Chapter 9: Round Up -or- An Immovable Force
SCRAN TOWN, KANSAS
One of the beams Nicholas shot from the remote brought on the worst of this onslaught, everything playing out slower as Seam assesed the events. Thanks to one of the metal antennae from the TV Whips Chopsuey rigged, the laser split into two rays. Both bounced off some reflective object, both equally lethile to anyone unfortunate enough to be hit by them, both heading straight for the coal-haired boy Chopsuey had to protect. There was only one problem with that, he only paid attention to one of the beams.
Seam didn't have enough time to throw a heat bolt, or a force field for that matter. All she could do was use her speed to run over to Nicholas' side, just as Chopsuey was hit with the other laser. Chopsuey was indestructable, Seam on the other hand was not. With the energy from the projectile coursing through her, Seam toppled to the floor with a heavy thud. Angel and 628 were beyond worried about their friend, seeing as she stopped moving altogether. Chopsuey and Nicholas -though frightened- were grateful, their enemy saved a life of the opposing side.
"Seam, naga detaka," Angel prodded the unmoving experiment. "Seam?"
628 could do nothing but watch, watch as Angel attempted to wake Seam. No amount of shaking or pushing helped, it appeared Seam was gone for good. She hadn't even got to live yet, only to have her life taken. The thought of it caused 628 to close her eyes tight, forcing back a tear she refused to shed. Opening her eyes, Chopsuey and Nicholas were the first to witness them shift to their dangerous blue shade. They let out an audible gulf of fear, knowing what lightning came after this form of thunder.
Angel was surprised herself to see 628 regain the power she'd lost, 628 could bend gravity again. She floated above the two attackers as they stumbled, backing away so not to be in 628's presence. It was too late for that, her full focus was set on them now.
"You!" 628 growled at them. "Congradulations 621, Nicholas. Once again you've managed to bring me to this level of anger. But this time, I won't be so merciful."
"What are you going to do?" Chopsuey shook in fright.
"You are coming with us, 621," 628 glared as she lowered herself as encased Chopsuey in her power.
"You can't take Chopsuey, you can't," Nicholas' eyes began to water. "I'll never see him again."
"Don't worry, we'll bring 621 back," 628 told him -though not fully truthful. "Just so long as you stay here and not interfere, can you do that to get 621 back?"
"I...I guess," Nicholas gave in.
628's eyes reverted to their original void, this time she was the one taking in the scene. Appearently Chopsuey meant something to Nicholas, probably like how Lani meant something to her -a concept 628 wouldn't admit to herself just yet. She did admit to a slight pang of guilt for having to do this again, though if the two had been more accepting Nicholas could have tagged along. Still, what's done was done. 628 lifted Seam's body into the SBS while Angel followed, both of the female experiments ready to leave Scran Town.
Once again, Nicholas was left alone to watch Chopsuey leave in the craft. Though this time was better than the last, this time he knew his friend would be back. Chopsuey on the other hand, well he knew a little better.
"I'm not going back, am I?" 621's slight Russian accent was saddened.
"Maybe, maybe not," 628's power secured him. "Quite frankly, I don't give a darn. After what you did to Alpha, you're lucky I don't put you in pod form. Poor Seam."
628 could have sworn she saw Seam's ear flap, though she just dismissed it as some sort of trick. She focused on the map, directing Angel as quick as she could. As far as she knew, Dr. Hamsterviel could have already landed.
"Ikata, aka tiki baba!" Angel cheered from the wheel.
"So it is," 628 smirked in disbelief. "That's a first, we made it just in time."
KAUAI, HAWAII
"Time's up!" Dr. Hamsterviel screamed at the top of his lungs. "Where are my experiments?!"
"Where's Jumba and Lani?" Pleakley asked the smaller alien. "That's my question to you sir."
Dr. Hamsterviel was not patient by any means, not one of his small bones containing an ounce of calmness. It was understandable that he was in a hurry, world domination and all that -which Lani would insist he could wait for. The evil doctor wanted to have his way at all times, only thinking as far as how to do so than the execution and aftermath of things. His future was right within his grasp, all he had to do was get the pod container from Pleakley. So since he wanted to get to the metal sphere, he allowed them to see his captives.
