Okay guys, I'm sorry to say but this is the final chapter of Ravage
Hope your reading experience was above average
Thanks all my loyal readers
You have been great compellers
Anyways, to the story
It may or may not be dreary...
Chapter 18, Admiratio, aka, The Next Three Weeks,
Near the end of the second day, something amazing happened, Sly woke up. His condition had improved a great deal. He still was stuck in the bed and would be for most of the week. But his life was no longer in jeopardy.
Carmelita was in the room when he first opened his eyes.
The light hurt Sly's eyes so he squinted.
Carmelita noticed and she got a big smile. "Hey you, how are you feeling?"
Sly moaned, he ached everywhere and yet had a pleasant buzz in his mind. The painkillers, he thanked the doctors for the meds. Still, all the wounds burned and ached terribly, he was still weak. He responded, his voice was frail and quiet, "Crappy… but alive… I was… worried about… you."
Carmelita chuckled lightly, "You scared me nearly to death you ringtail."
"Well… I always… got on… your nerves…" Sly managed to smile a bit. His red eyes sparkled a bit.
Carmelita's eyes sparkled back. "I know, but I like it." She noticed how tired Sly was, "Get some rest Sly, we need you."
Sly grinned and readily obliged. His eyes closed and he reentered his bliss.
It was the third day and the time for the trade was coming up. Rykk, Ratchet, Fen, Arco, Atlas, and Leo had piled into a transport carriage. Rykk had the modified collar on as well as the attire Calamity ordered; a chain and a pair of pants. On his tail was a silver ring, the tracker that Calamity was meant to find.
Nobody spoke on the ten-minute ride over.
Rykk felt like he was headed for execution. Even if the plan worked, he was still going into the heart of Velocity chained and collared. Plenty of lombaxes would see him.
The square was huge and bustling with both human and lombaxes. Rykk sat in the transport, he didn't want to leave. He knew as soon as he stepped out that he would turn heads. Yet, he stepped out.
Before he did, Rykk swallowed the small tracker Bones gave him.
Rykk let Leo hold his chain; it was humiliating just walking to the meeting spot.
Most lombaxes gave a look of disgust. Others said unkind words such as; monster, freak, cat, murderer, and others containing expletives.
Rykk never looked up, they were lucky he was restrained and had a mission.
The gang had to keep some lombaxes back as they began to crowd.
"BACK OFF!"
The crowd went silent and faced the source of the voice. They all yelled and fled as Calamity stepped out from an alley. Behind him was a figured in a long, hooded robe. It hid the lombax beneath it.
Soon, the square was empty. Calamity stood on one side, Rykk and the gang at the other.
Arco and Fen might as well of had daggers coming out of their eyes. If it didn't meant that Rykk or Kaden would die, they would've attacked.
Calamity smirked, "I see my pet has been found; that you for returning him."
Rykk growled, "You think you're so clever. It's not the first time I've been called less than human… or Bonded."
Calamity ignored Rykk, "For returning him, I will reward you." He turned to the figured behind him. "Come on out."
The robbed and hooded figure stepped forward. Though everyone knew who it was, they weren't expecting what their eye beheld.
It bore a similarity to a lombax, though it was covered by both dry and wet blood as well as horrific cuts and gashes. One of his eyes was swollen shut and the other was completely bloodshot. And worst of all, on its wrists and feet were bloody and gruesome holes. It was a wonder it could stand with the holes in its feet. On top of that, one of his ears looked like it was mostly sheared off; it just hung on by a bit of cartilage and sinew. The other ear also had a large hole through it. He looked more like a walking pile of blood, fur, muscle, and bone than a chief of Velocity. All he wore was a blood-soaked, crudely cut, loincloth.
Ratchet almost hurled at the sight of his father. If he didn't already know who it was; there was no way he could recognize the figure as his father. "D… D… Dad?" It was all Ratchet could muster; the sight stunned him to his core.
Kaden's breathing was fast and shallow. He was shaking and blood was dripping everywhere. In fact, if it weren't for the Hammer he had been given, he would probably have died from blood-loss.
"As a sign of good faith, I'll send Kaden halfway over first." Calamity grabbed Kaden and threw him forward. Kaden stumbled and fell roughly. "Get up," Calamity barked.
Kaden weakly stumbled to his feet. Pain was all that existed for him. It made him nearly blind. Yet, he stumbled forward and made it halfway across the square.
Rykk saw Kaden but showed no reaction. He knew it would be bad, in fact he expected a little worse. Rykk stepped forward as Kaden shakily walked. Rykk saw Kaden as his future self should he fail to collar Calamity.
