The Forbidden One Cometh, Part 2 Author Psykorabbit2000 Scene 1 Royal Landing Pad, Atlantis KING HWANG and an escort of guards stand to the side of the pad, watching the Aldebaran shuttles landing. He steps forward as the door slides open on the nearest one. QUEEN KATRINA steps out, shortly followed by JENNY and FELICIA. King Hwang bows gently to the Queen and she nods to him. King Hwang (concerned) ”Were you able to save many of your followers?” Queen Katrina (quietly) “We were able to save several. Unfortunately, it came at a high cost. Several of my warriors were killed during the siege of the castle and I heard that Combat Specialist Shar was killed in our escape.” King Hwang stares at her in shock. King Hawng (stunned) ”SHar is dead?” He turns as Kinjite steps off the shuttle, head hanging down. He walks up and nods to King Hwang and turns to leave. King Hwang (firmly) ”Is it true, Master Oni Lance?” Kinjite stops and stands there for a few seconds, quietly. Not even facing the King, he nods and starts walking. Allura and Chelsea step off the shuttle and watch him go. Allura (quietly) ”It’s hitting him pretty hard.” Chelsea nods and keeps walking. Allura watches her go as well and sighs. She walks down the ramp and stands beside the Queen. Half an hour later… Kinjite looks up as a messenger runs up to him. Messenger “Master Oni Lance, the King wishes to speak with you of an important matter.” Kinjite nods and heads towards the castle. The guards salute him as he approaches and he nods. He walks through the door and towards the throne room. King Hwang looks up as Kinjite enters. Kinjite bows and straightens. He spots AYAMI and YOUNGER ALLURA standing off to the side. Kinjite (quietly) ”You wanted to speak to me, your majesty?” King Hwang (Standing up and walking towards him) ”Master Oni Lance, I have some good and bad news considering your daughter’s training. I will let your wife explain.” King Hwang steps to the side and motions for Ayami to come forward. Younger Allura follows her as she walks forward. Kinjite (confused) ”What’s going on? I thought Priestess Selena was going to teach her.” Ayami (quietly) ”No, she can’t teach Allura. Allura is to strong for the teachings.” A door opens behind him, but Kinjite doesn’t look. He keeps his eye focused on Ayami. Kinjite (worried) ”Then what do we do?” Ayami (looking down at her feet) ”We know of some felines who can teach her, but they aren’t on this planet.” Kinjite (shocked) ”Your saying that I have to send her away?!” Voice (from behind him) ”Your daughter was born with a rare form of magic, Master Oni Lance. Honestly after seeing her father, I can see why.” Kinjite spins around and sees a female cat with platinum hair and chocolate colored fur. She bows to him and smiles gently. Kinjite (defensively) ”Who are you and what are you talking about?” Female (smiling) ”My name is Fionna. I am a teacher of such type of magic. I sensed the presence of the magic and came to see who was the bearer. I have to admit, you did an amazing job of raising her. She is polite and kind.” Kinjite “So you can teach her? What planet?” Fionna (quietly) ”My world is not among this dimension. This power is so great that it would not be safe to train her here.” Kinjite opens his mouth, but Ayami gently puts her paw on his shoulder. Ayami (quietly) ”She has to be trained. She keeps increasing with each passing hour.” Kinjite (swallowing) ”How long will the training take?” Fionna (quietly) ”For her, it will seem as if two years will pass.” Kinjite (quietly) ”Two years?” Ayami (squeezing his shoulder) ”For her, but for this dimension, twenty years will go by.” Kinjite spins back around and stares in horror at his wife. Kinjite (horrified) ”Twenty years! We have to send our daughter away for twenty years!” Ayami (looking into his eye) ”There is more. Allura was able to take one of us with her. We were told that you couldn’t go, because you possess a darkness in your soul that isn’t yours.” Kinjite stares at her as he realizes what she is saying. Kinjite (hoarsely) ”Twenty years? Are you serious?” Ayami nods and gently puts a paw on her daughter’s back. Fionna steps up beside him. Fionna (quietly) ”I know this hurts, but it is the only choice she has. If she doesn’t receive the training, your daughter will become the greatest threat this dimension will ever face and it can’t beat her. If she doesn’t get the training, she will eventually end up destroying this universe. That is the price of this power.” Kinjite (defeated) ”When?” Ayami (sadly) ”Immediately. Fionna can’t stay here any longer and she is the only one who can get us there.” Kinjite looks down at Allura. She wipes a tear from her face. Younger Allura (crying a little) ”I don’t want to go, but they say I have to. I don’t want to hurt anyone, dad.” Kinjite kneels down and gently puts his paws on her shoulders. Kinjite (holding back his emotions) ”Go do your training, Allura. I want you to do your best at it too.” He quickly hugs her and strokes her hair. She steps back and he stands up. He turns to Ayami, who is trying not to cry herself. Ayami (wiping a tear from her cheek) ”I’m sorry, Lance.” Kinjite nods and sighs gently. He looks into her eyes. Kinjite (attempting humor) ”Hey, its only two years for you.” Ayami (nodding) ”True, but it is twenty years for you. We won’t be together at night. No sleeping beside each other and feeling the warmth from each other. I want you to go on and live a normal life. Don’t wait for me, but don’t give up on me either.” She steps forward and hugs him tightly. Kinjite gently sniffs her hair and gently kisses her on the cheek. He steps back and nods, unable to speak