Just a Step Ahead - Finale
Title: Just a Step Ahead - Final Chapter
Author: Streamedwords
Summary: The End of the Journey
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Cain/Glitch/Ambrose, or Cain/Ambrose-Glitch, as it stands.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I am merely a humble fangirl
Characters: From Ahamo to Zero!
Note: The end. -falls over-
He had been in solitary confinement since the day of the Sorceress' downfall. His captors had decided that he might have posed too great a threat if he was held in cells close to anyone else, and so he'd been dwelling in the deepest corner of the dungeons since his imprisonment began. The only people that he had any contact with were the guards who came to deliver his meals, the standard fare much improved from what the Sorceress had allowed them to serve to their own imprisoned guests. Most of the time, the guards came and delivered it while he was sleeping. It had felt like forever since he had seen anyone's face.
So when he first noticed the man standing outside of his cell, it did not seem real. It took him blinking a few times, straining his eyes in the dark, before he could even properly see the one silently watching him. "Who's there?"
The figure took a step forward, a thin stream of light striking off of brown curling hair, pale features, and dark eyes which were looking at him without pity, hatred, or any other definite emotion. His clothes were very fine, black garments lined in charcoal gray. Delicate fingers curled around the bars of his cell, as the man peered in at him through the bars. The voice was quiet, but there was something in that struck a chord of recognition. "Alchemist Raynz. It would appear that this is the day your fortunes may change. Stand up."
Raynz' features contorted with confusion, though he did as he was told. The man's hand was dropping away, a signal being made, and Raynz heard the gears of his cell begin to turn, the bars sliding up. Shuffling cautiously forward, the alchemist edged his way out of the cell, trying to determine if there was some trick to this. Now that there was more light, he blinked over at the man who had come to free him, before gasping in disbelief.
Ambrose's mouth curled faintly, the advisor nodding. "I see that you remember me. I certainly do remember you, Alchemist Raynz. Though I can't claim to be a fan of your work, I find myself in need of your services."
"What if I refuse to help you?" Raynz asked with a slow blink of his large eyes.
Another figure eased up into sight nearby him, a subtle smile on Zero's face as he lifted the shock stick into sight. Raynz' eyes widened towards it, even as Ambrose was murmuring pleasantly. "Then my associate here will grant you a taste of the encouragement that you found so useful in the past. Zero, if you would?"
"Gladly." The Longcoat said with a nod, taking hold of Raynz by the arm, dragging the alchemist along as Ambrose began to walk ahead of them. Zero asked curiously. "So, you've rescued me, freed him, and what's the next stage of your plan?"
"I gather my tools," Ambrose said vaguely, "and then we fly."
~~~~~~~~~
Jeb paced the barracks, restless. It took all his willpower not to stage a revolt, to free his father from prison and DG from the clutches of the prince. He knew, though, that such a move on his part would only end up adding more turmoil to the kingdom. There would need to be some other plan, aside from an open attack. All he needed to do was come up with the idea. His men, no matter what he decided, would follow him to the end.
DG had not been allowed to have any visitors since her return. It made Jeb angry, knowing that she was more or less a prisoner in her own palace. He had thrown himself into training procedures, finding his anger impotent without an outlet to set it free. Anything that he might have done could put everyone at risk if he wasn't careful.
Still, it was becoming next to impossible to stand by and do nothing.
"Message for you, Sir."
Jeb turned to the uniformed man who had entered the barracks, frowning. He took the folded paper, not even bothering to acknowledge the man's bow as the younger Cain tore open the letter, wondering who might have wanted to contact him.
His eyes scanned over the letter once, then again. Then again. Jeb's jaw went slack, before he took a quick look around the barracks. Stuffing the letter into his pocket, the young man headed out of the barracks at a run, on his way to the palace.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think we will host the reception in your larger ballroom in the southern wing of the palace." Prince Farthinberg said merrily, shifting upon the throne as he smiled to the scowling princess seated unwillingly in the chair beside him. DG kept her eyes fixed straight ahead of her.
The Queen stood nearby with Ahamo, fitting herself into the curve of his arm. His eyes were angry, locked on the floor. Only Azkadellia responded, her voice cool, to appease the royal invader. "That should be sufficient space, Your Highness."
"What say you, my love?" Farthinberg asked the girl beside him, mockery in his voice.
DG's right eye began to twitch. Through her teeth, she uttered. "Whatever."
"Now, my darling.. I sense that you are displeased." His face softened with false concern. "My only thought is of your happiness, Princess. Tell me what I can do to earn a smile from that lovely face."
"Pitch yourself off a high cliff?" DG suggested immediately, hopefully. Ahamo snorted quietly, barely able to restrain a laugh. The prince glared in his direction, before smiling tightly to the woman at his side.
"Unfortunately, I can't do that."
Prince Farthinberg pushed up from the throne, looking around at the members of the royal family. "You can all stand here, glowering and sullen, for as long as you like. My army is outside of this city -- you are conquered. The sooner that you accept your defeat, the sooner that your resignation will ease your suffering."
The doors of the throne room opened, a uniformed attendant clearing his throat to draw their attention. "Highnesses, there is someone who has requested an audience, stating that he has urgent news to deliver."
"Who is it?" The Queen asked, curious.
"Mister Jeb Cain, Your Majesty." The attendant responded, bowing before turning towards the door, beckoning to the one standing outside.
