Changed my mind guys, I'll be releasing the last chapters later on today. I'm just going to tweak a few things and just submit it all at once.
The squad got tense as they heard the words escape the thin lips of Max. They never though they would make it this far. To hear the words of going into battle. It gave each one of the shivers.
It all started with them somehow drawn back together the beginning of their senior year of highschool, even though there were some stubborn moments. Then were the near death experiences and close-encounters with Hacker. But none of them, except Matt, actually got to see him in person...almost.
Matt's hands trembled. He realize his end was nearing; his death. He wondered how it was going to happen or would it hurt. He just hope it won't be a lost cause. And the more he thought about it, the more it hurt when Inez crossed his mind. He clenched tightly against the seat.
"I can't believe it. Four teenagers preparing to save two worlds; nonetheless the entire universe." Max chuckled. "How does it feel to have the lives of billions on your shoulders?" He almost sneered. Slyder shut his eyes.
"Shut up." Slyder growled, "You think you're making it any easier?"
"When was it ever Hayden?" Max growled, gripping the wheel tightly, "I'm putting the real facts in your heads. If you want to throw yourselves out there and pray you're fucking invincible sure go ahead. I won't be picking up your bodies and delivering them to your parents."
That made everyone wince. But more importantly, it angered Matt the most. How can he still have his cruel moments up to the very end. What did he want from them? What did they have to do to impress him?!
I'M NOT TAKING THIS BULLSHIT FROM HIM ANYMORE.
In slow-motion, or so it felt, Matt stretched out to smack Max with a punch to the jaw. And surprisingly, he saw the pain tear across his face as he squinted his eyes. Max's grip loosen from the wheel as the ship began to move sideways. His elbow hit the auto-pilot button as his belt unlocked as he stumbled from his seat. But without any sympathy, Slyder and Jackie watched with stern, cold eyes. Inez did nothing but lift Digit into her arms and locked herself in the storage room.
Matt loomed over Max as he groaned. He tried prying himself on his elbows, but Matt grabbed his collar and smacked him again with another punch. Max's head hit the edge of a deposit box. He coughed as he slowly began to stand. Matt paced around him as he watched Max struggle.
Max lurched forward to retaliate with a punch of his own, but Matt counter-blocked. Max watched in horror as Matt roundhouse-kicked him in the side as he hopped on his other foot to regain balance. Max retreated back as he clenched his side.
"Are you done yet you son of a bitch?" Max growled.
"I suppose." Matt admitted as he realized he was more than done with torturing Max. Realizing that pain was more effective on him than when he got thrown down the stairs, he noticed the depletion of his android strength.
"Not another word!" Matt barked at Max before he could utter a word. He bit back a tongue scowling.
"Say anymore and I will beat the shit out of you." Matt promised with a harden finger pressed to his chest. Max managed to regain himself a bit, where the pain had subsided.
"We have three hours until the invasion." Max changed the subject as he reached to his seat and sat down. The rest of the squad remained silent as Inez finally came out when the coast was clear. Digit made his way back to his seat, oblivious of what went on. But from the tense atmosphere, it wasn't good.
He caught the bruise on Max's face; which startled him because he realize that Max didn't have much time before he became a full human. And even when he did, it wouldn't stop Hacker from carrying the invasion out. Max emitted a single cough, ignoring the slim drip of blood from his nose. He placed a palm on the windshield , opening a portal. It immediately depleted 30% of his energy. He winced.
"Let's go." Max breathed as he activated his boosters and launched into the portal. It closed behind them as they ripped through the vortex at impossible speeds and made it to their destination in 10 minutes. Jackie hovered over a waste bin for safekeeping.
"Here." Max said bitterly as he stared down at the dark lair. The squad stood up as they saw the floating black and green city lined with purple neon lights at some places. Flying vehicles and soldiers lined up in the streets as well as the battleships.
"Oh my god." Inez gasped, her hand resting on the windshield. Below them Slyder spotted Hacker's ship parked by the tallest skyscraper; seeminglu superior above everything.
