Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 81 – You All Must Learn To Carry On.
Black's POV, Hotel Rooftop.
Moving aside from my swing, Jagger backed a foot back as I sent another followup punch with my opposite arm. Taking a strong yet fast grip of my fist as it came at him, I widened my eyes and watched as he smiled directly into my eyes. Without a word said, he then twisted my wrist to the side.
Instantly panicking as he saw my pain, I kept my eyes wide as he then with such grace and speed sent his right boot up and into my chest. The power behind his kick nearly sent me off the roof but thankfully I managed to stop myself and retake my wrist which now hurt like hell. Still smiling however, Jagger wondered.
"That all you got big guy? I expected a lot more from you."
Shaking off the pain, I replied.
"Your just asking for it. I'm not going to go easy on you any longer."
With a chuckle, Jagger replied back with a laughing tone.
"Easy? Guess you and your mom had something in common after all, huh?"
With my anger spiking, I instantly took my chance to run at him. As I came within his reach, I sent a large hook down at him to be quickly sidestepped and grabbed from the inside of my arm. Using his strength, Jagger sent me over his back and onto the ground.
"Ugkk!" Coughing up on the air that left my body from the force of the slam. I looked up to see him jogging in place. Quickly I got back up to reach for my left. Jagger followed the blade as I shouted.
"I don't care anymore! I'll take you in to the Rebellion even if your in pieces!"
"A knife fight huh? Alright then." Replied Jagger as he reached down to his boot to take a hold of his knife.
"Too bad Ruby isn't here right now. She would love to watch you die by steel Black." He stated as I made the first move before he could get time to think.
Sending my knife at his chest, I slashed his armored vest. Immediately he jumped back to say.
"Guess you really aren't fucking around. Okay then. Come at me then."
Running at him now, I lunged the blade at his stomach. Jagger quickly backed up once again but this time he slashed back. My eyes widened by his intense striking speed. The blade came probably an inch from my eye, but with what timing I had, I pulled back and felt the blood dripping down my slashed cheek. Jagger was now focused on the kill and with haste he lunged an attack of his own. Using my power I took a firm grip over his arm as it came in to quickly squeeze his wrist. In a matter of a second his hand that held the blade loosened and I immediately sent by knee up into his palm to force it out.
Jagger who was now disarmed and held firmly, widened his eyes as I sent my blade into his side. With severe pain in his eyes I released him to send my boot at his chest. Blocking his chest with his hands, Jagger still managed to fall on his back a few feet away with my blade pushed inside his side.
"You fucking...aghhh!"
Catching my breath, I watched from a few feet away as he got up on his knees to pull out my knife.
My eyes watched the wound as it closed itself.
"That really hurt. You know that?" He asked me as he got back on his feet slowly; tossing my blade away.
"You owe everything you've ever accomplished to that venom inside you." I stated as he watched the wound finished sealing.
"You can't even use that excuse. Your just as much of a freak as me. You forget we both went through the same shit Black."
"I managed to run a team without having to rely on it. You and the others though? Blitz? Gorgon? You're the real monsters." I said with certainty as he now refocused completely on me.
"Keep preaching. It won't help you beat me."
Nodding I gently reached to my silver case. Jagger widened his eyes as I pulled out a shot of venom.
"Your right. But this will."
Injecting the venom in my leg, Jagger readied himself as my eyes went red. Feeling ten times stronger now, I pushed head first at him.
Wreak's POV, Iraq Capital, Inner Courtyard.
"Ahhhuuuk!" Coughing up blood, I shut my eyes as I began to hear gunfire. I knew I had messed up. Why didn't I get out of the way sooner? I asked myself as I heard my comm go off with one of my men on the other end stating.
"She's inside the Capital! All teams converge on the second floor! Defend the Commander!" I heard the power in his voice. There was still hope. Good.
Feeling warmth under my vest, I ran my hand to where the bullet had hit to place my palm there. The pain was nothing compared to the fact that I had been taken down this easily. If Raptor died because of this I would never forgive myself. I...I can't stay here.
Using what energy I had left, I tried to roll onto my front. As I did I could feel the pressure of the bullet inside me slowly digging deeper. More blood came out of my mouth and as I managed to pull it off, the second I did I let out another gag of pain.
"Ahhhuuk! Ahhhhhuuuuuuk! Fuck!" I shouted as I heard running.
"Wreak!"
Looking up from under my blood, I saw Marx coming with Leo at his side. Immediately Marx shouted.
"Stop moving Wreak!"
With my hands trying to push me up I replied.
