Note: This one's on Umi's side of the story. More Chizetan princesses, too! Though...was kinda stumped here, so forgive me for being too abrupt on this chapter. And...about whether I'm aiming for Ascot/Umi or Clef/Umi...hehehe...we'll have to wait, won't we?

Chapter 13 : Duels

"They're getting closer to Jinkun's territory," Tarta fidgeted, pacing back and forth. "If I have to break through with all the magic I have...I will."

Umi nodded, in agreement with the princess of Chizeta. "We need to find out what's really going on around here. And...we have to get Tatra back."

Jinkun's vessel entered its port, and to everyone's expectations, the port closed up and warships emerged out of the area, encircling the evil man's country. Ascot clenched his fist in concentration. He turned to Umi. "Shall Caldina and I hold them off so you and Tarta-hime can get Tatra-hime out?"

"Will you, Ascot?" Umi smiled, gratefully. "Just...make sure not to get yourselves hurt, will you?"

"As you command," Ascot smiled back.

Caldina grabbed Umi and hugged her tightly, whispering. "And y'all take care of ya selves. Ya still have Clef to help out, ya know."

The Magic Knight of Water nodded, murmuring back, "Yes, that's my number one priority, Caldina..."

Ascot and Caldina headed out on the Summoner's bird. Tarta clapped her hands and the blue smoke of her Djinn appeared. She was ready to get out as well. "Come on, Umi, let's go."

"I'll get Selece—"

"No, get on, I'll take you there," the princess said with conviction. "Jinkun doesn't need to know of the powers of the Magic Knights just yet."

And so, with another clap of Tarta's hands, the Djinn, to Umi's dismay, swooped the Magic Knight and the Chizetan princess onto his shoulder. Outside of Chizeta's curry pot, Umi could hear Ascot summon his creatures, and see the fog withholding Caldina's illusions. The warships were dazed and confused by the sudden attacks. They didn't notice the blue smoke of the Djinn streak across the horizon and enter Jinkun's lair.

The door to Tatra's cell opened slowly. Inside, the queen of Chizeta wiped her tears away and looked at her visitor. A man with a tall frame greeted her. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, Tatra."

"When I first met you, you took your brother's name," Tatra said in a low voice, "So when this marriage business came about, I thought..."

"My name is Ankun, princess," the man bowed low. "And, yes, I am Jinkun's twin brother."

Tatra shook her head, smiling in spite of her sadness. "I thought I could trust you, Ankun, but you and your brother's pretense has gotten the better of me. You do know that my sister will come for me."

"And vanquish my brother, she will," Ankun kept his head bowed. He looked up at the princess's eyes. "My brother wants no harm to come upon his future sister-in-law and the Magic Knight that accompanies her. However, he will fight them till death if he has to. I pray that you will make the right decision."

"My decision isn't what he should be looking for," was Tatra's calm reply. "My agreement to marry is null and void, considering I was wildly deceived."

The sound of alarm rang throughout the castle. Ankun quickly stood up and turned to the door. He looked back one last time, and hurriedly closed Tatra's prison cell.

"DANGER! ALL WARRIORS REPORT! ENEMY HAS INFILTRATED THE COUNTRY!"

The queen of Chizeta looked around her cell, and she noticed something sparkle in the corner. Tatra went closer, and she saw that it was her very own sword. Ankun must have left it when he came in. She smiled. At least she knew how sorry he was. Tatra grabbed her beloved sword and went up to her door. The queen watched as soldiers ran to report to the base, leaving her cell unguarded. It was locked, sure, but it wouldn't take very long to make Tatra's cell door unlocked.

"DANGER! ALL WARRIORS REPORT! ENEMY HAS INFILTRATED THE COUNTRY!"

The alarm pervaded throughout the forts of Jinkun's territory. Umi could hear it as the Djinn placed her gently on the ground. She cringed. "It sounds like we're breaking into a highly technological security facility. Now I'm feeling as if I'm the criminal."

