Creature Changers
Sorry for the long delay in updating, but I've been busy studying for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test for those who don't know), so I didn't have much time to type. Also, I was stuck on Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance... (Sorry, it's addictive!)
In the previous chapter, Ivan was only trying out for choir. He's not officially in choir. And Jenna's not a new student. She wasn't trying out for the Health Club; she's already in it.
To reviewers who did not receive a reply, the reason is because you did not leave your email or I couldn't mail you for some reason.
I sincerely thank everyone who has supported this fic all along, and especially to any Valeshippers who have chosen to continue reading after the pairing verdict. Thank you all!
Also, special thanks to Kodoku for reminding me that Cyclops exist!
Disclaimer: Golden Sun used to be mine. But then I woke up.
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Chapter 14: To ACE: Attack Cyclops, Everyone!
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"Mia...? Are you all right?" Isaac asked worriedly. "You don't have to answer me if you don't want to..."
The other changer swallowed hard before she began ranting softly.
"I've been homeschooled ever since I was young. My governess, Lynna, could teach everything I needed to know, so it wasn't a problem. She was more than just a teacher, she was a friend and a companion... She was pretty much one of the most important people in my life. But in the middle of last year... I don't know why either... I changed, and she saw me..."
It's the same story. Nobody seems to be able to stand changers... Isaac sighed. He watched the ripples of water move on the surface of the pool.
"She... she called me what they did... mutant... freak... She insulted my family, my blood, my behaviour... Right in the face of my parents as well..." Mia burried her head in her hands. "She changed too. She was different on that day. Lynna would never have called me a wilful witch with wicked ways in the past..."
Isaac could not imagine having a trusted friend changing entirely and stabbing him repeatedly with every word she said. He could only guess how Mia felt, and assume from the feelings her song had conveyed.
"What did your parents do?"
"They chased her out, of course. They couldn't have her badmouthing the family. But they treated me similarly. Like a disease, like a monster... So of course they leapt at the chance to send me to my Aunt Harriet's. They smiled and explained that they wanted me to be schooled in Crystal, but their smiles were empty, even more than they had ever been..."
"Are you sure?" Isaac asked in disbelief. "But they're your parents..."
"They were always busy when I was young too. But they weren't hostile until I changed. And I don't even know why I did. I didn't choose to become a changer. Yet... I get punished for it..."
Her feelings were echoing his. Isaac put an arm around Mia.
"No matter the past, it's much easier to look to the future and try to enjoy life as much as you can. None of us chose to be changers, but it's a fact, and we must learn to live with it. Look on the bright side, it's quite an experience to change, isn't it?" he said.
"I suppose... But I was scared at first. My legs seemed stuck together when I was swimming that day..."
"Do you change whenever you touch water? That's sounds extremely inconvenient," Isaac said doubtfully.
"No. You noticed me yesterday morning, didn't you? Every time my legs get engulfed in water, my body would feel extremely at home and instinctively try to change. I can control it if I try, though." Mia smiled slightly. "I admit it is kind of fun to be able to swim without drowning and all... I don't regret having this ability."
"So there's an upside to everything. Cheer up," Isaac said. He frowned slightly as he thought. "I first changed when I was in danger. If you are able to change when you touch water, why hasn't it happened earlier?"
"I have no idea. I never felt anything at all in the past when I was swimming or bathing," Mia said. "Maybe Kraden will know why."
"We'll ask him another time. How do you feel now?" Isaac asked.
"Much better, thank you. I think I should start to head home," Mia said, standing slowly.
"Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Yes. Thank you for listening to me ramble. I feel so much better now that I've let it off my chest."
"No problem. Is your Aunt Harriet nice, by the way?" Isaac asked suddenly.
"Yes, very. She agreed to have me as soon as she heard that I was coming to Crystal School. She's more like a caring big sister, and I can feel that she really loves me," Mia replied.
"Then you'll be fine. Go home and talk to her if you need to, and I'll always be around to listen if you need me." Isaac patted Mia on the shoulder and smiled.
