Artemis woke up with gasp and threw up blood again. 'Damn! I hate wolfsbane, its such a pain in the ass.' Artemis wipe her mouth and got up, 'Hopefully my system will be clean of it soon.'

Artemis continue to walk to the town. 'Ugh now I have to gather more herbs for antidotes in case this happens again. Geesh... Wonder how long I've been unconscious for this time? By the sun looks like not long... Good.'

Artemis walk into town a little faster and saw the extent of the damage from pillars of rocks that are everywhere. She took another turn when she heard voices.

Artemis found Meliodas, Elizabeth and Hawk. Artemis was going to call out to them but she saw Elizabeth crying and holding a man who is in his own puddle blood. "It's all my fault..."

"What're you talking about? Golgius killed the doctor." Meliodas said.

"If we didn't come to this town Dr. Dana wouldn't have died, and his daughter wouldn't have been taken hostage by the holy knights, right?"

"Elizabeth..."

"And if I hadn't found Meliodas-sama while searching for the Seven Deadly Sins, you and Artemis wouldn't have suffered a serious injury fighting fighting with Gilthunder-sama or nearly killed by Golgius's scheme! And Artemis wouldn't be missing!"

Artemis heard enough. Artemis loves the girl and her caring nature but Elizabeth needed to know how dangerous this journey is. "I'm not missing Elizabeth... maybe a little lost."

"Artemis!"

"Arty!"

"Airy!"

All there voices said as they turn to her. Elizabeth look shock; Her eyes widen, a question at the tip of the tongue but somewhat frozen because Artemis is covered in more blood. Meliodas got over it and gave Artemis a small wave which she return half-heartedly. Hawk is stuck on what to say to the bloody blonde girl before looking down.

Artemis stood next to Meliodas and with a serious face she told Elizabeth, "Besides, what you just said is life. Life is unfair, cruel, and downright painful. I could tell you all the times I suffered from a serious injury, injected with poison and nearly killed by someone close to me. For instance my father."

Everyone reacted differently, from a flinch to a narrow of the eyes, "But I understand why you're crying.. believe me I do but even if you were die... I would keep moving... no matter how hard it would be... because I have a promise and debt to keep..." Artemis walk up to Elizabeth and gently held her chin to look her in the eye and told her the say thing her mom told Artemis years ago,(1) "I know the easy option is to keep waiting until your 'ready' but it's going to get to a point you realise that 'someday' is today and that there is no right time. Ignore the fear of failure and jump when you need to. It's better to fail than to not try at all. That's what it means to be a fighter." Artemis let go of Elizabeth chin and walk back. "And I'm sure Meliodas understands that too."

Elizabeth was still looking at the two blondes who were harden by life.

"Artemis..."

Meliodas nodded with agreement at Artemis's words, "Yes, I do understand... But... Is your desire to protect the kingdom from the holy knights so easily broken by just a few tears? I resolved to find the other Sins with you and stop the holy knights. And my debt to help Airy get home," Meliodas also walk up to Elizabeth and place his forehead on her to get his point across, "Even if you were to die, I would fulfill the promise I made with you."

"Meliodas-sama..."

Meliodas lead back and had a far away look in his eyes as if he remembered a bad moment in his life. "Everyone has to die someday. But... What they believed in will never fade away as long someone protects its. Once you've made the decision to protect those principles no matter what the cost in blood and tears... You follow through with it! That's what it means to be a knight."

"Well, let's get going to Basta Prison then, shall we?"

Meliodas, Artemis and Hawk were crossing a bridge that led out of town, to a forest that the prison was close by.

Hawk was still worry about Elizabeth after the two blondes gave her a life lesson. "Hey, you're not gonna leave Elizabeth behind, right? She hasn't come out of the clinic ever since you carried that useless doctor in."

"Stupid. She'll be much better off laying low in town." Meliodas is twirling his broken sword in his left hand.

Artemis was rewrapping her hands and only had a knife on her thigh because her quiver strap broke. "Besides, there are holy knight at Baste who are after her as well. Plus she can't fight Porky."

"Geez, how stupid can you be?"

The two troublesome blondes kept making fun of Hawk and smirked at one another to see who can rile the pig up more.

"You call me stupid twice, didn't you? And porky. Well, it takes one to know one!"

"You realize you just called yourself stupid, right?"

"My bad, ass-hog."

"Calling me ass-hog is no different at all, you bastard!" Meliodas just grabbed Hawk's cheek to make him stop. Artemis chuckled at the scene, "You're stretching my skin..."

Artemis look at the pillers and remember to asked, "That reminds me. What happened here?"

Meliodas was still holding on to Hawk's cheek, who was trying to get out but failing, "Oh yeah what happened with you too? But you first I'm busy winning."

"Let me go."

