Okay serious apologies to all. I didn't think anyone was even reading this story. So it will be continued if reviewed.
How Cricket met Rex and the others in Hong Kong. Set before Rabble, may be made longer per reviews/ requests.
Disclaimer: I Own nothing! Generator Rex is property of Cartoon network.
Chapter 4: New Friends
Rex was fully of questions, bouncing in his seat. Only Tuck's constant glare made him wait until Cricket had finished eating. The moment she put the fork down and push the now empty plate away did he start.
"So how long have you been an EVO?" He asked gazing at her.
"Not even a week."
Rex and Tuck looked at each other. They understood there powers but she was defiantly a newbie.
"Any place to call home?" Tuck asked. Cricket shook her head. "My family…tossed me out when It…it happened. I tried going to the police for help but…"
"Oh bad move chica, never, ever go to the cops." Rex warned "They don't take kindly to our kind."
She nodded.
"So…wanna stay here?" Rex smiled like an idiot at her.
Cricket looked at him, her eyes wide and blinking. Had, had Rex just asked her to stay? She looked at Tuck who was defiantly smiling as well. She was sure of it. Rex took her quietness as hesitation.
"Come on, we have more than enough room, we can even make you a little section all for yourself. We have money and food and…we'll show you how to survive the streets…you'll have everything you need…promise." Tuck looked at his friend trying to lure Cricket into joining there little family. As Rex was smiling Tuck was vaguely reminded of those men that try to lure children into their cars with candy.
"Why?" She asked softly. "Why would you take me in?"
"Cuz were all EVOs, we need to stick together." This did not appear to be the answer she was looking for so quick Rex continued. "Besides that…we, Tuck and I, would like you to stay. We won't make you but…it's hard being alone." His eyes held a sudden sadness.
"Were you alone before?" Cricket slapped a hand over her mouth but it was too late the question was out of her mouth before she could stop it.
Rex looked at the floor. "That's the thing. I can't really remember. It's all missing before I met Tuck about a year ago. Everything but my name."
"Rex gets blackouts, memory loss." Tuck filled in. Cricket's soft eyes held a deep compassion. It must be terrible. Forgetting where you're from, if you have family.
"Yeah but since Tuck gave me my PDA, "Rex said fishing an electronic device out of his pocket. "I don't worry too much. I had a black out about 6 months ago but I had this with me so I could find my way home and Tuck helped me remember, well as much as I could."
Cricket nodded taking in the boy's words. Memory loss that was something she didn't think so could ever cope with. Rex's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"So…wanna stay?"
Cricket smiled her first real smile in days. "Yes!"
Rex and Tuck kept their word. In a few more weeks Cricket had learned the ins and outs of life on the streets. Rex and Tuck had come into possession of some wood and other supplies making Cricket a little area in the water tower just for herself. The slept mostly during the day and ran the streets at night. In time Cricket came to appreciate this freedom. They were a family now. As long as her boys were with her she was unafraid.
Something she proved the night Quarry's men grabbed Rex.
It was suppose to be a quick rob and run from a local ATM, but somehow the cops had gotten wind of the routine, there route. They way they travelled and moved. They were herded like animals into an area of Hong Kong they tried to avoid.
The docks…Quarry's territory.
"Rex. We shouldn't be here." Tuck whispered harshly from behind some wooden crates.
"I know… just…those cops turned us around." Rex looked about keeping as low as possible. "Give me a second, I'll…I'll think of something."
"Someone's coming." Cricket whispered fearful. Tuck wrapped his bandages around her waist and quickly pulled Cricket behind himself. Rex crouched shoulder to shoulder with Tuck. He glanced back at Cricket and whispered "Don't worry, we'll look after you."
The sound got closer and closer…then stopped. The trio collectively held their breath.
With the wild fierceness of an explosion the wooden crates splintered all around sending each being flying in a different direction. Cricket screamed as bits of flaming wood fell all around her. Smoke filled her eyes and made her cough. In the chaos she could hear the sounds of fighting. Rex and Tuck's voices mixed with grunting and screaming.
"Tuck I cured one! " She could hear Rex yelling. "Where's Cricket?"
"I thought she was with you?" Tuck shouted back.
"Cricket! Cricket can you hear me?" Rex shouted, coughing in the smoke as the flame grew higher and hotter.
"Here…cough cough…I'm here!...Cough." She called, a shape loomed out of the shadows at her. A shape much too large to be Rex or Tuck. The eye less EVO, stepped into view, it somehow leered at her as it licked its sharp teeth.
She put her hands up on instinct, trying to shield herself not only from this beast but from the smoke and fire threatening her very existence. She couldn't see and it burned to breathe. She couldn't hear Rex or Tuck anymore. Had they been lost to the fire? The EVO reached for her laughing.
"Get away from her!" Rex screamed as he leapt at the face of the creature. Unfortunately for Rex, he was prepared and turned grabbing Rex's arm, then the other pinning him between its massive hands. Slowly the EVO began to crush him.
"Ahh..run…run Cricket. Ahhh! Let go!" Rex struggled. Cricket began to cry, she couldn't move she couldn't do anything. Rex was going to die and it was all her fault. He mind screamed at her to run, save herself, but she could not bring her body to listen.
There was a sickening crack.
Rex let out a scream like no other.
Something inside Cricket snapped.
Arching, she flexed the muscles in her legs. She leapt right at the head of the beast holding Rex. And kicked him. The force of her attack tossed the creature far back. As it rolled away like a ball, it dropped Rex. Cricket was at his side in an instant.
"C-cricket?" Rex whispered his eyes drooping closed from the pain.
"Hold on." She put Rex's left arm over her shoulder and took up as much of his weight as she could. The fire was now closing in. She could vaguely make out Tuck's voice in the distance desperately calling for them. She tensed her legs again and jumped towards the sound of Tuck's voice. Through the fire and into the river.
Cricket could barely keep them above water. Her legs were not meant for swimming now. Just as she thought they both would go under, fabric wrapped around her and Rex pulling them to the shore.
As soon as Tuck released her she pulled away from Rex, letting Tuck examine him.
"Is he?" She asked.
"He'll live, but we need to get him home."
Cricket nodded and watched Tuck take the weight of the smaller boy onto himself. Rex for all the world looked like he was sleeping. On the slight facial grimaces when Tuck moved him to suddenly indicated his pain.
They trio had no way of knowing.
This was just the beginning of there troubles.
