We're in this together, remember?
Its just some fantasy story about Warren and Sally cuz I missed them.
Warning: Angst (just a little tho)
2k words
"Get down, you fool!" A gruff voice bellowed over the chaotic din of battle.
Warren barely registered the warning, his focus entirely on the mechanical beast charging towards him, jaws gaping and gleaming with deadly intent. Sweat beaded on his brow as he swung the plasma blade in a graceful arc, the electric blue light leaving a trail in its wake. The creature roared, a mix of fury and pain, as the blade sliced through its metallic hide. It stumbled and collapsed in a shower of sparks, the ground trembling beneath its weight. Warren stepped back, panting, his eyes scanning the battlefield for the next threat.
On the other side of the city, in the relative safety of the tech hub, Sally's eyes narrowed as her boss spoke. Her fingers danced over the holographic keyboard, inputting data with the speed of a machine herself. She had heard the whispers about Warren, the legendary fighter from the East Side Resistance. They said he was reckless, a loose cannon who didn't play by the rules. But she knew better than to judge a book by its cover, especially in these desperate times.
Her boss, a stern woman named Crystal, leaned over her shoulder, her voice low and urgent. "Sally, I can't stress this enough. Warren is not to be trusted. He's dangerous, unpredictable, and has a vendetta against the very technology we're sworn to protect."
Sally paused, her hands hovering over the keyboard. "With all due respect, Crystal," she began, her voice measured, "without the East Side's firepower, our chances of victory are significantly lower. Besides, you know as well as I do that the intel he provides is invaluable."
Crystal's gaze sharpened. "That intel often comes at a steep cost. The lives of our agents, our resources... I can't ignore that any longer."
Sally took a deep breath, the weight of her boss's words sinking in. "I understand your concerns, but we need his strength, his... instincts." She glanced away, thinking of the countless times Warren's intel had saved them from certain doom. "Perhaps if we could work more closely with him, learn to anticipate his actions..."
Crystal's eyes searched hers, and after a moment, she nodded. "Very well. But you'll be the one to liaise with him. You're the best we have at reading people, and I trust your judgment." She handed over a small, encrypted device. "This is our newest communicator. It's linked directly to Warren's team. Use it wisely."
Sally took the device, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Thank you, Crystal. I won't let you down."
"See that you don't," her boss said, turning to leave.
Sally's heart raced as she activated the communicator, the cool metal a stark contrast to her clammy grip. She had always been the brains behind the operation, the one who figured out the puzzles and hacked the enemy's systems, but now she was being thrown into the fray, expected to handle the volatile Warren. Her mind raced with questions, but she knew there was no time for hesitation. The city was in dire need of a leader, and if Warren was the key to unlocking victory, she would have to find a way to work with him.
The first time she made contact with Warren, his voice was gruff and unyielding. "What do you want?"
Sally took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "Warren, this is Sally from the West Side Intelligence. I've been asked to coordinate with you on a mission."
There was a pause, and she could almost hear the surprise in his silence. "Why you?"
"I have a unique skill set that complements your... more direct approach." She chose her words carefully, hoping to appeal to his ego.
To her surprise, he chuckled, a sound like gravel rolling in a metal drum. "So you're the smart one they've been whispering about." Another pause. "Fine. But don't get in my way."
Their initial meeting was as tense as their first conversation. Warren's eyes raked over her, assessing and skeptical. Sally met his gaze, her own eyes a deep green, reflecting the gleaming tech around them. He was everything she had imagined and more: tall, muscular, with a scar that carved its way from his left eye to the corner of his mouth. His hair was a wild tangle of black and silver, a testament to the battles he had survived.
The mission was simple, or so it seemed. Retrieve a piece of vital technology that had fallen into enemy hands. But the enemy had anticipated their move, and the compound was a labyrinth of traps and guards. Warren took the lead, his movements swift and silent. Sally followed, her mind racing to keep up with his tactics. They clashed more than once, their styles so different it was a wonder they didn't trip over each other.
The tension between them grew with every step they took closer to their objective. Warren's brute strength was undeniable, but Sally's strategic mind was crucial in navigating the treacherous path. As they dodged laser beams and hacked through security systems, she found herself admiring his tenacity, his unwavering determination to protect what he believed in. And she knew, deep down, that despite their differences, they shared a common goal.
Finally, they reached the chamber where the tech was held. Warren kicked the door open, weapon at the ready, only to be met with a wall of fire. He bellowed a curse, his eyes flicking to Sally.
"I've got this," she said, stepping forward. Her fingers flew over a panel on the wall, shutting down the flames with a series of beeps and clicks.
As they claimed their prize, Warren's expression softened, just a touch. "Not so bad, for a tech geek."
Sally smirked, the first genuine smile she had allowed herself in days. "And not so reckless, for a fighter."
For a moment, as they stood in the heart of the enemy's lair, surrounded by the spoils of their victory, something shifted between them. It was the beginning of a partnership, an alliance forged in the fires of adversity. And though neither of them knew it yet, it was the start of something much more profound.
