101

Part IV of VI
Written in a Palace

Writer – James
Artist – Gonmon
Special thanks – Falcon24

* * * *

Winters
--The Outskirts

A large group of warriors made their way through a canyon on horseback.

Someone was standing on the brown ground above, and a moment later, this same person was standing on the brown ground below.

The horses sounded off as the riders suddenly pulled them to a stop, getting quite nervous themselves. Pretty soon, a few of them started to recognize the person who’d just teleported.

“Sorry,” said the Prince of Onett. “I needed to talk to you and for that I needed you to stop.”

The group before him began parting and, against the wishes of certain others, King Poo appeared, riding up towards the front slowly.

The serious look on Ness’s face moved up to the rider in white.

The king spoke. “How can I help you?”

“Would you happen to be traveling to the Deep Dark Lands?”

“…Actually, I am. How does this concern you?”

“Would you mind if I came along? I have business with the Count.”

Poo became even more untrusting. “My men tell me you’ve got a way of moving about. Could you not just get there through this means?”

Ness closed his eyes for a moment. “A short-range teleport drains my PSI. If I used that to get around all the time, I’d run out of PSI long before I reached my destination. Then I’d have to wait for it to replenish. I--”

“Did you say…a short-range teleport?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Show me,” said Poo.

“What?”

“If you can do one, show me.”

“…” Ness disappeared…and reappeared a few yards behind where he’d been standing, slouching a bit with his arms spread diagonally, his palms facing backwards, and his gaze still on the group.

Poo’s eyes had widened. Slowly, he came down from his horse, which had come from the prefecture like all the others.

Ness stood straight and walked back over.

“Remarkable…” Poo looked at the prince in awe. “I thought I was the only PSI-user alive who’d mastered the short-range. Only the most disciplined of Dalaam’s people have ever been able to use it.”

“Well, a long is kind of easy to learn,” said Ness, “but a short is so tricky.”

“That it is,” Poo suddenly smiled. “I prepared in the Place of Nothingness for…” he chuckled. “What else can you do? I’d heard you were good.”

“I’d be glad to compare moves with you sometime…but right now…”

“What’s your business, exactly, with the Count?” asked Poo in an uncertain tone again.

“…All right,” Ness folded his arms. “I’m going to trust you. What I’m planning to do is head over there and kill him.”

Poo flinched a little. “Sounds…well that sounds kind of--”

“Harsh? You wouldn’t think so if you were in my position right now.”

“I’ve heard about the situation in Onett. I’ve heard a lot about Onett, actually.”

“Everything you’ve heard you can thank the Count for. He started it, anyway. Now I’m going to end it.”

“What exactly has he started with you?”

“A scheme involving my sister, legendary creatures, and technology created by Jeff Andonuts.”

A quiet breeze swept through the canyon, blowing small sticks and weeds alongside the assembly.

“…I have business with the Count myself,” said Poo. “Recently he sent an agent into Dalaam to steal something. It was a failed attempt, but a warning is in order.”

Like a samurai, two swords were at Poo’s waist—one being a weapon he’d never used before.

“What’d he try taking?” asked Ness.

“…Okay,” said Poo. “Now I’m going to trust you. You know the Sound Stone of legend?”

“Of course I do.”

“Of course you do. Well, it’s been kept in Dalaam all this time.”

“Really? That’s where it is?”

“It was placed there for safekeeping after the Four Heroes used it to defeat Giegue.”

Ness looked off, “…Well…Pokeyus’s scheming didn’t fail when it comes to my kingdom. That’s why he’s going to pay.”

“Do you think there’s any connection between his plan concerning Onett and his plan concerning Dalaam?”

“No,” replied Ness. “He didn’t try stealing anything from us. He just got my sister—who he was always close with—to stage a coup in order to get revenge because we banished him.”

“Or maybe…” Poo paused. “Look, I only know the basics of this situation you’ve described. Ness of Onett, I’d like to hear more of your side of the story…and perhaps through that I can better understand mine.”

With that, Poo called for one of the spare horses, which Ness gratefully mounted before traveling with the warriors of Dalaam on their journey.

* * * *

Onett
--The Great Field

Having landed their own battleship far away from the castle, the visitors from Twoson were now moving through the forest that led to the field. Most were moving along the ground; a few of the more nimble ones were hopping from tree to tree, trying to spot an ambush. All eventually came out into the wide, grassy area, taking a look at the distant building.

