Well this is the last chapter for about a week, I'll be heading off for a camping trip but have no fear I'll write while I'm gone so when I come back all I'll have to do is type it up. Yeah I don own anything but the people I made up and this plot but you already knew that right? Yeah your smart people you knew that. ~Avalon



Chapter 11: Captured again?

The parting at the palace had been short and sad. Van, Kali, Dawn, Maya, Dagan, and Allen had left Hitomi, Merle, and Dion. No goodbyes where said, in fact very little passed verbally between the members of the group. Kali walked along with Maya and Dawn as she had promised, but there was a more important reason to be with them now: she had to know how they acquired the stones of Faith & Peace and Hope & Liberty.

"Your father gave them to us before we left." Dawn explained.

"What?"

"Yeah, of course we had no idea what they were then much less how important they would be." Maya threw in as she rode along side of them.

"But I thought that the stones choose the person they would be linked to not the other way around." Kali was confused she was being told things from all sides that contradicted each other.

"Huh? I dunno what your going on about but your father came up to us before we left and said that these were ours. I told him that we didn't own anything like that but he insisted that we take them so we did." Dawn fiddled with her gem on its chain around her neck as she explained. Maya's looked more like a decoration being on an armband that went around her upper arm. Kali, as always, had her new sword hanging from her waist. After seeing her father she was never far from her sword, and riding through the woods a day or so before they would hit camp she never let it out of her sight.

Not far away Van and Allen were having a conversation of their own.

"Van, why doesn't she notice me?"

"What?" The young King looked confused.

"Princess Kali, she completely ignores everything I do. I mean is it me? Maybe it's women from the mystic moon."

Van glared at Allen he had never quite gotten over being mad at Allen when he tired to take Hitomi away from him, but he let it pass. "Maybe she loves someone else and is devoted to that person."

"Nah" Van looked at Allen / Dense as a rock, Allen. / Van thought as Allen dismissed the idea without serious thought. "After all what does Dr. Renner have that I don't? I mean I'm talented, good looking, A knight. What's missing?"

"Allen give it up! She'll never love you, she loves Dion any idiot could see that."

Allen seriously wounded in the pride department decided to take the conversation away from Kali. "Is that a new sword Van?"

Van decided to not mention the sudden change of topic. "Yeah, they said my father wore it when fighting for Gaia when he meet my mother and it was only right that I use it to defend my un-born child now. I like my other one though too many decorations and inscriptions on this one." Looking at it he saw the red gems and the fancy inscriptions that no one could read and wished that he could have his old sword back.

Riding along Kali decided that while horseback riding was fun, it was not relaxing in big groups of people while transporting everything. The dust cloud was large and making it hard to breathe and it blocked out the sun, it should have been a nice sunny day but she was only dust, and god was it stifling with everything and everyone around her.

Two days passed and they reached the camp that they had established to fight off the Legion.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness. It's a pleasure to have you here." The groups' commander welcomed them.

"Thank you Gaddes. Is everything ready?"

"Yes your Majesty. We're ready to fight any time you issue the order."

"Thank you but my men need one days rest before we head out, to prepare themselves and equipment."

"Very well Your Majesty." Gaddes turned to Kali and her group. "If you so wish your highness there is a tent over here for you so you may prepare away from the men."

"Thank you that would be nice."

"This way then." Gaddes lead Kali Maya and Dawn one way while another soldier lead Van Allen and Dagan.

A day later when everyone was ready Van walked over to the girls tent with the purpose of walking them to the ground troops, whom they would be fighting with while Van and the others fought with Melefs. "Kali?" He called out to her with the lack of a door to knock on.

"Hold on Van I'll be right out." Kali and the others unknowingly had armor to protect them in the fight and had changed while they were here. So Van standing out side the tent was expecting a Kali dressed in a white shirt black pants brown boots and a blue cloak nearly tripped and fell as he walked to wards the tent. What Van saw was Kali dressed in Romanesque type armor. A silver breast & shoulder plates with blue sleeves and skirt, brown leather gauntlets and a few leather strips covering the skirt. With her sword at her side she looked like the formable foe that she was. Maya and Dawn here dressed similarly except they had Purple and Green, Sleeves and Skirts, respectively. "What do ya think Van?"

"Ah.wow.I mean. ah.you found armor that's great you'll need it where you're going. Come on." The girls followed the men gawking at them as they passed. "You will be fighting with the ground assault. Remember never pass into enemy territory that dangerous and is meant only for the first assault team, go in we might not be able to get you back out."

"Van I know. You don't need to worry about us honest."

Van stopped. "Gaddes! The girls are here!" Gaddes spotted them and walked over.

