Justice can be many things. It can be raw power used to intimidate and suppress others, or power to defend and protect others. True strength however is nothing like this. It is first shown when two different Justice's clashes with each other. To prove their rights to exist. It is there, when you have the guts to fight and when you realise how important friends can be. It is then you realise how much power friendship actually can give you.

Thoughts from Axel Brodie.

A member of the resistance.

Ace's p.o.v.

Ace considered herself fast. She considered herself as a good runner at her home and was proud to be a girl who was one with nature. However that was before she had been captured by Banner and caged in a prison all day. It was before she had been wandering around in the wildness, hungry and weak, while chased by firelit wolfs. Even though she had gotten a good rest and food because of Ember and Jesse, her normal endurance was not restored. At least not like it was before. Ace was gasping for air. She had never, at least in her thoughts, been running that much in her life. Jesse and Ember was right beside her which Ace treasured a lot. After all they could just split up. Ace had a feeling, Chazz was only after her, but Jesse and Ember was not even considering that they should split up. They were both as tired as Ace and Jesse was keeping back troupe, and was making sure Chazz was not behind them. Ace had a feeling he was toying with them. After all if Chazz was Kagemaru's minion, shouldn't he be this awesome warrior, no one could beat?! Right now they were hiding behind some boulders, all gasping for air.

"Did we get away?" Ember questioned. She was having her hand on the sack at her belt all the time, to make sure she didn't lose it. Jesse looked around.

"I can't see him" He concluded "But be on your toes anyway". Ace and Ember nodded. Then out of the blue a whip appeared and tied around her hands. Ace knew it was the equip spell "Electro whip", which didn't make the things better.

"I got you" said a voice and Chazz of course appeared. He was smirking "Give me at least a challenge. The more you struggle, the more we all have some few seconds of freedom. It is not every day I can enjoy the nature and for being away from the castle". Ace sneered. She was struggling to get free.

"Ace!" yelled Ember and Jesse and tried to free her from the whip, which resolved them all getting electro shocked a little. She felt groggy.

"Thanks for that" Chazz said and snort "So much easier. Now stand still so I can at least tie you up". Jesse, who was lying on the ground, came shaken up.

"You think we just gonna stand here and let you capture us" he yelled "You can forget that". Chazz smirked and pulled Ace closer.

"Nope, I was hoping that you would say that" He said and grinned "However Ace has priority. So if you two were smart, you could just run away. You could survive. You could also be stupid and attack me. I am curious to see what you are doing". Ace looked weakly at the group in front of her. Jesse was standing on his feets with pure will strength alone. Ember was groaning on the ground below, but Ace could see she was looking weakly up at her and Chazz. She knew she would also be on the ground, if it wasn't for Chazz that had pulled her up and began to tie her up by a rope. She didn't have much strength to actually fight back.

"Well that was that" Chazz concluded and actually sounded disappointed while tying the other end of the rope to his pants. He eyed Jesse and Ember "My assignment is fulfilled, but I think I am gonna add a bonus. You two are coming with me as well. My master will surely be pleased". Jesse glared angry at Chazz. He had helped Ember up and was supporting her right now. Ace knew they couldn't run away from him and figured that was why Jesse and Ember hadn't moved from their spot yet. Chazz began slowly nearing the two of them while dragging Ace along. It was like he was saving the moment in some way. Ace noticed that Jesse prepared himself for battle and hoped with all her heart that Jesse and Ember wouldn't get too beat up. Luckily Chazz never got the chance to place his hands on them, because suddenly he flew backwards. The only thing Ace registered was some legs that actually manage to kick Chazz in the chest. She also felt the rope around her loosen and figured it was being cut. Ace's eyes widened. In front of her was a young adult female standing.

"You are not getting your hands on them Chazz" the woman said and was ready with a daggers in her hands. Ace was sure she had seen her before. The girl turned towards Ace and asked her to get behind Ember and Jesse, which she gladly did. She also told them to run, but no one from the group did that though. Chazz, who had hit the ground hard, got quickly up on his feets and was now staring at the female.

"It's you?" Chazz then questioned in a puzzled voice "I never thought I would see you ever again, resistance member Tara Yuki".

Tara's p.o.v.

Tara sneered and was standing in front of Chazz. She knew she was outmatched. She knew he was more skilled than her, and she also knew she was rather foolish attacking a former friend, who was now Kagemaru's loyal servant, with only two daggers and a sling. However they were not having the biggest weapons. Actually Axel's sword was the only decent weapon they had. They once had two extra swords but lost them since Hassleberry and Jim had been the last having them, before Titan manage to get his claw at them. They also had no change getting materials making new ones, because Kagemaru was having a strict guard on them. Even if they somehow manage to get new materials, they needed a blacksmith who was willing to work with the resistance and they were rare indeed. So yes she was foolish. Foolish that she even considered that she might could win, when she deep down knew she couldn't win. However Tara just couldn't let these three wanted get captured. Not before she at least had tried doing something. She was a resistance member and not a coward.

