Falling Through Love?
AN: I am very, very sorry that it always takes me a long time to update. Hehe, my bad. . .And sorry there isn't that much Lash x OC, but I tend to do that. I sometimes just get too into the plot. Cheesy, cliche fluff up ahead! WARNING! WARNING!...At the bottom scence with Carmen and Lash, you should really listen to " My Happy Ending ", by Avril Lavigne at the same time. It's actually pretty cool and dramatic.
Chapter Fourteen: Forgiveness Can Save Us
They landed hard on a metal floor, the ground rattling. It was painful, especially for Zach, who was at the bottom of the pile. Carmen jerked up, blinking rapidly, trying to bring her eyes back into focus. Moans of pain followed, and they all sat up, rubbing bruises and scratches.
" Is everyone okay?" Carmen asked, staring at each of them, her eyes falling on her brother, who had suffered the leastof the pain. He stood far away from them, huddled against a "wall".
" No", Zach replied, his hands smoothing down his back. " Dude, that hurt. . ."
" Tell me about it", Magenta muttered sarcastically.
" Get. The. Hell. Off. Me. Stronghold." The worlds came slow and harsh out of Lash's mouth, as he glared at Will who lay on his back on top of Lash, who was being pressed to the tiled floor by Will's weight. He quickly scurried off, leaving an angry Lash to stand up and brush himself off as invisible fith coated his shirt and jeans. Satisified, he stepped back and folded his arms across his chest, lips pressed into a thin line. Whatever he was feeling, he was sure holding it back with all his might.
" Yeah, well, um", Ethan stammered, trying to break the tension. " Where are we now?"
Carmen stared around her. They were in a clammy cave, torches placed on the dirt walls, roots hanging limply from the top of the cave. Her eyes traveled up to where they had fallen, but the secret passage way had shut, inclosing them in the small area. The fire seethed and danced as if it had a life of its own.
" Creepy", Layla whispered, tracing a finger across the protruding roots that scaled along the wall of clumped dirt. It would have been the grave of Victoria's mother, but apparently seemed more fit to become a secret lair that would only be found in an Indiana Jones movie.
" Look", Ethan said, pointing ahead. The cave stretched forward, lines of torches creating a guiding light for those who traveled down this system that Carmen knew would lead to Victoria and her mother. Instinctively, she stepped forward and started walking, the others, especially Lash, following hesitantly. She stared at Lash, puzzled by his sudden attitude.
" How long does this go?" Layla asked, breaking Carmen away from her thoughts. Layla knew no one would know, but she was trying to ease the fear that had began to form in her stomach.
After awhile, they were standing in front of iron doors. The area had grown smaller, causing them to press closer together. Shakily, Carmen placed a hand on the door and phased it through. Glancing at the others, who immediately grasped hands, she phased through, trying to calm down her anxiety that might shatter her concentration. Once through, the site of sudden brightness confused her eyes. They now stood in a massive room, thick metal walls and doors. From across the room, a giant iron throne stood perched. But, something else caught her eye.
" Mom", she whispered, slowly stalking to that large tube were her mother lay, slumped against the unbreakable glass. They followed after her, leaning over to stare at her mother. Taking in a deep breath, Carmen pressed her palm against the tube and proceeded to phase through. After a few still seconds of nothing, she drew her hand ack and blinked, confused.
" I knew you would try that one", someone said from behind. Turning sharply, they could see Victoria, standing next to the throne wearing normal clothing, something that surprised Carmen. She expected Victoria to openly gloat about her power- wearing a silver crown and flowing cape- not tight jeans, a thick black belt, and a loosened corset. Shoving past her friends, Carmen glared at her, hands balled into hard fists that turned her knuckles a pale white.
" Are you mad?" Victoria said with mock surprise, then smirked and steadily made her way toward them, causing each of them to stagger back, all except Lash and Richard- who was completely shocked as to what was happening. Carmen, regaining composure, stalked toward her, determined not to let Victoria get the better of her. Suddenly, she halted and groaned. It was then that she realized that they had no real plan. All they did was barge in, not knowing what Victoria had for them. But at least she didn't have the power enhancing weapon.
" Yes I do!" Victoria shouted with glee, reading her thoughts. Carmen's eyes widened and she pushed a strand of hair away from her face, then spoke with confusion muddled with fear, ". . .What? But how-"
" While you were off trying to get all the dirt on me, I had someone sneak into the school and find it. I already knew where it was. Good thing the weapon is as small as a micro-chip!" she laughed, placing her hands on her hips.
" Who?" Carmen asked, desperate to know who was working for Victoria.
" Someone very close to you", she whispered, lips stretched into a tight smile. " Very close, indeed."
Suddenly, the metal doors that were placed near her throne opened with a loud noise, and from it, came three people that they thought they wouldn't see ever again.
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" You?" Carmen said, shocked beyond reason. Gwen, Speed and Penny stood, happy and irritated at the same time. Gwen nodded and scoffed, turning away as if she were ashamed.
