Okies, this chapter has flashbacks again-more dealing with Stork and Mamba (and a little bit of Heron). And this deals mainly with Stork, Piper, and Mamba.
Has the occasional yaoi flashbacks in this chapter as well.
So here's to you PKBitchGirl1 and ClairexStork (well, part of a Mamba x Stork)
Alright, if you're a Stork and or Piper fan and don't like to see them get the crap beat out of them or fondled, then I suggest you turn away from this chapter as quickly as possible-seriously-it's brutal and parts are very violent.
YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
Besides, I have no idea if Merbian blood is green or not…
Emotions Exploding
'S-skkkk-rk? Piper? KKKK come in! Skkkkrk Stork-Pip-KK-You-kkkk-right? Please-kkkk-Stork, come in! Pip-kkkskskkkkkssssskk-'
"Hmm…" a drawling voice came from nearby, "Did I do that?"
Mocking laughter echoed through the deafly-quite bridge, but the only thing that could be heard, besides the soft explosions coming from the outside, the spine chilling melody of Ravess's music and some musical horn blaring la cucaracha; there was the deafening sound of crunching glass coming from the inside.
Waking up in a daze, Stork first found himself on his back and noticed he was situated at the left side corner of the bridge.
"Maaaaaaarco…"
The second thing he noticed that there was a very dazed Piper laying on his chest.
And third, he noticed that as he moved his right hand on Piper's back, it was wet and sticky.
"Polo..."
Scared, he brought his hand up to his face.
Blood…Piper's blood.
"P-Piper…" his voice raspy, all the while he gently and carefully rolled the injured girl to her back, with him crouching above her, carefully placing a gentle hand on the upper part of her back, "Piper? Please, say something…"
Pained and teary honeyed orbs opened up to see orbs of fearful yellow.
"S-S…something…" the dark skinned girl whispered as she smiled weakly, "G-Good th-thing P-Phobie g-g-gave-"
"Shh, don't speak, save your strength-I know she gave us the meda's yesterday and-"
Stork couldn't finish the rest as something sharp wrapped around his scalp and yanked hard, pulling him from his position.
He later realized that after the stars disappeared from his vision, he was looking into the heated stare of cold orange eyes, of a person that he absolutely feared above everything else.
"M-Mamba?!"
"I. hate. surprises." The stark white Merb growled. "I was surprised…Surprised to have found that you still live…" Mamba raised the butt end of the Bardiche, tapping hard on the end of Stork's muzzle. "Because of you, my mission has changed…from killing your leader-"
For a split second, Stork could feel his body hover in the air. Seconds later, he felt the air leave his lungs as he felt a powerful kick connect just below his sternum-sending him to the opposite side of the bridge, where his back connected to the wall, he didn't get the chance to fall to the floor as Mamba was right there, his metallic left hand gripping around his throat.
"To you." Stork heard him say. Stork glanced outside, trying to spot his friends. They were busy dealing with a battalion or two of Cyclonians. He also noticed a much larger ship.
"Ahh...hoping against hope," Mamba spat, spittle landing on Stork's muzzle, "You think he's coming?"
"We've…been ab-able to stop you…" Stork gasped for air as his windpipe began to close on him.
"Stork…" Mamba closed his eyes and sighed, "If what you said is true-you and Heron stopping me," His cold orange eyes snapped open, "THEN WHY AM I STILL HERE?"
Stork was about to reply when Mamba's right hand grabbed his uniform. The young Merb felt himself lurching forward, but was yanked back hard, his back and head connected to the wall again.
His vision exploding in an array of painful colors as nerves fired off every which way throughout his entire body.
Mamba yanked on Stork's uniform again, but began to spin around, dragging Stork with him. On the third rotation, he let go of Stork, sending him flying.
Into a charging Piper.
Piper, using a meda crystal, had regained most of her strength. As much as she hated trying to stay put and heal as fast as possible while someone she cared about was being beatened senselessly, she could only watch.
As soon as the meda crystal in her hand turned from green to yellow, that's when she made her move. Mamba had his back towards her. Seeing this as an opportunity, Piper ran at full speed, but that's when Mamba spun and tossed Stork at her.
