OH MY SWEET MERCIFUL GOODNESS GUYS! I'M SOOOO CRAZY SORRY FOR DROPPING THIS FANFIC DEAD FOR A MONTH!
I think I needed that break, so I took it, but now here's another chapter FINALLY
CHAPTER 17!
I think my 20 chapters goal is reachable((:
Now to appreciate, you, my readers.
Thank you for anyone who favourited or followed while I was gone from this fanfic, it means so much and is completely unexpected((((:
tvd1992- Neither can I!
PurpleNicole531- Ahhhh, I totally left you hanging, soo very sorry, dear! Thank you for your support((:
EmeraldTulip- Thank you so much! I have it intensify and I drop it for a month, icky me!
Anonlabratslover- Thank you(: Your wish is my command!
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ILYA!
Future Chase hadn't been able to look away. It was like a bad train wreck that glued his eyes to the screen. His daughter, gone, his old home, under siege. He wanted to cry or moan or say something, but nothing came out. All Chase did was tear at the roots of his hair in anticipation, fear, and sorrow.
Davenport was just as stunned, but his focus was on his son. If the past was ruined, he didn't want Chase or himself spending their last few hours watching its destruction. There was nothing that could be done. Only three time machines existed in the world, two were right in front of him on the other end of the tablet screen, the other was MIA.
"Chase, I ..." His adopted son's red eyes broke his heart, causing him to lose his words. Nothing could be said to ease this moment. There were very rare things worse than being absolutely helpless. "We need to go ... we can't-" Mr. Davenport's voice broke. "We can't stay here." The older man peered around their surroundings. It was a ragged old building, with a leaky ceiling and busted furniture and appliances, but it was well-known. This was the first bionic academy, and remaining in its domain would be ill-advised. The first thing to be destroyed in the past would be this place, and neither of the men were safe under its weak structure, and its watery location.
Future Chase made his refusal by shaking his head, eyes bulged as the iffy connection between the past and future was lost and the cracked screen turned fuzzy and unresponsive.
"Son," Davenport placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
There was quiet shuffling. Davenport snapped his head up, looking around him for any suspicious movement. For a moment, it seemed he had been imagining things, but then a dark figure started to emerge from the shadows of the oitch black academy. "Who's there?" the old inventor demanded. Chase was too distraught to notice.
"Just me," a sweet voice answered, but it was exaggerated kindness, almost trying to go above and beyond itself to prove the tone. Davenport's pupils narrowed, arm instinctively protecting his son by wrapping around him.
"Back away," Davenport growled ruthlessly.
The person seemed to hesitate, but in the dark their posture was perfect and unsurprised. "Please," they begged.
"I'm not going to ask again," Davenport warned, the hand that wasn't resting on Chase slowly moving down towards his gun belt.
"No, don't," the high pitched voice pleaded. "I come as an ally."
Davenport scoffed, and Chase finally shook out of his trance and came back to reality. "That's something that hasn't happened in a long time," the older male hissed.
"I know," the tone turned to almost sorry. The figure hung her head.
"Haven't you done enough?" Chase joined in, fingers tapping the tablet and wishing that the dead connection could be revived.
"I guess it wouldn't help my situation if I told you I regret nothing," the girl said calmly, stepping closer.
"Back up," Davenport repeated, hands twitching towards the gun, preparing.
"I can prove my alliance," the woman carried on worriedly. It didn't quite sound like she was concerned for herself, however. It more seemed like she was worried that she was not and would not be trusted.
"How?" Chase raised on eyebrow.
"I can return your bionics back to their full strength."
That was an intriguing proposition, but Davenport gave his son one head shake to deflate any ideas.
"I cannot believe anything you tell me," Chase argued. The girl nodded sadly, her final steps finally bringing her into the soft moonlight, which made her features glow. It was Olivia, her voice alone could be recognized by anyone these days. It was a dangerous one to hear, and more than likely meant doom.
"I know," Liv agreed. "But you need my help. You all do."
"Why now, after all this time, do you decide to come back to the good side?" Davenport inquired, unsure.
"I never left your side," Olivia retorted simply, eyeing Chase. "At least ... not my husband's anyway."
"What do you mean?" Chase asked, diverting his gaze from her beautiful one. The last thing he needed was to be ensnared by her again.
"I was approached before all this began," Olivia said, tearing up. "Forced to-." Chase snickered.
"No one can force you to turn your back on your family the way you did, to act so inhumane towards us," the third future bionic growled.
"Blackmail can," Liv pressed. Davenport frowned, tilting his head.
"What did this guy have on you?" he prodded.
"My two loves," Olivia sighed, rubbing at her forearm hopelessly. "My first and my second."
"Me and Alexa," Chase guessed. Liv nodded, a single tear practically melting down her cheek.
"He threatened you adn our daughter first, then promised both of your safety it I cooperated," Olivia moaned, head falling into her hands. Davenport rolled his eyes, and Chase appeared uncomfortable. This was strange to them now, seeing Olivia's emotions.
"I didn't want to, I cringed on even the thought," Liv went on. "But when he held a gun to my baby and started counting down I ran out of time to think it through. Don't you see, I had to, Chase."
