Chapter 400 - The Show must go on

Her threat fell on true. Time continued till the lovable Aceline jumped onto the stage in the company of Riot. The boy-band held five members excluding her. In melody and rhythm played the first song; her performance was above average. To their surprise, she carried over the energy masterfully.

Cheers and screams came from the packed crowds. Dei watched in fear with a pale face hidden behind the hoodie. Her prior actions meant the life of another would be taken. Influenced by rage, the instant her hand lifted off the contract earlier, the weight came as if a thunderbolt. 

"Master," said Éclair, "-I have new information. The AHA recently ordered an assassination hit onto one of the stars. No more can be researched on the matter for tis the last transmission."

'A hit on someone,' thought Staxius wandering out of reach. Elevated with a clear view of the performers, a still under construction building. The perfect location for a marksman. 'The pressure broke Dei, an advantage I used to have Aceline eliminated. Killing an old friend all but sounds as if a treacherous thing to do. I did swear to protect her, what am I even doing…' he sat solemnly on the edge of the window. 

The appearance of Riot came at a later time than told on the pamphlets. A delay brought about by management, mostly, Aceline's whim. She wanted to go first despite the warnings not from Riot alone, but other supervising staff as well. 

"Master," stopped slow and confined footsteps.

"Elliot," smiled Staxius.

"Good evening, master," said the man dressed in a casual outfit. He grew out a mustache; the little detail had the face completely different. 

"Don't forget about me," a cold shiver seductively caressed his lower-back.

"Knightfall," nodded he, "-good to see you as well," to which he faced the performance a few kilometers away. 

"Humph," pouted the spirit to vanish into the somber night.

"About the mission," approached Elliot, "-are you sure about the last-minute changes?"

"Yeah," said he now stood on the very same edge – the wind-blasted its glaring gust. The suit could but give way and fall to the strength, the force was enough to push away a normal man. Still, it didn't faze him, not a single movement; the King all but stood. "Cimier will be involved tonight. Be on overwatch, I'll relay anything through the channel. Let's work as one, Elliot." 

"Roger that, Boss." Upon the last words, the figure gently fell to then disappear. Around an hour later in the performance, other figures made their move. *Click,* the stage blacked out nearing the end of a song. Cries of annoyance riled the crowd to the point where none could interfere. The crew at the back were stunned – no answers, it blinked into darkness. 

"How great is it… how great is it, oh, how very great is it!" *clop, clop, clop.* "A stage perfect for one as exalted as I," *clap,* the spotlight shone onto he who had had the continent in his grasp. "Tis I, the Jester," with a bow, the crowd began to boo. Those on stage were petrified for he didn't come alone. Gunmen stood with weapons at the ready. 

"Get off the stage, you repulsive idiot."

"No one wants you around here."

"The heroes will come, just watch, damned Villain, they'll be here soon."

"You!" he screamed to a member of the crowd, "-who will come?" childish giggles followed, "-who, tell me, who? The heroes?" squatted, the fingers moved to the left. "Them?" dead people pilled on one another, "-them heroes?" the tone fell into sternness, "-yeah, they were weak. Heroes like them don't need a place, they do not need the respect we give. Protectors of Alphia, what a joke," giving a shrug, he walked to stand menacingly behind Aceline. "Here's another example of a snake."

"You'll pay dearly," said she under her breath, "-dare to touch even one of my hair, I swear, I'll have you killed on the spot."

"Bitch," he smacked the back of her head, "-who the f.u.c.k do you think you are?" she fell on the ground. "Listen, princess of whatever shit hole, either stay quiet or be permanently silenced. I hate how a traitor has the audacity to talk back," *spat,* the saliva landed square on her face. 

"Jester," came another set of footsteps, "-dear old Jester," smiled Luna, "-thou fell into the trap."

"On the contrary, Hero Luna," *snap,* the gunmen rushed onto the stage, "-you fell into my trap," a wave later had a barrage of bullet destroy where Luna stood. 

"STOP PLAYING AROUND!" screamed Aceline, "-this isn't the time to go around messing up the event. If you want to play games, then go ahead to the children's yard," who knew from where the sound of gunfire triggered a sense of bravado from within. She stood to confront the Jester physically – Riot tried their best to stand up, sadly, fear had them paralyzed.

"How dare you," *bang,* the Jester pulled a handgun to fire at point-blank.

"LADY ACELINE!" shouted the crowd; Luna was gone. *Drip,* came the loud noise of liquid falling.

"Why do you do this?" said a man dressed in expensive clothing, "-that sense of bravado, where did you keep it for all this time. Was becoming the worst idiot you could the only option? Aceline, I don't consider you a friend – we've fallen from that era. I'm the one responsible for militarizing your place of birth, and I will continue to do so. The Argashield Federation exists to protect and exterminate threats to the people, and threats to the continent," giving a sly grin, "-I guess thy safety falls into my jurisdiction." *Death Element: Magical Barrier,* quick to conjure walls between the innocent and macabre, "-go, escape," said he bleeding tremendously. 

"B-but,"

"GO!" 

"Mr. Haggard," in came Hero Luna, "-thanks for helping the innocent," a punch later had the Jester's guards cower. 

