I do not own Kamen Rider Ryuki or Ever After High. They belong to their respective creators and not me. I am not writing this for profit, only for fun.
Knights of the Otherworld
By Ten-Faced Paladin
Chapter 34: Casualties of War
Okay, the Knights of the Round Table have managed to defeat five members of the Order of the White Dragon. Still, there are more battles to be fought.
Go, Darren! You can win! I believe in you!
Brooke, calm down. I know it's tense but we have to continue in a calm fashion. That's what it means to be a narrator.
But, Mom! Darren's my friend! I need to help him, somehow!
Book End - Hocus Latte
It had been an utterly normal day for the students visiting Hocus Latte after school. Hunter and Ashlynn were having a nice date, enjoying some sweets and coffee together in the outdoor seats. Deacon was enjoying some time there with Cerise, as she won the last footrace they had and wanted him to pay for a snack run. It wasn't meat, but it was tasty and Deacon didn't mind as he teased her about their first date. Jillian had gone with a group of friends, regaling them yet again about her role in Rex's quest for the Holy Grail. Valentine had even ended up there just wanting to enjoy a small plate of tarts while he was reading a book he brought with him. Dexter was working on some homework as he waited for some friends. It seemed like an entirely normal day for the new Squires of the Round Table.
Until the Black Knights showed up.
*Eeeeeeeeeeee!*
"Gah!" Hunter grimaced, clasping his ears. "Oh, not again!"
He wasn't the only one either. Jillian froze as she abruptly stopped telling her story while Valentine grimaced, slapping his palms over his ears. Dexter trembled, feeling like he was hearing nails on a chalkboard, still unused to the sound of the Mirror World. Deacon and Cerise both growled, trying to block the noise out of their sensitive ears.
"A monster?" Ashlynn gasped, looking around.
"Yeah," Hunter grimaced, looking around. "I'll go take care of it and-!"
His words were cut short as rows of the mechanical Black Knights emerged from nearby windows and glass displays. From four sides, lines of ten Black Knights began marching towards Hocus Latte. One by one, they all drew cards from their belts before scanning them through their Slash Visors.
[Sword Vent!]
All of the Black Knights gripped their Slash Daggers in a blast of blue flame. Once armed, they all shifted into a battle stance, each group zeroing in on a particular target.
"War Protocols Engaged," they spoke as one.
"Wh-what!? War?!" Cerise cried in shock.
Deacon got up with a snarl, blocking his group of Black Knight's view of Cerise. Jillian leaped to the ready, already gripping her Advent Deck with Valentine not far away. Hunter shielded Ashlynn with his body as the Black Knights started to advance.
"Ashlynn, run. Now!" Hunter yelled. Lifting his deck to his Mirror Phone, he summoned his V-Buckle, "Henshin!"
"Henshin!"
"Henshin!"
"Henshin!"
"Henshin!"
The four Squires slipped their decks into their belts, transforming into Falco, Savanna, Lobo, Glaucus, and Sobek. All five had their basic weapons/Visors ready as the Black Knights charged, thankfully ignoring anyone else who was already running away.
[Sword Vent!]
Glaucus gripped his sword, parrying the first of the Black Knights away while using his shield to bash away another. While the numbers were most definitely against him, the fact that there were so many Black Knights actually helped as they got in each other's' way. While not a great swordsman, Glaucus was a good strategist and was able to move into a spot where the machines couldn't easily use their numbers against him.
[Strike Vent!]
Lobo went on the attack, snarling as he charged at the Black Knights with his Silver Dusters, punching and slashing at the Black Knights. His natural speed worked well for him as he dove around and weaved between the mechanical knights, sparks flying from his strikes and blows.
[Sword Vent!]
Savanna spun and jumped, swinging her Savanna Spear wide, striking several Black Knights at once. Her weapon was much heavier than their Slash Daggers, able to knock them aside to let her strike at them. When she couldn't swing, she would thrust, managing to break the guard of the closest knight, knocking it back and giving Savanna the space to start swinging again.
[Strike Vent!]
Sobek merely used raw power to help him fight. His Vile Jaws were on each arm and he was swinging hard and fast, smashing the Black Knights in his range. The jaws also doubled as shields, allowing him to block strikes from the Slash Daggers. He would then retaliate, smashing the Black Knights back despite their mechanical strength.
[Shoot Vent!]
Falco used range as his best means of attack with his Guld Bow. With his ability to shoot at rapid speeds, he fired arrow after arrow at the advancing Black Knights. He struck several at first, but then they began using their reflexes to deflect the arrows. It didn't put Falco off as he began firing at odd angles the Black Knights didn't immediately react to and would stumble as they were knocked back from the arrows.
"They're not stopping!" Falco shouted over the sounds of chaos.
"So we make them stop!" Sobek grunted.
"We already have numbers against us!" Glaucus shouted. "If they summon their Psychorogues, they'll double!"
"So what do we do then?" asked Lobo with a snarl.
Sobek smashed one Black Knight away before he dropped his Vile Jaws, letting him draw a card, "We call in bigger backup!"
[Advent!]
A massive roar echoed through the streets before Vilegator emerged from the Mirror World, somehow squeezing through a storefront window before starting to stomp down the street. The Black Knights stopped as they considered the new threat. This allowed the remaining four Squires to summon their Contract Monsters.
