Evil lurks within this chapter.

Disclaimer: None of the characters mentioned have any affliation with me and I in no way make any profit off of this.

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"Sorry I won't be able to see you guys off," Gilbert said, "but I'll have one of my personal guards escort you to the end of the lake."

After all of the centaur's injuries had been healed it was time for the group to head out. They were just outside Teutonis' border, the furthest Gilbert was willing to go.

"We understand. You're a very busy person and we've imposed on you long enough." Arthur replied. He sat on top of Kiku once again with Elizaveta and Ludwig close by. Even if what had transpired earlier was a misunderstanding they had to be more careful.

Gilbert laughed. "It was no problem at all! I always help those in need!"

"You were the reason we needed help in the first place." Ludwig muttered but Gilbert heard him all the same.

"You haven't changed have you, West?" Gilbert clapped the centaur on the back and laughed. "Exactly the same since I saw you wandering around on the beach."

Ludwig frowned. "I could say the same for you. I told you to stop calling me that years ago. Just because I'm from the west side of the forest…"

Gilbert grinned at him before sighing. "Why is everyone working for Arthur nowadays? You, Elizaveta, the four-eyed pansy…"

"Centaurs can't stay in the water for long periods of time."

"Whatever," Gilbert replied grumpily.

Arthur looked up, trying to see the sun from beneath the calm waters. "We best get going now. Can't waste too much time."

Gilbert nodded and spoke to the guard next to him. "Vash, escort them to the lake's edge then return to me immediately. I trust you will help them if need be."

Vash, a merman with short blond hair and a green beret, gave a curt nod and saluted. "Yes, your highness."

"Well off you go then!" Gilbert said. "I wish you the best of luck, King Arthur. Remember what I've told you."

Arthur nodded. "The soldiers of Fairchester thank you for your hospitality, King Gilbert." He then faced his men and raised his wand. "Men, our journey continues. On to the Warlock's castle!"

The centaurs cheered and followed their king away, leaving Gilbert and his men waving behind them.

"Those merpeople were so nice," Francis mused "it must be nice going around topless all day. Though I wonder how they go about intimacy…"

"Will you shut up, frog? No wants to hear what goes on in that mind of yours." Arthur hissed.

Francis faked a gasp and clutched his chest. "You wound me with your words! Must you think so little of me? I can assure you that my mind is perfectly safe and innocent, much like that adorable little maid that Gilbert had with a ribbon in her hair. Oh, how she blushed when I —"

But whatever Francis was about to say was interrupted when a pistol was thrust under his chin. "What did you do to my sister?" Vash asked menacingly, his face inches from the terrified Frenchman's.

"She was y-your sister?" Francis laughed nervously. "What a small world, non? Say, does that gun even work under water?" Vash only pressed the pistol harder against his chin.

"Relax soldier," Arthur placed a hand on the gun "I was with him the whole time. All he did was smile and wink at her. She went right back to the kitchens afterwards."

Vash looked at Arthur, analyzing his face, before lowering his gun. "If the King of Fairies says you are innocent, then it must be true." He said, though the glower he sent Francis said a different message. "I apologize for my actions."

"Oh no, it's fine." Francis replied "You'd be surprised how use I am to guns being pointed at me, especially by you."

Sending him a quizzical look, Vash chose to ignore him and instead continued to lead the group away. The only sounds were the sloshing of the water as they swam. Bored by the silence that had fallen over them, Francis looked around the lake. Once Teutonis was out of sight there wasn't much else to see, just the blue of the water. With nothing interesting to look at, Francis let his mind wander.

Like everyone else, he had never believed in Arthur's magic and the 'friends' he claimed to have. Francis always assumed that he was just a crazy and lonely man. But here he was, underwater with a group of supposedly non-existent magical creatures, and there was no way he could deny that.

But what were most interesting were the people these creatures reminded him of. It was like they were doppelgangers or parallel beings of some sort. They were exact copies of people back home, from looks to personality. It seemed like everyone was here too, from Antonio as the elf to Peter as the prince…

"Wait a minute," Francis' eyes widened, realizing something. "Arthur?"

