Here it is! The very last chapter! Wow, it feels like such a long time since I've last updated. I mean a really long time. How long has it been? Honestly?
Well, I guess it doesn't really matter because I'm posting the final chapter. I must say, I'm satisfied with how this turned out. Truly, I am. I'm not sure how you all will feel about it, though, because I can't speak for you. But to me, this turned out just the way I wanted it to. And that makes me happy.
What also makes me happy is that so many people reviewed! I mean wow! You guys are just so awesome! (And thanks to those who reviewed my other story, Cast Off the Cloak. That made me happy too)
Anyway, I'll just shut up now and let you get to what you've been waiting for. Okay? Okay...
Given the time of day, it wouldn't have surprised him if everyone was still asleep, which is the way it was supposed to be. In fact, he should have been surprised if someone wasn't asleep. Keyword was should. He should have been, but he knew he wouldn't be.
Ace was used to being up at that hour. As the sun began to dispel the ways of darkness in Acmetropolis, the rabbit would always wake up to train himself. It was just a way for him to practice his martial arts without worry of being interrupted by the others, and it gave him time to think without distraction.
Normally though, when he was finished with his training, he would get more rest before reawakening and joining the others for the day. Today he was deviating from his normal schedule.
But after the fiasco the other day, he wanted to make sure everything would get back to normal as soon as possible.
They were all flying as fast as they could. But with every passing second, they knew that the other was only getting worse.
Lexi was the only one who could really hear what was happening within the unconscious coyote. Tech was barely breathing, and his heart was slowing to the point where detecting it was difficult even with her amplified hearing.
But as they rushed back to the tower, Ace had to wonder: even when they got there, what could they do to help?
The leader suddenly became aware of movement off to his side, and he looked over as Rev flew close behind Slam who carried the scientist on his shoulder. He watched as the roadrunner seemed to hesitate before reaching over and slipping the laser-cannon from Tech's arm.
Of course, if Rev's arms weren't free, it meant he couldn't fly.
"Rev!" he called as the other began a rapid descent to the ground. Motioning for the others to continue back to the tower, he followed the quickster down and managed to grab his arm and stop him from falling any further.
"I-had-an-idea," the roadrunner said as Ace attempted to follow the others, "but-I-need-to-do-something-really-quick-and-I-prefer-running-on-the-ground-anyway-so-"
"What are you planning on doing?" Ace asked.
"Well-I-don't-really-have-time-to-explain-but-I-need-to-fix-this-thing-first-and-I-need-to-read-over-some-things-in-order-to-make-sure-I-do-this-right.-So-I-need-to-get-back-to-the-tower-and-see-if-I-can-find-how-to-do-this."
The leader frowned slightly but nodded, lowering to the ground. "Okay…but you're sure this'll work?"
As Rev's feet touched the ground, he replied softly, "I-really-hope-so…Anyway-I'll-meet-you-guys-back-at-the-tower…" With that, the quickster took off.
When they had returned to the tower, Rev had been already in the med lab with the laser cannon which, after Slam had placed Tech down on one of the beds, he used on the unconscious coyote. The blinding white energy that had shot from the weapon had startled them, but afterwards Lexi had said that Tech's heart was beginning to pick up again.
Still, they had to use a respirator for the coyote's shallow breathing. And they placed a heart monitor to check his heart rate, and an IV into his arm to get some kind of nourishment into his body.
What concerned Ace a little was that Rev insisted he do everything by himself. It had already been nightfall when they had all returned to the tower, and the quickster insisted that they all rest while he made sure Tech was all right. After much prodding and convincing, all of them had gone off to bed while Rev remained in the med lab.
But Ace knew that Rev hadn't gotten any sleep that night.
As soon as he walked in, he knew he was right. Rev stood by Tech's bed, his arms folded over his torso. Hearing the hiss of the mechanical door, the roadrunner turned his head slightly to look at the leader. "Oh-hey-Ace!" he said, turning to face the other fully. "I'm-kind-of-surprised-you're-up-but-I'm-glad-you're-here.-I've-got-good-and-bad-news.-Which-do-you-wanna-hear-first?"
Walking over, the rabbit replied, "Well, let's try the bad news first. That way if it's really bad, the good news will cheer me up…"
"Okay-well-the-bad-news-is-Tech-hasn't-woken-up-yet…"
"So I see."