The one at their center turned sideways, clenching her fists as she continued staring ahead. “I’m going to go over it again,” said the armored Princess Paula. “They probably know we’re here…”

In the far distance, the castle’s drawbridge began lowering.

“…Okay,” said Paula, “they definitely know we’re here.”

The armored soldiers with her began pulling their swords.

Paula continued, “I know you’re rookies, and I know some of you are scared, but what I’ve been taught to remember during times like these are the reasons you’re fighting in the first place. They attacked our kingdom; if we hadn’t stopped them then, they would’ve invaded it. If we don’t stop them now, that’ll happen all over again, and the same will happen to other kingdoms as well.”

The bridge had come all the way down.

“…So whoever cares more about their reasons for being here than their reasons for being nervous, raise your sword right now.”

Every sword behind Paula pointed at the cloudy sky.

“…As you were,” said the princess, feeling the wind blow through her free hair.

In the distance, a lot of red eyes began to glow brighter. In the castle, a voice came over an intercom, speaking to the sliver Starmen. “Your class is being dispatched for a reason: I don’t want any of them killed. Not yet, at least. Stun and capture. That way I’ll have leverage over Twoson if she ends up escaping like my brother did. Letting one or two captives die is probably a sacrifice she’s willing to make…but it won’t be as easy to do that with as many people as she’s brought over here.”

The Starmen understood, and walked across the bridge and out to the field…looking quite ominous to the people who’d been studying them in historical accounts. The march didn’t stop.

Paula eyed the enemies coldly, soon reaching up and drawing her sword. It remained in the air for a moment…

The Starmen continued.

…The sword swung down.

Every soldier of Twoson on the field ran forward with a battle cry.

The Starmen began to aim and dematerialize.

Just as the first beams flew and the first swords swung, the sun got in several birds’ eyes and the combat faded away in white.

* * * *

--The Deep Dark Lands

The Deep Dark Lands didn’t look deep and dark at all. The only thing the small army of boys found after leaving their horses, gathering their swords, and scaling a high, muddy hill…was a beach. In the distant water were several small islands.

Eyes widened within the group of young men from Dalaam. They could now see several beautiful Asian girls in bikinis, lying on and swimming along the islands.

Ness was standing by Poo near the center.

The warm, comforting sun shinned down on everyone.

Ness suddenly spotted a blonde girl among the others—someone he recognized from Twoson.

The eyes in the crowd of boys had gone stoic now.

Ness spoke, “Look at all of them…” he said softly. “…They’re beautiful.”

“…I know…” replied Poo in the same tone.

Swords began falling to the ground.

The girls began coming out of the water.

“…No,” said Poo suddenly. “…No,” said Poo sternly. “This…this isn’t real.” If he had just come to his senses, he now felt himself losing them again.

“…” Ness was staring at the blonde girl wearily.

Everyone else was looking on the same way, as the once hardened and determined eyes of the soldiers from Dalaam were now softened and meek.

“N…Ness,” whispered Poo, struggling to speak. “The…the Count…he’s a magician.”

“…” Ness could say no more.

Poo continued, “This is…I think I’ve heard of this before. It’s a…security measure,” Poo’s words were still soft. “Anyone who comes here with hostile intent…especially if you’re…angry…” he kept fighting it. “These illusions kick in.”

For some reason, even though they were still far away, the girls’ playful laughter could be heard perfectly fine. It started to become slurred and distorted as their smiling faces and dripping wet bodies advances towards the boys.

The soldiers all stood in a trance.

“…Ness?” Poo managed to glance sideways.

The boy standing there was unresponsive.

“Ness…we can beat this. Let go of the anger…and the fear right now that’s maintaining it.”

“…”

“You can do it…Ness. We’ve got to…to…”

Ness was trying…but he was failing.

“Ness…” Poo tried moving again, but couldn’t.

The ones advancing on the group were naturally a lot closer now.

Poo closed his eyes, still feeling a lot of fear and anger himself. He relaxed, or at least tried to. “…” He began making progress. “…”

Poo slowly opened his eyes. The world around him had gone dark. No soldiers. No Ness. No beach. No enemies. Just him, and just the darkness.