"A highly what?" Tarta asked, confused. "You've lost me after that. But come on, Umi! We have to find onee-sama!"

Umi and the princess of Chizeta ran into a hall with four passageways. The Magic Knight of Water stopped. "Where do you suppose Tatra is?"

Tarta scratched her head. The princess closed her eyes, spun around, and pointed in that direction. She opened her eyes and smiled. "That way."

The Magic Knight trailed along, giggling nervously. "Great, this is gonna take a while."

"Argh! Lemme go, ya slimeballs!" Umi heard Tarta scream. She ran up to where the princess was standing and found herself face to face with Jinkun's soldiers. Chizeta's princess was already in their clutches. She struggled to get free, and almost succeeded if it weren't for the man standing behind her.

Jinkun Rikoteki gave a menacing smile. "What luck, ladies, to have walked into the very heart of the matter."

Another figure appeared beside Jinkun. Umi shivered at the exact replica standing beside Jinkun Rikoteki. Same face, same hair, same eyes. The Magic Knight looked up and glared at both the men before her. The newcomer placed a hand on Jinkun's shoulder, creating a slight pause. With that bit of opportunity, Tarta twisted her wrist and broke free from the soldiers that were holding her. One of them yelled, and was quickly silenced by Tarta's kick.

The blade of a sword appeared in front of the Chizetan princess, only to be swiped away by Umi, who was pointing her own weapon at the attacking warriors. Jinkun cried out to his warriors to cease their attack. His purple eyes darted from Umi back to Tarta. "This will be a bit challenging, but you are only women, after all."

"I propose a contest, Jinkun," the one beside him spoke, "A fair fight against these so-called 'women'. Winner decides Tatra's fate."

Jinkun laughed. "Fair fight or not, you cannot possibly think Tarta or this blue-haired lady will win?"

"I like Ankun's suggestion," a voice behind the two men spoke. Umi, Tarta, Ankun, and Jinkun turned.

Tatra, queen of Chizeta, stood there, a grim smile on her face and her beloved sword in her hand. She held her weapon and pointed it towards Jinkun. "Except I will do the challenging myself."

"That's even worse," the evil man replied, amused. "You're soft and airheaded. You will lose against me. But so be it. An easy victory I shall obtain, then."

Umi's blood boiled with rage, and she stepped up, about to say that she was not afraid of Jinkun, and she's fight him if needed. Tatra stubbornly shook her head. Her eyes smiled at Umi and Tarta. "This is my fight. I intend to go through with it. Ankun, you will escort my sister and my friend elsewhere. I have a duel to finish off."

Ankun bowed, to more of Jinkun's amusement. The overlord's twin took Tarta and Umi by the arm and led them to an open area. He pointed at newly conjured bleachers. "You are to situate yourselves there. Tatra and Jinkun are about to begin."

"Don't know why she wouldn't let me fight for her," Umi told Tarta. "I'd have gladly taken off Jinkun's head with my sword..."

"They don't call Tatra the best swordswoman in Chizeta for nothing," the princess whispered. "As tough as Jinkun seems, Tatra is much more superior when she puts her mind to it."

Tatra was standing there, clothed only in her fighting garments. She had her hands clasped together, and her eyes were closed as if in prayer. The queen pointed upwards and the red smoke of her Djinn became visible. The Djinn quickly spun around and transformed into a small battle ground. She smiled. "We need a rink if we're going to do some swordfighting."

Jinkun shrugged and stood in his fighting stance. The two were ready. As Umi expected, Tatra wasted no time in attacking first. The overlord didn't seem too surprised either. He parried just as quickly as she lunged. The uncanny speed that the two of them displayed was beyond Umi's imagination. She couldn't even see most of their movements. "Unbelievable."

"Yeah, I know," Tarta spoke, breathless. "My sister is a work of art. I don't know where she learned how to be the best..."

"I must admit, Jinkun's not so tragic either," Umi said, becoming a bit nervous. "Tatra...I hope you win."

Little did the Magic Knight know that Ankun was wishing for just the same outcome.