Meh, I just kind of wish some people would do the same as me. Theres a lot of good Fan fictions on this site, but they're only half done. Its kinda disappointing that people don't finish the work that they started, cause a lot of it is really good stuff. Meh, Oh well! Time to get a move on!
Ch. 10 - No Need For Battle Royale (Part II)
"..."
"...Zaaack..."
"Whos there?"
"...Zaaaaaaaaaaack..."
"Huh, who is it! Who's there. Someone Answer me!"
"...I've found you Zack. I've finally found you..."
"What is this, some kind of twisted dream?"
"...I've found you finally... Soon Zack soon..."
"Soon what?"
" Just soon Zack...Im comin' for you... Im coming to get you... Soon Zack soon..."
"Who the hell are you..."
"YOUR NIGHTMARE"
A large hand descended down on Zack in the dark realm and grabbed him. It was crushing him to death. Nothing he could do. It was as if he was paralyzed from the neck down. Couldnt even struggle. A maniacal laugh echoed throughout the emptyness.
"GAH! Heh...heh...heh.." Zack sat up right in a flash, his glowing red eyes wide open. He didnt like the feeling of being helpless. It frightened him. After calming down a bit, he realized he wasnt dead, but in a small white walled room. He was laying in a bed, and a machine made funny beeping noises every so often sat next to his bed. An IV was attached to him among other small devices and little buttons. "Gah..erk."
A small soft green light began to flash slowly. Zack gripped his sides as a pain shot up through them. His actions caused his sides to hurt even more he found out unfortunately. The young Dracadian was still bandaged, and some of the bandages started turning a light red and let out a small hissing sound. Zack winced at the pain. Just then, the door to the small 'hospital room' opened. Washu stepped in.
"Ah finally awake. How are you feeling?" she said reading the small machine next to his bed and then checking him over herself. "I suggest you lie back, since your not fully recovered."
Zack lied back on the bed again, still feeling the sting of his stupid actions. He felt sluggish and weak now. "Boy, this seems mighty familiar..."
"Oh it does, doesnt it." Washu said now standing up and remembering their first encounter. "Wasnt all that long ago, either. Unfortunately, I didnt bring that equipment with me, so I kind of had to rely on more primitive methods of healing you back to full life while I came up with better things."
"Why not just create a sub space door to the lab?" Zack asked. "...Hey wait a sec. You were taking care of me! When'd you become a doctor?"
"Oh! Im an Angel Of Mercy!" Washu said, grinning slyly. Zack's face turned to worry. "Ah, don't worry. Anyways, funny thing is, with the emp cloud, I cant create a sub space door to my lab, and I hadnt really thought about it a whole lot when we were out in space."
"You mean you let it slip your mind?" Zack said, in slight shock and frustration.
"I May be the biggest genius in the whole universe, but Im not perfect you know." Washu said applying a bit of pressure on a sore spot. Zack got the hint.
He let out a sigh when she stopped pressing him. "How's the competition coming along?"
"Theres still no word from Mr. E, so we've had to continue it. Ryoko, Tenchi, and Ayeka have all made it up quite far in the competition. No losses, just quite a few bruises. Been managing to spare the lives of those who fought against them as well. For the most part, Ryoko and Tenchi have had sweeping victories, though Ayeka is struggling a bit. She's not as used to combat as the other two, but shes catching on." Washu explained.
"If you're here, who's watching the fight?" Zack asked.
"No scheduled fight today. It's a small rest period due to the last episode Ryoko had while fighting. I've got one thing to ask you, though." she replied, starting to get serious. "I could not really get a fix on Talaquine this whole time while here, even when he's fighting. So I don't know his strengths or weaknesses. Its like he has something throwing me off, so I cant check him out. I need some input from your fight. Did you notice anything strange?"
Zack thought for a moment. He could remember the ring collapsing, and him falling, and the time up to the fight, but for the most part everything during the fight was a blur. He figured that the shock of losing the fight has caused him to sub-consciencely forgotten the actual fight. He just shook his head.
"Oh, alright. You just get rest now. Ill check on you in a while again." Washu said, disappointed and walked out. Zack sighed and let his heavy eyelids fall over his eyes. Sleep seemed to come easy.
