"Ey, Máxi-"

Máximo turned and looked at Emma, She had her arms crossed over her chest looking rather perplexed. The two of them were at the docks, but then the parents showed up, and they were not happy. Ivan not only had to be the one to take over, as he was the only one who knew how to stop a crowd from becoming a riot.

Emma and Máximo were sent away. "Watch the streets; make sure nobody acts crazy, please." Ivan had to urge them away. So, with some reluctance away from the action they were now lazily patrolling the streets. It was the emptiest Máximo had ever seen because almost everyone in town was at the docks.

"Yeah, Emma?" He finally asked as he focused back on the road.

"-Maybe I'm going crazy, but I think we just passed Berwald Oxenstierna's work van."

"Okay, and?"

"Well… isn't he technically missing? His house was broken into earlier this morning… there seemed to be a struggle? He wasn't there? Ringing any bells?"

Máximo felt himself make a confused face. "You think we should pull it over?" He asked as got ready to turn his car around to find the van.

"It's best if you do because it could be one of two things. One: It's Berwald, just unaware of what happened. Or two:-

"-It could be the people who broke into his house."

"Bingo. Might as well get our quota for the day while we're out." Emma grinned and Máximo chuckled. So, he turned the car around and went down the street, Emma pointed him to the left and that's where he went.

The van was there at the very end of the street and it turned right. So, Máximo went down the street and turned right as the van did. Máximo felt his smug face turn into a frown.

Máximo sped up a bit to close the gap between the two vehicles. He got to a close enough distance and focused on the back windows of the van. The windows were tinted, but that didn't stop him from seeing the silhouette of a head in the back of the van. He saw the person move back, and he felt his frown deepen. So, with no hesitation, he hit the lights and the siren.

"There are people in the back." He swiftly explained to Emma.

Emma nodded. "Saw them." She confirmed.

"Should we prepare for the worst?"

"Nah… let's hope for the best first."

Máximo silently tapped his steering wheel before hitting the siren once more. For a moment he feared (and secretly hoped) that the van was going to speed off resulting in a chase. He's been itching for a thrill, but after a second or two, the van started to pull off to the side of the road. Máximo silently pulled over behind it. "Run the plates. I'll do the talking." Máximo ordered as he undid his seatbelt.

Emma scoffed. "Not fair. I'm the one who pointed the van out."

"I'll let you lead the next one." He promised her with a bit of a grin on his face.

"Whatever." was all he heard as he got out of his car. Máximo put his hands on his waist as he stared at the van for a moment, he tried to see inside the window, but he saw nothing from where he stood. Máximo kept his cool as he started to stalk up to the driver's side window. Not before quietly tapping the taillight.

Máximo got up to the driver's window, which the driver already rolled down.

"Berwald." Máximo blinked, honestly a little surprised to see Berwald driving, he was sure it was going to be whoever broke into Berwald's home. Máximo looked past Berwald towards the passenger side where another familiar face greeted him. "Mr. Honda… what a pleasure." Máximo calmly acknowledged Kiku.

"Is there something wrong, Officer Machado?" Berwald pulled Máximo's attention back on him.

"Uh, yeah. Berwald are you aware that your home was broken into this morning?"

Berwald Oxenstierna has always been a bit of an enigma when it came to facial expressions. The man was either stone-cold serious or deadly intimidating there was almost no in-between. So, when Berwald's facial expression didn't change, Máximo didn't know how to read it. "No." Berwald sighed. "I left early this morning." He grunted.

"I see. Well, you might want to get home. Make sure nothing is stolen."

"Ja, I'll do that."

Máximo tried to crane his neck to look into the back of Berwald's van. All he could see were lumps hidden under blankets and tarps. "What exactly are you hauling?" Máximo asked. Berwald couldn't say 'nothing' as clearly there was something under there.

"They're for me." Kiku answered for Berwald. "I commissioned him to make me an ottoman and a coffee table."

Máximo exhaled through his nose at this. Much like Berwald, Kiku had the irritating habit of being rather blank on his emotions, and like Berwald, Máximo was having a hard time reading Kiku's face. Still, something didn't seem right to Máximo. Mainly, he was sure he saw a person in the back, Emma confirmed it. "Those don't exactly look like an ottoman and coffee table." he decided to press a bit as he leaned against the window.

"I take them apart when transporting them. It's easier that way, less chance of breaking, chipping, or scrapping." Berwald calmly explained.

The idea sounded plausible… yet… "Aren't Ottoman and coffee tables supposed to have at least one flat surface?"

