To my enabler, SURPRISE! To everyone else, this was way too much fun. These are the reasons I love being a writer. Commentary on blood, but nothing graphic so there's that. Stiles gets to be a BAMF.
"So that's the 'fairy ring'," Karyna said, arms crossed.
"You forgot the air quotes," Stiles replied, "and yes, that's the doorway."
It was an unnatural clearing in the preserve, with mushrooms growing in a perfect circle. With the light from the setting sun, it looked a bit otherworldly.
"Now what happens?" Scott asked.
"Now, we open the door," Stiles said. "Karyna, Marci, and Derek, follow me exactly."
"Are you sure you don't need me?" Scott asked nervously.
Stiles sighed, "Scott, if this were anywhere else, I wouldn't be so picky, but you're a good man. A man with morals, convictions, and all of those things that made you a True Alpha. Bringing you with us would be like covering ourselves in raw steaks and running through the tiger exhibit at the Zoo, because you're the main course for them."
"So you're protecting me," Scott said.
"Hell no," Stiles said. "I'm protecting my triad. They'd kill us to get you and that means Lydia would be stuck down there." He nodded to Karyna, "Bring up the rear," Karyna nodded back. "Marci, don't let anything happen to my sword, yeah?"
Marci adjusted the katana slung over her shoulder and grinned, "You bet."
Stiles turned and walked to the mushroom ring and turning sunwise. He could hear the others following him clockwise around the ring. As they walked, the rest of the Pack took positions around the ring, watching. When they had reached the end of the ninth circle, Stiles stepped over the mushrooms and into the ring, now headed widdershins. Once Karyna was in the circle, the world went still. Stiles couldn't hear anything at all, as he walked the circle. Finally, he blinked and the world changed.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Derek wasn't sure what to expect when he saw the court, but the smooth, glass green walls and slate floors was not it. "Nice," Marci murmured.
"Silence," Stiles snapped. Blood scented the air. Derek stared, because Stiles had cut his hand and swiped his bloody palm on the door they'd come in. "Let's go. Let's get our Banshee back."
He led the way down the hallway, ignoring the few shadows that observed them. No one barred their way, even when they came to a huge set of gold doors with a pair of guards standing outside.
"We are here to speak with your master," Stiles said, "let us in."
Cora had loved fantasy stories, and had left a stack of them in the loft when she left. Derek had read them and thought he knew what to expect from the court. This room full of horrible creatures and madness was nothing like what he expected.
On a dais at the front of the room lounged a beautiful man. He had delicately pointed ears, beautiful green eyes and a lazy smile as he watched a pile of creatures fight before him. As Stiles led his group forward, Karyna stepped past Derek to walk in unison with Marci, their strides perfectly matching.
Derek could only imagine the image the three of them made in their pressed business suits, unmoved by their surroundings. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a button down of his own, Derek felt slightly underdressed.
"Stop," the lord on the dais cried out.
Silence fell in the room.
"Who dares approached unannounced?" The lord demanded as he sat upright.
"The owner of the Bean Sidhe you stole," Stiles replied coldly, "and the Pack sworn to protect her."
"You own the Bean Sidhe?" The lord said.
"She has been mine for twenty-one years," Stiles said coldly. "You have violated our territory, stolen a member of my House, and you try my patience. I have come to retrieve my Bean Sidhe."
"I challenge your claim," the lord said, "you let such a lovely creature go free into the human world alone. Why should I not bring her to be protected?"
"Because she is not yours," Stiles replied. "If you challenge me, then let it be settled in tradition. Say the words, Elf Lord, or release her."
"I challenge you for claim of the Bean Sidhe. My champion will fight for my claim."
"I accept your challenge, Elf Lord," Stiles said. "I will fight for my own claim. Call forth your champion and let us fight to see who keeps the Bean Sidhe. To the death!"
The room roared their approval.
"A challenge for the Bean Sidhe," the Lord cried. "Let her be brought to witness."
Moments later, Lydia came into the room. She was dressed in a black dress of flowing silk, with silver chains and manacles. Her hair was flowing and unbound, with silver vines twisted within. She looked like a fairy queen, not a captive. When she saw Stiles, her eyes widened but she didn't speak.
"Bean Sidhe," the Lord said, "this thing claims you are his and he claims combat for that claim. I have decided to indulge him and you will watch."
"Your champion, Elf Lord," Stiles said, "before I grow weary."
"Then come forth to the ring to meet him," the Lord said.
Stiles turned to Marci, who offered him the sword. Stiles gripped the hilt and pulled it free. "As you wish, my lord."
"Who are you?" The lord asked, "What are you called."
"Master," Stiles said quietly. "You may call me the Master." He spun the sword idly as he stepped before the dais.
"And what are you the master of?"
Stiles laughed, "Myself, amongst other things. Are we fighting or gossiping?"
"Here is my champion," the Lord declared.
