Hey, everyone! I'm so sorry it's been so long since I last updated! I have been overwhelmed by work lately and was sick with salmonella for a few weeks. My pet parakeet also died. I will be starting a late class this semester for school and will start in the next few weeks. I am posting two chapters today, so I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 18

It took a few minutes for Don to breathe normally again, but at least he wasn't sold to anyone yet. Erkon was not happy, however, and returned to the cell after a while. Don tensed when he noticed the Triceraton holding a long chain.

"I think it's time you learned some manners, Turtle. But if you submit to me, then I won't make it so rough."

Don stepped back until his back was to the wall. Erkon chuckled.

"Not so tough now, are you?"

Don held up his arms for defense and kicked Erkon in the face in an attempt get the Triceraton to back off. Erkon smirked as he rubbed his jaw.

"Okay, timid one. You asked for it! I can't wait to see you grovel at my feet in tears!"

Don shut his eyes as Erkon struck him with the chain again and again. Don refused to cry out in pain at first, but then a tiny sound erupted from his throat after the seventh strike.

Further down the hall, Jax and Mikey were making their way to Don's cell. They heard Erkon and someone crying out in pain. The two glanced at each other in confusion.

They saw a few guards cherring outside of Don's cell.

"Get him, Commander, Sir!"

"Listen to him scream in pain!" another chimed. "He won't be so tough once Erkon beats him to a bloody pulp!"

Mikey rushed forward and tried to push against the Triceratons. He squeezed himself in between them and gasped in horror at what Erkon was doing to Don.

"No!" he begged and ran to protect his brother. He pushed his brother out of the way before the chain could hurt Don further. Mikey winced at the impact, but he did not move.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Erkon roared as he lowered the chain.

"Mikey!" Jax yelled as he too pushed between the Triceratons. He saw Don injured violently on the floor and turned to Erkon with a glare. "Are you insane, Erkon?! What did you do to him?"

"This is not your concern, Jax. Now get you pet out of the way while I finish this!"

The two suddenly noticed there was silence from the guards. Jax took the silence as his opportunity to go to Don and Mikey's side.

A well-dressed female Triceraton appeared in the crowd accompanied by two other Triceratons in suits. Erkon paled and dropped the chain.

Jax too became deathly quiet and it confused the two Turtles. Who was this female Triceraton?

She glanced around the room with a wrinkled up nose, she probably didn't like the smell of this place.

"Who is in charge here?"

"I am, baroness," Erkon told her, looking unusually nervous. "Commander Erkon."

"Commander, may I ask what you are doing to that poor creature?"

"Well, ma'am, I was only...He's a dangerous criminal. Someone has to teach him proper manners."

The female Triceraton turned to one of the Triceratons in suits beside her on the right.

"Inspector Jorg, do you mind reading rule #68 for the good commander here?"

"Of course, ma'am," the inspector nodded. He opened a file and cleared his throat before reading.

"Rule #68 states that all prisoners are to be treated within the means of the Prime Leader's law. Unless that prisoner is owned by an officer of any kind, the officer in question cannot decide the punishment of any prisoner or how the prisoner is treated."

"Thank you, inspector," the female Triceraton said with a nod. She took a step forward towards Erkon. "Do you understand such a rule, Erkon?"

"I do, ma'am," Erkon nodded almost shamefully.

"And do you own the creature you were beating moments ago?"

"No, I do not."

Mikey and Don exchanged glances again. Who was this Triceraton?

"Hey, Jax," Mikey whispered to the young Triceraton. "Who is this lady?"

"Shh! I need to hear this!" Jax told him and shook his head. "I'll explain later."

"I see," the female Triceraton said. "Then may I ask what you were doing to it?"

"I was only trying to remind the Turtle of his place here!" Erkon explained as if he was no longer worried about whom he was speaking to. "Prime Leader Zanromon had strict orders regarding dangerous criminals."

