Game On- Part 6- (The Agony of Defeat)
Princess and Mark searched the island thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned, and finding nothing. Returning to camp at dusk, their worst fears were realized, as there was no sign of Jason.
Princess clung to Mark for reassurance. "I knew it. Jason has been taken, too." She sobbed. "Something is hunting us down, taking us one by one. I don't like to admit it, Mark, but I'm frightened…"
Mark held her and rubbed her shoulders. "I think you're right, Princess, it's just the two of us, now, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you. We'll figure a way out of this. Surely the Chief or someone will be here soon to help…" Mark, too, was feeling uncertain about the position they were in, but he had to stay strong for the Swan, who seemed to be falling apart more and more each moment.
To make matters worse, lighting streaked across the sky, and rain began to pour down in torrents. The two of them huddled together in the shelter to stay dry.
On the other side of the island, in a secret underground lair, the three captives remained helplessly chained to the cement walls. Zoltar appeared above them, laughing maniacally while gazing into the pit.
Jason sneered up at him. "You'll never get away with this, Zoltar, our teammates will finish you!"
"On the contrary my dear Condor, your teammates will soon join you in your cozy new nest. Wait until they see what we have waiting for them…" The purple clad villain laughed hysterically as he slid the door closed on the pit.
Keyop struggled in his chains. "Let me at him! Let me at him! Help! Somebody please, help!""
"Save your energy, little guy, we're gonna need it to get out of here!" Tiny scolded.
Zoltar looked over at a goon sitting behind a panel covered in buttons and circuitry. "Did you get it?"
The Goon stood up and saluted. "Yes, Sire!"
Outside, the storm raged on, keeping Mark and Princess huddled together, trying to stay dry. They took off their helmets in an effort to become more comfortable.
"I'm not going to leave your side, Princess…" Mark looked down at her and kissed her forehead tenderly. He worried about all of his teammates, but he felt the most protective over his Swan. Why did he watch over her so closely every time they were in battle?
She was always there for him, ready to listen if he had a problem. She was beautiful, too, and he had to admit that he didn't appreciate her male admirers. He got great joy from scaring them off. He also knew that she loved him, in every way, and it was hard to keep his emotions in check.
He knew he had to, but now he was afraid of losing her, the way he had lost the others. He felt tremendous guilt at not being able to keep his team safe. He had failed them, and he was determined not to fail the one he loved.
Princess shivered as she felt Mark stroking her strands of long, silky hair. She, too, had been lost in thought about the peril of her teammates. She worried especially about Keyop, who seemed so small and fragile. She knew he was able to take care of himself, but she couldn't help the "motherly" concern she had for him.
She looked over at Mark. He looked tired, troubled and apprehensive. She knew that he blamed himself for the fall of his teammates. He always felt he was at fault when something went wrong on a mission. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
She worried about Mark's safety. She would do anything for him; she couldn't live without him. She loved him, but she had to hold back her feelings as long as they were in this war. She understood, but she didn't like it. She wanted to be with Mark, forever.