A/N: Yes, I know it's been a long time since my last update, but life has been a real pain lately. So, to make up, this chapter is longer then the others. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: Don't own, so don't sue.
What Happened? Chapter 4: Max
Max watched through a pair of binoculars as a group of Asphalt Freaks entered the Fissure Infected Zone. Placing the binoculars down, Max frowned deeply and narrowed his eyes in thought before turning and sneaking back to the safe point in Townsville Park. He didn't like the fact that so many fusion monsters were entering the infected zone lately, or the fact that the fissure was becoming deeper faster then before. It was truly beginning to worry him. What was Fuse digging for so desperately, and how bad would it be for their side of the war? Entering the safe point, he was surprised to see Number One, aka Nigel, there alone. Before Max could ask where the Scotsman was, he heard yelling and explosions coming from the right of the safe point, the same direction he knew a group of Dire Raptors were in. Meeting Nigel's gaze, they both heaved long suffering sighs and silently agreed to leave the Scotsman to his fun.
Walking up to the table, next to Nigel, Max pulled out a map and studied the latest readings on the depth of the fissure. The frown that crossed Max's face drew a concerned look from Nigel.
"Is it bad, Max?"
"It's not good Nigel. That's the fifth reported group of Asphalt Freaks to enter the infected zone in the last three days, and this was the largest one yet. Whatever they're searching for, they have to be close to it." Sighing and running his hand through his hair, Max left the table and entered his RV. Nigel watched him go, a look of confusion on his face. The confusion only deepened when Max came out holding a strange device.
"What's that?"
"This, Nigel, is a seismic sensor. With it we should be able to see if there's anything under the area where the Asphalt Freaks are digging. The only problem is it has to be placed in the center of the infected zone. So I'll be back…"
"No," said Nigel, cutting Max off with a shake of his head. "I'll do it, I'm smaller and quicker. I can be in and out before the fusions notice that anything is going on. Besides, you'll need to be here when the readings start to come in." Holding out his hand, Number One waited until Max reluctantly placed the sensor into it.
"It has to go into the middle of the fissure. Be very careful, Nigel. I don't want to be the one to tell your team you became fusion food. If you get into any trouble, call at once. Understand?" Number One nodded, and placing the sensor into a backpack, he quickly left the safe point. The entire time, he could feel Max's concerned gaze following him.
An hour later, a very tired Number One reentered the safe point and was a little surprised to see both Max and the Scotsman leaning over a computer screen. As Number One approached the table, Max looked up and motioned him to join them.
"You need to see this, Nigel," said Max, as he turned the computer screen toward Number One. "This first image was taken five minutes after you finished setting up the device." On the screen, Number One could see the static image of a cave that was as long as the fissure and just as wide. In the middle of the image was a large dark blob easily half the size of the cave. "The next image was taken about forty minutes later." Number One's breath caught as he took in the new image. The dark blob had moved in the time between the two images, and he could now see that it was covered in what looked liked spikes and huge horns.
"Wha……what is that?!" stammered Number One, as he backed away from the screen.
"That, Nigel, is the ancient creature that Fuse is trying to awaken. It also big trouble for us because the fusions are closer to the creature then I like," said Max, as he continued to stare at the image.
"Aye lad, that beast is giving off great demonic energy. We can't be letting Fuse get his hand on it," chimed in the Scotsman, as he tried to make sense of the computer.
"Tell me what to do Max, and I'll see that it gets done."
"You're not doing anything more for the time being, Nigel. You're exhausted from your last trip, so just leave this one to the Scotsman and me. We're going to set some charges in the fissure and collapse it before the creature can be freed," explained Max, as he stood up and began to gather the supplies he needed. "We have to set them up at three different points, so don't worry if it takes a little while. Also, Ben will be coming by later. I know he's going to worry when he finds out where I've gone. So if you could keep him calm until I come back, I'd appreciate it. We'll contact you if anything goes wrong." Nodding his consent, Number One watched as Max and the Scotsman left the area. All the while he was silently wishing them luck.
"Hey, Number One!" Turning at the call, Number One smiled as Ben came up to him and shook his hand.
"How have you been, Ben? Any progress with the space port?"
"Fuse still has us grounded, but we're thinking up new plans to get back into the air. And I'm doing ok, but where's Grandpa Max? I thought I told him I was coming," said Ben, as he looked around the area.
"Max and the Scotsman have gone to the infected zone. We found out what Fuse has been digging for, and they went to set some charges to stop Fuse from getting to it. You shouldn't worry though: they haven't called with any problems, so I think things must be going alright."
"Number One! Number One, we have a problem, sir!" shouted a KND member as he ran up to them.
"What is it, Number 249?"
"A large group of Asphalt Freaks just entered the infected zone, and at least 10 of them were Asphalt Freak Fathers!"
"What?!" shouted Number One, as identical looks of horror and fear crossed both his and Ben's faces. Reaching down, Number One picked up his shattergun and took off after Ben, who was already running toward the fissure.
"249, get a group together and meet us at the warp pad! Hurry!" Number One ordered, as he caught up with Ben. When he did, he flipped his hand and a com cube appeared in it. "Max! Max, this is Number One, do you read me?"
"Nigel….." Anything else Max night have said was cut off by a large explosion.
"Grandpa! Hang on, we'll be there soon!" called Ben, with a note of desperation coloring his voice.
"No Ben! It's too dangerous, stay away!" A second closer explosion came over the com cube. "They got the second set of charges!" This caused both Ben and Number One to put on even more speed, both silently cursing the fact that the Omnitrix was not working at that moment. Turning the last corner and racing over the hill, they both suddenly stopped dead in their tracks at the sight before them. The warp pad was in pieces, smoke still rising from most of it.
"Grandpa, they destroyed the warp pad!"
"I know, Ben." Ben looked at the com cube with disbelief before running over to the shield surrounding the fissure.
"You have to find a way out! Please, Grandpa!" cried Ben, as he started to beat on the shield. A sudden earth rattle roar caused Ben to freeze in mid hit, before his eyes snapped to the cube Number One still held. On the screen they could see a large spiked claw burst from the ground, before withdrawing again.
"I can't do that, Ben, not now." Max's regret-filled voice sounded in the silence after the roar. "I have to stop Fuse from getting his hands on that creature. I'm going to take the lens off my null void gun. The raw power will cause an explosion great enough to destroy everything in the fissure, including that creature."
"No." said Ben, as he sank to his knees, his forehead resting against the shield. It was one word, but it was filled with so much despair and grief that it broke Number One's heart, and he had to look away. "Please, Grandpa, you're all Gwen and I have left. You can't leave us too. Please."
"I'm sorry Ben." Max's heart was breaking as he said those words. "Tell Gwen I'm very proud of both of you, and I love you very much." Number One's eyes snapped back to the screen just in time to see Max jump into the hole left by the creature. Then there was a blinding and deafening explosion.
Far away in the wilderness, Gwen sank to her knees in pain. She always kept tabs on her cousin and grandpa by feeling their mana. It was a great comfort to be able to feel it and know that they were safe and alive, but now one of those manas had just disappeared. She could no longer feel its comfort like she had all her life. As the plumber agents in the area came running up to see what had happened, Gwen threw her head back and cried out one word. That one word was so unexpected and filled with so much grief, heartbreak, and pain, that it stopped everyone in their tracks. A word that, even so far away, Ben was echoing with just as much pain.
"GRANDPA!"
A/N 2: Ok if you have seen the episodes 'Max out' and 'Voided' then you know what happened to Max. If not then you should watch them the next time they come on TV. I think Wilt is next on my list, so until then, review.