A Frog's Blessing in this Wonderful Galaxy: Chapter 8

What's a Prince to a Frog?

Kermit felt the breath in his lungs get knocked out as he landed hard down on the ground below. Powering through the pain shooting up his right arm, he forced himself back to his feet. With fist clenched, he squared himself up only to find the Daemon God slumping over on the tower; their eyes rolled up their sockets and their hands hanging limp. Silence soon reigned in the battlefield as the giant daemonic lay unmoving.

Staring up, he found his jaw hanging wide open at the unbelievable, "I… I did it?" He whispered in disbelief but the giant would lay there unmoving, knocked out cold. Laughter bubbled out his chest as he started jumping with joy. Punching up into the air, he cheered, "I did it!! I fucking did-!" but he had to stop himself short as his face twisted in pain.

Landing on the ground with a hiss, he then reached up to his shoulder as he gritted out, "Ow, ow, I might have pulled a muscle there," Still, the pain couldn't dampen the happiness he felt right now. He actually did it, he stopped the monster and with a punch no less!

His celebration however would be short lived as he saw the giant being's hold on the tower loosened. Panic filled his veins as he watched their grasp on the elf lady finally loosened, dropping them down from the great height. His legs moved before he even heard her scream.

He raced to the base of the tower, hoping to catch her in time but would prove to be a challenging task given the distance he fell from. It might prove impossible for him if he was anyone else, but not for him, not when he was a frog! "Not on my watch!" He shouted as he jumped up and bent his knees.

Sailing across the air, he dug in deep, drawing into whatever embers of strength he still had left in him and he would not be found wanting. There inside his chest, he felt it; The very power that he tapped into as he broke through the webway answering his call. Pouring everything he had into his feet, he braced himself as the ground approached before he kicked down hard.

The ground shattered the ground beneath him as he shot up like a rocket. Spreading his arms outwards to guide himself, he adjusted himself as he aimed for the tiny figure. Half blinded by the wind as it whipped around him, he reached out before he felt her dainty figure in his arms.

"Gotcha!" Pulling her into his chest, he then tucked close to his chest as he slowed down before he started to fall. A super powered frog he may be but gravity still has its grip on him.

Passing by the falling body of the giant, he dropped down like a rock. As the nearby city block quickly came into view, he braced himself for the crash. Bracing his feet beneath him, he landed hard, sending dust and debris flying everywhere. He let out a strangled wince as his knees nearly buckled but thankfully they held. Twiggy they may be but they were tougher than they looked!
Still, he wasn't out of the woods yet. With the shadow of the giant looming overhead, he booked it, running as fast as his tiny legs could take him. Clearing the giant's shadow, he quickly hid behind cover as the Daemon God came down with a thundering crash. Hiding behind the ruins of toppled skyscrapers, he felt the very fabric of the webway ripple.

He waited out the quake, shielding his companion to the best of his abilities before finally, things calmed down. Sitting there, only the sound of the renewed clashes between ships and armies filled the air as Kermit got some breathing room. Leaning back against the rubble, he slowly lifted up his arms to find the shaking figure of the elf against his chest. "Hey, you ok there little lady?" He then asked her, checking up on her.

Now that he was holding her, he could see just how well she recovered. True to his words, Vect did not harm her. While not fully healed with her tired eyes and her weak grip, she had a far healthier glow to her. Her skin no longer pallid while her cheeks had filled up. Now that she was no longer at death's door, she looked absolutely radiant.

Looking up to him with those big doe eyes of hers, the woman replied, "You… you save me,"

"Yeah, yeah I did…" He whispered as he felt the guilt over his shoulder lifted ever so slightly. Letting out a shaky smile, he then jested, "Sorry it took me a bit to get here. Had to get a reality check," poking fun of his own cowardice. It took him way too long to realize his mistake, he just hoped that she'd forgive him. What she did however quickly dispelled whatever angsty thoughts he had.

He expected a slap or even some scolding but what he didn't expect was the woman all but launching herself at him, "Woah there!" Freezing up, he was about to pull away only to feel wetness against his chest. Feeling her trembling form as she buried her face against his chest, he quickly reached up to comfort her.

