A/N: Sorry about the lack of Raphael and Marie in this chapter. They get their moment later. Due to school, my update times will vary. Now, for the reviews:
Toonie: Thanks! I try to keep the characters as in character as possible.
Justrockzyxxx: Thanks! And it gets better!
Guestt: Thanks! Stupid autocorrect. Paralouge 23 is WORSE. MUCH, MUCH WORSE.
guestt: The Seikan sword is basically of jack-of-all-trades typed weapon. It can control all the elements, but not as well as their specific weapons.
CHAPTER 10
Angel's head shot up, with worry in her eyes.
"Did you hear that?" Galileo asked, with Marie looking worried as well.
"Yes, I did. And if that's who I'm thinking it is..." Angel said, trailing off.
The three stared at each other for a second.
"Charlie!" They said in unison, then running into the glade.
"Huh? Did you hear that, Fondue?" Raphael asked, petting Fondue who started to whimper.
A burning pain filled his hand, and the Tiamat mark shone red for a second.
"Something is very wrong...Charlotte!" He said, running after the sound and switching into his Phantom R costume.
"Where is she?" Leo cried, running through the glade with Martha following him.
"Guys! Over here!" Mark called, running over to him with an unconscious Charlie in his arms. Her left leg had a large, curved cut that was bleeding.
"What happened to her?!" Leo cried, staring at Mark.
"I don't know, I found her like this!"Mark cried, worried.
"We need to get her to a hospital right now!" Leo cried, running forward.
"Wait. She'll bleed to death before we can get to the nearest hospital on foot. We need a vehicle, and we need it now!" Martha said, worried.
Leo pulled out the wallet that Emily gave him, tapping the picture for a second.
Please work, Please work... He thought, worried.
The watch on Emily's arm started to glow and she tapped it, ignoring the stares from the other coaches.
"Yes, Leo? Slow down, I can't understand a word you're-What?" She asked, eyes widening. "I'll send Angel and the others immediately. I'll be there as soon as possible. Stay safe." With that she hung up, and walked away while dialing the watch again.
"Emily, is there a problem?" J.F asked, smirking.
"Yes, there is." Emily said, (glaring) and then she walked out.
"Yes, Emily?..." Angel gasped, and then nodded. "I'll meet you there." She then hung up, and started to run faster until she reached the van.
"What happened?" Galileo asked, opening the car door for Marie.
"It's Charlotte. Apparently she's been attacked, and it doesn't look good." Angel said, eyes narrowing.
"Do they know who did it?" Marie asked, worried.
"No...But I think I know who did." Angel replied, gritting her teeth and scowling.
(At the hospital)
"Doctor, is she going to be alright?" Marie asked, worried.
The gray haired man sighed. "The muscle in her left leg has been torn. It'll heal with time, but she might not be able to walk for a while...She's also had a minor concussion."
"It's all my fault... I never should have left her..." Leo said, staring blankly at the floor.
"No it wasn't, Leo. You can't just keep blaming yourself..." Martha said, patting Leo's back.
"If anything, it's my fault. If I hadn't let you guys go by yourself...How could I have been such an IDIOT!?" Angel cried, punching the wall next to her.
"It was none of our faults. This attack was planned..." Emily said, closing her eyes and folding her arms.
"What makes you say that?" Phantom R asked.
"That cut wasn't just any old knife wound. Whoever did this was aiming for Charlie, and trying to eliminate her from the competition. All they needed was a perfect moment to strike." She finished, relaxing.
"But who?" Mark asked, and then the door opened.
"Oh, it's you guys." Charles said, sitting down. A bandage covered his right hand, and his eyes were full of boredom. "I'm going to guess something happened to my cousin?"
Mark's eyes filled with anger. "How did you know that?!" He said, angry.
"Simple. She's the only one missing." Charles replied.
"What are you doing here, then?" Leo asked, still looking at the floor.
"I scraped my arm. That, and was stalking around the glade area, with that creepy red scythe of his..."
"Wait a minute- Did you say his scythe was red?" Emily asked.
"Yeah. Well, part of it. He shooed me away when I tried to see more of it..."
Angel's eyes flashed red for a second, and then she laughed dryly.
"Well, is that enough proof for you, Emily? Because it's funny that Isaac's scythe should be red. Considering the last times we saw it was black. And maybe it was red because it was covered in BLOOD, you know?" She said, still laughing.
"Angel, are you ok?" Galileo asked, nervous.
"I'm fine. But Isaac won't be...Having the nerve to attack a child like that..." She said, starting to walk off.
"We'll figure out who attacked her when she wakes up. Innocent until - " Emily started, about to argue with Angel.
