"I'm through with these failures... your control on this matter is now
officially cut. I am putting HIM in charge of this now."
"P-Please chairmen, we can-"
"Silence Seymour! The council has done nothing more then get greedy fools to take on a task, and what happens. Simple, they screw up; never send a fool to do a soldier's job. Translation: the best we have to offer." The dark figure on the monitor proclaimed, with a snicker.
"So you plan to send the Gunsmith Regents... how confident are we that they are going to succeed?" Penelope snapped to the man directing them.
"Yes... even after what they did thirty years ago. Even if they are feared, how do you expect-"
"Hold your tongues failures, I have given you enough chances and you now only failed in capturing the Fae, you also failed to take out Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter. As for the Peacemaker that has been causing trouble, our data systems have identified him as Ryu Branigan, but we have only info on him when he joined the Peacemakers. We have no idea who he is related to, and even running a few blood types, we have found no living relatives that are related to him. Draco, even without any info besides the first time he committed a felony has the same background." He replied leaving the council breathless.
"So, your presuming there is a relationship between the two?" Dagget asked once more.
"That I have no firm or concrete evidence, but for now, I expect you three to see if you can find anything related, IN ADDITION, you must keep up with the paperwork." He stated, still remaining calm.
"Understood Chairmen..." Seymour hesitatingly answered.
"I best see some evidence, if it wasn't for our control over the large scale of land own, you Councilmen and women would be dead low in a job. Now, I expect results in a few weeks, is that understood?"
"YES SIR!!" Every member responded, easily fearing his wrath.
The transmission was cut off with many of the members taking a deep sigh of relief afterward. Each knew how deeply enraged the chairmen was with what was happening with the situation. With already several failures with several attempt to capture the Fae had brought them near thin ice. With the Gunsmith Regents in charge of things was the situation truly on the line.
But with the newer situation brought up a deeper question ran through their minds.
Could the threat they though was extinct still exist?
***
In a office on a floor around about the forty or fifty stories high, were the most highest representatives are stationed, were the big decisions are made, and the one floor before the CEO's office was were the leader of the Gunsmith Regents had been working for the past twenty-eight years, considering he had qualified for the job.
"Is that so? A bird still free in this endless wasteland and an outlaw rumored to be in league?" The raven hair man asked, a still near sun bathed face, but he dressed what seemed to wear black clothing from neck down.
A long leather black trench coat hang near the door, draped only inches from the ground. His vest, under collar shirt, slacks, loafers, vest, tie, and loafers were all raven black, near to his hair. His eyes a light yellow, a glitter of gold shined within them, as if a demon had been within him.
A desk neatly kept papers and files neatly stacked. A mug and other items used for decorations were kept at the edge of his desk, his name slot placed at the edge, written along the side 'Hudson Taylor, Vice CEO of Auron'. A lampshade was placed on his desk, still on as it was near midnight, and most already left.
"Hmm, right now most have found another mean to live..... But there is one who, how can I put this? Has a craving for a braw, and even if he did spend the last thirty years confined he has not one bit changed." Hudson spoke deeply, his face remained emotionless, and his yellow eyes froze continuing to listen to the one speaking.
"Yes... who else would I refer to?"
"So you don't have a problem if I set him loose?"
"Understood, by your orders, he shall be released and briefed on his contract. I shall not allow him to kill the innocence as he did so long ago." Hudson concluded, with a smile, "I will follow through with this, Chairmen." He replied, clicking he cell phone in his hands off, as he dialed another number.
***
"Say what!?"
Yelled the man in the office who only could be shocked and surprised by what was requested. He couldn't believe what he was being asked by the one who was calling.
"Just who the hell do you think you are Mr., asking for him to be released?" The man who was in charge of the prison demanded, knowing full well that many had his number, and had called him about the one man who was famous for being held there.
"Hudson Taylor, the vice CEO of Auron Inc. and leader of the Gunsmith Regents." Hudson answered raising his voice.
"H-H-Hudson Taylor? Forgive my disrespect, I-"
"No need, just give HIM the following info when you can, I am sending it via E-mail to you. I expect you let only him let his eyes see it, otherwise... you know what I must do." Hudson taunted, snickering on his end.
"Yes... I shall not lay an eye on any one of the files, you have my word. He will be released, but are you sure-"
"He isn't a fool to cross US again. We stopped him before, and we can stop him again. This time though he will be left as a vegetable, death is too merciful for a fool who has lived with only the desire to kill." Hudson said, smiling with an evil omen in his mind.
The warden sighed, as he placed the phone down. He didn't find the idea of releasing the gunmen who went on a rampage thirty years ago. To even think he could be controlled was unbelievable to the entire staff at the prison. With all the murder the man had caused thirty years after the one incident that made him famous already was enough evidence to keep him in lockdown for life.
Although a request from one of the higher executives of the corporation known as Auron was enough to provide a parole. That request was enough of an answer for any who would ask why the notorious murderous man known as 'Machine Gunning Jessie' was to be allowed out.
With four armed men following behind the Warden, they cautiously approached the cell at the end of the hall, sealed up tightly with many locks, titanium bars. Sunlight never did reach the room, only one light bulb that stayed lit even at night. The Warden undid each of the seals, one by one.
The door slowly opened revealing the dark room, with a man strapped to the wall with several metal induced straps, locked to the wall with several padlocks, each combo locked and requiring a key. Wrist and ankles shackled with what seemed to be still gleaming metals, preventing the man from even launching himself forward and assaulting anyone. His mouth gagged and caged, mostly for the incident where he nearly tried to snap at a few guards, and when he nearly bit the Warden's nose off.
"Machine-gun Jessie James, didn't think I'd ever release you for all the murder you done them three decades ago. Though at this time, you have been called upon by your old employers for a job." The Warden replied, pulling out a screen and showing it to the restrained outlaw who scanned it over, giving a few huffs as he heard it, before gasping, with his eyes widely opened.
"Release him from his restraints; I am sure he won't try anything foolish considering the punishment at hand." The Warden remarked with a snicker.
As each of the shackles and straps were undone, the outlaw stretched each out as each new area released begged to be freed. Once all were undone, he cracked each of the bones in his body, and stretched each muscle smiling with his unbelievably still pearl white as snow teeth. He had been freed on some occasions but otherwise he was kept in lockdown to the max.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha, all them years I've been waitin' and it finally has paid off." He responded anxiously in a deep groggy voice.
"Keep your opinion to yourself scumbag. Just get your ass outta here already and get you damn job done. Remember, your own leader has no problems seeing you become a vegetable if you slack off!" The Warden remarked crudely with an annoyed glance.
"Ah, shut ya pie-hole already ya good-for-nuthin' bastard." Jessie commented once more, walking on out of the prison.
It only took a half an hour just for him to get all the equipment he needed, more relieving to have was his old western git-up, the old leather brown cowboy hat, his long sleeved leather coat, black trousers and his larger then life leather boots complete with the saws on the back.
Dressed and fully armed, he walked out of the prison with a glance to the sky, narrowing his eyes as the rays met his skin, slowly heating his face up to a boiling point. He was glad to be back out in the endless wastelands, even as bad as they were, it beat having to be in that prison, so dim that ones eyes could go blind, so slow that time seemed to be stopped, and ever so dull that you would only want to be dead.
"Now to find that girl with wings... hope she's a cutie." He commented, easily a sap for any pretty lady who crossed his path.
***
"Fargo!!"
Ryu ran throughout the town, glancing in every direction, searching for his close partner. He reached the outer square where he found his partner, the dark green haired man, who was a bit more on the oversized side in muscles, but truly a rugged man with a handsome face. He wore the same uniform as Ryu, only his trousers were black. He also had shorter hair then Ryu, mostly as he couldn't stand the heat upon his hair.
"Fargo!"
Ryu ran to his side, kneeling down to his partner, who glanced up at him with a hopeless face.
"Ryu... I tried to get him on my own... but he was... to much..." Fargo replied, his life easily escaping him, as he was hit right near the heart.
"Fargo... hang in there, I can still-"
A loud high-pitched scream caught Ryu's attention, as he glanced towards the saloon knowing it was right around there.
