Section Eleven: Apex of the Storm
"Sir! SIR!"
"WHAT?" Pepper nearly roared, looking up. He was crouched in a healer's tent at the back lines, some of his armor removed so the healer could work on his arm. The armor was ruined as well; he had taken a hit from a fireball, and it had knocked him cleanly off his horse. One of his aides had pulled him out of battle immediately as more black knights bore down on their front lines, taking down soldier after soldier. Even as he shouted, he saw in the distance another one of their dragons come crashing to the ground, four black dragons on it.
"Problems on the left flank, sir! We need you!"
He cursed, watching the healer finish hurriedly and standing, flexing his arm. It still throbbed, but it worked, and wasn't agony to move anymore. He picked up his sword and left the tent, swinging back astride his warhorse. The soldier that had arrived also swung aside a horse, galloping behind the lines. Cannonballs and blasts of fire rained down around them, but the soldiers were dodging the majority of them now.
Pepper watched his soldiers as they fell back and regrouped, then took another stand. His once grand army had been cut down to less then a quarter of their strength, most of which was wounded, the rest exhausted. But they refused to give in to Andross' army. Better to die then to give in, and they knew it.
The left flank was in a state of chaos. Soldiers who had once stood by the king were now attacking their own fellows, eyes bright with insanity, ranting. The ones they attacked were panicked, unwilling to lift weapons against their own allies, backing up farther and farther as black knights and soldiers of Andross charged against the collapsing flank.
"STAND FIRM!" Pepper shouted, leaping to the front of the lines, deflecting his own soldier's swords away. "STAND FIRM! FORCE THEM DOWN! DO IT!"
They slowly fell in ranks with him, working against their maddened counterparts, trapping them between them and Andross' charging line. The Black Knights hit first, crossbow bolts and magic lancing up the backs of the maddened King's own. They fell, their mounts bucking and screaming as they too were caught up and killed by the raging wind of evil.
Pepper reared his horse, spinning his sword in the air with his good arm, urging the severely shaken left flank to move up even with the rest of the lines, meeting Andross' forces while they hit. War cries and shrieks split the air at the same time, rage and death at the same intervals.
"DRAGON!"
Both lines scattered back as a black dragon dove at them, mouth opening and releasing a gout of acid. They had both learned the black dragons didn't care whose side they hit as long as they hit the enemy in some way, shape, and form. Unfortunate soldiers screeched as they died, flesh boiled from their bones by the hot acid. Another black joined the first, adding his breath weapon to the first's.
A gold screamed, coming out of nowhere and hitting the side of the second black dragon, digging all claws in and ripping, driving the black down. The first black left off another blast of acid, but only hit his fellow as the gold dodged, then let loose a spray of white-hot fire, charging the remaining black. The black screamed, grappling with the gold in a dance of death as they pummeled to the ground.
"My god…" Pepper made a religious sign to himself, shaking his head.
"Sir…" One of his aides stood nearby, staring as the dragons crashed to the ground. Even at this distance, they could hear sickening snaps as bones were crushed in the fall, hear screams of pain, and see blood splatter up. After a long moment the gold limped into view, holding one back leg tucked up to its body, wings open for balance. After a moment, it looked right at them, then collapsed to the ground with a soft moan.
"I know." Pepper looked toward Andross' stronghold, holding his injured arm absently. "We need a miracle."
Fara leaned on the window, staring out. She could feel Andross' magic raging over the battlefield, driving his soldiers on through some rough healing and a lot of rage, pummeling her father's lines. She could only watch as dragons fought and died over the battlefield, as her father's lines fell back and regrouped again and again.
"It will be worse for your father's lines once night falls." Felocial said, entering the room with an easy stride, carrying a covered tray and setting it on a table. "They are denying what has already happened."
"And that is?"
"They've lost, of course. They've sustained so many losses nothing else is true." She smiled. "You see, milady Fara… your father has a very proud army…"
"They are trained to be so." She said, not looking at the Drow.
"And that shall be their death." Was the cheerful reply.
"What will happen to me then?"
"Oh you'll be held here, and Andross will approach your father. Even if your father's army falls, you're still useful… your father will be much more agreeable with your life in the balance." The Drow shrugged. "Besides… Andross is a bit fond of you…"
Fara winced. "I would rather he not be."
"Oh, don't say that. Andross is not as evil as you think he is…"
"That's all your perspective, now isn't it?"
She laughed. "I suppose so."
Fara stared out the window, closing her eyes and letting out a breath as she was visually swept onto the battlefield again, watching as part of her father's line fell back, then rallied and charged back into battle, deflecting away arrows and fireballs as they could.
"So. That's how it is."
"Hmm?" She jolted back to reality, looking at Felocial.
"You're a Visionary. Didn't someone at least train you to use your powers?" The Drow set her hands on her hips. "That's been happening to you for years, hasn't it?"
