Chapter 21: A redeeming flame: part 1
Sora and Louise watched Agnès conducting drills with her Musketeers knights. The female knights were all using holding their guns and shooting at practice dummies while the others dueling with each other.
"Oh man, they are giving it their all." Louise said. Seeing how intense their training is right now.
"You can say that again." Sora commented. The two of them walked over to Agnès as she told her unit to take a break.
"Hey Agnès, I see you guys are giving it a hundred percent. Is something going on?" Sora said to Agnès.
The blond haired knight smiled, "You're a lot sharper than you look." Agnès said.
"What's that mean?" Sora wore a puzzle look.
Agnès looked up in the sky "Yes. It's time for me to bid farewell to the academy."
"Are you leaving?" Louise asked.
Agnès nodded telling her and Sora Henrietta will be joining the front lines of battle. So she and the Musketeers knights will be departing for Albion in the coming days to protect her.
"I see." Sora and Louise understood.
"I want to thank you both for your help. Though regrettably I won't be able to find the man who destroyed my village."
"It's alright. But if there's anything we can do more to help you and her majesty. Please tell me." Louise said standing tall.
"I suppose there is one thing. You both can decline, but if you want, I want you both to join us in the front lines." Said Agnès. "With your void mage Louise, and Sora's power I believe that you both will be instrumental."
"If that's where you need me, then I'll go." Sora was caught off guard by Louise and her declaration.
"Wait just like that!?" He said surprised.
The pink haired girl turned to her familiar. "This isn't just about me and my magic skills, but I want to help the queen because she is my friend. I couldn't live with myself if something were to happen. I want to help her." She said as Sora looked at her, the strength she possesses, and he knows that once she decides something she will follow through with it.
"You really decided to go?" Sora asked as he placed his hands in his pockets. Louise followed up by nodding. "If that's what your heart is telling you, then I won't stop you. Actually, I'm coming too."
The two females were surprised. "Really." Said Louise.
"You don't really have to." Said Agnès.
"I fought in a war of sorts myself, so I think it'll be alright. Henrietta is my friend too so I want to help her also. Besides there is also the threat of Organization XIII and the heartless on their side so you'll need my power to fight them off."
He was right, he does have the power to deal with the threats outside of their world Although Agnès didn't know but she had heard of strange black monsters appearing on the battlefield so it had to have been heartless."I really appreciate you both. I notify you both for our departure." She extended her hand out as Sora brought his hand towards and shanked it.
"Okay. But hey, Agnès." Sora asked.
"Hm?" She wondered what he had to say.
"It's just-Well do you still want revenge?" Sora asked.
"How foolish to ask, of course I still want my revenge." She said, clutching her fist. "He took everything from me so I will take his life, it's that simple."
"Ok. But let's say you find him after the war and he turns out not to be the kind of man you thought he was. I mean yeah, he destroyed your village, but remembered he was tricked, he didn't know that he was being lied to."
"That still doesn't excuse him for what happened. I swore that I would exact my revenge." Agnès replied back. "Lishman and everyone else were responsible for D'Angleterre destruction, I'll never forgive them."
"And I'm not saying you should. But you shouldn't keep living with this anger either, keep holding onto it, it will just be a weight in your heart, one that won't move and it'll never bring you relief. You can get your revenge, but the feeling will still be there." Sora said to Agnès
"I appreciate your words. But I know what I am doing." Agnès said back.
"Do you really? You told me how I wouldn't understand what it's like to have everything and everyone taken from me. Well I do, I went through something similar." He said as the memories of his Island falling into darkness and waking up in a whole new world. "Honestly it was a blessing that I made some friends along the way. Cause I don't know what I would do if I hadn't met them."
He knows the feeling of being alone just like she was. But he made new friends and has been on countless adventures ever since. Despite all the bad there will also come some good out of it.
But Agnès doesn't see it that way. "Sora, listen to me, I can't just let this go, not after everything I went through."
"Can't or won't. And what about the man who saved you, you think he would want you to seek revenge, you think he would've wanted you wasting your life for this. We're friends Agnès, I don't want you to keep feeling like you have to walk through that darkness of your past." Sora looked at her with somber eyes. He turned around before looking back at her "You do what you have to do, but promise me that you'll at least hear what he has to say before you make any rash decisions."
Sora walked away. As Louise followed him. Agnès looked down at the grass as she was wondering what to do next.
"I just…" She didn't know what to do right now, she looked at her right hand and pondered on what he just said. Why does she feel this way, is she having second thoughts.
"Sora, don't you think you were being a little bit rude?" Louise lightly scowled.
"Maybe. But I just telling her that this is pointless. Revenge doesn't solve anything. Who can say when she finds him, what's he been doing all this time. He probably was trying to make up for what happened, maybe he has a family. Is she going to take from them the same way he took everything from her?" Sora said to Louise.
"Sora."
"If she did that, then she would just be repeating the same cycle. She doesn't have to do that, she can be better." Sora said.
Louise looked at the emerald eyed woman she was back commanding her knights. "Some people don't change that easily."
"I know. But let's hope she finds that strength to move on." Sora said, also looking at Agnès. "Well, all we can do for right now is wait until Agnès goes to the front with the queen." Sora said as Louise nodded.
