Third Person
Cody knew that if Professor Pikalus of all people kept spacing out, it was for something important.

After everything, guards were already on repairing all damage done, and outside of damage done with the crabs- CannibalCrab only shrugged when asked questions and told everyone it was karma- casualties were low, and little to none.

However everyone was different when coming back.

Selena was mostly fine, though did have a guilty look on her face when she saw Sam, but smiled through it. Sam looked overall happy, even wistful. Blooper acted like he was the same, but the looks he kept giving Cody told a different story.

CannibalCrab was deep in thought for awhile but somewhere along the line, he started to doze off. Tanith looked both physically and mentally drained but all of that was washing away from her face when she noticed how much more KrakenKid was when he entered the council room. She quickly moved him to a chair and began healing him, even if most of it was exhaustion, something she could only make easier at most.

Cody had been there keeping a close eye on the others, and Professor was the last one to walk in. His face was unreadable and all he did was sit down and think to himself.

Cody finally had everyone do the same and asked them what happened, getting brief descriptions from some and long stories from others, but Professor didn't join in. Cody caught his attention a couple times, but kept losing it to whatever he was thinking about.

Eventually, Cody couldn't take it anymore. "Professor!" He barked, once again getting him to bob his head up. "What is wrong with you, man? What happened?"

Professor paused for a moment. "I fought Ace."

All of them shot up and gave him a bewildered look. "You did what?" CannibalCrab choked. "I knew you were insane but I didn't think you were much more than me!"

Tanith checked him up and down before frowning. "You don't appear to have any injuries... Did you Hulk up?"

Professor sighed and shook his head. "I was worried that if I did, I might cause more damage to the Atlanteans around me than protect them so I just swung at him with my hammer."

Silence filled the room before Cody broke it. "And? What happened?"

A puzzled expression filled his face. "I was winning... I caught him by surprise after he used a giant spell or something and I was going to end him but," His mind flashed back to the boy with strange colored eyes and a determined look on his face. "Some kid stopped me. Latched onto my arm and hung onto me like I was monkey bars."

Sam hummed to herself. "Maybe he didn't want you killing somebody. You do have a reputation of getting out of control, maybe he was trying to prevent this."

Professor shook his head quickly. "I've had that happen before, this was different. He looked angry- it was more like he was trying-" Professor's eyes widened. "Trying to help Ace escape. Like he knew him. Does Ace has got some Atlanteans helping him?" His eyes moved to Cody.

Cody's eyebrows furrowed. "Who in their right mind... I don't know, I'll look into it."

Professor stood up and moved for the doorway. "Well, in the meantime, I need everyone to come with me to the lab. Ace is getting out of hand and I have something that might be able to stand up to him."

As he left, the others looked to each other before following him out. Professor didn't spare any time booking it to the lab so the others had to rush to keep up with him. Eventually, when he got there, he ordered all of them to stay out while he went inside.

Moments later, he emerged with his hands full of weapons, most having gold and blue accents to it. Cody was first to realize what they were.

"No way... Professor-"

"I don't know how well they'll work, and especially with non-royalty, but they should be able to do something." The scientist answered before Cody could. "We need an upper hand, and these can give us that. It's a risky move- they haven't been field tested yet, but there's no time like the present."

KrakenKid began to hear something, almost a whispering sound in his head. Pausing, he quickly noticed that no one else seemed to be looking around like he was, meaning he was probably the only one to hear it in the first place. His yellow eyes moved around until they laid on something he recognised. In Professor's arms, among the other weapons, was The Gauntlet.

Before Professor could say more, KrakenKid snatched it from the pile and it slipped on with ease. Even without fingers, The Gauntlet still felt right, and the whispering stopped, his mind clearing. He moved his tentacle around in it, and the fingers responded tightening and wiggling around.

"You want to fight Ace using Atlantean Weapons." KrakenKid finally said at last, eyes locked onto The Gauntlet before moving back to Professor. CannibalCrab stared with wonder at the weapon KrakenKid possessed, while Blooper instantly wanted to ask him if he could try it on.

Professor nodded. "Outside of my hammer- which I built myself-" Something told the others that he added that in just so he could brag. "Cody's spear has had the most success. I've been working on these for a while now, and I figured it was time to get some people bonded with them."

He grinned finally. "So, who to try one of these out? They probably won't explode."

--------------------------

Ace woke up to the sound of voices.

"That sounds a little over the top..."

"Yeah but think how cool it'll be! Besides, we need an entrance that'll do us justice for who we are and how awesome we are! Do I need to spice yours up more? I was thinking that maybe it could use more mystery and intrigue to it, after all, if you need an entrance just to match how amazing you are, you'll need a lot!"

"No, no, that's not what I meant. It doesn't need to be anything more, if anything it was a bit too much for me. My point is, that'll scare him."

"Awww, but you'll look so cool! He'll for sure see you for who I do if we go with the plan!"

"I don't mean to put a stop to your creative flow, it is a good idea, it just won't work for him. Did you forget what he's like?"

Ace blinked. The first voice was steady and much calmer than the second, which gave off several emotions at once and spoke faster. As his eyes opened up, he noticed two figures in front of him.

"Well, I- oh! Hey, look! He's waking up! Wait- nooo! Now our entrance is ruined!" The second voice huffed.

