Chapter 91: Rusalka:
Arashi's POV:
I was in the hanger with Liger.
"I'm glad we have friends here," I said, "they're like another family, but I still miss our home."
I couldn't tell, but I think Liger agreed with me. I still think about Planet Zi.
Then Sunset came in. "I hate to interrupt, but we got a job. Everyone else is on their way. We're going to Jack, Miko, and Raf's hometown."
. . .
We arrived in Jasper, Navada. That's where Jack, Miko, and Raf came from.
"Okay Team," says Jack, "we have a mission. We can't let anything distract us..."
"Jack? Miko? Raf?"
We turn around. Finally, we get to meet Sierra.
"Oh, hey," says Jack.
"Sierra, what up girl," says Miko.
"It's good to see you again," says Raf.
"Where have you guys been and who are your... friends?"
"I'm Steel!"
"Name's Marvin," says Roadblock.
I'm Arashi."
"Drake Lacum. A pleasure."
"Sunset."
"I'm Erika."
"Nigel Brightmore."
"They're friends from our new job," says Jack.
"What is your job again?"
Everyone paused.
"A robotics factory," says Steel, "I was made there. REALLY!"
"Must be pretty far, considering you guys left town... wait, I didn't think you knew anything about robotics."
"We know more than you think," says Miko, "hey, Jack, you and Sierra probably have some catching up to do."
"Miko, we have that thing," says Jack.
"The rest of us can handle it," says Miko.
"Well... okay then." Jack and Sierra walk off.
"You know, Wingspan eventually told me he was a Flex Fighter," says Erika.
"And that was ah foohlish jolly tadgah up," says Brightmore.
"Okay team," says Miko, "let's go find a... whatever we're dealing with."
. . .
Brightmore, Drake, and I checked out the hospital. We met Jack's Mom.
"Sorry, I haven't seen anything strange since the Autobots left," says Nurse Darby.
"Well, thanks for the help," I said. I then heard a strange song. I tried to ignore it.
Miko's POV:
Raf and I were showing Steel around the old Autobot base.
"This place is magnificent," says Steel.
"There's something Ratchet needed, but got broken," I said, "and there's another one... and another one... and... it happened alot."
"This bed was where Agent Fowler had to lay in after being tortured by Starscream," says Raf.
"And is this where you kept the artifacts," asks Steel.
"Yep," I said, "we had alot."
"We should probably look for the creature," says Raf.
"Right, that," I said.
Erika's POV:
Sunset, Roadblock, and I were checking KO Burger. That's where Jack worked before, he became an agent of Unit: E.
"You girls look around," says Roadblock, "I got something important to take care of."
Roadblock was ordering burgers.
Jack's POV:
Sierra and I were taking a walk.
"It's really good to see you again," says Sierra.
"Yeah, you too."
"Jack Darby," says a too familiar voice. "Where've ya been?"
"Hello Vince."
"So, you got another fancy car. It probably wouldn't beat me."
"I don't race anymore."
"Hey, I hear you got a new job, don't tell me, you're now the KO Burger Mascot!" Vince then starts laughing and Sierra and I walk away.
Arashi's POV:
We were walking, but then I heard that song again. I decided to follow it.
"Where are you going," asks Brightmore.
. . .
I followed the song to a pool. I saw a woman.
"Who are you," I asked.
"Someone who has been waiting for someone like you, my love."
"So, you know I'm thirteen, right?"
"Age is but a number. Come closer."
I don't know what's going on, but I started walking closer. I can't resist her. I... think... I think I love her. When I got closer...
"STOP!" Drake and Brightmore came, and Drake knocks me out.
. . .
I woke up and saw everyone looking at me. We were all back at the jet.
"What happened," I asked.
"You were under the Rusalka's spell," says Drake.
"Rusalka," I asked.
"Rusalkas ae fey creaTtues linked to particular lakes or rivers, who sing beguiling songs to lue companions to them. They ae possibly relaTted to siens, but unlike those pernicious creaTtues, a rusalka isn't necessaily cruel, simply lonely and self-inteested. They lue lovers to their bodies of waTter, and then impart the ability to live underwaTter to them. The tuo live together for a time befoe the rusalka ineviTtably withholds her gifts, forcing the air-breathing lover to flee."
"But I felt..."
"It was quiTte a spell. She was quiTte just looking for a daTte and decided to mesmeize someone."
"Besides," says Miko, "I thought you already had a girlfriend. What about Batalia?"
"Hey, she's just a friend!"
"We have to send her back," says Jack, "there's no telling what danger she could cause."
"How tough a fighter is she," asks Erika.
Rusalkas geneally don't engage in combat - they flee and can only strike weakly if pressed. However, they occasionally employ their song to lue aggressors to their own demise, drowning them or bringing them onto dangeous ice floes, or into the paths of moe dangeous creaTtues."
"Okay, then we have to be careful when she sings," says Jack, "and Arashi, you have to stay out of this."
. . .
