Chapter Thirty Three: (Epilogue Part 6)
My heart swells with pain, my mind unable to make sense what my eyes are seeing. How is it possible? David is alive... My throat clenches up as I'm brought to tears. I mourned him for months on end. If he was alive why didn't he come looking for any of us? Unless he wasn't able to. Just exactly how did he survive his encounter with Smasher? So many questions left unanswered. I shutter violently.
"David... I can't believe it."
He keeps stepping forward his gaze is glossed over. His body trembling like a nervous wreck, he doesn't even respond.
"It's me David, Ryan..." I cry out.
"Save your breath. David been conditioned into only responding to my voice. Doing as I command means, receiving our cutting edge suppressants. The friend you know is far gone swallowed whole by the Cyberpsychosis." Hiroshi spoke up.
"What...?" I say rather confused.
"You Pavlov'ed him to obeying you, how cruel." Mottly spoke aloud letting himself be heard.
"Ah ha, I always wonder what happened to project A.I.M. to think it was residing in you all this time. Maybe there is some use for you yet Ryan. I could have me a matching pair of friends." Hiroshi laughs.
"You sick bastard, let him go!" I scream. Yet as David step forward into a more illuminated area, my jaw drops.
David body has been rebuilt with realistic skin and muscles, in harmony with chrome. He was rigged to a more compact version of the Cyberskeleton. Wires connecting to his spine and shoulders, his arms gigantic mechanized fists. I didn't know what to expect but that he was built like a tank, something akin to Adam Smasher. Influence by the Cyberpsychosis, empowered by the Cyberskeleton, there was so much to take in.
"Do you like my new toy? Cost a pretty enny to fix him up after Smasher did a number on him. Luckily for me I halted Smasher from finishing him off. Your friend was too invaluable to lose. His response to the Cyberskeleton was outstanding, shame this prototype pales in comparison to the original." Hiroshi spoke rather pleased with himself.
"He's not your property, you mother fucker!" I lash out at Hiroshi.
"Uhhgggg!" David cried out in pain as he reaches for his head.
"It's been some hours since your last treatment hasn't it? You want the pain to stop, don't you?" Hiroshi spoke to David who threw his massive hands down in acknowledgement.
"What are you doing to him, stop it Hiroshi. Help him!"
"I'm not doing anything, he has the power to help himself." He cackles. "Isn't that right David?"
"You bastard he's in pain!" I scream.
"David, this boy stands between you and the pain relief. Dispose of him, slowly!" Hiroshi command's David."
"Here he comes, be prepared for anything." Mottly warns. For sometime I had ponder what would happen if the two of us were to fight. Not that I ever wanted that, but I danced with the question in my head. Who would win? I mean if it was a fair fight, which this isn't by any stretch of the imagination. Who knows how it would end and who would win. But this wasn't a joke this was serious.
Without any firearms I'm more or less a deadman, unable to know what David had up his selves or what Arasaka outfitted him with. But could I really hurt David or kill him for that matter? I honestly don't think I could not after all this time I spent mourning him. Regardless of Hiroshi underhanded agenda, David is and has always been my best friend. No he was more than that he was a brother to me. All I could possibly do is play the defensive as I try to figure a way out of this situation.
David charges me as I brace for whatever he going to throw at me. His body twitching as he ie snarling. My hands clenched into tight fists. I rush to meet him into the middle unwillingly but I have to defend myself as I throw my fist at him. He is practically growling as he pounds at my chest, trying to shove me away. In an instant he's gone. Shit the sandevistan! I curse before triggering my Synaptic Accelerator on. I leap forward to in response. But something nearly pulls me back into that spot.
Luckily I was able evade by just enough of a margin. To out maneuver whatever it's range. The ground behind me seamlessly shatters and crack's into a massive impact crater. Gravity manipulation, that's just on of the capabilities of the Cyberskeleton.
David is zipping along side me as I can see him using the sandy as my perception is slowed down too. But there is no fisable way for me match him as his fist beats against my face. He stops dead in his tracks and swings a boot at me, knocking me down. My accelerator shuts off as I go sprawling the floor. He's going to kill me. I thought as I writhe in pain, snarling as the agony fills me, my muscles nearly tearing apart. There a firey pain at my fingertips. My pain reaches its peak and I start coughing up blood.
