The Forbidden One Cometh Author Psykorabbit2000 Author Note: I honestly have to say thanks to Claudia. She sparked the idea and provided the information for this script, even though I am sure she doesn’t realize how far back it was started. Sorry about the questions, Claudia! Scene 1 Kinjite’s House, Atlantis KINJITE is laying on the front yard and watching the moon rise over the horizon. He can feel the gentle breeze of the summer night blowing over him. The front door opens and YOUNGER ALLURA walks out. She is wearing a training uniform. She looks around and sees her dad laying on the grass. Younger Allura (walking over) ”Come on dad! Your late for practice. Sis’ is waiting for you as well.” She stands by him and looks down at him. She notices he has a distant look on his face and sits by him. She reaches over and taps him on the shoulder. He jumps slightly and looks over at her. Kinjite “Huh? What?” Younger Allura (smiling) ”Dreaming? You’re late for practice.” Kinjite shakes his head to clear it and looks at his daughter. He sighs and smiles. Kinjite (smiling) ”Sorry, I’ve just had a lot on my mind.” Younger Allura (standing up) ”Come on. I bet Allura and I can take you this time!” She turns and runs to the front door. Her hair and tail waving in the air as she runs. Kinjite smiles and stands up. He waits there a few seconds and looks back at the moon. Kinjite (quietly) ”I wonder how their doing?” Younger Allura (from the house) ”Come on, dad!”” He shakes his head and walks to the house. He walks through the door and sees his wife AYAMI working in the kitchen. He can hear Younger Allura and her sister, Older Allura in the training room. He sighs again and walks towards the training room. Later… Ayami finishes up the dishes and looks at Older Allura, who is polishing her sword at the kitchen table. Ayami (walking over) ”Allura, can I ask you a question?” Older Allura (looking up) ”Sure mom, what’s wrong?” Ayami (smiling as she sits at the table) ”Nothing’s wrong. I just was wondering if you noticed anything about Lance lately?” Older Alura (setting her sword down) ”Actually, I have. Dad seems more distant lately, ever since that attack on you and Allura’s powers awaking.” Ayami nods and looks at the older alternate version of her daughter. Ayami “Has he told you anything?” Older Allura (shaking her head) ”No, but I have noticed him looking towards the stars a lot. I wonder if he worried about Aldebaran again.” Ayami nodded and looked out the door into the living room. On the couch, Kinjite was laying down and Younger Allura was curled up on him, sleeping gently. Older Allura looks in the living room as well and smiles at the sight. Older Allura (warmly) ”He pushes himself during training. I see it every time, even though he doesn’t push us during training.” (looks at her mom) ”I wonder if hearing anything from Aldebaran would help him relax?” Ayami shrugs and stands up. Ayami (walking towards the door) ”Did Allura get her shower after training?” Older Allura (smiling) ”Yes mom. We did.” Ayami looks over her shoulder and sees Older Allura trying to hide the huge smile and laughter. Ayami shakes her head and smiles. She walks over and gently wakes up Younger Allura. She sits up and rubs her eyes. Ayami (gently) ”It’s time for bed.” Younger Allura mumbles something and walks towards the stairs. Ayami watches her walk up the stairs and into her room. Ayami turns to Kinjite and looks at him. She notices his face is wearing a worried expression. Ayami (thinking) She gently sits on the couch by him and gently shakes his shoulder. His eye snaps open and he looks around. He relaxes when he sees Ayami. Kinjite (sitting up) ”Must have dozed off. What time is it?” Ayami (smiling) ”Time for bed. Come on.” She gently takes his paws and pulls him to his feet. They walk up to their room. Older Allura smiles at the sight and sheathes her sword. She quietly walks up the stairs and into her room as well. Scene 2 Later that night…. Several shadowy figures run across the field and stop in front of Kinjite’s home. Two of them are robed and the other four are of feline appearance. Robed Figure #1 (hushed and worried) ”Are you sure he is here?” Robed Figure #2 (quietly) ”Yes, I have been here before. I’m sure he will help us!” The second robed figure reaches up and knocks on the door hard. Inside… Kinjite walks out of his room, wearing a pair of sweats, as Older Allura walks out of her room in a pair of shorts and tank top, holding her sword. They look at each other and nod. The knocking comes again. Kinjite silently hops over the rail and lands without a sound. Older Allura glides down the stairs. Kinjite walks over and gently signals the door to open. The moment it opens, two Aldebaran Royal Guards step in and takes defensive post to each side of the door. Kinjite takes a step back in shock and raises his paws to fight. Two other guards come in and scan the place quickly and quietly. Kinjite is about to say something when the two robed figures step in. One is shorter than the other. The door shuts behind them. Kinjite (growling) ”You better have a damn good reason to be barging in here!” The shorter figure reaches up and pulls back its hood, revealing Princess Felicia. Kinjite immediately softens. Kinjite (shocked) ”Princess!? What are you doing here?” Felicia (quietly) ”I came to ask for your help, Kinjite! Grandmother doesn’t know I am here, but she needs your help.” Kinjite (sadly) ”I can’t return to the planet, remember? That only can be changed by the Queen, her daughter, or a member of the Sister Hood. No offense, Princess Felicia, but you don’t have the authority to change that, even to help your grandmother. The Queen’s daughter is dead and I am pretty sure the Sister Hood won’t change their mind about me. So unless you have official papers from the Queen, I can’t set foot back on that planet.” Felicia looks at the other robed figure. It stepped forward and nodded towards Kinjite. It pulls its hood back and