"Against all odds" belongs to Phil Collins
Guardians and the NFC East Rusherz
Part 9: The Search for Liberty- Against All Odds
The heroes opened their eyes to see they managed to get inside the crystalized stadium. The halls were dark, yet gleaming in the dim light.
Ricky: Will say, despite the situation this place is pretty. *feels the ground move with others* Whoa-
They felt the area...shift, for some reason.
Troy: Yeah, feels off too..almost feels alive.
The area felt cold at that..Ish shoke his head from the shivers up his spine as looked on in determination.
Ish: -sighs- Well team, let's find Liberty!
With a determined nod they ran down the halls.
.
.
They ran around corners, took the twist and turned, and even ran up stairs to get to the field. All the while the area felt...weird. The stadium would shift areas or lead them to the same place but not in the same way.
It felt like hours had gone by and yet even though they had run the circle of the stadium, even where the lockers would be but...THEY HAD NOT REACHED THE FIELD, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO IT, AND THE STADIUM WAS NOT ALLOWING THEM TOO.
.
.
Ash: *annoyed* Arg! It feels like we're running in circles!
The heroes had been running around for a while and the heroes could tell area was shifting them away from their Giant Rusher friend.
Marty: *To the stadium* COME ON! WE WANT TO HELP LIB! PLEASE STOP WITH THE SHIFTING! WHY ALL THE MIRROR MAZE SHENANIGANS!?
Troy: Dude, why is this place stopping us from getting to the field! We need to get to him and this is not helping!
Ash pondered as they ran through the never ending halls.
Ash: They did mentioned that it came up when Liberty arrived, so it must be based around him.
Tua: *worry* With that in mind, You don't think the reason for all this is...he's giving up.
All slowed down and stopped in worry at that.
Ish: I-i hope he's not. What could of happened to him for that to happen?
All looked up where the sky would be; they knew full well there was a group of certain individuals who were still out there looking for their friend.
Marty: *Slumps* Man, i feel lost here. I knew being a Guardian would have it's hard days, even days we would be on the losing end I know we can handle those days but...I don't think it would entail situations like this.
Tua: *places a hand on Marty's shoulder* Know the feeling buddy, but there are folks out there who need us now more than ever. Know this is not helping, but we're not going to give up here.
Troy: *nods* Tua's right. Those guys need the Guardians and we can run circles for day, we're not given up on him!...Though I would rather us find him soon cause who knows how long we've been in here.
Marty gave a small smile nodding as Ricky looked around.
Ricky: Well, if it helps we now got a better understanding on this place. We might be able to trick it and get closer to the field, or at least get a view from it. Even if it's a view it's better than nothing.
Ish and Ash nodded, before looking forward with the others.
Ash: Don't worry you guys, we're not giving up, WE'LL NEVER GIVE UP. We've been though so much together in the past few years, both good and bad. It's going to take alot more than some creep tyrant to stop is.
Ish: It's not just about protecting the core or the Megacores anymore, it's about helping you protect the lives of not just others but your own as well. We're not just the Guardians, WE'RE YOUR GUARDIANS.
With new found determination they went off once again.
Marty: I hope Liberty can hear us cause this will be really helpful for him to know we're trying to find him.
Ish: Same here buddy, I hope he can hear us too.
Meanwhile...
Lasso: Bolt Alto! You see what this light is!?
Bolt and Alto shoke their heads. The Rusherz had managed to see despite the entire area being blinded by the white light.
Bolt: Can't see even with the sunglasses, but dang this energy is intense!
Alto: I'll say, looks like it's coming from of the Aultman Hospital...back in Canton.
That got them worry at the idea it was coming from on of the hospitals.
Chief: That's not a good sign there...unless...*clicks* What if Liberty is there in that light!?
All turned fast on that; hope, despite the concern, flowed in them.
Stampede: That would explain the energy then! He might be trapped there, we have to get there fast Steed you think you can take us there?!
Steed: *shakes his head* Don't think running will help in this case, last thing i want it to tackle or run into someone or something and hurting them with the fact we're practically blind with this light.
All pondered on what to do, when they felt wind looking up. Freefall was in the air, determination in his eyes.
Freefall: *to Stampede* Stamps, we'll check it out together I'll fly us over. *Stampede's nods; to the others* I want all of you to stay safe and try to catch up, especially once the light fades.
Beast: *nods* Me and the other vets will keep an eye on everyone.
Scavenger: Just, please be-careful you two.
Stampede and Freefall nodded as Freefall grabbed Stampede and the two flew off.
