Chapter Nine: First Real Battle

            "Buddi! Slow down!"

            Buddi slammed on his brakes and turned. Ursa and Gritty were catching up. Ursa grabbed his shoulder.

            "Slow down. I don't want to lose track of you."

            Buddi pouted, "Ursa, I'm not a baby!"

            "But you're Emi's target."

            "I know, I know. But Cubbi…"

            Ursa smiled, "Buddi, we won't be able to do anything. Getting there any faster is just reckless."

            Buddi sighed deeply but saw the wisdom in her words. He slowed and fell in pace with her and Gritty. The two adults were grateful. As of late, Buddi'd become more and more rebellious. Grubbi assured them it was because he was a teenager, almost fifteen and the stage would pass. Ursa was glad of that. She was at her wits' end. And at now of all times.

            But she supposed that stages did not wait until battle was done with. It would have favored her astronomically if they did. But nothing ever came easy to her. Buddi was looking past her with scowl. Turning, she saw Ryo coming up.

            Buddi hissed, "Did he have to come?"

            Ursa glared at him. "Buddi, Ryo is one of my best warriors. I expect you to respect him."

            "I don't have to like him."

            Ursa put her hands on her hips and glared down at him. "Buddi, he's a Barbic and as such he's part of your clan, your family."

            "I don't like him; he's a jerk."

            This time Gritty spoke out, "Enough Buddi." It was apparent that Gritty disapproved of the child's attitude but he was calm. Buddi had never seen Gritty lose his temper at someone younger than him.

            Buddi crossed his arms, narrowed his eyes at the adult and then turned on his heels to storm off. Ursa stormed after him. She was angry.

            "Buddi Barbic, stop right there and look at me.

            Buddi did as he was told. Ursa's voice was stern.

            "Buddi, I know you and Ryo do not get along but he's older than you. I want you to respect him."

            "Why? He doesn't me. All he does is criticize me!"

            Ursa took a breath to calm her temper. "Buddi, I know. I know he's frustrating. I know that. But he's a good warrior and he has a true Barbic's heart."

            "Does that mean I don't?"

            "I never said that."

            "You never didn't say it either."

            "Buddi," she grabbed the cub by his shoulders. "Buddi, he's hard on you to toughen you up. You're too soft. He does it for your good."

            "My good…why can't I decide for-"

            "Buddi! Enough is enough! I said respect him. That's all the reasoning you need!"

            Buddi stared at her. "Ursa, I respect you but sometimes I swear you can be such a stubborn jerk."

            He turned and ran ahead, leaving her stunned. She recovered swiftly and started after him but Gritty pulled her back.

            "Let me talk to him Ursa."

            She nodded and her friend ran after the cub. Ursa followed slowly with the rest of her team, Ryo, Mari, and Lundi. She felt a terrible desire to talk to Buddi herself but decided to let Gritty give it a try. Sometimes, it was a problem she just didn't understand.

* * *

            Igthorn stood over the hill that spread towards Dunywn. After weeks of planning and plotting he and his army were ready to attack. Lady bane was fixed in a different position to attack with her magic when it was so desired.

            He smiled,

            "Queen Calla, get ready to hand over your throne."

            He turned to his ogres,

            "Attack!"

* * *

            Princess Cassandra let out a cry. Princess Marie tried to soothe her but to no avail. She and her father agreed to stay for a time. Princess Marie had fallen in love with Cassandra.

            "Oh ma petite chou, what is it?"

            'She's hungry Marie."

            The black haired girl looked up. Calla walked in and lifted her daughter into her arms. She slid down one side of her blouse and began to feed the infant. Marie smiled.

            "She's so cute, Calla."

            Calla smiled and stroked the infant's mass of brown hair. "Thanks. She's my angel."

            Marie smiled and watched the small girl. Calla took a breath,

            "Marie…"

            "Qui?"

            "Cavin and I didn't just ask you and your father here to help us out these first few days." She removed the baby from her breast and she spoke and gently lifted her to her shoulder. She patted the girl's back and then cradling the baby in one arm fixed her blouse back up with the other. Marie was staring at her. Calla smiled at her daughter and then said,

            "If something happens to me and Cavin…will you raise my daughter for me?"

            "I…" Marie was stunned. If she had expected something, it sure wasn't that. "I…I…"

            "You don't have to decide now, Marie." The blond haired girl assured her. "If you need to think abo-"

            "I'll do it."

            "Really?"

            "I'll do it, Calla. I love this girl. She's such a darling."

            Calla smiled. As she began to say something else, Sir Tuxford stuck his head in,

            "Your Highness, we're under attack!"

            Calla leapt up at immediate attention. Tuxford added,

            "The King is already helping organize a defense."

            Calla ran to the window.

            "Oh heavens' sake no…"

            There were too many.

            "I have to help!"

            Cassandra let out a cry at her mother's shrill voice.

            "Cassandra…"

            Marie stood, "I'll protect her Calla." She held out her arms. "Give her to me."

            Calla looked at her baby, reluctant to leave her during a time of battle. But she had to help protect her kingdom. With trembling hands, she placed her most precious possession, her only child, in Marie's arms. She kissed Cassandra's head softly and whispered,

            "Mommy'll be back soon, angel face."

