“You’re almost there girls, just further ahead.” Princess Cleophoe and her trusted maid Fluflefpon watched their companions sprinting through side streets and back alleys as they gazed into the huge crystal core of the keep. Through the magic of the core, they had a full three hundred and sixty degree view of the area around anyone attuned to the crystalline construct, providing them with perfect vision of the battlefield when needed. Right now, their vision was centred on Thong Pink as she led her team of warriors to the edge of town, close to a series of old boating yards along the coastline. As was the case every other week, the core had detected and alerted Cleo to a massive spike in dark magics, signaling the forces of evil were up to no good. With the location signalled on a map projected by the crystal, it was time to send in the troops.

“Ten of these Earth currencies it’s Celine.” Flufflepon said suddenly and rather casually, not even bothering to look away from the feed projected onto the surface of the core. The Generals usually switched and cycled from week to week. Each time it would be a different one with a new plan or scheme. They always failed of course, but that didn’t stop them. They had a job to do of course. Last week it was Alexander with his little ploy to hypnotize people using the cities many public television screens, and while it could be him again, it was rare for one of them to try twice in a row. Before him was Viktor and the hired mercenaries. So, in theory it should be Celine next, however, there have been times where it has gone to the previous foe. These were uncommon, but not so much as to be rare.

The princess shot her maid a sideways glance. “I see you already claimed the most likely bet before me.” She let out a sigh of acquiescence but smiled nonetheless. “Very well. Ten to Viktor then. Who knows, maybe our dear Krov might surprise us with a visit. Say, what would you even do with the money anyway? It’s not as like you really have need of anything the human merchants sell.” Thankfully, neither of them were short of money after fleeing the homeland during the coup. When they first came to the keep and reactivated its long dormant heart, several rooms were discovered built into the earth, rather than simply created and formed via the heart's magic. One such room held a sizable amount of treasure back from the old frontier colony days in this planet's long past. Left behind when Earth was abandoned, the amount was nothing compared to the wealth of her kingdom, but from what she had been told by the girls, it was considerable by their standards. All it took was a trip to an, admittedly less than scrupulous looking, merchant and they were set for good while. Should their funds run out, they simply need to pay the shady individual visit and they would be fine for another few months.

“It’s not about the money your Grace, it’s about getting one over you, more or less anyway.” Cleo shot her an icy look that could freeze the very air were it any more cool.

“Oh, is that so?”

“Indeed it is.” Flufflepon’s own face was just as scouring in its expression, a perfect match in expression and tone to her liege. “Although there are those wonderful shortbread biscuits from that one grocer I wouldn't mind buying. Perhaps I’ll get some with my winnings during the weekly shop tomorrow.”
The tension in the air was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. “Really now my beloved companion. Your winnings? My, you are a confident one.” She folded her arms, not even blinking as she continued to stare down at the cat.

“Why yes, my winnings that are soon to be stored away in that adorable little porcelain swine bank chastity gifted me last week. I can assure you, your Grace, I will saver every ‘clink’ as the coins slide into the slot in it’s top”

They continued to stare at each other for several seconds, neither one daring to be the first to break eye contact or blink.

Then unanimously, both of them burst into light laughter, each enjoying the little moment of mirth together. It was important to savour and enjoy times like these, when they could forget the fears and worries of the universe around them and simply enjoy life as though nothing had ever changed. “Well then…” The white haired princess turned away to look back at the feed. The girls were almost there now, whoever was waiting for them, they would be in the courtyard up ahead. “If I happen to win, I’ll buy a box myself, but worry not old friend, I’ll be sure to share them with you. How about that?”

Flufflepon smiled, turning her own head to watch the reveal. “Oh thank you, you are as generous and magnanimous as you are beautiful, Princess.”

“There’s something glowing ahead!” Called Thong Pink through the crystal. “You seeing this Cleo?” They were nearing the source of the magic, a mere tarp draped chain linked fence separated them. Any second now and they would have their answer.

Her expression changed, taking on a much more serious tone now that it was called for. “Yes I see it. There’s a considerable amount of magic emanating from that area, so be on your guard.” The same applied to Flufflepon now too. Her eyes narrowed, keeping watch for anything suspicious. It was a stretch, but maybe her keen sight could pick out something before the girls noticed and she could warn them. Not likely she knew, but being where she was, at her Princess’s side rather than the battlefield, she wanted to help in any way she could. And besides, her eyes were genuinely better than any of them.

Like clockwork, each of the girls flipped over fence in graceful summersaults, coming to land next to one another in quick succession. First Pink, then Blue followed by Yellow, Red and Green. All of them had their weapons raised and at the ready for the first sign of danger. Across from them, in the centre of the courtyard was a small floating crystal, a deep burgundy in colour, like wine, that seemed to pulse periodically with dark energies in the form of little shimmering black flecks. Hesitantly and with eyes peeled, the girls walked as one towards the mysterious object. Around them in the courtyard lay a number of small boats in various states of disrepair, some with holes in the sides, some with rusted motor blades, all had thick coatings of barnacles along the underside.

