Hudson sat at his desk, feet still on the floor, and sitting cautiously
back as he held the phone to his ears. His face remained emotionless, as he
always had, grim, yet neutral.
"Is that so? Jesse defeated by an outlaw and the ex-Peacemaker. How pathetic." Hudson rasped pushing a few strands of hair covering his face to the sides.
"That so? Well, guess there always is a rat that eludes all and eventually arises from the blue to exact revenge. Still, we took them out thirty years ago; I doubt it will kill us all. Jesse was to weak with all those years shackled should have made him so soft a kitten's scratch would kill him."
Silence remained, as a figure remained in the corner of the room, listening to the conversation.
"Yes, I do have a plan. Get me the spy, and that ghetto idiot Duane." He replied, as the person on the other end answered.
"Good, glad to hear you can HANDLE it, ta-ta." He concluded hanging up the phone.
"The madmen bite's the dust, 'ey Hudson?" A calm voice replied as he walked from the corner.
"Stripe ball nine to the side pocket as you would put it." Hudson said leaning back into his seat.
"I always did like a good game of pool, course y'knew that already. Though to think that one of THEM still exists is an even bigger surprise." He mentioned, shooting a arrogant glare to Hudson.
"So shoot me, I still must deal also with that menacing outlaw Draco. He has ties with the underground group that claims they shall smite us down to ashes." Hudson answered leaning back in his chair and staring out to the window, as he stood up, glancing down at the town below.
"Matters not, I sent someone for him. I'd be more surprised if the guys head truly rolls if he faces and losses to Draco. Even with his invulnerable skin, he still has a weakness." Hudson concluded keeping an eye down at the town.
"Ah, let me have a crack at 'em and hell be the eight ball to the corner picket of the left from the long range area." The clanswolf replied, making a shadow poll shot to mimic his plan.
"Easy there Thomas, y'know you'll halfta wait for your turn. Sides, you're the ace sniper here of the regents, and my good friend I might add. 'Til that time, take on a few new challengers, maybe there is someone who can best you at pool." He replied with a laugh.
"You are the only one who beat me, and amazingly without those powers of yours." Thomas remarked, with a snicker.
"I never cross anyone or cheat in order to win. All fun and games is all it is to me." He answered, with a smile pursed on his face, a wiseass one at that.
"Hmph, if you say so." Thomas answered with a snicker.
***
In the ever so dim monitor lit room, activity has died down for a while as only one man remains standing there.
"To think the regents would be called on for capturing the Fae, they also are after Draco... Auron really is desperate to get their hands on her and stop our cause." The boss muttered shaking his head.
"Blue Phoenix, one of our elite agents has taken leave, shall I-"
"No need, they are doing what they know must be done. Wait for them to report in, for now, keep a tight guard on this place, I fear one of the regents will try and enter this place. If we leave one area unchecked, the poison of the rat will invade and plague us to our knees. For the sake of all we represent, we cannot allow ourselves to fall to such a pest. Understood?" He replied, glancing to the green haired rabbit eared female.
"Yes sir." She replied, bowing for respect to her commander, as she walked off.
Nathan turned to the monitor, shaking his head. For once he knew times would be tough, but when something like the regents were involved with so much, tense feelings ran through his mind in an endless wave of anxiety. Especially when he knew of the regent who had the ability to slip through area's unseen and kill like a shinobi in the shadows existed.
"Times are as sure as hell gettin' tougher with each passing day." He muttered to himself.
***
Wes drove the Dune Buggy drove at a calm speed through the evening desert. Nina remained in the back, tending to the still unconscious Ryu. She had no clue what to think after that fight back there and what Ryu did to that man when he was in that form. That dragon form with scales, the eyes a bright fearful red as a deep omen of evil, and that roar, the war cry it had to be. She glance up at Wes, who seemed more concerned with the road then anything.
"So how did things with you and Cherry go?" She asked trying to get her mind off the recent event.
"She I can take... with her kinkiness and all, though her folks don't seem to take kindly to woren's. I am surprised of her age, she's only around nineteen years old." He replied, with a sigh.
"So how old are you?" Nina questioned, wondering of his age.
"Twenty-three years old. I doubt it matters, as long as I ain't older by ten years of humans it don't matter one damn bit." He answered with a soft sigh.
Nina nodded, still remaining silent, as she ran her fingers through the strands of Ryu's dust covered hair. She knew it had to be an odd sight, especially when Ryu had on no shirt and his jacket was left back at the scene.
"So mind telling me just what the hells going on already?" Wes asked out of the blue almost.
"Well..." Nina told of everything, of the fight against the bandits, the encounter at Valkarie, the real foes behind it all, the run in with Draco, the regent, and Ryu's latest incident.
Wes immediately slammed on the breaks, almost forcing Nina and Ryu to roll forward and off the seat.
"Son-of-a-bitch, I can't believe what I am hearing. Ryu, sworn upholder of the law and Draco, the most wanted man around are blood related cousins. I don't believe it." He said, shaking his head.
"Straight from the outlaws mouth, he called Ryu his cousin." Nina remarked as proof to get Wes to believe.
"That so... but to think... that man in the backseat of my own Dune buggy is a dragon. I'll be damned." He said shaking his head.
"Wes, the dragons, I heard in myths they fought gods, but yet why is it you sound so surprised?" She asked confused by it all.
"That regent you faced is one of many who long ago made their names known thirty years ago. They went into the dragons home town Dragoneir, claiming that the race was responsible for an incident that cost the lives of a town. The regents were sent in, and in only a few days did they walk out, not one of them died, and every dragon in the city was left slaughtered. Though there were rumored some escaped and gave up their powers, but at some point those powers would return." He mentioned with a deep breath.
"And he must be one of them, huuh?" She asked glimpsing to Wes with greedy eyes.
"I don't know. You said Ryu nearly ripped him apart after taking several bullets to himself. That ain't what happened thirty years ago, them dragons were slaughtered with several shots." He answered with a shiver of disgust as he thought on it.
"You mean each dragon died? How can that be, Ryu took that regent down in just three swift move." She said with disbelief on what she just was told.
"That I can't even answer Nina, but the truth be known Auron might have done something beforehand to start such an incident. Nevertheless, right now, let's just get to the nearest town before-" He was cut short, as he immediately jammed on the breaks, stopping to a halt.
"Wes! What the hells the matter with you?" Nina asked standing up with a gasp.
"That's what the hells the matter, we got company." He said, cracking his knuckles, as he stepped out of the car.
A few hind legged and clothed in rags lizards stood before them, hissing provokingly at the party. Known only as Scavengers, they were intelligent enough to know only when to run or attack.
"Nina, best get ready for a fight, cause these damn scale hide bastards are in the mood for some meat for dinner." Wes remarked stepping out of the care.
"So whacha need me to do Wes?" Nina asked stepping out of the car.
"Simple, freeze any of them that snap their jaws at'cha. Show them no mercy." He remarked charging forth and throwing several punches is many directions of the bastards.
"Aye-aye Wes." She replied, taking her wand in one hand, the other her ring.
Wes took a few down with a few punches, the force in his arms were enough to K.O. anyone who was as weaker then he was, maybe someone on the same level if he through his punches in the right area's. Nina quickly gathered the energy needed to pull off such a move, as a few of them moved in to surround them.
Nina unleashed her spell, freezing a few of the lizards in to ice statues, as she took a sigh of relief. Wes glanced over, with a quick toothy smile, he dashed forward, and smashed each of the frozen Scavengers down into pieces.
"That autta teach ya scale. bags. what's. shit!!" Wes remarked, only noticing a few more were approaching.
"Wes, just how many of them are their usually?" Nina questioned in a scared tone.
"Not this many... they must really be hungry or desperate!" He scarcely judged as he looked around the area.
Nina glanced at the surrounding standing Scavangers, their sharp teeth already pearly white glittered in the sunlight, their slimy split tongues slithering in their mouth. Nina turned, trying to make a run for the car, but her dismay already grew worse as she sighted one of the green scaled lizards dragging Ryu's body off from the back seat.
"RYU!!" She shouted, noticing the lizards were now taking him out.
BANG!!!
At that very instant, a shot went off, the bullet piercing through the lizards scale face body, his forehead marked with a hole, blood trickling down his forehead, and over his eyes. Falling to the ground slowly, a few other shots rang out, killing off a few other Scavengers nearby Nina and Wes.
"You folks really are fools to travel round these parts near evening." Came a deep feminine voice, as a kitsune half-breed walked forward, gleaming over at them with her deep blue eyes.
Her jet black hair tied back into two pony tails, her skin deeply tanned and most of her body was dressed appropriately in comparison to Nina's. Her short blue hip-hugging shorts came up around her mid thighs, her holster almost looking as if it was actually attached to it. Her short sleeved turquoise shirt hung wrinkled over her shoulders, proving to be a bit bigger for her then possible, her jacket seemed wrapped around her neck, and her boots a leather white, great for traveling through the desert on foot. Her weapon of choice was a simple handgun, nothing more or less.
"Just who the Sam-hell are you?!" Wes bitterly remarked, as he glanced her over, not one bit amused by her very skin shown outfit.
"Wes, she just saved us, we should at least be welcoming her." Nina lectured him, with a scowlful glance pursed on her face.
"Ahh, bite me, I don't trust her for some reason... something 'bout her makes my stomach quiver and make me feel like vomiting." He said, making the sick sound as he glanced to her.
The figure walked over to Ryu, looking down at him, as she checked him over, ignoring the two who were arguing. Finding no fatal wounds, she picked him up in her arms; staggeringly she carried him back over to the car. Unbeknownst to her was the Scavenger that was sneaking up, as it leaped up into the air, in position to pounce on her at that instant, his shadow covered her. She turned around, glancing up at him as he came plummeting down to her.
It was at that same second that a few slashes were heard whisking in the air. The lizard fell to the ground, with a few marks of slashes marking his body, only marks of inflicting pain, but none to deep to cause death for the creature. Directly next to the knocked out lizard was a mysterious figure, clothed in dark red shirt, and long baggy white trousers, his robe style of dressing resembled most of the feudal era if anything.
His long light-brown flocks of fur fluttered in the slight breeze, as his eyes covered with a few locks of hair as he held his blade to the side, gazing over to where the female stood. Nina and Wes stayed where they were, glancing to where the two newcomers were at.
"Wes... is that guy a friend of yours?" Nina suspiciously asked.
Wes shook his head, as he looked the man over.
"Not anybody I have seen in my lifetime." Wes replied keeping his distance.
The foxgirl proceeded back to the dune buggy, laying Ryu in the backseat once more, his eyes still closed as he groaned only rolling over to the side. The grassrunner proceeded over to where Nina and Wes were, glancing at them with a poker face, the two looking at him in a trance stance, his face fixed on Nina.
"Say, what's with the scar near your eye?" Wes questioned, his eyes locked on the thin scar visible to the left part of the grassrunners face.
"Wes, its rude to ask stuff like that!" She said with a scowlful glance expressed on her face.
"Ahem..." Man deeply coughed, catching the two's little conversation, as they once more looked towards him. "Call me...Ichiro...and this scar...is nothing of your concern." He remarked turning and walking to the care, his ways of speech short and solemn.
He then turned, placing his katana back into the sheath, walking back over to the dune buggy, and wrapping his hands in his large pocket sleeves. His long ears flapped in the breeze, his face still cloaked from showing emotion.
"And I thought Ryu was too serious, this guy gives me the creeps." Wes hesitatingly said.
"I think we have more problems, by the look that foxgirl shot him, I don't know what could happen if we let them join us." She replied, looking to Wes who gave a confuse glimpse to her.
"WHAT?! You gotta be outta your friggin' mind, them two joining us!" He replied angrily. "Your must really have a few marbles loose, cause I don't like either of them."
"I guess you really have changed, otherwise you would have dropped your jaw when your eyes caught glance on that girl." Nina teased poking him in the shoulders.
