make it hard for anyone to grab.
"Whi- "She started to say but stopped when Dark Knight held up his hand.
"No, the White Knight is a man whose identity you shouldn't assume, from now you are Moon Knight."
"Moon Knight…I like it." The newly dubbed Moon Knight smiled. "So, what is the black for tonight Dark?"
Raising an eyebrow under my cowl I motioned for her to follow me, together we both walked through one of the many tunnels that were in the Cave. "Tonight, we are going out on patrol for a few hours."
"And we are walking through the sewers why?" She asked looking around.
"The Cave is connected to Bookend, you will soon learn all the exits and entrances." I said as we walked. "This one tunnel leads out to a warehouse in town, it's owned by Giles. So, it is empty and a good place for us to enter into the city."
"Oh, that makes sense." Moon said rubbing her chin.
Nodding the both of us found a ladder after a few minutes of walking, climbing up and out into the warehouse. Looking around I held my hand down and pulled Moon out of the hole, and covered the entrance back up. Looking up I pulled out my grappling crossbow and wrapping an arm around her waist I pulled us both up into the air and onto the crossbeams of the warehouse. Together we both crept out of the warehouse and onto the roof. Looking over the village of Bookend I frowned slightly and gently touched my ear. Though it's just for show I liked doing it. "Oracle is there anything going on?" I asked.
"Yes, the police are investigating a murder that happened near the Red Velvet Room." 'Oracle' Or Brooke said.
"Dark? Who are you talking to?" Moon asked staring at me confused.
"Our eye in the sky." I said with a small smirk. "You may meet her one day, now come on there was a murder near the Red Velvet Room, we need to get there and investigate." Pulling out my grappling crossbow I launched myself across the rooftops of Bookend.
"Wait shouldn't we leave this to the police…" Moon asked as she followed Dark with her own grappling crossbow.
"No, there will be something they missed, they always miss something." I said swinging across the rooftops.
Nodding Moon just focused on timing her swings and jumps as she followed Dark, she couldn't believe that he could do this perfectly after only doing this for only a few weeks. Finally, after a few minutes they found themselves on the rooftop of the Velvet Room it was an adult club. Looking over the rooftop both heroes stared down at the alleyway, there was a few police officers looking at the body. "Stay here." Dark said.
"Huh? Wait what are you doin- "Moon asked turning to look at Dark but he vanished without a trace. "How does he do that…"
Getting into the alleyway I stood behind one of the officers investigating the scene, finally he turned around and almost jumped out of his skin seeing the Dark Knight. "Sweet Pages…. Dark why do you always do that?"
(AN: The guy looks like Gary Oldman in the Dark Knight series…. I couldn't resist.)
"Lieutenant Gordon, what did you find?" I asked not even bothering to answer him.
Sighing the older man ran his hands through his air. "You're not going to believe this but the victim…." Looking back at the body Gordon shook his head. "It was a young man Highschool age. Here take a look." Removing the cloth around the body the I looked over it and almost threw up in my mouth. The body…. whoever it was he looked like me out of costume…He didn't go to Ever After I knew that much but…the fact he looked like me was scary…. Shaking my head I looked closer at the body, the victim's body was slashed apart, but some parts of his flesh were missing…It looked like his body was chewed up in some areas.
"The tech boys think it's an animal attack." Gordon sighed. "But what do you think?"
"No animal even hungry or wounded is this vicious." I said moving closer, I thought I spotted something interesting Pulling out a small pair of tweezers and a plastic baggie I pulled out a small piece of something and placed it in the bag.
"So, what a lunatic?" Gordon asked staring at me.
"Maybe…Have there been anything like this recently?" I asked facing the Lieutenant.
"Yes…but they were labeled as animal attacks, why? Do you have some idea about what is going on?" Gordon asked.
"Have all the victims been young men are Highschool age? All with bronze hair? "I asked.
"Of course, but we didn't think anything of- "
"How far back did the attacks start?" I asked my tone getting darker.
"A few weeks…why?" He asked staring at me.
"I'm afraid we have a problem." I frowned. "If my theory is right we are dealing with a hobgoblin."
"Hobgoblin? Are you completely sure? Oh, who am I kidding you usually are." Gordon rubbed his face. "But I thought they all died out years ago;"
"One is still around and he is working with a witch." I growled out.
"But what are they doing here?"
