Arlo/Season 2 pt 2

**WARNING**: *Sections in italics indicate important plot points that are elaborated on in later arcs.*

## Plot

### Discord

Days later, Arlo was later summoned to the headmaster's office with Remi and Seraphina. When they arrived, Vaughn told them that John, who was also there, had something he wanted to share. Arlo and Remi weren't pleased that they had to interact with John. But this turned out to be important: John announced that he wished to step down as King. He shot a look towards Arlo, as though to dare him to ask for his title back. However, Arlo declined, since he was going to graduate in a few months. He felt it would be better to give somebody else a chance to lead students through the tides of change they were in. Remi thus suggested that they simply bestow it to the next in line: Blyke. Arlo agreed with her proposal, and since John did not protest either, the matter was swiftly settled.

After they left the office, Remi decided to get back to Safe House business. Seraphina asked John if he could go ahead so she could have a private conversation with Arlo. When the two of them were alone, he asked her if she thought it was wise to let John know they were discussing secret things after what happened the last time. Seraphina said that John would be fine with it, which Arlo seriously doubted. Seraphina told him to suck it up, because absolute privacy was a thing of the past, and the matter was need-to-know. She brought up the Safe House field trip to Rowden. Arlo was aware of it, and had opted not to participate, being a lone wolf and all. But Seraphina requested Arlo to accompany her out of necessity. The worried tone of her voice drove him to ask just how big a threat Spectre would pose for them. Seraphina answered that she couldn't handle it alone, and that Arlo was the only one well-equipped to defend the students in a worst-case scenario. Arlo begrudgingly agreed to come along as back-up. They exited the waiting area and found John standing paitiently just outside the door. Arlo traded dirty looks with him before going on his way.

Later on, Arlo found John standing in his path. Trying to just walk away proved to be as futile as it always did, for John insisted he stick around. Just as he expected, John asked him to reveal what he and Seraphina had been talking about privately. Arlo indignantly remarks that it was private for a reason, and would not betray Seraphina's confidence. John persistently asked that Arlo at least ease his concerns about Seraphina's recent behavior. Arlo suggested if John was so desperate for peace of mind, he should confront Seraphina personally and find out for himself. He resumed walking away, but didn't get far when some members of Safe House ran up to him in excitement. They pestered him for the reason he changed his mind about going on the field trip. He claimed that he just had time to kill. Since he couldn't explain what he was going to occupy his time with, Arlo was "treated" to a list of suggestions on all the fun things he could do in Rowden.

The next day, Arlo had another meeting with Seraphina. She told him that she suspected that Spectre assigned her to work in Rowden because Terrence told them that's where their next targets would be most vulnerable. Arlo asked, assuming she was correct, who they were after this time. Seraphina stated that after a brief search she found detailed files that listed the two of them, along with Remi and Blyke. Arlo was horrified. He wanted to know why they wanted to bring harm to Remi (and Blyke). Seraphina answered that the allure lay within strength. Arlo hoped she could provide concrete proof of their plans, but Seraphina reported that she couldn't do much investigating with such tight security. Seraphina unconvincingly said that Spectre might not even appear, driving Arlo to bring up their near-death experience in Lovun. She said it should still be nothing they couldn't handle together, but Arlo hadn't forgotten that she was compromised ability-wise. Seraphina outright refused to put a target on anybody's back by revealing Spectre's existence to them. Arlo called her out on her unwillingness to make a more calculated risk, but she wouldn't be swayed. Frustrated, he left to mull this impending disaster over.

