Vandread Fanfic - Slayer of God Duology Part 2: Together Forever
Chapter 7 - Let's Party!
Rating - G / Romance / Sci-Fi
Gimme gimme love
I go for love and satisfactions
Dance for emotions
I never waste my time for more
Gimme body and soul
It's just my chemical reaction
Sweet hot sensation
I wanna be your lover all night long
King Of The Night by Thomas T
Few days has passed. Rick's injuries still hasn't completely healed but Duero gave him the permission to let him out of the ward. Aya had come to Rick to apologize about what happened before and Rick had told her everything about himself including his own painful past and the origins of Erick. Rick's relationship with Axel still hasn't made much progress. He avoided him every time they met and this has made Meia a little upset. However, Rick remained calm and kept trying to get closer to his son.
Anton and Aya's relationship getting closer by the day and the crew can't help but teasing them whenever the chance arrived. Even though both denied that they like each other, but deep down inside, they knew they are having the same feeling for each other. Their relationship attracted the interests of Paiway, who decided to check on this particular pairing.
Dita and Hibiki's were as close as Rick and Meia's. However, Dita decided to follow the way Meia's been treating Rick. She tried not to bug him so much and that suited Hibiki just fine. Barnette, after Erick's disappearance, spent most of her time daydreaming despite Jura's attempts to cheer her up. Axel, Kahlua and Pyoro often played together and quite often, the navi robot was always the victim for the two. While Duero and Parfet still unaware of their feelings. And Bart's efforts to get BC's attention were in vain. Raymond and Gasco's 'rivalry' at cards still continues...
Okay, I'll stop my ranting. On with the story...
"Anton! Hey, wait up!"
Anton was walking to the café when Aya called her from behind. He turned around to face her.
"Yes?"
"What's the date today?"
"Let's see. Today's August the 17th."
"WHAT? Oh no..."
"What's wrong, Miss Aya?"
"Today's my dad's birthday. I wanted to throw a party for him but I lost track of time. Oh well..."
"We can ask others to help..."
Suddenly, Paiway came out of nowhere and volunteered.
"I wanna help! Can I?"
Aya looked at her and smiled.
"Yeah, sure you can. Let's go and ask the others."
"Ah, you ladies go on. I'll be having my breakfast at the café."
"Anton! You're coming with us! Paiway, let's drag him."
Paiway nodded and both pulled Anton by both his arms.
"Don't do this to me. I need to have my breakfast."
His stomach suddenly gave a grumbling sound.
"HEEELP!!"
Rick was standing in the training room, doing nothing. He closed his eyes and concentrated all his mental strength at one point in his mind.
Then, his body started to sweat uncontrollably. He then fell on his knees, gasping for breath.
(I can't even beat him virtually, am I gonna be killed if we are to fight for real?)
"Rick? You're training?"
Rick turned around and saw BC entering the room with her whip in hand.
"Yeah. Please do. I'm already done here."
Rick put on his shirt and took his coat and was about to leave when BC stopped him.
"Wait, how about we have a spar with each other?"
Rick gave a thought on the suggestion and replied,
"Yeah, I don't mind at all."
"Then you wouldn't mind if I use this?" BC asked, brandishing her whip.
"Sure. Got no problem with that."
Right outside the gym, Aya, Paiway and Anton were watching the two.
"Okay. BC managed to stall my dad. But not for long."
"How about we ask Meia?" Paiway suggested.
"That's a good idea. Come Anton, let's go."
Anton who has yet to have his breakfast, moaned,
"Hungry...need...food...someone...help me..."
The contest between Rick and BC was fierce. Rick was having difficulties in avoiding his opponent's vicious whip attacks. Some of the attacks hit him in the arms while he attempted to block, giving him some minor injuries. Finally, he saw his chance. BC's attacks were getting weak and Rick saw an opening. He slipped past his opponent's whip attacks and thrust his fingers on her wrist, the one that she has been using to hold the whip. BC did not feel any pain but her hand was numb by the attack and she was forced to drop her whip. However, BC quickly used her remaining hand and grabbed the whip before Rick could do anything. Rick gave a smile and back flipped a few times before BC could slash at him with her whip. She too, flashed a smile. She then rolled her whip and tucked it on her belt.
"Not bad. Considering that, you didn't use any weapon. But you're holding back against me, don't you? That's why you used finesse attacks instead of using a more powerful attack."
Rick grinned.