Another day past by on the dark planet, though the only way one could tell was by a clock or their own 'feeling'. Zack woke up to the sounds of shouting and screaming from the arena. He guessed that he must have been in an infirmary near the arena, though it was probably a small one, since this was a death match type tournament. No need for the extra beds and space, as very few would survive. He sat up again. His sides didnt hurt this time, and decided to press his luck further by getting out of his bed. As soon as he came in contact with the floor, he had to brace himself as his legs were weak. After a moment, he managed to reach a single crutch which happened to be conveniently located in the nearest corner of the room. With it, he could walk somewhat up right and move around a bit. He decided to look for something better to wear, since the hospital gown was a bit 'open' in the back. He found that his battle armor was torn up and somewhat ruined, and had been haphazardly been thrown on a small chair. However, a better set of clean and folded clothes sat on the chair next to it. He slipped into these, after a few minutes of groaning and slow movement, trying to not agitate his wounds any more then they were by his constant moving.
After finally getting ready, he opened the door and walked down the hall a bit towards the sounds. After wandering down a few halls for about a half hour, he finally reached the main hall which he came through. From there Zack made his way back to the waiting room he had stayed at. The door was of coarse unlocked and Washu was sitting down cross legged on one fo the benches while Ryoko was leaning up against a wall, arms folded across her chest. They looked up to see him.
"Well, if it isnt sleeping beauty." Ryoko teased. She teleported over to Zack and gave him a hard pat on the shoulder. Zack cringed. "You took a beating against that Talaquine guy. You sure your ok enough to be about walking?"
She quit giving him pats on the shoulder, and Zack rubbed it to try to sooth the pain. "Yes, I am fine, thank you... Wheres Ayeka and Tenchi?"
"Those two are getting something to eat for all of us, while we wait for Ryoko's turn." Washu said. "They should be back in a few minutes."
The door opened up behind them again, and the same lady that had asked for Zack to come with her had stepped through the door. Upon seeing Zack, she smiled nicely. "Are you feeling better, Mr. Zack?"
Zack nodded, not sure what to make of her question.
"Thats good. Miss Ryoko, it is your turn to fight now. Please follow me. Good day, Mr. Zack." And with that, the young lady left down the hall. The two body guards that always seemed to accompany her waited at the door for Ryoko. She had a look of disappointment on her face.
"Aw, guess I have to fight on an empty stomach." Ryoko said as she walked out.
"Who's she fighting?" Zack inquired when the door closed.
"Some guy by that went by the handle Machina. I hadnt had time to really get any information about any of the higher competitors because I was tending to you. (You're a real pain sometimes, you know that...). Anyways, Im starting to get doubts about this competition. You're the only one out of us 4 that had really fought Talaquine. Other then that, its been for the most part a bunch of low lifes and nobodies we've been beating up and saving. I mean thats great, cause it buys time, but it puts us more at risk of losing too. Luckily, we havent been in a fight we couldnt win, like yours." Washu explained. "This whole thing seems like a set up."
"Has Vasquez said anything?" Zack asked again.
"No, and thats the worst part. I know he's playing us like pawns, but what is he getting at?" Washu said trying to think things over. She looked back out the window again. "Oh, looks like Ryoko's on. Hmph, shes over confident as ever..."
Zack looked out the window as well. Ryoko was on the elevator platform up to the main fighting platform. The edge that buckled and collapsed was almost like new again, though there were new cross beams and plates under neath that section, unlike before. "What do you mean? How do you know."
Washu just smiled, making Zack even more lost. "By the way, the edge collapsing, that was you wasn't it."
"Mm hmm. I just exploited that little burnt whole you made when you protected yourself from the gas. Not to mention I saved you when from falling to your death."
"I hit the floor, I think, so what do you mean save?" Zack said.
"Oh, they have a dirty habit of making sure no one really survives. They were going to pump the floor with another layer of cold gas so you would die, but they 'malfunctioned' and it didnt happen." she replied. The floating cube which Zack saw at his fight flew down to the platform. "Looks like its about to start."
Washu summoned her holo-computer again, typed in a few things, and a monitor appeared in front of them. It was an over head view of the fighting platform, allowing Washu and Zack to see the whole fight with ease. Zack didnt bother asking how she got the view.
