Hello again everyone! Last time, Marta assisted Emerald against the Town Leader and his three cohorts where it was revealed they intened to erase everything who Emerald was in addiction to a man named Roy outright admitting that he resented Emerald and her parents. However, before things could be properly concluded, Alice shows up to cause trouble.
Once we look at the present day, we'll see how Marta and her friends handle Alice...
Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]
Everyone listening was on edge as Marta and Tenebrae recounted that tense dispute about Emerald, including the Leader's reasoning as well as this Roy's disgusting behavior in regards to Emerald's family. What surprised them most was Alice's sudden appearance to cause trouble for Marta again...
"I... I didn't think anyone like that lived in Izoold..." Genis said, at least greatful he never saw the guy whenever he and his friends went to the fishing town.
"Yes, it is quite troubling... I'm suppose you took care of the situation involving him once you dealt with Alice?" Raine asked the young girl, at least having a good feeling they defeated the Half-Elf Girl considering Marta is sitting here to tell the tale.
"We'll get back to that soon Raine. Needless to say, Alice showing up was the last thing we wanted. That aside, I was surprised that the civilians in Izoold didn't recognize me now that I remember..." Marta replied, curious how no one in Izoold remembered her considering the uproar she cuased defending Emerald and leading Alice away.
"It's possible they didn't have much time to recall you Lady Marta. After all, the Town Leader and Roy were given the most resentment at that moment in time." Tenebrae added, hoping to at least explain why Marta was welcomed in Izoold when returning there with Emil.
"I think that might be the case, but regardless of the fact, you did the right thing standing up for Emerald, Marta." Lloyd followed up with a smile and a thumbs up to which Marta appreciated.
"Thanks Lloyd. I would always stand up for a friend." Marta replied with a thankful smile as she was happy to protect her friend.
"Marta, what happened in that fight with Alice?" Emil asked, wondering what transpired in that battle. At the same time, he felt happy that his beloved stood up for her friends like she did with him in Luin and when she told him she defend him in Iselia.
"Right... so after Emerald used the smoke bomb, we all led Alice away from Izoold, hoping to take the fight over there so no one got hurt... it was than I also learned things about Azure and Selene I never knew before as well..." Marta said as she and Tenebrae began to recall that tense fight with Alice while everyone became curious about this unheard thing about Azure and Selene...
Izoold [Forest Outskits]
It must have been around 10:00 AM when Alice began chasing Marta and the others into the forest outskirts on Aramis. Tenebrae, still concealed, is tailing Alice if only to locate Marta ahead of time.
'I still wonder how Alice is able to form pacts with those monsters. If Aramis is here, then that means Athos and Porthos must be here too. It's possible other Vanguard soldiers are probably on their way as well. I better get to Lady Marta and quick!' Tenebrae thought as he pinpointed Marta and poofed over to where she and the others are.
Meanwhile...
It took a while to distance themselves, but Marta and the others eventually got into the forest a mile away from Izoold. If they wanted to deal with Alice, it would be here where no innocent civilians won't be hurt. Needless to say, the others were NOT happy to see Alice again.
"ARGH! I still can't believe that violent bitch is still talking down to us like we're garbage!" Topaz yelled while clutching the sides of her head in pure frustration and annoyance, not to mention those nicknames to show that they're all on Alice's bad side.
"Topaz, keep quiet or she'll track us down faster. I understand your frustration and quite frankly, Alice is still the same immature bully she's always been, yet we mustn't underestimate her. She is the Combat Unit Captain for a reason." Vermillion said as she placed a reassuring hand on Topaz's shoulder while keeping an eye out. At this point, Marta began to feel down about Alice coming here. This isn't just about her anymore as not just Tenebrae, but the rest of her friends are now at risk of being killed now too...
"This is all my fault... Alice is here because of me and Ratatosk's Core... I know I asked for help, but... I... I shouldn't have gotten you guys involved with my mess to begin with..." Marta said in dismay of herself, not taking into account that Alice would eventually hunt her down quicker if only to avenge her monsters defeat as well as her own loss back during the Blood Purge. The others couldn't help but feel bad for Marta as right now, she's bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders with three people trying to kill her. Needless to say, none of them could blame Marta for how she's feeling. Emerald eventually walked up to her former captain and got Marta's attention...
