CLASH OF THE TITANS
Tripping over someone's corpse, even if it's someone you're not particularly fond of, is not a fun interruption anytime. When you're fleeing for your life, however, it's downright terrible. David learned this life lesson the hard way, when, during his all out sprint for safety, he tripped over Frankie's drained corpse, still grimly holding onto his crossbow.
Grumbling to herself, the child that he had been carrying sat up. Her glowing yellow eyes surveyed him briefly as she raised an eyebrow, "You're really bad at piggyback rides Mr. Ordinary. They're not that hard! Just don't trip over angels, or let the meanies get you!"
Chuckling under his breath and allowing a smile to spread across his face, despite the situation, David nodded. "Okay, I am very, very sorry, and I beg your forgiveness. I'll work on it, I promise. But we need to hurry; the monsters are on the way." Nodding more solemnly then a child ever should, the Sister allowed herself to be lifted yet again, as the chase began once more.
()
"Twitchy you fuckin idiot! Why'd ya 'ave to run off? I specifically said that I wasn't gonna open the damn vault. I know you 'eard." Growling in irritation, Dennis tossed his latest bottle of alcohol against the wall. It was times like this that Dennis missed the ability to get drunk, one of the many downsides to his monstrous condition.
Why would he go and save the newbie anyways? Twitchy was a monster, almost as bad a Veronica, he shouldn't care about the fact the kid was going to die. Dennis certainly didn't care that the newbie was going to get killed by the damn Big Sister.
"No! No! They left, they 'ave to deal with the consequences o there actions. I'm not 'elpin them!" He was Dennis damn it! He didn't go out of his way to save people! With a sigh he grabbed another beer off the wall. If that was true, then why did he feel so bad about it?
Tossing another beer against the wall, he stood. "Ahhh, fuck! I'm gonna 'ate myself fer this!" Hitting the button that he'd been eyeing since Twitchy had left, Dennis left the safety of the vault.
After all, if they all died, how would he beat them for insubordination?
()
Leaving the maintenance areas he'd been running through for what felt like an eternity, David entered the commercial zone, only to be confronted with the last thing he had expected to see, Dennis lumbering his way.
Beady black eyes widening in surprise, Dennis waved him over. "Pretty boy! Get yer ass over 'ere!" David stumbled towards the giant, clutching his burnt side with one hand and holding the terrified child with the other. He stopped when he heard the hulking figure inhale sharply, knowing he'd been found out. Pointing an accusing sausage like finger towards the small figure cowering in David's arms Dennis asked the question that David had been dreading. "Pretty boy, what the 'ell is that?"
Eyes clenched shut, hoping for the best, David answered. "She's Amanda, I think. I, um, I might have saved her from Veronica."
"Christ almighty! Newbie you let it tell you its name? You don't get to know them! They're a resource to be used! They're not 'uman anymore! Killin them is a kindness!"
Whimpering and clutching onto David's shirt, Amanda whispered. "Mr. Ordinary, please don't let him unzip me."
Obviously overhearing Amanda's plea, Dennis shook his head in shock. "Shit, kid! You let the little tyke give you a nickname?" Loosing a soft sigh, Dennis held out his hand. "Give it to me son; I'll take care of it. I know you won't want to be the one to do it, 'specially now that you's gotten attached to it."
Taking a quick step backward, David shook his head. "No, Dennis I'm not hurting a child."
"Look son, it's not 'uman, and it's not a kid. Thas a defense they use. They's been designed that way, its part of 'ow they've worked fer so long, anyone that 'as to deal with them feels like a monster fer 'urtin them!"
Before David could respond, another horrid shriek split the air. Closing his eyes briefly in what looked almost like sadness, Dennis looked at David. "The others, they're dead aren't they?"
A sad nod from David was all the response he needed. "I'm sorry Dennis, I should have…I don't know-"
With that, Mount Dennis erupted, "SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Flailing his arms around in uncontrollable rage, Dennis began to stalk towards David. "EVER SINCE I LET YOU LIVE, EVERY DAMN THING'S GONE STRAIT TO 'ELL!" Closing his eyes in what might have been pain, Dennis lowered his raised fists as his entire body slumped in defeat.
