CHAPTER 54
DESOLATION OF ROCKINGHAM PART 1
Through the thick brush and maze of trees Dutch pressed on, refusing to believe for a moment that he could be walking to another dead end. 'Just what did you discover to conspire against Embryo and Trager, brother?' He wondered, his burning desire to uncover if Donnie's breadcrumb trail would at least provide some answers behind Subject Alpha and Beta's creation driving him on. As the forest became denser, his flashlight's ability to guide his way lessened considerably so Dutch pulled out a Mana drone and set it to hover overhead, the emerald light burning in a hundred-yard radius that gave his surroundings a clearer if more eerie look. Flying to the ruins via transport ship would have been easier but also would have attracted Master Embryo's attention, and Dutch didn't need the council table nor the world leaders tracking his movements.
As he pressed on, heavy rain began to pound the hood of Dutch's black poncho as he finally reached a familiar steep hill that ran across the mountain side. He and Donnie always loved to race each other to the top but before Dutch could make the climb, he received a sudden call that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"I was hoping to find you in your office or private villa." Embryo commented as a Mana window opened in front of him. "Where exactly are you? We have new and important matters to discuss and I would rather do it in person to prevent prying ears from listening in."
"Apologies master." Dutch responded casually. "I might have found new evidence of another terrorist base hidden across the southeast boarders of Misurugi. But if my presence is needed, I'll come at once and continue my investigation tomorrow." It was all he could say without drawing further suspicion. Thankfully, Embryo didn't seem to suspect anything and chuckled as he leaned back in his chair.
"I expect nothing less from you, my most loyal enforcer. Continue your investigation. But I must inform you due to recent events at Arzenal has forced my hand. We have decided to take action against both Arzenal and this world entirely." Dutch listened as Embryo explained the details of his and the world leaders' plans to finally reset the world and collect the chosen Ragna-mail pilots from Arzenal. Dutch would have been infuriated at the idea of Julio chosen for this crucial task over him, but with his new coconspirator Riza in the Boy Emperor's ear he was confident he could adjust his own plans accordingly.
"And what of Subject Alpha?" Dutch asked before he could stop himself. Embryo's mouth formed into an onymous line.
"I'm well aware of your personal history and feelings on the matter, but you needn't fret anymore Villson. That degenerate creature has caused too much trouble and won't be OUR problem for much longer. In the meantime, I want you to eliminate the remaining terrorists that still roam before they become an inconvenience. You may earn your unit and my trust back yet. Provided you don't disappoint me again. But I promise you this, Subject Alpha will soon be out of our lives, FOREVER. You have my word." Embryo ended the call but Dutch left the screen open for a few seconds longer.
'Liar.' Dutch's heart thundered as white-hot anger licked his insides. 'You only want to continue you and Trager's work on the little monster and his clone.' It was now a race against the clock to find whatever Donnie had hidden in those ruins in order to get subject Alpha before either Embryo or Blackadder could snatch him away. And without the Ragnarök, he was at a disadvantage against them all.
With a surge of adrenaline pushing him on, Dutch broke into a sprint up the steep hill as the Mana disc above him kept pace. But within minutes he was starting to slow down as his run turned into a struggling clamber and a painful stitch formed into his chest and sides, his breaths shortening with every step as his legs throbbed in stiff painful cramps that soon forced him to his knees. 'No, I refuse to be weighed down by my body's limits.' Clenching his teeth, he swallowed his pride and slipped out the bottle of red pill sized crystals he had taken from Riza out from his coat pocket.
Draconium had not been used as a power source for centuries and for a moment, goosebumps rose on Dutch's skin, unsure what the side effects could do to him. But the fear vanished immediately at the reminder of the suppressed power Riza had hidden within her and with the added benefit of his advanced Mana and genetics bestowed on him by Embryo. 'Power never comes to those fastest, strongest or smartest in this world.' His father's words echoed. 'It comes to those who are willing to do anything to achieve it.' Now more than ever he had to regain that power back.
'The mixture could kill you or even worse, turn you into something monstrous. An abomination upon my people, the Norma and this world.' Riza's warning echoed through his mind, but Dutch did not care. Without a trace of fear or regret he downed one pill and as the seconds ticked away and Dutch continued up the steep hill, slowly but gradually he felt an ever expanding and burning jolt pulse through his veins. It was as though something large and scaly erupted into life from the deepest closed off depths of Dutch's body, clawing and overflowing his every muscle and brain cell. It was as though he had been recharged with a new battery as gradually, his stamina returned to him and his stride turned into a run and then into another sprint. His legs kicked off the ground faster than they had ever carried him, quicker than any creature in the forest without breaking a sweat. 'I will not let anything stand in my way again.' Dutch vowed. 'Not even you Master Embryo.'
"Hey c'mon wake up lazy bones." A playful, alluring voice sniggered in Scarlett's ear. She opened her eyes, daylight filtering through a green haze and she remembered she had fallen asleep under one of the apple trees atop Arzenal's fields. Rubbing her eyes, a blurred curvy figure shadowed by the sun knelt to her level, its shoulder length blonde hair dancing in the warm summer breeze. "You look so cute when you sleep, I almost couldn't bring myself to wake you up." Scarlett's vision cleared and she grinned back affectionately at her lovely girlfriend Zola.
"I could awake like this every day seeing your beautiful face." Scarlett said dreamily. The sun enhanced Zola's beautiful features as she straddled Scarlett's lap, her lovely turquoise green eyes boring affectionately into Scarlett's.
"Well, I'd better make sure I always wake up first." Zola smiled, caressing both her hands gently on Scarlett's cheeks as the two teens leaned in closer. "I'll never let you go. So don't you ever let me go." She whispered. Scarlett closed her eyes and drew her face closer, but a sudden harrowing gasp caused her to snap her eyes back open to see hell spread before her. Zola still grasping Scarlett's cheek was heaving in agonizing pain as blood covered the right side of her face where her now missing eye once was. Her clothes were torn from her, naked and exposed, her body covered in long, bloody welts and gashes. And towering over them with cruel pleasure and hatred etched into the harsh features of her face, Jadis leered down at them.
"Help me…Scarlett!" Zola begged in gargling breaths as blood gushed from her mouth, splattering into Scarlett's face. Scarlett tried to leap up or push Zola behind to protect her from the monster now cackling derisively at them, but invisible chains held Scarlett down, unable to even move as Jadis mockingly laughed at her.
"NO MATTER HOW MANY PUSH-UPS YOU DO OR HOW HEAVY THE WEIGHTS YOU CAN LIFT, YOU'RE STILL TO WEAK TO SAVE THOSE WHO RELY ON YOU!"
Zola's nails dug into Scarlett's face, her screams echoing out to the empty void they were trapped in as the monster transformed into a DRAGON that thrust its head forward to rip them apart…
"NOOOOOOO! ZOLA!"
"Scarlett…Scarlett…" A different voice called out, a pair of chaffed but gentle hands cupping her cheeks. "Hey easy, easy."
