Kenton, a town that was poor by its run down houses with several boards
nailed to the rotten areas of the houses. Most of the people who lived
there were thieves or two bit murderers who took safe haven in a rotten
town such as this. Nobody ever did visit this place mostly because of the
murders that occurred often. Draco though was not frightened of the place
at all, he was already a legendary murderer and he had the skills to take
any of the sucker stabbing bastards down in one shot.
Lecha though wasn't too comfortable here. She always was a bit uneasy when in a town that had been a place where girls were rapped often. Even with the shotgun she packed, it was still nothing when she was snuck up on.
"Scumtown central... almost hard enough to find anyone you can trust here." Draco remarked taking a step forward.
"Were almost low on ammunition Draco and this town isn't no merchant's home." Lecha commented, glancing around the shackled-town, shivering disgustedly.
"I don't like it here either, but we both know how the deserts are at night. Perfect time for the bandits to roam and loot, we're just the perfect target to them." Draco replied as he walked into the inn making a arrangements to stay.
Lecha remained where she was, guarding the jeep to keep it safe from anyone who might run up and try to tear a few things off just to make a profit off chopping most of the car up. Mostly, the jeep wasn't one with a fully functional car alarm, but in the town of Kenton, it was nothing that would be reported.
Lecha remembered how this town became a hive for the vile pigs that lived here. It was the town that housed a few Black Marketing operations, but it was soon abandoned when a few Peacemakers and Soldiers of the Law discovered. They launched a raid, killing several of the members and many innocent lives. It was a stain to the Soldiers and Peacemakers, but rumors were spread that the townspeople kept it a secret and did try to attack them. Not many dared approach, nobody tried to rebuild, or repair all that was destroyed. Crooks fled and made haven to this place, knowing full well it was not a place many were near. All in the last decade did the area become a pig-style and not anyone would dare try to clean it up.
Nobody could since only the outlaws lived and even anyone who tried ended up dead. It was worse then a town full of ghetto ass Negroes. Lecha took a sigh, but her guard up; she knew full well that she was not alone. In the shadows had the creeps of hell hid themselves.
Turning to her side, she double-take seeing a small girl running off towards the alleyway. Lecha noticed already she had stolen one of the purses holding her zenny. The girl though cloaked by a hood over her head, it was obvious she was young just by the way she accelerated as she made her way off into the alleyway. Lecha though wasn't going to let just some little punk run off. She started off pursuing the little thief, her eyes locked on to the trail of the little wench who had her money.
How she knew it was a girl was by the frame of the body that the girl had. Keeping her speed on the girl, she ran after and closed in on the girl, grabbing her by the hood, pulling it off of her head.
"What the hell?!" Lecha knew full well of there being many kids who robbed to live in the town, but harens, mainly the clan with rabbit ears were not considered to even live in the town, especially when the females were always a target for raping.
"Lemme go, lemme go!" The girl rasped as she struggled to break free.
"Uh-uh, drop the purse you little brat!!" Lecha demanded, pulling her closer to her.
"Bite me you wench!" She spat back, still struggling to escape.
Lecha had had enough resistance from the child, taking her shotgun in her hand, she whacked the kid over the head with the butt of her gun. The young haren fell to the ground, unconscious and asleep. Lecha picked up her purse and the kid, taking both back to the hotel.
"Where the hell have you been?" Draco asked, his arms crossed and glancing bitterly over to Lecha.
"Catching a red handed thief, so we got a room yet?" She asked, throwing the purse over to him as he caught it with ease.
"Yep, and we better take the car to garage nine, that way we can lock it up and keep it safe." He mentioned as he opened the car door, checking the interior and exterior for any sign of sabotage.
With no eminent fixings of danger, he opened the car door, getting inside, Lecha on the shotgun side, kid still in her hands. Starting the car up, Draco took it to the garage, glancing over the very secure area, as he closed the door, and locked it, knowing full well it was said to be the real secure area. Draco hoped that saying was true, as he looked at the still in mint conditioned garage.
"Lets get to our place; no telling what fucks may try and ambush us." He mentioned, making haste back to the hotel.
Even as the greatest outlaw, in a town of backstabbers, there was no honor in how they won, they would kill someone from a long distance in order to gain victory. He wasn't taking any chances and engaging into a fight with anyone who dared to even challenge him.