" Yeah, us. Who ever thought I would stoop to this level? However, it beats having to rot in jail. . . Long time, no see, eh, Will?" Will shivered with displeasure and turned his attention to Victoria.
" They are not close to us", he said with disdain. Victoria merely shook her head.
" I wasn't talking about them- they just happened to come out at this time. I was talking about him", she said, motioning with her head to Lash, who cast his eyes to the ground, avoiding their eyes. Carmen stared at Victoria, then to Lash, confused. Then it dawned on her.
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All this time you were pretending, so much for my happy ending
It's nice to that you were there, thanks for acting like you cared
- Avril Lavigne - " My Happy Ending "
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You have been decieved, Victoria taunted, brushing the words across the Carmen's mind. Carmen glared at Victoria, then, gulping, she walked slowly over to Lash.
" Wait!' Victoria interrupted. Carmen stopped and turned sharply.
" Take them", Victoria said to Gwen, Speed, and Penny, gesturing to them. Without hesitation, they started marching toward Carmen and them. Not intimadated, Will walked over to Gwen followed by the others. Soon, the fight had proceeded, and Carmen couldn't help but remember the scene that had happened at Sky High the night of the homecoming. Shaking her head, Carmen walked over to Lash, feeling defeated. She was aware of Victoria watching her and Lash, waiting for him to hand over the weapon. Carmen drowned all the noise out and glanced at her brother, who was hiding near the tube, staring at their mother with worry and sadness, hot tears brimming his eyes. Turning away, she stopped in front of Lash and waited. For what? She wasn't sure. An explanation?
Maybe he'll look up and say it was all a joke. Victoria was an acrtess- harmless...I'm so stupid for believing this wannabe villian and his stupid little friends, who by now, my friends must be beating...right?...He kissed me, right?...Maybe that was a deception, too, deception of my trust and my friends' trust...For thinking that he could just change like that, I got us all into trouble...He has the weapon, Carmen, take it from him...Forget about your feelings. Right now, saving the world and your family is the imortant task...
Carmen held out her hand, eyes solemn. Lash lookd up slowly, confused and at the same time, ashamed. Instead of crying right then and there, and begging him to come back to their side, she glared and spoke with contempt and slight venom.
" Where is it?..."
" Right here", he responds, unfazed, and shoves his hand in his pocket. He pulled out a small device, the one little thing that was capable of bestowing upon unlimited power for the greedy super-beings such as Victoria, who was grinning with triumph. But, Lash didn't just shove past her and walk over to Victoria, handing it to her. He continued to gaze down at her, clutching the device in his hand. This made Victoria uneasy.
"... Give it to me", she demanded. From behind them, Victoria was slowly easing out of her throne, avoiding the battle that was taking place on the metal floor. Lash simply stared at her, frowning.
" It wasn't supposed to turn out like this", he said, shaking his head as if to convince himself.
" Well it did", Carmen said through gritted teeth, " Now give me the weapon."
" Not yet...Not until-"
Before he could finish, his voice had faded as Victoria now spoke in her mind, cruel and taunting. Feeling defeated? Sad? Hurt?...You should be. I assembled him, Speed, and Penny a little before Homecoming. I told them of my premonition- I told them that Gwen's plan would fail, but if they played along with her, I'd grant them unstoppable power, something they thought they'd get out of Gwen. But, I needed one of them to get close to you and help you along the way until you would finally reach me. Why, you're wondering/ Because every premontion I had, it was of you ruining all my plans! So, I had Lash gain your trust as a friend, when you finally were in Sky High searching about me, he'd steal the weapon. I already have Michael, so once I bring my brother back, it's all over. Now, I think I'll take the device, now...
Carmen snapped out of the trance and turned her head, Victoria was getting closer.
" Give me the device", she demanded frantically, a cold sweat coating her skin. He shook his head.
" Not until you", he paused. " Forgive me."
" I have no time for cheesy last requests!" She was now panicking. She wanted to forgive him, but he had used her the whole time, and that was one f the deepest types of hurt a high school girl could feel from her "crush".
She tried to snatch it, but he stepped back, holding it behind his back.
" I didn't mean for this to happen", he spoke, again. " At first it was going to be easy, no problems as I gained ypur trust. But you were so...weird and just seemed to pop up wherever I was. It was annoying, and I actually started to like you. But I had to stick to the plan. For this to all be over...you have to forgive me."
" Okay, okay! I forgive you!" she said, glancing behind her. Victoria was dangerously close. It was a good thing that the room was massive and that Victoria had too much pride. She was sure that Lash was still commited to her and her plot.
" You don't mean it", he snarled with sudden anger. She felt tears in her eyes- not for him or their dilemma, but because she couldn't control anything right now, and, apparently(according to Victoria), she hadn't even been able to control her own life the past weeks.
" I do!" she cried out.
