I apologize for the excessive wait for this chapter, but with everything going on, it was hard to keep up. My New Year's Resolution this year was to try and keep to my chapter every two weeks schedule. We shall see how long that lasts! (^_^;)7 So, anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 14 – A Quick Stop and a New Mission

Horace and Yong hardly even took notice of the computer voice as she greeted them upon their re-entrance to the city, just sliding the door back shut behind them and getting onto the bike that all but belonged to them. Horace reached into a pocket as they went along, steering the bike with his knees, and pulled out the sack he kept the Metal Head skull gems in, counting them silently. With a tiny smirk, he adjusted the path of the bike, now heading toward the Precursor Oracle's little hut. He had twenty-five skull gems, just as the Oracle had requested, and he was curious what the statue had to offer him in return for the strange creatures' deaths. He parked the bike next to the entryway and stepped inside, pausing in the center of the room. He did not even get a chance to open his mouth to speak when a beam of the purple light that was a form of dark eco came shooting out at him from the Oracle's mouth-like opening at the base of the statue, lifting him into the air, just high enough that he could not touch the ground. Horace curled and uncurled his body in pain, his form beginning the conversion from his normal appearance to the dark creature Baron Tannous had made him. Just as the transformation was complete and the light began to dissipate, allowing Horace to land on the ground on his feet, the Oracle began to speak, his raspy, somewhat growling voice seeming pleased.

"You do well to rid the world of this Metal scourge. As a reward, I grant you a dark power."

Yong stared in wide-eyed wonder and nervousness, watching his companion to see just how well he was able to control this new power. Horace looked at his white, clawed hands for a moment, then, as if figuring out how to use the power the Oracle had bestowed upon him, he looked around, then leapt up, throwing his fist down into the ground. In a miniature explosion, a purple ring of dark eco energy surged outward, seeming like it would cause some significant damage to anyone within the ring around Horace. Right after the power had been tested, the pale white of his dark form melted away, and Horace returned to normal, a tiny smirk on his lips.

"I can control it, Yong. Completely."

Yong grinned widely.

"Awesome, da ze! With you in full control, we can use that creepy dark thing of yours to our advantage, da ze!"

Horace nodded and glanced at the Oracle again. The statue seemed pleased with Horace's progress, and, with something resembling a smirk in its voice, it made its next request.

"The next power is one not to be given lightly. I require a large number of skull-gems before I am willing to give it to you. Return to me when you have collected two hundred more."

Horace gave a nod and, without another word, he exited the small building, going back outside and remounting his bike, kicking it into the proper hover level. Yong relaxed on Horace's shoulder comfortably now that the man was back to normal.

"Two hundred skull gems, huh, da ze? That's an awful lot, da ze… Must be one heck of a power he'll be giving you, da ze."

Horace nodded slightly, heading back toward the Hip Hog Heaven Saloon. Yong watched the city zip by under them as they flew toward the richer area.

"Wonder what it'll be, da ze…"

Horace shrugged. Two hundred skull gems would not be too difficult to acquire, especially with all of the missions they had already been sent out on that ended up involving Metal Heads one way or the other. He was just pleased that he was now in complete control of his darker side. He was focusing on the tasks at hand for now, not wondering about what other dark powers he would gain by killing Metal Heads. Besides, he had enough to wonder about already.

Yong never once shut up for the entire ride back to the Hip Hog Heaven Saloon, and once Horace had parked the bike by the saloon's door, he had to reach up and pinch Yong's lips together to make him stop talking about whatever pointless topic he was babbling on about now. They were going to talk to Krew, and Horace really just wanted to get this conversation over with quickly. Once he was sure Yong had gotten the message, he walked in the door. As soon as the door had shut behind them, the hugely fat man was already floating over to them, circling around Horace with a smirk on his lips.

" You boys are turning out to be quite useful, aye? I have another task for you. The Sewers used to be a fabulous smuggling route for me before the Baron installed security devices."

He swayed dramatically in his floating chair, seeming very annoyed by the whole situation. Yong slipped down from Horace's shoulder, standing just in front of Krew's chair and looking him over mockingly critically.