[Advent!]
Silverclaw, Savanneck, Moonwise, and GuldWind emerged from the Mirror World with shrieks and bellows, charging into the fray. They slashed and struck at the Black Knights menacing their contractors. Bashed away, struck, or in a few cases outright crushed, the Black Knights fell back, drawing more cards of their own.
[Advent!]
The numbers of the Black Knights promptly doubled as their Psychorogues burst from the Mirror World, charging into the fray. The streets had become a scene of a true war. The Black Knights and Psychorogues charged for the Squires and their own contracts. The layout of the street worked in the Squires' favor as the mob was cramped by their own numbers.
"Sitting ducks!" Savanna grinned, swiping a Psychorogue away. "Hey Valentine, can you give us some breathing space?"
"Gladly!" Sobek nodded. Grabbing another card, he slipped it into his Vile Visor.
[Final Vent!]
Vilegator roared, shaking off Black Knights and Psychorogues that attempted to climb up onto its head. It buried its snout into the street underneath Sobek and the enemies around him before launching several of them and Sobek himself into the air. His Vile Saber appeared in his hand as Sobek rose higher than the Black Knights and Psychorogues. Gravity pushed him back down and he swung multiple times through the mess of enemies.
"VILE SLICER!"
Sobek darted through the enemies, slashing through several of them. Passing by, they exploded. What ones he hadn't managed to strike down were caught in the explosions and likewise went up with their comrades. Mechanical parts rained down from the sky and Vilegator roared in glee as the Pyschorogue cores dropped to it.
"Thanks, luv!" Savanna nodded. She quickly drew a card, "Deacon, you and me clear the way!"
"Right!" Lobo nodded, taking his own card.
[Final Vent!]
Savanneck and Silverclaw roared and raced to back up their contractors. Lobo mounted his monster before both began spinning at the machines and monsters. Savannaneck spun and Savanna jumped up to be launched with her spear extended through another group of enemies. Explosions rocked the area as several more of the monsters and machines were destroyed.
"And we mop up the rest," Falco nodded with Glaucus as they drew their own cards.
[Final Vent!]
Falco took to the air on GuldWind's back, flying through the pack of machines and monsters. He fired multiple bursts from his Guld Bow, striking several targets. Those machines fell over before exploding. Moonwise flew through the air, circling around the remaining enemy forces. In tighter and tighter laps, forcing the remaining forces into a tighter circle.
Glaucus steeled himself before he took a running leap into the circle. He began bouncing off the sides and crushed the monsters and machines with flying kicks. All of them finally exploded before Glaucus flew out from the flames, landing in a stumbling crouch.
"Whew!" Glaucus stumbled as he tried to stand up. "That...that was crazy."
"Too right," Savanna agreed. "Something's not right about this. Remember what those things said before they jumped us?"
"War protocols," Sobek repeated. "We should get to the library. Merlin or the guys may have some answers."
"Okay, let me get Cerise," Lobo nodded, turning to run back for the store. Falco wasn't far behind him to find Ashlynn.
"You don't think it was Whyte Knight and the Rogues, do you?" asked Glaucus.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Savanna sighed.
The Squires began to move, either collecting their girlfriends or preparing to head to the library. As they got ready, Glaucus looked to the scattered machine parts on the ground. As a member of the Tech Club, he had to marvel at the machines which were the Black Knights, but lament at how they were being wasted as weapons for evil. Looking at the mess, he did spy the head of a Black Knight which looked reasonably intact. Leaning down, he picked it up, gazing at the black visor.
"Maybe I can learn something from this," he wondered.
"Hey, Dexter! Come on! We've got to move!" Lobo shouted.
"R-right! Coming!"
Mirror World - Ever After High
The water of the pool splashed and surged as Abyss and Marine Knight bashed at one another. Rather than typical punches and kicks, they would use the swimming speed their armor afforded them and surged through the water, crashing into each other with enough force to make violent splashes in the water as they would kick at one another before kicking away to make another pass. Around them, Abysslasher, Abysshammer, Wiskraken, and Bakraken were tearing at one another in the reflection of their contractors' will.
"Grr! Savage and brutish! As expected as one who consorts with the Sea Witch!" Marine Knight grunted.
Abyss huffed, "I am sick of that lie! Whyte Knight lied to you about that just to get you to join him! He couldn't even get my armor right! Stop clinging to that excuse to try and force Meeshell to like you!"
"No! It's your lie!" Marine Knight snapped. "I am her Prince Charming! She is meant to be my Princess! I won't let you steal it all from me!"
Abyss growled, "She didn't sign the book, so she doesn't have to be forced to be with anyone!" He drew back his arm - the one outfitted with his Abyssmash- before unleashing a blast of water into Marine Knight's abdomen, sending him tumbling through the water before he crashed into the wall of the pool.
Abyss huffed in the water, "I beat you once already. You already caused shame to your family. Meeshell's denounced you. Her own mother has confirmed there is no enchantment. How much will it take for you to admit you're wrong and let this all go?!"
"I'm not wrong...I remember her clearly...the mermaid who will be my princess," Marine Knight growled, pulling himself from the wall. "I won't stop until she's in my arms where she belongs!" Jumping out of the water, he drew a card from his belt.
[Unite Vent!]