"Yeah. I don't want to hurt a sub commander, after all."
"Hm. Next time I won't give you a chance. Remember that."
"Don't worry. I'll be ready. See you."
Rick waved BC goodbye and left the room. BC then held her wrist that was numbed by Rick. She tried to clench her fist but failed to do so.
(He's good. I still can't feel my hand...)
"Uncle Ray, can you do any faster than this?"
Aya said to Raymond who was preparing a cake for Rick's birthday party.
"I'm doing as fast I can, okay? Just stall your father for a few more hours."
"Meia is on to it. Don't worry."
Raymond looked at Anton. His hands were holding his stomach.
"Hey, Anton. You don't look so good. What happened?"
"Hungry..."
"Hey, Aya. What kind of torture this is? That guy is starving to death."
"Oh no! I completely forgot about you. Sorry Anton."
"...food..."
"There's a leftover from yesterday's dinner over there. Heat it up and give that guy a break, okay?"
"Yeah, okay."
Aya and Anton went to the back of the kitchen. Then, the door opened and Gasco came in.
"Hey, Raymond. Wanna play another round of cards and..." She then sniffed the pleasant aroma.
"Ah...sorry. I'm busy right now."
"Smells good. What are you cooking?"
"Today's Rick's birthday. I'm preparing the food for the party."
"His birthday, huh? What's his age today?"
"Let me see...today he's 40."
Gasco widened her eyes, couldn't believe what she just heard.
"40? He's a year older than me! But he doesn't look 40."
Raymond laughed.
"Yeah, you're right."
Hibiki was working on his Vanguard while Dita was sitting nearby, watching him.
"Hibiki-kun, are you done yet?"
Hibiki, who was inside the Vanguard, replied,
"Almost. Just wait for while, okay?"
Dita nodded.
"Yes. Don't worry about it."
She then heard a loud humming sound coming from the Vanguard X. She then saw a light came from inside the cockpit. She called Hibiki.
"Hibiki-kun..."
"Yeah? I'm almost done..."
"No. I want you to look at Rick's Vanguard."
"Um? Something's wrong?"
Hibiki got out of the cockpit. He gasped when he saw what Dita's been looking. He jumped down and approached the Vanguard X. The light has gone and Hibiki looked inside the cockpit and saw a pedestal with slot like hole beside the pilot's seat. It was radiating a faint, white glow.
"What is this?"
Rick entered the infirmary. Duero, who was reading a book, looked up at him.
"Yes?"
"I need some patching up, Doctor."
Duero looked at the scratches inflicted by BC's whip attacks. He nodded and took out some bandages from the first aid kit. He then patched Rick's arm using the bandages. Rick looked at his bandaged arm. His arm was bandage from the hand up to the elbow.
"Woo...I look like a mummy this way."
"It's a precaution. To prevent infections on your wounds. By the way, have you seen Paiway? I need her to help me clean this place."
"Sorry. I don't see her today. Here, I'll help you clean up this place."
"But..."
"It's okay. I don't have anything to do anyway."
"Thank you."
Axel and Kahlua were running away from Pyoro, who tried hard to catch up with them.
"Axel, Karu-chan. WAAIT!"
Kahlua turned and stuck her tongue out.
"Catch us, Pyoro-kun. Don't tell me you're tired. You're a robot."
"Yeah, come on. Catch us." Axel said.
With that, both children went further ahead, leaving Pyoro exhausted.
"Both...are so...mean..." Pyoro muttered.
Barnette was practicing her skills at the shooting range while Jura looked on. She tried to forget about Erick by doing this but failed. Most of her shots were off target. Then, Jura uttered a word,
"Erick."
Barnette was stunned and have another shot off target. She turned to Jura.
"What did you say?"
Jura narrowed her eyes and looked at her partner in the eyes.
"Erick. You like him, don't you?"
Barnette backed away, didn't know what to say.
"I...I..." she stammered.
Jura edged closer to her. She looked deep in her eyes.
"Tell me the truth. I NEED to know the truth."
Barnette hesitated. Jura smiled.
"It's okay if you like him. I understand. I think he likes you too."
With that, Jura walked away from her. However, Barnette gripped her wrist.
"Wait. Hear what I have to say."
Jura turned and sighed.
"Okay, what do you want to say?"
"It's true that I like him. But I just can't throw away our times together! I like him as I like you..."
Jura raised her eyebrow.
"So, you like both me and Erick?"