"Alright thanks for bringing them Your Majesty. Do you girls know how to use those?" He asked nodding to wards the swords. Kali answered for all three of them.

"Yes. And we all have hand to hand combat experience no need to worry we can hold our own."

"Good. Then you'll be in my squad Golden squad. Second wave. Follow me." He turned back to Van "Good luck Your Majesty." He bowed

"You too Gaddes." With that Van left.

"Alright first wave ready to deploy on His Majesties word?"

"SIR!" Came the resounding reply.

Gaddes turned back to the women. "Alright we don't to stand read for at least half an hour. I will be needed in the command center until that point so I'm going to leave here with Gold Squad."

"Alright."

"Men, These girls are to be treated with the utmost respect! This woman," he indicated Kali "is the Princess and she will be fighting with us, so deal. Any complaints or problems I'll be in the command center until we hit stand ready status."

With that Gaddes left, the men just gawked at the Princess and her companions. One got up the nerve and came forward.

"Your really the Princess?"

Kali raised herself to her full height, which still put her about a head shorter than the man. "Yes I am."

"You're really going to fight with us?"

"Yes, is that a problem?"

"No ma'am.ah your highness." He bowed, as did several people in the area. "In fact we're proud to be able to fight by your side mi lady." Most who had come to listen to the conversation murmured their agreement.

"Can a Princess even fight?" Came a side remark from one of the men in the back. Maya and Dawn went to their swords wanting to protect their princess honor.

"Who said that? Please come forward." She waited a moment no one moved "Consider that an order." A man in his 20's came forward.

"You haven't answered my question, we aren't babysitters after all."

"You want to know if I can fight?" She unsheathed her sword "Defend your self."

"Wha?" Before he could move an inch the princess attacked. He ducked and rolled out of the way unsheathing his sword in the process. "Hey not fair!"

"Who said battle was fair?"

"Princess I must-"

"No Maya this is something I need to do."

Maya fell silent and the arguments caught in Dawns throat died. The sound of steal upon stone echoed through the camp. The young man was no longer in shock at being attacked and was now matching the princess blow for blow. Neither gaining the upper hand gaining and loosing the same amount of ground. Gaddes had long ago head of the duel taking place on the field below between the Princess and one of his men but he was weighed down with one thing after another, as was common, when the King gave the order for the first wave to commence it's attack. Now though he had to get to the 'battle' field his squadron was due for standby status any minute now and the last thing he needed was a two people dueling it out between themselves when they were on the same side. Once he got there however he meet with resistance when he tried to break up the duel. Finally he gave in and waited like the others. Then no sooner than he sat down the duel abruptly ended. In one final majestic move the Princess relived the owner of his sword and had hers placed only a few inches from his throat.

"Are you satisfied that you won't have to 'baby-sit' me?"

He nodded "Well done princess, well done indeed." He smiled took her hand and kissed it. "Princess Kali Starfire my name is Draco Renner, and I would be honored to fight by your side."

"Renner? Would you happen to have a brother by the name of Dion?"

"Why yes Princess I do. How do you know of him?"

"He saved my life."

"That's Dion alright! So he became a doctor did he? Well done bro."

"Didn't you know?"

"We had a slight disagreement a while back and we haven't seen one another since." Seeing her look he added "Listen Princess one thing you have to understand is that most men were forced here by chance. Don't get me wrong" Again explaining due to the look she gave "we're more than happy to fight but most of us have been forced into fighting. We're all decent guys mind you but we really had no say in our choice of life so we ended up here in the army protecting our home."

A sound blasted through the camp. Gaddes jumped up

"That's our stand by signal! Everyone get ready where heading out!" Men scrambled everywhere. Draco gave a final bow to Kali and ran off to do what he had to do.

"Princess!" Gaddes waved and called Kali, Maya and Dawn over. "Listen until we get to the battle ground and I give my signal I want you three as close to this thing as possible." He motioned to the 'melef.

"Gaddes I thought all 'melefs were sent out in groups. Like the Kings."

"Right you are Ms. Shields but there is at least one with each ground squad to that squad from other attacks from 'melefs."

Another sound echoed through the trees.

"That's it. Move out!" Gaddes yelled at the top of his lungs.

The group of 21 Men and 3 Women moved into the battlefield. Kali and the others who had never been in a real battle were shocked to see the sight of one. Draco grabbed the Princess's arm and pulled her along side the 'melef.

