The Shadows of the Past part 14

"The Unstoppable Lucas,"

The Chosen Four had arrived back on the surface on the grounds of the Oshoe Castle. After their battle with Lucas it was understandable they were a little weak in the knees, so to speak. Poo had been scanning the ground on the high castle wall trying to locate Lucas. However, it seemed Lucas vanished without a trace. Poo's face grew stern and even more worried. He didn't fully understand Lucas's struggle, no one on the planet Earth probably could. However, he felt they could sympathize with him. It seemed Lucas was going through some harsh times right now, and he needs people who care. Poo thought what they were doing was the right thing.

"But was it…" Poo muttered eyes falling to his gloved hands. The Chosen Four had planned to try and help Lucas see reason, not fight him to the bitter end. Granted, with an opponent like Lucas pulling back could've very well gotten them killed. Poo suddenly felt ashamed. Of course Lucas wouldn't try and kill them. Even now when they sit beaten down, they were still alive. Heck, none of them even had any broken bones. Lucas wasn't out for blood…he just wanted to know all of who he was. "And we denied him of that…"

"Hey Poo!" Ness called up to his warrior friend. Poo snapped out of his stupor to look down at Ness. "You see him?"

Poo shook his head, "His PSI is dropping far too low for even my senses to pick up on him. The injuries he sustained should've prevented him from going far since he can't instantly heal,"

Ness sighed in defeat, but Poo could also sense other feelings. Traces of guilt as well. He was starting to think this entire plan was a big mistake. Jeff and Paula flanked Ness's side as Poo jumped down to land in front of them in crouched position then stood up.

"If Poo couldn't find him, it may be hard to track him," Paula said.

"Granted, I'm not quite used this white stuff," Poo said shrugging the snow off. Poo noticed Jeff's down casted look. "Is something wrong my friend?" Poo asked Jeff. Jeff sighed as he held the pieces of the device he had in his hands.

"I made a weapon, just to hurt him. I thought of it as way to prevent the symbiont from taking over…but since I used it in such a way. I think we made a huge mistake," Jeff said.

"I think so too…" Puala said sadly. "Lucas wasn't totally wrong in what he said,"

"And with our luck we realize that now. We literally beat down our friend, stripped him of his strength, and allowed him to wonder off into harsh weather conditions,"

"Well we're not gonna let him stay out here. Come on, let's hurry back to the lab. If we fill everyone in maybe we can cover more ground with more people," Ness said leading the way back to Andonut's lab.

"Humans…selfish creatures…only care about you…when your harmless…th-they don't like it…when you pose a threat to them," muttered a weak voice as the person stomped through the snow. The person stumbled numerous times but strange black tentacle like objects protruding from his back helped him along. However, even with this added bit of security the boy still stumbled greatly. His breaths hurt his throat coming out, his body shook not only from the cold outside but inside. His body was used to warm energy flowing through his veins, keeping him warm in the harshest of conditions. However, with that source of warmth gone he was actually able to contract hypothermia. It was affecting him at an even faster rate sense at least humans had some internal warmth. He had nothing. "What am I…Lucas…or Gigue…?"

This question plagued him so much, and now his friends made the need to answer the question all the more important. He wasn't Gigue, but he wasn't Lucas. He isn't human, but he isn't a monster? What kind of sense does this make? Lucas finally was unable to hold up his own weight as he collapsed on the ground underneath the steady snowfall. The strength of the symbiont was fading away as well. Lucas wanted to cry at the amount of pain he is in. He never would've turned on his friends in such a way, but he did. That piece of MOTHER he gotten, had been infused with some of the evil from his past self. It should've been removed, and without it now he can think clearly.

Lucas thought this would be a great time for a long lost memory to come to him. He didn't even care what it was, just something to give him something to think about. He couldn't fall asleep in the cold, no matter how tired he is. Lucas could say one thing, despite the fact he's lived for at least a thousand years, the thought of death was strangely inviting. Not to say he's depressed or anything, but sooner or later one grows tired of living with eternal life. Lucas has experienced so many things, but the one thing he may never feel, is death.

