-----Chapter 14: Genocide-----
(Author's notes. Yep. It's been a long time, hasn't it. But what a couple months it has been. I've been acting at a haunte house all through October *Waverly Hills TB Sanitorium, It rocked, come by next year, It's in Louisville, Ky.* I've been doing my other job too, which still sucks. But I finally finished, hope you like it!)
The insturment panel flashes on and of, bathing Haryusa in a rainbow of colors. The look on his face is bleak, as he thinks about his ruined plans. His plans for the total annihilation of the human race have effectively been thwarted by the intervention of his contemptable brother. Now all his plans will have to be rethought.
Haryusa: "I should have killed my bastard brother when I had the chance."
He punctuates this sentance, by slamming his fist into the control panel, suddenly the whole ship trembles, and then settles. Haryusa raises an eyebrow, looks down at the controls, and proceeds to hit them again. This, too, produces a violent shudder in the ship. A cruel smile spreads across Haryusa's face, as a new plan begins to formulate. Maybe his plans are not as doomed as he had once believed. He quickly reaches for the Intercom.
Haryusa: "Dabrine, Hagime, Yoshin, Raphel! Report to the main deck immediately!"
Vash will meet his end, as will the rest of humanity, and with enough help, all Haryusa will need is this one ship. At least now he will not have to just wait for the eventual death of the Human race. He is more than happy that he doesn't have to be a passive bystander in what shall be the most defining event in all of human history..
-----Mei City-----
Vash and Gina sit in a small shelter, shielding themselves from the blistering heat of the twin suns. The heat has everyone scrambling for shelter. Wolfwood sits a little ways off, with Millie close by. Everyone wishes for a nice cool fountain to jump into, but there are none. In fact there is no running water, at all. With the plants no longer powering everything, society no longer has a way to provide running water, or any of the pleasentries that people have come to rely so much on.
Vash: "It's so hot.... I need something to drink"
Wolfwood: "Hey broomhead, your siblings seem to be having no trouble keeping cool."
Wolfwood points absently over at another shelter, where Iode, Mikil, and Salphae, were chatting idly, without a drop of sweat marring their faces. They are cool and collected, chatting with a thouroughly sweat-drenched Alpris, who sat dabbing his forehead with an equally drenched cloth.
Vash: "Man, I wish I knew what their secret was, I'm burning up!"
Vash scrambles across the burning sands, to talk to his siblings. Alpris, jumps at the sight of the fast moving red blur approaching their shelter, however Iode, and Salphae move to the side, to give their brother a place to sit. Vash accepts the spot, and quickly plops himself down, and begins talking.
Vash: "So what's yer secret, how do you stay so cool in this heat, how come you aren't sweating like everyone else? Is it a family secret? Because if it is, I am family, so I want in on the secret. Come on..Tell metellmetellmeTELLME!!!!!"
Iode looks down at Vash with an expression of long suffering patience, and gives him a slight smile. Salphae smiles in a similar manner, and Alpris and Mikil share a disgusted look.
Iode: "It is easy, brother."
Vash: "Really?"
Salphae:" Yeah!"
Vash: "Then tell me tell me now!!!!!!"
Iode: "Let me ask a question first."
Vash: "Will you tell me the answer afterwards? Huh huh huh?"
Iode: "Yes."
Vash: "Then ask away."
Iode: "Have you ever been shot?"
Vash: "All the time.."
Iode :"Does it hurt?"
Vash: "Yeah, but I just ignore it."
Salphae: "Heat is the same way, just ignore it, and it won't phase you."
Vash looks at them, and places a finger to his chin, as he thinks about what he has just been told. Alpris sits in his corner, also thinking about what he has overheard and thinking how utterly absurd this theory is. Salphae laughs at the apparent confusion, and Mikil just grunts. Vash decides that there is nothing more to be learned from his siblings right now, and returns to his wife's side, telling her everything they have said. She prepares to ask a question, when the ground beneath them begins to shake violently. The gathering rapidly breaks up, as people scramble around, trying to find the source of the shaking. Shortly a large space ship rises above the dessert sand, and blots out one of the two suns.
Wolfwood: "Well....ain't that a bitch."
-----Aboard the spaceship-----
On the deck of the newly-dubbed Dragonfire, Haryusa stares out at the world. He now has the power that he desires. He will watch the world crumble, he shall see humanity breathe it's last breath. Death is coming for humanity, and Haryusa is more than willing to bring it about.