"Keep moving now is not the time to stop! We're in the most danger when entering and exiting the camp!" He yelled to be heard over the sounds of the battlefield. The death screams, the screams of people not yet dying but praying it would come quick, the sounds of metal upon metal, the sound of guymelefs being destroyed and of the floating fortress making runs over the battle field. It was an assault on her senses but she tied her best to shove it all out of her mind and focus on getting the mission accomplished. "Move out!" came the cry that signal that it was time to engage in one on one combat. Not accustomed to yelling over the noise of a battle Kali, Maya, and Dawn were forced to use head movements to send their intention, it worked better than words for the three of them knew each other so well. They headed out to the right to do battle following Gaddes and Draco. They soon encountered the Enemy. Kali unsheathed her sword at the same time as her friends in one flowing movement. The wall of darkness covered the sky and turned day into night as the battle ragged on. It was obvious they were out numbered the group continued on. Soon Kali was covered in her own blood from wounds as well as that of the men she had killed Maya and Dawn looked the same as well nearly covered in blood from head to toe. "FALL BACK!" The cry rang out that the messenger had either succeeded or had been killed and there was no point in continuing this battle the. Slowly squads made their way back into formation and retreated. Gold Squadron was one of the last to return to camp. Van and Allen were waiting for them when they returned. Allen although severely tired jumped up and over to Kali when he saw how she looked.

"Is it bad? I'll get a healer! Do you want to sit down? Can I get you something?"

Kali was taken aback by the assault of questions and it took her mind a moment to process all of them. "No, no nothing I'm fine. This is not my blood but that of those we encountered this day. The messenger?"

"K.I.A." (A/N: for any who don't know K.I.A = Killed In Action) they all hung their heads. "In 5 days we will retry with a new messenger and a new plan of attack."

"If it's alright with you Van I'll go and clean up and rest some."

"Fine, go on. If you need me I'll be in the command center or Gaddes will."

"Thank you Van." Kali left with Dawn, Maya stayed behind for a moment to speak with Van.

"Van."

"Yes?"

"I'm worried that that battle might have effected Kali more than she's letting on. She's never been in a battle let alone killed that many people before."

"It's something that all fighters go through and she will experience it I did, if she can over come it she will be one of the greatest warriors I've ever seen."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Be there for her when she goes through It." With that Van left. Maya stood there for a moment longer before she left to get cleaned up herself.

Kali had washed herself and armor and had put her sword next to her bed and was about to go to sleep when she go up and went to talk to Maya.

"Maya is something wrong?"

"What makes you think something is wrong?"

"I've known you for years now I know when something is bothering you. What's up?"

"It's nothing, believe me I'll figure this out on my own," Maya saw that Kali wasn't giving up "Honest now go to bed!" She threw a pillow, or what substitute as one, at her and hit her in the face. Unable to stop herself she started to laugh. Kali picked up her own pillow and threw it at Maya. In no time they were throwing them across the room at each other. After awhile sleep got the better of her and Kali was out cold. Maya came around to make sure all was well before she left the tent unable to sleep. She walked the grounds, which were next to deserted as everyone either was sleeping had something to do or was injured. Maya stood next to a lake and sat to do some thinking. The moon was full and the night sky was clear. She never expected company.

"Hey there."

She turned around rather quickly "Draco?"

"Yeah."

"Couldn't sleep?"

"No. You?"

"Not a wink."

"Figures.not your first fight then."

"No." Confusion was written all over her face

"New fighters always sleep the first night then they rarely do so again."

She thought back to her first fight it was true; she never slept after that first fight, and then they was the nightmares.Kali.

"Don't worry about the Princess she'll be fine."

"How can you be sure?"

"I just am ok."

Thinking about it she decided to leave. She got up

"Leaving?"

"Yeah I.I should go back." She left without another word to the man. Draco watched her leave.



"Lord!"

"Yes?" he asked lazily.

"The Princess has-"

"Returned I know."

"Shall we retrieve her?"

"Not yet.not yet."



A month had almost passed and still they hadn't gotten out a message. Kali had had to deal with the after effects of killing but came over it quickly like Van said she would. They all stood tensed ready for the last ditch attempt.

"Alright Gold Squad last time this month lets make this one count." He looked down "Princess would you do the honors?"

"Gold Squad move out!" She called at the top of her lungs. Although she could now make herself heard she still needed to shout for her voice to carry any distance.

The battle went as all the others had except this time "FALL BACK!" A loud echo of cheers came out. Waiting for the last of their members to regroup the message came through one of the fighters "The messenger made it we got it through!" Loud cheers erupted as the message was carried on to other squads.

"Now's not the time to celebrate people let's get back first!"



"Van it's coming through on all channels: The messenger made it Dagan got out!"

Van sighed as mad as he was at him he was happy that he was alive. "All right let's get go."

They gave the command and the guymelefs started to fall back.