Chase winced. His name coming from her lips was something he use to love, but now he wasn't certain how he felt of it.
"That man would have killed Alexa," Chase finished breathlessly. Olivia nodded, wiping her eyes.
"He said no one would die, and that you two would be the better off than anybody, but ..."
"He double-crossed you," Davenport said, understanding the bigger picture now.
"I never truly believed him, but I had to keep up the evil act and stick to the plan if I wanted any hope in his word being honest," Olivia explained. "And I'd do it again, even if in the end it was for naught."
Chase was at a pause then, as was his wife. Neither looked at the other, and neither showed any signs of speaking first.
Davenport didn't feel that awkwardness, however. "Look, that's a nice story and all, but do you honestly expect us to forgive you after what you did?"
"No," Liv said. "I'm not so naive-" She bent down to where the two men were sitting on the floor. "-but you need me either way."
"Yeah, yeah, your big story about how you can give Chase his bionics back, full strength," Davenport sighed wearily. His daughter-in-law was quite the case.
"Not only that," Olivia murmured. "I have the third time machine."
"Chase, Chase, get up!" Davenport yelled, shaking his son's shoulder, trying to jolt him back to reality, They all wanted to mourn Lexi, but now wasn't the time.
"Where are they? How many?" Bree questioned Douglas, who had called out the initial scream of battle.
"I'm not sure ... four or five dozen at least, all streaming out of the hydro-loop like some sort of magic," Douglas answered, looking shaken up with a very pale face. "I ran to get you guys when they overtook the entrance."
"There goes any hopes to escape," Leo sighed.
"Well, good then," Adam said dangerously. "Let them come, it's better to end it now than wait it out." Bree wrapped her brother in a one-armed, side hug, blinking back a fear that was creeping up on all of them. Everyone knew what this man and his army was capable of, and with their bionic powers running at a low they stood no chance.
"We go down together or not at all, agreed?" Bree murmured quietly.
"Agreed," Adam responded back quickly, punching his fist into his palm.
"Oh yeah," Leo sang, shaking out his limbs in preparation.
"Let's do this," Chase finally spoke, looking up at everyone for the first time. He had shimmery eyes, but behind that shine, behind the sadness, there was pure anger and determination.
No cliches were made after that. The small, odd family of Davenports piled out of the Mentors' Quarters and started their way down the passage to the front entrance; the only entrance, thus the only exit. All were silent; all had goosebumps.
"Bree, you and I go this way; Adam, you and Leo go that way and recruit the students who aren't away at the mainland this weekend," Chase ordered, poking at the directions in swift movements before ducking and creeping towards the gym floor.
"What do we do?" Donald and Douglas asked, glancing at each other in frustration. They still spoke in unison from when they were kids.
"Nothing," Chase said firmly. "Unless you can get your hands on some invention, stay out of the way ..." I don't want you getting hurt. It was an unspoken sentence, but everyone sensed it.
Douglas looked like he wouldn't comply, and Davenport appeared as if he had some stupid plan in mind that would get him and his brother both killed.
Bree and Chase chose to ignore that. They didn't have time to argue, especially now when it could be the end. "Come on, Chasey," Bree mumbled slowly, flexing her hand and pushing it into his. Chase smiled softly.
"On the count of three," he whispered, eyeing the doors leading out of the gym and into the main entrance. "One ... two ..."
"How much farther is it?" Future Davenport asked angrily, his little faith in his daughter-in-law dwindling quickly.
"Just up ahead," Olivia responded patiently. "I couldn't leave it in plain sight, now could I?" She laughed, her voice jingly, but all she got were glares in return. She was not in a position to joke just yet.
Cheeks burning red, Liv, ducked behind what appeared to be a bush and yanked at it. To both of their suprises, Older Chase and Davenport saw the third time machine underneath. "Neat," Future Chase said in awe. "A sheet disguised to look like shrubbery." His wife sparkled, loving his enthusiasm towards something she did. She revelled in it before it was snuffed out.
Which it did. Chase dropped his glance, and touched the leathery seat of the time machine, the oldest and first. "It still looks the same," he admired.
"No time for stalling," Olivia said firmly, big eyes doddling on her husband a moment longer. "Get in." The third bionic moved to do so, until his father held him back with one arm.
"Wait," Davenport growled, eyes strained on Liv. "I know this is a trick."
"No, you think it's a trick," Liv corrected. "Besides, what choice do you have, really? Stay here and watch the destruction? I'm going to save my daughter." Pushing her way past the two men, the blonde woman climbed into the seat and buckled the seatbelt around her waist. Then, she peered up expectantly.
Chase hovered a minute, but not much longer. He stepped inside and sat on top of the time machine, directly above the leather seat. It wasn't a secure spot, but he'd hold on. One way or the other, he was getting to the past. "Coming?" he questioned his father, raising an indignant eyebrow.
Davenport groaned, scooching in and somehow flopping himself between the edge and Olivia. "Let's go," he sighed, covering his eyes, instantly regretting this.
"To ... the past!" Olivia cried, smiling. Chase, to her utter joy, chuckled slightly from his position behind her. It caused her heart to burst; it was the first glimmer of hope that she might be able to win her love back.
"Wait for me!" a highly recognized, and dearly missed, voice called out.