Chapter 34:

Isabella gripped the metal railing of the stairwell with both hands as the flooring all around her quaked and shuddered as if slammed with tremendous force; the walls suddenly groaning with creaks while the overhead lights popped and extinguished.

Looking about from her place on the center stair, the young woman found herself holding her breath, "Something's wrong..."

What had started out as a rumble was now growing into a deafening roar.

"Really wrong..." Isabella's head turned back over her shoulder, back up the metal-plated flight. "Why does that sound like..." Isabella gasped; her eyes going wide.

A wall must've collapsed.

That could be the only explanation as to why a roving mass of arctic water came surging from the top of the steep stairwell.

Turning, Isabella had just enough time to fly down a couple more steps before the powerful gushing waterfall caught up to her, sweeping her feet right out from underneath her as the flooding ocean water enveloped her in its lethal, icy grasp.

The feeling was unlike anything she had ever felt before; it was like hundreds of thousands of tiny needles were pricking into her flesh. The freezing burn of the water while it tossed her to the bottom of the stairs and shoved her face first into the closest wall, ate through everything - clothes, skin, Isabella could feel it right down to her very bones as it washed over her body.

It was a feeling she just had to get away from.

Pushing herself to her feet , Isabella broke through the ice-cold current that was still pouring in, gasping for breath though clenched teeth.

"Ah shit..." Her teeth chattered as she started hauling herself down the flooded corridor; the water was still shin deep but it seemed the further she moved, the lower the water level got as it was distributed to other hallways that branched out along the way.

The base was like a metal labyrinth and Isabella didn't quite know where she was going anymore. All she did know was that she had to get to a dry place fast and she had to keep moving so her body would remain warm.

"Well at least things can't get any worse..." the young woman thought to herself as she gave her wet head a toss to shift the dripping mess of waves that was her hair.

As if testing her words, a pipe within the wall broke, creating a large open fracture where a barricade of hot steam shot out.

Unable to skid to a stop at the sudden hindrance, Isabella acted on reflex; her eyes closing tight while her arms came up and crossed themselves protectively over her face as she ran right through it.

It took only a few seconds for her to pass through heated mist, but that moment was enough for the steam to leave its marks all over her forearms and hands.

Isabella hissed loudly in pain despite her adrenaline rush. Once she was in the clear, the young woman slowed to a stop and lowered her arms so that she could appraise the damage.

The fair skin on the back of her hands was blotched an angry red, and although her thin jacket sleeves kept her from seeing anything further than her wrists, judging by the ongoing sting she felt under her soaked clothes, Isabella assumed her arms looked just about the same.

"I just had to open my mouth..." the young woman huffed a sigh as she flexed her hands, cringing when her steam-burned skin protested, "Luck just isn't on my side right now."

She could only pray that that wasn't the case with Snake Eyes...


Staring down at the fresh cut in his white pants, Storm Shadow looked up and met his dark brother's hidden gaze. Reaching a hand up, he ripped his white mask from his face; his ruined white top followed seconds after.

"When our Master was killed...you took a vow of silence..." the white ninja spoke as he brought the two hilts of his katanas together, "Now you will die without a word." he promised as he gave a firm twist and locked his double blade in place.

Snake Eyes frowned behind his mask, widening his stance with only one thought in mind; the beautiful young woman that was waiting for him to come to her...whose spirit equally matched her charm, "I have no intention of dying today." he thought in return.

The two ninjas lunged for each other once again, their swift, expert moves of their weapons clashing with every thrust and block.

"Do you know what she said to me?" said Storm Shadow as he gave Snake Eyes a hard shove back to put some distance between them, their fight ceasing for another moment as he caught his breath.

"She?" the Black clad ninja repeated to himself. At the statement, Snake Eyes' dark head inclined to the side subtly to show that he was listening...rather intently.

"When I had her alone..." Storm Shadow added with a smirk.

Snake Eyes' hands tightened their grip on his tonfas as a silent response.

"I brought to Isabella's attention how obvious you were towards her...being so smitten." the white ninja sneered, "But she insisted that everything you did, didn't exceed farther than just protecting a comrade."

Snake Eyes' broad shoulders rose and fell with a deep steady breath at the information, waiting patiently for his brother to make his point.

Storm Shadow chuckled as he began circling the Black ninja, "Isabella was lying of course...I knew that wasn't what she thought; she couldn't even look me in the eyes." the white ninja paused for a moment to slyly lick his lips, "She's headstrong that way...clever too. Even I can't deny that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her back in that hotel room."

Snake Eyes' eyes narrowed behind his visor as took a warning step towards Storm Shadow, his blood running hot with rage.

The white ninja chuckled, "I'm sure you saw the room yourself, brother...including the bedroom."

That did it.

Snake Eyes charged, using his new fury to enhance the weight and sheer strength behind his attacks.