"He is feeding." I said staring back down at the body. "Go to the Mayor and demand a curfew no one should be allowed at night, not until this thing is gone."
"And what proof can I provide?" Gordon asked only to see that Dark was gone. "Every single time…" Sighing he shook his head. Getting back to the rooftop I sighed in frustration. Those two again? I thought it was a onetime thing…. but they are back and this time in Ever After and still after me.
"Um Dark what is going on?" Moon asked walking up to me.
"Change of plans go back to the Cave." Dark said.
"Wait what is going on? Come on Dark you need to tell me." Moon moved closer to me.
"Moon I make the rules, go back to the Cave." With that I turned around jumped off the roof and using my grappling crossbow I launched myself across the city.
Looking down Moon frowned. "Magnus…What is going on?"
I wasn't sure when I got back to the Cave but it was well past two in the morning. Getting back in I frowned and made my way back the computer, sitting down I pulled out the small pouch and taking the sample I took from the body I placed in a small scanner and typed on the computer. As the computer started the scan I leaned back and sighed. "I hope I'm wrong…"
"I see you had a late night." Giles smiled walking up to me. "Moon came back a few hours ago, in a mood. Care to explain what happened?"
Sighing again I didn't even bother to turn around. "Remember how I told you about the incident when I was at Monster High?"
"I do indeed a hobgoblin and witch kidnapped you and wanted to sacrifice you to gain great magical power but what does- "
"They are here. I found one of the goblin's victims recently, turns out he has been hunting for me." I frowned staring at the screen as the results popped up. "Damn it…I was right."
Frowning Giles shook his head. "This is problematic if they are indeed here in Ever After then- "
"They weren't just looking for a human to sacrifice, they want me. Well if they want me they can have me." I growled standing up I moved back to leave the Cave but stopped as Giles grabbed my shoulder.
"Magnus if you insist on going back out there then…. You need to take something to even the odds, you have never faced a hobgoblin before. Hobgoblins are incredibly strong, fast and powerful, nothing in your normal arsenal will beat him."
"What do you suggest Giles?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Follow me." Motioning for me to follow Giles led me to the various weapon racks.
"I don't think that a sword will beat this thing." I said crossing my arms across my chest.
"Ah but what I am going to give you is no normal blade." Looking around Giles walked up to the wall and pressed his hand against it, slowly the wall glowed and vanished, revealing a large room filled to the brim with weapons of all kinds. "I must make sure you are attuned to the Vault." Giles mentioned. "This is the Vault it is a room where magical artifacts are kept but there is one that you will need to finish this fight."
"Which one is that?" I asked looking around. "They all look amazing."
"Yes, but this one will be perfect." Reaching onto the wall Giles pulled a silver sword off the wall and handed it to me. The hilt of the blade was completely silver with gold wrapped around the hilt and handle, the sheath had golden ivy leaves wrapped around it. Slowly I pulled the blade free and gasped silently, the blade of the sword was polished like the surface of a mirror. "What is this sword?" I asked.
"The Vorpal Blade." Giles smiled. "One-two, one-two! And through and through the Vorpal Blade went snicker-snack."
Looking over the sword I gave it a practice swing and grinned as it went snicker-snack.
"One swing of that sword and the hobgoblin will be bested." Giles nodded.
Three nights…Three long nights and nothing since that first body. I tried using Brooke but she couldn't find the monster or his owner, neither could her parents. Now that was troubling if the powers of the almighty narrators couldn't find these monsters then…I am not sure what else to do, I couldn't just leave them out there but searching for them wasn't doing me any good. There was no luck on Gordon's side of things either the mayor wouldn't listen but Gordon had him and his officers out in force to make sure the streets of Bookend were safe. During this time, I had been very distant with all my friends and they were getting worried about me…but I couldn't tell them what was going on not really…and poor Darling I locked her uniform up and kept her from it. I was not about to let her out with the hobgoblin running around, I would never forgive myself if she got hurt. I wanted to explain the situation but if I did she would want to get more involved…So I kept her out of it…It may be a mistake but she wasn't ready for something like this.
Finally, after I stopped looking for the hobgoblin and his witch…. They found me.
Swinging across the rooftops I decided to head back to the Cave and call it a night, I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Landing on the roof of the Red Shoes Dance Club I pulled my cloak close and looked around. "Come out now."