"Buttercup…" Scarlett wheezed, her throat dry and scratchy as the person before her came into focus, their long dark hair prettier than the night sky "Why are you…"
"Don't speak just rest." Lucia hushed as the two stared at each other for a moment, their faces so close Scarlett could count the freckles on her face, the tiny gap in her two top teeth and the pink tinge now creeping into Lucia's milky white face before she reflexively turned away. "I'll go get Maggie." Once Lucia had gone Scarlett saw she was in one of the private medical rooms. But if this was Arzenal what was Lucia doing here? Was she still dreaming?
"Nice to see you're awake." Maggie sighed with relief as she appeared along with a pair of her assistant nurses. As they began checking her over, Scarlett's head throbbed and her body ached like she had done a bad workout. She looked down and saw her body was covered in bruises and gauze.
"Wha…what happened?" Scarlett groaned as she rubbed her heavily bandaged head just as Lucia returned. "Why are you here? WAIT! The DRAGONs! Those three Para-mail?" She reflexively tried to jump up but gave a sharp wince at the pain in her abdomen.
"Easy there." Maggie urged as she gently pushed her back onto the cot. "Nothing is broken but you've got a few minor lacerations and some internal bruising so you're going to be out of action for a little while." Maggie slipped her some painkillers and a much-needed gulp of water. There was an odd silence before Maggie asked, "What do you remember?" There was something about Maggie's foreboding tone that troubled Scarlett.
"We…we took down the first wave of Schooners when…those 3 units appeared through the singular." Scarlett recalled. "There was a song…the red para-mail…coated in a gold light. I saw a whirlwind storm and…a green flash before…" The realization hit Scarlett like a freight-train. "Where's Betty, Sadie? Where's my squad…my girls!?" Maggie and her nurses looked at each other gravely as Lucia pursed her lips when suddenly, a girl with her arm in a sling flew across the room and flung her good arm around Scarlett.
"Captain, oh Captain!" Charlotte sobbed into her chest.
"Easy there Charlotte." Maggie cautioned. "She's injured too you know."
"Can someone please tell me what's going on!" Scarlett demanded, panic rising in her chest. Maggie and her nurses' gazes cast to the floor and Charlotte was too distraught to speak, so Lucia took it upon herself to sit by Scarlett's side. Her firm but gentle hand gripped Scarlett's and her dark blue eyes watered with dread as she broke the news to the captain of the now decimated Second Squad.
Outside of the private medical room, Ralph waited quietly with his back against the wall, just able to hear the heartbreaking conversation occurring inside. As if on cue; the room erupted with stomach churning and agonizing wails of despair. Though he knew anyone would be broken after a loss like that, it was still a shock to hear someone as tough as Scarlett break down like that. And in addition to being the only survivor, Ralph couldn't even imagine the guilt she must be feeling as their captain. Thinking back, he wondered just how she had survived and all he could think of was that somehow Siegfried's defense mode had reached her in time. Lucas and Lucia had supposed that as well and as their kind had constructed that machine it was the most logical explanation.
"How is she?" Ralph asked as Maggie exited by herself.
"Some few strong pain killers will bring her sleep for a few hours, buts she's a mess." Maggie sighed. "Lucia offered to stay with her and Charlotte."
"Well in that case I'll cover Lucia's post and collect the rest of the medical supplies for Aurora." Maggie looked at him with amused suspicion.
"Rather heartless to leave your friend Finn alone. I wouldn't be surprised if the poor guy is tied to a bed somewhere at this stage."
"Good. Maybe it'll fix that attitude of his." Ralph joked. But don't you start getting any ideas."
"You wish." she remarked with a grin. For the next few minutes, Maggie and Ralph checked over every medical cabinet and closet as Maggie ticked off the inventory on her clipboard. It was a good thing the DRAGONs hadn't gotten into the med bay. Even with Sanctuary and the Tripartite Pack's support they were going to need every bit of supplies they could fit onto the Aurora. While doing so, Maggie stopped to check on Emma Bronson's condition who to their relief was still unconscious.
"What do we do with her?" She finally asked.
"Guess we'll just leave her here once we're gone and she'll be collected by her superiors." Ralph shrugged. "Hopefully she won't wake up till after we leave so I won't have to silence her. She may be the enemy but she's not a bad person."
"You're right." Maggie agreed. "She's actually sort of grown on me these past 2 years. I guess now I'll just have to find someone else to amuse myself with."
"BANZAI!" Came a loud whooping cheer as Frenzy floating off the floor on his Mana-board came whizzing down the corridor with three heavy trollies full of food and kitchen essentials clipped onto its tail. Ralph swept Maggie out of the way and flattened his back against the wall. "Sorry Ralph!" Frenzy called as he disappeared around a bend.
"Little prick." Ralph swore, unaware of Maggie's blissful expression from being cushioned against his hulking form. After checking off the last of the medical supplies, they detoured to the nursery area to check on the babies. The walls and floor were still stained with DRAGON's blood from when Maggie had killed the one trying to break down the door. Ralph peered his head in for a brief moment to check on Serra.
"Don't worry you two will have all the time in the world to catch up after tomorrow." Maggie assured him and Ralph smiled at her.
"For a moment I thought I'd never see her again. I'm just grateful that Cal stopped the Commander from blowing my head off. 'Guess you and Jacob's bullshit sob story can't get past me.'" Cal's voice echoed in his mind.
"You're lucky Cal figured that part out. Who knows the complications that would have caused with Jacob and the others" Maggie supposed. "You could have spared us and yourself the trouble by dropping the act when the DRAGONs showed up."
"Well, I guess in all the excitement that thought never crossed my mind." Ralph admitted. "But I've also got you, Jasmine and Mei to thank." Maggie turned to look at him in surprise. "If it weren't for you, that Corvette would have squashed me like a bug. Thanks to you Serra won't be left an orphan." His large paw grasped Maggie's smaller hand as the two locked eyes, but their gaze was broken by rapidly approaching footsteps. The two turned around and were greeted to a fleeting glimpse of a rather panicked Finn wheeling a trolly full of guns and sprinting for his life from a dozen hormonal Norma chasing after him.
"You better go save your friend. I think Lucia, my staff and I can handle the rest from here." Maggie offered, but not before she planted a quick peck on Ralph's cheek. His gaze locked onto the way her hips swayed as she walked away as Maggie gave a slight wink before turning down a bend in the hallway, the warmth of her kiss still imprinted on his cheek.
"What's wrong with your face?" Ralph quickly wiped the grin from his face to see Cal standing beside him.
"Oh, it's you! I was just looking for you. I wanted to thank…"
"Yeah sure." Cal interrupted, sounding even more on edge than before. "Have you seen Lucas anywhere, there's something urgent I need to tell him."
"He's off to the Commander's quarters for a debrief. There something on your mind? It's Salia isn't it? I can tell." Cal looked as though he wasn't expecting that question but vented his feelings on the matter none the less.
"I can't understand how Villkiss didn't work for her. It was stupid of her to put her life in danger like that. Especially since she had the ring and it still wouldn't respond to her."
"You mean…Alek…the Commander didn't tell you?" said Ralph shocked. "Either of you…or Ange?"