reveals Jenny. Jenny (seriously) ”I am here to give you permission to return to Aldebaran and lend aid in the war.” Kinjite just stands there stunned. He slowly shakes his head and sighs. Kinjite (quietly) ”Jenny, I would gladly go leaping in to the jaws of war at your side to defend the throne, but the Queen’s orders were not to return to Aldebaran. Even though I know you are rated high on the scale on Aldebaran, even you don’t have the authority to defy the Queen.” Felicia (insistently) ”You came to the planet while fighting that evil version of yourself! You defied my grandmother then!” Kinjite (nodding) ”Yes I did, but I left immediately and I didn’t stay to fight. I was lucky, because the Sister hood would have had the right to kill me. I have a family and I have changed a lot since then.” Jenny (firmly) ”Kinjite, I hereby give you clearance to return to Aldebaran! Please!” Kinjite (looking at Jenny) ”I accept the fact that you want me to return, Jenny, but I can’t! Either the Queen, her daughter or the Sister Hood can take back order. I saw the records, her only daughter died shortly after giving birth to Felicia! I’m sorry.” Jenny (quietly) ”Her daughter from her first litter yes, but not from her second litter.” Kinjite’s head snaps up and stared at Jenny. Jenny met his gaze. Jenny (quietly) ”Lance, I am that daughter. My mom needs your help. Please help her.” Older Allura steps forward and stands by her dad. She looks at Jenny in awe and then at her dad. Older Allura (looking at Kinjite) ”What are you going to do?” Kinjite swallows and looks at the guards and then at Jenny and Felicia. He gently points down a hall and nods. Kinjite (gently) ”Guest rooms are down there. The three doors at the end on the right. I’ll get things ready in the morning.” Felicia sighs and hugs him tightly. Felicia (whispering as he hugs him) ”Thank you Kinjite!” Kinjite gently pats the back of her head as she hugs him and then looks at Jenny. Kinjite (firmly) ”You get a hold of Katrina and tell here that… the Forbidden One is coming back.” Jenny nods and smiles with relief. Scene 3 Royal Castle, Atlantis, next morning King Hwang listens as Jenny and Princess Felicia relay the stories about the war on Aldebaran. When they finish, he nods and sighs. King Hwang “I regret hearing that information Princess Felicia and Master Jenny. Unfortunately, a large percent of our forces were killed in our attempt to take back Genus and then pushing the toads from our own world. This war is taxing on us.” Jenny “Can you spare any to help? We are in alliance, remember?” King Hwang (nodding) ”I know we started an alliance, but it was never finalized. It is only held up by those who acknowledge it right now. I respect it as I told the Queen that I would, but I have not heard anything from Aldebaran about it.” (he looks at Felicia as she lowers her head in defeat) ”Since I choose to acknowledge the Alliance, I will ask among my troops and try to gather up a few to help you, Princess, under one condition.” Felicia (looking up) ”What is that?” King Hwang (smiling) ”The Alliance is finalized between the thrones of Atlantis and Aldebaran. We need to start forming a new Coalition. It must be formed to fight the toads, at least until the UAC can be reformed or we deem otherwise.” Felicia nods and smiles at the King. King Hwang (smiling) ”Where are you staying so I can send the help to you?” Jenny (politely) ”We are staying at Master Oni Lance’s house until we leave. Thank you, your Majesty.” They both bow and turn to the door. King Hwang watches them walk out and sighs as the doors shut. Once outside the throne room, Felicia turns to Jenny. Felicia (confused) ”Master Oni Lance? I thought his name was Kinjite, the Forbidden One.” Jenny (nodding) ”On our world it is. On this world, he is a cat of great importance and is known as Master Oni Lance.” Felicia nods as they walk to the waiting transport. At Kinjite’s house… Younger Allura yawns and sits up. She hops out of bed walks out into the hall, her pajamas swishing as she walks. She walks down the stairs and into the living room. She sits on the couch and pulls her feet up under her. She yawns again and ends up laying down. Her eyes start to drift shut, but snap open when she hears footsteps coming down the hall. She peeks over the arm of the couch and sees one of the Aldebaran Royal Guards walking down the hall, towards her. The Guard walks into the living room and looks around. Guard (quietly) ”Funny, I thought I heard some….” Suddenly Younger Allura leaps from the couch, covered in grey flames, with a battle cry and towards the Guard. Her little fist slams into the armored chest of the stunned Guard and she falls over backward, smashing through a small table. Younger Allura shakes her hand quickly and lunges in for another punch. Younger Allura (yelling) ”You’re not going to hurt my mom….” (suddenly a black tendril grabs her arm and she looks at it) ”Huh?” She is yanked back and lands in Kinjite’s arms. He looks over at the Guard, who is getting up. Kinjite “Are you alright, Sister.” Guard (rubbing her chest bone) ”I think I should be alright.” Kinjite nods and sets his daughter on the ground. He looks at her. Younger Allura (angered) ”She’s an Aldebaran and she is going to try and hurt mom again!” The Guard stops and looks at the young Atlantean in confusion. Kinjite (gently) ”No she’s not. She isn’t like those others were. She serves an old friend of mine.” Younger Allura (confused) ”How do you know?” Kinjite walks over and points to a symbol on the armor of the Guard. Kinjite (looking at his daughter) ”That is Queen Katrina’s symbol. She came here last night with…” Suddenly the front door opens and Jenny walks through, followed by Felicia. Younger Allura (squealing in excitement) ”Aunt Jenny!” She runs over and throws her arms around Jenny, who hugs her back Kinjite shakes his head and walks into the kitchen. Ayami looks up as he enters. Ayami (concerned) ”Is everything alright out