Trigun
Dragon's Breath
Written by: Spike (Now, I ask you... is a disclaimer really necessary?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter: The Encounter
The stomping continued in the distance. The trio stood frozen in place, awaiting their arrival. Finally, in the distance, they could see the faint outline of a giant robot, propelled by its giant legs and loaded with heavy artillery. In the driver's seat, at the very heart, sat Professor Nebraska, the ugly criminal who had broken out of jail once before to kill Vash. When they were finally close enough, Professor stopped his 'son' and spoke.
"Hah! So I finally meet with Vash's dearest friends! Such an honor, pathetic pests!!"
Kartsu looked deeply annoyed at his words. Meryl and Millie remained vigilante, awaiting their chance. It was Kartsu, however, who set off Nebraska.
"You are one pathetic, self-centered, cocky, rich, selfish, bitch-fucking, cock-sucking, metamorphic bastard!!!"
"Say WHAT?!?!? You'll pay for that one! Get 'em, my precious son!"
The giant robot lifted his fist and launched it forward. The girls ducked, waiting for it to be over, but from behind them came gunshots - five gunshots right on the mark. The robot screamed in agony. Kartsu rushed forward, as though he had been waiting for this.
"Now, you die."
BLAM. One shot was all he needed to short-circuit the main computer chip controlling Gosefoske and completely destroy him, leaving Professor Nebraska in the driver's seat, shocked to the bone. Kartsu smiled, but the girls looked shocked.
"Why did you kill him, Kartsu? He was just an innocent-"
But Millie cut off there - she knew her words to be false, having witnessed one of Nebraska's crimes. Her fall of silence did not seem to bother Kartsu - on the contary, he smiled at them.
"It's all ok. Let's get going - we've still got 10 more iles until we reach that entrance."
Meryl could've sworn she got a glimpse of a smile on Kartsu's face before he turned his back on her and began running again. There was no time to question things - for the next few minutes, they were on the run, moving as fast as possible. When they were about 3 iles from the underground entrance, Millie came up behind Meryl, panting heavily.
"Meryl... do you... have... any water... on you??"
Meryl smiled brightly and handed Millie the water canteen. She slowed down for a minute to drink deeply, then handed the canteen back to Meryl and smiled cheerfully.
"Thanks. You know, something still confuses me - who was it that shot poor Goesfose's hand out? I thought there was no one ahead of us."
Meryl shook her head, looking slightly displeased. "I don't know, Millie." She looked up at Kartsu, her tone of voice remaining confused. "I just... don't know..."
All talking ceased as they reached the ile radius of the entrance. As they ran on, Kartsu began looking side to side, as though searching for something. Meryl and Millie followed his lead, and when he noticed this, he shouted to them.
"We're looking for an abandoned outhouse! It's our entrance to the underground territory, Teardrop!"
The girls nodded and continued to look. After a few minutes, Millie finally shouted out. "Look! Over there!"
Kartsu stopped dead. Millie had already begun running towards the outhouse, worn and rickity, and Kartsu just smiled.
"She seems very happy to go underground. Come on - before she hurts herself."
Meryl smiled, and Kartsu smiled back. Then, with a leap of the boots, the pair ran off after Millie. When they reached the outhouse, Millie was standing there, waiting.
"Ok, Mr. Kartsu, what now?"
Kartsu opened up the outhouse, which was surprisingly empty except for a giant hole in the center. Kartsu looked over at Meryl. "Ladies first."
Without hesitation, Meryl jumped. The hole was quite a drop - by Meryl's calculations, it would've been an entire ile, most likely, if she'd brought a measuring tape with her. Looking up, she could see the outline of Millie's panties as she fell after Meryl. Looking past Millie, Meryl could barely see the outline of Kartsu's long pants - so his cloak hadn't been the only thing on. Meryl jerked her head downward now so she could see what was going on below her. Above her, she could hear Millie's screams of happiness as she began her jump from the ground level. Kartsu could barely be heard as he followed after Millie.
