The Avenger

'Traitor' Master Kitty said angrily. His voice was loud enough for Master Widow to hear. And she laughed.

'I'm not a traitor Kitty. I have always been an avenger. The avenger. I am Marcala'

That was even more shocking news. Even all the guards stared in shock. Marcala is a very famous name, belonging to the worst avenger to ever live. She had been causing troubles for many years since the time of King Billy The Second, King Henry's grandfather. She's probably more than a hundred years old now. Marcala did a lot of bad things before she started to pretend as Widow. She kills without mercy, uses her magic extremely and she doesn't even care about her own blood. That is why killing Master Jackenzie so that she can be the royal master of Combination was not difficult for her. Then when King Harry was gifted with a son, King Henry, she disappeared. No one knows what happened to her until now she revealed herself again.

'Then you should go back to where you belong, The Outlands' Kitty said, charging his shield with electric sparks. Widow stood her ground ready to block and attack, knowing very well what Kitty was trying to do.

'Inform the royals, then everyone else. Send a raven to White Shore, we need backup, quick' Kitty ordered one of the guards. He rushed inside to do as he was told.

Kitty increased the power and electric currents were occasionally zapping the perimeter around the shield.

'Your power cannot match mine Kitty' Widow said.

'I know it can't, but it can hold you for some time'

Kitty released the currents and at a fixed rate, large electric currents zapped the areas around the roundabout, reaching out as far as the castle gates. Tiles were heavily damaged upon the impact. By now, the masters and guards tasked at the gate realised what was going on and moved in to attack. The other five avengers aside from Widow, Morgan and Alphaga got busy with the new opponents. Kitty's electric currents zapped two of the avengers to death. But the others easily avoided them. Widow suddenly disappeared. And Kitty knows she went invisible. But she still cannot pass through the shield. She's probably going for another entrance. And there will be guards and masters waiting at those entrances. And the layer of anti-magic will make her job to enter the castle even tougher. Hopefully the royals and everyone else had been informed of the attack. Kitty focused on the other two.

'Your shield won't last long for any of us' Alphaga smirked.

'What if it does?' Kitty snapped.

'Then there's plenty of other entrances for us to go through. I see you have sealed the castle with smart magic. But any magic can be overpowered. Dark magic can easily destroy that seal' Alphaga said, like a nerd from SHAW Academy.

'Enough talking Alphaga' Morgan scolded. He glared at the rabbit. The electric currents were still reaching out from the shield but none hit them both. One time the current zapped Morgan but it did not affect anything. It bounced back a few times hitting magic layers that it cannot penetrate before destroying something else. Morgan had conjured a personal shield around him. And he was proud of it.

'I told you Kitty' Alphaga said. A ball of fire appeared in between his bunny ears. Morgan formed the same thing floating above his palm. Both of them sent the burning flame at once. Dividing his concentration as much as possible, Kitty conjured another layer of magic in front of the shield that absorbed the fireball before vanishing totally. The next current attempted to zap Morgan but he seemed to know that it was coming. He caught the current in his hands, taking over the force. The current resisted for a few seconds, creating sparks all around. But it bowed down to Morgan afterwards. Kitty increased the voltage and the shield illuminated very brightly. But that one current was now under the control of Morgan. It moved in zigzag on the spot while Morgan held it stationary. Morgan pushed a force through the current. The current did a zigzag wave towards the shield and the shield exploded, throwing Kitty and the three guards backwards. The guards slid backwards into the entrance hallway. Kitty was bounced back from the entrance due to the anti-magic layer and fell down the stairs before landing a few feet away from Morgan.

