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"Let you slip through my fingers,

but you're stuck in my head."

How Can I Forget

MKTO

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Chapter XXIII - For Narnia and the Fallen

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The moment Ashton left everything turned to chaos. Peter had thrown himself into training, his own and others. Edmund was practicing for over four hours a day. Learning anything and everything he possibly could. Then the Witch came, making everything worse. Aslan didn't talk much, he kept to himself in his tent. Susan tried to make me feel better but I still felt alone in camp.

Many times I prayed she would come back, to make everything right again. And when she did come back, she was with the wrong side. I searched for an explanation, anything that made sense. I talked to my siblings about it. Susan scolded me, telling me that my judgment was clouded and Peter refused to talk about her. To my surprise, Edmund believed me. He told me of the time Ash and him were kept in the dungeon and how she was much crueler then. Or at least he thought she was cruel until she started taking the blame for his actions. Actions that would eventually ruin the way others looked at him. She took the blame, letting Mr. Tumnus hate her instead of him. Even if she was trying to keep her own reputation, she was helping him.

Edmund, of all people, believed there was still good in her. So I had to. There was still time to turn all of this around, to redeem herself.

But that's the complicated part about time, we never know when it runs out.

As soon as Susan unwrapped her arms from holding me back, I pushed myself out of the woods. I stood conflicted, deciding who's body to check first for any sign of life; Aslan's or Ashton's. Susan went to Aslan's aid so I let my feet guide me to Ashton.

Walking over to her was the most haunting feeling of all time. A person, a friend, that was once so full of character and life, was now lifeless. She had fate set in stone by her own mother. The Witch magic froze her body into the statue form of her last moments. My eyes focused particularly on the dagger embedded in her chest. To think she wasn't much older than me and sacrificed herself for people that barely knew her. For a home that was never welcoming.

"He's gone, Lucy." Susan tells me sadly, "They both are."

Tears rimmed my eyes, as the pain of losing both of them set in.

"We have to tell the others," Susan said, keeping her focus and clear judgment as sharp as usual.

"We can't just leave them!" My voice cracks as I turn to look at her, my eyes straying from Ashton's frozen body for the first time.

Susan sighs and I see the redness in her eyes, "Lucy, there's no time. They need to know."

The last thing I wanted to do was leave them behind, not now. This would be the spark to start the war. Jadis was coming, whether Peter and Edmund were ready or not. There had to be another way. "The trees."

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I stood at the head of the table, looking over the battlefield layout, discussing with many generals, mostly the Alpha of the species or in some cases the Lords and Lady's of Narnia. This included Robin Hood and who I would assume is his eldest son. All of them had gathered their forces against the current Queen. Many of them came with their own stories of torment executed by the White Witch. Some involving Ashton.

A cheetah came running in, dirty white fur followed right behind, walking in without a second thought, "We found him in the woods, not far out. He was demanding to talk to you."

"Thank you for bringing him here," Peter answered, respectfully then turning to the polar bear as I wrapped my hand around my sword handle.

"Where is she?" The polar bear questions, not bothering to make any conversation.

"Peter what's goin- Bloody hell! What is he doing here?" I demand answers, unsheathing my sword, "Polar bears are on the Witch's side!"

"You're even less frightening than your brother, now put the sword down before you hurt yourself." The bear patronizes me, "I'm just here for Ash."

"What do you mean, Benvolio? You left with her days ago until she ended up with her mother." Peter snarls at the bear, leaving me in the dark on how the two know each other.

Benvolio, which I assume his name is, sighed, "One second I'm walking in the woods with her, the next second I'm on the docks of glasswater creek. Alone."

"She betrayed you too then," Oreius concluded. "Used her witchery to send you away so she could fight for Jadis."

"She would never! Ash is more loyal than your whole army together!" He growled, defending his friend.

"Watch your tone, bear, you are only here by the Kings good graces." Oreius challenged, taking a step toward Benvolio.

Just as the two had risen to each other's throats, the tree branches moved together in an unstable manner. Roots stuck out unnaturally as they attempted to make shapes to describe something. Too bad they were worse at charades than Susan.

"I'm entirely lost," I comment to Peter.

I wasn't even aware that the trees could move, nevermind communicate. Lucy had attempted to fill me in on everything but some things are still hard to believe. Walking trees falls into that category.

"Does anyone understand them?" Peter asks the group, only to be faced with negative shakes of multiple species heads.