“Gee, another evil looking crystal. I’m shocked.” Thong Red muttered. She had her heavy set gauntlets raised and ready to swing at a moment's notice. The Generals had a habit of using crystals for practically everything. With how useful magic in crystalline form was, it can;t be said it didn’t feel a little samey. “Suppose it’s better then the talking tv’s like last time.”

Thong Green grunted as she fought the urge to pinch her nose. “Couldn’t they have at least picked a better place to do…whatever it is they’re doing? It reeks of fish here. Have I mentioned how much I detest fish?”

“Yes. Several times in fact.” Thong Blue replied flatly.

“Well it’s worth mentioning again.”

“Hey, Brittany. Don’t you, like, eat smoked salmon for breakfast every day or something?” Asked Thong Yellow with just a hint of some unsaid accusation on her voice. Whatever she was insinuating, Green didn’t like it.

“That’s different, I can assure you.” She snapped. “And it’s not everyday. I like to mix up my diet.” Her expression hardened into a disdainful sneer the closer and closer they got to the crystal, and in turn, the ocean. The smell really was getting to her now. “Whoever’s little marvelous plan it is this week, I’m going to give them a piece of my mind. Bleh. This dingy little hovel, really? Couldn’t they have picked a nice garden full of rose bushes instead?”

“Oh I’ll be sure to ask them for next time then. I’m sure they’ll accommodate.” Green simply scoffed at Blue’s words. Someone wasn’t getting a share of her victory shortbread later.

“Maybe you and Celine can have a nice tea party.” Red chucked to herself, earning yet another scoff from the group's resident out of touch rich girl. “Speaking of the little psychopath….where is she? And the other two floaty McAssholes?” They were mere feet from the crystal now, and yet no one was here. No floating general monologuing or throwing magic at them, no horde of Goons swarming them, not even a dark evil crystal to-oh wait, no there was that at least.

“So Cleo. any idea what this is?” Pink was staring at the hovering crystal, stepping to either side, trying to get a better look at it. So far, it wasn’t doing much. Yellow reached out with her staff to give it a prod, but Pink quickly shut that down by slapping the end of the staff away and pulling a face at her, silently yelling. Red was about to do the same but opted not to after the little telling off her friend had just received.

“It looks like a foci.” Came Blue, stepping next to Pink to join her in the examination. She leaned in just a little too close for her leader's comfort, staring right into the semi translucent crystal. “It has to be, I’m sure of it.”

“Yes, it appears to be. I’m glad at least someone is reading the material I have been providing to the team on such matters.” Green, red and Yellow all looked away sheepishly, pretending they were still watching for bad guys and the like. Even Pink seemed a tad embarrassed at Cleo’s biting remark. “For those who don’t know, a foci is, well, a focus, specifically for magic. It is a sort of naturally occuring enhancer of the magics contained within or passed through. In a basic sense, it amplifies magic, makes it stronger, more powerful. Were someone to say, channel a projectile through a foci, it’s power would be greatly increased. They’re somewhat rare, which makes this next part so strange…”

“Oh I don’t like the sound of this.” Pink never liked it when things went ‘strange.’ It was always a bad sign.

“The magic it’s amplifying. It’s definitely dark magic, but it’s also…inert. It’s raw magic in its most basic form, completely useless unless channeled into some kind of spell. Think of it like using water in cooking. It’s the core of most food in one way or another, but completely tasteless, textureless, all around something you don’t even consider during the process. But vital nonetheless. And with the foci, its strength, which normally the core wouldn’t even detect it is so inert, has been dramatically scaled up.”

“So they put...basically bland magic into this amplifier?” Green asked. “To what end though?”

“I am…unsure…” As Cleo trailed off, Pink began to think. Just why would they do this exactly? What would they have to gain? Pulling them in with basically a false signal. Then it hit her. Suddenly Pink raised her sword, taking a defensive stance, eyes scanning left and right for potential threats.

“Girls, it’s a lure! They’ve done it to draw us into a trap!” In an instant all the girls were together in a circle, back to back, readying for combat. “Call out when you see them!” She ordered, with the girls each giving confirmation with a grunt.

A minute passed…and nothing happened.

Then a second one passed, and a third then a fourth and still no Goons, no general, nothing.. The only movements were the nearby tarps gently blowing in the sea breeze, and the only noises were the cries of the gulls and gently rocking of the waves.

Aside from that, they were alone.

Each of the warriors gazed around expectantly, prepared for a fight that just wasn’t appearing. Cleo and the cat exchanged worried glances. Something was off. Remaining hidden wasn’t much of the general's forte. They liked to be out in the open and loudly declaring their intentions. Stepping closer to the projection, as if it might reveal some secret hidden clue, Flufflepon muttered quietly to herself. “I don’t like it. This whole thing has my fur on end…”

“Mine too, little kitty, mine too.” Red quietly chimed in.

