Chapter 2
Written by Illuminet
Disclaimer: You know it.
------
I-NO
------
Hell, Cemetery
'What to do, what to do...?'
I-NO pondered to herself as she walked though the slightly snowed down ground. She had to lure the final threat to her master into a trap. She would be able to finish him personally. She continued to walk, her stiletto boots crunching on the cold ground. She stopped a bit, sensing something nearby.
"SHAAA...!"
A black puddle began to form a few feet in front of her, before it rose up, soon revealing a man dressed in tight fitting black clothes and combat boots, with a red piece of cloth bounded around his head by a leather strap. I-No looked at the man in disgust.
"Whatever you are, you have such bad manners."
She said in a charming voice, pleased that she might be able to use this particular man.
'The human is already dead, but that shadow...it's an Eddie parasite. I can use it's own life for my purposes...'
The shadowed man spoke forcefully.
"I'LL TAKE YOUR BODY!"
I-NO's left eye twitched.
"A bad excuse. The first one was better..."
She brought her guitar up as she readied herself. Eddie attacked first, swinging his arm up as a drill of shadow poked up from the ground, barely missing the young woman as she jumped back, as more of them rose from the ground.
"Bastard..."
She began, as she played a tune on her guitar, allowing the mouth of her hat to open as it spit out a music note projectile. Eddie evaded it easily by sinking into the ground as he traveled towards I-NO's location. As his head rose, I-No pounded his it down with an overhead smash of her guitar. He went back a little before rising fully, clutching his head in pain. When he recovered, he ran at I-NO with incredible speed, his shadow totally surrounding him.
"I WILL HAVE YOUR BODY!"
He jumped into the air, as wings sprout out of his back as he flew over the female musician. He then dive bombed towards her. I-NO barely dodged, as Eddie sank into the ground, but the rose suddenly as his shadow formed into a shark. I-NO brought her guitar forward, blocking the attack. As Eddie went higher in the air, I-NO went right under him, before unleashing a beam from her guitar, kicking it up to the shadow as it struck right under him, sending him flying through the air, before crashing to the snowy ground.
"DAMN YOU WOMAN...!"
Eddie yelled, only to be clubbed in the head as I-NO swung her guitar like a baseball bat, sending the shade tumbling though the snow.
"YOU TOO! YOU WON'T ACCEPT ME!"
Eddie pouted, not wanting it's life to end. I-NO stepped forward, staring down at it.
"You realize it, right? Normal humans can't become your vessel."
She said, getting his attention.
"I WON'T DECAY LIKE THIS!"
He shouted, slamming his fist into the ground. I-NO cupped his chin, tipping his face up to hers.
"Why don't you do as I say...if you do...I can find a perfect host for you."
She said it nice and slow, so Eddie would pick up every word of it perfectly.
"Now, let's go..."
She said walking off as the shadow trailed behind her.
------
Russia, Goddess Fountain
I-No stared down at the small piece of land by the fountain from a watch tower. Her eyes finally caught a young blonde haired woman walking on a slightly grassy area. I-NO smiled, her eyes narrowing.
'That woman, Millia Rage, has a bone to pick with that shadow guy. Her ability to control her hair at will makes her a bit dangerous, but nothing I can handled..."
She floated down about half a mile away from the woman.
'Alright, show time.'
She ran towards Millia location, making sure she looked as panicked as possible.
"Kyaaa...!"
She screamed, catching Millia's attention, bumping into the woman. Millia caught her in her arms in surprise.
"Huh, what?"
Millia asked, before the red clad musician swung her guitar frantically. Millia brought her hair up to defend the blow, surprised by the force, as she was almost sent off her feet by the frantic woman. I-No swung again, almost making Millia lose balance.
"Somebody help!"
I-NO screamed as she kept swinging.
"Mou, that's enough!"
Millia said, as she evaded an overhead smash, not surprised by the small cater left in the ground.
'This woman had enough force behind her swing to break the ground. No wonder I almost went airborne...'
Millia thought as I-NO screamed frantically while she attacked, so she would look like she was fighting in panic. Millia finally divided her hair in to two thing strands, wrapping them tightly around the frazzled looking guitarist, binding her. I-NO screamed out a bit more before finally calming down. Millia looked at her oddly.
"What are you doing?"
She asked. I-NO sighed.
'Still breathing...'
"I'm sorry, I got confused..."
She told Millia, bowing her head. Millia's hair loosened.
"What's wrong?"
Millia asked, finally freeing the woman from her grip.
"I was just attacked by a black monster, and got so scared, I ran over here..."
