Good news is, the next three chapters are, collectively, about 98% done. On the other hand, it means this fic is about 99.9% done... *wanders around, lost and aimless*
Another star faded in the sky as dawn inched closer.
Killbane stepped down the ramp and onto the docks, straightening his green tie as he did. He gazed up at Three Count with familial fondness, an eye twitching when he saw the lights were still in shades of purple. But that could be easily fixed.
"And so the Gods return to Olympus," he said, walking down the docks and greeted by the newest lieutenants. One, a burly black man wearing a silver and green mask stepped forward, a hand out to greet his 'leader'. But not even the mask could hide the begrudging curl about his mouth; not all Luchadors were able to greet their old leader with admiration. It was a tentative hold, as best.
"Sledge," Killbane greeted his lieutenants, shaking his hand, both men's grips a little too tight for comfort. Sledge forced an almost-smile.
"Killbane. It's good to have you back," he said, a lie that Killbane saw through easily. Sledgehammer, or 'Sledge' glanced past him, seeing more people disembarking from the boat.
Women, most of them oriental, all in black with yellow trims and armed to the teeth. Sledge raised an eyebrow and nodded.
"New friends of yours?" he asked, finally releasing the vice-like grip of the handshake. Eddie stepped aside, graciously holding out a hand to the women.
"I'd like you to meet your new sisters, the Kunoichi," he said. The women stood their ground, looking on at the Luchadors with cold disdain. Killbane's smile broadened as he continued.
"And of course their dear leader," he said as the women began stepping aside, another figure sauntering down between them.
Aiko's petite frame was wrapped now in a black leather catsuit holding together her shredded little body. Both forearms still stiff and bound, the blades still plastered right into the casts, something else added to her right arm. A thick, fresh pink scar, barely healed ran over her face, her hair now cut back short into a pixie crop. A single yellow strip ran up the left side of the catsuit, the only flag she wore.
"So these girls are helpin' us clear out the Saints?"
"Clear out…?" Aiko said, not quite handling the colloquialism, "We are here to slaughter them. I am here to finish what I started."
Sledge blinked, looking the little woman up and down.
"…Yo I like this one," he said with a wry grin and winked at her. Aiko looked away seeming bored, stepping around Killbane and continuing up the pier with her crew loyally following her. Killbane watched them go, his attention turning back to his crew.
"So," Sledge ventured while trying not to sound snide, "What's the plan now? You finally gonna take back what the Saints stole?"
Killbane spread his arms , his chin lifting.
"It's only a matter of time before their Empire crumbles," Killbane mused with needless drama, "But now I've returned to my city, I believe I should pay a visit to an old friend."
There had been an eerie stillness in the city the night before, something Angel couldn't quite place. An electric feel in the air, waiting to crack. He'd been restless, incapable of sleeping even now and no amount of driving or training would shake it.
Angel pulled up at the curb, killing the engine. He slumped back into his seat, staring at the dashboard for a while, exhaustion starting to creep at his eyes. He didn't understand it, how so much could have happened in such a small amount of time but he still felt like he was on glue.
All that time, training, fighting, tearing the Luchadors apart, becoming a Saint…
And Killbane was still out there somewhere, breathing. It still wasn't over.
He hit the steering wheel with his palm in sudden frustration that quickly bled away. Some part of him was still certain that if Gat had never come back, this all would have been over by now. And yes, he would have had the Boss. Angel's mouth widened into a frown.
It would've been a good alliance. Given time he probably would have easily filled that void and honestly never cared that she'd still love a dead man. Romantic passion was a dangerous pitfall as it was. Still, if a person was capable of that kind of love, he supposed they should deserve something equal in return.
Angel finally pushed open the side door, slipping out of the car and pulling up the hood of his purple jacket. He'd come far, he'd risen from the ashes… all he needed was Killbane's blood on his hands to set the world right again… all he needed…
Angel scowled at the pavement, muscles twitching and aching for training. Be better, stronger.
He picked up the pace, stalking over the parking lot to the old ruined Casino, suddenly lit by warm, gold light as the sun broke out over the horizon, bringing a new day. Angel pulled out his phone as the message tone rang out. An unknown number.
'Welcome Home.'
