A/N: Okay guys. So I'm tired of letting ya'll down with deadline expectations for updates; heck I let my own self down when I'm late, and I totally blame school cause it takes my dang willpower to write and ideas when it's sucked towards a dang 700 word essay! Every. Stinking. Time! Sorry had to get that out…anyways, I'm expanding the deadline. Expect new updates either every Tuesday through Friday, or every OTHER Tuesday-Friday until I can develop a better pattern. Okay now let us continue…
Petrified, trembling, yet determined as ever, Arnold Shortman silently crept up to the entrance that led to the main foyer of the lair; knowing that behind the door would be the main hall where Los Diablos and his minions were conversing. Maria as well as Roberto and the Green Eyed guards followed behind, grimacing at the sound of victorious laughter that rang throughout the room, knowing that without a doubt, Los Diablos was reveling in all of his sick and twisted accomplishments.
They were determined to change that very quickly.
"Ok. This is it. We have to stop him here and now. The plan is in place, but everyone please be careful…This may be our only shot…and I mean that in more ways than one…" Arnold stated seriously.
"Not exactly the bright sided speech we were expecting from you Arnold…" Maria teased, trying to lighten up the mood, but held a seriousness in her tone.
"As far as I'm concerned...there won't be a bright side until this bastard is dealt with once and for all…" Arnold replied lowly as he adjusted the backpack on his back.
Maria frowned, but secretly shuddered at the darkness of his tone. In all the years she had known him, he had never sounded so cold…so deadly. She couldn't help but wonder what he had in mind. Granted, they discussed the plan over and over. There was no guarantee that it would work, but they were willing to do whatever it took to abolish this threat once and for all.
But still, she could tell that there was something wrong with Arnold…
He appeared to be ready for action; fully intent on following through with the strategy they set in order…But she could tell by the way he fidgeted, by the way he growled silently under his breath…
He was hiding something.
What he was up to, she could only wonder…
And since she was kept in the dark…She could only dread the outcome.
And apparently he wasn't the only man that had her worrying…
She turned around to see Roberto suddenly huddled in a faraway corner with his men, whispering fervently in Spanish. As much as she wanted to tune in to the conversation, she had to be on the lookout in case any of Los Diablos' followers came through the door.
Fortunately, she wasn't the only one curious about what was taking place.
Arnold hid behind a nearby crate as he raised an eyebrow at the sight of Roberto whispering and scowling at his men as he seemed to be quietly barking orders at them in Spanish; as if he wanted his plans to be kept in secret without including Maria or him in the loop. He frowned in confusion at the sudden disturbance. After all, they all knew what the plan was and agreed on how it would take place, as well as what to do if there were any possible setbacks. Everyone seemed to be on one accord.
So what the he** was going on?
Arnold's frown deepened as he watched Roberto raise his voice slightly at one of the guards who was trembling with the other men in fear as they protested whatever Roberto told them to do in Spanish. As he strained to translate the language by himself, wishing that Maria was positioned nearby to help him out, Arnold did the best he could, only for his eyes to widen once he pieced together the phrases and words that were thrown back and forth. Words such as "leave no one breathing", "shoot to kill", and "vengeance will be mine" were involved as well as protesting against such ideas, which seemed to spur Roberto's anger to the point of making threats against his own people. Finally, the guards all hesitantly agreed to follow orders.
Arnold growled once more but then quickly rejoined Maria before Roberto could suspect his presence.
"I apologize, I had to go over the plan with my men. They seemed to have a misunderstanding on how it all needs to go down." Roberto stated formally.
"You looked angry. And our people seemed frightened. What was that about?" Maria frowned skeptically.
"Just a case of cold feet, nothing major." Roberto waved dismissively.
"In that case, do you mind staying here with Maria and making sure all of the weapons are in place as well as our ammunition supply? I need to make sure things are right on my end before we do anything." Arnold asked politely.
"Of course." Roberto nodded as he took Maria's hand and guided her into a nearby room where there weapons were located.
Once they were gone, Arnold made his way over to the Green Eyed soldiers as they chanted and whispered amongst themselves. Once they saw their divine leader, they instantly readied themselves to bow before him. However, Arnold raised a hand up to stop them.
"That's unnecessary guys. I just wanted to see if everything was alright over here?"
"O-of course your excellency!" One of the guards replied nervously.
