The Feedback Effect - Ch. 2
Title: The Feedback Effect
Chapter: 2
Fandom: Loonatics: Unleashed
Character(s): Ace Bunny
Genre: Drama, angst
Rating: K+/PG
Disclaimers: Loonatics: Unleashed © Warner Bros
Notes: Random story I had one day, just because my mind works in weird ways like that.
Summary: They were given amazing powers. But in a world where nothing is free, it's time for them to pay their price.
[Chapter 1]
~*~*~*~
The other Loonatics froze in their tracks at the coyote's words, turning to look back at the two with widened eyes. Time had stopped that instance as a heavy silence fell over the six of them. The only thing that was heard to them was the ringing of that single word: dead.
Finally after what felt like an eternity, Ace swallowed thickly and managed to utter, "What…?"
Tech sighed softly, rubbing his temples. "I told you," he replied in a strained tone, "that our powers could be involved with what's wrong with us. Don't forget that our powers are streamed into our DNA, the very basis of our lives. If the problem runs that far deep into us, there's no telling what other effects it could have on us. It could prove fatal…"
"Fatal!" Danger exclaimed. "You mean we could be dying at this very second?"
"Hold on a second, Duck," Ace said. Turning to the scientist, he asked, "Do you know for sure that what's wrong with us is linked to our powers?"
"Well, it's a 50-50 chance. Possibly higher than that, but…"
"But there's still a chance that our powers have nothing to do with it?"
Tech frowned. "I suppose, but…"
"As long as there's a chance," Ace said, once again cutting off the other, "then we have to do what we can to help. And until you get the definite answer, we shouldn't assume anything."
"But we should wait and see," the coyote argued. "We shouldn't be so reckless and risk everything."
It was then that Tech found himself staring at the most furious gaze he had ever seen on the leader's face, unfortunately aimed right at him. If looks could kill, he knew that he'd be dead a thousand times over.
"Is it reckless to want to help the people down there?" the rabbit asked softly, though the anger in his voice was all-too clear. "You think it's stupid for wanting to save them, is that it?"
"That's not what I'm saying at all!" the scientist replied, surprised that the other would even consider that. "I just think we should wait and…"
"We can't wait anymore! We've already wasted enough time here and who knows how much more damage those things have already done!"
"Ace, I just think…"
The leader held up his hand to stop the other from saying anything else. "Forget it. Do what you want, Tech. The rest of us are going down there and stopping those guys from destroying everything else."
"Um…yeah…" Danger rubbed the back of his head. "Maybe…going out there isn't such a good idea."
Ace groaned a little. "Not you too, Duck…"
The mallard shrugged. "Well, if there's a chance that we could die, I don't think I want to risk it."
"Well…For-once-I-think-I'll-have-to-agree-with-Duck," Rev said softly. "If-we-aren't-careful-who-knows-what'll-happen?"
Slam grunted softly in agreement.
"I don't believe this!" Ace snapped. Looking at Lexi, he asked, "What about you? Do you agree with them?"
Looking from the leader to the others, the bunny then looked down at the ground. "Maybe…" she said softly, "it wouldn't hurt to wait and see what Tech finds on his computer…"
Shaking his head slightly, Ace turned away from them slightly. "Fine, whatever," he retorted. "You guys do what you want. I'll go on my own."
"Ace…" Lexi said, her tone almost pleading.
But he ignored her as he began heading off, slowly at first. Then, pausing in his steps, he turned back to look at them, his burning sapphire gaze focused on Tech. "And y'know, there's so much more to life than just DNA and anything else science can tell you…"
Before the coyote could reply, Ace had run off.
They were everywhere it seemed. Waves of the metallic creatures surged through the city, destroying everything in their way. As he flew overhead and watched the sight below, Ace clenched his teeth and felt his grip on the controls for his jet pack tighten.
Ignoring the screams of the people below was a hard task to accomplish.
At the moment though, from what he could see, the creatures seemed to leave people well enough alone. With that piece of knowledge in mind, he could focus on a central mission.
In the heart of Acmetropolis he had noted, the numbers of the metallic beings were spread out into different areas. But the farther he flew from there towards the outskirts of the city, the more clumped together they were. He assumed that meant that they were all coming from a central point and started expanding out as they drifted further away from the start, much like ripples in the water.
Perhaps then, if he could find where they were coming from, he'd find who or what was sending them into Acmetropolis.
Rev's internal GPS would have really helped at that point.
