0713MM: Hey guys! I welcome you to the 55th chapter of The Silver Valkyrie! I do not own Black Clover, nor its characters, nor the OCs that are used in this chapter. The OCs and spells used in this chapter belong to guardian of the aura Aurasoul and Warmachine375. Chapter start!^^
Chapter 55
"Hey Zenon." The now physically 15 year old Aci Silva (Now under the impression that she's Aci Zogratis.) followed Zenon and outside. "Where are we going?"
"To one of the caves on the outskirts of the kingdom." Zenon answered. "It's not much better than the frozen tundra that is the Spade Kingdom, but it's a good place nonetheless."
"For what?" She asked him curiously. Zenon stopped and turned around to face her.
"To train." He replied simply. "I'm training you how to use…whatever magic those psychopaths gave you."
"You don't see them as family?" Aci asked curiously, clearly not understanding why Zenon would call his own family psychopaths, plus Morris. Zenon simply turned back around and kept going, ignoring her question for a bit before answering.
"...To be honest with you, no. No, I don't see them as family." Zenon replied. "And you shouldn't either." Aci wanted to say more, but Zenon beat her to it. "Anyway, we're here." Aci took notice of the cave they entered and looked around with some form of excitement.
"Ooooh! Pretty!~" She smiled, going up to the icy crystal walls and rubbing her right hand against it as she walked.
"Yes, I suppose they are." Zenon agreed before his facial expression became stern. "But we're not here to admire the icy cavern, we're here to train."
"How are we gonna train?" Aci asked curiously.
"If you have a grimoire, get it out first." Zenon told her. Aci blinked, then looked down at the pouch tied around her waist via a belt. Within the pouch is a grimoire. Upon seeing it, she takes it out and holds it up.
"You mean this?" Aci asked Zenon. Zenon took notice of it and nodded.
"Yes, that's-" He began, only to freeze up upon seeing the insignia of the grimoire. Instead of a Spade insignia, the insignia bore a piece of each of the 4 Kingdom's main symbols.
I-Impossible…! Zenon thought in shock.
"Zenon" Aci asked him. "Is something wrong?"
"Huh?" Zenon snapped out of it. "Oh, ah, it's nothing. Now then, can you cast a spell please?"
"Oh! Yeah!" Aci nodded as her grimoire's pages began to turn before it stopped on a page. "Hmm… Ah!" She raised her right arm upwards. Plasma Summoning Magic: Plasma Golem!" At her call, a red portal appeared before the 2. And rising from the red portal was a plasmatic creature that looked like a light fire, but at the same time, it was more of a pure plasmatic substance than actual fire.
So, that's what Plasma Magic is. Zenon thought.
"Dammit Morris…!" Zenon muttered to himself angrily. Lucky for him, Aci didn't hear him. "On top of this, the Summoning Magic is most likely from the Supreme Devil, Asmodeus….!"
"Hey sis, do you know why Lady Acier called us?"
"I have no clue Scarlett." The Captain of the Blue Rose Knights answered her younger sister's question before turning her attention to the young male behind them. "I'm also surprised that she asked for you, too, Luck."
"As am I." The youngest of the trio that called in, Luck, agreed.
"Either way, we're about to find out." Scarlett spoke as the doors to the Queen's throne room/office opened up; thus the trio went inside. Once they did, they saw Queen Acier sitting on the throne, looking over something of some sort. Not long after the trio entered, Queen Acier looked up from the files in front of her and smiled.
"Hello Charlotte, Scarlett, Luck." She greeted the trio.
"What did you need us for, Lady Acier?" Charlotte asked the Queen of Clover. Queen Acier simply smiled at Charlotte's question.
"I'd normally tell you of the mission I want you 3 to go on," The Clover Queen began. "but what I have in front of me is far more important than that."
"Oh? And what is it?" Scarlett asked curiously. At that, Queen Acier's smile widened a bit.
"Well to put it simply, you 3 are siblings.~" Queen Acier smiled. The 3 blondes blinked, looking at each other, then back at Queen Acier incredulously.
"Wait what?/How?!" Charlotte, Scarlett, and Luck nearly screamed out of shock.
"Where is your proof?" Scarlett demanded.
"Why is it in these documents." Queen Acier answered with a smile. "Would you like to see them?" Instead of answering, the 3 blondes approached Queen Acier's desk and looked over the documents. After reading the documents, all 3 stepped back.
"I don't believe it…!" Charlotte breathed. "And yet, it rings true. Somehow."
"I think I might know." Luck replied, having Charlotte and Scarlett turn to face him. "Ignoring that our elf counterparts are related, it has something to do with your Father." At that, the 2 Roselei sisters twitched.
"Ah…..right….." Charlotte muttered.
"Tch…!" Scarlett grunted. "That damn fool of a man…!" Luck's expression became quizzical while Queen Acier gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sorry." Queen Acier told him. "But the reason the Roselei's, particularly Charlotte and Scarlett, despise men is because there Father left them when they were young."
"Oh." Luck replied simply. "And I suppose there Father is also mine. Though I look more like my Mom than there Father."
