CH 25
At a local mall parking lot in northern Anchorage, people were staring at the large, armored creatures that came tromping out of nowhere. Guided by a dark haired woman in long pigtails, wearing a long old fashioned skirt, leather corset and carrying wand, she motioned the ten foot tall, wide creatures to block off one whole section of parking. Police came, but did not interfere with what was happening, they only blocked the roads and access ways into that section of lot as onlookers crowded around, a safe distance from the big, ugly creatures with shields and large hand weapons.
The Orcs made their perimeter, and then something more breathtaking appeared. Huge winged lizards the size of tractor trailers began to appear and take off into the air. Some people ran, some fainted, others watched with jaws agape as one after another, the dragons appeared and took wing. The last six dragons that came out laid down in a line.
Next through were a pack of women and one man. Six of the women mounted the dragons, and they took off into the air. Two girls stayed by the man as he talked to the pigtailed woman. A couple other women appeared with what looked like large bowls. The pigtailed woman went over to them, waved her wand, and a few people saw the bowls glow.
The people who still had their senses about them, ran to get cameras.
.
Liz had been lying still, so when she spasmed and let out a cough that erupted blood, Kimiko got off the bench she was propped up on, and crawled over to her. Seeing the wound suck air in as Liz tried to breathe, Kumiko grabbed an empty shot gun shell box, broke the box down and slapped the flat cardboard over the wound.
Weakly, Liz lifted her head and saw what Kumiko was doing. She also noted Kumiko was covered in blood. "How bad is it?' Liz asked, barely audible.
Kumiko winced. "'You wound, pretty bad. If you mean our situation ... hopeless."
Liz closed her eyes briefly. "Frank?" she asked in a whisper.
"Here, Liz. Don't try to speak," Frank coaxed.
Another round of gunfire sounded out, bullets smacked the walls and window frames. David and Frank returned fire. After that round of shooting died out, Frank said, "Kumiko, David. Dig out those bottles of water from mine and Liz' packs. The red button on the end is a five second timer. Push it and those bottles explode, splashing water in all directions. Don't let Liz get splashed by one."
David moved below window level, chuckling as he said, "Brilliant, anti-vampire grenades." He took the ones from Franks' pack, and gave a few to Kumiko. He then pulled the four from Liz's pack.
Kimiko heard wood splintering from the other room, she pushed the red button on the top and threw the bottle in. There was a 'pop' of a tiny explosion, then screaming. She was set to throw another, and David warned, "Don't waste them!"
A low whisper came from the other room, Kumiko pushed the button and threw it anyway. Again a pop, and more screaming. This time from a couple voices.
"How does it feel to take a shower, SCUMBAGS!" Kumiko called.
Liz chuckled, and ended up in a coughing fit.
Kumiko tried to sense the vampires. It was hard in her condition, but she managed to feel the ones in the back room. "Do yourselves a favor, kill yourselves, or I will keep torturing you!"
To Kumiko's surprise, a few seconds later two gunshots went off.
Frank's head dropped. Struggling, he brought himself back to consciousness.
Kumiko noted that below his ripped up leg, the pool of blood was getting large. "Frank, you're bleeding to death," she said.
"Shoulder hit," Frank said weakly.
Kumiko tried to rise up, and found she was lacking the strength to move. She did notice a form outside a window. She pushed the button on a third bottle and tossed it out. There was a yell and running. There were no screams after the 'pop', but David did get a few shots off. Frank also came around enough to bag a vampire trying to creep up on them.
Looking out the window, David said, "Oh hell, they're building a fire. I guess we know what comes next. Guys, before any of us expire, I'd like to say it's been an honor. And if I'm burning, someone please shoot me."
Kumiko looked up. Above them, she felt a presence. This one wasn't weak, she could all but see one of the few people she knew that could radiate such a powerful Yokai aura. "Mama Moka!" she cried.
"What?" David asked.
"Mama Moka's here!" Kumiko cried.
David was so happy at the news, he laughed. "They'll get the ole what-for now!" he announced.
An earsplitting roar shook the cabin. Down where the fire was being built, a river of fire descended from the sky and splashed on the ground to the sound of tortured screams that quickly died out.
The door burst open. Frank tried to turn and face the threat, and dropped limply to the floor.
