Operation Overdrive: Obscured Fate!
Chapter 12: A Roar of Pure Anguish...
~~?~~
A woman sat inside a Japanese structured building on her knees with perfect posture. Her hands were neatly on her lap as she remained still on a cushion with her eyes closed.
Her Kimono with the split, revealed one of her legs in her position, but it hardly bothered her. The darkness in the room concealed most of her facial features as if to hide the true monster in the shadows.
A tight bun with decorative chopsticks in her hair stuck out in the dark, for small gems glinted beautiful green light. Elegant long sleeves hid most of her hands, save for something metallic that barely peeked past the hem around her knuckles.
"So..." She began with authority, low and cold. "You sent how many... Of my soldiers after that monster?" The silhouette of her head barely perked when she asked, but it was easy to tell that she was not pleased. The tone she had was that of a disappointed mother who had high expectations of their child.
"Six." The Elite in crimson, was across from her on his knees. His nose was to the tatami mats and his hands flat, to show respect and submission.
"Six... Of my dearest children." Began the mysterious woman, as she remained still and authoritative. Her unfaltering resolve stayed firm before the Elite, as though she could slit his throat in mere seconds. "You have sent six, after a monstrosity that can potentially eliminate armies? All because of your cowardice and inability to do your job,properly." There was an underlying anger behind her voice. Venom, displeasure, over the thought of it all.
"Please, forgive me... Lady Nightshade - Sensei." The Elite replied with a subtle shift of fear in his tone and a clench of his fists. "She cut off my wrist. I had to hurry home and retrieve a prosthetic to replace it, so I may fight her once more." Not once did he lift his head. It was as if he was trained to keep his head low, in fear of getting decapitated.
"And in doing so... You risked having thatthingfollow you." As she spoke in her Japanese-to-English accent, faint shimmers of light weaved through the air around them when one of her fingers twitched.
Only silence welcomed anticipation. The Elite began to shake, visible fear riddled his body when he hadn't moved from her words. However, the mysterious woman known as Nightshade, crawled across the tatami mats and used a hand to carefully lift his face so he'd look at her.
When he did, a pair of cold, dark eyes peered through the shadows and stared grudgingly into his green ones. "When I send someone out to take care of a target... I expect them to do so without fear and hesitation. The slightest miscalculation could cost you." There was no kindness on her face, only a stone-cold killer and an authoritative mother with too high of expectations. "Should anyone I send out to do as I demand,complete their task and return in one piece – then they will continue to receive my motherly love. I give my children second chances... Now take yours and kill the monster. Or I... Will make sure you cease to exist." With that, she stood with perfect posture and elegance.
Her hands soon neatly tucked into the opposite sleeves to hide the glinting metal beneath, and strode past the quivering Elite without a sound in her wake.
~~Hyne~~
These pieces of sh-Before Iseldur could so much as swear, Six footsoldiers closed in slowly like predators to prey. Blocking every potential hole that the goth could escape from. "Kid – when I tell you to duck or move your a, you had better do it. I want you to forget everything you've seen today after this, got it?" She wasn't afraid of being outnumbered, no, she was afraid of Tray getting hurt. A kid in her hands made it more difficult since she had to watch them and fight at the same time. The idea of them getting hurt in all of this worsened her anxiety.
"D- Don't worry about me. Trust me, I have my secrets too." She heard it. The hesitance in their voice told her that they were reluctant to so much as mention that bit, in fear of knowing her reaction.
"Whatever! Just don't get in my way and stay out of the fight!" Roared the goth as she charged at one of the soldiers. Into the air, she leaped, avoiding a leg sweep from one and wrapping her legs around the neck of another.
I'll have to cover this entire alley in ice to keep them from using their electricity on me!Her quick thoughts were all it took to decide on using her Nerve Slics. Two dim-colored blue Slics slipped from beneath her tank top and smacked onto the ground. As soon as they did, it glowed icy blue, jerked her into the air, and covered half of the alley behind her in thick layers of ice.
She shifted her weight in mid-air with the soldier between her thighs, horizontally whirling and tossing them into another footsoldier who slipped on the ice.
Landing like a cat on all fours, she pressed her stomach against the ground when another soldier high-jumped and kicked. They flew past her, kicking the other two by mistake.
This time, she stood up and eyed each one, including the three she managed to avoid and get back to their feet. Slow, deep breaths helped calm her mind and sharpen her focus. Once she closed her eyes and drowned out all of the distractions, all six Nerve Slics slipped out from under her skin near her spine and rested on the surface behind her feet.