It was a true struggle trying to stand back up. I fall over but get up again and struggle. He is only momentarily lurching over in agony. I'm am distracted by Hiroshi laughter. David breaks for me again and on impulse I draw another fist back, to defend. Yet David manges to punch me in the head again. My vision spin's as I topple back down.
I can't move as I'm certain David is ready to deliver the deathblow, it would not take much all he needs to do is active that gravity field. As I embrace for death, the sound of suppressive gun fire echos. A large hand lifts me up. It's Tasein and the gang.
"Shadow, Jackal sever the wires it should disconnect the Cyberskeleton!" Isadora calls out and I watch the two sprint at David, Charlatan pinning David in place with his rifle.
"Don't kill him, that's my friend. He's not in control of himself. Up there that's the bastard giving him commands. That's Hiroshi." I call out.
"You heard him no killing. Tasein do something about that protective window on the observation deck." Charlatan commands I am able to catch my breath as I noticed Tasein lifting a large container. He swiftly chucks it at the glass and it begins to shatter.
Shadow and Jackal cut most of the wires connecting David to the Cyberskeleton, but not all. Somehow make it past him, rushing back to us. I was happy to have backup but they should of escaped when they had the chance.
"Protect me!" Hiroshi cry's out and David rushes to the observation deck, he single handedly lifts up Hiroshi. The duo now making a break for it.
"You guys get going after them!" I say and suddenly I'm handed a large black carbon knife and a semi automatic, by Charlatan.
"Don't forget you need to break the connection of the Cyberskeleton otherwise you stand no chance." Isadora warns, before the group retreats. Alone now , I quickly leap up and ascend to the now broken observation deck and rush after them. I'm so far behind the pair that it forces meto trigger my Synaptic Accelerator to somewhat close the gap in distance.
The plan is simple, disable the Cyberskeleton and hopefully that will buy me time to assist David , once that's done finally kill Hiroshi.
I arrive in small interior area, finally caught up with Hiroshi and David who was guarding him. If I tend to David, Hiroshi could slip away. If I go for Hiroshi, David could use that advantage to kill me. It was hard what to pick and I didn't know what to do? I didn't know whether to go for a confrontational approach with David separate him from that metal shackle? Or do I turn my sights on Hiroshi? I picked Hiroshi, of course. Who was I kidding? With the task master I could approach David differently.
Hiroshi sprints off, I promptly give chase, David seems to be crying out in terrible pain that he doesn't go to interrupt me. Hiroshi was surprisingly running as fast as I've ever seen anyone run before. He doesn't even stop to catch his breath. He runs into a another area similar to the last area which is even more open. The room is a underground helipad.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Several gun shots fire from a departing A.V. as the underground ceiling is wide open. Moonlight can be seen cascading back down. I then hear a different more gruff voice speak as the craft rises.
"You've played your part well puppet, but the true heir has returned, you are no longer needed."
I see Hiroshi collapse to the ground his hand clutching his chest. "Damn you elder brother Yorinobu..." Hiroshi cough his last words.
Damnit I was supposed to kill him, but a dead bastard is a dead bastard. Suddenly the hair's on the back of neck stand up, David was directly behind me, my knife slashing through another wire in a quick reaction. Yet his fist connect with my back and I go fly forward into a wall. My ears start to ring as my forehead connects with the metal. The skin of my forehead tears open as I crumple to my knees. I felt my spine through crack in some places. Shit! I scream mentally as I roll over. Blood is rapidly spewing down my face. My nose feels broken in several places. In the inside of my mouth and jaw slightly unhinged.
David was once again in front of me like a stalking panther and before he could attack I mange to slash the second to last remaining wire, before get a form grip, grabbing my head and smashing it into the floor sending out a wave of pain through me. David grabs me by the arm this time and flings me dislocating my shoulder in the process. Somehow I mange to land on my feet.
"I guess I have no other choice," I mutter pulling out the inhaler or Black lace... With one large inhale adrenaline courses within my body numbing all pain. I have the ability to push myself to the point of no return. I will have complete control of the Synaptic Accelerator, but once it's turns off my spinal cord will be rendered destroyed.
"Ryan there only way to save David, are prepared to make such a sacrifice?" Mottly ask's me.
"Whatever it takes he has to live, so yes I'm willing to give you up. I know he would do the same."
"The that's the plan Ryan," Mottly says as we are both resolute.
All I have to do now is cut the remaining wire freeing him from the Cyberskeleton. Somehow ware David out so we can make the transfer. I knew what I need to do as I take the largest inhale I toss off David jacket and start the accelerator.
