Are y'all ready for boss fights? Because I ended up writing some boss fights after avoiding them for so long.
The Chief Consul's Diary
By Bilbo-sama
Entry 25 - An Overdue Confrontation
Day 315/January 31, 20XX
Waiting for Ding Dong Dell to make their first move was nerve wracking. Will Mausinger declare war (which may end badly for Ding Dong Dell if one of Evermore's allies chooses to assist the latter)? Will he parlay for peace? For three days there hasn't been a reaction.
On the second day, the group went out and helped gather some cloves of deathbreath garlic for a nutritionist in Broadleaf. Before returning to Broadleaf, they took a detour to the Cradle of Light.
"Wow," whistled Bracken as she stared at the steep staircase, "that's a lot of stairs."
"...Indeed," agreed Leander, taking a few steps back.
"I know!" bounced Lofty excitedly, "who wants a race? Surely this is flippin' nothin' after all the outdoors you lot have been gettin.'"
"Not much of a race if it's over in a minute," said Tani as she looked up at her dad. He grinned.
"Half of us hasn't been inside," mused Evan, "why not go up?"
The trek up the stairs wasn't as bad as Evan remembered. Perhaps his endurance did get better...
He heard a yelp and he turned to see Bracken draping a struggling Leander over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes several feet away from the others.
After visiting the King's Cradle, the party returned to Broadleaf and gave the nutritionist what she wanted. She came back an hour later with a few wrapped bars of a strong smelling substance she called NutriBlam. The next step was to give out a few samples to tired looking people.
The results of giving people the NutriBlam bars was...fascinating. Some testers really liked the taste and the accompanying energy boost while others gagged until they realized that they felt more awake. Roland muttered something about a 'fight or flight response' being in action, whatever that meant.
All four adults in the group eyed the free box of energy bars the party was given along with the rocket fuel drinks as a reward with suspicion. There was no way any of them were desperate enough to subject themselves to excessive garlic. In the end, Bracken reluctantly stored the box and drinks into her arms band. The strongest concentration of the garlic scent vanished, leaving behind its ghosts.
They all watched as Evan unconsciously relaxed. The scent may have been strong to a human nose but to a half-grimalkin, it must've been worse.
On the third day, the box was placed on a makeshift raft in the middle of the ocean and was set ablaze by Batu and Tani using flaming arrows. 'For the good of the world' was their explanation.
Day 316/February 1, 20XX
And then at last Chingis arrived in the throne room on the fourth day with a letter from Ding Dong Dell. He read it out loud:
"To His Radiant Majesty, King Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum of Evermore,
("'Radiant Majesty?' A bit much, isn't it?" "Sounds great to me, mun.")
Tales of your great achievements continue to impress us."
("Oh really?" commented Tani, unimpressed. Her father shushed her.)
"We would be honored if you would visit us to discuss your growing union. Our border guards have been instructed to grant you free passage. Simply present the Mark of Kings as proof of your identity.
Your Eternal Friend ("Who flippin' wrote this?") and Servant,
King Otto Mausinger of Ding Dong Dell"
"He wants us to make a trade with the Mark of Kings?" commented Bracken, "Did you know this would happen, Roland?"
"I had a feeling he might," said Roland.
"I feel this may be a trap," frowned Leander.
Roland shrugged, "I don't think he's trying to disguise it. He knows we can't refuse."
"This is nothin' more than a brazen challenge," growled Batu.
"Indeed," agreed Evan, "but I can finally meet him face to face."
"So it'd decided, hmmm?" said Lofty, "Let's go to Ding Dong Dell, Your Radiance!"
"Please don't call me that," groaned Evan, his cheeks turning pink.
"I dunno," grinned Bracken, "'Your Radiance' has a nice ring to it."
"It's embarrassing!" whined Evan, his tail's fur fluffing up.
"Alright, that's enough," Roland butted in. Oh thank goodness.
"We'll discuss on how to refer to His Radiance properly later," added Roland.
The border patrol indeed allowed King Evan and his entourage to pass through the border unharmed once he showed a general the Mark of Kings. After that, it was several hours trekking across a path cleared of snow to the main city of Ding Dong Dell.
