Chapter 11: Death Smiles At Us All

Optional Song for Chapter 11: "The Greek Army and It's Defeat" from the Troy Soundtrack.

The army was ready and awaited the orc attack. The spearmen were placed behind barricades protecting the streets. The swordsmen were placed behind them. The archers were placed on the roofs of nearby buildings. Each Teen Titan or leader of the army, including Rorek and Sarasim, were given a barricade to command. Maximus galloped before them with Terra riding at his side.

"Citizens of Jump City! I am Maximus Licinius Scipio, Roman Centurion of the Felix Legions! And I see a whole army of my adopted countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny.

Suddenly, a roar went up from the forest. 10,000 orcs marched out of the forest, banging their shields and swords together in an effort to scare their opponents.

Some of Maximus' soldiers began to walk away. Maximus saw this.

"What will you do without freedom? Will you fight?"

"No!"

"What, against that? No! We will run!" One man shouted.

"And you will live. Yes. Fight and you may die. Run and you'll live. At least a while. When orcs break into the city and kill you all, would you trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here, and kill them all instead! For they can take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!

A huge roar went up from the army and all returned to their positions.

The orcs drew near. Maximus gave his first order to the archers.

"Prepare to fire!"

The archers drew arrows and held them in position.

Slade marched in front of the orcs. "Charge!"

The orcs began to run toward the city.

"For Earth!" Maximus shouted.

"For Earth!" The army repeated.

The spearmen lowered their spears and prepared for the onslaught.

When the orcs were in range, Maximus gave another order to the archers.

"Loose!"

The archers unleashed their arrows and 200 orcs fell. But that did not stop them.

Maximus turned to Terra. "Ready?"

"I have been waiting for this for a long time."

"Good."

The orcs collided with the barriers and fought the spearmen. Many men screamed as they were cut down.

Maximus and Terra rode to Robin's column, which was almost overrun.

"Robin! Order your swordsmen forward to assist the spearmen."

"Right." Robin turned to his men. "Forward, men, help the spearmen!"

The swordsmen charged into the fray and caught the orcs by surprise.

An hour into the battle. Hundreds were dead on both sides.

"Hold the barricades!" Maximus was at Starfire's column; of which it's position was growing desperate.

Suddenly the orcs began to retreat from all the columns.

"What? What's going on?" A soldier asked him.

"They're retreating. Pursue them! Drive them from the battlefield!" Maximus ordered.

3,500 men ran out from behind the barricades and pursued the orc army.

Maximus rode over one and cut down another.

The orcs ran to the edge of the forest and stopped.

"Oh, no."

"What's wrong, Maximus?" Terra asked.

"We have just run into a trap." He whispered.

The orcs turned and charged toward the now unprotected spearmen.

"Time to unleash my secret weapon." Maximus said. "Spearmen, phalanx formation!"

The spearmen formed a line in front and lowered their spears toward the onrushing orcs. It worked. The orcs were stopped in their tracks.

"Alright, swordsmen charge!"

The battle was intense. Many fell. Maximus was only concerned with one enemy, Slade.

Maximus saw him killing a swordman. Maximus charged toward Slade.

"Aaaah!" Maximus' sword banged against Slade's. They exchanged blows.

Slade knocked Maximus to the ground and Maximus rolled away before Slade could hit him. Maximus quickly stood up and stabbed Slade in the leg.

Slade stepped back and attacked again. More blows were exchanged. Suddenly, Slade's sword went behind Maximus' legs. "Aaah."

Maximus knelt on the ground. Raven saw Maximus. "Noooooooo!"

Slade's sword went toward Maximus' neck, but before it hit, Maximus swung his sword back and stabbed Slade in the stomach.

Slade moved back and Maximus stood up. "That was for Robin!"

Maximus turned and hit Slade in the chest. Slade fell to the ground. "That was for Terra!"

Everyone turned and watched.

Maximus walked to Slade and grabbed him by the neck. Slade looked at him. "Maximus."

"An old friend once told me that death smiles at us all." Maximus said. "All we can do is smile back."

"Who told you that?"

"The great Julius Caesar. And this is for Raven." Maximus shoved his sword into Slade. When he was dead, Maximus threw his body to the ground.

When Robin took off his mask later,Maximus discovered he was smiling.