A familiar hissing answered me. "We meet again conduit."
Stepping out of the shadows the hobgoblin looked the same as he did when I was at Monster High expect now his yellow skin was paler than usual. Staring at the Monster I kept myself calm, I didn't draw the Vorpal Blade which was now on my person whenever I was out as the Dark Knight. The reason I didn't draw the blade is for one simple reason, I didn't know where the witch was, and I rather not tip my hand just yet.
"What do you want goblin?" I growled glaring at him.
"Same as before, your life." Snarling he raised his hands showing off his large claws.
Smirking I stood still and waited. "Then come and get it, if you can."
Howling out in rage the hobgoblin blurred forward and vanished. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and listened, from what I read hobgoblins could move faster than the human eye, so I didn't rely on my eyes. Instead I used my ears, the hobgoblins always made a high pitch wail right before they attacked.
So far, the only thing I could hear was nothing but the wind which blew softly.
Swhooooo…. Ahh!
There! Quickly drawing the Vorpal Blade I slashed in the direction of the of the wail snicker-snack went the Vorpal Blade and the pain screamed of the goblin reached my ears. Opening my eyes, I smirked one of the arms of the goblin was cut…and cut deeply.
Hissing at me the hobgoblin glared at me with a look of pure hatred. "How dare you…"
"It's time to end this." I said, moving forward I raised the blade about to strike off the monster's head when I was smacked by a blast of pure magic. The Vorpal Blade fell out of my hands as I skidded across the rooftop, slowly sitting up I glared at the Witch who was simply shaking her head at me. "Now, now my dear boy we can't have you killing my precious pet."
"Mistress…I almost had him…" The hobgoblin snarled.
"My dear sweet monster, you can't kill him. Not yet or did you forget that we need him." She reprimanded him.
"No Mistress…." He looked down like a dog being told he was bad.
As this was going on I crawled over the Vorpal Blade and held it before me shakily. Looking at me the witch smiled and turned her head. "Silly child do you really think you can stop us from killing you with that toy?"
"I don't know why don't you come over here and let's find out." I snarled as I kept glaring at her and her pet.
Laughing she shook her head. "Not now my dear boy, tomorrow night come to the warehouse on the far side of this town, and come alone. Oh, and to make sure you come I have provided…Well let's say motivation." Reaching inside of her shirt the witch pulled out a photograph throwing it over the photo landed at my feet, looking down at it I my eyes bulged out of my skull. In the photo was Raven, Cerise, and Maddie they were all tied up.
"You didn't think we forgot how they interrupted our plans?" The witch smiled at me.
"You…. I'll kill- "I rushed forward but stopped as she held up her hand.
"Right now, those three are hidden away, and if you kill us now. They will die."
Looking down I frowned, knowing she was right. "Good boy now I shall see you tomorrow night before Midnight, and no tricks." Slowly rising into the air the witch took the hobgoblin with her and soon they vanished into the night. Dropping the Vorpal Blade I gripped the photo of my friends and punched the roof.
Getting back to the Cave I blasted past Giles and shoved the photo in his hands. Looking over it the older man gasped and then frowned. "The hobgoblin and the witch?"
"Yes." Moving over to the computer I began to punch up some things.
"What are you doing?" Giles asked coming up to me.
"I need an edge, the Vorpal Blade won't be enough. Time to speak to our tech support." The dark blue of the screen became purple and a skull appeared on the screen. Then appearing on the screen was two old friends of mine, friends from the monster world.
"Magnus?" Robecca blinked and smiled at me. "Wonderful to see you again."
"Gahhh." Ghoulia groaned in greeting.
"You as well. I need a favor." I said giving them a grim stare.
Turning to look at each other both ghouls nodded their heads. "Whatever you need, is it more gear? Or computers?" Robecca asked.
"I need a new suit. Something to increase my strength and speed, the hobgoblin and witch are back and they took my friends." I growled out.
"Wait you mean the ones that kidnapped you…. Oh, hex this isn't good…Alright we're on it. We already have a prototype we just need to work out a few bugs. When did you need it?" The steampunk robot girl asked.
"Yesterday." Hanging up the call, I turned around only to find Darling staring at me her eyes wide.
"Our friends are missing….?" She covered her mouth in shock. Gently touching her shoulders, I stared down at the blonde. "Darling I promise I will get them back."