"Marta... I made the choice to help you back at that forest trail and never regretted it. You gave me confort and hope when I needed it, so I want to say for all of us thay we wanted to help you. It's been our choice from the beginning Marta. Don't ever think you're to blame." Emerald said as she looked Marta in the eyes with a look of courage and a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Emerald is right... besides, it's about time we stood up to Alice once and for all..." Selene said as she brandished her crop with the others with a small smirk. Eventually, Vermillion drew her sword and sheild, Topaz tightend her gauntlets and Azure loaded her gun to let them know they're ready. With that, Marta smiled and nodded before pulling out her Iron Spinner with Emerald pulling out Jade Star.
"Emerald... everyone... thank you..." Marta said with a thankful smile as she raised her hand with her Spinner with the others doing the same with their weapons. While Scarlet and Lavender weren't here with them, at this moment in time, they were as unified as they were back than.
"All for one, and one for all!" The six girls yelled in unison as they prepared themselves to face down Alice and whoever she brought with her. They have too in order to continue their journey together.
"Lady Marta!" Tenebrae said as he poofed in front of the girls after tracking down where Marta is.
"Tenebrae! What's the situation?" Marta called out to her Centurion friend, wondering where Alice's position is.
"Alice is on her way here and from what I can gather, she has her monsters with her!" Tenebrae warned the girls as they decided to step forth and deal with her.
A few moments later...
Marta, the girls and Tenebrae made there way in a clearing in the forest with their weapons drawn. Eventually after a moment or two, Alice showed up with Athos, Porthos and Aramis at the ready.
"Hello there my weak little kittens ❤️. So you decided to come and die without any fuss." Alice said a most disturbing thing in the most cheery voice possible.
"No, we haven't come here to die and we're not letting you have your way with us either! So you're going to leave us alone and this town alone or else!" Marta said with a look of defiance as she brandished her weapon.
"Or else what? Besides, why would you even help this town? I overheard what they were saying about Emmy...or was it Jade as that man called her. My oh my, that means Emmy lied to Commander Brute about who she was. Sylveranti otherwise, that's not a good thing to do. Oh well, that Roy fellow got what he deserved for all that rotten garbage he was spewing from his foul mouth ❤️. If he dies, no one will miss him." Alice continued in a cutesy voice while insulting Roy. While Marta and the others couldn't deny that Roy is an awful person, attempting to take his life was uncalled for, nor did he deserve to die.
"It's true that I hid who I was and while it's true I resent Roy, Jacob, Marley and the Town Leader, I never once wished death upon them! That's why I will protect my hometown by defeating you!" Emerald said as she pointed her Shiruken at Alice, who didn't look concerned in the slightest.
"I have nothing to fear from weaklings. Porthos, tear Selenie up. Athos, rip Toppy apart. As for Azuzu and VerVer..." Alice said as she snapped her fingers to summon something. The girls heard loud footsteps and when they turned around, they saw a white fured creature with purple skin and Tenebrae's eyes widened...
"A Yeti?!" Tenebrae shouted as Marta turned to him in confusion.
"What kind of monster is that?!" Marta asked as she can't believe that Alice would send this beast after Azure.
"An Ice type monster and rather unfriendly ones I might add. My question is how Alice managed to get this monster on her side?" Tenebrae replied while still in wonder how Alice got yet another monster to be her ally.
"Hee hee hee! Wouldn't you like to know my little Centurion? Oh, I'll need you alive while MartMart and her worthless group of weaklings can go die 🎵! As for MartMart and Emmy, I'll take care of them with Aramis and my other new pet!" Alice said as a Cave Bear walked up to her and the girls are all on guard now.
"Great... a bear now?" Marta said in annoyance in regards to Alice's new "pets". While Marta can fight these guys together with everyone, she knew it would be hard to do so while everyone is separated fighting all of these monsters.
"Don't falter Marta! Once we're done with these chumps, we'll back you and Emerald up! Now go and ruin that face Alice is so proud of! TERRRRRRRIAAAAA!" Topaz said before letting out a battle cry as she charged Athos and pushed him into the forest to fight off the wolf like monster, much to Marta's amazement. Selene than pointed her crop as Porthos and ran toward the rabbit monster to fight it. It was than the Yeti creeped up with Azure loading her Sapphire Blaster and Vermillion prepped her sword and sheild.
