Chapter CCLIII: The Weapon Known As Lachesis Part VIII
Shocked by the sight of the Jack Russell holding Oliver by his neck, both Hari and Kagi were silent. However having never seen the dog before, the young girl seeing the kitten that she and her friend had been caring for being treated this way. She tried to immediately move towards him swiftly to retrieve him but-!
GGGRRR!
Immediately another dog had rushed into the room, barring her advance. Looking on, she and Kagi saw it was a bigger dog, a grey one, a Great Dane seemed who was baring his teeth at them.
Seeing this beast, Hari at first didn't know at first what to do. But seeing Oliver again looking to her worriedly. She went again to move with determination saying, "Release him now! He's our-!"
GRAB!
Suddenly she was grabbed by Kagi's hand, as she was he told her, "Don't! We can't take both of them on like this we'll-!"
FWOOM!
FWOOM!
Hearing these sounds of dashing, immediately both she and Kagi saw that the dogs had exited the door. They were getting away from them! The young girl seeing this along with her friend, knew they couldn't abandon Oliver. They had to do something! So immediately she said, "We can't let them get away!"
Kagi nodded rapidly and together, the two of them ran out of the room to chase after the hounds!
Running down the hallways chasing after the sounds of rapid moving paws. They still had a trace on them, if they just hurried fast enough they could maybe-!
"What is this!?"
Shocked this was one voice neither child at that moment wanted to hear. It was the terrible serious tones of Doctor Sidolfus! But in the next moment-!
"Whoa!?"
There was a sound of a painful impact, confused by this neither child understood what was going on. But they soon discovered the answer as they turned the corner and saw that there lying on the floor amongst a sea of scattered coloured marbles, it was the doctor who had tripped up and was now aching terribly from his fall.
It was clear he was bitter as he looked ahead and said mad, "You little mutt!"
Seeing where he was looking to, it was then that Hari and Kagi saw ahead was a small Chihuahua, with a red bandana wrapped around his head that orange hair. He had a mocking toothy grin on his face as he looked on at them, but then-!
BARK! BARK!
Hari and Kagi recognised that bark. It was the Jack Russell! Hearing him, the Chihuahua ran on back at the order that was given. They still had a chance to get Oliver back! They had to hurry! So quickly passing by the fallen Doctor, Kagi, "Sorry Doc we're in a hurry!"
With that they left him behind as they treaded carefully amongst the sea of marbles, continuing their desperate chase. While the disgruntled doctor himself moved with pain to get himself back up. His irritation was obvious and he was going to make sure, that those foolish animals were not going to get away with humiliating him again like this...!
For ten minutes they ran on, along with the sounds of many footsteps and many paws echoing the sleek laboratory doors. But finally after so many tense minutes, the running came to an end. For there coming to the end of the corridors the two children saw that before them, Was a now opened garbage chute were the dogs, which included the Bulldog that Kagi had seen before. Also there still held was their precious kitten within the Jack Russell's jaws.
Seeing them all like this, the children were breathing in and out with hard breaths. But still despite her breathlessness, Hari again tried to speak, "Please...! Please...! Let Oliver go!" With that she walked forwards and tried to plead with the dogs, "Give him back! Please!"
Seeing her reach out for him like this, Oliver meowed back, with his own paws reaching towards her. It was clear the young kitten wanted to be back with her just as much.
However the dogs around him weren't going to allow this to happen. This was clear as they all continued to growl at her, threatening to harm her if she tried anything suspicious.
Realising things were never going to get solved at this rate, Kagi stepped forwards and standing before Hari protectively, he said, "Look, please all of you! We don't mean you any harm in this! Especially towards Oliver!"
He then concentrated his gaze upon the dog holding him, as he did Kagi tried again to appeal to him giving him a rushed thought of name, "Russell! Look at him, look at Oliver."
The scarf wearing hound hearing him say this, was still. It was clear the animal was not in the mood to listen to him, but Kagi wasn't going to give up as he called out again, "Look at how well he's been kept,! Can you really think of us, as bad people when me and Hari have taken such good care of him!"
It was then the dog stilled, as he did his face was momentarily in deep thought. Before, after a silent moment he bowed his head down and released Oliver from his hold. Doing this, he then looked at the kitten, who looked back up to him with pleading eyes.