Jeb walked into the throne room, ignoring the presence of Farthinberg's guards around the place. His focus was entirely on the royal family, eyes lingering on DG, before fixing on the Queen. "Your Highness. I bring urgent news from Ambrose." The young man drew a paper out of his pocket, waving it in the air. "He sent me this message, asking that I deliver his words to you."
"And what words are those?" Prince Farthinberg asked darkly, eyebrows drawing together as he twisted towards a few of his men. "You three, go track down Advisor Ambrose and bring him here to me."
"That will be a bit difficult, Farthinberg.." Jeb said, unable to help a smirk.
"And why, little soldier, would that be?" The prince asked, as his eyes narrowed towards the younger Cain. "What exactly did Ambrose say?"
"Just four words." Jeb answered, before pointing their attention to the large picture window overlooking the panorama of the O.Z. "'Look to the West.'"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Pushing open the double doors, Ambrose felt his breath growing short in his chest as they stepped inside. His eyes shot directly for that spot on the floor, still showing the marks where the tank had once been fixed. Zero and Raynz moved in around him, the former Longcoat roughly pushing the alchemist ahead of him. "Time for you to prove your use. What do you need us to do, Ambrose? Ambrose?"
He blinked back at the other man, seeing that Ambrose was still rooted to his spot just inside the doors, eyes locked on that point on the floor. Then, his eyes tore themselves free, spinning to Zero. "What? Oh. We'll need to run a diagnostic. I'm sure that many of the generators were damaged in the explosion that resulted when the light pulsing reversal caused the machine to malfunction. We have to know what ones are still operational. Raynz?"
The alchemist was prodded forward, moving towards the dials at the back of the room. Ambrose followed along with him, to watch over the man's shoulder, checking on his work. His hands moved of their own accord, fingers dancing in the air above the controls, desiring to touch and afraid to at the same time. Raynz worked the machine with silent efficiency, a few twists starting a low hum of power from somewhere below them. The man spoke flatly. "Generators Number Three and Number Five are the only remaining units. The others are unresponsive. We will be operating considerably under power."
"That's all right." Ambrose nodded, satisfied. "I don't want to use this abomination at its full strength. Just get the systems online. Zero, stay with him, and if he so much as looks at a button in a way that disturbs you.." He trailed off, miming a gesture of poking something with a stick.
"Okay, but..." Zero watched as the advisor turned to leave, knuckles white where Ambrose gripped that case of tools, "you still haven't told me what you are doing."
Quietly, Ambrose sighed. He stopped in the doorway, half-turning back to Zero. "The first time around, I let myself be handicapped by doing the absolute right thing; whether out of pride or out of ignorance, it cost us everything. I'm not going to make that mistake this time."
Zero stared at him thoughtfully. "What are you going to do?"
"What I should have done before." Ambrose's eyes were hard, like chips of flint. "I'm going to fight dirty." Then he walked from the room, leaving both the Longcoat and the alchemist wondering what precisely that meant.
~~~~~~~~~~
"What sort of gibberish is that?" Farthinberg looked around at the others, trying to see if the royal family had some idea of what he himself was missing.
He frowned as he saw that DG had already jumped out of her chair, both her and Azkadellia hurrying to the window. The Queen and Ahamo followed quickly after, leaving the confused prince to do nothing but follow.
Blinking outside, Farthinberg scanned the horizon to see what they were looking for, finding that there was nothing to the west for them to see, except for the skeletal finger of the abandoned Dark Tower. He was even looking past it, dismissively, until something about it snared his attention back.
"What in the name of the Gods...?"
There was a distinct green flare that surged at the crown of the tower, pulsing a few times like a trick of light. Then, abruptly, that flickering light exploded into a solid beam of green, extending up into the night sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ambrose flinched against the sudden rush of power blasting up near where he worked, the green pulse of the beam momentarily blinding him. He turned his face away from it, focusing back on getting his own part of the project done.
Reflect. Redirect. It was such an elementary plan.
He kept his back turned away from the edge of the balcony, trying to ignore it. The wind and the charge of magic in the air whipped at his hair, but even that he managed to tune it out, becoming absorbed in his task. He grunted quietly when trying to adjust the reflective plates, them being a bit heavier than he had counted on. Ambrose dragged them over one at a time, placing them around where the beam shot overhead.
Zero and Raynz came up, the alchemist being made to assist him, while Zero stepped in as the muscle of their trio, wrenching the plates over when Ambrose was unable to shift them any further. He looked up to the bright green beam overhead, before laughing, shouting to Ambrose over the noise. "Do you think they've figured out what we're up to?"
Ambrose glanced over to the man, then looked over his shoulder towards the distant, glowing lights of Central City. He smiled faintly. "If they haven't yet, they will shortly. Get ready to move that upper plate at my signal. Everything else is in place. Once the beam hits that plate, it will reflect itself in the direction of Central City. More specifically... that nice open field where Bodwingale's army is currently lurking at."
"You're using this as a weapon?" Zero was surprised. "You're going to kill them all?"
"Not at all!" The advisor gasped, shocked at the very idea. "The beam isn't going to kill anyone. It will, however, cast a stun effect that is going to put their ranks out. The worst that will happen is that they are all going to wake up with terrible, terrible headaches."
"Oh. So, the beam is going to do that?"
"Once I put the focus piece into it, yes."
"Which would be what?"
Ambrose fished into a pocket of his jacket, withdrawing a jewel. He held it up for Zero to see, the Longcoat's eyebrows raising in surprise. "Is that the Emerald that I think it is?"