Both of them failed to notice Elèanor standing behind them. She heard everything that was exchanged between that Chevalier and her sister.
(Night)
A group of men were standing atop a cliff as they watched a village burn to the ground as people were running for their lives.
"As expected of the battlefield, the scent of flesh burning is amazing." The one said at the edge of the cliff watched with a mad smile on his face, a bruiser of a guy with scars on his face and one eye missing and the other having no color.
"This is the only thing I take pleasure in." He laughed seeing the villagers running for their lives.
"Man, you need a new hobby." A voice came behind him as he looked to see a strange black portal open up and a man stepping out from it. He had long hair and an eye patch with a scar across his face.
"Who are you?" The scar faced man said.
"Your Menvil, right. Flame obsession, scar-faced, and a war maniac. Yep, got the right guy." That was when Xigbar was met with a sudden burst of fire.
Menvil watched the man before him be caught up in his flames. "It's been a while since I had someone talk to me like that. He'll make good fuel for my flames though."
"... Sorry snake eye." He turned around and Xigbar was unharmed. "But I used to work with a fire user myself. And his talent with flames was a lot better than yours."
The man named Menvil was surprised to see that he was still alive, his men held their staffs, they were prepared to kill this man standing in front of him. However Menvil raised his hand and ordered them to stop.
"Halt!" He ordered, "I'm surprised you're alive."
"Well I have methods. But enough about me." Xigbar opens a dark corridor "My employer wants to have a word with you." Menvil raised his brow and followed him.
"Captain, wait, what if this is a trap?" One of his followers said.
"If it is, he'll burn, simple." That was all he said a entered the corridor of darkness as Xigbar followed behind him. It closed leaving the rest of the mercs standing and questioning what happened.
(Albion-castle)
Sheffield stood looking out the window when she turned around to see the dark portal opening up. Xigbar walked through with Menvil standing right beside him.
"Here he is. As per request." The shooter said to the dark haired woman.
"Excellent." Sheffield said. She turned her attention to Menvil "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Menvil. I had this man bring you here because I would like your help with something."
"You summoned me here just for that? What exactly do you want from me?" Menvil asked.
"Trust Sheffield here, snake eye, this is something right up your alley." Xigbar said as Menvil raised his brow, while he was annoyed at his fellow one-eyed man he was also intrigued by this offer.
"I'm sure you are aware that the joint forces between Tristain and Germania have taken one of our ports in Albion."
Menvil assumed where this was going as he pick up his scepter "So you basically are asking me to annihilate them?"
"No. They have a fleet of five hundred battleships. Even someone of your skill would find it difficult to stop them." Sheffield corrected.
"I don't care how many soldiers there are. Just tell me who am I going to burn?" He asked impatiently.
"Your target is the people at the institute of magic."
A psychotic smile dawned on his face "Institute of magic you say…" Xigbar watched as he could see and feel a strong sense of darkness from this man. He himself smirked, this was going to be interesting.
(Louise's room-night)
Both void mage and keyblade wielder were both sound asleep. It was a really quiet night. That is until the covers over Louise's body came off of her and a rope mysteriously wrapped around her. She suddenly woke up still sleepy wondering what's going on.
"What is…" Louise said as a large potato sack was pulling over her body. "The hell!?" She said as she was being lifted in the air. She struggled to break free but alas she couldn't. She began to desperately call out to Sora hoping to wake him up. Unfortunately for her since he was a heavy sleeper the pink haired mage could not wake him.
"Sora! Wake up Sora!" Louise called out his name.
"Come on Donald, ear muffs don't go on cookies…" Sora was still sleeping. The door closed as Louise was being carried off.
Louise was brought to a dungeon in the academy where she was placed on the floor and the sack and rope came undone. As she turned around to face her assailant.
"What's the big idea!? Do you know who I am!?" She yelled as she was surprised to see her kidnapper was none other than her own sister. "Wait, Elèanor? What's going on?" The young Vallière girl asked her oldest sister.
"What's going on is that you're staying here." Elèanor replied. "I overheard what that Chevalier asked from you. Joining the queen on the front lines. What were you thinking?" Elèanor scowled her sister
"It's fine, I promise that I can help!" Louise said.
"How exactly? You still can't properly control your magic, and do you have any idea on how dangerous the front lines are? As the youngest La Vallière, I forbid you from going." Said Elèanor to Louise.
Louise rebutted "That's why I have to go, I'm the only one with the power to help her highness."
"Oh yeah, how can someone like you help the queen?" Elèanor asked.
"I-I can't explain it but I need you to trust me! I swear I am slowly getting better." Louise still couldn't tell her that she possesses void magic. "I really need you to just trust what I'm telling you."
Elèanor had a doubtful gleam in her eyes. She said she wants her trust, how can Elèanor trust her when she knows Louise all too well. "I see." The eldest Vallière sister pointed her wand at Louise with a satisfying smile.
Louise began to levitate, as her sister walked to the door "Hey, put me down! This is unfair!" Louise exclaimed.
"It's not supposed to be fair." Elèanor said as she threw Louise her uniform on the floor, Elèanor then pointed her wand at Louise to bring her back down to earth and immediately close the door behind her, locking Louise inside.