As he did this, Hari and Kagi were quiet. As they remained so, it was clear there was a conversation occurring of some kind between the dog and the kitten. The Jack Russell was looking on dismissively at Oliver. While the kitten looked up to him as they talked had turned back to look them as he continued, it was clear he was desperately trying to get his point across to him.
As this serious unintelligible conversation continued on,it looked like the Jack Russell was still not willing to believe him. However at that moment, another brown dog, a Saluki came forwards. This one seemed to be calmer in demeanour and looking on, it was clear she was a female.
It seemed that she was working in support of Oliver as she looked to them, as much as their dear kitten was. Gazing on, it was clear that the Jack Russell the aggression was diminishing. However he looked tormented and it was clear he couldn't fully trust Oliver's words or his female companion.
However, it seemed he was now wavering and Oliver realising this stepped back towards Hari and Kagi to prove something to him. As he did, he meowed to them. The children could sense he was calling them over. So cautiously, they stepped towards him and as they did the other dogs moved aside to make room, then the kitten given his space quickly jumped up and moved himself into Hari's warm arms.
She held him quickly to herself and gently, a small smile on her face showing her relief and happiness as she rubbed her head into his soft marmalade fur. Seeing this, Kagi was glad and stroked Oliver's head himself, doing this he said, "It looks like you've won your case now, right Oliver?"
"Meow!" Oliver answered happily.
Kagi was glad. But looking back to the dogs, he saw that the Jack Russell looked torn as he faced away from the happy scene.
Noticing this, Kagi felt something inside. Being guided by his instincts, he stepped forwards towards the Jack Russell. As he did so, the dog looked up at him with hesitation and distrust as his fur bristled again in agitation.
Seeing him do this, Kagi almost wanted to take a step back. But still he felt compelled to follow his instincts and moving his right hand forwards slowly, he softly touched the Jack Russell's head. Doing this the dog was still with surprise, but as Kagi gently patted his head. The dog turned to look down becoming awkward. He almost seemed bashful to Kagi then.
Smiling gently seeing this, the young boy knew this dog wasn't at all as bad as he had first seemed. So he told him truly with gratefulness, "Thank you, thank you for trusting in us like this Russell."
All that he was given though in response was an irritated snort. To which Kagi giggled at, but in the next moment-!
BWOOO! BWOOO! BWOOO!
Startling everyone an alarm rang out loudly! As it did so, everyone looked around confused for a moment. But Hari quickly recognised what this alarm meant and tried to call out, "No! You all need to run, we-!"
"Too late!"
BLAST!
"Whine!"
Horrifying the children and the dogs in question, they saw with widened eyes the Bulldog had been shot with a blast from one of the white lab pistols! Looking back, Kagi saw who now held the weapon in question. It was none other than Sidolfus, seeing him the young boy then heard him say, "Looks like I finally got my dissection specimen!"
Then with those words-!
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
All the dogs that were before the children, including the one Kagi had been stroking was struck down by the other laboratory scientists who had accompanied Sidolfus! Shaken Kagi cried out, "Russell!" The dog gasped loudly in and out in pure pain from the shot that had struck him.
Upset, Kagi cried out, "How could you do this! How could you kill-!"
"You can calm yourself!"
Immediately silenced, Kagi and Hari then saw that approaching them from behind the group led by her chief researcher, it was none other than his friend's treacherous mother. Rosso Crimson.
Seeing her appear, the young boy then heard the dangerous woman say as she walked closer to them, "These beasts have all been merely been stunned, they will not be able to move their limbs for at least five hours."
Gazing down upon Kagi, she then uttered with a serious deadly look in her red eyes, "I should have known you would have drawn in unwanted strays."
Kagi flinched and took a step back away from her. As he did so, someone came to stand in front of him saying protectively, "Mother please! Don't punish Kagi, he-!"
"Lachesis!" Silenced quickly by her Mother's commanding tone, the young girl saw the terrible anger that was in her red eyes. As she did so, she then heard her ask making a terrible chill go down her spine, "What is that you have in your hands?"
