AN: For those of you who are confused about what's going on so far, this chapter (well, part of it anyway) finishes tying up some loose ends.
Note: this chapter straddles the M rating for…very...detailed torture and large quantities of blood. Don't like, Don't read, Don't flame.
When Rocky woke up, he was on a very soft dog bed, with Zuma sleeping beside him. Rocky looked around nervously. He didn't see Michael anywhere. Maybe this was all a dream. He hopefully thought. Then he looked down at his paws. Still semi-transparent. Ah, damn it. He thought, hopes crushed. Michael is still around somewhere. Then he felt a tap on the head. He slowly looked up. Michael was hovering about a foot above his head, staring at him quizzically.
"Good morning!" he said cheerfully. "To be honest, I don't know if you were just tired or too shocked."
"Both," moaned Rocky. "You know, I still have a lot of questions, like, how did Mere's throne get here, how are you orchestrating these events, how do you know all of this…"
"Yes, yes, I know. But it's not my fault you're prone to fainting, and Zuma was really mad at me. He said I'd done something to you when you left the waking world. It took me a while to calm him down, had to show him you were still breathing and things. Then Zuma wouldn't let me get close to you, so I had to wait for him to fall asleep. By the way, tell him to stop trying to bite me. We're both his best friend, but he seems to like you more." admitted Michael. Then Rocky noticed what was hanging around Michael's neck.
"Is that...the amulet of peace?" asked Rocky, touching it with his paw.
"Yeah, it is. I need to keep it on, or the chaos inside me would filter through to you. God's are powerful, yes, but even they have limitations."
"Are there other gods out there?"
"I'm not sure. Mere's believed he was the only one, but there may be. I'm probably the only god for billions of lightyears in every direction." he said, landing down beside him.
"You, you mean we?"
"Okay, we need to make this clear. When you were born, you were born with a divine and dog side. I am your divine side. You are the dog side. But together we are a demi-god of sorts. So in the short space of time that I will be out of you, anything relating to god or powers or anything along those lines means me."
"Oh, okay," said Rocky." but why are my two sides separated?"
"When Meres reincarnated in you, your divine side separated from the fleshly side. I had to separate to hold him. Otherwise, the mortal part of you would have been destroyed. Only divinity could hold its own. But now that I hold his power, when I reconnect with you and give you his power, you'll be fine."
"Wocky! You're alive!" barked Zuma, jumping up and hugging Rocky tightly, tail wagging. He was now just waking up.
"As I said before, but no, you wouldn't listen," mumbled Michael to himself.
"Okay, fine, you were wight. But even you must admit that this is a very shocking wevelation. I was quite wowwied about him." said Zuma, licking Rocky's cheek. Rocky's normally gray cheeks showed hints of red in them as he wiggled out of Zuma's grip.
"Good to see you to Zuma," he mumbled shyly, embarrassed. Rocky was not a pup for attention.
"As to your question on how Mere's throne room got here, it happened when the meteor shower hit Adventure Bay. That piece was just a smidgin of this room. Of course, the impact of it hitting the ground caused it to tunnel up under here, and there is sustained damage to the room."
"Yeah, but what about the secret passageway and the door with my pup tag on it."
"Okay, so another thing about me. I can only separate from you where there is a massive amount of heavenly energy around. The first time I left you was when you were resurrected, and I needed to retrieve Meres's amulet before I went insane, I was able to because you harbored a great deal of power after being resurrected. When the meteor shower hit Adventure Bay, you eventually brought the space rock into the lookout. It gave me just enough power to leave you for a short while, 1 hour to be exact, to leave you. You were sleeping at this time, so you never noticed."
"I needed to find out where Mere's throne room had fallen. Luckily, I could sense its power here. So I quickly covered it up before anyone found it. This would raise a couple of questions from the public that I'm not answering. I created the stone switches and the master door because I knew I'd have to bring you here to explain your origins. The door had the pup tag slot in it so that you'd have no doubt that you were supposed to come down here. Except you're a very doubting person. So I subconsciously controlled Zuma into pushing you in here."
"You can do that?!" said a very angry Zuma.
"It was very hard, but yes. And it helped that you already were thinking about pushing him in there yourself." This shut Zuma up, earning him a glare from Rocky.
"Well there goes you're saving grace," he said dryly.
