Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, or else you wouldn't be reading this... =1
A/N: I apologize DEEPLY for having taking sooo long updating this fic. Chapter 8 has a lot of "action" going on, so it was very difficult for me to write. And the longer it dragged out, the easier it became for me to post-pone tackling it. And then a whole year passed by! Eeeeek! *embarrassed*
It's also quite a lengthy chapter, but I hope you feel I did it justice, nonetheless. Thank you so much to all of the people who are still subscribed to this story! It means a lot to me. Thank you for your patience and enjoy~
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Day # 08: "Combat" Part 2
[Continuation of Ch 6. Just how Faithful, Unsentimental, and Efficient is the little chimera boy at executing his first order..?]
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The lock keeping the Drago forced inside the cage had been released once Porky, Yokuba, and the Pigmask were a good, safe distance away from it on top an artificial platform that moved them up to a higher elevation. The mecha drago's height and appearance were terrifying compared to the little red-haired boy, who calmly stood in front. Its mechanical eyes may be devoid of emotion, but there's no denying there was aggressiveness in its posture, and the way it stomped in circles around the boy, and the whirling mechanical noises it made, like a beast growling at its prey.
If only the drago could speak and could relate its tale, it could tell the audience that the little boy in front of him was not a new sight. It had seen him before. But he was different. The boy's eyes were just like the drago's now: unemotional. His steps and gaze were calculating and cold. He was nothing like the little boy who had confronted it weeks before. Nothing like him at all...
...
He was breathing hard after all that running, but he quickly regained his posture by standing straight and looking into the killer drago's eyes. The boy's eyes were filled with rage, but they still had some innocence to them. The drago could see, they had innocence that was slowly decaying away... It told him words he'd never say again...
"We had trusted you... for so long... as a friend... But now.. what has happened to you? You are no longer what I used to know..." the boy puffed with dagger in hand. He raised it up to let it be seen, a glint showing off its sharpness. And then he tossed it away, blade landing firmly carved into the ground. "You no longer belong in this forest. You have become a monster!" he swung his arms back. His words were self-righteous. But they were the words of a ten-year-old, who did not think much about consequences. He raised both hands now, open with palms facing the drago. And with eyes closed he stated, "Allow me to put you to rest.." The drago only stared back, its mind preparing for battle, its left foot made a step back with a loud slam.
"P..." the beast knew something dangerous was coming. Its body inclined slightly forward, preparing for a slam.
"K..." Maybe the boy meant well... in a reckless, immature and slightly vengeful way, but...
Sometimes being the most aggressive gives the best defense.
...
He searched through-out its entire internal database, looking for any "weapons" or modes of attack available besides his arm canon. Maybe he could find where this "PSI" his Master kept talking about within one of his systems.
But there was nothing. He couldn't even recognize the word...
"You have something powerful inside you," his Master had told him with his index finger tapping the boy's chest. "It's the only reason why we've even bothered to repair you," he chuckled, uncaring of anyone's feelings but his own. "In this fight, you better remember what that is... " he then patted the boy's head down, treating him like an ill-behaved boy. "...or else, you can kiss my feet as a good-bye right now, got it?"
Those had been his instructions. Now he had to figure out the rest while confronting the beast that never took its cold stare off from him. The machine was eager to crush him, just like it had done the first time.
Like déjà vu. The drago charged at him in the same fashion it had done weeks earlier, fully determined to make a mess out of him again. Having found nothing through his database, the boy used only what he could physically see to fight. Although, he was still not entirely used to his new body, human survival instincts kicked in for a speedier learning curve. His movements were quicker than before, so he managed to dodge it more easily. No more loosing shoes on the way, now that he had a pair of nice new boots tightly strapped to his feet!
The drago ran toward him, but the boy rolled forward, making his way to the other side of the creature from below. The drago swung its tail, and the boy managed to duck just in time. He got up, ran to a safer distance, turned and charged his canon. The drago then fully turned around. The boy's inner scanner aimed, and the canon fired a few shots, hitting the drago by its neck and head. The drago groaned weakly, but the blasts had only hit the surface, nothing vital. It continued to dash toward the boy, but the boy did not cower. He also charged forward, scanning it to see if he could find any weak spots.
