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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?
–
Chapter 15: Showdown
"What do you mean by 'he's gone', Akira?" I said in disbelief; having trouble breathing.
"Hayley, calm-"
"I mean, I thought we were in this together! That no matter what happens, we'll still be there for each other and we'd never go down without a fight! What happened to the word, team-work, huh? Did he forget about that? Did he forget everything we said; everything the Troop was about? Did he..."
Did he forget about me?
I felt light-headed. I wasn't sure whether to be angry, or confused or disappointed Jake was 'gone'. What kind of Troop member just left their team for their own, selfish reasons? I clenched my fists and I felt my nails dig into the palm of my hands. I didn't feel the pain though. I felt so numb.
"Hayley, please relax, or you will faint," Akira instructed placidly as he lay a caring hand on my lap, "You need to breathe in and out, and I will tell you why Jake has left this-"
"Oh god, he isn't dead is he?" I gasped; cutting him off, "Because, oh god, there was so much I hadn't said to him, so much I-"
"Hayley, will you please stop freaking out and just listen to what Akira has to say?" Mr Stockley bellowed; snapping me out of my panic attack.
Akira looked at me expectantly and I nodded at him for him to continue talking and explaining. Mr Stockley continued to drive. Akira took in a deep breath and I was scared, again, at what he was going to reveal next, because if Jake was dead, I'd...I'd just be in ruins and...I wouldn't be able to continue on. The thought of Jake made my heart flutter and my pulse giggle. Not being able to fight monsters with him...talk to him...hold him ever again immediately sickened me and I shuddered from fright uncontrollably. I mean sure, Jake and I fought endlessly over the most ridiculous things but he was my best friend, along with Felix. He was not only my pal, but my Troop partner too, and losing him would be losing a part of me too.
"Ok well, Hayley, he-"
"I'm not asking for much, Akira," I whispered quickly- interrupting Akira for the billionth time, "I just need you to tell me he's alive,"
"Well, if that is all you need, Hayley," Akira smiled, "Then he is not dead,"
"Really?" I mumbled quietly as Akira gave me a reassuring hug.
"Yes, the last time I saw him, he was alive," Akira replied, "However, I am not sure how his flight went. He left a couple of hours ago,"
"Oh thank God!" I breathed in relief as tears leaked out of my eyes, "If Jake died, I couldn't...I can't...I wouldn't be able to breathe. He's just...too big a part of my life and I couldn't ever...wait what flight?"
Akira sighed and looked at me dully. I was a little offended at how bored he looked at me, but then I re-evaluated the situation. I did keep interrupting him and jumping to conclusions. It was normal for him to be a little annoyed at me.
"After Jake heard news about you getting kidnapped by Gavin, he only blamed himself. He said it was his fault for not looking after you- even when he had a feeling that you were in trouble and Gavin was the bad guy. He was a wreck,"
I winced. Jake had no reason to be in pain because it wasn't his fault. If it was anyone's fault, it should've been mine for trusting Gavin in the first place. H was possessed and different to the last time I saw him, so as a Troop member, I should've seen something was up. But I failed to do so.
"With his whole Troop team gone, he felt no reason to be here," Akira swallowed, "He tried his best to help us locate you guys- believe us, we never stopped looking. But all our attempts were unsuccessful. It seemed like you had been, uh, how do you say...taken off the radar?"
"Oh,"
"Though we tried extremely hard to find you; save you; at least get you some help, we could not. We barely slept in the 24 or so hours you and Felix were missing. Some were handling it better than others, like Keiko and me who have learnt not to get our emotions involved with our work, while others, like Yuki and Jake were clearly distracted. So, Jake did something he could only ever do when he couldn't work properly and only think about you and Felix. He-"
"Went to Leanne," I said, almost bitterly; Akira raising an eyebrow at me.