Keeping up with his brother caused beads of perspiration to lightly coat Storm Shadow's tanned skin; all the while, the smirk of the white ninja's face didn't seem to falter.

When their weapons clashed in the 'X' position once again, Storm Shadow leaned in close, "Oh relax, brother..." he spoke, panting softly as his dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction at seeing Snake Eyes' defensiveness, "You of all people would know that she doesn't submit well..therefore it was quite the handful in just keeping her down, period."

Snake Eyes' couldn't stop the half-smile that lifted the corner of his mouth. At least on that point, Snake could actually agree with Storm Shadow. Defeat wasn't something Isabella acknowledged, no matter the situation, she always sought a way to come out on top.

It was one of the things he greatly admired about her.

Storm Shadow carried on, " So be at ease...I didn't touch her." he promised, "...well at least not in the way you're thinking." he corrected.

Snake Eyes jerked his dark head forward, and head butted his brother who took a stumbling step back. "But you still touched her." his mind screamed, recalling the blood stain on the bed comforter. That alone gave him every reason to be furious.

Shaking it off, the white ninja twirled his double-sided katana with skilled hands, quickly putting up his defenses and landed a couple strikes along Snake Eye's back. "I know you came here to save her...too bad you won't be able to."

Seeing his brother freeze for a second as he recovered, Storm Shadow wasted no time in trying to put Snake Eyes in a corner by making a lunge that allowed him to bear down with all his might on one side of his bladed weapon.

Snake Eyes was fast enough to block the almost-deadly blow and responded by pushing Storm Shadow back.

"When this is over..." the White ninja spoke through gritted teeth, "...and you're dead...she will become my next priority." he informed, " Cobra still has plans for her, after all. And with her many talents and skills, I myself may even have a use for Isabella..."

Gritting his teeth, Snake Eyes shook his head and retaliated, ducking as Storm Shadow blade took a swipe at his form before the Black clad ninja spun around at great speed and used the blades of his tonfas to slice across both of Storm Shadow's knee caps, forming deep bloody gashes. "No..." he thought to himself.

A look of surprise flashed across Storm Shadow's features as he stumbled in his stance.

It was Snake Eyes' turn to twirl his weapon, only he did this as a sign of challenge. "You took our Master away..." his unspoken words continued filling his mind.

Frowning as he began to let his growing resentment get the better of him, Storm Shadow sprung forward, his weapon raised high.

Dodging the attack, Snake Eyes responded with a powerful kick in which he broke the attaching hilts of Storm Shadow's katanas.

By doing so, Storm Shadow's defenses were breeched, allowing the black ninja to land not one but two punches at his brother's center before he leapt into the air and executed a perfect spinning switch kick to the chest.
Faltering back, Storm Shadow had little time to react before Snake Eyes' tonfas pierced their blades into his chest.

As Snake Eyes' stared unwavering at Storm Shadow, his chest rising and falling with his breaths, he hoped that his brother was able to pick up his last hidden message. "But you will not take her from me...Isabella is mine."

The white ninja's dark eyes grew wide, his face looked stunned as he stared right back at his brother. Clearly, he had not been expecting this sudden power behind Snake Eyes' moves.

Could it be because of that woman that Snake Eyes had grown nearly invincible just now?

Reaching up as he gasped for breath, Storm Shadow pulled the blades out of his chest. Whether he understood the message or not, the defeated white ninja fell back off the platform; his body plummeting down till it broke through the thin layer of ice and sunk beneath the deep blue icy water.

Watching his brother finally disappear from sight, Snake Eyes found himself dropping to one knee; heavy breaths of air could be heard from behind his mask.

It was over...it was finally done.

Suddenly, Snake Eyes' dark head lifted with remembrance, "No its not..." he reminded himself. "Isabella."

She was still expecting him.

Gathering his things quickly, he slid his sharp weapons back into their sheaths. Then, without wasting another minute, Snake Eyes made his way back up through the busted window and quickly took off, running right out of the damaged control room.


Sprinting down the corridor didn't seem to do a lot in keeping her body temperature high now that fresh sea water was coming down from the ceilings as it was coming out of the walls, Isabella thought grimly to herself as she made a sharp right, nearly skidding into the wall as she went.

Her clothes were soaked all the through, her joints were growing stiff, her skin was burning from the cold...

"God...when will this come to an end?"
At least the passageway was beginning to look familiar despite the sparking overhead and the constant downpour of water from almost every possible angle.

Looking ahead, Isabella could see the water-tight hatch that would led to an elevator just another 20 feet away.

Willing herself to quicken her speed even though she was beginning to lose feeling throughout her body, Isabella drew closer to the spot where it would spit her out into the open room by the hatch but was brought to a sudden halt when a large force slammed into her from the side.

