13- Stalling
Third Person
CannibalCrab could barely speak.
He had been calling for what felt like hours, maybe days by how hoarse his voice had gotten, but now he just went silent. He needed help desperately, but the closer he got to civilization, the more he was hesitant. He considered going to the Conch Command for help, but then he'd have to explain to KrakenKid what happened.
What could he possibly say to him? That it was all his fault his son was now frozen, possibly dead? That he failed to protect him? That he was only able to save himself and nobody else?
CannibalCrab groaned and shook his head. If I can fix it before he finds out, then maybe I can get away with it! Maybe someone in Atlantis can help Blooper. "Hey! Somebody! I need help!"
"Hello? Who's out there?" Another voice cried out in response. Cannibal's heart quickened as he perked up.
"Yes! I need help! Please!" He yelled back. The voice sounded familiar but he couldn't place his finger on it.
A group of people came into view, and as Cannibal rushed towards them, he noticed most were wearing the armor of an Atlantean, but one stood out. The leader of them. As he got closer, he stopped suddenly when he figured out who it was. Purple. He stood out from purple. KrakenKid was with them.
KrakenKid perked up when he saw him and rushed forward, but the crab was frozen in horror. "Cannibal! Finally, we found you!" KrakenKid said as he stopped in front of him, then looked around. "You wouldn't happen to know where Blooper is, would you?"
CannibalCrab's breath caught in his throat. No... No, this can't be possible... Out of everyone... "KrakenKid? Wha-" He glanced at the Atlanteans following him. "What is this? What are you doing with Atlanteans?"
KrakenKid glanced back. "Oh, uh... Long story. Remember the chicken, Joe?"
The general made a face. "The smelly chicken? Ugh, what about him?"
KrakenKid shook his head quickly. "Actually, he's a lot better than his brother, not too bad of a guy either. Anyways, he's not dead and he's on our side. The Conch Command is overrun with whatever forces Cody has left, and we're in charge of Atlantis. Darrel and the others are all captured, but I got word that you and Blooper were taken by Pikalus. Is it true?"
CannibalCrab held his breath, but nodded slightly. "That's... True, we were."
The kraken's face instantly brightened. "Then you know where he is! Take me to him, I've been dying to see both of you since I left for my journey!"
CannibalCrab looked back at the Atlanteans, and then to KrakenKid, his heart beating out of control. "What? Not comfortable with them? I can make them go away if you want." He turned back to the guards and gestured for them to leave, pointing to the palace. They nodded and left without another word. "See? Easy. Now, where's Blooper?"
Eyes darting around, the general looked for anything to distract them. "Are you sure you don't want to talk more about your journey first?"
The kraken stopped, then his eyes narrowed on him. Taking a step forward, he now was a lot more suspicious. "No, I don't. What are you hiding, Cannibal? Where's Blooper?"
CannibalCrab gulped, but knew he couldn't hide any longer. "Follow me." He told him before going back to where he came from.
CannibalCrab walked slowly, dreading telling him what happened but knew it would have to happen eventually. KrakenKid was impatient and as soon as he saw the structure Pikalus created, he surged forward to get in. CannibalCrab sighed and followed after him, unsure of what to say.
He turned the corner, moving to where he knew Blooper was, and found that KrakenKid already beat him there. He stood in front of his son, gaping at what he was seeing. Then, his tentacles curled into fists. "Cannibal," He growled, turning to him. "What. Happened."
CannibalCrab cleared his throat, trying to catch a breath that kept escaping him. "Pikalus... He tricked us and Blooper was just frozen like that. I swear, I tried to protect him but it happened so fast! I don't know if he's dead or alive but... Forgive me, Sir."
"Forgiveness?" KrakenKid scoffed, eyes flaring with anger. "You have the audacity to ask for forgiveness after this? After what you failed to do? While I'm away, you only have one official job."
"Protect Blooper." The general nodded. "I know, and I'm so sorry but-"
"Sorry. Doesn't. Cut it." KrakenKid twitched violently in anger. "Blooper matters more to me than anything else in this world, and you took him away from me... YOU TOOK HIM AWAY!"
KrakenKid suddenly lunged forward, pulling out his scabbard sword and slashing at him, cutting deep into his arm when he raised it to defend himself. CannibalCrab let out a pained cry as he moved back, but KrakenKid tackled him to the ground, pinning him there.
The crab struggled for a moment before managing to throw the kraken off of him. His chest began to heave, heavy breaths escaping him as he watched the kraken get back up. "Kraken... Please. Don't do this." He pleaded, drawing his out cutlass. "I don't want to fight you."
KrakenKid gritted his teeth. "That's too bad, because I want to fight you!" He moved to attack again, but CannibalCrab deflected it. He had an opportunity to attack, but chose not to take it, simply pushing the kraken back instead.
KrakenKid kept attacking relentlessly, but CannibalCrab refused to attack back, only using defensive moves in return. Then, he slipped up as KrakenKid faked an attack and pierced his side. Cannibal groaned with pain as the kraken moved back when he lashed out in defense.
The yellow eyes were filled with hatred he only saw when he spoke about the penguin, and what his father did to his people. "You're holding back... Why? I'm not going to stop until you're dead on the ground, why are you hesitating?"
"I already told you," CannibalCrab coughed. "I don't want to fight you. Stop this, we might be able to save Blooper-"
"He's dead!" A few tears escaped him. "I felt it as soon as you showed me. A father knows, I felt it in my heart. There's no saving him..." He raised his sword again. "Just like there's no saving you."
Pain flashed in CannibalCrab's eyes as KrakenKid ran at him again. He's hopeless... He realized. Then, before he could strike, Cannibal did for him, jamming his sword right where he knew his heart would be. KrakenKid coughed blood, struggling to keep his sword raised, but the general twisted it and yanked it out, causing him to drop, both the weapon and his body.
CannibalCrab was panting heavily now. "You taught me how to do that, remember? How to end a battle quickly if you opponent leaves himself open. If your opponent is too blinded by anger to see he's weak... I never thought I'd have to use it on you of all people... Kraken-"
"You're working with him, aren't you?" KrakenKid barely managed to get the words out. They caught the crab off guard. "With the penguin."
"...What? Why would you-"
"It was the penguin and his father who killed my people all those years ago... I was the only survivor, and I thought with Blooper..." He trailed off, glaring at him. "But I was wrong. You're working with him aren't you? Because you just finished the job they started. Congratulations."
KrakenKid's body turned limp, and his eyes fluttered closed. "There's no more krakens in Atlantis..." He murmured.
Then he was gone.
CannibalCrab was so alone...
Then his eyes opened. He was standing outside Pikalus' little fortress again, staring out and wondering if he should try. He patted himself down, but sighed when he found no blood. Just another thought gone out of proportion.
He had been sitting there for so long, thinking of a million different ways that everything could go wrong if he left, and how he was going to help Blooper. He knew he had to do it eventually but...
He was stalling. Just a little longer. He told himself, though his heart raced at the very real reality his mind created. That couldn't happen... Right?
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When you let your thoughts run wild... All the twisted possibilities that come.
Not exactly a tear jerker, but hopefully it pulls at those heart strings.
Based on what the cannon timeline in the Realm has, where Blooper is frozen and Cannibal cries for help. Doesn't go so well.
Anyways, I hope you guys liked this little short! Be sure to comment what you think, and goodbye!
--JustAnAtlantisWriter
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