"Tell us what?" Cal demanded. "Hey if you're hiding something then I need to know. You owe me after I didn't rat your secret out to Jill." Cal was going to be pissed and it might cause tensions with the Commander that would be difficult to mend, but there was no point in hiding it any longer. And the simple fact of the matter was that he NEEDED to know this important factor.
"It's not just the ring that activates Vilkiss but something more that draws out its power. It's why the only two Norma to pilot it have been Alektra and Ange."
Pondering over Arzenal's diagrams Lucas ran his finger across all of the alterations he and Cal had marked and doodled, trying to find a potential fault or flaw. 'Guy's got a knack for strategy I'll give him that.' Lucas admitted. 'Guess living on an island full of wildlife with Gaz has its benefits in survival plans.' The only problem was keeping Cal out of the way of Dutch. 'If that brat doesn't corporate, I'll just have to cuff him inside Aurora.' He thought. 'His focus should be on Siegfried, not revenge. I'll be doing us both a favor once that bastard is taken out for good.' Rolling up the diagrams, he tucked them underarm and set off to meet with Commander Jill. Upon arriving at her quarters, her door was left slightly ajar so Lucas let himself in.
"Commander?" No answer but he couldn't help but be intrigued by the Commander's choice of style. The room was three times wider than most quarters given to Arzenal's residents. It's stone walls and ceiling were painted black, but the floor was decorated in shiny grey hardwood while a small gold chandler hung over a king size bed set on a purple velvet ambassador bed frame. On the right side of the room was a sliding glass door that led to a private onsen. And on the left was a shower door through which Commander Jill had suddenly appeared wearing nothing but a towel wrapped tightly around her slim but curvaceous frame that still shone with residual water. Her cold purple eyes met Lucas unnerved before he turned away instinctively. "Apologies Commander. I should have waited outside." He made to leave but Jill called out before he could take a step.
"Stay." More a command than a request, Lucas froze on the spot as he heard a drawer and closet open behind him and the patter of a towel hitting the floor. "Since I can't put you and your crew in any of our empty quarters in case the Inspector discovers your presence, I want you all confined to the lower chamber where Aurora is kept. Jasmine will take you all there soon."
"Understood." Lucas answered as he had the impression the Commander was sizing him up.
"You can turn around now." He did so and saw that Jill had changed into a short purple robe that accentuated her long legs as she sat down in an armchair set against the wall. Her confidence and lack of shame somehow made her even more intimidating and Lucas decided he'd better take control while he still could.
"We might have a problem regarding Cal when it comes to us leaving tomorrow." He told her as Jill's expression grew wary. "He wants to linger back here long enough to kill the man who murdered Gaz."
"As expected." said Jill. "I've already worked out a way to keep him from doing anything reckless. You just worry about dealing with Dutch if he manages to arrive before Julio's cavalry. For now, show me what you and Cal came up with." Lucas spread out the diagrams over a nearby table and went over his plan of setting up booby traps for the enemy as well as luring Dutch into the open. Lucas felt somewhat relieved that someone in command was on the same page as him and understood what was at stake when it came to Cal, unlike Jacob. If he and Siegfried fell, then it would be impossible to retrieve the ancient gem bracelet. But if push came to shove and the boy became too reckless then Lucas would take it away by force. Suddenly, there came a sudden knock and before Jill could answer, Cal came rushing in.
"Jill we need to talk!" He gasped.
"What do you want?" Lucas said coldly. "If you're wanting to argue against my orders again then forget it."
"Just shut up and listen." Cal responded in an even colder tone. "There's something important I need to tell you. Commander, he has a right to know about…HIM." Cal's eyes intensely glowered at Jill as though he was holding back with great effort not to explode at her. Jill frowned at him then seemed to decide upon reflection that it was for the best. Whatever it was it sounded serious. Lucas listened intently as Jill first went into the details of Cal's royal heritage and how the unknown pilot of the black Ragna-mail that killed Harper and most of team G.H.O.S.T was in fact a clone of Cal created by Embryo. After she was done and Lucas' stomach had done several summersaults, Cal recounted all the times he experienced visions he mistook as dreams of Blackadder as well as that his clone could penetrate inside Cal's head whenever his mind was vulnerable. Then at last he came to the point he was bursting to tell them, recounting the moment he experienced a crack of Blackadder's ecstatic mania.
"So that's how you knew we had abandoned the Endurant Harbour?!" Lucas realized when Cal described the scene of the papers strewn all over the metal floor. But if Cal was correct and his clone with this unknown power Embryo had blessed him with could penetrate inside Cal's head, then that meant the bastard could spy on them at any moment. "So this has been happening for months?" Lucas questioned. "And you're sure Blackad…your clone is not seeing me and my team here or what we've been planning?"
"Positive." Cal said. "Every-time that bastard gets in my head or is close by, I can feel his presence. It's like my entire body gets dipped in icy water." His voice shivered slightly. "But what I can't understand is how I'm also seeing through his point of view at random periods when he's feeling a strong emotion."
"I'm sure Jacob and Hosea's investigation into Trager and Embryo's schemes might turn up something." Jill said, visibly disturbed by this revelation. "But that's not important. This most recent vision of yours, what exactly did you see?"
"Nothing. Everything was just blank but he's really happy about something." Cal said weakly trying to keep his voice calm and straight. "Something he's been hoping to find."
"Could it be possible it was just a fluke?" Suggested Lucas, completely at a loss as to what to make of it all. "You did say you didn't feel the cold shiver when…"
"No! You don't get it! I wasn't just inside his head. I WAS him!" Cal yelled.
"I believe you Cal." Jill told him. "If your clone decides to peep in on you again then we can't risk having you near our guests until we leave this place tomorrow. Alarm bells will be alerted to Embryo and the world leaders if he discovers we reestablished ties with the Sanctuary. Cal, I want you to keep out of the way for a while until Lucas and his team are escorted to the lower chamber at curfew. I'll inform Jasmine and the others of the situation. Lucas, continue your aid with prepping the Aurora. We'll go over our plans tomorrow. In the meantime, Cal if anything else out of the ordinary happens you report it to me or Jasmine understood. Anything that seems trivial might mean life or death."
"That's rich coming from you Commander." Cal said with a cold fury. "I guess Salia was just a trivial matter since you couldn't trust her with the truth." Jill's eyes bulged but before she could respond or scold him, Cal made a swift exit. Lucas glanced back at Jill who looked irritated but turned her attention back to the diagrams. He was grateful Cal had told him something this crucial. He'd tell the others after they were down in the lower chamber. Maybe Dolton could cook up a theory on how Cal and his clone were able to share thoughts like this.
It was then Lucas remembered the night of Ange's execution and the trance like state Cal went into when he seemed ready to shoot up the mob chanting for Ange's death. At the time he mistook it as a trick of the light when he had pinned Cal against that tree, he had seen a shadow of slitted eyes within Cal's gaze.
"Dutch. Dutch."
"What?"
"Wait up."
"Catch up." Wanting to be left in peace, Dutch paced along the pathway towards the woodland surrounding his home village, glad to be away from the house and his father.
"Wait up, I've got to tell you something."
"What?" Behind him, his younger brother Donnie quickened his pace until they were side by side and he leaned in closer to Dutch with a smirk.
"Race you to the top of Rockingham." Donnie said as he shot off.
