A/N: Oh my gosh guys! I am so sorry this took so long! I'm like sooo many days late past the deadline I promised and I apologize! It's been a cluster of work and school and trying to word this chapter just right. Speaking of which, I apologize in advance for the epic fail of Spanish translation that is included in the past chapters. Spanish isn't my strongest subject, and I blame my Google Translate for any inaccuracies that might occur lol. So yeah…Umm…as for what to expect, all I can say is…Hope for the best and try not to hate me! Lol
Not too far off from the volcano, a distressed man who was now leader of the Green Eyed tribe paced back and forth anxiously as he tried desperately to think of a plan to rescue his people. The sacred Green Eyes camp fire that was lit with its dazzling emerald colored smoke filling the atmosphere and specialized scent meant to bring comfort to his soul, did just the opposite as he thought about the many casualties that fell victim to the sudden ambush, as well as the many lives that were still at stake. All of a sudden, one of his men ran up to him in a panic.
"Sire! Sire! Tienes que venir rápidamente! (You must come quickly!)"
"What is it?" Roberto replied somberly.
"A fowl has just appeared out of nowhere! It appears to have something in its mouth…Shall I tell the others to prepare for a quick feast?"
"What?! ¡Absolutamente no! (Absolutely not!)" Roberto exclaimed. "Bring the bird to me!"
Two of his guards brought the pigeon that held a piece of paper in its mouth to their leader.
"This bird looks familiar to me…" Roberto mused quietly as he held the bird. "It would seem that he is carrying a message."
"I worry Sire. What if this is a trick from Los Diablos made to capture us all?!" One of his guards asked skeptically as he glared at the little pigeon.
"Fear not my friend! If that is the case, then I am sure we can put the feathered decoy to good use…in our stomachs!" Another guard reassured cheerfully.
As if he could understand their language, the bird started to flap his wings frantically in a panic, dropping the piece of paper he held in his beak. Before Roberto could glare at his men, his eyes widened as he suddenly remembered something.
"Wait a minute! There is only one bird that I know who goes in such a frenzy when threatened to be eaten! Pal-Pal! Is that you?"
The bird landed gracefully on Roberto's outstretched finger, cooing softly.
"It is you mi amigo emplumado! (My feathered friend) I am so glad you are safe! Wait, this must mean that you know where Maria, Arnold, and the others are yes?!"
The bird then cooed and gently pecked at his hand which still held the piece of paper.
"Oh right! You brought a message." Roberto unraveled the folded piece of paper and scanned through its contents; his facial expression changing from confusion, to surprise, to anger, and finally to determination.
"Ronda de los guardias rápidamente. Tenemos que ir al volcán más adelante inmediatamente! (Round the guards up quickly. We must go to the volcano up ahead immediately!)"
"But Sire, how do we know this is not what that evil bastardo wants?!" One of the guards protested.
"This message is sincere. In fact, it was written by the chosen one himself." Roberto replied as he unsheathed his sword.
"Forgive us for questioning you, much more so the chosen one if it is truly him…but how do you know for sure it is from him?" Another guard asked.
"The Spanish lettering…It is a dead giveaway." Roberto replied, letting his guards read over it.
"…I can barely understand this! There are so many mistakes!" A guard exclaimed as he let another guard read it.
"¡Tienes razón! Es terrible. (You're right! It's terrible)" Another guard nodded.
"Si. Although he has spent quite some time here in San Lorenzo, his Spanish has yet to improve, much more so his writing. So like I said, dead giveaway." Roberto deadpanned. "Now let us go! There is no time to waste!"
Meanwhile back in the secluded part of the inactive volcano, Arnold looked out of the small window where the pigeon took off, in hopes that he would soon return. Maria sighed as she walked up to him.
"Arnold…Are you still waiting for that bird to come back? I admire your hopefulness, but this is no time to look on the bright side. We're lucky that the meeting is lasting as long as it is! We need to come up with a plan to get out of here! The more you continue to sit there, the more our lives, especially the children here, are at risk!"
"You think I don't know that?!" Arnold snapped, but then softened. "I'm sorry…You're right. It's just that I know Pal-Pal's a smart bird and that Roberto can't be too far off from our location and…I-I just couldn't help but hope that...well maybe..."
"I know. I wish for that too." Maria started softly, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Nothing would make me happier than to see him again…W-with the rest of the Green Eyes who escaped with him of course!" Maria rushed just as she saw Arnold give his half-lidded smirk.