There was a sudden pause of silence and the two of them looked at each other before looking back at Máximo, who wasn't done yet. "Berwald," Máximo spoke slowly. "You're also telling me that you don't know of the break-in… but you don't know about Tino either? The missing boat?" As Máximo said it he realized why nothing sounded right. Both of them were just too calm.

Máximo spied Berwald's phone resting in the phone holder, and he could see the small outline of Kiku's phone in his pants pocket. There's no way that they couldn't know. Berwald showed some type of emotion as he suddenly gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and the air turned tense.

There was another moment of silence.

"Fine." Kiku sighed slowly. "You caught us, Officer Machado."

Máximo tilted his chin up at Kiku in question, while he could see Berwald giving Kiku the side-eye.

"You see...Berwald and I… we're having an affair."

Máximo made a sound like he just swallowed a bug. That's not something he expected.

Kiku sighed lowly. "Yes, we didn't want it to come to light. Small town gossip and all, but it's the truth. That's not my shipment. It's someone else's. Please, Officer… you can't tell anybody! If word got out… we'd both be ruined."

Berwald had a dangerous aura about him at that moment and it made Máximo shudder. Still, Máximo kept himself professional as he was trying to process the bombshell that was just dropped on him. Máximo found himself open and closing his mouth a couple of times before just standing there, bewildered. "...Alright."

"Yes… we heard about the boat through our phones and Berwald-san was going to drop me off at home so we could go to the docks separately and nobody would be the wiser," Kiku explained, not once letting his emotionless facade slip.

"That's-" Máximo let out a whistle. "-That's insane, I won't lie. How?- No, never mind. I don't want to know… just… do what you two need to do then… and uh… if I can be bold. Stop this affair before it turns into a mess, Berwald. Because I can tell you: The moment you and Tino divorce Eduard will be all over Tino. I don't think you want that." With that final word of advice, Máximo decided to leave the two. What happens next will be up to them.

"You think you know someone." He couldn't help but shake his head as he kept on walking to his car. He turned around to get one last look as the van started to take off and just gave his head another shake. "Insane." He commented as he got into his cop car.

"Well, you didn't arrest anyone. So, I assume it was Berwald?" Emma immediately asked as Máximo started to clip his seatbelt in.

"Yep, it was him and Kiku Honda to boot."

Emma tilted her head in question. "Why would they be together?"

"Well, you aren't going to believe it…"

Máximo had only just started driving the opposite way from the van when Emma spoke up. Emma was gnawing on the edge of her thumb as she sat there contemplating all Máximo had just told her.

"You're right. I don't believe it. This is actually raising more questions for me. One: If there's one good thing about Andersen it's that he never shuts up about his family. Berwald is absolutely in love with Tino. Andersen once said: 'If Berwald would have to choose between hurting Tino and cutting off a finger, he'd choose the finger every time.'."

Máximo snorted as Emma had done it while mocking Andersen's voice. "Spot on," Máximo smirked before turning serious. "Although you make a good point, there's an argument here that you personally don't know Berwald."

"True… but I still see a major hole in their story."

"Which is?"

"Where were they coming from?"

"Well, Berwald was dropping Kiku off at home-"

"Yes, so was Berwald home during the invasion?"

Máximo opened his mouth but swiftly shut it. He never asked, honestly the shock of the news made him forget. "Maybe they were out and about?"

"But they don't want anybody knowing they're together?"

Once again Máximo opened his mouth just promptly shut it. "I mean-"

"Moreover: What was in the back of his van? You and I both saw the outline of a person. Did you just forget that?"

"..."

"I think they said that to shock you and it worked, Máxi," Emma told him in a stern voice. "Turn the car around." She suddenly ordered. "We might be able to catch them."

Máximo nodded and obeyed just as quickly. Máximo pulled the car into a driveway to turn it around. Once he did so he immediately picked up the speed in order to catch them. "I can't believe I fell for it!"

"You can't blame yourself too badly. I'm sure if the situation were reversed I would have fallen for it as well."

"Yeah well, it doesn't make it any less irritating."

"Hindsight is twenty-twenty."

"You're telling me!"

Tino kept a close eye on the children, it wasn't easy watching twenty odd little children, but he was managing. Thank goodness for Feliks's falcon-like eyes. Still, it didn't put his mind at ease, if anything his anxiety was taking a spike for the worst. They were going way farther out than he anticipated. They were so far out that he couldn't see the shore let alone the town! Tino figured they were just going to be a little way out, not miles out.

