So much happening now; The Shadow Clause out to kill Moon now, characters getting worried about the future, Odrick feeling regret, and Willow descending into madness over her conflicting loyalties to her family and kingdom.

But enough on the complex character development, BACK TO THE ACTION!

Gladiator: The Battle ( watch?v=xAW_D7yhEK4&list=PLK-mDaBS0KD9ACJ6lkBr_y3BfPu9DFea)

1 ½ months after the planning for the attack had started Shcwartzhaffen stood on the shore bank looking over the army unpack from the boats as thousands of men and supplies to feed and house them all were unloaded onto the bank. They were unloading onto the right bank facing upstream because the left bank was still to marshy for them to unload and the Thundering Falls blocked passage up the river any further as well. Brushing off the memory of raids that had delayed them for a good week he walked forward taking pride in the men who served under him as they were doing their job well. He walked amongst some of the men who were unloading offering a hand whenever needed as he was willing to go through what his would go through, most of the time of course. Whenever he passed by groups and individuals they saluted him with a fist to their chests or the new style raised hands to their forehead which he liked just as much for some reason. Coming across a soldier who had been injured by an attempted Monster raid on the fleet of ships, a young looking lad by the looks of it, he clapped him on the shoulder with the man giving a short "sir" of acknowledgement. Coming up a command position he came up alongside Fiorbhin and a lord who was new to the scene called Lord Mildrew, an up-and-coming lad who showed great promise.

"Lean and hungry aren't they." Mildrew spoke in a surprisingly gravelly voice that seemed to match Fiorbhin's for some reason but did not match his own appearance of a pretty boy.

'Well, it don't matter what he looks like so long as he can fight and lead effectively.' Shcwartzhaffen thought to himself as he nodded to the boy. Then the smile fell from his face as he turned to Fiorbhin.

"Still nothing."

"Not a sign my friend."

"How long has he been gone?"

"Nearly an hour." Mildrew then interjected into the conversation.

"Will they really fight us sir?"

"My lad, Moon must be desperate if she is fighting outside of a fortress instead of defending it. Those Monsters will hopefully realize that she is alone in this fight and will desert her leaving only a few traitors and strange entities to help her out. If not, we will crush her all the same and bring her back home to be set in a corner where she belongs." The trio laughed at the idea. "Speaking of which, I know I should not spoil the surprise but when we've won you will be wedding Moon, good luck keeping her in check mi lad." Shcwartzhaffen nodded to Mildrew who smiled back.

"Oh I knew for a while, it was the worst kept secret here. I just say I hope I can show how to be a proper queen when so much else has failed."

"Well she is mighty good looking, mayhaps you have some other benefits as well?" Fiorbhin spoke getting a chuckle out of the three of them.

It was cut short however when they heard a moaning bellow from the woods that snapped them to attention. Everyone in the unloading group stopped as they saw a Warnicorn running down from the cliffs next to the falls that blocked their passage. Some of the soldiers then began to scan the woods that bordered the dried marsh they were unloading upon looking for any ambushers. As the trio watched they saw what appeared to be a girl around Moon's age step out holding the messenger's sword and his head in her hands.

"They said no." Fiorbhin said in a neutral tone.

"Is that Moon?" Mildrew asked in confusion.

"I do believe that is Helsinki Greyjoy, a cousin of hers who followed her on this ruinous path." Shcwartzhaffen replied in a neutral tone of voice.

"Vy sobaki ublyudki; My budem trakhat' tebya do smerti!" Helsinki yelled out as she threw the messenger's head down the hill with several Monsters coming up behind her.

Shcwartzhaffen actually recognized one as the so called "Buff Frog" of the southern raiders. Of course it was kind of hard to miss a 7 foot tall humanoid frog even amongst all the Monsters with Helsinki up there.

"People should know when they're conquered." Mildrew said offhand.

"Would you Mildrew? Would I?" Shcwartzhaffen asked looking at him quickly.

"About a thousand or so, not that well equipped but with a good position. Obviously using what little they have to the best of their abilities." Fiorbhin nodded in acknowledgement to what the Monsters were doing. "I will lead some soldiers forward to clean them up, shouldn't lose more than 500 or so at most despite the terrain."

