Chapter 3: The Skinshifter

It has been a couple hours since the two of them have entered beyond the second gate. Despite being in enemy territory they have remained undetected skulking in the shadows of alleys, taking cover in buildings. They now find themselves in the room of an abandoned building. Sid wasn't sure at first, but there were desks within cubicles, a kitchen with a coffee machine.. It soon became apparent they were in some kind of office space. 'How dull in comparison to the world outside currently.' he thought.

Suddenly his attention was drawn back to what Sarah was doing. Tuning her handheld radio, she thought she heard something on one of the frequencies earlier. Perhaps she was searching for it again, or she simply forgot the frequency for command again.. Numbers can be hard to memorize. After a few more moments she found the channel of interest.

“KZZT hello??”

“Hello, come in. Whose frequency is this?” she asked quietly.

KZZT “Hello I am a head member of the Central Archive! Who may you be?”

“I’m with Valor, you can trust me Archive.. Uh, guy.”

“Wonderful news! Beyond the Third wall is also crawling with unsavory brutes. However as I have said the Archive has been secured, we locked the place down. Is help coming? We have survivors.”

“The Archive? We were afraid we lost it to them. There’s artifacts in there they could have done who knows what with. That is some good news mate. Anyway, me and a plus one are beyond the second gate currently. We are on our way to open the gate so we can take back the second district. We still have to fight through the 3rd District as well, but we will rescue all of you.”

“Good we are waiting, please hurry! They have been trying to find a way in as we speak.” KZZZT

“Hopefully they don't get in there." Sarah sighed, putting the radio down. “It's time to get back to work. So I have been watching the patrols near the gate."

“Huh?" Sid cocked an ear attentively. “You were talkin to me right?"

“Yes Sid, quit daydreaming while I do all the work here."

“Hey, I've been watching patrols near our position! I've been workin about as hard as you have. Anyway, we finally got a window to sneak in finally?"

“I wish I could say we have a clear one, but without time on our side we might need to expedite our operation."

“So.. What does that mean? Go in guns blazing?"

“No, well.. Not entirely. I would rather not get you killed, I was thinking I could make some kind of distraction.

“A distraction for me to slip right in? That sounds pretty risky for you. You sure time isn't totally against us?

“Every moment we waste lives could also be lost. Remember what you said about getting something done rather than playing it safe? I feel like it is safe to assume it's one of those times."

“Alright, I'll bite then. What're you gonna do?"

“Let's see.." Sarah hummed as she thumped her tail against the floor.

“Well? What's the plan?"

“If you'd give me a bloody moment I will make one." She peaked out the window again with her binoculars.

The making of a brilliant plan indeed. At this point Sid has fought boredom more than enemies. Guess this is what his father meant when he said there were plenty of 'dull moments'. Being a soldier really has been just 90 percent waiting and doing nothing. How droll. Moments would pass, Sid just leaned against the wall, slumping downward. Suddenly, he heard footsteps and voices approaching near their room.

“Sarah! We got company." He shouted hushedly as he ran to her.

“Shoot, okay. I guess the plan starts now.

“What? Right now?"

“Yeah, let me deal with them. I got this. You take the radio, tell your father to ready the calvary before you make your way towards the gate. I'll bring the chaos outside to draw attention while you get in there to the gate house. With all the attention on me no one will notice a little rabbit sneaking inside the gate house."

“Hmph." Sid scoffed at the remark. “Seriously. Are you sure you'll be okay though?"

“Again, I got this." She stepped past Sid and opened the door, stepping out. One guard, a grey wolf, stood to her right. Two human soldiers stood to the left of her.

“Hands where we can see them, spy!" The wolf said, pointing his gun.

Sarah slowly raised her arms up, as she did she quickly made her move grabbing the wolf's gun. His gun fired as she pointed it to the soldiers to her left, killing one of them.

“Shi-!" The wolf began to cuss but was interrupted as he received a powerful kangaroo kicked to the stomach. He lost his grip on his own gun as he flailed, struggling to breath. The last soldier was slow to react to the lighting fast movements Sarah had made. She finishes him off with the wolf's gun, afterwards she turns the weapon on the downed wolf.