"I will not even ask how you know, but instead, continue my story," Akira laughed softly as I smiled gratefully, "It just so happened that Leanne was returning back to Lakewood earlier this afternoon. Jake told us that Leanne understood his grief right now; that he was in an intense fight with his mime buddies, and that he needed to escape for a while. So Leanne, being the kind and rich girl she is- decided to buy Jake a ticket out of here,"
I tried to absorb everything Akira was saying. I understood the pressure Jake was under to try and find Felix and I, and I guess I got why he had run to Leanne for help, but I didn't grasp what would make him leave the freakin' country. Did he give up all hope that Felix and I might've come out of whatever situation we were in alive?
"We tried to convince him to stay and there was still a chance you were alive; that you and Felix were both capable Troop members. But he did not listen," Akira elaborated; his voice too calm to be just recounting what happened.
And then it hit me. Even when Akira said he didn't care about Jake and treated Jake modestly but arrogantly, he still cared for him- heck, we all did. Though Jake was gone, how we felt about him- how I felt about him wouldn't change.
"Thankyou Akira," I gestured weakly, "It means a lot that you told me all this. It's been a rough few days but hey, we're the Troop. We will push on and we will fight Poison and we will succeed; regardless if Jake is here or not,"
"That's the spirit!" Mr Stockley chimed in cheerfully; as Akira and I burst into laughter from surprise, "What? Why are we all laughing?"
"Nothing!" Akira and I grinned slyly, while Mr Stockley frowned at us, but continued to drive.
"Mr Stockley sir," Akira began, "Where are we heading to find Poison?"
"I was thinking we should visit the diner that Poison attacked us at. We could investigate there and see what happens," Mr Stockley replied, "We should be there right about...now,"
The car swerved left and entered the car park of Baxter's Barbecue. It was still deserted, as expected, since the time was almost midnight. The diner itself though had broken windows and the doors open, probably from the bombballs that had attacked us, just a mere few hours before. But even when it was empty, there was an eerie and strange atmosphere about the place.
I checked that my laser gun was still in my pocket and was relieved to find it was. Mr Stockley stopped the car and turned it off, while Akira nudged the others awake.
"What is happening?" exclaimed Yuki and Keiko at the same time, which made them burst into laughter at their similar reactions to be woken up.
"I'm guessing you woke us up with good reason, Akira?" Felix smirked.
"Of course! I would not bother my friend if it was not for the sake of monsters!" Akira winked as the rest of us just chuckled, "We are going to check out the diner you, Hayley and Mr Stockley were attacked in,"
"Good," Yuki stated boldly; grabbing her huge plasma cannon and tucking it under her skinny arm, "Let us destroy whoever tried to destroy us!"
"Whoa, calm your farm, Yuki!" I laughed softly, "We can't just go in there and start shooting everything in sight. We need a plan of action- just in case someone or something is in that building,"
"This is how it is going to work. Grab a weapon from the trunk and head to the diner," Keiko commanded; her independent side immediately kicking in that it almost stunned me a little, "Yuki and Felix, head towards the side entrance, Akira and I will go to the back and...oh,"
"Jake isn't here remember?" Felix said in a bored tone, "Hayley can come wth us,"
"No it's fine, I can go in from the front by myself," I answered with determination, even when my mind was telling me that it was a bad idea, "I don't need Jake- I've never needed him,"
I didn't know if I was trying to convince myself or the others at this point. As much as I wanted to be an individual that didn't depend on anyone else but herself, I couldn't be that person. Because as much as I wanted to fight this battle on my own, I just couldn't.
"I am not disagreeing with you, Hayley, but I think I should go through the front," Akira smiled softly, "I just do not want any of you to be hurt. I am willing to sacrifice myself,"
No one said anything but looked at Akira with respect. I really did admire him as a friend. He was brave and smart and always took initiative. Keiko looked so proud, I thought she teared up at one point. She threw herself into Akira's arms and gave him a sound kiss on the lips, before we all split up and attacked each entrance of the diner.
"You kids are such an amazing bunch," Mr Stockley grinned in an impressed manner, "I'll stay in the car and look out for any suspicious activity out here. Put these on and keep these close. I'll be able to communicate to you through these,"
In Mr Stockley's hands, we saw a few ear buds, presumingly for listening to him if something were to go out of hand. Everyone took one and placed them securely in their ears. Next, Mr Stockley passed out some headsets for us, and we fastened them tightly on our heads.
