Iridescent: Chapter Thirty

Iridescent

Chapter Thirty

~Leavin’~

After the Fall

Chaud sat by himself on the roof. He gazed out on the tourist city as the sands of the desert started to reclaim what was its own. The desert winds pushed the sand into the streets of the city. Chaud was quiet, his hands folded under his chin as he thought to himself. He waited patiently for something but in the meantime he was alone with his thoughts.

The door to the roof opened and Zara walked out. She spotted Chaud on the edge of the roof and walked up to him. Zara lowered herself and sat down beside him. For a moment, they didn’t say anything. She simply watched Chaud for a moment. Zara smiled and shook her head.

“I can hear the gears grinding from here,” she said. Zara leaned back, “Trying to figure out the answers to the universe?”

Chaud looked over at her and smiled, “Ah, yes, the age old question: Just how angry are my folks going to be when I tell them what has happened?”

Zara looked at him, “I think they’d just be happy to see you and Amber alive.”

Chaud raised an eyebrow, “You don’t know my mother.”

“She can’t be that bad,” Zara said.

Chaud stared at her with disbelief. He just could believe what came out of Zara’s mouth. His mother was probably the most frightening person he knew. Granted she was nice when she wanted to be but if she found out you ate the last piece of cake…well…let’s just say you’d have to buy her a wedding cake if you ever wanted be on her good side again.

Zara narrowed her eyes at Chaud, “What the heck are you looking at me like that for?”

Chaud shook his head, “Sorry, its nothing.”

“How’s Amber?” Zara asked.

“She’s doing better than I thought she would,” Chaud answered.

Zara nodded, “You doing okay?”

Chaud smiled, “Doing a lot better than I thought I would.”

“Good,” Zara said and looked out over the view.

There was a moment of silence between them as they sat quietly. Chaud sat and watched Zara. He opened his mouth and was about to say something when the rooftop door opened.

 Tempi walked out and crossed her arms, “There you idiots are! Come on you two! Fang and his tagalong found the way out of here. Let’s go!”

“I want to kill her,” Zara muttered to Chaud.

Chaud whispered back, “Come on now; don’t be like that.”

Together they walked down to the lobby. They passed by a room where they kept Dante and his crew. There were a few men keeping guard to make sure that they didn’t try anything. After the battle went down the people who were sent away for their safety returned and made themselves at home at the resort.

Chaud and Zara followed Tempi outside. Fang stood off to one side with Shadow nearby.  Crow and Crane sat on a ledge while Puppetmaster sat in the sand with Shuppet in his lap. Amber sat close to him and talked to Shuppet as if she could understand. Miwa and Jekyll sat off by themselves separately.

Zara walked up to Fang, “You found the sub?”

“Surprisingly, right where he said it’d be,” Fang looked at Chaud.

Chaud smiled and shrugged, “And you ever doubted me?”

Fang glared at Chaud, “You’d be surprised on how much I don’t trust you.”

“Who’s coming?” Zara asked.

Tempi looked over, “Most of you guys. Crow and Crane are staying along with my crew. Someone needs to keep an eye on these civilians and keep them safe.”

Zara looked at her. She sensed that there was a deeper reason to why Tempi wanted to stay. “I hope you find them.”

Tempi looked at her, “You worry about your own business. Get the Tower back. I’ll worry about my own team.”

“Alright,” Zara backed off.

Chaud walked off toward his sister. She looked up at him, “Are we going soon?”

Chaud smiled and crouched down, “Soon.”

“Will we get to see mom and dad again?” Amber asked.

“We’ll see,” Chaud said, “We’ll just have to see on that one.”

“Can you teach me how to shoot a gun?” Amber smiled.

Chaud laughed nervously, “No.”

“But Chaud!” Amber cried, “Why?”

“Anyone who’s going, pack your bag and let’s get on the road!” Fang called.

Zara walked back into the resort to get the rest of her team. She listened as Chaud and Amber had another argument about why he wouldn’t teach her how to use a gun. Puppetmaster to took his leave. He walked beside Zara with a smile on his face. Zara looked at him with curiosity.