"But-the-good-news-is-that-he-seems-to-be-recovering-well-enough.-His-condition-stabalized-through-the-night-and-I-thought-it-was-all-right-to-take-off-most-of-the-machines-and-stuff-though-I-kept-the-IV-on-because-if-I-remember-right-he-hasn't-eaten-in-about-a-week-and-I-have-no-doubt-that-his-lack-of-anything-to-eat-helped-contribute-to-his-weakened-condition."
As the rabbit noted the single machine hooked to the coyote, as well as the chair that was set at the bedside, he decided to take advantage of the opening the other had given him. "So, if the lack of food only helped his weakened condition, that means there were other factors at work, right?"
Hesitating slightly, Rev then nodded.
Returning the nod, Ace continued, "Well, as much as this may surprise ya, I'm no medical expert. But…I'd still like to try and understand what happened. Think you could explain?"
The roadrunner thought for a moment. "Well-I-guess-I'd-first-have-to-explain-the-body's-need-for-a-certain-amount-of-energy-in-order-to-perform-necessary-functions.-For-example-I-need-to-maintain-a-certain-level-of-energy-in-order-to-run-at-my-maximum-speed.-If-I'm-low-on-energy-it'll-be-hard-for-me-to-do-that."
"Okay…" the leader said slowly.
"But-as-for-you-guys-your-energy-can-be-used-in-a-different-form.-You-can-change-your-energy-into-lasers-Lexi-does-her-brain-blast-Slam-does-his-tornado-Duck-makes-those-orb-things-and-Tech's-energy-is-converted-into-electro-magnetic-currents-that-he-uses-to-control-metal.-Now-normally-when-we're-at-maximum-health-we-don't-notice-that-we're-changing-our-bodies'-energy-in-order-to-use-our-powers."
Ace nodded slightly. "Makes sense so far."
"What-might-have-happened-with-Tech-is-that-his-body-was-already-running-low-on-its-natural-energy.-I-mean-he-already-seemed-exhausted-when-I-found-him.-But-after-the-explosion-I-noticed-he-had-used-his-energy-to-power-the-laser-shield-since-it-wasn't-connected-to-its-core.-However-by-using-his-energy-it-drained-him-to-the-point-that-his-body-couldn't-sustain-even-the-most-simpliest-functions-like-breathing-or-keep-his-heart-beating."
The leader frowned slightly. When he had told Tech to make the device work, he had no idea that the coyote would attempt something like that.
"Since-Tech-hasn't-eaten-in-so-long-his-body-was-already-starting-to-lose-energy-but-he-really-must-have-lost-a-lot-if-his-body-couldn't-even-operate-automatic-functions-like-breathing."
As he sat down in the empty chair beside the bed, Ace said softly, "Punnet musta taken a lot of his energy then…"
Rev looked at the other. "What?"
The rabbit folded his arms over his chest. "Tech told me…that Punnet had absorbed his energy ev'ry time he used his powers. That's how he made the shield that held the lab together."
Frowning deeply, the roadrunner looked back at the coyote. Was that why Tech couldn't escape from the metal restraints that time?
"I'm not sure exactly what happened between Tech and Punnet before we got there, but since you said he was already exhausted when you found him, Punnet must have done something to make him use his powers over and over. Still, we won't find out what really happened until Tech wakes up."
"Well-he's-recovering-well-enough.-Granted-he-won't-be-fully-healed-for-a-few-days-but-I-doubt-it'll-take-that-long-for-him-to-regain-consciousness."
Ace nodded slightly, placing his hand to his chin as he thought for a moment, his sapphire eyes intently staring at the coyote.
"What's-on-your-mind-Ace?" the quickster asked.
The rabbit was silent for a moment. Finally he answered, "Back at the lab, Tech was acting a bit strange…"
"How-so?"
"I had asked him to try and figure out the access code so he could shut the computer off. But when he tried…he acted like he couldn't. Like he was just gonna give up."
Rev frowned deeply. That didn't sound like the other at all.
"He just seemed really shaken up about something. It was just really weird."
"Maybe-he-was-just-really-tired-or-something."
