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A week prior to the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Guernsey visits the Guernsey Fair arena. Walking through the halls and many rows of seating he is led by a guide going over the new additions since being refurbished. He had his trademark smile plastered across his face, nodding while pretending to listen. Once the tour completed he was tapped on the shoulder by one of his assistants.
“Sir?” The young lady asked. “The Silver Knights are here to meet with you.”
“Ah, pardon me.” Guernsey said, tipping his white stetson to the tour guides. “I need to meet with our much needed security for this event.”
Guernsey made his exit and headed to a building near the arena. Inside were a couple dozen Silver Knights and in front of them were two commanders. One in sleek silver wear, that seemed too delicate to be armor. The other was a large gentleman covered in so much armor he looked like a metal ball that nearly touched the ceiling.
When the Prime Minister entered all the knights, including the commanders stood to their feet, with a hand over their heart as a salute. Guernsey waved his hand, signaling them to sit back down as he stood in the front to address them.
“Gentlemen, I want to thank you for your presence here. I don’t need to tell you that this world of ours is in crisis. Terrorists all over the stalk are trying to drive our civilazation with violence and ridiculous demands. I’m sure many of you would prefer to be on the front lines tearing down these monsters but your strength is needed here as well.”
“Yes Prime Minister!” They yelled in unison.
“This is one of the stalk’s premiere events and after the unfortunate attack at Tezuka Park resulting in the murder of one of the Stalk’s visionaries we have no room for error. I guarantee you, terrorists from ‘Get Back’ will be in the stands and will be planning something, I will need all of you to be on guard. This is war time in more ways than one.”
“Yes Prime Minister!”
Guernsey smiled, looking out the crowd. “Now, we are still days away from the event so please take this time to see the sights and prepare yourselves. Come Saturday you will be ready to work. You are all dismissed.”
“Thank you Prime Minister!”
Guernsey saluted and the knights followed suit before filing out of the hall. As they did Guernsey asked that the two Knight Commanders stay behind. Once the Silver Knights left and the door shut behind them he addressed the Commanders directly.
“So, Denny and Hodder O’Connor, correct?”
“Yes Prime Minister.” Denny replied, with a hand over his heart.
“At ease.” Guernsey replied. “The stuffiness bores me, let’s just have a conversation.”
Denny relaxed in his seat with a smile while Hodder remained silently in place. Guernsey reached into a folder left at the podium. Inside were dockets of information about the two Knight Commanders.
“O’Connor, any relation to Bull O’Connor?”
“That’s our father.” Denny replied.
Guernsey looked a bit shocked but then smiled. “I didn’t know he had children. Your father was quite the decorated soldier.”
“We just want to make him proud, following in his footsteps.”
Guernsey nodded, flipping through the folder before closing it. “Let me cut to the chase. There will be some violence at this event, and I need to be sure you and your knights are up to the task.”
“When those savages strike our men will soak the arena with their blood.”
“Well then, I think we’ve reached an understanding.”
Guernsey walked over to Denny, shaking his hand with a smile. When he turned to Hodder, the giant knight didn’t move an inch. Guernsey raised an eyebrow before turning to Denny.
“Your report mentions that you’re a wield of a Coat of Arms, correct?”
“Wouldn’t be a Knight Commander without one sir.”
“Then why didn’t I see any under your brother’s report?” Guernsey asked, staring at the hulking man covered in silver.
“It’s because he doesn’t have one, sir. But what he lacks in Coats he makes up for in strength.”
“Is that so?” Guernsey eyes scanned the giant man before smiling and slapping him on the leg. “You’re your father’s children after all. You’re both dismissed.”
Denny thanked the Prime Minister while Hodder simply let out a snort, like a bull before the two left the large building. With each step Hodder took, the building shook. Closing the door behind them Guernsey heard something fall behind him. He turned to see Lester, radio personality and tournament announcer behind him.
“Prime Minister! Sorry I just-”
“Just wanted to be a fly on the wall?” Guernsey scoffed. “Are you not embarrassed to be living up to your stereotype.”
Lester looked away, knowing he had no place to speak. Guernsey walked over, kneeling in front of him with a stern look.
“Either way, I hope you’re smart enough to forget everything you heard here today. My campaign doesn’t need any unnecessary buzzing, understand?”
Lester, still looking away nodded quickly.
“Good. Now I don’t want to see you until the opening ceremonies. Get lost.”
Without a word Lester’s wings fluttered as he quickly flew out of the Hall.
🌱🌱🌱
“You see? None of this is a coincidence. The interruption at the opening ceremony, the attacks earlier. They were all some sick ploy to boost his election numbers at beastling expense. That humanist monster is-”
“Blech! This pasta is gross!” Josie groaned as she spat.
“That’s cause they’re bandages, not pasta!” Lester yelled, snatching away the tray. “You’ve already eaten all the food I could sneak in here.”
Josie sighed, hopping from the bed and cracking her knuckles. Kinto wisped around her, no longer making a costume but just the rings around her wrists, ankles and neck.
“Well if there’s nothing else to eat here I guess it’s time to get me down to the field.”
Lester’s eyes widened as he smiled. “So you’ll help?”
Josie gave a wide grin and a thumbs up.”Of course, it’ll be nuffin’ for me to crush those tin cans.”
