Snap stared up at Bardot, his eyes wide in fear, his body shaking. This was it. This was what he had been waiting for the past few days. This is what he fought so hard to get a chance to do. It was time to fight Bardot, the one who caused all this mess to start with. If he had slept at all the past few days, he would have dreamt about this moment every single night. And after Bardot was finally defeated, his friends would have a chance to be saved.
Although Snap tried to be brave, he tried to put on a more heroic-looking face, he just wasn't able to. He wasn't able to push out the fear welling up inside of him. He continued to stare at Bardot, unable to even speak a word. Anytime he opened his mouth, the only thing he could let out was a squeak or a whimper.
He had been wanting to face this monster. Anytime he spoke with him over the radio, all the things he had said to him, it had made Snap want to face him even more. He wanted to make Bardot eat the words he spoke. He wanted to make him regret ever hurting his friends. He wanted to throw his own words back at him. He was tired of his cocky attitude. He was tired of him acting like life was just a game or something. He was tired of him mocking him whenever his friends got hurt again. It was time to end all of that.
But now that he has the chance, now that he is up close and personal again with Bardot, a lot of his initial courage started to fade away. Seeing him up close like this again...it sent shivers down his spine. And now he was pinned on the ground with him standing over him. He could just bite him and get it over with. And now that the games are over...that just might be what he was going to do...
Snap did take notice of Bardot's injuries. He was confused. They didn't look like something Rudy or Penny could have done. So who the heck had attacked him? A pang of worry filled his heart. What if the zoner who had attacked Bardot was even more dangerous than Bardot himself? What if, after this, he had someone else he needed to fight? The idea of someone being ferocious enough to attack Bardot like that...it scared him.
But on the one hand, it was nice to see Bardot being the one injured. He took mental note of the wounds. The cuts on his shoulder, his torn ear, his bruised back and stomach, his broken tail tip, his wounded paw...he made sure to remember each and every one of them. He was going to need any advantage he could find against Bardot. These injuries could help him get the upperhand.
Snap wasn't one to take advantage of injuries. It wasn't something he liked doing. But Bardot didn't deserve mercy. He had done a lot of horrific things these past few days. He had harmed so many zoners, some were even killed. His thoughts went back to Jacko. He could still see Jacko's mangled body in his head. That was just a preview of just how cruel this monster was. And Snap himself had so many wounds... Bardot having some weaker points due to having injuries of his own could help level the playing field a little.
Snap watched as Bardot smiled down at him. For the past several minutes, the zoner hadn't really done anything. He simply held him down. He wondered if Bardot chose this same hold he used on him back at his own house just to freak him out. If that were the case, it was working. Snap was immobilized, unable to move. And now, with his wounds, the pressure Bardot placed on him was agonizing.
He tried to move. He attempted to pull his arms away. Bardot was only holding his wrists with one paw; his owner was placed at the side of his head, digging a little into the rock. He mustered up as much strength as he could and started to yank on his arms, hoping that the combined strength would free him. But the only thing that happened was that Bardot tightened his grip on him. Snap winced a little. He tried a few more times to free his arms, but had no such luck.
He then tried to shift his body. He tried to move his legs. He tried to kick them out. He tried to do whatever he could to get free. But all the twisting and turning, it did little to dislodge Bardot. It was doing a really good job at hurting himself, though. Snap cried out in pain a few times when his twisting pulled on one of his injuries. He felt more blood leaking out. He felt his strength starting to fade a little. He realized, in fright, that the blood loss was taking a hold on him now.
No..no now...any time but now.. He couldn't afford to get weak now. Not while Bardot was here. He had to get more strength. He had to save what strength he had left. He needed to be able to fight Bardot. He had been through so much already. He couldn't just die here. He couldn't let himself get defeated. Rudy and Penny needed him. They were counting on him. He...he couldn't let them down...
