So sorry for leaving it at a cliffhanger and then not updating for a month…but in case you didn't know, over my band trip (April 1-April 4), I broke my right index finger. I tell ya, I never paid attention to how much I used that finger until I broke it. I'm currently substituting my middle finger for all the keys it types, and all it's done is lower my gwam by a few points…and I make a lot more mistakes now.
But this sucks. I've been slightly depressed lately, since I missed out on so much. I can't play the piano, and I can't play in band (I play the flute). I missed the solo and ensemble contest, which I had practiced for for about three months. And now I can't go to work either! It's just not fair!
Anyway, from now on, I'm going to try to update more. During the summer, I'll have more time to write, and summer will be in about two months. Oh man…it's scary just thinking about it. Time goes by too fast for my liking.
Anyway, if any of you have the time, please check out my two original stories at fictionpress. I've worked really hard on both of them.
Disclaimer: I don't own zoids. Nope, don't own 'em. I do own Star and Josh, though.
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Star's eyes slowly opened, revealing nothing but distorted figures in the shade of white. There were bright lights in the room, causing her to lift an arm in order to shield her sensitive blue eyes. As her vision focused, she could see that she was in a white room, apparently a medical room. However, it wasn't like the ones in the Blitz team's base. This reminded her more of the ZBC.
"Where am I?" she asked as she sat up, looking around. She couldn't remember anything. What had happened? How had she gotten here? Where was her team?
The door to the room opened. She turned to it, her eyes looking slightly bewildered. In the doorway stood Josh, Bit, and Leena.
"Star!" exclaimed Josh as he ran to his sister's bedside. He knelt down so that he could look up at her better. "How are you, do you feel better?"
"I don't…know," she responded. "Where…am I?"
"You're in one of the medical rooms at the ZBC," explained Bit. He was standing with his arm around Leena, who looked a little shaken up. There were tear stains present on her cheeks.
"The ZBC?" Star questioned. "Why?" She looked at all of them, confusion on her soft face. "Why am I here?"
"Star…don't you remember…what happened?" asked Josh.
"I…I can't…remember anything." She placed her head in her hands as it began to hurt. "I…I was…with Leon. Then I saw a man with a gun, and before I knew it, he…he shot at me, but…" Her eyes widened in horror as she remembered the rest of the event. She snapped her attention to her three guests.
"Star?" questioned Bit.
"Where is he?" she asked, sounding panicked. "Tell me, where's Leon? What happened to him?" Everyone lowered their heads, avoiding her questioning eyes.
"Star…he…" began Bit.
******
Star ran down the hall, dressed only in a pair of pants and her hospital gown. She was panting, her eyes wild and full of fear. Bit's words began to echo in her mind as she kept her eyes focused. Star…he was shot near the heart. We had to rush him to intensive care. He's lost a lot of blood, and the doctors aren't sure…if he'll last through the night.
Star reached the intensive care section of the ZBC base's medical area. She ran and peered into each room, but she couldn't find Leon. She soon came to a large room with a huge glass window along the wall. Leon was inside, lying on a bed. Star threw the door open and ran into the room. She went over to Leon and fell to her knees next to his bed. He looked horrible. His chest had been bandaged recently, and he was hooked to many different machines. There was a respirator, a heart monitor, an IV, and a few others she didn't know of.
"Oh God…" she whispered as tears began to flood to her eyes. "Leon…" She buried her face in the sheets of his bed and started to cry. Her small body trembled with each sob. Her knuckles were turning white as she held tightly to the sheets of the bed.
"I'm so sorry…Leon…"
******
"It's sad," began John as he watched Star through the glass window. The Blitz team, along with Josh, stood there as well, their eyes all on Star.
"Tell me," began Doctor Toros, the worry present in his voice. "Is there a chance that Leon will pull through?" John turned his attention to the floor.
"There is a chance, but it's slim," he said as he turned to them. "The bullet wound was deep, and any further over, it would have pierced his heart. He has lost a lot of blood…explain to me again: how did this happen?"
"There were snipers in the desert, and they shot at Star. Leon took the first bullet," explained Bit.
"What about the second?" questioned John.
"She blocked it," began Leena, "using a shield."
"A shield?"
"Like the kind a zoid uses," answered Bit. "It was amazing. I didn't think that was possible." John hung his head as he looked back to his prized agent, now weeping on a hospital bed.
