Here is the next chapter! I get the feeling this story is going to be shorter than I expected. Either way, more interesting things are starting to take place. Review please!
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Spades, the Jack Zao was guarding the outside of the kingdom, while Alistair and Patrick took charge of the inside of the kingdom. It was still crystallized, so food was scarce. Peter provided blankets and food donated to the Spade's citizens by their neighbors Kingdom of Diamonds. Luckily, despite King Francis' episode over Arthur's magic, he was more than willing to help out the kingdom until the whole ordeal was resolved. The Diamonds were considered Spade's biggest rival, but at times like these, they had to put their rivalry aside. It wasn't to say that King Francis would willingly scrape this ordeal under the rug.
King Francis of Diamonds walked to Alistair, who was busy writing some paperwork that hadn't been crystallized. Some things were not touched by Arthur's crystallization, thanks to Spade's most talented wizards placing protective charms over important documents and emergency previsions. Though, not all of them were saved and it was unknown how long they would feed everyone before this problem was resolved.
"It has been 12 hours. How long must the king continue to favor his brother before realizing he is unfit?" King Francis questioned.
"I don't know! His majesty isn't one to plan things ahead like the previous one. He didn't even plan for this to happen, which admittedly is our fault for not informing him on Prince Arthur's problem," Alistair replied.
"Oh? So, been keeping Arthur's dirty little secret from the king? Wouldn't that be considered treason?" Francis asked with a sly smirk.
"It would be, except he just became king this morning. According to our laws, we haven't reached the time limit of informing our king any classified information we have for it to be considered treasonous and, just so you know, we scheduled a set date for his majesty to look over all classified information INCLUDING Arthur's powers. Unfortunately, it happened during the day of the party and we didn't prepare for it."
"You shouldn't be containing a monster. It's only a matter of time before he escapes."
"So, you have the moral high ground to be judging me brother over having been born with powers!? He doesn't know how to control them, you idjit! Maybe you should focus on things that matter and leave me brother out of it!" Alistair shouted, his accent leaking when his temper was hot.
"He's the one putting your kingdom in jeopardy, is he not? He'll be putting my people in jeopardy too, so, it is my problem!"
The doors suddenly opened. King Francis and Prince Alistair turned their heads and saw Wizard Sadik and two of his pupils that were former citizens of Clubs. Alistair walked passed King Francis, not wanting to deal with him, to talk to the wizard.
"My Prince, I have News on the King and his behalf," Wizard Sadik replied.
"Spill," Alistair replied.
"It seems Prince Arthur has crystallized his majesty, by accident, at the heart. I was able to stop it for 24 hours, now 12 hours, but after that he will become crystallized."
"What!?"
"What did I tell you!? This is all your fault and your secrecy! Had your parents banished your so called brother, non of us would be in jeopardy!" King Francis replied, understandably upset.
"Don't worry, big brother will help him!" The younger pupil cried optimistically.
"Ciprian," the older pupil whispered.
"What was that, youngin?" Alistair asked the younger pupil.
"Big brother is a powerful wizard! He joined with the king and queen to go to the Crystal Island of Magic!" Ciprian cried out.
"Except, it's impossible to go there in less than 24 hours, let alone 12, if they have started on their way already," Wizard Sadik corrected.
"Big brother knows! He's built flying machines that can go faster than a beast!"
"Little one, it's not that simple. Even if King Ivan was to allow Vladimir in to build a flying contraption, there is still that heated fog that will make it crash on the island. It's impossible."
"You're wrong! I believe in big brother! He will save the king!"
"Sounds like the little one has one strong will," Alistair smirked, impressed. "What magic does your pupil, Vladimir, do?"
"He has power over the flames. His lack of control has placed him under my care. His brothers also have powers of their own. Alec can control ice and Ciprian can control the mind. Both strong gifts, but also are curses as well. I keep their powers in check as long as they stand by me, so that their curses won't harm living souls," Wizard Sadik replied.
"So, once Vladimir leaves your pack, he will be as big of a danger as the future queen?" King Francis asked with a sleepish smile.
"Unfortunately... I wish Vladimir wasn't so stubborn."
Alistair nodded, then turned to Alec. "Do you believe Vladimir will help our king arrive at the Crystal Island?" The Prince asked.
Alec was taken aback, looking down at Ciprian, who held bright and hopeful eyes. Then, he looked at Wizard Sadik, who quietly shook his head. He replied, "I do. Vladimir is reckless, but when he wants something done, he will stop at nothing to achieve it no matter how impossible it may seem."
Alistair turned to Wizard Sadik, saying, "your pupils believe in their brother and I believe in mine. Perhaps you should learn to have a little more faith in those you teach or else how will you expect to have faith in your own teachings?"
"Y... Yes... Sire," Wizard Sadik replied in a mutter.
"And you should learn to keep your mouth shut, Francis. We have people to care for and point blaming without knowing what is to come is simply shameful, even for you. DISMISSED!" Alistair replied before leaving the room with a glaring King Francis and a doubtful Wizard Sadik.
