Lantern

Chapter 1

"It's nice, isn't it? Being off the island?"

Fang just made a noise in the back of his throat, following Max along as she led the Flock down the street, taking notice of all the people they passed. Finally, when he couldn't take it anymore, he leaned close to her and whispered something.

"Have you noticed all the swords? Nearly every guy has a freaking sword."

"Duh, Fang, it's Britain."

"…And?"

Max turned to look at him then. "The British still use swords, right?"

"Not that I know of."

Not to mention, Max's claim that they were in Britain wasn't one hundred percent true. They were in New Britain, which it was named after the end of the world. Most places were renamed, some with out new names, while other places were completely destroyed. It was still hard to remember the new geography, considering they were all kind of fuzzy in the world's original layout.

"Hmmm. I like it. It's cool."

"Yeah, until we piss someone off and they slice into us," Iggy mumbled from behind them. He was holding tightly onto Gasman's shoulder, clearly uncomfortable. After days abroad, it was obvious that he wasn't feeling well. "Won't that be fun?"

Max tuned them out again as their guide, who had met the at the harbor of the town they were in, began to speak. Fang thought Max had called it Scarborough or something. The town was in better shape than many of the towns that they had gone to, on their tour of the new world. Two years out from that day the world tried to end itself and things were still rocky as far as relationships between countries went. Many new leaders came to power, Max included. She had left the island many times, but this was a first for the rest of the Flock. It was very…unnerving.

"Here we are," Lewis, the guide, said as he stopped in front of a building. "This is where your meeting will be, Max. Lovely building, innit? It was survived the flood, it did. Quite remarkable."

Nudge, who looked over the old, dank building with disgust, quickly asked Max, "Do we have to go in with you?"

"Yes," she said without looking at any of them. Fang sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets.

"But Max, these meetings are so boring! And look at this ugly, tiny building. It can't hold all of us! And I still haven't had a chance to look around the town, take mental pictures. We're leaving tomorrow, right?"

"Right."

"Then let us. Iggy'll go with us," she said.

"No, Iggy won't," the blind teen said as he had Gasman help him ease himself down on a curb. "Iggy's not going in there either. I'm sitting right out here and resting. I have a massive headache."

"Not to interrupt, but the girl is right," Lewis said, nodding his head at Nudge, who beamed. He was about nineteen, brown hair, and fair skinned. Noting this, Fang took a step to the right, blocking the man's view of her. "The meeting room is rather small. We were not excepting these tagalongs."

Max sighed slightly, glancing back at Nudge, finding that Angel was standing next to her, still looking around the street. "Fine. You guys can do what you want. No going off on your own though. I mean it."

"Yes! Come on, Angel." Nudge grasped the younger girl's hand before leading her off, disappearing into the crowd.

"Be back in an hour," Max called after them before looking at Iggy and Gasman, who had taken up post on the curb. "You guys behave to. Oh, and if you really don't feel well, Iggy, you can just head back to the hotel. In fact, that's probably the best idea, as I doubt Total wants to be left there alone."

Iggy just raised a hand in acknowledgement, his other hand holding his pounding head. Fang felt bad for him, he really did. Iggy usually did boat travel pretty well, but this time had been rough. He had gotten violently seasick for some reason.

"Okay then," Max said, turning back to Lewis. Fang, however, kept staring at the real tagalong, the worst ever traveling partner, the one person he didn't want on the trip. Nudging Max gently with his elbow, Fang nodded towards the other guy.

"Oh. Dylan." Max paused then, staring at him. He looked about the same as always to Fang, what with his stupid childish looks and boy band style hair. "Uh, you can run off too, you know. They said it was a small building. Maybe you should just hang out here."

"I'll go with you though. It won't be too many, right? The two of us?"

Max glanced at Fang, who wasn't looking like leaving anytime soon. Fang, as always, brought Max up where she was weak.

"Right. Two people." Fang stared back at Dylan with unblinking eyes. "So run along now, kid."