Haryusa: " The age of Humanity has passed. Their continued existence has been a blight on the planet, no, on the entire Universe. For too long have they destroyed everything they touch, for too long have they remained unchallenged in their dominance. My bretheren today shall take back what is our birthright. I will claim dominion over all. I shall become the god I was born to be!"
Haryusa begins to laugh. A deep maniacal laughter that could chill the bones of any mortal, living or dead. Dabrine who happens to be nearby overhears everything. She finally realizes that Haryusa is the threat, Vash never was. Now she just needs to hope she can warn Vash before it is too late to stop Haryusa. A sound in the back of the cabin alerts Haryusa to another presence. He turns slowly, and stares at this would-be spy.
Haryusa: "Ah! Dabrine, my dear dear sister. Why did you have to come in? You know I'm just going to have to kill you."
Her hands fall limply to her sides, as the gravity of the situation hits her. She no longer has the chance to warn Vash. Vash was alone in this battle.
Dabrine: "Vash, I am sorry."
Seconds later the screams start. For one that despises life, making someone scream was a pleasure. For one such as Haryusa, making a person scream is part of his nature, but the screams are not what he desires. He desires that point where the pain is so intense, that they can no longer scream. Since he has time for a change, he can do whatever he wants to his dear sister. Especially since the other siblings in the ship are busy powering the ship. Haryusa smiles, as he throws himself into the torture fully.
Dabrine's screams go on for hours before they finally stop.
-----Hours later on the ground-----
Vash and Gina stand, pointing at the giant ship, obvious distress painted their faces. Millie sits in the same shelter she has been in, afraid to leave, and worried about the future. Wolfwood paces back and forth in the shelter, occasionaly looking down at Millie. This is a dangerous time, especially with someone like Haryusa in control of forgotten technology like that ship. Giving up on his resolve, he grabs another cigarette from his jacket pocket, and lights up.
Finally Millie stands, and walks over to Wolfwood. Grabbing the cigarette firmly in her hand, she yanks it from his mouth, throws it to the ground, and proceeds to put it out with a quick stomp of her foot. She places fists on her hips, and looks at Wolfwood with an expression of playful anger.
Millie: "No smoking, the smoke is bad for the babies."
Wolfwood, smacks his face and walks away. He heads over to Vash and Gina, hoping that they may have some plan to get this over with. That, and for the chance to get in his much needed smoke. He lights up his last cigarrette.
Wolfwood: "Hey Broomhead. Do you have a way to get that thing out of the sky? I'm sure you have a plan right?"
Vash smiles reassuringly.
Vash: "Nope"
Wolfwood's mouth drops open, and the cigarette falls out. With wide eyed terror, he watches as a strong gust of wind blows his precious source of nicotine away. With tears in his eyes, he walks back to Millie, and sits down next to her. She places an arm around him, and leans close. With her head on his shoulder, she slowly falls asleep, leaving Wolfwood with nothing to do but think.
Gina and Vash are having no more luck than Wolfwood.
Gina: "Can't you just do what you did to July? I mean you said your arm cannon is powerful enough to destroy a city, it could easily take down that ship, kill Haryusa, and save the world. I think that may be your best option."
The look on Vash's face told her that was not an option.
Vash: "That is something I can't risk. I can not kill him, not yet. Besides, my siblings are on that ship, I can't kill them."
Gina: "I'm sorry, I forgot. We'll think of something, trust me."
The planning session carries on long into the night. In the morning Iode, Mikil, and Salphae bring Vash some sad news.
Mikil: "Brother, Dabrine is dead."
Vash looks at them, a look of pure dread on his face.
Vash: "What? When? HOW?"
Iode: "Last night, we lost track of her life signs. We believe it was Haryusa, but we can not be sure."
The look on Vash's face is one of pure rage. First Haryusa took away Iode, then he took away Knives, then Meryl. Now he had the nerve to kill yet another of his siblings. His eyes take on a reddish glow.
Vash: "He killed another. we have to stop him, before he kills any of the rest of us. I will stop him, even if I have to kill him to do so."
Vash reaches down and fingers his gun, and it's twin on his other hip. He still carries Knives' gun. The feel of it hanging there was somehow re-assuring. Now, it looks like that gun may have to be used for a very dangerous purpose. When Vash again speaks, his voice is low, no longer carrying the tone of playfulness that has become a trademark of his.
