Chapter 32 - Betrayal
Island X: September 30th

It took less than a day for Fantômas to gather the required evidence against Nyctalope. He was pleased with his fortune. A thorough search of his room alone had provided him with the evidence he needed. He could prove he was right, and he knew who he had to convince. He took his findings to Lupin at once.

What Fantômas had collected were a series of letters of great interest and the keys to Armand's room. It was all the evidence that Fantômas could produce for the time being and it certainly made a more believable motive and stronger evidence. This, along with the previous evidence of Nyctalope's clothes, had to be more than enough to change Lupin's opinion.

Fantômas found Lupin in his room, working at his desk. The door was wide open.
"Lupin," Fantômas inquired, standing at the doorway.
"Something I can help you with, Monsieur?" Lupin asked without looking up.
"I found several articles of interest in Saint-Clair's room. I think you ought to see these for yourself." Fantômas explained, shutting the door behind him. Lupin paused in his work and looked up at his hidden face.

"That is all well and good, but you know Robur wants me to have no more involvement in this. I'm to focus on Captain Nemo's welfare and work rate."
Fantômas made a scoffing sound "Since when did Arsène Lupin care for the rules?"
"I don't, but for the sake of the mission, I've deemed it to be best. Much to my own amazement, I'm on thin ice."

Fantômas handed Lupin the keys he had found. "Think of it as my asking for a second opinion. You wanted more proof, then I give it to you. I know this affair troubles you."
"In that case…" Lupin rose from his seat and moved to stand beside him. "Where did you find these?"
"In Nyctalope's possession: hidden in the guttering of his balcony. A strong rainfall would have washed them away."

Lupin shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but Fantômas raised his hand. "I know what you will say- that they could be planted, but I must disagree. These were to be disposed of with minimum chance of discovery by another party."
"I was going to say how on Earth did you find them in that case?"
"Admittedly, chance. I'd climbed back up on the roof to see what you had seen, and as I came down, there they were, as close to the pipe as anyone could reach to put them."

Lupin sat back down, his posture straighter than before and almond-shaped eyes wide. "Is there more?"

He nodded, handing the papers over to the thief. Fantômas waited as Lupin skimmed his eyes across the first page. "These are from the government ordering Robur to take Nyctalope into our group." He turned the page "And Robur was none too happy about it. He didn't want him and he had no intention of going after Khan in return for his services."

A light seemed to switch on in Lupin's eyes. "And Nyctalope had these?"
"Yes. He'd pulled a piece of the skirting board off the wall and was able to hide them behind it."
"Well, you're certainly thorough," Lupin smirked.
"I know what to look for. I noticed there was dust on the floor and scuff marks where he'd pulled a chest across, evidently to keep it in place."

Lupin was surprised, "Well by Jove, I'm glad Robur has you looking into things."
"You're out of practice, Lupin." Fantômas jibed, but with more of a teasing intention. "And yet I will say Robur was unprecedented in not letting you look into this matter any more."
Lupin shrugged "I'm surprised to see you agree with me. This whole affair is frustrating, to say the least. Though it has meant I can pay extra attention to Nemo. Someone has to remember our original purpose."

Silence tried to stumble across them. Fantômas asked, "Did you already know this- that Robur didn't want Nyctalope?"
Lupin nodded. "Robur told me that he did not want Nyctalope to be part of Les Hommes Mystérieux. But I did not expect for his reluctance to have been so great. I hadn't expected for him to argue against the government that's for certain."
Lupin narrowed his brow "If Nyctalope found out that Robur had no intention of going after Sadi Khan…"
"It may have been enough to make him angry, maybe even loathsome." Fantômas looked down at the letters. "And when Robur and Nyctalope argued. He may have felt enough was enough. He wasn't going to work for Robur for nothing."