Enough of this, Victoria's word pierced her mind. Carmen didn't even need to turn around to see how close Victoria had gotten, so, she turned and shouted, " Somebody hold her back!"
As on que, Layla had turned her attention away from them and her eyes converted to the netal doors in which they had entered from. Suddenly, they flew open with tremendous force as the roots from the cave came curling out and lashing out toward Victoria. Stunned, she concentrated, but before she could use her powers, the roots had tackled her to the ground, holding her in place. Every time Victoria hurled one off her with her telekinesis, another strapped her down. The anxiety and panic grew dimmer inside Carmen as she turned back to Lash.
" You're acting like a stubborn child- do you know how much is at risk?" she said bitterly, wondering why he wouldn't give up the device.
He scoffed. " I'm stubborn? All you have to do is say you forgive me for being a manipulative jerk. You can't even do that..."
" I said I was sorry, what more do you want!" she shouted.
" For you to mean it", he said, glaring.
In truth, she was so full of hurt, anger, and nervousness that it seemed hard for her to actually mean it. He had helped in shattering her peaceful life, so how could she trust him- an ex-villian.
" Get these things off me!" Victoria shouted, stuggling imensely with every root that pinned her down. Not even her powers were a match for Earth, but it seemed as though Layla's energy was draining, as her eyes began flutter and her body began to sway. Will glanced worridly at her, but had to go back to his fight with Gwen, who seemed to only be doing this out of revenge, her anger clear.
" Stopping being such a stubborn aasshole!" Carmen cried out once more, trying to grab at the small device pressed in his fist.
" Stop being such a stubborn bitch", he said, stepping closer to her.(Readers: Gasp!)
" Give me the device." She spoke more calmly, now- trying to foget the fact that he just called her a bitch. Lowering her head, she sighed and stepped closer to him, not giving him eye contact.
" Stop being a jerk and stop torturing me."
" Then stop torturing me", he growled, grabbing her wrist rather roughly.
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Lets talk this over, it's not like we're dead
was it something I did, was it something you said?
- Avril Lavigne - " My Happy Ending "
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"...And just forgive me. You don't have to be such a bitch about it."
"...I trust you", she whispered, staring up at him. " And I forgive you."
Satisfied, he leaned forward and kissed her, thankful and sweet- not at all like Lash. She couldn't help but smile and delicately, she gabbed the device from his hand and broke the kiss.
But, Layla had lost all concentration and fell to the ground, exhausted.
" Layla!" Will shouted, running to her side. Full of rage, Victoria stood up and lifted her hand, stared at the device. It twitched in Carmen's hand, but wouldn't budge. Victoria dropped her hand, shocked.
" H-How? My powers won't..." Even her group of lackies and the others watched on, astonished that her great amount of power couldn't even lift a device the size of her palm.
" It's too powerful", Carmen whispered, staring wide eyed at the tiny device that resembled a micro-chip. It glowed, sensing the amount of energy and power trigged on it. Suddenly, it burned an intense heat, causing her to drop it and grasp her palm tightly.
"...Wasn't expecting that", Zach said.
Seeing this as an distraction, Victoria dived down and grabbed it, the stood back up. Carmen charged toward her, but Victoria used her power to knock her backwards. Carmen staggered back- Lash steading her.
" I have the power, now!" Victoria shouted with glee, holding the device up in victory. " No one can stop me!"
Concentrating, she opened another set of doors. Slowly, a boy walked slowly toward her, his face dangerously thin and his eyes pale. He coughed, throat raw, and stopped next to Victoria. She stared at them.
" I guess it's the end...But, I might as well have some fun with this...I think I'm going to use some of the deivce to enhance my powers." Smirking, she snapped the thing in half, and glanced at our shocked faces, and scoffed. " I didn't destroy it. It can still be used. This piece is for me, and the other, for my brother..."
No one attempted to stop her, and Carmen knew what was going to happen. Swallowing the device, Victoria shook her head and dropped to her knees, clutching her stomach. The device was slowly bonding with her powers' chemical structure, giving it more strength and energy. But, Victoria began to breathe heavily, as if gasping for air. Her face started to thin and the bones in her body began to show.
" What's...happening?..."
Carmen smirked. " You have too much power, already...So the device is getting confused. It was meant for super-beings with one or two powers, not three...No super-being has ever had three powers, so the device doesn't know what to do, so instead...it's draining you're power in the way you wanted to do to others..."
Victoria suddenly fell on her side, eyes closed. She was unconsciencess due to the horrible amount of pain and energy. Carmen imagined what her reaction would be when she woke up...With no powers.
"...Did we win?" Ethan asked, glancing at Ethan and Magenta. Slowly, they turned to Speed, Gwen, and Penny, who smiled weakily and stepped back.
" Not yet..."
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AN: One more chapter left! Hehehehehe! Finally! Victoria was so self-absorbed, that she didn;t think of the consequences...Idiot...