"Mm true." Queen Acier agreed. "Anyway! The purpose of calling you 3 here specifically was not just to tell you about that, but also because I want you 3 to go on a patrol mission in the caverns that are between the Heart and Spade Kingdoms." Charlotte and Scarlett look at each other in slight confusion, while Luck's lips form a somewhat psychotic grin. Though moreso at the fact that he might be able to fight strong opponents.
"Ummm…. Not to sound rude Lady Acier, but me and sis just did that not too long ago with Captain Yami." Scarlett pointed out. "So why make us go again?"
"More importantly, who will watch over my squad while I'm gone?" Charlotte added.
"To answer your questions." Queen Acier began. "Firstly, my sister Erde, who is also a Blue Rose Knight, should take charge of the squad while you're gone, Charlotte. Certainly you remember Ren dear telling me and Julius to set up patrols around the borders of Clover, Diamond, and Heart, yes? To make sure that no one from Spade can get in as easily as they have been able to in the past."
"I remember quite well when he told all of us Captains during the last Captain's meeting." Charlotte recalled. "As a result, all 10 Magic Knight squads have been assigned task forces to do exactly this. As well as pairing Magic Knights from different squads up with each other." She crossed her arms. "I dislike it, but it's for the sake of the kingdom, so I'll let it go."
"I'm happy to hear it." Queen Acier smiled lightly.
"But aside from patrolling the caverns, is there anything else we should do?" Scarlett asked. Queen Acier pondered for a few seconds before nodding.
"Yes actually." She replied.
"And what's that?" Charlotte asked as she crossed her arms.
"If you come across any enemies and are forced to engage in combat, capture them." Queen Acier answered firmly. Luck pouted at the capturing part, but then grinned at the prospect that he might be able to fight. While Charlotte and Scarlett looked at each other before turning there attention back to Queen Acier.
"We can do that." Scarlett nodded.
"Though the way you word it makes you believe that we will run into enemies during the patrol." Charlotte pointed out. "Are you sure that we will?"
"I am not." Queen Acier replied. "I am simply saying to please be prepared if you do."
"Oh, I sure am!" Luck grinned. "Especially if I get to fight strong opponents!" Charlotte and Scarlett look at each other again somewhat nervously at how enthusiastic Luck is acting.
Why is he so excited about battling strong opponents? The 2 Roselei sisters thought. We'll ask him when we head out.
"If you guys are ready, I'll get Cob so he can transport you to the caverns within the Heart Kingdom." Queen Acier told the 3. The 3 blondes nodded, to which Queen Acier then pressed a button and called Cob. "Cob, I need you here as soon as you're able."
Around 30 minutes later, the 3 blondes are transported to the caverns that navigate beneath the 4 kingdoms. The one cavern they are within is more like a snowy passageway. With that in mind, they are between the Heart and Spade Kingdoms.
"I think the other squads were sent to different parts of these caverns." Scarlett noted. "That is what Lady Acier said, I believe."
"That she did." Charlotte recalled as they continued to walk down the passageway, trying to sense the mana of anyone that'd be suspicious. While she did, she turned her attention to Luck. "Hey Luck, what's your intense interest in fighting strong opponents? Your obsession is just as bad as Vanica Zogratis's."
"Don't compare me to her!" Luck snapped, shocking his 2 older stepsiblings. Once he realized his outburst, he pinched the bridge of his nose and looked away. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to shout at you."
"It's okay." Charlotte replied. "I only asked because-"
"It's because of my Mother." Luck answered quickly. "Ever since I was born, she wanted nothing to do with me. But once I started fighting and winning, that's when she paid attention to me." He turned his attention back to the Roselei siblings. "Father had Lightning Magic, which is why I have it." At the mention of the word "Father", Charlotte scowled deeply and Scarlett frowned.
"Father….. Tch…..!" Charlotte grunted. "Let's keep going and get this over with so we can head back." And with that, she strided ahead. Luck, now bearing a confused expression, turned to face Scarlett.
"Ummm….?" He began as he and Scarlett walked side by side.
"Charlotte doesn't like men because of the fact that Father left us when we were young." Scarlett answered Luck's unasked question with a whisper as they followed behind Charlotte. "Though it'd seem she's getting better about it, due to her dating your Captain and all." Luck only hummed in agreement as they continued to follow Charlotte.
"So far nothing." Charlotte mused to herself as she kept walking ahead.
"So Charlotte." Scarlett began. "Should we tell Luck a bit about ourselves? I mean, if we are siblings, we might as well try to get to know each other."
"Perhaps after this mission is finished." Charlotte replied plainly. "But right now, I'm more focused on getting this done." Scarlett frowned a bit, but didn't press further as the trio continued down the passageway until they reached a fork with multiple paths.
"Oh joy." Scarlett groaned. "How are we supposed to know which way is the right way?"
"Hmm…" Luck looked around for a bit before his mana sensory flared up and his eyes fixated on a specific path. "Strong fighters…. This way!" He then zoomed off down the center path, causing Charlotte and Scarlett to blink in surprise.
