Dino Thunder: Chemical Beast!
Chapter 23: The Beauty Of Scars.
Pale, deft fingers rewired circuits and attached components inside Project A's cranium. Small microchips and other mechanical parts were adjusted and replaced, as concentration made Solar's eyes sharpen. Dead-set on the task at hand, he didn't want to give up despite the entire day he spent without food or much water and sleep. "If I can just get this piece to connect, Project A will be finished. Where Miss Jamie failed, I will succeed. Two more days, at best, and I will complete this without any problems," When a small spark zapped from the cranium, he had to pull his fingers back to not get electrocuted.
Over his shoulder, he glanced at one of the other tech scientists, who was quick to type on the holographic screen, the computer that was linked to Project A and its main system. "Results!" He hardly cared that his harsh voice made the guy behind the computer flinch, nonetheless Solar saw the man nod.
"We're nearly there, sir. Everything else on A.O.D is synced with the robotic components and it looks like the AI is barely functional. With a bit more work it'll be finished," The guy barely looked up to meet Ace's dark eyes, before returning to the screen and its sophisticated display of Project A's details.
"Good! Good..." Solar trailed off and moved his attention back to the cranium. "I'll take a short break to eat and grab something to drink. Then... I think I'll pay Dr. Ray another visit. One last ditch effort of hauling her back. If I fail then I'll use Project A once it's complete," He made sure to give her a female pronoun that the others were used to, to avoid confusion. Amid his work with A.O.D., a plan crossed his mind, something he knew would work. The thought of the idea was enough to make him smirk and march out of the large Cyborg room. I'll need my employees to find its exact location. The next time I catch it alone, I'll just use my paralysis... Wait... My weapons were left at Mesogog's place! That means there's only one way to grab it and that's to knock it out. The sneer on his lips proved how displeased he was over it.
~~~~
"No!" Amelia's comedic cry echoed through the hatch at the top of the Marine Scouter.
"Yes! Or I will come back and pull you through if I have to," Mesogog, who stood at the top, was close to the metal railings that are meant to keep anyone from falling over the edge.
"If I have to then you have to look away!" He heard it, the embarrassment in her voice when she demanded compromise.
That was it, her pointless arguing drew him to the brink of annoyance, so he hurriedly climbed back down through the hatch and turned to see her wrapped in a towel from shoulders to knees. There wasn't much to see since most of her was covered by it, save for her neck and collar bones which he couldn't help but notice the scars. Nonetheless, he grabbed her shoulder and ignored her cute squeak that he'd grown to enjoy. To the ladder, he made sure to block any possible escape when he lifted his arms to either side. "What is there to look away from? Your scars do not bother me in the least," Mischief glinted as he slowly closed the gap between them. It was fun to see her nervously step back and bump into the ladder, for she pouted with a swift avert of her eyes. No... They only amaze me. A brief thought crossed his mind before he heard her grumble and glare daggers at his attempt to assert dominance.
"Are... Are you sure? These scars make me look ugly a- and you're the only person that has seen them outside of Solar's Facility," There it was, the look of pain, even if it was for a moment, he still saw it on her face when her eyes drifted to the floor.
Empathy wasn't his forte, nor was sympathy, but he knew that if he wanted her to feel more comfortable around him then he would have to say something about it. "Scars are a show of strength. They only add to a person's appeal. Now go!" Slowly but surely he leaned closer to her face, with an occasional sway of his head, before he moved his hands against his backside. Yes, strength... She is strong, but she does not see it. When crimson spread across her face, a sense of pride made him lift his chin.
Quickly, he turned around, watched her climb, and eyed the back of her thighs when she went up. More of her scars were jotted down in his mind, the unpleasant-looking laceration marks, scalpel scars, and what he could only assume by the ridged lines behind her calves, the nasty teeth from a saw. He even spotted old marks from stitches. Within that span of a few seconds, he was able to see the majority of her lower backside, so when she made it out of the hatch, he climbed up and joined her at the top.