"Every now and then." She shrugged.
"Humph. That would be something to tell Andross, then…" The Drow left, muttering to herself.
Fara sighed, folding her arms around herself and shivering. She couldn't escape the feeling of cold that clung to this place… and she knew she might never leave it. She leaned on the windowsill, staring out, and felt herself be swept up again, seeing through someone else's eyes again… but it wasn't a battlefield this time. No, she had connected to someone else's mind that was approaching the battlefield from afar… Did her father have more solders coming? She didn't think so. So who was this? She frowned to herself, watching as the view shifted, and she saw a Guild thief and a Knight, then a familiar voice came to her ears.
'McCloud?' She wondered, and for a moment, hope sprang in her.
There was a long pause, then he seemed to know she was there. 'Phoenix?'
Then the connection was ripped apart, and she sat on the stone floor, feeling dazed, but somehow, she wasn't cold anymore.
"Fox? What's wrong?"
"I'm… not sure." He had stopped, lifting a hand to his temple. "I could have sworn that…" His frown deepened for a moment. "It's nothing… just an odd feeling."
"You're always getting odd feelings." Falco smiled a bit.
"That's because I'm used to nature and the wilds. Your domain is the city."
"Very true."
Distant battle cries reached them, and they saw dragons fighting on the horizon. They stopped again, watching.
"And you say Andross is winning?" Bill asked.
"Yes, by an extreme margin."
"Let's go, then. I have no wish to loose this war."
General Pepper watched as another of Andross' lines smashed into his own, pressing his army farther and farther back. This line was commanded by a small, elite group of the Fists of Hextor, and his soldiers of Heironeous fell back, then took another stand.
Battle cries sounded off behind his army, and for a brief, horrifying moment, Pepper thought he had been flanked, then he turned and saw a small group charging down from the foothills into battle, spreading out from an arrow formation, horses leaping over his lines and landing right into battle. An elf stopped at his lines and started casting healing magic, and a mage stopped even with his lines, raining down fire on Andross' lines. The others went right into battle, the leader of the small group expertly maneuvering on a unicorn, slaying Black Knight after Black Knight. Two of the other four dismounted, their horses returning to stand beside the mage, and started in on Andross' foot soldiers. He recognized the fighting style and grace of one of them—one of his own guards, William Grey. ALIVE? Pepper stared a moment. He had been told via messengers that Grey's entire unit had been wiped out.
After a long moment, he recognized the leader on the unicorn as well, who was shouting orders to the other three, and with a single severe gesture, rained down lightning on Andross' soldiers. The other that had stayed mounted turned and galloped back to Pepper's lines, leaping past them and approaching Pepper.
"McCloud? Fox McCloud?"
"That would be him yes." Said the one approaching him, coming to a halt. "Hello, General."
"Hare! Of His Majesty's own Knights!" Pepper gawked, then grinned. "What are you doing here?"
"Helping the son of an old friend." He replied, sheathing his sword and loading his bow, then turning and aiming. A brief mutter, and the arrow flew across the battlefield; enough power behind it to not only kill, but also knock the dead Black Knight completely off his mount.
"I kept saying we needed a miracle, but I wasn't expecting in this way." Pepper rubbed his eyes, then shouted an order to his men to stand firm.
"The Gods work in mysterious ways."
"Indeed."
Fox dismounted in mid battle, pulling both swords at once, using all his training to down mounted and dismounted enemies alike. His unicorn didn't back down, rather charged and fought against the enemy, knocking those mounted off their horses and doing battle with black unicorns. No longer was the mare's coat white, but it had been splattered and stained red. It retained its connection to Fox, using his prompting to know what enemy soldier to target.
"Not bad." A Black Knight halted and dismounted, setting his hands on his hips. "When you can ambush…"
"I can see my presence was not expected." Fox replied, letting his arms relax, easily returning the Black Knight's gaze. "Perhaps you thought a victory was insured now?"
"That we did. The way I see it, we'll just have to work a bit harder. En guarde, young servant of Heironeous!" With that, the Black Knight attacked.
Fox brought up both swords and deflected the great sword away, using his broad sword to block and his Katana to return blows. The enemy Knight was fast, certainly, but he was just as fast, and unlike when Fox had been fighting the skeleton, now he could score wounding blows. His cape whipped around, interfering with the Knight's view, and Fox brought his Katana up, aiming for a gap in the Knight's armor.
Blood flew in a crescent fan as he completed his pass, and the Knight yelped once, a shrill harsh noise, stepping back. Blood dripped from his shoulder in a steady stream, the cut was obviously deep.
"First blood. I congratulate you." The Knight said thickly, tightening the armor over the cut in an attempt to stop the flowing blood.
"Thank you." Fox said, circling his enemy slowly. "Are you able to continue?"
