Royal Rumble

Summary: Enchancia is hosting a competition called the Royal Rumble between their kingdom (as well as a few visiting members) and another kingdom called Carpus. However, what starts off as friendly rivalry quickly descends into madness as members from the opposing team start causing unnecessary drama and chaos. (Collab with MarionetteJ2X)

Disclaimer: Oh, boy… lol. I own the following: Corban, Alamea, Sir Finlay, Gabriella, Sapphire, Davina, Zinnia, Angel, Corban's new puppy named Ollie, and (if she shows up) Nina, and maybe a few others as well. All other OCs (especially Nana and Tanya) and the games belong to MarionetteJ2X (except a few that were from the show), and everything else is Craig Gerber's. Phew. Haha.

A/N: Final game! And if you've been wanting to see Zeke get his comeuppance, this is the chapter you've been waiting for. 😉

Chapter 10: Royal Rumble Day Seven

The Carpus team was already packed that morning, given that they would be heading back home upon the completion of the final game, regardless of the outcome. As it was, they'd been away from their homes for a week, and the kings had to return to their leadership roles while the others were needed in their own positions.

Most were up and ready for the day, already eating their breakfast, except two…

Tanya and Nana had gone to breakfast early, leaving Cedric and Sofia asleep in his bed. When they finally did wake up, they weren't exactly in any hurry to leave.

Cedric sighed as Sofia watched him carefully, the glow from the lit fireplace their only source of light right now, given that the curtains to his window were still drawn. "Final day," he murmured as she nodded. "And it's a racing relay…" He ran his fingers through his hair as he groaned softly. "I don't think…this is going to go well." He frowned as he lowered his hand to the bed. "I'd hate for us to have another loss. I don't think our kingdom could withstand the likes of what we went through the last time."

Sofia took his hand, brushing her thumb over his BerryBand a few times as she asked, "Is there any possible way to break that curse or whatever it is so that neither kingdom has to suffer? The Carpus team has a lot of good people, and I don't want them to suffer if we win. And I obviously don't want us to suffer either."

"I'm not entirely sure, Sofia. But…perhaps we can figure something out." He sat up a bit and held out his arms, smiling as she moved over and hugged him, resting against his chest. "Meanwhile, today… If at all possible, I want you to stay away from Zeke."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Trust me, I want nothing more than to be away from him." She reached down and grabbed the blankets, pulling them over the both of them as she sighed happily. "There, much better."

Cedric chuckled at her actions. "Aren't we supposed to be getting up pretty soon? I kind of need to be there for the game."

"Just 'doppler duplicato' yourself and let Fake Cedric go," she mumbled tiredly as she snuggled into his side. "And make sure he's evil enough to just deal with Zeke already so we can be done with him."

A knowing smile crept onto his face as he caressed her back. "Look, I'm as angry at and irritated by him as you are, but I at least owe it to your father and the rest of the Enchancian team to show up." He gently tugged on her hair, which she now wore in a low ponytail. "And besides, if we do win, that will be the icing on the cake, and something we can hold over the pompous dolt's head…"

"That's true…"

"At least tonight, when the other team is gone, you'll get to be back in your own bed since you won't have to worry about Zeke anymore," Cedric reminded her as she sat back on her heels, watching him stand and stretch out a bit. He turned to her and smiled. "Right?"

Sofia smiled softly, nodding. "Right… Sure…"

Seeing her disappointed look, Cedric knelt on the bed and reached forward, gathering the princess into his arms and kissing her forehead. "Better?"

She giggled. "Much."

Breakfast went off without a hitch that morning, and everyone (even Zeke) seemed to be relatively calm and pleasant enough. There were no events or episodes to cause alarm. Perhaps it was because it was the final time the teams would be eating together (or congregating at all). Either way, it was nice and tranquil for all.

For the final game, the two teams gathered in the Enchancia Square Garden one last time. Brandon and Porter finally joined, since it was the last game, and they assisted Violet in her preparation to host the upcoming race.

While the teams were in their separate groups, Zeke was back to his usual ways: he glared daggers at Cedric as he laughed about something James and Dante had said. How could they be so carefree? So nonchalant? He'd always pegged Cedric as a bungler and a weakling, especially back in their Hexley Hall days, and he'd assumed he'd be easy to destroy: physically, emotionally, mentally, or whatever worked best. But no… He was like a cat with nine lives. He just bounced back.

Cedric, noticing Zeke glaring at him, opted to glare back at him. He even responded to the situation, despite his better judgment. "What is your problem now, Zeke? Can't handle the fact that no one sees you as a threat, and we're perfectly happy despite your negative presence? Angry that you've been denied and seen as repulsive by perhaps the purest soul in the realm?"