Peter sighed, and Oreius tried to cover for his fellow generals, "Very few have ever learned the signs of the trees. It takes years and plenty of practice. I only knew of Aslan learning the-"

"Move." Ben orders, equally pushing and shocking everyone. "It's important, for the Kings."

Oreius stepped back with his mouth dropped open, shaken by his dismissal of the polar bear.

"It's grave news from your sisters." Ben watches the signs intently, nodding his head often, "Aslan... he's dead."

Gasps filled the air. Oreius's voice spoke up, "Then you'll have to lead us, Peter, There's an army out there and it's ready to follow you."

"I can't." Peter doubts, looking down at the ground.

I placed a supporting hand on his shoulder, "Aslan believed you could. And so do I."

Peter smiled, showing appreciation for my sentiment, but didn't seem fully convinced. But that was before the situation grew even more troubling for him. After the initial news, no one had paid much attention to Ben or the tree that had continued making silent motions. Or at least not until we heard his breathing became labored and he started to lose his balance.

"What's wrong?" I asked the polar bear who's had distress written all over his face.

"I'm gonna kill her." He spat, gaining a surprised look from Peter.

I looked at the tree and then back to Ben, wondering what could have made him this disoriented, "Who?"

"The Witch, she deserves nothing but a terrible death after..." Ben started in fury but began to struggle to get the words out as he focused his eyes solely on Peter, "She's gone. Ash is gone."

"The trees found her? Where did she go? She probably-" Peter started rambling.

"No, Peter. She's-" He choked a bit, "The white witch turned her into stone. She's gone, Peter. In all my years living in the castle, no one has ever returned from that."

Peter swallowed hard, closing his eyes, "You are all dismissed. I will speak with my advisors for a moment and then console your opinions for action. Thank you."

His voice was hollow, no emotion. Which was more troubling to me than anything. I hadn't seen much of Peter and Ashton together but when she walked out of the tent the other day. I could tell there was something there. Something strong enough to change her. When I met Ashton, she was cold and obedient. She seemed more like a machine than a human. But when I met her the second time. It was like greeting a whole new person. Someone that had more to them than her mother's shadow. I wanted to know that Ashton, the one that Peter brought to the light.

Once everyone had cleared out, Benvolio was the first to speak, "The Witch's army is coming, so am I killing her with or without you?"

Peter did not respond, he looked as if his head was spinning, and it was only stopped when Robin Hood grabbed his arm, steadying him in this reality.

"Look at me," He ordered Peter, who faced him with watery eyes, "I can't imagine what's going on in your head right now, but the witch is coming. This isn't just about you. It's for everyone. Which also means you're not alone. What happens out there is bigger than you or me or even Aslan. History was made the day you came here and time isn't slowing now. You have the choice, cower to the witch and Narnia cowers with you. Or you avenge Ashton. You avenge Aslan too. Narnia will rise with you."

Peter cleared his throat, "Ashton is the strongest person I've ever known. If she can't beat the witch, how can I?"

"Honestly, kid, I don't know. But she believed in you. She trusted you would know what to do." He said.

With that Peter turned to Benvolio with clear eyes and a stable voice, "I assume you would like a spot on the front lines."

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As the sun rose, light shined down on the battlefield, showing the Queen's forces assembling. I was positioned at the top of the rocks, leading the second line of defense against the queen. The higher ground gave us the upper hand slightly. We were outnumbered, anyone could see that, but with the rocks, we were more prepared with more coverage. Peter's line would start in the open field first and then fall back if he needed it.

Goosebumps arose on the back of my neck when I saw her. She placed herself in a decedent chariot, lead by two full-grown polar bears, both bigger than Benvolio. She wore a long grey dress with a neckline made from Aslan's golden mane. At this point, I would have much rather had Mrs. Macready yell at us than ever step foot in this world.

Peter unsheathed his sword, Rhindon. I did the same. My angle allowed the pride of griffins behind me to take their signal to drop rocks down on the Witch's forces. I had suggested this plan to Peter after seeing the impact of the bombs in our home of Finchley. The rocks created a large amount of destruction.

The plan worked, but not without its loses. The Witch's army responded with arrows aimed at the hearts of our griffins, taking a few out of the sky.

"For Narnia and for Aslan!" Peter shouted with his sword raised high, which was followed by many battle cries.

Peter didn't need to say it out loud, as he looked down to Ben, they shared a nod. This was for Ash too.

That's when Peter gave his second signal and every member of our first line started running towards the White Witch and her followers. This was officially the point of no return.