"Hold your tongue little bird. Girls that use guns are either tomboy outlaws using their beauty for deception, or that bitch is someone that is a mankiller." He whispered to her, bending over so she could hear him clearly.
"I heard that woren!" She bitterly shouted back.
Wes jumped as she heard her heart piercing tone of voice; a shrill chill ran through his spine as it reached his ears. She wasn't a typical desert hitchhiking broad that roams around, she was more independent by the way of her voice and how well she was able to use a gun.
"So who exactly would you be Miss...?"
"Mai, just Mai, I doubt we aren't any bit older then even a decade, wouldn't you say, Nina if I presume." She answered in a calm tone.
"How did you-" As she started, she stopped realizing what occurred earlier.
"Guess your not so dumb as you seem. Anyway, there is a town a few miles to the west, right where this car is going. I suggest we hurry it up, 'cause them lizards are not the type that sleep in the nighttime. Last I heard they were able to even move through this place when a cool breeze was out." She remarked, pushing Ryu into a sitting posture, as she got in next to him.
"Oh no, no-no-no-no-no, I ain't going even half a mile long as that bitch is in my dune buggy, no way, no how, not a chance in hell am I driving with her in the backseat." Wes bellyached in disgust.
"C'mon Wes, I'm sure she's more kind then she was earlier. Though, you did make that remark 'bout her being a criminal." Nina lectured him, holding an index finger up and wagging him at him.
"Grrr, fine, they can come with us. But, and I mean 'but', one peep, one remark, one word, and one smart ass comment comes out of your mouth, you best start getting ready to walk, 'cause I'll toss your ass out into this desert and haul ass outta here." Wes commented, finally heading back to the car.
"He who shows his anger, falls victim to his opponent." Ichiro commented taking shotgun, as he kept his arms crossed underneath his robe.
"Whatever, the same goes for you. Keep your words to yourself." Wes answered, finally starting the Dune Buggy up once more, as he drove off towards town.
***
"Wut da fuck ya wunt biotch?!" The black man shouted to the messenger in a shrewd voice.
The girl flinched, shivering in fear as his cold emotionless eyes gazed deeply in hers.
"M-m-message for you M-M-Mr. Duane." She faltered as she shook with deep fright
Snatching it from her, he opened the envelope up as he read the note mentally and smiled with his ever so rotten teeth. The raggedy dress fiend stood to his feet snickering loudly. Standing, he proceeded over to where a large case that was locked up tightly, as he opened up the case, pulling out his still in mint conditioned rifle.
"Shit, eet ben a'while since I use dis bitch 'ere." He replied in a prideful tone as he snickered once more.
"Remember the objective of this mission; it is to capture the Fae ALIVE, and not dead, understood?"
"Biotch, git da fuck outta 'ere already, cuz ya job iz dun!" He remarked pointing the gun to her, as she backed away from him and ran off fearing to be killed.
"Dum bitch, da fing wunt even loaded, heh-hah!" Duane commented as he started laughing.
***
Slowly did his eyes open up, as Ryu glanced up at the front seat, groaning as he moved his hand slowly over his eyes rubbing them softly with his palms.
"Ryu, you're finally awake!" Nina excitedly remarked, as she hugged him tightly around the neck pulling him closer to snuggle against him.
"Nina... just where the hell are we?" He asked his mouth still able to move and his words not muttered.
"Good to see you again old pal." Wes said welcomingly, his eyes still kept on the road ahead.
"New friend of yours?" Ryu questioned, looking at Ichiro, then over to the foxgirl who sat next to him.
"Not in a million years blue boy." Mai remarked angrily.
Ichiro remained silent, obviously he wasn't the type to want to make conversation like the rest.
"Wait, what about Draco and Lecha? Are they-"
"There long gone and probably outta our way for now." Wes claimed still keeping his focus on the road.
"I don't know, after what he and I went through." Ryu replied in despair.
"Speaking of which, why would two cousins be at each others throats." Wes asked with Ryu having a wake-up call already wide eyed on his face.
Ryu looked to Nina, who only shrugged at him.
"I was only telling him what the hell happened to us." She replied innocently.
"Well, that is the truth, were blood related cousins as the family tree would put it. It all started two years ago, me and my partner Fargo had became Top Rank Peacemakers in the Peace Ranger Corps. Soon enough though, after we took down a group of wanted posse thugs, Fargo got word Draco was in town." Ryu told them of the event, of Fargo going out and the results leading to what happened to Draco.
"Damn, so your partner was the last straw. But wait, why didn't you go looking for him when you found out about him?" Wes asked once more.
"I knew about it when I was a grunt peacemaker, but nobody was tracking him at all. He was in and out faster then the bounty hunters could get him. Even the bounty hunter known as Red Baron was no match for him." Ryu answered looking down to the ground.
"Heh, sucks to be you, huh Mr. Jobless?" Mai said teasingly.
"That's not my problem, but why are you two here anyway?" Ryu demanded, very suspicious about why the two were here.
"Simple, to help protect you and the Fae from anyone out to getcha." She stated with a toothy smile.
"Right and what about you Mr. Rising Sun?" Ryu asked with a stereotypical comment.
"Watch it fool, my names Ichiro... and it is the same as Mai's to protect the Fae." He replied, with a still deep toned voice.
"Right and you two were sent I presume?" Ryu questioned as anyone would be.
"Maybe, but what's it to you?" Mai replied and countered with a question, Ichiro only remained silent.
"Can't trust people these days y'know? Specially someone who can betray us to the regents in the heat of the battle." Ryu answered with a arrogant glance on his face.
"I'm just doing what I think is right. I ain't doing it for money nor for a person." She replied angrily.
"Well, so ya do have a soft spot down there in that black heart of yours. Guess you're not a cold hearted bitch as you look to be." Wes rudely commented.
"Wes, why is it that you have to be so rude?" Nina demanded, already getting fed up by his rude remarks.
"Simple minded if you ask me." Mai answered driving the worens already short nerve.
"Watch it wench, for I do leave out to walk to town." Wes remarked, still giving her a bit of a chance.
It wasn't just the fact that she was able to use a gun that scared him, it was also the fact that she was near an ace shooter. He heard many tales of girls like this who lured men into a dark alley, attacked in the very instant killing them, and robbed them of anything valuable. He had a good reason to fear this girl, since she resembled a description of one of the girls, and he had a good reason to be so hostile toward her. Ichiro he didn't have a problem, since the guy kept to himself, but it still wasn't that trustworthy when the guy came out of nowhere and decided to help.
"How long 'til we reach town, my stomachs growling." Nina whined, already she hadn't had anything to eat in a good while.
"Were there." Wes remarked as they entered the more delicately built town.
It still maintained a more suitable look the others Nina had seen lacked. The houses still painted, and most of the area was cemented in. The asphalt was more new, seemingly replaced each year if at all redone. The place truly was wealthier then many other towns were, possibly with the winds not being so fierce around the area to be exact.
"Xenoson, one of the more eye-catching and well kept towns round these parts. These people are very anal when it comes to housekeeping, just look at the houses if you don't believe me." Wes remarked as he pointed each one out.
"Wow, your right about that Wes, though I think we should wait tomorrow for sight-seeing, specially when it is nightfall." Nina answered, holding her stomach.
"Don't worry your feathers off, there's an inn dead ahead of us." Ryu stated pointing it out to the flustered Nina, whose cheeks lit up from pale to a bright shining star of hope.
"Yippy, lets go, lets go, I'm starving here." She said, running ahead.
"Talk about eager to eat, I wonder how she stays fit?" Mai commented as she watched Nina run in.
"Wes, how much zenny do we have to spend here?" Ryu asked ignoring Mai's comment.
"Fraid all I got is enough for us three considering we need some zen to buy you som new cloths. Them two I don't think will be able to stay, less they got enough to pay for themselves." Wes stated, not so dramatic.
"I can do well outside... I sleep much better alone then with company." Ichiro stated, still sitting in the car.
"And what about you foxgirl, you got money to help yourself?" Wes ridiculed, Mai only responding with the middle finger gesture that offended mostly anyone.
"Ya little bitch, you got some nerve!" Wes answered, very offended by her attitude.
"So shoot me, you ain't gonna mock me and get away with it." She responded with a fuming tone walking past the two and inside.
"Well, that little wench has a nerve." Wes stated, clenching one of his fists tightly.
"Forget it, lets get inside and pay what we need to before Nina starts to indulge herself with more debt then we can pay." Ryu remarked, knowing how Nina could go a bit to far when eating.
***
It was near midnight in the town, and the main three already had checked into the inn. Mai found her own room elsewhere, but still kept near where Ryu was staying. Ichiro though remained in the Dune Buggy, mostly for his own reasons. Though unlike the others, he was a light sleeper, and never did sleep to often. Easily he heard footsteps trotting out of the room, as he remained silent, but breathing as though he was asleep.
Mai easily slipped out and trotted off towards an alleyway. Ichiro silently jumped out of the car, following her in a trail of pure silence, his frame hidden in the shadows cast by the dim moonlight. He stopped noticing she was making a call out.
"Yes, this is Covert Vixen reporting..."
Ichiro remained silent, listening in.
"Were in the town of Xenoson... yes, with the target as well."
She remained on the communicator, listening to all that was there.
"Yes, understood sir, Covert Vixen out." She replied, cutting communications.
She turned around, walking out from the alley and back to the inn.
"The fox sneaks off at night, and makes a call..."
Mai turned immediately around, glancing surprisingly and irritatingly towards Ichiro.
"Damn mut, just what are you doing out here?" Mai hissed, really caught off guard by his presence.
"Wench... I know your true face... and who commands you." Ichiro replied glaring at her with anger.
"So whacha gonna do about it samurai?" She spat back hastily.
"Simple... defeat you in combat." He replied walking forth.
"Defeat me, why not just say 'kill me 'fore sunrise'?" She hissed at him.
"I follow the teachings of Shin Du Kun... the arts of self defense with a katana... and I have sworn never to use this weapon to slain anyone. Murder is not the order of Shin Du Kun." He stated in a calm tone, almost unguarded.
"Fool, you're nothing but a damn fool is what you are. Then again, why not fight now, to dark for you to even see a bullet make impact within you?" She commented, trying to get under his skin.
"They will suspect something when they wake up... but tell me, would you risk these townsfolk lives just to complete your objective? I don't know what you take more importantly, but all I want is to find the one who may well be a regent." He remarked turning around and going off guard for an easy shot.
"The townsfolk are asleep, if you want to fight, it is best to start it now." Mai lectured, reaching for her gun.
"I suspect someone else is heading here." He replied still walking off, leaving the halfbreed kitsune stunned.
"H-H-how? You can't-"
"Mind reader, no, but your reply already proves me correct." He stated, continuing on.
"Grrr, you will regret ever crossing me Ichiro, mark my words, you will bite the dust tomorrow." She rasped at him.
***
The huge sport car-made Dune Buggy roamed through the desert with loud bass booms, as it roared through the desert. The driver was none other then Duane, who easily represented the typical idiot that most people labeled a 'degenerate'. He was more self-absorbed then most, and mostly got along with those who spoke exactly like him. Though for a regent, he was not one of the more successful types in life. After the 'Dragon Purge', as it was properly named, the man enjoyed a brief moment of fame, before his fund ran dry. Unlike the others who went off and found another life to move on, Duane partied, thinking it would last forever.
Though like a rocket going up into the clouds, it eventually comes back to earth. He ended up broke and left by everyone who he thought were truly his friends. His life for the past decades was a variable struggle, he was forced to live under welfare and drift from town to town. Yet, he now was promised a good ransom on what the Fae was worth would be enough to give him a life, maybe even enough to get him on track.
"Dat bird gonna gif me 'a life back, 'n sum fresh bling-bling ash well." He said in his ever so annoying ghetto way.
***
Morning finally came, and the sun had finally reached the quarter part of the sky. Xenosan seemed less crowded then other places, but there still was some activity with children in the streets. Ryu, who took a saggy shirt that was found in his dresser, walked out the door, looking around town, and seeing the kids play.