Sofia, having heard his comment (which was clearly aimed her way), blushed a bit before smiling. Meanwhile, the others had just stopped what they were doing and watched the interaction between the two sorcerers. It wasn't something they saw every day, after all, and maybe they could finally settle whatever dispute they had. Maybe…

Seeing the annoyed look on the Carpus sorcerer's face, Cedric smirked. "She is far too intelligent to fall for your ways, Zeke. And no one will be swayed by your words or actions again." The Enchancian sorcerer shrugged as the other man growled. "It seems you've lost your touch." He chuckled. "You may be a menace, but you're not a successful one. And I doubt you'll ever be revered highly in the future, especially after everyone knows all the terrible things you've done. And they will know everything…" His amused smirk changed to a more serious glare once again as he withdrew his wand. "I'll make sure of that."

"That's it!" Zeke called out angrily, his wand aimed toward Cedric, causing both sides to gasp in shock. "I've had it! Take this!" He sent a blast of dark magic the other sorcerer's way.

"Cedric, look out!" Sir Finlay called, diving in front of the younger sorcerer and shoving him out of the way, only to have the magic blast his left hand not once, not twice, but four times, making him cry out in excruciating pain. He fell to his knees, clutching his hand and staring at it with wide eyes. The veins on his hand pulsated an eerie black and green hue, evidence that the dark magic was spreading throughout his body. If he didn't stop it soon… He groaned and held his hand to his chest, lowering his head and gritting his teeth in agony.

"Guards!" Roland called, watching as several guards secured Zeke before he could run. It had all happened so fast, so he was relieved he was able to react pretty quickly.

"Release me, you fools!" the Carpus sorcerer roared, struggling against them, to no avail.

"Finlay!" Gabriella called out from the stands, about to move to go to her husband, but she growled as Nigel and Cordelia held her in place. "Let me go! I'm going to rip him to shreds!"

"Not in your condition, you're not," Cordelia snapped, getting the younger woman's attention. "Let the others handle this. Stay here with your little ones. They're scared, Gabby…" She gently released the woman as Nigel did the same.

Gabriella calmed down enough to notice that Sapphire was shaking a bit while Davina was fully crying her heart out. "Oh, girls, I'm sorry…" She held out her arms, letting her daughters hesitantly walk toward her before finally embracing her, both of them sobbing into their mother's dress now. "I'm sorry, my girls…" She glanced up, narrowing her eyes at the scene before her as she watched Cedric kneel next to Sir Finlay, followed by Sofia and Tanya. Nana, however, stayed near Cordelia, now nestled safely in her aunt's arms. "Finny…"

"Do not touch him," Tanya warned both Cedric and Sofia, as they were all on their knees around him. "The dark magic has begun working its way through his system. If you were to touch him now, you would be infected with the poisonous magic."

"How do we help him, Tanya?" Sofia asked worriedly. "We can't just let him be overtaken by dark magic. We can't let him die."

Sir Finlay weakly exhaled, his eyes, once drooping and tired, closing as his body began to slouch a bit.

"Finlay, hang in there," Cedric murmured in concern. He glanced toward the white-haired girl as she shifted into her adult form, a solemn expression on her face. "Tanya…" Seeing her look up at him, he asked, "Is there…anything we can do?"

"Nana…" She turned to the bleachers, seeing the pink-haired girl watching attentively. She beckoned once, watching as the tiny girl squirmed out of Cordelia's arms and hurried over to them. Seeing Nana glance up at her in realization, she nodded. "Can you heal him?"

Hesitantly, Nana nodded. She reached out her tiny hands, hovering them over Sir Finlay's left hand, now turning black and looking almost as though it were going to rot and fall off. The more the dark magic spread through his body, the more the rest of him looked as though it could crumble without warning. She closed her eyes and concentrated.

A very familiar circle appeared beneath them. It was the same magical circle she'd used in the past to help defeat Malum In Se and to heal Clover. She slowly began to absorb the darkness from within the sorcerer, each little bit she retrieved also removing the decay that his body had begun to reflect. She continued until there was nothing left, and Sir Finlay was completely healed. Nana, however…

"Nana!" Sofia cried out as she caught the little one before she could fall over. She cradled her in her arms before glaring up at Zeke, tears welling in her eyes from both anger and despair. "I hope you're happy! You've attacked my friends and family, you've pestered and threatened me, you've tried to poison my mind against Cedric, and now because of you, our daughter could be dying!"

