Trigun
Dragon's Breath
Written by: Spike (No, I don't own Trigun, or anything about it, but anybody or thing I create is MINE!)
First, thy author's notes. To my reviewer, a few answers. First, it's interesting to think about that man (Chap. 2) as Wolfwood, though as you'll find out, he is not. He might've been if this fic was an AU that had somehow let Wolfy survive. It's also interesting as to thinking of Vash as a 'guardian angel' for the girls - you'll see why later on. Also, Brilliant Dynamite Neon's assassination is in this story, so stay tuned and you'll find out. Now, onward!
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Chapter: Odd Man Out
Meryl and Millie awoke the next morning, refreshed as ever. They seeked out Kartsu, who had not slept the entire night, though no signs of sleepiness showed. They headed down to the saloon and ordered themselves an early breakfast - they would need to get out of here if they wanted to make the journey ahead of them. They were also having breakfast so Kartsu could tell them where they're going. As soon as they had ordered and the waitress had walked away, Meryl jumped Kartsu with the question she'd meant to ask since last night.
"What did she mean by the 'eagle's eye', Kartsu?"
Kartsu looked meaningfully at her, face still emotionless. The booth was tense as Meryl sat there, watching Kartsu stare directly into her eyes, until the food finally came. After a minute of chewing, Kartsu spoke in a harsh, raspy voice - one of a man who had not slept.
"The Eagle's Eye has a few different meanings. One meaning is the underground newspaper's title, The Eagle's Eye. Another would be the secret designs for a gun more powerful than even Vash the Stampede." Meryl's eyes drew cold and lonely at the sound of Vash's name. Kartsu had noticed, and decided not to dwell on it. "It is also the name of an underground gang whom originally came from the old Bad Lads group. When they realized what the group was turning to, they fled. Dug themselves a little hole and hid beneath the sands, building up their skills, and stealing anything they needed. The leader of this group was named Brilliant Dynamite Neon."
Millie jumped up at that name, spilling syrup over the table. Embarrased, she cleaned up, while looking at Kartsu with hopeful eyes.
"Have you met BDN, Mr. Kartsu?"
The man shook his head. "He was assassinated shortly after The Eagle Eyes escaped."
"Oh, no..."
Millie looked close to tears. Meryl looked confused at this.
-Does she really care what happened to him, after the incident on the sandsteamer?
Meryl decided to ask what she knew Millie wanted to.
"How did this man, BDN, die?"
Kartsu turned back to Meryl, his face remaining motionless.
-How can he be so cold-hearted? He's like an android...
"I'm not sure you want to know... it is unimportant, in any case. The important thing is, all three of these Eagle's Eyes can help us in several ways. All we have to do is figure out a way to get them."
"So, tell me, Kartsu..." Meryl was looking extremely hopeful through her next few words. "Are you adept with a gun?"
Kartsu pulled back part of his cloak, revealing a small, loaded pistol, in similar fashion to a .44 but with a larger handle and smaller barrel. It was pure black, just like the man who wielded it. Meryl seemed content with his answer, and jumped at him again.
"So... where do you think we should start?"
Kartsu's eyes were still motionless. This man was not ordinary, Meryl could tell. Kartsu's voice took a definite upturn in tone as he spoke again.
"It all depends on what is most important to us first. If we need the key to our success, we should start with the Eagle's Eye newspaper and the Eagle's Eye weapon. Both items have connections through the Eagle Eyes gang. It's up to you whether we should find Vash first, or if we need the weapon before we need him."
Meryl lay back in her seat, thinking everything over.
-If we go for the newspaper, we may have a chance of finding Vash... but if we get to the weapon first, we should have enough firepower to win a resistance fight without the Typhoon. However...
Meryl looked up into Kartsu's eyes again and replied. "We shall find Vash the Stampede, first and foremost."
Millie looked pleased to hear Meryl's answer - apparently, so was Kartsu, for his mouth finally broke into a smile. Suddenly, he seemed to be a true companion, full of life and compassion, just like Vash was. Meryl was shocked to see this sudden change in him.
"Come. We must find an entry into the underground. I hope you know what you are doing. Also, we must be swift and silent..."
Millie looked confused. "Why?"