"What was that conversation with Roberto all about?" Arnold asked.
The group was silent, glancing at each other nervously as if wondering what to say, until one of the guards spoke up honestly. "J-just going over the plans that are set in motion, assuring that it goes according to his will…"
"I see…And would those plans have anything to do with taking everyone's lives in the main hall?" Arnold asked seriously.
The group was stunned by him figuring out the conversation; especially since his Spanish wasn't the best, but they continued to stare, not knowing whether to confirm the truth or deny it.
"You don't have to say anything. I figured it out. Roberto ordered all of you to kill everyone in the main hall, just like how Los Diablos killed the Green Eyes at Elder's funeral. But you're all hesitant since it goes against everything the Green Eyes stand for; peace, honor, harmony, and true justice…without taking lives unless absolutely necessary." Arnold explained.
The group marveled at his wisdom but nodded somberly. "Our purpose and legacy has always been centered on peace…making noble decisions and letting justice run its course, promoting it when needed without the need of permanent bloodshed. Self-defense is acceptable, but deliberately committing murders for the sake of retribution and for selfish purposes…it produces evils that will only taint our souls…It will destroy everything we stand for…What we live for…" One of the head guards explained.
"We fear that Roberto's orders, though necessary in stopping this evil threat, is not influenced by the intentions of justice, but hatred and blood thirst for vengeance for what has happened to his Amado (Beloved). Nonetheless…Roberto is our new commander and chief…We must carry out his orders especially since he threatened to end us if that is what it takes." Another guard added somberly.
"Not if I have anything to say about it. You guys should have the right to not follow through with orders if they go against all that the tribe stands for. I don't care how angry Roberto is; even though he has every right to be pissed, he shouldn't abuse his power like that. It's not what Elder would have wanted…" Arnold frowned.
"I am afraid there is nothing we can do Sire…He-he is commander and chief now. To disobey would be dishonorable and-"
"-Then…T-then as the divine chosen one of the Green Eyed tribe, I order you all to fall back and disregard Roberto's orders." Arnold started lamely, feeling silly for having to enforce the title and status of authority which he felt was exaggerated over the people, but knew it was necessary. He then furrowed his eyebrows and continued in a strong tone. "You will shoot to injure and disable, but not to kill. You will also be positioned where I see fit. If there be any opposition from anyone, including Roberto…the will have to confront me. Se entiende que? (Is that understood?)
"Sí, nuestro señor!" (Yes our lord!) The guards all saluted and bowed in unison.
Arnold nodded and continued to brief them on where he wanted them positioned, including what he wanted regarding the access points of the main hall doors.
Meanwhile, the excitement levels of Los Diablos' audience reached its maximum peak as everyone in the main hall praised their ambitious and ruthless leader for all of the events that transpired regarding the hostile takeover and sieging of the Green Eyes. Los Diablos raised his hands up which made the vast crowd calm down instantly to hear what more he had to say.
"And furthermore, we shall continue our victorious endeavor by bestowing our ultimate weapon of mass destruction for the abominable community! I am sure that everyone is familiar with their orders and assigned posts. Therefore, effective immediately! We shall strike them all before dawn, and if there be any survivors of the destruction, seize them alive so that the can have the honor of watching their so called supreme deity die before their very eyes! There shall be no escape as we rid of the Verde de basura de ojos (green eyed trash) and uncover their glorious hidden treasures once and for all!"
"I wouldn't be so quick in finalizing that declaration Diablo!" A low yet stern voice thundered.
The crowd started to murmur in confusion at the sudden disruption of their leader's speech only to turn their eyes from the stage to the main hall's entrance doorway and find a seething yet calm Football shaped headed man who was currently adjusting a backpack of some sort over his shoulder.
Los Diablos gave an eerie smile and clapped slowly in mockery. "Bravo mi amigo! I must say I am impressed! Not so much at your ability to escape, but more so at the fact that by coming here you display your hopefulness for a quicker death than what I had planned! Though, I must admit, I am rather taken aback by this act of yours…I did not take you to be the suicidal type…"
Arnold, unamused, continued to simply glare daggers at the man as he slowly made his way up to the stage; his anger and determination to see the plan through keeping him distracted from the hundreds of guns that were now pointed, aimed, and ready at his back.
