Darkman's Ultimate Weapon
The dull lights glimmered from the factory buildings, casting eerie shadows from the darkness all across the landscape. The entire ambiance radiated with a cold, lifeless air.
Standing in one of the few well lit areas, two sides stood off in restless anticipation. On one side, the four members of Sparrow Corp., and the other, a group of 10 men-like machines.
"Look, more toys!" Kain said, resting his hands behind his head casually.
Jesse scanned the new enemies, trying to get an idea of what they were. "Well whatever they are, they aren't alive. It's like Battle Cove all over again." Jesse said, pulling his glasses from his coat.
"Well then my powers won't work on them. Unless they're alive, they can't see my illusions." Cassidy explained. "Well, there's always the old fashioned way." She stated, shouldering her spear.
"As long as they put up a good fight, I'm game." Victor said, cracking his knuckles.
"Well don't come crying to us if your arm snaps in two." His Vice-Captain retorted.
"Sure sure, I got it." Victor said haphazardly as he took the lead.
"So, are you bringing the fight to us or do we have to come and kick your asses over there?!" Victor called.
Even though these machines were by no means sentient, they seemed to react to Victor's words. They took a step forward, and another, each time getting faster and faster, shaking the ground like an earthquake as they charged.
"I think that just answered your question." Jesse said, preparing his revolvers.
"Alright! Lets do this!" Victor charged straight into the fray like a madman as the others spread out.
The nearest Techman reared back and threw a powerful punch, which Victor leaped over and ran up the length of the arm and delivered a kick to its face.
The machine took the blow and reeled, but other than that, it took no damage, confusing Victor. He tried again and delivered a quick barrage of spin kicks, which did little more than dent its body.
"You're tough." He said just before dodging its attempt to grab him, landing safely on the ground.
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In the background, the pirates' faces were plastered with sadistic grins.
"There's no way that you can beat the Techmen! They were created to take down warships! You'll be wiped out in seconds!" The men crowed.
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The metal beast raised its arm to smash the fishman to paste with tremendous force, causing a massive cloud of dust.
The dust cleared to reveal that Victor had sidestepped it by a hair.
"Phew, I can't let that hit me or I could be in some serious trouble." Victor set his stance. "Guess I'll have to use a bit more… force." He said, rearing back a fist.
"2000 Brick Seiken!"
The right straight drilled right into the Techman's chest, causing its thick armor to groan before it was sent flying backwards, taking two others along with it as they flew through a factory, causing it to crumble on top of them.
"There, that's more like it." He grinned.
"WHAT!" The entire group gawked with bugged-out eyes.
A Techman came up from behind Victor, pulling back a fist to crush him.
"What the hell are you doing!" Jesse flew in and slammed a flying kick into its face, knocking it off balance as it crashed to the ground.
"You can't just space out like that!" Jesse walked up and slapped him upside his head.
"Hehe, sorry." Victor laughed, scratching his head jovially.
"Would you guys stop messing around! There still more of them to deal with!" Cassidy shouted as she dodged a blow and threw her spear into its face, causing it to pierce all the way through its head. She leaped into the air and with a quick jerk, tore its head clean off as she landed on the other side.
Cassidy swung her weapon, tossing its head to the ground as it bounced away, scaring the pirates.
The Techman suddenly turned around, completely unaffected by its severed head as it reared back a fist and swung.
"What?" She said in surprise before she raised her spear to block as it knocked her back from its sheer force, causing her to roll backwards.
She managed to recover as she dug her spear into the ground, breathing deeply from the attack. "How can it still be working without a head?"
That really didn't matter anymore, as she was more angry than surprised. "Now you've pissed me off!"
She charged and with incredible grace, leaped into the air, spinning like an ice skater as her spear began to glow white.
"Crescent Slash!" A crescent streak of light passed through the Techman from the speed of her attack as she landed behind it in a crouched position.
The Techman she leaped over turned around and attempted to attack her when a series of scars began to appear on its body, causing it to fall apart from its own weight.
"Good job, Cassidy." Kain said with a wave as his clones swarmed the Techmen like ants, attacking with whatever they could get their hands on.
From under the rubble, the three Techmen that Victor had punched rose like zombies, still in working condition.
Victor whistled as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Well well, guess there are still a few remaining. It seems that the only way to take them down is to tear'em to pieces."
"Why are you acting so casual about it, Captain? These things aren't as easy as you are trying to make them out to be." Jesse growled as he landed next to him.