"Forget it. I was foolish to think I could take him on. now I die for it. Ryu, promise me this. promise me you will kill him. For me and the world, it is the only way." He requested, knowing it had to be done.
"Fargo... I can't promise it... you see... he is... a childhood friend of mine... and I can't bear to kill him."
Fargo gasped, his face easily awed in shocking surprise as he saw the serious expression in Ryu's eyes. His body shivered, as he looked up to the sky.
"Ryu... I pity you... but right now... I wanna go home... so cold it is... when the life you have... ends..." He replied finally biting the dust, as he gave in to death.
Ryu stood up, as a tear fell from his face. Fargo, his one true partner who covered his back many times was now dead, and his one request was denied.
"Fargo... I will promise one thing... I will stop Draco for the sake of this world." He said, walking over to where the recent murder occurred.
***
Even in the heat of the day with the sun-burning heat that swerved in the air was it not enough to keep some of the most determined people down. Ryu though was not even focused to the heat of the sun, nor could he care. He had lost already someone dear to him because he was forced to kill him. Nina didn't try to comfort; she was overcome with guilt for the incident.
Ever since she and Ryu met, trouble always seemed to just spout out in an instant. To think a corporation such as Auron was the reason so many were trying to get her was despicable. She already saw how dangerous the world was, but to think she was nothing but trouble easily made her feel more pity for ever leaving her own home.
The two slowly approached the town of Grandel, a mere ordinary town, with a windmill that made it stand out from other towns. Ryu knew this place all too well, and dreaded to have to go there. Every time he heard the town's name mentioned did he only feel more sickened and ill mentally and physically. He couldn't bear to even admit what he did there. He knew now Draco survived and was out for Ryu's blood.
Approaching the town, a slow but whistling breeze blew through the ghost town, not a hair or hid of activity seemed to exist there. Only one dustball blew through town, as Ryu slowly reached for his gun, Nina looking around, easily surprised and greatly on the aware side.
"Hello, COUSIN!!" A familiar voice called out.
Ryu glanced around, but in one single second, he was struck with a heavy punch to the face, throwing him down to the ground, stumbling and rolling around. Ryu glared at the one who had dared try and strike him, his face not one bit surprised that it was the red trench coat menace that roamed the endless desert.
"Awe, what's the matter Ryu, did I hit you to hard, are you gonna cry like a baby?" He ignorantly commented taking a few steps towards Ryu.
"Stop there outlaw, or I'll-"
"Have you forgotten about me skank?!" A tempered voice shouted, as a shot rang out nearly striking Nina's legs.
Lecha only could smile, taking aim once more, as she shot more closely to Nina, who flinched, starting make a move. Slowly she gathered her magic, but still kept her attention focused on Lecha, knowing the girl was no newbie with a rifle such as that.
Nina started things off with a more beginners spell ice, throwing it to Lecha with a few icicles carving the path from the ground. Lecha easily evaded, and shot back with a more intermediate one, preferably Iceblast, Nina taking flight as he way of escaping the deadly attack.
Ryu threw one punch only to miss with a counter of a knee to the gut. He immediately continued with a fierce flashing uppercut to the jaw throwing Ryu off his knees. Kneeling down, Draco grasped him by the throat, slowly tightening his grasp to choke him.
"That's right Ryu, I am stronger then you. I don't even need a gun to beat you. With this strength, you're a petty mouse to the feline housecat. In my own grasp you slowly weaken, unable to even stop me." Draco interrogated, as Ryu gawked from not being able to breath.
Draco released his grip from Ryu's neck, Ryu gasped deeply for air, his face near purple from not getting any air. He was only going to have a few seconds to himself, as in only that amount of time did Draco throw another strike, this time a direct kick to the chest, hurling Ryu off his feet and onto the ground.
He stepped over towards Ryu, as he smiled, knowing he had to finish the job. Ryu slowly rose up, beaten already badly enough that he was bleeding from his mouth and nose. Several bruise marks were already appearing on his face.
Draco then started to increase his pace of attack with a intense several fist attack, each one striking Ryu in the face, chest, and stomach, all in what seemed to be an eternity was only a few seconds, and ended with a hard blow to the chest. Ryu hurled back fast, crashing into a building. Impacting around the large board that kept the entire structure up, the entire complex came crashing down, burying Ryu in several large chunks of pieces that pinned him flat down to the ground.
A loud crash that seemed to occur repeatedly was proof enough that the job had been done. The chunks of rubble proved that Ryu was indeed finished. No chance a man could survive that amount of pressure or a beating like Draco had given him.
A loud clap that snap each second easily brought the victorious side of Draco to a stop, as he glanced around, finally spotting someone up on a roof, clapping his hands in delight. Draco knew it had to be some newcomer, he had already scared the entire town out when he walk in and threaten to murder everyone there. Lecha didn't like the idea at all, but she knew hesitating it was hopeless since Draco was not planning on inviting the entire town to a party after he was defeated two years ago.
People only ran rather then even try to stand their ground; they knew it was no use in resisting the madmen such as this. Though this newcomer was not any type of person who was an outlaw or a bounty hunter by the way he was dressed. He glared to Draco with a evil smile, jumping down from the roof of the Saloon he stood on to the ground.
"Bravo Draco, I didn't think ya had that strength in yas with all them murders you done in the past, ey?" The man complimented as he jumped down.
"Just who the fuck are you!?" Draco demanded reaching for his gun.
"Machine-gun Jessie James is the name, and good huntin' is my game." He said pulling from behind his back two Ak-47 rifles.
Draco immediately reached for his gun, grasping it tightly; he pulled it out and opened fire on Jessie with two shots. In that instant, a green shield appeared around the man, blocking each of the shots as the now blunt bullets fell to the ground. Draco only stood there, frozen in shock. For the first time had he opened fire and had his bullets been stopped dead in the tracks.
"Ah-heh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, always first to the trigger they say, ya truly are a fool. I ain't no normal hunter, see, I am a Gunsmith Regent, the most rowdy band of fighters to ever set foot on the face of this world. Ya think I would've lived if I didn't possess such a shield as this?" He asked with no answer from the now despaired Draco, "Thought so. ain't nobody ever taken us regents down, even them dragons were no match for us."
Draco started running for cover, as rapid shot streamed at an eye blinking pace past him. He barely had avoided the shots, and was easily pierced by one around his shoulder when he jumped for cover.
"Yer a sittin' duck there boy, there ain't no way ya gonna get outta this alive, ya hear me?!" Jesse taunted him vigorously.
Draco took deep breath, keeping himself hidden. He knew it was no use, already the guy was invincible with the shield and if it could stop a advanced peashooter such as his, there was indeed no chance the outlaw would even last against the guns that madmen was hauling.
"Damn it Lecha, where are you when I really need you." He whispered to himself.
***
Nina and Lecha had already started to move away from the area where they once started. Around a few blocks away, they cast intermediate spells directly to one another fiercely.
Lecha though immediately stopped; Nina casting a fire spell shouting 'FLARE' that was nearly powerful enough to ignite her gunpowder in her bullets. She was quick enough to evade the spell before it made contact upon her skin. It easily passed her, leaving a trail of ashes behind.
"What, you give up?" Nina spat angrily.
"Just how dumb can a blond truly become? Open your ears already and listen!" Lecha replied bitterly, Nina easily getting red in anger and humiliated by Lecha's comment.
She was about to cast a spell when the loud hammering sounds that she remembered from the two dual chain-guns that Wes used in battle.
"Who is it Fae?!" She demanded pointing her gun towards Nina's forhead.
"I. I don't know. Ryu and me came here alone, I swear." She replied pleadingly.
Lecha shot a still ignorant glance to her, before her communicator beeped. She reached down, holding her gun by the trigger area, as she reached down pulling her communicator out and placing it up to her ear.
"Ruby Flamingo here."
"Ruby, this is Blue Phoenix, your in danger. The CEO of Auron has placed the situation of capturing the Fae in the Gunsmith Regents hands. We also have word that your partner is also a target. Ruby, be on high alert, they have sent out their rowdy gun-slinger Jessie James, he-"
Lecha didn't listen; she cut communications with her boss, as she glanced to the Fae.