"Thanks again."
"You're welcome. After all, that's what friends are for." Isaac quoted Garet, grinning as he did. "Go home and rest."
Mia waved and turned to go. Isaac watched her until she exited the school gate safely. He picked up his hastily thrown down bag and turned to go.
"Will she be all right?"
Piers and Felix were staring at the school gates behind him, both looking uncertain. Felix was still wearing the strange robes that served as the uniform for the Archery Club.
Apparently Piers had told Felix about Mia.
"She'll be fine. She's pretty strong not to have broken down considering what she's been through the last six months," Isaac replied. Briefly, he filled Felix and Piers in on what he had just heard.
"And those girls had to pick on her for something that wasn't her fault," Piers said, shaking his head. "People nowadays..."
"You know why they did it?" Isaac asked.
"Miss Bolloska told us. When Cascade changed into a mythical on her first day, three boys from her class saw her and freaked out, then began throwing insults at her. Kraden made the boys promise never to tell anyone about what they saw, and then put them in detention for the rest of the week," Felix explained. "So that's probably why they didn't show up for their date, and got their girlfriends furious."
"So they pinned the fault on Mia and went after her?" It's completely unfair, Isaac thought angrily.
"Well, people can be stupid. And Cascade's unlucky enough to have her birthmark on her hand. Easily spotted," Piers said. "Don't worry, they'll definitely be punished heavily."
"Enough to make sure they shut up and leave her alone," Felix added. "What's done is done, and it can't be changed. Isaac, you should head home; the tryouts are nearly all done."
"All right. I..."
"It's him! Over there!"
"In that white and red thingy!"
A small stampede surrounded the three surprised students. Every member of the squeezing crowd was female.
"It's Felix, isn't it!"
"Are you going to be at the next Archery practice?"
"Can I have your phone number!"
"That's the other boy who was in the room!"
"Are you both in Archery?"
"You really should've changed out of that hakama before you came running out," Piers groaned, trying to shove his way out. "It's so easy to spot!"
"You were worried about Cascade! I didn't have time!" Felix argued, ignoring all the squeals and yells of his fanclub. "Why do they have to do this every year, even if I say no the year before!"
"That's the archery uniform?" Isaac asked, squeezing himself out, thankfully unnoticed.
"Traditional something or other, I believe."
Garet popped up behind him, laughing hard. "Honestly, you'd think they were idols or something the way those girls behave."
"Shouldn't we do something about it?" Isaac asked, chuckling as well.
"Oi! Felix! Piers! Restroom!" Garet called. Both Felix and Piers stared at him, then raced for the nearest toilet. "There. They can't follow him that way."
Isaac laughed.
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"How was it?" Dora asked, turning away from the television and lowering its volume. "Did you get into the basketball team?"
"Uh huh. The tryout was pretty okay," Isaac replied, removing his boots at the doorway and lining them neatly at the side. "Where's Dad?"
"He went back to work because more information on that coffin thing has been decoded. You know your father's like," Dora said, smiling as she thought of her husband's enthusiasm when he had received the positive phone call that morning.
Kyle worked as an archaelogist. When the family moved to Crystalia, he was tranferred to the smaller branch in Crystalia. Because of his ability of quick deduction and his knowledge of different languages, he was told to continue work on an old coffin that the company had found. Kyle often left his family for excavation sites, but he tried to spend as much time home as he could. Sometimes, though, the lure of a new find could be too much.
"Is he going to be back for lunch?" Isaac asked.
"No, he told me not to cook his share. Yours is in the kitchen; you should eat it before it becomes cold," said Dora.
"Thanks, Mom!" Isaac headed for the kitchen, and his mother turned back to the television.
The soft drone of the reporter on the one o'clock news filled the air. Absently, Isaac poked a fishball with his fork as he chewed. His ears pricked up as the voice began telling about an 'unusual report'.
"Scientists studying Creature Changers are claiming that they have found new abilities of Creature Changers. An ostrich defeated a hawk, and managed to 'gain' the ability of the hawk. The ostrich Changer can now fly, unlike normal ostriches. This is an extremely unexpected find..."