"We'll handle Alice's new "pet" here." Azure said as she began to strafe and shoot at the beast as Vermillion turned to Tenebrae.
"Tenebrae, keep a watch on Topaz! We'll assist Marta!" Vermillion asked the Centurion before charging the Yeti. Tenebrae looked to Marta for a moment before the young girl nodded to let him do so. As much as Tenebrae didn't want to leave Marta alone, he knew he had to do so for a moment to watch over Topaz in case she needed help and so, he went into the woods after her.
Marta than turnedand smiled to Emerald with the kunocihi nodding in acknowledgement before they brandished their weapons and charged the Cave Bear together.
Izoold [Forest Depths]
"Earth Breaker!" Topaz yelled as she performed a body uppercut followed up by a left hook, staggering Athos as the beast attempted to bite the Martial Artist before blocking with her gauntlets.
"Bite this instead you freak! Magma Punt!" Topaz yelled as she broke away from the wolf monster and performed three spin kicks in succession, each kick stronger than the last. This sent the wolf monster flying back in the trees. Topaz smirked for a moment, believing she got him, but...
*ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR* Athos roared as he came from behind Topaz and slashed her across her back.
"ARGH!" Topaz grunted in pain as the slash mark hurt like hell, but she gritted her teeth and turned to face the beast.
"Dirty coward! Just like that heartless you call a master!" Topaz cursed as she began her assult on Athos once more. Tenebrae witnessed the whole thing in the meantime and needless to say, he was impressed and concerned with Topaz's iron will and determination despite the damage she was taking.
Izoold [Forest Outskits]
Marta and Emerald took caution attacking the Cave Bear while dodging Alice's attacks from above thanks to her riding on top of Aramis. It was annoying, but they were thankful that Alice can't get a clear shot if she's playing it safe by staying in the air.
"Ice Needles!" Alice yelled out as she fired shards of ice at Marta and Emerald in another attempt to skewer them, only for them to avoid or break the shards of ice, much to Alice's slowly growing annoyance.
"Ground Dasher!" Selene casted as a chasm opened beneath her with a wave of stalagmites attack Porthos, juggling the monster into the air at Aramis with the balloon monster avoiding his ally's flying "lesson" as the rabbit monster crashed elsewhere in the forest. Needless to say, Alice was not happy that one of her favorite monsters was beaten up again as Selene slowly made her way to Alice with an intense glare as she charged up another spell in her crop with the Combat Unit Captain doing the same as Marta and Emerald fought off the Cave Bear.
"Stone Blast!" Selene casted as she fired a a barrage of small stones from the ground up at Alice and Aramis.
"Stone Blast!" Alice chanted, performing the same spell Selene casted to intercept her attack, causing dust to form as Selene and Alice both shielded their eyes and as this was occurring...
"Leaf Storm!" Emerald yelled as she created Shiruken stars out of pure wind, sharpend to an intense degree as they all stuck the Cave Bear, causing damage. With that, Marta ran up to the bear and...
"Crescent Dance!" Marta shouted as she twirled and unleashed her overhead slash and horizontal slash combo upon the bear, knocking it down hard. As Alice witnessed this, her eyes nearly popped out of her head in disbelief.
"What?! MartMart can use Artes now?! That's impossible!" Alice shouted in shock and annoyance. Marta didn't pay the comment no mind as she and Emerald braced themselves while Selene kept Alice busy.
Not too far away, Azure and Vermillion were keeping the Yeti at bay as they dodged the monsters attacks and kept taking pot shots, but they knew she had to launch an Arte to defeat it fast. After avoiding another attack, Azure loaded a special bullet into her Blaster and...
"Optic Blast!" Azure yelled as she fired a straight reddish pink laser at the monster, peircing it's left arm and rendering it useless as a result.
"That should limit it's options. Now for another round to finish it off!" Azure said as she prepared to fire again, but noticed the gun clicking which came as strange to her. As soon as she checked it, she saw her gun's ammo ring was stuck.
"What?! Why now?!" Azure let out in shock as she couldn't believe her gun was locking up now of all times, not paying attention to the battle as she tried to get the ammo ring unstuck.
