Wrestling Holiday One-Shots
By Jurassicfatt
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. They are owned by WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling, and many other promotions. This story is entirely fictional.
Chapter 3: Favors (Bayley/Alexa)
No One's POV, Kingdom of Argos, Just before Noon
The throne room was a disaster. Queen Alexa stood in the middle of it, black sword still in hand, with crimson blood dripping off the blade. Around her were several bluish-black bodies, with pointed ears and jutting sharp teeth. Goblins. This was the second time this week they had broken into the palace. She might as well sleep in her armor, at this point. Her black boots were stained in blood, her pants slightly torn except for the armored knees and shins. Her breastplate, black and silver, also had a few drops of blood, but gleamed in the sunlight streaming in from the windows. It covered from her chest to her hips, and some chainmail had been placed on her neck to protect from blades and arrows. On her hip was a sword holster, black leather strapped directly to her belt. She wore black arm bracers and fingerless gloves on her hand, allowing her to better grip her sword during fights. Alexa had tried to explain that to her advisors, who had warned her it left her hands vulnerable and thought she was kind of stupid for doing so. She never even wanted the damn throne, so she didn't need the attitude. But, for now, she was the 'Elven Goddess', as the general masses coined her, and she could do whatever the fuck she wanted so long as it didn't hurt her people. So, her response to them was simple: "Shut up."
"Queen Alexa!" a young Elf soldier yells, running up to the 5ft. monarch with another group of men wielding spears and bows. She detested that name so fucking much. "What has happened?"
"Oh, nothing. Just another bunch of goblins somehow got past the defenses and attacked the throne room! How in the fuck did this happen again?!" Alexa screams, less than pleased by her guard's ineptness. Her blue eyes stared at the young soldier, who clammed up at her intense gaze.
All Alexa wanted to do was get away from this shit. Her cousin Marcus, the former king, died fighting a needless war against the dark elves, who had done nothing wrong. He had always been greedy but stupid. The dark elves were the richest of all 9 kingdoms, so he took it upon himself to take them over, and lost. Badly. In return, the dark elves and the other 7 elf kingdoms decided they weren't going to help Alexa with a goblin horde making daily attacks into her city state. She literally had bought a ticket a month ago to leave this godforsaken kingdom with her folks, when a group soldiers arrived at her house and demanded that she come with them. As she was the last surviving Kaufman 'of appropriate age' (her parents were too old and couldn't 'continue the line'- pigs), the advisors crowned her, coronated her, and shoved in a boardroom for hours discussing strategy. She was pursued by nearly every young guy in the room, none of whom were her type, while she looked over the battle plans. She only had eyes for 1 special someone, who was on her way here.
Truth be told, Lexi was a great strategist, but she knew they weren't going to win. Argos, the smallest kingdom of the 9, had a depleted economy due to her cousin's war and barely any defenses left. Which is probably why the goblins were attacking in the first place. For them, Argos was easy prey. Much easier facing off against an army of less than 1200 over the 12000 in the kingdoms of Swalftheim, Nitobad, and Jericho. Or against the dark elf kingdom of Quantas, with its near limitless reserves of soldiers, technology, and money. The goblin army were stubborn, too. Their 900 strong were fast, agile, and used mechanical instruments like battering rams, cannons, and Ford Model As. Yes, Argos was still on horseback while the goblins had a few cars. She could barely believe they were this weak. Even with the human soldiers helping them, it wouldn't matter. As she slowly went towards the throne chair, some advisors walk in. Wearing the customary white robes, they stare at the goblin bodies being dragged away and the steaks of blood staining the tile floor.
"What? Where did these goblins come from? How did this happen?" the taller elf, with brown eyes and hair, demands in a regal tone. BANG! The roar of a canon ball breaking through the wall of an adjacent room startles everyone. Laughing and the sound of screeching tires outside follows. Looks like another blast run from our blue goblin friends. "Get out there now and deal with those cretins!" he yells, causing the young guards to run outside, many stumbling through the halls. Lexi sighs, before looking at the tall elf, her pointy ears twitching. "Now Alexa-"
"I'm abdicating the throne."
"You've done that 6 times this week, and yet here you stand." the advisor responds simply. Another elf, slightly shorter with green eyes and blond hair, smirks at Alexa. The action only makes her skin crawl.
