Chapter 21
The next morning in Leona's room Odette, Jack and Grim met up with Deuce and Ace. "So that's the plan." Odette said as she explained it.
"That's insane." Ace explained.
"No it's not cause this time we have back up." Odette said.
"I knew you guys were gutsy but this just proves it all over again. I'm in." Deuce said.
"Let's split up then. I'm sorry you get the hard job Jack." Odette apologized.
"You're facing two giant eels I think I have the easy job." Jack replied.
Odette, Deuce and Ace arrive at the museum to see it's closed. "You've got to be kidding me." Deuce groaned throwing up his hands.
"I didn't come this far to turn around now. We'll have to break in." Odette said.
"What about the guards?" Deuce asked.
"I got this one guys just be quick." Ace said as he swan up to older guards. "Oh my god I can't believe it's closed I came all this way. "Ace whined.
Odette and Deuce quickly make their way in and dodge the inside guards. The signaled Ace once they were done who was still gushing with the guards about mermaid culture.
"Well I guess I better let you get back to your job. See ya." Ace said swimming towards his friends.
"You did it alright!" He exclaimed as he high fived them.
"It seems you beat us here." Jade said as he and Floyd showed up.
"We already have the photo! There's nothing you can do to stop us now." Deuce shouted.
"Oh no." Odette groaned.
"I wouldn't say that. You still have to get it to Azul." Jade smirked.
"And we feel like playing tag, and we can play all day." Floyd chuckled.
"Just keep the photo away from them. We can make your way slowly back towards the mirrors. It'll take time and we have hours." Odette explained as they slowly backed away from the eels. 'Hopefully Jack can get that lazy lion to do his part quickly.'
Back on land in the lounge Azul was in the VIP room counting the money from the previous night until there was a knock on the door.
"Excuse me Azul but we need some help out here, the crowd is already so rowdy." A student said through the door.
"Be right there!" He called out. He got up and put the money back in the safe and locked the safe. He walked out to see every seat is taken by a Savanaclaw student. 'Of course it would be like this when Jade and Floyd are out.' Azul said he made his way towards the bar and bumped into someone. "Excuse me." He said without looking at who it was.
"No problem."Ruggie said stepping aside. 'Silly rich people never keeping track of things.' Ruggie thought as he placed the key on the table Leona was sitting at them then walked out.
"We're already out of bobba bubbles." A student informed Azul as he got to the bar.
"I'll make a store run then. Just keep them from tearing the place apart." Azul said as he reached into his pocket for his key. 'Where is it?!' Azul thought as he searched himself. 'I must have left it in the room.' Azul thought as he quickly walked back towards the VIP room. He opens the door to see Leona leaning against the vault.
"What are you doing here?" Azul asked narrowing his eyes at Leona.
"You insult me Cephalo-punk, I found a key and was returning it." Leona smirked holding the key up then walked up to Azul and placed it in Azul's breast pocket and patted it.
"That was almost too easy." Leona sigh as he left the lounge and went outside where Ruggie, Jack and Grim where waiting.
"There must be 500 here!" Grim exclaimed as Leona fanned them out in his hand.
"Let's get this over with." Leona began but a shout was heard from behind them. They all turned to see a half crazed Azul.
"It seems she was right on the money." Jack mutter.
"Odette figured you out. All magic has it's limited, and judging by your reaction these contracts are only indestructible in the VIP room or in your hands." Leona said.
"Why are they doing this?! What do they have to gain? Why are they harassing me like this?" Azul snapped.
"I couldn't tell you. It's all crazy. But how about we make a deal?" Leona asked.
"What are you doing?!" Grim snarled looking at him shocked.
"What will you give me to return these to you?" Leona asked ignoring Grim.
"Anything, all the study guides you want. I'll write your final paper. I'll even pad your attendance." Azul pleaded.
"That's very tempting but those two have me over a barrel. They'll make a racket every night if they don't get their dorm back. They gave me a sneak peak last night and nothing is worth my peace and quiet. I want them out of my dorm. They've out done you." Leona explained.
"You're quiet the actor." Ruggie muttered.
Leona began to chat and the scrolls turn to sand. "Outsider the VIP room they're just normal pieces of paper, aren't they?" Leona bragged.
"One of those was yours wasn't it?" Ruggie chuckled.
