Into the Dark (Fox Storm and ab103 only)

ab103 wrote:

Alfred had his face covered with his hands. He tried to keep his breathing steady, to remain clam. So this was it? This was how he was going to die? No! He couldn't! He refused! Did they know who he was? He was Alfred Cosmic. He couldn't die so easily!

Wait.... His monocle was showing something, though it was faint. He couldn't get a good image on it, but he had a good idea what he was looking at. A certain dark blue ship... He had to stall. But how...? He slowly removed his hands and looked at Zurg, frown set but ready to argue business.

"If I do go back to working for you..." Hypothetical. It was only a hypothetical, he wasn't actually saying he would. Hopefully, Zurg wouldn't catch that. "...Would you let these three go?"

"WHAT?!"

Ty, Simone and Pixel all shouted. Pixel shouted, "ARE YOU CRAZY?! ZURG WILL KILL YOU!"

"Alfred, don't do this! Don't sacrifice your OWN life for the sake of ours!" Ty yelled. He didn't want to see Alfred give up his own life to save him! He had to do something to save Alfred now!...But what?

Simone was shocked by what Alfred was doing, and although she didn't say anything, her expression was of concern...she didn't want to see anyone sacrifice their own lives to save Space Rangers.

Fox Storm wrote:
"WHAT?!"

Ty, Simone and Pixel all shouted. Pixel shouted, "ARE YOU CRAZY?! ZURG WILL KILL YOU!"

"Alfred, don't do this! Don't sacrifice your OWN life for the sake of ours!" Ty yelled. He didn't want to see Alfred give up his own life to save him! He had to do something to save Alfred now!...But what?

Simone was shocked by what Alfred was doing, and although she didn't say anything, her expression was of concern...she didn't want to see anyone sacrifice their own lives to save Space Rangers.

"Oh, would you just SHUT. UP." He was being harsh, but he had to keep up appearances. He hoped he could drop the act soon. "Do you really think I have anything worth it to not do what I'm doing?" Vague... He wasn't actually asking to work for Zurg again, after all. "It's not like a majority of Star Command would even bat an eye if I did this!"

He scoffed again and crossed his arms. "Besides, I'm not doing it for you alone. Do you really think I actually want to die? I'm doing this for my own sake, but if you three can get out of it alive and well, then that's just an added bonus."

Oh, come on... Any minute now...

ab103 wrote:
"Oh, would you just SHUT. UP." He was being harsh, but he had to keep up appearances. He hoped he could drop the act soon. "Do you really think I have anything worth it to not do what I'm doing?" Vague... He wasn't actually asking to work for Zurg again, after all. "It's not like a majority of Star Command would even bat an eye if I did this!"

He scoffed again and crossed his arms. "Besides, I'm not doing it for you alone. Do you really think I actually want to die? I'm doing this for my own sake, but if you three can get out of it alive and well, then that's just an added bonus."

Oh, come on... Any minute now...

But before anyone could say anything....Alfred's wish was granted...

WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!

Needless to say, everyone was shocked at the alarm going off. Zurg yelled out, "What the-what's going on?!"

A grub came out of nowhere and explained to Zurg, "A group of people are attacking the fortress, Evil Emperor Zurg!"

"WHAT?! Are they Space Rangers?!"

The grub gulped. "N-no, your evilness. They're masked and flying around, firing their guns at us!"

Zurg quickly took action and demanded, "Fire all weapons at them NOW!"

Fox Storm wrote:
But before anyone could say anything....Alfred's wish was granted...

WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!

Needless to say, everyone was shocked at the alarm going off. Zurg yelled out, "What the-what's going on?!"

A grub came out of nowhere and explained to Zurg, "A group of people are attacking the fortress, Evil Emperor Zurg!"

"WHAT?! Are they Space Rangers?!"

The grub gulped. "N-no, your evilness. They're masked and flying around, firing their guns at us!"

Zurg quickly took action and demanded, "Fire all weapons at them NOW!"

Alfred sighed in relief. About time. He looked at his friends. "We need to get out of here while everyone's distracted," he told them, just loud enough that they could hear, but quiet enough that no one else could.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred sighed in relief. About time. He looked at his friends. "We need to get out of here while everyone's distracted," he told them, just loud enough that they could hear, but quiet enough that no one else could.

"What? After what you were about to do, do you think we're going to just let you come along with us?!" Simone felt so annoyed by this guy's attitude. It was as if he were two-faced!