As Arlo went down the stairs, his mind reeled over the fact that trouble once more found its way to Remi (and the red one). Suddenly, he realized somebody was calling out to him. It was John, to Alro's displeasure. He assumed he was after Seraphina again, and told him she was on the roof. But it turned out that John wanted to speak with Arlo himself. John said that getting answers out of Seraphina turned out to be a bust, but Arlo wasn't inclined to be helpful. His latest attempt to walk away was thwarted when John asked for information on Terrence. Arlo was shocked that John managed to learn of Terrence's penchant for turning invisible and stalking Seraphina. Arlo forcibly shushed John before he blurted out the link Terrence had with the Disabler strike squad. John pressed on, demanding to know just what was worth getting worked up over. Arlo warned him not to jeopardize everyone's safety with his loose lips. This tipped off John to the threat others saw in Terrence, but Arlo saw no merit in indulging John's curiosity. He tried to end the matter by saying that John shouldn't get involved. John reminded him it was too late to be saying that, given that he was involved in thwarting the attempted kidnapping of Seraphina at his own home. John said he could help, but Arlo threw his offer back in his face. He brought up the fact that John consistently proved that he could not be trusted to cooperate in any endeavor without blowing his top at the slightest provocation. John stoicly replied that it didn't change the fact that Arlo was obviously afraid that the situation might be too much for him to handle without aid. Arlo was not prepared to deal with the sound arguments of this new John. So he tried to drop the matter entirely firmly denying John the chance to pitch in.

This did not work at all, for John threatened to shout about Terrence and his role in Seraphina's ability loss until Arlo gave him something worthwhile. When John demanded to know how Seraphina's ability was restored, Arlo was forced to reply that it wasn't, and that John **absolutely** had to pipe down. As John reeled at this answer, Arlo grumbled that he'd ruin things for everybody. John ignored the barb and demanded to know more about the true condition of the Ace. Arlo was about to inform him when Seraphina appeared and ordered him to fall silent. She added that he had said enough. Arlo disagreed, but before he could elaborate on how she was getting in over her head, she froze him and his mouth with Time Manipulation. Seraphina used him as an example of how "fine" her ability was. John could do nothing but follow her to get lunch, taking one last moment to lock his eyes with Arlo's (the only part of him still capable of moving).

Some time later, Arlo arrived at Room 224 to take over Blyke's shift as Safe House overseer. When he entered, somebody bumped into him on their way out. Arlo noted that it was John. He asked Blyke what business the guy had there. He was impressed to learn that John had been trying to integrate into Safe House since the week started in order to pitch in on the field trip. Arlo double-checked to see if John done anything destructive during his time there, but there was nothing to report! Arlo was amazed that John would go so far as to set his pride aside just for the chance to prove himself useful.

Arlo attended the big vote that would determine whether John had earned a spot on the trip. The moment of truth soon fell upon Safe House, and democracy went into action. Despite John's best efforts, not many people raised their hands in approval. Arlo saw that Seraphina kept her arms folded, which made him recall her stubborness and John's eagerness to put himself in harm's way. With the danger that awaited them at Rowden at the forefront of his mind, Arlo decided that he was *that* desperate. He raised his hand in favor of letting John join in on the Rowden trip, much to the surprise of the remaining members. This prompted others to vote alongside him...but not enough to change the majority. John was not to be welcomed on the Rowden fun and games.

The day of departure arrived, and Arlo kept Elaine company as they waited for the bus be be loaded and boarded.

### Infiltration

Arlo was next seen with the group upon arriving at their destination resort. While the others were giddy at the posh surroundings, he carried himself with his usual air of seriousness. Due to abruptness of his choice to come, Arlo was to room with Isen and Blyke. He took the first shower. When he emerged from the bathroom, he was surprised and disgruntled to learn that John tagged along after all. They began to bicker loudly about the situation, with Arlo particularly miffed about how his vote was (accurately) interpreted as a cry for help. Blyke hushed them both on account of neighboring rooms trying to have a peaceful evening, but John and Arlo's mutual disdain over the thought of sharing a bed kept tensions going. Arlo couldn't help but sigh at the long night ahead of him.