there?” Kinjite (sitting in a chair) ”Yeah, just forgot to tell Younger Allura abut our guests. She thought they were coming after you again.” Ayami shakes her head as the door opens and Jenny, with Younger Allura clutching her leg and Older Allura walking beside Felicia. Jenny sat in a chair and Younger Allura sits in her lap. Jenny (brushing her hair) ”Stars, she’s getting strong. Must take after her dad.” Ayami (faking annoyance) ”Are you saying she doesn’t take after me at all?” Jenny (laughing) ”No, she gets her good looks from you.” Everyone laughs a little and Kinjite shakes his head. He looks at Jenny. Kinjite “So what did the King have to say?” Jenny ”He is sending those who want to help here.” Kinjite nods and looks at the clock. Kinjite (patiently) ”Then we have half an hour to wait. If no one shows up by then, then no one is coming.” Half an hour later… Kinjite looks up as there is a knock on the door. He opens it and sees Shar and Chelsea standing there in battle armor. He steps aside and they walk in. Felicia looks up and her shoulders droop when she sees only two cats walk in. Felicia (quietly) “Only two?” Shar (quickly bows to her) ”It was send a dozen of regular troops or send us two, who are equal to those dozen troops. The king felt this was an easier choice to deal with, if the toads attack.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Allow me to introduce Special Operative Combat Cyborg Shar and Heavy Gunnery and Fighter Pilot Specialist Chelsea. They are probably two of the toughest Atlantean fighters there are. Besides they already have experience fighting Assassin Sisters.” Jenny nods and looks at Ayami and the two Alluras. Jenny “What about you three?” Ayami (putting an arm around Younger Allura) ”I believe that this one and I will stay here and sit this out. Besides, there are matters to attend with about getting her trained better.” Jenny nods and looks at Older Allura. Older Allura “I will go to help out in the fight.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Then we should be going.” They turn to the door and quickly head out. Scene 4 Royal Palace, Aldebaran QUEEN KATRINA is standing in a window and looking out it. Two Guards are standing behind her. Queen Katrina (looking out the window) ”Any word from my granddaughter or Master Jenny?” Guard #1 (shaking her head) “No my Queen. They haven’t been seen since a couple of days ago.” Queen Katrina sighs and turns to walk to her throne. The Guards fall in step with her. She sits in her throne and lowers her head. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”Now what do I do?” Just then Felicia and Jenny walk in through the door. Queen Katrina stands quickly and approaches them. Queen Katrian (relieved) ”Where have you two been?!” Felecia smiles and points to the door. Felicia (pointing) ”Getting you some help, Grandmother.” Kinjite, Allura, Shar and Chelsea walk through the door, wearing armor. They stop in a straight line before the Queen. The Queen slowly walks up and stands before Kinjite. Queen Katrina (firmly) ”You do know you are in direct violation of my orders!” Kinjite (With an eye flick towards Jenny) ”I know the orders and I know *who* can change it.” Katrina looks at Jenny and Jenny nods. Katrina turns back to Kinjite and looks at him. Suddenly to the surprise of everyone in the room, Katrina wraps her arms around Kinjite’s neck and hugs him tightly. Kinjite slips his arms around her and hugs her back. Queen Katrina (whispering) “I am so glad you are here, Lance. I could really use your help right now!” Kinjite (quietly) ”All you had to do was ask. I promised to defend the throne at all cost.” Queen Katrina steps back and wipes a small tear from her eyes. Kinjite nods. Kinjite (firmly) ”Why don’t you fill us in, your Highness.” Queen Katrina nods and walks back up to the throne. She sits in it and looks at the group. Katrina (thinking) (out loud) ”Cassie escaped from prison. She has taken about half the population to her side, in her attempt to take the throne by force. Half of the Sister Hood has sworn allegiance with her. As things stand, I am forced to ask for help from a less appropriate source.” Kinjite (raising an eyebrow) ”And that would be?” Jenny (quietly) ”The Male Resistance.” Kinjite nods and looks at the Queen. Kinjite (evenly) ”The four of us have severely different fighting styles that are not exactly approved of by the Sister Hood. If we have their permission as well as the permission of the throne, we can do our best to help defend the throne and attempt to try and assist in bringing this war to a close.” Queen Katrina looks to the side as a door opens and several elderly Aldebarans walk through it. They line up along the walls and look at the group. Some of them glare openly at Kinjite and others regard him quietly. One of them steps forward. Sister #1 (distastefully) ”We are reduced to asking the Forbidden One for aid as well as the Male Resistance?” Queen Katrina (firmly) ”With every passing day, Cassie’s forces grow stronger. Without the aid, we will lose and all of you will be tried as traitors to Cassie.” Sister #1 (nodding) ”We know this, but we also want to know the cost for asking this one for help. Last time he fought against Aldebarans, several were killed. Will it be the same this time?” Kinjite (looking at the Sister) ”I killed those who stood against the Queen and the time before that, I killed in defense.” (looks at the Queen) ”I ask nothing, but the King of Atlantis ask that the Alliance be finalized between the two worlds. That is all.” The Queen looks at the Sister and waits patiently. After a few moments, the Sister nods and steps back. The Queen turns to Kinjite and the small group. Queen (gently) ”Then so be it. With the alliance of you four here, the Alliance with the two worlds is finalized. You have my permission as well as the permission of the Sister Hood to do what ever you feel is necessary to end this war.” Kinjite nods and turns to the others. Kinjite (commanding) ”You heard the lady! Let’s get armed up and ready to do what we do best!” The others nod and salute the Queen. They turn and run out the door with Kinjite behind them. As they run out the door a different Sister lowers her head. Sister #2 (quoting) ”And as Aldebaran reaches its darkest hour, they will come from the horizon. Four warriors who will wade through the dead and blood, laying hundreds to their grave. From three of them, the flames of cleansing will flow, but from their leader, the flames of death will spew. The flames will engulf all who oppose him, as the time of the Great Purging wraps around our planet.” The Queen looks at her and lowers her head. Queen (thinking) Scene 5 Cassie’s Mansion CASSIE looks up as a female runs in and quickly bows to her. Cassie (patiently) ”Yes?” Female (quickly) ”The Forbidden One is on the planet! Our spies has just informed me that the Queen has finalized an Alliance with the world he calls home!” Cassie nods and rises out of her chair. She walks over to the window and looks out it. Cassie (thoughtfully) ”So he has come to my world. Interesting. I wonder why he came and not the other cyborg male I saw fighting alongside him?” Female (cautiously) ”He didn’t come alone, Mistress. He had three others with him. Two females and a male that seemed to have mechanical eyes.” Cassie nods and smiles even wider. Cassie (chuckling) ”Four of them? How considerate of them. Inform the Pack I wish to speak with them.” The Female shivers and swallows slightly. She backs to the door and bows as she goes. Female “As you wish, Mistress Cassie.” Cassie smiles as she hears the door shut. Cassie (smiling) ”This is delicious! Now I will get to see just how strong that cat really is! He better be as strong as the legends say he is, or the Pack will eat him alive!” She turns and walks back over to her overstuffed chair and sits in it. She pours herself a small glass of wine and sips it as she waits. A few minutes later… Cassie looks up as the door opens and four Aldebaran females walk in. The first is a large cream colored female with large muscles and crimson red spell gems. The second female is charcoal black with a white spot on the tip of her nose and emerald green gems. The third is a tanned furred female with a dark brown spot around her left eye. She is wearing a set of dark purple gems. The fourth one looks the same as the third, but her right eye is covered by the spot instead and she is also wearing a dark purple set of gems. They stand in front of Cassie and wait patiently. Cassie stands up and nods to them. Cassie (pleasantly) ”You four wanted a shot at the castle, right?” At the Castle… Kinjite looks up as he hears the click. He looks at Shar, who is locking a weapon onto his forearm. Kinjite (chuckling) ”I will never get use to you doing that.” Shar (not looking up) ”Well, not all of us can summon tendrils to fight with, so I would prefer not to loose my weapon in the middle of fighting.” Chelsea and Allura are sitting off to the side and checking their gear. Shar and Kinjite walk over to them. Kinjite (looking around) ”All set?” Chelsea slaps her blaster into a hip holster and nods. Chelsea (standing up) ”What’s the assignment?” Kinjite (pulling out a map) ”The Queen says that Cassie and her forces are in the mountains to the south of here. Not very friendly terrain to be fighting on. It makes sense she would hold up there. The terrain is more dangerous to a strong enough force that is stomping across it. The winds make it to difficult for a troop transport to get in there.” Shar “How about orbital bombardment?” Kinjite (chuckling) ”I believe the sister hood would like to keep the damage to the wildlife as low as possible. Now, from what I gather from Jenny. Cassie really hates the Queen and is prone to rash actions.” (rolls out a map of the castle) ”We need to make sure the Queen will live through this. I suggest we take up guard post around the castle, until Cassie makes an attempt. Then we slap her forces down and hope she is with them.” Chelsea (nodding) ”I understand the waiting, but what happens if the force is to large? Where do we fall back to?” Jenny (walking up) ”The Male Resistance has ways of getting in and out of the castle. The Queen has already set it up with them, to use their passages as escape routes if need be.” Kinjite nods and she steps up beside him. He looks down at the map again and studies it. Suddenly his ear twitches and he looks up. Shar (looking around) ”What?” Kinjite (quietly) ”Fighting! At the walls!” He drops the paper and bolts down the hall, towards the outer grounds. At the walls… The Castle guards are firing over the wall at approaching troops. In the front of the approaching group stands the Four Females from Cassie’s mansion. Their giving orders and ducking under the blast. The large female, Niya, looks at the closed gates. Her spell gems flare up and a ball of energy appears in her paw. She flings it towards the gates and it strikes right in the center. The gates hold, but the damage is apparent. They are already bent, just from one shot. Niya smiles as she draws her paw again, another sphere forming. Inside the walls… Kinjite races out the door, followed by the others. Suddenly the gates explode and fall over in charred remains. Troops start pouring through the opening. Kinjite (yelling) ”We need to plug that hole! Shar with me, Allura and Chelsea, support the walls!” Kinjite and Shar leap into the battle at the gates, with tendrils and blasters in action. The battle is fierce and bloody. During the fighting, Kinjite is struck in the side by a powerful blast and launched through the air. He slams into the ground, by the castle and skids to a stop. He shakes his head and looks up. He sees the large female with the crimson red gems blazing, stalking towards him. Kinjite flips up onto his feet and lunges forward. He slams his black flame encrusted fist into the side of her head. She takes a single step back and turns