ALMOST A YEAR! HOLY SH!T! Sorry guys for the delay!
Aside from laziness, writer's block and other stories' ideas keep me away from this one. Forgive me for keeping this story from continuing for too long!
Anyway, time for the reviews, as always:
To Don Orbit: She didn't really directly order him to change the whole Swarm though, she just meant to keep the odd ones intact.
The scenario where both sides are cute anime girls fighting each other... do we have an anime for that? It would be a good reference XD.
About the images: Just Mengsk probably using the 'Zerg mind-controlling and infesting Terran to do their dirty jobs' propaganda.
To the others: Thank you for liking my story!
Skygeirr Platform
"You want to bring the Hercules as a replacement for the Leviathan?" Stukov asks in curiosity as the two commanders of Zerg prepare their forces to protect the area and, in Abathur's case, to head back to Gensokyo to continue his work. Though their current location is right before the portal that leads to Gensokyo. "You are afraid that you might turn another Leviathan into a… Youkai, is that how they're called?"
"…Leviathan scares people."
"We are Zerg. You expect other reactions?"
"Powerful Void Rays. High Templars."
"Ah… right, that's the better reason." The infested Terran chuckles. "I almost forgot that we're not heading to our regular Earth."
"Still Earth."
"You know what I mean." Their conversation is cut short when emergency siren flares up. Stukov immediately sends a telepathy message to one of the infested who was in Observation Department: 'What's going on?'
'Moebius Corps… and Tal'darim…' Due to the infestation, the person couldn't form a full sentence, but he can still send words that's enough to summary the problem.
'Get the defense up and shoot them down.' He then turns to the Evolution Master and jokingly says: "Guess my holiday has to stay put. We will hold them off."
"…Careful."
"You too, comrade." With that, both depart to their own designation. Stukov then taps a nearby Comm and calls the whole base: "It looks like our uninvited guests want to test our defenses. Don't disappoint them."
About an hour later. Outside of Human Village
"So that's what happened." Aya starts taking notes after Abathur, with the help of Oni-Ultralisk and Kappa-Leviathan's translations, summaries the battles in Korhal. "I was slightly curious at how this Stukov guy looks like."
"Maybe we can find someone similar here?" Ultralisk suggests.
"It would be a bit hard. I doubt any human from Outside World who was stranded here was anywhere too far from Japan." Aya wonders. "But given how Yukari allowed Remilia and her mansion here… maybe?"
"Youkai suggestion?"
"Hm… Fairies are out of questions, unfortunately. You already tested it right Abby?"
"Correct. Fairies essence, too unstable."
"Leviathan suggests Youkai with mammal traits. Like Aya."
"Sorry, but we're not giving out that easily. Besides, our power doesn't come from our physical traits alone so getting our hair won't do much."
"So where should we go next?" Ultralisk asks. "I heard that Suika is from Old Hell, right? Maybe…"
"How about Eientei?" The group looks back to the direction of the village to see Reisen, in her disguised outfit to sell medicines in the village, heading to them while overhearing their conversation. "Doctor Eirin is interested in how the Zerg adapt with the environment and how you can basically regrow your body. She believes she could create something similar with your help."
"…Mokou?" If talking about returning to death, the Immortal Phoenix is obviously a better choice.
"Well… she drank Hourai Elixir, so that doesn't count. Also, we cannot reverse or copy its effects, and using it is already a forbidden matter."
"Is it actually that bad?" Ultralisk questions, considering that Zerg's motivation is always to survive.
"Breaking cycle of life is not something we should underestimate."
For some reasons, that sentence from Reisen causes the Zerg to shiver. They do not know it yet, but the word 'cycle' would be the reason everything happened in Koprulu Sector.
"…Doctor. Medic?"
"Well… yes. I wouldn't call her that though. She's above what a normal Medic would do." Reisen then starts taking the front side. "If you guys don't have a plan, then you can follow me to the mansion."
"…How powerful?"
