Chapter 05: Memory recovery

That morning in Paris, the Count and Magnum Ace were walking together with Albert, Franz and Eugenie followed by Blaze and Silver. Now Magnum remembers most of his life, but still didn't retrieve his Iron Leaguer spirit yet. Everything was quiet. But then, the Count felt some dark powers around. "Excellency?", Albert asked in concern. "Something's wrong.", the Count said. After a few seconds, they heard an explosion, then they went off to see what was happening.

When they reached the center of the city, they found Sonic on the ground badly injured. "Sonic!", the Count rushed to the injured blue hedgehog and carried him. "Sonic, are you alright?", the Count asked. Sonic opened his eyes slowly and tried to move but he couldn't. "Sorry, Ed. He's just too strong.", he said weakly. The Count didn't understand and he asked: "I don't get it. Sonic, who did this to you?" "S...Seth.", he said then he fainted. The Count knew who was behind this destruction, "Dalina.", he hissed in anger. Then, a dark blast almost hit him but he jumped away with Sonic in his arms. A woman walked out of the dust cloud and looked at the Count. She had black hair and red eyes. "Well, well, well. Looks like you still remember my name after all this time. So, where's your beloved Eagle? Has she abandoned you?", she said then started laughing. "No, she hasn't.", the Count started which made her stop laughing and look at him as he continued: "I let her go. We're not meant for each other to be lovers but to be friends."

Dalina smiled maliciously and said: "Oh, really? Well, I think she just abandoned you for that rusty piece of scrap." "Don't you dare to say that about him!", Albert shouted and Eugenie stood next to him, "Right! The only scrap here is you! You coward!", she said. But Dalina laughed at them and said: "What a lovely couple you are. And what exactly does this useless robot have to think he's special?" "At least, he has a heart.", Franz answered. Dalina laughed even more, then looked at the three young people. "Oh please. He just has circuits and oil to live. Robots are just tools and nothing else." "You're wrong!", she turned her head all directions to see who said and saw Silver standing with Blaze next to the Count. She started to get mad and said: "You! How dare you?! You little rodent!" "And I dare to say more! Magnum Ace has the purest and kindest heart of all the universe! Unlike you, you heartless witch!", Silver said loudly in determine, which made her grow angrier and started casting fire spills on them but all dodged them.

Then, the Count gave Sonic to Silver and ordered him to get him to the Hunter Base. Silver obeyed right away and flew off to the base. The Count dashed off to fight Dalina, Magnum wanted to help him but the Count didn't allow him to. "But I want to help.", Magnum said in frustration. "No, Magnum! Stay out of this!", the Count insisted. Magnum didn't have a chance against him and stayed still.

The Count started fighting with his fire spear and Dalina was dodging every single attack. Then, she used her dark magic to send the Count flying to a building. He crashed into it and then she used another spill to crash his whole body. Meanwhile, the three of Fernand, Danglars and Vilefort have arrived and saw what was happening:

Fernand: Oh, no.

Vilefort: If she goes on like this, she'll definitely kill him.

Albert: Isn't there anything we can do to help him?!

Magnum Ace(realizes something): There is. Albert, give me a ball.

Albert: A ball? In a time like this?!

Magnum Ace: Just trust me.

Albert gave in to Magnum's request and brought a ball with a baseball glove. The red leaguer held the ball tightly as if he was putting his soul in it. "Everyone. Stand back!", he said as the ball was on fire. Then, Albert understood when Magnum lifted his leg up as he said: "44 Sonic..." "He's doing it!", everyone looked at Albert in surprise. "Doing what, Albert?", asked Eugenie. "His magic ball. The 44 Sonic."

"So, this must mean...that he's got his Iron Leaguer spirit back!", Franz said then they all looked at Magnum who threw the ball and shouted the rest of the pitch's name: "On Fire!" The ball passed near Dalina and burned her hand which caused her to let go of the Count. The six went to him and Fernand helped him to get up. Dalina looked at the red and white baseball leaguer with anger. Her voice changed to Seth's and said: "Who the hell are you?!" "I wasn't sure at first, but now I remember. My name...is Magnum Ace!", he said it out loud and everyone was happy for it, especially the Count. Seth started to attack Magnum but he missed him every time.

Right then, Magnum gathered all of his power and a fire aura surrounded him. They were all surprised, except the Count:

Franz: What's that?

Albert: I don't know!

Fernand: Edmond, what's going on?

The Count: This is it. His true power is showing.

All: What?!

The Count: The fire inside of Magnum was ignited when saw me in danger. And now, this fire is about to show.

Magnum got out of the fire in a different form. He had an orange armor on his body, a long sword on his side and the symbol on his cap changed into the crest and courage. "The dragon emperor.", the Count said in relief. The others were amazed by Magnum's new power and watched silently as the battle began.

Magnum pulled out his sword and dashed at Dalina. He swiped many times and was able to get some minor but burning cuts on her. Then, Dalina started the attack with a fire barrier to prevent the help from him. She then started attacking with lots of spills and he was stopping each one of them. "Count! Let's combine our fires!", he shouted. The Count gathered his strength and rushed to help his leaguer friend. They both were attacking. It was like a pattern: Sword, spear, sword, spear. Until she pushed Magnum into the fire, formed a sword in her hand and attacked the Count who defended himself with his spear.

Dalina: There's no chance for you, Count. Give up.

The Count: A true knight never surrender to a foe.

Dalina: Very well, then. Any last words?

The Count: Sure. Now Magnum Ace!

Dalina: What?!

She turned around and saw Magnum jumping at her. Then, the Count pushed her away from him and then both he and Magnum started gathering fire for the final attack. "Double... Fire... Slash!", they said. Then they unleashed the attack and sent her back to where she came from.

Everyone went to them with joy of victory. The Count looked at Magnum and asked: "So, does this mean that your memory is back?" "Of course. Thanks to you.", Magnum smiled to the Count and the others, then gave the glove back to Albert.

After a week of that event, Magnum was having fun with Albert and his friends in the green field near the walls. The Count, along with the youngsters' families were watching them happily. Magnum pushed Albert on the grass, then Albert started chasing him. Fernand stood next to him and watched. "They sure are acting like kids.", said Fernand while watching his son chasing after Magnum. "Right. Shall we join them?", the Count asked. "I don't know. Aren't we a little grown up for... Woah!", Fernand was cut by the Count pushing him on the grass, running away and laughing. "Edmond.", he said then the Count yelled for him: "Hey, Fernand! Catch me if you can!" "Oh, yeah? I'll show you!", he said then started running after the Count. The four of them kept running until they grew tired and fell on the grass. "That was really fun.", said Albert. His father looked at the sky and said: "Yeah. I didn't have this much fun since we've separated."

"Me too.", the Count said. Magnum kept silent for a while. Then, he suddenly jumped on his feet. The other three got up in sitting position. "Magnum? What's wrong?", asked the Count. The magnanimous leaguer looked up then turned his attention to them and said: "I'm starting to miss my comrades. Count. I want to go back home." The Count smiled at Magnum's request. "I thought you'd never ask.", the Count said. Then, he and Magnum went together to the Hunter Base.