Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Let's Slaughter An Anime/Game/Whatever Beyond All Recognition! Yay! ❯ Chapter 8

Everything had been going so well. Now, all came to a standstill. Taser would not go to meetings, he would not answer questions, he would not give commands. He only haunted the hospital wing, unable to even see his little Rapidash after he pulled rank to set the best of the best to working on her. He'd caught up with the fleet footed creature far too late, and to discover only horror. She'd been so covered in blood…there was just so much of it…the images still drifted before his vision, and he shook his head, sinking his face into his hands. Radish told him not to dwell on things. But what of this? What did he do now? He didn't feel like going on…it just wasn't right…this wasn't fair, damn it! Why did everything and everyone he cares for have to be taken away from him?

"Stop it," came a disgusted voice. "If you care about her you'll actually take her advice and move on, whether she lives or dies. Selfish self pity is just that…selfish."

"What the hell do you know, Astra," he whispered, sinking into a chair, his wings arched over him as though to hide him from the world. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Radish is my friend," she shrugged, hiding her hands in her coat pockets and shaking back her hair briefly. "But I also came to see if Sorcha might be here. She's missing."

"The blonde?" he snorted, wrinkling his nose, "check the shopping district."

"I did," the Mewtwo growled, her eyes hardening. "She's not anywhere to be found, and believe me, I can find nearly anyone. I can't even feel her mind, and it has me worried. Especially after what's happened here."

There would be no reply. Taser sunk his face back into his hands and fell silent. He just didn't care. He knew some part of him wanted to…but it was buried deep under layers of grief and fear. Astra sighed and turned away with a soft flare of inky coat.

"Alright, Taser, I'll leave you alone," she muttered, "and I do hope Radish is alright. But I know where she is and what's happening to her, for good or ill. I can't say the same for Sorcha. If you see her…send someone to let me know."

Taser was still for a few long moments…then sighed, curling in on himself.

It would be three days before he was finally approached by a rather puzzled looking surgeon.

"Your friend is awake," he told the boy. Relief flashed over Taser in cool waves, and he sprang to his feet. "She keeps asking if she got the high score…"

"Radish…!" he laughed, shaking his head. A one track mind even after all this. With the man's guidance, he'd find his way to her room.

Radish's vision was bleary and overly bright. Shapes had no edges, and colors drifted freely into one another. Her chest hurt horribly, and it was difficult to draw breath. She did not remember much of anything, aside from a tearing pain, blood in her mouth, and sudden darkness. Where she was or just what had happened were both distant things. Taser.

No sooner had she thought that name than she caught a large blur of varied shades of blue in her tortured sight. It had to be…and she tested his name brokenly, smiling as best she could.

She could not see it of course, but Taser smiled back, settling beside her with a great sigh.

"Well?" he asked the doctor quietly.

"She should be alright, with rest. The wounds were serious but fairly clean, easily repairable with today's technology. The flash burned her retinas a bit, but that too will clear up."

"Did I…win?" Radish whispered. Her white skin was an unhealthy shade of pale grey, but there was light yet in her face. Stubborn little girl, she refused to die, or even be down for long. She couldn't quite bring herself to sit up, but he could tell she wanted to, and badly.

"As far as I'm concerned, you did," he murmured, brushing back that mussed mane of flame hued hair.

"I'm still going to the dance, you know," she warned softly, "Even if I have to wear a chunky dress to hide the scars."

"I don't know if you'll have to do that," Taser chuckled, "these are very good surgeons, they'll make it to where you'll hardly scar at all, I promise. Between them and the drugs, and you just being Radish, you'll be on your feet in mere weeks."

"Yeah," she smiled, closing her eyes and nestling back into the bedding. She did not open them again. Taser leaned over to kiss her cheek softly, getting back to his feet. He felt relieved, happy, but…almost ashamed. He felt as though he had failed her in some measure. He'd realized when this had happened that she was all he had…she was the only person who still harbored any real feeling for him, and despite his screw ups, she would continue to care about him…and this meant more to him than he could put into words. "Good night, Radish," he sighed, stepping quietly out.

