Ted laid on the soft bed that was located directly across from Wesely's as the two rested their wounds. Before long his friends arrived giving both praise and scolding him for being reckless. Ted took it at face value. "So what now?" Wesely asked. Ted shrugged. "Now I take on the rest of the Court." Wesely looked at him oddly. "Why do you keep calling them the Court?" He asked.

"Don't bother. Even he doesn't know." Lilith said as she helped out with wrapping his wounds. Wesley agreed to leave it as it was and laid back down once Lilith was done. "So I guess this is a thing now. We have to fight the Council and take their place before moving back to the Demons." Jim said as he lit a cigarette. Ted sat up and grabbed his head. "I completely forgot about the Demons!" He said worried.

"Drake said he was calling them off for a bit." Jim informed. Ted looked at him with wide eyes. "You guys talked to Drake? HE'S MY ENEMY AND EVEN I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM!" He said depressed.

Olivia calmed him down a bit. "It's alright. You'll meet him when you kick his butt!" She encouraged. Ted nodded. Pip slapped the boy's back earning a hiss of pain. "It was a fight of grand proportions dear Ted! You to Wesley. You two be proud of the way you both fought so valiantly!" He said ignoring his friend's obvious cries of pain every time he slapped his back. Eve pulled Pip away. "It was definitely, different. It was also dangerous. You two should know better." She scolded.

Ted and Wesley rolled their eyes earning them both a smack on the back of their heads. "I mean it!" She yelled. "Yes ma'am!" They both agreed. Oscar sighed as he put his phone away. "Dad'll be gone all night again so if you want to stay here or at a hospital or something you can. I'm going to go home. I have a guest later." He said pervertily. Jose immediately called up a friend and asked to spend the night.

"Dude your brother just finish fighting a Council member. You're really kicking him out right now?" Lilith asked. Oscar just nodded with a thumbs up. "Not my fault he's an idoit who doesn't know when to pick fights."

Ted sighed and turned to Pip. "Can I chill at your dorm?" He asked. Pip shook his head. "I won't be here this weekend. I have to visit my grandma in the country." He informed. "Well I know Jim is out of the question already." Ted guessed. Jim nodded as he finished off the cigarette. "You can stay at my home."

Everyone turned to Olivia was was sitting on the bed kicking her legs. "Uh, your dad would be ok with that?" Eve asked. Even Ted found it hard to believe. Olivia just nodded. "He doesn't mind. I think he's actually starting to like you." She said happily. Ted gave it some thought. "I guess if you guys have the room I can stay." He said. Lilith shot daggers at Oscar. "Or you could just go to a hotel you asshole." Oscar just shrugged.

Soon enough everyone began to leave little by little saying their goodbyes and  congratulating Ted on his win. Finally it was just Wesely, Ted, and Olivia left. Wesley sat up and began to walk out. "You leaving?" Ted asked. He nodded. He turned to the smaller boy. "You did good today. Just know it will get a lot harder from here on out. I hope you're ready for that." He said. He gave a mock salute and left the room. It was just the two left now. Ted turned to Olivia who was still kicking her feet bored.

"Sorry about all of this. Seems we can hardly eat in peace huh?" He joked around. Olivia just hummed. Ted's mind ended up back to the kiss and his question earlier in the day. "Hey, about that thing on the roof...."

"Yes."

"Huh?"

Ted looked at the girl who was beaming. She threw her arms around his neck softly and hugged him. "I will be your Queen." She whispered. Ted couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face. He hugged her back and closed his eyes. "Definitely the highlight of this year." He mumbled. Olivia laughed before pulling away. The two looked at each other before leaning in again. They kissed like before but this time it was, different. It was deeper than the last. It was sweeter. They pulled away and smiled.

"I already feel better." Ted smirked.
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Ted sat on the fancy brown leather couch as the TV played some show he had never seen before. Mr. Scaleless had laid down some ground rules regarding his stay. Stay out of Olivia's room unless the door is open, don't touch his chemistry equipment around the house, don't wear your shoes on the carpet, and do not change the TV no matter what. Simple.

He had taken a shower earlier and changed into a fresh pair of pajamas that Jose had dropped off. Olivia was currently taking a shower leaving Ted alone downstairs. Mr. Scaleless would pass by every once and a while but he had seemed busy so Ted didn't want to interrupt him.

"Would you like tea Yelawolf?" Mr. Scaleless held up a tea kettle in the kitchen which was in view of the living room. "Sure." Ted stood up and walked into the kitchen where Mr. Scaleless set out a tea tray. He took a seat at the table as he and Mr. Scaleless drank in peaceful silence. "So, you're now dating my daughter?" He suddenly asked. Ted figured Olivia had texted him or something. "Yes sir." He answered. Mr. Scaleless slammed his hands on the table. "SO IT'S TRUE?! YOU'RE TAKING MY KITTEN AWAY FROM ME?!"

Ted had to tighten his grip on the cup so it would spill at the sudden outburst. "Uh, I wouldn't say that..."

"My lovely daughter in love with a scandal!"

"Hey!"

"You have to promise me something boy you hear?!" Ted rolled his eyes as he took a sip of tea. "Yeah yeah whatever." He answered. Mr. Scaeless looked him in the eyes. "Protect her."

"Huh?"

"Protect her. Please. That is my only request." Ted looked at the old man before nodding. "I will. I promise."

"Promise what?"