"Azure, look out!" Vermillion cried as the Yeti closed the gap and punched Azure hard in the stomach and sent her flying.
"ARGHHH!" Azure let out as she slammed into a nearby tree, causing the tree to fall down making the dust rise up. This got everyone's attention as a massive dust cloud built up. Marta, Emerald, Vermillion and Selene looked on in shock as their friend got hurt hard while Alice looked pleased with herself. At this point, Vermillion chared the Yeti and unleashed her own Arte upon it...
"No mercy for you! Bishop's Thrust!" Vermillion yelled as she impaled the monster with her lightning eveleoped sword though the Yeti's chest before yanking it out with blood flying everywhere with some of it landing on Vermillion's armor. The Yeti colasped onto the ground dead, much to everyone's surprise and shock, including Alice. Seeing Vermillion kill the monster in such a brutal way was not pleasant as when Vermillion used that Arte on another human or a Half-Elf, it was never lethal and gruesome like what the lady knight just did with the unfortunate monster. After doing so, Vermillion ran over to the fallen tree Azure was punched into.
"Azure! Are you... okay...?" Vermillion cried out as Azure walked out of the dust cloud with some electricity crackling out of her left arm, to the confusion of everyone present, including Alice.
"I... I'm fine... I can still... fight...!" Azure said as a strange black fluid oozing out of her arm along with the electrical pulse leaving her arm with her right leg barely even able to move. Eventually she fell to the ground, finding it hard to get back up.
"Azure, you're hurt!" Marta cried out in worry for her friend. As strange and surreal as the black fluid and electricity was, that didn't matter as her friend was hurt and she needed to be healed, but she couldn't leave Emerald and Selene alone with Alice and her monsters. Vermillion was already on it before Marta can say anything.
"I'll get her to safety! Focus on Alice!" Vermillion said as she picked up and led Azure to safety with Marta nodding as turned her attention back to Alice and the Cave Bear.
"Well now, I didn't expect that, but it looks like the rumors about Azuzu are true after all..." Alice said with a look of intrigue as the three girls stared at her in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?" Emerald asked as the Cave Bear got back up and stared them down.
"That she may not be human of course! Members of the Vanguard say they hear strange sounds coming from her room all the time and they see this strange black fluid sometimes. Not to mention she's always avoiding the weight measurements and suspiciously never arrives for physical examinations. That means she's either a cyborg or even possibly a full on robot. How ironic that Azuzu isn't even a human. Hee hee hee ❤️." Alice explained about what she heard about Azure supposedly being a machine or partially mechanical. After hearing it, suddenly everything made sense to Marta and the others. Why Azure was strangely heavy despite her slim build and why she's strangely in her room all the time every Saturday. Whatever it was, it appeared to be personal issue to Azure and Marta knew that even if she is a machine, she's still their friend and she wasn't going to let Alice belittle her.
"Even if what you say is true Alice, Azure is still our friend and we won't let you insult her!" Marta yelled back as she charged the Cave Bear once more with Emerald joining her.
"Oh well, not that it matters sense she will be scrap along with your corpses!" Alice yelled as she continued her magic battle against Selene in the meantime as the two girls kept firing their magic spells at each other.
Izoold [Forest Depths]
Topaz and Athos were still going at it with each other as Topaz had a couple of scratches and cuts while Athos was covered in bruises all over as the Martial Artist proved tougher than the wolf monster as Athos was staggering at this point with Topaz smirking.
"You put up a good fight, but it's time to end this!" Topaz said with a wide grin as Athos growled slight and begn his charge.
*ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR* Athos let out as it tried to slice Topaz in two only for her to dodge the wolf and uppercut it into standing on his hind legs and than.
"Time for my Mystic Arte! Golden Macrocosm!" Topaz yelled out as began unleashing a barrage of straights, jabs, hooks, uppercuts, knees and kicks at high speeds around Athos, hitting him everywhere on his body before jumping up and delivering a powerful overhead punch onto the wolf's head.
As soon as Topaz landed away, Athos tried to get up and let out a weak growl before he passed out. Topaz than fell to one knee, catching her breath for a moment.
"Grandpa, thank you... that Arte you taught me really helped me there..." Topaz said with a sad smile as Tenebrae walked up the wounded Martial Artist.
