"James, wake up hun." Edward whispered into the crook of the Phoenix' neck, the latter's hair tickling his nose like feathers.
"Mmmhmmm." James groaned and rolled over trying to sleep off the new sensation.
"James come on now, you need to be at the GWFSD in a couple of hours." He said
"Hmmm wait what?" this caught the groggy man's attention as he slowly pulled himself up to meet Edwards gaze.
"The twins stopped by yesterday evening and slid this under the door, apparently didn't want to bother us." Edward said handing James a dark red envelop with the shield emblem embossed on the front.
"That's a bit fancy for them, eh?" James questioned to the other man who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah I found it a bit weird myself." Edward nodded in agreement.
"Nevertheless it will be good to regroup and figure out where we go from here." The Phoenix sat up stretching, a slight ache finding its way down his leg. Shaking it off, he stood, another small shot of liquid fire down his veins and not the great tasting kind.
"You alright there old man?" Edward joked earning a halfhearted glare from James. "You know I don't know if this whole meeting is a good idea, something just seems off about it."
"I know what you mean but I have to respond, plus maybe they are just trying out a new more secretive way of communication?" James offered as Edward still shook his head.
"As I said none of this feels right, the NWR is still on high alert looking for you all, you're still in no condition for a grudge match no matter how much you—" Edward was silenced with a soft yet passionate kiss.
"I'll be fine, trust me." James said with his trademark cocky grin.
"Shall I wait up for you then?" his partner said with a near matching grin.
"Yeah, and have something heavy ready."
James left at dusk, dressed in a long overcoat and his army style cap fearing that his favorite top hat would attract too much unwanted attention.
Staying close to the shadows he walked, looking down at his watch, hmm I still have a little time.
Looking over he spotted a children's toy store, his mind floating back toward little Alice. Rheneas' words flickered "She hasn't been sleeping well without the bear."
With that in mind he walked inside, glancing over all of the brightly colored toys he began looking for a replacement stuffed animal that was lost in the fire.
After spending what seemed like an eternity he came across one he felt suitable, a big wooly black bear complete with realistic nose and eyes.
Upon grabbing the animal and heading to the counter something caught his eye. As he drew closer he noticed it to be a charm bracelet set on a thick black leather band. On each side there was a phoenix, details expertly sketched however in the middle, an exact replica of his engine. His eyes wide his fingers traced the lines of the old train.
"Quite the item isn't it? A local artisan has been making them in support of the Phoenix and his fight for the Island of Sodor." The shop keep explained upon seeing James' interest in the piece.
"It's beautiful, just like the real thing." He whispered holding back small tears at the amount of memories flooding his mind.
"Would you like them? I have two left." The man continued as he rung up the bear.
"Yes of course, one for me and another for a friend. Say what time is it?" His thoughts flicked to Edward with a smile.
"Wonderful! And it is 8:30pm. Why? Got somewhere to be?" the shop keep said handing him his purchases.
"Holy mother—yes thank you!" James said as he rushed out of the door.
Rushing down the quarters he was out of breath by the time he reached the dojo. Knocking on the door, he was surprised when the door creaked open.
Immediately his senses came alive, something was definitely wrong, even at this hour there should be people here. Instead it is eerily quiet, inching inside he quickly checked the perimeter. With one final once through he started to open the passage way to the underground, climbing his way down the familiar stairwell.
Easing himself towards Duck's office he could hear voices, although to his fear they were not familiar.
"So this is the famous Great Western Fighting Systems Dojo. I must say it's nicer than I expected. Say Bernard why don't you invite our guest in the hallway to show us around?" Purred the oily voice.
Suddenly James was confronted by none other than Bernard Diesel, flanked by Arry and Bert.
"Well well, if it isn't The Phoenix, come to burn us out of your hole?" Arry laughed as they started to box James in.
James, looking desperately around for any type of tool he could use, focusing on the floor an idea flew into his head.
Twirling his coat tails around to send a gust of dirt and ash at the men he took the moment to run, as fast as his legs would carry him. In his wake he missed the primal growl of the men on the prowl behind him.
"Come on boy's we have a birdy to catch."
Get down with the victim
We both know you need them
You're stuck in the middle
Of all irrelevance
James' heart was beating a million miles an hour, two thoughts racing through his mind, get back to safety and tell the GWFSD that they had been infiltrated and get back to Edward. His momentary lapse in thought proved detrimental as he was slammed into a wall upon cresting the lead corridor.
And your heart is beating
'Cause you know that you gotta
Get out of the middle
And rise to the top now
When you've made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
When you made it, when you made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
"Looky here boy's, seems the Phoenix isn't as tough as he looks when he is all alone." Burt jeered as they crept closer to the fallen man. James, eyeballing him as he did so, he had to get out of here, he had to!