But thankfully Rev was back at the tower with the others.
Despite the way he had acted, Ace knew that everything Tech had said was true. The powerful urge to assist the people of Acmetropolis burned within him, but the coyote's words left him cautious - hesitant - to use his powers in the meantime. And despite what he had said to them, he was glad that the others weren't with him. There was no point risking them all. And if he failed, they would just have to find another way to stop this threat.
Still, he felt that apologizing to them - especially Tech - at some point wouldn't hurt.
Suddenly, static from his communicator called to him before a familiar voice replaced it. "Ace!" Tech said. "Are you there? Where are you?"
Speak of the devil…
"I'm here," the rabbit replied. "I just flew out of Acmetropolis." The last statement was added with a hint of surprise. Had he gone that far already?
"Are you all right? Has anything happened?"
The leader frowned slightly. Why did Tech sound so frantic? "I'm fine, Tech…"
"Okay…that's good. But Ace, you need to come back to the tower right now!"
"What? Why?" In the distance, he thought he saw something glimmer in the sun. And waving about in the air were…tentacles?
"I just got some results from the tests I've been running," the coyote replied.
Those were definitely six silver tentacles waving in the distance. "Hold up a sec, Tech," he said. "I think I found something."
"No Ace! Listen to me!" But the rabbit had shut off his communicator as he flew closer to the giant appendages.
And soon he found himself hovering over what appeared to be a giant metallic jellyfish, sunlight reflecting brightly off the top of its swollen mound that could easily cover central Acmetropolis. The tentacles continued to move through the air as though reaching up for something.
The giant mass suddenly began to grumble deeply, causing the ground to tremble. The tips of the tentacles then dipped down to the ground, depositing egg-shaped objects before rising to the air again. The eggs then began to grow or shrink, stretch or shrivel into different shapes. Some Ace could make out - a lion, a bear, a giant bird - but others were shapeless or unrecognizable. The newly created creatures then turned and began heading towards Acmetropolis.
He had found what was responsible for the creatures in Acmetropolis. But Ace found that many questions were still unanswered.
He was suddenly aware of movement to his side. Gripping the controls of his pack, he dodged just as a tentacle swatted at him. The mass seemed to roar before more tentacles came at him.
Someway or another, Ace found himself dodging the attacks and vaguely wondered if this was how a fly felt.
Suddenly the rabbit felt an impact from behind, shooting him forward. Gasping, he jerked the controls to steady himself. This only lasted for a few seconds, however, before he felt himself faltering in the air. Glancing back at his jet pack, his eyes widened slightly when he saw metallic liquid left behind by the tentacle eating at his pack.
Quickly unhooking himself, Ace released it and dropped down. As the jet pack sloped downwards out of sight, the rabbit gasped when he had landed on a tentacle, expecting it to burn his feet. And it did, but not quite in the way he imagined. The surface was quite hot, but bearable enough for him to stand on.
But the impact on his pack had deteriorated it, and as far as he saw the being hadn't changed into a liquid form. However, Tech had said that the other creatures in Acmetropolis could only eat away at things in their liquid state. So did that mean that this one could control it even in solid form?
Maybe it was better if he didn't find out.
Quickly he jumped own onto a lower section of the apparatus. As he landed, he slid down a bit before jumping off and grabbing another tentacle, hanging from it.
He gasped when the surface began to grow hotter, and in his surprise he released the tentacle, falling through the air. He flipped quickly just in time to land on his feet as he hit the ground.
But before Ace could breathe a sigh of relief, the giant creature gave an echoing roar that rattled the ground and threatened to throw him off his feet. The tips of the tentacles dropped to the ground and left metallic eggs behind. The eggs soon began to grow and change, forming into giant shapeless monsters.
Before he knew it, the creatures began advancing towards him. Gritting his teeth, Ace reached for his belt and pulled out a small metallic pipe. As he quickly whipped it to the side, a sharpened blade expanded from it, becoming the sword that he often used. It would have to do, he thought, since at the moment he didn't want to risk using his powers.
One of the creatures suddenly charged at him, a sharpened point aimed at his head. Immediately Ace blocked with his sword, jumping into the air as a second creature tried to attack him from under the first.
Landing a few feet away from the two, the rabbit then ducked as a creature behind took a swing at him. Turning swiftly, he aimed his weapon at what he assumed was the creature's head. The blade connected, but the creature seemed unfazed by the blow.
