A/N: For a treat for all the readers who have been patiently waiting, I have created a picture of Aurora for everyone to see. The link is in the following right here:
sta . sh /02amzdolthol
Because fanfiction is very nitpicky, I can't share complete links, so I have to space out the whole thing. Just copy, paste, and close the spaces. It should lead you guys to my private dA account. If you cannot see the image, please let me know in reviews. If it does work, then congrats, you finally get to see what Aurora looks like! Enjoy!
Chapter 22
Broken Binds
Rivet sat in a cold cell with only one bed furnishing the whole thing. It was frigid when she was forced to change into a black jump-suit that was typical of this prison's uniform. A big guard walked back and forth in front of her cell; the entrance was closed off by strange azure-colored glass material. Anytime she tried to hit or kick it, it'd just bounce her blows right off and send her straight into the floor. Not that her punches could do much given as her robotic arm had been confiscated. But that was the furthest thing from her mind.
Ratchet's face was the only thing her frightened brain could focus on. Unaware of where he went or how he was doing sent cold terror through her bones. Minute after minute she was tempted to plead with the guard to allow her access to a radio. Given the guard's stoic dismissal of her mere presence, she knew any request would just be shot down. It was hopeless, just like she felt right now.
A tear threatened to spill from her eye as she used her one good arm to hide the weakness. Being in prison before, she knew showing weakness to any blood-thirsty guard was basically suicide. It would tempt them to do something even worse to them. Rivet fought off her bad memories and kept quiet, not even making eye contact with her only company.
"Ratchet…" she whispered to herself, clenching her fist over her knee. The heart was racing out of her ribs as she fought the compulsive urge to get up and pace around. The distress growing in her soul sent painful tremors through every muscle fiber. Almost to the point, she felt like throwing up, the thought of Ratchet being dead in a ditch… it… became too much. Now the tears really threatened to spill. She barely managed to turn her back to the guard to avoid his watchful gaze.
The guard noticed her trembling shoulders and banged a massive chromed fist against the glass. Shaking the whole cell as Rivet tumbled a bit but remained steady enough to maintain her curled-up position. He snarled and banged against the cell louder, trying to coax the female around. When she didn't respond, he spits a wad of oil onto the floor and blew some steam from his mouth pipe.
"Read your files, supposed to be some kinda… leader rebel… you? Pfft. Don't know how I'm supposed to believe a puny female like YOU committed these recent assaults are back-alley market dealers."
Rivet perked her ear up and slowly turned to look at him from the corner of her eye.
"What the hell are you talking about?" She asked through gritted teeth. "I never did anything like that!"
"Bah, deniers always the liars." He raised his weapon and tapped the glass, given her a suddenly creepy smile. "When the investigation is called quits, you'll be here for a long time… and at my mercy…" his hulking shoulders cast a shadow over her as he leaned closer to her cell. "And that… is something I look forward to…"
Growling, Rivet whipped her head away, deciding not to entertain the sick bot. This annoyed the guard even further as he crossed his arms. Till a loud sound hit the glass, scaring the rebel right from her spot. She quickly shoots her eyes back towards the glass, her guard's large body smashed against it. Oil and other internal fluids dripped from his core as his head began to spark and spin around like an owl on crack. Rivet reached her hand out, about to ask what was going on until the lights began to flicker. His whole body tumbled away from the glass and onto the floor, giving Rivet a clear view of the hallway leading towards her cell.
A massive shadow stood at the end of the hallway. Caked in perfect black, sharp edges of matted hair ruffled in the blinking lights. Each time the light flickered off; the shadow disappeared. But when the glow returned, it was getting closer and closer, like a blood-thirsty phantom.
Rivet gasped as she scrambled backward till her back was up against the wall. The stranger's footsteps echoed ominously through the tunnels. Nails scraping against the metal floors until they stood a mere three feet from Rivet's glass door. She trembled at the terrifying sight, only able to see one gold eye staring at her. It stared at her for a minute before leaning down and crushing the guard's whole back with a massive front paw. The claws were dull chrome color.
As the creature finished the guard off, Rivet watched its movements closely. The way it limped around while searching the dead bot. Gold eyes hidden behind a black mask, a thick grey cloak filled with holes lying messily off its large muscular frame. Noticing some nasty scars cutting up the hands covered in black hair. Reality struck Rivet like a powerful lightning bolt the longer she stared at this creature.