"Sorry to interrupt, but what do you guys plan to do during the competition?" Charles asked.
"He has a point. Without Charlie, we'll be at a huge disadvantage." Raphael said, thinking.
"We may even be disqualified. What we need to do is find another player..."
"What about me?" Charles asked, folding his arms.
"Absolutely n-" Leo started, but Emily held up a hand.
"Listen, Leo. I know you blame yourself for Charlie's injury, but it wasn't your fault. Besides, it won't do us any good to let J.F win the key. We need a new player, and we need one now." Emily said, patting his back.
"She has a point, brother. It's only a few more games and then it's over." Galileo said, giving his brother a small smile.
Leo smiled back. "Thanks, Gal."
Emily turned to Charles.
"We'll allow you on our team...If you can pass our tryouts, that is." She said, folding her arms.
Charles smirked. "Ok, then. I'll be ready when you are."
"I still don't like this idea..." Leo said, folding his arms. Emily and Charles were by the field and practicing. Everyone else was standing by the sidelines, (save a still unconscious Charlie)
"Well, it might be our only shot. If he makes it through the training, that is." Angel said, smirking.
"So, she's a fierce trainer?" Raphael asked.
"Well, I wouldn't call her fierce...But she'll put all your potential to work for sure." Angel said, laughing.
"Angel...Do you think Emily could train me...To be better?" Leo asked.
"Sure. All you need to do is ask...And know what you're getting into." Angel said, smirking.
"Ok, guys. I'm going to need all of you in this last test." Emily said, jogging up. Charles jogged behind her, coughing.
"Now we need to see how you do with penalty kicks. Everyone, near the goal." Emily said, nodding.
Charles smirked. "Emily, can I show you the skill that I was telling you about?"
"Sure. What was it again?" Emily said, thinking.
"The lightning strike. Pass me the ball, please." Charles said his red eye flashing.
Emily kicked the ball, and Charles stopped it with his foot. He then spun the ball around with his for, until it turned into a black and white blur. He then backed up while it spun, and kicked it with all his power.
There was a flash, and the ball bounced to the goal, so fast no one could even see it.
"Whoa...How'd you do that?!" Raphael asked, in awe.
"It's a special skill that runs in the family. It'll make a score every time." Charles said, smirking.
Leo scoffed. "So what if someone kicks it back?"
Charles laughed. "The lightning strike doesn't work like that. Its only weakness is if it gets hit with the equal force as the sender. Too little power and you might break your foot. Too much power... I hope you all are good at dodge ball."
"It's so easy, yet devastatingly effective." Emily said, thinking.
"You're the smart one. How does this move work, anyway?" Angel asked.
"Well, when the ball starts spinning, it starts to generate kinetic energy, in turn creating static electricity, and it then-"
"Emily, explain it so we can understand." Angel said, sighing.
"The ball avoids all players and makes it into the goal. With that being said-" Emily stuck out her hand. "Welcome to the Rhythm Thieves, Charles."
Angel's watch started to ring, and she answered it "Hello? Yes...Ok, we'll be there as soon as we can." She then hung up, sighing.
"It's the doctor. Charlie's awake now. Let's go."
Charlie's eyes slowly opened. There was a dull thudding in her injured leg and in her head.
"Charlotte, are you ok?" Emily asked, sitting next to her.
"Ow...My head hurts..." Charlie said, turning her head.
"Do you remember anything, Charlie?" Mark asked, joining the group with Martha following.
"No...All I remember is a mask...But no details..." Charlie said, eyes narrowing.
"Well, maybe you'll remember with time." Martha said, quiet.
Charlie frowned, trying to sit up, but was unable to.
"Why can't I get up?" Charlie asked, worry in her eyes.
"When you were attacked, your leg muscle got torn...So you won't be able to play..." Galileo said, nervous.
"What?!" Charlie said, jerking up, and then wincing in pain.
"Charlie, please. Don't hurt yourself anymore." Mark said, holding her steady.
"Charlie...I'm sorry." Leo said, holding his hat out.
Charlie just gave him a cold glare, her eyes flashing red for a second.
"So I've been replaced, then. That's fine by me." Charlie said, turning away.
"Charlie, please-" Leo said, a sad look on his face.
"Go on, then. Why don't you play soccer with Martha?" Charlie said, angry.
Leo gave a sad look at Charlie, and then walked out, his head drooping. Emily opened her mouth to protest, but Angel stopped her.
"Emily, our game's about to start. Mark can stay with Charlie, and hopefully she'll cool off. You can chat with them later." Angel said, pointing at the clock.
