Sooowwy it's been such a long time since I've updated... I've been busy with oodles of exams...
Yes.
Anyways, the song starts at the second line (I don't have one for before the LOL)
Song is 'The Catalyst', by Linkin Park.
Chapter Four
"Our mother was a highly trained assassin - One of the best in Tazza." Willow explained in the Blue Typhoon's lounge. "Our father used to train as an assassin as well, but later gave it up." Shine tilted her head curiously. "The reason that nobody trusts us or our family, is because of our parents. They trained Scorch and Byrch, too. They tried to train me, but I just didn't enjoy slaughtering people.
"One night our parents sent us to the basement. We sat there for a little while, but eventually, Byrch left to help Mother and Father - Despite the fact Scorch tried to stop her. In the end, our parents were cornered and killed. Byrch left us, even though we wanted to help her, and she was captured by the Guards of Tazza... But not before she managed to go on a killing spree."
"Why did she do that?" Shine asked, appalled.
"Who knows? It could have been to prove a point. Anyways, they locked her up and obviously tortured her." Willow sighed. "Sometimes I blame our parents for this. But it's not like Byrch could help it, anyways. She's... different. By that I mean, she was meant to be who she is. She has abnormally long claws, a lust for blood, and killer instincts. She can't help it."
"That's... awful." Shine breathed.
"Yup. And after Byrch went on her little killing spree, hundreds of Tazzarians left for a planet that was less dangerous." His eyes flashed. "So do you have a plan? For beating the Metarex and Shadow and what-not?"
"I do."
"... Can you tell me what it is?"
"We save the universe, we go home."
"That's a good plan."
"I have my moments."
"But really," Willow leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What do you plan to do?"
"I plan on killing Shadow. We'll see where it goes from there." Shine got to her feet. "Oh and, I know how you've been looking at me, and you don't have to worry - I'm not like him, even though we may appear identical."
Byrch could care less about these people. All she wanted to do was avenge her dead brother, help her living brother, then disappear.
At the moment, Willow was explaining the whole reason Byrch was a fugitive on planet Tazza.
Even though they were separated at a young age, she and he brothers have always had a strong relationship. When Byrch was locked up, Scorch and Willow visited as often as they could. Some days they'd come bearing news, and other days they'd come simply to reassure Byrch that she wasn't alone. They thought about staging a break out for Byrch once, they even told her, but the Guards caught on and were extremely suspicious.
As that very panther felt Shine the Hedgehog's gaze rest on her, Byrch felt a flash of remorse as memories forced their way into her eyes.
Byrch, Willow, and Scorch were under lock-down in their cellar. Their parents were on the top floor, fighting for their children's freedom.
"I want to go help them." Byrch announced, starting towards the door. No more hiding.
"No, Byrch." Scorch grabbed his sister's white tail and pulled he towards him. "They put me in charge until they return."
"They're not going to return if I don't go help them, Scorch!" Byrch retorted. She twisted away from her brother's grasp.
"Byrch!" Willow whispered. He was obviously too scared to speak properly.
Byrch ignored him and ran up the stairs, easily taking four steps at a time. I don't need their help, She thought to herself, They're just going to drag me down anways.
She emerged into the kitchen that was now splattered in blood. Several Guards lay dead on the floor. One had a particularily nasty looking wound on his head that was still oozing blood.
"Don't touch my children!" A voice hissed from the den. Byrch's eyes riveted towards the kitchen doorway, which led to the den. She silently walked towards the door. Inside the den, Byrch's Mother and Father were back up in the corner, covered in wounds but holding tightly to their weapons.
"We don't want them all," A Guard Captain reassured sharply. "We just want the middle one. You see, you have been illegally training that cub. And by 'training her', I mean you've been sending her out to kill civilians."
"She's no use to you!" Mother snapped, holding her short-sword defensively.
"On the contrary, you bloody mongrel." The Captain snarled. "As long as she's separated from you, she's extraordinarily useful to us."
"Well, you can't have her." Father growled. "You'll have to kill us to get to her, first."