Meryl landed on hard rock, and Millie was but a few paces away from her - suddenly, Meryl realized what "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" meant. Luckily, Millie had known the pain, and she rolled Meryl out of the way so that Kartsu could land on the rock path. The rocks seem to lead on into the abyss ahead of them, and there was no going anywhere else. Without hesitation, Kartsu jumped forward. Meryl and Millie, after much scrambling to get out of the rocks, followed. It was an ile's run, but they made it - the rather harsh-looking underground city...
"Trapsodic City... what an honor." Kartsu fell to his knees, as though humbled by the city's unapparent glow. The girls were rather unsure of what he was doing, but as Kartsu had rarely ever questioned their ways, so they would not question his. Kartsu stood up in a second and nodded.
"Let's go. We've got to find him soon... I sense something dangerous coming up."
Meryl nodded, and Millie grinned. The three of them walked forth into the city. It was rather odd-looking - dome-shaped houses that were very worn-looking, as though years of use had finally broken them apart. There were no note-worthy buildings - each had its own sign, stating the occupant's family name or the business being run at the building. From a distance, it could've looked like a bubble city. As they walked, Millie stopped to gaze at the flowers inside a flower shop. She looked over at Kartsu, who nodded, then ran inside the store and picked a few favorites. Meryl sighed and sat down on the rock path.
===The Flower Shop===
"I'll take 15 of these and 20 of these, and... OOOOOO!! 1,500 of those!!!"
Millie was extremely happy as she jumped around the building, picking flower after flower after flower and placing them on the counter. The man behind the counter had a giant cloak on, but his eyes were obviously popping. When Millie finally slowed down to a halt, the man pulled back his cloak, revealing his face. Millie gasped - loudly.
"Mr. Vash!! It's you, it's really you!!"
"So.... many..... flowers...." Vash looked rather odd - perhaps the shock of seeing Millie pick so many flowers had made him sick to his stomach. In any case, he still looked alive and well. Outside, Kartsu's order of 'stay here' could be heard, and the next second, he entered the shop, looking rather confused.
"Jesus Christ Almighty, girl, what the hell have you done to my friend?"
Millie grinned as Kartsu approached the counter. His eyes turned from Millie's eyes of joy to Vash's face, and he smiled. "I see you made it out OK."
Vash blushed. "Well, there were quite a few guards left after Nebraska left, but I got out OK." He laughed - such high-pitched laughter could make one sick. Millie looked rather confused.
"Guards...? Mr. Kartsu, what is he talking about?"
Vash looked into Millie's eyes and smiled. "I've been following you since the events in Augusta! Remember that man who was being mugged outside? That was me!"
Millie looked genuinly surprised, but mildly pleased. "So, you have been with us the whole time, just as I suspected!"
He chuckled. "Nothing gets past you, does it, Millie? But could you do me a favor?"
"Mm-hmm!"
"Don't tell Meryl about this." Vash's eyes turned almost to tears, but he fought them. He could not cry now, not again... "Please, Millie?"
Millie cocked her head to the side, rather confused, but she agreed. "Alright, Mr. Vash, if you say so. I'm just so glad to see you again!"
Vash nodded. "It was very nice to see you too, Millie." He gave her a hug, and then looked her in the eyes again.
-Such sadness... I can see Wolfwood inside of her...
Kartsu interrupted. "Millie, could you leave us alone for a little while? Tell Meryl I'll be out soon."
Millie nodded. "Good-bye, Vash! May we see you again!"
Vash grinned and waved as Millie left, leaving one man, and two. Kartsu turned to Vash, something of a sparkle in his eyes.
"You know, they came down here looking for you."
Vash shot his eyes from the door to Kartsu. "Why would they do that? Most people believe I'm dead."
Kartsu stared him down. "The resistance. You know, of course, that the Eagle Eyes are almost shattered now - only a few squadrons left. Everyone's heartbroken since the day..."
A deep, heavy sigh. Vash realized now what he was talking about. "Brilliant Dynamites Neon. Was the resistance really hinging on his survival?"