Moka stood in the doorway, unmindful of the shots, and the bullets falling down behind her. "Kumiko!" she said in a gasp, seeing the bloody bandage on Kumiko's leg, the bra/ shirt bandage across her chest, and the clotted blood on her cheek. The teenager was covered in blood, making her wounds look that much worse.
"Mama Moka, we need help," Kumiko said.
Moka's face turned crimson in anger as she balled her fists. David knew Moka, but still cowered in the corner in terror as Moka's aura made the cabin glow in a red light. Moka shot up through the roof, blasting a large hole in it. She turned in mid air, and spoke in a thundering voice.
"You DARE try to kill MY children? THERE WILL BE NO SURVIVORS! ALL your nightmares are about to become true! WITCH HILL, KILL. THEM. ALL!"
Liz opened her eyes and looked at the silver haired power floating in the air above the hole in the roof. "Who's that?" she asked in a whisper.
"That's my Mama Moka," Kumiko said proudly.
"Your mom kicks ass."
"Yes, she will."
.
Marcus had seen the dragon come down and burn his men who had gathered to light torches. Seeing a woman leap off the dragon's back and go to the cabin door, he joined in with his remaining men shooting her. The woman refused to fall down, or even flinch at the hail of gunfire directed at her. The dragon flew higher and belted out a long tongue of flame straight up into the air.
The silver haired woman took a step into the cabin, then exploded up through the roof and made her thundering speech that seemed to drive right into his bones. Marcus had no doubt his plan had failed. It was time to leave.
The remaining mercs ran blindly, dropping their weapons in their flight. Many tripped or ran into trees in their mindless escape attempt. Fire engulfed the woods ahead of them as a dragon passed by breathing death in their path. Marcus barely stopped in time to avoid being incinerated. One vampire wasn't so lucky and was burned to a skeleton before he could even fall down.
The woods that had been full of gunfire and the sureness of victory, was now a screaming killing ground. Marcus and his remaining vampires fled into a high valley, or tried to. The thunder of approaching feet came from that direction. A pink haired woman led a long line of Armored Orcs towards them. A few vampires tried to speed past them. Two were split in half to drop and wailed out in agony until an Orc weapon destroyed their heads. One made it to the line to get speared, and was thrown to the ground to get pounded into red jelly before he turned to ash.
Marcus fled for the road. Ahead of him another vampire ran at top speed. An ice storm came at them, horizontal spears of ice drove into the vampire, making him scream as the long shards ran him through and began to melt. Marcus dodged behind a tree to avoid the painful death.
Running the only way left to go, back towards the cabin, Marcus saw the clearing was now held two dragons, a hundred Orcs in a picket line, and to more pink haired girls. He was as good as dead if he went out there.
Another scream sounded out. A plea for mercy was cut short. A wail of "I surrender!" went unheeded. There was nowhere left to go. And the silver haired woman's words were being carried out. No survivors.
"This can't happen to me!" he cried. "I am a powerful vampire! I can't be taken down by ... vermin!" he spat.
"Wanna bet?" a voice behind him asked. He spun to see an oriental man glaring at him. "And YOU are the one who is the vermin needing to be stamped out," the man added.
Marcus felt something like multiple pythons wrap him tight. Although he couldn't see anything, the thick bands squeezed him. He ribs caved, his arm bones broke.
"Die, vermin," the man intoned. Marcus didn't even have the breath to scream as he was crushed and ripped apart.
.
Tsukune ripped the last vampire into pieces. The head fell off, so he crushed that also. Once the gore turned to dust, he walked back to the cabin.
The cabin which was now well guarded, Tsukune saw their wounded lying in a line as Ruby tended to them. The passed out human man was getting his leg regrown by Ruby, Moka was bent over the prone black haired vampire girl, injecting some blood into her. Kumiko sat beside David Smith, still covered in blood, but now healed and had a cloak over her half naked body.
Kumiko got up as Tsukune approached. He hugger her tightly. "You made it," he said with a happy sigh. "Kumiko, we were so worried."
Kumiko buried herself in Tsukunes embrace and said, "Hey Papa? I don't like Disneyland."
.
Around the cabin, The Orcs were being marched back through a portal to Witch Hill. Standing on a leg he thought was gone forever, Frank watched the procession walk between a pair of trees and disappear as they did. Beside him, Liz bore a bandage on her lower ribs, and leaned against him for support.
"I can't believe we made it out of there alive," Liz mussed.
