Dimension shuffler

Chapter 20: Dawn breaker

"Really?" Paz asked in disbelief.

"Yes, really. Nightshade is too dangerous to take on alone we need more people." Drez responded.

"I refuse to work with them! UNIT is too stupid for their own good. All they do is run to the front lines and get killed!"

"Which is why we need them." Paz looked at him in disbelief, "I know this sounds wrong but Nightshade has already taken hundreds of lives. What's a few more to save thousands. We need them to keep Nightshade distracted while we knock it out."

Begrudgingly, Paz accepted, "Fine! But know I don't like this."

"If it's done correctly and efficiently, nobody will die. Well, I hope, at the very least."

Paz got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" asked Drez.

"We're not going to UNIT HQ?"

"No. I'm setting up a video chat." Drez replied pulling out his laptop.

"So we already have their co-operation, I assume?"

"Eh... Not really. After hacking into their schedule, there should be a meeting going on between the generals right about. I simply reroute their communication lines and presto, instant communication with UNIT."

"You mean you're breaching military security?"

"Breaching is a strong word. It's a very simple hack really. I mean there was only, what, 20 unique firewalls? If they didn't want me in there they should have made a more secure system."

"...You frighten me sometimes."

Drez only smiled in response as his laptop whirred to life. Before long, they had a view of the meeting going on at UNIT HQ.

"And that's why we..." The leader conducting the meeting stopped when his presentation suddenly shifted to a teen, rather happy with his work.

"Greetings, gentlemen and women. I apologise for the intrusion but I have a matter of urgent importance to relay." Drez began.

"Who are you? How did you breach our systems?" The leaders gruff voice yelled.

"There it is again, why 'breach' of all things? Never mind that.  We know more about Nightshade than anyone else on this planet, who I'm sure you know is, well, an issue."

"Nightshade?"

"The demon thing that's going on a killing spree. Anyway, I have a plan to incapacitate him but we're going to need the aid of your soldiers. Do we have an agreement?"

"Bah. I don't need to listen to some teen telling me how to do my job. Find your own soldiers, ours are thin enough."

"I wonder why." Drez sarcastically muttered before hanging up. "Well, it looks like we're alone on this one."

"Some plan that was." Paz commented.

"Some plan it is. It may still work. Just not in the way I had hoped."

"So we can still save Stephen?" Chico smiled.

"Hopefully."

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Flames died like the inhabitants before them. Another village burned to the ground. No survivors in sight. There was no pleasure nor satisfaction across Nigtshade's face only a desire for death.

"Hey! Overgrown shadow!" Nightshade's glare turned to a girl garbed in red armour. "Let's see if you live up to your reputation." She unsheathed her sword.

Nightshade darted as Paz who easily parried the attack, stalling it as long as she could. "As always, predict-AHH!"

Nightshade had disarmed the warrior and kicked her to the ground. It was held motionless, though, by another girl stood upon the wreckage of a building.

Chico held Nightshade back but it did not resist for it knew that she could not restrain it forever. Chico did not need to hold him forever though, only long enough for Drez to complete the plan.

At this moment, she made a discovery. Inside the creature's mind was another voice. Stephen's voice.

"I know you can hear me, Chico..." His consciousness reached hers, "Do what you must. Stop this senseless destruction." His voice was sad and serious, tormented by the passing of so many souls in his hands.

But they weren't his hands, not anymore, but they soon would be and the world would be free of Nightshade's tyranny.

"Hurry up... Drez!" Chico's power wavered as she struggled to contain the beast. Crackling hissed at the air as its power began to shadow her own.

Within moments, Drez appeared on B.I.K.E dragging a large glass case. Getting off, he aimed a small, custom pistol and fired out of it a tiny, purple pulse at Nightshade who shrugged it off as if it was nothing. Chico's power gave out and Nightshade lunged for Drez, who remained motionless.

It fell short.

Nightshade dropped to the ground as quickly as it had been moving, coming to a stop just at Drez's feet.

"You never mentioned that in the plan." Paz remarked.

"That's because, initially, I was just going to drop this case on it but I decided to take some extra precautions. That shot should keep it down for about half an hour, give-or-take."

Paz picked up Nightshade and put it inside the case which Drez then closed. This case had been specifically designed to hold Nightshade. Breathing holes so it wouldn't die but sealed shut in a way it could not hope to break.

The three then took off for home with their captive.

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"...Just as quickly as the creature appeared, it vanished but it's destruction shall not be forgotten as many scramble to rebuild towns and their lives. This is Maria Shelling reporting..."

The news seemed to drown out in the background as the friends had returned home.

A newfound hope had been kindled but was currently masked by sorrow. Nightshade had regained activity but was wise enough not to waste the energy to try and break free. It knew it was stuck, for now.

Chico placed a hand on the casing. It's pulsing purple eyes bore into her soul but she paid it no mind. Her friend was in there. He could hear her. Well, her thoughts anyway.

"Don't worry. Drez is working on a cure. We'll have you back in no time."

"I hope so..."