Chapter 9: A Conflict of Interests
She calmy stood over Rosa's body. It was just another day on the job. Some broad had busted down the door and busted up a patron. The only right answer was to dispose of the problem as soon as possible. What she didn't expect was that the broad could defeat Crow.
Bibi knelt to Crow's face, "Yo, bird-brain." She tapped his cheek with the back of her hand. His pained moans were the only response he could muster, "Who's the dame?"
Crow's eyes cracked open, "Nnn…"
"Hey, stay with me. Don't have much info here."
Crow shakily brought his hand up, Bibi allowed his head to rest in her lap. "They…" he clutched his stomach.
"Come on, master assassin. Don't give up yet." Her tone wasn't pleading, it wasn't demanding. It sounded like she was making a simple request. Though seeing Crow defeated was unsettling, she didn't have time to panic. "What happened?"
Crow reached up to her face, "They… have… N-"
"Knives? New technology? Nasal allergies?"
"Shut up…" Crow took a shaky breath, "They have… Nita-" Bibi bolted up. Allowing Crow's head to bounce off the ground, provoking another pained groan.
"My baby!" Bibi looked around the circle of people. Her eyes searching for the white and black pelt she gifted her. The sheer girth of the people gave her no vision past the surface. She slammed her bat on the ground, "Everybody out!"
The people started to slowly shift out the main door. Their feet dragging as they complained about missing the show. Bibi grew tired of they're complaints. She bashed the ground with her bat, roaring, "I said out!" Her enraged state motivated the customers as they hurried out the front door. As they ran away, Bibi's eyes frantically searched the newly opened room.
Nita was currently squirming in her brother's arms. She could easily overpower him but any tactics she could implement would wind up hurting him. He hadn't done anything to hurt her. In her opinion, he was just a big meany.
"Put me down!" Her legs were kicking the air aggressively.
"Why do you even wanna stay here?"
"I'm having fun."
"You are such a baby."
Nita pouted at his insult, clenching her eyes shut as she screamed at him. "Let me go!"
Leon didn't give her a response.
"I said!"
"Let her go."
Leon froze in place, the woman's voice piercing the noise of the people rushing out of the diner. He looked over his shoulder, the woman standing behind him looked slightly taller than the bird he met just a few moments ago. He placed Nita down slowly, turning to face the woman. "Who are you?"
Bibi brandished her bat, "I'm her mother."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You heard me," she placed the bat on her shoulder. "Got a problem with that?"
Leon pinched the brim of his nose, "Listen, usually I would have a little talk or something. Maybe try to intimidate you but I'm already sick of this place so let's cut to the chase." He put his hands in his pockets, "I'm taking her home. And there's nothing you can do to stop me."
Bibi laughed at that, "Really. You and what booster seat?"
Leon's patience was exhausted, "Looks can be deceiving." He sent out four blades with a flick of his wrist. Each aimed at her face. Bibi easily brought her bat up, the blades lodging into her metal barrel. She pulled them out quickly then prepared for a rush, only to find Leon had disappeared.
She didn't see him phase behind her, his fist landing a thunderous punch to the back of her head. He winced when he felt his knuckles going numb. Hitting her skull was like punching cinderblock.
She absently scratched her head, nonchalantly turning around with a smug smile. "Not bad," she brought up her bat. "Now it's my turn."
She turned with the torque of a slingshot, her bat cracking the wind around it as she obliterated Leon with a home run swing. The force of the impact lifted Leon off his feet, the boy flying into a nearby booth and smashing through the table.
The polished wood splintered into dangerous jagged boards that sliced Leon's skin and hoodie. He didn't make a noise as he fell unconscious in the rubble.
Without missing a beat Bibi turned to Nita. Desperately asking, "Nita, sweetheart, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" She inspected every aspect of the child just as the mother she believed she was.
"Leon?" Nita's head tried to turn to the rubble her brother was buried under. She couldn't comprehend what she just saw. Her brother had been utterly destroyed by the raw power of Bibi's attack.
"Don't worry baby, that boy won't bother you ever again." She took Nita's hand, "Let's get you inside."
Nita pulled back, "But that's my brother."
Bibi winced at the information. She looked back at her handy work; the boy's hand was the only part of him not buried under the wood. She sheepishly turned to Nita, "Are you sure that's your brother?" Nita responded with a tiny nod, "Don't worry. I didn't give it everything I had. And if he's half as tough as you, he'll be fine."
She was lying. She didn't know who the boy was, she didn't care. All she could comprehend was her little girl's frustrated screams. Her body moved on its own, her swing was aiming to slice the boy in half.