Poo closed his eyes. Poo opened his mouth. Poo lifted his arms. His hands shook a little. His eyes remained closed. His breathing was calm. His eyes remained closed. His hair flowed to the side. His eyes remained closed. His father’s voice spoke to him. His eyes popped open and suddenly…

Light!

Thunder crashed down on the beach in several bolts all at once.

The advancing girls stopped and pulled back in horror as a line was drawn in the sand.

Every boy with Poo suddenly snapped out of it, awakened by the loud sound.

Ness stumbled, glancing around.

Poo ran to the front of the crowd, summoning another attack as he moved. Starstorm launched forth and utterly bombarded the girls—who weren’t girls at all but were revealed to be manlike fish and a few creatures called Mooks. They flew, losing their mysterious masks as they scattered.

Others began emerging…

Swords were picked up once more. The soldiers of Dalaam charged with renewed determination, not giving the illusion enough time to take effect again.

Letting the crowd around him pass by, Ness started looking for the “blonde girl.” Moments later, he found his target on one of the larger islands.

The person he’d spotted turned away from him.

Ness teleported…and arrived.

The target kept looking away.

“Face me, coward. Don’t let it be said that I blew you away from behind,” Ness spoke with anger yet again.

The form of the target began to change.

Ness tightened his fists but tried settling himself down—just to avoid the trance.

A purple robe was now on the large figure, and this large figure turned around, revealing his grinning face to be that of Count Pokeyus.

* * * *

--Onett

Absolutely no one was left standing on the battlefield.

The rookies had done a better job than expected, and with the significant contributions of their PSI-powered leader, the group had managed to overcome every Starman. But now they were paying for their courage, and many lying on the ground weren’t entirely sure when they’d be getting up—if that was going to happen at all. Most of them just started thinking of their loved ones in Twoson.

It was a quiet battlefield that the large birds above began to circle, but slowly, one stubborn soldier named Princess Paula began to stir up sound once again, causing her armor—which had been lost over both arms—to creak a little as she rose from the ground and stood, sunlight passing over her face. It was a very angry face, and pretty soon, one of her legs rose in reaction to that anger, followed by the other.

This process continued until those legs were carrying her across the drawbridge, which of course, led straight into the lobby of the Kingdom of Onett’s royal castle. Paula closed her eyes and opened her mind. “…You can’t hide from me,” she said in her thoughts. “You’re going to wish you could…” her angry eyes opened, “…but you can’t.”

And then, Paula clutched her sword and ran up a nearby staircase, tracking down a target via her own personal radar. It would be an unfortunate case if anyone got in her way.

* * * *

--The Deep Dark Lands

Using the sword that wasn’t quite as special as the other, King Poo ran an enemy through, lifting its body off the ground before shaking it off the blade. He felt a sweat breaking as he looked around, making sure his soldiers were okay. Most of them were…

Over on the island, Ness and Pokeyus had exchanged the usual pre-fight threats and taunts that generally come attached when the combatants know each other. It ended with the Prince of Onett saying, “The only reason you’re still standing there—the only reason I haven’t simply blown you away yet—is because I want to make this slow. For my kingdom…” Ness balled his fists and advanced.

The Count’s eyes suddenly widened…and his form began to change.

Ness stopped.

A strange glow enveloped Pokeyus’s body, and he slowly grew and grew.

Ness had gotten a little uneasy now.

When the glow faded, a hulking, gray, square-headed figure—about twice Ness’s height—was standing where the smiling man had been. This thing sure wasn’t smiling, and without much hesitation, it stepped forth and swung a powerful backhand with a growl.

Thrusting his hands out, Ness was quickly enveloped by a white flash. The Shield of Light softened the blow but the blow still hurt, and Ness thought he’d felt an electrical current passing through him as he flew into the top of a tree.

Pokeyus began to change again, this time into the form of—strange as it appeared—a flaming dog. As he looked up, a growingly huge fireball flew from his mouth.

Ness barely rolled and fell out of the tree in time as the leaves and branches were incinerated. His body landed with an audible thud.

Across the water, Poo was again caught around the middle of a crowd as he watched the battle on the beach unfold. Knowing it was about time to end this, he began reaching for the special sword that was still sheathed, preparing to use it for the first time. But as he began seeing more and more of his soldiers sustain injuries, watching as they fell with pain dragging across their faces, he began to wonder if this course of action had been the best one…and that made him wonder if he had any right reaching for the sword.