Opening its jaw, the drago began igniting its internal flame-thrower. The boy saw this just in time and reacted by firing at its inside right when the beast pulled the trigger. Flames clashed, blasting close to the drago's mouth, pushing it back to avoid further damage. It roared and fired blindly, but the boy escaped once again, rolling and running forward, circling to the back of the drago once again.
"And if he doesn't remember?" commented Yokuba with arms crossed, unconcerned.
"Then he's no use to me," was Porky's quick reply, as if it had been obvious. His arms rested lazily onto the bars that secured them inside the platform.
"If it doesn't work, just trash everything and start all-over again," Yokuba noted. "I'm guessing you've done that many times, huh?" he added while rubbing his mustache, taking into account that Porky had lived way longer than himself. The Pigmask accompanying them didn't feel so secure with all he was hearing and witnessing. But his opinion never matters.
"Yup... just toss it aside and move on. It's not hard to do.."
A beaming roar erupted from the drago, growing more frustrated at the lack of landing a good blow at his prey. But the boy was silent, he simply pressed several buttons in his arm canon, making it shift a few metal plates, and its light when up again. If the drago could pop a vein of anger, it would do so, except its skin is mostly covered in metal casings. It lowered its head and ran toward the boy again. And this time, he jumped above it right before making contact, climbing up to the back of its neck.
The drago roared and swung its head around, but the boy had secured its spot on top, charging his canon as much as he could and blasting through what little exposed skin he could find. The drago howled in pain and spun around violently, tackling its whole body against a nearby big rock, forcing the boy to jump out. He turned around and blasted again, but the drago swung its tail at him furiously.
It managed to hit him hard, and the boy's body flew across a small distance, hitting the ground badly with a thud, blowing up dust in the air, and leaving a dent in the dirt. He shortly got back up with little effort, but his still human skin was more sensitive. Blood flowed from the side of his head, and his knees were slightly bent with his arms resting on them. His half-mechanical heart beat hard, but his breathing quickly returned to normal. His eyes never took off that calculating gaze of his. He straightened his stance up to face the drago once more, its sensors surging electricity around in a more alert state. He never wiped off the blood, it continued to flow down as if it wasn't even there.
Porky had to laugh at the sight. All this violence was nothing but amusing to him. "Maybe I should watch robots fight each other more often, hahaha! How 'bout holding bloody chimera tournaments?" he cackled.
Yokuba did nothing but accompany Porky in laughter. Whether Porky truly meant what he said didn't matter, since once he set out to do something, there was no stopping him. However, the Pigmask with them was very unnerved. Surely, he had watched chimeras attacking each other before. They were known to be unstable at times, due to their very existence being unnatural to begin with. But this sight was different to him. He did not like the sight of a human-looking kid involved. Not to mention, that if this child couldn't hold the drago off, what where they to do then? He gulped uncomfortably.
The drago did not spare another minute and stomped quickly toward the boy, attacking with its internal flame thrower once more. The boy made a run for it, blasting off at whatever was exposed from the metal casings. But the drago did not lower its pace, and was quickly catching up. It made a swift biting attack once it had the boy within reach. He dodged too late. The fangs grabbed a hold of his right arm canon, and without hesitations, the drago whirled its head around, pulling the arm by force until it ripped it apart, pieces of metal scattering around, making the boy scream out loud, more from the sight than the feel of the wires being torn apart from his skin. Blood gushed out from the tears, splashing both into the drago's skin and his own. The drago flung its head once more, tackling the boy yet again.
"Hahahaha! Well there he goes!" Porky exclaimed amusingly, but inwardly feeling a tad disappointed at this sudden turn of events. Maybe he hadn't equipped the boy with enough weapons? Nonsense. The whole point was to unleash that power that had often been an obstacle to him. If the boy didn't do that, he was useless to him. That was all there was to it. Porky tensed his grip on the metal bar in front of him.
They boy felt surges of electricity, and familiar pain bolting through his arm and into his body as he laid in the dirt once more, but was hesitant to get back on his feet. His inorganic counterparts fought to numb the pain swirling around the nerves of his now missing canon. Numbers and warning signs flashed in his vision regarding his status. But the overall message spelled DANGER.
The drago hissed, approaching him slowly this time, casting a large shadow over the boy, calculating his definitive demise. No cliff would stop it from completely finishing him now. This time, it would end the job and eliminate the possibility of further threat.
