Chapter Text
When the end came, it arrived in the shattering of glass, a flash of light. And it did not last for long.
For the past several days, Dave had been hearing odd reports. Well, considering the types of things he heard, even odder than usual. There was some big shit about to go down, and it had nothing to do with his upcoming movie. Like anything really ever had to do with his movies. The movie was nothing big, just enough to piss off all the right people. No, this was about something entirely different, and his gut feeling was that it was a lot more serious than he could have ever come up with on his own.
It was a relief, moving to the other side. Relieving, until he had learned what it meant… what was happening.
The reports Dave received from his agents varied, based on how deep the Batterwitch had gotten her little fondant claws into his web of information. The somewhat reliable only told him that Crocker Corp was on the move. Something had shaken the company, incited them to re-evaluate the distribution of their troops. (How odd, to think of a simple corporation having troops. Oh, the things the world was coming to.) The most trustworthy of Dave’s sources had informed him that there had been an odd, green flash in the night sky, and all of Crocker Corp was in a frenzy because of it. It was good to know that there were more out there than just him, all working to bring the Batterwitch down. It was an incredible satisfaction, learning that he was not as alone as he had suspected.
Two faces peered down at John, worried. Only a little early, they explained. Only slightly ahead of the others. There was plenty for them to do while they waited, a lot of work for them to do, if only he would get over this fit he was having.
It was supposed to be hard, remaining such a public figure while openly subverting the Batterwitch’s plans, but Dave had just done what was natural. He only knew one other who did the same, although he couldn’t say that lovely author Lalonde had ever been open about anything. They both did the best that they could, considering they were mere mortals. Combined fame and antagonism of the Alien Bitch meant that Dave always kept at least one mode of defense on his person. He had been made fun of for it, but…
Dave shook his head, looking back to the script in his hand. No one had ever teased him for always keeping a sword with him. No one had ever known. Why was his mind trying to trick him into thinking someone had?
Two long dead, not that John wanted to worry about meeting himself anyway, and two still alive. But, the look on Jade’s face said it all. Alive right now did not mean their two friends –rather, their counterparts, as Jade reminded him– would stay alive for long. Obviously that was the first thing they had to take care of!
The nature of these unexpected allies was still a complete mystery to Dave, and he had recently come to realize just how much he hated mysteries. If he had known who they were, how they would act, he might have been able to coordinate with them. But, as it was, all Dave heard were rumors of green light, and of the Imperial Drones chasing after those streaks, lines of light that were long gone. Once, something this important might have warranted a call to check on Dirk, but Dave didn’t want to put the little man at any more risk than he was already in. He would never forgive himself if he led that Alien Bitch back to Dirk.
In an attempt to curb his dangerous impulses, Dave crossed his legs and continued to scheme, with some horrible script in his lap. He knew how difficult it was to survive Crocker Corp’s burning scrutiny, had been hiding Dirk beneath it since the company had turned murderous, and with the aliens bringing all of their weight to bear on his new allies, they could probably use a little help. A distraction was right along Dave’s line of expertise.
He knew just what to do.
They were being followed, but even these huge insects that Jade told him were Imperial Drones could not keep up with them. Not with Jade at the helm, which was still a pretty damn awesome sight. The ones that had managed to surprise them had found out just what it meant to deal with a God Tier. But, it was hard to get to the adult Dave and Rose when they had to run like this. Even Jade’s teleportation powers had limits, and they still had no idea how much the Condesce knew about them, or their plans.
It was the perfect plan. After this, if there were any drones going after the green enigma, Dave would be extremely surprised. He was going to put a stake right in Crocker Corp’s heart. Hours of planning had gone into figuring this one out, doing his research and gathering the materials he would need to cause a ruckus Crocker Corp would never forget.
The whole process had taken much longer than Dave had wanted. His suppliers had balked at the amount of explosives he asked for, and it had taken far too long to acquire it all, avoiding their pointed questions that Dave knew he dared not answer. It wasn’t until one of them had asked why Dave was doing this that he had paused to truly examined his motives. Why was he doing this, for someone who may not even be on his side?
But something, deep down, whispered to his mind that Dave was doing the right thing. This was the only thing he could possibly do. And so, with no further hesitation, Dave had set up his ploy to perfection. For once in his life, Dave could say that he had done something truly impressive. The Betty Crocker ‘factory’ that held many of the inactive drones made a very nice ball of flames, better than he had ever managed in his movies. More than enough to live up to the Strider name.
Dave was strangely content, keeping an eye on the blaze from well within his studio halfway across the city. He had wanted to watch in person, but Dave had learned some caution since the years of his youth. Back then he would have awaited the remaining Drones on a rooftop across from the magnificent explosion, sword in hand. He could not risk that much any more, not when there was a kid he needed to protect.
…What was that crashing sound?
Jade called his name, and John heard the urgency in her tone. Danger, she said, and John had to go now.