"Hmm…maybe…" Soon Ace got to his feet. "Anyway, it's time for you to get to bed."
Blinking, Rev looked at the other. "What?"
"How much sleep didja get last night, Rev?"
"Um…" Avoiding the leader's gaze, the quickster looked up at the ceiling.
"That's what I thought. Listen, I know you were really worried about him, and I know ya just wanna help him. But you already said he's gonna recover, so there's nothing to worry about."
The roadrunner was silent, appearing to think about it for a minute. Finally he nodded slightly. "Yeah-I-guess-you're-right," he replied softly.
Returning the nod, Ace glanced at the coyote before looking at the other again. "So you go on and get some rest. I'll stay here and watch over things for a while."
Rev relaxed a little knowing that the trustworthy leader would take care of things. Allowing himself to yawn a bit, he nodded again. "Okay-then-I'll-leave-things-to-you-and-I'll-be-back-later."
"Okay." The rabbit watched as he headed off, the mechanical door closing behind him. When the bird was gone, Ace sighed softly as he sat back down on the chair, folding his arms over his torso. It wasn't long before the thick silence started to get to him. And he knew that the silence wasn't really necessary.
"How long have ya been awake?" he asked softly.
For a few moments the quiet continued to hang in the air. Finally, the coyote lying in bed sighed softly and replied in a raspy voice, "Not long really…" Slowly his eyes opened and he glanced at the rabbit. "How'd you know?"
Ace shrugged slightly. "Lucky guess…When didja plan on letting Rev know you're up?"
Chuckling softly, Tech closed his eyes again. "Probably when I recover enough energy to deal with him."
The leader laughed a bit. "That might be a good idea. But y'know he's just worried about ya. We all were…"
"I…I know. I should be fine in a few days. I just need to rest for a little while longer."
"Sounds like a good plan." Leaning back into the chair, the rabbit allowed his hands to rest on his lap and stared at them for a moment. "Hey, uh…Tech?"
"Yeah Chief?"
Ace rubbed the back of his neck. "I uh…I'm sorry if I put a lot of pressure on ya…back at the lab…"
Opening his eyes again, the scientist glanced at the other curiously.
"I guess…I was just a little concerned about the whole situation. But…when I said that you had to make it work, I didn't know that…"
"Ace," Tech replied softly, "don't apologize. No matter what, the action I took was the only inevitable answer. We were running out of time, and I would have had to power the device anyway, even if I was at my top condition."
"Yeah, but if you had been in top condition, you wouldn't have almost killed yourself with that maneuver."
The coyote was silent for a moment. Finally he replied, "The important thing now is that everything turned out all right."
Ace nodded slightly. "Yeah, you're right. I can't tell ya how relieved I am now that you're not being controlled by some psycho."
Tech didn't reply.
"Anyway, you should probably rest up some more."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Smiling slightly, Ace watched as the scientist soon drifted back to sleep. He chuckled softly to himself then. For some reason, he had expected something a little more…dramatic. Perhaps something like Tech, after lying in a comatose state for weeks, finally awakening after they had given up all hope, and there would be a joyous celebration upon his recovery.
That was the last time he'd ever let Lexi pick out a book for him to read.
How Tech had awoken shouldn't have been important at all. What truly mattered, as the scientist had pointed out, was that everything was all right now, and soon things would return to normal.
Unfortunately, as the others soon found out, things didn't really seem very normal.
Even after a few days passed and Tech made a full physical recovery, something still seemed to be wrong with the coyote.
Instead of delving into another one of his automated projects, Tech just seemed to wander around the tower, once again lost in his own mind. When questioned about it, the coyote would claim he was tired and that he would explain later.
Laters came and went, but they still didn't understand why he seemed to mope around. He always seemed to try and avoid talking about what was wrong.
The team did their best not to pester him about it since they wanted to make sure he received enough rest, in case Zadavia sent them on another mission. But they couldn't help the coyote if he wouldn't tell them what was wrong.
Still, knowing from Rev how stubborn the other could truly be, trying to force it out of Tech would be pointless. So they opted to wait until he was willing to talk.
Whenever that would be…
The door to the roof creaked as it opened. Sticking his head out, he found Rev standing, back towards him, and looking over the edge, leaning against the protective wall that prevent him from falling off.