"The death of Lucas…heh…nice ring to it…" Lucas muttered as his eyes started to droop down. Just as he did he noticed a pair of feet walking towards him. Then everything went black.

(Break)

"Where is my brother!" Claus yelled at the Chosen Four who had just arrived back at the lab. Clearly, they all were sitting on pines and needles waiting for them. More so Claus than anyone.

"Well…to be frank…we don't know," Ness answered.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Ninten asked also getting worried now. "We could sense a fight going on, heck to sensing, we felt the vibrations,"

"You guys…fought Lucas?" Ana asked the Chosen. All eyes fell on them for a moment.

"We…kinda didn't have a choice…" Paula weakly said.

"No choice!" Claus yelled. "I was the one who had no choice to fight my own brother, you guys had a choice!"

"He wanted the egg to restore his memories, but we feared that the memories could reawaken old personalities. We thought that with all those memories flooding back, locks he placed on his mind would loosen until they broke," Poo explained.

Dr. Andonuts hmm'd in thought, "Yes, that could've very well happened if he obtained the egg,"

"So, you guys beat him up and tossed him out in the snow, just for wanting to know who he is?" Kumatora asked with great distaste. Currently Duster, Boney, and herself were tied up and held down.

"But your way of doing things was so much better!" Ninten exclaimed annoyed.

"It wasn't perfect, we admit that, but this is Lucas we're talking about,"

"No, it isn't," Jeff said. "We're not just dealing with Lucas. We're also dealing with Gigue, and Giygas too. Thos entities still exist inside him, and inside that egg. We couldn't allow him to become complete that way,"

"How else do you expect it to happen?" Duster asked with strangely calm voice.

"What do you mean?" Teddy asked.

"How else, do you expect Lucas to find out who he is?" Duster repeated. "Allow him to suffer through more painful visions, and agonies? He's already confused, that fight probably only confused him more,"

"How, we were the ones getting slapped around?" Ness asked.

"Yet you're all still alive aren't you?" Ness stuttered on his next set of words, unsure how to respond. "Looking at you guys, I can see a few bruises, dirt marks, and you guys look shaken up. However, you can still walk, your still alive, and I'm betting nothing was broken," The Chosen Four then looked greatly ashamed. "He wanted you out of the way, that was all,"

"It just seemed like words weren't enough for you guys," Kumatora said her tone also calm now.

"How can you guys be so sure, you don't know what he was like?" Loid asked.

"Doesn't matter to us," Kumatora said honestly. "I'm not judging him for his mistakes from his past. He's helped us out a lot here on Nowhere Islands. He's so passionate and kind, you couldn't really tell he's a monster under the surface. Don't you guys get it, who Lucas is, is Gigue's true personality. The one Maria and George gave to him,"

Everyone stared at them in shock and surprise at the revelation of this information. "All of a sudden, we don't sound like blind followers," Duster griped.

"Woof-bark-woof-howl (You guys knew him only as Gigue and Giygas. We know him better as Lucas)," Boney barked.

"We made a mistake…in the worst way possible…" Jeff said.

"Where is Lucas?" Claus asked.

"We don't know Claus, during the fight…well…we kinda took his core…" Ness admitted. Everyone froze.

"You mean, the core that keeps him alive!" Ninten exclaimed. Poo revealed to the others the MOTHER core that was once in Lucas. "Oh no…"

"He wont survive long without that, factor in this cold weather, his chances of survival will be even slimmer if we don't find him soon," Dr. Andonuts quickly explained.

"Then stop wasting time, untie us and let's go find him!" Kumatora exclaimed.

