Double Swordsmanship Chapter 3

Double Swordsmanship
Chapter 3: Returning Home.

The atmosphere was quiet inside the hallways of the palace, the battle was about to start as Aqua firmly gripped his sword and swallowing his throat deeply. He tried to conquor his fear against the cloaked villain who was much taller than him. Aqua was only a mid teen warrior, classified as a cadet currently, but doing this sort of nobleness would possibly promote him to a new rank. The country was in deep jeopordy and it was up to the young Aguian to do the duty.

Princess Cindy watched on peering through the arched windows of the hall looking down at the two warriors who looked fired up, ready to give out their first blow. she clenched her hands close hoping that Aqua was going to be alright once the battle is over.

"This is between you and me Pogona, you're going to regret what you've just done to this country".

Pogona snarled at Aqua as he flashed his sword out in a teasing matter. "no, Aqua! YOU will pay for interfering with my plans! I could have had it all, control, money, power. But you and your insignificant MOUSE there HAD to stick your tails where they didn't belong!"

"And we did it for a good reason, so you wont overpower our country and make the poor citizens become your worshipping slaves, I can not allow you to do that Pogona, if you want your plan to succeed you'll have to go through me first, and you know that you won't achieve that feat". replied Aqua with confidence.

The emperor grabbed at Aqua's arm wildly, trying to pull Aqua forward unexpectantly but Aqua had forseen just in time what the move was, so he twisted to the left and yanked at the tail of the emporer, forcing Pogona to fall to the floor for a moment. Aqua spun around and slammed his sword mere inches from Pogona's face. "And dont you EVER insult my friend again you piece of slime! Now get up and defend yourself!"

Pogona gave out a toothy grin as he looked at Aqua, "You just reminded me of your father who did that same technique, pretty impresive for a young child like you". Pogona spoke with a sarcastic tone.

Aqua gasped in shock, his mind quickly distracted with memories; although very faint; of his father. He knew now that his father had been a fighter like Aqua was now, but he had no idea that his father had tried to fight against Pogona as well. Taking his chance, the emperor thrusted his body upwards against Aqua, knocking the 15 year old lizard backwards in a small daze, as Emperor Pogona flung himself back up and prepared to strike again. "I'm afraid your going to fail JUST like your father did as well, foolish boy!"

Aqua quickly recovered from the daze and prepared for Pogona's attack, he knew his father's techniques but he had to use them at the right time, with enough stamina, and pure concentration.

Pogona dodded to Aqua's right and used a solid pole to swing around and try and stab at Aqua's throat with his sword, but Aqua was able to dodge away just in time and use his own tail to quickly stab at the emperor's armor, trying but failing to rip it away. "Damn!" they both scowled in silence as Aqua jumped forward to attack Pogona.

Pogona parried the attack but was now stuck in a defensive pose as he was forced to walk backwards due to Aqua's strength, the young lizard held his sword doubled handed in order to push him.

"How is this even possible, how can a young child like you have good strength, you're a cadet, a low class warrior!" Pogona exlaimed as his arms were shaking from the pressure off Aqua's sword.

Aqua didn't answer instead he pushed the emperor to the edge of a balcony with amazing strength and stopped only inches from it, keeping the emperor there steady with his tail and clenching the sword that belonged to the emperor against his own. The emperor could see that they were on a very high up ledge and below them, just waiting for a chance to eat something, were the poisoned minds of the poor civilians. "Break your spell on the civilians or I drop you here and now, filth!" Aqua threatened.

"You think your powerful speech is going to force me to turn back your people normal, it takes more than that to beat me, your father was brave but he had no guts to even take me down, and your mother was his helping hand,  but what about you?, are you really helping your country?" Pogona was immediately trying to manipulate Aqua's mind, trying to distract him.

Unfortunately it worked, Aqua was distacted by this question. He wanted to answer yes. But... was he.... actually here? something... deep in him... stirred. A memory? A different life? What was it?

Aqua was now caught in two minds giving Pogona a toothy grin as he gingerly got up, the zombified civillians watched on moaning and groaning. "You see Aqua, what do you represent, your father inherited his powers to you, the purpose was to use them in good use, I don't really see that". said Pogona as he gave out a villainous laugh.

Cindy stepped forward slightly, careful not to get into the fight too much. "Aqua! Please listen to me! Pay no heed to Pogona, can't you see he's trying to manipulate your mind! Your parents fought for their lives in trying to keep Aguania intact! You know this! The reason the Aguians lost the war that day was because they could do nothing about his technology from the eastern side of Calfedo! But please! You must do it for them, do it for me, and do it for yourself above all else!" She told Aqua as encouragement.

Aqua twigged after the encouraging speech but didn't have time to think as Pogona took down Aqua with a hard kick taking him to the ground, "Unnghh" he grunted out as he looked up at Pogona as he took out his sword.