because of his emotions. He turns to Fionna and leans in by her ear. Kinjite (fiercely and barely loud enough for her to hear) ”You better take care of both of them. If they both don’t come back, I will hunt you down, no matter what dimension you hide in, and tear you limb from limb! Your soul will feel pain that only a *demon* can inflict on it! Do I make myself clear?!” Fionna (firmly) ”Crystal clear. I see you haven’t lost control of *him* yet. That is good.” Kinjite (hissing) “Whatever. You got what you wanted!” He turns and walks from the group. He stops and turns at the door, in time to see Ayami and Allura disappear in a flash of light. King Hwang shakes his head and looks at Kinjite. King Hwang (to Kinjite) ”We have matters to speak about still.” Kinjite (over his shoulder) ”They can wait until morning!” Kinjite walks out the door and slams it as he leaves. King Hwang lowers his head and sighs. He walks back to his throne and sits down. Scene 2 Kinjite’s House, later that night Kinjite is sitting on the back porch. Sitting beside him is a bottle that is empty and he has another in his paw. He hears the front door buzz, but doesn’t move. Kinjite (thinking) A few seconds later, he hears the door open and some muffled talking. Inside… Allura steps back as she lets Jenny, Queen Katrina, and Felicia in. Jenny (quietly as she looks around) ”How is he holding up?” Allura (shaking her head) ”Not good. He’s been sitting on the back porch for the entire night, drinking. He just stares off into space. It is almost as if his will is gone.” Queen Katrina (quietly) ”He lost an ally in that fight and then he looses his wife and youngest daughter. I am surprised he isn’t in worse shape.” Allura nods and motions to the couches. They seat and look around. The back door opens and Kinjite steps in. He sets the half empty bottle in the refrigerator and walks into the living room. He nods to everyone and turns to walk up the stairs. Allura (quietly) ”Are you going to be alright, dad?” Kinjite ( stopping by the stairs and whispering) ”Why do I even bother? Pain just follows with every choice I make. I lost friends on Genus, then I lost Shar on Aldebaran, and now I lost Ayami and Allura.” (looks at the group, his eye settling on Katrina) ”I’m tired of losing those I care for.” He turns and walks up the stairs. The others watch him as he disappears into his room. Allura swallows and looks at the others. Allra (quietly) ”Please stay here with us. I’m worried about him and he needs friends right now.” Queen Katrina (nodding) ”Yes he does. We will stay here and help out as much as possible.” Allura nods and stands, motion the others to follow her to the guest rooms. Later… Kinjite rolls over in bed and opens his eye. His gaze falls on the spot that Ayami usually sleeps in and finds it empty. Then it sinks in. He sits up and draws his knees up into his chest and wraps his arms around them. He leans his head against the headboard, as a tear rolls down his cheek. Kinjite (quietly) “I’m alone again. Is this what my path is always suppose to be? Alone?” He swings his feet out of bed and walks over to a chair by the window. He looks out at the two moons and his emotions overwhelm him. He buries his face into his arms and sobs into them. After a few moments, he hears the door open and some gentle footsteps. He lifts his head and sees Felicia standing there in a robe. Felicia (gently) ”I was getting a drink and heard you.” (she gently puts an arm around his shoulders and sits on the arm of the chair) ”Do you want to talk, Kinjite?” Kinjite (quietly) ”She’s really gone. She won’t be back for twenty years.” Felicia (as she gently strokes his hair) ”She’ll be back though. Grandma and I will be here for you. Grandma has always considered you as part of her family.” To Kinjite’s surprise, he felt a small bit of comfort from Felicia’s words and put a paw on her paw, that was on his shoulder. Kinjite (looking into her eyes) ”I pray you never have to feel true loneliness, kitten. It hurts worse than the darkest depths of the Void.” Felicia (nodding) ”Coming from you, I will take that as a tested statement.” Kinjite gently leans against her side as she strokes his hair. Several minutes go by in silence. Finally Kinjite stands and faces her. Kinjite (quietly) ”You should head to bed, Princess. It is late and we don’t need your grandmother thinking the wrong thoughts.” Felicia nods and stands up. She walks to the door and stops. She turns to him as he walks over to his bed and sits on it. Felicia (coughing gently) ”Kinjite, will you keep helping us on the efforts to be able to return home?” Kinjite (nodding) ”I may have lost my wife and daughter, but I will continue to keep my word to the throne, Princess. I will do what ever it takes to return you and your grandmother to the castle of Aldebaran and remove Cassie from it.” Felicia (smiling) ”Thank you, Kinjite.” She turns and walks out the door.. Kinjite lies back on his bed and stares at the ceiling. Kinjite (thinking) He rolls over and shuts his eye. Scene 3 The next morning Jenny walks out of her room and heads into the living room. She hears the back door open and then shut. She quickly heads through the kitchen and opens the back door. She sees Kinjite walking down a path in the backyard. He approaches a small circle of various flowers and gently kneels in the small opening in the middle. The first rays of the sun shine over the nearby mountains and shine on the area. Kinjite slowly lowers his head and goes into a deep meditation. Jenny watches him as he sits there. After ten minutes, the door opens and Allura steps out. Jenny nods to her as she approaches. Allura (quietly) ”Meditating?” Jenny (nodding) ”Looks like it. He’s been kneeling there for about ten minutes.” Allura nods and sits on the porch. Jenny sits beside her. At the flowers… Kinjite slowly breathes and smells the fragrance of the flowers. Kinjite (thinking) A small tear rolls down his cheek and drops onto a petal. Kinjite (thinking) (sighs) He raises his head and opens his eye. He sees a bird high up flying. Suddenly a larger predatory bird slams into it, but the smaller bird slips free. It plummets towards the ground, trying to get its wings to work. Kinjite watches and holds his breath watching. About thirty feet off the ground, the bird’s wings open all the way and it soars back into the air again. Kinjite smiles and nods. He slowly raises and takes a deep breath. Kinjite (thinking) He walks towards the porch. On the porch… Jenny (standing up) ”Looks like he’s done.” Allura looks up and sees her dad walking towards them. She notices a different look in his eye. Allura (thinking) She stands as he approaches. Allura (quietly) ”Are you alright, dad?” Kinjite (nodding and hugging her) ”I’m better, Allura. I did some serious thinking and came to a decision.” (looks at Jenny) ”Sorry to make you and the Queen wait around. Tell her I am leaving here in half an hour to talk to King Hwang and then I am going to Aldebaran to clear out the castle.” Jenny (nodding) ”You sound confident that you can complete this mission.” Kinjite (his eye glinting with a metallic sheen) ”I have one last card to play.” He turns and walks into the house. Jenny and Allura both look at each other in confusion and quickly follow. They walk into the kitchen and find Felicia walking through the hall, rubbing her eyes, sleepily. She stops when she sees Kinjite. Felicia “Are you alright, Kinjite?” Kinjite smiles and gently take her paw and kisses the back of it. Kinjite (smiling) ”Yes, Princess. I am prepared to head to your world and keep my promise.” He gently releases her paw and she blushes slightly. Queen Katrina walks up behind her and sees this. She looks at Kinjite and smiles. Queen Katrina (smiling) ”You seem in higher spirits.” Kinjite (nodding) ”I am and I plan on putting Cassie in lower spirits as I make her bow to you on *your* throne, Queen Katrina. I am going to speak with King Hwang. Prepare to leave for Aldebaran as soon as I am done.” (turns to Allura) ”You come with me.” He turns and walks out the front door, with Allura in his footsteps. Queen Katrina smiles. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”Lance is back! Things are bound to get better now!” Scene 4 Atlantean Castle King Hwang is staring in shock and horror at Kinjite. King Hwang (in shock) ”You want to storm the Aldebaran Palace?! Do you realize how well defended that palace is!?” Kinjite (nodding) ”Yes and I know most of its weaknesses as well. I won’t be taking Atlantean troops into this mission.” King Hang (almost rising from his seat) ”No troops!? That’s a suicide mission! Master Oni Lance, I can’t believe you would consider a mission like this! The odds alone will slaughter you and what ever forces you take with you!” Kinjite (calmly) ”I know my odds. I have dealt with worse and lived for four hundred years dealing with them on a daily basis. I will speak among the Aldebarans to see how many troops I will get.” Voice (flat) ”I am going and no one will change my mind.” Kinjite turns and sees Chelsea walking up. She looks like she hasn’t slept at all and spent the night drinking. The smell of alcohol is all around her. Kinjite (nodding) ”Fair enough. I know I have one troop.” King Hwang rises from his throne and storms towards Kinjite. King Hwang (demanding) ”I forbid this mission! This is insane! You are acting irrational, because your wife and daughter left and you Chelsea, you’re drunk and suffering due to the death of Shar! I forbid you both! You will not have the throne’s permission to take this mission!” Kinjite (flatly) ”Then mark this as my first act of treason against the throne.” He turns and walks out the throne room with Chelsea right beside him. The guards step forward to intercept them. Suddenly, tendrils extend from the walls and grab the guards gently, pulling them back against the wall. King Hwang watches in anger and shock as Kinjite walks from the throne room. King hwang (yelling) ”You are aware of what the punishments are for this?!” Kinjite (over his shoulder) ”More than aware and just as willing to accept them!” The doors slam shut and King Hwang stands there trembling in anger. He turns and returns to his throne. King Hwang (thinking) At the Landing Pad… Queen Katrina looks up as Kinjite and Chelsea walk up with Allura right behind them. Kinjite bows to Queen Katrina and looks around. Kinjite (patiently) ”How many are willing to go?” Queen Katrina (pointing to the shuttle) ”Their already loaded. Does King Hwang approve of this mission?” Kinjite (with a shrug) ”No, but I can deal with that after the mission. Let’s go.” (he turns to Allura) ”I want you to stay and watch the throne for me. I am pretty sure of what the punishment will be.” Allura opens her mouth, but stops her self after a glance from Kinjite. Allura (looking down) ”I will and be careful dad.” Kinjite (patting her on the shoulder) ”Keep in touch then.” Allura watches them board the shuttle and sighs. She steps back and watches the shuttle lift off. Scene 5 On board the shuttle in space Kinjite walks down the walkway, looking at the various females in armor. Kinjite (thinking) On Aldebaran… Cassie is sitting on the throne, lazily swirling a cup of wine around. NIya, Anna, Belle, and Iris are standing in front of the throne. Iris (patiently) ”We