Present
In Spritz Point, Maren, disguised as Astroman, and an Atlantean posing as Cassius, surveyed the scene, smirking as they vanished through a shimmering water portal.
Meanwhile, in Eaglewood, Jake, Goda, and Sethanarius lay in the aftermath of a staged fight, bruised and bloodied but concealed by illusion spells to appear as Kali, Emrys, and Laurel. Goda glanced around at his companions. "Everyone good?"
They nodded, each drinking a potent healing potion drawn from Maren's trident, instantly restoring their strength.
Outside the castle gates, Mel, Draven, Kai, Jasper, Caldric, and Maren stood shoulder to shoulder, facing down the mob of Caldara Bastille's escaped inmates. Mel's voice rang out, clear and resolute. "Today, we protect Princess Rue and put an end to this chaos. My friends can handle those wardens, no matter how powerful they think they are." He clenched his fist, raising it as a rallying signal.
A low, menacing growl rose from the crowd, and a massive wolf with steely eyes stepped forward. "Long time no see, Melanthius. We used to pity you in the Bastille, thought you were one of us… but you got out and went soft, living the high life. Didn't even say goodbye."
A goblin sneered, baring crooked teeth. "Enough talk—let's finish this!" The inmates roared in unison, their bloodlust filling the air.
"Protect the castle!" Mel commanded, and his companions charged forward, clashing with the incoming wave of inmates.
Draven sprang into the air, his dragon wings unfolding with a powerful gust. He dive-bombed through the horde, his claws and wings slashing with deadly precision, each strike leaving trails of blazing energy. He spun mid-flight, sending a shockwave that scattered the inmates like leaves in a storm.
Kai stepped up, summoning a violent gust that whipped through the crowd, sending inmates stumbling back. Channeling his wind power, he struck with relentless speed, appearing and disappearing as he unleashed a flurry of powerful blows that left his opponents staggering and dazed.
Jasper, surveying the battlefield, stretched out his arms, and iron from the nearby structures peeled away, swirling around him. He molded it into a massive war hammer and swung with ruthless force, each swing leveling the inmates in his path as they scrambled to dodge his mighty strikes. With a smirk, he crushed through their defenses, clearing a path through the chaos.
Across the battlefield, Caldric's voice boomed. "Melanthius, do you really not remember me?!" His voice shook with frustration, and he slammed an inmate aside with a punch that sent his target crashing into three others.
Mel ducked and wove through the frenzy, his Hidden Cloud techniques making him a blur of motion. "Sorry!" he yelled to Caldric, dodging another attacker and launching a spinning kick that sent a dozen inmates tumbling like dominos. He transitioned seamlessly from kicks to punches, each blow landing with mist-infused impact, disorienting his opponents.
Maren twirled his trident with a fierce glint in his eyes, moving gracefully through the chaos. His strikes were a deadly dance, slicing through opponents with swift precision as his trident glowed with oceanic energy. "Now's not the time for chitchat," he muttered, twisting his trident into the ground and summoning a small tidal wave that swept several inmates off their feet, leaving them vulnerable.
The ground trembled beneath them as the inmates rallied, a monstrous orc charging with a roar. Mel and his companions braced, locking eyes as they prepared to face the next wave.
"There's too many of them!" Caldric shouted, gripping an inmate by the head and using him as a battering ram to bulldoze through the line of enemies, sending several stumbling and crashing to the ground in his wake.
"Mel! We need a thunderstorm, now!" Draven yelled, his voice tinged with urgency as he twisted an inmate's wrist, flipping them with ease and sending them tumbling into a cluster of others.
"What?! I can't just summon a thunderstorm!" Mel shouted back, sidestepping three charging inmates. In a swift move, he flowed into his rain aikido stance, redirecting their momentum and sending each one hurtling in different directions with precise, fluid throws.
"But you can manipulate clouds, can't you?!" Draven insisted, looking over his shoulder as he dodged another attacker.
"It's… complicated!" Mel replied, deflecting a blow and gritting his teeth. "I don't exactly have 'summon lightning' on standby!"
In the dim basement, Ingrid charged straight for Renita, her face fierce with intent. But before she could reach her, Dorian leaped in front, claws slashing toward Ingrid's face. She ducked swiftly, dodging by inches, then whipped out her rapier and thrust it at him. Dorian twisted away, but her blade caught his arm, piercing deep.
