A/N: Here is chapter 11 for you all! I do hope you enjoy it, it looks like the Planeteers have more than they bargained for. They knew the mission would be dangerous, but Skumm certainly has them up against a wall this time. O:
It wasn't until they had rounded a few of the narrow corners, did Wheeler finally come to a halt, chest rising and falling slightly as he peered over his shoulder; A slight frown came to the red heads features, noticing that neither Skumm, nor any of his henchmen were following them.
With the firing gun shots ceasing, the three Planeteers were greeted by nothing but silence, if one didn't count the ringing within their ears thanks to the machine gun only moments before.
"Doesn't look like anyone is following us, that's pretty weird.." the American had commented, getting away like that seemed all too easy for his liking.
"I somehow doubt that Skumm would give up so easily, I have a bad feeling about this.." Gi responded as she tried to catch her breath from running.
"Da, he would have something else up his dirty sleeve, there is no doubting that.." Linka added in, she was leaning forwards slightly, her hands resting on her knees as she tried to level out her breathing, her heart was pounding within her chest.
"I hope Kwame and Ma-Ti are alright, I have the sneaky suspicion that he wanted us all separated on purpose, we better keep our wits about us" Wheeler had warned the two girls.
Looking around, the red heads eyes then trailed up towards the dim lighting on the ceiling of the narrow tunnel they had escaped down, he frowned when they flickered for a couple of seconds, then they went out; Leaving the three Planeteers in complete darkness.
"Looks like the power is gone, great...you girls better stay close, what about your torch Gi?" Wheeler had turned to look where he knew the Water Planeteer was standing.
"I lost it back there, what about your ring Wheeler? maybe that can give us some light" the dark haired woman had suggested.
Looking down at his ring hand through the darkness, Wheeler was amused on why he hadn't thought of that himself "Eh, why didn't I think of that? heh..well let's give it a try" Holding out his hand, the American pointed it in front of him and gave the command "Fire!"
Obeying its order, the ring flickered and then lit up; With Wheeler's control, it didn't produce its usual laser beam instead it formed a flame, bringing some light and warmth to the surrounding area.
"It worked, that is good" Linka felt a little more at ease, Wheeler's power provided enough light for them to see at least four feet in front of them.
"Now that we can see, let's keep moving..hopefully Kwame and Ma-Ti aren't too far away" Gi knew they couldn't stop here and had to keep moving.
Nodding; Wheeler then led the way "Stay close babe, we have no clue what may be waiting for us, we could run into some real life zombies yet!"
She didn't need to be told twice, Linka remained close to Wheeler's side, while Gi was on the other side of him, they were all on high alert and the tension was somewhat high at not knowing what awaited them.
Squinting slightly through the flickering light of Wheeler's flame, instantly Linka felt herself tense up when she saw up a head within the darkness, two glowing red dots, they were at least twenty feet away from where the Planeteers were.
Stopping in her tracks; the Russian's hand flew swiftly to Wheeler's arm, stopping him in his movements "Wheeler...look, over there.." she said in a hushed whisper.
No sooner had he stopped walking, he felt Gi stop in her tracks and they both saw what was just up a head.
"What is that..?" Gi questioned, though she didn't have long to wonder when a low, eerie growl erupted from whatever those two glowing eyes belonged to.
Tensing up, Wheeler narrowed his eyes as the growling reached his ears "Alright, whatever you are, come out!" Concentrating, he allowed his radiating power to grow brighter, casting more light in front of him.
With the fur bristling on the back of its neck, it was soon clear what the eyes belonged to, as the large and rather thin looking dog stepped slowly forwards, the light flickering from Wheeler's ring made the rabid looking animal more demonic looking in appearance.
"Uh oh, its one of those dogs that's been affected by that sick drug!" the Pyro Planeteer said through gritted teeth.
Baring its razor sharp fangs, the growls soon turned into threatening snarls, as the rage infested animal stalked forwards; there was no mistaking it was out to kill, and the Planeteers had become the targets.
"That poor animal...this is just horrible!" Linka sounded upset, she backed up when Wheeler's arm had moved out to protect her.
"We need to distract it, Linka try your ring, see if you can push it back" Gi said "I'd rather we didn't hurt it.." she backed up slowly with both Wheeler and Linka.
Knowing something had to be done, the blonde didn't question Gi's idea "I will try and stop it" within the light of Wheeler's flame, outstretching her arm she aimed her ring at the oncoming threat "Wind!" she commanded.
