Chapter 9- The Vault

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V E R A

"Where did they go?" Kaia inquired.

Maddox gave a frown as a doctor bandaged up his leg,"He wanted me to give him another artifact, the thing that the Ovoid once powered. A scepter. I'm guessing he's trying to find it." Maddox took a pair of crutches handed to him, giving the doctor a tetchy side-eye as he left the room.

"Great. Another legendary object" Jupiter started,"What can it do?"

Maddox frowned,"I have no idea, but it probably isn't good."

Wren's eyes suddenly widened,"I remember where I saw the Black Knight before! Callum, I saw him in your memories."

Callum's face hardened,"Mordred. I should've known." His eyes widened after a moment,"The scepter...the Black Knight didn't call it the Scepter of Arawn, did he?"

Maddox nodded, slightly surprised,"That's what he called it. Do you know where it is?"

Callum shook his head,"No, but I think I know what it is. My mother used to tell me a bedtime story about these two kingdoms that were at war for centuries. After one of the bloodiest battles, one of the rulers, King Arawn, had his magician transform the bodies of every fallen soldier into monsters with the darkest magic he could cast. His spell brought to life an army of evil creatures that felt no emotion. No remorse. They became known as the Fomorians, and along with being heartless, they were unstoppable. The Magician then crafted King Arawn a scepter that controlled them..."

Ezra made a face,"T-This was a bedtime story?"

"How does the Ovoid power the Scepter?" Vera inquired.

"Well," Callum explained,"In the next battle, King Arawn unleashed the Fomorians...the massacre that followed consumed him in guilt. The kingdoms forged a truce, and King Arawn banished the army of monsters into an otherworldly prison. To ensure no one commanded the Fomorians ever again, the scepter was split into, one part protected by each kingdom. If I'm guessing, the Egg was its jewel. He's looking for the actual scepter to complete it."

Jupiter lifted a brow,"...To unleash an unstoppable army of monsters. Great."

Agent Novak rushed into sick bay, holding a translucent tablet flashing with holographic data. She gave a grave expression,"We've located the Black Knight and Fletcher. They're nearing Wyoming."

Maddox's face switched from its usual grumpiness to a lethal seriousness,"He's using the Ovoid to find the scepter. Of course he found it there."

"What's in Wyoming?" Kaia asked.

Maddox looked to the Sentinels,"Vault 51, Aegis's storehouse for magical objects." He turned to an agent guarding the entrance,"Tell the Bridge to alert Elliot Zimmerman immediately. There is an imminent threat to Vault 51."

The guard gave a nod, rushing away.

Agent Novak clicked a few times on her tablet before sighing,"The central jet and many pulsejets are damaged. The Zephyr 13 itself is severely vitiated. We don't have anything fast enough to get there in time."

Ezra grinned,"I may not have a fancy-schmancy supersonic jet, but I have been working on a project."

* * *

"So, is Vault 51 connected to Area 51?" Jupiter asked Agent Novak.

She gave an aloof expression,"That's classified, Jones."

Jupiter looked to Ezra, who gave him a thumbs up from behind Agent Novak's back. Jupiter smirked.

Vera grinned, walking beside Callum as Ezra walked the group to the spare hangar where he had been working on his 'project'.

"I haven't seen you use your magic in a long time" Vera replied.

Callum shrugged,"I never really have felt the need to use it. That sword had me thinking terrible thoughts, made me use it against Jupiter."

"How do you have magic?" Wren inquired,"It was incredibly powerful. I've never seen someone with light magic before."

Callum gave a weary smile,"Merlin once told me my magic comes from me having a pure heart. I don't know, I know what magic can do to people. I guess I'm just afraid my powers could do more harm than good."

Wren wiggled her fingers, and shimmering auroras danced around them, a miniature Northern Lights.

She smiled,"Magic is what its wielder makes it. It can be dark and destructive, or it can beautiful and enchanting. It's all up to you. I could teach you how to control it."

Vera gave Callum a proud smirk from the corner of his eyes,"Yeah, Soldier Boy. Wren can give you some lessons."

The group came to the door to the unused hangar, and Ezra opened the door after typing in an overly complicated password. They walked onto a balcony to see an unusual aircraft.

The project was a large airship, a ship that appeared to be a steampunk combination of a Viking ship, a pirate ship, a Greek trireme, and a spaceship. With a single, large sail and jet wings, the ship was armed with Tesla-coil-cannons and large crossbows. The figurehead was a dragon with a likeness to Ezra, and appeared to be able to breath fire like him as well.

"This is the Wyvern," Ezra smiled proudly,"Isn't she sick?"

Kaia punched him in the arm excitedly,"Dude, that thing is freaking awesome. What does it run on?"

Ezra smirked proudly,"A smaller version of the Zephyr 13's perpetual motion reactor. It also is powered by zero-point energy generated by Aetherium."

Maddox cracked a grin, ignoring the pain shooting through his leg,"Impressive, Ezra."

The group descended the stairs down to the ship, and Maddox looked to Agent Novak,"They're ready."