It was an ingenious design, really. On the top of their new spherical home was a small dip that wasn't noticeable except from above where they could stand and look out over Acmetropolis if they wished. To the outside, though, the sphere seemed perfect, and the small groove where they stood was unseen.
Walking out, he closed the door before standing beside the roadrunner, supporting his arms beneath him as he leaned against the roof wall and stared out at the city as well.
Though the other didn't acknowledge his presence, he knew that Rev understood why he was there. And he was willing to wait until the other was comfortable speaking about it.
He heard his friend beside him sigh then. "How'd ya know I'd be up here?" the roadrunner asked softly.
"Just a guess," he replied, turning his head slightly to look at the other. "What I didn't know was that you could still talk normally. I haven't heard you speak like that since before the meteor hit."
Rev chuckled slightly. "I can…it just takes a little more effort for me to do. I wouldn't normally do it, but I figured you'd understand me better this way."
Nodding slightly, he looked up at the sky. "Ready to talk about it then?"
"I guess so. But how'd ya figure something was wrong?"
"I've known you for a long time, Rev. I'd be unsatisfied with myself if I couldn't tell when something was troubling you."
"Ah…"
The coyote glanced back at the other. "So, have you told any of the others about what's been bothering you?"
Rev shook his head slightly.
"All right. Tell me what's on your mind."
The roadrunner sighed softly. "It's just…I don't know, really. All of this just seems to be happening so fast."
He raised a curious eyebrow. "Strange sentence coming from you…"
The other chuckled softly. "I guess. But I mean…with the meteor and all, everything's so different."
"It's to be expected. Since the meteor knocked the Earth off its normal axis, strange things were bound to happen."
"I know. I mean, just look what happened to us."
Looking down at his hand, he frowned a little. He was still trying to get used to the bright green and black fur. As he clenched his hand into a fist, he looked back at his friend. "You resent what happened to us?"
"No…I don't know. I mean, I don't mind the aftereffects of the meteor. For the first time…I'm really, really fast…"
"Fastest I've ever seen," he replied with a small smile.
Rev grinned. "Yeah. I mean, if I was still at my old job, Cookie would never be able to dock my pay again."
"No doubt."
"Thing is…I don't work there anymore. Instead of a delivery boy, I'm…a superhero, I guess."
He decided to not answer for the time being and simply continue to listen to what the other wanted to say.
"I mean, it was interesting when we found out that there were others with powers. But joining together to protect Acmetropolis…I mean…"
"It's a big responsibility," he replied softly.
"Yeah! And…I mean…I like being super fast and all. It's what I've always dreamed of. But…I don't know if it's good enough…to save a city…."
He thought for a minute, then asked, "Out of curiosity, why haven't you talked to the others about this? After all, they might feel the same as you do."
"Well, they've got really cool powers. Besides, I don't know them as well."
The coyote nodded slightly. "Well, would you like to hear what I think?"
Rev suddenly chuckled. "Even if I said no, you'd tell me anyway wouldn't you?"
Smirking a little, he replied, "You bet I would."
This made the roadrunner laugh once again. "Well, go ahead. One way or another I'm gonna hear it."
Nodding, he cleared his throat a little. "I think…that we've been fortunate enough to get these powers rather than losing something, which is something else that could have happened when the meteor hit."
"Well, I know that," Rev replied.
"I know you know. Let me finish." He inhaled deeply, trying to regain his train of thought. "I also think that, even though the powers we received are very interesting, it really doesn't matter what they are."
Rev glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, instead of being here, a chosen protector of Acmetropolis, you could be using your super speed to get even with your boss for always docking your pay, couldn't you?"
"I guess, but I…"
"Likewise, given your powers, someone else could choose to use that super speed for various crimes intended for personal gain. Right?"
"Yeah…"
"See, even though individual abilities are important, what truly matters is how you use them. What you choose to do with the special abilities that you have makes all the difference between saving this city or destroying it. The fact that you've chosen to help protect people like your old boss, who always tried to cheat you out of what you deserve, guarantees that the powers you have aren't going to be put to waste. Do you understand?"
Rev nodded slightly.