"Because I don't want to be Queen, Vex!"
"Nonsense. Of course, you do. It is the greatest honour of any elf of royal blood to become ruler."
"You don't understand. I. Do not. Want it! No matter what I do, the royals can't stand me. I can't give the power up unless another kingdom agrees to sign off, and they won't talk to me. And the goblins keep attacking. We are hilariously outgunned. You do know that, right? I tried making peace with the goblins, but they don't want it. I tried making peace with the other kingdoms, but they won't listen. I'm either going to end up dead or enslaved at this point! I only have one play left." Alexa argues in an exasperated tone, sheathing her sword before taking a handkerchief and cleaning her hands.
The green-eyed elf runs up, his robes moving with his speed. He grabs Alexa's hands, giving her a jolt and causing her eyebrow to raise as he responds. "Oh, Queen Alexa, I'm so honoured! You're saying yes to my proposal, baby!" he asserts in a gleeful voice, as Alexa gives him a blank stare. "I couldn't imagine you'd take this long to respond, but I'm delighted you've seen my heart, baby. It would be an absolute privilege for me to take your hand and comma-"
Alexa swiftly pulls her hands away and kicks the elf right between the legs, causing him to yell out in pain. He collapses on the floor, holding his privates as he groans and curls into a ball on the ground.
"Don't touch me. And don't call me baby. We're not a thing." Alexa tells him, turning her back to the advisors. "I've called for reinforcements to handle the issue."
"What?" Vex asks, his tone raised in surprise. The other two advisors stare at each other in shock, then turn their heads to Alexa. "Why were we not consulted?"
"Because every time we talk strategy, you keep talking about how 'only Argosian elves can handle these dark forces'. Guess what? We've got our asses kicked twice so far- once against the dark elves, and right now against the goblins. We need help, and I'm not waiting to become someone's dinner before I ask." she asserts, grabbing a goblet and filling it with water. She'd get a drink, but she needs to be on her toes in case more goblins arrive.
"Who did you ask? How much will it cost?" Vex asks, his hands shaking in anger, displeasure evident on his crooked eyebrows and narrowed eyes.
Sipping from her goblet, she answers. "*Sigh*, Who else? As much as I didn't want to, they're the best for this job."
"I bet its that Nikki Cross friend of hers." One of the aids murmurs, the others snickering before Lexi gives them a glare, silencing them in an instant.
"Nope. Nikki's busy on a quest with Leon. I asked for the Horsewomen."
"The Horsewomen?!" Vex and the other elves scream out, before another continues. "I thought they were disbanded?"
"They were. But the Goddess always gets what she wants." Alexa argues, smiling to herself. She only hoped they'd arrive quick enough to deal with the horde before the bastards completely overtook the kingdom.
Bayley's POV, somewhere outside Argos
I sit in the backseat of our Ford Fiesta, the gray seats mostly clean and smooth to the touch. I rummage through the snack bag, blue with a gold string at the top, only to find something missing.
"Where are the pastries we bought?" I ask. Iyo, who is driving, her eyes firmly on the road, points with her head to Dakota. Iyo's red braided hair falls to one shoulder as she does so, covering the black breastplate she wears over her chest. The pink and blonde-haired girl with tanned skin next to her freezes, not moving a muscle. An equally shiny but white breastplate covers her torso. "Dakota? Iyo? What happened to all the pastries we just bought yesterday? There was one for all of us." I ask again.
"Watashi o minaide, Dakota ni kiite kudasai (Don't look at me, ask Dakota)," Iyo responds, in her native tongue. Bayley stares a hole through Dakota, causing the young woman to gulp.
"Dakota?"
The girl turns, an unsure smile covering her features. "Yes Bayley?"
"Did you eat the last pastry?" My eyes stare at her, as I wipe some excess dust off my crimson red armor. She opens her mouth to respond, but gets caught in my gaze.
"Okay, yes, it was me." Dakota says quickly, her accent making it difficult to catch her words. "The first strawberry danish was so good, I wanted another one this morning. I didn't even think before I took a bite. And then that one was even better, so I just kept eating it. I'm sorry, Bayley."
"Oh. Then that's okay." I state, grabbing a cracker. Dakota stays silent, looking at me, while Iyo raises an eyebrow.
"Really? You're not mad?" Dakota asks.