Green groaned in disgust and rounded on her team mate “Eugh, can’t you go a day without a pubic hair analogy you freak?” Yellow tried her best to stifle a giggle.

“But I’m not talking about my asshole hair…?”

“Analogy! Ana-logy! I wasn’t referring to your…” Sighing, she shook her head. “You know what, I’m not going to bother. Ask Cat what it means later, provided we’re not all killed that is.” Blue shot Green a particularly annoyed glance, who in response, merely stuck out her tongue like some child.

“Hey don’t dump this on me. I have better things to do.”

“Oh yeah, watching those dumb shows about space and-”

“Can the chatter ladies.” Pink injected, determined to take some measure of control of the situation. Her nerves were starting to run colder the longer they stood there with nothing happening. Surely there was more to this, she thought. They’ve drawn us in, now what? Where are they? She fully expected some sort of giant monster to come barreling in out of nowhere, or one of the Generals to appear overhead and catch them off guard. But no, nothing.

It was Yellow who spoke up next, and what she said made Pink’s blood turn to ice upon the realization.

“What if…they’re not trying to lure us in, but…lure us away from something.”

Pink turned to face her friend and the two shared an uneasy look at the possibility. “Lure you away…” Cleo repeated. She brought a hand to her chin thoughtfully. Yellow could be onto something there. “That could be a possibility, but lure you away from what exactly-?”

There was a sudden cacophonic boom in the distance to the princess, the very ground shaking violently in the reverberations of the explosion and she almost fell off her feet it was so powerful. Flufflepon turned her head to face away from the direction of the explosion to stare up at the princess. “What was that?!” She exclaimed, eyes alight with panic.

“I-I don’t know!” Cleo faced the core crystal and reached out, hands glowing, she began to work its arcane magics. “It was close by, but it couldn’t have been… A few seconds later an image began to form on its surface causing the girl to gasp in shock. Even the feline was disturbed by what she saw projected out to the two of them.

In one of the chambers above them in a higher level of the keep, there was a massive swirling void, a tempest of dark red the colour of coagulated blood, spinning as a strange fog and crackles of energy emanating from what appeared to be a violent rent in reality. And pouring forth were Goons. Dozens of them rushing out, possibly hundreds in some disorganized horde, like barbarians of old come to pillage and plunder all that was sacred. Then, a moment later, the Generals followed suit, striding out amongst them as their minions flowed around them. Viktor Krov, Alexander Brònach and Celine Fille Sadique. Each of them calm, expressionless even, professional…save for Celine, who had something of a wicked little smirk on her lips and the gleam of excitement in those red predatory eyes of hers.

Suddenly Pink's voice came into focus. “Hey! Hey what’s going on over there, we heard an explosion, is everything alright?!”

“They’ve found a way into the keep!” Barked Flufflepon. “We have no idea how but they’re here regardless. It looks like all three of the Generals have made it inside and they’ve brought a veritable army of Goons with them. Girls, you need to get back here as fast as you can! I can try and hold them off, but not for long.”

“Understood, we’re on our way. Double time it girls, Blue you go on ahead!” Then they were gone. The feline nodded. Good, curt and to the point, she’ll make a leader yet. Still, the situation was grim. There was no denying that.

“I...I don’t understand how they managed to get in.” Cleo stammered as her face began to pale. She turned back again to the door at the end of the heart chamber, towards the direction of their foes steady advance. They would be there soon. “The keep is shielded, the amount of magic needed to brute force their way in…I…”

“That doesn’t matter now.” Flufflepon said calmly. She was staring up at the feed, watching the horde grow and grow as they sprinted through the grand corridors, groups peeling off into side rooms and chambers in their search. What were they searching for? It was obvious. Cleophoe. “Can you reform the keep? Maybe cut off access or change the rooms and crush them?” The entire keep, from each room, pillar and even tapestry on the wall, was all a projected construct of the heart. Strange and ultimately rare, the magical core was responsible for it all, and with a guiding hand, it could be used to create new areas or remove the old. Blue had shown the two of them one of those funny little…’games’ of hers that strangely enough, had players build dungeons with a similar concept. She thought it was funny how it managed to reflect reality through pure chance on the humans' part when they made it. When Cleo did not respond, she turned to see her staring off still in the enemy's direction. “Hey. Hey! Cleo answer me!” She snapped.

The young girl shook her head, coming back to reality with an awful dread. She spun around, hands raised to the crystal as she began to work. They were visibly shaking. “N-no. Reforming would take too long. It’s a slow process and it would prioritize getting rid of the little details before any room itself.” The panic was evident in her voice. Try as she might, she couldn’t suppress it. “I could simply disable and power down the core but that would affect this room too. We would be crushed under a mile or two of dirt and rock in an instant. There is…there is one thing I can do however.” With a swipe of her hand, suddenly every door between them and the braying horde slammed shut simultaneously with one thunderous bang. “It’s not much, and it won’t hold them long but it’s better than naught I suppose.”

