The Calm…

After a few hours of sleep, I decide to take a look around.
The castle I'm in is very big. After half an hour of walking around, getting gawked at by the servants, I hear the sound of fighting outside. Looking out a nearby window, I see what I assume to be two guards in a sparring match.
That looks fun. Better get a better view though.
Spending another twenty minutes, I find an exit and make my way to the place I saw the sparring match. Two different guards are fighting now, a Flier and a Magician. The Flier is taking advantage of her wings, masterfully blowing gusts of wind at her opponent, keeping him off balance as he tries to shoot her with stun spells.

"Come on, White! I'm barely even breaking a sweat here and your gasping for breath!" The Flier taunts.

"That's… because… you keep… sucking up all the air." The white skinned Magician pants as he leans on his spear.

"Hey, you have your magic, I have mine. Don't you go whining like a baby." The yellow skinned Flier says.

"One of us… isn't a division captain. I'm just a corporal." The corporal pants, slowly walking closer to the captain.

"Yeah that is true. Maybe you should just- whoa!" The captain is interrupted by the corporal thrusting his spear at her, causing her to retreat into the air. Unfortunately, she hits her head on a magic platform conjured by the corporal, letting him shoot another stun spell at her, hitting one of her legs. "Agh! You sly dog! You got me monologuing!" The captain shouts in surprise.

"Assume the enemy has a weakness, and it becomes his strength. That's what captain Spell Blade says." The corporal quotes, now standing straight.

"Dangit! And now I can't feel my leg, drat!" The captain says, hitting her stunned leg with her fist. "Well, if you're going to do that, hrah!" The captain shouts, lunging at him with her lance. He blocks with his spear, using magic to stop himself from being pushed back. The captain flies up into the air, going for an overhead strike. The corporal teleports out of the way, sending another spell at her back. She parrys with the hilt of her lance, deflecting his spell as she rushes at him.
She's fast.
The corporal tries to raise his shield to block again but the captain outspeeds him, hitting the armour on his shoulder, knocking him to the ground.

"White Trail: knocked down. Winner: Spitfire." The referee says, pointing a hand at Spitfire.

"I must say, you really caught me off guard at the end there. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you with captain Blade." Spitfire says, helping up White Trail.

"Tha…" White doesn't finish as he sees me. Spitfire looks where he is looking and sees me at the back of the group of spectators.

"Well well well! Look who it is! The man in white himself!" Spitfire calls out, many of the other spectators gasping as they see me, some even bowing. "So! Word is you're the one who fought the invaders! Is that true?" Spitfire asks.

~~I'm afraid I can't answer that.~~ I say, motioning that my voice doesn't work.

"Wait, are you mute?" Spitfire asks. I nod.

"Well mother of mercy, that's unexpected. So you really can't speak at all?" Spitfire asks. I shake my head. I look down at the people bowing to me.

~~Could you all please stand up? You look ridiculous.~~ I say, motioning for the others to stand.

"Uh, guys. I think he wants you to stand up." White Trail says. I nod, making the people stand up. Unfortunately, this makes the questioning start.
Really? I mentally deadpan.

"Everyone! He can't speak, I doubt he can answer your questions!" Spitfire calls out. "Besides, the princesses said to have him report to the throne room as soon as he wakes up, so we'll be going now." Spitfire says, pushing past the other people and walking past me. "You coming?" She asks. I nod and follow her.

After a brief walk, myself and captain Spitfire arrive at the throne room.

"Hey, princess! He's awake!" Spitfire calls as we enter, the nobles in the room turning to face the doors. They all groan, as if knowing that with my arrival, they'll have to leave.

"Pardon me, everyone, but Day court is adjourned. But! My sister will be hosting a night court from 8 o'clock to midnight if you wish to attend. Thank you for coming and please show yourselves out." Celestia yells the congregation. The nobles all file out, two stopping to thank me for protecting the city before they all leave, the guards following them out.

"Welp, I'll show myself out as well. You probably don't need me here and I should go check up on my division. Later!" Spitfire walks out, closing the door behind her.

"Hello Diego. We hope you slept well?" Luna says.