An Elf, easily a foot taller than Stiles and carrying a huge broadsword, stepped into the cleared area. He had black hair and green eyes and one of his ear tips had been cut off. He also wore armor.
"This little boy is barely a challenge," the Champion said, and he leered at Karyna and Marci. "When I'm done with him, I want them."
"Sorry," Karyna said, "I'm already spoken for."
"Let's do this," Stiles said, "or are you scared to do anything more than talk."
The Champion turned, his sword coming up in a complicated twist. Stiles ducked, sliding his sword under the Champion's sword. He spun away, his jacket swirling around him. They crossed swords a few times and then Stiles backed away.
Stiles spun his sword, "Getting tired yet?"
"You wish," the Champion replied.
Stiles lunged forward, sword swinging through the air. The tip of his sword slipped between the armor joint and the Champion roared. Stiles jumped backward briefly and then lunged back in, sword flashing.
The Champion, with blood dripping from his armor, lashed out at Stiles. Stiles blocked each of the Champion's strikes. Then he dodged to one side, and his coat tore.
"Dude really?" Stiles said, laughing as if he was fifteen and innocent. "This is Hugo Boss; do you know how expensive this is?"
"Does it look like I care?" The Champion asked as his sword cut another swath of the jacket.
Stiles jabbed forward that the Champion went down. Stiles sighed as he looked at his jacket. "Damn," he muttered.
Then he gripped his jacket shoulder and yanked.
Suddenly, Stiles was dressed in black leather with yellow trim.
"Oh here we go," Karyna said softly with excitement.
"What are you?" The Champion roared.
"I'm a Master," Stiles said, no more smiles. He lowered his sword into a defensive gesture. "That's all you need to know."
The Champion lunged forward and Stiles swung his sword. This time, he left a cut on the Champion's neck. Then he took the Champion's whole ear.
"He's playing with him," Derek breathed.
"Better," Karyna said, "he's hunting."
"He could have pretended a bit," Marci said. "I mean, not drag it out, but at least made it interesting."
"He's making an impression," Derek said.
Stiles spun, his sword arcing deliberately and taking the Champion's head clean off.
Stiles spun to the dais, "Bean Sidhe, let's go."
Lydia lunged forward and into Stiles's arms. Stiles ducked his head down and whispered something and Lydia wrenched away and ran for Derek.
"Are you okay?" Derek asked softly.
Lydia nodded, "I'm okay," she whispered.
"You will not leave," the Lord declared.
"Of course I will," Stiles said. "We will walk out of here and never come back."
"Why should I let you?" The Lord asked.
"Do you know that only one werewolf pack protects a Bean Sidhe?" Stiles asked. "In all the human realm, there's only one. It's a special pack too, probably one of the smallest in existence, but definitely the strongest. They defeated an Alpha Pack. Among them walks the Wolf Who Lived Twice and the Alpha Who Walked Alone. The rest of the pack isn't even Werewolves. The Bean Sidhe. The Lightning Kitsune. The Werecoyote. Then there's me. Even down here, my reputation exists. I faced an Alpha and gave him to the fire that stole his pack. I faced a Kanima five times and lived. I sacrificed myself and awoken the fallen Nemeton to stop a Darach. And when the Nogitsune came for me, I stepped into the void of bardo, and I walked free. You ask me who I am, but I am no one. I am without name."
"Ears," Lydia said softly, making Derek jolt. "Derek, your ears."
Derek covered his ears, and Lydia screamed.
The sound ripped through the court, causing every one of the other creatures to scream in pain and shy away. Karyna and Marci flinched but stood their ground.
When Lydia's scream tapered off, Stiles shoved his hands out, creating black flame like foxfire around his body. "We are walking out of here," Stiles said. "Now."
He pivoted and stalked past the small group, pausing only to hand his sword to Marci. Marci spun it into a grip and grinned at him. Karyna produced a pair of daggers and gestured. "Center, Derek."
Derek hesitated, and then looked at Lydia. I need you to make sure Lydia gets out.
They walked to the doors, which opened at Stiles's approach. Derek wrapped his arm around Lydia's shoulders, keeping her close to him.
I need you to make sure Lydia gets out.
The doors slammed shut, and monsters filled the hallway.
"Oh good," Stiles said, "a work out." He lifted his hands and the black flame shot out.
"We've got the back," Karyna said. "Derek, don't stop."
Stiles launched himself after his fire, cutting a path through the group. Karyna and Marci flanked Derek as he urged Lydia to move faster.
It was a nightmare of blood in many colors, swords flashing and screams. Black fire surrounded them.
Suddenly, Derek smelled blood. Not fresh blood, but familiar, dried blood. He looked around and saw the door with Stiles's handprint on it.
Derek dragged Lydia over, ducking something flying through the air. He yanked the door open and stumbled through.
The sounds and smell of the forest flared up around him as Derek hauled Lydia out of the circle. "Derek!" Scott roared.
"They're fighting," Derek said. "They were right behind me."