"Any less would be a blow to my honor." And the Knight attacked again.
Fox went on the defense, then got more aggressive, finally sending his enemy's sword flying with a flick of his wrist and lunging forward with the other arm. His Katana completely ignored the Knight's armor, piercing through as if nothing was there. His next movement sent his enemy to the ground and pulled the Katana out as he set a foot on his enemy's chest. The Knight didn't fight the pressure, too wounded to fight back—he was dying.
"I hope you come up against one of Hextor's servants." Spat the Knight.
"I hope I do too." He lifted his foot and moved on.
Sooner then anyone expected, Andross' line collapsed on itself and retreated to reform, watching the King's army from a distance as they prepared for heavier combat.
Falco whooped and made a number of religious gestures upward, returning to Pepper's lines as the rest of the group did. "I do believe they weren't expecting us."
"That would be my guess." Said Bill, sheathing his sword. "Afternoon, General."
"Yes, afternoon. I thank you, gentlemen and lady. I do believe you may have saved our lives." Pepper looked at the small group. "But I'm not sure for how long." He looked across the battlefield at Andross' stronghold, watching as several black dragons took wing, gathering and waiting for the command.
"Falco, that is your division. If you will please?" Fox said, glancing at the thief.
"Of course." Falco separated from the group, redrawing his sword.
"Beg pardon?" Pepper frowned. "How do you fight airborne dragons? The golds that were helping us are all wounded."
"Simple, good sir. You bring in more dragons."
"WHAT?"
Falco looked at the sword and sighed. 'Well, I'm supposed to know how to call them. Really I don't… I don't know what I'm doing… what in Heaven's name?!' His sword suddenly lit up in fire, and he held it up, pointing it at the heavens. He felt the spirit in the sword grow restless, then suddenly a booming roar cracked from his chest.
In reply, distant roars came from the mountains, punctuated by thunder.
"They'll come." Said Slippy, fingering the whistle around his neck.
"Yes, I suspect we will need help from you allies. And yours as well." Fox looked at Peppy. "I'm not sure how fast the summoning charms will work… use them when you feel the time is right…"
"Perhaps you could tell me what is going on?" Pepper interrupted.
"We made some friends along the way." Said Falco evasively as he returned to the group. "Some of which are on their way right now."
"What happened?" Andross asked, standing on top of one his towers and staring down at the currently silent battlefield.
"We aren't sure sir." O'Donnel replied. "As near as we know, all of the sudden the King's army got support from a small group of elites. Our soldiers weren't ready for it and fell easily to them."
"Well, then. Perhaps it is time to put our elites out then." He crossed his arms.
"Yes sir!"
"They're getting ready to attack again." Pepper noted. "Stand ready men! They're coming again!"
"Perhaps now would be a good time for those charms. Slippy, yours first. We could use the archers." Fox said, craning his neck around. "And there are Falco's friends… about time."
"I heard that…" Said a familiar voice, and the same copper dragon they spoke to landed beside them roughly. "It's a long flight."
"And an even longer ride." Falco replied, looking around at the large flight of dragons hovering around, watching the black dragons and waiting. "Thanks for coming."
"Our pleasure." The copper took flight again.
"My god." Pepper said reverently. "You must be good negotiators."
"Falco has a Dragon Spirit sword. We also did the Coppers a minor favor during our travels." Said Peppy.
Slippy had lifted the whistle to his lips, and distant, windy notes floated through the air, throwing themselves at the heavens. Those nearby looked toward him curiously, then a vortex opened behind the King's army, a host of elves on foot and riding somewhat wild looking mares and stallions emerged, all ready for battle.
"We were wondering when you would contact us." Said the one in the lead. "General Pepper, a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."
"The pleasure is mine." Pepper replied, raising his eyebrows. "I thank you for coming to assist us."
"No, no thanks needed. It is our fate to. You see, think what the king might, we live in his country, so it is our land too, and we must defend it."
"Just so."
"We have one more ally I just inform you both of now. Pepper, you must inform your men of this too. Our last ally is the Jack of Tears." Said Fox.
"You're kidding." Was the flat reply from Pepper.
"No. We reached a deal, you might say. At Peppy's signal, he will bring his army here to assist us. You must explain to your men that they are not enemies, but they should stay well out of the way of the Jack of Tear's minions."
"I will tell them." Pepper said, turning from them and going to his men.
The black dragons finally dove at the King's men, which got into defensive positions. However, before the black dragons could reach them, the newly arrived metallic dragons attacked the blacks, defending the King's lines.
At the same time the metallics attacked, the elves released a wave of arrows at Andross' lines. Their accuracy was deadly, and their melee fighters joined the King's fighters, strengthening the worn and weary lines.
"Peppy!" Fox yelled, and made a gesture as if he was cupping an amulet to his chest. "NOW!"
