Rudy kept his eyes closed, waiting for the knife to plunge into him. He waited for the unbearable pain he knew he would have to endure, even if it were just for a few seconds. He had no chance to get away in time. All he could do...was wait.
But nothing happened. There was no pain, no feeling of the knife going into his chest, no nothing. Instead, he felt something entirely different, and completely unexpected.
The pressure he felt from Cosmo holding him down suddenly lifted. Not gradually, but all at once. He felt a large, heavy presence over him for a second, casting a shadow on him. He heard a crash, Cosmo screaming in pain, and the grunting of someone else. It all happened so fast, it took time for Rudy to comprehend what had just happened. Hesitantly, he opened his eyes.
Off to the side, just a few feet away, was Skrawl. Rudy's eyes widened in shock. Skrawl had...come back? And he just saved his life.. Even though they weren't connected, even though he had no incentive, even though he could have left him and get back on with his life, Skrawl still came back and saved him..
Skrawl had Mr. Cosmo pinned against the wall. He had used his large body as a weapon, slamming against him hard enough that here were slight cracks in the wall. Skrawl snarled viciously at Mr. Cosmo before he stepped back away from him.
When Cosmo regained his bearings, which didn't take long, he glared at Skrawl before raising his black chalk. Skrawl swiftly grabbed Cosmo by his collar and threw him aside. Cosmo landed a few feet away, hitting the ground pretty hard.
Skrawl glared at Mr. Cosmo for a second before turning his eyes to Rudy. His eyes were still narrowed, but they softened up as he walked up to Rudy. "I knew you were going to need my help."
Rudy slowly climbed to his feet. He still couldn't believe that, out of everyone, it was Skrawl who had saved him. Skrawl, the same zoner who had tangled with him for years. The same zoner who almost had him killed with a robotic double.
"Why...?" Rudy asked.
Skrawl cocked an eyebrow. "Why what? Why did I save you? Because you were at a disadvantage. You should consider yourself lucky I came back. If I had been a second late, you would have..."
"Yes I know but..I mean..." Rudy knew this wasn't the best place to ask this. But Cosmo hadn't made a move yet and was just watching silently. Rudy wasn't sure how to ask this. "I understand the need for cooperation, back when we were connected. But you saved Penny when you didn't need to...and you saved me now when you didn't need to... Why? Why the sudden change in heart, Skrawl?"
Skrawl blinked a few times and just stared at Rudy. For a while, there was silence. Rudy could see Skrawl looked uncomfortable and confused talking about it. His eyes were still narrowed, but even a subtle change can alter the entire expression.
Skrawl finally spoke after what felt like several minutes.
"I still think I owe you...for getting me out of that building."
Rudy stared at him. This was all as payback for helping him earlier? Well that was nice and all, but didn't Skrawl take it a little far? Helping them out a little was fine and he appreciated it. But this felt like it was more than just simply paying him back. And Skrawl's tone of voice suggested there was something else underlying it all.
He thought about what he had said to Skrawl before, back in the cage. That was when his strange behavior started to occur. He had thought of the idea before, but he wasn't sure if it was possible for his words to get through to Skrawl in this way for this long.
Although Skrawl didn't say it, Rudy had a feeling he knew what this underlying reason was. Skrawl didn't need to say a word.
It was guilt. Rudy realized, for certain, that his words had invoked a guilty response from Skrawl. That, somehow, he managed to get Skrawl to realize he had been wrong all these years. And now he was trying to make up for it. It did feel weird to Rudy at first, as he was so used to Skrawl trying to fight him. But it did feel nice that Skrawl seemed to, finally, understand.
But he couldn't keep thinking about that right now. They had more important matters to take care of. He turned his head over to Cosmo, who had been watching the whole time in silent contemplation. He had quickly recovered from Skrawl's unexpected attack and had his arms folded. His right eye glinted black, and he looked eager to continue their little duel.