Choking on a sausage, Isaac dashed into the living room just in time to see a reccorded video on the television screen.
A black haired man waved to the camera, then changed into an ostrich. The changer proceeded to rush forward on both feet, flapping hard with its wings. Within seconds, he was airborne.
"That shouldn't be possible. Ostriches can't fly," Dora said in disbelief.
"Other battles have happened between changers before, and scientists wonder if the discovery was only made now because previous winners have not noticed that they had gained new abilities. It could also be because the abilities the winners gained were minor and not noticeable. The scientists of Weirsri Laboratory are continuing to research on the matter. St. Josephine High lately organised a fund-raising event to contribute to the..."
"Isaac, do you believe that that ostrich can fly?" Dora asked.
"... Maybe. I don't believe what the scientists are saying, because what if a snake had won the hawk instead? It couldn't sprout wings and start flying. The ostrich must have trained its muscles hard enough to enable flight," Isaac replied.
"But weight wise..."
"Maybe the changed ostrich weighs the same as his human form. I have no idea either."
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He felt something stirring in his blood. Something inside of him was reacting. Uneasily, he turned over in his bed. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"What's... going on?" Isaac whispered to himself drowsily. The strange feeling persisted, and Isaac felt something calling him.
A smell. A weird smell.
Come, it seemed to be saying.
"Where to?"
Come, for it's in your blood...
Everything felt blank and hazy as Isaac slipped out of his bed. Quietly, swiftly, he moved down the stairs and out of the backdoor.
Two ears pricked sleepily as the backgate closed. Two eyes opened slowly and looked around.
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The strange smell continued to beckon. Isaac could not tell what smell it was. It was faint, but it was there, and it called. Whatever that was in his blood reacted to the smell and led Isaac down the quiet, empty streets of Crystalia.
The path continued on until Isaac reached a large, old mansion. It was covered with a roof of red, and parts of the white walls were covered with green moss and ivy. Tall grass grew everywhere around the building, except where a granite path way led to the front door. The lead black gates were open, and Isaac went through them. Half a dozen doors strangely put into the house were open as well.
Moving to the side, Isaac entered through one of the doors. It led to a tiny corridor that twisted and turned in many areas, with white walls on both sides. Every five feet or so, a light glowed on the ceiling. It was a maze, and the place smelt strongly of the scent. Isaac continued to follow the scent as he went forward down one of the paths the maze.
But why am I following this smell?
I shouldn't. It's not important.
What's going on?
A high pitched squeal pierced through the air and shook Isaac awake. Thoroughly startled, he looked around him in surprise.
Who was that...?
Slowly, Isaac remembered what had happened. He wondered why he had reacted to the strange smell like that. It suddenly seemed faint. Isaac turned towards the direction where he thought the scream came from. Seeing four different paths leading in every way, Isaac knew he was lost.
No use standing around doing nothing.
Hesitantly, he picked one path and began to walk cautiously on. Every smooth wall of the indoor maze reached right up to the ceiling, and looked exactly the same.
Soon, the path split into a fork. Isaac chose the left and headed down it. Turning with the path, he soon came to a dead end. Sighing, Isaac was about to turn back when he saw a lump of red and brown on the ground at the end.
It was a small, unconscious hare. Isaac gulped and hoped that it was only unconscious. Blood soaked through its fur from several wounds and dyed the floor around red.
What on earth is going on! Isaac demanded silently as he ran towards the hare. Removing the pullover he was wearing above an indigo shirt, he picked up the tiny animal with shaky hands and placed it on the fabric. Wrapping it around it carefully, Isaac lifted the bundle and was relieved to feel quick heartbeats thumping against his fingers.
I need to find a way out of here and get this little guy
to a vet.
Turning down the path, Isaac headed back to the
fork. When he reached it, he took a right. Still holding the bloodied
rodent, he walked briskly until he came to another forking. This time
he had three choices.
Wait... haven't I been here before?
