Trey wakes up on his king sized bed, yawning as he stretches and gets out of bed. It has been a few weeks since Thundox's funeral which everyone has been slowly recovering from. As Trey drags himself to his bathroom to brush his teeth, he notices a messenger hawk outside of his window to which he promptly opens and reads.
"Hey Trey, it's Requiem. Been a while since we've seen each other, feels like everything changed after the night that Thundox died. We should link up, it's been a minute since we actually hung out. I know Thundox was like a brother to you, but you should get some fresh air. Plus, he wouldn't want you to mope around. There's a house party tomorrow late at night. Just, respond to this message at least when you have the time. See ya when I see ya." read the letter.
Trey finishes reading the letter, realizing that Requiem is right. He decides to send a messenger hawk back to Requiem, agreeing to hang out with him and some others.
Trey leans on the wall, creating fire from the palm of his hands and playing with it out of boredom. He starts slowly elevating the fire and bringing it back down, training his control of the flames.
"Come on, that's the best you can do?" A familiar voice says.
Trey looks over, grinning slightly as he sees Requiem walking over to him.
"Yeah, and I'll still kick your ass anyday." Trey replies.
Requiem would ignore his remark. "You mind if I invited the others?" Requiem questions.
"Depends, which others are we talking about?" Trey asks.
"Me, you, Cine, Forsaken, Ani, Toxi-" Requiem says, before being cut off.
"Wait did you say Ani?" Trey asks, a slight nervous tone that came with the question.
"Yeah, got a problem Prince Charming? She's your girl after all." Requiem states.
"Things have just been awkward, we haven't talked to each other in a while and…" Trey says, dragging his sentence on.
"And…?" Requiem asks.
"Well, I overheard Toxic talking about Ani and Nate basically having sex with each other." Trey responds.
"What's wrong with that, I mean that was probably before she found out Nate was a psychopath." Requiem remarks.
"Probably, but it's like Nate is always one step ahead of me or just better than me. First he easily beats me in a fight with no difficulty, then he kills my best friend right in front of me, and now he made the girl that I like fall in love with him? I mean, I couldn't even protect Ani." Trey says, looking down.
"Hm, that's very bitch boy of you not gonna lie." Requiem responds.
"Shut up… anyways it isn't even allowed for a Prince and General to be romantically involved. My Dad made sure to have a very "discreet" chat about that during a meeting with him and the other royals. He's probably gonna have me marry some wealthy noble nonbender woman, meaning I just have to stop hitting up Ani.." Trey states, sighing.
"Like I said, very bitch boy of you." Requiem responds back.
Trey would push Requiem's head to his remarks. "Haha, very funny." Trey says.
"Well, looks like your wealthy noble woman replacement is here now." Requiem says as he points over to Ani walking to the porch of the house with Earth.
"Hey boys, has anyone else arrived yet?" Ani asks.
"No not really, we're just waiting for everyone right now." Requiem responds.
Toxic would walk up from behind Ani and Earth, seemingly carrying their stuff. "God what's in here, rocks?" Toxic rhetorically questions.
"Toxic, why are you here? You're not allowed to come to house parties this late." Trey says, speaking to Toxic.
"Well I went to the beach house party didn't I?" Toxic says, smirking.
"Yeah you were there on duty to catch a spy, I don't think there's any duty for you at this party other than to LEAVE." Trey states.
"Come on, let me stay… please?" Toxic begs.
"Toxic actually dropped the both of us off here in his satomobile since we already had a few drinks before." Ani chimes in.
"Wow, Toxic, you can drive?! Oh I'm so proud of you." Requiem says sarcastically.
"Fine Toxic, you can stay at this party…" Trey says.
"Hey Toxic, how come you listen to Trey more than me? I'm your real older sibling!" Earth exclaims.
"Shut up mid rank." Toxic says as he rushes into the party.
Earth would grunt as everyone walked into the party. Ani would turn to Trey, attempting to start a conversation but Trey would continue walking as if he pretended he didn't notice her.
There would be plenty of people at the party. Many people dancing, drinking, getting together, and just chilling. The group would make their way over the vast amount of unfamiliar faces until they reached a place where they can all sit.