“It’s a start.” Came her companion. She looked around at the chamber. One way in, one way out. This whole room was essentially a glorified cage right now. “Do we have any other way to get out?”

“No. We’re trapped…”

She ran a paw over her eyes, rubbing them as she tried to formulate a plan. “I said we needed more exits.” She muttered. “Always have an escape route. It was the first thing I taught you when we fled the kingdom.” Cleo looked away, her face a mixture of embarrassment and sadness. “No, it’s fine.” The cat spoke before the other girl had the chance. “I’m in charge of making sure this place is safe. It’s on me.” She took another sweeping view of the chamber vainly hoping that maybe there would be some change or out that she overlooked the other time. She knew it was a wasted effort, but the desperation forced her anyway. “Can…can you make a tunnel at least? Nothing fancy, just a straight shot to the surface.”

“I think I can, yes.” She began working on the curtal again. While the images of the Goons slamming themselves against a door shrank to one side, a diagram of the keep came up, highlighting every room in a three dimensional presentation. With a pull of two fingers, she drew a small pair of lines from the room at the very bottom of the layout, where they were presently, all the way up to the surface high above them. A few more gestures and she stepped back. “It’s done.”

“How long will it take?”

“Several minutes. It works backwards coming in during the formation process and it can’t be hurried. The best I could do to expedite the process was make it small, narrow and featureless. The bare minimum.”

Flufflepon sighed. “Of course that’s how it works. And how long will it take for them to get here?”

“A lot sooner.”

“Right. Well I suppose I best activate the defenses.” The small cat stepped forward, gently urging a confused princess out of the way. “I was hoping I would never have to use this. I assumed if I did, then things must be dire. Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any.” She reached up her paws, the projection shifting down the face of the giant crystal so it was level with its new operator.

“Flufflepon…what are you doing?”

“We’ll call it a precautionary measure. It took some effort, but I managed to create something rather special for the keep during a couple of late nights. In hindsight, I should have also added a damn escape tunnel myself, but it’s too late for that. Now let’s see…” Her own paws began to glow as she channeled her own magic into the core. They moved faster and faster as she worked, but what she was doing, Cleophoe could not tell. “It’s been a while, but it worked when I tested it out…” She spent a moment humming before suddenly exclaiming. “Ah-hah! There we go.” Raising a paw, she brought it down and slapped the crystal which started to emit a bright white glow. Turning away, Flufflepon gestured out with a paw to the space behind them.

“What do you think, your Grace?”

Turning around, the princess was dumbfounded. Behind her, the ground began to glow in various spots. More and more areas lighting up as something began to form. No, not something, someone! Figures began to materialize from the ground up all around them slowly filling up the chamber. Her eyes widened in shock. They looked to be…knights! Dozens and dozens of knights clad in armour and wielding swords and shields. They appeared to be stark white, almost made of marble and featureless, faces blank neath open helmets like an army of unfinished statues. They looked nothing like Cleo had ever seen before, almost as if pulled from some pictures in a grand fantasy book she read as a child.

As they came into existence, they began to march forward, taking up a formation before the door. Cleo couldn’t help but do a double take, turning from the newly forming army to the cat and back again, her mouth open in shock. “I…this is..I had no idea the core could manage this…” She forced herself to look away from the marching figures, rounding on the cat, concern creasing her features. “The kind of process involved-the magics required! This has to be putting tremendous strain on the core!”

Flufflepon merely shrugged. “It is, but what choice do we have, princess? Better we stand a chance than going without them.” She strode past the taller girl, making her way to the side of the formation. More still were forming, slowly adding to the ever expanding wall of gleaming white swords. “And besides, we have more important things to worry about.” She ran a keen eye over them, inspecting the troops, looking for any faults in her force. So far so good. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure it would work so well, but her confidence swelled somewhat at the sight of so many ranks of impeccable warriors. So the core can handle constructs, she thought as she saved the little nugget of information for the future.

Watching over them, she took in a breath and swelled up her chest.“Sentinels! You all know your duty!” She bellowed out suddenly in a curt commanding tone. “Protect the princess! Should one fall, let another take their place. Fight and fight to the last!” She looked over to Cleo, watching her from the side, hands clasped together almost as if she were praying. The girl knew she could be a force to be reckoned with, after all, she grew up under her care. But finally seeing the old veteran come out like this, it was like all the old stories she was told about her was coming to life before her eyes. Flufflepon never talked about those days herself, she was reserved on the past, the tales always came from other people. So seeing her now, like this, how she was in the glory days of her service as they put it…well, it was an experience. “You will bleed them, you will kill them. You make a corpse for every inch of this ground. I expect nothing less, and I know you will do nothing less!” The massed faceless ranks stood motionless before their commander, none showing the slightest hint of response to her words. Cleo had to admit it was rather unnerving. “And most importantly? The reason why we fight? Our Grace whom we all serve! We will NOT let them have her!” Then the door to the chamber exploded inwards in a deafening explosion. Cleo flinched and stepped back as chunks of debris, both wood and wall, came flying out into the massed ranks, tearing deep gouges through the lines as the knights were crushed or torn apart.

