A Hedgehog Of Chaldea
Orleans (Part 5)
Author's Note: Please Do Not Take Marie and Jeanne's Conversation Out Of Context. The Real Marie Antoinette Did Get Married At The Age of 14. Well, According To Sources I looked Up. Anyway, Enjoy The Story.
*Let's Continue Where We Left Off*
"Now that Master is finally asleep. I'm going to patrol the area. Jeanne, please wait here." Mash said
"Fou, Fou!"
"..."
"Is something wrong, Jeanne? You seem defeated... Are you tired?" Marie asks
"Marie... No, I'm not tired. I am a Servant, after all." Jeanne replied
"Perhaps you're saddened by the state France is in... I mean, are you disappointed?" Marie said
"Noo, I'm not disappointed. Thank you for your concern, Marie. But... Seeing those familiar towns in flames is a bit hard to bear." Jeanne replied
"Yes... For you, especially, this era is exactly like it was when you were alive. It's different than what I feel inside... Memories that are still going on. Yes! Why don't we take this time to talk? Girls' night out!" Marie said
"...Excuse me?"
"Oh, is that strange? But both you and I were summoned in the bloom, of our youth. Do you see? I'm in the middle of puberty, right? SO I love talking about love and romance!" Marie said
"Ahaha... I appreciate the offer, but that's hard for me. I know of compassion, but not romance." Jeanne replied
"But... You're missing out on life! It's not too late to start! Fall in love with someone, Jeanne!" Marie said
"Of course, if I get the chance. Have you fallen in love, Marie?"
"Hehe, of course. I fell in love with a boy who proposed to me at age 7. I think it was my first love. And when I was 14, I fell in love with the king I married." Marie said
"14! That's kind of amazing. When I was that age... I was working and playing in the fields with the other children." Jeanne replied
"That sounds fun, too! I'm jealous. It must be such fun to be able to go wherever you want!" Marie said
"Yes, it was fun. What I lacked in romance, I made up for in friendship."
"Did all the boys like you?" Marie asks
"Hmm, my hair was short then, so they treated me like one of the guys."
"Oh, I'm so glad I became a Servant! I can't believe I'm having a girl talk with Jeanne d'Arc. It's good to be a queen!" Marie excited
"The honor is mine. Who would've thought that I get to talk;k to the famous Marie Antoinette. It's good to be a Servant." Jeanne replied
"I'm just glad that this isn't a real Holy Grail War. Otherwise, we couldn't chat like this..." Marie said
"...Marie."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, both of you. It appears to be an enemy attack!" Mash cutting them off
"I knew it."
"Oh my."
"I'll go wake up Mast-"
Moments later, Sonic wakes up from his sleep and grabs his sword that was laying down next to him.
"*Takes out the sword from scabbard* Perfect timing! I was literary a few seconds away from actually going to sleep." Sonic said
"Come, Jeanne, let us fight like proper Servants. Bravely, gallantly, whole-heartedly, and yet beautifully, like a maiden in love. That's what you and I are at our core. Neither saints nor queens." Marie said
"...The way I fight has little to do with beauty and elegance, I'm afraid," Jeanne replied
"Master, your orders!" Mash said
"Come, Sonic. I'll show you the power that I couldn't show you before! Tomboy Princess, coming through! I'll dance brilliantly, like glasswork!" Marie said
"So, you like dancing? Hehe... *Puts sword back in the scabbard and tosses it aside* Well then, allow me to show you what I'm capable of without a weapon." Sonic replied
Moments later, Sonic begins running at the two enemy werewolves. The first werewolf lunges at Sonic and swings its sword at him but Sonic rolls briefly and delivers a kick at the werewolf while sliding across the ground, tripping it and falling to the ground. Sonic then performs a double-hitting break-dance spinning kick at the werewolf and throws it right at the four Servants. Jeanne quickly lunges at the flying werewolf and strikes it several times at it before throwing it back to a tree, hitting it and falling to the ground before vanishing away. The second werewolf runs behind Sonic and attacks him with a sword swing, but Sonic jumps over the sword swing and soon performs a powerful overhead axe kick from a frontward somersault, hitting the werewolf's head and knocking it down to the ground hard. Soon after, Sonic performs a thrust to propel his body forward while sticking his legs outward and attacks the werewolf with spinning kicks at its face several times before stopping and kicking the wolf square in the face before sending it to a tree and vanishing.