"Another time then. Besides, we should probably do this a bit more carefully." The first told the other, putting a hand on their shoulder.

Ace found himself dazed and his head aching as they spoke. It took him a moment, feeling the hard rock beneath him as he shifted, but finally it came to him. People are nearby... But I passed out alone... There's two of them, neither sound like Chester... Suddenly he jerked up, panic taking his heart. Nobody is supposed to be here!

Both took a step back. "See? He's going to get scared anyways, my plan wouldn't have changed anything!" The second one complained.

"I suppose, but remember, we're not in control here, he is. The sooner we can make him calm matters the most if we're going to do this." The first answered.

Ace could hear their talking but with his heart beating at the speed of sound- or what sure felt like it- Ace barely processed it. "Who are you people? What do you want?"

Finally, Ace could focus on what they looked like, as their pair of glowing, blue eyes that looked nearly identical looked down at him.

The first one had combed down, dark blue hair, and eyes that examined his every move with calculating eyes. He wore a suit, one with a red tie and white shirt under, and then blue jacket and pants as well. A red diamond was on the right upper side, and on the same side, a pocket with a red, triangular cloth tucked inside it.

The other had plain blue hair that was spiked up, and eyes that looked at him and buzzed with excitement from possibilities. His outfit was less formal, having a pair of dark blue pants, a white shirt, and a red jacket to go over it. The white shirt had a big clubs symbol on it, though the jacket covered the edges of the clover, and there was another symbol of it on his jacket.

Ace looked between the two as they stared at him, then cleared his throat. "Answer me!" His hands buzzed with Nexus Energy that came easy to him.

The guy with spiked hair frowned. "You don't remember me? Not even my voice? I mean, that's all that would've given me away anyways, I didn't look like this last time you saw me but I thought that since the voice matches the face now that maybe you would! I didn't think you'd know him," He gestured to the other next to him. "You never met- but you did meet me! Am I that forgettable? I thought I made a nice lasting impression, that I was one of a kind! Come on, just think!"

Ace hesitated, but then something sparked in his mind. How much he was talking... He only knew one person who was like that. "...Clubs?"

"Yes!" Clubs' face lit up, letting out a laugh. "Finally! You remember! I knew I wasn't just another memory to you, Spades!"

Already perplexed, Ace looked to the one standing next to him, and another name came to him, one he never got to see for himself. "D?"

"Diamond, but D is a nickname if you want to use it." He nodded, glancing over to Clubs and back.

Ace kept looking between them, shaking his head. "I don't... How is this possible? What is this? How are you two here?"

A smirk formed on Clubs' face. "Well, it all started in the beginning of time when Atlantis was created by-"

Diamond blinked and gave him a look. "You really only have one joke, don't you?"

"It's my favorite, okay?" Clubs answered quickly. "I used it all the time because it's a really funny joke!"

Diamond hesitated and ended up keeping his mouth shut about something, just nodding instead. "Right. Do you mind if I explain this one?" Clubs opened his mouth but Diamond beat him to it. "I know you have a lot to say but how much can you accurately explain?" Clubs thought to himself, then decided to back off. Diamond shot a smile. "Thank you. You'll have plenty of time to talk if this goes well."

"If this goes well?" Ace repeated, feeling himself getting defensive. Diamond glanced his way.

"...It'll make sense soon, just listen." Diamond took in a long breath. "Are you aware of how energy works? How energy is never truly gone, and simply turns into a different type? Like how gasoline has potential energy until you strike a match and turn it into heat energy?"

Ace stared but gave a half nod. Science wasn't his specialty- nor was he good at it at all- but it did made sense... "What about it?"

Diamond gestured to himself and Clubs. "We were created by you, and our magic twisted to be more like yours than we are the Nexus. When we were- ah- "Killed" in a sense, we didn't go back to the Nexus like everything else did."

Ace picked up on it, sitting up. "So you came back to me?"

Diamond nodded. "Precisely. We joined back up with you, and we should've become one with you again, but..." He paused, glancing over at Clubs and sharing a look before going back to Ace. "We didn't. I guess we all share the trait of being unable to lose our independence, because we still remained us. We could still remember everything, we were just dormant in your mind. We were in your memories and thoughts, and that's how we were going to be for the rest of time. That is, until recently."

"What changed?" Ace asked, crossing his arms in a protective manner.

"You did." Diamond straightened out his tie. "You absorbed more Nexus energy, and with that energy, we were able to create a form for ourselves, as well as allow you to see us."

Suddenly shooting up on his feet, Ace gaped at them. "What? Did you create bodies for yourself or-"

Clubs shook his head, and wordlessly stuck his arm into the wall. It moved right through it, like it wasn't there at all, before he pulled it back out, grinning. "As Clubs demonstrated, no, we don't have bodies." Diamond informed him. "More just illusions, if you will. We can't touch you, but you can touch us, and we can touch each other, like so." Diamond put his hand on Clubs' shoulder as if he was really there, but when reaching out for Ace, it moved right past him.

Curious, Ace found himself able to grab his arm, then let go in surprise. "Whoa..." His head shook. "What was the point of this exactly? And how much energy did you guys use?"