"So, what's everyone been up to?" Ani says, almost directing the question to Trey by looking at him. Trey would be looking the other way, again blatantly ignoring Ani. Everyone would be awkward for a few seconds, before Requiem spoke out.
"Oh hey, is that Cine and Forsaken over there? Looks like they got my invitation. And they're with… Isaiah…" Requiem says, with the last word in disgust.
"What's wrong with Isaiah again?" Toxic asks, not really knowing him.
"Well he's kind of cringe, and by kind of he's really cringe. He's really down bad for women too, he tried watching me change one time." Ani states, a shiver runs down her spine from the memory.
"Come on he can't be THAT bad…" Earth says, not worried.
Requiem calls their names, gesturing for them to come over. Isaiah would rush over, bending on one knee in front of Ani and Earth.
"G'day m'ladies, are these other men bothering you? If so, I can be your knight in shining armor…" Isaiah says, winking.
"Oh god you were right…" Earth says.
Forsaken and Cine would walk up to the group. "Sorry about Isaiah, he's odd." Forsaken says.
"Never mind Isaiah, let's just enjoy the night." Requiem spoke out.
The group looks at each other, smiling and ready to have some fun.
The night is alive with the pulsating rhythm of music and the chatter of lively conversations, as the group relishes in the vibrant environment. Laughter and camaraderie flows as drinks are raised and memories are made.
Amid the revelry, Ani's keen senses detect a shift in Trey's behavior. Despite the surrounding mirth, she couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that he was slipping away, withdrawing himself from her. Ani's worry grows with each passing moment as she observes Trey's increasingly distracted demeanor.
Trey's aloofness struck her like a dissonant chord in the symphony of the evening. Concerns gnaws at the edges of her mind, urging her to seek answers. With a sigh, she turns to Forsaken, her confidante and pillar of support in times of uncertainty.
"Forsaken." she murmeres, her voice laces with a mixture of worry and confusion. "Have you noticed Trey's behavior? He's acting so distant, like he's avoiding me intentionally."
Forsaken's brow furrowed as he observed Trey's movements with a discerning eye. He shares Ani's concern, "You're right, Ani. There might be something he's grappling with. It might be best to talk to him and find out what's going on."
Ani relaxes at his words, "Yeah.. You're probably right, I should just go talk to him-"
Ani is interrupted by an unexpected disturbance threatening to disrupt the party ambiance. A voice, amplified by liquid courage, rang out with accusatory words that hung heavily in the air. "Hold up, everyone! Look who decided to grace us with his presence! It's none other than the illustrious Prince Trey himself!"
The source of the proclamation was a brash individual, his words heavy with contempt as he openly pointed a finger at Trey. The room's buoyant energy transforms into a charged atmosphere as the murmurs of intrigue spread among the partygoers. With a smug grin, the instigator seizes the opportunity to cast a shadow over Trey's reputation.
"I've seen that face before." the individual continues, his voice dripping with disdain. "The infamous Flame Fist Prince Trey. Quite the joke if you ask me. I can't believe Emperor Glovoc hasn't dealt with you personally, considering you're practically the reason for our war's decline."
Trey's usually controlled countenance falteres. His fists clenches involuntarily as he processes the sudden attack on his character. His eyes narrowing at the man.
"Excuse me?" Trey's voice carries a dangerous edge, his voice dripping with restrained fury. He takes a step forward, his gaze locking onto the instigator. The room seems to freeze around them, the surrounding revelers pausing to witness the brewing confrontation.
The man smirks defiantly. "You heard me, Your reckless actions have led us to this dire state. Your arrogance has cost us lives and territory. Are you proud of that?"
Ani's heart clenches as she watches the verbal exchange unfold. She feels a mixture of concern for Trey and a growing unease over the situation. She exchanges glances with Forsaken, sharing her worries. Ani then looks back toward the commotion hoping Trey wouldn't do anything rash.
The gathered crowd seems to hold its breath, waiting for his response. With a deep breath, Trey's voice emerges, resonating with a blend of anger and frustration. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Our situation is far more complex than you seem to grasp."