"I can't...stay here! Ahuuk!"
As the blood came up; I fell down in a ditch of exhaustion. Marx who now got down alongside me asked.
"Where are you hit?!"
I couldn't respond. My attempts to help my sleeping friend took it all out of me. Seeing that I was blacking out nearly, Marx ordered Leo who was next to him.
"Help me get him on his back! I need to see the wound!"
Nodding, Leo and him both gently took a hold over my body.
"Stay awake Wreak! I need you to stay awake! You hear me!?"
Nodding my head once to confirm to him that I understood, Marx and Leo both carefully got me back on my side to then gently roll me onto my back once more. Marx widened his eyes at the wound in my side. Forcing my eyes down, I saw the hole placed there. It had to be as big as an apple.
Instantly I felt lightheaded and brought my eyes back to the sun above. It was slowly going down as Marx yelled to Leo.
"Get his vest open! I need to extract the bullet if it's still in there and seal the wound!"
As Leo went to work on my vest, I noticed his eyes looking to my back. Slowly he stopped and shouted to Marx who was focusing on the initial wound.
"Marx!"
"What!?" He replied in confusion as it was clear Leo was focused on my other end. Catching the hint, Marx came around to look for himself. Immediately his eyes widened as I let out another cough.
"Ahhhuuuuk!"
Marx's POV.
"Ahhhuuuuk!"
Blood splashed the ground as I had my eyes on Wreak's back. Leo slowly placed his hand on my shoulder as I stared at a large open hole. The bullet he took must have been special. It went through his vest with little force and broke off inside. What must have broke had to have gone through the other side with the remaining traction the round had. What looked large on his front was nothing compared to this. It was twice the size and I could clearly see his insides trying to stay in his body."
Glancing back to Wreak who laid before me with no reaction to his situation. I slowly nodded and looked to Leo who silently wondered what I was going to do. In all honestly...I didn't know. Wreak began to breath slower and slower as I reached for the medical supplies I had brought along.
"I have to try." I told myself as I urged Leo to keep getting the vest off.
Wreak now just let us work without a problem and as I leaned in I looked into his eyes. It was clear he was calming down. The pain had to be numbing him. For better or worse I can't let him shut his eyes.
"Stay awake Wreak!" I ordered him as he just kept staring at the sun behind me.
As I began to search for the fragments, I heard from Wreak's comm.
"Target is trapped! I repeat, we have her trapped in an upstairs office!"
"Go help them!" I ordered Leo as he nodded and replied.
"Got it!"
With him running off, I was left with my friend, I knew his life was in my hands now.
"Please stay awake." I begged as I found one of the fragments lodged under a lower rib.
Wreak remained silent and motionless as I refocused and went back into the wound.
Archer's POV.
Dragging my body up the stairs to where we had her trapped, I got looks from my men as they clearly saw I was bleeding out. With blood running down my chin I ordered.
"Gas her out!"
Obeying, the men from Zulu team began to ready some gas grenades. Approaching the large mess of men I had watching the room she was trapped in, I ordered.
"Do it!"
With one of the men opening the door slightly, I watched with my hand wrapped along my chest as the gas went in.
Ruby's POV.
"Jagger you fuck! Where are you!?" I asked over comm again as I heard a horde of men outside the room.
Not getting a response, I tried to find a way out of here. But to my own luck I found not a single exit. Not even a fucking air vent. I was completely trapped in here.
"Fuck!" I shouted as I looked down to the gun in my hand.
"Guess I would have to face the music and fight my way out." I said to myself as I checked the clip to see it halfway full of rounds.
Pointing it towards the door, I readied my wrist blade and prepared for a breach. Little to my surprise the door opened just long enough for a flashbang to enter. My eyes widened as it went off and all I saw was white light.
"Aghhh!" I screamed as I backed up into a desk.
Still unable to see, I began to smell something horrible. Instantly my nose and my eyes began to burn as I soon was able to see through the light.
Struggling to stay on my feet, I soon tripped over myself and fell to the ground to spot a canister not far away releasing a thick yellow cloud of gas.
"Gas!?" I questioned as I began to look for another way out other then the front door.
With my time and options limited, I began to panic as I was unable to see around the room. The gas kept getting thicker and thicker, I had no other choice.
Running for the door, I bashed my way out into the hall to point my gun at the nearest target. To my surprise it was that fucker from the vehicle bay I stabbed. Our eyes locked, and unable to react fast due to the gas, he sent his elbow across the side of my head.
"BASH!"
Dropping the gun from the blow, I fell down and attempted to crawl while coughing.