"You did well Topaz. Although, I must admit that you were pretty reckless." Tenebrae said, expressing both his compliments and criticisms about Topaz's fight against Athos.
"Yeah, got a tad carried away. Just need to catch my breath before I head back..." Topaz said as she breathed in and out to recover her strength. She than heard rustling.
"Hurry! Lady Alice is expecting us! We must meet up with her to capture Lady Marta as soon as we can!" Said a familiar voice as Topaz realized who it was.
"Hawk... no doubt he and the rest of the Combat Unit are coming here. Knowing him, he must have gotten lost on the way. Seriously, I feel bad for the shit he has to deal with Alice." Topaz said as she rose up as Tenebrae watched.
"You're not planning to comfront him, are you?" Tenebrae asked the Martial Artist as she flashed a grin.
"Don't worry, I just plan to scare them off without being seen. Hawk's tough, but he's a coward and will take advantage of my weakened state. As soon as I scare them off, I'll come help out." Topaz said as she prepared to go forth, but Tenebrae floated up to her.
"Maybe I can be of assistance." Tenebrae offered with Topaz smiling and nodding in agreement as they left Athos to cut off the rest of Alice's Unit.
Izoold [Forest Outskits]
Marta and Emerald continued holding their own against the Cave Bear as the monster was reaching it's limits. Eventually, Marta was able to land a fearsome axe kick from behind, making it tumble towards Emerald.
"Emerald, now's your chance!" Marta cried out as it was now the Kunoichi's chance to prove how far she has come as both a fighter and as a person. With that, Emerald began to charge up her mana.
"Right! Time for my secret technique!" Emerald shouted as she performed a myriad of hand signs to prepare herself for what appeared to be her Mystic Arte to finish off the bear for good. No more cowering! No more freaking out! As Marta watched on, she knew that Emerald's not the frightened little girl she was before!
Emerald than dissappeared before reappearing in front of the bear and kicked it into the sky before jumping up and slashing the bear from all angles as if there were three Emerald's attacking it. Once a three way slash was done, Emerald lept back up and grabbed the monster and began spinning at high speeds as they begn to come back down head first.
"MAXIMUM JADE RAGNAROK!" Emerald screamed as she slammed the monsters head into the ground, burrying it halfway as she lept away and landed near her friend. The monster's bpdy twitched for a moment before it went limp, signifying it's death. As Alice and Selene witnessed the event happen, the dark haired girl grinned while Alice looked on in dismay. As Emerald fell to her knees, she breathed in and out to regain herself.
"Don't worry Emerald, I got you! First Aid!" Marta said as she began to heal Emerald's injuries and exhaustion. While it didn't fully heal her, it helped greatly as the kunoichi's breathing calmed.
"You did great Emerald. Stay here and rest. Leave Alice to me and Selene." Marta said with a soft smile and a wink as she got up and walked over to Selene to confront Alice, who was not looking happy at the moment.
"I don't believe this... Emmy... weak, anxious filled Emmy killed my newly acquired Cave Bear?! What sort of sick joke is this?!" Alice cried out as Aramis lowered to the ground with Alice jumping off. It was then Marta and Selene knew that if Alice is finally coming down to face them, that means she intends to get serious.
"Give it up Alice! Your Yeti and Cave Bear are dead, Porthos was launched into the forest and knowing Topaz, Athos is most likely down! It might just be me and Selene, but you can't fight us both!" Marta replied with a degree of confidence she never had when facing Alice before. She made sure not to get overconfident, but if she was being honest... it felt great to stand up to Alice after all of the bullying she put her and her friends through.
"Don't make me laugh! Selenie is more of a threat than you'll ever be! You and Emmy only got lucky with that bear! Now you're expecting a heart broken little girl to help you! Give me a break!" Alice replied with the cutsey tone laced with venom as Selene tense up with Marta noticing it. Heart broken? What did Alice mean by that?
"W-what are you talking about?" Selene asked as her eyes shrunk down considerably as Alice smirked a smile most unpleasant.
"Selene...?" Marta asked her friend in concern as Alice paced around with Aramis watching.
"Oh? Selenie didn't tell you why she joined the Vanguard? Well, aren't you going to tell MartMart or should I tell her?" Alice taunted the dark haired girl as Selene tried to fire another spell, but Aramis flew in front of Selene, making her lose her concentration.
