Phase 2 - Beauty or Brawn? - Part 2

She landed hard, her body shook with pain. She managed to stain into a kneeling position. The warm trickle of blood appearing on her chin. Sapphire could see Dozer to her right, slightly ahead of her. Frantically he scanned the area for Mouse, he had been behind her and that meant he was in the most danger. He eyes stopped on the creature that had sent her flying. Captain Chiwarri, the designated leader of this area.

Sapphire had never seen the creature in person before. He was tiny, not much bigger than a puppy. His face resembled a chihuahua, tongue out slapped against his cheek. He had what looked like a racing jacket on with black glasses to accompany the look. On the side of his feet, it appeared there were two wheels attached. The rumours were true however, he was powerful. That punch nearly split her in two.

The thing that scared, however, was the motionless body of her friend lying just centimetres behind the foul creature. She could feel that burning rage building again only this time it had a friend, fear. She knew they didn't stand a chance against Chiwarri. A Zodiac captain was far too strong for the normal human.

"What's the matter human lost all of that courage in the face of superior greatness?" Chiwarri spoke with a high pitched purr. Shaking on the spot like was suddenly really cold.

Sapphire said nothing. What could she say? They had been poking the bear for months was it really a surprise it had woken up and taken a big bite back at them. Dozer stood frozen as well, occasionally glancing her way seeing if she was planning to make a move. She couldn't, they would both be cut down instantly. Instead, Chiwarri spoke again, the high pitched purr chilling her once again.

"Well, unlike the snakes, I know how to handle problems like you. Drown you before you have a chance to become dangerous." Snakes? Had something happened in the Snake sector? Sapphire had heard rumours about a small uprising but she had thought it was all tall tales. Maybe it held some truth. She didn't have time to worry about it now.

"So human they often say to bring down a group like you it's best to cut the head off the snake," He paused to shake again, apparently that trait wasn't taken out from his chihuahua ancestor.

"However I prefer a different approach, drowning you by making an example of everyone around you and watching you suffer from that consequence," She rose quickly, the pain shooting up her right arm in response. That was possibly broken, add that to the bruised ribs and she wasn't slamming any drunk pervs on a table anytime soon. A laugh like a deranged child filled the air. Sapphire watched or tried to, as Chiwarri moved forward in a blur. Her eyes lagged behind but when they caught up her knees almost gave way. Dozer fell to a knee, a pool of blood forming as Chiwarri pulled back again. The first strike seemed to have targeted his leg, the second went straight through his upper body.

Dozen couldn't even utter a scream. Sapphire hobbled as fast as she could, dropping down and cradling Dozer's head with her good arm. He smiled at her but she could almost see the life leaving his eyes.

"He may live, he may die. Either way, this was due to your actions human" The purr was calm, casual. Like he hadn't just put his hand right through my friend's chest. The anger boiled over, Sapphire blindly let out an angry battle cry. All sense had left her, she turned to unleash all of hell's fury on Chiwarri. Only to be met with utter failure. The little monster had dashed up, grabbing and twisting her arm behind her back. There was no restraint shown and her arm broke with a sharp crack. She was shoved hard to the floor. She whimpered in a pool of her friend's blood as a tiny shadow cackled down at her.

"As for your other friend he will stay with me now, another deterrent to any further disturbances you may think about causing," Sapphire heard Chiwarri speak but she was broken. Defeated. She heard him shuffle away, Mouse being dragged by two hounds at Chiwarri's heels.

Then they were gone.

Two people slowly drifted over, lifting Dozer up. She briefly caught there gaze and understood. They would do their best to save him. Sapphire watched them go, taking the large shell of a man towards the shabby medical facilities this slum had. His chances were slim.

In a daze, she walked. Nowhere, in particular, had entered her mind but she simply walked. Going home like this was out of the question. Father would be furious and her days of being Sapphire would end. Hadn't they already though? Wouldn't everyone be better off if she became Zoe again? Leaving Sapphire and this world behind. She wasn't sure if she could pull off being a frilly little angel anymore. Not after tonight. The rain tapped the floor in a light rhythm. When had it started to rain? Judging by her clothes some time ago. It was a blur.

"You know, defeat doesn't suit you Zoe," Zoe her actual name. Someone knew who she really was. Normally her reaction to this would have been fast, sharp. This time however her body sluggishly turned towards the sound of the voice.

At the end of the alley, because that is apparently where her feet had taken her. Some random alley in the middle of nowhere, outside while the rain fell from the sky. A cloaked figure stood tall, confident. This was a person who commanded authority.

She wanted to ask who they were, what they wanted, how did they know who she was? Instead, she didn't have the strength to even move her mouth. Luckily the stranger answered her silent question.

"You may call me Zordan, I have a proposition for you." The words sounded calm, slightly robotic. It was hard to focus, all her strength was being used just to stand up.

"One that after tonight I am sure will sound even more appealing. I have been watching you, Zoe, I believe you have potential to change the world." The man was mad. Either that or she had snapped. Driven insane by the events she had witnessed.

Dozer's blood still stained her hands and clothes. The stranger stood silently waiting for a reply that she didn't have the strength to give. The energy to even try. Instead, her vision sparkled with light, pain slapped her head before the world twisted around. As she fell the stranger moved toward her and then everything was suddenly covered in blissful darkness.

End of part 2 - The next part will be a shorter interlude to try and introduce some of the evil creatures in this story! Enjoy.