Chapter 14
A Grave Betrayal
"Very interesting." The figure was sitting in the recliner, facing the view looking out over Corneria city. He held a PAD, which had a recording of the fight between Babalu, and Ultraman. The said invader was standing in front of the desk, arms folded across his gold-plated chest. If not for his mask-like face, his expression would be humiliated fury.
"I have seen his strengths. Now, I would like to focus on his weaknesses. That is why you were brought here, you know this race better than most. You know what makes them tick."
"I don't see why you don't just let me kill him. He's a rookie, he doesn't know of his full potential, I doubt he even knows what his mission really is."
"Even so, I would like you to cause more mayhem, attract him to you, and this time, actually try to kill him."
"Yes, my most gracious employer." As Babalu exited the office, the figure grinned broadly, thinking 'Soon. Soon, all will be my possession.' As Babalu made his way down the hallway, passing the various anthros, his contempt for them grew.
'Stinking animals. I should just destroy them all, right here and now. I have laid waste to dozens of systems, and conquered an entire galaxy! Now, I am reduced to a lackey!'
"Feeling sour, golden-child?" Babalu whirled, and glared at Clara. The female lupine was leaning against a wall, arms folded, wearing a devilish grin on her canine features.
"What have I told you about calling me that?" Babalu growled.
"Oh, come on. You know you like it."
"What I like, is nothing more than to rip that arrogant bastard's gonads off, and send them to a dark void." Babalu clenched his right fist in rage, as if to emphasize his point.
"Ultraman's, or our employer?" Clara asked, still smiling.
"Both, especially our employer."
"Really? I thought you'd be more mad at the kid." He turned to face her, his facial expression blank, but his voice was full of arrogance.
"The Ultra I can deal with, but being used by an inferior animal just sickens me."
"Deal with it. These are his orders. Remember who set you free from that prison."
"I do. But you hate this more than I do, Clara. Or, should I say-"
"Do not, say that name..." she snarled, revealing her fangs.
"I can't imagine being one of them on a daily basis. It must kill you inside to look like a mangy wolf all the time." Babalu chuckled, fueling Clara's rage, but she kept it bottled up and stormed off in a rage. Babalu felt a bit better about himself, but still felt angered at being used. Oh, well, the boss said mayhem. 'Well, that's just what he will get, he.'
When Fox found out about Jim's battle with Babalu from Cody, he was less than pleased. After ordering Jim and Krystal into his office, he lost all relaxation, and wore an expression of seriousness. "You mind telling me, just what the hell you were doing out there, Jim?"
"My duties, Fox."
"And what, pray tell, are those duties?"
"To protect Corneria from any and all aggressive forces, both foreign and domestic." Jim kept his expression blank, as he talked to Fox. The male vulpine sat behind his desk, elbows on the edge, hands together.
"Really. It looked like to me, that you were just playing hero."
"Excuse me?" Jim allowed disbelief into his voice, while Krystal looked at him in puzzlement. Fox pressed a switch on his desk, and a hologram behind them materialized. It was the fight between Babalu and Jim, while the kids were cheering from the sidelines.
"You think this is all a game? You think that no one could get hurt from this?"
"'Get hurt'? That officer that Babalu attacked died, Fox! You're asking me if I think that no one could get hurt from this? I'm thankful, no, grateful that the kids didn't get hurt. If it hadn't been for Krystal, they'd be dead!" Jim gestured to her. She kept her face blank, but inwardly smiled at the statement.
"That's the other thing. Endangering kids like that, especially Cody, just makes me want to point a blaster at your skull at point blank, and pull the trigger." Now Jim blew up, slamming his fists on Fox's desk.
"ARE YOU ON CRACK?! You'd honestly think that I would willingly throw kids in a dangerous situation, just to show off?"
"Jim, calm down." Krystal placed a caring hand on the human's arm, and Jim relaxed somewhat. Krystal took over.
"Fox, the children were already in danger. We simply pulled them out of danger. Instead of cracking down on him like this, you should be giving him a medal." Now it was Jim's turn to smile on the inside.
"That doesn't matter. What does matter, is that he let that alien, 'Baboon', or whatever his name is, escape. "
"Babalu, will reveal himself again. And when he does, we must be ready. Or rather, I have to be."