“What are you smiling about?” she asked.

Puppetmaster smiled and waved a hand, “Nothing, just something Shuppet said.”

Zara sighed, “You do realize they don’t say anything right?”

“That’s not what they say,” Puppetmaster laughed.

Zara rolled her eyes, “Are you coming with us to the mainland?”

“Well, someone needs to keep an eye on you,” Puppetmaster looked down at her.

Zara crossed her arms, “I can take care of myself.”

Puppetmaster leaned into her, “Without blowing buildings up?”

Zara looked at Puppetmaster with shock, “Did Chaud tell you!? I’m going to kill him! He said he wouldn’t tell anyone!”

Puppetmaster held her with one firm hand, “It wasn’t Chaud.”

“Then who?” Zara stopped, “Miwa!! That little—!”

“Come on now,” Puppetmaster pushed her along, “We need to get your things so we can get off the Island.”

“But he—”

“Come on,” Puppetmaster said, “Let’s go get ready.”

<<<>>> 

The ocean breeze blew in Zara’s face. They stood where the desert met with the ocean. She stood on the beach and breathed in the salty sandy air. A set of cliffs rose to the left of the beach. The rock eroded by the salt water to crate caves and caverns. She heard the crunch of footsteps behind her. Amber ran past her and ran to the water.

Amber splashed in the water. The white wolf, Wini, stood nearby and watched with a stoic expression. Chaud walked up behind Zara.

“We’re one step closer to getting off the Island,” Chaud said.

Zara jumped slightly. He was in her blind spot and hadn’t noticed him come up behind her. She turned and glared at him.

“Unfortunately, you might not be able to get off because I’ll shoot you,” Zara threatened.

“Do you really not hear me coming?” Chaud asked. Zara was about to answer but Chaud looked out at his sister, “Come on, Amber! Let’s get going!”

Zara looked behind her at the top of the rise. The bus was currently empty as all who were going were on their way down the hill to the beach. Crow and Crane stood by the bus waiting for everyone to leave. Tempi and the rest of her gang were back at the resort guarding it from anyone who thought it a good idea to attack. Dante and his crew were chained together by the ankles. The idea was that they could go free only after the submarine left the Island. Since their target would be out of their reach, they wouldn’t be a threat. They stood together in front of the two birds, Crow threatening them with a shotgun.

Zara waved at them and Crane waved back. Crow simply nodded. Amber ran up to her brother. She waved one last time to the wolf that had been with her. the wolf turned to her before turning around and walking away into the desert. Chaud took her by the hand and started walking to the network of caves. Miwa led the way, creating light for the others to see where they were walking. Fang brought up the rear. They followed the water as it flowed in and out of the caves. It reached an open cavern where there was a large pool of water.

“Wait here,” Chaud said to his followers.

He dove into the water with Miwa close on his heels. The others sat around the edge and waited. Zara sat on the ground and joined Amber in getting her feet wet. Several minutes passed and nothing happened. Amber leaned out to look into the reasonably clear water. Lights turned on in the water. Amber jumped up and stood by the edge. Zara remained sitting.

The submarine rose slowly to the surface, taking up the entire length of the cavern. It looked like a giant black stingray with its shape and without the tail. The hatch slid open and Chaud popped out.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Chaud smiled, “It’s my first time driving one of these.”

Zara smiled and rolled her eyes. To hide her smile, she stood up and walked on one of the wings to the hatch. Chaud offered his hand in assistance but he waved it away and dropped down into the sub. It was a lot larger than she thought. Though the top was reasonably flat there was defiantly more under the surface. Miwa met her when she landed.

“This way to the women’s cabins!” Miwa’s tail waved as he walked off.

Zara followed him. The rooms were small. It was expected in a submarine. There were two bunk beds on either side. Zara turned and saw that there were a few more rooms as well. There were four girls so they could have a room to themselves. The boys on the other hand might have to share. Zara threw her bag on the bed and walked out to explore.

