CFB: Well, I got bored today, so I wrapped up editing this chapter, and I'm halfway through the next, which is the last, except for the epilogue. So...only two more updates after this! How bittersweet. I might finish by this Sunday...I think the next chapter might be up by tomorrow, but I'm going out of town, so it depends on what time I get back.
Thanks: To anyone who read the last chapter!
Michaia: Lol...I was in such a rush I just had to add something about Laura at the end of the summary, I didn't realize how it sounded until I went back and read it. It wasn't intentional, but I'm glad you found it funny! And thanks for the review!
This time: The secret's out! How will the ham-hams react when Siren tells them the truth about her past? The Guardian has at last arrived, but what is the true meaning behind the Legend of Fate? Plus, Laura spends some one-on-one time with Mika and learns some things she wishes she hadn't. Will she ever get over the fact that Travis is taken?
Disclaimer: I do not own Hamtaro or any of it's characters. I own Siren, Spyke, and all other characters and concepts not directly related to the original show.
Chapter 8: Defeated...or Not?
"Siren? Not only are you evil, you're insane!" Boss shouted, as though the thought was despicable, his eyes flashing with anger. All ham-hams, save Maxwell, seemed to dimiss this absurd accusation directed at their newest member. Obviously, Spyke had let his power-hungry attitude get to him.
And while they were briefly shocked by his declaration, it was Siren's reply that stunned them even more, as she took a few lonely steps forward to separate herself from the group.
"No."
The one, solitary word passed through Siren's lips and seemed to freeze time. Her head hung defeatedly as the word hung unwanted in in the misty air. She could feel the stunned gazes of her friends boring holes in the side of her head and her hunched shoulders, disbelieving. Spyke was smirking smugly from his spot on the tower, giving off an irritating air of 'I told you so'.
"W-what?" Bijou stuttered, staring almost frightened at the hazy-eyed female.
"No. He's right. I am the Chosen One," She refused to let them see the tears welling in her eyes. A hollow, sarcastic chuckle leapt from her throat. "And that's not all I've lied about. I'm not from Hampett; I'm not even sure it exists. I wasn't born with these black markings on my face; they came to me with the Guardian's power last year. And the only reason I know the Legends of Hamwall by heart are that the Guardian knows them that way, and the Guardian and I are of one mind."
"I knew it..." Maxwell, eyes wide, whispered so quietly no one heard. His supicions from that rainy day were now proven true, but he did not feel triumphant. The somber, grim cloud that had settled over them was plaguing his brain far too much for him to celebrate his correct deductions.
"Siren..." Panda mumbled incoherently, clearly unnerved by this news.
Siren smiled weakly at them, azure eyes closed so she wouldn't have to see the hurt looks on their faces. "I never intended to stay very long with you guys. I planned to leave after a few days to explore the rest of the world, just to see what staying with other hamsters would be like. But I liked you guys so much, and I grew attached to you..." Her voice broke, and her emotions were growing stronger as she began to cry.
Dropping to her knees, she continued despairingly, "I just couldn't tell you that I was the Chosen One. I didn't want to lose you ham-hams as my friends, or have you hate me. When Hamtaro saw Spyke and me battling, it was because he threatened to harm you if I didn't come clean. I didn't listen. Then he hamnapped Bijou, and I didn't do anything about it! It's my fault you all are here, dragged up into this. You're all in danger because of me!"
"I'll tell you the real story..."
One year ago...
Siren peered curiously into the mirror-like surface of the glossy river, azure eyes shining. Her fur, pure white except for the light gray ears, ruffled slightly with the soft summer wind. Her brothers, Screech, a year older than her, and Alarm, six months older, were wrestling nearby, the remnants of a picnic littered on the ground beside them. Siren had declined from the tumbling and rough housing her brothers prided on, and had elected to sit and stare into the clear depths of the river, relaxing.
She had spent three hours previous in the library, of the small hamster colony of Halem. It had quite an extensive collection of books; and her favorites lay on the dusty forgotten shelf in the back, the stern librarian always sending her nasty looks when she requested a book from the highest shelf. The mysteries and legends of Ancient Hamwall were hard for her to read at such a young age, but she always opted for them instead of the picture books those her age normally enjoyed.
Siren, having scoured the books countless times, knew that today was the anniversary of the fall of Hamwall. One hundred years since the ancient civilization fell. She wondered if any of the legends were true, and if a special hamster really would recieve ultimate power. It was the anniversary after all, and the text had stated that the Guardian's spirit would rise again...however, doubt was clouding her mind.
"Will it happen?" She thought to herself silently. A thrilled excitement shot through her and she giggled lightly. If the legends really were true, it would be very exciting. Given that the Chosen One would really have to save the world someday...and would eventually triumph over the reincarnation of the dastardly Emperor Spikuro. It was a lot to hope for...
She was about to find out the truth.