"Go ahead Fiorbhin but remain wary. Until we know where Moon and that damn lizard are we can't rest easy." Fiorbhin nodded to Shcwartzhaffen's words and moved quickly.

"Could this be a distraction so they could drop soldiers in from the air or open a portal sir?" Mildrew asked in concern.

'I like this lad, he thinks outside of the box.' Shcwartzhaffen nodded in acknowledgement.

"The Tremorfidian crystal we brought with us will prevent any portals from being opened and aerial landings only work when there are no archers to shoot them down or too many for the archers to shoot down." He then gestured to the large army still unloading. "And even in this state we could shoot down hundreds of the flying Monsters they possess before anyone could land safely." Mildrew chuckled at the thought.

"You do think of everything. I hope to be half your greatness someday."

"Don't hope for it mi lad, strive for it and force it to happen whether others want ye to be great or not." They nodded to each other before Mildrew was called away for some other task.

Shcwartzhaffen looked over as the battle began to unfold only now realizing the poetic irony of the situation. Today was the holiday of Mewnipendance day when the great Monster Massacre happened. He smiled at the thought of another one happening and realized it would be a perfect reminder to all Monster kind who the masters here were. He looked up at the Monsters on the cliff top who were now bellowing and giving out war cry's to try and intimidate the soldiers of Mewni. Honestly he thought they were cute and hilarious chucking at them with most of the men following suit.


"Wow you have one dirty tongue on you little sister!" Buff Frog spoke to Helsinki with awe and respect in his voice.

"Why is it surprising, because I am a woman and a Mewman at that?" She glared at him in a playful fashion.

"No you just have a dirty tongue overall."

They shared a laugh as Monsters all around them began war chants, insults, and just straight up screaming and bellowing at the enemy. Looking down at the landing area they saw that the soldiers had cleared out some of the trees in order to properly unload soldiers and supplies making a small plain to complement the boggy area currently solidified making an area about 1.5 miles wide by 2 miles long. Buff Frog looked back over his shoulder to see an additional force of Monsters ready to leap out and charge down numbering about 3,000 in addition to the 1,000 already chanting on the hill. These guys were far better equipped with steel armor and weapons instead of war paint and stone clubs although weapons and armor were concealed at the warriors feet when the order to charge downhill was given. He chuckled again looking at the rock falls they had cleverly concealed on the hill to help give them an advantage when charging down.

After looking over the battlefield just to make sure everything was in place he turned back to Helsinki who was joining the war chants speaking the Monster tongue with surprising ease as most Monsters couldn't even learn their own tongue these days. She actually appeared like she was born to wear Monster war paint with strange knot work and entwining branches making it look like she was a forest spirit of old. With her currently shoulder length hair done with bleach so it stood out in a bristling fashion she made one terrifying display. Despite what many Monsters thought he didn't view her as a love interest and she didn't view him as one either with their actual relationship being more big brother and little sister. Of course being the big brother he felt very protective over and would stick by her side until the end of the fight once the fighting got started.

'Well, time to think of that later, now we must taunt them.' He thought as he raised an old stone club and began smacking it on the ground while bellowing at the Mewman soldiers.


Toffee looked around the forces waiting for the signal to charge while keeping an eye glued to the sky for when the time will come. The flanking forces that Butler had in mind to flank from downriver up to the distracted enemy had to be deployed a good mile away to ensure that they would not be spotted which meant it would take a few minutes in order to reach the fight. Since timing was everything they had to move at the exact moment at the exact speed in order for this plan to work cause if not... well? Toffee glanced over at Moon astride Red star looking like an Amazon with her hair done up in twin braids that fit under her helmet. He felt a cold chill run up his spine on how much was riding on this battle and that if victory wasn't achieved everyone but Moon would die for certain, and he wasn't even sure if she would escape this alive.

"Toffee please don't stare at me like that, you look like a predatory lizard when the eyes go yellow." Moon looked at him worried to which he sighed and shook himself.

"I'm sorry Moon, I'm just worried."