"Very well. I'm sure it will be a relief to many if you are dead." The Captain gestured towards the cornered parents. "Kill them."
Guards swarmed over the two panthers. Byrch watched helplessly as her parent's blood poured onto the ground, washing across the feet of the Guards. Her parents, the greatest assassins in Tazza, were easily slaughtered in a matter of seconds.
Fiery anger coursed through the young Byrch. She pulled a dagger out from the side of her boot. Right now, all she wanted was the Gaurds' blood on her hands.
"If you want me," Her voice came out calmly, icily. "Then come and get me."
The Captain's shoulders stiffened. He turned to Byrch, spotting the dagger first. He chuckled, almost nervously.
"Men," A called for the Guards' attention. "Capture the cub - Dead or alive. It doesn't matter."
The Guards advanced nervously on Byrch, their blades flashing.
Byrch dodged the whistling blades, slicing open several legs as she moved. Someone's blade stuck into the wall behind, right where her head would have been one second ago.
The blade was suddenly knocked out of her hand, and Byrch cursed. She lunged towards the Guards, her claws outstretched.
She felt someone else helping her fight as she ripped the throat out of one of the Gaurds. "Get out of here, Scorch." Byrch snarled, turning to her ebony brother.
"No way," Scorch's leather gloves popped, a blade being revealed on each glove. "You're my little sister. I'm not leaving you to fight alone."
Byrch grounded her teeth and shoved her brother out of the way as the last Guard lunged at him. "Move!" She ordered, slicing the face of the Guard open. "They want me, not you! If they find out you tried to help me, you'll be hunted and killed!"
"You seem to think I actually care." Scorch snarled, lunging towards the Guard. Byrch hissed and pushed him aside, tearing open the Guard's throat before her brother could reach him. Then she turned to her brother and pushed him against the wall, pinning him there with one hand and raising the other hand, the claws flexed threateningly.
"Take Willow and leave." She growled with an eerie calmness.
Scorch watched Byrch, calm and collected. "You wouldn't do that." He nodded towards the flexed hand. "I know you wouldn't. And yet... You seem to think I'm stupid."
Byrch glared at him. She was silent for a moment, then she let go of her brother, lowering her arms. She walked away from Scorch. "Damnit..." She hissed.
"Bloody...hell..." Willow's voice came from the kitchen doorway. "I'm afraid to ask... but... Who won?"
"They did." Scorch growled. "Mother and Father are..." He trailed off.
Willow stared at the oozing masses that were once his parents. He didn't say a word, but the silence was all that was needed.
Byrch started towards the door.
"Where the hell are you going?" Scorch barked after her.
"I'm leaving. There's no point in endangering everyone's lives. They want me." She didn't stop.
"But what about our parents?" Willow asked, his adolescent voice full of tears. "What are we supposed to do?"
Byrch halted, only for a moment. "I don't care. Don't ask me." She reached for the door, but stopped as a blade stuck into the wood where her hand would have been if she continued moving. Byrch turned and looked Scorch in his orange, fury-filled eyes.
"I'm not letting you leave. We need you." He gestured to himself and Willow. "You need us."
"You don't need me." Byrch snarled. "And I don't need anybody."
Scorch began to say something, but was cut off because Byrch advanced on him, her red eyes blazing.
"Listen to me, Scorch. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that there is a party of Guards out there, ready to capture me as soon as I leave this house." Byrch gestured to the door. "But if you think that I'm going to let you get captured with me, then you're so very wrong. As soon as I leave this house, you are to escape out the back-door with Willow. If I find out you followed me, there will be consequences. Is that understood?"
Scorch hesitated. His sister has never taken charge - After all, she's the middle child. She's never had much authority. He made up his mind, and nodded. "What about you?"
"I'm sure they'll let you visit me in what ever hell-hole they throw me into."
"Not funny."
"It wasn't a joke."
Willow suddenly spoke up. "We will get you out, Byrch. I promise you."
Byrch simply nodded before walking towards the door. "Leave. Now." She growled, before opening the door and walking out of the house, ready to be sent to hell.