Still, Tino kept his demeanor calm, even if on the inside he was on the verge of a panic attack. He kept looking at Yao, who had yet to say a single thing to them or the children. The boat had actually stopped and then the anchor fell, keeping them in place, so why hasn't Yao moved?

"-And surely, Mr. Tino could fill us in on this piece of machinery!" Feliks suddenly spoke up making Tino look at him. The children were all crowding around what seemed to be a pulley used to cast out the net.

"Ah, yes. This, children, is what the fishermen use to cast their net out. They leave the net in the water for the fishes to swim in and then they'll pull it back up-" A little hand shot up in the air. "Yes, Heracles?"

"Would cats like the net?-"

"-That's a dumb question to ask!" Little Sadik suddenly yelled. Sadik was not one of Tino's students, but rather one of Feliks's. Still, Tino knew of Sadik and his reputation with Heracles rather well. They got along as well as cats and dogs to put it bluntly.

"-You're a dumb question!"

"That doesn't even make sense!"

"Boys, boys, calm down." Tino sighed and pressed his hand to his forehead. "Sadik, there are no dumb questions, and Heracles, I can't answer that."

"That's teacher slang for 'dumb question'." Sadik suddenly stuck his tongue out at Heracles.

"I think cats would like the net!" Little Feliciano piped up. "The net smells like fish and cats love fish!"

Heracles beamed at that. "Right! You get it! See, it's not a dumb question!" He reared around and sneered at Sadik, who just started to laugh.

"Everyone knows Feliciano is the dumbest kid in class-"

Ludwig squared up instantly. "You want to say that to my face!" Ludwig raised his fists in a threatening way.

Sadik was never one to back down from a fight. "Bring it! Smellschmit!"

"That's it!"

A sharp trill cut through the air as Tino used his forefinger and thumb to whistle loud enough to silence the children. It worked and all parties backed off in an instant.

Tino already had the punishment planned "Sadik, Ludwig, timeout." Tino instantly ordered and pointed to the bench that was within eyeshot. He knew he was teaching fifth grade, not first, but it was going to have to work. "Five minutes-ah! No buts!" Tino was firm when he saw Sadik open his mouth. Ludwig crossed his arms but did as he was told.

"Feliks, if you would?"

"Of course." Feliks sighed and followed the boys. "You heard the man, five minutes."

"It's your fault-" Sadik whispered to Ludwig as they walked.

"None of that. I will tack on extra time." Feliks ordered in a stern voice before they finally left earshot.

Tino snorted as he watched them go and crossed his arms over his chest. Tino suddenly felt a tug on his sleeve and he looked down to see Elise. "What's up, sweetie?" Tino asked as he got down on one knee so he was eye level with her. He knew Elise, and he knew she was rather quiet, so he wanted to be sure that he could hear her.

"I don't want to be rude…but when are we going back to the docks, Mr. Tino? I don't like the ocean."

Tino frowned. "That… is a good question." They spent so long getting to this location and when he looked at his watch he realized they actually should be getting back to the shore shortly if they wanted to make it to the buses. "I guess that's something I should be asking Mr. Yao…" Tino turned his head towards where Yao should be standing-

But to Tino's horror Yao wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Tino felt his heart drop from his chest and into his stomach as he frantically looked for Yao. The tips of his fingers went numb and Tino tried to keep his emotions from showing. The last thing he wanted was to scare the children. "Whenever I get the chance that is…" Tino settled on saying as he tried to sound as natural as possible.

As much as Tino wanted to explore and see where Yao had run off to, he couldn't just leave the children alone. He needed Feliks but had to wait. So, Tino had to calmly keep teaching. He kept looking over to see if maybe Yao had just taken a restroom break, but he hadn't returned.

"-This is a… uh…" Tino felt out of his element as he looked at the instrument in front of him. Yao should be the one explaining the equipment… "If I'm being honest, students, I don't know." Tino accepted defeat and he looked at his watch. Five minutes came and went, but judging by the fact that Ludwig was now off the bench and facing a corner of the boat, Feliks had to tack on extra time.

Feliks was leaning his back on a railing, arms crossed, as he watched both boys dutifully. The question is, how much time did he have to give?

Tino looked from his watch and frowned when he still hadn't spotted Yao. Unless Yao was sick, his sudden absence made no sense.

Call it parental instinct or a teacher sense, but Tino got the feeling that something bad was happening, so he turned his head towards the students-

Just in time to see Feliciano climbing up on the railing!

