Percyous' POV I walked with Josiphine pausing only to fill my bag with bottles of their strongest mix which they called Death Tears. I knew I had to go through with my plan so first I took her to my stash and picked up the box. Afterwards I told her I had to tell her something important. "I just wanted you to know," I told her as I pulled her closer to me and kissed her. As I pulled back I almost abandoned my plan, but i had to go through with it. Before she could say anything I stoped her "I am sorry." I told her as I knocked her out as painlessly as I could by putting pressure on a cluster of nerves. I put her down as gently as I possibly could, it was time to leave. I walked to the train and knocked the two gaurd's heads together taking them out instantly. I had traded my gold for alot of TNT, I went to the front of the train and turned it on. I press the throttle and in a few seconds the village was out of sight.
Josephine's POV I woke up with a groan. "Oww," I lightly touched my head. How did I get like this? Suddenly it all came rushing back. He did this. Percyous brought me here, showed me his hiding place, said that I should know about something, then knocked me out. What was it he said I should know? I stumbled to the village as the village leader ran up to me. "Miss Josephine, are you alright?" "Percyous," I muttered. "What?" the man helped me to a house, and I sat down in a chair. "Percyous told me something that he said I should know, then knocked me out." I sat up quickly, the last traces of fogginess being whipped from my brain as a thought hit me. "Where is he? What time is it?" "It's several hours since you called off the search party." The man gave me a glass of water. I groaned. "Where is he?" The man sighed. "The two men who guarded the train were found unconscious an hour ago. The train is gone. We can only assume that-" "He took it." I finished his sentence. "Can I borrow several of your fastest horses?" The man was puzzled. "Why?" I set my glass of water down on the table. "Because I, and several of the soldiers from the base that came with me, will need to catch up with him." I stood. "And I promise you will get your train back." Then I stormed out of the house. I found several people who could help me catch up with Percyous. One was an accomplished fighter named Argus, able to wield any weapon with deadly accuracy. Another was the base's chief stablemaster, Arietta, who could help me control the horses. I also brought a medic, an overly cheerful fellow named Tom, for obvious reasons. "We just need to recruit a guide, someone who knows this terrain, preferably a villager," I told my small crew. Anna, the girl who had helped me when Percyous came into town, ran up. "Let me! Please, Jo." I glanced at her. She was twelve, maybe four foot eleven, and had a small build. She was bot the ideal guide. "I know everything about the forest!" She said quickly. "Plants, animals, you name it. I've wandered the forest since I was little." "What about your parents?" I asked gently. Anna grew downcast. "I lost them when I was three. The people in the village all have taken care of me." I sighed. "Well we don't have much time, so fine, you can come." Anna instantly brightened up. We packed up, with the villagers giving us instructions and goodbyes, then we set off to the train tracks. "Which way did he go?" Arietta asked. I smiled grimly. "Anna, which direction goes to the capitol?" "That way," she pointed east. "Then that's the way we follow," I said. And we started off.
Percyous' POV I stood in the mirror staring at my reflection, I had about twelve hours until I reached the capital. I found myself thinking about Josiphine, I had kissed her and I still couldn't get it out of my head. I had a job to do, I needed to look different. I took out my knife, time to get started. I cut my face down from below my left eye to my chin. I then took out a bottle of hair dye. "Never thought I would ever use this," I muttered to myself as I first cut, then put blond hair dye into my hair then let it set as I went to the second car. I sat down down and started working on time bombs, I had more than enough resources to make enough timebombs to destroy every major building in the capital. After finishing my disguese by cutting a cloak in multiple places to make it look over used. I awoke from my nap to the sound of my alarm, it was time to hitchhike, I went to the back car with my bags, Time Bombs, knives, and a single small long block of wood. I set the estimated time for the train to reach the station and for the officials to board, hid the bomb, set the autopilot to stop at the station, then got ready for the right moment in the final car. When it was time I threw the wood and it hit the disconect from the final car button and watched the train go off into the city, I was within five miles now so it would be a short hike to the gates.