"What is it this time?" Arthur replied in the middle of adjusting his toga.

"Everyone we've met on this journey is exactly like someone from back home. Like Gilbert, and Roderich, and that unicorn you're sitting on."

"You mean Kiku?" Arthur stroked said unicorn's mane absentmindedly. "Yes, I suppose they do. So what's your point?"

"If that's the case, then who's the Evil Warlock?"

Arthur froze at the question. But before he could answer Vash called out, "We've reached the shore, King Arthur."

"Ah? Oh yes, that's great." Arthur turned away from Francis to smile at the merman. "My men will go up to the surface one by one, while you can stay behind and make sure nothing comes at us. Elizaveta, you go first."

"Understood, your majesty." She turned around to face the centaurs. "You heard him, I'll go up and check if the coast is clear then each of you head up." The centaurs saluted in response and once Elizaveta's legs had disappeared from the water they each swam up to the surface, Ludwig bringing up the rear.

"Kiku, you head up next. Francis will follow right after." Arthur got off of Kiku and the unicorn made his way to the surface. Francis hesitated for a moment before following after him. The air bubble that had been around his head popped when he reached the surface. Elizaveta, Kiku, and the centaurs stood on a beach not too far away.

"Are you all right, Francis-san?" Kiku asked once Francis had made it to the beach.

Francis smiled and slicked back his wet hair "Of course. A little water couldn't hurt me. Tell me, is my toga see-through now?" Kiku blushed and shook his head, not noticing Francis' disappointed look.

"Oi, Francis!" Arthur called out. He turned and saw the fairy king walking up to the beach, glaring at the Frenchman. "Learn to wear some underwear! I did not need to see that as you swam up!"

"Ohoho~, don't pretend you didn't like it mon cher." Francis slapped Arthur's ass and laughed as his face turned beet red.

"You bloody bastard–"

"King Arthur, sir," Vash interrupted from the water. The others turned and saw the merman's head above the waves.

Arthur hastily turned away from Francis and cleared his throat. "Yes, what is it?"

"I must leave you now. I am unable to travel any further than this."

"Ah, yes." Arthur waded back into the water to shake his hand. "Thank you for escorting us here safely. Please tell your king that we send our thanks."

"I wish you all the best of luck. The Evil Warlock should not be underestimated." With a final bow Vash disappeared under the waves.

Walking back to the beach, Arthur called for their attention. "Alright soldiers, we've made it this far. The Evil Warlock's castle is just beyond this short stretch of forest. We should be there before nightfall."

He looked around him, making sure everyone was listening "I want to thank you all for doing this with me. I know that after The War none of you had wished to have anything more to do with that wretched warlock, and yet here you are. You are all brave to agree to this, perhaps foolish as well. But know that your bravery shall be rewarded when this is all over. Prince Peter is depending on us to save him and we will not let him down! Now buck up, gather your bearings and let's move out!" The centaurs cheered wildly and even Francis was impressed by his powerful speech.

Arthur slipped his wand out from beneath his toga and waved it while chanting a spell. A flash of light later and everyone was dry to the bone. "That's much better."

Elizaveta saluted her king "Everyone is ready to go, your highness."

"Very good." Arthur climbed onto Kiku "Are you ready to go, frog?"

"As ready as I shall ever be, l'Angleterre."

"Then lead the way, Elizaveta." The fawn headed to the front, ready to lead the troop onwards to the Evil Warlock's castle.

About an hour had passed since the time they were on the beach and already the forest was thinning out. The tall trees were getting more spread out and soon a tall dark building could be seen in the distance. It was completely black, except for the bright red roofs of the towers.

"Is that…?" Francis asked, staring at the building.

"Yes," Ludwig confirmed his thoughts "it is the castle of the Evil Warlock."

Francis stared at him in shock. "But it's huge! We can see it all the way from here!"

"That's because it's on a mountain." Arthur replied "After I beat his arse he decided it was a good idea to move to higher ground."

"A mountain…" Well that explained why they could see it from the forest floor.

"It's more of a hill, really." Ludwig said "Look, we'll be able to see the entire thing in a minute."

