Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2000 02:34:04 EDT
From: Morbddream@aol.com
Subject: Crimson Tears - 20

Disclaimer: This story is a complete work of fiction. It is not meant to
imply anything about the sexuality's of any of the members of Nsync. If you
are too young to be here, you should probably go ahead and leave. If you're
offended by homosexual themes... You're in the wrong place.

Note: Here we go again... 20.. Wow... Thanks. I wouldn't have made it this
far without all of you! Enjoy!

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From 19:
	"I agree, but you do know what this means?" Andrea looked down. "Of
course. Our guests have asked that they be able to share their plan." She
motioned for Ryu, and Rosey to step up. "OK, we think..."

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Chapter 20:
	"...we should get our friends out, first. They're very powerful,
and could be very helpful when the real battles start. After that, it will
be obvious to the king that something is happening, so we'll have to see
how he sets his defenses, and go from there." With that, Ryu nodded, and
Andrea stood. "I guess that's kind of a plan. Any objections?" The crowd of
advisors seemed a bit nervous toward the lack of a plan, but they decided
to go with it, and hope for the best. "OK, then. I'll take it from here." A
man emerged from the doorway, and walked to where Andrea stood. "You're
back! We thought you were dead." The man grinned, and shook his head. "You
know me better than that, Andrea. I would've been back sooner, but I had to
stop Barry from making a huge mistake." Andrea looked confused, but let it
go.

	"That's a very nice plan, Ryu, but do you mind if I try and improve
it?" Ryu nodded, hoping someone would do this. "Thank you. They obviously
won't let us walk in, and let them out.  We need a diversion. We should
rally every group in town, and place them to look like we're staging an
all-out attack. That way, their defenses will flood to that area, and a
small group can enter the castle, and save our friends. Simple, and a lot
safer than just busting in." The man stepped aside, and Andrea took his
place. "Very good, as usual. Who will contact the other groups, and lead
the diversion?" Andrea scanned the room. No one moved. Rosey stepped
up. "We're too big to be on the rescue team. We'll lead the diversion." Ryu
looked surprised at Rosey's generosity.


	"I wonder what's taking them so long." I sighed. "Patience is a
virtue, ya know." Gail was trying her best to calm me down. "Yeah, a stupid
one." I muttered. I paced the room, waiting for the sounds of a struggle
outside. I jumped at every noise, even a cough. I gave up, and walked to
one of the couches in the room. I sat down, and sighed. Justin walked over
and sat next to me.  I could feel his eyes on me. I turned my head and
could see the worry in his eyes. "What's wrong?" He looked down at the
bandage around my waist. "It's fine. Vincent took care of the poison, and
the pain." That seemed to calm him, a little. "Are you sure you can fight a
war with that?" I couldn't help but smile. "I'll be fine. Don't get
yourself killed worrying about me." He shook his head, and fell back into
the couch. "There's something else, isn't there?" He nodded his head,
slowly. "I miss my Mom. We were all in Orlando when we showed up here." I
raised an eyebrow. "Orlando?" He nodded. "That's where I live. Anyway, it
was one of few times I get to see my family." Tears were forming in his
eyes.  "I can't say I know how you feel. All I can really say is you'll see
your family again. I'm sure of it." He gave a weak smile, and wiped his
eyes. "You mean we can get home?" Gail had been listening, and chose this
time to come sit on the other side of him. "Of course there is! If there's
a way to get you here, then there's a way to get you home. You're not
alone, ya know. JC told me he wants to go home, too. I'm sure the rest
do. Maybe you should talk to them?" She was speaking in a soft voice. She
sounded like a mother should when comforting her child. "Thanks." Justin
gave a smile, and stood. He stretched and walked toward his friends.

	"Where'd you pick that up, Mom?" I grinned at Gail. "What are you
talking about?" My grin grew into a smile. "You sounded like a real
Mother. I was just wondering where you picked that up." She looked
down. "My-Ryan's Mother..." I put my hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry."
She smiled, and shook her head. "It's OK." A sudden noise caught our
attention. I heard feet shuffling in the halls. I could also hear the sound
of horns flowing through the halls. "It's starting." Anthony moved to the
door.

	The horns could be heard echoing throughout the town. The soldiers
were running through the halls of the castle, preparing to defend the
castle. Just outside of town, a small army lined the horizon. Two large
creatures could be seen in front of the army. "Spread out across the hills,
now!" Rosey was yelling to her troops. "Why?" Asked Ryu. "It's an old
Dragon trick. If we spread out it will look like there's more of us. A
straight line of troops across the horizon tricks the enemy into thinking
there are more behind the front line." Ryu nodded, and lifted into the
air. He flew along the front line, telling them to spread across the hill.

