A government digging crew appointed by leader of an island nation, Chairman Arik Drop, come across a discovery that they believe should be utilized as a defense weapon. The Chairman disagrees with weaponization and orders the digging project cancelled. Behind his back, however, it continues with disastrous ramifications.
A few months after the final chapter of The Misadventures of Everyone...
Gold City. Ryship Island's largest city could not boast much about attractions that could bring in tourists and thereby increase its economy. Regardless, it remained a peaceful city sitting on the edge of the island. But with standard protocol, exceptions occurred within the peaceful city. On one particular night the scene was set. In an alleyway that was easy to miss unless you were looking for it, a man, barely walking, appeared to be running from an unknown attacker. He held his neck as it bled, droplets falling to the ground almost every second. His breath was sharp; painfully trying to inhale fresh air as he limped along. Blood; he reeked of it. He knew what he did. He hadn't expected to pay for his actions on such short notice. The pain was increasing, causing his vision started to blur in cycles. The metal fence in front of him blocked the way. If he could just make it over, he might escape. Behind him, footsteps were getting closer. It was him. It was the attacker. He panicked. The end was close. He jumped several times to grab the top of the fence but the pain prevented him from his full potential. Letting out a very nervous sigh he dropped to his knees and accepted his fate. The attacker was behind him just several feet. He knew it. Without turning around he remained on the cold concrete pathway.
"Impressive. I must say, for someone with a hole in their neck you got pretty far" the pursuer said.
He winced in pain but remained silent. Nothing he did would change the outcome of the situation.
"I have to thank you for making this job a hell of a lot easier. My client is excepting you so come along quietly or I'll have to end this prematurely" he said, binding his victim.
At a condemned mansion outside of Gold City, the pursuer dragged the victim to the family room by his gray blood soaked shirt. The full moon was enough to reveal the broken windows, overturned furniture, and many bullet holes in the walls. The attacker stopped for a moment and listened to the sounds. Other than the prey groaning in pain, he heard nothing for a few seconds. Then the small sound of glass breaking came from the dining room. The chandelier above the wooden oval table turned on. The client walked in, revealing himself. His dark brown eyes, almost black, stared at the bloody victim in the hands of his hired worker.
"Well, is this the guy, Teisel?" the worker asked, finally letting go of the purple-haired man he easily apprehended.
Teisel, examined him. He had a gut feeling something was off but his rage set off by the death of his parents and his sister being taken away was more than enough to settle for this man as the killer he was after. In the back of his mind he felt it was the wrong man but he wanted someone to pay. He succumbed to his anger and confirmed.
"Yes. This is the piece of trash that killed my parents!" he glared down at him.
The victim did not flinch. He looked up at Teisel, almost looking satisfied for the work he had done. Then he felt a metal object touch his back, right behind his heart. A trigger was pulled and a loud pop went through the mansion as a bullet entered his back and exited the front of his chest, taking chunks of his heart and ribs with it. The bullet embedded itself in the dirty carpet. His face went into a state of shock as the pain was too much to bear. He fell forward onto the floor, blood quickly spreading in all directions as his chest wound began to leak. He twitched a few times before going lifeless.
"Hey...why did you do that?!" Teisel exclaimed.
"What? He murdered your parents. This is what you wanted wasn't it?"
"As much as I wanted revenge...this doesn't seem right! Oddly enough I feel at peace now. Still, I have to answer to this"
"Look, are you sure about this? The cops find you here, you're done. This murder and trespassing in this home...that's grounds for life imprisonment"
"This is my home! Don't you forget it! This is where my parents and my sister were taken away from me! I'll take full responsibility for what happens next. I suggest you leave!" Teisel said.
"I don't understand the wealthy sometimes. Whatever. I hope you know what you're getting into" the pursuer walked away.
Teisel looked at the dead victim as he bled profusely everywhere on the tapestry that once belonged to his parents. In the distance police sirens were approaching the condemned home. Teisel knew he would be arrested. He had to do it. It would be the only way to reunite the only other remaining family member he had left.
17 years later
The United Island Federation or UIF was a nation that consisted of several major islands including Ryship and Kattelox Island. After much debate, each independent island allowed themselves to become part of a nation for both political reasons and financial. They all answered to Capital City, located on Grand Island which, as the name implied, was much more massive than the other islands put together. With a name like Capital City, one would expect it to be a majorly populated city center. The truth of the matter was that it was a mere village town with several small local businesses but with a large capital building. It was the idea of the Chairman who ran the UIF. He was never a crowd person so he settled for a small village town. The capital building itself was a Greek-style stone building with a gold colored dome in the center. At the top of the dome, the green and blue flag of the UIF waved proudly, a testament to the success of the multi-island nation. Inside the capital building Arik Drop, the first Chairman of the UIF, was engaged in a meeting with several of his advisors. The mood was calm but the subject was highly controversial.
