Happy Friday, new chapter time!
It was long after dark when Hit finally declared himself satisfied. And too exhausted to continue. Dyspo, not in much better shape, trudged across the field and collapsed at the assassin's feet.
"We're taking tomorrow off," the Pride Trooper said. "I don't give a shit what you say."
"I think it's already tomorrow." Hit dropped to the ground beside Dyspo.
"I'm just going to sleep out here."
"Go ahead, I'm not carrying you to bed."
"My bones hurt. And my bruises have bruises."
Hit couldn't say his condition was any better, he just cried about it considerably less.
Dyspo adjusted his position, which led to more groaning and complaining. "Did you really have to kick me in the tailbone? Really?"
"You've threatened to 'kick my ass' since I arrived. You deserved a taste of your own medicine."
"I threatened it, but I never actually did it!"
The assassin forced his aching body to its feet.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Dyspo demanded.
"Somewhere quieter."
The Pride Trooper dredged up the energy to stand. "Like hell you are."
"I spent a month sleeping rough. I'm not doing it again, especially if I have to endure your endless whining. Good night."
"Get back here and-"
A blinding light illuminated both of them. They froze in surprise like two raccoons discovered fighting in a garbage can.
"Do you have any idea what time it is? K'nsi and I have been trying to sleep for hours!" Cocotte shouted, focusing the flashlight beam on Hit and Dyspo in turn.
"We were just wrapping up," Dyspo muttered.
Hit averted his eyes. "Apologies."
"Go to bed! Both of you, right now!" the enraged Pride Trooper ordered.
"Okay, okay, stop blinding us and we will."
Cocotte clicked off the flashlight. She pointed toward the barracks as though Hit and Dyspo didn't know their way. Dyspo grumbled a few choice words but did as ordered. Hit walked beside him, eyes downcast.
A moment later, Cocotte flew past them. Once Dyspo was sure she was off to bed herself, he elbowed Hit. "She never specified we had to go to separate beds."
"If we're sleeping together, we're doing exactly that and nothing more," Hit replied.
"I wish I had the energy for anything else, but I totally agree. Time for some shut-eye."
"And a shower."
Hit expected Dyspo to complain, but the rabbit just nodded. "Especially you, make sure you wash all the spiders off before you come anywhere near me."
The assassin scoffed. "There was one spider, and the only reason it was in my coat was because you covered me in dirt."
"One spider that you felt. Did you check your pockets?"
"Sleep in your own bed if you're so concerned."
"You know what? I will."
Without another word, Dyspo veered off to his room. Hit made a point of not watching him go. The assassin retired to his own quarters and headed straight for the bathroom.
Hit hung his coat and then shucked off his boots and the top half of his bodysuit. He took a moment to examine himself in the small mirror above the sink. His exposed skin was a mottled mess of bruises and scrapes. If he looked closely, a few of the marks were in the distinct shape of the sole of a Pride Trooper's boot.
It wouldn't be a problem. Hit healed quickly. The bruising would be significantly faded by the end of the day. By tomorrow, whatever time Top intended to show up, the assassin would be a blank canvas.
Hit turned on the shower and gave it a minute to warm up. After stripping out of his remaining clothing, he stepped under the stream. The almost scalding heat was immaculate against his overworked muscles. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
Long past the point of being clean, Hit lingered in the shower. Part of it was simple pleasure, but part of it was knowing what was waiting for him on the other side of the door. The longer he stayed in the bathroom, the more amusing the result would eventually be.
Finally, so as not to drain all the hot water in the facility, Hit turned off the tap. Steam hung so heavy in the air that it was like stepping out of the shower and into the middle of a cloud. Hit was glad he'd had the foresight to stash his towel and fresh bodysuit in the storage space below the sink and away from the humidity. After drying and dressing, he opened the door.
"Finally! I was starting to worry you slipped in there and broke your hip."
Just as expected, Dyspo was sprawled out across Hit's bed. The rabbit was again wearing his fluffy bathrobe over a set of pajamas. Hit was pleasantly surprised; he had half-expected Dyspo to be naked.
"I thought you were sleeping in your own bed."
Dyspo shrugged. "I was gonna do that, but I think yours is a little comfier."
"Would you like to trade rooms?" Hit asked.
"Nah, all my stuff's already over there."
"You're the fastest man in the universe. How long would it take you to relocate? Unless my mattress isn't what really interests you."
The Pride Trooper grinned. "You got me."
Hit ambled over. "Make room."
By morning most of the pain and stiffness had faded from Hit's body. Judging from how soundly the rabbit lying across his chest was sleeping, Dyspo was probably feeling better too. Hit gently repositioned the Pride Trooper—who continued to snore on, unbothered—and slipped out of bed.
The sun was just breaching the horizon when Hit made his way outside. He had no intention of over-exerting himself, but doing nothing all day was not justifiable. There had to be a happy medium, a little light exercise Hit could engage in before everyone else woke up.