Diamond opened his mouth, then closed it again, looking to Clubs. "Well... We- uh... We wanted to be able to talk to you and..."

Clubs finally cut in, talking quickly. "We've been fantasizing about taking a form again for ages, and we finally had the chance! We're finally able to talk- even if it's just to you- and experience again, and we don't have to deal with as many feelings as you do! I mean, look at us! And yeah, I did spend a little more energy on my awesome hair and jacket-"

Diamond had to cover his mouth but still couldn't suppress the laugh. "A little?"

Clubs gasped, offended. "Hey! Like you're one to talk, you spent ages deciding how you wanted your suit to look!"

Diamond's face tinted pink as he looked down at it. "Do you think it's too over the top? I wasn't sure..."

Clubs waved him off. "No, you look amazing in it, I didn't mean to attack, I just got defensive."

Diamond paused, still looking at his suit. "...You think I look amazing?"

"Hey!" Ace caught their attention once again. "Can you please focus and tell me what's going on? What's the point of this? How much energy did you use to do all of this?"

"Our point was that we wanted to be able to be here instead of stuck in your mind." Clubs told him. "And a lot. A lot of power. A really shocking amount really, like, creating a simple form alone was bad but then they added in all these details and-" Clubs caught himself as Ace's stare was filled with more and more disbelief. "Uh... Diamond, you're talking now!" He nudged Diamond, smiling nervously.

Diamond sent him a 'Seriously?' Look before taking over again. "And we do have advantages. Close your eyes."

Ace looked skeptical but hesitantly closed them. For a couple moments, he could see nothing. Then he could again, though his perspective was different. Ace was looking right at himself, who still had his eyes closed but was starting to look alarmed, but from an angle where he was standing right in front of himself. To his side, he noticed a man in a suit, who was looking directly at him and smiling.

Ace jerked back up, heart pounding as he looked between Diamond and Clubs. Diamond still had that look on his face. "We have other uses as well other than just company. You can see through our eyes if you so wish, not to mention we can see what's around you. Watch your back."

Ace could hear how careful he was being, and got a sinking feeling that he was still leaving out some piece of information. He paused, glancing between the two. Memory flooded his mind of something Diamond said. "If this goes well." He repeated once more. A darkness flickered over Diamond's eyes, and a one of fear in Clubs, though both hid it as quickly as it came. "You're not telling me something. What are you not telling me?" Ace raised his voice, and though he couldn't see it himself, a spark ignited in his eyes.

Diamond broke out of the daze and answered before Ace could repeat himself again. "We're still a part of you." He explained. "Even now, and if you didn't want us here, you could make it so if you so wish. And with how much power we're using to even appear before your eyes, it was likely if we didn't find a way to be useful, you could rid of us with a snap of your fingers. You have control over us."

Ace was silent for a while, eyes trailing to the ground, deep in thought. After awhile, he sighed, covering his face with his hands. "I know what it's like to want to exist at any cost, and because I created you two, whether I wanted to or not, you're my responsibility. I protected you before you got hurt before-" He glanced towards Clubs. "Sorry about that. But now it would be doing more harm than good to wish you two away now. So... I guess you guys can stick around."

While Diamond seemed happy, he was more so when he saw the bright light shining in Clubs' eyes. Clubs let out excited laughs, clapping his hands together and looking to Diamond. "Yes! See? I told you it'd go well, I told you! This is amazing! Oh, and you were right before, Diamond and I joined up after you took away my more physical body and all of those complicated feelings just washed away."

Ace huffed, holding his head with one hand. "Can you two talk less? I'm starting to get a headache."

"Sorry-" Clubs responded, then covered his mouth with his hand and nodded. Diamond didn't say anything so Ace took that as he understood. Standing up, Ace couldn't help but feel like he was missing something important...

Then it hit him.

"Chester! He said to come over in the morning!" Ace staggered out of the cave, then suddenly clutched his stomach. "It stopped bleeding, why does it still hurt?" He mumbled, lifting up his yellow shirt enough so he could see the bright bruises under it and checked on them.

"Wounds take time to heal, Ace." Diamond told him. "It's barely been a day."

Shaking it off, Ace continued on, making a beeline right for Chester's house.

-----------

Professor laid out all of the weapons out on the ground before he could drop any of them. Outside of the Gauntlet that KrakenKid already took, there was a hammer, sword, bow, pistol and a dagger all laid out.

"Each of them has different abilities, no two Atlantean Weapons are the same. I've figured out more and more ways to convert the electrical Nexus energy into other ones." He nodded towards the Gauntlet. "That one is the only one I know for sure so far, the rest were still in testing, but no time to test like the present, eh?"

Everyone hesitated, but eventually, seemed drawn towards a weapon that fit them. Professor snatched up the Hammer before anyone else could, admiring the golden handle with blue accents throughout it, a tough blue metal for the actual hammer part, and a crystal in the middle of said hammer, glowing with untapped power. He fiddled around with it, grinning to himself.

Selena and Sam went for the Sword and Bow respectively. The sword had more of a blue handle with a stripe of gold running around it, then a sharp blade made of more blue and gold, mixed together, the crystal in the handle of hers. Sam's was more gold than blue, but still similar. The string of the bow felt almost as strong as the metal itself, and the crystal was right where she would notch the arrow. Selena grinned, while Sam experimentally tested the bow string.

