A/N: I'm baaaaaaaack! Sorry everyone, life's been having it's ups and downs for me lately. But I wanted to get this out there while I still had my groove and on a break from school. Hope you're ready for a long, epic heart-wrenching adventure!

The Dis-Order of the Cooper Knights

We were many.

A great many. The Cooper Order was a band to be reckoned with. Throughout the kingdoms we went, seeking justice, bringing peace and leaving hope in our wake. Twas like a fire had been reborn inside of me, and I knew could not give up on it! For at the center of my mission, working beside me, was my new family. I loved my new brothers. Hucklebee, Little John and I had become something like Commanders with Galleth as our General!

The Knights of the Cooper Order roamed the kingdoms, this was well known. What wasn't: our scouts scattered throughout the land to send messages to the main group. Many of which be'th my hand-picked archers and Huckleebee's quick-footed, chosen messengers. They know how to get word to us on fast notice. On one such day, I was alone atop a pine tree, admiring the forest.

"Ka-Kaw! Sir Greensleeves! Ka-Kaw!"

Upon the horizon, came one Sir Seaghdh Gulle, one of my own trained stealth agents. As he came closer the determination in his eyes spoke of one simple thing: trouble afoot.

He landed on a branch close to me, taking but a moment to regain his breath before straightening himself proudly. "Sir! Report from the town of Cavemore."

"Begin."

"The good nobles of Longdale Fort have been driven out of their homes, along with a great many townsfolk, by one calling himself the Black Knight. They say his army consists of heartless wolves from hell! They emit smoke, their eyes have an unnatural glow, and their visible bones are metal. The Knight is unstoppable and cruel. Somehow, he has brought a dragon to guard the castle. More so, he has taken over parts of the town only allowing his soldiers entry, and is he be acquiring to build something devious!"

My face was stretched to its limits in shock! I had trained Gulle and gotten to know him quite well. He was not one to report mere rumors nor exaggerated truths. "If what you say is even half-true, then this will take the entirety of the Cooper Knights in order to put a stop to this tyrant! Never have I heard of such evil, Gulle!"

Saluting, Gulle replied, "I shall report this to Sir Galleth immediately!"

"Nay!" I reached my arm out and pulled him back before he could go. "That is not wise in this case." I know Galleth better than any other. He hears one sentence of this report and he will already be charging off to face the knight alone! Nay, he will not hear or plan for anything nor listen to anyone else: Galleth has been starving for a fight! He will seek the glory of vanquishing such a mighty foe, but not think of the consequences. Never before had careful planning be so required.

"Nay, Good Gulle." I look him in the eye. "Your orders are this: Stay, get a good meal and rest among your brothers for three days. During that time, I will venture into Cavemore and learn what I can about the enemy. If on the third day there is no sign nor word from me, tell the others. Do you understand?"

The boy looked confused. Bless him. Seaghdh is a worthy knight. He wants to do his duty to his best. I know my orders contradict this. Staying quiet and keeping secrets is not the brand of a knight. But I cannot allow him to tell anyone. Galleth will not give me the time I need to learn a critical weakness or plan a solid attack to ensure liberation. A hand on Gulle's shoulder and a look of assurance is all I can offer him. "Be strong. Be ready." I tell him.

He responds, "I will, Sir Greensleeves. May the winds blow in your favor on your quest."

I nod. Seaghdh Gulle flies off to casually land on the outside of the camp. Quickly, I go to my tent and pack my essentials. The last is my bow on my back, and I feel prepared for whatever I may face. I take three steps, only to stop right in the middle.

I finally feel it. Fear. Utter terror, before I have even begun. What pulls me to hesitate now?

Fear of the unknown? A feeling of foreboding?

Such things have never stopped me, until now. Danger has always been one of my closest friends.

Hmm, speaking of which!