"Hey, no fair cheater!" Dutch dashed after his brother. Despite only three years difference in age the brothers couldn't have looked more different. Donnie was lean of build while Dutch was tall and lanky. Matching each other in speed, they ran through the neighboring wheat field, across the rocky stream and into the entrance of Rockingham Forest. Zigzagging through the maze of trees they reached a steep hill that ran up the base of the mountain. It took them 30 minutes to reach the top of the hill before stopping to rest upon the cliff point that overlooked the valley that stretched on for miles.
"Getting slow in your teen years bro."
"You're one to talk. You'll be 13 sooner than you think." Both brothers laughed and panted as they sprawled on the smooth rocky surface, the cool downdraft from the mountain making it tempting to stay here all day despite the blazing sun overhead. But despite being miles away from his home, Dutch still couldn't get the events from yesterday involving his father and the family's best racehorse out of his head.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up." Donnie spoke up. "I would have done the same thing in your position."
"That's the point." Dutch muttered gloomily. "You'd never be forced to do something like that because you're not the disappointment in the family." Donnie was everything Dutch wanted to be. He was the smartest kid in school, he was popular and was idolized by their peers and parents. He had even attracted the attention of university recruiters despite being only 12 years old. Dutch on the other hand was scrawny, bullied endlessly and was always scorned by their father for not living up to expectations.
"I don't think you're a disappointment." Donnie told him. "You've just got to find what your good. At least we now know it's not raising horses." Dutch rolled his eyes, knowing what his brother was saying was true. "Look over there." Donnie pointed to the right side of the valley and as Dutch squinted his eyes, he spotted a single building four miles away within the only clearing in the sea of trees that stretched on as far as the eye could see. "Resource Development & Tech Cooperation." Donnie read aloud. 15 floors high and 400 meters in length, the famous high security building held many secrets to the world's future developments. "When I grow up, I want to be a part of history in changing this world for the better." Donnie smiled optimistically at his older brother. "But even if that doesn't happen, that's ok. I'll find my destiny no matter how big or small, just like you will." Dutch would have smiled back but he hated the idea of being just like everyone else, living comfortably with no desire to rise to greater things. And yet he wished he could be a part of the perfect family that he somehow didn't fit in. But he guessed not even Mana for all the good it had done for their world could fix everything. "C'mon there's gotta be something you want to do when you grow up." said Donnie when there was no answer. "I swear I won't tell or tease."
"Well…" said Dutch a little embarrassed. "I would like to be a Horticulturist." Donnie gazed at him with bright interest. "I don't know…it sounds dumb but…I guess, I would like to build a village or community that embraced nature, maybe even spread such ideas to big cities, where skyscrapers bloom and merge with plants and the seeds of the earth. If I'm lucky then maybe we could both make a difference in history. TOGETHER."
"Yeah." Donnie said. "That sounds like it would be pretty cool actually."
Standing upon the same cliff point and bathed in the light of the floating Mana disc, Dutch could still faintly hear the echo of Donnie's voice as he looked across the pitch-black valley in the direction of the building they and Gaz had worked at for years. Forever gone and demolished by the flames, Dutch imagined in its place was most likely a pile of seared concrete and steel now consumed by the earth and nature. "A Horticulturist." Dutch tched, they were nothing but the dreams of a boy that no longer existed.
Wanting to put some distance away from the spot of those painful memories, Dutch found a big enough ledge to cross along the side of the mountain as the side was far too steep to descend. His Mana disc guided him carefully until he reached a shallower slope that was surrounded by more trees and waist high brambles. Dutch quickly checked his map and was pleased at the progress he was making. The energy from the Dracunium pills still pumped through his veins and nerves with a fiery pulse that intertwined with his heartbeat. He smirked greedily to himself as they had helped him to make the climb in just half the time it would take a normal human to make. 'Guess another couldn't hurt.' He decided. The quicker he got to the hidden ruins the better he could make it back to contact Jadis and deal with the council.
Before he could even pull the bottle out however, through the wind and heavy rain came the sound of thumping footsteps and a ferocious snarl from nearby. His stomach lurched as he quickly reached for the holster of his pistol just as the green light of his Mana disc revealed a mass of fur that burst through the scrub, its repulsive breath hitting Dutch in the face as a hulking brown bear reared up on its hind legs. Before Dutch could draw his pistol or form a Mana shield, a furry paw bigger than his face swiped across his chest. Hot blood splashed onto his face as he was flung off the ground and his whole world spun around him as the light of his Mana drone died, sending him falling into the darkness of the hillside, tearing through the thick brambles as he pinned balled into the trees. A blinding pain struck the top of his head…a flash of light…a distant booming roar of the bear hundreds of yards up the cliff…and the sensation of falling down a dark tunnel…and everything went blank.
The upper hanger rang with the screeches and clangs of mending steel as the armorists were finishing up for the night. Almost all of the damaged Para-mail were put back in top condition. Vivian was especially pleased to see the dents and scratches from fighting that green enemy unit had been repaired.
"Nice work there Mei." Vivian whistled. "Lookin' sleek!" Mei flashed a grin as she and her team began to send half a dozen of the repaired para-mail down to the lower hanger as Vivian spotted a dark blue and white glaive among them, prompting her to wonder where her roommate was. "Have any of you seen Miranda around?" she asked the armorists who all shook their heads.
"Guess she's too shy to meet our new guests. Can't blame her with this guy around." Mei jerked her head at Lucas who was helping what was left of Jasmine's staff to move many the Para-mail weapons and crates via forklift into the main cargo shaft.
"Ah he's not so bad." Vivian said. "Anyway, I'll be sure to check back tomorrow after training. I've got my eye on some new goodies to equip to my unit." Strolling off with her hands behind her head Vivian thought it was rather odd why everyone's pay for today's sortie had been declined. 'Guess the rumors must be true that we're leaving this place for good.' She realized as her curiosity and excitement buzzed at the thought of the many potential places to explore and fly outside of Arzenal. As she trotted, towards the mall for a last-minute snack Vivian, saw a furious Jasmine march into the hanger entrance carrying a thin board under her arm and dragging the weird wild haired human by his ear, both covered in ketchup.
"And furthermore, I'm keeping the Mana board until YOU learn not to use it in the hallways!" Jasmine scolded as she made Frenzy heave three heavy food trolleys by hand towards the mall.
"Granny, NO!" Frenzy protested.
"Calling me 'GRANNY' is not helping your case in toothbrush scrubbing Aurora's bathrooms for a week!"
"C'mon, all great…mighty and powerful…1000 DRAGON slayer." Frenzy smiled awkwardly. Jasmine groaned and rolled her eyes.
"That's not how that works."
Though all the injured had been discharged from the mall, leaving it open to purchase things again, to everyone's disappointment Jasmine in her bad temper announced she was closing early for the night. Everyone present gave Frenzy scathing, accusatory glares as he passed by with the kitchen trollies and into the back room where most of the mall's stock was kept. Jasmine sealed the back area off and began to lock its sliding metal gate as the discouraged crowd in the mall dispersed and the armorists began to turn in for the night. With everyone distracted, Vivian seized her chance and hid inside one of the clothing wracks that was still intact from the attack. Once Jasmine turned off the hanger lights and finished locking up, Vivian emerged once the last of the departing crowd's footsteps died down. 'Sure Jasmine won't mind if a few goodies go missing tonight.' She thought grinning mischievously. 'So long as I leave the money for them.'
