James: Hello everyone, please don't hurt us if we haven't been updating in such a long time. We have our reasons why we've been so busy. For us both it's school and for me it's work and Mel has been doing this school play after school.
Mel: it's been crazy. And there's youth group, one-act play like James mentioned, family things, church events, and other things for me that have kept me pretty busy the last few weeks. We're really sorry about not updating for a month... I personally feel bad cause I honesty just haven't had time...
James: Same with me being busy with school and work. But we're here with our update and we hope you enjoy it. Mel, anything to add?
Mel: um... Nothing except that LEGO MOVIE IS AWESOME! EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! That is totally our new theme song! Hit it Lloyd!
Lloyd: *presses play and the song starts playing and everyone starts rocking out to it*
Mel: enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 23: Unleashed
*with everyone else*
Lloyd: *wakes up and says, not complainingly* Mel, I'm hungry. Are they gonna give us anything to eat?
Mel: I don't really know pipsqueak, but I'm sure- *door opens and two guards toss James in* James! *runs over, helps him to his feet, and hugs him tightly* I missed you...
James: *hugs her back, murmuring in her ear* I missed you too... *pulls away slightly from his twin, but still hugging her* I don't have long, only ten minutes, but I need to talk to you guys.
Dawn: How are you holding out, James?
James: Alright... It takes me over at times. I have no control... I can't stop it. *looks around the room and sees Lucas* Lucas! You're okay! I'm so sorry...
Lucas: *smiles at him* Don't be. It wasn't you.
Mel: Is there anything we can do to stop it from controlling him?
Zane: I don't know. It's like a different part of his subconscious. We shouldn't try anything, it's too risky.
Lloyd: *looks at Mel* I don't want to sound like a wining little kid, but I'm still hungry!
Everyone but Lloyd: *laughs a little*
James: Don't worry squirt, they promised to give you guys some food.
Mel: *sees the look in her twin's eyes* And what did they want in return?
James: What do you mean?
Mel: *gives him the 'are you really trying this with me' look* Spill it Jimmy.
James: Fine. They agreed that I could see you for ten minutes and you would have food, as long as I continued to 'train' if you could call it that...
Cole: Why would you do that?
James: You need food, and me and Mel need each other. I'm sure I can convince them to get you anything else you need...
Goon: Times up! Let's go!
James: Let me have one last hug?
Goon: Fine, but make it quick!
Mel: *runs into her brother's arms* I don't want you to go...
James: *strokes her black hair softly* I know, but it's for the safety of you and the others. Stay strong for me, Melly.
Mel: *smiles* You haven't called me that since we were little. And you're the only one I'll ever let get away with it.
James: *smiles* I love you.
Goon: Now! *grabs James and drags him away*
Mel: I love you too. *cried as her brother was gone and the doors slammed shut*
Nya: Are you alright?
Mel: *sigh* For now. But I'm sure I'll see him again. I need him with me.
Cole: And we understand he's your Viv Twin, but we understand that he's only doing this to make sure you're safe.
Mel: But he's starting to lose the fight. I saw his eyes. We have to do something.
Zane: I already told you. It's a different part of his subconscious and it's taking over him time to time. He's a fighter and won't go down.
Kai: He'll fight it. Garmadon may have not back then. But James is strong.
Mel: I hope so.
Lloyd: Um, not to be complaining still, but I'm hungry.
Everyone: *turns their heads as the door opened and a couple of goons walked in with serving trays with bowls of broth and set them on the table in the room and left*
Lucas: They kept their promise as long as James continued to cooperate. I feel sorry for him. My time in the dark side was different and James is doing this for us.
Everyone: *took a bowl and slowly ate it as it tasted a bit bland and didn't bother whining or complaining*
Mel: Oh Jimmy, why?
*With James*
James: *lead to his cell and was thrown in without being strapped and the door was slammed shut behind him. Gets up and dusted himself off and saw a bowl on the table and walked over to it and saw a note, reading it* I've kept my promise as long as you keep yours. And if you ever refuse to do so, then the promise is off. - Strange As long as everyone is fed then my sister will be safe when I see her. *takes the bowl and sat against the cold steel wall and ate his bowl in utterly quietness. Once he finished the bland flavor, he threw his bowl to watch it shatter against the wall and slowly cried*
Rage: What is wrong, James?
James: Leave me be. I don't want to hear you right now.
Rage: You should be happy. You got to see your sister and she and the others got food in return. You really care for them.
James: She's my sister. And they're my friends. I couldn't let them starve as I fought or train for Strange.
Rage: Touchy. But the more you use your powers, the more I can control you.
James: *turns his head to see the shining wall and saw his reflection smirking at him when he's not* I won't let you control me. This is my body and mind. You can't have it.
Rage: I will one of these days. And no-one will stop me. Not even the one called Yin. Your sister.
James: What do you mean?
