A/N: I meant to say this in the last chapter, but Thank you TTigerz for your help with the Flashbacks Part I.
Chapter Nine: Flashbacks Part II
Later that day, at the palace, Irma was in her chambers sitting in a chair drinking some nectar and eating a thing of sweet tarts she got from the Royal Pantry while looking out her window at the blue sky. As she was doing this, her thought back to the time she was betrayed by one she saw as a father.
Flashback three years ago...
"Very good, Irma.", Vathek said as Irma finish dragging a stone block ten feet across the training grounds. "You've done well for today."
"Thanks!", a sixteen-year-old Irma said as she sat on said stone block. "Man that was heavy!"
"Well, it was a stone block.", Vathek said with a grin as he patted the girl on her shoulder. "And I'm impressed at how strong you've become.", he said making her smile a beaming smile.
"I wonder if my parents would be happy with how strong I've gotten.", Irma said as she looked up at the sky.
"I'm sure they would be very proud of you.", Vathek said with a smile.
Suddenly, just as Irma returned the smile, the gates to the palace outer walls opened. Irma and Vathek looked to see Tynar and some troops enter with some rebels in tow.
"I see you and your troops have been busy, Tynar.", Raythor said as he walked up to them.
"Indeed, Raythor.", Tynar said. "We caught these rebels when they tried to rob a caravan that had medical supplies and food for the our soldiers in one of our forts."
"Good job, Tynar.", Raythor said. "Take these rebels to the Throne Room. I'm sure Prince Phobos would like a word with them."
"Yes, Sir.", Tynar said as he and his troops took the rebels into the palace.
"Well, that some rebels that we don't have to worry about.", Irma said. "Good riddance if you ask me."
"You really don't like them. Do you?", Vathek asked.
"I don't hate them.", Irma said. "I hate that they kidnapped me and my friends and brought us here where we can't get to our families. I like it here, but I miss my family. My little brother is eleven-years-old. That's eleven birthdays I missed. Not to mention holidays! I missed so much back home! And I have those rebels to thank for it!", she said as she got up from the stone block and flipped it over with a yell. "Did I... Did I just do that!?", she questioned realising what she just did.
"I believe so.", Vathek said amazed at what Irma just did. "Looks like you really are stronger than you look."
"Yeah.", Irma said as she looked down at her hands. "Maybe I should take a break."
"I think that would be wise.", Vathek said. "No need to over do things.", he said as they went inside the palace. Let's see what Phobos plans to do with the captured rebels."
"I hope they're put somewhere that they can't hurt anybody.", Irma said as the two of them walked towards the Throne Room.
"Only one way to find out.", Vathek said as they walked down the palace halls.
Once in the Throne Room, Irma and Vathek saw that the rebels were standing before Prince Phobos who was sitting on his throne with Cedric and Miranda at his sides.
"I believe it's safe to say that none of you will tell me the location of the rebel base.", Phobos said knowing the rebels wouldn't say anything.
"You'll never get anything out of us!", one of the rebels snapped.
"It shall only be a matter of time before we find your base. No matter how long it takes.", Cedric said. "You can either help us or be stubborn and by your fellow rebels, out there, what little time they have left."
"Long live the rebellion!", another rebel shouted.
"Then so be it.", Phobos said. "In two days, you rebels will be sent to the prison island where we have sent many of your fellow rebels!", he said earning glares from the ten rebels that were shackled. "Escort these rebels to the dungeons!", Phobos commanded.
"Long live the rebellion! Long live the rebellion!", the rebels shouted as they were being taken away. "Long live the rebellion! Long live the rebellion! Long live the rebellion!"
"Why two days, Your Majesty?", Miranda questioned. "Why not the usual five days?"
"Because I don't want to give they fellow rebels a chance to find a way to free them.", Phobos explained. "The less rebels there are out there the better."
"Agreed.", Cedric said. "The sooner they are gone the better."
