A/N- Wassup? It be TOBN with a new chapter of The Royals!
This is it. The part when two climaxes collide (that's right...right?). Benny's problems hit everyone else's problems, and that's just gonna create a huge storm of problems. And more secrets as well. And a lot more revelations. And some cameos? Cameos I just decided to add to tease you all? Who knows?
We are two chapters from the stunning truth - which I have been switching back and forth, determining which one will give it the better ending that'll shock you all the most - and three chapters from the end. Think I can finish it by the end of next week? That's my goal right now. There are four stories you are gonna see a spike in updates: Our Last Summer, Tropical Friends, What If, and this one. Everything, but Our Last Summer, will end before next week's end.
(I'm trying my best not to cry, not only because of all these good stories ending, but because I am listening to the soundtrack for Phantom Of The Opera [research for my musical story], and All I Ask Of You is hauntingly playing on repeat, and is very emotional to me *sniffle*)
Shoutouts to...
funkybananas47- Huh! I guess you really are paying attention, huh? I'm happy you are! Because bigger truths - that I think no one has picked up on - are coming ahead! And yeah: I'm a big Benias/Tobenny shipper as well! If Bethan didn't exist, I'd be pretty darn happy with this (if Tobias magically became a couple in the series). Anyway, thanks for your review!
MBAV fan66- Yup! I fooled you...fool. *desperately trying to sound all gangsta and cool, but failing miserably* Jokes! And ha ha! *points finger at the air* Am I toying with your emotions? Is this gonna turn out to be Rory/Sarah, or Ethan/Sarah? You'll have to find out! And some more answers are gonna be answered, but definitely more questions before this battle I'm planning. But enough of those spoilers; thanks for your review, fanfic buddy!
And with that, drop a review, because that's all I ask of you...
(listening to this song way too much, and I only found this song yesterday)
ENJOY!
The Royals: Chapter 17: The Waterfall Of Many Secrets
Tobias rode a white horse, picking pace with Erica, who was silently leading the group on her own brown steed. She saw Tobias in the corner of her eye, but didn't look at the fellow vampire in the eye. Tobias saw this as he sighed, closing his eyes for a quick second, and then focusing his gaze ahead of the road that Erica was leading everyone - who were all riding horses as well, their swords glistening in the moonlight.
"You'll have to tell them at some point." Tobias whispered, his words being picked up by Erica's vampire hearing. She winced - maybe even shuddered - at the thought, still staying nothing as she - to Tobias - turned into that mute person she always was. Tobias shook his head.
"Whatever." He mumbled, his thick British accent like a disappointed dog. Erica hated how Tobias was so hauntingly seductive, and if he wasn't gay, she would be head over heels for him - along with every other girl in the kingdom, now that she thought of it.
An awkward silence filled the small gap between Tobias and his horse, and Erica and her horse. Tobias turned his head, pulling the reins slightly as he directed his horse towards the stoney path Erica was leading everyone through. He saw the straight face of Ross - who was oddly pale, and Tobias could hear all that blood pumping - and it seemed as if Ross knew where he was going - which Tobias wouldn't be surprised at, honestly.
Jane, to his surprise, also tagged along on a horse much calmer than everyone else's, her face scrunched up, as if she was in deep thinking as well. She was shockingly good at riding a horse, for a girl who has been locked up all her life. Perhaps she read a book on that...
Rory and Sarah loomed in the back, silent. Tobias could tell something icy was between them, because despite the fact they were right beside each other, their faces were cold and emotionless. It must've occurred a long time ago, because they have been like this for a long time now...
And in the corner of his eye, Tobias saw the shine of what could be a sword or a piece of metal in the clear moonlight, buried in the trees and bushes in the thick forest. He squinted a bit, narrowing his gaze at the direct bush, that rustled a bit, and a sharp and quiet gasp was heard in Tobias' ears. He frowned - perhaps they were being followed? - but shook his head as he turned around. He could smell not one, but two people's auras, and both were coming from two different directions.
Tobias was shaken, not stirred; who could be the person - or persons - following them? Should he be worried? More worried than he was now? He could be falling into a trap. Because after what Erica confessed, he didn't know whether she should be trusted or not...
"Who turned you?" He heard a faint whisper, and whipped his head around, his honey brown hair trailing behind him. He stared right into the eyes of Erica, her blue orbs staring right back him. Tobis shook his head sadly.