"That was amazing, Sonic! I didn't know you could attack like that!" Marie said
"Hehe..." Sonic looking back at Marie
Without noticing, three more werewolves appear right in front of Sonic and jump right at him. Before all three could attack Sonic, Mash rushes in front of Sonic and blocks the attacks from the three werewolves.
"You need to be careful, Master!" Mash blocking the werewolves attacks
"Now it's my turn!" Marie said
Marie soon fires pink energy projectiles at the three werewolves where they all explode on impact and knocks the three away from Mash and Sonic.
"Servants detected! Also, multiple life-forms were detected!" Romani shouted
"...Master!" Mash said
"Prepare yourselves everyone, here comes more trouble!" Sonic shouted
"Yes!"
"What a drag. I've detected it, too. Having good hearing isn't always a good thing. In fact, I hate this sound so much it makes me want to scream. The sound of an enemy's footstep is worse than a high-pitched trumpet." Amadeus said
"You can hear them at this distance?" Mash asks
"Of course. I became a Servant because of my music I can detect any sound wave in the air. For instance, the sound of you and MAria's sleeping when we were camping. I enjoyed listening to them both. But, not just the sound of you sleeping. I've recorded all the tiny sounds your body makes in my Wolfgang Recorder!" Amadeus replied
"O-Okay... this is getting weird... Don't you think? We should probably not continue this conversation." Sonic commented
"A-A sexually harassing Servant!" Mash shouted
"I'm sorry, Mash. As his keeper, I apologize. But bear with him a little. Without his ears, he's nothing more than a pervert!" Marie said
"What are you saying? Human beings create filth just by living! Only by realizing that can you create true music. Life is filth, and music cleanses it. Now then, I hear footsteps and drawn swords. Naught but boorish noise. I don't write my music for fools, but... You've come all this way. I shall play my Requiem of Death for you!"
Moments later, three skeleton enemies appear as they all charge at Sonic and the Servants. Mash and Sonic both charge at the three skeletons as Mash swings her shield across, attacking one of the skeletons and knocking it back away from her. Sonic soon after, performs a somersault kick at the second enemy skeleton, knocking it upwards into the air, jumping right at it and performing a backwards roundhouse kick, sending it flying towards a tree and breaking into pieces before vanishing away. Jeanne then runs up to the third skeleton and strikes it several times with her spear-like flag pole before knocking it back away from her and falling to the ground. Amadeus and Marie both fire projectiles at the two skeletons as they explode on impact once hitting them and vanishing away soon after. Moments later two more skeletons and a Wyvern appear and all charge towards the five. Sonic jumps in to the air, curls into a ball and homing attacks at the Wyvern, hitting its face and pushing it back away from them. The first Skeleton charges at Jeanne and strikes at her but manages to the attack and counter back with several strikes with spear before knocking it away from her and towards Marie and Amadeus. Marie and Amadeus notice the oncoming Skeleton as they both fire projectiles right it and sends it flying towards Mash where she slams her shield right at skeleton and throws it towards Sonic where he performs an overhead axe kick and breaks the Skeleton's skull head and falling to the ground before vanishing away. The Wyvern dives straight down with it's mouth open towards Sonic and was about to strike him until Sonic performs a somersault kick at the dragons jaw and knocks it away from him. Moments later, Jeanne jumps right at the wyvern and strikes her spear right through it's eye and roars in pain. Jeanne soon after pulls her spear out of it's and slams her spear the Dragon's second eye as it began spewing out blood on sides. The drgaon roar in pain once again before falling to the ground and vanishing soon after. The second skeleton attacks Mash but swings her shield right at and sends it towards a tree where it hits the tree and falls to the ground. Moments later, Sonic does an overhead kick at the Skeleton and shatters it's skull into pieces before vanishing away.