The young Vallière ran towards the door and was banging on it loudly. "You can't do this to me! I'm your sister!"
"Shut up and stay there for a while." Elèanor said from the other side of the door. "Some time to rethink your decision is what you need." Elèanor told her sister as she began to walk away.
"Wait, you can't do this! Elèanor!" Louise screamed as she heard her footsteps fade away. She leaned her back towards the door and slid down curling up into a ball.
'This is just great…I don't have my wand and Sora is still sleeping.' She thought as the sound of knocking came from the door.
"Sister?" Louise bolted up.
But the voice she heard was not her sister's "Miss Vallière." The person who was standing in front of the door was her teacher Mr.Colbert.
"Mr.Colbert? Why are you here?" The void mage asked.
"You sister asked me to come down here to try and talk to you. Your sister is worried about you in her own way, and just doesn't want to see you get hurt." Mr.Colbert explained.
"Please sir, you have to let me out of here." Louise asked.
Mr.Colbert shook his head in disappointment. "I'm sorry, but I cannot allow that. Not until you change your mind. You should know the front lines are more dangerous than you believe. You and Sora don't know what you both are getting into."
"Except Albion has not only the heartless, but Sora's old adversaries too. No one really knows what is going on besides us." Louise said.
"I know. But this isn't about Sora, this is about you deciding to go to the front lines, the front is not what you imagine." said Colbert.
"I can probably guess that it will be filled with enemies. But I have to protect the queen. I know I still have some work but I am getting better. And I can prove it by defending the country from our enemy!" Louise said from the door. But all she heard was silence for a moment.
"Defending the country for the enemy?" Mr.Colbert repeated her words back to her "So what you mean to say is that you plan to kill the other side."
"N-No, I didn't say that." Louise replied.
"It doesn't matter what you say. Whether it's 'protecting the queen' for 'fighting or your nation'. It doesn't matter what words you use, it's still murder!" He said with a slight tone of anger in his voice "All war is just some form of unnecessary conflict and a waste of precious life. The keyblade war Sora talks about should be a prime example, an entire society of warriors of light killing each other, and for what!? The end result was leaving their number so few and now only ten are alive, eleven if counting Siesta."
Louise listened. As he had a returning memory of seeing villagers trying to escape from a conflict of sorts. "Please reconsider Miss Vallière, I don't want you to spill the blood of others in the name of false justice, please." The blading teacher said, desperately begging to rethink her choice.
From the other side of the door Louise lowered her head and sigh. If Sora was here he would likely say that her heart has made the choice, and no amount of words would persuade her otherwise. Colbert waited for a response but was met with silence.
"I'm sorry. But I won't change my mind." The teacher gasped. How is this girl so stubborn? Does she not care for her own life or the lives of others?
"Why?" He asked.
"Because this isn't just about helping the queen but also to show everyone that I'm not that same Zero. That I can turn that name around and wear it with pride." Louise said "Tell me. I know that you hate war and any sorta conflict, but why is that?"
Mr.Colbert hesitated to answer her questions. "I-I have my reason."
Meanwhile outside of the magic academy, a black portal opened a good distance away from the school. Xigbar led Menvil along with his mercenaries out as they saw the academy of magic in their sights.
"That's a pretty neat trick. I've never met a mage that can open portals like this." Menvil said, impressed by the strangers' unfamiliar powers.
"I have abilities that are different from the average stuff-shirts. But what makes me unique is that I don't have nobility in my blood. And I'm not the only one, I know a few other people that can use magic too. Despite how the rules of this world are." Xigbar said.
"Hmmm." Menvil narrowed his one eye at this man with long hair.
"Well then, I think it's time to go." One of the mercs said.
"I don't know why you're excited, they are just a bunch of kids at school?"
"No way, I heard that the entire campus as well as the knights are all ladies."
"Really, all women, huh. I can get behind that!"
"Then how about we have some fun with them!" The men laughed.
"Nothing but pigs the whole lot of you. Who cares if they are women or children." Menvil said to his fellow mercenaries. "We'll be sure that they all die equally."
"I like the way you think. Well I did my part now it's time for me to go." Xigbar opened a corridor of darkness but stopped as he turned around.
"Oh yeah. A little warning to ya. There are going to be some people in there who will put up a fight, especially a kid with a keyblade. And believe me, they will give you a run for your money." Xigbar warned.
"Thanks for the advice. They will all still burn though." He ignored his words.
Just then, something else stepped from the dark corridor. It was both Asnem and Xemnas "It would be in your best interest to heed the warning he has given you."
"That boy had thwarted our plans more than once, underestimate him and his allies, you will fail." Both organization members also warned him.
"Step aside, I'll show you why I earned the nickname 'White flame'. Alright move out!" Their words fell on deaf ears as Menvil ordered his men to follow.
"...He is a fool." Ansem said.
"Menvil's lust for battle will surely be his demise." Xemnan added.
Xigbar agreed "Yeah. But at the very least he's getting the reunion he's been searching for."
Everyone was still sleeping soundly. Two musketeers knights were keeping watch, wielding guns. "Hm?" One knight with green hair looked with a curious expression.