"How unexpected... I never thought that our little...endeavor would change the jellybean so much... Perhaps I should have thought things through." Cosmo mused, tapping his fingers together thoughtfully. Rudy and Skrawl glared at the reporter. Cosmo let out a chuckle. "Not that it will do me any good now... Might as well just learn from my mistakes. Which I always do...as for you..."
Mr. Cosmo sneered as he took a few steps towards the two. The limp was a little less noticeable now. Cosmo managed to hide it a little. "You were a fool to come back here. You should have listened to the boy. But now...you both will share the same fate..."
"You're outnumbered now." Skrawl said as-a-matter-of-factly, gesturing with his arm. "What makes you think you still have a chance at winning? And numbers don't always matter. I faced this boy many times with my Beanie Boys..." He pointed to Rudy. "..and I still lost. So how are you certain you will win?"
Mr. Cosmo didn't need to answer. A loud screech filled the air, echoing through the walls. The two froze where they stood, startled by the sound. Rudy knew that screech anywhere. He wished he was wrong. But there was absolutely no mistaking that screech.
A large shape flew into the room. The shadow loomed over the pair, causing them to look upwards at the source. They could see the large, unmistakeable form of Draow. The bat wolf flew in behind Mr. Cosmo and landed on the ground behind him. He shook his head, turned so that his teal eyes stared into Rudy's, and snarled.
Rudy's eyes widened. This was going to be a problem. Draow had caused problems for him and the others. Not to the same extent as Cosmo, but Draow was obviously still a big player in all of this. He could tell he was undyingly loyal to Cosmo, and now any attempts at hurting Cosmo were going to be hard to pull off. This attack dog monster would lunge at him and tear him to shreds in a second if Cosmo gave the orders. Rudy would have a hard time dodging him.
Mr. Cosmo stroked the top of Draow's head. "You were saying..?" He asked, smiling towards Skrawl. "What was it you were going to say about me being outnumbered? I don't see two against one here. I see two against two."
Skrawl just snarled, refusing to reply. There wouldn't have been any point to it anyway. Anything he said, it wasn't like Mr. Cosmo was going to take it seriously or consider it a threat in any way.
Rudy contemplated what he should do. He had wanted to send Skrawl away again. He appreciated the help, but he didn't want him to get hurt again. Skrawl was already injured from before. Blood was still seeping out of the wounds a little. He could still see Skrawl move in a way that suggests he was in pain. It would be best if he got out of here.
But now...that plan might have to be scrapped. He hadn't counted on Draow showing up to the fight. There was no way he could face Cosmo alone. And now that Cosmo wants him dead, he could easily sic his pet, or whatever Draow was to him, and kill him easily. His arm still hurt as he remembered Draow's teeth in it. It would have only taken a little harder of a bite and the arm would have come off...
His best chance would be to allow Skrawl to fight. He could take on Draow. No matter how big and ferocious Draow was, he was ultimately still a chalk creature. And anyone made of chalk cannot use magic chalk. So Draow would have to rely on his own physical prowess and endurance, which he seemed to have an endless amount of. Skrawl would need to rely on the same stuff too, but at least that would make them even.
And if Skrawl came all the way back just to help him, which it seemed like that was exactly what he was doing, he might as well let him stay and fight. Draow had caused him a lot of ear pain with his glass scratching, so he guessed Skrawl would want revenge for that.
Rudy was cut from his thoughts when Mr. Cosmo spoke. And he felt a sickening feeling when he heard what the man had to say.
"I see your little..time with Wilter had been..eventful." Mr. Cosmo said, continuing to stroke the top of Draow's furry head. What looked like a sneer spread across the jowls of the beast. "Yes...I don't have to worry about him interfering this time... I had made a mistake in letting him go after our first encounter years ago. And he came back and had me dragged out of this world, my mind wiped... But that won't happen this time."
Rudy took a step back. "Mr. Wilter...? What did you do to Mr. Wilter?!"
Draow flicked his ears a couple times. He tilted his head to the side. His pupils shrank slightly, giving his already menacing expression more of a threatening impact. "I have disabled him for the time being."
Rudy jolted back, almost tripping over himself. Skrawl was just as shocked as he was. Though he didn't move back, his fingers were spread apart in surprise.
