Okay here we go. I am extremely excited about the way this story is going. The prophecy is probably one of the best things I have written in my entire life! I'm so proud of it!!! Oh by the way you guys have to listen to a song called sun goes down by David Jordan. It is freaking awesome! Best song ever! Go to you tube and look it up. R&R! Enjoy! Thanks go out to nannon for first review ever, Sarcasticlover93 for shortest LOL, and Skittlesrock1993 for reviewing on every chapter so far. Thanks to everyone who reviewed you made my day. Oh, and I saw the new G I Joe movie last night!!!!! Twas awesome.
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Disclaimer: Don't own the characters. The ones I own have not shown up yet and the story idea is mine so don't touch!!!
Faith, Trust, and Hope Chapter 2: Shocking Events.
Everyone stared, jaws dropped as Snake Eyes left. His scars were healed but the doctors said that that might have been possible through extensive plastic surgery. But his vocal cords couldn't be repaired. How could he be speaking? It was an impossibility. Or so they thought.
"Oh he's lost it." Heavy Duty said breaking the silence.
"You're saying he's crazy aren't you?" Scarlet asked as tempers began to flare.
"Snake Eyes isn't crazy." Storm Shadow supported Scarlet.
"He did match her descriptions of schizophrenia to the letter." Duke said with a wince.
"He's not crazy he's scared!" Storm Shadow exploded.
"Scared? What could he possibly be afraid of?" High Tech asked.
"Think about it. He didn't freak out until those nurses came in. He didn't try to escape before they came in."
"What are you saying?"
"I watched him very closely. He was running on instinct alone. His eyes focused completely on them before he bolted and when i was holding him down in his cell he was starting to calm down. That is until the nurse came in....with a syringe."
"He isn't scared of needles. We've injected him before."
"He only started fighting me severely when he caught sight of the needle. When I was holding him down I caught sight of something."
"What did you see?"
"Maybe you wanna take a look yourself Duke." He said as he handed Duke a small photo.
He received many strange looks for this.
"Mini Polaroid camera. High Tech whipped it up for me." He said as he pulled out exactly that. "Helps when it comes to getting evidence. I was bale to quickly snap a shot while you were arguing with Dr. Gramm."
Everyone leaned in as Duke flipped the photo over. His eyes grew wide and a rage filled him as he laid eyes on the picture.
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"You said you needed proof that he's not insane well there it is!" Storm Shadow shouted as Dr. Gramm looked at the photo.
"Proof? This isn't proof. All in all it shows that he has even more problems. He was probably a user."
"Snake Eyes wouldn't do that!"
"No matter how long you know a person they can still tend to surprise you."
she handed the photo back to them. Storm Shadow's glare deepened as he looked at it. The picture was of Snake's arm, the inside of the elbow was marred by hundreds of needle marks. Some bigger than others. His wrist and bicep held the same scars and these marks were on both arms.
"He's not insane." He whispered as he looked back at Snakes sitting in his cell, arms crossed and staring into space.
He looked at Storm Shadow with those painfully empty eyes. Storm Shadow could tell that Snake Eyes was trying to tell him something with that look. Something important. Something he wasn't allowed to say.
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As the days passed it became a routine. The group would try and talk to Snake Eyes to get some answers out of him but every time they asked who took him and why his mouth would snap shut and he would look away. He still wouldn't let any of the doctors near him. Every now and then he would scratch at the needle marks that covered his arms.
The arguments with Dr. Gramm had settled down. It had become a pointless thing. She was one of those people that thought that they were always right and everyone else was wrong.
The rest of the team was actually staying at the Sanitarium. Much to the disappointment of the Doctors there. They would sleep outside of Snake Eyes' cell.
It was noticed that as the days went by Snakes was becoming weaker and weaker. Almost as if he was sick. His already pale complexion steadily grew worse. His escape attempts diminished and he was sleeping more and more. It was also noticed that with time the color began to fade from his eyes. Steadily fading from a deep blue to a grey.