"I don't know if your boyfriend is okay or not, but mark my words if he is near there, he is in trouble. For now we put aside our differences and team up to send that punk begging for his life." She said, still giving a death- glared look towards Nina.
"Work with you, yeah right. Why should I trust you when you and Draco tried to capture me?" She replied still not trusting Lecha.
"Long story, and right now your boyfriends in trouble, so stop being so damn stubborn and get a move on. If anything, our magic combined could be enough to wipe the hairs from that scumbags face." She stated, grabbing Nina's wrist and pulling her hesitatingly along.
***
Draco ran out from his hiding place as Jesse fired upon the cover point. Draco moved quickly, even with his strength this guy still was almost half more then Draco was presently. Draco quickly jumped inside a house, taking several deep breaths as he waited for anything.
"Give it up boy, ya got no chance in hell of walkin' yer ass outta here today, cause the grim reaper is here for ya." He shouted with a loud snicker.
"Bite me coward, I bet you wouldn't last long if you turned that shield of yours off. Hell, I bet you're too much of a yellow bellied coward to even fight with that thing off." Draco insultingly commented.
"Yellow bellied coward, 'ey? Ya really are a fool to think I am that dumb to be interrogated by a fool like ya. Then again, mountin' yer ass on the wall will make a great trophy." Jesse remarked, laughing evilly once more.
"Think again buster!"
He turned only to come in contact body first with a advanced spell combo that was known as Thunderstorm, combination of water and wind spells, advanced class spells and with the Fae's grand power, and Lecha's full focus, it easily knocked the gunner off his feet and forced him to drop his weapons. Lecha immediately opened fire with her rifle, striking around the cartridge chambers.
"Hah, shield or no shield, your now officially disarmed, and we can easily kill you now." Lecha said with her gun pointed near him.
Jesse glanced to them with a slick grin, then burst out laughing hard with his lungs. He glanced over to them smiling for a second before speaking.
"Disarmed? Ya foolish girl, I have more tricks up my sleeve then ya think." He replied, as his hand slid under to revealing his two build in machine gun arms. He kept a cartridges right around his shoulders, as it poped out, with a loud click sound that signaled the guns were locked in place. "Or should I say, in my wrists."
With that he started to fire towards them, forcing them to move. He shot right near Nina, forcing her to hop back and forth.
"Oh yeah, dance for me babe." He commented still firing at her, as he watched her kimono flap go up, "so, string thongs ay babe, I like a lot." He responded.
Nina only blushed, pushing her flap down, with her lips pursed downwards, and her eyes narrowed.
"Pervert!!" She shouted with humiliation at the thug.
"Uhgh what a sick fuck. Draco, get ready he's about to meet his end." Lecha replied, as she opened fire with her explosive capsules, sending the shield down.
Draco jumped forth, sword in his hands, as he fired forth, the bullets only blocked by a shield, but easily weakening it more as he come vertically flying down, ready to strike hard. After the final shot, brought his sword down fast, ready to cut the bastard down, but in the same instant came Jesse's forearms to the head of Draco, sending him flying back and flying down to the ground, knocked unconscious. Jessie aimed and gave one shot out to the legs with a deep snicker.
"I'll save you for later." He said, walking towards Nina.
Lecha was already shocked; there on the ground was Draco, out for the count. So close it seemed, but now they were down. She couldn't risk casting a level three spell, especially not when Draco was near. Nina though was already too scared, as the tall man closed in on her, smiling in malevolence.
His right hand went back into position, as he reached down grabbing Nina by the wrists and pulled her off the ground, glancing her over with a grin that would easily disturb any girl (perverted grin w/ drooling around mouth).
"He-he-hee, guess I reckon I outta have some fun with yas fore' ya have to go up in front of the boss, har-har-har." He cracked, Nina uselessly trying to struggle.
Already did she find every mean of attacking the brute hopeless, he had a tight grasp on her wrists, and there was no chance she was going to escape anytime soon or at all. She screamed at the top of her lungs, hoping that Ryu was still alive, even if he was defeated, as he would have been done.
***
"Ryu..."
Ryu remained down on the ground, opening his eyes halfway.
"Ryu..."
He slowly opened the fully as he slowly sat up, and glanced around what looked to be the abyss, endless darkness surrounded him from all sides.
"My son... it is time..."
Ryu glanced over to the familiar faced man, a short blue haired, short trimmed bearded man who wore citizen's cloths; jeans, long sleeved shirt and a vest.
"Father..."
Indeed did Ryu know him, his own father, the one who raised him from birth, the one who helped him out when he needed it. It had been so long since Ryu had seen him that he immediately broke into tears.
"Son, the time has come for you to realize that inner strength you have. You are no ordinary human, you are one of the remaining seeds of our race. Within you it remains, waiting for a light to guide it to the world. It is time. that strength is needed."
Ryu didn't get what he was implying. Inner strength? Even if Ryu did have it, how would he be able to unleash it? He had at times been able to use it when steep situations came, but to use it right then and there? It was not to easy to even predict how things would occur.
"That strength will help you protect her. Never let it get to you, else you will suffer more pain in your heart then Draco does already..."
Ryu then remembered what happened before he blacked out, but before he could say something, he heard it. The scream of a girl, a cry of help, he knew who it was, but he didn't know where.
"Nina!!"
He tried to move, finding it hard, but he heard the loud laughter of the crude outlaw, and more screams from Nina who only seemed be on the end of the rope. He felt anger building up, hearing the man laugh, the shrewd hideous laughter that struck the nerve in his body, the laugh that gave his anger a kick start. The energy ran throughout him, he could feel it already pounding at his skin, wanting to be unleashed, wanting to be free.
Thu-thump
With a loud high pitched scream, it came forth, the pain shot through him like several jolts of electricity. He was changing, changing into something new, something that one refers to as a monster. The alter ego that is both powerful and berserk.
The scream easily was heard in town, and easily made Jesse stop in place to glance over towards the wrecked home where Ryu was thrown into. A loud blast came about within the area, as a figure remained inside. Jesse waited eagerly for the being to come out, wondering just what it was. Slowly the pounding of footsteps was all that could be heard. Out from the house he came, a hybrid dragon. His calves and forearms nothing but ruby red scales, claws replaced his nails, sharper then a mint conditioned dagger. Horns erected from his head, giving a demon like appearance to anyone very superstitious, his upper-body bare, with two lizard-scaled wings burst from behind his back. His hair white with a glint of a silver glow given to it, each strand of hair spiked up. His eyes glowed with an ember glow flowing in his pupils. He was indeed the dragon of hell, with two sleek marks running down his cheeks. His trousers and holster though were still in place unbelievably.
"Son of a bitch, I didn't think ya bastards would come back here in this day an age, but at least ya will be worth killin'." Jesse said, as he raised his arms up and shot forth at the dragon, who remained still, as the bullets impacted onto him, but didn't leave one mark of a scratch.
Nina watched, looking at the guy, and feeling a familiar presence in him. His face was that of the one she took so dearly, the one who was buried in rubble after being hit hard by his own rival. Ryu. He had rose from his grave and now with a new form to save her. Or did he? Was this a side that he had never known about? Questions ran through Nina's mind, but even with so much confusion, she was relieved to find her hero was still alive.
"What in tarnations, not a mark on him." Jesse remarked surprised.
The creature walked forward, as Jesse fired in vain upon him with each bullet hitting and falling into the sands. The dragon stopped and jumped forward, wrapping his arms around the forearms, claws grasping at the elbows, as he pulled back behind the joint and tore them off in one swift motion. Jesse only stood there, jaw dropped and eyes wide in fear, as Ryu glared death eyed at him.
"No... can't be... how... why... we killed them like hogs... and yet... gwah!" He didn't have a chance to finish as Ryu grabbed his tightly by the neck, squeezing him ever so tightly.
Nina already knew what would happen if he continued. Ryu would kill him with the strength he possessed. She had to stop him, she had to get through to him. She knew how, and she knew what she had to do.
