Chapter 4: Friend . . . or Brother?

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

Both of us stood there, not saying a word or making sudden movements. We were observing each other but I was at a disadvantage. He was cloaked and I wasn't. He could see all my weapons while I had to imagine what he had. I knew he had a shoulder cannon but that's all I knew.

Who is this person?

In the beginning, I believed it was another Killer Yautja but none of the facts matched to what I have seen. All the kainde amedha were killed along with a Queen and a Bad Blood. I knew the Killer Yautja can be ruthless but not stupid. None of this made sense. I looked back at the figure. Plus . . . he doesn't even look like the size of a typical Yautja.

But then I remembered what I heard on the radio about some group coming in. Could this be them? Only one person? Or are there more hiding?

"Bravo 1 . . . *static* . . . to Alpha 5 . . . *static . . . What's going on?"

My breath hitched inside my throat as the sound from the radio broke the silence. I turned it off quickly. Great! You forgot the radio again! Now I probably have to—

I didn't get the chance to think about it when a red light lands on my chest. It has three spots forming a triangle. My heart pounded in fear upon realizing what it meant. He's going to shoot me! But I couldn't move when I saw more red dotted lights hitting me. Two were on my arms . . . another two on my thighs . . . and one on my chest and forehead. I checked back to my opponent but could only make out two points on his shoulders. I switched my mask to heat vision and hoped I could get some answers. But it confirmed that there was only one person with me. But there were several shoulder cannons on me. He can't have more than one. It's impossible!

I wished I was right but the lights all came back to the figure. Now I knew I was in trouble. If he had many shoulder cannons, I'm vulnerable here. The cave limited the space I needed to fight long distance and there's a risk he might shoot one of the pillars holding the ceiling.

I have to get out of here.

Without hesitation, I turned around and ran with all my might. A blast wipes past my head so close that the ends of my dreadlocks burned. I bit into my flesh and covered my head when rocks began to fall. Out of nowhere, the ground began to shake uncontrollably. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling. In my mind, the cave was collapsing. I faltered in my steps when a boulder slams on my ankle. I roared, falling hard on my stomach as electrifying pain wrapped around my leg.

Pauking! Pauking idiot!

I turned my body to the side and reached for the boulder. It was twice the size of a car and came from the ceiling, noting a gaping hole in the middle. I tugged fiercely to free my leg but it wouldn't budge. My ankle was wedged between the ground and the boulder pretty well. I attempted, again and again, hoping that I would get some give. However, I stopped as soon as I heard those heavy footsteps coming closer from behind. My head turns to see the invisible figure drawing closer with tentative steps. You would think it would scare anyone being trapped with someone coming to kill you with that posture. It was the total opposite. I was fuming with rage, wishing I could smack him hard and relish the agony to follow behind. Now's not the time! You need to get the pauk out of here!

I pushed harder than ever, desperate to escape. I let go of my swords and reached my hands to the bottom of the boulder and lifted. Finally, it gave way and slowly lifts from the ground. My ankle was trapped on the edge so I didn't need a lot to break free. But the figure was coming too close for comfort. He was only a few steps away when a pair of wrist blades protrude from his side. What? They were much too similar to a Yautjas. They even had markings of the Yautja language along with the blades.

Who is this person?

I pushed that thought to the side, focusing back on getting the boulder off. The figure took one step . . . then another . . . and then another. My heart racing in adrenaline and that gave me the energy I needed. With one last push, I wiggled my ankle free. I crawled quickly on to my knees, managing to miss the blades as the figure brought them close to my neck. Sparks flew on the ground and flashed in front of the figure. Some way or another, the figure flinched. No doubt that the flash of light must have blinded him for a second. I used the opportunity to my advantage. I activated my orbs, sending a few towards him. The figure saw this and tried to back off but it was too late. The orbs got too close and I put my new weapon into action.

I pressed on my wrist gauntlet, activating a new feature I created in my time here. The orbs zoned on the figure, sticking onto him like glue. He tries to shake it off but it was no use. The orbs had micro claws that can grip on any surface, whether it be metal or flesh. They started to light up into a warm, blue color inside. When they became fully bright, I pressed on the command.

In a matter of seconds, the orbs exploded.

A berate of blasts overwhelms the figure, covering him in a thick cloud of smoke. I struggled to get back on my feet. My ankle throbbing and hurts a little when I put my full weight on it. It didn't feel broken but wasn't at its best. I must have sprained it. I looked back to the figure as I inched away. But then, I heard a noise that sounded like a grunt. It was lined with a sort of metal sound but overall, it was . . . living. A line of smoke faded for a second and I could see the invisible cloak surrounding the figure sparkling, showing signs of damage. When I focus closer, I could see a wrist gauntlet appear. It was mostly silver but resembled a Yautja's.