"Leave Selene out of this Alice!" Marta yelled back at Alice, upset that even when her back is against the wall, she still tries to hurt people to satisfy her sadism.
"Oh, but I insist ❤️! It's nothing noble! Selenie joined the Vanguard for revenge. I was sent to retrieve her for Commander Brute one night and found her room open and saw something interesting. A picture of her and a boy with blond hair and dark green eyes." Alice said as Selene came to a sudden halt, unable to focus now. Emerald, watching the whole thing, knew she needed to do something and fast despite her exhausted body.
"Wha...? You... you saw...?" Selene said as she struggled to say something. Marta never knew about Selene's past that much, but Alice was getting personal now. Marta just glared daggers at the Combat Unit Captain now.
"Alice! Stop!" Marta yelled at Alice with intense anger. How much more is Alice going to go until she's satisfied?!
"I even found a little book of yours, a diary I think? This boy's name was... Soleil I believe? You wrote down that he was the love of your life. Made the past four years of your life complete bliss until a year ago, something awful happened didn't it?" Alice said as her grin faded into a look of grim as she stared down the dark haired girl.
"Shut up..." Selene whispered as her eyes were hidden from view.
"You wrote down in an entry about an interesting fact about people from Tethe'alla..." Alice continued, ignoring Marta and Selene as she kept up the emotional abuse.
"Shut up..." Selene said a bit more louder as wptears began to leak down her face. Needless to say, Marta was NOT happy where this was going.
"Selene...! Alice, don't you dare...!" Marta called to her friend before turning to Alice and gritting her teeth in anger at the Combat Unit Captain as she now understood what Alice was doing. Even if Alice is telling the truth, it's clearly not going to end well.
"That after an encounter with them, your dear beloved Soleil... was murdered trying to protect you." Alice finished, dropping a massive bomb shell that caused a sudden silence for 10 seconds and then...
"SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" Selene shouted at the top of her lungs as she lunged at Alice, dropping her crop and attempted to punch, scratch and claw Alice's face off, never landing a single hit on her as the Combat Unti Captain dodged all of it like it was nothing. It happened so fast that Marta couldn't react quick enough to stop or aid Selene until...
"You're mine! War and Peace !" Alice shouted as she threw a barrage of candy and cookies at Selene, which than all exploded, sending Selene flying back to where Marta was at unconscious.
"SELENE!" Marta cried as the dark haired girl laid next to her, her face stained with tears. Marta couldn't believe what she saw and heard. If her look alike reacted this way, she knew Alice couldn't have been lying and yet...
'Selene... all this time... you lost something so dear to you... and you bottled it all up... I'm sorry I didn't see it before...' Marta thought as she sheaded tears for her friend. Losing your parents and friends is painful, but losing someone who your trust your heart too? That's another whole level of pain and Alice just cruelly twisted it in Selene's face.
"Alice... you've gone too far this time!" Marta replied with an anger she never felt toward Alice before. While she disliked Alice for the bullying she endured under her, now it was turning into hate toward her. Why does Alice want to hurt her and those close to her, she doesn't know, but right now, she had enough of it.
"Ooooo, scary ❤️! Unfortunately, you couldn't scare even Hawkie even if you wanted too. I told the truth, Selenie didn't like it. But don't worry, you won't die yet. I plan to kill all of your friends before I finish you. Nice. And. Slow." Alice replied with her cute voice once more as Marta didn't falter an inch by this point. As Marta thought what to do, the core on her forehead glowed as she closed her eyes for a moment...
Izoold [Forest Depths]
Topaz and Tenebrae kept heading to where Hawk's voice is coming from as they heard all the attacks and screaming going on between Marta's group and Alice's forces, eventually culminating with Emerald screaming followed by a large thud.
"What was that?" Tenebrae asked as he followed Topaz.
"Hopefully Marta and the other pounding Alice's face in!" Topaz said as she came to a halt and peeked throught the bush to see Hawk and four other men with him. Tenebrae at least recognized him from his brief view of him during the Blood Purge.
"Ah, I remember him. He was the one who faceplanted on the boat me and Lady Marta used to escape Palmacosta." Tenebrae whispered to Topaz, who could only snicker slightly at the mess up.
