Chapter 2
Jagged Alliance
When the traveling party reached the gates of Viper Manor they were unexpectedly greeted by Karsh, Zoah, and Marcy. Marcy took one look at Paul and screamed running away hiding behind a bush.
"Thanks to you Marcy has suffered severe head damage. It could take years for her to be herself again." Karsh said coldly.
"She has turned into a paranoid fool!" Zoah added. Everyone looked at Paul.
"Rachel did say I was bad with kids." Paul mumbled. Diss put on a small grin.
"Look, the damage won't last very long if you let him fix her up." Diss said sternly.
"You purpose we let that maniac near Marcy again?" Zoah replied.
"He's the only one that can get her back to normal. He's done it countless times. She'll be fine. Think of it as an apology for Paul's violent behavior. We came here on our own free will to talk to Viper." Karsh stared Diss in the eyes and after a while he called for Marcy. Marcy poked her head out of a bush and checked to see if it was safe. Kid couldn't resist the opportunity to scare Marcy. She took out her Dagger and flipped it once in the air. Marcy wasn't impressed. She slowly came out, but once she caught a glimpse of Paul she ran to the bush again.
"Look, most of my patience is already gone, now I'll handle Marcy, but I'll also need a volunteer to hold her down." Paul skimmed the area, everyone took a step back. Including Kid. Marcy poked her head out again.
"Is he, like, gone yet?" Marcy asked. Zoah almost said something but Karsh silenced him. Paul crept to the side of the gate and motioned to let Marcy think he was gone. Marcy slowly looked around and crept out of the bush. Paul motioned Kid to help him in the operation and she slowly got next to Paul. When Marcy reached the correct range Paul and Kid tackled her.
"This may take awhile. You people go about your buisness." Paul said getting punched twice in the jaw. Marcy flailed around like a scared cat while Paul and Kid dragged her off to the side. Diss shrugged and walked with Zoah and Karsh to the inside of the Manor.
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Inside the Manor Diss was escorted the library where he took a seat next Karsh. After a minute or two a tall man in black uniform entered giving his apologies for the delay.
"I am intrigued by the stories of you taking on my men and wiping the floor with them," He started. "Which one of you was it?"
"He isn't here. He's helping Marcy with the head trauma." Diss explained. The man nodded thoughtfully.
"I have no doubt you're just as strong as he is. Now my sources tell me you're not of this world. From what I've seen you do to the Devas I have concluded you are not from this world." Viper calmly said drinking some tea. He offered some to Shaun and Diss, but they refused.
"I'm sorry my manners have left me, my name is General Viper," Viper said quickly stretching out a hand.
"Patrick Eric Dissinger, this is my friend Shaun Derringer," Diss said shaking the proffered hand.
"Yes I see, and the man that hurt Marcy?" Viper asked quickly.
"Paul Dennis," Diss replied just as quickly.
"The only one to keep that lunatic in check was Marcy, but we saw how that ended." Karsh added. Diss stirred in his seat impatiently.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Dissinger, I won't delay you any longer. I asked you here to have you explain why you are here." Viper said.
"Look, General, let's put it this way. Your guess is better than ours. Anything could have sent us here." Diss explained.
"We'd rather get back before someone misses us." Shaun muttered quietly.
"I understand, but for now you are here, and what you did I cant exactly gloss over and pretend everything is alright. For now I'm going to have to take you gentlemen into custody," Viper said grimly.
"Look, let me be frank. We hate it here. I got a baby that could be born and I want to be there when it happens. I'll do almost anything to get home. I'm asking you if you can help." Diss flat out said.
"Well, if I knew how I would most certainly see no way not to let you go home, but the best answer I can give may lie in the Frozen Flame. However, it seems everyone wants that flame." Viper replied. Diss sighed along with Shaun.
"General, we are ready to go to Fort Dragonia." A man said entering the library.
"Mr. Dissinger, why don't you join forces with us for the time being. Maybe we can get some answers at Fort Dragonia. That's all the help I can offer you," Viper sounded like he was pleading. Diss nodded. Viper and his men began the details.
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"MARCY, IF YOU DON"T GET DOWN FROM THAT TREE I'M GOING TO GET YOU MYSELF!" Paul yelled. Marcy hid high in a tree looking down below before throwing sticks at Kid and Paul.
"YOU'RE GOING TO, LIKE, KILL ME!" Marcy replied throwing another stick. Kid was getting frustrated with the situation and was about to climb the tree before Paul stopped her.