Undisguised, Evan walked through the streets of his homeland and paid little attention to the whispers of the townspeople as they spotted him. He even heard the click of someone taking a picture with their Viewer. Good idea, it will alert the rest of the world of his last known location if things go sour between him and Mausinger. He hoped it wouldn't...
The guard at the castle gate recognized him and Evan wondered if he was given a spot in the king's guard thanks to King Leonhard's attempts to instill the idea of equality for all three races living in Ding Dong Dell.
Various people in the castle gasped as they spotted Evan pass by them. They were never expecting to see him walk within the castle again. They watched as he approached the throne room unimpeded as if he had done so many times before.
Roland Crane, his Chief Consul, walked behind him, his eyes flickering back and forth as if he was expecting an ambush.
At last they reached the throne room where the throne still had the fish and cat motif despite its rodent ruler. Mausinger sat in his conquered throne while his chancellor stood off to the left, closer to the stairs. There was movement and Evan glanced to see a pair of mages peeking behind pillars on either side of the walkway, their wands in their hands.
"Greetings, King Mausinger," Evan bowed, unable to dismiss years of etiquette drilled into his head despite Mausinger's status as usurper king.
Mausinger lightly bowed back in his seat, earning a 'tch' from Vermine, "I see you have arrived safely, young King Evan. And, ah, Mr. Crane! I must thank you for revealing...our susceptibility to infiltration."
"You're welcome," quipped Roland, his Politician Face now in place.
"Have you brought the Mark of Kings as requested?"
"We have it," confirmed Roland.
"Your Majesty," Evan took a step forward, "let us speak as one ruler to another."
"Ah yes," said Mausinger, "I must commend you on your new realm...and your persistence to keep ruling. Failing on your first attempt, I wouldn't blame you for trying again."
"You didn't even give him time to actually rule though," muttered Tani. She was immediately 'shhh'd by Leander.
"I made a promise," said Evan, "I promised that I would build a kingdom where everyone lived happily ever after."
"And your pathetic little pact is a way to do so? Such naivety," scoffed Mausinger.
"The Declaration of Interdependence - "
"Enough!" interrupted Vermine, "Your Majesty, I suggest we stop humoring the boy. Abandon your pretense, Evermore!" He pointed an accusing finger at Evan, "You're not here for an alliance! You're here to bend mousekind to your will! Just like your father and his father has done before you! Your motives are woefully transparent and His Majesty shall not fall for it again! Those days are long gone!" He turned to look at Mausinger and Roland caught a glimpse of purple and his arm's wound twinged, "Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
Mausinger mechanically stood up from his throne and said in a borderline monotone voice, "There will be no signing pacts today." The mages leaned out of their hiding places in alarm as the king moved like a puppet on strings.
Vermine's purple aura dissipated and the mouse king's stance became natural. He frowned in frustrated confusion. He lost time again.
"But-" Mausinger's growled. Was this time one of the boy's lackey's doing? Is this how he's been getting the treaty signed?
"Mousekind will no longer bow to grimalkin no more!" shouted Mausinger as rage built up inside him.
"Please, King Mausinger," pleaded Evan, "we have to stop this before its too late! I have seen now why you overthrew me. So much has happened between our people. But we can't let it go on! We have to bring this to an end!"
"And what do you know, boy?" hissed Mausinger, "Of hatred? Of the taste of shame and humiliation brought upon by servitude?"
"Well said, Your Majesty," smirked Vermine.
Mausinger stepped down the stairs, a sword materializing from his arms band, "The House of Tildrum ends here today at my hand. Your line shall be no more, Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum." He readied his sword once he reached the landing.
"Oh, how I longed to do this," Mausinger sighed. He raised it and with a warning swing, the sword burst in flames.
"Ding Dong Dell shall never be yours!" he growled, "Never!"
He lunged forwards with sword aimed to kill. Evan quickly summoned the sword Roland had found during his infiltration of Ding Dong Dell. He blocked a killing blow that would've beheaded him. "Mausinger!"
"The time to talk is over," hissed the mouse king.
Evan was faintly aware of shouts from his allies and castle guards. A cry of "They must not be aided!" was everyone's warning before a circle of blue flames erupted around the two combatants. The left side mage lowered their wand.
