Nexo Knights AU: Renegade - The Wrong Move

01: A Painful Epiphany

"Y-you guys," Jestro swallowed, fighting the urge to cry. He was sitting in the main hub room of the Fortrex, with Clay and the rest of the Nexo gang standing around him. "You'd really get me a job, after everything I've done?"

"Of course we would," Clay smiled warmly, placing a hand on the jester's shoulder. "Even if everyone didn't agree with me, I'd make sure you'd get a second chance one way or another."

The leader of the Nexo Knights moved in front of Jestro, placed his other free hand on his friend's shoulder, and looked at him square in the eyes for emphasis, "Jestro, I'll always welcome you back with open arms. You're my best friend, I've had your back since I first met you in the Knights Academy and I'll have your back now."

"Well," Clay stepped aside and gestured to the rest of the Nexo Knights standing behind him. "I guess I should say 'we' have your back now."

"I'll, uh, see what I can manage anyways," Lance shrugged. "I know Knighton News Network's looking for some new staff, I could try to convince them to make you the coffee grabber-"

At this, Clay shot the rich-boy an icy glare. Quickly, Lance corrected himself, "Er, I mean, a weather reporter or something like that!"

Macy gave Jestro a sheepish grin, "Being the royal jester for my dad wasn't your cup of tea, Jestro, but I think I could use a helping hand when it comes to cleaning up after training sessions. I'd like to conduct a defense class with the civilians of Knighton in the future, with Ava's help. So if the thing with Lance doesn't work out, come talk to me."

"Or you could hang out with me, J-Man!" Aaron chimed in, dashing up to the jester and giving him a light punch on the shoulder. "I think I'm gonna start being a public stunt performer and could always use a comedic relief cameraman during the breaks."

"Two heads are better than one when it comes to making food," Axl lumbered over, and patted Jestro on the back. "I don't mind having you help me get the ingredients or something for the dishes me and Chef Eclair make. We're going to have our own cooking show on the Holovision!"

Jestro's eyes were overflowing with tears at this point. Unable to mask the emotions pouring out of him, he could only whisper in a shaky voice, "Thanks, guys..."

"Hey, are you listenin' to me, clown boy?!"

Jestro nearly jumped out of his skin upon hearing Monstrox's harsh voice, almost dropping the evil wizard's staff in the process. Once processing his surroundings, he found himself in a slumped, sleeping position on the throne atop the Evil Mobile Roberto made. Flustered, he quickly sat himself up, wiped any bits of drool off his mouth, and tried to recall what had been discussed before he succumbed into his dream-like flashback.

"'C-Course, Monstrox!" He shakily replied, feeling both Roberto and Monstrox's impatient stares piercing right through him. "We're going to go to Rockwood, and meet some people or monsters...maybe both? And then, uh..."

"And then, we'll, uh..." Jestro began trailing off, his memory failing him. "Um...something something and we'll defeat the Nexo Knights?"

"Alright, you're not fooling anyone," The cloud rolled his eyes. "You were off in La La Land for the twentieth time today! Your head's not in the right place, so sit still and count to three! I know the perfect wake-up call for you."

He glanced over at Roberto and briefly added, "Oh, and step back a little Mr. 'Artigiano', you never know how far these sparks can fly."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Jestro pleaded, knowing exactly what painful procedure Monstrox was about to do to him. Cold sweat ran down his neck as he helplessly watched Roberto immediately scurry down to the lower headquarters of the Evil Mobile. "I'm still with you on gathering the Forbidden Powers and defeating the Nexo Knights, Monstrox! It's just that maybe we don't have to destroy their kingdom and we can just go back to conquering it. I mean, the Knights really aren't that bad, they were really nice to me and-!"