Vigilante Chapter 4 'The Choice'
A/N: This chapter will show what happen after Ace gets stabbed. There was originally a lot of swearing in this chapter but luckily my friend told me to somewhat censor the worst ones out of it, thanks dude.
-Thud-
"Argh" Ace felt the bandages ripping as he hit the ground and the blood started to leak out again.
He looked up at the tiger and seen him attacking his teammate. When the tiger was done, he knocked the coyote into a wall, destroying it to make a tomb and heard laughing.
He also heard some blasts nearby, looking into at the source, he seen a series of pink blasts; destroying some boulders.
When he could see who caused this, he was shocked to see Lexi blasting away her restraints.
'What is she thinking' he was baffled on why would she injure herself?
She slowly got up but it was obvious it took all of her strength just to stand up.
She took each step carefully but Devastator stepped on Ace's arm, enough to break it.
"ARGH" Ace screamed out in pain.
Lexi tried to get closer but one slip and she fell back down to the ground.
"HAHAHAHAHAH, it looks like I won" he grabbed Ace's leg and broke the bones.
"AHHH" Ace yelled out in more pain.
"Only a matter of time until I kill you" he pulled out a dagger and stabbed him in the chest area. Instead of pulling it out, he added pressure to make it worse.
He looked over his shoulder and sees his best friend trying to help but in her condition, she couldn't do it.
Ace seen the tiger grab him by the neck and lifted him up. His right hand turned into a machete.
He pulled the machete back and said in a voice that lacked emotion, "Goodbye."
Ace looked towards Lexi one last time before he dies, only to see that she passed out.
He closed his eyes, preparing for his end.
-Thud-
Ace opened his eyes as he realized that Devastator stopped his attack because he looked back to see what's up.
Ace looked over his shoulder only to see something unexpected, a person walked out of a portal of darkness. The figure was wearing a black leather hooded long coat with black colored items like leather gloves, combat pants, shirt and boots.
From the appearance, it didn't wield any weapons on it.
It walked up to Lexi and examined her. It rolled her on her back and checked her pulse, checking to see if she was still alive.
"Who are you?" Devastator asked the person.
The figure didn't respond but it got back on its feet and examined the area, finding out where each of the Loonatics were.
It looked at the tiger and slowly walked to him.
"WHO ARE YOU? I DEMAND TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, SPEAK GODDAMMIT!" he dropped the bunny onto the ground again.
"Argh" Ace started to cough up blood now, 'Not good.'
He looked at the figure but knew that he couldn't see straight, it's all blurry.
From his view, the agent suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind the tiger, with a sword in hand, with blood already on it.
Devastator chuckled but he felt pain from his hand, he looked and his hand was gone.
The tiger was getting mad at this person, "AHHHH, YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT"
The figure backed up to a safe distance as Devastator tried to swat him.
Suddenly Devastator had this black aura appear around him, when he injured the Loonatics, it was barely visible but now it's clear that he was holding back.
He opened his eyes and his regular light brown eyes weren't there but instead his entire eyes were blood red.
Ace felt the air pressure intensify as he released more power, 'If he was this powerful, we'll never beat him'
The figure looked at him and to its sword. It didn't even look scared at all, but instead it disappeared and made another cut onto the tiger.
"AHHHH" the tiger was knocked down from that hit, it cut him behind the legs, hoping that he couldn't walk.
The figure jumped away from him and made a gesture that it was laughing at him.
"Screw you" Devastator got back up and raised his arm with the missing hand into the air. The metal grabbed his hand that was on the ground and somehow it reattached itself back.
The figure decided to pull out another sword, ready for combat.
Ace watched as Devastator wanted to attack but with each step he took, it was crushing the ground around him. The only problem was, Ace was still next to him, and he could get crushed.
He felt a pair of hands grab onto him, he looked back to see another figure wearing the same clothes.
He was about to say something but the figure placed a finger in front of its face, meaning to be quiet.
Ace decided to follow its orders because he couldn't move.
Devastator decided to charge at the person at full speed, causing some small quakes with each step.
The figure just stood there, waiting for the right moment.
When he got close, Devastator used his sword the make the first attack.
The figure just held its sword in a defensive position.
When the 2 swords clashed, the shock caused the windows shatter and nearby cars flipped over.
Ace seen that there was 2 figures that could fight him but he wondered who are they.
He looked over the one who's giving him medical attention, "Hey, why aren't you helping your partner?"