Dylan looked ready to respond, but Lewis cut them all off by opening the door.

"If he wants to go, let him. Three is fine. Four, with me included, huh?" Lewis, nodded at Max, waiting for her to step inside. The second she did though, he quickly let go of the door and let himself in, leaving Dylan and Fang to vie for the next person in. Fang let Dylan have it, just standing there and watching how quickly the other teen moved. Then, after looking behind him to make sure Iggy and Gazzy were okay, Fang shook his head before heading in.

"Ah, Max, we meet again, eh?"

Max smiled at the man behind the wooden desk, who looked older than Fang expected. Most of the new leaders were young guys. Not to mention, last Fang heard, England had a queen or king or something like that. What had happened in the past two years? Or were they just meeting with a middleman?

Max offered up no information as she shook the man in front of her's hand, her smile still as big and fake as ever. Fang took his place in a far corner of the room, crossing his arms over his chest, trying to look tough. It was hard, though, as all of his plain black shirts had somehow gotten left on the island, along with all his stuff. How he forgot his bag, he'd never know, but he was almost sure that Dylan had something to do with it.

"Yes. Hopefully we can resolve some things this time," she said, glancing around the room, apparently also finding it rather cramped. "What happened to your other location?"

"The castle? Did you like that better before? It was never really my style to begin with. It wasn't even mine, you know. And it was hard for my associate to get it."

"Beautiful though."

"And the harbor isn't?"

"You're as good at twisting words as ever, Mr. Alden."

"I've told you, my dear, call George." The guy nodded at the one chair in the room. "Have a seat."

Max glanced around at Fang and Dylan to make sure they were both fine before doing so. For the first time since they got in the building, Fang also looked at Dylan, finding the other guy in the opposite corner, though he looked a lot happier to be there. Fang, though, was still finding it hard to deal with this old guy looking at his girlfriend the way he was.

Shifting from one foot to another, Fang remembered their last stop, where another, younger guy was putting his hands on Max's shoulders and touching her face and laughing with her while Fang just had to stand there and bare it. After the meeting, Max told him that it came with the territory. She had to make a standing for her group however she could. Then Fang accused her of not wanting him to come on previous outings because she was whoring herself out to other leaders to get what she wanted. That got them into a heated argument that still wasn't really resolved, which Fang really wanted to get cleared up soon.

…So, needless to say, Fang was not going to comment on anything going on in the room. For now. He would, however, use it as fodder whenever the argument started up again.

Fang was busy focusing on the back of Max's head when he felt something hit the top of his head. Looking up at the right time, or wrong time depending how you looked at it, Fang got hit squarely in the eye with a drop of water. His jump of surprise made the old guy, George, look over at him.

"Don't worry about that," he told Fang before looking back at the stack of papers in front of him. "We have a leaky roof."

Max glanced back at Fang, probably also not used to seeing him in something other than black. He had to share clothes with Iggy even though Iggy wasn't his size. At all. He was slighter than Fang. Not to mention, Fang was having to go commando because there was no way he was sharing boxers with the blind teen. Ever. Max had offered up some of their emergency cash to Fang so he could get clothes, but he denied her, claiming that he would make due. He didn't want to seem weak in front of the others anyways.

Dylan snickered under his breath, just loud enough for Fang to hear, but not Max. Fang sent him a look before leaning back against he wall, his arms finding their way across the Nike logo on his white shirt. He felt uncomfortable, as the chest of the shirt wasn't wide enough for him and made him feel like a chick, what with how they always wear tight clothes like it was nothing.

The meeting was long and boring. Fang wasn't used to dealing with that kind of stuff. He was used to Max recapping the high points for him back at home, on the island, after they had a make out session. Even then it was boring. This was just torture. The one thing that did interest him though was the rack of swords that were on the wall. About the time Max's discussions were winding up, the old man noticed Fang's looks again and answered his unasked questions.

"You notice the swords, boy?"