Stopping to think, Isaac visualised his movements in his
mind, then groaned as he realised his mistake. Returning from the
dead end, heading right led him to the path he came from in the first
place. So he was stuck where he started originally.
Maybe one of these paths lead outside. Picking the middle path, Isaac moved on. Just before he turned a corner, he heard voices and stopped.
"I don't understand why we got here!"
"Neither do I, but we need to get out as fast as possible. I've got a bad feeling about this place."
Two other people came around the corner and stared at him.
"Felix? Jenna?" he asked in disbelief.
"Isaac? What are you doing here?" Jenna asked. "And why are you holding that... dead rabbit?"
"It's not dead yet. I found it at one of the dead ends in this maze. And it's a hare, see the black tips on its ears and the longer hind legs?"
"Did you get here by a weird smell?" Felix demanded.
"Yes. I don't know what it is, but I found myself moving here, and someone's scream sort of woke me up," Isaac replied.
"Same here," Jenna said. "We're looking for whoever it was that screamed, or a way out."
"Somehow, I think this rab-hare is the one behind the scream," Felix said grimly. "Something must have attacked it."
"What lives in a mansion and attacks rabbits?" Jenna said, raising her eyebrows. "Must be something eccentric old man. We'll be able to deal with him, probably."
"This place is too strange to be hanging around," Felix insisted. "We're getting out now."
They turned down the path Isaac had started from, and made their way to the crossway with four paths.
"Which way?" Jenna asked, looking at the available three choices.
"The middle one leads to another path and a dead end. Want to try it?"
"At least we know there's a dead end," Felix said, starting forward. The three changers continued down the path until it forked, then took the right path.
As they moved, a loud bellow was heard. Then a scream.
"Oh, for-! What on earth is going on!" Jenna yelled, rushing forward.
"Jenna! Wait!" Felix yelled. "Be caref-!"
The path led to a small room. Other paths could be seen from all sides of the room. At one side of the room was a small, covered cauldron. Standing in the middle was a big, yellow monster. Shaped roughly like a bald human, enormous muscles could be seen all over his yellow-skinned body. One enormous green eye opened in the center of its noseless face, which turned towards the three changers.
"A cyclops," Isaac said, his voice threatening to break. The creature was grabbing a brown bull by the neck. The latter had fainted, and hung limp from the former's gigantic hand.
"So, there are more?" the cyclops hissed. He threw the bull against the wall and cackled. The mammal hit the wall with a resounding crack and slid to the ground. Blood began seeping out from its head. "Wait till I defeat all of you!"
Isaac gasped. That strength... This is definitely trouble...!
"What's going on?" Jenna demanded nervously, swallowing hard as she tried not to vomit. Felix moved in front of her instinctively.
"Don't come near the cauldron!" a voice yelled. "Don't breathe the scent from the cauldron!"
"Shut up!" the cyclops snarled, whipping around. As he moved aside, Isaac saw another familiar changer, bound and seated against the wall. "I'll deal with you after them!"
"Mia!"
Mia struggled to wriggle free of the ropes that bound her. She called out her warning again. "Don't let him open the cover of the cauldron! He's a Changer, and that cauldron affects all other changers but him! Breathing in the smell of the contents would make you weak and vulnerable to attacks! Don't come near!"
"That's what we breathed just now!" Jenna raced towards the cauldron at once, standing between it and the cyclops. "All right, you're not touching his thing!"
"Jenna! Damn!" Felix cursed. He reached for his forehead as he raced towards the cyclops, who was growling at Jenna.
"Felix! Jenna!" What to do what to do what to do what to do... Isaac crept around the other side towards Mia and placed the hare down, then began untying her as fast as his sweating fingers could.
Felix glowed and changed quickly as he moved. Bright gold shoulder plates gleamed as he sped up, reaching Jenna before the cyclops. He crouched defensively and watched.
"A mythical creature! I can't believe my luck. Would you like to lose first?" the cyclops hissed, twisting his mouth into a toothless grin.
"What do you want?" Isaac asked, pulling the last of the ropes off Mia.