her head. She quickly snaps it forward and glares at Kinjite. Kinjite gets a clear look at her forehead gem and his jaw drops open in shock. Kinjite (in shock) ”Those gems are the …!” NIya (cutting him off) ”I expected the wielder of the Gems of Darkness to be stronger than this!” He fist snaps forward and catches Kinjite in the chest, launching him across the ground again. He slams into the wall of the castle and bounces off. He drops to his knees and looks up. Niya runs up and lashes out with a savage kick. Kinjite dives to the side, barely avoiding the kick. He lands on his paws and swings his feet around and back over his head. He begins swirling around on his paws as his legs swing outward in arcing patterns. Niya, caught off guard, receives a foot across her face and is staggered back. At the gate… Shar ducks under a vicious blow and lands a solid punch into the throat of an Assassin Sister. He spins around and spots a charcoal black female watching him. Her Emerald Green spell gems throbbing slightly. Female (almost purring) “So you are the cyborg one. This will be fun.” Shar (warning) ”You would be best to step away. I will kill you if you leave me no choice, female.” Female (smiling evily) ”You expect to scare me. I am Iris, wearer of the Gems of Souls! You are nothing to me!” Shar (with a shrug) ”Can’t say I didn’t warn you.” They lung at each other and Iris’s gems flare up. To Shar’s surprise, he is launched back through the gates and slams into the castle doors. He staggers up and sees Iris walking towards him. Shar (shaking his head) ”How the hell did she knock me all the way back here?! She isn’t that damn big!” He raises his paws and the claws slide out the top of his fingers. Shar (growling) ”You hit pretty hard for a slender female. Let’s see if you bleed as hard as well!” Iris smiles and unsheathes her claws. They begin circling each other. On the wall… Chelsea looks over in time to see Shar slam into the castle door. She taps Allura on the shoulder and points. Allura quickly looks and nods. They turn to go assist Shar and notice that the females around them are suddenly lying dead. To their left is a tanned female with a dark spot over her left eye and to their right is another tanned female wit a dark spot over her right eye. Allura (watching the one on her side) ”Just who exactly are these two?” Female #1 (stopping) ”I am Anna….” Female #2 (stopping at the same time) ”…and I am Belle.” Chelsea (muttering) ”Great, stereo even.” Anna and Belle drew their paws back and energy forms between their paws. Suddenly the energy shoots from their paws and towards Allura and Chelsea. Allura vanishes in a flash of grey flames and Chelsea dives from the wall, into the courtyard. The blast slam into each other and detonates, shattering a chunk of the wall. Chelsea rolls across the ground and to her feet. Allura appears beside her. The two females leap off the wall and land before them. Allura and Chelsea (simultaneously) ”Oh great.” They raise their paws and prepare to fight the two strange females. Inside the Castle… Jenny runs into the throne room. Queen Katrina looks up with a worried expression. Queen Katrina (worried) ”I feel strong magic being wielded. Is it Kinjite?” Jenny, having seen the fighting outside, shakes her head. Jenny (quietly) “No, it is the four who serve Cassie. They seem to be more than a match for Kinjite and his group.” Queen Katrina (nodding) ”It would seem, but we must hope for the best. Anyways, I have sent for Tommy. We may lose the castle.” Jenny nods and looks at the Sister Hood members who have gathered in the throne room. Jenny (quietly) ”Let’s hope that is all we will lose.” Outside… Chelsea is slammed into the wall by Anna. Anna nimbly leaps aside, as Allura’s sword slashes where her head was. Allura (panting) ”They’re to damn fast! It’s like they know what we are going to do, before we even do!” Chelsea looks around and sees that the females fighting for the Queen are pulling back into the castle. Chelsea (quickly as she gets up) ”We need to fall back! Shar! Master Oni Lance! Fall back to the castle!” She runs for the castle, shortly followed by Allura. Anna and Belle stop and watch them. They then turn to Niya and Kinjite. Niya is trying to find a way through Kinjite’s flying feet. Suddenly Anna and Belle leap forward and land on their paws, swing their feet in the same manner. The area quickly becomes a swirling mass of bodies and legs as Kinjite, Anna, and Belle began mirroring each others movements. Shar looks up as he hears Chelsea’s shout and sees her and Allura make a run for the door. He turns back and receives a blow across his chest that rips open a chest plate. He staggers back as a spray of sparks shoots forward. Iris simply raises her paw and blocks the sparks. She smiles as she sees the plate lying on the ground. Iris (looking at Shar) ”All that armor and it still won’t save your life!” Shar hisses and bolts for the door. Iris watches him go and smiles as she half heartedly gives chase. At the door… Chelsea and Allura stand beside the guards and watch as Shar runs up, holding half of his chest. Chelsea helps him in and Allura looks for Kinjite. She sees him among the whirling legs. Suddenly Anna and Belle each grab a leg with theirs and bend his legs sharply in on themselves. Kinjite yowls in pain and yanks his legs free. Allura quickly launches a tendril and it wraps around his chest. In a fluid yank, she pulls and he lands by the door. She grabs him and pulls him in. The great doors slam shut behind them. Niya (looking at the closed doors) ”We wait for now. Then we take the castle!” The other three nod and wait silently. Scene 6 Inside the Castle Chelsea pulls Shar’s paw from his chest and she stares in shock at the exposed wires and parts. Chelsea (quietly as she starts checking) ”What did she hit you with? A missile?” Shar (grunting as she moves a couple of wires) “No, but trust me it felt like it.” They both look over at Kinjite, who is gingerly checking his legs. He looks up as the Queen and Jenny walk in. Queen Katrina looks at the group and her shoulders slump a little. Kinjite stands and limps over. Kinjite (holding back his anger) ”I think you need to explain a few things!” Queen Katrina (looking down) ”Ask your questions, Lance.” Kinjite (trying to calm down) ”Where did they get the Gems of Combat from?!” Shar (from where he is sitting) ”And what are the Gems of Souls?” Allura (walking up) ”And what kind of training gives an Aldebaran female the ability to seem to know attacks before they happen?” Queen Katrina looks around and takes a breath. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”Follow me and your questions will be answered.” She turns and walks down the hall. Chelsea helps Shar up and they fall in step beside Kinjite and Allura. They walk down the hall and into the Chambers of the Great Vault. Queen Katrina reaches up and pulls out an ancient tome. She opens it and sets it on the table. Queen Katrina “The gem sets they are wearing were made a long time ago. They were designed to work in specific ways. The Gems of Soul could fuse one’s spirit and mental capabilities into their body and enhance themselves. The Gems of Combat were designed to increase the strength and speed of the wearer. The Gems of Foresight was two sets of gems. It would grant the wearer sight into the near future. Those four sets are being worn by the four females you saw out there.” (she swallows gently and looks at Kinjite) ”Cassie removed the sets from this vault, before she was removed from being Head of the Thought Order.” Allura looked up from the tome. Allura (quietly) ”How are we suppose to fight these?” Queen Katrina (lowering her head) ”I don’t’ know, kitten. Those gems were made to be worn by Royal Guards and used to defend the Queen. I have looked in many of the ancient tomes and text and have not found a way.” Kinjite sighs and walks out the door. He limps over and sits on a bench by the wall. Jenny walks over and stands by him. Jenny (quietly) ”You knew those weren’t regular gems. How?” Kinjite (Quietly) ”There were *five* sets. There were the Gems of Darkness. They were used by Head Assassin Sister when there still was an Order for that. A Queen of long ago deemed that there would be no more Head Assassin and cast the Gems of Darkness into the Void.” (He looks at Jenny and taps his forehead gem) ”The same void that they called the world of Darkness and the same world they sealed me in for over four hundred years. I found the gems and trained with them.” Jenny stands there for a second and looks at him in shock. Jenny (Quietly) ”I didn’t realize that! I recognized them as the Gems of Darkness, but I didn’t think they were *the* Gems of Darkness!” Kinjite nods and yawns a little. He looks around and then back at Jenny Kinjite (Yawning again) ”I need to rest. Wake me if anything happens.” He lies down and curls up on the bench. Jenny (crossing her arms) ”And what makes you think that they won’t attack?” Kinjite (half asleep) ”Those Gems have a price for using them. It is very tiring and all four of them were using their gems.” He closes his eye and drifts off to sleep. Jenny stands there for a second and shakes her head. She turns and walks down the hall. Half an hour later… Shar is sitting on the bottom steps of a set of stairs. He is looking into his paws and tracing the plates and wires, that are exposed due to the fight. Shar (quietly) “I feel it. It is time.” (takes a deep breath and raises his head to look around) ”I thought it would come on Atlantis.” He turns as he hears footsteps and sees Chelsea walking towards him. She sits beside him. Shar “Is the Queen still guarded?” Chelsea (nodding) ”Allura, Jenny, and the Royal Guards are watching over her.” Shar (nodding) ”What about Master Oni Lance?” Chelsea (looking at Shar) ”He is still sleeping on the bench. I noticed he seems to tire faster when he is wearing those gems. Why?” Shar (shrugging) ”No clue.” (looks at Chelsea) ”Chelsea, you truly know how I feel about you, don’t you?” Chelsea (smiling and taking his paw in hers) ”OF course I do. I have already planned a night for us, when this is over. Why?” SHar (smiling) ”I was just a little worried that I didn’t make it clear. We both know how dense I can be.” A female walks around the corner and coughs to get their attention. They both look at her and wait. Female (patiently) ”The Queen is summoning for all guards and your group to head to the throne room. Do you know where Kinjite is?” Chelsea (standing) ”I’ll get him and meet you there Shar.” Shar watches her walk down the hall and sighs. The Female looks at him. Female (quietly) ”She means a lot to you?” SHar (nodding) ”Yeah and it makes the Time even harder to accept.” He gets up and walks towards the throne room. Down another Hall… Chelsea walks up to the sleeping Kinjite. She gently touches his shoulder and his eye snaps open. He sits up and looks around. Kinjite (wide awake) ”What is it?” Chelsea “The Queen has summoned us.” Kinjite nods and stands up. He follows Chelsea down the hall. Scene 7 In the Throne Room Kinjite looks around as he enters the throne room. The Sister Hood is there as are all the guards and several civilians. He notices that there is a male standing by the Queen and he resembles Jenny a lot. Kinjite (approaching) ”I’ve seen you before.” Male (smiling) ”Been awhile. Nice to see you are finally healed after that last fight, Kinjite.” Kinjite (remembering) ”My first fight against Dante on this world! You brought in some others to help me out. That’s right.” Queen Katrina (nodding) ”Yes and he is helping us out again. I talked to King Hwang and we have come up with a plan. We both feel there is too much innocence in the way of this war. We are to withdraw all innocents and the Sister Hood from Aldebaran. There is an area on the equator of your world that closely resembles Aldebaran environment and he has given us permission to stay there while this war