The Banditos

The Idea

Clancy gets an idea. He turns to the Banditos behind him and motions for them to stay silent. Then he takes a deep breath and steps around the corner, into the room.

Nico looks up, startled, when Clancy enters the room. His expression turns to one of annoyance as he sees Clancy standing there.

"What are you doing here?" Nico sneers, crossing his arms.

"I'm here for Bella," Clancy says firmly, his voice steady despite the fear and anger bubbling up inside him. "I'm not letting you hurt her."

Nico laughs, a cruel sound that sends shivers down Clancy's spine. "You really think you can stop me? You're nothing but a lowly Dema rebel. You're no match for me."

"I may be a rebel," Clancy replies, his hands curling into fists. "But I'm here to protect Bella, just like the rest of the Banditos. And you won't touch her again."

Nico sneers again and starts to walk towards Clancy. "You're really going to try and stop me, are you? You're just asking for a one-way ticket to the trenches, boy."

Clancy stands his ground, his jaw clenched. He knows he's outnumbered here, but he won't back down. "Do what you will to me," he says defiantly. "But you're not laying another finger on Bella."

Nico stops in front of Clancy, a menacing glare on his face. "You really think you can tell me what to do? You're a fool if you think you can stop me from dealing with her however I want." Nico goes over to me, injecting me with a needle, immediately putting me to sleep.

Clancy's eyes widen. He steps forward, anger boiling inside him. "What did you do to her?!" he demands, his fists clenching tighter.

Nico steps back, a sinister smile on his face. "I just made her take a little nap. She was causing me a headache with all her struggling."

Clancy glares at Nico, outrage and frustration burning in his heart. "You're a monster, you know that?" he snaps. "You think you can just do whatever you want to people, just because you're a bishop?"

"That's exactly right," Nico smirks. "I can do whatever I want with anyone here. Dema is my city to rule as I see fit, and any of you rebels who step out of line will face the consequences."

"Bella isn't just a rebel," Clancy insists, his voice rising in volume. "She's one of the most precious people here. You can't do this to her."

Nico calls for The Niners. They come out of the surrounding rooms, seizing Clancy.

Clancy is suddenly grabbed by a few Niners, who quickly subdue him. He tries to break free, but they're too strong.

"Let me go!" he yells, struggling against their grip. But it's no use. The Niners drag him forward, bringing him closer to Nico.

Nico sneers at him again, the same cruel look on his face. "You thought you could just waltz in here and save her, didn't you? How naïve."

Clancy glares at Nico, his eyes burning with anger and hatred. "You can't do this," he snaps, still struggling against the Niners. "You can't just take innocent people and treat them like they're nothing."

Nico laughs, the sound harsh and cold. "Innocent? You think any of you are innocent? You're all rebels, traitors, and troublemakers. You deserve to be punished."

"Punished for what?" Clancy retorts, his voice rising in volume. "For trying to escape your control? For trying to live our lives without being brainwashed and controlled by you and the other Bishops?"

The Niners tighten their grip on him.

Clancy winces. He tries to break free again, but they're too strong. "This isn't right," he says, his voice low and intense. "What you're doing isn't right. You can't just take people and use them for your own personal gain. You can't just make them obey your every command without giving them freedom."

Nico rolls his eyes. "Oh, please. Stop trying to play the hero. You're not going to win this, boy. You're already outnumbered and overpowered. Just give up already."

Clancy glares at him, his anger boiling inside him. "I'm not giving up. I'll never give up. I'll never stop fighting for what's right, and that includes protecting Bella and all the other rebels in Dema."

Nico shakes his head, a smug look on his face. "You really are naïve, aren't you? You think you can just save everyone, don't you? You think you can just be the hero and save the day. Well, let me tell you something. You're wrong. You're going to fail. You're going to fail miserably."

Clancy keeps struggling against the Niners, trying to break free. "You're wrong," he says firmly. "You're the one who's going to fail. You're going to fail in your attempts to control everyone in Dema. You're going to fail in your attempts to brainwash and destroy all the rebels in this city. And you're going to fail in your attempts to hurt Bella."

Nico's expression turns cold and menacing. "You really believe that don't you? You really think you can stop me? You have no idea what I'm capable of. You have no idea the power I possess. And you have no idea what I'm going to do to Bella."

Nico signals The Niners to release Clancy. They release him and go to get me from the chains. They unchain me, throwing my unconscious body on their shoulders and leaving the room.

Clancy stumbles forward as the Niners release him. He catches his balance and turns, watching. A wave of fear washes over him, seeing her being manhandled so roughly.

"No..." he mutters, his heart clenching in his chest. "No, no, no..." He starts to run towards the door, but Nico steps in his way, blocking his path.

"Where do you think you're going?" Nico asks, a sly smile on his face.

Clancy glares at him, his fists clenching. "I'm going to save her. I'm not letting you do whatever you want to her."

Nico laughs again, the sound sending shivers down Clancy's spine. "You really think you can stop me? You really think you can save her? You're delusional, boy."

Clancy grits his teeth, trying to stay calm despite the fear and anger building up inside him. He wants to lunge at Nico, but he knows he's outnumbered. "I have to try," he says, his voice firm.