Nita reached out to the rubble, "Leon?"
"Hey, sweetheart." She grabbed her attention, "You know I love you right?"
"Uh-huh."
"And you know I would never do something without your best interest in mind."
"I guess."
"Then do you believe me when I say that I didn't know he was your brother." Bibi's heart stopped beating, she needed a response.
Nita nervously looked back at the rubble. "I believe you."
Bibi let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Now since you trust me, I need you to go inside."
"But-"
"No buts. It's not-" her voice was cut off abruptly as three miniature explosions cracked against her back. The last word Nita heard her say was a groaning, "Safe." Then her body was engulfed in smoke.
Nita stretched a shaky hand outward, "Mama?"
"Little one," Nita turned her head at the familiar voice. Bo was briskly jogging toward her, "Don't worry. I'm here now."
Nita's eyes were glossy, "Y-You?"
Bo noticed the tenor of her voice, "That's right, I'm here. There's no need to cry." Nita tried to say something, but Bo cut her off, "Where is your brother. He rushed in before I could enter." She shakily pointed at the rubble, Bo understood completely. He began to pull the chipped wood away, his hands searching the pile for a sign of Leon. "Nita, quickly. We must dig him out."
Nita was unresponsive. She had her eyes locked on the cloud of smoke, the last place she saw Bibi. "Mama?" She walked over to the billows, "Mama?" Her voice was soft and hoarse. Like every nerve in her body was trying to help her speak. She dropped down to her knees, her hands dipping inside the smoke. "Ma-ma?" She felt around for her corpse. No one survived Bo's arrows, she knew it was over. The last thing she wanted was to say goodbye. The tears now slowly rolling down her face.
But her hands never found a body, the only feeling running through her fingertips were the cold wood floor. "Mama?" Nita waved the cloud away. Her suspicions were correct, Bibi was not on the ground. She was nowhere in sight. Her head scanned the room while her mind formed a few questions. 'Did she survive? How did she survive? Where did she go?'
She looked back at Bo, maybe he missed her? Or maybe his arrows were weaker than usual? Her answer came in the form of a charred purple jacket. The cloth singed as its wearer's body seemed to move in slow-motion. Her metal bat locked and loaded as she stood over Bo. Nita's heart stopped, in a split-second decision she screamed, "Wait!"
The sound of her voice snatched Bo's attention. He turned to see Bibi standing over him, a deadly glare in her eyes. His hands just got up to his face in time, her bat crackling like lightning against his limbs. He felt his body fly backward, unable to stop his momentum.
As Bo flew away, Bibi turned to Nita. "Get inside!"
Nita didn't listen to her command. She ran ahead of Bibi, blocking her path. "Don't hurt them."
"What?" Bibi dropped to her level, "He tried to kill me."
"I know… but he doesn't know you like I do." Bibi stared into Nita's eyes. Those white husks that showed so much emotion. She could see a little water forming in the corners.
Bibi looked back in Bo's direction. Her eyes widening as she scooped Nita up in her arms. The two girls rolled into a nearby table, propping it up for cover. Nita watched as several explosions rocked the area they were previously standing at. Then another volley crashed against their table. Bo's deep voice called to them, "Coward!"
Bibi called back, "Who you calling a coward?"
"To think, first you kidnap a child, then you hold her for ransom, and now you use her as cover." Bo prepared another volley, "Have you no shame?"
"Cover?" Bibi asked Nita to move further behind the table, "You shot at us."
"I shot at you." Another arrow collided on the ground beside them, "Then you took her with you behind that wall. Do you still plan to use her as leverage?"
Bibi scoffed at the accusation, "Nita." The young girl stared up at Bibi, "No matter what you hear, stay behind this table." Bibi stepped into the open. Bo knocked three of his explosive arrows. Bibi took off her purple jacket, her pink undershirt squeezing close to her frame. She tied the garb around her waist, a tiny pink bubble blowing from her mouth. "Let me make myself clear." The bubble grew to the size of her body. Bo watched as the giant pink ball bounced on the floor a few times. He noticed Bibi readying another swing, "I don't need a hostage."
Bibi swung with all her might, launching the ball in Bo's direction. He scoffed at the ridiculous attack. In his eyes, it was just a ball of spit. He slowly brought an arm up to block the attack. He wouldn't be moved by a bubble.
