Evelyn - Elleria - The Jet Black Sea, off the coast of King's Rock
Evelyn Alteria gave a heavy sigh as she sat by her father's side on his luxury barge which was sailing on the tranquil waters of the Egres Lendas, the Jet Black Sea in their native tongue. The royal crier was in the middle of a large crowd on the deck of the barge making an important announcement.
It was the king's fiftieth birthday and he invited all Elleria's nobility to attend the party.
Evelyn wore a dress made of the finest silks and she cooled her face with a finely decorated fan from the Empire of Uzumé. Her flowery tiara of black and gold glistened in the unforgiving sunlight.
The left side of her face from her cheek to her neck was burning and her wine was so warm it was undrinkable. The heavy jeweled necklace she wore felt like it weighed a ton in the heat and she had an urge to remove her bangles and earrings. But if she did, she would be in trouble with her mother, who was still displeased for receiving the upsetting letter from one of the commanders of the Alliance.
To learn that Yuri was to wed Princess Antoinette was such a severe blow to the family. It was unacceptable news, leaving the Queen feeling sour for many days.
Needless to say, King Helmsley was furious as well, but he had to keep a pleasant face today for the sake of the party. Evelyn was bewildered upon seeing her father sit next to her in his heavy clothing; he even drank the warm wine like it was nothing.
Seeing how he tolerated the heat made her even hotter. She felt beads of sweat roll down her neck, and she used a handkerchief to wipe it off. Evelyn heard a soft poof, and was relieved with a sudden, freshening chill. She looked around her and saw snowflakes falling and cooling her smoldering skin. She smiled, for she knew it was an ice spell cast from her friend Ezra, who was suddenly standing next to her.
"Feel better?" Ezra whispered, so as not to disrupt the speech of the royal crier.
Evelyn beamed at her friend and nodded in reply.
Princess Alexis and a squad of her royal knights were standing below the stairs leading to the platform where the king sat. She had an umbrella to shield her from the hot sun. She glimmered like a star from all the diamonds sewn on her dress. She waved at Evelyn and Evelyn waved back, signaling her to come up and join them.
Alexis went upstairs, her knights followed.
"Princess," Helmsley said. "You look beautiful today."
"And you look rather dapper, your majesty," Alexis said with a bow. "Happy birthday."
"What a proper young lady," Queen Sera beamed. "Unlike this nitwit, I shat out."
Evelyn's gaze fell to her lap. Her fingers curled in agony and shame.
"Can I speak with Evelyn alone?" Alexis asked, her smile fading.
The crier's speech ended as soon as she asked that. King Helmsley shooed both girls away. He got up from his throne, clapped his hands and the party began.
Antonie, Dancer, and Ethan watched the party from a balcony of a restaurant on the second floor of the ship overlooking the party on the deck below. The vine-covered walls cooled them from the sun as did the red patio umbrella over their table.
Antoine whistled at the radiance of Alexis's party gown. "Look at her. Arguably the second most beautiful woman in Termnnia behind the Delight herself, Mai Valentine."
"She's not the only beauty to grace this ship," said Dancer, coming out of the bar holding a tray with a fresh bottle of wine.
A girl with fiery red hair approached the two Princesses. It was Phoenix, the Dragon Summoner's former companion. Alexis and Evelyn greeted her happily and Phoenix bowed. She was clad in a candy-red gown with gold flame ornamentation and a collar of black fur. Her Mavelus was perched on her arm, raising its wings as if greeting the two princesses.
"What's she doing here?' said Ethan.
"Her business down south must have concluded," said Antoine. "Damn, look at those three. It's no wonder King Forrest desires the women of the South. I wish I could be the lucky man to have her hand."
"Who?"
"Phoenix, of course," said Antoine.
"I'd have more than just her hand," joked Ethan. "But if I could have any of them, I'd choose Alexis."
He admired the amount of décolletage Alexis's dress revealed and it was definitely tight over her rump. Ethan shivered and bared his teeth like a ravenous wolf. Antoine moved away from Ethan as though he were contagious with a deadly disease. He sounded like a creepy old man.
"Oh, come on!" Ethan said, flabbergasted by Antione's reaction. "You've never had any thoughts like that?"
"No. Unlike you, young Ethan, I respect women."