"It's ok now," He whispered reassuringly as he stroked her back, "No one's going to hurt you, I promise," He then whispered. Holding her in his arms, Kermit felt fury fill his chest. Punching their lights out wasn't enough, Kermit wanted them to pay and it seems that the universe was giving him every chance to do so as he heard the inarticulate scream of rage of the fallen daemon god.

"They don't give up easily, do they Kermit?" He whispered as a wry grin found itself across his lips. "I might need you to let go for now ok?" He then excused himself as he unclenched his fist and reached up to the elf lady to pull her away, "I just have to deal with a certain snake over there," He wasn't going to take chances, he was going to make sure she wouldn't be able to harm his friends anymore.

Just as he laid her down and stood up, he felt her hand on his heels. Looking back, he found her holding on as tightly as what her feeble strength could allow her as she begged him, "Please don't go," Hearing her voice tremble, he turned around to comfort her,

Kneeling before her, he gave her a warm smile as he told her, "I promise it'll be over quick," Reaching out to her with his pinkie, he then said, "Pinkie swear!" He made a lot of mistakes today but this wasn't going to be one of them. This Daemon Goddess or whatever they were made this girl cry. He was going to make sure that they'll never get the chance to do that ever again even if it kills him.

Looking into her eyes, he could see the hesitation behind them; fear all but overwhelming but his charm would win her over. Slowly she reached out, grabbing hold with her dainty hands, before nodding back. Shaking their hands, he then pulled away before climbing over the building to face his destiny. Time for round two.

Standing over the remains of the building, he found the giant daemon clutching their face as they raged; The fire burning around them answering to the anger in their voice, "You!" the gigantic woman hissed out as they pulled away, revealing the damage he had caused, "How dare you!"

Cracks spread out from her ruined eye as dark ichor dripped down, melting away at the ground below. He almost felt bad for what he did if not for what he saw inside the shell she called her face. Underneath all that charm and their beauty, he finally saw what they were; a mass of tortured souls drowned by such excess and extreme colors and emotions that it made his stomach turn.

Kermit felt an overwhelming sense of disgust as he stared at the being, this maelstrom of emotions and souls coalescing into a single being. Wrapped in this disgusting, cloying aura around her, she was a terrible sight to behold. She felt wrong, everything about her felt wrong and made him angry knowing that she fooled him this long. His sense had been numbed but not anymore. He could now see and how he wished that he couldn't.

With his new found strength came stronger sense, augmenting the strange sights and sounds he had been experiencing. This form she takes? Nothing more than a part of a greater whole. Stretching out beneath her was her true body and it made him feel tiny. Like some great tumor to the sea of colors outside, this malicious being wrapped around the webway, crushing it with her mere presence.

Even the tiny speck of her being inside this city was already warping it, turning it more like itself with each passing second. If he wanted to save this city, he needed to get her away from here. Looking over to the gateway, he saw the bonds tethering her outside. He needed to push her off to the gates.

Squaring himself up, he hopped off the building and marched towards her, "Yes, me!" His legs felt like jelly and his heart was racing a mile a minute but he couldn't back away, not when he had all these people to save, "You asked me for me so here I am!"

Hissing, she narrowed her eyes at him, "And so I did," She then gritted out as she curled her tail up and loomed over him. Still, he could see the glassy look in her eyes and the shake in her form; She was still hurt.

"Here I thought I'd have to raze this city to the ground before I can find you but here you are, walking back to my open arms," She taunted as she circled around him, her one good eye locked on him, "Already giving up Frog Spawn?"

"On the contrary, I'm not," He replied, fighting off the tremble in his voice. Making sure to keep his eyes on her, he spun around to face her, "I'm done running away you slimy snake," he gritted out as he clenched his shaking fist, "If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you get."

Before this, his first instinct would have been running away or talking things out, but now things were different. It almost felt refreshing knowing that he stood his ground. Refusing to back down, he knew all too well the price of failure.

"You? Fighting me? Don't make me laugh," The woman laughed as she reached out and pulled a sword from thin air, "You might be an Old One but you're a mere spawnling, nothing compared to me," She growled out as she bared her razor sharp teeth at him "The only reason why you're alive now is because Cegorach spirited you away… but he's not here anymore, is he?" She then asked as a terrible grin stretched across her face.