"What's the matter?" Another knight with brown hair asked.
"My eyes must be playing tricks. I thought I saw something…"
She went ahead to examine. But as she got farther away she heard the sound of a scream. She turned around to see her fellow knight on the ground lying unconscious "What!?" The next thing she knew someone snuck up behind her and the next thing she knew her world went black.
Menvil looked at this shameful display, was this really the best Tristain had. It's almost pitiful.
"Alright, proceed as planned." Menvil said.
The mercenaries nodded their heads. They each splitted into teams of two and began to take hostages. The first were the staff. In Siesta's room she was sleeping peacefully until her door was kicked wide open causing her to wake up. She didn't have time to react or respond as she was shoved face first into the hardwood floor with her arm in-between her shoulders blades.
Pretty soon she and the rest of the workers were outside with their hands tied up. They were then being led to the dining hall.
(Dorms)
Tabitha knocked on Kirche's door trying to wake her up. Kirche opened the door, still tired. "What is it, Tabitha?"
"Outside." The glasses wearing girl said
"The sun's not even up." Kirche said as she heard a strange noise. This got her attention as she went back into her room with Tabitha following her.
"It's bad."
"I see what you mean. Come on." She changed her clothes and the two left in a hurry.
(Louise room)
[The hell's with all that noise?] Delf commented as he heard a noise causing him to walk up. The door was forced open causing Sora to wake up and two mercs standing in front of him as they rushed towards him planning to capture him. Sora quickly threw the cover over them and jumped out of bed. He quickly summoned his nano gear keyblade and pointed it at them, casting a thunder spell paralyzing them as they fell to the floor.
"What the heck?" Sora questioned as he noticed Louise wasn't here.
(Agnès)
Agnès had a strange feeling that was keeping her up. She faked sleeping as another one of Menvil mercenaries kicked her door open. Unfortunately for the merc, Agnès jumped into the air and quickly summoned Valkyrie's Rage; she struck down the assailant. She released her grip as the sword disappeared in a dark crimson light. She look at her hand and thought about how convenient this power at her disposal is. And she was starting to like it.
If she could call forth a sword, then what else could she do.
But getting back to the subject, who were these men?
"Captain!" Agnès quickly turned to the door as she saw three members of her unit.
"What's going on?" Agnès asked.
"We're not sure. We were met with intruders as well."
"Don't worry. We quickly took care of them."
"What's going on?"
All three asked as their captain put on her uniform. "If I had to guess. I'd say they are probably from Albion." She said. "Gather up as many knights as you can."
"Yes ma'am!"
Meanwhile in the dungeon Louise heard the faint sound of screaming, "What could be going on?" She wondered what was happening at the moment.
"Miss Vallière. I'm going to go and invest." Mr.Colbert said.
"You're just leaving me here?" Louise question.
"I'll be back." Mr.Colbert said as he went on ahead to investigate.
Louise was starting to feel annoyed. There could be trouble and she was being made to sit back.
Outside of the academy Agnès and the three female knights who were with her were stopped by another musketeer knight. "Captain!"
"What's the situation?" Asked Agnès.
"We check all the rooms. They've already taken all the students and staff into the dining hall."
"Bastards!" Agnès cursed, so they were here to take hostages. "Form a perimeter around the dining hall. I want eyes on them and if they make a move notify me the second they do."
"Yes captain!"
(Dining hall)
The students and staff members were all separated, Julio and teachers were among the students while Siesta was on the other side of the table with the workers. She thought about using magic to escape, but these people were professional. If she used it, she would be putting someone in danger.
Menvil and his group were keeping a close eye on everybody but it's not like they could do anything without wands and most of the included Julio were all non-magic users too so this was an easy assistant.
"Man I can't believe how easy this was."
"I know right. Plus these girls are quite good looking." However one of them walked over to Siesta he stared at her with a creepy smile as he eyed her chest. "I'm kinda leaning towards this one, you work as a maid here don'tcha. How's about you keep me company?" He slowly moved his hand towards her face.
Zap* As a reflex as he touched her face, she shocked him with a bit of thunder magic.
"Fuck!" The merc said as he stood up shaking off the tingling in his hand.
"What's the matter?"
"I was shocked, that's what! I think she did that on her own?"
One of them sneered "What, get kicked in the head or something. She's a maid, no way is she a mage."
"I'm telling you. She shocked me on her own!"
"Stop your barking." Menvil ordered as he was having a glass of wine. "Whether she is or isn't, it doesn't matter, we have our orders."
"Order huh, I must say. I never thought Albion would stoop so low to kidnap an entire school." Juilo said not sounding intimidated at all. "You guys must be getting desperate."
"Like I care. I'm only doing what I'm paid to do."
The platinum blonde smirked, "So does that mean you're just a dog who will wag his tail for cash?" Menvil was annoyed at the heterochromia teen. How dare he call him a dog!
"Julio, don't insulate the man!" The headmaster said. Urging Julia not to say anything else.
"Let me say this to you. If you can keep your mouths shut. We won't try and kill you right away." Menvil said as he walked over to Montmorency she was shaking out of fear. "But if you don't cooperate and do what we say we'll have to melt the flesh off your bones. Understand."