"Ha! Pocks on it. I've seen the way you stare at Ezra sometimes. Evelyn as well. You couldn't keep your eyes off her during the senior beach trip two years ago. And Alexis, too. I see you trailing her as she goes down the hall. Come on. You've never had thoughts about those round perky breasts…or that perfect ass."
Ethan stuck his tongue out and wiggled it like a worm.
"ACK! Goddesses have mercy!" said Antoine. "You're creeping me out, man. Put that away, you look like a lizard!"
Dancer merely laughed and poured Ethan another drink. "Easy there, tiger. When last I checked, those two things belong to Aster Phoenix."
Ethan's tongue drooped sadly and it slipped back into his mouth. "What?"
"No way?" said Antoine. "Really? Those two are back together again? Since when?"
"Since the conclusion of the Cyberdark Dragon Crisis, yes. They fought crime in Domino as a duo in the Kingsblades. After a while, I guess they decided to get back together again. Hah!" Antoine drank a little more of his wine. "I do envy the guy. To have the heart of the most beautiful woman to bless the world since Mai Valentine."
"Bah!" Ethan scoffed. "Him!? Seriously? Why him?"
"Hmm, let's see," Dancer said as he looked at the sky sarcastically. "Because he's rich, good looking, a champion duelist of Domino, a hero in the Kingsblades, is a summoner of powerful monsters, shall I go on?"
"No, I get the point."
A musical band got started at once played joyful songs, and a couple of jesters began to perform before the king and his family. They played leapfrog, kicked each other in the rear, and juggled. The guests laughed at the sight.
"Look at them party down there," said Antoine. "I cannot believe the Alliance didn't choose our princess. "He was looking down at the jesters from the second floor of the barge. He looked at Evelyn, and seeing her in sadness made his heartache. "How could the Alliance not choose Evelyn to marry Yuri. Pfft."
"Yeah, I know!" said Ethan. "Is our princess not worthy enough for him? Why if those Alliance hotshots were here right now, I'd teach them a lesson. Look at her, she's heartbroken."
"You mustn't be so hard on them," Dancer said approaching his friends. He had a cup of wine in his right hand and he wore elegant midnight blue robes. "The Alliance is doing what they think is best for Termnnia. Princess Antoinette is not only a beautiful princess, but her family is legendary for aiding all the High Kings of Termnnia since the days of Tiberius Pendragon."
"How can you take their side?" Ethan said through his teeth, his lips rising up in a snarl. "Look at what this news has done to poor Evelyn. She hasn't smiled in days."
"I think her parents are at fault for that," Dancer replied. He took a sip of his wine. The jesters below were having a mock battle with wooden swords, poking each other in the rear. A roar of laughter came from the patrons.
"Alliance my ass!" Ethan continued. "We should go to war!"
"Now you're going too far!" said Antoine. He got off the railing to keep a good distance from Ethan, in case someone of great importance was around listening to them. "I don't want to hear those words coming out of your mouth again, am I clear?"
"Those Alliance bastards —"
"Those Alliance bastards got rid of King Forrest!" Antonine tried his best not to shout. "Now be quiet!"
"Now is not the time to be picking fights, my friend," said Dancer. "Calm down, Ethan. Evelyn and Yuri were never meant to be."
"How can you reject that?" Ethan muttered. He looked down at Evelyn sitting on her throne beside her father. His heartbeat increased as his eyes admired every detail of her beauty. Her ebony hair shimmering in the sunlight; her eyes so blue they even shamed the sea; and her lips as red as a rose. Her exposed cleavage awaking his groin. "She is so beautiful," he said, tightening his grip on the rail.
"Damn, man," said Antoine. "Someone needs to pull that monkey out of Ethan's ass."
"When Yuri gets here, I will make him pay. They will ALL pay for upsetting her."
"Hold your tongue, Ethan." spat Dancer. He heard his words. "You are in no position to be threatening Prince Yuri."
"I wasn't..."
"The Alteria Family still holds you responsible for losing the Emerald Marches. The king and queen and even our princess are very displeased with you. If Evelyn wasn't your friend you'd be rotting in the Iron Dungeon right now."
Ethan clenched his teeth. His face was glowing red, for he knew Dancer was right.
