Blood For Blood, Babe
By: Aubrie1234
Well mother, what the war did to my legs and to my tongue
You should've raised a baby girl, I should've been a better son
If you could coddle the infection, they can amputate at once
You should've been, I could have been a better son
- Mama, My Chemical Romance
Barbara Blight was not a person to believe in the supernatural unless faced with hard evidence that they are, indeed, real. But, with all her previous ventures into science being foiled by the Planeteers, she decided to take a new approach and see how much about the supernatural was real and how much wasn't (and, though she wouldn't admit it, she had also binge-watched several seasons of Supernatural). Much to her surprise, after some verifying with the help of MAL, there actually were several things that proved that the supernatural was real, mainly the vampires. And so, wondering if they were a species, Blight decided to try and capture a vampire to do research and possibly be the first person to prove that vampires actually exist. However, she was going to need help, so she contacted a few on her colleagues. Her first choices were of Skumm and Nukem, who were monsters themselves, and she thought they would have great insight on how to catch a creature like a vampire. But, to her surprise, they advised the exact opposite: leave the vampires alone. They even knew more about vampires than she did, apparently.
"I can't help you, Blight." Skumm (who she had contacted on her video monitor) shook his head.
"And why not? Give me a real reason why and not an excuse!"
"Okay, I will." Skumm glared at her through the screen and she was sure she would have seen him bare his teeth if his hood wasn't up, "They are very dangerous and trying to contain something like that is suicidal. They are smart, fast, strong, everything you are not."
"Excuse me?! I am smart! Have you seen my inventions?!"
"They're a different kind of smart, a clever smart that will leave you dead or worse." Skumm leaded back in his chair, "Just leave them alone and you'll save everyone a whole lot of trouble."
"But this is something amazing!" Blight protested, "With the research I would get out this, I could write a book and I would be the leading researcher on vampires!"
"You don't get it, do you do?" Skumm snapped, "There's a reason why they're apex predators, moreso than humans. You do not anger an apex predator or he will eat you, and there is nothing in the food chain to stop him from doing that. Heed the warnings and leave the vampires alone."
"Then this would make my research all the more important! I would be saving lives by telling them about vampires and how to protect themselves!"
"Blight, you don't mess with the vampires." the rat man reiterated, shaking his head again, and the scientist could see fear in his eyes, "Nukem and I know what they're like more than you could ever imagine. I don't care what you want or how much you might pay us, we're staying out of it. Nothing is worth tangling with those devils, I swear on it. Just stay out of their way." And, before Blight could make another word, Skumm cut the connection.
"They may be right, you know." MAL pointed out, popping up beside her. Blight huffed, irritated.
"I'm sure they're just over-exaggerating things. Besides, I probably should have gone to Plunder first about it, he'd fund me for something like this." And so Blight began to call the other Eco-Villain, hoping he was on her side. If he could fund her and help her capture a vampire, not only would he share the glory of the discovery, he would get plenty of money out of it as well. She knew he liked money more than anything, and it was a good incentive to get him on her side.
Yet there was a small part of her worried about Skumm's and Nukem's warnings. Were vampires really as bad as they said? But Blight was invested in this, and when she got invested in something, she wasn't going to back out of it unless someone forced her too, like the pesky Planet Punks. And they had no right to get in her way this time, she was only discovering a new species and that had nothing to do with destroying the environment! At last she had found a loophole! And she was going to use this to her full advantage.
Wheeler gazed out the window of the Geo-Cruiser, making a point not to look at anyone, who were also making a point not to look at him. He couldn't look at them, he knew they hated him, he might as well leave soon and not trouble them. Gaia could find another Fire Planeteer, there had to be plenty of them around. He couldn't stay, he'd only hurt his friends, and he was willing to go away for good if it meant they'd be safe. And when they finally landed back on Hope Island, Wheeler fled into the reaches of the jungle before they could say anything.
"Wait!" Linka tried, and though he heard her, he didn't go back.
"It's okay, Linka." The rest of the Planeteers turned to find Gaia there, "Give him some time. He never wanted any of you to know and he feels bad about it, I'm sure."
"You knew?" asked Gi.
"I know many things about my Planeteers, I watched over you as you grew up." Gaia gave a sigh, "I don't know if Wheeler will come around, though."
"Why does he want us to hate him?" Kwame wondered, "We'd never hurt him!"
