Guest 4: Ah, so true. Gordon and Edward will return before Phase 3! :)
Guest: Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy the story!
Here is Chapter 29! One more to go before Phase 3! ALSO, CAN I JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR 50 FREAKING REVIEWS?! YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!
(PS: Next chapter, I'll reveal some details about Phase 3!)
After a day of planning, Scott looked around cautiously. To make his move, he would have to be stealthy like a ninja, but faster than a speeding cheetah. It was... an interesting plan, to say the least. While he was still against ever becoming a hero, he was, frankly, fed up with villainy. He knew that whatever had happened to Gordon and Edward would probably end up getting reversed, or they would be freed from a prison cell or something. He really didn't know what had happened, and would like to keep it that way.
Finally, after telling a lie to everyone, he zipped away on his bike. This would be... interesting, to say the least. He had his own agenda, and wanted to cement that into solid stone. And now might be his only chance.
As he pulled up to the college, he was able to enter thanks to Shaka Vinnie's ripped-off gate. However, as expected, he wasn't welcomed with open arms.
"SCOTT!" Thomas yelled, grabbing his shield.
"What are you doing here?!" yelled Oliver.
"Please! Allow me to explain!" Scott said. "I have something to tell you."
The six lowered their weapons so slowly it was almost scary. Scott then held out a piece of paper.
"Read it, your brother's lives could depend on it," Scott said. "It wasn't meant to be sent for another month, so read it with caution."
Thomas snatched the letter from Scott's hands and read it aloud. What was written gave him enough chills to freeze an active volcano.
"Not-So-Dear Thomas, I have your brothers in custody. By the time you are reading this, my forces are getting ready for our next confrontation. Should you receive this earlier than August 15th, I advise you not to attack. We will kill everyone, including your brothers, should you attack early. However, if you receive this letter on the previously said day, you have five days to prepare yourself. When we confront each other, I will reveal how you can prove you can find your brothers. Should you not arrive in five days, however, we will kill Gordon and Edward. You have been warned. Oh, and also, don't get any bright ideas. Arrive with two other individuals only. This is mandatory. If you arrive with so much as a toy extra, we will kill you. Not-So-Sincerely, Diesel 10."
Thomas looked at the letter in rage before screaming loudly and ripping it to shreds.
"THAT GOD-FORSAKEN MORON WILL PAY!" screamed Thomas loudly.
"Calm down!" said James.
"This proves that they are still alive!" said Henry. "And I can sense Scott isn't playing a trick."
"I am only trying to help," said Scott. "Diesel 10 is growing too insane. This game is only so he can rise to the top. He would turn on anyone, even Dart."
"You don't say," Splatter growled.
"So, does this mean you're gonna help us?" Dodge asked.
"Oh, heck no!" said Scott. "Just because evil isn't on my agenda anymore doesn't mean that I am going to be a hero. I want to go to a calmer crime life, if at all."
"So what's the game plan for you then?" Dodge asked.
"I will disappear completely," said Scott. "Since I have a hunch you will win this war eventually, in return for my act today, promise that you will not mention me to the law."
"Okay, but never return," growled Thomas. "You know what'll happen if you do."
"Absolutely," said Scott. "Good luck, heroes. I wish you all the best."
Then, Scott rode off into the night on his bike.
"We don't need him anyway," said James.
"We better get prepped for battle," said Oliver. "It's summer, a month will fly by faster than we know it."
"I'm going to bed guys," said Thomas. "I'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, Thomas ran out of the lab and back to his room. Everyone else looked at each other with concern and doubt spread on their faces.
"Please tell me I am not alone when I say that something feels off, and not in the typical sense," said Henry.
"I got that feeling too," said Splatter. "When he first said 'Gordon and Edward', my stomach felt weird."
"They are either playing us for fools or there is something bigger going on, and this is merely a cover," said James.
"But what could it be?" Oliver asked. "If they truly are alive, we can only think about how hard this'll be."
"Let's sleep on it," said Dodge. "Tomorrow, we'll begin preparing for this battle. All of us. He can't split us up with a mere threat."
And with that, the team went their separate ways as they headed to their respective rooms.
And Oliver's statement came true. A month went by in the blink of an eye, but the six were ready. Thomas and James had armor now, and Thomas' resembled Captain America, but the white on the waist was now yellow, and a silver 1 was planted on his chest instead of a star to match his shield. Meanwhile, James had on a buffed up Hawkeye cosplay on. I'm serious. The dude even had red sunglasses to complete the look. Meanwhile, Henry had upgraded his helmet, and Oliver stayed the same. Splatter now wielded a pair of nunchucks, and Dodge wielded a mace.
Now, the six stood in front of the Steelworks, ready with a plan.
"Me, Oliver, and James will go through the front," said Thomas. "The rest of you, stay at the back. We'll surprise him, free my brothers, and finish him off."
"Right," they all said.
"Okay, let's move out," said Thomas.
Henry and Splodge made their way to the back, while James pulled an explosive arrow and launched it at the door. His shades let hims stare at the explosion directly and not have his eyes damaged. Then, they cautiously stepped into the Steelworks, where they immediately spotted Diesel 10 quite a few yards away.
"Hello, Thomas," said Diesel 10.
"I only brought Oliver and James," Thomas said. "Now, unhand my brothers."
"I can't do that, that isn't what the letter said," said Diesel 10. "I said I will reveal where they are if you can prove you are ready."
"I'll do anything," Thomas said.
"Well then," growled Diesel 10. "You can prove your strength to me..."
Suddenly, Fusion flew behind them from out of nowhere, and stacked a few large crates in front of the door.