Mildly surprised, Ace jumped back as the three creatures began to advance towards him, followed by two of the others. As he continued to keep his distance and tried to think of a plan, he quickly glanced up at the creatures' "creator" what he might call the Queen. Noting that the Queen seemed content in watching him face off these smaller monsters, he then remembered that it had six tentacles, and therefore had placed six eggs down which meant six monsters. But then where was the sixth one?
He gasped when a wave of silver suddenly shot at him. He had just enough time to evade it as the liquid sailed over him, joining the other five entities. So there was the last one.
Looking over, the rabbit watched as the metallic puddle began to grow, becoming another formless monster. He blinked slightly before looking at his sword. His eyes then widened when he saw that some of the metallic fluid had caught onto his weapon, causing it to begin deteriorating.
Growling to himself, Ace threw the weapon aside as it continued to disintegrate. So now what? His sword was gone and he couldn't use his powers. He should have been even a little afraid, considering he didn't even know what these creatures were or where they came from, much less how to beat them.
But the thing was…he wasn't scared at all.
Clenching his fist, the rabbit charged at the six creatures, jumping up and aiming a kick at the one closest to him. It dodged, dropping down to the ground into a silvery puddle. As he landed, the puddle shot at him.
He quickly ducked to avoid the metallic wave and the grasp of the creature that had been looming up behind him. The fluid hit the solid being, and as Ace looked back his eyes widened. The two beings began to merge and grow into an even bigger creature.
Unfortunately, he hadn't noticed this new monster's tail-like addition until it connected with his chest, rapidly without his noticing that it was coming. He flew back, dust rising as he slid several feet along the ground.
Groaning softly, Ace slowly sat up and watched as the other four metallic entities merged with the bigger creature. He winced slightly as the monster grew larger; at least four times as tall as he was and easily three times the size of Slam.
The monster seemed to gurgle in a low tone as it took a slow step towards Ace, its many claws seeming to twitch slightly. Getting to his feet, the rabbit dodged as the creature ran towards him, swiping one of its twelve claw-tipped apparatus at him. Everything to him seemed to blur at that time as he and the monster tried to land blows on each other while simultaneously trying to avoid being hit. Each movement was painfully slow, yet too quick for even him to see. It was almost unreal.
Blocking a strike with his arm, Ace gasped when the monster suddenly liquefied. Eyes widening, he jumped back and looked at his arm. Metallic material dripped from his arm, eating away at his wrist communicator. Immediately throwing the communicator off, Ace looked up and glared at the creature. He was running out of options now…
The monster once again charged at him, and as the hero quickly moved to the side to avoid it, he felt the burning heat accumulate to his eyes. His laser vision then fired at the monster's side, sending it flying off. As the fire beam was cut off, the rabbit saw the silver creature bubbling as it hit the ground and appeared to writhe in pain.
Unfortunately, that was all Ace was able to see before the blazing fire returned to his eyes a thousand times over and beyond any of his control. Gasping, he fell to his knees, shutting his eyes tightly as the scorching feeling continued to escalate. With the back of one hand he roughly rubbed them while the other hand was clenched tightly as the pain continued to mount.
So distracted by this ordeal that he wasn't aware of another presence near him until he felt himself lifted into the air when something grasped his neck. And though his eyes were in far more pain than the grip on his neck, he struggled to free himself so he could breathe.
The sound of energy crackling through the air suddenly reached his ears, followed by its thunderous impact on a hard surface. The hold on him was suddenly released and he hit the ground.
And as he sat up, he heard the roar of engines and felt the hot force of jets as a large object landed close by. "Ace!" a familiar voice called.
"Lexi?" the leader said, bewildered. "What are you doing here?"
Soon he felt two beings beside him. Two?
"What do you think?" the acrobat's voice replied. "We're here saving your sorry butt."
"Lexi," Tech's voice suddenly rang in, "you need to…"
"Yeah, I know," she interrupted. "I got it." The buzz of energy surged through the air, once again hitting a solid substance.
"Ace…" the coyote said, and from what the rabbit could tell the other was facing him directly. "Are you all right?"
"I…I think so," the leader replied. "Except my eyes are really hurting and…"
"Your eyes?" Tech sounded alarmed. "Did you use your laser vision?"
"Well…yeah, but I didn't have any other choice."
The silence form the coyote didn't make him feel any better about the predicament he was in. "Tech, do you know what happened?"
