'We All Fall Down"

Chapter 1 - A Magical Crown

  Notes~italic words are their thoughts, My notes or thoughts will be bold,  Changing POV.

                                                 ~James POV~

     Plum walked up to me with her usual blank face and told me I needed to pay attention tonight because we would be protecting a magical item at a masquerade ball. "Will you relax when have I ever strayed from a plan?" She looked at me blankly while walking away, reminding me to be ready. After a few hours, everyone was ready. Sadly we couldn't just go straight there and start the party because Plum had to be a stick in everybody's ass and overcomplicate the plan as usual."So from what you're telling us, we are just watching a stupid crown that already is being guarded by security; that's the stupidest mission we ever have had." Look, James, I know it's not as fun as blowing shit up but everybody has to do their part in this mission, which means no getting distracted by stupid things. Plum said, directly focusing on Jake and me. When arriving, we went straight to our positions while Asher told everyone to be on high alert because Akar's spies might be present already. I stayed close to Plum as we walked through an oversized ballroom; with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. "Wow, I could do killer skating tricks on these steps." And of course, Plum has to bud in and tell me to focus. "Damn, you're such a mood killer. I would never invite you to my party." After that little argument, we went our separate ways to cover more ground.

                                                     ~ Plums POV~

I walked up the stairs trying to find the best spot to see the crown when I spotted a man with raven black hair in the corner of my eye. I instantly recognized him as Shadow, Akar's top spy.  I observed him from a distance. But I needed a closer look at him and what he was doing. He started to head downstairs to the dance floor, so I followed him from a decent distance. Informing my teammates that I would keep close eyes on Shadow, while the others watched the crown. Of course, Stickbot had something to say about it even though he still stayed in his position. When trying to push through the guests, I lose sight of Shadow, "Damm it! How could I lose him so easily?!" All of a sudden, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see Shadow, "this is just great."  

                                             ~Shadows POV~

   "Well, look who we have here. Miss me that much you have to follow me to a masquerade ball." Plum, directly looked up into my eyes, looking completely heartless. She tells me to not touch her. Of course, I forgot my hand was still on her shoulder, and she pushed it off. "Relax, I'm not here to hurt you or your friends. Let us take the crown, and we will leave so no one gets hurt." She tells me to fuck off and that I will never get my hands on the crown. "Look, you will get kicked out if you keep talking like that, so how about you keep up that classy act and dance with me?" Plum gave me this look of disgust, so I quickly added that I wouldn't be able to get the crown if we did dance. She nodded in agreement as we walked to the middle of the dance floor. We dance to the rhythm, trying not to glare into each other's eyes. "You know I will not give up on getting this crown, and you should give up on trying to protect everyone because it will leave you unprotected." It looked like Plum wanted to say something even though she kept her mouth shut. 

               ~ Ashers POV~

I see James standing from a distance and walk up to him. "Hey, Stikbot stuff seems to be going smoothly other than Plum and Shadow dancing. But she seems to be dealing with the situation pretty well, despite hating Shadow, haha." James doesn't react, which leaves me a little nervous. "Um... So I'm going to scout the area for suspicious activities." James nods while I turn away, but before I walk away, he lightly slaps my back and smiles brightly. While I walk around trying to avoid everyone. I spot a girl with dark blue curls entering a door, "Oh no, that's Anahita. She must have come here with Shadow." I let James know through the intercom that I am following Anahita and will turn my tracker on. I quietly follow her down a flight of stairs, slowly approaching another door. Slowly opening the door, revealing computer systems and what seem to be power sources for the entire castle. "Something I finally can work with."

Then the door slams shut, and I feel a hand covering my mouth. The only thing I apprehend before passing out is my flooding thoughts of confusion and fear.

      ~Anahitas POV~

I heard someone following me down the steps, "God, I can't get a break from these people." Once I entered, I still heard someone follow me. Instead of just killing him, I waited until he approached, knocking him out and keeping him as a hostage. "Finally, you're up. I see you're not as strong as your friends. Must be hard being the weak link in the group, pulling everyone else down when you can't defend yourself." I don't pull my team down! He says like, he is doubting his own words. "Now, if you will excuse me, I need it to be quiet while I disable the alarm system."

   ~Plums POV~

Finally, the song finishes. However, I must keep my eyes on him because the second I lose sight the crown will go missing. "So what about we continue dancing?" Shadow gives a stupid smirk while nodding his head in agreement. "Okay, I need to watch him long enough while the others keep an eye on the crown. Shouldn't be too difficult." The ball is finally ending, and everything has gone super smoothly. "Jake, I hope you have our ride ready because this ball is ending in a few." I still have my eyes on Shadow as he sips a drink. "James, make sure you are ready when we leave." I approach Shadow, who is talking through an intercom. "I'm assuming, you contacted your partners to get a ride out of here?"  Our eyes meet, and I quickly stare anywhere else but his face. Well, it sounds like you are offering a ride doll. He said with a giant smirk, "Sorry to disappoint, but we have a full car." I said with a sarcastic tone. Before Shadow could say anything, the fire alarm went off along with the sprinklers. People started panicking in the chaos, and Shadow disappeared. " Fuck!" I head straight to where the crown is held and hope James can hold him off.

~James POV~

       While looking in a puddle on the floor, I see that my shirt is wet and my hair is ruined. I still looked amazing, but my thoughts were interrupted when Plum started shouting, about how Shadow slipped out of her sight. Immediately sprinting to the crown, I come face to face with Shadow. " Wow, fancy seeing you here. What brings you to this special event?!" Shadow completely ignores my comment and goes straight to swinging a punch at my face. I threw myself under his legs, knocking him over and avoiding the punch. We continue to exchange heavy blows to our bodies.

Shadow and I are on the floor when we hear Plum cry out Asher's name. Looking up, I see that Plum has the crown... but Anahita has something much more precious in her grasp. I try to get up despite Shadow pulling me back down. All the confidence I had in my body disappeared. Fear shot down to my stomach, causing my body to freeze up. For once it felt like I didn't know what to do, I looked at Plum in the hope she would do something but all I could see was guilt building up on her face. I hear Anahita call out Plum's name, saying she will make a trade,' Asher for the crown it's as simple as that with no strings attached.' she says.