"Hello Chazz" she replied the male and sended him actually a little smile "How are you? It has been so long". Chazz actually smirked at that reply.

"Well it is going good. I am having a decent life at my master's place and.." He said casually and then looked puzzled and angry at her "Wait why am I even replying you on that? You are just as annoying as the slacker of a brother. You are so damn easy to talk to". Tara chuckled a little by that. She just couldn't do anything else. She still considered Chazz as her friend. Regardless what happened to him.

"I take that as a compliment, but I wished I shouldn't fight you Chazz" She said and sighed "It is all your stupid brothers fault. I wish I could kick their butts".

"Be my guest. Because they are noble and serve Kagemaru, I am forbidden to do that. I always wanted to be on your side, resistance member Tara Yuki" Chazz replied and sighed deeply. Tara bit her lip. She knew Chazz always wanted that.

"It is not too late Chazz" she replied and smile "You could join right now".

"No way" Chazz sneered as reply "I am his warrior and nothing more. I am only asking this once because of our former friendship. Move out of the way and let me do my job. If not I will hurt you". To illustrate his point, he grabbed one of the swords at the belt. One with a red blade. Tara sighed deeply. It really had to come to battle ehh.

"You are really the resistance member Tara Yuki?" asked Jesse suddenly and made Tara turn around and look at him "Hassleberry and Jim has told us about you, but I figured you would be more prepared for battle". He pointed at the daggers. Tara grin.

"We are a little understaffed and have a lack weapons for the time being" she replied and then her eyes widened "You know Jim and Hassleberry? How are they? We haven't heard from them, since yeah since forever". Jesse and Ember both sighed.

"They are.. well Titan has them" He replied "But we were, are friends with them". Tara froze by that. Not Jim and Hassleberry too.They could hear Chazz sneer.

"We don't have time for chit chat" He said coldly "If you will not move out of the way, then I will make you Tara". Then without warning he attacked. Tara was actually surprised. Chazz was suddenly so fast and she almost couldn't follow him with her eyes, let alone move out of the way, to not get hit. Before she knew it, she was pushed backwards and hit the ground pretty hard. Chazz was hovering over her with regret shown in his dull black eyes.

"Now to make sure you can't meddle, I sadly have to injure one of your legs and maybe one of your arms as well" He said in a cold voice "Don't take it personally. I am only doing my job". Tara bit her lip. How can he say I shall not take it personally, he is about to injure me? However deep down Tara already had forgiven Chazz for what he was about to do. She saw her former friend lift the sword and closed her eyes. CRASH! A sound of some steel hitting steel could now be heard and Tara quickly opened her eyes and saw Axel with lifted sword clashing with Chazz's.

"You dare touch her" Axel sneered angry back at his opponent "I will protect Tara with my life. I owe her my life forever. If you want to get to her, you have to go through me first". Tara looked surprised at Axel. So did Chazz.

"Another one" He questioned and snort "You are not one of the wanted posters though, but if you protect them, I will have to kill you and your partners". He quickly grabbed with the left hand the other sword and protected his left side where two rapier appeared. The sword was having a white/blue blade. Tara noticed Syrus and Dimetry had tried an surprise aerial attack at Chazz's left side, but was of course stopped by the sword. Chazz snort and turned his gaze to his back. He lifted his right leg and made a kick backwards. Tara could hear a groaning sound when the kick hit Aster in the stomach and sent him flying backwards. Tara was not sure where or what he hit, but some crumbling sound could be heard soon after. Chazz snort.

"You are all 5 years behind in training" He said coldly "Like it is possible for you all to think you can sneak up on me. I knew all along some reinforcements had to show up. Tara Yuki is your leaders daughter. He would never let something happen to her".

"We might be here on the leader's order" Syrus yelled back "But we would have come here anyway, if we weren't ordered. Tara is our friend and friends help each other out". Tara looked surprised at the others, when the others let out a cry for battle. Aster even appeared as well, although he was limping a little. He glared at Chazz.

"Yeah, Tara is the hope for this world" Aster said "And if this phoenix has to be reincarnated a million times for her in battle, then so be it". Tara looked shocked at them all. Tears was running down her cheeks.

"You guys" she said and rubbed the tears away "Yes we have to fight. At least we have him outnumbered". She began to attack as well. Chazz snort by that statement.

"Oh really, I could take 10 or more of you on and I still wouldn't get a decent challenge" He bragged "All together you are not even at Adrian's level. He is the only one, beside my master, who is a decent challenge. Now move it slackers, wind!". By the sound of his voice, the blue/white blade vibrated and cold air got blown towards them all and sent them flying some meters away from Chazz. Tara and Axel landed on the ground beside each other. Syrus and Dimitry as well and Aster a little away from Jesse and co. Ember quickly helped him up. Ace at Tara and Axel and Jesse was about to help Syrus and Dimitry, when Tara got quickly up on the feets. She might be a little dizzy, but she was not out of the fight just yet.