	"Where are they?" Three men were crouched behind a statue,
whispering to each other.  "This way. Come on!" They moved from behind the
statue, and crept down the large hall. They reached a corner, and stuck
their heads around the corner. "Who the hell is that with Barry?"  Asked
one of the men. "I don't recognize him. There could be trouble. Be
careful." That said, they turned the corner. They stopped in front of
Barry, and the other guard. "It's about damn time you got here!" Barry was
yelling, almost like he wanted his prisoners to hear. "Who the hell are
they?" Asked the guard next to him, preparing to attack. "Some friends of
mine." Said Barry. "Step aside. We're taking the prisoners." Barry just
stared at him. "Gabriel, I suggest you go back home." Barry drew his sword,
and pointed it toward Gabriel. He then looked at the guard next to him. He
twisted quickly, and sliced through his neck. "Barry! Dammit! I told you
not to do that!" Barry looked down. "Sorry, he could've warned someone
telepathically." Gabriel pushed Barry aside, and reached for the door
knob. "Wait. These prisoners?!" Gabriel wore a confused expression.
"Yes. Why?" Barry shook his head. "How can a fucking elf be one of the
chosen ones?" Gabriel rolled his eyes. "He was raised by elves. He's as
human as you are." He twisted the door knob, and stepped into the room.

	"It's about damn time you got here!" I heard Barry say to someone
outside the door. I tried to hear more of the conversation, but they were
speaking in low tones, now. I pressed against the door until I heard
something hit the other side. "What the hell was that?" Asked Anthony. I
shrugged. "It kinda sounded like a head." I stepped back when the knob
turned. I readied myself, preparing to attack. The door swung open, and he
was standing there. "It really is you." He said. I tried to speak, but
couldn't find the words. "Forget about it for now.  We have to get out of
here, or Ryu and Rosey will be in deep trouble." He didn't wait for anymore
questions. He walked out of the room, with everyone in tow.

	We walked through the halls toward the throne room. "Why are we
going to the throne room?  Shouldn't we be going outside?" Anthony was
getting nervous. "No. The defenses are weakened, so now would be a good
time to take the king. I've already sent a messenger tot he front
line. They will attack on my command." I stopped in the hall. "Front line?
Attack? What in the hell are you talking about?!" He stopped, and turned
toward me. "May I please explain later? We don't have much time." I
sighed. "Fine."

	"What do you want?" Rosey asked the messenger, as calmly as
possible. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I have a message for you." The
messenger pulled out a piece of paper, and held it out. "Look at me, and
tell me. Do I have hands?!" The messenger turned beet red, and started
shivering nervously. "I-I'm sorry. I-It says that S-Sir Gabriel i-is going
t-to c-capture t-the king. H-He wants y-you to a-attack on h-his command."
Rosey nodded, and motioned for him to leave with one of her wings. "That
idiot! We can't fight THAT army alone!" Ryu was pawing at the ground
nervously. "I know. They'll be here, don't worry. They won't let us down."
Rosey glared at him. "They had better not!"

	"Guards! Guards!" The King was cowering in a corner. Anthony had
asked to go in alone.  "Father! What's wrong?" The King's eyes widened.
"Anthony! Is it you, my son?" Anthony walked up to his father. "Yes, it's
me." Anthony wore an impassive expression. "Don't you know the town is
under attack? You're in grave danger, son!" Anthony snorted. "Like you
care." The King stood, and walked toward Anthony. "Don't move!" Screamed
Anthony. "What's wrong, son?" Anthony's feet left the ground. He was
hovering a few inches off the ground. "Stop calling me that." He said this
as cold as possible. "What?" The King was dumbfounded. "I know what you
said to me that day.  The day I was born. My mother pleaded with you. She
asked you not to blame me, yet you did. Isn't it enough that I blame
myself?" The King looked down. "If you hadn't been born, she would still be
alive." Anthony narrowed his eyes at his Father. "Damn you." The King
looked into his son's eyes. "Don't you ever speak to me like that!" He
screamed. He lunged at Anthony. His fist connected with Anthony's face,
sending him flying across the room. He hit the doors, and slid to the
ground.  "You think you can kill me? You're sadly mistaken, Anthony. I've
had these powers for years, where you've had yours for mere days." Anthony
stood, and brushed himself off. "If you kill me, there is a large group of
people standing outside that will gladly avenge me."  Disbelief was written
on the King's face.

	"Where are these friends of yours? They didn't even have the
decency to accompany you?  Anthony, dear boy, you have no idea what you're
up against. The darkness will consume you. There is no defeating it. The
War of Souls will not end well, for you." Anthony laughed. "I'm not worried
about that, now. The only thing on my mind is pain. Your pain." A grin
spread across the King's face. "Stop calling me 'Father.' Your Father is
dead." It was Anthony's turn to be confused. "What are you talking about?!"
The King grinned menacingly. "I devoured your Father long ago. His utter
hate for you twisted his soul." After saying this, his body bulged. It
expanded until it finally burst into a million pieces. These pieces hit the
floor, and walls, and vanished. "I am Scheharazade. Knight of the
Darkness. I will protect the darkness with my life."