Wiskraken and Bakraken burst from the water in a whirlwind, forming the large Darkraken which burbled in the air. It didn't stop there. Darkraken suddenly flipped over, opening its tentacles where its circular mouth opened, retracting its teeth to show a hollow space. Marine Knight jumped into the air, landing in the hollow which sealed around his waist, locking him in place. The kraken's largest tentacles acted like legs while the rest rose up like spears.
Marine Knight roared as the change was completed, "Behold, the symbol of my right as Meeshell's prince! Marine Knight Kraken Blue!"
Abyss could only gape as Marine Knight made himself into a monster. Instead of the Prince Charming he claimed to be, he looked like he was related to Ursula the Seawitch.
"Now fall!" Marine Knight roared, swinging his tentacle down at Abyss. The Shark Knight dove into the water, avoiding the tentacle as it splashed into the water and broke the pool's floor. Abyss surged through the water before he jumped from the water and landed on the floor.
He fired his Abyssmaah at Marine Knight who continued to advance, unaffected by the high-pressured blast of water. He lashed out with his tentacles, sending Abyss scrambling.
[Strike Vent!]
Marine Knight equipped himself with gauntlets modeled after Bakraken and Wiskraken's heads. Pointing them at Abyss, orbs of inky darkness fired from both gauntlets. The orbs met the stream of water before the inky blasts exploded upon impact, sending Abyss crashing against the wall of the pool.
Marine Knight laughed victoriously but he could not finish his opponent here. He needed Princess Meeshell to witness the evil Shark Knight's defeat with her own eyes. He grabbed Abyss with a tentacle and picked him up.
"You're coming with me," Marine Knight sneered.
(-)
Ever After High - Pool
Unable to see the Mirror World, Meeshell did not know if her boyfriend was alright or not. Not knowing was the scariest feeling of all.
Meeshell screamed as Abyss was suddenly hurtled out of the Mirror World, smashing through a wall before he hit the ground outside and skidded to a halt. Behind him, Marine Knight emerged, appearing like the Kraken of Greek myth. Using the two largest tentacles like legs, he lurched after Abyss, smashing an even larger hole in the wall in the process.
"Ben!" Meeshell cried, running after the two Knights. She came to the edge of the hole Marine Knight made, witnessing the monstrous knight stomping towards her Shark Knight.
"You brought this on yourself, Ben Gigant! You should have stuck to the story of Bedivere and not interfere with my destiny!" Marine Knight roared. "You cannot deny the next king of the sea!"
Abyss got to his feet, swaying, but unbroken, "All this time, you claim I'm using Meeshell. That I'm trying to steal her voice. That all I want to do is use her for her link to the throne. Funny, from what I'm hearing, that's all you keep talking about," Abyss took a step forward, and then another, "You keep saying destiny over and over again. You say you're meant to be. You're the next king. You're her Prince Charming. Never once do you say anything nice about her, nothing about who she is. Just what she will give you once you make her fill the role you want."
"And if I do? It is a foregone conclusion! She will love me! She has to!" Marine Knight snarled.
"And all you want her for is some kind of right to rule! You don't care about her at all, just what status she can give you!" Abyss growled, the sounds of water crashing starting to echo in the air.
"As if you don't? Don't act as if you didn't think of what privilege being her prince could bring you!" Marine Knight accused.
Abyss chuckled, still walking, "When I first met Meeshell...I didn't have a single clue who she was."
Marine Knight blinked, "...What?"
"I've never seen her before. Never heard her name. Didn't even think about anything like that," Abyss spoke. "All I saw was a beautiful girl who for some reason enjoyed my singing. A girl who could have had any boy she wanted, but she sought me out and took me swimming. A girl whose world I wanted nothing more than to be part of." Abyss raised his free hand. "A girl who I love more than anything in this world! I don't care if she's a princess, a queen, a mermaid, or a maiden! I only care that she is Meeshell, the girl I'll one day make my queen!"
"Oh…" Meeshell whimpered with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Ben…."
Pinkish-red bands appeared around Abyss' right arm, Meeshell's favor made manifest. Reaching to his belt, he drew his next card which had the energy flow into it. Pulling it out, he held the card up to reveal the gold and blue surface of Survive Shippu. The blue background let off a howl before rain began to fall from the sky, swirling around Abyss like a veil of water.
"Wh-what is this?!" Marine Knight gasped. "You, you have one too?!"
Abyss didn't answer and instead pointed his Abyss Visor outward. The eyes on the visor suddenly extended before the entire device flashed blue and transformed. It turned into a trident, the shaft a cobalt blue with a handguard shaped like an ornate golden shark. The head itself appeared like a blue and gold hammerhead shark, it's extended eyes made part of the left and right prongs.
Abyss took his Survive card and brought it to the middle prong, slipping it into the head of the shark which made up his Abyss Visor Zwei.
[Survive!]
Water surged around Abyss, hiding his form for a brief moment before it splashed away, revealing him adorned in a new suit of armor. The blue parts of his bodysuit had turned gold while the bracers and greaves turned an ocean blue with gold edges much like Ryuki, Knight, and Ohja before him. Silver gauntlets shaped like shark heads with gold fins were now equipped to his forearms while he had similar fins on his ankles. His ocean blue torso armor gained a golden trim with new shoulder fins as well as a chestpiece that resembled the face of a vicious shark, complete with angry eyes and jaws full of razor-sharp teeth. Finally, the fin on top of his helmet had also grown taller, with a golden trim as well.
