Beyond Grim And Evil Installment 2: Return To Bunny Island

Beyond Grim And Evil: Return To Bunny Island

(A/N: Third up today.)

I Can't Stay Here

The duo was woken early, by the sound of cooing pigeons. At first they were blissfully unaware of what had happened, then all at once they remembered who they were with, and both froze. Nothing happened for a bit. Finally, though, Ghastly said, "M-morning General Skarr."

"Morning," he curtly replied.

"Uh, I see you're feeling better. I'd better go get ready for the day," she quickly said.

"Do that," he answered. She quickly rose and looked at him a moment. She then turned to leave. Just as she reached the door, however, he said, "Ghastly!"

She paused then looked back. "Yeah?" she asked.

"Can we just keep this whole incident quiet," Skarr stated.

"No problem," she said, relieved. With that, she left, and Skarr just stared blankly at the door. Ghastly paused outside, leaning against it. Oh gods, what had they done? No, not like that, she knew what they'd done, nothing, but still… Immortals she hoped things didn't get awkward, or rather, complicated.

ECC

They sat at the dining table in awkward silence, picking at their food as Hector went on about his backup team-up plans. Every time they caught each other's eyes, they glanced away quickly. Hector wasn't completely oblivious, though. He suddenly stopped talking, watching the two curiously. They didn't seem to even notice he wasn't talking anymore. He and Boskov exchanged looks, then Hector questioned, "General Skarr, Major Doctor Ghastly, what's going on?"

Instantly they perked up. Before a second had passed, Ghastly was exclaiming, "Nothing chief, nothing happened, I swear! We didn't do anything wrong!"

At the same time, Skarr said, "Going on? Nothing's going on! What makes you think anything's going on?" They both forced themselves to shut up as Hector looked from one to the other.

"Maybe you should take a break from rehearsing the play," Hector remarked.

"Play, what play? Oh that play," Skarr said, grinning innocently. "Yes, a break, fine."

"Hey Hector, why don't we do something?" Ghastly remarked.

"Do something? Like what? Build an ultimate weapon bent on taking over the world. Build a love gun that can take or bring love?" Hector asked.

"There is no love!" Skarr exclaimed, along with Ghastly. He blinked blankly at them.

"Okay?" he said, more questioned. Why were they acting so strange? He didn't like it. He wondered too at why whenever the slightest hint of pain being dealt to Skarr was given, or even a sneeze, Ghastly went into a panic. Skarr sopped the attention up, though. Rare anyone cared what happened to him. He'd take it while it lasted. Hector truly wondered, however, how much longer things could go on like this. They seemed awkward.

ECC

Evil Con Carne walked down the hall, Hector saying, "So I told Estroy to get lost and bug Professor Death Ray Eyes for a gadget." Ghastly smiled brightly, taking in every word. Skarr looked utterly bored with the story. He yawned. Mistake. With his eye closed, he didn't see the stairs, and he wasn't able to watch his step. With a cry of terror he toppled down them, hitting the ground hard.

"Skarr!" Ghastly cried, racing down. "Are you sick? Is the gas having an effect? What's wrong?" she instantly demanded.

Skarr blinked at her, then shouted, "Ghastly, really! I'm fine! No experimental gas, no sickness, no problem. I tripped! It's been a week!"

"Maybe we should examine you," she replied.

He sighed deeply, saying, "For the last time, I'm fine. Touched by your worry, but fine. You can't fly off the handle every time I so much as hiccup."

"Aww, do you really care if she worries?" Stomach questioned, as Boskov reached them.

"Not in the least. Anxiety is a killer, though," Skarr replied. "Trust me, I know," he grumbled, thinking back to Endsville then shuddering. Hector and Ghastly blinked at him. He grinned innocently, shrugging.

ECC

Standing at inspection, Evil Con Carne looked out over the ranks that Skarr had, of course, shipped into shape since his return. He grinned evilly as Hector chuckled. Ghastly just smiled proudly at the men. After a few moments, however, the three were sweating bullets as the sun bore down on them. Ghastly didn't even see the point in this test. To determine who would collapse last? Determine the most resilient soldier? She doubted it, because Hector looked about ready to fall. Hector was the strongest of them all, and that wasn't just her bias.