Tino felt bad for pushing some of the other kids out of the way. "Feliciano!" In a blind mad grab, Tino grabbed Feliciano by the back of his dress and yanked him back. "What did we tell you about climbing!?"

Feliciano pouted once both feet were on the ship. "Don't do it…" Feliciano guiltily told Tino.

"Right, now consider this a warning, if I see you do something that reckless again I will tell Roderich and Eliza. Timeout. Go." Tino didn't want to add Feliciano to time out as it'll take up Feliks's time, but the boy had to have some sort of punishment. Tino pointed to where Sadik and Ludwig were and Feliciano deflated.

"I just wanted to see-"

"-Go, before I make it ten minutes."

Feliciano grumbled something in Italian but complied and retreated with his head low. A couple of kids snickered at him as he went. Tino gave them all a look and the kids went quiet. Feliciano was directed to another corner of the ship by Feliks and away from Ludwig.

"Now, where were we?"

"You didn't know what that thing was!" A child, Ravis, if Tino had to guess. Filled him in.

"Yes! I don't know what it does, but judging by how it looks, I'd say it'd have to be a pulley of sorts…"

Ludwig and Sadik were out of timeout first. They silently joined in with the other children, but Feliciano still had yet to return. Tino had looked over his shoulder at one point to see what was taking so long and he saw Feliciano talking with Feliks. Feliks was down on one knee listening to what Feliciano had to say.

Not surprising really, seeing how close Feliks was to Eliza, it was almost natural for the man to pry and see why Feliciano had done what he did.

"Mr. Tino?" A small tug on the sleeve caught his attention and once again he saw Elise.

"Yes, dear?" He asked her.

Elise started to slightly shake a little in her place. "I… I'm hungry." She finally spoke. "When can we have lunch?"

"Yeah! I'm starving, when is lunch?!" Feliciano suddenly yelled loudly that it made Tino jump as he wasn't expecting it. That did it though, the mention of food caused a loud chorus of complaining and hungry students.

Tino instantly looked at the watch on his wrist. It was way past noon, almost one at this point. If everything would have gone to schedule they should actually be boarding the bus by now and that would take them to a place to eat. Because lunch would have been provided it seemed no student had packed a lunch for themselves.

Feliks walked up to Tino and the two of them shared a look. Feliks instantly picked up that something was wrong and he clapped his hands. "Okay children. We're going to take a little five-minute break from learning! Feel free to talk to one another. But stay away from the railings and equipment! Mr. Tino and I will be watching you guys from a distance. Understand?"

The children said they did and instantly turned to talk to one another. Tino's wrist was grabbed as Feliks started marching him away from the students. "Talk to me. What's going on?" Feliks asked in a small tone as they continued to walk.

"Yao is gone."

"What?!" Feliks whispered in shock as he grasped onto Tino's wrist tighter. He saw Feliks go to turn his head and look over to where Yao should be, but Tino quickly stopped him.

"Don't look. Don't let the kids see that something might be wrong. The last thing we need is panic. And before you ask, no, Yao isn't in the bathroom. It's been over thirty minutes."

Feliks frowned but lowered his head. "What are we going to do? They're going to know something is wrong."

"They don't have to. I just need you to keep them distracted. Let me look around for Yao. He might still be on the boat."

"What if he's not?"

"... then… I'll figure it out," Tino told Feliks. "Just keep them busy, please."

"Well… you were a marine…" Feliks grumbled but nodded. "Okay, what should I tell them if they ask about you?"

"...I got seasick."

"Understood. Go."

With that Tino briskly walked away from the children while Feliks walked towards them calling out: "Times up! Gather around!"

It didn't take long for Tino to circle the outside of the boat in his search for Yao. Tino was sure he got his answer to Yao's disappearance when he noted that the only lifeboat was missing. "Great," Tino grunted so that plan was thrown out if it had to go down to it.

Tino made his way up for the controls and steering wheel. This was blocked off by a door. A locked one at that. Tino could see inside as it was surrounded by windows and it was empty as empty could be. He could also see inside the small square window that was attached to the door. He knew what he had to do.

So, Tino looked around to make sure nobody could see him. Once he was sure the coast was clear, Tino looked around and saw his weapon of choice. A fire extinguisher just next to the door. "Thank you." He grabbed the heavy extinguisher and with no remorse he used the butt of the extinguisher to ram into the glass.