Fang didn't like being called boy, but he liked Max getting angry with him even less. So, to keep her off his back, he answered with a hushed yes.

George laughed. "It's a new age, kids. You better start carrying yourselves. Out with the new and back with the old. Bullets, guns, they're falling the way side once again. If I were you, Max, I would arm your two body guards here. Especially the brooding one." Then, again, he spoke to Fang. "Most people don't take kindly to being mugged, boy."

"Anyways, back to the map, yes?" Max spoke up, clearly trying to ease any tension in the room. Again, Dylan snickered, but Fang ignored him this time, staring at the swords again.

It wasn't until they were leaving that Fang was addressed again, once more by George. Max was already out of the room, Lewis and Dylan right behind, but Fang was slower, feeling awkward in the basketball shorts Iggy had lent him that morning. They matched the shirt pretty well though, which was a plus. Kind of.

"Boy," George called as he came out from behind his desk. Everyone in the hall turned around, but Fang knew he was talking to him. "C'mere."

Fang did so slowly, knowing that all eyes were on him. God. All he wanted to do was get out of there without Max getting pissed at him. Why couldn't the easy path ever appear in front of him?

Once Fang was close enough, the middle aged man laid a hand on Fang's shoulder, nodding up at the case of swords. George Alden was a heck of a guy. He was overweight, but just in that way that white guys seemed to get after awhile. In more recent years, it seemed everyone was nearly starved, but clearly not this guy.

"You're interested in these, eh?" The guy nodded up towards the swords. "I was trained in the art of sword fighting when I was a boy. You can imagine my surprise when they started to resurface as the main weapon of choice. Bullets are expensive in this new age, you understand."

Fang just stood there, silent as ever. Max was slowly making her way back into the room, but stopped at the door, watching. Fang didn't have to look back at her to know that she was curious as to why Mr. Alden was speaking to him. Her brown hair had been left down earlier in the day, but she had pulled it into a rough ponytail right before they arrived in an attempt to look more put together. Fang liked how dark her hair was getting now, but typically kept those thoughts to himself.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" Reaching up, Mr. Alden pulled a sword down before holding the hilt towards Fang. It was definitely the less expensive of the ones there, but it still was nice. Unlike one of others, which had a different hilt, as it was Japanese in style, its guard formed a cross and was not jewel encrusted, rather just golden with a black grip line. It looked plain. Just how Fang liked it.

"Well take it then, boy."

Fang watched the man for a moment before reaching out and grasping the hilt. When George let go, Fang was shocked to find how heavy the blade was, but was able to hold it. George laughed slightly, watching Fang balance his weight onto his back foot.

"A natural, ah?" Then, turning, George went back over to his desk and wrote down an address on a slip of paper. "Here you are, boy. If you are to stay in Scarborough long, I would suggest you visit this man. Tell him I sent you and he'll set you up with a sheath and maybe some lessons. Free of charge."

Fang still just watched the man. No one was ever kind without reason. Ever. What was his game? Had this guy really done something with Max previously and was now paying Fang off? Hmmm.

"You are not keeping that," was the first thing out of Max's mouth the second they were outside. "You're seriously not."

Dylan, clearly uneasy about his mortal enemy being supplied with a weapon, shook his head, not speaking. Lewis, however, did not follow his example.

"If Mr. Alder gave it to him, it must have been for good reason, Ms. Ride," he said, turning to look at Max. Fang, however, didn't care what Max thought and went over to the curb, where Iggy and the Gasman were still seated. Iggy seemed to be asleep, his head resting in his hands, his breathing slow.

"Wow! Fang got a sword!"

Gazzy's outburst awoke Iggy, who just groaned loudly. Max glanced over at them, but just shook her head, continuing to talk to Lewis.

"Who gave that to you?" Gazzy asked, jumping up. "Huh, Fang?"

"That guy in there."

"Wow! Think he'll give me one?"

"No." Fang held tight to his sword, holding it so it pointed upwards. "I don't."