Voice softer then David had ever heard it, Dennis turned from him. "Leave, kid. I'm done. That monster's gonna kill us either way. I'm gonna find a nice 'ole to go die in. 'ave a nice life kid, fer 'owever long that'll be." Turning in disgust from the shocked human in front of him, Dennis wandered off, eager to find a fitting hole to die in.
"Dennis, I'm sorry." Gaining no response from the defeated behemoth, David turned and, ignoring the distressing, and surprising pang of pity he felt for the broken man walking away from him, continued his desperate run towards the vault.
()
Gone, it's all gone. He'd never see the surface again; never feel the gentle breeze that came off the ocean after a hard day fishing, never see the sunset or sunrise again, never feel the sun's rays gently warm his skin, never see Boston, his home town, again. The defeated giant sat on the floor of the first bar he had been able to find, attempting, once again in vain, to drown his sorrows.
Frankie, the man who had somehow managed to give him hope for survival with his expertise in engineering. The man, who had saved their lives multiple times with his genius weapon modifications and hacking ability, was dead, killed by the bitch who was hunting the kid.
Veronica, the woman who had somehow managed to pierce his Adam induced madness and allowed Dennis, not the beast, to be in control. The woman, who had found the vault, and risked her life teleporting through the wall to open it, was dead, killed by the bitch who was hunting the kid.
Twitc-Reggie, the only man one who ever questioned him, who in his brief moments of sanity had given him invaluable advice. The man who, despite Dennis' constant harshness towards him, helped the team in more ways then any of them would ever know, despite his madness, was dead, killed by the bitch who was hunting the kid.
If he had any luck, the bitch would find him soon. He knew that it was hunting those that had killed the first Little Sister. He knew that the kid wasn't really to blame, it was…easier this way. He could remember the kids face when he realized that they were going to kill the girl, the shock, horror, and disbelief that played across his face in rapid succession. Dennis found himself wishing for the days when killing another was unthinkable to him.
The newbie really was little more then a kid, no matter what he tried to show others, more innocent then he had any right to be. People like that were the ones that died within the first few days of the war. People that refused to do what it took to survive; those that refused to loose their humanity. People like that were the ones that Dennis had killed in droves during the war.
Movement at the doorway caught the crushed behemoth's attention. The Big Sister was standing, motionless, in the doorway, regarding him coldly. Raising his drink in a bitter, mocking salute he greeted the monster. "'ey bitch! I was wonderin when you'd get 'ere!" Blood red porthole tilting slightly as it looked at him curiously, the monster didn't move.
"Come on ya bitch!" A gulp of vodka, "What're ya waitin for?" After several seconds a strange noise filled the room, a deep almost rasping metallic clicking; one that Dennis had never heard before. As the creature turned its back on him, leaving to continue its hunt for the kid, he placed the noise. Laughter…the bitch had been laughing at him. It wasn't human laughter, that was for damn sure, but it was laughter, of that there was no doubt.
Loosing a bitter chuckle, Dennis took another swig from the bottle of vodka he was guzzling. That kid probably hadn't even killed anyone yet. Someone like that wouldn't do it either, not unless he had absolutely no other choice. With a surprised chuckle he realized he didn't even know the kid's name. He'd been either "pretty boy", or "newbie", or even "it" at least for Reggie.
He couldn't help but feel envious of the little shit. He hadn't let Rapture change who he was, at least not yet. He'd been…stronger then Dennis ever had been. Not that it mattered in the end. The kid would be dead in a few minutes. Then the bitch would be back for him.
A shocking realization crossed his mind. The bitch didn't think he was a threat! The bitch didn't think he was worth its time! He was an afterthought, an aside, something written in the fucking margins! He was Dennis damn it! Splicers ran at the sight of him! He had his reputation to think of! Heaving his bulk off the floor, brushing himself off, and putting his bowler on, he walked out the door, giving the bar were he attempted to drown his sorrows, a final nod and a wink.
Dennis had an appointment to keep, and if he managed to save the kid…well his reputation could take that hit.