Hector Con Carne was ordering the soldiers to take it like men. Unfortunately, he didn't pay attention to his minions. Skarr wavered unsteadily, moaning. Maybe there was still some remnant of that gas left over. His head was pounding, he heard his pulse. Finally he gave up, fainting and falling over the edge. Hector and Ghastly gasped in horror. Skarr woke up in mid fall. "Oh poo," he complained. Not that he couldn't walk this off like so many other times. He landed on his back and cried out in pain. "Skarr!" Ghastly cried, leaping over the edge after him, surprising the General. Hector blinked, then exchanged looks with Boskov, hurrying down the steps.

"Skarr, are you okay! What's happening?" Ghastly demanded, lifting his head onto her lap. He blinked at her in shock.

"Skarr, what is with you? Can't you take the heat? I know you can do better than this, I've seen you," Hector demanded. He then stiffened and looked from Skarr to Ghastly. "What are you doing Major Doctor?" Hector asked.

"Making sure he's okay," Ghastly said.

"By pampering him?" Hector questioned, eyebrow raised.

Skarr smiled, leaning back, arms behind his head, saying, "Oh I could get used to this. Hector, really, having a woman pamper you is quite the experience." Ghastly frowned then dropped him. Skarr cried out in pain. "What was that for woman!" he demanded.

"Take a guess," she replied.

"At least it made Hector curious!" Skarr defended.

ECC

She blinked, then looked to the man she loved. Hector did indeed look ponderous. Boskov seemed to be daydreaming about it. "Nice one," she remarked in a whisper.

"Ow," Skarr groaned, rubbing his head.

She became concerned again, asking, "Are you okay?"

"Fine, just a bump," he replied, standing up.

"Good, then get back up there and monitor the men," Hector ordered.

"Yes sir!" Skarr replied, saluting.

"As for you, Ghastly, what's it like to be pampered?" he asked in genuine curiosity, no other emotion in his voice.

Like she cared. She blushed deeply, bit her bottom lip, and squealed, jumping up and down. She hadn't been this excited since her slumber party with Estroy and his sons. "I'll show you chief, I'll show you everything! Let's go right now!" She grabbed Boskov's hand and ran off, dragging them along. "Thank you General, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Skarr blinked blankly after them as they disappeared inside. Moments later he heard Hector say, "Oh Ghastly, I never knew you were so good at that!" Huh, strange. Why did he feel suddenly so depressed? Why was he suddenly regretting ever helping her? He looked sadly down, then up once more with his regular icy expression. Grumbling, he headed to the top of the meeting place. "Company march! Four laps around the island!" he ordered. He pointed towards the beach, and they instantly obeyed. He watched them disappear, then sighed deeply, leaning on the ledge and looking forlornly towards the Bunny. Maybe it was about time he put an end to his vacation. He had a garden to look after back home anyway. His pigeons flew over to him, and he smirked. He let them land on him and cooed, "Oh my precious pigeons, you understand how I feel, don't you? I only wish you could explain it to me."

ECC

Skarr walked towards Hector's room slowly, looking down. Well, now was as good a time as ever to warn Hector he was leaving. The men were up to snuff, they would do Con Carne good for a while longer. Besides, Ghastly could handle the soldiers. They didn't need him here any longer. At least not for a while. He looked up curiously on hearing footsteps. Ghastly was dragging her feet, looking down.

"Ghastly, what's wrong? Weren't you just with Hector?" Skarr asked.

"I was, until Cataclysma called in. Now the two are chatting like old friends," she complained.

"They are old friends," Skarr replied. "Best friends, practically."

"Great," Ghastly muttered.

Just then Hector came out saying, "Oh, Ghastly, there you are. I wondered where you'd gone."

"Just to find Skarr chief," Ghastly stated.

"Good, now Skarr, Cataclysma and I have come up with a plan that…" Hector began.

Skarr cut him off quickly, though, saying, "About that, sir, I'm afraid I'll be leaving in the morning."

"What!" Hector and Ghastly exclaimed together.

Skarr replied, "Things are going well. You've partnered up with Cataclysma, you have your plan set out. You don't need my motivation anymore. The soldiers are all up to par, and frankly, I've done all I needed to do here. It's time I went home."

"But-but-but…" Hector stammered. Boskov burst into tears.

"So soon General?" Stomach questioned.

"Afraid so. Besides, I dread to think of the mess my home's become," Skarr stated, shivering.