CannibalCrab, out of his two choices, went with the Pistol, a mostly blue gun with a gold barrel and a couple spects here and there. The crystal was embedded into the handle. Though he found the colors distasteful- they reminded him too much of Atlantis itself and never did he have the best relationship with the city- but he didn't say anything. He had nothing to say. All he could do was check out the Pistol for what it was, a weapon he could use.

All this left was the Dagger, but Blooper and Tanith both stared at it. Professor nodded at Tanith to take it, but she hesitated before shaking her head. "Atlantean Weapons require you to bond with them, right?" He nodded. "I- uh..." She struggled with how to say it before pulling out her staff. "I've already bonded with my staff and this is going to sound weird but my staff can get... Jealous."

"What do you mean by 'Jealous'?" Cannibal asked, cocking his eyebrow.

"I mean I've tried to bond with two other weapons before and both exploded somehow, and either that was just bad luck and a coincidence that my staff starting glowing at the same time on its own, or my staff was jealous." She shrugged her shoulders. "Take your pick, but maybe I shouldn't take this one."

As soon as she said it, Blooper snatched it up and fiddled around with the blade. This one was mostly gold, only having stripes of blue around the handle of it, and the crystal inside of the blade. He began to experimentally slash the air with it before he was satisfied with it.

"Right then," Professor jerked his head towards the inside of the lab. "Come with me, we need to get these things bonded to you."

It took a while, but eventually, everyone-other than Cody, KrakenKid and Tanith- was handed back their weapons, and felt a strong pull towards them. There, Professor took them all out to a remote place in Atlantis so they could practice without worrying about civilians.

There, they attempted to use their weapons.

Key word being attempted.

-----------------

Ace barely made it to Chester's house before he was going to fall over for two different reasons.

One was that all the moving around and sneaking past guards was starting to get his wounds to act up again. Hulk had done a number on him, and while it luckily didn't start bleeding again, it still burned into his side. The other however, was because of the two beings that followed him.

Clubs didn't last longer than minute before he started talking again. He didn't realize he as doing it but he mumbled to himself as they moved, commentating on everything and anything that could be of interest. It was also in his nature to talk to Diamond about his questions, so that lead Diamond to doing the same thing. All of their talking made him feel like someone was yelling in his ear and his mind pounded against head.

So even though they both stopped by the time he reached the door, he held his head with one hand, and weakly knocked on the door with the other. Chester opened it, and while he was smiling at first, it dropped when he noticed Ace's stance.

"I had a feeling..." He mumbled, letting him inside the empty house and had him sit down on the couch. Chester moved for the kitchen and came back holding a bottle of pink liquid. Some kind of potion. Ace noted as he handed it over.

"This was the best that I could get with my savings." Chester explained. "Health potions were too expensive and in high demand so here's a regeneration one. Kinda slow to work, but it's better than nothing."

Ace hesitantly popped the cap off and drank some of it, already feeling it tingle inside of him, but then paused about half way through when he noticed something else. Chester's wrist...

Without a second thought, Ace grabbed his arm to check on it but Chester yelped in pain, causing him to jump. While Clubs was clueless, Diamond watched carefully. "Those markings on his wrist... Someone was holding it." He determined, looking it over. "And if the rest of his arm is sensitive as well, there's something wrong with it."

Ace nodded in his direction and cleared his throat. "Chester, what's wrong with your arm?"

Chester paused before sighing. "I shouldn't lie to you." He mumbled, then pulled it up to reveal bruises, ones that startled Ace. Chester also directed him to other ones he hid, on his stomach and legs as well. Bruises that would've been hidden over his jeans and sweater otherwise.

Ace gaped, all words lost to him while Chester explained. "It's a long story but there's this kid who doesn't like me too much. For some reason, the best way to express that to me is by hitting me over and over until he feels good about himself. I ran into him when I was trying to by the regeneration potion."

Most of his words didn't quite reach Ace's ears. His mind became more one track. "They hurt you." He repeated again, staring at the bruises and handing over the regeneration potion, but Chester kept rejecting it.

"I'm fine." He insisted. "He's just an idiot and we have some history. Milo is just hotheaded and if anyone tries to stop him, he'll just make it worse."

Ace perked up, and though Chester couldn't see them, Clubs and Diamond did too. The three of them exchanged looks, and Chester noticed Ace's eye movements but said nothing. "Milo." Ace repeated.

Chester realized his mistake. "Ace." Ace made a sound that he heard him but was looking elsewhere. "Look at me." He commanded. Ace did as he was told, and got a stern look from Chester. "I don't want you interfering, I can deal with him on my own. Understand?"

Ace didn't do it right away, but gave a half nod eventually. "Say it. Outloud." Chester said again.

Ace seemed less willing, so Chester prompted him by finally accepting the other half of the potion and drinking it. Once he was finished, it worked just as he suspected. "I won't interfere." Ace mumbled, getting a puff of relief from Chester.

"Good." Chester let out a small laugh. "Besides, Milo isn't much of a threat to me anyways. He's always on the other side of the sector that I barely ever see him. I can handle this, Ace. You don't have to worry about me."

