Chapter 22: Capture Zelzagun Fortress! Part 2 of 2: Capture the Enemy!
Kirito and Asuna remained silent as the little girl aimed her black and white pistols at them. They didn't knew how to react, this little girl has partly interrupted their teary reunion.
"Alright you two... Tell me where I am and how I can get home before I blast holes through your chests!" The little girl shouted meanly as she aimed at Kirito's chest.
"What's going on here?" Leo asked, coming into view, he noticed Kirito, Asuna and the girl threatening the two of them with her guns. "Kirito, who is that with you and who is the little girl threatening both of you with those guns?" He asked confusedly.
The little girl lowered her guns and rushed towards the Spirit Vessel and pointed her finger at him and shouted "My name is Kanzaki H. Aria and starting tonight, you are officially my slave!"
"Slave?" Leo asked, a eyebrow raised in confusion, then he noticed the ring she was wearing and found out she is one of the Cursed Ones. "Are you perhaps, wearing one of Summerill's trinkets who can't get off?" He asked her.
"Yes." Aria nodded as she pouted with her arms crossed. "I can't get this stupid ring off no matter how hard I tried!"
Leo then noticed the tattoo on Asuna's right hand and found she too is wearing one of Summerill's trinkets. "And you too, miss..." Leo stopped, feeling rude that he doesn't know Asuna's name.
"Asuna Yuki, I'm Kirito's wife... I think..." Asuna closed her eyes and smiled.
Leo has the white dotted eyes upon hearing that for 20 seconds till his eyes returned to normal and asked Kirito "I-Is she really your wife, Kirito?"
"Y-Yeah... I don't know how I remembered that, but we're married." Kirito smiled nervously.
"Well... My name is Leonhardt Ragian. It's a pleasure to meet you, Asuna." Leo offered his hand as a handshake.
"Likewise." Asuna smiled as she shook Leo's hand.
"Ahem! I demand to know where the hell I am!" Aria shouted, a bit annoyed that she's being ignored.
"I think we need to explain some things to those two." Leo chuckled nervously.
At the camp, Leo introduced everyone to Asuna and Aria. Some of the girls were shocked to learn that Asuna is married to Kirito even though the two of them have lost their memories, but somehow, they know they're married and that pissed off Barnette to see a woman married to a man. Winfield backed off when Leo told him that Asuna is married to Kirito.
"I think that explains my lost memories..." Asuna nodded as Dyshana finished explaining to both her and Aria. "This Summerill who is responisbile for many bad things have pulled us out of our worlds into the world known as Agarest so he can try to conquer our worlds as well as Agarest, right?"
"He's got a lot of nerve pulling me out of my world! Where is he?! I'll blast his head clean off!" Aria shouted in anger. (A/N: I don't know if I got Aria's personality right, I'm new to this tsundere thing.) "I am the best gunman in my world and you should be honored to have me in your group." Aria boasted snidely.
Fyuria fumed and walked up to the little girl and growled "And what gives you the right to make Leo your slave? Answer that!"
"He's my newest slave, next to another peon of mine back in my world. So you better watch what you say." Aria looked up and acted like a snob.
Suddenly, Neptune, Noire, IF and Vert stood up, what made them stood up may be something important.
"I think me and my buddies remembered bits of our past!" Neptune shouted out, both shocked and happy to remember something from their past. Everyone turned to face them.
"You do?" Takashi asked them, suspicious if they made that up.
"Y-Yeah... Me, Neptune, Vert and Iffy come from a world called Gamindustri. I think me, Neptune and Vert are rulers of three countries along with a fourth in that world. I think mine and Neptune's second forms are called CPUs. That's all we can remember." Noire looked down, despondently.
"And I think I serve Nep as one of her agents... I think. I can't remember much after that." IF scratched the back of her head nervously.
"Miss Vert, can you transform too?" Ellis asked the busty blond woman next to Shizuka.
"Hmm... I think it's coming back to me... Yes, it is coming back to me! Transform!" Vert shouted as a colum of light appeared around her and shot up into the sky.
When it cleared, Vert's light blond curled hair is now longer and straight worn in a ponytail, now colored sea-foam green colored. Her eyes keep their shape, though perhaps smaller and now light purple in color. She wears a white bikini styled HDD suit with small black and green pieces. Unlike her normal form which has the top of the breast showing, it is the exact opposite.
Most of the men (Except for Yuri, Zerva and Tokai and Jak) have nose bleeds upon seeing Vert's HDD form. Most of the girls except for Dyshana and Vira-Lorr recoiled in shock, but not Neptune, Noire and IF.