I shook my head. Nothing makes sense. A Yautja . . . but doesn't seem like a Bad Blood now that I think of it. Just . . . what is . . . I don't know. It doesn't matter. He's dead now.

But I didn't want to hang out here any longer. I didn't waste any more time and put my swords on my back. Pushing through the pain, I ran out of there and through the tunnel. My mind focuses on getting back to my ship and recover. The damage he put on me will take long to heal. But just as I thought I was in the clear, I heard running coming from behind. I turned my head but didn't see him. He was still far inside the mountain but I was lost, trying to understand what the pauk is happening. The mysterious fighter proved me wrong. More blasts shot from behind, missing me by inches and blasting the side walls.

It's impossible! How is he still alive!? The shots should have killed him! This isn't good!

It was absolute chaos trying to get out, dodging falling rocks back and forth. I glanced behind and saw something following behind. It was hard to see but blasts from his shoulder cannons provided his location. He kept blasting more shots at me, scrambling to get a hit. An expert Yautja hunter would have seen this as childish and reckless. The pattern of attacks was inconsistent, not even trying to achieve accuracy that I was taught to value well. This guy's not even trying. It's like he is doing all in his power to get me. Still, it made him a more dangerous opponent since he's too wild to figure out. I need to get to open space to fight him. It's my only chance.

I pumped my arms back and forth and pushed my legs faster. My heart struggling to keep up with the demand but I wasn't going to give up. I wanted this guy to pay for this. The pain in my ankle kept reminding me of it.

Finally, I saw the light from the tunnel's opening that was a few feet away. A wave of relief washed over me and my mandibles clicked behind my mask to show it. If I can make it, I'll have the advantage. That last stretch pushed my adrenaline to the max. Once I was out, I would prepare for the torture of a lifetime with my pursuer.

But that little moment cost me a lot. It went against my whole experience as a hunter. Never assume until it's all over.

Just as I was almost crossed the threshold, my shoulder was hit with a ball of fire. The heat alone felt like it was eating through my skin and into muscle and bone. I let out a half roar before I face planted on the ground. My mask loosened from my face and the visuals went haywire. The momentum threw my lower half into the air, forcing my body to go into a roll. It was so fast that I got whiplash and I didn't know what I was seeing for the moment. At some point, my mask flew off but I kept going. After what seemed like forever, my body comes to a halt with me lying on my back.

It was too painful to open my eyes. My head felt like it was going to explode. My body felt like it was burning from the abrasions I must have sustained in the tumble. My hands and mandibles trembled uncontrollably for a few seconds. The only thing keeping me going was my willpower.

Get up, Anya! Get up! Get up! GET UP!

I tightened my tusks and inner mouth together, pushing through the pain as I rolled onto my stomach. Keep going . . . Don't stop until you're on your feet. Slowly but surely, I moved to my knees and then to my feet while taking deep breaths in between. My head was the last to lift itself from staring into the ground. I didn't think I would feel pain but my neck wouldn't stretch itself. Its muscles contracted and refused to budge. No pain, Anya. No pain. After a few breaths, they relaxed and my neck felt better, allowing me to raise my eyes to an even level.

But when I did, I was met with the figure from before. And he wasn't cloaked this time.

Coming out of the shadows from the tunnel, he walked out like a true and confident badass if I do say so myself. The first thing I noticed is how small his body actually is. From a distance, he did appear puny so I assumed he was going to get bigger as he came closer. But when he stopped a few meters away, I was taken aback. He looked no taller than the average male Yautja. They can be as high as seven feet or more but this person was roughly six feet and six inches at best. He would seem scrawny and weak to Yautja standards . . . if you didn't fight him as I did moments ago.

Moving my evaluation further, his body was completely covered in a thin layer of silver metal, thicker over his chest and arms. His legs seemed pretty small for his size but I wasn't going to be fooled. He kept up with me through the tunnel despite being hit by my orbs, which left several scorching marks on him. Other than that, the armor was practically new. It showed little to no evidence of wear and tear. From my craftsmanship, it was prolific on overall design although lacking in carvings like some Yautjas do with theirs. This one only had red lines tracking the slits between layers of metal. Some would think that it's impossible for anyone to move in such armor but through the slits that cover his joints, a bodysuit is clearly seen but made with thinner metal. Overall, he had Yautja armor, unlike anything I've seen before. How can this guy even move? It must be extremely heavy.