"Excellent work, Lady Ratasha," smirked Vermine, "Now no one can help that boy."
"And we cannot help our King," shot back Ratasha, "That includes you." She chanted a quick spell and a hand emerged from the pool on the left of the throne and it grabbed the shocked Chancellor before flinging him across the room.
"Ratasha!" cried out the other mage, horrified.
"We must not let that traitor interfere, Gregory," said Ratasha as she maintained the flames, "we answer to the Crown, not to that wretch."
"You speak of-"
"I will explain later," gritted out Ratasha.
Meanwhile, Evan was reduced to defending himself from Mausinger's relentless strikes. The heat of the mouse king's sword threatened to singe his hair every time it got too close.
"Why wont you die?" roared Mausinger before he vanished. Evan frantically looked around, horrified that the older king can teleport. The return of the flaming sword's heat behind him was his only warning to dive out of the sword's path. While Mausinger growled and carefully pulled the sword out of the rug to reduce damage to it, Evan cast a stream of water at him. Dripping wet, the mouse king was enraged by how the spell delayed the sword's re-ignition as he waved the sword up and down to quickly dry it.
Evan took the distraction as opportunity to slash at Mausinger's arm. With a howl of pain, he leapt back and saw a large ball of light heading his way. He quickly conjured a red barrier that held up against the spell.
Mausinger grimaced as his arm throbbed. He gripped it and felt warm blood on his hand. His young opponent meanwhile was panting and his skin turning pink from repeated exposure to the burning sword.
Ratasha suddenly cried out and the blue flame barrier dissipated. She held her side as it ran with blood. Vermine backed away from her with a bloody knife, satisfied. Gregory looked on in shock.
"Damn you, Tildrum, and all your kind," said Mausinger, ignoring whimpers from the injured mage.
"We don't have to do this, Mausinger!" shouted Evan, "I didn't come here to fight you! I don't even want to fight! So please! Stop before more people get hurt!"
"Don't listen to the boy, my liege!" countered Vermine as purple smoke surrounded his body. Roland held back a yelp as he gripped his arm once more. The bottle of concentrated soreaway he was planning to bring to Ratasha would have crashed to the floor if Leander hadn't used his telekinesis magic to catch it.
"You cannot accept defeat," continued Vermine with a wicked smile as Mausinger suddenly stood rigidly in place, "If you do, these worms would bring misery to our people! Our people will never be free!"
"F-free?" said Mausinger distantly. Gregory and a few guards gasped. Ratasha glowered despite the pain. Leander ran over and held up the potion bottle to Ratasha and with his help, she poured a small amount on her hand. She yelped as she slapped the potion covered hand on her side. The pain intensified and she would've fell hard to the floor if Leander hadn't caught her. She gasped for breath as the potion did its job.
"Yes, we must be free!" Mausinger added.
"Not like this!" shouted Roland, "Don't listen to him!"
"Don't listen to the infiltrator!" countered Vermine, the aura intensifying, "He works with the grimalkin!"
"Grimalkin..." Mausinger growled, "every last grimalkin must die!"
He raised the sword above his head, the blade pointed to the skylight as it glowed, "Oakenhart, come to me!"
And then suddenly, Doloran appeared in a flash and with a victorious smile, he plunged his hand into the king's chest. The sword ceased glowing as Mausinger looked down at the arm slowly withdrawing from his body in horror. A golden string, his Kingsbond was in Doloran's grasp.
"No...my Kingsbond," Mausinger weakly grappled at the arm pulling the bond out. "Who...who are you?" he gasped.
With a quick jerk, the bond snapped and Doloran laughed triumphantly as Mausinger fell to his knees.
"At last," said Doloran as the bond fragment was sealed into a ball of light, "I never thought I would ever get it."
"It's finally done, Master!" cheered Vermine as he bowed to the sorcerer. Gregory looked like he was slapped in the face by the revelation.
"V-vermine?" gasped Mausinger as his Chancellor revealed his true colors.
"So sorry, Otto," sneered Vermine as he rubbed his hands together, "I do confess that I do feel a bit of guilt in convincing you to slay your dearest friend and patron."
"Like hell you do," hissed Ratasha as she carefully lifted herself up to a sitting position.