"When Yami told me that Luck's mana sensory was so good it could outclass a royal's mana sensory, he wasn't kidding." Charlotte remarked.
"Come on, let's go after him." Scarlett told her older sister.
"Right." Charlotte nodded, to which the 2 Roselei siblings ran after Luck.
"Aci, you need to rest. Take a break, please."
"Not yet!" The girl replied, continuing to train her magic. "I will soon though Zenon!"
"You said that a few hours ago, Aci." Zenon deadpanned. "You seriously need to take a break before you exhaust yourself." Aci stopped and looked at Zenon before pouting.
"Oh fine." She ultimately relented. "I'll take a break in about 5 minutes." Just before Zenon could reply, he gets hit by a Lightning Magic Spell.
"Lightning Magic: Thunderbolt Destruction!" Luck grinned as he entered the snowy cavern area that Zenon and Aci were using as a training place. Behind him, Charlotte and Scarlett finally caught up.
"Yami wasn't kidding when he said that Luck's mana sensory surpasses the nobles and even some royals….!" Charlotte breathed out.
"Yeah." Scarlett agreed. Luck turned to face his 2 older step (or half) siblings, his grin still present, but not as supposedly malicious as it was a few seconds ago.
"Aw c'mon! You 2 aren't tired already, are you?" He asked them. At his question, the 2 Roselei sisters shook themselves out of their stupor.
"No way!/No!" Charlotte and Scarlett retorted respectively, to which Luck grinned in satisfaction. Aci glanced at the 3 Clover Magic Knights, then over at Zenon, seeing to see what his course of action would be to handle the situation. Zenon took a moment to think things out. After around a few minutes, he turned his attention to Aci.
"Aci, go. Now." He told her, surprising her.
"What? But I can't just leave you here." She retorted.
"Please go." He told her. "I can handle them." Aci was about to protest, but Luck beat her to it.
"Running away? Aw c'mon. Don't make me sad." Luck grinned, a little too psychotically.
"I'm not running away, you psycho." Zenon remarked simply. "And to prove it, here. Bone Magic: Undead March!" Several bone soldiers rose up from the icy ground holding swords and spears alike before charging at the 3 Clover Kingdom Magic Knights. Charlotte and Scarlett went into battle ready stances, while Luck just grinned.
"Oh please!" Luck remarked as he speedily zipped around the icy cavern at, well, lightning fast speed. "Lightning Magic: Holy Lightning Boots plus Lightning Magic: Holy Lightning Gauntlets!" Both boots and gauntlets made from Luck's magic appeared on his hands and feet, to which he destroyed the undead bone army with one punch and kick full of Lightning Magic mana each.
"Whoa…!" Aci breathed before smiling lightly. "Not bad for a Magic Knight. In that case…" She charged towards Luck, which got Zenon's attention.
"Aci! I told you to run!" Zenon shouted at her.
"Aci?" Charlotte repeated. "Isn't she…?"
"One of Asta and Noelle's kids? Yeah." Scarlett added before frowning. "But how did she end up in the Spade Kingdom?" Zenon was about to answer, but Aci casted a spell.
"Plasma Summoning Magic: Plasma Agent!" Aci announced. The icy ground shook as a red ooze-like substance melted the ground in front of her and out came a plasmatic fiend, ready to fight.
Summoning Magic?! Charlotte thought. No! That Magic belongs to the Supreme Devil, Asmodeus!
"Ooh! A monster!" Luck grinned, cracking his knuckles. "I'll destroy that thing with ease!"
"Red Lotus Magic: Red Lotus Shower!" Scarlett declared, which created multiple red lotus petals around her, to which she launched towards Zenon. Just before they could reach Zenon, he raised his right hand up on a barricade of bones surrounding him.
"Bone Creation Magic: Bone Phalanx." Zenon spoke simply; thus blocking Scarlett's attack.
"Tsk…!" Scarlett grunted in irritation. "In that case, I'll try something else!"
"Look out!" Charlotte called out to Scarlett. Scarlett looked up and cursed as the Plasma Agent fired a beam towards her. She rolled out of the way, then casted another spell.
"Red Lotus Creation Magic: Red Lotus Twin Spears!" Scarlett announced; thus 2 spears made out of red lotuses appeared before her, to which she grabbed out of the air before charging forward. "Time to cut that Plasma being down to size!" Aci took notice of this and smiled.
"How amusing that you'd come at me when your other 2 siblings are dealing with Zenon." Aci remarked coolly. "But if you insist on being completely and utterly decimated, then that's fine by me!" She thrusted her right hand forward. "Plasma Summoning Magic: Plasma Demon!" Like before, a red fiery portal appeared and melted away the ice on the ground and out came a massive plasmatic demonic creature, who unleashed a battle cry before charging towards Scarlett. Scarlett unleashed her own battle cry and charged towards the 2 Plasma creatures. Scarlett flew up towards the head of Plasma Demon in an effort to cut it off. But just as she was about to do just that, the Plasma Agent came forward and aimed to punch her out of the air. Scarlett silently gasped and evaded the punch just in time by diving towards the ground, to which she rolled forward to avoid getting stomped on by the Plasma Demon.