"What do you mean?" Krystal asked.
"Babalu sent that message to call me out, and he said that he'll be gunning for me. Therefore, I have decided to take a sabbatical, and try to find and destroy him, before he hurts anyone else." Krystal looked at him in disbelief, while Fox merely kept his expression a blank. Jim stormed out, and Krystal looked at Fox, expecting a reaction, but getting none. 'Why? Why does he still remain suspicious of me? What do I have to do for him to trust me?' Jim thought bitterly, as he walked down the hallway, sulking. Krystal caught up to him.
"Are you serious, about leaving?"
"Yes. I need to know where Babalu is, so I can take him down for good. Also, it would appear that I have worn out my welcome."
"That's not true. Fox is just..."
"Worried that I'll turn against you guys, right?" Krystal said nothing. Jim leaned against the wall, and slumped to the ground, and buried his head in his arms. Krystal walked over, and placed a caring hand on his shoulder. "What must I do, to get him to trust me," he said, without lifting his head. Krystal could only look at him. "Tell me, what must I do?" His head shot up, bearing tears of frustration, and anger. Krystal embraced him, and brought him up. Jim held her, not wanting to let go the closest friend he has in the Lylat system. Krystal pulled away from him, and wiped his tears away.
"Let's go."
"Where to?"
"My room." Jim's pulse just quickened a bit, and he swallowed hard. The blue vixen merely giggled, saying "Not like that. I may know a way on how to find Babalu."
It was on one of the colony planets, that Babalu touched down at. Taking the guise of a Doberman, he made his way into the settlement. It was one of the larger colonies, practically the size of a town, with at least a thousand inhabitants. 'Perfect,' Babalu thought. He walked into a nearby convenience store, and made his way to the reception desk. A stout-looking porcupine was standing there, wearing an apron, and a smile. "Can I help you, sir?"
"Why, yes, you can." Babalu said, returning the smile.
"Oh, good. What can I do for you?" Babalu raised his left arm, and said
"You can die."
"I'm sorry?" Before the porcupine could realize what he meant, Babalu, still in his Doberman disguise, thrust his left arm forward, and his forearm blaster materialized out of then air. He fired a purple blast of energy, and blew the porcupine's head off, the decapitated body falling to the floor, twitching. The patrons all screamed in horror when they saw this, and many of them ran out of the store. Babalu laughed maniacally at this, and revealed his true form to the people. They stared in horror at the invader.
"You lower life-forms should know your place in the order of things." Babalu said in Japanese. None of the other people understood him, nor did they have to, to know what it was that Babalu was going to do. 'This will be fun,' the invader thought, amusingly.
In Krystal's room, both the vixen and Jim sat cross-legged, facing eachother. "In order for me to do this, I need two things. The first, is that I need you to concentrate really hard, which should not present a problem for you. The other, however, is a bit more personal."
"What is it?"
"Are you still adamant on leaving the team?"
"Yes. I need to do this, on my own, without Fox or the others lousing me up."
"In which case, you need to take me with you." Jim stared at her, while she retained that look of seriousness around her.
"And why, pray tell, would I do that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because of two things; first, you need someone who knows the Lylat system better than you do, and I'm the only one willing to show you. Second, I'm the only other person here who has telepathic abilities, like you do. You will need me to help feel out for the invader, should he decide to leave the area that we would search after this." Jim said nothing.
'She has me by the throat. I guess I have no choice,'
"Glad you agree." Krystal said, smiling at Jim's thought. The human said nothing, merely turning his head away. just then, Krystal's staff, which was lying in front of them in its compact form, started to glow a sky blue. then, it floated off of the floor, and hovered in between them. Still glowing, it started to spin, until it was little more than a blur. Then, Krystal closed her eyes, and Jim could feel her sending her thoughts out to the staff, and looked on in wonder.
'I need you, for this as well. You know what to look for, better than I do.' Krystal communicated, via telepathy.
'What must I do?'
'Just think about the alien, and the staff will do the rest. I am merely acting as a focal point.' Jim nodded, and closed his eyes, and imagined Babalu. Just then, his mind was awash of destruction, and agony. Then, he saw Babalu laughing, blasting away at anything that moved. 'No, that's...'
'That is where he is at now.'
'Do you know where it is?'