Agent Novak gave a nod,"I know." The tablet showed multiple system failures, and she frowned,"While the Sentinels go to Vault 51, I'm directing the ship to Headquarters. We need some repairs."

The Sentinels boarded the Wyvern, and Callum nudged Ezra in the arm,"I'm glad to see this thing off a blueprint."

Ezra nodded,"Me too." He stepped behind the ship's wheel, and clicked a few buttons. Twin propulsors unfolded from under the wings, and the ship lifted into the air.

Agent Novak clicked on her tablet, and the hangar door opened up, the cold night air rushing in.

"Good luck," Maddox called.

Callum waved, and Ezra gave a relieved sigh,"Whew, I'm glad the reactor didn't blow up this time." Before any of the group could say anything, Ezra pulled a lever, and the ship blasted out into the sky.

The Wyvern soared into the clouds, the propulsion devices swiftly propelled the ship.

Ezra turned the ship on autopilot with Vault 51 locked in as its destination, and he climbed down to the others. The group looked around to each other awkwardly before Vera frowned,"The sword had you guys controlled, still has Fletcher under its spell. Don't feel guilty."

Ezra sat down on a step,"How can I not? I became the monster I've always been afraid of. I demolished the ship, endangering all of your lives, not including the hundred or so agents also on board."

Jupiter frowned,"I almost blasted Callum overboard."

Kaia crossed her arms,"I tried to hurt, or do worse to all of you."

Callum sighed,"That sword brought out the worst in all of us, and used it to turn us against each other. It wasn't us. But I am sorry, Jupiter. I could have seriously hurt you, and I don't think words can explain how guilty I feel."

Jupiter gave a laugh,"You do remember me trying to fry you with lightning, right? But I'm sorry too. I guess all the stress to be a legendary demigod has been getting to me. The sword had no problem getting in my head."

Vera turned to Wren,"If it wasn't for Wren, we'd still be fighting it out."

Wren smiled,"Thanks, V." Vera playfully bumped her in the shoulder with her own.

Callum grinned,"We are still friends, still a family. Now let's get Fletcher back."

* * *

The Wyvern descended from the clouds, and Vera found a great expanse of wilderness under them. They neared a range of mountains.

Ezra pointed at a nearby mountain. Coming into view, Vera noticed a massive hangar-like building protruding from its base. It appeared to be made of metal, and large steel support beams lined the sides of the structure. A sliding hangar-door was built into its front.

Jupiter lifted a brow,"That thing is gigantic. How did Aegis built that?"

Ezra shrugged,"I hacked into a few classified files on the Vault. Apparently it just kinda appeared in 1914 after WWI started."

Vera wondered what kind of building the Vault really was, but shrugged. Its mystery had to wait for another time.

A sudden comet of dark energy shot toward to the left side the ship. Ezra jerked the wheel as hard he could, the ship lurching to the right just in time to evade the blast. Vera grabbed onto a railing, managing to keep her footing.

"We got company," Kaia informed, pointing at the Black Knight and Fletcher running toward the Vault.

Jupiter smirked at Callum,"Trust me, Camelot?"

Callum gave a sincere smile,"Of course, Jupiter. You got a plan?"

Jupiter nodded,"Always."

Fletcher released a furious wave of arrows, and Vera's eyes widened as one implanted itself into the wall beside her head. She grabbed Wren, pulling her to the floor as two arrows flew toward her. Vera pushed Kaia to the side with a swift jab of her foot, an arrow blurring by Kaia's head before lodging itself in the wood.

Ezra hit a button on his blinking control panel beside the wheel, and the ship phased out of sight like a mirage. He jumped up,"That should stop Archer McSniper for a second or two."

An arrow whizzed through the air, and grazed the side of Ezra's head. He fell to the ground with a yelp, looking to the girls. "I stand corrected." He frowned.

Jupiter scooped his arms under Callum's, and flew off. The boys hurled through the air, and Callum deflected a few arrows shot by Fletcher with his shield. The Black Knight pointed his sword at the boys, and a powerful shockwave of dark energy surged towards them.

"Hold on!" Jupiter exclaimed, taking a sharp nosedive to avoid the blast. Callum hurled his shield at Fletcher, and it struck him in the chest, throwing him off his feet. The shield then magicked itself back into the air, flying back into Callum's grasp.

Callum pointed at the Black Knight, who was opening the sliding doors of the Vault. "Throw me, I'll take care of Mordred" Callum told Jupiter.

Jupiter smiled,"Can do." He dipped into his demigod powers, channeling his advanced strength into his arms. He launched the White Knight, and Callum maneuvered through the air before landing on his feet. He charged through the doors, Excalibur glinting in the industrial lamps lighting Vault 51.

Ezra landed the Wyvern, the ship's propulsion technology humming as it kicked up swirling clouds of dust.

Wren looked to Fletcher, who was chasing after Jupiter as he entered the giant building,"I'll get Fletcher back on our side."

The Sentinels sprinted toward the Vault, and Wren controlled the wind, flying into the air.

Inside the Vault, Callum found he was in an immense system of shelves, an enormous labyrinth of inventory. Many cargo crates were placed on the shelves, each labeled V51 and an inventory number. He could only imagine what objects were locked away inside them.