Lucas's eyes started to flutter open again. Odd, he thought death would be a little more…empty. Lucas opened his eyes all the way to see a ceiling inside a house he had to guess. Lucas realized he's lying on a bed. A nice soft cushioned bed. He noticed a steaming out cup on the nightstand next to the bed, and he could feel the insulation in the room perfectly. It felt perfect in this room to warm up in. Lucas's body was still numb and weak. His side still hurt from where Poo's sword slashed him, and other injuries he had sustained were no more healed then earlier. This was not a fun feeling for him, and he hated being in this position. Weak, and powerless. Suddenly, he heard a noise outside his door. He turned his head to see someone open and close it. Lucas's eyes opened in surprise.

"Fuel," Lucas gasped. Fuel was startled silly since he expected Lucas to still be asleep. He almost dropped his own warm beverage until he got it under control.

"Oh, Lucas, you're up. I'd thought you'd be out longer, but forgot not human," Fuel chuckled a bit walking over to him. Fuel was on a red sweater, denim pants, and his brown shoes. Fuel smiled at Lucas warmly. "How ya feeling?" Fuel asked placing a hand on Lucas's forehead. Fuel seemed to frown feeling how cold he was, but Lucas reveled in the warm touch.

"Freezing, but better,"

"Gosh, what had happened to you?" Fuel asked removing his hand.

"I got in a fight,"

"Well, obviously, but it looked like you were on the losing end,"

"Yeah, you could say that,"

"Lucas what's wrong?"

"I don't think you would understand, no one on Earth could,"

"Try me,"

Lucas looked at Fuel for a moment, studying him. Fuel was mentally preparing himself for what he was about to hear. Lucas decided to give in. "I don't understand humans, not because I'm not human, but because they're confusing. I don't belong here, I know that, but…where I belong isn't exactly a place I should be. I'm stuck between two worlds, and both sides are fighting me!"

"You're fighting a one man war…"

"Why is it like this, why can't I just be who I am, and live in peace?" Lucas asked trying to chock back tears. "Why can't I be free to be me?"

"Because you're trying to choose," Fuel said simply. Lucas was a little put off with how quick Fuel responded to him. Fuel saw confusion pool in Lucas's eyes and decided to explain. "The humans want you to just stay Lucas, cause that's who they like. But even though that's your name now, that's not all of who you are. To the aliens, you're Gigue, or Giygas. One side only wants to accept a part of you, and they wind up fighting the other half,"

"So, when I fought Gigantor, I was fighting as Lucas. When I fought Ness and the others, I was fighting as Gigue," Lucas surmised.

"You fought Ness?" Fuel asked surprised. Lucas nods, and Fuel just gave a wow expression.

"Well, maybe they just need to learn to accept all of you, not just some of you,"

"Maybe I shouldn't try to be anyone else other then Lucas. I am Lucas,"

"No your not," Fuel said with some sternness. "Only way that everyone else will accept all of who you are, is if you do to,"

Lucas began sitting up much to the protest of his side. Fuel moved to get Lucas to lie back down, but Lucas resisted and sat up against the pillows. "Even if it's bad for everyone else?"

"Be who you are, and the people who truly care will stick by you,"

"…Like you?"

Fuel flushed with some embarrassment with a nervous smile, "Well best buds since we were kids, right?"

"If I remember correctly, you bullied me when I was younger," Lucas said raising an eyebrow at Fuel.

Fuel sweat dropped as he handed Lucas his hot tea off the nightstand, "Well, ya know, till Claus straightened me out,"

"So…does that mean you accept all of who I am?" Lucas said sipping on his tea. He recoiled, not because of how hot it was, but of how perfect it was. He felt refreshed with just a sip. Even though it was hot Lucas began gulping it down feeling the nutrients in the tea refresh him.

