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The war against Arthur had ended. There was peace in Britannia again and whilst Percival's and Tristan's platoons felt they deserved at least a year of rest, Lancelot only gave them a month.
Then training started once again, and whilst Lancelot's methods were fair in most people's eyes, to Tristan, they were anything but.
He set everyone a goal that was unique to them. Either addressing a weakness or improving a strength. However, he said that until everyone in their group completes their first goal, he wouldn't set them a new one.
Most agreed with this, including Tristan's father, King Meliodas. It meant nobody was left behind in training. And once someone had completed their goal, they would train by helping the others to complete theirs.
It helped the platoons to work together and keep the bond they'd formed during the war of Camelot.
They even had the honour of training with the Seven Deadly Sins who were staying in Liones to thank and congratulate the Four Knights of the apocalypse and their friends.
To Tristan, that only made things even more humiliating.
Because by this point, another month had passed and he was the only one who hadn't completed his goal.
He pulled Lancelot to one side and told him to set everyone else new goals. He even tried ordering him to. But that just made Lancelot laugh and then reiterate.
"Nobody gets left behind."
But Tristan's goal was so much harder than everyone else's. His goal was to change back from his demon form without Lancelot's help. Something he's been trying to do for his ENTIRE LIFE!
And now, he was holding everyone back in their training, and in front of his idols no less.
He just wanted to crawl under his bed and never come out.
Lancelot could see how much this was bothering Tristan and finally agreed to set up a new meeting with both platoons.
Tristan arrived at the gathering, feeling hopeful. Once everyone arrived, Lancelot made a start.
"Alright guys, listen up. We're closer than ever to me setting your new goals, so great job getting each other to this point. It's just Tristan left now, so we all need to band together and help him alright."
Tristan balked, "Hang on! I thought you were gathering everyone here to set their next goals?"
Lancelot frowned at him, "Nope. Why would I do that? I'm not giving anybody their second goal until everyone completes their first. I'm not changing my mind on that."
"But Lance!"
"But nothing! You need to learn how to do this Tristan. You can't depend on me all of the time."
"But - you said I could always depend on you."
Lancelot sighed, "Of course you can depend on me. But there might be a day where I can't help you even if I want to."
Tristan huffed, "Well, I've coped without you before. When you were taken by the Lady of the Lake, I just didn't use my demon form. When you're not here I can just do that again."
"That can't be your only solution Tristan! What if you face someone you can't beat without your demon form?"
"When we've got someone like that to face you're always here."
Lancelot sat down and ran a hand through his hair, "Alright... What if you outlive me?"
Tristan stared at Lancelot. As did everyone else. The air suddenly felt heavy.
"Lance what's going on?"
Lancelot snapped, "Nothing is going on! Tristan look at what we've been through! Think of what we'll probably go through in the future. You don't think there's a chance that another one of us is gonna get cut down? And if the next person is me what are you gonna do? Just never use your demon form again! Come on, you need to have a better plan than that! Nobody goes forward in there training until you meet your goal and that's final!"
Tristan expected someone to stick up for him, at least someone from his platoon. But, to everyone's surprise, it was Chion who stood against him.
"I'm sorry Prince Tristan," he said, "but I agree with Lancelot. It's better for your safety if you're not reliant on someone else."
Tristan's lip wobbled, "but I'm holding everybody back."
"We're a team. You're not holding us back. We're choosing not to move forwards without you. Right guys?"
Everyone nodded and offered words of encouragement.
Tristan was stunned, "I don't know what to say... Thank you."
Lancelot smiled. He was so proud of his team.
"Alright - here's what we're gonna do..."
*~*~*~*
The next day Tristan restarted his training, following Lancelot's new plan. Tristan turned into his demon form and Lancelot fought him as he struggled to turn back. When Tristan reached the point where he lost all control, Lancelot turned him back using Shining Road.
Unlike previous attempts, Tristan wasn't downhearted. Because Lancelot had Gawain cast a spell so everyone could watch them fight, no matter where their battle led.
Given how destructive both of their powers were, they quite often ended up in the sky.
