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Jack and Ash crouched down next to the door leading into the office.
“I just wanted to see your charming smile.” Ash said back.
“My face still itches.”
“My head still hurts.”
“You armpit rash.”
“You pompous peacock.”
The two boys stared angrily at each other for a moment.
“I don’t have time for this. I’ll deal with you later.” Jack smirked.
“Hey there Jack.” Luke gave a sheepish smile. He was also crouched down next to the door.
“Holy gods!” Jack rocked back on his heels. “Luke is that you?” He crab walked forward and clasped hold of Luke’s forearm. “It’s been years. It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too Jack.” Luke squeezed Jack’s arm back.
“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in the Capital. Are you with the Royal Guards?” Jack asked.
“Not exactly…” said Luke.
“Haven’t you heard? The Guards came all this way to arrest a fugitive.”
“About that…” Luke said.
“He’s the criminal.” Said Ave. She was crouched down with the others.
“Ah! Who is… this?” Jack found that Ave’s face was waaay too close to his.
“I’m with the Royal Guards.” Ave answered back.
“Then what are you doing out here?” Jack questioned.
“I’m keeping an eye on the criminal.” Ave replied dryly.
“Ash! What did you do?” Jack kept his shouting to a minimum.
“Not me.” Ash said.
“Not him.” Ave agreed.
“Then who?” Jack asked.
“It’s me.” Luke said.
Jack crouched in stunned silence. A slow smile spread across his face. “No really. Did Ash put you up to this? What’s really going on?”
Everyone else had a pained expression on their faces. Jack’s smile faded.
“That’s… absurd. There’s no way Luke is the fugitive from the Capital. If he was then…” Jack trailed off.
“Whatever they told you, it’s not true.” Ash interjected.
“It kind of is…” Said Luke.
“Okay it kind of is…” Ash agreed.
“Did they tell you about the Demon Lord?” Asked Ave.
“The what?” Jack almost shouted.
“I don’t know what they’re talking about either.” Ash tacked on.
“It’s kind of important.” Ave said.
“Who is she?” Jack pointed at Ave.
“She’s here to arrest me, only not.” Answered Luke.
“Look, Look! Everyone shut up!” Ash waved for quiet. “None of that is important right now. What is important is that Luke is in danger. The Royal Guards are here to arrest him and we need to get him out of town.”
“After we snuck back into town…” Ave said to herself.
“Quiet!” Ash waved again.
“I don’t know… I should really tell my father…” Jack looked concerned.
“Come on Jack. Look at this face.” Ash pulled Luke close. He pinched Luke’s cheeks together. “Do you really believe that this is the face of a kingdom threatening super criminal?”
Luke pouted involuntarily.
“I admit… it’s hard to believe.” Jack said.
“Luke was framed. We’re going to clear his name.” said Ash.
“How?” asked Jack.
“Good question. It’s… a secret right now.”
“A secret?”
“That’s right. If we told it to you then you would be in danger. You might tell somebody.”
“I would never tell anyone.” Jack crossed his arms.
“What if those guards in the next room tortured you?” Ash raised an eyebrow.
“I would tell them immediately. But… so would you.” Jack shoved Ash in the shoulder.
“Right. That’s why it’s a secret.” Ash shoved him back.
“Why should I help you?” Jack sat on his knees.
“Because you hate me and because I hate you.” Ash replied.
“Huh?” said Jack in confusion.
“Huh?” said Ash in confusion.
*Utter confusion*
Ash shook his head. “Sorry that wasn’t what I meant. Right now his mind is running on adrenaline and bad ideas and I need time for the one to catch up to the other.”
*Cough*
Ash tried again. “What I meant to say was that none of this is Star Town’s fault. As much as we dislike each other we’re both Starters. You want to protect the people of this town just as much as I do.”
“Of course I do. This town is my family's legacy. This is where the Lettermans made their name.” Jack nodded enthusiastically.
“Right now Luke needs our help.”
“You’re right, but what can I do about it?”
“You’re right I’m right. Now as soon as we leave the first thing that you’re going to do is tell the Royal Guards that we’ve escaped. You’re going to make a big deal out of it. You’re going to tell them that they should leave and that they should search outside of the town immediately.”
“Why would you want me to do that? I thought you were trying to escape. Won’t they find you if I do that?” Jack held his hands out in exasperation.
“I have to agree with him. It does sound like you’re going to get us caught.” Ave said.
“Can we get away if they chase us?” asked Ash.
“Probably not.” Jack guessed.
“Certainly not.” Ave admitted.
“If they search the roads before we leave town we’re certain to be captured.” Ash turned back to Jack. “And that’s why you’re going to tell them to do exactly that. In fact you’re going to tell them that they can’t search the town. You’re going to tell them that they’re wasting their time.”
“But then won’t they… capture us?” Luke asked.
Ash put on a wry smile. “If there’s one thing I know about arrogant, self righteous bullies it’s that they never agree with someone if they think that they’re better than them. Do you really think that big shot guard in there is going to do anything that Jack tells him to?”
“No. Oh…” Luke nodded.
Jack shook his head. “This is crazy. I’m going to look like a fool.”
Ash corrected him. “No. You’re going to look like a hero. The only one who knew the criminal wasn’t in the city anymore.”
“Hmmm.” Jack thought to himself.
“You’ll be helping Luke.” Ash continued.
“Hmmm.”
“And I’ll be leaving town with him.”
“I’ll do it. Just make sure that you don’t get caught.” Jack put another hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Take care of yourself Luke. I hope you can clear all of this up.”
“Me too.” Said Luke.
Jack turned to Ash. “You owe me.”
“I’ll pay you back as soon as I get back to town.” said Ash.
Jack snuck back into the smoking room by himself.
“Well, it looks like I’m never coming back here.” Ash said to himself.
Ash, Luke and Ave quietly left the office.