"The same. Now remember to move that plate when I give you the signal, Zero." Ambrose reminded him, as he clutched the emerald tightly in his fist. He blinked at that beam of light, feeling his courage start to slip for the first time. His thoughts turned to Cain, and to DG, and to the Queen. He'd come this far -- there was no faltering now.
Closing his eyes, he stepped tentatively forward, gasping at the feeling of the energies that wrapped around him, licking at his clothes and hair. Ambrose bit down on his bottom lip, steadying himself. Uncurling his fingers, he revealed the emerald to that green light. "Zero, NOW!"
The beam around him reacted to the glimmer of that emerald, Ambrose watching as it reached for contact with the jewel. Then there was an explosion of power, blinding him, and after that, he was aware of nothing.
~~~~~~~~
The entirety of Bodwingale's army had taken the brunt of the giant beam of power, flattening the soldiers waiting anxiously for battle. When the chaos of it had passed, Jeb's platoons had succeeded in clearing out the hostiles positioned in the palace, taking Prince Farthinberg's grasp on power down to nothing in the matter of an hour.
In fact, the prince was surrendering shortly after that beam had hit, seeing that his army could no longer support him. Jeb was quite happy to personally toss the royal into one of the cells down below, before freeing his father. Cain's gratitude and relief was overshadowed by concern for the fate of Ambrose, whom they did not hear from. He stood on the balcony of the palace alongside his son, watching in the direction of the Dark Tower for some glimpse of that balloon which the crafty inventor had borrowed from Ahamo.
It wasn't until close to morning that Jeb roused his father where the tin man had fallen asleep there against the base of the balcony's railing, pointing the older man's attention in the direction of the Tower. "Father, look!"
Cain quickly scrambled up to his feet, eyes eagerly searching the horizon.
In the growing light of the twin suns that were soon to rise, he saw the unmistakeable image of the red balloon, drifting in their direction through the clear dawn sky.
Both he and Jeb signaled to the balloon when it came into range, able to hear the burst of power as the flame waxed and waned in its strength. It drifted to them, the roped bags being tossed down to anchor it. Both of the Cains gripped hold of a rope, winding them around the thick marble railing of the balcony, as the balloon bumped silently to a stop above them. Cain stepped out of the way as the ladder was tossed over the side of the basket, holding it steady.
The first person that he saw climbing out was the unexpected sight of the bald alchemist from the Sorceress' fortress, scaling down the ladder while his large eyes blinked around like some albino insect. He noticed Cain and Jeb standing there, smiling lightly. "One of you strapping gentlemen is probably going to have to help carry him down."
"Help...?" Jeb asked, before a whistle from the top of the basket drew his attention up.
Zero's face was tense, white as a sheet. He blinked down at Cain and Jeb, addressing the older man in an urgent voice. "Get up here and help me, Cain. I don't want to drop him."
Cain needed no more urging than that. Jeb did not think that his father could have scaled the ladder that fast at his age, but considering the dire delivery of Zero's words, Jeb figured that his father had enough motivation to pull off the impossible.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ambrose moved forward with deliberate strides, the clinging mist of thought curling away from him in the black void of his consciousness. He came into a barren white chamber, which had no decorum, nor even any furniture, aside from those pieces in the center of the circular room. Two matching black chairs, and a chess board between, the delicate glass pieces already set for a round of play.
He brushed off his sleeves, fixing one of the cuffs as he sat himself down in front of the board. His eyes swept over it, already plotting out strategies in his mind. Still, he was impatient, and the other was making him waste precious time. Ambrose glowered around him, snapping. "Would you kindly stop hiding?"
The other chair abruptly filled, a man in raggedy attire lounging in the seat, one elbow cocked comfortably back as he tilted the chair back on two legs. Brown eyes were amused underneath that spill of wild hair, Glitch's head cocking sharply to the left as he regarded the one across the board. "You're the one who keeps insisting that I butt out of everything. I can't help it if you want to change your mind all the time."
"We need to settle this, now that everything is in order and our friends are safe." Ambrose said firmly, not wanting to let the other take control of the conversation. Otherwise, they would end up going in circles for hours. "We're both civilized creatures. I am sure that we can come to a compromise of sorts." He leaned forward and took hold of a black pawn, inching it forward on the board before his eyes fixed on those of his shadow self.
Glitch moved far more delicately, fingers splayed as he cautiously pinched a white pawn a few squares down, easing it two spaces ahead. "Deal. Compromise. Okay, start."
"I think that we should start going solely by my name." Ambrose murmured, shifting another piece. "It was the name for us before you came along, and it sounds far more dignified. So, from now on, when people address you as 'Glitch', I get to decide whether or not to respond."
"I guess." Glitch's lips twisted, face scrunching up comically in his effort to concentrate as he took his own turn. "My turn: We don't ever do anything like that with Zero ever again. I was disturbed."
Ambrose snorted. "Trust me, that's a given. It was years ago. Mostly an experiment, anyway. I have no desire to begin any kind of intimate relations with him."
"Because I have Cain now. Well -- we have Cain now, anyway."
"Yes." Ambrose blinked over at his counterpart. "You're fortunate that I decided to go along with it. I've had a hell of a time dealing with those feelings of yours."
Glitch laughed quietly, placing one of Ambrose's pawn on the table beside the board. "He grows on you. I think it's the eyes. Or maybe the pants. But I think my favorite part is when he smiles for real. Makes my synapses fire overtime." He sighed dreamily, eyes raising to the ceiling as he savored a memory or two.