"Come on, show me how you beat Dainin!" she growled, her eyes flashing. Just then, Elowen lunged at Ingrid, her punch connecting hard and spinning Ingrid backward. Ingrid caught her balance, her smirk returning as she swung her rapier with blinding speed, slicing across Elowen's side and sending her sprawling.
Elowen grunted in pain, collapsing into Arid's arms as he stumbled to catch her. Both struggled to their feet. "They're too strong... we need to regroup with Mel," Elowen muttered, catching her breath.
Across the room, Sonic found himself pinned to the ground under Astroman's anti-gravity magic. "Don't let him breathe!" Astroman shouted as Cassius drove punch after punch into Sonic's ribs, each blow forcing a groan of pain.
But with a defiant shout, Sonic unleashed a sonic boom, the powerful sound wave blasting his attackers back. He flipped to his feet, launching himself into the air and driving his knees into their chests with a brutal landing. Cassius gasped, pain flooding his expression. "It's too cramped in here!" he groaned, breathless.
Cassius, gritting his teeth, planted his feet and kicked Sonic off with surprising force. With a single powerful punch, he smashed a massive hole through the basement wall, dust and debris spilling everywhere.
He thennodded at Astroman, who activated his antigravity ability, pinning Clay to the ground and forcing the crown from his grasp. Cassius snatched it up and sprinted away. "We got it!" the black cards shouted in unison, charging out of the school.
"Mel!" Dorian yelled, his voice urgent as he fought off a group of inmates just a few feet away.
"Mel, go! We've got them!" Kai urged, and Mel nodded, blowing a cloud path beneath him. He surged forward, gliding effortlessly across it before sliding to a stop.
Jessica had drawn back her fist, ready to punch Arid, but Mel intervened just in time, pushing her head down and delivering a swift kick that sent her staggering. He joined his friends—Elowen, Dorian, Arid, Renita, Lincoln, Cassius, Astroman, Kali, Emrys, and Laurel—standing united against the wardens.
"With the crown out of their hands, we can turn the tide—" Mel began, but his words faltered as Rue's whimpering cut through the chaos. He turned just in time to see Clay gripping her hair, a dagger poised menacingly at her throat.
"Slowly, Melanthius," Clay taunted, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "Hand me the crown, and you get your princess back." Mel's heart raced as his eyes widened in horror. "C-Clay, she has nothing to do with this," he stammered, glancing desperately at Cassius, signaling him to slide the crown forward.
"It's okay, Rue," Mel called out, raising his hands in surrender. "There, now give her back." He was breathless, anxiety tightening around him like a vice. Clay scooped up the crown, his smile widening with malice.
"Nah, I don't think I will," he sneered, driving his hand into Rue's back with brutal force, crushing her spine. Mel's heart dropped as her blood-curdling scream echoed through the kingdom, a sound that shattered his resolve and filled the air with despair.
"Rue!" Elowen cried, her voice laced with panic.
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"Get away from her!" Dorian shouted.
Cassius's face paled, rage flaring in his eyes as he clenched his fists. "You monster!" he shouted, stepping forward as if to challenge Clay.
Dorian staggered back, his breath hitching as disbelief washed over him. "No, not Rue!" he gasped, feeling helpless.
Elowen's expression twisted in horror, her hands trembling at her sides. "We have to do something—now!" she urged, looking to Mel for guidance.
Arid's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists as he fought the urge to charge at Clay. "This isn't over, you bastard!" he spat, eyes blazing with fury.
Renita covered her mouth in shock, tears welling in her eyes as she watched Rue suffer. "We can't let him get away with this…" she whispered, desperation lacing her voice.
Mel dropped to his knees, haunted by every memory he shared with Rue flooding painfully through his mind. A deep, gnawing self-hatred consumed him, a belief taking root that his existence alone had led to her suffering.
With a sneer, Clay tossed Rue's trembling body to the ground; she coughed, blood staining her lips. Raising his hand, Clay threw the Dragon's Rage Moon into the air, casting a crimson veil over the area, isolating Mel, Rue, and the wardens within its blood-red glow.
"Maybe this'll finally get him to fight like he means it." Sonic chuckled. Mel slowly rose, head bowed, shadows veiling his expression. "What's wrong? Ready to give us a real show?" Clay taunted, brandishing his scythe, eager for the clash.
Flashback
Mel pocketed his card with a raised eyebrow, muttering, "Wonder what that's all about." Rue crossed her arms with a small smile. "Well, guess our two-hour chat is over," she sighed, a hint of disappointment lacing her tone. Mel chuckled softly as he made for the door. "I enjoy these talks. You're the only friend who doesn't try to knock me out." He flashed a grin before stepping away.
