The Second Task }Emi

[ADRIAN XAVIER LARSON]

The Second Task was finally upon the champions. After the last incident with one of the champions, the minister thought about delaying the task longer, but he just wanted it all over with as soon as possible to prevent any further injuries. Adrian assumed that they all had figured out what to do with the golden egg so there was no need to explain further. Each of the champions was to bring their loved one up from the bottom of the black lake. Using their wand and spells to do so, any use of gillyweed was forbidden a student had almost died, after the mermaids attacked the student.

"Welcome to the second task, last night something was stolen from each of our champions, a treasure of sorts. These three treasures, one for each champion, now lie at the bottom of the black lake. In order to win, each champion needs to find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough, but they will only have one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that they will be on their own. You may begin at the sound of the canon" Adrian looked around as the students gathered around to watch the champions as they were to begin their task. Emi's treasure was Benjamin Gallagher.

[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

This task was really going to be interesting for Emi. The pressure of having to go find Benny was really starting to set in. What if something happened to him? Why did they have to choose him, couldn't it have been someone else they could have chosen? What if she didn't get down there in time would he drown? That was definitely setting into Emi's brain but those possibilities just wouldn't happen because she wouldn't let them happen. Taking a deep breath, Emi looked at the water and actually got a bit nervous about this whole thing. Hopefully the spell that she had in mind would last long enough that she could get Benny up and out of the water and both of them be safe. Hopefully...

Taking another deep breath, Emi crouched down so she could get in the water faster. Now just to wait for the go. Looking around she noticed Selena standing over in the corner smiling and giving her a thumbs up. Unfortunately Vero couldn't come out to see this event because she had to have her rest since she had been out for so long. But it was understandable, she was a vampire after all. Turning to face the water again, she head someone say get ready. Putting the spell on, she felt a bubble go around her nose and mouth then really concentrated on the water. Get set was the next thing she heard and she got into diving stance. Go was the next thing and she dove in quickly, swimming down into the deep abyss that was the lake.

Emi opened her eyes, the water making everything blurry around her but she could see enough to comprehend what each thing was at least. Looking around, she saw different formations that had definitely taken years to form and different little fishes swimming around. No time for a scenic swim, she had to find Benny. Swimming deeper into the water, it started to get a bit darker and colder. Benny couldn't be down this far could he? Little merpeople swam a far distance from her but it still spooked her a bit because she didn't know what their little water logged brains would come up with to do to her or her friend Izzy if she were to get too close. No matter, taking a breath, Emi started to swim around trying to keep her mind off of those little frightening things. Why would they scare her when a dragon didn't?

Coming around a rock formation, she noticed things floating in the water almost like they were completely dead. Swimming up to get a closer look, she noticed that it was only coral. Where would they put Benny at? Turning to her right, she went through a bed of sea weed, trying to keep her eyes open so she could see where she was going. Little sounds echoed around her and it was actually starting to creep her out a bit. That was until she came unto three floating objects that were obviously humans. Jackpot. Swimming over, she identified Benny and swam down to his feet to untie him. That's when her fears became reality.

Just getting him untied, she grabbed him and pushed off with her foot of the rock formation below them, and was grabbed by her foot by some creature. Writhing, she struggled to get from it's grasp, still holding onto Benny tightly so they wouldn't take him. Using her other foot, she kicked the merman in the face and got him off of her foot swimming frantically up towards the top. All she could think about was Benny's safety above her own. She had to get to the top and quickly. But as she started to swim faster and faster, she was grabbed by a couple of merpeople and dragged down, her bubble around her face popping from the struggle that she was putting up. Holding her breath, she let out a small yell trying her hardest to get away from their hold. In that struggle she had let go of Benny and was getting dragged under further very quickly.

There was only one thing she could do. Looking up seeing Benny floating still in the water, she pulled her wand out and focused her attention on the merpeople where she cast a spell to get them off of her for the duration that she could get back up to him. Her legs pumped frantically as she grabbed Benny and could see the merpeople coming back up to get her. Manic ran through her mind and she quickly swam closer to the surface, the merpeople seeming to have given up. Things around her were starting to go white and her lungs were starting to hurt horribly and she knew that she would have to hurry to get to the surface before she completely went unconscious. Just as she thought that it was over for her, she reached the top and came up gasping for air, holding onto Benny with one arm. Dragging him through the water, she got to the dock and got him up on dry land as she put her arms on the side of the dock to catch her breath before she pulled herself up on the dock.