"It is possible. Nyctalope told me they argued over Robur placing the flags and that evolved into Robur criticising his decisions when he went to get his father's work back. You said yourself things got heated on board," Lupin explained. "But he could have lied to me about what the argument was about. It may be worse than we anticipate."
"There's no way of telling. I believe he targeted Robur's son as revenge. A punishment worse than his own death," Fantômas said.
Lupin nodded, stunned at what was unravelling before him.

Lupin struggled to deny the facts that were laid in front of him. "I just… fail to believe Nyctalope would do something like this. Even with the motive, some pieces of this puzzle don't make sense. And where does Nemo fit amongst all this..."

"Nemo is irrelevant," Fantômas grumbled. "I understand what I say is not a full motive, but we both know that Nyctalope would retaliate. He is not as gold-hearted as you all think. You know what happened when he fell into enemy hands on his first assignment. That is enough to change anyone's mentality- especially that of a young man. He is more violent and angry from what I hear."

"I'd imagine so…"

Fantômas paced "Lupin it all makes sense now, surely! He felt used and was put in great danger for nothing. That, along with other factors, has driven him onwards and every failure has only made him angrier. Believe me, Lupin, they are guilty- all four of them."
"Yes... Yes, I suppose you're right. I admit I have... been mistaken." Lupin frowned. "But upon my word he had such an innocent look about him. To have hidden all of this…"
Fantômas couldn't help but note the tinge of doubt that remained in his voice. "All the best ones do," he muttered.
"Indeed, thank you for showing me these," Lupin continued.

Fantômas nodded. "I'm sorry for the disillusion you had about the boy. I suppose he's just a criminal like the rest of us."
Lupin shrugged, handing him the papers back. "It happens. At least you have been here to correct me before anything irreversible occurred."
"I advise you not to tell Robur about this. Not only because he did not want me to tell you any of my findings, but I fear for his temper also. I struggled to persuade Robur only to arrest Nyctalope… If I tell him of more evidence yet, it might feed the flames, rather than diminish them." Fantômas went to the window and looked out upon the dreary land. Lupin had to agree with the reasoning. What a mess this was turning out to be!

Lupin nodded silently; sullenly. He was then left alone with these thoughts as Fantômas disappeared. The thief got up and closed the door. He sat down again with his hands on his head, leaning on the table.

Lupin thought back to what Nemo had told him, how Robur was a self- centred monster. Had Lupin allowed himself to believe that Armand changed things? But what was it that seemed so… off? Even though he had said otherwise, his gut still told him that this wasn't quite as Fantômas proposed. Lupin never argued against his gut, for he knew of its reliability. There was more to this, and he was powerless to look into it, at least for now.

Lupin sighed in frustration. For every answer he found, a handful more took their place. He knew that he had to find the right path- to start asking and answering the right questions. Time was pressing and Lupin knew that he had to be ready. His gut warned him a vicious storm had been brewing for far too long… and he dreaded its upcoming arrival. Something or someone was going to snap.

Despite Fantômas' warning, he got up. He needed to talk to Robur.

Island X: Continued

Robur wasn't in the mood to have to justify himself to his second in command, but Lupin was set on trying to dig for nonexistent answers. Lupin had not been coming to see him over the last few days, so Robur was surprised when he did show up that night. All the same, it was an unwelcome change.

"What do you want this time, Lupin?" Robur asked tiredly, sitting behind his desk in his office.
The thief walked over to Robur's work area and simply replied "Answers."
"To which questions?"
"All of them. Why are you so convinced Nyctalope is responsible for this?"

"Have you been asleep for the last month? You know exactly why I find him guilty."
"And yet it could just as easily have been someone else. What do you have against that boy- before any of the attempts?"
"I've already told you to keep out of this. I didn't want him as part of the Mysterious Men. I won't tell you anymore."

"You knew fine well that the Mysterious Men would split in two when you arrested him and his friends," Lupin accused.
Robur did not seem fazed if anything he looked amused. "The Mysterious Men physically cannot split; they are stuck on an island until I decide otherwise. Not that I know what split you speak of. You're alone in this, Lupin. Everyone else has accepted his guilt."