Their battles would continue, both with the enemy and against their own preconceptions. But as they faced each new challenge together, Sally and Warren began to realize that the other might just be exactly what they needed to survive in this unforgiving future.
In the days that followed, they found themselves thrown into a series of daring escapades, each more dangerous than the last. With every shared victory, every near-death experience, their bond grew stronger. They began to trust each other, to rely on each other's strengths to balance out their weaknesses.
One night, as they took refuge in the ruins of an old library, Sally looked at Warren in the flickering light of their makeshift campfire. "Why do you fight so hard?" she asked, curiosity and admiration mingling in her voice.
Warren's gaze was distant, his expression contemplative. "For the same reason you do, I suspect," he said, his voice gentle despite its rough edges. "To save what we can of this world, to make it a place worth living in."
Sally nodded, understanding in her eyes. They were two sides of the same coin, driven by a fierce love for their city and their people. Despite the constant danger, she found a strange comfort in his presence. His strength was a shield she hadn't realized she needed, and her intellect a beacon guiding him through the dark.
Their banter grew less hostile, more playful. They bickered over strategy, but it was no longer a clash of wills, rather a dance of two equals finding their rhythm. And as they danced, a spark of something more began to ignite.
One day, when they had successfully dismantled a particularly nasty enemy device, Warren turned to Sally, his eyes holding hers for a beat too long. "We make a good team," he said, his voice gruff but the smile on his face unmistakable.
Sally felt her heart flutter. "Yes," she agreed, her voice a little breathless, "we do."
It was a simple statement, but it held a world of unspoken meaning. They had become more than just allies; they were partners in every sense of the word.
Days turned into weeks, and their battles grew in number and intensity. With each victory, the legend of Sally and Warren grew louder, reaching the ears of those who had once doubted their alliance. They fought side by side, their movements in perfect sync, anticipating each other's next steps as if they were two halves of a whole. They scaled the heights of crumbling skyscrapers and delved into the depths of the city's underbelly, a whirlwind of intellect and strength that left their adversaries in disarray.
But no victory came without a price. During a raid on a heavily fortified enemy compound, Sally took a glancing blow from a stray energy bolt. She crumpled to the ground, her eyes wide with pain. Warren's heart stopped as he watched her fall, his body frozen with horror. Time seemed to slow as the distance between them grew wider, his legs refusing to move. He roared her name, but it was swallowed by the din of battle.
He reached her just as the world around them descended into silence, the last enemy defeated. His strong arms cradled her frail frame, her breaths shallow and uneven. He whispered apologies and promises, his eyes filled with a fear he hadn't felt since the day he'd lost his family. He had failed to protect her, the one person who had managed to breach the wall around his heart. The weight of his failure crushed him, a pain so sharp it threatened to consume him entirely.
Sally's eyes fluttered open, and she offered a weak smile, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "Don't... worry," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm... not... done... yet." Her words were slurred, but the fiery determination in her gaze was unmistakable. Warren's relief washed over him like a wave, mingling with his guilt.
They managed to retreat to the safety of the West Side base, Sally's injury more severe than they had initially thought. The medical bay buzzed with activity as the best doctors and med-bots tended to her. Warren hovered outside, his mind racing with what-ifs and regrets. Crystal placed a firm hand on his shoulder, her gaze sympathetic but stern. "You can't protect her from everything, Warren. She's a soldier too, and she knows the risks."
He nodded, jaw clenched. But in his heart, he vowed to never let her down again. To always be there, to shield her with his very being if necessary. The bond between them had transformed from one of necessity to something deeper, a connection that transcended their roles in the war.
The hospital was cold, sterile, and eerily quiet. Warren paced the floor outside the medical bay, the rhythmic thud of his boots echoing through the hallway. He felt out of place amidst the gleaming surfaces and medical droids, his battle-worn clothes a stark contrast to the pristine white surroundings. The minutes stretched into hours, each second feeling like an eternity. The tension coiled in his stomach, tightening with every passing moment. He checked the time again, his hand shaking slightly.
Finally, the doors to the medical bay slid open, and a doctor stepped out. Warren rushed to her, his eyes searching her face for any sign of good news. She offered a small, weary smile. "Sally's going to be alright," she assured him, her voice soothing despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "The damage was severe, but she's strong. And she's lucky to have you."
With those words, the anxiety that had held him in its vice-like grip for so long began to recede. He took a deep, shaky breath and nodded his thanks before pushing past her into the room. Sally lay on the bed, surrounded by a maze of wires and screens, her face pale but determined. The sight of her filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in years. He approached, his steps tentative, not wanting to disturb her.
Her eyes flickered open, and she managed a wry smile. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she teased, her voice hoarse from the ordeal. Warren felt his own smile spread across his face, his heart swelling with relief. He reached out, his hand hovering over hers, before finally allowing himself to touch her. The contact was gentle, almost reverent.
"I thought..." He trailed off, unable to find the words.
Sally squeezed his hand, her grip surprisingly firm. "You thought you lost me. But we're in this together, remember?"
Warren nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Always," he murmured.
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Its been a while since I wrote anything
