A Thief's Treasure by Elena Miller

there and along with my pseudo-parents they fought hard.   I could see my own parents running down the side to a smaller house where they were planting cannons and getting ready to set off bombs.   I already could see them stunning the guards with their alchemy and I was so happy they were still alive.   I had to continue though; I know I shouldn’t be focusing on them too much when I had my own adversaries to deal with.   We started to walk upstairs and made it to the landing on the second floor where a trio of feral alchemists similar to our three was waiting.   I could tell them both had the similar bitchy look to them and even though I was afraid I rolled my eyes inadvertently.
     
    “Oh well look what the cat dragged in.   Man I haven’t seen that suit in over ten years, I still can’t believe people actually wear that shit” one of them barked.
     
    “Well at least we don’t dress like jailbait like how you guys do,” Amanda retorted.
     
    “Oh whatever girl.   You’re not even in our league, and you guys are just cockroaches compared to us,” another girl said snidely.
     
    “Well at least we don’t look like cockroaches unlike you guys,” Tara quipped.
     
    The other girls started to look at them angrily and immediately I could tell there was going to be a fight.   It might be a real or a catfight, but I definitely knew all the girls were pissed at this point.   The rest of us watched in awe as the girls started to go at it, throwing alchemy at one another like there was no tomorrow.   We stopped to watch the fight for a moment before Chris’ words barked into my ear.
     
    “They can handle themselves.   Let’s get the hell upstairs before they blow this place apart,” Chris yelled.   We followed him upstairs just as a beam of alchemy hit right where we were standing.   The pristine floors were starting to become ruined due to the battle and everywhere vases and other things were getting broken as they continued their onslaught.   We made it up the third floor where a couple was sitting there.   They both had dark skin as well and they both carried staffs.   Armando and Leila were already ready for a fight, and I could see the rage in Armando’s face becoming even more apparent.
     
    “Why if it isn’t Armando and Leila.   We had a lot of fun blowing up your palace by the way.   It was a lot of fun and I would love to do it again,” the other man stated.
     
    “Charlemagne…you monster,” Armando replied.
     
    “I’m the monster?   Well that’s definitely hypocritical considering you’re married to something that already looks like a monster,” the man stated.
     
    “That’s enough Charlemagne.   Your pitiful words shouldn’t even be wasted on these dogs.   They’re the Alchemic Council’s little bitch and you don’t even need to waste words on them.   Let’s just get rid of them and call it a day,” the woman stated.
     
    I could see the anger on Leila’s face and she was ready to fight.   “If that’s what you want Tyra , then that’s what you’ll get.   I would love to fight my sister for the title of strongest alchemist in the world,” Leila replied confidently.
     
    After a moment they both smiled and started to engage in battle.   They were less destructive then the girls downstairs, but I could tell they were both very strong.   I hoped they would survive as we continued up to the third floor where a calm family resided.   There was a girl similar to Lori but was wearing a cute little Lolita outfit instead of the gothic look that Lori loved to adorn.   They stared at Chris and Renee intently, as if they were a small animal and they were a couple of lions waiting for a meal.
     
    “Hello Chris.   Renee.   Lori.   It’s been a while,” the man stated.
     
    “Hello William.   I can’t believe you actually decided to take Karakan’s offer in school.   I thought you were better than that,” Chris replied.
     
    “Eh he had a great