Lydia stumbled forward to be caught by Isaac, who hugged her tightly. The ground rumbled and Derek spun, feeling his claws slip free.
Stiles, Karyna, and Marci stumbled out of thin air and out of the circle. "Get back," Stiles shouted as they moved. "Don't get too close."
The Elf Lord surged out of the fairy ring and Stiles spun, black fire settling about him in a fox like halo. "I'm not done with you," the Lord snarled.
"No, but you are done," Stiles replied. "You've gone too far, Lord. Because I warned you. A small pack, but strong, full of the unique and unusual. I warned you about me, the Master of no name."
"What's so special about you?" The Lord asked.
"You forgot to ask," Stiles said. "You don't know where you are and which Alpha you challenged."
"What's another Alpha?" The Lord began.
"Scott," Stiles said. Scott stepped forward, "Please kindly inform the Lord why this Alpha is special."
Scott grinned, "I'm Scott McCall. The true Alpha."
"You know the treaty between the Great Packs and the Fae, Lord. You've challenged the Pack of Beacon Hills. Oberon will hear of this."
The Lord stared at Stiles for a long moment, then turned and vanished. Stiles's black fire surged into the air and lashed at the fairy ring. When it cleared, the ring was gone.
"What just happened?" Isaac said.
Stiles turned, "I just played an Elven Lord in his own court with fire and a few sword tricks."
"What was that about Oberon?" Scott said.
Stiles chuckled, "A long time ago, King Oberon and Queen Titania of the Sidhe wrote a treaty with the Great Werewolf Packs, the ones destroyed by the Hunters of long ago. The treaty sets the sovereignty of the packs, allowing them to grant sanctuary and even Pack membership to non-werewolves. If an Elven Lord, no matter the Court, stole a member of a Pack that wasn't a werewolf, then the Pack had forty-eight hours to reclaim their member in a combat challenge. I won, so they couldn't keep Lydia. The fact that he tried is a violation of the treaty. The fact that Scott's a True Alpha, the true Alpha, makes it worse. Oberon could destroy that dumb ass's court for this."
"Why? Why am I so important?" Scott asked.
"Because once the True Alphas were considered to be werewolf royalty. Basically, since Lydia is part of not just a Pack, but the True Alpha's Pack, it would be like the German Prime Minister stealing Queen Elizabeth's niece," Stiles said. "Basically our pointy eared friend just started a war. You have the right to summon the werewolves and march to war against Oberon, and all of them, even the Alphas, they would follow you. Now, Oberon isn't really going to want a war with you, because you live in the human world. You have access to weapons that would destroy them and they know it."
"So what do I do?" Scott asked.
"I can contact Sir OisÃn," Stiles said, "His liege can contact Oberon." He gestured, "We should go."
"Do we have to do it?" Scott asked.
"If we ignore it, then we're weak. We're saying that the Elves can go after the Packs. They can take those like Lydia, who have ties to the Courts and the Packs will have no recourse."
Scott closed his eyes and nodded, "Contact your friend please."
"I'll get back to you as soon as I hear something," Stiles said as he began to sway. "We need to go." He took two steps and collapsed.
Derek lunged forward and caught him before he hit the ground.
"He's hurt," Derek murmured, beginning to smell more of Stiles's blood.
"We'll take him to the loft," Scott said, looking at Stiles's friends. "We can see how he's hurt and help him."
"We're not leaving him," Karyna said firmly.
"I didn't say you had to," Scott said, "I was just saying that's where we're going."
"I'll give them directions," Lydia offered. "It would be nice to have a chance to catch up."
"You know them?" Scott asked.
"Yeah," Lydia said, "they were on vacation in Miami last Spring Break and we hung out."
"We shopped," Marci said with a bright smile, "I got these killer shoes."
"Fine," Scott said. "Let's go."
Derek cradled Stiles to his chest as they headed through the wolves. Scott led the way, with Marci and Karyna crowding Derek with the others following.
Soon, they reached the cars. Derek looked at them, "I'll ride with Stiles in the back of Isaac's truck. Isaac, you drive, don't get us killed."
"Sure," Isaac said.
The ride wasn't as smooth as Derek might have wished, but it wasn't the usual terror that was Isaac driving with passengers.
It took them twenty minutes to get to the loft and Stiles hadn't moved. His heart beat steady, but slow and he breathed slowly. If it weren't for the faint scent of blood, Derek would have thought Stiles was sleeping.
Derek carried Stiles into the elevator and watched as everyone else crowded in before the door closed and the elevator rumbled to life.
Scott, last on the elevator, was first into the loft, yanking the door open easily.
The coppery scent of blood flooded out of the loft and Scott froze in the doorway. "Jackson," he breathed.
Derek pushed forward, the rest of the group moving at his urging.
Jackson was standing by the window, one bloody handprint pressed against them right next to his bracing hand. He was barely dressed and covered with deep slashes. He turned slightly to look at them. "Alpha," he said, "help me."
Then he fell, his bracing hand leaving a smear of blood on the window.