Chapter 17
The aftermath
"Looking for this?" Lynx shouted holding up a gold chain and golden pieces.
"GIVE IT TO ME YOU BASTARD!" Paul yelled as he felt the water get to his waist. Lynx hovered over the water taunting Paul.
"Come and get it." Lynx bated. Paul let the energy in him shower all over him as the entire boat began to jolt with energy. Lynx's eyes grew wide as he saw Paul surge with energy.
"You give it back.." Paul taunted as he lashed out with the energy around him. Lynx tried to escape but was too late. The blast knocked a beam off the ceiling and hit Paul's back sending him down and out. Paul sunk under the water unconscious. He saw the locket pieces and he grabbed them before he went black.
~*~
"We made it." Kid said exhausted. Samantha and Patrick all got out of the boat as Steena and Christy helped clone Paul off.
"Where is Paul, he can't swim!" Steena said worried.
"Dead." Came a cold voice. Everyone whipped around to see a man in a black over coat hiding his eyes, but his evil grin could easily be seen. Patrick summoned his staff and charged before he was floating in place in midair. Christy suddenly fell to the ground in pain as a small cloud of rain began a downpour on top of Samantha.
"Who are you?" Steena shouted.
"The man who controls you all! Good luck in life kiddies, next time I won't be playing around." Soon the cloud went away and Patrick fell to the ground.
"Sweet Jesus what was that?" Shaun said as Miguel and Kid began to wipe Samantha with towels. Patrick was breathing hard as he tried to find the man that did this to him. He was helped up by Clone Paul and dragged to the hideaway that was amazingly still in one piece. Patrick tried to remain conscience, but he couldn't do it as he fell into the darkness.
~*~
Kid sat at the bow of the boat her legs dangling carelessly off the edge. She looked up at the sky when she felt someone sit next to her. She looked next to her to see Serge sitting there quietly.
"Whatcha ya doing up here mate?" Kid asked quietly.
"I feel kind of out of place. With all the adults over there talking about what happened on the boat I don't feel right being over there. Like I'm-"
"In tha way," Kid finished quietly for him.
"The last time this whole thing happened it was directly around me, I was the Chrono Trigger and so that was my destiny. Now it's revolving around the newcomers, and they're just bickering like kids," Serge continued softly.
"And Shaun's not elping any by undermining Patrick all tha time," Kid said softly in agreement.
"I thought they were all friends, why are they fighting?" Serge asked her.
"I don't know anymore mate. They seemed like a solid group before, now it's like their unity is gone. Something must ave made them really angry to mess them up like that," Kid replied.
"Mind if I sit here and ponder what I'm supposed to do?" Serge asked her.
"Don't mind it at all. If ya find tha answer make sure you tell me, cause I'm wondering the same thing mate," Kid replied. They sat there quietly occasionally stealing glances at each other.
~*~
Steena looked at the horizon as the sun faded down. A tear streamed down her cheek as she kicked a rock. Another day has come by and she felt alone.
"WHERE ARE YOU?" She shouted to the sky. "It's been two days. Time to come home." She said hopelessly. "And I just got you back too.." She sniffled. Shaun walked up behind Steena and picked up the rock she kicked and tossed it to the ocean causing a loud splash. Steena looked at Shaun. He seemed to be angry, but for reasons different than hers. Then she heard Patrick come running up to Shaun and bashing him in the head with a fist.
"LISTEN, YOU HAVE NO IDEA -" Shaun cut him off by throwing a hard jab to Pat's exposed stomach and finishing with a hard uppercut. With no effort he pushed Patrick over. Samantha ran up to Shaun and kicked him in the jaw knocking Shaun down and out. Steena looked at Samantha.
"Ya, um. They have issues right now, conflicting issues. Shaun wants to find Paul, and Pat wants to wait. He said something about planning an attack on Chronopolis and that Paul can take care of himself. Then Shaun said he sunk with the boat and can't swim, he could be stranded anywhere. Then Pat said exactly, he can't swim and the boat sunk. Then all hell broke loose." Steena fumed at what Patrick said. "I was even a bit surprised at what Patrick said. It seems like he just doesn't care anymore. Not exactly in those words, but like, something to do with the way he was before he was changed is what is causing this reaction from him. I'm sure in the morning we'll begin a search party." Steena remained quiet. After awhile Steena looked at the sky.