But before Alfred could defend himself, the wall exploded next to them! They all pushed aside the Hornets and leaped out of the way in time, letting the wall debris fall on the Hornets, crushing them.

The Rangers, Alfred, and Zurg looked up in the newly made hole in the wall, after the smoke had cleared, and saw a brown-cloaked creature with a white mask on its face, flying with a jet pack.

It was the Healer! And she was accompanied by black-armored warriors with blue masks on.

"Ah...uh...whoever you are, so you entered MY planet unannounced?!...and NOT on my schedule?!" Zurg yelled at her.

Needless to say, Ty, Simone, Pixel, and Alfred all felt glad to see her come in. They watched as she landed in front of them, preparing for a fight, ignoring Zurg. The warriors landed by her, forming a protective circle around her and the prisoners, weapons drawn out.

One of the warriors took Warp by surprise by kicking him in the waist and sending him off to the side.

Suddenly the Healer rapidly turned around and pulled out a long broadsword from her robe, cutting the handcuffs off the humans!

Fox Storm wrote:
"What? After what you were about to do, do you think we're going to just let you come along with us?!" Simone felt so annoyed by this guy's attitude. It was as if he were two-faced!

Alfred took on an incredulous look at Simone's comment. She was kidding... Right? Even if he was trying to just stall and distract Zurg, didn't she realize that he was still trying to get them out safely? That he didn't want to work for Zurg...?

Fox Storm wrote:
But before Alfred could defend himself, the wall exploded next to them! They all pushed aside the Hornets and leaped out of the way in time, letting the wall debris fall on the Hornets, crushing them.

The Rangers, Alfred, and Zurg looked up in the newly made hole in the wall, after the smoke had cleared, and saw a brown-cloaked creature with a white mask on its face, flying with a jet pack.

It was the Healer! And she was accompanied by black-armored warriors with blue masks on.

"Ah...uh...whoever you are, so you entered MY planet unannounced?!...and NOT on my schedule?!" Zurg yelled at her.

Needless to say, Ty, Simone, Pixel, and Alfred all felt glad to see her come in. They watched as she landed in front of them, preparing for a fight, ignoring Zurg.The warriors landed by her, forming a protective circle around her and the prisoners, weapons drawn out.

One of the warriors took Warp by surprise by kicking him in the waist and sending him off to the side.

Suddenly she rapidly turned around and pulled out a long broadsword from her robe, cutting the handcuffs off the humans!

A sword? In this day and age? The Healer had some type of style, he had to admit. Alfred rubbed his hands and looked to the others. "Once again, I suggest we get out of here."

ab103 wrote:
A sword? In this day and age? The Healer had some type of style, he had to admit. Alfred rubbed his hands and looked to the others. "Once again, I suggest we get out of here."

Ty and Simone rubbed their wrists, easing the pain while the Healer pulled off Pixel's muzzle off her snout.

Pixel moved her jaws around to get them loose. "Man, I hate it when that happens!"

The Healer turned to all of them and quickly ordered in that goddess-like voice, "Alfred's right. ALL of you leave now! No will be left behind! My warriors will escort you back to my ship, but you must be quick!"

"No one is going anywhere, whoever you are! They're MY prisoners!" He ordered Hornets to come out and destroy them. A few of the warriors jumped into action and started taking out the Hornets. Warp tried to get up, but that kick really did a number on him, thus making it harder for him to rise up.

A nearby Grub warned Zurg, "Evil Emperor Zurg, an unidentified small green craft is attacking the palace!"

"WHAT?! Send more Hornets to-" The palace shook underneath the said ship's hits, distracting Zurg for the time being.

The Healer turned to a nearby warrior and ordered, "Strider! Take two of your men and escort these people back to the ship! If anything should happen to me, I want you to return them to Star Command and let my partner take over!"

"Yes, Milady!" Strider obeyed in a deep authoritative voice. He motioned to two of these warriors. "You two, come with me!" The Healer turned back to the humans and Pixel and told them, "You will be safe with Strider and his men. Now, take to the skies! GO!" She ordered Alfred to fly with Strider.

Without hesitation, Ty, Simone and Pixel activated their jet packs and took off. Strider grabbed hold of Alfred and they took to the skies as well, leaving the Healer down with her warriors.

Ty gave a worried glance down at the Healer, hoping she'd make it out. He knew she'd be alright, but as a Space Ranger, he hoped she would get out safely.

Fox Storm wrote:
Ty and Simone rubbed their wrists, easing the pain while the Healer pulled off Pixel's muzzle off her snout.