Piper felt her body snap as Stork's upper back slammed into her chest and stomach. The force of impact sent them back against the wall again and onto the floor.
"You've gone soft from your bounty hunting days…you've become laxed…hopefully…you'll give me the pleasure of hearing you scream."
Even though his body was screaming in pain, Stork found the strength to get up on one knee, all the while cradling, Piper.
"I…I'm OK…" she said hoarsly, while keeping a stern gaze at Mamba.
Mamba snarled in disgust, "Your ex-buddy, Heron on the other hand," his right hand opened his jet black coat and from his left hand, pulled out a blood soaked bag.
Stork's stomach found itself in his throat and was vaguely aware that Piper gave a small scream.
In Mamba's outstretched hand, was the severed head of Heron Gulliwing.
Even more disturbing was the smile still etched across on the bloody muzzle. The eyes still holding a glint of mischief.
"One week of torture…GODS it was beautiful…he begged for mercy in less than three-"
"Y-You know…your a terrible liar Mamba…" Stork's voice wavered with anger, fright, and disgust...but oddly and strangely enough…humor, as he noticed Mamba's left ear twitching. He caught himself chuckling. "You never were good at lieing."
Flashback-Terra Merb
Mamba strolled through an abandon alleyway, a thin hue of red running across his muzzle. He was angry at both Stork and Heron.
Tailing behind him was twelve year old Stork. Mamba, just about a good two and a half feet taller than Stork, looked down at him.
'Come on Mam' what's wrong?' his voice was somewhat high pitched.
'Lemme alone, Mandrill,' the sixteen year old growled. 'Just got thins' on my mind-that's all.' He could feel his left ear twitch.
'Oh come on Mam…I know your lieing-your left ear just twitched!' he pleaded, 'just tell me what's wrong…is it what Heron did?'
'What? Me bothered by him kissing you on the cheek? Why would I be bothered by something like that? I'm not bothered by that…'
His left ear twitched again and a frown appeared on both their faces.
'Gee Mam…are you-I mean, he was teasing that's all!'
Stork was taken aback by what Mamba did next.
Mamba cupped Stork's chin with his index finger and thumb, making the young boy look him straight into his warm orange eyes.
Lips, warm and moist, were suddenly dancing on his. Stork was shocked at first, realizing that Mamba was indeed jealous, and second, that he was kissing ANOTHER man. His best friend even!
But for Stork, and Mamba, this felt good-no matter what their minds were screaming at that moment.
A gentle lick of a warm tongue swept across his lower lip and Stork allowed Mamba entry. Both moaning into the kiss, but both parted reluctantly as the need for air arose.
'W…wow…so you do like me?' Stork said sheepishly.
'Nope.' Mamba tried to hide a smile, but the twitch in his left ear gave him away.
"I see, " Mamba spoke while tilting his head to the side, dropping the severed head, not caring where it rolled too, "You think your SO clever, being able to know when I lie-just from that kiss…alright…the truth then…NOT A DAMN SCREAM!" he shouted, making Piper and Stork flinch, "One week of me torturing him-and NOT A SCREAM-SO TODAY, I AM MAKING UP FOR THAT-I WILL HEAR YOU SCREAM!"
Mamba's screams continued as he raised the Bardiche and lunged towards Stork and Piper, both moving out of the way as the blade sunk deep into the metal floor. Mamba tried to release the poleaxe from the floor but was tackled by Stork.
Both rolled on the floor until Stork was finally above Mamba, straddling him as the young Merb let loose a series of blows across the white Merb's muzzle, now becoming wet with emerald blood.
Stork made for another punch, but a pair of bootless feet found themselves underneath his arms and gripping his uniform, one connecting underneath his chin and the other slamming squarly into his chest and forcing him back where the back of his head bounced off the metallic floor.
Mamba didn't waste time as he climbed on top of Stork, his right hand grabbing his throat, tighening around his windpipe as his left fist came crashing across Stork's muzzle.
"That barely hurt," Mamba sneered as he brought his left down again, blood was now staining his metallic hand as he sought to bring it down again-this time, a trio of sharp spikes forming onto the knuckles.
"But this will-gha faua dhsa GAHHHHH!"
Piper had found herself digging her fingers into the Merb's mouth and yanked back hard, using her body as a weight, dragging the Merb with her.
