So…
Donald 'Satsuma face' Rump Or Hitlery Clit? Pick your poison and swallow it whole…
Either way, America is fucking dead… XD
'The Divided States Of America', hmmm, not as much of a ring to it than before….
(Controversy alert)
LETS READ!
:::-((x))-:::
Vali let out an uncomfortable groan as he shifted closer to the window only to have the space greedily swallowed up by the arguably psychotic thief from earlier. Said thief wouldn't stop staring at him with an impossibly large grin, it was almost like he was trying to reach into his very being and make it squirm from the inside…
Well, if that was the case, it was working…
"Can you back up?!" Vali glared at the thief with an annoyed frown… "And for the love of everything that's holy, wipe that bloody dumb grin off of your face before I give you a smelly face mask!"
The thief didn't move or reply… But his eyes brought forth some emotion, Vali was able to then see the effects the emotion had on his features.
It looked to be self-righteous anger of some sort, although he couldn't tell for sure.
'Yay, an arrogant dumb-head' The Earth Mage ended up just shifting his gaze towards the window in an attempt to forget that he was having his personal space invaded. Although it was very difficult to even forget a single moment.
Hell, the only reason he wasn't doing anything about the bastard was because he was also having the same effect on Gray, who looked like he was trying so hard to keep his composure together. But it was very easy to see the signs of stress and annoyance drift over his face now and then.
"So..." Vali pulled his legs up and onto the seat before turning to look at the others. "How long do you think this train ride is going to be?"
:::-((x))-:::
"Not too long apparently..."
A low sigh left Grays lips, despite only knowing Vali for barely a day he could instantly tell when he was going to make a comment. Whilst he was aloof and eccentric he was strangely predictable for the most part.
It was a shame that he was only predictable with his humour, because it was bad…. REALLY bad… Like the kind of bad that made life seem overrated. But there was nothing he could do about it, Vali seemed to be unaffected by anything kind of action or threat that was made to him. The same immunity to embarrassment didn't seem to work for him when someone intruded on his personal space though.
In fact, despite the one rhetorical question he asked, Vali had been almost quiet and slightly subdued during the ride when the thief (who they'd found found out was named Doranbo) continued to sit and continuously grin at him for the entire ride.
So when the train unexpectedly had an engine failure, Vali was the first to get up instantly, saying he was going to head over to the conductors cart and ask what was wrong. He came back a few minute later before giving them his verdict and the rest was history.
But something was definitely up with him…
But what?
"I guess we'll just have to be patient and wait for them to fix the engine..." Pause said, nervously looking at the three boys with him, Doranbo was practically touching shoulders with Gray, who didn't look to pleased with the action whilst Vali smirked and mocked the two, however he made sure to sit on the end next to him so Doranbo couldn't reach him.
Slightly odd, but then again Pause had an uncontrollable rage so he couldn't talk… He looked back down at his book when he realised that they were too occupied with messing around, forgetting about Vali's oddity.
Vali was right though, the train ride was going to be long at this rate…
:::-((x))-:::
The loud and sharp 'POP' forcefully snapped Vali and Gray out of their slumber and sent the latter onto the floor with a 'thud'. Even Pause had looked up to see what had caused such a disturbance and only found the barely restrained face of Doranbo staring off into space as he tried to keep his laughter to himself.
Such a terrifying vengeance indeed….
Of course this didn't sit too well with Gray, who looked up the instant he had hit the floor before snapping upright and sending a firm uppercut to Doranbo's chin.
"I've had enough of your shit!" He glared at the prone of the thief before sitting back down, turning to look out into the forest that seemed to have no end beyond the tree-line.
"Ssshhhiiisssshhhiiiisshhiiisssshhhhiiii, looks like you are ge- WAH!" Unfortunately for Doranbo, Vali wanted to get his revenge too, if the sudden fist shaped, thick column of Earth that had made a hole in the ground, striking at his crown jewels wasn't enough to convey that message then the follow up roundhouse kick to the face from him certainly did.
"Next time you do that i'll make the punishment worse for you..." With that said, Vali threw one of his arms down, dispelling the earth and flopped back into his seat before moodily summoning his pouched Earth, staring at the inter-weaving shapes and formations he made in his own boredom and inflicted bad mood.