"Well, that's that.", Irma said as she turned to leave the Throne Room. "See ya, Vathek. I'm going to go hang with Hay Lin."
"Have fun.", Vathek said watching Irma run off.
End Flashback
As Irma sat in her chair, she let out a sad sigh remembering what happened the next night.
"Why, Vathek?", she questioned as eyes began to water. "Why did you do it?", she said as she crushed a sweet tart in her hand.
Meanwhile, at the rebel base, Vathek was in his quarters laying back on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Ironically, he was thinking about the night he was revealed as a rebel spy.
"If only things went down differently.", Vathek said to himself as he thought back to that night. "If only."
Flashback, three years ago...
"So they're going to send them to the island?", Nerissa questioned as she and Vathek were sitting at a table in the corner of a pub.
"Yes.", Vathek answered. "In two days."
"I see.", Nerissa said. "That leaves little time to rescue them."
"Unless I break them out.", Vathek suggested.
"No!", Nerissa said. "You are our eyes on the inside! We can't lose that!"
"And we can't lose anymore of our forces either.", Vathek said. "It must be done. And you know this, Nerissa."
Seeing the look in Vathek's eyes, Nerissa knew that Vathek was going to do what he had planned.
"Very well.", Nerissa said with a sigh. "Bring the imprisoned rebels at the usual spot. I'll be there with some rebels in case if you're being chased."
"Thank you, Nerissa.", Vathek said as he left some gold coins to pay for his drink. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Be careful, my friend.", Nerissa said with a kind smile that Vathek returned before he left the pub and returned to the palace.
Once at the palace, Vathek headed for his quarters to get some rest. For he knew that it would be his last night there.
"It was bound to happen sometime.", Vathek said with a tiring sigh.
End Flashback
Vathek's thoughts were intrupted by a knock on the door of his quarters.
"Come in!", Vathek said as he sat up on his bed.
The door opened to show Drake standing there. Seeing the young warrior, Vathek allowed him in and gestured for him to sit in a chair.
"How can I help you, Drake?", Vathek asked.
"Well, I was wondering why you want to face Irma when we confront the six warriors.", Drake said. "I mean I know she's strong, like you, but there has to be more to it."
"Well, as you know, I'm the one who trained her and her friends.", Vathek explained. "But Irma sort of grew on me.", he said with a smile thinking back to how she took to him. "I guess you can say that she became the daughter that I never had."
"I see.", Drake said.
"But don't worry.", Vathek said. "When the time comes, I shall defeat her and bring her back here. Hopefully, she'll join us when she sees the truth about Phobos."
"I hope so, my friend.", Drake said. "I truly do."
"As do I, Drake.", Vathek said as he began to think back to the night things changed. "As do I."
Back at the palace, Irma was still thinking back to what happened between her and Vathek while drinking some more nectar.
"Traitor.", she muttered as her mind went back to that night.
Flashback, three years ago...
"I wonder where Vathek is.", Irma said to herself as she was roaming the halls of the palace dressed in a pair of brown pants and boots with a white shirt. "Maybe he's on guard duty.", she said as she headed to the palace gates.
Once at the palace gates, Irma saw that there were four soldiers there, but no Vathek.
"Do any of you know where Vathek is?", Irma asked.
"Last I heard, he was guarding the rebel prisoners.", one of the guards said.
"Okay. Thanks!", Irma said giving the soldiers a smile before heading back into the palace and towards the cells where the rebels were being held.
Once she was in the dungeon area, Irma was shocked to find that the rebels were gone!
"What the heck!? Where did they go!?", she questioned as she looked at the bars of the cells and saw that they were bent open. "Whoever did this is strong.", she figured when she heard a noise. "What was that?"
Following the sound, Irma found an opening in the wall and went through it to find a secret passage. As she went down the passage, Irma began to worry about Vathek fearing the rebels took him hostage.
"Please be alright.", Irma said with worry.