All of a sudden, they heard a truck's engine coming towards their direction. Arnold and Maria looked at each other in alarm, but with determination.
"Quick! Keep the children and everyone safe! I'm going to check out what's going on!" Arnold ordered.
"But Arnold-Ugh…Just-please be careful!" Maria relented, knowing that there was no way she could stop him from heading into danger.
After Arnold gave her a quick nod, he disguised himself as one of Los Diablos' guards once more and ran outside the volcano's entrance.
…Only to be held at sword point by multiple guards that just so happened to have green eyes…
He gulped.
"¡Deténgase! ¡Deténgase! Cese y desista (Stop! Stop! Cease and desist)" Roberto called out from among his guards.
"But Sire he is one of them!" One Green Eyes called out.
"No. He is one of us. I can spot that shape of a head from miles away." Roberto smirked.
"I would say something against that, but right now I'm too happy and relieved to retort!" Arnold smiled back and hugged his friend.
"I'm so glad you're safe Roberto…"
"And I wish I could say the same for you mi amigo…no offense, but you look like serious mierda (sh**)" Roberto remarked.
"It's been rough…to say the least…" Arnold replied bitterly.
"…And Maria? I-is she safe?" Roberto asked softly.
Arnold blew out the breath he was holding in and shook his head slightly before looking back at Roberto. Before he could say anything in reply, Maria stormed upon them.
"Arnold! Are you alright?! What is taking so long?! We are running out of-"She froze on the spot once she saw Roberto. Part of her wanted to run straight into his arms, but the other part of her kept flashing back to what happened, making her expression go as hard as steel.
"…I see reinforcements have come after all. Good. There is no time to waste. Los Diablos will be ending his meeting at any time. We need to get everyone to safety inmediatamentei (immediately)." Maria stated seriously and headed back into the volcano to gather all the children together.
"…Uh I missed you too? And nice to see that you're alright?!" Roberto called out to her with his eyebrow raised. Though it sounded like he was joking, Arnold could immediately tell that he was slightly insulted at the cold shoulder treatment.
"Just…go easy on her Rob...She-she's been through a lot too."
"I did not notice." Roberto spat dryly, but then softened while shaking his head. "W-what the he** happened to her Arnold?"
Arnold sighed, but before he could say anything else, Maria ran past them, opening the back of the truck.
"Good. It's big enough for all of our people. How were you able to confiscate one of Los Diablos' trucks?" Maria asked causally.
"…Maria-"Roberto started.
"-You're right, there will be plenty of time for explanations later. Right now, we've got people to save. Give me a hand here will ya?"
"I'm on it." Arnold stated and rushed into the volcano to retrieve some of the kids to put them in the back of the truck.
Roberto only shook his head at both of them before helping out as well.
Once Arnold and Maria were able to set all the children free from their cells, they quickly worked towards all of the adults using the spare keys from the guards they took out earlier. Roberto and the rest of his men wasted no time in making sure they were all piled inside of the large semi-truck. After ordering one of his men to drive the truck and take the people into a place of safety where they could get help, Roberto noticed Arnold trying to console Alejandro and encouraging him to go with his family. The little boy protested, saying that he wanted to stay and be brave to fight and protect him, but Arnold would not have it. Nonetheless, Roberto also knew the little boy and how stubborn he could be. He figured that Arnold trying to convince him to get in the vehicle was going to take a while and decided to confront Maria in the meantime.
"Maria?" Roberto called out softly, making the Hispanic woman jump and curse in Spanish.
"You should know better not to sneak up on me like that Roberto!" She glared.
"My apologies. I just wanted to see h-how you were doing?"
"An insane monster slash vicious killer psychopath killed a vast majority of our people, captured, tortured, and nearly killed Arnold, and his life along with many others are still at risk. How do you think I am doing?" Maria deadpanned with a scowl.
Roberto couldn't help but frown when she mentioned Arnold. The pang of jealousy hit him as it did so many times before.
He looked over to glare at his friend, only to soften at the sight of him hugging the little boy and giving him his trademark smile of hope and reassurance before helping him into the truck.
"It would seem to me that he is faring as best as he can despite circumstances. My main concern however is you."
"I'll be just fine as soon as we get out of this agujero del infierno (hellhole)." Maria replied abruptly without looking at him, walking away to check the other cells and make sure that they did not leave anyone behind.
Roberto was not deterred however and followed her.
"Maria. I know you. You are putting up a defensive front which means that something severe must have happened. There is no need to act tough with me. I mean, come on! This is me you are talking to here! Do not shut me out! Talk to me!" Roberto pleaded softly.