"All that's left are the Servants!" Mash said
"Is everybody all right? Does anyone need healing?" Marie asks
"We're good here. What about you, Mash? Sonic?" Jeanne asks
"I'm fine."
"Not a single scratch on me," Sonic replied
"Doctor, are they here yet?"
"They're coming. Are you ready?" Romani said
"*Grabs Sword Off The Ground* Hey Sonic, catch!" Marie throwing the sword towards Sonic
"*Grabs it and takes the sword out from scabbard* Thank you!" Sonic replied
"...Hello, everybody. What a lonely night." Berserk Rider said
"Who are you?" Jeanne asks
"Who? Let's see, I wonder who I am. I forced myself to be a righteous saint, but in this world, I'm a save to be a broken one." Berserk Rider responded
"A broken saint..."
"Yes, thanks to her, my reason has left and I've gone mad. I am doing everything I can to hold myself back. What a mess this is. So while I appreciate your hopes, I cannot join you. You don't want a Servant who'll stab you from behind at every single opportunity, do you?" Berserk Rider said
"Then why did you come here?"
"...My task was to observe you, but my waning reason whispers that I should test you. You face the Dragon Witch. Disaster incarnate, riding on the "ultimate dragon." If you cannot surpass me, you will never defeat her. Plunge your blade into my heart without hesitation. My True Name is Martha. Now come to me, Iron Dragon Tatasque!"
Moments later, Berserk Rider summons a large dragon in front of her.
"Martha... Siant Martha? Watch out, everyone! She once defeated a dragon with nothing but prayers! If she's a Servant, that means..."
"She's a dragon rider!"
"Let us see if you're capable of slaying me!" Berserk Rider said
"HA! If you do think you'll be able to defeat me with a dragon, then think again!" Sonic said
Sonic's sword begins to glow bright blue as he lunges toward Berserk Rider. The large dragon lunges at Sonic and attempts to attack him with its claws but Sonic jumps right over the dragon lands behind it and attacks it by running through it and leaving a trail of sword strikes behind. The dragon roars in pain as it looks at Sonic and begins running up towards him. However, Mash quickly runs at the dragon and using her strength, slams her shield at the dragon's face and knocks it away, disrupting it from running towards Sonic. Jeanne soon runs straight at the dragon and unleashes a series of strikes at the dragon's face and damaging it. As the dragon was being distracted by Jeanne, Sonic took the opportunity to fight berserk Rider as he runs towards her with his sword ready. Berserk Rider begins firing white energy projectiles at Sonic but Sonic dodges each projectile that she fires at him and continues running towards her. Berserk Rider continues firing projectiles at Sonic until Marie and Amadeus energy projectiles came right at Berserk Rider, hitting her and exploding on impact. Dealing damage to her. Moments later, Sonic lunges at Berserk Rider as he breaks the laws of physics and launches 10 simultaneous sword swings at Berserk Rider and throwing her towards a tree and hits it behind and falls to the ground.
"Tck... He-He managed to break the laws of physics and attack me 10 times simultaneously in just a second. Who is this creature? Tck... I must stand my ground and continue on fighting." Berserk Rider said
Moments later, Berserk Rider's staff begins to glow as she heals herself from Sonic's attack and stands back up from the ground. Moments later, Berserk Rider fires even more projectiles at Sonic but Sonic swings his sword in front of him as all the projectiles all explode in front of him. Moments later, the dragon roars and knocks both Mash and Jeanne away from it as it turns its focus back at Sonic and begins charging towards him. Sonic looks behind to see the dragon running at him in full speed and lunges at him with it's mouth open, about to bite him. But without any warning, the dragon gets thrown away from Sonic and hits a tree before falling to the ground.
"What the! What just happen?!" Berserk Rider shock
"*Giggling* taking advantage of my speed, I decided to attack your pet dragon when at it least expected it to. I'll be honest with you, this my first time ever doing sword skills like that and can't come to terms on how I'm actaully able to do them. Yes, I'm able to run fast, but using a sword isn't one of main choices of fighting so I really don't bother to train with a sword. But now that I'm performing these attacks, I'm starting to make swords one of my main choices of combat. Now then, *Looks right back at Berserk Rider and aims his sword at her* Care for round two?" Sonic said
"I admire your swordsman skills, animal. That's enough."