"You bet!" Fuel said smiling sipping on his own hot tea. Fuel pulled his cup down then smiled. "In fact, I'm gonna give you something," Fuel placed his cup on the night stand then went digging under his bed. "I found this about a year ago and kept it as a lucky charm," Fuel said as he came back up with small box in his possession. "I want you to have it, as a testament of how much I trust you,"

Fuel handed the box to Lucas took it in his hands. The box felt heavy, but Lucas supposed it was only because he felt so weak. Lucas felt the smooth texture of the box feeling it's polished surface. It was a pretty big box that took up most of his hand. Despite being kept under the bed, it was well kept. "Thanks Fuel, I really appreciate it,"

"It's what's in the box that's really important doofus," Fuel said rolling his eyes. Lucas seemed surprised, so he held the box up and shook it a little. He heard a small marble like item rolling around bouncing off the sides. Lucas assumed it must've been a rock or marble, something of that nature. Lucas opened the box and his mouth dropped. There in the box was bright glowing red marble like object that glowed a bright red.

"Oh my gosh…" Lucas gasped.

"I know, weirdest rock I've ever seen, you should feel honored I hadn't shown this to anyone," Fuel smirked admiring Lucas shocked face.

"F-Fuel, do you know what this is?"

"…A shiny rock?"

"No, this is an alien power source called MOTHER," Lucas explained. Fuel was visibly quite shocked to realize he found something so valuable. Lucas took the marble admiring it, it was definitely bigger then the one he had before. Lucas smiled. "Thank you Fuel, you have no idea how much you've saved me," Before Fuel could ask Lucas swallowed the marble whole. Fuel gasped in total surprise seeing Lucas eat the marble so casually. Before he could inquire about the action as soon as it slipped down Lucas's throat the results were instant as white sparks began dancing all over his body. Fuel stood back gaping a bit as Lucas suddenly shot out of the bed, with they symbiont coming alive and repairing his tattered clothes. Also his side starting healing instantly and the injury was gone in moments.

"Cool…"

"Thanks so much Fuel, you definitely count as a human brother," Lucas said tightly hugging Fuel who was surprised but said he was glad to help. "I hate to ask this, but I need just two more things from you now,"

"What would that be?"

Claus rushed back into the laboratory shivering and brushing off the snow that accumulated on his jacket. He began to rub his body heavily trying to warm himself up. "It's getting worse out there again," Claus muttered. He just simply couldn't understand this type of weather, and why it hit the Nowhere Islands so hard. Claus turned his attention forward to see a bunch of relieved faces.

"We thought you wouldn't come back before the storm really picked up," Loid said.

"Did anyone find him?" Claus asked not trying to get into his well being. Claus was met with sullen faces as it seemed no one was able to find Lucas. Claus only became more distressed. The snowstorm was getting worse, and if Lucas was powerless out in that, it could all end. "I'm going back out,"

"Claus you can't, you'll freeze out there!" Paula exclaimed.

"Don't forget, I'm part mechanical, and on top of that I have some alien power in me too. I'm sure I'll be able to last a little longer," Claus said turning to the door.

"Machines don't function well in the cold Claus, and the skin touching your metal parts could cause freezing burns," Jeff explained. Claus stalled upon hearing this explanation. He could admit that Jeff was indeed right, and it wasn't like MOTHER powered him. Before he could come to a conclusion there was a knock on the door. Claus was quick to open the door expecting to see Lucas. However, his face fell.

"Oh, it's only you Fuel…" Claus said solemnly.

"Nice to see you to," Fuel said pushing past Claus and into the lab. Fuel removed the hood of his thick black winter coat. "Wow it is really coming down out there, and the wind is starting to pick up,"

"So how did you manage to get all the way here?" Duster asked.

"Lucas dropped me off," Fuel said offhandedly as he continued to rub himself.

"You saw Lucas!" Claus exclaimed grabbing Fuel's shoulders and shaking him. Fuel looked at Claus then slowly nods. "Well why isn't he here?"

"He asked me to tell you guys two things," Fuel said getting free of Claus's grip.

"Really, and what would that be?" Ness asked.

"He wanted to say sorry for attacking you, he really didn't mean it, he was just desperate," At this Ness rubbed his arm with a guilty look in his eyes.