"Looks like we shall have to find another carriage again..." Pause sighed.
However, a few minutes after the events the conductor of the train had finally managed to get the train going again, the miasma of of relived cheers and the occasional 'hurrah's floated around the halls for a few seconds before dissipating, giving way for the sounds of the train starting up once again.
"About time!" Gray exclaimed, realising that the train had started moving again. "Hopefully, we don't run into any more problems!"
:::-((x))-:::
"You are the problem Dory… you are the problem…" Vali's sarcastic reply to the thief's question may have been quiet (for once), but it was quiet enough to make him listen. "That onsie for example, totally out of fashion."
"Are you getting frustrated by my amazing presence?" Doranbo wasn't helping his situation either, as usual. But the underlying foreign emotion dwelling in his mischievous words were becoming clearer as Vali continued speaking.
"I just can't imagine how people put up with you..." The innocent statement held the most sinister intentions that Vali had ever had to use, however only Doranbo was able to pick up on it… It was directed towards him.
And he had an idea of what he was implying…
'Coming from him, that means nothing...' Gray just sat back and watched the interaction between the two. It had sparked his interest when Vali seemed to easily worm his way under the thief's skin and make him squirm. It was almost like he knew exactly what he was doing as he continued to reply to Doranbo's responses and question him at random intervals.
The clear result was becoming more and more obvious as Doranbo had started answering question with a little waver in his replies, that soon became a slight whimper. Now he was stuttering and struggling to give a coherent reply. All the way through the event, Vali had remained calm and collected, not even breaking a sweat when the thief began to visibly sweat from his piercing gaze.
However, the comments on the side that seemed to be done in a comedic or joking manner were seemingly more effective on him than the actual questions and comments that were more serious.
"I mean, after-all you seem to be the self-righteous yet weak-willed type… I bet you once had people eating out of the palm of your hand, then something happened, you shit your big girls trousers and then lost the respect from those you had under you..."
Vali finished, leaning back into his seat and keeping his gaze locked onto Doranbo's shaking and quivering mess of a frame…
"N-No! I have m-many people who shall forever bow to my godly bidding! I'm no coward!"
"I never mentioned anything about being cowardly..."
"I… I… I-It sounded like you were implying such a ridiculous idea!"
"You would have only reached that conclusion if you had something to hide In the first place..."
"What? Never!" He was almost shouting by now, Pause had his book down and watched on in confusion, seemingly hyper-aware of the building tension in the carriage. He looked over to Gray but saw him looking just as confused as he was, but without the knowledge of the tension.
Vali grinned, but it wasn't his usual lazy grin. This one was knowing, devious, almost unnaturally cunning and snakelike. A complete contrast to his usual lazy and comedic nature.
"Why are you getting so worked up?"
This sent alarm bells off in Gray's head. He didn't outwardly react but he was watching the interaction with interest, but that one innocent question from the Earth Mage sent chills up his spine.
Vali was obviously more complex than just the lazy jokester with a knack for acrobatics and fighting. He would be a dangerous foe to fight against, he seemed to really know how to bring people to their knees with just his words alone, his fighting prowess he'd been able to see was clear too.
For once, Gray was actually glad that he had made a good first impression on the guy instead of just telling him to piss off. But along with the newfound acknowledgement of Vali's capabilities (which there may be more of, he didn't know), he found himself respecting the guy too.
That realisation, that one moment of revelation (no matter how big or small) was enough for the Devil Slayer to let him continue to break Doranbo down. No matter how horrible it seemed, it also looked to be helping the thief.
In fact, Doranbo had given up trying to keep whatever secrets he had locked away in his mind and laid them bare for the others to gaze upon. All of his conquests, his failures and his one moment of pure betrayal. He laid them out and didn't regret it once Vali seemed satisfied.
"Are you happy now?" Doranbo asked, his shaking waning to mere small quivers as he looked into the eyes of Vali. "My entire story has been revealed, just stop with the weird games!"
