-AUTHOR'S NOTES-
Heh, I never thought we'd reach the second part of this fic that fast. Thanks go to those who managed to make it to the first part.
Making our way through to the second of the three (and probably the longest), this one basically shows the story starting to break into two parts – one of which showing the Baron and the Krimzon Guard making their way closer towards the heart of the Metal Head Nest upon their raid there, and the second one showing Torn's time as Ashelin's guardian for the night… and a few unsuspecting ideas starting to emerge from the two. Sig fans can also note that he gets a cameo, should you want him!
Okay, I'll stop being silly; enjoy the part. :P
Peace out,
-Rexy-
---
The Air Train for Haven City soon started to gradually head its way in a South East direction, hovering a thousand feet from the ground. Its shadow shows up like an ant upon the ground.
Inside the train itself, most of the Krimzon Guard present were seen looking outside the windows, seeing the view below as the scenery changed from an industrial setting to a more wasteland-type scene.
Near one of the windows, Erol looked towards Crista with a face starting to fill with fear. And with a light smile on her, she placed a hand around his shoulder, bringing his head close towards her chest.
He looked up towards her cautious face, knowing that they could be filled with comfort for most of their journey. By then, his eyes returned to the window, seeing Haven City as nothing more than a metallic lump in the background.
In a far corner of the train carriage itself sat Baron Praxis, his legs being brought up upon the benches running along the walls, his arms being brought behind his head, and his body being brought into a more relaxed position.
And as fate soon suddenly started to bring itself around him, his senses and light breathing suddenly start to become more faint, as his vision slowly sealed into darkness and his ears detected nothing more than silence.
---
Back at the Palace, Ashelin was seen sitting near one of the giant chapel windows looking over the city, her looks starting to show more fear than before. She started to tremble at the sight of the darkening skies surrounding her.
During that time, Torn stepped his way into the room holding onto two glasses filled to the brim with yakow milk. His eyes were brought on towards her position, leaving him to walk cautiously towards her.
As soon as he reached her, he placed both glasses of milk upon the window ledges and edged towards her right shoulder. He placed one of his hands upon her back, leaving her to look towards her left and see his cautious expressions.
"Ashelin?" he spoke in a whisper.
She opened her mouth to try to speak, but… no matter how hard she tried, nothing could come out from her. Instead, all that she could end up doing was starting to shake upon her hands, even more fearful than before.
And all of a sudden, she brought her face down, a light tear starting to come down her face. Torn's expression soon became more sympathetic, leaving him to brush her hair to the back of her head just to see her upset face.
"Ashelin, what's the matter?"
"I just wished that I could have gone to the Metal Head nest with my father", she responded with a shakier tone.
She gave out a light sniff, feeling even more worried than before. That gave Torn time to pick up one of the glasses of milk and bring it to her hands, and as soon as that happened she brought the cup to her face and lightly sipped the contents.
"I know that I'm too young to fight for him and the rest of the Krimzon Guard," she breathily spoke, "but I really need to repay him after what he did to me last year."
"You mean with the Metal Heads breaking down the Eastern walls?" responded Torn in a higher pitch. "The demise of the King before him?"
It took her a while to respond, but she gave out a shaky nod back. The response caused Torn to edge nearer to her, giving her a close embrace around her back and shoulders and bringing her closer towards his chest.
"I understand what you feel, but I'm sure he must have done it for a purpose."
"To tell you the truth," she sighed, "he's being a bit too timid on my part, even through a good amount of my life."
"Why are you saying that?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ashelin brought herself onto both feet and came closer towards the windows. The whole of the city was seen in front of her, and from her viewpoint she pointed at a region just north of the Slums to the East.
"I've always wanted to look beyond the streets of my original home in the Mall, but I've never been allowed out." Her eyes showed a more upsetting look upon her. "I know that he's cautious about the Metal Heads coming in their unexpected attacks, but that can't stop a girl's rights to having a bit of fun, right?"
She gave out a moody sigh back, her tears gradually starting to reduce from her face. During that time, Torn edged towards her and looked on at the view for himself, giving off a light smile for himself.
"It's okay" smiled Torn. "As long as the Metal Heads aren't leaving their nest for a long while, maybe I can help you by taking you around the city?"