"Sir Hawk, I believe Lady Alice and Lady Marta are in that direction!" One of the Combat Unit soldiers said to Hawk as they were trying to locate them in an effort to capture Marta.
"Drat! We must make sure we retrieve Lady Marta first before thay sadist does! If we do that, I'll sure to be captain once more and we'll be rid of that dreadful girl!" Hawk said as Tenebrae and Topaz overheard them. While they felt bad for Hwak's predicament, they knew that they can't allow him or his men to capture Marta, especially sense they know Alice is out to kill her. With that, the two nodded as Tenebrae concealed himself and began making noise around the area as Topaz climed the tree. Naturally, the strange noise began to spook Hawk and his men.
"What was that?!" A soldier said as the men began to freak out with Hawk doing his best to remain calm as Tenebrae kept making spooky sounds to frighten them off. While he feels bad to subject them to Alice for not showing up, he knew it was the right thing to do in order to keepcmore trouble off of Marta and the others.
"Stand your ground men! It's probably just the wind!" Hawk said as he refused to turn back when they were so close and yet...
"SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" Yelled a familiar voice thay shook Hawk and his men to their core as it frightened them, but Tenebrae and Topaz knew who was screaming bloody murder.
'Selene! Gotta wrap this up!' Topaz thought as she jumped off the highest point of a tree and started to charge up an Arte as she fell back down to the forest ground.
"W-w-we should turn back Sir Hawk!" A soldier said, clearly scared out of his wits end.
"N-no! We will succeed and-" Hawk said as he noticed a shadow forming around them and as he turned up to look...
"Tremor Pilebunker!" Topaz yelled as she punched the ground as hard as she could, creating a shockwave so strong that it sent Hawk and his men flying into the distance. They could only scream as they faded into the sky as stars. As soon as the Combat Unit was dealt with, Topaz turned to Tenebrae with a worried look...
"We gotta get back to Marta and the others, fast!" Topaz said with urgency as Tenebrae nodded before the two broke out into a sprint to reach the others, hoping that it wasn't too late.
Izoold [Forest, Yesterday Night]
"What is it you need to teach me Tenebrae?" Marta asked the Centurion, wondering what it is he needed to tell her around 9:30 PM.
"To teach you a VERY important ability Lady Marta. If the Vanguard does show up, it is imperative that I teach you this skill. Now that we know you have healing magic and light based magic, I believe you should know about a move called a Mystic Arte. It is the most powerful Arte anyome can use." Tenebrae explained while hoping Marta understood what he is planning on teaching her in this moment.
"A Mystic Arte? I... I recall Scarlet being able to do something like that. You... you think I can do one too?" Marta asked Tenebrae while recalling Scarlet once utilizing such a technique. Can she really perform such an Arte?
"Yes, but it involves channeling the energy within you and Ratatosk's Core. That aside, it must be something you find within yourself. When the time comes, this Mystic Arte will be yours. Now than, shall we practice?" Tenebrae told Marta about what to do in regards to finding her Mystic Arte before getting ready for her training.
"Sure Tenebrae! Anything to get stronger!" Marta replied cheerfully, now accustomed to training and taking pride in becoming stronger as she tried to find what her Mystic Arte would be.
Izoold [Forest Outskits, Present]
Marta thought back to what Tenebrae said as the Core on her forehead glowed brighter. She opened her eyes as Alice grimaced at seeing the Core glow, recalling what happened the last time this happened.
"Oh, don't think your little lightshow will help you. As you can see, there's no water and I won't give you a chance to heal yourself unless you want me to run your frail little body through ❤️." Alice said as she pointed her crop at Marta, preparing to charge a spell to kill Marta. Meanwhile, the young girl thought back to something about a God of Healing her mom once mentioned and it was then Marta found something within herself. With that, she held up her spinner and began to focus as she closed her eyes to do so.
"Oh? Finally decided to stop struggling? Too bad, you're going to be hurt very slowly..." Alice said as Emerald grabbed Alice from behind and held her in place as Marta opened her eyes to see Emerald do so despite the kunoichi's exhaustion.
"What?! Emmy! I thought you were too tired! Hey! Let me go you worthless brat!" Alice yelled as she began to thrash aroound, trying to break free, even going as far as to kick the kunoichi's legs.
"Emerald!" Marta cried out for her friend as she didn't want Emerald to be in the way.
