Disclaimer: Usual applies.
WARNING: Mature content in this chapter. Moritori fans (if they even exist…), go away!
Chapter Five: Bitter Revenge
Two days later. Things weren't getting any better, although Rembrandt was constantly building up new plans. At any moment, day and night, he could be seen writing or thinking, already imagining Spectre's rescue. Although he had begged his relatives to help him, they were still reluctant; going up against the whole Legion was, to them, suicidal.
And indeed it was, but Rembrandt was so caught up he didn't even realize that fact.
Tressa-Ca smiled down at her sleeping son, snuggled up in his bed, and gently caressed his head. It was getting harder to make Thunderhawk go to bed; the boy wanted to know when his father was coming home, and she didn't have the heart to tell him what she thought. Spectre wouldn't come back soon.
Tressa bent down and softly kissed Thunderhawk's forehead before tiptoeing out of the bedroom. Closing the door, she sighed to herself as she made her way to her own bedroom. The house had become much quieter, since Thunderhawk had stopped laughing and running around. Her nights had become much colder, since there was no one in her bed who could hold her and kiss her. The one she loved was gone, and she feared he would never return.
Holding back desperate tears, Tressa got in her room and changed in her nightgown. Running her hand over the light clothe, the female echidna smiled. Spectre still didn't know why she had bought a nightgown way too large for her, but she did. She sat on the edge of the bed and brought her hands up to rest upon her stomach. Under normal circumstances, Spectre would have known… But unfortunately, these circumstances were far from normal. "Oh, Spectre," Tressa whispered. "What am I going to do without you?"
"That's a good question," a cold voice answered from the darkness.
Tressa's head shot up; she hadn't realized someone else was there as well. It didn't even occur to her to ask how the intruder had managed to come in, her mind was too surprised to do so. She then tried to identify the newcomer; at first all she saw was a red line, but then the person walked into the light produced by her nightstand lamp, and she could tell who it was. Tobor, Spectre's father.
"You scared me, Tobor," she said, still suspicious although relieved. What was he doing here at such an hour? Surely even Guardians had to sleep. "What did you come for?"
"To answer your previous question," Tobor simply said, leaning against a wall. When Tressa gave a confused look, he pursued: "I want show you some of the things you can do while Spectre isn't here."
"Well, I'm very thankful, Tobor, but I don't think now is the time to go anywhere. Thunderhawk is asleep, I can't leave him alone and-"
"Who said we had to go anywhere? Here is as fine as any other room," Tobor said, slowly walking towards the female, who had gotten up.
Tressa frowned as she took a step away from the smirking male. "I'm afraid I don't see what you mean."
"You will soon, don't worry," Tobor growled under his breath. When he was within reaching range, Tressa once again backed away from him, afraid now that she knew what was happening.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice tainted with fear.
"That's just it: I want you." Tressa gasped as he went on. "Now that Spectre is gone, why not be together? After all, Thunderhawk needs a father, and I'm sure you'll learn to find me pleasant."
When Tobor reached a hand to touch her cheek, Tressa slapped it away angrily. "What do you think you are doing? In case you forgot, Spectre is your son, and Thunderhawk your grandson. I love Spectre, and not you!"
"That can be easily corrected." Suddenly, Tobor grabbed her upper arms and his lips crushed against hers, drawing her into a forced kiss as Tressa struggled to get out of his iron grip. The elder male bit her lip to keep her in place and as he kissed her, his hands began wandering along Tressa's waist.
But Tobor made the mistake of letting go of one of her arms, and as soon as it was free Tressa slapped him, hard. He let out an exasperated growl as he tightened his grip on her, and the female winced. She would have bruises later.
Growing impatient, Tobor pushed her onto the bed and got on top of her. Tressa tried to push him away, but he was just too strong for her. She released a pain-filled moan when the male's weight crushed her against the bed. This was so different from Spectre's gentle motions and caring behavior; this was brutal and mindless. And worst of all, it was her husband's father.
"Please, don't!" she whispered as he kissed her cheek, nipping at the tender flesh. But her plea stayed unanswered as he pinned her wrists above her head and used his teeth to tear her nightgown apart. His lustful gaze fell upon her chest, and he whispered to her: "So beautiful. I see Spectre has made a fine choice."
And with these words, Tobor's knees crawled between Tressa's and hell began for the female.
Thunderhawk slowly opened his eyes. He'd just been awaked in the middle of the night; he heard muffled screams and cries. Who could be making them? He sat up abruptly when he thought he recognized his mother's voice. Mom? Mom is in danger! The lavender echidna gathered his courage and got up, determined to save his mother from whatever was threatening her.