But, for the moment, he couldn't get free. He couldn't do it at his own home when he was at full strength. What chance did he have here? Especially when he was so badly hurt and weak. All he could do was lay there helplessly as he stared up at Bardot. He glared at him, but he couldn't hide his fear from him.
Bardot chuckled and reached down with his claw. He pressed the tip against Snap's cheek. He applied a little pressure, but not enough to break the skin. "Hmm does this remind you of anything...?" Bardot asked in a calm, almost sweet sounding voice. "I'm sure if you think about it, it will bring back memories. You've been in this position before, all helpless."
Snap's eyes widened as memories of Mr. Cosmo came back. Just like at his house, Bardot pinning him down like this was bringing back memories of him being strapped to the table, when the mind control device was put into him with water. The horrific, scarring event... Bardot was deliberately reminding him of it, to make him feel more afraid.
And it was working. The memory flashes clouded his mind. Bolt afer bolt in his head, he could see himself on the table. Dark shadows all around. Mr. Cosmo in silhouette, raising the dropper to put the water on his head. He could feel the horrible pain as it burned through his head. It was like he stuck his hand in a fire and was forced to keep it there. Instinctively, Snap tried to move away, his eyes going wild, searching frantically for a way out. Gritting his teeth, he looked back up at Bardot.
Snap couldn't stifle the gasp of horror as, for a moment, Bardot looked just like Mr. Cosmo. The same smile, the same eyes, everything. And he was staring down at Snap, and he could hear his taunting voice. Feelings of helplessness started to overcome Snap. He became frozen in fear. His breathing quickened. Tears of fear flowed down his face. His body went limp. The only thing he could do was stare at Bardot, a part of him expecting him to hit him with water.
Something did hit him. Something wet. But it wasn't water. Snap could feel a little more venom hitting him on the face. His eyes grew big. If any of that got on his wounds...he'd be in trouble. So far, it was just a couple of drops. They hurt. His skin burned, but it was preferable over having it injected into his body.
"I must admit...you performed better than I could have imagined. I am impressed." Bardot said, smirking down at his victim. He raised his free paw off the ground and placed it under his own chin, rubbing it like he was in deep thought. "You were quite clever and all. I was right to be interested in you. You really are the unkillable. At least...until now..."
Snap watched as Bardot lowered his claw to him again. He pressed it against his shoulder at the very base of his neck. He moved it down a little, very gentle, the claw not cutting into him.
"For you see, you are badly injured now. Had you been more careful and went faster, you could have faced me at full strength. You wasted so much of your time and energy... And now you are going to pay the price for that." Bardot sneered at him, staring into Snap's frightened eyes. Bardot's eyes then moved to where his claw was. On the blue boy's chest, just like before. Bardot noticed the wound. "As I said to you before, you are mortal. You can have all the attitude with me that you want, if you so desire. But in the end, you are still mortal. And now I can be the one to claim to have taken you down."
Snap tried to struggle again. His head moved from side to side as he tried to pull first his left side, then his right, free of the monster's grasp. Yet there was nothing he could do. He was just far too weak to pull himself free. He was completely immobilized. Only his head could move freely, but that wasn't going to do him much good.
Snap flinched and turned his head to the side as Bardot lowered his head towards his face. His fangs so close... The venom coating the very tip. It wouldn't take much for Bardot to sink those teeth into his skin. Then it would all be over. Unable to hide his fear, Snap started to tremble.
"It seems my little plan worked on you..." Bardot said, his face still close to Snap's. He grinned down at the fear-filled eye looking up at him. "Weakening you was clearly the best idea."
"W-Weakening me?" Snap stammered, his voice small. "I-I thought you were testing me..."
"Oh I did test you. Yes, that was part of the plan. But I also wanted to make sure you were hurt before you got to me. I want to see how much you can take before you die." Bardot said. He chuckled evilly and then raised his head up. "I needed some way to ensure my victory. You see, I cannot allow you to win. I have other things in mind after this. I went after you and your friends not just because they're tasty, not just because I wanted to test you...but because you three were the biggest obstacles in my plans."