"I'm not going to kill you, Marcy. It won't even hurt." Paul said carefully.
"YOU PROMISE?" Marcy asked throwing another stick. This one hit Kid square in the nose.
"I'm GOING TO-" Paul covered Kid's mouth quickly.
"I PROMISE!" Paul said crossing his heart. Marcy looked below.
"I, like, forgot how I got up here." Marcy almost whispered. Paul slowly built up the energy in him and began to levitate slowly up the tree. When he reached Marcy's branch he stretched out his arm. Marcy at first didn't take it, but slowly she clinged to Paul for the trip down. When they reached the ground Paul told Kid to keep Marcy still.
"If she moves to much she'll suffer severe brain damage." Marcy over heard Paul whispering to Kid and made a run for it. Paul caught up quickly and held her down.
"NO, YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME!" Marcy yelled. Kid kicked Marcy in the head and knocked her out.
"She won't be moving now will she?" Kid asked in a mocking tone. Paul sighed to himself and slowly began to run electricity through his fingers into Marcy's head. He very slowly moved his hands all around her head and after twenty minutes he finished.
"She'll have temporary amnesia, but a swift hit to the head will bring it all back." Kid volunteered to do the hitting but Paul said it had to be natural. It was a lie, but kid fell for it. Marcy slowly recovered and looked at Paul.
"Like, who are you?" She said in what seemed to be a normal voice and tone for Marcy.
"A friend." Paul said smiling. Marcy stared a very blank stare at Paul. Paul punched Marcy in the head and Marcy bellowed in pain.
"Like, what the hell was that for?" Marcy began. "Wait! I remember you. You were the guy I, like, beat up. Then you." Marcy began to remember the hit Paul gave her that made her paranoid. She began to back away from Kid and Paul.
"Remember, I helped you? I am your friend." Paul said as calmly as he could. Marcy still looked a little scared, but slowly she gave a weak smile.
"Well, you're right. Thanks." Marcy said quietly acting very shy.
"Not used to thanking people are you?" Paul said. Kid stood behind Paul listening in on Paul tame Marcy.
"No, not really." Marcy replied in a shy tone. Paul just smiled and rubbed Marcy's head softly. At that moment Karsh, Zoah, General Viper, Diss, and Shaun entered the field.
"Marcy, it is good to see you, are you back to normal yet?" Viper asked. Marcy nodded her head.
"I kinda liked the new Marcy. It was funny to see her hiding in bushes, chests, under beds." Karsh started listing off all kinds of hiding places.
"Like, that's enough." Marcy said angrily.
"Anytime she heard the sound of thunder she panicked. Any time you mentioned that guy she'd scream. It was hilarious." Karsh said laughing. Marcy walked up to Karsh and kicked him in the groin. "All in all, I did miss the old Marcy." Karsh quickly said in a very high-pitched squeak. Marcy gave a satisfied twisted and evil grin.
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Diss sighed as he boarded the ship. He didn't like the idea of teaming up with General Viper, in fact the idea stunk to him. All he had was the guarantee of a person he didn't know that he wouldn't be hurt. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Oi mate, you sure are jumpy," Kid said.
"You would be too if you were in a foreign land," Diss grumbled.
"Why tha grumpy attitude mate? You're acting like yer pet died or sumthin," Kid said slowly.
Diss sighed slowly, "My fiancée is pregnant, and I don't know how much time will pass in my world before I get back. I'm afraid my child will be born without me being there..."
"Mate, don't worry bout ya shiela if she's from the same world as you she can take care of herself," Kid said placing her hand on his shoulder. He seemed to sag under the weight as if burdened. He continued to watch the sea come in and out under the boat.
"Mate, what else is wrong? You've been fuming since I've met ya," Kid asked quietly.
"Kid, one thing you don't understand about my world, is that survival of the fittest is the only law that applies. There is no leader; I'm scared for my fiancée in that she's alone again for the first time. I don't want the guilt of knowing I was away when something happened to her."
"Diss, I've only known ya a few days now, and if ya are that worried then I know I can't help ya. What I do know is that ya are going to do fine, but ya gotta accept the probability that yer stuck 'ere," Kid said softly. He gripped the side of the ship tightly his arms tensing. He fought the tears that were forming in his eyes. Kid looked on in respectful silence.
