Chapter 3
Written by Illuminet
DISCLAIMER: Hasn't changed since the first chapter.
"..."-Indicate speech
'...'-Indicate thought
Once peace was restored within the bar, and all broken furniture removed and glass cleaned off the floor, a reluctant Bartender had to be talked into allowing both Sol and Axl to stay. Sol was, for the most, tolerated by the Bartender to stay, but Axl on the other hand, was a different story.
"Look Millia, that idiot was the very one who brought those men in here and ransacked my bar..."
Axl cut in his speech.
"Look Mr. Bartender, I had no choice, if I had gotten into a fight, I might have killed them! I helped you clean up the Bar, didn't I? Please just give me a chance. Please Chief, can't you persuade him?"
Sol looked at Axl pointedly before speaking.
"Why did you even come in here? You said you didn't want to kill those men, but you lead them to me? Come on, Low, you know I could have killed those poor bastards myself, so why lead them to me?"
"But Chief, I honestly didn't know you'd be here! Honest!"
Axl was now on his knees bowing his head low to the ground, hoping for Sol's sympathy. He got none.
"You sure about that? Why is it that when I'm trying to relax, you always seem to show up to annoy me? Remember the..."
"I'm begging here, Chief, just for the night! I don't have anywhere else to go!"
Sol thought about it for a moment.
'Why does trouble always seem to find me? Do I have some fucking sticker on me saying
"I Love Trouble" on it? Sheesh...'
Sol looked down upon Axl, before putting his left hand on his hip, leaving his right hand extended, then turned his head side ways , looking deep in thought before finally speaking.
"Alright fine, I'll make you a deal, Low. Stop calling me chief while were here and I'll persuade him to keep you here for the night."
Sol said finally and waited for Axl's reply. Axl instantly got on his feet and jumped on Sol, hugging the big man.
"Oh thanks a bunch, Ch...er...Sol! Thanks a bunch!"
"GRRR...You better get the HELL off of me, Low, or I swear I'm gonna..."
"Heh, sorry, Chie...er...Sol"
"*HMPH* well, getting better I guess. Alright Bartender, I'm asking nicely here, okay? Can Low stay for the night?"
The Bartender sighed at Sol's request, too tired to protest anymore.
"Fine, but he's your responsibility. Millia, since this ain't no hotel, your going to have to let them sleep in your room tonight."
Millia glanced at the two men. Axl had a big grin plastered on his face, and Millia had a feeling he was probably thinking lewd thoughts, but as for Sol, his expression was completely neutral, and Millia could not see what he was thinking. She finally spoke.
"I would object, but seeing as there is no Hotel close by, I guess you two can stay. But I'm warning you two, if any of you try something funny, it will be your balls."
Axl gulped at that, Sol simply nodded.
"Whatever, even if I was gonna try and hit on you, I'm to tired now, so lead the way."
Sol said as he and Axl followed Millia.
----
The room was dark, lit by a single glowing sphere. Silhouettes of men gathered around the sphere, a total of six in all. One spoke in the darkness.
"It seems we have located the target."
The room remained silent again, before another spoke up.
"The target? Sol Badguy?"
Once again the first replied.
"Yes sir, he is residing at a checkpoint town within a remote desert region, in Arizona."
Another shadow spoke.
"Arizona? Interesting...This could be our chance to capture him!"
After nodding faintly, one of them spoke again in question.
"Yes...Have you found anything on the second target, Dizzy?"
He was answered by the same one who spoke first.
"It is unfortunate...I have no new information other than the fact that she live in the sky along with the Jelly Fish Sky Pirates..."
He was cut off by another shadow.
"So the rumor was true..."
The first spoke again quickly.
"What preparations should be made to apprehend Sol Badguy?"
The final shadow finally spoke.
"There is sewer system running under that small area...Send two hundred of those Robotic Ky models through it and have them ambush and apprehend Sol Badguy. Let them kill anyone who gets in their way except Sol Badguy. We need him alive."
----
Paris, capital of France
"Captain Kiske!"
A young police officer rushed through the ornate, white halls of the Paris Police Station. The halls were lined with pictures on the wall, some carried relics of Knight armor from ancient French history, while other contained ancient scrolls and text on display within others. On the marble pearl floors was a deep red carpet with a golden trim, and the word
"Police" in the center. The young officer had short, brown hair, and dressed in a white shoulder-less garb. It had a large cross of leather in the front as well as the back, connecting with leather around the sleeve, which fitted loosely. On the right of his uniform was a golden badge, identifying him as an officer, his gun was at his right hip by a thin belt that held up his simple all white pants. Soon the officer stood right outside the office of Ky Kiske, one of the most respected people in the world. As he entered he noticed Ky doing paper work at his small wooden desk.
"uh sir...?"
He asked hesitantly.
"Yes, what is it?"
Ky asked without taking his eyes off his papers. The officer finally gathered what he was going to say before speaking.
"Sir, our North American police connection have asked for our assistance. They say that they are having trouble apprehending a certain criminal."
Ky looked up from his work this time, showing mild interest.
"Oh? and who is this criminal?"
He asked.