"Dammit….!" She grit her teeth in frustration. "Even if I could damage these things, I'd get hurt, too."
"Well obviously." Aci remarked. "In other words, you're at a disadvantage." She then smiled. "But that's fine. I'll gladly send you to your death."
"I'd like to see you try!" Scarlett shot back. "Red Lotus Creation Magic: Red Lotus Dragon!" From her twin spears, the parts of a dragon made from the red lotuses appeared before flying towards Aci's 2 Plasma creatures; its mouth opened as it fired out a beam of Red Lotus Magic mana sprinkled with some thorns. Just before her Red Lotus Dragon spell could hit its targets, the 2 Plasma creatures suddenly vanished. "Huh?"
"Spatial Magic: Gate of the Underworld." Zenon spoke calmly.
"Aww! Making your partner go away cause you think you can handle us all by yourself?" Luck asked with a sly grin. "That's fine by us! Makes our job easier!" Zenon only closed his eyes as he heard Aci's angry cries as she's sucked into the Spatial Magic portal he created from Spatial Magic: Gate of the Underworld.
"Dammit Zenon!" Aci cried out as she was sucked into the Spatial Magic portal, to which it soon vanished.
I'm sorry Aci. Zenon thought to himself. But I can't risk you getting hurt. He turned his attention to the 3 Clover Kingdom Magic Knights.
"Alright. If you 3 want a fight, then come at me!" Zenon declared, his arms spread out. Luck simply grinned in response.
"Oh, he's asking for it now!" Luck remarked as his Lightning Magic sparked all over his body. "Captain Charlotte, Scarlett! Help me out!"
"Right behind you!" Scarlett retorted.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Charlotte remarked, yet had a tiny smile on her lips. Zenon watched them come at him with a blank expression, but held some form of intrigue behind it. Luck grinned as he charged up another Lightning Magic Spell, generated from his hands, while Scarlett had her Red Lotus Dragon spell fly towards Zenon at incredible speed.
"Lightning Magic: Holy Lightning Armor!" Luck spoke as his Lightning Magic mana turned into armor that encased him as he continued his charge towards Zenon. "Now I'm extra charged and ready to take you out!"
"Is that right?" Zenon replied plainly. "Let's test that theory shall we?"
"No need to test!" Scarlett shot back. "Because your taking our attacks head on right now!" Both her Red Lotus Dragon spell and Luck crashed into Zenon; thus creating an explosion of magic energy. Charlotte raised her right arm to her face to shield it from the light of the explosion.
"Did we get him?" Scarlett wondered aloud. The smoke cleared to reveal Luck being held by his neck as his Lightning Magic continuously shocked Zenon, giving him electric burns, but he didn't seem to care.
"...I see you focus on equip based spells." Zenon told Luck. "However, that sadly won't be enough to defeat someone like me."
Dammit…! If only I could use my Mana Method Lightning Magic spell…! Luck thought angrily.
"Spatial Magic: Nihility Fist." Zenon spoke calmly. Which hand holding Luck and his other hand got imbued with Spatial Magic before he threw Luck up into the air before punching him in the face, which sent the youngest blond among the 3 to go flying into the icy cavern wall. Charlotte and Scarlett watched it happen in horror.
"LUCK!" Charlotte and Scarlett cried out.
With that done, they'll no doubt put everything they have into their next attacks. Zenon thought to himself. Charlotte clenched her hands into fists, while Scarlett went back into a battle ready stance.
"You asked for it!" Scarlett declared. "Red Lotus Magic: Mana Method: Red Lotus Garden!"
"And True Briar Magic: Queen of Briars!" Charlotte added. At both sister's calls, rune arrays in the color of their magic began to appear. For Scarlett it was within the entire icy cavern. While for Charlotte, the run arrays began to surround her before forming into a red and blue rose dress and a red and blue rose crown on her head, with some of her blonde hair sticking on the sides of her face. In her right hand, she held a whip made from the rune array which consisted of red and blue roses as well. Zenon watched in amazement and surprise.
There it is. He thought. Charlotte opened her eyes upon her spell finishing up.
"Alright, Scarlett! Are you ready?" Charlotte asked her younger sister. Scarlett looked back at her sister and nodded.
"I am Char!" She replied before turning her attention back to Zenon. Zenon on the other hand, simply stood there, ready to take there attacks. Although…
"Spatial Magic: Spatial Mana Domination." Zenon spoke. Just as he casted the spell though, Scarlett's Red Lotus Magic: Mana Method: Red Lotus Garden glowed a bright red and began to nullify its effects. This, of course, surprised Zenon. "Huh? What happened?"
"Yeah about that." Scarlett grinned. "See, my Red Lotus Garden Mana Method spell weakens those within the garden. If they are an enemy, of course. And if they're contracted to a Devil. Which you are." Zenon tsked in irritation. He was about to cast another spell when one of his fingers got pricked by the sharp thorns from one of the red lotus flower bushes. He grunted in pain as blood dripped from his small wound.
Now the second part of my Red Lotus Garden spell will apply. Scarlett thought. Zenon looked at his right hand's index finger. Shaking his head, he went back to casting a spell.