"S-So you do have a reason for all this..." Snap said.
Bardot shook his head. "Well...yes and no. All this..it was just entertainment for me. And what I am going to do after? More entertainment. Lives are just games to toy with. You and everyone else are my play things, here to entertain me. I do what I want because I want to. And after you three are gone, I'll take care of some other...unwanted weight.." At that, Snap gave a brief struggle, reminded of what Mr. Cosmo said about him before he tried to murder him with water. "Then I'll be free to choose to...play with..whoever I want."
Snap couldn't believe it. This zoner..he was crazier than he thought. His actions still had no rhyme or reason. He was still doing things just because. But the fact that he wanted to get rid of him, his friends, Terry, Wilter, the parents, some others, just so that he'd be free to do what he wanted... That was just disgusting. Snap had to find a way to fight back against this guy.
Bardot moved his paw towards Snap's chest gash, where Draow had hit him. He gently placed his claws straight across it. He applied a little pressure, causing Snap to yelp. After pushing on the wound, he lifted it up. He smiled as he saw the blood stains on the bottom of his foot. He flexed his claws, staring at the tips, as he glanced down at Snap.
"You did perform admirably. You really are someone not to underestimate." Bardot said. He lowered his paw again, this time the claws facing down. "But I have had my little fun with you. And soon, it will be time to end it. Oh...I wonder what your chalk friends will think...when they find your corpse and realize you had failed..."
"Rapsheeba...Blocky...?" Snap gasped. With anger now arriving in his body, he narrowed his eyes. Despite his fear, he spoke in a low voice. "Don't you fucking dare touch them...or I'll..."
"Or you'll what? Not like you can do anything right now, Snappy boy." Bardot teased him, a sneer spreading across his face. "I hold all the cards right now. Everything had gone, more or less, my way. You...you're in no position to do much of anything against me. But me...I can do oh so much to you.."
As if to demonstrate, Bardot shoved all three claws against Snap's chest, right into the wound Draow had given him. Snap's eyes went wide, tears dripping out of the corners, and let out a loud scream. He struggled on the ground, turning his head from side to side, trying to get the pain to stop. Bardot pushed the claws in deeper, drawing out more blood and making the wound larger.
The pain...oh man the pain... It was horrific.. It was like someone was pouring hot lava over him. He started to cry from the pain, letting out a few shouts of agony. Bardot kept his claws in there, smiling down as Snap continued to cry in distress. Then, slowly, Bardot pulled out two of his claws, keeping one inside the chest wound. He started to push upward a little and to the side, cutting more of the skin. Snap struggled harder, yanking at his limbs, trying to pull away.
Then, with a twisted smile, Bardot shoved harder. Snap let out a loud scream as he felt the claw break through his ribcage, and sliced right into one of his lungs. The feeling of it collapsing was horrific. He felt his breathing quickening, his body trying harder to get more oxygen into his body. His body stiffened as Bardot suddenly yanked his claw out, blood dripping onto his body and sticking to Bardot's claws.
Snap whimpered from the pain. Agony started to overwhelm his mind. The world around him started to blur and lose focus. He felt the ground beneath him spinning. The reduced oxygen and increased blood loss...they were mingling together, weakening him physically and mentally. And the pain, oh man the pain, it was getting worse by the second...
Everything hurt now... Everywhere. There was not one area of his body that wasn't radiating in intense pain. Even the act of breathing hurt now. He felt as though he was slicing his lung every time he took in a breath or exhaled, no matter how slow or soft he did it. He kept his mouth open instinctively as his body, starving for oxygen, tried to suck in as much air as possible.
Snap stared up at Bardot with an expression of fear and hatred. "I...I will stop you.." Snap said, his voice weaker from having only one functioning lung. "I told Draow...and I will tell you... I will not give up... I..I will not let my friends down...I promised to save them...and I will..."