Which meant that Ambrose was sharing that memory, blushing as he conquered another of Glitch's pieces. "Stop that. Focus. We were negotiating, remember?"
"Oh yeah. Where were we?"
"We're going by my name. I will never so much as flirt with Zero. We are in firm agreement that Cain is the epitome of a handsome, attractive gentleman."
"I don't want us going back to being like you were before me." Glitch said, suddenly somber. He looked mournfully over at Ambrose. "Promise me that we won't go back to being that person. We have friends now, and Cain."
Ambrose meditated on that mournful expression, before nodding softly. "I promise. I've grown fond of the way I am now."
Glitch's mouth curved up in the corners, his face lighting up at the promise. That smile then spread to a full grin as he leaned back in his chair, dropping his hand to rest beside the board. "Hey, Ambrose?"
"Yes, Glitch?"
"You're not as much of a snob as I thought you were. Oh, and checkmate."
"Why, thank you, I--what?!" Ambrose dropped his eyes from the face of the other man, gaping at the board between them. Sure enough, he found himself with no place to move his king piece. Glitch had snuck in a victory right under his nose. "But, how....?"
With a sweet, innocent sort of smile, Glitch's hand reached over the board. He took hold of Ambrose's king piece, then beckoned for the other man to give him his hand. When Ambrose obeyed, Glitch pressed that crystal piece into his counterpart's upturned palm, saying softly. "You underestimated me. You always did."
"I suppose I did." Ambrose was blinking over at the zipperhead, eyes wide with shock. He then nodded once, slow and respectful, not taking his gaze off of Glitch. "I'm sorry."
Glitch winked, playful. His hand covered over that piece, fingers folding over that hand which matched his own, squeezing lightly. "What would you do without me, handsome?"
Ambrose felt himself choked up out of nowhere. He smiled, eyes blinking rapidly against that sudden onslaught of tears. With a sniffle, the advisor looked down to the piece in his hand, as Glitch's hand pulled back out of sight. "Not much. Float in a jar, I guess. Hey, Glitch....?" He looked up, words on his lips.
The opposite chair was empty.
Swiveling his head slowly, Ambrose searched around the room. There was no sign of Glitch anywhere. He let out a thick breath, using the back of one sleeve to wipe his eyes clear, lashes wet. Then he raised that chess piece up closer to his face, eyes squeezing shut with a whisper to the empty air. "Thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Cain, come quick! He's.. crying." DG called over to the tin man, who rushed away from the window to the bedside. Jeb shifted from his own chair, to give his father room in that space. DG stood up with him, the two of them watching with wide eyes as Cain bent over the limp figure in the bed.
Cain frowned down at the man laying there. He reached over a hand, sweeping away the tears gathered in the corners of those closed eyes, tender with his touch.
With a sharply drawn breath, those eyes snapped open.
Cain's efforts paused, looking down at them, his lips parting. "...Glitch?"
Slowly, the man on the bed shook his head. His mouth felt dry to him, the words coming rough out of his throat. "The other name, please."
"Ambrose." Easing down, Cain sat himself on the edge of the bed, studying the advisor as the man blinked around the room without comprehension. "You're in your bedroom, back in the palace. We brought you here while you were unconscious. How do you feel?"
"Good. Sad. I suppose that I gave everyone a fright, didn't I?" Ambrose felt a twinge of guilt at that, trying to push himself upright. He was grateful when Cain's hand fit against his back, helping him to sit and keep him steady.
"We were all pretty worried." DG whispered from the foot of the bed. "Raw told us that we were going to have to let you work it out, and the alchemists said that there was nothing that appeared to be wrong with you in a physical sense."
"Sorry, doll. Had some things to iron out." The advisor smiled wanly towards her, before his eyes drifted back over to the blue eyes so close to his face. Ambrose became enthralled with looking at Cain, whispering out. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"Can't be helped." Cain replied, before smiling. "After all, I worry about you most, remember?"
Ambrose grinned. He nodded silently, before calling lightly towards DG and Jeb. "Would you both mind excusing us for a few minutes? Cain here is going to help me get ready -- and then we are all going out to paint the City emerald green!"
"Sure.." DG grinned, lacing her arm with Jeb's. The younger Cain blinked at her, not fully understanding what was going on. Yet he didn't put up any protest when the princess tugged him out of the room, the door closing quietly behind them.
"Get me a glass of water, Cain, would you?" Ambrose asked politely as they left, gesturing to the pitcher just out of reach.
The tin man scoffed softly, yet did as requested. He put the glass into Ambrose's hand. "Here. And you're really in no condition to be going out into the City tonight. You've been in bed for over a week. You'll be too sluggish to go running around."
Drinking thirstily, Ambrose quickly emptied his glass. He sighed with the relief that it gave his throat, before placing it down on the table nearby. Then, the advisor had the sheer pleasure of watching the surprise chase over Cain's face when he slid his arms around the tin man's neck, expression perfectly impish as he purred quietly, "Looks like you're responsible for limbering me up before the evening gets too late, then, tin man."
Cain's surprise was short-lived. His face slowly transformed, and the effect of the sudden heat that filled those blue eyes instantly melted the one drawing him close. A hand reached up blindly, Cain sliding off his hat, tossing it to the side as he locked his eyes on Ambrose's mouth, murmuring out, "Whatever you say, sweetheart."