Hari knew in seconds what it was she was indicating to, for Oliver was shivering in her warm hands. Trying to protect him as best as she could, she turned with him trying to shield him from her Mother's eyes.
But this only served to enrage Rosso, who then walked forwards and quickly she grabbed her daughter by the top of her white dress ordering her, "Show me what you have now!" This had lifted her nearly off the ground entirely, making the young girl wince terribly.
Seeing this happen in seconds, Kagi ran up and tried in seconds to make Rosso let go of her crying out, "Leave her alone! Stop it, Rosso! I-!"
PULL!
"Hey!"
Suddenly Kagi was pulled up by the scruff of his neck, being held up by none other than Sidolfus. As he caught the young boy, he told him with a deadly tone, "You don't have the right to interfere in family matters!"
Kagi was about to argue otherwise, but then his voice was stopped as a wrapped arm was put his round his neck. Stopping him completely.
Seeing all these terrible things happening around him, Oliver could feel things were getting really bad! As he did, he felt Hari drop him and as she did, he heard her utter, "Run! Get away Oliver!"
The little kitten hearing this looked to her worriedly, but seeing the forces that were around him. He knew he had no choice, so quickly he went to escape!
Immediately though countless hands went to grab him, the small kitten did his best to weave in and out of these terrible tendrils, to get away. But he was only on his paws for maybe a minute at most before-!
"Meow!"
Again he was quickly grabbed by one of Rosso's associates. Everyone then at that moment was captured, Kagi was terrified. Everyone who was held looked to Rosso who had the most horrible rage in her eyes. No-one could imagine what she would do next as she declared, "Now, let us decide how events shall proceed from this moment shall we?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Watching on as this all occurred, Saria was upset along with everyone else in the room. Seeing everyone quietly being separated with upset and desperate expressions on their faces, the long brown haired young girl couldn't help but say, "That's so terrible."
All Kagi could do was nod solemnly, then doing this he continued on to say, "It was... then after that, Hari and I were separated from each other."
Pence hearing this then asked, "You guys were forced apart?"
Kagi then explained, "Yeah, Rosso told me that she wouldn't let me se Hari again... until I started showing proper results of my Fragment's power." Gripping his right hand tightly, Kagi then said sadly, "And I had no idea how to go about doing that."
"But what about those dogs and Oliver? What happened to them?" Hayner asked concerned.
The young green haired man then answered, "... They were put into one of the laboratories, where they already had animal cages." With that looking back up to the screen again, with a sad expression still gracing his face he went on to say, "And Oliver was put inside with them."
With that the imagery changed again and there everyone saw Kagi's younger self again. This time though, he was inside the spoken of laboratory, where they all saw the cages where the dogs and Oliver were being held. With that they all watched again to see what had played out in the past...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Walking into the white painted lab room, facing the silver metal barred cages. Kagi again saw all the dogs looking at him sadly from within their confines, he too had much the same sentiment as them.
As he continued to gaze on at them quietly, he saw that under each and under all the doors. The dogs had each had been given names, the Jack Russell was called Dodger. The Great Dane, Einstein. The Chihuahua, Tito. The Saluki, Rita and finally the Bulldog Francis.
Looking at each and every one of them, Kagi couldn't help but feel in a way these names matched each of them somehow. Looking on at each one sadly, he then fixed his eyes onto Dodger who had his back turned to him. He couldn't blame him for that... after all, it was his fault that he and his friends were now trapped like this. Because of his past kindness... that had led up to this moment.
His eyes watering, he looked down to the floor and uttered, "I'm sorry Dodger..." then looking at the rest, he added then as they looked back to him sadly, "I'm sorry guys... I never meant this to happen to any of you..." Then shivering, he gripped his fingers against the cold bars and apologised again, "I'm so sorry..."
It hurt him deep down that everyone now was suffering. That no-one could get out. They were all trapped and now-!
Lick! Lick! Lick!
Surprised, Kagi looked up and there he saw that there licking his fingers through the bars he had grabbed onto. It was none other than Oliver.
Seeing the marmalade kitten do this kind gesture for him, Kagi was quiet. But smiling a little after a couple of moments, he uttered, "Thanks Oliver..." then reaching his fingers as far as they could go in through the bars, he stroked the kitten's face gently. As he did so, he told him, "You're so kind..."