Peppy fired one last arrow, sending a blast of fire out over Andross' lines when it hit, then swung the bow over his shoulder and picked up the amulet. After a moment, he hit the glyphs carved into it in quick succession, and magic pounded out from him, cold and throbbing.
A storm gathered behind the King's lines, black lightning cracking and hitting the ground, then hitting in a solid curtain of magical electricity. It parted, and who walked out but the Jack of Tears himself, riding a black unicorn. Pacing him on his left was the Baron Mirth, on a blood mare. Behind them rallied a huge crowd of skeleton soldiers, necromantic golems, alligator warriors, and plague wretches.
"God help us!" Blurted one of the King's knights.
"You might be surprised, but he is." Fox wheeled his unicorn and galloped back to meet the Jack of Tears.
"Are we fashionably late?" Lord Momus smiled a bit.
"Yes indeed. We need you on the lines right now. I'd like to put some of the Elven archers on top of the golems in place of the skeleton archers, if you don't mind…"
"Sounds right." He lifted his wand and let out a battlecry, and his army rallied behind him. Without waiting for a signal, he charged, sweeping down at the battlefield. The King's army got hastily out of the way, and the two evil armies smashed together. Fox had gotten out of the way of the Jack of Tear's army, and now waded into battle himself.
"General Pepper, sir." The Jack of Tears said, easily navigating the battlefield to stand beside the human general. The Baron Mirth had already taken over commanding his skeletons, and was pushing Andross back. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Charmed." Pepper managed as he deflected arrows away with his shield.
"I imagine your men are not." The Jack of Tears grinned. "But they will have to suffer with the indignity."
"First he kills my diplomats and now he fights against me. The Jack of Tears has been known for being chaotic in his decisions, but why would he ally with people so different then himself?" Andross wondered aloud as he strode down the main corridor of his stronghold.
"Couldn't say." Said Wolf, adjusting some of his armor. "But there is a slight personal matter I must attend to."
"We must attend to." Pigma corrected.
"Oh really?" Andross stopped, looking at the two Fists of Hextor. "And what is that?"
"McCloud's son is fighting against us right now, Emperor. I took care of his father, I can take care of him." Pigma's eyes burned with an insane fire.
"No, no. The pleasure is mine." Wolf said quietly.
"Well, take care of business then." Andross wove a hand, and the two Fists of Hextor disappeared down the corridor.
"We're pressing them back." Shouted Falco to Fox. "Slowly but surely."
"That's the way to do it." Fox had dismounted again, and a circle of destruction had spread around him. He felt lightheaded from using magic, and a long, thin cut ran up one cheek, but otherwise he was unwounded. As he fought, he sensed the battle raging around him, and suddenly felt intense malice… directed at him.
He blocked the sword being swung at him and dropped, the arrow passed over him just as he did, hitting his enemy. The enemy soldier screamed as acid ate away at his armor and his flesh, dropping to the ground with a gurgle.
Fox slowly stood, all muscles tense. He knew that potion.
"McCloud."
The battlefield had cleared around them, and two Fists of Hextor stood there, looking at him, the older of the two holding a crossbow. "Dengar. O'Donnel." He said by way of greeting, voice tense. "May I help you?"
"You're causing us a good bit of trouble…" Dengar took a step forward.
"You framed my father into execution, Dengar. I don't truly care if you don't like what I'm doing." He fingered the hilt of his Katana absently, feeling the moon phases carved into it, remembering his father practicing with it, almost dancing, beams of moonlight making the blade glow even brighter then normal. "I set out to do something, and I'm not going to let anything stop me."
"Oh? Really?" The two Fists of Hextor started walking forward, perfectly in step, Dengar tossing the crossbow aside in favor for his broadsword. "And what if we disagree?"
"Then I suppose that we will have to discuss it." Fox lifted his sword and pointed it straight at his enemies. "If you aren't the cowards I believe you to be."
Wolf snarled, stepping away from Pigma and circling. Fox held himself ready, Katana falling into a combat position, keeping a wary eye on his enemies.
"You dare call me a coward, McCloud? When you did not have the courage to face me when we were younger?" Wolf said, voice trembling with rage.
"I did not face you when we were younger because I knew that I would kill you." He replied coldly. "You have always been evil, O'Donnel. Even my father could not deny one of his best students had fallen from grace, and I would have not held back even if you were not talented enough to defend yourself then."
With a shriek of fury, Wolf attacked, taking a stride forward and bringing his sword up in an arc, meaning to slash Fox across the chest to his shoulder. Fox deflected, having to spin and parry to keep from getting a sword through his back as Pigma attacked. He stepped back to face both enemies, easily spinning his wrist to make his sword flash and hum. As if they had practiced it, Pigma and Wolf attacked at the same time, making Fox take steps back and act desperately to defend himself, finally pulling his broadsword and fighting two handed.