Author: Streamedwords
Summary: The End of the Journey
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Cain/Glitch/Ambrose, or Cain/Ambrose-Glitch, as it stands.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I am merely a humble fangirl
Characters: From Ahamo to Zero!
Note: The end. -falls over-
He had been in solitary confinement since the day of the Sorceress' downfall. His captors had decided that he might have posed too great a threat if he was held in cells close to anyone else, and so he'd been dwelling in the deepest corner of the dungeons since his imprisonment began. The only people that he had any contact with were the guards who came to deliver his meals, the standard fare much improved from what the Sorceress had allowed them to serve to their own imprisoned guests. Most of the time, the guards came and delivered it while he was sleeping. It had felt like forever since he had seen anyone's face.
So when he first noticed the man standing outside of his cell, it did not seem real. It took him blinking a few times, straining his eyes in the dark, before he could even properly see the one silently watching him. "Who's there?"
The figure took a step forward, a thin stream of light striking off of brown curling hair, pale features, and dark eyes which were looking at him without pity, hatred, or any other definite emotion. His clothes were very fine, black garments lined in charcoal gray. Delicate fingers curled around the bars of his cell, as the man peered in at him through the bars. The voice was quiet, but there was something in that struck a chord of recognition. "Alchemist Raynz. It would appear that this is the day your fortunes may change. Stand up."
Raynz' features contorted with confusion, though he did as he was told. The man's hand was dropping away, a signal being made, and Raynz heard the gears of his cell begin to turn, the bars sliding up. Shuffling cautiously forward, the alchemist edged his way out of the cell, trying to determine if there was some trick to this. Now that there was more light, he blinked over at the man who had come to free him, before gasping in disbelief.
Ambrose's mouth curled faintly, the advisor nodding. "I see that you remember me. I certainly do remember you, Alchemist Raynz. Though I can't claim to be a fan of your work, I find myself in need of your services."
"What if I refuse to help you?" Raynz asked with a slow blink of his large eyes.
Another figure eased up into sight nearby him, a subtle smile on Zero's face as he lifted the shock stick into sight. Raynz' eyes widened towards it, even as Ambrose was murmuring pleasantly. "Then my associate here will grant you a taste of the encouragement that you found so useful in the past. Zero, if you would?"
"Gladly." The Longcoat said with a nod, taking hold of Raynz by the arm, dragging the alchemist along as Ambrose began to walk ahead of them. Zero asked curiously. "So, you've rescued me, freed him, and what's the next stage of your plan?"
"I gather my tools," Ambrose said vaguely, "and then we fly."
~~~~~~~~~
Jeb paced the barracks, restless. It took all his willpower not to stage a revolt, to free his father from prison and DG from the clutches of the prince. He knew, though, that such a move on his part would only end up adding more turmoil to the kingdom. There would need to be some other plan, aside from an open attack. All he needed to do was come up with the idea. His men, no matter what he decided, would follow him to the end.
DG had not been allowed to have any visitors since her return. It made Jeb angry, knowing that she was more or less a prisoner in her own palace. He had thrown himself into training procedures, finding his anger impotent without an outlet to set it free. Anything that he might have done could put everyone at risk if he wasn't careful.
Still, it was becoming next to impossible to stand by and do nothing.
"Message for you, Sir."
Jeb turned to the uniformed man who had entered the barracks, frowning. He took the folded paper, not even bothering to acknowledge the man's bow as the younger Cain tore open the letter, wondering who might have wanted to contact him.
His eyes scanned over the letter once, then again. Then again. Jeb's jaw went slack, before he took a quick look around the barracks. Stuffing the letter into his pocket, the young man headed out of the barracks at a run, on his way to the palace.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think we will host the reception in your larger ballroom in the southern wing of the palace." Prince Farthinberg said merrily, shifting upon the throne as he smiled to the scowling princess seated unwillingly in the chair beside him. DG kept her eyes fixed straight ahead of her.
The Queen stood nearby with Ahamo, fitting herself into the curve of his arm. His eyes were angry, locked on the floor. Only Azkadellia responded, her voice cool, to appease the royal invader. "That should be sufficient space, Your Highness."
"What say you, my love?" Farthinberg asked the girl beside him, mockery in his voice.
DG's right eye began to twitch. Through her teeth, she uttered. "Whatever."
"Now, my darling.. I sense that you are displeased." His face softened with false concern. "My only thought is of your happiness, Princess. Tell me what I can do to earn a smile from that lovely face."
"Pitch yourself off a high cliff?" DG suggested immediately, hopefully. Ahamo snorted quietly, barely able to restrain a laugh. The prince glared in his direction, before smiling tightly to the woman at his side.
"Unfortunately, I can't do that."
Prince Farthinberg pushed up from the throne, looking around at the members of the royal family. "You can all stand here, glowering and sullen, for as long as you like. My army is outside of this city -- you are conquered. The sooner that you accept your defeat, the sooner that your resignation will ease your suffering."
The doors of the throne room opened, a uniformed attendant clearing his throat to draw their attention. "Highnesses, there is someone who has requested an audience, stating that he has urgent news to deliver."
"Who is it?" The Queen asked, curious.
"Mister Jeb Cain, Your Majesty." The attendant responded, bowing before turning towards the door, beckoning to the one standing outside.
