10. Candy Chase

Summary: Um and Dagran, while hanging out together, decide to treat themselves to some candy. Unfortunately for them, the Orchid Robber Group has their eyes on the sugary treats as well.

Characters: Um, Dagran, Braso, Lelio, Catoleya, Arlyn, Nuriel

Pairings: None

"There's nothing like a nice treat once in a while, right?"

Um nodded in agreement with Dagran's statement. The two were currently walking about the city, a small bag of saltwater taffy in Um's hand. The two had gotten bored while hanging out, and hungry, so they figured that stopping by the sweet shop would be a good idea.

The two found a nearby bench at the Arena, and as they sat down, Um started to open the bag when-

"E-excuse me, sirs?"

The two looked up from their snack to see a little girl with blond hair shyly walk over to them. She looked a bit sad, and Dagran immediately spoke up.

"What's wrong, kid?"

"Um...I-I lost my mommy. Could you help me, please?" She asked, slowly looking up at them. Her hands were folded together, and the footsteps she took towards them were small ones.

Dagran and Um exchanged glances with each other, before Dagran responded, getting down on a knee to face the girl a bit more closely. "It's okay, kid. We can help you out. Do you know what your mom looks like?" Dagran asked.

"Um...Hair like mine?" The girl suggested, gesturing to her hair. She paused, before continuing. "She's about your height...Blue dress...I think she went into the alley over there, but I'm not sure..." She finished, gesturing to a nearby alley.

"Okay. Let's go." As the three entered the alley, both Dagran and Um looked around carefully. There was no sight of any shadows or people that seemed to match the description. "Oh man, kid...I don't think she's around here. We should probably inform one of the Lazulis Guards. They could help, or...Do you know anyone around here that knows your mom well?" The formerly-dead mercenary asked.

The girl nodded. "Yup. They're right behind you."

"What?!" The two turned, just as loud popping sounds went off. "Whoa! Firecrackers!?"

"Ha, we got it!" Um and Dagran turned to see two boys with the girl, now. One of the boys held the bag of saltwater taffy in his hands.

"Dang it, they tricked us..." Dagran muttered. "I forgot that Zael told me about the Orchid Robber Group that one time..."

"Give the candy back!" Um shouted, frustration taking over his facial expression.

"Um..." Dagran trailed off, letting out a sigh.

"Sorry. Give the candy back, please!" Um corrected, extending his hand towards the kids.

"As if. See ya!" One of the boys shouted, before the three sped away. Before Dagran could say or do anything, Um leapt onto a nearby pile of crates, before leaping onto the rooftops above.

"Go after them!" Um shouted, pointing ahead of him. Dagran nodded, before rushing after the kids. It was a tough chase, as Dagran occasionally kept getting lost in the crowds and that the kids were quite fast runners for their age. Eventually, though Dagran was able to grab onto one of them, Braso.

"I don't have it! Wrong person!" The boy taunted. Dagran let out a groan of frustration before letting go of the boy and rushing after the other two kids.

It was Um, though, who was able to find the right person when he got to Arganan Bridge. He grabbed onto the other boy, Leolio-Or at least, he thought he grabbed onto the boy. He ended up grabbing onto the bag instead, and Leolio let go. Um fell backwards onto the ground, the bag of candy in his hands. Leolio wasn't so lucky, however, and ended up falling into the water below.

"Leolio!" Catoleya shouted, her eyes widening in shock. "He-he can't swim! Help him, please-"

Um threw the bag of Candy to Dagran, right before jumping off the bridge and into the water. The other two members of the Orchid Robber Group and Dagran both stared in shock, before rushing towards the docks as fast as they could. They scanned the water, hoping to find a sign of both the apprentice of Horace and the third member of the Orchid Robber group.

Both of them emerged at the surface after a few moments, gasping for breath and struggling to swim to shore. Catoleya soon caught sight of a small boat, heading towards them without realizing their existence.

"Look out!"

Um and Leolio turned to see the boat, and both panicked as they struggled to swim out of its path...

Until a figure with long, blond hair and wearing a mask of blue suddenly swooped down out of nowhere and pulled them out of the way. Arlyn deposited the two onto the wooden docks, where they were greeted by their friends, full of relief and gratefulness.

Arlyn didn't bother to stay, though he did wave briefly at Dagran, Um and the children before rushing off. After a few moments of running, he bumped into Nuriel, who gave him a quiet nod. The two looked back at the five, before walking away.