I look around my tent quarters. I still share a tent with Galleth. Throughout I see items and trinkets of each of ours scattered about. On my side, a small table I use for writing holds the sharpening stone Galleth has for his sword. Near Galleth's hammock, I spot my book on the newest plays. Has he been reading that? My eyes travel up from the floor and I finally notice something I missed in my haste.

Galleth.

Under a dust-colored blanket, a million times patched, snores away the grand leader of the great defenders of the people. His limbs are everywhere, if he were to be awoken suddenly, he would be tangled up in his own arms, legs, and tail! I know this: it makes me laugh every time. "Moon Queen..."he speaks from his dreams. "Do not leave me..."

I cannot stop myself from smiling. This raccoon strong-armed me into the Order. Back then I thought him a hopeless thrill-seeker. A self-proclaimed knight, and glory-hound who sought to ride on the names of others to get his own into the history books. But I have come to learn that through this man is an utter fool, he is far from that kind of selfishness. He wants glory, but to honor those who came before him and not himself. He truly cares about justice and wants to help those without the power or means to do it themselves. He brought me out of loneliness, and without knowing it, he gave me a new family to protect. I know now that I would gladly give my life for the Order.

I would give my life for Galleth.

That is why I must go alone, without him knowing. The Knights will need him to lead once we are better equipped to take on the Black Knight. This mission is too important to risk endangering even a single one of my brothers. My mind brings up no scenario of my failure to return, yet my heart aches at the thought of leaving. My instincts are warning me. Yet, for the first time, I must ignore them.

I go. I do not say good-bye or look back. I have my duty as a Knight of the Cooper Order. With a good plan in mind I have yet to fail.

Three Days Later... No One's POV

Clouds were starting crowd the once sunny sky. The Order's camp was quiet, but not at peace. A thick tension was gathering, much like the storm above. It was the third day since Robin Greensleeves had been seen by any soul. On the first day, Galleth merely thought he was out patrolling and training. On the second day, he reasoned Robin was in one of his moods and he would return by the next evening. But on the third day, Galleth gathered all his best men to his tent for a meeting on their dear, missing strategist.

"Nothing? Not a word to any of you?" Galleth looked disbelieving at the present company. Hucklebee and Little John including, none the major leaders of the Order knew of Robin Greensleeves' whereabouts.

"Someone ought tah know!" Hucklebee turned to the crowd. "Robin's tha one that keeps tellin' us tah be careful. Notta leave the camp alone an' all."

"Precisely, Sir Hucklebee." Galleth was pacing back and forth. "Yet he cannot be found in the camp. So he must have gone out, but has left no word of where!"

"Robin... on watch. Three days... gone." Said Little John.

Next to speak was Thomas Toad, the blacksmith to the Order. "Yes, yes, Little John. We all find this most disturbing. Tis only a matter of time before rumor spreads of his absence being foul play. Or worse! As reclusive as the boy is, he is too crucial to the Order to go unseen for this long."

The others in the tent began murmuring in agreement. By whatever means, Sir Greensleeves was not with them which could very negatively impact the troops. And while a handful of them truly were concerned for the well-being of their friend, it was Galleth who's mouth was the most shut. Unable to find words to express his worry for is friend and ally, Galleth could only listen to the many voices. None of which could align with the others or were advancing the discussion. Robin would have silenced these fools in a moment! He would state a plan that was best for the Order and that he would hear all objections only one at a time. But Robin was not here, which was the dilemma.

Then the flap of the tent opened. Galleth was the only one to look as see Seaghdh Gulle.

Quickly saluting, he said. "Sir Galleth, forgive my interruption of this meeting. I have news meant for you regarding Sir Greensleeves."

"Ha..." Galleth's armored shoulders fell with relief. "Welcome news! Speak freely, young knight."

Seaghdhd eyes darted about the room. He remembered that Sir Greensleeves was quite urgent in keeping his mission quiet. They may be a few too many in this present company. "Uh... Sir Greensleeves' strictly ordered this news go only to you, Sir Galleth."