Upon command, Linka's ring lit up, pulsating with power like it usually would; but instead of releasing the usual strong gust of wind, the glow faltered as did the sounds of the winds, before it simply faded.
Not really sure what had happened, Linka froze on the spot, her green eyes going wide "W-what!? my ring..it is not working!" she tried again, commanding her ring to obey, but as before it simply lit up, faltered and faded once more; At once the Russian was filled with the onset of panic.
"What the hell...!?" Came Wheeler's voice, he was utterly confused on why Linka's ring was refusing to work; there was no way it was too polluted here, his ring was working just fine.
Once it was a few feet away, the raging dog crouched down and snarled loudly as it lunged forwards.
"WATCH OUT, FIRE!" Wheeler shouted as he aimed his ring at the dog in mid lunge, it yelped loudly as it was struck by the red heads fiery power; forcing it backwards, causing it to land in the murky water.
"NOW'S OUR CHANCE, GO!" Wheeler urged the girls, giving Linka a gentle push forwards; Out stretching her hand, Gi grabbed a hold of the blondes wrist and pulled her forwards around the dog "Come on!".
Though it had caused the animal pain, it was soon back on its feet, snarling and looking even more enraged it wasted no time in engaging another attack upon Wheeler and lunged itself at him once again.
Through the darkness, Wheeler felt the massive animal tackle him; the force knocked him backwards onto the concrete platform, his hands raised, gripping at the dogs wet, matted fur as he fought against keeping the snapping jaws from making contact with his face.
Stopping about ten feet away, the girls turned to look back; their eyes widening at the situation unfolding before them "WHEELER!" they shouted together.
Through the fray, Wheeler could see both Linka and Gi were hesitating; Narrowing his eyes he called "IT'S ALRIGHT, JUST GO! GET OUTTA HERE, I'LL CATCH UP!" he wasn't sure his voice was loud enough over the angry snarls and growls; the drug induced dog continued to snap and throw its head about, trying to close in,wanting to make contact with even the smallest piece of human flesh.
Despite the frail appearance the dog had, Wheeler struggled against its inhumane strength; perhaps it was a side affect that came with Skumm's new drug, enhanced strength and a blood thirsty lust to kill everything around.
Trying to free her wrist from Gi's grip, Linka's green eyes were wide with terror as she watched the attack "WHEELER, NO! GI WE MUST HELP HIM!"
Knowing Wheeler wanted them to leave; the Water Planeteer fought against the strong desire to help her close friend, she had to get Linka out of here "Linka, we have to go! Wheeler will be fine!" she could only hope her voice sounded more certain, than what her facial expression was showing.
It was the sounds of other growls that caused Gi to whip her head to look to her left, the reddish glow of three more sets of eyes, the sight caused her to fill with panic.
"LINKA! WE NEED TO LEAVE! COME ON!" Ignoring the Russian's protests, the Asian Planeteer took off in the other direction, forcing Linka to follow; her green eyes not once leaving Wheeler as she was pulled away, tears flew from them as she shouted "WHEELER!" she had no choice but to follow Gi, as they dashed down one of the sharp corners of the tunnel way.
Gritting his teeth, Wheeler used all his strength against the rabid dog, his arms shaking as he tried to throw it off him "BACK OFF YOU CRAZY MUTT!"
Red eyes wild and full of nothing but a lust to kill, the red heads words fell on deaf ears, saliva flew in all directions as it snapped its jaws; using its front paws, it clawed at the American's arms, who was desperately pushing his forearms up under the beasts throat.
It was the echoing sounds of more growling off to his right that made Wheeler tear his blue eyes away from his attacker; they went wide when he could see more dogs stalking through the shadows in his direction.
"Shit..not good!" the Yankee said through gritted teeth.
Wracking his brains, the young man knew he had to think quickly; instantly thinking of his ring and knowing he had no choice, Wheeler looked straight back into the attacking dogs angry eyes.
"Guess I've got no choice..!" Risking it, he brought up his ring arm, no sooner had he moved it the beast saw its chance and snarled, sinking its fangs right into Wheeler's forearm, breaking the skin and drawing blood.
"AHHH!" the red head cried in pain, with the strength he had left; Wheeler ripped his arm out of the dogs jaws, before shoving his clenched fist into it's foul smelling mouth "FIRE!" he commanded through the pain.
