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Chapter 15 A Memory Of Better Times
Owen wasn't a smart man by any means. However if he had told any one of his current plan, they would say he was a complete dumb ass. Especially Jenna, his lovely girlfriend would ring his neck. That is to say if she had any idea he was doing this.
What was his brilliant idea ? Well it's quite simple really. He was going to hack an Organization holotome. Unfortunately, it was easier than it sounded. To Owen however, it was worth it. Something was up with his best friend, and a legendary titan as his witness. He was going to get to the bottom of it.
Upon the thought of his best friend a treasured memory came to mind. It was seven years ago, when Owen himself was a younger lad. He could remember it like it was yesterday.
A teenage Owen was leaning back against a wall. Wearing the tracksuit of Organization recruits. A simple full black tracksuit, however he took the liberty of putting a sticker on his left breast. A scribbled #1 on said sticker marked in red permanent marker. Oh yes, he was most definitely the man. Standing around him were a bunch of nobodies who wouldn't make it to active duty. He however, will be the best. Dare he say like no one ever was ?
That was until a dark blue haired goddess walked into the room. The moment Owen laid eyes on her. He knew, he was in love. He was mesmerized by her sharp chocolate eyes. The captivating scowl on her face. He made himself a personal mission. He was going to make her smile.
With that he cupped his hand over his mouth, checking his breath. Smelling the minty freshness of his breath, he nodded to himself. Running his hand through his short brown hair he made his way over to the mystery girl. Who just happened to lean against the wall opposite to him. It was as if destiny herself was giving him a sign.
"Hey there." Owen murmured in a way he thought was sexy. He was a romance master after all. The breathtaking girl merely shifted her eyes towards the self proclaimed romance master. She gave him a scoff, followed by a roll of the eyes. Those gorgeous brown eyes swirling like a freshly made glass of chocolate milk.
For a few moments he stood there, waiting for a response. "I get it, I get it. You're a little bit shy. Tell ya what. All you have to do is give me your name, and I'll leave you alone." Owen offered the deal with a set of finger guns and a wink.
She glanced at him, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "I'll give you my name, and you'll leave me alone ?" Her voice monotone, but to him. It was like a flock of angels came down and played a beautiful performance on a harp.
He eagerly nodded his head, wishing to hear her udder that sacred name. She let out a small sigh, before mumbling something under her breath. He had leaned in to try and hear her name. "Did you say Jenny ?"
The moment he said the name, her hand shot out and clenched tightly around his throat. He was dragged in front of her face. Her cheeks flaring bright red. "You call me that again and I'll take a pair of scissors to your uvula!"
Owen's brain was rocked back and forth, he tried to choke something out. only managing to get out a small gurgle. "So-sorry." Was the only thing that could escape his lips. With the apology out of the way, she had shoved him into the wall. Getting a chance to catch his breath, he took in a big helping of oxygen.
After he got done with his coughing fit, he looked back to her. She was doing deep breathing exercises. "J-e-n-n-a, that's my name. Jenna." She growled through gritted teeth.
Without missing a beat, a red blush came to his cheeks. "That name is absolutely beautiful." He mumbled out to her, in complete awestruck. Not even realizing he had done so.
Jenna's jaw fell wide open, she was trying to say something. Anything at all. "Are you real ?" She asked flabbergasted at the brown haired idiot in front of her.
Before Owen could respond, a deep booming voice echoed around the room. "Alright recruits! Line up, we got a new potential candidate. Show him the ropes. Don't pull any stupid shit." A huge angry bald man stated in the front of the room. Standing next to him was a ten year old boy. Short shaggy blonde hair, and a pair of blue eyes. The younger kids face was neutral, in fact it almost appeared to be the kid was bored. If you took longer to actually study the boy's appearance you would notice his eyes. They were shifting around the room, glancing at everyone at a high speed. Shifting from person to person, practically scanning each person up and down. As if he was judging their worth off a glance.
Owen's right eye twitched slightly in irritation, what were they thinking? This kid is practically out of diapers and they think that brat is on their level? Owen's face of irritation turned into on of surprise as the child's gaze landed on him. The blonde gave him a grin and began walking his way.
Owen wasn't sure what was more shocking, the fact the kid smiled at him or the fact he was making his way towards him. His first impression of the boy was simple, he wasn't going to like the kid.
The child walked up to Owen and stuck his hand out. "Hi, I'm Lok. Care to show me around ?" The boy's voice was soft and well spoken. Still having the high pitch tone of a youngster.