Kartsu nodded. Vash breathed deep. "So, the girls believe that I'm the only hope of resistance against the tyrants who once called themselves the Bad Lads?"
"You're on a roll, kid." Kartsu reached into his left pocket and pulled out an old paper - it was a clipping from 'The Eagle's Eye' newspaper. On the front was a picture of BDn's grave - etched into the stone were the words "Honor is dignity beyond foolish desire." A soft, clear tear ran down Vash's cheek. Kartsu stowed the clipping back in his pocket.
"This is all wrong... none of this should've happened."
Kartsu nodded. "Yeah, you're right, but the question is how... how would this happen? Of all the gangs that could've risen up, the Bad Lads had to be chosen..."
"There must be a reason." Vash's crying eyes turned back to Kartsu's. "I want you to help Meryl and Millie in any way possible, but remember - don't tell them where I am. Not even Millie can be allowed to know... and she's already seen me. Please..."
Kartsu nodded. "I've done my part so far. Nothing will happen to them. In the meantime, try to figure out how this happened. It can't have been chance, or fate... it must've been planned."
Vash wiped the tears from his face and nodded. "Yes. But, Kartsu... I don't know what danger we are facing. I myself can only do so much to protect the girls - it is you I must depend on the most. Please..."
"You're too sappy today, kid. Don't worry." Kartsu made for the door, walking slowly and carefully. "They're in good hands... you know that. Just trust me, Vash, and everything will be OK."
"Yes... well, may fortune be yours, Kartsu."
"Same with you... Vash the Stampede."
With these last words, Kartsu exited the shop and looked around, catching sight of Meryl and Millie a few minutes down the road.
-I won't let them be dangered, Vash... but they must know the truth sometime... don't hide your fate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geez, that took forever to write! I had to come up with all that dialouge in an instant! But, here it is, for your pleasure. Things are about to heat up, too. Shalln't say no more here.
By the way, don't confuse the underground territory (Teardrop) with one of its cities (Trapsodic). Just so you know...!
-Spike (Bright, shining hearts forever more - endlessly smile, for you are alive.)
Dragon's Breath
Written by: Spike (Now, I ask you... is a disclaimer really necessary?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter: The Encounter
The stomping continued in the distance. The trio stood frozen in place, awaiting their arrival. Finally, in the distance, they could see the faint outline of a giant robot, propelled by its giant legs and loaded with heavy artillery. In the driver's seat, at the very heart, sat Professor Nebraska, the ugly criminal who had broken out of jail once before to kill Vash. When they were finally close enough, Professor stopped his 'son' and spoke.
"Hah! So I finally meet with Vash's dearest friends! Such an honor, pathetic pests!!"
Kartsu looked deeply annoyed at his words. Meryl and Millie remained vigilante, awaiting their chance. It was Kartsu, however, who set off Nebraska.
"You are one pathetic, self-centered, cocky, rich, selfish, bitch-fucking, cock-sucking, metamorphic bastard!!!"
"Say WHAT?!?!? You'll pay for that one! Get 'em, my precious son!"
The giant robot lifted his fist and launched it forward. The girls ducked, waiting for it to be over, but from behind them came gunshots - five gunshots right on the mark. The robot screamed in agony. Kartsu rushed forward, as though he had been waiting for this.
"Now, you die."
BLAM. One shot was all he needed to short-circuit the main computer chip controlling Gosefoske and completely destroy him, leaving Professor Nebraska in the driver's seat, shocked to the bone. Kartsu smiled, but the girls looked shocked.
"Why did you kill him, Kartsu? He was just an innocent-"
But Millie cut off there - she knew her words to be false, having witnessed one of Nebraska's crimes. Her fall of silence did not seem to bother Kartsu - on the contary, he smiled at them.
"It's all ok. Let's get going - we've still got 10 more iles until we reach that entrance."
Meryl could've sworn she got a glimpse of a smile on Kartsu's face before he turned his back on her and began running again. There was no time to question things - for the next few minutes, they were on the run, moving as fast as possible. When they were about 3 iles from the underground entrance, Millie came up behind Meryl, panting heavily.