"For the record, she's currently the best Doctor around here." Aya answers this time. "The bunny here, unfortunately, is always the first victim of whatever Eirin makes."
"But, it works in the end, right?" The Evolution Master clearly sees the girl's face getting red.
"I said nothing about medicines not working." Aya says with a teasing grin. "You being fine after testing, however, is another matter."
"Please don't remind me of those times." The bunny lowers her hat down to hide her embarrassed face.
"It still happens to this day, right?" The Tengu then agrees with Reisen's offer. "Hey Abby, we should head to Eientei now. With how resourceful Eirin is, you might find a lot of useful essences there!"
"…Plausible plan." Seeing no harms in doing so and having no plans for the current moment, he agrees.
"By the way, you said you brought the rest of your project, right? Might if I get a look later?"
"Classified. Won't use until necessary. Only use Zerg-Youkai Hybrid."
"Except the blob thing that floats above the Forest of Magic? That thing's bigger than your current transportation."
"…Exception."
…
"Why do I feel a little bit confused in this forest?" Oni-Ultralisk in confusion as Reisen leads the group towards the mansion where most of the rabbits are in. And they're going through a certain forest.
"…Dark Archon's Confusion. Similar."
"That's the effect of the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. We don't really want many people to find out where we are." Reisen explains.
"Kappa-Leviathan asks if many know the way."
"Only us who live in the mansion… and Mokou. By the way, don't talk about her too much, or Master would be very angry."
"Kaguya doesn't care about that, right?" The Tengu asks back. "Like, she's just a NEET at this point…"
"Please don't spread those false information."
"False? Please, everybody knows at this point she's NOT going to leave her room until it's absolutely necessary or important!"
"NEET?" That's something Abathur never heard a single Terran used in any of conversations he knew. "Leviathan?" He's guessing that she might gain some unique knowledge from the Youkai's essence she has.
"…Leviathan does not know, unfortunately. Leviathan knows only what Leviathan knows before the transformation."
Reisen and Aya argue for a few more seconds before remembering that the group of Zerg is waiting for them to go ahead. The bunny apologizes and continues leading the group to their destination.
Eventually they reach the front gate of the mansion, where they see many Earth-bunny Youkai along with normal rabbits doing their work. Leviathan instantly notices how small they are comparing to Reisen's size and asks: "Leviathan asks why Reisen is different from them."
"I'm currently the only Moon rabbit in this mansion. The rest are Earth rabbits working here."
"…Differences?"
"Well… the obvious thing is our normal size. The others, you might want to read more to find out…" Reisen plans to say some more but her right foot steps into a strange bundle which is a cover of a hole, and she instantly falls down straight into that.
"Got you again!" From one of the bushes nearby, a happy-go-lucky rabbit Youkai jumps down and cheers. "Another score for…"
"YOU ARE NOT GETTING AWAY!" To the Zerg's surprise, Reisen immediately jumps out of the hole with a furious face and starts chasing the other rabbit, while said rabbit keeps laughing during the run.
"…Name?"
"That's Tewi, the head of the Earth bunnies." Aya replies. "Let's just head in now. The inside of the mansion doesn't have the spells like the Forest so we won't get lost… from a spell at least."
Abathur nods, and gestures the Zerg-Youkai to follow Aya as the reporter leads them inside the mansion, which earns stares of curiosity from other rabbits.
After passing through several doors (with Aya constantly writing in her notebook), the Tengu stops before one and opens it, revealing it to be a clinic of sort. "Your honest reporter has come to get more news!"
"You again?" In the room, a woman sighs as she stops writing her note and looks up. "Look, we don't have anything else…" She then stops when she sees Abathur and the Zerg-Youkai. "…You have met Reisen, haven't you? Where is she?"
"Tewi happened." Aya shrugs.
"Typical." The woman says to herself, stands up and faces the group properly and greets them: "It's a bit late, but welcome to Eientei. My name is Eirin Yagokoro, the head of the pharmacy. I believe you have heard from Reisen that we want to meet with you."