"Magnus please let me help you, I want to get our friends back." Darling said almost begging me.
"Darling…You can't help on this one, no one can come with me, or they will kill them." I frowned and pushed past the blonde. Going over to the training area I began to punch one of the hanging bags in frustration.
"Magnus wait please." Darling tried to go after the teen but was stopped when Giles placed a hand on her shoulder, turning to look at the old man he simply shook his head. "I will speak with him."
Slowly walking over to me Giles shook his head. "Magnus, we must talk."
"Talk about what? How I failed my friends? How they were taken under my watch? They were taken because of me." I growled hitting the bag even harder.
"It isn't your fault and you know that." Giles frowned slightly. "But it's about that witch and hobgoblin. I think you need to know the reason why they want to kill you."
Turning to look at the old man I glared at him before sighing. "Why do they want me?" I asked.
"Do you remember when you told me the story about your first meeting with them?" He asked. "Do you remember what they called you."
"Yes, they called me a conduit but I never really understood that." I said. "I tried to look up the subject but nothing came up in the library or in the Vault of Lost Tales."
Sighing Giles stroked his beard. "The reason is, this situation has never occurred before. Magnus, you are unique in many ways, but what makes you stand out is the fact you come from a world without magic."
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked crossing my arms across my chest.
"Because magic is something foreign to your body, to you. You see Magnus in many ways you're like a sponge for magical energy, you absorb magic and hold it in your body." Giles looked down. "I discovered this when I was running some tests on you during your initial training down here."
"Wait you knew? And never told me why?"
"Because it wasn't an issue until now…Magnus I want you to think really think on this for a moment. The reason why they are after you is for the magic in your body, ever since you came to Ever After, you have been absorbing magic. If someone were to kill you in a ritual and absorb the power in your blood…"
"They would…"
"Yes, they would become a god or something akin to it." Giles sighed. "I will work on a way to drain the magic from your system."
Nodding I patted the old man on the back. "Thank you, Giles."
"You're welcome Magnus, now there is one other thing that I must discuss it's about Darling- "
"The answer is no Giles. I have to do this alone." I frowned.
"Then you will die Magnus, you can't beat those two on your own." Giles said staring at me but then it came to him. "You knew this…Your planning on dying."
"If I can get my friends out of there…then that is all that matters. Once I get them out I plan on taking those two with me." I turned around staring at the old man.
"You don't have to, you have Darling she could- "The old man was cut off with me shaking my head.
"Giles, she would die. I know I will die but…. I can't risk her or anyone I care about."
"Then shouldn't that be my choice to make?" Darling said walking up to us both. "Magnus these…monsters took our friends and I will do anything to save them."
Sighing I shook my head. "No Darling I won't risk it, I have to go alone or they will kill our friends." Frowning both Giles and Darling looked at each other not sure how to help in this situation. Finally, after a few minutes I started to laugh. Looking at me like I had lost my mind, reaching forward Darling touched my shoulder out of concern. "Magnus…Why are you laughing…."
Turning around I gave them both a maniac grin. "They only want me but that doesn't mean I have to be alone."
Darling was confused but Giles gasped his eyes going wide realizing what I had planned. "Magnus…You can't seriously mean…"
"The Mirror of Duality…. I think it's time for Maverick to come out and play."
"Magnus, are you sure you want to let your other half back out?" Darling asked. I had explained to her what had happened when I first encountered the mirror and let's say that Darling was less than thrilled to find out I wanted to bring my darker self out to play.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "It's the only way, but I need to make sure he will be willing to help."
"How do you plan on doing that?" She asked.
"That will be easy enough." Giles came up with a small brass bowl and a metal club. Indicating that should sit on the ground the older man sat in front of me louts style, sitting down I closed my eyes and slowly Giles used the small metal club across the rim of the bowl. "This will put you into a trance Magnus, you will go deep into your mind and find Maverick, once you do secure his help."
Nodding I took a deep breath listening to the ringing of the bowl and slowly I felt a strange pulling sensation from my gut. The ringing sound vanished completely after that, opening my eyes I found myself in the same dark spotlight room that I had met with Maverick before. Standing in the light my other half looked…. Well the same expect there was dark circles under his eyes, his hair was messy and his clothes were wrinkled. Getting to my feet I walked slowly over into the light and smirked. "You look like hell."
"Don't I know it." Maverick grumbled. "I know what you want Magnus."