Owen looked down at the hand and merely crossed his arms. With a click of his tongue he glared down at the boy. "Why should I ? As a matter of fact. Why are you talking to me?" Owen flinched slightly at his own tone. He hadn't mean to come across as a jerk. However he was in the middle of something.
Lok's lips turned into a sly smirk, the out stretched hand he had for a hand shake turning into a pointed finger. "Well, it's not everyday you get to meet the number one recruit." His head tilted slightly to the right. "Who else if not to have the best show me around?" His tone holding a childish innocence. Unknown to Owen, Lok merely seemed to find the older boy funny.
Owen's chest puffed up, his shoulders rolled back ever so slightly. "Well, you have a point." Owen began to gently rub his chin. His aura radiating confidence. "You're not that bad at all kid, names Owen." He wrapped his arm around the shoulders of the newest recruit. "Come on I'll show you around. If you're lucky you can be on a team with Jenna and I."
Jenna glared at the two boys walking away from her. "The teams are of two you idiot!" Her words coming from her like hot fire. Owen simply turned back to Jenna with a goofy grin on his face. "That wasn't a no." He gave her a wink only to have Jenna charge towards him. Looking to beat him into the floor.
Lok let a laugh escape him, the laugh turned into gut busting hysteria. Seeing the two running around the room. Until Owen ran out of the room to safety. The smile on Owen's lips never leaving, despite his new crush looking to break his face.
As the two continued their chase out of the room as Lok let a small smile come to his lips, before he nodded his head to himself. As if making a decision. "Hey you two, don't forget me!" He called out playfully as he ran towards the screams. Jenna finally catching Owen and putting him into a head lock. Owen smiled up to her. "Harder." He laughed out only to then cry out in regret as Jenna agreed to his request.
Owen let out a chuckle reflecting on the events of the past. It was a wild ride, that was for sure. If anything the memories help steel his resolve. He was going to figure out what was going on at any cost.
He finally reached his destination, in front of him was a thick steel door. Taking in a deep breath he quickly knocked on the door. "Come in." Was all that he heard. Walking through the door he came into the personal lab of Klaus. The German scientist sitting behind his desk looking over ancient stone tablets. The symbols carved into the stone completely foreign to Owen.
"Ah, Owen. A pleasure to see you. What can I do for you my boy ?" A small smile coming to his lips. However instead of inviting, Owen felt like he was face to face with a viper.
Owen quickly cleared his mind, thinking about the task at hand. "Heya Klaus." Owen greeted back with a small wave of his hand. "I was hoping you could help me with something?" He questioned gently. Hopefully his little gamble would pay off.
Klaus nodded towards him, setting aside the tablet. He stood from his chair, walking around his desk he stood in front of it. Arms behind his back. "Of course my boy, what can I help you with?" His attention peaked upon his request.
Scratching the back of his head Owen let out a small chuckle. "So you see, I feel like I'm lacking in my skill set. Do you think you could give me some material to study up on curses and ancient spells?"
Klaus let out an excited hum, his hands now in front of him rubbing together. "Ah! Another mind looking to expand and explore the secrets of the world."
Klaus quickly walked into the back of the room. Looking around the countless shelves in his lab, somehow keeping everything organized despite all the material. "Hmm, let me check the back for something easier to digest." With that he made his way deep into a back room.
The moment Klaus walked away, Owen sprinted behind the desk and opened the holotome resting to the right side. Opening it he began typing on the keyboard. Shifting through countless files. Typing in Lok's name, a single folder popped up. Clicking on it he shoved a flash drive into the holotome.
As he clicked the download button, a message popped up. Password required, with that Owen let out a hiss. Looking around the desk, praying that Klaus had anything that could give him a hint.
The desk was littered with papers, pens, and ink. Holy shit was that a knife ? He quickly refocused on the task at hand. He began to panic not seeing anything of value until a single photo on the desk caught his eye.
Resting in a frame was a picture of Klaus, looking to be in his early fourties'. His skin not a wrinkled, and his hair chestnut brown. Light bits of salt white forming in bits and places. Klaus was sitting in a chair in front of a fire place. Standing next to him was a little girl with blue hair. Her hair placed in pigtails tied with black ribbons. She was wearing an olive green hoodie under overalls. A smile on her face bright as day, in the arms of the girl was a present. White wrapping tied with a light blue ribbon.