'You can't even enter the castle that you were supposed to protect' Morgan laughed. He raised his hand, palms facing the castle. Very translucent cells of magic came out of his hands and floated towards the entrance. A few seconds later, the cells turned red and started burning red and blue flames. The cells filled up the entrance space, spreading all around the castle. Slowly, the anti-magic layer became visible. Kitty was still unconscious, the two impacts he had were very bad. Morgan peacefully carried on what he was doing. Balls of fire now left his hands and joined the trail of cells spreading all around on the layer. Morgan added more force and the fire started burning fast. Slowly, the fire devoured the layer of anti-magic until there was none. Morgan tested the path ahead by throwing another fireball, and it was as big as himself. The fireball crashed through the entrance, burning the curtains on the front side windows. Now there is a bigger hole in the main entrance. Big enough for a house to pass through. Both avengers walked up the stairs proceeding inside. Behind them, the other avengers who were still surviving were still duelling intensely with the other guards and masters. Morgan smiled with satisfaction as he entered the entrance hallway. The three guards were also unconscious. Lesser job for them. They walked past the guards into the main hall. There were guards around the corner guarding the path leading towards both east and west wings. Morgan took the east and Alphaga took the west. The guards had already unsheathed their swords the moment they saw them. Alphaga sent a chill wind towards the guards. One of them is a SHAW. He quickly pulled the ground in a straight line in between them upwards. The tiles broke apart as the soil took its place, hardening into solid rock. The chill wind touched the rock, enclosing it with a thin layer of ice. Alphaga sent a forcefield which broke the whole wall down, broken rocks were thrown backwards, hitting some guards, while others were already thrown back by the forcefield. Morgan again did not have a hard time, none of them he was facing is a SHAW. He swung his hand over their eyes and they all fell unconscious to the floor in a deep sleep. At the end of the east wing, the entrance was well guarded by two masters and two guards. And they were battling something unseen. Magic came out from their hands but another magic returned from nowhere. It appeared in front of them and charged towards them. Morgan smiled knowing very well that Widow was the one, still invisible. He walked in that direction. At that very moment, a glowing silver sword suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was swinging towards Morgan's face. He managed to stop it just in time. The sword was still struggling to move against the resistance. Morgan swiped his hand just below the weapon and two figures appeared. Princess Darleen was the one holding the sword. A master was beside, slightly behind her. She had made both of them invisible.

'Nothing hides from me princess' Morgan said. He sent the princess backwards with a forcefield. Alphaga charged black electric current towards the master who replied with her own, green coloured. And they both got busy with duelling. Morgan continued ahead letting them finish on their own. Darleen got up and was ready to strike again.

'You don't have magic, princess. Your sword won't do you any good' Morgan laughed.

'Her sister will' the queen's voice came from the side. Instantly green fog made its way towards Morgan. Dorothy came from a smaller hallway on the right and she ran to her sister to check on her while Morgan went busy with the fog. The fog touched Morgan's skin and he started feeling burns on that spot. His skin turned white and watery and circles of it bulged out. He screamed in agony. With a panic swipe of his hands, the air around him pushed the fog away. He got control of the fog and channelled it towards the queen and the princess. Dorothy held it back a few steps, the fog stuck in between Morgan and her. Seeing that Morgan wasn't going to let it go, she dismissed the fog into thin air. Morgan sent magic sparks to a nearby potted plant. After a few shakes, the plant grew, smashed the pot under its weight and transformed into a leafy beast. It still has its original shape, the stem, the few branches but now it has a face at the top and more leaves covering its body. The roots grew wider and became stable enough for it to stand. The stem grew as thick as a tree. It stomped towards Dorothy.

'Run Darleen, let me handle this'

'No! You're coming with me' Darleen exclaimed, pulling her sister's hand with her. Dorothy reluctantly followed. She glanced back, the plant was gaining speed fast. Its loud steps were scary enough to convince a herbivore's mind that eating plants is a bad idea. She also caught a glimpse of Morgan who walked into the small hallway she was from earlier. They both turned a corner and Dorothy pulled back.

'Morgan's after the children. They all are' Dorothy said. Darleen was about to reply but the leaf monster had just turned the corner and was a few steps away from them.

'You can't do anything if that thing kills you!' Darleen exclaimed in panic.