Mamba grunted in pain as he was forced back in this demeaning way, but it didn't stop him as he shoved himself back into Piper, smashing her into a nearby wall-her grip loosened.
Mamba wasted no time and was instantly on her, both hands pinned above her by an iron grip.
"Such a pretty young thing, pretty lips too-I wonder if you taste good?"
"Get off me you bastard!"
Piper tried to struggle, but Mamba's free hand gripped her chin firmly and with such force, his mouth was on hers.
Piper moaned in protest, screaming into his mouth to stop while thrusting her body forward to make the Merb stop, but Mamba deepened the kiss-his tongue darted in once before Piper could try to bite.
"Filthy little slut aren't you?" the white Merb said in a limp tone, "HIS SCENT IS ALL OVER YOU!"
Piper was puzzled Scent? Oh…fuck Stork's in Season! How could I be so stupid-
She was cut from her thoughts as Mamba slammed his metallic fist into her stomach. Piper sputtered as she crumpled to the ground.
"So…could it be?" Mamba began as he strolled over to the unconscious Merb. He payed no heed to Piper's wheezes. Looking at his left hand, splattered in green blood, he brought his hand to his lips, where he licked off the blood, smacking and licking his lips.
"No way…" He said as his eyes widen with glee as he went and roughly grabbed Stork by the hair, bringing the unconscious Merb to his knees. Mamba gripped the young Merb's chin. Stork grunted as Mamba's rough tongue licked off the blood, sliding over his muzzle and lips.
Mamba sneered as his right hand travelled down past the young Merb's chest, his stomach, past the three belts, and stopping to hover over his groin.
The grin grew wider as Mamba felt the heat pooling from that area.
"I see, little Storky is in Mark!" Mamba said aloud, not caring who heard him. His thoughts went into overdrive as Stork gasped in horror, his eyes snapping wide open as Mamba's hand firmly grasped the clothed organ.
"LET GO OF HIM!" Piper screamed as she delivered a kick to Mamba's face, sending him rolling across the floor.
"Get out of here," Stork said with a shakey breath, as Piper knelt beside him, "Go get help-"
"No, I am not leaving you-"
"Stupid little bitch…" Mamba growled as he got to his feet, "I see I'll have to deal with you first."
"NO! This is between you and me!" the young Merb said with fright, "Please!" he begged Piper, "Please-Go-get help!"
"SHE CAN'T HELP YOU NOW!" Mamba shrieked in rage as he jumped into the air, hovering over them, in his right hand was a dagger now as he descended down on Piper and Stork.
No…Stork thought, Not again…
--
"SHE CAN'T HELP YOU NOW!" Mamba shrieked in rage as he jumped into the air, hovering over them, in his left hand was a dagger now as he descended down on Ibis and Stork.
--
This will NOT happen again!
His target was Piper as he brought the dagger down.
--
His target was Stork as he brought the dagger down.
--
There was an agonizing scream of pain as the dagger sunk into flesh, ripping away muscle and tendon, and shattering bone and nerves.
--
There was an agonizing scream of pain as the dagger sunk into flesh, ripping away muscle and tendon, and shattering bone and nerves.
--
Mamba frowned slightly as he withdrew the dagger.
--
Mamba sneered as he withdrew the dagger.
--
It was covered in emerald blood.
--
It was covered in crimson.
--
Stork cried out, falling to his knees as he cradled his left shoulder, blood oozing out from between his fingers and splattering onto to the metallic floor.
--
Ibis cried out, falling onto her knees as blood gushed from her torn back, Stork tried in vain to stop the bleeding, but it was no use, the cut was too deep and too long, her life gushing over his hands, soaking them and pooling onto the soft ground around their feet.
--
"Had to happen sooner or later." Mamba said nonchalantly, as nothing had happened.
--
"Heh…oops." Mamba said casually, as if nothing had happened.
--
"Almost brings back a case of Déjà vu, don' it?" the white Merb laughed, "But wait…oh yeah…no storms today!" Mamba laughed a cruel laugh, unaware that Piper had slipped a meda crystal to Stork, and also, he was unaware that outside the Condor, the sky grew black.
SSSSSKeeeeeeee-WOOOOOOOOOOO
The Condor lurched forward, sending everyone flying backwards.