"Well? Don't you wish to kill me?" Pigma hissed.
"No. I wish to bring you to justice. Nothing more." Fox leapt back and brought both swords up, making his enemies' swords fly up and back from him. Fury ate at him, burned at him, but he held it in check, keeping himself cool, fighting cleanly.
"Do you know what Dengar said about your father's execution?" Wolf said as he circled around again, but Fox pivoted on his back foot so he remained facing both of his enemies. "He said that your father shrieked like a girl when the blade hit him. Said he wasn't even worthy of a soldier's death."
Fox's eyes flashed and burned, muscles tensing, but he said nothing, keeping his focus on those that would kill him.
"Your father assisted in training me, McCloud, and I couldn't agree with Dengar more. Your father was a coward, through and through."
The pair barely saw the move. Suddenly McCloud was between them, moving so fast they barely saw the blades before Pigma lost his sword, the old Knight's sword flying from his hands and sinking into the ground over twenty feet away. Another leap, and Pigma felt the impacts in his side and defended himself against the hand-to-hand combat, but he had never excelled in the martial arts as James McCloud had and had taught his son to. One last move and he staggered back, spitting blood out, pain jolting him with each breath. It was then that Wolf attacked, and Fox spun, pulling his swords and deflecting as fast as Wolf attacked, circling each other as they fought. Wolf had pulled Pigma's sword from the ground, so they fought two swords on two, like they had been trained to so many years ago.
Fox was on the defense and was about to move to offence when he felt the blade pierce his shoulder, lodge in between two plates of armor that only drove it deeper into his flesh. His fingers lost grip on the broadsword he held, and it tumbled to the ground as his other hand came up to hold his shoulder mindlessly, Katana sheathed, backing away from Wolf. His questing fingers found the hilt of a small throwing dagger, one of Pigma's favorite weapons.
"Well well well. The prodigal son has been weakened." Wolf laughed, pacing forward and kicking the broadsword away. "You see McCloud that was always where you failed… you could take fighting for hours like it was nothing, you have the endurance, but not the endurance against pain. You're soft."
Fox gritted his teeth, hissing softly as he pulled the knife out and let it fall to the trampled, muddy ground. His skin would need a few days to knit from that wound; it had effectively made his entire left arm useless in combat. He had used too many reserves to attempt healing magic now, and there were no allied wizards close enough to help him.
He saw the blade cut the air, clearly aiming for his neck, and pulled the Katana out again, deflecting Wolf's blade away. Trying to keep his injured arm as still as possible, he deflected his enemy's swords away mindlessly, now fighting for his life. Wolf, sensing the weakness, laughed and tossed Pigma's broadsword aside.
"Give up! You can barely defend yourself McCloud!"
He closed his eyes for a single moment, composing himself, then opened. "Go ahead and attack me, O'Donnel. I will not surrender."
Wolf attacked, and Fox defended himself, using his injured arm for balance and quickly regaining speed. Soon the two were fighting full force again, both determined to win.
Pigma snorted to himself, spitting out the last of the blood. His chest was throbbing from where Fox had broken his ribs, but he could still fight, and he was actually doing more damage to Fox then Wolf was. He carefully circled around the fight, picking up the crossbow and loading a bolt to it, taking aim. As fast as the fighting pair was moving, he had as much chance of hitting his ally as hitting his enemy, and he didn't much care.
A high-pitched whistle cut the air, and he didn't have time to duck his fate. The arrow pierced his armor as if it wasn't there, sinking into his back and between two ribs, into one of his lungs. Burning magic cut through his lungs, and he dropped to his knees, pain wracking him. He managed to lift to one knee and turn, and saw Peppy Hare, still mounted, holding the bow in a ready position.
"For what you have done I should kill you. But I won't." Peppy said, voice carrying above the din of the battlefield, and fired one more arrow. It shot across the open space, past Fox and Wolf, and pierced into Pigma's shoulder. The arrow spread a paralyzing spell through him, freezing his injuries as he fell.
Wolf ignored the defeat of his fellow, focusing on the fight. Fox seemed to be mostly ignoring his injury, and as the fight progressed an odd glow seemed to form around him, and Wolf couldn't help but want to wince away from it.
"What kind of magic is that?" Wolf demanded, leaping back and taking a ready stance.
"What are you talking about? I am performing no spells and none are being performed on me, I would know if they were." Fox gave him a look, taking a step forward and then assuming a ready stance. They circled, then met again briefly, swords becoming glowing blurs, then backed off again. Fox's glow intensified as the combat progressed, which did nothing to settle Wolf's unease.
"You're a servant of Heironeous." He finally said, taking a wary step back.
"Yes. Your opposite in religion." Fox narrowed his eyes.
"Then I suppose there can be no mercy in this fight."