'Then destroy it' Dorothy said, turning her full attention towards the beast. It stood still scowling at the queen. Dorothy has to be good with her magic because if she fails, the plant only needs a few steps to get to her and end her. Dorothy tried to control the plant but failed. The plant is now bearing a soul of itself and can't be easily manipulated. She intended to burn it but there's no fire around for her to use. Unless she mastered the skill of fire, she cannot exert it from her own self. The beasts growled. How plants possibly growl is unimaginable but it did. Dorothy decided to just focus on what she is good at, nature. She stomped her right foot on the floor and the tiles broke apart all the way towards the plant. It watched in confusion at first. But then its roots started expanding. Digging into the broken tiles. Dorothy could feel the ground below vibrates as the roots reached deeper inside, gripping hard onto the rocks. Dorothy's minor quake did not affect it at all. The plant roared in anger. Dorothy had just annoyed him.

'Darleen, if you can, create fire' Dorothy said quickly, starting to panic.

'How?'

'Friction, just try anything!'

The plant moved forward with slow and very heavy steps now that its roots are so deep underneath. Dorothy strengthened her powers, reaching deep into the soil, feeling every bit of sand, clay, rocks and any ground material she can control. She moved them all at once. The castle shook with that. The ground trembled like an earthquake was about to happen. The plant looked around in fear. Dorothy could feel its roots continue growing and gripping every hard soil it can find. Dorothy increased the vibration. Slowly she felt the roots losing their grips and torn from their main body. The plant bellowed. She glanced back to check on her sister, Darleen was still rubbing two rocks together with no luck. Dorothy moved upwards, feeling her way through the soil towards the plant. She felt the roots and quickly, she ripped the roots apart using the pressure and friction of the soil. The plant was getting weaker. Dorothy pulled the soil upwards. All around the leaf monster, soil shot upwards, breaking through unbroken tiles, jumping over the plant and heading back down inside. Then they started pulling it down. Branches breaking as the pressure of the soil was too strong. Eventually, the plant sank. The soil devouring it until there were only twigs left on the tiles before hardening back to its normal state. Dorothy let go of the force and fell to the floor. She used too much energy for all that. Darleen dropped her rocks and went to her sister's side.

'You shouldn't have wasted that amount of energy for a plant' Darleen said.

'That monster was harder to fight with than Morgan' Dorothy said, breathing in and out.

'But the person who created it certainly means that he's harder to defeat'

Dorothy stood up.

'Quick, they're after the children' Dorothy said. They both ran heading towards the lounge.

The violence in White Shore had died down since Morgan left. Many of Morgan's men had left since then. King Henry's army had wiped out all of those remaining. They were now searching through the rubble and burning buildings for survivors. King Henry and Lord Adam looked around them with grief. Hundreds of innocent lives were taken. Bodies littered the streets. Young men, soldiers, elderlies and children. The king wandered around a narrow alley. This part of town suffered less damage. Then he heard the sound of children crying. Two voices. He walked further into the alley. Behind some stacked crates and trampled boxes, two very small boys were sitting very close to each other and hugging their legs. Their cries hurt Henry so much. Tears rolled down their smooth cheeks. They flinched as they noticed Henry approaching. Henry got a clearer view of them. Their faces were covered in black and red smudges. Their blonde hair covered in dust. Henry kneeled down in front of them, full of concern.

'Hey' Henry said, his voice full of affection. 'Are you both alone?'

The boys continued sobbing.

Henry looked around. That was when he realised a body lying in one corner further into the alley. It belonged to a woman. Her skin has very bad burnt marks. Her legs suffered several strokes of the enemy's sword. She was dead. The two boys cried and Henry noticed they were looking longingly at her. She was their mother.

'Come, I'll bring you to a safe place' Henry said looking affectionately at them. They were still crying and won't be stopping anytime soon. 'I am King Henry, from Combination Castle. I'll bring you there. I'll keep you safe, I promise' Henry said extending his hand. The boys were still crying but they looked at the king's hand with interest.

