Torren IV, Present
The sun glared down across the desert, roasting the land as grains of sands trinkled along the faint wind. A small purple vermin with crabby legs and bulging orange eyes, traversed the sand. Until a boot slams down next to it, letting out a frighten squeak and quickly skittering away. In the far distance stood a small town bustling with species, a single building standing out the most near the edge. The figure watches for a moment, before beginning their trek towards town.
A slam echoes throughout the bar as one of the patrons is forced against a bar table, grimacing in pain. They we're a green amphibian-like alien with large purple eyes on the side of their head, along with a three finger claw firmly pressing down on them. Above the green creature stood another species, sharing similar appearances as a crocodile with a twisted smirk.
"Bet you thought you could get away, huh?" The crocodile barks out a laugh. "Haha! Hauled you right in didn't I!"
Similar crocodiles with different shades of colour gathered around the poor creature. Each striking fear into the green creature with a toothy grin. The other patrons in the bar barely glance over, minding their own business and happily drinking away.
"L-Look what do you want, bolts? Nefaribucks? I c-can get you both!" The green creature shakily utter out.
"The price on your head will do us just fine." The crocodile gives the frightened young creature a sharp smile.
The green creatures eyes widened. "P-Price? What price?"
The crocodile slaps a poster onto the table with the green creature on it. "The one Emperor Nefarious has on you pal!"
Their eyes shrink at the sight of the poster and stiffen in fear at the name. "E-Emperor Nefarious!?"
"I don't know what you did and I hardly don't care." The crocodile pulls out a large knife, scraping against the green creature. "He didn't say we couldn't ruff you up a bit though."
The green creature trembles at the knife scraping across its face, threaten to cut any moment. The crocodile laughs in amusement as their friends watch with eagerness. The knife looms closer and closer towards the green creatures purple eye-
*ZZZPPT*
Suddenly the a hissing sound of the bar entrance slides open, revealing a new figure standing six feet tall. The whole bar goes quiet as they turn their attention to the new arrival. The crocodiles halt their torment, glaring at the figure for interrupting. The green creature purple eyes widen at the sight in front of them.
Standing at the entrance was a mechanical looking person, strapped in bulky red armour from their chest and down to their arms. Yellow tape drapes across their thigh and the left side of their body, slightly covering the black fabric beneath. On top they wore a unique helmet, sharp and pointy at the front with two glowing eyes on the side. Not a single sound is uttered throughout the bar, everyone's eyes giving a mix reactions to the strangers appearance.
(A/N: Refer to Armoured Gull for a visual reference.)
"A bot?"
"What's a machine doing in here?"
"Is this another Vullard project?"
"It can't be..."
Disgust. Fear. Curiosity. Shock.
All different expressions that the mysterious stranger didn't pay attention too. Instead they focused at the bar counter across the room, which currently didn't have a bar tender serving. The stranger glances around the room, noticing the stares directed at him. Their eyes eventually land on the crocodile gang and the green creature, who stare right back at the stranger.
The lead crocodile let's go off the green creature, who's immediately grabbed by the other crocodiles by both arms. The crocodile makes their way over towards the new arrival, who doesn't move as the crocodile towers over them. The stranger simply tilts their head up and meet eyes with the crocodile.
The crocodile let's out a snarl. "What do we have here? Didn't you read the sign. No bots allowed." He jabs a finger at the strangers chest.
The stranger brushes the crocodiles finger away. "I'm looking for someone." A masculine voice states through the strangers helmet.
The crocodile glances back at the green creature. "Aye now? Your too late then pal, we found him first."
The stranger takes in the sight of the scared green creature, until the crocodile roughly grabs him by the shoulder. "So how about you turn around and walk off, before I turn you into scrap." He threatens, baring his teeth at the stranger.
The crocodiles other hand rests at his thigh, fingers inching towards his gun. The rest we're in a similar position, preparing themselves for the worst. Tension filled the room as everyone watched the stand-off, patrons either quietly exited the bar or watched with interest. The green creature began to sweat nervously as the crocodiles holding him gripped tighter.
The stranger quietly stands still for a brief moment, not breaking eye contact with the crocodile before him. No words are spoken, until the stranger begins to raises both of his hands up in the air. The crocodile grin widens at the gesture and moves his hand away from his gun. "Glad we could come to a mutual understa-"
Suddenly the stranger tightly grabs a hold of the the crocodile hand, clutching his shoulder. Electricity sparks from the strangers hand, dancing their way up the crocodiles scales, locking their entire body down as the crocodile gets electrocuted. Immediately the rest pull out their guns, but the stranger twists the crocodiles arm against their back and kicks his knee out from behind, using the crocodile as a personal shield
The electricity starts dying out, leaving smoke to trail off the crocodile, groaning in pain. The other crocodiles hesitate to open fire, which gives the stranger enough time to summon a Combuster in their hand. Firing at one of the crocodiles, superheated plasma melts through their heart, killing them instantly. The other crocodile let's go off the green creature and dives off to the side, using one of the bar tables for cover.
"Your gonna pay for that bot!" The remaining crocodile growls.
Patrons start scrambling out of the way, ducking for shelter or sprinting out the bar completely. The green creature quickly ducks down to the floor, crawling away from the commotion.
"Someone call the guards!"
"Oh emperor!"
"I didn't finish my drink!"
The stranger kicks the electrified crocodile forward, marching over towards the last crocodile. He aim their gun at the bar table and go to fire another shot, but strangely the Combuster begins to violently shake and unexpectedly explodes in the strangers hand. He clutches his hand in pain, until a laser shot blasts the stranger in the shoulder, leaving a scorching mark.