"It was about five years ago," He said slowly, reminiscing. "And I was walking around the plains near my hometown. There was this fine fellow. He was..." Tobias sniffed a bit, remembering the heartbreak and betrayal he experienced in the time being. Erica noticed his sullen look.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't feel comfortable doing so."
"I want to tell you. I...I need closure."
Tobias took a breath and closed his eyes, his horse following Erica's on its own. Tobias remembered that fatal day...
"I was in a relationship with a boy. Tall, ominous, mysterious, and very good looking. He was rather handsome, but his looks meant nothing to me." Tobias blushed. "Although I do love a man with a dapper sense of clothing." He remarked, giggling a little, slightly creeping Erica out. Tobias snapped out of it as he continued.
"Anyway, well, I met him, sitting in the grass, blowing on a stray dandelion. I was automatically touched at his complexion and how still and calm he looked. I remember what he wore; a black jacket that swayed in the fall wind, and a grey shirt, matched with black pants. He was very goth looking, but he looked so serene. I was curious, needless to say." He explained, and he found himself smiling. Erica cocked an eyebrow as she nodded for him to continue.
"I talked to him, enthralled by his appearance. We talked for a while, talking as if we knew each other all our lives. We exchanged mails and addresses, and we visited and sent each other mail quite often. We dated for a while, before it happened." He shuddered at the thought.
"I was 17 years old, as I am today - well, kinda, in a way, if you know what I mean - and we went into a dark ally in the marketplace. He brought me into a local inn, and we had plans. Dirty ones, if you catch my drift" He sighed.
"But when we were unclothed, and on the bed, I thought he was gonna kiss me." He sniffed. "He didn't." Erica looked down at her horse's mane.
"He bit you, didn't he?" She asked. Tobias nodded, a single tear dripping.
"I rather not speak any more about it." He whispered. Erica nodded. "Of course. I completely understand." Tobias whipped his head towards the blonde, growling, his fangs popping out a bit and glistening against the moonlight.
"Do you?" He hissed quietly. "You aren't what you are, after all." Erica sighed, regretting the whole 'confession' thing that happened between Tobias and Erica. She sighed, buried in her own remorse and sadness.
"You are right. I'm sorry." She whispered, voice barely audible over the sound of the wind. Tobias nodded.
"Just lead the way." He said gruffly, making Erica nodded as they turned.
Minutes passed, and Ross was starting to get a little obnoxious. He stopped his horse, making everyone screech to a halt. Everyone's eyes were on the king, who had a little more lies stored inside of him. He groaned.
"Are we there, or is this just some pity walk?" He asked. "Because this is starting to get a bit obnoxious. We are basically just wandering in the forest at midnight." He complained, sounding a bit childish. Jane noticed this and smirked, her pearl teeth shining.
"A bit childish, father? You are more of a young and annoying brat than I thought." She insulted, making Ross growl at her. Rory growled at everyone.
"Now let's not get on each other's backs," The middle child said. "But I do want to know where we are going, Erica." He said, staring at his girlfriend in the eye. Erica blushed meekly at his dreamy gaze, but remembering what Rory had done to her, she kept her face straight.
"We are heading to someone..." She paused. "Just the person who kidnapped Benny. And," She rode her horse ahead a bit, turning a corner as everyone quickly followed. Sarah gasped as she saw something she never saw before whenever her and Ethan traveled in the woods, late at night.
"Here we are." Erica said at last, staring at the small wooden cabin that laid at the edge of the cabin.
Erica gulped; she didn't want anyone to find out this way. She didn't want Rory to find out like this. It was so unfair, that Tobias had to push all the secrets out of her. And it wasn't even that she got anything out of it; everyone's secrets were gonna pour out in this chapter, unlike anything that ever happened to her. But it was time to turn the tables on her "master".
She had done a bit more research about Evelyn, and had realized - staying in the Morgan Kingdom had certainly been helpful - that there were pieces that Evelyn wasn't telling her. And now it was time to reveal the truth.
Erica silently led everyone into the house, bursting through the door. Everyone gasped at the sight they saw.
Evelyn stood in the centre of the room, a sword in hand. An old man stood alongside her, a vial in his withered hand. Right behind them, was Benny, who laid unconscious on the wall. He had bruises littered on his skin, and his eye was swollen purple.
"Benny." Tobias breathed out, breaking through the old couple to touch his boyfriend's feet, that hung lazily above him. Benny was completely knocked out, his face reading pain, as if he was tortured and beaten in this place. Ross looked down, as Evelyn smiled.