"You…" she muttered, causing the stranger to slowly return the dead gaze. Rivet felt a spark of bravery emerge as she took a step forward, blue eyes beginning to crack angry veins. "Y… you…"
The stranger made a chuffing sound and now stood right before Rivet, only inches of her cell door separating them. It tilted its head before glancing over to the control system. All sorts of buttons and diodes blinking in a carnival game-like rhythm. Rivet followed the creature's gaze before her angry growl made the intruder glance back at her.
"I know you…" Rivet dared get closer, standing right before the masked killer that stood several feet higher than her. But this did not spark fear in the rebel. "In my dreams, Ratchet, the night on Metropolis, the hospital…" she tightened her fist, fur beginning to furrow like an angry raccoon. "You attacked Ratchet that night, didn't you!"
It sluggishly nodded to the furious question. The fire burnt within Rivet's stomach as she threw herself against the glass. Trying to claw her way out and tear this stranger apart.
"What did you do with him! I swear if you hurt him, I'll freaking—"
"He's alive," came a sudden female voice. Surprising Rivet enough to slow down her desperate attempt to get the intruder. "Here at his request…"
"Wait… Ratchet is okay?"
When the creature nodded, Rivet grabbed her chest and breathed out a deep sigh. "Oh, thank goodness, but…" her eyes sharpened again, not having the faintest clue of what was going on. "Then why are YOU here?"
Suddenly, the creature's gold eye flared up, showing a deep hint of range brewing beneath her. This momentarily frightening the rebel as she took a step back. Her intruder began to pace back and forth, clawed feet scraping the floor with small sparks flying everywhere. Paw tapping the metal of her armor beneath the dirty cloak as she seemed to be thinking.
"Daughter of the hated one…" she whispered, slowly cracking her helmet open to show Rivet her gnarly teeth. Foamy white saliva dripping to a puddle beneath her large slanted jaws. "One that… caused all my pain…"
"What are you talking about?" Rivet asked in a mixture of anger and fear. The sight of the monsters' slim dripping teeth sent goosebumps down her spine. Making her attempt to look bigger seem futile as she instinctively slid into a defensive stance.
Inhaling a deep breath to calm down, the creature threw her head forward and shattered the glass upon impact. Rivet gasped as she took cover beneath the bed. The big creature took a second to regain her vision before doubling the force and rammed her head once more into the glass. The second impact did the trick as the barrier busted into a million pieces. Shards crunched beneath her feet as she slowly stepped in and towered over Rivet. Much to Rivets' surprise, the giant gently knelt, got her by the arm, and hoisted her onto her shoulder like how a pirate holds his parrot. A small painless swat to the white lombax's shoulder warned her to not struggle as both began to exit into the hallway.
"Woah woah, where are you taking me?" She struggled in the creature's massive paw, but all attempts were pointless as the strangers' strength was just far too much. Her grip was so strong Rivet was worried it would break her last remaining arm. This sudden fact causing the rebel to cease her struggles by a little bit.
"I am helping you…" she grumpily muttered. "If wish to see your minuscule robo friends… advise you to participate and make it easier… so can concentrate on getting everyone you care for out."
Rivet pressed her good hand onto her unlikely savior's sloped shoulders when her grip loosened. "Wait hang on, you said Ratchet is okay, you came here because of him? I don't understand, where is he?" She gnashed her teeth again and gave a solid push of resistance to the huge paw that held her still. "I don't understand, tell me what's going on!"
"Wish to see friends? Then be silent so can think." Aurora snapped at Rivet while beginning to sweat. The temperature was quick to rise the deeper down the dark halls they trekked. "If be quiet, will answer questions AFTER this is done… agreeable?"
Rivet cut her a very sour look but huffed while looking away. Giving Aurora an inaudible agreement. As they continued down the hallway, she glanced at the rebel's missing arm. A ping of guilt struck her heart, recalling the night she had followed Rivet to the emperor's hidden command base. When that yellow warbot fired her laser, she thought seeing the female lombax in pain would relieve her desire for vengeance. After all, she was the daughter of that Azimuth, the one that took everything from her. It was only fair. She tightened her fangs, trying to refuse eye contact with Rivet. If this was fair and she retrieved her retribution… then why did this hurt her heart so?