"Run" she told the group, which made Jesse freeze "It is all you he is after. We can hold him off. Just run to safety". Tara could see Ace and the other widened their eyes.

"But we can't just leave" said Jesse shocked "That will be cowardly. You are all fighting for us, we just can't..". Ember slowly took Jesse's hand and shook her head.

"Jesse, she is right, we can't stay" she said "His mission is to get us, especially Ace. If we stay, he will kill them all and still claim us. Then they fought for nothing". Tara could see that Jesse clenched his hands. Tara knew that he was not happy about this, but she also knew that it was for the better. She figured and hoped that this group had something Chazz wanted. After all if it wasn't the case then why not just sent some in lower rank. Jesse and his group didn't look that powerful. She hoped it was something the resistance could use in the future. If that was the case, she would gladly give her life for the cause. She could hear Jesse sneer and then he turned around while having a good grip in both Ace and Ember.

"Fine, we will run if that is what you want us to do" He replied and sneered "But don't you dare die. I can't live through another day losing people close to me". Then they began running away. Axel and the others got quickly up on their feets and were ready to keep Chazz occupied. Chazz however didn't like it at all.

"Oh no you don't" he sneered at Jesse and his escaping group "You are gonna stay here". He rushed forwards, but Axel engaged him quickly, followed by Syrus and Dimitry. Tara could hear Chazz sneer and swung that wind blade of his once again. The others flew away from him again. Tara tried to stop him as well, but Chazz kicked her quickly away as well. She groaned in pain, when she hit a tree a little away from there. Her eyes began being blurry. However she could see Chazz walk towards her now though. She could also hear him mumble.

"Can't believe I have to go all out for such slackers, but if I fail Master will have my head. I just can't lose" He said and now looked down at Tara "Wait here little Tara. When I have catched my real objective, we are gonna have a little chat. About the resistance and a certain member of yours, who like you is considered capturing alive". Tara groaned, but didn't reply him. Seconds later he disappeared. Tara sneered. She was so tired. Her last thoughts who was on her mind, before passing out was on a certain member called Atticus Rhodes.

Atticus's p.o.v.

Around same time.

"Let me out!" yelled the long brown haired male and slammed at the invisible wall at the control center. Kaiba snort. He was sitting at the chair in the control room as well and was looking at the screens from the security camera's. Rebecka, Lorenzo and Dr. Crowler was there as well, and they were all following the process of the battle against Chazz, while trying to ignore Atticus's desperate calls. The boy sneered.

"You can't keep me in here, while the others are fighting". Kaiba snort again.

"I can and I will Mr. Rhodes. You know as well as I, that you only can leave headquarter when I or another member gives you permission" he replied coldly "You agreed on the mark when you joined here remember". Atticus sneered at that and punched the invisible wall in front of him. He knew he had agreed, but it still made him really angry, because of the current situation. When he joined and was recommended by Tara as a member, Kaiba was not letting him join no matter what. He saw Atticus as a spy. As an infiltrator, since he once had been a shadow rider. Whatever Tara and Atticus told him, like etc. that he would never betray them and that they could trust him, Kaiba was not giving an inch. It was first when Atticus agreed taking on the mark of sealing, that Kaiba had let him stay here. A mark that makes it impossible for him to leave if no one from the resistance had agreed for him to leave. One of the reasons Alexis wanted to leave. She didn't wanted that to happen to her brother, but Atticus had decided to stay and got the mark, to her horror. He had promised Jaden to protect Tara, and if it meant he had to be marked, then so be it. It was placed on his left shoulder. He also never had any problem with the seal before. He never had any reason not to be let out of the headquarter, beside now. This was the first time he had felt the seals full power, that denied him to leave on his free will.

"Let me out! Don't you see that the others need help" He yelled and pointed at the screens. He saw the others got blown away from Chazz and that he made Tara go unconscious. "I can help them". Kaiba snort again and turned toward the member.

"I am not letting you out, Mr. Rhodes" He said in a cold tone "You could turn on us with that strange powers of yours. Secondly you are considered wanted and brought back alive. I am not risking that Kagemaru get's a hold on you". Atticus sneered.

"Oh, but Tara is okay to be let out, knowing he wants her as well" He replied coldly "Her wanted poster skyrocketed the other day. Are you really okay with that all these members, including your daughter, dies, because you don't trust me. I can help". Atticus noticed Kaiba tensed by that. He knew he had hit a nerve.

"She wouldn't be in trouble, if she had stayed put like I told her to" Atticus could then hear Kaiba mumble "She is too reckless". Kaiba sighed deeply.