"Here's how it's going to go down. You and everyone here will show me where all of the Green Eyed hostages are kept, along with pulling out all of your undercover spies from every organization of authority here in San Lorenzo and Puerto Rico. Furthermore, you will retrieve every hidden and sacred treasure and valuable that was ever stolen even from when your father was alive and return it unscathed at which at that point, you and everyone in here will turn themselves into the authorities, and never even have the very thought of coming near my people again." Arnold demanded callously while his piercing green eyes burned straight into the dark hooded pirate.
An awkward silence took over the entire facility as the furious football headed man made his demands without a hint of stuttering or flinching. Maria and Roberto blinked in awe and disbelief at their friend's actions as they hid in their positions nearby outside of the main hall.
"I cannot believe he just did that…Did he seriously just do that? I-I mean I know that bluffing is part of the plan, but I did not figure him to just go up and give a fair warning when he could be killed within mere seconds! Did he really just do that?!" Maria asked quietly with her eyes wide.
"Truly the legends about the Chosen one are true…He is one bold kid…" Roberto replied in the same tone of shock.
After the period of silence passed, the devilish pirate finally raised his eyebrows in amusement, chuckling slightly until it grew into a full-blown laughter followed by everyone in the main hall.
"I see. Well…At the risk of your demise increasing in severity for making me humor you, I will as you Americans say, bite. Why the he** should I do any of what you just proposed?" Los Diablos deadpanned with a mocking sneer.
"Because if you don't, I will kill you along with each and every single fu**ing individual that is currently fu**ing breathing in this facility in less than 60 minutes flat." Arnold replied seriously in a deadly and deliberate tone.
"Oh-ho-ho! Is that so? Well…how pray tell, do you plan on doing that exactly?" Los Diablos laughed, along with everyone else.
"Simple. Just shut up and listen. I'm sure you'll find out." Arnold replied in the same grim tone, but cracked a smirk.
"Mm I think we've heard enough. Now then, GUARDS! GE-"
"-Have you?" Arnold cut off his rant, adjusting the backpack once more.
Los Diablos paused all of a sudden; confused at the man's calmness and caught off guard by his sincerity. By this time, he would have had Arnold in pieces, enjoying the sticky feel of his blood pooled under his feet, but there was something about his obvious, and poorly planned bluff that rattled him.
So, he paused and listened for a second…only for his eyes to widen in horror at the faint yet familiar ticking and beeping sound that came from Arnold's backpack…
Before he could grab him, Arnold swiftly dodged and maneuvered away from the pirate, while removing the explosive device from his backpack. The crowd gasped in horror as they noticed the countdown was less than 50 minutes. Remembering how Los Diablos explained in detail the destruction impact of the bomb once it exploded, and losing the reassurance he gave them about being out of harm's way when the said device would explode, needless to say, the crowd all scrambled and scattered for the exit.
Only to find that all the doors were suddenly locked.
And they weren't the only ones horrified by the lockdown.
Especially since the doors were now locked from both sides.
"¡¿QUE DEMONIOS?! (WHAT THE HE**) THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE PLAN! ARNOLD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Maria screamed as she realized that the doors were locked down without any way for Arnold to escape to safety.
"MIERDA! (FU**) WE CANNOT GET THROUGH AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT SINCE THE BOMB IS ACTIVATED! HE WAS ONLY SIMPLY SUPPOSED TO BLUFF THE SITUATION! THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN! THAT IDIOT! HE IS NOT BOLD HE IS LOCO! LOCO! (CRAZY)" Roberto shouted as he pounded on the doors.
"ROBERTO! WHAT DO WE DO?! ARNOLD IS IN DANGER NOW MORE THAN EVER!" Maria cried fearfully.
Roberto slammed his now bruised fists on the doors helplessly as tears filled his eyes.
"ROBERTO?!"
"…There is-there is nothing we can do…He has sealed his fate knowingly and willingly…W-we must get out of here now before it is too late for all of us." Roberto replied somberly as tears streamed down his face.
"QUE MIERDA! (FU** THAT!) WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE HIM THERE! WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!" Maria screamed furiously, wiping the tears that streamed down her face. She then ran form the door and down the hallways in hopes of finding another alternative route.
"MARIA! MARIA NO! WE'LL ALL DIE IF WE DO NOT GET OUT OF HERE! COME BACK HERE NOW! MARIA!" Roberto shouted after her; cursing loudly as he follower her.
