Prodigal Son [Morning :: Event :: Closed]

"So nice to see you here, Julius." the Psyche-Terrorist said as the women at his side began drawing their firearms. But a raised hand stopped them, Skelter's. Julius' hand would also prevent Alex from beginning the battle with his scythe at the ready. But it didn't stop either women from looking around their area for anything work glancing over with askance as their leader continued to train his eyes on the Prince. Nor did it stop Alex from glaring at their direction. "Been expecting us?"

"Yes, it was only natural you would come for Alex. But I didn't come here to fight either of you. I just want to talk," Julius replied to their bewilderment. He remained remarkably cool just as always. Calm and collected as if replicating the neat and clean sheen of his blade nestling sheathed at his side. Alex wanted answers here and right now. He deserved them. Did Julius know? Why? But when he felt the hand on his shoulder and saw Julius give a knowing glance at him, the boy grudgingly kept quiet.

"Well, that's funny. I could've sworn someone sent a kill order on me with all the Cadets that tried to put me six feet under. Now you want to talk? What gives, Prince?" The Bee spat back at him, condemning him. She remembered why she hated him. The utter hypocrisy and self-righteousness of the Government was rank. Here stood the very man who shackled them to its corrupt bureaucracy and sham of an administration. She would love to put lead between and through his glasses.


"It was the Royal Guard who gave the order to the Cadets while I was preoccupied with other... obligations. We worked together and you truly believe I would dispose of you? Don't be foolish, Claire." Julius responded to her. He never agreed to the Guard's decision in the matter. No one needed to die. Everyone deserved a chance for redemption, even Psyche-Terrorists. That's why he tried so hard to find them before the Royal Guard did. She would show no mercy to all enemies of her Queen and eradicate them like lambs to the slaughterhouse. "Even if your rehabilitation is broken, I would still want all of you to return with me. You did good work as Cadets. There shouldn't be a reason for you to throw all of that away."

But none of them were too receptive to the idea. They had their taste of working under the Government. Even before then, they knew there were problems that lied much deeper than most thought. Skelter scoffed at him. "Sure there is. None of us want to be your sheep to use and to slaughter once our purpose is over. This city is diseased and it needs to be burnt down like all those years ago. Back when we were all free to do what we wanted without the paranoid oversight of your goddamn Mom and her bitch. I did it all wrong once I got caught. This time, I won't mess it up."

"You never succeeded before. What drives you to believe you'll succeed this time?" The Prince narrowed his eyes at his direction as Skelter smirked. That's what he wanted to see, not that false mask of care he hid behind. That artificiality when he was Chris was intolerably stifling. It felt real good once he broke free. "Change of perspective. Really does wonders, Julius. You ought to try it yourself. You'll end up seeing things you never saw before. Isn't that why you bothered to brainwash everyone you caught?"

To that, Julius had no answer. The Psyche-Terrorist was smug and nonchalantly shrugged it off. If the Prince wasn't here to fight, there was little value in this encounter. Especially when it wasn't at night when neither of their powers could reveal their full potential. He began to turn around to leave and gestured the women to follow him. They were hesitant, but holstered their firearms to trail after him. Alex was about to lunge forward again, but Julius' firm hand kept him in place. "Then I take it you're running away?"



He continued to leave after these words. There was nothing else to be said. Neither Chris nor Claire were ever coming back. Julius watched their retreating figures leave the scene. It almost felt surreal how trusted allies suddenly became enemies again. Where did all of this go wrong? As soon as they were gone, Alex viciously tugged on the Prince's sleeve. "What the hell happened, Julius? Chris. Claire. Why didn't you tell me? I deserved to know!"

Julius looked back at him. Calm and almost serene, it was usually hard to tell what he was thinking. But for once, there was a slight chink in the veneer. He looked apologetic to Alex's surprise. "I'm sorry."