Meeshell gazed in awe, as if she was looking at a true King of the Ocean.
He twirled his trident-like Abyss Visor Zwei then pointed it at Marine Knight, "King of the Ocean? I think that's Meeshell's choice and she certainly hasn't picked you!"
Screaming in rage, Marine Knight lashed out with his tentacles but Abyss swung his trident, throwing energized blades of water at them, slicing them to pieces.
"W-what?!" Marine Knight gasped at the sight.
Abyss gripped his trident and charged for his opponent. Marine Knight pushed more of his tentacles to smash him, but Abyss' speed among other attributes were enhanced, letting him duck or twist around them. As he was dodging, he drew a card from his belt.
"Hup!" Abyss huffed before he used one upcoming tentacle as a platform to jump into the air. Once in the air, Abyss pushed the grip of his trident down, making the guard follow to reveal the card chamber. He slipped the card inside before pushing it shut.
[Shoot Vent!]
Abysslasher and Abysshammer emerged from the pool and brushed past Meeshell. It was only a glimpse of them seen before both were engulfed in a funnel of water which announced Abyssodon. The giant shark surged up behind Abyss before its form turned silver and shattered, revealing a new creature underneath.
The new shark was a sleeker, if not a larger monster. Its headpiece was gone, revealing a silver-plated head with flashing yellow eyes. Its body was almost seamless with small plating to show its biomechanical nature, including its segmental tail. Its dorsal fins appeared like blades, gleaming in the sun.
This was the evolved form of Abyssodon, the Mirror Monster Abysscharzone
Abyss shifted his grip on his trident, pointing it at Marine Knight much like the Giga Launcher Zolda held. Abysscharzone roared before a blue glow appeared in its mouth. Abyss then pulled a trigger in his Visor's handguard and Abysscharzone fired a large, high-speed bullet of water which crashed into Marine Knight.
"GAAAAH!" the Rogue cried, knocked back in a heap, his remaining tentacles lashing out in a bit to reorient himself. At a distance, Abyss landed on the ground, Abysscharzone swimming in the air around him.
"This has to end, Erik," Abyss spoke. "Meeshell isn't the mermaid who saved you. She doesn't want to be with you. You can't just force her to be with you, especially when you constantly talk about your status instead of wanting to be with her!"
"No! No! She's mine! My destiny!" Marine Knight snarled, forcing himself up. Perhaps his negative aspects were being enhanced by fusing with two Mirror Monsters, but he was sounding more deranged and obsessed than before. "It is my story! My right! The fates above declared it! I will be the king! I must be the king! I will not be turned aside for my unambitious siblings!"
Abyss tilted his head in confusion. Was Marine Knight losing his mind?
The Rogue forced himself up onto his tentacles before he drew his next card and quickly activated it.
[Final Vent!]
Marine Knight hunched over in his hybrid body before somehow managing to jump up into the air. The squid head underneath twisted, becoming a large drill. He then began to spin in the air, already aiming to come back down like a comet.
Abyss was quick with perhaps the only card that could save him.
[Final Vent!]
Abysscharzone roared and surged up behind Abyss who jumped into the air and landed on his contract's back. Both surged up towards Marine Knight who started shooting downward. Abysscharzone roared before a sawblade extended from its nose, making it appear like a sawshark, before the blade roared to life, acting like a chainsaw.
The two opposing forces met before Abysscharzone suddenly tilted to the side slightly, missing the titanic drill, but letting its nose strike Marine Knight's tentacles, severing several of them and throwing Marine Knight off his balance. He roared in either pain or rage before he fell, no longer a comet, but dead weight which crashed to the ground, making a slight crater in the middle.
Abyss looked down to where Marine Knight was struggling to get up, half of his tentacles now severed. Abysscharzone turned around before swooping lower to the ground, targeting the downed knight. Its back plating slipped back, letting Abyss sit in a motorcycle seat and grab a pair of handlebars. Its tail pulled closer to the main body while its fins also folded underneath the new frame, turning Abysscharzone into a flying jet ski. Abyss gunned the engine, making it and the saw blade on the front roar as he raced closer towards the downed Marine Knight.
"No...no...NOOOOOO!" Marine Knight roared, seeing Abyss incoming.
"THIS ENDS NOW, ERIK!" Abyss roared over his machine. He raced in close to the downed Marine Knight before leaning back in his seat, shifting his weight, and spun his machine out in a circle. The blade sank into the squid body, ripping through it to leave glowing metal behind. A screech came from Marine Knight's monster body before it exploded. Marine Knight was sent sailing through the air before landing in a heap.
Abyss hopped off Abysscharzone, letting the monster change back to pursue the dead monster's life energy. Walking to Marine Knight, whose armor was dissolving to its base blank state already, Abyss kicked him over, receiving a groan.
"This is the last time Erik," Abyss spoke, taking the graying deck from the V-Buckle, shattering the armor. "Leave Meeshell alone. Your story is over." Erik groaned collapsing into unconsciousness. Abyss sighed and looked to the blank deck in his hand, "We're getting a collection from this." He turned and looked back to the school, hearing explosions from the higher floors and out in the forest. It gave him pause, "They're….are they attacking us all?"