She knows it and he knows it, there was no way out of this. Even if he didn't look up to the hole he made in the webway, he could feel the clown's presence already gone. He was alone and there was no one that was going to pull him out of danger this time.

"Go on, run little frog, run away~" She then taunted once more, letting out a cruel laugh as she swung her sword. He could feel the primal sense in the back of his mind screaming at him but he refused to give in, "I'll even give you a head start. Chasing you had been one of the most entertaining part of my day so far so make my day~"

Letting out a shaky laugh, he then fired back, "Funny coming from someone that got knocked out with a single punch," and struck deep as he saw her bristle at his words. Grinning, he raised his fist at her as he shouted, "I put you down on the ground once, I can put you down there again!"

"A mere fluke, you simply caught me unaware," She reflected but her eyes couldn't hide it. She absolutely hated his guts for what he did. He actually hurt her. He wasn't just crazy, he actually had a chance.

Chuckling back at her, he then rolled his shoulders before cracking his neck, working out the kinks for the fight ahead, "Not so much of a goddess if that's the case eh?"

By this point, she was absolutely fuming. No longer was her anger borne out of annoyance, but also out of loathing and murderous rage. it was now blazing hot and he was playing with this firestorm. Still, as much as he wanted to goad her on, he still wanted to give her a chance. Call him soft but he believed everyone deserves a chance and he was going to give her a way out. If she doesn't take it… at least everyone knows he tried.

Looking her straight in the eyes, he gave her his last warning, "I'm only going to ask you this once, Leave," Ignoring the anger and outrage in her eyes, he powered on, trying to reason with her one more time, "You've done enough damage to this part of the Webway! Go away and never return to this place ever again!"

His warnings however would fall into deaf ears, as mocking laughter greeted him, "Or else what little frog?" They asked back as a bloodthirsty grin stretched their face, a sight made all the more terrifying by the pit that once were her eyes, "Going to be a hero to these insignificant little pests!?" She asked as her tail coiled up behind her.

Narrowing his eyes, he bent his knees slightly, bracing himself as he raised his fist, "That's exactly what I'm planning to do," He fired back as he took deep calming breaths. Negotiations have failed, it was now or never.

"Then die like the little hero you are!", With a roar of absolute hatred, she sprung forward, quickly closing the distance between them. Fast! More than what he expected but so was he. Just as Jaghatia taught him in the cells, he threw everything he had in the punch.

With his fleet planted firmly on the ground, he twisted his hips as he threw a wild haymaker, "Eat this you bitch!" He roared out as his fist met her face.

He sent her careening to the side, making her crash face first into the ground. A bit shocked at the punch, he nearly missed her tail as it took a swipe at her. Raising his arms, he blocked it as best as he could. His knees nearly buckled under the weight, his bones creaking as his heels dug into the ground, but he powered through, letting the fire in his chest burn bright.

With a roar, he punched her tail away and flipped her over. Launching himself at him, he rained blows, no longer holding back. Eyes widening in fear, the woman jumped aside, fleeing from him but he wasn't going to let them go that easily.

Hot on their tail, he bounded after them, chasing her down. The tables have turned and the frog hunted the snake. Still, she would prove to be an elusive quarry as an errant tail strike sent him flying. He was quickly reminded how much she out massed him as he crashed hard against the central castle. Having gained distance, she was quick to make use of it.

A spear came flying right at him but he met it head on, literally. Rearing back, he bashed his head against the ornate spear, breaking it against his forehead. Marching on, he felt his blood singing. He never felt so powerful before.

With his head held high, he weathered the storm of blows raining his way. Blades broke against his skin, not even the city block thrown his way could slow him down as it broke against his fist. He had it with this Daemonic God, he was done letting her terrorize this city. He was going to end it here and now.

Sensing the tide of battle turning against her favor, "Why won't you die!" They screamed at him as they backed away, their back soon against the walls of the webway. There was no more place to run away, in her haste to get away from him, she had cornered herself.