()
Flying past familiar buildings, David felt his hope rising. He would make it! He was so damn close, he could almost taste it! He'd get to the vault, he'd lock himself inside, and he'd wait for as long as it took, until that…thing was gone. In hindsight, he really should have known better.
Disappointment clenched his heart in its cold grip, as death's gaze fell directly on him. It was standing at the entrance to the bank, head cocked, hips tilted, arms crossed. Somehow, despite the freakish diving helmet, it managed to positively ooze an aura of confidence and self-satisfaction. Pointing at his precious cargo, and then the ground, the creature's message was obvious. Put the girl down.
Nodding his head slightly, he lowered Amanda to the ground. "Mr. Ordinary, is piggyback time over?" Hands raised over his head, he ignored the confused child standing at his feet, and took a step towards the creature vigilantly watching him.
Head tilting the other way in what looked like surprise; it stepped forward, and after a seconds pause extended its hand towards him, only for a crossbow bolt to punch partially through it, imbedding itself halfway into the creature's hand.
An irritated growl rumbled from deep in its chest, as it looked almost casually at its wounded hand.
"Oy! Cunt! You killed my boys! That's not somethin that a bloke like Dennis is goin to take lyin down!" The creature stood, seemingly shocked, staring in disbelief at the behemoth as he cast aside the crossbow, recently pilfered from his ally's corpse.
"Oh, and ya know that little tyke that you must of found, lyin, all broken up, in front of that tavern? I snapped her like a twig!" A strangled growl began to rumble throughout the room, as the creature began to shake with rage.
"Ya know what the last thing that pathetic little shit said was?" Voice rising in pitch in a mocking mimicry of a little girl Dennis continued. "Please, I just want my Daddy!" A badly faked childish sob, "Please give me my Daddy!" The growl permeating the room began to grow in volume.
"Ya know what the best part is? I'm the one that killed 'er Daddy too! Oh and don't worry yer metal encased 'ead about it, I made sure that she was in pain before the end! 'er screams were like music to my ears!" As its rumbling growl transformed into the by now familiar horrible shriek, the creature effortlessly flipped over David's head, before gracefully landing on the ground in front of the now grinning Dennis.
Not pausing to look back, or to try to comprehend Dennis' parting wink, David snatched the girl off the ground and ran into the bank, ignoring the sounds of the vicious combat breaking out behind him. The button that opened the Vault was in the open, the panel normally hiding it torn off some time recently. Hitting the button he waited impatiently for the vault to open. Once it had, David turned and, pulling out his shotgun, shot the outer button, disabling control of the vault door from the outside. Running through the hidden door and, ignoring Amanda's comments about forts being fun, hit the button on the wall of the entrance hallway. The sound of the vault sealing behind him was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.
Putting Amanda down, allowing her to explore her new "fort", David collapsed to the ground in a heap. Eyes closing for what seemed the first time in days, David breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, he was safe, for now at least.
()
That thing, that monster, it was going to die! She was going to kill it! Rip it limb from limb! Tear its tendons out and watch it flop around! Rip out its entrails and let it bleed! Feed it its own arms! Break every bone in its body! By the time she was done with it, Theta would make it wish it had never been born!
Shriek piercing the tense atmosphere, Theta jumping gracefully over the now unimportant irritant, and dove at the monster, harvester aimed for its throat. Roar answering her shriek, the monster ducked under her attack and tossed her into the wall.
While the pain was unwelcome it served to clear her head from the all encompassing rage that had clouded it previously. This monster was formidable; at least now that it wasn't attempting to drink itself to death. She wouldn't be able to beat it in a confrontation of strength, cunning was required.
"Oh, what is this? Actually turned yer brain on, ya skank? What a shame." It was trying to anger her, that wouldn't work again. It was going to die, just as all monsters deserved.
Glancing around she surveyed the area, looking for anything that could be used to her advantage. A large pipe clung to the wall overhead; she could hear water flowing through it. The walls would support her weight. There was debris around the area that she could use. Smirking at the monster as they circled each other, she waited for it to make the first move.
With a roar it dove towards her, huge fist aiming for her head. Ducking under its oafish swing, and moving with speed she knew it could not match, Theta dug her harvester into the monster's ribs, before spinning away under its raised arm and stabbing it again, this time in the back.
