A/N: Well, this didn't get much in the way of feedback...that's depressing. T_T
Maybe I should just stop the daily updates. No one seems to like them these days anyqay...
Shorter than I'd like, but I'm doing a double update to make up for it. I haven't had a day off in ages...
The bloody heat is literally killing people over here, I can barely function...
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning, if folks don't like this, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
As ever, feedback really is the wind beneath my wings, and I wanted to thank you, one and all. Really, none of this would be possible without you.
Now for your questions, comments and concerns~! I'll try to keep these brief from now on, since someone complained.
Q: Don't you dare skip the brawl! I expect to see Radagon fight Naruto, damnit!
A: Wouldn't dream of it. This should make things unequivocally clear. It helps that Radagon still has the Moonlight Greatsword at this point -Renala's gift to him before he turned it into the Golden Order Greatsword-and better yet, he's quite healthy, unlike the shell we fought at the end of the game.
Of course, Naruto's raring to go as well...
Q: Will we see anymore children? Things are peaceful now, surely there can be a few more kiddos. Maybe even one named Bo-
A: I'm sorry, but no. There will be no Boruto material in this story. Hell, I even use the Otsutsuki sparingly in other stories for good bloody reason...
As to future children, who can say?
Q: Why do I have a bad feeling about the kiddos?
A: Pity the fool who tries to harm Malenia or Miquella, for any who harm them shall be shown none.
Alright! I've kept you waiting long enough! As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
I'm just a humble author, someone making tributes to those far greater than me. May they make you smile!
And as ever, in the words of Kaif....SPOILERS!
"You think you're strong? Tsk. You don't know what true strength is...
~?
Duel
"Have at thee~!"
Radagon riposted a blow from Naruto that would've taken his left arm clean off and struck back as only a deity could; with pure force. The Moonlight Greatsword swept in, carving a path of azure light in its wake. It was a good strike he thought, sweeping high at his fearsome foe's head in a blatant attempt to force a flinch.
He was pleased to see that the blond before him didn't rise to the bait.
On the contrary, rather than retreat like some rank amateur, Marika's husband stood his ground. But rather than use his staff, he took the full force of the blow upon the back of his...hand? Much to his chagrin the frozen hoarfrost blade found its assault stopped cold against the knuckles of that right fist, unable to injure him. Merry blue eyes beamed back at him, gleaming gold as he looked on. Still grinning that guileless grin that made him so infamous about the Capital, the Elden Lord reached around and gripped the Moonlight Greatsword in his hand completely.
No blood was shed. It couldn't cut him. No matter how hard he strained, still his foe stood tall.
"We still playin' around, pal?" yet for all that, said fiery foe only smiled at him without so much as a hint of malice. "Because if we are...
He ripped the greatsword to one side, taking Radagon's balance with it, pivoted on his left heel, then drove a spinning punch into his ribs. He felt three fracture outright. A fourth broke not a heartbeat later. A lesser being would have retreated after taking such a hit. Reassessed. Not him. He merely gave a low grunt of acknowledgement and drove a knee into the young man's solar plexus...
.
..
...rather, he tried.
An armored leg blocked him, even as another stomped down on his ankle. A valiant effort but he wouldn't be bested up so easily. "You're pretty good!"
"And you as well!" Despite his initial misgivings, he found himself returning the grin tenfold. "Might we be permitted to...what's the word? Try?"
A crude turn of phrase perhaps, but yes. For once in his life he wanted to fight. Golden light sparked in his fist. Never had he wanted something so badly and never known until he received it. He did not hate this man; far from it! Nay, he thought of him as a brother, a comrade in arms, someone would could withstand his full might and emerge unscathed.
Would that they could fight like this forever!
(.0.0.0.)
"You're pretty good."
For one who could cross continents in the blink of an eye, there could be no greater praise. In terms of sheer strength, Radagon was in the top ten of those he'd faced; there could be no doubt. Even restrained, he held his ground like a champion, fighting with power and poise alike.
It wasn't enough.
He'd held back, they both had, limited themselves to brute strength and little else. Until now. When Radagon swept in again, he dropped his restraints, parried the Moonlight Greatsword with one hand; brought his staff around with the other, and smote him hard in the ribs. A rare grunt of pain escaped the redhead. He doubled over. The instant he did a knee came roaring up to crack his chin. His head snapped up, presenting him with a golden opening.
Naruto took it. Chakra keened in his right hand, forming a familiar sphere.
He stepped in and brought it crashing into Radagon's unprotected chest. For the first time since their duel had begun, Marika's other half cried out in pain. Then even that sound was swallowed up as the Rasengan drilled him backwards into a wall. The Moonlight Greatsword flee free, arcing end over end in the air before sheathing itself deep into the ring. Its master dropped down to one knee, wasted and gasping for air.
Little Malenia saw it and hollered at the top of her lungs, wild child that she was.
Ranni even broke from her sullen silence to holler encouragement for her father. Naruto's heart twisted a little at that. He didn't want to embarrass Radagon per se; but the fact remained, he was just out of his league. He raised his staff and approached, prepared to deliver the knockout blow.
"Nothing personal, but I think its time we ended this-
A pale hand caught his staff. Blue eyes widened.
Radagon's fist hurtled up into his face.
(.0.0.0.)
Miquella saw it all unfold in slow motion.
One moment, his lord father was about to take a brutal uppercut to the chin. It would be painful. Likely enough to knock him out. Anyone could see it. He heard his dear sister gasp, even as Ranni and Radahn cried out in triumph. He held his tongue, dreading what was to come next.
In the next, Father was no longer there.
He alone saw it, the second in which Father flickered, let go of his staff, and stepped in.
