by Jeremy Gordon (gordon8_26@yahoo.com)
Note: Yep. This probably won't become a fullfledged Hugo/Chris fic, but there definitely will be undertones of such a pairing. They won't end up hating each other at the end...I'll leave that to you. I need a beta reader, to proofread my story for spelling and grammar mistakes. If you're interested, drop me an e-mail explaining why you want to be one for this story, and I'll see about it. A lot of stuff happens here. The longest chapter will probably next chapter...wait for it. I've decided to go with the ending in S2 where Riou kills Jowy, takes the rune, and leads the country. My explanation is that Lucia knew Riou had some part of the rune, but didn't know that Jowy and Nanami were dead. Um, usual disclaimers and all. Read and review...now!
"Mmfrvle mkk..." That was the only sound heard from a bundle of orange cloth, which shuddered and shook for several seconds before uncovering itself to be Piccolo, the castle fortuneteller. Grumbling to himself, the old mage slowly got up from his bed, grasping onto his magic staff with his spindly fingers. Stifling a yawn, Piccolo scratched his white beard, while trudging his way down the stairs to the outside, to his tent.
Piccolo got to his tent, and sat down, still blinking bright stars from his eyes. Lighting a fire in the middle of the tent, Piccolo sprinkled some powder into the flame, making it shoot up in size and intensity. Mumbling, he moved to get his staff, but shot up, his eyes turning a blank white. From inside his mind, several voices spoke, confusing the gentle old man.
Did you really think I would stay on your side...? Haha!
Golems, attack!
Geddoe, no!
Sierra, bow before my will!
You...it's you!
RIOU! RUN!
Piccolo could only listen in puzzlement, but shuddered when an ominous, deep voice spoke clearly to him.
Tell him. Tell your master that he, along with his castle, will die today. This is the will of Luc.
With that, the voices stopped. Scared, Piccolo got up in a shock. Running as fast as his old legs could carry him, he ran to Thomas to tell him the bad news.
Hugo yawned sleepily, as his bright eyes uncovered themselves in the new day. Good morning sunshine... Closing his eyes again, Hugo rolled over into his bed, clutching his pillow to him closely. However, he found himself woken up by gloved hands, shaking the boy furiously.
"Hugo! Wake up!" Hugo recognized the voice, and groaned inwardly.
"Cecile? Why're you waking me up?" Hugo muttered, holding his hand to his forehead in annoyance. The answer he recieved was shocking, and to the point.
"Thomas is declaring an emergency. You have to report to the main room. Luc is attacking Budehuc today." With that, the armored girl shuffled out of Hugo's room quickly, letting the door slam loudly. Blinking, Hugo absorbed what she had said, and shot up in a panic. Rushing to throw his clothes on, he cursed the spirits.
"So? Why are we here?" Such was the harsh tone of Salome's voice that Thomas shuddered, in obvious dislike of the brash Zexen man.
"My fortuneteller, Piccolo, had a vision this morning. He heard several voices, but one distinct voice said that Luc would be attacking Budehuc later today. I've called you all here to discuss defense plans. We have to be ready...and in such short notice." Thomas explained, crossing his arms. To the left of him, Pesmerga growled, as he leaned against the back wall.
"I don't like this. Luc may be foolhardy, but he isn't stupid. He wouldn't attack unless he was confident he could win." The dark knight muttered, keeping his eyes closed.
"That's my concern...and with Lucia gone, Hugo will have to take over the Karayan command in her place. We're going to split into six groups, with a hundred soldiers in each battalion. Chris, Hugo, Pesmerga, Salome; you head the first four. Me and Cecile will keep the peace at the base. Got it? Now...go." With that, everyone split up to raise their forces for the coming war.
Hugo turned his head to look at the many soldiers sitting on the castle grounds, but kept quiet. Making his way to the front gates, he spotted Thomas and rushed over. "Thomas! How're we doing?" Thomas turned to see the young boy, as his eyes widened in recognition.
"Ah, I've been looking for you!" Grasping the Karayan's shoulders with his hands, Thomas withdrew immediately, embarassed a little. "Everyone's ready. We had Kathy race on her horse to the Great Hollow, Brass Castle, and Duck Village. She got the soldiers needed, and teleported back using the Blinking Mirror that the other Viki gave us. We're good to go...we're just waiting for Luc."
"That's good to know, but...something feels wrong. I have this feeling like something big is going to happen...I don't know. Where are the other leaders?" Hugo asked, after tilting his head in thought.
"Pesmerga is getting his sword touched up a bit. Chris and Salome are discussing strategy, in the main room." Thomas said, but stopped Hugo as the youth started to walk away. "You should wait here, in case something happens." Nodding in agreement, Hugo stayed his ground, watching the plains ahead. A loud pop was heard, as a group of people appeared in front of the castle. Hugo gasped in shock when he realized who it was.