Josephine's POV We made it to the capital after several hours, with no major events, other than Argus's horse throwing him. He rode on Arietta's horse, with her sitting behind him, holding onto him, which I don't think either of them were to put out about. When we got within a mile of the train station, Anna had us stop. "We shouldn't ride in on our horses. They can find their way back, we should walk." Tom shook his head. "No," he said. "If we walk, how are we supposed to get away quickly? I don't want to treat four people." I sighed. "Your four should go back," I said. "No way," Arietta said. "But I'm the only one here who has been training in covert operations!" I shouted. "What?" Argus walked toward me. "What did you say?" "Dang it," I muttered. I didn't mean to say that. "I was sent to the base, supposedly to check out some unfollowed protocols, but then they tried to kill me." I shrugged. "That's why I'm trying to get into the capital and figure out what's going on." "I don't get it," Anna said. "She's a spy," Tom told her. "She was sent to spy on the people at the base. " "And now I'm on your side!" I exclaimed. Argus cracked his knuckles. "So?" He lumbered to me, but Arietta stopped him. "Did you do any reporting on us?" "No," I said, and then we heard a loud BOOM. Without thinking, I ran along the tracks. I was fast, and crossed the mile in about six minutes when I came to the station. I hid behind a cluster of trees. The train blew up, I thought. My mind raced. Percyous showed me his hiding place for gold, well I guess he bought some explosives. When I find him... I shook my head to clear it, and stepped out from behind the trees to blend in with the crowd, who were all crowding around what was left of the station. There were many people there, several crying over the injured and dead. Several were gossiping, and several were just staring. But there was only one person who wasn't concerned. He seemed distant from it all. I noticed a small smile play across his face. He was blonde, with a long scar running down his face. But I recognized him. That was Percyous. He didn't see me, but turned and walked away. And I didn't follow.
Percyous' POV The bombing was a success, now it was time to find my favorite place and cash in a few favors. I walked into the bar and immediatly noticed it was far less crowded than I remembered. "Drafting" I muttered under my breath remembering when I was drafted not too long ago, oh how I had moved up in the world. I went to sit in my normal seat when I saw the unthinkable happening infront of me. I tapped the brute on his shoulder, "Tony, outa my seat." I commanded as the entire bar grew silent. The hulking brute stood and towered over me. "What did you say street urchin?" he said and laughed along with everyone else, big mistake. I smiled a smile I had become known for giving my victims before their deaths, Tony had forgotten the rules I had layed down, in a split second I saw the bartender's face hange as he instantly recgnized me, but it was too late for Tony, he didn't notice until I was pounding his head into the floorboards. literally. After I finished I took his drink and droped it in him as I used to do my vctims before the draft. "Give me the usual." I ordered the bartender. I soon felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned to see the entire bar standing as was custom when I came in. "You are all forgiven, take a seat and buy me two rounds each." it was good to be back. Soon a few of my closest goons were sitting next to me and I was back ontop. "Get me Eddie. I need his help." I said and watched as two of them immediatly left to find him. It was time to get payback.
Josephine's POV Where did he go? I asked myself. I was walking down the street, twisting my poison ring around my finger. A bar, I answered myself. It was a logical choice. Well, logical for Percyous. I found a bar near the station. "I never liked these," I said. "Fine, I'll go in." As I stepped into the bar, every eye seemed to be staring at me. Well, at least I have everyones attention. "Has anyone seen a man with blonde hair and a scar down his face?" "Depends," the bartender said. "Who are you?" Suddenly a drunk man lunged at me. "You're pretty," he smiled drunkenly. Without thinking, I slapped his neck with the back of my hand, piercing him with my ring. His eyes went wide, and he made a croaking noise, then he fell to the ground and went silent. "Who are you?" a man at a table asked. I turned towards him. "I'm a friend of Percyous. Now tell me where he is RIGHT NOW." "He doesn't have friends," the bartender said. "Well he's got me," I snapped. "Now where is he?"
Percyous' POV "Why are you here?" I asked Josiphine, I had been alerted the minute she had asked about me so I had come to watch what would happen. "Why did you run off Percyous?" she questioned stepping foreward but being blocked by two of my goons. I motioned for them to step aside and I stepped foreward and grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing?" "Listen whoever you are," I told her as if I hadn't heard a word she said. "This is a nice ring so I'll let you walk away on exchange for it, but I do not know you. I do not know how you found me or how you knew my name, but go home." I said as I took the ring and wrapped it up in a cloth and watched her being thrown outside. I sat back down at my table in back after telling them not to harm her, just not let hr inside. "Eddie, I need acces to your tunnels and your "Trades"." I told the tall hooded man sitting across from me. "Why should I allow it? What's in it for me?" he asked, I flashed him my death smile and replied "Life, and a née government that doesn't hunt your operation like a deer." he grew silent for a second then reached out his hand, "Deal." he said. "Deal" I confirmed as I shook his hand.