Mamba swore as he gripped the poleaxe for support, "What the fuck?"
The Condor lurched forward again, but it wasn't taking a nosedive.
It was going up.
Piper, who was closest to the windows, gasped in horror as she saw many Talons scream for their lives, while a Cyclonian Battle-cruiser was torn to shreds by a swirling vortex of nothingness, as well as the Talons caught in the middle.
"IT'S A BLACK HOLE!"
"Damn that Wallop-he used an energized abyss crystal!" Mamba already white face paled even more, "Hey-WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU GOING!?" he shouted as he pointed the poleaxe, glowing crimson, at the weakened pilot.
"I got to steer the Condor away from this thing!" Stork shouted as he swung the steering hard to the right, he cried out as the wound on his shoulder opened again, "U-Unless you…want to die from a slow and painful death…" He looked back at Mamba with a pained sneer on his face, not really caring if Mamba had the poleaxe aimed at his head.
"Fine-I'll deal with you-" he sighed in defeat, but turned the axe towards an unwary Piper ("Piper! LOOK OUT!") and released a bolt.
The warning came too late as the energy of red smashed into Piper.
Crimson energy arced and swirled across the young girl's body as she let loose a scream that seemed to drown out the ungodly wail of the black hole.
Mamba smirked as he rushed over to the stunned girl, his left hand grabbing the fabric of her trousers and ripping the middle portion off while his right ripped off her necklace and the middle of her shirt.
"Tsk-Clean undies?"
Oh God no…please no… Piper could only watched, she couldn't move.
She was under the effects of a paralysis crystal.
Stork thrusted the steering downwards, causing Mamba and Piper to tumble into his direction. Using his right hand, he grabbed Piper's outstretched hand as Mamba tumbled out the window and the railing, screaming.
Stork screamed in pain as his left shoulder stretched to the limit while he held onto Piper's arm, all the while trying to bring his left arm back towards him and steer the Condor out of the nosedive.
He noticed two things when he was able to stop the nosedive and rest as he sat down while looking at the now moving form of Piper.
One, the wail from the black hole seemed to stop.
Two, Piper was smiling and her honeyed eyes sparkled, the paralysis was wearing off.
"You…Ok…"
"Yes, " she smiled weakly, gaining the strength to sit next to him, "but a little shaken…" Stork jumped as Piper leaned in and hugged him. "Stork! I was so scared!" tears streamed from her eyes, soaking his injured shoulder, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry for everything!"
Stork was puzzled, "For what?" Piper, still crying, forced herself to look at Stork.
"For forgetting that it was your season…for snooping into your private belongings…I'm sorry, I should have known that you would go into season, you go into season on your birthday, it was when we were talking about your past, the explanation of Twilight, I should have taken the steps to prepare-I should have left you alone this morning, but I didn't pay attention, I left myself wide opened and I enjoyed it, I'm so sorry Stork, I shou-"
Piper's rambling was cut off as Stork placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
"So you would like to be with me?" the Merb asked as they parted, "Are you really sure, because I would like to know, I don't want you having remorse about being with me an-"
Piper was about to respond when a bone chilling scream came from outside, just as they got up, the body of a Wallop, or the upper torso, came crashing into the bridge, sending blood and entrails everywhere.
"Junko!?" the Merb nearly fainted at the sight. The Wallop had been ripped in half, most of his intestines still intact, his throat, chest and stomach torn open as well as his lower jaw, his tongue dangling from the side.
"N-n-not J-Junko," the girl paled as her stomach lodged itself in her throat while Stork vomited elsewhere.
"I-I thought Wallops where nigh impossible to kill?" Stork said as he finished vomiting, only to vomit once more as he glanced at the carcass.
"Oh they can be killed alright," the drawling voice returned, laced with venom. Two heads swiveled towards Mamba's direction, frightened for the lives of each other and of the Merb's appearance.
He was hunched over and breathing heavy, his jacket missing. His arms, bare chest and face covered in blood. His arms extended by his side, both carring some of the entrails from the Wallop. His cold orange eyes burned and thirsted for more gore and death.
Stork also noticed that Mamba's eyes also burned with the fact that he had nothing to lose.
