New Kid On The Block
Chapter 15 – Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Hey there everyone! I would just like to thank everyone for their support so far, despite my slight laziness. I hope you continue to enjoy this story :)
Loonaticslover13: As usual thanks for your review. Yes he can regenerate, but did he this time? :P aha Im such a meanie! And thanks so much for your patience; it's really reassuring to know that you would be willing to wait 60 years for the next chapter ;) Haha thanks again :)
Lucy of Fairy Tail: Thanks so much for review, I will do my best ;) glad you're liking the chapters.
So in the last chapter, it appeared that Tech had sadly met his death, and his teammates were seemingly running to theirs aswell! :S Doesn't look good does it? But there is still a glimmer of hope for the loonatics, time to find out what it is…
Enjoy!
Blazestumbled over to his fallen comrade. He was tired, weak and wounded, but he didn't care. Right now there was only one thing on his mind. The wounded tiger dropped to his knees as he reached Tech's side, the coyote still wasn't moving. Blaze's heart burned with anger at himself… Why couldn't I save him? He berated himself. Why?
Tech had a calm, peaceful and serene look on his furry, pointed face, a face that showed no signs of pain. It was as if he had fallen into a deep sleep. At least it had been quick and he hadn't felt anything. Right?
With the condition he was in though, you wouldn't have expected that the coyote had just been blasted in the chest by a plasma cannon. There was a thin line of blood that had trickled from his mouth down the side of his furry cheek but other than that, nothing… No injury, no giant hole in his chest that you would have expected from such a blast.
Blaze took this into account as he wearily studied Tech and then he remembered something. He remembered that not long after he had first become a loonatic, he had overheard Tech talking to Rev about a new project that he was working on in which he had used his own DNA codes to create a chemical that would initiate natural regeneration, which would be helpful not just for the loonatics, but for everyone else, humans and anthros alike. And then it dawned on him: He can regenerate!
Blaze's exhausted eyes shot open at this realization. Could he have regenerated? Was he still alive? He had to find out. The tiger nervously pressed two fingers on Tech's upper neck…
Thump Thump…
Thump Thump…
Blaze's lips curved into a smile, he had found what he was hoping for:
A pulse…
Meanwhile…
Dis is hopeless Ace thought to himself as he surveyed the carnage around him. How much longer could they go on like this? His teammates were tired… He was tired… They were fighting an uphill battle, one they were losing rapidly… But they had to fight on, they had no choice. But despite his feeling of hopelessness, Ace was determined not to give in, not yet. "Loonatics regroup!" the bunny shouted to his teammates.
They instantly obliged and it didn't take long before they had joined him. He nodded to Slam and Duck as they arrived and shut off their jetpacks, they both nodded back. Slam was bruise-covered and was holding a black eye, but the big Tasmanian devil still had a raging fire of determination burning in his good eye. Duck had fared slightly better than Slam in terms of injuries, but his constant teleporting had left him exhausted and severely lacking in energy, his fatigue was evident from his bloodshot eyes and the heavy bags that drooped down under them. But at the very least they were okay, reasoned Ace. But something was wrong, VERY wrong, someone was missing… Ace darted his sapphire blue eyes between Duck and Slam "Wh… Where's Lex?" the bunny queried, a massive surge of worry overcoming him. He frantically gazed around the asteroid until his eyes caught hold of her, and his heart jumped up into his mouth.
Lexi had tripped up on a protruding rock and lost her footing as she had tried to evade the never ending swipes of the robots. She landed awkwardly on her back and felt a sharp pain shoot up her spine. She was about to try and get up but then a threatening shadow loomed over her.
Ace watched with horror as the robot raised its metallic fist to strike the female bunny. "Lexi!" He shouted desperately as he began to run to the aid of the female bunny.
Lexi shot a fear filled glance at her leader and secret love, who was running as fast as his tired body would allow him. Seeing him show such determination to save her made her love him even more, if that was possible. She smiled weakly at him before closing her eyes, waiting for the blow.
The robot's fist slammed down, Ace's heart jumped again at this sight. There was no stopping the bot now... But, there was one thing Ace could do, and without giving it a second thought, the brave bunny jumped in front of Lexi, shielding her body with his own just in time as the robot's fist smashed into him. Ace felt the bone in his shoulder crunch and he uttered a short strangled gasp as an immense pain shot up his arm before he crashed to the ground, landing painfully on his crippled shoulder.
