"Why did you become a knight?"

A young Corona looked up from the book she was studying, a curious expression on her face. Her knight, Lady Wandra, stood before her. It had only been a few weeks since she had chosen the bluenette as her squire, and she couldn't say that she regretted her choice. The girl was nothing short of exemplary.

She had clearly studied healing magic along with other medical techniques long before she had been chosen. It was surprising to her since many of the young trainees in the Queensguard didn't exactly join with the fourth division in mind as their first choice. They usually aimed to be either in the first or the fifth since they saw the most action.

Those more magically inclined leaned towards the third division, and those without magic all but accepted that they were going to end up in the sixth. Those with a talent for healing magic usually had to be talked into joining the fourth, and though they nearly all eventually saw the value of what they did, they weren't exactly eager when they started out.

Corona was different however. But judging by her routine and skillset it was obvious where she wanted to be from the very beginning. She couldn't help but wonder just what drew the young girl to her division. Even if her name didn't have the sway to get her into any division she so desired, with her affinity for magic and overall talent it wouldn't have taken much training for her to get into the third or even first division.

The bluenette smiled and pushed her glasses up. "I wanted to help people of course. That's what the Queensguard does," she answered simply.

If it were anyone else the knight might have thought she was being snarky, but there was nothing but sincereness in her voice. "Well, that's certainly a noble thought." Not entirely an original one, but noble nonetheless. "But I suppose what I really meant to ask was why you wanted to join the fourth division. Were you not interested in combat? I'm sure you could make more of a name for yourself as a warrior rather than a medic."

Corona hummed. "I guess I could. But I think we have enough warriors in the other divisions. I'm more interested in healing and preventing injuries," she explained.

Wandra stared down at the girl, and then grew a small smile on her face. "I agree. Though it usually takes people a fair bit longer for the younger ones in our ranks to realize that," she said before glancing off towards the others. The other squires were all battling with one another, with their knights close by supervising. "Though, it is also necessary to polish out combative skills as well."

"So that the others won't have to worry about us, right?" Corona asked.

"That's right," Wandra said, nodding back. "As medics it's not just our job to keep the others alive and healthy, but to survive so we can keep doing so. And it's better for everyone if we can do so without burdening those on the front lines."

"So it's better for us to know how to fight as well, right?" Corona concluded.

Wandra nodded once more. "Ideally. Of course not everyone is suited to both. Some focus more on evasion, others on stealth. The overall idea is just not having to split the attention of the ones we're looking after between ourselves and the battle," she said. "It doesn't really matter how you do it I suppose. But being able to hold your ground is nearly as important as keeping others up and active."

To demonstrate, she held her hand out and then blasted a nearby practice dummy, making a hole right in it's chest. "Aimed for the weakest point in the chest. You'd be surprised how much medical knowledge can come in hand during a fight," she said laughing.

Corona looked at her amazed.

"Shit, captain!"

"Lady Corona!"

"Somebody catch her!"

A number of knights rushed over towards where Corona was falling, ready to catch the captain as she sped towards the ground. Right as it seemed she was about to crash down however, she spread her arms out and stopped herself. "I'm fine!" she said, already looking up in the air for signs of the Crimson Dragoon.

One of the knights approached anyway. "But captain, that wound looks rather bad! You should let us take a look at it!" he said concerned.

Corona put a hand over the wound, and a blue magical aura moved around it, stopping the bleeding and then closing it. This was a patch job, so it would probably leave a scar later, but she couldn't worry about that now. "Where is he? Where did the Dragoon go?" she asked, still looking around. He couldn't have left the battlefield. Was he planning for another dive?

If so, just how high had he gone?

The Crimson Dragoon took in a breath, soaking in the feeling of being up so high once more. From where he was, the battlefield looked like a mere speck. The air was thin up here, but he had become used to it after so many dives. He lifted his lance, a red aura forming around it and his body.

