Reaper High - The Two Houses
A long time ago i wanted to write a massive Drabble about Reaper High vs The Fallen. Here's hoping it's not too late. ----- As the capital ship loomed over the school, more and more students came to see the spectacle. Shayde began to panic and grabbed Roulette. "You led them to us!! What were you thinking?!" He yelled, shaking his sister wildly. The warlock broke his grasp and resumed her observation of the Ketch. This was now a dire situation, and the fire-team had little time to extract Shayde from this zone before The Fallen decimated it. Roulette took Shayde's shoulder. "They won't be able to catch us if we leave now! If you still have your sparrow-" "Leave?!" Shayde exclaimed, as if disgusted. "You were to just grab and turn tail without helping my friends?!" Lux knelt in front of the Hunter, in a pleading manner. "Please, Brother. You must come with us! This place is lost but we can still save you!" Shayde clutched his head, growling and gritting, until he finally snapped and shouted at him. "THERE'S NOTHING TO SAVE ME FROM AND I DON'T KNOW YOU!" He turned away angrily, as Vega and Stake came to comfort him. They glared at the other guardians. "You need to leave. And be quick about it." Vega hissed. Lux stepped back up, and reassumed his normal characteristics of anger and impatience. "Deliver our brother to us and we may. Until then, we will take as long as we must." Roulette stepped up beside him. "As much as I hate to agree with him, we can't leave without him. Our mission hinges on his safe return." Shayde once again shouted. "Tell them to stop! I don't want to go back! I'm not doing it! I WON'T!" The party's attention returned to the warship, as several smaller drop ships descended upon the school. Xavis drew her Pulse Rifle, Red Death, and cracked her knuckles. "Less arguing, more school saving and Fallen killing!" ------ Russell had slipped away before the warship arrived and proceeded to pick off the weaker foot-soldiers the teams that deployed from the dropships. He was surprised that The Fallen were so vulnerable to small arms fire. But then again, their race was so divided that it made it hard for their technology to change at all. A skiff fell from the air and smashed into the ground about a couple yards from the entrance. There was a massive hole blown into the front. Plasma. Russell took out comm, a nickname for walkie talkie, and called up Jenny. "Wakeman. Quit shooting them down so close to me, otherwise you might crush me." Jenny promptly responded. "Sorry, but how else am I going to take these guys down?" Russell shot a sniper taking aim at her. "Simple. Keep doing what you're doing, just farther away from me." The battle was actually going in the students' favor, as The Fallen couldn't spare too many soldiers fighting, so they sent in their cannon fodder drones, the Shanks. They few fallen who actually were on the ground became tougher and tougher as they deployed however, making it tougher for the students without super powers or weapons. Jabari was one such case. ------ The Captain grabbed Jabari off of his back and flung him into Juniper, knocking her unconscious, and leaving Jabari struggling to get back onto his feet. He had only his staff with him, and it wasn't doing him much good on the bigger Fallen threats. He'd been told of them, and he prepared for their assault as best he could, but this wasn't just a band of raiders; this was an army. The captain laughed at Jabari in an alien tongue, and readied his weapon. "Hey, Ugly!" The Captain turned around to face the taunt and was greeted by a plasma bolt, causing him to stagger. Jabari used the opportunity to knock him down, using his staff to sweep the Captain's feet from under him. The Captain hit a table on his way down, and was out cold or before he hit the floor. "Hey! You ok there?" The voice belonged to Shard. He had seen Jabari and Juniper's struggle against the Captain as he was en route to help Jenny, and decided to help them instead. "I am..." Jabari signed, wincing a bit as he did. "...but she needs help." He moved over to Juniper and lifted her up by her arm, motioning to Shard for help. Shard hoisted her up. "Let's get her someplace safe. Then we'll talk more." ----- Jackbots were always designed to be disposable, but at a time like this, Jack got ticked whenever one got shot down. The Shanks weren't as impressive as Jack's self made army, but they were more diverse. Exploder Shanks detonated within proximity of large groups of enemies, Sniper Shanks picked them off from a distance, and Repeater Shanks peppered their foes with constant barrages of shock pellets. Jack popped from cover to give his bots orders, only to find that Blossom had beaten them to battle. She'd scrapped the drones before the Jackbots even showed up. "Oh, come on! They totally had that!" He shouted, throwing his hands up in partially aroused jealousy. "Sure, Spicer. Being 10 minutes late to a battle is 'Totally having' it." She sighed. "One of these days, you're going to get yourself into a situation I can't get you out of..." Jack rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Like you'd let that happen." "Wha-I...What gave you that indication, if I may ask?" "You just said 'a situation You can't get me out of.' Implying