Ace nodded, sighing. "Alright, fine. What did you want me over for?"

As it turned out, Chester noticed from one of the other times they met up that Ace's writing skills were equivalent to that of a four year old, and did his best to improve it. However, Ace still struggled, and Club's yammering and Diamond trying to correct him didn't help the already pounding headache. The regeneration potion did kick in and ease the pain after a while.

But, even so, as Ace left, his mind was on other things.

"Wow!" Clubs snickered. "I have to say, I didn't know you had a friend, Spades."

Diamond gave him a look. "You really didn't take any of the memories when we manifested, did you? You don't remember Chester at all?"

Clubs shrugged. "No, not really. I just feel things. Like I remember all the fear and pain of yesterday and," Clubs glanced Ace up and down. "I have to say, I'm kinda surprised! Chester turned your big, black heart upside down, I didn't think anyone could do that."

Ace didn't respond to his words, instead deep in thought. Clubs could feel it, while Diamond was hearing exactly what he was thinking. "You're still thinking about that boy Chester told you about. The one who hurt him." Ace nodded slightly.

Clubs paused before smiling. "Why don't we teach him a lesson?"

Both Ace and Diamond whipped around to him, eyes wide. Diamond had a list of reasons why not to do that, but Ace cut in before he could even voice any of them. "Chester said not to!"

"Chester doesn't have to know." Clubs pointed out. "Just think about it! This Milo guy hurt Chester and apparently, has in the past too. If Chester could stop it, he would've by now, right? He's just trying to keep everyone out of his problems, but picture this! If we take care of him for him- roughing him up a bit then making sure he'll keep his mouth shut- then all of his problems will be solved. Chester doesn't have to worry anymore, and ergo, you'll feel better since you helped Chester. Everyone wins!" He threw his hands in the air, grinning like a maniac.

Ace opened his mouth to object, but closed it when he began to think about it. "That... Does make sense."

Diamond turned his gaze to Ace now, puzzled. "Make sense? Attacking someone will bring unwanted attention to us, and you said it yourself, Chester told us not to. We shouldn't interfere with his personal matters, it's not our business!"

Clubs came up from behind and put his arm around his shoulder. "D, I know what you're saying, but it became personal for us when this "Milo" guy laid a hand on Chester. I might not have the memories but Chester is important to us. We can't just stand by and let this happen." Clubs voice became more soothing, so much so that Diamond was surprised by it, then recognized the tone. He only ever used that tone when he wanted something.

Ace continued for him. "And I'll be careful. If we do this properly, nothing will come of it."

Diamond still remained skeptical. "I don't know about this, it doesn't seem like a good idea."

"But we need this, D!" Clubs insisted. "Look at everything Chester has done for us! He's helped us stabilize, given us company, actually trusted us when nobody else would, saved us from Hulk yesterday, and now he just spent his money on us! We need to do something in return! Help each other out! Now he's got a problem that we can fix, so let's fix it."

Diamond hesitated, looking between the pair before giving in. "Alright, but keep it under control." Both grinned before setting off, going from the usual route, to checking the edge of the sector.

As they moved, Diamond couldn't help but ask Clubs. "You were more pushy than usual." He noted, keeping his voice low. "What do you have to gain of this?"

Clubs didn't take his eyes off Ace as they moved. "Every time he feels something, I feel it too. Just like how you have all of his memories." He explained. "And when we were sneaking around, Ace got this rush, adrenaline! It felt so good, like someone sped up my thoughts and I felt so powerful, just from a small dose! Like, it's kinda addicting and I love the way it made me feel, and all I want now is to feel that again!"

The well dressed one picked it up quickly. "So him fighting someone is going to do that, and you saw an opportunity."

Clubs nodded. "Besides, Ace gets something out of it too, everyone wins!" He bounced on his feet and patted Diamond on the back. "Besides, what could go wrong?"

-----

"Steady your arm and concentrate. Do you feel that pull?"

"Pull? I guess so."

"Great, now feel that energy and just let it all out."

"...Nothing happened."

"You're not concentrating hard enough."

"Wha- Yes I am! Screw you, I'm doing everything I can to make this work- how do I know it's not your horrible teaching skills?"

"Because we already know you're a terrible student! You can't even get a spark! Now listen to me when I say that you're not- DON'T POINT THAT THING AT ME!"

"What? I thought I couldn't even manage a spark, according to you, why are you worried?"

"How does anyone manage to put up with you? I can't do this! Switching! Someone switch with me!"

Professor chuckled as he watched Cody and KrakenKid squabble during training. Cody was supposed to be helping out with the Gauntlet but it was going rather poorly so they weren't making much progress in getting KrakenKid to tap into it. Though he might've affected it before in his distress, he was having trouble getting anything when it wasn't.

The pair continued the argue while everyone else worked like they couldn't hear every word said. Professor knew of the Nexus energy, and was in the middle of helping both himself and Sam work it out. Tanith was with CannibalCrab, directing him, because even if she didn't have a connection to the Nexus, she did know a lot about magic. Meanwhile, Selena and Blooper were just messing around with theirs and would've been practicing already if Cody wasn't taking so long with KrakenKid.

"Listen to me for five seconds!" Cody yelled, his own eyes flashing blue but only for a moment.