Like freezing a lake monster in time. It looked and sounded impressive and would be a good way to practice on a large, uncooperative target.
An hour later, Cocotte and K'nsi arrived to an amazing sight. Spot was in mid-charge, fangs bared, but as still as a photograph. Several birds had landed on him as though he was just another rock jutting out from the lake.
"I'll release him in a moment," the assassin standing on the shoreline said.
"We might want to step back first," Cocotte replied. K'nsi was way ahead of her. He peered out from behind a nearby tree. The female Pride Trooper decided to join him. Hit stayed right where he was, in the direct path of a pissed-off monster.
Hit relinquished his hold on time and Spot picked up where he left off. There was no stumble in the lake monster's gait, no confusion, no sign he'd been immobilized for nearly an hour. The birds that had been roosting on him took to the wing with terrified squawks.
"Maybe you should move!" K'nsi called from behind the tree.
Instead of following that sound advice, Hit extended one arm, his palm out and aimed at the charging creature.
"Is he going to blast Spot?!" the blue Pride Trooper screamed.
Cocotte and K'nsi scrambled out from their hiding spot and flew at Hit in tandem. Their faces bore equal looks of horror and rage, as would those of any pet parent seeing their baby in jeopardy.
Spot reached Hit a moment before K'nsi and Cocotte did. The lake monster lunged forward, his flippers powering him just as well on the muddy lake bottom as in open water. It appeared Spot had not forgotten his people-eating ways.
Just as it seemed carnage was imminent, Spot closed his mouth. Instead of trying to sink his carving-knife-sized teeth into Hit, the lake monster butted his nose against the assassin's raised hand.
"You've got him well trained," Hit said, patting the massive snout that bobbed in front of him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out one of Spot's favorite snacks. The lake monster happily accepted it before sloshing back into the water.
"Ah, that was cute," K'nsi said, forgetting he had been moments away from punching Hit in the head.
Cocotte considered sending her still-cocked fist into the assassin for the fright he'd given her. If not for the fact K'nsi was right and Hit was capable of untold acts of violence, she would have seen how he liked having a kidney tenderized.
"I'm sure Top will be impressed with your progress." Hit turned away from the lake and faced the Pride Troopers. "You've done remarkable work."
"Do you want to see a sneak preview?" K'nsi offered. "We could use your opinion on the pyrotechnics. It won't take long, I promise."
A show featuring fireworks and a lake monster that also wouldn't consume too much of his time? Hit had to agree. Especially after he'd nearly given both Pride Troopers an aneurysm with his little stunt. The assassin found the most comfortable nearby rock and settled down.
It quickly became apparent that the term "pyrotechnics" was used loosely. There were no massive airborne explosives, more like glorified confetti cannons powered by tiny fragments of K'nsi's threads.
"Everything we're using is biodegradable," Cocotte explained. "Justice for the environment is one of the Pride Troopers' main concerns."
"Cocotte's also trying to score brownie points with one of those botanists," Dyspo whispered none-too-subtly. It was still, luckily for him, a little too quiet for his fellow Pride Trooper to hear.
Hit glanced over and saw the rabbit was trying to usurp a little corner of his rock. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Until I woke up alone and un-cuddled."
"There are worse ways to be awoken."
"I'm assuming 'with you looming over the bed' is one of them?"
"If I can kill my target painlessly in their sleep, I will do so."
"Very comforting," Dyspo muttered.
Any further talk of murder-for-hire was suspended as K'nsi triggered another colorful blast. Dyspo whooped with excitement. "Do the green one next!"
As much as low-grade theatrics were the antithesis of everything Hit typically enjoyed, the assassin still found himself paying attention, taking mental notes, and preparing honest suggestions. Maybe it was because Dyspo's excitement really was that contagious. Or maybe there was a tiny spark of magic in watching someone ride a lake monster while amateur fireworks went off in the foreground.
Whatever the reason, Hit was content.
The rest of the day passed in a string of short sparring matches, meals, Dyspo begging Hit to freeze Spot again because he'd missed it, and Hit finally relenting so he'd get a moment's peace.
Just after dinner, Hit, accompanied by the three Pride Troopers, took a quick flight down to the lake. His pockets bulged with fresh fruits. For good measure the assassin had also tucked a bright yellow melon under his arm. Spot would never be able to resist such a spread.
Hit landed on the lake shore and scanned the waters. There was no immediate sign of Spot. Good thing Hit had come equipped with the best bait for attracting monsters.
The melon went first, Hit lobbing it with an overhead toss into the middle of the lake. It made a sizable splash and, once it surfaced, continued to produce ripples as it floated around.
It wasn't long before a dark shape rose up directly below the melon. Spot exploded to the surface, casting torrents of water in all directions as he snatched the fruit. Before the lake monster could sink again, Hit expertly threw him another treat.
