Chapter 6
The Moment of Truth
Astolfo and D'eon charge at both of the Knights of the Round Table. Ritsuka-chan and the others watch as the four comrades or as they would call it now: traitors clash with one another. D'eon and Gawain clash blades while Astolfo does his best to dodge Tristan's attacks with his harp.
"Do you think…" Ritsuka-chan says slowly. "…that Gawain and Tristan will defeat Astolfo and D'eon easily?"
"They are well trained warriors," Mash says. "I'm sure they will not let their brute strength get the best of them."
Jeanne is kneeling beside her two injured sisters, also watching the fight.
"Onee…chan…." Jalter Lily groans as she sits up a little.
"Oh, Lily…" Jeanne says. "Please stay put, okay? And you too, Jalter."
"Damn…" Jalter groans. "That hit me so hard…"
"You get some rest okay?" Jeanne gives a gentle smile and then puts on a serious face to watch the battle.
D'eon blocks Gawain's attack and jumps back to create distance. Readying his sword, he lunges forward and his blade glows light blue. He jabs Gawain two times and the spins around to swing it upward. Gawain blocks the last attack and shoulder tackles the blonde trap. He then swings his sword left and right, successfully hitting him and then thrusts his sword forward to knock him off his feet. But D'eon rolls back and jumps back up to swing his sword again. Gawain doesn't give him a chance and thrusts his sword forward to knock him off his feet once more.
"Pathetic pretty boy," he grins. "You don't have what it takes to be one of us."
D'eon grits his teeth. Gawain is a lot tougher than last time, but he will not let this big knight beat him at his own game.
He gets to his feet again and says, "Let's see if that is true." And he lunges forward again.
Meanwhile, Astolfo is blocking and dodging Tristan's range attacks. Blue blasts come left and right all around, making it hard for the pink haired trap to keep up.
"What's the matter…?" Tristan says. "Too slow because of that lance?"
"I can move just fine!" Astolfo says.
"Funny," Tristan chuckles. "Then why aren't you able to reach me or moreover…why can't you land a hit on me? Is this the best you can do as the Knight of the Round Table?"
The bishounen redhead runs his fingers on his harp again and shoots out blue strings. But Astolfo jumps back to create distance, which is a mistake. Tristan grins and runs his fingers on the harp again. The strings appear again, but bind D'eon instead.
"Gah!" The French Trap gasps and struggles to get free.
"D'eon-chan!" Astolfo starts to rush in to save his boyfriend, but he then gets tied up as well. "Grrr! You cheaters!"
"Who said they were keeping score?" Gawain says. "This has been my plan all this time!" He readies his sword as flames burst on the blade. "Now have you really taste my blade!"
Ritsuka-chan gasps in horror as she watches Gawain absolutely slaughter both of the traps with his flaming sword. Left and right and then jumps back to create distance. Tristan jumps beside him and they turn to give each other a nod. They shall unleash their full power on them.
"Get ready~" Gawain says.
Mash cannot take this anymore and summons her shield. "No way! This has gone FAR ENOUGH!!" She lunges forward to bash Gawain, however, Tristan restrains Mash as well.
"Do not interfere…" he says.
"Grrrr! You rats!" Mash shouts. "Are you really planning on killing your comrades!?"
"These two are not one of us," Gawain says. "Why must our King choose them? That's why we must get rid of them, even if it means killing them."
Both he and Tristan unleash their full power on both of the traps. First Gawain slams his sword on the ground, sending flames to go straight at the two boyos and engulf them with the fire. Tristan runs his hands on his harp, sending blue blasts all around to hit the traps multiple times. Both of their powers hit the traps all at once, making Astolfo and D'eon scream in agony. It's too much for them to bare.
"Noooooo!" Jeanne cries. "Stop this!"
Once they are done, the strings disappear and both traps plop on the ground on their sides. They are beaten. But that's what Gawain wants. He approaches them and uses his foot to have them face up.
"This is the power of the Knights of the Round Table," he grins. "This is the strength and power one should have. You two don't have any of that."
"So what does that mean for you…?" Astolfo groans.
"It means you two are nobodies," Tristan says as he approaches them as well. "You two aren't even second best. So we have to get rid of-GAH!"
He gets bashed by Mash's shield and crashes into the wall with a large cloud of dust.
"You!? How did you…!?" Gawain gasps and then realizes that when the strings disappeared for Astolfo and D'eon, it also did the same for Mash.
"Like I said," Mash says as she readies her shield. "This has gone far enough. We have a Lion King to save. We don't have time to deal with you arrogant fools."
Astolfo and D'eon are relieved to see Mash save them. Ritsuka-chan gives a thumbs up and a wink. Though the traps are banged up, with D'eon's hair now loose and his signature hat is gone, they can still fight. They help each other get to their feet and join Mash.
"So be it then," Tristan says. "If you want more, then you shall have it."
Mash turns to the two traps. "You take on Tristan. I will battle Gawain."
"You sure?" D'eon says.