Pixel moved her jaws around to get them loose. "Man, I hate it when that happens!"

The Healer turned to all of them and quickly ordered in that goddess-like voice, "Alfred's right. ALL of you leave now! No will be left behind! My warriors will escort you back to my ship, but you must be quick!"

"No one is going anywhere, whoever you are! They're MY prisoners!" He ordered Hornets to come out and destroy them. A few of the warriors jumped into action and started taking out the Hornets. Warp tried to get up, but that kick really did a number on him, thus making it harder for him to rise up.

A nearby Grub warned Zurg, "Evil Emperor Zurg, an unidentified small green craft is attacking the palace!"

"WHAT?! Send more Hornets to-" The palace shook underneath the said ship's hits, distracting Zurg for the time being.

The Healer turned to a nearby warrior and ordered, "Strider! Take two of your men and escort these people back to the ship! If anything should happen to me, I want you to return them to Star Command and let my partner take over!"

"Yes, Milady!" Strider obeyed in a deep authoritative voice. He motioned to two of these warriors. "You two, come with me!" The Healer turned back to the humans and Pixel and told them, "You will be safe with Strider and his men. Now, take to the skies! GO!" She ordered Alfred to fly with Strider.

Without hesitation, Ty, Simone and Pixel activated their jet packs and took off. Strider grabbed hold of Alfred and they took to the skies as well, leaving the Healer down with her warriors.

Ty gave a worried glance down at the Healer, hoping she'd make it out. He knew she'd be alright, but as a Space Ranger, he hoped she would get out safely.

Alfred really needed to invest in his own jet pack... He did his best to glance back at the Healer, though he had very little doubt that she would be harmed. At least they were getting out of that situation. They were going to be alright.... Right?

ab103 wrote:

Alfred really needed to invest in his own jet pack... He did his best to glance back at the Healer, though he had very little doubt that she would be harmed. At least they were getting out of that situation. They were going to be alright.... Right?

"Do not worry about milady, gentlemen." Strider assured them. "She is quite capable of handling herself in times of crises."

Suddenly, Pixel's ears picked up something in the wind...the sound of turbines. As she looked around to find the source, a laser suddenly came their way!

"WATCH OUT!"

Luckily, everyone saw it and got out of the way, just in time! They resumed their course after avoiding the laser blast.

"Geez, that was a close one. Where'd that come from?!" His question was answered as something was heading their way...

Fox Storm wrote:
"Do not worry about milady, gentlemen." Strider assured them. "She is quite capable of handling herself in times of crises."

Suddenly, Pixel's ears picked up something in the wind...the sound of turbines. As she looked around to find the source, a laser suddenly came their way!

"WATCH OUT!"

Luckily, everyone saw it and got out of the way, just in time! They resumed their course after avoiding the laser blast.

"Geez, that was a close one. Where'd that come from?!" His question was answered as something was heading their way...

"Oh, you've GOT to be bloomin' kidding." Alfred frowned at the thing heading towards them. Seeker bots. Not ones he built before, so they were probably not THAT hard to destroy... He hoped.

ab103 wrote:

"Oh, you've GOT to be bloomin' kidding." Alfred frowned at the thing heading towards them. Seeker bots. Not ones he built before, so they were probably not THAT hard to destroy... He hoped.

He was wrong, of course. The seeker bots came at them at ramming speed, firing lasers from the front sides, intending to hit them!

In that instant, all heck broke loose. The Rangers started firing at the seeker bots, avoiding their attacks however they could, while Strider and his warriors fought them with their swords!

"Everyone! Get to the ship now!" Strider yelled, careful not to let Alfred go.

No one dared disobeyed him. They soared through the air, firing off at the seeker bots here and there. But the seeker bots were like bees; they kept on coming and swarming around them. The fighters swerved and flew as fast as they could, defending themselves as much as they could against these robots.

They kept flying until they were within range of the ship. Strider opened up a wrist com and ordered into it, "Attention! This is Strider! We've got the Rangers and Alfred, but we're under attack by Zurg's forces. I need some backup now!"

No sooner was his request answered by more warriors, who bolted out of the ship and activated their jet packs, heading towards the small group. The backup warriors fired off at the oncoming seeker bots, picking them all off like flies.

They were all soon gone...or so it seemed.

None of them noticed that one seeker bot remained hidden in the clouds, waiting for the right moment to strike. While the small group greeted the backup group, the seeker bot shot out a giant green laser out at Strider and Alfred!