Vash:"Gina, Wolfwood, Millie. I want all of you to get on the bus, and drive away. This area is going to get very dangerous. Take all the people in the area, evacute. Head to somewhere far away, like New Kansas. I want my siblings to stay with me, I may need their help."
Gina: "I'm not leaving here. If you are going to go on some suicide mission, I am going right along with you. There is no way I will let you die without me."
Vash: "Gina, I can't let you do that. I can not guarantee you're safety, and if you are here, Haryusa will use you to distract me. If you remain, then you may very well die, and that death could result in the end of this world."
Gina's eyes fill slowly with tears as she stares at her husband. She throws her arms around him, and cries into his chest. She whispers quietly to him.
Gina: "Don't die on me, please."
Vash holds his wife, as the others make preparations to leave. His own tears slowly mixed with hers. He is unable to vocalize his fear that this may be the last chance they have to see each other, for in all likelyhood this day would be the end of Vash and all of his siblings, but for the moment, he is content with being there, and being in the presence of the one he loved.
Finally the time comes, and they must part. As Gina is dragged away screaming, by Alpris and Wolfwood, Millie waves a tearful goodbye to her friend and travelling companion. Vash tries his hardest to show them all a reassuring smile, but the best he can manage is a very weak, pitiful grin, that is all but worthless beneath the barrage of tears that escape his eyes. He knows that this must be how it happens, but it does not change the fact that he is sad to see his wife and friends leave.
As the Bus and it's occupants dissappear over a sand dune, Vash turns and looks up at the ship. Grabbing a gun in both each hand, he points at the ship, as the guns both begin to glow.
Vash: "Haryusa, today you die."
-----End Chapter 14-----
(Auxiliary Pronunciation Guide:
Dabrine- Duh-Bree-nuh
Hagime- Ha-jee-mee
Yoshin- Yo-Shin
Iode- Eye-o-da
Salphae- Sal-fay
Haryusa- Hair-ee-oo-suh
Mikil- Mee-Kill
Raphel- Ray-fell
Alpris- All-Pree
End Auxiliary pronunciation guide}
(Author's notes. Yep. It's been a long time, hasn't it. But what a couple months it has been. I've been acting at a haunte house all through October *Waverly Hills TB Sanitorium, It rocked, come by next year, It's in Louisville, Ky.* I've been doing my other job too, which still sucks. But I finally finished, hope you like it!)
The insturment panel flashes on and of, bathing Haryusa in a rainbow of colors. The look on his face is bleak, as he thinks about his ruined plans. His plans for the total annihilation of the human race have effectively been thwarted by the intervention of his contemptable brother. Now all his plans will have to be rethought.
Haryusa: "I should have killed my bastard brother when I had the chance."
He punctuates this sentance, by slamming his fist into the control panel, suddenly the whole ship trembles, and then settles. Haryusa raises an eyebrow, looks down at the controls, and proceeds to hit them again. This, too, produces a violent shudder in the ship. A cruel smile spreads across Haryusa's face, as a new plan begins to formulate. Maybe his plans are not as doomed as he had once believed. He quickly reaches for the Intercom.
Haryusa: "Dabrine, Hagime, Yoshin, Raphel! Report to the main deck immediately!"
Vash will meet his end, as will the rest of humanity, and with enough help, all Haryusa will need is this one ship. At least now he will not have to just wait for the eventual death of the Human race. He is more than happy that he doesn't have to be a passive bystander in what shall be the most defining event in all of human history..
-----Mei City-----
Vash and Gina sit in a small shelter, shielding themselves from the blistering heat of the twin suns. The heat has everyone scrambling for shelter. Wolfwood sits a little ways off, with Millie close by. Everyone wishes for a nice cool fountain to jump into, but there are none. In fact there is no running water, at all. With the plants no longer powering everything, society no longer has a way to provide running water, or any of the pleasentries that people have come to rely so much on.
Vash: "It's so hot.... I need something to drink"
Wolfwood: "Hey broomhead, your siblings seem to be having no trouble keeping cool."
Wolfwood points absently over at another shelter, where Iode, Mikil, and Salphae, were chatting idly, without a drop of sweat marring their faces. They are cool and collected, chatting with a thouroughly sweat-drenched Alpris, who sat dabbing his forehead with an equally drenched cloth.
