Wow, I'm so happy with how this story is going. Thanks for all the reviews. This chapter contains a couple of extra music suggestions as it was really hard to choose which one's to write in. Music helps me visualize what is happening when I find the right music for the right scene. I will write it down on the page. Sometimes the lyrics match the situation but other times the emotion in the music is what makes the difference. Note this is a breaking point and a climax, I decided to combine the two. I'm thinking about adding a playlist for each of my recent stories on my profile so keep an eye out for that. This jumps between Tintin and Captain Haddock's perspectives.

Suggested Music

1. Insertion - Hans Zimmer (From Dark Phoenix)

2. Kai's Theme (Epic Version) - Samuel Kim

3. First Battle - Ramin Djawadi (From The Great Wall)

4. Fog & Fire - Ramin Djawadi (From The Great Wall)

5. Duel of the Fates x Kai's Theme (Samurai Style) - Samuel Kim

6. Imperial March (Samurai Style) - Samuel Kim

Chapter 9

The plan was simple enough. Distract Mitsuhirato for long enough to ensure the Serpents were finally caught by the Secret Service. He hoped Chang had managed to reach them with no altrications. As Tintin stepped out of the elevator with Snowy, his eyes scanned the new environment. He moved as silently as he could walking slowly to avoid the corridor echoing with the clicks of his shoes. Breathing deeply he continued until he reached a door to a large open plan office. Gulping he held his nerve even as he desperately scanned the room. There was no indication that anyone was present within it. Elegant Chinese art hung on the walls, distracting him for a moment or two. The decor itself was bland with hardly any furniture, although the building was still being renovated. Scaffolding still clung to the outside of the building wrapping it within a metal and wood skeleton. Tintin started to wonder if it was safe to be standing in the building.

As he approached the table his eyes were drawn to a familiar figure lying off to the side. Abandoning his original priority to remain unseen and unheard he rushed to the Captain. He attempted to rouse him trying his best to avoid the bruises that were patterned over his face and neck. Even Snowy attempted to rouse him by gently licking his face. As the Captain moved Snowy barked.

"Captain?"

The Captain's eyes widened as Tintin pulled off the gag.

"Tintin run!"

"Capt .."

"It's a trap. Run!" The Captain cried desperately.

"40 minutes" A voice called from the office door. "I'm surprised"

Snowy growled, leaping in front of his master. Snowy was ready to protect him. As Tintin stood up, The Captain softly called Snowy over. Good Boy, chew through those bindings, Tintin thought.

Tintin turned around facing Mitsuhirato who was standing in front of the door, grasping a long pole behind his back. Now he was facing him yet again he found it extraordinarily hard to retain his composure. Apprehension spread throughout his body causing his hands to tremble as he attempted to control his breathing. Tintin walked closer to him, staring at him the entire time.

"I'm not afraid of you," Tintin stated. His words were resolute, strong and confident. His heart was still pounding, pushing hard against his ribs as his lungs expanded as far as they would allow.

"You should be" Mitsuhirato growled, pulling a sword from the casing.

Tintin's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the sharp blade but he didn't step back. He didn't dare. He stood his ground even as Mitsuhirato took a step forward.

"I would have much prefered to do this in Lung Ti" Mitsuhirato continued. "I would have savoured the moment, took the time to make you suffer for what you did to me. No one would have been able to rescue you from the prison of Lung Ti. Not even your precious 'friends'"

Mitsuhirato rolled the sword in his hand, pointing it towards Tintin.

"Your path ends here, Mr Tintin"

This is it, I'm going to die today. He's going to kill me.

"Revenge has consumed you"

"And now I will take it"

As Mitsuhirato thrust the blade forward Tintin immediately evaded the cold steel. Mitsuhirato would take any opportunity to drive the blade into his body. Swift attacks followed him with every direction he took. As he scrambled, desperately trying to keep himself alive, he frantically scanned the vicinity desiring anything to fight him with.

x

As Snowy finally severed the bonds the Captain pulled the rope free from his feet and sprang to his feet, intent on tackling the man who wanted to kill his best friend. Before he even had the chance to move a greater force slammed him back down onto the floor. The Captain struggled, punching the assailant in the face. The action didn't do any good. The Captain raised his hands to protect his face as the man attempted to compress his neck. Grimacing loudly the Captain pushed the man's hands to the side, swinging his fist into his nose.

x

Tintin landed on the couch just as Snowy launched himself at Mitsuhirato. Mitushirato's boot prevented that action and instead sent him flying into the wall. Tintin screamed, managing to grab the handle of the sword. This did not deter Mitsuhirato. Tintin was flung onto the couch with so much force that it turned over. Tintin was certain that it would end there. Then he glanced up, immediately spotting the two swords on the wall. Pulling it from its position he turned, blocking Mitsuhirato's offence before the blade could plunge into him.