It had been a while since she had pulled off an undetected midnight snack heist, but hunger at this time called for desperate measures. Vivian quietly tip toed around the back end of the mall where the now destroyed arcade machines were kept. And next to the one against the wall was a large air-vent that connected to another inside the mall's back storage room. Vivian rummaged for her secretive trusty pocket tool from her satchel that even Ersha didn't know about. She had used it many times to take out the air-vent cover screws but to her utter annoyance she found that it was blocked by large piles of concrete and rubble. 'Stupid Corvette.' Vivian scowled. Well she wasn't going to let a bunch of rocks stop her. For several minutes she pulled, pushed, heaved, and tugged, but the rubble refused to budge. Thinking hard Vivian returned with a pool cue and tried to wrench the rubble out of place only to snap the makeshift lever in half. Vivian swore at the blockage and kicked it.
"OUCH!" She thought she might have broken her toe; red faced and jamming her mouth shut to stop herself from yelping she clutched at the tip of her boot while hopping on one foot.
"I don't think that'll work." A voice spoke from the darkness. Vivian shrieked and kicked out instinctively from behind. Snapping around she saw Frenzy once again, a heap upon the floor hugging his stomach.
"Not cool dude you scared me. What if I thought you were a DRAGON?"
"Who's there!" Called another voice from the hallway exit as one of security staff came marching through with a flashlight. Vivian managed to drag Frenzy back inside the clothing wrack as the beam of light passed over them. Both held their breaths, their faces mere millimeters apart until the security staff member returned back down the hallway.
"Are you okay, your face looks funny." Vivian asked, oblivious and unaffected to the fact her chest was crushed against Frenzy's who was on the verge of a nosebleed. "That was close huh." She breathed a sigh of relief once back out in the open.
"No kidding, I'll be sure to stand back at a distance next time." Frenzy chuckled nervously rubbing his belly, his face still resembling a tomato. "What were you doing back there?"
Vivian looked at him suspiciously. "What's it to you buddy?" She said, unsure as if to trust this guy. "I could ask you the same thing."
"Well…I…I…" He stuttered slightly and wiped his sweating forehead. "I wanted to sneak some chocolate eclairs for Cal. I never got the chance to thank him for saving me and my comrades lives from Dutch."
"Oh…erm…that's real nice of you." Vivian smiled. Big bro seemed like he could use the gesture lately. "Problem is, the way is blocked. Hey wait! Can't you use your Mana to move that blockage out of the way?" Frenzy looked as though he was about to comply, but a pointed smile cast across his face.
"It would make too much noise. I've got a better idea." Frenzy led her to the locked metal gate and pulled out a bronze tool with many twisting knobs and tabs across its handle.
"What is that?"
"It's a lock-pick tool I made myself." Frenzy boasted as he channeled his Mana into it and a small green light lit the tip. "I designed it to unlock both Mana and manual locks." He unscrewed the head and attached another with two thin like hooks attached before inserting the tool into the keyhole and used the twisting knobs across the handle to fiddle the hooks around to break through the lock.
"Cool!" Vivian awed as she continued to watch him with intrigue. 'Guess he ain't that boring.' She admitted. Truth be told she found him quite nice to be doing this for Cal. But she couldn't help but wonder where big bro was at this moment.
Alone and humiliated, Salia sat in the dark on the hard wooden bunk. A thin scratchy blanket wrapped around her did little to warm her in the chill of the cell. For the past few hours, she had listened to everyone at work through the cell window. It was all she could do to take her mind off everything that had happened that day but now everything was silent. 'It just doesn't make sense.' She thought for the thousand time. 'Why didn't Villkiss work for me?' There had been a point when Cal was in trouble that she felt Villkiss respond to her need to protect him, but then it vanished. 'Am I really not special like Ange or Cal. Am I really not good enough to be like them and Alektra?' She could not get the image of the fury in Cal's voice when he shouted at her, the disappointment in Alektra's eyes, the helplessness in her surviving comrades when they needed her most.
Through the dead silence Salia heard footsteps approaching her cell and lifting her head she saw with great surprise Cal standing on the other side of the bars. "Hey." He said quietly. "How you holding up in there?" There was something about his expression that gave her the impression he was feeling a mixture of regret and anger.
"I could be better." Salia replied in an empty tone. "I just wish things hadn't gone so wrong. I'd hoped that…you of all people would have had my back…but I was wrong! I try my hardest and best to keep everyone in line, I follow the rules, and still, it's not enough. Not for you, Alektra, the squad, or Villkiss."
"For god's sake Salia why are you so obsessed with that machine?" Cal asked in frustration. "Why can't you just accept it's not meant to be?" 'You can't do what you can't do.' Alektra's harsh words flooded her head and bitter tears welled up in Salia's eyes. She shot of her bunk in anger and stood at the bars.
"Never meant to be?! I did everything I could to show I could do a better job. And yet Ange almost cost Libertus everything in escaping and still Alketra trusts her over me!"
"So did you!?" Cal shouted. "You put us all, including Libertus at risk by taking Villkiss, and all for what? Jealousy!?" Salia's bottled up temper flashed as she shoved Cal through the bars forcing him back two steps.
"I did it for you! You don't know all the sleepless nights I've had worrying if I'd see you again ever after the next Sortie with the other squads! You never knew all those we lost before you arrived, my superiors I relied on, my younger squad mates who depended on me! I thought maybe just this once I could change that if I had Villkiss!" She turned away to go back to her bunk.
"Why put your life at risk like that?" Reaching through the bars, Cal caught Salia's hand, refusing to let go. "Talk to me Salia!"
"I just wanted to fly alongside you as your equal! To have your back when Libertus began!" The words burst from Salia as everything she suppressed came bubbling to the surface. "When we lost Naomi and Zola! When we lost Coco! I felt powerless to help you bare that burden." She could not bring herself to look at him because of the shame she was feeling. "I thought I could be just like Alektra and be a beacon of hope for my squad and comrades. I just wanted to make her proud and to help prevent someone else I cared about from dying because I was powerless to stop it."
"Someone else? Who do you mean?"
"Ann." Salia's voice broke. "Her name was Ann."
(4 years ago)
Arzenal's training yard was bustling with para-mail troops all trying to outperform the rival squad members during their usual morning drill exercises. Sitting on the sideline benches, three new recruits watched in admiration at two older Norma from first squad dashed around the track in their own personal competitive race. The skinnier of the two had long dark purple twin tails, the other had a more athletic build with boyish dark green hair.
"Those two are always competing to be number one."
"Ann usually wins physical drills. But Salia scores higher in shooting practice."
"Wow, I hope I can be just like them."
"What're you girls doing?!" Scarlett lectured as she approached her new recruits. "If you have the energy to gossip then you can run ten more laps!"