"Because, if the Grog Mob finds out what we're up to, they'll try to go for the weapon, or kill us in our tracks. All of our tracks must be covered carefully, and we must make point-blank time at point-blank speed to get to the Eagle Eyes Headquarters if we are to avoid contact with the Mob."
They settled travel setups next. Kartsu figured it best to stay on foot - no one would suspect wondering travellers on foot, and entrances to the underground are often discovered while walking. Meryl looked displeased at having to walk, but she agreed nonetheless. Before they left, Kartsu said he had to make one more stop before heading out. He told the girls to wait at the booth while he went back into the hotel. Meryl started to question Millie about him.
"Can we really trust him, Millie? He doesn't exactly seem like the type of person who would travel in secret."
Millie looked rather happy about this. "Why are you smiling, Millie?"
"Because, now you're the one questioning him, and not me. It's just a sudden turn in events, huh? But at least he can help us, right?"
"I guess."
Kartsu returned, face emotionless once again. He motioned to the girls to follow him, which they did without hesitation. They checked out of their rooms and headed out into the dusty morning of Gunsmoke.
"My last stop was to find out where the closest entrance to the underground would be. We have quite a walk ahead of us - it's due 78 iles north of here, and we are to run every ile of it. I hope you girls are up to it. Let's go!"
With that, Kartsu was off in breakneck speed. The girls, though sometimes lazy, were very fit, and so could easily keep up with him. They ran for about 10 iles north of October before stopping to rest on a small, desolated cliff. Kartsu did not look the least bit out of breath - neither, in fact, did Millie. Meryl, however, looked slightly sweaty and worn out. She was relieved when they stopped.
"Thanks! I haven't run in so long, it's just my legs haven't traveled like this before... I'll be OK after a few drinks of water."
She pulled out her canteen and drank deeply from it, water dripping down her throat and cleansing her thirst. After a few seconds, she put the canteen away, looking refreshed and energized. Kartsu nodded when he saw this and took off again, the girls right behind him.
===20 minutes later===
"Only... 10... more... iles... Meryl!" Millie maintained her cheerfullness, but it was obvious to tell she was running out of breath as well. It was amazing it had taken her 68 iles carrying the Cross Punisher before finally getting tired. Kartsu stopped again, looking only slightly displeased, but remaining vigilante nonetheless. When Millie looked up at him questioningly, he nodded to her.
"It's quite alright. We are making better time then I had hoped. It's-"
But he stopped mid-sentence, looking behind the girls. Meryl turned around, hand tightly clenched on her .44. In the distance, several men wearing Grog Mob logo shirts were running towards them. Kartsu sighed deeply.
"It is as I feared... they tracked us down. Prepare for battle, girls."
Meryl jumped up, .44 now out of its sheath and held tightly at chest level with her. Mille jumped up as well, unfolding the white cloth around the Cross Punisher to reveal a large, cross-shaped machine gun, fully loaded. Kartsu looked surprised but did not question it.
"Here we go!!"
Meryl and Kartsu began firing at the men in the distance while Millie waited patiently. Several of the men fell to the ground, roasting on the sun, but plenty more were behind them. Kartsu looked to Millie.
"Your turn, priestess!"
"Right!" Millie jumped up, flipping the Cross Punisher into the air and landing softly in her hands. With no regret, she opened fire on the men, spraying each row of men with bullets. The scarlet blood was now seeping into the sands, creeping up slowly on the group. Kartsu's eyes suddenly widened.
"Stop firing! EVERYONE, STOP FIRING!"
The girls looked confused, but they put down their guns. Now that the gunfire had stopped, they could hear it - a large pounding of feet in the distance.
"These men were a distraction..."
And then, Meryl understood. "The Nebraska Family!"
The trio stood in fear, awaiting the destiny that came pounding at them.
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Just in case you got confused, the Nebraska Family was in Trigun Episode #5, Hard Puncher. Professor Nebraska and his son are back, yes yes! Well, time to go for me. Oh, and by the way, instead of weekly updates, I have decided to put up a chapter every time I finish the one right after said chapter. Thus, I shall put up Chapter 3 after I finish typing this chapter, and this chapter will go up after I finish typing Chapter 5, and so on. Till next time!
-Spike (Bright, shining hearts forever more - endlessly smile, for you are alive.)
