Zen had pulled Miko to the top of the self. The sludge now covered their shoulders. "Miko! You have to wake up now! We are going to drown if you don't!"

Suddenly the door broke down and the sludge poured backwards.

Apollo stood there in the door frame. "I told you what would happen if you didn't protect her."

Zen stared in disbelief. "Not this now."

"THE SLUDGE WAS COMING FROM THE WALLS?!" Kat roared

Desti's anger flared upon Apollo's sudden appearance. "What is he doing here?!"

"It's a long story." Zen helped Miko off the shelf after enough sludge had drained from the room. "And we don't have time to stand around here and discuss it. The Evil Queen has Shirayuki and Amari." Zen turned to Apollo. "I appreciate that you came in and took the door down, but this is my daughter too. I will not allow any harm to come to her. Get off your pedestal and give us aid. Whatever happens to us, will greatly affect what happens to you."

Kiki looked at the mirror. "Zen! The portal! It's completely destroyed." The magic had completely shorted and the magical mirror cracked through the frame.

Zen stared at in distress. "That was our way home!"

"There is another way…" Kiki analyzed.

"I would rather not use hers. It seems that we won't have much choice." Zen was not looking forward to having to confront the Evil Queen, directly.

Miko's eyes started to flutter. "Apol-lo…? What are you doing here?"

Zen placed her back on her feet.

"I came to save you, after these friends of yours, led you right into a trap." Apollo approached her.

"Apollo. I agreed to go with them. If you want to blame them, then I am also to blame." Miko's explanation calmed him down. Miko's gaze met the mirror. "It's shattered…" Her eyes locked with Zen's. "I'm sorry."

"There is no point in dwelling on the past. Shirayuki needs our help no matter whether we are stuck here or not." Zen saw that the castle ruins were now covered in massive thorny vines.

"Princess Shirayuki is here too?" Miko expressed in surprise.

"The Evil Queen took her."

"Apollo, I think it is time we took the fight to her. Go to the men and rally them up. We strike tonight!" Miko ordered and Apollo bowed in respect.

Apollo turned to Zen. "Can I expect you to protect her this time, Your Highness?" He mocked.

Zen just narrowed his eyes. "In your world, I am your prince also. Try to remember that when you are addressing me."

"You don't belong here. I expect that the moment you have everything you came for, you will go right back from once you came." Apollo blurted before he turned and walked away to his horse.

"You think I am going to like him? He seems to show no regard for royalty." Zen glared at Apollo's disappearing figure.

"He is a rare find." Miko smiled in Apollo's direction. "But I have never served with someone who has had more willpower and strength, than he."

"Willpower and strength. You nailed that." Kat smirked sassily.

Miko approached Kat and lay on a strong slap across Kat's face. "Like it or not, he is my betrothed and the future king of all of Cariparell. He will be respected. As for his disrespect towards Prince Zen, I will speak with him on these matters."

"Some king he's going to be…." Kat muttered to herself, as she rubbed her sore cheek.

"B-betrothed?" Desti froze.

"That's enough. We are wasting time. Where would the queen keep Shirayuki?" Zen got right to the point.

"I have no idea. The Evil Queen is so mysterious. Not much is actually know about her. I know we will find answers in her castle."

"Where is her castle?"

Miko turned away and formed a portal that allowed them to appear right there.

Kiki looked around the walls, but then she closed her eyes to focus on the queen's presence. Kiki smirked. "She's not here."

"Are you sure?" Miko asked.

"Can you sense Miko nearby?" Kiki enquired.

"Sense… Miko…?" Miko closed her eyes and focussed on using her powers to get some extrasensory reading. "I don't sense anything in the castle. How can you?"

"I don't know, but maybe Miko isn't in there. It could be our chance to strike." Kiki suggested.

"Apollo will be furious, but I'll talk to him. Let's do it." Miko placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"I'm not afraid of Apollo. Is everyone ready?" Zen did the same.

They all nodded in agreement.

"We are going to need a rope." Kat mentioned.

"Leave it to me." Miko smirked confidently. She positioned her palm towards the outer walls and a hole formed perfectly to walk through. Miko ran ahead and signalled for the others to stay low. Miko used her magic to make the one guard drop his spear on the guard beside him.

"What...iong… ope…" The one guard smacked the other guard.

Miko twisted her other palm and a wind came out of nowhere and caused the guard's slap to turn into a punch.

"How dare you…" The two started to fight.

"It's too easy." Miko turned and placed her hands on the castle wall, allowing herself the ability to see into the castle like a one sided mirror. "It's clear." Miko focussed more energy into her hands and a hole appeared in that wall too.

"Looks like we can just walk right through. You seriously didn't think of doing this earlier?" Kat retorted.

"You have no idea what you are talking about. I feel a threat looming over me at every turn. It is too easy. The Evil Queen would never leave the castle unprotected. We might be playing right into her hands." Miko analyzed.