This concerned Duke and everyone else who then mentioned it to Dr. Gramm. Once this news reached her she went to see Snake Eyes herself. Once she noticed his deteriorating condition she too became concerned.
"The only way I can tell what is wrong to do a physical but I doubt he'll allow that." She whispered as Snake Eyes slept in his cell, weariness showing on his face.
Duke bites his lip as his gaze lands back on Snake Eyes. He then turns back to Dr. Gramm his decision setting heavily on his mind, he nods solemnly.
"You'll need my help." Storm Shadow mutters with the same weight in his tone.
"Hey, wait!" Scarlet interrupted before the two could start. "I've got an idea."
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"I disapprove already." Dr. Gramm growled at the scene in front of her.
"Are you kidding? This is a great idea?" Spirit put in as he patted Timber on the head, who licked his hand happily. "Besides Timber hasn't seen Snakes in ages!"
"He's going to behave himself right?"
"Oh yeah. He'll be fine." Duke reassured her.
The click clack of Timber's claws blended with the sound of their boots hitting the tile floor. They led him through the glass door of the observation cells and to Snake Eyes' cell. He was still asleep in his cell, face twitching and eyes turning under closed lids.
Timber's ear perked up as he caught sight of Snake Eyes. He jumped up, placing his paws on the glass wall of the cell and whimpered lightly.
The door was opened and Timber ran in happily. Leaping into the air and landing on Snake Eyes, startling him out of his sleep. The door was closed behind them as Snake Eyes was smothered in Timber's licks. A few of the nurses smile as they passed by while the rest of the Joes laughed until their faces turned purple.
Timber jumped off of Snake Eyes and crouched down on the floor, wagging his tail in the air excitedly. Snake Eyes stood and stroked Timber on the head. Timber leapt up and began licking Snake's face once again. Timber's weight alone pushed Snake Eyes up against the wall, another testament of how weak he had become. He was pushed down once again. He balanced himself on his hind legs and twirled almost as if dancing, tongue lolling out the side if his smiling snout.
Snakes smiled at Timber's antics as he continued. His shirt was marred with claw marks, blood seeping through the light cuts beneath. A reminder that no matter how playful, Timber was still deadly and wild. There was no way to tame him, they could socialize him but his instincts would always be there. As well as his claws and the strength of his jaws.
Snake Eyes sat back down on his bed. His breathing labored and sweat dripping down his forehead. Even that little bit had tired him out. It just wasn't right. Timber saw Snake's weariness and became concerned as well. He jumped up next to Snake Eyes and laid his head in Snake's lap looking up at him with saddened eyes.
The door was opened again but this time Storm Shadow entered. As Snake Eyes looked up at his sword brother the fading light in his eyes became painfully obvious. Timber howled sadly as Storm Shadow began to explain the situation. Snake Eyes stroked him reassuringly as he looked at Storm Shadow.
Outside everyone else was rather shocked at how Timber's mood had changed so greatly.
"He smells death on Snake Eyes." Spirit whispered.
"What do you mean?" Heavy Duty asked.
"When their master is about to die dogs can smell it. Wolves more so. It is something unique to the species. He smells death on Snake Eyes. If we don't find out what is going on Snake Eyes will die. No doubt about it."
The rest of the group, including Dr. Gramm, turned back to Snake Eyes a huge weight on their shoulders. They watched as Storm Shadow spoke to him his expression changed from exhaustion to fear. Timber lifted his head from Snake's lap and jumped down as he stood to face Storm Shadow. A small fight ensued, each of them yelling at each other.
"If we don't find out what's wrong you'll die!" Storm shadow shouted as he grabbed Snake Eyes by the shoulders.
"You think I don't know that? I do! The only way I'll survive is if you let me out!"
"I can't do that Snakes. If you know what's going on then tell us so we can help you."
"I can't!"
"Why not Snake Eyes? Why not?"