Everyone was out looking for the Rusalka. I can't stop thinking about her. I know what they said, but... it has to be real. I know it is. I have to see her again. So, I snuck out.
. . .
I went back to the pool, but I didn't see her. I then took a closer look, and she grabbed me and kissed me. She then dunks my head underwater, but I can breathe.
"You now have the gift of the sea," she says.
"What is your name," I asked.
"Melova."
. . .
I returned to the jet, but I ran into the others.
"Hey guys," I said.
"Arashi What Ever Your Last Name Is," says Miko, "where have you been?"
"I was... nowhere."
"You were with the Rusalka," says Drake.
"Look, she gave me the ability to breathe underwater."
"And as cool as that sounds," says Steel, "she's brainwashed you!"
"Look, her story sounds alot like The Sirens," says Sunset, "and believe me, I know how bad they can be."
"I don't have to hear any of this. By the way, her name is Melova"
Jack's POV:
Sierra and I were walking when we ran into Vince again.
"I have to go," says Vince, "so out of my way!"
"Where are you off to," asks Sierra.
"I'm meeting the love of my life!"
Arashi's POV:
Later that night, I walked over to the pool, but I saw someone else there.
"Who's this," I asked.
"Who's this," the other guy asked.
"Arashi, this is Vince and Vince, this is Arashi."
"But I thought..."
"You both are my love."
"You can't love the both of us," says Vince, "you should pick me. I'm older than this guy!"
"Well, I suppose you can each prove yourself to me."
"How," asks Arashi.
"Bring me the Dungeon Master's Dice!"
"Wait, what," asks Vince.
I was already on my way and Vince followed me.
. . .
I ran back to the jet. Liger got in my way.
"Liger! Don't tell me you're worried about me too!" Liger blocks my path. "Sorry, Buddy, but I have to do this!" I managed to get past him. Vince showed up and freaked out when he saw Liger.
. . .
I snuck into the jet. Luckily for me, Drake forgot his dice, so I took them and ran.
Jack's POV:
Sierra and I were walking, but then we saw Arashi.
"Where's he going," asks Sierra.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."
Arashi's POV:
I was about to present the dice to Melova.
"Good," says Melova.
"No fair," says Vince.
"What do you need the dice for," I asked.
"So, I can take you and I back to my world."
"Really? Can I bring Liger?"
"What's a Liger?"
"Is that that big metal cat thing," asks Vince.
"Yeah. He's always by my side," I said.
"Oh... here's the thing... I don't really like cats."
"But Liger and me are a team."
"But now we can be a team. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to choose. Me or the... cat."
Leave Liger? I can't do that. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to say no."
"What?"
"You can still take me," says Vince.
"Sounds like the spell is broken," says Jack.
"Well, hello Handsome." Melova tries her song. Now that I'm back to my senses, I tried to stop her. I grabbed her arm, but she threw me off.
"She's mine," says Vince as he attacks Jack.
"Vince, she's got you under a spell," says Jack.
"You're both trying to steal her from me," says Vince. Jack then manages to push Vince off.
"I will not be rejected," says Melova.
"Why not," asks Sierra as she shows up, "I mean, can't you just move on?"
"You stay out of this! My song will make these boys mine!"
"But is it even real," asks Sierra. Melova then stops and thinks about what Sierra said. "I mean, how can you even call it love if they're your musical zombies."
"I... I just... you don't understand. I've been so lonely..."
"Why don't you try meeting someone and being yourself?"
"But... what if they can't love me?"
"Sure, you're... a little needy and you get mad when someone turns you down, but come on, you're beautiful. Isn't there someone you have had your eye on?"
"Well... there is Jack Frost."
"Wait, Jack Frost is from your world," I asked.
"Of course," Melova said, "but he'd never go for someone like me. He'd probably prefer another ice fey."
"It never hurts to try," says Sierra.
Melova then thinks about it. "Arashi, send me back."
I then rolled the dice and got a twelve. A portal comes and sucks in Melova. She blows us a kiss.
"NO," shouts Vince, "COME BACK TO ME!"
"Now that that's done," says Sierra, "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?"
. . .
Jack tells Sierra everything. He had to, after all. She just gave an interdimensional siren love advice.
"So, you're all secret agents now," asks Sierra.
"Pretty much," says Jack.
"How did you guys get this job," asks Sierra.
"Actually, there's someone that's been wanting to meet you," says Jack, "her name's Arcee."
"Oookaay... and there are magical creatures from another dimension and they're all on Earth?"
"That's right," says Drake, "and we have to round them up."
"Wow, this is weird."
"It's something we have to do," says Jack, "and now we have to return to base."
"Well, before you go..." Sierra then kisses Jack right on the lips.
"Hey, what about your waterpowers," asks Miko.
"I tried it, but I think I lost it," I said, "how's Vince doing?"
"MELOVA! I will never love another..." Vince then sees Sunset. "Hey there."
"Seems like he'll get over her," says Drake.
In the next chapter, Brightmore will have his final mission.