🌱🌱🌱
“Is that all you got!?” Claus roared, swinging his tail and knocking the knights into the stands.
The fight between the Beastlings and Silver Knights raged on in the arena. Claus continued to keep up his rampage as the other beastlings did their best to fight back. While Claus had his pure strength, transformed as a Tyranosaurus Rex, many other Beastling’s succumbed to their silver weaknesses.
Peg and Lunagi however did not run into the same issues, and kept up with Claus. Lunagi was bouncing all over the field, striking the knights hard enough to crack their armor. Peg dug her hands deep into the earth, manipulating the grass and plants to attack and twist around their armor clad opponents.
“Keep pushing!” Lunagi yelled, rallying the others to keep up the fight.
The Beastlings were all grouped into this part of the arena, ready to be slaughtered but they wouldn’t go down without a fight. The Silver Knights however were relentless. Their armor was thick and their blades and maces sharp. They would take many hits, even those from Lunagi and Claus and if three fell, two would pop back up near instantly.
Luckily for the Beastlings none of the Knights seemed to have special abilities like Denny which helped even the score but things would soon tip into the Knight’s favor.
Screams were heard from a nearby corridor leading into where this fight took place. The screams were loud enough that many looked up to find the source, Beastling and Knight alike. The yelling continued and with it the sound of something rolling at an intense speed. In moments out of the corridor erupted a large silver ball, barreling through and slamming into Claus.
The ball was nearly the size of Claus himself and sent him flying into the stands. Everything was finally catching up to him as he slowly returned to his rooster beastling form, unconscious and out of the fight.
The remaining Beastlings turned to watch as this giant orb of metal stood, revealing to be a large muscular man covered in enough armor to furnish a large army. The man’s beady red eyes focused on the beastlings as he reached into his sheath to pull out a large claymore. He screamed a bloody warcry and swung his blade.
It was impossibly large and swung with an intense speed, absolutely crushing any Beastling unfortunate enough to be in its path. The Beastlings watched in horror as the Silver Knights cheered in unison.
A handful of Beastlings fought back but their morale was broken. Many tried to escape but the newly galvanized Knights swiftly made chase, slashing and striking at their backs to stop them. Peg and Lunagi locked eyes for a moment, knowing that if this was going to end they would need to take out their new large opponent, and fast.
Lunagi ran towards the large knight with full speed. His hair stood on end, sparkling in the afternoon sun. Peg directed all the grass and weeds he could to the Knight, wrapping around his arm and leg joints to keep him from moving.
With a battle cry of his own Lunagi unleashed an onslaught of attacks against the knight. He multiplied his body once again, allowing his fur clones to strike from all directions. With Peg keeping him down with her plants all the Knight could do was take every hit.
After minutes of attacking Lunagi knelt on the ground, breathing heavily as his clones dissipated into clumps of white fur. Both he and Peg looked to the Knight, hoping for him to tumble over but he didn’t. The Knight’s eyes widened, gritting his teeth as he tightened his fists. Lunagi gave everything he could and it wasn’t enough, and now it was the Knight’s turn.
With his right arm he ripped up the plant holding him at bay, along with a large chunk of the earth attached with it. Peg screamed, loosening her grip as the Knight swung the clump of earth in Lunagi’s direction. He would normally dodge easily but even Lunagi was at his limit and the attack slammed him hard against a nearby wall.
The Knight screamed, turning his attention to Peg. Peg’s eyes widened as she shuffled to dig her hands back into the earth but her fear made it impossible to focus. The monstrous knight rushed towards Peg at full speed, and with more Knights to her back she was trapped. Tears formed formed as she prepared to accept her face until she noticed something out the corner of her eye.
Moments before the Knight reached her a loud ‘CLANG’ was heard. Peg looked up to see Lester, tumbling to the ground, flying in at incredible speed but he wasn’t the one to strike the knight. Surrounded by Kinto, Josie slammed her fist hard against the Knight’s face, not only stopping him in his tracks but causing him to fall to his knees.
“Josie!” Peg yelled.
Josie landed nimbly a few feet in front of Peg, with Kinto swirling around her intently. Lester had landed nearby, breathing heavily as he hasn’t exerted that much effort in years. Josie stared intently at the Knight who shook his head trying to recover. At this point Josie would begin taunting but this time was different. She didn’t say a word and when she noticed him try to stand on his feet, Kinto formed around her legs and blasted towards him again.
This continued for a few minutes until the large knight finally remained motionless. Josie watched for a few moments before smiling and rushing over to Peg.
“I got him!” Josie yelled with a smile, pumping her hands in the air.
As she got closer and closer to Peg she felt something woosh by her head. She whipped around to find the large knight barely standing with a piece of his shoulder plate missing. In that moment she heard Peg scream and a loud ‘THUD.’ She turned to see the metal had landed onto Peg, pinning her beneath it.
Josie’s eyes widened, stopping in her tracks as she watched her friend lay there, not moving an inch. She felt tears well in her eyes and an anger bubbling inside her. She grit her teeth, gripping her fists tight as Kinto grew while swirling around her. Kinto’s normally white clouds changed into a darker gray tone with sparks bouncing along it as the clear evening sky above was replaced with dark menacing clouds.
To Be Continued…