"Zanromon is no longer in power!" She glared at him. "Or have you forgotten that, Erkon? You know, as well as everyone on this planet and its surrounding sectors, that Zanromon has been stripped from power. A new Prime Leader is still yet to be decided."

"Yes, of course," Erkon nodded, lowering his head. "But, if I may, ma'am. These Turtles are dangerous criminals,as the former Prime Leader had stated publicly."

The female Triceraton turned to the two Turtles and frowned. She approached them.

"You, with the vest. Who is your master?"

"I am," Jax answered her, standing up from the floor beside Don. "My name is Jax, I'm a prison counselor."

"Then I suggest you and your assistant go back to work. The other Turtle is coming with me."

There was silence again from shock. Erkon frowned.

"Now hold on a minute! What makes you think I'm going to sell that Turtle to you?"

"Because, commander Erkon. You have proven to be unworthy to hold this Turtle as your prisoner," she told him. She snapped her fingers and the Triceraton on her left handed Erkon a bag of coins.

"I do believe that will be more than enough, wouldn't you agree?"

Erkon was at a lost for words as he accepted the bag of coins.

The female Triceraton glanced around the room again with disgust. She turned to the inspector again.

"Jorg, continue the inspection with this prison. I don't have much hope for it because I already see several rules that have been broken already."

"Right away, Lady Nhura."

"Commander Erkon. Because you have violated one of the most important rules of this faciluty, I am demoting you. But if I find in the future any more rules that are disrespected, I shall have no choice but to strip you of all power completely. Do I make myself clear?"

Erkon grid his teeth, but did not bject. "Yes, o f course."

Nhura turned back to Don and sighed. She wrinkled her nose again.

"Tarq, take this Turtle back to my mansion...and make sure he receives a proper care."

"Right away, baroness," Tarq bowed. He lifted Don carefully by the arm and lead him out the cell.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Mikey objected. "Let him go! That's my brother!"

"No, Mikey," Jax pulled him back. "It's alright."

"That lady is walking away with Don! We have no idea what she could want with him!"

"Really, Mikey. It's okay!"

Lady Nhura followed Erkon and Jorg into the next room. Jax sighed and leaned against the wall.

"For a minute there I was worried. I'd hate to say this, but it's about time someone stood up to Erkon."

Mikey was confused while Jax was covering his mouth as if holding back laughter.

"What just happened, Jax?"

"I'd say your brother just got rescued, is what," Jax told him. "That Triceraton was Lady Nhura. She's one of the most influential baroness on the entire planet! But she more than just rich, she's also in charge of the Republic until a new Prime Leader can be found. If that's not surprising enough, she also recently agreed to be a candidate for Prime Leader."

"So you're telling me she's important?" Mikey asked confused. Jax nodded, a smile crossing his face.

"Of course! If she wins, she has the power to change the laws here. Some believe she may even bring our Republic to it's former glory before Zanromon. You're brother is lucky she bought him!"

"If you say so," Mikey shrugged. He wasn't fully convinced.

"Your brother could talk to her about your situation," Jax explained to him. "If he can convince her to drop the charges on your four, then it will be much easier to find a way to get you all home."

"Really?" Mikey was shocked. "She could do that?"

"As long as she's in power, she can!" Jax nodded.

"Then why didn't you say so?!" Mikey smiled. "We just have to wait for Don to talk to her. And when he comes back, the four of us can hop on a spaceship and get the shell out of here!"

"Maybe," Jax nodded, but his smile began to fade. "But because she's a big politician, it may be hard to arrange a meeting with her. It may take some time. Plus I'm not so sure if she would drop the charges. It's only a possibility."

"Oh," Mikey's enthusiasm began to disappear. Jax put a hand on his shoulder.

"I think for now we should be grateful that your brother is getting out of here. I'm certain the baroness will take good care of him."

"If you say so," Mikey nodded.

"Let's get back to work," Jax gestured for Mikey to follow him out the room.