"DAMN YOU AGAIN," a long-ended fight in company of Luna and Staxius came to a close. The latter, injured, one fairly unknown in the continent; would be remembered as the hero who saved Aceline. As for Luna, she single-handedly took care of the Jester and his minions. 

Dust from the villain landed on the stage slowly. Silence prevailed – public safety officers were on the scene. Riot was exhausted, Aceline sat by the edge whilst the saviors stood. Lower ranked Heroes also made the trip to help in calming the crowd. None was injured miraculously, the organizers could but shudder. A sponsor was shot trying to defend their idol. 

"The snipers have been dealt with, Boss. You were right, Cimier is involved."

"Carry on investigating," said he touching the earring.

"Luna," 

"Yes, Mr. Haggard, once again, thanks for helping; if it wasn't for you, I doubt the superstar to be alive," said she in gratitude.

"Come here, please," he threw a mic, "-sing Sweet Bitter Love."

"I-I, surely not, sir, please, I'm not that good a singer."

"Just do it," he smiled, "-Tolm." 

"What is it?" returned the drummer across the dimly lit stage.

"Sweet Bitter Love," said Staxius.

"Excuse you?" turned the staff as well as the performers, "-were you not injured?" asked the leader of Riot.

"Trust me, the people are the ones who need reassurance. The show must go on, isn't that the golden rule, come on, do it!" 

"It's always like this," laughed Tolm, "-wherever Mr. Haggard goes, trouble must follow," sat and readied, "-three, two, one," the drums bounced into action. The bass soon joined with the guitar cutting across the two other instruments. Moved by the rhythm, Luna couldn't hold back the lyrics. 

The lighting on stage was destroyed during the gun-fire. None knew who performed nor who sang, what was prominent was the song, energetic and smile-inducing. Those who were scared but a while ago felt a sense of relief. Backstage, the organizers went crazy – public order demanded the show be stopped, lives were on the line. Still, the swaying of the crowd that sang along could but sway the feelings of the one in charge. 

"What is it?" inquired a tired Aceline after a nudge.

"Get up and sing," came a deep voice, "-you owe me that much."

"Oh, f.u.c.k off," she waved in dismissal and jumped, "-I'm done, the show is over, public safety's coming."

'Suppose people change. Her bravado is intact, farewell, Aceline, farewell.' 

*Bam,* the song ended. "Here, take the guitar, I'm done for tonight."

"Mr. Haggard," yelled Tolm, "-thanks for everything," the light toggled as repairs were handled in haste. It lit to reveal Riot smiling and wanting to give their best. 

The crowd's mass seemed empty. Many folks went home after the incident – Public Safety assisted in evacuation. Those wanting to remain could do so, tis was the decision handed from the top. As a result, security rose even further. 

"You didn't run away," came a tall figure amidst the shade. 

"I guess not," returned a tired voice from underneath the same tree.

"I'm not going to apologize."

"I know," said she, "-I know. Thank you for not killing Aceline, what I did was in rage. I realized the mistake too late; revenge is a beast not worth the effort of feeding. What contract did I sign?" 

"To be employed by Phantom. We're going to find Sugar, I told you about what I want."

"Come on, my hand is beyond useless, even if I try to relearn the instrument, tis will be but wasted effort."

"Don't underestimate me, there's a way to fix your hand." 

"Really?" she came out of her shell, "-you're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"Yes, I speak the truth. Still, we need Sugar first, else, what's the point?"

"F-fine, l-lets do it." They took the car back to the hotel.

'Now then, I lied about killing Aceline. The intent was there, and the order was given, but I changed it shortly after. Her dying would mean a lot of disadvantage, I guess the competition would be lightened, but it's of no consequence. From what Elliot reported, Cimier was involved. I doubt we'll know who was the target of assassination – maybe Tolm or even Aceline. There is still so much I don't know about how they work or think. Luna's intervention against the Jester sure came as a surprise. Here I thought the incident to be someone famous getting killed. No matter, tomorrow we're headed off to Dostein – wait for me, Sugar.'

Recorded footage from last night's event went around the capital. The heroism showed by a man who took a bullet to save an idol. It ignited the flames of passion amidst the populous. They who were failing to see the good side of humanity were rekindled. The newspapers as well as stations were desperate to have an interview with the man – a particular clip went viral. One where Luna and he greeted one another as acquaintances – it had attention shift upon learning more about the man. Staxius Haggard, owner of Meldorino and one of the top-five sponsors. The watch she wore was the same as shown in advertis.e.m.e.nts before and after the event. The name Meldorino became the topic of conversation for a few days. The showroom, as a result, had more and more guests visit. The prices were above the normal paycheck; the timepieces were absolutely beautiful. 

A long corridor stretched till the back of the hotel. "Are you ready?" asked a man approaching the exit. 

"I think so, yeah," returned a timid voice.

"Scared of flying?" the double door slid to reveal the helipad, "-let's go find thy lover, Dei. Let's go find the guitarist who's going to shake the world anew."

"Y-yes," she followed. 

'Who does he think he is,' the wind whistled through the trees, '-my protection is under his jurisdiction, what an idiot?' Aceline wandered around the central park. People went for jogs and such, '-I hate you, king of Arda, I hate you.'

"Aceline," the cold tip of a gun-barrel plastered against her back, "-my condolences, the young master has decided that you're of no use."