The instigator laughs dismissively, his arrogance showing no signs of abating. "Complex? Spare me the excuses, Prince. The damage you've caused is plain for all to see. Our empire's recent decline has been directly linked to your actions. Glovoc should've reined you in a long time ago."
Trey's fists tremble at his sides, a storm of emotions raging within him. He could feel the weight of the room's gaze upon him, the tension between his desire to lash out and his need to maintain his composure tearing at his resolve.
"Listen." Trey's voice held a strained note of authority. "The dynamics of this war are far more intricate than a simple blame game. If you're seeking answers, start by understanding why you would've been better off being cum crust on your mother's tits." Trey sneeres.
Series of laughter erupts from the gathered crowd toward the instigator.
The instigator's smirk twists into a sneer, his eyes dancing with anger. "You of all people wanna talk about understanding? Why don't you tell everyone here just so we can understand how the fuck you let an Imperial Guard die on your watch." The instigator smirks once again. "Personally I'm surprised you even survived, that IG must've been weakling." The man finishes.
The room seemed to hold its breath, the standoff reaching its apex. Then, like a spark igniting a powder keg, the confrontation exploded into a brawl as Trey's patience gave way to action. Trey's fist shot forward, slamming into the man's face sending him to the ground almost immediately. Voices rang out in a cacophony of anger, and the atmosphere once charged with celebration became an all out free for all.
Seven people would instantly charge at Trey, igniting fire from their arms and fire multiple flame blasts towards Trey. Trey would smirk, swiftly dodging all of the blasts with ease. Trey then starts fist fighting each of the seven people, taking them out without even needing to bend.
Requiem would come out of the bathroom, seeing the commotion happening.
"FUCK YEAH, FINALLY SOMETHING ENTERTAINING!" Requiem says, as he boosts over towards the brawl and starts throwing hands with the opposition, boxing each and every one of the opposition to the ground.
Toxic, Cine, and Forsaken even join in on the fun and start brawling with everyone. Ani and Earth start fighting back to back, sending swing kicks to anyone that tries to get close. Isaiah would notice this, running over.
"ANI, EARTH, WATCH OUTTT!" Isaiah screams, dramatically. He then jumps in front of them, catching a flameball that was being thrown at them. Isaiah then turns around to the two girls. "You ladies alright…? You two go on and head home now." Isaiah says, with a smug look on his face.
The squad starts to regroup, everyone forming a circle while their backs are faced towards the inside of the makeshift circle. It seems as though the whole party is fighting against them, yet they stand no chance. After a few minutes of demolition, everyone walks out unscathed.
"Well, that escalated quickly." Forsaken says, fixing the jacket he's wearing.
"Yeah, I almost lost an arm saving these two beauties… but it was all worth it." Isaiah says, looking over to Ani and Earth while smirking. Ani and Earth would gag.
"Sucks that they were too fodder to even be called a challenge." Requiem adds in.
"One of my only nights out and it's ruined by you guys becoming savages, man I could use a vacation." Earth says, sighing.
"I mean, I could sort of get you a vacation if you want." Trey states.
"What do you mean by that Trey?" Forsaken asks, curious.
"Well, I'm going somewhere and I can bring a few people with me. It's not gonna be all fun though, we're gonna need to complete a sort of mission." Trey says.
"Well where will we be going, and what will we do?" Isaiah asks.
"It's a lot to explain, let me break it down for you guys though…" Trey says.
"We've got a lot to talk about." Glovoc announced.
Trey got slightly nervous, as Glovoc usually says that when there's bad news. None of the royals including Trey have really communicated with Glovoc ever since the incidents that occured. Glovoc stood up, the fire around his throne growing larger and expanding more.
"Those traitors… those fiends… that Captain and Lieutenant that betrayed us. They escaped from the grasp of our hands and slipped through each and every one of our blockades with ease. I have no idea how, but they successfully made it back to the Northern Liquid City. We took control of Northern Liquid City before, drove every single Liquid out of it or forced them under our labor. Alas, with the information that Nate and Jonah leaked, the rebellion force was able to reclaim the Northern Liquid City and drive our rankers out of it. Now they're slowly claiming every single Flame Empire village near the Capital. Soon, they'll be reaching the Harbor, then Caldera." Glovoc exclaimed, furiously.