Snake Eyes remained silent, staring at Storm Shadow relentlessly.
"Answer me!"
"Because it's against our laws!!" Snake's eyes grew wide as he realized what he had said. "I shouldn't have said that." He pushed Storm Shadow away from him as he bit his lip.
"What laws? Snake Eyes what do you mean."
"I've said to much already. I can't..." He the held sides of his head, catching his hair in his frustrated grip.
"Brother?" Storm Shadow placed a single hand on Snake Eyes' shoulder.
"Get away from me!" He screamed as he turned and pushed Storm Shadow away roughly.
Timber whimpered as his tail tucked itself between his legs and his ears set themselves flat against his head. Snake Eyes stumbled forward as exhaustion began to take its toll on him. Storm Shadow moved forward and caught Snake Eyes by the shoulders before he hit the ground. He helped Snake Eyes back to his feet as he shook his head to clear the haze from his vision.
"You're not crazy brother. But you do need help." He whispered.
"That doesn't mean I'm going to let them stick me with needles." He gasped.
"We'll be there Snakes. They won't put anything bad into you. I promise."
"No."
"It's Duke's orders. You have to do this. Whether you like it or not. I'll drag you into that medical room if I have to but you're going to do it."
Snake Eyes attempted to push Storm Shadow away but without success. As the two struggled a small medallion fell from its sanctum beneath his shirt. Snake's eyes grew wide when he caught sight of it and tried to pull away from it but was too late. His hand was smashed into the medallion. A sizzling sound rang through the cell and the smell of burnt flesh became known. Snake Eyes yanked his hand away as he gasped in pain. Black blood dribbled from his palm as he fell to the ground and began to shake violently, foam oozing from his jaws mixed with black blood.
"I need some help in here!" Storm Shadow shouted as he kept Snake's head from hitting the hard floor.
Timber growled at all those who tried to near Snake Eyes who were not members of G I Joe. Spirit comforted him and held him back as Snakes was placed onto a stretcher and carried away.
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"What was that?" High Tech nearly shouted as soon as Snake Eyes had been stabilized.
"I don't know!" Duke shouted. "There's nothing to explain this! Not yet."
"The test results came back." Dr. Gramm said as she approached, clipboard in hand.
"Well? What's wrong with him?" Scarlet demanded.
"Nothing."
"What?!" Everyone shouted.
"Something is wrong with him!" Storm Shadow shouted.
"Physically he's perfectly fine. I don't know why but he's dying. In face he won't last through the next hour."
"What do you mean?!"
"I mean he's dying. Right now. So I would suggest you go in and say your goodbyes now."
"What happened?" Spirit asked.
"For the last time, I don't know. Nobody does."
As soon as the door was opened Timber ran in and sat next to Snake Eyes whimpering and nudging his hand with his snout. But before anyone else could enter the door shut and locked itself. Duke slammed his fists onto the door but to no avail. People shouted for someone to open the door but nothing was responding.
Snake Eyes looked at them with his now grey eyes. He winced in pain as a black string shot up his face following his veins. As they traveled upward he screamed pain. They reached his eyes and black was all there was black blood began to bubble from his mouth. His breathing slowed until he finally relaxed never to breathe again.
"No! No!" Storm Shadow shouted as he pounded on the glass with open hands. He slid down the wall as hot tears poured from his eyes.
Everyone turned their faces away as Timber let out a long sad howl beside his dead master.
Silence filled the room as everyone began crying unable to hold back the tears. Snake Eyes was the toughest out of all of them. He seemed almost immortal. Nothing could touch him. Nothing. It was hard to believe he was dead.
"Someone must have poisoned him." Duke accused. "This is your fault!" He turned on Dr. Gramm with murder in his eyes.
"How is this my fault?"
"If you had let Snake Eyes go with us this wouldn't have happened!! One of your men did this!"
"Everyone in here is perfectly trustworthy."
"Remember Dr. Gramm no matter how long you know someone they can still surprise you." Duke growled with an icy sting as he turned her words against her.