"Are you sure you're doing the right thing?"
She turned towards Torn, expecting a serious look. But… right in front of her showed a devious smile upon him. And without further actions, he took a firm grip around her hand, leaving them to start making their way out of the chapel.
"Come on", he responded with a chuckle. "The city will look great at night, I assure you!"
Ashelin's eyes widened at his actions, but… before anything else could occur, he instantly pulled her out of the chapel and down the Palace corridors, his speed gradually increasing as he ran.
As soon as they reached the lifts, the doors opened up in an instant, leaving them to make their way inside immediately. It then started to head down towards the ground in a flash, leaving her to take a tug upon Torn's clothing while it happened.
"What if my father actually finds out about all this?" she almost squealed. "He'll punish me! I just know it!"
"It's okay – I won't say a thing to anyone in the guard about what happened. Believe in me, Ash."
His smile suddenly turned from a devious smile to a more confident one, leaving Ashelin to look on at her partner with a surprised expression. And as soon as that happened, the lift came to a stop at the ground floor of the building.
They ran even further down the corridors, holding onto one another as they managed to head their way towards the main entrance to the Palace. The doors opened up, and they dashed down the steps to the open-air surroundings.
Following on from there, both youths started to run their way away from the Palace scenery, ready to see what Haven City had on offer. And they both seemed to know for a fact that they would have the time of their lives.
---
"Attention all Krimzon Guard personnel. The Air Train will drop down towards the surfaces of the wastelands 200 feet from the Metal Head nest in five minutes."
The female computer voice upon the speakers inside the vehicle awakened the Baron to a start, leaving his eyes to shift around the train itself. Most of the guards were seen on their full alert, ready for dropping down from the vehicle to the ground below them.
By then, the skies were nothing more than a deep purple color, with no light around the area other than a few faint lamps being brought around that part of the wastelands. Even Crista came prepared, with a flashlight being held within her hand, ready to lighten the way.
And indeed, the five minutes managed to pass, and the Air Train managed to settle its way upon a clearing near a set of cliffs and ruins. The door opened up, and it was there that the Guards started to emerge from their position in their masses.
"That's it, men!" commanded the Baron. "Let's get moving!"
The whole group ran together like live sardines springing free from their can, heading down the pathway in hope of finding a way through towards the Metal Head Nest itself. It was there that courage and determination instantly showed upon the guards' faces.
During their time, they looked towards the walls surrounding the Nest, hoping for a way to try and break into the machine. They passed several ruins, old metallic structures and small streams of dark eco upon their way.
Yet several minutes later, it seemed like there didn't seem to be a direct way towards the Nest. The pathway just felt like it could lead them around in circles, yet the clearing that they started at was nowhere in sight.
"This is taking forever" growled Crista. "There's no way we can be able to find a pathway into the nest from here!"
"Yeah! All we're seeing is walls and more walls!" responded Erol in a sheepish tone. "Do we have to hire a spider to help us get around?"
All that Praxis did was just smiled at the pair. "I have a better idea. Just stand back!"
He brought out a saber-based sword, which in itself glowed a bright green color. And as soon as that happened, he dashed his way towards the nest and slammed the blade through a delicate crack in the walls.
A hole started to break its way in, leaving him to smile and chop even more off to try and break in, but… before it was even big enough to allow the whole of the guard to pass, the sound of pounding, quaking footsteps came towards their ears.
Praxis took a few steps back, only to see that the deteriorating wall started to crumble harsher than before. And from out from the walls came a Metal Head with five pairs of legs, formed like a centipede, and standing 35 feet tall.
"I've never seen jaws this big before!" she exclaimed with panic. "How exactly can we get around this monster?"
"Look at what you got attached to you, woman!" shouted Erol as he rolled his eyes at her.
He pointed down towards her sash around her chest, and she looked towards the bottom tip of it. Hanging there was a small handgun, with a brown color surrounding it. She brought it out and looked upon its structure.
"It's too small and puny in comparison with this thing!"
Erol retaliated with a moody sigh. "Fine, if it makes you feel better I'll aim with you!"
With a growl upon his face, Erol brought his hands towards his belt and pulled out a pistol similar to Crista's. And they both aimed towards the eyes together, firing towards its chest. But all the bullets could do was cause dents in the armor.