Moments of silence felt like years before anything had happened…
But then Vali laughed, not in a malicious way but in his usual snickers producing the singular toned cacophony that bounced off of the enclosed walls and ended with a cheeky grin.
"Yeah, I'm sure that's enough poking and prodding. Just don't get up in my personal space next time and you'll be fine."
"Why do you hate that?" Doranbo couldn't help but ask. Forgetting about his sweet, sweet vengence.
"Meh, it just makes me uncomfortable. But Gray likes it though."
'Oh, he didn't!' Gray's eye snapped open in shock and was barely able to register the butting of his shoulder with Doranbo's as he began to stare at him with a newfound determination.
"You will not get away from your rightful and surely horrifying punishment!" He declared loudly, causing Grays ears to ring as he attempted to crush him against the wall, all whilst sporting the maniacal grin once more.
Then Gray came to an epiphany...
Strong or not, he was going to kill Vali for this…
:::-((x))-:::
(1 hour later)
As the train pulled into the station and stopped with a screech, the train doors opened and allowed the passengers off of the train to move on to their predetermined destinations. Some were leaving their homes for a quick vacation, others were going to work and a few were stopping by to visit friends and/or family.
It also allowed Gray and his three followers off too… But of course this was going to be the terminus for most of them, specifically Vali and Gray.
It had just hit noon and the sky was starting to redden, during the slow process it had gained a lovely merge between the thick red that was giving way to the dark blue, below the red it had lightened into orange which finally had a small pinch of yellow where the sun just barely influenced the horizon…
It was like a twilight rainbow of some sorts.
The multitude of colours gave the marble white city a holy glow, as if it had the power to ward away any negativity in ones life or past.
This was what the four kids were privy too as they exited the station…
"What a marvellous view!" Pause gasped, looking up and into the sky as he followed the group down the street next to a clear blue river. Of course no one responded to his awe but they couldn't disagree.
It was almost like this place was a mortals heaven…
"It's certainly more interesting than the North's afternoon..." Vali gave the sky a critical overview, as if trying to burn the image into his memory. "Can't complain though, it's a nice change of scenery."
"Sssshhhiiiiissshhhhiiiishhiishisshhii…" Doranbo laughed at the Earth Mage's admittance, but his fear from earlier came back when he saw the warning glimmer in Vali's eyes through his thick hair. "I mean, uuhhh, I said nothing!"
"Of course you did." With a snicker, Vali turned back to concentrating on the road. But soon enough he looked over to Gray, realising that he had been quiet since they'd arrived. "Come on now Gray, give us your 'expert' opinion on this."
"I am here in Magnolia, that's all I care about, the view doesn't bother me." The Devil Slayer didn't even look back as he focussed on his surroundings. "Fairy Tail must be close by now."
Vali frowned…
"You know. If you continue to just block us out you are not going to make any friends in fact- it's a wonder that I am more than tolerant of you."
"I didn't ask you to be." He growled in response…
No one in the group saw Pause' expression darken at the mention of Fairy Tail...
"I see..." After a moment, Vali began to frown more, his forehead creasing as if he was considering something before shaking his head and focusing on the road again.
But with ever remark Gray continued to make or ignore, Vali was taking it all in his mind, readying it for the future. It was clear that Gray had plenty of issues that needed to be dealt with and if he didn't put them behind him soon, he would be consumed by darkness.
For as much as the Earth Mage was carefree, he wasn't blind, neither did he have no experience with personal problems before- in fact; he knew what he knew purely because of his experience's.
But before he or anyone could get a word in another voice cut through the conversation like a hot knife cutting through butter.
"You should all quits if ya' know what's good for yas."
Startled by the sudden verbal intrusion, Gray jumped and let out a little yelp before turning to glare at whoever made him look stupid. He could hear Vali's loud snickers from behind his hands.
Ass hole's…
"What did you say?..." Gray grunted, still annoyed about the embarrassment he had to endure a few moments before.
"I said, stay away from them kinda guys… Things there ain't exactly on the up' n' up ya' know?" The man replied, his heavy western accent lacing his tongue as he spoke.