I am moving much more faster within this slowed down time that I am able to keep up with David's sandy. It comes to a game of circling the other; him throwing heavy blows and me trying to slice the last wire connected to his back, the Cyberskeleton is hanging on by a small thread.
"I'm going to save you no matter what it takes!" I declare. But is retorted in return with an inhuman grunt of pain from David. The Cyberpsychosis driving him ever more madder with the unabated. ravages.
It's a waltz of an impasse as I can't land that blow to disconnect the wire nor can he attack me. He lets out a mighty battle cry of as he stops for a fraction of a second in pain. Bingo! At least my opening presents itself.
I desperately charge forward cutting the last wire separating David and the Cyberskeleton. The Cyberskeleton breaks apart from him and slam's into the ground useless. The strain from the device force's David's to his knees, I take the time to notice his face is slowly turning more so in pain.
But nont of it matters as he's back on his feet and our fist connect with one another over and over in the slowed down time. He still was putting up a fight. I need to be able to tire him down so I can help. But it's not easy to put David off his game.
"I am special!" David cry's out the Cyberpsychosis digging deeper and deeper causing him insurmountable pain that he lashes out at me like a crazed bull. "One last gig..." He mumbles.
"You're stronger than all this just hold on a little longer." But before I can finish he slams his fist down at me.
The blast of pain trickles across my body. I gasp and my knees buckle and tremble. My shins becoming shattered as a searing heat blasts throughout my body. There is an unimaginable pain from the cracking of ribs, that they themselves snap and splinter off rupturing my rib cage. I fight back immensely but to no avail, my mouth sputters out a mixture of vomit, bile and blood. The fatigue I've avoided for so long was now overly apparent. Despite the black lace I was fastly reaching my breaking point.
Suddenly I found myself wrestling with the idea of shooting David with the gun lift it up to fire. But Mottly interrupts that train of thought. I was here to help him, as desperately grim the situation has become, I toss aside the gun that was in my hand.
"Just keep pushing to the bitter end." Mottly encourages me.
"I- I can't. It's too much." I cry out.
"If not for yourself do it for Lucy." Mottly says.
Rolling out the way and to the side, I feel the snaring and shredding fibrous nerve tissue of my spinal cord. My spine was degrading faster and faster but I resisted. Painfully crawling back up, blood and sweat dripping down my face, I rush David and with a good swing hit with the Gorilla Fist. It slams him to the ground. Just a few more hits and I can assure that David will unable to continue.
Blow after blow I relentlessly pound away at him, trying to keep him down, but he suddenly jerks his head up and laughs out in a sorrowful pain.
"HA HA, I AM TRULY SPECIAL!" David mumbles as he back on his feet, charging me and I side step out the way.
"Just stay down please!" I plead.
"Your fault, your fault where were you?" He cries out each of his words stab at me. Was this truly my fault? Had I gone I could of prevented him from ever getting into the first Cyberskeleton. Talked him out taking the gig. This was burden to live with my cross to carry. Now even if it cost my life I'm going to rectify it. I'm going to save him from his Cyberpsychosis.
Our fist connect and clash against one another. With my strength quickly evaporating, David is apparently still stronger than me. David grabs me by my throat lifting me up, I kick and flail about.
"No! We've almost there!" I gasp out in pain, struggling to break free from his grasp. I tilt my head back head butting him repeatedly until his nose burts open with a sicking pop. He lets go of his hold on and and I take the leverage to leap back. It's becoming increasingly known the accelerator giving in.
"All we need to do is insert your personal link to his neural port and I can handle the rest." Mottly mentions.
"Easier said than done!"
We leap on to my heels limping but still managing to fight, we start circling each other. I was desperately trying to figure out how to insert my Personal Link to his neural port correctly.
"I didn't say it was going to be easy." Mottly states as one final punch is all I have left in me.
I land it and David opens his eyes with a look of astonishment. He looks at me with eyes filled with hate as I gaze back with lorn and sorrow.
David leap forward launching his foot, it catches me in the broken part of my ribcage. This knocks the air out of my lungs as all his might and rage with into that kick. The kick was so precise it sends me sprawling across the floor and with thay the Synaptic Accelerator shuts off once and for all, everything is back to normal, the pain all erupting at once. The accelerator had gave me a delayed reaction to the pain. What I felt during is nothing compared to now as I had no grasp on the full extent of David new found strength.