She told Millia, panting. Millia raised an eyebrow in interest.
"Black monster? Where was it?"
I-NO pointed in the direction she came running.
"Over there!"
The woman said, as Millia nodded and smiled at her.
"Thanks!"
As Millia ran off, I-NO smirked.
"Ha...that was too easy..."
'Now on to other things...'
------
SOL
------
Russia, Goddess Fountain, four hours after I-NO incident
Sol walked by the small cobble stone street, his cloak swaying behind him. He traveled here based on a lead that said a female in red had been seen in the area. As he walked further he did see a woman, but not the one he was hoping for. Millia was sitting on top of her hair, with a look of concentration on her face, as if she was trying to think of something. Sol stepped forward, kicking a small stone. It caught Millia's attention as she looked up at him. Realization dawned on her features.
"Fancy meeting you here. I'm chasing after the red musician. Perhaps she has something to do with you?"
She asked, staring down at him. Sol's eyes narrowed under the cloak, which Millia did not pick up on.
"...pull back, now..."
He said slowly, his voice almost to low for her to hear. Millia nodded her head as she put her index finger to the side of her face closing her eyes.
"Of course she does...I would never bother you in any other circumstance, but I cannot turn back."
Sol grunted in annoyance. Usually the two of them would meet under better conditions, but this was not one of them. Sol took his cloak off him as he tapped his blade lightly against his leg.
"...I don't care what happens to you..."
He said simply as Millia spun off her hair, getting into her fighting stance. The two charged at each other. Sol attacked first with a horizontal slash of his sword, almost catching her as she jumped over the low attack, kicking out at him with her right foot. He brought up his right fist and blocked the attack, Millia kicking off it and flipping backwards. Once she hit the ground she sped towards him, whipping her head back before bringing it forward, as a her hair formed into a thick whip.
"Not good enough."
Sol said simply as he easily blocked the attack, countering with a swift kick to Millia's stomach, sending her back into the ground. She got up quickly as he slammed his sword down on her, before rolling behind him. She her hair formed barbs as she lashed out repeatedly, but Sol turned and brought his sword up quickly, deflecting all the blows. Sol growled.
"..enough."
He pushed forward, halting her offensive with an uppercut to her chin, sending her up in the air, before using a round house kick and catching her in the stomach. He jumped after her, grabbing the collar of her uniform, before twirling in mid air, releasing her as she fell to the ground, landing on her side. She got up slightly, holding her side in pain as she watched him take his cloak and put it back on, walking past her.
'I-NO's been causing all sorts of trouble...he may not have complete control...if that's the case, I may be able to save her...'
------
Colony, outside escape route
"Hey, it's been a long time."
A man said to Sol, making him turn around at the voice. Sol did not like annoying people like the pure Japanese, Anji Mito. People like Anji got on his nerves.
"...not another useless idiot..."
Sol muttered as Anji ran towards him.
"The fact that your here must mean I've come to the right place."
Anji said matter of factly. Sol groaned at him.
"What do you want to know so badly?"
He asked as Anji smiled.
"Oh, a lot of things. The origins of the Gears and the truth behind the Holy war. The principle of Earth and the name of all things. Bigger the better, naturally."
He said to Sol. Sol shrugged.
"You'll ruin your body under that constant stress."
Anji dismissed his warning with a wave of his hand.
"Then, that'll be my fault. Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge against you."
Sol cracked his knuckles after hearing Anji say that.
"It's your funeral. Show my the power of that weapon."
Sol removed his cloak as he stared at Anji. Anji flicked his fans a bit as he also looked towards Sol. Anji jumped high in the air, before trying to foot stomp Sol, who dashed out of the way as Anji made impact with the ground, kicking up dust . Sol struck out with his fist, but Anji blocked it with his fan, trying to counter with a kick, but Sol blocked it with his arm.
"Your wasting my time..."
Sol muttered to Anji. He sent a large overhead smash to Anji as he blocked it with his fans, before countering. Anji rammed into Sol, catching him off balance. While Sol stayed that way for a bit, Anji reeled his hands back, before sending them forward, crossing each other. The fan swirled as it pulled it Sol like a vacuum. Sol impaled his sword in the ground to keep himself from getting sucked into the attack before an idea came to him.
"Grand Viper!"
Sol slithered right under the swirling fan as he struck Anji on the other side, encasing the man in flames as they both soared upwards, Sol finishing with a large uppercut that sent Anji even higher. Anji fell with a solid smacking sound. His body was charred black in some places as he coughed. Sol got behind him.
"What are..."