"Anything else you wanted to ask?" Michael said.
"Yes, four things actually," replied Rocky.
"Four things…I thought I was very thorough…" he murmured wearily.
"1, how do we get of this island? 2, how and why did you control the weather and Zuma while being in me? 3, why are you telling me this? 4, am I going to stay like this forever?" said Rocky, looking at his ghost-paws.
"Okay in order, 1, I don't know. You figure it out. 2, I had to create the hurricane to wash you up on this island. And I had to use Zuma to push you in, or you would never have gone. I can use my power without you knowing, or helping, albeit this was the most I've ever done. Using my...our power without your help weakens me immensely. And I was fighting against Zuma to create and sustain the storm. That's why I couldn't help you when you began to drown, I was too drained. But, the same pup that stopped me from helping is the same pup who saved you. So thanks again for that Zuma." he said, smiling kindly at Zuma, who looked like he was about to spring at Michael. Rocky wasn't looking much happier, but he looked more thoughtful.
"So what you're telling me is that you almost dwowned us, and mind-contwolled me just to get him here?!"
"I wasn't supposed to happen to you?" he said weakly.
"SO you DO admit to doing it!"
"Sorry?" Michael squeaked. "I know I sound kinda evil right now, but it was for a good purpose, I promise!" Zuma's muscles bunched to spring at him, but the Rocky gently touched his paw.
"What! He deserves…" As Zuma looked into his eyes, his heart melted. Rocky gently shook his head.
"Thanks for the support though," Rocky said, looking into Zuma's semi-golden eyes. Zuma calmed down a little, but if looks could kill, Michael would be dead, god or not.
"You can't really be mad at him, because if I was in his place, I probably do the same thing." conceded Rocky. Michael relaxed visibly. He spoke quickly, moving on from that topic before Zuma tried to bite his face off.
"So umm... To answer number three it's because Mere's charged me, through his memories, to tell you about your past, I am simply following his last wishes. And to answer number four, no, this is not permanent. You'll get your body back when I enter you again. Hopefully for the last time. But if you need me, you can call on me. I will always answer." Rocky walked over to his spiritual self and touched noses with him. Rocky felt a warm feeling wash over him. Making him close his eyes in bliss. "Thank you," he murmured "Our father knew the consequences of saving us, and like any loving father he would rather sacrifice himself for his own son. He loved us very much, I can assure you that." Michael said closing his eyes. The light in the room began to intensify. "If you ever need me, I'll be around," he said. The ceiling above opened up suddenly, and a rush of cold air swept in. But Rocky didn't even feel the chill as he stepped back from Michael. A black storm cloud formed directly over them, churning and boiling in rage.
"What's going on?" asked Rocky
"It's time for me to reconnect with you. But not like I did the last time. This amulet I wear prohibits me from allowing Meres's power to flow into you, and as long as I wear it, it never will. But it also allows me to enter you freely, provided there's enough heavenly energy in the place I'm at. So before I merge with you again, I am going to take it off. I've learned that the power-sickness is something that you can control, as long as you hold on to your emotions with an iron grip. I've learned to do it well enough to take it off long enough for us to become one again. The wind began to whistle. "Keep this safe, and until you can control your emotions, never take it off," he warned.
"Is this you doing this?" asked Rocky.
"Yes, I'm conjuring up the bolt of Meres. It's the only thing powerful enough to fuse Meres's power with you."
"Will this hurt?" asked Rocky.
"No, it will actually feel very pleasant. But you must keep your mind open, or that could change very quickly. Zuma!" Michael said, pawing at his amulet.
"Yes?" he said, only a little bitterly now.
"Put this around Rocky the moment the strike is over," said Micheal taking off the amulet." Rocky looked at him as he tried hard to think peaceful thoughts. Lightning began to circle him, controlled, but not for long.
"Remember… keep an open mind," he said closing his eyes, holding Rocky's paw with his.
"Zuma, back up!" said Rocky. "You wouldn't survive the blast. Remember the amulet."
Then Michael raised both paws to the heavens, then slammed them down on the meteorite floor.