Gantu moved the two hover pads in position, one holding Jumba and the other supporting Lani. Both were held in cuffs, though Gantu made sure Lani was held in chains and a glass case. A wise decision, Lani got enough sleep.
"Hey, Cobra!" Lani greeted cheerfully for someone imprisoned. "I haven't seen you in eight weeks!"
"Lani, its been four days," Agent Bubble raised an eyebrow at her. "Why would you think its been eight weeks?"
"I don't know, it just feels like it," Lani couldn't explain the outter-time concept to them. "So, how ya been?"
"Stop talking and give me my experiment!" Dr. Hamsterviel squeaked in rage.
"Or they could not," Lani justified the situation. "I mean, without Gantu you're kinda powerless and 625 surely isn't gonna help. So you better..."
"One more word, and you'll be the one I let Gantu eliminate!" Dr. Hamsterviel raised his voice yet again.
"Ooh, I'm so scared," Lani mocked him.
"How about now?" Gantu pointed his plasma blaster at the glass.
"Oh man, I'm so scared," Lani shook with genuine fear. "Pleakley, give him the container."
Not wanting to get in the middle of this, Pleakley rolled the capsule down the hill. Dr. Hamsterviel caught it before it fell over the side of the cliff, laughing as he flipped it over and activated the touch pad. Instead of showing the experiment pods floating or asking which experiment wants to be chosen, this time it stated how many experiments were left in the pod container. Hearing the number, Dr. Hamsterviel realized there were three missing. Which meant the deal was off, leaving Gantu to dispose of Jumba and Lani. Like the small doctor said, their time was up.
"Wait/Aggaba!" the shouts of Lilo, 628 and Angel were heard.
From the ground, Lilo stood glaring at Dr. Hamsterviel from a hill. With her was Stitch and 221, the electric experiment still being held in a case but with a red wagon under him for his transport. From above, the SBS loomed over the meeting before landing right behind the first to speak up. From the blue ship moved Angel and 628, the second experiment using her power to hold both Chopsuey and Seam's fallen form. Lani gasped upon seeing Seam, filling her mind with nothing but worry for her daughter.
"I've got the missing experiments!" Lilo continued after a nod from Angel.
"Who is she?" Dr. Hamsterviel turned to his minion.
"The other little Earth girl who can be a gigantic pain in the rear," Gantu sighed heavily at the sight of her.
"Well done, Lilo," Agent Bubbles knew they wouldn't listen. "Now give them to the diminutive gerbil-like creature."
"Not gerbil, hamster!" Dr. Hamsterviel was tired of repeating himself. "Give them to me!"
"No!" Lilo agreed with Stitch. "You can't have Sparky!"
"What about me?" Chopsuey glared at her. "Doesn't Chopsuey deserve to be protected too?"
"You named them?" Agent Bubbles had to ask.
"Just Sparky, but yep," Lilo smiled proudly. "We're going to name all the experiments."
"Except for me, because I've already been named," Chopsuey reminded her.
"Who cares?!" Dr. Hamsterviel stomped in frustration. "I want them now!"
"Lilo, 628," Lani tried to hint Lilo in the right direction. "Let them go."
"Who's side are you on?" Lilo didn't understand just yet.
"She's on saving my life side, is good side," Jumba told her.
"Do you want your precious 'friends' or not?" Dr. Hamsterviel spat the word 'friends'. "Make your choice little girl."
It was all down to Lilo now, she had the power to end it or keep things going. Looking to all of them gave her the idea of what they wanted, which overall was not looking good for Sparky and Chopsuey. The only one who was a bit harder to read was Lani, who looked completely calm despite the problem. She looked around her casing and concentrated, lifting the glass with her own power just enough to make Lilo understand what she meant. Lilo nodded, looking around once more before she spoke.
"Okay, I've decided..."
A/N: Things may look a little slow right now, but that's only because the action needs build up. I'm not just covering Lilo and Stitch, their friends are also getting their share of the danger. And we're only nine chapters in, so this is going to be a doosy to stretch.
Next Time: Lilo has decided the fates, she has to let the experiments go. But just what does mean to let them go?