Disclaimer: I do NOT own Lilo and Stitch or their characters. I only own story, plot, and three experiments: Drea, Slyther, and Master
Note: A reviewer asked me this, so in case there are some of you readers that have the same question, but forgot to put it in, I'll say it now. The question was Why is Stitch just starting to forget Lilo if Slyther immediately forgot Drea? Answer to that is strong love. Lilo and Stitch share the Seloverena Blessing remember? So, of course their love was stronger than Drea and Slyther. So because of their strong devotion for the other, it'll take a bit of time to extinguish their love for each other. Hope that cleared things up for you guys!
During the whole night, Jumba stayed awake seeking a remedy for Drea and Angel's sickness. His eyes became sore, pleading for him to sleep. However, he ignored the discomfort settled in his eyes and his whole body. Drea and Angel were his creations, one his late father aided him and he refused to lose his precious experiments.
As he checked through Master's data base, hoping he would find even a bit source of information, the ship's doors opened. Jumba spun on his feet to see who it was that entered his ship. Slyther, with his bloodshot green eyes and drenched silver fur, stood at the doorway. He strode over to his creator, praying he had some good news to tell him.
"Anything?" He pleaded desperately.
Jumba sighed, and shook his head. "Jumba is truly not evil genius this time. Can not find cure for 699 and 624. Jumba checked through everything and checked twice again. Still nothing."
Slyther felt his heart twist in guilt. He should've been more protective of them. He should've taken Drea to Angel, regardless what her wishes were and he should've never whispered to Angel. If he hadn't said a word to her, she wouldn't have awoken and wouldn't have followed him. He could've met his own death and be with Drea again in the afterlife.
Jumba noticed one of his Pre experiments appeared upset and enquired it. "What is being wrong 700?"
"I feel as if this whole deal was my fault." Slyther replied, his voice grouchy. "I watched Drea die, or at least I thought she died. I should've taken her to you, but she begged me not to. She said she wanted to die. I listened to her and she died in my arms, in my kiss. Then with Angel, she was asleep and I spoke to her. She must've heard me and awoke. She must've known that I left and she followed. I should've at least took one look back or at least protected her better. It's my entire fault Jumba! I'm the blame."
The massive alien bent down and scooped Slyther up in his arms. With his large hand, he stroked his back. Slyther emitted a few silent purrs from the back of his throat. He nuzzled into his creator's chest, burying his face to hide his tears of anguish and sorrow. Jumba spoke soothingly, as if he was his father. "It is not being your fault 700. Jumba can understand why you feel this way, but sometimes, we all make mistakes. Mistakes that can cost people's lives and mistakes that can help us do better. No matter how big mistakes are, they're still done and there is being no point in reflecting back to what happened and what you should have done."
Slyther sighed then decided to change the subject. "What of 626? I wonder why he was so cold to Lilo this afternoon."
"Jumba isn't paying attention to it. 626 could've been overwrought. 626 does care for 624 and to see her in such state is being a shock to him. Not to mention 701 has probably killed another cousin of his. That brings him down too. 626 does unthinkable things when he's really upset or mad. I'm sure he'll be better by tomorrow." Jumba responded, meaning every word he said.
Slyther shrugged. "I guess you're right. Do you mind if I see Drea and Angel?"
"Evil Genius not minding at all. Go on 700." Jumba replied as he set down the silver experiment and went back to researching.
Slyther walked forward, raising his paws to open the double doors. His green eyes took in the sight of Drea and Angel. They laid in two separate gurneys, their eyes closed in what seemed to be an eternal slumber. A tall machine stood beside their bedside, beeping to let everyone know they're still alive. Slyther couldn't help but feel remorse for his actions. These two girls wouldn't be lying almost lifeless in a bed if he would've taken better responsibility for their safety.
He strode over to Drea's side, clutching her scaly hand. Flashbacks of their time together overwhelmed his mind. The first time he laid eyes on her, she was a living beauty. Their first kiss under the stars, that would always live in his mind forever. The happiness and nervousness he felt when she announced he was going to be a father. He remembered his children and how beautiful they were. He would give anything to see their sweet faces, to rock them to sleep, to tell them he loved them.