have crushed several small pockets of resistance in the southern realms, your Majesty. We are searching for some in the city around the Palace even as we speak.” Cassie (taking a sip) ”And what of my dear aunt?” Iris (looking down) We know she is on Atlantis, but we have been to busy to hunt for her.” Niya (grumbling) ”You should have just let me go after her. I would have brought her back by now!” Cassie (nodding) ”I’m sure you would of Sister Niya, but I have already sent many Assassins to Atlantis to kill Kinjite and he has managed to kill each one. The Atlantean race is not a race to be taken lightly. Their determination is quite strong. Besides, my dear Aunt will try something to retake the throne. Give her time.” Anna (smiling) ”Yes, time is an interesting thing. It just keeps turning in place…” Belle (smiling) ”… and will eventually come back to its beginning. So many cats are like time and quickly return.” Cassie nods and sets her glass down. Suddenly an explosion rocks the castle and sends the glass flying to the ground, shattering. Cassie (standing) ”What was that?!” Guard (running in) ”You Majesty! Eagle Point was just destroyed by a missile barrage! The castle is under attack!” Cassie (ordering) ”Raise defenses and gather the troops!” The guard quickly bows and runs out. Anna “Just like a wheel of time…” Belle “…that cat has returned to his start.” Cassie whirls around and stares at the two cats in anger. Cassie (hissing) ”Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?! I thought you two could use those damn gems!” Anna (confused) ”He is different this time…” Belle (confused) ”…and is cloaked from time itself, it seems.” Cassie (angrily) ”He is attacking, so that means my aunt is with him probably!” (looks at the four felines) ”Iris, Anna, and Belle, I want you to take you places in the Chambers! Niya, you stay with me and stand guard.” All four bow and the three turn to leave. Anna (muttering) ”We are just like sheep…” Belle (muttering) ”… being lead to the slaughter house.” Outside… The shuttle streaks over the remains of the tower. The back door opens and Kinjite is standing in it. Felicia and Jenny are standing beside him. Jenny (yelling over the wind) ”Are you sure about this plan?!” Kinjite (yelling back) ”Yes! Take the troops and attack the location along the back wall that I pointed out! I will take care of the four we fought with before. Meet you in the palace itself!” Jenny nods and turns into the shuttle. Felicia steps closer. Felicia (over the wind) ”Are you sure you can pull this off!” Kinjite (over the wind) ”I’m never sure!” Felicia (over the wind) ”And what if something goes wrong?” Kinjite (looking at her) ”I’ll do what I do best! Improvise!” Felicia nods and quickly hugs him. Then to his shock, she kisses him on the cheek and steps back. Felicia (over the wind) ”Come back alive then!” Kinjite nods and dives out the door, wrapping himself in a mass of black tendrils. The black mass streaks towards its target as the shuttle flips around and races back towards the mountains behind the palace. As the mass streaks through the air, it elongates and takes on a missile shape. It slams into the palace wall and through it. The wall collapses inward, into a pile of rubble. Two black tendrils shove the rocks aside and Kinjite walks out in a cloud of dust. Kinjite (evilly) ”Four hundred years ago, they imprisoned us! Now its payback time!” Suddenly a voice emanates from Kinjite. Voice (sounding like Kinjite) “Yes, it is. The blood of the usurper’s troops shall flow as freely as wine! The souls will be a great feast and this will be a great war!” Kinjite nods and sprints down the hallway. A few moments later… Iris is sitting in the middle of an emerald green chamber. She is facing a door and another one is down the hall behind her. Iris (thinking) Suddenly the doors explode inward and shower her with dust and splinters. A shield protects her. Kinjite steps through and looks at her. She stands and takes a fighting pose. Iris (arrogantly) ”Leave it to a *male* to come seeking death, instead of trying to avoid it.” Kinjite (sneering) ”Leave it to a *female* who follows Cassie to find her grave first!” They lunge at each other and collide with a sickening thud. Iris lands a solid blow into Kinjite’s stomach and quickly pulls her paw back as pain shoots through it. Kinjite leaps and spins around lashing out with a savage backhand. Iris leaps back and barely avoids the blow. They begin circling. Iris gently rubs her paw. Iris (thinking) “He is like living steel and moves like lightning!” In that brief moment, Kinjite seems to vanish and Iris stops. He suddenly appears right before her in a crouch position and leaps upward, landing a powerful uppercut against her jaw as he rises. She flips over and slams into the ground. She spins around and back to her feet, barely missing a savage stomp aimed towards her throat. They back away from each other again and circle each other. Iris (wiping blood from her lip) ”You’re stronger and faster.” Kinjite remains silent as he circles. His eye narrows and he feints to the right. Iris instantly raises a defense on her right and a tendril smashes into her left side from a corner. She slams into the wall and bounces off it. Halfway to the floor, Kinjite’s foot snaps upward, catching her in the jaw again and flips her head up. She steps back and her head lowers to glare at him, as he stands in front of her on one leg with the other raised over his head. He points up and she glances up. The foot smashes right between her eyes and slams her to the floor. She rolls to the side and crawls away, her vision blurred with pain and blood. She