Rage: Yin and Yang are the balance. But when I escape, I'll take control and destroy Yin before she destroys me. She's the one that can get rid of me.
James: So there's a way to save me.
Rage: Ah but there's a catch. If she destroys me, she'll destroy you too. I'm part of you and you're part of me. Yin will kill us both if I don't destroy her.
James: But that means...*couldn't finish the sentence as he'll know what it'll lead to him to do what to his sister*
Rage: It'll destroy her. I'll be waiting and there'll be no way to escape. *and the voice was gone*
James: *watched his reflection turn to normal and sighed as he couldn't believe it. There is a way to save him from Rage, but it'll kill him. And if Rage escaped, he'll kill his sister. He pressed his back against the wall and softly cried until sleep took over and fell asleep on the floor*
*with everyone else*
Mel: Alright. Lloyd, you need to get to bed so the eight of us can talk.
Lloyd: *sighs as it's no use arguing* Goodnight... *walks over and crawls into the bed*
Lucas: So what do you think? Is there anyway we could escape?
Dawn: One question Zane, you did say that Strange wants to create a portal using the Yin and Yang?
Zane: That's right, but what are you getting at?
Cole: I see what you're saying, sis. How does it work?
Dawn: Exactly. Or if it even works at all. I wish there was just a way to find out
Mel: *looks at her hands and watched them engulfed in white flames and then flickered them off*
Lucas: *saw what happened and it hit him* Hold on!
Jay: What?
Lucas: I may know how we all can escape.
Cole: How?
Lucas: When I was in James' cell, my powers couldn't work. But here my and Melody's can. The walls aren't lined with the stuff in James' cell so we use our powers to break the door down..
Zane: We'll be able to escape. My early analysis' tell me that escape is a risky of 50%. We can control little of our powers since we don't have the Golden Weapons and we don't know if that door will break.
Lucas: *smirks* It's a chance we'll take. Once we do escape, we'll find James and stop Strange from opening his portal.
Dawn: As long he can fight it from controlling him, James will be fine.
Kai: So tomorrow, we make our strike. Finally get to fight.
Cole: Everyone get some sleep. We strike tomorrow.
Everyone: *nodded to the leader's plan and found a spot in the room and drifted to sleep as they'll make their escape*...
*in Dawn's dream*
Dawn: I was back where I first met Lucas. I was walking through the woods and heard flute music. Hoping it was who I thought, I followed it. I walked and there next to the stream, just like before was Lucas. It was different though because there was a picnic blanket and food layer out. What's all this, Lucas?
Lucas: *stops playing, looks up, and smiles* I thought we could share a picnic.
Dawn: Aww... That's so sweet! Of course I'll join you! *sits down and they start eating together*
Lucas: Dawn, can I ask you something?
Dawn: Anything, what's up?
Lucas: Dawn, do you like me?
Dawn: *blushes deeply* You mean as a brother and friend?
Lucas: No, do you like like me?
Dawn: Um.. *suddenly Lucas presses his lips to hers and she closes her eyes at lasts a couple more seconds*
Lucas: Think about it Dawn... *walks away disappearing into the woods*
*later, with James*
James: *eyes flutter open to hear the door open and sits up to see Smith glaring through his sharp sunglasses at him* What's going on?
Smith: *walks over to James and kicks him hard in the ribs* Get up!
James: *cries in pain and held his chest* Why are you doing this!?
Smith: I said get up! *and kicks him again* Release your anger! I want to see it.
James: *tears running down his cheeks* I-I can't. He'll take control.
Smith: Who's he!?
James: *didn't respond and turned his gaze away*
Smith: Answer me! *reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a device and pressed the button*
James: *screams in pain as electricity coursed through his body and his body was thrashing in pain until the current stopped. His breathing was heavy and turned to Smith* The one who wants to fight. The one who takes over my body. *felt his body warm up and shook his head while clamping his head*
Rage: Release me!
James: No, I won't let you escape!
Rage: Release me before Yin kills me!
James: I hope she kills you and not me!
Rage: You can't escape that. You're part of me and I'm part of you!
James: Leave me alone!
Smith: *growls at him and turned to a goon* Get Yin and bring her to the training room! I want Yang unleash his true anger!
Goon: Sir, what about Strange?
Smith: Forget about him! I want that power, not him! Get her now!
Goon: Sir! *and left*
Smith: *turns to James and grabs his arm* Come here! *and forcefully pulled him up to his feet*
James: No! I don't want him to escape! He'll destroy everything!
Smith: *ignores him and dragged him out of his cell as James pleaded to not to*
*With everyone else*
Dawn: *wakes up* That was weird... I know I have feelings for him... B-but does he return those feelings? I don't know...
Cole: *wakes up, speaking to his sister* Morning sunshine. Sleep alright?
Dawn: *glances at him* Fine. Shouldn't you wake the others so we can do the plan?