Luckily, Ty's ears heard it first and he turned to face the source of the whistling sound. He gasped and saw it was heading towards Strider and Alfred. He did the only thing he could think of at that moment.

"NO!" He flew up to Strider and Alfred and shoved them out of the way...

But his action had cost him dearly as he screamed in horrible pain. Everyone watched in horror as the laser blast hit him in the chest and waist, burning through his suit and into his skin.

The shot had also reached his one of his wings, destroying his ability to fly, and he starting plummeting down to the earth.

Fox Storm wrote:
He was wrong, of course. The seeker bots came at them at ramming speed, firing lasers from the front sides, intending to hit them!

In that instant, all heck broke loose. The Rangers started firing at the seeker bots, avoiding their attacks however they could, while Strider and his warriors fought them with their swords!

"Everyone! Get to the ship now!" Strider yelled, careful not to let Alfred go.

No one dared disobeyed him. They soared through the air, firing off at the seeker bots here and there. But the seeker bots were like bees; they kept on coming and swarming around them. The fighters swerved and flew as fast as they could, defending themselves as much as they could against these robots.

They kept flying until they were within range of the ship. Strider opened up a wrist com and ordered into it, "Attention! This is Strider! We've got the Rangers and Alfred, but we're under attack by Zurg's forces. I need some backup now!"

No sooner was his request answered by more warriors, who bolted out of the ship and activated their jet packs, heading towards the small group. The backup warriors fired off at the oncoming seeker bots, picking them all off like flies.

They were all soon gone...or so it seemed.

None of them noticed that one seeker bot remained hidden in the clouds, waiting for the right moment to strike. While the small group greeted the backup group, the seeker bot shot out a giant green laser out at Strider and Alfred!

Luckily, Ty's ears heard it first and he turned to face the source of the whistling sound. He gasped and saw it was heading towards Strider and Alfred. He did the only thing he could think of at that moment.

"NO!" He flew up to Strider and Alfred and shoved them out of the way...

But his action had cost him dearly as he screamed in horrible pain. Everyone watched in horror as the laser blast hit him in the chest and waist, burning through his suit and into his skin.

The shot had also reached his one of his wings, destroying his ability to fly, and he starting plummeting down to the earth.

"TY!" Alfred watched his cousin plummet towards the ground. "We have to go get him!" That IDIOT. What did he think he was doing, taking the hit like that?!

ab103 wrote:

"TY!" Alfred watched his cousin plummet towards the ground. "We have to go get him!" That IDIOT. What did he think he was doing, taking the hit like that?!

Simone was too angry taking out the seeker bot after it hurt Ty to hear that comment. But she did hear Pixel yell,

"No problem! I'll get him!" The dustchaser growled in determination and yelled below, "Hang on, Ty! I'M COMIN'!" She immediately soared downwards, ignoring the pain that came at her side from flying too fast.

Ty seemed to fall faster, feeling his heart race, both at his pain AND the fact that one of his wings had been damaged. He held his side, feeling something wet. He drew his hand from his side, and felt...blood. His blood. He started coughing at how badly he was hurt, and felt like he was going to be sick. He saw Pixel trying to race down to get him and he reached out with a free hand to her.

Meanwhile, Simone, Alfred and the others watched as Pixel sped towards Ty, hoping she'd get there in time.

They instantly saw something forming around her. It looked like she was picking up speed...enough to pull off her ultimate trick!

Pixel sped faster and faster, trying to catch her partner, her paws spread out in front of her, her mind concentrated, and her body battered and bruised but strong enough to take on her increasing speed....

She reached the breaking point before she finally hit...

KA-BOOM!

Fox Storm wrote:
Simone was too angry taking out the seeker bot after it hurt Ty to hear that comment. But she did hear Pixel yell,

"No problem! I'll get him!" The dustchaser growled in determination and yelled below, "Hang on, Ty! I'M COMIN'!" She immediately soared downwards, ignoring the pain that came at her side from flying too fast.

Ty seemed to fall faster, feeling his heart race, both at his pain AND the fact that one of his wings had been damaged. He held his side, feeling something wet. He drew his hand from his side, and felt...blood. His blood. He started coughing at how badly he was hurt, and felt like he was going to be sick. He saw Pixel trying to race down to get him and he reached out with a free hand to her.

Meanwhile, Simone, Alfred and the others watched as Pixel sped towards Ty, hoping she'd get there in time.

They instantly saw something forming around her. It looked like she was picking up speed...enough to pull off her ultimate trick!

Pixel sped faster and faster, trying to catch her partner, her paws spread out in front of her, her mind concentrated, and her body battered and bruised but strong enough to take on her increasing speed....