At first he was only answered with more of the uncomfortable silence. Finally with much hesitation in his voice, the scientist said softly, "Ace…you…"
"Tech!" Lexi's voice called, interrupting the coyote. From what Ace could tell she sounded a small distance away. "I think we have a problem!"
The genius didn't say anything for a second, then said suddenly, "Lexi, get rid of your laser!"
'Laser?' Ace couldn't help but wonder.
"Now what!" the bunny called back, sounding oddly out of breath.
"Here!" the coyote said. "Take my…!"
"Tech, look out!"
And suddenly Ace no longer felt the scientist by his side as a painful gasp reached his ears.
"Tech!" he and Lexi exclaimed.
The ground suddenly began to rumble as the Queen, who had been quiet to that point, gave a loud deep roar. When it died down, the rabbit heard another painful cry from the coyote.
"Tech!" Lexi called again.
"What's going on, Lex?" Ace asked, almost desperate to find out. He hated how, though he heard everything he knew nothing because his eyes hurt too much to open.
The bunny never answered him. However, he felt energy begin to gather to a centered point several yards away, leaving the air around him strangely cold. Suddenly a buzz rang through the air as the energy he felt shot through, colliding with a dense surface. Then he heard two bodies hit the ground as Lexi screamed.
"Lexi!" Ace called.
"No!" he heard Tech say as the acrobat continued to scream.
And too suddenly, she stopped. Everything around them was eerily quiet and Ace wished with everything he had to understand what was happening around him.
"Ace!" the coyote called then. "Get down!"
"What…?" the rabbit managed to say before something smacked him hard on the side of his head, sending him sliding along the ground.
And for a moment, Ace lay there in a daze, feeling as though he was moving. For a brief second, he felt as though he would slide off and fall from wherever he was if it tipped over far enough.
He regained his senses when he heard the hum of energy through the air, pounding once again on hard material. Suddenly the sound of the Queen's deep roar echoed around them as the ground once again began to quake. This time, however, the trembling of the earth lasted longer than its normal fleeting moment. Minutes seemed to pass before the ground was once again calm.
Footsteps reached his ears before he felt a presence beside him. "What happened?" he asked.
"It got away…" Tech replied, sounding slightly upset.
"Got away? How does something that big get away?"
"It liquefied itself and slipped through a hole in the ground underneath it. It seems to be able to control its acidic abilities whether in solid or liquid form, unlike the smaller ones that can only eat away when in their liquid state."
"Yeah…" the rabbit said slowly, "I noticed that…"
"Are you all right?" the coyote asked, his voice sounding closer than before.
"Yeah, I'm okay. My eyes still hurt though. But what about Lexi? What happened to her?"
Before the coyote could answer, the sound of Danger's voice rang on his communicator. "Hey," the mallard said, "somethin' weird just happened…"
"What's that?" Tech asked.
"Well, all the monster things just disappeared."
There was silence for a few seconds. Then the scientist answered, "That is odd…"
"Yeah, I know. What should Slam and I do now?"
"Keep evacuating the people from Acmetropolis," Tech said. "We don't know if and when they'll be back, and it'd be safer if they weren't around if they do return."
There was some hesitation from the show-off before he answered hotly, "Fine."
"I'll be over when I can," the coyote added. Then Ace heard a beep, signaling that he had cut off transmission with the mallard.
"Stay here for a minute, Ace," the scientist said before the rabbit felt the other's presence leave. 'Not like I can go anywhere," he thought.
But there were some things that were beginning to bother him just based on what he heard from the conversation between Tech and Danger. Questions that began to fill his mind with answers he couldn't think of.
There was the obvious question about evacuating the people from Acmetropolis. Where exactly were they planning on taking those people? To another city? What's stopping the creatures from attack there?
And then Danger had asked what he and Slam should do. Where was Rev?
Tech also had said that he'd be there when he could. Obviously, Ace knew that in his current state he wouldn't be able to help. But what about Lexi? What had happened to her before?
He wanted to know what was going on. But he felt that Tech wouldn't tell him right then, so he decided to wait until later to ask again.
He felt the presence return then. "Can you stand?" Tech asked.
"I think so…" the rabbit replied, slowly getting to his feet.
"Okay. Follow me, I'll help you to the jet."
Ace didn't reply as he slowly followed the presence while it began to move away. To bring the jet…did that mean that Tech expected something like this to happen?
Something was really wrong with all this. And even though he wanted to know everything, he already knew that he wasn't going to like it at all.