"By defeating me yourself."
Thomas saw James and Oliver shutter at this, but Thomas dropped his shield in response.
"I'll do it," the hero said.
"Very well," said Diesel 10. "Now, let us not waste any time. Come at me, you incompetent scum."
Oh, Thomas knew that he was gonna enjoy this. As he fought Diesel 10 fist-against-claw, he realized that he was stronger than ever remembering to be. Maybe it was because of the adrenaline rushing through his blood to his fists in order to take out his adversary and save his brothers. The two stayed in a heated battle where neither were stronger for about three minutes before Thomas started to get the upper hand.
"I'm gonna destroy you!" Thomas yelled. But then, Diesel 10 kicked him backward and something wrapped around his neck, in an attempt to choke him.
"W-W-What?!" Thomas strained through a tightened neck. "Dart?!"
"After you're gone, the Awdrys will be a pest off of my back!" Dart yelled. Something didn't feel right, and it wasn't the arm wrapped around his own neck.
"Henry... NOW!"
With every last ounce of breath he had, he screamed those words. Then, an explosion scared Dart off of Thomas as Henry and Splodge burst through the door.
"Don't worry Thomas, we'll get you!" Splatter yelled.
"Hey, Diesel 10!" yelled Dodge. "You're gonna die, you son of a b-"
"ATTACK!" Diesel 10 yelled.
Then, it was an all out war. Thomas recovered his shield and took to challenging Diesel 10, while James took on Dart and Den. Oliver, obviously, took on Shaka Vinnie, as the two now had an extreme hatred for one another. Splodge and Henry, meanwhile, took turns taking on Bluestreak, Human Flare, Spamcan, and Bowler. For now, Henry was busy with Spamcan.
"This is for Bear!" Henry, who had gotten his helmet knocked off previously, screamed as he delivered a punch that flung Spamcan into a nearby crate.
But behind him, unbeknownst to him, Bowler was sneaking up with the butt of his gun pointed at Henry's head. However, as he gave it a solid whack to Henry's exposed head, he realized something...
All Henry did was budge. And then, the hero turned to face his adversary dead in the eye, and grab his throat.
"Ow," he growled, before flinging him where his brother already lay before putting his helmet back on. "That stung."
"Could use a hand here!" James yelled from across the Steelworks, and said hero was currently lying underneath Den, who was roaring at him.
"Oh, this'll be fun," growled Henry. He then ran at his fastest speed, and straight up jump-kicked Den into the wall, and Dart slouched down to the wall next to the mechanical beast's head.
"WE SURRENDER!" Diesel 10 yelled, extending his hand and Pinchy in the air.
"Now, HOW DO I FREE MY BROTHERS?!" Thomas screamed.
"Come back tomorrow, we will give them to you then!" Diesel 10 yelled. "Just leave! GO!"
The six heroes looked at one another, before turning to the blown up doorway and making their exit.
However, Diesel 10 subtly nodded to Dart, who nodded to Bluestreak after grabbing his gun with his not-asleep left hand. But, when Bluestreak ran to grab and tackle Henry... something wasn't right. Henry was holding onto his metal arm, which had a knife in it... and he was circling back around.
Instead of the intended "BANG!" to echo throughout the warehouse, a loud, screeching "SLICE!" echoed... followed by Dart screaming in agony and clutching his wrist tightly and panting.
"MASTER!" Bluestreak yelled, before Henry kicked him off to the side. Dart's left hand still gripped the gun, but his wrist was in his right hand, and his left hand was on the floor...
Then, everyone came to the realization.
Henry had literally used Bluestreak as a giant knife to chop Dart's hand off.
"I want to give you something," Henry growled, kneeling in front of Dart.
"W-What?!" Dart screamed. "You c-cut off my h-hand!"
"I know," said Henry, removing his helmet. "I want to give you my helmet."
Then, to everyone's surprise, he placed the Panther helmet right in front of Dart.
"But why?" Dart seethed through gritted teeth.
"As a reminder to you of what took place tonight," Henry snarled. "But that isn't the only reason..."
There was a moment of silence before Henry's eyes stared dead directly at Dart's eyes as his words sent a chill down the villain's spine.
"I am coming back for it. And if you tamper with it, you will not live long enough to turn into something useful."
With that, Henry turned on his heel and made his way back to his friends as Bluestreak and Human Flare helped their master back up.
"Don't worry, master," said Bluestreak. "We will fix you up."
"Aww, that is nasty!" Human Flare exclaimed.
And tomorrow, Thomas swore on his life he would recover his brothers, one way or another.
Even if it would cost a life...
Dart looked at his new metal gauntlet placed on his left wrist. He was told that the wrist cover could also act as a weapon holder in place of the actual hand. He liked it, but his new vendetta against Henry had been sparked with an instant ignition of a flame. Suddenly, Diesel 10 wandered into his room.
"Diesel is on his way back from Sodor," said Diesel 10. "When he gets here, we will force Thomas to make a choice that he prayed to never make."
"We do have the trick ready, right?" Dart asked.
"Yes, yes we do," said Diesel 10.
"Will Timothy get in the way?" asked Dart.
"No, Diesel said the old bloke would be days behind," said Diesel 10. "So, about Henry..."
"Don't worry about that punk, I'll handle him," said Dart. "I will get rid of him..."
There was a minor pause...
But what Dart said next gave the fearsome Diesel 10 chills.
"The same exact way I got Gordon and Edward off my back."
TRUST ME! GORDON AND EDWARD ARE NOT DEAD!
As a matter of fact... they are coming back for the end of Phase 2! Stay tuned everyone, you won't want to miss the next chapter! :D