At this Galleth seemed pleased, but... behind him, the others were perplexed. What news would Robin give that were only meant for Galleth?

"Very well!" Galleth declared proudly. "Let us step outside. Knights! Speak amongst yourselves until I return."

The wait was not a long one. Though the entire tent went completely quiet for but a few moments, the next sound was the voice of their brave leader.

"He WHAAAT!?"

The flap of the tent did not even have time to reach the grass when Galleth burst back in. "Ready the knights! Weapons! Armor! We march within the hour! Go!"

There was no question after that. Every commander ran to his post. Hucklebee even went to ring the alarm bell, meant to be used only in an emergency to alert the entire Order. Galleth needed no explanation to rally the knights like this. By the time the entire Order had gathered together, word had spread that this was a rescue mission for Sir Greensleeves.

In a hidden dungeon... Robin's POV

Defeated.

Utterly. Completely. Defeated.

Everything I had seen overwhelmed me.

The rumors I had heard turned out to be more than true.

Wolf-knights from hell, unearthly machinery replacing common markets and stores, and, occupying the conquered fortress, the Black Knight. Horrors beyond horrors!

His wolves barely have the features of their forefathers to connect them, but the Black Knight himself? His armor only reveals his brutish build. And his voice... not that different from his wolves. Steel, and growling. Nothing like even the darkest soul I've heard on mortal soil.

Calm yourself, Robin! Regain your senses! Your wits have yet to fail you. I have been in dungeons before in my life. But those had bars of wood or metal. These bars: are beams of green light. I already know this Knight and company are not of this Earth, these lights are capable of slicing thick steel as if it were warm butter! Needless to say, I cannot pick a lock or leverage the bars. Looking about my cell, all surfaces are smooth, cold, and silver. No way for me to find a loose brick, or dig my way out!

Thus, I must confess to myself: my only hope is the Knights of the Cooper Order.

Interrupted in my thoughts by heavy, steel footsteps, my captor walks up to the mysterious bars.

"Wow..." he drew out in a deep, grinding tones. "I must admit: I am... honored and star struck to see you here."

I cannot reveal any weakness. Imprisoned I may be, but I am still Robin Greensleeves of the Cooper Knights! Agh... Galleth, you have rubbed off on me! "And in return: I give my highest compliments to your hellish and deplorable prison, Black Knight!"

"Thank you, Robin Hood!" he replies gleefully!

A foe from my past? Could he be the sheriff back from the dead? "I am Robin Greensleeves! Knight of the Cooper Order! And you, sir-"

"Robin Hood was part of the Cooper Order?!" The Black Knight takes a heavy step backwards, surprised. "That was never written in the Theveius Raccoonus!"

"Galleth?" I say his name. This truly is a place of nightmares... Has he been captured? He must have! He told me himself none know of this sacred family text save for his own blood. Now I am angry! "You dare imprison Sir Galleth! Coward! You, who fight with no honor, and in name of no higher power! Why not face me man-to-man, instead of your minions and dark magic?"

My challenge was answered with deep-belly laughter! "Hahahaa! I don't have to take gibes from you! But if you're grumpy from staying in that cell for too long, don't worry. I'm going to make you a star! Robin, on the trapeze! Robin, on the tightrope! Robin, juggling! Ho, boy! The entire country will be laughing, when they hear about your stunts!"

I growled back. "So that is your aim? To make a fool of me? A mockery? Do your worst, say I. Never has fame and glory been my aim. If I die, even today, knowing justice has been met for a short time, I now know another will come in my place. Tyrants all fall! Greed will eat you alive as it does all the others!"

The Black Knight was silent. Then he raised is metal hands and did a slow clap. "Bra-Vo. So noble. I'm floored."

I do not understand his words completely, but I can still trace the insult.

"Look, Hood, I've loved your story since I was a kid. But you're not the target here. Your fate will be decided by Galleth Cooper."

"Galleth will stop at nothing to save his comrades!" I say with a passion. If Galleth is not already here, then this Knight is foolish if he thinks...

