Carly

They finally made it to their location. But it wasn't over. They thought they lost everyone, but then she heard her name being called.

"Carly is that you?" Lodia shouted as she ran towards them.

"No, don't come near me!" Carly shouted back. She didn't want her near her. She didn't want her to try and grab hold of her or possibly shoot her again.

"Carly, it's me. I'm back to normal."

"How do I know that?"

"I... don't know how to prove that to you," Lodia admitted, "I can't remember what I did. I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way." Carly could hear in her tone she meant it. Her eyes were normal. The rage she had a minute ago was gone. But she still wasn't sure. Lodia stepped towards her and as a reflex, she stepped back. She grabbed hold of her aching arm. Lodia watched as she saw blood covering Carly's fingers.

"I did hurt you..." Carly couldn't respond. With all the commotion, she hadn't realized she was hit with one of her shots in her arm until they started running again.

"We got bigger problems right now."

Both Lodia and Carly looked to KP who was walking towards something. He was looking at a pole in the ground. A large grey box was attached to it. It appeared to have been busted and sparks were shooting out everywhere.

"What is this?" Carly asked. KP reached for the box when smoke came out of it.

"It's almost impossible to destroy this. I used the hidden energy we created." KP said. Then he turned to Lodia. "What kind of energy are you powered by?"

"A rare neutral energy. I have neither positive nor negative energy." She said almost as if she didn't want to admit it.

"That explains how you got in here without us being able to pick up who you were. And how you managed to short circuit the tower." KP said as he continued to study the flickering grey box.

"I have to go back to River." He stated.

"Why?" Carly asked him.

"One of her shots hit the shield post." He said. This was the thing he said was keeping Nathen and Tom trapped in Midtown.

"This is the thing you told me about?"

"Yes. This is where I placed the post on the North side of Midtown. This was one of the stronger output ones since he used to try to get out this way the most. If he finds out that the post has been damaged, he'll be able to take it down since it's not as strong. I have to go back to River to get the supplies I used when I created this since I couldn't keep such a strong component with me."

"When I came to, I saw he was out on the ground and so was that android of his. I don't think Tom has the ability to do anything on his own, so if you hurry before Nathen recovers, you can get it back to working." Lodia told him.

"I'll have to do just that. Carly, you'll have to watch out until I get back. You and Lodia can make sure he doesn't try anything."

"A-are you sure about that?" Carly looked to Lodia not comfortable with this idea.

"As you should now know, Lodia is not human. She is an android. She isn't fully functioning yet and is easily effected by certain sound waves disrupting her regular command functions. That's why she did what she was told. Nathen must have known that and made that android he has emit the sound." KP explained.

"The android they have is designed to follow the commands of specifically programmed people which is why she listens to Nathen and Tom. I on the other hand was design to learn and act on my own, but because of that error that happens when certain frequency waves are emitted, I am put under other control." Lodia added. Carly was starting to understand. That must be the same thing that happened back at the jewelry store the other day and why she destroyed the diamond and said she couldn't remember anything once it was all over.

"With her back in commission, and Nathen being out of commission, you don't have to worry about them for now coming for you," KP began, "I'm going to make this trip as quick as possible. But just in case anything should happen, I want you to use the box that's in your pocket." Carly quickly reached for her pockets and felt something metal. She hadn't even realized this was there. It looks like the thing he showed her at his house.

"It's a simplified version of the post here much like the box I had shown you. You press the button on the side and it'll activate the invisible shield with a rang of five feet around you. No one should be able to get through it. It's only meant for short term defense to move to a safer location so only activate it when it's needed. It only works for about five minutes if that long before it's burned out."

Carly studied the box a bit as he talked. This button she needed to press was small and blended in, but she could still feel it. She was almost afraid of accidently pressing it, so she put it back in her pocket.

"I'll contact you when I come back. I shouldn't be too long. And then, we can discuss what we'll do next. And if you want to learn to use your gift." KP told her. He's still talking about her having telekinesis. It's so hard to believe, but after seeing two robot humans fighting, anything really is possible.

KP started walking out of town. Carly looked ahead and realized that the rundown street and abandoned looking buildings from here was River City. It's been years since she heard anyone talk about River City, and it's been this close this whole time.

"So he's leaving now? Just like that?" She said watching him go further and further away from Midtown.

"It's better that he did it now than waited later." Lodia said, "since he's working on that, we should get you to a doctor to have your wounds treated." Carly was bleeding, bruised, cut, and a little burned. She hadn't realized how badly she was hurt during all of this until now. Her thoughts this whole time have been nothing but wanting this to be a dream and to wake up from it. But the pain in her body was real. And it seemed like time she started accepting this and preparing for the worse.

"I guess we can do that."

They both headed back to town. It felt like it took even longer to get back than it did to get there. Even after all of this, it seems like nothing was really accomplished other than Nathen getting a chance to be free. What will actually happen if he manages to leave Midtown?