Jeb walked into the throne room, ignoring the presence of Farthinberg's guards around the place. His focus was entirely on the royal family, eyes lingering on DG, before fixing on the Queen. "Your Highness. I bring urgent news from Ambrose." The young man drew a paper out of his pocket, waving it in the air. "He sent me this message, asking that I deliver his words to you."
"And what words are those?" Prince Farthinberg asked darkly, eyebrows drawing together as he twisted towards a few of his men. "You three, go track down Advisor Ambrose and bring him here to me."
"That will be a bit difficult, Farthinberg.." Jeb said, unable to help a smirk.
"And why, little soldier, would that be?" The prince asked, as his eyes narrowed towards the younger Cain. "What exactly did Ambrose say?"
"Just four words." Jeb answered, before pointing their attention to the large picture window overlooking the panorama of the O.Z. "'Look to the West.'"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Pushing open the double doors, Ambrose felt his breath growing short in his chest as they stepped inside. His eyes shot directly for that spot on the floor, still showing the marks where the tank had once been fixed. Zero and Raynz moved in around him, the former Longcoat roughly pushing the alchemist ahead of him. "Time for you to prove your use. What do you need us to do, Ambrose? Ambrose?"
He blinked back at the other man, seeing that Ambrose was still rooted to his spot just inside the doors, eyes locked on that point on the floor. Then, his eyes tore themselves free, spinning to Zero. "What? Oh. We'll need to run a diagnostic. I'm sure that many of the generators were damaged in the explosion that resulted when the light pulsing reversal caused the machine to malfunction. We have to know what ones are still operational. Raynz?"
The alchemist was prodded forward, moving towards the dials at the back of the room. Ambrose followed along with him, to watch over the man's shoulder, checking on his work. His hands moved of their own accord, fingers dancing in the air above the controls, desiring to touch and afraid to at the same time. Raynz worked the machine with silent efficiency, a few twists starting a low hum of power from somewhere below them. The man spoke flatly. "Generators Number Three and Number Five are the only remaining units. The others are unresponsive. We will be operating considerably under power."
"That's all right." Ambrose nodded, satisfied. "I don't want to use this abomination at its full strength. Just get the systems online. Zero, stay with him, and if he so much as looks at a button in a way that disturbs you.." He trailed off, miming a gesture of poking something with a stick.
"Okay, but..." Zero watched as the advisor turned to leave, knuckles white where Ambrose gripped that case of tools, "you still haven't told me what you are doing."
Quietly, Ambrose sighed. He stopped in the doorway, half-turning back to Zero. "The first time around, I let myself be handicapped by doing the absolute right thing; whether out of pride or out of ignorance, it cost us everything. I'm not going to make that mistake this time."
Zero stared at him thoughtfully. "What are you going to do?"
"What I should have done before." Ambrose's eyes were hard, like chips of flint. "I'm going to fight dirty." Then he walked from the room, leaving both the Longcoat and the alchemist wondering what precisely that meant.
~~~~~~~~~~
"What sort of gibberish is that?" Farthinberg looked around at the others, trying to see if the royal family had some idea of what he himself was missing.
He frowned as he saw that DG had already jumped out of her chair, both her and Azkadellia hurrying to the window. The Queen and Ahamo followed quickly after, leaving the confused prince to do nothing but follow.
Blinking outside, Farthinberg scanned the horizon to see what they were looking for, finding that there was nothing to the west for them to see, except for the skeletal finger of the abandoned Dark Tower. He was even looking past it, dismissively, until something about it snared his attention back.
"What in the name of the Gods...?"
There was a distinct green flare that surged at the crown of the tower, pulsing a few times like a trick of light. Then, abruptly, that flickering light exploded into a solid beam of green, extending up into the night sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ambrose flinched against the sudden rush of power blasting up near where he worked, the green pulse of the beam momentarily blinding him. He turned his face away from it, focusing back on getting his own part of the project done.
Reflect. Redirect. It was such an elementary plan.
He kept his back turned away from the edge of the balcony, trying to ignore it. The wind and the charge of magic in the air whipped at his hair, but even that he managed to tune it out, becoming absorbed in his task. He grunted quietly when trying to adjust the reflective plates, them being a bit heavier than he had counted on. Ambrose dragged them over one at a time, placing them around where the beam shot overhead.
Zero and Raynz came up, the alchemist being made to assist him, while Zero stepped in as the muscle of their trio, wrenching the plates over when Ambrose was unable to shift them any further. He looked up to the bright green beam overhead, before laughing, shouting to Ambrose over the noise. "Do you think they've figured out what we're up to?"
Ambrose glanced over to the man, then looked over his shoulder towards the distant, glowing lights of Central City. He smiled faintly. "If they haven't yet, they will shortly. Get ready to move that upper plate at my signal. Everything else is in place. Once the beam hits that plate, it will reflect itself in the direction of Central City. More specifically... that nice open field where Bodwingale's army is currently lurking at."
"You're using this as a weapon?" Zero was surprised. "You're going to kill them all?"
"Not at all!" The advisor gasped, shocked at the very idea. "The beam isn't going to kill anyone. It will, however, cast a stun effect that is going to put their ranks out. The worst that will happen is that they are all going to wake up with terrible, terrible headaches."
"Oh. So, the beam is going to do that?"
"Once I put the focus piece into it, yes."
"Which would be what?"
Ambrose fished into a pocket of his jacket, withdrawing a jewel. He held it up for Zero to see, the Longcoat's eyebrows raising in surprise. "Is that the Emerald that I think it is?"