On the bottom right of the picture were the words Little moon. Taking the chance having no other options. He typed Little moon into the box, holding back a cry of success as the file started to download. "Come on, come on come on." He whispered to himself watching the download take its sweet time.
After what felt like years, that was no more than a few seconds. He yanked the drive out of the holotome and shut it off. He held a breath as he sprinted back to the place where he was originally standing. Letting out a breath as Klaus came back into the room holding three books in hand.
"Here we are, it isn't anything too complex. However it's perfect to see if you have any talent for the arts." Klaus stated warmly, handing the three books over. As Owen went to grab the books Klaus suddenly spoke up. "Do be careful, knowledge is a wonderful thing. Yet oh so dangerous." With the warning Owen flashed him a smile.
"Thanks Klaus, I really do appreciate this." With that Owen quickly made his way out of the lab. Not believing his plan actually worked. "You're welcome my boy, take as long as you need with them." He told him in a soft tone.
As soon as the door closed behind Owen, the lips on Klaus face frowned slightly. "While you still can." He said in a chilling tone. Looking up to the top right corner of the room was a camera. The flashing red light glowing gently. Klaus was many things, a fool was not one of them.
He walked behind his desk, turning on his holotome he looked at what Owen had stolen. His eyes glaring at the file that had been selected. He pulled out a phone from his vest pocket. Quickly dialing up a number it rang only twice until the other end of the line picked up. "Good Professor, we have a situation." Klaus whispered out, a horrifying smile came to his lips. Seemed as if he found a new volunteer for his new experiments.
Cathy was rubbing her chin deep in thought. In front of here was a chessboard. Her cunning opponent Cherit sitting across from her. "No need to worry Cathy. No one will think less of you if you lose to a mere titan." His scratchy voice called out playfully. At the moment Cathy was in check. The next move would determine the outcome of the match.
She felt a small dull pain form at her temples. Reaching up she gently began to rub them with the tips of her fingers. Her father and brother were the chess experts. She was the fun one in the family. She didn't think she was bad by any means. However every move she made Cherit had an answer. Followed by a strong response.
She rested her chin on the top of her arm that she had placed flat on the table. Her pointer finger on her right hand began to push on the top of one of the few pawn pieces she had left. Making the chess piece tilt back and forth. This making her remember the times she would play with her brother.
A six year old Lok and a nine year old Cathy sat across from one another playing chess. Cathy had managed to have the younger sibling on the ropes. "Finally, your win streak comes to an end. You lost your queen and next move will have you in check. So you are out of options." Cathy gloated. Sure she was laying it on pretty thick. You lose eleven times in a row to a six year old and see how you feel when you are about to claim victory.
Lok rubbed his chin, a small hum escaping his lips. "I think you have me here sis." Before Cathy could shout out in victory, a sly chuckle came from her brother. "That is what I would say if I didn't have a plan." With that he moved his pawn that Cathy ignored into the back row. "Queen me!" He cheered as Cathy stared at him with a dumb expression on her face.
She let a puff of hot air out of her nose as she queened the pawn. After her next few moves she was stuck in a checkmate.
She let out a sigh as she placed her forehead on the table. "You win again." She looked up to her brother. Forcing a smile on her face. "That makes twelve in a row now." Instead of a bragging Lok lording his victory over her. She saw a sorrowful expression take over his features.
"Dad taught me that." He choked out, knowing instantly what to do. She hopped off her chair and wrapped her brother in a tight hug. "Yeah, I figured. He is pretty amazing huh?" She questioned out. Fighting back a sob of her own. In a few months it would make a whole year their dad had been missing.
Things had been tough in the beginning. Their mom could finally move out and about without breaking into tears. She was thankful for how strong her mom is. Cathy wouldn't know how to carry on, she was only nine after all. Unfortunately, it hit Lok the hardest, after all. He was an exact copy of their dad. They would always be together making puzzles, solving puzzles, and any other brain game they could think of.
Once dad was gone, Lok didn't have that person to share his love of headache makers with. Cathy had been trying, but she could never fill the spot in his heart that only a father could. "Hey Lok, why don't we keep playing? That way once dad gets back you can finally beat him." She tried to think positively, thinking about the shocked expression their dad would have on his face once Lok finally beats him.
With a small sniff Lok's watery eyes glance towards her. "You're sure ? I know you don't like playing with me." Before he could say anything else Cathy tapped the tip of his nose with her pointer finger. "No, I love playing with you. I just hate losing. That's why this time I'm going to win." She said followed by her trademark wink. The siblings got back to playing, and just like before. Cathy was on the losing end time and time again.
