Somewhere in Phoenix a plan was in order to keep the pedant safe as Theo went behind his friend's back in fear of being sealed away joining someone he never wants to meet because of his selfish mistakes to cause her pain.
"Alright. Duncan you're on pedant watching duty whenever they arrive so don't let anyone and I mean anyone inside this room or you'll be sleeping with the fishes!" Albus yelled instructing his new apprentice to keep on guard while Theo was thrown aside not trust worthy enough even though he's been by his master's side from the very beginning of his existence in Phoenix.
The plan was to lure them in and question them for which was Theo's job since it was his idea to be friends with another person who originated from Camelot so it'll be his job to keep him away from Albus' room where he does magic and other things he does in his own time.
"You don't want to fail the boss man do you? Good then shoo on with ya cause I have a duty to fulfil" Duncan cockily replied while pushing him out of the room as the pendant remained in a glass container resting on a stand in the middle of the room as everything was shut and locked up tight.
"Watch the hair! Do you how long it takes me to brush it" Theo complained while Duncan just moved his hand mimicking his words not caring about his king luxurious bronde hair he keeps braided together.
"Ye, whatever. Just get going your buddies could be arriving here anytime soon so get lost" Theo huffed hating his master's new apprentice's attitude right now always innocent and smart when he's around, but the complete opposite when the master is away. Theo stormed off using a portal to get him to the nearest location out of his friends view in order to meet them before arriving inside Phoenix's walls.
When meeting Theo pretending to be exhausted and not used to being around here accidentally bumping into Jim as a result. "Sorry" he apologised as the used to be troll hunter sighed pushing him aside.
"Just watch where you're going next time" Jim replied not liking it when Theo bumps into him as this was probably the 10th time now.
"Stop arguing you too and let me concentrate!" Claire yelled using shadow magic to create a portal still stunning Theo every time she does that as he can never do what she can.
"Hurry because it's closes" Douxie hurried as Everyone quickly went through the portal as Claire soon followed after putting the group in a tight squeeze inside some dark narrow ally as Douxie squeezed through peaking out seeing people everywhere reminding him a little of Camelot as people here aren't aware of today's modern technology. "Great.." he mumbled until a black cloaked figure came up in front of him shorter than expected being more docile than hostile.
"Follow me" they instructed not wanting any of them to be found out and taken away by the order of Albus himself so with some thinking the cautiously followed along after them until they arrived to a very old looking building that seemed to be taken over by these cloaked people. "I see you have finally found Phoenix, we've been waiting for you, Hisirdoux" they said again somehow knowing exactly who he was absolutely confusing the wizard.
"Uh, how do you know about me? I have never even been to Phoenix before" Douxie asked back getting Theo's attention as one of the cloaked people mainly a more muscular pulled him away throwing out of the building. "What are you doing? He's with us" standing up for the idiot however they didn't seem bothered creating a rather intense atmosphere.
"If I were to tell you who he actually was, would you believe me? I too can tell you where your precious lady friend is, but that all can be said once you retrieve the pendant from its glad case in Albus' spell room" they responded sounding feminine and truthful getting the attention of both Douxie and Zoe immediately when mentioning Esmeralda.
"Wait, how are we supposed to know if you can be trusted?" Zoe responded unsure of what she was hearing was actually real and could be fake just to lure them and get the pendant for themselves.
"Yes. You have every right to question our trust, but I ensure you we are against Albus as what he has done is unacceptable so in order to get back at him we must release what has been trapped within the pendant, you'll be surprised on what's hiding inside and understand what is actually happening behind these walls" answering her question while ignoring Douxie's as he sighed crossing his hands together waiting impatiently.
"Ye just butt on why don't ya" he replied in a slightly annoyed tone as she raised her hands slowly backing off even though she agreed to help him as it could mean finding Esmeralda a possible missing piece in their lives. "You better not be lying about this! I take finding my friends seriously especially this one as I ain't risky to do this with false trust and lies" Douxie seriously replied slightly startling the cloaked lady as she held a hand out in order to keep the promise she made in order to retrieve the pendant.