"The same. Now remember to move that plate when I give you the signal, Zero." Ambrose reminded him, as he clutched the emerald tightly in his fist. He blinked at that beam of light, feeling his courage start to slip for the first time. His thoughts turned to Cain, and to DG, and to the Queen. He'd come this far -- there was no faltering now.
Closing his eyes, he stepped tentatively forward, gasping at the feeling of the energies that wrapped around him, licking at his clothes and hair. Ambrose bit down on his bottom lip, steadying himself. Uncurling his fingers, he revealed the emerald to that green light. "Zero, NOW!"
The beam around him reacted to the glimmer of that emerald, Ambrose watching as it reached for contact with the jewel. Then there was an explosion of power, blinding him, and after that, he was aware of nothing.
~~~~~~~~
The entirety of Bodwingale's army had taken the brunt of the giant beam of power, flattening the soldiers waiting anxiously for battle. When the chaos of it had passed, Jeb's platoons had succeeded in clearing out the hostiles positioned in the palace, taking Prince Farthinberg's grasp on power down to nothing in the matter of an hour.
In fact, the prince was surrendering shortly after that beam had hit, seeing that his army could no longer support him. Jeb was quite happy to personally toss the royal into one of the cells down below, before freeing his father. Cain's gratitude and relief was overshadowed by concern for the fate of Ambrose, whom they did not hear from. He stood on the balcony of the palace alongside his son, watching in the direction of the Dark Tower for some glimpse of that balloon which the crafty inventor had borrowed from Ahamo.
It wasn't until close to morning that Jeb roused his father where the tin man had fallen asleep there against the base of the balcony's railing, pointing the older man's attention in the direction of the Tower. "Father, look!"
Cain quickly scrambled up to his feet, eyes eagerly searching the horizon.
In the growing light of the twin suns that were soon to rise, he saw the unmistakeable image of the red balloon, drifting in their direction through the clear dawn sky.
Both he and Jeb signaled to the balloon when it came into range, able to hear the burst of power as the flame waxed and waned in its strength. It drifted to them, the roped bags being tossed down to anchor it. Both of the Cains gripped hold of a rope, winding them around the thick marble railing of the balcony, as the balloon bumped silently to a stop above them. Cain stepped out of the way as the ladder was tossed over the side of the basket, holding it steady.
The first person that he saw climbing out was the unexpected sight of the bald alchemist from the Sorceress' fortress, scaling down the ladder while his large eyes blinked around like some albino insect. He noticed Cain and Jeb standing there, smiling lightly. "One of you strapping gentlemen is probably going to have to help carry him down."
"Help...?" Jeb asked, before a whistle from the top of the basket drew his attention up.
Zero's face was tense, white as a sheet. He blinked down at Cain and Jeb, addressing the older man in an urgent voice. "Get up here and help me, Cain. I don't want to drop him."
Cain needed no more urging than that. Jeb did not think that his father could have scaled the ladder that fast at his age, but considering the dire delivery of Zero's words, Jeb figured that his father had enough motivation to pull off the impossible.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ambrose moved forward with deliberate strides, the clinging mist of thought curling away from him in the black void of his consciousness. He came into a barren white chamber, which had no decorum, nor even any furniture, aside from those pieces in the center of the circular room. Two matching black chairs, and a chess board between, the delicate glass pieces already set for a round of play.
He brushed off his sleeves, fixing one of the cuffs as he sat himself down in front of the board. His eyes swept over it, already plotting out strategies in his mind. Still, he was impatient, and the other was making him waste precious time. Ambrose glowered around him, snapping. "Would you kindly stop hiding?"
The other chair abruptly filled, a man in raggedy attire lounging in the seat, one elbow cocked comfortably back as he tilted the chair back on two legs. Brown eyes were amused underneath that spill of wild hair, Glitch's head cocking sharply to the left as he regarded the one across the board. "You're the one who keeps insisting that I butt out of everything. I can't help it if you want to change your mind all the time."
"We need to settle this, now that everything is in order and our friends are safe." Ambrose said firmly, not wanting to let the other take control of the conversation. Otherwise, they would end up going in circles for hours. "We're both civilized creatures. I am sure that we can come to a compromise of sorts." He leaned forward and took hold of a black pawn, inching it forward on the board before his eyes fixed on those of his shadow self.
Glitch moved far more delicately, fingers splayed as he cautiously pinched a white pawn a few squares down, easing it two spaces ahead. "Deal. Compromise. Okay, start."
"I think that we should start going solely by my name." Ambrose murmured, shifting another piece. "It was the name for us before you came along, and it sounds far more dignified. So, from now on, when people address you as 'Glitch', I get to decide whether or not to respond."
"I guess." Glitch's lips twisted, face scrunching up comically in his effort to concentrate as he took his own turn. "My turn: We don't ever do anything like that with Zero ever again. I was disturbed."
Ambrose snorted. "Trust me, that's a given. It was years ago. Mostly an experiment, anyway. I have no desire to begin any kind of intimate relations with him."
"Because I have Cain now. Well -- we have Cain now, anyway."
"Yes." Ambrose blinked over at his counterpart. "You're fortunate that I decided to go along with it. I've had a hell of a time dealing with those feelings of yours."
Glitch laughed quietly, placing one of Ambrose's pawn on the table beside the board. "He grows on you. I think it's the eyes. Or maybe the pants. But I think my favorite part is when he smiles for real. Makes my synapses fire overtime." He sighed dreamily, eyes raising to the ceiling as he savored a memory or two.
