I really want to thank Maira the Panda and kenobigirlliz for their continued encouragement and criticism. I really couldn't have kept writing on bad days without reading you guys' reviews. Thanks!
Also, check out kenobigirlliz Of Treasure Maps and Steel Eagles; it's a crossover between SA and National Treasure. What more could us magical history fanatics want?
One more thing before I let you guys read: I don't usually do chapter dedications, but this chapter calls for one.
This chapter is dedicated to my friend Sarah; I know you went through some really bad times, but you're going to pull through. Just like Izzie did.
Disclaimer: I only own the twin… get it?
The Twin
Of Sandwiches, Fiery Trash, and Believing
Isadora was still laughing.
After watching 'sorcery practice', they had all gone out for sandwiches. As they walked, Balthazar proceeded to tell Izzie everything she had missed when she was taking a shower in the building above the abandoned subway turnaround.
"...And then he was electrocuted," Balthazar finished, cracking a smile at Dave.
"So," Isadora gasped, breathless from laughing, "you made his own Tesla coils turn against him?"
"Exactly," Balthazar replied.
In about five minutes, they came to a stop in front of a quaint little sandwich shop. Dave figured he needed to spilt the two up before Balthazar got some real dirt on his childhood. He also needed to find out exactly how his sister shot a plasma bolt with absolutely no practice at all.
"Balthazar, why don't you go get the sandwiches? Izzie and I will meet you at that bench over there," Dave directed, waving his hand in the direction of a bench. It was one that was isolated from the others; it was also located right outside the local music studio.
Balthazar shrugged and walked inside, already knowing what to get the twins. Sorcery had its perks.
Dave and Isadora meandered over to said bench. They both sat down.
"So," Dave started awkwardly, "how'd you fire that plasma bolt?"
The redhead turned to him, her expression both serious and solemn. "I was thinking about it, and, in since we're twins, maybe I have some of your power in me. I mean, not as much as you, but a little. Balthazar says you're powerful, Dave, I have to have some of that magic in me too."
Dave nodded. It was a good explanation, except for one thing...
"But how were you able to conjure up a decent plasma bolt and I wasn't?" Dave implored.
Isadora's eyes softened. She placed her hand on top of his. "I believe, Dave. You have to believe you can do it. I can tell you don't fully believe magic exists-"
"Trust me, Izzie, I've seen enough magic to believe it exists," Dave interrupted.
"In you, Dave. You have to believe magic exists in you."
Dave was still skeptical. "Then how come Balthazar can do magic so easily? I mean, he doesn't look like he's concentrating and believing every time he shoots a plasma bolt."
Look at him, Dave," Isadora said softly. Dave looked up to see Balthazar walking towards them, weaving through the pedestrians, a paper bad clutched in his hand.
"Look at him," she repeated, "and tell me he doesn't believe in magic, in himself. It's in the way he walks, the way he speaks; it's in his eyes, Dave."
The boy nodded, finally seeing what his magical education was lacking. Confidence. It wasn't Balthazar who had to choose to be ready or not; it was Dave's decision alone. But he wasn't sure if he was ready quite yet...
"Izzie," Dave whispered, "do you think Balthazar is willing to wait? I'm not sure if I can fully believe yet."
"I'm sure he will," Isadora soothed. Balthazar was about twenty feet away from the bench, when Dave's sister suddenly grabbed his hand and made him look her in the eye. "You can't tell Balthazar that I can do magic," she said bluntly.
"Why not? He could train us both!" Dave exclaimed, getting excited.
"No Dave. Don't worry, I have a very good reason."
Dave was about to ask what that 'very good reason' was, but by then Balthazar had sat down in between them.
He began removing at least six sandwiches from the bag, handing Dave's his and Isadora hers, saving about four for himself. Isadora immediately began munching down on hers, leaving Dave and Balthazar to talk.
"Dude!" Dave exclaimed, referring to the plethora of sandwiches in Balthazar's lap.
"I beg your pardon," Balthazar apologized, picking up a sandwich. "I haven't eaten in fifteen years."
Isadora nearly choked on her sandwich. "Fifteen years! What happened?"
"Dave got Horvath and me stuck in an urn for fifteen years," Balthazar explained.
"How-"
"Arcana Cabana," Dave added, clearing up the girl's confusion.
"So that's what you were doing in that shop... meeting a sorcerer. Lucky! Then, who's Horvath?"
"Maxim Horvath," Balthazar said.
"He's trying to kill me and unleash a bunch of evil on the world," Dave added.
"So you guys are kind of like the heroes in one of those corny Sci-Fi movies?" Isadora asked.
"Yeah," Dave agreed. Isadora went back to her sandwich, satisfied for the moment.
"Might I ask what's so special about this bench?" Balthazar inquired.
