This is my first fanfiction so please go easy on it. If you like the story I'll keep chapters coming. If not keep it to yourself, please don't hate on it. If you find any errors, whether it be spelling, grammar or anything else please just let me know. I've been reading many of the fanfictions on this site but I just wanted to add my own to them.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Underland Chronicles or any of the characters, save the ones that I will be adding. Both the Underland Chronicles and the characters within belong to Suzanne Collins.
-Ssi
Blood splattered against Gregor's shirt and bicep as he landed his first couple of hits. He pulled back on the reigns of his Rager abilities. He had dealt out so much death in his life already, therefore he aimed for claws, swords and joints to disable more so than maim or kill.
Despite her size Iris was doing considerably well moving quickly and carefully while caring Gregor's weight in the fight. Every so often she'd sink her claws into a rebel that was facing away from her but most of the fighting was left up to Gregor.
"How close can you get me to Ripred?" Gregor shouted over the noise of battle.
Iris' high pitched voice was almost swallowed by the sounds of metal clanging together, but he could just make out a "Let us see."
One of the larger Gnawers was building up the courage to jump up and down trying to swing at Iris' wings, making Gregor nervous. Gregor was sure the Rebels hadn't realized yet that he was on top of Iris, or more of them would be targeting her, but Gregor knew he needed to get on the ground to keep her safe from being targeted and near Ripred was definitely the safest place to be.
Iris spun into a barrel roll to avoid the large Gnawer and gave Gregor the perfect angle to clip off two of his claws and three or four of his whiskers.
"Iris, can you drop me off near Ripred?" Quick to think on his toes he added, "then can you fly back to the Palace and make sure no other attacks are breaking out anywhere else in the city?"
"Are you sure you do not want to remain in the air?" She asked him in concern.
Gregor sighed inaudibly, "I'd love to, but more importantly I want to know the city is safe," Gregor only half lied.
"I shall let you know, should I find anything, Overlander," Iris responded calmly considering she was in a war zone. "Be carefully," she added as she turned letting Gregor drop off of her onto the ground.
It was a little over a ten foot drop and Gregor's knees and chest felt it as he landed on the back of an unsuspecting Gnawer. Rolling off he quickly deflected the sword of a rebel and backhanded him before starting to make his way through the last few yards to Ripred.
"Thought you would never arrive," Ripred spoke deeply as he slowed from his iconic Rager spin.
"Yeah I could be saying the same thing to you, I thought they weren't your friends?" Gregor taunted as he sliced through a rebels' calf.
"I have no friends," Ripred repeated, "you asked for help, I am helping. Beyond that I care not for what happens to any of the rest of those vermin."
Gregor smiled to himself, "Whatever helps you sleep at night." Gregor and Ripred were already back to back spinning around each other like an elaborated dance clearing out an area for more of Regalia's forces to join them. "Thank you," Gregor said as he and Ripred stood with their backs pressed against one another.
"Do not dare be going soft on me pup, I need the Warrior not the Princess," Gregor laughed at Ripred retaining his old image as Perdita and a few other soldiers joined them.
"Six point arc men!" Perdita shouted commandingly, "Noris, on the other side of the Warrior, Nole and Bravin on my right!" She added as she took a spot on the other side of Ripred from Gregor.
"I had little hope that you still had light, Ripred." Perdita growled at the large Gnawer, clearly happy to see him but annoyed non the less.
Ripred mumbled something back at her that Gregor missed as his sword collided with a metal shield.
By the time Gregor's ears stopped ringing whatever bickering going on between Ripred and Perdita was over, both were far more focused on clearing out as much space as they could so the rest of the Regalian army could regroup behind them.
Their forces were still horrifically outnumbered but it was clear now that with Ripred, Gregor and Perdita on the front line they now had the advantage.
"Overlander!" a high pitched voice called from afar.
Gregor looked up to see Iris circling around trying her hardest to get near the group, "Ripred! Perdita! We need to make some room!" He yelled over the crowd.
