Knights of Zodiaca
AN: Thank you for all your reviews! What happens next? Find out below! Please read and review! Enjoy!
Chapter 11
House of the Rising Sun
"We couldn't figure it out."
"Doesn't matter."
"Destroy it."
"He's questioning her right now."
"She won't tell him anything."
"Where's the other one?"
"Cell."
"What if the she…"
"She can't. Not here."
"Does she even know?"
"I doubt it."
The whispering continued like this for another minute or so before footsteps sounded and Kimberly knew the speaker's were leaving.
She didn't know how long she had been in there, but it felt like days. When she awoke inside the clay room, there had been a large basin of water. Whether or not it was for drinking or bathing, she didn't know. She had sustained herself by drinking from it all this time.
She hadn't seen Katherine since their last encounter, but no longer was the small brunette concerned. She was angry. She knew she was in the Fire Realm, between the muddy walls and the hot breeze that filtered inside the cool cell every now and then.
The whispers had been too muffled and cryptic for her to gather real information, which only fueled her frustration.
"Think, Kimberly, think," she berated herself. Her mind was completely blank; she couldn't even hear her own thoughts.
Footsteps were heard again, Kimberly released a silent gasp before backing herself against the dirty wall, waiting to hear where they'd stop.
More murmured conversation before the cell door began to rattle, Kimberly's eyes widened as the entrance slid open, revealing the familiar silhouette of a Panthera Guard.
"His highness requests your presence," the cat purred slowly.
Bungalow 7, Cancer Island, Water Realm
"Professor?" Billy spoke out as they descended the stairs.
Scattered gasps and sighs came from the group, aside from Zack and Billy as they entered the chamber.
"What is this place?" Rocky asked, spinning in circles to look at everything.
"This place is recent," Tanya assessed, approaching the glass wall and running her hand across it. She still didn't fully understand her ability, but felt she could finally admit the things she seemed to already know.
"Welcome," Madeline's voice rang out suddenly. The group turned to see the older woman standing in the opposite doorway.
"Professor! Are you okay? I tried to contact you but I couldn't…you didn't answer," Billy stuttered, running to the woman.
Madeline placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "I know, Billy. I'm sorry for frightening you."
"We found three," Zack chimed in, slightly cocky. Isaac cleared his throat as Zack turned and nodded to the Minotaur.
"Oh yeah, and him," Zack added flippantly.
Madeline nodded slowly. "You're all very curious, no doubt. Well, I must confess that my work has been slightly altered by some recent events. But first,"
"Someone's here," Tanya said bravely, staring down the woman with conviction.
Madeline smiled and regarded the young woman. "Tanya Sloan, the blinker, welcome," the woman said softly as Tanya took a step back and continued to watch her intently.
The rest of the group exchanged worried looks, as if the integrity of the older woman had been compromised somehow before Madeline turned her attention to the door she had entered from.
"You may come in now," she instructed. Billy gasped as the rest looked on to see a young woman enter the room.
"I know you," the boy in blue said.
"Trini Kwan, the next knight," Madeline spoke calmly.
"Whoa, dude. Overload," Zack quipped, now scanning the room and realizing that there were six knights in the same room for the first time.
"But Professor, how—"
"Trini found me," Madeline explained. "Seems that's part of her unique ability, Billy."
"Madeline explained everything to me," Trini said, "But I think your friends might need some filling in."
"I believe you'll need some new provisions," Madeline said happily, "Excuse me for a moment, won't you?"
As Madeline disappeared behind the far door, Billy and Trini turned their attentions to the rest of the group.
"Well, I guess we should start with this," Billy said with a sigh, removing the scroll from his cloak and placing it on the central table where everyone could see.
Sagittarian Hollow, Fire Realm
"Scorpio bay is clear, sir," the young man said, "The Rodentia came across on the four Arachnoids safely."
General Halo nodded slowly. "And the archer?"
"He should be reporting back momentarily, General."
"I can't wait all day. Report back to the mines when you know," the cat huffed before giving a small bow and slinking away.
The young man bowed and watched on as the General and three foot soldiers devolved onto all fours before racing off.
Adam Park took a seat on his look-out perch and heaved a heavy sigh. He didn't have the same convictions his Fire Realm counterparts held. He believed Zodiaca could work as one, come together with sufficient rule and live happily ever after.