"His face has appeared world wide on the new bounty hunter list today as well. Here take a look at this, Sir."
The officer handed Ky the newly made bounty hunting list. The name burned his mind when he read it.
'Sol Badguy, wanted for the stealing of a weapon of the Outrage set from the United Nation. Caution: Subject is extremely dangerous, and many have already lost their lives to this man. For Capture=$1,000,000...'
"This can't be right, this happened almost eight years ago, bounty lists can't list a crime that is over four years old...No, it can be!"
Ky spoke in frustration, remembering a certain incident with bounty hunting lists a couple of years ago. One name came to mind.
'The Post-War Administration Bureau...'
----
Millia's room wasn't very big, but it was kept up neatly. The room had only one bed and a closet, both rather plain in design. Such was the case with the small green carpet with the brown trim, as well.
"There's some blankets in the closet. I just have one extra pillow, so go ahead and fight it out on who uses it."
Millia told them, but just as she was finished, Axl made his way to the bed and was about to jump on it, when Millia increased the length of her hair and grabbed him in mid air.
"Sorry, but the bed is mine, and mine alone."
Once she spoke, she deposited Axl on the floor. Axl scratched the back of his head.
"Heh, sorry 'bout that."
As he said this, Sol made his way towards the closet to look for a blanket. Once he checked, he turned to Millia.
"Hey, Rage, there's only one blanket here."
Sol remarked as he stepped aside to let her inspect the closet.
"Sorry, I thought I had another one."
she apologized. Sol shook his head.
"Give it to Low, I'll just use my cape."
Once said, Sol made his way to a secluded area, and put his sword down. He then fully removed his cloak, and then his red half jacket and shoes and laid down. He then looked at the sword.
"Good night Fire Seal. See ya in the morning.
Putting his hands behind his head, Sol closed his eyes. He could hear Axl head off to another corner.
" Your gonna sleep in your working clothes?"
Axl asked Millia, she nodded.
"I don't want to get undressed in front of you because I don't trust you, now go to sleep."
Sol heard her lift the covers and put herself to bed. Axl then asked him a question.
"You really going to sleep with that piece of metal on your fore head? Isn't it uncomfortable?"
Sol didn't like where the question was steering, and although Axl knew what Sol really was, Millia didn't, and Sol wanted to keep it that way.
"So what? Got a problem with that? Hurry up and turn the lights off! I'm trying to get some sleep!"
Sol said gruffly, but Axl complained.
"But I just laid down!"
"Low, just turn off the damn..."
Millia interrupted him.
"I'll get the lights, just SHUT up."
With that said, she extended her hair by the door, where the light switch was and flicked it.
"Heh, we all have long hair, but one really comes in handy."
Sol commented softly before going to sleep.
Four hours into the night...
'What's that sound?'
Sol asked himself as he opened his eyes in the darkness. His ultra sensitive hearing picked up something. The sound was faint, but it sounded like fabric blowing in the wind somewhere. Sol hadn't checked to see if Millia had a window or not. With his eyes fully adjusted to the dark he inspected the outlines of the room. No window. He closed his eyes and closed out all other noises in his head. Along with the faint sound of fabric, he could have sworn he heard the sounds of boat rowing through water.
'What the hell? Where's it coming from? It can't be normal. This is a desert, not a river...unless...'
Sol thought harder until it struck him and he narrowed his eyes.
'Shit, something's coming underground...'
Without hesitation he got up and ran towards the door and turned on the lights.
"Aah! My eyes, what the hecks going on."
Axl yelled rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Millia was already up and glaring at Sol.
"Why'd you do that Sol, its four in the morning!"
Sol growled lowly, becoming deathly serious as his eyes narrowed.
"Listen you two, There's something coming this way underground. I need you two to evacuate the town..."
Sol was interrupted by Axl, who also wore a more serious expression on his face.
"It would be better to stick together on this. Why don't you go ahead Millia, while I go with Chief Sol?"
Millia thought otherwise.
"How about I stick with you two, and I have the Bartender evacuate this town."
"Well that works to..."
The three were successfully in forcing the Bartender to evacuate with the small group of people who lived there. Once they finally were gone, the trio of fighters made it to the center of the town. Millia asked Sol a question.
"How is it possible for you to be able to things underground? No one has hearing that good."
Sol, again, didn't like where the conversation was going. He thought for a while before finally coming up with a response that he thought was plausible enough to work.
"Look, Rage, I was a Bounty Hunter, and in order to be one of the best, I had to be able to track my prey without my eyes alone. So I decided to strengthen my hearing in order to keep track of my prey, without actually having to see them. Understand?"
Millia looked like she accepted the answer some what, but still looked skeptical about what Sol was saying. Axl broke in the conversation.
"So, Chief, what are we looking for, exactly?"
Sol scowled at the man.
"I thought I told you to stop calling me chief, dammit!"
"But I recall you saying something about me not having to call you chief in the Bar, Chief."
It all came back to Sol as he remembered the conversation earlier with the Bartender.
"Shit, I did say that, didn't I?"
'Should have said he couldn't call me chief for as long as he lived.'
"Can you guys get serious again? So tell us now Sol, what are we suppose to look out for?"