Then it dawns on me.

"Ah!" says the Black Knight. "You've caught on to it now?"

I raise my hands to my head, backing away from the bars.

Galleth will stop at nothing.

Not at the rumors or warnings.

He'll bring a large number of the Order!

He'll charge in head-first! Any consequence be damned!

He doesn't know the true terror the Black Knight yields, and I have no way to warn him of such. He will die, and all of my friends and allies too!

"No..." I breathe, asserting my will into that wish. There has to be something I've missed! A strategy to make! A plan to enact! ANYTHING!

ANYTHING, BUT BEING HELPLESS TO STOP THIS!

My hands cover my mouth. My own legs fail to keep me standing and I fall to the ground. Please, Galleth... for the sake of the Order and all you hold dear: do not come after me this time!

"Oh, man!" the evil knight laughs at my distress. "That's all it takes and you tumble like a house of cards!?" I do not care what his words mean, I do not think I can clearly hear him. Galleth... no, please... someone tell him not to come!

The Black Knight sighs in disappointment. "I was expecting more... Guess a legend can't always live up to the hype." He turns to leave.

Thoughts of my single-handed failure will bring the death of so many, race through my mind like the winds of a thousand blizzards.

Hucklebee will die...

Little John will die...

Young Oliver...

Galleth... What have I done?

What I've always done. Acted alone. When so many were able to aide at my side. I had every chance to avoid this outcome, and I chose wrong...

I'll...

I'll lose my family again...

Only this time... I have led them to the slaughter myself!

But then the Black Knight turns back. "Look, if it'll keep you from going insane, let me tell you something, girl-to-girl."

"...!" Did... Did he? W-What?

"A guy was my downfall too. He's blinded by misplaced morals, and willingly subjects his brilliant intelligence for pennies! Me? I see the big picture. Think of me what you will, but the world only sees a little girl who will never, ever be as big as the men she's forced to stand next to. But if you want to succeed, if girls like us want to make it, we gotta change not only ourselves. Sometimes we need to change our points of view. Stop seeing the world through a window and storybooks! Become the alpha! That's how you get the world. You can always get the boy later."

With those parting words, the Black Knight leaves, the doorway shutting immediately behind him.

I sit on my fallen knees. Jaw heavy. Staring at where the knight had been. Before my mind was a buzzing hive of panic, dread, and heartache. Now it is as still and silent as eerie lake.

"How... How could he know that... I'm...Wait, did- Did he just infer that I... with Galleth!?"

This Black Knight's supernatural powers of perception are truly unmatched if he has discovered my gender. But...no, I could never think of Galleth as anything, but my leader.

Yet...after this ordeal...

...I may never see him again.

Galleth's POV

It took mere days. I sent some of the scouts, young ones handpicked by Robin himself, to report back about or foe. From what they have gathered-

"THIS DON"T MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL!"

As Hucklebee so eloquently put.

"Wolves of fire and steel? Swords ah' lightning? An...shields of green light!? Have the men been struck mad?"

I tell my gathered Order, "Nay, I fear. This only adds to the reason Robin was taken."

The entire table spoke of how this time our enemy was not of this earth. That they were demons and must be led by a dark master. Perhaps an evil wizard, if not worse... My thoughts remained on Robin. None of the scouts were able to find any trace of him. But something within my heart was confident he was still alive. If so, our first priority should be his safe return.

"Galleth?" Little John spoke to me. "What is the plan?"

Oh, how unfortunate. A full sentence without pause, and Robin has missed it!

I grin, first at Little John, then at my assembled commanders. "I say that we must first regain our dear comrade!"

"But Galleth-"

I hold back the interruption. "I cannot believe Robin is lost. He is alive! Therefore, he has survived and seen more of this Black Knight than we could possibly hope to gain in a year!" They all agree with me. If we have any hope of vanquishing this foe and returning the people to their homes, then we must have Robin with us.