"Robur, why are you being so irrational, and I don't just mean this business with Nyctalope?"
Robur furrowed his brow "I don't follow you."
"My opinion used to be crucial to you, but now you treat me like I'm a common fool. You cut me from this investigation! Do you think I'm defending that boy because I like him? I am doing it because the evidence simply does not add up. None of you have thought this all the way through- you're acting on impulse and not out of logic." Lupin paused and settled himself as his red raw anger tried to flare up again.

With a deep breath, he resumed "It's been three days now. Why are you insistent on keeping those three locked up? Our focus was on Nemo and now we're fighting like animals! How long is this going to go on for?"
"We're off track because of Nyctalope. You are the one who is lengthening the duration of the commotion, Lupin. We caught who was responsible, now leave it."
"No," Lupin said defiantly, clenching one of his fists. The sapphire ring on his hand gave him something to direct his frustration onto. "You're hiding something about Nyctalope-"

Just then, Robur's son came running into the room, throwing the door open and caring not for manners. He was soaking wet from the heavy rain outside. Lupin guessed he was in so much of a hurry he had not picked up his coat.
"Armand, what are you doing?" Robur demanded, not used to his son entering in such a way.

"The Nautilus! She's surfaced near the Island- I only just spotted her. She'll be here in a few minutes!"
"You're sure-"

There was no further warning. They couldn't brace themselves for the almighty explosion that shook their bones and rattled their teeth. Armand managed to grab onto the doorframe to steady himself. "They're firing at us!" the young boy exclaimed.

Robur took charge. "Lupin, secure the prisoners. Your priority is Nemo and Nemo alone. Armand, stay here. I want you safe. If you have to leave here keep well away from the Albatross and the cells."
"But-" his son began.
"Armand, this is too dangerous. Nyctalope may have told Nemo you're my son and he gets a hold of you, he'll kill you. Now stay where it's safer. I'll get Turner to come and get you," Robur insisted, raising his voice ever so slightly.

"Yes, sir," Armand said quietly, his shoulders drooping.

Robur then left. If he didn't move the Albatross then there would be another explosion. The ship wasn't filled with gas, but it was those powerful engines that Robur was wary of. That ship was their main exit and Robur didn't doubt they knew it.

Now it was a race against time. The League would ruin everything.

The Nautilus, Island X: Continued

The conning tower had barely drained itself of water when an almighty rumble echoed throughout the water. The noise was so loud and sudden that all of the League startled. For a moment Mina's eyes flashed red, ready for danger. Quatermain's hand fired towards his gun but he opted to leave it in his belt.
"What was that?" Sawyer exclaimed, running over to the observation window. Even being under the water, he could make out a flash of an explosion on the Island. "We haven't just shot at them, have we?!"
"I don't think so. Come on, we'll have to find Pavan. I think we've just lost our element of surprise," Quatermain grumbled.

Mina glanced at Skinner, staring out the observation window. She could see him wringing out his hands, the anxiety obvious. His nervousness towards fire had not improved as much as he had wanted. He wore a grim expression about his face. She sent him a fearless and supportive look. Skinner swallowed hard. Things were getting desperate already.

Island X: Continued

Coughing as the dust filled his lungs, Lupin hurried to his room. He was almost there when he realised the ceiling above him was cracked and uncertain. The lights had broken, filling the room with darkness. He could see only silhouettes. Dust and dirt escaped the little cracks and trickled down onto him. Lupin rushed to get his gun, even if he did hate using it.

Against what Armand said, Lupin was sure the explosion had come from within the fortress. It was not the League or any other outsider. Had it been the Nautilus, he doubted the explosion would make it so far down into the building. The traitor had struck again, this time he was struck hard, aiming to cause as much damage as possible, caring not for who got caught amongst it. He couldn't help but wonder if it was Nyctalope or if he was trapped in his cell.