"Monsters... Only breed more monsters..." She whispered to herself and was unaware that Tray overheard. The moment her hidden eyes snapped open, they glowed through the visor and her tendrils did the same.
They're just my old master's puppets with no real Will of their own. So, they're walking corpses... Zombies. I'll have to send them to their graves.A brief thought occurred before she saw them all lunge at her at once.
It was as if time slowed to her. She noted all six of the footsoldiers' locations with quick movements of her heterochromia eyes before she turned to face Tray and hunched over. Three crimson Slics grasped three soldiers by their necks and the moment the other three managed to strike her, she whipped her form around and used her captives as a weapon.
Parkouring between the exterior walls, she spun her leg out and sliced one of the three soldier's necks open with the blade in her heel. However, the heat from her fiery Slics caused the heads of her captives to explode from the sheer pressure. Blood covered the middle of the alley and her entire backside.
"AH!" Through a nasty scream, Iseldur slid across the icy part of the alley, swiped the blade on her heel across one of the soldier's shins, and rolled out of the way when another brought down their blade.
The pained cry from the one she cut, didn't go unnoticed. However, she immediately got back to her feet and back-flipped a few times to avoid a couple of cherry bombs that barely grazed her face.
One of her icy Slics stabbed the frosted ground and broke a chunk so it could lift it high above her head. The three remaining soldiers spread out and pulled out their blades, carefully watching her this time instead of jumping at her at once.
Her two other icy Slics repeated the method, tearing a chunk from the thick layers around her feet. Her three fiery Slics reached out behind her and grabbed a metal pipe, and a metal trash can, and ripped an air conditioner from its slot. It was almost an instant when the metal she plucked from their spots had heated up to the point of glowing bright molting yellow.
Eventually, they became hot enough and caught on fire. She knew that it was scaring them. The goth saw them hesitantly walk backward with a lift of their metal and glance at each other nervously.
Not another moment was spared, what she picked up to use as her weapons were quickly turned into projectiles when they were chucked past her. The sound of whipping cords echoed when her Slics moved at incredible speed, but the projectiles weren't enough to scare them away.
No. They laughed and used their blades to slice through them. Iseldur was too zoned into wanting to kill them, that she hadn't noticed a peculiar shaded figure near two others atop one of the buildings.
The goth went into a full sprint, going head-to-head without another word.There's no point in speaking to the dead when the dead can't talk.A brief saddened thought crossed her mind.
A swing from one soldier was deflected when she used her wrist to block and twist her hand around to catch their limb. With a nasty crunch, their hand was snapped, before she whirled, pressed her backside against their chest, gave them a headbutt, and lifted her foot to stomp on the chest of another.
The blade in her heel was just deep enough to stab their heart, resulting in a killing blow. One of her Icy Slics wrapped around the soldier behind her freezing them in thick ice, before she let go and raced after the last one.
However, the moment she was about to perform a fatal strike, a wire cut off their head and caused the fresh corpse to fall into a bloodied mess. Iseldur immediately stopped, gasping for a second, and looked up at the building to see.She's... She's...Iseldur couldn't think straight, the sight before her took her breath away.
There, standing across the gap from - who she recognized as Kamdor and Miratrix on the other building, was her old master. The same, cold eyes when she was small, are now staring down at her with distaste and judgment.
Clad in thick, black Assassin gear, with lengthy sleeves that hid half the top of her hands. Tassets around her waist, a rubber, flexible suit that she could see beneath the black outfit that shined like leather, and a leather mask over her nose and mouth. Blood-red thorny vine patterns decorated her sleeves and top. The armor over her torso, shoulders, and the armored Tassets sparked with electricity on occasion, insinuating that she planned on leaving after giving a speech.
"Iseldur Hyne." For a moment, she saw the woman's gaze flick to Tray with just as much distaste as ever, before they returned to her. "You will fail. Your poor attempt to find me will only bring death. What was it you always used to say?" Her emotionless question was about to be answered when the goth opened her lips to speak, but a simple movement of the woman's fingers sent a streak of silver across Hyne's face.
It surprised her enough to freeze her in place, especially when the Visor she wore was cut in half and fell off. "Corpses aren't supposed to walk? Or... Zombies should be put back into their graves?" Heterochromia eyes watched in traumatic fear when she saw the woman's brow lift. "You... Are a Corpse to me. A monster who needs slaying. But I'd much rather not dirty my hands. I'll send a bloodhound after you instead. AZombiedog out for blood upon my order," she added and within a flash of lightning, the woman had vanished. What was left behind was a swift thwack and a blue light in her wake.