x

Haddock desperately attempted to free himself from the man intent on killing him. The collision of blades in the background encouraged him to fight harder. Tintin was in trouble and Haddock had spotted several bumps and bruises on Tintin's face and arms when he woke up. He was injured, he couldn't preserve for much longer. He needed help. If I could only get free, the Captain thought desperately.

x

Tintin moved as fast as he could to block the continuing offences but with each move, his body debilitated further. He almost froze as he glimpsed Shan pressing his hands around the Captain's throat. His attention faded, only for a moment but it was enough for Mitsuhirato to push through his inadequate defence, pulling the sword from his grasp. Without it he was helpless. Without thinking he turned to attempt to quickly retake the weapon. It wasn't enough. Mitsuhirato drew the sword across his back using the lightest of pressure to slice the top layer of the skin open. Tintin screamed unable to bear the agony. Tintin fell to the cold floor squirming.

I'm going to die

He's going to kill me

Tears dripped down his face.

"So weak"

He held in another scream as Mitshirato kicked him onto his back. Mitsuhirato stood over him, placing the very tip of the blade to Tintin's chin. His rapid breath clouded the end of the blade. He couldn't move.

x

Throwing the man to the side, the Captain panicked as an ear-piercing scream filled the air. As Shan grabbed his feet The Captain lashed out in panic doing his best to kick him off.

"Tintin!"

As Tintin fell onto the floor he saw the slice that Mitsuhiratio had gouged into his back.

"Get off me, you scoundrel!" Haddock shouted. His hands desperately hunted around blinding, searching for anything to incapacitate the maniac who had tight ahold of his legs. His hands found an object but he didn't bother turning his head to figure out what it was. As the man reached to push him down onto the floor again the Captain swung the object hitting him hard across the head. The object shattered on impact. As the assailant collapsed onto the floor the Captain was left holding the remains of a vase. Then he pounced, ready to save his friend.

x

"Finally I have my revenge"

I never thought it would end like this, Tintin thought, as the blade drifted over his body and towards his heart.

"Should I take your heart?" Mitsuhirato smirked. "Or should I take your head?"

Tintin braced himself as Mitsuhirato brought the sword and aimed for his neck.

This is it.

The Captain suddenly darted in front of him, smacking into Mitsuhirato and forcing him onto the ground.

"Tintin, RUN!" The Captain shouted.

Tintin rolled onto his side but he could barely move. His entire body lacked the strength to do anything. Come on Chang where are you?

x

The Captain underestimated Mitsuhirato. His attacks were fluid and precise, finding his weaknesses exceptionally quickly. As the Captain pulled himself onto his feet Mitsuhirato followed. Despite the number of punches he had taken from the assailant he had never been so focused. It would take all of his naval training he could remember to outsmart this man.

"Move aside!" Mitsuhirato shouted.

"Never!"

The sword attacks came in thick and fast, barely giving him enough time to recover. The first goal, the Captain thought, disarm him. The Captain grabbed the handle of the sword, scraping his nails against Mitsuhirato's fingers. He quickly utilised the opportunity to propel his elbow into Mitsuhirato's face. Mitsuhirato stumbled back. For a moment everything paused. Blood quickly spread underneath his nose as the Captain prepared for what could happen next. Mitsuhirato stormed up to him, unleashing his wrath. As Mitsuhitarto thrust his arms and hands at him in a swift unbroken motion all the Captain could do was block each attempt. Chest, face, arms; The Captain assumed there was a pattern and continued assuming there was a pattern to his precise one-handed punches, right up until the moment the handle of the blade impacted his head. He sank to the floor as fast as an anchor.

x

Tintin frantically worked to crawl away but Mitsuhirato didn't grant him any mercy. Mitsuhirato's hand grasped his collar, pulling him onto his back. This would only end one way.

"Just stop, Just stop this please" Tintin begged, finally managing to pull himself up slightly.

"I will never stop" replied gruffly.

Tintin gasped as Mitsuhirato's hand latched onto the back of his collar and dragged him backwards, throwing him against the wall. Tintin leaned against the wall managing wincing as he pressed his back flat on the wall. His leg's remained splayed across the floor.

Tintin could only watch as Mitsuhirato raised the blade for the second time, and this time there was no one to stop him.

x

The Captain didn't need any time to think about his next actions. At that moment he made a choice, a defining choice to save his best friend, the boy he loved as a son. He didn't have the strength to fight him again but he would make it worth it.

I used Padmé's Funeral Theme by Samuel Kim for the final part as the music is just so poignant. I've done something that I've never done in my fanfictions so I hope I manage it well. Hope you've enjoyed it and please feel free to read, follow and fave. The next chapter may or may not be the last one so if you want to be updated when I upload click the follow button.