There was a gym and a cafeteria, a medical bay where Dr. Jekyll would probably spend most of his time as the only doctor. The intercom crackled to life and Chaud’s voice came on.

“Hello, everyone. It’s a balmy 97°F today with a light brease. The ocean temperature 62.6°F but that will drop real fast as we descend into the depths of the ocean. Please turn off all electronic devises and return your tray tables to their original upright position. Thanks, this is your—oww!”

“This is you’re captain speaking,” Fang’s voice said, “It’s about time we get the heck out of here. Let’s get this thing running.”

“I was going to say that,” Chaud could be heard saying quietly.

“But you’re not the captain,” Fang stated.

“I led you here, I swam for it, I got the engine started and I’m driving it! I think I deserve to be captain,” Chaud argued.

“Not in a million years,” Fang said. Fang talked into the mike again, “Either way, you all might want to hold on to something.”

The sub started moving forward through the caves and out to the ocean. The initial start caused Zara to loose balance. She nearly knocked Amber over. They stood against the far wall and smiled. Amber looked up at Zara.

“Sorry I didn’t see you there,” Zara apologized.

“It’s alright,” Amber smiled, “I can’t wait to see mom and dad.”

Zara smiled, “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”

Amber looked up at her, “Do you think we can come back one day?”

Zara thought a moment, “We have to. No matter what, we have to make things right again.”

“Good,” Amber walked down the hallway, “because I would love to pass 6^th grade. I had my project ready and everything!”

Zara smiled and walked after her, “We’ll get right on that.”

Amber ran off to try to find her brother. Zara walked a few paces behind her watching her carefree attitude. They had to fix everything. Even if it was only to make the little girl happy again.

The Turn: Chapter Thirty-Nine

The Turn

Chapter Thirty-Nine

~Wake of Devastation~

One Year Before The Turn

“Father!” Kaiba walked into the Mission’s room. He looked around the room and saw his father lying on the ground. Sirius tried to get to his feet when Kaiba came and assisted him, “Are you alright?”

Sirius looked around. Several Agents were sprawled on the ground and at their desks. Sirius got to his feet and looked at Kaiba, “What happened?”

Kaiba looked out the window, “It looks like Fang and Zara’s teams were able to do some damage. However, the enemy seems to have access Silver Void. No one seems to be able to use their powers.”

“We have to evacuate the Tower,” Sirius stated.

“Evacuations have already started,” as he said that Agents came it and started helping the others in the room to their feet. “You and I need to get off the Island. Mother and Amber are already headed to the helicopter. Lynx is waiting in the car downstairs.”

“We can’t just leave,” Sirius said.

“Well, we can’t stay here and risk getting caught,” Kaiba tried to get his father to the door, “You know we have to. It’s the policy if the Island is compromised. And if you haven’t noticed, the Island is all sorts of compromised.”

Sirius thought a moment before nodding. Kaiba led his father down from the Tower. They walked out of the building and met with Lynx. Lynx leaned against a black car. He walked up to Kaiba and Sirius when he saw them come out of the building. Several other people ran out away from the Tower as well.

“Is he alright?” Lynx asked.

Kaiba nodded, “He got caught up in the Silver Void radiation like everyone else. Help him into the car.”

“Right,” Lynx helped his father into the car.

Kaiba got into the driver’s seat as Lynx sat in the back. Sirius looked out the passenger window. He closed his eyes as he thought about all that went into the Tower. When he opened his eyes, Kaiba started the car and drove away from the Tower. He sighed; his eyes looked sad and remorseful. The Tower was lost as Agents evacuated the floors.

All over the Island there were explosions as missiles and bullets smashed into buildings. The streets were blocked with rubble and Kaiba had to maneuver his way towards their destination. Sirius simply looked out the window, saddened by the Island’s predicament. Kaiba pulled out his cell phone and made a call.