Instantly the same beam that rebirthed Meres engulfed the two. It was shocking at first, but then it felt very good, like taking a deep breath after being underwater for a long time. Rocky and Michael lifted into the air about 10 feet of the ground and began to revolve around each other, faster and faster and faster. They went so fast they blurred together. Rocky, who was trying to stay calm and open-minded risked opening an eye. Micheal was very quickly disappearing said one last thing to him before the fusion was complete.
"Even with the chain on, try to control your emotions, the power that isn't held back will be expressed by them." and then he was gone. He was just a small white orb in front of him. Then the orb formed into an arrow and pierced straight into his heart. His heartbeat was so fast it felt like it was about to explode. The fusion was complete. The lightning stopped and Rocky fell lightly on his paws. I feel so good. So much power! Rocky's fur blazed in green fire. He began to feel delirious. I can't control it! Lightning began to circulate its master, striking in random arcs around him. The walls began to shake and crumble. His powers were out of his control! A strong wind began to circle overhead. An earthquake started under their feet, causing the floor to crack and split. Rocky put his paws over his head, trying to gain some control. But it was useless. He couldn't control anything anymore. I might as well just give in to it. Then suddenly a figure jumped from a nearby ledge.
"Wocky, stop this!" Zuma said. As he neared Rocky, he slipped the amulet over his furry friend's neck. Slowly, its effects became evident in Rocky. The lightning and fire around him were extinguished. The wind very slowly began to calm down. The ground still shook, and Rocky's once hazel eyes were two flaming orbs of emerald green fire. Zuma slammed him to the ground, rolling on top of him.
"Get a hold of youwself!" he exclaimed.
"Get off of me!" shouted Rocky.
"Rocky, look at me!" Rocky's head snapped in his direction, eyes blazing. Zuma was looking at him with tears in his eyes. "Don't you remember me, hell, do you remember yourself?" he placed his paws on top of Rocky, pressing him against the floor. "I know you're in there somewhere. Come back to me, Rocky." Suddenly the amulet took full control. And Rocky came back to his senses The ground ceased shaking and the wind halted its tantrum.
"Zuma, why are you on top of me again? Why... what... where are we?" he mumbled. Zuma looked at him with tears sliding down his cheeks, falling without a sound against Rocky's gray fur.
"Rocky, it's like your lost yourself. You looked like you were fighting something inside you. Then you just unleashed a portion of your power. It looked like you were going to bring the whole place down. But when I looked into your eyes, I didn't see your normal shy look. No, you looked like you wanted to tear me apart. I've never seen you so out of control."
"Zuma, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" Rocky said reaching out a paw to calm down Zuma. Zuma leaned into his touch, collapsing on his chest.
"Don't do that ever again!" he cried into his best friend's chest. "I thought I'd lost you."
"Zuma, listen to me!" Rocky said fiercely. "I don't care if I'm a god, demi-god, or mortal, I would never hurt you, and that's never going to change!" he said, putting as much power into his voice as possible.
"Stop, doing this to me, making me worry so," said Zuma wearily.
"I'll do my very best," replied Rocky. "We're going home now Zuma, follow me," said Rocky, pulling the emotionally unstable chocolate lab off of him. Zuma nodded and followed Rocky as they walked through the corridors of the room, retracing their steps back to the place they'd originally entered in. The door above them was shut. Rocky simplify flicked a paw and the hatch opened up wide.
"You first," said Rocky
"How?" asked Zuma.
"Jump," said Rocky, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Zuma looked perplexed but tried to jump anyway. To his surprise, the moment his paws left the ground, he was whisked up to the top like he was in a high-speed elevator.
"Whee!" he squealed in delight. When he made it to the top, he looked down at Rocky. "Come on up! It's fun!" But Rocky wasn't there.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Right, here Zuma." Zuma whipped around quickly. Rocky was right behind him, nonchalantly licking his paws.
"Ha, ha, very funny, I'm not even going to ask how you got there. Now let's get off this god-forsaken island." Zuma said, casting a wry glance in Rocky's direction. Rocky smirked at him. Rocky and Zuma soon left the secret room far behind them as they walked through the snow. The snow melted a little ways ahead of them, allowing for easy travel. As they neared the water's edge, Rocky simply kept walking. As he stepped on the water, a path of ice spread out from him about five feet in all directions.
"Don't just stand there Zuma, let's go!" said Rocky. Zuma tentatively stepped into the water. His own sheet of ice spread out from him.