Soon, Rykk and Kaden met in the middle. Kaden was shivering, his breathing quick and shallow, a trail of blood led to him.
Rykk whispered, "I'm sorry."
Calamity crossed his arms, "Ok, both of you move!"
Rykk took a deep breath and started walking. Every instinct in him told him to run, told him to fight.
He didn't.
Kaden stumbled for a few more steps before collapsing. Bones and Clank both rushed forward and began to scan him. The others gently moved him.
Calamity grabbed Rykk's chain and yanked it.
Rykk yelped, "Gack!" as the collar yanked his throat.
Calamity grinned and Rykk felt humiliated. "Rykk, this is the way this should be. Come, we have a lot of… catching up to do." Calamity yanked the chain and made Rykk gag again.
Just as Rykk thought this couldn't get more humiliating, he saw that Calamity had prepared a cage. It was big enough for Rykk to sit in and was made of a dark grey metal.
"Get in," Calamity barked.
Rykk snarled but (very reluctantly) obliged.
Before Rykk entered the cage he yelped. Calamity had grabbed his tail and pulled on it.
"Hmm… a tracker," he pulled off the silver ring and threw it away.
The metal was cold against his bare back and fur.
Calamity nodded towards the group, "It's been a pleasure." He grabbed hold of the chain on top of the cage and flew off with Rykk in tow.
Ratchet looked up as Calamity flew away and saw that Rykk had tears in his eyes.
Ratchet himself was upset, mainly for his dad's extremely rough appearance but he was also scared for Rykk's task.
Rykk watched the landscape below him zip by.
Calamity was flying fast; he was eager and would have easily outpaced an Atmo in seconds.
The collar made Rykk's throat feel numb and his tail hung out of the cage, it swayed in the wind.
Both Bonded were silent during the short flight.
Calamity landed at the mouth of a cave. It was one Rykk had known about but had never been. It was a complex maze of tunnels called Agrona's Labyrinth. It wasn't traveled often and was in a very remote area. Even though they are tracking me, it'll take them some time to get out this far.
Calamity carried Rykk's cage into the cavern. The tunnels were dark, wet, and big enough for two people to walk down. Calamity took many turns and the walk was a long one. Calamity was unusually quiet the whole time; Rykk said nothing as well.
Eventually the tunnel opened up into a circular arena. It was the size of two football fields and was open to the sky. All over the ground were bloodstains and pieces of rotten flesh and tissue. Some of the stains were recent.
Rykk then spotted something that chilled his blood. It was a dark, wooden cross. Fresh, wet blood was still on it and the nails were still embedded in the wood.
There were many other devices of torture, most looked straight out of the dark ages.
Calamity tossed Rykk's cage into the middle of what was undoubtedly the torture chamber. Near the cage was a tall, thick pole with rings on it. No doubt used to string people up.
Calamity then spoke for the first time in an hour, "You know what Rykk? I know that when people call you an animal they mean it as an insult." Calamity crouched until he was eyelevel with his nemesis. "I do not; I believe you really are an animal. You are the most dangerous animal there is. Because of that, you, and your father, killed the only person I cared for."
"That "person" was a mass murdering, manipulative, cannibalistic psychopath! Not that it matters to you."
Calamity grinned and shrugged, "We all have problems, and you know that. And I know you Rykk; you don't care if you die trying to kill me. However, you would never give yourself up to me, even for Ratchet's father. Let me guess, you have a tracking device on you, and I don't mean the tail-ring I found earlier."
"No, that was the only one."
"Aw, come on Rykk, you know I'm sadistic, not stupid." Calamity withdrew a metallic rod and started waving it around Rykk. The rod beeped when it was moved across Rykk's back and Calamity smiled. "Ah a gastro-implanted tracer, that'll be fun…" The rod also beeped when it came across Rykk's collar. "Hmm… this one's a bit more difficult."
Rykk grinned, "Something wrong?"
Calamity smiled, "Not at all, it's just as I expected, I want your friends to come get you."
Rykk's face went cold and he braced himself for what was going to happen.
Calamity opened the cage's door and pulled Rykk out.
Rykk had seen the pole and knew if he got bound to it; it was very likely he wouldn't get another chance to get the collar on Calamity. He dug his heel into the ground and lunged at Calamity. While he moved he summoned the collar.
Kaden was rushed to the hospital and put in the same room at Sly. When he collapsed, he passed out, it was a wonder he hadn't done that sooner.
Ratchet watched as his father was taken to the Lombax Medical Clinic of Velocity. The docs, Bones, and Clank checked him out. He was covered in deep lacerations and was in surgery for a good amount of time. The holes in his hands and feet were the worst.