That one, maybe both of them, would die today.
"It just takes a good weapon," his left arm extended towards the two, the Wallop's heart still in his clutches, until it made a disgusting pop as the violent Merb crushed it in his hand, blood spurting down his hand and bathing him in more gore . "Oh yeah…that feeeeels good…"
"You…m-monster…wasn't he…"
"Friend, little girl? No, just some dumb muscle…collateral expenses…too dumb to do anything. Oh well, at least my conscious is clean." Mamba gave another sadistic smile, bearing his fangs, "As for you Storky…how clean is your conscious?"
Mamba began to walk towards Piper and Stork, both of them backing up.
"W-What do you mean-I'm nothing like you!"
"Oh, don't remember…tell the little girl that it was you who killed those twenty females, that it was your choice to leave them for me as you went to Heron." Mamba's left hand started to glow with crimson energy, Stork felt the handle of the Bardiche stick him in the back, "Don't you feel bad…nay, terrible that you left them to die. All you had to do was say yes."
Stork picked up the poleaxe, ready to defend himself, "Yes, I-I-I do feel ter-terrible about that-but I was thirteen years old! You took a-advantage of me!" He screamed in frustration, charging and raising the Bardiche in the air as his eyes started to blur.
Flashback-Outskirts of Terra Merb
'Hey Storky, after we get cleaned up, I got a special surprise for ya!'
Stork crooned as Mamba placed a hot, tender kiss on the side of his bare neck and trailing down his shoulder, one hand gently stroking the Merb's hair as his other hand gently massaged the young Merb's hip.
'Oooh…' he smiled, eyes wide with anticipation as he turned to face Mamba, 'What kind of 'special' surprise is it?' The young Merb placed a gentle kiss on the older Merb's lips.
'Business opportunity-it'll make us rich! So rich we can leave this Terra and expand our business in other Terras!' The pea-green Merb returned the kiss, 'But you'll have to come with me to find out!'
"Took advantage of you! YOU!" Mamba screamed, using his left arm to block the attack, "You took advantage of me! YOU BETRAYED ME STORK!" and with all the white Merb's might, he grabbed the Bardiche and yanked hard, pulling Stork along with it and sending him toppling over the railing and landing hard onto the runway.
'My Gods Mamba, what have you done to these women?' Stork was in tears, this 'business opportunity' was nothing more than a sex slave establishment-or so he thought.
'Not to worry,' Mamba said with concern, 'All you have to do, is welcome the customers and keeps our property safe.'
'PROPERTY!?' Stork screamed, tears flowing freely, "DAMMIT MAMBA! THESE ARE LIVING BEINGS!'
'Please, don't do this-these are the nutcases-the ones that no-one will miss, only missed by potential customers. Don't tell me your having second thoughts-Stork, where are you going-Stork? STORK!'
"I trusted you." Mamba snarled as he landed near Stork, who was laying on the runway, the blade of the Bardiche mere inches from his right temple. With a firm grip, the Bardiche was dislodged, grazing the young Merbs right temple. "Just a one-night stand."
"Don't…know about you…" Stork said faintly, Mamba barely heard him speak amidst all the fighting going on around them, "But you hurt me too," Mamba grasped Stork by the collar and hoisted him up to his feet. Pained and teary yellow met cold and bitter orange, "I really did love you, I wanted to be your mate, but seeing what you did to me and those women," Mamba let go of the collar, as Stork swayed slightly on the spot, "But that love is gone…I have nothing but bad memories of betrayal and spite for you."
A left hook into the abdomen sent Stork to his knees, followed by the back end of clawed knuckles against his right cheek, blood dripping onto the runway.
All Stork could hear was the ragged breathing of Mamba. Those orange eyes were now blurred with tears as the white Merb raised the Bardiche above his head.
"The torch is dead." The white Merb cried, but he faltered as he gripped the axe better, "Is this where it all went wrong?" he squeezed his eyes shut and opened them a second later, "Now I know what must be done…after this, I can breathe easier."
Mamba swallowed as he began to bring the blade down.
La cucaracha, la cucaracha Ya no puede caminar-"Here I comes to save the day!" a bounty hunter said from overhead as a ebony switchblade flew over them, knocking the Bardiche from Mamba's hands.
