Chapter Thirteen: Taken
Ew.
Yuck!
That's gross…
Quit complaining.
Oh, so easy for YOU to say! You're not covered in slime! Gaignun bit back a grin, one hand rising to touch the headset.
"I take it to mean you were able to destroy the Gnosis?" He asked.
Yeah, but Jr.'s all covered in slime! MOMO said cheerfully.
Don't tell him!
Too late. Shion said. Ugh, you stink!
That's it.
Aaahhh! No! Don't you dare put your arms around me!
Jin, grab her!
No! Do that and you die!
Heh heh heh…
Niisan!
"If we could get back to the mission at hand…" Shelley remarked. "Have you made it to the bridge yet?"
We are approximately 2000 kilometers away. KOS-MOS said. However, I detect the presence of several more Gnosis much like the set we just fought.
Great. Gaignun heard Jr. complain. Cackling mentally, the raven-haired U.R.T.V.opened the mental link between them.
Just isn't your week, isn't it?
Urusai. Jr. snarled.
That's what you get for locking me in my office and embarrassing poor Shion.
Oh please. Like you weren't fantasizing about seeing her naked.
I beg your pardon? Do you wish to be punished again?
BASTARD. An evil grin crossed the black-haired U.R.T.V.'s features. Oh yes, revenge had been sweet. There had been pain, suffering, weeping and gnashing of teeth…
And one monster wedgie. Jr. had been waddling like a duck for several days. Of course, whenever Mary, Shelley, Shion, MOMO…okay, any female, Realian or human had seen him, they would fall down, screaming with laughter. But Gaignun had to admit, Jr. had made a point…though he would never ever, even under torture or facing death admit it. His imagination, already in overdrive, had gone into double overtime after that incident in the bathroom. So much so that it was starting to affect his dreams…
Mm…what's this? Startled, Gaignun slammed up his mental shields just as Jr. decided to poke at the still-forming thought. Ooohh, it was something dirty about you and Shion, wasn't it?!
No.
Liar. Gaignun gritted his teeth, seeing his older brother's eyes narrow in mischievous delight. Having..."dreams", are we?
Go away.
Ah, you are!
Get back to the others.
See what happens when you try to be all noble and self-sacrificing? Snarling, Gaignun cut the link, hearing Jr.'s laughter. Of course, his mind didn't help things any, gleefully getting back to the previous image of Shion, water and soap running over her creamy skin…
Arrrggghhhh!!! Face crimson, Gaignun shook his head violently, drawing the attention of Shelley.
"Master Gaignun? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Nodding, the lavender-haired woman turned her attention back to her monitor.
Fantasizing about her. She thought. Below her, Mary put a hand to her face, hiding a smile.
Like I said…he's pathetic!
----
Violet eyes gleamed in fiendish delight as he saw his quarry. Rubedo, his precious bastard, the cyborg, and her.
"Shion, watch out!" Gritting her teeth, Shion coiled and jumped backwards, the claw of the Gnosis slamming into the ground where she had been.
"Executioner!" The cyborg roared. A blade of lighting fell from the sky, impaling the Gnosis on its edge. As the monster staggered, the cyborg dashed forward, arm blade out and at the ready.
"Jr., let's go!"
"Outta the way, old man!" Albedo's attention was diverted to his twin, feeling the air surge, an indicator that a powerful Ether attack was coming.
"Angelic Requiem!" Feeling the air surge again, Albedo turned his head to see Shion combine her Ether with his brother's own in a double-team attack, killing the Gnosis instantly.
What? I'm surprised, Rubedo. Using your energy like that… It seemed Rubedo had done this before though, as there was no evidence of strain on his face. Rather he turned his head, giving Shion a big grin.
"Somebody's Ether power is getting stronger." At this, Shion's face flushed and she looked down.
"Uh…it's nothing, honestly."
"'It's nothing' she says." His twin mimicked. "Come on, let's go." Shion's attention turned to the cyborg, who was checking himself over.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. My nanomachines are a little low, though." Shion started to reach into her jacket pocket. "No, no. Keep that for yourself. I'm good for a while longer."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Besides, you're our healer. You need to keep it in case your Ether runs low." A frown crossed the brunette's face.
"Alright…"
Such concern. Does she not worry for herself? A grin played across Albedo's lips as he considered his plan. Mon ange, you will join me shortly. But first, we need to draw you away from Rubedo and Nigredo…they'd spoil all my fun if they discovered me. His fingers flexed as he regarded Shion's slender form. Or…
----
Something was pulling at him, a frisson of unease snaking up his spine. Gaignun looked around. Everything seemed to be peaceful.