During that time Ratchet was pacing around. Clank was with him, Bones said that he should comfort Ratchet and that he could handle the surgery. He updated Clank every hour.
Also with him were; Fen, Arco, Leo and Carmelita.
Clank put had a call from Atlas (he was with the Praetorian Guard Techs). "Go ahead Mr. McShard,"
"We got a bit ov'a problem, 'e lost both trackers' signal."
Ratchet nearly yelled, "What?! How?"
"De region es very remote," Atlas turned his attention to one of the techs.
"We have the signal! But we need to triangulate their position."
"How long will dat take?"
"Some time, he's in the Labyrinth."
Atlas took a deep breath, "Aw dat's perfect!"
"How big is the Labyrinth?" Ratchet asked.
"De Labyrinth's tunnels go on for miles and miles, tere es a map of et but et's incomplete. Ef 'e don't 'ave a location on Roikk, we'll git lost as soon 'as 'e step foot en de caves."
Leo asked, "How long?"
Atlas asked the Tech and relayed his response. His voice had great disappointment, "Tey can't give us a toime, dey're sendin' troops to te cave entrances ta await a locate."
Ratchet's expression showed anxiety and frustration. "Fine, when you have more info let us know."
"Ya'll be te first ta know," a click indicated that Atlas had hung-up.
Leo sighed, "I'm not losing Rykk to that monster. I'm going down to the labyrinth, who's coming with me?"
"I'm coming," Arco said strongly.
"Me too," Fen agreed, the look on his face said, "revenge."
Ratchet was conflicted, his dad was hurt badly and wanted to be with him. However, Rykk was in mortal danger, because of him his dad was alive.
Clank saw the conflict on Ratchet's face. "Ratchet, you can go with them and I can inform you on your father's condition…" He paused, "Bones just gave an update. Your father will be fine. He just needs a lot of patching up and rest. The injuries were meant for maximum pain, not to kill. Once he's out of surgery, which should be in about three hours, with some Healer and Carmelita's skill, he'll be fine. He will be in the same room with Sly when you get back."
I now owe you Rykk, "Let's go,"
Everything went dark for Rykk. He loved it, the bliss, the darkness was a release.
A flash, Rykk gasped for breath as he jarringly came back to this bright world. His wrists were chained up above his head and his feet barely touched the ground. He felt the rough wood against his back and the numbing sensation on his neck.
Pain flooded him as he felt a knife enter his torso. Dark blue blood began to flow as Calamity cut into Rykk's stomach.
The pain was excruciating and Rykk yelled as his stomach's contents were spilled. He felt blood come out his mouth as Calamity put his hand into the gaping wound. Calamity was smiling broadly the whole time he had his fingers poking around Rykk's guts.
A minute later and Calamity withdrew his hand. In it was a blood and slime-covered tracker. "See, that wasn't so bad, don't worry. I'll help you," at that he summoned a syringe of Healer and applied it to Rykk. Within a minute the wound had healed to the point where it wasn't bleeding anymore. "I love Healer, I can keep people alive for far longer and try different methods on them; as long as the wounds aren't mortal."
Rykk moaned, "By the way, I heard your "loved-one's" death was painful. Heard it was a sight and that he screamed like an infant!"
Calamity yelled and instinctively struck Rykk on the face, "You… vermin! When your friends show, you will be near death! I will kill them in front of you and then I'll disembowel you and leave you to rot for weeks!"
Leo, Arco, Fen, and Ratchet piled into an Atmo and flew above the Plain. It took them about two hours to reach the labyrinth's main entrance. (Whereas it took Calamity about fifteen minutes) Outside it was a small army of Praetorians encamped around it.
He gang found Atlas sitting near what looked similar to a radio. "Ya got ta hurry et up! Ef we don't 'ave all te entrances covered soon, we moight as well not be here!" Atlas hung up and let out a breath of exasperation, "Why es everytin' against us?" He asked himself before he noticed the group. "Me apologies, Oi'm just a tad bit stressed roight now."
"I think everyone is," Leo responded, "You hear anything?"
"Te techs say dat we got about six hours before tey can get a locate. Dese stupid tunnels, dey are te worst place for trackin' and coms."
"A perfect place for a hideout," Leo stated with intense frustration and anger. "Figures, so we just wait then? Is that our only move?! Huh?! I have to wait while the kid I watched grow up gets tortured?! The son of one of my best friends?!"
"Unfortunately it is." Bones' voice rang from the com device. "Going in there now would be foolish. You would certainly get lost and probably ambushed by Calamity and killed. If either of those things happen, Rykk will die."