"Bone Magic: Bone Tornado." He spoke nonchalantly. A tornado of bones appeared in front of him before he launched them towards the 2 Roselei sisters. What he didn't notice was that his spell was weaker than it normally is, and as such, Charlotte whipped it to pieces with her whip made from her True Briar Magic: Queen of Briars spell. Zenon watched in surprise before he recomposed himself and his expression became indifferent again. Before he could say anything though, Charlotte launched her Briar Magic created whip at Zenon, to which he dodged.
"Tch…..!" Zenon grunted. "I see….. So that's what happened… That Red Lotus Garden spell is draining my mana if I get touched by it."
"And you already did." Scarlett remarked. "Which means soon enough you'll be out of mana to use to cast your spells for your magic." Charlotte thrusted her right arm forward and her whip launched out again at Zenon. While he dodged again, the whip still managed to hit his left cheek, which caused it to bleed a bit; thus Zenon winced in response.
"Tch…..!" Zenon grunted. "Alright. If that's how it's going to be, I'd rather drain my own mana my way instead of letting some prickly flower garden do it for me." Scarlett mock gasped and even gave a small pout, to which Charlotte shook her head and mouthed to her sister "Not the time!". Scarlett nodded and turned her attention back to Zenon, who then began to unleash all the spells he could muster before he ran out of mana.
"Bone Magic: Undead March! Plus Bone Magic: Bone Tornado! Plus Bone Creation Magic: Hounds of Hell!" Zenon declared. Not long after his declaration, several hundred bone created soldiers and hounds rose out of the icy ground and charged towards the 2 Roselei sisters, with Bone Magic: Tornado not that far behind the 2 armies of bone created creatures.
He's throwing everything in this, isn't he? Scarlett thought.
"Still, that won't be enough to defeat us!" Charlotte declared as she pulled out her sword. To which she then proceeded to cut down any of the bone hounds that came near them, while Scarlett dealt with the soldiers, controlling her garden and making it stronger so that when the bone soldiers got touched by her garden, they'd instantly dissipate. Zenon staggered backwards after casting his spells, feeling himself becoming weaker.
"Ugh…. I need to be able to…cast one more…spell….at least…." Zenon spoke softly, clearly out of breath.
"That's a shame." Charlotte spoke as she walked through her sister's Red Lotus Garden Red Lotus Magic Mana Method spell towards Zenon. "Because you won't get the chance to do so." Before Zenon could retort, nor fight back, Charlotte launched her whip one more time, and this time, it wrapped around Zenon and tightened its grip on him due to his Devil Contract.
"What's this…..?" Zenon spoke to himself as he continued to struggle, albeit not trying too hard, but hard enough to make it look convincing. Luckily for him, the 2 Roselei sisters bought it.
"The stronger the opponent is and if they possess Devil Power, the tighter my whip becomes." Charlotte explained to her captive.
So that's what happened… Zenon thought.
"Scarlett, check on Luck and make sure he's okay." Charlotte told her younger sister. Scarlett nodded and headed over to Luck to check up on him. While she was doing that, Charlotte turned her attention back to Zenon. "And while my sister is doing that, and will most likely carry Luck back, I'll be bringing you back to Clover myself."
"Alright, the patrols around the borders of the Clover, Heart, and Diamond Kingdoms are going well." Queen Acier spoke as she went over some paperwork on her desk, Ren sitting next to her helping her with the paperwork.
"Mm…" Ren mused to herself as she finished another stack of paperwork before going to the next one. "Though if it weren't for my insistence, the patrolling beyond Clover would have taken longer, and we very well would have had more attacks to deal with. Which we can't afford right now."
"I know." Queen Acier replied. "And I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner."
"It's okay, Acier.." Ren replied. "Just as long as you keep this up with the patrols, you'll be fine."
"Thanks Ren." Queen Acier answered. Before Ren could say anything, the door to the office busted open and Charlotte tossed a bound up Zenon to the ground.
"Luck has been injured, but he'll be fine." Charlotte spoke plainly. "And Scarlett and I have captured Zenon Zogratis. Unfortunately, he got Aci out of the area before our fight could continue and result in both getting captured." Queen Acier's expression remained somewhat happy, almost neutral. Though to those that knew her (Ren and Charlotte being prime examples), she was anything but happy. Not long after, her facial expression revealed its true nature: solemness.
"I see." Queen Acier replied. "Thank you Charlotte. I and Ren dear will take it from here." Charlotte nodded and bowed to Queen Acier before taking her leave. Once she left, both Ren and Queen Acier looked down at the bound Zenon. Queen Acier was about to get up and approach him, but Ren beat her to it.
"Ren dear?" Queen Acier asked her friend, concern evident in her voice. Ren heard Acier, but chose not to answer as she simply looked down at Zenon. She didn't even feel Acier's right hand gently touch her shoulder as she continued to stare coldly at the unconscious Zenon. Though as she continued to stare at him, the more somber her expression became; the coldness in her eyes slowly diminishing.
