hey everybody, we're back! Oh, and BTW, I think I should mention this now, the eds in this story are about 16-18, so as to not put 12 year olds through...whatever I plan on putting them through (no spoilers for you). Also, I apologize to any germans reading this for the fact that I couldn't spell Wurttemberg correctly, since I'm using an american computer and keyboard, I can't spell any words in other languages correctly because I lack the proper key.
as usual, I own nothing, let's get on with the story
The eds and Ritter approached the doors to the castle, the eds being justifiably nervous. However, that mattered not to Ritter, who knocked on the castle doors. The massive Mahogany doors (because it's just not a castle if the doors aren't big enough for Bruce Campbell's chin) opened, revealing another pale butler behind them, who stepped out of the way to let them in "welcome home, Ritter" he greeted as Ritter and the eds walked past "I assume these are Delta's replacements?" Ritter nodded "good" the butler replied "master Seraphim wishes to speak with them immediately" the eds looked at each other in confusion
"oh don't look so confused" Ritter said to the three "The master wishes to greet his new wards personally, as well as lay down some...necessary ground rules. Now follow me..." The eds followed tentatively after the butler through the gothic halls of the castle. The interior in all honesty, was gorgeous, if a bit frightening. Stained glass windows depicting mythical beasts battling filtered the sunlight into a myriad of colors that danced along the onyx black floors, upon which ran a fabulous blood red silk carpet for them to walk on. Stone busts of other various creatures lined the other side of the hallway, while above their heads hung beautiful chandeliers of gold and silver. While at first they were afraid of this castle and laid inside, something about the inside seemed to...calm the eds. As if they had just walked through the doors of their own homes, that same feeling of security and sanctuary. However, the walk finally ended at a pair of normal wood doors with the words 'master's office' engraved in several languages at the top, indicating that this was the workplace of the elusive master "well, here we are" Ritter announced, opening the doors. Master Seraphim's office was dark, one could barely see 3 inches in front of him, that was, until Ritter announced his presence "master, I have arrived with our new recruits" he proclaimed. The darkness in the room just seemed to disappear as candles around the room took light. To the left was an average stone fireplace, upon the mantelpiece however, hung the skull of a creature of indescribable nature. The skull seemed to have 3 different holes for eyes along each side of its face, its snout brandished two incredibly long tusks, at the end of both sprouted two additional smaller tusks for both of the big ones, and teeth that looked like they could bite through solid steel protruded haphazardly from the upper and lower jaw. Double d prayed that the skull was merely a masterfully constructed hoax. Then, sitting behind a mahogany desk, sitting in a leather office chair, was none other than the master himself, Zephyr Seraphim. Zephyr was a tall man, probably late 30's-early 40's, wearing a black pinstripe suit with a red tie, jet black hair with hints of gray around the ends, with a goatee to match, and sporting a pair of blood red eyes that seemed to deeply analyze our three heroes the minute they came into the room. Zephyr smirked somewhat emotionlessly at his servant's call
"bring them in, Ritter" he commanded in a voice as slick as oil "I wish to meet them" the eds, ever hesitantly approached the master of the house, while Ritter took his place at the master's side. Zephyr gestured for them to sit down in three chairs set up from them, his face turning into a polite smile "sit down boys, and let's get to know each other" he offered. The eds sat in the chairs and, after realizing how comfortable these chairs were, finally loosened up "now then, what did you say your names were?" Zephyr asked, resting his chin on the back of his fist
"m-my name is Eddward, sir, but most call me d-double d." double d answered, giving the other two courage to speak up as well
"my name is ed" ed proclaimed
"I'm eddy" eddy announced finally. Zephyr nodded at their names
"I see" he mused "well, what a coincidence, three new recruits with the exact same name, more or less." Zephyr then shot up, realizing how uncomfortable the three were "my apologies, would you three like anything? Perhaps refreshments?" a calm smile replacing his former expression. eddy and double d were still rather nervous, but ed shot up at the mention of food
"I want butter toast!" he announced as if butter toast was the food of kings! Zephyr chuckled at this and turned to Ritter
"Splendid, Ritter, if you would be so kind?" Ritter nodded in response to Zephyr's command and clapped his hands together twice, as if activating a clap on switch. Then, from the door came another butler carrying a tray consisting of three plates of butter toast for all three of them. The eds, thoroughly famished, decided to dig in "wonderful" Zephyr said happily "and would you like any drinks with that?" the eds nodded due to their full mouths, causing Ritter to snap his fingers, and another butler walks in with three cans of orange soda, which the eds took gratefully, gulping down the sweet nectar. After they were finished, Zephyr felt it was time to get down to business "now then, down to business. You three have requested my sanctuary, and I am inclined to provide it. In exchange for that, however, I require certain tasks to be performed on my behalf" eddy waved it off
"yeah, yeah, we get ya boss. A few deliveries here, a mopped floor there..." eddy trailed off, believing that Zephyr understood his compliance. Zephyr, however, was far from amused
"I'm afraid it goes a bit...shall we say, deeper than that, my boy. While, true, castle maintenance and package deliveries are part of it, the tasks that you will be trained for are a tad bit more daunting." the eds were very confused. They were three 18 year old kids, what else could this man want from them? Zephyr continued "Let me make something clear, as I believe there has been some miscommunication somewhere along the line. You three, are my property now. For you, I had to give up Delta, one of my finest recruits for several years, so I expect to receive my money's worth. As such, you will be trained and honed to perform the various kinds of jobs that were expected from him. Assassinations, racketeering, drug smuggling, that sort of thing" the eds eyes widened in synch as their master went down the list. Double d was especially sweating, with the knowledge that he had just signed onto a CRIME SYNDICATE! Eddy attempted to regain his composure, putting on his most confrontational face as he stood and slammed his hands on Zephyr's desk.