Leo growled and roared a purple beam of energy from his mouth. All the Praetorian guards stopped and stared, they all looked a bit afraid at the Dragon's display.
Leo growled at them and they all hurried along their tasks.
Sly sat up in his bed; he looked over and saw Kaden. The Chief was out; most of his body was covered in bandages and he had an I.V. and a heart-rate monitor beeped in quick, rhythmic rate. Kaden had arrived about two hours earlier and Sly was shocked to see him so ripped up.
Sly himself was feeling better; Carmelita had used her healing abilities on him earlier. (The clinic lent her a plasma generator) They seemed to help a great deal; he was actually able to walk around a bit. He still felt weak and tired but better.
Suddenly Kaden sat up and yelled. "NO! GET AWAY FROM ME YOU WITCH!" He shrieked, his eye opened and revealed terror. He seemed to be shouting at the wall. There was no one there. "IT'S NOT MY FAULT! NOT MY FAULT! LEAVE ME BE!"
The sight greatly startled Sly and the nurses and doctor came running in. They tried to get him to lie down.
"NO! EBONY"S HERE! SHE'LL KILL US! GET OFF ME!" The hysterical lombax wailed and fought back. Kaden looked like a mummy fighting its captors.
Sly got up and helped the nurses and doctor restrain him until they gave Kaden a strong sedative. Kaden went limp and fell asleep.
Sly was breathing hard and his heart raced, what in blazes was that?! Thought he was too injured to move like that?
"Doc, what the heck just happened?" Sly asked as his breathing returned to its normal pace.
The doc also looked shaken up, "A nightmare, whatever torture Calamity did to him must've also included psychological torment. Well, he'll be out for a while."
"Shouldn't he be restrained?" Sly asked.
"If he gives us another outburst, he will be. For now, let's wait and see."
Sly returned to his bed and sat on its edge. He took a sip of water from a small plastic cup as Carmelita rushed in.
"Sly! I heard some commotion! What happened?"
"Kaden had some kind of powerful nightmare. I think that the combination of Ebony and Calamity's torment has messed his mind up."
Carmelita looked at Kaden, then at Sly. "I'll get the generator; I'll help him as best I can." She left and returned with what bore some resemblance to a space heater. She set it down and activated it. Lines of yellow plasma lit up. Carmelita moved her hands in smooth, slow, circular motions and the yellow plasma moved. It snaked into the air and slowly faded into a blue color. The converted plasma then gently touched Kaden's chest and dispersed throughout his system. Carmelita closed her eyes and focused, her hands never ceased moving in their elegant motions. Occasionally she would jump and grimace and if startled or disgusted. Kaden's breath became deeper and smoother, the heart-rate monitor slowed to a more even tempo.
After a half-hour, Carmelita withdrew her energy and took a deep breath. "Wow, that was intense."
Sly stood up, "He was pretty bad,"
Carmelita shook her head, "Not only that, I felt terror and fear in him. I expected for him to be relieved that he is out. However, I think Calamity messed with his brain. After everything that happened with Ebony, I think it was easy for him to made Kaden's mind break. I was able to heal him up a good amount, he'll always have the scars but he should be able to move around now."
"You kept him asleep right?"
She nodded, "Yes, I don't feel it safe for him to be awake, at least until he calms down. I think with time he'll realize he's safe."
Sly nodded, "Do you know what's going on with the rest of the gang?"
Carmelita sighed, "They're still waiting for a location. That cave system is the worst place for the trackers to work. But they said they should have a location in about ninety minutes."
"I really want to help," Sly sighed with a longing note.
Carmelita gave a nod, "I know, but in your condition you would be killed."
Sly growled lightly in frustration, "Yeah, here I thought I was some powerful Bonded. But compared to Rykk and Calamity… I'm not."
"Don't talk like that Sly! You are powerful; I think you're just a different kind of power. You just have to figure how to use it. Besides, you're new to this; Rykk, Calamity, and Ebony have had their powers far longer. Of course they have an advantage over you."
Sly looked into her eyes, the gave him compassion and comfort. "Thanks, Carmelita, I do feel better." Sly then yawned, that struggle with Kaden was a bit tiring.
Sly soon fell asleep.
About an hour later he awoke to Kaden screaming. Aw that crazy lombax! Not again!
Sly bolted up and suddenly felt extreme fear. For a dark shadow was in the room.
Rykk shuddered as Calamity forced the middle finger of his right hand back until it touched the back of his hand. Over the past couple hours Calamity had went through a plethora of torture methods on Rykk. After each one he would give Rykk enough Healer to just to fix the injuries. As such he could torture Rykk as much as he wanted.