The pulse slammed into his body just before the sound did, an ear-shattering explosion blowing from the building and sending him flying back, the heat of the clouds of orange flame burning his skin and clothes, shards of glass and brick firing from the explosion- the cry caught in Angel's chest as the oxygen was devoured around him and for a moment his mind blacked out –
With a heavy thud he landed on the damp asphalt, tumbling along the ground to a stop. There was no sound for the ringing in his ears, no sight but the blinding white light and stars dancing in front of him. He shook his head, rasping a groan and slowly, slowly pushed himself up, a thick drop of blood plopping from his head onto the back of his hand.
He blinked, the ringing weakening as the sound of gushing flames and distant shouts pushed through into his ears. He rubbed his blinded eyes, the white fading, starting to reveal the old casino-come-gym…
The vintage signage was shattered on the ground, the raw face of the building beginning to crumple inwards as thick gold flame kept vomiting from every window and licking up into the indigo sky, smoke obscuring what was left of the stars..
Angel got to his feet, shoulders slack as he stared at it. Then, the smallest, darkest smile flashed over his face.
"We're finally at the end…"
I frowned, leaning over the toaster and glaring into it.
"Dammit."
I jerked the lever a few times and the hot bread inside shifted, but wouldn't budge.
"Dammit."
With an annoyed scowl I paused, then grabbed a fork out of the sink and stuck it into the toaster, carefully trying to pry my breakfast free. With a small jolt a piece broke off and crumbled to the floor. Trouble, impatient, licked it up in an instant.
"DAMMIT!"
I was hungry! In fact I was feeling down right nauseous again and just wanted some fucking toast… I picked the silver machine up and held it upside down then banged it hard onto the counter. Once, twice, again and again but nothing came out till finally I thrust it away. I felt a bitter pout over my mouth.
"You have made a powerful enemy today, toaster…" I hissed at it. Of course it didn't respond, just sat there, lording it over me. I felt a low growl bubble up from the back of my throat and I turned on my heel, stalking darkly from the kitchen and just about running into Pierce.
"Yo, easy," he chuckled then saw my thunderous expression, "The fuck is going on in here?"
"Why doesn't anything in this place work?" I snapped at him, throwing my hands out in frustration before shoving past.
"Er… sorry? You feelin' alright Boss?" I heard him voice and start following me as I marched over to the sofa, where I last kicked my shoes off. Or where I thought I did.
"Where," I stressed, the nauseous feeling becoming a headache which wasn't helping my bad mood, "Are my fucking shoes?"
"In the fucking closet-"
I snapped my glare up as Johnny strolled in from the gym room adjoining the living area. He was shirtless, and had a small towel slung over his shoulders and was leaning against the door frame, watching me with curious amusement. Stupid sexy bastard…
"Somethin' wrong?" he asked lightly and I clambered gingerly over the back of the couch, kicking a pillow away.
"Toaster's broken," I grunted. "Trouble piss off!" I snapped at the tiger. He'd been pawing and prodding around me and at my shove growled to himself and wandered off, slumping down against a wall to sulk. Gat made a 'hmn' sound.
"Hey, it's no big thing, we got cereal-"
"Do I look like I want Fruity Pebbles?" I grouched sharply – from the corner of my eye I thought I saw Pierce and Gat exchanging glances but fuck them.
"I don't feel good I just wanted some god damn toast… too much to fucking ask…" I grumbled to myself. I could hear Gat's bare feet padding over the floor.
"It's aiight," he said steadily, like he was talking to a skittish horse, "I'll fix it."
I tore my gaze away from where I was furiously hunting for my shoes to watch him – and just in time to catch him lean in towards Pierce.
"Think she might be stressed-" he said with a wry grin. My nose crinkled and I sat down heavily onto the floor. Stressed. Oh sure, not like I had anything to be stressful about. After a moment I heard Pierce climb over the back of the sofa, sitting down just behind me and a heavy hand landed on my shoulder.
"Boss… you sure you okay?"
I didn't trust myself to speak, just squeezed my eyes shut and nodded. Pierce gingerly rubbed a hand over my back.
"Cos… if you need to talk about Carlos or-"
"No."
"…Did you ever get a checkup after the uh, boat thing?" He pressed, "'Cos you were really in some trouble there-"
I wanted to say something back but swallowed carefully instead, and Pierce kept talking.
"And you know what happens when you run yourself into the ground, right? Just… get yourself checked out."
"Pierce, I'm fine," I said and a gush of saliva filled my mouth. I quickly swallowed again, "Just need something to eat."