"To defeat you all, of course!"
"He believes that by defeating other Changers, he would be able to gain their abilities," Mia said shakily. "He used the smell to lure any changer nearby to this place, then he'd attack them one by one until they are unable to move."
"That's so dumb," Jenna declared, reaching for her arm. The cyclops glared at her. Felix blocked him at once.
"Jenna, shut
up."
"I'll start with you!"
Without warning, the cyclops threw a punch at Felix. The centaur raised both hands and took the blow head on. Digging his hooves into the ground, Felix stopped just before he hit Jenna and the cauldron. Gritting his teeth at the hard impact, Felix shoved the cyclops back and leapt away, drawing his opponent's attention away from the cauldron. His hands shook, feeling numb.
Isaac stood up and reached for his own birthmark. He felt the change that was now familiar; scales erupting, bones stretching, tail growing. As soon as the change was complete, he gave a roar and leapt for the cyclops. Sharp claws slashed at one yellow arm, releasing a yell of agony. Blood dripped from the scratch marks.
Leaping back, Isaac crouched like Felix did previously, watching the cyclops' every move. As soon as the cyclops turned to Isaac, Felix reared and kicked him repeatedly on the back with his front hooves. The harsh impact caused something to crack.
With another howl of pain, the cyclops turned to Felix. Isaac then leaped forward with his claws again. But their foe was not stupid. One large arm shot out and grabbed Isaac in a vice grip, restricting any movement. The other reached for Felix lifted him by the lower body, stopping his front legs from moving.
"Just because you have two and I am one doesn't mean I lose," the cyclops hissed. He squeezed hard, and both his opponents howled. "I can crack bones no problem, especially since you two are so wimpy."
Slamming both fists together, he squashed Felix and Isaac against each other and threw them at the wall. A loud crack sounded, and the wall collapsed with the impact, shattering. As it fell and covered the changers, five other changers could be seen coughing at the dust. One look at the scene caused them to flee, screaming. They dashed back through the maze and vanished from sight.
Breathing heavily, the cyclops smiled smugly. Then something hit his back heavily and he stumbled. Turning, he saw a furry panther bite down hard on his skin. The vertebra that Felix had cracked did not enjoy sharp teeth sinking into it, and broke. With another yell, the cyclops shook Jenna off, gripping his back in pain. The skin where Jenna's teeth had been seemed to be glowing like splints.
"It's hot... What kind of creature are you!" the cyclops yelped. He gripped his back harder, as if hoping that the pain would lessen.
Jenna spread her wings and flew at the cyclops again. This time, her wings wrapped around the cyclops' leg, causing a searing heat to course through his body. The other leg lifted and stomped down hard on Jenna, forcing her to release hold. The cyclops ground his foot hard on Jenna, and several more cracks could be heard. Her screams echoed through the entire mansion.
Mia tugged at a piece of the debris, wincing as she watched. I have to help somehow! Think! How can a mermaid fight a cyclops on land!
As the piece of wall finally came free, Isaac pushed it aside and sat up, coughing hard. Weakly, he struggled to his feet and stared at Jenna in horror.
"Are you all right?" Mia asked worriedly. "Don't push yourself!"
Isaac growled. I don't care how many bones he's broken in me, but he's not going to kill Jenna as long as I'm still alive! He rushed at the cyclops, slicing at the foot with both elbow blades. The blades cut deeply, and blood poured out as the cyclops fell, releasing Jenna. Unfortunately, the panther was unconscious. Breathing heavily, Isaac turned back to the fallen cyclops, who was struggling to rise.
Felix had been released from debris by Mia as well, and he limped over to the cyclops and placed one front hoof on his neck.
"Don't move," he said, panting. "Or else."
The cyclops moaned and stopped moving. Reflexively, Felix relaxed, thinking that he had given up. Then the cyclops knocked Felix's hoove away with lightning speed and leapt back up, wincing as he did.
"I should've used this long ago," he hissed. Raising both arms, he gave a blood curdling yell. Isaac and Felix watched him warily. Then he slammed both arms hard onto the ground.