"Oh…You just got here though," Ghastly said, tone quieter than she'd meant it to sound. She bit her tongue and covered in a stronger voice, "Well, with the exception to being captured and nearly executed. You spent more time in prison than with us."

"True enough," Skarr admitted. "However, nothing will change my mind."

"Would you stay if we promised you the world!" Hector quickly asked.

"Will we ever win Hector, really? Even with Cataclysma's help," Skarr stated, heading towards his room, the others trailing behind him.

"But General Skarr, we're so close to world domination," Ghastly insisted.

"Then remember me if you actually manage to accomplish it," Skarr replied.

ECC

They were still pleading as he finished packing his bags in his room. He had, by now, tuned them out though, highly annoyed. Finally they just stopped as he turned to face them both. "Farewell Hector, until another time," Skarr said, saluting. "Major Doctor Ghastly… sayonara."

"Fine, be that way!" Hector said, angry now. "Don't expect a piece of the world for yourself though!"

"I don't expect a piece for anyone," Skarr retorted.

"If you weren't leaving tomorrow Skarr, I'd lock you up!" Hector warned. Ghastly paled with a gasp, but quickly forced the worry down. Besides, Hector couldn't keep up the angry persona. It fell into disappointment, and he said, "Oh forget it. Goodbye General. I hope you change your mind and return to us one day."

"Unlikely," Skarr replied. Hector blinked in surprise, then looked sadly down. He'd never really been friends with his General. In fact, they were the opposite, but he'd never really realized how much he'd miss the guy and his motivation. "Gardening is my passion now Hector," Skarr finished, feeling slightly guilty.

"Gardening, pah," Hector complained angrily, walking out.

ECC

Ghastly watched as Skarr prepared his suitcases for the departure the next morning, then looked sadly down. "Major Doctor, what do you want?" Skarr asked. She started. She didn't think he knew she was still in the room. He hadn't seen her leave, and hadn't turned in order to check. She thought he'd assume she left with Hector.

Ghastly rubbed her arm, biting her lower lip, then admitted, "Well, it's just that… I'll miss you Skarr."

He looked back at her finally. After a moment, he said, "You have Hector now, Ghastly. Just because Cataclysma's in the picture doesn't mean you've lost him again. These long distance relationships rarely work out."

"You think?" she asked.

"I know," he replied seriously.

She smirked, then looked sadly down again. "I wish you wouldn't go," she admitted quietly.

Skarr fought back the flutter in his heart as he watched her, and the pang of regret. No, that was enough. No dwelling on matters like that. He soon looked out the window, saying, "You know, we can dispose of that love potion now. I doubt you'll need it anytime soon."

"A victory celebration?" she teased.

"Whatever you call it," Skarr replied. She smiled.

ECC

They held the potion over the sink. "And so ends the saga of Love Potion 101," Ghastly announced boldly. With that, she and the General poured the vile down the sink together.

"May love never be used as a weapon," Skarr finished. All at once the vial broke, and Skarr cried out in pain, pulling away.

She demanded, "What's wrong!"

"I cut myself on the blasted thing!" Skarr angrily shouted. Quickly he turned on the water and rinsed the cut. Ghastly absently dropped a loose strand of her hair down the sink as well.

She giggled, then grabbed a bandage. "Let me see," she stated. She took his hand and removed the glove, then gently bound the wound. "There we go." He chuckled weakly along with her as they met each other's eyes.

Sadness came to her eyes once more, regret to his. He looked away. "Thank you Ghastly," he said.

"You're welcome," she replied. All at once, though, she hugged him, meekly saying, "You said you'd never leave me."

Shocked at first, he finally held her back, saying, "I swore I'd never leave you in death, but I can't stay here. Things are getting… getting complicated."

She said nothing, and he knew instantly that she knew exactly what he meant. So he hadn't been alone. She closed her eyes tightly, then nodded, accepting his declaration. "I know. You're right. You're so, so right," she admitted. Thank goodness he hadn't been the only one to feel it. If only he knew, though, how deeply she felt it. With every fibre, the knowledge was there. It wouldn't break her however, it wouldn't get to her. This was best for her, Hector, and Skarr. "I'll miss you General. You'll come back one day though, won't you?" she asked.

"Always," he assured, holding her a little tighter than necessary.