The day had passed with everyone rushing to find their evacuation transports. True to Lavender's words, they would leave, but they would be one of the last few to leave. DG agreed with her mother, everyone should be safe before her family left. Although, DG would have sent her family away before she left herself.

DG leaned against the window of her bedroom. Her forehead pressed against the glass. Each breath fogged the glass. She was supposed to be preparing to leave, but what would she need to bring? Nothing would be of use. No matter when she arrived in Central City.

The door opened behind her. "The last of the occupants have left. There's only your family."

DG nodded.

"Let's go kid." He said.

DG turned from the window. Her eyes grew large. Standing in the doorframe was not who she thought it was. A Longcoats stood in the doorframe, smiling at her. DG's body pressed up against the glass.

The Longcoat stepped into the room. He drew his gun and pointed it at DG. "Now then Princess, let's do this the easy way. You don't scream, don't try to run, and no one gets hurt."

"No one that Zero doesn't want hurt." DG spat. She moved to the side as the Longcoat moved towards her.

"Now, now, Princess, let's not keep Zero waiting." he said.

"You're kidding, right?" DG asked. She dove to the ground, shielded by her bed. The Longcoat moved after her. DG pushed herself under the bed, coming out on the other side. She ran to the door and out into the hall.

Damn! DG cursed. The halls were patrolled with more Longcoats. Several turned as she ran out of the room.

"We've got the Princess!" One called.

"The hell you do!" DG held up her hands. She released her magic, freezing them in their places. But she could hear more footsteps running up the stairs. Not that that was going to stop her.

DG ran as fast as she could down the hall. She turned down the closest corner she came to, running straight into the chest of Zero. She backed up two steps from him. Fear spread through her body quickly, immobilizing her to the floor.

Zero took a step closer to DG. He smiled darkly at her. "Long time no see, Princess."

Dg gave neither response, nor any indication of moving. She could hear the following Longcoats rushing to her. In seconds, she would be at the mercy of the Longcoats. Her fingers drew into her palm, forming fists by her sides. If she could get past Zero, she had a chance of escaping. Her issue now was getting past Zero.

The gun behind her back entered her thoughts. A present from Cain; making sure she could take care of herself, should she ever need to. Its weight felt heavy on the back of her hips. Could she reach it before Zero drew his gun? Her left handle slowly relaxed. DG eased her hand ever so slowly around her hip. Her fingers reached out behind her for the gun.

Zero, however, was not blind. His gun was in his hands behind DG's fingertips could touch the gun. "Show your hands Princess, nice and slow."

DG complied reluctantly. Her hands came back in front of her body. She held them midway in the air, parallel to her shoulder blades. The gun hung motionless behind her. She looked back at Zero, and caught movement behind him. Not risking Zero's hint, Dg kept her face calm.

The footsteps behind them were practically upon them. Dg thought she could see the troops if she turned her head. Zero stepped closer to Dg, "Move Princess."

Dg looked at him with her defiant eyes, "Go to hell Zero."

Zero was not pleased with her reply. The butt of his gun slammed across DG's face, sending her to the ground. The world spun for a brief moment before clearing. More movement down the hall, closing in on them.

"Get up, and I might spare your Tin Man." Zero spat.

DG pushed herself onto her elbows. "Why should I believe you?"

"Because if my men find him first, they will kill him. Unless I say otherwise." Zero hissed in her ear.

Rage coursed through her body. Her hands balled into tight fists. She struck quickly. Ceiling tiles broke from above, raining down on them. DG rolled out of the way as the sharp porcelain rained onto the marble floor. Zero backed up as the rain made impact on his back.

Zero brought his gun up and fired. A split second before the bullet met DG's back, she was pulled out of the way. The bullet pieced the marble, sending small shards into the air.

"Go!" Cain yelled.

Dg sprang to her feet and ran down the hallway. Cain was right behind her. She could hear Zero running after them, yelling orders. Several more gunshots broke through the air. Without looking, DG deflected all bullets aimed at them.

DG slid around the corner and pulled out her gun. Cain came around three seconds later. DG sprang back around and opened fire on Zero. Zero ceased his pursuit and dove behind the closest pillar.

"Where's everyone else?" DG asked.

"Waiting for us." Cain answered.