Then as he continued to stroke him, he decided there and then, "Guys, I promise you now... I'll try hard to get you all out of this okay! We'll get out together, all of you and me and...Hari too."
For thinking of the horrible experiments that was certainly being performed on her again. He knew he had to hurry up and do something! But thinking again, he knew that promise came with a further problem... for how could he get out with her? When he couldn't even get into contact with her anymore?
There was only one thing for it... he had to learn how to access the power of his Fragment. That was the only way that he could see her again. He had to try hard!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Agh!"
Falling to the floor hard again after another failed exercise. This had been going on for the last week or more. Kagi breathed in and out hard, it was painful doing all this, he'd been doing the same trials for almost five hours straight that day, just like the other days with other countless physical examinations, to see if the power of his Fragment would come forth and activate. But again it was to no avail, nothing had occurred and his exhausted body was now a helpless mass lying on the floor.
"Tch! This kid is so useless and pathetic," One of the researchers uttered.
Used to hearing comments like this, the young boy wasn't bothered so much by this. However the comment that the other cold glasses wearing researcher did, "Indeed, I just wonder if he even has a proper power to begin with?"
Kagi stilled hearing this. What did he mean by that?
"Why'd ya say that?" His cruel partner asked him.
The spectacled researcher then explained, "Well he may have a Fragment in his body, but it might be just one of pure energy for him and doesn't have a true working function at all," with that said and seeing the clueless look that was on his partner's face. He sighed and then said simply, "I'm saying that the Fragment in this boy is simply a battery giving him life, that he simply doesn't have the will to activate what its true power really is."
Kagi froze hearing this, for with those words it meant that he was-!
"Oh I get ya!" So looking down to Kagi he then said, "So this kid is so much of a runt, that he might have the sword, but no strength of his own to pull it out of the scabbard!"
Pleased to see his partner had got the right gist of what he had explained, he smiled and replied, "Exactly."
Shivering as they said these words, Kagi then heard them say, "Well I say we better give this suggestion to Rosso! Maybe then we can stop these useless experiments."
"Indeed!" The spectacled researcher said.
Kagi though couldn't have that happen! Otherwise he'd never see Hari again! Immediately he said, "No! Don't do that!"
Hearing him call out to them. The two researchers turned to look back at him. Both of them gazed down at him with cold unfeeling eyes.
Seeing them do this, Kagi then told them, "Please! Don't say anything to Rosso!" He pleaded, "You don't know if what you've said is true yet! Just..." With that his mind raced desperately, trying to think of something to say. But finally, all he could do was ask, "Give me a few more days! Just a few more! Please!"
These pleas given to them. The two researchers said nothing. However at a moment, the one who was the main acting bully said, "Alright, I can wait a little longer." With that he pressed the starting button that was on the machine Kagi had been exercising upon. As he did so, he then said, "But you're going to have to start earning those days again!" With that he told him, "Now get running boy!"
Glad inside that he'd at least been able to gain just a little more time for himself. Kagi went to comply, though he ached and hurt horribly... he knew he had no choice. So forcing himself to get up, he pushed his body to the absolute limit it could reach for that day...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
…His exhausted and tired body was dragged out of the examination room. As he was, he was then thrown onto his bed and as he was, the spectacled Researcher holding the door for his exiting compatriot then told Kagi, "Be ready for us in the morning!"
BANG!
With that the door was locked tightly, with Kagi being left completely alone.
As he was the young boy was tired, so weary. He could barely keep his eyes open, but still inside one emotion was alive inside him. Hopelessness.
Kagi hated himself so much, he couldn't do anything there and then. He hadn't been able to call upon his own so called power. He was still separated from Hari, even Oliver now and his friends were all still imprisoned. All because he couldn't do anything for any of them!
Biting his lower lip as he felt his frustration at his pathetic inability, he uttered, "Why... why won't it come to me!? What can't I be stronger!?"
However there was no-one there, or anyone in the worlds who could answer this question for him. All he could do then was grieve alone.
Hating this fact, he couldn't help but utter and wish inside, "If only I could... if only I could find someone who could help us! Anyone... I don't care who, just...!" Then his body had reached his limit and at last he fell into the dark recesses of his unconsciousness...