"Maybe not, but you don't know how he grew up. I would show you, but it's not my place." She shook her head, "For now, leave him be. He'll be back." The Planeteers were unsure of this, but had no choice to agree, as they didn't even know where Wheeler had gone. Even as they went to do their own things, Ma-ti used Heart to look for Wheeler, wondering how his friend was. He found the other deep in the jungle and at first he had been panicked for his friend upon finding him covered in blood, then quickly realized that it wasn't Wheeler's and grew queasy at finding him 'eating' an animal. Leaving him alone, Ma-ti felt sorry for Wheeler, wondering just how many things he has to kill to stay alive himself.
Wheeler glanced up, feeling a presence watching him, and wondered if it was Gaia. But then, as soon as it had appeared, it was gone again, leaving him in peace. Frowning, he licked his fingers, wiping the tasty blood off. Killing other animals like the deer beneath him was not something he liked to do, but it was required if he wanted to keep living. He had a feeling Gaia knew of his activities, and yet she didn't do anything to help the animals. Maybe because she understood that this was as part of nature as she was, that he had no choice because he would die otherwise. After cleaning his hands, he left the carcass behind to be scavenged as he looked for a river or stream to help clean off his face. And when he found it, looking at himself in the moving water, he didn't see himself. All he saw was a monster, and he had seen himself that way for so long it wasn't really a surprise.
Closing his eyes, he tried to dream what it would be like to be normal. He dreamed for everything he ever wanted, to have the love of his life and stay with them together, to possibly start a family and be a better father than his own ever was, but knew it was impossible, all because of what he was. He'd known he couldn't have anything for a long time, but he still tried to think otherwise. And hoping never ended well for him, and he was resigned to that. It was painful to hope, but he couldn't stop it.
He wished he could, so he didn't have to keep crushing his own dreams every day.
"Wheeler?" The redhead looked up to find Gaia's ghostly face hovering above him. He quickly washed his face off as she continued, "Please come to the Crystal Chamber. There's something that you need to know."
"Can't you tell me here?" Wheeler didn't mean to sound bitter, but it came out that way.
"It's about your parents." Immediately he looked up at her, eyes wide.
"What?! Is Ma okay?" Gaia shook her head and the Fire-bearer assumed the worst.
"She's fine, but your father-" Wheeler shook his head this time.
"I don't want anything to do with this if it's about him." The vampire spat out the word as if it was poison. Gaia sighed.
"I know how you feel about him, but now you don't have to."
"Wait, you mean...he's dead?" Wheeler had not expected this, even though he knew his father's alcoholism would get to him someday. Gaia nodded.
"Yes, and I assume you might want to see your mother while the funeral goes on." Wheeler was quiet for a minute, then slowly nodded as he stood.
"Alright."
"I was also thinking that this time away might help you a little." The redhead paused.
"You mean about...what I am?" he asked slowly.
"Yes."
"Then you know too."
"I've known since you were born." Wheeler frowned.
"If you knew this whole time what I was, why did you choose me?"
"I didn't. The rings choose who they think will best wield them, and you turned out to be their best pick for Fire." Gaia became smaller, becoming a ghostly version of her normal self, and laid a hand on his shoulder, "Don't be ashamed, Wheeler, because you're still you, and that doesn't change." The Fire-bearer snorted and moved away from her touch.
"You don't know what it's like to be me." he said darkly, "You don't know what it's like at all, you're not a vampire."
"Maybe not, but I've watched over you as you grew, and I know you have it hard. You're as much as my son as the other Planeteers are, and I care about you."
"Just leave me alone, Gaia. I'm going to go visit Ma and then I'll be back, okay? Goodbye." Wheeler then left Gaia alone and she couldn't help but feel sad for her 'son.'
Linka stared at the photo frame she held in her hands, watching it as if to see something she hadn't before. It was a photo of herself and Wheeler, and she wondered how she could have been so blind, not seeing any of his 'quirks' until now. And how could he think that no one should know? They were his friends, weren't they? They had saved each other from death plenty of times, and Linka was sure she and Wheeler had been so close that they were just a few words shy of being boyfriend-girlfriend, and yet he had kept this from them. Didn't he trust them? Why did he want them to hate him? ...Did he hate himself so much for what he was that he didn't see anything good in all this? Linka hoped he returned soon so that she could talk to him, hope to show him that there was no reason for any of this, but with their mutual tempers and stubbornness, she wondered if he would even take in the information.