"Siren, come and play with us!" Alarm, panting, shouted over to his youngest sister, fresh from losing to Screech. "You're worse than Shout, at least she tries to fight with us. But you never do! Please?" He looked at her with pleading green eyes, paws clasped together hopefully.
Siren smiled but shook her head. "No, I think I'll just sit here. Besides, you just want to fight me because you can beat me, and Screech always trounces you..."
"Hey, I almost beat him last time!"
"Yeah, almost."
Alarm was about to protest when his elder brother stepped in and stopped him from saying anything. Screech, a mysterious and extremely handsome hamster, sought after by many elligible yet frightening bachelorettes in the village, glared with icy cerulean eyes at his younger brother. "Leave her be, Alarm. If she wants to relax by the river, then she can. You're just mad because I whooped you! A real ham would try a best two out of three...or to at least win one..."
Alarm pouted, but prepared for the rematch. "You're on, big bro!"
As her brothers tangled playfully in the lush grass, Siren intently peered into the clear depths of the river, lost in her own thoughts. Without warning, the clearing fell eerily silent, making Siren look up and her two brothers stop their duel. Suddenly, the wind began to blow ferociously, knocking a flustered Alarm and bewildered Screech back into a dense clump of bushes, both screaming for their little sister. Siren was barely maintaining a hold on the thick grass by the river's edge, the only thing keeping her from being hurled away like her brothers.
Eyes squinted against the gale, she looked hesitantly back into the river and was met with a reflection that was not her own in the remarkably still water, unaffected by the rushing, howling wind.
Instead, she saw the brilliant, snowy face of the Guardian of Hamwall, a face she had only viewed in books. Jagged black markings loomed upon it's wolfish face, a shot of black through the purest white. It's intense azure eyes matched her own color, but they were filled with power and unmasked bravery, while hers were shy and uncertain. Its raven wings were spread wide about its back like billowing cape, giving it a truly menacing appearance. But it was beautiful all the same, emanating an aura of strength Siren never imagined before.
"What?" Siren was stunned that she was seeing such an astounding sight, here, in a her little home in the middle of nowhere. Could it be possible...? Had the Guardian come looking for her?
Without warning, the reflection of the Guardian rose from the water, translucent, and shining with a bright light. Icy eyes met icy eyes as their gazes connected, one shocked, one calm and sly. Then suddenly, the words of the Legend of Fate, spoken in a whispery voice, echoed throughout the clearing, causing the abnormally still river to ripple slightly. And then the shadow of the Guardian flew straight for Siren, disappearing into her with a flash.
Siren was knocked backwards, dazed, as a soft, melodious voice of an androgynous nature filled her mind, coming from somewhere deep inside her.
"Hello, Chosen One."
The wind stopped as suddenly as it had come, and with it went the whispering voices of the ancient Hamwallian Legend. All fell quiet, but the birds and bugs began to chirp and hum again, as if nothing extraordinary had happened. Siren lay silently in the grass, with only the sound of her haggard breathing as a sign of life. Alarm and Screech, rubbing their heads and covered in debris, emerged from the thick clump of bushes. Upon seeing his beloved little sister laying almost motionless in the grass, Screech darted swiftly over to her, screaming, "SIREN!"
Alarm, noticing his brother's sudden departure, took off too. They stood on either side of her, Screech clutching one of her paws, forhead creased with concern. Alarm pointed to her face as her eyes began to open slightly, a groan escaping her lips. "Look!"
The once white fur of her face now had jagged black markings running from her azure eyes to the sides of her cheeks. She no longer looked like the Siren they knew since her birth, she now looked foreign...different. Like they weren't related at all "Siren, what happened?" Alarm asked as she sat up, confused, holding one paw to her head as she opened her dark eyes fully, looking around quizically.
"I...I dunno. I just...was knocked back..." She lied, knowing they wouldn't believe her if she told them what really happened. Alarm was never quite one for legends or fantasies, and often scoffed when she tottered off to the library to read the books she held dear to her heart. She trusted Screech, but knew he wouldn't believe her either...he was too rational, and would automatically go in search of an alternate explanation.
"Your face...it changed, Siren," Screech said quietly, helping his sister regain her footing.
Siren felt a jolt shoot through her, making the fur on the back of her neck stand straight up. Suspicions clouded her mind, but she prayed her hunch was wrong. "Huh?" Panicking, Siren leapt over to the river bank, gasping at what she saw staring back at her.
Her paws gently caressed the new black markings decorating her once pure white fur. They matched the jagged black markings that streaked across the Guardian's legendary face, down to the angle. She fell back, stupefied, on her tail as her brothers joined her, also perplexed by the strange occurrence. They exchanged a worried glance over Siren's head. Halem was a strict, rigid hamster society, isolated from other communities. An anomaly such as this could not be taken lightly.
"Siren..." Screech asked worriedly, hoping for details. "What happened just now? How did you get those?"