~~Fine princess. Fully rested.~~

"Good to know. Now, I believe we should go straight to business. Would you please show us the forms of your Bayard? If you can?" Luna asks.

~~Sure. …But now that I think about it, would this place really be the best to show you?~~ I ask.

"Do not worry, Diego. This entire room is enchanted with repair spells and fortification magic. You won't be able to cause any lasting damage." Luna assures, Celestia nodding as well.

~~Oh! Well that's good to know!~~ I get into a ready stance, reaching to pull out my Bayard when a thought comes to mind.
What do I attack?
~~Uhh, princess?~~

"Is something wrong Diego?" Luna asks.

~~Yeah, do you have anything that I can use to demonstrate the forms of my Bayard on?~~

"What do you mean?" Luna asks.

~~A target or some combatant I can fight. Something to direct my aim at so that I'm not just swiping or shooting at nothing.~~

"Ah, I see. That may be a problem." Luna says, hand on her chin.

"Sister?" Celestia inquires.

"Diego would like something to focus on for his demonstration. A "target or a combatant" as he says." Luna answers.

"What kind would you like?" Celestia asks me.

~~Hmmm. Oh! How about a sparring partner?~~

"A sparring partner? I do not believe we have anyone who can match you as you are." Luna says.

"I agree. Unless we… wait. Perhaps we can." Celestia says, thinking.

"Sister? What is it?"

"What If we have him go against multiple people? A team of fighters against him, so that he can use his Bayard in a realistic setting?" Celestia proposes.

"That… could work. If we have our best fighters all together, it may even work to help hone their skills as well as Diego's." Luna says. "But who?"

~~How about Shining Armour? He's the captain of the Royal guard, isn't he?~~ I ask, Luna perking up at my question.

"Ah ha! Yes! Shining Armour must be a capable fighter. What if we have Shining Armour and his best fighters as the combatants?" Luna asks Celestia.

"That would indeed be a challenge. If Shining Armour and the division captains all worked as a team, they would be formidable opponents. What do you think, Diego?" Celestia asks me.

~~How many people would that be?~~ I ask.

"How many division captains are there?" Luna asks for me.

"Four. One for each race. Counting Shining Armour, that would be five of our best guards. Is that acceptable?" Celestia asks.

~~Most definitely. That sounds like fun!~~

"He agrees! Now we only need to ask the captains and we can have a match!" Luna shouts.

Unsurprisingly, the captains each agreed, all of them wanting a stab at the one who more or less single handedly fought off multiple invasions. Unfortunately, a servant caught word of the impending battle and spread the word, bringing many of the nobles and royal guards to the arena where the battle was to take place. The princesses decided to make the most of this and publicised the event, letting many of the citizens of Fantasia come as spectators.

Rules were put in play to help even the playing field in the captains' favour. I was not allowed to use my jets, I could only fight with my Bayard or my body in close quarters, not use my integrated weapons and I was prohibited from transforming my wings.

Entering the arena, I see that a crowd had very quickly amassed in the stands, cheering for me or the captains. Celestia stood in her own private booth, Luna and another woman with pink skin and multi-coloured hair sitting to either side of her. Celestia spoke in a booming voice.

"WELCOME ALL! TODAY WE HAVE AN UNEXPECTED BUT VERY WELL RECEIVED MATCH ON OUR HANDS! FROM THE SOUTH GATE, WE HAVE: DIEGO! A MAN OF MANY TALENTS AND GREAT POWER! THOUGH HE MAY BE SILENT, HE IS NOT MEEK! AND TODAY WE SHALL SEE HOW HE MATCHES AGAINST ARCADIA'S FINEST!" Celestia says as I walk to the near center of the arena.

"AND FROM THE NORTH GATE, WE HAVE MY BOYFRIEND AND HIS MOST TRUSTED COMRADES!" The other woman speaks, her voice just as loud as Celestia's.
What is this? A wrestling match? Also, boyfriend?!

"CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL GUARD: SHINING ARMOUR!" Shining walks out, wearing chainmail and carrying a short slightly curved sword and a tower shield.
Is that a falchion? Nice.