His hand just froze there, inches from the hilt. He began thinking of his father’s words from long ago: “Poo…”

A large mole now stood across from Ness, who was pulling himself up.

“A king’s duty is to care for those around him…”

Slowly, the soldiers began to outnumber their opponents.

“This sword embodies that principle…”

Ness turned from the ground and summoned PSI Flash, pushing back the mole’s charge and eliciting a yelp.

“As such, during the time of your reign, you must only use it in service to others…in service to those who are worthy…”

On the defensive, the soldiers countered and dodged.

“One who is overzealous will remember this teaching and pull the relic too soon, seeing only what is before him…”

Pokeyus had turned into the large gray creature again.

“But another will remember this teaching and see what is in his heart…”

The soldiers continued fighting back, striking down more of their enemies.

“…and know for whom and when this blade was forged.”

Pokeyus, in altered form, had lifted Ness up with one hand and began choking him in the air. “You know that Twoson girl I just emulated, Ness? The one you always talked about?”

Ness struggled against the strong grip with both hands, finding it hard to summon enough concentration at the moment for a PSI attack.

Pokeyus’s grip tightened, “I can guarantee that was the last glimpse of her you’ll ever see.”

Ness grew weary.

Pokeyus heard what sounded like a rustling in one of the trees.

Suddenly, Poo came falling from the sky.

The grip loosened a little.

Following a growingly loud battle cry, Poo used his new weapon—the Sword of Kings.

And as Poo dropped to the ground, the blade cut straight through the monster’s wrist, separating it from the rest of its body.

Ness hit the ground with the hand still around his neck.

Pokeyus drew back and howled, clutching his wound with the only hand he had left.

“The one who knows that…is truly a king among men.”

A high wave picked up behind the now standing King Poo, who looked over to see the Count transform back to normal.

Pokeyus had stumbled to the ground, eyes half open as he tried stopping the blood that poured freely from his wrist.

Ness was lying on the other side of Poo, prying the lifeless hand—which was still in the transformed state—from his neck.

The young ruler of Dalaam spoke. “Tell me what you wanted with the Sound Stone.”

Without a word, Pokeyus somehow faded away, making his escape. All of his minions, alive or otherwise, followed suit.

Poo stared at the spot where he’d been.

Suddenly, everything in view changed. Everything. The sky grayed, the water grew muddier, the grass was less green, and the sand turned to a hard, dirty ground. The trees across the islands sagged, not looking nearly as nice as before. Their weak, brown leaves began falling off. A fog flowed through the area.

Poo looked over at the soldiers across the dark, dancing waters.

Ness pulled himself up, now free of the hand, looking about with everyone else.

The King of Dalaam wore a serious face.

“Thanks,” said Ness.

Poo didn’t say anything.

“What’s happening?”

“…My guess is that without Pokeyus here, the illusion he had up can’t be maintained.”

Behind both young royals, the orange of the flaming tree flared against the blanket of gray above.

Ness was rubbing his neck. “So what’s this…a new one? Another illusion? First things are nice and sunny everywhere and now…now…”

Both were very quiet for a moment. “No, Ness. Not an illusion,” said Poo, looking forward. “…I fear this is an omen.”

* * * *

--Castle Onett

After reaching a high floor, Paula finally entered a very large room. Her head had led her here, and her heart had been telling her what to do afterwards the whole time. She looked around, realizing that the big window in the back was tinted just enough to keep it fairly dark inside, while briefly observing the red flames near every corner that provided a dim, crimson light. It was a scary-looking place, but that didn’t matter; all that mattered to Paula right now was the sight of the girl with her back turned in the distance, holding a sword to her right with its tip resting on the floor.

This girl wore a regal gown, and revealed a ribbon that matched the color of the room as she slowly removed a crown and sat it aside on a pedestal.

Clinging to her own sword with angry resolve, Paula took a few more steps forward.

The other girl turned, revealing a calmly bold stare of her own. “You want my life, Princess?” said Tracy of Onett. “…Come take it.”

With a steady yell and furious eyes, Paula ran forward, clutching the sword by her side with both hands.

Tracy adjusted her stance, raising her sword with both hands as well and crouching a bit where she stood.