Soon Irma came to an area to find the rebels sneaking through another opening. Seeing this, Irma wasn't about to let them get away. She looked around and saw a thick piece of wood and picked it up ready to fight.
"Hold it!", Irma shouted gaining the attention of the rebels. "You're not going anywhere!"
"Oh really?", one of the rebels questioned as he stepped up to Irma. "And how do you plan on stopping us, little girl?", he questioned with a smirk as he looked down at Irma.
A smirk grew on Irma's face as she uppercutted the rebel sending him flying towards his fellow rebels.
"One at a time!", Irma snapped as she took a fighting stance. "So who's next!?"
It was then a shadow grew over Irma. When she saw the shadow, Irma smile knowing who it was. She turned to see that it was Vathek with his main weapon. Happy to see him, Irma figured that they could defeat the rebels and take them back to their cells. But then she saw there was something wrong with Vathek.
"You okay, Vathek?", Irma asked.
"You shouldn't have followed us, Irma.", Vathek said with a stern look on his face.
"Us!?", Irma questioned.
It was then that Vathek grabbed Irma by her shirt and tossed her aside letting her hit the wall. Once she hit the ground she looked at Vathek in shock. It was then that it hit her.
"Y-Y-You're one of them!", Irma said. "You're one of the rebels!"
"Yes. I am.", Vathek said as the other rebels went through the opening. "I've been with the rebels way before you came here years ago."
"But... why?", Irma questioned.
"Because Phobos is the enemy!", Vathek snapped. "You may not see it now because you see him as a good man! But, in time, he will be this kingdom's downfall! We rebels are the only hope for Meridian!"
"No! You're wrong!", Irma shouted. "The rebels are the enemy! And must be stopped!"
"Then we are enemies, Irma.", Vathek said sadly. "For I am a rebel."
Not saying a word, Irma got to her feet and charged at Vathek with a fierce yell. Seeing the anger in her eyes, Vathek knew there was no turning back. So with a heavy heart he waited for Irma to get close enough before he made his move. As she got closer Vathek could see tears running down Irma's face.
"I'm sorry, Irma.", Vathek said sadly as Irma closed in on him.
Once she was close enough, to Vathek, Irma jumped at him ready to strike. But Vathek was ready as he side-stepped and hit Irma in the stomach while sending her flying back to the wall. Once she hit the wall, she fell to the floor too weak to move as she watched the last of the rebels go through the opening leaving Vathek and her. Then the sound of footsteps was heard from the secret passage.
"I'm sorry, Irma.", Vathek said taking one last look at Irma, before he headed through the opening.
"Vathek. No!", Irma cried as she slowly lost conscience.
"Irma! Wake up! Wake up, Irma!"
Irma slowly opened her eyes to see the worried face of Hay Lin.
"Hay Lin?", Irma questioned as she sat up and saw that she was in her chambers sitting on her bed.
"Oh, Irma!", Hay Lin cried as she hugged her best friend. "We were so worried about you!"
Irma looked around her room to see her friends standing around her bed.
"What happened?", Irma asked as Hay Lin pulled away from each other.
"Cedric and some soldiers found you at the end of some secret passage.", Taranee explained. "From what they could tell, Vathek broke the rebels out. So after searching his chambers, Cedric found out that Vathek has been with the rebels for many years."
It was then that Irma remembered what happened. And it was then that she burst into tears feeling hurt and betrayed. Seeing this, Angelo and the girls held her in a group hug to give her comfort. For they knew how close she was to Vathek. Later the night, Irma was dressed for bed and laying in her bed. As she laid in her bed, Irma made a promise to herself that when she found Vathek, she would fight him and bring him to justice for his betrayal.
"You will pay for your crimes, Vathek.", Irma said as more tears ran down her face. "I'll make you pay!", she said before she began to cry.
End Flashback
"Traitor!", Irma snapped as she jumped out of her seat and threw her chair against the wall as the door to her chambers opened to show Angelo walking in.