TBC
[Chapter 3]
Chapter: 2
Fandom: Loonatics: Unleashed
Character(s): Ace Bunny
Genre: Drama, angst
Rating: K+/PG
Disclaimers: Loonatics: Unleashed © Warner Bros
Notes: Random story I had one day, just because my mind works in weird ways like that.
Summary: They were given amazing powers. But in a world where nothing is free, it's time for them to pay their price.
[Chapter 1]
~*~*~*~
The other Loonatics froze in their tracks at the coyote's words, turning to look back at the two with widened eyes. Time had stopped that instance as a heavy silence fell over the six of them. The only thing that was heard to them was the ringing of that single word: dead.
Finally after what felt like an eternity, Ace swallowed thickly and managed to utter, "What…?"
Tech sighed softly, rubbing his temples. "I told you," he replied in a strained tone, "that our powers could be involved with what's wrong with us. Don't forget that our powers are streamed into our DNA, the very basis of our lives. If the problem runs that far deep into us, there's no telling what other effects it could have on us. It could prove fatal…"
"Fatal!" Danger exclaimed. "You mean we could be dying at this very second?"
"Hold on a second, Duck," Ace said. Turning to the scientist, he asked, "Do you know for sure that what's wrong with us is linked to our powers?"
"Well, it's a 50-50 chance. Possibly higher than that, but…"
"But there's still a chance that our powers have nothing to do with it?"
Tech frowned. "I suppose, but…"
"As long as there's a chance," Ace said, once again cutting off the other, "then we have to do what we can to help. And until you get the definite answer, we shouldn't assume anything."
"But we should wait and see," the coyote argued. "We shouldn't be so reckless and risk everything."
It was then that Tech found himself staring at the most furious gaze he had ever seen on the leader's face, unfortunately aimed right at him. If looks could kill, he knew that he'd be dead a thousand times over.
"Is it reckless to want to help the people down there?" the rabbit asked softly, though the anger in his voice was all-too clear. "You think it's stupid for wanting to save them, is that it?"
"That's not what I'm saying at all!" the scientist replied, surprised that the other would even consider that. "I just think we should wait and…"
"We can't wait anymore! We've already wasted enough time here and who knows how much more damage those things have already done!"
"Ace, I just think…"
The leader held up his hand to stop the other from saying anything else. "Forget it. Do what you want, Tech. The rest of us are going down there and stopping those guys from destroying everything else."
"Um…yeah…" Danger rubbed the back of his head. "Maybe…going out there isn't such a good idea."
Ace groaned a little. "Not you too, Duck…"
The mallard shrugged. "Well, if there's a chance that we could die, I don't think I want to risk it."
"Well…For-once-I-think-I'll-have-to-agree-with-Duck," Rev said softly. "If-we-aren't-careful-who-knows-what'll-happen?"
Slam grunted softly in agreement.
"I don't believe this!" Ace snapped. Looking at Lexi, he asked, "What about you? Do you agree with them?"
Looking from the leader to the others, the bunny then looked down at the ground. "Maybe…" she said softly, "it wouldn't hurt to wait and see what Tech finds on his computer…"
Shaking his head slightly, Ace turned away from them slightly. "Fine, whatever," he retorted. "You guys do what you want. I'll go on my own."
"Ace…" Lexi said, her tone almost pleading.
But he ignored her as he began heading off, slowly at first. Then, pausing in his steps, he turned back to look at them, his burning sapphire gaze focused on Tech. "And y'know, there's so much more to life than just DNA and anything else science can tell you…"
Before the coyote could reply, Ace had run off.
They were everywhere it seemed. Waves of the metallic creatures surged through the city, destroying everything in their way. As he flew overhead and watched the sight below, Ace clenched his teeth and felt his grip on the controls for his jet pack tighten.
Ignoring the screams of the people below was a hard task to accomplish.
At the moment though, from what he could see, the creatures seemed to leave people well enough alone. With that piece of knowledge in mind, he could focus on a central mission.
In the heart of Acmetropolis he had noted, the numbers of the metallic beings were spread out into different areas. But the farther he flew from there towards the outskirts of the city, the more clumped together they were. He assumed that meant that they were all coming from a central point and started expanding out as they drifted further away from the start, much like ripples in the water.
Perhaps then, if he could find where they were coming from, he'd find who or what was sending them into Acmetropolis.
Rev's internal GPS would have really helped at that point.
But thankfully Rev was back at the tower with the others.
