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DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Troop.
SYNOPSIS: After Hayley's heart is broken, there's no better thing to do but to immerse herself in monster hunting; especially when there's a rare but vicious monster on the loose. But what happens when she finds herself falling for someone she'd never expect?
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Chapter 14: Crystal Clear
Trees and sheep.
I had only seen those two things in the past few hours.
That's right- trees and sheep.
The sky was now dim with hints of orange and yellow quietly illuminating the sky; telling everyone in the world that it was almost time to fall asleep and start a new day. Tiredly, I leaned my heavy head against the glass of the window. Felix was currently passed out from going crazy over researching about the connection between the Vortex and Poison, while Mr Stockley tried to offer us advice and catch up on all he had missed out, even when he was supposed to be concentrating solely on driving down the windy, dirty road.
I looked away from the window and closed my eyes. Though I was incredibly tired from all I had been through in the last twenty four hours, I still couldn't close my eyes and shut myself off from what was happening. How could all this trouble have roused from one lousy monster?
"You know, thinking this hard isn't good for you when you're tired,"
I opened my eyes again and glanced at Mr Stockley; who still had his eyes on the road
"I wasn't really thinking, Mr Stockley," I replied softly, "I was reflecting back on what's happened in the past week. It's been crazy,"
"It certainly has, but Hayley, you know that this mission was extremely difficult. It would've been virtually impossible to succeed in the first few days. That's why I gave you guys two weeks here to, hopefully, sort out the problem," Mr Stockley chuckled.
"I see," I mumbled, "So, what'll happen now?"
"We all made mistakes in the last few days- the biggest ones, of course, were putting Felix's and your lives in danger. So now we'll have to talk to the Japanese Troop and go from there, though I know their Troop adviser was certainly not happy when he found out we had put the mission under serious consideration and evaluation by the International Troop,"
"Oh god, this is all my fault!" I exclaimed, "I shouldn't have done something so stupid and followed Gavin out of the club or-"
"Hayley! This isn't your fault," Mr Stockley whispered reassuringly, "We're a team. If International Troop blames you- they blame Felix, Jake and I too,"
Jake.
The name sounded so distant when it had came out of Mr Stockley's mouth. What was he up to right now? Was he trying to find Felix and I right now? Did he miss me?
Because I sure as hell missed him.
My eyebrows furrowed at what I had concluded and I suddenly felt confused- even more confused than before. My mind drifted from the crisis in regard to the Vortex to another problem I had: Jake Collins. I could feel the beat of my heart go ballistic when I thought of the moment I'd reunite with him. Though we weren't anything more than friends, I still had so much to say; so much like, how I never wanted to fight again with him over anything stupid like boys again, and how much I love his smile and his chocolate brown eyes and well...how much I wanted him to choose me instead of Leanne.
"Hayley?"
"Oh right," I shook my head; my cheeks flushing from what I had realised about Jake after a near-death encounter, "Sorry, I was zoned out for a second there. What were you saying?"
"I was saying that it's time for dinner," Mr Stockley explained, "I'm starving. I hope there's some good food at this diner. You can wake Felix up and I'll go in and get us a table,"
Mr Stockley shot me a warm grin and I found myself smiling back at his kindness. He handed me over the car keys and told me to lock up before I left the car with Felix. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mr Stockley shove his brown bulky wallet and a mini-laser gun just like mine into his pockets. I was glad that he was taking some precaution as danger was everywhere in Japan. He left soon and as I unbuckled my seat belt, I nudged Felix in the ribs in an attempt to wake him up.
"What? What's happening?" Felix shouted in alert as I tried to hold in a giggle.
"Felix, no need to panic," I teased, "We're just going to get some dinner,"
"Sounds good coz I'm starving!" he remarked as he hopped out of the car; while I just laughed with amusement.
I locked the car and the two of us strolled casually to the diner. It looked like a shabby shack but as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. It had a neon red sign that was flashing the words Baxter's Barbecue, while the restaurant itself had a creamy beige colour with a green roof and a dark brown-red colour for its blinds that were currently swaying a little due to the small breeze. Unlike Breakfast Blitz, we were now on a dusty road in the middle of no where- since Mr Stockley didn't really know where he was going as he wasn't a local like Akira, Yuki and Keiko.
Like Jake, it now felt like Akira, Yuki and Keiko weren't actually real.
"This place looks completely deserted," Felix observed distastefully, "Not to mention run down. Are you sure this was the best place to get food?"
"We've got no other choice, Felix," I scowled.