"But how do we find him? The whole town hath turned to darkness and madness! Galleth, we need a plan!"

"Robin would have a plan!" another man shouted. "I agree with Galleth! We can send in the scouts again, this time we will have their search centered on word of Sir Greensleeves. Alive or..." I dared that man with a glare to doubt my word and trust. "Injured. Where he is hiding, and how to get to him."

"Well said!" I commend him. "Have the men ready to move within the hour. We should not tarry!"

They all cheer in triumph! As they should! This wicked man knowth not whom he clashes blades with. Robin's sharp arrows and equally sharp mind may have failed, but Sir Galleth Cooper will arrive in his brother's hour of need as he always has!

Involuntarily, I feel a phantom of a head clobbering. Too used to Robin's discipline, am I. Only Hucklebee and Little John take notice, and I wave off their concern. Oh... Robin you are truly missed. But I swear upon the Theveius Raccoonus that I will see you beside us all again.

The next morning...

The sun rose red. The heavens must anticipate our battle to come...

Our blacksmiths have worked through the night on what we have on hand. The younger knights are understandably frightened, and the old are just as well. I know that none of the anticipated forces of these ilk. But we have no choice. Their loyalty touches me in the face of such terrible demons. I cannot allow myself any form of hesitation this time. Robin might disagree.

But he is not here. I know he must have taken every precaution when took this venture alone. And it has separated us from him. That is why I know my course of action will work. The Black Knight caught our best spy by having his guards patrol the night, but at day? And a frontal assault of such magnitude? Ha! Hellspawn or not, he cannot defeat the Cooper Order.

Not with Sir Galleth leading the charge!

I look over my armor, and check again the strength of my cane-like lance. "Today, I bring the greatest honor to the Cooper name."

Robin is at the forefront of my concerns. I will only loot and reclaim the castle's treasure once I am sure he is out of harm's way. "Haaaa," I breathe out, placing my helmet upon my brow. "Robin, my brother, you are as good as home."

Robin's POV

The sleep I awaken from is unnatural. I can feel it in the way my muscles and bones ache! I am stiff, and creaking with each movement which I must force myself to make through the grogginess. As my eyes blur into focus, I can see that my prison has changed.

I wonder aloud. "Why force me into sleep and then change my holdings?"

But the answer lies before my eyes.

My prison cell is now a much smaller cage with iron bars. Its ceiling is now much lower so that I must crouch down and crawl in my limited space. "Agh!" To make matters worse, I find myself collared and chained to one of the bars. "The Knight fed me and kept me in good health up to now. What is-"

A dull and distant boom catches my attention. There is a battle going on!

"No..."

It can only be Galleth. I know that it has been more than three days, but I so wished he would not come! The Order won't stand a chance! I grasp at the bars trying to look about the stone-walled room for something to get me out!

They'll all die!

Little John!

Hucklebee

...Galleth. Please, no. Not Galleth! Galleth can't die!

My mind is like a beehive! Panic is swarming, and I cannot even find a shred of logic in it. I must get out now! Stop the attack! Stop Galleth! How many brothers have we already lost?! In my madness I shout. "A curse upon you, Black Knight! To use me to lure my brothers and slaughter them! Had you any mercy, you would be satisfied with my-"

The floor of my cell quakes, causing me to fall upon my own face. I lift myself up to my knees to see... I am rising? My cell, I can feel something below is pushing it up, and... the light of a setting sun is coming from above.

"What now?" My body is still tired, falling to one knee is all I can do to remain up. My cage is raised through a whole that leads to the courtyard of the castle. The sounds of the battle are clearer than ever. There is the sound of clashing metal and explosions! Men roaring out both battle cries and cries of pain, unearthly roars can also be heard. Yet I can see nothing beyond the closed walls of the castle.

"Looks like your gang came to save you. Finally!" The Black Knight stomps up beside my prison. I glare and grit my teeth at the demon! "It really takes them a week to mount a rescue? And an embarrassingly BAD one at that! What does cheap armor take that long to walk a few miles in?"