"Ahuuk! Ahuuk! Wait!" I begged as I looked up at one of the soldiers who stood above me.
"BASH!"
Sending his boot up into my face, I was kicked onto my back.
Letting out a gag, I reopened my eyes to see a large bear standing over me. My eyes recognized him as he sent his boot down at me as I tried to get up. My eyes widened as I soon saw another white light.
Archer's POV.
"BASH!"
Watching as Gabe nearly kicked her head in, I ordered.
"That's enough. She's done."
Everyone stood around to look at her unconscious body. For she looked like our own. I was still debating if it was still really Hunter. But as I got down to look at her closely I clearly saw makeup along her eyes. It was mixing in with the blood from her newly dented head.
Checking to make sure she had a pulse still. I began to feel something else on her neck. Moving the bandana she had covering it, I widened my eyes to see a strange black device clamped around the skin on her throat. Gently I felt it and pulled it off without trouble. Looking up at the bear I asked.
"What is this?"
Gabe who was clearly happy; replied.
"A voice box. It a tool she uses to mimic voices."
"That would explain it." I said to myself as I looked back at the woman.
Standing on my feet, I ordered the men from Zulu team.
"Get her into our most guarded cell and lock it down. If she wakes up you have permission to knock her out again."
Nodding, the men waited as I got back down to take off her cuffs. As I pulled them off I widened my eyes at the length of the blades. They were as long as kitchen knives. Handing the gear over to Gabe I ordered him.
"Hold on to these. The rest of you! Secure this building and keep the Commander safe until further notice! We still have a shooter out there! I want him found!"
"Yes sir!" The men replied as I began to cough.
"Ahuuk! Ahuuk!" Blood splashed my hand as Gabe stated.
"You need medical attention sir."
Nodding I replied.
"I'm aware. Now focus on your job. You and Tap keep the Commander safe. You hear me?"
Nodding the pair replied.
"Yes sir."
Keeping my head up to their response, I made my way back down the main stairs and outside. I had a feeling Black was handling the sniper right now. If he wasn't; more of my men would be dead right now.
As I walked out into the burning sun, I heard a pair of feet running my way. Upon looking left I found it was another one of Black's men. I think his name was Leo. He looked concerned as he stopped in front of me to shout.
"Sir!"
"What is it? Where's Wreak?" I asked him as I began to worry.
"He's with Marx! He's been hit!" Instantly I felt my heart sink as he went on to say.
"The sniper he...?!" Pushing him out of the way, I ran towards the way he came. Men gathered around the back of the building and as I came into view they made room. My eyes were wide open in fear as I saw my friend laying on the ground motionless. Marx hoovered over him in tears as I stopped to say.
"Marx?"
Marx instantly looked back to see me standing there.
"Archer. I...I tried. I promise you I tried. But Wreak...he...?" Marx couldn't finish his sentence and I could barely believe it.
Getting down alongside Marx, I ran my hand to Wreak's neck. I could see my fingers shaking as I felt nothing more then silence coming from both my best friend and the group of soldiers around us. Marx continued to sob as I closed my eyes in disbelief. This couldn't be true. I told myself as I looked at his face. Beyond the blood he had his eyes opened and looking off in the distance. Turning to look up, I found he was staring at the sun. Clinching my fist, I slammed my hand into the ground. Marx watched as I let out my anger by hitting the concrete repeatedly. To the point where I began to bleed from my knuckles. After feeling the pain, I began to cry.
"Why?" I asked as I placed my hand on his chest.
With tears rolling down my face, I gently ran my fingers to his eyes to shut them softly. With his body now at peace, I forced myself back up. Marx kept to his side as I looked around at the men and women who were clearly upset at the loss we just suffered
"Secure the perimeter." I ordered.
With no one moving to my command I shouted.
"NOW!"
Instantly everyone began to break off and obey as Marx could still be heard crying over my fallen comrade.
Looking back at them with tears of my own still pooling down my face, I looked up at the sun as it slowly approached it's end.
Black's POV, Five minutes later.
"BASH!"
Kicking Jagger back with all my remaining power, I watched as he tumbled onto his nearly snapped spine. Blood spilled out from his mouth as I wiped my own off my face.
"Your lucky I can't kill you." I stated as I approached the finished snake.
Looking to me he replied.
"You won't get a word out of me Black. We both know that."
"You think I care?" I asked him as he then stated.
"When Gorgon finds out what has happened he and everyone else will be knocking down that gate."
"He won't find out till it's too late. And by then you and Ruby will be long gone."
