3 DAYS LATER...

-Feliciano-

"Where are you going?" Kiku asked me on my way out the door.

"Oh, nowhere special. Just out for a short walk." I responded.

"Please be careful Feliciano." he said "Trouble is on the horizon. I can sense it." As I promised that I would be careful as possible I thought I saw a shadow in the corner of my vision but dismissed it as my imagination.

Meanwhile in the Throne Room...

-Ludwig-

I was getting tired of all this complaining. ' Oh, good King Ludwig this, King Ludwig that.' It was more annoying than the groveling. People were bringing up even the smallest disputes. Suddenly the door opened with a large 'Bam!' drawing everyone's attention to the bedraggled trio who had opened it. Two girls and one boy. One girl had blond hair and gray-green eyes the other, black hair and silver eyes. The boy had dark auburn hair and hazel eyes.

The boy cleared his throat and began to speak. "We come bringing urgent news for those in power."

"News of what?" someone asked.

"Treachery." the black haired girl said grimly. Mumbles and jostling spread through the room like wild fire. I stood and ushered them to my private council room.(sort of like a principal's office) They stood quietly ready to tell me their secrets.

"Alright, who's doing what and why is it treachery?" I asked.

"Its the White Kingdom sir." the blonde answered."They plan to...well Scip should tell you because he's the one who heard it."

The brunet, Scip sighed and began. "As far as I know they plan to kidnap the new Jack, kill him, and make it look like the Queen of Hearts and the King of Diamonds planned it."

"Why?"

"To throw everyone in turmoil so they and the Black Kingdom can take over."

"Who are you?"

"We were slaves known as #39,#38, and #9." the blonde answered once more.

This time the brunet spoke "But now we have escaped and we have names. I had one before, and once again it is mine. I am Scipio Croaker."

The ravenette said "I am Kate. Or, as my chuckle head friends call me Kat."

It was the blondes turn. "I am Jay-Jay or Bluejay."

"Why these names?" my curiosity was burning, like paper doused in gasoline.

Once again Scipio spoke "We call her Kat because she has a bizarre obsession with cats, and Bluejay finds bird feathers everywhere." these kids were weird but, they weren't lying. that I knew.

"Alright I'm going to call a war council." I hit the intercom button, some strange system my brother had invented. "Kiku and Feliciano meet me in my private council room immediately."

Kiku's voice crackled over the intercom "Ludwig Feliciano went out for a walk." I felt fear, heart stopping, gripping, horrible, fear.

"Please tell me that someone went with him." I begged. "Please."

"I'm sorry he went alone."