Aurora tightened her teeth, a stupid question, she knew deep down everything was planned and deliberate. The little female seated on her shoulder didn't deserve this… none of it. Breath caught in Aurora's throat. Right now, just like every time, she must focus on the plan. Not get emotionally tied with these young normal Lombaxes. If she failed to detach herself now, just like before, she'd chicken out and not be able to finish her goals.
It was something she couldn't afford to happen again. Else all was lost.
"You happen to have my arm?" Rivet suddenly asked, jarring Aurora from her haze.
She glanced at her and gruffly nodded. "Yes, but will not return till after this mission is done…"
"Then how am I supposed to help you…?"
"Because once find out rest, you will have every right to strike me. Cannot have that now." Aurora sped up her walk as she stopped at one corner, peeking around to observe the empty dark hallways. Not a soul in sight, she continued on her way while Rivet held on tightly to her mane.
"Hey, you ugly freak!" Came Dr. Nefarious' voice, which made Rivet's ears shoot up in alarm.
Aurora sighed and flicked her communicator on. "Did you manage to re-route the power from the last sector?"
"Last sector? I was barely able to shut down the power! You didn't say anything about multiple sectors!"
Rivet gazed at Aurora's face, the latter looking like she was about to roar into the radio. Gripping her forehead, the beast lombax counted to ten a few times before inhaling a deep breath, calming down.
"Well, NOW you know, so please get to hacking…" she whispered through gritted teeth. "Or we'll all be sent packing."
Dr. Nefarious grumbled like a grump child. His claws could be heard pecking at the keyboard till a few beeps sang out. He did a happy yelp, a loud spinning sound heard like he was rolling around in a mobile chair.
"I've managed to block the power to the last five sectors, not individually though. Move quick and you can get your little metal headaches out!"
Grunting, Aurora shut off the com-link and darted down another hallway. Moving with swift speed, quite agile for someone of her awkward built and large size. Rivet held onto her 'friend's' collar each time Aurora did a mad dash and leaped over large openings. She landed heavily on her feet, knocking dust everywhere. Both lombaxes waved the dust from their faces when they came upon a huge dead end.
Rivet cut the black she-beast a sour look. "Okay, um, what now?" A loud robotic yell startled her as she whipped around to look back into the hallway. Eyes wide, she shot Aurora a terrified look. "That was Kit!"
Not wasting a second longer, Aurora drew her metal claws and leaped ten feet up the wall till grappling on the side. She climbed swiftly up the steep slippery metal wall, Rivet swallowed a lump while fighting the urge to look straight down. Sweat dripped from Aurora's fur till she finally was able to grab a low-hanging cable and monkey-climb the rest of the way till both were safely on the catwalks.
Rivet hopped off Aurora when the big beast tumbled to her knees, holding her side while inhaling a desperate breath to refill her lungs. Body tremored with total exhaustion as the one-armed rebel looked down and saw the searchlights of many guards beneath them. She gasped and got Aurora's cloak, coaxing the big creature to hurry up.
"What are you doing?" She hissed while using one arm to try and pull Aurora to her feet. "Stop sitting there gasping for breath like you just ran for three days straight. We need to hurry!"
Aurora said nothing, her arm trembling as she forced herself to her feet. Rivet awkwardly tilted her head, observing the thick white hair dangling from the lustrous black fur caking this creature's body. This individual must be far older than she originally guessed.
With as much air as she could take in, Aurora regained her energy and quickly led Rivet down the catwalks. The bars bent under her large body, causing her and Rivet to carefully move on opposite sides to make sure their weights were more evenly distributed. A bullet suddenly zoomed by, almost shaving Rivet's head off when Aurora whirled around and yanked her out of the way just in time. Typhoon of bullets soon hailed over them, trickling the catwalk into a cloud of sparks.
"Oh, crap they saw us!" Rivet yelled as she hid behind Aurora's large mass to hide from the bullets. "Now what!"
Looking down at her, she inhaled a frustrated breath and returned her robotic arm. "Go forth, find your friends… will meet you outside with escape."
Rive took her arm and gave the beast lombax a stumped look. "What? Are you stupid? We split up now we'll be turned to swiss cheese!"
"If you stick by a larger & injured target, you will most defiantly be shot. Being smaller, you can move swifter… I will distract them. Go," she gave Rivet a rough nudge forward. Getting up straight, she hauled her bulk onto the railing. The entire catwalk bent sideways as the big beast glared down to the guards firing bellow.