Which meant that Ambrose was sharing that memory, blushing as he conquered another of Glitch's pieces. "Stop that. Focus. We were negotiating, remember?"
"Oh yeah. Where were we?"
"We're going by my name. I will never so much as flirt with Zero. We are in firm agreement that Cain is the epitome of a handsome, attractive gentleman."
"I don't want us going back to being like you were before me." Glitch said, suddenly somber. He looked mournfully over at Ambrose. "Promise me that we won't go back to being that person. We have friends now, and Cain."
Ambrose meditated on that mournful expression, before nodding softly. "I promise. I've grown fond of the way I am now."
Glitch's mouth curved up in the corners, his face lighting up at the promise. That smile then spread to a full grin as he leaned back in his chair, dropping his hand to rest beside the board. "Hey, Ambrose?"
"Yes, Glitch?"
"You're not as much of a snob as I thought you were. Oh, and checkmate."
"Why, thank you, I--what?!" Ambrose dropped his eyes from the face of the other man, gaping at the board between them. Sure enough, he found himself with no place to move his king piece. Glitch had snuck in a victory right under his nose. "But, how....?"
With a sweet, innocent sort of smile, Glitch's hand reached over the board. He took hold of Ambrose's king piece, then beckoned for the other man to give him his hand. When Ambrose obeyed, Glitch pressed that crystal piece into his counterpart's upturned palm, saying softly. "You underestimated me. You always did."
"I suppose I did." Ambrose was blinking over at the zipperhead, eyes wide with shock. He then nodded once, slow and respectful, not taking his gaze off of Glitch. "I'm sorry."
Glitch winked, playful. His hand covered over that piece, fingers folding over that hand which matched his own, squeezing lightly. "What would you do without me, handsome?"
Ambrose felt himself choked up out of nowhere. He smiled, eyes blinking rapidly against that sudden onslaught of tears. With a sniffle, the advisor looked down to the piece in his hand, as Glitch's hand pulled back out of sight. "Not much. Float in a jar, I guess. Hey, Glitch....?" He looked up, words on his lips.
The opposite chair was empty.
Swiveling his head slowly, Ambrose searched around the room. There was no sign of Glitch anywhere. He let out a thick breath, using the back of one sleeve to wipe his eyes clear, lashes wet. Then he raised that chess piece up closer to his face, eyes squeezing shut with a whisper to the empty air. "Thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Cain, come quick! He's.. crying." DG called over to the tin man, who rushed away from the window to the bedside. Jeb shifted from his own chair, to give his father room in that space. DG stood up with him, the two of them watching with wide eyes as Cain bent over the limp figure in the bed.
Cain frowned down at the man laying there. He reached over a hand, sweeping away the tears gathered in the corners of those closed eyes, tender with his touch.
With a sharply drawn breath, those eyes snapped open.
Cain's efforts paused, looking down at them, his lips parting. "...Glitch?"
Slowly, the man on the bed shook his head. His mouth felt dry to him, the words coming rough out of his throat. "The other name, please."
"Ambrose." Easing down, Cain sat himself on the edge of the bed, studying the advisor as the man blinked around the room without comprehension. "You're in your bedroom, back in the palace. We brought you here while you were unconscious. How do you feel?"
"Good. Sad. I suppose that I gave everyone a fright, didn't I?" Ambrose felt a twinge of guilt at that, trying to push himself upright. He was grateful when Cain's hand fit against his back, helping him to sit and keep him steady.
"We were all pretty worried." DG whispered from the foot of the bed. "Raw told us that we were going to have to let you work it out, and the alchemists said that there was nothing that appeared to be wrong with you in a physical sense."
"Sorry, doll. Had some things to iron out." The advisor smiled wanly towards her, before his eyes drifted back over to the blue eyes so close to his face. Ambrose became enthralled with looking at Cain, whispering out. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"Can't be helped." Cain replied, before smiling. "After all, I worry about you most, remember?"
Ambrose grinned. He nodded silently, before calling lightly towards DG and Jeb. "Would you both mind excusing us for a few minutes? Cain here is going to help me get ready -- and then we are all going out to paint the City emerald green!"
"Sure.." DG grinned, lacing her arm with Jeb's. The younger Cain blinked at her, not fully understanding what was going on. Yet he didn't put up any protest when the princess tugged him out of the room, the door closing quietly behind them.
"Get me a glass of water, Cain, would you?" Ambrose asked politely as they left, gesturing to the pitcher just out of reach.
The tin man scoffed softly, yet did as requested. He put the glass into Ambrose's hand. "Here. And you're really in no condition to be going out into the City tonight. You've been in bed for over a week. You'll be too sluggish to go running around."
Drinking thirstily, Ambrose quickly emptied his glass. He sighed with the relief that it gave his throat, before placing it down on the table nearby. Then, the advisor had the sheer pleasure of watching the surprise chase over Cain's face when he slid his arms around the tin man's neck, expression perfectly impish as he purred quietly, "Looks like you're responsible for limbering me up before the evening gets too late, then, tin man."
Cain's surprise was short-lived. His face slowly transformed, and the effect of the sudden heat that filled those blue eyes instantly melted the one drawing him close. A hand reached up blindly, Cain sliding off his hat, tossing it to the side as he locked his eyes on Ambrose's mouth, murmuring out, "Whatever you say, sweetheart."