She frantically nodded understanding the situation she and the rest of her schoolmates were in.
"Excuse me." Osmond spoke up.
"What do you want, old man?" Menvil asked.
"If you need a hostage then why not settle for me?" He asked
"You want to take the place of all these children?"
"Not just him…" He looked and noticed two of their hostages standing up. "Me and my sister are both daughters of Duke de la Vallière. I'm sure that we would make a good bargain chip instead." Elèanor said
"Please, you can keep us. But let the students go." Cattleya said desperately. She didn't want to see anyone get hurt.
"As expected from nobles. However, while I do admire your valor, the three of you won't be enough to get the queen's attention. We need all the students if we're going to get a response from her and with the lives of noble-born daughters hanging by a thread that surely will get the job done."
They all felt like trying to change his mind was meaningless.
Unknown to the mercenaries. At one of the windows Mr.Colbert was watching all this unfold. He could see all the students, servants and the headmaster along with Louise's sisters were all captured. 'This is bad.' He thought as he got a look at all of them, there might not be that many but they were still professionals. That was when he got a look at their leader.
Mr.Colbert gasped as he saw his face. His blood ran cold 'Menvil…' He got away from the window as he was suddenly startled by a fireball that flew right at him. He looked and saw five red nocturnes, five flame cores and two crimson jazz. Two of the flame cores engulfed their bodies in heat as they flew towards the teacher.
"Water!" a ball of water was launched at the heartless destroying flame cores and the rest died from a lightning quick slash.
Mr Colbert was shocked. "Sora!" The teacher recognized the young keyblade wielder.
"Hey, Mr.Colbert!" Sora greeted him.
"I thought you were captured as well?" The fire mage said.
"No, some guys just charge in when I was sleeping. I was looking for Louise when I saw you and those heartless." Sora explained.
[So what's the deal?] Delf asked.
Mr.Colbert brought Sora to the window and showed him that a gang of mercenaries had infiltrated the academy. They had everyone captured including Siesta, Julio, and Louise's sisters. Cattleya and Elèanor. Sora was about to charge right in when he was stopped by Mr.Colbert, he told Sora not to act reckless.
But how could he not, with his friends and everyone else in danger like this. However Mr.Colbert said that they will be in more danger if he goes on and does something crazy. Sora tried to argue but stopped himself as he knew the teacher was right, they could be in even more trouble than they are now.
"Wait, what about Louise?" Sora said as he was worried about her safety.
"Don't worry about Miss Vallière, she's safe." The teacher "But I don't see Miss Tabitha or Miss Zerbst among the kidnappers.
"Well they probably got away?" Sora guessed "Tell me where Louise is, we need to get her." Asked the brown haired keyblade wielder.
The teacher told him to follow him as he would lead him to her.
(Louise)
Louise was sitting against the wall wondering why that noise was. She could feel something was wrong but what could she do at the moment, she was still locked inside of this room all by her lonesome. And Mr.Colbert hasn't returned at all.
Click* She turned her head upwards as she heard the sound of the door unlocking. She got off from the wall as the door opened, revealing both teacher and keyblade wielder standing in front of her.
"Hey, Louise!" Sora greeted. Louise walked over to them.
"I was wondering what took you so damn long to wake up." She said harshly.
"Well some guys came barging in your room. They tried to kidnap me and-."
Louise was surprised "Wait. Someone tried to take you, who?" She asked.
"We'll explain on the way, come!" Mr.Colbert orders, leading them both out from the dungeon.
(Academy of magic)
The musketeer knights circled around the outside of the dining hall. They had to be careful about this or someone could die.
"Captain! We have the place surrounded."
Agnès nodded to her fellow knight "Alright, go set the explosive. Just in case." The two female knights gave a salute to their captain. As she stood at the entrance
"Attention, this is Captain Agnès Chevalier de Milan! We know you were sent here under Albion's rule! Listen well, we are her majesty's knight. We have you surrounded so don't even try to plan for an escape. If you surrender and release the hostages, your punishment will be as minimal as possible!"
Inside everyone heard Agnès' declaration. Menvil scoffed so they are willing to try and resolve this peacefully. But they still had the students and staff under their boot.
"Please explain why you have taken these children hostage! This is not a political office or a place where weapons are forged! This is just a place where students come and go to learn and hone their magical abilities! Tell us your demands and we can resolve this with a peaceful resolution!"
As Agnès continued talking with the mercenaries the two knights were busy setting up the charges.
"How's it looking?" One musketeer knight asked the other one.
"Almost done." She replied back. When suddenly the fire bombs they prepared suddenly exploded.
Agnès heard this and was baffled 'I didn't even give the signal? Why did the explosives go off?' She ordered the rest of the musketeers to stay put and wait for her signal as she went to investigate.
Sora, Louise and Mr.Colbert heard the sound of an explosion going off. "What?" Louise said.
"Let go!" Sora said, racing to the sound of the explosion. Louise followed him
"Wait, don't just charge ahead!" Mr.Colbert tried to stop them as he tried to reach out his hand towards them. They were both getting into danger.
Louise chased behind Sora as they both were worried about what that explosion was. They prayed that nothing bad has happened to their friends.