slowly rises to her feet and staggers around. She turns and Kinjite is nowhere to be seen. Iris (yelling) ”Where are you coward!? Come finish this fight or are you running away?” Suddenly a hand grabs her from behind and lifts her up. The hand tightens around her throat and another grabs her clothing around her waist. She struggles to breath as she feels herself being lifted up. Kinjite (evilly) ”My friend has chosen to consume your soul, female! I pray you will learn peace through your eternal suffering!” Iris screams as she feels herself begin to fall downward. Kinjite’s paws slap down on her throat and stomach, shoving her faster. The last thing she feels is a sudden sharp pain in her back, just as she hears her back snap against Kinjite’s armored kneecap. Kinjite lets the body drop and stands up. A dark mist appears around Iris’s body and swirls into the air. Kinjite reaches up and pulls off his metal eye patch. The mist flows into it and he replaces the patch. Kinjite (looking around) ”You will have three more souls, Forbidden One, but Cassie will live to pay for this and other crimes!” Forbidden One (emanating from Kinjite) ”That is acceptable. Retrieve the Gems from each, so that they may be sealed away when this is over!” Kinjite nods and kneels down. He quickly removes the gems and stops to look at the still body. A hint of sadness swells up and he shakes his head. Forbidden One (curious) ”What is it that makes you sad, Kinjite? She was an enemy and your enemies are to be killed.” Kinjite (putting the gems in a pouch) “It is a shame, that a beautiful female had to be an enemy. Beauty should be treasured, always.” Forbidden One (with a touch of humor) ”Unless she is trying to kill you.” Kinjite nods as he stands up. He studies the room and his eye narrows. Kinjite (with a hint of concerned) ”This is an exact replica of the Chambers of Spirits that the Gems were stored in! If she had put the spirits in her, I don’t believe I could have won!” Forbidden One (amused) ”You’re right. Don’t forget, we still have the two sets of Gems of Foresight and the Gems of Combat to deal with. Let us hope that those Chambers are created like this one and pray that it wasn’t just that we got lucky or this female wasn’t trained as well as she portrayed herself to be.” Kinjite (walking to the next door) ”And if it is?” Forbidden One ”We can still become one, if the need be.” Kinjite nods and opens the next door, finding another hallway. In the Throne Room… Cassie sits watching the door and waiting. Niya is standing beside her. Niya (arrogantly) ”He won’t make it past the Chamber of Spirit. I have fought this male and he is weak! I don’t even know how he is able to wear the Gems of Darkness.” Cassie nods and looks around again. Her eyes fall on a small bracelet on her wrist. It has a gem that matches each of the Gem sets. The one that matches Iris, quickly fades away and becomes clear. Cassie’s eyes narrow. Cassie (firmly) ”Prepare yourself in your chamber, Niya.” Niya (stunned) “Why?” Cassie (looking up) ”Iris is dead.” Niya stands there quiet. She bows and walks out the throne room door. Cassie watches the door shut. Cassie (thinking) Forbidden One (mentally with humor) “Several hundred miles to the north or I could just make a porthole here.” Kinjite (muttering) ”Smart ass demon!” Everyone looks at him as he turns to a corner. A black circle appears in the corner and Kinjite dives into it. Queen Katrina slowly turns to Jenny and Tommy. Queen Katrian (firmly) ”I will watch over Felicia, go find a couple of guards and put Cassie under arrest. When she comes to, I don’t think she is going to like being a closet case.” Tommy and Jenny both nod and smile as they run out the door. Scene 8 World Of Darkness Kinjite slowly opens his eye and looks around. He suddenly feels a strange sense of comfort, as he sees the disfigured world he called home for four centuries. He gently pushes off from where he is standing and glides through the darkness. Forbidden One (chuckling) ”It feels good to be home again, does it not?” Kinjite (quietly) ”It is comforting, but it isn’t my home anymore. I don’t belong here.” Forbidden One (with a snort) ”And I suppose you fit in perfectly in the material realm? Banished from one planet and in trouble for disobeying a King of another. Sounds like your really fitting in.” Kinjite’s eye narrows as he sees some flying forms coming towards him. As they near, he recognizes them as succubi. As soon as they are able to fully see him, they stop and screech in fear and anger. They turn and disappear into the darkness. Forbidden One (amused) ”They still remember you, Kinjite. Even here, your name still strikes fear in demons.” Kinjite (quietly) ”Just like it does out there. I don’t belong anywhere, do i?” Forbidden One (quietly) ”It is just like my fellow princes and myself. We don’t belong in the Material realm and we don’t belong here either. We are of a world long past and for most of us, our pride stops us form catching up with that world.” Kinjite (quietly) ”I wish it was pride with me. It is my path and I have to walk it until I die or it ends.” Forbidden One “Aren’t those options at the same time?” Kinjite (irritated) ”We can have this talk later! We need to find Felicia before something else does!” He feels a slight tearing inside of him. A darkness flows out of his mouth and ears and forms beside him. It slowly solidifies and takes shape. Large bat-like wings stretch out several yards in reach. A long sinewy body elongates and a sinewy set of arms form. A slender head forms on the shoulders and looks down at Kinjite, with blood red eyes and smiles, revealing several rows of jagged