"Jesus, Vert! Show some decency!" Chris shouted in anger, her face red with embarrassment.
"Is that the only form you can transform?" Charlotte's eyes were white dotted upon seeing Vert's second form.
Vert smiled as she folded her arms and said "I take it my HDD form's natural beauty left you surprised, no?"
"You're amazing, Vert..." Colette's eyes sparkle in delight. "I wish I have big breasts like you..."
Lloyd turned to his childhood friend with a surprised look and told her "Trust me, Colette, you don't want that..."
"Now that we have enough of the peanut gallery, I advise we rest up for the big battle tomorrow." Vira-Lorr sighed. Everyone except for Prinny nodded while the penguin drooled at Vert's HDD form.
The next day...
The party met up with Rigulus's army and is now ready for the attack. Leo nodded to Elaine who returned his nod and walked up to Marquis Braham and Duke Largen.
"Marquis Braham, Duke Largen. Mudus Gate has fallen to Rigulus's army. There is no longer hope for reinforcements. You are the commander. I beg you to consider the lives of your men first." She commanded.
"Why is the daughter of House Rubech with Rigulus's army?!" Braham gasped in shock as he looked at Rigulus's army.
"I know not. I last spoke with Elaine when she left for Zelzagun Fortress. You must have heard she was on her way here." Largen told him calmly.
"And now she is here, challenging us! This is your fault, Largen! I will see the king knows it!" Braham snapped angrily.
"Do as you wish." Largen sighed before continuing "That aside, how do you plan to take care of this? Will you heed my advice, or go forth to battle?"
Braham smirked darkly by saying "You know very well what I intend to do. We have two armies at our disposal. As long as Gridamas holds Zelzagun Fortress, we have nothing to fear from rabble such as Rigulus! Surrender is out of the question!"
Largen frowned by saying "You assume they will lay siege to the castle and we will receive support from Mudus Gate. Rigulus's arrival is unexpected. We assumed the Frontier battle would be short, thus we have limited provisions, most of which were provided under an arrangement with Mudus Gate. If the Frontier Army is involved, we will be grossly outnumbered. If we face only Rigulus, our numbers will be equal. Of course, numbers alone may not be enough."
Braham frowned and asked him "Then, what would you proposed?"
"We must crush their morale. Behold, the enemy is focused on the leadership of Elaine and Leonhardt. If we can bring them down, we may stand a chance of emerging victorious." Largen theorized.
"The cur, Golden Leo, cannot be taken lightly." Braham growled through gritted teeth.
"Marquis Braham, do not tell me you are afraid of a boy? You, of all people?" Largen smirked before adding in "Perhaps it would be better if you were to stay behind and merely watch me fight. Be sure to inform the king of my courage. That way, we can rest assured that Mudus Gate shall be taken care of."
Braham snarled and said "Largen, you insult me. There is nothing you can that is beyond my ability. What do you say we compete to see who can take the head of that traitor first?" Braham then ordered "Open the gates! Crush the traitors and fools from Rigulus!" The gates opened and Gridamas soldiers charged towards Rigulus's army. Rigulus and Gridamas soldiers clashed.
"The gates are opening!" Winfield gritted his teeth as he and Kohta and Takashi readied their guns.
"Largen and Marquis Braham are in command." Elaine stated as she readies her spear.
"Perhaps they see this battle as a contest to belittle the other's manhood? They do have backbone, at least." Fyuria muttered as she got out her daggers.
"I do believe Elaine is correct." Luana agreed with Elaine.
Elaine smiled softly and whispered "Largen... Thank you."
"This is our chance! Ellis, Renee, Kirito, Asuna, Borgnine, Fyuria, and Elaine! You're with me! Everyone else, help Rigulus! Defensive maneuvers!" Leo shouted as he and his chosen group charged to battle Largen and Braham.
"That guy is nuts!" Tokai growled.
"But that what makes Leo, Leo!" Tachibana closed her eyes and smiled before transforming with her friends and charged into battle.
Tokai glared at Leo's group and muttering "Girl lover..."
Leo and his chosen group prowl through Gridamas soldiers with Borgnine punching and killing Leo's enemies with Fyuria adding in the hurt.
They soon confronted Largen and Braham.
"Well, look who have here!" Braham smirked darkly as he charged at Leo who clashed swords with him. "Two traitors who have disgraced Gridamas by allying themselves with rabble!"