With that a plate was dropped down in front of me, four slices of buttered toast fresh and waiting, an unpeeled orange and a bottle of Seven-Up still cold from the bar. I blinked then looked up over my shoulder to see Johnny smirking at me; a wave of pure gratitude and adoration filled me then and I smiled back up at him. Did I say bastard before? I meant hero.
"Yo it's just toast, not the Hope Diamond," he said with a chuckle.
"Yeah but how am I supposed to eat the Hope Diamond?" I said, turning quickly back to my breakfast and cramming it into my mouth. Could use something saltier, olives maybe.
There was a beat of silence – I could feel Johnny studying me.
"You feelin' sick?" he asked flatly. I was halfway through washing the food down and was about to answer before my phone rang. I wrestled it from my pocket and checked the ID – Angel.
"Yeah?" I answered flatly.
"He's called me out."
I blinked, a half slice of toast crammed into my mouth, "Whhr? Whrrn?"
"I got the message just now."
I could hear him moving in the background, getting things together. I hurriedly chewed and swallowed, "Angel hold on a sec-"
"No! I've been waiting for this for too long."
I was up on my feet then, "At least till the crew gets there, you're walking into a trap-"
"I know it's a trap. But so long as I get to Killbane it doesn't matter."
"You really think he's gonna give you that chance?" I snapped down the line, "Cos y'know, Killbane is all about honor."
"You want me to sit on my hands till then!?"
I put a hand to my forehead, squeezing the pressure points on the bridge of my nose.
"…Half an hour," I said flatly, "Just gimme half and hour and we'll be there."
He grunted his reply before hanging up on me and I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, turning on Johnny and Pierce who were watching me expectantly.
"It's on?" Gat asked and I nodded.
"It's on."
The plan had been in place for a few days now. Everyone knew their jobs, and when they got the call, they were ready. Our scouts had been taking note of their operations. Kinzie had been monitoring their networks.
And now, everything was barreling into motion, as the Saints flooded Carver Island.
I tilted hard on my bike as I swept around a corner, eyes covered by huge aviators, hair wrapped up in a bandana, still trying to protect my identity. My 'death' had brought Killbane out of the woodworks and I wasn't giving up that advantage just yet. As I tore up the bridge towards Three Count, a slick black Vortex flicked around the corner and raced up beside me – Viola's car. I looked to the blacked-out windows and nodded, glaring ahead to the skirmish out the front of the Casino, a single figure in purple surrounded by Luchadors.
I accelerated hard, the front wheel almost lifting from the ground and I kept my head low, gripping the bike tightly with my legs as I aimed my specialized TK Urban, glaring down the sights and squeezing the trigger – BBRRRRTT BRRT BRRRRRRT!
The gun barely jolted in my hands as potholes of blood cracked open on the Luchadors – beside me Viola's Vortex purred as she picked up speed and whipped the car around, the side plowing into the crowd and her gun plucking off anyone she'd missed.
I slid to a stop, quickly flicking my aim to and fro as I finished them. I swung off my bike, going to where Angel would crouched and breathing heavily, a palm on the road. I hooked a hand under his shoulder.
"This is why I said wait, Angel," I chided. He didn't really need my help to stand, no matter how injured he looked. There were tears and cuts in his clothes, blood was running down an eye from an open gash on his forehead. Despite that he turned his fiery, bloodthirsty gaze on me.
"Why? I knew you'd come," he said, smiling slightly. Viola stepped out of her car, strutting over impatiently.
"So where is he?"
"Penthouse, I'll bet," Angel growled, turning to face Three Count.
"Resistance?"
"You bet."
I glared over my shoulder as the noise on the island began to rise, green trucks and purple cars starting to race around, gunfire echoing.
"Come on," I said, sticking another clip into my SMG, "Let's finish his ass."
Pierce revved the engine of the purple Criminal, charging forward into the thick of the operation; the Luchadors had been milling under one of the bridges, but startled, opened fire as soon as they saw the truck charging them. Pierce ducked behind the wheel as bullets cracked into the windshield and pinged around in the cabin, then heard the shouts and felt the heavy thuds as he ploughed over the thick mess of bodies.
"Fuck yeah!" voices shouted from the tray of the Criminal, "The Saints are here!"