My rage burns on my tongue. "So speaks the one completely concealed in his own armor." The knight's body turns towards me, yet says nothing. "Even ten layers of armor will not be enough, Blackest of Knights! Sir Galleth can catapult himself through any defense. He can break any fortress. He's unstoppable, you cannot win this day!"

The Black Knight simply laughed. "You sound more like a damsel in distress than ever! Hahaha! I just came from out there and took down half an 'army' with one shot! Oh, well. Soon we'll both see if your knight lives up to your hype."

"Levereter!" I scream and shake my bars. "You sower of death and depravity! A yaldson like you is the last of men to wear the title of Sir, dirtying it for the rest of his race!"

The Black Knight fell silent. Then he said. "Okay, I know you're trying to insult me. But I can't look up what you said just now. So, I'm just gonna wait here for Cooper to show up."

I did not agree with this tyrant. But whatever poison had been put into me was sapping my strength even now. That outburst of anger had cost me, and I had to fight my own body for consciousness.

The wait was not long, as I soon heard the shattering of the wooden draw bridge, and saw Sir Galleth land before us in the courtyard. My eyes sprung open! A great relief came over me. Galleth was alive. Alive... but I then saw the state of him. Tired, already with many dents in his armor of all sizes. And his eyes no longer held the laughter mirth I had seen him carry into battle confidently so many times before. By his grey eyes I knew had seen those monsters, fire... and a great many of our brothers fall.

And the true battle had not even begun...

Galleth's eyes met with mine. "Robin!" A bit of light returned to his eyes.

"Galleth!" I called back. "Retreat! Have the knights fall back! Now! While there's time!"

The Black Knight stepped between us. "Didn't you just say he was unstoppable? Figures..."

I could see Galleth glare furiously over the tyrant's shoulder. "You!" Galleth pointed a gloved finger at the Black Knight. "Black Knight, release my comrade, Robin, and retreat with your kind back to the underworld from whence you came, or else fall by my lance!"

"Oh brother," the Black Knight groaned, exasperated. "You might even be worse than Dimitiri! As if I'm going to hand over my prized prisoner just because some, big-headed, bombastic, moron knocks down my door and tells me to."

Galleth looked confused at the knight's words. Then he shook his head and recovered. "You refuse? All the better. Your defeat will be the greatest victory of Sir Galleth Cooper!" Galleth then roared out and charged at his fullest speed at the Black Knight!

"Galleth! No!" I tried to warn him to stop. But my warning came all too late!

The Black Knight drew back his fist and met Galleth's chest with the malicious blow, sending the raccoon flying back. Galleth flew back, losing both his helmet and hooked cane! His back hit the wall so hard the stone cracked and Galleth fell to the ground with his entire body.

Of all times to mount a frontal attack! Galleth had no talent for complex strategy. Today he was paying for it. He came in with no other plan, but to attack the castle just to save me. My poor, dear, stupid friend... He doesn't deserve to die like this!

I hear Galleth grunt and cough as he uses one arm to get up, and the other to go around his damaged chest. "Do... Do you... Think such a minor *cough* hit will *cough* *cough* undo Sir *cough* Galleth Cooper!?"

There is blood. Galleth is too stubborn to back out of this fight. I call out to him. "Galleth! I am telling you this as both a friend and strategist of your Order! Leave! We have lost too much this day. I am not worth your life!"

"Yes, you are!" Galleth shot back. His breath seems to be returning to him. "Robin, you are worth this. Fate has crossed and bound our paths for a reason!"

I argue. "And that condition has been met! Of who remains, take the Order and live to fight another day. You will have another counselor among our brothers!"

"But none are as dear to me as you!"

...

My mind has gone silent as a still lake at dawn. Here, in this chaos, Galleth hath had the final word for the first time in our many years together. He said I am his dearest friend before... but now he proclaims me worth so much to him. No man has ever said such a thing to me...

