Chapter 1: Entering Kalter
The town seemed quite small when I first saw it. Walking around a bit didn't improve the scope of the place. Though that really didn't matter. Town or city. So long as there was work to be found it didn't matter. I entered the first bar I saw called the Shieldmaiden. Like many bars before it, it was filled with rowdy and mostly drunk patrons. I walked up to the bar table and took a seat, putting down my fedora.
"New here?" The bartender asked.
"Yes. Pinap Colada please."
"Staying long?" The bartender asked as he started on my drink.
"If I can find a job."
"What are you in the business of?"
"Killing people."
The bar fell silent as nearly everybody turned their eyes on me. The bartender himself was giving me a look of suspicion as he slid my drink to me.
"Tread carefully." He whispered.
I paid him and took my time drinking. In my line of work it was best to let trouble find you. And trouble always meant work. Soon enough my drink was interrupted by a trio of misfits.
"You fancy yourself a killer?"
"I 'fancy' myself a working man." I responded.
"Work eh? What are you looking for?"
"Someone who will pay me for my skills."
"At what? Babysitting?"
The trio had a good laugh at that.
"If they pay me to do it."
Their laughing stopped as they pondered how serious I was in saying that.
"What are you a nanny?"
"Depends. Do you have a kid?"
"This guy's messing with us." One of them scowled, "I say we break his knees. Let him off easy."
"Cool it." His friend said, "This guy says he can kill? Well I got a few jobs and I have the money to spare. So what are you friend? An assassin?"
"I'm just a man seeking a job."
"What's your name?"
"What's yours?"
"Fair enough." The man sighed, "My name's Fearow. This guy's Vigoroth and he's Tauros."
"Lucario." I introduced myself, "Lucario Ziellos."
"No one asked for your last name." Vigoroth scowled.
"Calm down man."
"Look I don't even know why we're talking to him." Vigoroth insisted, "What job could you possibly need done that you have to hire a stranger?"
"It's precisely because he's a stranger." Fearow said, "We can have him stir up trouble for us and suckers will be none the wiser."
Vigoroth understood him but still didn't seem pleased by the idea.
"And hey. If he does good we'll introduce him to the boss."
"The boss?!" Vigoroth cried, "Don't you think you're taking it a bit far?! We do not need wandering money loving bastards like him in our little club. Who knows if he'll betray us just for a few coins?"
"I'm searching for a job." I frowned, "Not money."
"What the hell you talking about?"
"Figure it out."
Fearow had to restrain his friend once again.
"Let's get to business before my friend becomes untamable okay?" Fearow said, "Now listen. We have word that the Moomoo Milk farm is preparing a shipment that's going straight to one of our enemies. It's a simple sabotage mission. Nothing more than a simple prank."
"Prank?" I frowned, "That's a bit of a cruel prank. Think of all the Moomoo Milk wasted."
"If you want to steal it then that's fine. Just be aware that we won't be paying you for the trouble."
"...I suppose I don't have much of a choice now do I?" I sighed.
"Alright then. Shall we set off now? Shipment should be ready to go now."
"Now?" I frowned, "I haven't finished my drink."
"Bring it along. Just make sure it doesn't get in the way."
I sighed again as I got up and picked up my hat, "Let's go then."
"What's your equipment?" Tauros said suddenly.
I turned around, surprised to hear him speak up.
"Hey that's a good point." Fearow agreed, "Let's see what you have under that cloak of yours."
…
I drew my gun and held it up for them to see.
"A revolver?" Fearow frowned, "Dude that thing's ancient. Don't you have any better equipment on you?"
"I like my revolver."
"Yeah, but only six shots?"
"So long as I make them count it doesn't really matter does it?"
"Suit yourself." Fearow sighed, "Come on. I hope you can sneak."
The Moomoo Milk farm was off in the borders of Kalter. While it did allow me to view quite a bit of the small town, we arrived at sunset. The trio agreed to let me scout the area until night when the Moomoo Milks were getting delivered. Night approached soon and I returned to our position a few yards away, hidden by some trees.
"What do you think newbie?" Fearow asked, "Think you can hit our target?"
"From here? Not a problem."
"You kidding me?!" Fearow laughed, "Even I would have problem making a shot this far with just a revolver!"
"Target's arrived." Vigoroth announced.
