Well, I made an editorial decision and decided to make this the last chapter. Then the epilogue will come next. I wanted to end it with a cliffy. Pay attention cause if you remember much of the story you'll see why. Next comes the epilogue but until then here's this chapter. So hope y'all enjoy. Please R&R thanks. Also don't riot afterwards.
Rated M for Strong graphic violence, strong sexual content, and strong language.
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with victorious. This is a work of fiction inspired by the art of C Plaus. It is for entertainment and not profit.
Fireflies
Chapter Twenty Three
Army medics moved through the streets. Flames continued to burnas planes flew over. They dropped water and extinguisher onto the city. Slowly the flames were starting to subside. The medics searched for people who might be alive. They closed in on the tar pits. One noticed a woman laying under a tractor trailer. Walking over he knelt down. Placing two fingers onto her neck he waited. He felt the pulse beating.
"We got a live one" he shouted pulling his helmet off.
The woman was covered in the tar from the pits. He, along with the help of another soldier gently pulled her out from under the trailer. Rolling her over they looked her over. There was a bullet hole in her chest. There was blood on her temple. Upon closer examination he saw it was a knife wound.
"Man she's a tough bitch to survive a gunshot and getting stabbed" one said looking at her.
"This is team bravo. We have priority one medical emergency. Requesting medevac" one said into his radio. He listened before looking to the leader. "Solid copy, popping green smoke and IR flair" the man said. "Two minutes" he said looking at the leader.
"Copy that" the leader said as he worked to stabilize the woman. He glanced back as green smoke started billowing into the air. He looked up to see the black hawk helicopter slowly start to descend towards them. Suddenly a hand grabbed him startling him. Looking down he looked in shock at the woman. Her eyes were open and staring at him.
"What happened?" She asked in a weak voice.
"Ma'am, you were in a horrible accident. The city was attacked" he responded looking at her. "Can you remember your name?" He asked flashing a pen light into her eyes.
"Yes" she said looking at him.
"What is it?" He responded as soldiers moved up carrying a stretcher.
"Persephone" she said as she was placed onto the stretcher.
"Well, Persephone, we won't let you die, you're being taken to a triage center just outside the city" he said smiling at her. Backing up the medic looked as the helicopter lifted off. It flew away leaving him and the soldiers there. They turned and moved back through the city, looking for more survivers.
XX
Jade rested on her knees crying. She gently stroked Tori's hair back from over her face. Placing her hand over her mouth she felt the light breath against her hand. "She's alive" she said looking up to Carmilla.
"She won't be for long" Carmilla said shooting over to them. She glanced back as Nikki and Summer joined her. Together her and Nikki gently put Tori's intestines back into her. Looking over Summer reached into her vest. She pulled out a super glue container. Carefully she put a line of glue over the wound.
"That'll hold for now until we get back to the shop" Carmilla said looking at Jade.
Jade nodded as she stood up. She stopped as did the others. They looked at fifteen soldiers looking at them. Their guns were pointed at them. Everyone except Jade and Drake slowly started to lift their hands.
"Ma'am, we found the group" one said glancing back.
They looked as a brown haired woman walked up. They noticed one thing right off the bat with her. Her right eye had a patch over it. She had grey hair going over the sides of her head. She looked at the bloody and injured group. She glanced back at the soldiers.
"It's unfortunate that they didn't survive the attack isn't it?" She asked looking at the soldiers.
"Yes ma'am" they all said in unison. The soldiers turned around and continued towards the dragon. The woman watched them leave before turning back to the group.
"Why?" Jade asked looking at her.
"I've only once seen power like yours once before. If that threat ever returns, I want you two standing on our side" she said turning to follow the troops.
"Who are you?" Drake asked making her stop.
"Betty" she said looking at them. She looked to Tori before looking back to Jade.
"You have to give her human blood to speed up the healing" Betty said before walking away.
"Wait" Jade said making her turn to look at her. "Help us" she pleaded looking at her.
Betty looked at her before striking a flair. She waved it in the air and slowly a black hawk came through the smoke. She turned to the group. "Our base isn't in this state. We don't have the tech to treat her. You're going to have to do it yourself" she explained as the helicopter landed. "Take this group where they need to. Priority one" she ordered the pilot before turning to the group. She nodded and turned to leave.