Getting out of his room, Thunderhawk listened carefully and realized the noises were coming from his parents' bedroom. The bad guys who attacked us must be hurting her! His mind filled up with anger and rage. How dare they harm his mother? Thunderhawk charged and flung open the door to his parents' room. However, nothing prepared the young Guardian-to-be for the sight that greeted him.
There, Mother Tressa was lying on the bed, with Grandfather Tobor on top of her. They were kissing, as Thunderhawk had seen Father Spectre and his mother do many times. Only then his mother was hugging his father close and seemed happy. Now, however, she wasn't looking happy and was trying to push Grandfather away.
Grandfather Tobor raised his eyes and smiled upon seeing Thunderhawk. "Well, hello there, Second-son. Did we wake you up?"
"What are you doing to Mom?" the young boy asked, frowning when he saw that his mother's and grandfather's lower bodies were glued together.
"Your mother here is receiving something called punishment." Grandfather Tobor suddenly ground his hips, and Mother cried out. Now Thunderhawk could see the tears straying her face. "Bu the way, now that you're here…" Grandfather Tobor raised a hand towards the door, which closed and locked soundly. "Why don't you stay? I'm sure this could be sort of… familial."
As Grandfather smirked, Tressa gasped and sobbed some more. This… bastard, she couldn't think of a better word, was forcing her son to watch them. Her six years old son was forced to watch his grandfather rape her.
But Tressa-Ca didn't even have time to think before her abuser once again began his disgusting administrations.
Thunderhawk was standing aside, watching confused as Grandfather Tobor began moving back and forth. Each time Mother Tressa whimpered, tears flowing down her face. She cried out when the brown echidna bit down on her shoulder, and Grandfather Tobor licked his blood-covered lips. Thunderhawk stayed frozen, thinking that what his ancestor was doing wasn't entirely wrong.
After ten minutes of the same routine, Grandfather Tobor groaned and fell on the mattress beside Mother Tressa whose features were now crisped in intense pain. The male pulled her against him, closing his eyes. Mother Tressa soon passed out from pain and exhaustion in Tobor's unwanted embrace.
And during this whole time, Thunderhawk just stood there, not knowing what to do. Not knowing what to think.
Slowly, ever so slowly, one eye opened half-way. It caught sight of the sun shining through the light brown curtains, proof that night was over.
Still, even if it was time to get up, Tressa-Ca just laid in her bed, not sleeping although not really awake. She'd had a nightmare that night; she had dreamt of Spectre being held prisoner, then Tobor coming to her house to… This is just plain stupid, she thought to herself. Spectre will laugh when I'll tell him about it.
When Tressa felt the hands resting on her waist, she smiled. Yes, Spectre was lying here beside her; there was no way he could be elsewhere. He apparently figured out she was awake because the hands began to move, softly caressing her fur. Tressa purred and cuddled up to her husband; after her little nightmare his caresses seemed even sweeter.
Then Tressa felt lips place a kiss upon her temple, and a tongue began to lick its way down her cheek, brushing against her nose and finally resting on her neck. "Spectre, you idiot," she giggled as she gently pushed his muzzle away.
"Mom?" Tressa recognized Thunderhawk's voice. "Why are you calling Grandfather Tobor by Dad's name?"
Time froze after that sentence; and all came back to Tressa in a rush. The attack by the lake… Spectre being tortured… the rape… Thunderhawk watching… By the Gods, it can't be possible! Tressa's trembling hands felt around for the arms around her waist, and to her horror she found no metallic left arm. She was lying in bed with Tobor.
Tressa tried to move away from him, but immediately a pang of intense pain shot through her lower body. Tears were brought to her eyes as she felt both fresh and dried blood coating her thighs. She realized she had wounds on her shoulders and spines: bite marks from that sick bastard. Tressa couldn't help but sob as Tobor's hands continued to caress her. "Mom?" Thunderhawk asked, concerned. "Mom, are you all right?"
"She will be, child," Tobor's deep voice grunted. He leaned close to whisper in Tressa's ear. "If you ever tell any of the Guardians, or anyone else for that matter, about last night, be sure your dear Spectre will die. Yes, you've understood, I'm in no way a Guardian, but I'm connected to the Dark Legion. Keep quiet, and nothing bad will happen to your husband. Tell anyone… and the Brotherhood will have to find a new Guardian." Growling, Tobor licked her cheek once again. "I'll be back tonight. See you then." And with that, the elder male was up and gone as quickly as he had come the previous night.