Within seconds his ring lit up and sent the flaming hot beam of light straight down through the animals throat; like a fireball it expanded and the sickening scent of burning organs and flesh filled Wheeler's nostrils.
Instantly the raging animal was silenced, its mouth loosened, not even having a chance to utter yelps of agony; it all happened too quickly and the dog soon went limp, all its weight pressing against Wheeler's body.
Head falling to the side, landing upon the red heads chest; the heat of Wheeler's powers had been so intense, the dog's eyes had been completely burnt out, where it's eyes had once been, there was nothing but a sickly scent and smoke rising from the now hollow, empty sockets.
It had all happened so fast, for the longest moment Wheeler didn't move, he simply lay there, his chest rising and falling heavily; his heart beating painfully away within his chest, head swimming as he tried to make sense of all that happened.
Growling from the approaching dogs had vanished, as had they; they were no longer anywhere in sight, perhaps they had been frightened away by Wheeler's ring powers.
Coming back to his senses, gritting his teeth he shoved the now deceased animal off him; Stumbling to his feet, Wheeler's left hand soon came down to cover the bit wound on his right forearm, cringing slightly at the pain.
"Looks like you got me...damn that bastard of a rat!" Wheeler narrowed his blue eyes, Skumm was to blame for all of this; his drug was causing so much chaos and pain on anything it touched.
Shaking his head, remembering that Linka and Gi had taken off in the other direction, he turned his attention in the destination they had taken.
"I sure do hope they're alright, I need to find them...!" Taking a step forward, Wheeler went to take off after them; but stopped as the realization hit him, he had just been bitten by an animal infected with Skumm's drug.
Recalling what he and the others had been told about it, slowly panic started to fill him "Oh no..." if the liquid that horrible drug contained was enough to send people crazy, just by it making contact with skin, then why would receiving a bite from something infected be any different.
"This is bad..really bad.." the red head found himself saying out loud to himself.
Collapsing to her knees; Linka couldn't go any further "Gi, I-I cannot run anymore!" the blonde said through gasps, as she tried to catch her breath beneath the half face mask she was still wearing.
Falling to her own knees; Gi had reached her limit with running as well, her lungs would release sharp pains, every time she tried to breathe "I-I know, we need to rest, I think we're ok for now.."
Arm moving down to rest across her stomach, Linka winced at the pains she was receiving from all that running, but her mind remained on a certain red head they had been forced to leave behind.
"W-Wheeler...!, Gi we must go back, we cannot just leave him back there, what if he gets hurt..o-or worse...!" Linka bit her bottom lip, her emotions were once again running rampant, she was rattled with panic and absolute terror at the thought of losing the American once again.
Once she had caught he breath, the lovely Russian stood back up and her destination was clear; to go back and help Wheeler.
With her legs feeling somewhat like jelly, Gi stood as well and quickly reached out and gripped at her best friends wrist, preventing her from taking off "Linka no! you can't go back!"
Feeling anger mix with her terror, Linka looked around at Gi, her green eyes narrowed, but they were sparkling with tears "NYET! I CANNOT JUST KEEP RUNNING, HE NEEDS HELP GI!"
Though she was now in the wake of her friends rage, Gi stood firm and gave Linka a serious look "You can't just go racing back there, it's too dangerous, for you and the baby!"
That last word that fell from Gi's lips echoed around the area they were currently standing in.
There was silence for a moment; eyes widening, Linka just stared at her close friend, her voice was nothing more than a whisper of pure shock "How could you possibly know...?"
Without breaking eye contact; Gi answered "I figured it out a while ago actually, you feeling unwell over the past few days, the change in your moods...Linka its obvious, I'm not your best friend from no reason after all".
Trembling a little, heart racing; Linka let out a sigh, she should of known that Gi would be the first to figure out she was pregnant "I really..should not be surprised you figured it out, still what about Wheeler!?" the blonde pleaded with her best friend.
Before Gi could even answer, both she and Linka could hear hurrying footsteps heading in their direction.
Quickly turning to face where it was coming from, Gi braced herself to fight back, but she was stopped in her tracks when "Gi! Linka! there you both are!" The familiar voice of Ma-Ti reached her.
Before long he and Kwame came into sight, Gi was struck with a feeling of relief "Ma-Ti! Kwame! thank goodness you're both alright!" as she and Linka were reunited with their two missing friends.
