Slugterra Fanfic
Chapter 28: Beyond Low

Kaiya walked the halls of Blakks fortress with a new-found menace. She walked with confidence, authority and determination.
However, the old Kaiya was approachable and was always friendly with the guards, saying hi or acknowledging them.
The new Kaiya? Not so much.

She walked like Blakk, expecting everyone to move out of her way, which they did, and not noticing anyone.
The guards were too afraid to speak to her, let alone look at her.
Even Nicole, Twist, CC and Co. was wary around her.

She hardly ever spoke, or socialized, spending most of her time locked in her workshop, trying to revive her Mecha. It was all she ever cared about anymore.
Twist had taken to looking after Jet, after he found her locked outside Kaiyas room for the fifth time, feeding her, walking her and grooming her.

"Something's up with her." Nicole muttered as their old friend strode past them, without so much as a glance.
"You're telling me." Twist grumbled as Jet whined on his lap. He stroked her head to relax them both, "Sooner or later she's going to do something she'll regret."

"I just wish I knew what was up with her." Nicole sighed, "She never talks to us anymore, never wants to hang out with us. It's like she's living in a completely different mindset."

"Maybe it's her identity problems?" Twist suggested. He had filled Nicole in fully on what had happened after the issue with Skies had been resolved.
"I don't think she's the type of person to let that plague her for long. I think she's over it."
"Whatever it is, I hope she comes clean soon. I'm starting to get tired of being avoided."

"Why not challenge her to another game of 'Too Hott'?" Nicole slyly suggested.

"You just want me delivered to you in tiny pieces, don't you?" Twist answered sarcastically. Jet growled in agreement.

Kaiya was on her way to the cafeteria to pick up some lunch. She had been to busy worrying and raging over a tiny flaw she had found in her Mecha, that she had forgotten all other duties.
The flaw was physically tiny, but the result of it not being repaired properly could mean humungous consequences.

If only Blakk hadn't blown up the forge! How was she ever going to fix the problem?
She mentally ground her teeth, 'Dammit!'

She had just snatched an apple and croissant when her smart phone rang. It was Blakk.
She accepted the call then hung up, before heading towards Blakks office, chomping on her small lunch.

Upon arriving, Blakk had welcomed her in.
"How is your destructive Mecha beast coming? Is it fully repaired yet?" He inquired.
Kaiya shook her head, croissant crumbs falling off her face, "I can't fix it properly. Right now, it's too unstable to ride. There is a crack in the-"
Blakk cut her off, "Well too bad! You'll have to work on it later. Right now I have a highly dangerous mission for you. If you manage to pull this off, I'll give you a whole week off."

Kaiya stopped chewing to process the words, "Wha-wha…a whole WEEK?"
Blakk nodded, "Now, here. I need you to intercept a parcel here. That's all you need to know. Am I clear? You have twenty minutes to get ready. Good luck."
Kaiya nodded and her body robotically rushed off, while her mind was still swirling.
A whole week off?She could get Skies fixed in no time! And have some luxury time off."

"Now all I need is a mecha beast to replace Skies for this mission."
Finally, a challenge! Her face cracked into a huge smile and her heart sped up as she sprinted down the corridor.
She ran past Twist and Nicole, "Hey guys! I'll be seeing you in another week!" She yelled with pure delight.

As she ran past, Nicole shook her head, "I'll never understand how you like that girl, Twist."
Twist leaned back and sighed, "Same here."

Reaching the main garage for the guards Mecha Beasts, she slowed down and allowed herself a small amount of time to select the perfect ride.
Stopping next to her chosen preference, she whipped out a screwdriver and started adjusting.

Fifteen minutes passed and she finally stopped.
"It's not as good as I thought but it'll have to do." She wiped her face and hands, then leapt atop the uniform blue hyena, taking a second to familiarize herself with the machine.

"Let's go!" She hissed as she sped out of the fortress and towards her destination.

The trip there was all about her reminding herself that what she was riding was not Skies. She had no tail, mouth, claws, anything!