Chaud gasped for breath as he broke through the water. He reached up and grabbed a concrete ledge. Chaud pulled himself onto dry ground as he coughed up water and collapsed onto his back. He heard explosions in the distance as he watched missiles sail above him in the sky. Chaud sighed once he was able to breathe normally.

He wasn’t sure what happened exactly but one second he was flying and then the next second he was falling from the sky. The impact with the water knocked the wind out of him. It didn’t help that he was several feet underwater and couldn’t breathe. He had almost passed out before be broke the surface of the water. Chaud thanked his Agent training.

Chaud lay still. He felt empty like something was taken from inside of him. There was a ringing in his pocket. Chaud grabbed for the phone and looked at in.

“Seriously?” he stated. He brought the phone to his ear and answered it, “Hello?”

“Get to the evacuation point,” Kaiba said.

Chaud paused, “Now?”

Kaiba hung up. Chaud put the phone down and got to his feet.

Hina pushed a wooden board off of her person. She looked around through the dust that was settling. Hina saw her brother lying on the ground a little ways away. She ran toward him and crouched by his side.

“Naru!” she cried, “Are you alright? Naru!”

“Ow,” Naru groaned. He shifted and got to his knees.

A building collapsed behind them after being damaged from a missile blast. Hina grabbed her brother by the arm and pulled him out of the way just before a block of concrete crashed down where they were. She looked back at the pile of rubble. Hina helped her brother to her feet.

“Come on,” Hina said as she pulled him through the city.

“Where are we going?” Naru said.

Hina looked at him, “Away from here. Come on!”

Naru followed her away from the docks.

Fang climbed up onto a half broken dock. He staggered to his feet. When he looked up he saw Shadow standing on the other end of the dock. Shadow smiled and walked toward Fang.

“Well, well, look what the tide pulled in?” Shadow laughed.

“I’m going to kill you,” Fang stated. He looked around, “Where are the others?”

Shadow shrugged, “Who really knows. Things are going to the dogs now.”

Fang looked around. The airship was making quick work of the Island. Smoke billowed from several parts in the city. Missile trails decorated the sky and reflected the setting sun. Oranges, reds and bright yellows painted the sky. Fang looked back at the city.

“Come on,” Fang walked passed Shadow, “We have more work to do.”

Shadow looked interested, “We have work? What are we going to do?”

Fang looked over his shoulder, “Look around. Someone has to put order the chaos.”

Shadow shrugged, “This might be fun.”

Fang walked off, “Stop lagging behind. I’ll leave you if you can’t keep up!”

“Awe,” Shadow laughed as he walked after Fang, “You couldn’t leave me and you know it!”

Sirius got out of the car and looked back at the Island. He understood the reason he had to disappear and yet he didn’t feel like he could. The Island needed him and he would be nowhere to be found. Kaiba got out of the driver’s seat and walked toward the awaiting helicopter. He turned and looked at his father.

Amber ran after toward her adopted father. She threw her arms around his leg. He got her attention and he looked down at her and smiled.

“Sirius,” his wife called from the helicopter.

He nodded and walked toward them. Lynx followed close behind. Sirius waited as the members of his family piled into the helicopter. He noticed that Chaud was still missing and stood outside.

Chaud walked up. He smiled at his dad as he approached. Sirius hugged his son tightly.

“It’s good to see you are still alive,” Sirius sighed.

Chaud hugged him back, “I’ve had several close shaves.”

Sirius released his son and looked in his eyes. His shoulders dropped as he looked deep into his son’s eyes.

“You aren’t coming, are you?” Sirius sighed.

Chaud shrugged, “I don’t think I could leave my friends here by themselves.”

Sirius shook his head, “Your mother is going to kill me you know. Make sure we see you again.”

Chaud stood at attention and saluted, “Yes, sir.”

Sirius climbed into the helicopter. The blades started up and Amber neared the opened door and looked out at her brother. The helicopter started to rise. An explosion detonated near the helicopter. In order to avoid the explosion, the pilot turned suddenly. Amber lost her balance and fell out. Mrs. Galaxy lunched to try to save her daughter. Her reach was just short and Amber fell into open air.

