Chapter 29

"Sol, are you okay?" Jack asked.

"Yeah.. got a headache now, but other than that, I'm fine." Sol smiled tiredly.

Dorothy, having just reached them, blinked. "Is something wrong?"

Babbo hopped up and down in agitation. "Is something wrong?! You couldn't be bothered to tell anyone what that ragdoll of yours was going to do?! Solara's sensitive to high-pitched sounds! You almost set off her berserker! You-!" Sol slammed her fist down on top of him, knocking him to the ground.

"Enough already." Sol smiled at Dorothy, who had gone pale. "Don't worry about it. You had no way to know about the problem I have with sounds. I didn't lose it, so everything's fine. Now that I know what it does, I'll be ready in the future. Congratulations on your win. Let's get back, so we can get your wound treated." Sol waved at Pozun, who had just finished sending Rapunzel and Girom back to the Lestava Castle.

"Right. The fourth battle is over! Take those remaining back to Reginlief! Andata!"


During Dorothy's fight, Snow, Porin, and Ed exited the Training Gate.

"Hi, Ed – er, Alan!" Snow chirped.

"Hello, Princess. I trust you rested well?"

"Yep! Porin and I had lots of fun! Ed kept her company once I started training."

"U-um… e-excuse me…" A nervous voice from behind her caught Snow's attention. It sounded kind of familiar. Turning around, she found a boy about her age. He had shoulder length silver hair and ice blue eyes. His shoulders were hunched, and he was fiddling with his finders as he nervously glanced up at Snow before looking back down, a blush dusting his cheeks.

"Sei…?" Snow was confused.

The boy bowed. "Um, g-greetings, your highness. My name is Ice. It's an honor to meet you."

"Ah. Please stand Ice. I'm pleased to meet you. Will you tell me about where you're from and why you came?" Snow gestured off to the side, away from Alan and Ed, with a smile. Ice straightened up and nodded, a shy smile responding to her bright one.

They quietly spoke about the place Ice came from and about Koyuki and Seihyou.

"Snow, they're back." Alan called her as the air began to shimmer. "Dorothy took a pretty bad injury, so you might want your Healing Angel out."

"Oh! Got it! Thank you, Alan! Just a minute, Ice." Snow pulled out her ARM as she approached the teleportation spot.

The group appeared. "The heroes are back! They're incredible! They won every battle!" The crowd cheered.

"Dorothy!" Snow activated Healing Angel and the hold in Dorothy's side sealed.

Dorothy was impressed. "Healing a wound that deep so quickly… your magics gotten stronger, hasn't it?"

Snow grinned. "Yup! I've been 'Shadowman' train-!" A flash of red caught her eye. Her face went blank with shock as she looked at the source.

Sol gave her a crooked grin. "Heya, girly. Miss me?"

Snow put a hand over her mouth as her eyes watered. "Y-you're… Sol?"

Sol bowed. "Toramizu Solara, at your service." Standing up, she smiled.

With a cry, Snow ran over and threw her arms around Sol's neck. Sol laughed, picked her up, and spun her around. "You did it! You did it! I'm so happy for you! Auntie will be excited too!" Snow pressed watery kisses all over Sol's face as Sol laughed.

Their friends were confused. Had Snow known that Sol was fractured? And who was "Auntie"? Despite their confusion, they couldn't help but smile along with the audience at the wholesome scene.

Dorothy approached Alan. "I hate to kill the mood, but I need to talk to you, Alan."

Alan frowned at Dorothy's serious visage but followed her over to a more secluded space in the courtyard.

"Sol?" Pozun asked for the attention of the now red-headed girl. She turned to look at him. "First, I would like to thank you again for saving my little sister." Porin was holding her brothers hand.

Sol set Snow down. "Of course. I'm just glad she's okay."

"And thank you, Princess Snow, for looking out for her."

"It was my pleasure, Pozun. Porin is a sweet girl."

"Next, I have an announcement for the members of Team MAR. Tomorrow's War Game will be postponed for one day."

Alviss frowned. "Why?"

"Phantom's orders. It seems there's someplace he need to go tomorrow. And he didn't want to miss any of the fights."

Sol and Alviss glanced at each other. Where would Phantom need to go? Should they be concerned?

Nanashi cheered. "I can go on a date! Or two!"

Jack gave him a funny look. "That really is all you think about…"

Snow tugged on Sol's sleeve. "Sol, I want you to meet someone."

"Huh?"

"Come here!" She pulled Sol over to the wide-eyed Ice. "This is Ice. He's a farmer from Supira. And he's… like me."

"Like you?"

