Defeat
Ladybird beetle slid under a quartet of rapiers, her knees pushing the mud forward as she reached out, wrapping her hands around the ankles of two of the men, and pulled them off balance. Black Cat swung as he leaped over the self-same weapons, the change in the last two being just enough to be caught in his swing. All four flew five feet, only to land in mud as he landed right behind his partner. "Three dozen down, and we're only a block further than we were when we started." he growled at the next group that rushed to face off against them.
"We'll get there, Cat." Beetle tried to console, but he rushed past her, swiping his extending staff so that each of the half dozen men were slammed against the sides of their heads. Each one fell, and militiamen rushed forward to take them into custody.
Black Cat glared at her. "If we keep going at this rate, we'll be too late to save anyone."
Turning to look at him, she nodded. "Use your staff. Get to the castle. I'll face off against the men out here."
His eyes widened as he looked at her. "But..."
"No 'buts', Cat. You need to save the king and queen. I'll be along once I've helped to stop the forces out here." Lightly touching his shoulder, she smiled. "You can get there quicker than me, so go."
Bowing his head, he nodded. "I'll be waiting for you." With that he rushed forward and planted the end of his staff, sending him straight up into the sky. Seconds later, he was twirling his staff, allowing him to slowly descend until he was on the castle wall. Turning toward her opponents, Beetle crouched and picked up a pair of rapiers.
"Now, let's see how capable I am at swordsmanship." she rushed forward with her weapons out to the side, those bluebell eyes narrowed in unrestrained anger.
oOo
Sneaking onto the ship had been rather easy for the handmaiden. Her green eyes scanned the interior where oars were set up to go at a moment's notice. "Okay, so this is obviously how they got their soldiers into Paris, but... why keep the ships here?" looking around, she saw nothing more than a vessel meant for transportation. 'Could this be their escape should everything go wrong?' Her eyes widened at the prospects. Looking through the small containers, she took a sniff of each. "Water. Water. Fruit. Lantern oil. Water." blinking, she looked back at the burning lantern.
Pulling out one of the wooden belaying pins, she used it to crack through the top of the lantern oil barrel, and kicked it over so that the fuel splashed over the lower section of the sloop. On her way out, she picked up the lantern, but a strong hand grabbed her wrist, causing her to drop the item. "What are you doing here girl?!" the sailor snarled as the lantern impacted the floor behind her.
"Ow! Let me go! You're hurting me!" she cried out.
"I said..." he stopped himself as he watched the flames filling the room. "F-Fire! FIRE!" With the belaying pin still in her hand, she swung it at the man, slamming it into his temple.
He let go to grab his head, giving her just enough time to scamper past him but as he reached for her again, grabbing her skirt, he stumbled back. "EEK! HELP!" she screamed as the man started to pull her back into the burning hold. She never expected to have a strong arm wrap around her, the blade of a rapier going up through the snagged article of clothing, and for the warrior to scoop her up in his arms. They ran off of the last ship in the line of four just as the flames licked out of the lower section.
"Are you alright?" he asked, and she saw the kind gray eyes of a militia soldier, the front of his hair styled up in a sharp quiff. His smile caused her cheeks to heat up, and her heart to pound.
"I... you... my hero..." she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What were you doing in there to begin with?" he asked.
Mary blushed, looking away shyly. "I was... trying to stop the enemy from having a way of escaping should the battle go badly for them."
"That's a really good idea. What do you need me to do?"
Her heart seemed to swell at the praise. "Protect me while I burn the rest of the ships." she offered.
"Dear lady, I would go through the fires of Hell to do just that." He gently set her back down on solid ground. "What's your name?"
"M-Mary. What's yours?"
Pulling her hand up, he laid a gentle kiss between her ring and middle finger knuckle "Lê Chiến Kim, but everyone just calls me Kim."
"Okay, Kim, let's go." With that, the pair made their way down the line, with the noble warrior defending the young handmaiden while she destroyed each of the four ships at the docks.
oOo
Blades clashed together even as Kagami felt the cutlass slice across her sleeves, her caramel eyes taking a measure of the man in front of her. By the time she was sleeveless, she had determined his tactics and skill. Within seconds she turned and twisted her katana, connecting to his cutlasses so that she had both seized, the slightest push and he fell back toward the separation between the dock and the sloop. Reaching out with her other hand, she gripped his shirt, and held him over the water. "Were you not actively seeking to be my enemy, I could see spending an evening in your company." she hazard.
Luka saw the cold look in her eyes, the frown on her lips, and for several seconds he thought about all the horrible decisions he'd made with the opposite sex. From his infatuation with the cute blond that had stolen his sister's heart, to his constant disrespect toward Ladybird Beetle, and finally his stupid hope that they had been wrong when Rose appeared to him only a few weeks after her death. He had been so hopeful that it really was her, he never noticed the change in demeanor. It wasn't until she climbed on top of him that he realized his mistake, as her illusion melted away, and he was suddenly pinned under Lila. "I would be a poor choice for you." he breathed with tears in his eyes.
