Pitch Black Fan Fiction ❯ Together Again ❯ Game Over ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Toby7
Disclaimer: I don’t own Pitch Black or its characters, but I
do own THIS story, the plot, and anything else you don’t
recognize like Elijah.

NOTE: I got most of the info from the book and movie. Other
stuff is made up

Non Anime: Pitch Black Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Romance / Sci-fi | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 01.08.2008 | Updated On: 01.08.2008 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.7K | Visits: 357 | Status: Work In Progress

CHAPTER FIVE
Rashad grinned in delight when his little invention worked. He had taken a large burning wick and placed it in the center of Paris' misting umbrella. When the cloud of alcohol blew over the wick, it burst into flame, creating a fireball.
Imam chained himself into the first harness of the sled. Beside him Johns fumbled with the second harness. Riddick came around to help with the chains. When Riddick had Johns locked in place, he looked up into Johns' face through his goggles. He grinned at the Merc when he saw that Johns recognized the irony of the prisoner chaining his captor.
“Keep the light going,” Fry announced to the group of crash survivors. “That's all we need to survive this.”
Suddenly a multi-colored spray of holiday lights turned on like a Christmas tree. It was Paris. He had wrapped himself in vintage Christmas lights powered by a belt pack battery.
((Ingenious…but pathetic.)) Fry thought. She looked at him. “Good. You're gonna need all the light you can get back there.”
“Back there?” Paris asked quietly.
“Yep. You're gonna be the tail-gunner.” Fry answered with a tight smile. “Thanks for volunteering.”
She looked to the front where Riddick and Elijah were talking quietly. Fry watched as Elijah reached out to adjust the hand light looped around Riddick's neck. She smiled slightly when Riddick did the same with Elijah's.
Their two lights shone like a beacon in the night. They looked up at Fry when she approached them.
“We'll be walkin' about ten paces ahead. I want the light on our backs not in our eyes.” He said turning his back to her. “And check your cuts. These things know our blood now.” He lifted his goggles up to rest on his forehead.
Fry glanced around and spotted Jack's face frozen with fright. She looked back at Riddick. “I was thinking we should make some kind of deal. Just in case, you know, this actually works.”
Riddick turned back around to look at Fry. “Had it with deals. Nobody's gonna fuckin' turn a murderer loose. Let alone TWO. I fuckin' know better.”
Fry's heart sped up at those words. ((If he doesn't expect for them to go free then why are they helping us?))
“Not many people have faith in me Carolyn.” Riddick lowered his voice slightly. “Not many people trust me either.” He grinned. “That's somethin' right there.”
“We can, can't we? Trust you, I mean?” Fry wondered.
Riddick's laugh caught everyone's attention. “Actually…that's what I've been asking myself.” He nodded at Elijah and they both turned and started walking off into the darkness.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Riddick's POV
Walking like this up front with Elijah, I feel almost free. Almost. My fine-tuned senses are acutely aware of the hungry creatures hovering near by just waiting for us to make a mistake.
“Think we'll make it?” Elijah asked me as we guided the others through the night.
“You and me? Yeah. We're not stayin' here. The others?” I shrugged slightly. “I don't plan on Johns makin' it out of here alive. One way or the other, Johns ain't comin' with us.”
Elijah grinned. (And then we'll be free…for a while at least.)
The group followed behind us like a lit up circus train. Imam and Johns pulled the sled with their hand lights sweeping the area around them, Rashad was on the left side of the sled carrying the first umbrella torch and over on the right side of the sled, Fry and Jack held a second torch—Paris pulled up the rear walking backwards and jabbing the third umbrella torch at every shadow.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Third Person POV
Fry was reassured by the Sand Cat's tracks underfoot. Riddick and Elijah were retracing their steps back to the skiff. But she couldn't help but feel unnerved by the sounds all around them.
They had gone a few more kilometers when Fry noticed that the Sand Cat tracks had vanished. She looked back up to see that Riddick and Elijah were nowhere in sight.
“So you noticed too, huh?”
Fry turned to see Johns' knowing smirk. She scanned the darkness ahead for their two guides. “Riddick?” She called anxiously. “Elijah?”
The caravan ground to a halt. Everyone sucked hard on their breathers trying to get air into their lungs.
Suddenly Riddick and Elijah emerged from the darkness.
“Why did we stop following the tracks?” Fry asked.
Riddick looked past her at the creatures gathering behind the group just outside the light. “Saw something I didn't like.”
