Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: The Ballad of Fallen Angels ❯ Descrod's First Move ( Chapter 18 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Saint Raven
Saetoushei and Keeta's army finally return to Clock Town, but their greatest foe marches before the sun sets. (Yeah, I know the summary sucks.)

Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.23.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.5K | Visits: 145 | Status: Completed

Chapter 18: “Descrod's First Move”
 
The sun rose slowly into the morning sky. Saetoushei opened his eyes. Yawning, he sat up and looked around. The resurrected Ikamian Army was just beginning to rouse itself from it's slumber. Saetoushei noted the differences between this army and others he had served in. During his previous campaigns, soldiers would light small fires to cook their food and heat they drinks, and they would be around each other telling jokes and generally preparing for the day.
The Ikamian Army was different. The skeletal warriors awoke and stood, getting into their lines to await orders from their commander. Not needing food, shelter, water, or protection from the elements, and not having mortal nuisances such as impatience or discomfort, the skeletons did not break formation for an instant nor shuffled or fidgeted after long periods of time. They were the perfect fighting force.
Keeta was standing to one side of the great force, surveying his troops with a pride that only a seasoned fighter could feel. He turned to Saetoushei as the Hylian and Tatl approached him. “Commander, good morning to you.”
“And a good morning to you, Captain. Your troops look as good as ever.”
“Yes indeed,” Keeta replied, “Even a couple of hundred years underground cannot break the resolve of the Ikamian Army.” Turning to Saetoushei, he spoke in softer tones. “I apologize, but you will have to go hungry for the morning. There is no food here, and there probably won't be any until we leave the canyon.”
Saetoushei was puzzled. “'Leave the canyon'? Why would we leave Ikama Canyon?”
In response, Keeta turned his head towards the east. Saetoushei followed his gaze. Even at this distance, the upper towers and spires of the ancestral palace of the Ikaylimu could be seen rising up against the morning sky. The towers were dark and covered in shadows. As Saetoushei listened harder, he could make out the sounds of drums beating feverishly, and another, more horrible sound; the sound of an uncountable number of soldiers marching to the beat of that terrible drumming.
A cold shiver ran down Saetoushei's spine. “I know that drum's beat.” He muttered.
Keeta turned his skeletal head back to his great army. “Platoon leaders, make ready the march! Squadron marshals, prepare your fighters! Captains of my army, rally to me!”
Half a dozen warriors hurried to Keeta's side as the army spun around on it's axis to face the entrance to the graveyard. Keeta and his Captains strode to the head of the vanguard. Keeta motioned for Saetoushei and Tatl to follow him. The pair quickly caught up with the giant skeleton.
When Keeta and his comrades reached the front of the force, he turned and stared back at his fellows. For nearly seventy years, he had served Igus de Ikama as the High Captain of the Ikaylimu's Grand Imperial Army. For nearly two hundred years after that, he had protected Ikama Canyon from all outsiders, and had always prevailed. Keeta had not left the Kingdom of Ikama since his death. Now, finally, he was leaving the land that had become more than just the country that his leader ruled with an iron fist.
He was leaving his home.
Keeta took in his great army. They had served him just as well in death as they had in life. They would never retreat from an enemy unless Keeta commanded them to. Although the undead cannot feel emotion, Keeta was sure that pride was welling up somewhere among his bones.
He raised his head and called out, “For centuries, you all have served me with the greatest devotion. Now I ask that, once again, you march under the great banner of Ikama one more time. Today we march out of our canyon, today we leave Ikama. We go to Clock Town and fortify there. There is more help coming. Soon, no greater force shall exist, and Augustine Descrod will fall. Ikama shall be ours once more. Now, my warriors, march. March for Clock Town, warriors, march for Ikama!”
The undead army raised it's collective heads and roared out a great, frightening scream, a challenge to it's enemies, just as it had done so many times before. Tatl flew closer to Saetoushei's head and whispered, “I'm just glad they're on our side.”
 
The day started off normally enough for Doyour. He awoke early, ate breakfast with his wife, and was currently trapped in one of his usual long, boring meetings with city councils. This time, Vinscen , head of the Carnival Committee, was seated at the conference table with his planners. The Carnival of Time was in two days and Vinscen wanted to make sure that everything was in order. Doyour could feel himself nodding off already.
“…and that is why, Mister Mayor,” Vinscen's brash, arrogant voice said, cutting through the stillness of the conference room, “We need more compliments of the town guardsmen to keep the peace in town. Clock Town is much larger than it once was, and the usual number of guards that Captain Mikhail is promising will not be able to handle the increased number of civilians attending.”
“But Mister Vinscen, like I have already explained to you, Captain Mikhail's militia is nearly depleted as it is. Not many young men are joining or remaining in active military service as there were in previous years. You really must understand this.”
Vinscen scoffed, “Mayor Doyour, I understand perfectly, but you must also understand that I am simply concerned for the safety of the residents and guests to Clock Town. Perhaps it is Captain Mikhail that is lacking in gusto for this event.”
Doyour bristled at Vinscen. “Now see hear, Vinscen-“
At that moment the door to the conference room burst open. Captain Mikhail himself raced into the room, Sergeant Grammo close behind him. “Mister Mayor, please come with us. This may be a matter of utmost security!”
A loud yell sounded from behind them. “Move! Out of my way, you crazy little hussy!” Madam Aroma barked, nearly knocking Grammo head-over-heels as the large, stately woman thrust her way into the room. “Doyour, get off your behind and get out here now. I think we're being invaded!”
 