"What the heck!?", Angelo questioned as he saw Irma flip the couch ant table she had in her chambers. "Irma stop!", he said as he ran up to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Calm down!"
"Let me go!", Irma demanded as she tried to get free of Angelo's hold. "Let me go!"
"Not until you calm down!", Angelo said.
Try as she might, Irma couldn't get free of Angelo's hold. After a few seconds, Irma stopped fighting and went a bit limp as she began to burst into tears as she cried.
"Why!?", Irma cried. "Why did he betray us!? Why!?"
"Aw, Irma.", Angelo said knowing it was Vathek she was talking about.
Angelo then let Irma go and turned her around and wrapped his arms around her in a hug that she welcomed as she clung to him as she continued to cry. After letting Irma cry and let out her pain, Angelo helped her straighten up her room.
"You going to be okay?", Angelo asked as he set the table back up along with the things Irma had on it.
"Yeah.", Irma said as she set her chair back up right. "It's just that every time I think about that night, I feel the hurt of Vathek's betrayal. I just wish it never happened!"
"I feel for you, Irma. I really do.", Angelo said as he helped Irma set her couch back up. "But you can't changed the past. All we can do is move forward and hope for the best."
"Well, I hope we can put an end to all of this.", Irma said as she sat on her couch.
"You and me both.", Angelo said as he sat next to her. "Then we can return home and be with our families again."
"Home.", Irma said with a smile as she rested her head on Angelo's shoulder. "It sounds so nice."
"It does, doesn't it?", Angelo questioned as the both of them leaned back on the couch relaxing in the comfort it gave them.
"I'm hungry.", Irma said which got Angelo to bust out laughing. "What!? I am!", she said as she playfully punched Angelo's arm.
"Come on.", Angelo said as he got to his feet. "Let's get something to eat."
"Now you're talking!", Irma said as she got to up and left with Angelo.
Elsewhere, Orube was doing some training in her chambers with her punching bag dressed in her red and gold gi. As she was hitting the punching bag with punches and kicks, she began to think back to the day she ended up on Metamoor.
Flashback, ten years ago.
On the world of Balsilide, one Orube was standing at a portal not knowing where it would take her. Standing behind her was another Balsilidian that was elderly with two adult Balsilidians that were to make sure Orube didn't make a run for it.
"Orube. Your family is accused of crimes against the elders.", the elderly Balsilidian said. "And for their punishment, you are to be banished to a random world for all your days so they will know the sadness of loss!"
"Please don't do this!", Orube pleaded. "My parents only wanted make a difference!"
"And this is what it has cost them.", the Balsilidian said. "I'm sorry, child but this is the will of the elders. Farewell."
It was then that one of the other Balsilidians pushed Orube through the portal. She let out a fearful scream as she went flying through the portal. Once through the portal, Orube looked around and found herself in some kind of forest. She looked behind herself to see the portal close leaving her stranded on whatever world she was now on. She after gathering herself, Orube began to wander the forest in hopes of finding any signs of intelligent life. Soon she exited the forest and found a vast field of grass and knew she had a journey ahead of her. As she continued her way, she began to get hungry and thirty. But she continued on. If she were to just go and give up she'd be letting her family down. And that was something she wasn't going to do. Not without a fight she wasn't. So she continued her way until she found a village. Once at the village she saw that the people were greeting a man with blonde hair that went down a bit past his shoulders. He was dressed in a green, red, and yellow robe as he walked through the village. But then he turned and noticed Orube who was tired and weak. Seeing this, the man walked up to her and caught her before she fell to the ground. As he held her in his arms, Orube looked up at the man and saw a pair of blue eyes before she blacked out.
Sometime later, Orube woke up in a bed wondering how she got there. She looked around and found that it was night as she looked out of a window. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she was still clothed.
"Where am I?", Orube asked herself as she got up from the bed.