“Such as?” Johns asked annoyed.
“Looked like a bunch of those bad boys chewing each other's gonads off.” Elijah smirked at him. “Thought we'd give it the swerve.”
The clicking sounds grew closer ending the discussion.
“Lets just go.” Fry said. She looked at Jack. “Just a detour.”
Jack shrugged in response. She trusted Riddick and Elijah. It was the others she was worried about.
Fry switched places with Paris when he asked and the group moved on.
Walking sideguard now, Paris actually started to relax somewhat. ((At least here there's only one exposed side.)) Unfortunately the clicking was never out of earshot.
Paris checked the alcohol bottle the umbrella wick was in. He was just about out. “I need another bottle.”
Jack moved to fetch a fresh bottle from the sled. Without thinking, she strayed away from Paris' fireball. The second she stepped into the shadow a screech pierced the darkness like an arrow.
The sound jolted Imam's instincts and he ducked out of his harness then dove for Jack. As Imam pulled her down, bony talons slashed like scythes and shattered his light.
Johns grabbed the shotgun from Fry and blasted the shadows above Jack and Imam. Rashad and Fry both shined their light at Imam and Jack trying to make sure the creatures stayed away.
On the other side of the sled, Paris found himself isolated. Without warning his torch went out. He still had the Christmas lights, but the smothering gloom made him anxious. As he moved towards the sled for a refill, he tripped over his own wires throwing himself in darkness. The Christmas lights had gone out.
A heavy object hit his leg and he reached down to touch his calf. His hand came back covered in blood.
Suddenly the clicking around the group stopped.
“CHRIST!” Paris shrieked. “GET SOME LIGHT OVER HERE!”
Fry whipped her light towards Paris' voice but couldn't locate him.
“OVER HERE!” Paris yelled. He tried crawling toward the sled but he wasn't going to make it. All around him the aliens tore at him ripping the flesh from his body. The light swept the ground a few feet in front of him. His throat was slashed open as he tried to call out again.
Fry caught a glimpse of a shredded leg before it was snatched away by a swooping blur.
Riddick and Elijah were the only ones who could still see Paris.
Then their night vision caught something even more threatening. A flock of predators were circling Jack. The creatures hovered intently, as if the girl radiated a powerful sent.
Fry turned to see Riddick moving closer, his gleaming eyes were fixed on Jack.
“What is it? What do you see Riddick?”
Riddick locked eyes with Elijah. “Hunger.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The rest of the crash survivors moved slowly across the thick darkness.
After what happened to Paris, Fry ditched the umbrella torch in favor of an industrial flare. At least she'd have more warning when it started to go out. She checked the remaining bottles on the sled. They were down to four.
Johns and Imam were back in the harness; Jack and Rashad on each side of the sled again, with Fry once more in the back.
Jack looked back at Fry. “Are we close?”
It was a good question. But only Riddick and Elijah knew the answer to that. They'd all been blindly following the two beams of light coming from Elijah and Riddick's backs.
“Can we pick up the pace?” Fry called out.
Johns bristled at her prodding. “Look, if you think you can do better—”
Imam's arm hit Johns in the chest to stop him.
“What?” Johns growled out in aggregation.
“Look.” Imam replied pointing to the ground.
Johns looked down to see a sled track waffled in the dirt. They'd been walking in circles.
Johns lifted his shotgun and flicked the laser sight on. The red beam found its mark on Riddick about ten paces ahead. He and Elijah had stopped, as if they were waiting for the rest of the group.
Riddick sensed the laser on his back. He could always count on Johns to do the expected. He heard the others coming closer, but neither he nor Elijah turned around.
“Never could go straight, huh?” Johns growled, behind him.
“Not with a male lover, no.” Elijah quipped turning around to face the others. He wasn't worried. He knew the two of them would make it off the planet. Riddick smiled slightly.
Johns scowled in his direction and opened his mouth to say something.
“Stay in the light. Everyone!” Imam interrupted.
Jack spoke up. “What's going on?” She asked Riddick.
“Listen.” Elijah said.
“We've crossed our own tracks.” Fry stated accusingly.
“Why have we circled? Are we lost?” Imam asked.
“Oh they ain't lost,” Johns smirked knowingly. “But I bet they'd LOVE to lose a few of us and still get those cells back to the—”
“LISTEN.” Elijah said insistently.
A chittering crackled up ahead through the darkness.