curved teeth. It reaches out and gently grabs Kinjite’s arm. Forbidden One (with a beat of the great wings) ”We can go faster with me on the outside.” (looks at Kinjite, as they streak through the air) ”Tell me why you are truly seeking for this Aldebaran female’s soul?” Kinjite (gruffly) ”I promised her grandmother I would.” Forbidden One (with a smirk) ”I am older than time, Kinjite. Don’t try to brush off my question with a half true answer. I know you better and I felt the pull in your heart when you saw her laying there.” Kinjite (snapping) ”You know your answer then! Don’t play games right now!” Forbidden One (nodding) ”True I do know my answers already, but I believe your paths are only painful, because you don’t know your answers. I sense sadness and fear off to the right.” They veer to the right and pass through a black Smokey cloud. Down below, Kinjite sees a small spot of light among the darkness. He lets go of the Forbidden One’s clawed hand and aims himself downward. He glides down and stops before the spot of light. In the light is a ghostly image of Felicia. The form is curled up in a fetal position. Kinjite (approaching) ”Princess Felicia?” The ghostly image looks up, fearful. She smiles as she sees Kinjite approaching. Felicia (scared) ”Kinjite? Is that really you?” Kinjite (nodding) ”Yes, Jenny told me what happened, so I came here to find you.” The ghostly image slowly stood up. She studied him and sighed with relief. Felicia (hopeful) ”Can you get me out of here? This place is horrible! So much death and darkness! How can anyone live here?” Kinjite (nodding) ”I know this place all to well. You are the only female to see where the Sister Hood sent me four hundred years ago.” Felicia (eyes widening) ”They sent you here and you survived?! And in return, all you wanted to do was protect the throne? Why?” Forbidden One (lowering behind Kinjite( ”He never blamed the Throne. He blamed the female who was on the throne at the time.” Felicia looks at the demon behind Kinjite and her mouth drops in horror. She takes a step back and covers her mouth. Felicia (gasping) “Who or what is that?” Kinjite (quietly) ”This is the Forbidden One. He is one of the reasons I was sealed away.” (his eye shifts as he sees something behind Felicia) ”Felicia! Get down!” Suddenly a large winged demon swoops down, The Forbidden One leaps at it and knocks it aside, before it can reach Felicia. They tumble into the darkness, slashing and tearing at each other. Felicia instantly runs into Kinjite’s arms, only to step into his body. Kinjite (mentally) ”Just stay in there, Felicia!” He dives into the darkness and quickly finds the two demons. He stops when he realizes that one of the Forbidden One’s arms were laying on the ground. The Demon sank it’s teeth into the Forbidden One’s stomach. The forbidden One quickly wraps his long body around the demon’s head and neck. Forbidden One (looking at Kinjite) ”Get her out of here and never return if you have a choice! The Princes are hunting!” Kinjite bites back a remark and bolts into the darkness. He hears a loud crunching sound followed by a shriek of pain. He streaks through the air as fast as he can. Felicia (from inside of him) ”What is going on?” Kinjite (holding back his anger) ”The Demon Princes are hunting! They kill everything they can and devour it. It makes them even stronger!” He catches a glimpse of movement to the side and dives downward. A Dragon-like demon barely misses him as he rolls through a cloud. A second form lunges up at him, and Kinjite barely dives out of reach of the prehensile tongue as it grabs for him. He flips around and dives back to where he knew he entered the realm at. Kinjite “I hope it is still there!” In the castle… Queen Katrina is sitting in a chair by the bed that Felicia’s body is laying on. They are still in the throne room. She is watching her granddaughter’s still form. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”I will do anything if he pulls this off! Felicia shouldn’t have been in that battle! Please Kinjite, don’t fail on this mission!” Suddenly the air pressure changes and Queen Katrian looks up, as do the few guards in the room. Suddenly a black circle appears against the wall. Kinjite shoots out the circle and it seals behind him. He skips across the ground, hits the throne’s base, flips up over it and slams into the wall behind it, sliding to the ground upside down. Queen Katrian quickly rises to her feet and approaches him slowly. He opens his eye and looks around in confusion. Queen Katrina (cautiously) ”Lance, are you alright?” Kinjite (muttering) ”Gravity sucks.” Guard (with a shrug( ”He seems alright.” Queen Katrina glares at the guard and offers Kinjite a paw up. He quickly stands up and shakes his head clear. Kinjite (slightly dazed) ”Where’s her body?” Queen Katrina gently leads him over. He studies it and his eye focuses finally. He looks around and then at the Queen. Kinjite “her spirit is in me. How do we get it out of me and into her?” Queen Katrina (shrugging) ”I never studied spirit magic! I thought it was part of the training you got.” Kinjite (shaking his head) ”Wrong set of Gems.” (looks down at Felicia’s still body and then back at the Queen) ”I have an idea, but promise me you won’t get mad.” The Queen nods and Kinjite nods. He leans over and gently kisses Felicia on the lips. He stays there for a second and feels something pass through his lips. He slowly draws back and Felicia slowly opens her eyes. Kinjite (relieved) ”It worked.” Felicia (smiling) ”Yeah. Guess it is true then.” Quen Katrina (Taking her paw in relief) ”What is that, kitten?” Felicai (looking at Kinjite) ”You