"Once you obtain the pendant meet us in the beast dungeon below the library and we'll commence the ritual, whatever you do don't trust Theo, Albus or anyone within these the academy walls as they aren't loyal and will do anything to keep you from entering and retrieve retrieving the pendant" she answered back giving him the full memo even thought Theo has been acting oddly strange these past couple of weeks.
"Fine, don't break your side of the deal" he replied being serious as Esmeralda was everything and having her back could mean a lot of things as her intelligence and ability to quickly adjust would give them the higher ground.
"Trust me you won't be disappointed, Doux" confirming that there would not be any false play and he will get what he wishes despite not having a clue about what happened to her in Phoenix. Theo however waited outside having no clue what is being said in there as they have took almost 30 minutes of their borrowed time already as Albus would be coming back soon despite not caring as if he succeeds to keep the pendant safe then he wouldn't be trapped away just like Esmeralda.
"huh?" Theo looked over seeing a small kid rush by as if he was being chased making him thinking nothing of it until finally the four of them came out of the building seeing him waiting there for them.
"Sorry we took long, Jim was being slow" Douxie came up with an excuse giving Jim a wink as to not take offence on using him as an excuse due to the warning the mysterious cloak lady had given them.
"Oh that's reasonable enough. So do you know where it's located yet?" Theo replied having no clue on what was happening behind his back just like he did with Esmeralda knocking her down and filling her with false hope.
"Nope, but why not start searching the academy first? That's the most rational place to start looking" Douxie replied lying to him hating the idea, but it was for the good of the world and to get his friend back even if it was fake he has one goal in mind he must continue to follow.
"You sure? This Albus guy could be walking around somewhere so be careful as I don't want to be stuck in this place any longer" Theo commented back wanting to take more a sensible approach that go barging inside as if there were the FBI or something. The little boy from earlier was not exactly being chased, but rushing around the academy's walls ignored by all those who came across him, until eventually coming across Duncan who looked down at the boy annoyingly seeing his short messy blonde hair and yellow eyes that silently peered at him judging every single part of his body the longer the kid stared being increasingly intimidating despise wearing torn ragged clothes suited for a poor boy.
"What you want kid? I'm kinda busy" Duncan snarkly replied seeing a little white folded note hidden within his hands shy and nervous to speak. "What?" He asked growing increasingly uncomfortable the longer he stare at the kid as in a swift motion the kid pushed the paper into his gut winding Duncan. "Just be glad you're 5 kid or I would've kicked your ass for that" He warned unfolding the paper seeing what it had written inside sighing before granting the kid access into Albus' room. "whatever you do... Don't touch the pendant!" reminding the kid that whatever he does next will most likely effect Phoenix if he doesn't keep his hands to himself. The boy silently walking inside as Duncan closed the door after him waiting patiently for the kid to exit the room with what he believes are ingredients his master needs without realising the mistake he has made. "Why did he ask a kid to go inside? I swear master is getting weirder and weirder by every century" talking to him while checking his watch Duncan was grow wary on how long the kid is taking to get these simple ingredients, but before he could do anything glass could be heard shattering inside the room he was supposed to be guarding causing him to quickly barge inside.
When entering the windows of the room where wide open allowing a strong breeze to come through pushing the curtains to flow along with the current as the stand where the Pendant used to be was broken and completely empty forcing Duncan to sound the alarm putting the entire academy on lock down. Upon rushing outside Theo appeared out of nowhere knowing that something has gone wrong seeing how panicked his master's apprentice appeared to be.
"What happened?" Theo questioned grabbing Duncan's shoulders trying everything he can to shake the answers out of him, but nothing leaving him to go and check for himself peaking into Albus' room seeing exactly what the problem is. "You had one job! Who took the pendant?" Theo asked in a panic knowing that none of his friends took it as they're still on the bottom floor of the academy adventuring around for clues on where the pendant could be located.
