Cherreads

Chapter 9 - 9

MUTANIC KAIJUS

EPISODE 9: "Echoes and Explosions"

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – NIGHT

Kelton and Rodan rush down the corridor towards the top floor, distant missile blasts echo outside.

RODAN (transforming)

Of all times... it had to be now.

KELTON (transforming)

...Twice.

FLORENCIA

The real question is how did he even get out the first time?

MAXI

Do your thing.

KELTON (using echolocation)

Shit... he's right above us.

Silence. Everyone strains to hear footsteps overhead. Hydrion pauses.

KELTON (whispering)

He's above you.

Rodan fully transforms and leaps through the ceiling—only to be met with a brutal kick from Hydrion, crashing through three walls.

INT. UPPER FLOOR ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Walls are destroyed as Vatrion bursts in through a hole made by Arkrion. Hydrion grabs Vatrion's face, smashing him through several walls, then lifts him by one arm—tearing off a wing.

VATRION

You know I can just regenerate.

HYDRION

Of course I do.

Hydrion claws Vatrion through the heart and slams his face into a window. The glass shatters and Vatrion plummets.

HYDRION

You'll have to regenerate one thing at a time... heart or wings.

Arkrion shoves Hydrion out of the building.

HYDRION

Damn!

Hydrion elbows Arkrion in the spine, breaking them apart, then lands ~100 m away. Arkrion collapses atop Vatrion.

ARKRION

This hurts.

VATRION

What do you think's happening to me?

They regenerate joints and fractures. Missile volleys pursue Hydrion, who roars, racing toward them.

RODAN (V.O.)

He's coming.

ARKRION

We shouldn't go to him.

RODAN

Huh?

VATRION

He's steering the missiles toward us.

Vatrion lifts Arkrion and flees skyward. Hydrion sprints, climbs a building, leaps toward them—miraculously dodging missiles that nail Vatrion, dropping Arkrion. Arkrion dives and crashes into Hydrion through the floors.

HYDRION (rising beside him)

You should've stayed in your cage.

ARKRION

It was too boring.

EXT. CITY SKYLINE – CONTINUOUS

Missile fire continues. Hydrion uses Arkrion as a human shield.

HYDRION

This is getting annoying.

He leaps toward another building—only to confront Vatrion mid-flight. A powerful gust from Vatrion's wings throws Hydrion back into missile hail.

HYDRION

Has he changed?

VATRION

This is my advanced form.

HYDRION

Oh yeah, that form.

VATRION (growing spikier)

From day one, you've been toying with me.

HYDRION

Of course—I don't want to be charged with animal abuse.

KELTON (off-screen)

Ouch... I really felt that one.

Vatrion's wings enlarge, tail extends. He snarls. A salvo of four missiles target Hydrion—passing harmlessly though they seemed aimed at him.

MRS. IVY (smiling)

HYDRION (dodging a strike)

That was close.

VATRION

Just lucky. (dives skyward)

Hydrion stands before a tall building, missiles strike its base. Vatrion swoops down.

VATRION

Where is he?

An iron rod slices into Vatrion's gut from the building. The structure trembles and collapses around him.

HYDRION

Oh great.

Hydrion rushes, stomps Vatrion's face, sprints through collapsing debris, and narrowly escapes before the rubble crushes Vatrion.

HYDRION

Not bad.

MRS. IVY

Where's Arkrion?

Clear smoke reveals Arkrion standing before Hydrion. A rod impales his head—thrown by Hydrion.

HYDRION

No... I didn't forget about you. See you in the morning.

Hydrion heads back toward his broken cell, met by armed soldiers.

HYDRION

(sighs) You guys always make me the villain. Anyway—(extends claws) I'm starving.

INT. UNDERGROUND FACILITY – MORNING

Mrs Ivy enters, finding Mrs Kelinza still asleep after a long rest. An alarm sounds.

MRS. KELINZA (yawning)

Eleven hours of good sleep... good morning.

MRS. IVY (irritated)

There's nothing good about this morning.

MRS. KELINZA

You look like you had a bad dream.

MRS. IVY (smiling evilly)

I do.

They descend and find dead bodies and Hydrion awake in his shattered cell.

HYDRION

Good morning.

MRS. IVY

Let's see how long that smile lasts.

Rodan and Kelton walk in.

MRS. KELINZA

You two look like you had a rough night.

Maxi, Dinna, and Florencia enter.

DINNA

What's with the bodies outside?

MRS. KELINZA

Isn't it obvious?

MRS. IVY

He escaped... twice.

KELTON

I guess it's our fault.

FLORENCIA

Um... Kelton?

KELTON

Yeah?

ARKRION (harsh)

Where's Leniel?

KELTON

He's still asleep. Kind of envy him.

MRS. IVY

Don't. Last night's fight taught me a lot.

MRS. KELINZA

Huh?

MRS. IVY

My original plan was a perfect clone. But if I create three copies that each hold 33.33%—including your dog—it equals perfection.

HYDRION

I don't like where this is going.

MRS. IVY

Oh, you will. Take him to the Red Room.

Hydrion's cage descends to the bottom floor. Mrs Ivy exits.

MRS. IVY

The rest of you—keep an eye on Mrs K. and her kid.

INT. RED ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Hydrion faces multiple advanced clones of Arkrion and Vatrion.

