*Claps hands together and rubs them excitedly* Let's see what love we got from our fans today!
"NO GOD DAMN IT…"
Loud. :P
"…what the actual fuck…"
I'm starting to notice a pattern…
"…They better not be dead. Cause if they are, *sharpens katana*"
Woo! A threat! \o/ Doing something right!
"…If you don't find a good way to end this book, I will torture you and bring you to the brink of death…"
Ye Gods!
"…YOU WILL BRING CHASE BACK. HE IS A DEMON. HE WILL LIVE FOREVER LIKE YAHN. PLUS, IT SEEMS LIKE HE'S PART CAT. CATS HAVE NINE LIVES. HE WILL LIVE. HE WILL SIGN ADAM'S SECOND FUCKING CAST AND HE WILL MAKE A STUPID SARCASTIC REMARK ABOUT IT TOO. HE WILL SHOW UP IN THE LIVING ROOM WITH HIS HAIR LOOKING FABULOUS AND HIS RAVEN WINGS GLEAMING.
" OR MAYBE DONNIE WILL TRY TO MAKE ANOTHER PORTAL TO GET CHASE BACK AND HE'LL COME THROUGH THE PORTAL.
" MAYBE WHEN HE DOES HE'LL BECOME FULLY HUMAN AGAIN.
" UGH BUT HE WAS SO COOL AS A DEMON.
"THE POINT IS HE IS COMING BACK AND HE IS LOOKING FABULOUS DOING IT. OTHERWISE MY KNIFE WILL LOOK FABULOUS AT YOUR THROAT. HE IS A BOSS ASS BITCH AND HE'S GONNA COME BACK LIKE ONE.
But Douglas probably won't..."
Best. Rant. Ever. I started laughing, I loved it so much. xD And that last bit about Douglas? At least we know how much you loved him. (Not very. xD)
So nice to see the loving, peaceful community come together. :3
Anywho, I'd like to thank all my readers and more-than-irate reviewers. XD I promise, this will all be worth it in the end.
Mia-Teresa-Davenport: o_o Please don't banshee-scream in the reviews. You'll break the pixel windows.
j. liz. 8: ":c Thanks."
DisneyXDGirl: …I kind of want to see if you'll actually stab me with that thing…
AllAmericanSlurp: I feel like I should know that acronym, but I don't. Anything more than four letters is something I don't put time into learning.
DarkestKing: You can goad him all you want, but he's dead. Won't really accomplish much.
Guest: I love you. Seriously. E-marry me. We shall deliver our vows in caps lock. :P
So, without further ado, I vote that we just do this. Leo?
"Zara doesn't own Lab Rats or anything you recognize. If you don't recognize it, it's probably hers."
"Your hand's upon a dead man's gun and you're looking down the sights. Your heart is worn, and the seams are torn, and they've given you reason to fight.
"And you're not gonna take what they've got to give, and you're not gonna let them take your will to live. Because they've taken enough, and you've given them all you can give. And luck won't save them tonight. They've given you reason to fight…"
Ashtar Command, "Deadman's Gun"
"Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie. Where the coyotes wail, and the wind blows free. And, when I die, don't bury me beneath the western sky on the lone prairie…."
William Elliot Whitmore, "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie"
Chapter Twenty-Four - Heroes
Leo
Leo sat at the cyber desk, Ysthry curled up in his lap for a nap while he absently rubbed her back. He was staring at the open space in the middle of the Lab, his mind wandering aimlessly. Where Leo used to practice summoning anytime an opportunity presented itself, he no longer cared to. He couldn't bring himself to draw a circle or even light a candle anymore. Not after what happened with Krane, Hall and Soad. He had lost the desire to learn that ancient art. In fact, the only reason that Ysthry was still around was for Adam's sake. He had tried to summon Yahn – and Oly, in a last-ditch effort to have at least one of the gargoyles they were so used to having around - but the imps wouldn't come. Ysthry was the only one left.
No one tried to summon Chase. They knew he was dead. Apparently, everyone but Leo had watched him die with Douglas two weeks ago. The empty Circle would just be a devastating reminder that no one was ever going to see the two again.
Leo ground his teeth, wishing that he could turn back time. Maybe none of this would have happened if he hadn't told Ysthry to sting Hall. The image was still hauntingly fresh in his mind, and he hated it. Maybe losing a few family members was divine retribution for murder. Who knew?
Ysthry gave a loud sigh and buried her nose even further under her wing, her eyes closed as she dozed off again. Leo scratched at the base of her wings gently and closed his own eyes.
Leo was unsure how long he sat there - he had been trying to think as little as possible every chance he got - but when he did open his eyes again, he found himself looking at his mother. She was standing near the elevator as if awaiting permission to approach him. It was always like that now. Everyone kept their distance if someone looked like they wanted to be left alone. It was odd to Leo. The family used to be so close that they would mourn together. Although it might just be him; he wanted to be left alone to his thoughts and guilt. They were his cross to bear, after all.