Emily sighed. "Let's go."
"Wow, Sean. The Rhythm Thieves were on fire today! At this rate, the semifinals will be a fight to the finish!" Henry said, sipping a cup of coffee.
"No kidding. Who's up next?" Sean said, smiling.
"The Falcons vs. the Devil Knights. Their match will begin in five minutes." Henry said, holding up a folder.
"Sorry, Charlotte, but I have to go to my match. Do you remember anything else?" Mark said, looking at Charlie.
"No, I don't... But thanks, Mark."
"Before I go...Do you think you can forgive Leo?" Mark asked, sincere.
Charlie hmmphed in response, and then turned around.
"Oh, well. Later, Charlotte." Mark said, walking off.
I'm still mad at Leo for what he did...Maybe I'm being too tough on him? Charlie thought, looking out the window.
I'll talk with him later. First, I need to figure out who attacked me...It's still all a blur...
Leo sighed, sitting by himself after the match. The rest of the team, (minus Charles, who said he had business to attend to.)
"Leo, lighten up. Charlie will forgive you with time." Angel said, patting him on the back. Leo simply sighed.
Galileo sighed too, and Angel backed toward Emily. "That sighing thing better not be contagious..." She said.
"Sorry, Angel. It's just that...Why does Leo prefer Charlie over me? Is there something wrong with me?" Galileo asked, his head drooping as well.
"Listen to me. There is nothing and I mean nothing wrong with you. Leo's just at the age..." Angel said, patting the younger boy's back. She then walked over to Emily, and whispered something to her.
Emily nodded, and then walked over to Leo.
"Leo, come. I need to talk to you." Emily said, beckoning him to follow her.
"Leo, you need to quit blaming yourself. It doesn't help anyone." Emily said, sitting next to Leo.
"But if I had been with Charlie when she'd been attacked..."
"What if you had been? You could have been hurt too! Then where would we be?" Emily protested.
"It's just that...I don't want to let Vergier down. He made me promise to take care of Charlie...How would he feel if he knew? Worse, Charlie isn't speaking to me..."
"Look. You didn't know that someone was after Charlie. So it wasn't your fault." Emily chided.
"Yes it was. If Martha hadn't kissed me and Charlie hadn't gotten mad."
"Leo...Enough about Charlie." Emily said, flatly.
"But-"
"I mean it. When's the last time you've spent time with your brother? "Emily protested.
"Well-" Leo started.
"I know you like Charlie, but you can't just forget about everything else. Your brother looks up to you and you can't just turn a blind eye." Emily said, quiet.
Leo then sighed. "I'm sorry, Emily. You're right."
Emily gave a small smile. "It's not me you need to apologize too. Let's go, then." She said, walking out with Leo.
"Emily! Did you see the news!?" Angel said, shocked.
"What? What happened?"
"It's Mark. Before his match he was attacked, apparently by the same guy who went after Charlie!" Raphael said.
"His team had to forfeit, too." Marie said, folding her arms.
"They can't be just coincidences. These are connected, and I know it." Angel said, clenching her fists.
"Where is Mark now?" Emily asked.
"The same one that Charlie is at. I'm going to go start the van." Angel said, running out.
Martha stood next to the hospital bed, worry spread over her face. Mark sat in the bed next to her, bandages on his face and stomach. The rest of the group, (Charles included) Charlie was in the bed next to his, sleeping.
"Hey, guys." Mark said, weak.
"Whoa. What happened to you?" Raphael asked, adjusting his glasses.
"Some guy in a mask came at me with a knife. I got a glimpse of him, but I can't remember his face..." Mark said, coughing.
"Oh well." Charles said, looking away.
"'Oh well?" This isn't just an, 'Oh well.' First Charlie, then Mark? It's too convenient." Angel said, folding her arms.
"Angel's got a point. The devil knights have done this one too many times. We'll settle this tomorrow, on the field." Emily said, folding her arms.
"You'd better get training, then. You too, Martha." Mark said, laughing.
"But, Mark-"
"Martha, please." Mark said, pleading. Martha then nodded, and then turned to the Rhythm Thieves.
"Let us go, then." Martha said, and then followed the Rhythm Thieves out.
When Charles was sure that the Rhythm Thieves were gone, he turned to Charlie.
"Charlie, wake up." Mark said.
"What?" Charlie said, waking up.
"I know who our attacker was...And he's going to strike again..." Mark said, serious.
END CHAPTER 10
Here's a sneak peek of the next chapter!
"So you were behind this plot the entire time…" Emily said, drawing her sword.
"Not really. J.F's the one who planned it." The shaded figure said, laughing.
Read and please review!