Chapter 4: The war begins

It was about two months into the term school when it all happened. One Saturday morning, I was running an errand for Sherry in right by the Rocket Knight's base, so naturally I stepped in and visited with the guys for a while.

Axle approached me, and asked me to take something home to his mother the next day – he knew that Sherry was giving me the day off to go home. There was nothing out of the ordinary about his request, he was completely friendly about it, like his normal self. Naturally, I told him I would, and he reiterated the issue.

"Seriously, Sparkster. I need it to my mother by noon at the latest."

"Okay, Axle. I get the idea. What's in the package, anyway?"

"Birthday chocolates."

"Whatever, Axle. I'll make sure it gets there, alright?"

"Fine. You had better get back to castle, Princess Sherry's probably worried."

"Oh, she knows I'll stop by here. Have fun on patrol, alright?"

"Yeah, I will."

The next day, was beautiful. I saddled up in my armor, and took off for home. Before I left, one of the other Rocket Knights from the base came to get me. He asked me, "Col. Petrov wanted to know if you've seen Axle recently."

"No, not since yesterday morning, about an hour before lunch. Why?"

"Corporal Axle and his partner didn't come back after a call came right after lunch."

"Odd. Was anyone else sent?"

"Three other knights were dispatched to the site that made the call, but the locals said that they hadn't seen any Rocket Knights that day."

"This is strange. Keep me informed about this, alright?"

"Of course."

I took off from the castle, and sped home, Axle's package in my hand. The sky was relatively cloudless, and it was one of the last few warmer days of the year. I did loop-de-loops and corkscrews in the air, just enjoying the weather. Sure, I was burning a little extra power pack fuel, but I didn't think I would need it later. I would be proven wrong, later in the day.

Landing in front of my house, my mother was their to greet me, "Sparkster! My son!"

"Hey Mama."

"I can't help but think of how noble you look in all that armor. What's in the package?"

"Oh, some chocolates Axle had me bring home for his mother."

My mother playfully tweaked my ear and said, "What? None for me? No matter, I'll just get some from Ruth later when we go over for lunch."

"I take it you told her I'm coming along?"

"Of course. That way she has enough food ready to prepare for that bottomless pit you call a stomach."

"It's good to be home."

"Yes. Now get out of that armor and help your mother with the morning's dishes."

"Yes Mama."

I helped my mother with some chores for most of the morning, and she enjoyed my company. Later, as promised we went over to Ruth Gear's home for lunch. She was as close to a second mother to me, so she was also happy to see me, and the package I brought from her son. As we ate the cucumber sandwiches she prepared, we never dreamed about what was about to go wrong.

After Mrs. Gear opened the package, I heard her go unusually silent. She was reading a note from her son, and then handed it to me, her paw shaking. Looking over it, I saw one section of the letter, which had "Sparkster, if you're reading this, please…"

Glancing over it, it begged me to stay out of the castle town, and not to leave Tiberius until the next day. "What?" I said, confused and continued with, "This doesn't make any sense."

Just then my sister Elena burst in the door. "Sparkster! The castle and the town are under attack by the Devindos army."

I was positive I didn't hear that right. "What?"

"The pigs came about ten this morning and overwhelmed the city!"

"How do you know this?"

"I was sitting in the telegram office, talking with Rick, the cute new operator. A message came through and it said that the castle was under attack, by the pigs, and that the cities' defenses were crumbling."

I sat down in a chair for a moment, mumbling to myself, "Dover…Sherry…"

My mother as though she was reading my thoughts, said with tears in her eyes, "Go. Go Sparkster. Just promise me you'll come back alive."

I stood up, feeling a scowl come across my face. I walked over to my mother, kissed her on the forehead, and said, "You have my word. I've got to go."

"Go."

Running back home, my father helped me put on my armor and gave me a hug before I left. He told me to find Dover first, and get him to safety. I said that I would, then took off. Flying over the plains and then the hills, I began to hear the sputter of a low power pack as I crossed the hills. Damn. Something must have damaged it, because I had to make the rest of journey on foot. Little did I know that this would be the hardest fight of my young life.

I could see the city in the distance – black smoke was pouring out of it. I watched in disbelief for a second and then heard the undeniable sound of pigs snorting behind me.

Devintdos' soldiers. Turning slowly around, I saw three of them, smiling evilly. One said to me, "What's your name, rocket boy?"

"It's Corporal Sparkster to you pig. I don't have time to play, so I'd appreciate it if you'd get out of my way."

"That's a fine way to talk to a Devindos soldier, possum. Besides, were not here to kill you. We've got special orders to bring you in."

"Again, you waste my time with words, pig. Either get out of my way, or I'll make you."

"I think I had enough lip from you. Let's get him."

The green armored soldiers drew their swords and moved towards me, grinning confidently. I stood there, sword in my right paw, while I used pressed my left fingers against the charge button in my left palm. I could feel the fans on my pack move faster and faster as a burst was charged. Five seconds later, it was ready. The pigs were mere inches away from me now, with the first one slashing his sword downward at me.

I parried easily, and then fired the jets. Letting them carry me forward as my I whipped my sword across all three. When I came to a stop, all three were lying on the ground, their armor either cleaved completely off, or broken in pieces. They ran away in fear, and I moved forward on the path to the castle.