Bardot laughed at this. "Oh my you really are full of spirit! Even after all this time! How impressive!"
Snap glared at him, one eye part way closed from the pain.
"But you will need more than just spirit to win against me. Even now, your body is weakening. I can tell, just from looking at your expression, that your level of pain is increasing. Your adrenaline, it made it easier for you to deal with the pain. But soon...you will feel the full effects, and when you do..." Bardot gave a cruel laugh. He turned his head to the side, staring at Snap with one bright green eye. "You will be unable to save yourself, let alone anyone. You will be easy for me to kill.."
Snap attempted to struggle again. But with each struggle, he felt more and more strength leaving him. He was getting weaker. The blood loss was taking effect, and the pain was increasing. His weakened breathing was complicating things. How was he going to get out of here? There had to be a way. It all looked so hopeless..but no..he couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up..not now...
Snap glared up at Bardot, clenching his teeth tightly from a mixture of fear and anger. He noticed Bardot hadn't used his venom on him yet. He made no attempts to bite him, not even mock ones. He wondered if it was because he wanted to save the venom for later. Or maybe he was just waiting for the right moment. Maybe he was going to wait until he least expected it...
"You know, despite being so clever..." Bardot said as-a-matter-of-factly. He tightened his grip on Snap's wrists. "..I am amazed you haven't figured out what I was doing this whole time..."
Snap looked up at him, confused. He didn't know what he was talking about. All he was doing was just..standing there and talking to him. He kept him still, he injured him more, but mostly he was just talking or staring at him. There wasn't a lot going on. They hadn't even begun to fight yet. Snap didn't know why this guy hadn't tried fighting him yet. He didn't know why he was just holding him down.
But then, a cold chill went up his spine. Horrific realization spread through his veins, turning them to ice. That was it... He wasn't doing anything... Not only that, he wasn't allowing him to do anything either. He wa just holding him there. And it wasn't because Bardot didn't want to fight. There was a purpose behind him just standing around talking. There was a reason why they hadn't gone into battle yet. There was a reason why Bardot seemed a little more interested in just staring at him or talking to him than he was beginning the battle.
He was wasting time...
Snap's eyes shot towards the direction where his friends lay on the ground. Bardot was deliberately using up his time so he would have little time to go save them... How much precious time had he lost just talking to this insane zoner? How much time did he have left now?
Snap couldn't believe what a fool he had been. He should have known that Bardot would pull something like this. He should have known that this zoner would be just the type to pull a trick like this. Knowing that Bardot was deliberately wasting his time, Snap struggled even harder to get free. He still couldn't make Bardot let go. Again and again he pulled, but no luck.
"I see it finally clicked with you. Yes, I've been...killing time..." Bardot turned his head to look at Rudy and Penny. "So little time left... I would say they have just one hour left." He laughed evilly. He looked back down at Snap. "I wonder if you could even manage that."
At first, it did seem hopeless. With only one hour left and time continuing to tick away, Snap had no idea how he was going to get out of this mess. He couldn't even free himself. He knew that Bardot was going to hold him down until it was too late to save his friends. He was going to force him to watch them die, helpless to do anything about it. Then, he was certain, he was going to bite him with venom and kill him.
This had been part his plan this whole time. He had planned, from the start, for Snap to be so hurt that he could barely fight back. He had planned to mock and tease him about saving his friends, telling him he would be given a chance to save them. And while he has that chance, Bardot was doing whatever he could to make sure he missed that chance.
Minutes passed by and there was no change. Snap hadn't been able to free himself. He glared hatefully at Bardot. Once in a while, he look back at his friends. His lower lip quivered as he thought that this might be the very last time he'll see them. The thought...it was heart wrenching. He...he didn't want this to be the end...
Snap again thought of the incident with Mr. Cosmo. He recalled how hopeless it seemed then. Everything seemed to Mr. Cosmo's way. He had been so close to victory. He had caused so much pain. Then Snap realized that, despite how hopeless it was, they still won. They still managed to find a way to turn the tides. And he realized he could still do it here.