"Did you hear that?" Carly said and stopped in her tracks.

"Hear what?" Lodia looked around. Maybe she was being too conscious of her surroundings, but she was sure she heard something moving behind them.

"You two! Excuse me." They both turned to see the streets ahead of them and two police officers standing there.

"We were informed of some suspicious activity going on here. Do you mind telling us your business in the forest? You look a little injured, did something happened?" One officer asked as he looked directly at Carly. Between the two of them, she was the one that seemed like they had been fighting.

"We got chased by a dog and she fell hard over a large rock in the woods." Lodia told them.

"Really, is that what happened?" The officer asked in disbelief.

"Is she with you also?" The second officer pointed passed them to Miku who was slowly walking up. She was completely wrecked

"Did you fall over a rock too?" The police officer joked. Miku didn't respond as she kept her focus on them and continued to walk forward.

"Something's off with that one." Carly heard the officers whisper.

"Excuse me, do you mind telling us what happened to you?" The first officer asked another question and still didn't get a reply. Lodia and Carly stood awkwardly not knowing what she was going to do. Miku stopped and stood right before the officers and stared at them. They both slowly reached for their waist band where their guns were not sure what was going to happen next.

"It might be in your best interest to run." Lodia suddenly blurted to them. Her comment caught the officers off guard giving Miku the chance to move in and grab the first officer's face taking him off balance and throwing him to the ground.

"She's going full power." Lodia said watching him fall unconscious. The one move was strong enough to take him out. The other officer began to tremble as he saw a string of blood coming from the back of their head. He quickly took off to his car. Miku didn't waste any time going after him. She reached for the back of his uniform and grabbed his waist band. She used all her force and threw him against the car making the window crack.

"We have to stop her." Carly said. The officer fell to the ground and tried to crawl away. Miku grabbed him by the leg and pulled him to her.

"What are you doing!?" He shouted as he was being brought closer to her. Miku still hasn't said a word as her eyes grew red.

"Not good." Lodia said in a panic. They watched as the red glow shot out her eyes and to the officer. The cry of pain echoed through the empty streets then became silent as Miku stood and turned to look at them. Lodia stood straight and prepared to fight, but Miku turned and ran towards town.

"We can't let her run free like that." Carly was scared, but the thought of Miku running around like that scared her more.

"We need to stop her." Lodia stated. It wasn't Carly's plan to go looking for trouble, but seeing what she could do, letting her go like that would put the whole town in danger.

They went after Miku, but lost sight of her. They were by apartment buildings that seemed abandoned.

"She could be in any of these buildings." Carly looked to the brick apartment.The windows were busted on the second floor. She could see the curtains falling in another room.

"And there's a shopping center up ahead. It would be bad if she went that far. Look out!" Lodia suddenly grabbed Carly and pulled her down when she noticed a beam of light headed their way. It went over their heads and went into a window of one of the apartments.

"She's over there." Carly pointed to the building across the street. Miku was standing in the bushes. She moved out onto the streets as her eyes lit up again.

"Carly, you stay here. I want to finish this." Lodia said and ran up to Miku. She wasted no time throwing a punch to her face. Miku didn't have time to block and ended up being thrown back into the building.

"I know that wasn't enough to take you out." She said looking at Miku lying on the grass. "And they think they're going to be able to start something with an amateur make like you?" Lodia laughed slightly watching Miku get back on her feet.

Is this what it means to be an android? Lodia was completely different from when she first saw her by the locker. Carly would have never guessed she was an android much less a strong fighter like this. It makes her wonder why she was created to act like a regular person if she's really like this.

"Lodia, no!" Carly shouted seeing her get thrown in the bushes. She stayed down and didn't move. Miku turned to Carly and started running. Suddenly she couldn't move. She was frozen with fear.

"Carly, the box!" Lodia weakly shouted. She reached into her pocket for the box KP said to use. He said use it for emergency. She's not an android and cant fight one so this seemed like a good emergency case. She pressed the button on the side and waited for it to work.

"Nothing's happening!" Carly said. She didn't see or feel anything. Miku was still coming. She stepped backwards and fell. Miku jumped and Carly started scooting back. She braced herself seeing the damage her jumping attacks can do. She waited to be hit and even killed, but when she heard her yell, she realized she was still alive.

Carly watched as she got up again and launched towards her but never made it. She was thrown back to the ground.

"Invisible forcefield." Carly remember. Of course she wasn't going to see anything if she can't see it. Miku cant penetrate the area around her within five feet. She got up again and started attacking the air trying to get to her.

"Carly, get out of here!" Lodia said on her feet again. Miku's eyes were glowing again. She shot a laser beam to her, but it bounced off and hit a car that was down the street. They were getting closer and closer to the shopping center. There were actually people inside it. If they hear us out here, they'll know something is going on.