that you would if you could." Blossom was about to protest, when an explosion cut her off. The origin was somewhere near the entrance. "We'll discuss this later." She sneered with a slight blush. ----- By the time Jack and Blossom arrived, The Guardians were already formulating a plan to board the Fallen warship, kill the Fallen Kell, the leader of the invasion, and destroy the ship itself. "Once the Kell is dead, we have to find the Ship's core, and destroy it. Once that happens, you will have 5 minutes to evacuate. You'll be on your own at that point, and we can't promise that anyone of you will survive that far." Roulette went on about the defenses of the ship, assigning people to certain roles as the appeared. She was basing their roles on what Shayde told her of them. Jenny would be air control, Russell would be sniper overwatch, with Bubbles and Buttercup as heavy assault units. The conversation following the assignment went about as well as one would expect. "Who put you in charge? We could just fling it into space and blow it up!" Buttercup questioned, getting up in Lux's face. "WE are the ones who have fought The Fallen before, and YOU will stand down, be quiet and follow our orders!" The Exo shouted back. "Or what?! What makes you so special that you can just march in here and start acting like you're the boss?!" "Do you purposely try to invoke my wrath, or are you just that stupid?!" The two got into a shouting match that got Roulette yelling at Lux, Blossom yelling at Buttercup, Bubbles begging for Xavis to help, Jack cheering Buttercup on, and everyone else just trying to defuse the situation until- BANG-BANG-BANG!! Everyone swerved to see Shayde, optics frenzied, The Last Word tightly gripped in his hand. He popped off three shots into the air, instead of screaming like he wanted to. He was angry now, and that was rare. "LOOK. They're trying to kill us, so we need to do something about it! I'm going up there to get rid of The Fallen, so that you-" Shayde choked up for a moment, then looked to the other Guardians. "...So that you can all leave." Roulette and Lux were devastated to hear him say that, but Xavis wasn't budged. From the moment they arrived at RH, she could see right away that Shayde would prefer this world to his own, and why wouldn't he? It's a post apocalyptic wasteland where there are four different alien armies trying to kill you! Xavis nodded. "Alright, unless you guys want The Fallen to wipe you out, let's do Shayde a favor and kill them first. Then we'll get out of your hair, and you'll never see us again." She looked to Shayde with a smile. "We promise." ------ The Fallen Dropships had stopped coming about an hour before the students took to the air. The Powerpuffs, Jenny and Shard were flying unassisted, while everyone else were either packed into Stake's LAAT or flying their own ships. Vega was with Shayde in his ship, making sure that he was ok. Ghost was with Shayde also, and was just as concerned. "Guardian, are you alright?" He asked floating between Vega and Shayde. The Exo didn't answer. He was more focused on getting rid of his so-called "siblings." He was down right furious at them, for showing up, bringing The Fallen with them, and trying to drag him somewhere where he didn't want to go to. He just wanted this all to stop. He finally spoke up. "I want them gone. All of them, the other Guardians, The Fallen, and I just want this day to end..." Vega and Ghost looked to each other, worried sick for their friend. The coming battle would provide catharsis for these feelings. Battle always helped Shayde with aggressive thoughts, but these weren't just thoughts. This was rage. ----- "This is Stake, We're approaching the LZ. Shard, you and the ladies clear out the hangar, then the team deploy." "Gotcha, we'll take care of it." As the Guardians' ships did battle with Fallen Dropships outside, the LAAT remained stationary just in front of the Hangar Bay, as Blossom and the others cleared it of enemies. Dreg foot-soldiers and Vandal Shock troopers were positioned to defend against attack, but weren't able to hold off the combined might of the five attackers. Once they had been defeated, Shard and Jenny waved to the LAAT to signal an all clear. From there, Jack, Russell, Jabari, Lux, Roulette, Revar and Volker all poured from the ship. Stake had to remain in the ship to keep it from being stolen by the enemy. That, and I was far too big to fit into the Hangar Bay. "Ok, Team is aboard the ship. I'm pulling back so I don't get shot down. These things are hard to find back home!" Stake called over comm. Shayde, Vega and Xavis were the last of the group to deploy, dropping in from their ships. They readied their weapons as they joined up with their teammates, prepared to storm the Kell's throne room. Roulette led the team through the ship, taking out The Fallen as she and the others swept progressed room. Lux went behind everyone to make sure that any Fallen that was shot was dead. "So, once we take down this Kell, what happens to the ship?" Blossom asked, flying beside Roulette. "...and all of the other Guys we hurt?" Bubbles added, guilt seeded in her words. "Well..." The Warlock nodded. "This is your dimension, so I suppose you can do what you please with it." Roulette honestly didn't