"This group and its stupid rules." Steena muttered to herself leaving the area. "Never applies when it isn't convenient."
~*~
"Daddy look it's a big fish!" A little girl screamed.
"Sweety there are no..SWEET JESUS!" The father ran up to the body and picked it up. He dragged it down to his house and cleaned up the body. Just when he was about to pronounce Fate dead a jolt of thunder from nowhere hit the body. Instantly the father ran away as the body woke up and shouted,
"OH YA! GOTTA HAVE MY SPARKS!"
"Who are you?" The little girl asked.
"Names Paul. How bout you?" Paul replied.
"Tiff. But everyone calls me Tiffany, and I think it's a dumb name." Soon the father ran back with a man in a blue uniform, blue eyes, and blond hair pointing a revolver at Paul.
"Freeze in the name of Porre savage!" Paul analyzed the situation quickly and blasted Fate with the gun away. Paul dove out the window to be hammered down by a very strong man with a really messed up Mohawk. Fate with the gun ran out.
"Good job Grobyc, now to finish him off." Grobyc held Paul's body in a full nelson as Fate with the gun took aim. Paul rolled forward rolling on Grobyc and kicking the man with the gun hard. He took the gun and shot Grobyc twice in the leg before running.
"Norris-Get-him!" Grobyc said oddly. Norris got up with Grobyc and charged after Paul.
"Now this ends." Paul muttered to himself unleashing a very strong attack. Norris and Grobyc fell flat on their backs and began twitching all over.
"GEAHHHHHH!" Norris screamed.
"SYSTEMS-FRIED!" Grobyc said loudly. Paul gave a satisfied grin before colliding with a very tall, well built muscular man.
"Streaker say bye, bye." And with a swift punch Paul fell down, blacking out. Streaker lifted everyone up and carried them away.
~*~
"Wakey, wakey Karsh," Eric said coldly. Karsh could only emit a low groan as he came around. He was chained to the wall across from Riddel. She seemed to be scared silent as she looked over at him pleading him to do something.
"Bastard," Was all Karsh could mutter.
A vicious slap hit Karsh hard stinging his skin, leaving a red mark on his face, "I'd be careful I have been known to kill people for less."
"It doesn't change what you are," Karsh replied dejectedly. He braced for another slap.
There was no other slap, now there was only a strip of fire across his chest as he felt something hit it with hard intensity. "Save me the pain of accidentally killing you. If you are out of line again I'll hurt the girl, now I'm going to ask you a question. Give me a response or you're going to regret it."
~*~
The group gathered around the camp fire minus Patrick, who had turned in early still tired from his ordeal in the torture chamber. They looked somberly at the fire before Samantha finally spoke up,
"Who thinks Patrick is acting like a Jerk?" She looked around slowly before she softly spoke up again, "I don't care because frankly if none of you think so then I'm going to insist you guys get glasses and hearing aides."
Slowly one by one hands went up. Steena's hand shot up boldly along with Shaun both of which still appeared to be angry.
"That's what I thought. Before we go to Chronopolis we're going to have to intervene," She said softly.
"What's that mate?" Kid asked innocently.
Christy looked expectantly over at Samantha who met Kids eyes sadly, "Whenever a person walks on the brink of madness and evil, there is an action friends can take to try and stop them from going over. Patrick not only is slowly going mad but he's also starting to become careless about himself and others. I don't know about you folks, but if I have to fight next to him I want to be sure he's going to fight with me till the end, not walk away when it doesn't suit him."
"When?" Christy asked quietly. Diss squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"When we can lock him up, because I can guarantee one thing, he's not going to like it one bit," She replied slowly.
"I can vouch for that one," Diss said solemnly. Samantha sighed softly before they began work on the task set before them.
~*~
"Did you succeed Lynx?" Fate asked softly. Lynx knelt before him.
"He got it from me before I could get away, I do believe however he is drowned," Lynx replied.
"Like you drowned Patrick Eric Dissinger? Yes I remember your way of drowning people, where is the body?" Fate asked coldly.
Lynx shivered, "I regret to say I don't have a body for you to look at."