Josephine's POV He threw me out! He acted like he didn't remember me! I was furious. The I remembered that he took my ring, and I wanted his blood. I got up off of the street and started walking. I came across a couple talking. Some charity event being held by the leader of the capital was taking place at his home later this evening. I smiled. I'm a spy. Infiltration is what I do best. I had my money in my pocket- I'd forgotten about it once I got to the base, but I had it all this time. I quickly walked a ways into town and found some of the fancier shopping places. I purchased a red dress I could wear, and a pair of shoes. I even found a ring with a wickedly sharp diamond that I could use to replace my previous ring. I went to the park, in which I found a berry bush to make my ring poisonous. After that, I found a small hotel that I could stay in. After I got to my room, I got changed into my new dress -ick, I don't care much for dresses, or heels- and managed to walk in high heels without falling. I could speak seventeen different languages, but the mansion hadn't really taught us the ladylike things. I called a cab and went to the leader of the capital's house. While in the cab, I smiled. It doesn't matter if I don't exist to you anymore, Percyous, but I'm still fighting.
Percyous' POV I hoped she had gone home, knowing her she wouldn't understand what I had been trying to tell her. "Percyous!" "What?" I looked at the men focusing on the scale model of the Capital's Governer's house. "You looked distant, let me go over the plan agian, you lead a small team into the mansion unarmed, we plant charges on the roof, the civilians evac, then a larger team goes in blasting as a cover for a bomb being set inside, while you fight it is timed, we run, place goes sky high, then you leave city and come back through one of the tunnels, sound good?" "Yeah," "Ok then let's begin preperation." It was good to have my hair back to normal agian, but this suit was restricting, I looked as my team dispersed into the crowd as planned, it was time to scope out the area. As I was walking I saw a beutifull woman in a red dress walking along smiling, "Oh no," I muttered, she hadn't left. I ran up to her and noticing a new ring I grabbed that wrist so she wouldn't poisen me. "Get out of here, now." I said to her as I looked around nervously. "You! You threw me out and took my ring!" "Yes, I hoped you would leave the city and if you killed another person in that bar then you would have had to be killed. Here is your ring anyway, just leave." I told her as I put the cloth holding her poisen ring into her hand. "Why?" "Because this place is going to be blown up." "No, why did you warn me? Why did you try to protect me?" "Because I don't want you to die in battle or by anyone's hand, I want you to lead a long peacefull life, I love you." I said as I kissed her. Suddenly I heard the roof bombs explode, "Run! And don't come back!" I yelled at her as I pushed her towards the door then turned and ran agianst the crowd towards the explosions.
Josephine's POV I was stunned. It was to much. Percyous kissed me! Why, but, I don't... Then the bombs went off and he ran away. Towards them! I ran after him. Well, tried too. The crowd kept pushing me back, and I had no choice but to go back to the hotel. Why must he always ruin my plans? I thought. I got to the street the hotel was on and saw that everyone was in panic. "What's happening?" "Who would want to do this?" "What's going to happen to the city?" I brushed past a man trying to comfort his daughter and into the hotel. It was quiet, there was barely anybody around. I guess people didn't want to be inside any building. But Percyous only wants to hit important, historical buildings. I went up to my room, shut the door, and fell onto the bed. I needed to think. But I couldn't. Everything was just to confusing. At least I got my ring back.
Percyous' POV "The bomb has been planted sir!" I heard the leader of the bomber team tell me as I used one of the enemy soilders as a human shield. "Ok then! Evacuate! Now!" I held off as the order was spread until we were all we were all running. I took cover along with the others as the bomb was detonated. "Everyone make it?" "Just a few wounded," "Good, time for us to get outa town." As we walked to the tunnel entrence/exit that was about twenty miles from the Capital Gates that lay in ruin after a feeble attempt to close them when we escaped through them. We were about less than a mile from the entrence so we decided to set up camp since there was a cart system in there that would have us back in a few minutes. We were feeling pretty good about ourselves and I was already planning another strike, but I was constantly reminded we had to get home first. As I fell asleep I found myself thinking about Josiphine agian, I wondered what she was doing, and as I closed my eyes I found myself dreaming about her too.