"No. It's no biggie." I say with a smile. Dakota searches my eyes for anger, but finds none. Blowing out a breath, she turns and relaxes into her seat. "You owe me and Iyo dinner."
"Oh, come on!" Dakota yells, causing Iyo to chuckle. "I'm buying you soup."
"Nope. Those pastries cost us 50$ each in the wastelands, and Iyo helped pay for mine. So, you owe both of us a dinner worth 100$ in total."
"No cheap soup. You buy us good food." Iyo responds, getting a gasp from Dakota and a laugh from me. Dakota just huffs.
"You guys really suck, you know that?" Dakota tells us. Oh, sweet, sweet Dakota, must you be so bold?
"Come on, Kota. You know the drill. We all agreed on 1 pastry for every member of Damage CTRL. You ate yours, and mine, therefore you owe us dinner. I did the same thing for you guys after I ate that salad we got at Marco's Orcish Grill." I tell her.
"And you were eyeing my blueberry danish, yesterday." Iyo states, eliciting a shock from Dakota.
"I did not eye your danish, Iyo. I simply looked at it. There's a difference." Dakota responds.
"But you ate mine." I say, giving her a smirk. She turns her head, before sighing.
"*Sigh* Okay, okay, I'll buy you both dinners."
I clap and laugh, poking her cheek. Kota huffs while Iyo screams yes and fist bumps the air. Then, she looks in front of her. "Bayley?" she calls, and I look in front of the car.
At the top of a hill in the distance, I can see the very fragile stone walls of the kingdom of Argos, it's yellow flag at half-mast on a metal flagpole. Just under the walls is a deep but unfinished trench. The goblins, not 200 meters away, drive their Fords in circles. Taking my binoculars, I tell Iyo to slow to a stop before looking at them in the distance. Jeez, there must be hundreds of them.
The goblins, most of which have bluish-black bodies, have set up hovels using tent structures and dirt from the surrounding area. Lights can be seen from the fire pits they've built all around their hovels. A row of Ford Model As, gray or black in color, are parked nearby, several with their lights on. A few have been modified, their rooftops and backseats missing, replaced by a crate of Molotov's or a small canon, the latter causing the car to lean to one side. Decked in leather and steel armor sets, the goblins laugh, eat, and drink. Some carry canon balls to the cars, others sharpen weapons and cook pigs on the spit. Three goblins stand out, their green helmets, as well as the goblins bowing their heads as they walk by, indicate they must be the chieftains. They stare at a map in front of them, pointing out different locations. It looks like they might be planning the next attack.
Vroom! Bringing my binoculars down, we turn to our left side where the noise came from. Next to us is a blue Volvo with tinted windows. I smile, as the car's windows suddenly lower, revealing a familiar face with a caramel skin tone. Her blue shoulder length hair shines in the daylight. She has blue eyeshadow, red lipstick, and a silver-blue armor set on. Flashing that famous smile of hers, she calls out, her Boston accent loud enough to scare some nearby birds. "Hey, where's my big booty friend at?"
Iyo and Kota laugh at me, whereas I just stare at her through the windows. Iyo presses a button to let them down, before I respond. "Hey Cedes!"
"Bay Bay!" she cheers, laughing out loud as we do the same. "How you doing? You didn't call me last week." Mercedes asks, pouting.
"We were just in the wastelands. Reception there sucks!" I admit.
"Hey Cedes!" Dakota cuts in, causing her to smile.
"Hey Dakota. And hi Iyo. How are you girls?"
"Good." Iyo says, grinning.
"Not too bad. Nice ride." Dakota tells her.
"Thanks. Got it teleported in not a few weeks ago. Hoping it lasts as long as the Ferrari."
"Didn't you total that?" I tease.
"Shut up. You loved that car too. I nearly killed you when you dropped water on the seats." she teases back.
"They were waterproof leather seats! But you still have the Aston, right?" I ask. Mercedes nods.
"Dakota owes us dinner." Iyo states, pointing over her shoulder at Dakota, who simply stares at her with huge eyes.
"Do you still do that?" Mercedes asks me. I nod.
"Of course. How am I supposed to keep everyone in check balance-wise? Hell, you went overboard a few times, too."
"Yeah, yeah. I ate your brownies that one time."