"Too bad." was all she said before yanking her katana free, cutting across his chest, and pushing him back. "May your next life be calmer, and your choices better." she watched as the ship rocked, giving him enough space to land in the water. He didn't have much of a chance to stop his fall, but even as he did, he saw flames licking up to the side. Within seconds he splashed down into the water, never knowing that in each of the ships, the young handmaiden had set a fire. He never had time to get out of the way before the keel of the ship he was trying to swim underneath suddenly impacted his back, pushing him into the soft mud of the Seine.
The air evacuated his lungs within seconds, and his eyes widened as he saw a golden haired angel reach out for him. 'Rose...'
it would be the last thought he ever had in this life.
oOo
During the hour Black Cat was making his way to the castle, Princess Chloe was running for her life. Sabrina slammed into a servant's door, pushing the bookcase to the side even as she heard armored feet stomping their way toward them. "No!" she screamed as she saw the Dragon Knight bearing down on them. Looking at her princess, she grabbed the royal and shoved her through the hidden door.
Chloe landed on her back. "Sabrina?" she blinked as she looked at the hidden door. Hearing muffled noises, she stood up just as a golden blade pierced through the bookcase, sending leather tomes to the floor. Crimson dripped off of the blade point as she backed up a step. "SABRINA!" Collapsing onto her knees, her hands on the floor, the aristocrat felt the hot tears streak down her face.
She didn't know where she was, or why Sabrina had brought her here, all Chloe knew was that as she sat there, crying, the secret door opened to reveal the Dragon Knight. Watching as he stepped forward, her eyes took in his armor, the point of the sword still dripping onto the ground. "Finally, the chase is done for you Princess Bourgeois."
Eyes closed, she stood up from where she sat. When her eyes opened, she glared at the man before her. "I curse you, and your bloodline to never achieve power, and by killing me, you seal your own fate." Her blue eyes never wavered as Armand brought his arm forward.
She never screamed, only gritted her teeth, and let out a bit of air before collapsing onto her knees, and then falling forward. "Pathetic." he growled. "Now, to find your worthless father."
oOo
Black Cat landed on the walls of the castle, his green eyes glowing like a demon from Hell. With his staff extended, he vaulted across, kicking through a window, causing it to shatter the moment he hit. Going into a roll, he saw the entire hallway filled with bodies. Hearing weapons clashing to his right, he took off running. Turning a corner, he saw an armored male with a cape swipe his golden sword to the side, knocking four men into the walls, and across the floor. "You weaklings are no match for me!"
Running toward the knight, he called out "Maybe they're not..." just before he leaped over his opponent. Landing on his feet in front of the male, he glowered at the knight. "... but I bet I am."
"A child thinks he can defeat me?" bringing up his weapon, he slashed at his opponent, but Black Cat slammed his staff against the blade, and spun his weapon, smacking it across the helmet of the knight. Growling, the warrior glared at him. "I." his sword slashed at Cat, but was turned away, "AM!" he was now shouting as he thrust at the younger male, "INVINCIBLE!"
"No!" Black Cat used the momentum to twirl around his gauntlet-clad arm, his heel slamming into the side of his opponent. "You're weak and pathetic!"
"Raaah! Shock Dragon!" he called out, impacting Black Cat's chest with his open palm, sending him flying nearly ten meters down the hallway until he crashed into a suit of armor. Both he and the armor collapsed to the floor, although the helmet smashed through the window. The armored knight stood over him. "How was that for "weak and pathetic" you arrogant feline?"
Looking up sharply, Black Cat lunged forward, his hand wrapping around the gauntlet that was beside his right hand. Bashing it against the left side of the armored soldier's face, he returned the steel glove by slapping across the right side a moment later. The knight staggered back a step before his fist took him straight in the nose, causing him to land on his back. "Just as I said." Cat growled. "Weak and pathetic." Dropping the gauntlet, he glared at the older male.
Standing back up, the knight glared at the young man. "Was it your intention to challenge me to a duel, boy?" He watched as Black Cat kicked his staff up, and went into a fencer's salute.
"Yes."
With a smirk on his lips, he nodded. "Then I accept." Pulling up his sword, they saluted. "Know that this will be a fight to the death, boy. No quarter will be asked..."
"None will be given." Black Cat finished. With a swish, their weapons went to the side before the pair lunged at each other. In a single strike, sparks shot off of their weapons, the staff and sword moving in concert as one cut left, and the other dodged right. They seemed to dance around each other, with Cat deflecting strikes, but offering only feints and false attacks.
"I know that fighting style..." the knight commented as he felt the staff slide over his sword, "and I know of only one person who uses it..." Reaching out, he gripped the blond's leather front, pulling him up to look into his eyes. He held him there, apparently searching for something. "Adrien..."
For a brief moment, Black Cat's eyes widened, his mouth opening. "Master D'Argencourt?" he breathed.
Pushing his student away, he glared at him from under the helmet he wore. "Somehow, I knew it would be you, Adrien. You were the greatest of my students," shaking his head, he pointed his sword at the young man, "how it saddens me to know that I will have to kill you instead."
"I'm not dead yet." Black Cat growled from all fours.