never forget your first *real* kiss.” Kinjite shakes his head and smiles. Suddenly his vision blurs and he drops to the ground unconscious. Scene 9 Aldebaran Palace a few days later Kinjite is lying in a medical bed, looking at the ceiling. Jenny walks in and stands by the bed. Kinjite rolls his head over and looks at her. Jenny (smiling) ”Attempting a spirit transfer with as little of energy as you had can be fatal. How are you feeling?” Kinjite (tiredly) ”Like I just got done being pulled through a power plant generator.” Jenny (sitting n a chair) ”Well, that’s better than you were yesterday.” Kinjite (nodding) ”How long was I out for and how bad was the damage?” Jenny (opening a folder) ”Well, you were out for about three days. Physically, your fine. OF course you are still missing your left eye.” (looks at him with a smile) ”Spiritually though, you seem to be missing a piece of your spirit and you still seem to have a link with something in the Void.” Kinjite nods and sits up, pushing the covers aside. He finds himself in a hospital gown and looks for his clothing. Jenny turns the chair around as he gets dressed. Jenny (over her shoulder) ”The Queen has your Gems, before you ask. Allura is here to by the way. King Hwang sent her to see how things were going. Apparently he has decided on your punishment as well.” Kinjite (pulling on his shirt) ”Figures, where is Chelsea?” Jenny (quietly) ”She didn’t make it though the battle. She gave her life and took a shot meant for the Queen and Felicia.” Kinjiet stands there silent. HE nods and stands up. He walks around and puts a paw on Jenny’s shoulder. She looks up at him and he sees the sadness in her eyes. Kinjite (quietly) ”Her spirit died when she heard about Shar. Her body just needed to catch up with her. She is with him again. Let’s get my punishment over with.” Jenny nods and stands up. They walk out of the medical facilities and to the throne room. In the throne room… Alluar is sitting on the lowest step of the throne dais. She is talking with the Queen, who is sitting on the throne. Felicia is sitting on the bottom step as well. Queen Katrina (nodding) ”I suppose it is true. He did defy the King and he does need to be punished for it I fell the punishment will fit and he will understand.” They all look up as Kinjite and Jenny walk in. Allura stands up and walks over to him. She hugs him tightly and takes a step back. Kinjite (nodding to her) ”I’m glad to see you.” (takes a deep breath) ”Let’s hear the punishment I am to have for my actions.” Allura (taking a deep breath) ”By his majesty, King Hwang’s orders…” (she looks around the room and then back at her dad) ”…you are to be exiled, until your wife returns. The Royal Family feels that your actions, though are treason, are a result of your emotional strain of your wife leaving and the death of your friend.” Allura looks up at him and he sees the regret in her eyes. He reaches out and pats her on the shoulder. She looks up at him and sees him smiling. Kinjite (smiling) ”No orders about not having contact?” (Allura shakes her head) “I got lucky with this punishment. Tell him I understand and accept this, but I will still defend Atlantis when it needs my help.” Allura nods and Kinjite turns to Queen Katrina. Kinjite (bowing slightly) ”I am guessing it is safe to assume that the Sister Hood has returned and are not happy with me being here.” Queen Katrina (nodding) ”You are correct, but I feel that you have earned a small reprieve, considering everything you went through and still stepped up to fight for the throne. The Sister Hood does have a favor to ask of you though.” Kinjite (stunned) ”Favor? Me?” Queen Katrina (smiling) ”They have decided that Cassie is to be put under extreme watch. They want her removed from Aldebaran and after your actions, they have decided that you are a better choice than any female.” Kinjite (ears drooping) ”So I am exiled from Aldebaran as well?” Queen Katrina (shaking her head) ”No, there is a place that you will be allowed to stay at while you are watching over her. She will live with you and travel with you. The Sister Hood has said that they will want her off planet as much as possible. I agree with them on this matter. The other option is execution, but she is my niece and I did promise her mother I would do all I can for her. Remember though, Lance, this is only a favor, not a request.” Kinjite nods and takes a deep breath. He looks to the ceiling and then to the doors that he blew off their hinges. He turns back to the Queen. Kinjite (nodding) “When do I have to leave with her?” Queen Katrina smiles. Queen Katrina “Not until the morning.” (looks at Felicia and then back Kinjite) ”Someone wanted to have at least one dinner with you, a way of saying thank you for your *deeds*.” Kinjite smiles again and bows to both the Queen and Felicia. Kinjite (standing) ”I am honored.” After dinner that night… Kinjite and Felicia are walking through the gardens. The moon is shining on the gardens as they walk. Felicia is laying her head against Kinjite’s shoulder and has her arm wrapped around his arm. Kinjite (gently) “So why did you want to have dinner with me?” Felicia (quietly) ”I just wanted a chance to talk with you and not have to worry about anyone else saying their opinion. A chance to really see and speak with the cat of the legend.” Kinjite (nodding) ”A chance to meet the real me. I understand.” They walk along the trails a little farther. They walk up and stop by the small pond. Felicia looks into the reflection and sees Kinjite looking up towards the moon. Felicia (quietly) ”You really miss her, don’t you?” Kinjiet (looking down at her) ”She is