'Yes. I can show you.' Then, the carnage was replaced by an image of a planet that was light brown, with spots of blue around it. Jim memorized it. Then, the image faded. Jim opened his eyes, and saw Krystal panting slightly, sweat matting her fur in places.
"Are you okay?" Jim asked.
"I'm fine. I just haven't done that in a long while."
"Do you know the name of the planet?"
"Yes. It is one of the outer-rim planets, just at the edge of the system. It is called, Rygelius, I believe."
"Then, that is where we are headed."
"I'll get my arwing prepped,' Krystal said, holstering her blaster and staff. As she headed for the door, Jim held her arm. She looked at him.
"Two things; 1. Babalu would be long gone by the time we get there, and 2. I don't want Fox to know about this."
"Then what do you propose that we do?" Krystal asked. Jim smiled at this, and placed the Spacium Brace over his heart. It flashed once, and he placed his left hand over the Brace, then threw his arms out, crucifix style, shouting "GAAAIIIYYOOO!" Then a brilliant flash filled the room, and Ultraman Jim was standing where the human was just a second ago.
"My way's faster," Ultraman said, a smile playing itself in his distorted voice. Krystal smiled herself.
He was enjoying himself. All the destruction, mayhem, and despair he was causing, almost made up for the lousy way he was feeling. 'It's like the good old days, again,' Babalu thinks to himself. He was walking down the street, still man-sized, blasting at anything that looked like it needed it. Since it was a relatively small settlement, becoming his giant form would end the fun quickly, and he wanted it to last. Just then, Krystal and Ultraman Jim materialized out of thin air, several blocks behind Babalu. Krystal looked around at the death and destruction that Babalu had caused, and felt anger and sadness well up from her soul. Jim looked over, and saw the pained angry look on her face. He placed a silver hand on her shoulder, and the blue vixen looked at him. He nodded assuredly, and she returned it. Then, she saw him. Krystal bolted over to where Babalu was walking leisurely, as if out for a stroll. She unholstered her blaster, and shot at Babalu. The green bolts lanced across the golden armor of his back, but did no apparent damage. However, he must have felt them, for he turned around, and faced the blue vixen. He laughed at her. "Well, well. We meet again, my beautiful little beast."
"You're the beast, here! You slaughtered these poor people!"
"Really? So, you do consider yourselves people, then. Interesting, since on Earth, your cousins look hardly different from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that, to a superior being like me, you're no better than a mangy animal." Krystal felt her blood boil over. First, he slaughtered these poor innocents, then had the gall to call her an animal. Jim ran next to her, and pointed at Babalu.
"Give this up, invader! You cannot win this fight!"
"Funny, I was going to tell you the same thing."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that I know your weaknesses."
"What?"
"It's true. You see, I didn't come here, entirely of my own volition."
"How do you mean?"
"When I escaped from that stinking prison I was thrown into by your brethren, I was led here by an inhabitant of the Lylat system. He gave me a proposal; work for him, and I will get my shot at revenge, starting with you."
"You mean, a Cornerian is behind all of this?" Jim asked, not believing what it was that he was hearing.
"Yes. He came to me, because he knew that I have knowledge about the Ultras. Including thier weaknesses. And you suffer the same flaws."
"Enough! Tell me, who is behind all of this!"
"Oh, I'll tell you, if you can beat me." Just then, both aliens got into thier combat
stances, and circled eachother. Krystal kept a bead on the invader. "Keep a tighter leash on your pretty little pet, and tell her to heel." Babalu taunted.
"Why, you son of a-"
"Krystal, I'll handle this!" Jim said. She knew that he was right, but that still did not help much. She still kept her bead, even as the aliens went at it. Both of them entered with a judo chop, and caught eachother at the wrists. They moved in close, thier faces mere inches apart, then forced the other away. Jim came at Babalu with a jump kick, and Babalu rolled out of the way. He came up, and tried to slash Jim with his forearm blade. Jim blocked the swing, and countered with a side kick, and planted a fist in the alien's face, making him stumble back. They circled eachother again, and Jim came in with a crane-chop, and Babalu did an aerial flip, evading the attack. Jim whirled, and was sideswiped by a kick to his ribs. Babalu then had him in a headlock, and planted his knee in Jim's midsection repeatedly, elicit pained grunts each time. Jim then wrapped his arms around Babalu's midsection, and stood upright, lifting Babalu off of the ground, and both fell backward, with Babalu landing hard on his back with a grunt. Both aliens got back up, and faced eachother. then, Babalu laughed. "What's so funny?" Jim shouted.