"Thank goodness you and Linka are alright, Ma-Ti and I have been worried sick!" Kwame voiced his relief on seeing the two girls, but it didn't take long for him and Ma-Ti to realize that a certain team mate was missing.
Looking around, Ma-Ti frowned "Where is Wheeler, did you both get separated from him?"
Seeing the look on Gi's face was enough for them to realize that their friend was no doubt in trouble.
"Da, we were with him until a little while ago...some of those animals affected by Skumm's drug appeared! he told us to run while he distracted them, but we must go back for him!" The worry was clearly present in Linka's voice, she was trying her best not to give in and dissolve into tears.
"Oh, poor Wheeler...if anything has happened to him, I will never forgive myself..I cannot lose him, I only just got him back!"
Warm hand coming to rest upon the distraught blondes shoulder, Kwame tried to calm her "Calm down Linka, we will go back and look for him, most likely he has escaped, he could be trying to find his way back to us right now, so let us go and find him".
Though Kwame was right that Wheeler had escaped, it wasn't without a price; no sooner had the fire Planeteer started after the girls, the affects of Zloveshchiy was starting to grasp a hold of him.
Movements becoming heavy, Wheeler's vision started to distort and everything around him was tainted a deep, rage red; almost as if someone had thrown red dye in front of his eyes.
Falling sideways, Wheeler caught himself on the side of the wall, his breathing heavy as he shook his head, trying to fight against the drug "W-what's happening to me...!?" he muttered.
It was then, through the darkness of the sewerage tunnels, out of no where the sounds of blood curdling screams were all around him; it caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.
Through his now feverish state, Wheeler looked frantically around him, trying to put an image to the screams that were all around him.
At first they made no sense, but soon the screams became demonic whispers within Wheeler's ears; voices he knew, voices he thought he had left behind in his painful childhood.
"YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT, YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A SON!" Wheeler was soon greeted by the angry, sneering face of his Father as he yelled and shouted accusations at him.
"Little bastard...DON'T YOU COME HOME UNTIL YOU BRING ME BACK SOME LIQUOR!"
Closing his eyes tightly, Wheeler tried to block out the voices, only to flinch when he heard the sickening slap of his Father's hand, the painful cries of his Mother's voice, pleading; as she was struck down "PLEASE JUST STOP, STOP IT! NOT IN FRONT OF HIM!" another slap and the stomach churning sound of plates and cups crashing down from the shelves, as his Mother was shoved up against the cupboard that held them.
"SHUT THE HELL UP YOU BITCH!"
Images of his Mother being beaten and verbally abused, the blood spatter hitting the wall from the force of the beatings, the enraged face of his Father as he advanced on the much smaller Wheeler came into view, the hand raised and being brought down to strike him down; it all flashed through the red heads mind.
The visions of the past soon changed, flashing over to a horrified eight year old Wheeler, hands out stretched as he tried to grab the hands of the little blonde headed girl, her face terrified as she slipped out of reach, falling down towards the molten steel pit, in what looked to be flashes of a factory.
"ROSIE!" the screams of his younger self filled Wheeler's head, echoing all around, followed by the ear piercing scream of the little girl "WHEELER!"
Unable to take it anymore, hands raising to hold either side of his head, Wheeler closed his eyes tightly as all that pain he had locked away all those years ago broke free, filling him with a sense of terror and an unspeakable rage "STOP!" the Planeteers voice echoed through the tunnels, he let out a cry.
Within minutes the rest of the Planeteers heard the echoing cry; Linka's blood ran cold, instantly knowing who that voice belonged to "Oh no...WHEELER!" she cried, taking off in the direction she was sure it was coming from, but she was not alone as the others followed, faces pale within the dim lighting of the endless tunnels.
Chapter 11 is now complete, I do hope you enjoy and sorry it took me a few days to get this done! I've been rather busy, I'll try to post more frequently if I can. But well this is the next chapter, it is in this one that Wheeler being exposed to the drug through that bite has brought his painful past back to him! There is one specific memory that is the pinnacle of all his rage...we will find out more about that little girl from his childhood further along in the story. This is what Zloveshchiy does, it triggers a person's most painful and regretful memories and turns it into rage, sending many over the deep end and on a killing rampage. This chapter was a little more gory and creepy than the others I think...either way I do hope you will enjoy, I'll try to update again really soon! Thanks for being patient everyone! :)