Carly started running back the way they came. She couldn't risk getting put on the news and her dad wonders what she's doing in this mess. She ran behind another building and crouched by the porch. That's when she noticed someone else.

"You're doing good keeping yourself alive." Tom said. He reached out towards her and patted the air in front of him.

"This shield isn't coated with anything. KP really thinks he has an answer for everything."

"What do you want from me? And why did you do all this?" Carly asked.

"Freedom." He started, "That's all we want is freedom from here. To go back home and away from this miserable place."

"KP said you were planning a war. That's why you're here. Your innocent game is over." She told him.

"You really don't understand, do you?" Tom stepped over to look around the corner where Miku and Lodia were.

"We're not trying to start a war. Just a new way of life."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Look at this place. Run down, abandoned, and hopeless. People are useless without help from someone else. Technology is advancing every day. Far more than is released to the public. And that's because of people like us. We have that extra gift others don't. With our powers and research abilities, we can help bring a change. KP doesn't understand. His people only create for the thrill of it and to show that they can."

"You don't know that."

"Oh but I do." Tom turned to her. Then he lifted up his shirt. His entire chest and stomach was covered in scars. Parts of his skin was discolored. There was even a part of his missing by his upper chest.

"This is the result of them just doing what they want. The only reason he wants to stop us is because we have something they don't."

"And what's that?"

"Nathen." He said.

"Nathen? What is it that he has that he wants?" She asked.

"If I told you that then I'd either have to kill you, or he'd kill me for talking." Tom looked behind him. She peaked over his shoulder and saw Nathen was laying on the ground on the other side of the apartment complex.

"He over exerted himself to get this together. That's why he hasn't gotten up yet. Don't think he's as weak as you."

"I still don't get it. Why are you all doing this? Shouldn't like professionals do your work? You're still in high school."

"You may think that. But he's been doing this far longer than you think. Plus, a lot of his research revolves around the young mind. Why have an adult do a job we could relate to best?" Tom looked to her and smiled.

"Chat time is over. And so is your protection." He said stepping closer to her.

"I only came here to get Miku back. I don't want you right now. Getting her under control is far more important at the moment. So I have a request."

"Like I'd do anything for you."

"I don't think you're in any position to refuse." He said reaching into his pocket. He pulled out what looked like a gun.

"This is only to get Miku still long enough for me to shut her down. But it also can double as a means of defense." Tom pointed the gun to her face.

"What do you want me to do?" She asked.

"I just need you to lure her this way. She's looking for fight. All you have to do is show yourself and she'll go after you."

"Why can't you do it then?"

"Even if she's like this, she won't attack me. So I need you to do it. Or are you refusing?" he asked. Then he put his finger on the trigger.

"Okay, I'll get her over here." Carly said. He let go and put the gun down.

"Good. Get her far enough this way so I can get good aim." He said.

Tom was always quiet and seemed to let Nathen do most of the work. She's never seen him act like this before. She went back towards the fight. Loida had Miku pinned down.

"You're persistent. I can see why they haven't given up on you yet."

"Lodia, let her go." Carly told her.

"I thought I told you to get out of here. Your shield is gone now."

"I know. But let Miku go."

"Why? She's still going crazy." She said. Miku was struggling below her. She couldn't tell her why. She probably wouldn't listen if she did. Carly looked around and saw a rock on the street. She picked it up and threw it to Lodia.

"What are you doing?" She asked. Her grip on Miku lessoned, so she was able to throw Lodia off of her. She got up quickly and suddenly shot another laser to her. She heard Lodia yell as she was hit. She didn't mean to get her hurt. She wasn't moving and Miku turned to Carly. Something told her now was the time to start running, but she wasn't able to move.

"Stay still." Tom said as he kept his hold on her. He said Miku wouldn't attack her be she was still headed their way. She ran at full speed holding her hands out like she was going to grab her too. Right before she was able to make contact, Tom pointed his gun and shot her. The sound whistled throughout the air mixed with the pained sound Miku made as she hit the ground.

"That was easy enough. We'll be busy for a while so you're free, but only for now. Although, since I have you now, I could just go ahead and bring you back with me." Tom thought. Carly tried to get out of his grip, but he was surprisingly stronger than she thought. That's when she saw another fast beam of light fly past them.

"The next one wont miss. So let her go." Lodia said with her hand outstretched and metal surface showing.

"To think you could just do what you want. But instead decided to help them." He said. Then he threw Carly to the ground and grabbed Miku.

"Use this time to recover. You're not looking so great right now." He told her. Then he went back without saying anything else.

"Did you do that for him? Why would you listen to anything he says?" Lodia came over to help her up.

"I just wanted this to be over. And it is. For now." She said back on her feet. Miku was gone. They're going back to work on what they plan to do next. KP needs to hurry back before they come out again. Carly felt her legs shaking. Now that she knows nothing is happening right now, she felt a bit relived. But the pain and the fright she had was too much. She fell back to the ground and passed out.