Sorcha would be found at last, curled and nearly lifeless in some alley. She'd be rushed to the same hospital, where all attempts to wake her failed. The girl had inexplicably slipped into a deep coma. The blonde bore no wounds, no concussions, and there was no sign of poison, yet she remained all but lifeless. Astra, made even grimmer than usual by the fall of not one but two of her friends, would be there quickly to see to her immediately. This was all just too strange.

Radish was up by then, despite protests from Taser and doctors alike. She could not yet leave the hospital, but she refused to lay back down until she'd gotten to see the poor Ninetails.

"I don't understand, Astra, WHY won't she wake up?" Radish whimpered tearfully as she sat at the foot of Sorcha's bed, petting those sadly tangled tails.

"I'm not sure," Astra murmured, gazing intently at the girl's lifeless face. "And the doctors aren't either, which makes me wonder…"

"Wonder what?" Radish asked softly, combing through still another tail with her fingers. She didn't want Sorcha to wake up and find her precious tails in such disarray!

"Nothing," she sighed, settling into a nearby stool, her brows drawn in consternation. Something simply wasn't right here. She had to know…she just had to…those molten amethysts closed, body going still as she tentatively began to probe at the downed girl's mind.

Something was there.

And it was familiar.

The same signature that had marred Nai'ia's mind was here, in Sorcha's psyche, forcing her to remain sleeping. A hot, alien kind of rage began to well up inside Astra, fingers clenching at the hem of her coat. No, she had to calm down, or she could hurt Sorcha by pure accident. A few deep breaths then, and she began to probe at that darkness, trying to peel it away. It wasn't nearly as profound as the one she'd found in Nai'ia's mind…in fact, a few moments later, it had already begun to crack. It was so easy…too easy. A bit further now…and…it was gone.

"S…Sorcha?" Radish cried, blinking as the blonde's tails twitched in her lap. "Astra, I think she's waking up! She's waking up!!"

Astra opened her eyes, frowning. There was a definite feel to that shield she'd just shattered. An encoded sort of message meant for her and her alone. Most likely whoever had been puppeteering Nai'ia had sensed Astra's intrusion, and decided Sorcha would make a wonderful little messenger.

It had been a warning.

And that…made Astra even angrier.

"Sorcha! Sorcha!" Radish cried happily, moving up to the head of the bed to peer at her friend anxiously. Sorcha opened her eyes, blinking uncertainly at the world around her. "Sorcha?" Radish asked more softly, ears wilting. Something still didn't seem right.

"Give her time, Radish," Astra sighed, standing. "I have a feeling she's had a rough week. And why don't you get back in bed? I can't believe you're already standing up."

"That's what Taser said," she replied, making a face.

"Maybe Birdbrain's not so stupid after all." She chuckled, standing and pulling the blanket more securely over the waking…but oddly quiet Sorcha. Astra had removed the block keeping her asleep. She should be just fine…

But Sorcha would not be just fine. Radish continued to recover in leaps and bounds…while the Ninetails simply lay in bed, uninterested in anything or anyone. She ate only because she was told to, slept only when she absolutely had to, and hardly spoke at all. She showed no drive to get out of bed, but with nothing physically wrong with her, she was forced on her feet anyway once they needed the room for someone else. Radish, still wounded but with no further excuse to stay at the hospital, would help guide the nearly catatonic girl. She and Astra would try taking her to her old haunts…the beauty salon, the shopping district, the gym, the movie house…nothing would snap her out of it. Finally…desperate measures had to be taken.

"Did I tell you there's a dance next week, Sorcha?" Radish asked innocently as she sifted through a rack of dresses. Sorcha stood behind her, silent and indifferent. "It'll be a great opportunity for you to boy watch."

Nothing.

"Hnn…I'm not so sure about picking my own dress…I have such a hard time picking colors and patterns, you know me." Radish perused a pair of bright tangerine tights. Then reached for a pale pink and green checkered skirt…and a magenta, crushed velvet top with pink lace frills…and last but not least, a big, pinstriped bow. Then she flounced into the dressing room with the bundle. Sorcha….twitched.

"Ta daaa!" Radish beamed, popping back out moments later and striking a pose! Sorcha twitched again. "I think I'm going to buy it for the dance!" Radish giggled. That did it.

"OFF!!" Sorcha wailed, her eyes finally going wide in horror. "Take that thing OFF Radish!! Please for the love of mercy!"