Arlo and Blyke ended up sleeping on the same bed. The next morning, Blyke's alarm woke eveybody up. Arlo had himself a good wake-up stretch before having a staredown with John. When the two had the room to themselves, John again asked for the whole story, hoping to get some insight on a teleporter Arlo knew to be Kayden. After taking a moment to express disgust over John stalking Seraphina as a means of uncovering her activities, Arlo told John that Seraphina had been excluding him for his own good. John assured him that personal well-being was the last thing on his mind. Arlo witnessed John baring his soul about what Seraphina meant to him in the wake of their reconciliation, and how he'd go to any lengths to prove himself worthy of the effort she put into it. It was pretty awkward.

Realizing that Seraphina divulged nothing about these grave matters to her own best friend, Arlo reluctantly chose to grant John the information he was after, if only for Remi's sake. And so Spectre, its methods, and how Seraphina's situation nearly became a shared experience for Arlo was revealed. Being told that it was unbelievable that he would fight such people on someone else's behalf got Arlo to snap that he too cared about certain people (in a much more reserved manner). Now that John knew that there was little standing in the way of Spectre collecting the remaining Wellston Royals to serve them, Arlo said that all there was left to do was decide whether he would retreat before it's too late. Characteristically, John chose to fight.

And so they went to visit Seraphina. Their knocking was answered by Elaine, , who Arlo dismisssed with instructions to keep John's presence a secret. Seraphina was not pleased to learn that John knew all about the Spectre situation. She and John argued over this as a bored Arlo waited for some kind of resolution. Eventually, Seraphina resigned to accept John's willing help, allowing the trio to finally work out some battle plan. It was decided that John's presence had to be concealed, and that use his phone to keep in touch. Neither boy wanted to trade numbers, but communication with Seraphina's phone was just too risky. As for their roles, each had to watch over one of three important students while at Rowden Park. Arlo took the responsibility of guarding Remi. After settling on their strategy, Arlo and Seraphina went down to the entrance to meet up with the rest of the group, and led Remi into thinking John gave in and returned to Wellston.

After arriving at the amusement park, Arlo and Seraphina stuck close to the current Wellston Royals, keeping a sharp vigil. Some time later, Arlo recieved notification that John had arrived and was lost. Horribly mispelled notification. Arlo relayed that Blyke was with him in line for the park's Obelisk. He was dismayed to learn that John didn't know what an obelisk was and shortly told him to get a map. With that settled, Arlo told Seraphina that Blyke's bodyguard was on the way, allowing her to pursue Terrence.

Arlo waited for John to catch up with the group. And waited. And called, texted, and waited some more. But the space cadet may as well have been a ghost. Two hours of silence, and Arlo feared that the worst had happened. Finally, John saw fit to call back, and Arlo chewed him out before telling him to meet them at the carousel. And this time, NO DISTRACTIONS.

Shortly after, the group was debating their next course of action when Arlo got another garbled text. He hadn't even dechiphered it when the sender himself appeared behind him...wearing a ridiculous cap. He stepped out of earshot of the group, and asked John whatever happened to going incogntio. He was informed that Spectre got wise to their operation, and that the new plan was for everybody to stick together. Arlo had to, somehow, talk the others into permitting John to keep them company. But he didn't even get a chance to try, as Blyke's short fuse and grudge against John seemed to decisively kill off any chance of playing nice. Ignoring John's attempts to hash things out peacefully, Blyke stormed off. John went after him, but Arlo prevented Remi from doing the same. She warned him that the two needed someone watching them, but Arlo was confident that it would be best to let them resolve this. Remi promised to hold any explosive disasters over his head.

Arlo, Remi and Isen eventually settled on getting the two boys back. Before they were found, employees and other park-goers were rushing past them in droves. Remi asked a worker what was going on. They learned that the town's Royals were wreaking their usual havoc. Arlo asked why the park never called the Authorities on such miscreants. He was chaffed to hear that two of the Royals had familial connections within the organization that ensured they would never be punished.