The figure didn't say anything but continued to stitch him up.
"Who are you?"
No answer.
"How many of you are there?"
The figure stopped and held up 7 fingers.
"What?" he looked around to find the others and instantly he found 2 a few feet away, ready to strike. One was on top of a roof with a sniper rifle and the last 2 were nowhere to be seen.
The figure and Devastator were evenly matched but the tiger was showing injuries. His cuts weren't healing but the figure didn't show that it wasn't tired yet.
"Tired yet ya bastard?"
The figure shook its head to mean no.
"Pity" Devastator released more of his aura and became a real threat, "WHAT ABOUT NOW?"
He threw his sword and decided to use fists.
The figure couldn't react fast enough as it was knocked back by the assault.
Devastator laughed as he got cocky, he jumped up for one last attack, guaranteed that he will kill this person.
The figure just stood there, his sword pointed at his opponent, waiting for the perfect moment.
When he got close enough, the figure thrust its blade into his opponent's chest.
Devastator looked at his injuries and laughed, "Think this could kill me" he pulled his fists and attempted to attack.
The figure raised its hand, signaling something and made a fist.
The 2 who were waiting suddenly disappeared.
'?'
Ace looked over towards the battle and sees 4 more figures, attacking his arms and legs.
Devastator looked annoyed with more people interfering, "Backup?"
He backed off as he seen 5 figures instead of one, "You would never defeat me LIKE THIS!"
He grabbed a light pole and absorbed the metal to make a new set of armor and 2 new swords.
"Ready?" he saw that each of the figures decided to use dual swords as well.
The tiger smiled, as he loved this battle, so he charged in full speed.
Ace watched as every step caused earthquakes and few figure attack while the others defend.
'Fascinating.'
After some time passes by and with no progress, the agents dodged the last attack and made a quick nod to each other and disappeared.
"Where did you-" Devastator stopped as he felt 2 stab wounds through his chest.
"What?" 3 more stab wounds from the figures suddenly appeared.
Devastator released a loud howl in pain as he fell down to the ground, dead.
The figures all put away their weapons and decided to check on the wounded.
One walked over to Devastator and when it touched the dead body, they were engulfed by the darkness.
When the darkness went away, there was nothing left.
Ace remembers where the rest of his teammates were and that's where each of the figures walked to. They picked each Loonatic carefully and they disappeared by the darkness.
"Where did they go?" Ace looked at the one next to him.
The figure didn't say anything but it got up and walked away.
Once it came back, it was holding something important. It was his Guardian Strike Sword. It was still bloody but overall ok.
'How?' Ace showed that he was confused.
The figure just shrugged and once it touched him, he was engulfed in darkness.
Ace just closed his eyes as it felt like he went to sleep.
"What's going to happen to us?" he said in a low raspy voice as he has a hard time keeping himself awake.
"Don't worry Ace, we'll take care of you and your team. Oh and one last thing, we have something special for you Ace." The figure said in a Russian Accent.
"What is it?" Ace weakly said, as he knew the person sounded female.
The rest he heard was mumbling, but he couldn't remember what happened at all after. He decided to go to sleep for now, and find out what's going to happen when he wakes up.
'What?'
Ace opened his eyes and knew that something was up. He seen nothing but darkness around him but when he checked himself, he could see his body perfectly.
He clenched his hands together, knowing that he led his team to destruction.
He looked around and saw flashbacks of that day, it started like everyday did but this mission just arrived and it ruined their lives forever.
He was on his knees as he felt dread and despair, watching his team beaten up by Mat.
'Why did this happen?'
He slammed his hands to the ground, wondering why did this happen to him and his team.
"But it isn't your fault"
Ace opened his eyes, curious of who said that, whoever said that sounded so familiar.
He glanced back as he seen a bright light slowly appearing.
When the light was bright enough, 2 humanoid shaped shadows walked closer to him.
When they got close enough, they lost the shadows and Ace had a good look on the 2, a male and female bunny. They appear middle aged but they also had dirty grey fur, just like him. The female had her long hair in a ponytail while the male had his hair combed back.
'Who are they?' Ace wondered, they look so familiar for some reason.
The female held her hand out in front of the young bunny.
Ace tried to grab her hand but when he advanced, the older bunnies were backing away.
Ace tried to move closer but with each attempt, the older ones were getting further away like some force preventing him.
Ace looked at their eyes and realized that they both have watery eyes and smiles.