Ryoko stood in her spot, wearing her black and red 'suit' which she customarily wore in situations where she had to fight. She didnt look worried, or for that matter feel worried. She yawned a bit. (Oh boy...Another punk to beat up.) She thought to herself. Across the platform, her competitor stepped on. He was tall and had long lanky arms. He was thin and bald, and seemed like his mid 40s. He wore a pair of thick circular grey glasses that completely covered up his eyes, and were shaded a dark purple so that a person couldn't see his eyes, even if they were up close. He wore a grey jump suit that had purple embroidering along the arms and chest that seemed to cling to him like a second skin almost. It only showed a little slack at the ends of his legs and arms, where plain boots met with the jumpsuit almost seamlessly. Other then that, he seemed to have nothing else on him, except for a belt around his waist that was silver and metallic, a metallic disk on his back, and a small flat piece of metal it seemed on his wrist. (Great, I get to beat up a pencil necked geezer...).
Washu looked at the monitor, and typed some things in to her computer. The screen changed from the usual picture to a thermal view of the arena, and focused in on the tall man. Zack just watched as the scientist was working. She stopped typing all of a sudden and just watched the monitor. The man made a move and did something with his plated wrist. In a seconds time, he was almost indistinguishable from a cloud of yellow and red.
"Thought so..." she aloud. Zack wanted to ask what it was, but still kept with his idea that asking only complicated things more, so he tried to figure it out himself.
(Ryoko...) Washu thought out to Ryoko.
(What?) She responed in a bit of an annoyed voice.
(Don't take him so lightly, hes not what he seems.) Washu started out.
(Sigh. Why do you keep doing this? You think I cant handle them?) Ryoko sent back telepathically.
(Doing what? Telling you their read outs?) Washu sent back.
(Yeah. I could've handled any of the last guys without your help. I don't think I need help on this one either. Just let me do this by myself. I can handle it.) Ryoko sent back. Washu sensed annoyance and anger in Ryoko's thoughts.
(Im trying to give you an edge, Ryoko. So you don't lose, and no harm comes to you...Ryoko? Ryoko!) Washu yelled telepathically. "Dammit, she cut the link. I swear, that girl sometimes... err, may I help you Zack?"
Zack just stared at her, clueless to what she had been doing. "Uhh, you ok?"
Washu sat there a moment, trying to grasp the point of his question. "Uh, er oh yeah. Im fine. Really..." She said, half heartedly. She returned the monitor image back to the way it was before she messed with it and dismissed her holo-computer. She crossed her arms across her chest and sat with a look of contempt on her face. Zack just ran his hand through his deep red hair trying to figure out what was going on with Washu. She saw him still staring. "What? Im fine I said."
"If you say so..." Zack said as he sat down and watched the monitor.
"The Match Will begin...NOW" Said the small flying cube before flying away in a hurry.
(This is giong to be a cakewalk, even without Washu's 'help') Ryoko thought as she flew out fast drawing her beam sword. The tall man didnt even make the slightest attempt to move out of her way and get some cover. Ryoko brought her beam saber high up so she could bring it down hard on the man known as Machina. When she was within feet of him, ready to strike, did he make his move. Almost out of no where, a giant robotic arm shot out at her, catching Ryoko off guard. She was hit clear across the platform by the force of the hit. She landed and rolled a few feet across the dusty dirt floor, and got picked her self up. She was angry, for both the surprise attack and she getting a bit full of herself about her opponent. She straightened her self out, and flew in for another attack.
Like she had predicted, another mechanical fist and arm seemed to just magically appear out of thin air, but she dodged it and came up fast and hard from near the ground. She thrust her beam saber at Machina, but it was stopped by him. His arm had turned into another mechanical monstrosity fo an arm, saving him from harm. He cocked his off to the side a bit and reached out with his other arm, now forming into a mechanical arm itself as it did. It grabbed by her arm, and brought up and threw her down like a rag doll.
"GAYHH" She let out as she hit the floor hard. It cracked and caved in from the sheer force of her body hitting it. She quickly re-summoned her beam saber and cut her self free from his grip with a hard slash. Machina's arm flew back limp and came down awkwardly at his side. He looked down at it, and after a second he looked back up at ryoko.
"Ha. Take that!" She said, satisfied with her work. But soon her look of accomplishment turned to disbelief. "Huh?"
Machina's arm 'melted' off and reformed into the same mechanical arm again, as if Ryoko's blow had never occured. Soon enough, his body started to become like a hideous machine, as metal plates and parts started to form over his jump suit, till he looked like a man inside of some kind of mech armor.