"Only through your eyes." Fox pivoted his wrist, spinning his Katana in a slow circle.
Wolf made a sudden move, sweeping down and knocking Fox's feet out from under him. But before he could come down in a coup de gras, Fox flipped to his feet and leapt over Wolf, landing behind him and bringing his elbow down on the back of his neck. Wolf collapsed forward, falling to his hands and knees.
"Mercy is a virtue of the strong, not the weak. My father told us that many times. You never listened." With that, he brought the hilt of his sword down, effectively knocking Wolf out.
"You are loosing now." Fara said, staring out the window at the battlefield. "To say otherwise would be to deny fate."
"Oh? Really?" Felocial crossed her arms.
"Indeed." She turned to look at the Drow. "You may as well release me."
"I cannot do that."
Fara sighed and started toward the heavy wooden door. "Someone will come for me."
With a blur, Felocial stood there. "You cannot leave."
She eyed her enemy, then elbowed past her. "You cannot stop me."
A thin sword blade appeared in front of her, stopping her. "Yes. I can."
"If you are going to stop me with a sword, have the honor to hand me one as well."
Felocial slowly lowered the blade, thoughtful. She had seen this princess practicing moves that seemed to be very talented; she had no doubt that this young lady had trained behind her father's back. But if she failed, the punishment would be great indeed…
"Very well." She left the room and returned with another sword, which she turned so Fara could accept it by the hilt.
A sudden impact rocked the tower they were in, making both stagger. A huge eye peered in one window, then the tower shook again as it disappeared.
"Dragons." Felocial spat angrily, then attacked.
"She's in the tower? How classic." Fox said as Katt peered at his shoulder wound.
"Couldn't agree more. Looks like that Drow's picking a fight with her, though." The copper was lying down, watching Katt work on Fox's wound, wings folded and tail twitching.
"Battlefield has quieted down." Falco limped in, looking singed, missing a good deal of feathers out of his tail and one of his arms. "That is, if certain insane members of the Blood Bayou would stop playing their infernal musical instruments." He sat down with a moan.
"I'll get to you in a minute." Katt promised, hands glowing as Fox's wound slowly sealed over.
"I don't think I'm wounded. I just hurt." He sighed.
"Hey hey hey. Andross' army has mostly retreated back to the Fortress." Alan bounced in, leapt up, and crouched on a medical table, still holding a violin. The instrument's strings and neck were whole, but the rest of the wood looked worn and cracked. "They surely deserved the beating they got, yes sir." He grinned as usual, the demented expression warping his scarring even more.
"Ahem." Pepper came in, detaching armor as he went so no plate armor was left on his arms. "Were you the one jumping from golem to golem earlier?" He inquired, looking at Alan.
"Oh yes that was me sir." He stood and threw his arms out as if to embrace the world. "The morale of soldiers improves when they have music sir."
"I'm sure." Said Falco a bit sourly.
Fox stood and worked his left shoulder, satisfied with how it had been healed, then said, "We've almost completed one thing we set out to do, and that was to assist the King's army. Now I must leave and complete what I set out to do." He started walking toward the huge fortress, his unicorn moving to pace him.
"Fox! You can't do this alone!" Peppy shouted, hurrying to pace him. Falco, Bill, Katt, and Slippy also fell in step.
"I can. And I will. You are all needed here." He swung astride his unicorn. "This is something I have to do, and I apologize." He dug his heels in, and his unicorn set off at a gallop that no horse could catch up to, leaving his group members behind.
"We'll never be able to catch up." Falco said slowly.
"He's determined to do this alone. If he believes it to be his destiny, we can do nothing." Peppy said.
Andross' army had fallen back and taken defensive positions around the fortress, but soon had to fall back to positions inside the fortress when the dragons started hitting them.
Fox's unicorn leapt the gap as they brought the drawbridge up, skittering down the increasing slant and charging the guards as Fox twisted and slashed the ropes, making the drawbridge come crashing down, permanently open until repaired. He was met with Black Knights, but they were worn and weary from battle, and he ploughed through them, leaving hurt and dead soldiers in his wake. Some of the advance fighters for the Jack of Tears followed him in, doing damage as they went.
As his unicorn turned a corner, hooves clattering on the stone floor of the corridor, Fox shifted, closing his eyes as a different view flashed across his vision. He was suddenly facing a female Drow, dueling for his life.
'Phoenix.' He thought, knowing it was true, flashing back to reality and turning his steed up a set of stairs that the unicorn climbed with ease.
In the tower, Fara staggered, backing away from her opponent as another mind brushed hers with a velvet touch. 'McCloud.' She started to circle, defending herself as she did, mind distant then refocusing.