The trio headed towards the trouble, and found that Blyke and John took it upon themselves to deal with the Rowden Royals. John was in another angry haze, attacking his clearly defeated opponents. Arlo erected a Barrier around him, which got his attention. When John powered down, Arlo did as well. It would have been the most peaceful conclusion to any of John's fights, had the Rowden king not attempted to take an incredibly idiotic final swing. Arlo threw up another Barrier for him to strike, and chastised him for not quitting while he was behind. As park security cleaned up, Remi stared daggers at Arlo. She asked whatever happened to the boys not causing trouble. He answered that he meant not causing it for *each other*. Blyke and John were taken away by security for questioning.

With one mess being cleaned up, Arlo had to help deal with another one. Safe House found out about John's presence in the park, and the ensuing votes demonstrated that the club's other members still feared what he might do to them. But Seraphina, intent on keeping him around for emergencies, kept dismissing the majority and holding a new vote. When the others confronted her on this breach of ethics, she responded that voting didn't matter in the first place if the lot of them were using the process to eschew one of the club's founding principles: that second chances for available to old antagonists who sought it. Arlo helped elaborate her point by out that John had done everything he could to prove he wasn't a threat since returning from suspension. Nobody in the group could claim otherwise, which Arlo saw fit to point out was a sign that they could benefit from showing an appreciation for all his efforts. And so, the two of them managed to swing things, with no one the wiser to their attampts to fend off Spectre. Most of the group reconvened at the resort for dinner.

That night, Arlo saw that Elaine texted him and John that Seraphina wanted a word in private. On the way to her room he saw John, apparently deep in thought. Arlo walked up behind him and inoffensively asked if he was going his way. John unexpectedly yelped and elbowed Arlo in the chest. It was a harmless attack, but Arlo wondered if his innocent greeting had somehow struck fear into the Shadow King. John insisted that he was only irate about being snuck up on before joining him. When they got to Seraphina, she told them about timeframe of her assignment. She believed that a morning mission lasting three hours would give her plenty of time to join up with the rest of the group in the city without suspicion. Arlo wanted to know about the exact nature of the mission so that they might help her. Seraphina only said she'd be able to handle anything that would come up, and promised to give them the details once she's pulled through. He and John needed to stay focused on protecting everybody else from any threats, especially the current King and Queen. Seraphina placed a hand on each boy's shoulder and thanked them both for helping her throughout this stressful time. It wouldn't be long until this headache was behind them.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 236
2. ↑ Chapter 237
3. ↑ Chapter 241
4. ↑ Chapter 242
5. ↑ Chapter 244
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chapter 245
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chapter 246
8. ↑ Chapter 247
9. ↑ Chapter 248
10. ↑ Chapter 249
11. ↑ Chapter 251
12. ↑ Chapter 252
13. ↑ Chapter 254
14. ↑ Chapter 255
15. ↑ Chapter 256
16. ↑ Chapter 257
17. ↑ Chapter 258
18. ↑ Chapter 260
19. ↑ Chapter 261
20. ↑ Chapter 262
21. ↑ Chapter 264
22. ↑ Chapter 265
23. ↑ Chapter 277
24. ↑ Chapter 278
25. ↑ Chapter 279
26. ↑ Chapter 281
27. ↑ Chapter 282
28. ↑ Chapter 284
29. ↑ Chapter 294
30. ↑ Chapter 295
31. ↑ Chapter 296
32. ↑ Chapter 297
33. ↑ Chapter 298
34. ↑ Chapter 299
35. ↑ Chapter 300
36. ↑ Chapter 305
37. ↑ Chapter 306
38. ↑ Chapter 308
39. ↑ Chapter 311
40. ↑ Chapter 312
41. ↑ Chapter 313
42. ↑ Chapter 314
43. ↑ Chapter 315
44. ↑ Chapter 316
45. ↑ Chapter 317
46. ↑ Chapter 320
47. ↑ Chapter 321
48. ↑ Chapter 323
49. ↑ Chapter 324
50. ↑ Chapter 325
51. ↑ Chapter 326