Barnette nodded. Jura then gave an evil grin.
"Why don't you ask him about having a baby with me?"
Barnette looked at her in surprise.
"You're still obsessed with that?"
"Of course I am! Meia didn't tell us what happened between her and Rick when Axel was born. Maybe Erick could tell us."
Barnette was relieved. At least she doesn't have to argue with Jura about Erick as long as she still obsessed about making a baby with a man.
"Okay, I'll tell him the next time we see him."
A smile went across Jura's face. She then hugged and kissed her.
"Thank you, Barnette! You're the best!"
"There, spick and span I might say." Rick said as he sat down, gasping for breath.
"Thank you." Duero thanked him.
"Hey, don't mention it. As I said, I don't have anything to do."
Then, the door opened and Meia entered the room. Rick turned to her.
"Meia?"
"I've been looking for you all over. Can we take a walk for a while?"
Rick raised an eyebrow. He then sensed something's amiss but he ignored it.
"Walk with you? Yeah, sure. Why not?"
Rick got up from his seat and walked out with Meia. He glanced at Duero.
"See you later, Doctor."
"Yes. See you."
Duero sat down and continued his reading on a book titled: How to Forge and Maintain a Relationship
Rick and Meia walked together hand in hand. Rick couldn't help but sensing something's wrong. This caused his head to buzz. Rick clasped his forehead. Meia looked up at him.
"Something's wrong? You're okay?"
He flashed a smile.
"I'm fine. But where are we going?"
The question caught Meia off guard. She tried to find a suitable answer but failed. Rick grinned.
"Hah! You don't know where we're going?"
Meia looked at him in the eyes, mumbling for an answer.
"I...I..."
Rick kissed her lightly on the lips. He smiled.
"It's okay. No matter where it is, I'm fine with it. As long as I can spend my time with you."
"Rick..."
"So, where are we going, Leader?"
Meia stared at him. She smiled and pulled his hand.
"Let's go somewhere quiet."
"Somewhere quiet? Wait, do you mean..."
She nodded.
"Right. Let's go to my room."
Rick thought of a way of getting out and said,
"Wait. I...ah, got something to do..."
"You're lying! You've been saying that for the last two days."
Meia then dragged Rick along the corridor. Rick screamed in protest.
"WAAIIT! SOMEONE HELP ME!!"
BC was reading the data on the screen about the planet that is ahead of them. She turned to Magno.
"Boss there's a planet ahead. We scanned the area and find that there is water, oxygen and life forms. What should we do?"
"Hmm. Maybe we should send a scout team?"
"Umm...I think we should wait a little longer. Almost everyone is busy preparing for Rick's birthday party."
Magno widened her eyes.
"His birthday?"
BC nodded.
"According to his daughter, Aya."
Magno grinned.
"Well, it's okay then. We'll wait for a while."
"Thank you, Boss."
An hour later...
Rick went out of Meia's room, gasping for breath.
(Man, I'll die if she asks more of it.)
Then, he heard Meia's voice from the inside. Her tone was somewhat seductive.
"Rick, where are you going? We're not done yet."
(Damn, gotta run.)
With that, he ran as fast as he could.
Meia heard the sound of Rick's footsteps and smiled. She never thought making love can be so...'entertaining'.
(Next time you won't be so lucky, Maverick Xero.)
Rick was walking towards the cafeteria when Hibiki called him from the end of the corridor.
"Hey! I've been looking all over for you."
"What's up, kid?"
"Something's happened to your Vanguard. You should take a look."
"Yeah, sure. Lead the way, kid."
A few minutes later, they arrived at the foot of the Vanguard X. Rick looked up and saw the faint, white glow. He jumped and looked into the cockpit. He saw the pedestal and examined it.
"What is this, buddy? Can you tell me?"
A message appeared on the screen.
SWORD OF THE SLAYER NEEDED
"Sword of The Slayer? You need this sword at the pedestal? Sorry, I don't have any weapon that could fit this."
Another message appeared.
FIND IT AT THE PLANET ALPHA-1
Rick scratched the back of his head in confusion.
"Alpha-1? Where is it?"
Then, the position of the planet appeared.
"Hey, it's just nearby. But I just can't go out without permission. Can you wait a little longer?"
AFFIRMATIVE
"Good. Hey, Hibiki..."
Rick turned to Hibiki but to his surprise, he's already gone.
Rick was on his way to the cafeteria, wondering where everybody was.