Sora stopped suddenly as Louise bumped right into his back. She looked forward to see what made him stop as their were another small fleet of heartless. Four red nocturnes, five neoshadows, five high soldiers, three bandits and one invisible. Sora put his hand back in a defensive stance as he was keeping Louise away from harm.
Sora summoned his nano gear once again, and readied himself for another fight.
"What are they doing here?" Louise gasped.
Sora stared down the heartless in his way. "I don't know but wherever they show up, darkness can be too far behind!"
He charged at the heartless as they charged at him. The bandits were first, the keyblade wielder rolled out of the way and clashed blades with the invisible. A nocturne sent flame his way as jumped in the air, casting blizzara putting the fire heartless on ice as it shattered. That was when a bandit began swinging it's sword at the young keyblade wielder.
He backstep avoiding the blade as the guardian of light blocked an incoming strike holding his keyblade with both hands, he twisted his body doing a diagonal slash following up with an upwards slash sending the bandit in the air and ending with a falling slash.
He jumped back as two neoshadows appeared from the ground. In an attempt to use their claws to strike at the light warrior. Sora transformed into his blitz form, his keyblade becoming a sword, this showed Sora wasn't playing around.
Meanwhile Agnès raced to the scene where the explosion happened. A look of surprise appeared on her face, a large hole in the wall. She took a second to see two of her knights lying on the ground. She pressed her two fingers on their necks to check for a pulse. But was shocked as she couldn't feel one.
"Damnit!" She slammed her fist in the grass.
"How unfortunate, you have my condolences." She looked behind her as she saw Xemnas once again standing face to face with her.
"You again?" She replied.
"I see you still have not decided to trust in me." Replied Xemnas to Agnès.
"How could I ever trust dogs from Albion!" Agnès barked.
"And yet you give your trust to a kingdom such as this." Xemnas questions. "The action of man, stole the innocents from you, you lost your home, your kin, due to the greed of one soul. And yet you foolishly serve the Kingdom that robbed you of your livelihood?"
"That was Lishman!"
"Even still, they still did nothing. Those with power make the rules, and those without strength are subjected to their order. They immaculate so much power and yet they are powerless to do anything." Xemnas continued "Yes, there are those who are an exception, like you queen. But she is still a child, her authority is limited. Why do you believe Michelle accepted us, after she learned Lishman was responsible for her father's death. We gave her a choice to come and join us. You also have that choice."
"A choice?" Agnès asked.
"You now possess power yourself. Power that surpassess the filled of this world. You can also change this world…All you need is to come with us. I will not press for your answer. Especially when your vengeance is closer than you believe. You are at the crossroads, now, which path will you follow?" Xemnas disappeared into a corridor of darkness.
As Agnès watched him disappear from sight. What he said to her 'her vengeance is closer than she believes?' She may have found the answers she was searching for but she didn't find his name so how could she be closer?
And a choice to join them, join Albion. Never! While she did agree with his words, she would never trade sides with the enemy. Unlike with Wardes she had a debt with Henrietta when she made her a knight and that wasn't going to abandon her queen. And if she has to use those powers, she will not hesitate to do so.
She rested her hand on the back of one of her fallen comrades as she silently prayed for them. As she drew her gun and looked inside of the dining hall.
As Agnès was busy scooping out the terrorists from Albion. Sora was still busy with the few remaining heartless left. He jumped in the air with his sword morphing into a flag and then a hammer, killing off the last of the bandits. The nano arms reversed back into a sword as he got into an attack stance with only him holding the sword behind him as he dashed forward with a powerful diagonal swing, finishing off the rest.
He stood tall and straight, not even looking back as his clothes reversed back to their usual red and black color scheme.
"Alright, we wasted enough time." Louise said to Sora.
"Yeah." Sora agreed as they raced onward.
Menvil held his scepter outward towards the wall. "Did those idiots think those fire bombs would stop me?" He laughed at the feudal attempt. "Queen Henrietta's Musketeers! You say this is just some place where students go to learn magic, well tell me? Why is it that she has you stationed here in the first place? I know this is just an institution. But these children are the next generation of Tristain."
Menvil walked over to Osmond "Isn't that right sir? You're helping to nurture the future of this country. If so then I'll happily kill off the new ear of nobles."
Osmond pleaded with him to leave them alone but his words were meaningless. The girls cried out in fear "Let's see…" He walked by the girls as he took a student with light brown hair and threw her across the floor. "Congratulations! You will be the first. Imagine the look everyone here will have when they see your flesh melting off your blackened bones."
"No!" She screamed as everyone watched helplessly.
"Please! They are just children!" Osmond begged.
Menvil turned to the old principal "Alright! Then how about we talk terms then. I want you to give a messenger to Henrietta. Tell her that if she wants to see no harm come to her people, she'll make a pact with Albion. Tell her to withdraw her forces that have taken over the port."
Osmond turned away "I-I can't! I don't have the authority."
"So you don't care if I turn this girl into a pile of ash?" He said coldly. As his scepter started processing fire.
"That's a stupid way to settle this." Menvil stopped as he faced Julio.
"Julio, enough!" Osmond once again begged him not to say anything more.