'You'll be safe. Come' Henry said, hand still extended. Slowly, one of the boys wiped his tears and gently gripped Henry's hand. He was a little bit taller by a few centimetres. He was probably the older brother. His other hand extended for his brother. The smaller boy followed and Henry got up. He carried the two of them in his arms. One on each side. The elite soldiers came running out of a sudden. They were relieved to see the king. They probably thought he was dead, suddenly disappearing into some random alley. Lord Adam came and had the same expression. His face became concerned for the boys. Adam went to help carry one of them. That was when the raven from Combination arrived. It landed by Henry's feet.

'Urgent message from the castle, your majesty' the raven said, dropping the small paper he had carried on the ground. The raven flew away. One of the elite soldiers picked it up and read.

'Your majesty, urgent news. Avengers attacking the castle. Master Kitty requesting for backup' he said.

'Five men stay behind and look for more survivors. The rest, follow me' Henry concluded and rushed back to where he last parked his horse.

They're gone. Neither Lady Matilda nor the children were in the lounge. Dewi was nowhere to be seen either. Queen Dorothy and Princess Darleen searched around in panic. They went all around the east wing, first floor to the second but none of the rooms had anyone inside. They ran towards the bridge connecting the second floor's east and west wing. On the right, the doors leading to the main ballroom balcony had fallen. Someone crashed their magic inside. On the left, the railings of the stairs by the side of both wings leading down to the first floor were damaged as well. On the bridge, Matilda was lying on the floor with her hands on her stomach. She was in pain. But there was no physical injury. They ran to her side. And overlooking the main hall to their left, on the first floor was Morgan forcefully dragging Prince Edward with him. Alphaga pushing the mobile crib with his magic. And Princess Erieka was inside, sleeping soundlessly.

'Mother!' Edward cried, resisting Morgan's grip. He tried to break free and run to his mother but failed. The water magic he exerted from his hands was easily countered.

'Let him go!' Dorothy shouted pushing her palm forward. The magical force flew through the air and slammed the ceiling of the main entrance. The walls collapsed and blocked the avengers from leaving.

'Let them all go!' Dorothy shouted. Morgan and Alphaga found the command amusing. They kept holding on to her children. They grinned, purposely intending to mock her. That caused the queen to burst into rage. Her brown eyes changed colour to emerald green. She opened her arms wide, releasing her magical force. The entire hall vibrated violently. Cracks appeared on the floor, the walls, and the ceiling. The huge chandelier hanging over the main hall started to swing around. Only a bit more force and it will crash onto the floor. Princess Darleen looked nervously at her sister getting out of control.

'Dorothy' she called. 'Dorothy!'

The queen was not stopping. She did not even realise her sister calling. The cracks opened up. The ones in the floor leading deep into the unknown. The walls showing the other rooms behind it. The ceiling showing pipings, more ceiling and a few showed the night sky. Morgan was starting to be afraid. He immediately sent fireballs towards the queen. But the fireballs became rogue. It turned back around like it was not interested in the queen and charged at Morgan. He stared in shock. Alphaga vanished them for him.

'You must have forgotten to think twice before attacking someone in a rage outburst' Alphaga said. He looked above towards the angry queen, then at her sister. He stared at her with power in his eyes. Darleen staggered backwards holding her head. Her head was throbbing. Alphaga was causing pain to her brain. She screamed holding her head with both hands. That angered Dorothy even more. The green fog appeared again in front of her and charged towards Alphaga. The pain caused on Darleen stopped as he was distracted by the pain he felt from the fog. Darleen fell down unconscious. Alphaga's pink fur turned white with spots just like what happened to Morgan. Suddenly, everything stopped. The walls stopped shaking and the fog disappeared. Dorothy was still standing there, eyes wide open. But they're back to its normal colour. She has a shocked expression on her. Master Widow was standing very close to her. One hand was gripping her shoulder, the other holding a knife pressed into her waist.