"Ben!" Meeshell ran to her boyfriend and launched herself into his arms. Abyss caught her easily, holding her tightly. She sniffled, obviously distraught by the sudden battle, but she was so relieved to see her prince victorious and safe. After a moment, she managed to calm herself, realizing that the situation was still tense. "So, what are we going to do with Erik?"
"We should bring him to the headmasters," Abyss suggested. "They'll know what to do with him. But right now I think more Rogues are attacking. We need to get you someplace safe."
Meeshell looked out to where smoke was coming from inside the school and out in the forest. She nodded, although her grip on Ben just tightened.
What was going on?
Enchanted Forest
Sparks flew as Sting Knight threw jabs at Ryuga with his daggers. The Black Dragon Knight parried the blows with his Drag Saber as they came before he countered, going for a swing. He missed as Sting Knight leaped over him before landing behind him. He went to stab Ryuga in the back but the Black Dragon Knight drove his elbow into Sting Knight' stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He then spun around and slashed Sting Knight across the chest before planting a kick that sent him sprawling.
"You know, my parents raised me to put my success first and my happiness second," Ryuga stated. "And they were right. You can't be happy unless you succeed. So, I try my best to never lose. Though, my success was always for my parents' own benefit, never my own. So, I'm not giving up my title, the one I've been given. I'll fight to keep it from guys like you."
"You wretched...!" Sting Knight cursed.
"I don't know what Victor promised you, but if he told you taking me out would earn you a spot at the Round Table, then you're mistaken," Ryuga informed him as he passed his sword into his left hand and drew a card. "But I'd like to see you try, to show you how pointless your effort is." He put the card in but did not close his Visor.
Sting Knight screamed as he went for the kill when Ryuga closed his Visor.
[Advent!]
Sting Knight was instantly snatched up by Dragblacker who slammed into him. The black dragon gripped him between its jaws as he struggled, stabbing at its face to make it release him.
"Success also comes from preparation," Ryuga continued as he drew and slid in another card. "And I'm always prepared."
[Final Vent!]
Dragblacker dropped Sting Knight on the ground as Ryuga broke into a run before he leaped at his opponent to deliver a flying kick. Dragblacker flew behind him and blasted him with its dark dragonfire, launching him at high speed. The explosive impact of the Dragon Rider Kick sent Sting Knight flying as his armor shattered like glass. The Rogue tumbled and rolled to a stop, lying on his back.
The one underneath the armor gave Ryuga some pause. Rather than some degenerate, an obvious villain, or someone who just enjoyed fighting, he looked like he was part of some military school. He wore what looked like a cadet's uniform, red and white for the British perhaps. His skin was a wooden brown and his hair looked slicked back and dark. Even his fingers looked like they were pieced together like a puppet's. He was easily Ryuga's age but looked like a living mannequin.
"Are you related to Cedar Wood?" he asked, looking at the downed wooden boy.
"No," the boy grunted. "I'm the next Nutcracker and I seek to right wrongs. Camelot is a bastion of chivalry and a symbol of justice. Maybe Arthur will rule it or maybe Victor will, but I can't let such a beacon of good be torn down by the likes of you!"
Ryuga sighed. So Victor found a do-gooder and filled his head with lies about how Camelot would crumble if the next Mordred stuck around. Sighing, he shook his head.
"Do you know what lawful evil means?" Ryuga asked. "It's being a villain but still following a code. For example, 'never harming children'. I might be considered evil because I'm destined to be a villain but I choose what kind of villain I want to be. Maybe I can be an anti-hero instead. If it's for Camelot, I'm willing to dirty my hands. What about you? What price are you willing to pay?"
The future Nutcracker grunted, grasping his deck, "I just want to do what's right, even if it means protecting Camelot from itself."
"Commendable," Ryuga admitted. So his opponent was a hero-type. Well, any world could use more of those. "But I would look into who you're working for. Victor isn't looking to make a beacon of chivalry and justice. He just wants to add another feather into his empire's cap. His story is about conquering nations and he dearly wishes to add the one kingdom he could never get. I don't think he has Camelot's best interests in heart, just his own ego."
The future Nutcracker got to his feet with a wooden groan from his limbs. Looking at Ryuga, he turned and ran for the forest. His Buzzstingers broke rank and followed after him, leaving the Black Dragon Knight and his Femme Fatale behind.
"Nice speech," Ramona smiled weakly. Oddly, the Buzzstingers never paid her any attention. In fact, they seemed to go out of their way to avoid her. "Way to play the gentleman villain too. Making the hero question his allegiance and all that."
"It's a trick I picked up from class," Ryuga admitted. "You okay?"
"Fine, although the picnic's ruined now," Ramona growled, looking at the overturned basket and ripped blanket. "Looks like the date's over."
"Yeah. We need to head back to town. Something's up," Ryuga agreed. He sharply whistled and summoned his Mirror Warhorse. Mounting it, and pulling Ramona up with him, they both started riding back towards Book End. If Victor was in this battle, he would go after the one obstacle standing in the way of his ambition. To claim Camelot, he would need to take out the one destined to be King Arthur.
Book End - Streets
Meanwhile, in Book End, Scissors and Imperor were in the middle of combat with Blade Knight and Lash Knight. The two Biter-themed Rogues had summoned their Contract Monsters, which prompted the Knights to do the same.
[Advent!]