The ball collided with him, the warm squishy substance conforming to his palm. He watched as the ball didn't stop at his hand, it seemed to encompass him; wrapping around his arm and working its way to his shoulder. It started as a warm feeling similar to room temperature water. That warm feeling quickly shifted into a writing pain that rocked his body. His instincts told him to recoil away from the ball but it was too late.
His entire body was engulfed in the gum. He could feel pulses of electricity coursing through his veins. Like all the pain he ever felt in his life was flowing through him once again. Then just as soon as the pain came, it went away. The ball of gum flying past his body and deeper inside the diner.
Bo fell to a knee; he hadn't felt such torture in his life. He couldn't begin to describe this feeling verbally, but he would have to search for the words later. For now, he gripped his bow refocusing on Bibi.
While he was writhing in pain, she made an advance. The woman was now just a few feet away from him. He fired three shots her way, each arrow aimed at her chest. She brought her bat upward allowing the arrows to collide with her bat.
Bo reached back for more ammunition, but he was too slow. She had gotten directly on top of him. Releasing another monstrous swing aimed at his head. He narrowly dodged the attack, choosing to switch to melee combat.
His grip on his bow made for an excellent punching fist, a stiff jab at her cheek hitting its mark. He realized his mistake when she turned her cheek into his punch. Her enraged grimace looking past his attack.
She tried to land an elbow, but he was able to weave away. He only gained distance from her for a second. She pushed the aggressive, landing a clean punch into his heart.
The two continued to trade blows. Each partaking in the damage the other was dishing out. Bibi however had the upper hand; Bo was not made for close range encounters, but Bibi strived on hand-to-hand combat. She absorbed his blows with ease, sending back double the force without trying.
Bo landed a solid punch to the gut, then watched in horror as she gripped his forearm; driving the punch deeper into her core. "All those muscles and the kid hits harder than you." She grinned up at him, landing a clubbing blow to his skull.
While Bo tried to recover from the attack Bibi prepared another strike. When he finally recovered, Bibi slammed him with a major league swing to the liver. A giant glob of saliva flying from Bo's mouth as his eyes went blank. She let him lay on the ground, the chieftain gasping for air as she dug her foot into his shoulder blades. "Buru told me about you. Bo, Powerful Chieftain of Ardacian Village." Her bat rose high above her head, aimed at his skull. "You don't look tough from up here."
Just as she was about to deal the finishing blow, her legs gave out from under her. A warm feeling running down her calves. She shifted back, checking her legs and inspecting the blood escaping her body. She looked to the source, her hands ripping out a few small razor blades from each leg.
"Hey… Hubba Bubba" a shaky voice called from behind her. She turned to see the boy she blasted away standing again. His green hoodie riddled with cuts and tears from climbing out the rubble. He took his lollipop out his mouth to spit out a wad of blood, "You hit like a bitch."
Bibi's rage was palpable. The pain in her legs was an after-thought. Now she wanted to put this kid down. She rushed forward like a muscle car, the air popping with her speed. Leon easily jumped backward to gain some distance. As she drew closer, he used his razor blades to deter her offensive.
He soon noticed that she was not going to give up. He planted his feet and placed his hands in his pockets. Bibi swung for his head, the boy easily leaning back to duck it. She quickly shifted for an overhead smashing attack but the boy just walked away; allowing the bat to crack the floor under it.
He lazily continued to bob and weave with her attacks. Her rage was getting the better of her, she attempted another wild power swing but once again missed wildly. Leon's hands left his pockets, blades appearing between his fingers. When she saw him launch them forward, she quickly threw her arm up in the way. The gushing blood was suspended in the air as the pain started to register.
When she got hit from a distance, she could barely feel his attacks. Now it felt like she was shot by an assault rifle. Leon watched as her teeth ground together, fighting the pain so she could continue attacking. Her attacks grew more sporadic, the desperation clear in her strikes.
He returned to dodging, his hands behind his head as he casually avoided her attacks. She took notice, increasing in speed and power in hopes to decapitate the kid. He smoothly jumped away from her, his soft landing like that of a feather on the grass. Bibi growled, "Running away?" Leon placed his hands in his pockets again. Bibi's blood was boiling, "Fine, I'll just keep swinging till you slip-up. Then…" she got her weapon ready, holding it to her side. "Your ass is grass."
Just as she dashed forward, another set of explosions rocked her back. This time she was able to stand strong, her adrenaline rush was like temporary steroids enhancing her endurance. Her eyes were strained as she looked into the darkness, the image of Bo could be seen slowly rising from the floor. "Did you forget about me?"
"Oh, don't worry, I'll deal with you later."