It didn't work the first time, in fact, he didn't even make a crack. So, he tried again, this time with more force. The glass wobbled but didn't give. Tino frowned a little at this but he wasn't going to let some stupid glass get into his way. So, with as much force as he could possibly muster up, Tino raised the fire extinguisher and bashed down against the glass. That did it.

The glass shattered so loudly that Tino almost feared the students heard it. After a few seconds of him just standing there with his eyes closed, fearing the worst. He figured he was in the clear. He opened his eyes and silently went for the door. He Let the extinguisher fall to the ground with a thud. The glass crunched violently under his feet with each step he took. It was almost satisfying for him to hear.

Tino got to the shattered window and flicked some of the glass out of his way. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck. The glass fell to the ground and broke some more upon impact. Once he was sure most of the glass was out of his way, Tino, unfortunately, couldn't fit his whole body in, he couldn't even fit his head through the window, but he could fit his arm. So, in his arm snaked and he went straight for the lock.

His fingers just hardly grazed against the turned lock on the door. Tino cursed at the length of his arms and tried to reach as far as possible. He stood on his toes and felt the under of his arm dig uncomfortably into the window pane at this. "Perkele." he cursed under his breath. He could feel the lock but it was just out of his reach. Tino eventually had to pull his arm out.

With a hiss of pain, Tino rubbed under his arm where the pane was digging into and made an uncomfortable face. He needed a new plan. He could try his other arm, but he was sure that wouldn't get him anywhere. So, he looked for something around that could help him out. He was hoping for something long and thin, like a coat hanger, just something that he could use to push the lock.

'Think Tino…' He told himself as he paced back and forth a bit. 'Think back to those days. Before you were a marine… the days that would have ended in prison otherwise.' Tino thought to himself. He was a changed man and not as wild as he used to be, the Marines (and Berwald) made sure of that. Still, he was going to have to dip into his darkened past if he wanted to see what's going on.

Tino shut his eyes and lowered his head. Concentrating on what he would do if he were ten or fifteen years younger. What would his younger self do in this situation?

'There's no lock if there's no doorknob.' Tino opened his eyes and snatched the extinguisher off of the ground. He raised the extinguisher up and over his head and bashed it down against the doorknob. It came clean off in one hit. The moment it was free, Tino kicked the door in. It nearly fell off of its hinges at such a violent swing. Thankfully, Tino managed to stop the door before it came crashing back at him.

"Whoo!- oops." Tino, at first, cried out in exhilaration, before silencing himself before the children heard. It was a trip that made Tino's blood pump with excitement, but it was over now and he quickly put himself in back check. "Okay." he whispered and immediately walked over to the dashboard.

He recognized the wheel, accelerator, and brake.

The rest of the buttons were a mystery to him.

Tino took a small look around the cabin in hopes of finding something useful. He found a first-aid kit hidden away under the seat and on top of the box was a bright orange flare gun. He leaned down and picked the small gun up. He popped the barrel out and saw two shots. With expert hands he popped the barrel back in and shoved the gun into his slacks. Just in case.

He stood there for a few moments trying to think of his next course of action.

Tino saw a small monitor next to the wheel, and if he had to guess it was a GPS that was turned off, because of course it was. He took a seat and tapped it to turn it on. It didn't turn on, after pressing all of the buttons on the thing it still didn't turn on. So, Tino followed the cords to see if it was maybe unplugged.

No, it was worse than that. Tino was uneasy before, but when he saw that the cord was cut he almost felt terrified and it doubled when he realized the radio cord had also been cut. All outside communication was terminated.

What had they unknowingly walked into?

The plan was simple. As Peter had been into Marius's home they had figured that Marius had led the boat there. It only made sense if he was trying to kill all these children for him to lead them to him. Work smarter not harder as they say. So, it was decided that they would have to take Kiku's boat to the children in an attempt to help.

They couldn't take Gilbert's car. There was no way his tiny car could haul Kiku's boat, so they had to take Berwald's work van. There were no seats in the back of the van and in the end that's what helped them when they got stopped by the police. That and the tarp and blankets.

It was Gilbert's fast thinking that got them out of that situation and back on the road.

The next part of the plan was supposed to be simple. As the docks were out of the question, Kiku was going to hitch his boat to the back of the van and Berwald was just going to have to drive on the beach and dock the boat there for them.

The boat was just a little skiff boat used for personal fishing. There was no way for it to fit all seven of them. So, it was decided amongst the brothers that, because little lives were on the line, they wouldn't be on the boat.

They would be swimming next to it.

