On the other side of the crowd, Liam noticed Nath, being held in his mother's arms. The child and the blond made eye contact, and Liam waved with a smile. Nath waved back, a toothy grin plastered on his face.
"Oh! It's the Founder!" People began to whisper around Liam. Liam turned his attention back to where everyone else was looking and spotted the black haired woman in golden robes. Yep, she sure was the leader of them all. Jesse stayed quiet, hoping that Aiden and the Blaze Rods wouldn't show up. Much to her dismay, they did, coming up right behind the Founder. Liam's eyes widened, internally gagging when Aiden and the Founder gave each other a look.
"I'm so nervous, being surrounded by so many people like this." Ivor muttered, getting a little jittery. Liam couldn't blame him. He, himself, was quite nervous when trying for the Ocelots for the first time. Except the Ocelots were all over. There were no more tryouts or anything. Lukas and the Ocelots were the end of the line.
"You have got to be kidding me…" Jesse muttered, shaking her head. Apparently, the others haven't quite been paying attention as they should have.
"What do you mean- oh." Just one look at who was up there with the Founder was all it took for Petra to realize what was up. Lukas grabbed Liam's good arm, ready to turn him around and run when needed. Liam did the same with Petra, who passed the motion along to Jesse. The group was ready to run if needed.
"People of Sky City! I'm sorry to pull you from your duties, but an urgent matter has come to my attention!" The Founder's voice, much stronger and more clearer than the head soldier's, echoed throughout the crowd. "A crime has been committed!"
"A crime?" "What kind of crime?" whispers ran all across the crowd, and Liam made eye contact with Lily, whose eyes were wide.
'Are you…?' she mouthed, to which Liam admitted to with a nod. He wouldn't lie. She just glares at him and held her son closer to her, unable to believe the fact that she had helped a criminal. A freaking criminal!
"Please, remain calm!" The Founder interrupted their little stare-off, continuing her little speech. The older blond brother turned his attention back to the Founder. "Earlier today, outsiders built a bridge into our fair city from a distant land!" Liam turned his head to look behind him, just as large golden doors slid open to reveal the lava skull Ivor had made, along with the dirt bridge from what had remained of the island he almost died on. "Now," the Founder continued, "whether these outsiders knew it or not, this is a violation of Sky City's most sacred law- no unauthorized building."
"Wait?" a new voice questioned in a whisper. It was Milo, peeking ahead of the little line to look at them. "Was that you? Are you the bridge builders?" Liam was close to being the honest guy he (usually) was and about to say something, but Jesse beat him to it.
"What? No, why would you even ask?" Jesse feinted surprise for him asking such a question. Liam decided to play along, like Ivor, Lukas, and Petra were. Liam paid attention to Aiden and the Founder. Aiden met eyes with Liam and gave a snarky smile before leaning in to whisper something to the Founder.
"We better go." Liam muttered, his voice too low.
"What?" Petra and Ivor asked in unison, before Petra gave the much-older man a glare.
"We better get out of here before-"
"Jesse, wherever you are, step forward now!" the Founder announced once again. Liam swore, knowing it was far too late. "I have been informed of your identity, and I appreciate the fact that you may be ignorant to our laws. I warn you; Sky City is smaller than it looks and I will find you." All throughout that statement, Aiden's keen glare was kept on the five. As if on cue, the guards began to search through the crowds, obviously looking for the five who were now wanted criminals.
"We need to get to that Eversource at whatever cost!" Ivor hissed, making the attempt to take the lead. "This is clearly the fastest way into the castle!" He continued, pointing to the approaching guards behind his back.
"By getting arrested?!" Petra hissed back, her hand now instinctively grabbing on to Liam's. Liam gave her an encouraging squeeze.
"Wait!" Milo interrupted once again. "Don't be fooled by the Founder's lies." he warned, "I can help you come up with a plan to get into the castle." Ivor had no patience whatsoever and turned right on his heel, jumping and waving.
"Hello! Here I am! I made the bridge!"
"Are you crazy? Does she look like she's going to help us?!" Petra exclaimed, their cover officially blown. A soldier grabbed Ivor firmly by the arm.
"Unhand me! This is completely and utterly unnecessary!" Ivor exclaimed at the guard, attempting to pull away.
"Sorry, Ivor, but I think that's a bad plan. I'm going with Milo!" Jesse announced, then turned towards the third blond, Lukas and Liam following. Lukas never made the escape, as he was tackled by another guard.
"You all, hide. I'll lead them away." Liam looked up to Petra, Jesse, and Milo in front of him.
"Liam, no, you'll be caught!" Petra protested.
"This is the only way! I'll meet back up with you soon!" Liam promised, grasping Petra's hand for a moment before releasing to let them hid around a corner. Liam held his bad hand close to his chest, pushing himself to run the farthest he had probably gone while injured. He hoped he managed to lead them away, but he hoped too late, as a soldier had come out of nowhere and tackled him. His back had a great impact with the wall and an elbow to the temple was all it took for Liam to black out, succumbing to the pain.