"You failed me again my young apprentice," Fate said sneering, "You know what that means of course." He narrowed his eyes coldly at the Demi-human that knelt before him.
"Yes master," Lynx muttered. He really didn't have anyway to protest against Fate. After his display of power he knew he would have to rely on the others to defeat him if he were to stand a chance at taking over the dimension like he last planned. Fate pressed his palms together and slowly spread them the thin life line shone brightly in the artificial light a bright gold.
"Understand that this is your life line. Your life is connected to this one simple strand. If you fail me one more time you will have your life line cut, and you will never be able to be brought back," Fate said coldly as he scraped his scissors along the fine strand of gold. Then with a casual flick the strand disappeared, leaving Lynx lying on the ground in pain blood flowing from dozens of minor wounds. "Don't have any delusions about freedom Lynx. You are, and always will be mine. Once you prove yourself you will finally be granted the gift of release."
"W-w-what does that mean?" Lynx gasped on the ground.
"Wait and see my acolyte, wait and see," Fate whispered softly before leaving Lynx lying on the ground.
~*~
Eric sat in the throne room of Viper Manor contemplating. His staff leaned against the throne he now sat upon on ground level as a silent reminder that he was in charge. As he sat there he waited quietly for his lackeys to show up.
"Figures, good help is so hard to find these days. I guess the evil business needs a little pick me up," Eric sighed.
"I couldn't agree more," a voice said. Eric sat up hearing the voice.
"I thought you were going to let me loose," Eric said tensing.
"Out of all my help you probably are the most capable one. I needed to talk with you and give you a gift," Fate said stepping out to right in front of Eric. Eric felt a chill up his spine.
"What did you need to talk about?" Eric asked caught off guard.
"I'm expanding your contract," Fate said simply.
"Who's the new target?" Eric replied sitting on the edge of his seat.
"Patrick Eric Dissinger," Fate replied.
Eric immediately looked Fate square in the eyes a fire burning in them like no other, "I'll throw him in free, anything else?"
Fate grinned," All I need is for you to kill him. Nothing fancy, but if you bring me his head I'll insure you a place above my current right hand."
"You mean Lynx?" Eric asked resting his chin on his folded hands.
"Exactly, I have a feeling there will be an.opening happening soon," Fate said mysteriously.
"So what was the gift?" Eric asked.
Fate smiled, "I'm glad you asked. As you stand, you and Patrick are tied in power; I will unleash your true potential."
"How?" Eric replied in awe. The thought of being stronger than his ever lucky counterpart was like a dream, it had always been even.
"Stand up," Fate commanded. Eric did so holding onto his staff. "Get rid of all your imbues, you can't have any of your powers currently working."
A jacket, hat and pair of sunglasses appeared on his features as they were released from his powers. Suddenly white pure light hit Eric raising him up. He hunched at first as he felt something burn through his veins, then slowly he began to spin faster and faster a loud yell forming in his throat.
"Eric, become released, show your true potential to those who merely play with matches. You are truly the master!" Fate cried as Eric touched ground again. He looked at his hands with a boyish grin before he shot a torrent of Flames at one of the nearby Dragoons. The dragoon was instantly incinerated reduced to a pile of ashes. His death scream echoed in the hall as the others scampered out to avoid the same fate.
"Now he will learn what it means to be the underdog," Eric growled. It was a predatory growl of pleasure from his clean kill as he looked at his staff. "And I at last control a fabled Dragon Staff!"
"A gift to you, it is a prized weapon of the Aryans, to wield it is to hold a special destiny. You now have your destiny bound. You are the Assassin Eric!" Fate said proudly patting him on the shoulder like a lost son.
Eric grinned his boyish grin before he looked at Fate, "Thanks for the leg up. I'll be sure to bring their heads in on a platter. Do you prefer Gold or Silver?" Eric said dangerously. Fate began to laugh at the comment, and Eric couldn't help but join in as their laughter echoed through the halls making the Dragoons cower in even more terror then they had ever experienced before.
~*~
"I must find something to redeem myself.." Lynx growled to himself. "Something that Fate would never think of, and the accursed mortals can't defeat." Lynx sat away tapping in front of a keyboard. On any other day he would have just had the computer do it, but this time he had to make sure he found the right thing.