is waged.” Shar “Not to sound rude, but just how the hell are we suppose to get through that army out there?” Queen Katrina (looking at the male) ”Thomas is going to help us with that problem.” Tommy (with a shrug) ”We will just slip out the tunnels I used to get in. Do it all the time.” Kinjite nods and is about to say something when there is an explosion from the main doors. A Guard rushes in. Guard (breathless) ”Their breaking through!” Tommy calmly gets up and walks behind the throne. His pushes his paw against the wall and a piece of it slides open. Tommy (with a smirk) ”I believe you will find that this is the way out.” He quickly disappears into the tunnel. Kinjite motions for the Civilians and Sister Hood to follow. Jenny takes the Queen and pulls her in as well. Allura looks at Kinjite. Allura (worried) ”What is the plan?” Kinjite “Simple. The Queen stays alive. Allura and Chelsea, you will help guard the Queen. Shar and I will take rear guard and deal with pursuers. Let’s go.” They quickly duck into the tunnel and the door shuts behind them. A few minutes later… The Throne room doors blow inwards and Niya walks in followed by several troops. She looks around and turns to the door, bowing. Cassie walks in and looks around. Her eyes narrowing in disgust. Niya (quietly) ”Non one escaped, Mistress. We had the castle entirely surrounded. There was no way out.” Cassie (hissing) ”I know that! It is that bastard Tommy again! Search the room! There must be a passage hidden in here!” The troops start searching the room. Cassie walks up and looks behind the throne. She spots a slight marking on the wall. She gently touches it and the door slides open. Niya steps up beside her and looks down it. Her spell gem flares slightly and her eyes narrow. Niya (a hint of disgust in her voice) ”The one I fought went through here. I sense traces of his gems!” (turns to Cassie) ”Allow me to go kill them!” Cassie (shaking her head) ”No, I want you to stay and deal with stuff around here. Send a squad of Assassin Sisters after them.” Niya nods and turns to the door. She disappears through it and a few moments later a squad of Assassin Sisters come through. Cassie points to the door. Cassie (coldly) ”Kill all, but the Queen and Kinjite! I want them alive! I don’t care about the shape their bodies are in, but I want them *alive*!” The Assassins nod and dart down the tunnels. Cassie walks over and sits in the throne. Cassie (almost purring) ”These is where I was meant to be.” Scene 8 The Tunnels Kinjite suddenly stops and turns to the tunnels behind them. His forehead gem glows slightly. Chelsea and Allura stop. Allura (quietly) ”What is it?” Kinjite “They found the tunnel and one of the females with the gems knows I am down here! We need to go faster!” He turns and motions for the Queen to travel faster. They start moving faster down the tunnel. Chelsea upholsters her blaster as they go. After awhile a blast of magical energy shoots down the hall. It blows off a piece of the tunnel wall, near the Queen’s head. Shar (returning fire from his blasters) ”Incoming!” Chelsea and Kinjite take positions beside the wall for cover. Allura pushes the Queen and Jenny around the corner. Kinjite (throwing a blast of energy) ”Allura, get them to the base and off the planet! We’ll catch up!” Allura bites her lip and looks at the Queen’s concerned face. Allura (quietly) ”You heard him, let’s go!” Queen Katrina ”But they won’t live!” Allura (hissing) ”And I was given an order! I can’t do anything until it is carried out. MOVE!” The Queen stands there for a second and Allura gently, but firmly pushes her towards the Male Resistance Base. Reluctantly, she goes. Back in the tunnels… The fire fight increases as the Assassins try to force their way in. Chelsea shoots at one and tries to dodge a blast from another. The blast strikes her and slams her into the wall. She slumps to the ground, unconscious. Shar sees this and rushes over to her, dodging shots. Kinjite keeps throwing blast after blast as cover fire, while Shar picks her up and runs down the hall for cover. Kinjite follows, deflecting shots and returning fire with his own energy blast. The Assassins hold their position and wait a few minutes. Shar gently sets Chelsea down and checks for a pulse. Kinjite (looking back around the corner) ”Well?” Shar (concerned) “Found a pulse. Still steady, but this head wound looks bad.” Suddenly Allura appears around another corner. Allura (stopping) ”What happened?!” Kinjite (turning to Allura) ”What are you doing here? I ordered you to guard the Queen!” Allura (running up to Chelsea) ”The Queen pulled rank on my and sent me back to help you.” (quickly checks Chelsea) ”She needs medical attention as soon as possible.” Shar slowly stands up and turns to Kinjite. Shar (quietly) ”Take her and get out. I’ll hold them off here and by you time.” Allura gently picks up Chelsea and steps back and waits. Kinjite (looking at Shar) ”Are you nuts? They’ll eat you alive!” Shar looks at Chelsea’s still form and sighs. He turns back to Kinjite and meets his gaze and holds it. Shar (firmly in Atlantean) “Ul Zhah Ussta draeval ulu el!” Kinjite stops dead in his tracks and looks at Shar. Allura looks between the two males, confused at what was just said. Kinjite swallows gently. Kinjite (quietly) “Are you serious? You feel it?” Shar nods and turns to the tunnel. Shar (quietly) ”Hurry, I don’t know how long I will last.” Kinjite swallows and feels tears stinging his eye. He turns and heads down the tunnel. Allura quickly follows him, carrying Chelsea. Kinjite stops long enough to take Chelsea from her and then heads down the tunnel. Allura (as she keeps up with him) ”What did he say? I never learned true Atlantean.” Kinjite (quietly) ”It is my time to die. Once an Atlantean says that and means it, it can not be taken back and overrides any higher ranking official. It is an order from the Goddesses.” Allura falls silent and follows him as he runs down the hall. Behind