Trey looked down, knowing that he's at fault. If he was just stronger then he could've taken down Nate and Jonah preventing this from all happening. Trey then looked up, seeing Glovoc staring him down. Trey could feel the intimidation pushing him against the ground as Glovoc eyes him down.
"Trey…" Glovoc said.
"Yes, my Emperor?" Trey responded. He usually wouldn't respond this way, but looking at the situation it might have been best.
"Because of your actions of being incapable of suppressing a Lieutenant and Captain, I'm sending you on a mission." Glovoc stated.
Trey thought to himself. 'A mission? What kind of mission is Dad gonna send me on?'
"Because of the Liquid Dynasty rebelling and pushing our forces back further and further each day." Glovoc's voice was laced with frustration. "We need to take a drastic step. I'm sending you on a diplomatic mission to negotiate with the Rock Realm."
Trey's eyebrows shot up in surprise. 'A diplomatic mission?' Trey thought to himself, he had always been more accustomed to combat and strategy than to negotiations and alliances. But Glovoc's stern gaze left no room for argument.
"You will represent our empire and you will secure their support in this time of crisis." Glovoc continued. "Once we forge an alliance with the Rock Realm, it would strengthen our position against the rebellion. Their resources and military might could prove invaluable."
Trey nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of his father's words. The rebellion had to be stopped, They had exposed their vulnerabilities. And an alliance might be the key to tipping the scales back in their favor. And if diplomacy was the way to achieve it, then he would fulfill his duty.
"I am ready, Emperor Glovoc." Trey responded with determination. "I will secure the alliance with the Rock Realm and ensure our empire's survival."
Glovoc's stern expression gave way to a faint glimmer of approval, and his grip tightened as he placed a hand on Trey's shoulder. "You have always shown promise, Trey. But given recent events, I deem it necessary for you to be accompanied by trusted individuals."
Trey internally cringed at this notion, but then reluctantly nods. Acknowledging the wisdom in his father's words. After his loss to Nate and Jonah, it was clear he needed allies he could rely on. "I understand, Father. I will select capable members from the military to accompany me."
Glovoc's gaze remained unwavering as Trey began listing names, each representing a distinct skill set and loyalty. As the list lengthened, Trey's confidence grew, knowing that he could count on these individuals to have his back.
"Captain Forsaken, Lieutenant Earth, Captain Toxic, Imperial Guard Isaiah, and General Kcryolus." Trey recited, confidence lacing his voice as he named his comrades.
But as Trey reached the last name, a shadow seemed to cross Glovoc's face. "And General Aniosity." Trey concluded.
Glovoc's stern countenance returned in full force, his voice tinged with a cold edge. "General Rayan has brought to my attention that you have been engaging in questionable interactions with General Aniosity. I trust I don't need to remind you that inter-military relationships, especially among royalty, are strictly forbidden."
Trey's heart pounded as the weight of Glovoc's words settled in. He had been warned, but now his actions were being scrutinized on a much grander scale. He lowered his gaze, a mixture of guilt and regret gnawing at him.
"I-I understand Emperor Glovoc." Trey managed to say, his voice subdued.
Glovoc's gaze remained unyielding. "Remember, Trey, our empire's future hinges on your success. Do not allow personal distractions to cloud your judgment."
With those final words, Glovoc dismissed Trey, leaving him to grapple with the weight of his mission and the reminder of the boundaries he had overstepped. As he walked away, Trey's determination was unshaken, but the realization that he needed to find his focus was now more imperative than ever. But still, Ani was at the forefront of his mind.
'Get ahold of yourself Trey, no more distractions.' Trey thought to himself, pushing his thoughts of Ani away.
After Trey concluded recounting the flashback leaving out the part about Ani, a solemn hush settled over the group. The weight of their empire's struggles hung heavily in the air, and Trey's words carried the gravity of their situation.