            Then she ran off. Marie tightened her grip around the small Princess and held her close to her chest, as protective as an aunt would be.

* * *

            "Buddi! Get back here!"

            The cub turned and was met with Gritty, not the adult he expected. He pouted and sat down by a tree.

            "What?"

            The adult sat on his knees.

            "Buddi, you know better than what you just did. You know you're supposed to respect those older than you."

            "Why? I should respect those that deserve it. You and Ursa deserve it. Ryo doesn't."

            "Buddi, that's not the point. You should respect Ryo because he's older than you and has seen more."

            Buddi sighed, "I know…I know. But it's hard…he irritates the crap out of me."

            Gritty smiled, "I know partner. But he's hard on the outside, like most of us. He never softened like Ursa and I did. But he's loyal to the bone deep down. One day, you'll see."

            Buddi sighed, "I guess…"

            Gritty pulled him up. "Now, I think you owe Ursa an apology. Angry or not, you don't take it out on her."

            Buddi nodded. But before he could start back, he heard a clashing sound. He turned to Gritty who had his ears perked up.

            "Gritty?"

            "Battle."

* * *

            Marie stepped further back into the darkest and most secure section of the royal chamber. The baby in her arms stirred but didn't awake from her deep slumber. Marie stroked the infant's brown hair.

            A loud banging made Marie's heart pound. The small baby let out a piercing cry. Marie stole a glance outside. Igthorn's troops were slowly but assuredly being forced back. King Jean-Claude's knights were aiding Dunwyn's. The duke had not anticipated the troops of another kingdom.

            But some of his troops had made their way into the castle.

            The door was crashed inward.

* * *

            Buddi ran to see. He'd never seen a real battle. He'd heard the battles when Barbic woods fell but he had never been able to see much. Now for once, a feeling made him run towards the battle.

            "Rushing in again, little one?"

            Buddi whirled around.

            "Emi!"

            The black gummi smiled. In a split second, she morphed in her Celina persona. Rising up to a good eight feet, her hair extended to become long enough to pile onto the ground. She had on a slim black form fitting dress. She flexed her fingers and long claw like nails emerged.

            "I've been having fun, Buddi. Don't you think if I so desired that I could have wiped you and Sunni out with a thought now that I'm free?"

            Buddi narrowed his eyes. He wished desperately that he hadn't run from Gritty. Although he knew the adult most likely would be as helpless against Emi as he was, it would have made him feel safer. But the child took a deep breath and spoke,

            "If you could, why didn't you?"

            She smiled. "Because I like to see people suffer. Their fear is music to my ears."

            She swung her hand and blood sprayed from the cub's shoulder as he collapsed to the ground, moaning with pain. He turned as Celina's clawed hand came down.

            Blood poured over the ground.

* * *

            Marie clutched the infant to her chest protectively as Lady Bane walked into the castle.

            "Honestly, if you want anything done right, you have to do it yourself."

            She noted Marie in the corner.

            "Hello my dear. Now why don't you spare yourself some pain and hand over the Princess?"

            "Never!"

            Marie's eyes burned. As Lady bane drew closer, Marie didn't want to imagine what agonizes she had planned for the innocent girl. When the sorceress knelt down to snatch the browned haired baby, Marie did something she had never done before or even realized she had the nerve to do.

            She drew back her fist and punched.

            The sorceress, stunned, wiped the blood from her lip and then stared at the French princess.

            Marie was shaking, trembling with rage and had her fist drawn back.

            Lady Bane smiled. The jewel on her headdress lit up and Marie found herself becoming frozen, unable to move. She tightened her grip on the tiny Princess. Before she lost all control, the girl locked her muscles.

            Lady bane smiled at the girl's persistence. She calmly pried off the princess' hands and lifted the heir of Dunywn into her arms. She walked off calmly before releasing her hold on Marie.

            The girl tumbled to her knees. Then leaping up, she tore after the sorceress, screaming,

            "Give her back!"

* * *

            Buddi looked at his hands. They were rusty red; his tan fur turned the color of brown-red with blood. Pain was shooting through his whole body but mainly from his side. Celina had impaled him, although not critically. The pain would keep his physical means of attack down immensely. The child had attempted to scream for help several times. Every time he felt he could, Celina either slashed his back or his lungs screamed in pain.

            "Hurts doesn't it?"

            Buddi made no reply to this demon. He turned his face and glared at her defiantly. Blood was rushing down his body but he fought his way to his feet. If he was going to die, he would die looking her in the face.

            The sorceress drew back her arm.

            Buddi closed his eyes. But he never felt the pain.

            Because it never hit him. He felt blood splash his face. He opened his eyes.

            Celina's eyes were bulged wide with pain. She stared at the spear that went straight through her body. Choosing to bide her time, she vanished. Buddi looked at his savoir.

            Five holes left by Celina's claws were oozing blood, right in the center of his chest and the gummi fell to the floor, unable to stand anymore. Buddi rushed to their side and said with tears streaming from his eyes,

            "Ryo…"