She reached the breaking point before she finally hit...

KA-BOOM!

Alfred watched Pixel as she faster and faster, hoping that she could catch Ty in time, and hoping that she wasn't hurting herself too much from flying at that speed. He cringed at the sonic boom, and looked away, not wanting to see them if either Ty or Pixel happened to get seriously injured. They had to be alright, he told himself. There was no way they couldn't be. Still, he didn't want to see what may had happened...

ab103 wrote:

Alfred watched Pixel as she faster and faster, hoping that she could catch Ty in time, and hoping that she wasn't hurting herself too much from flying at that speed. He cringed at the sonic boom, and looked away, not wanting to see them if either Ty or Pixel happened to get seriously injured. They had to be alright, he told himself. There was no way they couldn't be. Still, he didn't want to see what may had happened...

Simone looked on in worry, her brow tense and her her fist clasped in front of her chest, silently praying to Pluto that the worst didn't happen. The warriors looked on in shock at the loud noise of the sonic boom. They never heard a creature perform under that kind of pressure and speed before, but their leader DID tell them that she was such a fast beast.

The air hung by a thick thread of worry...where were they?

Suddenly, they heard a very high-pitched whistle, coming from below. They looked down, but they had to squint their eyes to see...to hope it was Ty and Pixel.

And it was! Ty had an arm wrapped around Pixel's uninjured side, hanging onto her back and too out of it to notice the side that was bleeding again. He was conscious, but he felt he had to hang on until they reached the ship, and so he fought with all his might to stay awake. The rest of his body was dragged behind like a rag doll, dripping with blood down his sides through his suit. But they were alive!

As soon as Pixel slowed down and neared the groups, Simone saw their bleeding forms and quickly went to work. She looked over them, and hastily told Strider, "We have to get them into the ship! Is there a med bay on your ship?"

Strider nodded. "Then let's go! We don't have much time!"

Without another word, they all flew to the ship, getting inside.

Fox Storm wrote:
Simone looked on in worry, her brow tense and her her fist clasped in front of her chest, silently praying to Pluto that the worst didn't happen. The warriors looked on in shock at the loud noise of the sonic boom. They never heard a creature perform under that kind of pressure and speed before, but their leader DID tell them that she was such a fast beast.

The air hung by a thick thread of worry...where were they?

Suddenly, they heard a very high-pitched whistle, coming from below. They looked down, but they had to squint their eyes to see...to hope it was Ty and Pixel.

And it was! Ty had an arm wrapped around Pixel's uninjured side, hanging onto her back and too out of it to notice the side that was bleeding again. He was conscious, but he felt he had to hang on until they reached the ship, and so he fought with all his might to stay awake. The rest of his body was dragged behind like a rag doll, dripping with blood down his sides through his suit. But they were alive!

As soon as Pixel slowed down and neared the groups, Simone saw their bleeding forms and quickly went to work. She looked over them, and hastily told Strider, "We have to get them into the ship! Is there a med bay on your ship?"

Strider nodded. "Then let's go! We don't have much time!"

Without another word, they all flew to the ship, getting inside.

Once they were on board the ship, Alfred couldn't just sit still. He couldn't stay in the med bay where Ty and Pixel were being taken care of and instead wandered around the ship, inspecting this and that, just trying to keep himself occupied so his worry and guilt wouldn't consume him.

...Guilt, huh? Why in the world should he feel guilty? It wasn't like it was his fault that the three Rangers had to go looking for him and were then caught by Darkmatter. It wasn't his fault the seeker bot hit Ty when it was aiming at HIM. It wasn't his fault that Pixel was hurt by his own security system, making her subsequent injuries more serious.

He cringed. No, of course it was his fault. Or, at the very least, he was expecting all of the blame. There was no way he could return to Star Command after this. No matter what anyone said.

He looked up and noticed that he was somehow in front of the med bay again. He must had gone in a circle at one point. He wondered if he should go in and check on Pixel and Ty. Logic was telling him that it wasn't the best thing to do, but since when did he listen to common sense? He went through the doors and looked around.

ab103 wrote:

Once they were on board the ship, Alfred couldn't just sit still. He couldn't stay in the med bay where Ty and Pixel were being taken care of and instead wandered around the ship, inspecting this and that, just trying to keep himself occupied so his worry and guilt wouldn't consume him.