"Files found." Said a soft computer voice.
"Show me." Lynx hissed, he starred waiting for the upload to finish.
"A T-134 model Apocalypse Tank was used in the earlier days of the Aryan war. A mere handful of these tanks had decimated many Aryan encampments. One Apocalypse tank had been known to take down an entire military base." Lynx was impressed, but he hardly doubted the tank was any good.
"Why was this, the only subject found?" Lynx barked.
"This tank can take heat up to 9000 degrees, is able to blast through almost any material in one round, is immune to the effects of EMP and Thunder based elements, needs no pilot to keep immunity from psychics, is treaded to pass over any terrain, and can take massive amounts of structural damage without doing anything to the interior." Lynx's jaw dropped open. If this tank was actually as good as it claimed to be then there was no way Paul, Shaun, Christy, or Patrick could scratch the thing. It would decimate them quickly.
"Begin construction for four tanks."
"Resources insufficient. Requires certain steel components."
"How many can I build?" Lynx asked crossing his fingers.
"One." The voice echoed in Lynx's mind. If he really screwed this up Fate wouldn't be happy. Nor would he. It was a big gamble. He looked over the schematics many times before he nodded.
"Begin construction." Lynx said coldly.
~*~
Paul woke groggily, he saw Streaker, Norris, and Grobyc all looking over a map.
"Cupcakes?" Paul asked stupidly. Norris quickly turned around and aimed his gun at him.
"Freeze, move an inch and I'll blast you." Norris said. Paul looked in his eyes.
"No you won't. You can't afford to." Paul said getting up. Norris shook his gun at Paul, but Paul simply swatted it aside and sat next to Streaker. He looked at the map and saw they were trying to reach El Nido via a bad route.
"Listen, if we go this way were gonna get killed." Streaker said oddly in a normal educated voice.
"How-do-you-know-this?" Grobyc asked.
"He's right ya know, if you're escaping they already have the coast guard looking for you. Best bet is to cross all the way around in Viper's waters and head into Marbule." Paul said.
"But if we do that we might get caught. And Viper doesn't like Porre anyway." Norris said huddling back with them holstering his gun.
"I got connections, plus I know a safe place you can lay low." Paul said casually. Streaker nodded.
"I know this guy; he probably wants to go home to see his girlfriend." Paul nodded. Grobyc nodded as well. Norris gave up hope and agreed.
"Then it's settled." Paul said.
"Yeah, you're all under arrest!" Everyone looked to the voice and saw a cow.
"What . . . The . . . Hell?" Paul said confused.
"Oh shit um . . . MOOOO! MOOOOOOO!" The cow said shifting. Grobyc got up and walked over to the cow.
"Anyone-up-for-steak?" He said evilly.
"Uh, MOO?" Grobyc tore the hood off of a small man with black greasy hair and dorky glasses.
"If it isn't Fred, trying to be the hero for bringing us in." Norris said sarcastically getting up. "The same man who ratted us out for something we didn't do." He grabbed Fred and tossed him into the farm out of his suit. Fred hit the ground with a thud.
"So tell us Fred, how is Black Wind doing under your leadership. It was what you wanted right?" Streaker said getting up. Fred looked hysterical. He slowly backed away from the two incoming men.
"Stay away . . . or else . . ." Fred warned.
"Or else what?" Paul asked grabbing his Halberd. Fred grabbed a whistle and blew it. Cows, sheep, and people under hay started pouring into the farm surrounding them.
"ONE OF THESE DAYS, FRED, IM GONNA KILL YOU!" Norris yelled.
"FREEZE!" Most men shouted.
"How bout we make our getaway?" Paul offered.
"Gonna be risky . . ." Norris said uneasily holding his gun out. Paul curled himself in as thunder bellowed in the background. Streaker looked at him oddly. Paul slowly growled as he quickly unleashed himself.
"THUNDERDOKEN!" Paul yelled as a white blast of energy hit one guy, moved on to the next two by his side and continued going down hitting everyone with a chain energy attack. "RUN NOW!" Paul shouted weakly. Everyone began running out of the barn. On the way to the boat Paul collapsed. He blacked out shortly afterwards.