Rykk was in and out of agony, his body never adjusted. Though, he was able to use his puppet to avoid having Calamity in his mind. That was a huge relief.
"I bet they don't care, the chiefs only wanted to get their own back. They want you dead, you know that."
Rykk grinned, "They sure do. But, I know who they want more." Rykk spat a mixture of cobalt blood and saliva onto Calamity's face. "I may be an animal Calamity, but you are a savage!" Rykk gave Calamity an intense, determined, vengeful stare. "I'm ready when you are!"
Sly was in shock, it can't be! It just can't! That's impossible!
The dark figure had two, distinctively curved horns on her head.
Ebony stood over Kaden. She had her staff in one hand and a black dagger in the other. The dagger's blade was smooth and was surrounded by green flame. She just held it, it wasn't raised yet.
Sly was groggy initially but upon seeing Ebony he was wide awake.
Kaden was also awake and a trembling wreck. "Get… get away! Leave!"
"Nevermore, such a sad and lonely word," Ebony hissed. "Nevermore will you see your son. Nevermore will he love me. Nevermore…" As she spoke she raised her dagger, preparing it to strike.
Ebony paused, quickly spun around and blocked a blow from Sly's staff.
"How did you do it?" Sly asked. Their staffs were locked together.
Ebony grinned, "Visions are seldom all they seem. You really think it was difficult for me to make your friends think they saw me die?" The malicious Bonded chuckled in a maleficent manner. "Look at this, I have the bane of my existence alone, and lightly guarded. My friend has his bane and is playing with him. Soon, he will kill all your friends. It's all working as we planned!" She spun, parting their staffs and tried to jab Sly with her dagger. At the same time a wall of thorns sprung up in front of the door to the room. Only the small window on the door was left unobstructed.
Sly fought through his weakness; the dire situation numbed his pain and gave him a boost in energy. He evaded the blade and hit it out of Ebony's grasp with the end of his staff.
Ebony grabbed her staff with both hands and swung it at him.
Sly parried it and he swung his own.
Ebony parried it and leapt above him. Her long, black robe flowed and followed her as she tried to hit Sly in midair.
Sly bent forward and blocked the blow with his staff behind his back.
She landed and another blow of hers was blocked. The master thief's staff was still behind his back.
Sly spun around and a brief, fast exchange began. Both staffs were not natural, both were Bonded weapons; one for a thief that was well known, the other for a dark, spite-filled entity.
"Got a location!" Bones exclaimed. "He's here," Bones' hologram pointed to a spot on a map. "It's an open arena about four miles northwest of here."
The Praetorian commander pointed to the spot, "It'll take us about a half…"
"No, no troops. Calamity will just kill them. We will go alone," Leo stated firmly. To make his point, his eyes flashed purple and made the commander jump. The commander went silent.
Ratchet looked at the map, "I'll take our group there; I can carry them. We'll be there in a few minutes."
The group bounced against Ratchet's palms as the giant lombax ran. Everyone braced themselves for the upcoming fight. Leo flew alongside Ratchet; his eyes glowed with purple energy, and bloodlust.
Rykk's ears heard rhythmic rumbling and Calamity smiled, "We got company."
By the time the gang arrived; Calamity had resorted to his favorite method of torture. He was beating Rykk with the nine-tails.
When the Ratchet saw him, it was Déjà vu. Rykk looked only slightly less rough compared to the day they had come to Velocity for the first time. (He still had both ears)
Leo landed in the arena and Ratchet dropped into it. He released the gang from his hands and they all got in fighting stances. Ratchet had to shrink down to fifteen feet tall in order to have enough room to move effectively.
"Finally, what took you all so long? Oh, was it the trackers? Don't worry, I'll give them back. Your silly cat here accidentally swallowed one but don't worry about that one either, my trusty knife and I got it back." He tossed it at Leo's feet; it still had dry blood and stomach enzymes on it.
Leo saw the tracker and imagined what had happened. He roared a beam of plasma at Calamity.
Calamity evaded the attack by leaping and spinning sideways. He commanded his three ghosts to attack the group.
Arco, Fen, and Atlas kept the ghosts busy. Leo attacked Calamity while Ratchet helped Rykk.
Leo distracted Calamity long enough for Ratchet to get the collar off Rykk and inject him with healer. It gave Rykk strength and he summoned his blades. Ratchet drew his wrench and they joined Leo in the fight.
Calamity got an opening on Leo and cut off his leg. He then threw Leo against a wall, the impact knocked him out.
Rykk yelled, in his rage he extended his claws and went feral.
Everyone yelled, "No Rykk!"