Chaud lunged and used himself as a buffer and caught his sister. The helicopter flew away leaving the two siblings together.

Zara woke up on a piece of driftwood. She was temporarily confused as looked up at the sky. As she tried to move around she realized that she was surrounded by water. She looked up and saw the looming airship directly above her.  Zara looked back at the Island. Her shoulders fell when she saw the damage and the smoke.

She heard the laser cannons above her charging. The lasers struck the Tower. A numb feeling came over Zara’s body.

“No!” she shouted as the tall monumental building collapsed and fell.

Black smoke rose from around the base of the Tower. The Tower was gone. The Island was destroyed and the Tower was defeated. Only ash, fire and rubble remained of the unstoppable Tower.

The Turn: Chapter Thirty-Eight

The Turn

Chapter Thirty-Eight

~Last Stand~

One Year Before The Turn

Penelope and Deontay stood off to one side. Deontay was stretching some of his stiff muscles. The cannon was charging for another fire but Deontay didn’t seem to worried. Penelope on the other hand was looking at him with an annoyed glare. She didn’t like that he wasn’t in much of a hurry.

“Don’t you think we should get going?” Penelope said, “At this rate, the Island will be leveled.”

“Rome didn’t fall in a day,” Deontay smiled.

“Well, we aren’t Rome!” Penelope threw her arms out to either side.

Deontay nodded, “True. Shall we be off then?”

Penelope looked at the sky above where the cannon was pointed. She nodded and placed a hand on Deontay’s shoulder.

“You ready?” she asked.

Deontay looked at her, “Now who’s the one wasting time?”

“Right,” Penelope sighed.

Together both Deontay and Penelope disappeared. Deontay found himself freefalling in the air. He felt the wind hit him as he fell at a frightening speed. The whistling in his ears was loud and distracting. The ocean below was a dark blue that grew closer and closer by the second. He looked up and saw Penelope falling just behind him

“You sure you know what you’re doing?” Penelope shouted over the roar of the wind.

Deontay looked down again. He saw his target. The long cannon attached to the airship. He looked back at Penelope and smiled.

“I’ll be fine,” Deontay gave her a thumbs up.

She nodded and vanished.

Deontay looked down again. He noticed that his target was significantly closer. Deontay got his legs underneath him and prepared for impact. He breathed deeply before the impact into the cannon.

There was an enormous explosion as the particles that had collected in the main cannon dispersed in every direction. Several immature laser rays scattered. One of the rays grazed the Tower. The rays were much weaker than a direct attack but the damage was still great. Other buildings were struck as well.

Another explosion racked the airship as Deontay fell through the nose of the ship. He blasted through the ship and fell toward the ocean underneath. Deontay shouted and pulled back his arm. The ground far beneath the ocean surface rose as a column from the ocean floor. Deontay landed on the column causing the earth to spread in all directions. Rock smashed into the docks at full speed.

Fang and Raven dashed forward. They ran on the bridge that Deontay created. Several smaller cannons took aim on them and fired bullets at them. Lumin skated on the water to their right. He created a giant wave that froze and sheltered Fang and Raven’s path. The bullets struck the thick ice shield. There was only a few that made their way through.

Vicky flew on their left with her arms spread out to both sides. Another laser cannon, still smaller than the main one, took aim below. Vicky stopped and hovered over the water. She put her lips together and whistled. The wind picked up and stirred the water. The laser cannon blasted its attack. Vicky used the wind to manipulate the water. The water spun into a kind of water tornado. She then turned the tornado so that the opened top swallowed the laser and funneled it back at the ship. The attack damaged part of the ship.

Chaud’s wings sprouted from his back. He crouched and allowed Zara to grab his shoulders before taking flight into the sky with a mighty wing beat. Chaud soared into the air toward the airship. He dipped and dodged to avoid getting hit as the cannons took aim at them. Zara grabbed one of Chaud’s guns and fired it at oncoming bullets.