"Kid, listen to me when I tell you this. If it takes me forever to get back to her, I will keep trying. If that Frozen Flame doesn't work, then I will try another method. And another, and another until I find one that works," Diss said fiercely.
"Mate, it seems like we 'ave a lot in common. Maybe we should talk abou' this later. I also lost me only family," Kid whispered. She patted his shoulder leaning against the railing.
"Kid, don't pretend to know me. I'm not your average guy," Diss sighed.
Kid leaned closer to him putting an arm around his shoulders. "Alright tough guy, ya think ya can do this on yer own, go ahead. I know better than ta tell ya how to live yer life."
"That's not what I said, I only said I'm not what I seem."
"Aren't we all?"
Diss chuckled. Kid simply drew her arm away as she looked into the water. Both stayed there for a while; after what seemed like forever the boat steered out of the harbor. Diss shook his head like coming out of a spell. He sighed as he leaned forward, then sunlight felt good against his skin. He turned around so his back leaned against the rail. Kid looked over at him. She felt like something was being left unsaid. She also felt a bond between them almost. Diss simply walked away heading back down below decks.
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Paul and Shaun were in the lower decks talking about all kinds of things they miss when Diss entered the room.
"Get ready to leave, we almost are there." He said calmly.
"You have no trust for anyone but us do you, Diss?" Shaun blurted out.
"No, and frankly I don't want you to trust them either."
"Hey, Diss, why don't you pull the stick out of your ass and think. If we don't trust these people then the chances of us getting home are going to get smaller and smaller." Paul added annoyed.
"You think I don't know that?" Diss retaliated in anger. Paul got up right into his face and said his next words carefully.
"TWICE YOU HAVE MADE IT SO WE COULDN'T GO HOME BECAUSE OF YOU! THE NEXT FREAKIN CHANCE I GET I'M TAKING IT! AND IF THAT MEANS LEAVING YOU OR SHAUN BEHIND, THEN SO BE IT!" Diss looked Paul straight in the eyes. Kid walked in and sat next to Shaun.
"You do what you want," Diss said coldly. "But if you blow off me or Shaun or ANYONE I'll kick your ass. I may not be in charge of you, but I sure as hell wont put up with your crap." With that said Diss left the room angrily. Paul went up to the window and stared outside. Kid and Shaun thought it best to leave both of them alone.
Jagged Alliance
When the traveling party reached the gates of Viper Manor they were unexpectedly greeted by Karsh, Zoah, and Marcy. Marcy took one look at Paul and screamed running away hiding behind a bush.
"Thanks to you Marcy has suffered severe head damage. It could take years for her to be herself again." Karsh said coldly.
"She has turned into a paranoid fool!" Zoah added. Everyone looked at Paul.
"Rachel did say I was bad with kids." Paul mumbled. Diss put on a small grin.
"Look, the damage won't last very long if you let him fix her up." Diss said sternly.
"You purpose we let that maniac near Marcy again?" Zoah replied.
"He's the only one that can get her back to normal. He's done it countless times. She'll be fine. Think of it as an apology for Paul's violent behavior. We came here on our own free will to talk to Viper." Karsh stared Diss in the eyes and after a while he called for Marcy. Marcy poked her head out of a bush and checked to see if it was safe. Kid couldn't resist the opportunity to scare Marcy. She took out her Dagger and flipped it once in the air. Marcy wasn't impressed. She slowly came out, but once she caught a glimpse of Paul she ran to the bush again.
"Look, most of my patience is already gone, now I'll handle Marcy, but I'll also need a volunteer to hold her down." Paul skimmed the area, everyone took a step back. Including Kid. Marcy poked her head out again.
"Is he, like, gone yet?" Marcy asked. Zoah almost said something but Karsh silenced him. Paul crept to the side of the gate and motioned to let Marcy think he was gone. Marcy slowly looked around and crept out of the bush. Paul motioned Kid to help him in the operation and she slowly got next to Paul. When Marcy reached the correct range Paul and Kid tackled her.
"This may take awhile. You people go about your buisness." Paul said getting punched twice in the jaw. Marcy flailed around like a scared cat while Paul and Kid dragged her off to the side. Diss shrugged and walked with Zoah and Karsh to the inside of the Manor.
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Inside the Manor Diss was escorted the library where he took a seat next Karsh. After a minute or two a tall man in black uniform entered giving his apologies for the delay.
"I am intrigued by the stories of you taking on my men and wiping the floor with them," He started. "Which one of you was it?"