Millia asked in an effort to bring the two men back to the main point of the conversation again. Sol looked at her and remembered about the current situation at hand.
"Alright, Rage, honestly I haven't a clue about what it is were looking for, all I know is that its underground. Now, then, since you work in this area, do you know of any water systems around here?"
Millia thought for a moment, putting a finger to her lip in thought, as she looked up into the black sky.
"Yes, there are. There are two main underground water systems: the Sewage System, as it is called, accumulates the wasted material of the places they are connected to, like an ordinary sewer. The other one is the Purification System, which bring pure clean water into the towns. Its a system specially given to desert towns such as this one, when they can not purchase the water elsewhere."
Once Millia had given Sol the information, He cracked his neck audibly as he thought.
"Hmm...Whatever's down there is probably traveling through the Purification System. If that System brings in pure water to be used by the towns, that explains the sound of rushing water I heard earlier...Ah, I bet whoevers down their is using the water current get here by row boat. That would explain those rowing sounds, too."
Axl looked a bit confused.
"How do you know its the Purification System? Doesn't the Sewage System also have running water going through it?"
Sol looked at him.
"Your right, water does move through the Sewage system as well, but it doesn't move nearly as fast, with all the shit that gets dumped into that place daily. Plus, the water flow would most likely head in the opposite direction of the town. These guys are traveling way to fast, so they must going with the water current in the Purification System, that's the only explanation. Got that, Low?"
As Sol finished his explanation, he reached into his back pocket, bringing up a pack of cigarettes. He casually took one in his mouth, before using his magic to heat the Fire Seal's blade, then touched the end of the cigarette to the blade, lighting it up. He took a long drag from it before exhaling smoke from his mouth and nostrils.
"Now we wait."
Five minutes later a small explosion was heard in the desert, and the sound of something heavy hit the sand. Sol smirked. He let his cigarette fall to the ground before stomping it out, under his heel. He cracked his knuckles, followed by his neck before taking the Fire Seal in his left hand, letting the blade tap his side, and putting his right hand in his pocket. Axl had brought his chained sickles along with him, and carried them in both hands, every once in a while throwing one up in the air shortly, before catching it with his hand, Millia extended her hair a little past her waist, getting ready to fight whatever was coming. The Sun now shown a bit on the horizon, And the three looked towards it, beginning to notice something in the light. Sol was the first to identify it and gritted his teeth softly.
'Those are Robotic Kiskes. Shit, I only know of one organization who would create those things! The...'
Sol's thoughts were interrupted by the distorted voices of the fake Knights.
"BZZZ...TARGET SOL BADGUY...AQUIRED...COMMENCING ATTACK...BZZT."
After saying those words, the small mechanical army charged the three warriors. Sol yelled a fierce battle cry, before he rushed into the fray, slashing and hacking through the robots. One of the robots tried to slash Sol from behind, but he easily side stepped before slashing upward, splitting the head in two. Three more followed behind it, each one striking simultaneously, each one nearly crossing each other. Sol gritted his teeth and brought his sword up to block the attack, then instantly pushed forward against the three blades before lifting himself up in the air slightly.
"You bastards are really asking for it now. Tyrant Rave!"
Sol quickly brought a shield of fire in from of him before air dashing in a straight line, smashing through the robots like a hot knife through butter. Once the flames dispersed, Sol noticed a robot right in front of him, ready to impale him with the fake Thunder Seal sword. Acting quickly, Sol adjusted his flight in mid air, before landing on the robots sword, before somersaulting off it and jumping over the machine, twisting in the air to face it. Sol then swung his Fire Seal upwards, shooting a fire ball from its tip, and connecting with the back of the robot's head making it explode. As he landed, he cursed out loud seeing more and more robotic Kys surrounding him. one drew its sword back before swinging forward, sending a projectile of lightning in Sol's direction.
"STUN EDGE!"
another one followed, gathering electricity in its palm.
"RAY DIVIDER!"
'Shit...'
Just as Sol was about to make a move, a ring of fire burst through a large group of robots, before a line of fire lanced out and canceled out all the projectiles. He then saw Axl besides him, holding his sickles at the ready. Sol smirked at him.
"What took you so long, Low? It shouldn't have been that hard to find me, since I'm the only one in black and red amongst all the white and blues."
Sol commented with mock annoyance. Axl smiled slightly.
"It wasn't finding you that was the hard part..."
Axl began as he connected the grips of his weapons, blocking one of the robot's sword swings and deflecting the blow, then instantly swung his weapon horizontally, catching its stomach and sending it back towards the other machines before continuing.
"...It was getting to you through all these machines. Ya know..."
Axl continued talking to Sol as they stood back to back and countering all attacks that came their way.
"...Its a good thing Millia's not wearing her fighting outfit. It would be too hard to tell who's who with all these white and blue colors, eh Chief?"