"She is doing what she thinks is the right choice" Rebecka replied and smiled "She resemble her mother's side of the family. She is so like her uncle".

"Yeah and what had that brought him. They are on the run from bounty hunters" Kaiba replied "That stupid dog, together with his wife and Yugi. What are they archiving by doing that? Tara is more safe here". Atticus snort at that.

"Well we are not archiving anything, beside hiding" He said coldly "Tara is not a child any longer. She can make her own decisions. She is as stubborn and determined as you. You should stop living in the past. You might have lost Jaden to the vampires, but are you really letting the same fate happen to Tara as well? Please let me out. I can help". Kaiba sneered. The door to the control central opened.

"I think you shall listen to what the boy has to say Kaiba" Sartorius said and walked inside followed by Sarina. "He is right you know. Tara is not a child any longer and I know for a fact that you can't keep her here forever. Atticus I agree, you can leave the headquarter. Go prepare yourself for battle and join them against Chazz princeton". Atticus's eyes widened. Then his mouth went up in a big smile.

"You will not regret it sir" He said and bowed at Sartorius and rushed out of the control center. Now that he was granted to leave, he had no problem with getting out of there or the building. He quickly rushed over to the storage with weapons.

It didn't take him long to find something useful. After all with that poor weaponry they were having, everything could be used as weapon. Atticus was armed with some few daggers, a iron pole attached to his belt and his nightshroud mask somewhere on his body, although, he would never use it. He ran through the terrain of forest, some hills and rock formations. He knew the coordinates from where he last had seen his friends on the camera's in the control room. He knew he was close by. Now it was just important with surprising attack. He was about to move closer, when he felt arms around his waist and was pulled towards something or someone. Atticus of course began struggling a lot.

"Ahr, let go! Let me go!" he yelled loudly and tried stamping on the one who was holding him. He couldn't see anyone though. "Hurt me and you will re..". A hand got slammed over his mouth as well and prevented him from talking as well. A chuckling sound could be heard. It was a male voice who was laughing.

"Shush my dear Atticus, do you want everyone to hear you?" the voice said and grinned. Atticus's eyes widened. He knew that voice. It was Kagemaru's minion, spy and user of darkness, Yusuke Fujiwara.

Jesse's p.o.v.

Jesse was angry. He was so really angry, while running away from the fight who clearly was happening. He had never been a coward, but he also valued the assect off retrieve to fight another day. That's what got them so far in the first place. However knowing how many people were fighting for their safety was making Jesse quite angry. Angry at himself. If it wasn't for Ember's hand who was resting in his, he had properly turned around to help the resistance members with all his might. He had heard rumors about them all from people all around the world, and Jim and Hassleberry had laid a good word in for them, before they were changed. To these hybrids they were now. However Jesse still remembered the words from Jim, before the change. That smile and reassuring touch on his shoulder, when he told him, maybe in a joking matter, that he was gonna send them to the resistance in their place. His and Hassleberry's. Although Jesse never had been fully sure if he had been serious or not, he had taken these words to heart. He was gonna follow in Jim's footsteps and help the resistance in changing the world back. However instead he was running like hell away from a fight and felt like a coward. Jesse could feel a breeze in the air and by pure instinct, he pushed Ember and Ace down, when a big wind pressure hit towards them. Jesse bit himself in the lip. Chazz couldn't already have killed the others, could he? However when he did turn around, he did see Chazz standing near them with a smirk plastered to his face.

"Times up, Ace you are coming back with me" He said and Jesse saw Ace's scared expression "I have used too much time already". The group shook all their heads and got up. Jesse quickly shielded both girls.

"You are not getting passed me" He sneered at the executer "Not on my watch".

"Oh why can't you people just accept that this world belongs to my master and go along with his rules" Chazz said and sighed "It would make everything easier, but if you want it the hard way so be it. Knocking you out shouldn't be too hard". He rushed forward. Jesse was ready for whatever attack he was gonna use, but surprisingly it didn't come. Suddenly Chazz stopped up and looked behind him, with a frown written on his forehead. Then he sneered.

"Damn they are persistent" He then said "Stupid resistance members. If they just stayed down, I wouldn't have to kill them, but they are asking for it. I must admit they have a lot of stamina though". Jesse sighed relieved. He hadn't killed any just yet.

"Fine I have to hurry and make sure you three are not capable of leaving" He concluded and smirked "Then I will kill these bugs of the resistance. I think I will start with you". Jesse didn't even have time to react, before Chazz was standing in front of him and had kicked him in the chest. He fell backwards, groaning in pain and a normal person would properly be unconscious after that hurtful impact, but Jesse was not a normal person. Secondly he was not giving up either. He noticed Chazz once again was after Ace. He was crawling, while trying to ignore the intense pain in his chest, something told him his ribs might be broken, and managed to grab around Chazz's angle, before he had moved away from him. He was not gonna let go.