Dragon's Breath
Written by: Spike (No, I don't own Trigun, or anything about it, but anybody or thing I create is MINE!)
First, thy author's notes. To my reviewer, a few answers. First, it's interesting to think about that man (Chap. 2) as Wolfwood, though as you'll find out, he is not. He might've been if this fic was an AU that had somehow let Wolfy survive. It's also interesting as to thinking of Vash as a 'guardian angel' for the girls - you'll see why later on. Also, Brilliant Dynamite Neon's assassination is in this story, so stay tuned and you'll find out. Now, onward!
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Chapter: Odd Man Out
Meryl and Millie awoke the next morning, refreshed as ever. They seeked out Kartsu, who had not slept the entire night, though no signs of sleepiness showed. They headed down to the saloon and ordered themselves an early breakfast - they would need to get out of here if they wanted to make the journey ahead of them. They were also having breakfast so Kartsu could tell them where they're going. As soon as they had ordered and the waitress had walked away, Meryl jumped Kartsu with the question she'd meant to ask since last night.
"What did she mean by the 'eagle's eye', Kartsu?"
Kartsu looked meaningfully at her, face still emotionless. The booth was tense as Meryl sat there, watching Kartsu stare directly into her eyes, until the food finally came. After a minute of chewing, Kartsu spoke in a harsh, raspy voice - one of a man who had not slept.
"The Eagle's Eye has a few different meanings. One meaning is the underground newspaper's title, The Eagle's Eye. Another would be the secret designs for a gun more powerful than even Vash the Stampede." Meryl's eyes drew cold and lonely at the sound of Vash's name. Kartsu had noticed, and decided not to dwell on it. "It is also the name of an underground gang whom originally came from the old Bad Lads group. When they realized what the group was turning to, they fled. Dug themselves a little hole and hid beneath the sands, building up their skills, and stealing anything they needed. The leader of this group was named Brilliant Dynamite Neon."
Millie jumped up at that name, spilling syrup over the table. Embarrased, she cleaned up, while looking at Kartsu with hopeful eyes.
"Have you met BDN, Mr. Kartsu?"
The man shook his head. "He was assassinated shortly after The Eagle Eyes escaped."
"Oh, no..."
Millie looked close to tears. Meryl looked confused at this.
-Does she really care what happened to him, after the incident on the sandsteamer?
Meryl decided to ask what she knew Millie wanted to.
"How did this man, BDN, die?"
Kartsu turned back to Meryl, his face remaining motionless.
-How can he be so cold-hearted? He's like an android...
"I'm not sure you want to know... it is unimportant, in any case. The important thing is, all three of these Eagle's Eyes can help us in several ways. All we have to do is figure out a way to get them."
"So, tell me, Kartsu..." Meryl was looking extremely hopeful through her next few words. "Are you adept with a gun?"
Kartsu pulled back part of his cloak, revealing a small, loaded pistol, in similar fashion to a .44 but with a larger handle and smaller barrel. It was pure black, just like the man who wielded it. Meryl seemed content with his answer, and jumped at him again.
"So... where do you think we should start?"
Kartsu's eyes were still motionless. This man was not ordinary, Meryl could tell. Kartsu's voice took a definite upturn in tone as he spoke again.
"It all depends on what is most important to us first. If we need the key to our success, we should start with the Eagle's Eye newspaper and the Eagle's Eye weapon. Both items have connections through the Eagle Eyes gang. It's up to you whether we should find Vash first, or if we need the weapon before we need him."
Meryl lay back in her seat, thinking everything over.
-If we go for the newspaper, we may have a chance of finding Vash... but if we get to the weapon first, we should have enough firepower to win a resistance fight without the Typhoon. However...
Meryl looked up into Kartsu's eyes again and replied. "We shall find Vash the Stampede, first and foremost."
Millie looked pleased to hear Meryl's answer - apparently, so was Kartsu, for his mouth finally broke into a smile. Suddenly, he seemed to be a true companion, full of life and compassion, just like Vash was. Meryl was shocked to see this sudden change in him.
"Come. We must find an entry into the underground. I hope you know what you are doing. Also, we must be swift and silent..."
Millie looked confused. "Why?"