"Why are you getting so paranoid? They might be tough, but they're not something we can't handle." Victor said as he watched the three break their way out of the rubble and make their way towards the two.
"So… how do you want to take them down?" Victor asked.
"Hit'em hard…" Jesse spun his revolver cylinders and snapped them in place. "And hit'em fast."
"That's why you're my second." Victor cracked his neck a few times. "Lets go."
The two sides charged in a full sprint and with their combined strength, slammed their feet into the first Techman, knocking its torso from its arms, sliding on its body like a makeshift snowboard.
"That's one down." Victor said, crossing his arms casually.
"And two to go." Jesse said as he slammed his foot down, using the body like a springboard, sending them into the air.
"Sea Cutter!" Victor swung his leg, sending a blade of air that cut through both Techmen like a hot knife through butter.
Jesse cocked back his leg and thrust with powerful force. "Gustav!"
The following shockwave obliterated the two in an explosion of parts.
"Nice one." Victor said as the two landed, leaning to let the torso pass harmlessly by.
"I'd say so." Jesse stuck out his fist and they fistbumped, in which Victor grimaced.
"Careful, it's still broken."
"I know I know. I forgot for a second." Victor looked a little cross as he glared at his arm.
"Anyways, lets see how the other two are… doing?" Victor turned in surprise to see Cassidy and Kain sitting on a pile of scrap.
"What took you guys so long?" She asked, picking her nails with her speartip.
"Well well well, I wasn't expecting the two of you to take care of them so quickly." Victor said as he walked up to them.
"My hundred million berrie bounty isn't just for looks, you know." Kain stated with a rather playful grin.
"Fair enough." Victor replied with a grin.
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The audience couldn't believe what they were seeing. "What's happened, it's like this is some sort of nightmare. What kind of monsters are these people?" They began to say as their fear spread like wildfire.
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Standing on the roof of one of the factories, overlooking the fight, stood a man with short, wild, bright orange hair that waved from a passing wind that encompassed a freckled smirk.
"So not even the Techmen proved to be a threat to these new guys? Rather impressive, I must say." He snickered as he clenched a large metal clawed fist.
Captain Dex "The Razor"
Bounty: 33,000,000
"But against me, I hope that they'll last longer than a few minutes."
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Jesse suddenly picked up a presence.
"Watch out, guys. It looks like someone's been watching us."
The group turned to hear a single set of footsteps coming their way. A tall silhouette stepped into the shadow of a factory, purposefully keeping himself hidden from them.
"Ah, to think that I would meet such strong fighters so soon. Of course, not the smartest if you're attempting to attack my crew and think you can get away with it." Said a sinister voice.
"Just consider it retribution for wrecking our ship." Jesse stated, tightening his fingers on his guns.
"Ah, so you're from that tiny ship that we blew up last night. I'm surprised that you even survived, but your luck ran once I decided to fight." The voice boasted.
"Oh really? And what makes you say that?" Kain asked.
The man placed a large hand on the wall of the factory as the sound of metal cutting the air could be heard.
The voice stepped out, revealing itself to be a silver suit of armor. He was easily twice as tall as the Techmen and far more intimidating in appearance. If the Techmen were made in relation to a clock, Dex's armor was made in relation to a high-powered car. This was more prominently displayed with his back as it rumbled from an Inline-12 engine like an animated spine.
"Lets just say that I have my ways." He said, casually inspecting his claws like they were fingernails. Behind him, the factory started to shift, before it exploded suddenly into pieces as if it were cut by countless invisible blades.
"Ohhhhh." Kain said in a nod of being mildly impressed.
"Go get'em Captain Dex!" The men began to shout, cheering him on.
"All in good time. They're not going anywhere." Dex said with a small wave to his men as he returned his attention to the Sparrow Corp.. "Now who wants to die first?"
"Already thinking about killing us, and we just met." Kain quipped.
"It's just a courtesy." Dex replied. "But since Max's project is almost complete, I can't play around with you." The engine on his back roared as smoke filled the air as a myriad of blades exploded out of his armor and he launched at frightening speed.
"Look out!" Victor shouted as the group split as he stood his ground to intercept to charge.
Dex suddenly vanished in a black streak, appearing behind Victor, surprising the man with greater speed than expected of his size, towering over him like a Shinigami.
"One down." Dex said before swinging an arm of edged weapons down on the captain.