"Oh fuckin' shi-not that damnable musical horn again!"
Sona did have a knack of coming in at the last second, Stork winced as the blade sunk again, this time mere inches from between his legs, What is it with Mamba and his obsessions with castrating men? ("You pesky little weasel...doggy...ferret thing you-I'll tan your hide and wear it! SOCK THE BLUE!") But that thought was pushed to the back of his mind when he saw out of the corner of his eyes, a pair of blades.
The Merb recognizes them as his Kusarigamas.
Using Sona's distraction, Stork stuck the handle forward and with his remaining strength, he did a backwards flip, sending him the right way as he pushed his body towards the end of the runway.
"I'll Keel haul-wha?" Mamba turned as he noticed Stork was running away, "GET BACK HERE!" he shouted as he too, started to run, but due to Stork's trap, he ran crotch first into the handle, emitting a high pitch squeak. "That's gunna hurt..."
Its been a while, Stork thought to himself, (but smiling as Mamba ran into his trap) as he fixed the gauntlets, They still fit-must thank Warbird for modeling these to fit Merbs. Stork stretched out his hands and flicked his wrists upwards. The magna crystals glowed as the chains retracted, bringing the handles of the sickles to his hands.
"Fool...put those down," Mamba sneered, "You just might hurt yourself. Besides...what good are they?
Flashback-Bridge of Verange
'Yo Stork-Look what I got for ya!' Heron yelled as he neared the bridge, 'Weapons for ya bro!'
Stork frowned, 'Weapons? You mean, I have to train to fight?' he said with worry.
'Uh...yeah...I mean, you can't fly all the time, I mean, what would happen if someone entered the Verange, you have to start packin' heat yourself, even I won't always be there to pull your ass out of the fire.'
'Fine," the young Merb sighed in frustration, 'What kind of weapons are they?'
'Kusarigamas!' Heron said a little too fast, confusing the poor Merb.
'Kuso domo gomo what?'
'Kusari-gamas,' Heron said slowly while showing him the two weapons, attached to a chain, 'They even come with specialized gauntlets made by Warbird to custom fit Merbs!'
Stork gave a disgusted look at the two small sickles, then over at Heron's seven foot tall scythe, 'Thanks, but no...can I have a bigger weapon? Like your Bardiche or your Scythe?'
Heron frowned, 'Dude, you be killin' my vibe bro-Naw, ya can't have Bardi or Than...they be my main dogs. But these beauts, you can have. Trust me, you'll fall in love with them!"
'But-'
'And training begins now'
"You'll be amazed what I can do with these."
Stork started to twirl the sickles in his hands, loosening a chain as he swung one sickle in a circular motion high above his head and down to the side as it was thrown in the opposite direction. Stork flicked his wrist, the magna crystal glowed as the chain came snaking back with the sickle in tow, with him catching the handle.
Someone not far off, possibly Finn, yelled "Go Stork!"
Flashback-Training Room of the Verange
'Alright now Stork, as a normal kusari-gama wielder, attacking with the weapon usually entails swinging the weighted chain in a large circle over one's head, and then whipping it forward to entangle an opponent's weapon or immobilizing their arms and or legs,' a young female human said.
Though from Stork's view, she didn't look human, she had silver skin and a whip-like tail. Her pupils gave her a look of a cat or a snake.
'One might strike with the spinning weighted end of the chain directly, causing serious or deadly injury to his opponent while still outside the range of the opponent's weapon, or allows the kusari-gama user to easily rush forward and strike with the sickle.
'But these are no ordinary kusari-gamas. These have been modified, the gauntlets and handles come equip with magna crystals, so once thrown, flick your wrists and they will come back to you without fail. They are also equip-able-best suited with weapon crystals-such as a firebolt, icer, or windstone. Also, the blades are movable. By saying a number-such as Eighty-Five Degrees, the blades are able to move to that position-though, when at that form, they lose the meaning of 'chained sickle' and become 'chained swords.'
Mamba frowned and snarled, "I remember...you used those pussy-ass weapons to get the drop on me-BY CUTTING OFF MY LEFT ARM!"