"Glad you did," Frank said in his emotionless tone. Putting an arm around Liz, just to help her walk of course, Frank went over to where Kimiko was being hugged to death by a another blue haired woman.
"Mama Kurumu, I'm OK now! Keep hugging me and you'll break something!" Kumiko complained.
"I'm just so happy my baby is all right," Kurumu said, and released Kumiko to hold her cheeks so close, Kumiko's lips puckered up into fish-lips.
"Mama!" Kumiko complained in a muffled tone.
"Excuse me, Ma'am, a word?" Frank asked.
Kurumu turned to them. "Are you the ones who rescued my Kumiko?"
Frank nodded. Before he could say anything, Kurumu had an arm around him, and one around Liz. "Thank you, thank you so much!" she cried as their eyes bulged.
"Kurumu, they saved Kumiko, so please don't kill them with kindness," Tsukune said as he came up to them.
Kurumu stepped back. "We have to hold a banquet for them in honor of their wonderful deed! And a concert in their honor!" she announced, clapping her hands together in joy.
"Actually, I think they deserve a handsome reward," Tsukune said. "SO, Frank, right? What is it we can do for you?"
Quickly, Liz asked, "Can we have Kumiko on our team? She was invaluable to us."
Tsukune shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said, "Kumiko is only fifteen, she has to go to school."
"So? I'm only fifteen," Liz countered.
"You don't go to school?" Kurumu asked.
Liz shook her head and said, "Frank teaches me."
"There is one thing you can do, Mr. Aono, that I wold greatly appreciate," Frank said. "There are six people left who betrayed and killed my father. I have their names, I just need to find them."
Tsukune nodded. "We will do everything in our power to find them." Flicking his eyes at Liz, he added, "And, it sounds like Liz here needs an education. Let her come to Witch Hill, and we'll take care of that."
Liz let out a snort and said, "I can't go to school, I'm a vampire."
"We have vampires at Witch Hill, and every other yokai you can think of. You'll fit right in." Tsukune assured her.
Frank shifted in place. "We are in an organization that would not allow her to attend school."
Tsukune raised an eyebrow. "Which organization is this? I am sure we can get them to change their minds," he stated.
Frank knew it was too late for him to get a formal education. Although he did want Liz to have an education beyond combat. "I'll talk to them and see what they say," he offered.
Tsukune eyed him. "How about if you talk to them, and tell them she will be going to Witch Hill Academy, and if they don't like it, they can come see me. In the meantime while Liz gets her education, you'll be right there so when we do find these people you're looking for, you will know right away."
"Frank?" Liz asked, looking at him.
Frank made his decision. He reached for his cell phone. Right, it was shot to pieces. "Got your phone, Liz?" he asked.
"I lost it some time during the fight."
Tsukune held his phone out. "Feel free to use mine," he offered.
Frank took the phone. He eyed it and said, "No one's ever offer us anything like this."
"How old are you, Frank?" Moka asked.
Frank shrugged. "Seventeen, maybe eighteen. Not sure. I was trained to fight from as far back as I can remember."
"Then, maybe you need a education too so you can learn to do something else besides kill people?" Moka asked.
"We will stand behind you and Liz," Tsukune said firmly.
Frank nodded. He didn't dare trust himself to speak for some reason.
"Do you have an education?" Liz asked Moka.
Moka nodded. "I graduated from Witch Hill, and have a bachelors degree in business. If someone need to be shown their place, I can do that too. If you're in school at Witch Hill, you can train with us, if you like."
"Frank?" Liz asked again.
Frank nodded and called his contact.
.
The white haired man behind his desk in his tweed sweater heard the intercom buzzer. "Mr. B, call from Frank on line two."
"Thank you," he said, and picked up. "The job done?" he asked.
Frank's emotionless voice came over the line. "Yes, problem solved. The area is clear. Mr. Smith is safe."
"Well done again! Now after you get home, your money will be waiting for you. After a week or so, there is a job in Eastern Europe fit just for you..."
"No," Frank said flatly. "I am taking Raven to Japan. We're going to Witch Hill, and we're going to get an education."
Mr. B's brow furrowed. "Now look here, we made you what you are. Don't ruin a good thing, and do not assume you can pick your own jobs, let alone get a vampire into school."
"We're going, Mr. Aono offered, and we are taking him up on it."
"I may have to have someone come and talk to this Mr. Aono, if you get my meaning," Mr. B warned.
"Hold on."