The aftermath
"Looking for this?" Lynx shouted holding up a gold chain and golden pieces.
"GIVE IT TO ME YOU BASTARD!" Paul yelled as he felt the water get to his waist. Lynx hovered over the water taunting Paul.
"Come and get it." Lynx bated. Paul let the energy in him shower all over him as the entire boat began to jolt with energy. Lynx's eyes grew wide as he saw Paul surge with energy.
"You give it back.." Paul taunted as he lashed out with the energy around him. Lynx tried to escape but was too late. The blast knocked a beam off the ceiling and hit Paul's back sending him down and out. Paul sunk under the water unconscious. He saw the locket pieces and he grabbed them before he went black.
~*~
"We made it." Kid said exhausted. Samantha and Patrick all got out of the boat as Steena and Christy helped clone Paul off.
"Where is Paul, he can't swim!" Steena said worried.
"Dead." Came a cold voice. Everyone whipped around to see a man in a black over coat hiding his eyes, but his evil grin could easily be seen. Patrick summoned his staff and charged before he was floating in place in midair. Christy suddenly fell to the ground in pain as a small cloud of rain began a downpour on top of Samantha.
"Who are you?" Steena shouted.
"The man who controls you all! Good luck in life kiddies, next time I won't be playing around." Soon the cloud went away and Patrick fell to the ground.
"Sweet Jesus what was that?" Shaun said as Miguel and Kid began to wipe Samantha with towels. Patrick was breathing hard as he tried to find the man that did this to him. He was helped up by Clone Paul and dragged to the hideaway that was amazingly still in one piece. Patrick tried to remain conscience, but he couldn't do it as he fell into the darkness.
~*~
Kid sat at the bow of the boat her legs dangling carelessly off the edge. She looked up at the sky when she felt someone sit next to her. She looked next to her to see Serge sitting there quietly.
"Whatcha ya doing up here mate?" Kid asked quietly.
"I feel kind of out of place. With all the adults over there talking about what happened on the boat I don't feel right being over there. Like I'm-"
"In tha way," Kid finished quietly for him.
"The last time this whole thing happened it was directly around me, I was the Chrono Trigger and so that was my destiny. Now it's revolving around the newcomers, and they're just bickering like kids," Serge continued softly.
"And Shaun's not elping any by undermining Patrick all tha time," Kid said softly in agreement.
"I thought they were all friends, why are they fighting?" Serge asked her.
"I don't know anymore mate. They seemed like a solid group before, now it's like their unity is gone. Something must ave made them really angry to mess them up like that," Kid replied.
"Mind if I sit here and ponder what I'm supposed to do?" Serge asked her.
"Don't mind it at all. If ya find tha answer make sure you tell me, cause I'm wondering the same thing mate," Kid replied. They sat there quietly occasionally stealing glances at each other.
~*~
Steena looked at the horizon as the sun faded down. A tear streamed down her cheek as she kicked a rock. Another day has come by and she felt alone.
"WHERE ARE YOU?" She shouted to the sky. "It's been two days. Time to come home." She said hopelessly. "And I just got you back too.." She sniffled. Shaun walked up behind Steena and picked up the rock she kicked and tossed it to the ocean causing a loud splash. Steena looked at Shaun. He seemed to be angry, but for reasons different than hers. Then she heard Patrick come running up to Shaun and bashing him in the head with a fist.
"LISTEN, YOU HAVE NO IDEA -" Shaun cut him off by throwing a hard jab to Pat's exposed stomach and finishing with a hard uppercut. With no effort he pushed Patrick over. Samantha ran up to Shaun and kicked him in the jaw knocking Shaun down and out. Steena looked at Samantha.
"Ya, um. They have issues right now, conflicting issues. Shaun wants to find Paul, and Pat wants to wait. He said something about planning an attack on Chronopolis and that Paul can take care of himself. Then Shaun said he sunk with the boat and can't swim, he could be stranded anywhere. Then Pat said exactly, he can't swim and the boat sunk. Then all hell broke loose." Steena fumed at what Patrick said. "I was even a bit surprised at what Patrick said. It seems like he just doesn't care anymore. Not exactly in those words, but like, something to do with the way he was before he was changed is what is causing this reaction from him. I'm sure in the morning we'll begin a search party." Steena remained quiet. After awhile Steena looked at the sky.