Following his body upward, his hands looked very much like a Yautja but with metal claws on the end. Wrist gauntlets were a little darker in color but made them stand out from the rest. The blades were so long that it was about the length of his forearm. When I reached to his shoulders, he had shoulder cannons on each one but different as well. They were on a single stand but the shaft split into three so that it could shoot three blasts instead of one. It made sense back in the cave how he could shoot multiples.

This guy is upgraded. Still doesn't tell me who he is,

My eyes scanned for the red X symbol that would indicate him being part of the Killer Yautja. But there was none at all. That notion only gave me more questions than answers. I looked towards his face, hoping I might figure him out.

His mask was very symmetric but slick all together. The chin was brought to a sharp point that spread out in a V shape as it got to his supposed chins that were covered in metal dreadlocks. What the? Metal dreadlocks? I shook my head in disbelief. Overall, the mask resembled a war mask in Yautja style.

So this is the guy that attacked me? Freak . . . but so am I.

"So . . . you're the one that's been messing up our operations?"

My head jolted back when I heard his voice. So he can speak? It was more robotic than I thought it would be but it was deep in tone. There's no doubt he was a male. If you're considering that scrawny bulge between his legs . . . if he has one. I glared into the black slits where his eyes should be. "Who's asking?"

He chuffed. "It doesn't matter to you anyway. You're not going to live to see another day."

I was getting quite amused by his declaration. He sounded way too cocky than he should. He may have gotten me first in our last scuffle but I won't make that mistake. I raised my upper mandibles forward and twiddled them as a taunt. "Really? You won't get a second chance with me. You'll pay for what you did to me."

I raised my shoulder towards him, glancing to see the damage for the first time. My armor had proven itself well. The blast I received when I came out of the tunnel only managed to burn off the top layer, leaving a dark mass with veined ripples on the edges. Still, it didn't give him a free pass. My shoulder aches along with my ankle. I wasn't going to let him go. My pride as a Yautja would never allow it.

He tilts one shoulder in a 'whatever' gesture. But then, both of his shoulder cannons turned their shafts towards me. The red lights aimed at me once more. I didn't back down but thought of a way to disable them. But I didn't have to. As soon as he gave the command, small sparks erupted from both, making the red lights disappear. He looks to his shoulder and I swore I heard him huff in annoyance.

"Your little toys destroyed my cannons."

He said calmly as he turns his head back to me. I smiled in glee. The orbs I sacrificed did the trick and did enough damage that they can't work anymore. He lost the advantage now, giving him no choice but to fight in close combat. Unless he's got something else up his sleeves.

"It doesn't matter. There are other ways to kill you."

He extends his wrist blades out, making them longer than before. I wasn't surprised but kept my guard. I reached over and brought my twin swords out. As a show of strength, I scraped them together, sending sparks flying in the air. I had no clue if it made him uneasy, given that his mask obscured his face. It didn't matter . . . he was going to get it.

I smirked. "I should say the same thing." I scraped my swords once more, letting my anger out in one giant burst. I roared with all my might. "You won't live to see the next day either!"

In an instant, I charged at him. It was a test to see if he would try to pull something quickly, helping to access if he had weapons he can pull out in an instant. Instead, his wrist blades met my swords and clashed violently. He shoved me back and tried to swipe at my abdomen. I pulled away in the nick of time, sucking in my stomach to avoid getting sliced open. My swords clashed on his wrist blades once more.

Again . . . and again, we exchanged blows after blows. I was amazed he could keep up, matching my moves at the right moments. Whoever he is . . . he's good.

It felt like a long time had passed and my body was starting to feel the effects of exhaustion. Normally, I could keep this up much longer but the injuries I sustained were taking their toll. My ankle felt like it was going to give way. I have to end this.

I took the chance when he paused for a brief moment like he was losing breath himself. I let my sword's chain loop behind his legs. With a single tug, he falls flat on his back. I got on top of him, pressing a foot on his chest to keep him still. He struggled a bit but there was no way he could get out of this now. I leaned my head down to him.

"You're too cocky. Now you're going to regret saying those words."

I brought the tip of a sword in the air, aiming for his neck underneath his mask. It would be a fatal blow that would end all of this in a blink. I stopped in confusion when I heard him begin to chuckle. "I'm not finished yet."

Without warning, his foot kicks into my abdomen like a hammer. It almost made me double over in pain so I was forced to stumble back, losing the pressure my leg kept on my opponent. He gets on his feet in a flash before swinging his blades at my neck. My eyes widened in panic as I pushed myself out of the way. He missed but not before nicking a few dreadlocks that got in the way. Sensitive to touch and pain, I yelped from it. I retreated a few steps back, carefully bringing a dreadlock back to see it oozing green neon blood. I wasn't a big deal since they would heal soon but it was how he did it that got me seething in rage.