“This I swear, as your guardian.” Flufflepon muttered quietly to herself as she rounded on the smoking hole.

There was a moment of silence, of inactivity as the only two living beings held their breath, waiting for the inevitable, eyes locked on the smoking hole, the grey black clouds making visibility impossible. Then from that black sooted abyss the inevitable came. A teaming horde of Goons rushing forward through the choking clouds with reckless abandon. Some bore swords or spiked cudgels and maces in place of an arm, others wielded nothing at all save for their balled fists and yet still continued their crazed charge. Here and there, some Goons appeared to heft large spiked mancatchers, perfect for yanking a person down to the ground. Flufflepon noted with some satisfaction that the charge staggered as the minions took in the sight before them, trying to slow down as the ranks behind them pushed ever on, threatening to knock then down and tumble them in the sprint. It appeared they were not expecting a small army waiting for them, and the discovery had them spooked. Good. Judging the time was right, she threw a paw out before her and with a bellowing voice she cried, no, commanded.

“Advance!”

As one the sentinels marched to meet their on rushing foe. The sound was as deafening as it was inspiring, synchronized stomping of armoured feet accompanied by a ‘clack clack clack’ as they bashed swords against shields in an intimidating display. The lack of any voice only added to the unsettling displays. It was a silent advancing force, cold and expressionless as the grave, but bearing the unmistakable sounds of imminent death for the enemy. The white wall marched ever onwards even as Goons closest had stopped now, turning and trying to squirm their way back against the mass pouring into the chamber. It would do them no good, Flufflepon thought. Both sides were committed and nothing could be done to stop it. Within moments they had met the foe.

Swords and maces clashed, shields smashed bodies and faces, white figures were torn down by long dozens of scrambling hands, punching with directed lethality on the way down. Limbs were severed, heads cleaved in twain, throats cut, arms ripped from the body. The sounds of battle filled the air now, the sound of weapon on weapon or the shrieks of Goons in victory or their last moments of agonizing despair. Heavy foot falls and the sounds of shattering stone, the noise of splattered blood and viscera and dozens of other echoes filled the chamber to a deafening din. Yes, this was war in its purest form. Death and destruction. With her jaw tightly clenched, the small Feline watched the battle closely, her mind keeping track of the state of things. By now the sentinels were forced to break formation, fighting on their own in small groups against an endless swarm. At the far end, close to Cleophoe, more warriors were materializing into existence. They had a second of unlife before immediately sprinting to join the fight, while at the other end, past the slowly growing carpet of bodies, yet more Goons herded themselves into the fray. Is there really no end to them, she wondered? Casting an eye to the Core, she watched the feed further up in the keep of that dark sprawling void. Yet still an endless tide of Goons emerged from its black depths. Well, she supposed not then. Next to the feed was the diagram of the escape tunnel slowly working its way down towards them. Even with more sentinels spawning in, they were likely to be overrun before it reached the far end of the chamber. She wanted to swear. Were she her younger self, she probably would as well.

Cleo continued to watch the carnage from a safe distance. She was unable to tear her eyes away from the horror playing out before her. All this death and suffering for her…because of her. Those dying in opposition to her, and those, well, they weren’t dying, they were constructs, but they were fighting for her. It was hard not to feel something for the cold unflinching things, and the realization they were killing too. Goons were near mindless creatures too, closer to half feral animals, but they still felt and thought. They felt pain and died like any other. Fear and joy…and finality. Despite being her enemies, seeing them butchered en-mass was sickening. She wanted to vomit and it took all her resolve to hold her nerves and stomach in check. She was starting to be reminded…reminded of that awful night when her aunt staged her grand coup. The sounds of weapons and screams of the dying were familiar.

For a moment she was back at the castle, the walls crumbling around them from explosions as Flufflepon dragged her through the hallways, sworn swords and guards still loyal fighting tooth and nail, sacrificing their very lives to buy time for her escape. Originally it wasn’t just Flufflepon. Some of her parents' personal guard were with them during their retreat, but one by one they were picked off or stayed behind to block a doorway with their body. Each of them resigned to their fate, honorbound to end. Even the servants took up arms or provided aid, guiding them through the servants passages or using weapons handed out to try and beat back the foe. She recalled the sight of good and honourable Ser Dusken leading a throng of men at arms and two dozen staff armed with cleavers or fire pokers, even ceremonial swords pulled off walls. Behind them came a handful of vicious snarling hounds on the end of short leashes held by the kennel master and his young son. They were all dead now. They were probably dead before they even managed to get off world.