“Missiles,” Chaud reported.

Zara fired down several bullets, “Then deal with it.”

The airship fired several missiles at the flying duo. Chaud smiled and the sky rumbled. Lighting fell down from the sky striking down the missiles that flew at them. Zara put her hands over her ears as the intense thunder clap roared in the sky.

“Seriously?” Zara looked down at Chaud.

Chaud looked over his shoulder, “Hey, its nature. Just because I can control electricity doesn’t mean the rules of nature cease to apply. Thunder follows lightning. It’s how it goes.”

Zara rolled his eyes. The airship fired two other missiles at them.

“Trackers,” Chaud reported.

Zara narrowed her eyes in thought. She created a blue fireball in her hand and threw it off to one side. One of the tracking missiles turned to follow it. It exploded throwing Chaud off course temporarily. The second missile sailed over Zara’s head. It proceeded towards the Island.

Hina stood on top of a building. She dropped the chains she got from Puppetmaster. Hina gripped onto part of the chains. The chains started to give off a purplish mist. She raised both the chains and slashed them through the air. A force blasted forward toward the missile. There was a large explosion when the sudden force struck the missile.

Alister was on a ledge below her, a rocket launcher in his hand. He smiled as he looked into the sight and fired the rocket. It struck the airship. Other missiles sailed toward them. Alister loaded another rocket while Hina used her chains as a whip creating forces that caused some of the missiles to detonate.

Arisa sat on the edge of the building beside Alister. She whistled as she snapped her finger. Fire red explosions rippled through the sky. Missiles detonated before they even reached the Island. She laughed and cheered as the explosions looked like fireworks.

Fang and Raven exited Lumin’s ice tunnel. Raven drew her sword and parried the bullets that were aimed at her and Fang. They ran toward where Deontay stood underneath the airship. He saw them coming and smiled. Deontay punched the ground and created a ramp up to the airship. The earth struck the airship tipping it a little to one side. Fang and Raven ran up the ramp.

Naru created an ice arrow and notched it in his compound bow. He let the arrow fly. The arrow struck in to the panoramic windows of the airship. The arrow was stuck half way through the window.

Shadow walked up beside Naru. He smiled at the boy as he spun a dagger on his finger. Shadow threw the dagger with all his might along the same path as Naru’s arrow.

Chaud flew over the airship. He flipped upside down and Zara fell toward the ship. Raven parried the bullets as Fang ran past her. He jumped onto the nose of the ship just as Zara landed beside him. The dagger that Shadow threw struck Naru’s arrow and shattered it. It made a larger whole but was stuck half way through the glass. Zara drew one of her katana and Fang drew his silver gun.

Scar stiffened at the sight of them. The driver placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I think that it’s time to show them our weapon,” he stated.

Scar looked up at him. The driver pressed a button on the control panel in front of them. A device full of Silver Void rose in the center of the room. The device hummed before radiating outward. The windows shattered releasing a wave of Silver Void.

Zara screamed. She lost her balance and fell backwards off the airship. Zara felt an intense pain as she felt like something was being pulled out of her. Fang too staggered backwards and gripped his head. He fell off the edge.

The driver pressed a few more buttons and several hundred more capsules were fired toward the Island. The capsules stuck into the ground and activated. Each individual capsule had a mile radius where the Silver Void radiated its effects. Others all over the Island cried out in pain as they felt their powers being inhibited.

Scar looked over the city, “They caused a little more damage that you thought, didn’t they.”

The driver dipped his head, “Yes, I didn’t think they would be this powerful. We don’t need to worry about them now though.”

“What are we going to do now?” Scar looked up at his driver, “The Island is pretty paralyzed at the moment.”

The driver smiled, “I think I have one more surprise for the Tower.”

“Really?” Scar looked interested, “I look forward to see what you have in mind.”

“Charge the remaining laser cannons that we have,” the driver stated, “Let’s make this quick. We have to make some repairs before we can intimidate the rest of the world—”

“And usher in the New Order,” Scar smiled.