Chapter Twenty Four: Steps
Tim Scott pulled Vanessa behind him, as Christian and Chloe moved up next to them, with John stepping in front of them all. Hower glared at them, almost with a smirk. Only a few feet away, Caroline had Carina, Carrie, Sarah, and Chuck pinned in a corner. And in the center of the platform stood Aayla and Revan, who circled each other. Neither said a word. At the other end of the platform, Violet Squad was lying unconscious.
"I'm going to have fun with this…" Hower said, charging up his palm blasters. He nodded to Vanessa. "I'm going to save you as a play toy for later. You should feel lucky."
"I'll show you lucky!" Tim shouted. He bolted forward, and suddenly there was a blast, and he flew backward, a hole in his chest. He let out one surprised gasp, before he fell unmoving and quiet.
"Foolish. Who's next?"
No one said a word. David just shrugged. "So be it." He blasted Christian to the ground. Then he aimed his palms at Chloe, who turned and ran from the group. Hower smiled. "You can run, but not very far…" There was a blast, and she went down.
Sarah, Chuck, Carina, and Carrie watched Caroline as she swung the blade around in her hands skillfully. "On three…" Carina said, nudging Sarah, who nodded. Chuck blinked. "What?"
"Three."
The two women ran forward, and Caroline spun around, her sword drawing blood from both of them. They quickly fell to the ground, gasping for air. "Sarah!" Chuck screamed, and ran forward – or tried to, as Carrie grabbed his arm, pulling him back, as Caroline smirked over at them. "Come on. Try me. Maybe you'll get farther then they did."
"I swear…"
"What words?" Caroline laughed and she started forward, and Chuck stood in front of Carrie. "I won't let you hurt anyone else."
"Good."
Caroline stopped and waved her hand at Chuck, challenging him.
And he accepted, by rushing forward. Caroline dropped her sword, and stood her ground. It all seemed to go in slow motion now, as Carrie looked on, crying out for Chuck to stop. He dove forward, and Caroline met him at the end, and she pelted him in the chest with an open palm, and he fell backward, as if he'd slipped on a banana peel, and Caroline followed his fall with her palm against his chest, and as he slammed into the ground, Caroline rolled her hand up into a fist, and suddenly a blade extended out of her sleeve, and impaled Chuck through the chest.
In the middle of the platform, blue and red blades clashed, rapidly, until they finally locked together, and Revan stared down at Aayla. "Give up! You can't win."
"This isn't a contest." Suddenly Revan went flying forward, as all of Violet Squad tackled him to the ground. As they piled up on top of him, they all went flying off just as fast. Revan turned and unleashed a fury of force lightning on the squad, before sending them over the edge, about a 100 feet away.
Revan ignited his blade again, and rushed toward Aayla, when suddenly the vent directly above her opened up, and Misha swung out, and kicked her feet into Revan, sending him to the ground. Aayla rushed over, and aimed her blade at his head. "It's over. Surrender your blade."
"It will never be over!" He reached over for his light saber hilt, and activated it, but not before she plunged her own blade into his chest. Across the way, there were several blasts. Misha, AJ, and Shandana looked up, as Vanessa rushed behind them. "Baba!" AJ screamed. John was lying on the ground, gasping for breath as he grabbed at his leg.
Hower turned, and the Iron Mask opened, revealing his face. "I just love a good fight!"
There was a whistle from behind him. He turned, clank-ish in the suit, and I smiled up at him. Suddenly he stumbled backward as I punched him hard in his face, and he suddenly fell over the edge of the platform, with a loud scream. AJ, Misha, and Shandana rushed forward, and dropped down next to their Father. "Baba!" AJ hissed, as he tried to sit up. "I'm fine…"
"You're hurt!" Shandana said. "Hurt, but still breathing." He huffed, as I walked up behind AJ, putting my hand on her shoulder. He looked up at me, and then at his daughters. "You have to stop him. What are you all still standing around moping over me for? GO!"
They all stood, and we turned, and I heard a grunting sound. I stared over, as Ouida and Caroline circled each other. "Oh shit." I breathed. Suddenly Caroline lunged forward, and slapped Ouida, who turned away, touching her lip. She drew blood and turned back to Caroline, with a look of annoyance.
"Is that all you have?" Ouida spat. Caroline just smiled. "I've got more. Just making sure you want to continue, before I kill Underwood over here."
Suddenly Caroline hit the ground face first. "Bitch!" Ouida looked over at Carrie, and they both smirked, as Caroline got to her feet. "Well played. But you have no idea what is coming." Suddenly Caroline threw a kick forward, knocking Carrie backward, rolling over the edge. "NO!" I rushed forward, as Ouida leapt over, and grabbed Carrie's hand.
Caroline took advantage of her distraction, and took off in the path of Clymore. I slid forward on my feet, and dropped down next to Ouida, who seemed to be struggling to hold onto Carrie's hand, which was starting to slip. I reached down, extending my hand to Carrie. "Give me your other hand!"
"I can't!" She cried. I glared. "Yes. Carrie. You can! Give me your hand!"
I watched as multiple tears rolled off her face and fell into the darkness below. I closed my eyes. "I am not joking! I won't let anyone else die! I can't stop them without any of your help! Now give me your god-damn hand!"
Suddenly she started to float up and before we could react, she was standing on the ground behind us. And behind her, stood Aayla. "You have to go. Stop the General and Caroline. Before it's too late."