"Heh, thats impressive. But now with all that weight, your sluggish as hell." Ryoko said, teleporting away to his left and charging with inhuman speeds. The Man Machine just cocked his head funny to this side at her. When she was within striking distance again, she drew back and swung with might. What should have been a clean hit was nothing more then a miss. "Huh, ARG." She let out as her opponent rammed her with speeds that could match hers. She was stunned by the blow and the speed of his evasion. As she layed on the ground for a second, somewhat dazed, Machina walked over. He raised his heavy steel fist and brought it crashing down on Ryoko's head. The ground disintegrated by the force of his punch, but had missed Ryoko as she had come to split seconds before being hit and rolled out of the way. He Looked over at her again, and stood upright and began to stalk very slowly over to her. She got up and charged at him, faster then before. It worked this time because she got within striking distance and just let out a fury of hits on him. He bobbed around and attempted to block her successive strikes, but it was to no use. She just kept pummeling him, and it seemed it finally took its toll.
He began to start twitching and jerking in a repetitive manner, and Ryoko charged up a ball of energy and pressed it against the machine man's chest, and discharged. The violent explosion rocketed him backwards, landing him on his back. It struggled to become upright, but as soon as it was standing, it fell forward and began to spasm. And then just like at the drop of a hat, it stopped all together. Deep gashes and holes marred Machina's body, but no blood flowed. Everything was damaged, everything except for the metal disk on its back. But Ryoko failed to notice, or didnt care. The crowd was wild with excitement. She discharged her beam saber and began to gloat with pride. (That wasn't so hard...) She thought to herself. But a grinding noise caught her attention while she was showing off, and soon a whole fist with a death grip around her body caught her immediate attention. It was crushing her with absurd force, and she tried as hard to free herself from it. Ryoko busted out her beam saber again, and hacked furiously away at the fist, clutching her. It finally let her go and she dropped to the ground. She gasped and winced at the pain her body was suffering from being squeezed so tight. She looked behind her and got to her feet.
"D-damn, don't you know when to die!" Ryoko said with fury and teleported behind it and pierced its back with her beam saber. It punctured the flat metal disk on his back and caused Machina to let our a mighty inhuman roar of pain.
"So thats it, huh? How does THIS feel?" And Ryoko began to twist jerk her blade, damaging more of the disk. The Machine Man cried out more and reached behind himself to grab her, but couldnt reach. "Haha, this is to easy." the space pirate said evilly as she continued to move her beam saber around, furthering the damage the disk was receiving. But she let her guard down once more, and a fist hit her from behind like a battering ram. She hit the dirt hard, and by now was scratched, cut, and bruised, but smiled with confidence.
"Since thats your weakness, your as good as scrap metal now." She said as she got up and rushed him. It wasnt to hard to get behind Machina now. His mechanical body and arms seemed to be evaporating and fizzling in some spots, and in others they shook and jerked randomly. But he wasnt totally out. He swung around with a heavy hand to hit Ryoko when she got behind him. In response, the pirate raised her arm to block it, and took the full force of the blow. It would have been compared to something like a car being hit by a speeding train while crossing the railroad. She screamed in pain as she was thrown back. It walked haphazardly over to her again, with a will to kill her. It jerked and had a hard time walking to her, allowing her ample time to recover and get to her feat. However, her arm that had protected her was now a ruined mess, as it blood flowed from it, and torn skin and armor mingled over it. She let I hang limp at her side and used her other hand to start charging a ball of energy. Ryoko then waited for it to get close. To draw it in with the notion she was weakened by now. She winced in pain.
(Come on, come on!) She said with impatience. It finally had lumbered close enough to her, and raised an arm to hammer her into submission. It dropped with so much force that the whole platform shook and kicked up dust. When the dust cleared, there was nothing but his fist embedded into the dirt. Ryoko teleported right behind him and let her energy go straight into the disk. The ball exploded into a bright flash of light and fire as the disk disintegrated. Machina let out a loud long grown. The armor seemed to just melt away from the man underneath it into dust and he collapsed over, and stopped moving. An electrical current wrapped around the body and it exploded, causing mechanical parts to fly everywhere.
"God, I hate robots..." Ryoko said to herself slumping down against a large pointed boulder. The crowd went wild as the words stating her victory over Machina rang out through the stadium. (Uh, Im not doing that again without Washu's help...) She thought to herself before picking herself up to walk to the elevator to take her off the platform.