Sure enough the moment they made past the last group of trees Francis could see the entire structure clearly. The castle was on the peak of a small, rocky hill where no trees seemed to grow. The dark figure of the castle was a stark contrast from the clear blue sky, like a black smudge on a canvas. As they got closer Francis saw a rough narrow path leading to the top.

"This wasn't here before." Arthur examined the path once they had reached the base of the mountain. "Ludwig, you go first this time. Remember to be quiet; we want to have the element of surprise."

Ludwig nodded and carefully began to walk up the path. But he kept losing his footing each time he took a step and his four legs barely fit in the turns. "What is this? I can't walk up!" Each of the centaurs tried as well but to no avail. Even Elizaveta wasn't able to get very far without slipping.

"Y-your highness! We just can't!" one centaur said as he slipped again.

"Arthur-sama," Kiku said "I can try to walk up the path as well. But for your safety it would be wise for you to get off my back first."

"Right, let's see if you can do this." Arthur slid off the unicorn's back and watched anxiously. Kiku took one step, then another, but lost his footing on the third step and tumbled down. "Kiku! Are you alright?"

Kiku gave a feeble whine and didn't lift himself from the ground. "I am sorry for failing you, Arthur-sama. I am not worthy for you to ride any longer."

"No, no, you did your best." Arthur said as he helped the unicorn up. He looked at the path once again, checking to see if anything was different.

"Bollocks!" he cursed "That warlock probably made this path so that anyone with hooves couldn't get up!"

Kiku gasped. "Then that means you'll have to face him alone!"

"No he won't." Elizaveta pointed at Francis "He'll be able to get to the top."

"Moi?" Francis stared at her, stunned. "How do you know that I'll be able to climb?"

Arthur shoved him forward. "There's only one way to find out. Go and try it." Francis sent him a panicked look but complied. He carefully took a step on the path. Nothing happened. He tried another, then another, and soon he was further than anyone else had gotten.

"There you go; you won't have to face him alone." Elizaveta smiled.

"I suppose I have no other choice." Arthur sighed. "You all wait for me here until I return. If you don't hear from me after three hours then something is wrong. At that point I order you all to get back to the palace. Roderich will be in charge. And keep a look out for Prince Peter as well, when I free him I'm sending him straight to all of you."

He looked at everyone gathered around him, daring anyone to speak against him. Met with only a solemn silence, he headed up the path past the Frenchman. "Come along Francis, we've got to go."

Francis started to follow him when Elizaveta called his name. He turned and almost didn't catch the sheathed sword she'd tossed at him. "You may need this. Good luck." Francis gave her his most charismatic smile and turned away, hoping no one noticed his shaking hands.

The walk to the top didn't take long. About a half hour later they were at the top and looking around them.

"There's no one around here. They must all be inside." Arthur remarked.

"What an interesting colour he chose for the doors." Francis stared at the tall bright blue doors in front of him. "It really stands out."

"Yes," Arthur replied while looking at the large statue of a cat by the door. "I see his horrid taste in décor hasn't changed. Just look at this thing. It's got the body of a human and a creepy smirk on its face, like it was drawn on or something..."

Suddenly, the ground shook and the two were nearly knocked off their feet. They looked up in shock when the cat statue blinked and turned its gaze on Arthur. It moved one arm, then the other, and got up from the platform it was on. While standing it towered over them and blocked the door. Its odd smirk was unchanging, looking down on them.

"Arthur! D-do something, wave your wand around!" Francis cried out, but Arthur was too shocked to move. The cat statue curled its hand into a fist and raised it above its head, about to strike them. It would have smashed them to pieces if it wasn't for a voice coming from behind it.

"Shinatty, you must not hurt them, aru."

The cat statue, Shinatty, lowered its fist obediently. It moved to the side and bowed, allowing Arthur and Francis to see what had spoken.

A unicorn walked into the sunlight from within the dark depths of the castle. Its long black mane was tied into a ponytail and where a horn should have been there was a silver stub in its place. Even so the unicorn carried itself with pride as it strode towards them.