"It's okay! Just do what you need to!" Emerald cried out as she took what abuse Alice gave her in an effort to bring this sadistic woman-child down once and for all. Despite this worry, Marta closed her eyes as a greenish blue glow began to envelope her as she began to say some words...
"God of healing, bless those who stand before you.." Marta began chanting as she began to focus more hold energy within herself as Tenebrae and Topaz came onto the scene.
"Marta!" Topaz cried out as she witnessed Marta beginning her newfound Arte. She saw Emerald holding Alice in place and Selene unconscious with Azure and Vermillion nowhere to be seen. Topaz, worrying that Emerald is prepared to risk her life for Marta to attack Alice is about to rush until...
"Don't worry Topaz, Lady Marta won't hurt Emerald. Trust me." Tenebrae said with a smile of pride as the lesson Marta learned last night is being put to good use.
"Grant me the righteous power to banish evil..." Marta continued as her spinner began to increase in speed as she began to unleash her newfound Msytic Arte. At this point, Alice could only get angry as now...
"No! MartMart's using a Mystic Arte! I don't believe this! Let go you worthless anxiety driven excuse for a ninja!" Alice cried out in fury as she kicked Emerald harder.
"The only weak one... IS YOU! YOU SADISTIC BULLY!" Emerald cried out as she braced herself to throw Alice and get to safety. At that point...
"Radiant Roar!" Marta let out as she propeled herself into the air, floating in place as a massive circle of energy eveleoped the field. It was around then Emerald threw Alice as hard as she could into the circle and stepped back. As the kunoichi did, Emerald noticed more of her injuries and her exhaustion healed further and noticed both Marta and Selene's injuries healed too. It was around that point, a burst of light elemental light began attacking Alice, dealing heavy damage to the Combat Unit Captain as she could only scream in pain as she was launched into Aramis as the balloon monster caught her and flew up.
Marta then landed on her feet, feeling completely refreshed from performing that Arte. She than looked at Emerald and Selene, noticing that their wounds healed much to her delight.
"It... it worked!" Marta said in happiness that she was able to perform the Mystic Arte that she practiced with Tenebrae. Emerald walked up to Marta, taking her mask off and looked at her friend with a smile before checking on Selene.
"I overheard what Alice said... I feel bad for Selene..." Emerald said as she picked up Selene in a bridal carry.
"Lady Marta! Excellent work!" Tenebrae said as he and Topaz walked up to the girls, happy and relieved that Marta and the others are still alive, but Topaz had a few things to ask...
"Where are Vermillion and Azure? And what happened to Selene?" Topaz asked, clearly worried about her dear friends.
"Vermillion carried Azure to safety after she was badly hurt. As for Selene, Alice brought up something personal and took advantage of it. I feel like Selene and Azure have something they want to tell us, but it can all wait when they feel better..." Marta explained to Topaz and Tenebrae, knowing that Azure's mechanical nature and Selene's connections with this Soleil will be revealed in due time.
"MartMart!" Screamed a furious voice as the three girls and Tenebrae saw a battered Alice riding on Aramis.
"Just you wait! When I get you all alone, you will die like the weakling you are and no ONE will MISS YOU!" Alice said as she flew away on Aramis to lick her wounds and fight another day. Even when she's beaten down, Alice always tried to get under her skin, but for now, the battle was over.
"Come on, let's meet up with Vermillion and Azure and I'll patch you up with my healing Artes. Then, we'll resolve your personal issues with your town, Emerald." Marta said with a small smile, knowing Emerald still needed to finish what she needed to do.
"Right Marta... now that I think about, even though I was chased away... Izoold is my home and... I still want to return without being chased and kept away... and I intend to have my voice finally heard." Emerald said to Marta with a clear mind as she walked with the others while carrying Selene.
As they headed to meet up with the rest of their friends, Marta knew that whatever problems her friends have, she's ready to be there and help them out. Once they leave Izoold, the young girl knows Azure and Selene will need it. But for now, they are safe and can take their victory against Alice with pride.
To Be Continued...
My longest chapter yet! With this, Marta earned her first official victory over Alice and kept Izoold safe with the help of her friends.
Next time, we will see the aftermath and the next phase of Marta's journey beginning.
Stay tuned!
