If your reading, give me a comment :P I'm still writing this, and comments make me want to work on it faster :p Make sure there is no interruption in the story. Also I apologize in advice for this chapter ^_^ wish these was another way to take this but Oh well ^_^
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4 years later
Cain and his partner, Morgan, were sitting down in the tavern in the back, as Morgan requested. They had stopped by for a bite to eat before finishing off their shift. Cain and Morgan had done this a number of times, and during lunch, they would talk about how their families were doing, or just about life in general, but today, today was different. It was making Cain a little nervous.
"I can't believe that Azkadellia is getting such a strangle hold on the O.Z." Morgan said.
"Well, when the Queen runs away from her castle and hides, I can see why." Cain countered.
"She only ran to protect herself from Azkadellia and her army."
"Well Azkadellia is the princess and next in line, she does have a right to rule, but I understand, she did take over, unconventionally." Cain said.
"Yeah and her army of hers, they're a plague on society." Morgan said.
"They're not that bad. I know a few of them, most are just average Joes, just like us."
"Just because Jordan is, doesn't make all of them good. I've met some pompous asses."
"There are some pompous asses in the Tin men, doesn't make all of us bad. Besides, Azkadellia needs a Royal army."
"But have you seen them patrolling around, they are acting like Tin Men, they are trying to do our jobs!" Morgan said angrily.
"If they help keep the streets safer… But yeah, the army and the police should be separate."
"I think they are doing that because Azkadellia is planning to take over the Tin Men," Morgan said.
"Really? And why would they do that? I mean I know they are stepping on our toes a little but a takeover?"
"Azkadellia thinks we are all loyal to her mother, and that we will rise up against her. She wants to get rid of us first. I heard that she is also kidnapping and killing people during the night."
"I heard they were just rumors, Jordan has never done anything like that."
"He's too new to know what's really going on." Morgan said. Cain paused at that, not wanting to argue any more with his partner. After a moment, Morgan spoke again.
"You know, there is a resistance movement forming, showing loyalty to the Queen, good people standing up against Azkadellia and her unlawful takeover."
"That's just going to cause more trouble in the long run. It's only going to divide the people, and cause a civil war."
"And what would you rather do, sit back and watch a tyrant take over?" Morgan asked.
"I know Azkadellia can be tough, but I don't think she's a tyrant," Cain said. Morgan just shook his head.
"I don't see how you can stay neutral in this, Wyatt. I mean, with all that been happening around, I figured you be one of the first to stand up and fight."
"I normally would, but I have a family, a child, we both decided that we would stay out of the fighting as long as we can." Cain explained.
"I think you will change your mind when the Longcoats come busting in your house in the middle of the night."
"I don't think it will come to that." Cain said.
They eat the rest of their meal in silence. Cain finished up his shift with Morgan in near silence as well. He was lost in thoughts that Morgan had brought up. He walked over to Alyssa's after work to pick up Jeb. He knocked on the door and Alyssa was there within a few moments.
"Hey, Wyatt, come on in. Jeb your dad is here." She called walking back into her house. Cain walked in, and found Jeb sitting in a chair, with a book in his arms.
"Yeah, he wanted to read, I gave him the only thing I had. I'm helping him sound out the big words." Alyssa said. Cain just smiled.
"So, Jeb, you're trying to read some more?" Jeb just nodded, trying to sound out the words in front of him. Cain looked over his shoulder, at the text, puzzled.
"Hey Alyssa, what kind of book is this?" Cain asked.
"It's the only thing I own, a romance novel." Cain's eyes went wide at that, pulling the book away from Jeb.
"Hey Daddy! I was reading that." Jeb whined
"Alyssa! He's too young to be reading that." Cain said.
"Oh it's a tame one, besides, he just started that, and the good stuff is not till at least about a hundred pages in to it, I knew he wasn't going to get that far." Alyssa said with a smile.
"I'll make sure Adrian brings some age appropriate books for him tomorrow." Cain said.
