The Shifts of Fortune - Part Five
By
Carnifax,
Posted on: 2006-04-20 09:54 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
Got a little lost on these, especially towards the end (due to my own lack of knowledge of the chars) but enjoyed the story FFM. Very nicely paced.
Ellies Kheld sounds like the sort of team leader that drives me nuts, the front seat driver. Dead right on most things but manages to wring the fun out of proceedings. That said I don't think I've read a story where a Kheldian isn't like that. Lighten up guys 
There's a lot of backstory behind Ellie's PB. The biggest part being most of it was destroyed last year, leaving just a small vestige of it left. It's surfacing during this rescue was part of a greater backstory, and clues to this rest in the story as well. 
Thanks for the comments though!
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
At the edge of Liberty town, in Founders Falls, the group of heroes slowly faded into view and Ellie collapsed to the ground, loosing her hold on the others as the glow from her powers winked out abruptly. Behind them, deep in Hutchinson Park, a bright light was fading as a huge cloud of oily smoke billowed into the night sky, and a deep rumbling tremor made the very ground tremble with the shockwave, before it faded away.
Inago stood, awestruck, as the devastation became clear, Dou shita no
Kneeling quickly at her side, he checked Ellie for any injuries. I think shes OK Jess-Chan, shes awake, but pretty groggy.
Worry creased Jesss face as she looked down at her lover. Still holding tight to Jo, she looked quickly at Inago, Help her up could you? We need to get Jo somewhere safe.
With a nod, Inago bent down and carefully helped Ellie to her feet, Then Jess muttered a spell of teleportation, and the heroes vanished in a flash of light.
******************************************
A short time later, the heroes arrived at the nearest entrance to Mileenas fortress; the apartment building in Founders shed recently purchased. Opening the magical doorway, Inago stepped through, helping Ellie, and Jess followed still carrying Jo.
Once inside, the door sealed itself shut behind them and Inago led them towards Yokos quarters. Hearing the noise of their approach, the door opened and Yoko looked out. As she saw the state of the heroes, her eyes widened with shock, until her gaze brought her to Jess and the unconscious form of Jo in her arms.
With a small scream, she dived out the room and ran to the tired group, Jo! Oh my god Jo! What happened?
Jess nodded towards the bedroom door, Let me put her down first, and well explain everything. Moving to the door, she nudged it open wider with her foot and entered the room, moving to the bed and laying Jo down carefully. As she touched the bed, Jo whimpered and curled into a foetal ball, shivering violently.
Reaching for the blanket, Jess quickly covered Jo, tucking her in, and sat beside her, her hand resting on Jos arm. As she did so, Yoko sat on the edge of the bed and hugged Jo. Looking up at Jess, she demanded to know what had happened, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Before she answered, Jess turned to gesture to Inago to place Ellie in the bed next to Jo, and cover her as well. As soon as he had done so, Ellie fell into a deep sleep, utterly spent. Checking she wasnt going to fall from the bed, he then slipped from the room, muttering something about getting a bowl of water to clean her up.
Eyes widening at the state Ellie seemed to be in, Yoko again demanded to know what had happened to all of them. As Jess began to explain, her expression changed from one of worry, to anger! Why hadnt they called on her to help? If they had, Jo might not be in this state! As her voice began to raise, her temper flaring, Jess placed her hand on Yokos knee and stilled her with a single word, Time.
Stopping her tirade, Yoko glared at Jess, Time? What do you mean time?
Sighing, Jess carefully explained to Yoko that there just hadnt been time to call her. If theyd waited even the few minutes necessary to call her, they may never have found Jo again. Glaring, but finally accepting Jesss words, Yoko glanced over at Ellie, Whats wrong with her? Whys she in such a state?
Looking worriedly over at where Ellie lay, Jess saw that Inago had returned and was sat with a bowl of water and a cloth, and cleaning the blood and grime from her face. I Im not sure Something happened to her. She somehow got us all out of there alive, and destroyed the entire base. Whatever it was she did, it seems to have completely drained her.