"We shouldn't feel bad for her. Evelyn was never fond of becoming his bride anyway," Dancer said to which Antoine laughed.
"I'll say. I bet she's still got a firm hand on that horse cock of yours."
Dancer chuckled. "Anyway, she may not be getting married to him but she still favors Yuri for the crown. I think it unwise to disappoint her even more."
"It's still wrong," said Ethan.
The jesters continued their show. They ended with a rather vulgar performance in which one of them lit the other's fart on fire exploding into a huge fireball.
King Helmsley and his guest rolled with laughter. Alexis shook her head in disgust, pinching her thumb and index finger on the bridge of her nose, while Phoenix had both hands clasped over her mouth over the vulgarity and nastiness of their performance.
Evelyn gasped and gingerly placed her hand on her chest at the spectacle.
"Afternoon ladies," Dancer said approaching the girls after the show.
"Hey, Dancer," Alexis said. "Good to see you. Wow, you look great."
Dancer chuckled and held out his arms as he walked around in circles, making the girls clap. He wore elegant midnight blue robes trimmed in gold. The symbol of his House, a horse with a flaming mane, was emblazoned on his chest. He had a black velvet cape attached to a silver brooch in the likeness of the flaming horse. The sea breeze made his heavenly bangs sway over his face. His jeweled sword Dragonclaw was by his hip hanging from his leather baldric and resting in a sheath damasked in gold. The blade shimmered like a holographic, secret rare Duel Monster card.
When he was done with his performance he gave a bow, putting his arm under his chest and holding out the other.
"And it's good to see you, too, Princess. You look amazing in that dress. Ah, and our world-famous Pyromancer herself. Phoenix Lockheart. Glad to see you're back."
Phoenix shrugged and pet the feathers on Mavelus's chest. "I had to come back. We've heard reports of Naralian troops gathering in Dantuva-Nanyon."
"What?" said Alexis. "That's just five miles from the Emerald Marches. I sure hope he's not up to something."
"With that weapon of light that's been devastating our friends, who knows?" said Dancer. "Evelyn. Didn't think I'd forget you."
"Hello Dancer," said Evelyn, her cheeks turning red. "Are you enjoying the party?"
"Why yes, I am. Would care to dance with me?"
"Oh, of course," Evelyn said with a bright smile. Dancer held out his hand and she took it. He then led her to the middle of the deck where everyone was dancing to the lively music.
Ethan watched them from the balcony gave a heavy sigh, watching them leave the king's seating area and begin their dance.
"I am sorry for the way Ethan has been acting lately," said Dancer. "He's...upset the Alliance chose Antoinette over you to marry Prince Yuri. He's so concerned for you."
"He's so sweet," said Evelyn. "But I can take care of myself. You be sure to tell him that."
They continued to dance for thirty more minutes. Lost in his emotions Dancer leaned forward to kiss her.
"Evelyn!" snapped her mother.
No, not now!
Queen Sera approached them. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Mother we−"
"You are betrothed to Yuri."
"Betrothed? Mother, the Alliance has betrothed him to someone else."
"Well try again!" Sera said with a rising voice.
"Mother, we were just dancing."
"And I'm ending it."
"Do you have no respect for the High King's feelings?"
"Give him some time. We'll get you two married somehow. As for you, young man, get off my daughter."
Dancer released his grip from Evelyn, or at least he tried, for the princess still clung to his hands.
Sera slapped Evelyn's hands making her let go. She then got in front of her and pointed at Dancer's chest with her finger. "If you ever get this close the princess I will see you hanged."
Dancer swallowed and bowed his head. "Yes, your majesty. Evelyn, I'm sorry."
"Am I going to have to keep my eye on you the rest of the night?" Sera asked her daughter.
Evelyn responded with a sad shake of her head. Sera smirked and returned to her seat.
"What did Sera and Helmsley ever do to deserve her?" said Ezra.
"The sooner we go back to school, the better," said Antoine. "Here they come."
"Oh, honey, are you all right?" Alexis asked as Evelyn and Dancer rejoined the group.
"Yes, I can handle my mother," said Evelyn.
"Your parents really believe Yuri will go through with this?" said Phoenix.