He still didn't like the idea of being used as a puppet. Especially for enemies of the crown. But he couldn't deny the feeling of exhilaration he felt from doing this. Defying gravity itself, dropping back down to the earth, it made him feel free. Unbound. The center of Cloud Kingdom wouldn't give him quite as much distance as mewni's surface, but it would do.

He fired himself off from the glyph he was standing on, speeding back down towards the battlefield. In the middle of the fray, a few warriors looked up, spotting a bright red object coming down towards them.

"What is that?!"

"An enemy attack!"

Corona instantly sensed it was the Dragoon, and let out a breath before flying up into the air to meet him. She wouldn't be able to shield an attack from him at that height, and if he landed it would wipe out half of the battlefield. She had to meet him head on. She raised her hand, concentrating her magic and forming it into a lance.

The Dragoon was surprised to see her back up, and even more so to see her on the attack. He brought his weapon back at the same time as Corona. They both thrust forward, and then the lances clashed there was a shockwave of magic that rang through the air. Nearly everyone looked up, seeing two bright burning forces of magic trying to overpower one another.

One of crimson, and one of azure.

The Dragoon pressed forward, sure he could over power the young women. Her magic was indeed powerful, and had he dropped from a lower height he might have been in some danger. But right now he had both gravity and momentum on his side. He gripped his weapon tighter and slowly pushed Corona back.

The bluenette struggled to hold her ground. "The fact that you're still contending with me is admirable. You are truly a lady worthy of the Butterfly name. But I'm afraid this truly is the end for you. Don't fret however, the impact should be rather instant. You will not suffer," he assured as he pushed her back further.

Corona gripped her own weapon, pouring even more magic into it. "Nobody is going to suffer, because I'm going to stop you," she said, pushing back. She might not have been able to overpower him in this situation, but raw power wasn't everything in a fight. She moved her free hand, making a number of small needles from her magic.

She moved her fingers, and each of them moved in and jabbed him in the arm. The Dragoon had noticed them, but still kept pressing the attack. He couldn't afford to fret over it now. But after a few moments, the momentum seemed to shift. Corona was no longer being pushed back. In fact, she was starting to overpower him.

It wasn't that she was getting stronger either. He was getting weaker, his strength waning with each passing second. The azure light quickly began overtaking the crimson, and Corona yelled out before pressing forward, knocking his weapon aside and striking him with her own. He was flung to the side, crashing into the ground. Corona stopped in the air, quickly turning around to look where he'd fallen.

A small crater was formed by the impact of his landing, but he slowly managed to push himself back up. Corona flew down to engage him once more, before he could set his site on anyone else nearby. When he sensed her approaching, he raised his weapon and prepared to defend himself.

His weapon arm still seemed slow, so he switched it to his other hand. He moved forward towards her, only to stumble clumsily. He looked down and saw more of the needles in his leg. "When did-?!" Corona yelled and swung at him, and he just barely managed to raise the weapon in time.

It was knocked away, and Corona quickly followed up with another thrust, piercing him right through the chest. The Crimson Dragoon coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood as his weapon landed in the ground a few feet away. He had been pierce clean through. It wasn't as if he could move forward, and moving back with a wound like this wasn't much of an option either.

He was bested either way.

Corona seemed to think the same thing, as her face softened. "I'm sorry," she apologized. She wished she could have ended the battle in a less painful way, but clearly that hadn't been on the table.

The Crimson Dragoon chuckled, looking amused. "You have naught to apologize for. The blow was well struck," he said before looking up. "Those attacks you used on my arm and leg. They were with the precision of a surgeon. Such pinpoint accuracy. Might you have been a healer of some sort?"

"I still am. I'm the captain of the 4th," she explained.

The Dragoon laughed. "A soul dedicated to healing, also so skilled in combat. My how times have changed. Nevertheless, to be struck down by a fellow knight of your calibur and freed from the strings of the crown's enemies is far more preferable than my first end. See to it that you and yours finish the job."