"Correct." Evolution Master replies. "Want to find ways to heal quickly, like the Swarm."
"I haven't seen the Zerg's healing in action, but from what I heard, I can assume it's only second to Mokou and Princess' regenerations."
"…Suggestions?"
Walking to one of the cupboards, the doctor pulls out a bottle filled with pills and says: "We have a lot of products in here with all kinds of effects. I would like to ask for your help in… checking their affinities and quality. In return, you can try and get the essence from the Earth rabbits."
"Try and get? That's a bit…" Ultralisk tries to find a word for it.
"Unfair?" Aya asks back.
"Leviathan says yes."
"Do you expect them to stand still and let you touch them?" Eirin asks back. "Especially with your look? No offense."
"None taken. Good point." Abathur can see why. No Terran would also stay in one place when a group of Zerg heads their way. "Also, good testing ground."
"Please don't break anything major. Or Princess' possessions. We don't have that much…"
"Yeah yeah, miss 'Everything has to be perfect'." Aya mocks as she starts taking photos again, much to the doctor's annoyance.
"…So she's you in some senses, Evolution Master?" Oni-Ultralisk whispers.
"Negative. Purpose to improve Swarm's efficiency, not to help others."
"Isn't… that the same? Helping the Swarm?"
"If not, zero purposes. Like Primal Zerg."
"Hm… Primal Zerg? What's the different?" That perks an interest from Eirin.
"They're from Zerus, our home-world." Ultralisk answers. "Maybe we let Evolution Master to tell the story in another time. I'm not the best in telling stories."
"Leviathan says Ultralisk is getting more laziness from the Oni."
"Hey! That's not true!"
Letting the two bicker, Abathur raises one of his arms towards Eirin and signals her to give him the bottle, which Eirin follows. Opening the cap and pouring everything into his mouth, he starts analyzing what's in it…
"Unknown power detected. Similar to magic… Surprisingly unaffected."
"Well… it's the 'Butterfly Dream Pill'. It's to give one a pleasant dream."
"Zerg doesn't sleep."
"That explains everything."
"…Chemicals, however, similar to Infestors."
"Hm… so you mean you can change…"
"Negative. Chemicals, not enough essences. However, might give an idea for the Infestors' new strain."
"…Good luck finding her." Eirin knows who has the ability, and also knows that the girl's near impossible to reach, so she just gives the hint. She then reaches her hand back to the cupboard…
"Sorry for being late." Everyone turns to the window of the clinic and sees a tired Reisen holding up a smiling Tewi by the ears. "Do you need my assistance? If not, I have THIS problem to deal with."
"…How about giving mister Abathur here some of your hair?" Eirin suggests.
Looking back-and-forth between the Doctor and the Zerg Master, the Moon Bunny lets out a sigh. She then climbs into the office and yanks out one hair and gives it to Abathur. Though she does whine once when she yanks it out, considering her side still hurt a bit after chasing the other rabbit.
Taking the chance, Abathur starts the analysis instantly… "Strange."
"What's strange?" The Tengu has finished her work and asks the Zerg.
"Strains extremely close to Raptor Zergling. However, cannot apply to them. Some strange mismatches."
"…Maybe it's because Reisen is a Moon Rabbit?" Eirin guesses. "So far, you're using the Youkai's essences from Earth, correct?"
"Affirmative."
"Then we can use…" The Moon Rabbit's face shows an expression of being 'too happy' as she raises the Earth bunny in her hand…
"Where's Tewi?" Aya's question interrupts Reisen's thought as she looks down to see what she's holding is just a bunny doll instead of the actual target she caught.
"Leviathan saw her yanking herself out and replaced the doll while Reisen climbed through the window." The explanation causes the Moon Rabbit to shake up in anger. "Leviathan says to not worry. Evolution Master can…"
"THAT RABBIT WILL BE THE NEXT TEST SUBJECT!" No one could even say a word to stop her as Reisen jumps out of the window, again, and instantly gives chase to the sole subject she currently has in mind.
