Stuck In The Middle

Kassius: "I'm good. Bye now."

Kassius starts walking away.

Lucia: "H-Hey! Stop there!"

Valeria: "Bad choice."

Lucia: "Hu-"

Valeria closes the distance between the two instantly. Lucia tried to turn the gun on her but she knocks it out of her hand and sends it to the ground. Valeria throws a punch but Lucia manages to block it. Valeria continues attacking her.

Valeria: "Have to get rid of the weak link. No hard feelings."

Lucia: "Where's your boss?"

Valeria: "Like I'd tell you."

Valeria kicks Lucia and hits her in the stomach. Lucia moves back to gain space.

Lucia (in head): "She's fast. I have to deal with her quickly... Where'd she go?"

Valeria appears behind her to Lucia's surprise. She tries swinging behind herself but Valeria goes down and kicks her in the back of the knee.

Lucia: "Ahh!"

Lucia falls to the ground. She tries to get back up but Valeria pulls her gun out on her.

Valeria: "It was good effort. Don't be so weak in your next life."

Just as she's about to pull the trigger, Kassius kicks the gun out of her hand.

Valeria: "Oh? A criminal saving a cop. Now I've seen it all."

Lucia stands up and kicks at Kassius making him dodge back.

Kassius: "Ay! Why are you attacking me? I just saved you."

Lucia pulls out gloves that she places on her hands.

Kassius: "More weapons?"

Valeria comes from the side and starts attacking Kassius. He starts dodging her attacks and throws his own back. Kassius lands hit on Valeria as she struggles to hit him, but Lucia jumps in and starts attacking Kassius. Kassius starts struggling to keep up, getting hit by Valeria. As Kassius focuses on blocking Valeria, Lucia lands a hit on his chest.

Kassius: "Argh!"

Both Valeria and Lucia then kick Kassius in the stomach and send him into a car door. He slips to the ground holding his side.

Kassius (in head): "So those gloves can shock me? I have to be careful about those."

Lucia changes her focus back to Valeria. Lucia starts throwing attacks at Valeria.

Valeria: "I just have to avoid the palms and your little trick won't work, right?"

Lucia tries thrusting her palm at Valeria but she dodges and grabs her hand. She tries removing the glove from Lucia's hand but Lucia attacks her with the other. Valeria misses it and she gets shocked. Valeria falls to the ground. Kassius jumps into the fight and goes for Lucia. He runs up to her and Lucia tries thrusting at Kassius. He dodges her thrust and goes straight forward. He runs into her, pushing her back. She tries to punch him but he moves to the side. He grabs her arm, also trying to remove her glove. She tries using her other hand to grab Kassius but he stops it with his other hand. She maneuvers her wrists and touches her palms on his arms, shocking him. Kassius yells in pain but does not let go. He immediately headbutts her, making her lose her grip. He grabs one of her hands and flips her onto the ground. He pulls off one of her gloves and tosses it in the distance. Kassius looks at Lucia's waist and sees pairs of handcuffs.

Kassius (in head): "Perfect."

Kassius tries to grab a pair but she kicks up at him, forcing him back. Valeria comes from behind and grabs Kassius in a chokehold. Kassius starts trying to reach behind and grab Valeria, but struggles to reach her. He tries removing her arm.

Kassius (in head): "Her grip... Shit!"

Lucia stands up and goes at Kassius. She thrusts her palm at Kassius, but he turns around. Lucia lands it on Valeria's back, shocking her. Valeria loses grip of Kassius, which he notices immediately. He grabs her arm and flips her over himself onto the ground. As Kassius turns around back to Lucia, a group of four officers surround him.

Lucia: "Are you ready to surrender?"

Man: "Look out!"

Lucia: "Huh?"

She spots a car speeding towards where they are. Everyone jumps out of the way and ducks for cover. The car stops and Arnold gets out of it.

Arnold: "Yo!"

Kassius peaks out and spots Arnold. He runs to Arnold and they stand next to each other, back to back.