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Somewhere behind the wall, near a pile of rubble, a small patch of dirt shifted before a manhole cover shifted to reveal a hole as Duren's head popped out like a gopher, scanning the area for threats. After he surmised that it was clear, he climbed out and stuck his hand down, pulling his sister up as she took point with a rifle as Duren continued to assist a small squad of men and women, all armed with pistols, rifles, and swords. An interesting choice of attire for these members was that each were carrying a backpack that was busting at the seams.
"Ok, we're set. From what it sounds like, Victor and the others have them distracted. Getting inside Darkman's fortress should be pretty easy." He explained to the others underground.
"Don't you think this is a bit, underhanded?" Herc asked. Seeing that his massive frame was fitting, the tunnels must be rather large.
"I know this isn't your style of combat, Herc, but if we are to have any chance of putting down that maniac, we have to find this weapon of his and destroy it." Duren stated, shifting his pack with assurance. "You know the rest of the plan, right?"
"Of course. We won't let you down." Herc replied with a smile.
"Thanks, good luck." Duren extended his hand as Herc took it and they shook.
"Same to you." Herc said as he and the rest of the group left as Duren closed the manhole.
"Ready to go, Sis?"
"Lets do this." Was all she said before they moved out.
The group moved swiftly as the sounds of battle and explosions resonated in the distance. Their progress continued unimpeded as they neared the fortress.
To call this thing a fortress would be an understatement. Almost every inch of this building had a cannon sticking out of it, making a very imposing statement that it could and would destroy anything that approached it.
Luckily, it seemed that Darkman's forces were concentrated on, which Duren and the others were counting on as they reached the entrance.
Before them was a very long ramp that stretched into an opening that was large enough to fit an entire ship through it. Without any confrontation, they continued on stealthily as they ran up the ramp and continued into the fortress and stopped at the entrance as Veronica threw up a fist to signal them.
"Why're we stopping?" Duren asked.
"This seems too easy. I'm sure that Darkman would have at least SOME guards."
"I'm sure that he's focused on that Captain and his crew. He was strong enough to impress Herc so he might be giving Darkman a harder time than we thought." Duren explained.
Veronica didn't seem convinced, but maybe it was just her nerves. This is the closest they have ever been able to get to Darkman's place and she was worried that something wrong was about to happen.
"Come on, this may be the only chance we get." He prodded.
"Fine, but if anything looks strange, we're getting the hell out of here. Got it." She said.
"No problem. Now lets blow Darkman's dream to hell." He said with conviction, which was backed by the group.
They pushed farther inside, seeing that the place seemed just as foreboding as the outside. Large gears clanged together like wardrums, seemingly to scare away would-be intruders.
The noise also seemed to drown out the sounds of their invasion as they looked through every door and opening they could find, looking for anything that looked to be a weapon.
The fortress was absolutely massive, but still they searched, deeper and deeper. They had to find it and end Darkman's ambitions once and for all.
They finally reached a large metal door that seemed larger than the rest, large enough to fit something even bigger than the Techmen.
"This must be the place." Duren said as he and several men grabbed the handle and pulled with all of their might. At first, their efforts seemed fruitless until it finally started to move. Slowly and steadily, it widened and once it widened enough, they stopped, exhausted.
"That's one heavy door." One of the men gasped.
"Stop wasting time, lets destroy whatever's in there and get out of here." Veronica said as she and the others went in.
"Sure, right behind ya, Sis." Duren said as the men followed them.
The group stared in awe at what could only be described as an assembly line for Techmen. Parts as far as the eye could see and Techmen being autonomously constructed by mechanical hands. Indeed, this had to be his project that they heard about. He was building an entire army of these monstrosities. This army of killing machines would make Darkman unstoppable. They had to be destroyed.
"Ok, we don't have much time. Lets make this quick." And the group split apart, running alongside the assembly line, tossing their bags into any crevice they could find. In minutes, they returned to the entrance.
"Good, everything is set. Lets get out of here." Duren said.
"Leaving so soon, HaiHai?" Came a woman's voice.
"Who's there?" Duren demanded as they all looked around to locate the sound.
A large metal hand grasped the edge of the massive door and pulled it open with little effort, revealing a giant shadow.
"What the hell?" Everyone said as they backed away in fear.
Duren regained his composure quickly to not let his team fall into panic. "Fire!" He commanded as they all began to shoot their guns and cannons rapidly.
This courageous barrage unfortunately seemed to be nothing more than dust blowing at the machine.
