Take Down Chapter 83: Not Nice Surprise

Today was the day!

There hadn’t really been much thought put into the mission, aside from defeating the spider and hoping that that would let the trapped players escape.

When the other players had become trapped in the pterodactyl’s nest, the forecfield dome, that had kept them inside, had disappeared the minute the giant pterosaur had been taken care of.

“Team ready?” Migata asked brightly as you all woke pretty much at the same time in game.

“Both O/N and Butterfli3 nodded their heads and you looked at him before slowly nodding yours.

“We’ll be fine because we have a newly found fighter on our team,” he added with a grin at you.

You covered your mouth, smiling into the palm of your hand.

“I’m kinda keen to be able to add in my own attacks,” you said happily, finally removing your hand, “I don’t feel as useless this time around and I haven’t even done anything yet!”

“Haven’t done anything yet?” O/N repeated with a snort, “you took on one of the Tormentors! And kicked his ass!”

“Well, I don’t know about kicking ass—,”

“Uh! I won’t let you say any more. You’ve come a long way and you’re a sought after badass so don’t talk bad about yourself,” she said with a grin.

You resigned and just gave her a thankful smile in return.

“Ok. Now we really need to move!” Migata stood up, slapping one knee as he did so.

“Autobots! Roll out!” O/N added in enthusiastically.

“Who?” Butterfli3 asked as you all headed for the door while O/N had to explain what a transformer was to him.

Once out of town, you called forth Ægir again and started doing ferrying trips like you had done the other day, taking Migata on ahead first before coming back to pick up Butterfli3 and O/N.

It was on one of those trips that you were floating beside Ægir’s head, chatting idly with O/N, who was sitting in front of Butterfli3, that you felt like someone was close and you looked up ahead to where a large rock was sitting just off the path.

“Woah, Ægir,” you whispered to him, making him slow, then stop.

You looked back to Butterfli3 who nodded at you, acknowledging that he too sensed someone was there.

“Come out,” you called ahead, one hand gripped into Ægir’s flowing mane.

Nothing happened for a second and you called for your fans to appear, tucking both into one hand.

Butterfli3 also called for his chain whip sword and pulled it from his sheath, sliding off Ægir’s back to get ready should a fight occur.

“I said, come out!” you called again, deactivating your floating so that you could dance and move on the ground. 

O/N stayed aboard Ægir and waited to see what would happen.

Suddenly two men stepped out with cameras and recording gear and it threw you for a second. 

“Who are you?” you called to them as they stopped on the path and just remained silent.

“They’re with me!” a sudden bright voice announced, as Free came tumbling out from behind the rock.

Your heart sank then started beating wildly.

“H-How did you find us?” you asked as she skipped up to you.

“You’re so mean, U/N! You told me you would let me know when you were leaving but you didn’t even send me a message! I heard chatter about the dream team embarking to the spiders cave and so I grabbed my two best cameramen and raced up here as quickly as I could—,” The whole time she was explaining how she had known about you on this level, she was dancing and skipping around and making wild hand gestures to illustrate her point. “—and so I found you!” she added on the end, pouting with one finger pointed directly into your face.

You were a little shocked to be honest and didn’t know what to say in reply at first but then tried to come up with a diplomatic answer.

“Free, we told you this would be a dangerous mission. We don’t want you getting hurt…”

“Nonsense! I’m with the dream team! Nothing can hurt me, I’m untouchable!” 

“No… we think it would be best for you to stay away. Once we have finished the mission we’ll come for the interview then you can ask question then…”

“No! I want to have live footage to show the fans! They’ll love it! You are being rather selfish, U/N. I thought we could be friends but if you’re going to act like this then you’re not my friend anymore,” Free stated, pulling another pouty hurt face.

“This isn’t about being selfish or anything. You’re being very pushy and I’m telling you no,” you replied strictly, treating Free like the child she was behaving like.

“Well, you can’t stop me,” she said, poking her tongue out, “I already know where the spider’s cave is located so you can’t stop me from going with you.”

You looked back at Butterfli3 for help but he didn’t offer any suggestions and so you looked at O/N who awkwardly avoided eye contact.

“I’m not going to say anymore,” Free stated, turning on her heels and marching back to her two camera men, “come on, boys, let’s go!” 

You wanted to yell something out at her but you knew it was pointless so closed your mouth again and sighed.

“I’ll talk to Migata when we catch up to him. He might know what to do…”

Following a distance behind Free and her companions, you all walked the same track until Free approached Migata and greeted him vivaciously, throwing herself onto him.

As you can imagine, he was most surprised to see her… not in a good way. And gave you a puzzled look as you approached. 

“She just popped up out of literally nowhere,” you said to him as she bounced over to talk to O/N and Butterfli3, “I don’t know how to get rid of her!” 

Migata rubbed his chin thoughtfully and looked at her then back at you.

“I’m just thinking maybe it might be a good idea to bring her along so I can keep an eye on her. I don’t trust her, but like the saying goes… ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’…”

You sighed then nodded.

“Ok. I’ll stick close to you then too, so that you can keep an eye on her but also not be far from me.”

“Yes, please do that,” he replied, looking at Free again, “we’ll get this mission done then be free of her…”

You looked at him. “Did… did you just make a pun….”

He grinned at you, then chuckled.

<<< Take Down Chapter 82: Everyone Wants A Piece

Take Down Chapter 84: At Gates And Caves >>>