Leon launched a set of blades into her upper back, "No, you'll deal with us… now."
Bibi pulled the blades out quickly, a small bit of flesh hanging from each wound. She stood with her eyes bouncing between the two targets, her breath was raspy. Her arms were feeling heavy. She tried to form a plan, one option would be to run after the boy. She was just a little slower than him, but she was sure that they could outspeed the older man. Maybe during their bout, she could gain some distance from him and handle the boy alone.
Another idea would be to rush the larger man. He was not very light on his feet. It would be easy to rush him down, but the boy wouldn't hesitate to attack her from behind. She didn't see an easy way out of this fight. There wasn't a clear way to win. But she refused to give up, she wouldn't dare lose her baby girl.
Leon leaned his body forward, Bo followed suit. Bibi could feel their growing aggression, the final attack was coming. For now, she would need to be defensive. It was the safest option.
Just as Leon made a move toward her an explosive gunshot rang through the diner. All action froze as they stared at the source. A large man stood by the bar, a giant shotgun with three barrels aimed at the ceiling. He rested the gun on his shoulder, "If you're with the government or the church get the hell off my property."
Hearing his voice triggered something in Bo and Leon. "Bull," they snarled.
Bull squinted his eyes, "Do I know you?"
Bibi heard a low growl beside her. The same sound she heard two nights ago when Nita went berserk. Her body turned on its own, desperately looking for her daughter to save her from herself. Instead, she saw the green hooded boy low to the ground. His teeth weren't sharp like Nita's, but his animalistic snarl was chilling. "You."
"Me?" Bull's demeanor was bored.
"You stole from us."
"For the love of… Do you people have any idea how little that narrows it down? You can't even comprehend how many people I steal from within a week. Be more specific."
Leon flashed eight blades under his palms, their metal teeth like the claws he wasn't born with. "You stole her from me!"
Bull's eyes widened, a lazy smile stretching across his lips. "Leo~"
"It's Leon!" he flew like a nuclear missile, his body morphing into a green blur. Bo tried to stop him but he was too late. Every muscle in his body was flexing as it prepared for a fight. He appeared like a mirage in front of Bull, the larger man's eyes rolling down to observe the boy. His smile was like a toxin to Leon's mind. Without thinking, he launched every blade in his hand into Bull's core. He was ready for the splatter of blood to stain his face, but his blades never sank deep enough.
He watched in horror as Bull's giant build seemed to absorb his weapons, practically sucking them in then depositing them on the floor. He could just barely make out a few droplets of blood dripping from the wounds. He shakily looked up at the monster, his smile now unsettling warm. He calmly reached out to the boy, caressing his tiny head in his massive palms. Leon could feel each of his fingers wrapping around his skull, his grip soft and careful. With that haunting smile, he sweetly stated, "I like you."
Leon's body was frozen, his muscles in shock as his mind tried to process what he just witnessed. Then a new feeling took over, the giant knee of Bull driving itself into Leon's stomach. He could feel the lunch he had at Tara's Bazaar trying to come back up.
Bull released his head, the boy bending over as he clutched his caved in guts. He desperately heaved for air, until the crushing feeling of metal smashing against his back crippled him on the floor. Bull calmly stood over the boy as he inspected his gun's barrel. There weren't any dents or damage to be seen, he assumed the boy wasn't as tough as he thought.
He turned to the remaining fighters, "If this is Diddy." He picked the boy up by his hoodie, his body nearly lifeless as he tried to gather his breath. Bull effortlessly threw Leon at Bo's feet. "You must be Donkey."
Bo was silent. He had never felt a presence like this before. A being that possessed so much power, that commanded so much respect with just his stare. The woman he was fighting slowly made her way beside Bull, the larger man looking her over before telling her she'll be fine. He heard him say, "You've had worse." To think these city dwellers had partaken in worse battles. It was unnatural, even by his standards.
Bo finally worked up the strength to speak, "My name is Bo."
Bull refocused on the man, Bibi standing tall at his side. "I know who you are."
Leon slowly rose as Bo continued to talk with Bull. "Then you know why we're here." Everyone remained quiet for a second, Bo broke the silence. "Give us Nita."
Bibi stepped forward, "Never gonna happen. Now get out!"
Bull raised a hand, the girl quietly (though angrily) retracting from the conversation. "Why should I do that?'
Leon shakily responded, "We had… a deal."
"And the deal changed, next argument."
Bo spoke up, "You stole her from us. Kept her here against her will. And now you refuse to let her return home."