So much fighting and death.

All for one girl.

Was it truly…worth it, she wondered?

From across the way, her guardian turned to watch her. She recognized that same terrified look in those pale green eyes from that horrid night. The poor girl was practically reliving it again. That look was exactly why she fought. Why she took her hand and ran. Ran through burning corridors and past the slain bodies of those she once knew. It was why she cut down those who tried to bar their path, people she once…knew. She vowed to fight, to keep her safe, to ensure she never experienced anything like that again. Well, she had failed. By their very presence here, by the fact they managed to follow them to Earth, she had failed at keeping her safe. All she could do now was fight, and continue to fight, to do whatever it takes to keep her beloved princess safe. She would fight, kill and, yes, die if need be. All the vows she took in those halcyon days when first given charge of Cleophoe’s protection came to the front of her mind. Alas, if only she could go back. To turn back time before all this madness had overtaken them all. But she could not, and that was that. And then, with a heavy sigh, she turned away, slowly walking towards the battle. It was time, she supposed, to join the battle.

She started out slow at first. A light pace, arms outstretched either side of her. Gently she worked her paws, kneading the air as she went. There was a sudden glint as her claws protruded out, catching the warm glow of the core and reflecting. She ducked her head low as a cold murderous fire began to burn in her eyes. In a flash she was off at full speed.

She was almost a blur, her little legs carrying her at tremendous speed as she sprinted into the fray and within seconds she claimed her first kill. Left and right she swiped as she ran, tearing chunks out of chests or leaping high and slicing throats with razor precision. On and on she ran deeper into the Goon’s lines, breaking the tide with her very presence alone. As more and more fell, her sentinels rallied around her, pushing and fighting, slowly sending them back as she reaped a bloody toll. The feline jumped into one Goon, knocking it down to the floor. A claw jammed straight through the heart and it was dead. Another bounded towards her, its sword arm raised high and swinging down directly above her. There was a blur of white as a sentinel threw itself in the way, catching it with its shield. Another rushed in from behind its ally and stabbed upwards, running the Goon through with their blade. After kicking it off the end of its sword, the two unfeeling constructs departed wordlessly, rushing forward to the next fight. Flufflepon couldn’t help but allow herself a grim smile. The sentinels war far exceeded her wildest expectations. But as she watched a trio hacked apart by some two dozen of the enemy, she cast the thought aside. She had no time to dwell or gloat, there was bloody work to be done.

The next few Goons were dispatched with carefully placed swipes to the ankle causing several to fall in quick succession as she passed, only to be finished off with merciless thrusts or stomps by the knights following close behind her. The next lot died in quick succession as she lept from Goon to Goon smashing a claw directly through their faces. When one came rushing from behind, she jabbed a foot out in a flash, sent it spiraling into a bloody pool on the floor, only for it to be trampled to death during a melee between some sentinels and its comrades. By now the cat was slick with blood and breathing heavily. The scent of death filled her nostrils, and an acrid burning filled her eyes and mouth, but she suppressed them. This wasn’t the first battlefield she had fought across, she was a veteran after all. She had seen and committed her fair share of horrors over the years, so this was nothing new to her. It was just a manner of getting into the flow of it once more. A battle was like a fast flowing river. One had to adjust themself to the currents or be swallowed and swept away. What was happening here was no different, she merely had to-a dark explosion ripped through the flank to her left, tearing apart a dozen of her white clad warriors in a ripple of destruction. She ignored the painful ringing and stared dead ahead. They were emerging from the hole now, and Flufflepon wondered how long it was going to take for them to show. Well now she had her answer.

The three Generals stopped short, slowly gazing across the room at the intense melee. They looked…surprised. Not worried, not scared or angry, just surprised. The gore slick veteran kept low, stepping between fights, grateful for her small stature and watched them from a distance. They hadn’t noticed her yet, and she preferred to keep it that way until it was time. Judging by their expressions, it was clear they hadn’t expected such resistance in the keep. If there was one thing Flufflepon learned from war, it was that catching your enemy off guard was invaluable. Now she just had to exploit it. And as she watched one of them, it looked like her opening was about to show itself.

“Oh would you look at that, boys.” It was Celine speaking, her voice loud enough to carry. She took an exaggerated step forward, twirling that ridiculous parasol of hers that she brought with her wherever she went. “It appears our dear Cleophoe has brought some toy soldiers to the fight. How adorable.” As she twirled the parasol again it changed, its fans snapping shut and merging to become a gleaming scythe edged blade. “It’s a shame we have to break them.” She laughed before launching herself into a nearby melee.