"Koyuki."

"Oh."

"Seihyou's in our class, but… well, like most people, he was scared of you, so he didn't talk to you. Or me, until you came here."

"Huh." Sol looked at the silver-haired boy. "He does look kind of familiar."

Ice bowed. "I-it's an honor to m-meet you, Miss Solara."

Sol blinked, then busted out laughing. "Oh, you're cute." She made the startled boy blush. "I ain't no miss. Just call me Sol." She held out her hand, which Ice took after a small hesitation. "It's nice to meet you too, Ice."

Alviss was watching the exchange from a distance away. As he tried to think of how to tell Sol about their past that she apparently couldn't remember, Sol surprised him by suddenly turning to look at him. She excused herself from the conversation she had been having with Snow and the boy. Sol beckoned him with a finger as she moved towards the stables. He hesitated before following.

He found her petting Lucian. Sol looked at him over her shoulder. "There you are." She turned and leaned against the stall door. They looked at each other for several moments. Before Alviss could work up the nerve to tell her about the memories he had recalled, Sol sighed.

"Look, Alviss… about earlier… if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. I'm sorry if I was pushy. Fusing back together left me a little wound." Alviss was surprised. Sol was backing off? But… if she didn't push him… he wasn't sure if he could tell her…

Sol smiled softly. "If you want to tell me, I'll listen. But if you don't want to, that's fine." She pushed off the stall door, kissed Lucian's snout, and patted Alviss' shoulder as she walked by. "Talk to you later, Alviss."

Belle passed Sol on the way out. "Alviss?"

"Belle…" Alviss dropped onto a bench, putting his head in his hands. "I'm a coward."

"What?! No you're not! You're the most courageous person I know! Why would you say that?!" Belle was indignant.

After a moment, Alviss explained to Belle his past relationship with Solara. That Sol didn't seem to remember. That her felt like a coward because he couldn't work up the nerve to tell her. And that it hurt because… he loved her.

"Alviss…" Belle didn't know what to say.

Outside, Sol rubbed her prickling eyes before heading back over to the others.


Later that evening, the group was inside the castle, including Ice, who Snow had invited and introduced to the others. There was a large buffet laid out. As people picked what they wanted, Dorothy asked for their attention.

"I'd like you all to come with me to Caldia tomorrow."

"Caldia? What…?" Jack was confused.

"Caldia – kingdom of magic!" Alan clarified. "A nation cut off from all others. The most mysterious place within MAR Heaven!"

Ed panicked. "They hate outsiders! They don't let people in! I don't wanna go!"

Dorothy gave the dog a disgusted look. "You don't have to come, dog… you don't even fight. But I have something very important to tell all of you who are involved. Have faith. Accompany me."

"We're all… involved…?" Snow looked at Sol.

"Must have something to do with the Chess. So, let's go."


The next morning, the members of Team MAR gathered in the courtyard. Dorothy activated her Andata. "Bring these people… home!"

The group was now looking out over an ocean of trees with towering spires and a floating castle. Snow tugged on Sol's sleeve. "It's so pretty…"

"Yeah." Something about her tone caught Snow's attention. When she asked if something was wrong, Sol frowned but shook her head. "I just… I think… I've been here…?" Dorothy looked at her, shocked. "It looks… kind of familiar… the memory is fuzzy." She shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe not. Anyway, where are we going?"

"Our destination is that floating castle. Let's go." Dorothy started walking.

Most of the group followed her, but Sol paused when she heard Babbo make an odd noise. "What's wrong, Babbo?"

"I – I know this place! I've been here… before…" Babbo frowned.

"But you can't remember? Welcome to the club. Come on. They at least might be able to explain your feeling."

"Hmm. I suppose…"

When they reached a gate, there was a pair of guards with large pole axes. One cried out, "Lady Dorothy… is it truly you?! Have you returned?!"

Dorothy smiled. "It's good to be home, Jim. Please open the gates."

"Y-yes, ma'am… but… these others… You know the law of Caldia regarding foreigners… and the like of them look sketchy to me…"

Sol snorted. "We're sketchy. Says the guy dressed like he's gonna rob a bank." She muttered to Snow, making her giggle.

Dorothy ignored the two. "They are my comrades. An exception must be made."

"Yes… yes, ma'am!" The huge gates opened. The group walked down a road to a central square. A little girl noticed them first.

"Hey! It's Dorothy!" People rushed over. "Lady Dorothy?" "It's Dorothy!" "Dorothy! How many years has it been?!" "Welcome home, Lady Dorothy!"