Lancelot and Tristan flew back to base where the others waited. Lancelot tasked the team with each thinking of one thing Tristan could try after watching him fight. Lancelot insisted that there were no stupid ideas, and Tristan was willing to try anything.
To Tristan's surprise, they had loads of ideas. Some were as simple as deep breathing, whilst others were more complicated.
Tristan went to his training session the next day with a sense of purpose. He fought Lancelot again. Everyone watched him try their ideas. They didn't work. He lost control, Lancelot turned him back and they rejoined their friends to discuss more ideas.
They repeated the cycle every day for a week. Tristan thought he would have lost his motivation by now but everyone was staying so positive. Even the Seven Deadly Sins joined in, watching his fights and offering their ideas.
He'd always kept his parents at bay when it came to his "demon problem" but he was so glad this exercise was forcing him to let them in.
In fact, it was his mother, Queen Elizabeth, that came up with their best idea yet.
"Tristan," she asked, "have you ever tried to cast an angel spell in your demon form?"
Everyone looked at Tristan hopefully "I...no - I don't even know if that's possible."
Meliodas patted him on the shoulder, "You don't know until you try son."
It seemed so simple. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Light cancelling out darkness made so much sense. That's what Lancelot did whenever he used Shining Road on him.
He actually thought this idea could work.
He dared to hope, laughing and hugging his parents.
The others were so happy to see him so positive. They just hoped he wouldn't face disappointment the next day.
*~*~*~*
The next day, the Seven Deadly Sins and the two platoons watched as Tristan and Lancelot fought each other harder than ever before.
Tristan had nearly lost control three times. But Lancelot didn't use Shining Road. He worked hard to overpower Tristan in other ways until he came back to his senses.
He was more determined than ever. Tristan was gonna beat this problem today.
Ban and Elaine watched with concern. They knew their son could handle himself, but they had been fighting for hours. He was being relentless. And each time Tristan lost control - he was brutal.
Not to mention they were fighting above the clouds miles away, and flying for so long had to be taking it's toll.
Lancelot got Tristan back under control a fourth time.
Tristan kept trying to cast an Ark spell. But in his demon form, it seemed impossible, the word caught in his throat every time as if the demon inside was fighting against him.
It was so frustrating and everytime he got mad about it, he lost control.
Tristan looked at Lancelot. The fairy/human prince was shaking. He couldn't take anymore of this. Tristan hated what he was doing to his best friend.
He despaired, "I can't do it."
Lancelot panted, "Yes you can."
"I can't Lance. I can't even get the word out."
"Then we're gonna keep trying until you do!"
"Why are you being so stubborn about this!"
"You know why! Tristan, I am not changing you back. Not until I hear you say an angel spell. If you do and it doesn't work, fine, but until then we're gonna keep going. No matter how long it takes."
Tristan wanted to cry. He just wanted to go home.
But what would happen to Lancelot if he didn't try?
He thought of some of the other ideas his friends and family gave him. Perhaps he could combine them?
He closed his eyes and started taking slow, deep breaths - Isolde's idea.
He imagined rain cooling the raging fire within him - Chion's idea.
He pushed his arms forward, and imagined pushing the demon out of himself - Donny's idea.
In his mind he could see the demon in front of him.
Meliodas recommended picturing the angel and demon as two separate entities. So he needed to picture the angel now.
Wait. Nasiens said to imagine himself as an angel.
So he did.
In his mind, he was an angel, facing down a demon.
Kill that motherfucker - Ban's idea!
"ARK!"
*~*~*~*
Back at Liones, everyone watched in awe as Tristan cast an Ark spell. For a moment, all they could see was a blinding bright light.
And then, there was Tristan. His white wings glistening in the sun. The purple marks on his skin had faded. The darkness in his eyes had gone.
Elizabeth and Meliodas hugged each other and cried, "he did it!"
Everyone cheered! They watched as Tristan cheered.
"I did it! I DID IT! WAHOO! I DID IT LANCE I - LANCE?
Everyone stopped celebrating and watched the globe in the centre of the room.