Radagon's fist met clenched knuckles instead; a shockwave flew forth as they collided. He reared back with a grimace, clutching his now-broken wrist. In that moment time ceased to have any meaning. One hand clapped down on Uncle Radagon's shoulders; then Father was gone, vaulting up and over the redehead's back. His uncle moved, but too slowly. Father twisted in the air. Both hands rose high over his head. Clasped together now, in a single devastating arc.
Then he brought them crashing down.
Radagon struck the ground with an awful crack.
A hand flashed out caught Uncle by the hair, then the face, lifted him up and-
SLAM.
He did not rise again.
Another slam, smashing his head into the floor. Ranni groaned at the sight.
"Magnificent," a raspy voice murmured nearby, distracting him from the brutal attack, "Isn't he?"
Miquella cast a wary look Mohg's way. "He is indeed. The greatest of us."
The omen turned his good eye towards him. "You'll be more than he ever was, brother."
Strange words. Mohg made little sense these days. "You flatter me.
His half-brother was still staring his way. "I speak the truth. If you would but listen-
"Enough of this, Mohg." Morgott clicked his tongue, cutting him off. "Let him be. The battle continues."
Miquella turned back to the fray, grateful for the interruption...and trying to quell the sudden flutter of unease in his stomach.
He'd often harbored suspicions about his half-brothers; quiet doubts that reared their heads in the dark of night. For all his flaws, Morgott was genuinely a good person. Perhaps he clung to the Golden Order a touch too tightly, but he at least, could be predicted. Persuaded. He enjoyed doting on Malenia and craved mother's attention.
Mohg was the outlier. He'd been down in the sewers too long and had emerged changed for it.
Stranger still, he'd been showing a rather irritating interest in him as of late.
Surely he wouldn't do anything untoward. They were family, after all.
A triumphant cry told him the battle had come to an end.
(.0.0.0.)
The outcome was never in question.
Indeed, Marika knew who would win the moment the terms of the duel were set. Likewise, she also knew who would lose. Some might call it clairvoyance; that she used her godly sight to skew the outcome in her favor. In truth, it wasn't, and she hadn't. She knew strength when she saw it; and while her brother had indeed grown stronger during his absence from the capital, so too had her Consort.
She knew it the moment Radagon made it back to his feet; the instant that staff hooked under his chin.
"Yield!"
Those words weren't even directed at her, and she still felt herself shiver a little when her intended spoke. He'd dealt her brother more than a few cracks in his body, fractures and fissures that were already mending, but the damage was done. The victor was clear. Even the children could see that. The only injury Radagon had managed to inflict was a single grisly cut just above Naruto's right eye. It was still bleeding, in fact. Curious. He should have healed by now...
The moment stretched on, and she began to wonder if Radagon would, in fact, yield. He could be so stubborn sometimes...
Gravelly laughter rumbled through the air. The other half of her soul bowed his head. "Indeed, it seems I must. T'was nobly fought. I surrender."
Naruto's staff dissolved into motes of dark light. His hand came up. Radagon clasped it and let himself be hauled to his feet. They might've said something then, but whatever words were uttered were soon swallowed by the chaos that followed.
Morgott barked a laugh. "Well, he certainly put his foolish ambitions to rest...
Ranni growled into her palms as Rennala ran a loving hand through her hair. "'Tis not fair! He cheated!"
Mohg sneered her way. "And how so, child? T'would seem your father lacked the bite to back up his bark. So sad, such a shame...
"Why you...!"
Malenia was far less subdued in her Father's triumph; the younger girl shot off her lap like an arrow loosed from a bow, whooped once-and all but launched herself at Naruto. He saw their daughter coming, caught her by the waist, spun her around, and held her close to nuzzle her face against his. Miquella proved more sedate in his approach...for all the good it did him. The second he drew within arms reach, his father hauled him up into their embrace, crushing him against his chest.
A tiny smile played across Marika's face as he watched him coddle their children. Gods above but her consort could be such a boy sometimes.
She watched them a moment longer, considering. Radagon was consoling an irritated Renala and distraught Ranni, while young Radahn sulked off to one side. Morgott tried to say something to him, but the larger boy was quick to shake his head. Polite as ever that one, but even he had his limits. Her conscience stabbed her. Perhaps something to assuage their poor pride...?
An idea sprang to her mind. Yes, that would do. She sprang to her feet. "A feast!"
Radagon quirked a battered brow at that remark. "Pardon?"
Naruto's head whipped her way. "What, now?"
"I am queen of course." she preened beneath their baffled stares." Do you think it odd that I would hold court? Or that I would not hold a celebration for such? You both fought nobly today. As such, ye deserve a reward."
"Yeah, but I usually stay away from that sorta thing. Ain't really something I like to...?" Marika gave him a flat look and he subsided with a rueful smile. "Fine, fine, just this once."
Radagon chuckled. "If you insist, sister.
She did insist. Nursing old wounds aside, this would be a fine chance to parade her prize Consort among her people. Before the defeated dragons -assuming any deigned to show themselves in human form- the knights, and the citizens alike. Moreover, it presented the defeated party with a distraction; something to divert little Ranni's anger and likewise keep the children occupied. The more she thought about it, the more tempting the prospect became.
It was just some silly ball. A feast, really.
Nothing to worry about, right?
How bad could it be?
A/N: Marika, why?! You'll jinx it! Noooo!
Sorry, the battle really dominated this chapter. And there we go.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others.
If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And have some previews~!
Far flung though some may still be.
Once again, SPOILERS AHOY!
Seriously, ye be warned~!
(Previews)
"Can't remember the last time I dressed up like this...
"Awwww! The kids look adorable!"
Malenia looked fit to rip off her dress and storm off. Such a wild child.
Someone yanked him into the darkness.
Marika held out a hand. "May I have this dance?"
Naruto laughed. "See, you can be nice!"
...I will bite you."
R&R~!