"Another vision?" Felocial mocked, attacking viciously. Fara fought for her life, knowing if she could hold on, she should be helped. "Your… father… was… a fool… for not telling you that you had such a talent!" With that last word, Fara's sword flew from her hands, clattering down the hallway. "And Andross has no real need for a visionary…!" She lifted her sword, and Fara backed away, eyes wide in fear as Felocial brought the sword down.
Clang.
Fara breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a diamond-like blade intercept and stop Felocial's, then brush it away. Taking a step back, she smiled when she saw McCloud standing there, expression calm, looking at the Drow.
"I can't allow that." Fox coolly stated.
"Who are you to say?" Felocial snarled, stepping back into a combat ready stance.
"A mere woodsman."
"A woodsman?" She started laughing. "Well, then, this should be simple…" She stepped forward and brought her sword up.
Fox effortlessly deflected, rolling his wrist and disarming her. "Run."
"I will never!"
He set the tip of his sword to her throat. "Now."
They stared into each other's eyes, and she cried out when she saw the vast presence he threw, the pure power in his eyes, and leapt back, turning on heel and running to inform her Emperor.
"You should have killed her." Fara remarked.
"No. She was weak. I don't make a habit of killing those who couldn't defend themselves in the first place." He sheathed the Katana and sighed. "Now, let us leave this place." He swung back into the saddle and held his hand down.
She picked up Felocial's sword, then grabbed his arm and swung up on her own, settling down behind him. His unicorn only snorted, turning and proceeding down the stairs. "And how is it, kind sir, that you ride a unicorn?"
"I will explain that later." He replied, pulling his Katana back out when what was left of Andross' forces arrived to stop them. She twisted, also fighting as she was able.
"What of Andross?"
"Still alive."
She gave him a look. "Not precisely how tales explain valiant rescues."
"Your Highness, I'm not a hero." He replied as his unicorn knocked the remaining enemies down the stairs and continued downward.
"You could have fooled me, good sir." She felt a smile touch her lips.
"McCloud, if the King doesn't knight you, he is truly a fool." Lord Momus appeared, pointing his wand and smiting down the enemies in front of them.
"I don't deserve to be knighted. Could you do me a favor, Lord?"
"Depends on the favor."
"Could you take this young Princess back to the King's lines?"
"I would be honored." The Jack of Tears grinned, dark, pointy face making it seem more evil.
"Can I trust him?" Fara breathed to Fox before dismounting.
"Of course." He replied. "And also, tell the General I will be along shortly… there is one more thing I must attend to."
"Consider it done." The Jack of Tears set his hand on Fara's shoulder, and both disappeared.
"We have lost." Andross said, crossing his arms. A black dragon crouched nearby, ready to take off, some kind of saddle positioned between its wings. They were outside the fortress, rather a good distance behind it.
"But, Uncle…" Andrew started.
"No. We have. All thanks to one person…" He scowled, then held up a hand. "You must pardon me." He lowered his hands and crossed his arms, falling into a trance.
Fox, who had been tracking the Emperor by magic, dodged his unicorn to the left as a bolt of black lightning lanced down where he had been.
"Young fool!" Andross' voice spat. "Do you really think you can beat me! Alone!"
"I know I must try." Fox shouted to the heavens, urging his unicorn to gallop full speed, dodging fireballs and lightning as they did.
"Uncle! Uncle, what is happening?" Andrew asked, staring at Andross' still form. He got no answer.
"Heironeous help me!" Fox cried as a lance of black magic came dangerously close to him. As if in reply, his aura reappeared, even if he could not see it, and he continued to track Andross, leaping through a shield of brush and landing in front of Andross.
"Young, arrogant fool." Andross took a step back. "Well. You are not a wizard or a sorcerer. How do you plan to fight me, young paladin?"
"I know that if I do not darkness may eventually befall this world and I cannot in good conscious allow it."
"And how is that your affair?"
That made Fox pause, considering. "It is something I must defend against. I am driven to. That is all I know."
"Since when are servants of Heironeous muttonheads?" Snickered Andrew.
"You keep quiet, and you just might live." Fox shot him a look.
"I suppose we must fight, then." Andross stated.
"If it is the only way to prevent your take over, yes."
Andross smiled, and disappeared.
Fox felt a vortex form around him, trying to pull him up off the ground. His steed braced, struggling against the magic force, as Fox focused on what magic he knew. After a long moment, he pulled both swords and brought them around in a pattern of slashes, remembering long ago lessons from an Elven blade singer. Arcane glyphs glowed in the air, and the vortex was interrupted by another, this one building from the ground. The two cancelled each other, and Fox dodged the fireballs Andrew threw toward him, then stood and deflected them away with swift moves of his swords. As he fought against the spells, he searched for a way to cut Andross off from his power, or a way to deal a blow to a person he couldn't see. But a solution didn't immediately present itself, and he fell to a defensive position, dodging what he could and countering the rest.
'McCloud!'