He towered over Drea, taking in her form. He kissed her nose softly. "I remember everything Drea. I remember how much I loved you, you were the greatest thing that ever happened to me. However, Drea, I'm confused now. A part of me wants to be with you again, but I think another part of my heart belongs to Angel. During my time with her, I think I fell in love. She was the only girl that tried to change my evil ways. Because of her, I would have never gained back my memories. I still love you Drea, but I think I love Angel also. Why didn't you try to help me gain back my memories? You said you loved me, but why didn't you help me? If you lost your memory and forgot everything about me, I would stop at nothing to make you remember me again. Why didn't you?" He paused then stepped away. "If you would've helped me gain back my memories, I wouldn't had fallen for Angel and you and I could've started out fresh again."
He sighed then stepped away from the slumbering violet dragon. He approached Angel, a huge smile forming across his face. He sat on the edge of her bed, caressing her face with his hands. He wanted to see that gorgeous smile of hers, the one that made his heart melt. He leaned forward and brushed his lips on hers for only a second. He touched the side of her cheek, his thumb rubbing across it. "Angel, I'm so sorry. If I had known this would've happened, I would have never stayed with you to protect my behind." He replied then climbed in bed with her, nestling her neck. "You did something to me Angel. I had thought Drea was my only love, and that I love her, but I think my heart is attached to you. Please Angel, don't die. We need you. I need you. Please Angel, come back."
He swallowed hard, wrapping his arms around her waist. He kissed her cheek one last time then fell asleep, hoping Jumba would find the cure the next day.
Night turned to morning and people were up. Lilo sighed as Stitch exited the bed with a grumble of good morning, but no kiss as he usually does. She looked down at the blue promise ring on her finger, biting her lip as she remembered how loving Stitch acted towards her. She wanted to make herself believe that he was just worried about Angel, Drea, and the final battle with Master, but she knew something was wrong. After eating breakfast, they watched TV. Stitch sat away from Lilo who gazed at him suspiciously. Stitch noticed Lilo's evident displeasure and smiled. However, she knew it wasn't genuine.
Still keeping his forced smile, he laid down on the couch, bringing her with him. She laid her head on his chest while he threw his arms around her back, caressing her lovingly. A beam crossed Lilo's face. She relished being in his arms. Even with his strange behavior, his arms brought to her a sense of comfort and love. Stitch stroked her while watching TV. Lilo wanted so badly to ask him why he suddenly changed from a loving boyfriend, to a cold stranger, and back to a loving boyfriend but slightly cold. She didn't want to interrupt the silence, so she spoke to him through mind reading.
Stitch? She asked in her thoughts, but much to her surprise, he didn't respond. Stitch? Stitch, why aren't you answering me?
"Stitch?" Lilo asked out loud, getting upset with his ignorance.
"What?" He replied almost grouchily.
"Why didn't you answer me?" Lilo enquired.
Stitch rolled his eyes. "You didn't say anything."
"I said it in my mind." Lilo replied. "You were supposed to read it and then reply back to me through your mind."
"Well, what do you want? I'm trying to watch the show, so hurry up and talk." Stitch demanded, his voice grumpy.
Lilo was dumbfounded that he spoke to her that way. She scowled then pushed herself off him. "You know what? Never mind. I'm going to see Jumba."
He shrugged then continued watching TV, his arms detaching from her body. Lilo huffed angrily and left. What is wrong with him? She thought. Surely he isn't that upset. Stitch would just never toss me to the side because he's busy watching TV. He would listen to my problems and give me his full attention. Since when is he so into a show?
She sighed then continued making her way to the ship. She saw Jumba typing away on his computer. His eyes red from lack of sleep and his clothes disheveled. Lilo knew he had stayed up most of the night to find the cure for his experiments and her heart went out to him. She knew how important Drea, Angel, and all the other experiments were to him.
"Little Girl!" He exclaimed. "What are you be doing here?"
"I'm worried about Stitch." She responded. "He's acting so mean."
"Jumba's sure it is being nothing to worry about Little Girl." He replied, waving off her complaint. "Am being sure he's just worrying about the final confrontation with 701, and if 624 and 699 would be okey-dokey. Nothing to worry about."
"But Stitch would never be this mean." Lilo whined. "He didn't kiss me this morning, he couldn't even read my mind, and he says watching TV is more important to him than listening to my problems!"
Jumba's face cringed in befuddlement. "Now I know 626 would never do that. Well, when 699 and 624 are nourished back to health, we'll see what happens with him then."
"I feel as though he doesn't love me anymore." Lilo whimpered, a few tears in her eyes. "How's Drea and Angel coming along?"
"Well, they're still alive. Jumba still can not find antidote though. Been looking through 701's powers and checked them at least four times already. Still can not be finding cure." Jumba replied gloomily.