Roaring again, now in pain, the monster spun and swung at her. Harvester leaving the monster's flesh with a wet pop, Theta jumped backwards, maintaining her distance from the monster.
Moving with more speed then she gave it credit, the monster grabbed a chunk of concrete off the ground and hurled it at her head. The chunk of processed stone impacted her visor with a dull thunk, whipping her head back and dazing her. Before she had a chance to regain her bearings, the monster slammed into her with the force of a train. Lifting her off the ground as it hit her, the monster kept running until it slammed her into the wall with all of its considerable might.
The air left her lungs, leaving her even more disoriented. Still reeling, a mammoth fist impacted her visor, slamming her head into the wall yet again, and cracking her visor. She liked that visor! Unable to shriek in order to express her rage, Theta did the next best thing. She allowed her anger to vent itself constructively, namely by wreathing herself in flames.
Releasing her with a pained yell, the monster dove away from the inferno surrounding the Big Sister. Intensifying the flames, Theta began to stalk towards her prey. It had put up a valiant effort but it was still only a monster. It had designed itself to fight Little Sisters and their Daddies, not something like her, the type of monster other monsters feared.
Small eyes wide, it backed away from her only for a savage grin to split its stony features. Still grinning it pointed above her. Following its lead, her head darted upward and she saw the pipe, the pipe filled with freezing ocean water. She snapped her head down just in time to see the monster hurl another chunk of concrete. Not at her, no, this one was directed at the pipe. Freezing water promptly drenched her, and doused the fire she was maintaining.
That was…thoroughly unpleasant! Hands raised over her head she redirected the water, right into the monster's chest. Spluttering with rage it began attempting to close the distance between them, unsuccessfully. Smirking at the floundering monster, Theta began to freeze the water around him. After several seconds the monster was stuck inside its very own glacier.
Attention diverting from the monster briefly, she warped the puncture in the pipe, sealing it once more. Small task complete, she sauntered over to the monster, pausing briefly face to ugly face with it, staring into its small cunning eyes.
Despite everything, the monster was still smiling at her. "L-looks like you fergot yer, main o-objective, ya stupid c-cunt." Seeing her view dart from him to the bank it continued through chattering teeth. "Thas r-right ya idiot, I think ya fergot somethin."
Her attention to detail somewhat compromised by her growing rage, she didn't notice the monster tensing until it was too late, and a crack split down the ice it was locked inside. Diving away from the monster a second too late, she was blown through the air as his icy prison shattered.
Thrown into the wall with even more force then when the monster had thrown her, Theta regained her footing slowly. Turning towards the smirking monster she saw that it was holding something in its hand, with a cheeky grin and a wink it activated what it was holding. Distractingly, a slight hissing noise emanated from the arrow embedded in her left hand. Pausing in confusion she looked on, as a small hook shot out of the back end trailing a wire, and embedded itself in the wall. A small spark was her only warning before thousands of volts coursed throughout her body.
PAIN!
The resulting shriek of agony hurt even her ears. Collapsing to the ground in a heap, whimpering and twitching spasmodically, she desperately attempted to regain her sense of direction from the single most painful experience of her short life. Standing slowly and painfully, her gaze found that of the monster smirking at her expectantly, eyebrow raised. "Ya alright? I could slow down fer ya if ya want? Would that 'elp sweet thing?"
Whimper morphing into an echoing growl, her patience finally snapped. The monster thought that she was weak? She'd show it weak! Tearing the arrow out of her hand, Theta raised her hands over her head. Using Plasmids like no other being in Rapture could, she pulled the shattered remnants of the monsters icy prison towards her.
"Oh shit, thas just not fair!" Surrounded by a tornado of razor sharp shards of ice she couldn't help but return the monster's smirk, though she knew the monster would never see it. A shard of ice flew through the air and embedded itself in the monster's shoulder.
"Ow! You little shit! What the 'ell was that? Can't even fight fair?" The column of swirling shards of ice constricted around her briefly, before exploding outwards. A final chuckle escaped the monsters lips, "Guess thas my answer."