Those wounds on him… Ren thought. They look just like… Then it hit her. She turned her attention to Queen Acier, a hard expression on her face, which Queen Acier noticed immediately. Queen Acier opened her mouth to say something, but the Elysia Elf Tribe Leader beat her to it.
"Contact Marx and get him to come here immediately." Ren ordered.
"A-Ah, right Ren dear." Queen Acier nodded, doing as Ren told her. "But what do you need Marx for?"
"To check his memories." Ren gestured to the still out cold Zenon. "If this feeling I'm feeling is true…" Her expression hardened. "Then some people will have some explaining to do."
"Marx is on his way here." Queen Acier told Ren as she put her communicator away.
"Thank god." Ren remarked.
"Alright, I'm here!" Marx panted as he opened the door and saw the scene before him. He gasped softly, then finished coming in the rest of the way. "Oh…!"
"Check his memories." Ren ordered Marx bluntly.
"A-Ah, right!" Marx stammered out as he went over to the bound Zenon and got him up and placed him in a chair. After that, Marx got his Memory Magic ready.
"Let's see here…" Marx mused as he managed to open up Zenon's memories with his Memory Magic. Before he could go any further, he steps back in surprise as the memories begin to play like a video, starting from when Zenon was a young kid. Queen Acier and Ren watched as well. The first major memory that played out was when Zenon got bullied by the other kids, then got saved by Allen, to which the 2 became friends. The memories then jump ahead a few more years, to where Ciel calls Ren to come to Spade to train Allen and Zenon, much to Loyce's concern. After Ren arrives, she tells the young Zenon to show her his magic, to which she does.
"What what?!" She gaped, holding Zenon up. "Fay check this out!" The Light Magic Spirit does so and is surprised.
"Such amazing magic you have!" Ren told the young Zenon, still holding him in her arms. Queen Acier watched the memories play out, as did Ren. However, Ren's facial expression began to slowly change into a more emotional one.
These are…..! Ren thought. The next memory to play was not a happy one. In fact, it was the day that Zenon went on his first mission with the 4th Division of the Spade Kingdom's Magic Defense Force. The simple dungeon mission went horribly wrong due to a Mid Ranking Devil appearing within said dungeon. Everyone (outside of Allen) were terrified. Due to said terror, no one moved, except for Allen, who tried to defeat the Devil. Zenon pleaded with Allen to get out of the way, but he refused, as if trying to tell his division team members to escape. Zenon, emotionally distraught, unleashes one of his Bone Magic spells, which kills both the Devil…and Allen. The next memory that appeared, sadly, wasn't a happy one either. This was the day that Eva, Danta, Vanica, and Zenon attacked the Spade Kingdom Castle. While Eva, Dante and Vanica were ecstatic about attacking and killing anyone in sight, Zenon bore an expression of indifference. But those that really knew him knew how much pain was hiding under his expression. When Zenon reached Baby Yuno's room, he found Ciel in the room as well. His hands shook out of fear, to which Ciel comforted him.
"Zenon dear…" She spoke softly. "It'll be okay…"
"I…..I…." Zenon spoke with a shaky voice. "What do I do Lady Ciel….?" She placed her hands on his shoulders and pulled him into a hug, surprising him.
"Create a Bone Magic Clone of me." She told him gently. "Thanks to you, I have a way out and to the Resistance Base. Ralph's Father is going to take Yuno out of here so he can survive." She paused, then continued. "Once I'm gone, kill my clone. Okay?" Zenon swallowed and nodded, creating a Bone Magic Clone of Ciel.
"G…Go….!" Zenon urged Ciel. She nodded and left. The memory would have continued, but…
"That's enough." At Ren's words, Marx stopped the memories from playing.
"Ren dear?" Queen Acier asked her friend, concern evident in her voice. Though neither Marx or Queen Acier realized it (or felt it) yet, Ren's mana was slowly beginning to spike, shadows were now covering her emerald green eyes.
"Release him." She spoke. Marx and Queen Acier look at each other, while Queen Acier gently pushed Marx out of the room, to which he understood and left. Once he was gone, Queen Acier turned attention back to Ren.
"Ren-" Queen Acier began, but she stopped once she saw Ren turned to face, her emerald eyes glowing a bright green and she gripped Acier's shoulders tightly.
"Acier, don't make me repeat myself." Ren warned her. "Release him. Now!"
"Ren…." Queen Acier spoke softly before she nodded. "Alright, I will." Raising her right hand, she casted Steel Magic: Steel Shooter and cut the briars binding Zenon. Once the briars were gone, Zenon fell forward and out of the chair, only to be caught by Ren.
"Wh-What….?" Zenon muttered softly, a bit groggy. "Where am…..-"
"Oh Zeny….!" Ren choked, hugging him tightly. Zenon wanted to say something, but he couldn't as he let Ren continue to hug him, still generally confused. Queen Acier watched the scene from the side, smiling lightly.
Ren dear has her memories back. That's good. Queen Acier thought happily.
"What's going on…?" Zenon thought aloud. "Why, no, how am I still alive?" Ren just ignored his question as she continued to hug him, accidentally causing him to have some trouble breathing. "C-Can't….br-breathe…..!"