"A kid?" Duncan confusingly replied in which puzzled Theo who was shocked and very much disappointed that the pendant could be stolen and is stuck in the hands of a child.
"A child has the pendant?! You had one job Duncan and thanks to YOU we all are doomed!" Blaming the apprentice for this as his job was more important involving the safety of the kingdom or possibly the entire world if this pendant isn't retrieved and put back into its rightful place before all hell breaks loose. "Do you even know who's behind because it isn't the new comers as I was just with them on the bottom floors of the academy" Theo wondered wanting to at least get some reasonable answers from this kid as he's too young and inexperienced to have a task so important like this if he can't protect some pendant from getting stole by a child.
"How am I supposed to know? Albus is going to kill me for this!" Duncan panicked leaving Theo with no other choice, but to forcefully scout out the area for this kid as it won't be hard as he is potentially wielding one of the dangerous pendants to ever exist.
"bloody hell, Duncan! Just tell me what the kid looked like already!" Theo yelled willing to do the job for him as panicking isn't going to do them any good in this situation.
"Um.. He was blonde and has oddly looking yellow eyes that's all I know other than he looked 5 and didn't speak plus his scent was off putting.. Is that enough for you?" Duncan replied matching the description of the kid making Theo roll his eyes at him in response finally getting the answer he needed.
"See. That wasn't so hard was it?" Theo lastly responded before disappearing off without word knowing what he needs to do maybe some trickery would do the job. "If I tell the others then surely they'll get the pendant from this kid and then whenever they least expect it, i'll swipe it and return it back to master Albus where it is safe... I refuse to set her free, she's kill me if she sees me for sure! but it was my fault to begin with on tricking her to fall in love with me so why do I feel so guilty about it? She's a monster" Thinking about himself as pure usual and yet slightly sympathetic by the fact he was the main reason she got trapped away in the first place and why Becky isn't here anymore. "Snap out of Theo! I have a job to do and a Kingdom to save so forget about them and get that damn pendant before time runs out!" reminding himself of the duty he must fulfill if Phoenix needs to remain hidden from all threats that come to oppose it due to its harsh past.
Finally finding Douxie he was alone confused on what was happening looking at everyone as they rushed about as if scouting got something or someone. "Why is everyone running around like maniacs?" He asked giving Theo a odd stare expecting him to answer his question since he was the first one to disappear without intel.
"Something about a kid stealing the pendant.. it could be a rouse, but I don't believe a kid is that talented to steal such an ancient relic from a place so highly secured" Theo confidently replied giving Douxie his opinion on the situation as a kid nowadays could be able to do it depending what species they're from, a human probably not unless this kid had a IQ that no other kid had then surely the situation would be worser than expected.
"A kid stole it? Why am I surprised? Ugh, do you at least have any good intel for me?" Douxie was surprised as since when did a kid become skilled enough to steal and yet why now? Things aren't adding up especially the sudden smell of wet dog.
"Classic blonde hair kid, but he has yellow eyes so I suggest he might be a werewolf due to the stench of wet dog" Theo plugged his nose by pinching it with his fingers pointing out the bad smell a scent he wasn't used to having up his nose. However when looking over Douxie's shoulder the kid was seeing standing staring at him at the end of the hallway with the pendant in his grasps. "Found you" he mumbled making Douxie instantly span around seeing the kittle kid looking at him before locking eyes as a voice came through communicating with him.
"Please don't hurt me.. I'm only doing what I was told to do, but don't listen to him. *points at Theo* He is a liar" telepathy wasn't a normal thing werewolves do as the kid ended communication and rushed off when Theo began to chase after him forcing Douxie to run after them.
