Chapter 59 - The Azure flame

"Icarus, what are you saying!? What's going on!?"

I felt my heart start to race as everything fell silent. The only thing I took in was the soft buzzing on the other end.

"Relax, it's just a theory on loose evidence. However I wouldn't feel comfortable not mentioning it to you."

"Well tell me, what's got you concerned."

"Well for one, the specific prison that was disturb was the most placid of the bunch. Meaning it had no real issues. Yet it suddenly sparked a rebellion out of thin air."

"That doesn't necessarily mean anything. ."

"It doesn't, however its specific location happens to be the only one near you. Which normally isn't guarded as heavily because of its lack of action. But Jack happened to be in your area, so he was the only one able to support."

"Are you implying this was an attempt to lure Jack in?"

"I wasn't finished yet. I checked all the records and it just so happens that three of those prisoners are said to have prior connections to Jormungand."

"What's Jormungand?"

"To put it simply, they're a terrorist group. But what may interest you about them is their leader. Supposedly the leader is the father of Firebreather Leo."

My eyes widened.

"Do you think he's after Leo!?"

"I've heard rumors only another dragon can defeat him, and those rumors have substantial evidence. So it's probable he plotted all this in order to take, or kill his son."

"Are you certain of this?"

"No, not at all. To be blunt, the security was lax at this location. The reality of it being just a carefully planned rebellion, that had the unfortunate luck of having Jack nearby is extremely plausible. In matter of fact it's rather likely that's all it is. But I didn't feel right if I didn't say something. It would be the perfect opportunity, this is the first time Leo has stopped moving."

"Wait, how do you know that?"

"There are eyes everywhere Stryder."

Before I could say anything else he hung up. I listened to the silence for a moment, half expecting to hear something to be said. But that moment never came.

My arms dropped and I let everything sink in. Leo's father could be after him. However, this could legitimately mean nothing. I squeezed my phone tighter as my mind raced. What's the best option? What should I do?

Should we bunker up and hide? Or would that alert him that we know? Wait, if this is nothing then what's the point? I'll ruin Leo's entire chance to be a normal kid. But is it worth the risk? And he said eyes are everywhere, what does that mean? Is someone spying on us!? Was the information just fed to him from Jack? No, he wouldn't have said it like that if he did, wait would he? I have no idea what Icarus is like. Maybe he just wanted me to be more careful, or is that something he would even do?

"Stryder!" Valentina's voice boomed through the halls. I jumped and slowly turned back to her. She was glaring at me. "Tell me what's going on, who was that? And why does it look like you're freaking out?"

I took a deep breath and tried to relax my body.

"To make a long story short. I just got some information that might be concerning or nothing. I'll talk to you more about it later. Right now I need to talk to Zack."

I quickly turned and ran back toward the dance.

"H-hey wait!" Val called out, but I just kept forward.

I needed to do something, and fast. Because if I didn't, something terrible might happen.

…

"And that's all he said?" Zack huffed.

"Yeah, that's pretty much everything. And I tried calling back, but it just goes to Lux." I sighed and leaned back against the lockers in the hall.

I told the girls to just watch Leo while we talked. I didn't want to freak everyone out for potentially nothing.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about." He blurted out as he moved his hands behind his head.

"And why is that?"

"Well Jacks been gone for a few days now right? And Leo hasn't exactly been clingy. If this Dragonite wanted to come and clap Leo, I'm sure he would've done it by now. I at least think we don't have anything to worry about in a heavily populated area. This guy sounds like the strategy type."

"You think so?"

"Mmhhmm, at least for tonight I think we're safe."

Surprisingly enough that sounded pretty reasonable. I don't think he'll attack in a heavy populated area like this either.

"I guess you have a point." I pushed off the lockers and stepped forward. "Let's take some safety measures after the dance. Just until Jack comes back."

"Yeah, I'm sure bird poop has already alerted Jack of his Game theory. But let's give a call after the dance. Because I'm sure he'll have more context for us than what Batman gave us."

I smiled a bit and nodded. Honestly, a part of me was just excited to hear I got to enjoy the dance some more. I could be with Valentina for just a little bit longer.

"To right! To the left! One hop this time!" I heard the cha-cha slide playing in the background, and Zack eagerly stood up straight.

"Hey! A dance you and Leo can do!" He cheered and grabbed my hand.

"H-hey!" I squeaked, but he just yanked me forward.

I looked over his happy expression, and I couldn't help but smile. Yeah, maybe I can relax, just for a little bit.

As we came back in we didn't speak a word to the girls. Zack just yanked Leo and threw us both at the crowd.

"Two hops! Two hops!" The song called off.

I looked over to Leo who seemed to be in shock. And I just happily played along and nudged him.

"Come on try it out!"

"Two hops, two hops!" The song demanded.