"The last thing we need is to increase our defenses. Our current weapon systems are more than enough to ward off any attack, gentleman" Arik said.
"Sir, with increasing threats from other island nations on Terra it is paramount we take action and defend this nation"
"It's not my fault I figured out how to achieve a perfect balance of freedom and nationalizing our current money system so our citizens can live peacefully. It's no surprise that other countries are envious of what I have created"
The advisors sat silently in the glass office overlooking a flower garden on the same level. Standing next to the Chairman was a younger man, his apprentice, who awaited orders. His suit was dark gray and his hair was blue and spiky but he also had a long ponytail. Over a speaker the chairman received a call.
"Sir, someone is here to see you"
"Jane, I'm in the middle of something very important. Who is it?" the chairman responded.
"Just a second...he told me to ask you if the name 'Teisel Bonne' rings a bell"
The chairman sat silently now. That name surely rang a bell with him. He quickly thought of the past memories he shared with that name. His advisors broke him out of his thoughts.
"Sir? Are you paying attention?" an advisor asked.
"Gentleman...can this continue in a few hours? Something just came up" the green-eyed chairman asked of his workers.
They were not in the least bit pleased with this idea but at the same time they were not the leaders. With a grunt they slowly started to stand up.
"Sir...fine. But only a few hours. There is much that has to be discussed"
The 4 advisors sat up from their leather seats and walked out the door into the garden, overlooking a fjord that connected with the sea.
"Send him in, Jane" the chairman said.
Two large brown doors opened up, revealing the man Arik was expecting. It had been many years. He was not prepared to see someone in green armor with long white hair and blood red lenses for eyes. Teisel stopped just a few feet in front of the chairman and his apprentice. Arik was speechless.
"It's been a while hasn't it?" Teisel started.
"Teisel...what the hell happened to you?" the chairman asked.
Teisel sighed. He wasn't surprised by Arik's sudden surprise. Even though it had been a while, he understood the chairman's sudden concern.
"It's...it's a long story. I hope you have time"
"We'll get to that in a second. My goodness, look at you!" they both gave each other a bro hug then got down to business.
"You drink, Teisel?" Arik asked.
"Ehh...not outside my home. I prefer tea or coffee if you have it"
"Right away. Robert" he said turning to his apprentice.
"Get Teisel here green tea, right way"
"Yes sir" he replied with a slight bow then left to get the tea.
"Have a seat Teisel" the chairman invited to Teisel.
The table was a long 15 foot rectangular piece of oak with the top laminated. The capital's main officer resembled Teisel's room quite a bit; bookshelves on every wall. Teisel took note of this while sitting down but then engaged in a conversation with the chairman.
"It's been...what...17 years now, Arik?"
"Something like that...why the hell has it taken you so long?"
"I had to get my family then get us a place to live. It took a while but eventually I did everything I vowed to do when I was arrested"
Arik looked somewhat guilty.
"I'm...I'm sorry for that, Teisel. You shouldn't have taken the fall for what I did"
"It made me a better person. I learned how to fight, build, manage money, steal, you know, all the things we should have kept doing. On that note, what the heck are you doing here?!"
The chairman laughed heartily then gave his explanation.
"A few years after that incident, my boss, Jethro, attempted to unite the islands like they are now but he didn't have a proper backing. I'll be the first to admit, he wasn't good with words. Sadly he passed away young so I took over and eventually united all the islands around here"
"Well yes...but why?" Teisel asked.
"Because...over time I felt guilty for killing the man who killed your parents and having you take the fall for it. It was at that point I wanted to make things right but it was too late for you. Jethro entrusted me to take over once he passed away and he knew his time was short. I didn't think it would be that short. I was apprehensive about this whole thing in the beginning but over time I realized I was just what these people need. And I have had no complaints either! Hard to believe I know. These people quickly accepted becoming part of the UIF and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome" he took a sip of his bourbon.
"By the way, who's the kid you have working for you?"
"Oh Robert? His name is Robert Light. If you hadn't picked up on it already he's my apprentice. As far as picking a successor, you have to go through apprenticeship once you've been selected. That's what I established in the law. Robert was among a group of young kids who were potential candidates but Robert possessed the greatest skills. And once you're an apprentice you learn everything. How to play music on just about every instrument, mathematics, history, philosophy, even chivalry. It is important to teach young men the proper way to treat a woman because quite frankly I'm tired of the shit I see on the streets. But anyways, once my term is up Robert will become chairman of the UIF"
Arik stood up out of his seat and began walking slowly towards the window with both arms behind his back. Arik was the same height as Teisel. He had the exact same build; brawny. His skin color was light brown...tan to be exact. He resembled someone of Mediterranean decent. The black suit he wore was bought at thrift shop but he never revealed that to anyone.