"So who's the kid?" Draco questioned looking the unconscious girl over.
"A little thief that tried to steal our zenny." She answered with a sigh.
" So why the hell you knock her out and bring them with you?" Draco asked, walking after her and standing beside them.
"Discipline... she really is a brat to try and steal from us." Lecha said with a evil smile pursed on her face.
***
Slowly the girls eyes awakened with a groan of awareness, as she glanced around the poor area, still partially asleep.
"Rise and shine, THIEF!!!" Lecha said pointing the gun at the little wench.
The girl spotted it, as she struggled to try to move, finding herself tied up.
"Like I was gonna let you move freely." The girl stopped, but put on a careless face, looking away from her.
"I don't know who you are, but you stole from the wrong person, 'cause we don't take kindly to people who do." Lecha mentioned pressing the gun against the girls face once more.
"Think I'm scared of you, ya old bat!! You can't kill little 'ol me." The girl replied glancing directly into Lecha's face and stuck out her tongue.
"Wanna bet?!" Lecha snarled back, as he index finger dwindled around the trigger.
"That's enough Lecha!!" Draco yelled, as he walked over to her.
"She needs to learn her lesson, the hard way if anything!" Lecha commented as she cast a tempered glare towards Draco.
"Bad enough you knocked her out, dragged her here, and tied her up, but I ain't gonna stand by and have you threaten to kill her." He said, pushing her gun aside, giving a fury glance at Lecha, as he undid the bonds to the girl.
Lecha said nothing, she stood there crossing her arms the shaking her head.
"You alright little one?" Draco asked calmly.
"Who you calling little!?" She snapped back, as she kicked him in the shin.
Draco jumped feeling her kick him as he grasped it, glaring angrily at her.
"You little-"
Draco was about to leap forward and strangle her, but was stopped as Lecha restrained him.
"Draco, what the hell are you planning to do, kill this child?" Lecha asked, trying to keep Draco back.
"No, just choke her 'til she is dead!!" He remarked trying to lunge forward at the girl.
The girl's eyes widen in surprise, as she looked the guy over.
"Wait, that guy's Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, and its gonna be one more to the kills list when I get my hands on you!" He growled, still restrained by Lecha.
He finally broke free, charging to the kid as the girl moved to the side when he leaped at her. Draco crashed into the Chester draws, a few of the draws opened as he collided into the set.
"Hee hee, silly Draco." The girl said, walking over and patting him on the head.
Draco immediately grabbed her, and wrapped his hands around her neck.
"Opossum gets its prey." He said, giving her a wink in the eye as his lighted his grip.
The girl knew what he was trying to do, since he winked at her with his right eye, the one that Lecha didn't see was on. Slowly she pretended to choke as Lecha ran over, trying to pull Draco's arms away. The girl seemed to act well, since she duped Lecha into believing he was.
The girl went unconscious, her tongue hanging from her mouth. Lecha growled angrily, casting a fury emotion to the guy, who smiled almost finding it hilarious.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SMILING ABOUT, YOU KILLED A KID." She yelled bitterly, but went half silent as she heard a small childish giggle.
"Gotcha lady!" The girl said sitting herself up as she gave a toothy smile to Lecha.
"What! This was joke?" Lecha spat in disbelief.
"Yep, to getcha back for trying to threaten the girl's life." Draco said standing to his feet.
"Why you!!" Lecha said, taking the gun and nearly striking Draco when the girl jumped in front, hugging Lecha purposely.
"Hey, get off 'a me!" Lecha said, shaking herself to try and get the girl off.
"Seems she taken a liking to you already Lecha." Draco said with a laugh.
"Grrr, you wait Draco, I will get you back for this?!" She replied angrily.
"Don't hurt Draky, he's just trying to teach you a lesson 'bout threatening me." The girl said innocently.
Draco's face went from humored to serious as he glanced at her annoyed.
"Draky? Kiddo, what is your name?" He asked trying to keep his cool.
"My mother named me Gaby, so that's what I am named truthfully." She said sliding off Lecha.
"Gaby huh? Well, how to say this without sounding harsh... Don't call me Draky or anything else that sounds cute!" He said raising his tone, as Gaby glanced sadly down to the ground.
"Sorry Mr. Draco." She replied with a frowning glance.