"There is nothing to discuss! I am on edge because Arnold's life is in danger and so are so many othe-"
"-This does not concern him! Will you stop bringing him into the subject?!" Roberto cut her off in frustration, while raising his voice.
"-How stupid are you?! This has everything to do with him! Los Diablos was not just a member of Las Sambra's goons, he is his son! And he has a pointless yet violent vendetta against him and wants to see him suffer for the he** of it, starting with viciously attacking the ones that are closest to him, stripping away all dignity in any way he can!" Maria shouted back.
Roberto went quiet for a moment, ashamed at how little he knew of the situation and the lack of compassion he held for one of his closest friends. However, once he fully processed Maria's response, his eyes widened.
"…He went after you didn't he? What did he do?" Roberto asked softly.
"I have no time for this nonsense. We must hurry back to Arnold now." Maria replied firmly.
"Maria-"
"Don't. Roberto! I said drop it!" Maria snapped as she turned to walk away. Roberto then gently caught her by the wrist, continuing to plead with her.
Maria please wai-"
"OBTENGA SU MANO OFF DE ME pervertido VILE! ¡NO MÁS! (GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME YOU VILE PERVERT! NO MORE!)" She screamed at him furiously, wrenching her wrist from his grasp and attacking him full force with multiple punches and blows until she froze in horror and realization of what she had done.
"R-Roberto…I-I'm so sorry! I-I can explain…"
Roberto, still in shock, ignored his now bleeding lip and noticed the purple colored bruises on her wrist, arms, and how it continued to align her body despite the baggy soldier clothes that covered her. He also noticed, despite her voice that roared like a lioness, the fear in her green eyes, along with the inspiring sparkle that once lit up in her orbs like a fire, gone completely.
That was when he knew…
"Ese. Hijo. De. Puta. (That. Son. Of. A. Bi***)" He thought as his whole body shook with rage.
"R-Roberto I-" Maria started softly.
"-You are right." Roberto stated in a robotic yet soft like tone of voice, trying to keep the bitter strain and urge to cry out of it. "W-we must get back to Arnold…Perhaps he has a plan in mind for the next phase now that our people are headed to safety." He tried to smile at her in reassurance, but it came out as a straight face. But his eyes spoke volumes.
Before he could run off to find Arnold, Maria grabbed his hand softly.
He turned to look at her, hoping that his despair wasn't obvious, only to be caught off guard with the power of her soft, helpless, broken, yet compassionate gaze directed at him, as she softly grazed his hands with her thumbs, and managed to smile.
No words needed to be said as a tear fell from his eye at the sight of her opening her arms to him.
He softly walked into them, holding her as if she could break at any moment. She tightened her grip, letting a few tears fall from her eyes, until she realized they were both crying softly in each other's arms.
"¡Lo siento! No pude protegerte...(I am so sorry! I failed to protect you...)" Roberto cried.
"No. No. Por favor, no te culpes. No había nada que pudieras haber hecho...(No. No. Please do not blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done...)" Maria sighed shakenly. "I am sorry however, for my behavior towards you…It is unforgivable and-"
"No! Don't you dare apologize! You have done nothing wrong!" Roberto stated firmly.
"Are you sure? It looks like I busted your lip pretty badly…It must be painful…" Maria gently touched his bleeding lip, making him wince for a moment.
"It fails in comparison…believe me…" Roberto replied lowly.
"Roberto…"
"I promise, form this second forth, I swear on my life to protect you Maria. No harm shall come to you as long as I am around ever again." Roberto passionately swore, while slightly tightening his hold on her.
"Wha-I-I don't understand…Why do you care so much? Why have you always cared so much?" Maria asked him as she suddenly became lost in his bright jade eyes. She didn't notice her face moving closer to his or vice versa.
"B-because I-"
They got closer…
"I-I lo-love-I've always…loved…"
The sentence hung as they felt each other's' breath on their lips…
"Guys! The truck finally left! Everyone's safe now!" Arnold called out excitedly, until he noticed his friends cuddled closer than what normal personal space allowed.
"I-I'm sorry am I interrupting something?" Arnold replied, not tearing his wide eyes away from his friends, as they also froze on the spot...
…Only to jump apart as if they were suddenly set on fire.
"¡¿QUÉ?! ¡POR SUPUESTO QUE NO! ¿Por qué usted ser cualquier cosa INTERRUMPIR?! (WHAT?! OF COURSE NOT! WHY WOULD YOU BE INTERRUPTING ANYTHING?!)" Roberto shouted nervously while blushing.