“I'm sorry it has come to this, but you chose the wrong side, Kin brother." She pulled the trigger ending his life.

“Woah" Sid whispered to himself. “I'd hate to be fighting against her.."

“What are you doing there gawking?" she asked, looking behind her. Get down there unseen, wait for me to lure the Betrayers away, got it?"

“Yeah, I got it, um.. Good luck, not that you really need it anyway. The enemy clearly needs it more." Sid said as he stepped past Sarah and darted down the hallway.

“I wonder if anyone heard me causing a ruckus yet.." she said to herself as she walked the opposite direction down the stairwell.

Sid waited according to the plan in a nook just in front of the gates. A space between the buildings and the gate itself. There was some handy littered cardboard to hide under. An empty pistol hit one of the stationed guards on the side of the head. Sarah has made her presence known and all eyes were on her. To be an expert in espionage and open combat, she really has done a 'lil bit of everything'. Perhaps she was even part of some sort of secret task force? Maybe one day Sid would find out. For now..

Sid tuned the radio to signal his father.

“Hey dad.. So uh. Don't be mad but I kinda roped Sarah into doing something a lil bit more than just.. 'Looking around'."

KZZT “You had a really stupid and dangerous idea didn't you?" his Father asked in a stern fatherly voice.

“Yeah kinda, lemme just get you up to speed" Sid proceeded to explain everything that has happened thus far. All of this, his Father very much did not like.

“So you're behind the gates now about to open them while Sarah.. The one who was supposed to keep you in line is out causing a distraction."

“Yeah, get soldiers ready to storm this place cause I'm opening it."

“After you do that, just stay hidden somewhere until I get there! We are going to have a talk about this later. Just stay safe."

“Staying safe doesn't get anything done dad. And there's lives that need to be saved. I'm only doing what you'd want me to do, to be a hero."

“Heroes also end up dying far too young Sid. Please just listen to me this time."

“Well you're still breathing dad. Don't worry.. talk to you again when you get here, bye." He ended the transmission and slipped right out of his nook and made way to the Gate house. Before entering he stopped to check over his shoulder, making sure there wasn't anyone watching him. Upon entering the gatehouse him and a Betrayer locked eyes.

“Erm, who are you?" Asked the mangy cat.

“I'm uhh, here to take your shift?"

“Oh yeah? With the ruckus going on out there I thought I would miss my break."

“Yeah no, don't worry about it!" Sid says, waving his hand towards the door. “Come on and get out of here."

“Okay then, thanks."

As the cat passed by him, he happened to notice the logo of Valor on Sid's jacket shoulder.

“Wait a minute.. You're not one of us!"

Sid knew he had to do something and took out his pistol and jumped up whacking the guy on the face.

“Ow! Damn it!" the cat yowled.

“Darn it you were supposed to get knocked out!"

“You stupid.. That's not how you do it!"

“Sorry! Uh, this is awkward. I guess I'll just.. Try again?" Sid whacked the cat on the side of his neck this time. He went down making a choking gurgling noise.

“There! Knocked out.. I think." Sid said to himself with a slight shrug. He walked over to the door control and opened the gate up. Job done. Well that went smoothly for the most part.

Sid exited the gatehouse and came face to face with.. Him.

“You! You're that scraggly guy with the weird chest crystal who burned my village!"

“Fah ha ha. Yes, I am the scraggly guy that-" the man began.

“Yeah I just said that!" Sid interrupted him. Who the heck are you?! Why did you do it?" Sid drew his gun, his anger rising.

“Jeez, wouldn't you at least want a name for the atrocity? I am Connor. It's good to see you remember me, I felt your presence."

“Wait what?" the crystal in Sid's jacket glowed even brighter now.. 'Was it doing that before?' He wondered peeking at it inside his jacket.

“See? You have a glowing crystal, as do I. The crystal in his bare chest glowed.

“You usually wear an open trench coat with no shirt or somethin?" Sid asked. “Your chest is nice and open y'know."

“I am aware. I don't need feeble body armor."

“Whatever psycho. What does these crystals have to do with my past?"

“You don't know? He who grew up in one of the remaining villages outside human rule. The one just before the Great Jungle where perhaps more monsters and more of your kind lives. Tell me, do you remember anything? Anything at all?"