It was just her, her skills and her knives.

Upon arriving she stopped behind a clump of rocks and observed the scene below with her glasses zooming in.
It was Elina, the Shane Gang and another girl, on a pink Artic Fox. Interesting…
Tuning her earpiece she heard a name: Angelina Montez.
"Looks like I have another obstacle, Jet."
Her comment was met with silence.
"Jet?"

Kaiyas heart dropped as she realized that Jet was still at the fortress. It was really just her.

Alone.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed down the despair and focused on her target.

They seemed to just be waiting for something, or someone.
So she waited with them, her restless mind forming a plan, causing a wicked smile to stretch across her face.
Radioing in Twist, who was surprised to hear from her, she outlined everything.
Then she sat back and continued the wait.

Eli was hot and bothered, he really didn't appreciate waiting for whatever he needed to pick up. He had just followed Kord and Angies advice.
"How long till they show up?" He groaned, fingering his blaster in anticipation.
Kord looked away from his binoculars, "Not long now, I think I see him."

Trixie breathed a sigh of relief, "Good grief, it's about time. Though, I'm more worried about the fact that we haven't seen anything to do with Blakk, so far."

"Well, this operation was pretty hush hush." Elina pointed out.
Trixie rolled her eyes, "Still…"

The groups hands slid to their blasters as a dust cloud grew larger, eventually revealing a bull mecha.

Kaiya sent the signal.
The image nagged Kaiyas mind, she had seen it before.
Sitting astride was a thin man, wrapped in grease stained scarves.
"I've brought the requested item to help you, Eli Shane. Here." The mans face was wrapped in a scarf but Kaiya dismissed it. Her eyes were trained on the small blue circle pulsating in the cloth that had wrapped it.
Elis eyes widened and he reached a hand forward to grab it when he pulled back as the ground started shaking. Over the ridge came a cavalry of Blakks guards, Twist leading them.
Next to him, was a hologram of her, astride Skies, looking as menacing as ever.

She couldn't help but grin as she leapt forward as the group started charging and slinging at them.
The familiar man turned tail and ran in the opposite direction with the group eventually following him, mixing with the goons.

Sticking to the sides, she stayed out of main sight, slowly making her way level with the messenger.
She broke from the side and pulled alongside the man, who's scarf was loosening, before it flew of completely.
Kaiya gasped. It was Derek! Her old pal and part-deliverer!
"Derek! It's so good to see you again!" She yelled over the wind.
Derek turned to face her, his eyes lighting up in recognition, "Kaiya! Oh, how wonderful you're here! I knew you weren't really working for Blakk! You're a double agent!"

Those words triggered Kaiyas mind into action and a horrid plan started to form in Kaiyas head, "Yeah…Yeah! I'm a double agent! I need you to give me that parcel, please! When it's with me there's no way Blakk will get his hands on it!"

Old age had made Dereks mind not function as good as it used too, and Blakks tyranny had forced him into work again.
Derek breathed a sigh of relief and was about to hand over the package when Elis voice called out from behind him.
"No! Don't! She works for Blakk, you can't trust her!" Eli and Lucky were catching up on them.
Hesitation and suspicion flickered in Dereks eyes and Kaiya found herself blurting out an excuse.
"He doesn't know, Derek! If he did, he would blow my cover! Please, you know I would never really hurt anyone!" She continued to play mind games with her former friend.

Dereks mind couldn't take the stress and he passed her the piece as they rode out onto a stone arch, forming a bridge over a dark canyon.
"Kaiya, please. Make sure Blakk doesn't get his hands on it. It is a piece of powerful ancient tech. It's from beyond the Era of the Shadowclan, from a time when both worlds lived together, the Surface and Slugterra." Dereks face had grown papery and gaunt, as old age caught up to him.
He smiled, "I'm glad I can trust you Kaiya. I knew you had a good heart." Was all he managed to say before Kaiya rammed him and his mecha over the edge of the bridge and into the canyon.

