The Flames Within Us
By: V-Dawg
Chapter 9: Unexpected Reunion
Another 3 Month Later (Another pretty long timespan I know)
Ike was unsure what to expect today, like many others, had been a repeat of the others, so similar that Ike had lost track of time.
In fact, if it wasn't for Izuka's constant reminder of the days of the week and months, Ike wouldn't have even realized it has been nine months.
Nine months, it has been nine months since they had gone missing. It was almost impossible to realize it, Ike thought.
Time really goes by different when your trapped inside a building with no outside exposure.
While many others on the outside may gasp at the conditions, they were subject to, they simply had adapted to it, miraculously.
Even though Ike was injected with weird serums and laguz blood semi-daily, he had built an almost natural immunity, towards whatever Izuka had given him.
Ike continued to shiver at the thought of the crazy doctor, as he quickly looked around to make sure he wasn't around. Right now, he had his katana in his right hand, he pretty much was gripping it at the thought of him.
His whole body began to tremble whenever he thought of him.
Over the past three months, Izuka had not only injected Ike with more of that weird tan serum, but also with a weird black coloured serum. Like the last one, there wasn't any physical effects Ike could feel, as he didn't feel any weird sensation.
But Ike quickly figured it out to be his immunity to poisons, as his body had changed quite drastically in figure.
Whatever the crazy doctor had done, Ike looked completely different.
That wasn't the only thing Izuka had done to Ike now. Now, he had outright brought the mercenary out to fight other captive laguz. Other laguz, with the winner getting extra food. Ike, knowing the stake for his friends was, and his current state with near starvation, Ike would try his hardest.
While you may think the laguz would win, being stronger, that wasn't always the case. The laguz required more energy to fight, and burnt more than the beorc. This was especially the case when they needed to transform. Without being to transform, they were left to their more humanoid forms, which became more of a balanced fight. But they were more hungry, due to their energy consumption, and thus Ike would win simply off of endurance.
All of this costed him his sanity. The past three months were the hardest for Ike mentally as Izuka seemed to have now been trying psychological methods to torturing Ike. While Leanne and Ranulf were largely spared from it, they got front class seats to the torture party that they didn't want to go to.
They could only look in shame and horror at whatever trials Ike would be put through.
Ranulf, in particular, would look at the aftermath, and see how much it would affect Ike, but even through that, he tried brushing it off.
It seemed that his will to escaping had become fiercer, as the torture only made him more wanting to escape.
But Ranulf knew he wasn't a robot, he was a person, and while he wasn't Leanne, who could feel his emotions, he could talk to her.
And when Leanne warns Ranulf that Ike is only delaying his breaking point, you know it's bad, and Ranulf couldn't blame Ike, no, all he could blame was Izuka. That sick bastard. Making Ike fight for the wellbeing of the both of them.
He would pay for what he had done to Ike, and he swore on Ashera that Ike would gain the final blow in dealing with Izuka if they were to ever escape. But even he knew, with Ike's view whenever Izuka had shown up would be a difficulty, as he was pretty sure Ike feared Izuka.
Again, he didn't blame Ike for his fears, he was terrified of Izuka, and he hadn't even been on the receiving end of the trials.
With Ike, he himself had continued with exercise, despite his condition, he had hoped he wouldn't be too stale.
That, alongside the fights he would win to be able to eat better had given him a bulkier frame, but he was still not as bulky as before. This in turn, made Ike win more fights. Whereas Ike saw this as an opportunity to give Ranulf and Leanne more food. Izuka began to see Ike different, as his smirk indicated. Probably like his most prized possession.
Thankfully, even Ranulf and Leanne had gotten physically healthier. But again, it was a best in a worst situation.
However, the biggest concern the trio had, was Ike, and it wasn't just the torture he'd been through, or the trials, but rather his look.
