Chapter 19: The Crown

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The Second Coming let out a breath. The crown glimmered a crimson gleam under the skylight, its presence captivating yet causing the very air to static. He clenched his fists, and crouched down. He was ready.

The Second Coming charged forward, yanking on Queen of Hearts' tail. The queen turned, her attention from the Color Gang snapping away onto The Second Coming.

"What—?!" Queen of Hearts blurted, before thwacking The Second Coming with her tail. Queen of Hearts whipped around, swinging a claw, but The Second Coming missed her by inches and spun around her until throwing himself onto her back.

Green, Yellow, and Blue's defenses faltered, their gazes lingering onto the two hollowheads as they tussled. The Second Coming gripped onto Queen of Hearts' curved horns, attempting to grab her crown.

The Color Gang immediately understood what he was doing.

Queen of Hearts hissed, tossing around, before grabbing The Second Coming by the leg. A low guttural growl escaped as he dangled from her claws.

Then, The Chosen One surged out fire from his palms, taking off into the air before diving straight towards Queen of Hearts. Her gaze snapped up to The Chosen One, his hand outstretched to grab the crown, but Queen of Hearts ducked down just in time to miss him. The Chosen One circled and swooped down to her like a hawk, the crown being his prey.

Valhalla was the last to rush, sprinting forward to save The Second Coming from Queen of Hearts' grasp. He tugged on his arm, but Queen of Hearts wouldn't budge. Her gaze locked onto Valhalla, her strength already outnumbering his, before the Color Gang joined in with Valhalla.

"Pull!" the Color Gang cried in unison, hauling Valhalla. The Second Coming slightly winced from the two forces pulling him, but he silently rooted for his friends.

"You little viruses!" Queen of Hearts yelled, cinders flickering from her form, before The Chosen One swooped down once again, forcing her to duck down.

With one final tug, The Second Coming was let go from Queen of Hearts, causing everyone to tumble to the ground. They immediately stood up, watching as The Chosen One swept around Queen of Hearts.

Queen of Hearts straightened before curling, letting out a mighty fire breath that scorched some of the stalactites, crystals, and even the vines on the pillars surrounding her. The Chosen One floated away, missing the inferno. But he wasn't spared that easily.

Queen of Hearts crouched down before suddenly—she leapt high. She dashed upward to The Chosen One, grabbing him by the leg and dragging him down. They slammed onto the ground, and The Chosen One struggled to push himself up.

Queen of Hearts slammed her claw against his head, pinning him down. The Chosen One's mouth fizzled with flames, but Queen of Hearts didn't let up. She only pressed down harder.

"I see what you lot are trying to arrange here," she observed. "You want my crown, do you not?"

She glanced around erratically, waiting for any objections. The others did nothing but stare at her, then at The Chosen One. No one denied it.

Her head lifted up in satisfaction. "Well then... if you want it..."

Queen of Hearts straightened up, her grasp still on The Chosen One's head. With a snap of her talons, red strings materialized out of thin air. They wrapped around The Chosen One's body like constricting snakes before tightening. Then, Queen of Hearts threw him against a rock pillar. He tossed and turned, frustrated, but as expected—the strings remained unyielding.

Queen of Hearts' gaze then sharply turned to the remaining figures. "Then come and get it."

The Second Coming stood frozen before exhaling sharply. He took a step forward. Then another. Suddenly, he charged forward again.

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