To voice these thoughts however, was dangerous. Hell, to even think those in selective company could prove disastrous. Prince Tommy and Jason Scott, the son of the Ram Shaman from Aries, were two of the most powerful men in the Fire Realm, if not all of Zodiaca. They had chosen Adam at a young age to be their friend.
Adam knew his father had been one of the few men to refuse the late King's decree. Sacrificing his own life for the welfare of his wife. Adam's parents were executed. Only Adam was saved, a strong young boy who would hopefully grow to see the Fire Realm's resurgence to power.
So now Adam was on their side. But his heart thought differently. He missed the camaraderie of women amongst them. Not just as potential lovers, but as friends. He missed nurturing souls and friendly faces.
He was given a Squim for his sixteenth birthday. A gift from the prince himself. Adam had feigned surprise and gratitude, but was aching inside. He'd requested privacy with her, which his friends had obliged. The Squim was an older woman, seemingly more able to initiate him into manhood.
He slept with her. Though that part came much later, after he tried to dissuade her and her countering his protests. She explained that this was her fate; her life.
"Mr. Park!" a voice suddenly broke him of his thoughts. Adam turned to see a young Centaur barreling toward him.
"Dante!" Adam exclaimed, jumping down from his spot, "Call me Adam," he instructed.
"Sorry sir, err…Adam," the Centaur corrected. "I saw something!" he blurted out excitedly.
"What?" Adam asked in amazement. They'd been scouted for look-out duty the last few weeks, and had never proved fruitful. The purpose of even spying on the other realms was to alert the Panthera of potential threats to the Fire Realm's plans. Though before the Vultura had been released, the Fire Realm's goings on had been slick and silent. But now, the birds had become intolerable, leaving signs everywhere.
"The Vultura?" Adam asked knowingly, but Dante shook his head violently. "No, sir," Dante said adamantly.
"I saw two cloaked men, two girls, a frog and a minotaur and another boy," Dante rambled incoherently.
Adam looked at his companion confusedly. "I don't understand. In Capricorn? Wait a minute…a frog?"
"Yes, Adam, sir. A frog, two girls and three men, two of them cloaked and a Minotaur. Oh yeah, and they have a giant chained to the mountain,"
"They have a what…"
"But that's not all," Dante interrupted hurriedly, "They were talking for the longest time and then vanished."
"Where did they go after they finished talking?" Adam asked.
"I don't know! Didn't you hear what I said?" Dante asked him pathetically. "They vanished! Into thin air! They all held hands and disappeared!"
Adam's eyes widened upon hearing the last news. He'd been privy to the prophecy. Tommy and Jason knew of it from their youth and had shared it with him. They did not know who these knights were or where to find them, but the trio had still spent a greater part of their lives trying to disprove the legend. And along the way, they discovered they had powers too.
Adam knew why he'd been given his look out post. His extraordinary sight enabled him to see great expanses of land, provided their was nothing to obstruct his view. He was also exceptionally fast on foot. And should he ever see something threatening, he'd be able to quickly disable the threat.
"Two of the men were cloaked?" Adam repeated back to Dante as the Centaur nodded along.
"What did they look like?" he asked again.
Dante shrugged. "I couldn't see them in great detail," he said sadly, "But sir, they have a giant!"
Adam began pacing, his speed picking up with every turn. Dante was getting dizzy watching him.
"Take me there!" Adam demanded, stopping in place. He craned his neck to see the area Dante had been watching, but to no avail.
"Take you? Sir, shouldn't we report back to the General?" Dante asked worriedly.
Adam thought for a moment, knowing Dante's questions to be true. There were only two races that could disappear into thin air, Orphs and Sages. But they were scarce and were easily recognizable by their old age. The prophecy alluded to powers. These knights, whoever they were, would be blessed with powers. Disappearing into thin air was certainly a power. An ability not unlike the one he, Jason and the prince possessed.
"It's true," he whispered before looking back at Dante. "They have a giant, you say?" Adam asked.
Dante nodded carefully. Adam smiled and looked toward the Mountain range. "Let's go," he said finally.
Cancer Island, Water Realm
"I can't believe this is all really happening!" Aisha squealed in delight as she twirled around.
"Something doesn't completely add up," Tanya noted, eyeing herself carefully in the mirror.
"Professor, I have a question," Trini asked quietly, staring down at her hands that were now basked in the white cloth of her robe.
"I don't…..Why can't I….." Trini began.
"The Fire Realm has a block on other sources of power." Madeline answered for her.
"Then how can we be sure that's where they are?" Trini begged.