"I guess that it's not your time yet Avery… or should we call you Ace?"
It was obvious that this confused him but each time he tried to say something, nothing came out.
Each step he took, somehow he became even further from the 2.
Suddenly the light behind them went out and they disappeared, leaving Ace all alone in the darkness.
Ace closed his eyes, knowing that he will never find out what's going on.
After a few seconds, he tried to open his eyes to see but it felt strange.
'Weird?'
His eyelids felt extremely heavy than the last time so he tried harder to open them.
The attempt succeeded, but he couldn't see anything, it was all blurry. The only color he could see is the color white.
'What's going on?'
He tried to focus his vision but it just gotten worse.
'What should I do?'
He tried to move his body but he felt nothing, he didn't feel his body respond at all.
He looked up to see a semi-bright light up, in fact a few lights.
Glancing around, his vision started to get better. From his knowledge, he knew that this was a hospital room but the more questions started to rise.
'Why?'
He started to have some feeling on his body so he tried to move them, only to feel them heavy and sluggish.
He could move his right arm much better than his left for some odd reason and when he placed it onto his chest, he could feel bandages all over his chest and stomach area. He tried to put some pressure on and around it, he felt dull pain in 2 places.
He lifted the arm to where he could see it, only to find more bandages on it. Remembering that he sustained many deep cuts all over his body, seeing his dirty grey fur exposing in certain areas.
He smiled, as he already knew that he's not wearing his uniform, but he thought back on that battle as Devastator beat him senselessly.
Thinking back, he remembered that Devastator broke only one of his legs but he knew that it would take a lot of time for the bones to heal properly.
He could move his head slightly now, so he examined the room some more and what's happening, but he did a slight chuckle and rested his head, 'I guess it's not time for me to die yet.'
Suddenly his hearing was slightly working as he heard footsteps approaching.
He glanced over to see the door slide open.
He was surprised to see a hooded figure open the door, but remembered it.
Ace still had a questioning look on his face as the figure entered the room.
Right away the figure waved its hands, as it didn't want any trouble. So it pulled the hood down, revealing a light grey male wolf with white fur underneath. His red hair was styled medium layered hair but had some cover the side of his face to cover the large scar that went over his left eye.
"Do not be afraid Ace, we are here to help you" Ace listened the wolf speak in a Russian accent.
"…Who…are…you?"
The wolf placed a hand to its chest, "Oh where are my manners, my name is Jack Wolf. The codename is 'Shadow' if you would like to call me by that name."
Ace wondered why he has a codename.
Jack noticed the confused look again, "I will tell you later why we have a codename."
"What…do…you…want" Ace knew that this was some sort of rescue mission but the next question is, what do they want?
"This will be for you to decide. Whichever decision you choose will affect the fate of the Loonatics and the people who sent Devastator." Jack said some parts of the truth of why some people sent him after the Loonatics and wanted them to die.
"I…don't…know" Ace doesn't believe them at all; they seem too shady to be trusted.
"You may not have any knowledge on us right now but we know everything about you, your friends and most importantly your family. We were good friends with your parents and we also know why they were murdered."
"What…do…you…mean?" Ace remembered that day perfectly; he was playing with some friends when the police arrived at his house. They took off their hats and told him the grim news that his parents died in a car accident.
The police were acting strange around that time, he heard on the news that a lot of people got hurt and these radicals were causing it.
"They didn't die from a car accident, no… far from it. They were murdered with a cheering crowd as they were executed." Jack walked over to a desk and slammed his fists in anger, "The people responsible also sent Devastator to kill you to. To prevent another uprising."
Ace just stood there, taking in the truth. He didn't know what to believe.
"We'll tell you everything that you may want to know, your parents, who they actually were, their deepest darkest secrets that you shouldn't know. Everything, but you will have to make a deal with us Ace Bunny" Jack said in a professional voice to prove that he meant business.
"What's the deal?" Ace knew that he could speak a little better than before.
"I want you to join us, we're a group that went 18 years in secret that the media don't have any records on us. We're after the same people who caused you harm because we sort of have a long history with them."
"What about Lexi and the others?" Ace wondered about his team, if they have this choice.
"No, they won't have any knowledge on this, only you. And I may advise that you can't tell them anything related to this."
"Why"
"It would be more dangerous if you tell them. When the time's right, you can but until further instruction, you can't."
"What is this organization called?"