Ripred looked up before slowing his advance and barking his orders, "Noris, Nole, form up, Perdita, Pup, back up and help the back line!" Whether he was allowed to boss around Perdita in the middle of battle was irrelevant because she followed his orders immediately and in no time they had cleared an area large enough for Iris to land.
With the Regalian army on the defense and standing still, Iris only had a finite time to get her information across. "Overlander, I saw no infantry behind the wall but I found Vellac, he is by the river across from the Palace, I see no way for him to enter but there are only five or six with him, if ever there was a chance to kill him, now would be it." Iris took a deep breath as she got out all of her information in the quick dump.
Gregor looked around unsure as to what he should do. If he left now one of the best soldiers there would be out of the picture, but if he didn't go he might miss a shot at Vellac. His eyes met Perdita's.
"Go, Gregor, now!" She grinned as she spun and decapitated a rather large Gnawer, "We can handle this, cut the head off this Twister once and for all!"
Gregor mounted Iris and they were both airborne in less than a second. Looking back, Gregor could already see the army back on the offensive. The bodies were piling up on both sides but Gregor had faith the rebels would be quelled.
"Drop me off close and then go find Luxa, I need to know that she's safe," Gregor begged as they neared the river.
"Of course, Overlander," Iris responded as she landed on the ground and twisted her neck in what Gregor assumed was a stretch. "Vellac is only a little ways upstream from here."
Gregor dismounted and turned towards Iris, looking into her blank eyes. Even though she could see him just fine with echolocation he still reached out and placed his palm against her forehead to let her know he was still there. "Thank you, Iris, for everything. I know I've asked a lot of you… today especially… but thank you."
Iris was speechless but had an expression that Gregor knew he had never seen on a creature's face before, still he couldn't quite place it. "Fly you high, Gregor the Overlander," She spoke softly to him before bowing her head and turning to take off.
"Fly you high, Iris the Flier, Fly you High," Gregor replied before he turned and started at a quick pace alongside the river.
As he approached the palace he could see Vellac facing away from him looking at the other side of the river, waiting for something. Only five men surrounded him, this would be easy, Gregor hummed to himself excited for this moment.
"Vellac!" He shouted out causing everyone but the red haired man to jump.
The other five already had swords drawn and were facing Gregor as Vellac slowly spun around to face him. A new scar had been added to his face running from the right side of his lip down, almost to his chin, Gregor assumed it was from their last battle.
"Ah, Warrior, I was beginning to wonder if you might pay us a visit," Vellac stated calmly, "You have come at a quite perfect time to witness the fall of the current monarchy."
"You're through Vellac, as we speak your army is being destroyed," Gregor grinned, "The moment Ripred entered the fight your Killers and Gnawers lost all hope." He cheekily referred to the dis-pleasant title most creatures in the Underland used for humans.
Vellac's eyebrow rose slightly at the news of the Peacemakers arrival. "They were merely a distraction, Warrior. But, I am quite glad they took your teacher off the board for the ending of this tale." He smiled confidently. "As long as Regalia's finely trained men and women are off on that front, my men within the Palace will be able to snuff out your Queen with no resistance." Vellac's eyes danced with pride and Gregor's face turned to stone.
The time for talk was at an end and Gregor launched himself forward with his sword raised. Vellac didn't move to draw his sword or act distressed at all. Two of his men moved forward so they were on either side of Gregor as he approached. The man on his right swung as Gregor slid onto his back avoiding the steel and sliced a chunk out of his leg before rolling onto his side to avoid the sword that landed directly where Gregor was moments ago. Spinning on his back Gregor kicked out at the knee cap of the one still standing before rising and slamming his elbow into the man's jaw making a sickening cracking sound. Two of Vellac's men were down in less than five seconds.
The three remaining men made an arc in front of Vellac and were moving forward trying to get some distance between Gregor and their leader. Gregor's eyes were filled with rage and the men knew their chances were nothing which only made them fight more recklessly.
