Queen Titania stood on one of the towers of the castle, a smile on her face as she kept looking up towards the sky. A flash of light suddenly went off behind her, and her daughter Cordelia appeared behind her. "Daughter," she greeted casually. "I take it your meeting with your brother was eventful."
Cordelia grunted. "His mortal lover appeared, and I didn't feel like indulging them any longer. I'll let father deal with them after he's done with their wayward daughter," she said, clearly irritated about how things played out. "On that note, where is father? I sensed their magic clashing not but a moment ago."
They heard a loud crash, and suddenly saw a figure come flying out of the top of the castle. Titania let out an amused giggle. "It would seem your father is having a much harder time reigning in young Titania than he intended. Things are playing out quite interestingly," she said.
Between this and what Typhon's seed was up to, she was more than a little excited to see just where this was going. "We're in for quite a shot I think…"
Oberon went flying upwards above the castle, but quickly stopped himself. He balled his fist up and growled angrily. He was doing his best to hold back against the girl, but his patience was growing more thin by the second. He got ready to fly back down and put an end to this, but a blur rushed at him from the castle.
Nia's fist connected with his jaw, sending a shockwave through the air. Oberon was rocked, but Nia quickly followed up with a flurry of punches. "Don't let up! We can't let up! Not for a second!" Nia yelled. "Finish him here and now!" Her left eye, Titania's eye, shined brightly before he pulled her fist back.
It glowed as she swung at him, knocking him through one of the towers of the castle and into the forest below. Oberon crashed into the ground and slid, knocking down a number of trees as he did. He grunted, but before he could even get up Nia was on him again. "Don't let up!"
She reached out, grabbing him by the face and pushing him to the ground before she began dragging him. Nia and Titania both being in control felt powerful, but unstable. They both knew that at any moment they could slip up and lose control. So they had to try and finish it before then.
Oberon reached up and grabbed onto her arm, managed to pull it away before angrily swinging at her. Nia ducked underneath the blow and slipped behind him, grabbing onto his cape and spinning him around. She yelled out before tossing him back towards the castle, then fired a blast from her hands.
It hit him, pushing him further up into the air before exploding. Oberon steadied himself, waving his arm and clearing the dust from the blast away. He looked around to find Nia, but didn't see any signs of the girl. "Titania!" he roared. "Where are-?!"
Nia blindsided him again, punching him in the face. She zipped around to his other side and then kicked him in the back, sending him stumbling forward. The princess continued to move around him, striking him from every direction. She was moving so quickly it looked as if she was vanishing.
"Impossible…" Cordelia said wide eyed. Even if she did have the same potential as Umbriel, to be able to overpower Oberon at such a young age was… impossible.
"It is quite impressive," Queen Titania said. "But I fear it is only temporary. She is pushing her body well past her limits, and she can't keep this up for much longer."
Nia went in for another punch, but Oberon raised his hand and caught it. "Enough!" he bellowed, swinging at her. Nia swung back, and their fists clashed. The force of their blows seemed to shake the very island itself. "This rebellion is over!"
"Shut up!" Nia yelled. "We're only getting started!"
Oberon knocked her back, and then slammed his hands together and fired a blast of magic at her. Nia spread her wings out and stopped herself, and right as the blast was about to hit her she opened her mouth and breathed in. Oberon looked shocked as she swallowed the blast whole, then lunged forward and spit it back out.
He moved aside to avoid it, and it flew off and crashed into the mountain in the distance, blasting the top half of it into dust. "What foolishness has the mortal realm been teaching you?!" he asked, stunned. Devouring a spell like that and spitting it out was just… ridiculous!
"Nothing you could ever teach us!"
Nia fired at him again, and Oberon prepared to swat it aside, until a portal opened up in front of him. The blast flew right through it, then it vanished. Nia spread her arms out, opening a number of portals around Oberon. The blast flew out of one of them, striking him from his side before flying into another.
The blast shot in and out of the portal, picking up speed as it hit him from all angles. Oberon grit his teeth and then waved his arm, shattering the portals around him. He looked over to see Nia was one again gone. This time however, when she tried to blindside him, he was prepared. He reached up and caught her foot before she could drop kick him. "This ends, NOW!"
