Chapter Six

"Damn! How many Vendeeni ships have to try and stop us??" Cliff asked.

"Don't worry, I'll stop it!" Nel shouted. "LIGHTNING..." Nel began to shout but was cut off by Kokoro.

"Nel, don't! Look at who's driving the ship!" Kokoro shouted.

Nel took a closer look at the ship and saw that Kokoro was right. The ship was being driven by none other than Cierra! She parked behind the Gai-Mobile, got out, and tried to open the door.

"Just push on it, it's unlocked," Fayt said.

Cierra pushed on the cage door. Just like he said, it opened. Everyone was shocked to see that she was still alive despite the fact that she was hurt badly. She ran up to them and fell to her knees.

"Cierra? How did you get here??" Cliff asked in astonishment.

"I...found a weak spot...in the bars. They...were all...rusty, so I just...pulled them apart...and got out. I snuck around the ship...and found...the hangar bay. Then I stole...the Flame Runner III. It's the fastest ship...of the Vendeeni...fleet. I tried...to use healing ray...on myself, but it didn't work...much. I came here...to save Fayt. Looks...like you all found him...already." Cierra said as she collapsed on the ground.

"Yeah, they found me. Cierra, we gotta get you to a hospital! You're hurt bad!" Fayt said.

"I'll be fine. Just let me...kick their asses first!" Cierra said as she got up, only to fall back down again.

"You're not going anywhere like this. Come on, we'll take you back to Shinee. A Vendeeni hospital just ain't gonna cut it this time!" Cliff said as he helped Cierra off the ground.

Before they got into the Gai-Mobile, they planted a bomb in the Flame Runner III and set it off. As they drove away in the Gai-Mobile, they saw the fastest ship in the Vendeeni fleet go up in flames. It took a while, but the six of them eventually got back to the Second Shinee Medical Hospital. They checked Cierra in at the front desk.

"May I help you?" a woman with spiky orange hair asked.

"Yeah, we're here to check in a friend of ours," Fayt said.

"What happened to her?" the woman asked.

"She got beaten by the Vendeeni," Kokoro said.

"Vendeeni? Who are they?" the woman asked.

"They're all assholes who are trying to take over the galaxy. They took her hostage and interrogated her," Kokoro said.

"Ugh...don't remind me," Cierra said.

"I see. Well, it seems like you're severely injured. What's your name miss?" the woman asked.

"Cierra."

"Okay then Cierra, can you walk straight?" the woman asked.

"I'm not drunk ma'am," Cierra said.

"Answer the question Cierra," the woman said.

"Can't you just take her in, Tynave? She just got severely beaten and needs help!" Nel shouted.

"Lady Nel? Is that you?" Tynave asked.

"Yes, it's me. When did you come to Earth? I've never seen you here before." Nel said.

"After these weird guys in orange ships came and attacked Aquios. It's all in ruins now. Farleen and I saw the ship and we helped everyone get out of the city safely. Then we had Crossell take us here. Now we work here. Farleen works up in the Cardiac Ward, and I got stuck here," Tynave said.

"Hah, Cardiac Ward. That's just too funny! No wonder why so many people up in Cardiac are dying these days! Anyway, you mentioned something about orange ships?" Nel asked.

"Yeah," Tynave said.

"Yup, that's the Vendeeni for you. Is her majesty alright?" Nel asked.

"Yes, she is alive and well. She is living with relatives in Surferio," Tynave said.

"Well, it sucks that the Vendeeni attacked Aquios, but can we get Cierra checked in please?" Kokoro asked.

"Yes, of course! Right this way miss," Tynave said as she beckoned Cierra to follow. Cierra staggered behind.

"Alright, now what do we do?" Cliff asked.

"I guess we just wait here," Mirage said.

An hour later, Cliff got bored and sang One Million Bottles of Beer on the Wall again.

"Oh great, not this again!" Mirage said.

"What happened?" Fayt asked.

"Cliff sang that song when we were on our way to pick you up!" Kokoro said as Mirage slapped Cliff and told him to stop.

"Thank you Mirage!" Nel said.

"No problem. Say, it's too bad Aquios got attacked by the Vendeeni, huh?" Mirage said.

"Yeah, it is. Once Cierra gets better, we gotta go over and get revenge!" Cliff said.

