Remember Me: A Nutcracker Story | ✔

XII. Midnight

Mary's wrists burned as she struggled against the ropes.

Whatever it takes, she had to try out her theory before anything broke out. She tried to look as calm as possible even if her heart was beating like a panicked bird that it banged against her chest. Across the field stood NC with the Rat King, facing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Sticks. They were speaking, it seemed, and the tension was thicker than the darkness that surrounded them.

And then it shattered. 

Before Mary could comprehend what was happening, there was a shout and clashes came right after. The battle broke out, and she could see from her raised dais that the candy soldiers were outnumbered three to one. The rest of the mouse guards on the dais with her jumped off and joined the fight, leaving her tied and gagged.

Before she could take advantage of her situation, Mary's eyes widened at the sight of NC running toward her. For a wild moment she hoped that he had somehow come to his wits and and was there to set her free. But when he got close she saw the still coldness in his eyes and her hopes were dashed to the ground.

NC stared at the girl at his feet with disdain. While he longed to fight, he was his father's son and a soldier first - he had to follow orders. The girl's eyes were wide with all sorts of emotions that he felt like he was going to drown in them the longer he stared. He looked away, keeping an eye on the battle, his fingers tight around his sword hilt. He watched as his father raised his sword to lunge at the Fairy, only to be blocked by a dark-skinned soldier.

Sticks parried a sword away from the Sugar Plum Fairy and shouted for her to run. The soldiers around her escorted her safely back to the palace as Sticks dueled with the Rat King.

"How have you been, my favorite drummer boy?" snarled the Rat King as he jabbed and swung.

"Excellent, something you won't be in a little while," replied Sticks shortly.

The fight dragged on, and Mary was relieved the slightest to see that reinforcements were coming from the castle and the battle was almost equal. She concentrated on getting her bonds off, but they were so tightly knotted that she only succeeded in wounding herself further. From afar, she could barely see, but she knew Sticks' figure, and he was fighting with the Rat King. She could also feel NC getting antsy. She had to act fast.

Just then, she felt him stiffen beside her and she looked to where he was gazing. Sticks was standing, but the Rat King was nowhere to be seen. NC suddenly jumped off the dais and ran off, giving Mary the chance to move off the dais as well, thanking her stars yet again that they didn't bind her feet. She found a shard of rock on the ground and rubbed the rope against it, not caring if the rock cut her skin. 

The crowds parted for a moment and she saw the Rat King on the ground, and NC and Sticks were fighting over his body. She didn't know if the Rat King was alive or dead, but she didn't care about that. From what she could see, NC was the better swordsman, and Sticks was in danger.

The moment he saw his father fall, NC was overcome with such a powerful rage that he forgot his orders and charged at the dark boy who wounded his father. He would have succeeded in walloping his head off, but the boy was fast on his feet.

"Your Highness, we don't have to do this," said Sticks through gritted teeth. Their swords were crossed and both of them were trying to overpower the other.

"You wounded my father, you peasant. He is King, and you will pay," NC spat at Sticks.

Sticks pushed his sword up and jumped backward out of NC's reach, but NC spun and aimed a kick at Sticks, knocking the air from the soldier boy's lungs. Sticks went down in a coughing fit. NC collected his breath for a second before raising his sword to deliver the finishing blow.