Aqua struggled up again, still able to swipe with his own sword at Pogona. Pogona went to strike again but Aqua managed to parry the attack. Only barely. "You.. You are a sick lizard! You should be sent away f-f-forever!" Aqua managed to spit out.

Aqua felt damaged though and tried to crawl backwards, away from the emperor but the emperor had other ideas as he smacked away Aqua's sword and punched him right in the stomach where the armour plate cracked open leaving a hole and where the six pac was on Aqua. "Ggaaack!!!" Cindy covered her mouth in deep shock seeing the hopeful warrior get damaged. Aqua could only stare at the emperor and hold his stomach groggily as he started to cry softly, a warriors cry. He knew that he was letting himself down at this rate. Cindy looked away as she couldn't bare seeing the pain Aqua was suffering, but she whispered, in desperate hope. "Believe in yourself!"

Aqua, battle damaged badly, managed to stand up, shaking a bit as he tried to hold off the pain inside his body and clutched his sword mightily, panting heavily and staring straight at Pogona. Pogona gave a surprised and somewhat impressed look. "Why do you still stand?!" He exclaimed in disbelief.

"Because I don't want to let myself down, a warrior never stands down no matter what's at stake, we are the brave Aguians that never stepped down from a fight, many may have become normal individuals but there a few who a warriors that remain to be legendaries, and I want to be one of them on the statue!Your going down once and for all Emperor Pogona!!!" Said Aqua as he charged towards the nefarious villain.

At that moment, Cindy looked up and saw that Aqua was still standing and valiently fighting back and she gave a smile in hope. "Yes! You CAN do it!" She cheered, wiping a tear from her eyes. Aqua was fighting back by striking Pogona's sword time after time, the evil emperor was struggling to respond as Aqua carried on attacking, he swung his sword giving out a tidal attack and sending Pogona near the edge again.

It was at that moment when, nearby, young Sparkster finally managed to regain consciousness. Shaking his head and regaining his strength, he quickly realised that Aqua and the emperor were on the patio and that Aqua would need his help to finish off the vile emperor. Preparing his jet-pack, Sparkster stood up strong and faced forward, ready to launch himself. "I will NOT let you hurt my best friend, you creep!" He grimaced, propelling himself forwards quickly.

As Aqua held the emperor right on the edge of the patio, he announced proudly. "I will always have the heart of a TRUE Aguian!" Then he took a final punch at the stomach of the emperor, right at the same time as Sparkster blew a fatal blast at Pogona's face, knocking the emperor completely out of Aqua's free hand. Sparkster noticed, as the emperor fell to his demise, that the work of both of them combined had broken the armor the emperor had worn. Pogona collapsed to the ground far below with a sickening crunch and thus the evil emperor and his spell on the civilians was broken.