Corona nodded. "We will…"

"Tis also quite impressive that you forged a weapon from mere magic alone. But it would be more effective with one to channel it through," he said before nodding over towards his lance. "Would you grant this knight one last honor and bear Skypiercer in my stead. My journey may be at its end, but she can still yet help save your allies."

Corona looked over towards the weapon, and then back towards him. She nodded. "It's more an honor for me than for you. I'll humbly accept," she said. The Dragoon nodded in appreciation before stepping back, and the moment the lance left his chance he began turning to dust.

As he vanished, Corona let out a breath of relief and then turned to begin putting the barrier back up. "Ah, hold on a sec," Jackson said, making his way toward her. "You used up a lot of magic to take that guy out. Sit back and rest for a bit."

"What? No, I can keep-"

"We'll hold things down for a while. Just build the magic you lost back up, then you can put the barrier back up," Jackson said, pulling his sword out. "You already more than pulled your weight. Let us show off for a little while."

"That's right! We can't let Lady Corona carry the burden herself!"

"We're going to need your healing and battle magic later! So let us pick up the slack!"

Corona watched as they charged in front of her, she smiled and then raised her hands. "Fine, but at least let me heal the ones close around me. I can still restore my magic at a quick enough pace as long as I just focus on what's necessary," she assured.

Puff grunted as he was once again slammed to the ground. He tried to push himself back up to his feet, only for a foot to come crashing down on her back. Ar-Janek snorted as he pressed Puff down onto the ground. "I need you to tell me that you're not the last of our kind. For us to die out with you would just be… miserable."

The smaller goliath growled before reaching up and grabbing his ankle, lifting his foot up enough to roll from under him. He got back up to his feet, glancing around for his weapon. Every time he went for it, Ar-Janek cut him off and overpowered him. He wasn't just bigger, he was just as quick too.

Ar-Janek swung at him, and Puff ducked just barely avoiding the blow. He reached up, grabbing his wrist and pulling him forward before throwing him over his shoulder. He slammed him to the ground, and Ar-Janek looked surprised. He hadn't been expecting to be thrown like that. He made to get up, but before he could Puff kicked him across his face.

"I don't give a shit about our race!" Puff said before grabbing a handful of his hair. He raised his knee up, slamming it into his face. "They're dead!" He kneed him again. "I'm alive!" Another knee. "That's all that matters!"

He made to knee him again, but Ar-Janek reached up and caught his leg. "Well, you have some fire in you, that's certain." He rose up, pulling Puff's leg from under him and then punching him to the ground. He grabbed him by the throat, lifting him up into the air. "But clearly you lost your way if you think your anything-"

Puff suddenly kicked out, landing a blow square on his chin. Ar-Janek winced, and then glared before slamming Puff down to the ground. "Pathetic runt…" He brought his fist back and then punched him in the face. "Hiding behind those mewmans." He punched him a few more times. "Hiding behind that armor. That helmet."

He reached down and then grabbed his helmet, applying pressure to crush it. Puff grabbed his wrist and tried to pry his hand off of his face, but Ar-Janek's grip remained firm. Puff grunted as he felt the larger goliath's fingers digging into his helmet. "I'd say it's a shame to end what could be the last of us, but if you're all that remains it's more of a favor than anything."

Right as it seemed like he was about to crush the helmet, and Puff's head along with it, a blast suddenly hit him. Ar-Janek winced, letting go of Puff as he stumbled back. "Get away from him!" Moon shouted, the former queen in her mewberty form. She blasted towards Ar-Janek, and he growled in pain as he was forced back.

He began to move, dodging each of the blasts as Moon made her way over to put herself between him and Puff. "Stay here, I'll deal with him," Moon said before flying forward. When she had been asked to come here rather than with Astro and Nia, she had been more than a little concerned. Being away from her grandchildren was a terrifying thought. But now she was glad for it. She obviously had been needed here.

As Puff laid back on the ground, he tried to collect himself. He was more than a little rattled, but he wanted to get back in the fight. He was supposed to be the one who protected Moon, not the other way around. He had to get back up and deal with that goliath. He was bigger and stronger than him, but it didn't matter. He had to stop him.