"Ren dear." Queen Acier giggled. "You should let him go before he suffocates." Ren, while she heard Acier, she didn't let go. Instead, she loosened up her hug on Zenon a bit. Which luckily, allowed him to breathe more easily.
"You suffered so much Zeny….." Ren spoke softly. "But with you here now, it can end."
"What..?" Zenon asked in a confused tone. "I can't stay here. I need to-"
"No." Ren growled. "You're not going back there. Not after everything you've been through. You're staying here with your Mom. Your real Mom." Zenon looked confused, while Queen Acier smiled.
"Aww.~" She smiled. Then it hit Zenon and he choked a sob.
"M-Mom….?" Zenon spoke softly. "W-Wait… You mean…You mean I can call you that…?"
"Yes sweetie." Ren whispered to him. "It's okay now. Mommy's got you." And with that, Zenon felt his heart shatter; thus he completely broke down and started to cry onto Ren's shoulder, to which she gently rubbed his back with her right hand.
"I'm sorry…!" Zenon cried softly.
"Shh….It's okay." She told him gently. As she comforted him, she turned her attention to Queen Acier. "Get a Captain's meeting set up as soon as you can. Oh, and tell Captains Yami and Fana to bring Nacht and Tyson with them. Because those 2 owe me a few words."
"Right." Queen Acier nodded. "And what about Zenon? Where will he-?"
"He'll be staying with me." Ren interjected.
"Yes but," Queen Acier spoke again. "where would that be?"
"If it isn't too much trouble, either here or the Silver Eagles base." Ren answered. "I know that Yuno would love nothing more than to be around me due to our courting, but my son comes first."
"Of course Ren dear." Queen Acier smiled. "You 2 can stay here if you'd like as well."
"Thank you." Ren hummed. Zenon only looked confused, but slowly felt himself becoming calmer as Ren continued to comfort him, stroking his hair as she did so. "Set up 2 of the guest bedrooms within the Clover Castle. Me and Zenon will stay in-" She got interrupted as Zenon gently tugged on her shirt like a little kid; thus causing Ren to look down at him. "Zenon?"
"...May I and Ren share a room?" Zenon asked nervously. "Tw-Two separate beds, obviously.." Ren blinked at what Zenon said, though mainly at the first part and not the second, since she knew she'd need to be there for him to comfort him and all that.
"Ren?" She questioned. Zenon blinked before it soon hit him why she spoke in a questioning tone. She wanted him to refer to her as his Mom. The more he thought it over, the more his face began to turn red from sheer embarrassment.
"U-Umm….. Is it really okay if I call you Mom…?" He timidly asked Ren.
"I did call myself that, so yes you can." Ren smiled, amused.
"Th-Thanks Mom…" Zenon spoke softly. Ren continued to comfort him and Queen Acier watched with a light smile as she began writing up invites for the Emergency Captain's Meeting that'll be taking place tomorrow.
"Now then." Ren spoke after a few more minutes of silence. "Let's get that room set up for us. Acier, care to help?"
"Mm?" Queen Acier looked up from her work and put down her quill, a smile on her features. "Oh! Of course I'll help!~"
"Great, thanks." Ren replied as she picked Zenon up and began to carry him, much to his own extreme embarrassment. Thus he hid his face into Ren's chest. Queen Acier cooed at the adorable sight before they reached one of the guest bedrooms at one of the far ends of one of the corridors in the castle. The guest bedroom also had 2 beds within it, making the ideal place for Ren and Zenon to share a room.
"There we go.~" Queen Acier in satisfaction after she got everything set up for the 2. "If you need anything, call me. Alright?"
"I will Acier." Ren replied before her tone of voice became stern. "And don't you overwork yourself for the umpteenth time now." Queen Acier merely laughed lightly, as if to say "No promises Ren dear.". Ren rolled her eyes in amusement, then watched her friend leave the guest bedroom that she and Zenon were sharing. Zenon, now laying on his bed in there shared bedroom, looked over at Ren.
"Mom…?" Zenon asked softly. Ren turned her head to face Zenon, smiling lightly at him.
"What is it sweetie?" She asked him, getting off of her bed and going over to sit on the bed Zenon was lying on so she was sitting next to him.
"You won't leave me, will you…?" Zenon asked softly, worry in his voice. Ren simply smiled and placed her right hand on his left hand and squeezed it gently.
"Never." Ren replied. "And I'll be sure to be here for you. Always." Zenon's lips formed a light smile.
"Thanks Mom…" He spoke softly.
"You're welcome Zeny." Ren replied with a smile. "Now rest. It's clear that you need it." Zenon smiled softly before he soon fell asleep with Ren stroking his hair gently. Once she was sure Zenon was asleep, she went over to her bed in the room and tucked herself in before going to bed herself.
The next day, all the Magic Knight Captains sat in the Captain's meeting room, along with a few others. Like Tyson Hammer from the Amber Phoenix Squad and the Vice Captain of the Black Bulls-Nacht Faust.