The boy lay still, with only his chest moving to allow enough air in and out. He was unsure of what to do, but sure that it was his job to take down this appalling beast. Had he been completely human, he would've likely started to sob from the pain and fear of the situation. But his red eyes held firm, thinking only about his objective.
He had to remember what this "PSI" was. There was no other way to fight anymore. He didn't want to fail his Master, he didn't want his efforts of having "repaired" him go to waste. He needs to take this drago down no matter what. If he doesn't do it, he'll be left to be nothing but scrap. Useless scrap completely worthless to his Master. Worthless worthless worthless..
But there was something else to it... His red eyes were beginning to focus on the creature before him, who seemed to move in slow motion. If he doesn't do something soon, he is going to die.
Die... like in that... blurry vision from some lost memory banks.. it was the sight of the same drago charging at him, but it was from some time back.. were these the memories his Master was talking about? The time when his original arm had been lost to it...?
No matter. If he doesn't do something soon.. he's going to die. And.. and...
He can't die. People need him... His Master needs him..!
The drago cast a roar, opening its jaws, ready to tear the scrap boy to pieces. Sounds from the organic side of his heart were getting louder and louder, overriding every other noise. What he had done earlier before when he met this familiar sight awakened. He doesn't even know where the words came from or what they were.. but they saved his life.
"PK..." unconsciously, the boy had stretched his only arm out, palm facing the drago. His eyes remained open, but he was no longer paying attention to what he was looking. His body felt a surge of energy rushing through him that his circuits could not comprehend as he closed his eyes and finished his sentence..
"...LOVE."
It all happened so fast. A glow of pink, blue, and magenta colors emanated right from the palm of his left arm, shooting out like big waves. To the drago, this sight was not new, but the attack was much more powerful than it remembered, even if it was only coming from one hand. The waves were brighter, bigger, and it hit hard to the point of nearly busting its chest open. It roared in pain, and its body was pushed off a great distance, falling and crashing hard on the floor by its side, its mandible completely busted upon such impact. Electricity bolting around its body due to the severe damage the attack had caused throughout its whole body.
And just as sudden as the beams had emanated, they vanished into thin air, leaving both competitors laying flat on the ground.
Porky clenched his grip once more, but this time out of enthusiasm. "Finally!" he stood up as tall as he could and admired the sight before him, feeling accomplished. He involuntarily licked his upper lip, as if tasting the power for himself. The Pigmask next to him was too surprised to speak. "It's great to know he didn't completely turned out to be a mere scrap of metal! Even though, it was close. So what did you think?" he turned to see a very stunned Yokuba, much to his surprise.
Something about this sight made Yokuba shudder. He knew PSI, but the power that the boy released was unfamiliar to him.
..it.. couldn't be..?...
Porky made nothing of it. He ordered the Pigmask to lower the platform. The battle was not entirely over, but the main objective had been cleared. Porky made his way toward the boy, who still laid in the ground, but didn't bother to help him get up. He simply looked down at him.
"Well, now, it seems you do remember something useful." He grinned, resting his hands on his pant pockets.
Although, the boy did not smile back at his Master, he felt.. content with his statement. "..Thank you, Master.." It had been too close a call.
"Well what are you waiting for?" Yokuba and the Pigmask made their way closer as well. "Do you plan to sleep there? Or are you going to finish your job?" Porky crossed his arms.
The boy finally sat up, his breathing once again regaining normality, but blood continued to drizzle from his head and right arm. "Yes, Master."
The drago moaned loudly in pain a good distance away. The damage from the single attack had been so intense that it no longer had any strength to get up. Porky had once witnessed the devastating power that PSI could cause, long ago. Excitement ran through his veins at the thought of finally possessing it on his side alone. As long as the boy remained loyal only to him...
As long as he did absolutely everything he was told. No questions asked.
The boy stepped slowly closer to the drago, leaving a small trail behind from the blood dripping from what was left of his limping right arm. He felt conflicted emotions surge through him that he could not understand. All he wanted was to serve his Master. So why did the sight of a helpless, half-destroyed, maniacal drago bothered him? Something wasn't right...
Another being about to deliver a final blow on its dying breaths. Again, this sight, to the drago, was not new. Shortly after it had done away with the boy who fell from the plateau, a man in a hat had put up a good fight as well. But it had spared him, only because it's supposed offspring had been around. There was nothing to stop it now. But the drago was tired. Tired of the pain that had haunted it since the day it awoke with men in pink suits and lab coats around. Its vision was all blurred.