"I guess it's alright; considering what we're wearing," he joked as he gestured to our ruined clothing, "I mean, we are what we-"
I stopped laughing as I heard Felix get abruptly get cut off his last sentence. Panic started to take over so I quickly swerved my head around ready for any danger; my mini-laser gun already ready to go in the palm of my hands.
"Relax, Hayley, I only tripped," Felix mocked as he rubbed his sore arm, "Sorry to scare you,"
"No it's fine," I nodded; placing my gun back into my pocket, "What did you trip over?"
"This," he said as he picked up a wallet that looked quite familiar.
"I've seen that wallet before..." I murmured until it suddenly clicked in my head, "Felix, it's Mr Stockley's!"
"How do you know?" Felix asked curiously, "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive!" I shrieked, "I saw Mr Stockley take it when he left the car to the diner. He wouldn't have just dropped his wallet randomly so-"
A loud explosion was heard from the little diner; cutting me off. Felix and I looked up in alarm and I was scared beyond belief. Was Mr Stockley going to be ok?
"I think he's in trouble," he rushed as I gulped, "Do you have your laser gun here?"
I nodded. He took a knife out from his back pocket and I was a little surprised at why he had the object. Considering this wasn't the time to ask the question, we hurried to the entrance and stood next to each side of the door; ready to attack.
"You ready to fight some monsters?" Felix winked at me as he held onto his knife tightly.
"Ready as always," I laughed softly as I rose my leg to kick the doors open.
The door swiftly swung open though with Mr Stockley running out of the doors while screaming like a girl, so I lowered my leg down and pouted a little. I really missed kicking down doors. Mr Stockley had his arms swaying in the air and his mouth wide open- if it wasn't for the possiblility of his life being in danger, I would've gladly peed in my pants from laughter. Felix looked at me with confusion and I was just as surprised and lost as he was. What were we supposed to do now?
"What are you kids still doing there?" Mr Stockley exclaimed from the car, "Run!"
As Felix and I turned around a dozen, round grey bombballs appeared out of nowhere and like cowards, we screamed at the top of our lungs as we rushed to Mr Stockley's car. I yanked on the car door and hopped in while Mr Stockley looked behind him and reversed out onto the road, as Felix grabbed his gun that was by his side and shot at bombballs that flung themselves against our car.
"I'm not sure how much longer I can keep shooting at them, guys!" Felix announced; wiping his forehead from the sweat that had formed there.
"Hayley, help Felix out," Mr Stockley commanded as I took out my gun, rolled down the window and readied myself to shoot, "We'll be arriving at Akira's in fifteen minutes. Do you think you guys can hold on til then?"
"Not really sure," I screamed truthfully; angry bombballs still attacking Mr Stockley's car, "Felix, by any chance, would you know how to get rid of these things?"
"Unfortunately no," Felix cried, "God damn it, I hate these things! It was worse than that biology experiment with Jake-"
"Not the time, Felix!" I snapped.
Though there were only a few bombballs left now, they were still as persistent as ever. My arms were sore from pointing them at a weird angle to shoot from the rolled-down window. Mr Stockley made some sharp turns, swerving the car around in an attempt to throw some of the bombballs off, and was only partially successful.
"I think that was the last one," Felix laughed; as I drew a sigh, until another one popped into his vision, "Wait, I-"
"Got it," I smiled with pride as I shot the last bombball off from our trail.
"Good job guys; I'm sorry for what you had to do just then," Mr Stockley congratulated, "But on the bright side, we'll be there in a few minutes. You guys should relax a little now; you've done a terrific job,"
Within a moment or so, the deserted surroundings disappeared, and our eyes saw tall buildings, small grocers and stylish boutiques. I was suddenly very excited that I'd be reunited with my friends again and hopefully, solve this messed up mystery. There were just so many puzzle pieces that didn't fit together.
How was Poison? Where was the Vortex? Why did the bombballs attack us at the diner? What does this have to do with Gus and Gavin? Will everyone be alright by the end of this?
There were just too many questions, and not enough answers.
"Something's not right..." murmured Mr Stockley as he pulled up against the familiar beach house that belonged to Ami, Akira's aunty, "It's almost six in the evening, and yet, all the lights are closed..."
"They could be out, you know," I chuckled, "They do have lives,"
"Not possible, Hayley. They promised me they'd be here today when I informed them I was bringing you guys back. Then it must be..."
"Monsters," Felix and I said at the same time; as we flashed a grin at each other for thinking the same way.