He yanked her forward and then punched her down toward the ground, Nia tried to stop herself, but he charged down and grabbed her by the throat, pushing her towards the ground. He slammed her through the roof of the castle, and the impact of the crashed leveled not only the ceiling, but more than a few walls in both the throne room and the surrounding chambers.
Nia coughed and tried to get up, only to feel his foot crash into her side. She flew forward, smashing through a number of walls before landing in the courtyard of the castle. For a moment she laid there in pain, but then quickly began forcing herself up. Her left eye was flicking back and forth between Titania's and Nia's, and the magic aura around her looked ragged and unstable.
"No, we can hold it together a little longer. Just a little-"
"Conceded child…"
She looked up and saw Oberon stomping towards her, and an angry look on his face. "I had hoped to reason with you, but if force is the only way to make you understand, then so be it," he raised his hand and prepared to strike again, and Nia forced herself up to her feet and braced herself.
Right as Oberon was about to swing down at her, another figure came rushing in, it's knee smashing into Oberon's face. The king of Avalon stumbled back, a look of shock on his face. He looked up, and then glared when he saw who it was towering over him.
"Hello your majesty. It has been some time…" Typhon said, smirking evilly.
"Typhon…" he said annoyed. "Are you actually planning on standing against me as well? I knew you were quite the reckless one, but even you must know the folly of standing against me. Your son may not know any better, but you-"
"Are growing bored of this idle chatter," the titan said. "We both know this isn't going to end with words, so why not skip the chatter and just go."
Oberon scoffed and was about to respond, but suddenly another fist crashed into the side of his face. He stumbled and then looked up to see Uran smiling. "You have no idea just how many centuries I've been waiting to do that…" he said.
"You would dare-?!"
"Hello grandfather."
A blast hit Oberon from behind, and he fell to his knees. Alexander strolled up from behind, a smirk on his face. "You really shouldn't let your guard down like that. Makes you so easy to blindside. Or maybe you're just getting a bit too relaxed in your old age."
"Get you bitch ass up old man." Nia looked over and saw Cayenne floating down towards them. The others were making their way out and surrounding them as well.
Micah cracked his knuckles. "Time for that other shoe to drop, Mr. God among gods."
"We're about to kick your diving butt all over this island," Dai Tai said.
Oberon looked furious. "This entire endeavor has been nothing but one annoyance after another…" he mumbled. "Very well. If you all are so intent on trying my patience, I will gladly abide. But do not regret the decision you've made to-"
Typhon leapt forward and stomped him into the ground, making a crater under his foot. "What part of 'done talking' did you not understand?!" he said. Oberon yelled and rose up, pushing him back. He landed on his feet and charged back at him, and the other followed suit.
Nia watched as they began attacking the deity. With Typhon leading the attack, they actually managed to keep him off balanced and push him back. But she knew that it wasn't going to last very long once he got angry enough. She stepped forward to join them, but then a pair of arms wrapped around her. "Maybe take a break sweetie."
She looked over her shoulder, surprised to see Star smiling down at her. "Mom? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised. She was one of the last people she expected to see today. "Am I… am I dreaming or?"
"Nope, I'm here," Star said, patting her on the head. "As for why… well, that can wait until later. Let's just say a mother knows when her babies are in trouble." Nia stared at her mother, tearing up a bit before giving her a hug.
"I'm glad you're here…"
Star returned the hug, patting her back. "I only wish I got here sooner. We felt everything that happened. You fought way harder than you should have had to. You go ahead and rest up. We're going to take things from here," she said.
Nia looked up at her worried. She knew she was tired, but she also knew that Oberon was way too powerful for any of them to take on. If they wanted to win she had to fight too. Before she could argue, Star went into the mewberty form and took off. "AJ, look after her!" she shouted.
Nia looked back and then saw AJ making his way towards her. "Got it! C'mon blondie, we're out!" he said reaching down to help her up.
"No! I can't leave yet!" she said as tried to go after them. She ended up stumbling forward, and AJ quickly caught her.
"Whoa! Hold up blondie, just relax," AJ said, putting one of her arms over his shoulder. "Look, you hit that asshole with everything you had. You pulled your weight. Let's just let the others jump him and send his sorry butt packing. I know they can-"
"They can't!" Nia shouted. "He's too strong! He's just… he is! They might be able to fight him back for a while, but they can't stop him! Only I can!" she said. "It has to be me! I have to get up there and take him down!"