He got me . . . That pauking bastard!

I growled at him, showing my displeasure. He took it as a prideful moment, shifting his hips in a provocative way to taunt me. I growled once more.

"That's it! I had enough!"

Time to end this silly game.

I charged at my opponent, spraying my mandibles out in a thunderous roar. I swung my swords around, colliding with his wrist blades. The force nearly knocks me off my feet but I kept my stance firm, digging into the ground. Still, the muscles in my biceps ached. Even in my Yautja form, it's difficult to bring him down.

But then again, I should have known better. My opponent somehow managed to obtain Yautja armor that covered his entire body, armed with weapons I never have seen before while others were all too familiar with. His wrist blades were too similar to my own, making me wonder who made them. I didn't have time to observe anymore as my opponent pushed me back. Sparks flew between our blades but I pushed back, dropping my swords in the process. Using all my strength, I pushed at his metal shoulders, skidding both of us across the dirt until I slammed him into a nearby tree.

I roared in his face once more, having to bend my neck lower since he was a few feet shorter than I in my Yautja form. I got no reaction from him but I should have expected it. The mask he wore hid his face remarkably well. I reached for my knife hooked on to my belt, planning to plunge it between his eyes. The blades that many forgers on Yautja Prime like Arkarb use metal that can cut through anything, even Yautja armor. I may have never seen such armor my opponent wears but it's of Yautja design so I had hoped it could.

I brought my knife high into the air, aiming for my opponent's forehead that held a vital point. It would kill him instantly. Without hesitation, I brought it down on him.

However, just as the tip of the knife barely touched his mask, I felt a sudden shock on my side beneath my rib cage. I roared in agony, feeling my muscles spasm out of control. My opponent kicks me in the gut and I double over. Another shock hits me right about my spine and I go down like a plane crashing. I grunted, trying to lift myself back up but it was no use. My muscles weren't cooperating.

My opponent shoves me with his foot until I was lying on my back, looking down on me. I glared into where I imagined his eyes would be, growling in defiance. He just stares back with no expression whatsoever, typical from someone wearing a mask. His metal dreadlocks sway in the open air that seemed so unnatural. I glanced at his side and saw he was carrying some sort of taser gun like the ones police use to take down criminals. But it was much stronger than those I knew.

It's got to have some sort of high voltage to take down a Yautja. Who is this person?

His face leans closer to me, hunching his back enough that he got a good view of me. His heavy voice rang in my ears.

"You got guts . . . coming to Earth like you own the place. You killed so many people so you can create the xenomorphs. You won't get away with this."

When I heard him speak those words, my mind became clouded with confusion. Wait . . . Does he think that I'm one of the Killer Yautja?

He brings his wrist blades right above my chest, aiming to pierce my heart and kill me. "I'll make sure to protect this place from the likes of you. It's time to end this."

My opponent raises the blades even higher and I knew he really meant to kill me. But he still thinks I'm one of the Bad Bloods. I'm not! He wouldn't believe me even if I told him. He already sees me as the enemy but I couldn't move to block his attack either. There was still one option left to take and I prayed it worked.

Right as my opponent started to bring down his blades, I closed my eyes and let my body change back into my ooman form. My muscles shrunk and the pain felt a little better but still was too stunned to move. I couldn't bear to open my eyes, not wanting to have my last memory of life to be staring into an enemy. I thought about Lar'ja, wishing that I was with him now. But my heart stung in pain from not being able to see him again. I let myself drift in a happy dream as I waited for death to come.

But after a minute, I didn't feel any blade going through my chest nor heard any sound. It was eerily quiet but I still felt the cold air brush against my soft skin. What's going on?

Out of curiosity or bravery, I peeked one eye open and saw that my opponent was no longer above me. Confused, I pulled my neck forward so I can over my chest and there he was, frozen like a statue with his wrist blades still out. Judging from his body posture, he seemed stunned like he witnessed something he'd never seen before.

Maybe he saw I wasn't a threat? Or shocked to see a Yautja transform into an ooman?

I struggled to get back up. The tingling sensation was almost gone but my muscles still didn't want to work. I pushed myself hard, enough that I got on my knees and placed my hands on them to keep from falling over. I lifted my face to him, curious as to what he was thinking. After a few moments, he speaks.

"You . . . I know you . . ."

I tightened my eyebrows together, wondering what he was babbling about. But then his mask tips down a little, looking at something else. "That necklace . . . Ta'kasa . . ."