"You're so dumb. Haven't you wondered why I've always fought you human-sized?" Jim said nothing. "I'll tell you; because I know that you burn up more energy fighting as a giant, and I want our fights to last. And, do you feel that?" Babalu asked, looking around, sweeping with his arms. "That feeling of exhaustion? I chose this planet, because of its atmosphere's similarities to Earth's, which leeches the solar energy you need to sustain yourself. I imagine that Corneria and the other planets have something similiar. That is one weakness. The other, is THIS!" Just then, Babalu's mask like mouth opened, and an icy mist blew forth. Jim tried to evade it, but wasn't quick enough. Soon, he was encased in a block of ice, kneeling, his arms up as if to ward off the attack. "Ha ha! How does it feel, Ultra, to 'be on ice'? Ha!"
'Damn! I'm stuck, and he knows it! Now what do I do?' Jim thought furiously, as he tried to figure out a way out of his icy prison. Babalu waltzed over, and knelt to Jim's eye-level.
"I'll give you a choice; surrender to me, or die a frozen, lingering death."
'Go to hell, Babalu!' Jim communicated through telepathy.
"So, I guess you'll die here then." Babalu shrugged. Just then, A blue shape leapt up from behind Jim, and planted a foot in Babalu's face, making the invader stumble back. Then, the invader was met with a spin-kick to the face, making him fall back, and holding his face in apparent pain. His gaze met that of Krystal, standing in front of the frozen form of Ultraman, her staff fully extended, and striking a pose, her ears back, lips curled back in a snarl. "Well, well, the bitch protecting her master," Babalu taunted, getting back to his feet. He struck his battle pose, and moved slightly closer to the vixen.
'Jim, are you all right?' Krystal asked through telepathy.
'I'll be fine, I just need to get out of here.'
'Maybe I can help,' she communicated, and spun to face Jim, and fired off three quick fireballs at Jim. The fireballs melted the ice, and Jim slumped. Krystal held the red and silver warrior, who felt chilled to the touch. 'It will be alright. Just rest for a bit.'
'But...Babalu...'
'Let me worry about him.' Krystal smiled, as she telepathically communicated to Jim. She then turned her focus on the invader, her smile gone, replaced by a snarl. both combatants circled eachother, while Jim watched, his strength was slowly returning. Babalu was right about Rygelius's atmosphere being like Earth's, but he was also right about Ultras using less energy when human sized. In fact, the solar energy he needs to sustain himself was slowly being restored to him. But, he was still helpless to help Krystal. Babalu laughed in pure amusement.
"This is hilarious. You honestly think an animal such as yourself has a chance against me?"
"I may be an animal, but you're a monster! You murder innocent lives without pity or remorse. You do it out of pure amusement!" Her grip on her staff just tightened. "I'll make sure that you'll never leave this planet alive!" Then, she rushed at the alien, bringing her staff down from above. Babalu blocked with his forearm blade, but was met with a kick to his ribs, making him stumble back, slightly. Although outmatched in terms of strength against the invader, Krystal had skill, and quickness on her side. And she was going to put them to good use. Not to mention, her staff had a few tricks of its own as well. Babalu faced Krystal, and was shot in the face by several fire-balls, making him fall back with a pained yell. He got back up, holding his face with a hand, growling in rage. Krystal twirled her staff above her head, struck a pose, and made a 'come hither' gesture. Babalu answered. He swung with his forearm blade, and Krystal countered each strike. Then, she was met with a kick to her midsection, doubling her over, and a back hand sent her sprawling to the ground. Jim tried to rise, but the energy he needed wasn't there yet, and fell to a knee, his warning light flashing steadily. 'Come on, come on!' he thought furiously. Krystal uneasily got back to her feet, and turned just in time to see Babalu charge his forearm blaster. Wasting no time, Krystal erected her forcefield in time to ward off the blasts. The shield faded, and Krystal breathed in deep, gathering her focus. Babalu charged, and Krystal rolled out of the way, and came up with an upward swing to the invader's face, making him stumble back. Then, she twirled, and struck him at least twice with both ends of her staff. However, Babalu didn't seem to be overly bothered by this. 