"So I guess I should have asked sooner...why are you here, Teisel?" he asked starring down at the garden. His advisors sat on wooden benches, engaged in their own conversation, taking in the bright sunny afternoon day. Teisel tensed up slightly, almost expecting Arik to be somewhat upset at his reply.
"I'm kind of in trouble" Teisel responded.
Arik didn't turn around. He listened while keeping his gaze outside the window.
"What kind of trouble?"
"Well...I sort of did my pirate thing on Kattelox Island. Needless to say we're...I'm wanted"
"We?" Arik asked.
"I meant me. No one else was involved" Teisel fabricated.
"I know that sister of yours is part of your pirate operations. Same with that mechanical brother of yours" he told Teisel.
Teisel was shocked. Arik already had background information on him and he had no idea how. Still he hoped he could get what he was about to ask for.
"Ok fine. I was wondering if you could stop the police from arresting us"
Arik let out a long breath. He hated being in dilemmas.
"Teisel, you want me to allow you to be pirates within the country I run without impunity?" he sounded a bit upset.
"Not exactly...I just want to keep Tron and Bon Bonne out of what's already happened"
Arik only turned his head around.
"You should have thought of that before you attacked Kattelox, Teisel"
"Arik! Don't forget! You owe me! Look at me! My hair, my eyes, this was the result of me being your damn scapegoat! You better do something about this!"
Arik was not one to be yelled at but Teisel had a good point.
"It's ironic that I go from a political activist who killed people on the side to the leader of a nation that other countries on this planet want to eliminate. I even vowed to put a stop to air pirates. You heard me right. And now I'm faced with a situation I can't ignore. You're right Teisel. I do owe you"
Arik returned to the table but remained standing.
"Just this once, I will let you off the chain. If I were you, I would try not to get caught should you go back into piracy which you and I know you're going to do. If you do I will try my best to make sure the pigs go easy on you but I can't make any guarantees"
"Just once? I was imprisoned for a long time! Tron was even molested at the daycare center that she was taken to after my parents died! Can't you do anything better?"
Arik pounded the table hard.
"Teisel! I can't allow you to rob people in my nation! I've got enough to worry about with the current crook we're after! Can't you just...I don't know...take a break?"
Teisel wanted to retort back in the same manner but the thought of a break sounded like an excellent idea.
"Are you sure the reason you became...a good guy...was because of me? I get this feeling that there's more to the story" Teisel said.
"I forgot how quickly you pick up on things. Okay fine. My wife was the other aspect influencing my decision to become chairman." he stated.
"Wife?!" Teisel hadn't anticipated this response.
Arik sat back down. He poured himself another small glass of bourbon.
"Face it, Teisel. It's hard to play the corrupt government official when you have more important things to concern yourself with"
"But you were so dead set on your work with the air pirates! I'm surprised you even considered settling down. What happened?"
Arik gazed into the green armored air pirate's eye, savoring the moment.
"There were several agencies working to help make this government we have today. She happened to be working for one of them. The difference between us is that they were against the air pirates that were around at the time while I used them to do our dirty work. As luck would have it we met at a sting. There were 5 of them and 6 of us. Everyone on both sides ended up mortally wounded except us...at least for the moment. With a sleeper dart in my hand and a K-Bar knife in hers we swung simultaneously. Both points found their mark"
Arik pulled up his sleeve revealing the scar that was left from the wound that was inflicted in his right forearm. The massive blade had gone right between his radius and ulna and out the other side.
"As painful as that was, I think she got it worse. My biggest fear was that I administered too much of the tranquillizer. She didn't wake up until 2 days later to my relief. I was ordered to bring her to our base of operations for questioning but I knew they would eventually execute her so I took her to a bunker not on any map to keep her safe. I told them she died from an overdose which, to my surprise, they believed"
"And that was that? That seems too easy" Teisel said.
"Don't get me wrong. When she woke up, she was slightly pissed off and that's putting it nicely. I won't go into full detail but things worked out for the better and..."
He raised both of his hands in the air, gesturing the entire room around him.
"...here we are. That's my story in a nutshell. Any loose ends, just ask me about later"
"So...I'm off the hook then right? For this one time?"
"Yes, Teisel. Don't worry about it. I'll always have your back no matter what. I owe you big time, buddy"
Robert returned with the tea.
"Just place it on my desk please and thank you, Mr. Light. You can take the rest of the hour off. Just be back here at 4:30 for guitar lessons"
"Yes, Chairman Drop" he responded with a bow of respect then left through the same doors as Teisel came through.