If only the drago could speak and could relate its tale, it could tell the audience that it just wanted it all to be over...
...
Regret filled his young mind because of his uncalculating, inconsiderate, and hopeless actions. Who was he trying to fool, taking up all the responsibility for himself? Leaving his twin brother behind to sob in loneliness? Thinking he would be strong enough both in power and spirit to try to tame this beast that had so mercilessly killed his mother?
Was he REALLY prepared to "put it to rest"? Did he even fully understand what those words meant?
Everything in his world was supposed to be Perfect. So why does everything right now feel so WRONG? The pain he felt in his body was venomous, like a blade slicing through his whole chest. His whole life flashed at him, and the person he thought the most was his twin brother..
If ANYTHING, he wants his brother to be spared of this atrocious pain he felt. But who was going to protect him if not himself? It was his job. This wasn't supposed to-
His fingers managed to grab on to a dent down the plateau. But he was in too much pain to think straight. He puffed hard breaths, and the pounding in his head erased the violent roars coming from the drago that had just tackled him out in blinding fury. Blood, sweat, and tears drizzled down below from his dying little body.
He can't die yet. He can't leave him behind. He can't die yet. He has to Protect him..!
He can't die yet..
...
"What are you waiting for, you junk trash?" Porky fumed since it was taking too long for the arm-less boy to deliver the final blow onto the miserable, dying beast. The boy simply stood there, back facing Porky. And since he got no response, he angrily stomped toward him. "Don't go and tell me you can't kill the thing, you useless-"
"I apologize, Master." the boy finally cut in. His eyes had been focused on the beast. He was scanning its body to find its most vital point. When he found it, he stepped back. "I'm still not used to this."
"Feh!" Porky spat to the ground, unconvinced. He was much too impatient for anything.
"Nweheheh," Yokuba approached them, hand on his chin. "Could it be you pulled it off without exactly knowing what you did, boy?" he grinned maliciously.
No response again. This time, the boy had his eyes closed, breathing calmly, and then raised his left arm.
"I suggest you all step back," were his only words.
They did so, hesitantly. And in a moment's time, a small flare with the same colors as his earlier attack glowed from his hand. It silently made its way onto the drago's chest, and once it reached this point, it grew rapidly and exploded. The drago moaned for one last time, feeling its core burst open, and scattering several metal pieces and tears of reptile skin from the blast. Its breaths seized seconds later, leaving only a fading humming noise from where its mechanical workings slowed to a stop.
Finally, it was completely put to rest.
"What? That was it?" Porky broke the silence that had followed, and walked toward the boy.
"Is something wrong, Master?" was his polite reply, turning his head to face him. "I have completed my mission," he bowed.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I was just expecting something.. a little more explosive!" he patted the boy's head down.
"Um.." the Pigmask cut in, sweat dripping from his mask. He pointed a weak, shivering finger toward the boy's missing arm. "Aren't you in pain..?" he noted the blood still drizzling down.
"He's just a robot." Yokuba exclaimed with arms crossed, trying to seem unimpressed at his attack.
"..it does hurt a little.." the boy indifferently replied.
"Well, whatever." Porky turned away from him. "I supposed you DID finish your mission. You still have a lot more to prove to me, got it?" he eyed him suspiciously.
"Yes, Master.." the boy bowed once again, trying to suppress the still conflicting thoughts jamming his half-computer brain.
The aftertaste of this supposedly "victorious" battle was not very sweet. As they all made their way out, the boy stopped for a moment to look back at the mess he had done. He could still hear the drago roar inside its head, and the ground shaking from its heavy stomping. Somehow, he feels as though he had meant to do something like this earlier, but..
"It was for Master Porky..." he muttered, as if trying to convince someone to justify his actions. He turned around again and continued to walk forward. Forward and away from nature's abomination. The beast that had started to paint his world red in the beginning. No longer will it terrorize anything else.
"Because I have to protect him..."
~Fin~
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A/N: Does anyone care to be my beta reader? I feel like my narration is pretty messy, having everyone's POVs all over the place. And perhaps there are sections that could've been trimmed, I'm just not sure which ones. It gets a little tiring to read the same thing you're writing countless times *laughs*
Feedback appreciated! Thank you for reading!