Lexi had witnessed it all, NOBODY gets away with hurting Ace she thought to herself angrily. All in one swift action, she jumped up and tackled the large robot to the ground and then brutally smashed her fist through its metal-plated chest like a rock through paper and ripped out its main power cell, shutting the robot down. (Lesson to be learned here is to NEVER piss off Lexi) ;)
Lexi then immediately darted to Ace's side, joining Duck and Slam who were already kneeled down next to him. She gently cupped her hand round the back of the male bunny's head, supporting it. "What did you do that for huh?" she asked her leader in a worry laden voice, gazing into his sapphire eyes caringly.
Ace looked at her and flashed her the cheeky smirk that she loved so much about him. "Te save yer tail, dat's why." He stated, wincing as another sharp pain shot up his arm.
All three of them smiled at their leaders stubbornness. But the smiles were short lived as they looked up to see that the remaining bots had completely surrounded them, leaving no escape.
The Loonatics had given absolutely everything they had left, but they had been beaten… Despite destroying another one of the formidable robots leaving only 5 left, it was not enough.
Like all mechanical devices, these robots didn't feel pain, when they were knocked down they simply got back up as they'd been blown over by a mere gust of wind. They were programmed to kill and destroy and with the way they had managed to not only contend with but actually beat seven of the universe's most skilled fighters, it was easy to see that this was their purpose.
The loonatics on the other hand did feel pain. Despite their shield-like suits and their superhuman abilities they were still just anthros, they were mortal. And that imperfection had proven to be their downfall.
It was over…
Back on the missile, Blaze leaned over Tech's chest to listen to his heartbeat. It wasn't strong, but he was alive, and that was all that mattered right now. Blaze needed to get him back to the others as soon as he could. How am I gunna move him with this arm though? He reasoned. His arm was in bad shape, it was weak and fresh blood was still dripping off his fingertips as it dribbled down his arm from the large wound just below his shoulder. But despite his condition, there was no way he was leaving Tech.
Fighting back the extreme discomfort, Blaze slid his good arm under Tech's back and slowly lifted the coyote up and then slung him over his shoulder. The tiger's knees buckled slightly under Tech's weight and his vision went dark for a few seconds before returning to normal as he adjusted. Normally, lifting up Tech would have been relatively easy for Blaze, but because of his arm and the exhaustion from the fighting he had done, it was like trying to lift a 3 tonne truck!
Man I hope the others are ok… Blaze hoped as he thought about his friends. These robots were strong, and if he had had such a tough time with one of them, how had the others fared against almost ten of them?!
"Bout time we got outta here hey Tech?" Blaze joked to the unconscious coyote. The tiger blasted his way out of the missile with a gyro ball, which meant using even more of his already shrunken energy. He walked to the opening he had made and gazed out into space, after briefly taking in the stunning view, which he was still coming to terms with, he caught sight of the asteroid that his friends were on. And it didn't take super vision like Ace's to see that they were in trouble…
Meanwhile…
The four friends all huddled around eachother helplessly. A new feeling had come over Ace, Lexi, Duck and Slam. A sinking feeling of complete and utter hopelessness, the realisation that they were about to die, and there was nothing that could stop that truth from happening. No saviour, no hope… Did they like that truth? Of course not… But what other truth was there?
And as the robots all raised their cannons, and he realised that his time had come, Ace looked up at Lexi -who was kneeling over him protectively- for one last time, and she looked back at him through her stunning emerald eyes. And in that moment -one that neither of them would ever forget- they both saw in each other's eyes for the first time a hint that each of them felt something a lot more than friendship for the other. It was a sensation that neither of them expected, but one that they had both been hoping would happen for a long time…
Does he/she like me? Both Ace and Lexi simultaneously. Well it was now or never if they wanted to find out, because they wouldn't get another chance. They both opened their mouths, trying to form the words that they had wanted to say to eachother for so long, but they just couldn't say it…
Lexi felt tears forming on the brim of her eyes and quickly looked away, embarrassed and heartbroken. I… I can't tell him… she cried to herself, and with that, the moment was gone…
Ace felt his heart shatter as he saw Lexi tear her gaze away. Well… Dat's dat… Ace then looked up at Slam and Duck and the three of them exchanged weak, half-hearted smiles. Then there was complete silence as the four of them waited for their death.
Bet then thankfully, the silence was abruptly broken as a familiar voice resounded on the Loonatics' communicators: "Hey-guys! Sorry-that-im-a-little-late-to–the-party!" shouted Rev in a jubilant voice.
Out of nowhere, the Loonatics' ship –with Rev at the helm- appeared. The four of them opened their eyes and were completely lost for words at what they saw, and then with a flash of the ships powerful cannons, the robots were obliterated.