Tristan turned back and forth, "Lance! Where are you?"
They watched as Tristan flew downwards through the clouds. They saw as his eyes widened in horror.
"LANCELOT!"
Gawain widened the scope of her sphere so they could see more.
Elaine and Ban gripped each other in panic.
Lancelot was falling.
He was in his human form. Unconscious and quickly getting closer to the ground.
The others were too far away to help. They could only watch as Tristan desperately flew downwards to try and catch his friend.
Tristan had never flown so fast in his life. They were so low now that he knew he wouldn't be able to pull up quickly enough. But he pressed on anyway.
He was so close.
Tristan screamed Lancelot's name again. He saw Lancelot frown.
"That's it! Lancelot wake up!"
Lancelot opened his eyes and gasped, before turning into his fairy form. It halted him for a moment but a moment was all Tristan needed to catch up.
As soon as Lancelot felt Tristan's arms around his waist, he fell back into his human form and went limp again.
Tristan turned them both as quickly as he could, but there was no stopping the inevitable rough landing.
They scraped hard against the ground and then rolled, the force of it roughly separating the pair. When they stopped, Tristan groaned and had to take a moment to breathe through the sting of his scrapes and the ache of their previous hours of fighting.
He looked across the rocky ground they had landed on and saw Lancelot's limp form. The Prince clumsily stood and ran to his friend, gathering him in his arms and tapping his cheek.
"Lance? Lance come on - talk to me!"
Lancelot frowned and started to come around. He looked at Tristan's wings and then his face.
His eyes glistened with tears, looking unusually vulnerable.
"You did it," he whispered, smiling. Lancelot sat up. Tristain saw a couple of tears fall before he was pulled into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you."
Tristan was stunned. Lancelot wasn't the kind to faint, or cry, or hug people. Tristan took this rare opportunity to hug him back.
"Lance are you ok?"
"I'm fine."
Tristan pulled back. Lancelot wouldn't meet his eyes. Tristan gently wiped away Lancelot's tears, half expecting the other Prince to bat his hand away. But he didn't.
"Lance, I've known you a long time. Something's bothering you. We're best friends. We're brothers. Surely whatever it is, you can tell me - right?"
Lancelot sighed and dropped his head, but Tristan caught his chin in his hand and forced his friend to meet his gaze.
He looked scared.
"Do you know -" Lancelot paused, struggling to find the words, "Do you know how everyone weapon I use breaks, because it can't handle my power?"
Tristan nodded. Lancelot continued.
"Well, it seems... like my body can't handle it anymore either."
Tristan's throat felt tight, "What do you mean?"
Fresh tears fell down Lancelot's cheeks, "I mean... I think I'm dying Tristan."
Tristan grabbed Lancelot's arms and shook him as he sobbed, "No! You can't be! You're wrong Lance! Your body has coped fine for so long so you're wrong!"
"I wish I was Tristan! And you're right, i coped fine before. Don't get me wrong, after using my power, I could feel the fibres of my body fraying but with rest I'd heal and be fine. But then we fought Arthur, and I used more power than I ever have. My body isn't healing this time. I can feel it. And I've been feeling weaker every time I used my power since."
"Why didn't you say anything - wait - why have you been using so much of your power fighting me!"
"Because I need to know you'll be okay when I'm gone!"
Tristan pulled Lancelot into another hug and cried, "You idiot."
They held one another for a moment. Both exhausted physically and mentally. Tristan tried hard not to despair. Because that would be accepting that his friend was dying.
And he refused to accept that.
Lancelot broke the silence, "How am I gonna tell my parents?"
Lancelot buried his head in the crook of Tristan's neck. Trying to hide his tears but his voice kept breaking, showing his heartbreak anyway.
"After everything they've been through when I went missing before - how do I tell them I'm leaving again and this time I'm not coming back?"
A sob broke through and Tristan held him tighter.
And then froze.
Oh shit.
"Lance?" Tristain said, "I think you just did."
Lancelot pulled back, initially confused until he realised.
Gawain's spell.
Everyone was still watching them.
Lancelot thought he was gonna be sick, "Oh shit."