"Good then this shouldn't take long. Will you help rescues our friends?" I asked looking at him.
Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "I will for their sake, also I want a piece of that witch."
"Good then let's get you out, but if you double cross- "
"I have no desire to play the threat game Magnus, I want to save Raven, Madeline, and Cerise as badly as you do." He frowned. "After that I know what will happen to us, and I accept it."
Sighing I nodded. "Alright…See you on the other side brother." Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and like that I was back in the cave.
"Well will he help you?" Giles asked looking at me as he placed the metal club and bowl away.
"Yes…. I need the mirror now." I sighed standing to my feet. Nodding Giles wandered off to…well where ever the Mirror of Duality was hidden. While we waited, I bit my lip hoping this would work out in the end. Noticing my look Darling gave me a hug. "We will get them back Magnus I promise."
Nodding I slowly took in a deep breath and let it out. "I just hope this will be enough."
The Mirror of Duality…. Looking down at the magical artifact I sighed. "Alright Maverick let's hope you weren't lying." Looking in the mirror I felt my body freeze up as a black smoky substance wrapped around my body and slowly a second, darker version of myself came forth. Taking in a deep breath Maverick shook his head. "Alright let's do this."
The next night it was almost midnight, standing outside the warehouse I took a deep breath. "I hope this works."
"Don't worry things will work out…and if I can help in any way…" Broke started to say.
"I know, I will make sure they get out, is he in place?" I asked staring up at the roof.
"Yes, he is and waiting for your signal."
"Let's get this party started." Kicking the doors of the warehouse wide open I walked around inside with a glare. The warehouse was rather large with several steel beams on the inside covering the celling, but that isn't what drew my attention. What had my focus was all the runic symbols all over the warehouse, and the three girls tied up and blindfolded together in the very back. Standing in the middle of the of the warehouse was the witch and hobgoblin, both looking the same minus the goblin who kept a blood soak bandage around his arm.
"And the guest of honor arrives, I was worried you weren't going to show up my dear boy." The witch smiled at me but I kept quiet glaring at her. "Ohhh scary." She mocked.
"Mistress let me kill him, I want to eat his heart." The hobgoblin snarled.
"Patience my dear sweet animal, you will have what is coming to you." She smiled down at the goblin. "Now boy remove that belt containing your toys, and I see you were smart enough not to break the sword of yours."
Reaching around my waist I threw my belt on the ground and stared at them. "Fine now let them go."
"I'm afraid not until after you are dead." The hobgoblin snarled.
"Bring him to me my pet and then the ritual can begin." The witch grinned.
Howling the hobgoblin ran forward but stopped and stared at me. "What's the matter pretty boy? Like what you see?" I grinned as my eyes glowed red.
"Mistress he isn't the cond- "He started to say but was cut off as I threw a punch into his face breaking a few of his pointed teeth. Falling back the hobgoblin tried to swipe at me, blocking his attempt I sent a round house kick into his face. Sending the monster flying back he touched his face only to pull it back, to discover his nose was broken.
"You will come quietly or your friends will die." The witch glared at me.
"I would but…There is a problem with that, they are gone." I grinned flipping her off.
"What!?" Turning around the witch's eyes bulged out of her skull, her hostages were gone. "Where are they!?"
"Safe." Landing on the ground right next to me was Magnus only in his new and improved suit. The new Dark Knight outfit had the basic design but the leather was now replaced with a cloth substance stronger then steel. The segmented plates were now made of an unknown metal that had some technology integrated into the suit. On Magnus's belt was the Vorpal Blade which he now drew and held it in front of him.
"About time you got here." Grinning I grabbed the cloak hiding my appearance and ripped it off revealing my choice of outfit. I had on a black leather jacket with silver around the shoulders and elbows, I had on segmented dark gray armor on my chest and legs with black gloves on my hands, while I wore dark brown boots and pants, around my waist was a combat belt that had two small repeating crossbows were attached on my waist, along with pouches containing different gear. In my boot was a large K-bar knife. Reaching into my jacket I pulled out a blood red full face mask. Placing it on I pulled a red hood over my head.
"Sorry but it took some time for Moon and me to get the hostages out." Glaring back out Magnus eyed the hobgoblin. "You and I have unfinished business." Running forward Magnus slashed his blade out but the goblin dodged.