Spot followed the trail of fruit until most of his body was above the waterline. Once the target was suitably close, Hit laid his snare. The lake monster's next lunge activated the trap and the whole incredible length of Spot became an instant statue.
"That is so freaky. No matter how many times I see, it just bad-tickles my brain," Dyspo said. He floated over to the immobile creature and waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Crazy."
"Satisfied?" Hit asked.
"Is it harder on something bigger or something stronger?" Dyspo asked, returning to the shoreline.
"Stronger. I mean no disrespect to Spot, but he's closer to a swamp rat than a Pride Trooper," Hit replied.
"Do you think you could freeze a giant meteor?"
Hit groaned at the sheer ridiculousness of the question. "I'd just destroy the meteor."
"But if you had to?"
"I don't know and I don't care. My concern with the technique isn't meteors."
It was with something much more powerful and dangerous than any chunk of space rock could ever hope to be. Not that Hit was going to share that with the class. There was no way around Dyspo knowing about Hit's burning desire for a rematch, but the fewer loose lips there were, the less likely Top would discover Hit's secret weapon beforehand.
"If there are no more questions—and if there are, I'm not answering them—I'll release Spot." Hit drew the last two fruits from his pockets and let time roll on.
Spot, again unperturbed by his experience, instantly took note of the snacks being offered to him. Before he could get to them, however, the fruit was sailing over his head. For such a large creature, Spot had a remarkably tight turning radius. His flippers were carrying him in pursuit of the flying fruit moments later.
"Thanks for doing that," Dyspo said once Spot had returned to his natural habitat.
"One more chance to practice," Hit replied.
"Sure, be practical about it."
"Being practical has gotten me this far."
"You call yourself practical, but you plan to-"
Hit cut Dyspo off with a sharp shake of his head.
"Do you really think K'nsi and Cocotte would run to Top and squeal?" Dyspo whispered. His teammates had moved farther down the shoreline and were almost certainly not going to hear a peep, but Hit's paranoia demanded satisfaction.
"Maliciously? No. Accidentally in a moment of excitement? Yes."
Dyspo laid a hand on Hit's shoulder. "Don't take this the wrong way, but did you ever think you're going kinda crazy over nothing? It's supposed to be friendly. The weight of the universe isn't riding on this fight. If your technique works and you win, great. If it doesn't and Top wins, so it goes. Don't stake your pride on an exhibition match."
The sudden tension under Dyspo's fingers made him suspect Hit disagreed. Heartily. The assassin's clenched fists and jaw set into a hard frown likewise pointed to a difference in opinions of the highest order.
"Listen. No matter what happens tomorrow, the past is the past. Beating Top doesn't change it, losing to Top doesn't change it, you both somehow punching each other out at the same time still doesn't change it. The Tournament of Power messed up everyone who was there. Probably even the villains and maniacs, whether they admit it or not. It's okay to feel like crap. It's okay to think you could've done more, or done something different. I've laid awake thinking the same things. But at the end of the day, you've got to accept it. Otherwise you should just go back to Rat Planet."
As far as Dyspo was concerned, it was the greatest speech of his life by a country mile, and even more impressive, he'd pulled it from thin air. With that in mind, he waited for Hit's response. And waited. And waited.
"I'm never going back to eating rats," Hit finally said.
"You bet your ass you're not!" Dyspo gave the assassin's shoulder an encouraging squeeze.
Despite his statement, Hit still looked like a man at war with himself. He might have progressed beyond exiled misery on a dead moon, but even the most powerful and rallying speech couldn't completely cure him. The assassin sighed. At least he had a safe place to stand while he worked on wrangling his demons.
"I know something nice that'll take your mind off things. Come on." Dyspo took the assassin's hand.
"I don't think it's wise to expend so much energy right now," Hit replied.
"How much energy does it take to watch the sunset? Or were you thinking of something else, you pervert?"
Hit stared at Dyspo in disbelief. Then he cracked a smile that quickly evolved into full-bodied laughter. The Pride Trooper joined him. They ended up leaning against each other, just short of howling with mirth.
Once they'd sobered up a bit, the pair made their way along the lake until they reached where K'nsi and Cocotte had settled to enjoy the view. Hit found a flat-topped rock that was large enough to accommodate himself and Dyspo and stepped aboard. The rabbit sidled down beside him.
Dyspo leaned over and rested his head on Hit's shoulder. The assassin hesitated for a moment, glancing at the other two Pride Troopers, before making his decision. He slung an arm around Dyspo's waist and pulled the rabbit flush against him.
"I love the sunsets on this planet. They're so colorful," Dyspo said.
"The company isn't bad either," Hit added.
"No, it isn't."
Thanks for reading!
And in a remarkable (for my procrastinating ass, at least) series of events, I've actually got the rest of this fic more-or-less written. Yay for small victories.