"We are in too far to quit now." Kiki turned towards the halls.

"Right. Let's keep moving." Zen urged them.

Miko did the same thing over and over, to keep their root clear. They made it to a staircase. "I don't know where this leads, but at least it's a start." They ran up the staircase and then there was a few guards stationed in front of a specific room. "That could be where they are keeping Princess Shirayuki."

Kat's eyes went wide. "That's Nosuke-"

Miko slapped her hand across Kat's mouth. "Are you trying to get us killed?"

"I can deal with Nosuke." Kat collected herself and approached Nosuke. "Nosuke! I've missed you so much!" She threw her arms around him and locked eyes.

"Who are you?" Nosuke asked, not phased by Kat's display.

"Well I know you…" Kat turned to more seductive tactics. "...and I can guarantee that you'd not regret getting to know me." She moved in for a kiss.

Nosuke removed her arms from around him and pushed her away. "Not interested."

Kat stood there in shock a moment.

Miko rolled her eyes and came up behind Kat. She snapped her fingers in their faces and the two guards were out like a light and toppled to the floor. "Thank you for the distraction." Miko held her palm over the doorknob that was locked and they could hear the door lock twisting till it clicked.

The door opened to reveal a master bedroom.

"Zen?! Kiki!" Mitsuhide came out of nowhere. "I am glad to see that you are alright."

"Mitsuhide? What are you doing here?" Zen reacted quickly.

"Why are you asking me? Kiki was the one who brought me here." Mitsuhide turned to Kiki.

"She doesn't actually believe she can have another shot with Mitsuhide, does she?" Kat blurted out.

Mitsuhide's face went bright red.

"We can talk about this later. Have you seen Shirayuki?" Zen placed his sword back in its sheath.

"No. She is here too?!" Mitsuhide's mouth dropped in panic.

"He's useless." Kiki spoke with contempt.

"KIKI?!" Mitsuhide defended.

"Maybe she is at the top of another staircase." Zen didn't want to waste any more time talking about it.

The others followed and Miko keep their direction clear of any obstacles or attention. They finally happened upon another large room, as big as a grand hall.

Miko saw the magical mirror dead ahead. It was active?

They approached it with caution, but as they drew near, I stepped through the portal and held my sword firmly in my grasp. "You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?"

Miko blocked the others. "Light shines through the darkness!" She turned her attention to her friends, who were clearly planning on trying to reason with me.

"Miko?! Can't you see what you are doing?!" Zen called out to me.

Miko shouted to her friends, "COVER YOUR EYES!"

They were confused, but did so anyways.

I just gave her a smirk of confidence. I was ready for any trick she had up her sleeve.

Miko illuminated until she was as bright as a star.

I just covered myself with my cloak and was shielded from her pathetic attempts to destroy me.

The light burnt out and Miko breathed heavily. She studied me for a moment.

Now that it was over with, I threw my cloak away from my face.

"The Cloak of Midnight?! But that is Kiki's enchanted cloak! If you have it… We've been playing right into the Evil Queen's hands! We are right where she wants us! How could I have been so foolish?!"

"You said it." I smirked maliciously. "Now your time is up, princess." I raised my hand and out shot a lightning bolt.

As it was about to strike her, she stretched out her hand and used her magic to call to the suit of armour's shield. It managed to block the bolt just in time. The force overwhelmed her and sent her soaring at the floor a great distance away. I wasn't about to waste my time on the others. They can't wield magic.

It didn't stop them from trying. They are more foolish than I thought.

"Stay away from her!" They shouted as they cut me off.

"Oh please. None of you have what it takes to challenge me." My eyes landed on Desti. "Shouldn't you be with Suna? It's what you want." I spoke ryly.

Desti's eyes widened. "Never… I-I love you."

I froze in my spot. He loves me? "It is nothing but a twisted thorn that you love." I turned back to Miko. "Time to finish this!" I shot out another bolt at her.

Kiki jumped in the way and took the hit valiantly. She rolled off towards Miko, unconscious.

"Kiki!" Mitsuhide quickly ran to her aid and Zen to Miko.

Zen helped Miko to her feet.

"I'm not done."

"I am." I reached out my hand and shot another.

Miko summoned the suit of armor's sword and spun it around quickly to create a shield, but not only that, she was able to send it right back at me.

I dodged it just in time. I reached out to summon the vines to restrain her but Desti grabbed my arm.

"That's enough. This isn't who you are. Don't let the Evil Queen trick you into being her slave. You are a princess. You're better than that." He gently slide my loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I don't know what it was, but something about him, off set me. "You would die for them?"

"I would for you." Desti spoke softly.

"Even as I am now?" I couldn't believe it. This isn't going to work on me! Is this some kind of trick?! The darkness pulled at me again and my heart became like stone. There was nothing for him to love.