Volcancer emerged along with Gigazelle to fight with the Biters.
[Sword Vent!]
Sparks flew as Scissors clashed with Blade Knight, armed with his Scissors Pinch while Blade Knight wielded the Tera Rang as a sword, the same boomerang the Terabiter used. The red Rogue seemed to be enjoying himself as he struck Scissors repeatedly, sending him backpedaling with each strike.
"Ugh," Scissors grunted as sparks flew from a strike across his chest. He retaliated with a swing, but Blade Knight caught the blow with his Tera Rang before he slashed Scissors across the chest again.
At the same time, Imperor fought with the blue Lash Knight who cracked her whip at him. He deflected with his Gazelle Stab and went to land a blow but she danced around him to land a strike across his back.
"There's a lot more where that came from, honey," Lash Knight purred. "Just surrender if you don't want any more pain, or don't so I can enjoy this. Up to you." Imperor spun around and swung a kick at her, catching her in the midsection. She staggered back but recovered quickly, cracking her whip. "Ooh, naughty, but I do like my men feisty. Makes it more fun when I break them."
Imperor spun around to face her, "Sorry, lady, but I'm not into BDSM."
Lash Knight didn't seem bothered by his refusal, only giving a breathy chuckle as she gripped her whip, "Oh, no need to worry. Soon you and your friend will be begging for it."
That just made the Gazelle Knight shudder, "Yeah, no."
"Oh, yes."
As the two fought, Scissors and Blade Knight were continuing their own battle and having an equally uncomfortable conversation.
"So, your little fairy girl," Blade Knight spoke as the locked weapons."Tell me, have you claimed her maidenhood?"
"W-what!?" Scissors gaped. What kind of question was that, especially in the middle of a fight!?
Blade Knight nodded in apparent satisfaction, "Hm, so she's still a virgin. Perfect."
Scissors saw red and kicked Blade Knight in the stomach. He grunted before Scissors slashed him across the chest, knocking him to the ground.
"Do not talk about Nina that way!" Scissors snapped as he brought his claws down but Blade Knight rolled out of the way before picking himself up.
Blade Knight merely chuckled, "C'mon, you've had your chance but you're clearly not man enough for her. How about you just give up so I can show her the pleasures of the flesh? My sister could teach you how to pleasure a woman too."
"Dude, how sick are you?" Scissors demanded. He didn't think anyone in Ever After was so depraved. This world just seemed so wholesome. Looked like there was a dark side if it could produce people like the Rogues. Then again, he was made aware of the dark origins of fairy tales. They weren't always so child friendly.
"Now, I think it's time to end this. I'm sure my sister will take care of you while I tend to your lovely fairy as my own," Blade Knight grinned, hefting his Tera Rang over his shoulder.
"Dude, you really are pressing all my buttons here," Scissors huffed, lifting his Scissors Pinch.
"No, my sister will do that," Blade Knight chuckled before he charged.
The two swung at each other, their weapons sparking as they struck. It became quite clear though that Blade Knight had training with weapons as nobility or a prince. Worse, he knew how to play dirty. He swung at Scissors' head, who naturally ducked. As Scissors rose to strike, Blade Knight just kept spinning and let his elbow strike Scissors in the head, knocking him down with stars in his vision.
"Rob!" Nina cried.
"Oh, my dear, you really need to give up on him," Blade Knight shook his head. "It will be my name you'll be crying out in ecstasy before the day is through!" He turned and looked at Scissors who was shaking his head to try and get his senses back. "Observe, my superiority!"
He flipped his Tera Rang over and stabbed down at Scissors. The Crab Knight managed to get enough of his senses back to roll to the side, letting the Tera Rang dig into the street. With a grunt, Scissors lashed out with his own weapon, managing to strike Blade Knight in the waist with a shower of sparks. The Rogue gagged and stumbled back with a smoking V-Buckle.
Blade Knight briefly checked his V-Buckle and Advent Deck but saw that they were fine from his point of view. Sighing in relief, he drew a card and glared at the recovering Scissors, "Fine. The most painful way it is!"
He slipped the card into his Blade Visor.
[Fina Vent!]
Scissors huffed but managed to draw his own Final Vent and slide it into his Scissors Visor.
[Final Vent!]
Blade Knight and Terabiter moved back to back, locking together through the sockets in his armor. Once together, they held their Tera Rangs out before starting to spin like a nightmarish top. Once they had enough speed, they began moving towards Scissors. The Crab Knight followed through with his own attack, jumping into Volcancer's claws before being launched at the pair as a spinning ball.
The Final Vents collided with a violent explosion. With the two opposing forces, the blast was fierce, forcing Imperor and Lash Knight to stumble back, shielding their faces. Nina and Faybelle had to take cover behind a bench. The fire from the blast easily lit up like a beacon.
From the middle of the blast, Scissors came out landing in a heap, his armor smoking and letting out an audible groan. From the other side, Blade Knight and Terabiter landed on their feet. His armor was smoking as well, but he seemed to have taken the blow better than his opponent.
"Looks like victory is mine," Blade Knight boasted but stopped when he heard a cracking noise coming from his belt. Looking down, his eyes widened when he spied a sparking crack on his Advent Deck spread all over it. It sparked a few times before falling apart, the cards spilling onto the ground in pieces. "Huh?" The Terabiter snarled and approached Blade Knight before it grabbed him in a bearhug. "What are you doing!? Stop! Unhand me - AAARRRRGGGHHHH!"