"Let go slacker, why aren't you out of it yet?" Chazz sneered and was stamped painfully on Jesse's arms with the other foot. He was not letting go though. He just grinned a little, which of course puzzled the minion of Kagemaru.

"I am not giving up" He said and laughed "I am keeping you here until the members shows up. You are not touching my Ember or my friend Ace". Chazz sneered.

"Fine, hope the satanist are okay with you having some holes and loose body parts" He replied and lifted the red blade. Jesse bit his lip and waited for the worst.

"You are not touching my Jesse" He could suddenly hear Ember say and saw her two meters away from them. She looked angry and was holding up her arms in defensive matter for some reason. Then she looked at Jesse. "Jesse make sure you get out of the way". Jesse looked puzzled at her girlfriend, but didn't question her at all, when she suddenly shoot out a beam of fire out of her hands. He moved as quick as he could out of the way. It hit Chazz right on and a lot of dust got created. Jesse looked amazed at Ember. If it wasn't for the fact that he had seen her doing something similar against Jim, he would have been completely shocked. Ember looked at her hand and was smiling happily, before she rushed over to Jesse and helped him up. Ace also gave a supporting hand. She was staring at Ember thought.

"How did you..? fire?" She questioned. Ember grinned.

"I am not sure. I just had this feeling. I did something similar with Jim and tried remembering how I did that. I didn't think it would work though" she said and smiled "But let's go before he recovers or something".

She had just said that, when fire suddenly circled around them and caged them inside. They could hear Chazz's laughing voice.

"Well that was a surprise" he said and appeared on the other side of this fire wall "But fire has little effect on me. You see my blueish sword is infused with wind and my red sword is with fire. I just absorbed your attack. Now you can taste your own medicine". Jesse looked shocked at the fire wall in front of them. They were encased for now. Ace let out a angry scream.

"Tell me minion of Kagemaru, how many spirits did you have to sacrifice to get these swords. This is not right at all" she yelled and glared at Chazz.

"Relax, I didn't sacrifice any spirits" he replied coldly "The blue blade is fused with fragments of the beasts breaths, and the red blade is fused with a fragment of Uria's fire. A gift from my master when I completed my training. Now stay in there, until I have taken care of these slackers who is about to arrive". He had just said that when 4 people rushed out of the bushes and landed in the middle of this area. Most of them beat, but Jesse noticed that they hadn't lost their determination. He noticed Aster was piggybacking Tara who still was out of it. Jesse figured they couldn't leave her there. He also figured Aster carried her, since he was the only one carrying daggers and wooden stick as weapon. He also noticed that Ember was trying to get out of this fire wall Chazz had created, but there were no such luck. They all just had to stay here and watch this battle unfold.

Atticus's p.o.v.

Around the same time.

Atticus was not sure how he felt being tied up in Yusuke's grib right now. He was in a mix of emotions. He was angry of course. He had just gotten out of the headquarter to help his friends. Not to be restrained once again. Maybe even a little shocked that he was tied up in the shadow mages arms right now. Of all people he would have thought about being restrained by, Yusuke had not been on that list. He was also confused. Confused about what he was doing here and how he found him. More importantly being so close to the resistance headquarter. They hadn't been found out had they? He could hear Yusuke chuckle in the background.

"Now are you gonna behave my dear Atticus?" he asked slowly "If you are, then I will let you go. However you have to promise me that you won't run or yell up. I am only here to talk". Atticus nodded slowly. He couldn't see Yusuke, everyone knew that you could only see Yusuke when he wished to be seen. However he figured Yusuke could see him at least. Slowly the hand got removed from his mouth and waist. Atticus quickly turned around and was standing face to face with the seaweed haired shadow mage. Yusuke was actually smiling at him.

"Yusuke" Atticus said. More to confirm himself, than everything else. The shadow smirked and tilted his head a little.

"Atticus" he replied just as shortly, then added "It has been awhile, you have grown". Atticus bit his lip by that statement. There were nothing unusual about it. They hadn't seen each other in 9 years after all. It was before he became a shadow rider and the twins enrolled DA. It had been his, Zane and Yusuke's first year. However Atticus didn't want to think about it. That dreadful year. However he knew, and had known, that Kagemaru had brought Yusuke back from the world of darkness. Just like he was.

"What are you doing here?" he only replied coldly "Minion of Kagemaru". By that Yusuke sighed deeply. His eyes actually looked a little sad.

"Well we could talk back and fought about how you are a resistance member and I am a shadow mage of the darkness" He said in an annoyed tone "Or we could just skip that and greet each other like the friends we are. I haven't gone through all that trouble and deals, just to see you angry at me, or does our relationship mean nothing to you at all". Atticus's cheeks heated up pretty quickly by that statement.