"See that? I'M BACK ON TOP!" He screams out.
Every breath I take hurts more and more as David approaches me, his arm cannon now extended out. I am unable to move and I'm terrified.
"David, it's Ryan please remember." I plead, trying to reach him.
"Ry-" In that split second painful lift my arm up my personal link disengages. I swiftly fire it out at his neck and it latches to David neural port. Farewell Mottly I say to myself but it's a little to late. The cannon had fired and it tears through my chest. My eyes widen my draw drops as my life is fastly ebbing away. "Ryan oh my god Ryan," I can hear David scream over the sound of rushing water in my ears, he holds me in his arms. David was coming to his senses, Mottly programing reversing the Cyberpsychosis. I store up to the sky as David face looks down to mine.
As much as I fear this failing somehow David psyche somehow survived. He wasn't too far gone as I first theorized. Yet regardless of my theory I still fought on to try and subsequently save him.
Unfortunately this ended with a sacrifice, one I was willing to make to trade for David. And yet somehow I didn't see myself actually dying. But as peance I gladly pay this heavy price. After all I've learn to never give up on family.
"Ha it worked. Thank goodness..." David it's okay I'm entrusting you with Mottly." I weakly gasp out.
"Stay with me..." He shouts loudly.
"Lucy, she's on the moon go to her. About that gig, David I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me most. Go on now, go to your girl." I faint murmur as I take his hand in mine. We
"Ryan no. Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, why Ryan.. Ryan."
The pain is fading, my eyes are growing ever so heavy as I catch David mournful gaze one last time. "It's okay brother, you did nothing wrong. Mottly look out for him... Thanks for being my friend Dav-"
One last gasp and suddenly. White Silence...
Night City- 1/1/2077
Voicemail- 001:
Jackie Welles- Hermano it's been awhile, Mama Welles won't stop asking about you. Wondering when you're coming back around. Hey check it, Misty and I are going to party out on the town we would be ecstatic if join us. When you get this message call me back.
Voicemail - 002
Regina Smith- Phase three has been cleared of testing and clinical trials show a success rate of 95%. 2077 yields promise of us making a decline of Cyberpsychosis. I could use a handyman to help apprehend subjects before Maxtac can get ahold of them. If that's something that interests you, reach out to me. You've done enough as is so I completely understand if don't want to. Think about it okay. See you then.
Voicemail- 003
Viktor Vektor- Heya Kid, you haven't dropped by in a while. I like to do a tune up on your hand as well inspect your spine. Rumor is the EU has a treatment plan for people with spinal cord issues. Something to look into, but with a enough Eddy's and referral on my behalf, I could get you a registered for surgery, that's if you're not afraid of flying. Let knew if you'd be interested next time you pop by. Take care of yourself kid.
Voicemail- 004
Saul Bright- Hello nephew, I've heard you've got mixed up with Arasaka. I don't know the full details but you should of known better than messing with them. Whatever the cause might be, be done with all that foolishness. Your place is with your family, with your little brother. Ryan you're an Aldecaldo. You've been nominated for a leadership position, rather unanimously. I won't beg, but please consider it that's all I can ask.
Voicemail- 005
Rouge Amendiares:The club hasn't been the same without you and although Charlatan reported back days ago, I fear the worse kid. Arasaka won't admit it publicly but a great amount of damage has been dealt to them. It would appear you'd accomplished what you set out to do. I just hope you got the ending you desired...
Voicemail- 006
Haisley Trevlot: Ryan, why won't you return any of my calls. I was trying to tell you but I guess I will now. I should be back in Night City for the New Year. I know things ended confusingly last time, but I would love to see you in person. It's important that we talk. I. I have some news to discuss with you. Ryan I was trying to wait before saying anything until I saw you. But there no point delaying it any longer but Ryan. I'm late...
Fin-
A/N: And thusly we've reached the climax of the story, the true ending. From the very start I had planned on saving David to give him the happy after that he so rightfully deserved. I loved EdgeRunners and the entire Cyberpunk universe . Writing this from start to finish is a major accomplishment which wouldn't be possible without everyone support. I wanna wholeheartedly thank each and every on of you who took a chance on this story and help me breath life into this amazing journey. I will be taking a short break from writing but alas, if my mind and heart's into it. I will do a squeal that involves Ryan's younger brother Aiden as the main character. Too next time everyone. Dari signing off.