Flashback-Edge of Terra Xilia
'Aha...ha...ehheheh...' Mamba snickered as his left hand tightened harder around Stork's throat, the Merb's legs dangling off the cliff. 'Your pathetic, you know that? Trying to defend yourself with those lame-ass weapons...please, you can do better with shavers.'
'T-True...' Stork sputtered, green blood trailing down the corner of his mouth, but a smile grazed his lips, 'Eight-five degrees.'
'Eighty what?'
With speed and energy he didn't know he had, Stork left hand drew up the chain sword, catching the underside of Mamba's arm and slicing upwards. Mamba screamed in agony as the arm was sliced off just under the shoulder, emerald blood spilling out of the gaping wound.
"Yeah...but it got the job done," Stork said with a sneer, "But it wasn't the wisest thing I did, seeing how as I cut your arm off, I fell into the Wasteland and fell into a coma." he flicked his wrists again and the blades glowed green.
Mamba scoffed as he picked up the Bardiche, he kept his stare on the young Merb while placing a bright green crystal into the handle of the poleaxe. "I'll give you the chance to just jump to your demise-Your in too deep boy."
"I will not run away...This time, we end this! One of us will die this time!"
The blade seemed to shimmer.
"This time, I'll make damn SURE YOU DIE!" the white Merb roared, both he and Stork charging at each other. Mamba dragged the blade, sending sparks along the runway and just as he was near Stork, he swung upwards in a diagonal arc-to only bring it straight down on Stork.
Stork had plenty of time to prepare to dodge the attack, but as Mamba swung the poleaxe in a diagonal motion, he felt a blast of wind.
And the sensation that he had was being stabbed by thousands of tiny, invisible needles.
Grimacing at the pain, Stork brought both blades together and shoved forward, meeting the blade of the Bardiche. The block was successful, but a scream of pain escaped from Stork's lips as he was shoved back several feet.
Aside from the scar on his left shoulder, his uniform was torn to shreds, deep gashes and cuts littered his exposed chest, arms and face.
Eyes blurred with pain, a look of fear shown itself.
"Can't block the wind." Mamba said, slouching over with the poleaxe, "This is an enhanced slash energized Windstone crystal, very special one made by Eve. You see, even if I miss with the poleaxe, the wind created from this crystal wont-it energizes the wind, turning that particular area into a mass of 'airy' blades."
Stork fell onto one knee, gasping at the searing pain.
"I told you boy...your in too deep-YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST JUMPED!" he roared again, bringing the poleaxe into the air again.
Stork waited. This is the end, he said to himself, I'm so sorry Piper, I wish I said I love you. He stared at the floor, oblivious that it was silent.
"STORK!"
Piper!? Stork looked up, only to give a small yelp as he noticed how close a frozen Mamba really was, the blade nearly inches from his bloody muzzle. Piper, ready with her staff, came running towards him.
Crick...crack...
"Come on Stork!" the girl said frantically, practically dragging the wounded Merb to his feet, "your outmatched in the open! Lets get inside! Please hurry, the ice wont hold him forever!"
"murrra-" crick CRACK
Stork's body cried out in pain, he was too weak and losing energy, but for the sake of Piper, he forced himself to hobble into the hanger, with Piper by his side.
"-RAHHHHHHH! SLUT! WHORE! STUPID ASS BITCH! YOU STUPID FUCKING BITCH! WHY DON'T YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" the white Merb whipped around, swearing and dragged the axe with him.
Piper was the first to turn around as she saw Mamba swing the axe again, sending a ripple of unseen energy straight at them. To anyone else, they wouldn't know it was coming, but Piper saw the immediate dust trail heading straight for Stork.
Stork turned, he saw the ripple, he knew he would get hit, but he didn't expect to see Piper pull him behind her, her eyes full of confidence, love...
and tears.
Piper's body appear to float several feet off the ground as the burst of energy swirled around her. Stork watched in horror as her body twist and turned, the remains of her uniform shredding around her-leaving her nearly nude, her screams etching itself into his mind, her blood splattering on him and the ground, and her falling with a sickening thud.
"Piper, nonononono, please!" the young Merb cried, cradling the young girl's body in his arms, "NO! PIPER PLEASE-DON'T DIE!"
"I-I'm a mess...huh?" the young girl said weakly.