Draow could...talk? After all this time, he could talk? Rudy let the realization sink in, a heavy feeling in his chest. That would explain the incident in the hallway, with him using the glass to get closer. Draow really was intelligent. He really wasn't just a large dumb beast Cosmo drew, but was fully aware of his actions, could understand everything being said, and was enjoying all of this just as much as Cosmo.
Knowing that Draow was sentient did change things. At first, he had thought that maybe Skrawl had some kind of advantage. He thought Skrawl was smarter than Draow. But with this confirmation of Draow being intelligent, he wasn't so sure if that was the case anymore. Draow had decieved them all, except Cosmo, ever since they first met. He made them all think he was just a dumb animal so they would underestimate him. He had been a great actor, a master of deceit. And that takes a high level of intellect.
Rudy's thoughts went back to Mr. Wilter. What had Draow meant when he 'disabled' him? He bit his lip as horrible thoughts ran through his mind. Were his legs ripped off? Was his stomach cut open? Was he beaten, laying in a pulp on the ground? Was he in trouble? Did he need to go to the hospital?
He didn't have much time to think about this. Draow moved out from behind Cosmo. He opened up his wings, showing off his large wingspan, his hooked wing claws practically glinting in the black light all around them. Mr. Cosmo held up his black chalk, staring at it with intent.
"That is enough...chat." Mr. Cosmo winced in pain again. He covered his eye and seethed in agony for a few seconds.
Draow's ears pricked up and he looked down at Cosmo. "Who did that to you?"
"The little blue pest. But I already took care of him..." Mr. Cosmo smiled evilly through his pain. "After what I did to him, it will be..a miracle for him to survive..."
Rudy's eyes widened in horror. Instantly, images of Snap's unconscious form entered his mind. That couldn't be the last time he'll see him alive. It just couldn't. Snap had to be okay. He just had to... Rudy shook his head slowly left to right in disbelief. The pain he was feeling in his hand went away as his mind became preoccupied with Snap.
He had promised Snap he wouldn't let Cosmo hurt him again. And he failed to live up to that promise. He had failed Snap when he needed him the most. And now...now he might not even make it. Snap may have paid the ultimate price in this battle to save ChalkZone. And Wilter might suffer the same fate...
And it was all because of Mr. Cosmo...
"You...monster!"
Skrawl looked shocked when Rudy grabbed the magic chalk from the ground and rushed towards Mr. Cosmo. Rudy's eyes were intense, filled with rage. Draow moved in to interfere, but Skrawl slammed into him, pushing him back before he could do anything.
Mr. Cosmo's remaining eye was widened. It was mostly shock, but Rudy saw a tinge of fear in it. He very briefly wondered if he was reminded of Mr. Wilter, how he had managed to defeat him years ago. Rudy's thoughts became numb after that, filled with nothing but rage, as he pushed against Mr. Cosmo. He had mustered up as much strength as he could into that push.
Mr. Cosmo stumbled back, waving and flailing his arms in an attempt to keep his balance. Before he could right himself, Rudy got in close and kicked at his leg, tripping it and causing him to fall into the ground. Rudy put a foot on his chest and held him down. Even though he would not have as much luck seeing he was a teenager and he was an adult, he didn't care.
Rudy pointed his magic chalk towards Mr. Cosmo. "If Snap dies...you are going to pay..."
Mr. Cosmo narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly are you going to do, kid? Kill me?" Rudy's eyes widened slightly. Mr. Cosmo's smile spread across his face. "Because isn't that what you threatened to do before? You said you were going to kill me if I hurt Snap. Is that what you are going to do here? Because if you kill me...you will be like me..."
With wide eyes, Rudy's body started to tremble. The horrific realization of what Mr. Cosmo said hit home to him. It wasn't the threat of being like Cosmo alone that did it. But the idea of taking a human life. Even though he hated Cosmo. No...he couldn't kill him. No, he would defeat him, and he would be arrested. He will not stoop to this man's level.
