Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 12: A Suspect Bargain

Seeing the suited men invade the Botanical Garden, Ruggie groans, "Grrr... What's WITH these guys? I know I've never smelled 'em before. I'd remember a stench that bad."

However, Leona notices something familiar about them, "Wait, that insignia on their suits..."

"I dunno who they are, but they gotta be nuts to take you on," Ruggie says.

Then turns to Leona, "I'll draw their attention. Then you blast 'em and-"

But Leona says, "Nope. I surrender." and raises his hands up.

"Wait, WHAT?!" Ruggie exclaims in shock.

The mysterious men look at each other remaining silent.

Then one of the suited men says, "Turn over all magical items in your possession."

"Here you go." Leona says, and brings out his magepen and roughly hands it over, "That's my magical pen. Take it."

Ruggie is even more stunned to see Leona surrendering that quickly.

"But why?!" Ruggie asks, stunned, "There's only three of 'em. You could take these guys in your sleep!"

Leona shushes Ruggie, "Shhh," And whispers, "See their vests? Those aren't padded with wads of cash, you know. That's anti-magic plate. Don't do anything to get on their bad side.

"Anti-magic plate?" Ruggie whispers, shocked, "That's what magic marshal uniforms are made of."

"Familiar, are ya? What, did you have a run-in with the law back home after pullin' some magical stunt?" Leona replies.

Ruggie turns his head away, Maybe... Waaay long ago... But this ain't the time for a trip down memory lane. We're in serious trouble!"

"I've seen that insignia on their suits a few times before, when I was at the palace. I think these guys are Ferrymen," Leona says.

"Ferrymen...?" Ruggie questions.

But then Leona says, "Look. Just keep your tail between your legs and don't do anything funny."

Just then, one of the men says, "Object confirmed to be official Night Raven magical equipment. Subject B shows no signs of hostility. We request you come with us."

"Yeah, sure," Leona says, "But you better ferry me in style. I'm a delicate prince, you know. I get motion sick real easy." in remark.

Ruggie sputters and calls out, "Wait, Leona?!"

But Leona says to Ruggie, "Ruggie, you're in charge of Savanaclaw 'til I get back. Keep things runnin'. Then again, I can't be sure I'll come back at all..."

"What...?" Ruggie doesn't like that statement.

Then Leona walks towards the Ferrymen without saying another word. And with that, the suited men known as the Ferrymen fly away in the sky, taking Leona with him.

Ruggie calls out, "Just hold on a sec! LEONAAA!"

Meanwhile, in one of the classrooms, the Board Game Club is taking place. They hear whirring and metallic crashing sounds causing the students to stop what they are doing and talk among themselves, wondering what's happening.

It even catches Azul's attention, "Erk! What is happening?"

Even Idia is shocked as the board falls to the ground, "AUGH! I was totally winning that match. Now the chessboard's all messed up!"

Soon, there are loud crashing sounds.

"That hardly seems relevant right now! This is clearly an emergency!" Aziul says.

India turns to Ortho, "Ortho, give me a sitrep."

"Roger," Ortho says, as he scans the situation. Then begins to analyze the date, "The school's barrier is under heavy fire from technomantic beams. it is already breached in several places. Multiple non-campus bio-readings detected within school grounds."

"Intruders?!" Azul asks, stunned.

"How many?" Idia questions

"Presently detecting 15 life signs, plus additional heat signatures in the air. Intruders may increase in number," Ortho answers.

"So they got beams that can breach the school's barrier," Idia says. He then asks, "What about their gear?"

"Gauging from height and movement speed, they are either on brooms or technomantic flying machines. They are also firing magic projectiles and electric technomantic beams." Ortho says.

And soon enough, there are more crashing sounds along with projectiles and laser blasting.

Ortho continues, "Based on the performance of their mobile apparatuses, and their technomantic energy circuits, this is Styx-made gear."

This makes Idia groan in annoyance, "Uggghhh, this sucks. Guess that means they're Ferrymen."