"Why the sour face Salia?" Ann teased as she took her seat in the lunch hall next to Salia who was eating alone after failing to outperform her rival during sparring. "C'mon don't look so down it was a close match."
"Just drop it. Next time I won't make the same mistake twice." Salia grumbled as she slowly ate her food. Truth was the loss stung more today as Commander Jill had been watching the first squad's progress and Salia had once again failed to perform her best in front of the woman she idolized. Ann noticed Salia's eyes divert to the lunch hall balcony where the Commander was sitting, discussing business with the new Inspector, Staff Sargent Korra.
"You're always tense when the Commander is around." Ann noted. "Why are you so interested in trying to impress her?"
"I'm not." Salia snapped though it was a lie. Salia never forgot her promise to Alektra that day she lost her arm. And she wouldn't rest until she followed in Alektra's shoes as the pilot of Villkiss.
"Hey let's race to see who can eat their food first!" Ann suggested, hoping to break the tension.
"And be sick like you were last time?" Salia groaned.
"She's right." Ersha cautioned as she walked over to them, still dressed in her chef apron. "I put in a lot of effort into today's basil soup so take your time in enjoying it."
"I'll never understand how your cooking is always this good." Ann said. Now that she mentioned it, Salia wondered if Ersha used her earnings to purchase much higher quality ingredients from the mall as she didn't seem to spend her cash on anything. "How do you do it?" Ersha leaned in closer and whispered to them both.
"I'll show you, but it's top secret." The next day after training, Ersha took Salia and Ann across the southwest side of the island near the cliff edge. Once they made it out of the trees both girls stood transfixed at the scene before them. Across a patch of empty field was a garden full of fresh vegetables, corn as tall as Salia and Ann, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers and large shiny tomatoes. "Welcome to my Garden!" Ersha beamed glad to see them impressed by her work.
"Wow! I didn't know you could grow these." Ann awed, admiring a particular juicy tomato. "I thought they were made in a factory."
"Of course they aren't idiot!" Salia said in disbelief.
"Well canned tomatoes are made in a factory!" Salia didn't reply back not entirely blaming Ann for her ignorance due to the Norma being cut off from the outside world. Salia herself had only seen these kinds of things in books
"By the way, this part is still in development." Ersha explained as she gestured to an empty corner of the vegetable bed. "I need all the help I can get so how would you like to try growing something of your own?"
"CAN WE!" Both girls said immediately looking very excited to try something new.
"Bet I can grow my batch faster than you." Ann challenged.
"Must you make everything competitive?" Salia sighed. "You're worse than Hilda and Naomi." Ersha just sniggered.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Everyday, rain, wind, or sun, Salia and Ann would come out to see the progress of their tomato crops. Those first few weeks Ann swore hers were growing faster while Salia insisted hers had more tomatoes and what was another competitive rivalry soon began to evolve into a genuine friendship. Salia had never bonded much with her classmates or develop a close connection with any of her squad mates. She had always been too absorbed in her studies and lectures. All through her younger years, she wanted to be like Alektra and one day pilot Villkiss as she had nothing better in her life to look forward to. But now she finally thought she had found a special friend to rely on and confide in. The change was evident to even the other Norma as she seemed to be smiling and laughing a lot more and seemed to drop down her orthodox image at times.
"I turn my back for two minutes and you two are watering yourselves more than the vegetables." Ersha shook her head in amusement as a soaked Salia and Ann finished their water-hose fight. But as she observed the crops she beamed. "Guess these are finally ready." Both girls were so pleased with themselves that they didn't notice the Commander was standing a few yards behind them. Salia was the first to sense her presence but instead of feeling tense like she usually did, all she wanted was to show her idol her hard work.
"Hey Commander, look what I grew." Salia picked the fattest, juiciest, shiniest tomato from her patch and held it out to Alektra who didn't show a flicker of emotion.
"What you do with your off-duty time and earnings is your business Salia, but what did I tell you?" The Commander said in an empty unimpressed voice. "The more happy memories you make, the harder it'll be to grieve for the dead." Without saying another word, she turned swiftly and left Salia thoroughly discouraged.
"Don't listen to her Salia." Ann said as she patted her on the shoulder. "The happier memories the better. They're the only things not even humans or DRAGONs can take from us." Her warm smile and encouraging words lifted Salia's spirits.
"On the brighter side I think we can have these tomatoes for dinner today." Ersha announced hoping to make Salia forget the Commander's words. "How about I cook us up my favorite dish? Chilli Con Carne." The two best friends cheered with delight but the good feelings didn't last long as the deafening blare of the alarm boomed across the entire island announcing a category 4 Sortie fifteen miles to the southwest. First and third squad were dispatched together to take out the threat. From her place in the formation on the outer left flank, Salia on her light blue assault glaive glimpsed Captain Zola with Vice-captain Ichiko up front, leading the charge with Captain Kara of third squad and Vice-Captain Eleanor. It was the first time Salia had flown with her old classmates Hilda and Naomi who were paired with Rosalie and Chris on the right flank while Ersha was paired with her and Ann.
"Hey Salia!" Ann called through her visor. "Let's pick those tomatoes when we get back and see whose is tastier!"
"Concentrate back there!" Barked Zola. "We're approaching the singular." And sure enough, the crackling of red lightening and twisting clouds appeared just two miles ahead of them. Readying herself Salia gave one last glance to Ann who was looking back at her, grinning broadly.
"Don't die on me." Ann winked. Those words kept repeating over and over again, as though she was still grinning right in front of Salia. But that zestful face, the boyish dark green hair and those sea blue eyes that belonged to that perky young girl were no more. Reduced to nothing but a bunch of engraved words upon a hard grey headstone.
ANN ELGAR
Five pilots had been wounded that day and one fatality as a result of the category 4 attack. The next morning it took all the energy Salia had on account of her injuries to walk her way to Arzenal's graveyard where a fresh new headstone had been placed. 'You idiot.' Salia thought facing the headstone. 'You always wanted to be first in everything…but to be the first of us from our preschool days to die…'
"Don't be too upset hon." Jasmine consoled. "Her Arquebus was still in good condition if you want to buy it. At least we could recover a part of her body so it's not an empty grave, at least." Salia wanted to cry but all she felt was an empty numbness. And what did she expect? It was like what the Commander had said. It was harder losing someone you had happy memories with. They were Norma and this was the way of their life. Sooner or later they'd lose someone close to them and continue battling the DRAGONs until it was their turn to be buried beside their fallen comrades, lovers, and best friend.
For the next few days Salia was still off duty to recover from her injuries. She barely ate or slept and was operating on auto pilot most of the day. Alone in the lunch hall she hadn't even touched her soup when she was joined by Ersha carrying two trays from the cafeteria.
"You should have more than soup. It'll help you recover faster." Ersha placed one of the trays in front of Salia who stared at it blankly. "See those?" Ersha indicated to the side of salad tomatoes. "That's the one that Ann grew." At the sound of her name the scene of her being torn apart by three schooners flashed across Salia's vision for a second and it took all her strength to hold back her tears. "Eat it…and live..." Ersha told her solemnly. "…on her behalf."