"There's a camera at the top of the headset so I can see exactly what situation you guys are in, if there's an emergency," Mr Stockley informed us diligently, "You can also communicate with me through the speaker,"
We wished each other luck briefly and preceded to approach the diner. I could feel myself shaking- it had been a long time since I had infiltrated a potential lair for a criminal. It felt exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time.
By the time Keiko and I arrived at the back entrance of Baxter's Barbecue, we could barely see Felix and Yuki on the side entrance of the diner, and Akira was completely out of view since he was barging in to the diner at the front entrance, while we were at the back. Keiko looked slightly worried but still strong. I smiled reassuringly at her and she gave me a small pat on the shoulder, as we got ready to kick down the door.
"Now!"
With a swift kick, I knocked down the door. Keiko ran into the room with her cannon, ready to shoot. I followed behind her; my heart pounding in my ears, as I saw Yuki and Felix and Akira. They all looked determined to shoot and all ready to destroy whatever could pop out and attack us.
The diner looked fine. There were a few blown up tables, probably from the bombballs, but other than that, it looked like your typical, shabby restaurant. Akira ran a frustrated hand through his hair and Yuki and Keiko yelped in annoyance. We were all sure we'd find something here.
"Akira, behind you!" Mr Stockley echoed into all our headsets.
But we were too slow to react. Akira groaned in pain when something hit his head, and he fell down with a thud.
"Akira!" Keiko screamed as she ran to his side; tears forming in her eyes.
"Looking for me?" a familiar but sinister voice cackled.
Poison.
Though the diner was dimly lit, I could see her more clearly than when I was her prisoner. She had flowing violet hair and piercing blue eyes- just like Gus and Gavin. Her lips were a dark red and shaped in a snark. She was wearing an extravagant dress in dark purples and deep plums with a matching, flowing cape. She had a staff in her hand, though it was empty at the top. Gold entwined detailings spiralled upwards which implied it should be holding something.
"Who are you?" Yuki said with venom.
"Dear child, you should know who I am. Why, I'm the lady who could've killed Akira, but chose not to. I'm the lady who kidnapped Felix and tricked Hayley into falling for Gavin, so she could join Felix as my prisoner," Poison smiled; her words dripping with fake layers of sweetness, "Unfortunately, I realised I had a problem when my hostages escaped,"
"What do you want, Poison?" I snapped impatiently, "I'm sick of your games!"
"Oh Hayley, you never were a passive one, were you?" Poison replied cryptically.
"Not anymore," I answered with equal intensity, "I'm Hayley Steele, Poison- I was never passive. I'm not going to sit on sidelines while you hurt my friends. So state your business or piss off!"
Poison's eyes widened and the rest of my friends could barely contain a giggle. Even Keiko smiled at my comment- and she was currently nursing poor Akira.
"I'm going to disregard that remark, for the sake of your life," Poison whispered darkly, "And I'm only here on business, which reminds me,"
Before I could register what was happening, a dark dust wooshed past me and pushed Felix to slam against the dirty wall of the diner. He winced in pain and the dark matter, controlled my Poison, squeezed Felix harder. He screamed as Poison's eyes glowed red and fangs grew out from her mouth. What kind of creature was she?
"I don't like games, Felix Garcia," Poison snapped, "I really don't. Now give it up. Where is the damn Crystalix?"
"I'm sick of these games too," Felix seethed angrily- an expression I've never seen from him before, since usually, Felix was such a nice, quirky guy; but this time, he just looked so fed up, "Let the others go and I'll lead you to the Crystalix,"
Poison's eyes turned back to their original colour, as the rest of us were just plain shocked to move. The sane part of my brain was to take a shot at Poison, but if I shot Poison, Felix would be injured too because he was too close to her. I couldn't risk hurting Felix to take down a criminal- no matter how dangerous and elusive.
"Hayley, please tell me Felix will be ok," Yuki prayed silently; making me wrap my arms around her.
"It's going to be alright, Yuki- you know how brilliant Felix is. Trust me when I say this will work out,"
Somehow, I even doubted myself when I tried to comfort Yuki.