Vash: "Man, I wish I knew what their secret was, I'm burning up!"
Vash scrambles across the burning sands, to talk to his siblings. Alpris, jumps at the sight of the fast moving red blur approaching their shelter, however Iode, and Salphae move to the side, to give their brother a place to sit. Vash accepts the spot, and quickly plops himself down, and begins talking.
Vash: "So what's yer secret, how do you stay so cool in this heat, how come you aren't sweating like everyone else? Is it a family secret? Because if it is, I am family, so I want in on the secret. Come on..Tell metellmetellmeTELLME!!!!!"
Iode looks down at Vash with an expression of long suffering patience, and gives him a slight smile. Salphae smiles in a similar manner, and Alpris and Mikil share a disgusted look.
Iode: "It is easy, brother."
Vash: "Really?"
Salphae:" Yeah!"
Vash: "Then tell me tell me now!!!!!!"
Iode: "Let me ask a question first."
Vash: "Will you tell me the answer afterwards? Huh huh huh?"
Iode: "Yes."
Vash: "Then ask away."
Iode: "Have you ever been shot?"
Vash: "All the time.."
Iode :"Does it hurt?"
Vash: "Yeah, but I just ignore it."
Salphae: "Heat is the same way, just ignore it, and it won't phase you."
Vash looks at them, and places a finger to his chin, as he thinks about what he has just been told. Alpris sits in his corner, also thinking about what he has overheard and thinking how utterly absurd this theory is. Salphae laughs at the apparent confusion, and Mikil just grunts. Vash decides that there is nothing more to be learned from his siblings right now, and returns to his wife's side, telling her everything they have said. She prepares to ask a question, when the ground beneath them begins to shake violently. The gathering rapidly breaks up, as people scramble around, trying to find the source of the shaking. Shortly a large space ship rises above the dessert sand, and blots out one of the two suns.
Wolfwood: "Well....ain't that a bitch."
-----Aboard the spaceship-----
On the deck of the newly-dubbed Dragonfire, Haryusa stares out at the world. He now has the power that he desires. He will watch the world crumble, he shall see humanity breathe it's last breath. Death is coming for humanity, and Haryusa is more than willing to bring it about.
Haryusa: " The age of Humanity has passed. Their continued existence has been a blight on the planet, no, on the entire Universe. For too long have they destroyed everything they touch, for too long have they remained unchallenged in their dominance. My bretheren today shall take back what is our birthright. I will claim dominion over all. I shall become the god I was born to be!"
Haryusa begins to laugh. A deep maniacal laughter that could chill the bones of any mortal, living or dead. Dabrine who happens to be nearby overhears everything. She finally realizes that Haryusa is the threat, Vash never was. Now she just needs to hope she can warn Vash before it is too late to stop Haryusa. A sound in the back of the cabin alerts Haryusa to another presence. He turns slowly, and stares at this would-be spy.
Haryusa: "Ah! Dabrine, my dear dear sister. Why did you have to come in? You know I'm just going to have to kill you."
Her hands fall limply to her sides, as the gravity of the situation hits her. She no longer has the chance to warn Vash. Vash was alone in this battle.
Dabrine: "Vash, I am sorry."
Seconds later the screams start. For one that despises life, making someone scream was a pleasure. For one such as Haryusa, making a person scream is part of his nature, but the screams are not what he desires. He desires that point where the pain is so intense, that they can no longer scream. Since he has time for a change, he can do whatever he wants to his dear sister. Especially since the other siblings in the ship are busy powering the ship. Haryusa smiles, as he throws himself into the torture fully.
Dabrine's screams go on for hours before they finally stop.
-----Hours later on the ground-----
Vash and Gina stand, pointing at the giant ship, obvious distress painted their faces. Millie sits in the same shelter she has been in, afraid to leave, and worried about the future. Wolfwood paces back and forth in the shelter, occasionaly looking down at Millie. This is a dangerous time, especially with someone like Haryusa in control of forgotten technology like that ship. Giving up on his resolve, he grabs another cigarette from his jacket pocket, and lights up.
Finally Millie stands, and walks over to Wolfwood. Grabbing the cigarette firmly in her hand, she yanks it from his mouth, throws it to the ground, and proceeds to put it out with a quick stomp of her foot. She places fists on her hips, and looks at Wolfwood with an expression of playful anger.