"M-Mr.? Okay, now-"
"She is younger then you Draco, so your practically an adult to her." Lecha mentioned taking a seat on the bed.
"I'd rather she call me just Draco and nothing else. I don't like being called anything cute or nicknamed." He replied angrily.
"Like Uncle Draky?" She said with a light giggle.
Draco didn't say anything; the girl was young and full of energy obviously. She was also being more innocent and cute just by mocking him to see him flare up.
"Yes... like that little Wrabby." He said with a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Hey!!" Gaby replied with a teeth clenched frown pursed on her face.
"So what you think about staying with us for the evening Gaby?" Draco asked with a more calm toned voice.
Gaby's face brightened as she nearly jumped high in the air and ran forth tackling Draco to the ground as she hugged him gleefully.
"You're the best Mr. Draco." She said, her arms around his neck hugging him tightly.
Draco slowly gagged as Gaby kept her grip around his neck.
"Gaby dear, your choking Draco." Lecha mentioned, Gaby slowly letting go, as she flushed innocently to the now air gasping Draco.
"Sowwy." She replied adorably.
"No need, your still a kid and I ain't got it in me to kill you at all." He said taking a deep breath.
"Lets get some sleep, while we still have a chance... but we better be careful, cause I got a bad feeling about the people here." Lecha said glancing around the weak, paint cracked walls.
"Gaby, do people here rob their customers during the night?" Draco asked glancing towards Gaby.
"Not sure, but anyone in this town ain't nobody to trust, 'cept me." She said with a devious smile.
"Better not, else we are gonna getcha for trying to rob us." Draco seriously replied, cracking his knuckles.
"Tell you the truth... I never did like this town at all... I just wonder from town to town and two years ended up here. I hate it here, having to fend for yourself every day and the hostility everyone gives ya. I can't stand it, but I can't leave." She said speaking on a depressed tone of voice.
"You were abandoned, weren't you?" Lecha asked laying down in her bed.
"Yes, I was." Gaby replied sadly.
"Well, we take you in, but we got enough problems as it is. I don't know if a kid like you can pull her own weight in battle, 'specially the ones were about to encounter." Draco stated staring outside at the half moon in the sky.
"You always seem to find your way out of bounty hunters, what's so different about this one?" Gaby asked full of questions.
"Were against... the Gunsmith Regents..." Draco stated seriously, as Gaby's face went from curious to shock out of her wits.
It was then that nothing more was said, it was almost too much for the three in the room to even consider. Draco though didn't feel at ease, he knew of the ratio of Gaby being a regent was very high. Even if she stole, it could only be a cover under the childish smile, the youth face; she could be very well their undercover operative.
Lying down, he looked over to his love, before feeling someone crawl up between them and rest her head at the side of them.
"I hope you don't snore loud." Draco remarked with narrow eyes.
"I bet it's not as loud as you." She remarked with a toothy smile.
Draco only turned away, closing his eyes, as he started to fall asleep. Somehow, Gaby seemed to be more of a kid then a dangerous problem.
***
At the nightclub known as 'Exotic Beat', a huge line of people stand before waiting to get in as each passes through the checkpoint bouncer.
"Name?" The bouncer asked glancing at them through his sunglasses, emotionless as they made him.
"Forest A. Clarence and a few of my friends Greg, Patrick, Nelson, and a few girls, Nancy, Clair, Florence, and Lulu." He mentioned, as the bouncer checked over the list over, taking a deep breath.
"Move along." He directed opening the door, motioning them to proceed.
A few tried to run past but the bouncer moved in front.
"Single file line now!!" He yelled waiting for one of them to reply.
"Fuck this!" one of them yelled, a white man dressed more likely like he was a ghetto man.
A few took out guns and took aim to the bouncer, who remained still.
"Best check dat list, 'cause me and my homboys are on it, names Devon, and da others are Blitz, Jerome, Bling, and Shorty. So check ya list already!" The white guy demanded, still holding the gun to the bouncer.
"You amigo's need to get yah heads on straight." A Spanish accent voice called out.
"Wut bitch dey cun mez wit us!" Cried one of the men.
"Invulnerable Blake of the Gunsmith Regents you desperadoes. Back off or you're dead." Blake mentioned walking forth.
