Meltdown

- Damn, Hes Either Heroic, Or Stupid. -

The guy who had loudly announced the plan, walked towards us and slammed his bag on the ground. He crossed his arms, stood straightly, and grinned. Suki rolled her eyes, as if this happened all the time in here.

"Im Link," the guy spoke, "Leader of The Order!"

"You have less chance," Lana said, adjusting her glasses, "Of becoming the leader then Galdo does."

"Eyy! That means I still have a chance eh?" Galdo smiled proudly.

I had to roll my eyes here. These people had strange connections, and it frightened me. Link was WORSE than Galdo? I wonder where Sol fit on that list then. Suki seemed to be having the same reaction I was, effectively whacking Link in the shoulder, and he almost collapsed.

"Ouch... Overthrown by my own apprentice." Link grinned, then turned to me, "You're Vex, right? I knew your brother really well before he Vanished."

"You... Knew my brother...?" My voice cinched, as Rose led everyone else out of the room, leaving only Link and I.

"I Did. I knew you too. Well, i knew you before. I dont think you know me anymore now though." He chuckled, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Your brother and i were close childhood friends. He was so proud of his little sister."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes, I couldn't explain it, but i had a reassuring feeling of extreme safety around Link, as if I had known him before. "Is... My brother.." I trailed off.

"Alive? Yeah! He runs most missions here. It's been hard for him, not being able to see you."

I couldn't stop myself. I broke into tears, right then and there. The relief i felt, would have even made Lana smile. He was never gone, he was always here. Link pulled me into a bear hug, then messed up my hair with his fist.

"Hey!"

He laughed, and we walked out into the other room, where everyone was sitting on small benches. Lana and Galdo sat on one, Rose and Suki on the other, as far away as the bench let them. Link and I, sat on the free one.

"So," Rose began, "I believe we all know the plan set out upon us?"

"Eh? Uh, Yeah, i sure do. I totally wasn't listenin' or anythin, eh?" Galdo said, resulting in a kick in the ankles from Lana. "Owww."

We went over the plan to head back to the school, and search out for the signs of Ophelia's return to life. Link and Suki could easily become friends with people, by Manipulating their souls into acting in their way. Lana and Galdo planned to set up a computer tracker in one of the empty school rooms, that Lana would obtain by saying she was a doctor, which she was. Rose and Lily would stay at the Cafe across from the school, where they were in range to pick up any changes in the spirits. That left Sol, Jace, and myself. Seeing as only I was in the room, Only i was assigned a task. Using my Flexibus abilities, Link said i could "enter" shadows, allowing me to easily get to places. This made me the spy, I would spy on potential suspects, and send pictures to Lana.

The room shook, as an explosion happened right in the middle of us all. When the smoke cleared, Jace was laying there, and there was a very noticeable hole in the ceiling of the room.

Link and Suki immediately jumped up, wielding their weapons.

"What happened, Jace?" Suki said, watching the ceiling.

"No clue.." He got up, standing beside me. "I saw a figure in the old run-down training hall, so i approached him.. He introduced himself as.. 'Duke' Only Duke i remember was the old leader of the Order, who left after Ophelia 'Died'."

"Shit." Was all that Galdo had to say, immediately covering Lana with his arms, pulling her towards him. We could all swear we saw her face turn red.

A man, with long black hair, fell through the hole in the ceiling, landing. He had a scar running right across his neck, and left eye.

"Duke." Link said, raising his sword even higher, as Suki backed away.

"Link." Duke replied, his voice flat

Duke looked past Link, seeing me, and grinning.

"I never knew you had recruited the second Flexibus child... This must be the sister." Duke said, his voice really creepy. He pulled out his own sword, holding it at Jace, who was standing in front of me. "Move, boy." I watched as Jace shifted his movement, was he actually going to let me get attacked?

Galdo glared, "If ye actually like her that much, why are you moving?"

Duke grinned, "He IS a dark creature after all... The pull from the shadows is too much to resist for him.."

Jace had moved, just enough so i was open, to be attacked.

"You fucking fool!" Link sprung into action, as soon as Duke swung his sword down at me, Link was there, deflecting it with his own, sparks flying. Something was burning strongly in Links eyes, as the recoil hit Duke, sending him flying against a wall. Link ran at him, as Duke ran at Link, Their swords clashed again, and Link landed a major blow, along Dukes chest, sending him reeling backwards.

"Im afraid..." Duke began, "I spent too much time here... Know this... Order.. It matters not whether any of you die, But that Flexibus... She is vital for my masters plan..." Duke vanished, into thin air.

Jaces mind seemed to instantly clear. "Vex, I-Im Sorry-..."

I glared. "Don't fucking talk to me."

"B-But it wasn't my fault-!" Jace was cut off by Link.

"Actually, it was. You see, Dukes a Manifest. He takes ideas in a persons mind, and strengthens them, so the person is bent completely under his will. Somewhere inside you, you felt the need to run, abandon everything you care for, and watch them all Die. Instead of using your own morals, you bent completely under Dukes will. Dont you see Jace? If you truly wished to protect Vex, your own mind would have countered Dukes Manifestation."

It was a blow to the stomach. Jace didn't truly want to protect me. It was all a guise. Anger, and tears began swelling in my eyes, and i Took off, everybody yelling after me. Link dropped his sword, and ran after me. I teared down the halls, after exiting, Link in close pursuit. I threw open the door to the Delphine room, and sat at the table, laying my head on the table. A small pair of hands began working softly through my hair.

"Its okay Vex." Lily's gentle humming voice managed to calm me down. She looked up, smiled at Link, and moved to let him sit beside me. I looked up at Link. His face was also streaked in tears, but i had no idea why. I fell, allowing Link to catch and hug me.

"I will always protect you, even if i risk my own life." He whispered.

Was he really that heroic...? Or stupid for trying to protect me.