Hello all. For anyone who has followed this story from the beginning, I first want to apologize for my lengthy absence. I know I abandoned this story for three years and I have no excuses other than no inspiration and pure laziness. But I hope that this will help to remedy my failure.

For those who are not aware, I started this story back in 2013 when Now You See Me was first released. That same year, I basically left this story in the dust for three solid years. Then 2016 saw the release of Now You See Me: The Second Act and inspiration hit. But, before the story could be completed, I had to revisit it, and while I was rereading what I had already written, it pained me to read it, so I decided that the story needed a drastic rewrite.

So that is what is now before you. Chapters 1 through 15 have been completely rewritten. For the most part, the plot and general details remain the same, but the wording has been changed and, I hope, improved and research has been done to ensure accuracy instead of the lazy writing of the previous version. And I give my word that this time I will finish this story. And I don't go back on my word. So call me on it if it appears I've abandoned this story once again.

To everyone who has stuck by this story even through the absence, there are no words to describe how grateful and thankful I am for you. Your reviews left me smiling and even just thinking about them makes me happy. So thank you to everyone who read and reviewed this the first go round. I hope that the rewritten story is more rewarding and better then what you had the first time. You all are amazing!

I hope you enjoy the rewritten and soon to be completed "A Time for War."

Category: Angst, family
Setting: Eighteen months after the final scene of
Now You See Me
Characters/Pairings: All characters, mentions of Dylan/Alma and Daniel/Henley.
Ratings/Warnings: T for violence.

Disclaimer: Neither Now You See Me, the characters, or the lyrics that appear at the beginning of each chapter belong to me.


The Long Game

From the fire that burns inside, consuming.
I fight to stay alive, but I can't breathe.
The voices scream, the enemy takes everything.
This is the madness in me!
~Madness in Me by Skillet


The sound of metal doors clanging shut followed by the loud thud of the electric deadbolts locking echoed down the otherwise silent hall. A man, the briefcase revealing him to be a lawyer, strode down the prison hall. Ignoring the cells lining the walk, he made his way to the furthest cell on the left. He stood in front of the steel door and peered through the barred window at the cell's lone occupant.

"Well?"

There was no greeting, no asking how his case was going or any other questions one might expect from a prisoner.

"All is going as planned, sir." Eli West answered. "If all continues at is, it should only be a matter of days before you're released."

"And what of the other business?" Thaddeus Bradley asked, getting up from the cot and moving slowly to lean against the door.

"On schedule, sir." West replied, eyes flicking around. Swallowing nervously, he continued with his report. "The Horsemen have split up, but we were able to locate them and a man has been placed on each of them. They're just waiting for their orders to act."

"Good, good." Bradley's eyes narrowed as he thought. "What of Rhodes?"

"Still with the FBI, sir." The lawyer lowered his voice to a near whisper, still fearful of being overheard despite knowing the precautions Bradley had taken. "And fighting against your release. No one suspects him of any involvement with the Horsemen."

"And his cell phone?"

"Successfully bugged without his awareness, sir."

"Excellent." Bradley stepped back from the door. "Contact Mr. Tressler and inform him that we need to talk once I am released."

"Right away, sir."

"Until next time, Mr. West."

"Mr. Bradley."

As the lawyer made his way back down the hall, Bradley returned to the worn out cot that served as his bed. A smile crossed his face as he thought over the past eighteen months confined to this cell with nothing but his thoughts to occupy him. Eighteen months he had languished in this cell, plotting and carefully planning. And now everything was coming together. Soon he would be a free man and then he would have his revenge. Smiling, he laid down slowly and placed his arms behind his head. Yes, it had been a long eighteen months, but it would all be worth it was Dylan Rhodes in this cell rather than him.