"But you should have never taken my word so readily over Leonhard's. Those who claim that blood is thicker than water really do overstate the case, my fellow mouse."
"No...!"
"In truth," Vermine lectured as the aura flickered in view again, leading to Roland and Ratasha flinching as the pain of their wounds, old and new, flared, "Leonhard was too nauseatingly good-natured to betray you. He would never contemplate an idea so base as manipulating you to keep mousekind in check. And as it turns out, you are easy to manipulate!"
"Vermine," growled Mausinger as he grasped his wounded arm again, "How could you?!"
"Why, for power, of course," sniffed Vermine. "Taking the title of Earl of Summerlands and the role of Chancellor was just the beginning. My goal...is the throne."
He turned to Doloran enthusiastically, "Now, My Lord, I fulfilled my end of the bargain. My price was the kingdom and I wish to claim it."
"Of course," said Doloran as Vermine lit up in joy, "you must be rewarded for your faithful service."
A ball of darkness formed in his hand and grew. He flung it at the Chancellor and it engulfed him until an outline of him that shined similarly to a ghost's fire was driven out of him.
The darkness dissipated and Vermine collapsed to his knees, unseeing. The pain Ratasha and Roland were feeling vanished as well. The source of their curses was no longer able to keep maintaining with force of will.
Everyone stared at the unfocused man in shock. What...what just happened?
"Doloran!" Roland was the first to regain his wits, "What did you do to him?!"
"I repaid a debt to a traitor," answered Doloran as he eyed the chancellor with contempt.
He turned to view everyone in the room, "This accursed kingdom...Not only was the previous ruler too pure-hearted to succumb to my manipulations, but so was his closest aide and successor! Even his own son was immune!" He glared at Evan, who refused to back away.
"In the end," he waved a dismissive hand to the comatose Vermine, "I was forced to settle with this worm. So much precious time has been wasted."
"But now," he added excitedly, "My plan is coming to fruition! It's just a shame that a lot of you wont be able to see it."
"W-why?" blurted out a guard.
"Because," said Doloran as purple smoke curled around his feet, "he's coming. Good bye." He was enveloped by the smoke and when it cleared away, he was gone. He had escaped.
Fog began filling the throne room. A silhouette formed and everyone readied their weapons.
Oakenhart emerged from the fog with glowing red eyes. It launched into the air and roared. A wind threatened to blow them all away.
"Oakenhart!" cried out Mausinger as he stood his ground, "has it really come to this?"
With the link between ruler and Kingmaker severed, Mausinger had no way to truly calm Oakenhart down. He knew what was must be done if the kingdom was to survive the ancient Kingmaker's wrath. He lifted his sword.
"You're not doing this alone," Evan stepped to Mausinger's side, eyes gleaming in determination, "We fight him together!"
Given the familiarity the Evermore delegation showed to Doloran, Mausinger had a feeling they all knew how to handle an out of control Kingmaker.
"Of course," he said. In truth, he feared facing Oakenhart's wrath, even if it was justly deserved.
He blinked and suddenly he was in a clearing in an ancient forest. How...how did they get here? He spotted Ratasha and Gregory looking around in confusion as well. He couldn't see Vermine anywhere. Is...is his body still in Ding Dong Dell?
"Your Majesty, you're still wounded," Gregory ran up to Mausinger and cast a healing spell. Immediately, his arm knitted the sword slash back together until it was like it never happened, its only evidence being the torn and bloodied sleeve. He also felt less weary and more alert.
Right on time too. King Evan's strange Higgledy-like Kingmaker was warning everyone of the plants that anchored themselves to the ground after Oakenhart launched them. Bad things will happen if they release their pollen.
Mausinger sliced a nearby plant with his sword and it immediately withered and died.
And then a Higgledy materialized. How...how strange.
It ran over to another plant and squeaked. Mausinger obediently slashed it. Ratasha and Gregory noticed his movements and aimed their spells at the remaining plants. The resulting group of Higgledies created a barrier of wind that redirected a pillar of vines Oakenhart fired at the little red haired pirate girl to the sky.
Oakenhart roared in frustration and glowed purple. Oh no.