He drew his gun and flung the door open as his crew jumped from the back, guns spraying bullets into their unprepared targets. The blitz was sudden and over in a matter of a minute, his backup already clambering back into the still-running truck and ready to hit the next site, Pierce climbing back into the drivers seat.
He pulled out his phone, hitting a speed dial number and impatiently putting the receiver to his ear as he tore off the grassy knoll and onto the street, tires screaming as he sped away.
"Sup Pierce?"
"Artemis, your crew done at the packin' plant yet?" he said quickly, glaring as he slid the car around a corner.
"Almost. A couple tried to get away, Little Sister's chasing them down."
"Stay on it," Pierce said, hanging up and dialing to check in with the rest of his crew, as they closed in on the next operation.
The giant robot clunked and turned, blocking the bridge up to Three Count as Luchador trucks began closing in. Inside the machine, Gat was glaring through the windshield, translucent displays flitting about before him as one of the targeting system locked on. He twisted the controls feeling more and more at home in the transformer as he went.
"Learn to drive stick…" he muttered sardonically, "Make the car a fuckin' robot and I will."
"Alert. Incoming hostiles detected," The computer warned kindly. Gat's glare darkened.
"Not a problem."
He twisted the controls, seeing the glowing crosshairs for the different weapons slide to the cars – bullets zipped past and pinged off the armor, some chipping the amber windshield. Gat chuckled darkly, thumb mashing down on the weapons controls.
The TATU lurched with a little recoil, the two thick cannons on it's 'shoulders' pulsing and firing the RPGs into the thick of the enemy. They dove out of the way, propelled by the huge firey explosions engulfing their bodies and burning them alive, only to be hit again as the trucks exploded, now blackened shells lifting from the ground, engulfed in flame. In a matter of seconds he'd all but vaporized the backup for the Luchadors trapped in Three Count; he grinned darkly at the smoking wreckage.
"Transform and roll out!" He chuckled (privately glad no one was around to hear it) and flicked the switches over the dashboard before him. The robots shuddered, whined and slid gracefully back into its vehicle mode, the drivers controls whirring back from an upright to a seats position. Johnny crunched his foot onto the gas pedal, expecting the car to leap forward-
It lurched, slowed, and then lazily rolled a few paces. He hit a palm on the dashboard cursing, gaze falling on the gas meter.
Empty.
"You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me…"
With an angry grunt he unhooked the lid of the 'cockpit' and clambered out, scowling and kicking the car.
"The mileage on this thing fuckin' sucks…"
There was a whistle by his ear so close he felt the wind cut, and a clanking thud as a silver throwing-star stuck in the plate armor of the TATU, quivering a moment before dropping to the ground with a light clink.
Gat turned sharply throwing his glare across the road, a glowering snarl when he realized who it was.
The three women were familiar; dressed in black, trimmed in yellow flags. The one on the right was twirling a sai in each hand – the left, a tall woman with what looked like a spear.
And in the middle… that tiny little bitch. For the first tiem Aiko Akuji was smiling laughingly at Gat as she stepped forward, the blades strapped to her forearms glinting in the morning sun.
"All this time, so many years, and you still make mistakes like a child," she jeered, the tiniest bubble of laughter kicking the end of her sentence. Gat's fists clenched hard.
"Must be pretty fuckin' humiliatin' to know your shithead brother got his punk-ass served to him by me then," he said, voice dry and dripping with sarcasm. In an instant the smile vanished from Aiko's face.
"Kyoko, Gracie," she commanded and the two women either side of her nodded, then sprung forward into a charge. But Gat drew before they saw it, and with two sharp BANGS each woman stumbled and dropped down, coughing, groaning, hands clutching the bullet holes in their chests. Gat snorted, shaking his head and smiling as he twirled his Shepherd around his index finger.
"Yo didn't your daddy ever tell ya not to bring a sword to a gun fight? Ohh wait that's right," he said thoughtfully then snapped her a cruel smile, "My girlfriend killed him. You know I forget shit like that sometimes."
Aiko's shoulders hunched and she began shaking with utter fury, slowly stalking forward. Johnny smirked even as he braced himself.
"What, you gonna cry? Go ask your big brother to come beat me up for ya? Ah no, you can't do that either huh?"