them in the tunnels… Shar steps around the corner and stands before the Assassin Sisters. He places his feet at shoulder with and his claws slide out. Shar (coldly) ”None shall pass!” The first Assassin Sister steps forward and smiles. The others step up beside her as she raises a paw and a small fireball appears in it. Shar grits his teeth and takes a step forward. In one fluid motion she draws her arm back and throws the ball. It strikes him squarely in the chest and explodes. The blast throws him back and slams him into the wall. To their surprise, he lands on his feet and starts walking forward again. Shar (firmly) ”None shall pass!” The next Assassin sister brings her arm back and another fireball is thrown. It explodes on his chest again and flings him back against the wall. He lands on his feet again and starts walking forward again, despite the smoke rising from his chest, wear the synthetic fur has been burned away. Shar (yelling) ”NONE SHALL PASS!!!” As the third Assassin draws her arm back, hooks eject from Shars feet and latch him to the ground. He readies himself as the fireball races towards him. It explodes on his chest, but he remains in place. In rapid succession, fireball after fireball is thrown at him. Each one explodes on his chest and start burning electronics in his chest. In his head, Shar hears the warnings as various system are damaged, but one warning stands out above the rest. Computer (in Shar’s head) “Power core is becoming critical! Explosion is immanent unless core is cooled!” Shar (thinking) Finally a fireball hits him and he falls over backwards. An Assassin Sister steps up to the still body and looks down. Shar’s eyes open, revealing a countdown at five seconds. Shar (smiling as counter reaches zero) “Bye, bye bitch!” His scorched and burnt chest plate snaps open and reveals a lightly blue glowing sphere of light, that flickers once and goes out. The Assassin Sister doesn’t even have time to shout a warning as the explosion reaches her. Scene 9 Male Resistance Base Tommy looks up as Kinjite runs out the tunnel exit, carrying Chelsea and followed by Allura. Just as they exit, the tunnel shakes violently and dust flows out of it. A medic staff member quickly takes Chelsea and Kinjite drops to his knees and falls forward, slamming his head, repeatedly, on the ground, cursing loudly in Atlantean. Allura stands off to the side and watches. After a few minutes, Kinjite sits back and looks at the tunnel. Queen Katrina looks out an air lock of a waiting shuttle and sees the tears streaming down his face. He slowly rises and wipes his face. He looks at Tommy. Kinjite (quietly) ”Is everyone loaded and ready?” Tommy (nodding) “Just waiting on your group. Where’s the other male?” Kinjite just turns and walks to the shuttle. Allura steps up beside Tommy. Allura (quietly) ”As soon as Chelsea is put on board, we’re all here that is leaving.” She then quietly walk towards the shuttle as well. Tommy looks at the tunnel and lowers his head. He nods gently and walks towards the shuttle as well. At the Castle… Cassie looks up as the floor is shook. About fifteen minutes later, a guard walks in and bows to her. Cassie (firmly) ”Report.” Guard ”We lost contact with the Assassin Squad sent after the renegades and a few moments ago, we detected an extreme explosion that has similarities same as Antimatter explosions from various bombs. The tunnels were collapsed from what we can tell.” Cassie nods and waits silently. Guard (continuing) ”About five minutes after the explosion, we spotted several shuttles leaving orbit. They leaped into hyperspace before we could get to them.” Cassie growls and rises from her throne. She storms down and grabs the guard around the throat and lifting her off the ground. Cassie (yelling) ”You let them get away! I said I wanted my cursed Aunt brought to me and you let her get away! Those who still follow her that are still here, won’t accept me as Queen until she is executed! Where the hell did they go!?” Guard (gasping for breath) ”We believe she ran to Atlantis! The spies said she finalized the Alliance before we attacked!” Cassie throws the guard to the ground and turns to the throne. She walks back up to it and sits in it, facing the guard. Cassie (coldly and evilly) ”I want that confirmed as fast as possible! I won’t let her get away! I don’t care if I have to wipe out that entire planet! I want her brought before me so I can kill her myself! Raise the castle defenses as well! I am expecting an attack from Atlantis in the near future!” The guard quickly bows and backs out the door. Cassie just sits there and watches her go out the door. The doors silently shut. Cassie (to herself) ”Our dance isn’t over either, Kinjite! We will dance again soon enough!” On the ships heading to Atlantis… Kinjite is sitting on a bench and looking out a view port. The stars are streaking by as they travel. Allura walks up and sits by him. He looks over as she sits. Kinjite (quietly) ”How is Chelsea doing?” Allura (quietly) ”She has regained consciousness.” Kinjite nods and looks back at the view port. Kinjite (quietly) ”Did you tell her?” Allura (quietly) ”Yes. She is being strong about it.” Kinjite (quietly) ”She is doing better than me then.” (looks at Allura) ”He and I weren’t friends from the start, but he saved my life once. We always fought, but he still stood by me.” Allura (quietly) ”And now he’s gone. Does it always come that fast?” Kinjite (nodding) ”Yeah, it does.” (looks at the various females walking around) “I never got the chance to tell him I was sorry for the fighting. All the way to the end, he remained a soldier on the field.” Allura (firmly, but quietly) ”Remorse is part of the cycle. When the remorse is over, it is time for vengeance! We will come back and take this Cassie down, like Atlanteans!” Kinjite nods and stands up. He turns and walks down the walkway. He stops when he sees the Queen talking to Tommy and Jenny. Kinjite (thinking) To be continued…