Dorothy smiled. "How are Toto and Crazy Quilt doing?" Someone asked.

"Quite well. I'm glad to see all of you so happy and healthy."

"But who are these strangers?"

"My new underlings!" Dorothy grinned at the disgruntled expressions on Alan and Alviss' faces.

"Dorothy, please tell us about the outer kingdoms!" One of the kids pleaded.

"I'm sorry. I need to -!"

"What the -!" Sol's startled bark was followed by a scream. Sol was side-stepping away from an old man that was on the ground, screaming in apparent terror. Sol looked at Dorothy, clearly confused. "I have no idea what his problem is. He popped up behind me. You know it's not easy to sneak up on me and I don't like it when people do. But I didn't hit him. He fell on his own."

Sol moved farther away as Dorothy rushed over to the old man. "Shh. Everything's fine. Solara really isn't as scary as she can seem."

"M-my lady, did you bring that thing here?! H-how could you?!"

"Thing?!" "Hey!" "That was uncalled for." "How rude!" Alviss, Jack, Snow, and Babbo protested his statement.

"Grandpa, stop it! You know Lady Dorothy would never do anything to hurt us!" A little boy tugged on the old man's sleeve.

"Lady Dorothy, please forgive my father!" A young lady pleaded.

"I-it's fine -"

"How is it fine?! You brought a catastropher to Caldia! How could you?!"

Every witch went white. "F-father?!" "Grandpa!" The man's daughter and grandson were horrified that he had made such a nasty accusation, apologized profusely, and quickly pulled him away.

Dorothy was pale as she looked at Sol. A catastropher? No, that can't be right. Catastrophers are killed young because they have no control. Sol said she's a berserker. She's stated that she has a violent temper, but she clearly has control over it. He – he must be mistaken.

Sol was just watching the exchange. When Dorothy looked at her, she shrugged. "Since I'm freaking people out, maybe we should head out. You said we gotta go up there right?" She pointed at the floating castle.

"The palace…? Wait… you… found her…?!" One of the witches realized Dorothy must have come home with strangers for a specific reason. When Dorothy nodded, all the witches went pale and backed off. "Then, please, make haste. We apologize for keeping you." In a matter of moments, the square was empty of everyone save the members of Team MAR.

Dorothy held up her Andata. "Alright. Let's go, Andata! Send us… to Caldia Palace!"

The group teleported up to the entrance of the castle. Sol was looking out over the land. "It's beautiful here."

"Yes. Come this way, please." Dorothy started down the hallway, the others following.

"Hey, Dorothy! You're pretty famous here, huh?!" Nanashi commented.

Dorothy flushed slightly. "Well, yeah… it sort of goes with being a Princess."

Alan snorted. "A Princess, eh? A little different from Snow!"

Dorothy looked annoyed, but Sol was the one who spoke up. "Careful Alan. You sound like Ed." Alan blanched. The other snickered.

Alviss looked at Dorothy. Princess of a kingdom steeped in magic… I feel it within all of Caldia's people… even the smallest child…

"We're here." The group emerged into a massive circular room. It was largely empty, but there were six large, odd structures with magic stones embedded in them spaced evenly around the edge of the room. In line with each of the structures toward the center were stands with candles. Lastly, in the center of the candles was a very old man with a long white beard and longer white hair, dressed in a long black robe.

"It has been many moons, Dorothy, has it not?" The old man spoke. "Your return must mean…"

"Yes, Great Elder. I have found Diana."

Snow froze, every ounce of color draining out of her face. Diana…? Does she mean…?

"Great Elder, are you familiar with the Chess Pieces?"

"Ah, yes. The ones who lit the battle fires upon MAR Heaven six years ago."

"She is their Queen… Diana! My sister cast Caldia aside. To become… Lestava's Queen. And Snow's step-mother!" Dorothy was stone faced. Snow was horrified.

Jack was confused. "Wh-what?! The 'Queen' – as in Chess?"

It was Alan who answered. "One of the two who rank above the Knights! In the last War Games… neither was ever found, and so the games came to a draw!" The look on Alan's face was a strange cross between excited and furious. "The Queen was impossible to find… because she was the one whom we thought was an ally!"

"So, just to clarify, you're saying the Queen of the Chess Pieces is also, the Queen of Lestava, Snow's step-mom, and Dorothy's sister, yes?" Sol counted of the traits on her fingers.

Dorothy looked down, ashamed. "Diana… from childhood she coveted anything she didn't have. Food, toys, everything. Finally, that greed… exploded in a catastrophe! She stole 798 ARMs with special magical powers… and took them out of Caldia!"