"You won't stand a chance," Astolfo says.
"I will take my chances," Mash says with a fist pumped. "No brute strength will define my fighting abilities."
Astolfo nods and also pumps his fists. "Alright! Now it is much easier this time!" He turns to his boyfriend. "D'eon-chan! We must somehow get very close to Tristan in order to have the full advantage!"
"Right with you, Astolfo-chan!" D'eon nods in reply.
"I don't think so!" Gawain has his sword burst in flames again. "We WILL win this time!"
He smashed the ground with the flaming sword and fire shoots straight ahead. The trio jump away to evade and Astolfo and D'eon go for Tristan while Mash runs toward Gawain.
Tristan is about to run his hands on the strings when D'eon lunges forward and tries to hit him with his blade. Tristan dodges it and uses his harp as a weapon to at least parry D'eon's attacks. They clash left and right and this time D'eon moves faster than before. Tristan tries to keep up with him, but he has almost forgotten that he is also facing Astolfo. The pink haired trap swings his lance to hit Tristan on the back, making the bishounen redhead turn around and swing his harp but miss completely. D'eon takes this chance to swing his sword and hit him as well. Tristan is outnumbered and the traps begin beating on him with each swing of their weapons. They don't give him a chance to use his harp at all. He is helpless at close combat. D'eon knocks the harp out of his hand and Astolfo uses his lance to give a big swing and knock him off his feet.
Meanwhile, Mash is busy fighting Gawain. She has taken a couple hits, like that one slash that has been done to her, but she keeps on fighting. She blocks a couple of his sword attacks, trying her hardest to hold it down so that she won't leave herself open. She dodges another swing and rushes in close to him.
"Think again!" He kicks her on the chest to push her away.
She rolls on her feet, readies her shield and rushes in again. He readies his flaming sword and rushes in as well. He gives a big swing, but Mash parries it, pushing the sword upward to give a big opening. She then bashes him as retaliation, making him stumble back, stunned. She then swings her shield back and forth and then thrusts it forward. Gawain holds his ground and tries to strike at her again. Mash parries it just in time and bashes him to stun him before swinging her shield once more. His armor is breaking because of her strong shield attacks. It's just like that one time when she was against Salter on her first battle. Gawain has had enough. He raises his flaming sword again to strike her down, but Mash parries it and swings her shield, almost breaking the armor completely. With one last thrust, the armor breaks, giving Mash the opportunity to bash him one last time and hurl him into the wall.
Astolfo and D'eon strikes Tristan with their weapons, come together and finish him off with one last strike, swinging their weapons upwards, sending Tristan flying and then landing with a loud thud next to the fallen Gawain.
Astolfo and D'eon give each other a high five and then the pink haired trap hugs Mash happily. Jeanne gives a soft smile, happy that Gawain and Tristan are defeated.
Astolfo and D'eon approach the fallen warriors.
"Who's the strongest now~?" Astolfo taunts, sticking his tongue out. "I guess you are wrong about us~"
"Strength and power isn't everything," D'eon says. "In case you haven't noticed, Astolfo-chan and I are boyfriends. We fought with love."
Gawain grunts and groans, unable to get up. Tristan is just lying there, unconscious.
"Now then," Mash says. "We must be on our way."
Astolfo and D'eon leave with Mash. The short haired purplenette gives Ritsuka-chan a hug and the group leaves. Jeanne helps up her sisters and gently urge them to follow. However, she notices from the broken wall someone familiar. Artoria looking from a distance at the fallen Gawain and Tristan with a cold expression.
"Artoria…?" Jeanne gasps.
The Lion King notices the Holy Maiden and turns around to leave, with her long cape fluttering.
"No wait!" Jeanne begs. "Artoria!"
But the Lion King vanishes in the darkness beyond the broken wall. Jeanne puts a fist on her chest.
"Artoria…" she whispers.
"Jeanne! Are you okay?" Ritsuka-chan calls.
"U-umm…yeah!" The French Saint calls back. "I'll catch up!"
She looks back at the broken wall where Artoria vanished. She has missed her so much that she wants to see her face more. But there are other matters to attend to, so she turns and follows the group.
Later*
Back at the village, Xuangzang is happy to see the group return and bring back Serenity. The big Assassin with the skull mask is happy to see the girl come back to him.
"Father…!" Serenity says softly and hugs him tightly.
"My baby girl," he says softly as well, hugging her with his normal arm. "I'm so glad you're safe." He looks up at Ritsuka-chan and gives her a nod. "Thank you….for saving my daughter. How can we repay you?"
"Ehehehe! No problem~" The cute redhead rubs the back of her head, a bit surprised that Serenity is actually the daughter of the big Assassin. "Although, we do need some type of mask. Ummm…" She turns to Nitocris to check.
The "bunny eared" Egyptian holds up the scroll to point to a silver mask. Serenity takes notice and takes her mask off to reveal her cute, big eyes again.
"Here…you can take this," Serenity says as she gently hands Ritsuka-chan the mask. "As a thanks for saving me."