He handed over his binoculars to Fearow. Though even without them I could see someone haul about five crates of what I imagine to be Moomoo Milk out before he went to the barns to fetch what I imagine to be the carriage.
"Crunch time newbie." Fearow said, "Now we'll see if you're all talk or if you actually have some bite."
I ignored him and loaded my gun.
"Don't miss." Tauros said.
"I never miss." I said as I took aim.
I shot four times. There were five crates, but one of them was hidden behind another. My shots hit the targets straight on bleeding their precious milk onto the ground. Fearow began to laugh manically,
"What do you know, you did it! You have a nice eye to hit them with subpar equipment."
I kept my silence. Still, I resented his "subpar" remark.
"Here's your pay." Fearow grinned as he passed me a stack of cash, "Stay out of this and if we meet again I might just introduce you to our boss. Let's go boys!"
Fearow and company burst out of the bushes to meet the people running out of the farm to investigate the shots. I considered leaving as per their demands, but their voices carried over to my ears and I couldn't help listening in.
"You guys!" The farmer cried as he ran out, "What do you think you're doing here?!"
"Just playing a bit of mischief on you." Fearow smirked as he held out his hand.
Tauros pulled a large rifle from under his coat and handed it to him. The farmer cried out and fell backwards.
"Miltank!"
To my surprise I saw two coated men run out of the house, both armed with guns. One kept their gun on Fearow while the other ran to the farmer's side.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yes I'm fine but the shipment..."
He glanced towards the crate and scowled at the mess I made. He stood up and took aim at Fearow, shouting,
"You did this didn't you? Fearow!"
"Yeah!" Fearow laughed, "Nothing escapes 'Keen Eye' Fearow."
"What do you think you're doing there?" Tauros spoke, addressing the man who had his gun pointed at them the entire time.
"What do you think you've done?" The man answered calmly.
"This is business." Tauros said, a hint of anger entering his voice, "Leave before you get hurt."
"Business?!" His friend cried, "You just destroyed this man's livelihood!"
"Serves him right for snubbing us Normalities." Fearow sneered, "I can't let you Guardian freaks monopolize the milk for yourself now can I?"
"You took my daughter!" Miltank cried.
"She joined us of out own free will!" Fearow cried.
"She's only 12!"
"Miltank, sir, please return to the house. It might get dangerous." said the man who seems to know Tauros.
"We'll be sure to have a proper conversation with them." His friend added.
Miltank nodded and ran back to the house.
"You sure you want to do this Unfezant?" Fearow said as he caressed his rifle, "If you run away I might just convince the boss to let you back in."
"You don't have that much power." 'Unfezant' said, "Besides. I'm tired of just playing tricks all the time."
"Go home." Tauros spoke, still speaking to the other person.
"I can't do that brother."
The two groups stared at each other, each of them waiting to see who would make the first move. To my lack of surprise it was the one who haven't spoken a word that moved first.
"Are all of you asleep or something?! Get it started already!" Vigoroth cried as he pulled out a gun.
Vigoroth's shot scattered the two Guardians and brought his friends enough time to pull out and level their weapons. Tauros' brother fired at Vigoroth only to have his bullets deflected by his older brother's shield. Tauros pulled out a shotgun and fired from behind his shield, forcing his brother to move back.
In the meantime Unfezant and Fearow hand begun their own fight, exchanging narrow misses until Unfezant hid behind the crates of Moomoo milk.
"Come on! You can do better than that!" Fearow cried as he fired small shots at the crates, "What happened to Big Pecks Unfezant? Have you lost your balls or something?"
"I left behind that name when I left you and the Normalities." Unfezant cried, "My new name is Dust Wing Unfezant!"
Unfezant dodge rolled out from behind the crates and fired a shot that hit Fearow's rifle and stall him from reaiming as he held his own.
From behind the trees I watched the fight unfold with some interest. Two groups who seem to share a history with my employers. So did I but my role is long over. It's dark and I still haven't found a place for me to spend the night. I got up and decided to leave. And yet still...
Tauro's brother cried out as he was shoved back by his brother's shield. Unfezant ran to his side, gun still trained on Fearow.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Barely." Tauros' brother winced.
"Didn't expect to be outnumbered like this." Unfezant scowled, "Sorry."
"Vigoroth's using an 11mm gun." Tauros' brother noted, "Don't get shot by him."