Looking at Benny, she hadn't got him completely up on the dock, only on the edge, close enough that she could run a hand over his face, she breathing very heavy but a smile across her face. Getting enough strength to pull herself up a bit, she gave him a kiss on the cheek and pushed back the wet hair that was in his face. "I knew I wouldn't let anything happen to you." She said smiling and feeling the strength to pull herself back up on the dock.

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[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

THIS WAS PRE WROTE SO I'M POSTING IT UP FOR DUCKY AS BENNY! THANKS!

Benny had been taken to the lake earlier that morning by the minister and those involved with the tournament. He was given an explanation about how things were going to go down. He was slightly nervous about the idea of them only having an hour to find their most prized people. He also felt special to be Emi's. He truly loved her and it showed a little more every day. Knowing Benny, he didn't want to be dragged down by the extra weight of the robe, so he just asked if he could be in casual clothes.

Eventually they people were put under a charm that would keep them able to breath under the water, until they get out of the water. He was tied to a special anchored spot. and was unconscious for most of the time he was under the water.when he was untied he had regained some sense of where he was but his body wasn't able to move on its own yet.

upon hitting the water's surface he was able to open his eyes and get some air in his lungs again. Never had he been so glad to be breathing air again. His hair was flat against his face for a bit before it was moved. Benny smiled lovingly at his loving wife and said, "i knew you could do it." He kissed her back sweetly on her cheek. "you did well hun."

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[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

Emi's breathing started to slow down back to normal and she smiled at Benny when he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Danca liebe." She said as she put her arms on the dock. With a shove, she lifted herself out of the water and was going to turn herself around to sit on it, but was grabbed by the foot and tugged. Loosing her grip with one hand, she went down in the water still holding onto the dock trying to pull herself up. But as she started to pull more, she was completely dragged under the water by a couple of merpeople, with more swarming. Writhering, she tried to get out of their grasp but more started to grab her arms and torso. Panic wrought through her brain as she felt her body start to scream in alarm from lack of oxygen. It was surprising how fast it happened, but it was logical since she hadn't taken a breathe when going down. Struggling to get away she started to see white splotches all around her. The pressure around her was getting increasingly heavier and the water was getting colder as she got drug further and further down until she finally went unconscious.

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[BENNY GALLAGHER]

One moment Emi had been about to sit near him and the next she was being pulled down into the lake again. This freaked Poor Benny out. He didn't like the idea of his love being pulled under again. "OMG...EMI!" he had said in a frantic voice, trying to reach her but it being too late. She was too far down into the water. Benny was about to dive into the water to save her, but was pulled back by the guys. It took Jay,Jerad,Benji and Aaron to hold him back from jumping back into the water. He was struggling against their hold, sobbing and saying, "I want to save Emi... let me save my wife!" His voice was frantic. While Benny was freaking out, some of the professional divers dived into the lake to grab her. The guys finally let go of Benny. Benny was watching the water quite intently, praying that his best friend/wife would be ok. He glanced at Jay and said "i need some towels and blankets." He was thinking of drying her off when she came out and to keep her warm . So when the guys had pulled her out, Benny automatically pulled her close to him and tried to keep her warm and dry, not caring if he got wet himself again.

[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

"EMI!" Selena yelled from behind them all and ran over to the guys while they held Benny back. Tears were pouring down Selena's face as she worried about her friend drowning. Though she could have jumped in the water in place of Benny since the guys were distracted, she knew that it was more proficient for a diver to go after her and not risk more than one life this day. Taking deep breaths, she waited with everyone else for her friend to come back up to the surface.