"Because, if the Grog Mob finds out what we're up to, they'll try to go for the weapon, or kill us in our tracks. All of our tracks must be covered carefully, and we must make point-blank time at point-blank speed to get to the Eagle Eyes Headquarters if we are to avoid contact with the Mob."
They settled travel setups next. Kartsu figured it best to stay on foot - no one would suspect wondering travellers on foot, and entrances to the underground are often discovered while walking. Meryl looked displeased at having to walk, but she agreed nonetheless. Before they left, Kartsu said he had to make one more stop before heading out. He told the girls to wait at the booth while he went back into the hotel. Meryl started to question Millie about him.
"Can we really trust him, Millie? He doesn't exactly seem like the type of person who would travel in secret."
Millie looked rather happy about this. "Why are you smiling, Millie?"
"Because, now you're the one questioning him, and not me. It's just a sudden turn in events, huh? But at least he can help us, right?"
"I guess."
Kartsu returned, face emotionless once again. He motioned to the girls to follow him, which they did without hesitation. They checked out of their rooms and headed out into the dusty morning of Gunsmoke.
"My last stop was to find out where the closest entrance to the underground would be. We have quite a walk ahead of us - it's due 78 iles north of here, and we are to run every ile of it. I hope you girls are up to it. Let's go!"
With that, Kartsu was off in breakneck speed. The girls, though sometimes lazy, were very fit, and so could easily keep up with him. They ran for about 10 iles north of October before stopping to rest on a small, desolated cliff. Kartsu did not look the least bit out of breath - neither, in fact, did Millie. Meryl, however, looked slightly sweaty and worn out. She was relieved when they stopped.
"Thanks! I haven't run in so long, it's just my legs haven't traveled like this before... I'll be OK after a few drinks of water."
She pulled out her canteen and drank deeply from it, water dripping down her throat and cleansing her thirst. After a few seconds, she put the canteen away, looking refreshed and energized. Kartsu nodded when he saw this and took off again, the girls right behind him.
===20 minutes later===
"Only... 10... more... iles... Meryl!" Millie maintained her cheerfullness, but it was obvious to tell she was running out of breath as well. It was amazing it had taken her 68 iles carrying the Cross Punisher before finally getting tired. Kartsu stopped again, looking only slightly displeased, but remaining vigilante nonetheless. When Millie looked up at him questioningly, he nodded to her.
"It's quite alright. We are making better time then I had hoped. It's-"
But he stopped mid-sentence, looking behind the girls. Meryl turned around, hand tightly clenched on her .44. In the distance, several men wearing Grog Mob logo shirts were running towards them. Kartsu sighed deeply.
"It is as I feared... they tracked us down. Prepare for battle, girls."
Meryl jumped up, .44 now out of its sheath and held tightly at chest level with her. Mille jumped up as well, unfolding the white cloth around the Cross Punisher to reveal a large, cross-shaped machine gun, fully loaded. Kartsu looked surprised but did not question it.
"Here we go!!"
Meryl and Kartsu began firing at the men in the distance while Millie waited patiently. Several of the men fell to the ground, roasting on the sun, but plenty more were behind them. Kartsu looked to Millie.
"Your turn, priestess!"
"Right!" Millie jumped up, flipping the Cross Punisher into the air and landing softly in her hands. With no regret, she opened fire on the men, spraying each row of men with bullets. The scarlet blood was now seeping into the sands, creeping up slowly on the group. Kartsu's eyes suddenly widened.
"Stop firing! EVERYONE, STOP FIRING!"
The girls looked confused, but they put down their guns. Now that the gunfire had stopped, they could hear it - a large pounding of feet in the distance.
"These men were a distraction..."
And then, Meryl understood. "The Nebraska Family!"
The trio stood in fear, awaiting the destiny that came pounding at them.
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Just in case you got confused, the Nebraska Family was in Trigun Episode #5, Hard Puncher. Professor Nebraska and his son are back, yes yes! Well, time to go for me. Oh, and by the way, instead of weekly updates, I have decided to put up a chapter every time I finish the one right after said chapter. Thus, I shall put up Chapter 3 after I finish typing this chapter, and this chapter will go up after I finish typing Chapter 5, and so on. Till next time!
-Spike (Bright, shining hearts forever more - endlessly smile, for you are alive.)