Sir Vyvin looked out of his castle windows; the landscape was that of a bustling city, filled with gleaming white buildings. A knock at the door happened, and Vyvin's servant entered briskly. His name was Koaphen Johnston, and he wore a crimson colored outfit which signified wealth, while Vyvin was wearing a brighter shade of red for his tunic and on his head was a spectacularly gold crown.
"Koaphen! Here now!" Vyvin exclaimed.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Koaphen asked.
"Ah, I like it when you use Your Majesty; I like it so very much! Look! Look out there!"
Vyvin grabbed Koaphen and dragged him towards the open window.
"Look at the landscape. All of it, soon it will be mine," Vyvin grinned.
"Yes Your Majesty, it will," Koaphen answered. "Obviously," he couldn't help adding in undertone.
"Damn right it will! Now has Varrock, Ardougne and all those other cities sent their messengers?"
"Yes, yes. They said the prices in the Grand Exchanges have gone incredibly low, it would appear the teleport system has collapsed somehow."
"That is good, and how about their other trade methods?"
"Well travelling trade is down a further 30% as of this week, and the trade within shops is decreasing by a further 49%. Sources also say that the general stores around Gielinor made just around 2000 coins last week, the worst profits since the supposed attack from Morytania, when everyone fled."
"Ah yes, I remember that. Something about werewolves crossing the border, they never found out if any of it was true did they?"
"No, Your Majesty. Oh yes, and the Socialist Army request a meeting with you once again. They say it's urgent." Koaphen remembered.
"That's the fifth time this week they've come in poking about, if they carry on they might uncover something! I guess I should let them speak, besides, I might be able to pull a bit more money from this group, I've never met them before."
"And there are sightings of a TzHaar in the city, too."
"A TzHaar? Ha, the foolish thing, I'll send my guards to kill it if I remember."
"There was a powerful weapon though; they call it the Xil-Gun or Gun for short. It is linked with the Socialists, they want it, and they might have it."
"Well then isn't it lucky that I have an army equipped with godswords ready to tear any opposition apart?" Vyvin exclaimed.
"Yes, Your Majesty, it is."
"Any news from the Serkotzul?"
"It seems Lord Statius and the remaining Serkotzul members will join us in the fight as allies."
"Great," Vyvin smiled.
Vyvin was sitting on his throne, grinning in a reverie, when the doors suddenly burst open. Koaphen made a move towards the open doors, but General Vaarku, his face angry, had made his entry. All guards rushed to him, shouting "Freeze!", but he ignored them and approached Vyvin. A guard tried to stab him but the General just flung out an arm, knocking the guard onto a nearby wall.
"I've had it with waiting Vyvin! We've come here 5 times, and your people keep saying you're busy. A slob like yourself is never busy! Face the facts!" Vaarku accused, pointing a finger at Vyvin.
"Me slob? How dare you! How did you get past security?"
"None of your business, bastard!"
"Ooh man, you're pissing me off! Who are you anyway, man?"
"I am General Vaarku, current leader of the Socialists. We are on a man-hunt of three criminals who are within the city. We originally intended to do a full search in this palace, but I stumbled across something else."
"What was that?"
"You damn well know what I mean! You have a secret army nearby! And the world has suddenly financially died. It's all linked to Falador, possibly you. I am not the only one who discovered this. I'm sure of it!"
"You can't talk! You Socialists are a secret army! You're planning to dominate the world!"
"So are you!" Vaarku retorted.
"I did my homework on you. You lot were last seen in the TzHaar city. You found the Chest of Destiny. You even forged a weapon of mass destruction - "
"That weapon is destroyed! What, do you have spies everywhere all of a sudden?"
"In some areas yes. Now make like a tree and leave! Or I'll send you down screaming!" Vyvin shrieked.
"One last thing though. You've ordered godswords from the vaults of the Grand Exchange. You're insane, more insane than me!"
"Who can stop me? You and your stupid little Troublesomes?"
"Believe me Vyvin, this ain't over. When the man-hunt is over, I will not let you take over the world! I mean it, and I keep my word!"
"And I won't let you leave this room. Guards, get him outta here now!" Vyvin commanded grandly.
Suddenly, two Guards walked into the large room, equipped with two Zamorak Godswords.
"Dispose of him. Make it a clean fight, because I can't be bothered to mop up afterwards!" Vyvin cackled maniacally. "Go on!"