Jade climbed in first. She looked up to the pilot. "Angel Wings Real estate" she said looking at the pilot who nodded. She looked back to the others as they climbed in. Sitting down she laid Tori's head across her lap. She looked at her, her face twitching a bit. There was a thump making her look to see Cale's body laying next to her. She looked at his lifeless face. Taking his life hit her hard. She had come to see him as a bit of a friend. Her eyes lifted up to look at the city. The flames still burned casting an orange haze into the early morning sky.
The helicopter lifted off and she looked out across the destroyed city. Smoke clung to the air mixing with the early morning mist. Turning she looked at everyone. The others had burns, cuts, and were covered in suet. Carmilla looked at her. Her hand reached out and came to a rest on Jade's.
"We did it" she said looking at her.
Jade looked at her before looking to Cale. Her head slowly turned to Tori. "But at what cost?" She asked looking back to Carmilla.
XX
Ashley sat on the curb of the road. Her eyes stained with tears. She had watched LA get destroyed. She had witnessed the military battle the dragon. She saw the military be defeated by the beast. Now it was over, the dragon was dead and the military was working on putting out the fires. She sat on the curb staring down at the necklace.
She sniffed a bit, taking in the morning air. However instead of fresh smelling grass all she smelled was smoke and death. Closing her eyes tightly she saw flashes of Nikki. She was sure she was dead.
Her eyes opened as she heard a low pulsing sound. Lifting her head up she looked around. Wind started swirling quickly. Spinning around she looked in surprise to see a black hawk coming in over the buildings. It slowed down before coming into a hover. Looking up at it she watched as it landed in the street.
Looking on she watched as out stepped Summer followed by Carmilla. Then Jade came out carrying Tori who was limp in her arms. Seeing that and then seeing Drake carrying a slain Cale made her eyes shoot wide. Tears dripped from her eyes as they rushed past her to a building next to the remains of the Real Estate office. She turned slowly around to see Nikki walking towards her. Seeing that made her fall to her knees. She wept, tears pouring from her eyes.
Nikki walked up to her. Her face, covered in blood and suet. Her blonde hair was now dirty and didn't look blonde. She looked at her, both crying as they through their arms around each other.
"I was so scared, scared I'd never see you again" Ashley cried out holding tightly onto Nikki.
"I was too" Nikki cried. She pulled back and kissed her like never before. "Tori is in a bad way" she said both standing back up.
"And Cale?" Ashley asked.
Nikki paused, her hand coming up over her mouth. She wept more, sobbing loudly. "He's dead, he died saving all of us. He died because of our father's vengeful agenda" she cried out.
Ashley looked at her before pulling her into her arms. She held her tightly. She too started crying as they fell to their knees. Nikki started to scream out, her screams echoing through the empty streets. As she screamed Ashley held onto her. Her arms wrapped tightly around her as her body bucked and writhed. The shock of everything just now hitting her.
XX
Jade sat Tori down on the table into the kitchen of the building. She looked her nude and bloody body over. She had deep lacerations going across her body. Her jaw was shattered, and still hung loosely open. Tears dripped from Jade's eyes as she stared down at her. Carmilla walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Jade, let me and Summer work on fixing her up" Carmilla said.
Jade just turned and looked at her. She nodded and walked out of the room. She looked back to see Summer close the door. She stood there in the room. Looking to her left she saw Drake sitting in a chair. He was limp making her walk over to him. As she got closer she heard him snoring. He had fallen asleep. She knew the battle fatigue had finally caught up with him.
Walking into another room she looked down. Laying on the floor was Cale's body. It was covered by a sheet. She was saddened to see his body again. Turning around she made her way to the front door. Stepping outside she looked back towards the city. She watched it continue to burn, smoke filling the air.
Her attention turned to see Nikki and Ashley walking in her direction. Nikki was still crying heavily and Ashley was trying to comfort her. Walking over to them they stopped and looked at her. "Nikki, I am so, so sorry for what I did to Cale" she said, tears starting to drip from her eyes.