"NO HAY NADA PARA INTERRUMPIR! No es lo que parece! ¡EN ABSOLUTO! (THERE IS NOTHING TO INTERRUPT! I-IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! AT ALL!)" Maria shouted as well while blushing.
"YES S-SHE WAS JUST COLD! IT IS COLD IN THIS CAVE-I MEAN VOLCANO! A-AND I WAS JUST PROVIDING NECESSARY WARMTH!" Roberto added.
"SI! NECESSARY WARMTH! CAUSE I-I WAS COLD! H-HE WAS COLD TOO! IN THE VOLCANO! THE CLIMATE IS HARSH AND BRUTAL! " Maria confirmed.
"It's a volcano…And it's like 80 degrees outside, how can you guys be cold?" Arnold raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"WE JUST ARE!" They both shouted in unison.
"Whatever you say." Arnold chuckled as he shook his head.
"Enough of this. We must move on to the next phase now that our people are safe." Roberto declared with authority."
"Si. I have no doubt that Los Diablos' meeting will soon be coming to a close; so we must act quickly." Maria replied in the same tone.
"I'm way ahead of you. Meet me by their main supply closet. I found something that should be useful." Arnold replied seriously.
Once they arrived at the closet, Roberto and the men that stayed behind with him were all amazed to see all of the heavy artillery.
"There is enough weapons and gadgets in here to start a new world war!" He mused.
"Which makes me wonder if that was the next part of his purpose after disposing of Arnold." Maria added as she examined on of the machine guns and noticed the barrels of gun powder and dynamite.
"I'd wager a yes on that; especially after finding this." Arnold stated as he brought forth a heavy piece of material strapped with wires, dynamite, and certain buttons.
And it was currently making a faint beeping sound.
Maria and Roberto jumped back immediately holding each other in a panic. "Arnold! That's a bomb!" They cried in unison, but then quickly released each other.
"I gathered. It's pretty small though. It's nothing nuclear, and it's sure not enough to blow up San Lorenzo as a whole, but it is small enough to blow up a whole village. Particularly-"
"-The Green Eyes secret city!" Roberto and Maria replied in unison.
"So that is his big plan after destroying you and your legacy! That-that monster!" Maria shook her head in anger.
"The time was already set on it. You're right, he was planning to set it off as soon as possible; my guess is probably after his big meeting." Arnold stated.
"But is not the meeting still going on right now? Why would he delay if it's already set to detonate?" Roberto asked.
"It's his sick pleasure. He just wants to complete the goal at hand of destroying Arnold and the Green Eyes. He cares not if it destroys his own people as long as he is out of the way of the blast…" Maria replied bitterly.
"Then we must escape now! Before it counts down to 0 and we all die!" Roberto's men cried in fear.
"We will only escape after that sick basterdo gets what he deserves!" Roberto roared at his men.
"Roberto! Please be reasonable. I want nothing more than for that tyrant to suffer, but the bomb is already counting down, and we cannot put more lives at risk! We are running out of time now!" Maria explained.
"You both are right. Which is why it's time to shake things up under his own roof. Now, Roberto, you were kind of an arsonist when you were younger-"
"-Something I'd rather not talk about and that I thought we agreed to never ever speak of again!" Roberto glared at Arnold in embarrassment.
"Sorry, but it's necessary. Besides, it's not like you were a terrorist or anything. You were attracted to the pretty colors; especially the green colored sacred fire of the Green Eyes…Then you got more interested in your science classes when you were able to go to school…Elder told me."
"I figured. What's your point?" Roberto deadpanned.
"Do any of these elements look familiar to you? And if so, what do you think the damage levels are?" Arnold asked.
Roberto sighed, but closely examined the beeping explosive.
"Yes, it's definitely capable of damage, but only to a fair range of blowing up this entire facility, by a domino effect of other flammable objects around here, and maybe setting a wild fire; nothing more than that, since it's so small. It would however do great damage to our city since the Green Eyes are such a small community of people anyways."
Arnold nodded and the watched the timer continue to tick on the bomb.
"One more question..." He sighed. "Do you think this is small enough to fit inside of say…a backpack of some sort?"
"It…should have no problem doing that…Why?" Roberto raised an eyebrow as Maria blinked in confusion.
"Because it's time that Los Diablos knows that we mean business." Arnold declared in a dead serious, yet determined tone.
To be continued…