It was too late. Rykk abandoned all forms of order and precision. His rage blinded him as it did before; Rykk swung his claws in furious abandonment.
The others tried to jump in but the fight became erratic and they couldn't.
The fight was made easier for Calamity. He dodged the swipes with little effort and even managed to send a shockwave that knocked everyone else back.
It wasn't long until Calamity got an opening and jabbed Rykk in the shoulder. He kicked Rykk onto his back and pinned his legs with a chunk of the wall.
Everyone was still dazed but Ratchet was the closest to Rykk. He saw Calamity about to finish Rykk off with his sword.
Ebony was obviously in much better shape than Sly and was wearing him down. Out of the corner of his eye Sly could see Carmelita desperately trying to get in.
Kaden was still quivering and trembling. He was still a terrified wreck.
Ebony landed a hit on Sly's temple with the end of her staff. It knocked him into a wall; due to his weakened condition the blow stunned him badly. A trickle of blood came from the wound.
Ebony turned her back and looked at Kaden. The dagger returned to her grasp and she approached Kaden. "Your friend is out. Now time to pay!"
Sly summoned a burst of Bide, hit Ebony with it and jumped her. He held onto one of her horns with one hand and hit with the other. He also kicked her, basically did everything he could to stop her from killing Kaden.
The Bide slowed her for a moment then she started flailing around. She yelled and spun around trying to get rid of the pest attacking her. She threw her head back and hit Sly in the face with her staff. She also shot him with a bolt of lightning and again shot him back.
Sly fell, the unnatural lightning course through him and he fell.
Everything went silent for Sly. No pain, no sound, just his heartbeat and breathing. He raised his hand to his neck and gave a light gasp. Embedded just below his neck was the black dagger. Its hilt stuck out of him and blood began to readily seep from the wound. Ebony reached down and pulled it out. "You imbecile, you thought you could beat me. Now die in a pool of your own…"
Ebony was silent as the dagger was taken from her hand with alarming speed and shoved into her back. The black blade hit her heart.
"You…" Kaden's voice growled. It was dark, low, and laced with rage and hate. "I may have failed you. That's no excuse to kill!" He yelled as he shoved and twisted the dagger. "I'm sending you to HELL!" Kaden yanked the blade free and Ebony shrieked.
The Bonded exploded in green flame and fell. Her body, like during her fake death, turned back into Angela. This time, it was for real. Kaden made sure by stabbing the body again. No reaction but the thorns faded away and Carmelita came running in.
Sly was bleeding out; he had a few precious seconds left. "Carm… I'm… sorry…" Sly began to feel light headed and tired.
Carmelita couldn't believe it, Sly was dying. There was no time to heal him and the wound was too grievous for Healer to fix. She was so wrecked up at the sudden turn of events she had to force herself to speak. The tears flowed in abundance from both Sly and Carmelita. "Don't… Sly… you can't… leave!"
Sly's vision began to darken. "I… love… you…" The world went black and Sly went limp.
Rykk was stunned, he thought he was dead. He thought that, because he let his rage and anger consume him, it was over. Looking up, he saw Ratchet impaled on Calamity's blades. His red blood dripped onto Rykk's face.
Ratchet knew that if Rykk died, there was no one else strong enough. He also believed that if he died, Rykk could become the Storm and end Calamity. He had little time to act. So, instinctively he leapt in front of the blades. He shook and quivered as his body knew he was in dire trouble. Blood trickled from his wounds, nose, and mouth. Kill this monster Rykk, you can do it! Ratchet thought as he hung on the blade.
Calamity raised an eyebrow before throwing Ratchet off his blade and onto the ground. There, Calamity skewered him again before throwing him off the blades again. Ratchet flew into the stone wall back first; blood splattered on the wall. "Well that was inconvenient…"
He was cut off as Rykk roared and flew apart into his third stage, the Alter Storm. You killed everyone! I should have died for him! I owed him! Rykk's voice, now deeper and almost god-like, came from the storm, "Savage! You don't deserve to live in this world! In this universe! Prepare for hell! PREPARE TO DIEE!" It rammed into Calamity and everyone else took cover in a nearby tunnel.
The storm was massive, the sound of the rushing energy was deafening enough but it was the beastly roar it gave that was deafening. It proceeded to slam Calamity into nearly every inch of stone.
For the first time in a long time, Calamity was stunned.
The storm dove into the ground and transformed into the rock beast.
It roared and proceeded to pound into Calamity. He tried to escape but the beast grabbed him and threw him into the wall.
There was little Calamity could do, it was an alien feeling for him.
It took some time, but little by little, the beatings weakened the murderous Bonded.