Bigger and stronger… he remembered hearing something about that.

"This is stupid…"

Puff sounded more than a little irritated as he stood before Sarasim. The knight was adjusting her armor, readying herself for combat. "No, it's training. And you need it," she said simply. "This isn't going to be like our usual brawls. I'm going to give you a few pointers on something I've noticed."

Puffed glared down at her. Sarasim was one of the few that he didn't have to hold back on when sparring with. But she was never one to give pointers. Mostly because he didn't need them. Aside from the Calamities and other captains, there was no one else in the guard who could contend with him.

And on the battlefield? Well, nobody could stop him when he got going.

"Don't give me that look," Sarasim said as she cracked her neck. "Right now you're only getting by because you're bigger and stronger than everyone else. Excluding Fum anyway. But he's too soft to really go all out against you, even when sparring. Eventually you are going to fight against somebody who can and will overpower you."

"Then I'll cut them down the size…"

"It's not going to be that simple. Come at me."

Puff grunted and did just that, moving in to charge at her. He had fought Sarasim enough times to know how she would react. He raised his arm and got ready to swing, but then Sarasim moved forward. "Today you're gonna learn how you should fight somebody bigger than you, so watch closely!" she said.

Puff grunted as he looked up at the sky. He had been thrown around more than a few times that day. He had never seen Sarasim fight like that. It had pissed him off honestly. But not as much as this Ar-Janek guy was pissing him off right now. He pulled his fist up and reached up, grabbing what was left of his mangled helmet.

"Motherfucker…"

As he collected himself, Moon continued flying around Ar-Janek and firing at him. He was quite nimble for someone his size, side stepping and twisted his body to avoid them all. He looked extremely annoyed by the situation. "Magic, a cowardly tool the weak rely on," he said as he dodged another blast and rushed at her.

Moon flew back, making sure to stay out of his range as she kept blasting at him. "Try and pin down Moon so that he can-!" The rebel was interrupted as Ar-Janek grabbed him by the head, lifting him into the air and using him shield against Moon's attacks. "Ah! What are you doing?! I'm on your side!"

"Then make yourself useful, worm," Ar-Janek said as he kept pushing forward. Moon frowned and tried to move around to attack at a different angle, but Ar-Janek was reacting to her every move. A nearby knight tried to move in while he was distracted and aimed at his knee, but without even looking the goliath reached back and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Insect."

He hurled the knight towards Moon, who gasped and then moved all six of her arms to catch him. The sudden weight caused her to fall back, but she managed to steady herself. "Are you-?"

Before she could finish asking him if he was alright, she heard a shout ring through the air. Ar-Janek had leapt at her, and she just barely managed to fly upwards before he could punch her out of the air. He reached up with his other hand, grabbing her ankle and pulling her back down to the ground with him.

Moon tried to pull herself free, but it was clear he wasn't letting go. When she was close enough to the ground, she threw the knight aside to the softest looking spot she could find, and then tried to blast down at him. The moment he landed however, he swung her downward and against the ground, and she grunted in pain.

"Finally, I get to kill a Butterfly," he said, raising his fist. He swung down at her, and Moon raised her hands and made a shield in front of her. Ar-Janek's fist bashed against it, causing more than a few cracks. Moon looked surprised. Just how much raw power did he have? He raised his hands to strike again, and Moon braced herself.

The moment the shield was destroyed, she was going to try and blast him in the face. If she had to take a hit to do some damage, she'd gladly do it. Any of the other on the battlefield would. Before either could make a move however, something came flying through the air and smacked into Ar-Janek's head.

"Get back over here! I'm not finished with you!"

Both Moon and Ar-Janek looked over to see Puff stomping towards them. Moon looked rather shocked, especially since the young goliath wasn't wearing his helmet.

"Is that Puff?!"

"Holy shit!"

"His face!"