"Enough about my boring life...what's new with you? And I better not get a bland reply! It's been 17 years!" Arik bantered.
"Well you already know what happened after you left the mansion that night. After I picked up Tron we had to stay with a few trusted people that would never reveal our whereabouts. It was during that time, Tron began to show her engineering prowess. That's when I got the idea to become an air pirate. Eventually our flying home was built and after the defeat of one giant reaverbot we continue to do what we do best"
"Whoa, wait a second...what giant reaverbot?" Arik asked as if something was off.
"The Colossus? Remember that?"
Arik nodded.
"That was us"
His eyes almost grew outside his head.
"Bullshit!"
"Should a chairman really be talking like that?"
"You mean to tell me that you and your sister and younger brother were the ones that took down Loathe all those months ago?!" he was standing up again.
"I thought everyone knew that. There was even a celebration on Ryship 4 days afterwards"
"We've been trying to take him to prison for life but we never had enough evidence against him. How fitting he goes down with his machine in flames. Looks like I owe you even more!"
"Just keep the police away from my family and officer Denise and we'll be even" Teisel requested.
"You bet! Anything for...wait, officer Denise?"
Teisel then thought that perhaps he should have kept her under wraps.
"As in Denise Marmalade, Teisel?"
"Err...yes?" came his reply suggesting he was hiding something.
"How do you know her? She was a recent hire out on Kattelox Island"
"Just...one of the officers I met during our raid"
"It's funny. We were warned of a very clumsy police officer from Ryship Island. Coincidentally enough, her name was also Denise. When we asked Ms. Marmalade about this she said she didn't know who she was and she also kept insisting vigorously that it wasn't her. After we tested her in the training facility she proved to be at the top, well above the other trainees so we quickly hired her"
Teisel fought hard to keep a smile from breaking out. Denise had trained with the Bonnes well before trying to get a job on Kattelox Island Police Department. Arik studied Teisel's face.
"You're holding something back. What is it?"
Teisel shuttered.
"N-nothing! I just know officer Denise. Nothing else!"
"Teisel!"
"I said I know nothing!" Teisel stood up and slammed his fists into the table, bent on keeping his secret from the chairman.
"Whoa, buddy calm down! I was just playing" he waved both hands in front of him as if he was surrendering.
"I believe you. I just like to get people riled up. I'm glad you're doing fine but I should get back to work here. Feel free to stop by anytime" the chairman said.
"There's one thing I want to know from you now...right before you said I should take a break you mentioned a crook you were currently after. Since I'm kind of in that business I would like to know who you're talking about"
Arik reached into his wooden desk and pulled out a wanted flyer. On it was a person with the face covered in a beige bandana up to the eyes and wore a blue bandana on the head. The blue bandana had a poorly drawn frowning face with X's for eyes and what looked like stitches on the lips.
"Wow. I've never seen a wanted poster in color"
"We don't know much about him. The name he goes by is Sky Pirate Dash. He's responsible for several robberies on most of the islands in the UIF, though most of them were carried out very poorly and much of the stolen loot was dropped or used as projectiles to try and keep the police at bay. On several occasions he would set donut traps to cover his escape which actually worked. I really thought that it was just a stereotype but the cops around here really do fulfill the police and donut relationship. Oh and get this. There's a strange rumor that he runs around with a living street cone"
"Street cone?" Teisel replied.
"Yup. I don't know about you but that's just retarded. I've heard many strange tales since becoming chairman but come on...a street cone? Give me a break" he put the wanted poster away.
"So what do you want me to do about it Arik?"
"Just keep an eye out for things. Any sign of Dash, you let me know"
"But Dash is just committing misdemeanors. Aren't there worse things for the chairman of UIF to worry about?"
"Teisel, Dash has been a thorn in my side for a long time. Sure the crimes aren't too serious but not a single damn cop has caught him and there have been far too many attempts. He might be committing small acts of theft now but that could escalate into something more serious. Since I'm helping you, I want you to help me? Got it?"
Teisel nodded in agreement. Both men shook hands firmly.
"It was nice seeing you again. It's strange being friends with an air pirate who's still in the business but that's politics for you. No one is ever one hundred percent clean" the chairman said watching his old friend walk out.
"Just don't do anything to hurt your own people" was all Teisel said before disappearing.
Teisel and his family are back in the business. Kattelox remains a place of interest for the Bonne Family air pirates in both its riches and secrets that will be revealed against everybody's will. The past will come to haunt the present. Fires will burn. Punches will be thrown. Guns will be shot. You know the drill! This is the Bonne Legends!
For the record, this story is actually finished! It's been completed for a few years (11 chapters total and 2 bonus chapters) but I never bothered putting it on Fanfiction. If anyone shows interest, I'll go ahead and add the rest of the story :)