"Here, I hope this will be enough for cloths." Wes commented, handing Nina a bag of zenny.
"So you lied to them, just to keep some of the money?" Nina remarked, aghast by what Wes had pulled.
"I don't care what you think, you two are the only ones I actually do trust. Sides, them two can take care of themselves. specially when they traveled that desert alone, I'm sure they don't need zen." We replied, walking off, hauling his coffin behind his back.
"Always thinking of those dearest I guess." Ryu commented with a snort.
"Who cares, lets get you some better looking cloths, you really could use some." Nina said, with a wide mischievous grin on her face.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no way, there ain't no chance I'm gonna try on several piles of cloths. I'm going there only for a new tank top and trench coat, nothing else." Ryu said, glancing bitterly to Nina.
"Pwease Ryu, just this once." Nina pleaded with teary eyes.
"Gah, why do you have to use that face on me." He sighed, shaking his head.
"'Cause you easily give into my desires when you see it." She replied with a victorious smile on her face.
"One day it won't effect me you know. Though, why don't you do the clothing fashion and I'll sit back and watch." Ryu suggested, Nina's face immediately lightened up brighter then a fluorescent light.
"Oh Ryu, you're the best." She said, hugging him tightly, as she nuzzled against him.
"Okay, lets just get going." He said, scratching his chest, the shirt did itch a lot.
The two walked out into the shopping sector of town, searching for the shopping outlet.
***
The woren strolled around the town, glancing at a few children playing with a few toys, he snorted silently, jealous of how much fun they were having at their age.
"Hey there sonny, whacha got in that coffin of yours?" Asked an old man who stood nearby.
The old man was dressed like a mechanic, soiled collared shirt and jeans, even with a few oil marks along his arms and face. His face a bit wrinkled for his age, he still held his strength in his arm. His head obviously was bald, why else would he be wearing a pilot's helmet with goggles.
"Why the hell you wanna know, plan to steal it?" Wes snapped back, easily suspicious of the man.
"Steal it, I would be taking it back mind you. That there is a coffin I designed for protecting supplies, but...last I heard, that thing was being used to haul two mini-guns if I'm not mistake." The old man answered, crossing his arms.
"Yes, if you must know." Wes remarked, glaring towards the old man.
"I have a deal for you woren, and to make it proof, there's an emblem of Dennis Coffins Service inside." The old man replied, Wes opened it up looking around, as he gasped noticing the trademark the old man mentioned earlier.
"I can make that thing a powerhouse for a highway robbery price of one- thousand zenny." The old man said, glancing at the coffin.
"Powerhouse huh? So why the cheap price, just what's in it for you?" Wes asked, very suspicious of why the old man wanted to fool with something like this.
"It's been a while since I worked with one. All I have done in my lifetime is create things, and improve. This one I had an idea, but I was forced to sell it when I was in bankruptcy. I have the parts, all I need is the main piece, which you are carrying." The old man replied with a smirk.
"Yes, and how long is this gonna take you anyway?" Wes questioned, wanting to know how long it would be to wait.
"A few hours at most, come see me at the Doc's Garage in two hours. 'Til then, kill some time." The old man remarked, holding out his hand, as Wes handed him the zenny, and then the coffin.
The old man took it in two hands, but wasn't to strong to even carry it over his shoulders. He placed it on his back, slowly moving forward, as he pulled the coffin along with him, making his way back to the garage. Wes only turned walking off, for someone who claimed to own it, he sure didn't do well in carrying it like Wes could.
"Old man better keep his word, else I'm gonna give him a bruising." Wes thought, not very liking to the old man.
***
"How do I look?" Nina asked, stepping out in a shirt skirt outfit, white as silk around the upper part, and dark red at the skirt. Complete with a blue scarf tired around her collar, she easily could get a few viewers.
"Hmm, I'll admit its cute, but you sure you want to dress like that outside, you look more like a schoolgirl for one thing." Ryu commented, as he remained seated near the changing closets.
"Oh, and what would you rather I wear, some skimpy two piece leather claddings?" She replied with dismay.
"No, but something more appropriate then that kimono would be better." He said, smoothing out the wrinkles in his trench coat.
"Why, cause it's not what most people wear?" She grumbled, glaring with the evil eyes that almost every women possessed.
"Well, yes. I mean, with your thong showing it is kinda degrading." Ryu stated, Nina only standing there with a blank look.
"Well, get used to it then, I'm gonna keep wearing one." She said, as she pulled out what seemed to be another kimono, this one a violet color and more hugging round the waist then usual.
"Woah... living on the wild side I see." He replied, glancing her new costume over.
"Wouldn't have it any other way." She answered with an innocent smile.
***
A loud engine revved, as a car came roaring into town at a more dangerous pace of speed. Ramming alongside one of the fruit vender stands, it veered left, nearly running a child over, as it turned again, and stopped directly in the middle of the town. The door of the dune buggy slowly opened, as a man clad in a long green checkerboard shirt stepped out of the car, long baggy jeans covering his feet, and a bandana wrapped around his short cut hair. Duane glanced around the entire town, taking a sniff in the air, as he lifted his triple barreled gun up, and took aim, residents already running off and shutting every door and window's, obviously not knowing of the guy as a regent since his fall from fame.
"Bastads, ya dumazzes be trip'n." He replied, glancing around the town with eager eyes.
"Birdy, come out come out whereeva ya are." He mocked almost out of character considering how he spoke.
His eyes shot behind, as a man hiding behind a trashcan easily panted a bit to loud. Duane walked slowly and surprisingly quietly over, as he kicked the trashcan over.
"Bitch, I wun ta know where da fuck iz dat fae at, ya know wut im sayin?" He said, pointing the gun to the shivering mans face.
The man gulped, pointing towards the outlet, Duane snickering as he kicked the man in the gut hard, forcing him to fall to the ground.
"Pussy, ya ain't nutin but a fuckin' pussy." Duane remarked, as he walked towards the shopping outlets.
***
Wes as usual sat at the bar, drinking his beer, as he took a deep breath, listening to the chatter of most of the drunken folks who were sitting at the tables, laughing mindlessly, as they all laughed. Wes didn't get to deep into their conversation; he mostly wanted to ignore them. He looked up at the clock, taking a deep sigh.
Time wasn't passing fast enough for him, ever minute seemed more an hour, every second a minute.
'Damn it, just how the hell am I suppose to kill some time?' He though, slamming his hand down furiously onto the table.
Time sure was getting on his nerve, but he had no way of speeding things up.
***
In another area of town, the poverty area of town, where most of the poor folks who were more lazy lived and worked in low class jobs from janitor to basic restaurant worker, they were all low paid for their own reasons. Few were smart, and most actually were in debt because of their own mistakes that they made in their lives of pitiful desires.
"Time to settle this mut!" Mai stated, as she drew out her gun, taking aim towards his heart.
Ichiro only unsheathed his blade, lowering to his side. He remained still, almost waiting for her to open fire. Mai showed no resentment to what was about to do, she pulled the trigger hastily, knowing full well the samurai had no stars or long range throwing tools to save him.
In the same instant, almost like a shadow, Ichiro shifted the flat-edge of his katana to the position right before his heart, his blade rotated to a rebounding angle, as he remained standing, his katana still in one piece. Mai growled, noticing he was still standing.
"What?! It must be an illusion!!" She shouted firing once more, as with each shot did Ichiro shift his arms to move the blade carefully, and rotating the blade at a angle away from him and the houses did each bullet rebound with a loud 'thwang', he remained still, a stern poker faced look still pursed on his fur covered face.
"Bastard, how the hell can you even move that fast, even accurately pinpoint where each of my shots will go?" She angerly spat.
"Bullets disrupt the winds coarse... the shrill sound that they give when they do is enough of a giveaway." He replied wisely.
"Grr, well, lets see just how long you can last." She said, her hands slowly moving and reloading her gun cartridge, as she fired on once more, Ichiro repeating each of his movements, defending himself against the onslaught of the shots.
Mai took a few steps back, Ichiro remained still defense position, his face still locked onto her.
"Your good, but every being has a flaw and yours is overconfidence." She stated unleashing a few more shots onto him.
He once more took each down sending them away with the flat side of his katana. He remained calm and in control with a still emotionless gaze on his face.
"Serene Raindrops ALWAYS triumph over the raging fires." He conjured, easily making a connection on the battles outcome.
"You're damn tales are old and outdated as your weapon and skills are." She bitterly yelled, reloading her weapon.
Ichiro said nothing more, he remained calm and silent keeping his eyes locked on her weapon. Her fingers already show tenseness, her eyes burned with the outcome of stress. She wasn't at all calm, her anger was already clouding her mind and thought. Ichiro knew the path to one like that, the result being death.
Mai took a deep breath and shot forth once more, only this time her shots were even close to hitting, as Ichiro took one leap and evaded each with ease. She groaned with disgust, seeing how easily he avoided them.
"Why in the hell won't you just die!!" She shouted as she reloaded her weapon and fired more rounds.
Ichiro easily moved and seemingly was trekking away from her, heading elsewhere in the town.
"No you don't you're not getting away that easily!" She muttered pursuing him.
***
A few loud blasts rang through the front glass expo as shards scattered across the ground.
Ryu and Nina immediately took cover, as did most of the others upon the loud gunshot. The sound of glass being crushed echoed through the building, steps moving closer to where most others were.
"I know ya en 'ere ber-die." Duane muttered obnoxiously still advancing towards them.
Ryu immediately reached for his Angle Wing handgun, as he knew it was possibly a Gunsmith Regent. Whoever this one was, it wasn't the type who was careful who he shot at nor how much damage he could cause. Taking one quick glance to Nina, who remained on the ground with a fearful look on her face as if very afraid of what was nearby. Leaping forth, Ryu opened fire at the regent and ran sideways keeping an dead-eye lock on his target as he fired forth.
His bullets were stopped dead in their tracks as the absolute defense shield illuminated over the Regents body. Duane only laughed, unleashing a counter assault as he fired directly at Ryu, tearing a mannequin's clothing and the mannequin itself up. Ryu took cover behind a counter, as he opened his gun, reloading the barrels, cursing several times as he knew full well it was not an easy fight. He knew how he beat the last one and for him it was a nightmare. He nearly went berserk if it wasn't for Nina's voice that stoped him dead in place.
Glancing to Nina and moving his lips, she easily could understand his request by the way his lips moved. His words were none other then 'Go and get some backup!' and without a second to hesitate, she stood to her feet dusting her kimono off making her way carefully to the exit. Ryu took a deep breath, as the Regent fire upon his position once more.
" 'Ere dat bird at biotch?" Duane demanded as he opened his shotgun up replacing the shells inside, locking it into place once more, and taking aim once more.
"Huh, just what the hell are you saying? You must be illiterate or brain- dead with the way your mouth is moving. You must also be the dunce of the regents considering every group has a idiot within it." Ryu stated rudely.
Duane right near were Ryu hide, really wanting to startle him out of hiding.
"Shut ya mouth bitch, cuz I'll kill ya ass." Duane commented advancing in on where Ryu was hidden.
"Damn, right in the worst time at all. Nina, better get the backup quick and fast." He mentally though seeing as how deadly the regent was getting with each passing second.
***
Nina ran through town knowing by heart where to find Wes. Where there was a bar, there was a place where Wes would just about always be. She made her way across town with little time to spare, finding a bar as she stepped casually inside, glancing around. A few men shut their traps, staring like idiots at her and dropping their jaws. They obviously had never seen a lady with little clothing on; why else would they be so silent-struck when she walked inside the bar.
She glances around, immediately finding Wes in no time at all. She rushed over gently giving him a tap on the shoulder. Wes slowly turned, glimpsing her over, he once mellow expression turned to questioning.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" He whispered apprehensive about her safety.
"Ryu's ran into trouble, another Regent has arrived and he's raising a whole lotta hell in the outlet area." She spoke, taking in deep breaths as she did.