Standing at the top of the guard wall overlooking the eastern-most border of Clock Town, Mayor Doyour stood with his wife and Captain Mikhail, watching in wide-eyed amazement and fear at what was below them.
For as many as a couple of dozen miles, it was skeletons. Row upon row and rank upon rank of skeletal warriors, a great army of undead, marching in perfect formation right up to the gates of East Clock Town. Their commander, the enormous skeleton in front, walked directly in front of a row of six other skeletons. And marching right next to him…
“Who is that down there?” Doyour shouted over the din of the pounding feet of the skeletons. He pointed to the lone figure striding next to the commanding undead. “Him, there! He's not dead, do you recognize him?”
Mikhail leaned over the battlements, staring at the figure. Suddenly his eyes grew wide and he began to laugh.
Grammo laughed as well. “I recognize him too, Captain. And with him marching next to their commander like that, that isn't an invasion force, those are our allies!”
Mikhail bolted down the battlement stairs as Doyour shouted after him, “What do you mean? Who is that?”
Mikhail pretended not to hear him. He shouted orders to his soldiers. “Run to the Hotel! Fetch Takeru, Anju, and Kafei. Tell them that their presence is needed urgently. My soldiers, break out the welcoming banners and the trumpets. Reinforcements are on the way. The hero of the Bombers is returning!”
 
T.K. Saotome stood just inside the gate that led into East Clock Town. The gate had been thrown wide open, and he stood with his hands on his hips. Behind him, Anju and Kafei stood in front of a full compliment of Clock Town Guardsmen headed up by Mikhail and Grammo.
The undead army strode right up to the gate and stopped. Keeta and Saetoushei strode forward. They stopped facing T.K.
Keeta glanced down at Saetoushei. The Hylian smiled and walked up to T.K., stopping directly in front of him. The two old friends stood staring at each other for a long moment, before T.K. finally grinned.
“Ten minutes ago, I was finishing washing the tables after the lunch rush, when nearly the whole militia runs in and tells me to come with them. They get Anju and Kafei as well. Five minutes ago I went from a retired military man to being reinstated with full rank and privileges, being named the official ambassador of Clock Town, and being told to go welcome the invaders and see what they want.”
Saetoushei laughed as T.K. shrugged helplessly. “So, I guess, whatcha be needing, friend?”
Saetoushei casually replied, “Oh not much, just food for me really. The rest of' 'em don't eat or need shelter, so not much. I guess I'll just do the whole formal thing, then you can do your whole formal thing, then I want to go shower.”
Saetoushei snapped his body to military straightness and saluted T.K. “I, Commander Saetoushei, BCTB and honorary member of the Grand Imperial Army of the great Kingdom of Ikama, commissioned by his late majesty, Ikaylimu Igus de Ikama, in the year of the Ikaylimu, three hundred and seventy-four, serving under the command of High Captain Keeta, reigning commander of the Grand Imperial Army of the great Kingdom of Ikama, do hereby offer the services of this fighting force to the leaders of the government and military of Clock Town, in exchange for safe and proper conduct into and allowances to reside inside said town's walls until the duration of this campaign.”
T.K. rose to attention and saluted back. “I, Commander Takeru Koshiro Saotome, BCTB retired, reinstated, and ambassador to the government and military of Clock Town, under the political rule of Mayor Doyour and military protection of Captain Mikhail, commander of the Clock Town Guardsmen, and his second-in-command, Sergeant Grammo, do hereby recognize the Grand Imperial Army of the great Kingdom of Ikama as allies and friends, and, on behalf of Mayor Doyour and Captain Mikhail, welcome you all to Clock Town!”
With that, T.K. and Saetoushei embraced as the collective masses cheered, and the undead entered Clock Town.
 