one of the first to not judge me by the opinions of the Sister Hood. She is also the mother of my daughter. Yeah I do miss her a lot.” Felicia (looking up at him) ”What was the last thing she said to you?” Kinjite (quietly) ”Don’t wait for me, but don’t forget about me either.” Felicia (confused) ”What did she mean by that?” Kinjiet walks over to a bench and sits down. He looks at Felicia and sees the confusion on her face. Kinjite (takes a deep breath) ”It is a personal meaning. I really can’t explain it to you. Perhaps your grandmother or Jenny can explain it to you.” Felicia walks over and sits beside him. Felicia (quietly) ”So what are you going to do now that she is gone for as long as she is?” Kinjite (with a shrug) ”Survive as best as I can. Try to continue living. Hope my heart will last until she returns. Probably keep fighting like I have been doing.” Felicia (hopefully) ”Remember how to keep loving?” Kinjite looks down at her and raises an eyebrow. Kinjite (curious) ”Is there something you are wanting to say?” Felicia (blushing) ”I can’t believe I said that! I am sorry… but you know how a young kitten’s heart is….i mean….” Kinjte laughs out loud and gently puts a paw on her shoulder. Kinjite (smiling) ”Don’t worry about it. You will learn how to choose your words better.” Felicia nods, still embarrassed by what she said. Kinjite stands and offers her a paw. She takes it and walks with him towards the castle. They soon stop in front of her chamber doors. Felicia chews on her lip slightly and looks up at the black cat. Felicia (quietly) ”Kinjite, I am truly sorry about what I said. It’s just that…” Kinjite gently places a finger on her lips. Kinjite (quietly) ”Four hundred years ago I had a princess take an interest in me. I lost an eye saving her from harm. I am not ashamed of that, as a matter of fact I wear the eye patch as a badge of honor for what I did. Now four hundred years later, I have another princess who seems to have taken an interest in me as well. I am honored by and I am glad that a member of the Royal Family is looking past the stories again. Thank You , Felicia.” He leans in and gently kisses her. He steps back and bows to her gently. He then turns and walks down the hall as Felicia enters her room. Next morning… Kinjite is standing in the throne room, with Queen Katrina, Jenny, and Felicia. Kinjite (looking around) ”So what does Cassie look like anyways?” Jenny (looking at Kinjite in shock) ”You don’t even know what she looks like?” Kinjite (shaking his head) ”Never met her.” Just then the door opens and several guards walk in with Cassie in the middle of the group. They walk up and push Cassie before the Queen. Cassie glares at the Queen and the Queen points to Kinjite. Cassie looks over and for the first time, really sees her opponent that she ahs sent Assassin Sisters after. Queen Katrina (calmly) ”Allow me to introduce you to your prison warden Cassie. This is Kinjite, the Forbidden One. He will be watching over you during your sentence. Kinjite, this is Cassie. She is to be monitored at all times and treated as a serious threat. Do you both understand?” Kinjite and Cassie both nod looking at each other. Queen Katrina (nodding as well) ”Good, Cassie your sentence is fifteen years under him. I hope you will learn something from him.” (looks at the guards) ”Take her to the shuttle being supplied for them.” (looks at Kinjite as Cassie is being led away) ”Your flight paths for entering Aldebaran space are already programmed into your computer. You may come and go freely, just respect our laws about announcing yourself first.” Kinjite nods and turns to head towards the door. Felicia walks along side him. Felicia (quietly) ”So how often will you return to Aldebaran?” Kinjite (with a shrug) ”Not sure, but don’t worry I will come back and visit with you.” He holds the door open for her and they walk down the hall. Felicia (quietly) ”I wanted to tell you something before you left.” (takes a deep breath) ”Grandmother told me everything she knew about you and after you pulled me from the Void, I could see she wasn’t making it up. I have to admit that I have taken more than an interest in you, Kinjite. I found out what your wife meant, last night. I just want to tell you that I will wait for you.” Kinjite stops and looks at her in shock. Kinjite (stunned) ”You are aware of what you just said, right?” Felicia (nodding) ”Yes and so is Grandmother. She pointed out your age and said that the Sister Hood would frown on this, but I honestly don’t care. Grandmother shared the memories she had of you, all the way up until you were sealed away. They only reinforced my feelings.” Kinjite (shaking his head in disbelief) ”I’m old enough to be your grandfather!” Felicia (shrugging) ”I know and I know you have that many years of knowledge and wisdom. We can talk about this later. I want you to have dinner with me on your first trip back, agreed?” Kinjite (smiling) ”I get the feeling you won’t take no for an answer. Fair enough.” Felicia smiles and hugs him tightly, before running down the hall towards the throne room. Kinjite shakes his head and walks out onto the launch site. Cassie is standing there with a group of guards, waiting for him. She watches him approach. Cassie (smugly) ”Well, looks like I have fifteen years to get to know my opponent better.” Kinjite (muttering) ”We’re only ten minutes into your sentence and I already know more about you than I want!” They climb aboard the shuttle and it quickly lifts into the air. Kinjite watches out the cockpit window as the planet drops form them. Kinjite (Thinking) The shuttle streaks into space and leaps into hyperspace. THE END