"He isn't here. He's helping Marcy with the head trauma." Diss explained. The man nodded thoughtfully.
"I have no doubt you're just as strong as he is. Now my sources tell me you're not of this world. From what I've seen you do to the Devas I have concluded you are not from this world." Viper calmly said drinking some tea. He offered some to Shaun and Diss, but they refused.
"I'm sorry my manners have left me, my name is General Viper," Viper said quickly stretching out a hand.
"Patrick Eric Dissinger, this is my friend Shaun Derringer," Diss said shaking the proffered hand.
"Yes I see, and the man that hurt Marcy?" Viper asked quickly.
"Paul Dennis," Diss replied just as quickly.
"The only one to keep that lunatic in check was Marcy, but we saw how that ended." Karsh added. Diss stirred in his seat impatiently.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Dissinger, I won't delay you any longer. I asked you here to have you explain why you are here." Viper said.
"Look, General, let's put it this way. Your guess is better than ours. Anything could have sent us here." Diss explained.
"We'd rather get back before someone misses us." Shaun muttered quietly.
"I understand, but for now you are here, and what you did I cant exactly gloss over and pretend everything is alright. For now I'm going to have to take you gentlemen into custody," Viper said grimly.
"Look, let me be frank. We hate it here. I got a baby that could be born and I want to be there when it happens. I'll do almost anything to get home. I'm asking you if you can help." Diss flat out said.
"Well, if I knew how I would most certainly see no way not to let you go home, but the best answer I can give may lie in the Frozen Flame. However, it seems everyone wants that flame." Viper replied. Diss sighed along with Shaun.
"General, we are ready to go to Fort Dragonia." A man said entering the library.
"Mr. Dissinger, why don't you join forces with us for the time being. Maybe we can get some answers at Fort Dragonia. That's all the help I can offer you," Viper sounded like he was pleading. Diss nodded. Viper and his men began the details.
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"MARCY, IF YOU DON"T GET DOWN FROM THAT TREE I'M GOING TO GET YOU MYSELF!" Paul yelled. Marcy hid high in a tree looking down below before throwing sticks at Kid and Paul.
"YOU'RE GOING TO, LIKE, KILL ME!" Marcy replied throwing another stick. Kid was getting frustrated with the situation and was about to climb the tree before Paul stopped her.
"I'm not going to kill you, Marcy. It won't even hurt." Paul said carefully.
"YOU PROMISE?" Marcy asked throwing another stick. This one hit Kid square in the nose.
"I'm GOING TO-" Paul covered Kid's mouth quickly.
"I PROMISE!" Paul said crossing his heart. Marcy looked below.
"I, like, forgot how I got up here." Marcy almost whispered. Paul slowly built up the energy in him and began to levitate slowly up the tree. When he reached Marcy's branch he stretched out his arm. Marcy at first didn't take it, but slowly she clinged to Paul for the trip down. When they reached the ground Paul told Kid to keep Marcy still.
"If she moves to much she'll suffer severe brain damage." Marcy over heard Paul whispering to Kid and made a run for it. Paul caught up quickly and held her down.
"NO, YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME!" Marcy yelled. Kid kicked Marcy in the head and knocked her out.
"She won't be moving now will she?" Kid asked in a mocking tone. Paul sighed to himself and slowly began to run electricity through his fingers into Marcy's head. He very slowly moved his hands all around her head and after twenty minutes he finished.
"She'll have temporary amnesia, but a swift hit to the head will bring it all back." Kid volunteered to do the hitting but Paul said it had to be natural. It was a lie, but kid fell for it. Marcy slowly recovered and looked at Paul.
"Like, who are you?" She said in what seemed to be a normal voice and tone for Marcy.
"A friend." Paul said smiling. Marcy stared a very blank stare at Paul. Paul punched Marcy in the head and Marcy bellowed in pain.
"Like, what the hell was that for?" Marcy began. "Wait! I remember you. You were the guy I, like, beat up. Then you." Marcy began to remember the hit Paul gave her that made her paranoid. She began to back away from Kid and Paul.
"Remember, I helped you? I am your friend." Paul said as calmly as he could. Marcy still looked a little scared, but slowly she gave a weak smile.
"Well, you're right. Thanks." Marcy said quietly acting very shy.
"Not used to thanking people are you?" Paul said. Kid stood behind Paul listening in on Paul tame Marcy.
"No, not really." Marcy replied in a shy tone. Paul just smiled and rubbed Marcy's head softly. At that moment Karsh, Zoah, General Viper, Diss, and Shaun entered the field.