"RYU!! DON'T!" She screamed pleadingly.
Instantly did Ryu stop, slowly dropping Jesse to the ground, as he glanced to her, his eyes now more innocent then they were fierce. Nina glanced to him with teared eyes, ever so sad and begging. She shook her head, telling him to stop.
"Please... don't kill him... he's not a threat anymore..." She whispered, sobbing between her words.
"Ni-na." Replied the dragon in a deep monstrous tone, before he slowly began to calm down, slowly he reverted back to his normal form, his shirt and jacket none present, but his red trousers still on him. Once more he was Ryu, the blue haired hero, the one she had so long stood by. He looked to her with guilt, before falling to ground, with a sigh, he closed his eyes.
Nina ran over, feeling him for a pulse. He was still alive with the beating normal pulse that came from his neck. Grasping his neck, she lifted him up, pressing him against her breasts, her fingers running through his hair, as she took a few deep breaths. She was frightened already by what he did in that form. It was a demon, a demon of hatred that spawned off of all the despair. It was as if all those times Ryu was aggravated, he stored it deep down, and it now was part of that form, the fuel that aroused it to destroy. Yet deep down, she knew Ryu was still there, the one she had grown so close to that she wanted only to be with him.
A loud shot broke the moment, as Nina turned to find Lecha standing right next to Jesse, his head now decapitated from the gunshot. He was given it right at the forehead, his brains and face now scattered along the ground, blood staining the sands of the town.
"Don't think I am going to let you go 'Nina'." She said, for once using the Fae's true name.
"Why... Draco thinks he's beaten Ryu. Isn't that enough to end this meaningless quarrel?" Nina shouted aggravated by Lecha's demand.
"This is no more about Ryu, it's about you. Don't you get it, you can run all through this desert, but you can't hide from the Gunsmith Regents. You stand out to damn easily, and-"
Loud rapid fire rang out and in that same moment was Lecha's gun forced from her grasp. She glanced over to where the shots came from and growled in disgust.
"I think you're the one underestimating things here. Y'see, you are outnumbered two to one, and if Draco wakes up, well, he's in for some hell." Wes remarked with a smiled.
The woren though had gotten a makeover. His hair not tied in a ponytail, considering he had a mullet, a part of the bandana covered one of his eyes, his armlets now were spiked leather black gloves, boots still the same, as well as a tattered vest, same colored trousers and tank top shirt. It was still the good old woren, the one who had helped them out only two weeks ago.
"Grrr, you're a real big-shot, I bet you'd be pissing in your pants if Draco was awake." She spat, easily angered by his remarks.
"Yeah, too bad he ain't, but give him a message," Wes replied giving her the middle finger, as he glanced over to Nina, "c'mon Nina, get Ryu while you can. Time we be leaving this place."
Nina nodded as she wrapped her arms under Ryu's armpits, and dragged him over to the new Dune Buggy that Wes had acquired. It was larger to carry more people, and newer for perhaps anything, with several features you would find only on newer leases from air conditioning to music player to even room for cargo with max seated passengers.
She slowly walked over, Wes greeting her with a smile as he opened the door to help her out. She lifted Ryu into the car, laying him down in the backseat. Wes slowly got up, opening the front door as he climbed inside, starting the car up. Nina remained in the backseat, still with the unconscious Ryu. Wes glared to the still enraged Lecha, who only remained still, shooting a despising glance at the woren. The Dune Buggy finally started up with a loud roar and sped out of town, leaving dust trekking behind it.
"Damn it... that Fae is in more danger then ever. Blue Phoenix wont be pleased with this, and Draco... he's gonna kill me for this." She spoke with despair, looking over to where Draco laid.
***
"Draco..."
Draco slowly opened his eyes, sitting up as he glanced around the dark place. The voice a females, but to his heart was something he remembered for so long.
"Mother... is it you?"
In a flash of light, his mother stood, dressed in casual clothing that he had always remembered she worn. The brown dress, the white shirt, all he knew by heart. Her hair still lavender as his was, and she still was the same beauty as he was.
"You've grown up so much Draco... and changed as well."
Draco glanced down; shame covered his face as he knew he had displeased his mother.
"Mother... I... I have done too many terrible things... I killed so many people... I-"
"Don't feel so guilty Draco. You still are my son; I still love you no matter what. I just wish things weren't so bad as they are now. Your father though couldn't bear to face the past and he ended up abusing you. That is what I wish I could've prevented. Yet what's done cannot be undone, Draco, heed my words, go to the city of Dragoneir, there you will find your path..." Slowly she once more faded.
"Mother, wait!!" Draco shouted raising an arm.
"I will always be watching you Draco... always..."
***
Slowly Draco awoke slowly, as he sat himself up, glancing around at the evening sky, Lecha smiling at him from the side.
"Good evening Draco..." She said sadly.
"Something I should know about?" He asked groggly.
"Ryu's alive and those two have already gotten away. If we are going to get them, we best get set and-"
"Forget it." He interrupted her.
"What... forget it? I thought you wanted-"
"Our next stop is Dragoneir, we must go there." He answered standing up to his main posture.
"Dragoneir, are you deaf, that place is nothing but ruins, and several hundred miles off. Why in the blazes of hell must we go to that ghost town?" She questioned.
"I have my reasons, and I'd rather not tell them."
"Fine, but if you must know, Ryu is a monster, he has the power of the dragons, the race once thought to be extinct. Considering you both are cousins, well, you could have that same power as well." She predicted, waiting for his response.
He took a deep sigh, before answering her.
"Time will tell, right now, lets just start our trek, were going to Dragoneir, no matter how long it takes." Draco said, standing to his feet, as he grabbed his gun that slide out from his grasp when he was knocked out, placing it once more in his holster.
"If you say so... those regents though are after us, Nath- err Blue Phoenix called me and alerted me of the current situation. You are wanted dead by the Gunsmith Regents, thanks to that 'withdraw' we made from their account, they ain't to pleased that we are still alive." She stated, knowing it was still time to move.
Draco shot a more desired smile, almost as if pleased to have to deal with the feared group.
"So the stakes have risen once more. Fine by me, cause I have a few tricks up my sleeves and I plan to see just how blood related me and Ryu truly are. If my mother was a dragon, then I possess that strength. But if it was my father, then I am just a normal human." He replied, knowing full well his father took only one shot to the head before he died.
Draco heard several stories about the slaughter in Dragonier, of how some turned into a full dragon when they were slaughtered. His father didn't, and his mother died of a fever, not of a slaughter. He did know of how it could be Ryu's mother, but compared to what he was thinking, if his mother was in his vision, then it was perhaps obvious the two both possessed the power.
The two stepped into their care, closing the doors, as Lecha started the car up, and pressed cautiously on the accelerator. The jeep once more drove onward, into the desert evening. Lecha knew it would be a long ride, but deep down, it was as if she was destined by fate to meet up with him. Draco, considered notorious by all, and yet here she was, seated next to him. The town she knew only little of. On that day two years ago she was nothing more but middle rank soldier of Neo Rogue.
She took a chance to save him only to try and get an ally for her cause. Deep down, she also felt pity, to hear him beg for help. She went in and got him out. Since that incident did she find that to judge others by what the public says is worthless. Draco was a boy who saw people yelling at him as he saw his father. She did grow fond of him as the two were partners.
"Lecha... I don't care how big of a party Ryu has, right now we can't trust anyone. If any bet, someone who will try to tag along with us would be a spy of the Gunsmith Regents." He replied very seriously.
"True, but if anything, their main target is the Fae, were just public enemy number 2 to them." She replied in a normal tone.
"Don't bet on it, that man said it was his day, to find me and the Fae in the same place. If anything, they are after both of our parties." He conjectured, with a snort.
"Let's just drop it for now... we had a rough day as it is, so lets try and get to Kenton as soon as possible." She stated, stepping hard on the acceleration.
***
Next time:
Ryu: Faces of people you run into, those who you become good friends with, the kind that stand by your back when the worst of times hits. In a battle like mine at the stage it has reached, there is a new threat that one of our new allies could be one of our actual foes. The spy and the ally, just who is who?
