Lab C: Chapter 21 - Rock beats most things...

When he hears Chuck groan and scream at The Swarm in the distance, John takes off running at a reasonable speed.

“Stay here and hope for something better.” John shouts back.

Dr. Tesla thinks about it for a second, then looks down at the shotgun. “It did feel like a shield god damn it.”

He runs behind John with it slung over his back like a bat. The “Free” spray paint rubs off onto his lab coat.

Just down the way, Chuck does a back flip out of the concrete floor, floating up and over the The Swarm just inches behind him. He slams his shin into the ground, splitting it two feet in either direction. Splattered flies litter the cracked ground, but are sucked up by the vast remnants of The Swarm.

Chuck seethes with rage, growling as The Swarm closes up around him. His previous wound oozing thick, darkened blood between rocky mounds of skin. As his mind races on how to kill these bugs, it flips on a dime when he sees John running towards him. He smiles, and launches himself forward, the shock wave stunning some of The Swarm. The rest follows as fast as it can.

In the blink of an eye, Chuck is inches from John. John slides to his knees as Chuck enters the space John was just in. John tries to grab Chuck’s leg as he passes over, but his hand passes through. They both skid to a halt and face each other in readied stances.

John roars.

Chuck roars louder.

They roar together, and leap.

John leaps higher and intentionally leaves good arm down. Chuck reaches to grab it, but John, full blast, punches him in the spine. He jolts and his foot whips up and smacks John in the face.

They both fly and land, again skidding to a halt. Chuck flexes his back and relishes the pain. John spits out two teeth.

“I’ve missed you John.”

John smirks, a canine and front bottom tooth missing. “Gotta be honest Chuck, I didn’t miss this.”

“Then,” Chuck starts walking towards him, menacingly, “tell me where Steve Jobs is and I’ll leave.”

John walks towards him, “Sorry Chuck, he’s still got work to do.”

Dr. Tesla approaches in time to hear that and pauses at a safe distance. Ponders.

The second he’s in range, Chuck kicks at John’s head and John blocks it with one glowing grieve and hooks around with the other. Chuck smirks and drop kicks John with the other leg. John barely side steps it, then gets tugged to the floor with Chuck.

He starts wailing on Chucks leg, sending lightning up his body.

A loud buzzing causes them both to stop. They look up and watch The Swarm fly right over them and stop in front of Dr. Tesla. It wraps him up warmly, and Dr. Tesla clutches the “Free” shotgun for comfort. The Swarm then forms a wall between him and the fight.

John and Chuck look for a moment. John smirks, The Swarm really does love Dr. Tesla, but is cognizant enough to feel Chucks other leg come flying at him. John rolls and tries to wrap up Chuck’s leg for an ankle lock in the tumble.

Chuck slips into the floor, immediately flying up and over John. Chuck tries to dive knee John but John has plenty of time to move. Just as Chuck crashes into the floor, John is there and uppercuts Chuck in the jaw, who takes the chance to punch John in the ribs. They crack.

John lets out an, “ah”, and moves back as another blow comes flying at him.

Chuck keeps swinging at John who dodges immaculately. It’s like a cute dance almost. He takes notice of the gaping hole The Swarm left in Chuck.

“Come on Chuck, lets just get you back home. When we’re done with Jobs, you can have him.”

Chuck roars and swings faster. John can’t really keep up and drops just as Chuck is stepping forward and drops his elbow onto Chuck’s knee. He punches Chucks other knee, chipping off rock. Chuck tries to bring his hands down onto John, who scrambles underneath him.

John spins to smash his shin into Chuck’s hip, but the quake of Chuck’s smash makes him wobble. Chuck heel kicks John in the chest sending him sliding inches in front of The Swarm.

Dr. Tesla pips up, “Do you need help?”

John shakes his head, smiles, spits out some blood. “Nah man, I got this.” He starts to step forward when Dr. Tesla pipes up, he just can’t help himself.

“Are you guys keeping Steve Jobs alive in here?”

John freezes. Chuck’s face drops.

John to Chuck, “He’s thinking of a different guy. You’re gonna get yours Chuck, I promised. I promised ok? I always keep my promises you know that. You’ve seen that!”

“Liar! LIAR LIAR LIAR!”

John looks back at Dr. Tesla, wtf man?
Dr. Tesla shrugs.

John dodges as Chuck does a flying knee past him. The Swarm picks up Dr. Tesla and throws him back to avoid getting hit.

Chuck kicks the ground and flies back at John, doing a spinning kick towards him.

John blocks with his runed flaming grieves, and flexes them, leaving blue flames on Chuck’s leg. He lands with other and brings his heel down onto John, who lets it hit his shoulder. The crack is sudden and explosive, but John holds his constitution and grabs and holds Chuck’s leg.

He shin kicks Chuck’s leg repeatedly as Chuck tries to squirm free, punching and clawing at John until finally his leg gives and he falls to the floor.

John gets full mount, his knees holding down Chuck’s, and just starts wailing on Chuck’s face. The rock skin chips and flakes off, some kind of skin showing through in cracks.

“I didn’t lie Chuck! We’ll get him for you! Just stop! JUST STOP!”

“I’m done! I’m DONE JOHN!” John pauses his assault, they’re both breathing heavy.

“I’m not waiting again.” Chuck continues. “I’m not going around again. I’m not waiting that long. End it!”

“I can’t do that Chuck. You know I can’t do that.”

“It’s his fault! ITS ALL HIS FAULT! You we’re supposed to find him! You we’re supposed to bring me to him!” He spits at John. Even with his arms burning under John’s, Chuck doesn’t truly seem at his mercy.

“I know Chuck, we can still do that. I can still get him. Just please, please let me take you back home.”

“My home is in a different reality.” with not but half an inch of room, Chuck smashes his elbows into the ground causing an explosion of concrete.

As the dust settles, John clocks Chuck standing anxiously moving between his feet. “And you’re gonna send me back there John.”

Chuck dashes forward. John moves to block but Chuck moves through him, lunging towards Dr. Tesla. He takes a flying knee towards him.

Chuck, “I’LL MAKE YOU!”