Monster Legends: Inevitable Betrayals

Joyous Machinery

2 WEEKS AFTER THE ARENA

Thousands of monsters crowded the stairs, eager to see what had occurred during the Warmaster massacre. Elvira and Gortak still lied near the entrance, their rotting corpses compared to the foul odor that the zombie bodies emitted.

Zorgon and PZ Ronin frantically pushed past crowds of monsters, trying to find their friend Hackster. He had been a hacking partner of theirs for years and hired the duo to assist him in his lab full of machinery. He had just finished Santerion and Positron before the arena had begun. They were two of his greatest inventions and the two most advanced machines created in the last hundred years.

They found the hamster slumped against the wall of Scryb's battle hall, eyes white and dried blood still noticeable on his forehead. His arm was raised, hand clawed in a defensive position. PZ Ronin burst into hysterics while Zorgon blankly stared at Hackster. He knew PZ and himself could never hide forever without their friend, and would most likely be imprisoned forever if they were ever caught. A hand was placed on Zorgon's shoulder causing him to turn around, ready to attack.

A tiger stood behind him, with scarred yellow eyes and an incredible muscular physique. Another monster approached quietly from behind, wearing a red blazer and a large halo hovering above her head. Her white hair blew gracefully in the wind.

"When I held him in my arms, he told me one thing," whispered Taiga, handing Zorgon a USB drive. "Give this to Zorgon...I can't wait to see you again."

Zorgon beamed at Taiga, happily accepting the device. "You're the one who ended it all. You're Taiga," he murmured.

"That's right. I would've never done it without Hackster though. He was as important as anybody to me. If he wanted you to have that thing then he must've been important to you two as well. I hope you treasure that with your life, because whatever that does...and whatever he wanted you to do...I know it must be something special."

Uriel placed a lace glove on Taiga's back and smiled weakly at the two hackers. "I would resurrect him if I could, but...if a creature has been brought back once already then-it can never be done again. He deserves it more than anyone," she said, her heavy germanic accent emphasizing the last word. That word stuck with Zorgon since that day. 

Another monster crouched beside a broken machine that appeared to be completely destroyed. She had a light blue gown that went well with her dark cobalt hair. Bright red skin was revealed fearlessly, as intentional fake claw marks severed parts of the dress. Taiga went up to the monster, stroking one of her rough horns.

"What is that?" asked Zorgon, impressed with the complexity of the machine. The monster stood quickly, spooking the hacker a bit. She was taller than any female he had ever seen, almost reaching Taiga's eight feet. She had piercing eyes and flaring nostrils that blasted a small puff of smoke as she breathed. She raised a muscular arm to brush away a stray tear while still staring at him.

"It was Timerion. He helped us win the war," Kimber whispered.

"Are you...Lucifire the Hopefreezer?" asked PZ Ronin. Kimber glared at him angrily before taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"I go by Kimber now," she said. PZ's face was contorted in fear, expecting to be wrestled down for his remark simply because of her reaction.

"You two should take him. Perhaps you could fix him," smiled Taiga, gently lifting the machine and handing the parts to Zorgon.

"Taiga, I don't know..." muttered Uriel. Taiga brushed her off, but processed her words with some thought.

"Please be careful with this one. Its parts are very complex it seems," said Kimber, showing some guilt from her near outburst at PZ Ronin. Zorgon's expression had changed, fixated on her stout features and rather delicate lips. He had always been lovingly fascinated with Lucifire whenever she spoke with General Darmith on television. He wondered what lied on the other side of her stone exterior. He finally knew, watching the one tear trickle down her face.