Leo smiled at his mother as much as he could, an expression she reciprocated as she finally entered the Lab proper. "We're ordering pizza," she began. "You want anything specific?"
Leo shook his head as Ysthry shifted a bit in his lap.
Tasha's smile became strained. "But you love inventing new topping combinations."
"I just don't feel like it today," he responded. Honestly, he had no desire to do it again. Inventing new pizzas had been something he did with Adam and Chase.
"Adam said the same thing," Tasha sighed, finally frowning.
Leo shrugged in response.
Tasha sat in the chair next to him and sighed again. They sat together in silence for a moment before Leo decided to speak. "Did they even say goodbye?"
Tasha shook her head. "I think they didn't want anyone to stop them."
"They killed themselves without having the decency to say goodbye," Leo huffed, feeling tears gathering in his eyes. "What kind of person does that?"
"I miss them, too," Tasha said gently.
Leo shot her a sideways look. "Even Douglas?"
Tasha smiled slightly. "He was a pain, but he kept things interesting."
Leo smiled slightly. "No kidding."
Tasha took Leo's hand. "They died to stop Soad. They're heroes."
"I know," Leo acknowledged. "That still doesn't help, though."
"Then would this?" Tasha reached into her pocket and pulled out a small envelope. Leo noticed that it was addressed "to the Davenport family" as Tasha handed it to him. "No one else wanted to open it. I figured that I would ask you before I just opened it myself."
Sighing, Leo took the envelope. It was probably just another letter from somebody offering condolences. Even though he'd had enough of those, he knew his mother was only trying to cheer him up by giving the thing to him.
Probably because he liked letters. They were like little surprise presents in an envelope.
Biting back a sigh, Leo tore a bit of the corner off and stuck his pinkie finger in the rip, using it to open the rest of the envelope. Bracing himself for a slew of apologies, he pulled the paper out and unfolded it. As soon as he read it, though, the note slipped from his fingers and drifted to the floor. As for Leo, he couldn't believe what he just read.
He'd cracked. He was losing it. It wasn't possible.
"Leo? Are you all right?" Tasha frowned and rubbed his back, her voice tinged with a bit of alarm at his reaction to the letter. Ysthry raised her head as Tasha leaned down and picked up the paper Leo had dropped. After several seconds, she gasped, and Leo knew that he had read it right.
We're in a hospital in Røros, Norway. Since I can't figure out how to geo-leap again, we need someone to come get us. And hurry! Douglas keeps flirting with the nurses and Oly and Yahn are playing with all the medical equipment!
Love,
Chase
"They'll say, 'We stared into the wind that tore away our breath! We left behind a message that cannot be claimed by death!' A hero lives forever for the ones that carry on…."
Heather Dale, "Hero"
"And now I know the only compass that I need is the one that leads back to you..."
Jamie Lidell, "Compass"
Bree
The five minute run to Røros was five minutes too long. How she was going to find Douglas and Chase once she was there was still anyone's guess, but the sooner she got there, the sooner she could start the search for her wayward family members.
Night had fallen in Røros by the time she arrived. It was quite disorienting, since it was daytime back in California. More importantly, it made finding the hospital much more complicated.
Not that she could ask for directions. She didn't speak Norwegian.
With a frustrated sigh, she pulled the jacket she had been clever enough to bring tighter around herself and started walking along the streets. How big could Røros be? She would have to run into the hospital at some point.
Her logic proved sound when she came across a building with unintelligible writing and a medical cross. Biting back a squeal of victory, she walked into the building, forcing herself not to run. The inside of the building was deliciously warm, and her numb fingers were grateful for it as she strode up to the desk. The receptionist looked up at her and smiled before speaking.
In fucking Norwegian.
Great. Just great. Now what?
"I'm looking for Douglas and Chase Davenport," Bree said slowly, hoping that the woman understood her.
The lady frowned. "English?" she asked slowly, the word thick with accent. When Bree nodded gratefully, the woman turned to one of her coworkers and started speaking in that strange-sounding Norwegian language again.
It took a few moments – Bree was tapping her foot impatiently – but a translator finally arrived. He smiled at Bree. "Hello, ma'am. May I help you?"
Bree nodded, relieved to hear the man speak English (even if it was with an accent). "I'm looking for my uncle and brother. Chase and Douglas Davenport?"
The man nodded and relayed this to the receptionist. A few passing nurses blushed and grinned upon hearing the names. It was like Bree had said the name of their crushes. Suppressing the urge to shudder, Bree forced herself only to pay attention to the typing sounds that filled the air. After a few seconds, the receptionist spoke to the translator, who turned back to Bree. "We are sorry, but they were released two days ago. Is there anything else we can do for you?"
Damn it! Bree swallowed hard. "Any idea where they went?"
The man frowned and asked the lady behind the desk, who shrugged and relayed something back. "There's nothing definite," the man finally answered. "However, her friend's daughter runs a hotel, and there are rumors that an American man and his son just checked in. Would you like the address?"
