CHAPTER ELEVEN
There are no words capable of portraying the severity of Bubbles' fright. None whatsoever, considering all of the circumstances: Bonded in seemingly unbreakable binds, trapped in the middle of a creepy forest under the cover of night, shivering like mad due to the lack of proper garments (nightgowns aren't usually known for their warmth), incapable of calling for help due to an immense stuffing of peanut butter in the mouth, and coming too close to death by the hands of a sadistic psycho-ruff. One could say that the poor blue-eyed blonde was trapped in her own real-life slasher flick, complete with the unhappy (and typically gory) ending.
Fortunately for her, she just happens to be equipped with Ultra-Super-Powers, and the resulting hail of laser beams sparked by her gut reaction scared off the would-be killer…for now. Bubbles still remembered the peculiar aura that rendered the attacker invulnerable to lasers. Her last window of opportunity to escape will be short-lived, and she wasn't about to miss out on it.
Bubbles tensed the muscles in her arms and legs. They softly vibrated as the awesome power of Chemical X pulsed through the blood vessels of her limbs. Her teeth clenched, her eyes squeezed shut, and extortion of her breath grew to the point where the cursed, sweet substance of peanut butter exploded outwards to the sky like an organic, ballistic missile, allowing her usually soothing voice to screech like a Scottish Banshee. All of her strength was being devoted to this one, simple task: to break the bonds so she could be free. She needed to pull, pull upwards with all of her possible might, to be free.
Come on! I need more! I don't want to die!
The arms and legs shook more violently now, the build-up of power reaching the point of critical mass. Bubbles' desperation and fear were driving her over the edge. It didn't matter that her body could destabilize if she pushed herself too far. No price was too high, if it meant escaping the clutches of the Rowdyruff forever.
Out from the darkness, a crimson shine emerged. The albino Rowdyruff had arisen from his hiding spot now encompassed in a glowing suit of red. Bubbles took no notice of this, at first: she was too busy trying to escape from impending doom.
My god...what does that blasted girl think she's doing!? That Rowdyruff thought in his mind, She'll kill herself before those binds break! I have to stop this insanity!
*******
Pathie Zimbogous hastily chose the diplomatic approach, fearful a sudden, aggressive move would result in the survivor's death. "Young miss, cease and desist! You are not in any sort of danger. Those binds are there for your safety!"
The girl caught the sound of the scout's voice; her adrenaline flowed like milk. "No! Stay away! Leave me ALONE!"
The buildup of power in her body jumped tenfold, causing bolts of energy to thunder around the blonde. The scout recoiled, evading electrocution.
Blast it! That girl is still spurting out gibberish!
"Listen to me!" Pathie Zimbogous cried out, "I know you're scared of me. I know you think I'm here to kill you, but that's not true! I'm here on a mission to RESCUE you, not to mention every living being on our planet!
"Those binds are made of pure energy. NOTHING can break free from them. What you are doing is going to get you nowhere! And do you know what's going to happen if you continue charging up your Estrox? You're going to turn into a bleedin' raisin! You'll be nothing but an old hag inches away from oblivion! Continue this hysteria and you will DIE!"
To Pathie's dismay, his words of plea accomplished nothing. If anything, his voice seemed to be hedging Bubbles further to her demise. He looked on helplessly as the young blonde's peach skin slowly began its transformation…a transformation into the absence of life.
No…I can't…this…
Pathie was out of ideas. No more reasoning could be done. None that could stop this torment. The only thing the wretched blonde saw in Pathie was the terrifying image of a monster. Ever since the first encounter, when it was the girl who had attacked first…
Pathie collapsed to one knee, with a hand covering his bowed head, as if he was worshipping the violent display before him. His countenance bore the mark of solemnity.
I can no longer pursue an impossible dream.
He brought the MPSD close to his soft breath.
Strange to think that this…tool…has both saved and destroyed the remains of my life.
"Computer," whispered Pathie, "Release the binds."
The survivor, surrounded in a sphere of cackling bolts, rocketed into the awakening sky, the canopy of the forest basked in a blue glow. Pathie did not look upwards as the living flare flew frantically out of his sight…perhaps forever.
There was nothing more I could do. I had done the damage. She's free to do whatever the hell she wants now.
Arising from the ground, Pathie hovered to the bulging roots of the forest's grandest tree, the one that overlooked his camp. He lay upon them, the tangled mess surrounding his body eagerly.
I should never have expected any allies on such a distant planet. These self-exiled…they are horrified, scattered, lawless. They are beyond help. But it is really their fault? No…they saw the impending doom of the disease, and chose to flee while they stood the chance.
They chose a fate worse than death.
A weak smile crawled into the lips.
And all this time, I was foolishly following their footsteps. It is clear now: any survivors I come across are not to be trusted. Ever. No matter how beautiful or fragile they appear. I complete my mission alone.
As the scout contemplated his next move, his ears caught a peculiar sound: someone, or something, was moaning. As if in pain.
That sound…it's coming from above me. But it is not of my race.
Cautiously, Pathie ascended to the forest canopy, where the moans of pain grew in volume. It was up in the branches that he saw a pitiable sight.
"The poor little thing," Pathie spoke, "An innocent bystander to the girl's violent outburst."
He reached towards the injured animal. The tiny creature did not yield to the scout's touch as it was supported like an infant in his arms.
"I shall nurse you back to health. But now we must go. That girl will most likely draw unwanted attention here."
With the animal in tow, the soldier once more made his plunge into the darkness, his sentiment for the blonde all but destroyed.