Rivet reconnected her arm and turned just in time to watch Aurora bound off the railing and fall right in the middle of the guards. Their searchlights went spinning in all directions, sparks and metal pieces went flying. Four guards had their hands slashed off in unison while the beast got her jaws around one's head, crushing it in seconds. Then she wrestled one gun out of an injured bot's hand and fired multiple shots, hitting many on point while many of their own shots hit her. Blood oozed from her midsection, but this did little to stop the beast as wrenched the now empty gun into the mouth of a charging guard.
Rivet couldn't believe the savageness, but hearing Kit's yell jarred her back to reality. She ran down the rest of the railway, leaving behind the noises of her savior's death fight. When all sounds went dangerously quiet, Rivet slowed her run and looked beneath her. There were two large hallways connected leading in the same direction. Each side contained different cells decorated with strange-looking torture equipment. On the right side was her best friend, Kit strapped to a table with a huge cable connecting to her head.
Gasping in horror, Rivet leaped from the ceiling and onto the floor. The ruckus her rescuer was causing no doubt led the guards away from Kit's cell. Much to the female lombax's relief as she rushed to the table and grabbed her friend's hand.
"Kit! Are you okay?"
Kit coughed up some smoke, her typical bright yellow armor stained with black soot from repeated burns to her system. "I—I'm okay… a li—ttle shaken… but functioning… How did you get here?" She tilted her head as Rivet managed to pull the plug from her head. The pain seemed to evaporate as Kit's dim lights grew bitter with renewed vigor. Once the binds were broken, she slapped her friend onto her back and looked around the room.
"We don't have time to dawdle, we got to find Clank!"
"Wait Rivet… how did you get out?"
"Uh," Rivet cringed, not sure how to explain the scary stranger that came to their rescue. "Explain later, but we have help. Just got to find Clank and—" A large black hand suddenly grabbed Rivet and hauled her and Kit up to the ceiling. Before they could protest, Aurora held the pair to her chest, covering their mouths with one giant paw.
"Shh…" she whispered as two guards rushed into the cell. Pattering around the corners to find their missing prisoner, Aurora slinked back onto the catwalk and tiptoed to the nearest exit. Safely entering an open corridor, she sighed and put the rebel and warbot down. Clank groaned in pain as he laid securely in her large fluffy arms.
"Clank! How did you—" Kit started before Aurora shushed them again.
"He was near offline status when killed the wardens, was easy." She gently hooked Clank to her chest like a mother strapping a toddler to her torso. "Must be going, now."
Once they stepped quicker into the light, Kit couldn't contain her gasp at the ugly sight of their rescuer. The massive slumped body with a bad limp in the leg and an intimidating muscular torso and limbs. The scars didn't help soothe the little warbot either as she cringed, seeing the discoloration on the exposed pieces of skin, no doubt an infection was present. Aurora's whitening mane and dull markings clearly gave away her elderly age. With the discoloration of her teeth, claws, and gums, Kit couldn't help but conclude this individual was sick.
"There," Aurora suddenly sat out loud to no one in particular. Pressing a button on her helmet, she growled into the intercom. "Have acquired all three of your friends, alive and well, will be returning. Remember your end of the deal…"
"I know, just please, hurry!" Ratchet's frantic voice echoed out before hanging up.
Rivet gasped as she grabbed Aurora's stumpy black tail. "Wait, that was Ratchet!"
"Yes," the giant black creature grumbled while pulling her tail away. "As said, he is alive, and if it means allowing me to finish in peace, will permit you to stay with him… till all is done."
Kit looked worriedly to Rivet as the one-armed rebel slowed her walk. A big ray of sunlight gleamed down from the ceiling windows. Their exit was near as Aurora leaned back, got Rivet, and did a daring leap right into the window. The glass shattered everywhere as the creature heavily thumped on solid ground, cracking the metal beneath her weight. She snorted some steam and released Rivet when the white lombax started to aggressively squirm. Rivet took a step back, holding her metal arm. Her eyes darting all over the place, as if expecting a trap.
Aurora rolled her one good eye and ushered Rivet to the back of the roof. Pressing the button on her helmet again, she muttered some words Rivet couldn't make out. Until a familiar voice of someone not too well-liked was heard.
"Okay!" Dr. Nefarious yelled angrily, stomping loudly over the speaker. "I got out right when you got the pesky robot pets, the ship is near the station… hurry up before the calvary comes!"