Later that afternoon, a council of war was underway inside the Mayor's Residence. The mansion had originally been the Governor's Mansion, built and used under Clock Town's original government, which had been ousted in a bloodless coup nearly six centuries before. The mansion, which had been burned to the ground following the coup, had been rebuilt to serve as the Mayor's personal home.
Now, in the grand mahogany-lined library on the second floor of the residence, the council of war was in full force. Mayor Doyour sat at one end of a large table that had been placed there specifically for this purpose with Madam Aroma. Across the table sat Sensei Quindle, Sara and Sora Rosa, Gabriel, Anju and Kafei, and Lybia. Saetoushei, T.K., Mikhail and Grammo stood by the middle of the table on one side, and Keeta and his six Captains on the other.
Doyour shook his head and said gravely, “It is a sad day indeed when I discover that the captain of my guards is involved in a plot to overthrow me.”
“Never had the idea come into mind, Mayor Doyour,” Mikhail replied stiffly. “I was merely acting on my own instincts as to what would be the greatest way to ensure the safety of the civilians of Clock Town.”
“An independent resistance force, existing here in Clock Town? I knew such things were problems over in Timber, but I never thought that such a thing would happen here.” Doyour shook his head again. “My trust in you is diminished substantially, Captain Mikhail.”
Mikhail lowered his head a fraction. “Yes, sir.”
Keeta spoke up for the first time. “Mayor Doyour, never before in the history of Termina have Clock Town and Ikama ever cooperated with each other. That must end here. An army is currently on it's way here, led by the self-proclaimed Ikaylimu.” The skeletal warrior shook his head sadly. “Oh Igus, where did we fail in our destiny?”
“Face it Doyour, Clock Town is in grave danger.” Saetoushei said. “Either you accept the help that is being offered to you right here and now, or be damned by your own people, for they are the ones that will suffer.”
Doyour stood. “Then I will be damned, and I damn all of you to Hell for your supposed intervention. I have here,” and at this Doyour held up a pair of sheets of paper, “an armistice signed by myself and the recognized ruler of Ikama, Ikaylimu Augustine Descrod III. It is the cease-fire and peace treaty that was not even necessary until you, Commander, and the assassination team put together by the Insurrectionists fouled up the already volatile political situation there. Now, as Mayor of Clock Town, I order all of you to leave this establishment, nay, the town itself now!”
“No, Doyour.” Pale-faced, Mikhail raised his lance and banged the solid wooden handle upon the floor three times. At once the double doors that led into the library burst open and a score of Guardsmen strode inside. At a gesture from Mikhail, they spit into two teams of ten and each strode down the sides of the table towards Doyour.
“What!?” Doyour, red-faced, was screaming at Mikhail. “What do you think you are doing? This is a coup, isn't it? You've had this planned all along Mikhail!”
“No, Mister Mayor.” Mikhail replied. “This plan was approved fifteen minutes before this council of war began.”
“Approved?!” Doyour roared. “Approved by who?”
“By me.” Doyour spun open-mouthed to face his wife. Madam Aroma rose gracefully from her seat at the table. “Doyour, over the last few years you have become less of the man I married and more of a tyrant to the people of Clock Town. I believe that a fight is on it's way, and the citizens of Clock Town deserve someone who will protect them, or at least be willing to die for them. I'm so sorry. I am doing what I believe is right for Clock Town-“
“You are part of the Insurrectionists and a traitor,” Doyour screamed. Gesturing to the score of Guardsmen that had entered the room, he vainly pointed at Aroma and yelled, “Take her away!”
“Escort Mayor Doyour to his bedchamber,” T.K. said, “and make sure he doesn't leave for any reason.” As Doyour struggled in vain with the Guardsmen, T.K. continued, “About half an hour ago, I was voted to take control of the government of Clock Town, should you refuse to allow us to protect your citizens.”
“You'll all be hanged for treason, all of you!” Doyour screamed.
Takeru Saotome threw back his hair, exposing the horrific scars that mangled and disfigured his face. Doyour stopped yelling and stared. Takeru slowly turned around so everyone in the room would see him. Madam Aroma grew pale but said nothing.
“Four years ago, I lost my right eye and the only family I had ever known fighting for Clock Town. Doyour, I've been dying ever since. If I am hanged, then it is knowing that I did what I could to save Clock Town from further degradation. Because I'll let you hang me, but I'll make sure that the small children who live here don't need to be worried to sleep at night.” Takeru turned his back to Doyour. “Take him away.”
As Doyour was led kicking and screaming from the room, a runner from the Ikamian Army raced into the room. “Captain Keeta, come quickly. The enemy is arriving!”
 
Saetoushei, Keeta, Mikhail, and Takeru stood atop the eastern battlements of Clock Town. In the pale afternoon light, what looked like a river of blackness seemed to ooze from the Ravine of Ghosts. It swarmed like a horrific nightmare in liquid form, covering all the ground between Ikama Canyon and Clock Town.
“Descrod is coming for us.” Takeru whispered loudly. “And we will be ready for them.”