"It's not retaliating!" Crista squealed.
"Try and aim towards the eyes!" responded the Baron with a more tense tone.
He pointed up towards the Metal Head's eerie, glowing, banana-yellow eyes, a mystical essence being brought upon their vision. Both Crista and Erol smiled as they aimed their guns up towards separate eyes.
They pulled back the triggers, and the bullets soon made their way towards the creature's eyes, piercing them in an instant. It growled, keeping its eyelids firmly shut during the time, and started to walk backwards, unknowing of where it was going.
"That's it!" cackled Praxis victoriously. "It's slowly backing away from us!"
"Where's it heading?"
The Baron gave out an honest shrug, while at the same time most of the other Guards started to head inside the clearing. They went past the Metal Head, which was just wincing at its wounds, and up a slope inside the walls.
And over time, Erol managed to catch his way up with the others, hiding within the packed armors of the group. Praxis and Crista both followed the pack together, looking even further at the slope ahead of them.
"Steady, men!" she commanded her fellow guards. "Just don't stop moving!"
They soon managed to make their way over a mound in the wall, and towards another clearing. Only this time, there was a giant brick wall surrounding them. While most of the guards stayed put at the sight of them, the Baron managed to make his way through the pack and starting to head cautiously towards the ruins.
With stealth, he started to side step his way along the brick wall, and looked around the other side, to see a pack of smaller Metal Heads of several different formations surrounding the area, guarding their territory.
Praxis blinked at the sight of the clearing. "What kind of establishment is this?"
"I'm not sure, but if there's some way that we can break out from that ambush," Crista responded in an honest tone, "then we can be able to progress further towards the Nest."
Erol suddenly started to quiver. "But we're outnumbered 20 to 1!"
"That's where strength in numbers comes in handy", the Baron growled back.
He brought his eyes towards Erol via a shifty glance, only leaving the young guard to gulp at the sight of his actions. During that time, the smaller Metal Heads started to leer on towards the scene, ready to stand their guard.
And just as they imagined it, Praxis whistled towards the guards, leaving them to start breaking their way around the ruined wall and charging towards the monsters, their weapons out ready to tear their opponents limb from limb.
And tear they did – for every scratch inflicted upon the soldiers, they fought back by shooting a beast down to the ground. The very horrors of the battle left Erol to start shaking with fear, going behind the ruined wall, shaking his fists as he did so.
"I'm not going in there! They're too strong; I can just sense it in their faces!"
"Oh yes you are!" screeched Crista. "If you don't show your input, who knows what can happen?"
She took a hold upon his shoulders, and within a flash she shunted him towards the Metal Heads with such a force. He almost stumbled onto his chest as he ended up zooming close towards one that took the formation of a Venus flytrap.
It brought out its vine-like tentacles, trying to bring him down, but… he soon fought back by bringing out his pistol and shooting the beast in the mouth, leaving it to start retaliating. He also had the time to start pulling off the tentacles one by one, inflicting more damage upon his opponent.
Over time, the monsters started to weaken one by one, until eventually, none of the monsters were able to fight from their positions. Most of the guards came close to one another, satisfied with the result.
"The coast is clear!" sighed Praxis. "Quick, take the spine!"
The Baron brought his finger up towards a distant corner of the clearing, where a giant spine – ribs attached – acted like a spine leading towards a higher part of the cliff. And in an instant, he lead the guards up the spine, in single file.
They were soon halfway up the spine, and it was there that the whole view of the part of the wastelands were brought upon their eyes – to them it looked like part ruined town, part elephant graveyard, and part eco storage.
"You sure this is the right way into the nest?" Crista asked the Baron. "It doesn't look very 'motherly' to me…!"
"We can't exactly take a boat across the dark eco rivers, can't we?"
Crista looked down below, and saw nothing more than pools of Dark Eco surrounding most of the clearing they just left. That soon left her to give off an honest nod before continuing onwards.
They soon managed to reach the top of the spine, where the top of the cliff was brought upon it. They stepped upon the brimstone-based ground, and looked towards the slope leading inside the caverns itself.