The two straightened up at Olivia's voice. Ted turned to come up with a lie but found himself unable to when he saw what she was wearing. A large black band tee that reached her mid thigh and what he was hoping was shorts. "Just manly things dear." Mr. Scaleless said. Olivia smiled at the answer and turned to Ted.

"I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
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Sebastian sat at him desk looking over the footage over and over. He had two screen with two different scenes. One of Fantasy Land and the other of the school just hours before. This boy was the subject he was watching repeatedly. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door.

"Come in."

A researcher by the name of Matthew walked in. Sebastian noticed the files in his hand and smiled. "I hope you come with news regarding out fighter?" Sebastian asked. Matthew nodded. He handed him the files and began.

"Theodore Vincent Yelawolf. Age 15. Student at West Wood Academy. Freshman. Also two time junior judo champion. His grades are remarkable earning straight A's across the board. He isn't a member of any club and doesn't participate in school events. Adopted child to one Ketter Yelawolf." Matthew reported.

Sebastian looked over his school file impressed. He then switched to the adoption records. "Ketter Yelawolf?" Sebastian asked. Matthew shook his head. "He left the company in 2006. Which is something to take note of." Sebastian was interested. "And why is that?"

"It was the same year David and Illana Mignola passed away. We have reason to believe that was the cause of his departure." Matthew explained. Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "And what does this have to do with our boy here?"

Matthew hesitated. "Because sir. Theodore's birth name is, Theodore Vincent Mignola."

Sebastian's eyes grew wide. "That means...my god."
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Ted laid in the guest bed staring at the ceiling. His entire right arm was wrapped in bandage but he didn't feel any pain thanks to Feel-good's medicine. He was pretty sure it was just crack at this point but whatever. It worked. Today was just a lot in one bundle. It still hasn't quite hit him that he was now a member of the Court or that he had a girlfriend or that the Demons aren't after him. For now at least. He even got Mr. Scaleless' approval. Kind of.

His hair was a mess and he had discarded his shirt since no one would be bugging him for the rest of the night. He suddenly found his mind drifting to his parents. They were merely blurs in most of his memories. He was 5 when they died after all. But, somehow someway, he can recall his mom's perfume and his dad's beard. He could also recall their clean white lab coats they would wear after coming home from work.

Something wet rolled down his cheek. A tear? Why was he crying? Ted sat up and wiped his eye. Why was he sad? He hardly knew them. He has a family now. One that loves and supports him. So why did he suddenly feel so alone? There was a knock on his door interrupting his thoughts.

"Ted? You awake?" It was Olivia. Ted picked up his shirt and slid it on before opening the door. Olivia stood there with slightly messy hair. 'So cute!' "What's up?" He asked. Olivia asked to come in which Ted allowed. He turned on the light and left the door open per the rules. Olivia took a seat on his bed and Ted joined her.

"I was just wondering if we..are you ok?" She suddenly asked. Ted wiped his eyes once again. "Yeah I'm fine. Just moved my arm wrong. What were you saying?" He brushed off. Olivia didn't seem completely convinced but she knew better than to push the subject. "Well, actually Oscar and Jose told us something today during the fight. About how you only feel alive when you're fighting someone. Also that you get depressed sometimes. I was wondering if you wanted to talk about it?" She asked.

'Damnit Oscar!'
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Oscar sneezed and looked around the room. "Someone talking shit?"
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Ted turned back to Olivia. "What's there to talk about really?" He asked. Olivia thought it over. "Why do you enjoy fighting so much?" She questioned. Ted gave it some thought. Why did he like to fight so much?

"I guess, it's because it's always a challenge. It's never the same and it always keeps me on my feet. It was like I was a Knight in a fairy tale. Fighting for honor and showing the world that I was brave. At least, that's what it was. I realized that fairy tales aren't real and that real life sucked. I fought so I could be strong enough to protect my friends and family. That flame you guys talk about is when I realize that I can get seriously hurt or even die. It's like an adrenaline boost. I let go and just, fight. I fight with everything I have." Ted said looking at his fist. Olivia placed a hand on his.

"That's not something a Knight would do Ted." Ted looked at her disheartened.

"It's what a King would."

Ted smiled as he realized that he wasn't a Knight anymore. No, he was going to be a King for his friends. Not just them. For everyone.

"You know, I don't just feel alive when I fight." Olivia looked at him with a smile. "I feel alive when I'm around all of you. Especially you. You all give me a reason to fight. A reason to move forward. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart."

Olivia simply gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "You're welcome, my lord."

Ted blushed at the name but laughed it off. "Sooooo what did you really come here for huh?" Ted said nudging her softly. It was now her turn to blush as she looked down at her feet. "R-right! I was going to ask you when we should tell everyone that we're, uh, dating." Ted blinked a few times before he suddenly remembered that no one knew about them yet. "Oh. How about we tell them on Monday?"

Olivia nodded with a hum and leaned on Ted's shoulder. He slid an arm around her and laid back against the head rest. The two sat there making idle chit chat before they both allowed sleep to over come them. Come morning Mr. Scaleless, who can't get up stairs, will call them for breakfast and the two will wake up in each other's embrace. They will get dressed in their respective rooms and join the teacher for French toast where they will talk and laugh. On the other side of town in the tallest building the world richest man will be preparing to meet with a former employee to talk about his adopted son.

Elsewhere a gang leader will be waiting for the entire Council to be taken down by the man who he hoped would be able to prove a challenge. In a place no one knows the location of the man pulling all the strings is sitting on his throne excited to see what happens next.

"I am quite excited Theodore...."

Mignola
Chapter 20