...Guilt, huh? Why in the world should he feel guilty? It wasn't like it was his fault that the three Rangers had to go looking for him and were then caught by Darkmatter. It wasn't his fault the seeker bot hit Ty when it was aiming at HIM. It wasn't his fault that Pixel was hurt by his own security system, making her subsequent injuries more serious.

He cringed. No, of course it was his fault. Or, at the very least, he was expecting all of the blame. There was no way he could return to Star Command after this. No matter what anyone said.

He looked up and noticed that he was somehow in front of the med bay again. He must had gone in a circle at one point. He wondered if he should go in and check on Pixel and Ty. Logic was telling him that it wasn't the best thing to do, but since when did he listen to common sense? He went through the doors and looked around.

Simone and a few other masked figures looked over the patients, tending to their wounds. The med bay was small, but it was big enough to house everyone. Ty and Pixel themselves were seated on beds. Medical supplies were scattered on tables everywhere, and blood stained much of their clothes.

Not that Simone cared. She was busy pressing down on Ty's wounds to stop the bleeding coming from his very large laser wounds, where he was hit in the left side of the chest and his waist. She had no choice but to tear off his shirt to make it easier for her to work. A masked figure was at her side, giving her large white bandages when she needed them. Ty himself was unconscious, a limp expression set across his features.

Pixel was a bit more lucky. Although the sonic boom had taken more out of her than she thought, she managed to be healed more quickly than Ty. Her bandages were replaced with new ones, and she took to laying down on the table, intending to get some rest after she did the sonic boom. She looked over and saw Simone's eyes glazed with worry, although her expression was serious.

"She REALLY is determined to save his life. Not that it's not hard to figure out, but the way she's doing her job...it's like she will attack anyone who dares come between her and her job..."

Pixel heard someone come in the door and to her surprise, it was Alfred.

Fox Storm wrote:
Simone and a few other masked figures looked over the patients, tending to their wounds. The med bay was small, but it was big enough to house everyone. Ty and Pixel themselves were seated on beds. Medical supplies were scattered on tables everywhere, and blood stained much of their clothes.

Not that Simone cared. She was busy pressing down on Ty's wounds to stop the bleeding coming from his very large laser wounds, where he was hit in the left side of the chest and his waist. She had no choice but to tear off his shirt to make it easier for her to work. A masked figure was at her side, giving her large white bandages when she needed them. Ty himself was unconscious, a limp expression set across his features.

Pixel was a bit more lucky. Although the sonic boom had taken more out of her than she thought, she managed to be healed more quickly than Ty. Her bandages were replaced with new ones, and she took to laying down on the table, intending to get some rest after she did the sonic boom. She looked over and saw Simone's eyes glazed with worry, although her expression was serious.

"She REALLY is determined to save his life. Not that it's not hard to figure out, but the way she's doing her job...it's like she will attack anyone who dares come between her and her job..."

Pixel heard someone come in the door and to her surprise, it was Alfred.

Alfred made sure not to get in the way of anyone. He already caused enough trouble, he didn't want to do anything more to get himself in trouble. He just wanted to see how everyone was doing. He looked at Ty... And then he looked away, a surge of remorse filling him again. He then looked at Pixel and saw that she was watching him.

He waved slightly, not knowing what else to do. He mentally debated whether to go over to Pixel or to go ahead and leave now that he saw how Ty and Pixel were doing.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred made sure not to get in the way of anyone. He already caused enough trouble, he didn't want to do anything more to get himself in trouble. He just wanted to see how everyone was doing. He looked at Ty... And then he looked away, a surge of remorse filling him again. He then looked at Pixel and saw that she was watching him.

He waved slightly, not knowing what else to do. He mentally debated whether to go over to Pixel or to go ahead and leave now that he saw how Ty and Pixel were doing.

Pixel slightly waved back at Alfred with her tail, taking great care not to move around too much.

The leaf green masked figures in navy blue robes didn't seem to notice or care if Alfred was there or not. They just went about their business in silence, tending to Ty now that Pixel was more or less taken care of.

Alfred just stood looking at Simone taking care of Ty, and Pixel watched Alfred, as he seemed to debate internally about something. She tilted her head and was about to ask him what he was thinking about when Strider walked in, going around Alfred and announced, "Everyone. The Healer has returned."

Upon hearing that, the masked figures turned to face Strider, Simone and Pixel as well. When Simone saw Alfred was there, a look of fury burrowed itself onto her face, but she didn't say anything.

"Is the Healer alright, Strider?" asked one of the masked figures, worry evident in her, and everyone.