It really didn't take long for Berwald to get the boat into the water, Kiku and Gilbert both kept it still while they waited for Berwald to park and return. While they did that, Matthew, Liam, Alfred, and Peter were slowly getting undressed. Kiku was nice enough to provide them with plastic bags to put their clothes in. They all handed the bags to Kiku, who placed them on his boat.

By the time Berwald had made his way back Liam and Alfred were already in the water. Matthew was being polite and waiting for Peter, who seemed to be waiting for Berwald. Matthew hung back, awkwardly standing in his boxers, while he let Peter talk to Berwald.

"You promise you won't freak out?" Peter had innocently asked as he took Berwald's hand into his own.

Berwald blinked before his features softened ever so slightly. "I won't freak out." He promised in a soft voice as he patted Peter on the head.

Peter looked relieved before he took off like a rocket for the water. He ran with his arms out and just dive bombed right into the ocean. He splashed both Alfred and Liam causing both of them to yell out in alarm. There was a flash of green before Peter came back up. He immediately started to splash around with his tail.

Berwald looked shocked for a moment before regaining himself and going for the boat. He had to go into waist deep water and awkwardly climb up the boat with the help of Gilbert and Kiku.

"Mattie! C'mon!" Liam whistled sharply.

Matthew chuckled a little and started for the ocean. "I'm coming!" He jogged up the shoreline, ready to jump when-

"-Freeze."

Matthew did just that when he heard Máximo's voice. His blood turned ice cold. "Get your hands up." Máximo's voice was hard, but slightly shaking. Matthew slowly lifted his hands up just slightly.

"Máxi-" Gilbert was the one to speak from Kiku's boat.

"Why doesn't it surprise me you're involved Gilbert?" Máximo suddenly asked. "Just when I thought that maybe I could begin to trust you."

"Just hear us out!" Gilbert snarled.

"Save it." Emma barked and marched up to the shoreline. "Back-up is on its way. So you six just stay right where you are."

Before Matthew knew it one of his arms was harshly grabbed and he hissed out when Máximo forced his hands behind his back. "I see you found your brothers, Matthew." Máximo lightly hissed in Matthew's ear.

"Yeah… I did- ow…" Matthew hissed again when something hard and cold was slapped on his wrist. He found out what handcuffs did and he realized he didn't like it.

"-You know, you almost had me fooled. Almost." Máximo laughed. "Good thing Emma was with me otherwise who knows what would have happened."

"You think we're going after the children?" Matthew asked once Máximo's words sunk in.

"...As a cop? Yes."

"How about as Máximo?" Matthew challenged as he turned around. "The man who was nice enough to take me when I was vulnerable?"

"..." Máximo's mouth twitched a little and he scratched his face. "He doesn't quite know what to think yet. I know something is going on, Matthew. Are you a part of it? Or are you fighting it, is the question."

"Máximo, please, you just need to trust me." Matthew tried to beg. "I promise, we're not trying to hurt those children. We're trying to find them, just like the rest of you."

"How can I believe that when you clearly can't trust me."

"I trust you. I really, honestly, do. Máximo. You've done more for me than I can even fathom. It's… the others, I'm finding hard to trust right now."

"My coworkers?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Matthew couldn't answer. He couldn't answer for a handful of reasons, the biggest one being Emma. Was that actually Emma? Or was that Marius?

Was he even talking to Máximo right now? It was all so muddled and confusing.

"C'mon, asshat!" Gilbert angrily snarled from the boat. "My baby brother is on that ship! His husband is on that ship!-" Gilbert pointed to Berwald. "Do you really think we're going to hurt the children?!"

"-Okay… you have a good point there, Beilschmidt, so what was your goal exactly? Wander the ocean until you possibly find them?" Emma suddenly asked as she approached the shoreline. She had her arms over her chest, which was better than her having her hand on her gun. "That's foolish, also reckless if you're really bringing-... You must be Peter?" She crouched down and in a softer tone addressed Peter non threateningly. Peter responded by ducking down so low in the water so that only his eyes and the top of his head was visible. "Aren't you adorable?"

Alfred and Liam stayed by Peter's side and just watched Emma carefully. Because of this Emma looked from Liam to Alfred. "Regardless…" Emma switched back as she looked back over to the boat. "What was your plan here?"

"That's none of your business." Liam was the one to, bluntly, respond to her question. "Just know that we aren't the one you should be after-"

"Marius is-." Hearing Máximo mention Marius made Matthew shiver in fear. "-Right?" Máximo marched Matthew forward suddenly. Matthew gasped and stopped just before the tide could hit his feet.