"I have no idea..." She lied once more, still in disbelief over what had happened. An image of the Guardian filled her mind, as if bringing finality to the whole ordeal. Siren could hardly believe it, but once she saw that image, she knew that it must be true after all. This wasn't a dream, or some fantasy she had lost herself in.
She was the Chosen One.
Alarm and Screech demanded that they take her to their mother before anything else, and she reluctantly agreed, knowing full well that her mother would be horrified to see the change, since all of her children had identical fur patterns and now, the youngest was a black sheep. Frightened to see their mother's reaction to this strange occurrence, they stepped reluctantly through the front door of their little hamster cottage and said simultaneously, in quiet, but urgent tones of voice, "Mom!"
Their mother, named Song, dropped her knitting in surprise and crossed the room to her offspring, to see what the problem was. Screech and Alarm had positioned themselves so that a silent Siren was hidden behind them, waiting nervously.
Song looked worried at the edgy tone of her two son's voices. "What's wrong?" She then eyed Alarm. "You didn't draw a moustache on Mr. Grievers while he was sleeping again, did you? Oh, Alarm, that's the fifth time this month!"
Alarm, insulted, replied, "No, I didn't do that again. This isn't about me! It's about Siren."
Siren stood behind her two brothers, quivering. Halem was a very judgemental town, and seeing that all of her family looked strikingly similar, she wondered if their attitudes towards her would change. She had seen numerous hamsters banished in the past because they broke the strict laws, or they did something that went against the perfect, natural flow of the town and it's atmosphere. Halem claimed to be a unified community, and anyone who went against the grain was thrown out on their tail, and never allowed to return.
"What about Siren?" Song asked, her brow furrowed.
A pause ensued. Screech and alarm nervously exchanged glances, and Screech realized from the petrified look on Alarm's face that he would have to be the one to drop the bomb. He drew in a deep breath, faced their mother, and replied in as strong a voice as he could muster, "Well, Mom...we were playing by the river when this wierd gust of wind knocked Alarm and me backwards, and something...happened...to Siren."
Song, now deeply concerned, asked, "What happened to her? Screech, for goodness sake, tell me!"
Both male hamsters stepped slowly aside, revealing the thoghroughly distraught Siren and the new jagged markinds darting across her face. Song's eyes widened with shock as her daughter smiled weakly at her through her sadness. Shaking, Song approached her last born and placed a trembling paw to her face, tracing the new, rich black lines, as if to see if they were really there. She then began sobbing miserably, the fate of her daughter clearly obvious in her mind.
"Siren, honey, what happened?" Song asked, choking back her cries of anguish. "How...?"
"I don't know!" Siren answered, bewildered, staring at the ground, her own eyes filling with unshed tears. "I was looking in the river and then all of a sudden, I flew backwards, and Screech and Alarm were standing over me, telling me that my face had changed. I really don't know why this happened...or why it happened to me, of all hams..." Only she knew the whole question hidden behind those words.
The situation made both Alarm and Screech feel uncomfortable, a layer of grief slowly weighing down their hearts. Both knew the ancienct customs of Halem, as the ways of their community had been hammered into their heads since birth. They lived pretty uncivilized, stealing from gardens or growing their own food, and the most modern thing they had in the town was the library, and even that was fairly prehistoric. The hamsters inhabiting the village hardly accepted differences as something good, as life inside Halem was all they had ever known. They believed that contrast to their lifestyle, or anything that would disrupt the town, was bad. They thought differences were curses, works of evil. Now Siren would be labeled as cursed. And even though Siren knew what had truly happened to her, she was starting to think of it more as a curse, not a blessing.
Song wiped her eyes one last time before saying shakily, "Oh, Siren, I love you dearly. But I cannot go against what the elders say is law. Once word gets out about this, the whole town will be talking about it, and we can't have a disruption. You know what has to be done now."
Siren nodded, tears stopping, and a somber look now on her face.
As night fell, she walked from her cottage at the edge of the village all the way to the other end, as scores of hamsters lined up outside their homes to see the newest banishee take her last steps inside Halem. Whispers broke out about the new marks on her face as she passed, about what a disgrace she was, and wonderings about how she had gotten those strange, mysterious markings. Many thought she had been dabbling in dark arts, or had done something bad and an evil spirit had possessed her. Only she knew the truth, and only she would ever know.
After the excruciating walk of shame, complete with several rude remarks and unwanted sympathetic and frightened glances, Siren met the Headham just before the border of the village. Her family, all seven of them, her mother, Song, father Holler, sisters Shout and Scream, and brothers Alarm, Bellow, and Screech. All looked solemn and sad as she stood before them, barely able to bring her hazy eyes to look into their woeful faces. She took time to hug and say a quick goodbye to each of them, a lump forming in her throat once she realized she would never be able to see them again. It was particularly hard to say goodbye to Screech, who couldn't look her in the eye when he embraced her.