"Sorcha!" Radish beamed, throwing her arms around the girl and hugging her as tight as she dared with her wounds. "You're alright!"

"Eeeeyaaah! Don't touch me until you take that abomination off!" Sorcha wrinkled her nose, shooing the relieved Rapidash away. "I'll pick something else for you, just please, please don't wear that!"

"Sorry Sorcha," Radish giggled, reassured that, at least for now, Sorcha was back to normal. "I had to use some shock therapy, you were starting to scare me!"

"I think," Sorcha turned up her nose, "I can do without THAT kind of shock…now scat!"

Radish disappeared into the dressing room again.

---

It had taken a concerted effort from Sorcha's more fashion forward (and well-connected) friends, but everything was in place. Strobes flared, colored lights danced and chased one another along floor and walls, smoke and bubbles drifted randomly from place to place, catching and diffusing the blinking rainbows. Serike had been pressed into DJ service, which he'd complained loudly about until assured that girls loved a great DJ…and that he'd be paid in kisses and refreshments…and at least one dance with Sorcha!

The idea of the dance had spread quickly and was met enthusiastically. Ship life could be boring, and without traditional schools to attend, there weren't many opportunities for large groups of kids to get together. There were far more teens in attendance than expected, plus a few chaperones…including, much to his chagrin, Cord's mother and father, who absolutely insisted on meeting his friends.

Astra wasn't terribly big on dancing, but Radish and Sorcha made it clear that inattendance was NOT an option. Sorcha'd done Astra's hair, pulling all but one side back into a femme fatale look adorned with black lacquered chopsticks. Astra'd insisted on her usual black, of course, and seemed satisfied enough with the long, oriental slip dress. Radish had come in simple, silver, knee length party dress with a high back to hide her still-healing injuries, while Sorcha herself had come in a candy-red, dangerously daring getup with high heels. Radish shuddered. She'd only settled for glossing her hooves, thank you. Taser, like most of the boys, hadn't bothered looking half as special as the girls did. Black dress pants and a button up shirt would do! Radish reached up and tugged at one of his ear tails, beaming.

"Aren't you going to ask me to dance?" she called over the din of chatter and thrum of bass.

"I'm sorry, I thought it was obvious!" he laughed, making a little bow. "Shall we?" Radish giggled and wiggled her fingers at Astra and Sorcha before taking his hand and tugging him out onto the floor. Sorcha sighed and gave Astra a critical look.

"Now how come WE don't have boyfriends?"

"Because I don't want one, and you have Serike." Astra replied, crossing her arms and looking out over the tumultuous crowd, light glancing off the both of them to splash them with intermittent colors.

"SERIKE?!" Sorcha wailed! "I don't want HIM, he's a jerk! And besides!" the Ninetails flipped her hair and fluffed her tails. "I can get any guy in here I want. You just watch!" and she would walk away, disappearing into the crowd. Astra smirked. Peace at last. And maybe she could duck out while they were busy…

"Astra.."

She turned, blinking. There was Cord, smiling. He'd actually bothered to comb back those colorless tresses into a short ponytail and was wearing…a shirt. An odd sight on the usually bare-chested boy.

"You look nice," she acceded reluctantly, raising a brow. "I didn't expect to find you here."

"Nor I you," he replied, grinning again. "Sorcha and Radish dragged you, didn't they?"

"And Serike, to a degree," she nodded, standing in brief silhouette as a strobe went off behind her. Cord noted in that moment that without that huge coat to hide her, Astra actually had curves. He shook his head. He couldn't think of her that way…could he?

"Well so long as we're here, we may as well play along, right?" he found himself saying.

"Huh?"

"I'm asking you to dance, Astra," he clarified, holding out his hand. The Mewtwo blinked those large, angular amethysts…then nodded, taking it.