"I suppose it's time that we explained what's going on," he told them, drawing Josh's interest. John turned to the boy. "Tell them. I want this explained thoroughly. Tell them about Star, about her power, and tell them what the Backdraft has to do with it." Josh nodded and looked to the members of the Blitz team. The six of them looked interested, just waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Star has the ability to communicate with zoids…as well as the ability to control them with her mind," he explained. "She can fix a system freeze simply by willing it. Any zoid, ultimate X or not, can be controlled by her. The shield she used came from Storm, but Star indeed produced it on her own. If she's connected with a zoid like she is with Storm, she can borrow abilities."
"How?" asked Jamie. "None of that should be possible."
"You're right," stated Josh, lowering his head. "It shouldn't. Somehow, when Star was born, her mind was altered slightly. She's able to transfer her emotions into people. It's a strange ability."
"Why exactly is the Backdraft out to kill her then?" asked Naomi.
"Some members of the Backdraft want her dead because she's a traitor," explained Josh. "My faction, however, wants her alive."
"Because of her power?" asked Brad.
"Yes. Such an ability, when enhanced, can be used on not only zoids, but people. An emotion like fear or hate can be transmitted from Star into another person. She's often not aware of it." Josh's expression fell greatly as he lowered his head further. "It isn't fair."
"What isn't?" asked Leena.
"This ability has caused her a lot of pain. If she's connected to a zoid or a person, she can feel what they feel, including pain. She's told me before that it's a horrible experience." The door to the medical room opened, and Star walked out, her head low. She turned to Josh, who gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She threw herself into his arms and buried her face in his shirt. She was still sobbing softly.
"It's alright," he comforted, holding her gently.
"He can't die," she whispered, her voice muffled. "He just can't."
"Star…"
"No. It should have been me. It isn't fair. It hurts so much…" Her voice was very weak. After a few more sobs, her legs gave out, and she slumped against Josh.
"Star?" he questioned. There was no response. This was just too much for her. She was physically and emotionally drained. A decent rest was all she needed, but she'd probably wake up within an hour. She was never good at sleeping.
Josh carefully picked his sister up and began to walk back to the other area of the medical bay.
******
The members of the Blitz team, along with Josh, were sitting in a waiting room, having nothing to do and nowhere else to go. It had been a day since Star had woken up. Leon had made it through the night, but his condition wasn't improving.
"What now?" asked Jamie, drawing everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?" asked Doc.
"Where do we go from here? I mean, the Backdraft obviously knows who Star is now, and they also seem to know that she's at our base. We can't keep hiding her there, or more of them will come. She's no longer safe with us."
"I disagree," said Josh as he stood up from his seat. "I think she's safer with you guys than she is anywhere else. She doesn't need to be kept in a room made of indestructible steel or anything. All she needs is a couple of friends who are willing to stand by her, to fight with and for her. I see that in all of you, and I'm sure she does as well." Before any of them could respond, the radio at Josh's side went off. He took it off its hook on his belt and pressed a button.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Josh," said Maria, her voice panicked. "We're under attack. Get back to the base immediately."
"What do you mean? Who's attacking?"
"I don't have time to explain! Please hurry! I don't know if we can…" She never finished. The line went dead on the other end.
"Maria! Maria, answer me!" There was no response. He cursed under his breath and turned away. "I have to get going," he stated.
"Josh?" questioned Bit.
"What?"
"Who was that?"
"A girl who works under the Backdraft…Ain's sister."
"Ain's…sister?" questioned Leena.
"Tell Star I had to leave, but I will come back, I promise."
"Alright," said Naomi. Josh ran down the hall, disappearing around the corner. Hang on Maria. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise.
******
It had been a full week since Leon had been shot, and he still wasn't awake. Also, Josh had yet to return or to even contact the base. No one had heard from him at all.
Star spent all her time by Leon's bedside, waiting for him to wake up. She only left when she was told to or to eat. She often fell asleep in the chair at his bedside, and would wake up in her room, only to return there seconds later.
Currently, she was asleep, kneeling on the floor, her head and arms resting on the bed. She was holding onto his hand. Suddenly, Leon's hand twitched. A groan came from him as his eyes tightened, but they soon released and opened. His vision was very blurred. He blinked a few times in order to focus. Eventually, everything came into view. He tried to move his head around, but his neck was stiff for some reason. In fact, his whole body felt stiff. He just lied there for a while, looking up at the ceiling.
After a few minutes, he decided to try again. Luckily no pain came to him. He turned his head to the side and noticed that someone was there. A small smile crossed his face when he saw Star at his side. She was asleep, her golden orange hair lying gently across her face and arms. She looked peaceful when she was asleep.