"Siren!" The headham of the village barked sharply, once she had finished the goodbyes to her family.
"That is me..." She responded quietly, as was ritual. A knot, painful and large, was forming in the pit of her stomach.
"We have been notified that due to an incident today at the river, you now have strange black markings on your face, making you different from the rest of your family. Due to the unknown force that caused this plague upon your household, you have been labeled as cursed, and we cannot risk having a cursed hamster within our safe walls." Though it was painstakingly obvious what he was going to say, as he said it every time someone was banished, it was as if the Headham had physically hit Siren with these harsh words. Whispers continued, echoing down the streets.
"That is true."
"Then I hereby banish you from the village of Halem for the rest of your days. We wish you luck wherever you may go, and hope your curse may one day be lifted..." The Headham, not sounding at all sincere about the 'good luck' part, stepped back and allowed the family to say another round of goodbyes. Song, sobbing hysterically, had to be supported by Holler as they kissed their daughter atop the forehead. "Do your best, kiddo. We'll miss you." Holler told her gravely, face grim.
"Goodbye, Siren!" Each sibling said again as she passed them, looking into their sad, mournful, tear-filled eyes for the last time.
After her farewells were finally done, Siren boldly held her head high and stepped towards the border of the village to take her leave from her only home, Halem forever. The tree that served as the marking for the end of the village grew closer and closer. "Goodbye, Screech...Goodbye, books...Goodbye, mom and dad, brothers and sisters...Goodbye, Halem..." One solitary tear fell from her eye and slid down her cheek as she raised her left foot, prepared to leave Halem for good...
"Siren!"
She whipped around at the mention of her name, and saw Screech running towards her, his ice colored eyes worried, but extremely determined. "Screech!" She exclaimed, surprised. However, she soon grew concerned, as she could see the Headham glaring daggers at her brother, as if he was breaking a rule...which he very well may have. "Go back!" She hissed at him as he skidded to a stop in front of her. "You'll be in trouble!"
"Psh..." He sniffed, unafraid of the repercussions. "I don't care. The Headham can go and eat an owl pellet, or be made into one for all I care. I need to tell you one more thing, and no stupid rules are going to get in my way."
"Screech..." She murmured, moved that he was willing to break rules just to chase after her.
Icy eyes serious, he told her sternly, but with an edge of softness in his voice, "Look, Siren, I just want you to know that I'll come and find you someday. The stupid Headham can't keep me from my favorite sister. I promise, I'll get out of here and come find you."
"Thanks, Screech...Just don't get yourself hurt or something doing it..." She hugged him one last time, savoring every moment of the safety she felt in her brother's strong arms. She knew that he might not be able to keep his promise, with the rigidity of their community and all, but was touched that he had thought of it anyway. But it made her all the more depressed to leave him and her other siblings behind.
"Just stay safe, and know that I'll miss you. We'll see each other again, Siren." With one final brotherly look, he returned to his side of the border, walking without a backwards glance back to where the rest of his family, now missing a huge part, waited.
Siren retreated to the opposite side of the border, prepared to embark upon a new part of her life. One that involved being the Chosen One. A lot of questions were filling her head, and she hoped that along the way she'd find the answers. It was going to be difficult, making her way all alone, without support...but she knew that deep inside, she wasn't alone...literally, and figuratively.
End Flashback
"And I did find the answers, eventually, with the Guardian's guidance, though I have not seen my family since. Now I am here within the walls of Hamwall, at long last, and everything, every detail, has come out, and you know the truth about me and my past," Siren said, in an almost monotonous tone, as if she had recited it, like she had recited the ancient text of the Legends of Hamwall the first day they had met her.
A long, unwanted pause fell, making Siren feel even worse. At last, one of the ham-hams found the words to speak up. "Siren, how could you lie? About something so important?" Dexter was in utter disbelief.
"We trusted you..." Cappy said quietly.
"We thought of you as a friend, Siren," Panda said incredulously, praying that this was all a horrific dream and he was going to wake up, and the cheerful version of Siren would be smiling once again and none of this would have ever happened. But when he closed his eyes, and then reopened them, she remained there solemn and sad, and he knew it was the harsh reality. The ham-ham he had begun to see as a little sister was a liar.
The words stung Siren more than a thousand bee stings ever could harm her. Never before had she felt like sobbing loudly, letting her built-in alarm system tear across the skies, but her tears were silent and cold, a solemn look on her now determined face.
"What I've done is unforgivable. But I intend to try and help fix it as best I can, by fullfilling the Legend of Fate, as my destiny tells me to."
Suddenly, a tear fell from Siren's cheek and landed with the rain into the soft grass. The wind abruptly began to blow faster and harder, and a tense, thick feeling filled the air, as if something marvelous were about to take place. Siren was engulfed with a familiar, bright white light, causing the ham-hams to squint and take a few steps back, and Spyke began to stare down at the scene with a gleeful expression on his face and in his crimson eyes.