…‘CHING’—the sound began.

“Yeah, it’s on now,” Paula growled in Tracy’s face.

The girls swung and swung and swung, hitting each other’s swords again and again while trading the advantage as the moments passed.

A sudden diagonal swing from Paula was avoided with a sidestep, and as the sword was rising again, Tracy lifted her leg and kicked Paula’s wrist, sending the weapon flying as her opponent recoiled.

Paula was surprised, but as she quickly leapt back in retreat, a bolt of PSI Thunder came from nowhere and struck down right between her and Tracy, buying time.

The young queen was briefly illuminated but unharmed, pulling an arm over her cold face as the light faded—just showing those eyes for a second during the flash.

As Paula landed a few steps away, she caught the sword on its way down. “I promise you this won’t end until you’re dead or I am. Only one of us is leaving this fight alive.”

Tracy lifted her sword again and the princess charged her once more.

The battle resumed.

Paula put her free hand against the dull side of the sword and used her strength to block.

Tracy narrowly ducked under a swing that passed right where her neck had been, hearing a hard swish as a few of her curls floated to the floor.

Eventually, there came a time when Paula wasn’t fast enough to avoid one of Tracy’s swings, and the tip of the sword dragged across Paula’s armor, producing a moment of sparks as it went.

The princess stumbled away and lifted her left leg, delivering a sidekick that pushed the other girl back a few feet.

Tracy didn’t wince as she moved; for some reason, she didn’t stop, either. She just kept backing farther and farther away with her gaze ahead.

Paula, a little confused, began coming at her again.

There was a tall wooden stand of weapons beside Tracy, who quickly freed a spear and hurled it at her opponent.

Being cut hurts, and as the blade passed along one of Paula’s unprotected arms, the princess seemed to let out what some would call an uncharacteristically “girly” scream. Her sword fell, followed by Paula herself as she rolled on her side clutching her wound.

Tracy pulled out another spear and quickly took aim.

A blast of PSI Thunder arrived again, missing Tracy but blowing the large cabinet beside her off the floor.

Tracy dropped the spear and ran, tripping in her hurry as the heavy stand came falling down. It didn’t hit her but it had pinned her sword to the floor.

Both girls were lying on opposite sides of a chandelier, making subtle movements.

Tracy got over the shock and began to crawl.

Paula began doing the same, soon pulling herself up while still holding her arm. She took a few breaths…then, with another growl that grew louder as she advanced, charged across the floor again.

As Tracy stood, she felt the other girl tackling her at the waist.

Paula actually picked Tracy up for a second as she continued her run.

In the next moment, a large window shattered with the force of both girls’ bodies, letting sunlight into the high room. Paula had actually let go of Tracy after the hole was made…but Tracy hadn’t let go of Paula, and as gravity kicked in, both royals fell to the earth below.

Clinging to each other, they overcame whatever fear they felt and gathered the last things they each needed to think about.

Clinging to each other, they briefly saw the Great Field and the still-exhausted bodies lying across it.

Clinging to each other, they readied themselves…and just missed hitting the open drawbridge, avoiding the impact that could’ve killed both girls on the spot.

Water suddenly rose and drenched the nearby grass, along with the wooden walk that led into the castle. And as the water spread everywhere, so did the small birds in nearby branches, moving all at once in a moment that hinted at silent, slow motion—each of them rising with a graceful flap before breaking into several reckless ones.

A moment of calmness passed.

Tracy’s head emerged…and she swam towards the bridge, managing to pull herself up on it.

Paula had emerged as well, and she swam for the nearby ground, pulling herself out of the water and spitting the water out of her mouth.

Tracy was on her hands and knees a moment, staring at the wet wood. As she recovered, she began to stand. As she stood, another bolt of Thunder struck down on her right, blowing a hole in the bridge. Tracy stumbled aside.

Paula walked onto the bridge herself, standing several yards away. “I’ll bet that water is going to make this feel all the more uncomfortable…”

Another blast came. This one nearly hit Tracy, who fell down again, seeing one more hole.

Unbeknownst to her opponent, Paula had already begun summoning a mass of icy matter in the air before her—a pointy one that looked like the tip of a spear, but much bigger and thicker. She waved her arms, slowly channeling the PSI energy into this new display.