The silent stare out toward the ocean, which lasted a minute or so, made him curious as to why she hadn't hauled herself over the rails yet to dive. However, his golden eyes picked up on her stiff posture even though her back was to him. She's nervous. As if on cue, the towel dropped, he nearly gasped when the pretty red bikini exposed all of her scars and curvature.
"D- Don't say anything," Her words were laced with unease. Despite being exposed, he watched her lift the test tube with barely any DNA in it until she paused upon a claw on her skin. His eyes were transfixed on a scar near her shoulder blade as he traced along it and envisioned what tool or method could have caused such a mark. "W- What are you doing?" Even though every fiber in her muscles visibly stiffened, he paid her no mind and continued to graze each scar that lined her backside.
"Let these be a reminder why you should be furious with Solar. You should take advantage of these scars and use them as proof that you are not to be messed with... Show them to everyone. But only I... Am allowed to touch them," He felt it, his testosterone spiked when a wave of protectiveness clouded his mind, but what came next wasn't something he expected.
When she turned around to face him, he froze. A few tears strayed from her eyes as she gave him a bright smile and the sudden hug she gave, made every muscle in his body tighten and his hand in the air to freeze in place. "Thank you. I know you're not the type to reassure people or cheer someone up... But what you said, really helped," If he had eyelids, his eyes would've widened, he was taken aback by her words. After she let go, he saw her giggle and wipe her tears away with a confident nod. "You may be evil, but there are some good qualities to you. I don't want you to be pure evil... Or evil at all. Besides, you're my beasty..." For a moment, she trailed, giggled, and adjusted the front of his attire for him to which his chin lifted a bit to hide his embarrassment. "And I have another present for you, but it's not finished yet. You're not going to get it until the time's right, okay?~" Her playful wink, laughter, and her few steps backward toward the rails, were enough to make his eyes aimlessly avert to avoid her blue ones.
"If it is as nice as the Motorcycle you made me... My patience will pay off. Now- go," With one hand to cover his face, the other was used to direct her toward the ocean. He took a step back to watch her nod and open the tube, so when she chugged down the DNA she leaped over the rails into the water.
~~~~
Deeper and deeper into the ocean, Amelia floated. The sensation of her muscles and bones changing made pain spike through her body but she did everything she could to not lose the breath she took before entering the waters.
A bioluminescent antennae formed on top of her head, as sharp teeth replaced her blunt ones. Her lower half turned into a fishtail from an angler fish, whereas scales riddled the rest of her body, and gills formed on her neck. She looked like a nightmarish mermaid, with how her razor teeth jutted out a bit with three fins on her fishtail. Webs between her fingers looked like thin skin when she swam high and burst from the water's surface. There her blue eyes caught a glimpse of Mesogog's astonished expression, the slackness of his jaw and lack of composure told her how in awe he was at that moment. So when she waved at him, she did a cool flip with the smack of her fishtail against the rails, before she returned to the ocean.
Hahahaha! The look on his face! I bet I looked like a scary Siren or something! She'd be giggling right now if she was able to, but the change in her body kept her from so much as speaking as she swam further away. Okay! Let's look for something fun! Old bones, fossils of ancient dinosaurs, decayed scales, anything would do- as long as it came from a creature! Faster and faster she swam, excitement evident in her movements when she swam into the darkest parts of the ocean and found crevices that most divers wouldn't be able to see.
Okay, so, if my guesstimate is correct, the deeper in the ocean I go the more chances of finding something. Dinosaurs are old so throughout millions of years, fossils are likely to be hidden in the darker parts of the ocean. Mesogog must have known that which was why he chose an Angler fish! He's so clever, hehehe.~ Past coral and into a lengthy trench of sorts, she dove and avoided a shark that was several feet away out of range.
Oh, great, it's a Bull Shark. Well, luckily it's after a group of fish. Ignore me, Mr. Shark! I am just a lowly but vicious Angler Fish- human hybrid! A tinge of panic rose when she saw it chase after a fish when its group had dispersed. The sunlight was beginning to be less and less the more she swam, thankfully the Bullshark didn't notice her.