Before Anji could finish, Sol jabbed the hilt of his sword into the back of Anji's head, knocking him unconscious. Sol sighed it relief.
"I gotta get going..."
------
Verdant, fallen air ship, seventeen hours prior to I-NO incident
Johnny kept watch on deck. He had been searching for Dizzy, along with May as the rest of his crew fixed the engine. Unfortunately it had taken them longer than he thought it would. May was not back yet. Johnny saw someone come out of the forest into the clearing, but it was not May or Dizzy.
'I got held up...'
Thought Sol, before he looked up at the air ship in front of him. He glared at the man that came down to greet him.
"Hey, I see your here."
Johnny said in good nature, but Sol simply scowled.
"And why are you here?"
Sol asked in a gruff tone, trying to speed the conversation up, but afraid he knew what Johnny was about to say.
"Our new crew member is missing, somewhere around this area..."
Sol interrupted him.
"So?"
Johnny put up his hands.
"Sorry, but leave this to the Jellyfish..."
Sol narrowed his eyes at the man, as a bead of sweat formed on Johnny's brow.
"...is what I'd like to say, but probably no go, right?"
Sol was tired of this and already prepared to fight. Johnny knew that Sol was a dangerous man to get in the way of, but what other alternative was there but to fight? Johnny gripped his hidden sword as readied himself for a fight he knew would never be easy. The two struck simultaneously, Johnny drawing out his sword in a quick stroke, as Sol swung his sword out in a wide arch. The blades met as sparks flew. Johnny places his sword in his sheath again, as Sol stood upright, cracking his neck.
"Is this really necessary, Sol?"
He asked. Sol grunted.
"Not if you decide to pull back and let me pass...I'll find her for you. You won't have to owe me anything.."
Johnny sighed at Sol's answer.
"Unfortunately I can't have that...darn, I'm asking for it huh?"
Sol attacked, not wanting to answer and waste more precious time. He lunged at Johnny as the man drew his sword, barely able to defend against the downward swipe of Sol's blade. Sol jumped suddenly, dashing at Johnny as he reeled back his sword, thrusting it forward as the hilt struck Johnny solidly in the chest, making him fly back, as his head met the metal hull of the ship, knocking him unconscious.
"If I hurry, I still may have some time...."
Sol said as he rushed off, leaving the ship behind him.
***TBC***
Written by Illuminet
Disclaimer: You know it.
------
I-NO
------
Hell, Cemetery
'What to do, what to do...?'
I-NO pondered to herself as she walked though the slightly snowed down ground. She had to lure the final threat to her master into a trap. She would be able to finish him personally. She continued to walk, her stiletto boots crunching on the cold ground. She stopped a bit, sensing something nearby.
"SHAAA...!"
A black puddle began to form a few feet in front of her, before it rose up, soon revealing a man dressed in tight fitting black clothes and combat boots, with a red piece of cloth bounded around his head by a leather strap. I-No looked at the man in disgust.
"Whatever you are, you have such bad manners."
She said in a charming voice, pleased that she might be able to use this particular man.
'The human is already dead, but that shadow...it's an Eddie parasite. I can use it's own life for my purposes...'
The shadowed man spoke forcefully.
"I'LL TAKE YOUR BODY!"
I-NO's left eye twitched.
"A bad excuse. The first one was better..."
She brought her guitar up as she readied herself. Eddie attacked first, swinging his arm up as a drill of shadow poked up from the ground, barely missing the young woman as she jumped back, as more of them rose from the ground.
"Bastard..."
She began, as she played a tune on her guitar, allowing the mouth of her hat to open as it spit out a music note projectile. Eddie evaded it easily by sinking into the ground as he traveled towards I-NO's location. As his head rose, I-No pounded his it down with an overhead smash of her guitar. He went back a little before rising fully, clutching his head in pain. When he recovered, he ran at I-NO with incredible speed, his shadow totally surrounding him.
"I WILL HAVE YOUR BODY!"
He jumped into the air, as wings sprout out of his back as he flew over the female musician. He then dive bombed towards her. I-NO barely dodged, as Eddie sank into the ground, but the rose suddenly as his shadow formed into a shark. I-NO brought her guitar forward, blocking the attack. As Eddie went higher in the air, I-NO went right under him, before unleashing a beam from her guitar, kicking it up to the shadow as it struck right under him, sending him flying through the air, before crashing to the snowy ground.
"DAMN YOU WOMAN...!"
Eddie yelled, only to be clubbed in the head as I-NO swung her guitar like a baseball bat, sending the shade tumbling though the snow.
"YOU TOO! YOU WON'T ACCEPT ME!"
