YAAAAAHOOOOOO! After two or so long weeks, I have finally overcome my writer's block! As a gift to you guys, I won't make this too long, so you can just start reading! Enjoy!
Chapter 6: It Can KILL
"So can you do other things besides close combat attacks?" Cynder asked Shike.
"Yep. It depends on what version of myself I choose to be," he answered.
"Version? You mean there are different versions of your imaginary self?" Spyro questioned.
"Yep, each with its own abilities, which often include control over ice or some other element, and almost always include some form of martial arts," Shike replied.
This sort of talk went on for a while, due to the trio's huge interest in Shike and his abilities. Eventually, Cynder decided to ask the one question that was quite possibly the most important one yet. "Is there anything we should know about you, just so we can avoid any accidents?"
Shike's expression suddenly grew serious, causing Cynder and Spyro to become a little worried, and Sparx to say "I don't like that look on his face. It's scaring me!"
Shike then answered in a serious tone, "Yes. Do NOT; I repeat, DO NOT push me beyond my tolerance level. A more accurate term for this would be my 'Point of No Return,' because if you do, I break nearly every personal law I've placed on myself and go on a vengeful rage on whoever caused it. Survivors are quite common, though the people who were my enemies to begin with don't usually live through it, and those that do often end up badly crippled. Allies who go that far find themselves threatened harshly, and usually end up regretting their actions, along with being a LOT more cautious of any similar actions for the rest of their life."
The trio just stared, mouths agape, worried, almost frightened looks on their faces. Sparx was whimpering, "Hush, little baby, don't say a word, mommy's gonna make you a scary god-boy's gonna kill me…"
Shike's expression, tone, and entire presence went back to normal all of a sudden. "But you shouldn't have to worry about that too much. You guys aren't really the type to push me anywhere near that far. If you do, then it's as I said: allies often get out alive, but knowing what not to do again. Those that don't make it out alive are usually just partial allies, like former enemies or known traitors, etc."
The whole trio let out a sigh of relief. Cynder, out of curiosity, decided to ask another question. "What do you mean 'you break nearly every personal law you've placed on yourself'?"
"I mean that I usually follow personal laws that I give myself each time I enter an alternate reality. That way, I don't become too powerful and have everybody relying on only me to do everything. It's also so I don't have to explain all my abilities to everybody. When I break those laws, I use the powers I always have in reserve just in case the need arises. For example, I have placed a personal law on myself preventing me from using my control of the elements in battle most of the time, and sometimes on other occasions. If people make me angry, I usually resort to my control over Ice and Water, among other things, to threaten them or get my revenge. Trust me; a lot of people would say Wind, Earth, and other elements are better. In fact, people often underestimate control over Water, thinking it couldn't hurt them. After all, they drink it, swim in it, and are never really hurt by water unless they fall into it from really high up or make the stupid and/or crazy decision to do a belly flop." Cynder and Spyro smiled at his little joke, and Sparx laughed and said, "I've done that."
Shike continued, "But, they always forget one thing: ice. Those who have control over water will often have control over ice as well. And ice is something that is NOT to be messed with. Another key fact that many normal people forget is that most of the body is made of water. All I have to do is snap my fingers and every molecule of water in the subject's body freezes. Not only does this usually speed up the process of frostbite considerably, but it makes it impossible for them to move. I could also change the temperature of the air to make it freezing-cold around the subject, while controlling my body temperature to stay perfectly warm, slowing the enemy down without doing so to myself. I could focus all the water molecules in the air into a small ball, freeze the particles into little shards, and send them flying at the enemy like an army of ice-cold knives. I could even do more gruesome things. Terrible things that not many people would have the guts to do."
Spyro and Cynder, having lived through an entire war on their own, couldn't help being curious, and decided that Spyro would ask the question on everyone's minds. "What are those?"