"And, that would be the last of it!" Vladimir grinned optimistically, placing the last of the luggage needed for the trip.
"Why am I staying behind!?" Gilburt complained.
"One, we need someone that can ride back to the kingdom and provide an update to what's going on to my brothers. Two, as a Joker, you are not to leave any of the kingdoms to settle diplomatic issues," Dylan replied plainly.
"Oh co'mon!"
"THREE, this contraption is only made to hold four people at maximum. One of us will have to stay behind. I can't, because my brothers want at least one of us to protect the king. Arthur can't, because he needs to go to the Island to learn to control his powers. Alfred can't, because he will be crystallized within 12 hours. Vladimir can't, because aside from being the only one that knows how to control this thing, he's the only one that can help bring Arthur's powers under control in case he has another episode and the last thing we need is for this contraption to go down, because it's crystallized from one of Arthur's panic attacks. That leaves you."
"Fine. I'll go tell their majesties that they're brothers are on a race against time to get to the islands and hopefully not crash on the way," Gilbert smirked as Dylan rolled his eyes.
"C-Crash?" Arthur replied nervously.
"Relax Arthur, Gilbert's just kidding around. We're going to be alright, okay," Alfred promised optimistically.
"B-But what if..."
"We'll be fine. We totally made this crystal proof and we have to thank you for that," Vladimir smirked cockily.
"What?" Arthur asked with widened eyes.
"That little platform you made to save me with? Ivan had the idea of using its materials to create the contraption that will carry all of us. You can't crystallize something that's already crystallized."
"Dude, did I mention how awesome you are?"
"Thanks. Anyways, we best get going. The clock is ticking and we've gotta hurry to get to that island in less than 12 hours," Vladimir replied as Arthur stepped inside the huge round ball where the passengers were supposed to be inside. Just as Vladimir said, the entire room had black crystal mixed with metal and smelted as the walls, shelves, chairs, tables, floors and furnishings with some weaved straw as the rug, painted with a white plaster material that felt a bit like rubber.
"This is awesome, but why the rubbery floor?" Alfred asked.
"That would be for me. I've had a problem with setting fire footprints on the floor."
"Lovely," Arthur replied sarcastically. "And it is also crystal proof?"
"Sure is! I added in specs of that crystal stuff to also prevent more fires from me."
"Smart," Alfred replied.
"Shall we take off?" Dylan asked.
"Yep. Best sit down, it's going to be bumpy on the first takeoff," Vladimir warned everyone as they took their seats beside the dome wall.
Vladimir sat down on the metal seat where the driver was supposed to sit, placed his hands into the furnace, lighting it up to provide the heat to make the balloon fly. In several minutes, the balloon began taking off. Vladimir placed his hands on the wheel, looking through the scope to see where he was going before controlling the balloon toward where the direction of the Crystal Island of Magic was located.
Arthur watched the clock ticking, then staring at Alfred with worry. He hoped they would be able to make it to the island on time before it was too late. What if they didn't make it? Would he be considered a criminal for murdering the king? Perhaps so. He would have to figure out what to do, if that was to happen. One of his brothers would take over as king, probably Dylan. Arthur would continue his journey to the Island of Magic, then live there by himself. Perhaps Vladimir wouldn't mind popping by for visits. He seemed like a good friend and appreciated his help. Vladimir never gave up on them, even though his master did.
In only an hour, Vladimir deemed it safe to walk inside the dome. Many were taking a rest from the long day they had. Beds were made under the seats with drawers to protect everyone from Vladimir's and Arthur's magic while they slept. For some reason, Arthur couldn't sleep. There was so much to worry about and he was thankful he was allowed to worry and fear without risking the walls, floor and objects crystallizing like his room. Arthur did notice the walls turning slightly dark, but not by much. So much fear was inside him.
Arthur still remembered when Alfred used to play with him as a little boy. He loved all the crystals he created, but then that one little slip happened and Arthur ended up hurting him when trying to save him. Alfred's entire body was slowly crystallizing from his foot, to his body, to his organs, to his lungs to his little head. Alfred struggled to breathe until he could breathe no more. If not for Wizard Sadik, Alfred would be dead. It was bad enough his memories could not be restored and some of those brain cells were still crystallized in his brain.
Tears began pouring out from Arthur and he began crying. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. Why did he have to be born with these stupid powers? Why did it have to harm those he loved. As Arthur wept, he began thinking on those precious moments he ever had with Alfred from when he was small to when he grew up big and strong. Even though Arthur had locked himself in his room, not allowing Alfred in, they still had their moments together during mealtime and playing harmless games like Chess. Arthur always loved it when Alfred smiled and laughed. He wanted to cherish those moments.
Arthur did not notice, but the darkened walls full of dark crystals began slowly reverting back to their original form. Though, someone did and he was on the driver's seat of the dome.
Vladimir rose his eyebrows as the black crystal drawer where Arthur slept slowly began reverting back to its original form. He had a nudging feeling that maybe there was a way Arthur could fix Alfred on his own.