"If what they're telling me is true then.. who am I supposed to believe? Is he the bad guy behind this? And why was he so defensive against the idea of retrieving the pendant? it isn't like someone's trapped in it other than negative energy that's all" questioning himself not paying attention as his concentration to follow went through the window when Jim came out of nowhere. "Watch out Jim!" He yelled out as the ex-troll hunter looked back just in time as the two collided causing them to fall to the floor groaning in pain, but Douxie instantly got up picking Jim along with him.
"Geez, what's with the running? You could've seriously damaged something!" Jim complained as Douxie watched Theo turn right bit far from catching the kid not wanting anything bad to happen to the poor boy.
"We need to go after Theo! Quickly Jim!" Ordering him while rushing in front ignoring whatever injury he had gained from bumping into his friend as for right now a kid is in serious danger and must be rescued.
"Why are we following, Theo? Isn't he with us?" Jim questioned slightly puffing loosing more breath than his wizard buddy who used his determination to keep pushing forward.
"If we don't then that kid is in serious danger as he has the pendant we are so desperately looking for so don't hesitate to restrain him" relying in a serious tone Jim understood the assignment chasing Theo up to the second floor where the library was located seeing him struggle to catch the kid on servers like tries before seeing his suspicions being true the boy turned into a werewolf cub tiny, blonde and very cute as he ran away from possible danger and a painful demise.
The kid made a break for it as he bashed through the library doors where it was pitch black leaving him with the ability of night vision while Theo stood at the entrance looking in knowing he has no chance on finding him now.
"Grr. This isn't fair I haven't got enough magic to guide me through.. I shouldn't have used too much then maybe I would've finally actually have the pendant within my grasps" Theo thought blaming himself for using too much as Douxie purposely used him as a cushion almost tumbling over as Jim was able to stop as Theo pushed the wizard off from himself. "What the heck man! What did I tell you about using me as your personal cushion, Doux?" Theo growled clearly not in a cheery mood anymore as Douxie rolled his eyes before walking inside the dark abyss.
"Lucky for you lads, I have enough to share" Douxie kindly obliged gifting both Jim and Theo a glowing orb of light that brightened up the room as little as 10 feet around them slowly dimming away into the darkness blinding them of the danger that could be lurking around silently watching their every move.
"Where did that brat go?" Theo mumbled as Jim heard this silently scoffed to himself now seeing a side to this guy that he didn't want to see.
"Why do you hate kids so much? Did you even have a childhood?" Jim questioned making Theo glance down at him looking humble seeing him nothing more as a easy obstacle to overtake offending Jim by just his glare.
"How do I put this, Jim. I hate kids. It's simple as that, one they're annoying and never listen, two they stink and use up all your money, three.. *whispers* they're are easy targets" Theo truly responded making Jim's stomach turn instantly glare at him sickened and unsure of what he actually meant by 'easy targets' as there as many reasons for it and his could easily mean to kill the kid more than the other sickening thoughts most evil people think of when seeing an innocent defenceless child.
"You're sick.. is that exactly what you did to Esmeralda? Taking advantage of the opportunity that stood in front of you" Jim whispered back making it his turn to mess with Theo's mind making him stop in a sudden halt clenching his right hand forming a angered fist before in a sudden motion grabbing Jim's jacket slamming him against the nearest bookshelf startling Douxie who was far ahead of them looking back seeing the intimidating confrontation rushing over to them.
"Take that back you useless piece of trash! Esmeralda isn't coming back and I will make sure of it once I have the pendant in my possession" he growled as Douxie separated the two which then made Theo realise his mistake before glancing at Jim who looked speechless as Douxie followed right after confused and unsure of what had been said.
"Stop fighting already you guys! we haven't got the time to scrap so get your heads together and help me find the kid" Douxie said looking at the two obviously feeling the tension between them growing, but he didn't want anyone to get hurt not on his watch.
Will Jim be able to tell Douxie what Theo had just confessed? Or will he be forced to keep quiet as his life could possibly be on the line?