"Who the hell do you think you are, goat face?" he asked furiously, mocking Zephyr's facial follicles. Zephyr, however, remained stoic
"sit down and shut up, boy!" he ordered, his slick business voice morphing into a commanding bark expected from an army general. Almost against his will, eddy sat back down in his chair, his mouth refusing to open. Zephyr calmed himself surprisingly quickly, returning to his explanation "I was getting to that part. I run an organization known simply as 'the contractors'. We are mercenaries, assassins for hire, and businessmen, as you've no doubt seen. You've become acquainted with our namesake, the contract..." Zephyr extended his open hand, and, from his palm, arose the contract the eds signed, coated in a green fiery aura "...this legally binding contract states that all three of you are now under my protection. However, that also means that you belong to me, bodies and souls. You quite literally go where I say you go, and do what I say you do. For instance, Eddy, you may speak" Eddy, who was pulling at his lips to get them to open, suddenly regained the ability to open his mouth again "now then, slap ed" at Zephyr's command, eddy backhanded ed across the face
"what the-I-I'm sorry, ed" he stammered as ed rubbed his face. Zephyr chuckled, loving this part of the job
"I think revenge is in order" he suggested "ed, punch eddy in the gut" the lump then swung his fist into eddy's gut, sending him flying out of his chair and slamming into the mantle above the fireplace with a hard THUD, surprising everyone in the room, including ed "well...that was unexpected" Zephyr admitted, seeing eddy attempt to bring himself to his feet "oh, get up, you're fine" at first sounding callous, Zephyr proves to be right as eddy staggered to his feet, dazed but otherwise unhurt.
"what...the?" eddy mumbled
"after signing the contract to become a contractor yourself, you are given a...strange, but useful side effect. All three of your bodies are now 50% more durable than before. Ed could have thrown you threw a wall, and you would only have 2 or 3 broken bones. Now, back to your seat" eddy stiffened like a board and walked over to his chair with the fluidity of a wind up toy robot before sitting back down "I promise to not use this control power, if you three do what I say of your own free will. Now, I don't need a yes from you, you will work foe me, you gave your consent for me to do whatever I wanted with you when you signed the contract" at that line, everyone but Zephyr internally shivered, their minds subconsciously going to...unpleasant places. Zephyr just rolled his eyes "oh please, I'm many things, but whatever you're thinking of I am far from. Now, since all that is officially out of the way, you may go to your rooms. You already know where they are. Dismissed..." The eds stood up and mindlessly walked out of the office and into the hallway. The minute the doors closed, the eds were free to fall to their knees, overwhelmed by what just happened.
"guys" eddy started "am...am I dreaming?" Double d was close to bursting into tears
"oh, h-how I wish you were" he replied, holding back sobs with all his might. Ed stood and started walking
"need bed...must sleep" ed murmured, thoroughly tired from today's events. The other two eds stood and followed him, double d wiping his eyes and swallowing his sobs before calming down finally. As Zephyr said, they somehow knew exactly where their rooms were. Good thing too, because their rooms were halfway across the castle, so who knows how long it would've taken otherwise. Their rooms were actually quite nice, although the walls were rather barren, there was a window across the room that had a lovely view of the forest, there were three queen sized beds for each of them, and there was a good sized television sitting atop an entertainment center. The eds stared in awe at their new lifestyle for a moment before realizing the horrible truth
They were finally living in luxury, but at the cost of their choice in the matter.
However, they were snapped out of their sobering thoughts by Ritter appearing behind them "the rooms are always left rather plain. Since you shall be with us for quite some time, you may customize and add to this room as much as you please." he explained, walking away "your training begins tomorrow at 9:00 sharp. You can either show up there, cleaned dressed and ready to go, or you can be there because master Seraphim ordered you there, scraggly, drowsy and under clothed. Either way, you will be there, understood?" the eds shot a fearful salute, at which Ritter nodded and continued on his way. The eds walked into their room, chose their beds, laid down and instantly went to sleep...
the next morning...
The eds sat in a row of desks, in what appeared to be your run of the mill classroom. Surrounding them were about 10-12 different people. Some were old, some were their age, some were actually younger! While Double d was dressed, cleaned and ready to learn (their current situation provided no excuse for lack of etiquette in the classroom) Eddy was only half awake and just dressed well enough to be let in, while Ed was already asleep and only had his jeans on, left in his stained white undershirt. The door then opened, signifying that class was in session, and that the teacher had arrived. Eddy (along with many of the students) instantly woke up when the teacher came in. She was about 18-19, dressed in the usual attire of well pressed black suit, but now with a bright blue tie, had dazzling, long red hair, and a shapely, yet stocky figure, showing that this was a woman who had seen her share of fights. But the most eye catching part of her, was her beautiful, glowing cobalt blue eyes. The woman walked over to the desk, laying a dossier on the table top, and looking up to greet the class with a smile that would look right at home on Hannibal Lector's face "good morning class" she greeted "my name is Cobalt, and I'll be your firearms teacher today"