Thunder began to rumble across the sky as rain began to patter against the surroundings, the goth wasn't aware that it was going to rain. She didn't care if she was going to be drenched in a few minutes either. Her eyes slowly lowered as disbelief kept her eyes wide and her black lips apart.
"Iseldur?" Tray's worried voice chimed in. She could hear their shoes crunch across the ice, but again she didn't care.
Her limbs began to shake, tears silently trickled down her cheeks and ruined her gothic makeup. Quivering breaths left her lips as she recalled her memories of the woman. The stab she received close to her heart that almost killed her and the strict discipline she had to go through.
Everything from her past, up to now, flooded her mind. Relentless tears blended in with the falling rain as she gradually raised her hands to grasp the sides of her head. Not even the sound of the Power Rangers' vehicles stopping nearby and getting out to see what was going on, had brought her back to reality.
But the moment when Tray attempted to get a bit closer with an outstretched hand, Iseldur slapped her Nerve Slics hard on the ground and let out a powerful scream. One from sheer pain, raw anger, and deafening that it took some of her audience by surprise.
The Slics had cast out ice and fire simultaneously, creating an intense, spherical explosion that threw everything in its way harshly against buildings and close to the Rangers' feet.
Why?A faint whisper echoed in her mind as she continuously slammed her Slics around her and dropped to her knees. Not once did she let go of her head, until, she bolted away from the scene and left everyone behind.Why?Anguish clouded her mind and heart when Hyne subconsciously questioned.Why me?
~~Mack~~
Rain was the only thing breaking the quiet atmosphere. He and his friends couldn't believe what they saw. The famous singer whom they knew was the Assassin with the Stake, turned the alley's entrance into utter ruin.
No one said anything, not even Kamdor and Miratrix who he spotted atop one of the two buildings. He saw pure emotional pain on her face and heard it in her scream, which he was sure everyone else noticed too.
"Mack." Ronny's voice broke him out of the astonished daze he fell into and looked at the blonde who stared at him with concern. "Someone needs to go after her... She's... In pain. We felt it –Ifelt it." Her gaze was almost pleading and with a hand touching his shoulder, he could tell she was asking him to do it.
"You don't have to tell me twice..." The boy began in nearly a whisper. "We helped Tyzonn - so we can help her too." A firm nod with a serious expression was given to her and just before he ran to one of the vehicles, someone's voice reached them.
"Take me with you!" Everyone's heads looked to a kid in all green when they watched them catch up and stand in front of the Red Ranger. "Please. I'm a part of her band and she's the singer of our group. I want to help her too," they added softly.
More silence befell them and lasted roughly an entire minute, glancing at each other skeptically. "Alright. Come on!" Mack approved after a short decisive moment and waved for them to follow after he ran to the vehicle. The Red Ranger didn't have to look behind him to know they did as he said. Once he hopped into the driver's seat, he saw the kid in green strap themselves in and look through the windshield.
He did too, now watching the duo on top of the building who were doing the same. "What – not going to attack us this time?" Yelling across the distance, he and the other Rangers watched the two shift their weight.
"No! It's a waste of time and energy! We got more important things to do!" After Kamdor spouted angrily over the sound of the rain, he and his partner leaped into the air and disappeared.
~~Tray~~
After Mack took the vehicle and drove after Iseldur, Tray watched her drive her motorcycle past others on the road who were caught by a red light.
Mack was doing everything he could to keep up, by cutting corners and past other vehicles. The kid, however, was determined to try and help her. Seeing her cry, hearing her scream from anguish, and grasping her head the way she did put Tray into... Well - Overdrive. (pun intended :D)
Iseldur... Why won't you let anyone in? You're in pain! You're hurting and you still don't want to let anyone ease it? I have to do something.A brief thought crossed their mind when their lips tightened into a frown and clenched their fists.All I'll be able to do is be her support somehow, but even then - I don't know if she'll let me. I've only known her for a couple of months.Watching the goth swerve around a crossing citizen who screamed from surprise, Tray pondered with visible worry on their face.
"Hey – you know her?" The kid heard Mack's question over the harsh wind against the vehicle and the rev of the engine.
When they looked at him, a nervous nod was their response before their brown eyes returned to the speeding goth. "Yeah. Only for two months though. But I can tell she's suffering..." They began and reached into their pocket to grasp something before continuing. "I believe she's just... Afraid to let others help her. But what I don't understand is – what is she afraid of?" Had Tray known that Mack's expression went from confused to strict determination, they would've tried to say something to ease the tension.