"Yes!" He crowed, as the light around Siren slowly began to fade.
An air hocky table, fooseball table, and ping pong table were all set up in the large basement of the Asakura house. A big screen TV was beside a DVD player, and a bag of DVD's from the local video rental store sat by the clear glass coffee table in front of the furniture. They selected (after much arguing) an action/adventure/romance movie, to please both the guys and the girls. Laura had not seen it; it was about a female spy who had found the love of her life and a new group of friends when suddenly, the jig is up and she must reveal her identity in order to save them.
"Okay everybody! Have a seat anywhere!" Mika said cheerfully, after snatching the remote up and then plopping down on the long, squishy couch beside Travis. Much to Travis's apparent displeasure, Reese took the available spot next to her, followed by June, Roberto, Kory, Kylie, Lance, Kana and Laura. Gina and Josh elected to sit down on the two armchairs by the couch, holding hands over the arms.
"Has anyone seen this movie already?" Mika asked, turning the lights down with another remote she had plucked from the carpeted floor.
"Me," June replied with a bright smile. "But I loved it, and don't mind seeing it again. It has a lot of romance in it, just what I like!" She eyed Reese out of the corner of her eye. He yawned and scratched the back of his head, already bored.
"Joy."... Roberto commented snidely, as the previews began to roll. Gina shushed him as the TV launched into previews about a love triangle at a country club, to which Laura exclaimed, "I want to see that!" with about every girl in the room, and then a comedy about a man who claims he could go without cursing for a month, betting his entire life's savings.
"Hey, Mika, do you have popcorn?" Josh asked innocently as his stomach began to rumble.
Mika gladly complied and went upstairs to go and fetch a bowl of popcorn. "Someone want to come and help?" She asked hesitantly, halfway up the stairwell. Travis was absorbed in the coming features and didn't appear to hear her. Laura was closest to Mika, and wanted to see the rest of the previews, but reluctantly got up to help Mika with the snacks, as no one else was budging. They pounded up the wooden stairs and soon reached the kitchen.
Laura still felt awkward about being alone with the girl who now held claims over the boy she had adored for nearly two years. A strange silence had settled over them as they waited for the popcorn to finish in the microwave, so Mika sat perched upon the kitchen counter and Laura leaned against the wall. Deciding that the silence was killing her, Laura said in a frail attempt to make conversation,
"I, um...I love your house."
"Thanks. Personally, I think it's too big."
"Do you like Japan? Is it better than America?"
Mika pondered this, eyes squinted as she thought. "I dunno. My dad is from this area, but I've lived in America all my life. So far, I really like it here though...but I'm from New York City, and it's hard to leave all the excitement behind."
"I'll bet."
Another silence settled between them so the only sound heard was the popping of the popcorn kernels in the microwave. Laura was having an inner battle within herself to ask Mika the question that had been burning on her tongue since the first moment she had seen Mika together with Travis. And even if she was growing accustomed to Travis being taken, she was still dying to ask, as it had never really been confirmed by anyone...
"I have to know..." She took a deep breath and blurted out her question.
"You and Travis...are you two together?"
Mika seemed slightly taken aback, but smiled shyly all the same. She immediately picked up on the meaning in Laura's words. "I thought everybody knew by now," She replied.
Surprisingly, as the response sunk in, Laura did not feel jealous anymore. She felt...closure. Like she was finally at peace with the fact Travis was dating another girl. It was as if hearing the words spoken aloud, instead of just racing over and over in her head, it was final and she accepted it. She was broken from her thoughts of finality, however, when Mika continued her story.
"I met Gina and Kylie the first day I moved here, down by the school, and we went to soccer practice to watch the boys together. Gina wasn't with Josh then, nor Kylie with Kory, so they wanted to go flirt. That's when I met Travis for the first time..."
"He's pretty nice. You're lucky." Laura teased, surprised by her coolness with the situation. Mika smiled faintly, a hint of worry on her lips that Laura didn't detect.
"Yeah. He's great. Just a little...overprotective sometimes. Otherwise, everything's going along quite smoothly on the S.S. Mika and Travis, I guess. It's only been a little while though...but we're happy."
The popcorn, which was a jumbo bag, continued to pop noisily in the background. Another question formed in Laura's head as she recalled events from earlier that afternoon. Carefully, she asked, speaking slowly and making sure she didn't sound nosy, "I don't exactly know how to put this...but...Reese. He seems to be acting...strange."
Mika smiled sadly, a sorrowful, knowing grin. It took her a moment to respond. "Ah, yes. That. Promise if I tell you this you won't tell anyone else?" Mika looked so serious and intense as she sat on the counter, swinging her legs, a conflicted look in her eyes, Laura felt she had no choice but to agree.
"I promise." She hoped she would not regret this decision.