This steamed up Gray's anger once more, both from the earlier embarrassment and from the shit-talking of the guild he'd travelled over half of the country to get to… he wasn't about to be told that it was a waste of time!
Growling and red in the face from his anger, Gray made the jump for the man.
Only too be slammed into the ground by a huge Earthen fly swatter courtesy of Vali…
"Sorry about this guy, he isn't all laughs and smiles you know?" Vali scratched the back of his head as he tried to stop the man from getting annoyed too. "You see, we were told by this guy called Gildarts about Fairy tail, or at least I was. Do you know him?" He asked.
'Please don't kill us, please don't kill us, please don't kill us…'
After his question left his lips, silence took over for the second time that day Vali couldn't tell what was going through the guys head but he was ready, after all if someone looks like a cheap knock-off of Elvis then they should always be treated with caution.
Of course he was proven to be correct when the guy burst out into loud fits of laughter…
"I see! That old coot gave you guys the rundown huh!?" He gasped out between his bouts of laughter. Soon enough he ran out of juice, but he left the two boys thoroughly disturbed and questioning his mental state.
"Hey, sorry 'bout earlier, I take back all the crap I just said." He got up from his seat after chugging down his beverage. Even in his drunken state he noticed the thief in the onsie return without the white haired kid.
So did Gray…
"Where the hell did you go!?" Doranbo jumped at the sudden volume but looked over at him. "And where's Pause?"
"Pause…" Doranbo started, pausing to find the right words to describe the situation. "I think he ain't coming' back."
"And why on Earthyland would you say that now?" Vali inquired, confused. "Why would he just up and leave, I mean I understand that we were all travelling to Magnolia but to just leave us without a goodbye seems kind of weird to me."
"Who cares?" Gray wasn't in the mood for this. "If he wants to go then let him, I have more important things to do." Then he placed a hand on his chin. "Although he doesn't seem like the kind of guy to just abandon us."
"Glad you still have 20/20 vision in the head Eye-patch." Vali smirked.
"Fuck you Earthworm..."
"I'd rather not."
The Elvis impersonator sighed before walking off… Maybe he'd see them in Fairy tail in a few days, weeks whenever, maybe he wouldn't. But he had more pressing issues to attend to.
:::-((x))-:::
"How did you both convince me into doing this?"
"Because; you just love me! Obviously..."
"I wouldn't piss on you even if you were on fire!"
"Charming notion indeed..."
"I'll break you!"
"Temper temper."
A yell of rage pervaded around the empty streets of magnolia as Gray leapt for the giggling Vali who was in one of his annoying moods again. But as soon as Gray got close enough the Earth Mage simply side-stepped and laughed as he hit the ground face first.
"You missed..."
Doranbo sweat-dropped at the scene, these two should NEVER be left in a room together for more than two minutes at a time.
"I think that we should be searching for pause, Let's continue on our quest!… Please." He added the last bit on just in case he annoyed Vali… he really scared him.
"We have been Dory..." Doranbo twitched at the nickname. "We've searched high and low, but there is just no sign of him, maybe he left for good."
Then Vali was suddenly tackled by the still angry Devil Slayer…
"Taste the dirt asshole!" Gray rubbed the Earth Mage's head into the stony ground with glee…
Only to get a pair of legs wrap around his neck and force him to the ground back first. Vali twisted his body around before releasing his grip on Gray, pushing himself up and looking over to Doranbo he shrugged and moved away from Gray before he could retaliate…
"Well, maybe we should search the stre- AH!" Doranbo yelped when he was suddenly lifted from the ground, looking around he was trapped within a small bubble that encased him, he tried to pop it but he couldn't it was obviously magical by nature.
"What the hell!?" He looked back to see Vali and Gray also ensnared within the same prison he was stuck in. Gray seemed surprised yet as soon as he got his bearings he was banging away on the seemingly impenetrable wall.
Vali was looking around, He didn't expect something like this, who would have? They were just fucking walking around! Good first impressions overall for Magnolia…
Gray however spotted the Elvis impersonator from earlier also trapped in one of the bubbles.
"How did you get caught in this!?" He heard Vali yell. The man smashed his fist against the wall, of course it proved to be useless.