AJ looked towards the girl, feeling conflicted. He was supposed to be rushing her back to the ship so they could get the hell out of here. But… what if she was right? What if they couldn't handle Oberon and they ended up…?
"Please AJ. I just need one more shot at him. I can do it, but I need you help," she said looking at him pleadingly. "Please."
The boy bit his lip as he kept staring at her. "Dang it blondie, why you gotta look at me with those eyes…" he muttered.
Dai Tai and Junji were knocked back as Oberon sent another wave of magic outwards. The two landed on their feet, sliding back as he looked down at them disgusted. "Insects," he said, raising his hand towards them.
Uran moved in and knocked his hand upwards, sending the blast intended for them up into the air. Oberon glared at his son and before to strike at him, but Typhon punched him in the back of his head, knocking him to the ground. "Pay attention. I'm not one to be ignored you know," Typhon said.
Oberon grunted before swinging his arm, sending both of them flying back. Right as he did, Star flew over him and raised all six of her hands. Magical swords appeared in her hands, and she swung them down at him. He made a barrier around himself blocking the blades. "So, you're the mother I assume…"
"You assume right," Star said, glaring at him.
"Your magic is impressive, for that of a mortal. It makes young Titania's potential more understandable. But she cannot realize her full power under your guidance."
Star scoffed. "Maybe not. She'll never get to live a real life under yours," she argued. "I've seen what your way of doing things does to your family. You're not taking my baby girl and making her into one of your pawns."
She made a small portal in front of her, stabbing one of the swords through it. The other end of the portal appeared behind his barrier, and Oberon winced as he was pierced by the blade. "You insolent little-!"
Cayenne suddenly rushed back and slapped him in the side of the head. "Caught you slipping bitch!" she said turning around and shooting a laser beam at him. Star flew back as he raised his hand and blocked the beam, but was then struck from the other side by a streak of lightning.
Micah grit his teeth as he turned up the voltage as high as he could. Junji flew up from above and shot a blade of fire down, and Dai Tai ran up and let out a loud scream. Oberon made a barrier around himself, as the attacks all came at him at once. Star and Uran both joined in, as well as Alexander.
"Put the pressure on him! Don't let up!" Cayenne yelled.
"C'mon! Fall you bastard!" Uran shouted.
Oberon actually looked like he was feeling the pressure, but the barrier was holding up strong. Amber, who had been hanging back for some time now, rushed in towards him. She heated up her sickle as hot as she could, and then rushed past him at top speed.
With a spinning slash, she managed to make just the smallest of cracks in the barrier. But that small crack was enough for the rest of the attacks to capitalize. More crack began showing up, and soon the barrier was broken through. The attacks crashed into him, forcing him down to one knee.
"We got him!"
"Keep it up!"
Oberon looked like he was in pain, but then his eyes began to glow as he raised his fist up into the air. He punched the ground, and a massive wave of magic shot out from around him, pushing back every attack and slamming into everyone. They were all sent flying back, save Typhon who managed to stay on his feet.
He breached heavily as he looked towards the Titan. "You may gather as many insects as you please. It matters not when they stand before a dragon," he said.
Typhon cracked his neck. "You know, I've always wanted a chance to fight you one on one," he said. "Show me just how powerful the god of gods is…"
Oberon stepped forward, ready to do just that, but then suddenly stopped. He felt an all too familiar mass of magic nearby, and turned his head to see Nia standing far off in the distance with her hands raised. "You got a clear shot! Now blondie!" AJ shouted from behind her.
"SHINING TORNADO BUSTER!"
A blindingly bright rainbow light swirled around her whole, and it suddenly fired out as a canon like blast. Oberon's eyes widened. This wasn't like the earlier ones. This one was far more powerful than before. He quickly raised his hand and fired a blast of his own. The two spells collided with one another, and the ground shook as they tried to push each other back.
Nia planted her feet as best as she could. This was her most powerful spell, and she was using it while she and Titania were still in sync. This was it, all or nothing. She either took him out here and now, or it was over.
Cayenne looked wide eyed. "Holy fuck. This is some dragon ball z shit…"
"She's been packing that much power this whole time?" Junji asked.
Oberon growled as he continued to press on his attack. It was clear that the girl was trying to bring him down, so he had no intention of holding back. He poured more magic into the blast, and Nia winced as she felt herself sliding back. Her blast was slowly but surely being overpowered.