The Elder nodded. "Yes… it happened eight years ago. Diana… a traitor who abandoned her kingdom. According to our ancient law, a member of the traitor's own family must bring forth justice. Dorothy… will you be able to kill Diana?"

"Yes. I will kill her."

"Kill your own sister… that's brutal." Sol commented.

"Sunny!"

"What? I'm not protesting. I was just thinking its kind of cruel to make family kill each other. However, I can see the basis behind it, using it to discourage people from performing acts that would put their families in that position. Anyway," Sol put her hand on Dorothy's shoulder, "if that's what you wanna do, I'll help."

"M-me, too! I might not be much help, but I'll help, too!" Jack spoke up.

"I'll do it for you, if you want." Nanashi chimed in.

"We'll all help you, Dorothy." Alviss stated.

The Elder frowned. "The law of Caldia states -"

"Newflash, old man. Diana isn't just Caldia's problem. She's turned herself into a worldwide problem. Relax, the Chess Piece Queen will die. It might be at someone else's hands, but we wouldn't get at her in the first place without Dorothy." Sol snapped at him.

Dorothy was fighting tears after her friends spoke up. But Sol's disrespect to the Elder shocked her.

"Um… can – can I ask… how exactly did Diana eld up as Lestava's Queen?" Jack asked.

Alan sighed. "Ten years ago… I was still a Lestavian soldier. The Cross Guard didn't exist back then, because the Chess Pieces didn't exist either. A great sorrow came upon us. The Queen passed away. At the time, Snow was six years old. I remember her weeping. She wept so much that all of us who saw her were pained. For Snow's sake, the King searched the whole world for a new Queen. But no woman was good enough for the King. And so two years passed.

"Until she came – Diana! The King was smitten by her beauty… and soon they were married. Diana was kind to everyone and instantly loved by Snow. To our eyes they looked like a true mother and daughter. But that happiness didn't last long! Two years later… when Snow was ten years old… an army calling themselves the 'Chess Pieces' began their rampage… in the first Great MAR Heaven War!

"To oppose them, an army was formed, mostly from soldiers of Lestava, but also with help from warriors the world over… sworn to protect MAR Heaven. And so the Cross Guard was born. Diana bestowed upon them gifts – Use these ARMs. They'll surely be useful in fighting against the Chess Pieces. She handed out various ARMs to the Cross Guard.

"Alan… this is for you. I asked her… What powers does this ARM possess? She answered… It is called the Gatekeeper Clown. In my native land, I heard a legend that one may call forth a person form the otherworld using this ARM. Perhaps we can test it? So I used the Gatekeeper Clown… and that's how I met him.

"The Chess Pieces forced the War Games on us and the Cross Guard, with Danna leading us, fought against them. We made the ultimate sacrifice. Only by paying such a steep price were we able to stop them. So it's a draw. But… this is not the end. For Phantom, who will never know death… shall return someday. And when that time comes… the war shall begin again.

"And just as the abominable prophecy predicted, the battle has resumed! The Chess Pieces had not died! Phantom wasn't the real leader of the Chess Pieces. There were two more above him – a King and a Queen. We searched frantically for them, but the twin heads of that snake were never found."

"And one of them… is the Queen of Lestava!" was Nanashi's quiet comment.

"Snow's… step-mother?" Jack was having a hard time grasping it.

"No one imagined that the Queen could be one of the leaders of the Chess Pieces. How could we? She was the one who gave us the ARMs… and she led us to victory in the War Games." Alan puffed his cigar harshly, revealing his agitation. "After a while, the King fell ill, and Diana began to show her true, dark side. Bring me more delicacies! More! I want more! More gowns! More jewels! More! More! More! Bring back to me all the magical ARMs in the entire world! I want more! I want MAR Heaven!

"She was the star of a play she's scripted. It was Diana who created the Chess Pieces and gave them ARMs. Then she created the Cross Guard and gave them ARMs. Soon enough, more and more suspicious characters began lurking about the palace. And when I, still in dog form, sensed Snow was in danger – we led her to safety out of Lestava!"

Alviss looked contemplative. "So losing the battle the last time was either just a ploy to gain trust… or a miscalculation on her part, not imagining that a soldier like Danna would be summoned."

"I'd been suspicious of the Chess Pieces from the time I was at Pazurika Ice Castle." Dorothy admitted. "By acting alongside Snow, the Princess of Lestava… I sought to uncover the identity of the Queen… and I succeeded."


In the floating Lestava Castle, Phantom stood before Diana. "My Queen… you approve?"

Diana's eyes revealed the poisonous smile her face-mask concealed.