Poison was more complicated and devious than any other person who had ever encountered. She was even worse than Gus, and Gus was a handful. Was this the end of the Troop- Japanese and Lakewood? I shuddered at the thought. I wasn't sure what to do now. Keiko was looking at Poison disgustedly, while Akira was still out cold. Yuki was shaking like a leaf and I wasn't even confident in what would happen next. Felix glanced at us caringly and smiled weakly. He was thinking of getting us out here safely and alive when he might not be the same. I couldn't believe at what Felix was going to do.
"Felix, please don't do it," I said; my voice shaky, "You can't sacrifice-"
Another cloud of dark dust rushed at me and knocked me over. I collided with a table and my shoulder stung badly. I tried to not show any pain, but the growing bruise on my body begged to differ. I rubbed the areas quickly, and slowly but driven to prove Poison wrong.
I was not weak. I was not going to be pushed around by some girl in a cape. I was not going to lose. I stood up with little problem, even with the sharp, burning pain all over my body. Hatred filling my whole entire body, I looked at Poison squarely in the eyes and opened my mouth. She looked surprised, well, slightly.
"I wouldn't suggest you trying that again," I murmured lowly, as I took out my mini laser gun and aimed.
Poison was suddenly thrown back; the dark matter previously holding Felix gone. Felix fell to the ground gracefully and breathed a sigh of relief. Yuki rushed over to find him and luckily, Felix looked fine- just a little shocked. Keiko gave me a thumbs up and I just smiled back politely at her. Unexpectedly, someone yanked on my hoodie and I was pulled up from behind.
"I should've dealt with you the first time I saw you, but no, I tried to play nice and get Gavin to charm you," Poison mumbled sinisterly, "I guess it's time to take care of things- my way,"
"Let go of her, Poison!" Felix yelled courageously, "It's me you want!"
"God, I'm so tired of this rubbish! I just want the Crystalix. All of you stupid Troop members should've left me and this case alone, but you nosy brats had to interfere with my plans," she scowled, as I struggled to be released by her, "Now, I'll be taking what I want, and hopefully, this will be the last time I see your putrid faces,"
Poison let go of me tiredly, and I injured my bottom as it collided with the ground. Yuki and Keiko grabbed their guns and tried to surprise attack the monster, but Poison was too fast for them. She easily dodged the two rays aimed at her, and smugly, shot a wide grin at them. A cloud of black swarmed Yuki and Keiko and they were knocked down. I grabbed my laser gun to react again, but I, too, was too slow. In a flash, Poison grabbed Felix and before he had the chance to react, they disappeared in a cloud of black dust.
"We failed...again," Keiko muttered miserably; rubbing her sore head.
"It seems Poison is going to win this battle," Yuki chimed in; while Keiko rushed over to see how Akira was doing, "We outnumbered her but she still managed to defeat us. We are too weak,"
"How could she have been this...strong? I have never met someone like her," Keiko thought out loud.
"I have no idea, Keiko, but dear sister, it looks like we can not beat her. Her plans will succeed and we are powerless to stop her," Yuki wept, until I spoke up.
"No, we're not. We're better than her and we'll always be. We can't give up now- especially when Felix's life is at stake. We're so close to the end; to finding the Crystalix, ending the Poison's source of power and destroying the Vortex, once and for all, so everyone and everything can be at peace and return to normal," I said rationally, "We can't turn our back now and let Poison go, without another fight,"
"She's right, you know," Keiko shrugged, "The world needs us more than ever now,"
"And Felix too. He's in some trouble when Poison finally realises that Felix has no clue where the Crystalix is,"
Yuki, Keiko and I all widened our eyes. A fourth voice had entered our conversation, and it certainly wasn't Mr Stockley or Felix. I turned around to meet with a pair of warm, familiar milk-chocolate eyes. My heart sped up and I wasn't sure if it was from fear or happiness.
"Jake?"
–
Guys- shorter chapter than usual so I'm sorry about that, but it's really late (or early, not really sure what you would call this time LOL) so I've decided to end it here.
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