"I see that Albion hasn't thought this far ahead. If the soldiers on the front line were to hear about this, that'd immediately initiate a full on assault. And if that happens you might as well hang a noose around your neck." Julio explained.
Menvil glared at the boy " Your starting to get on my nerves. You really want to die that much. Well, I'd be happy to accommodate!" He turned his attention to Julio, he had enough of his tongue and was prepared to silence him permanently.
"Hold it right there!" Menvil stopped as he turned around.
Agnès was standing on the rubble with her gun drawn "Agnès!" Osmond was relieved.
The fire mage stopped what he was doing as he looked at her. "So that captain of the Musketeers shows up."
Agnès drew her sword from her waist and ran towards Menvil. He blocked her strike with his scepter as the two were at a standstill with each other. "You must be the captain of these terrorists!"
Sora and Louise made it to the dining hall as they saw a large hole and two fallen musketeer knights. Sora tried to help them but they were all dead. Sora's anger slowly started to surface. Louise told him to calm down.
"I know." Sora said Taking a deep breath. "So how many do you think there are?"
"...Not that many." They both turned their heads as Kirche and Tabitha walked towards them. "I have to say, you both love arriving late, Zero, Sora."
"Kirche. Tabitha." Louise said
"I thought you both got captured as well?" Sora asked. The red head told the two that Tabitha woke her up as this was happening. And they've been trying not to get caught.
"I see. Well I'm happy that you're both alright."
"Everyone!" Another voice was heard as it was unmistakably familiar. They looked to the left as they saw Mr.Colbert.
"Mr.Colbert!"
"Miss Zerbst, Miss Tabitha." The teacher was relieved to see them unharmed.
"Alright. Now that we're all here, let's go and take these guys down!" Said Sora.
"Darling is right. There aren't that many of them so we can take them." Kirche agreed.
Mr Colbert however stopped them "Wait. Even though their numbers are not so great, they are still professionals. I called for reinforcements so we should wait."
"But that'll take too long." Louise argued
"Yeah and there is no way we're running away!" Sora said.
"You should leave this to the others." The teacher desperately begged the children not to go.
"Can't ignore." Tabitha replied.
"Sorry sir, but our friends are in trouble, we can't wait for help we have to help them." Sora said.
"Sora's right." Said Kirche facing her teacher "You know something, we are both fire mages so you should know how we act. We'll charge into battle prepared for anything but you're just a coward who would run away when people need you the most, it's just depressing." Kirche was harsh when giving her teacher a lecture.
"Hey come on. You don't have to be that rude." Sora said to Kirche.
Mr.Colbert looked down at his feet 'Violence, destruction, battle… I've done my best to try and avoid it. And to try and teach these children the results of believing war can solve problems. But is it really pointless, especially Sora…he's not an aristocrat nor was he born in this world, but he's willing to go to the front to fight, he's already gone through one war, he shouldn't go through another…'
But he thought about how his words wouldn't mean anything, he's the type that wears his heart on his sleeve and is straight as an arrow. The blad teacher looked at the young Vallière, as he recalled his futile attempts to try and keep her from going to war. She was and is still a stubborn girl, but ever since the summoning ritual took place that day. Louise had changed a great deal.
"I want to turn the name zero around and wear it with pride."
She always hated being called zero. Now she doesn't seem bothered by it at all anymore. And she even became friends with Miss Zerbst who she naturally hated and everyone else.
He couldn't make the changes that Sora could make. The boy standing in front of him could get through the thickest of bubbles. If he could get through Louise…then maybe…
The teacher let out a single sigh. "Alright, I won't stop you. But that doesn't mean we're charging in without a plan."
"What do you propose we do?" Asked Louise.
Mr.Colbert thought about a way to rescue the students and avoid a confrontation. "I have an idea, but it will take some time. Sora, could you help me?"
The keyblade wielder nodded. "Sure thing."
"Thank you, the three of you can wait here." He instructed the girls to remain on standby.
"No way!" Kirche pulled out her wand and was ready to march on in when Tabitha extended her staff stopping the female fire user.
"We wait. Let's trust him." She argued with Kirche. Kirche argued with Tabitha but gave in.
"Fine, we'll do it your way."
"Thank you, just give us some time." He said as he and Sora were walking away from the girls.
Agnès continued to duel with the leader of this band of mercenaries; she pulled out a gun and was ready to shoot, however before she was about to pull the trigger Menvil raised his scepter and melted her gun. Agnès jumped back as he held his scepter outwards again and shot more fire at her.
"I must say, for a plebian you've done well to last this long." Menvil said as he was impressed by her skills.
"I shan't lose to a coward that would take hostages!" Said Agnès
"I personally don't like hostages. I just burn away the things that I find troublesome." Replied Menvil.
Agnès charged once more. Menvil let out a whistle, while Agnès was caught off guard by the sudden whistle she turned her back and saw one of his men holding his staff as flames were produced she narrowly avoided the attack. But was hit from a sneak attack she dropped her sword. She tried to pick it up but it was melted by another one of the terrorists.