The civilians began to regain their composure and their minds as they looked around, confused and shocked at the chaos their zombified selves had caused. Sparkster hovered back to the patio next to Aqua and looked over to his friend with a pant and a smile. "It's all over." He confirmed, shaking Aqua's reptilian hand in satisfaction. Cindy, remembering her father, told the friends she would be back shortly and went to find her father. Leaving the boys to look over the scene below them. The relieved civilians, the body of the deceased emperor and the still smoldering houses oin the city. It would be some time before things were normal again, but Aqua and Sparkster were happy that they had done their job. Together, as they were meant to from the beginning. As a joke though, Aqua nudged Sparkster's shoulder and said. "You do know I did most of the fighting though right? While you slept over there?" Sparkster laughed. "You cheeky lizard you! I'll get you for that, ahehehe." He chased after Aqua through the castle playfully as the two became close again.

~~~~

A ceremony was about to happen as Aqua was about to be knighted, the people gathered in the huge room all dressed in smart clothing, Even Sparkster wore smart clothing without any armour on. They all looked at the double doors as it opened, the trumpets were played and Aqua who looked smarter than ever as wore some new armour, a few civilains had tears in thier eyes looking at the hero who helped save the country being terrorized.

The trumpets were silent as the king raised his arms to signal them.

"That's enough, everyone. Please settle down. We are ready to begin the ceremony. Cindy, Aqua and Sparkster, please come forth my young ones." He announced proudly.

The trio walked in front as they looked at the King, they didn't express thier feelings on thier faces as they had to stay calm.

"I suppose everybody wants to know why we have gathered here in this room, the sunset is upon us and with great gratitude that our enemy has finally been defeated, he may have scared the lives of the Aguians in the past but he hasn't damaged our hearts, and he certainly didn't come anywhere close to penetrate our braves heroes who stand right before us".

"Sparkster, a brave opposum who showed courage and determination in assisting Aqua with his duties, Cindy, the princess of this kingdom and my daughter has shown absolute bravery and I'm proud of her, but most of all and certainly a true warrior with pride and passion, Aqua Lizard, son of the great swordsman Malcom Lizard deserves the huge praise, without him, Aguania would've crumbled and Pogona would've been victorious."

"And now young heroes, if you please stand on the podium, I will now knight you as a reward for your bravery." The King announced.

The two friends took their place on the podium next to the king as Cindy watched on with a big smile. The king lay the blunt side of his sword on Aqua's shoulder.

"I dub thee, may the lands of Aguania support your heroics, now arise...Sir Aqua." The King requested as he raised his sword and the civilians gave him a round of applause following his mother crying her eyes out in joy and his father comforting her.

"And Sparkster, a brave opossum who's shown courage in helping our new hero, and because of this, you also shall be knighted to share the honour and saving my daughters' life" The King replied.

The opossum came closer and received the knight hood as his dear friend did.
"I dub thee, my furry friendly hero. May you always have a good future and heart. Now arise, Sir Sparkster." The king announced proudly. Sparkster did as he was told and smiled at Aqua.

As the two walked outside the civillians cheered at the two and Princes Cindy walked behind them holding her hands together, she felt shy a little but felt happy to be reunited with her father once more, "Father, I'm glad you're alright after that vicious monster Pogona nearly took down the country". she spoke softly to her father.

"I am glad too. I should have seen the signs that Pogona was trying to do something awful. However, that's over now, thanks to Aqua and Sparkster. What will you two do now that the adventure has ended?" He asked the two friends.

Just as Aqua was about to reply a strange voice was heard that echoed saying "Game over, you won". He and Sparkster looked up at the sky as it seemed that's where the voice came from. "D-Did you hear that?" Sparkster asked his friend. "I Did but... I can't understand how it's possible." Aqua replied. A bright light suddenly shone down from the sky on Sparkster without much warning and Sparkster felt strange... different. "Aqua w-what's happening? I... I feel like... I'm changing." Before Aqua's eyes, the opossum started to take on the form of a blonde haired human.

"What sorcery is this, what's happening to you Sparkster!?!" Aqua asked demanding to know what is happening and why it's only affecting him and not Aqua.

Sparkster was now reverted back to who he really was. A young man by the name of Justin. "Alex... Aqua. This IS me. We forgot about our human lives. We were so sucked into this game we physically and mentally became the characters in it. But my job must be finished now! Yours... it must always go on I guess. Maybe you have more adventures to partake in. I don't know, but I will always remember you my friend." Justin explained, his memory starting to come back slowly of what had occured.

"Justin?, that sounds awfully familiar, we've been great friends and we will forlong keep out friendship Sparkster or Justin, you will not be forgotten, this is my home now, my people need me and I want to live forever in here." He replied as he looked around at everyone and even looked at Cindy.

Justin smiled as he was lifted into the air by the light. "I will miss you greatly. All of you! I wish you luck in your future adventures. And maybe you can spare me a thought now and then, Aqua. Farewell!" And with a strange electrical buzz, Justin was suddenly gone and the light with him. As the silence followed, Cindy walked over to Aqua and held his hands.

"Cindy...answer me this... why did Sparkster have to leave?, was it something I did wrong?, something that forced him to vanish for good?" Aqua looked down at the stone pathway feeling a little guilt surround his thoughts.

Cindy shook her head. "I don't believe so. Sparkster, or Justin, obviously had to go back to his world because he was only called here for  the one adventure, but you were called here because you were meant to be Aqua, I believe. And you will be a great hero. But he is right, you should never forget him whatever happens." She explained.

"You know Cindy, your are perfectly correct, I'm now needed to help protect the country no matter what the cost,it's up to me to do the job, and besides I'm now the new captain of the HDF." He remarked.

Cindy nodded and stroked his chin cheekily. "And I'm sure you'll make a great captain, Aqua." She said as they walked into the sunset together.

~~~~

For Justin, 3 months later on, finally getting used to being back home took some time since he had almost felt like he truly belonged in Aqua's world. He still didn't know exactly what it was that had sent him and Alex into the game to begin with but he didn't really care. He had a great time with his friend even if they had some very dangerous situations.

Justin had seen the game released to the public and it had received a huge following. People around the world loved the story-line, characters and game play. He was also pleased to see that the game had come with a select character feature and that Sparkster could be played as well. That made him smile.

Eventually, he decided to buy the sequals to the game, out of respect to his friend, just to find out what they were like. There were only two more released 3 months after Justin had been released from the game. One where a very mysterious smoke-like creature could control the Aguanians' shadows to do evil things against the owners, and the other a simple racing type game where you had to race other Aguanians in mazes of obstacles like you were sonic the hedgehog. But one thing stuck out for both games. Justin had noticed, in both, that Aqua would always mention Sparkster, and how he would never miss him.

And thus ended the extraordinary story of two friends who went into a once in a lifetime experience of being inside a games console.And Aqua Lizard became a famous future game.

The End.