Liam's eyes hardened and his eyebrows furrowed. "You don't want to get involved with our matters. So, just let my brother go and drop it now. I promise you, if you let us go we will bring the children back safely and you won't have to worry about it or us ever again."

"Officers, please." Kiku chimed in. "Listen to what he has to say. It's not worth getting involved. We can deal with it-"

"You're all civilians!" Emma hissed between her teeth. "Asking us to turn a blind eye to this? And to whoever this 'Marius' is is unacceptable! Not only that, but for you guys to know where these children are is just cruel to the parents and coast guard- No. I've heard enough. Off the boat and out of the water. Now." Emma huffed and unclipped her walkie talkie from her shoulder, ready to report them-

Then… things just happened so fast that Matthew couldn't process it all.

Kiku yelled out in alarm, and next thing Matthew knew he was suddenly pushed.

The problem arose when Matthew lost his balance and fell right into the water. He was too close to the shore and with his hands cuffed behind his back he couldn't swim. So, his horror grew when Arthur's magic kicked in and before he knew it his legs fused back together to form his tail while he was still on the shore.

Matthew turned his head to stare at Máximo and Emma. He expected them to be staring at him in complete and utter shock, but that wasn't the case. As Máximo was currently on the ground, Tolys was on top of him, his hands wrapped tightly around Máximo's neck.

Something told Matthew that Máximo wasn't Tolys's original target.

Emma was quick to action though. She grabbed Tolys by both of his arms and pulled him back with all of her tiny might. This caused Tolys to let go of Máximo, which was great, but unfortunately this caused him to focus on Emma instead. In one powerful swing of his arm, Tolys smacked Emma. Not with his hand but with his arm. She was thrown back in an instant.

Tolys then turned his gaze on Matthew. Now, Matthew never met Tolys, but Matthew was sure that Tolys didn't have the same blood red eyes that Marius has.

Matthew felt stuck in place. He couldn't swim, he'd sink without his hands to help him, not only that but being this close to the shore, there's no way he'd make it to the deep end, still that didn't stop him from trying to wiggle pitifully into the water.

A bucket was tossed at Tolys's head, and it not only hit him dead on, but it also landed perfectly on his head. That was when Matthew heard the splash, but before he could turn his head there was a flash and Gilbert instantly had an arm around Tolys's neck, while using his other arm to twist Tolys's right arm behind his back.

That was when Emma came to Gilbert's aid. All it took was one hit from her baton and Tolys went down. Emma chose to strike the bucket over Tolys's head, no doubt causing it to reverberate and vibrate so intensely that, if the hit to the back of the head wasn't enough, it alone caused Tolys's knees to give out.

Gilbert let go of Tolys in an instant, Tolys went down, screaming as he tried to clutch at his head in desperation. It almost made Matthew feel bad for him. And it made Matthew wonder if maybe, just maybe, that was what Tolys needed to come back.

Emma planted her foot on Tolys's back, successfully kicking him to the ground on his stomach.

"You okay, Máxi?" Gilbert walked away to let Emma deal with Tolys alone. Which was fine as she was just as swift to start putting him in cuffs.

Matthew was so enthralled in what he was seeing he failed to notice Liam. It was only when there was a sudden and impatient tug on the cuffs did he realize what was happening. "Not even you are strong enough to break these." Matthew found himself whispering to his brother.

"I'm afraid you're right…" He heard Liam sigh in annoyance.

"M-...Matthew?" He heard Máximo actually gasp out in slight shock. This made Matthew look away from Liam, who, like him, was sitting in the shallows. This meant that just like Matthew, all of Liam was visible for all to see.

"Sorry, Birdie-" Gilbert made an uncomfortable face."I tried to keep him distracted."

"Not your fault, Gil. I guess… It's best in the end?" Matthew found himself sighing in defeat. Máximo looked like he might pass out as he just stared intensely at Matthew's tail. A hand clamped over his mouth in shock. "Look, Máximo, I'm sorry. I really am, I hated having to lie to you, but you have to understand why I did it!"

"This...makes so much sense… and no sense at the same time!" Máximo suddenly exploded as he shut his eyes. "You knew nothing! Absolutely nothing, you didn't even know how to walk! When you and Liam were talking in the interrogation room you said things like: "He's on the land" or you'd just call us 'humans'. Ivan called it that something was wrong with you two and I opted to ignore it: Like an idiot!" Máximo went on a rant.

