Chapter 25: Broken and Betrayed
Lee Chow and his gang arrived at the Wind Storm Dragon the next day of Prima's capture. They made their way to the hidden lab in the mountain where Boris was waiting for them.
"Hello, my friends. Look what our dear scientists are brewing," Boris said in a mocking voice.
He took out a small bottle from his pocket.
"The Elixir is finally ready," he said with a smile. "Come follow me, the room is set at the back of the lab."
So Lee Chow and Ray Kon followed Boris surrounded by his bodyguards to a little room cut out from the rest of the lab. Ray sent a nervous glance at the working scientists. He had never quite agreed on the principle of obliging people to work for them. But Lee and Boris had carefully explained to him, each time he made the remark, that scientists were non-believers but when they saw the product they would admit their work.
They entered the room furnished in a Louis XIV style with velvet chairs and painting on the ceiling. Boris ushered them to the sofa and he ordered some vodka to be brought. Then he himself settled in the armchair facing them.
"Ah, my friends, the end is approaching," Boris sighed. "Our glory is near."
When the vodkas arrived they clanked their glasses together.
"What about Tornatore?" Ray Kon asked.
"All settled, my dear Ray," Boris chuckled. "I've sent the order to destroy his little hide-out. The spies sent to spy on us are also being taken care of. Johnny will lead the two on his tracks to this very island where we will be ready to greet them. Besides he has given false information about us. Tornatore, if he survives, would still think that we'll attack on Election Day, but the poor man doesn't know…"
Lee and Ray nodded at each other. Whatever Boris said, it all seemed comforting.
"So… who's the ninja here?" Lee asked.
Boris howled with laughter.
"You cannot guess how Tornatore is stupid! He sent his own niece to the peril! Yes, yes it's señorita Prima we've got here. I dare say Dranzer will bring her in sooner or later."
There was a silence during which they drank up their glasses. Boris signaled for more to be brought.
"So, my dear Lee, are you ready to take the Elixir?" Boris asked with a cheesy grin.
Lee shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe after I have Asia all for myself."
Boris laughed.
"My good Lee, I think you would bewaiting too long. That day will never come."
"What?" Lee's tone suddenly changed. It had become shrouded with mist.
"What do you mean what?" Boris chuckled. "We all know that Hiwatari is going to take Asia, I America and MacGregor Europe."
"What?" Lee repeated.
Ray could see sweat forming on his forehead.
"I thought you knew!" Boris said innocently. "We had agreed on giving our financial supporters the Elixir and the Elixir only. Is it not enough, my dear Lee?" he added in a dangerous whisper.
Lee thought that it must have been the drink or whatever but normally no one dared speak after Boris had used that tone however Lee stood up in an uncontrollable rage and spat at Boris' feet.
"You, mother fucker! Financial supporter? I thought we were partners! I gave you more than money, I gave you my resort to hold your meetings, my men to serve your misdeeds. And you're just giving me an Elixir?"
Boris had remained calm throughout the outburst.
"An Elixir? I think you've misundertood-."
"I think you're the one who've misunderstood here!" Lee cut. "I wanted Asia and I clearly cited it to you!"
"I just happen to realize that you are too young to govern an immense continent," Boris said mildly.
"Too young? And you think that that half psychopath is more capable than me?"
"I think he is," Boris replied. "Voltaire Hiwatari has a great influence on people. They would bend instantly at his command."
"I've build my own FUCKING empire and you think I'm incapable!" Lee shouted.
"Enough of this nonsense, Lee. Do sit down."
There was a final tone in Boris' voice. Ray could sense that if Lee didn't calm down, then they were in for the big one.
Without answering, Lee spat on the floor.
"I'm not going to help you anymore, Boris. You have lost my recognition."
"And so have I you, my dear Lee."
Boris' guards suddenly appeared from nowhere and Lee realized his mistake.
"You're be sorry, Lee. You're be very sorry and so will be our sister and cousin and whatever family link you have."
Ray tried to fight the guards off but they were too many. Lee was staring right in Boris' eyes, like a man struck in the heart.
"Don't you touch my sister!" he shouted in a desperate voice.
"Already done," Boris said in a mocking apologetic voice, as he put his mobile phone back inside his chest pocket.
"Take them to the resort and lock them there," Boris ordered.
"Don't worry, Lee," Boris said as they were leaving. "You'll soon be joined by the loveliest of the ladies and who knows, many more friends and of course, your beloved sister."