"Where else would they be, Trini? With all that you know now? All that you've seen and heard these past few days? Where do you think they are?"
Trini focused her energy for a moment, but her thoughts drifted to everything that had happened to her recently; taking her mother's advice about vacationing, despite knowing subconsciously that Kimberly wouldn't be found in Cancer Island, explaining the Panthera attacks to her father before the media got a hold of the story…all of her coursework throughout college and her seemingly endless knowledge of events happening elsewhere. She had called it intuition. How she had underestimated everything.
"Each of you is in need of supplies," Madeline began, breaking Trini from her thoughts. The girl looked up to see the other knights circling around the older woman.
"Zachary and William have already been outfitted with their belongings. But the rest of you must keep these objects with you at all times," the Orph continued.
Isaac had been characteristically quiet throughout this whole ordeal, giving Aisha no indication the thoughts running through his head. But the Minotaur was troubled yet fascinated by what he'd seen in the last hour or so.
"If they have extraordinary powers, what use would gadgets and ornaments be to them?" He finally spoke, baiting Madeline.
The older woman gave Isaac a pleasant smile, seemingly happy to see him finally contribute to the conversation.
"I don't normally divulge this type of information to those outside of the circle, though you've probably seen enough that would assume you to be trustworthy," Madeline explained.
Isaac snickered as the woman continued. "Every knight possesses an ability, true. However, there are certain elements that warrant a more….practical approach."
The group of young men and women looked on eagerly, despite the creature's blatant skepticism. The woman seemed to know what she was doing. For how long she'd made this her job, only Tanya had a guess, but she hadn't steered them wrong yet and their potential was too great to dismiss.
Madeline displayed a large box and set it before the new knights. As it was opened, each saw different contraptions and weapons, color coordinated to their own robes. Each knight greedily reached for their designated object, staring at it's majesty as the realization of who they were sank in.
"Tanya, your psychometry should aid you and your companions in any questions about the integrity of these items," Madeline said.
Tanya gave a quick nod to her before returning her attention back to the twin daggers in her hand. She slid a finger down the mantle of the weapon, gauging its previous usage before her. They were new. Fashioned, it seemed, specifically for her. The blades were an eerie silver, fading down into the handle that became a vibrant lilac. The Gemini symbol etched into the sides.
Aisha blinked a few times to regard the mirror she held in front of her. She understood, with her persuasive power, the possibility that the object held. But she was puzzled as to how it could aid in her protection.
"Let me help you," Tanya offered, seeing the expression on Aisha's face. Tanya held the mirror for a moment before handing it back to the Taurun girl.
"It's a shield," Tanya said simply. Aisha furrowed her brow in confusion. "An attacker will only see themselves, in the mirror. Giving you or any of us, the advantage to attack back," Tanya further explained.
"It was custom made for you, as all of the weapons are, it seems," Tanya deduced again.
Madeline beamed proudly. Tanya's powers were exceptionally keen and Madeline was very thankful for it. Her psychometry expanded beyond objects it seemed, but to people and situations as well. Even Madeline didn't understand the evolution of some of the powers, but it was amazing to see.
"Billy has the communicator, Zack the whip, I have the daggers, Aisha the mirror," Tanya listed before stopping upon Rocky. "Rocky, you have what?"
The young man showed her proudly. A helmet, with two protruding horns, glistening silver.
"Rocky's strength can be a very valuable asset. However, the others you encounter may not be concerned with that. So I added a little bite to that bark," Madeline quipped.
The gang laughed softly before Trini spoke up. "I don't understand," she said quietly, holding up a small set of scales.
"You're a Libra, right?" Zack chimed in with a sigh. He'd been on his best behavior all day and was thankful he'd gotten one snarky comment in.
"It's a gauge," Tanya guessed as Madeline nodded. "Our powers might not work where we're headed, but this will let us know when something's coming," she finished.
"Excellent, Tanya. The scales will tip in one direction when danger is approaching and in another when an ally is near," Madeline further explained.
"How do we know which direction is which?" Aisha asked.
"You don't," Madeline confessed, "But between the six of you, you'll figure it out."
"Where did all of this come from?" Aisha asked again.
"Billy," Tanya said. Madeline smiled as the group looked toward the boy in blue.
"Madeline did it really," the boy said humbly. "I just gave her the ideas."
"Billy-man, you didn't tell me that before! Awesome!" Zack cheered, reaching an arm out to give Billy a playful smack.
"Very impressive," Isaac chimed in, examining Aisha's mirror closely.