Emma was watching Matthew and his brother, he could see this, but she decided it'd be best if she stayed out of it and focused on taking the bucket off of Tolys's head. A wise choice.

"But… the ship? Your brothers?" Máximo pointed to Alfred and Peter. Peter had stuck closer to Berwald and Kiku's boat and because of this his confusion was more apparent.

"It's a long story, Máximo. One that-"

"-That we don't have the time to repeat right now." Liam hissed suddenly. "Listen, and listen well! We have an inkling where that boat may be! Yes, Marius is one of us! Marius is planning on murdering those children on that boat, do you understand!? We're trying to stop him and you're wasting our time!"

Matthew blinked in surprise when suddenly in a flash of green his hands were freed from behind his back. The cuffs were still attached to his wrists but the middle was broken- no...charred.

It took all but three seconds for it to sink in for not just Matthew, but Alfred, and Peter as well. They all shouted at once: "You have magic!?"

"Of course I have magic, you ding-a-lings! You act like Arthur didn't raise me! Now, enough asking questions! We have children to save!" With that shout of authority Liam dipped under the water and vanished from sight.

"Sorry, Máxi, I hope you understand why I have to do this!" Gilbert yelled as he darted from the shore and jumped onto Kiku's skiff boat. That's all Kiku needed to finally start the engine. Peter and Alfred both went under.

"I hope you'll forgive me for lying to you and… everyone else." Matthew almost whispered to Máximo. Matthew was ready to rush off and swim away.

"Wait!" Máximo's bark made Matthew stop for just a second.

"Máxi-" Matthew tried to argue, but suddenly his wrist was grabbed and before he knew it Máximo was unlocking the cuff around his wrist.

"These might slow you down." Máximo grunted out as he then reached over to unlock Matthew's other cuff. "Just… get those kids back safely, okay?"

Matthew nodded, first slowly then a little more faster and noticeable. "We will!"

"Birdie! C'mon!" Gilbert yelled and when Matthew looked back he saw the boat was leaving.

"Thank you, Máximo, for everything. Oh!... Here." Matthew paused and took the glasses off of his face and carefully folded them.

"Keep 'em. You need them."

"Not in the water."

"Matt-"

"Just-" Matthew, being sly, tucked the glasses into Máximo's shirt pocket. "-Keep them safe for when I come back." And with that Matthew took off before Máximo could stop him or give him his glasses back.

"Took you long enough." Liam grunted once Matthew was able to catch up with them.

"Sorry, just had to do something before I left."

"Hm."

"So, Liam-" Alfred slyly swam under Liam so he could be on Liam's right. "When exactly were you going to show us that you had magic?"

"Yeah! We had no clue!" Peter yelled.

Liam rolled his eyes. "Focus on leading the way, Peter. But if you three must know, I've always had magic. I just… don't like to use it."

"Why not! Magic is cool!" Peter once again yelled at Liam.

"Peter!"

"Yeah, yeah, focus on leading the way…"

"... Magic isn't 'cool'. At least not to me. Magic is part of the reason why Dad, Lukas, and Marius stopped being friends. Magic is possibly what caused Marius to go crazy and power hungry. I told dad after what happened with Petru… I don't want to focus on my magical abilities. I'd rather focus more on my physical strength if possible. Dad didn't want that. So, we had a compromise. I am to learn the basics and will only use my magic if there is no other option." Liam explained to them as they swam along.

Alfred and Matthew shared a look before nodding. "It makes sense." Matthew was the one to say it.

"Besides, I'm not comfortable with magic around dad… not after how he cursed Petru.." This sudden addition caused the twins to look at each other once again before focusing back at Liam.

Alfred spoke next. "Any particular reason why?"

"... I never told you guys how dad cursed Petru, did I?"

They both shook their heads and spoke in unison. "No."

"-I just assumed dad made him like...forever sick." Alfred mumbled.

Then Matthew joined in. "-I figured he was ill."

"You're both not wrong. Sickness, I do feel, is part of it. However; there's way more to it. Dad…I told you guys that dad took his anger out on Petru, right-?" Liam didn't wait for an answer as he just continued. "-Well… you see, Dad was growing wary of Marius and had a back up… an ultimatum if you would."

"What was it?" Alfred asked in a soft voice.

Liam started to ramble a bit. "Dad had planned this for Marius, and for reasons I will never understand he used it against Petru."

It was Peter that yelled in frustration. "What did he do!?"

"...He stripped Petru of his magic."