"This group and its stupid rules." Steena muttered to herself leaving the area. "Never applies when it isn't convenient."
~*~
"Daddy look it's a big fish!" A little girl screamed.
"Sweety there are no..SWEET JESUS!" The father ran up to the body and picked it up. He dragged it down to his house and cleaned up the body. Just when he was about to pronounce Fate dead a jolt of thunder from nowhere hit the body. Instantly the father ran away as the body woke up and shouted,
"OH YA! GOTTA HAVE MY SPARKS!"
"Who are you?" The little girl asked.
"Names Paul. How bout you?" Paul replied.
"Tiff. But everyone calls me Tiffany, and I think it's a dumb name." Soon the father ran back with a man in a blue uniform, blue eyes, and blond hair pointing a revolver at Paul.
"Freeze in the name of Porre savage!" Paul analyzed the situation quickly and blasted Fate with the gun away. Paul dove out the window to be hammered down by a very strong man with a really messed up Mohawk. Fate with the gun ran out.
"Good job Grobyc, now to finish him off." Grobyc held Paul's body in a full nelson as Fate with the gun took aim. Paul rolled forward rolling on Grobyc and kicking the man with the gun hard. He took the gun and shot Grobyc twice in the leg before running.
"Norris-Get-him!" Grobyc said oddly. Norris got up with Grobyc and charged after Paul.
"Now this ends." Paul muttered to himself unleashing a very strong attack. Norris and Grobyc fell flat on their backs and began twitching all over.
"GEAHHHHHH!" Norris screamed.
"SYSTEMS-FRIED!" Grobyc said loudly. Paul gave a satisfied grin before colliding with a very tall, well built muscular man.
"Streaker say bye, bye." And with a swift punch Paul fell down, blacking out. Streaker lifted everyone up and carried them away.
~*~
"Wakey, wakey Karsh," Eric said coldly. Karsh could only emit a low groan as he came around. He was chained to the wall across from Riddel. She seemed to be scared silent as she looked over at him pleading him to do something.
"Bastard," Was all Karsh could mutter.
A vicious slap hit Karsh hard stinging his skin, leaving a red mark on his face, "I'd be careful I have been known to kill people for less."
"It doesn't change what you are," Karsh replied dejectedly. He braced for another slap.
There was no other slap, now there was only a strip of fire across his chest as he felt something hit it with hard intensity. "Save me the pain of accidentally killing you. If you are out of line again I'll hurt the girl, now I'm going to ask you a question. Give me a response or you're going to regret it."
~*~
The group gathered around the camp fire minus Patrick, who had turned in early still tired from his ordeal in the torture chamber. They looked somberly at the fire before Samantha finally spoke up,
"Who thinks Patrick is acting like a Jerk?" She looked around slowly before she softly spoke up again, "I don't care because frankly if none of you think so then I'm going to insist you guys get glasses and hearing aides."
Slowly one by one hands went up. Steena's hand shot up boldly along with Shaun both of which still appeared to be angry.
"That's what I thought. Before we go to Chronopolis we're going to have to intervene," She said softly.
"What's that mate?" Kid asked innocently.
Christy looked expectantly over at Samantha who met Kids eyes sadly, "Whenever a person walks on the brink of madness and evil, there is an action friends can take to try and stop them from going over. Patrick not only is slowly going mad but he's also starting to become careless about himself and others. I don't know about you folks, but if I have to fight next to him I want to be sure he's going to fight with me till the end, not walk away when it doesn't suit him."
"When?" Christy asked quietly. Diss squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"When we can lock him up, because I can guarantee one thing, he's not going to like it one bit," She replied slowly.
"I can vouch for that one," Diss said solemnly. Samantha sighed softly before they began work on the task set before them.
~*~
"Did you succeed Lynx?" Fate asked softly. Lynx knelt before him.
"He got it from me before I could get away, I do believe however he is drowned," Lynx replied.
"Like you drowned Patrick Eric Dissinger? Yes I remember your way of drowning people, where is the body?" Fate asked coldly.
Lynx shivered, "I regret to say I don't have a body for you to look at."
