Identity Crisis

The Plan

Annie couldn't believe it. Was she really Lord Thrun or was she just related to her? The fact that she had no recollection of her past any longer was all she needed for her to know that she was Lord Thrun. But, if that was the case, how did she lose her memories? What exactly happened after she broke out of jail?

Annie - no - Lord Thrun felt like she needed to find her old crew. She figured they would know her best and would be willing to help her restore her memories. And maybe figure out how she lost them in the first place. The only problem is, she doesn't know where to find the crew and the only member she knows is Link, who seems close to her.

Suddenly, she got an idea. Annie figured the only way to lure out the town's hero, and maybe the crew, was to do something. She headed down into the basement once more and grabbed a box labeled Halloween Costumes. Surely one of those would help to disguise her? She grabbed the box and headed back upstairs to go through it. Sitting on the couch, Annie pulled out costume after costume until she found one that looked exactly like Lord Thrun's costume. Setting it aside, she grabbed one a little less obvious - she didn't want everyone knowing she was back and doing petty crimes again. Not when she could rule the world.

Deciding on a simple black leather outfit and a mask to cover her entire head, she set the box aside and grabbed her computer. If Annie was going to go through with this, a simple bank robbery would draw the attention of the hero, but she wanted to go bigger. Much bigger. With a little research, she found her target. It was a simple necklace with a red ruby inside. This was worth millions. She made the decision to strike later that night when the museum holding the necklace would be closed. All she had to worry about was the nightguard. 

Hours later, the moon was beginning to rise and the stars came out, lighting the earth below. Annie changed into her leather costume and grabbed a few necessities like a grappling hook for a quick escape, a laser, a hammer, lockpicks, a flashlight, and pepper spray. She also grabbed an old flip phone then left her house through the window. Annie made sure to stay in the shadows as she made her way to the museum. Once the building was in sight, Annie headed to the back and climbed to the roof. There, she dropped down into the room that held her target, her feet barely making a sound. She used a nearby ladder to climb up to the camera. Annie took a photo with her phone of the room and left it on the camera to prevent the security guard from realizing she was there. Smirking, she walked over to the jewel and pulled out her laser.

Annie gasped and looked around when she heard a tool hit the floor. With her heart pounding, she quickly got to work, glancing at her surroundings every couple minutes. When the laser finished it's job, she used the hammer to break the small area she had cut with the laser. 

"Who's there?!" a man's voice echoed through the room Annie was in and the halls surrounding it.

Eyes wide with fear of getting caught, Annie quickly grabbed the necklace, shoved it in her pocket, and used the grappling hook. She grabbed the bag at her feet as well as her phone and reeled herself up to the roof. The second Annie was out of sight, a bright light lit up the room. She heard someone gasp and quickly left the scene before she was caught.

Once safely back home, Annie emptied the duffel bag and shoved it under her queen sized bed. She changed out of the leather costume and into a comfortable pair of black basketball shorts and a sky blue t-shirt. Annie set the leather costume back in the box and took said box back to the basement. She headed back upstairs and sat on the couch as she grabbed the necklace off the coffee table. Annie examined it a little closer and decided to do some research. 

She found that the necklace once belonged to a Queen who ruled a large area of land. That area of land happened to include the city of Wellsprings. The Queen had been poisoned by her husband and he later died. Generations later, the Queen's great, great, great, great grandkids decided to give the necklace to the museum as a piece of Wellsprings' history. 

Annie, after deciding she wanted to watch the news on the museum theft, changed into a pair of black denim jeans and headed back into town with the necklace safely tucked in her purse. She headed straight for the nearest electronics store and bought a 62-inch flat screen TV. She headed back to her house and began setting up the new TV. When the clock struck eleven, Annie headed for bed.

The next morning, she headed to the kitchen and made an egg omelet for breakfast. She headed to the living room and turned the TV on, eager to hear what the news has to say about the theft.

"Last night, at approximately 9pm, the famous Red Ruby necklace had been stolen. As police search through security cameras, nothing seems out of the ordinary. At 8:58, a flash is seen in the camera and, what appears to be a phone, is placed over the lens. The thief could not be seen at all throughout the theft and, once the phone is removed at 9:01, the necklace is gone. Police have searched the crime scene over and over again looking for clues but always came up empty."  The reporter said.

"Whoever did this knows exactly what they're doing. This was well planned out. No witnesses, no video, no prints, whoever did this has done this before. Many times. This seems to be the perfect theft." The chief of police stated.

Annie grinned, suddenly feeling good about herself. For once, something has gone her way. As Annie thought about it, she realized more and more that she really is Lord Thrun the Destroyer.

"Where's the necklace?"

Annie gasped and stood up, eyes wide. A man dressed in a dark purple silk costume with a yellow mask and blond hair stood at her window. She recognized him but she knew she had to play it off. Annie wasn't ready to return yet. She needed her memories back before she could take back what's rightfully hers.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Annie said, backing up as Link approached her.

"The necklace you stole from the museum. Where is it?" Link repeated "I won't ask again."

"I didn't steal a necklace." Annie said as she backed into a wall.

"I know it was you. Don't lie to me. I saw you there dressed in the leather. I have to admit, that's a pretty well thought out plan you had for a rookie. I was almost caught because of a rookie mistake I made but you caused the perfect distraction which allowed me to get what I needed. However, I need that necklace. Lord Thrun will return, and when she does, we need to be ready. I need to be ready. That necklace holds the last key I need to create the weapon Lord Thrun had planned to build 4 years ago, before she was kidnapped by Ace." Link told Annie.

"Fine, you got me." Annie said "I stole the necklace, okay? But I need it. It's my only bargaining chip against Ace."

"What do you have against Ace? You're just a petty criminal." Link stated.

Annie couldn't help but flinch at his words. She felt hurt that one of her own would think of her as a petty criminal.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Annie said, now brave enough to stand up to the man in front of her "But, since you won't back off, I'll tell you. Ace took something from me. Something I can never get back. But, with the necklace, I can get some answers from him."

"And what if you don't get the answers you need?" Link asked, his deep soothing voice causing Annie to relax "Ace doesn't give up and he's not easy to crack. You saw the fight between us the other day, didn't you? That was my attempt to get back the leader of the battalion but it failed and I was nearly killed."

"If I don't get the answers I need, Nick, then I'll have to use the ruby within the necklace to get my memories back one way or another. Nothing and no one will stand in my way. Not even you and the battalion. So back off, Link, before I take a more violent approach." Annie said and the man laughed.

"You? You're going to kill me?" Link laughed "That's funny. You're weak and I'm one of the strongest members the battalion has. That's why I'm Lord Thrun's second. She knows I have her six no matter where she is."

"Leave, Nick. I'm serious." Annie said and suddenly the man's eyes turned dark.

"How do you know who I am?" he asked.