"Also, I agree that saving an entire city can be overwhelming. But that's why it's not just one or two or even just three of us risking our necks like this. As a team, we're necessary for the safety of Acmetropolis. And I'm always going to be around if you want or need to talk. But you know, so are the others. Like it or not, we're a team now, and we all need to understand each other if we want to work together properly. Distrust doesn't work in alliances like this. Okay?"
The roadrunner nodded again. "Okay…"
"Things will be different now, I won't lie about that. But I'm sure everything will turn out okay."
"How do you know?"
"Well…I could say that I analyzed different aspects as well as calculated the different abilities and capabilities of each member on this team to produce the conclusion that combining together is the only reasonable and logical choice…"
Rev rolled his eyes slightly.
"But truthfully…it's just a hunch."
"A feeling? It's just a feeling?"
He smiled a little. "If you want to call it that. It's interesting really."
"How so?"
"Well, for the longest of times, it's just been the two of us. Now…suddenly, it's not. It's…comforting…knowing that we're not as alone as we think."
Thinking over his words for a minute, the roadrunner then smiled.
The two stood in silence for a while longer until Rev turned to look at the coyote. "Well-I-feel-a-lot-better-now.-Thanks-for-listenin'-Tech.-But-all-that-concentration-trying-to-talk-normally-took-a-lot-of-energy-so-how-about-we-get-something-to-eat-because-I'm-starving!"
He stared at the other for a few seconds before pushing himself away from the wall. "Somewhere in that jumbled mess I heard 'eat', am I right?"
Rev nodded eagerly.
"Okay…" he replied, shaking his head slightly. "It's a little hard to understand what you're saying when you talk that fast."
"See?-I-knew-it.-But-don't-worry-I'm-sure-you'll-learn-how-to-hear-what-I'm-saying-eventually.-You-just-need-practice."
"Yeah…You know, you should be careful with what you say. You talk so fast, I get worried that you don't think about what you're saying. You could say something that you didn't mean to."
The bird grinned proudly. "Don't-worry-about-me-I've-got-everything-under-control.-Now-c'mon-let's-get-some-food-I'm-hungry!"
He chuckled a little, shaking his head again. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," he replied as he followed Rev back inside the tower.
Shaking his head a little and pulling himself out of his reverie, Tech blinked a little. 'That was strange…' he thought. 'A nice relief, but…strange.'
For the past few days during his recovery, the memory of what he had done under the influence of his instincts was all he could think about. It plagued his mind when he was awake, when he was asleep…no matter what he was or wasn't doing, he couldn't get it out of his head.
The blurring movement of the background…Rev pleading for him to snap out of it…his own snarling and quick snapping of his jaws…then the world around him spinning before darkness fell over him. It was always the same, but it was still enough to nauseate him.
Hearing the buzz of the mechanical door, he sighed softly and closed his eyes. He certainly didn't feel like talking at the moment.
"Tech?" he heard a familiar voice say. "What-are-you-doing-up?-Don't-you-know-it's-two-in-the-morning?-Why-aren't-you-asleep?"
Opening his eyes, he looked up as Rev began walking towards the work table. "What are you doing up?" he asked softly.
"Well-I-woke-up-and-I-got-kinda-hungry-and-I-usually-have-to-eat-ev'ry-few-hours-to-keep-my-metabolism…Hey-hey-hey!" The roadrunner looked at the other sternly."Don't-try-changing-the-subject-Tech.-We're-not-talking-about-me-we're-talking-about-you.-Shouldn't-you-be-resting?"
"I couldn't sleep…" Tech replied, looking down at the table. The truth was that he didn't want to sleep. Not that it really mattered.
Frowning, Rev walked over and stood in front of the other. "Tech-what's-wrong?" he asked softly. He knew that they all agreed to wait for Tech to tell them, but it obviously really bothered the coyote, and he wanted to do something to help. "You-haven't-really-been-yourself-lately-and-y'know-we've-all-been-a-little-concerned.-I-mean-I-know-it's-not-like-when-Punnet-had-control-of-your-mind-but-it's-"
"Stop right there," Tech said suddenly, holding up his hand. Sighing softly, he rubbed his temples and got to his feet. "Don't…say that again…"
The roadrunner blinked curiously as he watched his friend lean against the table and cross his arms over his chest. Hesitating slightly, he then decided to voice what was on his mind. "Hey-Tech?"