Callum spotted the Black Knight, and he held out the Cosmic Egg, sending a bolt of energy at him. Callum shielded himself from the bolt with his shield, and the bolt shot into the roof, causing an intense explosion. Sparks began to shower from the overhead lamps, and a shrill alarm began to sound.

The Black Knight darted down an aisle, the Egg's glow operating like a detector for the scepter.

Jupiter flew overhead, and he shot a lightning bolt at the Knight. With a flick of Bane, the lightning froze in the air. An arrow flashed passed Jupiter, and he turned to find Fletcher locking onto him.

"Fletch, snap out of it!" Jupiter shouted, barely dodging another arrow. Fletcher's fiery eyes gave an emotionless glint, and he shot again. Callum threw his shield in front of Jupiter, and he caught it, just in time to intercept the arrow.

Wren flew into the Vault, the others not far behind on foot. Wren held a hand out at the immobilized lightning bolt, and it struck the ground in front of the Black Knight, creating a wall of flames.

An arrow from Fletcher flew toward Wren, and she threw a hand out, causing a vortex of wind to redirect the arrow at the Black Knight.

Vera darted through the doors and tumbled to the ground, tripping Fletcher with a sweep of her leg. She swiftly jumped back to her feet, running into the shelves to pursue the Black Knight.

Ezra focused, and from his back unfurled his draconic wings. Relatively smaller than in his full dragon form, his wings still easily carried him into the air. He grabbed Kaia, and smiled,"Going up?"

Kaia held her hands out, and water from a container to her side spiraled around her. She began to throw waves of icicles at the Black Knight, which he began to shatter with slices of his sword.

The Black Knight turned on Callum, and the Cosmic Egg began to hum with power. Callum stood his ground, the energy electrifying the air around them.

Callum's shield suddenly struck the Black Knight in the side of the head, and Jupiter flew down, handing it to him. "Thanks for the save," Callum grinned.

Jupiter cracked a smile,"Right back at you, Camelot."

The Black Knight disappeared in an inky plume of darkness, and rematerialized a few aisles over. Ezra lowered in the air, and Kaia dropped to the ground. She threw a surge of water at the Black Knight, the water swirling through the air in a reverse whirlpool. The Knight vaporized the water with his sword, and sent a beam of black energy into a nearby shelf, exploding multiple wooden crates.

"Grab Pandora's Box!" A voice yelled.

Ezra caught an ancient jar from falling,"T-The what?"

He turned to see a man. With the crazed hair of a mad-scientist, glasses propped on his head, and a badge on his shirt, Ezra recognized him as the supervising agent of Vault 51, Elliot Zimmerman.

Elliot took the jar from Ezra,"That was close. Now, get that maniac out of my vault!"

Ezra gave a nod, and he jumped back into the air.

Wren followed close to Fletcher in the air, her hands aglow with vapory mist. Fletcher turned to release an arrow at Wren, but she held out her hands, causing smoky energy to swirl around his head. Wren tried to perfect her bending of the Veil, and she bent Fletcher's mind to see his actions. She enshrouded the sword's control on him with the Veil, and his eyes flickered back to steel gray.

Fletcher shook his head in confusion,"Wren? How did you do-," Wren smiled,"Tell you later. The Black Knight..."

Fletcher glowered,"Is so going down."

Vera, who was jumping from shelf to shelf as she dashed across them, pounced on the Black Knight. She brought her elbows down hard on his helm, and he tried to grab her. She sent a punch into his throat, and dropkicked him in the chest as she flipped backward. From her armored gloves she shot him with two electrical dart-like electrodes, which sent the Black Knight writhing in pain. Vera brought her foot up in a kick to the Knight's face with enough force to knock his helm off, sending him to the floor.

The Black Knight vanished again, and he reappeared in an isolated aisle. The Cosmic Egg shimmered brightly as he stood in front of an object, a black staff made of twisting metal that appeared as intertwining roots. The staff ended in a hollow socket. A small electronic monitor beside the object flashed SCEPTER OF ARAWN.

Elliot guided the Sentinels through the shelves, taking out a ray gun.

"What does that thing do?" Wren asked.

Elliot smiled,"This is an impetus. It shoots an electrical blast that renders any it hits unconscious. Standard weapon of Vault 51 agents."

They came to the area Elliot had said the Scepter was located, and he gasped when he found the scepter missing from its shelf.

"Looking for this?" The Black Knight inquired.

The group found the Knight standing above them on the top of a shelf, the fully-reconstructed Scepter of Arawn glowing in one hand, his evil sword in the other. The Cosmic Egg glimmered from inside the scepter.

Callum stood frozen in shock, seeing the Black Knight's face for the first time. Baffled, he looked to him,"Benny?"

Elliot fired his ray gun, the electrical blast crackling toward the Black Knight.

The Black Knight held the Scepter out, and it gleamed with light. The electrical blast redirected and divided into multiple bolts, striking the entire group. The Sentinels and Elliot fell to the floor, unconscious.

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