Before he left, he paused, turning back. "Rue?" She looked up, curious. "What is it?" He scratched his head awkwardly. "If I ever turn out like…like I was in Caldara, I need you to remind me who I am. Set me straight." She scoffed but smirked. "Whatever, just get out," she muttered, though a smile tugged at her lips.
Present
"Don't you get it, Mel?" Clay sneered, venom in his voice. "You're a curse. The mayor of Eaglewood? Dead because of you. Headmaster Thaddeus? Dead because of you. Your friends suffer because of you. You're a plague to everyone around you." He yanked Mel's hair, forcing him to meet his gaze—only to flinch back in horror.
Mel's eyes snapped open, blazing with a deep, smoky purple threaded with violent streaks of black. His aura surged, crackling with fierce, unstable energy. Without a word, he unleashed a swift cloud-kick, a deadly surge of black lightning trailing in its wake. Clay barely had time to brace before it struck his chest, hurling him against the red veil's wall with brutal force.
He began floating effortlessly and a twisted, manic grin spread across Mel's face as blood-red tears spilled from his smoke-veiled eyes. "Time to die!" he cackled, a dark promise in his voice that chilled the air.
Caldara Bastille Yard
A prisoner paused mid-pull-up, glancing around as the name "Melanthius Shadowbane" echoed through the yard. "Dragon's Rage Moon, huh? That only happens on Ironclad Isle. If it showed up anywhere else, someone would have to use some serious spellwork. But when it happened here… Melanthius was an animal."
A nearby goblin, sharpening a piece of scrap metal, snorted and added, "Animal? He was a nightmare. The things he said… they weren't right. He was like a machine—an unstoppable force that didn't rest until everyone around him was beaten."
"The anger, the grief, the pain, the fear—it all fused into one relentless emotion: self-hatred," a guard murmured, voice low. "It drove him past the brink. Made him… something else. Insane."
Present
Jessica lunged at Mel, knives flashing, but he raised his hand calmly. "Rain bullet." He conjured a single raindrop, manipulating it with a flick of his wrist. The drop shot forward, swift as a bullet, striking Jessica and piercing through her with lethal precision.
Jessica gritted her teeth, slicing through the raindrop with swift precision. Before she could react, Mel yanked her forward, driving his knee into her face. "Goldman!" he shouted with a grin, mocking her. "I once asked him, 'Can I call you Dad?!'" Mel laughed, then imitated Goldman's gruff reply. "'Hell no!' And then—bam!—he hit me just like this!" Mel's fist surged with cloud energy as he drove it into Jessica's torso, launching her into the veil with enough force to leave a crater.
Mel laughed wildly, recalling a distant memory. "On my birthday, Goldman said, 'Mel! You think just 'cause it's your birthday, you're getting stronger than me? I'm gonna boil potatoes and stuff 'em in your mouth until you know your place!'" Mel chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was nine!" Without warning, he drove his forehead into Sonic's face with bone-crushing force. "And he used toilet water for good measure!" Mel unleashed a flurry of over a hundred hidden cloud techniques, each blow crackling with fierce black lightning that trailed behind, hammering Sonic with relentless fury.
Mel let out a dark laugh, recalling Goldman's words. "'Don't worry, boy! I'll be the one to train you. Your potential keeps growing, and when we break out of here, you'll be part of my gate!' That's what he said… right before he died. Or so I thought." Mel chuckled coldly, a wicked glint in his eyes. Ingrid lunged at him with her rapier, but he caught the blade mid-strike. "'Daddy's home!'" he sneered, surging black lightning through the weapon, electrocuting Ingrid with a violent crackle as the dark energy shot up the blade.
Clay snarled, furious, and affixed the crown to his sword hilt, spinning his scythe menacingly. "I was always the strongest."
Unfazed, Mel raised his hand, summoning an object that shattered through the veil. Merlin's wand flew into his grip, and he twirled it confidently before transforming it into a quarterstaff, spinning it with deadly precision. "Ready to meet your end?" he asked, stepping forward, eyes locked onto Clay.
Moments later, the two stood across from each other. Clay's form was scorched from Mel's lightning; he coughed blood, his voice barely a whisper. "Please… just end it…" he begged, broken by pain.
Mel's smile was merciless. "That's the idea!" He raised the staff, gathering a ball of seething black energy, its ominous glow pulsing with lethal intent.
