Sadly our time alone ended up being interrupted about fifteen minutes later by Shock and Forge, the latter having decided to ruin our fun by yelling.
"Jessie, you might want to brace yourself for..." Shock said, using his link with me before we all heard Forge yelling through the door. Us and possibly the whole of N-Tek.
"Jessie! Come out of there right now!" Forge bellowed as he stood just outside the door. Having no warning and with a startled yell Jason leapt to his feet only to get tangled in the blanket and take a very unprofessional swan dive off the bed. Despite being a little worried he'd hurt himself I couldn't resist letting out a giggle at his expense.
"Jason, are you okay?" I grinned as I leant over the bed to see him tangled up and upside down, head shoved up against the base of the bed.
"Does it look like I'm okay?" He grumbled as he shifted over only to fall on his back and I burst out laughing, forgetting momentarily that Shock and a very furious Forge Ferrus were still waiting outside. After taking a moment to untangle himself he climbed to his feet, dusting off his jacket and straightening his tie.
"Jessie, you might want to open the door. Like now." Shock told me and I sighed as I hopped off the bed and walked towards the door, only for Jason to reach out and grab my arm.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Jason asked, looking more than a little worried and I gave him a grin, nodding my head and he grimached. "Alright then." He sighed, staying just behind me and I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling as I reached for the doorknob. As the door swung open we were greeted by Shock and Forge, who had gone very quiet and that is never a good sign.
"You two in my office. Right now." Forge growled and whirled around, walking off before I had time to open my mouth. I watched him walk away for a moment before I started to follow, Jason I noticed keeping a firm grip on my arm and Shock hovered near my left shoulder.
As we walked along the corridor I noticed Jason glance up at me from time to time and I made a mental note to ask why after we talked to Forge. Just as we reached Forge's office I heard someone talking to Forge and I stopped so suddenly Jason collided with me, almost falling on his rear. Quickly I reached out and grabbed onto his arm, pulling him towards me and for a few seconds I found myself hugging Jason.
"Not that I'm not enjoying this but...shouldn't we be going inside?" Jason said and I sighed, taking my arms off his waist. But as I walked through the door I immediately wished I hadn't when I saw Forge with his hand under his chin, fixing each of us with a glare.
"Before you start yelling at me, again, I trust Jason." I said as Jason appeared behind me, trying to smile though from the way his eyes kept darting towards the door, he looked ready to bolt. "He explained why he was using my computer and I forgive him."
"That doesn't matter. The fact is you let him, a criminal who works for Dredd escape his holding cell and his handcuffs. Then you allow him into your room. Does anyone else find a problem with this?" Forge growled and I gritted my teeth, biting back a sarcastic reply.
"Because Jason's a criminal?" Shock piped up, earning a glare from me and a face palm from Jason. "Sorry but he did ask. Just for the record I let Jason out of his cell." He muttered and Forge's face turned bright red, causing Shock to flinch and hide behind my shoulder.
"WHAT?" Forge yelled, his voice bouncing off the walls and just behind me Jason coughed, looking a little worried as he glanced towards the door. "Do you know how many rules you've just broken by letting him free?" He asked, keeping his voice low .
"I'm not entirely sure but I'm going to say...a lot?" I asked, fighting the urge to storm out of the office as all it would have acomplished would be to get Jason shoved right back into his cell. "Look I know I messed up but..." I didn't get to finish when everyone heard an alarm go off. I flinched as the piercing sound made my ears throb though I soon forgot all about it when Berto rushed into the office.
"Commander, its Dredd. He's in Copper Canyon with over two dozen Dredd Naughts. And Mega Elementor." He told us and I grinned, almost rushing outside before Forge called me back.
"Jessie, I want you and Jason to fly to Copper Canyon. Keep a low profile and just watch for Dredd, do not engage him. Do I have your word you won't do anything reckless?" Forge asked and I sighed before I gave my Commander a slight nod, already going through my attack strategy in my head.
"Got it. Ready to go guys?" I asked Shock and Jason, the former giving me a nod. Just for a moment I saw something in Jason's eyes and not drawing attention to him, I grabbed his hand and led him just outside the room. Then I turned to him and gave him a slight grin. "Look I know you're worried about facing your old boss but we've got your back." I explained as he brushed his jacket before he gave me a nod, a slight grin on his face.