"I.. I.. what are you doing here Yusuke?" he asked quickly "How did you find me?".

"Well it wasn't easy, that's for sure. I had to make some few deals with people to be able to" He said and chuckled "I needed Adrian's and Echo's informations on you, as well as Missy's assistance. After all your headquarter is one of the few places I can't teleport into". He chuckled again. Atticus froze by that. Don't tell me he..!

"So you know where the headquarter are?" he asked slowly. Yusuke smirked a little.

"Yes, I can find your base all around the world now" He said and was holding a device up in front of him "Missy used Jaden as bait to lure one of the resistance members, alias Tara, out of the headquarter, which showed activity on the device she had placed on Jaden. Where they meet and from area Jaden and Tara came from, as well as what area they was hiding. I figured it all out and placed a darkness seed, a sensor, on your headquarter. I and only I can find you, whenever I want to of course". Atticus was not feeling so good. They had been found out. As soon as Kagemaru knows about this, there will be no resistance. After all the sacred beast could break through the barriers and.. Atticus gulped a little by that. He looked at Yusuke.

"Have you told Kagemaru yet?" He then asked. He needed to know how long he had to warn everyone. Yusuke tilted his head a little. Then he shook his head.

"Nope, I haven't as of yet and I am not sure I will" He replied and smirked "After all I am Yusuke, the shadow mage, and I belong to no one. I am going wherever I want and doing whatever I want. Secondly the deal with Kagemaru is officially broken now, since I only served him until I got what I wanted. Although I am sure he doesn't know that of course". Atticus let out a relieved sigh. That until he remembered Yusuke's words. Got what he wanted! He looked at the shadow mage.

"Yusuke, you can't expect me to be with you. We haven't seen each other in 9 years, and we were only together for some month. Secondly you left me. I know we never sort of broke up, but I have moved on". Silence awaited when he was done talking. Atticus had turned his head a little away after that. He couldn't meet Yusuke's gaze right now. Then Yusuke suddenly began laughing. A loud grinning laughter and the darkness actually surfaced around him while he was doing it.

"What is so funny?" he yelled at the shadow mage. Yusuke grinned.

"You are" he said and placed a hand on his head and rubbed his hair "Your sense of humor never ceases to amaze me. What are you talking me for? One of these desireful demons at Titan's kingdom? I am not here to force you into any relationship. Like you pointed out 9 years have passed by. I am here to stop you from engaging in that battle". Atticus eyes widened. Then he remembered. His friends, the battle. He quickly turned around and was about to leave this place, when Yusuke grabbed his hand in a tight grip.

"Didn't you hear what I said, you are not to engage this battle" he said coldly "If you do, we will both regret it. If Kagemaru gets you, then we are both restrained by him and I don't want that. I like being free". Atticus was struggling like hell which made Yusuke pull him closer and restrained him once again.

"Let me go Yusuke!" Atticus sneered "I need to save my friend. Don't you care one bit what happens to them if they lose". Yusuke chuckled.

"Nope, not one bit. This world is not important to me at all" He said "Not many things are. Beside you of course". Atticus snort.

"I am not flattered at all. Now let me go!" He yelled.

"No I will not, but if you are worried about your friends, then I can make sure you are at least able to watch the battle" he said and waved a little with his right hand. The darkness around them suddenly changed and suddenly pictures appeared in midair. Atticus looked surprised and shocked at the different pictures. One caught his eye.

"Wait that is... is that..?" he said slowly and actually stopped struggling for a second.

"Ah yes, it is. Interesting outcome don't you think Atticus" Yusuke replied and smirked "Now lean back and watch the battle. I promise, it is gonna be epic".

Axel's p.o.v.

Axel glared at Chazz. He glared at the warrior, who was more skillful and better fighter than he was. Truth to be told Axel hasn't used his full strength yet, but he also had a feeling Chazz didn't either. If that was the case, then Axel knew deep down that he couldn't win. He was gonna try of course, but he knew it would end in defeat regardless. He shook his head. No I can't think like that. Tara has always showed bravery, in a hopeless situation. Now it is my turn. He tightened his grip around his sword. He glared at Chazz who was now staring at all of them. He had just caged his targets inside that fire wall. Axel snort. He actually figured the second sword had elements as well. Chazz hummed a little.

"You should all have stayed down, then I wouldn't have reserved to kill you all" He proclaimed "You are but 5 people and Tara is unconscious. What can you possible do against me?". Aster sneered back.

"You will be surprised to see what teamwork can do" He yelled. "I will show you".

"No Aster, you will stay out of this" Axel said slowly "You are the one who is hurt the most, and has the less effective weapons. Take care of Tara".

"But I.." he began but Syrus interrupted him.

"Axel is right, you are her last hope if we fail, which we of course won't" He said and smiled. Dimitri nodded in agreement. Chazz looked at them with a cocky smile.