"Well don't, we don't have time to be worried or concerned. Let's just get this done and go back home to snuggle each other to sleep." She blinked at her own words. "Wait let me rephrase that…"

But she didn't get time to as Toffee pulled her head down, he was going to run to the fight as he was ironically faster than the Warnicorns, and kissed her straight on the lips. He heard chuckles and some cheers nearby as people applauded their boldness in public but he ignored them. Pulling back he looked at Moon who flushed red at what had just happened.

"Well why can you do that and not me?" Toffee asked as Moon went to answer but then fell silent.

He looked over to his friends; he still had to remind himself at times that he actually had friends. Heckapoo was smiling coyly at them flipping her scissor daggers in the air ready to cut some men down and wearing a formal dress for some reason. Rhombulus was decked out for battle in some impressive armor though he refused weapons saying he was the weapon that everyone needed to fear and Toffee would have to agree with him for once. River was astride Chauncey looking dignified which was an impressive feat considering he was still tubby and was astride a pig-goat of all creatures. Lily and Mina were ready like all the other guardians were and he shuddered for any man that got in the way of them avenging their fallen sisters during the purge of the guardians. Prince Ponyhead actually had managed to keep control of the Ponyhead's and got them decked out in armor and ready to fight in top condition, 'way to go' Toffee thought in admiration.

He then turned to observe the whole army which was still quite impressive considering they were hiding in the woods. The Ponhead's, Guardians, defector soldiers, 1,000 druids, the Dawi Zharr heavy infantry, 1,000 of the best Monster warriors, and the lizard men mercenaries from down south together numbered around 6,000. He glanced once again at the so called Rasticore feeling some strange nostalgic memories that he wasn't sure where they came from. He had no living relatives that he knew of as he didn't bother looking for them but Rasticore claimed he was Toffee's long lost cousin. Of course that was in passing and neither of them delved too deeply into it as there was too much to plan for. He was dragged from his musing when Odrick appeared galloping up on his Warnicorn Stormbringer.

"Moon rebels." He bellowed throwing his fist into the air with the fingers towards the army. Everyone replied by doing the same and some of them shouting "yes sir".

"8 weeks from now I will be celebrating my daughter's birthday in a Mewman castle. Imagine where you will be and it will be so. Hold the line, stick with me, show no fear. Remember that what we do can echo throughout of all of eternity. Oh yes, and if you happen to find yourself running up a rainbow through mist with gorgeous battle maidens atop flying warnicorns escorting you do not be troubled, you are only dead." This got a bark of laughter from everyone that was slightly delayed as secondary speakers gave his speech to people outside of his speaking range, which was pretty considerable all things taken into account.

Toffee turned back to the position they would charge for when the signal was given and glued his eyes to the sky waiting for the right moment.


Stalvard was helping his people push up artillery on the opposite bank from where the soldiers were unloading. Only about 500 of his people were soldiers and they were all with Moon ready to flank from the opposite side of the hills or from his perspective from the right. However plenty of the noncombatants had volunteered to help with the artillery as their home and people were threatened which was the least risky job honestly. They could try to cross the river but even if things were executed sloppily this group would have plenty of time to retreat.

"Bonibell, get the fiery balls of justice ready." He said offhand to the pixie.

"What do you think I'm doing?" She replied as she shot magical fire to the ammunition making ready to burst into flames when it struck its target.

"Excellent, we are ahead of schedule then. No one disturb me unless if are about to be flanked and Bonibell is unavailable and get that ballista ready it must be loaded first."

The plan was surprisingly simple, when the soldiers crossed a certain point he would have a ballista bolt be fired high into the air signaling the flanking forces that now was the time to move. If they were lucky they would do it in such a way to make the enemy think they were bad shots and not sending a signal. However, if he got the timing off by just a minute the forces on hill could not be able to get down in time to support Moon's flanking maneuver. If it was fired to soon Moon's forces would be surrounded with a strong barrier between them and Buff Frog's forces and if it was fired too late Buff Frog's forces would be in for the fight of their lives while Moon struggled to fight the forces at the bottom of the hill. Admittedly Avarius did have his forces in the surrounding tree line but they were only 500 Druids leading 3,000 Monsters not including the rats and rat ogres instead of the 5,000 they should have been. Kiting the enemy to slow them down and many needed elsewhere or unable to make it in time had taken its toll on their numbers.