At this point, all I could do was watch. It was almost like watching a car crash, half of me wanted to look away but the other half needed to know what would happen. My eyes were mainly glued to my brother. He was leading the fight with Benvolio and Oreius by his sides. The two armies grew closer and closer. The cheetahs started the collisions, their speed allowed them to reach the witch's army a second before the rest, hitting the tigers that fought for the Queen. And just like that, the two armies merged into a bloodbath, fighting for their royalty.

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I awake suddenly, inhaling deeply. My eyes are met with Aslan's green ones.

"Is this Aslan's country? I always thought I'd end up in Tash." I pushed myself onto my elbows looking around. As my eyes landed on Lucy next to me, panic instantly set in. "Oh no, Lucy. Why are you here? No no no-"

"Ash, calm down, you're not dead." She smiles brightly, pulling me into a deep, frantic hug.

"What? How is this possible. I stabbed myself," I recall very clearly, looking at Aslan over Lucy's shoulder, "And you for that matter."

"Your mother did, you cannot blame yourself for that." He instructs me, "If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she might have interpreted the Deep Magic differently. That when a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table will crack and even death itself will turn backward."

"That's great and all, but how am I alive?" I questioned, entirely grateful that Aslan was safe but still confused on how I managed to survive the finality of death.

"Right before the knife would have ended your life, your mother turned you into stone stopping every motion in your body. In her own way, your mother saved your life. Or at least preserved it. If Lucy did not have the juice of the fire-flowers you would have been dead seconds after I was able to release you." Aslan explained.

With that, I squeezed onto Lucy a little tighter.

"Where is she now?" I ask, my fingers going to my neck searching for the paragon diamond but it was already gone.

"Heading into battle, thankfully without your powers," Aslan tells me.

"We sent the news that you were both dead. Peter and Edmund will have gone to war." Susan speaks for the first time, barely looking at me.

"We have to help them." Lucy insists.

"We will, dear one, but not alone." Aslan agrees, turning in the opposite direction of the battlefield of Beruna. "Climb on my back. We have far to go and little time to get there."

"Where are we going?" I ask while climbing on behind Lucy.

Aslan sighed, knowing I would not like what he said next, "To the castle, you grew up in."

I breathed in a sharp breath, everything about my mother's castle brought back dark and terrible memories. It would happily never return there again.  But that is not what fate would have.

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The witch's forces were fierce and ruthless. I was forced to fall back into the rocky hillside as a last attempt effort to help us. As I look around now I know, it is not helping us. Everywhere I look a Narnian soldier, a soldier who trusts in me to lead them to victory, falls to defeat. I don't know how much longer we may last. Panic officially sets in when I see the White Witch staring down at me, claiming me as her next target.

My eyes search for Edmund, I quickly find him holding his own against an enemy after he finishes I yell, "Edmund! There's too many! Get the girls and get them home!"

I couldn't lose them, not after-. I just don't think I could stand losing anyone else I cherish.

I watch Edmund, head in the opposite direction with beaver right behind him. And I quickly looked up to see a deadly blade being swung at me. I fight back, now starting to feel the fatigue of the battle set in. It takes two more blocks until I see an open position to strike the Minotaur I was fighting down.

I turn my attention back to the Witch to be shocked at the sight of my brother who I just sent away. Edmund raised his sword above his head and slammed it down on her crystal Sceptre, making it shatter into a million pieces. It threw off light which I could only assume was some type of magic.

Edmund smiled slightly, proud of himself. This pride distracted him from the cold-blooded killer in front of him. The Witch took his moment of joy and turned it into his weakest moment, taking the shattered end of the scepter and pushing it deep into his stomach.

"Edmund!" I screamed, but it was too late and I watched my little brother fall to the ground with blood pooling at his wound.

I pulled my sword from the Minotaurs chest, my mind focused on one plan, one person. She has taken too much from my friends, my family, from me. I ran over to her, quickly battling anyone that got in my way. I swung hard, fueled by my rage towards the woman. I did not care about anything but ending her. She blocked it with the two swords she had, sending me backward. I followed up with another swing, somehow harder than the last. She retaliated with a slice through the air. I felt a sting in the cheek. I raised my armored hand to my face, checking the blood that had already started leaking onto my cheek.

In a sense, I would like to thank her for that. That harsh cut made me realize that if i didn't start fighting smarter, I would lose. Robin Hood was right, this battle was greater than just me. And for Narnia and Ashton, I must fight as Ashton has taught me. I steadied my balance, planting both my feet in the soil. The queen came at me first this time, crossing her blades and aiming them for my throat. I bent backward, narrowly keeping my head on my body. And the battle continued on, both of us swinging and dodging with our best efforts, just when I thought I had the opportunity to beat her, she fought unexpectedly. I could tell that I had surprised her once or twice but nothing stunned her like the loud roar that came over the top of the hill.