Despite the way he had acted, Ace knew that everything Tech had said was true. The powerful urge to assist the people of Acmetropolis burned within him, but the coyote's words left him cautious - hesitant - to use his powers in the meantime. And despite what he had said to them, he was glad that the others weren't with him. There was no point risking them all. And if he failed, they would just have to find another way to stop this threat.
Still, he felt that apologizing to them - especially Tech - at some point wouldn't hurt.
Suddenly, static from his communicator called to him before a familiar voice replaced it. "Ace!" Tech said. "Are you there? Where are you?"
Speak of the devil…
"I'm here," the rabbit replied. "I just flew out of Acmetropolis." The last statement was added with a hint of surprise. Had he gone that far already?
"Are you all right? Has anything happened?"
The leader frowned slightly. Why did Tech sound so frantic? "I'm fine, Tech…"
"Okay…that's good. But Ace, you need to come back to the tower right now!"
"What? Why?" In the distance, he thought he saw something glimmer in the sun. And waving about in the air were…tentacles?
"I just got some results from the tests I've been running," the coyote replied.
Those were definitely six silver tentacles waving in the distance. "Hold up a sec, Tech," he said. "I think I found something."
"No Ace! Listen to me!" But the rabbit had shut off his communicator as he flew closer to the giant appendages.
And soon he found himself hovering over what appeared to be a giant metallic jellyfish, sunlight reflecting brightly off the top of its swollen mound that could easily cover central Acmetropolis. The tentacles continued to move through the air as though reaching up for something.
The giant mass suddenly began to grumble deeply, causing the ground to tremble. The tips of the tentacles then dipped down to the ground, depositing egg-shaped objects before rising to the air again. The eggs then began to grow or shrink, stretch or shrivel into different shapes. Some Ace could make out - a lion, a bear, a giant bird - but others were shapeless or unrecognizable. The newly created creatures then turned and began heading towards Acmetropolis.
He had found what was responsible for the creatures in Acmetropolis. But Ace found that many questions were still unanswered.
He was suddenly aware of movement to his side. Gripping the controls of his pack, he dodged just as a tentacle swatted at him. The mass seemed to roar before more tentacles came at him.
Someway or another, Ace found himself dodging the attacks and vaguely wondered if this was how a fly felt.
Suddenly the rabbit felt an impact from behind, shooting him forward. Gasping, he jerked the controls to steady himself. This only lasted for a few seconds, however, before he felt himself faltering in the air. Glancing back at his jet pack, his eyes widened slightly when he saw metallic liquid left behind by the tentacle eating at his pack.
Quickly unhooking himself, Ace released it and dropped down. As the jet pack sloped downwards out of sight, the rabbit gasped when he had landed on a tentacle, expecting it to burn his feet. And it did, but not quite in the way he imagined. The surface was quite hot, but bearable enough for him to stand on.
But the impact on his pack had deteriorated it, and as far as he saw the being hadn't changed into a liquid form. However, Tech had said that the other creatures in Acmetropolis could only eat away at things in their liquid state. So did that mean that this one could control it even in solid form?
Maybe it was better if he didn't find out.
Quickly he jumped own onto a lower section of the apparatus. As he landed, he slid down a bit before jumping off and grabbing another tentacle, hanging from it.
He gasped when the surface began to grow hotter, and in his surprise he released the tentacle, falling through the air. He flipped quickly just in time to land on his feet as he hit the ground.
But before Ace could breathe a sigh of relief, the giant creature gave an echoing roar that rattled the ground and threatened to throw him off his feet. The tips of the tentacles dropped to the ground and left metallic eggs behind. The eggs soon began to grow and change, forming into giant shapeless monsters.
Before he knew it, the creatures began advancing towards him. Gritting his teeth, Ace reached for his belt and pulled out a small metallic pipe. As he quickly whipped it to the side, a sharpened blade expanded from it, becoming the sword that he often used. It would have to do, he thought, since at the moment he didn't want to risk using his powers.
One of the creatures suddenly charged at him, a sharpened point aimed at his head. Immediately Ace blocked with his sword, jumping into the air as a second creature tried to attack him from under the first.
Landing a few feet away from the two, the rabbit then ducked as a creature behind took a swing at him. Turning swiftly, he aimed his weapon at what he assumed was the creature's head. The blade connected, but the creature seemed unfazed by the blow.