It was better than nothing. Bree nodded, and the man wrote something down. "Thank you," she said before turning on her heel and walking out the door, not waiting on a response. In the outer lights of the small clinic, she read the address and closed her eyes, programming it into her GPS. Within seconds, she was speeding towards the center of town. She came to a stop outside of a cheap-looking hotel and wrinkled her nose at the thought of anyone staying there. However, she pushed her way through the door and made her way to the desk, hoping that her lead panned out.
The night manager was doing something on the computer when Bree walked up, his fingers moving rapidly on the keyboard. "Do you speak English?" she asked immediately.
The man glanced at her, appearing irritated that his task was interrupted. "Yes."
"Is my uncle here? Douglas Davenport?"
She could hear the eye roll he held back as he answered, "Let me check." After some typing, he nodded. "Room 117."
"Thank you," she responded.
The man nodded curtly and returned to his work.
As for Bree, she was practically jogging up the hallway that held the rooms, reading them as they flitted by with increasing excitement.
111…113…115…117.
She froze at the door and knocked three times. She was aware that they were probably asleep, but she didn't care. And, to her immense joy, she found that she had been steered right when a sleepy argument from inside the room reached her.
"Hellcat, go get the door."
"You're closer, dipshit."
"You're younger. It'll be easier for you to get up."
"Not anymore, it won't. Besides, age before beauty."
"We're going there, are we? What happened to respecting your elders?"
"You're – wait: Can't you just make Oly or Yahn do it?"
"Don't volunteer me, Half-Breed!"
"And Oly volunteers herself! Go get the door, Oly."
"No good, lazy sons-of-bitches…." The muttering went on for a moment as the door locks started to click and loosen. Finally, the handle turned and the door swung open, revealing an irate Oly flying around eye level. "It's just that Bree chick," she huffed. "What a waste of my time."
A quick flurry of sounds came from the darkened room, followed by the light switching on to reveal Chase, who was almost bolting towards her.
With only half of a tail and a limp. An awkward, noticeable limp.
Bree felt a surge of guilt as he hugged her tightly, purring louder than she'd ever heard. "It's about time," he teased as she hugged him back. Over his shoulder, she saw Douglas sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes with one hand. Her breath caught in her throat when she noticed that his right hand – halfway up to his elbow – was completely gone. As Yahn jumped onto his shoulder, he finally stood up and smiled. "I'm surprised that the letter got to you guys this soon. I was expecting at least another week."
Chuckling slightly as Chase pulled back, she strode over and did something she never thought she would do: She hugged Douglas. He seemed totally surprised – frozen, even, for a moment – but he finally hugged her back. She smiled and pulled back before punching him in the arm.
Douglas recoiled, rubbing his shoulder as if it actually hurt. "What the hell?"
"Don't ever make us think that you're dead again!" she snapped. "We had your funerals and everything!"
"Hey, Hellcat's the one that figured out how to geo-leap," Douglas defended. "I thought we were going to die!"
"Don't pin this on me," Chase responded. "You're the one that programmed geo-leaping into our chips."
"Our?" Bree echoed, arching an eyebrow.
Douglas shrugged. "All three of you are supposed to be able to geo-leap. You're on your own as to figuring out how to do it, though."
Bree rolled her eyes. "Anyways, get packing. We're going home."
"Pack what?" Oly pointed out from the kitchen. "These two bums have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Lucky us, they actually wash them on occasion."
As Chase cuffed Oly upside her head, Yahn pointed at the kitchen counter. "Really, all you have to do is get that, and we're good to go."
Bree looked around to find some blueprints on the counter, laid neatly in order. It had complicated numbers and formulas on it, some pointing to a poorly-drawn hand. She tilted her head. "What are those?"
"Plans for a cyborg hand," Chase answered, scooping them up. "It's how we passed the time while waiting for you."
"I thought you could draw really well, though, Douglas," Bree noted, frowning.
Douglas seemed to deflate a bit. "I was right-handed."
Bree instantly winced, trying to avoid looking at Douglas' missing limb. "Sorry," she mumbled, embarrassed.
"It just takes some getting used to," Chase responded.
"Seriously," Douglas continued. "It's fine." After a second he gestured at the door. "So…are you good to go now, or do you want to wait a minute?"
Bree grinned and offered her arms to Douglas and Chase as Oly climbed onto her shoulder. "I think everyone else would be mad if we kept them waiting."
Hold the god-damned phone! It says right here in the script that you two died!
"Really? Because ours says that we didn't."
*Looks at the script* Since when does writing the words "did not die" in crayon work?!
"Apparently, Adam knows something that we don't. Right, Adam?"
"The power of crayons! :D"
…
They cheated death through crayons.
Anywho, since they didn't die, I suppose I have one last chapter to write. :P
And that last chapter is it. The Hybrid series will end. No amount of whining, foot-stamping, begging or fangirl army attacks will change that.
However, there is some good news.
Hellcat will still be here. He'll exist in the occasional one-shot that will come out when I'm so inspired.
Light at the end of the tunnel, right?
Anyways, feel free to review. Or don't. I don't give a crap.
And enjoy. :3
*Bows and exits*