Wes slammed a fist down on the counter, muttering curse words under his breath as he did.
"Damn, that old bastard must have tricked me into giving him that weapon as a trap." He muttered angrily in a whisper.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Nina asked, puzzled by his last remark.
Wes only stood up from his stool and ran towards the exit, easily leaving Nina standing there alone in the bar. She followed his lead, exiting the bar, but at the pace he ran, he was very far ahead of her as it was.
"Of all things... wait up Wes!" She shouted as she followed him.
***
Ichiro continued to avoid each of the shots Mai repetitively fired. The grassrunner repeatedly avoided each in a seemingly pose striking manner.
"Keep dancing all you want, your grave is already dug!" She yelled continuing her attack.
Ichiro only made movements away from her leading her into the outlet plaza, where he stopped forth, taking a defensive stance. Mai dashed forward, about to open fire when she noticed the glass shattered in front of the store exposé. She glanced around, noticing the damage already unleashed upon the area, several people laying dead on the floor, blood stained clothing with holes scatted in one area.
"All these innocent people... were murdered by the Gunsmith regent." Ichiro stated as he took a few steps forward.
"What gives you that idea? How are you sure that the peacemaker didn't get ahold of a new gun?" Mai conjectured at him.
"He's a handgun user, not a shotgun slinger. These bullet marks resemble shotgun shell pellets that scatter when shot off. These though are different, its as if that regent has more then two barrels." He remarked glancing over to her.
"I know who it is by name, but I don't know him personally." Mai remarked with resent.
***
The door burst open as Wes immediately entered, inspecting the garage entirely and finding who he was looking for. The old man was still at work on the weapon. Wes carefully made his way through the scrap littered floor, moving towards the old man who was at work. The loud drilling sounds of tools were the only noises that filled the few light bulb lit room.
"OLD MAN, IS MY GUN READY YET?" Wes yelled out loud, almost roaring.
The old man still kept working, almost as if he couldn't hear anything but his own power tools.
"OLD MAN!!!" Wes shouted again, getting the same response of silence.
Being the kind of guy Wes was, he couldn't stand being ignored even twice. He knew getting close could cost him a body part or a lawsuit, one thing he wasn't going to go into. His other resort was to catch the old mans attention in what could though result in trouble. Wes didn't think clearly when the clock was ticking and desperate times called for measure that were not the best.
Grabbing one of the cut pieces of metal, he chucked it up at one of the nearest light bulbs accurately and broke the bulb open into shards of glass. The loud drilling stopped as the old man pulled his goggles from his face, glancing over to him death-eyed.
"CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!" Wes yelled after taking a few steps closer to the old man, his voice loud enough to easily blow the eardrums out of the other side of ones head.
"Watch it wiper-snapper, good work takes time, but your time is not worth anything since you seem so impatient that you go and destroy an old mans lighting. The deals off!" The old man angrily replied, as he started off.
The door that was barged through opened slowly, as Nina walked in, panting for air. She looked to Wes, still with innocent eyes, but her fast flustered from having to run after him. The old man immediately went wide eyed as she walked directly inside the room.
"Well, what can I do for ya young lady." The old man asked, glancing at her with more desire-filled eyes.
Nina glimpsed at him, a frown pursed on her face as she glanced into his eyes. Wes walked over to her, nudging her in the ribs, giving her a wink, as he shoved her forth.
"Well, um... could ya finish that doohickey you were working on in a jiffy?" Nina asked ever so adorably.
"I could for a pretty face like yours... but, I want a kiss from you." He said leaning in closer to her, as she blushed.
Nina was uneasy at the though of a dirty old man getting a kiss just so he would do what he wanted. Yet, for Ryu who had a very great disadvantage when dealing with a Regent. She took a deep breath, pursing her lips slowly moving forward, she gave a feint but still skin touching kiss on the old mans crumpled cheek.
The old man seemed to almost freeze right there, remaining in a deep trance with eye wide. He took a quick shiver, before screaming a loud 'booo-yah' cry and in an instant he went back to the coffin as he rapidly moved each of his tools along the metal coffin, slowly welding the final parts together. It only took a few minutes when he stopped taking a deep breath, pulling his goggles off his eyes, taking a deep breath as he glanced over to the woren.
"Hah. now this is top quality. You best use it for good use Woren." He said, stepping away from the coffin, and motioning the woren to step forth and take it.
Wes reached over, picking it up, as he noticed a few changes, mostly the handle on the side he carried it by. Clicking a few buttons on the bottom, he opened up the chambers, one a missile pack and the other with two vertically aligned dual chain guns.
"Yeah, this is beastly." Wes commented, moving it into several positions finding the best targeting movement.
"Wes, lets go, Ryu isn't going to last to long if we keep stalling." She remarked, her face growing sour and pleading for him to move it.
***
Shots were blasted into the bar, blowing several small sized holes in the front wall of the saloon. Ryu kept his position behind the counter, taking a deep breath and timing each of the shots, waiting for a delay to react.
"Pusseh, hidin' en dere like a bitch ya are." Duane spat and fired once more into the bar.
As soon as he fired, Ryu leaped over the barstool and opened fire through the windows and entrance. It was more then obvious that after the shot he had a few seconds to get a few rounds off. His aim only random, but one was dead on blocked only by the defense shield Duane had protecting him. Dashing outside, Ryu reached in his pocket, feeling around for a few bullets, finding none in them, as he gasped.
"Wut, ya out 'a bullets? Ya a dead bitch now!" Duane yelled taking aimed directly at Ryu.
A shot from broke his main view as he turned behind and opened fire, but found nobody standing right where the bullet came from.
"Missed Duane!" Mai yelled as he glanced over to where Mai was standing, gun in hand and smoking.
"Ya bitch, ya got's a nerve ta fires on ya own partna, ya know wut I'm sayin'?" He muttered taking aim.
"No, we don't know what the hell you're saying 'cause ya talk like an idiot ya nigger!" Wes yelled making his entrance into the scene.
"NIGGER!? NOBUDY CALL ME A NIGGER, 'SPECIALLY GOD DAMN WOREN." He yelled, his face truly overwhelmed in anger as he opened fire on Wes.
The woren set his coffin in front of him, blocking the spread as he pressed the switch in the middle, the trigger handle for the mini guns sliding out, as well as the two mini-gun turrets. Throwing it over his shoulders as he pulled the trigger, and unleashed a heavy wave of bullets, each stopped by the shield.
"Dat ain't nuthin!" Duane commented raising his gun to make shots once more.
"GIGAFLARE!!" Nina yelled, as she flew down from above, casting her spell directly at him, a huge wave of flames enveloped around him, the shields blocking, but flickering as the force was pushing the shield to the limit.
Wes cut the rapid fire, moving it to the back area of the coffin; he opened the missile compartment, taking lock on aim, pulling hastily on the trigger and fired his mini rocket away, as it impacted the shield with a loud explosion, the green shield easily dimmed out, as Ichiro dived in and with the dexterity of his hands, he forced the Gun from Duane's hands, and kicked the man onto the ground.
"Ya wunt git away wif dis, ya hear meh!" He muttered, Mai advancing in on him, her gun still in her hand.
Slowly Duane pushed himself up, taking a deep breath, his bloodshot eyes narrowed to the grim faced Mai, who glared down at him despicably.
"See ya in hell, nigger!" She said, placing the nose of her magnum to Duane's forehead and immediately pulled the trigger as she sent him down in one fierce shot.
Duane fell to the ground dead, as Mai turned, walking off and away from him.
"Hold it Mai!" Wes yelled, pointing his weapon towards her, set in the chain gun mode to fire off.
Mai stopped, glaring at him ever so irritated.
"What the hell is your problem now woren?!" She demanded angrily.
"You're with the regents, and I ain't planning on letting you live." He remarked, slowly moving his hand to the trigger.
"Gee, you just relized that?" She snapped back, still looking at him with no fear of his weapon.
"I knew you were a bitch when I first saw you, but a spy for the regents, you outta be dead for even meeting us!" Wes yelled with a blood red face of boiling anger.
"Well, guess your not so dumb, I was Spy Mai of the Gunsmith regents, but to think they are going as far as risking lives of the innocence, I don't plan to work for them." She replied, pulling out her transmitter, as she chucked it into the air, and fired on it with her last bullet.
"Bah, I still don't trust you, so di-" Wes was cut short, as Ichiro pressed a vital blood vain around the neck, putting the woren out of commission.
Mai only snorted, cracking a bright glance as she looked to Ichiro. Ryu stood there, while he wasn't the type to keep silent, he knew it wasn't a good idea to try and interfere with Wes when he was pissed off. Nina though couldn't speak, with all that happened, she was exhausted by the spell she cast and shocked by the fact that Mai was with the group that was now out for her. Ryu glanced over at her, advancing to her, as he put an arm on her shoulder.
"All in a days work you could say." He said, looking down at the dead regent.
"Guess too many surprises that have hit me. I just can't believe all this trouble is over little 'ol me." She replied sadly, shaking her head.
"Oh well, let's just get back to the inn, if it's still open. We still need some zenny though." He conjured, proceeding back to the Inn.
Nina nodded, following right behind him.
***
"So where to next Ryu?" Nina asked leaning over his shoulder.
"Delfina, not a grand town like this, but it does have a steady supply of lights. Then again... we still have to get one thing settled." He responded in despair.
***
"Hell no, I ain't letting that bitch ride in my damn dune buggy!!" Wes shouted refusing the idea.
"Wes, get a grip and stop being so damn stubborn. You did make the first comment that set her off, so you are the one to blame!" Ryu lectured, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Bite me Ryu, that bitch can stay here and find her own ride!" Wes stated, as he tighted a few straps that kept his coffin restrained to the buggy.
"C'mon Wes, she is on our side." Nina pleaded, Wes stopping as he took a sigh.
He glimpsed over to her, seeing her ever so cute and irresistible face that he never could say no to. Taking a deep sigh, not wanting to go through with it, but not able to have the will to say no.
"Fine, I will allow her, but I don't want to hear a god damn peep from her. Otherwise I will kill her!" He stated, turning back and continuing his work.
So far, they had got all they needed, mostly extra zenny and supplies. They were set to go, to their next stop Delfina. Selling the car Duane had for half price did bring in enough for the next stop and with a few new cases of ammo; they were stocked for whatever laid ahead of them.
"All set, get your asses in there else I'm leaving you behind." Wes remarked, as he opened the drivers side, getting inside.
The party once more got in the same way they had earlier, Ichiro shotgun, Mai behind Wes, Nina on the opposite side and Ryu in the middle. Turning the ignition key, Wes started up the buggy, driving off into the desert, knowing where the next destination was.
**************************************************************************** **********
Next time:
Draco: Kenton, city of outcasts, scumbags, and thieves. Let your guard down and they'll kill you right then and there. The town of poverty it is, but even in a ruthless town like this cannot strike fear into the hearts of regents, specially the one that is armored by his skin. He's in for more trouble, cause I'm gonna make his day.
Next time: Unleash the Dragon
Authors notes: To make a few things clear, no, I am not black, I am white. Sides, curse word or not, this is fictional, so anyone who doesn't like the fact that I used that word, beat it. I will admit the last parts aren't my best, guess I kinda am lacking since I didn't write much last week. Maybe I just need a break, but I MIGHT revise it, if I feel like it. Otherwise, deal with it, cause I ain't one that is going to make this look great just for a few dumb anal authors. Read my profile for the rest.
Also, I'd like to thank Cole W, Haytham, Angelkitty, Shadow4ever, and Cat- Star4 for your reviews. Artificer Urza, I would thank you for some, but considering how long this chapter is and what you have done in the past (not to be offensive, just to clarify) when I had long chapters, well, knowing you, there is going to be complaints about it being this way. But hey, I ain't going to make it into a three chapter part, cause then it will be as crappy as Dragon Ball Z where one fight spans several episodes just about (bah, I HATE DBZ, sorry fans, its my opinion.) I do respect some, but I can stand so much when I can't stands no more and some people are easy to predict.