It was hard to see in the growing darkness of the deep sea, but she didn't let it bother her. Okay- strangely enough, my vision is starting to change. I can see in the dark a bit but it's still difficult. Soon, light started to shine from her antennae, which she sighed at and would've grinned if it were possible. The more she swam the darker it became and the more her blue fish eyes adjusted to the environment.
With her speed, she was able to reach a deep part of the ocean and once she did, a small sparkle glinted in the dark that her angler fish eyes managed to pick up. Whatever that is, I hope it's DNA! I have to hurry! I'll revert soon! Her speed increased when she saw it and the moment she was mere inches from it, something behind her nearly nipped at her tailfin. Her fingers were quick to grab the shiny object, before whipping around to see what it was that was daring enough to attack.
She paled at the sight of the same Bull Shark swimming after her. As fast as she could, she swam up. Oh, no you're not! Not right now! A fist pulled back the closer it got and when it was about to open its maw to snatch her, a hard punch to its snout deterred it. She took that chance to hurry back to the surface, but the shark had other plans.
She did her best to dodge its swift charges, so she grabbed a hold of the shark and pierced its skin with her sharp teeth. Blood coated the space the more they fought, for she did her best to swim further toward the surface and defend herself. Back I say- back! Her sharp teeth gritted when the Shark took another charge at her and the moment it had, she let it swim past and above her. It's throat! Not a second was wasted when she grabbed the underbelly of the shark and dug her teeth to rip out a hunk of tissue and meat.
She continued to do so. Relentlessly, like an animal, she ripped its throat apart and soon tore through enough to make it go still. Amelia would've grinned at her victory, if she had a human mouth, pride prickled at her mind as she tugged on the dead shark to drag it up with her.
As soon as she was close to the surface, she felt her body start to revert. Her muscles, bones, organs, everything was changing and after a moment or two, her head burst through the top with a loud gasp for air. Panting, slowly looking up, past the rails she saw Mesogog's curiously tilting head with his eyes on her. "Can I have my towel now, please?! I'm naked here!" Quickly beneath the surface, she had to cover half her face in a poor attempt to hide the rest of her. Yes, her transformation tore her bikini apart, save for her top.
"This is becoming a habit," The shake of his head told her he was in mild disbelief, but regardless, he trudged away to retrieve it and tossed it over the rails.
Right onto her face, was where it landed, for she floated there and let it sit for a second before she pried it off with her hand. "Thanks! Oh- and here! Consider it a donation for your carnivorous needs!" Giggling, the Bull Shark she killed was pushed up to float next to her and the look on his prehistoric face was priceless. Dumbstruck by the large dead shark, maw agape with bodily movement that expressed astonishment.
"You... Killed a shark?" His slow words proved just how baffled he was at the gory display if the blood meant anything.
"Yup! Yes-sir-ree! It was after me when I was trying to come back up. I would've drowned if I just let it have its way! Or... Eaten, for the matter. Anyway! Can you help me, please? It's heavy," Hoisting it closer to the Scouter's rails, she saw him crouch and reach for the Shark's head.
Moments passed after a struggle to haul the over-sized fish onto the top of the submarine. Blue eyes examined the beast who was crouched close to the Shark, thankfully wrapped in the towel he gave her.
"A Bull Shark... Impressive," If he had a human mouth, he would be grinning like mad over the grand kill she achieved.
"Really? Well, dig in if you like it raw! I'm going to go change back into my clothes and check out this shiny thing I found!" Quickly, past the dino man who watched her with pure interest in his intense eyes, she sprinted to the hatch and made her way inside. Woo-hoo! I think actually found something! It's really shiny and it's not metal! Amelia wasted no time, for she hurried into the bathroom and got dressed.
