THE GAME: TRAITORS AND TREASON
Less than a dozen metres behind the clique benches, Edward's makeshift squadron watched as the clique members were chatting away, praising their success.
"Preposterous" Neil spat.
"This is an act of treason" Henrietta muttered, to the agreement of the bounty hunters.
"SOJAS was created for this exact purpose" Samantha told Schroeder.
The pianist turned on the song he'd made, it began to play a classical piece. The music had a heroic tone, but also a underlying, somewhat dark theme.
"So" Maddison asked Edward "what is your command?".
Her friend was staring at the benches, grimacing, capes flying behind him.
"Show no mercy" Edward declared "let the war commence".
"Yes Kingmaker" Maddison replied.
It was time, at last, to take revenge.
"YOU BLOCKHEAD" Lucy yelled at Linus.
His sister was looking absolutely livid about his actions "Violet was just presenting me with a nice golden throne, for my day of success. And I didn't even sit down before I had to deal with your meddling".
"…and YOU" she pointed to Rerun, who was next to Katie and Charlie Brown, "I handed you a silver spoon, and your repayment: spit it out and side with your brother. YOU DON'T DESERVE A SISTER LIKE ME".
"I quite agree" Katie whispered to a concerned Rerun, who then spoke back to his sister.
"Maybe it's because he's letting me be free and independent, u-unlike you were".
"Why, you little…" Lucy raised her fist at Rerun, poising to strike.
"ENOUGH!" Linus yelled.
He moved to stand in front of his brother. It was time to do what he wished he could have done ages ago.
"I am not, letting your bullying go on for any longer Lucy, and neither is anyone else" Linus told her "You've proved through this despicable plot against Charlie, that you are rarely, if ever, anything but cruel, selfish, arrogant, and TOXIC. Yeah, I said it, you are a toxic associate to Charlie, and a toxic sibling to me".
"Wow, what big talk from you Linus" Lucy scoffed, "just now cause you quit the stupid blanket".
This made Linus even more upset.
"Did you even consider why I wanted the blanket" he asked angrily. "Maybe, MAYBE, it's because it was a comfort from all the abuse, and the torment, that you put me through, okay".
This information made Charlie Brown look distressed, as the Van Pelts faced each other.
Franklin, noticing the confrontation, came up to them.
"Hi Guys, everything good?" he asked.
Linus turned, "Franklin, can you take Rerun and Katie back home for me please?. And, the rest of the young kids should probably leave also".
Franklin, knowing a fight was fore-coming, nodded "Sure, besides, this game isn't a good watch. No offence Charlie Brown".
Charlie Brown didn't listen, again in a depressed funk over the plot. Rerun nodded to Linus, and the group left the field.
"Lucy" Linus said.
"Yes".
He looked his sister in the eyes. "Your clique is in huge trouble. Kingmaker's here, he found out everything, and he's furious".
"KINGMAKER" Lucy screeched back "That's ridiculous, I was told…"
But whatever she was about to say, was cut off by a cheer from the crowds.
"What?" Lucy looked around, confused, "It's still quarter time blockheads…".
But then, she became mortified, as she saw the benches where the clique had been sitting.
It's members were scattering onto the field, running from their positions. For in hot pursuit were a group of tough looking kids. And, they were led by SOJAS members. One was hoisting their flag from next to the throne, demonstrating what was now their claimed headquarters.
The rest of them were targeting the clique members, firing water cannons, lobbing vortexes, and kicking soccer balls into their fleeing opponents.
Maddison Freeman was taking down Freddie Fabulous with a punch to the face, yelling he'd been caught in an act of sabotage.
And, in the centre of the field, a hooded figure with two black capes violently threw, dragged, and knocked any enemy he could to the ground, without hesitation.
Linus, in that moment, understood exactly why Kingmaker was so feared. He watched his sister process what was going down, as one by one, her clique members fell to Kingmakers rage.
Though he missed it, a sliver of hesitation crossed her face…but it was gone in a second. Lucy began to clench her fists, her face began to redden with anger.
"Linus you…lying…how…you dare set Kingmaker against me…You…you Little FREAK".
Nearby people gasped, as Linus stepped back, tears stinging his eyes, as his confidence faltered.
But in yelling loudly, in drawing attention, Lucy had made a terrible blunder.
…
"!TRAITOR!"
…
That roar stunned everyone within earshot, as a figure approached them.
"No".
Lucy went pale with horror, she realised she had been deceived, "NO".
But, removing his hood, and red with anger, Edward Black stormed towards them.
"It was y-you" Lucy stuttered.
"ME" Edward spat. "DID YOU NOT THINK THIS DAY WOULD COME".
He lowered his voice, turned, and smiled slightly.
"You have done well, my protege" he addressed Linus, "diverting her from her position was most advantageous".
"Your protege?" Lucy accused.
Edward laughed.
"I didn't mention Lucy, that Linus eavesdropped on our conversation over your plot. And, I know him through my cousin, Janice Emmon's".
"Wha…".
"And to educate you, you despicable brat, her illness was NOT an act of karma. BUT THIS" he gestured to the skirmish going on "THIS, IS YOUR KARMA".
The boy called Kingmaker scowled "So I will ask one time, and want a clear answer. WHERE, IS 5".