"CAPTAIN OF THE EARTH KNIGHTS DIVISION: HAMMER STRIKE!" A gray skinned Walker with a large two handed hammer-axe walks in, wearing chainmail and shoulder plates, stopping to stand beside Shining.

"CAPTAIN OF THE WONDERBOLTS DIVISION: SPITFIRE!" A large amount of the crowd cheers as Spitfire flies in, carrying her lance and an arm shield, wearing a blue and yellow leather full-body suit, landing on the other side of Shining.
Spitfire. She'll be a challenge with those wings of hers.

"CAPTAIN OF THE STAR SORCERERS DIVISION: SPELL BLADE!" Many of the Magicians in the stands cheer as Spell Blade teleports in, appearing next to Hammer Strike with a staff in one hand and a flamberge in the other, wearing what looks like an enchanted robe.
A flame-bladed sword? Wow, that looks cool.

"AND FINALLY, CAPTAIN OF THE PREDATORS DIVISION: NIGHT SLASH!" The woman announces, a Nighthunter with a visor over his eyes, greaves and boots flying out from the north gate, a black whip in one hand with his other hand empty.
A Nighthunter. And with only one weapon. Although from the looks of it, those claws he has look to be weapons in and of themselves.

"ARE THE COMBATANTS READY!?" Celestia calls out. The captains all take their stances, weapons ready and waiting. I take out my Bayard and change it to my rifle, many of the onlookers confused at the odd shape of my weapon. The captains and I all nod.

"THEN LET THE MATCH… BEGIN!!" Luna calls out.
Spitfire rushes forward ahead of the other captains, her lance pulled back.

"Let's see how you like th- OWW!" Spitfire yells as a shot from my rifle wizzes straight past her face, scratching her. I keep firing, one shot at a time, causing her to dodge and weave through the air. "The heck- kinda wea- weapon is that!" She shouts as she continues flying. Spell Blade teleports behind me, his staff pointed straight at my back, it and his horn glowing.

"!Ɉlodɘɿiᆿ" He shouts, a ball of flame bursting from the end of his staff and washing over my back, the magic dissolving away on contact. Spell Blade seems confused as to why his spell doesn't work but doesn't get a chance to attack again as I deploy my katar, to the surprise of everyone, and shock him lightly.

Next, Hammer Strike runs up and jumps high into the air, the ground underneath him lifting up to boost him even higher, bringing the hammer head of his weapon down on me. I catch his weapon, dodging a thrust from Spitfire, and push him back.

Spitfire goes for another lunge as Night Slash goes for a slash to my face with his whip. Changing my Bayard to my knuckle blade, I parry Spitfire's strike, letting Night Slash's whip bounce off my armour. I grab the flailing Spitfire and slam her onto her back, winding her as I jump away from the others, getting a little space.
What should I go for next? Gatling gun? No, that's too much. It'll shred them. Ah ha!
My Bayard transforms again, now becoming the energised staff.
Let's see if this works. I think.

Spell Blade and Night Slash stand side by side, Hammer checking on Spitfire. Spell Blade and Night Slash both start to circle me before I notice.
Where's Shining?

Hearing magic behind me, I raise my staff behind my back, deflecting a spell from Shining into the arena wall.
It works with magic. Good.

Shining either isn't surprised or doesn't show it, because he immediately goes in for a strike with his sword. I parry with my staff, almost swiping his legs out from under him but I get blindsided by Hammer Strike, him knocking me off balance with his weapon. Shining, Spell and Night each go in for a strike with their swords, or in Night's case, claws.

I form my energy whip, quickly knocking their strikes off course before wrapping up Night's leg, swinging him around like a makeshift wrecking ball, bouncing him off Shining's tower shield and bowling him into Hammer. Spitfire, having gotten up, goes in for an overhead bash with her shield. I form my staff again and try to hit her back down to the ground but she twists into a knee kick to the face, blinding me for half a second.

"!bɘɘqƨ wolƧ" Spell chants, trying to use a spell on me but it fails, falling off of me like water. I run at him, dodging another lunge from Spitfire with a spin and form my knuckle sword for a thrust. "!llɒW" He quickly chants, forming a magic barrier that shatters under my thrust.