Mika looked embarrassed. "Gina invited me to a party at her house one of the first days I moved here. She said she invited you, but you couldn't come-" Laura nodded at this, as it was true."-and we played...a game." Her cheeks flushed bright red. "Spin the Bottle. I didn't want to play at all, but Gina, determined to get Josh, insisted. It was just me, Reese, Travis, Gina, Josh and June. Everybody else had left by then, but you know Gina...so determined..."
Laura had never played the game, as she had always felt it was a little too experienced for her at this point. Never before had she kissed a boy, and knowing Mika had made her uneasy and nervous. This conversation had taken a turn, making her slightly uncomfortable, but she urged Mika to continue, even if she wasn't sure she wanted to know any more.
"Go on."
Mika was blushing a great deal by this time. "I wound up having to kiss both Travis and Reese during the game, and Gina finally got Josh at long last. Travis offered to walk me home, since it was dark and stuff and he didn't want a prowler to get me. But directly after the party, as we were walking home, Travis asked me to be his girlfriend. Before I knew it, we were dating. I guess Reese might have felt something and is a bit upset about it..." Mika frowned, looking upset as she stared at the linoleum floor. "That's why Travis is a bit overprotective sometimes. Of course, Reese hasn't exactly been hiding his intentions very well..." Her cheeks were glowing now, more from embarrassment than anything else.
Laura did not speak at first. Two minutes ago she had felt so content, but now, all of her insecurity came flooding back. "She has two guys competing for her heart, and she's upset about that? At least she's kissed someone before! Two guys in one day! I'm the one falling behind everyone in my grade!" For a brief moment, Laura's jealousy came racing back, wishing she had been able to attend Gina's party, so then she wouldn't be in this situation and she could have gotten to kiss Travis. Maybe then, this whole ordeal could have played out differently.
If only Reese had been the one to walk Mika home that lone summer night and asked her out first, then maybe Travis would still be sending her heart aflutter, and she would know they stood a chance to maybe be an item someday. Maybe she would be sitting next to him now. Instead of Mika, who had two handsome, albeit quiet, suitors after her heart, who just happened to be the two most popular boys in their grade, and she had only been in Japan about a month.
"So much for being over him..."
"Stop thinking like that Laura! There's nothing you can do about it now..." She reminded herself, trying to calm her raging, mixed feelings. Just as she was about to ask how Mika felt about the quiet boy still vying for her affection despite her taken status, the microwave loudly siganled it was finished with the popcorn.
"Remember, don't tell anyone. Especially June. I know she likes Reese...I don't want her to hate me..." Mika said, and looked so sincere, Laura agreed once again, though this time with more reluctance. They filled three bowls with popcorn, and Laura, now more confused than ever, helped her return to the game room with the snacks.
For once in her life, she wished she were someone else.
The light seemed to take an eternity to fade and reveal what it had been masking. But when it finally disentigrated into the air, Siren was no longer standing before them, tears falling down her cheeks. Instead, it was the Guardian, fully materialized, and strong, icy eyes brimming with unbridled rage staring up at Spyke with hate and malice. The ham-hams stared at it, disbelieving, as it was even more beautiful closer up than it had been the previous time or times they had seen it. Like the image in the book come to life.
"We meet again, Guardian!" Spyke laughed, hopping up on the ledge with ease. The greedy glint was back in his eye. "It's been far too long!"
The Guardian grunted, but it remained beautiful and surreal, almost like an image from a dream, despite it's angrily contorted face. Light seemed to radiate from it's silvery white fur, ribbon like tail flicking in the cool air, seeming of it's own accord. The ham-hams, forgetting the tearful scene with Siren from moments ago, returned their focus onto Spyke. His sword was raised defiantly over his head, as though he was preparing to strike.
With a tremor of anticipation in his voice, Spyke proclaimed, "I saw you that day, nearly one year ago exactly, Guardian. I knew we would meet again, but I assure you, this reunion will have a different outcome than our first meeting!"
The Guardian snorted, unimpressed with his rant. I looked almost apologetically at the ham-hams, icy eyes softening, as if remembering sweet memories it held dear. It seemed to be saying it was sorry, and that it had to put all other personal issues aside for the moment, in favor of the much larger, more threatening task at hand. The ham-hams stared knowingly back at it, understanding the meaning of its gaze. Spyke scoffed at them, appearing bored with their behavior.
The Guardian just glared up at him, but rose into the air with unmatched grace and within a second, was on the same eye level with Spyke, who seemed evilly gleeful that the Guardian was so close. He chuckled at some unknown joke, and questioned loudly over the distance between them, "You know the words of the legend, Guardian. You know you are to die. Is this why you are not replying to me?"
An eery silence fell. "Die?" Hamtaro questioned smally, his hold on Conquest faltering for a moment. The rest of the ham-hams also looked alarmed by Spyke's words.
Spyke looked down upon the huddled bunch of hamsters at the base of the tower. He called out to them, "Yes. Die. Do you not remember the words of the Legend of Fate, fools? 'The Guardian gives in, unable to prevent it's defeat...?"
