Sanctuary and Prison

Mokuba, Leon, and Rebecca claimed sanctuary when they entered the cathedral and told the archdeacon of their situation. Although they were safe from Frollo, the heroes were still at his mercy. All the children could do was watch helplessly as their friends were taken prisoner by the minister.

"I was afraid this would happen," Mokuba sobbed. "Now Seto and the others are Frollo's prisoners." Rebecca placed her hand over his shoulder and began rubbing it.

Quasimodo came outside, relieved to see that his friends were safe. "What happened to all of you?" he asked, concerned. "I saw the soldiers and I thought you all had been captured. I was worried sick."

"We were," Rebecca said. "We got away, but…" she stopped, knowing this would be difficult to talk about.

"At least tell me you have sanctuary," the hunchback pleaded.

The children nodded. Rebecca then asked desperately, "Can we stay with you for the time being?" Though she knew she didn't have to ask.

Nonetheless, Quasimodo nodded and told his friends to come inside the bell tower. When they all sat down in the main area, the hunchback once again asked his friends what was going on out there. "What happened out there?"

Mokuba explained that a few hours ago, the children left the cathedral to wander around town for a while. That was when it happened. Armed soldiers sprang from the shadows and ambushed the children. Frollo came and used Mokuba to get Kaiba to meet him later in the night. Unwillingly, the raven-haired lad wrote a note asking for Kaiba to meet him and to hurry. He then had a soldier deliver the message to the inn the heroes were staying at. The children saw Kaiba come and heard his discussion with Frollo and how the minister wanted to see Emily. Though Kaiba knew it was a trick, he still went along with it, hoping to rescue his brother. The Heroes of Millennia fought off the soldiers so the children could escape and claim sanctuary.

"After the archdeacon granted us sanctuary, we came up here to watch what was going on," continued Mokuba. "We saw the soldiers subdue my brother and his friends. Then Frollo ordered them to be taken to the Palace of Justice." Thinking about it made him start crying again. "I was afraid something like this would happen. This was why I didn't want my brother to get involved and come to this world. Now Seto and the others are in the Palace of Justice and who knows what Frollo's going to do to them?" He broke down and began crying hard.

Quasimodo held Mokuba to calm him down. "Oh, Moki."

Even Rebecca understood and wanted to cry. "I know we're safe here and Kaiba told us to stay here until he and the others would come and get us, but that's hardly possible now that they're Frollo's prisoners. And I just feel so powerless to help them."

"We couldn't even if we wanted to," said Leon. "If we try to leave the cathedral, we're dead. But even I can't just sit and do nothing. There's just got to be a way for us to help them."

Quasimodo got an idea. "We could pray for them."

"What good would that do?" Rebecca asked.

"We just have to have faith that the Heroes of Millennia will come through," the hunchback was saying. "You guys have told me that they're warriors and can overcome anything. Maybe if we pray for them, they'll be able to fight their way out and make it back to you."

It was better than just sitting and doing nothing. And right now, getting a message to any allies or comrades in the other worlds and asking for help wasn't an option. Quasimodo and his friends got down on their knees and began praying for the Lord to protect the heroes and help them to come back safely.

The hunchback got another idea. He went to his table and picked up the figurine he made of Kaiba and showed it to Mokuba. "Here, Moki." The raven-haired lad opened his eyes and took the figurine in his hands. "Your brother's a warrior, right?" Seeing him nod, he asks, "That means he won't give up until you're together again. And if he won't give up, then neither should you."

Mokuba kept looking at the figurine. He firmly grasped it and nodded. "You're right." He also looked towards the Palace of Justice from the window. Please come back, big brother.

Yugi, Joey, and Kaiba were locked in a prison cell under the Palace of Justice. The dungeon was cold and the only light that came was from a few torches that flickered in the halls. The dungeon also carried the metallic scent of blood, blood that supposedly came from the prisoners who were tortured and killed by Frollo. There was no way to escape. Upon being subdued and locked up, the heroes had their weapons taken from them and placed in a corner of the dungeon.

While all Joey and Yugi could think about was Emily and wonder where she was, they also noticed that Kaiba was in the corner, sitting with his knees against his chest and crying. It was rare to see the brunette cry. Yugi approached him. "Kaiba?"

He sobbed for a few seconds. "I'm so sorry, guys. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Yugi gave him a reassuring smile. "No one blames you, Kaiba."

"You should," he argued. He looked up and said, "It's because of me that we're here. I got you involved in my problems and dragged you into this world with me. And now it's my fault we're in this dungeon. And who knows where Briar is or what Frollo plans to do with her?" He released his tears and sobbed again. "All I could think about was my brother."

"It doesn't matter," said Joey.

"I know it doesn't," the brunette replied. "Because we're stuck here. And now Mokuba and his friends are stuck in the cathedral. But I guess as long as they're with the hunchback, they'll be safe. He promised me he'd take care of them. And I know those kids trust him."