"As you all have witnessed, the situation has become dire." Trey's voice rings out, concern coloring his tone. "The Liquid Dynasty's rebellion has forced our forces into retreat, and survival of our empire hinges on our actions."
Eyes turned toward each other, a sense of cautious anticipation palpable among them. Trey's gaze swept over his friends, their faces etched with a range of emotions, from concern to readiness.
A moment of silence hung in the air, broken by Requiem's voice, resolute and unyielding. "Count me in. We've been through worse, and if this could help our people, I'm all in."
Trey would look back to Requiem, responding to his remark. "You sure? I thought you didn't want to rank anymore. You don't have to come along on this mission."
"Who said anything about ranking? I just wanna help my bro out on something he needs help with. And who knows, I could go for one last ride being Lieutenant." Requiem says as he smirks at Trey. Trey would sigh, being grateful to have a friend like Requiem.
Isaiah, always one to voice his opinion, chimed in with skepticism. "You're all crazy if you think this is a good idea. We're walking into a lion's den."
Ani exchanged a glance with Earth, the two of them speaking volumes without uttering a word. "We're well aware of the risks, but we can't afford to sit idle, count me and Earth in." Ani's voice holding a steadfast resolve.
Earth nodded in agreement solidifying their decision. Isaiah's dissent seemed to waiver seeing the girls agree to go as he agrees immediately after they both decided to go. "Well I mean SOMEONE has to protect these fine ladies." Isaiah says.
Seeing the tide turning, Toxic's infectious enthusiasm couldn't be contained. "Yes! ADVENTUREEE TIMEEE, wait Trey I can come right?"
Forsaken's practicality kicks in, a nod of agreement coming easily from him. "If Trey's leading this charge, I'm with him."
The final piece of the puzzle came from Cine, the quiet observer finally making his stance known. Everyone's gaze upon him, awaiting his response."Okay." Cine says.
"Well, I guess it's all settled. We leave first thing in the morning, we have a nice wooden cruise ship that the Rock Realm is sending here to pick us up, meaning we can relax on our way there." Trey exclaims, grateful that everyone said yes.
Trey gaze lingers on Ani for a few moments, Ani notices this, sending him a worried look. Trey quickly turned away, shaking his head slightly. Ani frowned at this. As they all turn their backs on each other to say farewell to each other, everyone goes their separate ways back to their home. Everyone, but Trey.
Trey enters the throne room, seeing Glovoc sitting on the throne, his back facing towards the entrance.
"So, is it done…?" Glovoc asks Trey.
"Yes.. Father. I've got my squad and we're ready to leave for tomorrow." Trey responds.
"Tell me who you are going with." Glovoc orders.
"As I previously said. Captain Forsaken, Lieutenant Earth, Captain Toxic, Imperial Guard Isaiah, General Kcryolus. There's also a new addition of reinstated Lieutenant Requiem on the team as well." Trey says, slightly nervously.
"Is that all…?" Glovoc asks, staring at Trey coldly. Trey knows that he forgot to include General Aniosity, he did it on purpose. Glovoc fears that if Ani is on the mission then Treys and Ani's relationship may grow exponentially.
"That is all, my Emperor." Trey responds.
"Alright, dismissed."
Trey walks away, sighing as he got away with lying. Glovoc would speak out in a loud tone before Trey exited the room. "Don't let me catch you with her… I will find out." The Emperor spoke emphasizing 'her'
Trey slowly turns back to Glovoc, nodding at his request. He then exits the room, looking down in guilt and emptiness. 'My royal lineage, or the love of my life…' Trey thinks to himself as he walks over to his room.
As Trey lies down on his bed, feeling guilty of how he just lied to his Father. He also thinks about Ani, and how he's practically pushing her away with no reason given. The memories of the time they spent together flows through his mind, picturing them all vividly like it was a movie. He then turns his lamp off, covering himself with the blanket and slowly falling asleep.
CHAPTERS NOTES
ANI X TREY COMEBACK WOOOOO, we back baby. But in all seriousness, chapter 11-16 are gonna be some of the best chapters yet. Me and sqnjay got some crazy shit planned and it's gonna be lit. ONWARD TO ROCK REALM CITY - hedy