Maxwell, reading this line word for word in his book, paled. He hoped it did not mean what Spyke was saying it meant. The Guardian remained cooly silent, apparently unfazed by his daunting words. Then, there was a burst of feathers and fur, and it rocketed towards Spyke with such intense speed, the hamsters on the ground felt the gusts from its powerful wings. Spyke, however, dodged its advance, hurling himself on the top of the tower, laying flat against it, so the Guardian instead shot directly over him.
"Nice try!" He taunted cooly.
The Guardian appeared unperturbed by the miss, and continued to try and attack Spyke with it's claws, jaws, and anything else in its arsenal. The ham-hams were amazed that such a brilliant creature was missing every time, victim to Spyke's amazingly fast reflexes. Hamtaro's worry grew stronger with every missed attack the Guardian unleashed, and suddenly, he knew he had to act. If the prophecy was coming true, he had to try and help the Guardian, and fulfill his duty as the unlikely hero. He didn't know how long the Guardian could keep attacking, and Spyke was showing no signs of fatigue yet...he had to do something.
"I'm going up there," He announced bravely, drawing his sword and peering at the wide open doors of the tower, where a tall, spiraling staircase beckoned to him.
The ham-hams tore their gazes away from the Guardian's fight to stare in wonder at their heroic friend. "Hamtaro..." His friends mumbled, his furious determination startling them.
"It's dangerous, Hamtaro!" Maxwell warned him, face grim. "You could get seriously hurt. The Sword of Havoc is a very powerful force to be reckoned with. It is the brother sword to Conquest, also made by Genforth, earlier in his years, under the command of Spikuro. They are described as being evenly matched, but still...Spyke looks like he has experience with a sword."
Hamtaro faced the ham-hams, looking each one in the eye. He then said, in a defiant tone, brimming with confidence, "If I'm supposed to be a hero, I can't just stand around watching the Guardian fight all alone, even if Siren lied to us about all of this. Otherwise, our futures could be in danger! I have to go and help Siren, no matter what she did! It's my destiny too!" He seemed so intent on this, the ham-hams just nodded, in awe of the sudden resposibility of their heroic friend.
"Go get, 'em Hamtaro!" Boss slapped him on the back, like a veteran giving approval to a rookie.
"Good luck Hamtaro!" The rest of the ham-hams chorused, too in awe of Hamtaro's hero-persona to worry too much. When he seemed so confident and prepared, how could they even begin to doubt him?
Hamtaro turned to enter the tower when Bijou halted him, making his heart skip a beat as he heard her voice call to him. "Wait! Hamtaro! Here-" She wrapped one of her beloved blue ribbons around his arm, tying it tightly and gently, patting him on the arm as she did so, as if she didn't want to let go. "For luck, oui?"
"Bijou..."
"Go get zem, Hamtaro!" Bijou, despite her worry, echoed Boss. She hugged him, and as she did he felt like he really could go and save the world now, without anyone standing in his way, and his confidence increased twofold. Now, he had all the more reason to do his best.
He watched her return reluctantly to the safety of the group, who were sniffing slightly, as they all watched his valiant departure. Sword gripped in his fist, he dashed into the open doors of the tower and up the eroding stairs, guided by the light breaking through the grey clouds and thus, through the gaping holes in the tower walls.
"I'm coming, Siren! I'm going to do my best to help you!" He said to himself, eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, floating gracefully in the air, the Guardian was growing frustrated by not being able to even land one swipe on the evil hamster. Never before had it experienced a situation it couldn't handle, or an opponent that was so evenly matched with itself. This time around, it felt it had only one option left, since purely-physical attacks didn't seem to be working. It had to rely on something else if it wanted to bring the spitting-image of Emperor Spikuro to his knees.
Rearing back, the Guardian focused all its energy on that one shimmering chance. Spyke watched intently, smirking, sword at the ready. Neither noticed the orange and white blur speeding into the tower to assist the fabled creature.
"You'll never defeat me, Guardian!" Spyke shouted, seeing the Guardian retreat slightly.
Opening its mouth wide, showing off shockingly sharp incisors, the Guardian roared. However, unlike Siren's foolproof alarm system, this one made no sound whatsoever. The only indication it was even roaring was the fact it's mouth was opened wide, as if it were, and the earth trembled with the strength of it. The ham-hams were forced to the ground, and Spyke was knocked off his perch and onto the top of the tower, Sword of Havoc landing a few inches away from his paw with a clatter. Dazed, he scrambled to try and get control of the sword. The Guardian shut it's mouth aprubtly, ending the tremors, and sped towards the felled hamster, seeing the open opportunity...
"I think it's going to get him!" Panda said excitedly, as the ham-hams clambered to their feet.
"Go, Siren!"
"You da ham! I mean...uh...THING!"
What happened next was the most horrific thing the hamsters had ever seen in their short, pure lives.