Just as Lupin rounded the corner to enter his room he was met with the swing of a plank of wood. His mind didn't register it in time and he staggered sideways as it hit him in the head.

A second blow was on its way. Lupin struggled to see it but brought his arms up to shield his face. The force still rattled him.

Lupin ducked under the third swing and leapt at his attacker's knees. They both fell to the floor, and the other dropped their weapon. Lupin looked up at his attacker and froze. Even with no light, he could tell who it was.
"Nyctalope?" he exclaimed. "You?!" Nyctalope grabbed something from his pocket and plunged it into the top of Lupin's shoulder. He gasped and pulled out the needle. At once, shadows plagued his body.

" …"

Nyctalope managed to free himself enough to land a good few blows at the thief's head and face as he did so. Lupin's vision was well and truly swimming as his eyes watered. Lupin hastily wiped them as best he could, but that, along with the dust and the dark practically rendered him blind. His body was very slowly growing numb, heavy, tired. Nyctalope must have drugged him.

"I want an easy kill. Surely you can't be that surprised?" Nyctalope muttered as he stood up, leaving Lupin on the floor stunned and dazed. The many hits to the head left him feeling disorientated. Nyctalope went over to the door and closed it. Lupin could taste blood in his mouth and felt a sting in his lip from the punches.

"I've been wrong before," Lupin muttered, wiping his lip with his thumb and trying to sit up. Nyctalope stepped forwards and grabbed the neck of his shirt. Lupin had enough time to bring his foot between them both. As Nyctalope sent another blow towards him, Lupin was able to push him away with a strong kick in the gut. He scrambled to his feet, trying to shake off his dizziness.

Nyctalope came at him again and Lupin swung at him, right into his cheek with a satisfying smack. The force of the blow, along with the ring on Lupin's finger was enough to take a chunk of skin off Nyctalope's jaw. He staggered back again.

With wobbly but certain strides, Lupin approached Nyctalope, hands up and ready. He was still able to see enough to know where his opponent was standing but he was at a disadvantage. Nyctalope could see in the dark, whereas Lupin could not. Nyctalope brandished a knife and seemed eager to use it. Lupin could not mistake its shape or cruel glimmer in the faintest light. Two stood for a moment, catching their breath. For a long moment, nothing else mattered- it was just him and the young man who wanted him dead.

Nyctalope struck out first, swinging for Lupin's chest with the knife. Lupin jumped back to dodge and then forwards with fierce agility. He struck him hard in the face and lunged at him, pinning him against the wall, he grabbed Nyctalope's wrists, pressing his fingers right into the pressure points. Nyctalope snarled, kneeing him and trying to headbutt him in a bid to free himself. Lupin worked through the pain and squeezed tighter and tighter until the knife fell out of his hand. He had to sort this before that drug could take full effect.

Now disarmed, Lupin struck out. He elbowed Nyctalope on the side of his face, making his head snap to the side. The skin surrounding Nyctalope's eye would soon start to change colour and swell. Lupin needed to get him to the floor, but Nyctalope knew exactly what he wanted- and he had no intention of allowing it. He managed to turn Lupin around as they grappled, slamming him against the wall, and he was able to disengage.

The two continued their fistfight for a few moments, Lupin couldn't keep up with Nyctalope's skill. He was too fast, too strong. He held nothing back. Lupin was feeling the effect of the strikes and the needle plagued him but focused on keeping Nyctalope away from that knife, and looked hard for an opportunity to use his Ju-Jitsu. Could he reach the door?

Lupin landed a kick at the centre of his stomach but it did little other than push him back. Nyctalope ran at him, tackled him with as much force as he could muster, bringing his shoulder directly into Lupin's gut. Lupin had neither the time nor space to evade. The couple smashed into the wall, a loud thud echoing off the surrounding walls. All of the momenta slammed into Lupin's stomach and ribs. Nyctalope kept punching him after that, driving him to the ground. He wouldn't let up, refused to stop.