Ace, Lexi, Duck and Slam all glanced around, realizing that it was finally over. They thought that had been it, that was the moment, the final countdown… (No pun intended) :P. They all exchanged wry smiles before helping Ace onto his feet as Rev –who had landed the ship on the asteroid- came over to greet his teammates. "Hey-Gu-" began the roadrunner before he was cut off by a certain very angry Duck.
"WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN FEATHERBRAIN?!" raged Duck as he stomped up to Rev. "We've been getting our faces kicked in out here and you just conveniently decide to get off your lazy butt to come and help us just as we're about to get our fried?!" the angry mallard continued, wagging his finger at his fellow avian.
Rev looked sheepishly at them all, guilt smothering his face. "Sorry-guys-its-just-some-nuts-I-had-earlier-didn't-agree-with-me-at-all-so-Ive-bin-having-a-date-with-the-toilet-for-the-last-hour-if-you-know-what-I-mean-and-on-the-subject-of-nuts-I-think-we-really-need-to-change-the-nuts-we-get-becau-" said Rev speedily before being cut off again.
"Nuts?! NUTS?!" bellowed Duck, who was too angry to say anything else.
"It's cool Rev" smirked Lexi, trying to set the roadrunner's mind at ease "thanks for saving us." She thanked.
Rev nodded happily, glad that his team was still with him, but he frowned as he noticed a battered Ace being supported by Slam "You-okay-Ace?" He asked his leader worriedly.
"Nuffin dat won't heal Rev, tanks." replied Ace gratefully with a tired voice. "Wh…" He began before another burst of pain stung his shoulder. "Where are… Tech and Blaze? Have ya heard from dem Rev?"
Rev shook his head. "Wha… Has-something-happened-to-them?" he stuttered in a shocked voice. Rev's mind flooded with worry for his teammates, especially Tech. They were best friends after all.
But none of them had the answer to Rev's question. There was complete silence as none of them dared say anything further. Were they dead? Was the question on all of their minds. But then… "Bejebi Hegiza!" mumbled Slam excitedly, exuberantly pointing his finger at a figure rapidly approaching them on a jetpack. They all instantly knew who it was.
Blaze uttered a silent sigh of relief to himself as he caught sight of his friends, seeing that they were all there and relatively ok. He was still carrying Tech on his shoulder and tightened his grip on the coyote as he came to land, he touched down on the asteroid about 10 metres from his friends and turned his jetpack off. They all jogged over to him (apart from Ace), smiles spread on their faces, glad to see the tiger. But their happy expressions vanished the instant they realised what Blaze was carrying on his shoulder.
Blaze gently lowered Tech to the rocky ground and laid him flat on his back as the others arrived to join him. He respectfully backed away to allow the others to gather around Tech. Surprisingly, Duck was the only one to come up to Blaze. "Good to see that you're ok…" the mallard comforted with a tired smile, lightly clapping the tiger's arm (his good arm thankfully) in a friendly gesture. The usually cocky and brash Duck had been suddenly become replaced with a solemn, quiet and… caring Duck.
He must have hit his head or something…
Blaze, who was pleasantly surprised by Duck's sudden display of warmth simply nodded with a quick smile of his own. His arm was still bleeding, but it wasn't as painful anymore, and he could actually think about other things now besides the pain.
Rev, who had been the first to reach Tech's side gazed up at Blaze with a grievous expression. "Is-he…"
"No Rev he's still alive, but his pulse is really weak." confirmed Blaze as he walked back over to join his team "He needs help... Fast."
"Blaze… Are you okay? You don't look so good" observed a concerned Lexi. Due to the seriousness of Tech's condition, nobody had really noticed until then that Blaze was in pretty bad shape too.
As well as his bruises and cuts, Blaze had lost a lot of blood from the wound in his arm and he now looked significantly pale. But he was convinced that he was ok. "Im fine Lexi, honestly… Its Tech you should be worried about." The tiger answered dismissively.
Ace, who had perked up slightly took command. "Blaze is right, we need te get Tech back te Acmetropolis fast. Rev, start up de ship. Duck, contact Zadavia and tell her we intercepted de missile and inform her on de situation wid Tech. Lex, Slam, take Tech to de medical bay. Blaze…" began the bunny as he turned to face the tiger, but…
Blaze had collapsed to the floor…
Another cliff-hanger! Damn im evil ;)
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and thanks again for being patient. Will try to get the next one up asap! Please leave your comments down in the review box, I love seeing all your awesome reviews! :D
Btw, thumbs up to Loonaticslover13 for remembering that Tech can regenerate! I was hoping nobody would remember so that they could have that epic "oh yeah, he can regenerate" moment XD
Oh well, nice one ;)
So next chapter we will find out if Blaze is okay and if Tech pulls through!
Thanks again dudes :)