But before I was able to shove him away, he planted his soft tender lips against mine. It was so powerful that the darkness' hold over me shattered in an instant. My eyes became so clear and I felt my body grow weak. I felt my eyes water. "...Desti…" I cried and fell to my knees. He got down on his own knees. He held my chin to face him.

"I am not going anywhere. I am so sorry I let my guard down. There is nothing going on between me and Suna. You are the only one who will make me happy." He smiled tenderly.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have allowed my jealousy to control me." I wrapped my arms around him.

"It looks like Miko is finally back to normal! It's about time!" Kat stood proudly in front of us.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.

"True love's kiss…" Miko's voice run through the room. "I don't believe it. Yet I have seen it with my own eyes."

Zen approached me, with her by his side. Mitsuhide came too, but was holding Kiki in his arms. "True love's kiss?"

"In legend it stated that true love's kiss was far more powerful than any spell. I never believed it till now." Miko admitted.

I managed to stand to my feet and was greeted with many smiles. "I never believed this world ever existed and yet here you are."

"Very true." Miko agreed. "Miko… Is Desti really your true love?"

"That he is." I turned to face him and he smiled right back at me. "I couldn't imagine life without him."

The Evil Queen appeared behind me. "You broke the spell… Whatever am I going to do without the princess by my side."

It was pretty obvious to us, that she didn't sound like she sincerely cared about her set back. Almost as if she didn't view it as a set back at all.

"Since you are all here, I would like you to witness something." The Queen approached Mitsuhide and he turned bright red.

"Wha-t are y-ou going to-do?" Mitsuhide shook at her advancing.

Kiki disclosed the distance between them and her lips claimed his.

Everyone who watched was infuriated and bright red in embarrassment.

"Stay away from him!" Zen's voice threatened as he drew his sword. He found that despite it all, he couldn't move and that there were vines that wrapped around her, now captive, 'audience'.

When she stepped back, Mitsuhide was in a bliss. He blinked a few times and then his face went bright red. "Kiki?!" In that kiss, however, Mitsuhide dropped his Kiki and didn't even seem to notice.

"Mitsuhide?" They all asked in shock.

"I'm going to stay here with Kiki. Go home, Zen." Mitsuhide gazed longingly into the Evil Queen's eyes.

"You can't be serious!" Zen exclaimed.

"You heard him. Leave or you will regret your decision to stay, I promise." The queen picked up the unconscious Kiki and tossed her at Zen.

Zen caught her and held her close. "Since when would you turn your back on Clarines?"

"It wasn't like I was going to be your attendant forever." Mitsuhide explained.

"Then what about turning your back on Kiki?" Zen's eyes narrowed.

"I am with Kiki. What does it matter what world she originates." Mitsuhide justified. "Besides, it wasn't like Clarines was ever going to accept us as a couple anyways."

"Mitsuhide! Stop making up excuses!" Zen tried to cut the vines that restrained him from coming at Mitsuhide and straightening him out.

"This is the life that he choses. If you should disapprove, you will have to deal with me." The Evil Queen sneered. "Now be gone with you, before I change my mind. You will not live long enough to see mercy from me again."

"Not without Shirayuki and Amari!" Zen gave her a death glare.

"You don't seriously think you can intimidate me?" Kiki approached Zen. "If that is what you choose, then you leave me no choice." She smirked. "Guards, take them away!"

Nosuke and several others came in and restrained Zen and the others.

"Take them to the dungeon!" Kiki turned away from them.

Zen glared at Mitsuhide.

"What? You asked for it. She was going to let you go." Mitsuhide defended.

"It is nice to see that your loyalty means nothing to you." Zen retorted.

They were taken away, only because the vines had already restrained them. They couldn't resist even if they wanted to and neither could I.

As we were being led through the corridors, Kat couldn't take it anymore. "Nosuke, why would you work for that witch?!"

"I have a duty to Cariparell royalty." Nosuke justified.

"And former Clarines royalty means nothing to you?" Kat roared.

"It isn't that simple. You don't know what happens to men who betray her. They disappear and are never heard from again."

Zen gave him a stern look. "Where do they take them?"

"The island that she trains to strengthen her powers. No one knows where that is, but she uses them for practice." Nosuke explained.

"So you do what she says out of fear? The Nosuke I know would never act like a coward!" Kat couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Shut up, peasant!" Nosuke slammed his sword against her face for talking back to him. He pretended to accidentally slice through Miko's vines. The magic seal on them was severed.

Miko snapped her fingers and the other guards went out, leaving Nosuke alone to defend himself. Miko's lips curved into a smirk. "Well played."

Everyone grew confused.

"It was a little sloppy, you need to work on that." Miko smiled at Nosuke, then waved her hands over the binding vines and everyone was freed.

"My apologies, Your Highness." Nosuke bowed.

Kat stared at Nosuke and back at Miko. "What is going on?"

"Not here." Miko made a portal appear and everyone and that included me as well, entered it.