KrakenKid gritted his own teeth. "I'm trying but you're not making sense! I'm feeling it, but releasing isn't working!" The fist of the Gauntlet curled, and though neither of them noticed it, the crystal began to glow. "Face it, you aren't a good teacher!"

The brown eyes narrowed. "Or you're not even a fraction as powerful as I am."

"Oh you are so cocky, Penguin! Shut up!" His arms shot out, and suddenly, a light came from the Gauntlet, and a large flame shot out. Even if it wasn't in anyone's direction, they still jumped when they saw it and gaped. KrakenKid and Cody both stared dumbfounded as the Gauntlet settled back down.

Cody was finally the first to speak. "He's got fire powers? Awww lucky!"

KrakenKid broke out into a grin, flexing his weapon and trying it again. This time, he did get a slight reaction and while it wasn't as big, his eyes still lit up that he could at least get a reaction. "Oh heck yeah! Screw you and your fancy lightning, I got fire!" He lightly blew the steam off of his Gauntlet and laughed.

Cody grumbled and marched over to Selena. "C'mon, we're gonna practice with you know." He sent a glare to KrakenKid, then when the kraken stuck out his tongue, a shock.

Professor sighed deeply. "At least someone got it to work... It's going to be a long day."

————

It was so perfect at first.

Ace knew who this 'Milo' kid was in an instant. He was pretty buff and taller than Chester, having short, jet black hair and dark green eyes. He wore a sporty jacket and pants.

Milo was leaving the sector and heading into unsettled lands, meaning Ace could get him alone. It was so easy to walk right up to him too.

"You Milo?"

Upon hearing his name, he turned around and scoffed. "So what if I am? What's it to you?" Milo answered.

Ace narrowed his eyes. Clubs and Diamond stood behind him and didn't say a word, only watching. "So you're the one who is hurting Chester." His voice turned to a growl.

Milo only rolled his eyes at this. "I told the twerp to keep his big mouth shut, but it looks like he tattled. Can't say I'm not surprised, Chester never was much of a fighter, 'course he'd stick one of his guard dogs on me. Thought it would be one of his siblings, not... Whoever you are."

Ace's eyes buzzed with electricity. Diamond noted and pipped up. "See if you can talk him down first."

As much as he didn't want to, Ace listened to Diamond. "Back off from him. Never hurt or bother him again."

Milo seemed unimpressed. "Listen, Chester's a jerk and needs to be taught a lesson. He never learned them in the past. I'm the only one keeping that monster in check."

Ace's fist clenched. "I guess we'll have to do this the hard way." He said. Milo's face didn't even become fazed until Ace let sparks fly right for him.

He stumbled back when he was hit hit didn't fall. Ace frowned. That attack would've been enough to send him flying normally, what changed? It took him a minute before he glanced to the pair behind him. Diamond avoided his gaze and Clubs smiled sheepishly.

Moving on, Ace began to rapidly attack him, shooting energy at him. Milo began to dodge some, but the more hits he took, the slower he became. Eventually, one hit sent him tumbling to the ground.

Clubs never felt so good in his life. All of that adrenaline rushed through his veins and he laughed happily as it did. Diamond wasn't too affected, but smiled at Clubs' reaction.

Neither were paying much attention to Ace.

Ace, who now was looking at this kid who was hurting Chester, and felt something snap inside of him. All he could think of was. He hurt him, he needs to pay. Repeating over and over again until it was just, Hurt Hurt Hurt Hurt Hurt Hurt.

Ace's eyes shifted as he fell into a deep hole. Hatred burned through his body, and he attacked with everything he had.

Milo took the first hit, gasping in pain, then managed to roll away from the second and tried to run. He was knocked down again.

Clubs couldn't tell what was going on, eyes closed, but Diamond's heart quickened. He noticed the fading whites of his eyes replacing with black, and the cracks starting to appear on his hands and eyes.

Diamond stepped forward, instinctively reaching out even though he couldn't touch him. "Ace, let's calm down here, we've done enough-"

Ace suddenly grabbed his arm and twisted it. Diamond let out a sharp cry and backed away as fast as he could. Ace's eyes were like the void, so empty and didn't even seem to see him for him, but rather just as an object. He turned away and continued his attack.

Diamond panted, feeling panic now. He grabbed Clubs' shoulders. "Hey! Clubs! Snap out of it!"

At the simple order, Clubs flickered his eyes open and stared at him. "Ace needs to stop before he gets out of control! He won't listen to me but he did to you before! Snap him out of it!"

Clubs nodded then rushed to Ace's side. "Spades! My good old buddy, pal! I need you to calm down for just a tick so we can think about this, mmkay? Can you do that for your main man, Clubs? I'd sure appreciate it!" He kept his voice soothing again.

But it had no effect this time. Ace suddenly grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and raised him in the air. "Does it look like I care a what you think?" The cracks of his eyes were ever growing, and his voice dropped two octaves, making it almost demonic.

Clubs, for the first time in a long time, shut his mouth in pure fear.

"I'm in control here," Ace went on, the blue parts of his eyes glowing. "I can do anything I want to you. I can snap your neck right now, or make you slowly die from the inside- you're all mine to control."