"While… God, I can't even repeat what you three did. Couldn't you have waited until we left the area before you defiled my car?" I ask, looking at her as I recall that moment that stuck with me all this time.
"Hey, sometimes you don't want to wait." Mercedes asserts, shrugging. "Did Queen Alexa call you, too?" We all nod. She looks ahead at the scene. "Damn, look at them all."
"We've counted a couple hundred, but they probably have more camps." I explain. Mercedes presses a button on her car. In seconds, the Volvo emits a purplish electric current, a hum going through it.
"They'll be dead before they know what him 'em." a new voice asserts, her thick accent catching our attention to the right. Smiling, I turn to my once friend-turned enemy-back to friend, Rebecca Lynch. Her orange hair flows down her back, her makeup simple and natural. She wears a padded leather jacket over her black breastplate, armored pants and boots, with a bow on her back and a club by her side. She rides a beautiful black Fresian horse, complete with a brownish-black saddle and tassels, as well as light armor on the horse's face, front, and sides. "Hey girls. How are ya doing?"
"Not bad." We answer.
"How's the arm, Dakota?" she asks. When we were feuding, or working for rivals a few months back, Becky smashed Dakota's arm when she got in her way. Becky says she accidentally swung too hard, but jury's still out on that one. She did buy her a cake, a cast, a chair, and some flowers, so safe to say she did feel bad for it.
"Better, thanks for asking." Dakota says.
"Hi, Orange." Mercedes rasps out seductively, staring at Becky. Becky stares back, giving her a smile.
"Hey Mercedes, how goes things in the East? I'm hearing good things… or did I hear wrong?" she taunts, giving a sly smirk. These two, I swear.
"Things have been going amazing. How's hubby and Roue?" Mercedes asks.
"Good. She's getting so big, now. You should see her."
"Well, where's my invite?"
"Cedes, I've just been busy and a lot's changed."
"Do you not trust me with her?" she questions.
"It's not that, Cedes… There's only a few people I would trust to watch Roue if Seth and I were hurt. You're one of 'em. We had to move because it was too dangerous back in Rgat. It was hard convincing Seth's parents to come with, even after they were threatened. We didn't feel comfortable in our own homes, let alone at the market. We had to get out of there, for Roue's sake. And for our own. I'm sorry we didn't call." Bex explains.
"Hmph. If it was as bad as you're saying, then you had your hands full, I bet. I missed you, Orange." Mercedes admits, making her eyes big.
"Damn it, Sasha! Why you gotta look at me like that?" Why? Why did she have to call her Sasha? Now there's only going to be one thing on Cedes mind. "*Sigh* I missed you, too, Sash. So much."
"You know, Bayley was mentioning that night at Siggi's." Mercedes says.
"What? No, I didn't mention it! I was trying to make a point after you did, Cedes."
"God, what a night that was. Those brownies were really good. All the sweets were." Becky states dreamily, putting a hand under her chin.
"That was the week Seth told him he loved you, right?" Mercedes asks. Becky nods.
"Yeah. I still don't know where you found that bottle of whipped cream from in the middle of red Orc territory." Becky tells her, smiling at the memory.
"I have my ways, Mommas." Mercedes purrs, causing Becky to give her a sultry look. Dear God, they're just going to keep-
"Uh, guys, you seeing this?" Dakota suddenly interjects, pointing in front of her. We notice a white light shining in the sky above the goblin camp. Some of them stare in suspense, while others prepare cannons. Yelling and barking can be heard as they do.
"They called her, too, huh?" Becky asks, her voice low.
"Queen Alexa did ask for the Horsewomen." I say aloud. Becky just nods.
"Guess that's our cue, right?" Mercedes asks rhetorically, revving up her engine. Vroom!
"Yep. Dakota, get the crossbow ready. Iyo, try to stay out of their line of fire. I've got the firebolts ready." I tell them, pulling out a large red cylindrical hand cannon with bolts. Upon impact, these things explode into dust that instantly kills goblins, although it's nonlethal for other humanoids like elves and orcs.
Becky gets her club ready, when Mercedes calls out. "Orange?" Becky turns, her gaze softer as she looks at Cedes. "Let's talk after, okay?"
Becky nods. "I'll see ya at the bottom, lassies!" she yells, before galloping towards the camp.
"Race ya there, Iyo?" Cedes teases.