Anyway, read on and keep them reviews coming.
"Is that so? Jesse defeated by an outlaw and the ex-Peacemaker. How pathetic." Hudson rasped pushing a few strands of hair covering his face to the sides.
"That so? Well, guess there always is a rat that eludes all and eventually arises from the blue to exact revenge. Still, we took them out thirty years ago; I doubt it will kill us all. Jesse was to weak with all those years shackled should have made him so soft a kitten's scratch would kill him."
Silence remained, as a figure remained in the corner of the room, listening to the conversation.
"Yes, I do have a plan. Get me the spy, and that ghetto idiot Duane." He replied, as the person on the other end answered.
"Good, glad to hear you can HANDLE it, ta-ta." He concluded hanging up the phone.
"The madmen bite's the dust, 'ey Hudson?" A calm voice replied as he walked from the corner.
"Stripe ball nine to the side pocket as you would put it." Hudson said leaning back into his seat.
"I always did like a good game of pool, course y'knew that already. Though to think that one of THEM still exists is an even bigger surprise." He mentioned, shooting a arrogant glare to Hudson.
"So shoot me, I still must deal also with that menacing outlaw Draco. He has ties with the underground group that claims they shall smite us down to ashes." Hudson answered leaning back in his chair and staring out to the window, as he stood up, glancing down at the town below.
"Matters not, I sent someone for him. I'd be more surprised if the guys head truly rolls if he faces and losses to Draco. Even with his invulnerable skin, he still has a weakness." Hudson concluded keeping an eye down at the town.
"Ah, let me have a crack at 'em and hell be the eight ball to the corner picket of the left from the long range area." The clanswolf replied, making a shadow poll shot to mimic his plan.
"Easy there Thomas, y'know you'll halfta wait for your turn. Sides, you're the ace sniper here of the regents, and my good friend I might add. 'Til that time, take on a few new challengers, maybe there is someone who can best you at pool." He replied with a laugh.
"You are the only one who beat me, and amazingly without those powers of yours." Thomas remarked, with a snicker.
"I never cross anyone or cheat in order to win. All fun and games is all it is to me." He answered, with a smile pursed on his face, a wiseass one at that.
"Hmph, if you say so." Thomas answered with a snicker.
***
In the ever so dim monitor lit room, activity has died down for a while as only one man remains standing there.
"To think the regents would be called on for capturing the Fae, they also are after Draco... Auron really is desperate to get their hands on her and stop our cause." The boss muttered shaking his head.
"Blue Phoenix, one of our elite agents has taken leave, shall I-"
"No need, they are doing what they know must be done. Wait for them to report in, for now, keep a tight guard on this place, I fear one of the regents will try and enter this place. If we leave one area unchecked, the poison of the rat will invade and plague us to our knees. For the sake of all we represent, we cannot allow ourselves to fall to such a pest. Understood?" He replied, glancing to the green haired rabbit eared female.
"Yes sir." She replied, bowing for respect to her commander, as she walked off.
Nathan turned to the monitor, shaking his head. For once he knew times would be tough, but when something like the regents were involved with so much, tense feelings ran through his mind in an endless wave of anxiety. Especially when he knew of the regent who had the ability to slip through area's unseen and kill like a shinobi in the shadows existed.
"Times are as sure as hell gettin' tougher with each passing day." He muttered to himself.
***
Wes drove the Dune Buggy drove at a calm speed through the evening desert. Nina remained in the back, tending to the still unconscious Ryu. She had no clue what to think after that fight back there and what Ryu did to that man when he was in that form. That dragon form with scales, the eyes a bright fearful red as a deep omen of evil, and that roar, the war cry it had to be. She glance up at Wes, who seemed more concerned with the road then anything.
"So how did things with you and Cherry go?" She asked trying to get her mind off the recent event.
"She I can take... with her kinkiness and all, though her folks don't seem to take kindly to woren's. I am surprised of her age, she's only around nineteen years old." He replied, with a sigh.
"So how old are you?" Nina questioned, wondering of his age.
"Twenty-three years old. I doubt it matters, as long as I ain't older by ten years of humans it don't matter one damn bit." He answered with a soft sigh.
Nina nodded, still remaining silent, as she ran her fingers through the strands of Ryu's dust covered hair. She knew it had to be an odd sight, especially when Ryu had on no shirt and his jacket was left back at the scene.
"So mind telling me just what the hells going on already?" Wes asked out of the blue almost.
"Well..." Nina told of everything, of the fight against the bandits, the encounter at Valkarie, the real foes behind it all, the run in with Draco, the regent, and Ryu's latest incident.
Wes immediately slammed on the breaks, almost forcing Nina and Ryu to roll forward and off the seat.
"Son-of-a-bitch, I can't believe what I am hearing. Ryu, sworn upholder of the law and Draco, the most wanted man around are blood related cousins. I don't believe it." He said, shaking his head.
"Straight from the outlaws mouth, he called Ryu his cousin." Nina remarked as proof to get Wes to believe.
"That so... but to think... that man in the backseat of my own Dune buggy is a dragon. I'll be damned." He said shaking his head.
"Wes, the dragons, I heard in myths they fought gods, but yet why is it you sound so surprised?" She asked confused by it all.
"That regent you faced is one of many who long ago made their names known thirty years ago. They went into the dragons home town Dragoneir, claiming that the race was responsible for an incident that cost the lives of a town. The regents were sent in, and in only a few days did they walk out, not one of them died, and every dragon in the city was left slaughtered. Though there were rumored some escaped and gave up their powers, but at some point those powers would return." He mentioned with a deep breath.
"And he must be one of them, huuh?" She asked glimpsing to Wes with greedy eyes.
"I don't know. You said Ryu nearly ripped him apart after taking several bullets to himself. That ain't what happened thirty years ago, them dragons were slaughtered with several shots." He answered with a shiver of disgust as he thought on it.
"You mean each dragon died? How can that be, Ryu took that regent down in just three swift move." She said with disbelief on what she just was told.
"That I can't even answer Nina, but the truth be known Auron might have done something beforehand to start such an incident. Nevertheless, right now, let's just get to the nearest town before-" He was cut short, as he immediately jammed on the breaks, stopping to a halt.
"Wes! What the hells the matter with you?" Nina asked standing up with a gasp.
"That's what the hells the matter, we got company." He said, cracking his knuckles, as he stepped out of the car.
A few hind legged and clothed in rags lizards stood before them, hissing provokingly at the party. Known only as Scavengers, they were intelligent enough to know only when to run or attack.
"Nina, best get ready for a fight, cause these damn scale hide bastards are in the mood for some meat for dinner." Wes remarked stepping out of the care.
"So whacha need me to do Wes?" Nina asked stepping out of the car.
"Simple, freeze any of them that snap their jaws at'cha. Show them no mercy." He remarked charging forth and throwing several punches is many directions of the bastards.
"Aye-aye Wes." She replied, taking her wand in one hand, the other her ring.
Wes took a few down with a few punches, the force in his arms were enough to K.O. anyone who was as weaker then he was, maybe someone on the same level if he through his punches in the right area's. Nina quickly gathered the energy needed to pull off such a move, as a few of them moved in to surround them.
Nina unleashed her spell, freezing a few of the lizards in to ice statues, as she took a sigh of relief. Wes glanced over, with a quick toothy smile, he dashed forward, and smashed each of the frozen Scavengers down into pieces.
"That autta teach ya scale. bags. what's. shit!!" Wes remarked, only noticing a few more were approaching.
"Wes, just how many of them are their usually?" Nina questioned in a scared tone.
"Not this many... they must really be hungry or desperate!" He scarcely judged as he looked around the area.
Nina glanced at the surrounding standing Scavangers, their sharp teeth already pearly white glittered in the sunlight, their slimy split tongues slithering in their mouth. Nina turned, trying to make a run for the car, but her dismay already grew worse as she sighted one of the green scaled lizards dragging Ryu's body off from the back seat.
"RYU!!" She shouted, noticing the lizards were now taking him out.
BANG!!!
At that very instant, a shot went off, the bullet piercing through the lizards scale face body, his forehead marked with a hole, blood trickling down his forehead, and over his eyes. Falling to the ground slowly, a few other shots rang out, killing off a few other Scavengers nearby Nina and Wes.
"You folks really are fools to travel round these parts near evening." Came a deep feminine voice, as a kitsune half-breed walked forward, gleaming over at them with her deep blue eyes.
Her jet black hair tied back into two pony tails, her skin deeply tanned and most of her body was dressed appropriately in comparison to Nina's. Her short blue hip-hugging shorts came up around her mid thighs, her holster almost looking as if it was actually attached to it. Her short sleeved turquoise shirt hung wrinkled over her shoulders, proving to be a bit bigger for her then possible, her jacket seemed wrapped around her neck, and her boots a leather white, great for traveling through the desert on foot. Her weapon of choice was a simple handgun, nothing more or less.
"Just who the Sam-hell are you?!" Wes bitterly remarked, as he glanced her over, not one bit amused by her very skin shown outfit.
"Wes, she just saved us, we should at least be welcoming her." Nina lectured him, with a scowlful glance pursed on her face.
"Ahh, bite me, I don't trust her for some reason... something 'bout her makes my stomach quiver and make me feel like vomiting." He said, making the sick sound as he glanced to her.
The figure walked over to Ryu, looking down at him, as she checked him over, ignoring the two who were arguing. Finding no fatal wounds, she picked him up in her arms; staggeringly she carried him back over to the car. Unbeknownst to her was the Scavenger that was sneaking up, as it leaped up into the air, in position to pounce on her at that instant, his shadow covered her. She turned around, glancing up at him as he came plummeting down to her.
It was at that same second that a few slashes were heard whisking in the air. The lizard fell to the ground, with a few marks of slashes marking his body, only marks of inflicting pain, but none to deep to cause death for the creature. Directly next to the knocked out lizard was a mysterious figure, clothed in dark red shirt, and long baggy white trousers, his robe style of dressing resembled most of the feudal era if anything.
His long light-brown flocks of fur fluttered in the slight breeze, as his eyes covered with a few locks of hair as he held his blade to the side, gazing over to where the female stood. Nina and Wes stayed where they were, glancing to where the two newcomers were at.
"Wes... is that guy a friend of yours?" Nina suspiciously asked.
Wes shook his head, as he looked the man over.
"Not anybody I have seen in my lifetime." Wes replied keeping his distance.
The foxgirl proceeded back to the dune buggy, laying Ryu in the backseat once more, his eyes still closed as he groaned only rolling over to the side. The grassrunner proceeded over to where Nina and Wes were, glancing at them with a poker face, the two looking at him in a trance stance, his face fixed on Nina.
"Say, what's with the scar near your eye?" Wes questioned, his eyes locked on the thin scar visible to the left part of the grassrunners face.
"Wes, its rude to ask stuff like that!" She said with a scowlful glance expressed on her face.
"Ahem..." Man deeply coughed, catching the two's little conversation, as they once more looked towards him. "Call me...Ichiro...and this scar...is nothing of your concern." He remarked turning and walking to the care, his ways of speech short and solemn.
He then turned, placing his katana back into the sheath, walking back over to the dune buggy, and wrapping his hands in his large pocket sleeves. His long ears flapped in the breeze, his face still cloaked from showing emotion.
"And I thought Ryu was too serious, this guy gives me the creeps." Wes hesitatingly said.
"I think we have more problems, by the look that foxgirl shot him, I don't know what could happen if we let them join us." She replied, looking to Wes who gave a confuse glimpse to her.
"WHAT?! You gotta be outta your friggin' mind, them two joining us!" He replied angrily. "Your must really have a few marbles loose, cause I don't like either of them."
"I guess you really have changed, otherwise you would have dropped your jaw when your eyes caught glance on that girl." Nina teased poking him in the shoulders.
"Hold your tongue little bird. Girls that use guns are either tomboy outlaws using their beauty for deception, or that bitch is someone that is a mankiller." He whispered to her, bending over so she could hear him clearly.