The line was silent for a few seconds, then anther voice came on. "Tsukune Aono here. Is there a problem?"
Mr. B clenched his fist. "Mr. Aono! I do not know if you are aware of who you are dealing with, but we can make life very difficult for you if you do not stop interfering in our affairs!"
"Threats, is it? Well, here's one for you. First, check out the news in Alaska, Anchorage to be exact. I'm sure you can do it. After you see that, then know that that, and much more will be coming for you, if you do not leave Frank and Elizabeth alone. And if you lift a finger against my family, or Witch Hill, I will personally show up in your office and rip you to shreds. So, sir, do you wish to start a war?" Tsukune asked.
"You try to make it sound like I am that easy to get to. Far from it, Mr. Aono!" Mr. B said sternly.
"Hold one second ... OK, Sir, look up."
"What?"
BONG
Mr. B's head recoiled from the brass pan that fell on his head. He searched for the source, and found nothing on the ceiling that could have dropped on him.
"Now, Sir, you were saying?" the receiver asked.
Holding his head, Mr. B picked the phone back up from where he dropped it. "What was that?"
"A warning, Sir. Frank and Elizabeth are going to school, and they will graduate and live their lives as THEY wish to with no more interference from you. Believe me, I can make you think the entire world is dropping down on your head, and make your organization disappear before your eyes. I expect no trouble from you, is that understood?"
Mr. B gripped the phone in a death grip. "We will speak again, Mr. Aono," he said in a near growl.
"Yes, and had it better be civil. Good day ... Sir."
.
Tsukune put his phone back and offered Frank and Liz a smile. "All set. I'm sure you could use a rest. When we get there, Minori will take care of getting your school uniforms, and for you, Frank, Ruby has special classes so you can catch up and get a diploma also while we find these people for you. Even if you enjoy your work, knowledge is power. Remember that."
Frank found that for some reason, it was getting hard to breathe. He took deep breaths, but was still feeling weak and his eyes were clouding up. Feeling something on his cheek, he brushed it away to see water on his hand.
Frank stared at his moist fingers. Was this crying? He'd been trained hard for years to never show any emotion, ever. He could ignore any pain, and was impervious to things like anger, lust, and sorrow. He didn't have emotions. And if something good was happening, why would he cry?
"Can we, Frank?" Liz asked.
"Oh, come on!" Kumiko said as she got on Frank's other arm and smiled up at him. "Liz can stay in my room, and you can stay across the hall. I'll show you around and help you get familiar with Witch Hill and meet everyone. Come on, you saved my life, let me do something for you."
Although Liz saw Kumiko as an ally, a very good one, she had to restrain herself from the very strong desire to punch Kumiko in the face for holding Franks' arm as she cast her bright smile at him.
Forcing the hitching out of his breath, Frank nodded. "It will be good for Liz," he stated.
"Wo-hoooo!" Kumiko cried, and hugged Frank. Before Liz could raise her balled fist to strike, Kumiko hugged her too.
Liz stood in confusion. Why did she feel such a strong urge to beat on this friendly girl who had stood with them through a tough battle and had probably saved their lives?
.
The moment Aono hung up, Mr. B called for every bit of information on this Tsukune Aono that he could find. Soon, he was watching the Alaskan news, and videos of dragons in flight. Not just one, but a whole line of them, as well as a ring of large, armored beasts in a parking lot where six more dragons laid in a line. Someone had captured a flying girl on a cell phone recording. Another remote shot showed a far away dragon shoot flame hundreds of feet into the air.
And that news report was only the tip of the iceberg. He came to find out that Tsukune Aono not only had thousands of monsters at his command, but the local area, as well as Japan, was supporting him. In southern Japan, many kinds of beasts, including vampires, were living peacefully in the same communities as humans. There were even monster policemen. Tsukune Aono was providing jobs to the local economy, and his home was a virtually impregnable fortress, surrounded by some of the nastiest things to ever come out of legend. He also discovered that there was an entire monster world hidden within the human one, and Tsukune Aono was second only to the Queen of all monsters.
The man who Frank had gone to help, was related to the Aonos though his brother's wife, who was another denizen of the Aono clan. When he asked the Association top brass about the Aonos they thought highly of him, and became very upset when he admitted to casting a veiled threat at Mr. Aono. Mr. B got the message loud and clear. Apologize, or be fired.
Mr. B made the wise choice to let Frank and his pet vampire attend school.