	I heard the name. Scheharazade. I knew I had heard it before.
"Vincent, does the name Scheharazade mean anything to you?" Vincent turned
to me, a look of fear on his face. "What did you just say?" I raised an
eyebrow. "Scheharazade, why?" The fear on his face stayed in tact.  "Where
did you hear that name?!" I started getting worried. I pointed to the
doors. Vincent shot forward, and began pushing on the doors. "They won't
open! He's going to kill him!" The rest of us were looking around,
confused. "Don't just stand there! Scheharazade is an extremely powerful
sorcerer! He was tainted by the darkness, and will now destroy anything
that even thinks of opposing it!" The rest of us then flew toward the door,
and began pushing.

	His armor was pitch black, with dream emanating from every inch of
it. His face had been mangled by the years of exposure to the darkness. His
various scars blanketed his face. His arms were covered in black ash, and
dust. He had a huge black broadsword strapped to his side. His hair was, of
course, black. His eyes showed the last of his humanity. They were a
shimmering brown, with signs of weakness. They were slowly succumbing tot
he darkness, a hint of black shimmering to one side. There was still
something inside of him, begging to be released.

	"It's no use. It's sealed." Vincent staggered back, hitting the
wall on the other side of the hall. "How long have you known him?" I asked,
walking to Vincent and kneeling. "He came to the Academy when he was
seven." I sighed. "You're just going to let him get killed?" He looked at
the floor. "We can't get in. Don't you think it hurts me to let him torture
his soul?" He looked up, tears streaming down his face. "Torture his soul?"
I didn't know much about Scheharazade.  "Scheharazade doesn't kill his
victims. He sews parts of their bodies to his own, and keeps them alive
with magic. He then continues to torture them for all eternity." He stood,
and looked at the huge oak doors. His tears began flowing more intensely as
he heard a scream from inside the throne room. Gail was still pushing on
the doors. I looked around at everyone. I noticed Justin was missing.
"Where did Justin go?" I looked at Joey. He shrugged, and looked at Gail,
in a heap at the door. I looked past her, and noticed a gap between the
doors, and the floor.

	Anthony had been knocked to a corner, and lie in a puddle of
blood. It leaked from his mouth, and chest. "I love pain. Yours
especially. I've always wanted to torture a prince."  Scheharazade pulled
out a needle at least a foot in length. He reached into the satchel
strapped opposite his broadsword, and pulled out a long leather thread. He
threaded the needled, and slowly walked toward Anthony. "I think from the
chest up would be best." He began tugging at his armor, slowly pulling it
from his body. The removal of his armor revealed various heads, mutated
from the torture. There was an arm, thrashing from his chest. His arm
supported another body. This one held a small hatchet, and was furiously
chopping the air. "Calm down." He said softly. He held up his needle, and
jabbed the head. He pushed it through the temple until the point was
visible on the other side. He laughed as it screamed out in pain. He pulled
the needle through, laughing louder as the leather burned it's brain. He
looked back to Anthony, and took a step forward. He fell forward with a
scream, and jumped up. He turned, and saw a young man. His hair was blond,
and curly. He stood, ready to attack. Scheharazade laughed again, and
walked toward him. "Who might you be?" Justin's stance didn't change. "I
asked you a question, boy!"  Justin stayed silent. "Very well. I have a
special place for you." He ran his hand over his crotch, and licked his
lips. "Fuck you." Justin's form shifted. He grew to an immense size, and
sprouted fangs. His eyes were glowing red, and his body was covered in
fur. "Interesting. It won't help you. You're going to die. You're all going
to die." He smiled, and cocked his head to one side.

	"He's inside." I said, kneeling at the crack. "What do you mean
he's inside? How did he get in?" Vincent practically jumped at me. "You
can't get in. I can. JC, Lance, and Chris. Maybe Gail, but I'm not sure."
Vincent stood, and rest his head against the door. "How, dammit?!" I looked
up at him, and my form shifted. My robe shifted in on my form. The pillars
holding the golden painted marble seemed to grow larger. I looked up at
Vincent. He walked back to the wall opposite the door, and slid down. I
slithered under the door, and waited for JC, Lance, and Chris. I felt the
heat of the magma as JC flowed next to me. He let himself harden to
suppress the glow, and heat. A thick mist poured under the door, and
settled around us, hiding us. A small field mouse squeaked as it scrambled
under, and next to me.

	I looked over, and saw the revolting creature. He had his back
turned to us, and was doing something with his hands. He lifted a needle,
pulling the thread tight. He turned, and I got a glimpse of part of
Justin's body, tightly sewn to Scheharazade's.

TBC...
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That's it. I'm sorry this took so long. I've been kinda busy. You all know
how that goes, I'm sure. E-mail at Morbddream@AOL.com. I LOST everything on
my computer, including ICQ... So screw my number. IM at Morbddream, Though!
:) Please e-mail me! Please! OK... Bye-bye.