Chapter 52

As the sun slowly started to set, Lus exchanged a look with False. Nodding back at him, the pair of them prepared to make their move. Having talked to Crovell they knew exactly where the weakness in the protective field was and they knew exactly how to exploit it. Lus had to admit he was surprised Crovell had given them so much information about everything. But it was clear from the way both he and Jo were acting that they'd rather have Arados back within the protection of the Southern Palace. It was also clear they knew they weren't the ones who'd be able to convince him to return.

'Know what you're going to say to him yet,' False was clearly trying to sound more confident than he was.

'I know exactly what I'm going to say to him, but what you say is probably more important; you are the father of his child after all.'

'Yeah,' he sighed, 'I know that, I just…'

'Look, you have the rest of that kid's life to figure out whether or not you care about it. Just for now why don't you worry about getting Ara back where we can protect him, okay?'

'And he will be safer with us, right,' False sounded almost uncertain.

'Of course he will,' now it was Lus's turn to force the confidence. 'If he's with us then we can make sure Ni doesn't get his hands on him.'

'But what about Ni getting his hands on you,' the Teen's voice suddenly sounded from behind them, making both of them half jump out of their skins.

Spinning round they saw him looming, like an eagle readying itself to snatch up its unsuspecting pray.

'What do you want,' False moved himself into a defensive position.

'I want you to come with me,' his gaze focused on False. 'But more than that, I want him coming too,' he casually indicated towards Lus.

'Why?'

'Because the effect his presence will have will be so much more interesting than yours,' suddenly the Teen was right behind Lus, with an arm gripped tightly around his neck.

'Get off me,' Lus half chocked out as he tried to squirm out of the Teen's grip.

'I'm afraid I can't do that,' he smirked, 'I have to make sure you're the one who comes with me.'

'Why?' False stared at him. 'Of all the people I know here, he's the one I like the least.'

'Thanks,' Lus glared at him, as he continued his struggle, 'nice to know I rate under your devil of a father.'

'That's not what…'

'What I'm sure the devil's brat means, is that of all the people he likes you're the one he cares the least about,' the Teen laughed. 'But to be honest I couldn't care less if the pair of you were at each other's throats, I have my own reasons for it being you little Lus.'

'And what the hell are they?' False frowned.

'You'll see soon enough,' and with that the Teen jumped himself and Lus down into Ni's palace.

As soon as they were there, the Teen let go of him allowing Lus to stagger away.

'What the hell did you do that for,' Lus glared back at him.

'You're bait of course.'

'Not very good bait,' he rolled his eyes. 'False isn't going to come after me you know.'

'He will,' the Teen smirked, 'just you wait. But until then…'

The Teen grabbed hold of the collar of his t-shirt and began dragging him along. In frustration Lus tried to squirm away, but to no avail. In the end he just gave up and allowed himself to be pulled along, praying the aching he was starting to feel in his stomach was just strain from the position he was in and not the start of an episode.

'What in the name of…' there was more than just a note of anger in Ni's voice. 'Is this some kind of joke?'

'No,' the Teen shook his head, 'it's just he was the only one available for me to use as bait.'

'Don't lie,' Lus somehow managed to finally pull away from him, 'he said he'd picked me on purpose.'

'I figured as much,' Ni glared at the Teen. 'You're trying to ruin everything for me, aren't you?'

'Well that depends as to whether or not you were planning to throw the bait in with her, doesn't it,' the Teen shot back.

For a moment the two of them stared each other down, then the Teen turned away and folded his arms.

'False is more likely to come save him than either of you think,' his tone was casual but certain. 'They might be rivals, but there's a mutual bond between them. Neither wants to play this unfairly, no matter how much you manipulate them.'

'Are you sure about that,' Ni made a slight noise of disgust.

'I'm certain.'

'Then why isn't he…'

Before he could finish his sentence, False entered the room they were in. His gaze angrily holding his father's as he did.

'What kind of messed up reason have you done this for,' his anger was fully directed at his father. 'This is the least I've ever seen a plan of yours make sense.'

'You came,' Ni cocked an eyebrow at him.

'Of course I did, I wasn't about to let you get away with making me look stupid.'

'You came?'

'Don't repeat it as though you never thought it would happen. I'm not having you twist Lus into getting Kissy at all costs. She's mine and you know it.'

'No,' he shook his head slowly, 'like you she has a Dual Destiny. That means she's as much Lus's as she is yours.'

'A likely story.'

'It's true,' the Teen backed him up, 'there's a lot of this Dual Destiny stuff going around at the moment. Speaking of which, we need you to convince Helen to marry your father.'

'YOU WHAT?' False gawked.

'You heard me,' the Teen remained calm, 'we need you to convince Helen to marry your father. And what's more we need you to convince her to marry him tonight.'

'You can't do that,' Lus stared at him, 'it's as good as forcing her into an arranged marriage.'

'No, its not,' Ni shook his head, 'she's destined to be with me.'

'I don't believe you,' he gave a strange half laugh, 'she's too nice to end up with someone like you.'

'What would you know?'

'I met her.'

'You barely saw her,' Ni waved a hand dismissively, 'that doesn't count as a meeting.'

'Doesn't it?'

'No,' he clenched his fists tightly, 'it doesn't count. She's mine, end of story.'