He was dressed in a large mixed color garment that covered his chest that covered his long sleeved white shirt. , a long sombrero hat covering his head, but his yellow eyes glanced with terror towards the punks. His long indigo jeans hung down to his boots, as he held a magnum in one hand, and a shotgun, double barrel, in the other.
"Invulnerable my ass, you probably were back en da day wen dem dragons were 'round, but now, ya ain't shit now bitch." He replied as they turned and opened fire, the shots impacting as black stuttered a bit but stood still.
The idiots glanced with horror, seeing as the man still stood, laughing mockingly to the five. The fives already had the faces of fear placed on their face.
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG.
The five fell to the ground, each shot within the heart, eyes open as the fell to the ground with a loud thump.
"Fools didn't have a clue what they were dealing with." He said, reloading his weapon.
A few people in the line scattered, as they ran off in the distance, obviously they were unarmed or just plain scared to even try and deal with the man who took already several shots.
"Thanks for your help Blake." The bouncer said warmly.
"Ah, no problemo, just doing what I do best." He replied remaining where he was, dusting the parts where the bullets hit.
The blunt pellets fell to the ground, as everything afterward went better.
Blake was more of the hero who helped nightclubs out, mostly when some posse of idiot gangsters tried to barge inside through threats. He did it mostly because he hated seeing so many die just for following the policy of their job. He was to invincible to ever be gunned down, no matter where he was hit, nothing penetrated him. Never pierce nor cut, was he indeed the man of titanium skin.
He knew pain, but only from his youth. At age twenty-one he participated in an experiment that they claimed would make him invincible, in exchange for a couple million dollars to be given to his hometown Yendor. After several test, it proved to be resistant to almost every type of force. Though they never tired anything atomic or dangerous enough to put radiation into the air and infect several towns.
"Senior Blake I presume?" The lady asked, handing him a telegram as he opened it up looking it over.
"Hmm, guess it has been a while. Draco "Hundred Kills' Carter, now there's a man I really have been aching to get my hands on." He commented crunching the paper up in his hands, laughing sadistically.
He long ago fought many dragons and slaughtered each with every shot. He now was aching to battle once more and craved a challenge such as the menacing outlaw.
"Hmm, if anything, they'd go and hide in Kenton, the run-down hold of scum. Well, time to pay them a visit." He remarked throwing the paper over to the trashcan and headed over to his yellow painted bike, revving it up as he veered out of the area.
***
Draco and Lecha remained asleep in the old crappy bed, snoozing slowly.
"Wakey wakey sleep head!" Gaby hyperly said jumping on the bed to easily stir them.
Draco groaned as he glanced up at her with still half closed eyes.
"Gaby, it's early, we adults need more sleep then you kiddies do." He grumbled rolling over to his side.
Gaby only frowned as she hopped off the bed, walking over to Lecha.
"Mrs. Le-cha, rise and shine." Gaby said shaking her.
Lecha glanced still drowsy eyed from her pillow, groaning as she stirred.
"Gaby dear, I need my beauty sleep." She groaned turning away from the girl.
"No you don't your pretty as you are. I hope one day I am as pretty as you." Gaby said almost sounding like she was sucking up.
"Humph, you really thing so?" Lecha said sarcastically.
"I do, really it's the truth." Gaby seriously replied.
Lecha smiled, turning to her with a pursed smile on her face, as she patted Gaby on the head.
"I do think your pretty... pretty ugly compared to other girls." Gaby said with good humor, as she ran off.
Lecha went wide eyed, leaping out of bed and chased the little imp who cackled at her reply.
"You little runt, I'll get you and your little rabbit ears too!?" Lecha said sarcastically.
Draco grabbed the pillow pulling it over his head, and clamping it on the ears. The sound of girlish giggles filled the room, as Lecha ran after the ever so fast Gaby. It easily ended, as Lecha surprisingly grabbed and restrained Gaby in her arms and tickled her in delight.
"You shall suffer my wrath my pretty." She said, tickling Gaby all over her.
"Stop... its... to.... Much..." Gaby begged, pausing between speaking as she laughed.
Draco, already fed up with hearing their sheer enjoyment of girlish giggles, chucked the pillow towards them, as it smacked Lecha face first.
"Guess Uncle Draky isn't a morning person, huh?" Gaby teased with a giggle.