()
Protector M2-Theta looked down at the bloodied and broken body of the monster on the ground, despite everything it had been through, there was still a smirk plastered onto its hideous face. She would have spat on the ugly creature, but that would involve taking her helmet off, and she liked her helmet, it reminded her of Daddy.
A gurgled cough escaped the monster's lips, it was still alive. Despite herself, Theta was impressed, that thing just didn't want to die! As its arm moved towards its pocket, she stepped down on it. Glaring at the monster as it smiled slightly back up at her. "Come on girl, it's not anything that'll 'urt you." Pausing she looked at it curiously, even now it didn't fear her. After a moments deliberation she lifted her foot from the broken monster.
With a slightly vacant smile the monster responded. "Thanks, yer not much more then a kid yerself are you?" Gaining no response from the bemused Sister, the monster reached into its pocket and pulled a battered handheld radio out of it. Flicking the radio on, the monster slowly brought it to the side of his head.
"Kid, I know you can 'ear me. Ya know a thought crossed my mind awhile back. One that in 'indsight seemed kind of obvious. Newbie, what in god's name's yer name?"
A sad chuckle, echoed from the battered radio. "My name's David, Dennis."
"Well, that really seems like somethin that I should 'ave asked some time durin this last week, huh? Well David, it's good to meet ya. I'm currently starin my death in da face, and its starin right back."
A rush of static buzzed from the radio as the monster on the other side sighed slightly, "It's been nice knowing you Dennis."
With an attempted chuckle that sounded more akin to a death rattle, the dieing monster responded, "No it 'asn't kid, no it 'asn't. Don't lie to a diein man, don't ya know thas bad luck." With a crack, the monster crushed the radio in its large fist.
"You really are little more then a kid aren't ya?" A sigh accompanied by a bubble of blood oozed past its dieing lips. "Don't be too 'ard on the kid, 'e didn't know we were goin to kill yer sister, 'e's not a monster like the rest of us were." Giving Theta one last broad smile, the monster began laughing, blood gushing from its twisted mouth. It didn't stop laughing, even as its lungs filled with blood, and its beady black eyes rolled back into its head.
Theta watched in shock, unsure what to do or how to react, as the monster died laughing at her. It had tricked her, used her anger against her, and died mocking her. She felt a twinge of disappointment, it should have died slower, and she should have made it scream! There was no satisfaction in killing a monster who welcomed death! The monsters should always die in fear, alone and afraid! She had failed! Impotent, directionless rage surged through her limbs again, not that it would change anything.
What that monster had said to her wasn't important, monsters lie, monsters kill, monsters steal, and monsters run. While it was rare, some monsters outside the Rapture Family stuck together, and looked out for each other. This monster had been one of those.
The monster had lied to her, it had hurt her, and it wanted her to go easy on its ally. That she would not do! A monster was a monster, no matter what it said or did. The one who ran was a monster, and all monsters needed to die.
The obnoxious neon sign flickering over the bank caught her eye. She may have failed with one of the monsters, allowing it to die happy, but there was another, and it had killed her Sister. With that thought, the rage transformed into a crushing sadness, she had failed, and another of her Sisters was dead. No matter what she did, her Sisters always died. For every Sister that she saved, two more died. She was fighting a loosing battle, and she knew it. But she would not give up! Her Sisters needed her!
She had been too slow, too stupid, to smell her Sister in the area, to recognize the unmistakable Adam laced smell of a living Gatherer. The need to hunt had been too strong, and she had somehow missed her Sister. Her Sister who was by now surely dead, killed by that monster! The monster, on the other hand, wasn't dead, though by the time she was done with it, it would beg for death.
Smiling grimly in anticipation, Theta turned towards the ocean. First thing's first, she had to find a way to see some part of the monsters hidey hole. Once she did, she could teleport inside with impunity. Then, and only then, could she make that final monster pay!
Smirking behind her helmet, Theta allowed herself to briefly picture what she would do to this last monster, the one that ran, the one that had taken part in the murder of two of her Sisters. There was one thing of which she was absolutely certain, she was going to make that monster scream, and it wouldn't stop until its throat bled!