"Yeah well between Fearow's rifle and your brother's shotgun I'm busy as it is."
"Sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Unfezant gave a small smile, "We're going to settle our pasts tonight aren't we?"
Tauro's brother nodded.
"Have you said your prayers yet?" Vigoroth grinned as they began to surround them.
"Don't have a god. Sorry." Unfezant said trying to give an equally smug smile.
"Prepare to meet one then." Vigoroth lowered his gun at him.
BANG!
Vigoroth stumbled forward, regaining his balance for an instant before he fell over. I could see Unfezant look around for whoever could have shot him in the heart. I could also see Fearow's face as he traced the shot and realized who fired it.
"Lucario!" He cried, "You traitorous bastard! What are you doing?!"
I slowly made my way out of my cover, revolver in hand, "Don't take it professionally. This is personal."
"You scum!" Fearow scowled, "You had one job."
"And it's done." I said as I slowly made my way towards them, "Like I said, this is personal."
"Personal? What the hell does that mean?!"
"Let's just say I was never for this plan in the first place."
"No one cares about what you think! You just killed Vigoroth didn't you?!"
"He was a rather abrasive fellow."
"Screw you!" Fearow cried as he swung his rifle up.
But before he could fire, Tauros charged at me, shield up and shotgun poking from the side.
"You killed Vigoroth!" He cried in pure rage.
I stopped and pointed my gun at him. I discharged two shots that sunk into his feet and stopped him in his tracks, yelling in pain.
"I'm trying not to kill you. Don't waste my efforts." I warned him.
Tauros choked back his pain as blood poured from his feet. Despite that he pulled his shield back up and ran towards me, "Retaliate!"
I was surprised to see him charge at me again. Unable to react properly, I could only bring up my arms to defend as his shield sent me flying. I tumbled across the ground for a few seconds before I got back up to see Tauros charging at me again. I quickly jumped to the side this time and let him run right past me. As he turned around, I raised my gun and fired two shells straight into his stomach. Tauros coughed up blood as his wounds caught up to him and he fell on his back. I walked towards him and kicked his shotgun from his hands. His dying eyes stared at me in helpless rage and with ragged breath. Feeling the slightest pity for him, I killed him with a shot to the head.
With Tauros gone, I was about to address Fearow but he instead addressed me.
"Don't move you scumbag!" He cried, leveling his rifle at me.
He had the same rage filled eyes of Tauros, but there was a hint of fear keeping him sane and his hand steady. Despite that, I returned aiming my own gun at him.
"Peh. You don't scare me." Fearow smirked, "I know you use a revolver. You spent one shot on Vigoroth and wasted 5 more on Tauros. Your little six shooter has no ammo left."
…
"Now." Fearow scowled, "You killed two of my friends and pointed a gun at me. Give me one reason why I shouldn't blow your head off right now."
"Because you can't."
I saw Fearow's eyes turn red and his finger tug down on his trigger. With my one hand, I threw my empty revolver at him, his shot recoiling off the gun and drilled a hole in my cloak. My other hand drew a second revolver from under my cloak and fired as soon as the bullet had passed safely. In those few seconds of exchange, my cloak was worse for wear and Fearow was dying, my bullet having hit a bit too close to his heart.
"You...had two guns..." He choked out before finally expiring.
"Freeze." Unfezant said soon after my fight was over, "Who are you?"
"...Lucario Ziellos." I introduced myself, "Wanderer who wandered in and currently searching for a job."
"What relation did you have with Fearow?"
"He hired me to sabotage Miltank's shipment."
"So the one who fired at those crates..."
"Me." I said, unsure if I should be apologizing.
"Why did you save us?" He asked next.
"...Fearow hired me and spoke of showing me to his boss. But he seemed too slimy to be trusted and the only decent associate he had was Tauros. Speaking of..."
I turned to Tauros' dead body to find his brother solemnly picking up his shield.
"I'm sorry you weren't the one to kill him."
The brother froze though he didn't utter a sound.
I left him alone and went to reclaim the gun I tossed. Unfezant kept his gun trained on me though he seemed to be having trouble suspecting me. He lowered his guard completely when he heard Miltank call to him from the house. I took the chance to start leaving.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tauros' brother spoke up.
"...Some sort of inn." I said as I left, "It's dark and I haven't had the time to find a decent one. Now all I can do is hope there's still one with rooms left."