Bull couldn't help but laugh at his statements, "First, yes, my men stole Nita from her home village. Second, you're half right, I was keeping her here, but I think we both know she could have broken out any day." Bo and Leon thought about that fact. Bull saw their contemplation, but he didn't stop his expositional onslaught. "Finally, I'm not forcing her to stay."
Leon and Bo cringed at the thought. The boy openly voiced his disdain, "Lies."
"I've told lots of lies in my life. This… is not one of them."
Leon grit his teeth, "Lies. Lies! Lies from a man with no morals."
"Fine if you don't believe me, ask her yourself." Bull cupped his hands around his mouth, "Nita. Nita~. Come on out I know you're watching. Why don't you tell 'em what you told us?" The room was silent. Bibi looked to where she left Nita, there was no sign of the girl. "Tell 'em all about how bored you were at home. How much more fun you've had at the diner."
A shuffling could be heard in the dark. A body slowly stepping out into the open. They all watched as Rosa made her way to the center. She clutched her stomach as a little blood could be seen staining her clothes and hair. Bull was confused, "Who the hell are you?"
Rosa didn't give him a verbal response; she simply spat some blood in his direction. "Don't listen to him." Her words were directed to her allies, "I've seen his type before. Smooth talkers that like to play with your insecurities. They can make you believe anything by attacking what you hate to accept."
Bull chuckled from her rational analysis, "And I've seen your type a hundred times. Overly-optimistic and unwilling to accept the truth."
"Tch. We're not here to talk." Rosa flexed her muscles, the vines wrapped around her body expanding to conform with her physique. "If you won't give her to us. Then we'll take her back."
Bibi clicked her tongue while Bull just smiled at them. Leon was back on his feet, the boy standing beside Bo with Rosa at his side. Bull's eyes casually scanned the diner, then returned to their three opponents. "Before we start, introductions are in order." He pointed his finger at them, "The boy is Leo."
"Leon," he coldly responded.
"Leo," he continued with a smirk. "That means you're Bo. And the muscle girl at your side is…?"
"Like I'd ever tell you my name."
Bull's laughter grew, "Oh trust me, I'll find out. Now allow me to introduce myself. I am Bull, owner of Bull's diner and the underground ruler of Retropolis. This is my cousin, Bibi. She's-"
Rosa cut him off, "A pain in my ass."
Bibi snickered, "How's your head feeling?"
"Oh, you're gonna know how it feels in a second."
Bull stopped their argument, "Ladies please, introductions are not over. Allow me to finish." Bo was confused, there were only two people ahead of him. Leon and Rosa knew what he meant, their heads searching for the final member. "That…" three blades lodged themselves in Bo's back. Rosa quickly removing them before the poison could seep in.
A dark figure leaped over their heads landing beside Bull. He pointed to the human-bird hybrid, "…is Crow. My faithful assassin." Bull inspected Crow's body; some bruises were visible under the collar of his leather jacket and quite the shiner was forming on his left eye. "Hell happened to you?"
"Rosa," the bird lowly responded.
"What?"
"The large woman's name is, Rosa."
Bull looked at her, a few leaves falling from her afro as she helped Bo up. "Fitting." Bo, Leon, and Rosa stood at the ready; their team seemed slightly more damaged from the fights they participated in. Though Bibi and Crow were damaged just as much if not more. However, Bull was fresh as a daisy. "Now that introductions are out of the way, are we ready to play?"
The diner fell silent, all motion coming to a halt. The few kitchen staff members that stayed to watch were frozen with fear. One person tried to retreat bumping into a rack of dishes. The sound of metal pots crashing against the ceramic flooring was the trigger for their bout.
Crow instantly leaped upward, his body disappearing in the rafters. Leon followed him, using the stage equipment as a booster. They were no longer visible. On the ground, Rosa slowly walked to the side, her approach calm and careful. Bibi matched her movements, walking with her bat at the ready.
They clashed with a thunderous amount of force. Rosa's rock-hard fist slamming against the barrel of Bibi's bat. Bo prepared an arrow to assist her, but a few metal pellets assaulted his body. The high-velocity projectiles pierced his skin, but they couldn't do much damage.
He turned to the source, Bull whistling softly as he approached him. "Even from that distance lesser men would have fallen to my Triple-Barrel." He cocked his gun, three steaming shells bouncing to the floor. "This should be fun."
A/N: Oh Boy things are getting spicey. So spicy in fact, I decided to drop Chapter 10 on the same day. (Also Chapter 10 is kinda short so I felt bad for releasing it on a separate day.)
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