"They are not rabble, Braham! It's scum like you who harm the innocent and take away their homes!" Leo shouted as Fyuria charged in and slashed Braham in the back three times.
"You little!" Braham growled as he slashed Fyuria in the chest, but Asuna came in and thrusts her rapier at the Marquis and give him some hurt, tiny drops of his blood dropped to the ground.
Meanwhile, Kirito and Elaine clashed with Largen. The black swordsman and Gridamas general clashed swords. Largen was impressed by this boy's strength.
"Impressive strength for a young boy..." Largen commented as he slashed Kirito across the chest.
"Not bad for a old man." Kirito added as he slashed Largen five times with his swords.
"I may be old, but this old man still has some fight in him!" Largen shouted as he and Elaine clashed next.
Ellis was casting healing spells on her friends while Leo and Braham continued their fight.
At first, it seems like Braham was overpowering Leo, but Leo, with Dyshana's strength pushed him back with a "RAAAAAGHHHHHHH!" And slashed Braham in the chest five times. The Spirit Vessel glowed with holy energy which surprised Braham as Leo in a speed of light appeared before him and slashed him five times and punched Braham in the chest.
"You insolent traitor!" Braham shouted as he slashed Leo across the chest.
Leo held his chest, but Ellis came in and used a healing spell to heal his wound. "Thank you, Ellis." Leo acknowledged as he kneed down and kick Braham in the ankle, making the Gridamas general tripped.
Kirito managed to use a skill to give Largen some hurt, but Largen tried to slash him in the head, but the black swordsman dodged it by dropping to the floor and kicked Largen in the chest.
Renee was surrounded by two Gridamas soldiers, but she leaped into the air and kicked them in the face, knocking them out.
Fyuria charged at Braham and slashed him five times, wounding his arm.
Elaine was next as she shouted "Crack Shoot!" Elaine slams her spear down on the ground, resulting in a mini-earthquake which made Largen recoiled for a bit. Asuna saw her chance and leaped into the air and thrusts her sword about 12 times, wounding Largen even more. Kirito then knew it is time to finish this by charging at Largen and slashed him three times, knocking him into a wall. Largen slipped into unconsciousness.
Braham stammered as Leo and his chosen group aimed their weapons at him. He couldn't believe it! How can one boy managed to beat both his and Largen's entire armies?! Largen regain consciousness in about 10 seconds, kneeling and clutching his wound.
"This battle is over, Braham. Largen, tell your men to retreat." Leo ordered as he pointed his sword at Braham.
Braham snarled and shouted "Fool! Gridamas shall not yield to the likes of you! You'll pay for this humiliation! And the, I'll kill each and every one of you!" He swore as he dashed past our heroes, making his quick escape.
"First you must escape!" Fyuria shouted as she was about to give chase, but Leo held his hand in front of her to stop her.
"Wait, Fyuria." He told her calmly.
"What?! You would let him escape?!" Fyuria looked at the Spirit Vessel in confusion.
"This battle is not over... Chasing him would cost us our victory." Renee reminded the syruim as she crossed her arms.
"Besides, with Largen captured and Braham had fled, the Gridamas army is likely to surrender." Leo smiled as he turned to Elaine and told her "Elaine, the Gridamas army will listen to you." Then he turned to face Largen and asked him "Largen, will you go with Elaine?"
Largen smiled softly and told him "I am your prisoner now. Do you think I could refuse?"
Leo smiled back and replied "Thank you." He turned to face Elaine and said seriously "Elaine."
"I know. Leave Largen to me." Elaine saluted as she and Largen left to tell the Gridamas army that Gridamas has lost this battle.
"The end of this battle is in sight. What shall our next move be?" Vira-Lorr asked, folding her arms.
Zerva frowned and pointed out "I doubt Gridamas will withdraw without a fight."
Leo gave it some thought and turned to Luana and asked her "Luana, will you summon a scout and a spy?"
Luana closed her eyes and smiled and replied with "But of course, darling. I shall return momentarily." Luana left to get things ready for Leo's request.
"We will discuss our plans once this battle has concluded." Leo told everyone, they nodded in agreement.
To be continued...
Next chapter: To End the Evil: A New Mission and Bonding
A/N: Be honest, I think that battle was a bit too short, guess I was in a rush or something. Anyway, next chapter will be longer, I hope...
Update: February 9: I have fixed this chapter due to me thinking it is not complete, so I added some extra content to it. Hopefully that will leave some readers satisfied.