Spot: *concern* I hope they find him, or the others found him.
They nodded...before their shoulders slumped.
Fang: I just wish Liberty told us about all this, he didn't need to do this alone.
Soar: You know him though, he cares about all of us and doesn't want us to get hurt or suffer.
Pillage:..At what cost though, despite doing his best to lessen the pain for us he gets the worse of it. He keeps locking that pain away for us and when he sees us hurt or worse, he-he just breaks.
That got them silent as they looked away.
K-9: How much have we all locked our own worries and pain away just to make sure the other don't get hurt to the point WE BREAK?
...That hit them all right there at the realization as sorrow hit them; they all held back their worries, scars, fears, pain, and even pasts to make sure the others would not worry, it instead made things WORSE for them mentally and emotionally with one another as well as others around them.
Swoop sighed, shaking his head.
Swoop: It time not to hold back anymore then...
All turned to the Eagle Rusher, looking at the light.
Swoop: These past years has been an eye opener. Those kids aren't just helping us protect the core, or the Megacores. I mean, THEY LITERALLY CHASED US ALL THE WAY TO ANTICORIA JUST TO SAVE US. *determined; looks up*Can't just be quiet and do nothing, even if it's just this it...it's at least something..
Swoop took a few steps, confusing the others.
Swoop: -takes a breath- How can I just let you walk away?
Clicks with the others fast.
(Scavenger joins in) Just let you leave without a trace.
(Chief joins in) When I stand here taking every breath with you..
ohhh
(Blow-Torch joins in) You're the only one who really knew me at all.
.
.
?...
Ricky: Think the place is finally slowing down on the shifting.
Ish: That's good and all but..-sighs- Come on Lib, give us at least a boost-
Bolt and Freedom's voice: How can you just walk away from me?
Ash: -gasp- Guys! Listen...
Alto and Grizzly's voice: When all I can do is watch you leave.
K-9 and Peck's voice: 'Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain, and even shared the tears.
All six Rusherz: You're the only one who really knew me at all.
The area lite up with small lights fast, the lights leaving and showing a trail.
Tua: We got our answer, I think he can hear all of us!
Troy: Well let's not stand here Follow those lights!
The six ran off following the trail.
Twenty nine: So take a look at me now, oh there's just an empty space;
And there's nothin' left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face.
The Guardians nodded as they took a breath.
Twenty nine Rusherz and six Guardians: Ooh, take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space;
And you coming back to me is against the odds,
And that's what I've got to face.
.
.
Freefall was flying with all his might as Stampede held on. Both could hear their friends singing even from afar. Tears formed in their eyes as they took a breath-
Freefall and Stampede: *tears* I-I wish I could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry!
There's so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why,
You're the only only one who really knew me at all.
.
.
He was alone, all alone...trapped and alone.
Liberty: *dull eyes* Guys...I-I don't think i ca-
Thirty one Rusherz and six Guardians: So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space;
Liberty eyes sparked a bit as he looked up in tears and realization as he heard a choir in the background.
And there's nothin' left here to remind me, just the memory of your face!
Now take a look at me now, 'cos there's just an empty space;
But to wait for you is all I can do and that's what I've got to face!
Take a good look at me now, 'cos I'll be standin' here;
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've gotta take!
Liberty: *shock;tears* E-Everyone...
Thirty one Rusherz and six Guardians: Take a look at me now;
'cos I'll be standin here,
And you coming back to me is against all odds
Guardians: IT'S THE CHANCE I'VE GOTTA TAKE!
The area light up warmly as Liberty looked around, seeing he was somewhere in a crystal stadium.
Liberty: *tears* Take a look at me now...
...
LIBERTY!
And at that, Liberty heart raced as he slowly turned to one of the entryways of this mysterious stadium.
SIX FIGURES WERE RUNNING OVER TO HIM.
?: LIBERTY IS THAT YOU!?
?: I THINK-OH MY GOSH IT IS HIM!
Liberty: *tears* Ish, Ash?
?: HAHA DUDE! FINALLY THERE YOU ARE!
?: WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE!
Liberty: *tears* Troy, Tua?
?: YES! LIB WE'RE SO HAPPY TO FINALLY SEE YOU!
?: MAN LIB BUDDY WE FINALLY FOUND YOU!
Liberty: *tears* Marty, Ricky...HOW-?
The Guardians ran over in smile and tears onto the field, tackling Liberty in a hug. Liberty, though surprised to see the kids here, hugged them back as his tears finally fell.
Liberty: *tears;small smile* Yeah...you guys found me.
To Be Continued...