My eyes widened in shock as I heard my Yautja name being called. How did he . . .? I followed his gaze and realized he was looking at my necklace that somehow came out from underneath my armor. But not many know that . . . unless . . .

I glanced back to my opponent, watching as he proceeded to remove his mask. Unlike Yautjas who simply take it off their faces, he presses some sort of button at the nape of his neck. The mask begins to disintegrate along with his dreadlocks, retracting into the base of his armor near his neck. His face was completely exposed but I had no clue as to who he was.

From the looks of it, he was definitely an ooman. There was no doubt when I looked at his face. He had brown hair that rose from his scalp just a little bit, overlapping his cream-colored skin. A short, light-haired beard was growing all over his bottom with a mustache connected at the top. From what I could estimate, he could be in his late twenties or early thirties. He was quite young and strong for an ooman. It's unbelievable that he could put up a fight but I can assume that his armor gave him a boost.

But as soon as my blue eyes connected with his brown ones, I immediately froze. Something in those eyes that stopped me in my tracks. I didn't know who he was. But inside . . . he seemed very familiar.

"Anya?"

His voice was deep and yet soft. It had a ring to it that drew me in. Not like in an amorous way but more . . . like a sibling. My heart skipped a beat when he spoke my name but I was also shocked.

"Anya . . . It's really you."

He took a step forward but I backed up as well. Somehow . . . he knew me but I couldn't pin anything on him. I skimmed my memories, trying to find any resemblance. There were some but scattered into many pieces. I couldn't find the missing puzzle to it all. The ooman male stepped closer again, opening his arms in a non-threatening gesture.

His eyes squinted together as if confused by my reaction. "Hey . . . don't you remember me?"

I stuttered to get my words out, trying to form a sentence clear enough. It was hard enough to speak it in ooman tongue. "I . . . don't know."

His face dropped to the ground, seemingly like I hurt him. But when he lifted his face back up, there was a glint in the corner of his eyes followed by a friendly smile on his lips. He lifted his hands in an 'oh yeah' posture.

"I forgot. It's been so long that you might not recognize me." His smile grows bigger, chuckling softly when he looks back. "I was only a child when we last saw each other . . . more than twenty years ago I believe."

I tightened my eyebrows together. Wait . . . We met twenty years ago? I counted the years in my head. But that would be in 2018 when—

My mind snapped upon realization. My eyes turned fast to the male's face again. Hold on . . . It can't be! At first, my mind tried to deny the facts but it shattered into a million pieces when I looked deeper into his eyes than before. My memories spun around inside me, showing vast images of a young boy who I wanted to protect more than anything . . . even with protecting Lar'ja. A boy that I promised so long ago.

My mouth opened slowly, inhaling as much as I could until I let it all out with one single name.

"Rory . . ."

Hello Everyone!

What a revelation!

Anya is reunited with someone very important to her . . . one that she hasn't seen for more than twenty oomans years (2 seasons in Yautja time). I got to say . . . Rory did a number of her during their fight. He's certainly grown up. To make it easier on what the adult Rory looks like, I portrayed him after Ryan Guzman from Step Up series. I had fun watching him and so I decided to choose him. I hope everyone likes him too lol (Note: I'll put his picture on my Instagram in case).

So for the Predator Killer . . . I've read some things about it from when The Predator movie. I read some comments to help improve it a little if not a lot. So a picture of the general concept for the suit will be posted on my Instagram as well. I understand all of your feelings about and respect your opinions. :)

So both have reunited and Anya has returned to her former group. But is he not alone? Where is the rest of Anya's ooman allies? Not to mention . . . why is Rory attacking her while indicating he's also hunting Bad Bloods?

Chapter 5 (Welcome to CHPS) will be posted anytime next week at the latest (Friday) but might pop up early so be ready. ;)

Also, I've found a song that closely resembles Lar'ja and Anya's journey in all of this. How they fought the pain . . . told they were pretty useless until they grew stronger and show it all in Balance. The song is Superheroes by The Script. Take a listen and see what you think.

Thank you for Mariah, Anonymous-E, NeverNeverLady, and Nightroad for the reviews on Chapter 3. They mean so much to me . . . and the corrections that I changed upon finding out. And yeah . . . there's bound to be a cliche but I'm glad you still love it. There will be twists and turns that might diverse it from the rest. ;)))

As for Respect, I'm still thinking about a title for it but if you can give me a general plot for it, it would really help me a lot in figuring out. I give the story meaning like Respect and the Twisted Fate series. Thank you for the info on the sequel and will put that to use.

Thank you and Good Hunting! :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Anya (human form) or any human speaking English (ooman language)

Italic = Anya (human form) or any human speaking Yautja

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language