He said before catching one of the robot's swords in his chain, then made it stagger back as the side jumped behind it and delivered a cross cut to its back and sending it through the air. Sol dashed forward and brought up a flame engulfed fist towards the head of a robot, causing the head to fly off some where. As the robot fell, Sol yelled suddenly, a small burst of flame coming from beneath his feet , forming a ring around his legs, Sol brought the Fire Seal over his head, before quickly impaling the sand with his sword, sending up a giant wave of fire up from the ground, making a huge amount of robots in his vicinity explode into pieces of scrap and shrapnel. Sol had a grim look on his face.
'Where the hell is Rage, anyway?'
Millia had been separated from her other two allies amongst the robotic Ky look alikes.
The fact that she was shorter than all of them didn't help matters much.
'My best chance would be to find those two...'
As she thought of the best course of action, a Robo Ky charged at her with its sword over its head, intent on slicing her in two. She didn't give it the satisfaction. Instantly, she formed her hair into a pair of scissors and cut the machine's arms off, rendering it weaponless, before using her scissor hair again to cleave its head off its shoulders. More of them started to attack, and Millia formed a large shield if hair to protect herself. As she felt the blades connect, she countered all the attacks she could by forming her hair into spears and striking at them. As more came, Millia took to the air, before forming her hair in the shape of a crescent moon around her rolled up form, before crashing into three of the robots upon landing, crushing their heads. As her hair reverted, she took the chance to run from the bothersome machines as she found an opening in their numbers, however as she got there more of them closed off her escape. She was now trapped.
'I'm starting to expend to much of my power...'
She thought as she ran towards the nearest robot and started attacking rapidly with her hair, impaling it until it was no more than scrap metal. As she was about to strike another Robo Ky, an explosion sent the machines and her flying back a bit, then another one came
as the robots were engulfed in flames. As the flames dispersed Millia saw Sol and Axl rushing towards her. She smiled in relief.
"C'mon, lets get out of here!"
Axl yelled as Millia got up to join him and Sol. All of them were together, but completely surrounded. Seeing the odds were not in his favor, Sol decided that he would have to end the whole battle quickly.
'If I use it, those two will get caught in the blast...'
"Listen to me, you two. Get as far away from here as you can and don't you dare turn back."
Sol replied grimly, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the robotic knights.
"We can't do that Chief. We can't leave you here!"
Axl said turning towards Sol. Millia also spoke.
"We are totally surrounded. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't go anywhere..."
Millia was cut off by Sol, as he turned and faced the two.
"Maybe you didn't understand me the first time. MOVE your asses, NOW!"
As he said that Sol struck his sword into the ground again, bringing up a wave of fire, and breaking a wide enough opening in the crowd of machines. As the flames dispersed, Axl wasted on time in grabbing Millia's arm and making a mad dash through the opening. As the two escaped, the Robo Kys were planning to follow them but Sol got their attention.
"Hey, its me your really after, right? So come and get me!"
Soon the entire force of robots attacked Sol but before they made it, Sol brought his arms up to his head, holding it as if it was in pain, before crouching down low, as an unearthly black flame arose from his body. The robots struck Sol with their weapons, but it had no effect. Sol looked up at them, before giving an all knowing smirk.
"That's close enough! Now fuck you stupid pieces of scrap metal! Napalm Death!"
Sol instantly flung himself into the air, leaving a red spot of heat in the sand. While all of the robots heads looked towards him, a massive explosion of heat and flame emerged from the sand, obliterating all who came in contact of the huge blast, except for Sol, who seemed to be basking in its heat as it took him even higher into the air, before finally dispersing, leaving all the ground charred black a mile all around by its blast. Sol descended to the heated ground, before bringing up his head and seeing Axl and Millia rushing towards him. He made a stopping gesture with his right hand.
"Don't come any closer, you idiots, its still hot!"
As he made his way casually to the end of the charred ground, Sol's forehead sweat dropped.
"Shit, don't tell me..."
Millia nodded her head.
"Yes, you burned the entire town down to the ground, save for the bar over there."
She said, pointing in the direction of the bar. Sol scratched his head innocently.
"Guess I kinda over did it, huh?"
Axl blinked once before scratching his own head.
"I think kinda is an understatement here, Chief."
Sol narrowed his eyes at the blonde man.
"Shut up, Low, who asked you?"
Millia cut in the conversation.
"I think its time to think of a way to get out of here. Staying in the desert to die is not my idea of fun."
Axl turned towards her.
"But didn't the town folks pack up and take every camel? How are we going to get out of here?"
Sol thought for a moment before speaking.
"Look were going to avoid the next checkpoint towns, alright?"
Axl and Millia both looked at him as if he were crazy, but he continued anyway.
"I don't want to face the wraith of an entire town, alright. Lets just get are things from the bar and take the way thorough the sewers."
The thought of traveling through the sewers was not a pleasant one for Axl and Millia.
"Wait Chief! There's got to be a better way. Why not take the Purification System instead? At least its cleaner down there..."
Sol interrupted him.
"And get caught down there by reinforcements? Sorry, Low, but were taking the sewers. Its the least risky of choosing to go through the Purification system, or dying out here in the desert, right?"
The other two reluctantly agreed and Sol now turned towards the horizon again.
"Now we just have to find the manhole leading there."
Axl and Millia groaned.
Note: Sorry about not posting Chapter 2 and 3, but I had some technical difficulties.