But General Vaarku drew an explosive potion and threw it heavily. The guards were flung out of the nearby window by the small explosion, and the General got away by rushing out the open door.
The General ran outside the castle and whistled through his fingers. Some Socialist troops arrived stealthily.
"Send a message to the rest of the army! Gather up arms! We march to war!" Vaarku barked. The soldiers saluted him, and turned.
The soldiers marched out of the city, while General Vaarku hid in an abandoned house in Falador. He took a godsword from an unconscious guard nearby.
"The Falador Exchange? Wh-" Lance did not get to finish his sentence.
"Yes, yes, I know it's confusing but you were teleported here from the Grand Exchange link," said a town guard.
"But why? I could've stopped all of this! Vyvin was taking over the Grand Exchange! He was going to claim it as his own and manipulate the world!"
"What on Gielinor are you talking about?"
"Perhaps he's a Seer," said another guard.
"Seriously!" Lance protested. "You're working for a madman!"
"You're insane," a guard laughed. "I bid you good day." With that, the guards marched away, leaving Lance standing there openmouthed.
The Slayer started to walk along a street, looking for Victoros.
Allen, Takrinqer and Darko were rooted to the spot. The man only a few footsteps away was Victoros, the person they had bullied in their time at school. Now he was carrying something which rivalled a godsword, and they were stuck with rusty old daggers for the time being, although they could still use their original but heavy weapons. Plus Victoros now radiated a sense of power. They were an unusual group who had stuck to the shadows for much of their journey, trying to hide the fight-obsessed TzHaar they had come with and their own shadowy selves.
"You know this man?" Crantus inquired.
"Yes, we damn well do," Allen replied, his voice stammering.
"Let's introduce ourselves then," Crantus mumbled, "I like meeting new people."
"Well let's not be too hasty," Takrinqer suggested, his eye twitching.
It was too late. Crantus had rushed forward and grabbed Victoros' attention, which was met with some surprise.
"Now what do you want?" Victoros asked, surprised. "Not 'nother fan?"
"Answer!" Alexandros snapped, cracking his knuckles. "Or I'll cut you up." Crantus did not step back. He clearly wasn't another simple fan for he had a sword whose blade was dyed with jet-black mushroom ink hanging by his belt.
"My friend, you're not cutting me up, and if you think of trying to then my Darklight will be all too happy to cut your skinny body in two," Crantus said calmly. "Now I'm here to tell you about three folk I've travelled with who claim to know you Victoros."
Crantus gestured at Allen, Takrinqer and Darko who were all standing still quite surprised. They grinned nervously.
"Oh. Well, well, well, if it isn't the three fools from Varrock School. Fancy seeing you here," Victoros grinned raising his sword. "Let's finish something, eh?"
"You know these people?" Joseph asked.
"Yes I do Joseph. They happened to bully me a bit at school, so I think I owe them one."
Tarqinder hit Allen in the face with his Sword handle causing him to fall to the ground heavily, and slammed the flat side of his blade into the feet of Takrinqer and Darko who landed flat on their backs. Vincent and Crantus hurriedly rushed over and helped them up.
"Hey Victoros," Allen uttered, barely able to speak from the pain.
"Well hello Allen Hawkins, hasn't time changed? If I remember correctly you stole all my trading cards and dumped them in the River Lum that time. I wasn't happy, was I?" Victoros demanded, his eyes flaring.
"Let's forget about it. Bygones be bygones how about th-"
Victoros stabbed into Allen's shirt with his sword and pinned him to the wall by it, three foot above the ground. The Slayer practically slammed his sword into the wall when he pinned Allen, who was squirming, trying to get free.
"Okay, now I'm prepared to forgive and forget," Tarqinder grinned, pulling his sword out of Allen's top.
Allen fell to the floor with a loud thud. But he grabbed his whip hurriedly, and whipped Victoros' legs. Victoros jumped and yelled in surprise, as everyone sprang to their feet, ready for tense combat. Before long, Allen's gang had overpowered their counterparts. Darko raised his poisoned knives and held them up to Nicora's throat. Takrinqer drew his Dragon Dagger, and held the poisoned tip inches from Alexandros' exposed neck. Vincent menacingly brandished his sword at Joseph, wagging his eyebrows. Crantus made Mathis shudder as he pointed his Darklight sword directly at Mathis' face. Everyone froze.
"Now Vicky, I don't know why you threatened me first. Darko was the ringleader, we just followed his lead!" sneered Allen. "Give me some respect, man!"