“Canyon ahead.” Riddick explained. “We circled to buy us some time…had to think.”
“I think we must go now!” Imam said.
“Dunno `bout that.” Elijah said softly.
“That's death row up there…especially with the girl bleedin'.” Riddick informed the group.
Johns gave Fry the once over. “What do you mean? She ain't cut.”
Riddick turned finally. “Not her…” He paused and looked at Jack. “Her.”
They all looked at the frightened Jack.
Johns stared at Jack for a second confused until he caught on. “You gotta be shittin' me.” Johns muttered shaking his head.
Fry walked over to Jack when she figured it out. “Are you really bleeding?”
Jack nodded. “You mighta left me there alone back at the ship. That's how come I didn't say anything.
((It's true.)) Fry thought alarmed. ((We would have.))
Imam and Johns exchanged worried glances.
“They been nose-open for her ever since we left,” Riddick said quietly. “They go by blood.”
Imam put an arm around Jack—who he now knew to be a girl. “We just keep her close then. She'll be safe if we just put her between—”
Riddick shook his head. “There is no SAFE here.”
As if to prove his statement, a howling chatter floated up from the canyon like a challenge.
“We gotta go back. We can't make it.” Fry said in a raspy voice.
Johns' expression turned into a twisted smirk. “Hey, this was YOU'RE idea and now you wanna go BACK?”
“I was wrong, I admit it.” Fry said, running a hand through her bangs. “My fault ok? Now, let's just go back to the ship.”
“I dunno Carolyn. Nice breeze, wide open spaces…I'm startin' to enjoy my self.” Johns pondered.
“Are you fuckin' high again Johns?” Fry asked quietly. “Just listen to yourself.”
“No, no, you were right Fry. What's to be afraid of? My life's meaningless anyway, so I say mush on.”
(Looks like this is it.) Elijah said to Riddick. His mate's response was to smirk and fold his arms across his chest.
“The canyon's only a couple hundred meters ahead and then it's skiff city.” Johns said, looking around at the others. He scowled at Fry. “So stuff a cork up that kid and get—”
Imam interrupted him, “she's the captain so we should just do what she says.”
(THIS is it.) Riddick said looking at a grinning Elijah. His white haired mate seemed to be enjoying the downfall of their group.
“Do what SHE says? HER?!” Johns looked at Imam in mock surprise. “When she was willing to sacrifice us all to save her own skin?”
Suddenly the breathers went silent. The only sounds were from the creatures and a giggle coming from Elijah.
Fry felt everyone's eyes on her.
“What's he talking about Fry?” Jack asked quietly.
Johns answered before Fry could open her mouth. “During the crash she…”
“This doesn't help us Johns.” Fry's voice rose over his.
“…tried to blow the whole fuckin' passenger cabin,” Johns finished staring Fry in the eyes. “Tried to kill us all…”
“Just shut up Johns.” Fry said lamely.
“Tried to ghost us in our sleep.” Johns said triumphantly.
“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Fry exclaimed and attacked him. Johns just pushed her aside with one hand and raised his shotgun with the other. Fry fell limply to the ground, her energy gone.
“How much do you weigh now Carolyn?” Johns asked smirking.
Imam stepped between them. “You've made your point.” He pushed Johns back a little.
Johns pulled out a flare and smacked the butt hard against Imam's chest. The monk stepped back quickly when the flare ignited.
“Verdict's in.” Johns yelled, lifting the flare. “The light moves forward.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Riddick POV
(That was fun.) Elijah's musical voice floated laughingly though my head.
I smirked slightly and glanced behind me. (This train of fools is shrinking fast.) I said to him. He laughed quietly.
Rashad had slipped into the harness next to Imam while Fry manned rear-point. There were no more side guards as Jack was made to walk in front of Imam and Rashad. Fry had hooked an umbrella torch on to the sled, but their circle of light had dimmed considerably.
I heard Johns coming up behind us and fall into step to my left. He lowered his flare when we shielded our eyes.
(That was considerate of him.) Elijah said annoyed.
I smirked.
(What the Hell does he want NOW?) Elijah asked.
(Guess we'll find out.) I answered.
“Ain't all of us gonna make it.” Johns confided.
“Figure that all out by yourself MERC?” Elijah sneered. I can tell he's still pissed about what happened earlier. As a matter of fact, so am I.
“What do you want Johns?” I asked, getting to the point.