Joey knelt down in front of his friend, "No, Kaiba. You were right." The brunette looked up and faced him directly. "I know how it is when all you can think about is someone you love and you ignore everything else. I've made that mistake too. Before Battle City began, my sister was scheduled for surgery for her eyes. I promised her I'd be there for her, but on my way to see her, I was cornered by a group of Rare Hunters and they wouldn't let me go. But all I could think about was my sister and how determined I was to be there for her. I didn't take the time to think about the situation I was in or even care about who I was dealing with. Because of that, I lost my duel with the Rare Hunter who challenged me and then those punks ganged up on me and beat me.

"It took a long time for me to realize where I went wrong," continued Joey. "I messed up so bad because I let my feelings get in my way and not think about anything else." He turned away and added, "And, well, I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier. I know you were only thinking about your brother and I can't be mad at you for that."

Kaiba was glad that Joey understood, but it didn't bring him any peace of mind about the situation he and his friends were in right now.

Joey gave a small smile. "Hey, we've been through worse than this, right? We'll get through this mess too. Like you said, Frollo can't be any worse than any other enemy we've faced."

Kaiba gave a small laugh. "Funny, I thought you were afraid of him."

"Well, scared or not, I can't let my friends give up hope," the blonde lad replied.

Yugi smiled for a brief second, then looked up at the window and prayed, "Please, God, help us."

Emily was kept in another room in the Palace of Justice. This room had no window and was provided with a small light that came from a few candles resting on a small table nearby. There was also a bed for her to sleep in. She didn't exactly understand Frollo's idea of accommodating her. At least he was able to do one small kindness by reuniting her with Gatomon. He didn't think the cat Digimon was of any threat.

It was difficult for Emily to stand and keep her mind focused. Gatomon was worried that she was getting sick again, but the blonde insisted that she was just low on energy after that battle. Regardless, she was in no condition to be plotting an escape or to rescue her friends.

Finally, Frollo entered the room, laughing at how miserable and pathetic Emily looked. "Aw, the princess of love," he jeered. "With no lovers and no way out."

"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked as he approached her. "I'm a human being just like you." She knew those words were poison on her tongue, but she figured perhaps in the state of vulnerability she was in, she could at least get the minister to see reason.

Instead, Frollo just towered over her and growled, scaring her and even Gatomon and causing them to hold each other protectively. "You and I are nothing alike," he argued. He eased himself and stated, "I'm more than you'll ever be." He slowly walked and began singing.

It's time you learned a lesson

It's time that you understand

Don't ever count on anybody else

In this or any other land

I once had hoped for love

People to hold close to my heart

But all of those childish wishes

Made me a fool on my part

He strengthened his voice and sang, Open up your eyes

See the world from where I stand

Me among the mighty, you trapped at my command

Open up your eyes

Give up your sweet fantasy land

It's time to grow up and get wise

Come now, little one

Open up your eyes

He cupped his hand under her chin to get her to look at him. Then they began gazing intently into each other's eyes. Once more, Emily began looking inside his heart. As she did, not only did she see hate, darkness, impurity, and corruption, but she also saw pain and suffering. She wondered if it had to do with his tragic past.

Frollo continued singing. We all start out the same with simple naïve trust

Shielded from the many ways that life's not fair or just

But then there comes a moment, a simple truth that you must face:

If you depend on others, you'll never learn your place

He was silent for a moment as he began visiting his memories, then continued, And as you take that first step on a path that's all your own

You see it all so clearly, the best way to survive is all alone

Open up your eyes

See the world from where I stand

Me among the mighty, you trapped at my command

Open up your eyes

And behold the faded light

It's time to grow up and get wise

Come now, little one

Open up your eyes

Open up your eyes!

He pulled Emily out of the room, wanting her to see the horror he brought to the city. The blonde covered her eyes as she stepped outside, but as she opened them, she gasped as she saw houses being burnt and gypsies being arrested and the people harboring them being killed. The sight was too overwhelming for her and made her stomach tighten. Why? Why was he doing this? Was it because he was all alone that he became so hard-hearted and prejudiced and corrupted? Was he just taking it all out on the wrong people in the wrong way?

Finally, Emily spoke and said with sadness, "I'm so sorry you felt so alone." Though he probably didn't deserve it.

"I saw the truth," he stated. "I was alone in my darkest hours and realized that the love I thought I had was no more than a fleeting illusion. But perhaps God faced me with that so He could open my eyes to what the world really was: a sad, cruel, and lonely place. Then I thought to myself, perhaps He was calling me to put a stop to it." He finally looked at her. "Perhaps you had that same impression. But you must realize, young princess, the path that you tread on is not the path of righteousness. You may think you're a saint, but in truth, you're a sinner. You admitted it yourself back in the cathedral."

Emily gasped. "You… you were listening?"

"I heard everything," Frollo replied. "I heard about what you went through and what you've done. I understand your pride as a warrior has you inspired to want to do good, but really, your actions are evil in the eyes of the Lord. But I can't blame you for being misguided. What you thought was love was a lie to manipulate you. But for your sake, I'll put it another way. Love has failed you, Princess."

But Emily thought it was the opposite. "Love didn't fail me," she protested. "I failed love."