"In those days it was either bully or be bullied!" Darko snapped at Victoros, who was grabbing his whipped legs, grimacing.
"Wind us again, and you'll end up paying for the funerals of your little friends here. You don't want that, eh? Kettok, come out!"
Kot-Tok emerged from the shadows and picked up Victoros with one arm.
"Touch them again and you'll be sorry!" he bellowed. He promptly slammed the Slayer to the ground.
Victoros was released, but Allen pulled his shirt.
"Info. Now!" Allen demanded commandingly.
Victoros sheepishly grabbed the note and handed it over to Allen. He read it thoroughly.
"Sir Vyvin is hellbent on taking over the world. Worse than the Socialists!" Allen said aloud. "And the Serkotzul too. Interesting."
"Who're the Socialists again?" Mathis uttered.
"Secret army. Possibly the largest on the planet. They were the soldiers running around Falador earlier," Takrinqer answered. "They have some kind of grudge against us."
"Look Vicky, I'm guessing you are here to stop him. Just tell us your plan, and we'll go along. Besides, you need more in your company. Whether you like it or not. Do a stunt like earlier again, and we will utterly destroy you. Remember, we are much stronger." Allen snarled.
"Yeah, we are!" Vincent boomed.
"Release them, guys," Allen muttered.
Victoros' friends were released by their captors, and Allen's gang sat down. Victoros and his gang were too nervous, knowing they had untrustworthy allies. They couldn't do anything, since Allen's gang was far stronger.
"Well, spit it out!" Allen barked impatiently.
"Goodness you bunch of idiots, I'm a Slayer, and you're not pushing me about."
Victoros slammed his sword into the wall next to Allen, missing him by inches. The wood shattered, and Allen flinched. At the same time, his whip twitched slightly and Allen's gang pounced into combat stance. Alexandros and Nicora raised their weapons, ready to fight this time.
"TzHaar are strong! I will burn your skin human!" Kot-Tok exclaimed, smashing his fists together.
"For Saradomin's sake all of you be quiet for once! You'll get nowhere through arguing," Alexandros complained, lowering his weapon.
"The soldier's right," Allen sighed. Alexandros nodded, smiling.
"Please Victoros, we need your help," Takrinqer pleaded.
"Or we'll get rough," Crantus threatened. Allen shushed his companion.
"We are the same, well, sort of. I know it's difficult but can't we put our differences aside for good and maybe try and get something done here? Vyvin is destroying the world! However mad it seems, if it's written on paper then it must be true, Vyvin' seal is on here as well," Darko stated.
"Fine, but anymore of your rubbish and I'll use this sword that goes to all of you! Allen, Takrinqer, Darko, guard guy, TzHaar and Crantus-guy!" Victoros grunted.
"Use my name!" Vincent grumbled. "It's Vincent Jamison to you, Slayer."
"So Victoros, what are we going to do?" Allen asked.
"I thought you lot were criminal masterminds, so why don't you come up with one?" Tarqinder asked.
"Ha, ha, ha," Allen sneered sarcastically. "This is a bit more big scale than the usual heists we tend to be involved with."
"Alright then. We need to get to some extreme procedures, and I'm afraid that we will have to do something not too nice."
"What?"
"Kill Vyvin and capture his Castle, and preferably wipe the Serkotzul out too."
"How do you intend to do that? Throw a dragon at him?" Takrinqer sneered.
"The Serkotzul are dangerous, remember?" Mathis added.
"Actually, there are enough of us to stage an attack" Vincent the guard explained.
Kettok pumped his fists. "I'll gladly fight!"
"But I'm fighting to the end. I don't want Vyvin ruling, hes insane!" Crantus cried.
"Fair enough. Anyway, judging from looking at Vicky's gang, we are pretty well damn good armed. Lets just storm in, weapons raised, and hope their hands held high as the sky" Allen suggested grimly. Most of the people seemed to agree, but Victoros didn't approve. He shook his head.
"That's not a strategy, its suicide. He possibly has a secret army that will overpower us. He is insane, after all! How about the Serkotzul, eh? I bet they ain't rookies either," Victoros reminded his former classmate.
"Your call, Victoros," Allen smirked. His gang exchanged quick glances.
"You didn't call me Vicky!"
"Never mind that, Victoros. So, are we going along with my plan of extreme success rate, or with your so-called strategy?"