Rise and Fall- The Fight Inside

Gun Point

"Mom! Mom can you hear me?" Grainger screamed to Malice as he attempted to carefully land the crashing ship.

"Grainger, you need to take care of Reagan and the others for me. I can feel the darkness growing inside of her. You have to promise me that you will save her at all costs." Malice begged.

"Don't speak like that, mom. Everything is going to be fine." Grainger pleaded.

"You have to promise me." Malice ordered.

"Fine. I will protect Reagan at all costs." Grainger pledged. 

Grainger could feel his connection to Malice growing weaker. Tears streamed down his face as he knew that it was only a matter of seconds before she was gone. The planet was coming up fast and he was starting to see trees and buildings. Grainger stopped, puzzled. He gazed out the window and then looked back down at the controls. The planet was serving as a base. An Accords base. He knew this wasn't going to end well. Flames shot from the sides of the ship as it grew closer to landing on the base. As best as he could, he adjusted the wings to give them a descend landing. Though it was a rough landing, Grainger managed to safely land the ship without sustaining any injuries or breaking the ship. He stepped out of the ship to further inspect the new environment. Danto seemed very humid and muggy. He analyzed the buildings and made out the Rebel Accords stamp. The building reached like mountains across the plains. 

"Freeze!" shouted a voice from behind. Grainger could make out the sound of a gun cocking. 

Grainger turned slowly, rasing his hands above his head. He narrowed his eyes at the gun barrel aimed at him. Right away, the figure stepped back. Grainger didn't know who was hiding under the white suit and helmet but he didn't care. 

"I suggest that you get out of my way and appoint me to the medical center." Grainger threatened.

"I suggest that you keep quiet and let me do by job or your going to have a bad day." The figure responded. 

Grainger, without hesitation, threw his arm out. He used his powers to form a bolt of electricity and throw it at the rebel. The rebel put their hand out and caught the bolt, throwing it back at Grainger. He tried again, this time more forceful but still not powerful enough. The rebel shook their head and shapped their hand to choke Grainger. He watched as his feet left the ground at the air grew thin. With their other hand, the rebel began to remove their helmet. A long poytail flopped from the helmet. 

"Azalea." Grainger muttered.

"Grainger." Azalea sneered.

"Malice. She is dying. I need your help." Grainger choked out.

"She can die for all I care. You killed my sister twice. You show no remose, Grainger. Consider this revenge." Azalea challenged.

"Please, I'm sorry about Sofia! I.. tried... to save her!" Grainger pointed out.

"Well, you didn't try hard enough!" Azalea boomed, tightenting her hold on Grainger's throat. Grainger caught Azalea's eyes drifting off to something in the distant sky.  Out of the corner of his eye, he made out the shape of Luka's ship. They had finally arrived to save him. 

"Azalea! Let him go!" Luka shouted as he exited the ship, followed by Mackenzie. 

Before this, Reagan had made her way to the loading dock. She set the box down and began searching for a pod. She rumaged through older spaceships for a couple of minutes before finding a small pod. She grabbed a piece of paper  and a pen out of her pocket and began to write. She looked gently at Arsen. 

"It's what's best for you." Reagan whispered. She began writing-

Dear person,

My name is Arsen Cross. My father has been killed along with my mother. My family has been ripped away from me and there is no where safe for me. You will soon realize that I am not a "normal" child. I can do things unlike any other. This does not mean that you should give up on me. My parents were Grainger and Sofia Cross so you see why it is important to take care of me. If you have any questions, you know who to ask. 

-Written by Reagan Cross

Reagan folded the paper- creasing it down the middle. She tucked it under the blankets that covered Arsen. With a  wave of her hand, she opened the pod and loaded the box that held Arsen. She pressed close and stood back, waiting for the pod to blast off. Reagan knew that Grainger would be crushed after loosing both of his sons but she knew deep down that he would understand. Grainger was the shot first, ask questions later kind of person so he would go on a rampage before he would come to terms with the fact that he is not fit to raise the twins. His lifestyle is not the kind a child, let alone two, should be raised in. Reagan watched as the engines blasted fire, lighting up the room, and the pod soared off into the open space. 

"Goodbye Arsen." she muttered. 

Footsteps thundered behind her. 

"What did you do?!" Mackenzie screamed.

"What needed to be done." Reagan stated. 

Luka appeared behind Mackenzie with a concerned look. He stared at the open galaxy. 

"Grainger is in trouble, we need to save him." Luka murmured, breaking the long silence. 

"What now?" Mackenzie asked sarcastically. 

"It seems he has gotten himself kidnapped. I can only make out a person dressed in white armor holding a gun to his face." Luka explained.

"Then we must hurry." Reagan interjected as she began the long walk back up the stairs. It wasn't long before they had landed near Grainger's ship.

"Azalea! Let him go!" Luka shouted as he exited the ship followed by Mackenzie. 

Azalea seemed stunned to see them again. Reagan pulled her hood up over her head and made her way to the others. 

"I'll give you three seconds to let him go or you'll end up just like your sister." Reagan threatened.

"Reagan!" Luka scoffed. 

Azalea titled her head and scwinted as Reagan drew closer. She circled Azalea as she grabbed Grainger by the neck.

"One. Two. Three." Reagan counted slowly. 

She snapped, fire blazing from her hands. She flew above Azalea and rained fire on her. Azalea screamed, dropping Grainger as she ran for cover. Reagan floated back down to the ground and helped Grainger up without breaking her stare. 

"This isn't over!" Azalea yelled.