Youth Squad

Inspiration: Ready as I'll Ever Be and Good for You

With their parents and guardians gone to once again defend Azeroth from the invasions of the Void Lords, the now grown children were expected to stay back and defend their home from any would be attempts to destroy the base. There was only one problem. Izanamie, the woman who was meant to guide the young adults and teens was missing. Alex, being the oldest of those still able to stand and fight, took the mantle on himself. He was prideful and wanted to show that he was still worthy as both the next Lord for both the Gunrik House as well as the Hereford House. The situation was a struggle, Eldin, Izanamie's son, along with Mary, Alex's sister-in-law, both demanded they set out to find the missing woman, but Alex refused, saying they had no resource or experience in trying to track her, plus she was a well trained caster and can handle herself in a situation.

That is when the argument ensued as word came back from Peter that his radar had picked up void entities on their way.

"Any moment now, Your 'Highness', the void will be on us." Alex sneered at Eldin and Mary, "Believe me, I know. I've sunk pretty low, not searching for a missing woman. But whatever I've done to upset you, you've deserved."

"Alex-" Mary tried to intervene.

"Quiet." Alex ordered, looking down on the woman, "I'm the bad guy, that's fine. It's no fault of mine, and at last some justice will be served." He turned his head to gaze out the window towards the incoming void storm, he rose from his seat and moved to gather his armor and weapons, "Now it's time to stand up or it's time to stand down, and there's only one answer for me. And I'll stand up and fight 'cause I know that I'm right, and I'm ready." He heard Mary slam the door as she left, sighing, "Ready as I'll ever be."

Frustrated, Mary stormed out to address what troops and Youth Core remained to rouse them for battle, "Now it's time to rise up, or it's time to stand down, and the answer is easy to see. And I swear by the sword, if you're in, get on board. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!" Raised John's sword, causing the others to echo, "I'm ready!"

Mary murmured to herself, "Ready as I'll ever be."

Along the wall Peter and Cami stared and began preparing the defenses.

"Are you quite sure we can do this?" Peter asked quietly as he began preparing his arcane cannons.

"Together we will guarantee that lives come back." Camilia spoke calmly, despite the panic she felt flowing through her system.

"I'll make them hear me." Alex told himself as he got on his horse, preparing to lead the charge.

"I'll prove they can trust me." Mary spoke to herself as she readied her sword and shield.

"I'll save my home and family." Camilia glared at the void entities that began appearing, readying her staff.

The soldier's began chanting.
Now the line's in the sand, and our moment's at hand!

"And I'm ready." The young adults said.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Alex clashed with the entities.

The battle raged on, the side of the Youth Core able to hold the line, but one stray spell from a cultist of the void found its mark and struck Cami in the chest, causing her to fall from the wall. Heartbeats were all that Mary, Peter, and Alex could hear as they turned to their fallen Lady of the House. With divine fury, Mary led the charge to push back the void, Light rising from her very being. Peter let all defenses rain down on the enemy, while Alex turned and fled to check on his fallen wife. Phaeth and Kheldi were there first, quickly moving to stabilize the woman and get her moved to safer grounds. As the fight died down, arguments broke out as Alex lashed out at everyone around him for Cami's condition. Finally, enough was enough.

Mary decked Alex in the face while tears ran from her eyes, glaring down at her brother-in-law as she began to speak, "So you found a place where the grass is greener-" she gestures to her fallen sister, "And you jumped the fence to the other side. Is it good? Is she giving you a life we could never provide?"

Alex scowled at her as she walked closer to him, shoving him to the ground and planting a booted foot on his chest, "Well I hope you're proud of your big decision! My sister is injured and there are troops demoralized from the death of their friends! I hope it was all that you want and more! I hope you're free from the agonizing life you lived before!"

She kicked his side, "Having all the nobles eyes on you that you'd risk everyone! You bastard son of an abuser! And you say what you need to say! So that you get to walk away! It would kill you to have to stay trapped, When you've got something new. Well I'm sorry you had it rough, And I'm sorry I'm not enough. Thank Light they rescued you! So you got what you always wanted, So you got your dream come true. Good for you! Got a taste of a life so perfect, So you did what you had to do! Good for you!" She screamed at him as the tears flowed heavy before Peter escorted her out of the medical building.

Good for you! Her words echoed in his head as he began feeling the pain and guilt build in him. As he stood, Phaeth caught his attention. She gripped her clipboard with Cami's medical sheet.

Shadows cast over her face, tears brimming, as the young teen spoke, "Does it cross your mind to be slightly sorry? Do you even care that you might be wrong? Was it fun? Well I hope you had a blast while you dragged us along."

As Alex left with Phaeth holding the door for him, Peter went to grab him by his tunic and slam him into the wall, "And you say what you need to say! And you play who you need to play! And if somebody's in your way, Crush them and leave them behind!" Peter's nostrils flare as him and Phaeth continue, "Well I guess if I'm not of use. Go ahead, you can cut me loose! Go ahead now, I won't mind." At that, Phaeth shut the door behind them and Peter shoved off of Alex, the duo walking to Mary's side as they all left.

As they left, Mary paused to turn and throw more words at Alex, "I'll shut my mouth and I'll let you go. Is that good for you? Would that be good for you, 'Your Highness'?"

The trio spoke in unison, with mixtures of sadness and anger, "I'll just sit back while you run the show. Is that good for you? Would that be good for you?"

Their words cut into Alex. I'll shut my mouth and I'll let you go! Is that good for you? Would that ​be good for you! I'll just sit back while you run ​the show. Is that good for you? Would that be Good for you?

As they left, Alex slid down the wall and gripped his head as he cried to himself, "All I need is some time to think. But the boat is about to sink. Can't erase what I wrote in ink? Tell me how could I change the story? All the words that I can't take back.. Like a train coming off the track. 'Cause the rails and the bolts all crack. I've got to find a way to stop it! Stop it! Just let me out!"

So you got what you always wanted
So you got your dream come true
Good for you
Good for you, you, you
Got a taste of a life so perfect
Now you say that you're someone new
Good for you.
Good for you.
Good for you.
Good for you!

"So you got what you always wanted." Alex eyes shot open as he looked up at the image of Cami speaking to him, her image staring down at him with blood dripping from her mouth and pale eyes.