"I'll take the front with Felix; Hayley, you take the back," Mr Stockley commanded as we discreetly moved out of the car.
I grew nervous. It had been a long time since Hayley Steele had done anything, well, important and risky like this. I swallowed the lump in my throat and Felix gave me a reassuring smile.
"You'll be fine," he whispered into my ear; right before he and Mr Stockley crept away in the already dark sky.
I sneaked around the back; the sand making my trek just the bit harder to conquer. The air was now chilly, probably because I was near the water. Goosebumps appeared on my skin and I rubbed my arms feverishly as I tried to keep warm. Abruptly, I heard a shuffle from inside the house. My heart started to race and adrenaline pumped through my veins. I took out my laser gun and was ready to shoot.
Silently, I prayed that the door would be open. Upon turning the knob, I realised it was unlocked. I crept in subtly and I could make out shadows in the living room. I hid behind the kitchen bench and tried to identify who was in the house.
"Hayley?"
On instincts, I opened my mouth to scream, but a clammy hand immediately slammed their hand over it.
"Listen, I am going to release you now, but you can not make a noise. Someone's in our house and we have no idea who," a recognisable voice hushed with caution.
I nodded in response and slowly, the hand was lifted off of my mouth. The gun in my hand was practically begging me to aim it at this stranger but for some reason, my heart was telling me it would be a big mistake.
"Hayley, I know what you want to do, but you are not shooting that at me. Do you not even know who this is?"
I shook my head defeatedly and I heard an amused sigh beside me.
"It is me- Yuki," she said softly.
"Oh thank god!" I exclaimed; still quietly, as I wrapped my arms around her skinny form, "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!"
"Well I have not seen you in two days, I think," Yuki chuckled lightly, "I have missed you greatly,"
"More like you've missed Felix greatly," I winked at her; and even though it was dark so I couldn't see, I knew she was blushing.
There was a creaky noise in the living room and Yuki and I froze. I could feel Yuki's fear around me and I began to worry too. Could they have heard us?
"Look, the electricity is out and Akira, Keiko and I are all scattered around the house; with no clue what's going on, so I am going to check on what is happening in the living room where all the noise seems to be coming from," Yuki murmured, "Stay here and do not move,"
I began to protest but she just shushed me and crawled away from me. I tried to look to the side of the kitchen bench and see where she had gone but was unsuccessful. Leaning against the cold marble of the bench, I tried to steady my breathing and prepare myself for the unexpected.
So Akira, Keiko and Yuki were all somewhere around the house though Yuki clearly had no idea where they were? That was insane! Who would've tried so hard to get rid of the J-Troop?
Oh right, Poison.
But where was Jake? Why didn't Yuki mention Jake? Was he with Leanne again? I really hated plaguing my mind with these questions but somehow, I couldn't help but panic and worry about the well-being of my friends- which reminded me of Felix and Mr Stockley. Were they ok?
Unexpectedly, the lights flickered on. It was bright now, meaning anyone could've been near to spot me and attack. I grabbed my laser gun and bounced up with my gun pointed blatantly as I spun around to check if there were any dangers around me.
"Hayley!" Felix grinned as he ran towards me and gave me a huge hug, "We thought you were missing!"
"What the hell is going on?" I screamed as I saw a terrified Keiko and Akira enter the kitchen.
"We sure have missed you, Hayley," Akira laughed as he kissed my hair.
"Oh Hayley, we are so glad to see you and Felix are ok!" Keiko giggled, "We all have been worried sick and much has happened since you two have disappeared,"
"Please explain with detail," Mr Stockley commented as we all sat down on the dining table.
"Well, after you disappeared, we all persistently tried to look for you. Jake told us about Gavin but we couldn't locate him- it was like he had disappeared off the face of the Earth," Keiko started as Akira closed the windows and blinds in the house; out of paranoia, I guess.
"But the next day, we were in town to check out any suspicious activity until we got a hit on our Gavin boy," Akira analysed, "It seems like he was the one that robbed the bank back in Tokyo. He and some dog-like creature; yes, we are still unsure what animal he brought along, stole the money and I'm guessing, have used it to supply to their leader to help out their diabolical plans,"
"Poison," Felix cursed, "I knew it was her all along,"
"Excuse me?" Yuki gasped, "Who is this Poison?"
"Poison was the...uh, woman, that captured Felix and I," I stated; partially struggling for the right word to describe her, "She must've realised we left and came here to look for us!"
"That must be it!" Mr Stockley concluded, "But what exactly does she want from us?"
"She wants to rule the world," Felix shrugged.