Rudy's distraction in his thoughts bought Mr. Cosmo the time he needed. He pulled back one of his legs and kicked Rudy in the stomach. Rudy cried out in pain and stumbled backwards. Mr. Cosmo got back onto his feet.
With a twisted smile on his face, Mr. Cosmo said, "You don't have it in you...do you...? You'll always be weak... Like Ms. Saffron and Snap. Ms. Saffron died because of it...Snap will soon die because of it...Today, you will die because of it."
Rudy snarled in response. "You're wrong!"
"Am I..?" Mr. Cosmo chuckled. "Okay...prove it to me."
sss
Penny winced as she heard the sound of drilling coming from the emergency room. She knew that they had started to operate on Snap. They had no idea how long it was going to take. The procedure was very delicate and, even if Snap were healthy, it came with a lot of risks. One slip up, and he could die.
It was unsettling listening to the drill as it cut into Snap's head to remove the device. It was hard to believe that this horrid sound belonged to the one thing that could save Snap's life...or end it if someone made even the tiniest slip. How cruel life can be...
Rapsheeba sat down next to her. She hadn't said much of a word. Occassionally, she'd look over at the double doors, as if expecting Snap to come through any second. She sometimes shuddered at the sound of the drill. And a few times, she would hear Rapsheeba blow her nose, the tears causing her nose to become runny.
Penny understood why Rapsheeba was so upset. Of the zoners, she was one of the closest to Snap. She cared a great deal about him and the two spent a lot of time together, especially recently. At least up until the terrible incidents after Snap's birthday that is...
Penny couldn't believe the cruel, twist irony of this happening not long after Snap's birthday. Birthdays were meant to be enjoyed, to be fun and exciting. And that's what Snap's party had been. It felt like just yesterday they were at the mansion, dancing and having a great time. Snap had been so happy back then...
She winced as she realized she thought that is if had been years ago. Indeed, that's exactly what it felt like. Everything that's been happening felt like it was going on for a long time. Yet she knew, it had only been a few days, and that frightened her. It was scary that so much horror could happen in just a short amount of time.
And now, instead of being able to enjoy himself like he had at his birthday bash, Snap was laying what might become his deathbed...
Suddenly Penny heard an alarm go off from the operating room. She and Rapsheeba swiveled their heads. They could see the flashing red light above the door that led to the emergency room. Then, a second later, desperate cries from the doctors.
"His heart has stopped! He's going into cardiac arrest!"
Penny and Rapsheeba gasped in horror. Their bodies froze and it felt like ice was filling their veins. There was no way they misheard that. It was as crystal clear as the sign on the door. And there was no way they could have misheard what was said next.
"We're losing him! Hurry!"
Penny felt the world around her become blurry. She couldn't register Rapsheeba's sobbing. She barely could tell she herself was crying. Her eyes remained glued on the door, her body shaking terribly.
Snap..no...he couldn't...no...
Penny shook her head slowly, in absolute denial. It couldn't be true. No..not after all they had done to get him back, he couldn't be snatched from them again like this. This couldn't be the end. No..it just could not...
Slowly, Penny regained her sense of reality when Dr. Urso walked through the double doors. She felt a lump in her throat when she saw him with his ears folded down, his head low. Whatever he was about to say, it wasn't going to be good news. No...it can't be..no...
Dr. Urso stopped in front of Penny and Rapsheeba. He had a hard time looking at them in the eyes. It looked like it took all his might to make himself look at them to deliver whatever bad news he had to give.
"Things aren't looking good. There were..complications in surgery, just like I feared.." Dr. Urso said in a low, sympathetic and regretful voice. "His heart stopped beating during the surgery. We have managed to get his heart going again, but we don't know how effective it will be next time. Your friend is still alive...but for how long.. That's up to chance now. I'm sorry..."
Although Penny was relieved that Snap was still alive, the news did little to comfort her. Snap still had a strong chance of dying. Overwhelmed with emotion, she turned and pulled Rapsheeba into a hug. His ears still lowered, Dr. Urso turned and walked away, leaving the two friends to grieve.