"See, I knew you would figure it out eventually once you took the time to shut up and listen." Arnold smirked slightly.
"YOU FOOL! YOU WILL KILL US ALL!" Los Diablos shouted in anger and terror as the device continued to beep and count down. No one dared to get close to the football headed man, especially since he had his fingers awfully close and ready to grasp on just the right wire to cause an instant explosion.
Arnold nodded in reply. "I am aware of that."
"DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT DEVICE IS CAPABLE OF?! ITS IMPACT IS CATOSTROPIC AND CAN RANGE FROM HERE TO THE CITY! YOU WILL WIPE US ALL OUT, INCLUDING YOURSELF YOU FOOL!" One of Los Diablos' guards cried.
"Again, I am aware of that. But if that's what it takes to stop you sons of bit**es from terrorizing my people and keeping your filthy fu**ing hands from my family, then so be it!" Arnold growled, backing up to stand in front of a barrel of gunpowder and dynamite for good measure, hindering anyone that dared to play "hero".
The crowd continued to scream, curse, howl, cry desperately, and topple over one another to break down the barriers that would serve in their demise; only to immediately fall by the dozens as the sounds of multiple gunshots rang in the atmosphere.
Suddenly, a swarm of Green Eyed soldiers came bursting in from the shadows with guns; firing at will at the crowd along with more guards that brought rope to secure their capture. Following the orders of the chosen one, they made sure to severely injure and wound them to where they could not fight back instead of killing them in cold blood unless out of self-defense for any of Los Diablos' followers that tried to retaliate against them.
Seeing how the bomb was now set to explode within 40 minutes in counting, retaliation was the furthest thing from their minds as they surrendered and gave into Arnold's earlier demands.
But to no avail, the bomb continued to tick mercilessly.
Suddenly becoming occupied with helping the Green Eyed soldiers capture and seize all of Los Diablos' people and retrieve the scared treasures along with any other hidden hostages, Arnold cursed loudly as he noticed that Los Diablos escaped through the crowd.
Catching the movement of his dark robe swaying from his peripheral vision, the football headed man wasted no time in pursuing after him.
30 minutes was displayed as the bomb continued to tick…
"MARIA! MARIA! PLEASE WAIT!" Roberto cried as he saw Maria glare at a window high above them and watched her look around frantically until she grabbed a discarded heavy stone and chunked it at the window, shattering the glass instantly.
"Maria! What are you-?
"-Hoist me up!" She demanded.
"What?! Why-"
"-That window leads to the main kitchen which I heard has a secret access point to the main hall and connects to the many secret passageways for emergency escapes! Only Diablos knows about it, which means I'm pretty sure Arnold knows about it by now and would have taken that way out! Now hoist me up!" She explained quickly.
"What part of there is a destructive, explosive bomb that is going to go off in less than 20 minutes now do you not understand?!" Roberto protested, but grunted as he lifted the petite Hispanic Green Eyed woman up on his shoulders as she then climbed upon some nearby crates that supported her weight and led her to the broken window.
"And what part of Arnold is in danger now more than ever and there's no da** way in he** we are leaving him behind to die do YOU not understand?! Now shut up and get up here! Time is running out!" Maria snarled as she helped him up to her level once he complied.
Once the two Green Eyed leaders made their way into the main hall, only to see the Green Eyed soldiers quickly leading out the tied up and subdued, injured members of Los Diablos' gang out into another huge semi-truck, Roberto cursed loudly, startling Maria.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" He roared at his men.
"S-sire! Is it not wonderful? The enemy has been defeated. His people have been captured and surrendered all of our lost and sacred treasures along with other hostages whose lives could have been at risk." One of the head guards replied.
"OUR LIVES ARE AT RISK YOU FOOL! WHAT'S MORE! THEIR LIVES SHOULD HAVE BEEN TERMINATED BY NOW! I GAVE YOU ALL A DIRECT ORDER TO LEAVE NO SURVIVORS AND YOU TAKE THEM ALIVE?! HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME?!"
"T-the Chosen one ordered us-"
"I DO NOT GIVE A FLYING FU** WHAT HE ORDERED, I AM THE CHIEF AND COMMANDER AND I WILL SEE JUSTICE TRUE TO ITS END YOU-"
"ROBERTO!" Maria roared, rendering him silent.