Millie: "No smoking, the smoke is bad for the babies."
Wolfwood, smacks his face and walks away. He heads over to Vash and Gina, hoping that they may have some plan to get this over with. That, and for the chance to get in his much needed smoke. He lights up his last cigarrette.
Wolfwood: "Hey Broomhead. Do you have a way to get that thing out of the sky? I'm sure you have a plan right?"
Vash smiles reassuringly.
Vash: "Nope"
Wolfwood's mouth drops open, and the cigarette falls out. With wide eyed terror, he watches as a strong gust of wind blows his precious source of nicotine away. With tears in his eyes, he walks back to Millie, and sits down next to her. She places an arm around him, and leans close. With her head on his shoulder, she slowly falls asleep, leaving Wolfwood with nothing to do but think.
Gina and Vash are having no more luck than Wolfwood.
Gina: "Can't you just do what you did to July? I mean you said your arm cannon is powerful enough to destroy a city, it could easily take down that ship, kill Haryusa, and save the world. I think that may be your best option."
The look on Vash's face told her that was not an option.
Vash: "That is something I can't risk. I can not kill him, not yet. Besides, my siblings are on that ship, I can't kill them."
Gina: "I'm sorry, I forgot. We'll think of something, trust me."
The planning session carries on long into the night. In the morning Iode, Mikil, and Salphae bring Vash some sad news.
Mikil: "Brother, Dabrine is dead."
Vash looks at them, a look of pure dread on his face.
Vash: "What? When? HOW?"
Iode: "Last night, we lost track of her life signs. We believe it was Haryusa, but we can not be sure."
The look on Vash's face is one of pure rage. First Haryusa took away Iode, then he took away Knives, then Meryl. Now he had the nerve to kill yet another of his siblings. His eyes take on a reddish glow.
Vash: "He killed another. we have to stop him, before he kills any of the rest of us. I will stop him, even if I have to kill him to do so."
Vash reaches down and fingers his gun, and it's twin on his other hip. He still carries Knives' gun. The feel of it hanging there was somehow re-assuring. Now, it looks like that gun may have to be used for a very dangerous purpose. When Vash again speaks, his voice is low, no longer carrying the tone of playfulness that has become a trademark of his.
Vash:"Gina, Wolfwood, Millie. I want all of you to get on the bus, and drive away. This area is going to get very dangerous. Take all the people in the area, evacute. Head to somewhere far away, like New Kansas. I want my siblings to stay with me, I may need their help."
Gina: "I'm not leaving here. If you are going to go on some suicide mission, I am going right along with you. There is no way I will let you die without me."
Vash: "Gina, I can't let you do that. I can not guarantee you're safety, and if you are here, Haryusa will use you to distract me. If you remain, then you may very well die, and that death could result in the end of this world."
Gina's eyes fill slowly with tears as she stares at her husband. She throws her arms around him, and cries into his chest. She whispers quietly to him.
Gina: "Don't die on me, please."
Vash holds his wife, as the others make preparations to leave. His own tears slowly mixed with hers. He is unable to vocalize his fear that this may be the last chance they have to see each other, for in all likelyhood this day would be the end of Vash and all of his siblings, but for the moment, he is content with being there, and being in the presence of the one he loved.
Finally the time comes, and they must part. As Gina is dragged away screaming, by Alpris and Wolfwood, Millie waves a tearful goodbye to her friend and travelling companion. Vash tries his hardest to show them all a reassuring smile, but the best he can manage is a very weak, pitiful grin, that is all but worthless beneath the barrage of tears that escape his eyes. He knows that this must be how it happens, but it does not change the fact that he is sad to see his wife and friends leave.
As the Bus and it's occupants dissappear over a sand dune, Vash turns and looks up at the ship. Grabbing a gun in both each hand, he points at the ship, as the guns both begin to glow.
Vash: "Haryusa, today you die."
-----End Chapter 14-----
(Auxiliary Pronunciation Guide:
Dabrine- Duh-Bree-nuh
Hagime- Ha-jee-mee
Yoshin- Yo-Shin
Iode- Eye-o-da
Salphae- Sal-fay
Haryusa- Hair-ee-oo-suh
Mikil- Mee-Kill
Raphel- Ray-fell
Alpris- All-Pree
End Auxiliary pronunciation guide}