(This is awfully quiet. Anyways, I'm hungry.)
Rick entered the cafeteria. To his surprise, the area was dark.
(What happened here? Who turned the lights off?)
Suddenly he sensed more than a dozen people in the room.
"Okay. Why don't you guys show yourselves and tell me what happened."
Then, the lights were lit up and Aya went towards him.
"Dad, Happy Birthday."
"Eh? Today's my birthday?"
"Dad, don't tell me that you forget about it. Remember how Mom celebrates your birthday every year?"
Rick recalled the times when Sara used to throw him a birthday party for him every year.
(Sara...)
"Dad?"
Rick smiled and patted his daughter on the head.
"Yeah. I remember."
Then, everyone came out from their hiding place and screamed,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"
Meia and Axel approached him.
"Happy Birthday, Rick."
"Thanks. "
Axel started to mumble.
"Umm..."
"Axel?"
"Axel, you said you've got a present for your father."
Rick raised his eyebrow.
"Present?"
Axel then took out a small sculpture from his pocket.
"Umm...here."
Rick smiled and took a closer look. It was a figure of him made out of clay.
"Thank you. I like it."
A slight blush appeared on his face. Meia and Aya smiled. Magno then entered along with BC.
"Who's the birthday boy here?"
Everyone pointed their fingers at Rick.
"I...ah...I am."
"Your 40th I believe?"
"That's right."
Then, Gasco's voice came out.
"That's not fair! He's way younger when we first met."
Raymond looked at her. Then a half empty bottle of wine in her hand.
"Hey, the party just started and you already drunk!"
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's party!!" Bart shouted in excitement.
"Hey, we can't start the party without some music around here." Hibiki said.
Dita then turned to Rick.
"Why don't you sing?"
"Not again..."
Then, everyone started to chant his name.
"Master Xero, we're here to enjoy ourselves, so please..." Anton pleaded.
"For crying out loud, just sing!" shouted Jura, who's already as drunk as Gasco.
Rick turned to Magno.
"You don't mind some head banging music, Boss?"
Magno grinned.
"I don't mind. Just enjoy yourself."
"Thanks. This song is for all of you. Enjoy."
Rick strummed his guitar given by Aya and started the party.
You are my instigatorYou are my aggravator
You are my space invader
Cautionary warning
I propose
You are my complicator
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
Cautionary warning
I propose to you
I guess the boy took it one-step over the line
Sold his soul to the dark unholy sign
Now, only time will tell
Will it take you down
Or will you pull through
It's like a voice from the burning fires of hell
Selling sin
Now you've fallen for the spell
And only time will tell
Will it take you down
Or will you pull through
It's calling out to you
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
You are my space invader
Cautionary warning
I propose
You are my complicator
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
Cautionary warning
I propose to you
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
You are my space invader
Cautionary warning
I propose
You are my complicator
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
Cautionary warning
I propose to you
So now you're down
Have you lost yourself control
To the one you believed could save your soul
Now only time will tell
Will it take you down
Or will you pull through
Like a voice in the darkness of the night
Telling tales
You've become what you despise
And only time will tell
Will it take you down
Or will you pull through
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
You are my space invader
Cautionary warning
I propose
You are my complicator
You are my instigator
You are my aggravator
Cautionary warning
I propose to you
Well I'm talking 'bout the isolation
Complication
Aggravation
Voices inside my head
Something that you said
Well, I don't know
Something drove me to the act
But I just couldn't recollect
If it was 10 or was it 20 blows
The voice said once again
But I don't know
It's a fundamental fact
That no one knows who's where
Or what they are at
At any time of day
There's no one left to say
So who's to know
So who's to know
Cautionary Warning by John Sykes
After Rick's already done, the party was already gone underway. Laughter can be heard everywhere as everyone were enjoying themselves. Rick caught the glimpse of Axel and approached him. He tried to run away but Rick grasped his shoulder. Rick whispered in his ear,
"Thanks. I really like it. I mean it."
Then, Rick walked away and left the cafeteria, leaving Axel blinking his eyes. Meia, who was watching from a distance smiled sweetly.
Embracing the blue planet
I want to find out what is truly important...
The reason for more nights when the heart feels grated
Everyone has actually... Already noticed...
Embracing the blue planet
People want to return to a peace of mind...
Without faking strengths or weaknesses
I want to confess and honestly laugh...
Airmail From Moon (transliterated) by TWO-MIX