"Kek! So what the hell is this meeting about?" Jack asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine Jack." Yami shrugged. "Personally, this better be good. Otherwise it may just end up being a waste of time."
"That's something I agree with." Nozel agreed.
"Humph. This meeting is pretty pointless if you ask me." Nacht grunted as he crossed his arms. "Especially if it's going to be another pointless lecture."
"I wouldn't say that if I were you." Tyson warned the Black Bulls Vice Captain.
"This meeting was Ren dear's idea." Queen Acier clarified.
"What's the meeting about?" Captain Fana asked curiously.
"I believe it has something to do with Zenon." Charlotte answered for the pinkette Magic Knight Captain, to which Nacht scowled and Tyson frowned (But not for the reason you'd think.). Dorothy simply continued to sleep as a Seraph Knight grabbed Nacht and threw him through the window, only to keep him dangling over the edge; thus causing him to cry out. Just as that happened, Ren opened the door and entered the room.
"Sorry I'm late." Ren spoke, almost nonchalantly. "Asta and Noelle came over to talk to Zenon and see if he could help them babysit Cordelia and James while I'm here for this meeting." Mereoleona simply snickered in amusement at what Ren did to Nacht while the other Captains just stared at her. When Ren realized that the Captains were staring at her, she simply stared back nonchalantly, unfazed by Nacht's screaming in the background.
"What are you staring at? We have a meeting to get done." Ren spoke coolly. But before any of the Captains could say anything, Ren continued. "Also Tyson." The former Spade Kingdom General gulped. "Why the hell did you not tell me of Zenon's predicament?"
"Well umm…." Tyson began before he looked down. "I'm sorry. But considering what happened and you finding out about that caused you to shut down. Well, shut down in the sense of your memories locking up, so that's one reason why I didn't tell you. Another reason I didn't tell you was because I didn't want to give you another mental shock."
"I can agree to that." Fay spoke as he rose out of Ren's grimoire. "I felt the same as Tyson at the time." Ren pondered what Fay and Tyson said before she nodded.
"Okay yeah, that's fair." She replied before she smiled "innocently". "Doesn't mean you 2 are free from punishment."
"Yeah figured." Fay remarked.
"That's fair." Tyson agreed.
"Good to hear." Ren hummed before her expression became serious again. "Now then. Before we get started, I would like to make one thing crystal clear. Eva is my prey and I will NOT put that up for debate or discussion."
"Kek! Your prey?! What if those 2 keeping Bone Boy busy want a slice of her huh?! Or what about the rest of us?!: Jack demanded.
"She is one of the main reasons why Clover ended up in so much chaos several months ago. I hate to disagree with you Ren, but we all have our reasons to want her head." Nozel spoke in agreement. Suddenly a chilling sensation invaded the room making them all lurch and shudder as Ren smiled "calmly".
"Spade is a soft spot in my heart thanks to my dearest friend Ciel." Ren began. "Who I thought I lost alongside Loyce and Yuno. I know many people there. I KNEW many people there. So imagine my horror upon my returned memories to see the beautiful winter wonderland DECIMATED. People I knew DEAD. My dear friend Loyce DEAD, My star Yunom who had his childhood STOLEN from him. And my SON Zenon having to keep a facade for the Resistance and practically DIE on the inside to do it. And all because of one woman. ONE woman who never cared for ANYONE but herself. Who decided to make HER problem everyone's problem. And who never showed an ounce of love to the child who needed it MOST." Her tone was calm but they all knew better, they all knew she was anything BUT calm. The pure ice in her tone and her usual bright emerald green eyes were practically dark as jade. To their horror, they were seeing the barely restrained anger of the Elysia Tribe elf hybrid leader: Ren Silvamillion Clover Ombra.
"I will say this again. Eva Zogratis. Is. My. Prey. Are we clear?" Ren spoke. All the Captains, including the tough one like Meroelona, Nozel, Jack, and Yami, all stared at her. Dorothy had awoken from her sleep time and looked around. Charlotte was flabbergasted. And Captain Fana? She wanted to cry.
She's fucking scary! Yami, Nozel, Charlotte, and Fana thought. Queen Acier looked at Ren sadly, understanding her dear friend's feelings on the matter.
"Of course Ren dear." Queen Acier replied in finalty.
"Good." Ren sighed wearily. "Now let's get to work."
0713MM: And that does it for Chapter 55 of The Silver Valkyrie, as well as the 1 year timeskip! I apologize that this took so long to finish. You know how life can be, yeah? Better late than never! With this chapter done, it's FINALLY time! For the moment I've personally waiting for: The Light Triad's fights vs the Dark Triad! Though due to the circumstances, and with Zenon no longer a part of it, the experimented on Aci Silva (Who believes herself to be a Zogratis.) will fill in Zenon's role where he'd normally go and attack the Golden Dawn base. Dante and Vanica Zogratis's still go and do there usual schtick from canon here. Or do they? *Laughter intensifies.* The first fight to be written out will be in Chapter 56! Though out of curiosity, I must ask: Which of the 3 fights will come first in regards to Chapter 56? Leave predictions in the reviews to this chapter if you'd like!^^