Three minutes later, she came out in her white pants and ripped blouse, however, her bare feet patted across the Bridge of the Scouter so she could stand under brighter lights and examine the shiny object. The redhead hardly paid Mesogog any mind when he followed her, for she lifted the object and gasped. "Oh! Wow! Mesogog! Mesogog! Look! Look what I found! It's a rare scale!" Squealing, jumping like a child would, excitement was evident on her face when she faced the amused beast. "It doesn't look like any scale from a fish I've seen!" In the palm of her hand, sat the scale that was almost the same size. Its iridescent hue cast a blue, pink, and green tint that most scientists would go nuts over.
Dr. Ray watched him use his claws to carefully pick it up and examine it. "Indeed. We will study it and figure out what creature it belonged to," Satisfaction filled his voice when she saw his maw slack and his golden hues return to her blue ones. For a moment, she could've sworn there was an emotion he expressed that he normally wouldn't show, but for all she knew it could've been the lights playing a trick on her.
"Woooo! Hahahahaha! Yes! Let's gooo!" From the sheer sensation in her chest, she screamed out with fists in the air and sprinted to her seat. "Come on beasty! Let's go! Go, go, go, go, go! I want to see what creature it's from! Hehehehehe!" There she went. Her mad scientific mind was tickled enough to the point of drooling and insane laughter, with a few claps to add.
In her seat, she buckled up, until Mesogog was swiftly face to face with her and had leaned to tower over her height. The sight made her shrink, even more than she already was if the height of the chair counted for anything. He's so close! Why is he so close?! Ten shades of red spread across her cheeks from the proximity. She could feel his dominance when he placed both hands on her seat's arms, which caused her to lean back for much-needed space.
"If you aren't going to stop calling me Beasty, I will call you a Cat... Since you are mischievous like one," He warned with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Even though her lips parted to speak, all that came out was a squeak when he licked her cheek and gently bumped his forehead to hers, before quietly making his way over to the Captain's chair. He licked my cheek again! Her heart fluttered and heat rose even more at the thought of their momentary closeness. Within that short amount of time, she was able to pick up the sound of stretching material from his clothes and the warm breath from his mouth close to her lips. It was enough to leave her in a flustered mess.
~~~~
Mesogog was pacing back and forth in his Throne Room, after driving the Marine Scouter back to his lair. His golden eyes were glued to the redhead's backside, for he recalled her words and the bright smile she gave him before she dove into the ocean. It confused him, to hear her say that he had some good qualities despite being evil.
What qualities did she refer to, that are good? He watched her inspect the DNA of the scale through a scope before his eyes began to drift to the back of her thighs and stared for the longest time. From her legs to the ripped part of her blouse, he examined her and took a mental note of the many scars that lay behind her clothes. He recalled old gashes near her spine and other nasty marks around the top of her hips, it didn't deter his interest in her that much was certain. She took on a Bull Shark, ripped through fully armed men who invaded my fortress, shot and killed many with her pistols, used bombs, and haggled with an alien from a different world. She made us go through many other worlds, took advantage of others with the knowledge she had over them, and used them as decoys or a means to fight the Cyborgs. He began as he stalked slowly toward her with his eyes trained on the back of her head.
Creating new weapons, a beast without the Geno-randomizer that she calls her Franken Baby, displayed creativity when she made the Bee, she plans and most of the time succeeds. Now she is working on recreating a Dinosaur from scratch... An artificial egg that is as close to a real one as she could get. Such a thing would be considered nearly impossible, but she pulled it off. The more feats he recalled the more he stepped closer to her. When he was mere inches from her head, a deep breath of fresh lavender filled his lungs and made him groan. She gave me a present, a motorcycle that only I can drive and now she is working on another one. Someday... She will realize, that she caught my interest a long time ago. Soon with my advancements toward her, she will find her answer, notice my intentions, and realize her status. Adding to his thoughts, his gaze was drifting to look at the scope over her shoulder and when he saw her gradually look at him, he didn't move.
"Caaaaan I help you?~ Hehehe," Her awkward fidgeting and nervous smile made his confidence boost to its limit. He saw her hesitantly return to looking through the scope and twisting the knob to adjust the view.