Is she gonna be OK?
I think so She doesnt seem hurt, just exhausted. Its probably best to let her sleep for now. Turning her attention back to Jo, Jess stroked her hair gently. Yoko, theres something else you need to know. Quanta is gone
Yoko frowned, Gone? What do you mean gone? She cant be gone, shes part of Jo!
Shaking her head in sympathy, Jess looked Yoko in the eyes, They must have hit her with dozens of quantum array blasts. Her bond with Quanta has been shattered, I dont know where shes gone, but shes not within Jo anymore.
Wh what does that mean For her, for us?
Im not completely sure Normally, when a Kheldian and the host choose to separate, both will retain the memories of the other, but not the abilities. But being forced out that way Well, Im worried about Quanta. We didnt find any trace of her.
We should call a doctor or something!
For what? Physically, Jos fine. This has affected her at a far deeper level that anything any human doctors could do. What we need, is Quanta.
Tears leaked from Yokos eyes as she held Jo tight, Find her Jess, please? Do everything you can, just Find her!
Nodding, Jess rose slowly from the bed and left the room, intending to call Sunstorm. As she exited the room, she almost bumped into Mileena, who had heard the disturbance and was coming to investigate. Giving her a hurried explanation as to what had happened; Jess carried on to the magic portal and left the fortress so that she could call Sunstorm on her cell phone.
Mileena stood at the entrance to Yokos room for a moment, watching Jess depart, before pushing the door open and stepping into the room. Taking in the situation in a glance; Ellie sleeping and Jo seemingly unconscious and shivering. She immediately used her magic to increase the temperature in the room, realising that without her symbiont; Jo was probably suffering the effects of cold. Then, moving over to Ellie, she bent down to examine her carefully.
After a few minutes of study, she gestured for Inago to move to one side, and lifted her from the bed, She desperately needs a source of energy. Im taking her to the baths, please stay with Yoko and Jo and get them anything they need, Kyo.
Inago nodded as Milly left the room with Ellie, heading towards the healing baths, Hai, Milly-haha.
After she had left, Inago turned back to Yoko and Jo, Yoko-Chan, anything I can get you? Tea, snacks?
Yoko looked up at Inago as she held Jo tight, N No, nothing Kyo, thanks. Returning her attention back to Jo, Yoko held her even tighter, rocking her gently as she did so.
Kyo sighed and stood to leave the room. Ill be back in a minute.
As he neared the exit on his way to the kitchen, it glowed briefly as it admitted Jess, Jess-Chan! Any news on Jo-Chans Kheldian?
Jess looked at Inago, the worry clear on her face, Shes been injured, but is safe up on the mother ship. Sunstorm was pretty frantic, demanding to know what on earth had happened.
Did you tell him?
Jess considered her talk with Sunstorm for a moment, before replying, I told him some of it. The rest I said would have to wait until the morning. He wasnt very happy.
Inago looked down and frowned, muttering something in Japanese, then looked back up at Jess, Im going to get something to eat Milly-haha has taken Ellie-Chan to the baths and Yoko-Chan is still with Jo-Chan. Ill be back in a minute, okay?
Jess smiled and nodded at Inago, Alright Kyo, see you in a little while.
Inago nodded back to Jess, then turned and headed down the corridor. As he left, Jess sighed and headed towards Yokos room. Outside the door, she paused briefly then looked further down the corridor, considering going to the baths to see Ellie and Mileena. After a moments hesitation, she came to a decision and pushed open the bedroom door, slipping quietly inside.
Inside the room, Yoko was still holding Jo and rocking her gently back and forth, as one would rock an injured child. Her face softening, Jess walked to Yoko and placed a hand on her shoulder. Yoko glanced up at Jess, then down at her hand, and smiled briefly. Then, placing her own hand over Jesss, she nodded appreciatively before turning back to Jo, rocking her in her arms once more.
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.