Seeing Bardot's injuries reminded him that this guy wasn't invincible. He was wounded like himself. Not as badly, but he was still wounded. The blood caked on the zoner's back, shoulder, and ear was further proof of this. Mr. Cosmo, despite how dangerous he was, could still be injured, and was ultimately killed. And though Bardot was worse, he still had blood and bones..he could still be hurt...
"A shame your friends are going to die soon..."
Snap glared daggers at the hybrid zoner, baring his teeth at him.
"They were so much fun to toy with. Especially Rudy. You should have heard him crying out for mercy when I started to break his arm." Bardot said, laughing. "I would love to hear him scream again...as well as Penny... I wish you could have seen it, Snappy boy." Bardot reached down with his claw and scratched along Snap's cheek, cutting a small gash in it. Snap winced at this. "They were defiant. They did resist. But in the end, even they had to succumb to the pain. No one can resist..not even the strongest among us. And them...well..." Bardot lowered his head a little. "They were so much fun to break."
Snap widened his eyes in horror at this. His mind flashed back to Mr. Cosmo again. He remembered being in the tunnel with Mr. Wilter and Rapsheeba. He remembered when Mr. Cosmo came and yanked him away. The man held onto him and told him that he was fun to break...
And now, hearing those words again, this time about his friends, it caused emotion to well up inside of him. Fear... Horror... He remembered how Mr. Cosmo broke him and how he continued to break him. Now his mind was filling up with images of his friends, on the ground, begging for mercy. He could see Bardot and Draow beating them up, slicing them with their claws. And they would be calling for him. Rudy and Penny...they'd call for him, beg him for help. And he couldn't do anything about it.
But being reminded of Mr. Cosmo didn't only have negative effects on him. There was a positive one as well. A renewed determination started to swell inside his mind. He never wanted anyone to go through what he did with Mr. Cosmo. Knowing that is what is happening to his friends, and knowing just how they felt, knowing the meaning of fear... Snap was more determined than ever to save them.
With anger spreading through his body, mixed in with hatred and determination, he narrowed his eyes at the hybrid zoner. He took notice that Bardot had placed his paw on the ground again. The injured paw...
Snap struggled again. By shere luck, he managed to dislodge one of his arms. The one closest to the injured paw. Bardot looked surprised that he managed to free his hand from his grasp. Snap twisted his body a little, ignoring the pain, and positioned his fist. Then, moving as quickly as he could, he slammed his fist against the injured paw as hard as he could. A wave of pain was sent through Snap's hand; it was been the some one he used to punch Draow. He pulled his hand back and gave a cry.
He wasn't the only one in pain. Bardot let out a scream and he lifted up his paw to himself. Through his pain, Snap realized that Bardot's grip on his legs had loosened up. He yanked out one of his legs and managed to land a kick on him, sending the zoner into the ground.
Slowly, Snap staggered to his feet. He was in great agony. Every movement was like being electrocuted all over again. Still, he fought against the pain, tears flowing down his face, as he stood up. He glared in Bardot's direction. He could feel blood pouring from his chest wound. The blood dripped on the ground, creating pools of redness. He took a step towards Bardot, only to be struck with agony and hunched over, holding onto his chest wound.
Bardot's eyes were wide. He looked genuinely shocked. "I can't believe you managed to get up after all that. You should be in too much pain to move..."
"Heh..you'd..you'd be surprised...what people are willing to go through...to save the ones they love.." Snap said, a weak smile on his face. His breathing quickened a little more as he tried to get more oxygen. "I...I am not staying down...that easily..."
Bardot stared at him with a surprised expression for a moment. Then he smiled darkly. "Well...I guess I should be glad you are standing. You will be much more fun to kill this way..." With that, he charged towards the injured zoner, letting out a loud snarl.
Snap stood his ground, glaring at Bardot. He took a fighting stance and waited for the monster to collide with him.