Ar-Janek narrowed his eyes, only sparring a glance at the helmet that had been thrown his way. He grunted before releasing Moon and walking back over to meet him. "Back up on your feet, are you boy? You would have been better scurrying off like the-"

"You talk too much," Puff said, rushing at him. He slammed into him with his shoulder, knocking him back. But it didn't take long for Ar-Janek to plant his feet and stop him. He pushed him back, swinging at him and delivering two sharp punches to the face. Puff stumbled back, but quickly moved in again.

"You're out of your depth runt…"

Ar-Janek cocked his fist back again, and Puff moved in once more.

"Remember, being big has it's disadvantages as well. For example, blind spots."

Puff ducked underneath his fist before it made contact, and moved in even closer. Right as Ar-Janek looked down to spot him, Puff sprung up and punched him in the face. The elder goliath reacted quickly, grabbing Puff by the throat before he could land on the ground. "Insolent little runt," he said. He tightened his grip on Puff's throat.

"No matter how big someone is, they have certain weak spots. Like the eyes."

Puff reached forward and managed to grab Ar-Janek's face, and quickly jammed his thumbs into his eyes. "AH!" He raised his other hand to swat them away, but as his grip loosened on Puff's throat, he kicked out and hit him in the chest. He dropped Puff, who landed on his feet and then swung upwards.

"And of course there's the weak spot every man has. Don't forget to aim low."

Puff punched him right in the crotch, and the moment Ar-Janek kneeled over, Puff reached out and grabbed him by one of his tusks.

"In a fight to the death there are no rules. Grab, break, or use whatever you need to."

Puff yelled before pulling his arm back. There was a loud SNAP, and Ar-Janek stepped back in pain. He reached up and then went wide eyed when he realized one of his tusks was missing. "You little…" He glared, fury in his eyes. "I've had enough of this!"

He was the king of goliaths. The tyrant. He wouldn't have his legacy dirtied by this mere runt. He stomped forward, and Puff gripped the tusk he had ripped tightly in his hand. "Your time is over!" he said as he ducked under another of his punches. Ar-Janek managed to grab him, but before he could take advantage Puff stabbed him in the side of the leg. "This is my battlefield now!"

He tore the tusk down the side of his leg, and Ar-Janek yelled out. Puff kicked out and knocked his other leg from under him, and the minute he was down Puff stabbed him in his side. He punched the tusk, driving it deep into his ribcage. "Hurry up and die! Go back where you belong!" he yelled.

"I belong on the field of battle, boy!" Ar-Janek fought through the pain, reaching up and grabbing him his shoulder and yanking him down into a headbutt. Puff winced, feeling his nose crack at the impact. Ar-Janek yelled out and was about to pull him into another, but Puff swung his other hand, cupping it as he smacked him over the ear.

"The ears are also pretty vulnerable."

The moment his hand made contact, Ar-Janek felt his eardrum burst. Blood came from his ears, and Puff raised his foot and kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the ground. "I don't give a shit about our people," he said, raising his fist. He began punching down at Ar-Janek, who raised his arms to defend himself. "I don't give a shit about your legacy!"

He slammed both of his fists down angrily. "You messed with my shit! You got in my way!" He continued swinging away, looking like a wild animal. Ar-Janek was more than a little surprised at the tide of the battle. Just how was he being overpowered by this runt? "And you put your filthy fucking hands on Moon!"

He grabbed him by the head, and then began to pull. "I'll rip your fucking head off!" he yelled as he yanked back. Ar-Janek grabbed his wrist and tried to pry them off. This runt wasn't joking. He really was trying to tear his head off.

"Being smaller doesn't mean you can't tear someone to shreds…"

A/N:The battle of the Cloud Kingdom goes on! Corona manages to bring down the Azure Dragoon, and Puff manages to get the upper hand on Ar-Janek! But is the momentum going to stay in their favor? And how is Morel going to hold up against Gadfly? Going to have to read the next chapter to find out! For anybody worried, no Moon is not out of the action yet. And like I said before, I have something special planned for next chapter! Next chapter will be the end of the Cloud Kingdom battle!