Ranulf could see clearly that Ike had something strange behind him on his back. Despite Ike's attempts to hide whatever, Ranulf could tell something was growing behind Ike's back. Despite being unable to tell what it was, Ike's protective behaviour to that area, alongside a massive protective hoodie around him prevented them from seeing it.
Ike, of course, knew better. Over the past couple of nights, Ike had felt many changes towards himself.
His overall senses had improved drastically, and while Ike had struggled formerly, he had gone to better handle and endure what he was used to. Specifically, his sight, hearing and smell were different. His sight was probably better than Ranulf's whereas his hearing was as sharp. His smell probably was the weakest of the three, but was still better than what he was used to.
But that was the first thing. Ike's body had changed elsewise. Most noticeably, Ike had been waking up and falling asleep, as he noticed more feathers, all of which Ike was unsure where they were coming from. Under the dark, they seemed to be dark-brown, or black in colour.
Ike also noticed his strange black mark on his thigh was gone, which Ike found strange indeed. Whatever that blasted doctor had done to him, he seemed to be continuing his trials.
Speaking of the devil, Izuka had made his way towards the trio's jailcell. Quickly disarming himself and putting his katana underneath the bunkbed, Ike found himself towering over Izuka, yet he was the one trembling.
Izuka just grinned, as Ike felt the laguz slaves pushed him towards the white table. It seemed that today was going to be a normal day for the past nine months. However, something unexpected happened.
"Excuse me? Who would dare infiltrate my headquarters! Why did you let them in?!" Izuka bellowed to the laguz soldiers who had unexpectedly been informed on something he had never expected.
"Fetch these infiltrators, and put them on another table, I'll make them suffer!" Izuka yelled to them, and they simply walked out.
For Ike, his confusion became one of horror as he recognized the sounds of yelling.
"Get your dirty hands off of me!" Ike could recognize that voice, even after nine months of separation.
While he couldn't recognize the other new voice, who was also yelling to the laguz, Ike was still shocked, as if his mind couldn't believe it.
However, Ike's thoughts became a reality, as he could recognize the figure being held by the laguz.
The figure was none other than his sister, Mist. What, and how did she get here?!
As Ike noticed another figure, this one with noticeable silver hair, he suddenly became hysterical.
Mist, who stopped yelling, saw what she thought was someone else. Because Ike had changed so much, it was hard for her to immediately recognize her brother. But despite this, her eyes widened in realization.
However, before she could mutter anything, Izuka simply motioned for them to be put down.
Ike, whose rage was building up, at the sight of his sister being treated so horribly, eventually snapped.
The laguz who were handling Ike were too busy preoccupied by the two new figures to fully tie Ike down, as he had one hand free.
Snapping the metal, Ike yelled out a growl, as he began to thrash the nearest laguz towards him.
The shock of Ike being free took Izuka by surprise, and this shock allowed Mist and Micaiah to break free of their capturers.
Ranulf and Leanne could only watch in horror, however Ranulf had an idea.
"Mist! Over here!" Ranulf yelled to them, as Mist turned her eyes and spotted Ranulf and Leanne. Her eyes widened as she rushed to free them.
Before a laguz could stop her, Micaiah literally body slammed the poor laguz slave into the ground.
The unexpected threw the laguz off guard, and it gave Mist enough time to open Ranulf and Leanne's cage. Ranulf quickly picked up the katana from under the bunkbed, before heading out to find Ike.
The mercenary found himself surrounded by the brunt of the laguz slaves who surrounded him to contain him.
But Ike simply, struck a surprised laguz behind him with a kick. This worked alongside Ranulf, who swung the katana horizontally, slicing a laguz unconscious, a body wide scar bleeding out of it.
Quickly handing the katana to Ike, who caught it, they were both unaware of the bright reddish glow the katana had gained due to the strike. Ranulf instead found himself running towards the other nearby jailcells, letting loose the laguz who were stuck in a jailcell for the past year.
Most of those who were free thanked them before running, while those who were healthier, decided to aid them in their struggle.