Seeing the panic in her eyes, he taunted her one last time, "Because I am the hero of this city and heroes never give up!" Hearing her words and seeing the grin across his face, they let out a deafening roar. Opening her mouth, she started sucking away.

He had to dig in his heels as he was almost sucked in. Hearing the Laughing God's words in his ears, he did his best to fight it off but horror would soon fill his heart as he saw the souls getting drawn into the Daemon's mouth, the strings attached to all Dhrukari growing larger as well as they were drawn in along with them. Everything was being drawn.

Faced with the prospect of her eating up the entire city, he quickly let go, letting himself fly up to her, "Oh no you don't!" With his fist cocked back, he slammed his fist hard against her nose. Cartilage broke as cracks spread outwards, her mouth shutting close as more ichor flowed down her face. As he pulled back his fist however, he saw her smile back at him.

With light glowing through the gap of her teeth, she opened wide before letting out a stream of light. He felt his very soul shake as he crashed into the ground while the blast kept on coming. Blinded and deafened by the light, he could barely think, slowly getting crushed beneath the overwhelming force.

Any lesser man would have buckled there but he fought. With the memories of his friends flashing across his mind's eyes, he slowly pushed back against the wave. Even as the daemonic goddess threw everything she had, even the light that was her soul dimming as the blast grew to such intensity, he powered through.

"You think this'll stop me!" He shouted through the din as he got to his feet, his arms shielding him, "Think again!" He pushed through, letting her wail on him. Every step and every inch, earned through sweat and tears until finally she faltered. The beam slowly fizzled out leaving her hunched over and exhausted, barely able to hold herself up.

Fresh and the fire inside his chest still burning hot, he struck back. With a war cry, he struck her once more, "This is for my friends!" he cried out as his fist met her guts. Digging into her stomach, he bent her over and sent a torrent of souls out of her mouth.

Still not satisfied, he wailed on them, letting his anger out on the being, "For Red! For Jaghatai! For Malys! For Lilith!" Each punch shook the city. The force of his fist and the souls answering his call sent ripples through them and at their very core as more and more souls flooded out.

Drawn into his soul, they gathered around his fist as he drew his last punch and the world was drowned in green light. Gazing up his fist, he could feel everyone in the city, their anguish, their pain, their hopes and dreams now in his hands, "And this," He whispered as he felt their wishes, "This is for all the souls you've harmed!" before he threw his final strike.

As his fist met the Daemon Goddess's stomach once more, the world warped. With a force of a thousand sun, his fist shattered the goddess as they were sent flying. The city buckled under the force as they streaked across the city before shooting out into the opened gate; Their presence fading away as the goddess thumbled away into the depths of the warp.

Hunched over, Kermit panted as silence descended into the city. With the Daemon God defeated, he felt the power in him starting to fade away, laying dormant now that the fight was finally over. With one last punch, he wheezed out, "And stay out!"

Catching his breath, he straightened himself before spreading his arms out wide, "Anyone else want a piece of this!" He asked, shouting in challenge. With their patron no longer around, they fled in mass, streaming back to the Gates of Khaine, truly ending the battle for Commaragh, "I thought so," He whispered before collapsing to his knees.

"Not yet," He was exhausted and spent but the gate still lay open. Dragging himself over to the city block he shattered, he then lifted it up to his back. With shaking legs, he carried the massive piece of rock over to the gate before stuffing it tight inside the opening, sealing in with a crude but thick door.

"There, that should do it," He rasped out as he collapsed against his giant boulder. The city was scarred and countless souls floated around… but atleast, the city was saved, "Now to rest," He gasped out before flopping bonelessly to the ground. He earned this.
Laying there for a bit, he contented himself watching the giant Craftworld float by. There was just something about seeing the majestic craft flying across the dark and gloomy city. Perhaps it was its stark white color illuminated by thousands of tiny lights or perhaps it was how it seemingly defied the laws of gravity, just hanging there without a care in the world.

"One day, I'm going inside that thing just to see the view from up there," He told himself as he slowly picked himself up just in time for him to see a familiar elf, or rather goddess running his way. He really had to remind himself that he wasn't just any other elf.