"Whatever Pipsqueak. I woke up from a dream, the doctor told me what injuries I had and what injuries you had as well. I don't like staying in one spot or in a hospital like environment, so I left the clinic. I went looking for Diane and Elizabeth but I didn't know where I was. Then out of nowhere this boy, but I think it was actually a girl. Possible a crossdresser... Anyways, was a Holy Knight Apprentice and we start fighting. I almost won but some knight took her away. I quickly left when I saw more of them come out in the open. I finally got to the edge of town and then I fell unconscious turns out-"

"You had poison in your system." Meliodas stated.

"Yeah, let me guess the doctor told you."

"Yes!! But how are you still alive?! No offense." Hawk mumbled because Meliodas was still holding him.

"None taken and I rather not talk about it" Artemis look away from the boy and the pig.

Meliodas knew they needed to talk but that is for later, "Don't worry you'll be healthy again. Now, let's go!"

Artemis smile at her brother like friend and then she remembered, "Wait a second... You still need to tell me what happened to you guys!"

"It's a long story." Meliodas shrugged.

"Well the dungeon is couple miles away. We got time."

"Let go of me..."

"Meliodas-sama! Goddess!"

Meliodas drop Hawk and the blondes turn to who was calling them. Elizabeth was running towards them and holding something in her arms.

The blondes of the group asked, "Why are you out of breath?"

"Did you run all the way out here?"

Once Elizabeth caught her breath she held out the items she's holding. It's Meliodas pack that holds his broken sword and Artemis's quiver filled with arrows and her beautiful bow. "Here. I fixed it for you while you were sleeping. It's not great but..."

"Such a good girl!" Hawk cried out.

"And here Goddess. You can't be an archer without your bow."

Artemis tested her bow and Meliodas put his sword back in it's place. "Thanks Princess."

"Thanks Elizabeth!"

"Happy to help! All right, let's go!" Elizabeth cheered and walked in front of them.

"What made you changed your mind?" Artemis asked.

"I may not be a knight or a fighter but... I will keep fighting for the kingdom and its people. Even if you were to die right now, Meliodas-sama, Goddess."

"Don't be killing us now." Meliodas joked.

"You still can't protect your own ass." Artemis put an arm around the girl's neck.

"S-sorry!"

Hawk run up to the girls and asked, "Elizabeth! What about me? What if I die? Arty?"

"Move on, see ya porky." Bluntly the archer said to the pig.

Hawk gave a hurt like expression, "Artemis! Are you sure you're not related to him?"

"Positive."

Elizabeth was hesitant to answer, "Oh, um... I'll do my best?"

"Elizabeth, the difference in your attitude is so cruel!" Hawk had tears in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry, Hawk!"

Meliodas smile at the scene in front of him and had a feeling that everything will be ok, "Don't worry, Hawk. If you were to die... I wouldn't let your meat go to waste! Right Airy, Elizabeth?"

"I make a good pork roast meal." Artemis smirked.

"Yes!" Elizabeth cheered.

"What about how I feel?!" Hawk was in an out raged.

Artemis gave Hawk a blank look, "Nobody cares."

"Hey!" Hawk angerly shouted but Artemis just chuckled.

"Let's go!" Meliodas started walking forward and Artemis followed.

Elizabeth agreed and said happily, "Y-yes! Let's go save Ban-sama!"

"Not just yet" Meliodas stop Elizabeth's thoughts with the statement.

"Eh?"

"Cenette, was it? We've gotta save Dr. Dana's daughter."

Artemis still didn't get the full story but she knew when she had to save someone, "He's right. Or what kind of heroes would we be?"

"Meliodas-sama! Goddess!" Elizabeth was glowing with excitement but had to asked, "Oh, but what about Ban-sama?"

"Well, if he knows that we're on the way he'll probably just bust himself out."

It's Artemis's turn to stop in place, "Wait... Are you saying he's just in there for the hell of it?"

"Really?" Elizabeth kind of asked. But before anyone could say anything a loud stomp stop them in place and the blondes quickly got in front of Elizabeth to protect her.

"Enemy attack?!" Hawk asked after a tense moment, they found out it's Diana.

Meliodas and Artemis relax.

Meliodas asked, "Diane! What are you doing here?"

"Captain... Captain! You're supposed to be resting! What are you doing up and about?" Diane look like she was in a daze but quickly got out of it and lean in a bit to ask.

"Ouch, that hurts..." Artemis mumbled.

"Enough about me. Are you okay?" Meliodas asked.

"You're asking if I'm okay?" Diane got a shy look on her face.

Hawk helped clarify, "After you smashed all the bugs in Dalmary, you went charging toward Baste Dungeon, didn't you?"

"Wow now I need to hear the story." Artemis told Elizabeth who just nodded.

"Huh? Did I?"

"Diane-same?"

"Sounds like there's a really troublesome enemy. Are you really okay, Diane?"

"Uh, yeah I'm just a little out of it."

A high pitch bell went off Artemis rub her ears from the sound, "What the hell was that?"

"What...?" Meliodas kept an eye on both girls.

"The ring just now."