She slashed left and right, bisecting knights with sadistic glee, slashing off arms and heads. Those she ‘disarmed’ continued their assault and the young lady merely kicked out with a boot, toppling them to the floor to be pierced with a downward stab. “You know, I thought these things might put up a fight.” She laughed once more, spinning her weapon to defend from a series of jabs from on coming knights. Within seconds all five of them fell, slumping to their knees as their heads rolled off their bodies. “I have to admit, I’m kind of disappointed.”

“Do not get complacent, Celine.” Came Viktor, his own sabre cutting through nearby challengers who rushed him with heavy blows. When one made it past his weapon, the stocky young man simply grabbed the figure by their featureless face and smashed them into the ground. “Complacency breeds risk.” The General’s tone was more like a father distilling a life lesson then a young man essentially fighting for his life. There was no urgency in how he spoke, merely a commanding confidence. One would be forgiven for forgetting he was currently carving his own path through a horde of enemies, purposely seeking out engagements and ending them, freeing up more and more Goons who gratefully followed him close from behind.

“Oh yeah, because you know all about breeding.” Scoffed the sadist, she rolled her eyes in contempt for her comrade even as she lashed out and cut a body down without even looking. The General opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off as she darted forward with a “Whatever I don’t care. Bet I can gut more of them than you!” Lunging to the next fight without a care, leaving her disgruntled comrade behind as she raced off.

“Impudent girl.” Viktor muttered as Alexander lazily floated up next to him. “Your cousin really cannot help herself, can she? You know, I’m glad you two are so different. You’re by far easier to manage Alexander.” The smaller villain shot Viktor a smug little grin…before the realization hit him.

“Hey, wait, what do you mean by ‘manage’?!”

While the young lad squabbled and blared at his companion, Flufflepon continued to prowl through the battlefield out of sight. She still had to buy time for Cleo, and the best way to do that was through distraction. She had her target now and began to slowly stalk her at a distance. Taking on all three would be difficult. Not impossible mind you, but far too risky. She had to isolate and take them on one at a time. Even if she couldn’t outright take them out of the fight, the longer they spent dealing with her, the more chance Cleo had to escape. And as luck would have it, there was already one separated from the group.

Perfect.

The plan was a simple one. Divide and conquer. First she would deal with Celine. The girl was no slouch but impulsive and reckless. All she needed was an opening and the little sadist was done for. Next would be Alexander. He could handle his own but like his cousin, his emotions get the better of him. He had a deft hand with magic, but that was the extent of it. Once she closed the distance, he had no chance. That only left Viktor. Now there was a problem. Calm, collected and an expert fighter. If anyone posed a real threat to her, it was him. Her best bet would be to rally a dozen sentinels or so and have them district him. Overwhelm him with numbers and slip in under his guard. If she could just-

In her thoughts, she only now realized she had lost sight of Celine.

Where did she-

There was a blur of red and pink darting towards her from the left, hardly visible at the corner of her eye. Flufflepon leaped back at the very last second, narrowly avoiding the scythe edged blade as it came around in an arc where her chest was a moment a go. The swing coming so close one could measure the breadth between flesh and blade with a fingernails width.

Flufflepon landed in a low crouch some distance away from the grinning Celine who twirled her scythe with a casual satisfaction. “Oh look, I found a lost kitty! I know someone who’s been looking for you and your darling little owner.” She gloated with relish.

“Celine…” Grunted the cat as she rose off the ground, glaring at the young lady with narrow eyes. “Still as childish as ever I see.” By now, the other two Generals had emerged into view from across the way, stopping just short of their comrade. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How fares the usurper? No wait, don’t tell me. I’ll ask her personally when I remove her head.”

Celine laughed a light mirthful giggle, bringing her mouth to her hands to cover it. “Oh you haven’t changed a bit, miss kitty. Glad to see the little coup fracas and eviction from the homeland hasn’t dulled your edge.” She brought her head low as she angled her blade towards Flufflepon, features twisting into a malicious grin. “You’re still a bitch as ever.”

She scoffed, flexing a claw out, gently rolling her wrist as she readied herself for what was to come. “You really need to learn some manners, girl. That was always a failing on your parents' part.” There was a faint twitch to Celines face. A slight ripple as she clenched her jaw. “Oh they tried when you were younger. And for a time it worked. But beneath the surface, you always were a monster barely held on by a tight leash. They should have held it tighter, I think.” With a snarl Celine went on the attack, blitzing towards Flufflepon with a burning furry.

Just as planned.

The feline warrior parried and slapped the blade again and again with the edge of her claws as sparks rained down around them. Sentinels and Goons rushed in from all sides into the melee and both parties took chances to slash at one another during openings, only to be repelled back at the last second. “I always knew deep down you would be a problem one day. Even when you were little. I said as much to His and Her Highness.” She spoke even as the two fought for their lives in bouts of blade and claw. “Your family always had a reputation for a ruthless streak. I said you would be dangerous if you became the head of your House. I think you were too much even for your parents.”