A small grin, mischievous yet terrifyingly calm, grew on Shike's face, and his eyes narrowed, as if warning them. "I could pop a crucial artery simply by stopping the flow of blood in one spot, causing the blood to build up and eventually pop it like a water balloon, making the enemy bleed to death internally, with no possible way to stop it. I could freeze my enemy and then make the frozen water molecules form spikes of ice, effectively shredding them to pieces from the inside out. I could manipulate the water molecules in the heart, stopping it from beating, completely halting the flow of blood throughout the entire body of the individual, forcing them to pass out within a matter of seconds, and killing them in a few more. I could cause their insides to explode, I could make them move how I want them to, and I could even shred them bit by bit without them knowing what's going on. Water and Ice are two of the most dominant elements on the planet. Wind can tear things and blow them around, Fire can do nothing but burn, melt, weld, and destroy, and Earth can form into solid, often deadly shapes, such as spikes and large fists, but ICE." His voice grew more sinister as he spoke. "ICE can do all the same stuff as Earth and more, and due to its higher density, is more lethal when used in that sense. Water is all over the place, in the air, in the ground, in your BODY. Water and ice can be used to shred things in even more terrifying ways than wind, because they can move just like the wind, yet still be solid on a microscopic scale, and if controlled correctly, can make something along the lines of a small yet terrible hurricane of microscopic knives. Water and Ice can corrode things until they turn to dust, they can tear things apart from the inside out, they can turn rain storms into hail storms, raining sharp blades or enormous hammer- and boulder-like chunks of ice, they can control the body and even the very MIND of an individual."
Shike stopped, realizing that now even the two dragon heroes had terrified looks on their faces, and Sparx was whimpering so badly he couldn't even sing anymore. Who, or WHAT, was this guy? Shike decided to tell them the other, less sinister benefits of those two powers.
"There are other, kinder benefits, of course. Water can be used to heal, it can be used to get the blood flowing again, it can be used to restart the heart's beating so an electrical charge wouldn't be needed, it can be used to stop major bleeding, it can clean wounds, it can keep wounds closed, it can even nurse an unconscious person back to health by controlling their body as if they were conscious. Water, which is often thought of as the least powerful of elements, is quite the opposite. When combined with the power of ice, it is the MOST powerful, along with being the most useful, of all elements. This is why I do not often use it unless necessary. Or unless not using it would be unnecessary. I love to use them on occasion, as my style of controlling them is quite like a dance. Now I feel I have said too much, and it seems like the party is about over," Shike pointed to the other groups of people around, pointing out the fact that they were now entering their tents or leaving the area, "so why don't we all calm down and call it a night?"
The trio had calmed down somewhat after he had told them about the healing properties of water, but were still a little on edge, and quite speechless at first. Then, Cynder, who had gotten mostly used to that kind of gruesome nature during her darker days, decided to pipe up. "What do you mean? Don't parties for occasions like this usually go on a lot longer?"
Shike realized she had a point and decided to ask Hunter. "Hey, Hunter!"
"Yeah?" Hunter called back as he ran over to the group.
"First of all, sorry about not talking to you much or anything. These guys have just been asking so much about me!" Shike answered.
Hunter just laughed. Being the sort-of hero of Avalar, he knew what that was like.
Shike continued, "Secondly, how long is this party supposed to go on for?"
Hunter suddenly beamed. "That's the beauty of it! This is an overnight party! People will still turn in for the night, but the party will continue in the morning, starting with a large breakfast I hunted down myself!"
Shike understood the reason for that. Some couples or groups may want to rejoice in private with their loved ones.
Hunter then looked at Spyro and Cynder and added in, "I even made sure a special second home was built for you guys to stay in for the night and at other times whenever you feel like it!"
Spyro grew curious. "Which one is it?"
Hunter looked around for a moment, trying to see if he could spot it, then realized he couldn't. He suddenly called out, "SPOTS!" and then waited. Soon, another cheetah ran up to them. He seemed to be quite young, maybe just over eighteen. At first, all but Hunter wondered why he had been named Spots, but once they got a good look at him, they found themselves wondering what other name could possibly fit him. He had spots just like the other cheetahs, but his contrasted with the other colors of his fur so much that they were terribly distracting, especially a big fat one right in the middle of his forehead.
"Spots is our best architect, despite his young age. I had him build the new home for you guys, but I let him choose where to put it and how to build it," Hunter stated. He then turned to Spots. "Where DID you put their new home?"
Spots immediately spoke up. "Actually, it's over in that small clearing over there," he said, pointing over to the flat grassy area almost right next to the camp. "I put it over there so the two dragons could have more privacy, and so it would be more beneficial to them on other occasions. Plus, there should be a red crystal and a green crystal out there, so it could also act as a temporary hospital in times of dire need!"