"Come to think about it", paused the Baron, "I wonder how Ashelin's coping back in the city?"
"Please, stop worrying too much about her and let's continue with our mission!"
With a slight amount of hesitation, Erol brought his arms around Praxis's right hand and started to force him down the slope, leaving them to uncontrollably run faster as the gradient of the path got steeper, and steeper.
And with a determined look, Crista lead the remaining guard down the slope, which tried their best to keep steady upon the steep path for themselves. For them, they knew that this night could be judgment night for the Metal Heads.
---
Back at Haven City, the skies suddenly became clearer, and a bright full moon was brought upon the sky, shining down upon the waters of South Town, where the gentle waves of the water calmly brought themselves towards the paved banks blocking them from dry land.
And down the path leading from the Industrial section came Torn riding a hoverboard, with Ashelin holding tight upon his back as they went faster down the gentle slopes leading towards their next location.
They soon came to a stop outside a tavern, decorated with neon lights and a mechanical hip hog on the top banister. They looked on at it with wonder, with Torn almost losing his concentration putting his hoverboard away as he did so.
"My dad's told me a lot about this Hip Hog place", blinked Ashelin. "I wonder why though…?"
"We'll see all the wonders about it once we head inside, shall we?"
He looked on at Ashelin and gave off a confident smile, before he escorted her inside the tavern himself. By then her face started to show an unsure look upon her, feeling curious upon what kind of setup the saloon could end up having.
And as soon as they went inside, the scenery of the boxing ring in the middle and the Metal Head trophies on the walls left them to look on at the scene with wonder. But… that was before a voice interrupted them from a far corner.
"Hey, haven't you read the signs?" growled Krew from the bar. "We don't serve alcohol to under-16s!"
"I'm not here for a drink, Krew", responded Torn in a witty tone. "I'm just giving in a bit of a tour for the Baron's daughter."
The bartender gave off a growl for a response, leaving him to continue sitting firm upon his seat. Meanwhile, both youths went towards a nearby corner, where a black, muscular figure padded with Metal Head armors was seen using a toolbox to construct a metallic seat out of silk skins and precursor metal. He brought his eyes to Torn, and gave off a welcome smile.
"Hey, Torn! How's things going for you man?"
"Absolutely fine! Eh…" He brought his focus towards Ashelin. "Ash, this is Sig. He's been working at the Hip Hog for the past year. I don't know what kind of stuff he does for Krew, but it's helped to put the Hip Hog on the map."
"A pleasure to meet you, Sig!" she responded with a light giggle.
He gave off a light smile, leaving Ashelin to bring her hand out towards him and him to bring his lips towards her hand, kissing her gently upon the surface. Soon after that happened, he looked at her directly at the eyes and showed a proud look on his face.
"Say, I've had a lot of thoughts about your father in recent times" smiled Sig. "He's been growing as a strong character for the city."
"I just wish I can do something to help him along his way…"
She brought her head down, her dreadlocks almost covering her face. With a serious look upon his face, Sig brought his hands towards her face, and gently lifted it up towards his level.
"Maybe there's a way that I can provide help after all", responded Sig with confidence. "I'll see if there is some way that I can hire another Air Train to reach the Metal Head nest for you. Then you can try all you can as soon as you get there."
"You really mean it, Sig?"
He gave out a nod back, blinking his eyes casually as that happened. And it was there that he brought out a hovering communication device and started speaking an order down it. While he did that, Ashelin took an excited tug upon Torn's clothing, feeling delighted with the result.
"It's like all my Christmases and Birthdays are gradually pulling together!"
"Hey, hold on, I still need the time to hire the ship first!" shouted Sig. "It may take a while, so get yourselves comfortable."
Ashelin looked on at Sig, whom continued to show a serious expression. And then he got back to putting the order together. During that time, Ashelin turned back to Torn, her expression slowly emptying.
"So, how about I challenge you to a game of Whack-a-Metal-Head?" he asked with a wink.
He pointed over towards a small game in a corner, with a leather mallet connected onto it by a metal chain. They went on towards it together, with Ashelin curious to know how it would work.
Torn placed a coin into the machine, and from out of the holes came several Metal Head puppets of different colors. He started to bash as many as he can, leaving his partner to just look on at his amazing accuracy.