"Get behind me, everyone!" Mausinger shouted as he formed a barrier of his own, "he is mustering his strength for a powerful attack!"
Everyone heeded his warning and with help from the blond mage with a Hydropolitan accent, the barrier expanded. Just in time too. A wave of power blasted across the battlefield and vines sprouted everywhere. If it weren't for the barrier, they would've been caught in it.
Mr. Crane fired a gravity spell from his gun and Oakenhart collapsed.
I'm sorry, thought Mausinger as he activated his sword's flames once more and swiped at the Kingmaker's thick hide. It howled.
To his frustration, the Kingmaker got up and it was like they all ended up mirroring their previous actions once more.
"I believe, Sire, that fire works best against the Kingmaker," noted Ratasha.
"Right," said the pink haired woman as she dismissed her axe, "One fireball coming right up!"
"Really sorry about this," young King Evan sent a pillar of flame after Oakenhart, "please forgive us for resorting to your weakness, Ancient One."
And then eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Oakenhart conceded defeat. With a blink, they were returned to the throne room where guards voiced their shock at their reappearances. Oakenhart was no longer present. Vermine remained in his spot, never acknowledging anyone's presence. His chest rising and falling was an immediate sign that he is still alive.
It...it was like the battle never happened.
Adrenaline and the need to survive spent, exhaustion and horror took over and Mausinger collapsed to his knees.
Oh gods, what has he done? What hasn't he done?
"Ding Dong Dell is doomed," he whimpered, "I have doomed it. To have my Kingsbond taken from me so easily...I wasn't strong enough to stop it. I...I am not fit to rule."
Hells, he wasn't able to resist the handful of times Vermine used whatever magic he got from that sorcerer. The words and actions he had done felt...natural but that was Vermine's doing. But...even though Vermine manipulated him into thinking his old friend was secretly betraying him, it was Mausinger who added the poison. No magic was needed.
He sobbed as he heard someone approach. He turned to see young Evan.
"Kill me, Tildrum. You have the right to do so after what I have done to you. Avenge your father. Avenge yourself. Avenge your kind."
"No," said the boy king, "I've had enough of needless death." So, it won't be by his hand then.
Evan knelt down in front of Mausinger, "Listen to me, Your Majesty. Ding Dong Dell, your kingdom, is not doomed. It will rise again because its people will work together rebuilding it. Mice, grimalkin, humans...
"But they'll need you to lead them," Evan added, "If I can have a second chance, then so can you."
A book materialized from his arms band, "My father trusted you. You cannot fail him now." He handed the book over and Mausinger instantly recognized it as Leonhard's diary. Oh gods.
He leafed through the diary with dread. At last he found the last entry.
...I trust in you still. I know that you will continue what we have started and that you will succeed.
Leonhard...he...
Mausinger ran hand down his face in an attempt to calm himself.
"He believed in me..." he whimpered. "And...I..."
Poisoned him.
Killed him.
Loud sobs echoed in the throne room as Mausinger cried out his despair, his guilt.
Tears dripped onto the diary. Oh great, he ruined one of the few things Evan has left of Leonhard.
And then the diary started glowing. A few feet away from the startled kings, ethereal lights started to form into a ball and the tell-tale wail of a ghost was heard.
Mausinger and Evan stared at the floating ball of flames and at the diary.
"Oh!" Evan stood up, "Hang on! Spectra!" A large circle with the ancient symbol associated with Spirit Medium enveloped the floor.
When the light faded, everyone could see a ghostly version of the former King of Ding Dong Dell, King Leonhard Tildrum.
"Hello, old friend," greeted Leonhard warmly.
Mausinger stared up at his friend's spirit with a dropped jaw. His wits returned and he shifted so he would be kneeling on one knee and laid a hand over his heart. He bowed, "Y-your Majesty...I..."
"Be still, Otto," said Leonhard, "I forgive you."
"W-what?" gasped Mausinger, "But I-"
Leonhard shook his head, "Our peoples have borne each other ill will since time immemorial. I knew that the rift between mousekind and grimalkin would not heal so easily during my lifetime. It can only be done one step at a time. But...one day, our races will stand together, hand in hand, and all thoughts of oppression a thing of history."