Tracy had begun stumbling up again, still not noticing.

“It’s like I said,” the princess continued, “just one of us is leaving this alive, Tracy…”

The other girl stood straight and looked over.

Paula’s weapon was fully formed. “…And I rarely say things I don’t mean.” Paula threw her palm forward, and the icy spear flew ahead, mystically sailing across the air.

Tracy’s cold face remained unchanged…and the cold mass struck her in the gut, piercing right through her stomach. Tracy’s expression quickly changed; now she wore a look of shock.

Paula had the cold expression now.

Tracy’s widened eyes were staring off at the ground—past the icy spear still pointing from her stomach. Blood began to crawl down the tip of this spear, changing its color a little. Tracy gasped, her wide eyes not budging as her knees shook.

Paula remained quiet.

Tracy did as well.

“…”

Tracy’s hands slowly grasped around the tip of the spear…and squeezed. Seconds later, the ice crushed away and the mass that had been attached fell at Tracy’s feet.

A stunned, curious frown swept over Paula’s face.

Tracy brushed away the bloody remains that were still attached to her, watching as they all melted or fell from her stomach. Then she removed her hands, revealing only a torn gown and barely a scar where the hole in her flesh had been.

“Not…possible…” said an angry Paula, looking on with a jittery stare.

Slowly, Tracy looked up, wearing the same cold gaze as before.

“…” Paula sent a normal blast of PSI Freeze at the other girl, looking ahead with a defiant glance as it happened.

The attack slammed into Tracy. She looked off and shook with the impact.

Another came. Tracy’s body was rocked again.

One more followed. Tracy gritted her teeth with shaky hands, almost looking as impressed by the power as she was harmed by it. She dropped to her knees, hair falling over her face as she trembled in discomfort.

Paula was catching her breath again.

“…”

Paula’s eyes began to widen.

Tracy had stood back up, brushed her hair away…and looked across the bridge.

Anger overtook the princess again. Or maybe it was frustration. “What…are…you?”

Tracy just stared.

Looking meaner, Paula summoned Thunder again.

The bolt made a direct hit and enveloped Tracy in a burst of light. But moments later, Tracy stood again—her body having shielded the bridge from getting another hole.

Paula clenched her fists, “How are you doing--” and suddenly, her mind told her that someone else was present now…somewhere. It was especially easier to pick up on another presence when the one behind that presence was hostile; their aura stood out like a beacon. She looked up, and saw a Starman at a familiar-looking cannon.

The Starman on the roof fired.

A nervous Paula suddenly ran back.

…And the blast from the skyfire blew her into the air—not quite close enough to kill.

…But still close enough to make Paula scream.

Tracy remained unchanged as it happened.

Paula was lying on the grass, trembling in pain, too exhausted by the fall to move. She heard a voice.

“You said it yourself…” Tracy spoke, “…only one of us gets to leave this battle.” She lifted her hand, glancing over her shoulder.

The cannon began reenergizing.

* * * *

--The Deep Dark Lands

After a brief talk, Ness was walking back down the hill with the others. “…”

Poo glanced to the side.

Ness slowed down, his mouth opening a bit.

“What’s--”

Ness ran out in front of everyone else, and began spinning.

“What’s wrong?” asked Poo.

* * * *

--Castle Onett

The cannon was nearly ready.

On the ground, Paula looked over her shoulder, seeing the weapon pointing at her.

Ness arrived via teleportation—answering Paula’s request for help via telepathy.

“Up there!” called the princess.

Seeing what was about to happen, Ness ran to Paula’s side.

The cannon fired.

Ness fell, covering Paula with his arms…and executing a short-range teleport while clinging to her.

The ground they’d been on exploded.

Ness and Paula rematerialized elsewhere on the field a second later. Not wanting to play target with something like skyfire anymore, he scoped the princess up into his arms, and began spinning again.

“My people,” thought a weary Paula. “My…”

This time the teleportation had long-range effects, and Ness and Paula were soon gone.

‘Tap…
Tap…
Tap…’

The sound of Tracy’s footsteps moving across the drawbridge came. She stopped and folded her arms, staring at all the soldiers from Twoson lying across the ground. “You’ve got a new ruler now.” She pulled out her ribbon, letting it fall to the field. “Be honored that you got to hear it before the rest of the world.”

To Be Continued