"Why, if it isn't the good ol' Scooby gang." She mocked, making Erica guiltily look down with a small frown. Rory stood by her side, concerned at the paled look that was written across his girlfriend's - or whatever they were now - face.
Ross was pale as well, but not out of guilt - well, it was some of that as well - but out of defeat; everything he worked so hard to hide was now falling down right on him. And it was gonna bury him alive.
Sarah heard footsteps somewhere...where were they coming?
And Jane, merely amused by it all, was a bit fazed of who she was seeing; was this the Earth Priestess that created her? It sure looked that way.
"I doubt some of you know who I am, so let me introduce myself and my husband here," She said, pointing to the man with the vial of glittery liquid in his hand. She smiled smugly, staring at everyone who was now in her house. Was she caught? Or had she planned this?
"I am Evelyn Weir; I am an Earth Priestess, and your worst nightmare." She said, cackling. "And this is Stern Sinistero Weir; he is my husband for many years now." She said with a less impressed face as Stern bowed swiftly and mockingly.
"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance" He said mockingly, making Jane stick out her tongue. Evelyn smiled.
"Well. It is a pleasure to see you again, Ross." She said, walking up to the king and holding his chin. "Perhaps we can finish what we started, no?" She added smugly, letting go and pushing him, making him stumble a bit. Ross drew out his sword.
"That's 'king' to you, Evelyn." He gritted out. Evelyn laughed.
"Yeah. Okay." She said teasingly with a laugh. Tobias growled at Evelyn and Stern.
"Why the hell do you have my boyfriend?" He gritted. Evelyn looked at him with a smile, ready to tell secrets out like plucking petals of flowers. She stared at Tobias with steely eyes; he should be very afraid right now.
"Oh! Are you my disappointment of a grandson's boyfriend?" She teased. Stern growled, sniffing him a bit as he smiled.
"Oh. And of course, my grandson has to go ahead and pick a vampire as a boyfriend too." He paused as everyone's eyes widened at the stunned Tobias. "Remind me to give that boy an extra hard beating when he wakes up." He laughs, and Evelyn joins him. Tobias, already knowing his secret has been leaked, hisses at everyone. fangs popping out.' Everyone yelped as they jumped back.
"You dare not hurt my boyfriend!" He hissed. Evelyn rolled her eyes as Ross growled, sword in hand as he pressed it against Tobias' chest threateningly.
"You are a monster." He sneered, looking into Tobias' frightened eyes. "You are never going near my son, or anyone again, for that matter. Rot in hell, if you even can." He said with disgust, pressing it a bit more. Rory pulled him back.
"Father, wait." He said sternly, pulling Ross away from Tobias. Ross stared at Rory with icy eyes as Rory sighed. "She's trying to get all of us to turn on us. Or so I assume. We all just need to remain calm, and find out why this son of a bitch has my brother." He growled, facing his glare at Evelyn.
Tobias heard Stern snicker, and mutter "Yeah. Brother." under his breath. Tobias rose his eyebrow quizzically as Evelyn laughed.
"Oh, sure, young blonde idiot." She said with a cackle. Rory looked at Evelyn with fury in his eyes, almost forgetting everything he had just said to Ross. Evelyn held her head high as she pointed to Erica, who wanted to so badly escape...
"How about when you find out your little girlfriend wasn't who she said she was?" She said, hand on hip. Everyone looked at Erica, who had tears down her eyes. Evelyn slapped her with the flat side of her sword, making her wince.
"C'mon, you pathetic vampire." She sneered, making everyone gasp; Erica was a creature of the night as well? Little did everyone - especially Rory - know, there was a lot more revelations that was gonna occur in the next five minutes or so...
"Is that any way to cry in front of your master?" She said, crossing her arms as Rory covered his mouth in shock.
His mind raced; their whole relationship had been built on lies. Lies that she should've twisted into truths before it was too late. Too late for her. Too late for them.
And it was.
"You bastard!" Rory yelled, marching up to the crying Erica, his own tears forming in his eyes as everyone watched what was unfolding. Stern and Evelyn looked amused of it all as Rory growled, his heart breaking.
"You turned on all of us, just to work with this bitch, who destroyed our life, and never tell me? And you're a vampire too! You should've not lied, Erica." He growled, standing a distance from Erica. He sniffed back tears.
"How can you do that to me?" His shouts turned to what sounded more like a helpless whimper. "To us?" He then dug through his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and threw it on the ground in front of Erica. She covered her mouth in remorse and shock.