"And before those late night snack runs kept you from fitting out the front door, da ze."

He walked sideways for a short distance with his arms out and bent at the elbows, like he was trying to squeeze through a small space, a small, joking grin on his furry lips. Krew, however, did not seem nearly so amused by Yong's joke. Horace, to break the tensely awkward silence that came up from this, spoke then, his voice sounding somewhat annoyed. He really did not like talking to Krew…

"I bet you've hatched another 'brilliant' plan in that hungry little brain of yours. So... who or what do we have to shake down, knock out, or blow up?"

Krew did not seem too especially offended. He licked his fingers, likely to get some sticky-sweet substance off of it, before replying.

"Well, I need someone to go down and shoot every Sentry Gun in the Sewers, and I'll give you a sweet weapon upgrade if you succeed."

Yong looked up at the pig-like man, his face showing annoyed reluctance.

"Let me guess, da ze… Dank, murky water, da ze?"

Krew nodded slightly. Yong waved a fuzzy hand in front of his face obnoxiously.

"Reeks worse than your breath at an oyster fest, da ze?"

Krew frowned, seeing that Yong was only getting started on his insulting path. The weasel boy began throwing in even more hand gestures as he really started.

"Fuller of Metal Heads than your plate at a one-pass buffet, da ze?"

The annoyance on the steadily darkening pinkish hued man's face increased. Yong put his hands on his hips, then prodded the overweight man's bulging belly as he finished off the insult fest strong.

"And of course, weapons more lethal than your ever-so tighty-whiteys on a hot summer day, da ze?"

The weasel bowed to show he was finished, as though catching his breath, then stood back up, crossing his arms again.

"Look, donut hole, why don't we float around here looking hot and heavy and you go roto-root the pipes, da ze?"

Horace glared at Krew and pointed at him. He was getting sick and tired of doing jobs for nothing more than what was acquired on site. He wanted information.

"We're not doing anything until you tell us why Metal Heads are trading with the Baron's forces."

He crossed his arms, waiting for his answer. Krew, however, floated forward quickly, getting up in Horace's face threateningly. Horace took half a step back – mostly because of the man's breath, but partly out of intimidation – as the large man growled angrily in his face.

"I should've had you both kneecapped, aye? All I know is that the Baron cut a desperate deal with the Metal Head leader."

Krew backed off and turned his back toward the two younger men, his voice suggesting he was trying to calm back down, though he was still annoyed.

"Metal Heads need eco, so the Baron supplies them with regular shipments."

He turned back around, his anger seeming to have shifted to the Baron and the Metal heads from Horace and Yong.

"In return, the Metal Heads agreed to attack the city just enough to satisfy the Baron's continued rule."

Horace raised an eyebrow in mild amusement.

"Yeah, but how long can that deal last?"

Krew seemed to have regained his patience for the questioning man, swooping in slightly closer again.

"Well, the Baron is running short on eco, aye? And the Metal Heads are short on patience. Baron Tannous needs this war to keep in power. Otherwise, the city would put the true ruler on the throne; wherever that little brat is."

Horace took in this information, thinking back to the child and the old man he and Yong had helped shortly after escaping the Baron's fortress. Could Krew possibly have meant…? He pushed that thought aside and looked back up at Krew.

"Yong and I will clear your sewers. And we haven't forgotten about that weapons upgrade you promised in return."

With a sound of annoyance, Krew spun away from them.

"Bloodsuckers…"

Without another word, Horace turned to the door, walking out again. Turrets in the sewer? Simple enough to handle. He and Yong would be back to the saloon before the end of the day.

Characters:

Horace, Yong, Oracle, Krew

I found, while writing this chapter, that I have a bad habit of procrastinating when I have to write for Krew. I hate him so much... but he is necessary to the plot, so I have to write him... So, next time it is a long time before I post, you can know it is probably because of Krew. Blame everything on him if you want. I do. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It was a tough transition, and, like I said, I hate Krew with passion. Hopefully, your next chapter will come two weeks from today! Next chapter will have a lot of gun action! In addition, I plan to write a little one-shot and post it on January 27th. I will explain why in the story, so look for it! Until next time! Shalom!