"I heard that woren!" She bitterly shouted back.
Wes jumped as she heard her heart piercing tone of voice; a shrill chill ran through his spine as it reached his ears. She wasn't a typical desert hitchhiking broad that roams around, she was more independent by the way of her voice and how well she was able to use a gun.
"So who exactly would you be Miss...?"
"Mai, just Mai, I doubt we aren't any bit older then even a decade, wouldn't you say, Nina if I presume." She answered in a calm tone.
"How did you-" As she started, she stopped realizing what occurred earlier.
"Guess your not so dumb as you seem. Anyway, there is a town a few miles to the west, right where this car is going. I suggest we hurry it up, 'cause them lizards are not the type that sleep in the nighttime. Last I heard they were able to even move through this place when a cool breeze was out." She remarked, pushing Ryu into a sitting posture, as she got in next to him.
"Oh no, no-no-no-no-no, I ain't going even half a mile long as that bitch is in my dune buggy, no way, no how, not a chance in hell am I driving with her in the backseat." Wes bellyached in disgust.
"C'mon Wes, I'm sure she's more kind then she was earlier. Though, you did make that remark 'bout her being a criminal." Nina lectured him, holding an index finger up and wagging him at him.
"Grrr, fine, they can come with us. But, and I mean 'but', one peep, one remark, one word, and one smart ass comment comes out of your mouth, you best start getting ready to walk, 'cause I'll toss your ass out into this desert and haul ass outta here." Wes commented, finally heading back to the car.
"He who shows his anger, falls victim to his opponent." Ichiro commented taking shotgun, as he kept his arms crossed underneath his robe.
"Whatever, the same goes for you. Keep your words to yourself." Wes answered, finally starting the Dune Buggy up once more, as he drove off towards town.
***
"Wut da fuck ya wunt biotch?!" The black man shouted to the messenger in a shrewd voice.
The girl flinched, shivering in fear as his cold emotionless eyes gazed deeply in hers.
"M-m-message for you M-M-Mr. Duane." She faltered as she shook with deep fright
Snatching it from her, he opened the envelope up as he read the note mentally and smiled with his ever so rotten teeth. The raggedy dress fiend stood to his feet snickering loudly. Standing, he proceeded over to where a large case that was locked up tightly, as he opened up the case, pulling out his still in mint conditioned rifle.
"Shit, eet ben a'while since I use dis bitch 'ere." He replied in a prideful tone as he snickered once more.
"Remember the objective of this mission; it is to capture the Fae ALIVE, and not dead, understood?"
"Biotch, git da fuck outta 'ere already, cuz ya job iz dun!" He remarked pointing the gun to her, as she backed away from him and ran off fearing to be killed.
"Dum bitch, da fing wunt even loaded, heh-hah!" Duane commented as he started laughing.
***
Slowly did his eyes open up, as Ryu glanced up at the front seat, groaning as he moved his hand slowly over his eyes rubbing them softly with his palms.
"Ryu, you're finally awake!" Nina excitedly remarked, as she hugged him tightly around the neck pulling him closer to snuggle against him.
"Nina... just where the hell are we?" He asked his mouth still able to move and his words not muttered.
"Good to see you again old pal." Wes said welcomingly, his eyes still kept on the road ahead.
"New friend of yours?" Ryu questioned, looking at Ichiro, then over to the foxgirl who sat next to him.
"Not in a million years blue boy." Mai remarked angrily.
Ichiro remained silent, obviously he wasn't the type to want to make conversation like the rest.
"Wait, what about Draco and Lecha? Are they-"
"There long gone and probably outta our way for now." Wes claimed still keeping his focus on the road.
"I don't know, after what he and I went through." Ryu replied in despair.
"Speaking of which, why would two cousins be at each others throats." Wes asked with Ryu having a wake-up call already wide eyed on his face.
Ryu looked to Nina, who only shrugged at him.
"I was only telling him what the hell happened to us." She replied innocently.
"Well, that is the truth, were blood related cousins as the family tree would put it. It all started two years ago, me and my partner Fargo had became Top Rank Peacemakers in the Peace Ranger Corps. Soon enough though, after we took down a group of wanted posse thugs, Fargo got word Draco was in town." Ryu told them of the event, of Fargo going out and the results leading to what happened to Draco.
"Damn, so your partner was the last straw. But wait, why didn't you go looking for him when you found out about him?" Wes asked once more.
"I knew about it when I was a grunt peacemaker, but nobody was tracking him at all. He was in and out faster then the bounty hunters could get him. Even the bounty hunter known as Red Baron was no match for him." Ryu answered looking down to the ground.
"Heh, sucks to be you, huh Mr. Jobless?" Mai said teasingly.
"That's not my problem, but why are you two here anyway?" Ryu demanded, very suspicious about why the two were here.
"Simple, to help protect you and the Fae from anyone out to getcha." She stated with a toothy smile.
"Right and what about you Mr. Rising Sun?" Ryu asked with a stereotypical comment.
"Watch it fool, my names Ichiro... and it is the same as Mai's to protect the Fae." He replied, with a still deep toned voice.
"Right and you two were sent I presume?" Ryu questioned as anyone would be.
"Maybe, but what's it to you?" Mai replied and countered with a question, Ichiro only remained silent.
"Can't trust people these days y'know? Specially someone who can betray us to the regents in the heat of the battle." Ryu answered with a arrogant glance on his face.
"I'm just doing what I think is right. I ain't doing it for money nor for a person." She replied angrily.
"Well, so ya do have a soft spot down there in that black heart of yours. Guess you're not a cold hearted bitch as you look to be." Wes rudely commented.
"Wes, why is it that you have to be so rude?" Nina demanded, already getting fed up by his rude remarks.
"Simple minded if you ask me." Mai answered driving the worens already short nerve.
"Watch it wench, for I do leave out to walk to town." Wes remarked, still giving her a bit of a chance.
It wasn't just the fact that she was able to use a gun that scared him, it was also the fact that she was near an ace shooter. He heard many tales of girls like this who lured men into a dark alley, attacked in the very instant killing them, and robbed them of anything valuable. He had a good reason to fear this girl, since she resembled a description of one of the girls, and he had a good reason to be so hostile toward her. Ichiro he didn't have a problem, since the guy kept to himself, but it still wasn't that trustworthy when the guy came out of nowhere and decided to help.
"How long 'til we reach town, my stomachs growling." Nina whined, already she hadn't had anything to eat in a good while.
"Were there." Wes remarked as they entered the more delicately built town.
It still maintained a more suitable look the others Nina had seen lacked. The houses still painted, and most of the area was cemented in. The asphalt was more new, seemingly replaced each year if at all redone. The place truly was wealthier then many other towns were, possibly with the winds not being so fierce around the area to be exact.
"Xenoson, one of the more eye-catching and well kept towns round these parts. These people are very anal when it comes to housekeeping, just look at the houses if you don't believe me." Wes remarked as he pointed each one out.
"Wow, your right about that Wes, though I think we should wait tomorrow for sight-seeing, specially when it is nightfall." Nina answered, holding her stomach.
"Don't worry your feathers off, there's an inn dead ahead of us." Ryu stated pointing it out to the flustered Nina, whose cheeks lit up from pale to a bright shining star of hope.
"Yippy, lets go, lets go, I'm starving here." She said, running ahead.
"Talk about eager to eat, I wonder how she stays fit?" Mai commented as she watched Nina run in.
"Wes, how much zenny do we have to spend here?" Ryu asked ignoring Mai's comment.
"Fraid all I got is enough for us three considering we need some zen to buy you som new cloths. Them two I don't think will be able to stay, less they got enough to pay for themselves." Wes stated, not so dramatic.
"I can do well outside... I sleep much better alone then with company." Ichiro stated, still sitting in the car.
"And what about you foxgirl, you got money to help yourself?" Wes ridiculed, Mai only responding with the middle finger gesture that offended mostly anyone.
"Ya little bitch, you got some nerve!" Wes answered, very offended by her attitude.
"So shoot me, you ain't gonna mock me and get away with it." She responded with a fuming tone walking past the two and inside.
"Well, that little wench has a nerve." Wes stated, clenching one of his fists tightly.
"Forget it, lets get inside and pay what we need to before Nina starts to indulge herself with more debt then we can pay." Ryu remarked, knowing how Nina could go a bit to far when eating.
***
It was near midnight in the town, and the main three already had checked into the inn. Mai found her own room elsewhere, but still kept near where Ryu was staying. Ichiro though remained in the Dune Buggy, mostly for his own reasons. Though unlike the others, he was a light sleeper, and never did sleep to often. Easily he heard footsteps trotting out of the room, as he remained silent, but breathing as though he was asleep.
Mai easily slipped out and trotted off towards an alleyway. Ichiro silently jumped out of the car, following her in a trail of pure silence, his frame hidden in the shadows cast by the dim moonlight. He stopped noticing she was making a call out.
"Yes, this is Covert Vixen reporting..."
Ichiro remained silent, listening in.
"Were in the town of Xenoson... yes, with the target as well."
She remained on the communicator, listening to all that was there.
"Yes, understood sir, Covert Vixen out." She replied, cutting communications.
She turned around, walking out from the alley and back to the inn.
"The fox sneaks off at night, and makes a call..."
Mai turned immediately around, glancing surprisingly and irritatingly towards Ichiro.
"Damn mut, just what are you doing out here?" Mai hissed, really caught off guard by his presence.
"Wench... I know your true face... and who commands you." Ichiro replied glaring at her with anger.
"So whacha gonna do about it samurai?" She spat back hastily.
"Simple... defeat you in combat." He replied walking forth.
"Defeat me, why not just say 'kill me 'fore sunrise'?" She hissed at him.
"I follow the teachings of Shin Du Kun... the arts of self defense with a katana... and I have sworn never to use this weapon to slain anyone. Murder is not the order of Shin Du Kun." He stated in a calm tone, almost unguarded.
"Fool, you're nothing but a damn fool is what you are. Then again, why not fight now, to dark for you to even see a bullet make impact within you?" She commented, trying to get under his skin.
"They will suspect something when they wake up... but tell me, would you risk these townsfolk lives just to complete your objective? I don't know what you take more importantly, but all I want is to find the one who may well be a regent." He remarked turning around and going off guard for an easy shot.
"The townsfolk are asleep, if you want to fight, it is best to start it now." Mai lectured, reaching for her gun.
"I suspect someone else is heading here." He replied still walking off, leaving the halfbreed kitsune stunned.
"H-H-how? You can't-"
"Mind reader, no, but your reply already proves me correct." He stated, continuing on.
"Grrr, you will regret ever crossing me Ichiro, mark my words, you will bite the dust tomorrow." She rasped at him.
***
The huge sport car-made Dune Buggy roamed through the desert with loud bass booms, as it roared through the desert. The driver was none other then Duane, who easily represented the typical idiot that most people labeled a 'degenerate'. He was more self-absorbed then most, and mostly got along with those who spoke exactly like him. Though for a regent, he was not one of the more successful types in life. After the 'Dragon Purge', as it was properly named, the man enjoyed a brief moment of fame, before his fund ran dry. Unlike the others who went off and found another life to move on, Duane partied, thinking it would last forever.
Though like a rocket going up into the clouds, it eventually comes back to earth. He ended up broke and left by everyone who he thought were truly his friends. His life for the past decades was a variable struggle, he was forced to live under welfare and drift from town to town. Yet, he now was promised a good ransom on what the Fae was worth would be enough to give him a life, maybe even enough to get him on track.
"Dat bird gonna gif me 'a life back, 'n sum fresh bling-bling ash well." He said in his ever so annoying ghetto way.
***
Morning finally came, and the sun had finally reached the quarter part of the sky. Xenosan seemed less crowded then other places, but there still was some activity with children in the streets. Ryu, who took a saggy shirt that was found in his dresser, walked out the door, looking around town, and seeing the kids play.