"Pfft! In your dreams! You think that you could beat us?!" I assert. Iyo revs the engine, our Ford Fiesta humming to life.
"Yeah, about that…" Cedes starts, before gunning down towards the same direction as Becky, going so fast I can barely believe it.
"We can't let her win! Floor it!" Dakota screams, causing me to laugh. We could never regain her now, but the priority is the job.
Prepping 8 bolts, as to not over load the barrel, we look up and see a figure flying towards the goblins. The glare from the sun disappears as a cloud passes over, showing the figure. Riding on a white Pegasus with golden wings, I'd recognize those blue eyes and blonde hair anywhere. Charlotte Flair, the original leader of the four Horsewomen, screams a war cry, her golden plated armor covering from neck to toe like a bodysuit. One hand on the Pegasus' reins, she wields a large sword in hand, jewel encrusted and shining in the sunlight. Always the show-off.
The goblins start firing arrows and cannon balls at Charlotte, but she easily dodges them, before swooping in and cutting down some of the soldiers. Becky and Mercedes arrive not long after, encircling the group. Bex smashes their heads and tramples over them while Cedes electrocutes them while driving near their armories. Iyo puts us into 3rd gear as we hit the gravel road, before turning the wheel to come alongside the camp. A few of the Ford Model As spot us and start chasing us down, the goblins screaming and throwing Molotov cocktails at us. Iyo takes evasive maneuvers, before screaming and lowering the windows. I fire off 4 shots, 3 hitting the Ford while the last one misses. The cars occupants cough and choke, before driving off a boulder and crashing into the rocks nearby, the car colliding top first into them. BANG! CRUNCH!
Dakota notices a few stragglers throwing spears at us, one denting our headlight. She shoots and reloads 3 few times, killing all 3 goblins in seconds while the others run back to the camp. Looking behind us, I notice two more cars following, 1 of the chieftains preparing a cannon in the back.
"Iyo!" I yell. Looking in the rearview mirror, she quickly drifts before gunning for the camp. We hear the large Boom as a cannon ball whizzes by us, nearly hitting our roof. Going to the window, I aim the hand cannon out of the window and back, firing off the remaining 4 shots at the chieftain's car. Two hit the tires, causing the car to stall. Smiling, I pull my weapon back inside as we notice Cedes is surrounded.
"She's stuck!" Dakota yells.
"Run them over!" I order, Iyo putting us back into drive and going straight for the largest group smashing the hood of Cedes' Volvo. In seconds, our bumper collides with the group, most going flying while other go under the wheels. Cedes, her face tense as she tries to restart the engine, smiles in gratitude. "Need a lift?"
Turning the ignition key again, her Volvo finally starts up, the electric glow returning. Smiling, she puts on her shades and drives forward into the crowd of goblins, shocking every single one that comes close. Charlotte continues picking them off from the sky, her Pegasus kicking a few off their modified vehicles into the dirt. Becky has dismounted, kicking and smashing goblins down who exit their makeshift homes. One of the chieftains notices her and runs at her with two swords, but Bex easily disarms him. And then smacks his arms down, the bones in them bending at very irregular angles as he screams out in pain. Kicking his teeth in, she gets back on her horse, heading towards the center. Iyo and Dakota ready their sword and staff, while I prep a few more rounds for the hand cannon. We drive to the center, Charlotte finally landing there, as we encircle most of the goblins. The two remaining chieftains have regrouped, their three cars in a triangle formation as hundreds of soldiers surround them. Becky has the other chieftain by the arms.
"Yield!" Charlotte yells. "And you will not be harmed! But continue to test my patience, and you have deal with the Queen! WOOOOOO!" she yells, her Pegasus neighing alongside her.
"We want our money and our peoplez back!" the elder of the two chieftains argues, showing an empty bin.
"What money?" Dakota asks, as we stare in confusion. I turn and nod to Cedes, who simply raises an eyebrow and looks at the goblins.
"King Marcus promized uz payment. He took our women for hiz harem. We have been fighting the dark elves for nearly 16 months now. Many of uz are celibate, but a few are married. And we have not zeen our wives, sisters, and mothers zince the war started. At war'z end, we were promized recompense. We have gotten nothing." he explains, his accent ringing out.
Becky looks at the broken armed goblin chieftain she has in front of her horse. "Is this true?" she asks.