"Sure! Thanks so much~" Ritsuka-chan happily takes Serenity's mask, but gets caught off guard when the dark skinned girl puts her hands on her shoulders and leans in to kiss her on the lips. Mash gasps and whines at seeing this. Nitocris sweat drops, chuckling nervously while Schera puts a hand on her cheek. Xuangzang chuckles as well.
"U-ummm…" Serenity says as she blushes and turns away. "Th-this is also….my thanks…so sorry…"
"S-sure…" Ritsuka-chan blushes as well. Why is she getting kissed by so many wonderful female servants other than Mash?
"Ohhhhhh….!" Mash whines as she stomps her foot. "Sempaiiii…! This is ridiculous!"
"Ahaha…it can't be helped…" The cute redhead rubs the back of her head.
"Let's just go!" Mash clings onto her Sempai and both of them walk ahead of the group.
"Thanks again!" The big Assassin says.
The rest of the group nods and turn to leave. Xuangzang is still staying, just in case bad things happen, which is totally fine.
Later*
"Soooo…anything else we need before we head back?" Ritsuka-chan asks Nitocris.
"Hmmm…" Nitocris takes a look at the scroll. "There is one last thing. And that is-OW!"
"This one…." Schera takes out a golden jewel that is attached to her girlfriend's hair.
"Hey, that's miiine!" Nitocris hops up and down to get it, but Schera is too tall. "Scheraaaaa! Come on! That's a mistake!"
"Do you really think a golden jewel would even fit with all of this?" Jeanne asks.
"I'm sure of it," Schera says, still keeping the item out of her small girlfriend's reach as she helplessly jumps again and again. "Jewels are so valuable that they hide special power. This is part of Egypt, so it will surely work to awaken the scarab's power."
"If you say so," Ritsuka-chan shrugs and chuckles at Nitocris's cuteness.
"Scheraaaaa…! That was your gift to meeee…!" The small tanned girl whines. "We can't throw it awaaaay!"
"Why did you save it for last though?" Mash asks. "If that ingredient was with you all this time, shouldn't you have revealed that first?"
"Ummmm….uhhhh…" Schera blushes. "L-Like Nito said, I gave that jewel to her as a gift. She doesn't want to part with it."
"Awwww~" Ritsuka-chan says. "How sweet of you~"
"Ahhhhh….! This is not riiiiight!" Nito whines again.
Cleopatra's Throne Room*
Ritsuka-chan approaches the queen. "You nearly sent us to our death, my Queen."
"First off, it's rude to address me that way," Cleopatra says. "Second, I knew you would be up to the challenge. I truly needed these materials, you'll see~" She grins at the last part.
Ritsuka-chan holds out the items to the beautiful, mature royal Queen. "Make this quick, Your Highness."
Cleopatra gets up from her chair and elegantly approaches the young Master, chuckling. "An awakening cannot be rushed." She takes the materials and heads over to a small table to the right. She sets the scroll down, opens it up and places the scarab in the middle. "This will be worth the wait." She then places the mask on the top and the jewel on the bottom. "A fine artifact like no other."
Ritsuka-chan patiently watches the Queen put together the materials. She beckons Nitocris to come and use her staff to combine the items together after she covers the bug with the sun scroll. Nitocris fires a bit of white light on it, making the scroll glow. Cleoparta closes her eyes, holds out her hands over the glowing scroll as she chants a spell that makes it fuse with the bug.
When it's complete, the bug is glowing white. Its power has been awakened. Cleopatra puts on some small chains so that it can be worn as a necklace. She turn picks it up and turns to Ritsuka-chan.
"As I promised…." The Queen approaches the young Master and holds it up.
Ritsuka-chan nods and slowly approaches Cleopatra, reaching out her hand. However, the Queen is grinning for some reason.
"Here is your repayment!" Cleopatra thrusts out her hand, summoning yellow sparkles that actually hit the Young Master, making her drop to her knees.
"Sempai!" Mash rushes to her aid and looks up at the Queen. "What did you do that for!?"
Cleopatra chuckles evilly. "Did you really believe that this little thing could break the spell of the Holy Lance~?" She summons her snake from behind while she puts on the necklace with the scarab on her chest. "I lied~" She begins to glow white, sending bright light all around the room, nearly blinding everyone.
When the glowing fades, Cleopatra is now wearing a white dress with a V-cut shape to show off her pale legs. She jumps on the snake and pets its head.
"This scarab only brings out MY true power~" Cleopatra says. "The Holy City is where I want to take over and rule! Without the scarab's power, I'm nothing. But thanks to you, I can finally claim the Holy City and have their people bow to me~!"
The redhead cannot believe it. All this time, she has been hoping this would be the answer to their problems. And yet…
"This is inane…!" Ritsuka-chan says. "We were set up…!?"
"Da Vinci-chan was wrong…!" Mash says. "Why was she told this and then telling that to us…!?"
"We have no choice…" Jeanne says. "We have to defeat Cleopatra in order to move forward!"