Yes... You can help me. But not now. A brief thought occurred, before his claws sluggishly grazed across her waist, just in case she chose to flee from his grasp. Unbeknownst to him, he was beginning to be just like her, a perv. He wasn't aware how much of a perv she was toward him, but someday when the cat's out of the bag, they will both be in for a surprise. "Any results?" Questioning the redhead, he continued to take in her sweet smell and bask in the warmth she gave off like the heater she was.
"Yes! Yes, yes! Actually! I just made a huge discovery!" He had to back up an inch to give her space when she whipped around and clapped like a child who was rewarded candy. Her excitement and the life in her eyes proved just how much she enjoyed herself. It was enough to make a fluttery sensation in his chest, something he wasn't able to feel for anyone else he'd ever met. "It turns out- this scale isn't from any known species, except some sort of mythical creature only known in fairy tales and folklore! Either it's a Mermaid scale or a Siren scale! There are small bits of human DNA in the scale with Amphibian genetic coding! But how to determine what kind it is, whether it's a Siren or a Mermaid, I have yet to know! The best way to test it is to take a small bit of this DNA and consume it," For a moment, she paused, for he watched her begin to pace and ramble on with her eyes to the ceiling. "It's a risk to do so since I don't know if it'll become predatory or docile. If I become aggressive and try to kill anyone nearby, more than likely I'd be Siren. But!" A momentary breath was taken before she continued. "If I become docile, harmless, then I would be a Mermaid! Either way, the best course of action would be to try it while I'm in the water and stay as far from you as possible. I'd prefer to use it as a test run against any of Solar's soldiers, just in case. Because even as a Mermaid I could become deadly. Mermaids by the mythical legends have a specific voice that can put their pursuers to sleep or control them and make them turn away!" Over and over, she went on.
He was amused to see her walk back and forth, and watch her go through countless possibilities or events that may occur if she were to consume it. She... Is anything but average. Unique- she stands out from the rest. A woman, a genius, a mad scientist. She is like an unfaltering flame in the dark that keeps everyone warm. Mesogog was dazed from listening to her relentless talking and calculating, it was like music to his ears. He was able to hear how she thought when she verbally contemplated and it was almost like a cheat sheet to getting to know her without him even trying.
"Mesogoooog! It's settled! The next time Solar's men chase after us, I am taking us to the grand 'ol ocean! Hit two birds with one stone! I get to take the soldiers out and see the results of the DNA I consume! It's perfect! Muahahahaha! Fear meee! I will be evil to the Evils!" With both fists in the air and her back to him, he listened to her intentional, comical evil laughter that sounded like it came from an old cartoon.
Yes, she was back. He wanted to laugh at her goofy evil laughter and her strange view of her being evil to other evils out there. How does she see herself as being evil... To other Evil? What could she possibly do to be evil... To other evil villains? With his claws over his face, he watched her between his digits and kept his other hand against his backside. "You will be evil to the other evil villains?" He decided to voice his question, as he made his way closer to her backside.
When she whipped around, he his steps halted, and watched her bright smile turn into a mischievous one. "Of course! Being evil to other evils is like... Forcing the other evils to do something they don't want to do or deal with! Like... How I put bunny ears on your head for that Bikini you made me wear... Payback.~ And, when yelled at me for scolding you for being mean to Elsa and Zeltrax! Remember the folder slaps?~" Her mad giggles escaped her lips before she continued, he knew she was aware of his amused expression. "Well, it's more of teasing when it comes to you.~ But! My point is- I will be evil to Solar! Wish me luck on my evilly evil deeds!~" Her thumbs-up and bright, cheery smile, made him want to face-palm and avert his attention.
However, he kept himself composed and lifted his chin to stare down at her giggly self. "So... You want to let your rage out on him? To strike? To be evil to Solar?" Inching closer and leaning toward her face, he felt triumphant when he saw her face turn ten shades of red. The proximity allowed his breath to brush against her lips when he bore his golden hues deeply into her lively blue ones.