"Are you talking to yourself again I could hear you monologue over what could happen to us." Bonibell spoke to him making him realize he was saying all that had been going on in his head.

"… well now that we are all caught up just in case you weren't now you know why we shouldn't fail." He said this brusquely before turning back to the advancing army only to realize something. "They are at the position, FIRE NOW!" to only be answered by snap of breaking cord.

He turned around to see the ballista had fallen over for some reason and shot its bolt into the ground. Growling in frustration he walked over to another ballista and began trying to load it himself.

"Someone help me here." Fortunately he was answered by just about everyone close by who ran over and helped him load it to point it skyward.

"Now shoot it." He bellowed and this time was rewarded with a bolt flying high over his head lighting up in flames sending a signal that could be seen miles around.

"I do hope that 49 second delay wasn't too bad." Bonibell said in worry.

"I hope so to. Now everyone fire at the artillery and soldiers and not at the boats until I give the signal." Answered by "yes sirs" and "it shall be done" he went back to observing the battle with an eagle's eye.


Avarius watched with uncertainty as the ballista bolt flew high into the air signaling to everyone to charge the minute Moon arrived. He looked over what forces he could see hidden in the forest. They must have been doing their job well as he could not see many including the Rat Ogres. This was especially good considering he was sitting in a tree right now with all of the others of his kind waiting for Moon's army to arrive. Theoretically when Moon's forces charge the soldiers would run for the supplies and center of the camp to get weapons to fight them. That was when Avarius's forces would strike from the air dropping small stones that contained a preset spell that would remove the solid covering on the ground allowing the bog to begin swallowing up the supplies and men. Of course, if the men didn't rush for the center they could shoot down the bird folk before they got the chance to drop their stones.

"I really wish everything didn't rely on chance right now." Reepacheep spoke Avarius's thoughts out loud.

"What are you doing up here? Get to the ground forces so they actually have someone to lead them."

"I was just… ok fine just to silence you I will do that." He scampered down the trunk to where he was meant to direct the ground forces.

'I like him, but he tends to be a bit scatterbrained at times.' Avarius thought to himself as he watched the position Moon would come from.


The bolt arched high into the sky glowing a brilliant yellow color. Odrick smiled at the signal and raised his lance into the air waiting for everyone to quiet down and see him. He then gestured forward with his lance starting out Stormbringer in a slow trot with everyone else coming up behind him matching his pace. He idly glanced at Toffee as he matched the pace on foot thinking 'Am I glad we have a regiment of those guys on our side as well now.' before focusing back on riding.


Shcwartzhaffen looked across the river in confusion as the artillery began opening fire and missing rather expertly as well.

"Well that's clever, if only they could hit the side of a barn now."

The men around him laughed with him as the artillery across the river attempted to reload. He signaled for the artillery that was used for the boat defenses to open fire on the enemy position as it was not worth sending troops across to deal with them if they were that bad at shooting. He turned back watching Fiorbhin lead the assault on the hill with him actually picking up the pace a little and moving more quickly then he should have.

"Fiorbhin is moving awfully fast mi lord. Should we signal him to take his time?" one of the messangers asked him in concern.

"No, they're just savage raiders and if the artillery across the river begins hitting their targets it would be best if they closed with the enemy despite the terrain. Have the men unload the artillery we brought with us and open fire on those across the river. It's still boggy on that side so unloading would be a pain in the arse and boats going towards them would only become better targets."

He smiled as the message was sent out watching the battle unfold. Despite the terrifying display that the artillery fire made it did little to now damage with the ships not even being touched. He hoped that Fiorbhin saved as many men as possible in this fight, though they were fighting Monsters men's lives could not just be thrown away. He looked over the army now attempting to protect the supplies and get artillery out to return fire with the artillery on the ships returning fire and… not finding their marks. 'Hmm, must be bad wind conditions.' He thought idly as he tested the air…

"Wait a second."