"No one like a snoop." Leona snapped at him.
"Why else would you be helping, their blackmail isn't that bad." Ruggie said.
"Nah, I'm just a nice guy." Leona lied.
"It's all gone! All my power! All I've done." Azul screamed his half crazed look going fully crazy. "I'm just the silly octo-twerp again. I don't want to be him again." Azul whispered.
"Whoa there Azul. Let's take a few deep breathes and calm down." Grim said taking a step towards him but Jack grabbed him by the shoulder to stop him.
"Shut up! You know nothing! I'll never be like that again! I'll just take all that power back!" Azul shouted as he began to glow black.
Back underwater there was a large white flash. "What was that?" Odette asked as her eyes recovered. "The sea anemones are gone!" She gasped.
"It seems Grim and Leona came through. I feel like my old self again." Ace exclaimed happily.
"You're bluffing." Floyd said glaring at them.
"How did you get that lazy lion to help you?" Jade asked.
"You would be surprised how annoying I can be, especially when I bang two trash can lids together all night." Odette smirked.
"Let's get them." Deuce said pounding a fist into his open palm.
"We don't have the time. Let's get back." Odette said grabbing his arm. The Leech brothers take this moment to leave them behind.
Back on land Azul is stealing everyone's power around him. Everyone he stole from collapsed. "Give me your lighting magic! Give me your running stamina." Azul ordered as he zapped them.
"The contract must channel his powers, filter it." Leona explained as they slow steps away from Azul. "At this rate he'll over blot." He muttered.
'This really isn't good. Where are you Odette?' Grim thought as hid behind Jack.
"Azul what's going on?" Jade asked as they showed up having quickly changed back into their human form and got changed into their dorm uniform.
"It's crazy here." Floyd muttered looking around.
Odette, Ace and Deuce showed up. "I didn't think he would go crazy." Odette said standing beside Jack.
"Ah Jade, Floyd you've come back to me. I need your powers. I've lost everything." Azul cooed as he staggered towards Jade and Floyd.
"Azul you know your spell is impossible to control without a contract." Jade scolded.
"I'll revert back if I don't do this. I need to do this." Azul snapped.
"You're being so lame Azul." Floyd whined folding his arms behind his head.
"Floyd you're not helping!" Odette snapped at him.
"Oh Shrimpy you got here so quick." Floyd chuckled looking at her then back towards Azul.
"I'm just an octo-twerp who can't do anything on his own but I'll raise above all your expectations and take everything." Azul snarled as black began to leak from around him.
"Is that what I think it is?" Grim asked.
'It's about to happen.' Odette thought as she took a deep breathe.
"It's ink but he's about to over blot." Jade said as he and Floyd jumped away from Azul.
The blackness swallowed Azul and he transformed into his real form, his octo-mer form, his face, neck and down the center of his body was gray, his limbs were as black as the aura around him. It looked like his real form but he was huge and his eyes were glowing purple. The blackness that swallowed him formed a figure beside him. It was also a octo-mer but the head was a seashell bottle that was broken and it held a trident.
"Looks like we'll have to fight him. Stay here." Jack growled as the guys went to attack Azul.
"But we don't have anything for him to steal." Odette muttered. "I don't think he'll get give us a choice." She said as the dodged a tentacle.
"You are a cheater, attacking non-fighters." Grim snapped as he noticed her dodging.
"Just pay attention to the target." Jack asked as he grabbed Grim so he wasn't hit.
Azul was too quick and eventually got a hold of Odette grabbing her around her waist.
"Let her go!" Ace shouted as he tried to attack the tentacle wrapped around her but another tentacle pulled him off.
"You just couldn't lose could you?! This is your fault!" Azul snarled as he brought her close to glared at her.
"It's too tight. I feel like I can't breath." Odette thought gasping for air as the tentacle started to wrap around her chest the tip resting at base of her neck. Her vision began to grow dark and she passed out.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This one was fun to write. I didn't realize this Arc was going to take this many parts. I just know the arcs just get longer so I know each one will get more parts. I just realize I missed a tag but if you've made it this far you've realized there is no beta. LOL Sorry. It's just something that didn't occurred to me to warn you. Thanks again for sticking with me in this adventure despite all the errors.
As for the Diasomnia boys I promise they will be the next couple of chapters.