Arnold: "How are you holding up?"

Kassius: "I'm doing fine. Just give me a few minutes. Go get the girl in the meantime. She's over there."

Kassius points towards the van and Arnold catches onto his gestures. However, Lucia also spotted what Kassius was doing.

Lucia: "Any available officers, the President's daughter is in the White van. Secure the President's daughter."

As Arnold starts heading for the van, Valeria tries punching him from behind but he moves to the side.

Valeria: "I should've known. Something was off about you from the beginning."

Arnold: "Who are you?"

Valeria: "Pointless introduction as you'll be dead soon."

She tries kicking him but Kassius jumps in and stops her kick.

Kassius: "I think they've caught on Arnold. Go get the girl quick. Also, grab a pair of handcuffs, will you?"

Arnold nods and starts running towards the van. Valeria moves back.

Valeria: "I'll give you some credit. You aren't weak."

Valeria throws a punch from the right side. Kassius attempts to block that punch but gets hit from the left. He goes on one knee and holds his face.

Kassius (in head): "What the... I thought she attacked from the right."

Valeria: "I have tricks up my sleeve as well."

Valeria tries kicking his head but he gathers space by moving back. He rushes back in and starts throwing attacks. She does the same too and both manage to block each other's hits. Valeria throws another punch towards Kassius' head and Kassius tries blocking but he gets hit in the thigh instead. He loses his balance and she kicks him in the chest onto the ground. She tries stomping him, but he rolls back and avoids it. Kassius stands back up, panting in wet clothes.

Kassius (in head): "I have to end it now or at this rate, I'll lose."

Valeria starts running towards Kassius but he walks towards her.

Valeria: "Lost hope yet? I'll end it right now."

Valeria throws a punch to the left side. In an instant she hits the right side but Kassius disappears.

Valeria: "Where'd he-"

Kassius appears right in front of her and kicks her straight in the stomach, making her cough up blood. The force of the kick sends her rolling a distance away from where he kicked her.

Valeria: "Dammit... I..."

Valeria loses consciousness and Kassius falls to the ground.

Kassius: "Still takes it out of me, huh?"

Arnold reaches the van and goes around to the other side. As he cuts around the side of the van to the door side, he hears people and moves back. He peaks and sees a group of four officers are already there.

Officer 1: "50 million for one girl is absurd. We really hit the jackpot with our buyer."

Officer 2: "We're going to be filthy rich!"

Officer 3: "What's taking him so long in there? Please don't tell me he's having fun with the merchandise again."

Marialette: "Get off me!"

Arnold gets shocked by the scream and immediately jumps the corner.

Officer 1: "Whoa! How'd you get in here? This is restricted area."

Arnold: "Move."

Officer 3: "Hey buddy. Just turn the other way and exit the bridge. It's not safe for civilians."

Officer 4 comes close to Arnold and pats his shoulder.

Officer 4: "Relax guys. It's just a kid. Hey, do you need help finding your parents?"

They all start giggling. Arnold grabs the officer's arm. He hits the officer in the throat and throws him to the ground. The other officers pull out their guns and aim it at Arnold.

Arnold: "Move."

Officer 1: "Hands where we can see them before we shoot."

Arnold starts walking to them.

Officer 2: "Stop moving!"

Arnold continues moving forward.

Officer 1: "Alright. We warned you."

They all start shooting but once they stop, they realise Arnold is gone. Inside the van, Marialette is on the ground and the other officer is on top of her.

Officer 5: "You don't want to congratulate your hero?"

Marialette: "Get away from me you creep!"

He tries approaching her with a kiss but she headbutts him.

Officer 5: "Argh! Why you little..!"

He aggressively hits her and she falls flat onto the ground, barely remaining conscious while blood rushes out of her nose.

Officer 5: "I hope the buyer doesn't mind if the merchandise is a little damaged. Maybe a little used too."