Just as he was about to get up to greet her properly this time, she launched herself up at him. Reaching out, he caught the errant goddess before she hurt herself. She held on to him tightly as if afraid that he'll disappear the moment she let go. Warmth filled his chest as he held, giving her comforting pats as they sat there.

"Told you it wouldn't take long," He whispered as she slowly pulled away. Still, despite her regal look, her tiny size just made her all too adorable. He couldn't help himself, he simply had to pat her on the head; a gesture she seemed to like with the rosy cheeks she sported.

As he pulled back his hands, the woman replied, "And I shouldn't have doubted you oh great one," before bowing low, almost prostrating herself down on the ground.

"Woah there," He raised his hands, urging her to stand back up, "No bowing. I'm just a normal frog, no one exactly special," Yes, he was huge but he was still just some nobody. He also felt rather embarrassed having someone bow down to her. It simply doesn't feel proper.

Standing up cautiously, she tilted her head at him, "I merely wanted to express my gratitude, great one," She told him ever so innocently, "Is it too much?" She then cautioned out as her rosy cheeks turned red with embarrassment.

"Just a bit," He chuckled, amused at how easily flustered the woman was, "A proper thank you would be more than enough… and call me Kermit!" He then said as he flashed her reassuring smile. She was way too formal but maybe that's because she's a goddess. That's what goddesses do right? Act all regal like queens?

Smiling radiantly back at him, she then nodded back, "You're kindness truly knows no bounds, Ol… Kermit," Standing back up, she then bowed to him once more as then said, though far more subdued before she said, "In your action against She Who Thirst, you freed not only my people but peers and family as well," before she gestured to the city behind them.

There he'll find not only the stars of those that had passed floating by but the slowly coalescing form of elves that shone just like the woman. They looked weak and terrified but the relief over their faces told him more than enough. Thankfully, people were already helping them.

The green faced and black robed people seemed eager while those armored knights that looked kinda like Jaghatai were helping as well… but they looked like they'd rather be here. They were probably just like his friends, still unused to the company of others. Still, they were helping and that was good. It seemed that the tragedy of this war brought them together.

Seeing work together made him feel all warm and fuzzy. Never had he felt so happy and accomplished before. If things were like this, maybe he'd stick to heroing full time! This galaxy seemed like it needed it… though he might have to make sure that he doesn't cause a revolution everywhere he goes. Some places might need them but they were messy.

Turning his attention back to his companion, he listened closely to what she had to say, "For this we ask, how should we repay you Kermit?" She then asked before she offered him a reward fitting for a hero, "Wealth, power, women…" They told him, blushing as she did so, "Everything your hearts desire, we shall give to the best of our abilities. So please, tell us what your heart's desire."

"Well…" He muttered, seriously considering the offer. A reward would be nice but he quickly decided against it, "Nah, I don't really need a reward," He replied, shaking his head, "I just did what anyone in my boots would have done though it took me quite a bit to come around to that," He then said. He was sorely tempted to just take the offer but it doesn't feel right. Besides, those weren't really something he could use as he was right now.

The woman smiled warmly as she rested her hands over her chest, "Then I am forever in your debt," She replied. She really was intent on paying back her debt, wasn't she?

Shaking his head, he leaned back as he got himself comfortable, "Nah, really, I'm good… It's just," He then sighed as he gazed towards the scarred battlefield, "I just wished that I'd just come a bit sooner…" If there was one thing he regretted more than ever, then it was how he hadn't acted sooner. He knew deep in his heart that he could have done something, that he could have saved his friends but he wasn't too sure what happened to them now.

Climbing up to his shoulder, the woman then rested her hands against his cheeks, "We… all make mistakes Old One," She reassured him, "However, that should not stop us from moving forward. It isn't how we fall which we are judged for, it is what we do after that defines us."

Hearing her wise words lightened the weight on his chest; She really was a goddess. Looking at her with a smile, he thanked her, "Thank's" before he turned as a familiar white shape caught his eyes. With his heart pounding, he stood up to get a better look and sure enough it was Jaghatai limping along as he carried a battered duo of Malys and Lilith with Red floating behind them.

"Jaghatai?" He whispered in disbelief as he rushed over, making sure to keep Isha on his shoulder, before kneeling before his friends, "Jaghatai! Malys! Lilith! Red! I thought I lost you," He cried out happily as he leaned down to see if they were ok.