"My name is Wakaba kid!" 'Wakaba' shouted indignantly.
"I guess not being referred by your 'proper' pronoun is starting to agitate you." Vali quipped before smirking despite the situation. "Am I internalising your oppression? I am so sorry…"
"How about focusing on those guys over there!?" Wakaba pointed behind him, causing the boys to set their sights on the three figures just beyond their prisons.
One donned a black cloak, his clothing almost all black too, except for his white shirt beneath the hood. He seemed to be the leader and he was cackling with malicious glee.
The other two were pretty much just weird, one was wearing a ridiculously huge dome with patterns around it that covered everything except for his feet, which were tightly done up in leather boots. The second was covered in bubbles similar to the ones they were trapped in. other than that he wore a massive top with a hole through the middle for his face to poke out from and he topped off the look with black trousers and boots…
The entire team looked absolutely dumb…
However, they soon got bored…
"My my, I think we need some good entertainment, light the old man up boys..." Said the one in the middle. But the voice was just too similar, Gray couldn't put his finger on it.
Something was up.
Suddenly the balloon mage pulled out a tiny pin out of nowhere and flicked it at Wakaba's 'balloon'. The pin whizzed through the air and reached Wakaba's balloon before piercing the outer shell…
The resulting explosion left Doranbo shaken- whilst Vali and Gray looked on in shock. The explosion shook the ground and even made the balloons above shake with a force that seemed impossible.
"What did you stains do!?" The Earth Mage yelled.
Wakaba's unconscious body fell to the ground, thin plumes of smoke rising from his form as the mage responsible cackled madly with unhidden glee.
"GYAAA!" He began jumping up and down as if he was standing on white hot plates. "Jackpot! We have a winner!"
"What should we do about those kids?" He asked, but he didn't seem to need an answer as seconds later he snapped his fingers like a light bulb had suddenly shone in his head. "Put them out of their misery of course!"
Then he was thoroughly rebuked by the cloaked assailant which caused the manic Balloon Mage to sulk and drag his feet along the ground.
But that voice…
Then it clicked in Grays head…
"Pause!" He yelled, catching Vali's attention at the sound of their missing followers name. "I know that's you, your voice is way too similar! What the hell are you doing!?"
The cloaked mage stopped dead in his tracks…
He then turned back to face the Balloon Mage.
"Seems like they have figured it out..." He paused, as if planning his next move carefully. "It seems like you can 'put them out of their misery' after all. They cannot be allowed to live after having seen me-…"
He then said the two words that set Gray and Vali's fate forever…
"Do it..."
The Balloons detonated as the three pins pierced each of the outer shells…
And Gray, Vali and Dorabo screamed…
:::-((x))-:::
Funny thing, this chapters length is 3,999 words. One bastard word away from my usual quota. Motherfucker. XD
Anyway, I apologise for the shorter chapter length in this today, the 'closer' chapter from canon really has nothing but meeting Wakaba and finding out Pause' secret affiliation to a dark guild…
That is pretty much it, so I tried to pretty up the scenes beforehand, you know some bickering between Gray and Vali, Doranbo's hesitant insistence on staying on track, some description of the area of Magnolia…
Which I may have played up a bit too much…
I can't really do much with Wakaba either as we simply don't get enough screen time with him to make much of a characterization of him.
Still has more character than Juvia though…
But I hope to fix this problem in later chapters… Much, much later chapters…
Anyway-…
PHRASES OF AWESOME!
(Presidential election edition)
1: 'Hillary X Trump a new moon: Chapter one.'
2: 'I guess you could say… that Trump grabbed America by the pussy.'
3: 'They still haven't arrested George Soros yet?'
Ahhhhhh, controversy… The plain of existence where the best jokes can be made to piss off the masses. XD
Anyway, thanks for reading this I know this story hasn't really picked up yet, things have been pretty slow and somewhat dull, but when I start doing the 'Fairy tail Arc' I hope I can begin to really have this story get really fun to read in no time!
Hopefully…
Reviews and criticism are greatly appreciated but not entirely necessary. Thank you. :)
So thanks for reading and stay cool…
-Viperhat
