Boshville

B. 28

The Gladiator basked in the tension he had caused. He had always regarded mankind as a weak set of species. He smirked to himself because he knew that his years of hiding would finally be worth it.

The hoverboard landed and The Gladiator stepped off. His face twisted into a frown as he saw the Ivocians. They had more numbers than he had predicted.  They were all standing close to the other and they had the same expressions on their faces. He could not identify the warrior.

"What's he waiting for?" Natalie whispered though her eyes never left the villain. "He's searching for you", Zee replied, "he will recognize me soon but do not move. Having the element of surprise might be our only hope".

Just as Zee had said, The Gladiator turned to him. "Zarphon", he called out, "how can I not recognize the face of the Anomale brave enough to face me?" Zee moved a few steps from his group. "You have no business with this planet", Zee raised his voice, "leave the humans out of this".

The Gladiator gave a hearty laugh. "Earth would be a great asset soon enough", he said, "there is so much 'new life' spread all around". "What do you mean?"

"That is for me to know and you to find out".

"Enough with the games. Call off your army. No one needs to get hurt".

"Perhaps. Will they surrender to me willingly?" "In your dreams bastard". A shout came from the crowd of humans. The Gladiator smirked even more. "There you have an answer", he said, "I'll have to take it by force. But before that..."

Casper felt as though his blood had turned to ice. The Gladiator was staring at him. Natalie was itching to stab the villains eyes with her Stix but she stayed quiet. "Ah! There is prize!" The Gladiator snapped his fingers and the Vashaks behind him loaded their blasters.

In fear, many moved back except Natalie's group. Moss was in front of Casper within the blink of an eye. "How touching yet so incredibly stupid". The Gladiator mocked. The Vashaks fired but the group was quick to jump out of the way.

Natalie was boiling with rage. The burn marks on the asphalt road was enough to tell that The Gladiator was determined to kill them. Natalie knew she should have listened but she couldn't let her family die.

Natalie advanced at the Vashaks with superspeed. She was able to knock the blasters out of their hands and throw a few in the opposite direction. She stopped beside Zee who looked at her with anger. Natalie knew that he was upset that she hadn't listen but the unfazed look from The Gladiator told her something different. Natalie's eyes widened as soon as she realized. He set me up and I took the bait. She mentally scolded herself.

"I was beginning to get bored, Natalie", The Gladiator spoke, "my main bone to pick is with you". Natalie was a fool to his ploy once so she didn't give him the satisfaction of an answer. "I will assume that Zarphon has informed you of how he killed your mother". The Gladiator continued. Natalie balled her hands tightly.

The Gladiator was not impressed with her silence but that did not stop him. "I have a proposal", he said, "you come with me and I'll let your kind live". "What about everyone else?" Natalie finally spoke. "They have a choice; become my subjects or face gruesome death".

"No deal!"

"You didn't even think about it. What a shame!"

"I don't need to think about it. If you want Earth, you're gonna have to kill me first". Zee nudged her with his elbow but she didn't stand down. She was not going to let the monster who  destroyed her life before she could live it.

"Death is not as fun as you think it is". The Gladiator's words were followed by a sweep of his tail. It struck the Vashak in front of him. The loud hiss that came out of its throat made Natalie shiver. She had to turn her face away as the black blood flowed. "Take a look at what you are begging to be the fate of your people", The Gladiator tsked, "now, think over my deal".

Natalie felt trapped. She recalled how panicked she was when she killed the Vashak in her dream. She couldn't do it in real life so fighting fire with fire was not an option in this case. She took one glance at her family. She knew the world was a better place with them in it. They had been at peace for fifty years without her. They could have much more.

"Take me instead!" Natalie's head snapped to Casper. "Are you crazy?!" She immediately went to him. "I know what I'm doing, Natalie", Casper sent warnings through his eyes, "you just have to trust me". "I am intrigued to know what you have in mind". The Gladiator smirked.

Casper closed his eyes and focused. He had used his powers on a large scale before but this was larger. Move back to your ships and prepare to retreat. The command filled the heads of the Vashaks. One after the other, they returned to their ships. The Gladiator frowned for only a second. "Polypsychic". He concluded.

"Yes", Casper replied confidently, "I am the core of the Polypschics. My powers have far more use to you especially if I am willing". "What makes you so certain that I cannot take you and still end the world?"

"Because you can't face Natalie. I know your fear. I've been inside your head".

"I fear nothing!"

"Really? Let's call it 'worry'. You know that Natalie would stop at nothing if you forced me and you swore on your life never to harm her. You can't have both".

The Gladiator cursed under his breath. Casper was right. "So... what'll it be? Take me and find another planet to conquer or waste your army in a lost war?" Casper asked. The Gladiator pondered. He was about to think of a counter plan but he remembered that Casper could read his mind. "Deal".

Natalie pulled Casper back. "You are in insane!" She yelled angrily, "his promises mean nothing. He will kill you and everyone else. Don't do this. Think about how I'll feel. Think about Moss". Casper tensed but yanked his hand. "I told you to trust me. It kinda hurts that you don't".

Casper left her and went to The Gladiator. The reptilian alien flicked its forked tongue in excitement. Casper climbed into the hoverboard and it flew back into the mother ship. Natalie blinked many times to be sure that it was not a hallucination. The other Vashaks entered their ships and left too.

Natalie was about to scream when she heard the silent voice at the back of her mind. Raid the camp of the feds and get help. There are a few ships at the Vashak warehouse that he plans to use to attack. Use them to come to us. I cannot reach you once we cross the atmosphere so hurry. You can kill me later.

"I'll kill him". Natalie smiled. Zee thought she was losing her mind. "Not if I kill him first". Moss moved closer. Telling from his crossed arms, Casper had told him too. "What are you talking about?" Carmosole asked. "Casper had a plan all along", Moss answered, "I should have known. Polypschics are a hundred times more intelligent than any lifeform".

"What's his plan?" Zee questioned. "He wants us to take the fight away from Earth", Natalie spoke up, "we need to move now". Natalie gave the instructions. She paired herself with Moss, Bartin and Fiona to go to the camp while Carmosole and Zee would get the ships. I'm flashes of blue and red lights, they teleported.

Casper is obviously the world's biggest genius. I knew that. Do you think his plan will work though?

Find out in the next part!

And yeah, many of y'all don't take your time to vote. The votes are just tiny boosters that make writers want to write more. Please do it!

Love you,
Josy💜