Repliwolves

Part Nine: Confrontation

Heart awoke to thick bands of metal covering his mouth, claws and tail. He attempted to stand, but the weight of the bands forced him back down. From what he could observe from his viewpoint, he was in a large, dark room. Another Repliwolf snored slightly on the other side, wearing the same metal bands on his paws.

Heart managed to roll himself onto the his right side, trying to get the other Repliwolf's attention. It was no use. With his mouth bounded shut, he couldn't yell, and there was no way he could stand and walk with them on.

The door to the room opened and there he was, overconfident and prideful; Poison. He sidled over to Heart, mouth formed in a toothy grin. "Rise and shine! That was quite a fall you had!" Poison barked with obvious fake friendliness.

He reached down and removed Heart's mouth band. "You know you can talk now, I had to ensure my safety while dragging you into here." Poison explained haughtily. Heart rubbed the spot where the band was. He looked Poison in the eye angrily.

"All this fighting? And for what exactly?" Heart questioned. Poison's smile disappeared and he bared his teeth. "Because I hated you and I still do!" He snarled "Everyone liked you! Everyone cared about you! I never had anyone to look after me! To care for me! You always had your brothers! Your family! I have nobody anymore!"

Heart felt as if he had been torn in two. One side wanted him to rip Poison limb from limb. The other wanted to grab the Repliwolf and embrace, tell him how much he mattered to Heart.

Poison scoffed, as if he was making fun of himself, and kicked Heart to the other side of the room. "You're not getting in the way this time. You or Quick. Sigma's plans will prevail, whether or not you join him." Poison growled. "No thanks! You can count me out!" Heart snapped back.

Poison's lips curled into a smile again and he laughed. "Good old Heart...defiant in the face of one who could kill Spear and Axl on a whim if he wanted to." He said in between laugh. Heart perked up at the mention of his brother's name. "Spear's alive? You know where he is?" He demanded

Poison laughed again and Heart cringed at the sight of his face. He wondered how the Repliwolf could smile with his fur melted off on one side.

"Of course. He helped keep you at bay and helped me take Axl away." Poison replied triumphantly, as if he thought he'd won. "His final form is quite a formidable one at that. Who would've known my venom could allow Sigma to mind control those who try fighting back?" Poison asked. Heart couldn't believe what he was hearing. He let his head sink to the ground. Guilt filled him, that was overtaken with rage almost the moment he felt it.

Heart felt as if his throat was on fire. His fur felt like ice, cold and sharp. He tried to calm himself, but nothing worked. Heart's colors became royal blue with an icy blue chest. His blue patterns disappeared and his fur felt as if it was made of armor. Suddenly, a blast of hot plasma exited his mouth, causing Poison to yelp with surprise. "But...you have no powers! How is this...?" He wailed.

Poison jumped back, but not before the plasma had done it's damage. He clutched his muzzle, screaming. Heart rushed out of the room. The intense heat of the plasma had melted his bindings and he was free to run. He saw a room labeled: PRISONERS, and ran for it

The red Repliwolf stepped in his way. This time Heart rammed into his chest, knocking him backwards. "Spear! Listen to me! You have to fight it!" He shouted as Spear thrashed and growled.

Sharp claws scratched his face, but Heart didn't feel any pain. He knew that Spear wouldn't give up, though. "I'm sorry." He whispered, and blasted more plasma out of his mouth. Spear howled and clutched his chest. Closing his ears to the wails, Heart burst into the room. Grabbing Axl, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.