His dark eyes flicked to Diamond. "Or, I could be even more cruel. You were tortured when Diamond was killed before, but what if it happened right in front of you?" Ace used one hand to hold Clubs up and another shot towards Diamond.

Diamond jerked in place, suddenly very still, and when his fist clenched, he toppled over in pain, gasping for air and trembling. When he let go, Diamond was able to move, taking in as much as he could before closing his eyes and trying to calm his heart down.

Ace turned back to Clubs. "I have complete control of both of you. You wanted this, so I'm doing this. Be glad I'm not killing you where you stand."

Clubs was dropped to the ground and he scrambled away to Diamond's side. Ace turned all of his attention to Milo, eyes blazing with hatred.

He let out a long shock to Milo, and the boy screamed. Ace would've kept going if not for someone calling his name.

"Ace! Stop it!"

Ace paused. He knew that voice. He whipped back around to see Chester standing there. Even though he couldn't see them, he was standing right in front of Clubs and Diamond, almost looking like he was protecting them, though it was unintentional.

Chester stared up at him, his eyes flickering. "Ace, I told you I could handle this. You're going to far."

"I'm helping you!" He argued back. "This boy is a menace to you, and I'm going to take him out!"

Chester's eyes widened. "You're talking about killing someone, and Ace, I don't think you want that. Not really. Stand down."

"You don't know anything! You don't understand, nobody does! I-" Ace groaned and clutched his head. His eyes flicked back but only for a moment. "I have to do this." Ace said, lifting his head up. He turned back towards Milo. "This is for your own good."

Ace began to charge up energy, giving himself a few moments before lifting his hand to strike him down.

Then there was a sharp pain in the back of his head and all went black.

———

Chester dropped the piece of coral as Ace's body dropped as well. "Sorry." He murmured, knowing he couldn't hear. "You weren't listening and I couldn't let you stay like that."

Chester moved to his side and began to check for his heartbeat. He sighed in relief when he found it was still going strong. "Just knocked out, no damage." He told himself. "And they said learning human biology extensively as I did was a waste of my time."

Chester smirked to himself like it was an inside joke before he looked to the dark cracks. His hand ran over them, finding they were bumpy, almost like veins. "Hopefully that's not permanent..." He mumbled to himself.

"Wha- you! How-?"

Chester sighed deeply as he remembered he wasn't alone. He didn't even look at him. "You're alive. Looks like I don't have to bury a body." His voice dropped with sarcasm.

Milo bristled. "Yeah I'm alive, you psychopath! And no thanks to you sticking your guard dog on me!" He screeched back, wincing at his wounds starting to form.

Chester rolled his eyes. "He's not a guard dog, he can think for himself. And I didn't 'Sick him after you'. For the record, I just saved your life. You owe me now." It was only now that the purple eyes met the green ones.

Milo scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. "Oh, just perfect! I owe the PSYCHOPATH a favor!"

Chester arched his eyebrows. "You sure throw that word around a lot for someone who has no idea what it means." He commented.

Milo crossed his arms, refraining from wincing when his burns fared with pain. "Oh, let me guess, you do?"

"Of course." Chester smirked. "I pay attention in all of my courses. A psychopath doesn't have a moral compass. They don't have remorse for anything they've done."

"Well excuse me!" Milo strolled over to him, stopping right in front of Chester. Milo had a good foot above Chester. "They don't exactly teach us this in public schooling, and you're not very emotional."

Milo paused for a long while, glancing from Ace, to Chester and back again. "What favor do you want anyways? I'll need to know before I get mixed up with the likes of you."

"Oh, it's very simple. Your tiny little brain should understand." Milo glared but waited for him to say it. "Don't say a word about all this."

He went silent for a long time. "...What?"

Chester couldn't help but grin at the power he felt at that moment. "Like you always say: 'Snitches get stitches'. Go home, and don't tell anyone about my friend over here attacking you, and I'll make sure he'll leave you alone."

"Really?" Milo scoffed. "I thought he could think for himself." Chester's snarky demeanor dropped and was replaced with a glare. "And you didn't have much influence when he was trying to kill me a minute ago!"

"You made him angry because of your issues with me. Lay off and he will too." Chester directed him.

He let out a low growl. "Fine." Just as the purple eyed boy turned away, he added, "But this doesn't mean I've forgotten! I'll never forget what you did!"

Predicable. Chester clicked his tongue and turned back. "It's been three years and I've said I was sorry several times."

Milo's fists clenched, his green eyes blazed with wrath. "Sorry don't cut it!" He moved to Ace, then pointed to him. "Did you even tell him? What you did?"

Chester didn't answer, telling him everything he needed to know.

A laugh escaped the taller boy. "Oh, this is rich! You didn't, did you? Good old Two Face Chester lives up to his name yet again!" His smirk faded. "And of course I didn't forget. You messed with my little brother and you think you can get away with it?"

"Your Brother was fine." Chester interjected.

"Fine?" Milo only seemed to make himself bigger, looming over Chester. "Are you joking me? You manipulated him into getting close to a rock python nest, fully knowing how aggressive they are!"

"I was curious- we both were!" He cut in. "I just wanted to know if it was possible to break into a nest and steal an egg. I asked him to do it, he said yes with a little persuasion. He wouldn't have gotten hurt if he just stopped running when I told him to."