"You failed me again my young apprentice," Fate said sneering, "You know what that means of course." He narrowed his eyes coldly at the Demi-human that knelt before him.
"Yes master," Lynx muttered. He really didn't have anyway to protest against Fate. After his display of power he knew he would have to rely on the others to defeat him if he were to stand a chance at taking over the dimension like he last planned. Fate pressed his palms together and slowly spread them the thin life line shone brightly in the artificial light a bright gold.
"Understand that this is your life line. Your life is connected to this one simple strand. If you fail me one more time you will have your life line cut, and you will never be able to be brought back," Fate said coldly as he scraped his scissors along the fine strand of gold. Then with a casual flick the strand disappeared, leaving Lynx lying on the ground in pain blood flowing from dozens of minor wounds. "Don't have any delusions about freedom Lynx. You are, and always will be mine. Once you prove yourself you will finally be granted the gift of release."
"W-w-what does that mean?" Lynx gasped on the ground.
"Wait and see my acolyte, wait and see," Fate whispered softly before leaving Lynx lying on the ground.
~*~
Eric sat in the throne room of Viper Manor contemplating. His staff leaned against the throne he now sat upon on ground level as a silent reminder that he was in charge. As he sat there he waited quietly for his lackeys to show up.
"Figures, good help is so hard to find these days. I guess the evil business needs a little pick me up," Eric sighed.
"I couldn't agree more," a voice said. Eric sat up hearing the voice.
"I thought you were going to let me loose," Eric said tensing.
"Out of all my help you probably are the most capable one. I needed to talk with you and give you a gift," Fate said stepping out to right in front of Eric. Eric felt a chill up his spine.
"What did you need to talk about?" Eric asked caught off guard.
"I'm expanding your contract," Fate said simply.
"Who's the new target?" Eric replied sitting on the edge of his seat.
"Patrick Eric Dissinger," Fate replied.
Eric immediately looked Fate square in the eyes a fire burning in them like no other, "I'll throw him in free, anything else?"
Fate grinned," All I need is for you to kill him. Nothing fancy, but if you bring me his head I'll insure you a place above my current right hand."
"You mean Lynx?" Eric asked resting his chin on his folded hands.
"Exactly, I have a feeling there will be an.opening happening soon," Fate said mysteriously.
"So what was the gift?" Eric asked.
Fate smiled, "I'm glad you asked. As you stand, you and Patrick are tied in power; I will unleash your true potential."
"How?" Eric replied in awe. The thought of being stronger than his ever lucky counterpart was like a dream, it had always been even.
"Stand up," Fate commanded. Eric did so holding onto his staff. "Get rid of all your imbues, you can't have any of your powers currently working."
A jacket, hat and pair of sunglasses appeared on his features as they were released from his powers. Suddenly white pure light hit Eric raising him up. He hunched at first as he felt something burn through his veins, then slowly he began to spin faster and faster a loud yell forming in his throat.
"Eric, become released, show your true potential to those who merely play with matches. You are truly the master!" Fate cried as Eric touched ground again. He looked at his hands with a boyish grin before he shot a torrent of Flames at one of the nearby Dragoons. The dragoon was instantly incinerated reduced to a pile of ashes. His death scream echoed in the hall as the others scampered out to avoid the same fate.
"Now he will learn what it means to be the underdog," Eric growled. It was a predatory growl of pleasure from his clean kill as he looked at his staff. "And I at last control a fabled Dragon Staff!"
"A gift to you, it is a prized weapon of the Aryans, to wield it is to hold a special destiny. You now have your destiny bound. You are the Assassin Eric!" Fate said proudly patting him on the shoulder like a lost son.
Eric grinned his boyish grin before he looked at Fate, "Thanks for the leg up. I'll be sure to bring their heads in on a platter. Do you prefer Gold or Silver?" Eric said dangerously. Fate began to laugh at the comment, and Eric couldn't help but join in as their laughter echoed through the halls making the Dragoons cower in even more terror then they had ever experienced before.
~*~
"I must find something to redeem myself.." Lynx growled to himself. "Something that Fate would never think of, and the accursed mortals can't defeat." Lynx sat away tapping in front of a keyboard. On any other day he would have just had the computer do it, but this time he had to make sure he found the right thing.