Leon tried to move his arm next, but instantly noticed that Star was holding onto his hand. He decided to give up on that for now. Instead, he tried to sit up, but pain quickly shot through him. He was forced back onto the bed, inhaling deeply. After a while, he tried again, and managed to make it halfway before having to lie back down. He just lied there for a few more minutes. He decided to try once more. This time, he managed to sit up. He used his free hand to steady himself. He placed it over his chest, feeling the bandages. How had this happened again? It all came back as he looked to Star. He had saved her life, but exactly what had happened? He remembered a gun shot. He then remembered the pain that had followed the crack of the gun. He had been shot.
A soft moan from Star caught his attention. She was starting to stir. He watched as her eyes slowly opened. She blinked a few times before slowly lifting her head.
"Good morning," greeted Leon softly, guessing at the time of day. Star's head snapped up, her eyes wide. Leon smiled at her surprised and relieved expression.
"Leon…" she whispered as a smile began to spread to her face. She fought back the urge to hug him, knowing that she might hurt him by doing so. She stood up, tears filling her eyes. "Thank God…I was so worried." Leon looked up at her, slightly confused. She soon sat down next to him, still wishing she could hug him. They sat in silence for a while, neither one knowing quite what to say. Leon looked to Star and noticed that she was still crying. She looked like there was something on her mind.
"Star, what's wrong?" he asked.
"…Why?" she questioned softly.
"Why what?"
"Why did you do it? Why did you take that hit?" She was yelling now, sounding slightly angry, but worry was definitely dominant in her voice.
"I didn't want you to die," he told her.
"What makes you think I would have died? I've been shot before, Leon."
"Star…that bullet…" He raised his arm and pointed to his chest, right where it had hit him. "It hit me here. If I hadn't stepped in front of you…" He moved his hand and placed his index finger against her neck. "It would have hit you here. You would have died, Star." Her eyes widened slightly. Considering their height difference, his calculation was accurate. It would have pierced her throat, and she would have died before the ZBC could do anything about it.
"Thank you," she told him genuinely, still slightly bewildered at the reality of the situation. However, the tears wouldn't stop pouring from her eyes.
"Why are you still crying?" he asked her, confused.
"I was just…I was scared. I wasn't sure if you were going to wake up or not, and I…I didn't want you to…die. I was just so afraid." Leon placed his hands on her shoulders, but he wasn't able to draw her attention. Without her knowing, he moved closer to her, slowly leaning in towards her.
"Star?" he questioned softly, trying to get her attention. She raised her head, her eyes widening at how close their faces were. Leon didn't seem to plan on stopping, and Star didn't know what to do. He was descending on her gently, their faces almost touching. His lips soon captured hers in a chaste kiss. Her eyes were wide, a single tear sliding down her cheek, followed by no more. She wasn't responding at all, mainly because she was in shock. The feeling was new to her. Before she knew it, he pulled away, and she just stared at him, a blush painting her cheeks a soft pink.
"I love you, Star," he said, seeming a little nervous about the statement. Star's eyes widened a little more, her heart beginning to beat faster. Had she heard right? Had Leon said that he loved her? "I'll never let anything happen to you. You have my word." A smile spread across her face as a few more tears fell from her eyes. She couldn't believe it. Leon loved her. He actually loved her. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but the words wouldn't form. She noticed that his hands were still on her shoulders.
"Leon, I…" She couldn't tell him. She wanted to show him. She leaned towards him, and he got the idea. He bent down a little and kissed her again, and this time she responded. She kissed him passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck, wanting to get her point across. She loved him. She loved him more than anything. His hand came off her shoulder to cup the side of her face, gently brushing through part of her soft hair.
After awhile, they broke the kiss.
"I love you," whispered Star. Leon just pressed his forehead to hers, a smile on his face.
"I know," he said softly. A click came from the door, and they pulled away from each other. The door opened, and in walked Bit and Leena, followed by the others, minus Jamie. Leena's eyes filled with joy as she saw her brother alive and doing well.
"Leon," she said happily. "I'm glad you're alright." He just smiled brightly at them all. However, the moment was ruined as Jamie ran into the room, panting. He had a bewildered expression upon his young face.
"Jamie?" questioned Bit.
"What is it?" asked Brad. Jamie's eyes went to Star.
"We just got word from Josh," he said in between pants. "His cover's been blown."
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I think I'll leave it here for now^.^ That was fun, ne? I hope you're all happy now. I put in a nice moment…and now it'll all go downhill. Things are gonna start heating up. I think the next chapter will explain what happened to Josh.
Anyway, I'll write more as soon as I can.
Until then, see ya!