"Begin the final assault!"

"Lord Flaim." He bowed and turned to do his masters bidding.

"Soon Princess.very soon you will fall and the Dragon with you."

"Final assault had begun! Fanalian Royal Palace being attacked, Princess Starfire and her guardians being pursued, King Fanel being pursued."

"All is going to plan."

"Draco!" The young fighter was injured as they retreated Maya ran to his side Kali and Dawn giving her cover.

"Maya?"

"Draco.Come on we're going to get you outta here."

"No.go..."

"No Draco, no one gets left behind, no one!"

"Princess."

"Come get him up and outta here!"

"Rebels give the princess and her companions up and no more will be killed or hurt. Repeat: Rebels."

"Princess!"

"Gaddes get these people outta here!"

"But Princess-"

"That's an order!"

"All right you heard her keep moving!"

Fighters and Guymelefs were surrounding them. Calling out for Kali, Maya, and Dawn to surrender. Then all of a sudden one of the 'melefs grabbed Maya

"Dawn get Kali outta here!"

"Maya!" Dawn grabbed the princess

"Kali the only thing we can do is fall back and create a plan to rescue her. Be reasonable."

Kali calmed down "Your right let's go. Wait Draco is still alive we have to get him I won't leave a man behind. Before Dawn could stop her Kali was running away from them toward Draco Gaddes and Dawn in hot pursuit. Gaddes grabbed Draco

"Happy?"

"Yes."

"Now go." Kali nodded her head and started to run when two more guymelefs grabbed her and Dawn.

"PRINCESS!"

"Gaddes get your men outta here!"

"Princess." she was gone. "How am I going to explain this to his majesty?" He regrouped with his men.

"The princess?"

Gaddes hung his head. "Final order: retreat. Let us follow it."

In silence they followed their leader.

Allen stood waiting for them. "Where is the princess?"

"I need to speak with His Majesty."

"That is impossible he was captured by rebel forces. Now where is Princess Kali?"

Gaddes hung his head "Taken also."

Everyone was silent. "We head back to Fanaila."

"What?" Gaddes was shocked

"Queen Hitomi must know of this."

"Who's going to tell her?"

No one answered

The group walked up to the palace, only to see it had taken heavy damage. They we're almost two weeks late. Hitomi would be near her 8 month in Pregnancy, no one wanted to deliver this devastating news to the young queen.

"Sir Allen where is the King?"

"I need to speak with the Queen."

"You have not heard?"

"What?"

"The queen was taken captive."

No one spoke.



A young man approached the cell hold five prisoners.

"Well well what do we have here? A Princess, of a lost throne. A King, of a throne soon not to be, along with his Queen and heir. And last but not least the Guardians of the dear Princess. My plan worked as I thought it would. Welcome to the lost region home of the Demon Legion."

Kali spoke first "Who are you?" it was more of a demand than a question.

"Me? I'm your cousin Flaim Starfire. And I will rule over Gaia not you.I will destroy earth for being so disloyal, everything our kingdom once was will be again." Flaim smiled.

"Except peaceful." The smile was gone. He slapped her through the bars. "Dear little cousin should you want to live I suggest you make no comments on how I rule."

"Why did you bring us here?" Flaim turned his attention to the young angel King. Intense cobalt blue eyes gazed at Van holding Hitomi. He tossed his jet- black hair back.

"Because I need the 5 legendary stones of power."

"Then why them? Kali, Dawn and I each have one, but Van and Hitomi?"

"The young King was given his just a month ago, it is the red stone in the hilt of the sword. And he gave the other to his queen." Flaim gazed at the yellow stone that hung around Hitomi's neck. "That makes five. Enjoy your stay, you'll be here for a month before my plan will need the stones." With that he walked out leaving the group alone, and very much in danger.

"What will we do Van? A month? That brings me very close to my d-"

"Hush.it'll be ok." He looked down at Hitomi and then to each one of the cells other occupants the look that clearly said: no need to let them know they might have a new born child as a hostage if they kept them here long enough.

"Captured again? I don't believe it."

"Dawn we will get out of here we did before. We just have to have faith."

"Kali."

With that the cells occupants slid into silence. Over the next month things got worse morale wise as they knew the longer they waited the harder it would be with Hitomi coming close to her due date. Little did they know that Dagan had witnessed the whole thing and the rebel countries were already planning on how to get them out.

Sorry but that's all I could think of I leave on Monday for a camping trip so I probably won't be able to post again for this story. But I will write while I'm gone (for a lack of anything better to do in the middle of the woods) and will post ASAP when I get back. That's why the extra long chapter to make up for posts for a while. See ya when I get back! ~Avalon