When Emi was brought back up to the dock, she was unconscious and she wasn't breathing. They had saved her just in time that they could resuscitate her, but they couldn't waste time. If they didn't hurry she could not breathe ever again. Running over to Benny, Selena watched as he held her in his arms trying to keep her warm. Noticing the unconsciousness, she put a hand on Benny's shoulder. Like Selena always did, she had a calm soothing voice that could get anyone to do anything for her. "Benny, let me see if she is breathing." She said putting a hand just above Emi's mouth to notice that she wasn't. Putting a couple of fingers to Emi's neck, she noticed a faint pulse and started to panic a bit, but keeping a calm demeanor for Benny. "She's not breathing and there is a faint pulse. We have to do something quick or we will loose her." She said keeping her eyes on Benny. "Jamie! We need you over here!" She said raising her voice slightly for him to hear her.

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[BENNY GALLAGHER]

Benny had heard what Selena had said. He looked at Emi as Selena had been checking if Emi was breathing or not. His face paled when She had said that Emi wasn't breathing. As Selena was calling for Jay who was stuck in the crowd, Benny had a look of determination. He laid her down, and did what he remembered Jay teaching the guys a while back. You see... Jay had taught the guys simple things like CPR and other useful things for life and death situations. So Benny had decided not to waste a moment longer. He started giving her CPR because he refused to let Emi die on him.

Jay pushed through the crowd to get to Benny,Emi and Selena. He had been sucked into the crowd after he and the others had let go of Benny. When Jay got over there, He had found Benny trying his best to do CPR. Jay could see the worried look in the eyes of Benny and he knew if it was Selena who was there instead of Emi, he wouldn't be able to do it because he would of freaked too much. Jay took over on the CPR for Benny and he said to the others around them that they will need to take her to the Hospital wing soon.Even more so if she doesn't come around in a certain amount of time.

[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

Selena stayed by Benny, coaxing him through the cpr a bit even though he knew how to do it from Jay. "1...2...3...4...5..." she said counting for him because she knew that it had to be awfully distracting when it was your loved one you were trying to save. Keeping a hand on Emi's neck, she kept feeling the pulse get weaker and weaker as Emi was fading away. "Jamie! We're loosing her!" Selena yelled, hoping Jamie would get here very soon. "Keep going Benny. We'll get her. I promise." She said really hoping she could keep her promise. Taking a deep breath, finally Jamie got through the crowd and to the three of them. Stepping aside she let Jamie do what he had to do for Emi.

Emi's body lay motionless under Jamie's compressions. Very audibly her ribs cracked like they normally would for cpr to take place. Nothing was helping at the moment. Breaths weren't visibly and her heart rate was declining more and more. Selena bent down to take a pulse, just as Emi heaved up a whole bunch of water and involuntarily rolled on her side to let the water come out. Coughing tremendously, her body trembling out of the cold water that was clinging to her from her clothes, and from basically being rescued from the hands of death. Selena bent down and looked at Emi, running a hand over her face to let her know that they were there for her. "Fuck." Was all that Emi could get out as her eyes opened slightly to look at Selena and then roll back into her head, completely exhausted and weak, but conscious.

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[BENNY GALLAGHER]

Benny had focused on trying his best but he was freaking out. So he was glad when Jay took over because he was so worried that he wasn't doing any good. A tear streamed down Benny's cheek at what Selena had said. He couldn't prevent the tears from falling. He didn't want to lose the one who he loved. He tried blinking the tears away. He jumped when he heard the crack and then he bit his lip to prevent himself from screaming. But the one word from Emi, made his lips form a small smile. it meant that she was alive. He totally owed Jay and Selena in a way that Emi lived. Instantly, Benny swooped down and gave her a hug. He didn't care that she couldn't hug him back yet.

Jay had said, "Clear Out.... we need room to take her up to the Hospital Wing." Benji offered to help carry her considering that he was the strongest one of the guys due to his werewolf genes but Benny shook his head and said, "No. I will Carry her myself." He had a look on his face, which caused the guys to listen to him and gave him space. Benny silently prayed for strength as he picked her up and carried her, keeping her as close to him as he could. The other guys led the way, creating a walkway through the crowds.