"But Daddy, I liked that book." Jeb said, looking up with a smile on his face. Cain glared at Alyssa as she giggled.
"Please don't let my son read anymore of those." Cain said, handing the book to Alyssa.
"Fine, you're no fun, right Jebby?" Alyssa said before moving in, tickling Jeb. Jeb let out a squeal as he balled himself to get away from Alyssa's fingers.
"Daddy, Daddy, save me!" Jeb gasped out between giggles. Cain just smiled as he scooped the boy up, and away from Alyssa. Jeb just wrapped his arms around Cain's neck, kissing him on the cheek.
"Go get your stuff." Cain said as he put Jeb on the ground. Jeb scurried around getting his stuff.
They soon left Alyssa's and headed home. They got to their apartment. When they walked in, they did their familiar routine, Jeb, got his homework from school out, and worked on in at the kitchen table while Cain cooked dinner. Dinner was almost done, as well as the homework, when Zero showed up.
"I'm home, sorry I'm late. We had a mess and I couldn't get myself away. People were protesting, Longcoats came in. It was a mess." Zero said, removing his jacket before moving in the kitchen to investigate what was for dinner before kissing Cain on the cheek.
"Yeah, they have been getting more aggressive lately." Cain said, putting the stew he made on a simmer before turning to Zero. "Morgan approached me again, today."
"That's the second time this week." Zero said.
"Yeah but I'm starting to see that he might be right. I mean, it may get to the point, soon, that we will not be able to stay out of this." Cain said. Zero looked at Jeb for a second.
"Hey, Champ, you're doing good on your homework?" Jeb nodded, swinging his legs off the chair as he concentrated on his work. "Well, me and Daddy need to talk, you OK on your own?" Jeb just nodded again. Zero and Cain walked into the bedroom.
"We decided to stay out of this. Are you changing your mind?" Zero said.
"I don't know. I really don't want to risk getting any of us hurt, but what is the difference between us in the resistance and us as Tin Man. " Cain said.
"We have more than just perps shooting at us." Zero explained.
"It's going to come to us soon enough. I have a feeling there is going to be a civil war, Adrian. We will not be able to stay out of it then."
"But, I... don't want... what if I lost you?" Zero said, sadly.
"We risk our lives every day, Sweetheart. I mean we don't have to make a decision right now, I just wanted us to think about it." Cain said.
"Ok, I will think about it." Zero said, kissing Cain on his forehead. "Dinner smells good. Is it ready?" Zero said.
"Just about. Help Jeb set up the table and it will be." Cain said.
The three of them where eating their dinner, talking about Jeb's day at school. The sound of the phone ringing stopped the conversation. Cain got up from the table to answer it.
"Hello," he said. Cain could hear what sounded like chaos in the background. Then a muffled voice spoke.
"You really need to come down town. There was an accident." The voice said. Cain thought it was Morgan's but he was not sure.
"Who is this? What kind of accident?" this got Zero's attention. He was up from the table in a flash.
"Just come, the tavern where the Longcoats hang out, a bomb went off. Lilly was inside, with Jordan." Cain's eyes went wide at this, as his blood ran cold. He dropped the phone.
"Wyatt, what is it?" Zero asked.
"Get your coat and Jeb, we have to go now!"
"Why?"
"Lilly's hurt, I'm not sure, a bomb, Lilly was inside, that is all I know." Zero's eyes went wide as well.
"Jeb, we're going to see the Steven's." Zero called going back to the table.
"But I'm not finished with dinner." Jeb whined.
"It doesn't matter, Jebby. We have to go. Aunt Lils needs our help. Ok?"
"Is she OK?" Jeb asked, noticing his father's panicked faces.
"We hope so, but we have to go help her, so we have to go." Zero said, holding his hands out. He picked Jeb up, and rushed him over to the neighbor's a few apartments down. Once Jeb was safe, they both left, making it downtown in a hurry. They were still a few blocks away when they noticed the chaos; they rushed as fast as they could. When they saw the building, Cain gasped. The place had a huge hole within, making it hard to think that anyone could have survived that. They noticed Tin Men as well as Longcoats within the area. But all they knew was they had to fine where Lilly was. Cain noticed a Tin Man, a friend from work, so he asked him if he'd seen a girl.