'He's at least as strong as Wolf O'Donnell is. Time to switch tactics.' Krystal thought. She twirled her staff, and pointed the round end at Babalu, and fired more of the fireballs. Babalu blocked these with his forearms. Then, he brought up his forearm blaster, and fired at Krystal. The blue vixen rolled out of the way, and fired more fireballs. This time, at least three of them struck him in the face and chest. Babalu stumbled back, shouting in surprise and pain. Krystal smiled to herself, knowing that he was doing the invader some damage. He fell to a knee, holding the part of his chest where he was struck. "How does it feel, to be bested by an 'inferior animal?" Krystal taunted. Babalu growled in rage, and got back to his feet. He rushed at the vixen, and swung with his forearm blade, which Krystal blocked with her staff. Just then, Babalu caught the staff in his right hand. Krystal tried to pull it loose, but the grip was like iron. Then, he decked Krystal in the face. She stumbled, and fell backward. Babalu was holding the staff, which shrunk to its two foot long inactive form. Babalu tossed it away, like garbage. And made his way to Krystal. The vixen was uneasily getting back to her feet, when she was struck from behind, and fell to her hands and knees. then, a kick to her ribs sent her rolling away. When she opened her eyes, Babalu was standing over her. He reached down, and grabbed her by the throat. He lifted her up with one arm, with Krystal trying desperately not to black out. Babalu brought up his blaster, and aimed it at her skull, saying;
"If it's any consolation, at least you'll be meeting the rest of your furry little family soon," Krystal snarled in rage, and struggled against his grip. Then, just as the blaster was glowing a bright purple, a white saw blade shot out of nowhere and lanced itself across Babalu's right arm, forcing him to release Krystal, and yelling in pain, while holding his arm. Then with a loud "HIIYYAAAAHHHH!", Ultraman Jim landed a flying kick to Babalu's face, making him fall backward, and rolling away. Although his warning light was still flashing, Jim found the strength to stand once more, the sight of Krystal beleaguered being a powerful motivator. The vixen was coughing loudly, holding her hands to her throat.
"Krystal, are you okay?" Jim said, kneeling down, putting a hand to her back.
"Y-yes. I'll 'cough cough', I'll be fine." Jim then turned his gaze back to Babalu. He glowered at the alien, and struck his battle pose. Babalu also got back up, and struck his own battle pose.
"Babalu, that's enough! Return to base!"
"What? You must be joking!"
"I repeat, return to base! You have fulfilled your mission." Babalu growled in frustration at the radio signal. He turned to face Jim, saying
"Another time, another place. Take care of your precious little pet, she may have to be spayed." Krystal heard the comment, and snarled at the invader, just before he slammed his fists to the ground, and disappearing in a cloud of dust and smoke. Then, his voice was heard, "One last thing; the person behind all of this, is one you may have met or heard of before."
"'One I may have met or heard of before'? What's that mean?" Jim turned back to Krystal, who was already on her feet. "Are you sure you're fine?" he asked, concern in his distorted voice.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," she replied, a smile on her face. She walked over to where her staff lay, and picked it up, brushing the dust and dirt off. Jim looked at it, then her. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, puzzled.
"I just never thought of you capable of handling yourself like that." She blushed a little bit, and Jim slightly chuckled. Just then, Krystal's communicator beeped. Jim looked down, as did Krystal. She brought it up to her face and said
"This is Krystal."
"Both of you, report back to Great Fox, now!" Fox's voice sounded over the communicator in an angry tone. The pair looked at eachother, Krystal with a concerned look, while Jim's was covered by his mask-like visage. After Krystal got close enough to him, Jim pulled his teleportation technique, back to Great Fox.
"Excellent. We are now ready, for phase two of my little operation." The figure was sitting behind the desk, not moving from his recliner, his face hidden behind a large pair of shades. Babalu and Clara were standing in front of the desk, Clara wearing a large grin, while Babalu's was a blank, due to his mask-like visage.
"Soon, we will separate the Ultra from his team, and then we will have him." The figure laughed heartily at this.