[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

Soft groans came from Emi's lips as she felt the cold start to freeze her bones. It was torture being there helpless on the dock, but it wasn't like she was thinking about it too much because the normal thoughts that raced through Emi's head just weren't there at the moment. Feeling Benny's arms wrap around her in a warm embrace, she wanted to cling for dear life to that warmth, but if she tried to move she knew that would be a bad thing. Because of the CPR, she had broken ribs and she could feel them throbbing. Selena smiled at the sight of Emi being alive and then stood up, backing off so there could be more space. Her job was done and now it was someone else's to take care of Emi.

Emi heard Jay say something about the hospital wing but it wasn't completely registering. Opening her eyes half way, she looked up as Benny picked her up and carried her through the crowd. Tears were forming in her eyes, but she wouldn't let herself cry. There was no point in crying when she had her life saved. No reason for crying or complaining about her ribs hurting like hell from being picked up and carried. "Damn merpeople." she said looking up at Benny through half opened eyes and letting a faint smile appear over her lips. It was the best she could muster up before she fell unconscious again from being so weak and exhausted.

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[BENNY GALLAGHER]

Benny had heard what Emi had said and he could only think, three words and two are foul language.... she's back! then he chuckled softly and said in a mutter to her, "agreed, Damn them. damn them for hurting you. damn those merpeople.Damn them for thinking that they could keep us separated". He carried her without really caring that she was heavier than their wedding night due to the wet clothes.

Up the stairs they went, Benny himself, though quite exhausted, continued carrying her close. He kissed the top of her head and said, "Rest hun and i will be there when you awake." He soon made it to the Hospital Wing. Benny laid her on the bed closest to where he was while Jay talked to the nurse.

[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

Getting set down on the bed, she didn't want to go to sleep without Benny by her side to be completely honest. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, Selena walked in with some clean clothes that were sweats and a hoodie so Emi could get all warmed up again. Emi looked at Selena slightly with as much strength she could to turn her head, and smiled. "Danca." She said wanting to get the clothes on as fast as she could. A nurse came over to help Emi up and change her sitting there in bed. It wasn't something that she was embarrassed about. Being naked in front of people that she knew wouldn't bother her. Thankfully though for those that wouldn't care to see that didn't have to because they kept her undergarments on her. Surprisingly they hadn't gotten wet like the rest of her had.

Struggling into her clothes, the nurse helped her back down into bed and put a blanket over her. "Benny. Don't leave. Here." She said getting enough strength to move over so he could lay there with her. All she wanted to do was cuddle up to him, get warm, and fall asleep in his arms even if it was in the hospital wing. She didn't care, it gave her a sense of security.

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[BENNY GALLAGHER]

Benny smiled and were chatting with Jay while Emi was getting dressed. Typical them, it was in code and about the band. then after that was settled, Benny could be heard muttering a thanks to both Jay and Selena. He looked back over at Emi with a grin. He was just so happy that she was ok. He didn't know what he would do without her. He had heard what she had said and he responded with a loving sort of tone, "Don't worry. i won't leave." He took the hint and laid on the bed next to her. He pulled her into another hug. "love you" he said sweetly as he kissed her cheek.

[EMILINE ICELENE GALLAGHER]

Selena smiled at Emi and then left quietly to go onto her own business. She just had to make sure that Emi would be alright as a good friend should. Taking a deep breath, Emi felt Benny's arms wrap around her and she tried to move closer to him, letting her body mold into his to get optimal warmth. "I love you too Benny." She said smiling as he kissed her on her cheek. Snuggling up against him, her shivering went down as his body heat combined with the warm clothes that she had on warmed her completely up and her eyes fluttered shut. Thought they were closed like she were sleeping, she didn't want to fall asleep yet. Instead she wanted to lay in his arms and just feel the comfort of him there. One of her hands went around his waist and she put her head on his chest. "I told you I would save you." She said her eyes still closed with a small smile crossing her lips.

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[BENNY GALLAGHER]

Benny grinned at the fact that she had told him that she loved him too. He never tired of hearing that. "always." he muttered about how long he would love her. He felt very comfortable with her. It was funny though how she was meant to save him. "i knew you would. but i was very scared when you were pulled back down into that lake. I practically freaked. It took the other guys to hold on tight to me so i wouldn't jump in after you. And i tried to help with first keeping you warm and then with the CPR... but i was freaking out too much that Jay had to take over." he had told her in a hushed tone.