Mildly surprised, Ace jumped back as the three creatures began to advance towards him, followed by two of the others. As he continued to keep his distance and tried to think of a plan, he quickly glanced up at the creatures' "creator" what he might call the Queen. Noting that the Queen seemed content in watching him face off these smaller monsters, he then remembered that it had six tentacles, and therefore had placed six eggs down which meant six monsters. But then where was the sixth one?
He gasped when a wave of silver suddenly shot at him. He had just enough time to evade it as the liquid sailed over him, joining the other five entities. So there was the last one.
Looking over, the rabbit watched as the metallic puddle began to grow, becoming another formless monster. He blinked slightly before looking at his sword. His eyes then widened when he saw that some of the metallic fluid had caught onto his weapon, causing it to begin deteriorating.
Growling to himself, Ace threw the weapon aside as it continued to disintegrate. So now what? His sword was gone and he couldn't use his powers. He should have been even a little afraid, considering he didn't even know what these creatures were or where they came from, much less how to beat them.
But the thing was…he wasn't scared at all.
Clenching his fist, the rabbit charged at the six creatures, jumping up and aiming a kick at the one closest to him. It dodged, dropping down to the ground into a silvery puddle. As he landed, the puddle shot at him.
He quickly ducked to avoid the metallic wave and the grasp of the creature that had been looming up behind him. The fluid hit the solid being, and as Ace looked back his eyes widened. The two beings began to merge and grow into an even bigger creature.
Unfortunately, he hadn't noticed this new monster's tail-like addition until it connected with his chest, rapidly without his noticing that it was coming. He flew back, dust rising as he slid several feet along the ground.
Groaning softly, Ace slowly sat up and watched as the other four metallic entities merged with the bigger creature. He winced slightly as the monster grew larger; at least four times as tall as he was and easily three times the size of Slam.
The monster seemed to gurgle in a low tone as it took a slow step towards Ace, its many claws seeming to twitch slightly. Getting to his feet, the rabbit dodged as the creature ran towards him, swiping one of its twelve claw-tipped apparatus at him. Everything to him seemed to blur at that time as he and the monster tried to land blows on each other while simultaneously trying to avoid being hit. Each movement was painfully slow, yet too quick for even him to see. It was almost unreal.
Blocking a strike with his arm, Ace gasped when the monster suddenly liquefied. Eyes widening, he jumped back and looked at his arm. Metallic material dripped from his arm, eating away at his wrist communicator. Immediately throwing the communicator off, Ace looked up and glared at the creature. He was running out of options now…
The monster once again charged at him, and as the hero quickly moved to the side to avoid it, he felt the burning heat accumulate to his eyes. His laser vision then fired at the monster's side, sending it flying off. As the fire beam was cut off, the rabbit saw the silver creature bubbling as it hit the ground and appeared to writhe in pain.
Unfortunately, that was all Ace was able to see before the blazing fire returned to his eyes a thousand times over and beyond any of his control. Gasping, he fell to his knees, shutting his eyes tightly as the scorching feeling continued to escalate. With the back of one hand he roughly rubbed them while the other hand was clenched tightly as the pain continued to mount.
So distracted by this ordeal that he wasn't aware of another presence near him until he felt himself lifted into the air when something grasped his neck. And though his eyes were in far more pain than the grip on his neck, he struggled to free himself so he could breathe.
The sound of energy crackling through the air suddenly reached his ears, followed by its thunderous impact on a hard surface. The hold on him was suddenly released and he hit the ground.
And as he sat up, he heard the roar of engines and felt the hot force of jets as a large object landed close by. "Ace!" a familiar voice called.
"Lexi?" the leader said, bewildered. "What are you doing here?"
Soon he felt two beings beside him. Two?
"What do you think?" the acrobat's voice replied. "We're here saving your sorry butt."
"Lexi," Tech's voice suddenly rang in, "you need to…"
"Yeah, I know," she interrupted. "I got it." The buzz of energy surged through the air, once again hitting a solid substance.
"Ace…" the coyote said, and from what the rabbit could tell the other was facing him directly. "Are you all right?"
"I…I think so," the leader replied. "Except my eyes are really hurting and…"
"Your eyes?" Tech sounded alarmed. "Did you use your laser vision?"
"Well…yeah, but I didn't have any other choice."
The silence form the coyote didn't make him feel any better about the predicament he was in. "Tech, do you know what happened?"