Hey.
Oh, what now?! Jr. snarled back. Gaignun felt him pause. What the hell?
You feel it too?
Yeah. When did this start?
I noticed it just a few seconds ago. Where are you?
We're… The mind-link snapped, and Gaignun heard an expolsion over the headset.
Aaahh!
Shion! Gaignun threw himself out mentally, groping for the mind-link.
Rubedo, what is it?!
----
Jr. heard Gaignun's cry in his mind, but his concern was directed towards the massive pile of debris that had just separated him and Ziggy from Shion.
"Shion! Shion, are you alright?!" Silence, and then a small moan.
"Uggh…"
"Shion!"
"I…I'm okay. I just…ow!"
"What is it?"
"My ankle…I think I sprained it."
"Just stay there, we'll get you out!"
"We can't." Ziggy said. Jr. turned on him.
"What?!"
"This debris pile is unstable. We need the proper equipment and tools to get her out. Going at this half-cocked could result in further injury to her or us." The blond cyborg replied.
"I'm okay. You guys just get to the bridge; I'll stay here and wait for help." Shion called. Jr. snarled softly.
Gaignun!
I heard. We're sending a rescue team now. KOS-MOS is also on her way, she should be there shortly.
Alright. Huh?
What? What is it?
That feeling…it's…
"Aaaaahhhhh!!" Realization hit home, and Jr.'s eyes widened.
"Shion!"
----
Delight coursed through him as he crouched down next to his prize, one hand going through her brown locks. He had quickly quelled any resistance on her part, no, that was for much later. As he started to slide her hands underneath her body to lift her, he stilled for a moment, all senses on alert. He was not disappointed, as something black on the mental plane lunged at him, a blaze of rage and fury.
YOU BASTARD! Allbedo deflected the mental assault with his own shields, a cruel smile playing across his face.
"Now, now, otouto…you know rage isn't good when you attack." On the bridge of the Durandal, Gaignun gripped the computer console, his eyes blazing.
Let her go!
Why should I? Albedo's tone became childlike, almost sing-song. She's mine, not yours. I found her first!
You monster, what are you talking about?! Fire suddenly appeared on the mental plane, lunging past him. Rubedo!
Albedo, you son of a bitch! Giggles.
Niisan!
Let her go!
This really doesn't concern you, Rubedo. Be patient, I'll get to you soon! A sudden explosion, and the connection between all three U.R.T.V.'s shattered…Gaignun grabbed for the one with Albedo, he had to keep him away from Shion, he didn't give a damn about keeping his power secret anymore, he just had to keep him away from her… Another explosion was heard, with voices coming over the headset.
KOS-MOS! He heard Jr. cry. Grappling desperately, he found the link between him and his accursed older brother, he had to do something…he saw KOS-MOS crouch and leap forward, her right arm morphing into a blade, her red eyes cold. In response Albedo whirled around, a sphere of black energy forming in front of him, flinging it towards the android. It slammed into her midsection, sending her flying backwards and crashing into the wall. From behind, Ziggy lunged forward, fire arcing around his blade arm…Albedo reacted by whirling around, sending an electrical attack flying. Ziggy was thrown backwards, slamming into Jr., dust flying up around them, obscuring his view…
----
Gasping for breath, Jr. got up, squirming from underneath Ziggy. It hurt to breathe, pain lanced through his side with every breath he took.
"Uggh…" He could feel Gaignun's concern, darkness pulling at his mind. I'm okay. Feels like I broke a couple of ribs though...
Where's Shion?! His younger brother demanded. Fear iced through the redhead, and he looked up. Standing in front of him, looking like some sort of angel was Albedo, Shion cradled in his arms.
"I'll be going now." He said, a malicious gleam in his amethyst eyes. "I've gotten what I came for…"
"You bastard!" Jr. snarled, trying to get up but failing. "Ugh…" Albedo threw back his head and laughed; the sound of it foul and depraved.
"Take it easy, Rubedo. I said I'd get to you, and I will." He purred, his eyes glittering. "I just have some business to take care of with our little brother. And his…friend, so to speak." A cruel grin on his face, he cradled Shion closer to him, directing a thought towards a shell-shocked Gaignun.
Don't worry; I won't hurt her…not much anyway! Roaring with laughter, he disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared, Shion fading away with him. Back on the Durandal's bridge, Gaignun sank to his knees, shock setting in as he realized what had just happened.
SHION!
AN: otouto: little brother/my brother