Josephine's POV I woke up the next day and groggily got out of bed. I hadn't slept well, my dreams were quite strange, filled with Percyous telling me he loved me and then giving me the ring back. I know, I know, it was my ring to begin with, but it still weirded me out. And then he blew up another building. Will this madness ever end? I got changed out of the red dress, back into my mansion-issued t shirt pants shoes and jacket. I packed the dress and heels-and the other ring I bought- into a bag and started off through the city, following the train tracks back to the village. It was a long walk, and as nighttime fell I could barely walk any more. I made camp under a tree and fitfully slept. The next day at around noon, I stumbled into the village, and found the village leader, along with Argus, Arrietta, Tom, and Anna. Huh. I never realized that most of their names began with the letter A. "Jo!" Anna screamed, ran, and tackled-ahem, I mean HUGGED- me. Tom and Arrietta looked relieved I was back, but Argus was giving me the evil eye. "You're back!" Tom said happily. "Where's Percyous?" Argus asked. The village leader stepped forward. "And the train?" I sighed. "He blew it up." Arrietta gasped. "Who blew it up?" "Percyous blew up the train. And several other important buildings in the capital." I managed to pry Anna's arms off of me and walked toward them. "The capital is in chaos." The village leader sighed. "So what are we supposed to do?" "I'm not sure," I answered solemnly. "I suppose, get all the soldiers combat ready. Just in case."
Percyous' POV I stared at the map of the city and the villages within ten miles as someone droned on and on about our next move. "We set up a capital and take the mine, that's all for now." I said finally snapping. "But sir...." "That's final! And I already know where to set up so don't bother trying to get me to set up our new capital somewhere else either." I say to the surrounding soilders staring at me with objections on the tips of their tongues. "Fine, each of you can send one scout to a village of your choosing, if I like the situation we will capture that village, but for now I will take my personal gaurd through these tunnels to the capital of our new independant nation got it? It's a village located on this beach........" I walked to our armoury and was immediatly met by the head blacksmith and engineer. "Your weopons are ready sir, it's a good thing you ordered them before your inprisionment or else they would still be a work in progress." he said to me excitedly as we walked past stacks and rows of furnaces, armour, swords, axes, pickaxes, and much more. "Here they are sir," he said while suddenly stoping and pointing at a stack of axes and a huge sword. "They work well?" "Yes sir! We have tested the product's older models until we successfully made all of them able to be exploded by a push of a button and make it accessable to only one person, of course we had to use someone else but we edited them so they only work for you, you have five seconds to get rid of the pickaxes before they explode. The explosion level is monitered by this button, you can halt the explosion by pressing this or saying "stop explosion, authorized"." "That's a lot of instructions, amazing how you got it to work so well after so little time" I say to the blacksmith as he finishes and hands me a bag full of the pickaxes and turns to the sword. "Thanks sir, anyway, this sword is able to cut through pretty much anything aslong as it's wielder has the strength of mind, body, and soul. That should be everything you need sir." "Good work." I told him as I turned away and signaled for my gaurds to follow as we went down the dark tunnel out of the city and towards the beach, and hopefully Josiphine
Josephine's POV Everyone was prepared. The village people who were useful at climbing trees (lookouts) and weaponry had volunteered to help. The soldiers from base were all ready, archers, sword fighters, and others. "Are you alright?" I put my hand on Tom's shoulder. "You're chewing up your nails pretty badly." "I'm just worried about people getting hurt," Tom sighed. "That's why I became a medic- to help people. But I've seen a lot of people die, usually because I didn't get there in time." I nodded. "I understand. Do you want to stay in the main square, away from any fighting?" The usually-cheerful Tom perked up. "That would be nice. Are you okay with that Jo?" I smiled. "I'll be fine." "Jo!" I heard a shout from Anna and turned away from Tom. "I see a bunch of people coming!" I took out my poisonous sword and got ready. "Make sure we know who they are first!" Just as the people came into view, I saw Percyous at the head of the group. Then I heard Argus shout. "SHE'S A SPY!" The villagers and soldiers gasped then grumbled. Then they turned on me. My eyes widened. "No," I looked up at Percyous, who was still about a hundred yards away. "I was set up at the base by my leader! She wanted to kill me!" "If you're a spy," one soldier said, "then you're a double crossed too!" The people advanced towards me, raising their weapons. I can't fight this many of them! "PERCYOUS!"
Percyous' POV "PERCYOUS!" I heard someone call, it was Josiphine, I know it was her. I set off running and I ran until I saw her with a sword to her throat. I had to think fast or she would die, I pulled out my axe, threw it, and knocked the sword out of attempted executer's hand. "Anyone that has a problem with her deals with me!" I yelled unsheathing my giant sword and pointing it at the crowd. I motioned for me soilders to untie her as I stood between her and those who wanted her dead. "But she's a spy! She confessed to me herself!" the person that had been about to kill her said stepping up. "I'm Argus sir, and there is no need for you to urk!" the urk was due to the axe that had chopped of the hair off the side of his head. "Did you think I would thank you for this?" "Uh but sir, she's a.." "I KNOW SHE'S A SPY YOU FOOL!" I bellowed advancing towards him. As he started to back away he hit a rock and fell down begining to scramble backwards desperatly trying to escape my seething rage. "I HAVE KNOWN SINCE HER PROMOTION! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO KILL HER THEN EXPECT A REWARD!" I raised my sword ready to kill him when I heard Josiphine's voice say "Percyous, calm down, he didn't know." At hearing her voice my anger seemed to disapear instantly. I turned around to see her standing walking towards me, "Are you ok Josiphine?" I asked her as I sheathed my sword and embraced her.