"I have widened that rift," confessed Mausinger, "The progress you made has been nullified."
"Nonsense, it has not. Not when you have the opportunity to truly shine as king."
"But I killed you! I stole the throne from your son! I...I don't deserve to be king," the mouse looked down at the floor in shame.
"Mausinger..." said Evan unhelpfully.
"I've always trusted you, Otto, and I always will. Like my dear son, you see far. You both see further than I ever could. You both are makers of plans, doers of deeds. Both true rulers." At this, both of Leonhard's successors gasped. Mausinger then shook his head in disagreement.
The ghost tilted his head, "I sense doubt in you, Otto. Doubt in others born from doubt in yourself. A king must learn to trust his own judgement."
Mausinger looked back up at Leonhard, surprised, "A king...You see me as worthy?"
"Who better to rule the realm I love than the one who loves it just as fiercely?" replied Leonhard. Evan's ears and tail drooped at the implication that he didn't care about Ding Dong Dell enough to try fighting for it.
"If...if it pleases you, Your Majesty," said Mausinger resigned.
"It does," smiled Leonhard as he laid a spectral hand on Mausinger's shoulder, "I know you will not fail."
"...Thank you, Your Majesty."
Leonhard turned to look at Evan, who immediately stood to attention. Leonhard smiled.
"My son, you faced so much trial and hardship since my passing."
"I have, Father," agreed Evan.
"Yet despite of it, you flourished. You thrived." He knelt down so he was face to face with Evan.
"I am so proud of you." He embraced his son and Evan found that instead of the horrid cold ghosts are paradoxically known for, he felt warmth. It was like his father was still alive.
"F-father," whimpered Evan.
The spirit of King Leonhard pulled himself away and Evan reluctantly let go.
The ghost was beginning to destabilize, "I must be on my way. When we meet again, I want to hear the tales of two kingdoms who was made great by their wise and benevolent rulers. Farewell, Otto. I leave Ding Dong Dell is in your hands. Watch over the realm we have loved so well. Please, do not fail me."
"I shall not, my dear friend," promised Mausinger, his eyes reddened.
"Farewell, my son. Your journey is not over yet. You will face more challenges but I know you will overcome them."
"I will father," promised Evan, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Farewell," said Mausinger and Evan.
The ghost broke up into many balls of light, its final message at last spoken. King Leonhard can finally pass on. As the lights drifted to the skylight, Roland and Batu jumped as they heard a voice, "Thank you for guiding my son."
Mausinger and Evan watched as the last remnants of Leonhard faded away.
He...he is truly gone now.
But...they have made a promise. They'll make him proud.
I have never written 4,500 words for one chapter before. This fic is really kicking me over some milestones. Anyway:
Who ghost-wrote that letter because the idea of Mausinger or Vermine writing 'TO HIS RADIANT MAJESTY' when it is the kid who they share history with. Mausinger was around when Evan was a baby. He definitely got barfed on. You can't convince me otherwise.
Ratasha at last shows up after being mentioned in a couple of chapters. She's also an OC from my Kingdom Hearts crossover (...which I have been procrastinating on this whole time) just like Tomca. She is loyal to the Crown and she hates Vermine and his Grima Wormtongue shtick with all her being.
The reason why Vermine's curse isn't nullified on Roland is because since its not killing him, it's not really the Horned One's concern. It's more of a dick move sort of annoyance. And like, I doubt Vermine got all of his dark magic from Doloran/The Horned One. The Horned One can't be the source of all dark magic for the past two thousand years otherwise anyone who canonically casts dark spells would be in trouble when the end-game plot kicks in. *shrugs*
I rewrote King Leonhard's speech because it bothered me that he makes this speech that emotionally compromises Mausinger and then he just...nods at Evan before passing on. Yes, Evan could have read what his father wrote about him in his father's diary but Evan went and created a kingdom and forged allies with several other nations in a short amount of time at the age of, like, 10. That's pretty impressive. WHY WONT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE IT DAD?
So yeah, now both of his successors get to be punched in the feels. I feel it makes a better impact.
Next chapter is definitely going to be shorter since its a wrap up chapter. After that...ooooh boy.
See y'all next time.
Edit 9/4/18 - Extended pre-battle throne room scene