Turning with a grunt, he nods. "Yez. I have not zeen my daughter since Marcus took her. I want her back, and to be paid." he proclaims.
The 6 of us look at each other, before Becky goes into her pack and wraps the broken armed man's wounds. Sheathing our weapons, the goblins hesitantly do the same. Becky clasps an arm to her chest.
"On behalf of the Horsewomen, we apologize for everything that has happened to you." she tells them. The younger chieftains look around, noticing the wounded and dead goblins around them.
"Iz not the first time."
"If we can get back your people, get you paid, and get you the people who did this to you, will you leave?" Charlotte cuts in, an apologetic look on her usually cool and composed features. The chieftains look at their leader, his arms injured.
"I'll personally get a doctor to help your wounded, too." Cedes asserts. One goblin looks at Iyo, Dakota, and I.
"What will you do?" he asks, his voice much higher and his small stature shocking us. He must be just a teen.
"We're going to go talk to the Queen and find out what's going on."
"There's a Queen?" they all ask.
We nod. "Queen Alexa. She was forced into the role after King Marcus was killed by the dark elves." This must be news to the goblins, who cheer in celebration at his death.
"All thiz bloodshed. For nothing." The eldest chieftain states. Becky grabs his hand, handing him a bottle of her finest liquor- Irish whiskey aged 18 years.
"For your health." she adds, smiling.
*A few hours later, Palace entry room, Afternoon*
Standing in the large entrance of the palace, Charlotte, Becky, Mercedes, Iyo, Dakota and I, along with the three chieftains, await Queen Alexa. The guards have us surrounded, but the goblin hordes are waiting outside the walls of the city. Upon entering the city, we noticed a number of female goblins cleaning the streets and working in the markets, several of whom spoke to the chieftains in an unknown language. The elder one's words seemed to have calmed the women's worries.
Just then, Queen Alexa and her advisors walk in, their white robes contrasting Alexa's battle wear. My eyes drift to her blue eyes and cute face. Seems like forever since I've seen Lexi.
"Hi Lexi." I say to her. She keeps her regal look, but I notice her lip curve slightly upward.
"Ah, the Horsewomen never disappoint!" the taller elven advisor asserts, eliciting a scoff from Lexi. "Now, about your payment. We apologize, but we cannot pay you in coinage. Would you prefer a homestead or a couple of slaves from the goblins you defeated? You can keep them." He then notices the three chieftains near us. "What are those things doing in here?" he asks. The eldest chieftain responds.
"Why are our women working here for minimal pay? And where iz our payment?" he questions.
"Payment? Vex, what are they talking about?" Alexa asks, her familiar voice bringing back the sweetest memories of our training days in Swalftheim.
"Nonsense. Execute these cretins and their flock before I puke." Vex states, several elves inching closer. Becky steps up, eyeing down the guards.
"Take another step and it'll be your last. No one messes when The Man comes around." The elves notice the look Bex gives them, and back off slowly.
"Lexi, these goblins say they were fighting in King Marcus's armies for 16 months against the dark elves. Their women were taken from them and they have not been paid. They want their people and their money." I tell her.
"Ludicrous! The war has ended; therefore no one shall be paid."
"Wait, you knew they were working for us and didn't tell me?!" Alexa asks, staring at the taller elf.
"It is not a matter that concerned you. Nor does it concern these so-called 'warriors' you hired without our consent."
Charlotte walks up, a hand pointing in his direction. "First of all, I'm a Queen. Second, I don't take kindly to people wasting my time. In fact, I'm surprised you all haven't bowed down to your Queen in respect, considering I was willing to pay for the reparations to your wall and city."
Vex quickly bows in admiration, alongside the other elven advisors. "We apologize, Queen Charlotte. I had no idea-"
She puts a hand up, shushing him. "Third, I don't take kindly being lied to. Especially one as vile as this lie you concocted."
"I don't even like you, but I agree." Alexa states, walking up to her advisors. "And what exactly is the Queen of Argos supposed to know, hmm? How can she rule if she has advisors who withhold these kinds of information?" Alexa asks, before going up to the chieftains. "On behalf of the people of Argos, I deeply apologize for any wrongdoing our people or my family has done upon your families, brothers, and sisters." She then takes off her crown and earrings, handing them to the chieftains. "I know this will not make much of a difference, but these are yours. Our royal families most prized insignia." She then takes off the brooch on her armor and gives it to them.