"Yup, we sure do. They really suck the big one, you know?" Kokoro said.

Then, Tynave came up to them and said,

"Cierra is ready to have visitors now. She's in room ICU-208."

"Hey, that's the same room I was in!" Fayt said.

"Would you like me to escort you there?" Tynave asked.

"Yes please. We won't have any repeats of what happened on the stairs, thank you very much," Nel said.

"Right this way," Tynave said.

The elevator worked now. Tynave led them to Cierra's room and opened the door.

"Cierra, you have visitors," she said.

"Let them in," Cierra said.

Fayt, Kokoro, Cliff, Mirage, and Nel walked in. Cierra was all bandaged up and had an IV hooked up to her.

"So, is she gonna be okay?" Cliff asked.

"Well, despite the massive blood loss, she'll be just fine. She'll just need to rest for a few days. Hell, it's a miracle she's even alive!" Tynave exclaimed as a bell rang. "And there goes my shift. Nel, would you cover for me?"

"It would be my honor," Nel said.

Tynave got up and left.

"Hey guys, can you leave Cierra and I alone for a minute or two?" Cliff asked.

"Oh, sure! Just don't try and pull anything," Mirage teased.

"One of these days, Mirage..." Cliff said as Mirage, Kokoro, Fayt, and Nel left the room. After an awkward silence, Cierra asked,

"So what's up?"

"Cierra, remember that little talk we had up at the store earlier?" Cliff asked.

"Yeah, what about it?" Cierra asked shyly.

"Cierra, I don't know how to put this, but...when I danced around the fire singing Barbie Girl with a pink lampshade back in '22, I was trying so hard to get your attention ," Cliff began.

"Well, you did a great job at it," Cierra replied.

"Thanks. Anyway, when I first saw you, I just thought of you as the hot chick that hangs out with Kokoro. As the night went on...I saw there was more to you than that. I saw you for who you are on the inside. You're just so kind and helpful, but you're funny at the same time," Cliff continued.

"Thanks Cliff," Cierra said.

"When I got to know you better, I saw you were the one I've been searching for my whole life. When you say you wanna be by my side for your whole life...Cierra, I wanna be there for you for as long as I live too. I love you Cierra. I loved you since the night of the bonfire when I first met you. So...yeah. Will you go out with me?" Cliff asked.

Cierra was speechless. She couldn't believe the love of her life had just spilled his heart out to her, and then he asked her out! Right before her dark blue eyes! She was blushing harder than ever. In tears of joy, she said,

"Yes. Yes Cliff, I'll go out with you!"

"Good. I was hoping you'd say that," Cliff said as he grabbed Cierra's hand. It was then when Mirage barged in.

"Hey everyone, it looks like we have a new couple on our hands!" Mirage said as everyone else walked in.

"Yeah, we do. Got a problem with that?" Cliff asked.

"Now you guys can go on double dates with Kokoro and I!" Fayt said.

"I don't mean to kill the celebration, but it's now officially midnight. Visiting hours are over," Nel said.

"Aww man, that sucks the big one," Kokoro said. "Well, seeing as we gotta go, good night Cierra!" she added.

"Good night! Don't forget to take me with you when you go to kick the Vendeenis' asses!" Cierra said.

"We won't, but be sure to rest up first. Good night!" Fayt said.

"Good night," Cierra said.

"Good night Cierra!" Mirage said as she, Kokoro, and Fayt began walking out. " Hey Cliff, you comin'?" she asked.

"Yeah, just gimme a sec," Cliff said. "I'll meet you by the Gai Mobile."

"Okay, don't take too long!" Mirage said. The trio walked out the door.

"Hey Cierra, I really hope you feel better," Cliff said.

"Thanks Cliff. You get a good night's sleep, okay?" Cierra said.

"Don't worry, I will. Cliff said as he cut his finger on a get well card Nel made her. "Nurse, I got a paper cut! Can I stay the night too?" he asked.

"Nice try Cliff, but Cierra needs her rest. You can see her tomorrow morning. Visiting hours start at 10:00 AM," Nel said.

"But it's bleeding! And it hurts!" Cliff said.

"Here's a band-aid. Good night Cliff!" Nel said as she gave Cliff a pat on the shoulder.

"Fine, I'll go. Good night Cierra," Cliff said as he kissed her.

"Good night," Cierra said.