"Martha. did you..."
"Holdback? Of course not. This is fine, it's fine this way. Seriously, don't make a saint massacre you! Listen animal, I admire your skills, but despite the fighting skills you have, you'll never beat the dragon controlled by the Dragon Witch. There's only one way to surpass that type of dragon. Go to Lyon... the city is once known as Lyon. It won't be a saint who defeats the dragon, nor a princess. Ever since ancient times, only a "Dragon Slayer" is capable of killing a dragon. Tarasque, I'm sorry. Next time, I hope I'll be summoned properly." Berserk Rider said
"Hey, don't worry! *Gently holds Martha's hand* I can summon you in the future and can make you a better person by joining us in taking down evil. Just wait for me. I'll make sure you become the best fighter you can ever be! You won't be fighting alongside someone like that evil Jeanne anytime once you join my side." Sonic said
Martha just starred at Sonic but didn't say anything. However, she puts her other hand over Sonic's and smiles at him before vanishing away in front of him.
"...Even Saint Martha can't resist her," Jeanne said
"She'd undergone Madness Enhancement, in addition to being summoned. Perhaps it can't be helped. Normally it would be impossible to even talk to her. The only reason we were able to communicate was because of her incredible self-control." Mash said
"Yes. She was peaceful, yet fierce as a person. I could tell. She is the Iron Saint. She is a woman like adamantine, who solves things with her fists in the end." Marie replied
"They say she defeated the Tarasque with a sermon, but I bet she just beat it up. Anyway, thanks, to her, we know where we're going. We should hurry, right? Let's get going to Lyon." Amadeus said
"I'm surprised. Amadeus seemed like, um, the type of person who'd hate to travel on foot." Mash commented
")Oh no, Amadeus loves travelling. He's travelled to many places ever since he was a child." Marie replied
"...Well, I suppose it's true that I'm used to travelling," Amadeus said
"Hehe, I'm getting excited. I wonder what and who waits for us in Lyon! Come on, Jeanne. Let's get going." Marie excited
"Right!"
*In A Undisclosed Location*
"Did Rider commit suicide? It's troublesome that she retained her sanity even with Madness Enhancement. Still, she likely fought with all of her might against that stupid annoying rodent and his pals if that's the case, we can't let our guard down. That bastard of a rodent also took that gem away from me, which makes me more infuriated with him. I'm also taking the Servants summoned today. Please contact the Berserk Assassin." Jeanne Alter commanded
"Understood. If I were who I was before, I would've stopped you. But now, you're perfect Jeanne! You don't even need luck! Please trample over them as much as you wish."
"Gilles. Which do you think is the real one? Me, or her?"
"Of course it's you. Are you listening, Jeanne? you were burned at the stake. Betrayed, by everyone! Charles VII left you to die because he didn't want to pay the ransom! Not a single person rose to bravely fight for your return! And what was the cause of all this? It was God! It was our God, mocking us! Thus, we deny God. Don't we, Jeanne?" Gilles shouted
"...Yes. Yes, you're right, Gilles. I have nothing left. My soldiers are gone, and my admirers fled. The king betrayed me and the bishop burnt me in the name of God. I was wrong. No, everything was wrong. Not just what I believed in. The very country that allowed me to exist was wrong. This mistake must be righted. Jeanne d'Arc was a mistake. So let us do as they decided, and make it all so it never happened. My salvation of the country was itself a fatal mistake." Jeanne Piss
"...Jeanne. Please, don't put yourself under such stress. this is divine punishment. Nothing more. Your revenge is righteous. What you saved, you may destroy. Isn't that all there is to it?" Gilles asks
"...You're right, Gilles. What you say is extreme, but it brings me strength. Let's go, Berserker, Assassin... This is getting complicated. May I use your True names? Lancelot, Knight of the Lake: and the Executioner; Charles-Henri Sanson. Mount your wyverns. I shall lead you."
"...Urrrrr."
"...Of course, Master. Only I am fit to take the head of the Queen."
*With Marie*
"...And that's what happened..."
