The Hunt for Sviederbach

Disclaimer: I do not own Shake it Up

A/N:

Chapter 10 (All That's Left)

"Damn this light," Estelle complained. They'd been stuck at the same light for about five minutes now. The problem was there had been quite a bit of traffic backed up at the light, so it turned green about twice already, and now they were the first in the line to pass once it turned green again. "Did you let Ander know we were going to be late because of a stoplight?" Aveline chuckled and rubbed her cousin's shoulder.

"Relax Estelle, we're going to get there." She wasn't in a rush, Ander would be happy to see her back whenever she got back. There was a sensation that something was amiss, however, and something was telling her to check on her brother. "I don't know why, but I'm worried about Astor for some reason…" Estelle hummed as she started to look down to her cell phone. Cell phones hadn't changed much in the last eighteen years, over time people got irritated with how big and complex those iphones were, so people began making simple cell phones as they used to be. People ate those up. "When this light turns green, could you pull over in that parking lot?" She pointed to a store parking lot on the right. Estelle raised an eyebrow and slowly turned her skeptical gaze over to her.

"Don't you want to get over to Ander?"

"Yes, but I just have this feeling…please pull over." Nobody in Sviederbach or elsewhere knew she rode around in Estelle's car, so it would be hard for assassins to get close to her, if not impossible. This was the reason she opted to ride with her cousin. Yet, a random, chilling thought had appeared in her mind that assassins were onto her family. "I have to check on Astor. Ander will understand."

"All right, if you say so." As the light changed, Estelle moved over into the turn lane and put her flasher on. Aveline thanked her and grabbed her phone. When she opened it up, she saw her brother was already calling her. She had her phone on silent the whole time and wasn't aware of it! She looked up as Estelle started to turn in the parking lot. She flipped her hair back and put the phone up to her ear.

"Astor, what's going on? Are you okay?"

"Aveline, you need to come back home!" Astor called out. The sense of urgency in his voice struck a chord in her. "You have to come home right now, you can't go to Ander's apartment."

"Wait how did you know-"

"That isn't important," replied an elder voice. She froze, as if to ask who was with him. Was Astor in any danger? She swallowed hard and looked up to Estelle. Her cousin was watching carefully, concerned and confused. "I'm impressed by these strange devices, but again, not important. This is your ancestor. Your brother is safe, but if you go to that apartment, you're putting your life at risk. Martin Lamont and his family have gone through with their plans."

"What!" She was knee deep in danger and she didn't even know it? "I knew something was off about him…Astor, stay right there, don't move, I'll be home in ten minutes." She pulled the phone from her ear and signaled Estelle to drive home. "I need to call Ander and tell him to get out of that apartment." She wanted to go there herself and get him, but right now her brother was more important. Ander understood her family always came first, and she was the eldest sister, she needed to look after her siblings. As Estelle sped down the road, Aveline feverishly scraped her forehead. "God I hope I'm not too late." Did that man say he was their ancestor? Had Astor been tampering with the Soul-Disk thing? She groaned with annoyance, then shrugged it off. If Astor was safe, that must mean the ancestor protected him, in which case, she was glad he messed around with the invention.

Martin Lamont held his hands behind his back as both Ander and Art stood in front of the couch, blocking him from Mala. He was irritated that she wasn't coming to stand beside him, had they tainted her already? "We need to have a house meeting, guys. There are important things at stake here, and some important shit is going down…" Where the hell was Ander's girlfriend, the Princess? Rage was boiling inside as she was imperative to his plans. "A little game is going to be played here, you see, and Ander…you're the key." He chuckled as Ander's glare fell upon him.

"What if I don't want to play any games?" As if he had a choice in the matter. Had Aveline not showed up at the apartment, then Martin would never have figured out that Ander was involved with her. In that case, he would simply have left Ander alone, unless of course, he started messing around with Mala. Now Art wasn't important, he was simply going to leave him here, but Mala needed to stay with him. Of course, she understood that. "Art and I are taking a vote, we're going to tell the campus to kick you out of the apartment." He raised an eyebrow, scoffing at the absurd suggestion. What would it prove? "You can't go in the girl's dorm."

"Oh, you're protecting Mala? She doesn't need your protection." His fists tightened. Enclosed, he was holding onto two tiny electricity generators. Much like a taser, but a bit stronger, they would knock out both of these men. "My family will be heading this way with the hostages…" Ander's eyes widened and he took a dangerous step forward, growling under his breath.

"You better not touch Aveline."