He jerked when the voice impacted his mind, then recognized it. 'Phoenix.'
'He's mana tied! He uses the land he has corrupted to power him!' She told him, watching the hellish magic rain down around him.
'Cut those ties… cut his power.' He nodded mentally, then yelped as lightning struck right beside him, singing his fur and making his steed scream as it was burned.
Back where Fara stood at the King's lines, arms crossed and head tilted back, she jerked and shook her head, then swiftly looked around. The King's knights were eating and receiving healing for the most part now, and their steeds stood tied to rough posts, grazing on what little was left of the grass. She eyed the large warhorses, and settled on a well-armored white one, quickly walking over and untying the reins from the post. It looked at her as she swung easily into its saddle, then turned it to face the fortress.
"Your highness…!" A weary Knight that had been sitting by a fire stood to protest, but Fara was already off, her borrowed steed throwing clots of dirt as it ran.
"Pathetic fool." Andross spat as Fox tucked and rolled, then deflected away the rest of the magic. He had dismounted, and his unicorn had limped to the edge of the battlefield, one of its flanks burned and bloodied. Fox felt the pain it did, and promised to help it when he was able. "You are loosing, McCloud! Surrender now, and I might just spare your life!"
"I will never surrender to you!" He roared, slashing the air in another arcane spell, and magical fire pounded out from him, scorching the air as it did.
"Then you shall die!"
Fox felt the magic build around him, and started another spell, this time aiming to interrupt what Andross was doing and counter it.
"Fox!"
He turned, and saw Fara standing there on a large white charger, now wearing a cape that flapped around her as she overlooked the magical battlefield. She dug her heels in, and the charger leapt down, landing next to Fox's injured unicorn. He had automatically continued laying out the spell, but Andross' struck first, a beam of pure power striking down from the heavens.
He lunged to get out of the way, diving to the ground then rolling to his feet, but the spell never hit. Fara stood next to him, shouting words in an arcane language, one hand wrapped around a pendant of Pelor. The blast of power had stopped above them, seemingly frozen in time, and then a spider web of cracks spread across it before it shattered, the spell dissipating.
There was quiet for a long moment, long enough for Fox and Fara to exchange a look, then Andross appeared, easily hovering ten or so feet above the ground, holding a staff.
"Impressive, young princess." Andross spun the staff. "But that was less then a quarter of the strength I have."
"If I defend against his power, can you attack him?" Fara asked Fox bluntly.
"Yes."
"Good. Do it."
Fox strode forward and leapt into the air, bringing his swords around as a blade dancer would, casting spells in midair as he attacked. Andross defended himself, and none of his blows fell, deflected by a shield Fara had created. Fox landed roughly on his feet, then shook off, backing away to stand alongside Fara, sheathing his broadsword and spinning his Katana. The oriental sword was glowing like a star against the evil around its holder, almost eager for the fight.
"Where did you get that sword?" Fara asked, raising another shield around them.
"It was my father's."
She looked at it. "It is blessed to slay evil."
"Yes." He was preparing for another attack, stepping back once and readying himself.
"Then use it."
He charged and leapt again, but this time, understood why the phases of the moon were carved into the hilt—because like the moon, it stood against darkness. He felt Fara's power build as he leapt, and released the sword. Powered by her, it flew like an arrow, and struck home.
He landed and fell to his knees as a seeming explosion rocked the world. Bracing himself on his hands, he distantly heard screams as the once-foreboding fortress behind them fell, stones held by power coming apart and to the ground, barely holding together long enough for anyone to escape their collapse. The black dragon, which had been waiting for Andross patiently, screamed and took flight, clawing off the saddle and disappearing. He saw an entire gypsy town, sacrificed for the power, suddenly released from the curse, spirits flying beyond. Entire tribes of elves released from the evil power that had held them. Knights once ranting calming as the magic that held them from their sanity released them.
Then the images faded, and he was sprawled on the ground on his back, looking up into Fara's eyes.
"You're awake." She smiled and sat back. "Do want help to get to your feet?"
"No." He managed, pushing himself up, feeling bones pop. "What happened?"
"We won." She smiled and gestured around. They now stood in what appeared to be a normal forest. Fox's unicorn and her steed walked up, not looking bothered by the change of scenery—they had always known what was there.
"Thank you for your assistance. I probably would have died if you had not helped me." He patted his unicorn absently.
"I had to."
"Oh?" He looked at her.
A very timid smile formed. "Well, I… I'm a visionary, of sorts, I mean… I found it very easy to touch your mind… that has not happened to me in many years… I thought that if you died…"
He held up a hand. "Enough. I believe it would be best if we returned to your father's lines."
"Perhaps."
They mounted up at the same time, pacing each other back to the King's army.
"What is going to happen now, pray tell?"
Fox stared out over what had once been a battlefield, and sighed. "We bury the dead."