"We call ourselves the Shadow Claws, a hitman organization that goes out and eliminate anyone for money. What do you say, care to join?" Jack held out a hand, seeing what the bunny would do.
Ace looked down for a second but knew that he didn't have any other choice. He lifted his right arm and shook Jack's hand, sealing the deal.
Jack smiled at the bunny, "Welcome to the Shadow Claws Ace Bunny. There are some other pieces of info for you"
"What is it" Ace knew it, more problems.
"The world sort of believes that you died in the line of action by Devastator. So you can't show any evidence that your Ace Bunny. Don't worry about blowing your cover, we'll handle everything from where you'll live and everything else you want" Jack was proud, having another member join.
Ace wondered the extent of his injuries, "What exactly happened to me from that battle with Devastator?"
Jack sighed but pointed to his chest and side, "The most problematic would be those 2 stab wounds you received from him." He also pointed out the wounds on his arms and legs, "You also have many broken bones in your arms and legs, particularly your left arm and left leg. If you heal up, you will still feel problems with these limbs, but there might be a possibility that you may never heal up."
Ace gulped in fear that he may never return.
"But that's just a possibility, but you also received many deep cuts and major bruising all over your body but thanks to our medications, you won't feel a thing. Overall, you'll live and expect to make a full recovery."
Ace sighed in relief, but he still have more questions, "What about Devastator? Did he escape?"
Jack walked over to a nearby wall and leaned onto it, "You don't have to worry about him anymore. After he destroyed the Loonatics, we arrived and killed him before he hurts someone else. We placed the rest of the Loonatics in protective hands with your leader Zadavia and the doctors in the hospital."
Ace sighed again but in relief, but he was still thinking about that dream he had before he woke up, about those 2 older people.
Jack was talking about the battle but Ace didn't pay attention, he was trying to recall the dream.
Jack stopped as he noticed Ace wasn't listening, "Something on you mind?"
Ace nodded, "Yeah, its about this dream I had. It took place in a place filled with darkness but I seen these 2 older bunnies, one male and one female, they look familiar but I don't know who they were."
"Please continue"
"The female extended her hand to me and when I tried to grab on, the distance between us grew. I tried to get closer but each attempt made the gap grew."
"Did they say anything?"
"I didn't see their mouths move but I heard them say, 'It's not my time.' What do they mean by that?"
Jack looked around and took a breath, "It probably meant that you weren't meant to die just yet, but it proved that you were so close to dying from your injuries."
Ace rested a little and he suddenly felt tired, despite that he was asleep for a while.
"Hey, how long was I out?"
"You were out for 2 weeks. The city already held your funeral just last week and the rest of your team didn't wake up yet, they're still in a coma."
Ace closed his eyes, "Oh, as long as they're ok, I'm good"
Jack noticed that the bunny fell asleep, "I'll talk to you later Ace."
He walked over to the door, slid it open and left the room.
Ace thought about the choice he made but instead he thought about his parents, 'I guess I have no choice now. At least I'm going to see what my parents were hiding.'
When he shut the door, he heard someone behind him walking towards him.
He looked back to see another cloaked figure but it pulled the hood to show a lavender wolf with white fur underneath. She has medium length lilac colored layered choppy hair with long bangs to cover her purple eyes.
"Hey Flower, what's up?" Jack asked 'Flower'.
"You don't need to call me by codename" She said in the same Russian Accent as Jack.
"Sorry about that Dr. Rose Winters but it's formalities." Jack said as he looked at the slightly shorter wolf. He's 6ft(180cm) and Rose's 5ft9in(175cm).
"That's ok, but you know that you forgot to tell him everything about his injuries and left out details in the deal?" Rose said as she brushed hair away from her eyes.
"Details, Details" he mocked as he walked past her.
She was annoyed by how he said that, so she pulled out her katana sheath and hit him on the head.
"Ow, what the hell Rose" Jack was mad by that.
"Next time, promise me that you will tell him everything" She stared into his eyes with authority and pointed her finger at him.
"Oh I don't know" Jack said with his eyes closed and shrugged.
Rose smiled and tried to hit him again but he moved out of the way.
"HA" Jack laughed as she missed.
Rose thought about it but she pushed him instead.
He didn't expect this; he stumbled for a bit and fell down.
Rose giggled as she pushed him down.
"Oh haha, very funny come here" he got up and tried to pick on her like an older sibling to a younger one.
"Hey Jack, that's not something a leader would do to their partners" Jack stopped as he heard someone behind them.