At first he was only answered with more of the uncomfortable silence. Finally with much hesitation in his voice, the scientist said softly, "Ace…you…"
"Tech!" Lexi's voice called, interrupting the coyote. From what Ace could tell she sounded a small distance away. "I think we have a problem!"
The genius didn't say anything for a second, then said suddenly, "Lexi, get rid of your laser!"
'Laser?' Ace couldn't help but wonder.
"Now what!" the bunny called back, sounding oddly out of breath.
"Here!" the coyote said. "Take my…!"
"Tech, look out!"
And suddenly Ace no longer felt the scientist by his side as a painful gasp reached his ears.
"Tech!" he and Lexi exclaimed.
The ground suddenly began to rumble as the Queen, who had been quiet to that point, gave a loud deep roar. When it died down, the rabbit heard another painful cry from the coyote.
"Tech!" Lexi called again.
"What's going on, Lex?" Ace asked, almost desperate to find out. He hated how, though he heard everything he knew nothing because his eyes hurt too much to open.
The bunny never answered him. However, he felt energy begin to gather to a centered point several yards away, leaving the air around him strangely cold. Suddenly a buzz rang through the air as the energy he felt shot through, colliding with a dense surface. Then he heard two bodies hit the ground as Lexi screamed.
"Lexi!" Ace called.
"No!" he heard Tech say as the acrobat continued to scream.
And too suddenly, she stopped. Everything around them was eerily quiet and Ace wished with everything he had to understand what was happening around him.
"Ace!" the coyote called then. "Get down!"
"What…?" the rabbit managed to say before something smacked him hard on the side of his head, sending him sliding along the ground.
And for a moment, Ace lay there in a daze, feeling as though he was moving. For a brief second, he felt as though he would slide off and fall from wherever he was if it tipped over far enough.
He regained his senses when he heard the hum of energy through the air, pounding once again on hard material. Suddenly the sound of the Queen's deep roar echoed around them as the ground once again began to quake. This time, however, the trembling of the earth lasted longer than its normal fleeting moment. Minutes seemed to pass before the ground was once again calm.
Footsteps reached his ears before he felt a presence beside him. "What happened?" he asked.
"It got away…" Tech replied, sounding slightly upset.
"Got away? How does something that big get away?"
"It liquefied itself and slipped through a hole in the ground underneath it. It seems to be able to control its acidic abilities whether in solid or liquid form, unlike the smaller ones that can only eat away when in their liquid state."
"Yeah…" the rabbit said slowly, "I noticed that…"
"Are you all right?" the coyote asked, his voice sounding closer than before.
"Yeah, I'm okay. My eyes still hurt though. But what about Lexi? What happened to her?"
Before the coyote could answer, the sound of Danger's voice rang on his communicator. "Hey," the mallard said, "somethin' weird just happened…"
"What's that?" Tech asked.
"Well, all the monster things just disappeared."
There was silence for a few seconds. Then the scientist answered, "That is odd…"
"Yeah, I know. What should Slam and I do now?"
"Keep evacuating the people from Acmetropolis," Tech said. "We don't know if and when they'll be back, and it'd be safer if they weren't around if they do return."
There was some hesitation from the show-off before he answered hotly, "Fine."
"I'll be over when I can," the coyote added. Then Ace heard a beep, signaling that he had cut off transmission with the mallard.
"Stay here for a minute, Ace," the scientist said before the rabbit felt the other's presence leave. 'Not like I can go anywhere," he thought.
But there were some things that were beginning to bother him just based on what he heard from the conversation between Tech and Danger. Questions that began to fill his mind with answers he couldn't think of.
There was the obvious question about evacuating the people from Acmetropolis. Where exactly were they planning on taking those people? To another city? What's stopping the creatures from attack there?
And then Danger had asked what he and Slam should do. Where was Rev?
Tech also had said that he'd be there when he could. Obviously, Ace knew that in his current state he wouldn't be able to help. But what about Lexi? What had happened to her before?
He wanted to know what was going on. But he felt that Tech wouldn't tell him right then, so he decided to wait until later to ask again.
He felt the presence return then. "Can you stand?" Tech asked.
"I think so…" the rabbit replied, slowly getting to his feet.
"Okay. Follow me, I'll help you to the jet."
Ace didn't reply as he slowly followed the presence while it began to move away. To bring the jet…did that mean that Tech expected something like this to happen?
Something was really wrong with all this. And even though he wanted to know everything, he already knew that he wasn't going to like it at all.
TBC
[Chapter 3]