Strider sighed. "She is alright, but she needs all of your help in tending to some of the warriors who were hit while fighting against Zurg's forces."

Simone's eyes widened in near despair and outrage. She couldn't leave Ty's side! Not while he was in a very critical condition. But Strider saw her distress and, as if he were smiling, he assured her, "Fear not, Simone. You can stay here and tend to Ty's needs. Only the rest of us may go." He motioned for everyone who was masked to leave at once, before leaving himself.

"Oh, I almost forgot." He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "The Healer will come in and see you all in a few moments. She wishes to speak with you." And with that, he left, leaving a thick cord of tension in the air.

Fox Storm wrote:
Pixel slightly waved back at Alfred with her tail, taking great care not to move around too much.

The leaf green masked figures in navy blue robes didn't seem to notice or care if Alfred was there or not. They just went about their business in silence, tending to Ty now that Pixel was more or less taken care of.

Alfred just stood looking at Simone taking care of Ty, and Pixel watched Alfred, as he seemed to debate internally about something. She tilted her head and was about to ask him what he was thinking about when Strider walked in, going around Alfred and announced, "Everyone. The Healer has returned."

Upon hearing that, the masked figures turned to face Strider, Simone and Pixel as well. When Simone saw Alfred was there, a look of fury burrowed itself onto her face, but she didn't say anything.

"Is the Healer alright, Strider?" asked one of the masked figures, worry evident in her, and everyone.

Strider sighed. "She is alright, but she needs all of your help in tending to some of the warriors who were hit while fighting against Zurg's forces."

Simone's eyes widened in near despair and outrage. She couldn't leave Ty's side! Not while he was in a very critical condition. But Strider saw her distress and, as if he were smiling, he assured her, "Fear not, Simone. You can stay here and tend to Ty's needs. Only the rest of us may go." He motioned for everyone who was masked to leave at once, before leaving himself.

"Oh, I almost forgot." He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "The Healer will come in and see you all in a few moments. She wishes to speak with you." And with that, he left, leaving a thick cord of tension in the air.

"...Of course she does," Alfred sighed, quietly, after Strider left. He continued to stand there awkwardly for a moment before he managed to find a chair. He side-stepped over to it, obviously nervous by the fact that Simone and Pixel were staring at him, and sat down, looking away from them to try and avoid suspicion.

He was hoping to just sit there with the weight of tension on his shoulders, but he had a feeling that the silence would be broken while the tension remained strong.

ab103 wrote:

"...Of course she does," Alfred sighed, quietly, after Strider left. He continued to stand there awkwardly for a moment before he managed to find a chair. He side-stepped over to it, obviously nervous by the fact that Simone and Pixel were staring at him, and sat down, looking away from them to try and avoid suspicion.

He was hoping to just sit there with the weight of tension on his shoulders, but he had a feeling that the silence would be broken while the tension remained strong.

Simone snorted at Alfred's attempts to seem small. "Well, if you're not going to say anything, I will." She quickly turned back to the unconscious Ranger in the bed as she sat on his bedside, finishing up the bandaging. And in a few seconds, she was done. She looked over him.

He had bandages wrapped around his waist, and bandages wrapped around his chest wound. She slowly got off the bed and covered him up with the blankets, tucking him in to make sure he was warm enough.

She rapidly faced Alfred, her braid whipping her face, and asked, very quietly yet accusingly,"Now...why are you still here? Haven't you caused ENOUGH damage already?!" She talked so low to make sure Ty didn't wake up.

Fox Storm wrote:
Simone snorted at Alfred's attempts to seem small. "Well, if you're not going to say anything, I will." She quickly turned back to the unconscious Ranger in the bed as she sat on his bedside, finishing up the bandaging. And in a few seconds, she was done. She looked over him.

He had bandages wrapped around his waist, and bandages wrapped around his chest wound. She slowly got off the bed and covered him up with the blankets, tucking him in to make sure he was warm enough.

She rapidly faced Alfred, her braid whipping her face, and asked, very quietly yet accusingly,"Now...why are you still here? Haven't you caused ENOUGH damage already?!" She talked so low to make sure Ty didn't wake up.

Alfred cringed at her tone. "M-Madam, please..." He didn't even feel safe enough to call Simone by her name... "Where do you expect me to go...?" He tried to avoid looking at her, not wanting to incite any more anger. Why was Simone such an angry woman? He was not used to this kind of thing...

ab103 wrote:

Alfred cringed at her tone. "M-Madam, please..." He didn't even feel safe enough to call Simone by her name... "Where do you expect me to go...?" He tried to avoid looking at her, not wanting to incite any more anger. Why was Simone such an angry woman? He was not used to this kind of thing...