"Guys look at Timber!" Scarlet shouted.
Everyone turned to look at the wolf in the medical bay. He was balancing himself on his hind legs and twirling like had been earlier. But his eyes were focused on a particular spot on the ceiling. Then even as the Joes watched a mist crawled down and took a form. It was hard to see but it appeared to be a woman. Long hair and glowing yellow eyes. The ghostly form floated over to where Snake Eyes lay and placed a hand on his pale cheek.
Immediately the blackness faded from his eyes and the black strings shrank back and faded altogether.
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POV: Snake Eyes
A few minutes ago:
Pain was all there was as the blackness flooded my vision. This was it. I was never going to be free ever again. I would die in a cage. This couldn't be how it ended. I was supposed to help the others not die. I couldn't die.
But just as the blackness overtook me I heard something. A whisper, in a voice I had heard somewhere before. In a different time. I remembered that voice. I remembered her voice but from where I couldn't place.
"Your time is not now child."
I could almost feel something pulling me back. I wasn't finished I was supposed to help the others. I was.
"Remember who you are child. If you lose yourself, your courage soon will follow. So be strong and remember who you are. Remember."
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The woman faded into the air as Snake Eyes stirred to life. The straps holding him to the bed fell off of wrists and ankles. He sat up eyes back to a deep blue he brought a hand up and touched his cheek gingerly. At this moment a click alerted the rest of the group that the door was now unlocked. Everyone ran in and nearly killed Snake Eyes with affection.
"What happened Snake Eyes?" Spirit asked with a puzzled look in his eyes.
"Artemis." He whispered with a smile.
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More days passed but Dr. Gramm still refused to release him and Snake Eyes was starting to get vicious. He refused to let anyone near him. It took a lot to get him back into his cell and escape attempts were becoming more and more common.
The Joes requested another private talk with him and it was granted. Once again they found themselves in a separate room with Snake Eyes sitting across the table.
"You've got to give us something Snakes." Duke ordered.
"I've given you all I can without breaking laws."
"What laws Snake Eyes?"
"The laws of my people."
"Who are your people?"
"I can't tell you."
"Thanks. That's a great help Snakes!"
"Duke I don't think you heard me right. I can't tell you."
"What do you mean Snake Eyes?"
"He means that he can't tell us. That would be breaking the law but it wouldn't if we figure it out." Storm Shadow said reading his sword brother's look.
"How are we supposed to figure it out?"
"The prophecy." Snake Eyes told them. "When blood stains the queen of night, and all mortals quake and quiver at her sight. What is the one thing that rules over night?"
"Darkness." Tunnel Rat said.
"No Darkness can be defeated. But by what? What is the one thing that nothing can rule over? What defeats darkness?"
"Light."
"So the queen of night is?"
"The moon?"
He nodded.
"Blood on the moon." Spirit whispered. "That's supposed to mean death."
"Or a war." High Tech mentioned.
"When those who seek to own the spirit, tremble in justly fear of it." Snake Eyes continued.
"Who want this spirit? How many have it and why do they want it?" Scarlet asked.
"Why else would someone want something nowadays?"
"For power." Duke stated.
"And?"
"And people are usually afraid of something that has more power than them."
"So?"
"So these people are already afraid of it." Scarlet finished.
"I'm pretty sure you can figure out the rest yourselves. But one more question for you. What is the creature most often associated with the moon and what relevance does it play to this story? I'll assume that you didn't write it down so just head back to my cabin." Snake Eyes said as he stood and was led back to his cell.
"Well you guys heard him. Back to his cabin!" Tunnel Rat shouted triumphantly.
"That's right. Follow the birdie." Snake Eyes thought to himself as he was locked back into his cell for the night.
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Whoo! Man what a workout. Hope you guys enjoyed and see if you can figure out the rest of the prophecy before I post the next chapter! Either put it in your review or send me a private message either way is good. Toodles.