We both peered to my right, astonished by the appearance of the one and only Aslan, in his full glory.

"Impossible." I heard her mutter.

And that's when I saw that Aslan was not alone. First I only saw two or three, but then the numbers started to multiply. I noticed my sisters with their weapons drawn. Just when I thought Aslan had brought all he had to offer a griffin landed next to Aslan atop of the rock. He looked to the right assessing the situation when he turned I caught a glimpse of the girl I never thought I would see again.

She pulled the golden crown off her head, "I, Ashton, First of my name, Rightful Queen of Narnia, strip any titles from my mother, Jadis. Jadis you are sentenced to treason of the highest degree by using dark magic against the rightful Queen of Narnia. Defy me now and die, or join a free Narnia, lead by the blood of Adam and Eve."

For a moment, all fighting stopped. One by one, the Witch soldiers began to drop their weapons. The number of metal weapons clanking to the ground was countless, but it still only took out half of the White Witch's forces. Ashton held her head high with a fire in her eyes that spread across the whole battlefield.

"Any former member of the traitor's army, holding a weapon will now equally considered a traitor of our home of Narnia and will be dealt with as so," Ashton ordered, her voice loud and clear for all to acknowledge.

Aslan roared again and the fighting proceeded, only those that once fought together now fought against each other. As if the chaos of war wasn't enough, now soldier turned upon soldier, friends turned on friends. They made their choices. This wasn't a war of two, it was a war of three powers. And Narnia had just officially gained its strongest ally.

Jadis would not go down without a fight though, she turned her attention back to me, fighting with more anger than before. She was able to strike me down and then put her sword through my arm to keep me on the ground. I was left only to use my shield. It didn't take her long to dispose of that too. She pulled her sword back, prepare to thrust it into my chest.

Suddenly an invisible force throws her off of me. I look up to see Ashton holding both her hands out, holding her mother in the air about three meters off the ground.

"You are my offspring, merely a piece of me. You cannot defeat me with half-rate powers that are rightfully mine until you stole them at birth. I made you, you can't kill me. "

"You're right, I can't," She admits, shocking the witch, "But he can."

On queue, Aslan ponced on the White Witch, sending her flying back another ten feet onto the ground.

"It is finished," Aslan tells us. Ashton closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Her first truly free breath.

Without their leader, Jadis's army fell or ran. Enemies that will never call Narnia home again.

"Peter!" Both of my sisters shouted, running to pull me in for a hug.

"Where's Edmund?" Susan asked,

"Edmund!" I shouted, running to the place I last saw him.

Bloodstain on his stomach had doubled, possibly tripled since I last saw him. Lucy wasted no time, pulling her cordial from her belt and carefully letting a drop fall into Edmund's gasping mouth. I held my breath, waiting to see if we weren't too late. Edmund's body rested, unmoving and for a second I assumed the worst before his body jerked forward with a cough.

When are you gonna learn to do as you're told?" I joked, relieved to see my family safe for the first time since we came into Narnia. I held onto all my siblings.

"Ashton!" A voice called out behind us.

Ashton spun around to see her best friend running full speed at her, "Ben?"

Ben tackled her to the ground and they both laughed. The moment was filled with the bliss of both small families reunited.

Although my joy was short lived as I overheard Ben talking to Ashton, "You're burning up, Ash."

"It's hot outside, I'm sure it's just-" Her breaths quickly became labored and scared, "Ben step back! Get Aslan qui-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Ashton's surroundings burst into flames. The uncontrollable fire spread like wings around her. Thunder cracked above the battlefield and Ashton stumbled backward.

"My mother, her powers," Ashton was able to mutter out, "I can't hold it. Aslan!"

"Ashton!" Ben screamed in worry, unsure of what he could do to help.

Aslan roared once before I had to dive to catch Ashton in my arms.

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You guys didn't really think I killed Ashton off, right?

This chapter is long overdue so I wrote a longer one to say I'm sorry. I really really liked writing this chapter, not gonna lie.

I have decided instead of making one book with different parts, I will make different books since we are nearing 30 parts. On that note, the next book in this series will be called "Wanted" and I have already created the cover.

I'm really excited to write that book, I have the plans and timeline all written out.

B