Lilo sighed. She was concerned about her best friend and an experiment she was eager to meet. Slyther entered the room, his shoulders slouched and his green eyes tired. He went up to Lilo and asked if he could speak with her alone, to which Lilo agreed. They stepped outside into the warm sun, sitting together on the cool damp grass.
"Lilo, how did you fall in love with Stitch?" Slyther asked nervously.
The girl tried desperately to keep off a grin. "Why would you want to know?" Slyther poured out all his feelings to her. He told her about Drea and the past they had together, only to have that taken away by the demon. He informed her about Angel, how she helped him getting his memories back and the new feelings he had for her. Lilo listened, a smile growing bigger on her face. She knew Slyther was in love. "Sounds to me you and Angel are in love."
Slyther sighed. "That's what I feared. How am I going to tell this to Drea after she and Angel are treated. Worse, what will she do to Angel?"
"You know, Sparky and I kind of have the same situation. Except, we didn't lose our memories and we didn't love each other like you and Drea did. But we did separate because I started crushing on Keoni. He thinks he still loves me, but I keep telling him I'm with Stitch. Finally, he learned to leave me alone. Now, I'm not so sure about Stitch." Lilo replied, crossing her arms. Her heart ached when she thought of Stitch's cold eyes, the same eyes he had in their dream.
"What's wrong with 626?" Slyther asked curiously.
"He's just not so lovable anymore. Last night he barely spoke a word to me and he can't read my mind anymore. I don't think I can read his either." Lilo said, a few tears in her eyes. "It's as if, he doesn't love me anymore."
Slyther threw his arm around Lilo's shoulders comfortingly. "He still loves you, but I think Master did something to him. He hasn't been acting this cold since Master attacked him."
"Then what did he do to my buchee-bu?" She cried.
"I don't know. Hopefully, it's temporary." He responded, squeezing her shoulders.
"I hope so too Slyther." Lilo whimpered as she wiped away the remaining tears. "Now, about you and Angel. I think you should tell her. About Drea, she's just going to have to learn to accept that the guy she loves, loves another girl. Besides, first love doesn't always last forever. Sparky was my first love, but I moved to Stitch. Angel was Stitch's first love, but he moved to me. Stitch was Angel's first love, but I think she's moving towards you. Give her the chance Slyther. Drea's just going to have to find another love."
"I guess you're right." He agreed. "I just hope Jumba will find the antidote soon."
"That goes for the both of us." Lilo mumbled.
The remaining of the day flew by and still, Jumba didn't find the cure for Drea and Angel. Lilo and Slyther were highly concerned that Jumba might never find the antidote, but they still kept their hopes. Though the hoping level was on low, they believed Drea and Angel will pull through.
Stitch stayed cold to Lilo and everyone else. Unexpectedly, he'll be lovable towards Lilo and asked her how Angel and Drea are fairing, but most of the time, he's still despicable towards her. Lilo also found out that she couldn't read his mind, nor could he read hers. She wondered what this meant and what will happen in the future.
It was nighttime and everyone was getting ready to go to bed. Similar to last night, Stitch went off in his world and stared outside the window. He appeared to be an adventurous puppy yearning for freedom. Lilo watched him from the closet, sighing as she took in his skinnier appearance. He didn't eat dinner yesterday nor any kind of meal tonight. Lilo knew Stitch wasn't like that.
Gathering her tiny bit of valor, she confronted him. She direly wanted to know what was wrong with her boyfriend.
"Stitch?" Lilo asked. He ignored her, still staring out the window. "Stitch!"
"What!" He exclaimed testily, his narrowed slit like eyes piercing through her forehead. "What do you want now?"
"I just wanted to know why you're acting like this!" She yelled back at him. "Are you that worried about Drea and Angel?"
Stitch smirked and stood. He strolled over slowly to Lilo, his dangerous eyes staring through hers. "You want to know something Pelekai?" Pelekai? Lilo thought to herself. Since when does he refer to me by my last name? "I could careless if they died. I would actually laugh at them for being so weak. If they don't have the willpower to live, then I say we toss them into the burning fires of He-"
"Stitch!" Lilo intervened before he could say something nasty. "What is wrong with you! You've never acted like this before. I- I'm getting Jumba, maybe he can sort you out."
Stitch growled as he gripped Lilo's hand. She froze, this felt all to familiar. Stitch yanked her back, he glared at her as he spoke, his voice icy. "Just what did you mean by sorting me out?"