Written by Illuminet
DISCLAIMER: Hasn't changed since the first chapter.
"..."-Indicate speech
'...'-Indicate thought
Once peace was restored within the bar, and all broken furniture removed and glass cleaned off the floor, a reluctant Bartender had to be talked into allowing both Sol and Axl to stay. Sol was, for the most, tolerated by the Bartender to stay, but Axl on the other hand, was a different story.
"Look Millia, that idiot was the very one who brought those men in here and ransacked my bar..."
Axl cut in his speech.
"Look Mr. Bartender, I had no choice, if I had gotten into a fight, I might have killed them! I helped you clean up the Bar, didn't I? Please just give me a chance. Please Chief, can't you persuade him?"
Sol looked at Axl pointedly before speaking.
"Why did you even come in here? You said you didn't want to kill those men, but you lead them to me? Come on, Low, you know I could have killed those poor bastards myself, so why lead them to me?"
"But Chief, I honestly didn't know you'd be here! Honest!"
Axl was now on his knees bowing his head low to the ground, hoping for Sol's sympathy. He got none.
"You sure about that? Why is it that when I'm trying to relax, you always seem to show up to annoy me? Remember the..."
"I'm begging here, Chief, just for the night! I don't have anywhere else to go!"
Sol thought about it for a moment.
'Why does trouble always seem to find me? Do I have some fucking sticker on me saying
"I Love Trouble" on it? Sheesh...'
Sol looked down upon Axl, before putting his left hand on his hip, leaving his right hand extended, then turned his head side ways , looking deep in thought before finally speaking.
"Alright fine, I'll make you a deal, Low. Stop calling me chief while were here and I'll persuade him to keep you here for the night."
Sol said finally and waited for Axl's reply. Axl instantly got on his feet and jumped on Sol, hugging the big man.
"Oh thanks a bunch, Ch...er...Sol! Thanks a bunch!"
"GRRR...You better get the HELL off of me, Low, or I swear I'm gonna..."
"Heh, sorry, Chie...er...Sol"
"*HMPH* well, getting better I guess. Alright Bartender, I'm asking nicely here, okay? Can Low stay for the night?"
The Bartender sighed at Sol's request, too tired to protest anymore.
"Fine, but he's your responsibility. Millia, since this ain't no hotel, your going to have to let them sleep in your room tonight."
Millia glanced at the two men. Axl had a big grin plastered on his face, and Millia had a feeling he was probably thinking lewd thoughts, but as for Sol, his expression was completely neutral, and Millia could not see what he was thinking. She finally spoke.
"I would object, but seeing as there is no Hotel close by, I guess you two can stay. But I'm warning you two, if any of you try something funny, it will be your balls."
Axl gulped at that, Sol simply nodded.
"Whatever, even if I was gonna try and hit on you, I'm to tired now, so lead the way."
Sol said as he and Axl followed Millia.
----
The room was dark, lit by a single glowing sphere. Silhouettes of men gathered around the sphere, a total of six in all. One spoke in the darkness.
"It seems we have located the target."
The room remained silent again, before another spoke up.
"The target? Sol Badguy?"
Once again the first replied.
"Yes sir, he is residing at a checkpoint town within a remote desert region, in Arizona."
Another shadow spoke.
"Arizona? Interesting...This could be our chance to capture him!"
After nodding faintly, one of them spoke again in question.
"Yes...Have you found anything on the second target, Dizzy?"
He was answered by the same one who spoke first.
"It is unfortunate...I have no new information other than the fact that she live in the sky along with the Jelly Fish Sky Pirates..."
He was cut off by another shadow.
"So the rumor was true..."
The first spoke again quickly.
"What preparations should be made to apprehend Sol Badguy?"
The final shadow finally spoke.
"There is sewer system running under that small area...Send two hundred of those Robotic Ky models through it and have them ambush and apprehend Sol Badguy. Let them kill anyone who gets in their way except Sol Badguy. We need him alive."
----
Paris, capital of France
"Captain Kiske!"
A young police officer rushed through the ornate, white halls of the Paris Police Station. The halls were lined with pictures on the wall, some carried relics of Knight armor from ancient French history, while other contained ancient scrolls and text on display within others. On the marble pearl floors was a deep red carpet with a golden trim, and the word
"Police" in the center. The young officer had short, brown hair, and dressed in a white shoulder-less garb. It had a large cross of leather in the front as well as the back, connecting with leather around the sleeve, which fitted loosely. On the right of his uniform was a golden badge, identifying him as an officer, his gun was at his right hip by a thin belt that held up his simple all white pants. Soon the officer stood right outside the office of Ky Kiske, one of the most respected people in the world. As he entered he noticed Ky doing paper work at his small wooden desk.
"uh sir...?"
He asked hesitantly.
"Yes, what is it?"
Ky asked without taking his eyes off his papers. The officer finally gathered what he was going to say before speaking.
"Sir, our North American police connection have asked for our assistance. They say that they are having trouble apprehending a certain criminal."
Ky looked up from his work this time, showing mild interest.
"Oh? and who is this criminal?"
He asked.