"Hmm so only three of you against me?" He mocked "Well that is no fun for me". Axel and group just snort to that comment and prepared themselves for battle.

"I see, well let's begin then, so I can end this quickly" Chazz concluded and got in fighting stand "Let's see if you can keep up when I go all out". Axel didn't have time to adjust before Chazz actually was gone from the spot he had been standing at. He was fast. That was for sure. Then a scream could be heard and Axel turned around and found Dimitri and Syrus who was tossed up in the air, followed by the sound of sword slashing through something. Seconds later Chazz was standing on the ground near them. Syrus and Dimitri fell to the ground, with slash bruises on and were unconscious. Or Axel hoped they were. Chazz snort and turned towards Axel now.

"They weren't a challenge at all" He said and smirked "But who is against my attack 'lightning flash'. I move almost as quick as lightning. Now there is two left". He looked at Axel and Axel could see the regret and sadness in his dull black eyes. He doesn't want to fight us, but apparently he can't disobey order either. Tara was right, the rulers did something to him. Axel tightened his grip around the sword and sneered. Even if that was true, Chazz was still gonna kill him soon. He couldn't let his guard down. Like before Chazz disappeared. Axel knew he was going after him. However he couldn't see him anywhere. Axel took a deep breath and began thinking. He says he moves a quick as lightning, but he must make a sound somewhere. If I can find him before he strikes, then I will maybe get the upper hand. Axel took a deep breath again and closed his eyes. He tried focus all his energy to all the other senses. Like his nose and ears. Every other sense actually beside the eyes. He could feel wind and could smell a scent of the nature all around him. Suddenly he could hear the sound of small footsteps. Tap, tap, tap. Then clash, Axel managed to put up some defense move and made his sword block Chazz's attack. The black haired male looked surprised at him at first. Then he smirked.

"Oh you have some skills I see. Not many can block my attacks" He told Axel "But what about this". He leaned more force on the sword he had locked with Axel's, then he swung the red blade at Axel's one side. The warrior was not quick enough to move away and the sword hit his side. Axel was lucky that his armor protected him. A sizzling sound could be heard and Axel could feel the stroke of heat at his armor. Shit, he used on purpose to burn my armor. Axel tried jumping backwards, which he actually managed since Chazz didn't make any attempts to stop him. Axel sneered. He was toying with him. That smirk on his face said it all. Axel groaned and let his hand roam down to his left side of his waist. That was gonna leave a mark. What is he trying to do? Melt the armor into my skin? Axel hoped that wasn't the case. He was fond of that armor. He eyed Chazz once again. He was just looking at him and waiting. Axel knew he wanted him to attack this time. His eyes glared to these blades of his. One could use wind, the other fire. Secondly he used them as a whole unit, which was to be expected since they apparently were twin blades. Chazz was skilled there were no mistake about that. If he wanted to win, Chazz had to be disarmed with at least one of the blades. Both of them was prefered, but he knew it was too much to ask for. He eyed Chazz ones again and made a move. He made a frontal attack, but Chazz quickly defended against it. He smirked at him.

"Is that the best you can do?" He questioned "You are not bad, but you are not near my level at all. If you want to become stronger, I could teach you. You are not wanted and therefore could come with me. My master would properly don't mind, as long as you swear allegiance to him of course". Axel snort and swung the sword sidewalked.

"I only have my allegiance to Tara Yuki" He replied coldly "That will never change".

"What are you? Her bodyguard?" Chazz said, grinned and blocked him with the blue sword "Oh well that doesn't matter actually. You are gonna die anyway". Then Chazz attacked with fierce attacks, which made Axel go in the defensive pretty quickly. They fought back and forth. In any other's eyes it could look like a even match, but it wasn't at all. Every time Axel's attempts were blocked and most of Axel's parades was broken, making Chazz hurt Axel either with the Wind or the fire blade. However at some point Axel did manage to get a kick in and hit Chazz's right hand, which made the blue blade flew out of his hand. It landed a meter or so away from him. Sadly it also caused Chazz to get a direct attack in on one of Axel's legs. He didn't get a too bad injury, but a hot burn mark was still present there. Axel screamed up in pain and felt to the ground, when Chazz kicked that leg as well. He was now hovering over the doomed knight with that cocky smirk on his face.

"What was that attempt for?" Chazz said and laughed "I can easily beat you and your partners with only one blade. But I must give you credit. This fight was amusing, but I sadly have to end it right now". He lifted the sword, to make the final blow. In the background Axel could hear Aster yell something, but he didn't quite catch it. The noble knight bowed his head in defeat. Tara, I tried to pay you back for saving my life, but I failed. Please forgive me. Then he sighed and waited for the death blow. A scream woke up Axel and he looked up to see Chazz in seriously pain. A arrow had pierced him around his stomach. Without warning two other arrow followed quickly after. Chazz was in so much pain that he didn't manage to move away or block them. More emotional pain than physically. Axel was sure he was actually in shock over that he actually got hit. One arrow hit his left shoulder and made him drop the sword. The other hit his upper right leg. Chazz screamed up again and fell down on one knee, while trying to ignore the pain and get the arrows out of his damaged body. Axel got quickly up on his feets and turned towards the direction the arrows had been coming from. A snort could be heard and a girl walked towards them. She was armed with a bow and a cover filled with arrows around her shoulder.