"Meryl... do you... have... any water... on you??"
Meryl smiled brightly and handed Millie the water canteen. She slowed down for a minute to drink deeply, then handed the canteen back to Meryl and smiled cheerfully.
"Thanks. You know, something still confuses me - who was it that shot poor Goesfose's hand out? I thought there was no one ahead of us."
Meryl shook her head, looking slightly displeased. "I don't know, Millie." She looked up at Kartsu, her tone of voice remaining confused. "I just... don't know..."
All talking ceased as they reached the ile radius of the entrance. As they ran on, Kartsu began looking side to side, as though searching for something. Meryl and Millie followed his lead, and when he noticed this, he shouted to them.
"We're looking for an abandoned outhouse! It's our entrance to the underground territory, Teardrop!"
The girls nodded and continued to look. After a few minutes, Millie finally shouted out. "Look! Over there!"
Kartsu stopped dead. Millie had already begun running towards the outhouse, worn and rickity, and Kartsu just smiled.
"She seems very happy to go underground. Come on - before she hurts herself."
Meryl smiled, and Kartsu smiled back. Then, with a leap of the boots, the pair ran off after Millie. When they reached the outhouse, Millie was standing there, waiting.
"Ok, Mr. Kartsu, what now?"
Kartsu opened up the outhouse, which was surprisingly empty except for a giant hole in the center. Kartsu looked over at Meryl. "Ladies first."
Without hesitation, Meryl jumped. The hole was quite a drop - by Meryl's calculations, it would've been an entire ile, most likely, if she'd brought a measuring tape with her. Looking up, she could see the outline of Millie's panties as she fell after Meryl. Looking past Millie, Meryl could barely see the outline of Kartsu's long pants - so his cloak hadn't been the only thing on. Meryl jerked her head downward now so she could see what was going on below her. Above her, she could hear Millie's screams of happiness as she began her jump from the ground level. Kartsu could barely be heard as he followed after Millie.
Meryl landed on hard rock, and Millie was but a few paces away from her - suddenly, Meryl realized what "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" meant. Luckily, Millie had known the pain, and she rolled Meryl out of the way so that Kartsu could land on the rock path. The rocks seem to lead on into the abyss ahead of them, and there was no going anywhere else. Without hesitation, Kartsu jumped forward. Meryl and Millie, after much scrambling to get out of the rocks, followed. It was an ile's run, but they made it - the rather harsh-looking underground city...
"Trapsodic City... what an honor." Kartsu fell to his knees, as though humbled by the city's unapparent glow. The girls were rather unsure of what he was doing, but as Kartsu had rarely ever questioned their ways, so they would not question his. Kartsu stood up in a second and nodded.
"Let's go. We've got to find him soon... I sense something dangerous coming up."
Meryl nodded, and Millie grinned. The three of them walked forth into the city. It was rather odd-looking - dome-shaped houses that were very worn-looking, as though years of use had finally broken them apart. There were no note-worthy buildings - each had its own sign, stating the occupant's family name or the business being run at the building. From a distance, it could've looked like a bubble city. As they walked, Millie stopped to gaze at the flowers inside a flower shop. She looked over at Kartsu, who nodded, then ran inside the store and picked a few favorites. Meryl sighed and sat down on the rock path.
===The Flower Shop===
"I'll take 15 of these and 20 of these, and... OOOOOO!! 1,500 of those!!!"
Millie was extremely happy as she jumped around the building, picking flower after flower after flower and placing them on the counter. The man behind the counter had a giant cloak on, but his eyes were obviously popping. When Millie finally slowed down to a halt, the man pulled back his cloak, revealing his face. Millie gasped - loudly.
"Mr. Vash!! It's you, it's really you!!"
"So.... many..... flowers...." Vash looked rather odd - perhaps the shock of seeing Millie pick so many flowers had made him sick to his stomach. In any case, he still looked alive and well. Outside, Kartsu's order of 'stay here' could be heard, and the next second, he entered the shop, looking rather confused.