"Hey!" Red scoffed at the mere notion, getting a chuckle out of him. As roughed up as the little sprite was, he still had his pride.

Grinning over to his brother, Jaghatai chuckled as he pound his fist against his chest, careful not to drop the two haggard looking Dhrukari over his shoulder, "It'd take something more than a daemonic invasion to kill me," The man laughed out before he paused mid laugh and blushed as Lady Malys planted a kiss on his cheeks.

"At least not when I'm around," The woman purred with Lilith hooting and cheering for the two. Naturally, Jaghatai dropped the wayward Wych but that couldn't take away the shitting eating grin plastered across their face.

"Well this is certainly quite the development!" Kermit laughed, taken by surprise by the sudden change in heart. Who knew the battlefield could be a place where love could bloom and what a beautiful sight it was, "Anything else I missed while I was gone?" he teased, earning a light hearted glare from the man.

"If you need a blessing for your wedding, I could drop by," Isha joined in the teasing making Maly's and Lilith goggle at the sight of the goddess on his shoulder, "I see no problem with this?" She told the two as she covered her lips to hide her amusement.
Seeing Jaghtai groan mortified, Kermit couldn't help but laugh before Lilith, Red and Isha joined in. It was good to be back together.

-x-x-x-

With the Daemon God Slaanesh defeated, the War for Commaragh finally ended. Much of the opposition surrendered soon after the fight, letting the Revolutionary forces sweep up those still refusing to give up. Faced with the combined force of those led by Jaghatai, the Dhrukari forces that shifted loyal to Lady Malys along with the various other forces that joined their little rebellion as it picked up steam, it wouldn't take long.

Now with all the fighting done, everyone had gone off to their thing. The newly minted power couple were coordinating everyone along with getting the Eldari Gods up to speed while Red was off patching all the holes that had popped up from the daemonic incursion. He was really good at magic or so he heard so that was good.

Meanwhile, Kermit was stuck watching over the gate just in case the daemonic goddess returned with reinforcement. It was a mind numbing job just sitting on the boulder but it was an essential one. He really did not like facing that woman again for a second time, not while he was still so tired.

Speaking off, he wondered where she was. He had felt her fly off but there was this feeling in the back of his head telling him that she wasn't too far off…. But at the same time, she hadn't made her presence known. Perhaps he'll find out soon enough. For now, he'll continue his vigil. Thankfully, he wasn't all alone here as Lilith would prove to be the most loyal of minions.

"So, what now Boss?" the blood thirty Dhrukari asked as she sat on his shoulder, "Should we round all the traitors up and you know?" before making a slitting motion over her neck.

Kermit hummed as he was quickly reminded of the possible faith of those that lorded over Commargh, those people that supported Vect. While the tyrant was yet to be found, most of his loyal base were either dead or captured. They could easily kill them off as Lilith suggested but it didn't sit right with him. It would be a… waste.

"No," He replied as a thought passed over his mind, "I might have something better in mind," He then told her before quickly scolding, "And no, no torture."
"Awww…" they really were quite blood thirsty but good thing he was here now to temper her.

Humming, he just needed to figure out how to get everyone's attention. The city was built in a winding maze of various tunnels all connected like some demented web. It's one thing for people to hear an order but it'll be another to hear his plea. Maybe he was an idealist but he really wanted this to end on a good note.

"Say, can you help me get a megaphone or something?" He then asked his companion as he got up, "I need this to get everyone on my plan," he needed to get everyone on board for that, he needed to talk with everyone.

Lilith paused, deep in thought before a voice called out from behind the, "I think I can help with that, or rather I know someone who can," Turning, he found Isha standing there with a rugged looking Aeldari God that look more akin to a human with that wild bushy beard and craggy face.

Bowing respectfully, the man introduced him, "My name is Vaul and I heard you needed a Megaphone."

A/N:

Finally got this chapter through. Urk, really should have not forced myself to get this out cause this headache is not worth it. Going to lie down for real this time so see you in a few days. Hopefully, I can quickly get my sleep in order. Also yes, I swapped the chapter names.