know what they could do with it, but while they were on speaking terms, Shayde told her that anytime an invasion failed, the attacker was rarely offered a second chance, by either leaving with no intent of a second attack, or by helping to repair the damage the had caused. Would the Fallen be given such a chance? ------ Furlek, Kell of Reapers. A name shrouded in anonymity. Few knew of the House of Reapers, because they were so secretive, and he was the master mind. For so long, he had only wanted what his ancestors had; The blessings of the great machine. No one knew what it was. He didn't even know, except that it brought both peace, prosperity and progress to his people, as well as the end of civilization and the destruction of the planet. He fought, killed, and scavenged for whatever he thought could lead him to the new era. But now he tired of that search, and merely wished for peace of mind for himself and his crew. Jetox, Reaper Archon and Furlek's brother, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to kill and destroy whoever got in his way, including other Fallen Houses. He had no loyal, except to himself, and his strangely compassionate brother. He pitied Furlek, always so lost in his quest to restore The Fallen to their former glory as the Guardians were. He also hated him for that reason as well. When they found Reaper High, they had fought on wether or not they should attack, and turned to the crew for a decision. More were in favor of attacking, and Jetox assumed command. Furlek now resided just outside the throne room, where he, and two of his lieutenants coordinated the ships course, and little else. It was good fortune that he was found by the Students. ------ "Wait!" Bubbles held the others back as she poked her head around the corner. There sat a rather large Fallen. He had his back to the group and seemed...solemn. Bubbles tried to inch closer, but two more Fallen spotted her and aimed their weapons. Suddenly, the larger Fallen put his hands on his comrades weapons to lower them...and spoke. "Please. Do not be worried. Come. Speak with me." Bubbles slowly moved forward, despite protest from both Blossom and Roulette. Even Shayde came forth, after sensing the Fallen's grief. They stopped a few steps away from him and looked to each other. Bubbles decided to speak first. "Um...hello? Are you ok?" The Kell huffed and stood up, towering over both Shayde and Bubbles. He turned around and faced them, noting the all of the others had weapons trained on him. It didn't surprise him. "I am Furlek. Reaper Kell. You are here to put an end to us? I am not who you seek." He grumbled, his arms raised in surrender. "We don't want to end you, we just want you to stop attacking our home!" Bubbles replied gently, hoping not to sound hostile. The Kell nodded. "I am powerless now. My crew answers to the Archon. My brother. He is mad. Only he can stop this...and he will not." Shayde felt it. didn't want any of this...and neither did he. Maybe The Fallen didn't follow the Roulette and her team. Maybe they followed him for refuge. He stepped forward, and looked the Kell in his eyes. "Do we have to kill him?" Furlek closed his eyes, and let out a breath of sorrow. So, it's come to this? "It pains me....but yes, I am afraid you must.." Bubbles gasped and Shayde cringed a bit. It was always down to killing in the end. The Guardian motioned for the others to follow him. Furlek pointed them in the direction of the throne room, wishing them good fortune. Bubbles passed him and looked into his eyes. This isn't your fault. He simply stepped aside as the group marched on, and began to attend to his duty again. ------ Jack fussed a bit as the group approached the throne room. Why was he even involved in the business of this OC that he didn't even know? He didn't even know this guy existed until now, so why was he here?! "Ow! Jack! Watch where you're going!" Oh right. Blossom. She was the reason he did everything now, huh? She was always the one who'd be the first to jump when someone was in trouble. It was kinda lame, but cute at the same time. And by lame he meant stuck up, and by stuck up, he meant kinda-sorta hot. And back at the school during the shank attack, that "we'll discuss this later business." What a riot! He totally had her backing up and she was just trying to cover herself. Though he had thought about if she didn't cover self. At all...Damn she looked hot. "Jack?" He snapped back to reality, to see Revar beside him. "You ok, dude? You kinda conked out there..." "Yeah...yeah...I'm cool..." He stammered. Stupid sexy Blossom...and by stupid he meant hot. ----- The team finally arrived at the throne room to find Jetox, lounging upon his throne. He laughed heartily as they stepped through the corridor. "So, the intruders have revealed themselves?!" He spat. "You came quite a long way to meet your demise!" "...Said every villain ever." Buttercup muttered. Jetox stood up, still cackling, and scooped up his weapon. He shot at barrage at the group to scatter, then let out a deafening roar to call upon his troops, Fallen Swordsmen, originally meant to defend Furlek. Buttercup and Xavis stood back to back, both sporting grins of excitement. "Finally! Punching time!" They shouted in unison, not acknowledging it. They