Hunter just stood there for a moment, eyes wide in astonishment of Spots' great thinking and generosity, and then spoke again. "Well then, I guess we know where your new home is at. I sincerely hope you enjoy it, and now I have my own family to get back to, so it is time that I said good night to you all."
They all said their good-byes and good-nights, then headed to their respective homes. Spyro decided to ask Shike the question, "Where are you staying at?"
Shike didn't seem to notice at first, but then answered, "I don't really plan to stay anywhere in particular. When I'm in a different reality from my own, I often just find a comfortable spot somewhere, usually in the grass or in some rocks, and go to sleep there. Heck, I remember one time when I found a small rock face that had a spot in it that could make the perfect chair during a lecture or meeting of some sort! I just sat there and rested my eyes for a little while. To be honest, I think that was the most comfortable natural place I'd ever fallen asleep in!" Then he laughed, finding it odd that rocks could ever make a more comfortable rest spot than any other natural "bed".
"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us?" Spyro asked.
"Naw, I'll probably just rest in the grass near your place or in a cave behind a waterfall or something. Trust me, I'm fine! Plus, I'd rather give you guys as much privacy as possible for the night. After all, parties tend to make the best nights for romance!"
Spyro blushed, and Cynder just giggled. He did have a point though. Spyro decided where Shike slept wasn't really his business, nor could he change Shike's mind, so he dropped the subject. Eventually, they reached the small home, which was built just like the other Cheetah compounds, but about twice as big. Spyro and co. headed inside as Shike gave a quick "G'night!" and headed to a small patch of grass nearby.
"Spyro, I'm not so sure I can sleep well after THAT speech," Cynder commented.
Sparx piped up. "If you mean the "Make me angry, I kill you" speech, then I don't think I could sleep at all after that! I'm still a little scared!"
Spyro knew what they meant, as he had also been pretty freaked out after that terrifying explanation. Even so, he wasn't about to let something like that get in his way.
"Cynder, just remember, no matter what happens, I WILL be there for you, and I WILL protect you, even if it costs me my life. And remember, Shike is one of the good guys, and it was our fault he told us all that stuff in the first place. We lived through a whole war. We WITNESSED this stuff, and yet we still slept well, somehow. Don't let some stupid speech stop you."
Cynder just sat there for a moment, thinking on how to respond, then nodded her head. "I know, but things like that can still affect your dreams. Then again, I'd prefer a nightmare about something like that over another lifemare, so I guess it's really no biggie!"
Spyro just chuckled a little at her comment, and then said, "I guess you're right, reliving old experiences like those IS worse in a way than living new nonexistent ones." They both just laughed at this and the fact that they had actually been scared of nightmares, and then eventually calmed down. Spyro yawned, and finally said, "Good night, Cynder," and gave her a small kiss. Cynder returned it with an "I love you too. Good night," and then they once again fell asleep with their tails twisted together, Spyro's wing draped over Cynder. Sparx just grumbled to himself, "Oh, yeah, say goodnight to the girlfriend, but not the BEST friend. Yeah, good night to you too, buddy," and then went to sleep in a small bed in a shelf that had been built into the wall for him, proud that Spots had actually remembered him enough to make him a bed.
Before you ask, no, Shike will not steal the spotlight. He has for a little while, but that happens sometimes when you introduce a new character. All that time was spent introducing himself, so technically, he never really stole the spotlight in the first place. It's basically on all of them now, though. And you can thank the book I've been reading lately, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Magician, for making me a bit of a better writer for this chapter. As you may have noticed, this chapter is my longest yet. This was purely accidental, but you could count it as a gift of apology to you guys for taking so long. I also noticed that I accidentally added some romance to the end by taking out of the beginning of the next chapter and tossing it into the end of this one, which I did to make the end of this one and the beginning of the next one better. So I also accidentally answered the prayers of those who thought I needed to get some more romance in there. Just to let you know, Chapter 7 is already started (as you can now tell) and I may finish it sometime tonight, meaning I will be posting it tomorrow. I will try to make it another romance chapter. Until then, REJOICE, FOR THE CONSTANT UPDATES ARE ONCE AGAIN UPON US!