"Tsk, you are all a bunch of losers" the girl proclaimed "You are suppose to be able to handle the bad guys not lose to them". Axel's eyes widened.

"Freya!" said Aster in a happy tone and smiled "You just came in the right moment".

"Hmm You don't need to tell me that" Freya replied with a snort and then sighed "I see I still need a lot of training it seems. In the past I should be able to kill them with one arrow right at the heart, but oh well". Chazz coughed and got shakily his feets, using his sword as crutch. He had removed the arrow from his leg and arm, and Axel could see blood dripping to the ground. He looked weakly at the girl.

"An archer?" he said "You had an archer. Had I known, I would have killed her first".

"Yeah I figured that. I waited until you were disarmed with the blue blade, before I striked" Freya proclaimed coldly "Lucky Axel did just that". Chazz sneered in pain.

"You got that right. I could have defended if I had the wind blade" He said and laughed a little "You really defeated me. Congratulation, now finish the job".

"You heard him Knight" Freya said coldly "Finish him". Axel looked at Freya for a minute. He was happy that she had shown, but he wondered if she would have saved them, if he hadn't disarmed Chazz. He looked down at the warrior and lifting his sword to make the final blow.

"No Axel, stop don't kill him!" yelled a voice suddenly. Tara rushed over to them with a begging look on her face "If we do, then we are not better than kagemaru".

"Hmf listen girl, if we don't kill him, he will just return in the future and make our life a hell once again" Freya sneered and crossed her arms "We have to kill him".

"She is right" said Chazz weakly "That is how this world rules. The weak get's beaten by the strong ones. That is the law of this pathetic world. Please kill me". Axel looked at Tara who had bowed down and actually hugged Chazz.

"I can't" she replied and smiled "You are still my friend. I know we might have to face up in the future, but I will take that risk. If we meet again, we might be a lot stronger. Therefore we will not kill you". Freya snort angry.

"You can't pity the enemy missy, that will only lead to our own deaths" She said coldly "What do you think you can accomplish by that?". Tara got up and smiled at her. Freya and Aster looked puzzled at her. Axel however knew this was the true nature of Tara, the girl who saved his life.

"If that is true, then I will gladly do that" She said "My brother who is vampire taught me that no one is beyond saving before he got changed though".

"No you have to kill me" Chazz almost yelled "He will not be pleased. Not pleased at all. The beast will eat me!". The others looked at Chazz, who was flipping out.

"Axel please.." Tara begged "Let him live". Freya snort.

"Can't you see he wants to die" Freya proclaimed "Just fulfil his wish".

"No I actually agree with Tara on this one" Aster then said. He was carrying Syrus and Dimitri. He smiled at Tara "Tara is our leader, so she decides". Freya sneered and looked at Axel. He figured if she could get him over on her side, then the argument was at least even. Axel sighed and looked at Chazz who was still flipping out and mumbled about his master and the beast in one big ramble. Quickly Axel lifted the sword and slammed the sword's blunt side in the head of Chazz so he went unconscious. Tara smiled happily. Freya didn't look pleased at all.

"Fine, but don't come to me when your decision bite you" She sneered and began leaving. Axel looked after her with a suspicious look.

"Wow isn't she just awesome" Aster said and Tara and Axel sweatdropped.

"Yeah, she is something alright" Tara replied "Um why is carrying a bow?".

"Oh yeah you don't know" Aster said and smiled "She made it herself. Let me introduce to you. Freya Lockhart, our own blacksmith". Tara and Alex's eyes widened. A blacksmith?! That was just what they needed.

"I will drag him a little away from here" Axel then proclaimed "Then I will activate his SOS signal, so I am sure someone finds him. Just return to headquarter without me". The others nodded and began leaving. Axel dragged Chazz with him, to a place where he wasn't too close to the resistance. A blacksmith eh, maybe that means that our luck finally has turned our favor. Axel hoped that was the case. After all they are0 properly gonna have many tough fights in the future.

A,N: Well that was that. Sorry if that chapter is a long. I didn't think it would be that long. Oh well, then there is at least more for you to read right? I hope you liked it. Please comment on what you think. Hope the characters was not too much OOC. As for the next chapter, we are returning to the demon kingdom with Jim and Hassleberry a little. We also get more info on the stone Ember has and in the end the young members of the resistance are gonna make a crucial decision. Hope it sounds interesting.