He looked back to see Dr. Wolf but she was wearing the coat. She's a pure white wolf with light blue eyes and she keeps her hair in a short razor cut bob that covers her left eye.
"Oh, hi sis" Rose stopped and waved to her older sister.
"Hi Rose, did my husband pick on you again?"
"Yep"
May slugged Jack on the arm for that.
Jack rubbed his arm, "Ow, what was that for Snow?"
"What did he say?"
Jack straightened up and looked at both doctors, "He joined, he's willing to help us fight them. He's willing to fight for his parents Jacob and Kira Bunny"
May crossed arms and looked down, she didn't hear those names in so long that it brought back memories, "Jacob and Kira, they were one of the best agents for the Shadow Claws. They led the organization with compassion that the thought of being a hitman organization wasn't even thought of. It was thanks to those despicable pigs that they were captured and killed for a crime that they didn't even commit."
"It angers me as well but we couldn't help them if we tried"
"Yeah, you're right, we were too young when that happened" she liked both of the bunnies as they treated everyone like family. When they died, this caused all agents grow more hatred towards those responsible.
"How's his skills" Rose wanted to analyze him some more.
"He mainly likes to use martial arts like his mother" Jack said as he pulled some files out on Ace.
"And he could use a sword just like his father" May decided to continue the facts.
"I hope Ace could use the same tricks like his parents could do" Jack said while he thought about Ace's future; hopefully he could leave this and continue his life and find someone to love and later have a family.
"I hope so, with what we planned; he must have a lot of determination to complete his first mission. Will we help him?" Rose said while she examined the future missions for the bunny.
"Of course, if he needs help; we'll always be there with him" Jack reassured Rose.
"Ok, and the others are in the conference room. I just sent a message to get their butts moving" May said, as she checked her phone for anything important.
"Ok, let's go" the trio walked through the corridors, up a few floors and entered a set of doors.
When they entered, the room was lit slightly so they could see where they're stepping. There was a large table, enough for 20 people to be around and 6 others occupied the other seats. They other people were all wearing the same coat but had the hoods down for formal reason.
The members available were Dr. George Williams, Cody Springfield, Seth King, Jason Wolf, Kai Diamonds and Rick Hunters, all wolves.
Rose sat between Jason and Dr. Williams as Jack and May were in front of the group.
"We have some important information" Jack picked up some documents and read some sections that were important.
"No duh, every time we're in this place is something important," a dark grey wolf said to Jack.
The biggest member, Dr. Williams punched the wolf because of his arrogance.
"Hey George" The wolf snapped back.
"Shut up Seth" George said while he closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Whatever"
"Anyway, Ace Bunny, the son of Jacob and Kira Bunny, just agreed to join the ranks"
Each agent looked at each other in disbelief, they knew that Ace wouldn't do anything these agents could do in order to complete each mission.
"Would he finish the requirements to become a full fledge member?" A dark blonde wolf with white fur underneath him. He keeps his hair shortish and messy but never in front of his amber eyes. His name is Cody Springfield, the third in command, standing 5ft8in(173cm).
"Don't worry, we'll make sure that he will be safe from the police. We don't want another execution," Jack said while everyone kept quiet, remembering that dreaded day.
"I guess that's all for, dismissed" Jack said as everyone got up and left the conference room.
Jack and May stayed back as they read some files but Cody walked up to them, "When will we train Ace?"
"Possibly 3 months if his legs would heal without problem"
"At least with his skill, we could finally finish 'that' mission"
Jack smiled, "That's true, this will be a great opportunity for us to kill Joseph Blake."
"True, at least without him; we could keep peace a lot better." Cody knew that Blake releases the prisoners and make it look like they escaped the most secure places on the planet.
They already knew about Commander Blake's plan; to eliminate all non-humans on this planet. He was always hateful to the anthros.
Originally the Shadow Claws had some plans to capture him but it all failed with many agents dying to the law enforcement and the surviving agents went into hiding, transforming into a hitman organization.
What made them happy was today; the son of the famous duo joined them and their struggle for vengeance.
They looked at each other and wondered, 'Will Ace have enough courage to achieve vengeance for his parents?'
They left the files on the table, detailing the Loonatics and Ace Bunny. There's a red X over Ace's photo.
"All we can do is wait and see" Jack said as he walked out of the room.
The 2 remaining agents pulled their hoods back up and left the room.