Lupin groaned as he slid down the wall and to the floor, winded and curled up as he struggled to protect himself, to recover. Eventually, the blows stopped. He saw Nyctalope standing watching him, his chest heaving, though it seemed to shudder with anger. Shadows clouded Lupin's vision. He tried to shake himself out of it, but that made him feel worse. He didn't have long.

"Not bad at all, Nyctalope... Not bad at all," Lupin commented weakly from the ground. "So you've finally shown your cards... Why do you want me out of the picture?"
"I'm here to kill you, not for conversation," Nyctalope replied darkly.
"My goose… is. isn't cooked just yet."

Before he could continue the thought, Nyctalope scooped up the knife from the ground. Lupin tried to scramble away but he grabbed a fistful of Lupin's hair. He pulled upwards, dragging Lupin half up to his feet. The thief ended up on one knee. Gritting his teeth, Lupin tried, but couldn't get to the pressure point on Nyctalope's wrist.
"Yes, it is."

Lupin tried to get to Nyctalope's elbow to attack another pressure point but he had no time. Nyctalope pulled his head backwards and sent a fist holding the knife into his nose. The blade didn't touch him though he felt a resounding crack. Even more blood began to flow down Lupin's face.

Lupin yelled as he acknowledged the pain. He could hardly reach to swing for Nyctalope due to the position he was forced to maintain. One hand scrambled to find a way of freeing his hair. He could only try to hit him in the liver but Nyctalope gave him little chance to do even that. He was too careful.

He had one other choice. Lupin reached down into the ground and seized a handful of dust. He launched it into Nyctalope's eyes. Blinded and losing patience Nyctalope swung at him with the knife. Lupin threw himself back despite the pain of his hair, saving his throat but the blade still slashed his chest, causing the thief to cry out again. Nyctalope punched him in the throat and threw Lupin to the ground, cutting off his cry.

Nyctalope watched as Lupin gasped for air. Lupin held his chest as his face was contorted in pain. He looked up at him with a cold and yet watery glare. Lupin couldn't keep this up and Nyctalope knew it. He looked down at his chest and moved his hand away an inch. He was not pleased with the blood he found dripping from his fingers.

Lupin coughed in a bid to catch his breath. "By Jove, with your prey before you go in for the kill- I think... you've been spending too much time with Fantômas."
"I've often wondered if you really are as optimistic as they say you are when faced with death," Nyctalope taunted.
"Yes, well, you always bow before… before curtain," Lupin coughed, with a defiant smirk.
"You won't be smiling when I'm through with you."

Lupin hardened his glare and forced himself to his feet as Nyctalope approached again, blade at the ready. He swayed badly, his legs were wobbly. He was not going to let him get away with this. He wasn't going to die because he'd been tricked and ambushed when everyone else had insisted on his guilt. That was just a joke in bad taste. Lupin kicked at Nyctalope, hitting him square in the chest, pushing him away again rather than striking. His opponent stumbled backwards; tripped over some rubble; and landed on Lupin's bed. Lupin nearly fell over with the force.

The ceiling above them cracked and groaned, parts of it even gave way. Lupin took his chance and staggered out of the room, clinging to his worst felt injuries. Nyctalope went after him with a murderous gleam in his eyes. It was then that the ceiling completely gave up. Stones began building up between the two of them, refusing them the option of continuing their duel. Lupin threw himself into another corridor, wrapping himself up in his blazer jacket as he began to feel the cold. Nyctalope had to run backwards, past Lupin's room and in the direction of the cells.

Lupin was not safe yet however, the rubble chased after him, snapping at his heels like a stampede. Lupin finally crumpled to the floor unmoving and unconscious, and rocks fell upon him. The bottom half of his body was buried in debris.

He was left at the mercy of fate.