"Shall we?" Shock said as he linked with me, almost instantly switching us to Flight Mode with a slight burst of Turbo energy. As carefully as I could I wrapped one arm around Jason's waist before we took to the air.
"Promise you won't drop me?" Jason asked just as we cleared the base and I giggled, giving him a slight nod. Along the way to Copper Canyon's outskirts I looked on as Jason stared at the ground far below then straight ahead and I started to wonder if he was really okay about going up against his former employer. Before I could voice my concern he called out something and just as I looked up something struck us, stunning me for a few seconds until I just managed to right myself.
"Mega Elementor?!" I yelled as the Ultralink monster let out a chuckle before he shot towards me, sending a fireball our way. In the blink of an eye I shot towards the ground, dodging and he gave chase. Trying to avoid running into him and dodging multiple fireballs at the exact same time wasn't easy but somehow I managed it. I knew then I couldn't fight him and protect Jason at the same time so I flew towards the closest ledge and dropped Jason from a foot or so above it. Once he landed safely I raced away, hoping that Mega Elementor would chase me and not him.
"Running away? Pathetic!" Mega Elementor roared before he shot after me, using Air Elementor's powers to send several lightning strikes my way. "Try and outrun this!" He yelled as I barely managed to avoid one blast only for the next to strike my wings and send me spralling towards the canyon below.
"Jessie, pull up!" Shock yelled as we spun towards the canyon far below. I tried to get my wings to respond, desperate to avoid a collison with the ground. Whatever I did it wasn't enough and I slammed into the canyon, the impact making me cry out before my suit flashed and seconds later I lay groaning on the ground. Now back in Base Mode I shook my head to clear it before I stumbed to my feet, only for a wave of water to pick me up and smack me backwards into the ledge right where I'd left Jason. The sudden crash shook the ledge and Jason fell to his knees, letting out a pained yelp before he righted himself. Then he heard a chuckle and as his eyes panned upwards he swallowed and took a single step back, looking on with fear in his eyes as Dredd hovered a foot above him.
"Master Dredd." He muttered as Dredd landed in front of him, eyes almost glowing from inside his helmet and he straightened his tie as he stared at his former boss. "I can explain." He stammered only for Dredd's hand to glow and he gave a startled yell as he was lifted above the ledge.
"I don't want excuses, Mister Naught. What I want is J-Shock and you will bring her to me if you value your life. And I think you do because its hanging by a thread." Dredd growled as he dropped his lackey to the ground and Jason grunted as he hit the ground.
"Right...right away Master Dredd." He muttered, straightening his tie and as he transformed to his mecha mode he gave Dredd a nod. Without thinking he leapt from the ledge and landed beside me, reaching down and grabbing me around the throat before he froze. "Wait...what am I doing?" He mumbled as I coughed, still dazed from being used as a punching bag and I didn't respond.
"Jason?" I coughed as my eyes focused on him and he gave me a slight smile, not even realizing that Dredd had landed just behind him. "Why?"
"He's my lackey, that's why." Dredd answered as he lifted his hands, ripping my Turbo energy from me and I cried out from the pain, head spinning. "Now hand her over." Dredd ordered as Jason held me up by the throat. Confused as to why my friend had double crossed me I lashed out, using my leg to kick Jason in the stomach and while it didn't do any damage due to his mecha form, it did cause him to loosen his grip. Dropping to my knees I instantly threw a punch at Jason's face and he yelled, kneeing me before he could stop himself.
Angry and hurt I attacked, putting all my strength into a blow that caught Jason across the jaw and smacked him into Dredd. Who casually stepped out of range and watched for a moment as his lackey hit the dirt then he focused his attention on me. Furious at being lied to I let out all my anger and frustration on Dredd who responded by blasting me backwards with my own stolen Turbo energy, sending me into the same ledge. As he picked me up and repeatedly smacked me into the wall I cried out and the second he dropped me I spat blood, my lip bitten through.
"You monster!" I yelled only to have Dredd kick me hard in the stomach and I doubled over, unable to breathe. Not letting up he kicked me again and again, until I lay on my side unable to move. Though somehow I could still speak and so I called him every word I could think of until he picked me up, gripping my throat and cutting off my air supply.
