Operation: A Death Wish (A FangBoy FF)

Chapter 11

"Fang! Get out of there!"

Something really thin cracked through the air. Moments later, the sound of glass shattering followed.

"Go go go!" Ochobot got out of the backpack, then proceed to haul Fang down the hallway despite his protests. He looked back at the lab door, where he has strapped a palm-size computer to. He hasn't even finished bypassing the security.

Multiple cracks came through Fang's powerband, growing faster with every succession. He was about to check on Boboiboy when Ochobot turned around and sever the connection.

"What are you-" Fang stopped. Somewhere down the hallway, he heard metal scraping accompanied by light footsteps and laughter bordering insanity.

"Close your eyes. Now!" Ochobot hissed, forcing Fang's eyelids shut. Then he dragged Fang sideways, presumely into a room. "Whatever you do, do not open your eyes."

The sounds grew louder, almost piercing against the near silent ambience. Fang could almost picture himself in one of those horror houses on Earth. He could now relate with the Earthlings on such matter: it's not the monsters and ghosts that are scary; it's the tension building up towards it.

The sounds stopped just right outside. Machinery whirred as Ochobot tilted his body, and Fang can't help but open his eyes slightly.

The figure outside is one that he would not forget for a very long time.

It is a human, his body old and shrivelled down to the bones. He is dressed in tattered black robes, and he wears a blindfold consist of white bandages.

As soon as Fang opened his eyes, the man turns to him, his crooked teeth bared as his leeps curled into a smile. He lunged at Fang with such speed, slashing at Fang's face with wickedly sharp scythes that Fang saw his life flashed before his eyes.

But Ochobot yanked Fang sideways nanoseconds before the blades could connect with his eyeballs.

"I told you to keep your eyes shut!" Ochobot raised his hand and fired a bolt of electricity at the old man, temporarily stunning him and buying them some time. He then stuffed Fang into a shaded section of the room, "Close your eyes and get in the shadows. Now!"

Fang complied without second thought, melting into the darkness behind him. He can hear the man move again, lunging at his current position once again. Sound of metal against skin - probably Ochobot slapping the old man - sounded, followed by a low whump. The old man screamed, possibly swinging his scythes wildly. A switch was flicked, and Fang can feel the available movement space in the room expanded by a lot. Before he could do anything, though, the door shut closed.

"...Ochobot?" Fang called carefully. The old man, currently in his screaming and thrashing mess, has moved to the far side of the room. Fang didn't dare open his eyes, though even if he did he won't be able to see anything anyway. Judging from the space he can move, he's sure there's absolutely no light source.

"The stun is only for around 60 seconds, so I'll make this quick." Ochobot's voice came from the other side of the door. "This man is from a clan of people who worship the power of eyes. They believe the eye radiates some form of wavelength, and has hone their skills to use those wavelengths. This man in particular lost his sight, but gained the ability to pinpoint exact locations of and living soul, so long as their eyes are open."

Fang was about to ask a question, but the wailings of the old man has subsided a little. 

"You should have read about Perseus killing Medusa on Earth." Ochobot continued on. "Perseus gets close to Medusa using the reflection on his shield so he does not get petrified by the gorgon. This is different in your case, for as long as your eyes are open, you're as good as dead."

Clothes shuffling against each other sounded behind Fang.

"But you do not need your eyes opened in this fight." Ochobot started rushing out words. "I have created the perfect arena for you. You can do anything with the darkness on your side. Only you have the chance of killing this man."

"Why do I have to kill him?" Fang can't help but ask. "Can't I just disarm him and be done?"

"Because his whole body is his weapon." Ochobot sound agitated. "He spent all his life training, honing his body and skills. For you young ones, your powerband is your only weapon. You are nothing without it."

Metal scrape against the floor. Both Fang and Ochobot knows that their time is up.

"It's his blood on your hands or your blood on his hands. Take a pick." Ochobot finished, then lugged something metal down the hallway.

A blade sank into the floor beside Fang, narrowly missing his nose.

"Hmm?" The old man mumbled as Fang slithered away from beneath him. "I'm pretty sure that kid was here?"

Fang slithered up a wall, keeping himself upright as he tries to think of a strategy. Ochobot did the right thing to drown the entire room in darkness, but staying in Shadowtravel mode is very taxing. He has to win this fight and get out before passing out from exhaustion.

Think, Fang, think! What can I do to subdue this man without hurting him?

Multiple options came to his mind, though only one is most viable to him. Although just the option comes with many other methods, and since Fang has tried none of it before he wasn't sure if any of them works.

"Come out, child~" The old man's maniac laughter pulled Fang back into reality. He can feel the killer turn around and trudge through the darkness. Occasionally things are knocked over as he swings his weapon at them, which is obvious that he is looking for Fang.

Fang unconsciously held his breath as the old man's presence came close.

"I don't know what your robot friend told you, but I can assure you that it is all useless~" The old man descended into maniac laughter for a few moments. "Your robot friend did a number on my ears, but I'll assure you that you have no way of escaping alive~"

Ears?

Fang remembered the whump before Ochobot left. Multiple pieces clicked, and a wild plan formed in Fang's mind. 

There is a slight problem though. Fang has never attempted anything like this before. He does not know if his power can take him to that extent.

Fang drank in a full gulp of air. You'll never know until you tried.

He extended his conscious into the shadows, pinpoining the old man's location. The old man is suprisingly still, making the next part of his plan easier.

Recounting a few blueprints and articles, Fang started to mold a device into shape. Ochobot has used this trick to buy them some time, and he is going to use it again.

No trick works twice.

I know. I just need to make it hit harder.

The small components were the hardest to mold. Not only were they delicate, Fang also has trouble recalling how they look like. Fang has to compensate the designs with things he know, and he has no chance to test the device.

After what feels like a painfully long time, the device is finally done. Fang turned the dial on the machine slowly, and after a few breaths, pulled the trigger.