"I meant that you're heartless! Before, you used to love and care for people. The Stitch I know and love would be doing anything to help find a cure for Angel and Drea! Not saying that they deserve to die because they're weak. You've become as cold as Master. Maybe even worse!" Lilo cried, tears spilling freely on her face.
"Unless you have a death wish Pelekai, I suggest you apologize to me." Stitch threatened, his grip painfully tight around her now bruising wrist.
Lilo whimpered in fear at his threat, but her voice betrayed her. "I am not going to apologize to you. Now let me go!"
Stitch's eyes narrowed into slim slits. Lilo closed her eyes, waiting for him to do something. She thought he was going to slap her, but instead, she felt the feeling of the world passing her by and the painful connection between the small of her back and the sharp corner of the desk. She landed on the ground, recovering from the injury. Stitch stepped forward with his beady eyes. He reeled his hand back and struck her across the face, his long sharp nails digging into the skin on her left cheek.
She whimpered as he kicked her in the chest, causing her to lose her breath. Stitch stared at her, his hands clutched at his sides. His breathing grew erratic and when Lilo looked into his eyes pleadingly, his angry expression softened.
"Oh no, Lilo." He breathed unbelievably. How could he hit her like that? "Lilo, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."
Lilo raised her hand to her cheek, her breathing slightly wheezy. She felt warm liquid on her cheek and when she pulled back, she gasped at the sight of her blood. She glanced at Stitch's face, expecting to see some scratch marks on his cheek and blood too. However, he looked alright. He didn't even suffer from her injuries.
Suddenly, it occurred to her why. She now understood why they couldn't read each other's minds anymore and why they didn't share the same injuries. They didn't share the Seloverena Blessing anymore and if they didn't share that, then that means one thing.
He doesn't love me anymore. Lilo whimpered, unknowingly murmuring it under her breath.
Stitch heard and reached forward to take her into his arms, wanting to tell her he really did love her. However, she just pushed him out of the way and rode down the elevator, refusing to let him see her tears.
Stitch stood dumbfounded in the dome, his mind replaying back to what just happened. Why did I hit her? He thought to himself as he fell onto the bed.
Because I told you to.
Who are you? Stitch asked in his mind, knowing that was the only way he'll be able to communicate.
Why Stitch, I thought you were smarter. It's me, Master.
Stitch growled. How can we read each other's minds?
Stop asking pointless questions and listen to me. You are devoted to me. Your loyalty lies within me and no one else. Leave Lilo and begin life the way it's supposed to be. Come with me.
I'm not leaving Lilo!
That's too bad. He mockingly replied. Because if you stay with her, then the way you're going to solve your conundrum is by killing her with your own hands.
I will never do that to her!
Really? Then would you call shoving her, slapping her and kicking her, show her you love her? Face it 626. Your love for Lilo is slowly dying and soon, you won't even remember her. I cursed you with the same curse I did to Slyther to make him forget about Drea. If you stay with Lilo, then you'll end up hurting her.
How will I know that you won't kill Lilo?
Don't worry, you'll be thrilled to see her bleed.
Stitch blinked to hold back tears. Why are you doing this?
I told you! I want you to be my partner in crime and I want to see Lilo's blood staining the Earth. I want her dead! Because of her, experiments are now useless! Now, if you don't want to hurt her, come to me.
Stitch sighed as he exited the dome. He found Lilo asleep on the couch, her face tearstained. He blinked back his own tears, knowing what he had to do. He went over to the linen closet down the hallway and plucked out a blanket. He walked back over to his sleeping Lilo, her face troubled.
He threw the covers over her, shielding her body from the wintry air. She shivered at the frosty connection with her bare tan skin and cool sheet. Stitch's eyes took in her cheek, where he slapped her. The four scratch marks on her cheek informed him of what he needed to do. If he was going to keep himself from hurting Lilo, then he had to leave her. Permanently.
He kissed her scraped cheek, softly. He wished he could be in her arms right now. His arms draped over her waist while she cuddled into his chest. However, he knew he couldn't do that. He had to leave and if he wasted all his time about thoughts of her, then he'll never gather enough courage to.
"I love you." He whispered in her ear, a tear falling from his cheek and onto hers. "If we have to fight each other during this battle, then know I still love you. I'll always love you my buchee-bu. Always. I love you. Goodbye."
He pulled away then without looking back, he left Lilo and everything he once loved behind to start anew with Master.