---
The bottom of the slope within the Metal Head Nest region was soon in sight, leaving the Krimzon Guard to feel more easy upon stepping closer towards level ground, Erol most especially as he fell to his stomach as soon as he reached the bottom.
They looked ahead of them, and were greeted by a bright blue dome-like area, with several green-yellow circular shells surrounding the area. The whole area also had purple mist surrounding the floor, making things hard to get around.
Within the group, the Baron managed to step closer towards the dome for himself, looking on at the hazardous structures at a closer perspective. From behind him, Erol came close, showing a more worried look than before.
"Are you sure that you're doing the right thing? This place looks so dangerous and creepy!"
"It's the only chance for freedom for this city," responded Praxis, "so all we can do is to try our best."
From there, he started to step his way into the mist, with the others having no choice but to follow him. They soon reached another slope, where once they arrived at the bottom of it the presence of black smoke at the top left them to come to a stop.
"Look!" Crista gasped. "Up there!"
She pointed up towards the hole, and it was there that something started to stir nearby. A head was lifted up into the air, and that itself had a hazel-yellow mane surrounding it, as well as sharp teeth and an unnatural set of slanted eyes.
It gave out a roar towards the group, leaving them to start taking a few steps back at the very monstrous sight of it. The black smoke around it soon started to die out, leaving its body to show a clearer set of blue-purple flesh and silver armor around it.
"So this must be the leader of the Metal Heads", whispered the Baron.
"I never thought I'd see a creature this haunting since Boy George!" Erol jokily responded back.
Most of the Guards' ears pricked up at the sight of their remark, leaving them to look on at Erol with agitated expressions started to form. He himself showed an innocent look back, showing that all he did was told his side of the truth.
During that time, the monster tried to climb down the slope itself, but the ceiling blocking it from their opponents was too short for it to climb out into. That left the others to try and come closer towards it, without getting hurt by its active front paws.
"And how do you think we can bring this thing down?" Praxis asked Crista.
"The same we did to that other big one before – right in the eyes!" she lightly chuckled. "Come on, Erol!"
With a determined look, she came towards Erol and dragged him towards her side, leaving them to take a tight grasp onto their pistols as they did so. By then, the monster's rage was beyond comprehension.
They aimed at the eyes, and took fire within its slanted eyes. But… all that the bullets could do was just rebound from the surface, leaving both of them to show surprised looks at one another.
"It didn't work?" Erol asked with confusion.
"Of course it didn't work!" she shouted before her voice became a more whisper-based tone. "But… why?"
Erol's face suddenly started to show hesitation, and over time… he just gave out a shrug, leaving Crista to growl at his response. But… then, the beast's mouth started to glow a bright white color.
"Take cover!!!" shouted the Baron.
Within a flash, it brought out a white beam from its mouth, leaving the group to branch onto separate sides of the blast, escaping from harm. The light soon faded out, leaving them to look at where the flare was inflicted.
Within its place, a few yellow round structures were seen showing upon the structure, and it was there that they broke into particles, showing themselves as small scorpion-based Metal Heads, showing sinister expressions upon their faces.
"So that's how the Metal Heads are reproduced…!" said Erol in a queasy voice. "Now that's certainly put me off tonight's dinner!"
"Never mind about that and try and get close to the creature!" Praxis commanded to him.
He pointed towards the Metal Head leader, leaving Erol to start running up the slope towards him, being lucky enough to keep on his feet at all times. He ducked under every swipe from the creature, and ended up falling down the slope and onto both feet at the other side.
"Guards!" Crista shouted at some of the Krimzon Guard near her. "Get down here and we'll outnumber this thing easily!"
She lead most of the guards up with her, leaving them to start heading up in a similar fashion. That left Praxis and some of the others to fight off the scorpions before they could eventually follow them up.
Over time, they all reached the top of the slope, and saw a light slope leading towards a small room. The Metal Head leader itself was connected to the ceiling by a set of vines, hanging over a circular bottomless pit around him.
With determination, the group then surrounded the beast, their weapons out, and ready to inflict damage upon it. And it was there that they knew that a brighter tomorrow could be brought upon them should the monster be slaughtered… or would it?
-end of part 2-