Next chapter: Newcomers.
"P-Please chairmen, we can-"
"Silence Seymour! The council has done nothing more then get greedy fools to take on a task, and what happens. Simple, they screw up; never send a fool to do a soldier's job. Translation: the best we have to offer." The dark figure on the monitor proclaimed, with a snicker.
"So you plan to send the Gunsmith Regents... how confident are we that they are going to succeed?" Penelope snapped to the man directing them.
"Yes... even after what they did thirty years ago. Even if they are feared, how do you expect-"
"Hold your tongues failures, I have given you enough chances and you now only failed in capturing the Fae, you also failed to take out Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter. As for the Peacemaker that has been causing trouble, our data systems have identified him as Ryu Branigan, but we have only info on him when he joined the Peacemakers. We have no idea who he is related to, and even running a few blood types, we have found no living relatives that are related to him. Draco, even without any info besides the first time he committed a felony has the same background." He replied leaving the council breathless.
"So, your presuming there is a relationship between the two?" Dagget asked once more.
"That I have no firm or concrete evidence, but for now, I expect you three to see if you can find anything related, IN ADDITION, you must keep up with the paperwork." He stated, still remaining calm.
"Understood Chairmen..." Seymour hesitatingly answered.
"I best see some evidence, if it wasn't for our control over the large scale of land own, you Councilmen and women would be dead low in a job. Now, I expect results in a few weeks, is that understood?"
"YES SIR!!" Every member responded, easily fearing his wrath.
The transmission was cut off with many of the members taking a deep sigh of relief afterward. Each knew how deeply enraged the chairmen was with what was happening with the situation. With already several failures with several attempt to capture the Fae had brought them near thin ice. With the Gunsmith Regents in charge of things was the situation truly on the line.
But with the newer situation brought up a deeper question ran through their minds.
Could the threat they though was extinct still exist?
***
In a office on a floor around about the forty or fifty stories high, were the most highest representatives are stationed, were the big decisions are made, and the one floor before the CEO's office was were the leader of the Gunsmith Regents had been working for the past twenty-eight years, considering he had qualified for the job.
"Is that so? A bird still free in this endless wasteland and an outlaw rumored to be in league?" The raven hair man asked, a still near sun bathed face, but he dressed what seemed to wear black clothing from neck down.
A long leather black trench coat hang near the door, draped only inches from the ground. His vest, under collar shirt, slacks, loafers, vest, tie, and loafers were all raven black, near to his hair. His eyes a light yellow, a glitter of gold shined within them, as if a demon had been within him.
A desk neatly kept papers and files neatly stacked. A mug and other items used for decorations were kept at the edge of his desk, his name slot placed at the edge, written along the side 'Hudson Taylor, Vice CEO of Auron'. A lampshade was placed on his desk, still on as it was near midnight, and most already left.
"Hmm, right now most have found another mean to live..... But there is one who, how can I put this? Has a craving for a braw, and even if he did spend the last thirty years confined he has not one bit changed." Hudson spoke deeply, his face remained emotionless, and his yellow eyes froze continuing to listen to the one speaking.
"Yes... who else would I refer to?"
"So you don't have a problem if I set him loose?"
"Understood, by your orders, he shall be released and briefed on his contract. I shall not allow him to kill the innocence as he did so long ago." Hudson concluded, with a smile, "I will follow through with this, Chairmen." He replied, clicking he cell phone in his hands off, as he dialed another number.
***
"Say what!?"
Yelled the man in the office who only could be shocked and surprised by what was requested. He couldn't believe what he was being asked by the one who was calling.
"Just who the hell do you think you are Mr., asking for him to be released?" The man who was in charge of the prison demanded, knowing full well that many had his number, and had called him about the one man who was famous for being held there.
"Hudson Taylor, the vice CEO of Auron Inc. and leader of the Gunsmith Regents." Hudson answered raising his voice.
"H-H-Hudson Taylor? Forgive my disrespect, I-"
"No need, just give HIM the following info when you can, I am sending it via E-mail to you. I expect you let only him let his eyes see it, otherwise... you know what I must do." Hudson taunted, snickering on his end.
"Yes... I shall not lay an eye on any one of the files, you have my word. He will be released, but are you sure-"
"He isn't a fool to cross US again. We stopped him before, and we can stop him again. This time though he will be left as a vegetable, death is too merciful for a fool who has lived with only the desire to kill." Hudson said, smiling with an evil omen in his mind.
The warden sighed, as he placed the phone down. He didn't find the idea of releasing the gunmen who went on a rampage thirty years ago. To even think he could be controlled was unbelievable to the entire staff at the prison. With all the murder the man had caused thirty years after the one incident that made him famous already was enough evidence to keep him in lockdown for life.
Although a request from one of the higher executives of the corporation known as Auron was enough to provide a parole. That request was enough of an answer for any who would ask why the notorious murderous man known as 'Machine Gunning Jessie' was to be allowed out.
With four armed men following behind the Warden, they cautiously approached the cell at the end of the hall, sealed up tightly with many locks, titanium bars. Sunlight never did reach the room, only one light bulb that stayed lit even at night. The Warden undid each of the seals, one by one.
The door slowly opened revealing the dark room, with a man strapped to the wall with several metal induced straps, locked to the wall with several padlocks, each combo locked and requiring a key. Wrist and ankles shackled with what seemed to be still gleaming metals, preventing the man from even launching himself forward and assaulting anyone. His mouth gagged and caged, mostly for the incident where he nearly tried to snap at a few guards, and when he nearly bit the Warden's nose off.
"Machine-gun Jessie James, didn't think I'd ever release you for all the murder you done them three decades ago. Though at this time, you have been called upon by your old employers for a job." The Warden replied, pulling out a screen and showing it to the restrained outlaw who scanned it over, giving a few huffs as he heard it, before gasping, with his eyes widely opened.
"Release him from his restraints; I am sure he won't try anything foolish considering the punishment at hand." The Warden remarked with a snicker.
As each of the shackles and straps were undone, the outlaw stretched each out as each new area released begged to be freed. Once all were undone, he cracked each of the bones in his body, and stretched each muscle smiling with his unbelievably still pearl white as snow teeth. He had been freed on some occasions but otherwise he was kept in lockdown to the max.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha, all them years I've been waitin' and it finally has paid off." He responded anxiously in a deep groggy voice.
"Keep your opinion to yourself scumbag. Just get your ass outta here already and get you damn job done. Remember, your own leader has no problems seeing you become a vegetable if you slack off!" The Warden remarked crudely with an annoyed glance.
"Ah, shut ya pie-hole already ya good-for-nuthin' bastard." Jessie commented once more, walking on out of the prison.
It only took a half an hour just for him to get all the equipment he needed, more relieving to have was his old western git-up, the old leather brown cowboy hat, his long sleeved leather coat, black trousers and his larger then life leather boots complete with the saws on the back.
Dressed and fully armed, he walked out of the prison with a glance to the sky, narrowing his eyes as the rays met his skin, slowly heating his face up to a boiling point. He was glad to be back out in the endless wastelands, even as bad as they were, it beat having to be in that prison, so dim that ones eyes could go blind, so slow that time seemed to be stopped, and ever so dull that you would only want to be dead.
"Now to find that girl with wings... hope she's a cutie." He commented, easily a sap for any pretty lady who crossed his path.
***
"Fargo!!"
Ryu ran throughout the town, glancing in every direction, searching for his close partner. He reached the outer square where he found his partner, the dark green haired man, who was a bit more on the oversized side in muscles, but truly a rugged man with a handsome face. He wore the same uniform as Ryu, only his trousers were black. He also had shorter hair then Ryu, mostly as he couldn't stand the heat upon his hair.
"Fargo!"
Ryu ran to his side, kneeling down to his partner, who glanced up at him with a hopeless face.
"Ryu... I tried to get him on my own... but he was... to much..." Fargo replied, his life easily escaping him, as he was hit right near the heart.
"Fargo... hang in there, I can still-"
A loud high-pitched scream caught Ryu's attention, as he glanced towards the saloon knowing it was right around there.