"Lecha, could you please take Gaby and get her some breakfast!" He demanded angrily.
"I thought it was you that allowed her to stay with us. So why do I have to take her to get breakfast?" She demanded disturbed.
"Because I'm gonna kill her if I have to PUT UP with HER early in the morning!!" He growled a turning away from her.
"Fine then, be a grouch like you always are." Lecha spat walking out as Gaby followed her humming to herself.
As the door closed, Draco took a sigh relief as he set his head back down on the pillow.
"How can you put up with that sour puss, Mrs. Lecha?" Gaby asked almost intent on getting on Lecha's nerves.
"Why would you want to know?" Lecha sternly replied arrogantly.
"I don't know, maybe it's his handsome face that keeps me attached to him." Lecha said, now pondering on how she put up with him at times.
"He-he, Lecha-chans got a boy-friend, Lecha-chans got a boy-friend, Lecha- chans got a-"
"Well duh, what did you think me and him were, FRIENDS!?" Lecha shouted back with a disgruntled face.
"You seem embarrassed about it." Lecha said with a toothy smile.
"Gaby, tell me, why did your mother abandon you?" Lecha asked as Gaby fell immediately silent, glancing to the ground, her face more relentless in keeping it still balled up inside.
Lecha though was intent on keeping Gaby's mouth shut for some while, rather then trying to force Gaby into saying something she didn't want to be saying. The two walked into the dining hall that was around dead silent, if not for the cook near the stove. A few ingredients were spread along the table as the chef hummed to himself carefully dropping a few handfuls of salt and pepper into the pot.
"So what's on the menu today chef?" Lecha asked waiting for an answer.
"Only a brew of stew, don't like its, to bad for you's, ain't a damn better place that does serve food then here." He grumbles still mixing the food up.
"Better be beef stew, your other stuff tastes yucky." Gaby called out, the chef growling as he turned around.
"Well if it isn't that little brat and thief Gaby, you got's a nerve to show'es yourself here." The chef said turning from behind to gaze down at her.
"I'm with Mrs. Lecha's party, one other guy will join us, he's a bit big on sleeping in." She said whispering the last line.
"Right's, well he best get's himself down here's, 'cause I'm not waittin on him forever's you know." He replied dipping the soup scooper into the soup and taking a load of it and placing it into small but not so clean ceramic bowl.
"This town ain'ts fancy, so eates that's or starve yourselves." He replied, making a second bowl for Gaby, as Lecha tipped him a fair amount of money.
"I don't care, long as you ain't feeding me fungus. Then you'd be a dead- man you lazy bastard." Lecha replied walking off.
The chef said nothing, only glancing down at the pay did he decide to keep his mouth shut, considering her never got a fair pay these days.
"Lazy fat bastard!" Gaby repeated as she stuck her tongue out at the man.
"C'mon Gaby, lets eat this stew while it's still hot." Lecha replied taking a seat at one of the tables and eating it with proper table-manners.
Gaby though slowly took a spoonful and sipped it, having it be at least tasteful compared to the other stuff the chef made. He was the only one here, known to have been a man that easily ripped several people off by selling already past expired meat and other rotten things, he was run out of town and forced to live here in the rundown town of hell.
"Mrs. Lecha, I was wondering if you could do something for me." Gaby asked in a whisper rather then loud like she seemed to do in the morning.
"What do you need from me kiddo?" Lecha replied with stubbornness.
"Well, can you convince Draco 'bout giving me lessons on gun slinging? He's the best shooter there is in this land, and I want him to teach me to fire just as good as him." Gaby said desirably.
Lecha laughed, finding it a bit funny. Gaby's begging eyes now became flares of anger, hearing Lecha laughing at her.
"I WASN'T JOKING!!" She yelled almost freezing time as her shrill voice was heard.
"I really want to become a gunsmith as talented as he is. I have two guns, but I lack the skills to use them. Pwease Mrs. Lecha, pretty pwease with a cherry on top?" She said already her eyes getting ready for the waterworks.
Lecha took a sigh, Draco somehow wasn't the best when it came to being a teacher and he also had more trouble keeping his cool when the pupil was a newbie.
"I'll see what I can do. I am not sure if he will say 'yes' though. He is a bit strict and if things don't go his way, he dose get pissed off to the worst way." Lecha replied with a sigh.