The floor cracked and broke into pieces immediately. Each piece shot upwards with the impact at high speed, crashing into everything in its path, including the changers. Both fell as many of the lights broke, nearly out of energy.
The cyclops moved towards Felix.
"For giving me hell, you won't just fall. You die."
He raised one arm. Then he froze.
"Turn, and stop,
For you're
a clod,
So don't you dare
To whack those there
Or you'll be
made to stop.
Turn and stop..."
The cyclops'
ears took in the haunting music, and his body could not disobey. It
took all of his will to turn and look in the direction of the song.
Mia had changed and was singing continuously with anything that came to mind. Isaac was right... the song is my power...
The cyclops growled and tried to move towards her. Straining with his mind, he pulled back one arm.
Can't... move... tail... oh no! Mia had to stop singing to breathe. The cyclops punched. Mia was knocked into the pile of wall debris and disappeared from view.
"Heh. The cyclops still wins," he muttered, breathing hard. Then sharp claws raked his head, causing more red scratches. With a yell, the cyclops turned. He saw nothing. Looking around wildly, he soon spotted a dark winged shape hovering near the ceiling. It was dripping with blood as well.
"Stupid bird... Shoulda killed her when I had the chance," he growled. Pulling his arm back again, he punched. The bird dodged with several quick flaps of its wings, then soared towards the cyclops face again. Extending its talons, it scratched the cyclops' eye.
It was the loudest scream heard that night. Blood dripped down his face as he collapsed. The cyclops closed his eye in pain, hitting randomly at anything in range. Reflexes caused him to panic, and the purple bird was slammed into the nearest wall by flailing arms. Moving blindly around, the cyclops broke every wall he touched.
Isaac struggled up and leapt, using the cyclops blindness to his advantage. With whatever strength he had left, he knocked the cyclops hard on the head with his right elbow blade. The cyclops fainted, crashing to the ground.
Isaac swayed on his feet and fell to his knees. He had never felt so tired in his entire life. Slowly, he forced himself to change back. His human body still ached with bruises, and his left arm seemed to have a dislocated bone. Crawling over to Felix, he shook him.
"Felix? Are you awake?"
The centaur nodded slowly, exhausted. He changed back like Isaac did, and forced himself up. His leg seemed to be giving him problems "Check on... Cascade... Get her out. I'll find Jenna..."
Nodding, Isaac went over to where he had seen Mia. Moving the pieces of debris as quickly as his tired arms could, he soon uncovered the nearly dehydrated mermaid.
"Mia...! You need to change back!" he urged. She opened her eyes and nodded, looking frightened. She changed back and got to her feet. Supporting each other, the two went towards Felix and Jenna.
"She's unconscious. We need to get her to a hospital!" Felix said, his voice shaking. Out of them all, Jenna had taken the most damage.
"What about... that bird?" Isaac asked. He turned. The moonlight streaming in from the windows showed that there was no bird, only a changer lying beside the cyclops.
"Her energy must have been exhausted," Mia said. "I'll carry her. Let's get out..."
Isaac helped Felix to lift the large panther. His eyes began to fail him.
Suddenly, several extremely bright lights appeared from one of the paths, blinding them temporily.
"Don't move!"
Exhausted beyond words, Isaac collapsed. The last thing he remembered was the blurred lights approaching slowly.
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Well. That certainly took some time. And now I'm the one who's exhausted. I spent as much time as I could on this, researching and rereading and all. I didn't even play FE, or FF8, or anything. See how much effort I threw in?
It may look less without the reviewer responses, but I think that this is the longest chapter I've ever written. It certainly seems like it, with the amount of plot I managed to throw in. I don't have word count on wordpad, so I'll check after I upload. What I am sure of is that this chapter contains the most action. Hope you've enjoyed it!
... Too much violence. Must change rating to T.
Until next time!
Daidairo
(... Goodbye to my lighthearted fic. So-called lighthearted fic. This definitely isn't lighthearted.)