("You son of a bitch! You'll pay for that!") Aerrow
"W-Why?" Stork cried, placing several meda crystals in Piper's scarred hands, "Why take the blow?" (Aww, pretty boy lost girlfriend?) Mamba ("As for you blondie-You have got to be the worst sharpshooter in the Atmos!")
"I-Isn't tha-that what you do...for someone you l-l-love?" Amongst the bloodied face of the young girl, she gave him a weak smile, "I love you...I needed to tell you...I love you...and only you...I...I shouldn't have chased Aerrow...I spent...wasted...hours on him...I don't love him...I love you Stork..."
("Come on little boy, show me your moves!")
Piper weakly lifted a scarlet hand, cupping Stork's cheek. Stork cried again as he leaned into the hand, not caring about the blood smearing his cheek.
"I love you too Piper."
("Oh great, Warbird's getting involved-about time you showed up-I've been waiting to use this!")
Stork leaned forward, his lips touching Piper's scarlet lips. "We'll have to try this kiss another time..." he choked as more tears strolled down his cheeks as he felt Piper's hand slowly go limp, leaving a trail of red on his cheek. "I'll see you soon Piper."
Stork gently laid Piper's body on the ground, just as bloodied Aerrow and damaged Warbird came skidding on either side of them.
"What the hell is up with him!" Aerrow cried out.
"Black Fire!" shouted Scorch, flying on Phinny, attempting fire attacks on Mamba-only to be shot out of the sky and disappear into the cloud-line.
Stork looked up with eyes full of rage as he finally got to his feet.
There stood Mamba, surrounded by flames as black as night. His cold orange eyes showing bright crimson amongst the black flames.
White teeth formed into a smile.
"Sssssmokin'" Mamba laughed at his own joke, before returning his crimson gaze at Stork.
He immediately charged this time, leaving a trail of dark flames behind him. Stork charged also, his body screaming for him to stop, but he continued.
Both collided, the dark aura surrounding Stork.
Everyone watched-waiting.
Time seemed an eternity.
Maniacal laugher.
Screams of pain and rage.
Screams of fear.
The dark aura shifted slightly, before giving way to a bright flash of blue.
Mamba was sent flying back, screaming in agony. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
Stork went after him, screaming in rage. His body tattooed by Merbish markings, giving his scarred and bloodied body a ghostly blue glow, wings of energy protruded from his back.
Mamba screams-mixed with fear, anger, and frustration as he sends a flurry of projectiles of darkness at Stork, only to be blocked by the Kusari-gamas.
A flash of silver and the cracking and popping of metal is heard as Mamba's left arm is ripped from its socket, the dark aura vanishing. Another flash of silver and Mamba's chest explodes in a torrent of green.
Mamba counters with his own attack, slashing open Stork's side. A hard kick sends Stork several feet away while the wounded Merb severs a chain with the poleaxe. The blade lands with a clunk behind Mamba.
"THIS IS IT!" Mamba cries as he swings the poleaxe above his head and swings it forward.
Stork cries out again as the ripple of energy rips apart his body, his chest exploding, emerald green blood spraying across the runway as Stork lands with a sickening plop in his own pool of blood.
Mamba drops the Bardiche as he watches everyone rush towards him and the dieing Merb. A look of utter shock planted on his blank face.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Junko
"No more talkin' this bastard dies NOW!" Suzi
"He's already dead." Warbird
Several 'What's' resounded, as they watched Mamba stagger back towards the edge of the runway.
Someone gasped as the white Merb turns.
Stork had managed to strike the last blow, the severed Kusari-gama blade had pierced the back of Mamba's head.
No one managed to prevent Mamba from falling off the runway, plummeting towards the cloud-line, all the attention was directed towards the young Merb, laying in his own pool of blood.
"Stork," Aerrow cried, "You did it..."
"Please Stork, don't die!"
"STORK!"
"Get him to the Medical bay!"
No use in saving me guys... Stork said to himself, It's over for me, I did what I had to do...Piper, I'll... I'll be seeing you soon...
As the world grew dark around him, Stork spotted a figure amongst his friends.
It was a Merb clothed in black, his scythe glinting in the darkness.
"Hi Heron..."
end
Read and Review-I would like to know how well I did with this chapter!