"She's not your 'daughter,' you delusional princess," Zeke bit back, smirking even though the guards were holding him. "She's just another byproduct of the Never Realm. An experiment gone wrong. A piece of fruit that could have and should have been squished under someone's boot by now."

It wasn't quite clear how Zeke knew so much about Nana's past, but given the circumstances, no one really ventured to find out. What was absolutely true? Nana was in danger, and it was Zeke's fault, regardless.

"I hate you," Sofia growled softly, shaking, feeling Nana growing cold in her arms. "You never think of anyone but yourself. You constantly try to tear others down or apart from their loved ones, and you make everyone question everything. I have no sympathy for you. If you die, fine. If you live, fine. But you will never belittle or harm anyone else I love again."

Tanya stood, walking over toward the man, her Death Bringer activated. "That was my little sister you were talking about."

"She's nothing but a strawberry imitating a human being," Zeke corrected, sneering at the young woman before him. "And you're nothing but a demon from the darkest confines of the Never Realm!"

"You know what?" Tanya smirked, holding out a hand toward him. "You are right. I am a demon in many ways…" She chuckled darkly, her purple eyes glowing, making the hairs on the back of the sorcerer's neck stand up. "And you are about to realize just how…demonic…I can be."

The others around them watched attentively, waiting to see what would happen. Even Zeke finally managed to look unsure and afraid, which most likely transpired due to the white-haired woman's incredibly dangerous and unpredictable nature. In short, he had every reason to be terrified.

"Tanya," Cedric spoke softly, holding his ground as she turned to him, her eyes still glowing. "No." He cast one final, hateful stare toward Zeke, who glowered back at him. "He isn't worth it."

Tanya continued holding her hands out before slowly lowering her arms, nodding at Cedric. "As you wish."

Zeke laughed. "Cowards."

Omari, who had silently listened to everything and grown tired of the sorcerer's snide remarks and quips, groaned in annoyance before finally walking over to him and punching him. "Shut up, Zeke."

Many from the Enchancian team seemed rather impressed with the guard's reaction, albeit a bit stunned that he would hit one of his own team members. But perhaps he knew a negative influence when he saw it. As it was, it was hard to deny such a thing at this point. A few even began cheering because of his choice of actions.

Captain Thiago frowned at his guard, who shook his hand after Zeke groaned in pain. "Private Omari…" A slow smile crept onto his face as the dark-skinned man looked at him. "Well done."

Zeke gasped, instantly regretting it since his jaw was pulsating in pain. "Oh, it's like that, is it?! Everyone is against me?! Just wait till I get free…"

King Hayden folded his arms. "That won't be happening, Zeke. We'll see what the Conjuror's Board has to say about this."

"And we are very good friends with Malango the Magnanimous," Cedric remarked, smirking at Zeke's deflated look.

Roland glared at the Carpus sorcerer. "That's my grandchild you insulted. Not to mention, my daughter and dear friend you've attacked. And you will pay for it." He nodded toward his guards. "Get him out of here and keep him in a secure lockdown. And take away his wand or any other magical paraphernalia he may have on him."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they responded simultaneously before carting the angry sorcerer off.

"Cedric," Sofia whispered, still holding onto Nana, whose breathing was growing far shallower, and whose body was getting colder by the minute. "She's…" She felt him kneel behind her, wrapping his arms around her and trailing one hand through the little girl's hair.

"Nana," Cedric murmured quietly, his breath staggered as he practically saw the life draining out of his daughter. "No…"

Davina, having heard and seen what was going on, quickly slipped out of her mother's hold and ran as fast as her little legs would carry her over to Cedric and Sofia. She dropped to her knees, panting, and then took in a deep breath before exhaling. Without a word, she closed her eyes and placed her hand on Nana's forehead, allowing some of her own Light Magic to flow into the other little girl.

Cedric and Sofia exchanged hopeful glances, especially as they could feel Nana's body beginning to warm up again. They watched as Davina finally finished her task, sighing tiredly before removing her hand.

Nana whimpered quietly before finally opening her eyes, blinking up at her parents, who stared down at her in concern. A gentle smile spread across her face.

"Oh, Nana!" Sofia sobbed, hugging the little one to her chest, laughing in relief as she felt tiny arms trying to hug her back. "Oh, my sweet Strawbaby…"

Cedric kissed the girl on the crown of her head, brushing a few tears from his own eyes, before tracing a finger down her cheek. "You gave us quite a scare, Nana…"

She smiled sheepishly before feeling someone tugging at her dress. She looked down, smiling wider as she saw Davina there, patiently waiting for her.

Sofia noticed and placed Nana to the ground, watching as the girls hugged.