She glared at them as she had no weapon in her hands. "Once a long time ago, I was on a mission to burn an entire village to the ground. The sight of it was beautiful, seeing everything being engulfed by fire was truly marvelous! That is what war is about!"
Agnès listened to this as a look of shock appeared on her face, memories of her village being burned, people screaming her breath becoming shallow. "You…You're…the one…" She slowly picked herself up. "My village… D'Angleterre. It was you…Who destroyed it."
Meanwhile Mr.Colbert and Sora were busy making makeshift balloons. "Are you sure this is going to work?" Asked the brown haired keyblade wielder.
"Phosphorus is a reactive compound when ignited. That's why we're making these balloons. And once we're done, we will have Miss Zerbst and Tabitha's magic to rely on." Mr.Colbert explained.
"Alright, sorry I'm just worried about everyone." The teacher looked up at Sora briefly stopping what he was doing.
"I know you are, I'm also worried about my students too. But we need to focus." The teacher said sternly. "I know. Well how about we do something to take your mind off your worries." Colbert suggested
"Like what?" Asked Sora.
"How about you regale me with stories about the worlds you've visited. I'm curious to know where you first started your journey." Said Mr.Colbert
Sora tapped his chin thinking about it. Which wasn't long as he had a friendly smile. "Okay. Let me think...when my Islands were gone I woke up in this one world, called Traverse Town…"
(Dining hall)
Menvil stopped his attack as he was surprised to hear that her home was D'Angleterre. "You're from D'Angleterre? I never thought there were any survivors." Agnès stood up glaring at the man.
"Hey bitch! Do keep your eyes on just one target!" One terrorist said as summoned fire behind her. Agnès didn't even flinch as she quickly turned around and surprised everyone. She cut through his flames and sent two waves of darkness flying at him. He fell and landed on his back. Everyone looked at her as she was breathing heavily. But not from exhaustion…
"What the hell did she do…And what's with that sword, where did it come from?"
"Who cares, roast her!"
They pointed their staffs at her as she quickly vanished from sight as she appeared in front of them she slashed at them. Just as another one used his fire magic at he she raised her arm across from the opposite side of her body. She took the attack head on. The merc laughed as she was likely dead. As the smoke cleared he and everyone gasped. Menvil was intrigued by a pair of large black wings protecting her.
Agnès opened her eyes to see this as well. The wings vanished as no one could have seen that coming. "W-W-What the hell is she!?"
"Is she even human?"
"Agnès…" Julio said as he grew weary. He didn't know how she got that power, and he didn't like it.
"What is going on?" Elèanor asked. Cattleya shuttered. This power that the blonde haired knight possessed. She could feel a deep hatred in it. And it made her afraid. Almost everyone had either the same or different thought as to why Agnès suddenly summoned a sword and teleport, and sprouted wings.
"I'm surprised. I thought you were just some plebeian. But it would seem you are full of surprises." Menvil said. 'No, she truly is a plebeian. But I've never seen power like this…'
Agnès jumped on the table and jumped towards Menvil, she brought down her Valkyrie's Rage with all her might, however Menvil backed away and used a fire spell on her sword. However it did not melt. Whatever her powers are, they were something really extraordinary.
"You…Prepared to die!" Agnès said as she started another round with the leader. Agnès fighting style became more aggressive as she continued to duel head on with the one called the white flame.
Menvil sented a wave of fire towards Agnès as she jumped back "You've done well to survive this long. How you have such unique power is still beyond me. But I still can't believe that you're from D'Angleterre. I never expected it."
"Keep my village's name out of your mouth! I swear, you will pay for burning my home!" Agnès ready herself for another attack. As she growled at the man before her with all her anger.
"I didn't destroy D'Angleterre…" Agnès' anger turned to shock.
"What are you saying?" She asked.
"Did you not hear me? I'm not the one that burned your village. That was my captain." Menvil said. He began to reminisce "Back then, I was just a lieutenant. My captain was the one that set that village ablaze. You may think I'm cruel, but my captain was even worse than I. He was perfect, he had no guilt, no remorse, no sympathy, or mercy. He who had flames that were hotter than mine. That man was the flame serpent; Enjya."
'The flame serpent; Enjya…' Agnès listened well. So that was the person who burned D'Angleterre.
"If anything, you're not the only one with a grudge against him!"
"What?" Agnès did not understand. What was he talking about?
"Looking back on it still sends shivers down my spine." Menvil said, holding his face. "When D'Angleterre burned. I began to wonder how strong he really is. What was his true strength, how much power does he truly possess? These questions made me oh so curious, so much that I in my foolish youth attacked him from behind. He quickly brushed me aside, and as a result I was scared and I lost my sight!"
Although as he explained the kind of man he was he was still smiling. Almost as if he enjoyed it. "He was the real deal!"
"You've lost your mind!"
"Maybe so. But I still await the day I find him and settle the score, someday I'll find you Enjya. You are the only reason that I still draw breath… I don't care how long I have to wait, you will burn by my fire!"
Agnès couldn't believe it. After all her years searching. All her failed attempts to find him his name finally landed in her lap. But before her search could continue, there was one last obstacle in her path 'You couldn't be more wrong…There is only one person that will kill this, Enjya and it will not be you! But before him, I'll kill you first!'
End.