"I see, I see! Understood. How interesting. How very interesting! Thank you, kind sir. Farewell, until we meet again!" Marie said
"Y-Yes, ma'am! Um, by the way, you seem to be of noble birth. What is your name..."
"My name is Marie Antoinette! Hehe, it might be worth remembering. Keep passing it own for 360 years or so, and someone might be in for a surprise, hehe."
*Outside The Town*
"Guys! I got the information!" Marie shouted
"Sorry, Marie. I will cause a panic if I go into town..." Jeanne said
"I side with this. No one ever takes kindly to a talking Hedgehog like me." Sonic commented
"Don't worry you two. We're both Servants, you know. Now, I've got some great information. The city St. Martha told us of, Lyon. To put it simply, Lyon was destroyed a little while ago. Its refugees have settled here." Marie explaining
"The "used to be" nuance interests me... So it's just as I thought?" Jeanne asks
"Yes. The town is filled with monsters that seem to have arisen from the depths of Hell. But I think what came before that is the important part. They said Lyon had a protector." Marie mentions
"A protector?" Mash asks
"Oh, so another hero once protected this of Lyon. I respect this hero for their bravery in protecting what they loved." Sonic commented
"A knight with a large sword, who defeated wyverns and skeletons," Marie said
"I see. perhaps that's the Servant Martha spoke of before." Jeanne said
"Yes. But a little while ago, some scary people came. Servants, probably. he was overwhelmed by their numbers and is now missing. And so Lyon was destroyed..." Marie said
"I hope he's alive... No, let's believe in the words of St. Martha." Mash said
"I rather just call her Martha... Seems easier to me." Sonic said
"Oh, right. Charles VII visited the village, and General Gilles de Rais marshalled the routed soldiers, they said."
"Gilles!"
"He's attempting to attack Lyon and take back the city," Marie said
"I'm sure it would be difficult to meet with him," Mash said
"Why is that? Gilles de Rais is an admirer of Jeanne, right? if Jeanne asks, he's sure to lend a helping hand?" Marie said
"That's precisely the reason. he knows that I've become the Dragon Witch. He wouldn't accept me like that." Jeanne replied
"...I see. I'm not sure if that's quite right. but I understand that you might not want to see him? You're a girl, after all. yes, I agree we don't need to see him! We're in a hurry, after all. I don't think normal soldiers can handle all those monsters in Lyon, anyway..." Marie said
"You're quite right. Let's defeat them on our own. Besides, we have Sonic here who's able to take down monsters in a flash." Jeanne said
"Will take of them as before, Jeanne. Don't worry." Sonic said
"Sonic... You're right. This is nothing."
"Yes, that's what it means to be commander! Here's your reward!"
Marie walks up to Sonic as she bends down and kisses Sonic on the cheek. Sonic eyes widen in complete shock as he just stared at Marie, speechless.
"What?" Mash shock
"Well? Was it good?"
"*In complete shock* W-Why did you that?! I never asked for this! I thought it was going to be something shiny that you were going to give me!" Sonic shock
"Oh come on, you never experienced that before?" Marie asks
"*Rubbing his cheek* Only once... Unfortunately. But I'll save that story for a different time. That incident could have been solved differently without that part." Sonic replied
"She finally went and did it, huh? Sorry, just ignore that, Sonic. Maria has a bad habit of kissing everything. It caused chaos in the palace. There were actually factions formed of people she'd kissed and people she hadn't. No playwright would touch a story about a court that almost destroyed itself before the revolution."
"Master, come on. Snap out of it. Snap out of it! Please forgive for what I'm about to do to you, Sonic." Mash shouted
"*Gets a slap across the face from Mash and returns to reality* OW! Thank you, I needed that," Sonic said
"Huh? You guys don't do kisses? Maybe like when your heart feels like someone's squeezing it... You do it too, right Jeanne?" Marie asks
"I-I do not! I do not! Only with someone, I was going to marry..." Jeanne replied
"Marie... You kissed a talking animal! Not a human!" Mash said
"...Huh? Hey, hold on a second. Those soldiers over there seem ready to kill. I don't think they're back from the front." Amadeus looking at the distance
"...Seems like they've become bandits. This tragedy is enough to shatter anyone's mind. We cannot let the townspeople suffer. Let us capture them."