Now armed, Ike felt more confident in himself in handling the forces around him.
He simply stared them down, trying to stall them so that Ranulf, Leanne, Micaiah and Mist could aid in freeing the other laguz around them.
It was helpful when some of those who were also trapped aided Ike in his fight.
He swiftly swung the katana around him, slicing any laguz who got too close to him, before choosing the one protecting Izuka, and dashing towards him, before slashing him up.
The blow made the laguz back up, as the others found themselves being attacked by other laguz, like Ranulf, and those who had been imprisoned.
The laguz were pretty fast, Ike could tell, so he had to rely on evasiveness until backup arrived, and Ike was able to fight more offensively.
"What is going on?!" Izuka bellowed, having remained quiet and confused throughout the entire ordeal until now.
In that second, Ike looked at Izuka right in the eyes, this time it was him giving Izuka the shivers, before yelling in rage.
He struck the nearest soldier down in front of him with a slice to its chest, before kicking another down, giving him enough time to challenge a nearby laguz, who had transformed into a tiger.
The tiger growled, but Ike was scared. He simply sidestepped its blow, before it fell down, it clearly tired from a lack of food as well.
The laguz whom Ike had kicked had gotten back up, and slashed Ike from behind, who thankfully didn't feel it thanks to his protective clothing.
Ike cursed, as it was now slashed, exposing what Ike was trying to hide.
Deciding his life was more valuable than his secret, he took off his hoodie, before twirling around and slashing the laguz with the katana, the katana now glowing a bluish colour instead.
"My sword!" Izuka bellowed realizing Ike had stolen it. "How did he get my sword!"
But his question was left unanswered, as he was met face first with the body of Ranulf, who knocked the crazed scientist to the ground, pinning him and punching him repeatedly.
"You insolent, vial, disgusting, useless, evil, most damning person!" Ranulf panted through each punch, but was stopped by Ike, which shocked him.
"Why did you stop me?!" He yelled, but Ike simply shook his head.
"Let's get out of here!" Was all Ike said, as he pointed to a clear exit, most, if not all the laguz prisoners fully escaped or having taken care of the remaining slaves.
Quickly nodding, Ranulf took off with them. Ike was going to run with them, but before he did, he looked back to Izuka, on the ground.
Slightly chuckling to himself, Ike walked up to him, and slashed him with the katana. Funny, his own weapon would be the one to slay him.
After months of torture to create "his most prized possession," Ike was now free, and Izuka was now left to Ike's knees.
And while Ike wanted to swiftly end his useless life, for the torture he caused him, and everyone else, he couldn't find it.
After the first slash, Ike was hesitated to continue his slaying, his trembling was returning, becoming more pronounced by the second.
Izuka, who was panting, looked Ike in the eye, "That's it, end me boy." Was all he said through his pants.
This confused Ike, he wanted to be the one who killed Izuka, but not the one to give it to him when he wanted it.
Besides, Ike knew despite it, and even then, he didn't have the courage. No matter what Ike did, his body wouldn't let him, whether it a voice telling him or his muscles failing to land the next and possibly final blow, Ike couldn't find it in him.
He was trembling, and he could feel it. Izuka, seemed to smile slightly, before frowning, "Don't you get it boy! My trials! Gone because you filthy kids! End me!" He yelled, and before Ike could think any further, he was unexpectedly brought down by a figure. A laguz who had gotten up from the battle.
It slashed Ike in the face with its claws before Ike could react, and when he did, the laguz had collapsed, from exhaustion.
Despite the distraction, Izuka remained where he was. He was still panting, bleeding slightly from the katana slice Ike had given him, clearly nonfatal.
If Ike wanted it to be fatal, he would have to send him another, more direct strike.
Sighing, Ike raised his katana up, hoping his body would oblige to what Ike wanted.