"We will be there in minutes, stay put." Aurora hung up and began walking until a savage punch to the head knocked her silly. Stumbling for a second, she regained her footing and glanced back at Rivet, eyebrow raised in surprise. Rivet holds her robotic fist, giving a clear indication she used her metal hand to do the slugging.
"What the hell are you and what did you do to Ratchet!" She demanded, metal fingers cracking together. "Tell me, or I'm going to beat the living crap out of you!"
Aurora sighed and stood up straight, making her easily pass Captain Quantum's height. This startled Rivet a bit as her tail puffed up, but that didn't keep her from losing her aggressive stance. Uncaring of their massive size difference, she jabbed a finger at the ugly masked creature.
"You got five seconds, or—"
"Why ask, when you already know."
Rivet paused, not expecting to hear that answer. "What do you mean? I have no freaking clue what you—"
"Matters not what I am, you only care for your mate. You are dimensional counterparts…" she slowly walked up to Rivet, casting a huge shadow over her. "When stress is enough, rarely, memories can be linked. Usually in dream form…"
Eyes widening, Rivet shook her head, angry veins cracking around her usual soft blue eyes. "The nightmares, Clank told me I was jumping to conclusions… but it's true… you're the one who attacked him!"
"Have fixed the mistake made," she reassured while turning away from Rivet, completely calm despite the aggressive posturing. "He is alive, well, and will no longer need any pills to maintain his strength."
"That does not matter! You still caused this…!" Gripping her forehead, Rivet swore she could feel angry veins emerge over her temples. "I'm so confused, none of this makes any sense…! I—"
Slowly turning around, the creature's eyes turn dark. Returning to tower over Rivet, slime dripped from her jagged sharp teeth.
"Your father… was someone who knew not how to pick his enemies."
"What? My father?" Rivet took a step back, ears drooping in fear and agitation. "I never met my parents, was raised by the Morts… so I think you're clearly confu—"
"Your biological father, someone… who was lucky to be deceased before I found him." Aurora turned away, gripping her head, veins emerging with a massive headache burning her entire cranium. "This… fireless BURNING… won't go away. Didn't go away till I got him, but without justice served, became confused. These… mental images, wouldn't leave. The burning… became worse… couldn't eat… sleep… drink." She snarled, showing all her teeth, and groaned in dire pain. "Couldn't find a cure, had to… obtain retribution. You carried his blood… fireless burning… turned me to you."
Rivet froze, eyes beginning to widen as her anger sharply declined. "To me? What are you talking about? I never met you before in my life… gosh dang it, start making sense!"
"You wanted to stop the emperor…" Aurora snapped, silencing Rivet. "So… aided you… with the coordinates."
"Hold on, that night I found the secret entrance? Yea, I got an anonymous tip, and…" her jaw froze, eyes slowly widening. Like a heavyweight suddenly hit her entire form, making it difficult to move her joints. Kit also whipped her head in the creature's direction, equally stunned.
"You're the one who led Rivet to the entrance that night when I was on my patrol route? But how-!"
"I was aware of your scheduling… that blasted emperor was hardly discrete."
All this new information hit Rivet so fast, her brain struggled to keep up. Kit also was having trouble comprehending this freak's newfound confession. Hands beginning to shake, Rivet swore her eyes were turning red.
"Y—you… used Kit to hurt me…?"
Aurora kept her back to her, unwilling to face her. "Your yells of pain… did not soothe the fireless burning that brings slow death. Made it worse." Though her voice was monotone, she struggled to hide the shaking in her shoulders.
Before Rivet could speak, the massive creature suddenly turned and got her by the shoulders. "Enough of the questions…" she warned, eyes glowing a bright yellow. Almost like a warning flare to not cross into a dangerous area. "Wasted enough time as it is…" forcefully she drug Rivet along till she climbed down the building and went towards the ship docks.
"Let me go you damn freak!" Rivet yelled while she twisted Aurora's wrist back. But that did nothing but speed up the towing till they came within reach of a small ship. Kit gasped at the sight of Dr. Nefarious weighting right by the craft.
"Once this is over…" she whispered in Rivet's. "You may have YOUR retribution and… do as you wish."
She forced Rivet, Kit, and Clank into the cockpit. Nodding to Dr. Nefarious, she climbed in right after. The doctor sighed in nervousness till he joined them as Aurora took the controls and sent their whole squad back into space. Rushing back to Torren IV.