"So I guess this little guy should return to you?" Billy asked rhetorically, motioning to the frog.
"Yes, I'm afraid Dennis will be a bit too noisy to take down into the Fire Realm," Madeline said with a sad smile.
"Speaking of, how are we all gonna get there?" Aisha asked.
"I can't tell you that, Aisha," Madeline said calmly, "You have all the information you need right now."
"Oh my god! Krag! I need to get back to Krag!" Rocky yelled suddenly.
The group broke out into gasps and exclamations before Madeline cut them off, her hands raised grandly.
"He's fine, Rocky," she soothed the orange robed boy, looking to Trini for further information.
Trini focused on all the previous info she'd been given and watched as a young man and a Centaur approached the giant, attempting to release him.
Trini laughed as she further envisioned Krag's scared tantrum, resulting in a rock slide. She then gasped at what she witnessed next. The Centaur's back legs collapsed under one rock, as the young man dashed like a bullet to escape the others.
"He's a knight!" Trini said aloud, the others not understanding what she was seeing.
"Billy, help us out," Aisha said quickly.
"I can't read her thoughts," he whined, before begrudgingly focusing on Trini.
"Vocalize it, Trini. You must learn to share what you're seeing with the others. It will help you immensely.
"She's afraid. Trini's afraid of what she's seeing," Billy described painfully.
"I'm…." Trini started, trying desperately to concentrate on her vision and express it simultaneously.
"Confused, now she's worried," Billy snapped, breaking his focus as Trini's thoughts fought for a voice.
"There was a young man, he was fast. Super fast, like lightning. And a Centaur. They tried to free Krag but a rock slide fell onto the Centaur. The boy escaped, ran like a shot away from the avalanche."
"Is Krag okay?" rocky asked impatiently, Aisha throwing a consoling arm around him.
"Krag's fine. He's still chained to the mountain. The Centaur was left for dead, but the boy ran away. I think he's a knight. But he was wearing a Leonian crest," Trini said finally, breaking her thoughts.
Madeline smiled. "I'm very proud of you, working as a team," she told them brightly.
"That's exhausting," Trini said with an exasperated sigh.
"What was a Leo doing in Capricorn?" Zack asked, referring back to Trini's vision.
"I don't think he was a Leo," Trini told him, "But he's obviously working for Leo."
"The prince," Aisha said in horror.
"But why would one of us be working for the prince?" Rocky asked.
"Unless that's who we're supposed to find in the Fire Realm," Tanya supposed with a dreadful look.
"That's exactly who we're supposed to find," Billy agreed somberly.
"But they're 12 knights. You mean the other six are all in the fire realm?" Zack asked incredulously.
"One from each house, remember? Of course not," Aisha scolded.
"Not counting us and the Fire Realm that leaves Aquarius, Virgo and Cancer." Tanya said.
"Well we know we're looking for at least one girl," Aisha chimed in.
"I think I know who the girl is," Trini said, giving Billy a suppressed smirk.
"Kimberly," Billy said without a doubt. Trini nodded.
Underground, Leonian Mines, Fire Realm
"You know what I think?" she asked snidely. The cat circled her carefully and shook his head.
"I think the there is no prince! I think you giant cats have been living down here all this time, scaring off innocent people just so no one will realize you've been loafing under royal burial grounds for the last hundred years!"
The cat laughed at her assumption. "I'm not that old!" the cat hissed, moving in closer to her face as he spoke.
Kimberly grimaced as the creature's breath wafted through her senses. "Halo," a sudden voice echoed in the chamber.
"Sire," the cat groveled, backing away from Kimberly and into the shadows. "You're dismissed," the voice barked again.
The general huffed and bowed before slinking out of the room, leaving Kimberly chained to the chair in the center of the room with the mysterious voice.
"Hello, Miss Hart," the voice rang out. Kimberly couldn't yet see the owner, but knew the speaker to be young and human.
"Why should I answer you?" Kimberly asked, mentally kicking herself for starting off with a question.
The voice laughed. "Oh good, you can talk,"
Kimberly fumed inside, rattling her chains to show her displeasure. "Who are you?"
"Why are you here?" the voice asked.
"Just visiting," she snapped.
"Why are you here?"
"Why am I here?" Kimberly repeated back. "I'm here because those disgusting hair balls beat me and my friend and locked me down here! There! Are you happy?"
"That's a loaded question, Kimberly," the voice oozed. Her name spoken by that voice sent chills down her spine. She fidgeted in her seat some more, growing more enraged every second.