"You cannot defeat me!" Armand laughed. "This armor protects me, much like your own." Reaching up, he lightly touched his breastplate, but it was the glowing red gemstone in the center of the cape clasp that drew his attention. "Not only that, but I can move like the wind," as if to demonstrate, he suddenly disappeared, only to appear behind Black Cat, and smacked him upside the back of his head, "become fluid like water," his body turned to liquid, and he surrounded the young man in a bubble sending punches into him from all angles, before dropping him to the floor sodden and aching, "and you've already felt my shocking grasp." Suddenly he touched Adrien's back, causing him to convulse in agonizing pain.
oOo
Outside of the castle, Ladybird Beetle had just reached the inner courtyard, her arms and legs aching from the constant fighting. She kicked out in an arc, sending one warrior to the ground, before turning and repeatedly punching another in the stomach. Leaving off with an uppercut, she twisted in just enough time to miss getting a rapier in the side, although it dislodged the round object on her lower abdomen. Sending out a punch, she glared at the warrior even as he fell to the ground, holding his nose before she looked up at the agonizing scream that reached her ears. Her eyes wide, she gasped. "No..." she shook her head before screaming out "CAT!"
When her foot moved, only to touch against something, she glanced down. "What's this?" she asked herself as her hand wrapped around the double disks. Instantly, a loop wrapped around her middle finger, and she blinked. Another warrior lunged at her, and suddenly her hand shot out, the yo-yo slamming against his face, sending him cartwheeling until he landed on his stomach. Twirling the weapon, she looked up and launched it around one of the crenelations, with a yank she was pulled off of her feet.
Flying free, she yanked again, bringing her yo-yo back to her hand just as she landed inside the castle from the same window Black Cat had smashed. She heard another scream of agony, so she ran in that direction. When she saw the armored warrior touching her partner, his body convulsing and his scream in agony she didn't even think, but rushed forward instead. "HEY!" she screamed in just enough time to see him look up as she leaped forward, her foot leading.
Armand flew back into the wall, slamming into it with his head first, before sliding down to collapse upon the ground. "Cat..." she whispered, fear gripping her heart.
"I... I'm alright..." he coughed as he started to stagger to his feet. "He just... shocked me..."
Beetle shook her head, "Please tell me that's not a joke."
He gave her a broad smile and a wink as she helped him to his feet. Ladybird Beetle could tell that his legs were shaky, but she didn't have any time to say anything before a sound caused her to look up and see a gauntlet smashing into her face. She flew three meters down the hallway, only to land on her back, and slide for two more meters. "If you'll excuse me, madame, but this is a private matter between instructor and student."
Black Cat watched her fly back, but as he turned he saw the golden sword going straight for his abdomen, twisting around, he slapped his left hand against the blade, before he curled his right hand up and pulled all the power he could into a single strike. "CATACLYSM!" he shouted as he slammed his open palm into the knight's upper body, touching the golden clasp, but leaving the jewel intact. He took a step back as the knight flew back with the electrical damage merging with the magical destruction. The jewel flew out the broken window, only to be lost in the dark of the night.
Armand D'Argencourt staggered to his feet, his invulnerable armor and magical weapon now completely gone. "You..." he snarled.
"What's the matter?" Black Cat scowled. "Upset that you're now capable of being defeated?"
Picking up the sword from the suit of armor, he growled. "I'll kill you!" rushing forward, he swiped at Black Cat, missing his hair by millimetres, but even so, the black clad warrior was able to evade and avoid the deadly weapon. He did, however, get kicked into another suit of armor by Armand, only to have his hand on the hilt of the sword that slid across the floor with him.
Bringing up his newly acquired weapon, Cat barely managed to avoid getting his head split in twain by the strike. Kicking out, he sent Armand staggering to the side. Spinning around, he got to his feet, only to block and parry the next two strikes. Seeing that Beetle was getting up, he held out his hand. "This fight is mine! Find the royal family, and see that they're alright!"
Armand laughed at his statement. "Are you serious?!" he pushed the young man away, before going in for a strike. "They're already dead, and once I have killed you my ascension to the throne will be complete!"
"You're insane!" Beetle breathed.
"No," Beetle heard beside her as a suit of armor melted into Vixen, "that's me!" She barely had a chance to defend herself before the woman tackled her, sending them both out of the corridor through a window. Ladybird Beetle punched her on the side of the face, and threw her yo-yo up, letting it wrap around another crenelation, but sent both young women into a wall.
Vixen kept laughing as she was punched and kicked, her hands clawing their way up to look at the bluebell eyes of her opponent. "I'm going to take everything from you..." a fist impacted the side of her face but she just kept smiling, "... and I'll start with your partner first." Leaning in she whispered into Ladybird Beetle's ear. "I know who he is..." With that she flung herself off of the red and black warrior, laughing the entire way down to the ground. Beetle just watched her land on one of her own men, leaped back and transformed into a young maid. Shock had her transfixed as she watched the maid run out of the castle courtyard, her laughter echoing in the night.
Anyone want to guess who the villain of the next series is going to be?
Anyone?
I'll give you three guesses... and you won't need any of them!