Salia did as she was told and ate her food at a slow pace. Every bite got easier day by day as the fire lit inside Salia's stomach, growing larger and fiercer. The promise she had made to Alektra, she owed it to the woman she idolized, to her squad mates and to Ann. The Garden they once loved to care for now forgotten as Salia pushed herself harder than ever. Improving her training and drills, determined to keep her promise and become the strongest she could possibly be.
"Hey Salia." Ersha asked her one day. "When I die, will you take over in caring for my garden?"
"No." Salia replied simply to Ersha's dismay. 'I have no time for such things anymore.' She told herself. 'Because I won't let anyone else die.' She vowed. 'I swear I'll get revenge for you Alektra.' That small little girl's words repeated in her heart. 'I'll do my best to make it and grow beyond my limits. One day I'll be the one to make a difference and be the next pilot of Villkiss. For you Alektra and for you Ann.'
What was only a few short minutes felt like hours as throughout the entire time Salia spoke, Cal never once interrupted her. The two sat against the bars back-to-back in silence once Salia had finished. "I miss her everyday." Salia sniffed, her throat sore. "I guess none of the others I considered friends ever came close to the bond we had."
"I'm so sorry Salia. I know what it's like to lose someone that close." Cal told her, wishing more than anything he could rip out these bars so he could hold her.
"I was so scared of being that close to someone again, until you showed up." Salia sighed. "Just for the briefest of moments I felt as though I could let go of Villkiss again but when we lost Naomi and you were assigned Siegfried, I promised that I wouldn't let you bear this burden alone. I just wish I had the tools that day and since then to save all the comrades we've lost over the years."
"None of that was your fault Salia."
"You don't understand. Ann, Naomi, Zola, Coco and all the countless others we lost before you arrived. Maybe if I had been better or worked harder then maybe I would have been able to pilot Villkiss."
"You're wrong."
"No I'm not!" Salia's wall finally collapsed as everything she was holding back came bursting out. "Alektra was right. It's me, and I can't do what I can't do. I failed her! I failed my squad, the people I lost! I let them all down! I'm not good enough, and I never will be."
"Shut up!" Cal snapped. "Just listen to me. You are good enough. I know that, and you should know that. It's not your fault Villkiss didn't work for you. Jill lied to us both."
"What? Huh?" Salia gasped as she finally turned around to look at the back of Cal's head.
"It's not just the ring that activates Villkiss." Cal told her. "It also needs a Norma who was born with royal blood to break through its final lock. That's why only Ange and Jill can pilot it." The revelation hit Salia in the chest harder than an ironclad punch. They both sat in silence for a solid minute as the shock and betrayal crippled Salia into place.
"How…how did you discover this?"
"Let's just say I managed to sway the truth out of someone who owed me a favor." Knowing the state she was in, Cal decided to wait until tomorrow to tell her the truth about Ralph and the arrival of Lucas and the others.
"Why…why didn't she tell me?"
"I don't know." Cal said angrily. "But Jill and I are going to have a very long talk about it. Look I don't know what's going to happen now. But I think it's about time you stopped living in the past and try find a way to move on. You don't need Villkiss to prove that. I've seen you do great things on your own without it. I practically wouldn't be here if you hadn't grilled my ass during training instead of trying to get in my pants like Zola and almost everyone here."
Even in her broken state Salia couldn't help but laugh. 'You fool. You always know what to say when any of us are down.' She thought, feeling guilty she couldn't do the same for him. Nobody could as she deeply missed the brave eccentric boy she once knew compared to the hard and jaded man he had turned into.
"You won't be in this place long, I promise." Cal said as he finally stood up. "But first I need I to put things right before Libertus begins, starting with the Commander." Without thinking, before Cal could leave, Salia's arms reached through the bars of her cell and wrapped around his abdomen. She wanted him to stay. She had so much more she wanted to tell him but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Cal allowed her to hold him for a little while and even kissed her hand when she reluctantly let him go before he left without another word. Salia slumped back on her bunk and pulled the sheet over her head. She had hoped with all her heart that maybe if she had become Villkiss's pilot that Cal's heart would be an open book to her like it was with Naomi. But now with all her hopes and dreams shattered, she had no more answers or a way to change that. 'I just wish you could see me like you did her.' Salia hugged her legs to her chest as tears spilled from her eyes. 'I love you Cal.'
"Phew that was a close one." Frenzy whistled.
"You worry too much. The worse than can happen is Granny giving us a wallop with the death stick. So long as we leave money for it she won't care." Vivian grinned stuffing a whole brownie in her mouth. She and Frenzy had just made a narrow escape from their little heist, managing to get away undetected as a whole group of security unexpectedly arrived to patrol the upper hanger. "I just hope this helps cheer big bro up."
"Yeah…I'll be sure to give these eclairs to Cal when I see him." Frenzy promised with a blush and scratched his chin to avoid Vivian's notice. They finally came to the hallway that led to her and Miranda's room and Vivian gave Frenzy a playful punch in the arm. "Thanks for the help, dude. I always knew not all you humans were that bad."
"My…pleasure…" Frenzy breathed painfully, looking as though Vivian had broken his arm.
"Aw man. This place is a wreck." Vivian groaned as she entered her room. The shockwave of the red unit's attack had caused the doorway to crumble into a pile of rubble and left a gaping hole in the wall. Inside, dressers and shelves had toppled over; spilling Miranda's puddings stash and Vivian's Perolina collection all around the floor. Thankfully Vivian's hammock was still hanging but Miranda's bed had collapsed due to falling rubble. 'Guess my roomie must be bunking elsewhere.' She concluded. To Vivian's dismay her special jar that held her lollipops were shattered all over the floor. They were a present from Maggie as she had told Vivian since she was very small that the lollipops were a committable alternative to weekly vitamin deficiency injections. Too tired and exhausted to clean up Vivian climbed into her hammock and made a mental note to get more suckers from Maggie tomorrow. Her mind shifted towards leaving Arzenal for good and exploring new places and meeting these other humans that liked Norma. Finally drifting off to sleep, she grinned to herself in her dreams. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
Alone in her quarters Jill continued to look over the altered diagrams of Arzenal, pleased with Cal and Lucas' plan of action regarding traps for the NMB's soldiers. But the warning Cal had given troubled her to the core. 'How did he find out about Villkiss' second key?' Suddenly, there came a loud knock at the door but before she could answer in came Maggie who looked surprisingly concerned. "Commander, we've got another issue at hand." She gasped
"What now?" Jill groaned.
"The lab and all its samples, they've been destroyed." Jill eyes widened in alarm. This could not happen at a worse time.
"How long do you think we have?"
"I'm not sure." Maggie answered. "But if we can't find a way to stop it before…maybe we should let Cal in on this."
"No!" Jill snapped making Maggie flinch. "No one, not even Cal can know what we're truly fighting against. I'll be sure to keep him out of the way if anything should happen." Maggie looked frightened but knew it was for the best.
"Donnie come on this doesn't feel safe."
"Don't be such a wuss. There's so much to explore on the other side."
Sweat beaded from Dutch's brow trying to not look down the steep slope below as he followed Donnie across a narrow ledge along the mountain. One slip could be the end of either of them, but Donnie pushed Dutch on until they reached the other side.