"This is really cool Wocky!" said Zuma, trotting to catch up with Rocky who was still moving forward. After a little bit of walking, Rocky stopped.
"One last thing I need to do." Rocky turned around and raised a paw, slowly bring it down. The island behind them began to sink.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Zuma.
"No one can ever know about this place. We're the only ones who know about it, and that's how I intend to keep it." Rocky didn't even look visibly exhausted. Soon, the island sunk far below the ocean depths, accessible only to Rocky. Rocky placed his paw down and began walking again, Zuma quickly following him.
"Hey, how are you taking this news?" asked Zuma.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I feel like I could've changed so many things about my life if only I'd know sooner."
"You mean being locked up and tortured, wight," asked Zuma gently.
"Yeah, but if only I had known, I could've saved him." A tear slipped down Rocky's cheek, freezing upon contact with the ice.
"Save, who?"
"Marcus." Rocky turned away and tried to put on a stern face, but it was clear that he was trying to hold in his emotions.
"Rocky, you never did finish telling me that story." Rocky took a deep breath.
"Jason Wright," he spat the words with such venom Zuma looked up at him, a little worried.
"After my little burning episode, Jason always saved me for the worst treatment he could think of…"
I had been in captivity for 3 years. And I hated it. Jason really loved to save the most painful treatment for me. He said he loved my screams more than anyone else. I hated giving him the satisfaction, but every time he picked me for the day, I always pleaded for mercy, even though I knew he had none to give. He was insane. Crazy. Stark raving mad. I almost felt a little sorry for him. Losing your mother like that completely screwed his mind up. But I can only feel but so sorry for him. Which was none at all. One day, he came in smiling.
"Okay, it's time to pick today's game! He had since invented The Wheel Of Torture with all his devilish games on them. There were around one hundred or so on it. The man was constantly adding to his wheel. He spun the wheel and every animal in the room held its breath. The needle stopped on the one with a picture of a nail on it. "Okay, my pets! We're playing Rasor's Edge! Who wants to play?" He said in a singsong voice. After being abused for so long, there were no loyalties anymore. Every animal looked after himself. That is except for Jessie, Marcus, and Rocky. The more they went through, the more they vowed to stay together. They had for the past 3 years been trying to figure out how to open up the locks on their cages. So far no luck, but they were getting close. Every night they practiced trying. One of these days they were going to figure it out. Their claws hurt from the overuse, but they didn't care. Every night for three years, they had practiced. Rocky and Marcus had already figured out of to open theirs, but Jessie couldn't seem to figure it out.
"Just leave without me!" It had said one night.
"No. No matter what happens, we stick together." Marcus firmly said.
"Yeah, you're our friend. If we are getting out, it's together or not at all!" said Rocky.
"You guys are really awesome friends. You know that right?" Jessie said.
"You could stand to say it more," said Marcus. Every pup laughed at that.
But now, everyone but them had turned on each other. No one worked together to come up with a plan. It was every animal for himself.
"Hmmm, I haven't picked Rocky in a while! (his while meant yesterday, he tortured Rocky every day) So I'm going to pick you!"
The three had seen this happen so many times, but now when it happened, they no longer screamed, telling him to let whoever go. There was still pain at seeing such abuse, but no it was just a dull aching in the back of their minds. Marcus and Jessie both looked at Rocky with much sadness in their eyes. They hated seeing abuse happen to anyone, but it hurt more when it was one of their own. Jason picked up Rocky's cage and unlocked it. Rocky didn't even try to stop him. He was picked up and cuffed to the cold, steel table.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy this game a lot. Oh, did I say you, I meant me." he said, with a devilish smirk."
P.S: This is where the chapter goes T+, edging towards M. You've been warned.
Rocky just whined, "Just get it over with you sick man…"
"Let's get on with it then!" A press of a button, and a whole bed of nails pierced into Rocky's back, but not very deep, causing him to scream in pain.
"AHHHH!" came his bloodcurdling cry. Jessie worked at the lock even harder than before, but it couldn't get it to open. Panic mixed with determination dominated Jessie's snout as it tried to open the steel cage.
As Rocky eventually adjusted to the pain, but he still whined a little...
