Was she in over her head?

More than likely yes.

Was she still going to go through with it?

Also yes.

Cyli simply stared off into space as she sat at the dining hall's table, while Pac helped himself.

It was honestly a bit nauseating to watch him eat so much without so much as a five second break. Surely his stomach would be full or even ruptured by now! But nope. He continued to scarf down food as if he would never get to do so again.

He was about to gobble down an entire pie tin and all, when he stopped and noticed Cyli wasn't eating. "You ain't gonna eat", he questioned.

"No…"

"But your stomach growled earlier!"

"I know."

"Then eat! Come on, it's great!"

"I'll be honest with you- watching you eat so much like that is making me lose my appetite. Have you no sense of table manners either?"

Pac stopped, then he began to scowl. "What do I look like, some sorta fancy person?"

"Well you ARE the heir to the throne, so I guess you are. Why not, you know… act like it?"

Pac narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're sloppy, rude and don't seem very responsible. AKA, you don't seem like leader material to me, let alone leader of Pac World material."

Pac could feel the blood rushing to his face- both from anger and… that feeling. The same feeling he had when she had told him off the first time. So bold, so honest, so brutal! Her words stung quite a bit, but deep down he knew she was right. He was speechless. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Cyli could see his face heating up, and she smirked while folding her arms. She had him there. She also knew he likely wouldn't dare tell his dad if he truly was that taken with her, lest she get hurt as a result.

In the meantime, she decided to get back to planning on how she was to somehow help Mr C escape. It certainly would be no easy task, as everyone knew the building was armed to the teeth with highly trained soldiers and security cameras. Perhaps a power outage? That would take care of the camera problem, but not the soldiers. She was alright with self defense, but she wouldn't be able to take out all of them at once. Mr C probably wouldn't be much help in that regard either, as he was clearly past his prime (not that she would actually tell the poor guy that).

The only other person who could possibly help was- him. Her eyes drifted back to the young heir, who was still sitting there with his mouth agape. His facial expression combined with his blush was honestly hilarious, but Cyli couldn't help but feel a bit guilty after saying such harsh words.

She was against the idea of getting help from the likes of him, but he knew the layout of the building, and since he apparently liked her he might be susceptible to suggestion perhaps?

"Hey."

Pac closed his mouth, and blinked a few times. "Hey!"

"Y-yeah?"

"Since you took me on that tour, you clearly know a lot about this place."

Pac's face lit up. "You betcha! There isn't a single nook or cranny or secret passage I haven't explored!"

"Great! Then maybe you can… help me with something."

"Ooh what is it", Pac said eager for more mischief.

"Here, come closer."

Pac gladly did so, and Cyli leaned forward and began to whisper… "we're gonna sneak Mr C outta here."

"WHAT?!"

"Ow! Loud much?!"

"No way! You want me to-"
"Shhh", Cyli hissed pointing at the room's camera, which likely had a microphone. Pac got the hint immediately.

"Why", he whispered.

"I can't tell you", she whispered back.

"He makes my toys and stuff for my dad! Are you crazy?!"

"If I can't convince you, maybe he can. Let's go see him!"

"But what about dinner?"

"Can't you think about anything else but food?!"

"Well what else is there?"

Cyli facepalmed. "Let's just go."

"Fine, but I'm not changing my mind."

The dungeon was as cold and dark as when they were in it last time. Mr C was of course still in his cell, working on his latest project. "Well look what the cat dragged in", he said without turning around.

"I need you to convince Pac to help us", Cyli said. Mr C turned around, and sighed. "What'd ya go tellin' HIM for? For all we know he'll go tattle on us and we'll BOTH be in trouble!"

"I thought about that, but we also probably can't do this by ourselves."

"Fair point, but trying to convince that lemon menace of anything is like talking to a rock."
"HEY", Pac shouted.

"Probably not the best choice of words, sir. We are trying to convince him after all."

"Alright." Mr C wasn't sure how he was gonna do it, but he was still going to try.

"There are other people that need my help."

"So", said Pac.

Well that didn't work. Another idea popped into the old man's mind, a drastic one. But should he really…? No. Telling him would more than likely break him, and probably turn him against his own father. He would hate to emotionally manipulate someone like that, even if it was for the sake of a better tomorrow. But… there was a chance it would work.

Mr C just sat there, eyes shut. "Sir", Cyli said concerned.

"Alrighty", he said, opening his eyes. "Little miss, you should probably go back upstairs for this."

"But-"

"No buts. Upstairs. Now. It's for the… plan."

Who was she to argue then? She went back up the stairs, leaving the pair alone.

"What I'm about to tell you is going to hurt, but you have to promise me you absolutely WON'T confront your dad."

"What?"

"Promise me now."

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

"And if I don't?"

"Then I guess Pac World is doomed. I suppose it doesn't matter whether or not you go to your dad, you still need to hear this."

"Hear what? Just spit it out already!"

"If you insist. Your parents…"

Pac winced a bit.

"What did he tell you about them?"

"That they… died in battle."

"That's what he said?"

"Yeah… why?"

"Hmph, of course he would…"

"What?"

"My boy, that is a lie. A great white one. Yes they are dead, but they didn't die in battle, although that would have been more merciful."

"What are you talking about?!"

"My boy, this is something I should have told you ages ago… brace yourself."

"Okay?"
"Your daddy killed em", Mr C said as bluntly as possible.

Pac just stared. "What?"

"You heard me. I'm not going to sugar coat this. Your parents are dead because of that egg bastard."

"You're lying! HOW CAN YOU LIE ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!"

Mr C sighed. "Since when have I ever lied to you? Pac my boy, my words as true as I am green. I've wanted to tell you for so long… But I just didn't have it in me to crush you like this…" Mr C began to close his eyes once more.

He wasn't lying, and this revelation hit Pac like an armored truck full of lead. "What", he murmured.

"Had 'em all killed in cold blood for no reason other than spite", Mr C spat. "He let me live for whatever reason, possibly just to make me suffer. And suffer I have."

Mr C closed his eyes even tighter. "I'm sorry", he said, "you shouldn't have had to find out this way. But your dad is a monster, and the sooner you realize that the better off you'll be. You have no idea how painful the idea is of you growing up to be anything like him; heck, you probably already have. But you're still young- you still have time to turn around. Betrayus chose his path, as can you. Please, I'm begging you, don't make his mistakes." A single tear fell from his eye, rolling down his cheek.

"Every night for fifteen years I've begged for your parents' forgiveness, for not doing something to prevent this. Now look at you- a bonafide Pac Brat. But like I said, it's not too late. If you really do love that girl- no, if you love Pac World, you'll help her free me so things can get better. Please. Be the person your parents would have wanted you to be- a hero."

Pac was frozen in place. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a choking sound. His eyes got wet, it was his turn to cry. Seeing this made Mr C tear up more, it truly was painful to watch young Pac find out this way.

"No", Pac said quietly. "NO", he said louder. Mr C just sighed again. "I'm sorry…"

Pac tried to say something else, but all that came out was a sob. He was filled with so many different emotions at once, all of which were stronger than even his most violent tantrum. Sadness, grief, anger… ANGER. He had spent fifteen years of his life being raised by the man responsible for the deaths of his parents, who had lied to him about it to boot. He had bonded with that man during those years, he loved him! But, all that love began to melt away like butter, and was now replaced with something else- pure hatred.