"Hmm?"
"Um…well…Ace-was-tellin'-me-about-how-you-were-acting-a-bit-strange-like-you-didn't-know-what-you-were-doing-or-somethin'-like-that.-And-I-guess-I-was-wondering-why-you-went-from-that-to…um…nearly-killin'-yourself-to-make-the-thing-work…"
Tech glanced at the other. "You really want to know?"
Rev nodded slightly.
Sighing softly, the coyote looked at the floor for a moment as he gathered the right words to say. "I guess…it was because…I wanted to feel like I was of some use to the team."
Whatever answer Rev had been expecting, it certainly wasn't that. "What?"
The scientist continued to avoid his friend's gaze. "Back at the lab…before you guys came…Punnet told me how he had planned everything. The reason he robbed the bank was to get us to follow him so he could test his device on me. Then he started to destroy Acmetropolis just so he could capture me for further testing. Later on when we were trapped in his lab, I discovered some other things. Punnet told me about the remote that controlled his lab because he wanted me to destroy it so the detonation sequence would activate. He told me how his invention worked so that I would use it and stall us long enough so we would still be in the lab when the program took into affect. And he absorbed my energy to create the magnetic shield that kept the lab together, preventing us from escaping."
The roadrunner frowned a little. "Well-some-of-that-makes-sense-but-c'mon-Tech-there's-no-way-Punnet-could-have-planned-for-all-of-it-to-happen."
But Tech shook his head. "No…I know he planned it all. It was like…he was in my head somehow and could predict everything. He set up each piece to his trap, and I fell for it all. Step by step, I walked right into it. And as if that wasn't bad enough, I nearly tried to kill you…"
"But-that-wasn't-your-fault-I-mean-he-was-controlling-your-mind-so-"
"Rev…" the coyote said softly, "he wasn't controlling my mind…"
The roadrunner blinked curiously, though remained silent as he watched the other rub his eyes with his fingers.
"Punnet's device wasn't a mind-controlling device like you all think. What it did was change my genetic structure slightly so that recessive genes…genes that I already possessed…would reveal themselves in my behavior. Everything I did…it was all part of what I am…"
Tech sighed heavily, letting his arms drop to his sides and grip the edge of the table. "The reason I haven't told you guys before is…I guess I was a little afraid to. I was afraid that if you and the others knew, you'd feel as though I couldn't be trusted. I wouldn't blame you though. I already don't trust myself.
"But I guess that's why I was so willing to make the shield work. I wanted to redeem myself, prove that I can do something to help you guys out." He shook his head slightly. "Don't know if it worked, though…"
Rev watched as the other continued to stare at the ground. Slowly walking over, he leaned against the table as well, standing beside the coyote. "Tech…" he said softly, "you do help us out. You do it all the time."
Tech looked up at the other, slightly surprised. It had been a long time since he had heard the other talk normally and still have his powers. Whatever he was going to say, he obviously wanted to be understood clearly.
"I mean, so Punnet tricked you," the roadrunner continued. "So what? It could have happened to anyone. You shouldn't let that ruin your life. And you do help us out, a lot. Even without your powers, you're the smartest guy I know, and you build a lot of gadgets that come in handy when we need to save Acmetropolis from whatever happens to be threatening it. Like when that Sypher guy took our powers away, you could still invent things that we used to beat him, which was better than what I could do. Super speed and internal tracking is nice and all, but take those away from me and I'm pretty useless."
Tech frowned a little as he looked at the other. "Come on, that's not true," he said softly. "If it's any consolation, you're brave and resourceful, always quick on your feet. Plus, I know that you're always willing to help me out when I need it. And you shouldn't sell your powers short either. Without your speed, we wouldn't get a lot of the things around here done. And without your internal tracking, who knows how long it would have taken you guys to find me? It's like I told you before; even though individual abilities are important, what truly matters is how you choose to use them…"
His voice trailed off as he spoke those last few words. The way they sounded…He played those words over and over again in his mind until they started fitting into place.