It was some hours later, Kagi couldn't tell when but he at last awoken. As he did, he uttered, "Urgh... I still ache all over!" With that, he sat up groggily in bed. Doing this act he felt horribly stiff too, but he knew he couldn't let himself remain the awful sweaty clothes he was in. So he moved to get off of the bed sheets to undress himself. But as he did-!
"Whoa!?"
There he saw before him shocked in the middle of the room, of all things that could be there was "A white door!?"
Rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, Kagi quickly got up. Then walking over to it quickly, he cautiously looked all around it to see if it was really there before him. As he did so, touching it carefully he found it to be made of a sleek clean kind of wood he had never seen before. As he felt it's cool clean timbers, he knew there and then that this was no dream. This thing was real!
Realising this, Kagi couldn't help but ask, "How did something like this get in my room?" Then as he thought quietly to himself for some moments... he realised quickly there could only be one real reason why! "Is this what my power is! To make doors!?"
However as this thought came to him, looking at the white wooden structure. He couldn't help but feel deflated, "If this is all that it is... this'll be useless!" For looking at it dismally, he added, "What's the use of a door that opens to nothing but empty air!"
Irritated, he kicked it hard and uttered mad further frustrated, "You stupid thing!" However as he did this-!
SHINE!
Suddenly the door lit up with brilliant blinding light! As it did so, Kagi did his best to guard his eyes from its radiance, then in seconds it opened up!
"What is-!?" Kagi though didn't have time to finish his sentence, for in the next moment-!
"WWWAAAHHH!"
He was suddenly sucked away into the depths of the door, before quickly it closed shut and tight...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Ah!"
Landing hard on the other side of the door, Kagi wincing uttered in pain, "Man... why me? Why again am I..." however his body was not ready for another throw like this and he was losing consciousness again fast.
However as he did so, before he fully fell under. He felt a shadow come over him, as he did so, he uttered, "Who's...?" But he couldn't ask anymore for again his mind was laid to rest again...
"Mmm..." It was some time later and sitting up again, Kagi couldn't help but utter, "Wow, what a crazy dream! I thought was-!"
Quickly though he stopped fast, for there he saw all around him was a room he had never been before in his life! Looking around, Kagi saw that somehow he had made it into a cottage of some kind, for looking up he could clearly see a thatched roof and there some distance before him was a wooden door.
Looking at this, he couldn't help but look around the rest of himself. As he did so, he saw that surrounding him and all around, were various scientific instruments and so many books, models and countless other things he couldn't name.
Seeing all this, he asked, "Is this someone's study?"
"Indeed lad!"
Spooked, he turned and saw with disbelief that there standing in the room was none other than-!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Merlin!?"
Everyone couldn't believe it as they all cried this all out together! He was there in Kagi's memories!?
However the aged Magician looking on didn't seem shocked at all, instead stroking his long beard he stated simply, "Ah! So that's when you and I met then, young Kagi!" However, as he looked on up at the screen, he couldn't help but comment, "Hmmm, my beard was too long then."
Cait sith then uttered, "That's all ya've got say about this mate?"
No-one else was that impressed either. However they said nothing else as they continued to watch the unfolding story continue...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"You were asleep for quite some time!" With that looking down at the young man as he walked over with a silver tray with cookies and a pot of tea on top, he asked, "How on earth did you end up here in these woods?"
Kagi, couldn't think of anything to say there and then... for, what was the right thing to say then? But as he thought quietly to himself, he decided to say simply, "Um? It's a bit weird..." then he decided to ask, "Can I ask who you are sir?"
This question put to him, the aged Magician then told him, "I my young lad," with that he stepped back putting the tray on the table, "I am the great and all powerful wizard, Merlin!"
Blinking as he heard this name, Kagi repeated, "Merlin?"
"That's right!' He answered, then-!
Clap! Clap!
Suddenly the silverware all across the tray stood to attention, along with the tea pot and sugar pot. As they did so, Kagi was amazed and then he heard the magician ask, "Now lad, would you like one lump of sugar or two?"
With this question presented to him, Kagi was quiet. For now, he had a small piece of hope restored. Maybe this man Merlin, could be the help he had so desperately wished for...