Eddie pouted, not wanting it's life to end. I-NO stepped forward, staring down at it.
"You realize it, right? Normal humans can't become your vessel."
She said, getting his attention.
"I WON'T DECAY LIKE THIS!"
He shouted, slamming his fist into the ground. I-NO cupped his chin, tipping his face up to hers.
"Why don't you do as I say...if you do...I can find a perfect host for you."
She said it nice and slow, so Eddie would pick up every word of it perfectly.
"Now, let's go..."
She said walking off as the shadow trailed behind her.
------
Russia, Goddess Fountain
I-No stared down at the small piece of land by the fountain from a watch tower. Her eyes finally caught a young blonde haired woman walking on a slightly grassy area. I-NO smiled, her eyes narrowing.
'That woman, Millia Rage, has a bone to pick with that shadow guy. Her ability to control her hair at will makes her a bit dangerous, but nothing I can handled..."
She floated down about half a mile away from the woman.
'Alright, show time.'
She ran towards Millia location, making sure she looked as panicked as possible.
"Kyaaa...!"
She screamed, catching Millia's attention, bumping into the woman. Millia caught her in her arms in surprise.
"Huh, what?"
Millia asked, before the red clad musician swung her guitar frantically. Millia brought her hair up to defend the blow, surprised by the force, as she was almost sent off her feet by the frantic woman. I-No swung again, almost making Millia lose balance.
"Somebody help!"
I-NO screamed as she kept swinging.
"Mou, that's enough!"
Millia said, as she evaded an overhead smash, not surprised by the small cater left in the ground.
'This woman had enough force behind her swing to break the ground. No wonder I almost went airborne...'
Millia thought as I-NO screamed frantically while she attacked, so she would look like she was fighting in panic. Millia finally divided her hair in to two thing strands, wrapping them tightly around the frazzled looking guitarist, binding her. I-NO screamed out a bit more before finally calming down. Millia looked at her oddly.
"What are you doing?"
She asked. I-NO sighed.
'Still breathing...'
"I'm sorry, I got confused..."
She told Millia, bowing her head. Millia's hair loosened.
"What's wrong?"
Millia asked, finally freeing the woman from her grip.
"I was just attacked by a black monster, and got so scared, I ran over here..."
She told Millia, panting. Millia raised an eyebrow in interest.
"Black monster? Where was it?"
I-NO pointed in the direction she came running.
"Over there!"
The woman said, as Millia nodded and smiled at her.
"Thanks!"
As Millia ran off, I-NO smirked.
"Ha...that was too easy..."
'Now on to other things...'
------
SOL
------
Russia, Goddess Fountain, four hours after I-NO incident
Sol walked by the small cobble stone street, his cloak swaying behind him. He traveled here based on a lead that said a female in red had been seen in the area. As he walked further he did see a woman, but not the one he was hoping for. Millia was sitting on top of her hair, with a look of concentration on her face, as if she was trying to think of something. Sol stepped forward, kicking a small stone. It caught Millia's attention as she looked up at him. Realization dawned on her features.
"Fancy meeting you here. I'm chasing after the red musician. Perhaps she has something to do with you?"
She asked, staring down at him. Sol's eyes narrowed under the cloak, which Millia did not pick up on.
"...pull back, now..."
He said slowly, his voice almost to low for her to hear. Millia nodded her head as she put her index finger to the side of her face closing her eyes.
"Of course she does...I would never bother you in any other circumstance, but I cannot turn back."
Sol grunted in annoyance. Usually the two of them would meet under better conditions, but this was not one of them. Sol took his cloak off him as he tapped his blade lightly against his leg.
"...I don't care what happens to you..."
He said simply as Millia spun off her hair, getting into her fighting stance. The two charged at each other. Sol attacked first with a horizontal slash of his sword, almost catching her as she jumped over the low attack, kicking out at him with her right foot. He brought up his right fist and blocked the attack, Millia kicking off it and flipping backwards. Once she hit the ground she sped towards him, whipping her head back before bringing it forward, as a her hair formed into a thick whip.
"Not good enough."
Sol said simply as he easily blocked the attack, countering with a swift kick to Millia's stomach, sending her back into the ground. She got up quickly as he slammed his sword down on her, before rolling behind him. She her hair formed barbs as she lashed out repeatedly, but Sol turned and brought his sword up quickly, deflecting all the blows. Sol growled.
"..enough."