Knocked right off her feet, Isabella's body flipped till she landed hard on her side and rolled into the wall next to her. Surprisingly, she didn't feel as much pain as she expected, but she guessed that was because her body was so far numb, it was unable to really feel anything now.

Releasing a soft groan, followed by a swear, Isabella forced herself up on her trembling legs, using the wall for extra support, "Son of a bitch..." the young woman looked around and instantly spotted her interference just feet away.

Snake Eyes, wielding his katana, found himself engaged with a pair of Vipers; cutting them both down with a single, long stroke.

"Snake..." Isabella addressed, her was tone low, nearly chastising, "...you're such a sh..show-off." God, she felt so cold now...

Hearing the woman's voice, Snake Eye's dark head turned to see Isabella leaning on the wall, watching him.

His mouth turned up in smile that she could see behind his mask.

"Snake!" cried another voice. Both Isabella and Snake Eyes turned their heads to see two more familiar faces awaiting at the elevator hatch. Scarlet and Breaker.

Understanding the tone of voice, Snake reached out and grasped Isabella firmly by her hand, not taking notice of the burns and tugged her along after him as he sprinted for their only way out.

Isabella wasn't sure how she managed to keep up with him, her legs weren't responding they way they are suppose to but somehow with him leading the way, they were able to reach their comrades in time.

"Hey Scarlet." Isabella greeted briefly as she was hustled inside the elevator by Snake Eyes.

"Bella?" Scarlet's redhead followed the younger woman as she and Breaker swiftly filed inside after her and the black clad ninja.

There was no mistaking it once everyone was together. She was soaked to the bone, her jeans ripped and jacket torn, her long hair dripping with many loose strands clinging to her neck and cheek but her face was clearly identifiable; especially with her leaning in the corner alongside Snake Eyes holding hands. "Oh my God...Bella!" Scarlet actually sounded excited to see her for once.

"Bella, you're alright!" Cried Breaker as he sealed the hatch door shut.

They had finally located their last missing Joe.

Hearing the concern and relief in her fellow Joe's voices, Isabella found herself smiling softly, "M..mm...more or less." she delicately stuttered; biting her tongue to keep her jaw from chattering too loudly as the elevator began making its ascension up to the surface.

"Thank God.." Breaker breathed a sigh of relief.

Isabella laughed for a instant, "Save your thanks for whoever later, Breaker...we're not out of this yet."

She still had to make it through the below-freezing temperatures of the surface while soaking wet; a combination that was bound to cause problems, fast.

About a minute later, the elevator finally reached the surface and Breaker had the door opened almost immediately before he and Scarlet led the way out.

With her hand still in his, Snake Eyes followed in pursuit, quickly stepping out of the elevator before he set the pace at a fast run towards their snow mobiles.

Isabella however couldn't keep up with him, her feet started lagging the second she had left the elevator.

Without any hesitating, the black ninja stopped and scooped the young woman up into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way as if she weighed nothing at all.

Coming up to the nearest pod with Breaker already seated in the front, Snake Eyes took care in setting Isabella securely inside before he quickly put the top down and gave Breaker the signal to get going.

"Let's get out of here, Bella." Breaker encouraged as he floored the gas pedal and speed off out of the ice cave.

Sitting behind him, Isabella curled her legs in to her body, her arms coming around her middle as she desperately tried blocking out the blistering temperatures that were engulfing her body still, "So cold..." she murmured out loud; her form trembled violently now as her wet hair instantly froze with frost.

And why did her head feel so heavy now? Her eyes too...

After a couple more minutes, the tremors began easing up..and Isabella strangely felt her body grow warm and feel heavy all over now. Isabella tried opening her mouth to say something, but the young woman couldn't even do that. She felt..tired; so very tired.

Unable to help herself, Isabella succumbed to the darkness.


Driving up the ramp that took them inside the large sub, Breaker and Scarlet slow the vehicles to a halt once they were all safely inside.

Scarlet and Snake climbed out of their snow mobile first, Breaker was the next one to follow out.

"We did it." Breaker said with a smile as he gave Scarlet a quick hug before he and Snake turned to each other and quickly shook hands on a job well-done.

"We always do." Scarlet agreed with a bright smile of her own before she went over and also shared a quick embrace with the black clad ninja.

"Hey Bella... why so silent?" Breaker addressed with a laugh and soft shake of his dark head as he moved back around to his pod and peaked his head inside. "Bella?" he spoke again.

Stepping away from the black ninja, Scarlet gave her close friend a teasing smile, "I knew you of all people would find her first..." she told him in a hushed voice, "...something about the two of you just works really well together."

Snake Eyes found himself smiling beneath his mask as he nodded once in agreement.

"Guys..." came Breaker's accented voice from his place by the snow pod; his tone was lined with panic, "Something's wrong...Isabella won't wake up!"