"What's the quickest way down?" Dg came back around the pillar, checking her rounds left.

Cain looked around the castle. He nodded his head, "This way."

DG stood and followed him closely. As fast as she could anyways. She was lagging behind slightly. Her magic use had drained her of some of her energy. If she wasn't careful, she would collapse of exhaustion before they could escape.

Cain realized DG was lagging slightly. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along. "Don't exhaust yourself now, Princess."

DG glanced back. Zero was following, with more men. "Damn!"

Cain pulled her around another corner. His fist slammed into a hollow panel. The panel opened loudly. Cain pushed DG into the dark passageway. Cain followed closely behind her and shut the panel.

The corridor was pitch black. Several inches in front of DG were completely unknown to her. Cain grabbed her hand and started through the corridor. She could hear Zero and his men pass the panel. She released a silent sigh.

"How much time do we have before they leave?" DG asked.

"Not much. If this leads where I think it leads, we'll be able to meet them as they head out." Cain replied.

DG nodded. However long it took to get through the black corridor, was how much time they would lose to escaping the Longcoats. DG held out her hand and concentrated. A small light emanated from her palm, giving them some illumination to the corridor.

"Good thinking." Cain said. Their pace quickened.

DG kept silent, but she felt herself growing weaker. At the rate and extent she was using her magic, she would pass out soon. The corridor was already beginning to blend together.

Thankfully, they weren't too far from the end. Suddenly the corridor erupted with a loud crash. Behind them, the panel door had been broken down. DG cut her magic, trying to ignore the aching exhaustion trying to take over her. Cain practically dragged her o the end of the corridor. He opened the door quickly and pulled her through.

The first thing DG noticed was the cold. Her breath lingered in the air before dissipating before her eyes. The snow back was right behind them, next to that…the rode. Off near them, a faint sound echoed through the air.

"That's our ride Princess." Cain said. He grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the bank.

Carefully, Dg climbed the bank, keeping in mind that the Longcoat's were right on their tail. She heard the car drive past them, but she could hear its slow speed. With the snow covering the ground and the temperature dropping, the cars would need to go at a safe, but descent speed.

"Come on kid." Cain said. He pulled her up from the bank and onto the rode.

Behind them, the door burst open. Zero was the first to emerge. He quickly spotted DG and Cain. His arm rose with his gun. DG and Cain broke off into a sprint. The cold water sloshed up as DG ran behind Cain. The legs of her pants were soaked in seconds, freezing her legs. The exhaustion of her magic had reached its limits.

Suddenly her foot hit ice. She slipped onto the road. Ice water splashed over her body. She inhaled deeply and pushed herself up. Behind her, the Longcoat's were gaining. The shots of their lousy aim echoed through her ears. Ahead of her, she watched Cain jump into the back of the truck. As he looked back, his eyes widened in fear at DG's distance.

"DG!" he called.

DG pushed herself. The cold temperature and her wet clothes made her movements more sluggish. Then she thought of it. She concentrated and used her magic to quicken her speed.

The air shot passed her quickly, slicing her upper arm. DG hardly noticed the pain as she pushed on. She was almost their. So close. Cain held onto the side of the truck, reaching out for her.

"Come kid, you're almost here." He said.

DG reached out and grabbed his hand. Cain pulled her into the truck. He turned back as closed it, hiding them from the Longcoat's aim. DG leaned against the lining of the truck. She fought against the rising exhaustion in her body.

Cain knelt in front of her. His eyes scanned down to her arm. "Ah, damn."

DG looked down at her arm. For the first time since she felt the wind cut across her, DG surveyed the damage. Her arm was cut, badly. The bullet, not the wind, had done a lot of damage, but it wasn't in her arm. She bled greatly, adding to her doziness.

"Stay with me Deeg." Cain said.

"Easy for you to say." DG mumbled.

Cain tied a bandage onto her arm tightly. DG winced at the sudden pain. Cain stood quickly and walked to the back window of the truck.

"General Cain." Said a surprised troop.

"Pick it up, the Princess has been hurt." Cain ordered.

DG felt the truck pick up speed. Not much, but enough. She leaned her head back against the lining of the truck and closed her eyes. Suddenly she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and pull her close.

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