The music suddenly stopped. The guests went quiet, then trumpets broke the silence. They were coming from a large ship sailing right beside the luxury barge.
"What ho!" said a familiar character standing on the bow of the ship like a conquering hero. It was Richard Boroth and the rest of the turncoats.
Behind him were thirty ships with the bear of King Forrest's house on their flags. Without warning the largest and most decorated ship in the fleet, the Titan, readied its bronze cannons with King Forrest himself at the bow of the ship, overseeing the campaign to harass the Alterias. In the air flew a squadron of jet-black CUIRASSes with red and black capes, causing their guests to gasp in horror.
King Helmsley only had two ships sailing beside his luxury barge; but even if he had his entire navy with him, he'd still be outnumbered, for he only had ten ships, another consequence for his lavish spending.
Dancer proposed a duel, but the king would not have any of that.
"The age of the Dueling Pact is over, boy!" said Forrest. "The Goddesses have left us; do you not see? For they were never around to shed their divine light upon the Dark Lord. As of today, I, am the savior of the land of Termnnia. And when she is mine, the entire world will bend its knee to me. All those who oppose my rule will meet a slow and painful death. And YOU, King Helmsley Alteria, oppose my rule. I, however, will spare you of violence if we come to terms."
"And what are the terms of which you speak?" said Sera.
"I will answer that!" Richard said, bearing a sinister grin. The emeralds around his chain of office glimmering in the baking afternoon sun. "The terms are rather simple. Give me your daughter, and in exchange, we will grant you safe passage back into your harbor."
"But Master Yugi won the duel!" said Evelyn. "You cannot do this!"
"Master Yugi's duel is invalid. As of now, we possess a weapon beyond all measure. A weapon that has changed the rules."
"The beam of light?" said Antoine. "The one our friends were talking about. I just knew Naralia was behind this."
"What do you say, Helmsley?" asked Richard. "Your daughter, for your safety. Give her to me and I promise you that you shall be spared from death."
"Then, by all means, unleash your bronzed pounders upon us!" shouted Helmsley. "Summon that hellish beam of light and burn my kingdom into glass! For I would never surrender her to the likes of you! My love for my daughter is far greater than a chunk of rock or a body of water. If you wish to fight us, then fight us!"
Evelyn could not believe her ears. Was her father actually defending her? "Father?" she said.
"Get behind me, Evelyn!" Helmsley said, drawing his sword.
"Why are you doing this for me?" Evelyn said, running behind the cover of her father.
"Because I know what this swine does to women. I may not have favored you, Evelyn, but you're the only daughter I've ever had. I would rather die than see you taken captive by him."
And with those words, Evelyn's friends marched forward and stood by her. They unsheathed their weapons and Ezra gave her staff a twirl. The runes on her body glowing showing she was ready for combat. The magic runes on Antoine's metal arms formed fire and he summoned his Kaiser Leogun.
Dancer pulled out a flute from his robes and played it quickly to summon the Eidolon of his house, Firewing Pegasus.
Alexis summoned Cyber Angel Izana and conjured a halberd to fight with as wings of light formed behind her. Phoenix held up her hands, shrouding them in flames as red arcane circles orbited her arms. Mavelus flew above her, its flaming wings growing longer.
"You are a fool, Helmsley!" spat Sera. "You would risk all our lives for her? Do as the king says and hand over Evelyn; for this is a battle we will not win."
King Forrest laughed and clapped his hands rather slowly, mocking their bravery. "Very good," he said, "very good. What an impressive line of warriors you have there. But they will not save you from the inevitable."
The king raised his arm and then shouted: "FIRE!"
The cannons of the Titan erupted with loud blasts. A veil of gray smoke formed in front of the ship. Ezra ran forward. She held out her hand and a green hexagon-tiled magic barrier protected the barge from the oncoming blasts. Phoenix had reflexes as fast as lightning and accuracy as sharp as the Goddess of the Hunt. She sent fireballs into the air, taking out each and every single one of the cannonballs that flew their way.
"Impressive," said King Forrest.
Then his wizard stepped forward, rubbing his hands with joy.
"I will handle this," said Donald. "So, you wish to have a duel of magic, eh? Behold! The power of a master wizard!"