"Let me take care of this. I have an idea! Does anyone have ropes?" Sonic asks
"I do! *Gives ropes to Sonic* Here you go." Mash said
"*Takes ropes from Mash* Umm... Where did you get these?" Sonic asks
"I found them on the way here," Mash replied
"I'm glad you did. Anyway, give me a few moments." Sonic said
Sonic speeds off towards the bandits as he begins spinning around the soldiers and tying them up one by one. Jeanne, Mash, Amadeus, and Marie all watch as Sonic quickly ties each soldier
"All done." Sonic running back to the others
"Nice one, Sonic. You really do care for others." Mash said
"I may look like some evil creature to others. But I make sure to tell them that I am on their side when fighting." Sonic replied
"Great job, Sonic! That's what Commander's do!" Marie congratulating Sonic
"Anyway, let's hand those soldiers to the town's people. I think we can leave the rest to them. All right, let's head out everybody!" Mash said
*Someplace Else*
"We're almost there, don't you think?" Marie asks
"Yes, we should be. the thought of having to see a ruined town again is heartbreaking." Jeanne replied
Eventually, they all made it to Lyon...
"There is no one here..." Jeanne said
"Doctor, any signs of life?" Mash asks
"..."
"Doctor?" Mash said
"Weird, never seen this happen," Sonic commented
"I'm sorry. Reception's not very good here. Ler's split up and search for that "Dragon Slayer" Martha mentioned." Mash said
"Right. Let's see which of us finds that person first. Amadeus and I will take the west side." Marie said
"Then Mash and I will take the east," Jeanne said
"Sounds good to me! Let's get going, Master!" Mash said
*Inside The Town*
Sonic, Jeanne, and Mash all enter the town and quickly notice the destruction surrounding them.
"Man... this is terrible..." Sonic said
"This was once a beautiful town. Why would that Dragon Witch do this." Jeanne said
"This is a fake one this time, Jeanne."
"That'd be nice, but... Huh? Did I just hear a voice?" Jeanne said
"Yes, faintly. It may be a survivor. Let's go check it out."
"...Ugh!"
"Living Dead!" Mash shouted
"Not again!"
"Turning the townsfolk into monsters... This is beyond heresy!" Jeanne said
"We can't save them anymore... Ready for battle, Master!" Mash said
"It's time for them to rest in peace," Sonic replied
"Yes, Master!"
Sonic grab's his sword from the scabbard and slowly walks towards the two zombies in front of them. The zombies didn't hear nor notice Sonic walking towards them. Moments later, Sonic runs towards them and swings his sword at both the zombies, cutting them in half as their bodies fell to the ground, spewing blood before vanishing. The sound of the bodies falling caught the attention of three more zombies as they all roared and began running towards Sonic. Mash runs past Sonic, jumps very high in the air with her shield above her and comes back down, slamming her shield at one of the zombies. Completely crushing it and exploding on impact before vanishing away. The second zombie grabs onto Mash's shield and attempts to pull it out of her but Mash uses her strength to hold her shield tightly. As she did her best not to lose grip of her shield, Jeanne rushes in and slices the zombie's head off its body and falling right next to her feet. She then raises her feet and stomps on it, crushing it and exploding soon after before vanishing. The third zombie runs up to Sonic and was to grab him till Sonic unleashes a powerful upward strike at the zombie and cuts it in half before falling to the ground while spewing blood before vanishing away. Moments later, a large number of zombies appear around Sonic, Jeanne, and Mash. Marie and Amadues soon appear as they both take down several zombies making their way towards Sonic, Mash, and Jeanne.
"Even more enemies!"
"Yes, just as I thought! I hurried back, but they're swarming over here too. You may not need any help, but I can't just sit around! I will help you, Sonic!" Marie appearing once again alongside Amadeus
"Lock and load everybody cause here we go!" Sonic said before running towards the zombies and continuing to fight with them
To Be Continue...
"Next Time: Orleans (Part 6.)" Sonic As A Nsrrator