Nikki looked at her before to Ashley. Slowly she removed herself from Ashley and stepped towards Jade. Once she did she wrapped her into a hug. She sniffed a bit as she held her. "I forgive you, I know it was what had to be done to stop Jelico" she said softly.
They pulled back from one another both offering each other a reassuring smile. They moved over to the sidewalk and sat down on it. All three watched the sun rise over the ocean. The battle had been won.
XX
Tori woke up in her house. Birds chirping outside her window gaining her attention. Sitting up from her bed she looked around. A scent moved through the air making her look towards her door. Walking up to her door she opened it. Walking down some steps she came into the kitchen. Standing over the stove cooking she saw Jade. Jade turned and looked to see her. She smiled at her.
"Good morning babe" she said looking at Tori.
Tori bolted across the kitchen and threw her arms around her. She cried softly as she clung to her tightly. She heard Jade let out a soft chuckle. Pulling back she kissed her with a burning passion and desire.
"What was that for?" Jade asked chuckling.
"I didn't know if you had been killed. How, how did we get here?" Tori asked looking around.
"What are you talking about?" Jade asked chuckling some more. "We've been here all night".
Tori looked at her confused. The front door opened making her turn. To her shock she saw Allison, Sikowitz, and an old bearded man walk in. Jade greeted them as they took a seat at the table. Tori stood there in shock as she stared down at them.
"You look like you've seen a ghost" Sikowitz said with a warm smile.
"You're dead, and so are you Allison" Tori said pointing at them both.
Both looked at each other before smiling at her. "Yes, we are" Allison said smiling at her.
"But, does that mean I am dead too?" Tori asked looking at them.
"No, not yet, you still might not make it through the surgery" the bearded man said gaining her attention.
"Who are you?" Tori asked looking at him.
"Oh, this is my grandpa, Merlin" Jade said walking up behind him.
Jade stared down at him as he offered her a kind elderly smile. She watched as Jade sat the food down on the table. Once she did Merlin raised his hand and she turned into a glowing orb. The orb flew around before disappearing.
"Sit, let us enjoy breakfast" he said smiling at her as he motioned to a plate.
She stood there looking at him. Just then she noticed it was only her and him. Slowly she sat down across from him. He smiled at her as he filled up her plate with eggs, potatoes, and bacon. Looking at her he just smiled as he waited for her to begin eating.
"What is this?" She asked looking at him.
"I believe it's called breakfast" he said. "Please eat".
She slowly picked up a fork and began to eat. Once she did Merlin began to eat. "Where am I?" she asked, her mind set on finding answers.
"Your house" he stated making her sigh.
"No shit this is my house, what is going on here?" She demanded looking at him.
"Wow, times truly have changed" he said chuckling as he took a bite of bacon. "Women never talked like that during the crusades" he stated looking at her. He saw she had no time, or patience for jokes. "You're in your subconscious. You created this façade in case you did die so as a way to be happy forever" he explained wiping his mouth.
"Then why are you here?" She asked staring at him.
"Well, I had to come here to speak with you" he said looking at her.
"What about?" Tori asked crossing her arms.
"The battle against Jelico was my granddaughter's proving time. Yours is still to come. You are one pure of heart. The next challenge you two will have to face is that of Pandora's Box" he explained as he continued to eat. "My descendant was the only one who could kill Jelico. You however are the one meant to control Pandora's Box and stop it".
Tori looked at him as he finished his plate of food. He wiped his mouth and smiled at her. She saw a bright light appear behind him. Standing up the man turned and walked towards it. He walked into it. In a flash he was gone leaving her alone and sitting at the table.
XX
Jade looked as Carmilla and Summer came out of the room that held Tori. Carmilla was carrying Tori in her arms. She gently passed her to Jade who cradled her bridal style. They looked at each other.
"Summer gave her blood to help healing. We don't know if she'll even make it yet. She just needs to rest" Carmilla explained looking at Jade.
Jade nodded and looked as they sat down on the couch. She looked to see everyone was resting now. Walking to a door she opened it to a bedroom. Walking into the room she laid Tori on the bed. She covered her up with the blankets. She looked at Tori and started crying. Laying down next to her she wrapped her arms around her.
"Please, don't leave me, I can't face this world without you" she pleaded crying softly as she clung to Tori.