A/N: Hello, everyone! I wasn't sure if I was going to get to post this chapter due to some technical difficulties earlier. Luckily, things seem to be working just fine now, so hopefully it won't happen again. Finn goes through a lot in this chapter, but he hasn't lost all hope yet! Without further ado, I now present Chapter 5!

Disclaimer: In case of emergency, the author would like to remind you that she does not own the Kingdom Keepers or Disney.

Chapter 5

"THERE HE IS! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!"

The alarm bells were ringing in Finn's ears as he dodged the weasels. Sunset had been just moments before, giving him the chance to put his plan into action.

It had been easy enough to subdue the guard that had brought him his dinner. Luckily for Finn, the weasels were not that smart. Finn was able to knock the creature out with his own spear and slip out of the cell before he could regain consciousness.

Unfortunately, however, twenty or more guards now stood between him and freedom. The guards had raised the alarms as soon as they saw their prisoner coming out of the cell.

Finn raised his spear as a warning. His foes raised their own weapons in response.

For a moment, the two sides just stared at each other. Then, the captain of the guards spoke up.

"Drop your weapon, Kid! We have you outnumbered. There is no escape for you this time. If you want to live, I suggest you surrender while you still have the chance!"

"Yeah," one of the other guards yelled, "Don't try anything stupid!"

"You guys would know all about being stupid," Finn taunted. He looked around the prison for an opening, weighing his options carefully. The guards that stood before him in the courtyard moved in slowly to surround him. Those that stood on the parapets were carefully aiming bows and arrows in his direction. Finn knew that they had orders not to hurt him, but just how far were they willing to go to prevent his escape?

Behind the group of weasels, Finn could see that the gates to the fort were still open. Precious time was being wasted. The alarms would be bringing in reinforcements any minute now. He wasn't planning on sticking around to say hello.

Then, he saw the barrels of mead to his right and an idea formed in his head.

Slowly, he began to walk backwards towards his cell and set the spear on the ground.

"All right," he said holding his hands up in mock surrender. "You win! I guess you guys are just too smart for me!"

As the weasels came closer, Finn grabbed the nearest barrel and pushed it as hard as he could. The guards had no time to react before they were struck down.

Strike!

But there was no time to celebrate. Finn quickly picked up his spear and ran to the gates, leaping over weasels and dodging arrows. Once outside the prison, he pulled the heavy doors with all his might and slid the spear through the handles.

That's not going to hold them for long, he thought.

Without wasting another second, he turned on his heels and ran straight for the docks. He had just made it across the last rope bridge when the gates of the fort burst open.

Taking a deep breath and praying that he wasn't about to become something's dinner, Finn dove into the river.

The island was dark, and the moon hidden behind the clouds, which gave him the advantage. His lungs were begging for air, but he stayed under the water to keep from being seen. Behind him, he could hear the weasels searching for him, their torches reflecting in the still waters.

Finally, an exhausted Finn reached the opposite shore. He gasped for fresh air and pulled himself out of the water, collapsing onto his back under a large tree. He closed his eyes.

"Lovely night for a swim, isn't it, Finn?"

Finn's eyes snapped open as he stared into the face of the man above him.

Shan Yu and the Huns were emerging from the trees blocking every possible means of escape. Three of them had joined the warlord and held Finn at sword point.

Finn let out a groan of annoyance.

Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.

A sword was stuck beneath his chin as he was forced to stand. Shan Yu made sure that the teen remained perfectly still as his hands were tied behind his back. Finn glared at warlord with as much hatred as he could muster.

The man gave him a wicked smile.

"They told me you had a strong spirit. But even the strongest of stallions can be broken! I can make you wish you had never been born, Boy!"

He turned to the men that were holding their prisoner firmly.

"Take him back to his cell. Double the guards and keep him in chains. Lord Hades will punish him later."

"Yes, sir!"

Shan Yu put his face closer to Finn's.

"Until we meet again…", he whispered, removing his sword.

Shan Yu waved mockingly as a very tired, very wet Finn struggled to break free from the Huns. The boy was no match for the strong men who kept their firm grip on him all the way back to the island. They only released him when he was back in the custody of the weasels.

Back at the Dark Castle, the Council watched the events unfold on the Fates' eye.

Hades studied the look of despair on the boy's face as he was chained securely in his cell. Two weasels were posted outside the barred door. The god poured himself another goblet of wine.

"Checkmate, my little Kingdom Keeper."

Kingdom of Darkness, Present Day

Finn's entire body ached as if it had been hit by a bus. He was lying flat on his back on a long metal table. Iron restraints secured his neck, wrists, torso, legs, and ankles. He couldn't move a muscle. He appeared to be in some sort of infirmary.

"Good, you're awake."

Now what? Haven't I been through enough for one day?

Hades appeared on the left side of the table. Ursula was to his right. She had a strange object in her tentacles, but Finn had no idea what it was.

Before he could get his bearings, the apparatus was inserted into his mouth.

"Can't have you biting your tongue off, now, can we?", said the sea witch.

Finn tried to scream, but no sound could be heard. Whatever they were going to do to him was going to be excruciatingly painful.

Hades looked into the pleading eyes of the boy in front of him.

"That's what I like to see: the once great leader of the Kingdom Keepers begging for mercy! Too little, too late, I'm afraid. You seem to have a problem understanding how things work in my world. By now, I would have thought that you would stop resisting me. My patience is running extremely thin, my friend! Perhaps this will keep you in line!"

Suddenly, a hot metal object was placed on Finn's inner right arm. The pain was unbearable. Finn could smell his flesh burning and feel his eyes watering. If he hadn't been so securely restrained, he might have fallen off the table.

After what seemed like an eternity to Finn, the brand was removed from his arm. Ursula poured a cold potion on the wound that burned slightly. It was probably something to prevent infections. Finally, Finn was released from his restraints and deposited on the cold floor.

He cradled his arm and stared down at the marking.

A poisoned apple with the letters OT sizzled on his skin.

They had branded him like livestock.

"Escape again, and the world will know who you belong to," explained the demon above him. "You'd be surprised how far people will go for a handful of cash! This is your final warning, Whitman! I might not be able to kill you, but I can make you wish you were dead! Do you understand?"

When Finn didn't answer, the god lifted him off the floor by his neck. Ursula wrapped her tentacles around his arms.

"ANSWER ME, BOY! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"

Finn stared at the floor and nodded.

"Yes…Lord Hades."

But somewhere deep inside his soul, a tiny blue spark began to take shape.

A/N: Oh no! Has Finn finally been broken? Will he give up trying to escape from his enemies? Or, will the little spark inside of him ignite a much bigger flame? Stayed tuned for more! The other Keepers will be joining the party very soon! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and are liking the story so far! Please don't forget to leave a review!

Happy Reading!

Love, Mickeygirl20 :)