But the situation itself was too serious to ignore. The fact remained – that there was a woman in distress and was too afraid to let someone get close.She's almost like a wounded, cornered animal ready to snap at anyone who gets too close.They thought with unfaltering concern.
Suddenly, images of a bleeding dog whimpering and sitting in a corner came to their mind. Growling at every person who was daring enough to get close, but would run away each time the dog would snap their strong jaws and bark. Shaking like a leaf and glaring dangerously at every passerby.
It was painful to envision Iseldur as the dog, comparing her to a wounded animal on the street that people were too afraid to go near. It made Tray's heart clench, a tinge of sadness wrapping around them like a tight string.
"I... I think we should sit by and see if she'll come to us on her own." The green kid suggested, looked at Mack, and saw him lift a confused brow.
"Why? She clearly needs our help! I don't think she will." The Red Ranger turned the vehicle sharply around a corner and did his best to keep up with Iseldur's speed, but the bike was still much faster.
"Please? Just trust me! She's like a wounded animal! Think about it!" They were just as adamant as Mack was. Seeing him do a double-take between them and the goth before sighing, showed how reluctant he was.
"Alright. I'll trust you. We'll head back to my Dad and see what he says about this." With that, the vehicle changed lanes and did a U-turn to change directions.
"Thanks!" A bright smile replaced Tray's tight frown for a moment before it returned.I just hope my idea works...Pondering briefly, they shifted in their seat and watched the surroundings change along the road.
~~Iseldur~~
She couldn't get it out of her head. The traumatic past continued to resurface after seeing that woman's face again. Her head shook over and over despite speeding down the road as fast as her bike could go.
Her tears were relentless, her heart raced, she could feel a harsh pulse in her neck, and her faint whimpers worsened. The bike's helmet was open in the front to show her eyes that were red from crying. However, a little tune from her cellphone rang loud enough for her to hear over the engine.
When she slowed down and parked her bike on the side of a road, which was on the outskirts of the city, she pulled it out to check it. The second her screen lit up with a click, her manager's name was seen. "Charles..." She whispered to herself.
A much-needed deep breath to calm her nerves was the best course of action. Her breaths were still shaky when she inhaled and exhaled a few times. Gulping down her spit to prevent as much wobble in her voice as possible, she answered. "What is it?"
"Miss Hyne, how long are you going to keep me waiting? If this continues then your next debut will have to be at the same location as before. You and I know how hard it was the first time we set up the stage there." His professionalism rang true over the phone, which only caused her to heavily sigh in return.
"Yeah – yeah, just... Whatever! I tried to look for Northwind Acres! We'll just have to sing one of Cold Blaze's existing album songs. Then, sing the new one in the new location," Iseldur pinched between her brows and glanced at the Gas gauge on her bike, which was nearly empty.
"Alright, we can do that. However, the debut was moved to a closer date. Tomorrow to be exact. Text me the information on what song you're going to sing and please be mindful of its popularity compared to your other-" Before he could continue, Hyne snapped and cut him off.
"It's the Bloodbath Album, track three! Now – I need to go! I'm almost out of gas and I'm on the outskirts of San Angeles!" Her voice was still a bit wobbly but she managed to conceal it behind anger. It wasn't long after their short goodbye when she hung up and continued to drive.
It took her a few minutes until she finally came across a gas station. After paying for it and leaving, she wanted to get her mind off of things, so she turned on the radio to her motorcycle and connected its Bluetooth to her phone. Her phone was quickly removed from her trench coat so she could scroll through her music playlist.
Next, came the songAngel by Late Night Savior. The volume was cranked up as much as she could get it, considering the roar of her engine would only overrun the music. (It's one of her character themes! :D)
Once the goth left the parking lot, she drove faster and faster. At maximum speed through the lengthy road with no other vehicles to get in her way. Nothing was going to stop her from driving to her private Dojo. She needed to release some frustration, the pent-up rage inside somehow. Or, find a way to calm it down.
However, she swerved her bike sideways when she saw a group of lava Lizards and Moltor appear in the middle of the road to block her. Dual swords were in his hands when he took a stance to prove his resolve.
It was already two minutes into the song when she managed to slow her bike down and stop a few feet away from them. "What?" Straight and simple, albeit with venom behind her question.Greeeaat, just what I needed! A few as-before she could swear in her mind, Moltor pointed one of his blades at her and raised his voice.
"You! I saw what happened! You're coming with me!" His outburst and quick trek to close the distance between them hardly gave her enough time to get off of her bike or so much as react. Within mere seconds they vanished in a fiery teleportation, including her motorcycle that was almost done playing the song.