"He was being chased!"

"I had it under control!" Chester argued back. "It was fine, he just got bit. I got him to the hospital, they patched him up, and I apologized. End of story. It wasn't my fault he was easy to convince, nor that he stopped listening to me."

"Is that what you tell yourself so you can sleep at night?" Milo asked him. Chester didn't answer, looking away. Milo stifled a laugh. "So you do have a conscience. Would be nice if you showed it once in a while."

Chester shook his head. "Doesn't matter, point was, that was three years ago."

The green eyes darkened. "The incident with my brother was, but you know what I found out? That wasn't the first time, and it wasn't the last. You've been convincing kids your age to do your bidding since you were young. In fact, my brother wasn't even the worst case, you've gotten other kids in the hospital too- even got ones arm broken. You've been manipulating people since day one. Oddly enough, you didn't stop that long ago, did you?"

"Not important. The point is that I've changed." Chester added in, changing the subject.

Milo was unimpressed. "You've changed? You still seem like the arrogant, kid genius I met three years ago, so have you really?"

Chester clenched his jaw but kept his mouth shut. Milo's eyes trailed over to Ace. "You called him your friend, right? Are you manipulating him too? Just like everyone else? Is he another one if your projects that you use up then throw away when you get bored?"

The purple eyes burned with anger and hatred as Milo brushed him off and continued. "Is this who you have to resort to for friends? He's a freak, Chester, why do you-"

Milo didn't finish his sentence. By some invisible force, he was slammed against the nearest wall, which in this case was coral. It dig into his side, and just for a brief moment, Milo swore that Chester's eyes glowed.

Chester blinked in surprise but snapped out of it. He marched up and grabbed his collar of his shirt. Even being three years younger and a foot shorter, Chester's eyes were terrifying and his grip was deadly.

"DON'T YOU DARE CALL HIM THAT!" Chester screeched. He caught himself and swallowed down some of his anger, though even as he did, a growl was stuck in his voice. "It's bad enough he called himself an abomination, he doesn't need people like you calling him names!"

Milo's eyes were widened and he gasped softly as he went on. "I'm not using him! I care! I told you, I've changed!" Chester loosened his grip. "So here's how it's going to go down. You're going to shut your mouth, go home, and not say a word about him to anyone. Understood?"

Milo nodded, and Chester fully backed off. "Perfect. Glad we could come to an understanding."

Milo moved to leave, but stopped half way, turning back. "What if I said it was you?"

Chester rose an eyebrow, so he explained further. "My injuries. What if I told everyone that you're a monster? What then? You said to say nothing about him, but what about you?"

Chester ponder, but then smirked. "Go ahead. Tell them whatever you want. Just know they won't believe you."

"Oh yeah?" Milo challenged. "And why not? I'm a trustable kid!"

Chester hummed to himself. "Sure, But look at me. You think they'd believe an eleven year old, muscular and more active kid could be beat but by a," Chester raised his pitch, making him sound more childish. "Eight year old, little kid like me? Why, I just learn fast, that's all! How could I be responsible for something so meannn?" Chester mocked him, drawing out the words.

The eleven year old gaped at him. "You're- you're sick, Chester! I knew there was something wrong with you! Fine! Take your friend! You're both sick in the head, Perfect for each other!"

Chester rolled his eyes. "Heard this before, you're not very creative, huh, Milo? Just shut up and let me use that emergency phone of yours."

Milo grumbled but handed it over. "Two minutes, no more."

"I'll only need one." Chester told him, checking the time before dialing the number. He wished and hoped that they'd be home.

"Who is this? We don't want any drugs!"

"You tell 'em, Bro!"

"It's me." Chester told them. "Derek, Devin, I need a favor."

"Favor, eh? You know the payment, we get your dessert for four weeks! What heavy lifting do ya need?"

Chester glanced to Ace. "I need you to help me get something back to the house. I'm just outside of our district, near the library. Bring something with wheels."

"You got it, Bro! Be over in a moment!" They hung up, and Chester tossed the phone back to Milo, who left as soon as he could.

Then, Chester sat down next to Ace and sighed. "I'm getting you somewhere safe." He told him softly. "Maybe you can heal back at home."

*******************

Holy crap I didn't think it would be this long but here it is! Ace In The Hole! Editing is kinda bad sorry

Ace In The Hole refers to getting something that'll aid you and such, especially something secret. Both sides get this. Atlantean Weapons and Ace getting Diamond and Clubs' aid.

Speaking of, just in case I explained it badly, the rules to Diamond and Clubs in their form are:
—They can touch each other and move through objects but not Ace. Ace can touch them
—They used a lot of power so Ace isn't as strong
—So far, only Ace can see them
—Since They are a part of Ace, he has complete control over them.

Ace accidentally indulges in his dark side and becomes cruel for a moment. You'll see how well he deals with this in the next chapter, and also of how D&C are with this as well.

The Gauntlet has fire powers, more powers of the others will be explored in the next chapter.

Also Chester has some interesting secrets. Ace was asleep for hearing it, but he'll find out eventually...

Anyways, I hope y'all liked this chapter! Be sure to comment what you thought, I do love reading through comments, and goodbye!

—JustAnAtlantisWriter