In a flash, the members were soundly and individually crushed by her massive arms.
One of the few remaining members fell to the ground in fear, staring at the carnage in disbelief as the machine raised its arm high over its head, fingers extended like claws.
Either out of desperation, he grabbed his weapon and began to scream as he fired at the arm as it was brought down on him with tremendous force, crushing him and the ground around him.
"You monster!" Duren charged the arm, raising his sword to strike, but was swatted away like a fly, flying into a wall as blood flew from his mouth as he collapsed.
"Brother!" Veronica cried out as the fingers slammed down around her like prison bars.
"Ah ah ahhhh." The robot said to the girl.
"Veronica." Duren groaned as he struggled to stand, seeing his sister in danger.
"I was hoping that you would come." Said Maximilian as he came from behind the robot, looking rather smug as he ran his fingers through his. "Thank you, SiSi."
"HaiHai, No problem, Boss." The robot said with a girly salute. In stark contrast to the rest of machinations, this one was… pink. Not forgoing its colorful nature, it was very much built like a slender, more proportionate humanoid with what could only be described as flower petals around its waist.
"Darkman, you bastard!" Duren growled as he started to make his way, the only thing keep him from collapsing was the pure hatred he had for the man.
"Ah Duren."
The man was suddenly shot in his left shoulder, sending him reeling as he fought for balance.
Veronica gasped as smoke rose from the pistol in Max's hand.
"I thought that you would have been smart enough to see that this was a trap. Guess I was wrong." He snickered as he turned to Veronica as the robot removed its fingers. With little regard for her permission he grabbed her face in his hand as he pulled her closer to him. "But it was all worth it if you were to come as well, My Love."
Veronica slapped him across the face, leaving a large red handprint. "How dare you say that after killing Ruben." She scowled.
Darkman retained his grin, despite the stinging pain.
"Even if you are angry at me, there's nothing that you can do that will stop me from loving you." He said as he returned his attention to Duren.
"Thank you from bringing her back to me. For that, I am truly grateful." Max said as he readied his pistol again.
Duren simply chuckled as he looked at the man. "Did you think that we didn't come prepared?" Duren said as he pulled out a switch, with his thumb resting on the button. "We planted more than 1000 pounds of explosives all over this room. One press of this button and your entire dream goes up in flames along with the rest of us." Duren claimed.
Despite his bravado, Max was less than afraid. In fact, his grin seemed to grow even wider. "Do you think blowing up a roomful of toys will stop me? Aha Aha! You're an even greater fool than I thought."
"What?" Duren said in confusion.
"I provided your spies with false information that my masterpiece was almost complete. In fact, I've been finished for months."
The two could only display complete shock at the man's words.
"It was all a trick to lure us here?" Veronica said.
"No, it was all to lure YOU here." Max explained, gesturing to her. "If I am to rule this world. I will need to have a Queen."
"You bastard." She spat.
"You won't be saying that for long. Now that I wield the greatest power this world has ever witnessed!" He spread his arms wide in declaration.
….?
A stray wind blew, causing the long pause to feel even more agonizingly long.
"Huh?" Everyone said, tilting their head as a question mark popped up.
Max began to sweatdrop before clearing his throat as he calmly walked over to a tube.
"HEY! Didn't you hear me! You're ruining my moment!" He shouted, breaking his calm demeanor.
"Sorry Darkman-sama!" A voice cried out.
"Do it right now or I will have you shot!"
"Yes sir!"
Suddenly the entire room began to violently shake.
"What's happening?" They asked.
"You see now. You're already INSIDE my masterpiece." Darkman proclaimed once again as he spread out his arms.
The fortress continued to shake, tearing away from the ground as large cracks across the land. The Cliffside with the spears broke away to reveal it to be another part of the fortress.
The fortress actually started moving away from the ground, revealing itself to be a massive ship, far larger than anyone has ever conceived of.
Max began to laugh manically as the shaking began to calm down. "Aha Aha Aha! Now do you finally see? After five years, thousands upon thousands of ships, and countless lives were consumed in the creation of this craft of absolute destruction! One truly befitting of my genius! A creation of such power that all will soon cower in fear of. As such, its name fits that of the Lord of Death, HADES!" He bellowed with laughter.
"You truly are a monster." Duren growled.
"Call me what you will. You will soon be dead anyway." Darkman raised his pistol again, focusing on Duren.
"Nooo!" Veronica cried as she tried to stop the madman.
A gunshot rang in the air, echoing throughout the room.