While Calamity was getting pummeled, Atlas pulled Leo and Ratchet into the tunnel they were hiding in.
Leo was badly hurt but not mortally once he was given some Healer. He awoke after being pulled into the cave.
Ratchet however, his wounds was much more grim. He had four holes through him and the Healer would only buy a little time.
Ratchet's breathing was labored and he was bleeding profusely from the wounds, mouth and nose.
"Ratchet… I can't… lose… another… brother!" Fen exclaimed. He practically hysterical, his eyes became a fountain of tears.
Arco to was crying but was silent. She didn't know what to say.
"Oi'm so sorry we failed you." Atlas said with great remorse.
Ratchet looked up and saw Calamity being pounded by Rykk. He gave as big a smile he could muster. The pain coming from the wounds was extreme and yet, numbing. His strength was failing. "You… didn't… fail… just make… sure… Calamity… dies…" He looked at Fen and smiled even wider. "You… are the… best… brother… I'll… miss… you… Fen…"
Fen lost it at those words.
Ratchet's vision darkened. "Tell… my… dad… I… love… him… I'm… seeing… mom… soon…"
Arco responded, "We will. Rest in peace, my friend."
"We won't forget you." Leo added.
Ratchet sighed heavily as his ears fell and his tail ceased to move.
Eventually Calamity was so beaten and weak he couldn't move. He lay on the ground; bright orange blood drizzled from his nose and mouth. He looked up just in time to see the beast leap at him.
In midair, Rykk converted to his Aggression form and drew his claws. As he came down on Calamity, he roared, and drove his claws into Calamity's chest. He quickly withdrew them, stabbed, and slashed Calamity repeatedly. Bright orange blood went everywhere. Rykk basically gutted Calamity.
Calamity was now fatally wounded, "Good job… kid… I… am impressed…" He was dying. It had been a very long time since he had seen his own blood. He didn't fight it; he knew what he had to do.
Rykk growled and bent down so he could whisper in Calamity's ear. Rykk's voice was a little more than a growl filled with malice, hate, and satisfaction. "How does it feel Calamity? You're dying and soon you'll be dead!" Rykk chuckled darkly, "I like this. I like seeing your guts everywhere. I like seeing you in pain. Though it is far from making things right for those you've taken! It's all I can do. Looks like I won!"
THWOP! THWOP! THWOP! THWOP! There were four, muffled explosions that came from between Rykk and Calamity. Rykk was puzzled until he looked.
In Calamity's hand was a McVoy pistol loaded with Alacrity rounds. Calamity had fired four into Rykk. At such close range, the blasts tore clean through Rykk. They basically exploded most of his vital organs and dark blue splatter went all over the ground.
"It's… a… tie…" Calamity said before he went limp. His body morphed into that of a young man with black hair.
Rykk sat up for a second, stunned, before he fell sideways off of Calamity. I can't believe, me and Ratchet, both, I expected this outcome, but… Pain flooded his body as he hit the crimson dirt.
Atlas, having just watched Ratchet die, was in shambles upon seeing Rykk going down death's road.
Leo too, saw Rykk and roared a beam of plasma. His eyes turned red and he berserked on the ground.
Fen was in such grief for his adopted brother, he didn't notice Rykk.
Arco simply sat on her feet; she was silent with a dark look on her.
Atlas ran over, as Rykk faded. He propped up Rykk's head in his arms. However, he didn't get the chance to say anything. "It's… over…" Rykk said as his eyes closed and his tail stopped twitching.
(Cue, Here Comes the Sun, by Nina Simone)
Sly opened his eyes and realized he was standing on a beach. The pure white sand was soft and cool. The waves of crystal water lapped rhythmically on the shore. There was a gentle breeze against his grey fur. It was perfect.
He then noticed that he was wearing white pants and a matching white shirt. Absent from his fur were the red lines and symbols, he was as he was before he even got the VIM. I died, so this is heaven? He looked up and saw a trail that led towards a measureless, green country. There were golden palaces on the land and the sky was bright.
He was about to walk towards it when he realized he wasn't alone.
Ratchet took a deep breath, the air was fresh and clean. It was cool against his face. The sounds of an ocean beat into his ears.
He looked to his right and saw Sly. He was stunned, Ratchet knew that he had died, but Sly? "Sly? What happened? I thought…"
"Ebony, she tried to kill your father. I died fighting her."
"So… is my dad?" Ratchet asked with both eagerness and reluctance.
Sly smiled and shook his head, "No, he killed her."
Ratchet was then also relieved and disappointed. "I hope he lives well, though I can't wait to see him."
Ratchet looked his right and saw a teenage human. He had black hair and shiny, emerald eyes.