The crocodile proudly stands up from their cover. "Time to take you to the scrap yard!"
Laser shots light up the bar, forcing the stranger to roll sideways, toppling a bar table over and taking cover behind it. He glances over at the remains of his Combuster, clenching his fist tightly, before focusing back on the crocodile. A Burst Pistol appears in the strangers hand, oozing with acidic ammunition.
The crocodile inch his way over to the stranger, pining them down with laser shots. "We found him first, got that! You want him? You'll have to take him from my cold dead ha-"
The stranger kicks the bar table, which crashes against the crocodile legs, making them stumble. Before they could recover, a single shot of acidic hits them square between the eyes. The sounds of flesh sizzling is heard, along with the crocodiles gun clattering to the floor.
Their claws immediately begin scratching at their face. "My eyes! My ey-"
Their suffering is cut short by another shot that goes straight through their head. The crocodile collapses backwards with a thud, smoke rising above their head. Everything turns silent as the stranger stretches to their full height, Burst Pistol emitting green-ish smoke from the barrel. The stranger briefly pauses for a second, examining the dead crocodiles... waiting.
A door slams opening from the back room, drawing the attention of the stranger. An old creature with similar appearance as a toad, sporting a white beard and some fancy clothes walks in. He walk behind the bar counter, eyes filling with disappointment as he notice the state of the bar.
"Can't leave you boys alone for five minutes, can't I?" The Toad shakes his head, before curiously eyeing the stranger. "Didn't you read the sign out front?"
The stranger goes to answer, until the green creature from earlier shakily stands up, catching the attention of them both. The green creature takes some shuttering breathes and cautiously glance at the stranger. "Y-Your after the price on my head too, a-aren't you."
The stranger gives them a silent look, shaking his head. "I'm not here for you."
Their eyes widen in surprise. "R-Really?"
Instead the stranger aims their Burst Pistol at the bar tender. "I'm here for him."
The toad creature muscles stiffen at the sight of the barrel of a gun. "Me? But I'm just a simple bar owner!" He cries out.
The stranger remains unfazed. "That's what you hide behind. Does a village called Rust sound familiar?"
The toads eyes sharpen at the name, losing the frightened act. His behaviour does a total flip, like an actor coming out of character. He grabs a nearby rag, along with a empty glass and starts tending to the bar. The stranger eyes every movement, an index finger resting against the trigger.
"And if it did?" The toad questions.
The stranger nods their head to the side, gesturing the green creature to leave. Glancing between the stranger and toad, the green creature quickly bolts out of the bar. The toad stopped cleaning, placing the glass down and grabbing a bottle from behind, pouring himself a green liquid drink.
"I've heard about you. The Crimson Bot." The toad fills the glass to the brim. "If it weren't for that Lombax, you'd be at the top of Emperor Nefarious hate list."
"Sorry to disappoint." The Crimson Bot plainly replies.
The toad doesn't respond back, placing the bottle down and bringing a glass to their lips, quenching his thirst. The Crimson Bot patiently waits for the toad to finish their drink, tensing for anything.
The toad finishes their drink, smacking his lips with a pleasing sigh. "Might as well get one last drink."
The Crimson Bot decides to cut to the chase. "You've been extorting bolts from the village Rust, promising them protection from bandits and pirates. All while using your men as a front."
The Toad hums in acknowledgment. "That's true. And I do just that, give them protection in return for payment."
"Did you protect them against the last couple of raids?" The Crimson Bot brings up.
The Toad face twists into a sneer. "You think they're the only ones paying for protection! They're the imbeciles that can't even protect themselves!" He shouts, slamming a fist against the counter.
Without warning the Toad gets grabbed by the collar of his shirt, yanked over the counter and a Burst Pistol pressed against his chin. "It took me three days, six hours and twelve minutes to track you down."
The Crimson Bot leans in real close to the Toad, the tip of his helmet inches away from the Toads forehead. "Want to see what I can do in ten seconds?"
The Toad gulps nervously.
The rumbling of a space craft tears through the sky, lowering itself down onto the surface near a village made out of junk. The village folks come out of their shacks, some organics and some bots. A lone Vullard stands out from the crowd, making their way towards the sleek red space craft.
The hatch opens up, revealing the Crimson Bot climbing out of the cockpit and landing firmly onto the sandy ground below. He immediately draws the crowds attention, chatting amongst themselves all while the lone Vullard walks up to the Crimson Bot.
"Ah Crimson! We haven't had word from you in days! Did everything go all right?" The Vullard asks with a hint of hope.
"You won't have to deal with the payments anymore." The Crimson Bot informs, reassuring the Vullard.
The crowd bursts into cheers, hugging and chatting excitedly with one another. Others go rushing back to the village to deliver the good news. The Crimson Bot watches this silently, until his hand is yanked into the grasp of the Vullard, who shakes it violently with relief.
"Wonderful! Please take these bolts as our appreciation!" The Vullard goes to reach into its backpack.
The Crimson Bot shakes his head. "Keep it."
"What?" The Vullard questions with surprise.
"I think you've all dealt with giving away bolts long enough, keep 'em." The Crimson Bot explains further.
The Vullard doubled the hand shaking with the Crimson Bot. "Thank you! Thank you! You wouldn't happen to be one of those resistance members, would you?"
"...No. I'm not."
The Crimson Bot awkwardly pulls his hand away from the Vullard grip. Deciding to leave the village to their celebration, he starts climbing his way back up into his ship. Sitting himself down in the cockpit and lowering the hatch, the Vullard and the crowd wave the Crimson Bot goodbye. The space craft begins to lift off from the ground, before blasting off upward into the distance among the stars.