"His face has appeared world wide on the new bounty hunter list today as well. Here take a look at this, Sir."
The officer handed Ky the newly made bounty hunting list. The name burned his mind when he read it.
'Sol Badguy, wanted for the stealing of a weapon of the Outrage set from the United Nation. Caution: Subject is extremely dangerous, and many have already lost their lives to this man. For Capture=$1,000,000...'
"This can't be right, this happened almost eight years ago, bounty lists can't list a crime that is over four years old...No, it can be!"
Ky spoke in frustration, remembering a certain incident with bounty hunting lists a couple of years ago. One name came to mind.
'The Post-War Administration Bureau...'
----
Millia's room wasn't very big, but it was kept up neatly. The room had only one bed and a closet, both rather plain in design. Such was the case with the small green carpet with the brown trim, as well.
"There's some blankets in the closet. I just have one extra pillow, so go ahead and fight it out on who uses it."
Millia told them, but just as she was finished, Axl made his way to the bed and was about to jump on it, when Millia increased the length of her hair and grabbed him in mid air.
"Sorry, but the bed is mine, and mine alone."
Once she spoke, she deposited Axl on the floor. Axl scratched the back of his head.
"Heh, sorry 'bout that."
As he said this, Sol made his way towards the closet to look for a blanket. Once he checked, he turned to Millia.
"Hey, Rage, there's only one blanket here."
Sol remarked as he stepped aside to let her inspect the closet.
"Sorry, I thought I had another one."
she apologized. Sol shook his head.
"Give it to Low, I'll just use my cape."
Once said, Sol made his way to a secluded area, and put his sword down. He then fully removed his cloak, and then his red half jacket and shoes and laid down. He then looked at the sword.
"Good night Fire Seal. See ya in the morning.
Putting his hands behind his head, Sol closed his eyes. He could hear Axl head off to another corner.
" Your gonna sleep in your working clothes?"
Axl asked Millia, she nodded.
"I don't want to get undressed in front of you because I don't trust you, now go to sleep."
Sol heard her lift the covers and put herself to bed. Axl then asked him a question.
"You really going to sleep with that piece of metal on your fore head? Isn't it uncomfortable?"
Sol didn't like where the question was steering, and although Axl knew what Sol really was, Millia didn't, and Sol wanted to keep it that way.
"So what? Got a problem with that? Hurry up and turn the lights off! I'm trying to get some sleep!"
Sol said gruffly, but Axl complained.
"But I just laid down!"
"Low, just turn off the damn..."
Millia interrupted him.
"I'll get the lights, just SHUT up."
With that said, she extended her hair by the door, where the light switch was and flicked it.
"Heh, we all have long hair, but one really comes in handy."
Sol commented softly before going to sleep.
Four hours into the night...
'What's that sound?'
Sol asked himself as he opened his eyes in the darkness. His ultra sensitive hearing picked up something. The sound was faint, but it sounded like fabric blowing in the wind somewhere. Sol hadn't checked to see if Millia had a window or not. With his eyes fully adjusted to the dark he inspected the outlines of the room. No window. He closed his eyes and closed out all other noises in his head. Along with the faint sound of fabric, he could have sworn he heard the sounds of boat rowing through water.
'What the hell? Where's it coming from? It can't be normal. This is a desert, not a river...unless...'
Sol thought harder until it struck him and he narrowed his eyes.
'Shit, something's coming underground...'
Without hesitation he got up and ran towards the door and turned on the lights.
"Aah! My eyes, what the hecks going on."
Axl yelled rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Millia was already up and glaring at Sol.
"Why'd you do that Sol, its four in the morning!"
Sol growled lowly, becoming deathly serious as his eyes narrowed.
"Listen you two, There's something coming this way underground. I need you two to evacuate the town..."
Sol was interrupted by Axl, who also wore a more serious expression on his face.
"It would be better to stick together on this. Why don't you go ahead Millia, while I go with Chief Sol?"
Millia thought otherwise.
"How about I stick with you two, and I have the Bartender evacuate this town."
"Well that works to..."
The three were successfully in forcing the Bartender to evacuate with the small group of people who lived there. Once they finally were gone, the trio of fighters made it to the center of the town. Millia asked Sol a question.
"How is it possible for you to be able to things underground? No one has hearing that good."
Sol, again, didn't like where the conversation was going. He thought for a while before finally coming up with a response that he thought was plausible enough to work.
"Look, Rage, I was a Bounty Hunter, and in order to be one of the best, I had to be able to track my prey without my eyes alone. So I decided to strengthen my hearing in order to keep track of my prey, without actually having to see them. Understand?"
Millia looked like she accepted the answer some what, but still looked skeptical about what Sol was saying. Axl broke in the conversation.
"So, Chief, what are we looking for, exactly?"
Sol scowled at the man.
"I thought I told you to stop calling me chief, dammit!"
"But I recall you saying something about me not having to call you chief in the Bar, Chief."
It all came back to Sol as he remembered the conversation earlier with the Bartender.
"Shit, I did say that, didn't I?"
'Should have said he couldn't call me chief for as long as he lived.'
"Can you guys get serious again? So tell us now Sol, what are we suppose to look out for?"