"Shut up." Dredd growled as I grabbed at his hand, trying desperately to loosen his grip. Fed up with his best friend being wailed on Shock detached and fired a shot of Turbo energy at Dredd's face who reacted by grabbing the Ultralink. I watched helplessly as he threw Shock towards Jason, who was just now struggling to his feet. "Jason, make yourself useful and bring that Ultralink to me." He ordered as Jason shook his head, clearing it before he knelt and picked up Shock.
Jason, used to following Dredd without question, obeyed without thinking until he looked at Shock who had a spiral on his face. Then he shook his head and not for the first time Jason decided to disobey the one person he had always feared; Miles Dredd. Getting impatient, Dredd turned only to see Jason throw Shock at my chest and having shaken off his dizziness my best friend linked.
"Let's rock, Frost Mode!" Shock called out, seeing me struggle to breathe and as the light engulfed us, Dredd instantly released me. I fell to my knees only to charge to my feet seconds later, unleashing one of my newest modes on Dredd. Forgetting about Jason for the moment I attacked Dredd, watching as he sent a blast of Turbo energy my way which I dodged. Focusing my Turbo energy I launched a frost stream at Dredd and he laughed, countering with his Turbo energy and as the two slammed into each other I heard laughter, whirling around to see Mega Elementor's lighting bolt just before it smacked into my chest. I screamed, my body sparking as I hit the dirt the collison throwing me back into Base Mode and leaving me out cold.
When I didn't move, even after Shock detached and shook my shoulder Jason watched as Dredd advanced towards me. It was at that point that Jason understood something; he actually cared what happened to me and so he advanced on Dredd, who was now standing over me. Just as Dredd reached for me , Jason shot forward and threw a punch that smacked into Dredd's back. The villan whirled around and the second he saw Jason, fist still raised his eyes narrowed underneath his helmet. Without giving Jason time to react Dredd slammed his fist into Jason's stomach, making Jason double over. After following up with a kick to the face, knocking Jason on his rear he and Mega Elementor launched their attacks ignoring Max Steel who had just shown up after excusing himself from class. When he and Steel saw both Jason and I being pummeled, they rushed to our aid. Just in time too as I gasped, blood splattering my stomach before I started to cry out from the agony now ripping through my entire body.
"Jessie, stay still okay?" Someone called out as they rushed over and I looked up for a moment to see Kat, who knelt beside me. I tried to crack a smile, relieved to see her only to gasp before more blood trickled down my chin. "You could be bleeding internally." She told me as she gently wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I would have laughed had I not been in so much pain.
"Hang on, helps on the way." Jefferson called as a Jump Jet flew overhead and I gave a weak laugh only to see spots before my eyes and with a sigh, I fell backwards as my eyes rolled up into my head. While I was unconcious, Max Steel found himself facing off against both Dredd and Mega Elementor to protect Jason.
"Never thought I'd be helping him." Max grumbled as he dodged blows from both villans, hoping that Jason would make his way towards the waiting Jump Jet. Thankfully, Jason who had changed back to his human form was right now limping towards Jefferson's jet holding his left arm against his chest. Each step made him gasp and he growled as he tried to understand why he'd put himself in harm's way to protect someone other than himself.
What was I thinking, getting hurt to protect her? But just as he reached my side and saw me lying unmoving he forgot all about his own pain and injuries, instead kneeling beside me and grasping my hand in his. "Jessie? Is she..." He whispered only to feel my hand weakly squeeze his and he sighed, before he pitched forward and hit the dirt face-first.
Hours passed and as Jason struggled awake he found himself lying somewhere very unfamilar. As his eyes slowly open he blinked to clear the blurriness from them and after a few minutes of just staring silently at the ceiling he asked a question out loud.
"Where am I?" He whispered, not really expecting an answer to his question. Hearing a somewhat muffled answer he raised an eyebrow and turned his head slightly to the right, only to see me looking directly at him.
"Medical Bay. Ask...a dumb question." I muttered before my eyes slowly closed and I fell back asleep, Jason's eyes wide and unblinking as the last image I saw.