"Come let me eat you, meat bag." Snarling the two of them started fighting while the witch looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"And you are?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Smirking beneath my mask I pulled out the crossbows and took aim. "Red Hood at your service. Now do me a favor and die." Firing at the witch she held up her hand blocking the bolts that fired at her. "Well shit…I had to get the hard one." Rolling my eyes, I ran forward firing at her, dodging the hits the witch raised her hand and tossed a bolt of pure lighting at me. Rolling out of the way I put one of the crossbows away and tossed a few flash bangs toward her face. The witch had no clue what these things were but she blocked them all the same…. Her mistake as the flash bangs went off blinding her. Grinning I fired again this time my bolts found their mark smacking her in the shoulder. Crying out in pain the witch clutched her shoulder trying to stop the bleeding. "Mistress!" The hobgoblin jumped over Magnus who almost took the creatures legs and the monster ran over to the witch.
Looking at Magnus I smirked. "So how is your dance partner?"
Panting Magnus shook his head. "Not bad, and yours?"
"I think mine is taking a break, care to switch?" I asked putting my second crossbow up.
"Sure, but you may need this." He held out the Vorpal blade to me but I shook my head and pulled out my K-bar knife. "No thanks I got this."
Shrugging Magnus shook his head but rushed forward toward the witch, the goblin however came running toward me. "There you are gruesome, miss me?"
"I'll kill- "He started to say but flipping my knife up I caught it by the blade and threw it into his shoulder. "Don't you have any new material? I mean come on man you are boring me to tears." I said dropping into a fighting stance, running toward me the goblin tried to slash at me. Predictable, side stepping I and grabbing his right wrist I reached out and grabbed the knife pulling it out I stabbed it into his face in a reverse grip. As this was going on Magnus was now fighting the witch with little trouble.
"It's always easy for him." Rolling my eyes, I pulled my knife out and ran forward. "I got her!" As I got closer I jumped over Magnus and stabbed my knife into her shoulder. Crying out in pain the witch tried to smack me with her magic but stopped when Magnus ran the Vorpal Blade through her stomach. Gasping the witch clutched the sword and looked at the two of us in shock. "I…I …was to become a god…"
"What is a god to a nonbeliever." Magnus and I said at the same time. Slowly withdrawing the Vorpal blade Magnus cleaned off the blood and placed the sword back up.
"We work well together." Magnus smiled slightly looking at me.
Smirking underneath the Mask I nodded placing my knife away. "Yes we do, but I doubt we will do this again."
Sighing Magnus nodded and reaching into his cloak and held out the Mirror of Duality. "Are you sure Maverick? I could use your help. I think I've gotten used to you."
Grabbing the mirror I shook my head. "Yeah you cram my style...See you on the other side brother."
Walking out of the warehouse I found Moon Knight with the three girls who were all a bit shaken but alright none the less. "You three alright?"
"Yes…Thank you Dark Knight." Raven smiled shakily.
"Thanks for the help hero." Cerise nodded knowingly at me, huh guess she can smell who I am.
"Well that was one mad adventure." Madeline smiled.
"Moon escort them back to the school." I said nodding at her.
"Of course, Knight." She said but stopped when the three girls shook their heads.
"Wait I want to say thank you to you Dark Knight and you as well Moon." Raven said and the two other girls nodded feeling the same. Together the three girls hugged Moon who smiled and hugged them back, just thankful that her friends were safe. Together however all three girls walked over to me and each placed a small kiss on my cheek…. Okay I'm glad I wear a mask otherwise they could see my blush. "Thank you both." Smiling the girls and Moon walked back to the school, leaving me alone outside the warehouse.
"Magnus, are you sure this is what you want?" Giles asked looking at me.
"Yes, if you do this we will need lock this place up." Mister Knight said.
"I know but I think for the time being…I'm done being the Knight…. I…I don't think I can handle it all." Taking a deep breath, I shook my head. "Just not yet."
Both men looked at each other and nodded. "Very well, but if you need it the Dark Knight suit and all its resources will always be here when you're ready."
"Or when you need it most." Giles smiled.
Nodding I looked at the suit once more before closing the glass case. "Yeah…I think for now…I should try and be a normal student." Smiling both men patted me on the back. "Then be that student Magnus." Together the three of us walked out of the Cave walking toward the elevator, turning around I gave the hideout one more look and left.