"How we choose…to use them," he said softly, more to himself than to the other. "Because…we're lucky enough to have the freedom to choose what we do and don't do…to choose what we become and what we think…what we choose helps define who we are…"
He placed a hand to his chin, thinking for another moment. "Even though instinct contributes to what we are, we're fortunate enough to be able to choose what to do and how to handle ourselves in any given situation because that's who we've become."
And suddenly it hit him. "Even though Punnet triggered instincts that are part of what I am, the fact that those instincts were forced out proves that they don't dictate who I am. Had he never interfered, none of this would be a problem because these instincts are not important factors that my life depends upon. Who I am is who I choose to be…because that's the way it is…"
He became aware of Rev moving beside him. Looking over, he blinked when he noticed the large grin on the bird's face. "Well-I'm-so-glad-you-figured-that-on-your-own," the roadrunner said. "It-would-have-been-a-lot-of-work-for-me-to-tell-you-all-that-because-you-know-how-hard-it-is-for-me-to-talk-normally.-But-you-figured-it-out-all-by-yourself.-I-guess-they-don't-call-you-a-genius-for-nothing-huh?-Good-job!"
Tech stared at him for a second or two before realization dawned on him. "You tricked me! You tricked me into feeling sorry for you so I would stop feeling sorry for myself!"
Rev laughed proudly. "You-bet-I-did!-And-hey-it-worked-didn't-it?-I-mean-it-got-you-to-realize-that-the-thing-with-Punnet-wasn't-really-your-fault-after-all.-Oh-and-just-so-you-know-I-appreciate-all-the-great-things-you-said-about-me-but-I-really-wouldn't-give-my-powers-up-for-anything!"
The coyote sighed softly. Even if he had the energy, he knew that he'd never be able to catch the quickster in order to strangle him.
"Hey Tech?" He looked up at the roadrunner again. "Y'know…everything you said…I think it's true. I mean, we've been friends for a long time and nothing bad has happened before, right?"
The genius nodded. "Right."
"Yeah. So even with your instincts or whatever…If that's part of what you are, then we'll just have to deal with it. But considering Punnet had to build something to force it out, I don't really think it'll be a big problem."
"I guess not…"
Rev nodded slightly. "But you shouldn't be afraid to tell the others about it either. I mean, they're all just worried about you too, and they wanna make sure you're okay. If you explain everything to them, I'm sure they'll understand. We're a team after all."
The coyote was beginning to see a strange parallel between his earlier recollection and this current moment. Not to mention irony. "All right," he finally replied. "I'll tell them about it."
Smiling slightly, Rev nodded again. "Good…But-I-suggest-you-wait-until-much-much-much-later-considering-what-time-it-is.-Speaking-of-which-you-should-go-to-bed-and-get-some-sleep!-Rest'll-be-good-for-you…"
Though he continued on about the importance of rest, Tech was already so lost in his own thoughts that the other's voice was drowned out completely. It had been so long since he had worked on one of his projects…Why waste time sleeping?
The scientist grinned to himself. He knew just the one to work on…
The End
Tadah! That's it! So what did you think? Personally, I like it.
But of course I did. I'm the author and I wrote it. But what did you all think of it? Let me know in a review (but please, no flames).
Here's the thing though: When I was writing up this chapter, I was already having an idea for a sequel in mind. So if anything seems kind of...incomplete, it's probably because I intended it that way so I would write the sequel (and if you didn't notice anything, don't go back and look for it please. Here's why).
However, after I finished writing this, I found that I was having a really difficult time trying to come up with the specific details for the sequel, and I felt that if I wrote it now, I'd never be able to finish it. I wouldn't have been happy with that, and I doubt that any of you would have either. So what I decided was that, for now, I'd write the other Loonatics Unleashed stories that are floating around in my head (yes, there are more up here in this twisted cavern I call my mind), and - hopefully - someday I can come back and write up the sequel. Hopefully. We'll see how that works.
But anyway, that's beside the point.
Right now, I'd like to thank my beta for reading through this and helping me, my brother for introducing me to an awesome song that acted as my main inspiration for the story (It's called "Hero" by AIK, and even though it came from his Bionicle site, I still love the song. If you want lyrics, let me know and I'll get them to you somehow), and all of you for reviewing and inspiring me to go on. Thanks a lot you guys, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please review (no flames) and let me know what you think.
Yes...I love the way I ended it. Heehee...