A pink magic cylinder forms around me, trapping me for the moment.

"Fourth configuration!" Shining calls out as I form my katar. Hammer, Spell, Night and Shining each take up position around the cylinder I'm inside in a circle, Spitfire jumping into the air above me.
A five-way pincer attack, huh? I think not.
I whip around to face Hammer, cutting the spell around me as I do, making it crumble.

"Now!" Shining calls from behind me, the five of them each charging. I jump up and over Hammer, firing my katar grapple and wrapping it around his torso, giving him a nasty shock as I land in a roll behind him. Spitfire goes for an airstrike but I pull on the cord of my katar, yanking Hammer into the air, between Spitfire and me. However, she is able to dodge him and land a strike to my shoulder with her lance. I barely feel it but it does distract me as Shining calls out. "Ninth!" Shining and Spell appear behind me, both charging their magic.

"!qυ ɿɘwoԳ" Spell calls, his magic hitting Shining.

"!!Ɉɔɒqmi bnɒɿӘ" Shining chants, Spell's magic transferring into his shield as he bashes it into me. From Shining's tower shield, a wave of pink magic erupts, plowing straight into me, shoving me off my feet and on to the ground.

All five captains pounce. Night Slash jumps on top of me, claws against the port on my chest, stinging me a little. Spitfire lands to my right, lance poised to strike my head. Hammer Strike takes up position to my left, opposite Spitfire, axe poised to also strike my head. Spell Blade and Shining Armour both teleport, appearing in front of Night Slash, swords both poised to strike.

"WE HAVE OUR WINNERS! THE CAPTAINS TRIUMPH BY SUBJUGATION!" Luna calls out. Each of the captains collapse, panting up wisps of breath.

"Holy… moly… you… are tough." Spitfire pants.

"Next time… you're only… allowed to… use one weapon. And not… that dreaded short blade. That thing… shocks worse… than lightning." Hammer pants, his voice deep but not gruff.

"Agreed. I… don't think… it's fair… for you… to have… an armoury at your… disposal… while we only have… one weapon each. Phew." Night Slash pants, his voice smooth.

"I must ask… where did you get that… weapon? It is… extraordinary!" Spell Blade asks.

Hon~~estl~~y~~? I~~ ha~~ve no~~ i~~de~~a ~~wher~~e it~~'s from. When I came to this place, I just had it.~~ I answer, my voice feeling a little funny. Both Spitfire and Shining Armour immediately sit up.

"Did you just talk?" They both ask at the same time.

~~Yeah. Why…… oh my gosh!~~ I sit bolt upright. ~~Did you two just hear me?!~~

"Yes." All the captains answer at the same time.

~~Wait, all of you?! Ha ha! How?!~~ I yell incredulously.

"What do you mean how? And I thought you said your voice doesn't work. What gives?" Spitfire asks.

"His voice doesn't work. The only one who can hear him is princess Luna… and apparently now the five of us, too. But why?"

~~I don't know but man am I glad! Woohoo!~~ I launch myself up into the air. ~~Princess! Did you hear that!? They can hear me!~~ I yell.

"Diego, calm down and expl-" I cut Luna off.

~~THEY CAN HEAR ME!~~

(Lightyears away)

"Lieutenant, time until arrival?" The female voice of the captain asks.

"Cruiser says… we will reach the alert beacon in ten vargas, captain." The lieutenant relays.

"Good. Helmsman, you're drifting to the right again, adjust or we'll hit Surog's cruiser."

"Y-yes, captain Cracheam. Apologies, captain." The helmsman stutters.

"Captain, the Nova Seizer is detecting a possible planet on long range scans." The lieutenant reports.

"Is it near our destination?" Captain Cracheam asks.

"Scans say yes. The beacon appears to be in orbit of the planet." The lieutenant answers.

"Good."
What have they done? There's no way a Galra cruiser would go out there, that far from galran space. Oh Jex… I hope you're alright. Mommy's coming home. The captain thinks, actively toying with the empty knife holster against her side.

Author's Note

I'm going to edit one small thing back in the first chapter, see if you can spot it.