"I have not seen many girls, but I heard there is one still trapped inside." The man told them. They jumped within the rubble. They noticed the dead bodies at first. Notice that most were Longcoats. Cain looked around, seeing that if maybe Jordan was among the dead. When he heard the man's panic voice, he turned to look at Jordan, as well as three other Longcoats, trying to move some rubble off a girl, a girl with dirty blonde hair, so much like her brother's except now for the parts crimson with blood.
"Lilly!" Cain yelled, as he rushed over to her, Zero not too far behind him. When the Longcoats saw them running, they pulled their guns out.
"Guys, calm down, this is their sister we are trying to save." Jordan screamed. The men put their weapons away before moving back to pick up the rubble, Cain and Zero joined in, moving the rubble off of Lilly's now crushed legs. Lilly cried out in pain, as they moved the rubble. Zero was at her side, as well as Jordan, on her other side. The two Longcoats left, going to get help. Cain just watched, helpless to do anything.
"Lils? Lilly? Hey sis, talk to me," Zero said to the battered girl.
"Adrian? What..." She coughed at this, wincing. She coughed again, this time, blood was there. They both knew that was not a good sign. Tears started to stream down Zero's face.
"Hold on, Lil's. Save your strength, help is on the way."
"Adrian... I'm .... " was all she got out, before her eyes closed.
"No, Lil's stay with us, Jordan's here, so is Wyatt, please, sis, open those eyes of yours." There was no response. Zero went to shake Lilly, but she just lay there, limply.
"Lilly! No! Please, open your eyes!" Zero screamed. Cain was there by his side.
"Adrian...." He just sat there and cried, holding his sister within his arms.
"Those bastards!" They heard Jordan say. "They did this just to get at us, but ..." He said choking up.
"Who?" Cain said angrily.
"The resistance, they have been doing this kind of shit for a while now, we have just been keeping it under wraps, but, I never thought. Lilly never comes with me when we go out with my friends. It's just.... tonight... was special. We were celebrating."
"Celebrating what?" Cain asked, not even sure he wanted to know as he stared into Lilly's lifeless body.
"We just found out Lilly was pregnant. The boys wanted to take us out to...," was all he could get out before he broke down. "I never thought..."
That was too much for Cain. He wanted more information, and he knew where to get it. He stormed out of the damaged building, not caring that his lover was screaming his name.
He was down the street and was at an apartment complex before he knew it. With every step he took, the rage within him grew. He got to the apartment, and banged on the door. Morgan answered.
"Wyatt, what are...?"
"It was you, the phone call?!" Cain yelled.
"Wyatt, keep your voice down...
"Tell me!" Cain yelled again.
"Yes, it was me."
"Did you know about the bombing? I know your part of the fucking resistance, but please tell me you were not involved in that." Cain pleaded.
"Wyatt... please, you have to..."
"Did you know!?"
"Yes, but Lilly was not supposed to be there, she never goes."
"Yes, but Jordan goes."
"I know, you told me that." Cain's eyes got wide.
"You got that information from me, you fucking bastard, you killed Lilly!!!!" Cain said as he punched Morgan across the face knocking the man to the floor.
"Wyatt!" Morgan yelled, as he clinched his now bruising jaw.
"You've been sitting there, listening to me as I talked about Jordan and Lilly, picking up little bits of information that Jordan gave me. I thought we were friends! We have been partners for how many years now?"
"Wyatt! This is war!" Morgan yelled.
"You're damn right it is. You've wanted me to choose a side. Well fine, I've chosen. I would get your family out of here; the Longcoats are going to know who had a hand in the bombing."
"Wyatt you can't!" Morgan yelled.
"Watch me!" Cain said as he walked away.