HYDRION

This is messed up.

MRS. IVY (on intercom)

Not yet. (pushes button—heavy weaponry appears)

HYDRION

You think I can't handle this?

MRS. IVY

Oh, you can. But not for long. (pushes another button)

MRS. KELINZA (off-screen)

This is bad.

DINNA

Is everything alright?

MRS. KELINZA

Did she say "Red Room"?

DINNA

Yeah.

MRS. KELINZA

I remember this place—it's for killing Hydrion. Wanna bet?

DINNA

What game is it?

FLORENCIA

We weren't asked to place bets.

MRS. KELINZA

What's with the serious face?

FLORENCIA

I know you're looking for answers, but right now—we should worry about Hydrion.

MRS. KELINZA

I should've seen this coming.

FLORENCIA

Just because you're smart doesn't mean you're the only one who understands mutants—we all do.

Hydrion roars in agony. On-screen, they watch him tortured—ripped apart until regeneration fails.

MRS. IVY

You're not regenerating anymore. Who's laughing now?

Mrs Kelinza weeps.

FLORENCIA

(softly) Forest of sorry.

MRS. IVY

Begin the extraction. Why didn't I do this sooner? Make sure he stays alive.

~20 scientists enter, hooking fluids into Hydrion—drawing blood and tissue.

INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – DAY

Mrs Ivy returns to the group.

MRS. IVY

Never thought I'd see you cry.

Mrs Kelinza recovers, forcing a calm front.

MRS. KELINZA (quiet)

... I'm so sorry.

She smiles—cold, determined. Everyone exchanges stunned looks.

MRS. IVY

I wonder what your son will think when he sees his best friend like this?

Florencia's eyes ache with sorrow.

MRS. KELINZA

Don't worry. I'm sure he already knows.

Mrs Ivy dials a phone.

MRS. IVY

I'm done with Hydrion. You can collect the remains now.

VOICE (O.S.)

That'll do fine.

MRS. IVY

Good. Now let's create my own. Don't you have something for him before he becomes a weapon?

Mrs Kelinza moves to Hydrion's cell.

MRS. KELINZA

You okay?

HYDRION (raising head)

Do I look okay?

She places her hand against his lips. Hydrion licks her blood—but carefully.

FLORENCIA (rolling up sleeve)

You can have some of mine too.

Hydrion bites and drinks.

MRS. KELINZA

What's this sudden change?

FLORENCIA

I'm not a monster. I knew you once—I remember your face wasn't Nayoka's.

HYDRION (stops drinking)

Then who was it?

FLORENCIA

I want to say Leniel... but he's asleep. Listen, I don't fully know what they'll do—but it involves erasing your memories as Hydrion.

MRS. KELINZA

Who are "they"?

FLORENCIA

Mrs Ely.

MRS. KELINZA

Could this get any worse?

(texts someone: "Get out now.")

EXT. TRAIN STATION – SAME TIME

A suited figure is pursued by Ivy's soldiers—dives through a window and falls onto a moving train.

SOLDIER (radio)

Boss, Mrs Kelinza's kid escaped!

MRS. IVY

Ignore him—he'll only run home.

Helicopters land. A woman resembling Mrs Ivy—MRS. ELY—steps out and greets her.

MRS. IVY

Good to see you, big sister.

MRS. ELY

Where's Hydrion?

MRS. IVY

Not even a little reunion?

MRS. KELINZA

We better leave.

Florencia and Mrs Kelinza exit before Mrs Ivy and Ely enter the red room.

MRS. ELY

So that's Hydrion. Not quite what I expected.

MRS. IVY

He's still the real deal.

MRS. ELY

You drained him.

MRS. IVY

Not much.

MRS. ELY

Where's my 40%?

A soldier brings a briefcase revealing ~60 vials of Hydrion's blood.

MRS. ELY

Good.

ELY'S ASSISTANT

May I see my sister?

MRS. ELY

Sure. Two minutes.

The girl enters and hugs Florencia.

RODAN

Who's this?

GIRL

Where's Florencia?

FLORENCIA

Emily?

EMILY

There you are! (hugs)

DINNA

Who is she?

FLORENCIA

My little sister.

EMILY

Can we talk?

FLORENCIA

Sure.

MRS. ELY

Where's Mrs Kelinza?

MRS. IVY

She's part of the deal, right?

MRS. ELY

I want a word with her.

MRS. IVY

Maxi, bring her to me.

MAXI

Yes, Madam.

Maxi finds Mrs Kelinza and escorts her in.

MRS. ELY

...Ow, it's you. Didn't expect you here.

MRS. KELINZA

You two are quick to jump to conclusions.

MRS. ELY

Plan B?

MRS. KELINZA

I don't need a plan B.

MRS. ELY

No matter what you say—you can't win. We're taking Hydrion and leaving.

Hydrion is loaded onto a helicopter, bound for departure.

MRS. ELY

Emily, it's time.

EMILY

I have to go... bye. (smiles)

FLORENCIA

Bye... take care.

Emily boards the helicopter; it departs.

MRS. KELINZA returns, wearing a knowing smile.*

MRS. IVY

I don't like that look on her face—keep an eye on her, and I mean it.

SOLDIERS

Yes, boss.

MRS. IVY

Right now, I've got clones to make.

Tybeast wakes with a sigh.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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