"Ahhhh!" Darkman screamed in agony as he clutched his hand.
"You won't kill Duren!" Shouted one of the men, his beaten body struggling to hold onto life. Others also began to rise, aiming their weapons at Darkman. "Not if you die first!"
Darkman suddenly became quite afraid as he shrieked. "Save me, SiSi!"
"HaiHai!" Sisi appeared in a flash despite her size, stopping all of the bullets with her body.
"Run Duren! You and the Boss get out of here while we hold them off!" The survivors shouted as they continued to shoot, keeping SiSi at bay.
Duren didn't waste time as he ran and grabbed Veronica's hand as they started to run towards the exit.
"No! Don't let her get away!" Darkman commanded.
"But if I move, Boss, you'll be shot!" She answered.
"Then pick me up!"
Veronica and Duren had almost made it to the exit before one of the men went flying passed him.
"Come on! Don't die on me!" Duren shouted, shaking the man.
"Run… we can't hold her off for much longer." He groaned.
"But…" Duren began.
"It's ok, we knew that this might happen. Many of us have already died in order to stop him. This might be our last chance." The man reached out and grabbed the switch that Duren still clutched. "Go, we'll make sure that he doesn't follow you."
"Thank you, my friend." Duren and Veronica took off as the man clutched the switch.
The man let out a sigh as he raised the switch, seeing the last line of defense fall at the hands of the giant.
"Hey Darkman." He said as he snickered. "See you in hell."
The entire room erupted into a series of explosions that engulfed them in a wave of fire.
Duren and Veronica were nearly knocked off their feet from the shockwave, but they didn't stop. It wouldn't happen today, but they would avenge their fallen friends.
In the distance, they could see the exit. Soon, they would be home free.
The sounds of heavy footsteps were coming from behind them and closing in fast.
They looked back to see SiSi and Darkman had survived the blast.
"Oh no, they're coming. We're not gonna make it." Duren growled, seeing no chance at getting away.
Veronica saw this and contemplated the only option they had left. She pulled her hand free and turned to face them.
"What are you doing!" Duren shouted.
"The only thing I CAN do." She stated as she spread out her arms as a means to block SiSi.
SiSi stopped, casting her shadow over the woman, presenting a very intimidating figure despite her girish appearance.
"So, you finally came to your senses. You realize that it is impossible to escape." Darkman snickered as he looked down from upon SiSi's hand.
"I know that running is useless. We surrender." She said, although she displayed no fear in her voice.
Darkman nodded as he closed his eyes in smug satisfaction as he listened to her.
"However…" Veronica reached for a pistol in her clothes and placed it against her head. "There are conditions."
Everyone immediately panicked when they saw this.
"Sis, no!" Duren shouted.
"No My Love! Don't shoot!" Darkman cried out.
"I won't as long as you listen to my demands." She said. Strangely, despite everything that had transpired, Veronica had complete control of the situation.
"Of course, anything you want." Darkman said, trying to sound as appeasing as possible.
"As the situation is, our forces are completely devastated. And so, as the Leader, I simply wish for the remaining members of our village to be left in peace and for you to leave this island at once. If you can promise that, then I am yours."
"WHAT!" Duren and Darkman said again in shock.
"I see. Your spirit is very strong, which is why I fell in love with you in the first place. If that is all you want, then I shall grant your request." Darkman said, regaining his composure.
"Good, because at this point, my life is more valuable to you than me. So if you welch on our agreement..." She pulled the hammer back so show her intent. "I will pull the trigger." She swore.
"No harm will come to them. I swear." He answered.
"Duren, get out of here. Now." She commanded.
"I'm not leaving you here with that maniac!"
"DUREN!" She said more forcefully this time. "That is an order!"
Duren clenched a fist in anger and helplessness, but quickly ran towards the exit.
"Now that I have fulfilled my end of the bargain…" He leaped down and beckoned her with his hand, victory clear in his eyes.
A lone tear trailed down her face as she dropped the gun, extending her hand to his.
"Goodbye… everyone."
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A/N
Ah, such a tragic ending. Maximilian Darkman has claimed Veronica as his prize and has created a ship of indescribable size and power. Will the Sparrow Corp. be able to rescue her and stop Darkman, or will Dex be too much for them? Has anybody figured out who the villains are based on? More is yet to come.
P.S.
Working with an artist about getting my characters drawn. Victor will be the 1st and I can't wait to see him brought to life.