"Yeah, yeah. That's real romantic and all, but we're on the clock here, people." The Black Knight shatters the silence. In his giant hands he holds Galleth's cane-like lance. To one of his minions he says. "Go put this in my mobile vault, I'm not losing site of this."

"Return to me my lance, knave!" Galleth begins to run at the Black Knight, but two more metallic wolves take him by the arms, holding him down. Galleth struggles, his efforts in vain. He's badly hurt, even if he was well, he cannot take these creatures, let alone the Knight, without a proper weapon.

The Black Knight turns back to us. Galleth subdued, and me, still weak in the cage. "You know... I really am a bit of a fan of Robin Hood. And, I admit, a bit of a romantic at heart."

"Speak not lies to me, villain!" Galleth retorts, only handled roughly by his captors.

The Black Knight continued to speak. To Galleth he says "Let's make a deal. You see, I had plans beyond ruling England, finishing my weapons, and putting you in your place. I wanted to put on a circus!"

"What?" I speak out. "Are you mad?" This man brings hell on earth just to start his own circus?

"What? I can't have a hobby?" the Black Knight continues. "Really more of a side project. It's really great! I've got everything set up in my tent out in town. Only one problem... I needed a star."

Waving his hand up to where I now sit, five banners unfurled themselves from post behind me. Their images were... violent, and unflattering to say the least. Images of me be burning, falling, shot by a cannonball and about to be eaten by crocodiles. They showed me to be an inept coward.

"Who better to attract audiences than THE Robin Hood? Everyone, everywhere will want to come in for just a look! I'll be the one getting to see every show, and maybe we'll have him working the carnival between performances."

"Fiend." Galleth growled. "Robin is my knight! You would dare lower him to the station of jester?! He can barely stand as he is, you mean to end his life in such humiliation?"

"That's where you, come in, Galleth!" The Knight spoke jovially. He kneeled down, but still toward over Galleth's face. "You look like you could put on a waaaay better show than Robin Hood! You definitely made me laugh." Galleth growled. "The banners were made with your little pal in mind, but since your Order has run for the hills: you're in need of a new job, aren't ya? I'll leave it up you. But... ol' Rob over there isn't looking too good, is he, hero?"

Galleth's gaze fell to me once again. I knew how I looked. Cage, not standing, fighting tiredness. Though I had been fed and given water, I did not look the part of a strong young raccoon any longer. Being beside those gruesome banners, promises of torture, it was pulling at his heart I knew too well. I now understood why the Black Knight had poisoned me with sleepiness. He wanted Galleth to surrender like this. Galleth Cooper was the true target. With him there was no one brave enough to stand against him.

I shook my head frantically at Galleth. I could take those trials. The Knight would need me alive, and if I was still breathing I was much more likely to find an escape than Galleth on his own. Besides, I did not want to see the battleground outside. See the fallen, and see the Cooper Order's destruction by the Black Knight.

Galleth smiled at me. "We'll meet again, brother."

Tears burned, and I could not stop them from falling. Galleth...!

"I will take the boy's place, Black Knight!" Galleth declared it like the proud knight he was.

The Black Knight scoffed. "Of course..." He said to the two holding Galleth down. "Take him in and get him his costume, we'll get the idiot ready for his big debut."

With those words, the wolves took Galleth away. Leaving me to watch him go with only the Knight for company. The villain walked up to my cage, and he said, "You know, he's really dense. You could really do better."

There is no one better than Galleth. I wanted to say that. But I had lost. I could not take more defeat, if I died here, it would be a just punishment for leading my new family to die. As I fell, the voice of the Black Knight said, "The drugs will be wearing off in a few hours. Don't worry, you'll survive the landing."

I did not even have the strength to ponder at his words. All I saw next was sky, and feel my body going weightless as sleep claimed me completely.

A/N: I hope that was worth the wait. And there's still more story to tell! Please leave a comment!