Josephine's POV I hugged Percyous. "I'm fine, I think." "Thank goodness." He said. One his soldiers stepped forward. "Sir? The new capital?" Percyous stepped back. "Oh, right." He cleared his throat. "The capital of the old rulers is basically in ruins. I would like to make this village, this town, the new capital of a new, independent nation." The village leader stepped forward. "With all due respect, you blew the town's train." I sighed. "But now you all are safe from the old country's army. Safety can come with a price," I said, looking at the ground." "Jo?" Anna pushed her way through the crowd, until she was right in front of me. "Yes, Anna?" "Well," she started, glancing at Percyous, "you said that this would be a new capital for a new country. But what is the country called?" I bit my lip. "I'm sure we can figure that out later." "JO!" I heard a man's voice. It was Tom. He came running up to me and Percyous. "What is it?" He was panting for breath. "I was, in, the city center, like you let me, and, soldiers came, into it, I barely escaped to tell you-" We heard shouts down the street. "Take no prisoners!" "Kill everyone!" Anna gasped and grabbed my arm. "They're soldiers from the capital." I said. "Looking to, I don't know, get revenge or make the old capital the ruling place again." Tom nodded in agreement. Percyous took out his sword. "So we fight." The crowd of people around us, who had wanted to kill me, took out their weapons once more. Argus looked unhappy, but got to his feet and took out his sword. "I stand beside you, sir. To make up for trying to kill her." Percyous nodded. "Thank you." He turned to me. "Get the children away from here." "I'm not leaving you," I said, feeling a wave of Deja vu hit me. "To bad," he said, kissing me quickly, "You're getting the non-fighters out." "Anna," I quickly turned to her, "can you get them away from here instead?" She nodded determinedly. "Yes, Jo." She immediately started to go through the crowd, finding those who were to young, or to old, and getting them into the forest. I turned back, where Percyous was shaking his head. "Fine. Go ahead and fight." I smiled and got my poisoned sword ready, as the capital's soldiers rounded the corner.
Percyous' POV I stared at the legion of elites glaring across the square back at my small rag-tag group of soilders. "Looks like we just got a new shipment of jetpacks and blasters men!" I yelled raising my sword into the air. The soilders that had been with me in the capital knew that I meant not to harm the weapons, however those from the base and village were wondering what I meant and were about to question me when I swung my sword in a signal to charge due to the elites making the dumb move of all reloading at the same time, my soilders immediatly ran into battle. The sound of death filled my ears as I swung left and right. As I pulled my sword out of one man's stomech I became aware of someone aiming the barrel of their weapon at me. I grabbed the enemy that had just been introduced to the point of my sword and used him as a shield inorder to block a blaster charge. I moved towards the shooter and took him out, leaving the shiny gray jetpack and blaster unharmed. I slipped the jetpack straps over my shoulders and grabbed the dead man's weapon, time to move to the sky.
Josephine's POV I twisted my ring, grabbed my sword, and followed Percyous into the mob. At first, the capitol's soldiers couldn't understand why I was just scratching they're skin, but as each one I got fell down and died, they assumed I had some kind of poison and stayed away from me. I caught a glimpse of Percyous flying overheard, which distracted me enough for a soldier to get close enough to me to jab at me with his sword. I quickly parried it, then hit hit with my ring, and he collapsed. I started moving quickly through the group of soldiers, hitting them, scratching them with my poison. Between all the people from the base and the villagers, the whole battle lasted about ten minutes. "Shortest battle in history," I commented, staring at the bodies of the dead soldiers as Percyous landed next to me, blaster in hand. He shrugged. "Yeah." Tom came walking up to everyone. "Alright, who'se not dead?" People looked around, looking for friends and family, smiling when they saw that they were still alive. No one spoke. "who'se injured?" That was met by a flurry of speech, people stepping forward, and Tom got quickly to work. "Well?" I said. "Well what?" Percyous frowned. I gestured around us. "What now?"