Millia asked in an effort to bring the two men back to the main point of the conversation again. Sol looked at her and remembered about the current situation at hand.
"Alright, Rage, honestly I haven't a clue about what it is were looking for, all I know is that its underground. Now, then, since you work in this area, do you know of any water systems around here?"
Millia thought for a moment, putting a finger to her lip in thought, as she looked up into the black sky.
"Yes, there are. There are two main underground water systems: the Sewage System, as it is called, accumulates the wasted material of the places they are connected to, like an ordinary sewer. The other one is the Purification System, which bring pure clean water into the towns. Its a system specially given to desert towns such as this one, when they can not purchase the water elsewhere."
Once Millia had given Sol the information, He cracked his neck audibly as he thought.
"Hmm...Whatever's down there is probably traveling through the Purification System. If that System brings in pure water to be used by the towns, that explains the sound of rushing water I heard earlier...Ah, I bet whoevers down their is using the water current get here by row boat. That would explain those rowing sounds, too."
Axl looked a bit confused.
"How do you know its the Purification System? Doesn't the Sewage System also have running water going through it?"
Sol looked at him.
"Your right, water does move through the Sewage system as well, but it doesn't move nearly as fast, with all the shit that gets dumped into that place daily. Plus, the water flow would most likely head in the opposite direction of the town. These guys are traveling way to fast, so they must going with the water current in the Purification System, that's the only explanation. Got that, Low?"
As Sol finished his explanation, he reached into his back pocket, bringing up a pack of cigarettes. He casually took one in his mouth, before using his magic to heat the Fire Seal's blade, then touched the end of the cigarette to the blade, lighting it up. He took a long drag from it before exhaling smoke from his mouth and nostrils.
"Now we wait."
Five minutes later a small explosion was heard in the desert, and the sound of something heavy hit the sand. Sol smirked. He let his cigarette fall to the ground before stomping it out, under his heel. He cracked his knuckles, followed by his neck before taking the Fire Seal in his left hand, letting the blade tap his side, and putting his right hand in his pocket. Axl had brought his chained sickles along with him, and carried them in both hands, every once in a while throwing one up in the air shortly, before catching it with his hand, Millia extended her hair a little past her waist, getting ready to fight whatever was coming. The Sun now shown a bit on the horizon, And the three looked towards it, beginning to notice something in the light. Sol was the first to identify it and gritted his teeth softly.
'Those are Robotic Kiskes. Shit, I only know of one organization who would create those things! The...'
Sol's thoughts were interrupted by the distorted voices of the fake Knights.
"BZZZ...TARGET SOL BADGUY...AQUIRED...COMMENCING ATTACK...BZZT."
After saying those words, the small mechanical army charged the three warriors. Sol yelled a fierce battle cry, before he rushed into the fray, slashing and hacking through the robots. One of the robots tried to slash Sol from behind, but he easily side stepped before slashing upward, splitting the head in two. Three more followed behind it, each one striking simultaneously, each one nearly crossing each other. Sol gritted his teeth and brought his sword up to block the attack, then instantly pushed forward against the three blades before lifting himself up in the air slightly.
"You bastards are really asking for it now. Tyrant Rave!"
Sol quickly brought a shield of fire in from of him before air dashing in a straight line, smashing through the robots like a hot knife through butter. Once the flames dispersed, Sol noticed a robot right in front of him, ready to impale him with the fake Thunder Seal sword. Acting quickly, Sol adjusted his flight in mid air, before landing on the robots sword, before somersaulting off it and jumping over the machine, twisting in the air to face it. Sol then swung his Fire Seal upwards, shooting a fire ball from its tip, and connecting with the back of the robot's head making it explode. As he landed, he cursed out loud seeing more and more robotic Kys surrounding him. one drew its sword back before swinging forward, sending a projectile of lightning in Sol's direction.
"STUN EDGE!"
another one followed, gathering electricity in its palm.
"RAY DIVIDER!"
'Shit...'
Just as Sol was about to make a move, a ring of fire burst through a large group of robots, before a line of fire lanced out and canceled out all the projectiles. He then saw Axl besides him, holding his sickles at the ready. Sol smirked at him.
"What took you so long, Low? It shouldn't have been that hard to find me, since I'm the only one in black and red amongst all the white and blues."
Sol commented with mock annoyance. Axl smiled slightly.
"It wasn't finding you that was the hard part..."
Axl began as he connected the grips of his weapons, blocking one of the robot's sword swings and deflecting the blow, then instantly swung his weapon horizontally, catching its stomach and sending it back towards the other machines before continuing.
"...It was getting to you through all these machines. Ya know..."
Axl continued talking to Sol as they stood back to back and countering all attacks that came their way.
"...Its a good thing Millia's not wearing her fighting outfit. It would be too hard to tell who's who with all these white and blue colors, eh Chief?"