Unable to resist anymore, Tressa broke down sobbing uncontrollably. Thunderhawk came to her side and took her hand in both of his. "Mom? Why are you crying? What has he done? Mom, are you all right?" But his mother didn't answer him, not with words anyway. She threw her arms around her son and hugged him to her chest as he tried to decide what he should do.
"Oh Thunderhawk! My poor little son! Why did you have to endure this?" She pressed her cheek atop her son's head as she gently caressed his hair. "You're too young to even… Oh, Spectre, what have I done?" Tressa felt others tears flow from her eyes.
The young lavender boy hugged his mother and whispered the first thing that came to his mind. "Don't worry, Mom. Dad will be home soon."
Moritori Rex chuckled darkly as he punched his access code to Haven's elevator. Oh, revenge was so sweet… he could get used to it. Plus he surely wouldn't be suspected, and Tressa-Ca would keep her mouth shut if she wanted to see Spectre alive. Thunderhawk… well, Thunderhawk didn't even know what had been happening. It had been fun seeing the confused look upon the boy's face.
May night fall early, Moritori thought as he walked in the metallic corridors. But when he turned to reach the surveillance room where he could contact the Dark Legion, he came face to face with Rembrandt. The elder echidna raised one eyebrow. "Tobor? How nice, I precisely wanted to see you."
Moritori couldn't help but feel fear of being discovered. But he managed to crack a smile. "Yes, Fourth-father, what did you want to see me for?" Be quick, old man, I haven't got all day.
"I just wanted to know where you've been this night," Rembrandt asked, crossing his arms. "I take it you just came back from wherever you've been. All I want to know is where."
"Ah, yes, I've…" Think, Rex, think damn you! "I've been… well in truth I've been out most of the night. I first visited Tressa-Ca and my grandson to apologize for the way I acted earlier, then I spend the rest of the night walking in the forest. I was… feeling guilty about what happened to Spectre. I haven't been that much of a father." Moritori looked down, trying to look ashamed.
Rembrandt's hard glare softened but kept a suspicious glint. "All right. Just don't take it too hard, it's not as if what is happening to Spectre is your fault."
Moritori kept his head down to hide his growing smirk. No, you're right old man. What's happening to Spectre isn't entirely my fault. But what's going to happen to him might depends on me. "I'm going to take over surveillance for a while. I need to think."
Rembrandt nodded and walked away, probably to think up of another plan. Think while you still can, old man. You won't be able to use your mind in a few days. Chuckling evilly, Moritori got in the surveillance room. It's never been so nice to say "Mission Complete."
Back at the Dark Legion HQ, in Kragok's room.
"We've got good news," Lien-Da said as she opened the door to the dark room. "Grandfather Moritori avenged us. He even added he would do it again anytime we wanted; I wonder what he meant." The female grinned to her twin brother.
"Yeah, me too," Kragok replied, smirking. "I'm ready to bet he took really good care of that female." The Legionnaire laughed and once again set his sight upon his sister. "By the way, how is it going with that Guardian? Is the kid on the way?" Once again Kragok burst into a raspy laughing fit.
Lien-Da's expression became annoyed as she whacked her brother on the head. "No, you moron. It's far from being the case, actually. This male is even worse than you with women." She ignored Kragok's growl and carried on: "I'm beginning to wonder how that female married him. Maybe she is blind…"
"Yeah, maybe, however he isn't," Kragok said grumpily. He was still offended by Lien-Da's previous remark. "So do anything. Show off, do what you do best, do whatever you want but we need an heir for the Dark Legion and leave me alone!" The leader crossed his arms and turned away, now vexed.
The red female approached him and ran her hand along Kragok's jaw. "Do you know you're handsome when you're angry?" she purred.
"Yeah, I know. Now go and have your way with that damn Guardian. Once you're done we'll kill him and then kill the Brotherhood and then we'll be at peace." Kragok looked at her. "Why are you still there? I said go!"
"Yes, Master," Lien-Da mocked him before running off, probably to find Spectre.
Kragok sighed and sat back in his chair. "I almost pity that Guardian… Oh, well, better him than me."
A mechanical hiss. Someone was opening the door. Spectre's head rose up in time to see some shadows. Among them he recognized Rykor and Lien-Da, which caused his breath to catch and he growled softly.
Rykor walked forward, tapping a metallic club against his palm. His grin couldn't have been any larger as he leaned forward, looking at Spectre. "I told you you were going to pay, didn't I? Well guess what…"
Spectre didn't make a sound even as the first hit fell upon his skull.
Gritting his teeth, the echidna thanked Aurora he still had his helmet on until Rykor grabbed it and threw it away. Oh damn. That was the right word.
That was the only word.