Suddenly, the door to the room she was in opened to have the man she saw earlier walk in.
"Ah! You're awake.", the man said as Orube took a fighting stance. "I did not come to fight you. I only came to see if you were okay."
"I'm fine!", Orube said still keeping her fighting stance when her stomach let out a loud growl causing her to blush a bit as the man laughed a bit.
"It sounds like you're hungry to me.", the man said. "Thankfully, I had some food prepared for you.", he said as he opened the door a bit wider for a woman to bring a tray of food into the room and set it on the table while another woman brought a pitcher of water with a cup and sat it next to the food.
"Please. Sit and eat.", the man said as the two women left the room.
Being very careful, Orube made her way to the table and sat down. Containing his laughter, the man sat at the table as Orube began to eat the food and frink the water.
"So what is your name?", the man asked.
"I am, Orube.", Orube said introducing herself. "I am of twenty years of age."
"Well, Orube. I am Cedric.", Cedric said introducing himself. And I am of twenty-three years of age. "I am one of Prince Phobos' advisors."
"Prince Phobos?", Orube questioned.
"He is the ruler of the Meridian Kingdom.", Cedric said. "The kingdom you are in now."
"I see.", Orube said taking in what she was just told. "May I ask what world this is?"
"What world?", Cedric questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. What world am I on?", Orube asked.
"Well our world is called Metamoor.", Cedric answered. "Where are you from?"
"I am from the world of Balsilide.", Orube answered. "I was banished here to punish my parent for they tried to make a difference in my world."
"I see.", Cedrc said. "That explains why you were so tired as well as hungry and thirsty.", he said getting a nod from Orube before she drank some water.
"I came here through a portal and ended up in a forest of some kind.", Orube explained.
"The Great Forest.", Cedric said. "That is where you ended up."
"So I guess this world is my home for the moment.", Orube said.
"Well, if you would like, you can come with me to the palace.", Cedric offered. "I'm sure Prince Phobos will welcome you like he welcomed the children when they were brought here."
"Children?", Orube questioned.
"It's a long story. Sort of.", Cedric said with a grin. "One that can be told on the way to the palace.", he said with a smile that made Orube blush a bit.
"I'd... like that.", Orube said with a smile that Cedric returned.
End Flashback
After that day, Orube and Cedric became good friends that trained together and fought by each others sides. Soon, that friendship turned to love and they got married and have been happy ever since. A smile grows on Orube's face as she finished her workout.
"My people actually did me a favor by banishing me here.", she said as she laid on her bed. "For here I found love.", she said as she looked at the wedding ring on her finger as a smile grew on her face.
Orube then left her quarters with a robe in one hand and some bath oils in the others as she headed for one of the Bathing Rooms to take a nice long bath to soothe her body after her workout. In another part of the palace, Phobos was walking the halls of the palace until he came to a set of doors that no one but him were allowed to enter. Taking a deep breath, Phobos opened the doors and entered the room. Once inside, Phobos called forth a ball of energy to light up the room so he could see where he was going. He slowly made his was to the window and opened the curtains to let the sunlight in. Once he did this, he turned to get a better look at the room. It was elegant with its fancy furniture. But that didn't matter to Phobos. For this room was his parents' chambers. Parents that he hasn't seen the night his sister was taken. Where any of them were he didn't know. And it was something he didn't have much time to think about with him running the kingdom and all. And with the rebels causing all kinds of trouble, he had his hands full.
"My parents were able to rule well.", Phobos said to himself as he sat in the chair his mother would sit in with him in her laps when he was a child. "And I will do the same. The rebellion will be stopped. This I promise.", he said as he continued to sit in the chair and think back to happier moments.
A/N: Well, there you have it. Now you know what happened with Vathek and Orube. And why Irma is the way she is. And it seems that Phobos has a private place to himself. I feel for any one who goes in there. The next chapter take place a few weeks later when things start to get interesting. Read on to find out what happens!
Please review.