He pushed forward, halting her offensive with an uppercut to her chin, sending her up in the air, before using a round house kick and catching her in the stomach. He jumped after her, grabbing the collar of her uniform, before twirling in mid air, releasing her as she fell to the ground, landing on her side. She got up slightly, holding her side in pain as she watched him take his cloak and put it back on, walking past her.
'I-NO's been causing all sorts of trouble...he may not have complete control...if that's the case, I may be able to save her...'
------
Colony, outside escape route
"Hey, it's been a long time."
A man said to Sol, making him turn around at the voice. Sol did not like annoying people like the pure Japanese, Anji Mito. People like Anji got on his nerves.
"...not another useless idiot..."
Sol muttered as Anji ran towards him.
"The fact that your here must mean I've come to the right place."
Anji said matter of factly. Sol groaned at him.
"What do you want to know so badly?"
He asked as Anji smiled.
"Oh, a lot of things. The origins of the Gears and the truth behind the Holy war. The principle of Earth and the name of all things. Bigger the better, naturally."
He said to Sol. Sol shrugged.
"You'll ruin your body under that constant stress."
Anji dismissed his warning with a wave of his hand.
"Then, that'll be my fault. Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge against you."
Sol cracked his knuckles after hearing Anji say that.
"It's your funeral. Show my the power of that weapon."
Sol removed his cloak as he stared at Anji. Anji flicked his fans a bit as he also looked towards Sol. Anji jumped high in the air, before trying to foot stomp Sol, who dashed out of the way as Anji made impact with the ground, kicking up dust . Sol struck out with his fist, but Anji blocked it with his fan, trying to counter with a kick, but Sol blocked it with his arm.
"Your wasting my time..."
Sol muttered to Anji. He sent a large overhead smash to Anji as he blocked it with his fans, before countering. Anji rammed into Sol, catching him off balance. While Sol stayed that way for a bit, Anji reeled his hands back, before sending them forward, crossing each other. The fan swirled as it pulled it Sol like a vacuum. Sol impaled his sword in the ground to keep himself from getting sucked into the attack before an idea came to him.
"Grand Viper!"
Sol slithered right under the swirling fan as he struck Anji on the other side, encasing the man in flames as they both soared upwards, Sol finishing with a large uppercut that sent Anji even higher. Anji fell with a solid smacking sound. His body was charred black in some places as he coughed. Sol got behind him.
"What are..."
Before Anji could finish, Sol jabbed the hilt of his sword into the back of Anji's head, knocking him unconscious. Sol sighed it relief.
"I gotta get going..."
------
Verdant, fallen air ship, seventeen hours prior to I-NO incident
Johnny kept watch on deck. He had been searching for Dizzy, along with May as the rest of his crew fixed the engine. Unfortunately it had taken them longer than he thought it would. May was not back yet. Johnny saw someone come out of the forest into the clearing, but it was not May or Dizzy.
'I got held up...'
Thought Sol, before he looked up at the air ship in front of him. He glared at the man that came down to greet him.
"Hey, I see your here."
Johnny said in good nature, but Sol simply scowled.
"And why are you here?"
Sol asked in a gruff tone, trying to speed the conversation up, but afraid he knew what Johnny was about to say.
"Our new crew member is missing, somewhere around this area..."
Sol interrupted him.
"So?"
Johnny put up his hands.
"Sorry, but leave this to the Jellyfish..."
Sol narrowed his eyes at the man, as a bead of sweat formed on Johnny's brow.
"...is what I'd like to say, but probably no go, right?"
Sol was tired of this and already prepared to fight. Johnny knew that Sol was a dangerous man to get in the way of, but what other alternative was there but to fight? Johnny gripped his hidden sword as readied himself for a fight he knew would never be easy. The two struck simultaneously, Johnny drawing out his sword in a quick stroke, as Sol swung his sword out in a wide arch. The blades met as sparks flew. Johnny places his sword in his sheath again, as Sol stood upright, cracking his neck.
"Is this really necessary, Sol?"
He asked. Sol grunted.
"Not if you decide to pull back and let me pass...I'll find her for you. You won't have to owe me anything.."
Johnny sighed at Sol's answer.
"Unfortunately I can't have that...darn, I'm asking for it huh?"
Sol attacked, not wanting to answer and waste more precious time. He lunged at Johnny as the man drew his sword, barely able to defend against the downward swipe of Sol's blade. Sol jumped suddenly, dashing at Johnny as he reeled back his sword, thrusting it forward as the hilt struck Johnny solidly in the chest, making him fly back, as his head met the metal hull of the ship, knocking him unconscious.
"If I hurry, I still may have some time...."
Sol said as he rushed off, leaving the ship behind him.
***TBC***