"A Holy Knight! Captain, protect the prin- Captain? Guys? Where did everybody go?" Diane shouted everyone look at funny.

"Um, I think she lost it. Holy sh-!!" Artemis quickly grabbed Elizabeth and pull her to the side as Diane punch Meliodas hard.

"Give Captain back!"

"Pipsqueak!"

"Meliodas-sama!" The two girls shouted and ran to the blonde male who got out from under the rocks and patted his pants free of dust.

"Diane?! What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"Diane-sama! Meliodas-sama is right here!"

Artemis recognized the look in Diane's eyes, they were cloudy. Robin once show her the footage when they saved Superboy. They're the same as his eyes when his was under. "She's under a spell."

"Goddess, how do you know?"

"Is she sleepwalking or something?" Hawk asked.

Artemis shook her head and pointed to Diane's eyes, "No, look at her eyes, she thinks one of us is a Holy Knight. Probably Pipsqueak here."

"Let me just say this now: I won't lose to some Holy Knight!"

"Airy's right. She can't see us at all."

"Wh-wh-what should we do?!" Hawk shook in fear.

The blondes look at each and got ready. "Pray we don't get squashed and..." Meliodas grabbed Elizabeth and started to... "We're running, duh!"

"I knew it!"

"Oh sure you did and go right!" They were dodging and jumping away from Diane.

They got an a clear road and saw a few people walking. "Uh-oh, innocent bystanders!"

"Hey! You two had better run!"

They got the man and the boy and hid from Diane who was shouting at them, "Where are you hiding, Holy Knight? A midget like you should be smashed, twisted, and turn apart in your armor!"

"Wow, she had an interesting childhood." Artemis is keeping look out and commenting.

"Someone help!" the man said fearfully, holding his head.

"Sir, please be quiet." Artemis said without looking at him.

"Meliodas-sama, Goddess what's happened to Diane-sama?"

"I told you, she's under some type of control spell." Artemis jumped in front of Elizabeth and Meliodas, who is holding the little boy but move him into Elizabeth arms, "Keep an eye on this little guy. Airy. Protect them."

"With my life."

"O-okay!" Meliodas jump out of the cover to get closer and Artemis went back to her look out positions. "What were you guys doing out here?"

The little boy had tears in his eyes and told Elizabeth, "We're shepherds from Dalmary. We were just returning from the pasture."

"What's gonna happen to us?" The man asked.

"There's no need to worry. They'll protect us." Elizabeth assured them.

Artemis smile a bit at the princess but sharply turn her head when she heard the noise again, "Uh-no. Not again"

"What's wrong?" Hawk asked.

"Quiet for a second. I want to see if I'm right." Artemis and the others are watching the two Sins but Meliodas got a cloudy look in his eyes as well, "You're-? Hey, you big oaf! You're the one who did something weird to Diana, aren't you?"

"Sh*t. I'm right." Artemis jump down.

"You're... Speaking to Diane..." Hawk mumbled.

"This is going to be a very long day." Artemis facepalm.

"No, it can't be! Even Meliodas is under the effects of spell just like Diane?" Hawk yelled at Artemis and Elizabeth had a worry look.

"Yep, we should move." Artemis nodded and put the boy on Hawk's back and grabbed Elizabeth and the man to start running because Diane used her magic to hurt Meliodas who is dodging the attacks.

"Cool!" Artemis look back and saw how Diane's power worked.

"Not the time and run, run, run!!!" Hawk shouted at them.

They got to a safe distance but they are still very worry. Hawk asked, "What should we do Artemis, Elizabeth?"

Artemis was still feeling sick after all the running and jumping, "I'm still weak from my last fight and the poison in my system. I'm not sure if arrows are going to do much to them."

"What should I do? If this keeps going... What am I supposed to do?" Elizabeth look at the two Sins, who are slowly getting closer. Artemis felt a sharp pain in her stomach and fell to her knees.

"Artemis... Artemis?! What's wrong?!" The pig and Princess panicky asked.

Artemis cough up some blood, and a strange yellow liquid but she told them, "Poison. It's making me weak. Damn, if only I had my viles with me."

"What should I do?" Elizabeth held Artemis's arms to keep her steady.

"Find some healing herb. Like there's any around here..."

"What does it look like?"

"Brown flower, long green leaves, gray roots."

"Like this?" Hawk had some in his mouth.

"How did... Nevermind." Artemis shook her head and moved Elizabeth to the side and grab the flowers.

"Here, now wha-" Hawk stop and look at her and she pull off the roots and ate them.

"Did you just..."

Artemis cough for a few seconds and slowly got up on shaky legs and continue to watch the fight, "I'll be fine soon. Now let's hope this fight ends soon..."

Hello and welcome!

Thank you all for waiting, moving is so much work. Anyways once everything settles I'll have more chapters out. Thank you again! And please review!!!

(1) it's a quote I found if you know who it is or who wrote it, Please let me know.