"Yao!" Arthur's eyes widened "The rumors are true! You really have –"

"Joined the Warlock?" Yao finished. "Yes, I have aru. It's because of his generosity that I now control Shinatty over here."

"Generosity? He's an evil man! How could you turn your back on what's just and good?"

"It's because of you, aru!"

Arthur was stunned. "Me?"

"Yes, you." Yao glared at the Fairy King. "After The War you took away my youngest brother to live with you! Then you somehow convinced Kiku to work for you as well!"

"Kiku chose of his own accord! I had nothing to do with it!"

Yao wouldn't listen. "If that wasn't bad enough I lost my horn fighting for your side! A unicorn without his horn is nothing, aru! You told me you could help, but you did nothing! The other unicorns in Asiana treated me like I was some sort of freak, aru! My other brother and sister wanted to move out too. They said it wasn't because of the horn, but to leave me all alone…"

"I can't give you a new horn! Magic doesn't work that way, I told you. Listen, I'm sorry about your brother but he can come back now. He could've been back a while ago but we couldn't find you."

"But you still took him away! I was alone until the Warlock saw me, aru. He told me that I could live with him, that he'd give me back my pride. He gave me command over Shinatty and promised to never hurt my brothers and sister. He helped me, aru."

"He tricked you!" Arthur yelled. "Don't believe that bastard's lies!"

"Be quiet, aru!" Yao snapped. "I've made my decision a long time ago."

Arthur took out his wand. "So what now? Are you going to have that cat kill us?"

"No, the Warlock wishes to speak with you aru." Yao replied. He stepped to the side and gestured to the door. "He's inside, aru. I will not lay a finger on you just yet."

Arthur didn't move, unsure of what to do. Left with no other choice, he beckoned Francis to follow him inside. As they strode past the unicorn Francis heard Arthur say in a quiet voice "Though he won't admit it, Kiku misses his big brother."

When the doors closed behind them they were engulfed in total darkness. Francis felt Arthur tense so he moved his own hand to the sword handle at his side. A moment later a spotlight came on in front of them and Francis jumped back. A hooded figure came forward into the light, stopping when he was at the center.

"The Evil Warlock," Arthur murmured. Francis gripped the sword tighter.

"Arthur, I have been waiting for you. Whatever took you so long?"

"Cut the chit chat." Arthur hissed. "Where's Prince Peter?"

The Evil Warlock pointed up. Another spotlight came on revealing Peter trapped in a cage. The prince seemed to have been sleeping before being woken up by the bright light. He rubbed his eyes fitfully then spotted his brother on the ground. "Arthur! Arthur, help me! I've been here for days!"

"Peter!" Arthur cried out at the sight of him. He turned his gaze back to the Evil Warlock, glaring at him. "What have you done to him?"

"I promise you that I've done nothing." He replied in an offended tone. "I just needed to make sure he didn't blab my plans out before I could put them in motion."

"Plans? What plans?"

"Now, now, I'll tell you all about that later." The Evil Warlock wagged his finger at him. "You've brought someone along with you, and it would only be the polite to introduce myself."

Francis felt his heartbeat quicken. Of course he'd noticed him! He barely registered Arthur shifting to place himself between the two. But that didn't block Francis' view.

"I didn't think Arthur would bring anyone but his centaurs and fawn, which is why I made sure they wouldn't be able to get up the path. But I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet someone as handsome as you." He reached out a hand and took a step forward.

"Don't come any closer." Arthur pointed his wand at him.

"You wound me with your words! Must you think so little of me?" The Evil Warlock pulled off his hood. "I can assure you that I had no ill intentions in mind. I was simply going to greet him properly."

The Evil Warlock turned to him and Francis' eyes widened as his own face welcomed him with a smile.

[End Chapter 15]

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The identity of the Evil Warlock has been revealed! I hope I didn't make the ending too confusing for you to understand.

The Evil Warlock's plans and his other minions will be revealed later on. Don't expect quick updates, though, it's school time again and we all know how that goes.

Please review and tell me what you thought of this strange little twist. Also, congrats to those who guessed right!