"That's to keep you in place." Jason whipped on a long thin razor blade. He cut a small nick in Rocky's ear, causing him to whimper in pain. Jason's demonic smile firmly planted on his lips, drew a long thin line down his second ear. This second cut drew blood, causing Rocky to pant and howl in pain. Blood dripped down his ear and onto the side of his face. Jason pressed the razor on one side of Rocky's furry, soft and sensitive belly, and pressed down the razor, and slowly but deliberately drew a gash horizontally across it. Rocky barked and howled, he tried to push off of the table, but that just caused him more pain. The nails weren't in their deep, but if you moved it still hurt. Blood spurted from the wounds in his side, coating the razor, Jason's hand, and the steel table in blood.
"Yes, this is what I like to see!" Jason said. Placing his hands on either side of the cut, pulling the flesh apart further. He placed the razor on Rocky's leg and quickly drew it down. He sliced down to the bone, increasing Rocky's suffering further. He sliced multiple shallow cuts on Rocky's neck, causing the viscous crimson liquid to drip down his chest. He added a few more lacerations to Rocky's velvety ears, causing blood to drip down Rocky's face. Then he moved to the base of Rocky's tail and drew a long slit from top to bottom. Blood splashed onto the floor, dripping from the table and making a small puddle up under them. Jason then moved to Rocky's most private area.
"No, please no. Anywhere but there!" Rocky screamed in complete terror.
"Well, you have suffered a lot today. I guess I'll just put you back in your cage." Jason said, drawing the razor away. Then his eyes gleamed devilishly. 'Not!" He jammed the blade right into Rocky's crouth. Rocky's howl of pain was the worst he'd ever let out.
"AWOOOOOO!" Jason sliced up Rocky's furry balls in a frenzy, blood splashing all over him. Rocky just about passed out from the pain. He felt so, violated. Jason put away his razor, watching Rocky's lifeblood pour out onto the ground. "My, my! You're a mess! Let's get you cleaned off. Jason clicked another button on his remote, and large glass walls rose from the sides of the table, confining Rocky in. Rocky's blood pooled in the glass walls. Jason pressed another button, and the nails wrenched out of Rocky's back, spilling even more blood. The handcuffs around Rocky's paws unhooked. Rocky could soon die from blood loss, but he had enough in him. Jason pressed another button and gallons of boiling water began to fill up the tank, turning a bright red and it mixed with Rocky's blood. The glass walls stopped rising and the walls came together into a point. Rocky' was close to passing out from blood loss, but the boiling water shocked him awake.
"Help, me! Oh God, save me!"
"There's no god, but there is a devil. And guess what? He. Made. Me." The water was now up to Rocky's waist. Rocky was being cooked alive. Soon the water reached the roof of the tank, and Rocky had to hold his breath. Please! If there's really is a god looking down on me, let me die quickly! Rocky thought. Then Jason was taken down to the ground.
"What the…" he began.
"Jessie, the remote, turn it off!" Marcus shouted. Jessie had finally unlocked the lock with its claws, and it wasted no time in jumping out, Marcus right behind it. Marcus was clawing at the man with his claws in a fury. Jessie jumped up and snatched the remote from Jason with its teeth. Jessie smashed the red 'stop' button with its claws. Then everything happened at once. Jason jumped up, pulling a machete from his belt, slashing at Marcus. Boiling water mixed with blood fell on the floor. Rocky tumbled out of the tank, unconscious and bleeding. Jessie ran over to him, slapping him in the face.
"Rocky! GET UP!" Jessie screamed in his face. Rocky groggily woke up, looking at Jessie.
"Jessie, get out of here!" he said weakly.
"Rocky, if you don't run now, you will die, okay! Fight the pain! I know it hurts, but Marcus can't fight much longer, and if we don't get out of here, we're all going to die!"
Somehow, Rocky stood up on three paws, blood gushing everywhere, and bolted for the door. Jessie, remote in mouth, and Marcus right behind him. The door was locked.
"Oh, damn it!" said Marcus. Jessie spat out the remote and looked at it. Apparently, the whole building was controlled by the remote. Jessie pressed the button with the icon of a door on it in green. Suddenly, the door opened. Then all the animals began to whimper, screaming for them to let them out.
"We can't help you! I'm sorry!" said Jessie. The dogs ran down the corridor and made random turns. Red lights began to flash and an alarm went off.