"There it is. Hacker's lair and his mothership." Max grimaced.
/
"I remember." Matt's re-memories began to click. "I know this place. Inside out."
The squad turned to him. Digit went over to check Matt.
"What do you mean Matt?" He asked.
"When Hacker tried to mess with my head." He pressed a fist to his temple, "Somehow there was an error or two. But it gave me a complete blueprint of every single structure there. Even Hacker's ship."
Max raised a brow, "Do you see bombs?"
Matt looked around like there was a map before him, then closed his eyes, "Yes, there's 8 of them."
"Perfect." Max chuckled. "Still there."
"What did you do?" Slyder asked.
"Digit knows." Max pointed at the avian-hybrid. "Him, Doc and I stealthed our way through eight buildings to put bombs that were planned for the day Hacker decide to launch the invasion. And I have the detonator."
Blood rushed from the face of Inez, "You want to blow up this place?"
"That's only part of the plan, girl." Max retorted. "I'm a droid of many plans."
"Wanna tell us anymore?" Matt raised a brow, flexing his hand. Max eyed the identical twin of his.
"Yeah?" Max raised the white, confidential package he had stashed in his jacket. "This is the key to ending all of this. Destroying CYRUS, reversing all of this."
"Time out-" Matt growled.
"There's no time for this Matt! We need to get to Hacker's ship, and now we have a little less than three hours." Jackie got up as she stared at Max. "We'll leave the rest to you. I know what we need to do."
Slyder raised a brow, followed by Digit. "Which is?"
"Get on that ship; and do like we always used to do; kick Hacker's butt." Inez grinned as Jackie nodded at her. The squad chimed in the all-for-one cheer, excluding Max. He scoffed.
Max landed the stealthcraft in an easy spot as he dropped off the squad.
"This is probably our last encounter. Even though I thought that was long ago. Don't mess up." Max told the gang.
One by one they began to get off the craft, but Matt and Inez lingered. They subconsciously hesitated, as if there was something they needed to say to get off their chest. Something that may impact their efforts for later.
"My father was good for making you. Even if you act like an asshole." Matt grimaced. "What will happen if you die?"
Max waited a moment. "My memories go back to you."
Matt nodded, "Remember you soon, then." As he didn't look back as he hopped off. Inez stood silently for the moment as Max sank into his seat.
"What do you want..."Max said tiredly as he shut his eyes. So this is what weary feels like.
"So you are turning human." Inez said.
"No shit." Max scowled.
"This is our fault. Our humane influence triggered that to happen. If we were around you much less this wouldn't happen. It would've been easier for you to take Hacker." Inez clenched her hands together, praying.
"Everything happens for a reason Inez. I still wouldn't been able to take on Hacker on my own." Max grimaced, not turning to look at her. " Even though I tried you get you persistent people off my back; you were really goddamn stubborn. Trust me; I have a plan for everything."
The andorid only wanted to shut his eyes and concentrating regaining the lost energy, but he was interrupted by a warm feeling on his forehead as his eyes flew open. He saw the earth girl Inez leave the ship without a goodbye; nor he was expecting one.
"Lyros, did she just kiss me?" Matt called his AI. He didn't respond for a few seconds, implying the obvious answer.
"I believe so, Maximus. But, perhaps it may help you in a way?" Lyros asked; his voice sounding off-pitch.
"Maybe." He thought, "Maybe it was some encouragement because she knows now that I'm turning more human; that more of Matt's DNA is reacting. A part of me that is Matt is accepting her affection." Max wondered.
He heard his AI static and groan with filtered pitches of his voice rising and falling; pushing two fingers to his pulse.
"Lyros? Lyros do you read me?" Max checked. He heard static and then Lyros came back online.
"I'm sorry sir. I don't know how long I'll last." Lyros apologized as he static more. Max sighed.
"I'm sorry too old pal." Max whispered as he knew that the more humane he became; the faster Lyros was drifting away from him.