Donald balled his fist, a dull yellow aura formed around it until it grew the size of a soccer ball. And he punched forward, his spell shattering Ezra's barrier like glass. Ezra's runes were glowing brighter. The king ordered another volley and the cannons fired. Ezra shot fireballs from her hands with lightning speed knocking out as many as she could. Some of the cannons began to hit the barge. The massive frame wailed in agony as the guests ran for cover.
Ezra gathered all of her might and blocked another of Donald's spells with a wall of fire.
Donald laughed and pressed his burning ice spell forward with inhuman force. Phoenix then joined her and shot flames from her hands as well. Donald yelped as he was pushed back by the sudden force, but he stood his ground and smiled at them.
No one could believe what they were seeing. His ice spells were so powerful that they could withstand both Ezra and Phoenix's most powerful attack. Fire was losing to ice. Impossible.
Ezra and Phoenix's spell dispersed. They screamed as they were knocked backward.
"NO!" Dancer cried.
Phoenix panted heavily on the ground. She looked at her hands. They were both encased in crystals of ice. Ezra was huffing and puffing in shock. Her magic jerkin was freezing up. She looked at her right arm and saw that half of it was freezing up. She mumbled in pain; the cold biting her flesh. She ripped it open, sending buttons and ice shards flying off her chest. She didn't care how exposed she was, she couldn't bear the cold any longer.
Donald scoffed and muttered: "Amateurs," he said cracking his knuckles. "You can finish them off now, your majesty."
King Forrest snapped his fingers. One of the black CUIRASS mechs above launched a swarm of drones into the sky, releasing a strange aura into the air. Alexis, Phoenix, Dancer, Ezra, and Antoine fell to their knees, their Eidolons vanished in seconds.
"My...my magic!" Antoine gasped. "It's...draining."
"Anti-Magic drones!" said Alexis. Her wings fell and dispersed. "Bastards!"
Ethan then reached into his holster and took out a flintlock pistol engraved in silver. He aimed and fired at King Forrest, but Donald held out his hand and used a barrier spell to block the bullet.
"The Ellerian boy tried to murder your king!" called Richard. "Kill him! A thousand chips for the man who brings me his head!"
The Naralian soldiers cheered and threw grappling hooks at the sinking barge. Ezra stood, despite the protests of her friends. Despite the anti-magic drones in the sky, she found the will to fight through them. Using everything she had, she combined the forces of wind and fire to create a tornado of flame that circled in front of the barge. It seemed impregnable until Ezra felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. She gasped and fell to her knees. A bronze bolt was jammed deep into her, courtesy of King Forrest.
"NO!" Evelyn cried.
Evelyn ran to check on her friend. Dancer was running for her as well, dodging cannonballs that screamed by her and hitting the ship.
Donald also used the powers of the wind to blow away the flaming tornado until it turned into nothing but embers. Ezra rolled on the ground feeling limp, for the pain was like fire on her flesh.
With the threats gone, the Naralian soldiers continued their invasion of the barge to kill Ethan. They all ran, weapons at the ready. But it was all for nothing.
With all her might Ezra blasted the soldiers with a blast of absolute zero, freezing them all solid. Then she clapped her hands, releasing a sound wave that shattered them all into pieces. King Forrest aimed his crossbow at Ezra again hitting her in the leg. She screamed as the pain grasped her senses and fell limp on the ground.
"EZRA, NO!" Antoine sobbed running towards his fallen friend.
"Take that you, bastard girl!" jeered Richard.
"Forget the boy then!" called King Forrest. "Kill them all!" He grinned. "And the girls. I want them alive and unspoiled. Especially Alexis. My son wants her. The one who brings her to me will be rewarded with a castle. Kill the others! Sink the barge!"
And then the cannons fired without mercy. Josephine dashed from the lower levels of the barge, her clothes torn and her face bloody. She ran as fast as her stubby legs could take her towards Ezra, who was lying still. The cannons pummeled the ship, the king and queen were already rowing away on their lifeboat with a company of ebony knights; the guests were jumping off the barge, braving the shark-infested waters to get away from the might of the Naralian navy.
"Hurry," said Josephine, coming up from the kitchen. "We must jump!"
The cannons continued their ruthless assault on the ship.