All three swung their swords at the same time from different angles, forcing Gregor to jump backwards before moving in again. Pushing directly into the middle, Gregor deflected the left mans sword directly into the middle's side, as he howled in pain Gregor advanced on the man on the right so that he was mere inches from his face. This close there was no convenient way to move a sword so the man instead tried to head-butt Gregor.
This led to his downfall as Gregor slide to the left and grabbed the back of his neck sending him face first into the chest plate of his comrade. The remaining soldier charged Gregor once more with a sorry excuse for a flurry as Gregor knocked the sword out of his hand and put a deep cut into his bicep. The man grabbed his arm and fell onto his back.
Gregor turned back to face Vellac who now had his broadsword drawn at his side and his knife sticking backwards out of his offhand.
Gregor already felt his blood beginning to boil as he looked into the man's eyes.
"Your men in the Palace won't be able to get near Luxa, and even if they could she can take care of herself," Gregor spat, he knew she was still injured but if push came to shove Gregor would still bet on her in a fight.
"At full strength she was no match for me, and from what I hear she is no longer at full strength… of course by my own hand," Vellac baited him.
Gregor sprinted forwards and raised his sword…
Blinding pain took over Gregor as he dodged to the side dropping his sword. His left hand shot to his right shoulder and felt the arrow head sticking out.
It was clear he had messed up, Gregor had only paid attention the Vellac and had ignored echolocation and strategy as he had pushed in on the man who had almost taken Luxa's life. That had been his mistake.
Vellac lunged at Gregor who put everything he had into dodging the attack. Taking a deep breath Gregor exhaled and opened his mind to see his surrounded. There was only the one archer who was already readying his next shot. Gregor slid towards his sword as Vellac took a step back giving his man a clear shot.
Gregor's left hand found his sword with just enough time to deflect the oncoming arrow. Spinning around Gregor's offhand sword collided with Vellac's broadsword staggering himself slightly. Vellac's offhand swung the knife towards Gregor's heart, but Gregor's right hand caught onto his wrist before the blade broke more than a centemeter of skin. Every fiber of muscle in his shoulder screamed at him as he tried to push Vellac away.
Gregor's knee found Vellac's crotch before stepping back and pulling his sword backwards knocking the knife out of Vellac's hand.
While Vellac was staggered for a moment Gregor took a moment to breathe while he picked up the knife in his right hand. His entire right arm was now covered in blood but his hold on the knife was firm enough. Raising the knife above his shoulder he pressed the flat cold steel against his shoulder pushing towards his spine. With a satisfying snap the back part of the arrow broke off and Gregor dropped his sword to pull the front part out at the same time.
Flipping the knife over in his hand Gregor let the Rager sensation take over his entire body as as he saw the archer pull back the bow. Everything went numb as Gregor held his breath.
The knife left Gregor's hand at the exact moment the arrow left the archer's bow. The knife cut cleanly through the arrow splitting it in half before lodging itself into the archers shoulder, almost exactly where Gregor had been hit himself.
Gregor's victory was cut short as he felt Vellac's sword make a shallow but painful slice through his left bicep and lower left back.
Gregor spun and tried to dodge Vellac but with no weapon and enough open wounds to stop most wild beasts there was almost nothing he could do. A deep cut was taken out of Gregor's calf as he fell to his knees and grabbed his shoulder in pain.
Looking up Gregor saw the smile dancing on Vellac's face as he swept his broadsword above his shoulder with both hands.
Gregor thought he heard someone shout his name in the distance as Vellac brought his sword down upon him…
Zovr wouet ibwe ceep dbtu,
Zovr diojde ibt ceep nbfe,
Uijt ubme jt bmnotu dmotef,
Uijt tuorz jt bmnotu fope,
Cvu hebr pou, uijt jt pou uie epf,
Bu mebtu pou oh uie Vpfermbpf.
As always please rate and review. Any and all feedback is welcome.
-Ssi'ruuk