He didn't cry out or scream, he just fell in eerie silence. Kaiya looked away, she couldn't bear to watch.
"NO!" Eli shouted as Kaiya held back tears, clutching the device in her hand until her knuckles turned white.

She sped the mecha off the bridge and into a quiet town on the outskirts of the Cavern, in mourning silence.

Eli couldn't believe what he had seen and heard. Derek had been one of Kaiyas closest friends and she had just simply shoved him over the edge after playing mind-games with him.
This was beyond Blakks level. He gritted his teeth and sped after her on his dirtbike, loading Burpy into his Blaster, catching her in the sights.
He took a deep breath and fired.

Burpy sped from the barrel, transforming into his velocimorph state, then again into his maximum form.

Kaiya felt the heat-wave and glanced behind her to see Burpy speeding towards her, spitting fireballs. This time there was no fancy defence system to dodge them. Just skills.

She swerved in a zig-zag, making herself a difficult target for Burpy but eventually a fireball hit the back of the hyena, causing it to go flying.

As the mecha beast flew through the air Kaiya leapt off, landing with a roll and springing to her feet. She bolted for the nearest shelter, a nearby house, and smashing through the window into to the living room.
Regaining her feet she could feel the warm trickle of blood running down her face, from a cut on her temple.
Her fingers also had tiny cuts and her leather jackets shoulder was pretty shredded.

Taking stock of the two little molenoids sitting infront of a T.V staring at her she guessed the tenants were home.
"PULSE!" One of them shrieked, terror shining in its eyes.
Kaiya whirled around as the sound of a motor bike stopped outside the house, and a figure tired stepped out of the doorway.
In the split second Kaiyas mind thought of a plan she registered her victims appearance.
She was half cat half human, with a dark blue furry tail and ears. Atop her forehead she had a green jewel, detailed to resemble an eye. She had a yellow mark under her right-hand eye and bright green eyes.

She looked startled and scared as Kaiya leapt towards her, pulling a long, wicked knife out of a sheath on the back of her jeans, hidden by her jacket. She always kept that there, for emergencies.
Like this.

Within a matter of seconds, Pulse was on her knees with her mouth gagged and her hands tied behind her with a piece of nylon cord Kaiya also kept with her.
She tried yelling for help but was cut of by buzz of an electrically-bladed knife, held dangerously close to her throat.
"Quiet!" Kaiya hissed as Kord rammed down the door, wielding his blaster.
He stopped as he saw what was happening, "Eliiiiii!" He warned.

"Kaiya…" Eli hissed.
"Now, Eli. I believe you know how this…..works?" Kaiya grinned, hiding her anxiety and worry.

Eli just stared at her grim-faced.
"Blasters infront of me now and hands in the air or I slit her throat!" She commanded. She had no doubt that they'd comply, especially after her show on the bridge.
The two boys were true to their word and they dropped their blasters and raised their hands.
"Anyone else with you?" Kaiya asked.
Eli shook his head, "They're busy dealing with the rest of your squad."
"Good." Kaiya grinned then jabbed Pulse with the knife, electrocuting her into unconsciousness before smashing Elis' blaster and kicking Kords away.
the Cave-Troll lunged for her but she ducked and ran out the door before mounting Elis mecha and sprinting away.
She looked back at their astonished faces as she steered the wolf back towards the Citadel.

During the trip she marveled at the craftsmanship that the mecha beast possessed. It moved fluidly, had a stunning control system and was an awesome design.
"Impressive." She murmured before turning her mind to other matters.
There was now way she was giving Blakk the parcel she had retrieved.

No way at all, she thought as she pulled out the blue disk. It sent an electric wave coursing through her.
It cleared her mind and brought with it a feeling of freshness, like chewing peppermint gum and having it sting you nose and tounge, but this time it was all over her body.

"It must be a disk of pure slug energy. Impressive." She thought, slipping it into her pocket, as the wolf continued towards the Fortress.