"Where's my friend?"
"Who?"
"Where is Kat?"
"She's fine…..for now," the voice said calmly.
"What do you mean for now? I swear if you touch—"
"I said she's fine!" the voice barked, shutting her up.
"Who are you?" Kimberly spoke up again, quietly.
"Why were you spying on my soldiers?"
Kimberly's expression changed from annoyed to amused. "Your soldiers? I thought that cat in here a minute ago was the General. What are you? Higher than the General? Cause you all seem like giant puss--"
"I am the KING!" the man hollered, thrusting himself into the light for her to see. Kimberly's eyes widened in amazement as Tommy's eyes seared into her own.
The small girl gasped as he pulled back slowly, his figure now fully encased in the light before her. He was beautiful. Tall, lean and muscular. Long, chocolate brown hair cascading down past his shoulders. His chiseled chest, emblazoned with a sun; the rays shooting off onto his arms like thorns. He wore little else, besides a pair of silk, wide-legged trousers and tabbi boots, all golden in hue.
"Why was he the one responsible for all the terrible things she had endured?" Kimberly thought to herself, trying desperately to shake off his alluring appearance.
"You're not the king yet," she reminded him coldly. Tommy snickered. "Yet," he repeated cheekily.
"I need to be married," he continued, eyeing her up and down blatantly as she adjusted herself in the chair.
"Stop it!" She chided him, trying to conceal as much of herself as she could within her restraints.
Tommy smiled wickedly, approaching the chair she remained in. "Do you like your new room?" he asked, slithering up behind her and breathing down her neck.
His breath was sweeter than the panther's, but all the more discomforting. "Totally rad," she quipped back loudly, wanting to break the intimacy in which he'd started.
"It's the old royal chamber," he told her, still inching closer and closer to her face. Kimberly inhaled sharply as his mouth encroached upon her ear.
"It's where my bride and I will consummate our marriage," he whispered, his lips brushing lightly across her lobe.
Kimberly shuddered, hoping his sudden effect on her would remain unnoticed. It didn't. The prince smiled and licked his lips as he circled the chair again, rounding out until he came face to face with her once more.
"Would you like to be my bride?" he asked her simply, leaning both hands on the arms of the chair, invading Kimberly's space.
Kimberly swallowed with difficulty as she closed her eyes, willing herself to come out of his trance.
"You wish," she spat, reopening her eyes and staring him down with all the strength she could muster.
Tommy pulled away and crossed his arms like a pouting child, staring at her dutifully. "What is it about you Air Realm women?" he began, shaking his head.
"You enroll in your fancy classes that tell horror stories of how the savage Fire Realm stole your home away, when in reality; there'd be no fancy class to be taught if we hadn't!" Tommy unloaded.
Kimberly furrowed her brow and gave him a snide smile. "Your logic is twisted," she told him flatly.
"Is it now?" he asked, his voice dropping. "You wanna know what I think?"
"Do I have a choice?" Kimberly retorted, knowing she was pressing her luck with her curtness.
"I think you're all begging for us to invade you," he breathed with a smirk. His implication not lost on her, Kimberly scoffed and threw him a disgusted look.
"Really?" she asked him bitterly. "Is that what all these attacks are about? Is that why you want Zodiacal domination? Sex?" Tommy snickered as Kimberly continued. "You're pathetic."
Tommy's amused face dropped as his eyes burned furiously. He ran up beside her and grabbed one of her chains, pulling her into him.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're the one strapped to a chair," he growled, tightening his grasp as Kimberly struggled against his force.
"Can't get a girl the normal way, huh?" she taunted, despite her shortening breath as he continued pulling on her restraints.
Tommy laughed and dropped her chains. Kimberly clung to the chair, gasping to restore her breathing.
"You know," he started, moving back in front of her, "I was certain it was the blonde I wanted," he said, sliding his hand up to her face. Kimberly flinched instinctively before realizing it was there to stroke it.
She gasped slightly as he lifted her chin with his fingers, raising her face to meet his.
"Now I think I want you," he finished with a smirk, shoving her chin away abruptly and walking away.
"What makes you think you can have me?" Kimberly called out.
Tommy stopped at the doorway, his face now in shadow. "You're a woman," he said dryly, disappearing into the black.
AN: OH SNAP! Well? I don't want to say much, I'd just like to hear what you all think! Please review! Until next time, catch ya on the flipside!