Mel felt a weak tug at his leg and glanced down, his eyes still shrouded in smoky purple. There was Rue, clinging to his leg, her voice trembling. "Stop! It's over!" she screamed, her back bleeding, her spine shattered from the brutal fight.
The purple haze in Mel's eyes faded, replaced with clarity as he dropped the staff, which reverted back into a wand. The veil shattered, revealing the scene to everyone, students and citizens of Solstice City alike. Mel knelt down, gently lifting Rue's broken, crying form into his arms. He looked up at King Percival, his voice calm but resolute. "Take them to Caldara, will you, Your Majesty?"
Without waiting for a response, he took to the sky, cradling Rue as they flew away, leaving the battlefield—and his rage—behind.
In the aftermath of the brutal events, the inmates and the four wardens were confined in Caldara Bastille, while Merlin's crown and wand were placed in the kingdom's museum for safekeeping. With the middle school in ruins, King Aldara announced the school's closure for the entire semester. Although the black cards missed out on a graduation ceremony, few complained, given the recent turmoil. Rue, paralyzed from the waist down due to her injuries, faced a quick recovery. Mel, meanwhile, finally recalled. Caldric—though, to be fair, they'd hardly spoken, and Caldric was known to exaggerate. Maren, having gathered the intel he needed from Mel, quietly went his own way.
On Halloween day, Mel attended the feast in Atlantis, just as he had promised. However, he didn't indulge in the lavish spread; instead, he sat at the far end of the table, slouched in his chair, and stared off into space as laughter and chatter filled the air around him.
"Are you hungry?" Ada asked, her voice breaking through his thoughts as she offered him a bowl of strawberries. He took it with a small smile, grateful for the distraction. "Thank you. Go have fun," he replied, his tone light as he chuckled softly. Ada giggled before skipping back to join the festivities.
Mel popped a strawberry into his mouth, reflecting on the chaotic events of the past few days. "At least Dorian's not the only one who can fly now," he mused, a hint of humor breaking through his somber mood. But as he savored the sweet fruit, darker thoughts crept in. "Goldman is still alive; he killed Maren's father—Triton. Is that why he was in Caldara? Or maybe it's because he killed Donatello, who's actually alive." With a frown, he ate a few more strawberries, the juicy sweetness doing little to alleviate his worry.
He stood and left the hall, stepping into the cool night air. Outside, he saw his people dancing and celebrating, their laughter echoing in the moonlight. "I need to learn to control my emotions," he thought, feeling a weight settle in his chest. "I can't let what happened yesterday happen again. I refuse to become a monster."
Just then, Goda burst out of the hall, drinks in hand, a broad grin on his face. "King! Let's party all night!"
"It's 1 PM…" Mel muttered, shaking his head with a small smile before excusing himself. "I'm heading to Auroria Dominion for a bit."
With a deep breath, he jumped into the ocean, feeling the water envelop him before he floated effortlessly to the surface. Once above the waves, he soared into the sky, weightless and free. As he looked out over Auroria Dominion, its beauty struck him anew. "It's always so breathtaking here," he thought, continuing to fly, savoring the moment of tranquility amid the chaos of his life.
He dove headfirst into Rue's room, landing gracefully on the floor as she looked up from her laptop, seated on her bed. "Hey," he greeted, offering a small smile. Rue closed her laptop and returned his smile. "Hey. I heard everyone's heading back to their home kingdoms tomorrow. With the school closed, there's no reason to stay here. What about you? You're not exactly able to go back to Caldara with the wardens locked up there. Planning to stay in your kingdom?"
Mel nodded, drifting gently around her room. "Yeah. Just because I'm not a student anymore doesn't mean I'm not still a king."
Rue scooted herself to the edge of her bed, and Mel felt a pang of anger at the sight, a reminder of what Clay had done to her. She noticed his expression and motioned for him to come closer. "Come here," she said softly, pointing to the spot in front of her.
He hesitated, clenching his jaw, but she tilted her head with a playful smile. "You gonna keep a princess waiting?"
Relenting, he stepped forward, standing tall beside her. "Have you eaten?" she asked, looking up at him.
He glanced down, expressionless. "I had a few strawberries," he replied, and Rue chuckled, shaking her head. "You should eat real food."
With a determined push, she lifted herself into her wheelchair and started rolling across the room. She paused and glanced back. "You coming?" she asked with a warm smile, and he followed her, a rare ease settling over him as he walked by her side.