Giovanni Tornatore's household was in great disorder. All the maids have been dismissed. Some said that an explosion had been occurred and the villa was falling apart. The master was on the phone all day, taking care of everything being packed and have his private jet ready. Lines of people with their belongings could be seen coming out of the villa.
The only ones who were given proper information were the ninjas left there. Hilary, Hiro, Mr. Granger, Tyson and Emily were summoned to the master's room where Kenny and the Tornatores were already waiting. Enrique ran into Hilary's arms and snuggled there without a word. Hilary could sense something very wrong was going to turn up.
"We're returning to Italy," the master said.
"What?" Hilary gasped.
Enrique tore himself away from her, his eyes gleaming with tears.
"We won't be able to see each other again, Joy," he said.
Hilary was speechless. Instead Tyson asked the question for her.
"Is it true about the explosion?" he asked.
To everyone's fear, the master nodded.
"I was there," Kenny explained. "Dizzi has suddenly turned blank and began counting down her auto-destruction… so now she… I…" his voice faltered, so much did he took liking in the A.I.
Emily put her arms around him in comfort.
"What about the others?" Hiro asked.
"We couldn't contact them. It's much too dangerous. I think the enemy had been spying on us. How? I don't know more than you do. Normally our headquarters are equipped with the highest security system. Unless we were sold out, there's no chance anyone can penetrate without us knowing." The last line was pronounced for Hilary and Tyson who had accidentally discovered the place many months ago.
The ninjas looked nervously at each other. Who had betrayed them?
"But I don't think there has been a traitor," Master Giovanni said slowly. "Because since Joseph's betrayal, I have put a systemon all of your watches, which I know you carry everywhere with you. If you do something without my permission, an alarm will set off and I will instantly know who it is and where they are."
"So, do you think the enemy has found out a way to enter?" Emily asked nervously.
"I'd prefer to think that." He paused. "I'm moving back to Italy. Our position is very dangerous for the moment. Balkov can attack anytime he wants. It'll be safer if we part. You all can go back to your homelands."
Hilary was crestfallen. What? Leaving Enrique, the villa, the Angelico mafia and all? And it was like her losing a job too.
"But, signor, we don't have anywhere else to go!" Tyson wailed. "I live here for, like since I was born!"
"Yes but before that. Your grandfather certainly knows."
Mr. Granger spoke for the first time.
"I remember leaving my family in Tokyo to come and work here. The family probably is no longer there but we three can always find a place to stay."
"What? You're leaving Signor Tornatore? I can't go to Japan! I've forgotten all the language." Tyson shouted.
Japan… Hilary suddenly thought of her father. She might be able to visit him, if Tyson went to live there. But what about Enrique? After what Tyson had said, she felt her heart quivering, not understanding her own feelings. Did she still love him? Or was it something else?
"I will leave a digital message for the ninjas who've managed to… come back, to tell them that the Angelico mafia is over," Giovanni said in a half choking voice. "We can still keep contacts, of course. Though it would be preferable to lay down for a while."
"But what about Balkov? What about his conquering the world?" Hilary demanded.
The master looked at her sadly.
"There's nothing we can do. Until we meet again, maybe we'll be just like other people, in Boris' society."
The words were bitter and hard to accept but everyone there felt as powerless.
"You still can't leave all the ninjas you've sent on mission!" Hilary insisted.
"They are tough people, I'm sure they would find a way out for themselves. As for Prima…" His voice faltered.
Enrique wasn't looking at anyone either. This was the worst moment in Hilary's life.
"Salima, Mariam, Max, Prima… you're abandoning all of them."
"Enough of this, Brown!" the master snapped. "I am your master and I command you to leave and best not to interfere with any more of other people's lives!"
"Padre!" Enrique reproached him but he too was having tears in his eyes.
"Go. Just go," the master's final word set the ex-ninjas away.
Away from the villa, away from all the adventures.
"Hilary!"
Enrique caught up with her at the grand entrance. He ran up to her, his features still handsome though saddened. Hilary thought that he looked like a tragic hero.
"I want you to keep this," he said and took out his ring for her.
It was a plain silver ring but inside it had 'Enrique' carved in it.
"Till we meet again, dearest Joy," he whispered as she took the ring from him.
"I… thanks, Rique," Hilary said, unable to think of another thing to say.
"I will always love you." He leaned closer, his lips parched ready to kiss her.
Suddenly Tyson appeared from the stairway. Hilary pushed Enrique back and gripped his hand.
"Bye, Rique. I hope we meet again."
And she turned around without looking back.