"Mother!" Hugo recognized Lucia, Futch, Viki, Sasarai, and two others who were unknown to him. As he reached Lucia, he started asking questions immediately. "Who're they?" Smiling at her anxious son, Lucia was quick to answer.
"This is Riou and Tir McDohl." Hugo realized who they were, and stood in awe of the two heroes in front of him.
"Hello." Riou muttered, his eyes straying to the side, looking at the soldiers behind Hugo.
"Nice to meet you." Tir had the same nonchalant air, as he brushed a few hair strands out of his face. Hugo wanted to talk to them later, but began talking to his mother first. Behind him, Futch and Viki interacted with Pesmerga, their faces surprised.
"Mom...what about the other three? Viktor, Flik, and Joshua...what happened to them?" Hugo asked, wondering if something had gone wrong. Sighing, Lucia answered Hugo with a heavy heart.
"We couldn't find them. In the three weeks we were gone, we weren't able to get one word of their whereabouts. We returned, because we couldn't look for them for too long, because we were needed her. We weren't able to find Pesmerga either, but..." Glancing over her son's shoulder, Lucia saw the dark knight in realization. "So...he came here. Yuber?"
"Right." Hugo nodded, confirming Lucia's thoughts. "Pesmerga tracked him her and killed him." Noticing what seemed to be a sharp intake of air from the older woman, Hugo dismissed it.
"I see. Well, that takes care of that. I should go talk to Thomas, get the situation. It's good to see you." Lucia hugged her protesting son, and walked to the master of Budehuc Castle. "Thomas!" Turning away, Hugo looked at the two men in front of him.
"So...Riou and Tir. What have you two been up to?" Hugo noticed as the two men looked at each other, as Tir started.
"Well...I've been travelling with my servant Gremio and staying in my house in Gregminster. I was briefly in the Dunan Unification War, but never got much out of that. That's a long story made short." The seemingly young man stopped, as Riou continued.
"After the Dunan Unification War ended...I took my place as leader of Dunan. I withdrew from office a year okay, and I've spent my time in the country, just wandering..." There seemed to be more to the wistful man, and Hugo mentally told himself to find out later. Before Hugo could say anything, he heard a huge cry come from the direction of Cecile.
"Enemy sighted!" Hugo spun around to the front, squinting his eyes into the distance. He saw a faint outline of people, and narrowed his eyes. To the left of him, Thomas looked ahead in worry, as he wiped his brow.
"So...it begins." Thomas muttered, shaking his head. "Troops! Ready!" With a strong yell of unity, the army of good stomped their weapons against the ground, as the leaders of the various batallions took order. "Ah, Chris, Salome...just in time!" Noticing the man and woman run towards him, Thomas stepped to explain. "Lucia's back. Get your men ready...we can't let them get to the castle, so we're going to meet them halfway. Go!" With a nod of understanding, Chris and Salome rushed off. Thomas turned and spotted Hugo, then ran over to him. "Hugo...take Riou and Tir with you, to fight. Lucia will stay with me. Pair off with Pesmerga, and head out." Hugo nodded also, and taking the two men next to him, he ran off.
With a slow start, four hundred soldiers set off, on their way to face destiny. After a walk of fifteen minutes, the Harmonian soldiers came into view.
A silence was heard. Hugo gasped in sight, at the view of nearly two thousand Harmonian troops. Noticing his opponent's surprise, Luc smirked with a cruel glare.
"Too intense for you? Just retreat now, and save yourself the humilation of defeat." Luc's voice was cold and cutting, as he looked Hugo in the face.
"Never." Hugo retorted, his eyes glaring fiercely. From behind him, Tir spoke.
"Luc? Is that you?" Tir asked in recognition of the Harmonian bishop. Looking behind Hugo, Luc realized who it was.
"So...Tir and Riou. You've come back." Luc said, almost mockingly. "I'm sorry you had to see this, but you must die. No hard feelings, eh?" Tir was silent, his eyes closed as he spoke a quiet prayer for the man.
"Don't chat. Just fight." Hugo yelled harshly, drawing his dagger. Luc turned his glance, and resumed his stare-fest.
"Please, you start." Luc said with an amused tone, gesturing with his hand. Nodding, Hugo sheathed his dagger, and put his hands together, beginning to concentrate. As Hugo glowed blue, the air around him crackled with electricity. With a mighty cry, Hugo set off ten thousand volts worth of electricity into the front line of the Harmonian troops. Luc formed a barrier around himself, but didn't protect the soldiers around him. With a howl of agony, a hundred Harmonian soldiers found themselves vanquished. Catching his breath, Hugo stood up straight.
Damn...my strongest spell, and he wasn't even fazed. Oh well...time to fight. Before Hugo could finish thinking, Luc had spoken.
"Now...we fight." With a roar of approval, the soldiers of Harmonian rushed towards the army of good, as the soldiers readied their weapons.
Cliffhanger...the next chapter will be the major turning point of this story. Well, at least one of them. Read and review please!