"WHAT TREACHERY IS THIS I HEAR?! YOU DARE TO NOT ONLY DEFY THE CHOSEN ONE, RULER OF OUR TRIBE, BUT TO COMMIT MURDER IN COLD BLOOD?! THAT GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT WE STAND FOR!" Maria cried in disbelief and disgust at Roberto's actions.
"You do not understand. And it is by my authority that-"
"-That Elder weeps in his grave right now and shakes his head in disgust at your actions! How. Dare. You?! How dare you defy everything that we live for! Our very legacy and purpose!"
"AND WHAT GOOD IT IS! IT HAS GOTTEN US NOWHERE! OPEN YOUR EYES MARIA! HALF OF OUR ENTIRE TRIBE HAS DIED AT THE HANDS OF THIS MONSTER! WHERE IS THE JUSTICE IN THAT?! THEY TORTURED ARNOLD, AND WHAT'S MORE THAT BASTARD TOUCHED AND DEFILED YOU! I WILL NOT SIT THIS OUT AND LET HIM GET AWAY WITH SUCH A DISHONOR FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE AND DOING THE RIGHT THING! NO MORE! NOT AFTER WHAT HE HAS DONE TO YOU! TO THE ONE I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED AND SWORE TO PROTECT AND FAILED!" Roberto thundered, not caring as his sobs broke his hard demeanor.
Maria's eyes widened as she froze, trembling at his outburst and what he said. "L-love?"
"THAT IS RIGHT! YOU HEARD ME SENORITA! TE AMO! TE AMO! (I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU) MARIA! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED YOU! EVER SINCE I FIRST SAW THOSE BULLIES POUNCE ON YOU WHEN YOU WERE AN OUTCAST IN OUR VILLAGE WHEN WE WERE 12, I HAVE LOVED YOU! I-I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BUT FEAR OF HOW IT WOULD DISGRACE MY TITLE AS HEIR KEPT ME BACK! I HAVE REGRETTED IT EVER SINCE! I HAVE REGRETTED NOT BEING THE ONE TO STAND UP TO OUR TRIBE AND ORDER THEM TO ACCEPT YOU AND DROP ALL BITTERNESS LIKE ARNOLD DID! I-I DESPISE MYSELF FOR NOT BEING THE ONE TO REACH OUT TO YOU WHEN ARNOLD LEFT YOU FOR HIS ORIGINAL LOVE. FEAR ALWAYS KEPT ME BACK! AND NOW, NOW IT HAS GONE TOO FAR! AN UNSPEAKABLE CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITED AGAINST YOU AND-And-I-I am helpless to do anything about it…" He sobbed, breaking down completely before her.
"R-Roberto…Roberto I-"Maria stuttered in pure shock. She was speechless as so many emotions overwhelmed her. She slowly walked up to him, only for him to push her hand away.
"You need not say anything…Come. Let us go rescue Arnold…While we still have time." Roberto stated quietly and stormed off, not bothering to see if she followed him or not.
"With any luck, Diablos is with him…and then I will have that bastard all to myself…Justice will be served. On my terms…" Roberto thought as he entered the secret passageway.
Meanwhile, Los Diablos cursed in Spanish as he crawled out of the secret passageway that led to the secluded basement which had a ventilation system that led outside. He scrambled desperately to block all access points since he figured that he was being followed. Once he sealed off the exits, and spotted the ventilation system nearby, he smiled maliciously, reveling at his chance to escape to safety as he hurried to the exit.
Only to be knocked out by a heavy metal pipe…
Once he was conscious, he expected to see the lush greenery of the jungle, only to see that he was still in the basement and could not move. He looked down to see what was causing the hindrance only to find his hands and feet chained.
He was cursed in Spanish, but chuckled at the irony, once he saw a figure come out from the shadows. The figure threw the metal pipe aside nonchalantly.
"Talk about bad timing…You would think with our upcoming demise that is set to happen in a matter of minutes that you would just let nature take its course. I mean after all, it would appear that you got what you always wanted as leader…The people are free, the treasures are no longer confiscated, poor beloved Maria is still alive, and you have nothing more to lose. What more is there for you?" Diablos mused.
"It's simple really. You and I have unfinished business…" Arnold replied in a low and deadly tone as he pulled out a fully loaded revolver and cocked it, aiming it at the pirate's head.
"This ends now."
To be continued…