Lucy, had become furious. Her teeth became clenched. "No" she sneered "I'm telling you nothing".
Edward stepped forward, towering over her, "So be it then".
He reached up and detached his two capes, grasping them in each hand. At that moment, Linus realised, they were akin to blankets. He was going to use the very thing Lucy stole, as a weapon against her.
"What will it be, Lucy" Edward sneered, swirling the capes through the air "are you going to be a big girl. No one, NO ONE, has defeated me. Do you think you're the exception?. Do you think you're special?. Take your shot!".
Lucy stood silently, gazing into his blazing orange eyes. And Linus saw her fury slowly falter, becoming replaced by fear.
In a instant, she turned and ran. She sprinted away as fast as she could.
"!COWARD!", Edward roared after her.
Linus stood quietly, looking at his retreating sister.
"What do we do now?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Return to the game" Edward replied, staring ahead "I will deal with the Wicked Witch".
And before he could be questioned, he took off. Linus turned to Charlie, who was still processing whats he'd discovered.
"Tell the team to go on the defensive" he advised "I'll take Sally to the benches, we'll set up a command post there".
Linus clasped hands with Charlie Brown and wished him good luck, only to find him not letting go, "Are you all good Linus, after y'know".
"Lucy's insult".
"y-Yeah".
"I'm good Charlie Brown".
"You sure" his best friend reassured.
"I'm sure" Linus replied, slightly serious, "I'm not a little boy anymore".
Charlie Brown nodded understandably. It hadn't gone unnoticed by him that Linus, had just relinquished his blanket.
As his best friend went to the benches with Sally, a concerning thought crossed Charlie's Brows mind. Linus had planned this, all without his knowledge, and his involvement.
Perhaps, that club have a much better use of what Linus can give, and perhaps, he knew he'd be better off with them…than with him.
Lucy was stunned at what just happened. She had been at her peak less than ten minutes ago.
And now she was running to the other end of the field, desperately looking back to see if Edward was still pursuing her.
Which of course, he was. His breathing was heavy, and his face reddening, "You can't run forever".
She dove behind the benches on the far side of the court, hiding in the hopes her foe'd run by.
As Edward got there, he looked around hurriedly. "COME OUT AND FACE ME" he roared, "Your brother had the courage to challenge me. But YOU.
"YOU'RE A LYING JERK" Lucy yelled.
"Oh, I lied to you alright" he snarled "lied about my allegiances, my past, and my intentions for revenge. I stroked your prideful ego, all while we broke your plot at its foundation. YOU AND YOUR CLIQUE ARE DOOMED".
"I thought you were my friend…"
"And you honestly thought I would just allow your despicable plot happen" Edward commented "you are ignorant, manipulative, cruel, hypocritical and…"
He paused, this next line would sting.
"And, I'll be honest" Edward smirked "…Schroeder deserves better".
That did it. Lucy rushed at Edward.
With a cry of rage, she flung her fist into his chest. The force knocked Edward slightly back. But Lucy gave a yelp of pain, clutching her fist as she realised that Edwards jacket was reinforced, and therefore, quite invulnerable.
"That was foolish" The SOJAS leader sneered.
He swung his capes at her, driving her back again and again as he attacked. Lucy found his strength utterly dwarfed hers. Any defence was outmatched.
Edward spun one of the capes around his hand and directed it towards her, In desperation, she dove to her right…
…and to her indignation, fell face first into a pile of mud.
Immediately, she rushed to get up, only to fall down again from her imbalance. Taunting laughter and pointing were seen from the benches, and Lucy looked to see Edward laughing the hardest.
"HA" he mocked "You were pretending to be a queen Lucy, but you are BORN for the role of court jester".
Lucy snarled from the ground, "You…you're…not a…good man".
"Sadly, I, am an Anti-Hero" Edward pointed at himself, "I never said I was the good guy. I'm the guy who'll reduce everything you've built, to NOTHING.
He leaned in.
"While I" Edward smiled "will rise…as the new…Emperor, of Birchwood".
Lucy glared at him with pure hatred.
"LONG. LIVE. JUSTICE", Edward clenched a cape in his right fist. "LONG. LIVE. SECURITY", Edward clenched a cape in his left.
"And for the record" he muttered, so only she heard "this is for Linus".
He swung the capes.
But before he could strike, his phone rang once more.
Over at the benches, Linus was hoping he'd pick up, the game had gotten way out of hand.
"Edward" he said desperately, once he'd answered, "We need you back for the game. Patty's too tired to carry on, I can barely hold the strategic defence, and Charlie Brown, he needs the strongest possible backup".
"Linus, I can take your sister to the team" Edward explained "I can get 5's location, and end this sabotage".
"There's no time" the young boy reasoned "we need you on field quickly".
"She's right here" Edward exclaimed "I can defeat her right now". He was watching, clawed hand clenched, as Lucy got up and began to back away slowly.
"What's more important right now?" Linus asked "that, or saving the game"
Edward sighed, and agreed to return, before hanging up. He watched as the muddy mess that was Lucy retreated.
"I was so close" he fumed "I HAD HER".
But now, of course, he had to bail out that failure Charlie Brown.
Things are getting real serious.
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