"Files found." Said a soft computer voice.
"Show me." Lynx hissed, he starred waiting for the upload to finish.
"A T-134 model Apocalypse Tank was used in the earlier days of the Aryan war. A mere handful of these tanks had decimated many Aryan encampments. One Apocalypse tank had been known to take down an entire military base." Lynx was impressed, but he hardly doubted the tank was any good.
"Why was this, the only subject found?" Lynx barked.
"This tank can take heat up to 9000 degrees, is able to blast through almost any material in one round, is immune to the effects of EMP and Thunder based elements, needs no pilot to keep immunity from psychics, is treaded to pass over any terrain, and can take massive amounts of structural damage without doing anything to the interior." Lynx's jaw dropped open. If this tank was actually as good as it claimed to be then there was no way Paul, Shaun, Christy, or Patrick could scratch the thing. It would decimate them quickly.
"Begin construction for four tanks."
"Resources insufficient. Requires certain steel components."
"How many can I build?" Lynx asked crossing his fingers.
"One." The voice echoed in Lynx's mind. If he really screwed this up Fate wouldn't be happy. Nor would he. It was a big gamble. He looked over the schematics many times before he nodded.
"Begin construction." Lynx said coldly.
~*~
Paul woke groggily, he saw Streaker, Norris, and Grobyc all looking over a map.
"Cupcakes?" Paul asked stupidly. Norris quickly turned around and aimed his gun at him.
"Freeze, move an inch and I'll blast you." Norris said. Paul looked in his eyes.
"No you won't. You can't afford to." Paul said getting up. Norris shook his gun at Paul, but Paul simply swatted it aside and sat next to Streaker. He looked at the map and saw they were trying to reach El Nido via a bad route.
"Listen, if we go this way were gonna get killed." Streaker said oddly in a normal educated voice.
"How-do-you-know-this?" Grobyc asked.
"He's right ya know, if you're escaping they already have the coast guard looking for you. Best bet is to cross all the way around in Viper's waters and head into Marbule." Paul said.
"But if we do that we might get caught. And Viper doesn't like Porre anyway." Norris said huddling back with them holstering his gun.
"I got connections, plus I know a safe place you can lay low." Paul said casually. Streaker nodded.
"I know this guy; he probably wants to go home to see his girlfriend." Paul nodded. Grobyc nodded as well. Norris gave up hope and agreed.
"Then it's settled." Paul said.
"Yeah, you're all under arrest!" Everyone looked to the voice and saw a cow.
"What . . . The . . . Hell?" Paul said confused.
"Oh shit um . . . MOOOO! MOOOOOOO!" The cow said shifting. Grobyc got up and walked over to the cow.
"Anyone-up-for-steak?" He said evilly.
"Uh, MOO?" Grobyc tore the hood off of a small man with black greasy hair and dorky glasses.
"If it isn't Fred, trying to be the hero for bringing us in." Norris said sarcastically getting up. "The same man who ratted us out for something we didn't do." He grabbed Fred and tossed him into the farm out of his suit. Fred hit the ground with a thud.
"So tell us Fred, how is Black Wind doing under your leadership. It was what you wanted right?" Streaker said getting up. Fred looked hysterical. He slowly backed away from the two incoming men.
"Stay away . . . or else . . ." Fred warned.
"Or else what?" Paul asked grabbing his Halberd. Fred grabbed a whistle and blew it. Cows, sheep, and people under hay started pouring into the farm surrounding them.
"ONE OF THESE DAYS, FRED, IM GONNA KILL YOU!" Norris yelled.
"FREEZE!" Most men shouted.
"How bout we make our getaway?" Paul offered.
"Gonna be risky . . ." Norris said uneasily holding his gun out. Paul curled himself in as thunder bellowed in the background. Streaker looked at him oddly. Paul slowly growled as he quickly unleashed himself.
"THUNDERDOKEN!" Paul yelled as a white blast of energy hit one guy, moved on to the next two by his side and continued going down hitting everyone with a chain energy attack. "RUN NOW!" Paul shouted weakly. Everyone began running out of the barn. On the way to the boat Paul collapsed. He blacked out shortly afterwards.