Blade Knight screamed as Terabiter buried its teeth into his shoulder, penetrating his armor. Everyone watched in horror as his armor disintegrated into nothing.
"Brianna, help me! Help me!" He struggled but it was too late as he was devoured, his body dissolving into particles that were gobbled up by his own monster. Silence echoed in the area as the fighting stopped, everyone watching in horror. Terabiter merely cleaned its mandibles in satisfaction.
"BRIAN!" Lash Knight screamed. Horrified at seeing her brother being devoured, she fled from the fight, her Zenobiter following her lead.
"It...it ate him..." Nina looked horrified.
"I think...I'm gonna be sick," Faybelle looked nauseous after witnessing a knight being eaten by their own monster.
"Oh my god…" Scissors gasped. What...what had he done?!
Imperor nearly gagged, but under the disgust was anger. This...this was what would happen to people who the monsters would snag? To just...be erased in a way?
"It has to die…" Imperor growled. He swiftly drew his next card and slid it into his Visor.
[Final Vent!]
Gigazelle led the charge as the Zelles attacked Terabiter in a stampede, landing blows as they jumped by. Finally, Imperor delivered the killing blow, jumping at the Terabiter to land a fatal knee strike to its head, blowing it up as it was knocked backward. Gigazelle and its herd took the core, but Imperor was already worried about his brother and their girlfriends.
Meanwhile, Scissors was on his knees, shaken to the core by what he had caused. Nina immediately ran to him but he recoiled.
"Nina, stay back!"
Nina stopped, shocked, "Rob?"
Scissors kept scrambling back, grasping his head in either shock or emotional agony, "I killed him! I killed someone!"
"No, it wasn't your fault," Imperor reasoned, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You didn't know that would happen."
Scissors sputtered, "B-But..."
Imperor shook his head, "He wanted to hurt you and take Nina from you. Whatever happened, it was on him."
"Still, someone died, Kevin. Someone died." Because of him.
"I know but there's nothing we can do about it now. C'mon, let's regroup at the library and figure out our next move."
"O...OK..." Scissors was still a bit shaken but managed to stand back up. Nina was at his side immediately, helping him stand and showing no hesitation in being around him despite what happened.
"We'll get through this, Rob," she whispered to him. "It will be okay. Don't worry."
"Faybelle, could you magic us back to the library, please?" Imperor asked his girlfriend.
"Y-yeah," Faybelle murmured, quickly conjuring the magic she needed for the spell. In a flash of green, the four vanished back to the Book End Library.
Kevin and Rob removed their armor before they went in with their girlfriends. Immediately, Rob bolted for the bathroom and slammed the door shut. The sound of vomiting could be heard coming from behind the door.
"What happened to Rob?" Kyle asked.
"We just saw what happens when a contract between a Rider and their monster gets broken," Kevin answered.
"What do you mean?" asked Tristan.
"Rob...Rob broke Blade Knight's Advent Deck," Kevin grimaced, the memory still fresh to him. "We watched his Terabiter eat him right before our eyes."
"WHAT?!" The group cried out in shock.
"It...it happened so...fast," Faybelle shook her head, paler than usual. "It just bit him and he just...dissolved like it was sucking him up."
Nina shivered, "I'm...I'm going to take care of Rob." She turned and headed towards the washroom where Rob was currently being sick.
"So, Rob took one of them out," Kyle stated. "Good."
*KRACK!*
Kyle fell back from a punch to the face. He grunted and held his cheek. Everyone in the room gasped as they looked to an infuriated Kevin.
"You sick...What's wrong with you!? Don't you get it!? Someone died! We didn't just beat the guy up and kick him to the curb! THE GUY WAS EATEN ALIVE BY A MIRROR MONSTER!"
Kyle rubbed his cheek, not looking apologetic.
"They started this by coming after us. This is war and it's kill or be killed. Tell me, what did they want for beating you?"
"Apparently the girl wanted to make us all her sex slaves and her brother wanted to do the same with all our girlfriends," Kevin growled.
Kyle almost snarled, but he got up, "Then you and Rob were in the right to protect the girls and yourselves. I'm not saying I'm unsympathetic to Rob's trauma, but right now we can't deal with it. Not until Whyte Knight and his psycho squad are driven off. Then we can see about tending to the wounds in the mind and in the body."
"Yeah," Kevin agreed. His emotions were still running high. He just needed to rest. Rob would need therapy after this. Fortunately, Giles Grimm was available for counseling.
"So, if our decks are destroyed, that's it? Game Over?" Gabe asked fearfully. Holly trembled and hugged him tighter.
"Hopefully, how we treat our partners will keep it from happening," Kyle sighed, rubbing the side of his face. "You ever noticed how benign our monsters are with other people? It's because we treat them well and feed them regularly. Trained attack animals are friendly until commanded not to be, even if they aren't on a leash. So with luck, it's the same with us."
"Better not try to test that theory," Gwen remarked as Rob stepped out from the bathroom. "You OK?"
"I need to lie down," he muttered miserably.
Nina escorted him back to the dorm so he could rest in bed. She was not going to abandon him in his time of need!