Elsewhere in the ballroom, Nai'ia was drifting along the edges of the milling crowds, content that the darkness and mist would, essentially, hide her. She wasn't sure shy she'd bothered coming. She certainly wasn't here to have fun, and she generally avoided loud, crowded places…but lately, she had found herself restless, in part to her earlier discovery about Dawn. It just hit…far too close to home for her. She shuddered, finding a large speaker to hide behind, where she settled, hugging her knees. She kept seeing those large, sad eyes…and herself reflected in them. Her old self…back when she was that small…back when…when…NO! She clutched at her skull, whimpering…her mind, it was beginning to crack and fracture…

Hours had passed, and the music had slowed to let the couples dance alone. Radish, more tired than she normally would have been on account of her recent recovery, was cuddled into Taser as they moved lazily along the floor. He'd bowed his head over her, arms comfortable and careful about the little Rapidash. His cares as Captain had all but fled for this night, and he hadn't felt this relaxed since…well, he couldn't remember…

"Ouch!!" Radish cried suddenly, jerking back to alertness. Taser blinked and released her, fearing he'd hurt her. But her gaze was cast upwards, one hand to her bare shoulder. She'd felt this sensation before…back when Taser's father had been killed. "T-Taser…I think we should…"

Before she could finish, the pipes threading above began to creak and groan loudly, even over the din of the music, water beginning to fall to the dance floor in steady little streams. Dancers cried out in indignation and, in some cases, pain similar to Radish's as they moved away…then, all at once, there was a loud series of snaps, and water rushed down in fierce torrents, sending people screaming and running every which way. The music warbled and died abruptly as the DJ booth (Serike bailed rather quickly!) disappeared under the deluge, tables and chairs vanishing under swirls and eddies.

Taser was knocked back from the force, falling onto his back and looking up just in time to watch one of the large speakers totter forward and land painfully on one wing…then the water began to wash over him…

Radish was swept off in the crowd as they headed for the upper levels of the ballroom, packing the stairs and exits and making it difficult to move. Already the first story had all but disappeared under those dark waters. And where was Taser? She knew…she just knew…and she fought her way to the banister, pulling herself over it and jumping…when she was caught and pulled back onto the stairs.

"Radish DON'T!" Astra cried, pinning the smaller girl easily. "You'll be killed!"

"Taser's down there!" she protested tearfully, struggling with all her might. "TASER!"

"Stop it, you're going to open your wounds! Radish, STOP! Look!" she pointed out over the water…something was bubbling to the surface.

Out came one of the strangest looking men Radish had ever seen. His skin had sharp edges and angles where it shouldn't…even his eyes were angular in ways that just didn't look natural. But she wasn't so much interested in what he looked like, as what he was towing industriously through the water.

"Taser!!"

The strange man hoisted the soaked Articuno onto the base of the stairs, then dove back under the water to make sure nobody was left. Radish bolted through the crowd, kneeling beside the coughing boy.

"Taser are you alright?" she cried, taking his face in her hands. He looked up, smiling weakly.

"A little waterlogged, and I think my wing's a bit sore, but I'll live," he coughed out, pushing clinging strands of pale azure back from his face. "What about you?"

"I'm not hurt at all," she beamed, hugging him tightly. "Don't you everevereverscaremelikethatagain!!"

The odd looking man resurfaced and crawled out, apparently satisfied that all those who'd been trapped down there were rescued. Radish looked up, beaming.

"Thank you sir," she breathed, helping Taser to his feet. Those weird eyes blinked back at her, and he shrugged.

"It. Was. No. Problem. Young. Lady. Glad. To. Be. Of. Service." And then he was gone, moving up the stairs towards a rather attractive middle aged woman.

"Who was that?" Taser blinked in bewilderment.

"Cord's dad," Astra chuckled. "He's a Porygon." …as though that explained everything.

"We'll have to thank him later," Taser smiled, pulling Radish near. "Look, the water's already draining away…I don't think anyone was really hurt…with the exception of the flooding, this was a great night."

"Oh yes, we should do this every year," Astra rolled her eyes.

"You know," Taser chuckled, "That's not a bad idea."

"…"

Cord himself had suspected the source of the sudden deluge and had disappeared, searching. Sure enough, he found Nai'ia, huddled in a corner and trembling. He knelt with a sigh, scooping her up. She did not fight his touch. A bad sign, a very bad sign.

"Nai'ia…" he whispered worriedly. He had to get her out of here before that Dawson guy showed up. He'd heard rumors that he was leaving, but he didn't want to take chances. He came up with a quick plan…take Nai'ia to Astra's alcove and pretend as though they'd been there all night if anyone came looking… "I won't let them find you, Nai'ia…"

And he spirited her off before the others could find him.