Thankfully, he partially found it. He struck Izuka on the shoulder, another nonfatal blow, but Ike kept it repeatedly, as he found himself somewhat enjoying slicing up Izuka, while not putting him up to his misery.
Whether it was due to the nine months of torture he had put him through and that he wanted a taste of his own medicine, or Ike's own malicious intent to end Izuka, he didn't know.
"Ike, stop! Let's get out of here!" Mist yelled to her brother, who stopped, and began running, his katana in hand, and leaving a bloodied Izuka on the ground.
The building was dark, but thankfully Ike was accustomed to it. He followed Mist through what seemed to be a maze of dark corners, before he saw the glimmer of light shine.
At first, Ike was a bit scared. It has been nine months since Ike had literally seen light, specifically sunlight hit his eyes. And with his sight vision increased, he had a feeling he would be in for a lot of pain when he got out.
But Mist continued to drag her brother, whom she hadn't seen for so long, without stopping.
The light became stronger, until all Ike saw was bright white light. Reminding him somewhat of the warp powder that had put him here in the first place.
Regardless, he eventually was outside the building he was stuck in for so long, the others waiting for him.
But when they saw Ike finally, all they could do was gasp simultaneously. Even Mist had looked back to see what they were shocked about, turned back to see her brother, and even she was appalled at what she saw.
For the most part, aside from the different body proportions that no doubt was due to near starvation, the main confusion, was what was on Ike's back.
Ike himself, felt a bit nervous. While he knew something was up, which made him conceal it as best as he could, he knew his hoodie was too torn apart for it to hide anything. Plus, he didn't want to give away anything, so Ike decided to drop it entirely during the fight.
Still, even he didn't know what it was.
He plucked out some dark-brown, or black feathers, which made him suspect something was up, but he didn't know what it was.
So, when the group, of Leanne, Ranulf, Mist and a silver-haired girl who clearly was close to Mist gasped in shock when they turned to Ike, he knew something was up.
Sighing, he didn't even know what to do. He was being stared at, and they had surrounded Ike, as if he was being analyzed by wild animals. Ike felt weird.
But eventually, even he knew the silence was deafening and dangerous. Izuka could get up and they could be captured again. So, he began running, as fast as he could. Part to get away from them, and also from Izuka.
"Ike! No!" Ranulf yelled.
"Brother!" Mist yelled after trying to run after him.
The chase was short lived, Ike was exhausted, mentally and physically, the toll was simply too much, and he collapsed, his arms barely keeping him up.
There, they could all see very well what had happened to Ike.
Mist, Micaiah and Leanne gasped in shock at what they saw, while Ranulf sighed, knowing it had come to this.
Thinking of the first thing to say, Ike asked, "Well, how does it look?"
After a bit of silence, Mist came forward and wrapped her arms around Ike, "It doesn't matter. You're still my brother" Was all Mist said, before wrapping her arms around her brother, whom she hadn't seen in nine months.
Even though he looked different, Mist didn't care, and it was enough to make Ike a bit emotional, as Mist cried in joy in her brother arms.
"Ike." Leanne called him, which stopped the small reunion.
"What's up?" Ike asked Leanne, whom just walked up to Ike.
Even though Ike himself didn't know what was going on, he felt himself move something strange, and saw a dark-brown, black striped circular aura surround Ike and Mist.
It was then doing Ike's eyes widened in realization, as Leanne went to touch them. Ike couldn't believe what he was finally seeing. His weird sensation around his back was finally known to him. Leanne only further confirmed what Ike was denying.
"Wings." Was all Leanne said.
All of a sudden, everyone's eyes widened yet again in realization.
Ike who tried finding out what was wrong, now knew, with his most recent action, and Leanne's words.
"I have wings?" Was all Ike said in disbelief.
A.N / Chapter 9 done! And so is the first phase of this story. The next phase will focus more on them returning back to civilization. Maybe I'll turn to a Radiant Dawn sort of storyline. I don't know. We'll see what happens from here.