Suddenly, Dave's back straightened and he pretty much stared at something over Balthazar's shoulder.
Both Izzie and Balthazar followed his gaze, turning to see a girl –Becky, in Isadora's case- come out of a building and begin to walk towards the subway.
"No, no, no," Balthazar scolded, turning back to Dave.
"What?"
"There's no time for that and too much at stake," Balthazar said.
Isadora sat back and enjoyed the free show she was getting. Watching Dave and Balthazar argue was better than cable.
"That girl... she's the one, man, and you're my mentor, Balthazar, aren't you supposed to help me to achieve my personal goals?" Dave tried.
"Ah.. Yes, yes!" Balthazar started, shaking a pickle. "Except I'm not your mentor, I'm your master."
Isadora's face became a fire truck on the sun when she heard that.
"...and your master says if Horvath catches you out on the street, you'll die. Is she worth that? Think about it, Dave."
About five seconds of 'thinking', Dave took off down the street, trying to catch up to Becky. All Isadora heard was Becky say 'Are you stalking me?' before they turned the corner.
Balthazar smirked, watching Dave try to convince Becky that he wasn't stalking her. "Why was I even concerned," he said under his breath, taking a bite of his pickle.
The sorcerer and the literature major ate in silence for a while, then the redhead decided it was getting a little too awkward for her tastes.
"I don't really know much about you," she told him.
"I'm surprised," Balthazar replied dryly. "With all your 'records', I supposed you would know more about me than I do myself."
"My brother told you about that conversation," Isadora realized.
"I was sitting next to him when he called you," the sorcerer explained.
"I see."
"I'm glad."
Izzie laughed, and then changed the subject back to their earlier conversation. "Surprisingly enough, the records don't think the fact you wear the oldest coat in the history of coats is important. In fact, you could probably sell that coat to a museum and be able live the rest of your life without working."
"Alright, enough jokes at the expense of my coat," Balthazar warned her.
"Let's play a game," Isadora offered.
"What kind of game," Balthazar asked warily.
"You tell me something no one knows about you, and I'll do the same."
Balthazar nodded. He saw no harm in this. "Who starts?"
"I'll start, I guess..." Izzie trailed off, suddenly solemn.
She swung her legs around so she was facing him, and took a deep breath.
"When I was in grade school, especially middle school, I was teased tremendously. There were lots of reasons, but the main one was because of my love of books. There was one boy, Tom Chase, who teased me much more than the others."
She took another deep breath, fighting back tears.
"You don't have to tell me this," Balthazar whispered soothingly, though now he was curious.
"It's okay. I actually feel like I can open up to you, unlike most people I've met. Which is weird, because I just met you. I feel like I've known you longer than I truly have," she added. Balthazar nodded.
She continued. "My favorite teacher, Mrs. Anderson, whom I graded papers for, told me not to worry; that Tom just liked me. And she was actually right... in the worst way possible."
"He and his pack, they cornered me after school and beat me up because I wouldn't date him! It was-"
"They did what?" Balthazar exclaimed, suddenly gripping her arm. "Isadora, why am I the first to know this? You could've gone to an adult! They could've helped you!"
"They wouldn't believe me, except for Mrs. Anderson. And then she died in a car crash the very next week..." Isadora trailed off.
Balthazar's eyes softened. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she replied, wiping away a few escaping tears. "It's your turn."
Balthazar had been planning on doing something light, but now that she had shared such a haunting memory with him, he couldn't help but return the favor. He also needed to distract her from her pain. He couldn't help but feel the need to protect her from that agony. She was a vulnerable and beautiful young woman, and Balthazar was starting to feel old sentiments of knight's codes and sorcerer pacts rise within him.
"It was the year 1865 when, in England, I met a seven year old girl named Rosalina. I called her Rosa. Merlin had warned me not to get attached during my journey, but I couldn't help it."
"I watched her grow, get married, and eventually stop believing in the old man who she used to meet in the park every day."
Balthazar's shoulders slumped a little, and Isadora put a hand on his arm.
"She died at the age of forty-two from an incurable disease. Nowadays, they would call it pancreatic cancer."
"I'm so sorry," Izzie murmured, her green eyes wide.
Balthazar pulled his arm away from her hand, which fell limply to the bench like a rag doll. "It's fine, really. It was such a long time ago that I can hardly remember what she looks like," he lied.
Isadora shook her head. Balthazar might be a good liar but she could see right through him this time. "No one knows how much time they have to be with the people who are the most important," she whispered cryptically.
"Well, enough sadness," Balthazar finalized, sitting up. "Do you want to help me scare your brother?" He held out an arm to her, old-fashioned.
"I'm game," she agreed, hooking an arm through his.
SASASA
About 10 minutes earlier, Dave and Becky
Dave and Becky slowly walked down the steps to the subway.