And Leo gave me the stiffest military hop I've ever seen. But he hopped at least! We danced to this song and the electric slide. Pretty much every song that had an easy pattern we could follow. Alexis came in and showed us the way, and I for sure messed it up. But I ignored the people around me and just enjoyed the moment. Laughing with the girls, watching Leo try to not move like an unoiled robot.

"Hey let's get some pictures!" Zack cheered and everyone seemed to agree, but Leo.

However, his complaints were overruled, and we dragged him along to the paper mache brick wall. It had fake bullet holes in it and chains dangling from it. And from there we took picture after picture. I wrapped my arms around Leo and so did Zack. He looked like he wanted to stab us, but we still made him take photos with us. And we just goofed off on each one.

Eventually we all made our way back to the party, entrusting Valentina with our polaroid shots. Because we all knew she was the most responsible. Plus we knew Leo might burn them if given the chance.

Almost immediately as we walked away from the photoshoot, the gentle lullaby of the slow songs started to entrance the dance floor. Leo took that as his moment to escape and Alexis dragged Zack over to the dance floor.

Zack squealed and complained that he wanted to join another rap session. But Alexis just ignored him. As they left, Leo came back with Punch in his hand.

"So Leo, what do you think?" I hummed as he stopped in front of me.

He gave me a smile but quickly looked down. And I caught a glimpse of an old scar over his right eye. Geez, am I just now noticing it?

"I can't say I'm a fan of all these people, but something about it. Everyone is just being so carefree, it's nice."

His words were softer than usual, I could barely hear him over the music. He took a sip of his drink and did his best to avoid my gaze. I moved my hand over his head and gently patted him.

"You've been through a lot. This is your time to relax. I can be the same, always scared about what's to come next. But you don't gotta worry all the time."

He slowly looked up to me and had this sparkle in his eye. Like I just told him he won the lottery or something.

"Tonight is the night to make cherished memories. So don't hold yourself back." Valentina chimed in.

She walked up next to me and then held out a photo for Leo. I looked it over, and it was the only calm photo we took together. Leo hesitated at first, just staring intently at the picture. Till he finally took it and held it like a precious gem.

"I see, you're as brave as always.." He mumbled as he stared at the photo.

There was an odd somber look in his eye. I wonder if this all just too much for him.

"Hhhmm?" I asked.

He jumped a little and took a step back.

"I-its nothing! I just said I'm gonna get some punch." He said with a chuckle.

"But you already have a-"

Before I could finish, he had already walked off. I blinked a few times.

"That was weird.."

"Well this is his first dance." Valentina hummed as she hooked her arm around mine.

My body suddenly felt warm, like she was a dazzling flame.

"Well what do you say hero, want to make some more memories?" She asked with a smile.

I opened my mouth to tell her yes, but I felt a twinge in my chest. Annual's face came into my mind, and I looked away from her. I really shouldn't, I'll just make things more complicated. But my worries went up in smoke as the dazzling flame whisked me away to the dance floor.

My heart started to race as I got in with the crowd. It's like I could hear the faint laughter in my ear. I looked around to make sure no one was staring at me. Crap, what if I mess up? What if I stomp on her foot? But I was ripped away from my thoughts as Valentinas' soft hand rested against my cheek. She moved my head to face hers and gave me a smile.

"Hey, don't look anywhere else, just focus on me."

I didn't say anything. My eyes just stared into hers. For a second time, my thoughts seem to just melt away.

Just focus on her.

My hands slowly moved around her, and gently placed themselves around her waist. Then her arms snaked around my neck. Her eyes were hypnotizing, it truly felt like she was the only person that was here. Her beautiful amber eyes, her shining black hair. My eyes glanced down at her lips. And something just felt right.

I leaned into her, and she leaned into me. As I was about to close my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Leo. He was running at someone. I stopped myself and pulled back.

"Stryder what's..?"

Valentina asked, but I ignored her and looked over to Leo. And I was snatched back into reality. I was speechless as I watched Leo running at, another Leo!? Before I knew it, Leo had run up and clocked the other him in the face. He went flying and crashed into the concession table.

The crowd gasped and quickly turned to the noise. And I immediately ran over to the Leo's. As I arrived I quickly skidded to a stop as the Leo that was on the table stood up, and whipped his head back, and then flung it forward.

Then FROOOSH! A wave of searing azure flames erupted from his mouth, and blasted Leo. Sending him flying back with a trail of blue embers.

That's when everyone started to panic.

"He's got a bomb!"

"It's a fire!"

"It's a school shooter! Run for it!"

I turned around and saw everyone on the dance floor running like startled cattle. I can't worry about that now, I need to focus on this Leo clone.

"What a warm welcome.." The Leo clone coughed out.

His eyes moved from Leo, and then over to me. I glared at him and held up my fists.

"You're gonna regret that."