"Liam? Liam, wake up!" Ugh.. my head hurts now...
"Oh, shush, Lukas! He's not dead." Is that Ivor? Liam soon regained consciousness of his body. His arm and front throbbed, and a hand was holding his. He recognized the strong hand as his younger brother's. Lukas sighed, and Liam could tell that he was looking down at his brother.
"But what if he is-" he began, but a voice stopped him.
"What the hell are you going on about?" A guard's voice boomed it's way into a conversation. "Why is he not up yet? I've told you to awaken him-"
"I'm getting there, I'm getting there!" Lukas held a hand up, as Ivor stepped in.
"He's injured! And thanks to one of your comrades, he may have a concussion from being slammed into a wall!" The guard went silent at this point.
"Five more minutes, and that is it!" the guard spat, and boots thumped on the ground, fading away. Liam took the time to open his eyes, and there was Lukas's eyes to meet. Liam got startled and shot up in his seat, only to bonk heads with his brother and lie back down. On impact, Lukas fell back, holding his own forehead.
"What was that?!" Ivor looked at the two of them, who both only groan in reply. The dark haired Potions Master was basically just giving them a look. "Idiots." he muttered, shaking his head as he walked back to the iron bars. "The guard should be back soon."
"Ugh… what happened?" Liam questioned, holding his head as Lukas got up. The younger of the two held out his hand, and Liam took it, helping himself up with the help of his brother.
"Well, you were caught. Guard brought you here unconscious and we've been in here for a few hours now. Man, I got so worried…" Lukas shook his head, looking at the ground.
"I'm alright, Lukas. It's just a headache and some throbbing now." Liam waved it off, joining Ivor at the bars. Lukas followed closely behind.
A few moments later, the guard came back.
"Good to see you're awake. Now, let's go. You're permanent cell is ready."
"Wait, what? Permanent?" Liam questioned, hoping her had heard wrong.
"Yes." Nope. Luckily, though, Liam was on to something. He had heard of the story of one of his father's friends breaking out of jail once. He just had to recall it, and recall it well because if it doesn't go smoothly, he could be lying on the floor with a sword through his stomach and not on a cold dungeon floor. The guard opened the gate, leading them out.
"We have to get out of here!" Ivor hissed, looking back at Liam and Lukas.
"Well, I don't suppose you have a plan?" Lukas raised an eyebrow at the Old Order member.
"No." Ivor deadpanned.
"I do." Liam jumped in.
"What is it?"
"Just trust me and stay behind me. Ivor, do you happen to have a potion of silencing?" Liam glanced at the two, who both nodded. Lukas slowed down his pace, while Ivor reached into his pockets and pulled out what Liam needed. He was confused, as to why the guards only confiscated their weapons and not anything else. Oh well. They weren't going to be here for any longer, anyways.
Just as the guard was pulling his keys from his pockets, Liam caught him in a chokehold and, as the guard began to call for help, he forced the drink down his throat.
"What did you-" The words were cut off by a small squeal, proving the potion worked. Liam grabbed the keys and shoved guard into which was originally their cell. He landed a good punch to the temple with his good arm, knocking out the guard.
"Hurry, help me!" Liam hissed, grabbing the guard's sword and scavenging him of anything useful. He found lead, and used it to 'handcuff' the guard's wrists. Ivor and Lukas sprung into action, working together to lift the guard and place him on the bed in the cell. They covered him with the blanket. Luckily, he had blond hair like Liam and Lukas, so it would like like one of the brothers were in the bed and not a guard that was taken down so easily.
"Come on, we better go." Lukas whispered, checking out in the hall. He motioned them to go along when he saw that there were no other guards patrolling. Liam exited last, handing Lukas the guard's sword and Ivor one of his backups and Liam held on to the keys, quickly locking the door with a key labeled 345 to match the number 345 on the plaque above the cell. The trio made their escape, swiftly and eeeeevvveeeerrrr so quietly… (Let me know if you see
After paying the confiscation room a quick visit to grab their swords and other materials that were snatched from them, they walked aimlessly around the gigantic castle, in hopes of finding the throne room. Liam had his sword out and at the ready if anyone ever approached. He heard three thumps from a room.
"What was that?" Liam questioned, his sword aimed at it, his bad arm clutched to his chest like usual, as if it would protect it from anything.
"Guards!" he heard a familiar voice hiss from the inside, and he raised an eyebrow, approaching the door and opening it. It turned out to be a throne room, the very throne room they were looking for the whole time.
"Guys, seems like we found the place we were looking for." Liam looked back to his brother and friend, putting his sword away as he walked in to find whoever was hiding in here.
"This must be the throne room!" Ivor announced, making Liam shush him.
"Not so loud!"