"Yes, actually! I'm hoping that when I lure his men to the ocean, Solar will soon follow, and I'd drag him under the water! Either I'd let the sharks eat him or if I'm aggressive, depending on the transformation- I'd rip him apart myself.~" From cheek to cheek, he saw her grin and was tempted into stroking one of them. A red claw gently caressed her tan skin. From her cheekbone to her jawline, he stopped at her chin to keep her gaze focused on him and opened his mouth to lick her face. However, she stepped out of his grasp the moment his head cocked to do so, it irritated him.
I want to kiss her... But she refuses me! Anger began to boil, so with that, he grabbed her bicep and yanked her against his chest. He gave her no room to react when he leaned close to her cheek to lick it, it was enough to make her stiffen and heat up. That's better. Delighted, he released her arm, adjusted the front of his attire, and straightened his posture at the accomplishment.
"W- Why do you keep licking my cheek?" The confusion and crimson tints on her face proved how flustered she was.
"Who said... It was a lick?" His version of a smug look appeared when his chin lifted and his jaw slacked, as he made his way over to his throne. He wasn't aware of the dumbstruck expression she donned or the gulp she made when she watched him return to his seat and sit down.
"Wait so if it's not a l- lick..." When he observed her reaction from his position, his chest puffed out with pride when he watched her confused red face turn to recognition and astonishment. "I... Think I'm going to goooo...~ Bye-bye, Toodle-loo, see ya! I'm off to make more preparations!" As soon as she was about to sprint toward the doors, it closed in her face when he clicked the button under his chair arm and almost made his dark chuckle known at her nervous behavior.
"Sit," He demanded. The second he saw her look at him, he gestured with his claw toward his lap and lifted his chin.
"No," There it was, their usually hysterical and pointless argument that he knew would bounce between them until one of them would make a move.
"Yes," He countered with a slack of his jaw and pointed at his lap again.
"Nooo.~" With a playful, sassy tone, a fold of her arms, a smirk, and pushing her hip out, he knew she was enjoying herself.
"Yes. Now!" The amused movement of his jaw never ceased, for his head cocked to the side and focused his gaze on her defiant blues.
"Nope!" Smiling broadly, her teeth baring, the giggle that came next, was nearly contagious.
"Yes!" He had it. He couldn't take it anymore. He marched over to her with long strides from his throne and watched her jog away from him in a giggly fit.
"Noooo! You cannot make meee!" He could tell she was having fun testing him like this, her squealing, and giggling were proof. His long strides eventually turned into a jog to catch up to her, just to watch hers turn into a sprint around chemistry stations and run near the Geno-Randomizer. "Back- I say! Back! Nien! Non! No, ie! Mesogog no baka! Hahahaha!" Yes, for some kicks, she spoke Japanese and ran around the station to avoid his poor attempt to grab her.
For once, he was floored by her different use of words. The Japanese that came out of her told him that she could speak other languages and it pleased him more. This time a dark chuckle escaped deep from his throat before he chased her and managed to grab her by the waist with both arms. This earned him a yip and a fit of laughter when he lifted her to his height and carried her toward his throne. "You are a masochist," He never lowered his chin, he was enjoying himself a bit too much with her around since her playfulness was rubbing off on him.
"And you're a sadist! You like chasing people, apparently.~ Wait- I thought you said you were more refined than that, when I asked about me turning into a Trike and being hunted by you," As she asked, he scaled the steps and turned so he could sit. When he did, he saw her poke at her puckered lips in deep thought, so he yanked her up to make her sit on his lap.
"Yes. That was until you began to provoke me into doing so... My dear... Masochist," His fingers began to claw through her hair, which earned him a shiver from her and an increase in heat from her face. He could feel it when he leaned close to her ear to nuzzle. Mine... She is mine and only mine. His brief thought was eventually clouded by the pleasant smell of lavender he enjoyed so much, for the close of his eyes proved it. He was so fixated on Amelia to realize the supposed destruction of Zeltrax and the giant ship he used to attack the Rangers. It was only a matter of time before his stress returned tenfold, may it be from his minions or Solar.