then proceeded to plow through the enemy, one by one. The battle was intense, and wave after wave of Jetox's forces descended upon the group. Blossom, Jack and the others beat, blasted and tossed as many as they could as quickly as they could. Revar, Russell and Roulette focused on Jetox, peppering him with gunfire. Soon enough, it seemed that they had beaten all of Jetox's goons. Until a horde of exploder shanks came storming from behind him. Jack smirked and remotely hacked them before they even reached halfway across the room. They detonated on the spot covering the room in smoke. ------ Furlek heard the explosion and knew what Jetox was planning. He grabbed a Fallen sniper rifle and prepared for the worst. Jetox had tricked his opponents before by making them choose between killing him and saving what was closest to them. Rarely did the opponent survive Jetox's treachery. That would change this time. ------ As the smoke cleared, the group gathered themselves, checking for injuries and the like. Then, Jetox's sickening laugher echoed through the throne room yet again. And there he was, bleeding and staggering over the ship's weapon controls. He had Reaper High in his crosshairs. "Now you are not so mighty when everything you love hangs by a thread before you!" He coughed, spilling his blood onto the floor. The group couldn't budge, save for Lux, who was taking aim at Jetox's legs. He didn't care if RH burned or not, All he wanted was the Archon dead. "JETOX." The console was shot, and crackled, causing the Archon to stagger back. At the door was Furlek, not as idle has he had been. "Enough is enough. This was our opportunity to live our lives in peace, away from the madness that drove us across the galaxy! But if battle is what you crave, I will give you your last!" The Kell shot again, allowing the team ample time to scatter and overwhelm Jetox from all sides. Assaulted from all sides, Jetox swung at Buttercup and Xavis as they landed punch after punch on him. He was hit in the neck, chest, and legs, and yet the Archon kept fighting, his adrenaline keeping him alive as he enjoyed every ounce of pain he dealt and subsequently received. Finally, after a thirty minute onslaught of gun fire, laser blasts, punches, kicks, cuts and stab wounds, Jetox fell. The students regrouped, exhausted by the Fight. Jack collapsed coincidentally next to Blossom, who, while annoyed, was to tired to move. Jabari held himself up with his staff as he looked about the throne room...a trail of blood was where Jetox was knocked down. He cautiously approached, only to find The Archon on his last breaths, at the buttons of a console. "If death takes me....then it...will take...you...." Jabari panicked. He ran to Shayde and signed. "We need to get out of here!" Before anyone could react, an alarm sounded across the ship. Roulette stood up, prompting the others who could to as well. "Well, it looks like we don't have to worry about destroying the ship..." Stake called in from the LAAT. "I'm coming in! Get your shebs over here before this thing goes!" Everyone rushed to the dropships, some carrying others on their shoulders, while Furlek tended to some of his trapped men, and escorted them to a skiff. Xavis was whisked to her ship, as was Shayde. The others took flight, LAAT or otherwise, Save for Jenny and Shard, who had to deal with the exploding ship. Jenny turned to Shard. "I give it 40 seconds until detonation!" Shard smirked. "We'll break orbit in 15!" ----- As cheers, hugs and sighs of relief filled Shayde's sight, he felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. Now there was only one thing left to do. The other three guardians were conversing with each other, most likely about how to explain that they led The Fallen to another world. Shayde stood before them and looked Roulette in the optics. "Ok. Now you can go home." Roulette tried to reason with him, pleading for him to go with them. "No." Shayde replied sternly. "You guys leave, and I'll stay." Xavis put her hands behind her head and puffed a bit. "Well...there's just one problem." She chuckled, trying to mask her uneasiness. "We don't know how to leave..." Shayde simply shrugged and walked off. He was far too mad to even consider helping them. Ghost appeared instead, and offered them advice. "Well, you could always ask our principal to stay here. I think he'll consider it, since you all helped stop The Fallen. How about it?" Lux clenched his fist and stormed off into the wilderness, while Roulette nodded. "I suppose Xavis and I will take that offer." With that everyone seemed content, Save for Lux. RH was safe, and the Fallen that posed a threat were gone. Of course, clean up was a bit of a problem... Shayde remained angry at Roulette for about a month, before finally forgiving her and accepting her company. Xavis became quite happy in her new surrounds in Brawl Hall. She quickly became an A student, whereas she somewhat lacked in more academic classes. After his intial hostilities towards the students, and destruction of school property, Lux wasn't allowed to stay at RH, not that he would, and spent his days in the woods alone...seething in anger of the failure of his mission. He wanted revenge...and he wanted to finish his mission. But that is a story for another day.