Pixel also cringed at Simone's anger, but she wasn't going to say anything. She knew she'd make things worse if she said even ONE word, so she just decided to be quiet.

"I expect you to...to...to go back to Zurg, after what you pulled back at the palace! Do you think that after what you did, I would be able to trust you again after everything that happened recently?!"

THAT had set Alfred's nerves on fire.

Fox Storm wrote:
Pixel also cringed at Simone's anger, but she wasn't going to say anything. She knew she'd make things worse if she said even ONE word, so she just decided to be quiet.

"I expect you to...to...to go back to Zurg, after what you pulled back at the palace! Do you think that after what you did, I would be able to trust you again after everything that happened recently?!"

THAT had set Alfred's nerves on fire.

"You're KIDDING. You're absolutely KIDDING." Alfred tried to remain civil, but he was starting to get upset with this woman. "What I pulled in the palace? I was FAKING IT. I have absolutely no intention of ever going back to Zurg! But I had to say SOMETHING. I had to stall, just long enough for the Healer to arrive. Sure, I could have said something different, but I was under a lot of pressure there!" He neglected to say HOW he knew the Healer was coming, but he didn't give Simone a chance to comment on it. He stood up and started pacing, trying to vent his emotions.

"Oh, I am so SICK and TIRED of this. I do what I can to help, and it all just seems to backfire! Ty became paranoid that everything I do is meant to harm you lot, YOU can't let go of the fact that I used to work for Zurg even after everything I went through to quit, and Pixel, the ONLY person besides XL who actually remained kind to me, got hurt thanks to XR and everyone wants to blame it on me! And, XL only stayed kind to me because HE used to be evil! I don't see you berating HIM for helping NOS-4-A2 kidnap Ty and use him against his will!"

He started laughing, but it lacked any amount of humor. "You know what? YES. I am EVIL. But that doesn't mean I want to hurt my family and friends! It only means that I manipulate and cheat to actually try and HAVE a good life what with everything Fate seems to want to throw at me! You want me gone? FINE. Go convince Commander Nebula to let me go back to Beta and we'll never have to see each other again!"

He sat down again, head in his hands, and quivering. "I can't believe I actually let myself care about any of you... I should have learned my lesson after Releta left me..."

ab103 wrote:

"You're KIDDING. You're absolutely KIDDING." Alfred tried to remain civil, but he was starting to get upset with this woman. "What I pulled in the palace? I was FAKING IT. I have absolutely no intention of ever going back to Zurg! But I had to say SOMETHING. I had to stall, just long enough for the Healer to arrive. Sure, I could have said something different, but I was under a lot of pressure there!" He neglected to say HOW he knew the Healer was coming, but he didn't give Simone a chance to comment on it. He stood up and started pacing, trying to vent his emotions.

Simone tried to comment, but Alfred wouldn't have it.

ab103 wrote:
"Oh, I am so SICK and TIRED of this. I do what I can to help, and it all just seems to backfire! Ty became paranoid that everything I do is meant to harm you lot, YOU can't let go of the fact that I used to work for Zurg even after everything I went through to quit, and Pixel, the ONLY person besides XL who actually remained kind to me, got hurt thanks to XR and everyone wants to blame it on me! And, XL only stayed kind to me because HE used to be evil! I don't see you berating HIM for helping NOS-4-A2 kidnap Ty and use him against his will!"

Pixel just cringed at the bitterness towards Simone when he said that. Simone didn't even bother trying to justify her indifferent feelings towards XL...she didn't care about XL nor did she want to. Sure, she was mad at XL, but that wasn't important now. If Alfred hadn't built NOS-4-A2 in the first place...she wouldn't have
anything to be mad about. She wouldn't feel more anger and betrayal after she had a fight with-

ab103 wrote:
He started laughing, but it lacked any amount of humor. "You know what? YES. I am EVIL. But that doesn't mean I want to hurt my family and friends! It only means that I manipulate and cheat to actually try and HAVE a good life what with everything Fate seems to want to throw at me! You want me gone? FINE. Go convince Commander Nebula to let me go back to Beta and we'll never have to see each other again!"

He sat down again, head in his hands, and quivering. "I can't believe I actually let myself care about any of you... I should have learned my lesson after Releta left me..."

Pixel's ears perked up. This time, she knew she had to say something. So she asked, in a very cautioning yet interested tone, "Releta?....who is she?"