He starts approaching her once more and she tries moving away but he stops her.

Officer 5: "No need to run. I'll take care of you just fine."

Marialette struggles and tears fall from her face.

Marialette: "H..elp... me..."

The van starts shaking and it shocks the Officer.

Officer 5: "What the... what's going on?! Hello?!"

The door slides open and Arnold walks in. He sees Marialette on the floor, bleeding and in tears with the Officer on top of her.

Marialette: "L...ouis..?"

Officer 5: "Who the hell are y-"

In an instant Arnold kicks him straight in the face, causing him to fall off of her and onto the floor.

Officer 5: "Argh! My nose!"

The officer tries reaching for his gun but Arnold steps on his hand. He starts to punch him, repeatedly doing so in the face. Each punch, drenching his fist in more and more blood. His eyes, blinded by rage. While he is punching him, a memory of him doing the same to another man flashes into his mind. He immediately stops before hitting him again and gathers his thoughts.

Arnold: "I...Maria-"

He turns to her and sees she is unconscious. Back outside, Kassius tries to get back up.

Lucia: "Don't move."

He turns to the side and sees Lucia aiming her gun at him.

Lucia: "This is the end of the line. Thank you for making this easier for us."

Kassius (in head): "Crap, I should've thought this through."

Two officers go up to Valeria and handcuff her.

Lucia: "Looks like this is where your little parade ends."

Girl: "Ahhhhhh!"

Kassius: "Ulqora?"

On the side of the bridge, there is a boy running away from all the commotion.

Officer Jenkins: "Stop!"

The boy stops running and looks to the side.

Officer Jenkins: "Ah. You know you shouldn't be here. It's not safe. Especially for child- wait."

Officer Jenkins reloads his pistol and smirks.

Officer Jenkins: "A little crimsonian. Isn't that weird? Out on the streets in the middle of the night? Did you escape from somewhere?"

Boy: "Please, don't... don't hurt me."

Officer Jenkins: "No, no. I'd never do that. Don't be scared. Look now, don't be scared. I'll send you somewhere very nice, alright?"

He aims his gun at the boy. The boy starts panicking. Just as Jenkins shoots, Ulqora comes from the side and pushes the boy out of the line of fire. She falls as well, and the bullet scrapes her arm, causing her to scream in pain.

Officer Jenkins: "What the-"

The boy looks at Ulqora shocked.

Boy: "Are... are you okay?"

Officer Jenkins aims at Ulqora.

Officer Jenkins: "Now there are two?"

The boy stands in front of Ulqora and blocks her.

Boy: "Please, don't."

Officer Jenkins: "I told you, I'll send you to a better place. Now I guess she can go with you."

Officer: "Hey, Officer Lucia. The president is coming this way."

Lucia turns and sees a group of cars driving towards the centre.

Lucia: "Copy that... Hey! Where'd he go?"

Just before Officer Jenkins shoots, he smiles.

Officer Jenkins: "See you on the other side... huh-"

He turns to the side, and hovering over him, is Kassius who appeared out of nowhere. Before he could react at all, Kassius kicked him with his shin directly in his face and sent him rolling backwards until he hit a car and stopped. Officer Jenkins falls unconscious immediately.

Kassius: "Sick bastard."

He almost falls to the ground but manages to keep on his feet.

Kassius: "Ulqora... are you ok?"

Ulqora: "I'm... I'm OK. But..."

She turns around to look but the boy disappeared.

Kassius: "Let's get you back in the car, alright? It's not safe out here."

She pauses for a moment but then gets up and they both walk towards the car. All the officers aim at Kassius and Ulqora as they are walking.

Lucia: "Weapons down! There's a child."

Kassius and Ulqora reach the car. She opens the door and enters it, and Kassius closes it behind her. Coming from around the van, is Arnold with Marialette on his back. All officers immediately aim at him. Three armored cars reach the centre and the president along with a few men come outside.

President: "Maria!"

Marialette: "Father?..."