Upon the memory Cathy raised her head again. "Hold on." She mumbled out as she looked over the game she was having with Cherit. Looking at each piece a grin came to her face. "Let's not get too confident my winged friend." She moved out of the check and her following turn pushed her pawn to the end of the chessboard. "Queen me." She cried out, her plan going off without a hitch. With her next turn she jumped out of her chair. "Checkmate!" Was her cry of victory as she gave Cherit a peace sign. "Better luck next time." The small arms of the titan crossing his arms was the only response she got back.
Before she could continue her celebration, the calm voice of Dante broke her out of her win. "Alright team, gather round." With his call the team plus Peter joined him at the desk he was at. They all stopped and watched as the holotome scanned the map they found in Joan of Arc's base.
"Based off the information we have gathered, I think this map will lead us to a treasure Joan of Arc left buried deep in the catacombs." Letting the team process his words. Hopefully that it will let them grasp the serious nature of this mission.
"A ring that may be linked to her power of seeing the future." As he finished his statement a 3D image of the catacombs appeared over the holotome. "Our mission, the mystery of the Paris catacombs. We need to find where the secret entrance is located. Explore the underground tombs, and come back with Joan of arcs ring."
Cathy let out a deep sigh, resting her hip against the desk looking over the image of the catacombs. "Why can't anything be easy? How are we going to find the secret entrance? It's not like there is a giant sign saying get your ancient mystical jewelry here." She began to rub her hip, her scar beginning to burn for some strange reason. Usually it wouldn't be anything more than a phantom pain. However in this moment it was burning to the point where she was uncomfortable.
"Any clues?" Sophie's soft voice questioned. Her eyes shifting to Cathy, seeing her shift in discomfort. Cathy noticing this looked at her, her hand moving away from her hip and giving Sophie a bright smile.
"Yeah, it can be seen through the most beloved lady." Dante already figuring out the clue, and from the small grin Zhalia had on her face she was on the same track as him. He gave her a grin, a silent gesture to let the students figure it out. After all, no better training than field work.
"The most beloved lady ? Like the Mona Lisa it's been in France for years. Maybe there is a clue on the back of it." She giggled to her self, thinking a clue could be on the back of something so ancient. Seemed a little silly, but in her new world completely possible.
Peter let a small hum come from his lips. His head looking upward towards the ceiling, his hands resting on his hips. Thinking about her statement a small frown came to his lips. "Well you might be on the right track. Unfortunately the time line doesn't match up. Joan of Arc died in fourteen thirty one. The Mona Lisa wasn't made until the fifteen hundreds." Peter could only smile as Cathy pouted slightly. "Well I thought it was clever."
Sophie had started to tap her chin with her knuckle. A habit she started whenever her train of thought was running full steam ahead. Until something clicked in her mind. "Wait! It's who was." She had started to walk in a circle. Her mind now kicking into overdrive.
Zhalia looked from the overachiever to Dante. Giving him a playful wink. Silently asking if she could throw her a bone. While she didn't exactly want to help Sophie of all people. She did however want to get this over with. With a nodding Dante she threw out the bait. "Alright, but how do you measure love?"
Sophie's eyes shot towards Zhalia, taking her question seriously. "By the number of people who loved her. It's a riddle, who is the lady loved by all? Our lady." She was starting to pacing once again. Seeing the twitching left eye of Zhalia, Dante decided to take it all home.
"In French that would be?" He asked to the group. His tone borderline playful, as if he was asking a young child if they had been good this year before handing them their gift.
With that Peter's eye lit up along with Sophie's. " Notre Dame!" They both exclaimed loudly, giving one another a high five after realizing they figured it out. "So it's the cathedral of Notre Dame?" Cathy questioned unsure if what she was saying was correct. Dante responded to her with a nod. "Get ready team, we are on the next train to Paris."
Outside of the makeshift safe house was a man leaning against the wall. A ear piece in his right ear. A small cackle came from the young man's lips. That eerie cackle could only belonged to one person, Lok. He just so happened to make himself comfortable in their little hideaway while they were gone playing in the water.
Dante's house was almost impossible to break into. A hotel ? A different story indeed. Unfortunately for the Huntik team, they never bothered to check for any listening devices after their first initial sweep of the room. "The cathedral of Notre Dame huh? Clever little mice."
