MAR Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden allies ❯ The confrontation ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter two:

(Later that night…)

Xanos, who'd been pretending to sleep in her darkened room, sat up. The whole time she couldn't help but once more wonder why Phantom would send only her on this mission when he KNEW she could easily wind up fighting the entire group of Cross Guards. She grabbed her wolf mask and checked to make sure she had all her favorite ARM on her. Satisfied, she slipped out into the dark and dreary hallways and headed for the back entrance of the castle. She was surprised that no one else was awake, but then again, it WAS 3:45 in the morning. She made it out seemingly undetected and teleported away. But little did she know, there were three other masked pieces watching. They too disappeared, after her.

Xanos reappeared in a small forest clearing. She smirked, knowing exactly where she was. She crept further into the trees as the three stalking pieces kept close, but not too close. They suddenly realized where the ocean haired Knight was going. “Is this her next mission?” The dog-masked one asked her also masked sister. “No clue.” The third one was actually not their brother, but a concerned Ian. “I can't believe she was sent alone! What was Phantom thinking!?” The sisters shrugged. “Well, let's find out.”

Xanos continued walking until she sensed something odd. `No way! I can't believe they followed me here.' She shook her head and withheld a sigh. `No one can seem to let me be, can they?' She chose to ignore them and continued walking until muffled footsteps nearby stopped her. `Brother…' Her eyes narrowed as she leapt into the branches of the tree beside her. Just as she predicted, out stepped the blue haired Cross Guard member from before. He had a distraught look upon his features and was probably taking a midnight stroll to calm down. In fact, he seemed so upset about something that he hardly noticed the sharp and thin tree branch that was thrown into the ground before him.

His eyes widened as the assailant revealed her self. “It's foolish to walk alone in a place like this.” She threatened. The male began to scowl. “Why can't you Chess Pieces just go and die!?” He was clearly NOT in the mood for this. Xanos couldn't help but chuckle at his childish tone. “Not before you do!” Almost at the exact moment she whipped out a fiery whip-like ARM, the guard had drawn his trademark pole-like steel ARM. From the nearby bushes, the still following Knights watched in confusion. “She's already gotten herself in a fight!?” Katemara whispered in utter shock. Sasori, who'd been eyeing the male oddly, shook her head. “No, I think that's her brother.” “What makes you say that?” “Look at them. There aren't a lot of people that are born with blue hair.” Ian nodded. “Yes, but why this all of a sudden?” The sisters shrugged; who could say?

The two siblings were sparing viciously, neither backing down. Xanos matched her brothers blows, not even bothering to shoot for vital points. It took several minutes before her brother came to a horrid conclusion. `This knight fights exactly like…' “Xanos?” He asked, jumping back in defense. Xanos frowned beneath her mask. “You are mistaken. So shut up and keep fighting.” For some reason, she didn't want her brother to know the truth. “Why? Do I amuse you?” She shrugged. “Possibly.” Her whip snaked forward suddenly, just barely catching his leg. He gritted his teeth and went on the offense again. But his attacks just weren't as strong as before since he was convinced that this piece was familiar.

Several minutes later, other voices could be heard from whence the guard had come. “Alviss? Where are you?” Alviss glanced backwards quickly, regretting it soon after. Xanos laid a painful blow across his back with her whip. “Foolish mistake. I guess I'll just have to finish you later though…” Her tone was still more mocking then anything else as she faded away into the shadows. Alviss couldn't seem to move as he watched the mysterious attacker leave. “Alviss! Oh thank god!” He winced slightly as his not-so-favorite blond companion gave him a bear hug and a girl with short purpleish-blue hair looked worried. “Oh, you're hurt!” She quickly examined the wound already quite visible on his back. He shrugged it off. “Oh, it's nothing. Let's just head back and you can look at it if you want.” Both of his new companions nodded before leading him away.

All the while, the three knights hiding were still utterly mystified. “Where's she going?” “Let's just go after her and ask.” “Well, maybe just one of us should go after her. We don't want her to think we're hunting her down.” Ian suggested. Both sisters shot him an accusing stare. “You just want to be alone with her, don't you?” “You're such a perv.” He grew red almost immediately; gracious for the fact he was still wearing his mask. “Come on. Don't try and pin THAT on me. I'm gonna go ask her, and you two can come if you like.” His tone was final and, before either sibling could protest further, he was gone. Sasori turned to her sister, already shaking her head. “Should we?” Surprisingly, Katemaras features brightened instantly. “Nope. They'll probably want to be alone for a while. Besides, I know there's this REALLY hot guard that hangs with that Alviss guy. Let's go spy on him.” Sasori looked confused. “What about Phantom, you playa!?” Katemara frowned. “Nag, nag, nag. Let's go!” She grabbed her sister by the hand and they were off.