"Lance, calm down."
Lancelot scrambled away from Tristan and went to stand. But his knees buckled and he fell to the ground again. His eyes were wide - panicked.
"No, no, no, no, no, no! This isn't happening."
Tristan closed the distance between them, "it's gonna be okay."
"How is this gonna be okay?! FUCK!"
"Lance look at me!"
Lancelot looked at Tristan, looking very much like a cornered animal. It wasn't a look he was used to seeing on the Warrior Prince.
"Lance, you have been such a stubborn ass when it came to helping me so now it's my turn. You're not gonna die. Don't ask me how because I don't know that yet but you dying isn't an option."
Was that despair in Lancelot's eyes?
"You say that like we have a choice?" he gasped.
"And we do. Kind of... It's going to be okay, Lance. Do you know why? Because back at home, there are a bunch of people who care about you. And we're gonna put our heads together - just like you all did for me - to figure this out. And we WILL figure this out okay."
Lancelot didn't dare to get his hopes up, but he nodded anyway. He had to admit, it felt much better knowing he wasn't alone in this anymore.
Tristan smiled encouragingly, "Okay, i want to heal you but I think Mother should take a look at you first. With her powers, she can read your body better than I can. Can you turn into your fox form so I can carry you home?"
Normally Lancelot's pride wouldn't let him agree to this. But everyone had just seen him break down so - fuck it.
He changed form and allowed Tristan to scoop him up in his arms.
As they floated amongst the clouds once again, Lancelot couldn't resist the urge to fall asleep.
*~*~*~*
When Lancelot woke up, he was in his chambers in his mother's arms. As soon as he saw her kind face, he couldn't help changing to his human form so he could give her a hug.
Not long after he did, he felt a strong chest at his back and long arms wrap around them both.
Ban kissed Lancelot's temple.
"I wish you'd told us kid."
"I didn't know how."
"I know, I know. But we're past that now. We're gonna take care of you okay?"
Lancelot nodded. Elaine lifted her head off his chest, "And that means no using your powers. No training or fighting until further notice okay?"
"But Mom!"
Ban turned Lancelot to face him, "No buts kid. There are enough knights amongst the Sins, and the two platoons to face any threat. And you've proved how much they can help each other in training. You're gonna focus on you now. Got it?"
Arguing with his Dad was pointless, so he nodded, feeling very much like a small boy and not a Knight of the Apocalypse.
Ban took his son's hands in his, "Good. How are you feeling?"
Lancelot took stock of himself, "I feel - better than before actually."
Elaine stroked his face, "Elizabeth has already used her healing powers on you. She said your body is scarred and beyond exhausted. It's going to take a few goes to completely undo the damage."
Lancelot was dumbstruck, "but it can be undone?"
Elaine beamed and her eyes glistened, "Yes!"
Ban squeezed his hands and smiled, "But, we need to figure out how to either tone down your powers or strengthen your body - or both so you don't end up in this position again. Tristan was right - everyone has already come up with a few ideas.
King wants you to try the ancient elixir of the fairy race. That led to Nasiens suggesting all sort of other potions you could try. Elizabeth, Tristan and Hendy have some spells they want to try. And Captain said there is a demon spell that essentially syphons a person's power. It used to be used as a torture technique, but he thinks he could alter it to help you. I'll be trialling that one for you first though."
Elaine looked unsure about that idea, but Ban reassured her with a kiss before sitting on Lancelot's bed and pulling the other two down with him.
"So you're gonna be okay son. You're not going anywhere. In fact - I forbid it."
Lancelot chuckled and let his parents hold him once more.
It was rare for Lancelot to let himself be so vulnerable. But he was with the two people he felt safest with.
Judging by how their breathing was slowing, they were both quickly falling falling asleep, content to just be together for now. Lancelot smiled and closed his eyes too, feeling better than he had in a long while.
It was going to be okay. They didn't exactly have the answer yet. But there was hope and apparently a lot of ideas. Not to mention a lot of stubborn people who loved him so much.
Lancelot dared to hope. It was going to be okay.