AJ looked worried. "C'mon blondie! Don't lose to this asshole! Push him back!"
Nia growled and yelled out, her blast managing to match his own. And for just a moment, it looked like she was going to start gaining some ground. But Oberon narrowed his eyes before powering up yet again.
The princess groaned as he was pushed back even further. This was... it felt like she was trying to move a mountain. "He's... he's so strong!"
Before he slid back any further, she felt something up against her back. She opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder to see AJ behind her. He had pressed his back against hers, leaning back and trying to anchor her. "I got your back Nia!"
She was about to tell him to stop, but then felt a pair of hands on her shoulder. Uran planted his feet to help her, pouring his magic into her blast. "I already let him keep me away from you once! Never again!" he said.
Another three pairs of hands grabbed her other shoulder, and Nia saw her mother on her other side. "Let's show them what happens when you mess with the Butterfly family!" Star said, adding her own magic into the mix.
Between the three of them, their blast managed to even out with Oberon's. The king looked annoyed, and once again got ready to overpower them, but… he couldn't. Something was wrong. It was as if his magic was…
"Feeling drained?"
Oberon looked over and saw Typhon standing nearby, his horns glowing slightly. "You?!" Oberon said angrily. He raised his arm to blast him away, only to stumbled back with Nia's blast and began pushing back against his own. He quickly focused back on the task at hand, but could feel his magic steadily being drained by the Titan.
Typhon chuckled. Under normal circumstances the amount of magic he drained from Oberon would be trivial. But with him being pushed like this, being forced to put out so much magic at one, just the slightest bit made the difference.
"Do you know why you're about to lose, Oberon?" Typhon asked. The god struggled to push back against Nia's attack, but he slowly began to overtaken. "It's because you don't understand what it means to have a true heir. If you're going to hand over the keys to your kingdom, then you do so with the knowledge that they're the ones who steer where it's future goes. Not you. Better luck next time..."
"Do it not Nia!" Star yelled.
Nia yelled out and poured every ounce of magic she had left into her spell, and her blast grew even larger, pushing Oberon's back and completely overtaking him. Typhon moved out of the way as he was enveloped in the blast, which kept going and made its way through the forest, into the sea, and well away from the island before vanishing in the distance. There was a large crater dragging through the ground all the way through the island.
Everyone was silent for a moment, and then turned towards Nia who was struggling to catch her breath. "Holy shit…" Cayenne muttered.
"Ultra Combo finish," Micah said, nodding in approval.
AJ looked at the damage left behind, and then towards Nia. "Man, that was awesome blondie!" he said amazed. "I knew you could kick the wrinkly old-! Whoa!"
He caught Nia as she felt back, completely exhausted. "I… am so tired. And so hungry," she said letting out a long yawn. "I want all the chinese food. Like all of it…"
"I'll get my pops to order from every joint in town," AJ promised.
Star knelt down next to her daughter and cupped her cheek. "Sweetie, I am so proud of you. Younger than I was and already taking down gods. I'm just… I'm tearing up," she said, giving her a hug.
Uran looked off in the distance, stunned. "I don't believe it. We… we actually beat him," he said before turning towards Nia. "No… you actually beat him."
Nia shook her head. "No way. I did my best, but I couldn't beat him on my own. You guys saved my butt back there. All of you," she said looking towards the others. "I guess we can put kicking god butt on the Vanguard list, huh?"
Cayenne smirked. "Yeah, sorry kid, but I'm not trying to make a habit out of this," she said before reaching down and ruffling her hair. "But, damn good job."
"It was a close one, but we pulled it off," Amber said. "Though, it might have been a little easier with Astro here. Where did he run off too."
Micah sighed. "No clue. Maybe he was more worn out than we thought. But don't worry about it. You guys get Nia back to the ship. I'll check around for… shit…" Everyone looked towards Micah confused, and then followed his gaze over towards...
"God damn it…" Cayenne cursed.
"No..." Junji muttered.
"Are you kidding me?!" Dai Taii said.
Nia felt her heart sink. She had poured everything she had into that blast. Literally everything…
But, Oberon was still standing.
"This bout has come to an end, Titania…"
A/N: Oberon is still up on his feet, and Nia is out of commission. So who's gonna be left to stop him? Don't think it's going to be who you expect! The end of the Oberon Arc is right around the corner!