With a shriek she lifted her cast right arm, fingers flexing and the tiny gun barrel mounted on the back of her wrist fired- Gat gave a short bark of pain as the bullet carved a thick bloody gash into his right forearm, the suddenness of it making him drop his gun and clamp a hand over the wound.
Aiko lowered her weapon, smiling in spite of herself. It was a home made mechanism and only had one shot before it could be reloaded – she wished she hadn't wasted it with such poor aim. But guns were not her particular talent. Gat met her fierce glare with his own, ignoring the agony as he squeezed down over the wound to help stem the bleeding.
"Fine," he growled, "Let's end this you little cunt."
Shaundi patted her hip blindly for a full clip and swore, throwing the gun away when she realized she was out of ammo. She grabbed the knife strapped by her ankle, snarling as the pack of grinning Luchadors circled and started to close in.
"All outta ammo Ho?" one of them said with a smirk, his fingers twitching hungrily as he took in the tight clothes clinging to her shapely body, "You know I always wondered if you'd live up to that reputation of yours-"
Shaundi snarled as she warped her fear into aggression, fists clenching as the masked man launched at her-
There was a furious roar from above and a flash of white and crimson, blood suddenly spraying over the brickwork and Shaundi shielded her eyes as she was splattered with blood, cringing and looking up when it stopped raining red.
The Luchador was still standing, twitching, even with the giant sword cleft into his neck and down into his chest. With another roar the sword was ripped free and the banger crumpled to the ground, revealing Nyteblade standing behind him, fine locks of dark hair fluttering over smoldering eyes.
Shaundi's jaw dropped as he turned on the others, crimson cape swirling around his armor.
"You humans are predators too," he growled, "Swine-"
The Luchadors seemed too stunned and horrified to react for a moment, falling back as Josh launched at them, the guise of Nyteblade making him fearless. The sword hushed through the air and cut through assailant after stunned assailant. Managing to get her bearings Shaundi grappled for the gun from the Luchador body at her feet, sneering and firing as the mass of green-clad men tried to overpower Josh. Her bullets found their marks, cracking into the heads of those Josh hadn't cut down till the pair stood amongst a pile of crumpled, bleeding bodies.
'Nyteblade' turned to her then, stepping forward and in one swift move swept her up into his arms.
"My Love," he declared, as he began carrying her to safety "Did they hurt you?"
"For fucks sake put me down I'm fine," Shaundi said quickly, squirming in his grip and he obediently lowered her feet to the ground, though kept a firm hold on her. Shaundi looked at him incredulously, taking in the Knight's bloodstained, shining armor.
That's not even fair, she thought as her heart insolently fluttered against her will.
"You're fucking insane, you know that?" she accused, though her voice was wobbling and a hot blush was creeping onto her cheeks. She felt like she was in a Georgette Heyer novel…
Josh only swept a tendril of hair from her face, index finger trailing down to gently lift her chin.
"The curse of love will always come at that price," he said throatily. The adrenaline still hot and pulsing in her veins Shaundi scowled and pulled away-
Josh tugged back on her wrist just as firmly and he fell back into against his cuirass, palms against the ivory steel and she looked up into his face.
In a dramatic sweep he dipped her and captured her lips in a passionate, chaste kiss; Shaundi's surprise gave way to instinct, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing back even harder.
People through the casino were screaming, trying to escape as my Saints swarmed them, up-ending tables and destroying machines, and battling furiously with the Luchadors who tried to stand in our way.
Angel, Viola and I stuck close together as we pushed through, rounding the corner to the private elevator – I halted in front of it, realizing the lights were all out except for one red one, blinking above each shaft.
"Fuck!" I snapped and Viola all but stamped her foot.
"They've shut them down."
"No shit!" I barked back angrily – she took the attack with good grace though. I pulled my phone from my pocket, clicking a speed-dial number. Not even half a ring and Kinzie picked up.
"The building's in lockdown," I said quickly, jamming a thumb into my ear as Angel suddenly ripped a few rounds from his rifle into some Luchadors who'd tried to chase us. I had to shout the next part, "Can you take out their security from there?"
"Already on it. They've recoded the systems but I still have access points from before… just a moment…"
I felt my foot bouncing impatiently, eyes scanning the elevator for any sign of life. There was a gentle whirr, then the lights blinked on. The elevators doors dinged softly, sliding gently open. I grinned and spirited myself inside instantly.
"Thanks Kinz… and you said you weren't a deus-ex-machina!"