"So I listened to your show last night," Dave mentioned, trying to get a conversation going.
"Well, what'd you think?" Becky asked.
"Well, it was amazing! I've never actually heard of any of those bands, which I think is a good indicator that they're cool," Dave said.
Becky laughed. "Well I'm glad someone was listening."
They had reached the bottom of the stairway, and the train was just leaving. 'Good,' Dave thought, 'I'll have a few more minutes with her.'
"Well, this may come as a surprise to you-"
All of the sudden, a thug jumped out at them, baring a knife. "C'mon, give me that," he ordered. Becky threw him her bag. "Give me the bracelet."
Becky hurriedly undid the bracelet, and the robber grabbed it, hitting Dave as he took off up the stairs.
"That was my grandmother's bracelet," Becky whimpered, on the verge of tears.
Dave took a deep breath, hoped Balthazar and Izzie would manage his funeral affairs, and took off after the thug.
"No, Dave no!" Becky frantically called after him. That guy was huge; he'd probably kill Dave!
Dave got the dragon ring out of his pocket and slipped it on, still sprinting up the stairs. He willed the revolving door that the pickpocket was trying to escape out of to get stuck, and it actually worked!
The thug looked back at him.
"Now you just give me that bracelet back please," Dave panted, exhausted from running up all those stairs.
The thief got into a defensive position, flipping out his knife. "You better run back to your girlfriend," he warned.
Dave rolled his eyes. "Believe me, I wish she was-" he paused. "You thought she was my girlfriend?" he asked hopefully.
The thug looked at him like he was insane. He probably was, trying to make conversation with some random thief that had a sharp knife pointed at him.
"Was that the kind of vibe you got?" Dave asked.
"You talk too much," the thug cautioned. "Shut up."
Dave shrugged; he'd been getting that a lot, especially from Balthazar. He thrust out his ring, magically picking up a nearby trashcan.
It swung back and forth for a while; Dave couldn't get a strong pull on it. "Whatcha doing?" the thug kept demanding.
Suddenly, it burst into flames.
"Whoa! You seeing it?" the thug exclaimed, pointing frantically to the fiery trashcan behind him. Dave slapped his forehead in frustration. He apparently needed to work on the levitation spell.
"Heads up," Dave warned, and then moved the trashcan forward so it knocked the thug out.
SASASA
Becky had run to go get some guards, but as they jogged to the scene of the crime, Dave was running towards them with her bag and her grandmother's bracelet.
The policemen kept running, going to pick up the thug, and Dave thrust Becky's things into her arms.
"Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
"Yeah," the physics major replied nonchalantly. "Here you go."
"How'd you do that?" Becky implored, amazed. Luckily for Dave, the train was coming in, so he wouldn't have to go into details. He didn't think he could lie, even if his life depended on it. "That guy was huge!"
"I've been doing a lot of cardio- cardio boxing lately," Dave shakily explained. "Uh... Let me introduce, thunder... lightning," he said, holding up his fists.
"Something about you seems different," Becky declared, probably the most romantic line ever written.
As usual, Dave had to go screw it up.
"I'm, uh, wearing new shoes," he stammered awkwardly.
Becky looked down. "Nice," she commented, staring at the old-man shoes.
"Thank you," Dave replied. "Is this your train?" he asked, motioning to the subway train that had just pulled up, its doors slowly opening.
"Uh, yes. Thank you," she said again.
"I, uh, just wanted to tell you that, if you want me to help you with your midterms, come by my lab, I'll... text you the address?" Dave offered.
"Yes! That would be great!" she answered.
"Yeah?"
"Uh, tomorrow?" she asked.
"It's a date!" Dave exclaimed, excited. Seeing Becky's face, he added, "No no no, it's not a date. It's a date like an appointment!"
He could see her laughing inside the train. "A date like an appointment!" he called after her. His shoulders slumped with exasperation.
"Love..."
Dave nearly jumped twenty feet in the air at his master's voice. He turned quickly and took in the sorcerer of the 777th degree, a bit creepy looking with his fedora pulled low. From behind Balthazar, Isadora was giggling like crazy. Dave noticed the easy closeness between Balthazar and his sister, but passed it off as their agreed upon conspiracy against him. Balthazar was at least a decade older than her, anyways.
"... is a distraction. Sorcery requires complete focus," Balthazar lectured Dave.
"You know, Izzie's kind of ruining your speech," Dave tried to turn them against each other.
"Not working, Dave," Izzie replied to the unspoken question.
Balthazar smiled wryly. "Let's go, crazy girl, thunder and lightning."
"There's more to learn."
SASASA
So that's that!
I know some of you have been commenting on how I'm not really doing those scenes with Horvath and Drake. I am doing that on purpose; this story is supposed to be from the point of view of the good guys.
With that said, I can't wait for the bathroom scene! *evil grin*
-lala-