"I wouldn't dream of it. We need her out of captivity for this little game." Ander raised an eyebrow as he began to move towards him. A smirk grew upon his face and he slowly began to bring his hand from behind him. "Sorry Ander, this time the Princess is going to have to rescue the Prince. With a deadline." Before Ander could react, Martin slammed him with the circular electric device. Ander screamed out as the voltage shot through his body, knocking him back onto the couch, unconscious. Mala's eyes widened and Art started towards him with an angry yell.

"Come on asshole!" Martin started to turn, but Art grabbed his neck, then slammed his fist into his abdomen. Pain shot through his body as the man began lifting him up into the air. He let out a long curse as he started sailing through the room, slamming hard against the wall. Unaware, his apartment key fell from his belt and slid beneath the couch. Art glared at him and clenched his fists. "You like pushing people around? How does it feel to be on the other end?"

Annoyed, Martin slowly rose to his feet and rubbed his head. "What?" His eyes drifted from Art, to a very anxious Mala beside him. His eyebrows lifted up and he began to laugh. "I see what this is about. This is about her, isn't it? Well I'm sorry Art, but after today, you won't be seeing her again. Well you might, but only if I let her come back here."

"She's a human being, Martin, not some slave for you to push around!"

"Are you stupid?" He chuckled again and began walking towards Art. "I can do whatever the hell I want, I'm her boyfriend."

"That doesn't give you the right to smack her around. Now I don't know what it is you're planning with Ander, or with the royal family. So whatever it is, it stops here. You go no further." Martin slicked back his hair and exhaled deeply.

"It's too late for that. Everyone's down. Now, Mala, get your meek little ass over here." Mala closed her eyes and Art roared out, slamming a fist into his chest. Martin gasped out as he crashed towards the ground, winded from the blow.

"I said enough is enough." He felt Art's mighty hands grab the back of his shirt and pull him up. The next thing he knew, he was being slammed against the kitchen island. He put his hands on the counter and kicked back, slamming the heel of his foot hard into Art's tight abdomen. Art staggered back, then ducked an overhead swipe of Martin's fist. "Not so easy." Martin's eyes widened as Art slammed a fist into his lower jaw. He leaned back, groaning in pain. Art then proceeded to slam another blow into his chest, finally kicking him down onto the ground.

"Jesus…" He pushed up on his arms and moved his hand to his jaw, rubbing it carefully. So that was what it felt like. He narrowed his eyes and started to rise up. "You're beginning to piss me off, Artie." Art narrowed his eyes and cracked his neck from side to side.

"I come from a long line of Irish warriors, do you really want to piss me off?" Yes, Martin already knew this. Art was descended from the great and mighty William Wallace, who helped Ireland gain independence several centuries ago. Centuries of warrior blood ran through Art's veins, so clearly, he had to watch himself. "I'm sorry, you've already done that." Martin's eyes widened as Art dealt another heavy kick into his chest. His back slammed hard against the wall, and blood shot from his mouth.

"Damn, and to think all I wanted to do was talk." The door opened and Odo stepped in. Martin smirked as Art looked back, shouting for Odo to run. It was enough of a distraction. Martin quickly slapped him with the electric device, Art screamed out in pain, then collapsed onto the floor. Limping forward, breathing heavily, Martin shot a glare at Odo. "Leave now, or die. It's your choice." It wouldn't matter, Odo would likely run into his family, whichever relative of his was making his way to him. They had to put Ander in a car somewhere. "Got it?" Odo yelped and ran from the apartment. Mala stared down at Art, muttering to herself. "Damn Mala, that was a close one. If Odo didn't show up, I don't know what I would have done."

"Art…Ander…"

"Come on Mala, help me carry Ander out. We need to tie him up, and don't you dare start to argue with me…I'm stressed out enough today." Still, where the hell was Aveline? Was he going to have to go hunt her down? Not only that, but his brother hadn't texted him back yet. Everyone else sent him a message, stating clearly that they nabbed their targets, but Zachary hadn't. "How hard is it to nab a fucking twelve year old boy?" If they didn't get Astor, then maybe they could have some fun with it. Perhaps Aveline could use a partner in this game.

Aveline rushed into the castle to find Astor standing in the main living room. "Astor!" Her brother looked up as she threw her arms around him. She was deathly terrified for him, but grateful to see him safe and sound. "I'm so glad you're okay, where are the others?"