"Thank you, Queen Alexa. We were not even aware that King Marcus had died." they say.
"Queen Alexa! What in the Gods are you doing?"
"Can it, Vex." She turns towards him. "You've been stringing me along this whole time. I never would have authorized the attacks on the goblins had I known you were this stubborn."
"Stubborn? Stubborn? You mean by trying to maintain our reputation after our disastrous war, no doubt the result of the goblins inefficiency in combat? I have done what was necessary to ensure the security of our way of life."
"You mean a by-gone era that sees no room for change or opportunity? That mistreats others based on a supposed superiority?" Becky argues.
"You's a dick." Mercedes tells him, pointing at his long face.
"I wouldn't expect humans to understand. Please, Queen Alexa. There is still time for us to reclaim our power. End the goblins. Bring back our glory by having them banished into the wastelands. It is our only way to make things right."
Alexa looks at him, her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me what to do. I'm in control here, not you. Guards?" she says. They stand at attention. "Arrest Vex and the others. They've caused nothing but hardship for us and the goblins."
"Ahhh!" Vex yells, pulling a dagger from his robes and stabbing at Lexi. Lexi easily blocks him. I run up, disarm him, and belly-to-belly suplex his ass off the throne room. He lands on his back, moaning in pain as his body bounces against the stone floor as the guards grab him. I get up and turn to Alexa.
"You okay, Lexi?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Not bad."
"How-w dare you strike me!" he screeches.
"Your voice is annoying. Guards, get him out of here." Alexa states simply, with a wave of her hand.
"But what about the throne? The economy? The royal heirs? You must be married. You must!" he yells.
I laugh uncontrollably at him, Iyo, Dakota, and Mercedes following suit.
"Who says you get a say?" I argue.
"I don't need to do anything. I'll date who I want, when I want, and how I want. Not for you, or the kingdom, but for me." Lexi asserts. Plucking a flower from one of the vases, she hands it to me. "I like your armor." she smiles, subtly eyeing me down.
"Thanks, biscuit butt."
"This shit again." Lexi scoffs with a smile.
"You cannot be serious! That thing that struck me?" Vex argues. "In all my years, I have never met such a stupid mo-MMPH!" he continues, before Cedes balls up a piece of cloth and gags him with it.
"Much better. Thanks Mercedes." Lexi says.
"No problem." she responds. "Hey Mommas, I think they've got some froyo at the other side of town. You interested?" Cedes asks Becky, biting her lip. Becky mouths 'after', before looking at us.
"Hey, listen, can you do me a favor? My Mom and Dad are probably worried sick. Can you help get the goblins in while I get someone to bring them here? I promise we can talk after." Alexa asks me. I nod.
"No problem, Lexi. But you're buying dinner."
"*Shrug* You buying drinks?" she asks playfully. I nod. "And will I see you in another sundress?" Last time Lexi and I hung out, I wore a green sundress which caught her attention the whole night.
"I'll need a new one."
"Eh, street clothes will work, too."
"I've got plenty of those in the car."
"Alexa, I've brokered a deal with the Wood Elves. They're willing to help if you give them a discount on trade goods." Charlotte cuts in to say.
"Done. I'll send them some paperwork tomorrow. For now, let's see if we can get this whole mess sorted out." Alexa asserts.
"It's really sexy when you take charge like that." I whisper. She simply smiles and turns around, accentuating her hips as she walks.
"6:30 at the palace gates." Alexa tells me while walking, turning her head to me. "Cool?"
"Cool." I respond, the two of us smiling before I turn and walk towards my teammates. Iyo and Dakota give me a cheeky grin. "You still owe us dinner."
"Really?!" Kota yells, before Iyo and I burst into laughter, heading towards the sea of goblins just waiting for food and medicine behind the doors.
Author's Note: Hey everybody. Hope you've all been doing well. Been busy on my end, but I wanted to put out another chapter for Hearts of War. BayLexa was a fun mixture I didn't realize needed some fanfare. The Mercedes/Becks pairing was inspired by CallMeJoz's fics, so check her out if you're interested. Finally got a fantasy/medieval setting story out. I hope you enjoyed. If you did, please feel free to leave a review. It's always appreciated. Until next time, take care and enjoy your day!