"Is Lucas okay?" Paula asked.

"Oh yeah, he is way beyond okay," Fuel assured. "Turns out this lucky rock I had was this alien power source that he needed. Lucky huh,"

"So you had MOTHER?" Ana asked.

"Apparently, and he swallowed the thing and was practically bouncing off the walls. He was so thrilled he asked where I got it from,"

"Yeah, where did you get it from?" Dr. Andonuts asked raising an eyebrow. He found it hard to believe that Fuel just so happened to have stumbled across an object of near unlimited power.

"You guys know how the Pigmask had been mining or something in the mountains, right?" Fuel asked the Nowhere Island residents. They all nod.

"The machines made a lot of noise, but they weren't harming anyone. I didn't see any reason to go at them, and they aren't exactly as organized as they used to be. Plus, threat level wise, they are really down there," Kumatora said. The others seemed to share Kumatora's exact feelings.

"Well the crazy thing was, they were mining this, MOTHER stuff. I just got a small piece, but they have loads of it," Fuel said waving his arms for emphasis. At this everyone's face fell. Suddenly, the Pigmask were a threat all over again, and even beyond. "Lucas said he was gonna see to it that they couldn't use it, and set them back,"

"He's going to take on the Pigmask army all by himself!" Claus exclaimed.

"Yeah," Fuel said simply.

"We gotta go help him," Ness said.

"You might as well let him go guys. I mean, he's just trying to find himself, and I think that's the best way he can. This should help clear his head,"

"Hey, didn't you have another thing to tell us?" Teddy reminded Fuel. Fuel tilted his head until the though finally came to him.

"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me," Fuel turned to Claus. "Claus, Lucas asked me to ask you to go out and pull the seven needles,"

Lucas is walking through the thick woods of the Nowhere Islands, far beyond Sunshine Forest. He walked calmly with no interference. Not even the heavy snow and wind seemed to bother him in the slightest. He has his hood up and his hands jammed his pant's pockets. To him, this was nothing but a short stroll. To him, it just seemed like an oddly windy day, instead of a snowstorm starting to kick up.

"You sure you up for this?" Carnicise asked snidely.

"Doubting me?"

"Oh no, I just want to see what you plan on doing,"

"I plan on giving in, wholly and totally,"

"Meaning…?"

"I've always pulled myself back never allowing both of who I am to coexist in a fight. Right now, I'm gonna give it my everything," Lucas said as he came to the top of a hill. He looked down to see what looked like tanks mobilizing into place. The area is covered in snow as the entire base sits in a valley between two mountains. It's a flat surface that's covered in the color grey and purple. Spider legs protruding out of the sides of the building, and a giant wide purple door that took up the center of the base and almost touched the top of it, stood strong and close. Lucas had no doubt he had tripped an alarm, and no doubt the Pigmask had developed technology to sense MOTHER energies. They were smart to bring out this much firepower. The tanks looked greatly improved from their original version, and possibly more powerful too. Lucas could sense an abundance of MOTHER in this one area. "Alright Carnicise, I will need you to aid me here. You wanna finally put our differences aside and work together?"

"I demand nourishment…and you have a deal,"

Lucas removed his hands from his pockets and allowed his sleeves to come down his hands until they covered them. The tips of Lucas's fingers then sharpen into razor sharp claws, capable of possibly slashing metal. Lucas jumped down from the hill then slammed into the snowy ground below. The tanks lowered their cannons at Lucas preparing to fire.

"YOU ARE TRESSPASSING ON PRIVATE TERRITORY, LEAVE NOW AND WE MIGHT NOT BLOW YOU TO BITS!" shouted a loud voice originating from the base.

"How about you hand over those stones you've been stock piling!" Lucas called out over the wind.

"ALL CANNONS, TAKE AIM, AND OPEN FIRE!"

"Silly, didn't they get the memo?" Lucas said with a smile as he charged forward with his arms behind him. "Nothing can stop me,"