Chapter 60
Odette went around the room and gave everyone a hug even Ace and Deuce. "Thank you all so much. Once the repairs are done I'll have you all over for a party." Odette announced.
"Now that we got that squared away. Something's been bugging me since you told all of us all that stuff about Neige. Rook did you vote for RSA because you knew about all the work he'd put in behind the scenes?" Ace asked.
"Certainly not! The explanation I gave you at SDC was the complete truth. I voted for them because I thought their performance was more magnifique than our own." Rook explained.
"Are you sure? You're like this die hard Neige fanboy and #2 member of his fan club. I can't see how you could be objective. " Ace countered.
"I beg to differ. If anything Rook was the only person on our team who voted impartially. You knew didn't you Rook? You knew our performance was abysmally sloppy compared to our rehearsals." Vil said turning to Rook.
"Well,.." Rook began but Vil cut him off.
"Be honest." He demanded.
"Oui, I did. My position was in the back on the left it was the perfect spot to observe our progress. Your sweat, your tears your smiles I could see your performance growing more beautiful with every run through. I was captivate every time we practice. You all made my heart soar. So I knew immediately that we weren't shining as bright upon that fateful stage, It was terrible frustrating. Yet try as I might to compensate for our shortcoming my body refused to cooperate. I've no doubt it was the same for all of you. We were performing under tremendous strain. Hence I was forced to concede." Rook informed them.
"No way, I ain't buying it Rook! You were praising us up and down when we finished. What was it ya said when we came off the stage? That was yer best performance yet? Were you just jerking us around?" Epel snapped.
"No Epel." Rook replied shaking his head.
"Yes, he did say it was a fine performance." Vil reminded them.
They group thought back to Rook's compliment after the SDC performance.
"But he didn't say anything about it being our most beautiful." Vil continued.
"Oh!" Epel exclaimed as it finally clicked into place.
"He'd been watching us from the start, so he knew we hadn't done our absolute best. Which is why he gave us the most generous praise he could for doing our best under the circumstances. Nevertheless, he couldn't lie to himself and vote for the NRC Tribe in good conscience. Isn't that so Rook?" Vil asked.
"Your powers of perception are unparalleled Roi Du Poison." Rook praised.
"It's not really perception, you've always been terribly candid. Do you remember what you said when we met? We never spoken before yet the first words out of your mouth were. 'Hi there! I caught your show the other day I've seen you perform'." Vil began when a loud ramble filled the air and the ground shook under them.
"Is that an earthquake?" Epel asked.
"Do you get those here?" Odette asked looking concerned.
A large cracking sound filled the air sounding as if it was right over the the dorm.
"Lighting? Is there a storm coming?" Odette asked as she and Rook went up to the window.
"No, it isn't! Everyone look out the window." Rook said calling everybody over.
"What in the world?! There's a bunch of guys flying through the air are they on hover boards." Kalim said.
The air was filled with a dozen figures.
"That's not possible. This school has a magical barrier to keep out intruders. It's always up when we don't have any special events going on." Vil explained.
"Maybe that sound was the barrier getting breached." Jamil stated.
"But how?" Vil asked.
"They're coming this way! I see one, two everyone get down!" Rook shouted as he pulled Odette away from the window.
The build began to shake, the sound of cracking of wood and the breaking of glass filled everyone's ears. The air filled with dust. One of the robots crashed through the window while the other crashed in the middle of the room through the roof. Everyone jumped away from the robots towards the hallway.
Epel yelped in shock at the sight of the robots. It was large nearly seven foot. It had a square head with neon blue eyes slits, the chest looked like ribs and the hips were narrow like bone. The arms were thick and had lighting marks down them. The legs were just as thick of the arms and had the same patterns.
"What happened?" Ace coughed as he tried to wave the dust out of his face.
"Odette, are you okay?" Deuce asked turning behind him.
"Yeah." Odette nodded as she wiped the dust off her face.
"Kalim get back! I've never seen that kind of gear before. Who are you people!?" Jamil demanded as he stood in front of Kalim putting him behind him, Rook, Vil and the freshman.
"Team Hepta reporting in. We've got a visual on subjects D and E. Moving in for the capture." The robot stated once he looked over the crowd.
"I haven't the faintest idea who these people are but crashing through windows shows an appalling lack of manners. I hereby declare this an emergency, by my authority as Pomefiore housewarden, I authorize the use of magic on the intruders." Vil announced.
"Oui!" Rook said taking out his magical pen.
"I do the same for Scarabia! Prepare for battle!" Kalim said copying Rook.
"Freshman stay back! Do not get involved. Heartslabyul students call your housewarden!" Vil ordered them not looking away from the robots.
"Yes sir!" They answered as they took cover in the hallway. Odette pulled out her phone and tried to call Riddle.
"Subjects D and E exhibiting hostility. Requesting permission to engage." The second robot stated not breaking contact with the group.
"Permission granted. Excite capture plan C." A voice over a radio stated.
A battle quickly ensues, further trashing the lounge.
"They're all really struggling." Epel whispered as they watched.
"Those oar looking staffs can churn out spells real quick." Deuce said. The oars were churning out spells at twice the rate of the pens.
One of the robots charged their oars and shoved it at Vil, shocking him.
"Ugh!" Vil cried out at he passed out.
"They're shocking them!" Odette gasped.
"Vil!" Rook shouted but the robot was now standing over Vil.
"Subject E subdued. Securing now." The robot stated as he picked Vil up.
The second robot follow suit and shocked Jamil.
"Gah!" Jamil screamed and passed out too.
"Jamil!" Kalim cried out.
Odette reached out and grabbed his shoulder to stop him from getting closer.
"We've secured subject D, Team Tetra has captured F. We will rendezvous then return to HQ." The second robot stated as he picked up Jamil.
"Where are you taking them? WAIT!" Kalim snapped.
"Whoa they went down in seconds." Ace gasped.
"Team Tetra has regrouped with Team Hepta." The second robot stated.
"What in tarnation they're hauling a cage. Wait ain't that?" Epel pointed out as another group of robots appeared holding a medium size cage with Grim inside.
"Lemme out! Get me outta here!" Grim shouted.
"GRIM!" Odette called out.
"Odette! Ace! Deuce!" Grim cried out.
"Mission complete, returning to HQ." One of the new robots stated.
"They're taking them away. Hey! Get back here!" Epel snapped.
"Hold on Grim! I'll save you!" Deuce shouted.
"Dude Vil just told us to stay back! Oh for crying out loud!" Ace exclaimed.
The second battle was over twice as fast as the first one.
"Didn't stand a chance." Ace groaned as he and Deuce passed out.
"Dag,.. nabbit." Epel grunted and follow suit.
"Lemme out! I don't wanna go! Odette!" Grim screamed.
"Grim!" Odette screamed back as Rook and Kalim held her back.
All the robots leave the dorm, leaving a disaster in their wake.
"Vil! Jamil!" Kalim cried after the robots.
"Ugh Kalim, we must tend to our injured freshman. I'll take them to the infirmary." Rook managed after a fe deep breathes.
"But Jamil! Jamil's been,…" Kalim began to cry.
"Kalim! You must calm yourself. Jamil has been abducted, you need to step up and fulfill your housewarden duties by yourself." Rook reminded him as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"….Alright I'll go summon the other Housewardens." Kalim sniffed.
"He didn't pick up." Odette whispered as she stared at the giant hole where the window had once been.
"What?!" They exclaimed looking at her.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you everyone for the recent following. It helps keep me going to know people are liking this story. We made it to chapter 60! And page 200! Thanks for sticking around.