"There's go this." Rory huffed. "What a waste of making Erica just storm up in realization.
"Yeah? How about that kiss you and," She pointed at Sarah. "her shared? What do you have to explain about that, huh? We are both guilty of something, Rory!" She yelled in frustration, making Rory soften a bit. Sarah threw her hands up in frustration.
"I still don't know when I kissed you, aside from when we were in my room and you-" She then covered her mouth in surprise, regretting the words as soon as they came up. Rory looked at Sarah with wide eyes as Erica smirked.
"What lies have you been hiding, huh Rory? You didn't kiss once, but twice. I hate you!" She yelled. Evelyn smiled.
"Glad to have you back, Erica." She said with a smile. "You know, you are kind of like the daughter I always wanted. Would've been better than this puny excuse of spellmaster." She said, pointing her head to Benny once again, making Tobias steam. Erica looked at Evelyn, ready to turn the tables on her so called "master"
"Yeah? Well, I hate you too, Evelyn." She hissed, her fangs popping out. Evelyn's - she clearly wasn't expecting this - eyes widened as Stern reeled back a bit.
"Excuse me?" He said, frowning. Evelyn nodded. "What the hell are you talking about?" She asked. Erica growled.
"I know the truth about you. I know how evil you are." She said. Rory nodded.
"You are evil! And I know what you did!" He shouted. Evelyn crossed her arms incredulously, but secretly fearing what secrets were going to be pouring out now for her, now that the tables were turned.
"You spelled Sarah into kissing me. I know, because I saw it. In the hallway we kissed?" The words stung Erica as Rory explained himself. "There was a sparkle behind Sarah." Sarah frowned.
"I actually did remember feeling a bit tingly..." She said, trailing off. Evelyn gasped, but recovered.
"Okay, so you caught me there. I'll admit; you are very smart. Smarter than I thought, at least." She said. "But there are so many more things you all have been hiding, right? How about you, dear Tobias." She laughed as someone, someone who Tobias never thought would see again, appeared at the doorway.
"I'm determined to destroy you all. Whatever it takes." She said, shaking her head with a malicious grin. She stared at Tobias, who was tearing up.
"Whatever it takes." She repeated with an even wider grin. Stern cross his arms as Tobias' eyes watered; was this who was following him in the woods? Or at least one of them? How did he not know?
"Hello again, dear Tobias." The tall figure said with a smile, still in the same clothes Tobias saw him in. Tobias stepped back.
"Stay away from me, Jesse." He commanded. Jesse grinned. "I thought you loved me, Tobias?" He said jokingly. Tobias choked on tears.
"I thought you loved me, or at least, I thought you had loved me. This isn't helping. So stay away, because we are both on the same level now." He hissed. Jesse laughed as he grounded Tobias onto the wall with a glint of his fangs showing in his mouth. Tobias gulped.
"I do love you Tobias. Don't you?" He asked with a fang filled grin. Tobias had tears in his eyes as suddenly, creaking came from the door, and everyone turned around.
"Oh my god..." Sarah covered her mouth in shock. It was someone she'd never expect to see, let alone standing.
Tobias realized, this was the second person he sensed in the forest. And yet another surprise was added to this surprise-filled day.
And there, standing against a silver sword that he used as a cane of some sorts, was Ethan; his breathing steady and slow as his eyes were a bit dull. He was dressed into a light tunic, but it was one of the old ones, Rory recognized.
Silence crept through the room as Ethan, who held onto the handle of the sword as if it were his only support - which in a way, it was - smiled a bit.
"Damn," He said at last, breaking the stunned silence. "You guys go fast; why couldn't I get a horse?"
A/N- Two more chapters 'till the truth, then the epilogue on Chapter 20! I was really happy with this chapter.
Were you surprised with Stern and Jesse making an appearance in this fic? You know I wouldn't leave out my two favorite villains (especially Jesse...that son of a bitch) out of this story, did ya?
Stern was okay, but I was extremely happy with what Jesse's role was. Can you imagine I thought of leaving Jesse as Benny's father? Weird, right? But I only had one thing for that (and that was the punchline "Benny. I am your father.", referring to Star Wars), and it was really unrelated to everything. And how confusing would that be, huh? So this was - in my opinion - a bit better - and a bit more evil on my part.
But what do you think? Leave me a review, and tell me!
Until next time, my friends!
In Fangs, We Trust