Sighing, Linka hugged the photo to her chest, wondering if there was anything to talk about at all.
Wheeler hesitated, his fist hovering above the wood of the door. He contemplated if he could leave this all behind and not do it at all, but he knew he couldn't do it to his mother. Out of everyone he had met and known over the years, she was the only one he was sure of that would love him for what he was. Even if she didn't defend him, she still loved him, and that was enough. So he knocked, and soon the door was opened by the only person who knew him for himself, and he smiled as she took him into a hug.
"Wheeler, it's nice to see you!"
"You too, Ma." He hugged her back, gentle and mindful of his strength. As they both pulled away, she gave him a once-over.
"Honey, you don't have to hide yourself here." She put a hand on his cheek, "You know that."
"I do, but I'm just so used to hiding."
"Have you been keeping your teeth and claws clean?"
"Yeah." And when he smiled again, this time his fangs were longer, both from above and below. Ma smiled back.
"I'm glad you're taking care of yourself." She made him come into the apartment, "How have you been?" Wheeler shrugged.
"Same as usual." he frowned, "What about you?"
"I'm okay." she sighed, "And I guess you're here because of the funeral?"
"...Yeah. And because the others know now, too." Wheeler sat on the couch, leaning on his knees, and Ma took a seat next to him.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"It's not." he shook his head, "You know I have to hide so people don't try to kill me, don't try to hurt people I love, including you. You know how much of a danger I am, what I've done, and I don't want to put them in danger because of me."
"Oh Wheeler..." Ma sighed and gave him another hug, "I wish you didn't hate yourself so much because of what you are."
"Yeah..." Wheeler leaned into the hug, "But I'll be staying here until the funeral's over. So if you need anything, just ask."
"I will. But for right now, make yourself at home."
"Okay, Ma."
"Hey." Wheeler didn't need to look up to know who sat beside him on the bench. After visiting his mother, he'd gone out to see the city for a while and it was only a matter of time until they crossed paths…
"Hey." He glanced to the side to see Trish's smiling face.
"How have you been?" she asked, leaning down to try and get a better look at him. Wheeler, who had been leaning on his knees again, moved away, trying to hide his face even though he was back to normal.
"Good."
"Why are you back in New York? Aren't you still a Planeteer?"
"Yeah, but I came to visit Ma. My dad died recently, so..." That was all Trish needed, causing her to sit back.
"Oh. Sorry." Wheeler shook his head.
"Don't be. He never was a good man and I'm glad Ma doesn't have to deal with him anymore. Don't know why she didn't leave him after I left home, but I'm glad things are gonna be better now."
"So how long will you be staying?"
"Until the funeral is over. I don't know how long for sure."
"Okay." Trish nodded, "Is there anything you guys need?"
"Nah, we'll be fine. How have you been, though?" Trish shrugged.
"Not bad. Since you saved me, I've been working on my art skills and they're improved."
"Really? Could I see?"
"Yeah, just follow me." Trish and Wheeler stood together and she took him across the city to a few random walls where her 'artwork' was displayed, and he was amazed at how she had improved. In fact, at one of the pieces, as they stared at it, he slowly wrapped his arms around her like old times. It was comforting and not at all at the same time.
"Wheeler?"
"Yeah?"
"Aren't you in love with Linka?"
"Yeah, what's your point?"
"Isn't this-?" Trish gestured to how they were hugging.
"I know, but I'm kinda in distress right now."
"I get it." she nodded.
"Thanks for understanding, Trish."
"No prob, Wheeler." They were quiet for a moment, "Can I ask what's bothering you?"
"Mm..." The redhead closed his eyes, "I'm sorry, but I can't say."
"Why?"
"I don't wanna say you wouldn't understand, but it's just something I can't talk about with anyone mainly because they wouldn't."
"Oh..." Trish nodded, "I get it, don't worry about it."
"I'm sorry..."
"No no no, it's okay." she shook her head, "But if you ever need someone to lean on, you can count on me."
"Thanks Trish." Wheeler hugged her a little tighter before finally letting go, "You're the best."
"Yeah..." Trish gave him a sad, pitying look, "I know."
Happy New Year to everyone! This isn't going to be a WheelerxTrish story, but there will be hints of it because she's going to be a reoccurring character. Anyway, I hope you guys like this new chapter, please Read & Review!