Chapter 3: The Great Escape
I never hear the word "escape"
Without a quicker blood,
A sudden expectation,
A flying attitude.
-- Emily Dickinson

"The what?" Bleu looked skeptical.

"The great escape! Come on, you can't seriously want to just stay here! You're far too young to die, and don't deserve to besides! And the world is in danger as long as we stay here!"

"How so?" Bleu asked curiously.

"We heard some guards talking," Magus spoke up. "Ozzie's demanding half the kingdom in exchange for our release."

"My father's holding out so far, but I don't know for how long. I have to get back before he gives in!" Daria looked desperate.

"Got any plans for busting out, your Highness?" Bleu asked, her voice more than a little condescending as she spoke the title. "It's not that easy, you know."

"Why don't we do just that?" Magus said.

Bleu turned to him. "Do what?"

"Just bust out. Blast everything."

Bleu stared at him. "You're kidding, right? That's got to be a joke."

"It sounds crazy, but it's really the only option we have."

Bleu pondered this. "You may be right. Let's break out early tomorrow morning."

"That's when you're going to be executed," Daria reminded her.

"It's set for nine a.m. I have an alarm in my bag. We'll get up at seven and get out. Agreed?" The two nodded their agreement. "Good. Let's get to bed then. We have an early day ahead of us."

So they went to sleep. Daria tried to make the best of the cold stone floor, while Bleu and Magus curled up together in the corner. After she set her alarm, she lay down next to him.

For a while she just laid there, looking up at him. She wondered what was going on between them. It was very strange. Feeling cold, she snuggled up closer to him. It was nice to have someone to do that with, to comfort her even though he was asleep. If I'm not careful, she thought to herself, I'll find myself falling for him. And I can't do that. Not when he's most likely going to take off after we get back.

Sighing to herself, Bleu shifted, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

When the alarm went off, the three quietly got up. The guard had fallen asleep right next to the cell, and the keys were lying inside the bars. Magus deftly removed them from the Outlaw's belt and unlocked the door. They then silently moved through the prison up to the mansion halls.

The halls were completely empty; apparently no one here was an early riser. Trying not to laugh at their incredible luck, they walked out the front doors and headed south.

It wasn't long, though, before they heard something going on back there. Turning, they saw Jade and Shade racing out of the mansion after them. Picking up their speed, they ran for the forest and hid behind the trees.

"I know you're in there!" Jade called. "We saw all three of you go in. No point in hiding. However, I may be easier on you if you if you come right out instead of making me go in there and look for you." The only answer she got was silence. The Mystic fumed.

"Bleu Orina Nightshade, I know you're in there! Show yourself at once! Execution or no execution, I think it's time you and I settled this! Ozzie may not approve, but I'll take that chance! So get out here!"

"Pretty name," Magus whispered. Bleu blushed slightly.

"Thanks." She turned to him with a sigh. "I guess I have no choice," she whispered. "I must face her." Suddenly she smiled rather shyly. "Wish me good luck," she whispered. Taking the hint, he kissed her like before. Except this time she returned it. When they pulled apart, they just looked at each other, no words needed. Then Bleu took her sword and stepped out to face her enemies.

Jade smiled and clapped her hands as Bleu appeared. "Good, good. I knew you could be reasonable if you tried. Now why couldn't you be this way when Ozzie put you in the army? Oh, right, your conscience wouldn't allow it," she sneered.

"Enough chit-chat," Bleu said icily. "Let's just get it done."

"Fine with me." Jade dove at her, shooting fireballs from her hands. Bleu fell to the ground and the Mystic flew into a tree, which immediately caught fire.

Screeching, Jade moved quickly away. She could hear Bleu laughing behind her. "Brat! You think you're so clever! Well, how's this?!" She shot a lightning spell at her. But Bleu had already put up a shield spell, and the magic bounced right back at her, the force sending her flying back into the burning tree.

Bleu was roaring with laughter by now. "You are so silly!" she giggled. "Did you really think you would be a match for me?"

"I taught you to use magic, remember?" Jade said as she tried to put out the flames.

"No, you taught me how to harness my own power. No amount of lessons can make up for natural talent." She smirked at her former teacher. "Ready to give up?"

"Never!" Jade screamed. She cast Ice 2, which immediately bounced back on her. Bleu snickered at her forgetfulness, as did Magus and Daria from their vantage point behind the trees. Shade, however, was not so amused.

"Jade, what kind of an idiot are you?!" he growled. "Don't you learn?!"

"Of course not!" Bleu shot back. "If she did, she wouldn't be fighting me!" She then cast a spell to drain Jade's magic power. "Now you don't have to hurt yourself anymore -- you can leave it to me!"

Jade didn't hear her though, or realize what had been done. "I'll take care of that stupid shield!" she growled. She chanted the spell to dispel it... and nothing happened. "What?!" she shrieked. "How can this be?! My magic's gone?! Nooo!" she wailed.

The next second, Bleu's Dark Bomb slammed her up against the smoldering tree. With fear in her eyes, she shakily pulled herself up as Bleu advanced on her, sword drawn. Suddenly, she started laughing, if a bit hysterically.

"And just what is so amusing?" Bleu inquired as she reached her.

"You," Jade giggled crazily. "You won't kill me. I'm totally defenseless. Your conscience won't allow it." A peal of maniacal laughter escaped her lips as she stared into her former pupil's cold blue eyes.

"Sorry, Jade, but --" Bleu drove her sword into the Mystic's throat, pinning her to the tree and killing her instantly. "I have no conscience." Not anymore I don't.

"NOOO!" Bleu turned to see Shade racing toward her, his face a mask of grief and hatred. She pulled her sword out of Jade and waited. When he reached her, she calmly side-stepped his sword and beheaded him from behind. Cleaning her sword off, she walked over to where Magus and Daria waited.