In Fox's office, both Krystal and Jim were standing in front of the desk, while the vulpine sat behind it. "Again, you put your teammate at risk! Do you enjoy this? Do you like watching your friends suffer?"
"You know I don't, Fox, and I consider it an insult that you would even ask me such a thing!" Jim growled. He had his fists clenched, and he gritted his teeth.
"I know what happened on Rygelius, through the personal receiver on Krystal's communicator. I saw how you were disabled by Babalu, and put Krystal in danger, again! From now on, you two are to be separated! if you come within two feet of eachother, I will know, and you will both regret it!"
"How dare you!" Krystal shouted. She leaned on Fox's desk. "What makes you think that you can do that? I can see him if I want to-"
"Not anymore! Every time you two are together, you come close to death! Well, I'm putting a stop to that!" He turned to Jim, saying "Hand it to me."
"Excuse me?" Jim asked, fearing what it is that Fox is asking.
"Your Brace. Give it to me."
"GO SCREW YOURSELF, HAIRBALL!" Jim shouted. "If you think that I'll hand you my Brace, then your more than just delusional, your certifiably CRAZY!"
"I will not ask again." Fox threatened.
"I have a better idea; how's about you pull your head out of your furry little ass first! If you take away my means of transforming now, the next opponent out there will rip you to shreds!"
"I'll take my chances."
"Fox, you cannot be serious! How can you even begin to ask that of Jim?"
"Since he put your life in danger, twice!" Fox glared at the blue vixen. He turned back to Jim, who took a step back. Fox got up, and made his way to the human, his face determined.
"I won't ask again." Fox revealed his blaster.
"Go to hell, Fox." At that moment, Fox drew his blaster, and Jim placed the Brace over his heart, where it flashed, and remained glowing, while Fox's blaster was charging, turning from green, to blue, to red, and Jim placed his left hand, and held it there, both waiting for the other to make a move.
"Fox, Jim, stop this now!"
"Stay out of this, Krystal. He's out of control. Look at him!" Fox shouted. "He's no better than the monsters he fights!" Jim felt the sting from that comment, and his brace faltered slightly, but quickly recovered.
"Fox, you..."
"No!" Krystal got in between Fox and Jim, with her facing the human.
"Jim, please..." He could see the plea on her face. He turned from Krystal to Fox. Now, she had tears running down. Finally, he gave in. With a broken heart, Jim lowered his Brace and slumped. Fox lowered his blaster, and moved to Jim. He held out his hand expectantly. Without looking at him, Jim removed his Braced and handed it to the orange vulpine. Jim felt close to tears, at being betrayed by his friend and leader. Krystal reached out a hand to him, but he pushed it away, and ran out of the door. Krystal turned an angry glare at Fox, and followed after the human. Fox sat down in his chair, placed his hand to his tired head, and asked "Did I do the right thing?"
In his room, Jim was sitting at the edge of his bed, tears falling. 'Why? Why did this happen?' he thinks. He didn't hear the door open, but he did feel the familiar presence. Krystal sat next to him, and wrapped her arms around him. He turned to face the vixen, tears staining his eyes. Krystal felt for him, and wiped them away. "How? How did all of this happen? When did everything get so damned twisted?"
"I don't know. I don't know why Fox did that to you." Jim buried his face in her shoulder, feeling the anguish of betrayal. Krystal held him, and tried to soothe him.
"He said, that it may have been someone I met, or heard of,"
"What?" Jim pulled away, and looked at Krystal.
"Babalu said, that the person behind this, is someone I met, or heard of. I need to know, just what it was, that he meant."
"Do you know where to start?" Krystal asked.
"No, I don't." Jim felt hopelessness creep in. Krystal lifted his spirits a bit.
"Well, I do."
"Please, tell me. It would mean so much to me, right now."
"The Krazoa. We need to head for thier planet. They may know where the source of where this evil is coming from."
"Are you certain?"
"They are the oldest beings in the universe. If anyone knows who it is that we are dealing with, it is them."
"Then, I guess that we are headed for Sauria." Krystal nodded.
"Jim, will you be able to transform, without your brace?" Jim looked at his right arm, then his open hand, which he clenched into a fist. He turned back to Krystal saying
"I'll find a way," while smirking. Krystal smiled. A few minutes later, two arwings were making a b-line for Sauria.