MCSM: Strange New Guests at Beacontown

Chapter 8: The Guard

Null's POV

After the others went through the portal, I started heading back to the town. I do hope they will all be okay. Not only is our home at stake, but also the people, all of my friends. And Nelina is one of my best friends, and she is with them in this risky situation. "Maybe I should have gone with them, but I have to help the people in the town. They are probably all confused, many are injured, and I was lucky enough to get out of it mostly unscathed." I thought to myself as I entered the clinic. "Null!" A cheerful chorus of voices greeted me as I entered. I had a lot of friends back at home. I guess they all recognized me by now. "I'm happy to see all of you too! And you remember!" I said. "Hello Null. How did it go?" Lindy asked me. She seemed to be in better condition now. "Well, I walked with them to the portal network. From there they used their atlas to guide them, and the portal was this pink portal with floral designs. It was the same color of pink as the sky in our world." Null explained. "At least we know which one they went in incase there seems to be a problem." Lindy said. "Yeah." I replied. "Oh, Null. I have something to tell you. You know how everyone had lost their memory? I think it is the work of a potion. All of these people, whether or not they were reminded of home, eventually had their memory come back." Lindy explained. I felt a wave of relief rush over me, but it was soon overwhelmed by worry. The good thing was that all of these people would have their memory back, but it also means that Jesse, Nelina and the others could be in trouble of the same potions were used. Lindy, seeing my worry, put her hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "They'll make it through Null. I am sure of it." Lindy said.

Jesse's POV

After hours of travelling, the environment slowly faded into a hot and sandy place as I noticed the skyline of a city up ahead. We finally made it to Sandy Bay. The first thing I noticed was a guard staring at us. He knew who we were. If this guard alerted anyone, this could be more complicated. Ivor took this opportunity to start throwing a potion, but he was interrupted by the guard as he shouted "Wait! I can I help you!" We all stared at the guard and Ivor slowly lowered his potion. "How? You are a guard here, right?" I asked. "Yes, I know you are rebels, but do you think anyone really likes Emperor Steam? Even we guards hate him. We just do our jobs so we can provide for our families." The guard explained. He continued, "Ever since Emperor Steam took over, things have just been awful here. I believe you may be the saviors we've been looking for. I can help you take the emperor down, as I am a high ranking, but we must move quickly, follow me, and be very quiet!" The guard ordered. We all shrugged and decided it was worth a shot. After walking through a few narrow allies, we arrived to a narrow, worn-down town-house, where he invited us inside. "My name is Doug. This is my house. I know to outsiders it may not seem like much, but around here it's practically a luxury mansion because most of the buildings were torn down in the war." He explained. Just then, a woman wearing a pale blue dress appeared, along with a young girl, maybe around 10, in a pale purple dress. "This is my wife, Matilda, and my daughter Annette." Doug said. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Matilda said. "For a while now, me and my wife have been secretly leading the resistance against Emperor Steam after Lindy got sent away. We have the support of many of the residents here, but for the longest time, everyone was too afraid to do anything. I believe you rebels are just what we need. You will probably want lay low though until you get really close to the palace. With the way you are all dressed, you are all clearly outsiders, or at least 'people from the good days' because the appearance of the people has changed drastically since Emperor Steam took charge. Matilda, Annette and I will help transform you into how the average citizen looks." Doug explained as he lead us upstairs. By this time, their narrow town house was quite crowded from all of us, we could barely fit in, even with the third floor, but we made it work. They had the girls dress in pale, simple dresses, much like the ones Matilda and Annette were wearing. For the boys, they had them dress in plain shirts, also in pale colors, and brown pants. All of the clothes were beaten up and worn, but that is how the average person here dressed. Just before we were about to thank them and leave, I asked "Where is the palace, if you know?" "Emperor Steam actually had a palace constructed right here in Sandy Bay, and it soon became his primary palace. It is at the easternmost point of town." Matilda answered. Soon, more people in support of us came from the city, we then thanked them and headed on our way.

Nelina's POV

As we approached the palace, which loomed over the town, I starting getting nervous. If this doesn't work... Let's just say the punishment will be a lot more severe this time. "Just a little while longer. Be prepared for an attack." Jesse said. Finally, we arrived at the gates, which was guarded by about a dozen guards. "Go away, peasants. We won't let you in." One stern looking guard said. "We'll just have to fight our way in then!" Jesse said and I unsheathed my stone sword, but I was quickly tossed a diamond one from Olivia. A battle ensued between us and the guards, and because of our numbers, we quickly began defeating them. However, one guard recognized me, and I recognized him. "Nelina?!" He whispered to me. "Albert?! What are you doing here?" I asked. "I'm sorry, but I have to. This is one of the only jobs that won't have me starve to death. And if I don't... at least pretend... to fight, I'll be charged with treason!" He explained. He stood silent for a second, when I saw his eyes sparkle with an idea. "Most of the guards here just don't want to be charged with treason. The emperor sends a lot of phony attackers to weave out disloyalty, and everyone plays along because they know it is a test, but since you're here, everyone will know otherwise. I'll go tell the many guards I know will be on your side." He explained as he ran off.