'No!' Edward screamed. His brown eyes turned sapphire blue. Frost covered his entire body. Morgan pulled his hand back as quick as a flash. The frost spread around his hand, very cold and biting. Morgan shook it in annoyance. He heated it up and the frost went away. Edward ran up the stairs towards his mother. Widow pulled the knife back out. Dorothy's blood dripped onto the floor. Widow stepped back as Dorothy fell and Edward went to her side.

'Mother!' Edward exclaimed in sadness.

Widow reached into her black dress side pocket and took out a plain silver bracelet.

'I did not expect to use this but you are dangerous without it. You are still young and naive. You have a lot to learn from me' Widow said. She sent the bracelet floating towards Edward. He was too concentrated on his mother to realise what was happening. He was still crying, his tears turning ice cold upon contact with the frost. The bracelet fixed itself on Edward's left wrist and instantly, the frost melted away. His eyes turned brown again and his tears fell onto his mother. Princess Erieka had woken up from all the noise and she was crying very loudly. Edward looked up and glared at the old avenger. He pushed his right arm forward intending to release a force but only managed to send a chill wind, blowing Widow's long scarf back a little.

'Your powers won't work as it should be. It is set to its minimum. You bear the cursed bracelet of Gratultyn' Widow said.

Edward tried pulling the bracelet away. He tried different methods to take it out but it won't come off.

'Only I can remove that from you. No one else has more knowledge than me. You won't find anyone in Southernere able to remove that from you'

Edward glared at her again. Widow walked to him and grabbed his arm firmly. Edward resisted but Widow was so much stronger. She dragged him along with her down the stairs.

'Please, leave them alone. They're innocent children' Lady Matilda said, getting up.

'Silence pregnant woman. Because you bear a child, we'll spare you. Majuza won't kill an innocent child without valid reason. Value your life given' Widow said, continuing down the steps.

'Please!' Matilda shouted in agony.

'Push the crib' Widow told Alphaga. He obeyed and pushed the crib with his magic. Erieka was still crying inside. Morgan raised the fallen ceiling and threw it aside for them to step out.

Master Kitty, Dewi, Annie and other castle servants were standing there with candlesticks and knives. And Lillain was there too. She was in disbelief when she saw her grandmother.

'You're not going anywhere' Kitty said.

'You kind of remind me of Mousy. I cursed her to another dimension. If you don't want the same fate, step aside' Widow said. Kitty sent a forcefield towards them but Widow countered it with her own. The two forcefield collided exerting powerful force, throwing many of the servants backwards.

'You are not smart for a master with a smart reputation. I am holding the prince and you still attacked me' Widow said. 'I don't need to step aside. You do'

Widow sent a continuous zigzag line of blue electric current towards Kitty. The other two avengers got busy with the others. Lillain stepped back, not wanting to fight. She was still in shock that her grandmother was not who she thought she was.

Kitty caught hold of the current in his eyes and they stayed like that for a few seconds, pushing forces back and forth within the current. Black current started going out of his eyes, pushing the blue one back towards Widow's hands. But it did not even make it halfway. The blue current was much stronger. Because Widow was very powerful. Widow pushed her blue current forward. Kitty's black current retreating back into his eyes. Then she sent a last zigzag wave of current towards Kitty, flinging him back towards the frozen fountain at the roundabout.

'Go now!' Widow commanded. She touched Edward with her free hand, sending a magical force inside him. He had been resisting her grip since just now but failed to escape. Edward transformed into a blue bird. Widow transfigured herself into the black bird. Casting another magic, a thin rope exited her claws and tied around Edward's body. And she carried him with her into the sky. All that was done in a few seconds. Morgan carried Erieka who had been transformed into a small red bird. Alphaga carried the crib which had been shrunk to the size of a worm, fitting nicely in his bird claws. Three black birds flew far away, leaving behind a huge mess.