He said before catching one of the robot's swords in his chain, then made it stagger back as the side jumped behind it and delivered a cross cut to its back and sending it through the air. Sol dashed forward and brought up a flame engulfed fist towards the head of a robot, causing the head to fly off some where. As the robot fell, Sol yelled suddenly, a small burst of flame coming from beneath his feet , forming a ring around his legs, Sol brought the Fire Seal over his head, before quickly impaling the sand with his sword, sending up a giant wave of fire up from the ground, making a huge amount of robots in his vicinity explode into pieces of scrap and shrapnel. Sol had a grim look on his face.
'Where the hell is Rage, anyway?'
Millia had been separated from her other two allies amongst the robotic Ky look alikes.
The fact that she was shorter than all of them didn't help matters much.
'My best chance would be to find those two...'
As she thought of the best course of action, a Robo Ky charged at her with its sword over its head, intent on slicing her in two. She didn't give it the satisfaction. Instantly, she formed her hair into a pair of scissors and cut the machine's arms off, rendering it weaponless, before using her scissor hair again to cleave its head off its shoulders. More of them started to attack, and Millia formed a large shield if hair to protect herself. As she felt the blades connect, she countered all the attacks she could by forming her hair into spears and striking at them. As more came, Millia took to the air, before forming her hair in the shape of a crescent moon around her rolled up form, before crashing into three of the robots upon landing, crushing their heads. As her hair reverted, she took the chance to run from the bothersome machines as she found an opening in their numbers, however as she got there more of them closed off her escape. She was now trapped.
'I'm starting to expend to much of my power...'
She thought as she ran towards the nearest robot and started attacking rapidly with her hair, impaling it until it was no more than scrap metal. As she was about to strike another Robo Ky, an explosion sent the machines and her flying back a bit, then another one came
as the robots were engulfed in flames. As the flames dispersed Millia saw Sol and Axl rushing towards her. She smiled in relief.
"C'mon, lets get out of here!"
Axl yelled as Millia got up to join him and Sol. All of them were together, but completely surrounded. Seeing the odds were not in his favor, Sol decided that he would have to end the whole battle quickly.
'If I use it, those two will get caught in the blast...'
"Listen to me, you two. Get as far away from here as you can and don't you dare turn back."
Sol replied grimly, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the robotic knights.
"We can't do that Chief. We can't leave you here!"
Axl said turning towards Sol. Millia also spoke.
"We are totally surrounded. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't go anywhere..."
Millia was cut off by Sol, as he turned and faced the two.
"Maybe you didn't understand me the first time. MOVE your asses, NOW!"
As he said that Sol struck his sword into the ground again, bringing up a wave of fire, and breaking a wide enough opening in the crowd of machines. As the flames dispersed, Axl wasted on time in grabbing Millia's arm and making a mad dash through the opening. As the two escaped, the Robo Kys were planning to follow them but Sol got their attention.
"Hey, its me your really after, right? So come and get me!"
Soon the entire force of robots attacked Sol but before they made it, Sol brought his arms up to his head, holding it as if it was in pain, before crouching down low, as an unearthly black flame arose from his body. The robots struck Sol with their weapons, but it had no effect. Sol looked up at them, before giving an all knowing smirk.
"That's close enough! Now fuck you stupid pieces of scrap metal! Napalm Death!"
Sol instantly flung himself into the air, leaving a red spot of heat in the sand. While all of the robots heads looked towards him, a massive explosion of heat and flame emerged from the sand, obliterating all who came in contact of the huge blast, except for Sol, who seemed to be basking in its heat as it took him even higher into the air, before finally dispersing, leaving all the ground charred black a mile all around by its blast. Sol descended to the heated ground, before bringing up his head and seeing Axl and Millia rushing towards him. He made a stopping gesture with his right hand.
"Don't come any closer, you idiots, its still hot!"
As he made his way casually to the end of the charred ground, Sol's forehead sweat dropped.
"Shit, don't tell me..."
Millia nodded her head.
"Yes, you burned the entire town down to the ground, save for the bar over there."
She said, pointing in the direction of the bar. Sol scratched his head innocently.
"Guess I kinda over did it, huh?"
Axl blinked once before scratching his own head.
"I think kinda is an understatement here, Chief."
Sol narrowed his eyes at the blonde man.
"Shut up, Low, who asked you?"
Millia cut in the conversation.
"I think its time to think of a way to get out of here. Staying in the desert to die is not my idea of fun."
Axl turned towards her.
"But didn't the town folks pack up and take every camel? How are we going to get out of here?"
Sol thought for a moment before speaking.
"Look were going to avoid the next checkpoint towns, alright?"
Axl and Millia both looked at him as if he were crazy, but he continued anyway.
"I don't want to face the wraith of an entire town, alright. Lets just get are things from the bar and take the way thorough the sewers."
The thought of traveling through the sewers was not a pleasant one for Axl and Millia.
"Wait Chief! There's got to be a better way. Why not take the Purification System instead? At least its cleaner down there..."
Sol interrupted him.
"And get caught down there by reinforcements? Sorry, Low, but were taking the sewers. Its the least risky of choosing to go through the Purification system, or dying out here in the desert, right?"
The other two reluctantly agreed and Sol now turned towards the horizon again.
"Now we just have to find the manhole leading there."
Axl and Millia groaned.
Note: Sorry about not posting Chapter 2 and 3, but I had some technical difficulties.