"And, we already know this is the throne room. I mean, the Founder's throne is literally right there." Lukas motioned ahead of them as they turned a left around a corner, only to find three people hiding in the shadows. Both groups screamed in surprise, all but Liam, who shushed them.
"Not so loud-"
"Liam!" Petra exclaimed, glomping her boyfriend.
"Uh, you two are together, I see?" Milo's voice joined her worrying statements, and Jesse only chuckles in reply as Liam's sword drops to the ground as he wrapped his arms around her in return.
"I'm glad you're alright. Jesse, Milo, and I, we watched as you got knocked out and taken away." Petra muttered, loosening her grip and pulling away. Liam kept his hands on her shoulder.
"I'm okay, Peets." He joked, kissing her forehead.
"Alright, alright, enough with this nonsense!" Ivor interrupted, pushing between the two. "We have to find the Eversource before Aiden and his jerkfaced friends get to it first!"
"And before the guards or the Founder finds us." Milo reminded them, holding a finger up as he spoke. Not the middle finger, the pointer. Liam sighs.
"Let's get searching, then. It'd be better if we split up." Lukas pointed out, as the rest of the group agreed, going their separate ways to search for a way to get to the Eversource.
A blaze of red caught his eye, and Liam turned towards it. There was someone lurking amongst the shadows. He knew someone was there, but decided to act as if there weren't. He went towards Lukas.
"I'm going to need your help, but act casual." Liam whispered, chuckling a little for effect. Lukas chuckles along.
"Yeah, what do you need?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the side of the throne.
"There's someone on the other side, by the library. I don't want to scare them off. Just go towards the library and pick out a book. We'll corner him the best we can. Alright?" Liam leaned against the side of the throne, and Lukas nodded, before Liam shook his head with a smile and patted his brother's shoulder before walking off towards the doors, as if he's going to exit the throne room. There was a hole in the wall, where the thief (Liam assumed) was hiding.
"Hm. What this? A book by the Founder herself? And it's the number one bestseller?" Lukas whistled, shaking his head. He wasn't lying. There was, indeed, a book by the Founder. Liam raised his eyebrows with a shrug, and noticed the figure sneaking out to attack Lukas. Liam leapt forward, wrapping his arms around the arms of the short guy.
"Urgh!" The guy grunted, yet he was no use to Liam's muscle. "Let go of me!" he exclaimed, trying to get help in escaping. Help wouldn't come.
"Nath? What the hell are you doing here?!" Liam scolded, as Lukas pulled out lead to bound his wrists.
"Woah, woah, what's going on?" Jesse exclaimed, as she and the rest of the group rush up.
"Aren't you going to put him in that lead?" Ivor questioned, clearly not fond of the kiddo. The others began to blaze questions and accusations that Nath was with Aiden. Nath began to cower, backing away.
"Shut up!" Liam shouted at them, making them go silent. "Nath will not be bound in lead, and he does not work for Aiden. That much I know for a fact!" Liam glared at all of them. "I'll admit, I jump to conclusions sometimes, but this is outrageous! He's just a kid!"
"Yeah, a kid who can easily manipulate you!" Milo glared at the kiddo, who just glared right back.
"Nath, please tell us the truth because your world depends on it, okay?" Liam bent down on one knee to face the child, who nods. "Now, what were you doing here?"
"I was getting a book for my mother."
"A book? You sneak in here to get a book? Why can't you buy it from a store?" Petra raised an eyebrow.
"Because it's a pretty secret book. It's actually a medical book by this guy named Soren. Mom needs it to improve her skills."
"Do you expect the Founder to notice it's gone?"
"That's why I have this." Nath pulled out another book from his inventory. It looked exactly like the book he was looking for, which Ivor held in his hand. His other hand was on the shelf where he took the book from.
"Why are you replacing the same book with another copy of itself?" Jesse asks, looking down at the kid.
"Because the one old guy is putting in now-"
"Hey!"
"-is all blank. This one has the procedures in it." Liam just sighs.
"Look, you'll have to leave. We have business to attend to." Liam motioned to the people around him as the group split again, going to find a way to get into the secret door.
"Why can't I join you? I'm quick on my feet. I can fight."
"Because it's simply too dangerous if we run into bad people."
"It's also dangerous to go out there-" Nath pointed out the window where he had apparently came in.
"Why?"
"Guards are all over the place, probably looking for the prisoners they caught. Meaning you, blondie, and oldie." Nath glared. Liam was about to protest, but thought better against it.
"Fine. Strength in numbers, I guess. But right after this, you're going home to your mother. Do you understand?" Liam stood from his position in kneeling. Nath nods, crossing his arms.
"I'll be a good addition to your team, and I'll prove it."
"I sure hope you do, kiddo." Liam chuckles, ruffling his hair.
And that's a wrap! Longest chapter yet, mind you. Worked real hard on this one, so I hope you enjoyed it!
If you'll excuse me, I've got more Battlefront missions to complete on my One. :) I'll see you-
in the next chapter!
Til then, dear readers!