Cedric mumbled softly to Sofia, "I should have realized… The dark and light have worked together to save the world before… So of course the light could save the dark."

The princess laughed softly, wiping the rest of the tears from her face. "I'm so glad…"

"Dad," James began as his father turned to him, "I don't know about you, but I'm thinking…maybe we should just call this whole thing off. Sir Finlay is probably too weak to participate in the game now anyway, and with Zeke gone, they are also down a guy. Plus, that was a lot that just happened."

Brandon saw the disappointed looks on the Carpus team's faces and stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Y-Your Majesties?" When the kings turned to him, he smiled disarmingly. "Um… I'd be…glad to step in for Zeke, if… If that's what you want. And I could…finish in his place."

Violet smiled at his offer, finally impressed with something he'd said and done. "I think that's a wonderful idea."

The steward blinked. "Y-You do?"

"And very noble, I might add." She nodded. "Well, done… Brandon."

He grinned. "No more title?"

"No more title. But…" She smirked. "No more pursuin' me either, understand? We can be friends, but you just aren't my type datin'-wise and all that."

Brandon laughed and nodded. "Message received."

Roland shrugged. "I'm fine with that. But we would still need someone to step in for Sir Finlay, and we're pretty low on guys. I doubt Nigel or Baileywick could—"

"I will do it, King Roland," Tanya volunteered, shying away a bit as the others turned to stare at her. She wasn't used to so much attention from so many people at once, and despite her decision to speak up, she wasn't expecting that many eyes on her. To someone as reserved as Tanya, it was a bit surprising.

"You're not a guy," Benson reminded her, appearing a bit confused.

"Maybe not," King Haegan laughed, "but she had a guy terrified for his life earlier. I'd say let her join. She's totally earned a spot."

King Hayden grinned. "Agreed. I'm good if you are, Roland." He glanced toward the Enchancian king.

Roland turned to Tanya, who was waiting patiently, and finally smiled. "I'd be honored to have you on our team, Tanya."

She smiled back at him. "I will not disappoint you."

Sofia hugged Cedric before extending an arm to Sir Finlay, smiling as she helped him slowly move back toward the bleachers. In her other arm, Nana was cradled, half asleep already.

Davina followed them, holding onto her father's pant leg as they walked off.

Violet waited for the two teams to get in their orders (all ten Carpus members on the left and all ten Enchancian members on the right), just behind the starting line. "When I say so, you will all take off. We are looking for the first complete team to cross the finish line on the other side of the field. It's a simple concept, but it's not that easy." She nodded toward the field, which had several obstacles in the way. "You must maneuver around all the hindrances you see to be able to continue. Even if you should fall, you won't be counted against. Just keep goin'. Any questions?" Hearing none, she grinned. "Right then. Ready…" She waved a hand. "GO!"

Both teams took off running, neck and neck with each other. The hurdles they had to face included sinkholes, boulders, jagged edges, sports equipment, and so many other things. Poor Dante was the first to nearly trip over one of the random Dazzleballs, but James swiftly grabbed his arm and helped him dodge it.

Dante laughed. "Th-Thanks for that!"

James grinned. "Any time!"

Kabir jumped over a hole in the ground, only to trip over a horribly placed rock. He groaned in a bit of pain as King Hayden stopped, helping his brother-in-law to his feet. "Thank you, Hayden."

"Of course. Come on!"

Tanya was having a great time, though she'd probably never admit it out loud. She loved the freedom of running in her adult form again, dodging 'danger' at any turn, and racing toward her goal, the wind causing her ponytailed hair to whip around her. And the fact that she was running beside Cedric, one of her guardians in either form, was incredible. She was impressed that he was making good time and keeping the pace. He hadn't faltered once yet.

Brandon was also doing well. He was right behind Idris and Captain Thiago, and he had also successfully avoided any obstacles.

Omari was the first to reach the finish line for Carpus, and James was the first for Enchancia. The crowd around them continued screaming and cheering them all on, which made their adrenaline rush faster. Soon, everyone was across the finish line except Tanya, Cedric, Brandon, and King Hayden.

"Come on, Tanya!" Sofia cheered loudly. "Come on, Cedric!"

"Go, Master Brandon and King Hayden!" Porter called from his spot near Violet, who laughed. "What? Got to cheer on my team."

Violet smirked. "Of course."

King Hayden and Cedric crossed the line at the same time, leaving only Tanya and Brandon. With no other obstacles, it was all a matter of speed and agility. They were neck and neck, paced the same, and—

Tanya's foot touched the line first, followed almost immediately by Brandon. But it was already over.

Team Enchancia had won the final game.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: That's a Wrap