"Fuck you!" He shouted as he spit up blood at me.
Sidestepping the notion, I replied.
"Remember. You asked for this you two faced prick!"
Widening his eyes as I sent forward my steel tipped boot, I hit his head with so much force I figured it would have a good chance at killing him on impact. But to my disappointment I watched as he kept on breathing even in his out cold state of mind.
"That venom is his savior." I said to myself as I looked back towards the edge of the roof.
Walking over, I looked down at the capital below. I had no clue if everything was okay now. Going to my comm I radioed in on channel three.
"Tap? Gabe? You there? Come in."
With a few seconds passing by, I soon got back.
"Captain. Tap here. You okay?"
"I'm fine." I replied as I looked back to Jagger who laid in the middle of the roof.
"How are things there? Where's Ruby?"
"Dealt with, fortunately for us. She trapped herself in and we managed to take her down. She's alive and Archer had her taken to a holding cell."
"And Raptor?"
"Safe." Replied Tap as I felt relief.
"Good. I knew you two would handle it. Is everyone else okay?"
Approaching Jagger I got back from Tap.
"We lost a few men to Ruby and Jagger. Including...Wreak." Widening my eyes, I questioned.
"How?"
"Jagger got a shot on him. Marx tried to save him boss. But it was too late. He's gone."
Running my hand along the top of my quills, I replied.
"Fuck. Alright well listen up. I'll be back soon. Tell Archer to be ready. We got work to do."
"Yes sir." Replied Tap as I closed the channel and looked back down at the bloody snake.
Sending my boot into his side I shouted.
"You motherfucker!"
With my anger boiling down, I refocused and looked towards the poor girl who was still asleep and tied down not too far away. Getting close I began to pat her cheek. Slowly she came through to see me.
"Black?"
"Hey there. Bout time we met each other. You okay?"
Looking around to see Jagger on the ground unmoving, she replied.
"I'm fine. But Ruby...she...?" Taking her shoulder I replied.
"She's finished. Archer and the others caught her."
"And Raptor?" She wondered as I smiled.
"He's safe and sound. Now come on. We need to get you back to the Capital. Can you stand?" I asked as she nodded.
"Yeah."
Getting her untied, I helped her on her feet. She didn't seem to remember she was basically naked. Taking off my vest, I handed it to her to urge.
"Cover up."
Remembering her state, she immediately began to panic as I walked over Jagger to approach his nest.
Pulling out the long blanket he had under his gear, I tossed it to Hunter as she got done putting on the vest.
"Thank you." She replied as I nodded and looked around the gear. Taking Jagger's rifle, I tossed it over my back and got down to pack his bag with everything around the area I could. Soon I did the same with Ruby's and got both the duffels wrapped around my back the same way. With Hunter looking at Jagger who now slept, I said.
"He's coming with us. Get heading down. I have a Humvee parked outside. I'll be there in a second with him."
Nodding as I got down to pick up my old partner, I gently took off his sunglasses and placed them in my pocket. After which, I got him up and over my shoulder. With the area clean and the sun setting, I knew it would be important to get back soon. With the way things are now after all that has happened, I'm sure someone was going to have to take control of Archer. He's bound to go insane with his best friend dead.
"Fuck. If I was only a little faster I maybe could have prevented that shot." I told myself as I soon reached the bottom floor and the Humvee beyond the front door. With Hunter in the front seat, I tossed Jagger in the back and began to the short trip back. I hope I would make it in time.
Commander Mason's POV, Medical bay.
Marx kept himself in a corner as I stood alongside Wreak who we had moved into one of the medical bays close to where we kept Raptor before. My hand rested on his chest as I nearly couldn't stand to know he was dead. Wreak of all people.
"How was I going to tell Raptor?" I wondered as I heard someone entering the room. Looking back I saw it was Archer. Blood still dripped out from his mouth as he stated.
"It's not your fault."
Marx still kept his head down in shame as I asked.
"Are you okay Major? You look hurt."
Nodding he replied.
"I'll live."
I wasn't going to push him. This was a near impossible moment none of us saw coming. Slowly approaching my side, we both began to stare at Wreak.
"Why him?" Wondered Archer as I shook my head to reply.
"It's not fair is it?"
"This fucking war is going to be the death of us all." Stated Archer as we heard from Marx behind us.
"What are we going to tell Raptor?"
Keeping our eyes on Wreak who was now at peace, Archer replied.
"The truth. That's all we can tell him."
With emotion high, and time dwindling. The room went silent.
mT Shadow.