"Forget it. I was foolish to think I could take him on. now I die for it. Ryu, promise me this. promise me you will kill him. For me and the world, it is the only way." He requested, knowing it had to be done.
"Fargo... I can't promise it... you see... he is... a childhood friend of mine... and I can't bear to kill him."
Fargo gasped, his face easily awed in shocking surprise as he saw the serious expression in Ryu's eyes. His body shivered, as he looked up to the sky.
"Ryu... I pity you... but right now... I wanna go home... so cold it is... when the life you have... ends..." He replied finally biting the dust, as he gave in to death.
Ryu stood up, as a tear fell from his face. Fargo, his one true partner who covered his back many times was now dead, and his one request was denied.
"Fargo... I will promise one thing... I will stop Draco for the sake of this world." He said, walking over to where the recent murder occurred.
***
Even in the heat of the day with the sun-burning heat that swerved in the air was it not enough to keep some of the most determined people down. Ryu though was not even focused to the heat of the sun, nor could he care. He had lost already someone dear to him because he was forced to kill him. Nina didn't try to comfort; she was overcome with guilt for the incident.
Ever since she and Ryu met, trouble always seemed to just spout out in an instant. To think a corporation such as Auron was the reason so many were trying to get her was despicable. She already saw how dangerous the world was, but to think she was nothing but trouble easily made her feel more pity for ever leaving her own home.
The two slowly approached the town of Grandel, a mere ordinary town, with a windmill that made it stand out from other towns. Ryu knew this place all too well, and dreaded to have to go there. Every time he heard the town's name mentioned did he only feel more sickened and ill mentally and physically. He couldn't bear to even admit what he did there. He knew now Draco survived and was out for Ryu's blood.
Approaching the town, a slow but whistling breeze blew through the ghost town, not a hair or hid of activity seemed to exist there. Only one dustball blew through town, as Ryu slowly reached for his gun, Nina looking around, easily surprised and greatly on the aware side.
"Hello, COUSIN!!" A familiar voice called out.
Ryu glanced around, but in one single second, he was struck with a heavy punch to the face, throwing him down to the ground, stumbling and rolling around. Ryu glared at the one who had dared try and strike him, his face not one bit surprised that it was the red trench coat menace that roamed the endless desert.
"Awe, what's the matter Ryu, did I hit you to hard, are you gonna cry like a baby?" He ignorantly commented taking a few steps towards Ryu.
"Stop there outlaw, or I'll-"
"Have you forgotten about me skank?!" A tempered voice shouted, as a shot rang out nearly striking Nina's legs.
Lecha only could smile, taking aim once more, as she shot more closely to Nina, who flinched, starting make a move. Slowly she gathered her magic, but still kept her attention focused on Lecha, knowing the girl was no newbie with a rifle such as that.
Nina started things off with a more beginners spell ice, throwing it to Lecha with a few icicles carving the path from the ground. Lecha easily evaded, and shot back with a more intermediate one, preferably Iceblast, Nina taking flight as he way of escaping the deadly attack.
Ryu threw one punch only to miss with a counter of a knee to the gut. He immediately continued with a fierce flashing uppercut to the jaw throwing Ryu off his knees. Kneeling down, Draco grasped him by the throat, slowly tightening his grasp to choke him.
"That's right Ryu, I am stronger then you. I don't even need a gun to beat you. With this strength, you're a petty mouse to the feline housecat. In my own grasp you slowly weaken, unable to even stop me." Draco interrogated, as Ryu gawked from not being able to breath.
Draco released his grip from Ryu's neck, Ryu gasped deeply for air, his face near purple from not getting any air. He was only going to have a few seconds to himself, as in only that amount of time did Draco throw another strike, this time a direct kick to the chest, hurling Ryu off his feet and onto the ground.
He stepped over towards Ryu, as he smiled, knowing he had to finish the job. Ryu slowly rose up, beaten already badly enough that he was bleeding from his mouth and nose. Several bruise marks were already appearing on his face.
Draco then started to increase his pace of attack with a intense several fist attack, each one striking Ryu in the face, chest, and stomach, all in what seemed to be an eternity was only a few seconds, and ended with a hard blow to the chest. Ryu hurled back fast, crashing into a building. Impacting around the large board that kept the entire structure up, the entire complex came crashing down, burying Ryu in several large chunks of pieces that pinned him flat down to the ground.
A loud crash that seemed to occur repeatedly was proof enough that the job had been done. The chunks of rubble proved that Ryu was indeed finished. No chance a man could survive that amount of pressure or a beating like Draco had given him.
A loud clap that snap each second easily brought the victorious side of Draco to a stop, as he glanced around, finally spotting someone up on a roof, clapping his hands in delight. Draco knew it had to be some newcomer, he had already scared the entire town out when he walk in and threaten to murder everyone there. Lecha didn't like the idea at all, but she knew hesitating it was hopeless since Draco was not planning on inviting the entire town to a party after he was defeated two years ago.
People only ran rather then even try to stand their ground; they knew it was no use in resisting the madmen such as this. Though this newcomer was not any type of person who was an outlaw or a bounty hunter by the way he was dressed. He glared to Draco with a evil smile, jumping down from the roof of the Saloon he stood on to the ground.
"Bravo Draco, I didn't think ya had that strength in yas with all them murders you done in the past, ey?" The man complimented as he jumped down.
"Just who the fuck are you!?" Draco demanded reaching for his gun.
"Machine-gun Jessie James is the name, and good huntin' is my game." He said pulling from behind his back two Ak-47 rifles.
Draco immediately reached for his gun, grasping it tightly; he pulled it out and opened fire on Jessie with two shots. In that instant, a green shield appeared around the man, blocking each of the shots as the now blunt bullets fell to the ground. Draco only stood there, frozen in shock. For the first time had he opened fire and had his bullets been stopped dead in the tracks.
"Ah-heh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, always first to the trigger they say, ya truly are a fool. I ain't no normal hunter, see, I am a Gunsmith Regent, the most rowdy band of fighters to ever set foot on the face of this world. Ya think I would've lived if I didn't possess such a shield as this?" He asked with no answer from the now despaired Draco, "Thought so. ain't nobody ever taken us regents down, even them dragons were no match for us."
Draco started running for cover, as rapid shot streamed at an eye blinking pace past him. He barely had avoided the shots, and was easily pierced by one around his shoulder when he jumped for cover.
"Yer a sittin' duck there boy, there ain't no way ya gonna get outta this alive, ya hear me?!" Jesse taunted him vigorously.
Draco took deep breath, keeping himself hidden. He knew it was no use, already the guy was invincible with the shield and if it could stop a advanced peashooter such as his, there was indeed no chance the outlaw would even last against the guns that madmen was hauling.
"Damn it Lecha, where are you when I really need you." He whispered to himself.
***
Nina and Lecha had already started to move away from the area where they once started. Around a few blocks away, they cast intermediate spells directly to one another fiercely.
Lecha though immediately stopped; Nina casting a fire spell shouting 'FLARE' that was nearly powerful enough to ignite her gunpowder in her bullets. She was quick enough to evade the spell before it made contact upon her skin. It easily passed her, leaving a trail of ashes behind.
"What, you give up?" Nina spat angrily.
"Just how dumb can a blond truly become? Open your ears already and listen!" Lecha replied bitterly, Nina easily getting red in anger and humiliated by Lecha's comment.
She was about to cast a spell when the loud hammering sounds that she remembered from the two dual chain-guns that Wes used in battle.
"Who is it Fae?!" She demanded pointing her gun towards Nina's forhead.
"I. I don't know. Ryu and me came here alone, I swear." She replied pleadingly.
Lecha shot a still ignorant glance to her, before her communicator beeped. She reached down, holding her gun by the trigger area, as she reached down pulling her communicator out and placing it up to her ear.
"Ruby Flamingo here."
"Ruby, this is Blue Phoenix, your in danger. The CEO of Auron has placed the situation of capturing the Fae in the Gunsmith Regents hands. We also have word that your partner is also a target. Ruby, be on high alert, they have sent out their rowdy gun-slinger Jessie James, he-"
Lecha didn't listen; she cut communications with her boss, as she glanced to the Fae.