"That's not fair. Max-"

She just held up a hand, silencing Gazzy. After a few more words to Lewis, she allowed him to leave, thanking him heavily for all his help while promising to contact him if she was ever in Scarborough again.

"Alright, guys, the girls still aren't back, so I have to go find them," Max began as she and Dylan made their way over. "Dylan, you stay here in case they come back. Gazzy, you and Ig head back to the hotel now. Can you make it, Iggy?"

"I'm fine," he mumbled as Gazzy helped him stand.

"Do you remember the way back, Gazzy? If not, Dylan can-"

"I'm not a little kid, Max," the boy said, frowning at her. "I'm not."

"Alright. Go." Then, she turned to her boyfriend. "Come on, F-"

"I'm going to find the place."

She frowned. "What place?"

He held up the piece of paper. "This place. To get my sheath. For my sword. And some practice."

She just stared at him for a second before shaking her head. "Everyone else go do what you were told. Walk with me, Fang."

He patted his sick friend on the back before following along, now holding his sword facing downward, not wanting to run into anyone. Max walked along slowly, looking around the street, clearly searching for the two girls.

"You're not keeping the sword, Fang."

He was shocked when Max spoke to him, if only because he had been so concentrated on figuring out the street names. At least he was in a place that spoke English. It was helping, somewhat.

"You're not my boss, Max."

"I'm your leader."

"You're my girlfriend."

"And you're my boyfriend. What does that change?"

"You're just jealous," Fang told her. "I got picked to get something and you didn't."

"No," she said slowly. "This Flock has never needed-"

"Well, now I do. I want it, okay? Deal with it."

He had to dodge Max when she tried to hit him.

"Careful, babe. I could stab you now."

"You little- Nudge!" Max turned then, facing towards a shop window where she saw Nudge browsing through some things. "Found them. Come on, Fang."

As Max went into the shop to reign in the other female members of the Flock, Fang allowed himself to merge with the crowd and separate himself from her. Now, with that out of the way, all he had to do was find the location of the shop and get back to the hotel in a reasonable amount of time. Either way, Max would be pissed, but if he got there in time, maybe he could work something out with her. Whatever. Either way, Fang was keeping his sword. End of story.

It was dark by the time Fang found the shop, but there was still a light on inside. Most places had no electricity and just used oil lamps these days. Fang could see one burning through the window and decided to press his luck. They were leaving tomorrow either way.

The building opened into one room, which was filled with medieval weapons that Fang had seen on TV and the internet back when those things existed, but never in person. One that really intrigued him was one of those balls with the spikes that you swung around. He had no idea what they were called, but he immediately got an imagine of smashing Max's head in with it the next time she questioned his sword…then he had the even better idea of Dylan suffering through that. A much better one.

"Yes?" It was a young man who addressed Fang. The guy was older than Fang, probably in his twenties, with long dreadlocks and a very intimidating face.

"Uh, I was sent here, for a sheath. Mr. Alder sent-"

"Ah, yes. Lewis came by earlier with a message. I did not expect you so late."

"I'm, uh, new here. I couldn't find the place." Fang cleared his throat, clearly apprehensive. What if this had all been a set up? A crazy set up to kill Fang? He was sure Dylan was behind it. That dastardly bastard. God, when he got his hands on-

"Yes, well, the master left for the day." The guy stood then, shaking his head. "I'm your next best option, I suppose, unless you can return in the morning."

"I'm leaving in the morning."

"Then let's rush this, yes?" Coming around the desk, the older man held out his hand to Fang. "My name is Lance. And you?"

"Fang."

"From…?"

"Uh, an island."

"Fang from an island."

"Yeah."

"And your island has no name?"

Fang just shrugged.

"So, Fang from the nameless island, you must possess great skill for George Alder to recommend you and give you one of his blades."

"I've never…used one before."

"Well, Alder is known for his drinking. Perhaps he was under the influence." The whole time he was talking, the other man was going around the shop, clearly looking for something. "First, of course, we must get you a scabbard."