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
Can't take the pressure
So ease it off
Don't tell me to be strong
Ease it off
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
"It isn't fun bring on the opposite end of the torment is it?" Diesel spat placing a well-placed kick too his chest. "Arry, Bert, let's bring our guest to our leader. Then the real fun can begin."
Wrenching his shoulders behind him the too larger men forced him back down the corridor and into what he knew as Ducks office. Inside sat the very man everyone on the old NWR resented. Diedrick 10 or D10 as most know him.
And get into the system
We both know you need one
The tip of the needle
Is taking over you
And your heart is beating
"So this in the infamous Phoenix, I dare say I thought you'd put up more of a fight." Diedrick said Bringing a finger up to stroke James chin. To the touch filling him with such disgust he opened his mouth and bit D10s hand leaving bloody holes in the man's hand.
"God damn you imbeciles can't you control him?!" D10 cried withdrawing from the man. Then the look of disgust turned into a sickening smile that made James' heart drop.
'Cause you know that you gotta
Get out of the middle
And rise to the top now
When you've made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
When you made it, when you made it
Won't ya tell me what to do
'Cause I'm playin' it all wrong
"Well since you feel the need to act like a mongrel I have the perfect accessory for you." Diedrick purred pulling out a large shock collar.
"You've got one chance, get on your knees and beg my forgiveness and I won't test my new toy out on you." D10 demanded of the Phoenix
James, amber eyes ablaze looked up into D10's dark cold eyes and with every ounce of defiance he had spat "FUCK YOU" Onto Diedricks face.
Rage talking over D10 slammed the collar onto James, turning it on full power, relishing in the bloodcurdling screams echoing through the compound.
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
Can't take the pressure
So ease it off
Don't tell me to be strong
Ease it off
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
"Boy's go finish plucking the Phoenix would you?" Diedrick turned as the men drug James out into the hallway. James' felt like his neck was on fire, his eyesight blurring with each jarring moment. The sound of Arry's gravelly voice peaking his ears as he tried to focus, he may have only one chance.
Diesel, Bert and I have some other matters to attend to tonight, you think you could finish him off, I mean come on look at him, you won't have any more trouble out of him." Giving James a little shock for emphasis.
"Fine, you two go on, you two just can't stand the sight of blood you damn babies." Diesel grumbled as the twins left no doubt to drink to their success.
James continued to play dead, conserving his energy, listening for his moment that he was alone with Diesel.
Oh why can't you let go
Like a bird in the snow
This is no place to build your home
Diesel led him into a side room, leaving the door cracked.
"You know, she's a good lay that x of yours." Diesel cackled seeing the look of disgust on his victims face. "And now I hear the Phoenix has started batting for the other team, I knew there was something wrong with you besides your penis size. At least that's what Emily says."
James was seeing red, he wanted to rip the man's throat out. He knew however he needed to wait for the right time.
"You know you're not bad looking yourself, perhaps I ought to put you into place in more ways than one." Diesel purred with a sick satisfaction.
And now would be that time James leapt forward, slashing across the man's face, bloody rakes dug into his face. Dashing up to cover his mouth, muffling the scream he now turned his own sadistic smile to the man.
"Too bad you won't be seeing her tonight, Bernard." He said ripping the collar off of his own neck and placing it around Diesels. Then taking a bit of fabric to gag the man and tie his hands.
"You know that day in the ring I told you I'd kill you if you opened your mouth, yet here you are again tempting fate, and this time they were not on your side." James growled as he found a rock, placing it on the power button for the collar. He watched in sick fascination as the body writhed, then finally going limp. It was only then he removed the rock. Survival instincts kicking in he fled, pushing the severity of his actions to the back of his mind. Reaching the entrance he grabbed his purchases from earlier not wanting to leave any more of a trace than necessary and limped off into the night. If he couldn't take any moral high ground then by god he would send them all to hell along with his own soul. An eye for an eye. Better to ease it off then fight the friction.
You can't fight the friction
So ease it off
Can't take the pressure
So ease it off
Don't tell me to be strong
Ease it off
You can't fight the friction
So yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah
Across town a small knock upon Edwards door prompted the man to get up, looking through the peak hole.
"Ah James, I thought you would be back..." Edwards face fell as he saw the crumpled heap of a man at the door.
"Edward, warn the others! It's a trap!" He gasped crawling inside.
The elder man reaching down to help him inside.
"Good god James what am I going to do with you?" Edward gasped.
"Yes James what are we going to do with you?"