"Here, I hope this will be enough for cloths." Wes commented, handing Nina a bag of zenny.
"So you lied to them, just to keep some of the money?" Nina remarked, aghast by what Wes had pulled.
"I don't care what you think, you two are the only ones I actually do trust. Sides, them two can take care of themselves. specially when they traveled that desert alone, I'm sure they don't need zen." We replied, walking off, hauling his coffin behind his back.
"Always thinking of those dearest I guess." Ryu commented with a snort.
"Who cares, lets get you some better looking cloths, you really could use some." Nina said, with a wide mischievous grin on her face.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no way, there ain't no chance I'm gonna try on several piles of cloths. I'm going there only for a new tank top and trench coat, nothing else." Ryu said, glancing bitterly to Nina.
"Pwease Ryu, just this once." Nina pleaded with teary eyes.
"Gah, why do you have to use that face on me." He sighed, shaking his head.
"'Cause you easily give into my desires when you see it." She replied with a victorious smile on her face.
"One day it won't effect me you know. Though, why don't you do the clothing fashion and I'll sit back and watch." Ryu suggested, Nina's face immediately lightened up brighter then a fluorescent light.
"Oh Ryu, you're the best." She said, hugging him tightly, as she nuzzled against him.
"Okay, lets just get going." He said, scratching his chest, the shirt did itch a lot.
The two walked out into the shopping sector of town, searching for the shopping outlet.
***
The woren strolled around the town, glancing at a few children playing with a few toys, he snorted silently, jealous of how much fun they were having at their age.
"Hey there sonny, whacha got in that coffin of yours?" Asked an old man who stood nearby.
The old man was dressed like a mechanic, soiled collared shirt and jeans, even with a few oil marks along his arms and face. His face a bit wrinkled for his age, he still held his strength in his arm. His head obviously was bald, why else would he be wearing a pilot's helmet with goggles.
"Why the hell you wanna know, plan to steal it?" Wes snapped back, easily suspicious of the man.
"Steal it, I would be taking it back mind you. That there is a coffin I designed for protecting supplies, but...last I heard, that thing was being used to haul two mini-guns if I'm not mistake." The old man answered, crossing his arms.
"Yes, if you must know." Wes remarked, glaring towards the old man.
"I have a deal for you woren, and to make it proof, there's an emblem of Dennis Coffins Service inside." The old man replied, Wes opened it up looking around, as he gasped noticing the trademark the old man mentioned earlier.
"I can make that thing a powerhouse for a highway robbery price of one- thousand zenny." The old man said, glancing at the coffin.
"Powerhouse huh? So why the cheap price, just what's in it for you?" Wes asked, very suspicious of why the old man wanted to fool with something like this.
"It's been a while since I worked with one. All I have done in my lifetime is create things, and improve. This one I had an idea, but I was forced to sell it when I was in bankruptcy. I have the parts, all I need is the main piece, which you are carrying." The old man replied with a smirk.
"Yes, and how long is this gonna take you anyway?" Wes questioned, wanting to know how long it would be to wait.
"A few hours at most, come see me at the Doc's Garage in two hours. 'Til then, kill some time." The old man remarked, holding out his hand, as Wes handed him the zenny, and then the coffin.
The old man took it in two hands, but wasn't to strong to even carry it over his shoulders. He placed it on his back, slowly moving forward, as he pulled the coffin along with him, making his way back to the garage. Wes only turned walking off, for someone who claimed to own it, he sure didn't do well in carrying it like Wes could.
"Old man better keep his word, else I'm gonna give him a bruising." Wes thought, not very liking to the old man.
***
"How do I look?" Nina asked, stepping out in a shirt skirt outfit, white as silk around the upper part, and dark red at the skirt. Complete with a blue scarf tired around her collar, she easily could get a few viewers.
"Hmm, I'll admit its cute, but you sure you want to dress like that outside, you look more like a schoolgirl for one thing." Ryu commented, as he remained seated near the changing closets.
"Oh, and what would you rather I wear, some skimpy two piece leather claddings?" She replied with dismay.
"No, but something more appropriate then that kimono would be better." He said, smoothing out the wrinkles in his trench coat.
"Why, cause it's not what most people wear?" She grumbled, glaring with the evil eyes that almost every women possessed.
"Well, yes. I mean, with your thong showing it is kinda degrading." Ryu stated, Nina only standing there with a blank look.
"Well, get used to it then, I'm gonna keep wearing one." She said, as she pulled out what seemed to be another kimono, this one a violet color and more hugging round the waist then usual.
"Woah... living on the wild side I see." He replied, glancing her new costume over.
"Wouldn't have it any other way." She answered with an innocent smile.
***
A loud engine revved, as a car came roaring into town at a more dangerous pace of speed. Ramming alongside one of the fruit vender stands, it veered left, nearly running a child over, as it turned again, and stopped directly in the middle of the town. The door of the dune buggy slowly opened, as a man clad in a long green checkerboard shirt stepped out of the car, long baggy jeans covering his feet, and a bandana wrapped around his short cut hair. Duane glanced around the entire town, taking a sniff in the air, as he lifted his triple barreled gun up, and took aim, residents already running off and shutting every door and window's, obviously not knowing of the guy as a regent since his fall from fame.
"Bastads, ya dumazzes be trip'n." He replied, glancing around the town with eager eyes.
"Birdy, come out come out whereeva ya are." He mocked almost out of character considering how he spoke.
His eyes shot behind, as a man hiding behind a trashcan easily panted a bit to loud. Duane walked slowly and surprisingly quietly over, as he kicked the trashcan over.
"Bitch, I wun ta know where da fuck iz dat fae at, ya know wut im sayin?" He said, pointing the gun to the shivering mans face.
The man gulped, pointing towards the outlet, Duane snickering as he kicked the man in the gut hard, forcing him to fall to the ground.
"Pussy, ya ain't nutin but a fuckin' pussy." Duane remarked, as he walked towards the shopping outlets.
***
Wes as usual sat at the bar, drinking his beer, as he took a deep breath, listening to the chatter of most of the drunken folks who were sitting at the tables, laughing mindlessly, as they all laughed. Wes didn't get to deep into their conversation; he mostly wanted to ignore them. He looked up at the clock, taking a deep sigh.
Time wasn't passing fast enough for him, ever minute seemed more an hour, every second a minute.
'Damn it, just how the hell am I suppose to kill some time?' He though, slamming his hand down furiously onto the table.
Time sure was getting on his nerve, but he had no way of speeding things up.
***
In another area of town, the poverty area of town, where most of the poor folks who were more lazy lived and worked in low class jobs from janitor to basic restaurant worker, they were all low paid for their own reasons. Few were smart, and most actually were in debt because of their own mistakes that they made in their lives of pitiful desires.
"Time to settle this mut!" Mai stated, as she drew out her gun, taking aim towards his heart.
Ichiro only unsheathed his blade, lowering to his side. He remained still, almost waiting for her to open fire. Mai showed no resentment to what was about to do, she pulled the trigger hastily, knowing full well the samurai had no stars or long range throwing tools to save him.
In the same instant, almost like a shadow, Ichiro shifted the flat-edge of his katana to the position right before his heart, his blade rotated to a rebounding angle, as he remained standing, his katana still in one piece. Mai growled, noticing he was still standing.
"What?! It must be an illusion!!" She shouted firing once more, as with each shot did Ichiro shift his arms to move the blade carefully, and rotating the blade at a angle away from him and the houses did each bullet rebound with a loud 'thwang', he remained still, a stern poker faced look still pursed on his fur covered face.
"Bastard, how the hell can you even move that fast, even accurately pinpoint where each of my shots will go?" She angerly spat.
"Bullets disrupt the winds coarse... the shrill sound that they give when they do is enough of a giveaway." He replied wisely.
"Grr, well, lets see just how long you can last." She said, her hands slowly moving and reloading her gun cartridge, as she fired on once more, Ichiro repeating each of his movements, defending himself against the onslaught of the shots.
Mai took a few steps back, Ichiro remained still defense position, his face still locked onto her.
"Your good, but every being has a flaw and yours is overconfidence." She stated unleashing a few more shots onto him.
He once more took each down sending them away with the flat side of his katana. He remained calm and in control with a still emotionless gaze on his face.
"Serene Raindrops ALWAYS triumph over the raging fires." He conjured, easily making a connection on the battles outcome.
"You're damn tales are old and outdated as your weapon and skills are." She bitterly yelled, reloading her weapon.
Ichiro said nothing more, he remained calm and silent keeping his eyes locked on her weapon. Her fingers already show tenseness, her eyes burned with the outcome of stress. She wasn't at all calm, her anger was already clouding her mind and thought. Ichiro knew the path to one like that, the result being death.
Mai took a deep breath and shot forth once more, only this time her shots were even close to hitting, as Ichiro took one leap and evaded each with ease. She groaned with disgust, seeing how easily he avoided them.
"Why in the hell won't you just die!!" She shouted as she reloaded her weapon and fired more rounds.
Ichiro easily moved and seemingly was trekking away from her, heading elsewhere in the town.
"No you don't you're not getting away that easily!" She muttered pursuing him.
***
A few loud blasts rang through the front glass expo as shards scattered across the ground.
Ryu and Nina immediately took cover, as did most of the others upon the loud gunshot. The sound of glass being crushed echoed through the building, steps moving closer to where most others were.
"I know ya en 'ere ber-die." Duane muttered obnoxiously still advancing towards them.
Ryu immediately reached for his Angle Wing handgun, as he knew it was possibly a Gunsmith Regent. Whoever this one was, it wasn't the type who was careful who he shot at nor how much damage he could cause. Taking one quick glance to Nina, who remained on the ground with a fearful look on her face as if very afraid of what was nearby. Leaping forth, Ryu opened fire at the regent and ran sideways keeping an dead-eye lock on his target as he fired forth.
His bullets were stopped dead in their tracks as the absolute defense shield illuminated over the Regents body. Duane only laughed, unleashing a counter assault as he fired directly at Ryu, tearing a mannequin's clothing and the mannequin itself up. Ryu took cover behind a counter, as he opened his gun, reloading the barrels, cursing several times as he knew full well it was not an easy fight. He knew how he beat the last one and for him it was a nightmare. He nearly went berserk if it wasn't for Nina's voice that stoped him dead in place.
Glancing to Nina and moving his lips, she easily could understand his request by the way his lips moved. His words were none other then 'Go and get some backup!' and without a second to hesitate, she stood to her feet dusting her kimono off making her way carefully to the exit. Ryu took a deep breath, as the Regent fire upon his position once more.
" 'Ere dat bird at biotch?" Duane demanded as he opened his shotgun up replacing the shells inside, locking it into place once more, and taking aim once more.
"Huh, just what the hell are you saying? You must be illiterate or brain- dead with the way your mouth is moving. You must also be the dunce of the regents considering every group has a idiot within it." Ryu stated rudely.
Duane right near were Ryu hide, really wanting to startle him out of hiding.
"Shut ya mouth bitch, cuz I'll kill ya ass." Duane commented advancing in on where Ryu was hidden.
"Damn, right in the worst time at all. Nina, better get the backup quick and fast." He mentally though seeing as how deadly the regent was getting with each passing second.
***
Nina ran through town knowing by heart where to find Wes. Where there was a bar, there was a place where Wes would just about always be. She made her way across town with little time to spare, finding a bar as she stepped casually inside, glancing around. A few men shut their traps, staring like idiots at her and dropping their jaws. They obviously had never seen a lady with little clothing on; why else would they be so silent-struck when she walked inside the bar.
She glances around, immediately finding Wes in no time at all. She rushed over gently giving him a tap on the shoulder. Wes slowly turned, glimpsing her over, he once mellow expression turned to questioning.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" He whispered apprehensive about her safety.
"Ryu's ran into trouble, another Regent has arrived and he's raising a whole lotta hell in the outlet area." She spoke, taking in deep breaths as she did.
Wes slammed a fist down on the counter, muttering curse words under his breath as he did.