He was about to reply when a flurry of clicking shadows blew past us. Johns blasted the darkness, driving the creatures away. He turned back to us and stayed quiet for a moment.
It's no skin off my back though; the less I hear Johns' voice the happier I am.
“Six of us left.” Johns said suddenly.
Damn. Happiness down a level.
“SEVEN.” Elijah growled out.
Johns looked over in feigned surprise. “Oh you're still here are you?”
“I've just about had it with you Johns. Just know that your time is coming.” Elijah growled out through clenched teeth.
Johns lifted his shotgun, “Is that a threat a HALFBREED?”
Elijah gave a cat like hiss and made a move towards Johns.
“Stop.” I said quietly. I put a hand on Elijah's chest to hold him back. (Just calm down, Cat. Don't let him stir you up.)
Elijah took a deep breath and stayed silent.
“What are you getting at Johns?” I asked irritated.
“If we could get through that canyon and lose just one, that'd be quite a fuckin' feat, huh?”
“Not if I'M the one.” Elijah snapped out. I could tell he was infuriated. He started walking ahead of us.
“What if you're one of six?” Johns' voice caught Elijah's attention and he slowed down to wait for us.
“I'm listening.” Elijah said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Third Person
From a distance, Fry watched the three men talk together in hushed tones. It was odd to see Johns, Riddick and Elijah walking together. Like equals. ((More like partners.)) Fry thought to herself.
Jack noticed too. “What are they doing up there?”
“Talking about the canyon, I suppose.” Imam assured her. “How to get us through.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Riddick's POV
I listened to Johns' plan with rapt attention. Bait. He wants to use one of them as bait.
“It's no different than those battlefield doctors when they had to decide who lived and died. It's called `triage'.” Johns spoke softly.
“Kept calling it MURDER when we did it.” I told him.
Johns grinned. “Either way, figure it's somethin' you can grab onto.”
As we slowly marched toward the chattering canyon, Elijah and I calculated the options.
(Think like a scumbag and the answer's easy.) Elijah said to me.
(Yeah, when you think about it like that, it's not hard to see how Johns came up with that plan.) I agreed.
“Sacrifice.” I muttered. “Hack up one body, leave it at the start of the canyon. Like a bucket of chum.”
Johns gave a triumphant grin. “TRAVEL with it.” He whispered proudly.
(He is fuckin' off his rocker.) Elijah said. He sounded kinda amazed.
I grinned.
Johns continued, “There's a cable on the sled. We can drag the body behind us.”
(He sure has thought this through.) I told my mate.
(No kidding.) He answered back.
“Nice embellishment.” I said to Johns.
“Just wanna keep these sharks off our scent.” Johns explained. I could tell he was pleased with himself.
I glanced curiously back at the caravan. “So which one caught your eye?”
Johns hit me in the chest. “DON'T look. Christ, what's the matter with you?”
(SOMEone sounds paranoid.) Elijah said.
(No kidding.) I repeated his earlier answer.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Third Person
Fry watched the three men walking at the front of the line. ((They're up to something.)) She thought to herself.
“Slow down a little bit, Imam.” Fry spoke in a hushed voice.
“What?” The monk asked confused.
“Just slow down. Little more space between us and them.” Fry explained, her eyes never leaving the point men.
“I would rather we all stay together.”
Fry finally took her eyes off Riddick, Johns and Elijah to look at Imam. “Just do as I say. Please.”
Imam finally understood what she couldn't say and slowed down the sled.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Riddick's POV
“Which is it Johns?” I asked again. I already knew, but I wanted to hear him say it.
“What do you care?”
I shrugged my large shoulders. “I don't.”
“Then lets not name the cow before it's slaughtered, ok?” Johns said.
“Good analogy.” Elijah quipped.
I smirked when Johns gave an aggravated grunt.
“I assume you still got a shiv?” Johns asked me.
I stopped walking and the other two did the same. “What…you expect ME to do it?”
Johns looked surprised by my reluctance. “What's one more to you? It's not like this is the one that's finally gonna put you in Hell. You BOTH passed that mark a long time ago, Riddick.”
I shook my head admiringly. “You're a piece of work Johns. They should hang you in a museum.”
Elijah and I started walking again.
“Or maybe just hang you.” Elijah said. (Is it time yet? He's getting on my nerves.)
(Almost.) I replied.
Johns hurried to catch up with us. “Alright, alright. I'LL do the kid. You two just keep the other three off my back for a bit.”