King Forrest was jumping around, screaming with excitement. "BRING IT DOWN! BRING IT DOWN! BRING IT DOWN! BRING IT DOWN! BRING IT DOWN! BRING IT DOWN!"
Evelyn and her friends jumped into the sea, followed by Josephine, who carried Ezra in her arms. The king's luxury barge could stay afloat no longer and then sank to the bottom of the sea.
The sea echoed with the triumphant roar of Naralian soldiers. It could be heard all the way to shore where Evelyn and the others made it at last. There were other guests on the beach as well, though most of them were eaten by sharks or sea serpents.
Evelyn gasped for air as she lay on the sand, which dotted her wet dress and stuck to her skin and hair. Alexis was wading out of the surf in nothing but a shoulder-less top and pitiful shorts, once gleaming white but now the color of chewing tobacco from the salty water. She had to leave her dress behind, for it weighed her down terribly. Somewhere out in the bay, Naralian soldiers were tearing it to shreds to divide amongst themselves the diamonds that were sewn onto the once extravagant garment.
Phoenix was clinging to Alexis's arm, the ice crystals encasing her hands were making it hard for her to move. Mavelus flew down from the sky, landing beside it. It started pecking the ice to crack it open and free Phoenix.
King Helmsley and Queen Sera approached Evelyn, looking down at her in spite.
"Do you see what your failure has cost us?" said Sera. She kicked sand in Evelyn's face and walked away. Her father just looked down at her in disappointment, shook his head, and followed his wife back to King's Rock.
"Ezra," Evelyn moaned, for it did not surprise her that her parents would be blaming her for the incident. Ezra was lying on the sand; the water turning the color of wine as it washed over her body.
"She barely lives," sobbed Dancer. "Ezra, you fool."
"She needs medicine," said Josephine. "I've mended soldiers who suffered far worse and fought in battle the next week.
"You can save her?" said Antone.
"Yes, but I need to remove these bolts first."
"Wait," said Antone. He had a leather bag filled with wine on his belt. He poured it down Ezra's mouth carefully, then he put into her mouth the hilt of his stiletto and told her to bite down on it.
"Brace yourself, love," said Josephine.
Every muscle on Ezra's face clenched, and she sobbed bracing for the pain. Josephine touched the bolt, but that was enough to make Ezra cry out, so to make it quick, Josephine yanked it out with all her might. Ezra's screams echoed across the land.
"They're coming back!" shouted Antoine.
The jet black mechs were soaring towards them. Phoenix tried to conjure her flames, but only a spark came out for her fingers. She was too weak. She used everything she had in trying to defeat Donald. Suddenly, something bright flew from over the dunes. A hero clad in a bright green bodysuit and armor of silvery steel. He turned into a beam of light and shot right through each one of the mechs like a bullet through a duck. The mechs all blew up one by one.
"AWWWW YEAH!" Antoine cheered.
Alexis smiled as she held Evelyn tightly in a hug. She knew who had come to their rescue. Then, three Cyber Dragons soared out of the clouds and started attacking the ships.
"ALEXIS!" Jaden Yuki cried out. He ran down the sands of the beach with Elemental HERO Brave NEOS behind him. Zane came down as well clad in the Mk 48 Cyberknight armor. Ethan watched them in awe, wishing he could have a strong monster by his side like they did. Aster ignored everyone else and ran straight for Alexis.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," Alexis said, still holding on to Evelyn. "Thank Entuli you got here, Aster. Zane, Jaden. What are you doing here?"
"We came to warn you," said Zane. "King Forrest is the one using that beam of light to stop us. We discovered it's some superweapon that he's built in the mountains just south of the Naralian capital. With that thing out there, I'm afraid it's given Naralia the upper hand. They're ignoring the ceasefire and are marching across the holds, burning as they go."
"What are we going to do?" Phoenix sobbed.
"Don't worry. Master Yugi has a plan."
"He always has a plan!" cried Evelyn. "It's always a plan. That plan stops the violence for a short period of time and then things go back to the way they were. I'm so tired of plans!"
"Hey, don't talk like that," said Jaden. "This time, he's cooked up a plan that should help us turn the tide against these bastards. And it's an offensive plan."
"Offensive?" said Alexis.
"Yes," Zane replied. "Master Yugi is done negotiating. It's time to fight back."