"Damn, that old bastard must have tricked me into giving him that weapon as a trap." He muttered angrily in a whisper.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Nina asked, puzzled by his last remark.
Wes only stood up from his stool and ran towards the exit, easily leaving Nina standing there alone in the bar. She followed his lead, exiting the bar, but at the pace he ran, he was very far ahead of her as it was.
"Of all things... wait up Wes!" She shouted as she followed him.
***
Ichiro continued to avoid each of the shots Mai repetitively fired. The grassrunner repeatedly avoided each in a seemingly pose striking manner.
"Keep dancing all you want, your grave is already dug!" She yelled continuing her attack.
Ichiro only made movements away from her leading her into the outlet plaza, where he stopped forth, taking a defensive stance. Mai dashed forward, about to open fire when she noticed the glass shattered in front of the store exposé. She glanced around, noticing the damage already unleashed upon the area, several people laying dead on the floor, blood stained clothing with holes scatted in one area.
"All these innocent people... were murdered by the Gunsmith regent." Ichiro stated as he took a few steps forward.
"What gives you that idea? How are you sure that the peacemaker didn't get ahold of a new gun?" Mai conjectured at him.
"He's a handgun user, not a shotgun slinger. These bullet marks resemble shotgun shell pellets that scatter when shot off. These though are different, its as if that regent has more then two barrels." He remarked glancing over to her.
"I know who it is by name, but I don't know him personally." Mai remarked with resent.
***
The door burst open as Wes immediately entered, inspecting the garage entirely and finding who he was looking for. The old man was still at work on the weapon. Wes carefully made his way through the scrap littered floor, moving towards the old man who was at work. The loud drilling sounds of tools were the only noises that filled the few light bulb lit room.
"OLD MAN, IS MY GUN READY YET?" Wes yelled out loud, almost roaring.
The old man still kept working, almost as if he couldn't hear anything but his own power tools.
"OLD MAN!!!" Wes shouted again, getting the same response of silence.
Being the kind of guy Wes was, he couldn't stand being ignored even twice. He knew getting close could cost him a body part or a lawsuit, one thing he wasn't going to go into. His other resort was to catch the old mans attention in what could though result in trouble. Wes didn't think clearly when the clock was ticking and desperate times called for measure that were not the best.
Grabbing one of the cut pieces of metal, he chucked it up at one of the nearest light bulbs accurately and broke the bulb open into shards of glass. The loud drilling stopped as the old man pulled his goggles from his face, glancing over to him death-eyed.
"CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!" Wes yelled after taking a few steps closer to the old man, his voice loud enough to easily blow the eardrums out of the other side of ones head.
"Watch it wiper-snapper, good work takes time, but your time is not worth anything since you seem so impatient that you go and destroy an old mans lighting. The deals off!" The old man angrily replied, as he started off.
The door that was barged through opened slowly, as Nina walked in, panting for air. She looked to Wes, still with innocent eyes, but her fast flustered from having to run after him. The old man immediately went wide eyed as she walked directly inside the room.
"Well, what can I do for ya young lady." The old man asked, glancing at her with more desire-filled eyes.
Nina glimpsed at him, a frown pursed on her face as she glanced into his eyes. Wes walked over to her, nudging her in the ribs, giving her a wink, as he shoved her forth.
"Well, um... could ya finish that doohickey you were working on in a jiffy?" Nina asked ever so adorably.
"I could for a pretty face like yours... but, I want a kiss from you." He said leaning in closer to her, as she blushed.
Nina was uneasy at the though of a dirty old man getting a kiss just so he would do what he wanted. Yet, for Ryu who had a very great disadvantage when dealing with a Regent. She took a deep breath, pursing her lips slowly moving forward, she gave a feint but still skin touching kiss on the old mans crumpled cheek.
The old man seemed to almost freeze right there, remaining in a deep trance with eye wide. He took a quick shiver, before screaming a loud 'booo-yah' cry and in an instant he went back to the coffin as he rapidly moved each of his tools along the metal coffin, slowly welding the final parts together. It only took a few minutes when he stopped taking a deep breath, pulling his goggles off his eyes, taking a deep breath as he glanced over to the woren.
"Hah. now this is top quality. You best use it for good use Woren." He said, stepping away from the coffin, and motioning the woren to step forth and take it.
Wes reached over, picking it up, as he noticed a few changes, mostly the handle on the side he carried it by. Clicking a few buttons on the bottom, he opened up the chambers, one a missile pack and the other with two vertically aligned dual chain guns.
"Yeah, this is beastly." Wes commented, moving it into several positions finding the best targeting movement.
"Wes, lets go, Ryu isn't going to last to long if we keep stalling." She remarked, her face growing sour and pleading for him to move it.
***
Shots were blasted into the bar, blowing several small sized holes in the front wall of the saloon. Ryu kept his position behind the counter, taking a deep breath and timing each of the shots, waiting for a delay to react.
"Pusseh, hidin' en dere like a bitch ya are." Duane spat and fired once more into the bar.
As soon as he fired, Ryu leaped over the barstool and opened fire through the windows and entrance. It was more then obvious that after the shot he had a few seconds to get a few rounds off. His aim only random, but one was dead on blocked only by the defense shield Duane had protecting him. Dashing outside, Ryu reached in his pocket, feeling around for a few bullets, finding none in them, as he gasped.
"Wut, ya out 'a bullets? Ya a dead bitch now!" Duane yelled taking aimed directly at Ryu.
A shot from broke his main view as he turned behind and opened fire, but found nobody standing right where the bullet came from.
"Missed Duane!" Mai yelled as he glanced over to where Mai was standing, gun in hand and smoking.
"Ya bitch, ya got's a nerve ta fires on ya own partna, ya know wut I'm sayin'?" He muttered taking aim.
"No, we don't know what the hell you're saying 'cause ya talk like an idiot ya nigger!" Wes yelled making his entrance into the scene.
"NIGGER!? NOBUDY CALL ME A NIGGER, 'SPECIALLY GOD DAMN WOREN." He yelled, his face truly overwhelmed in anger as he opened fire on Wes.
The woren set his coffin in front of him, blocking the spread as he pressed the switch in the middle, the trigger handle for the mini guns sliding out, as well as the two mini-gun turrets. Throwing it over his shoulders as he pulled the trigger, and unleashed a heavy wave of bullets, each stopped by the shield.
"Dat ain't nuthin!" Duane commented raising his gun to make shots once more.
"GIGAFLARE!!" Nina yelled, as she flew down from above, casting her spell directly at him, a huge wave of flames enveloped around him, the shields blocking, but flickering as the force was pushing the shield to the limit.
Wes cut the rapid fire, moving it to the back area of the coffin; he opened the missile compartment, taking lock on aim, pulling hastily on the trigger and fired his mini rocket away, as it impacted the shield with a loud explosion, the green shield easily dimmed out, as Ichiro dived in and with the dexterity of his hands, he forced the Gun from Duane's hands, and kicked the man onto the ground.
"Ya wunt git away wif dis, ya hear meh!" He muttered, Mai advancing in on him, her gun still in her hand.
Slowly Duane pushed himself up, taking a deep breath, his bloodshot eyes narrowed to the grim faced Mai, who glared down at him despicably.
"See ya in hell, nigger!" She said, placing the nose of her magnum to Duane's forehead and immediately pulled the trigger as she sent him down in one fierce shot.
Duane fell to the ground dead, as Mai turned, walking off and away from him.
"Hold it Mai!" Wes yelled, pointing his weapon towards her, set in the chain gun mode to fire off.
Mai stopped, glaring at him ever so irritated.
"What the hell is your problem now woren?!" She demanded angrily.
"You're with the regents, and I ain't planning on letting you live." He remarked, slowly moving his hand to the trigger.
"Gee, you just relized that?" She snapped back, still looking at him with no fear of his weapon.
"I knew you were a bitch when I first saw you, but a spy for the regents, you outta be dead for even meeting us!" Wes yelled with a blood red face of boiling anger.
"Well, guess your not so dumb, I was Spy Mai of the Gunsmith regents, but to think they are going as far as risking lives of the innocence, I don't plan to work for them." She replied, pulling out her transmitter, as she chucked it into the air, and fired on it with her last bullet.
"Bah, I still don't trust you, so di-" Wes was cut short, as Ichiro pressed a vital blood vain around the neck, putting the woren out of commission.
Mai only snorted, cracking a bright glance as she looked to Ichiro. Ryu stood there, while he wasn't the type to keep silent, he knew it wasn't a good idea to try and interfere with Wes when he was pissed off. Nina though couldn't speak, with all that happened, she was exhausted by the spell she cast and shocked by the fact that Mai was with the group that was now out for her. Ryu glanced over at her, advancing to her, as he put an arm on her shoulder.
"All in a days work you could say." He said, looking down at the dead regent.
"Guess too many surprises that have hit me. I just can't believe all this trouble is over little 'ol me." She replied sadly, shaking her head.
"Oh well, let's just get back to the inn, if it's still open. We still need some zenny though." He conjured, proceeding back to the Inn.
Nina nodded, following right behind him.
***
"So where to next Ryu?" Nina asked leaning over his shoulder.
"Delfina, not a grand town like this, but it does have a steady supply of lights. Then again... we still have to get one thing settled." He responded in despair.
***
"Hell no, I ain't letting that bitch ride in my damn dune buggy!!" Wes shouted refusing the idea.
"Wes, get a grip and stop being so damn stubborn. You did make the first comment that set her off, so you are the one to blame!" Ryu lectured, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Bite me Ryu, that bitch can stay here and find her own ride!" Wes stated, as he tighted a few straps that kept his coffin restrained to the buggy.
"C'mon Wes, she is on our side." Nina pleaded, Wes stopping as he took a sigh.
He glimpsed over to her, seeing her ever so cute and irresistible face that he never could say no to. Taking a deep sigh, not wanting to go through with it, but not able to have the will to say no.
"Fine, I will allow her, but I don't want to hear a god damn peep from her. Otherwise I will kill her!" He stated, turning back and continuing his work.
So far, they had got all they needed, mostly extra zenny and supplies. They were set to go, to their next stop Delfina. Selling the car Duane had for half price did bring in enough for the next stop and with a few new cases of ammo; they were stocked for whatever laid ahead of them.
"All set, get your asses in there else I'm leaving you behind." Wes remarked, as he opened the drivers side, getting inside.
The party once more got in the same way they had earlier, Ichiro shotgun, Mai behind Wes, Nina on the opposite side and Ryu in the middle. Turning the ignition key, Wes started up the buggy, driving off into the desert, knowing where the next destination was.
**************************************************************************** **********
Next time:
Draco: Kenton, city of outcasts, scumbags, and thieves. Let your guard down and they'll kill you right then and there. The town of poverty it is, but even in a ruthless town like this cannot strike fear into the hearts of regents, specially the one that is armored by his skin. He's in for more trouble, cause I'm gonna make his day.
Next time: Unleash the Dragon
Authors notes: To make a few things clear, no, I am not black, I am white. Sides, curse word or not, this is fictional, so anyone who doesn't like the fact that I used that word, beat it. I will admit the last parts aren't my best, guess I kinda am lacking since I didn't write much last week. Maybe I just need a break, but I MIGHT revise it, if I feel like it. Otherwise, deal with it, cause I ain't one that is going to make this look great just for a few dumb anal authors. Read my profile for the rest.
Also, I'd like to thank Cole W, Haytham, Angelkitty, Shadow4ever, and Cat- Star4 for your reviews. Artificer Urza, I would thank you for some, but considering how long this chapter is and what you have done in the past (not to be offensive, just to clarify) when I had long chapters, well, knowing you, there is going to be complaints about it being this way. But hey, I ain't going to make it into a three chapter part, cause then it will be as crappy as Dragon Ball Z where one fight spans several episodes just about (bah, I HATE DBZ, sorry fans, its my opinion.) I do respect some, but I can stand so much when I can't stands no more and some people are easy to predict.
Anyway, read on and keep them reviews coming.