"See, told you should take more risk. The girls love a rebel."
"If you say so." Dutch said relieved. On the other side of the mountain the forest was significantly different with many open fields and hills. Further into their hike the two brothers spotted a large two-level cabin set upon a tall hill that offered a great view of the valley.
"Guy must know his stuff to build something like that." Donnie commented but Dutch seemed to be spaced out in his usual gloom state. "Aw chin up man." Donnie tried to encourage him. "Things will turn around one day I'm sure of it."
"I'm already coming to the end of my first year in high school and yet nothing changes. I'm still that same loser who's no good at everything I try."
"That is an understatement of the century." Came a surly smug voice from the trees. They both jumped as a tall handsome and well-built blonde teenager emerged into sight. It was Tomoo, eldest son to the famous Onizuka family who founded the 'Mana Tech Byte Corp.' He was the most popular student of Fukai High School andDutch's main tormentor. "It doesn't matter how much trash tries to be something it's not, it still belongs in the trash." Two more large boys appeared who Dutch recognized as Tomoo's lap dogs.
"Come on Dutch let's get out of here." Donnie tugged at his brother's sleeve.
"You best do what your little brother says." Tomoo smirked. "I've invited our class to a party tonight and I don't want my guests to smell horse shit around my dad's cabin." At these cruel words Dutch seem to sag against a tree. It was one thing to be humiliated in school but another to look so low in front of family.
"Leave him alone!" Donnie warned and stepped up to Tomoo despite being a head shorter. "What's he ever done to you?"
"He exists," said Tomoo, answered. "What other reason do I need?"
"You think you're funny." said Donnie coldly. "But your just an arrogant, scared, insecure, asshole. And by the way, the only one who smells of shit is you with your head so far up your own ass." They glared at each other for a moment and before Dutch could stop it, Donnie was hanging upside down as Tommo used his Mana to grab Donnie's belt and yank it off before wrapping it around his ankles and lifting him into the air.
"HEY!" Without thinking Dutch charged but was tripped by one of Tomoo's friend's. He faceplanted onto the ground and before he could get back up, was held down by the two cronies.
"I think this one needs to be taught a lesson in manners." Tomoo gloated to his two friends who guffawed with laughter.
"Get…off…him!" Dutch growled; the side of his head pressed into the dirt.
"Should have just minded your own business." Tamoo sneered at Donnie as he cracked his knuckles. "I've been meaning to get a new punching bag."
"I SAID GET OFF HIM!" In a blinding rage he kicked up a face full of dirt into Tamoo's friends with his Mana, distracting them just enough for him to break free. He tackled Tamoo and Donnie slumped to the ground. With his tormentor stunned and seeing nothing but red, Dutch, snatched a nearby rock from the ground and began hammering at Tamoo's skull.
"DUTCH STOP!" Donnie screamed.
The sounds of his brother's scream caused Dutch's eyes to snap open. His surroundings were enveloped in total darkness and the smell of dirt and blood filled his nostrils. Soaked to the bone, Dutch took in full gulps of air he raised a shaking hand that lit with the green light of Mana and looked up to see he had tumbled all the way down the mountain slope to land in a small creek. As he pulled himself to his feet, Dutch immediately noticed that something felt off. There was not one ounce of pain anywhere around his body. He looked down at his torn blood-stained poncho where the bear had raked him, and to his utter amazement saw that what should have been long deep gashes were dark ragged scars. His wounds had already healed. And without the conscientious use of Mana.
'How? How is this possible?' As if in answer, something nudged his side from within his coat pocket and he reached into to pull out the bottle of Dracnium pills. The small crystals gleamed in the dark from his lit green hand as though calling him to swallow them, offering him even more power. Suddenly, he heard it once again. The deep snarl, the booming footsteps coming from the brush. This time Dutch instinctively raised a Mana shield just in time as the bear charged out of the darkness. It leaped at him, its large front paws stomping upon Dutch's Mana shield and forcing him backwards against a tree. He reached out for his pistol but found it missing from its holster from the fall. The 8-foot beast meanwhile continued its assault. The Mana shield held but without a weapon all Dutch could do was cower.
'No! Not like this!' Dutch refused to go out now. 'Not when I'm so close to the truth!' Bracing himself Dutch did the only thing he could and popped the bottle lid, downing three of the Dracunium pills in one gulp as the bear charged a final time. Once again, the same jolting burn pulsed through Dutch's veins once again but stronger than before. His muscles began to suddenly tense as though swelling up and, in that moment, something unknown and terrifyingly strong rose from the deepest crevasses of Dutch's body and as the bear recoiled from its impact of his shield, Dutch dropped it and went on the attack. His movements were so fast it was as if the bear were moving in slow motion. One hand seized the bear's throat and dug its fingers into the fur and flesh underneath, eliciting a howl of surprise and pain as the massive animal found itself overpowered by its smaller prey. It pulled both paws back to try and swat Dutch away, but Dutch thrust his free hand forward as the new scaly creature within his skin exploded. A tremendous deafening roar erupted from his lungs that sounded not human and more ferocious and monstrous than the bear as a ball of flaming green energy shot from his palm with the force of a cannon. The overwhelming force hurtled the bear 10 feet into the air, and it landed with a thunderous crash right at Dutch's feet. The blast had gouged out a hole in its torso the size of Dutch's head; the charred cauterized edges flickering with green flames that faded to bright orange and yellow.
Gasping from the fading adrenaline, Dutch stared wide eyed at his hands, the cuff of his right sleeve singed and torn from the surprise blast he had unleashed. As his hyperventilating breaths steadied along with his banging heart, he gazed down at the bottle of pills he had dropped and picked them up. He had never done anything like that before. Not even with Master Embryo's enhancements. And as the possibilities spread before him, a triumphant grin spread across his face.
'I don't care how many of these I have to take.' He vowed. 'Even if it turns me into a monster or an abomination. I will not let anyone stand in my way ever again.' He would continue to climb the ladder until he finally reached the top and his dreams and promises he had made to his brother were fulfilled.
TO BE CONTINUED…
ARTHOR'S NOTES
Apologies for the longer wait with the updated chapters, I had a slight error with my laptop and lost a few of my files, but now I've got everything sorted and trying to stay ahead so you guy's get a consistent new chapter monthly.
I thought just for the fun of it and because a few of you have asked in my private messages to do 2 separate top 15 strongest characters list, in hand-to-hand combat, and Para-mail combat both OC and cannon characters in my fanfic. Enjoy. (Some characters a tied in some places). This list will be done again at later points in the story, but this current list is for this current point in the story.
TOP 15 STRONGEST CHARACTERS
Dutch/ Lucas
Jadis
Jill
Jacob
Scarlett/ Zola
Cal/ Tusk
Ersha
Lucia
Brawl/ Jeffry
Hilda
Ange
Ralph
Salia
Finn
Vivian
TOP 15 STRONGEST PARA-MAIL RIDERS
Embryo
Blackadder
Salamandinay
Ange/ Cal
Dutch
Jacob/ Lucas
Jadis
Salia / Scarlett
Hilda
Vivian
Naga/ Kaname
Ersha
Rosalie
Irma/ Tanya
Chris