"Marcy, it is good to see you, are you back to normal yet?" Viper asked. Marcy nodded her head.
"I kinda liked the new Marcy. It was funny to see her hiding in bushes, chests, under beds." Karsh started listing off all kinds of hiding places.
"Like, that's enough." Marcy said angrily.
"Anytime she heard the sound of thunder she panicked. Any time you mentioned that guy she'd scream. It was hilarious." Karsh said laughing. Marcy walked up to Karsh and kicked him in the groin. "All in all, I did miss the old Marcy." Karsh quickly said in a very high-pitched squeak. Marcy gave a satisfied twisted and evil grin.
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Diss sighed as he boarded the ship. He didn't like the idea of teaming up with General Viper, in fact the idea stunk to him. All he had was the guarantee of a person he didn't know that he wouldn't be hurt. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Oi mate, you sure are jumpy," Kid said.
"You would be too if you were in a foreign land," Diss grumbled.
"Why tha grumpy attitude mate? You're acting like yer pet died or sumthin," Kid said slowly.
Diss sighed slowly, "My fiancée is pregnant, and I don't know how much time will pass in my world before I get back. I'm afraid my child will be born without me being there..."
"Mate, don't worry bout ya shiela if she's from the same world as you she can take care of herself," Kid said placing her hand on his shoulder. He seemed to sag under the weight as if burdened. He continued to watch the sea come in and out under the boat.
"Mate, what else is wrong? You've been fuming since I've met ya," Kid asked quietly.
"Kid, one thing you don't understand about my world, is that survival of the fittest is the only law that applies. There is no leader; I'm scared for my fiancée in that she's alone again for the first time. I don't want the guilt of knowing I was away when something happened to her."
"Diss, I've only known ya a few days now, and if ya are that worried then I know I can't help ya. What I do know is that ya are going to do fine, but ya gotta accept the probability that yer stuck 'ere," Kid said softly. He gripped the side of the ship tightly his arms tensing. He fought the tears that were forming in his eyes. Kid looked on in respectful silence.
"Kid, listen to me when I tell you this. If it takes me forever to get back to her, I will keep trying. If that Frozen Flame doesn't work, then I will try another method. And another, and another until I find one that works," Diss said fiercely.
"Mate, it seems like we 'ave a lot in common. Maybe we should talk abou' this later. I also lost me only family," Kid whispered. She patted his shoulder leaning against the railing.
"Kid, don't pretend to know me. I'm not your average guy," Diss sighed.
Kid leaned closer to him putting an arm around his shoulders. "Alright tough guy, ya think ya can do this on yer own, go ahead. I know better than ta tell ya how to live yer life."
"That's not what I said, I only said I'm not what I seem."
"Aren't we all?"
Diss chuckled. Kid simply drew her arm away as she looked into the water. Both stayed there for a while; after what seemed like forever the boat steered out of the harbor. Diss shook his head like coming out of a spell. He sighed as he leaned forward, then sunlight felt good against his skin. He turned around so his back leaned against the rail. Kid looked over at him. She felt like something was being left unsaid. She also felt a bond between them almost. Diss simply walked away heading back down below decks.
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Paul and Shaun were in the lower decks talking about all kinds of things they miss when Diss entered the room.
"Get ready to leave, we almost are there." He said calmly.
"You have no trust for anyone but us do you, Diss?" Shaun blurted out.
"No, and frankly I don't want you to trust them either."
"Hey, Diss, why don't you pull the stick out of your ass and think. If we don't trust these people then the chances of us getting home are going to get smaller and smaller." Paul added annoyed.
"You think I don't know that?" Diss retaliated in anger. Paul got up right into his face and said his next words carefully.
"TWICE YOU HAVE MADE IT SO WE COULDN'T GO HOME BECAUSE OF YOU! THE NEXT FREAKIN CHANCE I GET I'M TAKING IT! AND IF THAT MEANS LEAVING YOU OR SHAUN BEHIND, THEN SO BE IT!" Diss looked Paul straight in the eyes. Kid walked in and sat next to Shaun.
"You do what you want," Diss said coldly. "But if you blow off me or Shaun or ANYONE I'll kick your ass. I may not be in charge of you, but I sure as hell wont put up with your crap." With that said Diss left the room angrily. Paul went up to the window and stared outside. Kid and Shaun thought it best to leave both of them alone.