Spyke managed to regain control of his body in time to seize the sword and hop to his feet. It only took him a split second, where any other hamster would have taken much longer. The Guardian was not expecting this, but it was too late to stop the attack. It's eyes opened wide with shock as it realized what was about to happen, as the distance between it and Spyke rapidly closed...It fanned it's wings out, trying to stop, but it's momentum continued to carry it forward, it's chest and stomach now exposed...
Spyke roared triumphantly and unwaveringly plunged his sword into the Guardian's chest. The icy blue eyes opened wide with surprise and pain as its fur and part of the stone tower were abruptly stained a horrible shade of dark red. A laughing Spyke withdrew the sword with a cruel jerk, smirking with defiance. The Guardian, eyes closing and wings buckling, plummeted to the ground, not making a single sound as it fell, blood trailing in the bleak sky behind it.
"Perish...and fall before me..." Spyke muttered as he watched the great beast hurling towards the ground, a look of satisfaction and almost giddy excitement flashing across his face. One obstacle had been avoided almost cleanly, though it had bled on his brilliant silk cape in the process...he would have to enslave some hamsters to make him a fresh one when he achieved hamster-world domination.
The ham-hams watched the scene unfold with a mixture of sorrow and horror in their eyes. They could hardly believe that it was really happening, as they never expected something so great to fall so quickly, like a bright candle being blown out with one small breath. It seemed so surreal, as if all their hopes had caved in around them, and there was no way out of it. Defeat now seemed uninevitable, as the great beast fell, getting closer and closer to the cold, unforgiving ground.
"No..." Pashmina breathed, tears stinging her eyes.
It was almost beautiful, seeing the great beast fall, its body still hauntingly wondrous, though now lifeless and drained of color. It seemed to hang in the cool night air forever, never destined to connect with the cold surface of the ground that would forever finalize its death. One it's body struck the damp grass, it would all be over, in every sense of the word.
The ham-hams screamed and winced, horrified, as the Guardian hit the gound with a devastating thump. They dared not look at its body, frail and dismal, laying there in a heap, raven wings useless at its sides and covering the wound like a shroud, as if to prevent the ham-hams from having to see what had brought it down. They had never imagined something so beautiful falling, dying, injured, laying on the ground like a mortal beast that it wasn't supposed to be.
Spyke's laughter rang above all else. "I told you it was to die! Now that I have brought down the most powerful creature in the hamster world, I shall get its power, and I will gain what I rightfully deserve!" Spyke shouted loudly over the edge of the tower, turning for the exit stairs, but a brave orange and white hamster was blocking his path.
"You..."
Spyke saw a defiant Hamtaro, gripping the Sword of Conquest dutifully in both paws and glaring daggers at Spyke with fierce brown eyes. Spyke, taking a large step back, was unnerved by this, as he hadn't expected another obstacle, especially not one that looked so determined to stop him. He recalled the 'unlikely hero' mentioned in the Legend, and, as he saw the Sword of Conquest, realized that this hamster must be the one. This Hamtaro character...he seemed strangely powerful. He emanated such an aura of heroic strength, Spyke wondered just what kind of warrior this hamster was.
"I'll never let you take Siren's gift from her! I'm going to help the Guardian if its the last thing I do!" Hamtaro declared bravely.
Spyke overcame his worry and began to chuckle. But soon, the small chuckle turned into hysterical, maniacal laughter as Hamtaro stood his ground, teeth clenched, wary of the evil ham's behavior. Spyke stopped after a moment, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes as his bloodstained cape billowed in the breeze. Hamtaro froze as he saw the crimson stain on the tower and the cape. The dreaded realization jolted him before Spyke voiced it aloud.
"You're too late, hero. Your Guardian is dead!"
Hamtaro next saw the red blood glinting on the silver blade of the Sword of Havoc, and his anger bubbled up inside of him. The exclamations of sorrow and denial reached his ears, from his friends down below. The horrible truth sunk into him slowly, making his muscles tighten and quiver. He was too late to save the Guardian, but not to late to stop Spyke from taking its power and gaining control of the hamster world. He would die before he let that happen.
Hot tears filling his defiantly glowing brown eyes, he stuck the Sword of Conquest directly out in front of him and glared at Spyke, as if he were the only thing he could see.
"You'll pay for this!"
CFB: Oh no! What now?! Hahaha...I wonder how many of you saw that coming?
Next time: With the Guardian defeated, how will Hamtaro stop Spyke from gaining control over the hamster world? Is there anything he, or the other ham-hams, can do to prevail? Guardian Towers's final chapter (besides the epilogue) will tell you what the Legend of Fate really means! And as the party reaches its end, what will Laura do when the person she least expects walks home with her? Find out next time!
Sidenote: If you want a sequel to Guardian Towers, vote on the poll in my profile please! Or tell me. Thanks to all who have stuck with my story! D