"…Wait?" Abathur suggests.
"I… suggest so. Reisen would be even more frustrated if you are done before she's done with Tewi." Aya agrees.
"Then we should wait for them in the living room. Let me lead the way." With that, Eirin makes way and leads the group to a more comfortable space.
…
After another half of hour, Reisen returns, confirming to herself that Tewi is IN an unescapable cage (as a joke), bringing the 'test subject' to where Abathur is. Of course Tewi gives out her hair without a problem, and every trouble is just to toy with the Moon Rabbit.
What surprises the Zerg, however, is the gun Reisen used to hunt down Tewi. It's as big as the one James Raynor used during the battle in Char, and yet the Moon Rabbit can carry it with just one hand and no additional supports. Now Abathur has a second thought about when he told Kerrigan that her limbs are weak (when he first met after her escape from Arcturus).
Taking the new essence, Abathur is now able to get the right combination and starts spinning the strains into the Zergling back in the Hercules. Though because the possibly new Zerg-Youkai cannot enter the forest without a guidance, Eirin orders Reisen to lead the group out and head to where the transport ship is then reports back to her about the changes when the Moon Rabbit returns.
After some times, the group enters the Hercules and Aya starts taking pictures. Abathur then uses his Psionic and calls out the Zergling to come to him. Moments later, a group of about five Zergling-Youkai hops to him like rabbits. Each of them has a very slight different skin tone to each other, but all of them have the same sort of chitin armor that Leviathan and Ultralisk have. All possess the size and appearance of Tewi with a pair of rabbit ears for each on their head and their signature pair of claws on their back. The wings of the Raptors are surprisingly nowhere to be found, but upon closer look, Abathur sees the hind feet of the Zerglings looking similar to bunnies, though the legs are still the same old Zerg. Their eyes are all purple, though unlike Ultralisk's laziness or Leviathan's unfazed expression, they look like they're waiting to be petted.
"Wow, so you can change multiple of them an instance? Impressive!" Aya coos and starts taking pictures while petting one of them, causing the Zergling to tap her legs happily. "What's the occasion?"
"…Zerglings rarely goes individually unless scouting. Also, essences usually apply to all units deployed currently."
"Leviathan and Ultralisk were one of the kinds back then, so the essence only applied to them."
"I see. So we're going to see those fliers and some more morphing in multiple huh?" Aya notes. "…Welp, next stop: Alice's house!"
The Zerglings then start hopping around Reisen happily, causing the girl to look around in confusion and slightly embarrassment. "What… what are they doing?"
"Probably because you're fellow bunny." Aya teases.
"…Stop." Abathur orders, and instantly the Rabbit-Zergling stops hopping, though they zoom in around him and starts their small hops. "…Banelings morph, possible or not?"
That question causes both Ultralisk and Leviathan to look at each other for a second, then they start pulling all the Zerglings away from the Evolution Master.
"…Not now." Feeling that the progress might be a little disturbed (on Kerrigan and human's standard), he defuses their fear.
"Well… that would be for later." Aya concludes. "Onward to Alice!"
Skygeirr Platform. Hours after the attack
"We lost some Infested Marines… rest in peace." Stukov says to himself as he re-watches the fight from the archive. "These Tal'darim get some impressive technology, probably taken from where they conquered… if the old UED got them, maybe Gerard might have dominated everything here in Koprulu Sector. But then Amon would beat everything up then."
"Commander…" One of the Infested suddenly calls for his attention.
"What is this?" He turns to see the Infested pointing at his screen, and Stukov starts watching… "! One managed to get pass!? I must inform Abathur immediately!"
Chapter 10 end!
Again, oops. I hope the next chapter won't come out so late like that. Though, one of my stories is still waiting after two years, so eh...
See you next time!