"Jesus Christ Almighty, girl, what the hell have you done to my friend?"
Millie grinned as Kartsu approached the counter. His eyes turned from Millie's eyes of joy to Vash's face, and he smiled. "I see you made it out OK."
Vash blushed. "Well, there were quite a few guards left after Nebraska left, but I got out OK." He laughed - such high-pitched laughter could make one sick. Millie looked rather confused.
"Guards...? Mr. Kartsu, what is he talking about?"
Vash looked into Millie's eyes and smiled. "I've been following you since the events in Augusta! Remember that man who was being mugged outside? That was me!"
Millie looked genuinly surprised, but mildly pleased. "So, you have been with us the whole time, just as I suspected!"
He chuckled. "Nothing gets past you, does it, Millie? But could you do me a favor?"
"Mm-hmm!"
"Don't tell Meryl about this." Vash's eyes turned almost to tears, but he fought them. He could not cry now, not again... "Please, Millie?"
Millie cocked her head to the side, rather confused, but she agreed. "Alright, Mr. Vash, if you say so. I'm just so glad to see you again!"
Vash nodded. "It was very nice to see you too, Millie." He gave her a hug, and then looked her in the eyes again.
-Such sadness... I can see Wolfwood inside of her...
Kartsu interrupted. "Millie, could you leave us alone for a little while? Tell Meryl I'll be out soon."
Millie nodded. "Good-bye, Vash! May we see you again!"
Vash grinned and waved as Millie left, leaving one man, and two. Kartsu turned to Vash, something of a sparkle in his eyes.
"You know, they came down here looking for you."
Vash shot his eyes from the door to Kartsu. "Why would they do that? Most people believe I'm dead."
Kartsu stared him down. "The resistance. You know, of course, that the Eagle Eyes are almost shattered now - only a few squadrons left. Everyone's heartbroken since the day..."
A deep, heavy sigh. Vash realized now what he was talking about. "Brilliant Dynamites Neon. Was the resistance really hinging on his survival?"
Kartsu nodded. Vash breathed deep. "So, the girls believe that I'm the only hope of resistance against the tyrants who once called themselves the Bad Lads?"
"You're on a roll, kid." Kartsu reached into his left pocket and pulled out an old paper - it was a clipping from 'The Eagle's Eye' newspaper. On the front was a picture of BDn's grave - etched into the stone were the words "Honor is dignity beyond foolish desire." A soft, clear tear ran down Vash's cheek. Kartsu stowed the clipping back in his pocket.
"This is all wrong... none of this should've happened."
Kartsu nodded. "Yeah, you're right, but the question is how... how would this happen? Of all the gangs that could've risen up, the Bad Lads had to be chosen..."
"There must be a reason." Vash's crying eyes turned back to Kartsu's. "I want you to help Meryl and Millie in any way possible, but remember - don't tell them where I am. Not even Millie can be allowed to know... and she's already seen me. Please..."
Kartsu nodded. "I've done my part so far. Nothing will happen to them. In the meantime, try to figure out how this happened. It can't have been chance, or fate... it must've been planned."
Vash wiped the tears from his face and nodded. "Yes. But, Kartsu... I don't know what danger we are facing. I myself can only do so much to protect the girls - it is you I must depend on the most. Please..."
"You're too sappy today, kid. Don't worry." Kartsu made for the door, walking slowly and carefully. "They're in good hands... you know that. Just trust me, Vash, and everything will be OK."
"Yes... well, may fortune be yours, Kartsu."
"Same with you... Vash the Stampede."
With these last words, Kartsu exited the shop and looked around, catching sight of Meryl and Millie a few minutes down the road.
-I won't let them be dangered, Vash... but they must know the truth sometime... don't hide your fate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geez, that took forever to write! I had to come up with all that dialouge in an instant! But, here it is, for your pleasure. Things are about to heat up, too. Shalln't say no more here.
By the way, don't confuse the underground territory (Teardrop) with one of its cities (Trapsodic). Just so you know...!
-Spike (Bright, shining hearts forever more - endlessly smile, for you are alive.)