Before he could walk off a gruff voice called out to him. "Excuse me sir, we have received a couple of calls about a man fitting your description hanging around here doing suspicious activities."
A small smile formed on Lok's face as he glanced to his right. Seeing two police officers walk up to him. Of course he let himself be seen, he didn't want this to be too easy for him. It was a terrible habit he had kicked a few years ago. For some reason recently he was feeling nostalgic. Like a chain smoker having a cigarette after years of being clean. When he found things becoming too easy for him. He would sometimes give himself a little handicap.
He kicked himself off the wall and started to walk towards an alleyway. He couldn't have two little loose ends around now could he? His heart began to beat slightly faster. His mouth started to water, his fingers slightly flexing more and more the closer he got to the alley. The calls of the officers to stop only driving his bloodlust even more. Unfortunately he couldn't take too long. He had a train to catch after all. As the officers followed him into the alleyway, Lok's tongue slowly licked around his lips. Well, a hour wouldn't hurt right? The two officers followed him into the alleyway not knowing it would be their last and oh so foolish mistake. Unknown to Lok, another confrontation was taking place somewhere else. Deep with in his mind.
A little seven year old boy slowly walked out of his room. Looking around the little boy Lok had helped not too long ago was checking to see if the coast was clear. Not seeing any flames or smoke, he made his way into the kitchen. In front of him was a door, blood red with a golden door knob. Just behind it was Lok, he had to help him. No matter what, with him being here. He could finally talk to him. Break him free of the chains that holds him to that thing.
He pushed the sunglasses up on his face to sit properly. With a deep breath he walked to the door. As his finger tips gently touched the knob a cold voice called out behind him. "Hey there brat, you miss me ?" The question was followed by a haunting laugh.
The child spun around and slammed his back against the door. Standing across from him was what appeared to be another Lok. Leaning his hip against the island in the center of the kitchen. However this Lok looked slightly different. His skin a sickly pale white, his outfit lacking a tie, the top three buttons of the shirt undone, red eyes instead of blue, no sunglasses to hide the orbs of crimson. The biggest difference of all, the mad smile on his face.
The Lok look alike stood off the island, his hands remaining in his pockets. "God, it's so good to see you. It's been what ? Seven years I believe. My, it's seems like you haven't aged a day." He chuckled out darkly. Taking a few steps towards the boy. "Gotta say, I'm hurt. You locked me away for all those years. And not a single letter? That's just cruel." He laughed out like a mad man. The right leather gloved hand of his slamming over his eyes. After his laughter turned into giggles the pointer and middle finger parted showing off his left eye. The eye glaring at the boy. "I've been thinking of all the ways I could thank you for my little vacation."
The child's lips formed into a thin line, his fear turned into anger. "What was I supposed to do ? The things you influenced him to do! We are supposed to protect him!" Before he could continue, the hand of the clone reached out and grabbed him by the throat. He was effortlessly lifted up and slammed into the door. "I WAS PROTECTING HIM!" The clone yelled at the boy, the house shaking as if an earthquake had started. The walls cracking from the floor to the ceiling. After a few moments the shaking stopped as the cracks on the wall remained.
The boy could only choke out as the clone was taking deep breaths. Until the face of rage tuned into a happy smile. "Riddle me this twerp, what's going to happen when he finds out what you did? All those memories, all those times where I kept us alive. Locked deep inside his broken brain." He dropped the boy to the ground and grabbed the younger boy's hair yanking his head back. "I-I…. I had to, if he were to remember. It would destroy him." The boy choked out as a small tear ran down his cheek.
The clone's hand reached out and plucked the sunglasses off the boy's face. His red eyes staring into the lens. Before they slowly shifted back to the boy. "Destroy him ? Or would it destroy you ?" He questioned out coldly, matching the smile on his lips.
He threw the kid forward making him slam on his face. "Oh, by the way. I found out a way to thank you for sending me away. I'm going to have him kill Cathy. Then you'll get to spend the rest of your days sulking away. Realizing that you couldn't do anything about it." The clone placed the sunglasses on his face. A devilish smile plastered on his face. "Because now that I'm in charge. It's going to stay that way. For good." He laughed like a man on the cusp of a psychological break down. Watching the child pick himself up and ran back his room. It was good to be the king.
Author's Notes - Hey seekers, another chapter for you. Hope you all enjoyed. Let me know how you liked it. Catch you Seekers in the next one. Be cool, B-King out!
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God Of Wind 200- as always, thank you for the comments you leave. Also a very interesting theory.