"There's another reason why I wanted to keep you guys back unless needed," Merlin sighed, watching Rob go. "I saw it in several of those Rogues. They really mean business. They're willing to kill you guys if it means they can get what they want. Whyte Knight is the most obvious of all since he's obsessed with bringing Camelot under his control when his family never could before. At least with Vivi's brand of crazy, you know what to expect, but obviously Whyte Knight can and will do anything to win." Merlin stood straight, his years in Camelot and beyond looking particularly heavy on his shoulders. "You don't just get over that kind of experience overnight. Not even you, Kyle. Trust me, by tonight, all of you will be weeping wrecks who will need your girlfriends just to sleep."
Silence reigned as the Knights got back to their seats, the weight of Merlin's words reaching them. The Princesses felt their hearts clench at them, quickly grasping their boyfriends, fearing their own way to comfort them may not be enough.
"Gabriel, are you OK?" Holly asked her boyfriend. He looked so terrified now.
"You know, when Merlin told us we were knights, I thought it was cool. It seemed fun too, fighting monsters in a cool suit of armor. It was like being a superhero," Gabe admitted while staring at his Advent Deck. "I knew there were risks but after Kevin told us what happened to Blade Knight, it just seems so real now."
Holly frowned sadly, not letting go of her boyfriend, "Gabriel, if you want to stop being a knight, it's OK. Maybe Merlin can find someone to take your place. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"No, I can't," Gabe said, shaking his head. "The only reason I'm here is because Merlin chose us. If I give it up, I'll have to leave and I love it here. I love you, Holly."
Kyle couldn't wait any longer. He stood up and made his way to one of the mirrors.
"Where are you going?" Tristan questioned.
"What does it look like? I'm heading out to help our friends," Kyle answered. "If we outnumber them, we can end this fight right now."
"Our friends can take care of themselves."
"Are you willing to bet their lives on it?"
"What!? No! But they can manage without us."
"Admit it, you're just scared."
"And don't tell me you're not! We could die, Kyle!"
"Our friends could die too. I don't know about you, but I'd rather take my chances out there than sit around twiddling my thumbs in here."
"You just want to fight, don't you? You enjoy it."
"So what if I do? I admit that I get a rush from it, but this is different. This isn't some monster that we can counter and sharpen our skills for! This is about protecting our friends, to make sure none of us get killed. This is what Knights of the Round Table do!"
"Even if it means killing our enemies?"
"If it comes to that, yeah. You heard what Blondie calls this. It's war. Whyte Knight intends to kill us to steal Camelot for himself! It's kill or be killed now."
"Stop it!" Gabe yelled. "Just stop it, guys! Don't talk about killing like it's so easy! Yeah, it sounds easy, but look at Rob! If you think you can handle taking someone's life, then go ahead! But it stains your soul and you'll never be the same!"
"Enough!" Merlin snapped, silencing them all. His voice rang with more authority and power than anyone had heard him speak with before. "Mira's keeping an eye on the battles for me. Right now, the others are doing fine. The fights are coming to an end and several are going to be with us soon. If someone needs help, I'll dispatch you to help them. Until then, everyone just sits tight, is that understood?"
Everyone obeyed, if only because they saw that Merlin was serious. Kyle was still agitated, still had a desire to do something, but at least Merlin would send him out if it was needed. If he had an eye on the others, then they would know if they needed help.
"Merlin, can you tell us what's happening with the others? You know, show us some real-time updates on their fights?" Gwen asked.
"Sure. Ben, Max, and the Squires just finished theirs," Merlin nodded, summoning Mira's mirror, "All that's left are Lance, Harry, Rex, Darren, and Arthur."
"Vivi?" asked Gawain.
"Beset by Black Knights in the school...although she doesn't seem to be having much of a problem by herself," Merlin admitted.
"She's skilled if what Arthur said about her is true," Tristan stated. "Glad she's on our side."
"Is she? She just threw her lot in with us to save her own skin," Kyle argued. "She might be just another snake in the grass."
"Then we keep an eye on her, now shut up!" Gwen snapped. "I want to make sure our friends make it out okay, not listen to your paranoia!"
Everyone could see the knights were stressed. They were tense and anything could set them off. After all, they were stuck inside the library while their friends were still fighting. Maybe someone would say the wrong thing and it would erupt into a fight within the library.
"I'll go make us some tea to calm everyone's nerves," Darling quickly offered before she went into the kitchen.
"Thank you, Princess," Merlin nodded. The others settled in to see if their friends would need them or not. For the wizard though, his mind was going in several directions. One was the consequences of Whyte Knight's assault while the other was how he could restore the confidence, bonds, and courage of the knights who were clearly rattled by it.
It was the first dark day for the new Knights of the Round Table. Merlin just hoped it would not be the last for their fellowship.
I...I...wh...how…? Did that really just happen?
This happened before in the epic tales of olde, Brooke. I just hoped that it wouldn't happen again.
Curse that Whyte Knight! How can he be so cruel and callous as to orchestrate this madness?
Darren, everyone, please, please be careful...
A/N: And now we see Ben achieve Survive Mode and kick Erik to the curb, claiming another blank deck for the Knights of the Round Table. Sadly, this is overshadowed by the fact that the recklessness of the Rogues and the heat of battle has finally done something which can't be undone. The Blade Knight lost his contract and his monster has devoured him. It's a dark victory for the Knights, but it seems it is one that has fractured them.