“Anything about what?"

“The old faith of your people. You were old enough surely to remember something right? You have one of the last crystals of that old god after all."

“I don't really remember anything. Not that I'd tell you anyway." Sid gave a frustrated sigh. “I also feel like that's all I'm gonna get out of you."

Sid fired his gun at Connor but the guy took a bullet straight to his chest. He looked unfazed.

“Feeble little pistol bullets don't hurt me kid. That crystal of your's never gave you any power?"

“Never gave me power?" Sid took the crystal out from his jacket, giving it a little shake. He shook his head and let it dangle back down around his neck. “I mean it's glowing but that's it. What the hell are you really though?! No one can just be immune to bullets!"

“Small arms kid, if you had a shotgun then I'd feel it." A wicked smile began to crept along his face now. “Whether you remember anything or not, all ties to that old god must be eradicated. So says Kilgerath."

Sid aimed the pistol up towards the man's head this time. But he caught Sid by his right arm, snapping it like a twig.

“GRAA!" Sid yelled out. Having never felt such intense pain before. Conner plucked the pistol from his grip, dropping it to the ground. He then grabbed Sid by his neck with the other hand, holding him up in a choke hold.

“I shoulda killed you back then, at least now I am making up for lost time."

“Let him go!" Sarah shouted out from behind delivering dropkick into his back, forcing Sid to be dropped down to the ground coughing.

“Nice kick, you seem like someone who'll actually prove a challenge."

Other Betrayers began to take position behind Sarah and Betrayers came in from the front gate now too. Connor held a hand up signaling them to cease fire.

“Leave these two to me men. I wish to make an example, standby in case I need of you though."

“Yes sir," said one of the soldiers. “Understood."

Sarah had only moments to react as Conner dashed forward. She was quick enough to dodge to the side. She pulled a shotgun she had holstered on her back and blasted Conner in the face. The shot rang out throughout the city block.

“Gotcha."

Conner stumbled back, head pointed up in the sky. He slowly lowered his head showing the damage. The face half blown off showed his skull. Instead of normal blood however black ooze like liquids poured from his wound.

“What?" Sarah asked, for once having a stricken terror to her voice. “That.. Just ain't right."

“That's not even the messed up part." Connor once again smiled with the remaining half of his face.

“I really don't like the sound of that.." Sarah said, stumbling backwards unconsciously. She could not believe it but there was something about this man's aura. It terrified her.

“Fah ha ha.." You also will not like what you see, my dear."

His form suddenly began to change rapidly. Bones inside of his body began to splinter and break. They broke and remodeled into a new structure as his entire upper half started a terrifying transformation. More jet black ooze leaked from himself as antlers sprouted from the newly forming head bursting out from his face wound. The face of an elk skull-like creature has taken form. He cackled in laughter as his head finished taking form replacing his humanoid head. The humanoid head shrunk into his neck, morphing and becoming his new skin. Bones splintered out from his knuckles forming razor sharp like claws. The skin of his humanoid arms retracted into himself.

Sarah was so stunned by the horror happening in front of her she wasn't ready when this new monster dashed once more. Its eyes gleamed evilly with that bright light Sid remembered from all those years ago.

The monster swiped at Sarah and sent her flying into the side of a storefront, glass shattering all around her as she crashed down.

“Sarah!" Sid yelled out to her. However, Connor or whatever he is now stopped Sid by the leg. He snapped that in half with pure strength as he threw him away. Sid crashed down into a heap landing in front of his pistol.

“Aaagh! M-my leg." He winced trying to lift himself. However he fell back down to the ground attempting to stand up. “I.. I need my gun."

He winced some more and wheezed as he crawled towards his gun. His chest also hurt, alot. Perhaps he has broken a rib now too? He couldn't tell, he almost felt too much pain to process it all.

He picked up the gun with his unbroken arm and sat up on his knees. With some pained effort he racked the slide of his pistol with his teeth.

“I don't know how I'll do it, but I'll kill you. Whatever you are, my story won't.. No it can't end here!"

He once again took aim and fired as the skin shifting monstrosity darted towards him..