"I don't know if your boyfriend is okay or not, but mark my words if he is near there, he is in trouble. For now we put aside our differences and team up to send that punk begging for his life." She said, still giving a death- glared look towards Nina.
"Work with you, yeah right. Why should I trust you when you and Draco tried to capture me?" She replied still not trusting Lecha.
"Long story, and right now your boyfriends in trouble, so stop being so damn stubborn and get a move on. If anything, our magic combined could be enough to wipe the hairs from that scumbags face." She stated, grabbing Nina's wrist and pulling her hesitatingly along.
***
Draco ran out from his hiding place as Jesse fired upon the cover point. Draco moved quickly, even with his strength this guy still was almost half more then Draco was presently. Draco quickly jumped inside a house, taking several deep breaths as he waited for anything.
"Give it up boy, ya got no chance in hell of walkin' yer ass outta here today, cause the grim reaper is here for ya." He shouted with a loud snicker.
"Bite me coward, I bet you wouldn't last long if you turned that shield of yours off. Hell, I bet you're too much of a yellow bellied coward to even fight with that thing off." Draco insultingly commented.
"Yellow bellied coward, 'ey? Ya really are a fool to think I am that dumb to be interrogated by a fool like ya. Then again, mountin' yer ass on the wall will make a great trophy." Jesse remarked, laughing evilly once more.
"Think again buster!"
He turned only to come in contact body first with a advanced spell combo that was known as Thunderstorm, combination of water and wind spells, advanced class spells and with the Fae's grand power, and Lecha's full focus, it easily knocked the gunner off his feet and forced him to drop his weapons. Lecha immediately opened fire with her rifle, striking around the cartridge chambers.
"Hah, shield or no shield, your now officially disarmed, and we can easily kill you now." Lecha said with her gun pointed near him.
Jesse glanced to them with a slick grin, then burst out laughing hard with his lungs. He glanced over to them smiling for a second before speaking.
"Disarmed? Ya foolish girl, I have more tricks up my sleeve then ya think." He replied, as his hand slid under to revealing his two build in machine gun arms. He kept a cartridges right around his shoulders, as it poped out, with a loud click sound that signaled the guns were locked in place. "Or should I say, in my wrists."
With that he started to fire towards them, forcing them to move. He shot right near Nina, forcing her to hop back and forth.
"Oh yeah, dance for me babe." He commented still firing at her, as he watched her kimono flap go up, "so, string thongs ay babe, I like a lot." He responded.
Nina only blushed, pushing her flap down, with her lips pursed downwards, and her eyes narrowed.
"Pervert!!" She shouted with humiliation at the thug.
"Uhgh what a sick fuck. Draco, get ready he's about to meet his end." Lecha replied, as she opened fire with her explosive capsules, sending the shield down.
Draco jumped forth, sword in his hands, as he fired forth, the bullets only blocked by a shield, but easily weakening it more as he come vertically flying down, ready to strike hard. After the final shot, brought his sword down fast, ready to cut the bastard down, but in the same instant came Jesse's forearms to the head of Draco, sending him flying back and flying down to the ground, knocked unconscious. Jessie aimed and gave one shot out to the legs with a deep snicker.
"I'll save you for later." He said, walking towards Nina.
Lecha was already shocked; there on the ground was Draco, out for the count. So close it seemed, but now they were down. She couldn't risk casting a level three spell, especially not when Draco was near. Nina though was already too scared, as the tall man closed in on her, smiling in malevolence.
His right hand went back into position, as he reached down grabbing Nina by the wrists and pulled her off the ground, glancing her over with a grin that would easily disturb any girl (perverted grin w/ drooling around mouth).
"He-he-hee, guess I reckon I outta have some fun with yas fore' ya have to go up in front of the boss, har-har-har." He cracked, Nina uselessly trying to struggle.
Already did she find every mean of attacking the brute hopeless, he had a tight grasp on her wrists, and there was no chance she was going to escape anytime soon or at all. She screamed at the top of her lungs, hoping that Ryu was still alive, even if he was defeated, as he would have been done.
***
"Ryu..."
Ryu remained down on the ground, opening his eyes halfway.
"Ryu..."
He slowly opened the fully as he slowly sat up, and glanced around what looked to be the abyss, endless darkness surrounded him from all sides.
"My son... it is time..."
Ryu glanced over to the familiar faced man, a short blue haired, short trimmed bearded man who wore citizen's cloths; jeans, long sleeved shirt and a vest.
"Father..."
Indeed did Ryu know him, his own father, the one who raised him from birth, the one who helped him out when he needed it. It had been so long since Ryu had seen him that he immediately broke into tears.
"Son, the time has come for you to realize that inner strength you have. You are no ordinary human, you are one of the remaining seeds of our race. Within you it remains, waiting for a light to guide it to the world. It is time. that strength is needed."
Ryu didn't get what he was implying. Inner strength? Even if Ryu did have it, how would he be able to unleash it? He had at times been able to use it when steep situations came, but to use it right then and there? It was not to easy to even predict how things would occur.
"That strength will help you protect her. Never let it get to you, else you will suffer more pain in your heart then Draco does already..."
Ryu then remembered what happened before he blacked out, but before he could say something, he heard it. The scream of a girl, a cry of help, he knew who it was, but he didn't know where.
"Nina!!"
He tried to move, finding it hard, but he heard the loud laughter of the crude outlaw, and more screams from Nina who only seemed be on the end of the rope. He felt anger building up, hearing the man laugh, the shrewd hideous laughter that struck the nerve in his body, the laugh that gave his anger a kick start. The energy ran throughout him, he could feel it already pounding at his skin, wanting to be unleashed, wanting to be free.
Thu-thump
With a loud high pitched scream, it came forth, the pain shot through him like several jolts of electricity. He was changing, changing into something new, something that one refers to as a monster. The alter ego that is both powerful and berserk.
The scream easily was heard in town, and easily made Jesse stop in place to glance over towards the wrecked home where Ryu was thrown into. A loud blast came about within the area, as a figure remained inside. Jesse waited eagerly for the being to come out, wondering just what it was. Slowly the pounding of footsteps was all that could be heard. Out from the house he came, a hybrid dragon. His calves and forearms nothing but ruby red scales, claws replaced his nails, sharper then a mint conditioned dagger. Horns erected from his head, giving a demon like appearance to anyone very superstitious, his upper-body bare, with two lizard-scaled wings burst from behind his back. His hair white with a glint of a silver glow given to it, each strand of hair spiked up. His eyes glowed with an ember glow flowing in his pupils. He was indeed the dragon of hell, with two sleek marks running down his cheeks. His trousers and holster though were still in place unbelievably.
"Son of a bitch, I didn't think ya bastards would come back here in this day an age, but at least ya will be worth killin'." Jesse said, as he raised his arms up and shot forth at the dragon, who remained still, as the bullets impacted onto him, but didn't leave one mark of a scratch.
Nina watched, looking at the guy, and feeling a familiar presence in him. His face was that of the one she took so dearly, the one who was buried in rubble after being hit hard by his own rival. Ryu. He had rose from his grave and now with a new form to save her. Or did he? Was this a side that he had never known about? Questions ran through Nina's mind, but even with so much confusion, she was relieved to find her hero was still alive.
"What in tarnations, not a mark on him." Jesse remarked surprised.
The creature walked forward, as Jesse fired in vain upon him with each bullet hitting and falling into the sands. The dragon stopped and jumped forward, wrapping his arms around the forearms, claws grasping at the elbows, as he pulled back behind the joint and tore them off in one swift motion. Jesse only stood there, jaw dropped and eyes wide in fear, as Ryu glared death eyed at him.
"No... can't be... how... why... we killed them like hogs... and yet... gwah!" He didn't have a chance to finish as Ryu grabbed his tightly by the neck, squeezing him ever so tightly.
Nina already knew what would happen if he continued. Ryu would kill him with the strength he possessed. She had to stop him, she had to get through to him. She knew how, and she knew what she had to do.
"RYU!! DON'T!" She screamed pleadingly.