I cocked my head a little as if I'm giving it some thought.
(Now?) Came Elijah's impatient voice.
(Just wait.) I told him amused. I heard him huff slightly beside me.
Johns pressed us, “Don't tell me you two are goin' soft now.”
I stopped again and looked Johns in the eyes. Elijah came up behind me and turned off his hand light.
“I'm just wonderin' if we don't need a bigger piece of bait.” I said lightly.
Johns looked at me for a second before he understood. He took a step back.
(Now.) I said.
Elijah stepped into the darkness surrounding us when Johns' attention focused solely on me. That was a mistake Johns…never take your eyes off ANY of your enemies. I grinned darkly.
Johns brought up his weapon and fired.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Third Person
The moment Fry heard the blast from Johns' gun, she knew it wasn't aimed at the creatures. “Bring the light!” she shouted. Fry could still see the flare Johns was holding but could only see one hand light.
Jack came running to her side. “What are they doing?”
Fry didn't answer, she just quickened her steps away from the fight.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Riddick was fast, but the blast from the gun still scorched his arm. Elijah jumped onto Johns' back and put him in a chokehold while Riddick grabbed the gun and jerked it skyward.
Above them, something shrieked when the gun fired again. Loud feeding sounds could be heard as the two men fought for the weapon.
Elijah grabbed the flare and tossed it to the ground when Johns burned his left arm. The flare created an arena of light. He fell off Johns' back when he was elbowed in the right temple.
Elijah crouched down next to the flare and watched as his mate and Johns fought. Every time they stepped into shadow, the aliens' talons took a swipe at the two men. The only sight to show that the ElvinCat was agitated was the twitching of his unwrapped tail.
Riddick and Johns shot into the darkness to drive back the creatures, but they didn't go too far.
Elijah wrapped his tail back around his waist and moved closer to the two men.
Riddick wrestled the shotgun free but Johns knocked it out of his hands. The weapon fell to the ground and Riddick kicked it out of the way when Johns made to grab it. When Johns turned, he saw both Elijah and Riddick with a shiv.
Elijah stood slightly behind Riddick and wagged his shiv at Johns like a scolding finger. “I told you your time was coming Johns.” Elijah grinned maliciously.
“There's only one rule Johns.” Riddick spoke softly as he reached behind him to turn off his hand light. “Stay in the light.” He and Elijah stepped into the darkness when Johns took his attention off them to pick up a bone club.
“Bring watcha got.” Johns growled out into the darkness as he stood in the light of the dying flare. He looked around frantically when he didn't see the two convicts. Turning in circles he searched in the failing light.
Suddenly, Riddick and Elijah came out of the darkness behind Johns.
“Remember that moment?” Riddick whispered, voice hot against Johns' ear as he and Elijah drove their shivs into his back. They jerked the blades along Johns' spine and then jumped back into the darkness. Johns fell to the ground gasping.
“Shoulda never took the CHAINS off Johns. You were one brave fuck before. Oh man, you was COCK DIESEL with your big gauge…” Riddick said forcefully. He and Elijah started walking slowly at the edge of the circle of light. “The guns…the badge…the chains…Billy Bad-Ass…” He spoke just loud enough for Johns to hear him. “TOLD you to ghost me.”
Johns dove for the shotgun and snatched it up. “Fuck you Riddick.” He rasped, sweeping the weapon around. The red laser sight drilled into blackness. Riddick and Elijah had vanished. Then he heard a rapid clicking behind him. Johns quickly reached into his pocket and loaded a shell into the gun. He grabbed the dying flare and whirled around in time to see a huge black shape looming closer. He fired blasting the predator back but the flare fell from his hand. The hairs on his neck stood on end and he spun around as a second creature rushed at him. Johns pulled the trigger and nothing happened.
Johns hurriedly ratcheted the weapon for another shot. The ejected shell fell beside the flare and in that instant Johns saw it was red. His heart skipped a beat when he realized he'd loaded a morphine shell in the dark. It was the last thought he had before the beast reared its head back and then shot forward biting off Johns' head.
The flare on the ground hissed out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Riddick and Elijah watched in fascination as the creature devoured Johns' body in the darkness. Riddick looked down to see Elijah grinning.
“Come on. We got a group of crash survivors to catch up to.” Riddick said.
Elijah tore his eyes away from Johns and smiled up at Riddick. “That was exciting.” He whispered.
Riddick laughed quietly as they walked away.
END CHAPTER FIVE