"Actually, I kind of need a sheath."

Turning to face Fang now, the guy just stared at him. "I hope you have no plans tonight, Fang from the nameless island, because this might take all night."

"Fang!"

"Shhh." He held a finger to his lips as Angel jumped off her pallet on the floor.

It was always a debacle, finding somewhere to stay in the new world. All of them were staying in the same, cramped room. The night before, Nudge and Angel had gotten the bed, but now that Iggy was feeling so bad, he and Gazzy were up there. Nudge and Angel were both curled up on the floor with Total on some extra blankets while Dylan sleeping in the desk chair, looking rather uncomfortable. Good. Max, for her part, was curled up in the corner, her knees pulled to her chest, her body facing the door. It was clear that she had attempted to stay up and wait for Fang, but fallen asleep at some point. It made him feel kind of bad. Kind of.

"Is this your sword?" Angel whispered, reaching out to touch the hilt. She was on her knees in front of Fang, clearly mesmerized by the blade. "Can I see it?"

"In the morning," he said, gently reaching out to push her back down. "Go to sleep."

After getting Angel down, Fang went over to stand in front of Max, watching her as he laid his sheath down on the ground, shaking his head. "Max," he whispered then as dropped to his knees next to his blade. "Max."

"Mmmm."

"You're so bad at taking watch now. You know that?" He was talking softly to her, as if she were a child. Moving to wrap his arms around her, he slowly dragged her down, laying her on the ground.

"You're late," she mumbled as she curled up on the floor, clearly tired. Fang just sat there next to her for a moment, watching her.

"I am," he agreed before getting up and grabbing the blanket that Iggy had kicked off in his sleep and bringing it over to his girlfriend. After wrapping her up in his, he took up his post next to his sword, now taking over as watch captain.

"Very late."

"Shhh, Max. Rest."

"I hate when you do that. Undermine me." Yawning, she finally peeked an eye open. "Did you get your sheath?"

"Yeah. I found out a lot too."

Max sighed slightly. "We have to hit four more cities in New Britain. From what I understand, swords are very popular here these days. Keep it, but don't use it."

"Only if I have to."

"Is that what I said?" Max's eyes slipped shut once more. "Don't use it. You can have it for your male ego thing, but never use it. You haven't needed it in all these years of your life, you're not gonna need it now."

Fang stayed silent, allowing Max to fall back asleep. After he was sure she was, he whispered, "You're not my boss, you're my girlfriend."

He feared that she would still be awake and just have been faking, but she showed no signs of it. Sighing, Fang reached over to brush some of her hair out of her eyes. In the dark room, Fang was almost certain that he could get away with kissing her without anyone seeing him, but withheld his desires.

Max could keep the island safe. She could lead the island. She was good at that. However, she couldn't lead Fang. She couldn't protect him. She couldn't really protect herself. That's why he was taking up Mr. Alder's taunt and gonna become her body guard. A knight.

"A dark knight," he whispered.

Or something like that. His interests seemed to shift quite a bit. Who knew? Maybe in a week the sword would be Iggy's or Gasman's. Maybe even sold to get them some food or something. It's not like he was any good with the sword anyways. It was just his new toy, his new way to get under Max's skin, and new device to make her realize she didn't own him. In any way.

Opening his wings slightly, Fang unsheathed the blade before resting it in his lap, the tip pointed away from his girlfriend, the hilt nearly touching her head. It wasn't much, but it was something. Something the other boys didn't have.

"Something Dylan doesn't have," Fang muttered.

And maybe that was all that mattered to begin with.

I do currently have the next chapter of this written up for the most part, but want to hold off on posting/finishing it until I at least get the next chapter of Catch and Release done. And for anyone that's worrying about Catch and Release, it is about done, so I feel fine with starting something new. It has, what, four more chapters? I think. This story is going to be totally different than that one though. More similar to Island Time, probably, given the age proximity of the characters. Just minus the zombies.