“Be quiet you rodent!” Celine snapped furiously. But she continued.

“They hoped growing up with the others, Cleo, Viktor and your cousin, might somewhat cool your blood. But there was never any hope, was there Celine? I think eventually they simply gave up on you. And when the time came to overthrow the royal family, they had some perfect for the occasion. Someone without a moral compass willing to do whatever dirty deed needed doing.”

“I said be quiet!” Her anger was taking over. She was letting rage blind her as her attacks became more and more predictable. Her comrades began to approach only for her to point at them with a hand. “No!” She barked. “She’s mine.”

“You know, I truly believe they hoped you would die during the fighting.”

Celine exploded red hot with anger and launched herself once more at Flufflepon. She danced left, then right before leaping at an approaching Goon from behind her and kicking him towards the furious girl. She bisected it without a thought, not even stopping for an instant as she continued on.

“And to think you were once a friend of Her Grace. That goes for you two as well.” She risked a glance over at Viktor and Alexander watching from the side as the two duelled. “You all grew up with her. I cared and watched over you all during your visits. Did those days mean nothing to you? Alexander, you and Cleop practiced your magics together during your free time. You two were so happy trying to outdo each other when not in the confines of a classroom. When you began to outpace her, what did she do? She encouraged you, she celebrated. ‘Look mother father, see what Alexander has managed.’ The King and Queen would complement your family, would honour them and speak highly of your future. And what did they do but betray them?”

The young lad looked away as she spoke. He seemed to pull his jacket tighter around himself as though cold, haunching his shoulders and presenting himself smaller. He couldn’t even speak in his own defence, truly he wasn’t sure what he could even say to justify it.

“And then there’s you Viktor.” Flufflepon ducked under a wide slash and kicked upwards, catching Celine under the chin and sending her reeling. “Dear sweet Viktor. You were the best of them. You were the very epitome of what a noble should be growing up. Bold in the face of adversity, gracious and humble when not.” Unlike his friend, Viktor stared right at her, unwilling to look away. It wouldn’t be right for him to. “We had high hopes for you, we all did. You were such a good lad growing up. Maybe a little too high strung, but you learned to open up when around the others. You would all play and practice, ride your steeds, hawk. And through it all, you became less rigid, but never once did you nose that bright spark of goodness in you.”

“Well…” Vikttor spoke up. “Be that as it may-”

“She looked up to you, you know? She really did.”

“I…” He faltered. The hard expression he had forced onto his face visibly cracking as guilt began to overcome him.

“I do not know what the usurper had over your family to cause them to turn their colours and side with her, but I hope it was truly worth it. You and your kin have brought shame upon an ancient and distinguished bloodline forever more.”

Then a moment later, Viktors face hardened once more as he found his resolve. “It is…regrettable, I admit. I wish we did not have to do this dark deed, but we have our orders, little one.” The young noble reached up and adjusted his hat, his expression like that of stone. “And you, nor your newfound allies will prevent us from carrying them out.”

Flufflepon narrowed her eyes and shot him a dark look even as she batted away another flurry of blows. “Well I have my orders. Keep Cleophoe safe.” Then slowly, she traced her eyes from Viktor, to Alexander and then finally to Celine. “And I will not hesitate to kill any of you if I must.” She spoke quietly. But the threat was there in her voice, and it carried.

Celine scoffed. “I’d like to see you try you mangy little-” Flufflepon was already sprinting towards her, ducking under the slash, the cat continued on, sliding across the hard marble ground between her legs.

Then as she passed under her, she lashed out with her claws in a blinding fast display of cold efficient savagery. Her claws danced, slicing and tearing and gouging the full length of the back of Celines legs, bright hot blue blood spraying everywhere as chunks of muscle, flesh and yes, even bone were viciously torn away in a second before anyone had time to realize what was happening. The sound of it alone, meat being cut and the very air being sliced was enough to churn one's stomach and the acris scent of her lifeblood filled the air.

Celine fell forward onto her hands and knees, screaming aloud in agony before collapsing into a screeching pile as Flufflepon rose to her feet. Blood was freely dripping from her claws onto the cool floor below in a steadily growing puddle. She took a moment to flek some of it off before rounding on the shrieking young lady. Almost instantly a wall of Goons surrounded their leader, closing off access and preventing her from finishing her off. No matter, she thought. “Now then. Any of you wish to try me?” She called to the horde of Goons. None dared approach her, each of them jostling around, weapons raised in the defence of their lady. “I thought not.” She said with visible disdain before turning to face the other two Generals. In the back of her mind, she hoped that Cleo had somehow missed that little display of butchery. She had seen too many old friends torn to pieces already. And while these traitorous dogs deserve nothing less, the poor girl needn’t bear witness to it.

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Pub: 06 Jun 2025 00:09 UTC

Edit: 23 Jun 2025 19:52 UTC

Views: 129