Instantly did Ryu stop, slowly dropping Jesse to the ground, as he glanced to her, his eyes now more innocent then they were fierce. Nina glanced to him with teared eyes, ever so sad and begging. She shook her head, telling him to stop.
"Please... don't kill him... he's not a threat anymore..." She whispered, sobbing between her words.
"Ni-na." Replied the dragon in a deep monstrous tone, before he slowly began to calm down, slowly he reverted back to his normal form, his shirt and jacket none present, but his red trousers still on him. Once more he was Ryu, the blue haired hero, the one she had so long stood by. He looked to her with guilt, before falling to ground, with a sigh, he closed his eyes.
Nina ran over, feeling him for a pulse. He was still alive with the beating normal pulse that came from his neck. Grasping his neck, she lifted him up, pressing him against her breasts, her fingers running through his hair, as she took a few deep breaths. She was frightened already by what he did in that form. It was a demon, a demon of hatred that spawned off of all the despair. It was as if all those times Ryu was aggravated, he stored it deep down, and it now was part of that form, the fuel that aroused it to destroy. Yet deep down, she knew Ryu was still there, the one she had grown so close to that she wanted only to be with him.
A loud shot broke the moment, as Nina turned to find Lecha standing right next to Jesse, his head now decapitated from the gunshot. He was given it right at the forehead, his brains and face now scattered along the ground, blood staining the sands of the town.
"Don't think I am going to let you go 'Nina'." She said, for once using the Fae's true name.
"Why... Draco thinks he's beaten Ryu. Isn't that enough to end this meaningless quarrel?" Nina shouted aggravated by Lecha's demand.
"This is no more about Ryu, it's about you. Don't you get it, you can run all through this desert, but you can't hide from the Gunsmith Regents. You stand out to damn easily, and-"
Loud rapid fire rang out and in that same moment was Lecha's gun forced from her grasp. She glanced over to where the shots came from and growled in disgust.
"I think you're the one underestimating things here. Y'see, you are outnumbered two to one, and if Draco wakes up, well, he's in for some hell." Wes remarked with a smiled.
The woren though had gotten a makeover. His hair not tied in a ponytail, considering he had a mullet, a part of the bandana covered one of his eyes, his armlets now were spiked leather black gloves, boots still the same, as well as a tattered vest, same colored trousers and tank top shirt. It was still the good old woren, the one who had helped them out only two weeks ago.
"Grrr, you're a real big-shot, I bet you'd be pissing in your pants if Draco was awake." She spat, easily angered by his remarks.
"Yeah, too bad he ain't, but give him a message," Wes replied giving her the middle finger, as he glanced over to Nina, "c'mon Nina, get Ryu while you can. Time we be leaving this place."
Nina nodded as she wrapped her arms under Ryu's armpits, and dragged him over to the new Dune Buggy that Wes had acquired. It was larger to carry more people, and newer for perhaps anything, with several features you would find only on newer leases from air conditioning to music player to even room for cargo with max seated passengers.
She slowly walked over, Wes greeting her with a smile as he opened the door to help her out. She lifted Ryu into the car, laying him down in the backseat. Wes slowly got up, opening the front door as he climbed inside, starting the car up. Nina remained in the backseat, still with the unconscious Ryu. Wes glared to the still enraged Lecha, who only remained still, shooting a despising glance at the woren. The Dune Buggy finally started up with a loud roar and sped out of town, leaving dust trekking behind it.
"Damn it... that Fae is in more danger then ever. Blue Phoenix wont be pleased with this, and Draco... he's gonna kill me for this." She spoke with despair, looking over to where Draco laid.
***
"Draco..."
Draco slowly opened his eyes, sitting up as he glanced around the dark place. The voice a females, but to his heart was something he remembered for so long.
"Mother... is it you?"
In a flash of light, his mother stood, dressed in casual clothing that he had always remembered she worn. The brown dress, the white shirt, all he knew by heart. Her hair still lavender as his was, and she still was the same beauty as he was.
"You've grown up so much Draco... and changed as well."
Draco glanced down; shame covered his face as he knew he had displeased his mother.
"Mother... I... I have done too many terrible things... I killed so many people... I-"
"Don't feel so guilty Draco. You still are my son; I still love you no matter what. I just wish things weren't so bad as they are now. Your father though couldn't bear to face the past and he ended up abusing you. That is what I wish I could've prevented. Yet what's done cannot be undone, Draco, heed my words, go to the city of Dragoneir, there you will find your path..." Slowly she once more faded.
"Mother, wait!!" Draco shouted raising an arm.
"I will always be watching you Draco... always..."
***
Slowly Draco awoke slowly, as he sat himself up, glancing around at the evening sky, Lecha smiling at him from the side.
"Good evening Draco..." She said sadly.
"Something I should know about?" He asked groggly.
"Ryu's alive and those two have already gotten away. If we are going to get them, we best get set and-"
"Forget it." He interrupted her.
"What... forget it? I thought you wanted-"
"Our next stop is Dragoneir, we must go there." He answered standing up to his main posture.
"Dragoneir, are you deaf, that place is nothing but ruins, and several hundred miles off. Why in the blazes of hell must we go to that ghost town?" She questioned.
"I have my reasons, and I'd rather not tell them."
"Fine, but if you must know, Ryu is a monster, he has the power of the dragons, the race once thought to be extinct. Considering you both are cousins, well, you could have that same power as well." She predicted, waiting for his response.
He took a deep sigh, before answering her.
"Time will tell, right now, lets just start our trek, were going to Dragoneir, no matter how long it takes." Draco said, standing to his feet, as he grabbed his gun that slide out from his grasp when he was knocked out, placing it once more in his holster.
"If you say so... those regents though are after us, Nath- err Blue Phoenix called me and alerted me of the current situation. You are wanted dead by the Gunsmith Regents, thanks to that 'withdraw' we made from their account, they ain't to pleased that we are still alive." She stated, knowing it was still time to move.
Draco shot a more desired smile, almost as if pleased to have to deal with the feared group.
"So the stakes have risen once more. Fine by me, cause I have a few tricks up my sleeves and I plan to see just how blood related me and Ryu truly are. If my mother was a dragon, then I possess that strength. But if it was my father, then I am just a normal human." He replied, knowing full well his father took only one shot to the head before he died.
Draco heard several stories about the slaughter in Dragonier, of how some turned into a full dragon when they were slaughtered. His father didn't, and his mother died of a fever, not of a slaughter. He did know of how it could be Ryu's mother, but compared to what he was thinking, if his mother was in his vision, then it was perhaps obvious the two both possessed the power.
The two stepped into their care, closing the doors, as Lecha started the car up, and pressed cautiously on the accelerator. The jeep once more drove onward, into the desert evening. Lecha knew it would be a long ride, but deep down, it was as if she was destined by fate to meet up with him. Draco, considered notorious by all, and yet here she was, seated next to him. The town she knew only little of. On that day two years ago she was nothing more but middle rank soldier of Neo Rogue.
She took a chance to save him only to try and get an ally for her cause. Deep down, she also felt pity, to hear him beg for help. She went in and got him out. Since that incident did she find that to judge others by what the public says is worthless. Draco was a boy who saw people yelling at him as he saw his father. She did grow fond of him as the two were partners.
"Lecha... I don't care how big of a party Ryu has, right now we can't trust anyone. If any bet, someone who will try to tag along with us would be a spy of the Gunsmith Regents." He replied very seriously.
"True, but if anything, their main target is the Fae, were just public enemy number 2 to them." She replied in a normal tone.
"Don't bet on it, that man said it was his day, to find me and the Fae in the same place. If anything, they are after both of our parties." He conjectured, with a snort.
"Let's just drop it for now... we had a rough day as it is, so lets try and get to Kenton as soon as possible." She stated, stepping hard on the acceleration.
***
Next time:
Ryu: Faces of people you run into, those who you become good friends with, the kind that stand by your back when the worst of times hits. In a battle like mine at the stage it has reached, there is a new threat that one of our new allies could be one of our actual foes. The spy and the ally, just who is who?
Next chapter: Newcomers.