"Um, hello, who are you?" Ratchet asked.
The kid looked at his hands and felt all over his head before responding. "I… I'm Derek, but I think you'd know me as Rykk."
Both Sly and Ratchet were stunned. "So Calamity killed you?" Sly asked.
Derek gave a grin, "I killed him first don't worry. Man, I can't wait to…"
He was silenced as a small crowd approached them. All of its occupants wore the same white clothes as they did.
Ratchet saw Talwyn and a female lombax he somehow just knew was his mother. He felt tears of joy form.
Sly's jaw dropped as he saw a male and female raccoon. He, like Ratchet, just knew they were his parents.
Derek looked and saw all the people he has lost. Not just to Calamity, but before that. He broke into a wide smile as he saw his best friend and members of his family.
The trio charged the crowd, all of them crying and exchanging hugs with their loved ones. The emotions of joy, happiness, peace, and love flowed from everyone.
"Guys, there's something we need to tell you." Talwyn addressed all three and they paused.
Ratchet was talking with his mother. "What is it Tal?"
Derek was wrestling his friend. "What's going on?"
Sly was laughing with his parents. "Can it wait?"
Sly's mom shook her head, "It can't I'm sorry."
So, they all paused and listened.
"You can't come any further, this is only temporary." Ratchet's mom stated with a gentle voice.
Ratchet was confused, "But… I'm dead, we're all dead."
Derek was now more befuddled, "Not again, I died, all my loved ones…" he started to break up.
Sly too was conflicted, "Why are you sending us back there?! I thought you missed me?!"
Sly's dad looked his son in the eye, "We did, we do, but it's not our call."
Sly muttered, "Oh, it's His call?"
"Your universe is in jeopardy. Calamity was one of the worst but there are other like him. If unleashed, they will be a repeat." Talwyn said, "Like Ebony, like me."
"So, what can we do?!" Derek exclaimed.
"You must find the one who made them." Derek's friend answered.
Derek was puzzled, "Them? Do you mean, the Beings?"
His friend nodded, "Yea, they aren't naturally a part of your universe."
"What do you mean? Someone from outside our universe made them?" Ratchet asked.
"Yes," Talwyn answered, "You must find the one responsible. His name is Kenovo."
Sly looked at her, "How do we find him?"
Sly's mother answered, "When you are sent back, you will each be given the ability to find portals to other worlds. One type, a white portal, will lead you to Kenovo's realm, a different universe."
"So that's it?" Derek asked, "We were brought here just to go on some wild man hunt for a being outside our universe?"
"No," Derek's mother comforts her son and hugs him. "Not just for that, you came here because all of you went through a great deal. You need some rest."
"But, if we're going back, won't our friends…" Ratchet asked but was cut off by his mother.
"Little time will pass as you rest your souls. You can't leave this beach, but there is a special cabin made for visitors."
"How long can we stay mom?" Ratchet asked.
She smiled a warm smile, "You will stay here for what you know as three weeks. However, only minutes will pass back in your realm my son. Now, how about we all go for a swim?"
Ratchet smiled, a whole three weeks with his mom and Talwyn. It wasn't eternity, but he knew if his universe was in danger and he could stop it, he will.
Sly looked at both his mom and dad. He had so much to tell them and vice versa. Three weeks was a decent amount of time, but not enough. Sly knew he had to go back, but it was the last thing he wanted.
Derek looked up at his mom. He asked timidly, "When I go back, who will I be? Will I still be a… Bonded?"
His mom gave him a reassuring hug, "You'll be my son. Whether your name is Derek or Rykk, you will be my son."
Though her response confirmed that he would, it melted Derek's heart. He knew now who and what he was.
The trio all exchanged looks.
Each look was one of friendship.
They all rested for the next three weeks.
Once upon a dream
Things are always as they seem
Worlds will collide
Many will die
To set things right
It will cost all their might
These three were meant to be
More than heroes of a galaxy
Our universe they will strive
Our realm, they will keep alive
A greater foe is missing
His whereabouts keep all guessing
A dark tower is the key
But in it is great mystery
Its halls are filled with evil
Its occupants may be deceitful
Many are dead
The place is dread
Yet to this place they will go
What will happen no one will know
They saw heaven
They have been through hell
Though paradise, for them is given
This new hell, few humans dwell
The new chapter isn't written
The tale to me is hidden
I have other stories in my mind
I am in a writer's bind
I will pen it one day
Not even I can say
I do not know the way
My mind or life will go
Thanks for reading
Now a question
What should be my course of action?
In the next section
I have a few choices
Now take your pick
Obey your inner voices
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