"The dogs have escaped!" came Jason's voice. "Find them!" people swarmed the building, looking for the dogs. But the dog's had luck on their side, none of them could catch them. As they ran through the buildings, they found the main door and Jessie unlocked it. They ran outside, taking a deep breath of fresh air.
"There's the road!" shouted Marcus. The only thing separating them from freedom was a large steel gate. Marcus immediately began to dig, and Jessie spat out the remote to help him. It was all Rocky could do to stand, running on pure adrenaline now. Luck was still holding out for them, it had rained hard yesterday, and it was easy to dig a hole.
"Though you would escape?" said a voice behind them. Jason was running towards them with his long, wicked machete.
"Keep digging! I'll hold him!" barked Jessie. Jessie spun and launched itself at Jason, all the pain and hurt stored inside of it coming out. Its attack was quick, biting and clawing at the man. Jason was stunned for a second, then began to fight back. He was very good with a machete, and Jessie had to be quick on its paws. Then two things happened at the same time. Marcus finished the hole, and Rocky had already squirmed through. Jason kicked Jessie hard, then grabbed it with his hand.
"Please, help me!" it screamed." Marcus rushed back to save it, biting Jason hard in the leg. Jason howled in pain and dropped Jessie. Jessie ran through the hole to join Rocky. Marcus was right behind them when Jason's thick, meaty hand grabbed him by the throat.
"Go, without me!... I'll be fine!" Marcus choked, thrashing in Jason's grasp.
"Pup's you can either come back with me or I will make sure Marcus takes your punishment along with his," Jason said.
Marcus stopped thrashing at stared at Rocky and Jessie with a level eye.
"Go, now!" he said. Rocky and Jessie ran away as fast as they could.
"I'll be back for your Marcus, I'll be back!" shouted Rocky. They ran for about 15 minutes before stopping. Adrenaline rush gone, Rocky collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Luckily, they had just passed by a fire station. Jessie ran back to get them. The firemen immediately followed it. Long story short, after a 3-week recovery in the hospital. Rocky recovered. On the day he was to be sent to adoption, Jessie snuck into the hospital and freed Rocky. The two were on the run for several days. They eventually ran right out of the city and came to a place named Adventure Bay.
Rocky stopped his story, trembling. Lightning bolts began to surround him.
"I will find him! And I will set him free!" he shouted. Zuma placed his paw over his.
"And when you do, I'm coming with you," he said fiercely.
Rocky just nodded his head slightly
"Zuma, I think it best if no one but us knew who I am, and what we've been through tonight. I hate to lie, but that's what we're going to do."
"I agwee! I won't say anything to anyone ever! I swear on my life!" said Zuma.
"Thanks, Zuma, you're a really great friend." Zuma blushed a little bit at the compliment.
"You really think so?" he said shyly.
"I KNOW so," he said firmly. "You're like a brother to me."
"Rocky, I really like...nevermind," Zuma said, thinking better of it and turning his head away, smiling.
They reached Adventure Bay's beach at midnight. They both ducked into the bay water and laid out on the sand. Rocky hid his amulet in his gray fur before activating his pup tag.
"Ryder, Ryder, are you there?"
"ROCKY!" exclaimed Ryder. There were dark circles up under his eyes. "Where are you? I'll send Marshall and Chase to come and pick you up.
"At, the...beach…" Rocky said weakly. He'd always be sneaky and cunning, always able to get away with a lie and sound convincing.
"Don't move, I'm sending them over now. Thank God you're alive. Is Zuma with you?"
I'm wight here... Wyder!" Zuma said, copying Rocky's weak voice. Then Rocky cut the connection.
"He'll think my pup tag is broken. Pretend to be unconscious okay?" said Rocky closing his eyes.
"Yeah, ok," said Zuma, following suit.
Okay! Rocky's transformation from god to demi-god is complete! Rocky finishes telling his past to Zuma. Yep, I thought of the most horrid things I could think of. Sorry, if I went a little too deep with it for some of you… just a heads up, there will de more chapters like this in this story, which I will be rating M. But overall, I'm still keeping this story at T, maybe T+... More coming this week! Sorry about any errors. I do my best.
P.S Zuma's speech impediment is wreaking havoc on my spell-checker... Oh well, what can you, do right?