"Well, what villain doesn't want to do that?" I coughed.
"Let me finish," Felix said as he continued to inform all of us, "She wants to join the monster and human world together so that she can control both and they'll be chaos in both worlds. With the worlds weakened, she'll be able to combine other worlds together- worlds we do not know of, so that she can rule the whole entire galaxy,"
"That's impossible!" Mr Stockley cried as he shook his head, "To do that, you need to know where-"
"The Crystalix is," Felix finished for Mr Stockley; leaving the rest of us stunned and confused.
"But I thought that was a myth..." Akira gulped, "Do you where it is, Felix?"
"Well, I was doing research on it last year for the science fair, but then, Mr Stockley warned me that it would ultimately result in the monster world and the Troop being revealed to everyone, so I had to build a plain old photon cannon," Felix snorted, "Anyway, as I was looking into it, I learnt that it is said that the Crystalix was a dangerous gem that, in the wrong hands, could result in serious danger, so, well, the Ancient Civilisations hid it away to be guarded forever and made sure never to be lost,"
"That makes sense now," Yuki nodded, "But how does the monsters, like the Vortex fit into this?"
"Exactly! What has the Vortex got to do with this? Well, you see, Poison was smart enough to create it as a diversion!"
"Which means..." Keiko drawled as she tipped her head to side in confusion, "I am not following, you, Felix,"
"The Ancient Civilisations thought about where to hide the Crystalix deeply before actually hiding it. The Vortex is one of the rarest monsters in the entire galaxy, you see- making it extremely difficult to locate one. It's also very dangerous- an added bonus. If it is not slayed soon, a huge army of monsters can appear from a portal located somewhere on the Vortex; hence where it got its name. This was another reason why they hid it here, as after time, the Vortex would soon die out so the Crystalix would go with it," Felix smiled with self-satisfaction.
"I understand now!" Akira announced as he slammed his hands against the table, "All this time, we have been going after the wrong criminal. These monsters were a way to distract us from Poison as she searches each Vortex for the Crystalix!"
"Exactly!" Felix yelled excitedly.
"Are you saying that the Crystalix is hidden inside of the Vortex?" I questioned in disbelief.
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Felix chuckled.
"Good job, Felix!" Mr Stockley proclaimed, "Instead of Poison always trying to find and intimidate us, let's go find her and give her a piece of our minds! Who's with me?"
We all cheered and screamed with approval as we scattered away from the table. I grabbed my back pack from the room I was sharing with Yuki and prepared myself for the battle that was going to come. I packed a bottle of water, a towel, and a few weapons Keiko had just passed to me. There was no chance to change so of course, I slipped into Jake's comfortable grey hoodie. I was a little upset that the scent of Jake Collins had left the article of clothing and was replaced with the smell of my shampoo.
Mr Stockley had little trouble making us sandwiches for the trip and handed them to us as we walked out the door. Akira and Keiko held hands as they boarded the Troop vehicle, while Felix and Yuki talked affectionately to each other; how much they had missed each other was clearly showing at that moment. I smiled brightly to myself as I sat down comfortably next to Akira- eager to catch up with everyone. And well, to find out where Jake was.
Soon enough, Keiko, Yuki and Felix were in a deep sleep from the obvious exhaustion they had received from strangers breaking into their house and defending the whole Great North Shore with only the three of them. I felt a little guilty for not helping them as I was somewhere else being defenseless, but then again, without Felix and I being kidnapped, we wouldn't have had such a break-through in the case.
"Sorry about the dress, Akira," I said; starting off an awkward conversation with Akira, "I know you're probably heaps mad but-"
"You do not need to stress, Hayley," Akira beamed, "This is not your fault,"
"I'd be happy to pay for it though!" I protested as I rubbed my temples, "I..."
"You look like you are in deep thought, Hayley," Akira teased as I stuck my tongue out at him; making me completely forget what I was talking about before so that I could only think about Jake.
"Something's bothering me," I sighed defeatedly; Akira swinging an arm around my shoulders.
"I can tell," Akira rolled his eyes humourously, "What is wrong?"
"Where's Jake?" I blurted out before I had any real time to actually phrase my question without sounding like a complete lunatic.
Akira looked taken aback and ran a nervous hand through his slick, black hair. He closed his eyes and after a few seconds, he opened them again. They looked pained. My heart was beating anxiously against the fabric of my dirty dress. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like what he was going to say next. I swallowed audibly and Akira, quite reluctantly, opened his mouth to answer what I wanted to know.
"He's gone,"
–
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