Cole: Oh! Right... *goes around shaking everyone awake*
Lucas: Alright, let's do this guys. I know where they're keeping James, so we can rescue him.
Mel: I'm ready. *to herself* I'm coming for you James, don't you worry.
Lloyd: What can I do to help?
Kai: Sorry short-stuff, your powers are too unstable. You'd be best just to stay back so you don't get hurt.
Lloyd: Aww! Alright...
Cole: Alright, on my count... three... two... *door swings open suddenly*
Everyone: *backs away suddenly as nine goons run into the room*
Goon: Smith says get Yin!
Jay: What!?
Nya: No!
Mel: *pulls Lloyd close to her*
Ninja and Nya: *surround Melody and Lloyd*
Lucas: Well he can't have her!
Goon: Fine, have it your way! *signals the others to grab them as he grabs Melody*
Cole: No! Let her go!
Goon: Sorry, Smith's orders. Throw them down and let's get Yin to Smith.
Goons: *throw down the others and run out with Melody*
Mel: Let me go! James! *screams as the door swings shut*
*With James*
James: *struggles to escape Smith's grip, but he has a powerful grip to almost rip his arm out of his socket* Let me go!
Smith: *leads James to the training room and dragged him with goons following behind them* Here hold him!
Goons: Sir! *and tightly gripped James' arms*
James: *struggles to escape and turned his head to the other side of the room and saw a goon holding onto his sister* Melody!
Mel: James! *and struggled to see her brother and wanted to run to him*
Smith: *walks up to Mel and looked up*
Strange: *walks out of the office and onto a balcony* Smith, what is the meaning of this!? Stand down!
Smith: I'm through with you. I want this power more than you and am going to make Yang release it. *drew out a knife and headed towards Melody*
James: No!
Strange: Stand down, Smith! You two, release Yang and stop him!
Smith: You stay out of this! You two, don't release Yang. *and turned to Melody with a wicked grin. He stroked her black hair and she squirmed away* Such a lovely girl. Be a shame if Yang unleashed his true power.
James: NO!
Smith: *took the knife and jabbed it into her abdomen*
Mel: *gasped to the blade inside her and couldn't find her voice and fell to the floor*
James: MELODY! *saw his sister motionless on the floor and cried*
Smith: Release him. *and the goons let go of James' arms* Unleash your anger now!
James: *petrified to move and glared up at Smith and summoned his black flames* I'll release my anger alright. On you! *and sent a fireball from both hands and pushed it towards Smith*
Smith: *saw what he lead himself towards to and screams in pain as the flames hit and send flying back while being converted to ash*
James: My sister is dead. My twin. My Viv Twin. I promised Dad to protect her and failed. And my anger is growing stronger. *felt his fire surround him to conceal him whole*
Rage: Unleash me!
James: *screams in hurt and anger and felt himself lost. His body began trembling and saw his arms shaking and changing to black scales. He felt something growing on his back and felt them rip through his shirt and saw black wings. His bones began popping to expand and was felt his face change to a new form and felt the anger rise up* Ahh!
Strange: *gasped to see what was happening to the one he calls Yang and watched him change into a black dragon*
James: *opens his eyes to reveal the cold and merciless blood-red eyes and growled through his sharp teeth* My name is Rage. For I am free.
Rage: *laughs evilly* I am free! No one can stop me now! Not even all of you!
Lucas: not for long. We're going to beat you back and you'll not exist any more.
Dawn: since James and Mel are... Preoccupied, we'll be handling things for now.
Cole: you should know, that in the notes I found, the next chapter is the last one.
Lloyd: aww...
Nya: but don't worry! There will be more!
Kai: but for now, get ready for the ultimate fight.
Rage: The fight where darkness and evil will win leaving you all to my doom. Nothing will stop me. Not even you.
Jay: We'll see about that! We've been through troubling times and won't let you win!
Zane: Garmadon may have sent us here but we won't let you win.
Rage: We shall see then. *laughs evilly*
Dawn: well as the guys go try to get Rage out of the studio, Nya, Lloyd, and I are going to handle the review responses, starting with;
Shadow: come and join us! We could use the help to destroy Rage. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well! :)
Lloyd: oh and do you have an opinion about the couple name for Lucas and Dawn? I wanna tease Lucas about it!
Dawn: Lloyd! Nya, next review!
Nya: Right. And the other one is:
Kayla: We know that James is having a tough time with Rage, but we're glad too that he's seeing Mel. And for Lucas and Dawn, just wait and see what'll happen.
Lloyd: Uh... I think that's it.
Rage: Get your hands off of me! I will not leave!
Kai: Oh yes you will.
Rage: *pushes them back to screech at them while towering over them* We shall see now. If you want to see me wiped away, tune in next week. *laughs evilly*
Lloyd: Ahh!