"Gone…all of them…" She froze, her mouth dropped in shock. She looked down at the body on the floor and raised an eyebrow, was this one of the Lamont's? They couldn't have possibly done it, they couldn't have taken Mia and Michael. If they took her younger three siblings, she was going to be furious. Where was Rocky? Where the hell had Rocky gone? She wiped a tear from Astor's face and looked up at the elder man behind him. Was this the ancestor? "Aveline, meet Lothar…He took out the guy on the ground…"

"You brought back…King Lothar?" Any other day she would be overcome with admiration and pride, but right now, she was too clouded by panic and grief. "Thank you for looking after my brother. Can you at least tell me what's going on? Martin's family is acting on what plan exactly?" Lothar folded his arms over and closed his eyes.

"From what I can understand, they're abducting the members of the Royal family. They believe like Moritz's son, that their ancestor had the right to the throne and Sara did not. They're giving you a fighting chance, but they won't make it easy…" All her relatives? "They want the throne, and they have documents to prove to Parliament that they are descended from the royal family…"

"You're kidding…they can't do anything if Astor and I are still alive…"

"I know, but from what I can tell in the afterlife…they don't plan on killing you right away. I can give you advice and tips, but I only have so much time left before I get called back. Just try not to use that contraption again…" Aveline nodded and Astor chuckled nervously.

"Do you know if they got Mom and Dad? Please tell me they didn't…" Lothar frowned and slowly shook his head. Her heart shattered and her hand flew to her mouth. "Rocky? Uncle Ty? Grandma and Grandpa?"

"They have everyone but you and your brother. Even Ander…" She gasped and started to stumble backwards. Lothar put his hand to her arm, helping her to steady.

"No…No…" They couldn't have gotten him! That wasn't possible! She leaned forward, placing her hands onto the arm of a couch. Her stomach was churning out so much bile that she thought she would explode into a mass of fire. "Why would they go for him? He's not even a heir!"

"No, but he is a potential spouse to your ascension to the throne." She raised an eyebrow and stood straight. She stepped behind Astor and in a protective stance, put her hands to his shoulder. If he was all that was left of the people she wanted to protect, then she would do it.

"Ander isn't a noble."

"You both need to be strong. They do have the Bransford family." Why would they take the family? What was the point? "Your mother and father planned to reinstate the Bransford as nobles, thus making Ander Bransford a noble." Her eyes widened and the color began to leave her face. Where was he going with this? All these years of having a secret relationship, did her mother and father plan on giving Ander a chance for her hand? No, that was impossible. Her father and Ander's father had too much pride to want their children together. They'd never allow such a thing! "In the coming days, you need to be ever vigilant, thoughtful, and let nothing stand in your way. Use the skills your parents have taught you, use your wit, and save your family. It'll be up to you to save Sviederbach…"

"Once again, my family comes to the rescue, huh?" Lothar chuckled and pat her shoulder. His lip curled into a smirk and he slowly nodded his head.

"Yes, and you have as much pride as your father, but I can see you will be able to handle the responsibility…I have the utmost faith in you." Her heart swelled with excitement and pride, she was amazed that Lothar believed in her! What term ruler could actually say that? "You are aware of the situation, if your father dies, you will have to take the throne."

"Great…" It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she definitely didn't feel ready. Of course, Term Ruler Leon Heinrike wasn't ready when he stepped up to the throne after a disease killed his family in the early 1800s. Her own father wasn't exactly ready to take the throne, but he accepted Sviederbach's call. "If it comes to that, god I pray it won't, but if it does…I'll take that responsibility."

"Glad to hear it…" Lothar looked down as his body began to fade. Aveline frowned as Astor looked up to her. She wanted to ask so much more, but now there truly was no time. Lothar smiled at the two and lifted his shoulders. "Remember, I trust you to take care of this country. You are ready, whether you know it or not…I'll be watching over you, as will all of your ancestors."

"Thank you, that means a lot. Goodbye grandpa…" A tear left her eye once he vanished completely. She looked down to Astor and knelt, hugging him close. "We need to stay together, Astor…no matter what."

"I know. I love you, Sis."

"You too, little twerp." She chuckled briskly and rubbed his head. He winced and quickly rubbed her head back.

They didn't hear the door open, nor did they hear anyone behind them. It wasn't until Astor's face twisted in horror that Aveline even realized someone was there. "Found you," Martin's voice beckoned in her ears. She froze and turned her eyes back, contemplating her next move. Before she could attack him, she felt a surge of electricity shoot through her. Screaming out, she collapsed onto the ground, her vision blacking out as she lost consciousness.

Astor and Aveline are the only ones not captured like the rest, a good fight from Art. Anything stun you here? What are your thoughts, do tell ^_^