"Oh, I can make him smile if he does, my cute looks are enough to make anyone feel sorry for me. Specially with the waterworks." She said wiping the tear that had fell from her eyes.
Lecha giggled as she still looked at the girl. She somehow reminded Lecha of her younger self, minus the rabbit ears. The girls long flakey locks of strawberry red colored hair, the rosy cheeks, the maple brown eyes, and the girls seemingly aging hands really brought back fond memories of her past as a girl who lived in middle class.
"Hey, Mrs. Lecha, when is Unkey Draky waking up." Gaby asked with an innocent smile.
"Knowing him, he should be out of bed already and should be her right about... now." Lecha said with a smile as Draco walked into the small dining hall.
"Wow, he is that predictable?" Gaby asked tilting her head.
"His morning routines are, unless we have something else planned." She mentioned taking another sip of her soup.
The two remained silent as Draco got his serving of the stew and walked over to where the two girls sat. He said nothing, only remained silent as he kept his eyes on the soup, not wearing his usual sunglasses.
"Draco... Gaby here wants to learn how to be an ace gunsmith like you, you think you could give her some training to hone her to... well... second place?" Lecha asked cautiously.
Draco glanced over with his dark blue eyes, taking a few blinks as he cast his glance towards where the innocent toothy smiled Gaby sat with her hands behind her head.
"Depends, Gaby must be willing to follow every order and command that I give. I don't like winners or funny screwball kids; you must be obedient, well-behaved and take this seriously as you would in a real battle. Understood Gaby?" He asked, with a serious glance in his eyes.
Gaby's smile dropped and became more solemn and aware rather then a goofballs charm. She nodded only once, trying to prove that even with her hyper-active manners, she still was able to control herself.
"Well then Gaby, bring your peashooters and join me outside in the back, and best be early if you want to get on my good side. You have around twenty minutes before the training begins." He replied as Gaby nodded and wondered off, obviously to get ready.
"You're not planning to train her are you?" Lecha said with a scowling glance over to Draco.
"If she's late, I ain't planning to keep the bargain. Now if you could please give me less chatter, I like to eat in peace you know." He said taking more sips of his soup.
***
Gaby went back to the room she had left her backpack in, as she checked inside, feeling around for the two short hand type guns that had the gunmetal colors. She had stolen them long ago from a shop that had a large quantity of handguns and these were the newest model.
She easily swiped them off the shelf when the store clerks were busy and almost made it out when one of them shouted thief. After that, she was running like hell from a few of the security guards, through alleys and across town. She eventually jumped onto a moving car and road it out of town and eventually reached the rundown town of Kenton.
She had a couple of bullets she took in, mostly the small .32 types that were necessary to fit in her handgun. She though had to get a bit more and rumor had it that the shop in this town cared them, but he had everything behind the shelf.
"Hmm, looks like I better find a way to dupe the shopkeeper..." She said to herself as she put the guns in her pocket and walked off.
***
Draco headed out back, already had twenty minutes past, and when he checked five minutes ago, he didn't see any sign of Gaby, but since he did say twenty minutes, he stayed true to the deal.
He opened the back door, not expecting to see Gaby even there, but his surprise really rose as there a few feet from him was the little girl sitting on a trash can, arms cross and feet dangling off the top. She smiled glancing over to him as she hopped down.
"Well Master Draco, are we going to start?" She asked as she glimpsed up with a serious grin on her face.
Draco didn't know what to think, five minutes ago she was nowhere to be seen and now here she stood waiting for him to show himself outside.
"Okay, first hand, show me how you hold your gun, just one of them for now?" He asked, as if on cue she drew them out from her side pockets and took aim in a random direction.
"Hmm, you need to work on a couple of things; first off, you need to get a good grip on them. I mean grasp them tight and not so loose." He mentioned, as he moved a few of her fingers around.
Gaby easily let him demonstrate, as he positioned her hands in more comfortable and easy to use areas. She grasped it feeling the difference as the grips gave her fingertips more of a better secure feel.
"Good, second you need to remain focused on the target, clear you mind of all distractions, and keep a calm attitude; do not become aggravated in the middle of a battle." He replied as Gaby nodded taking a deep breath and a sigh of relief.
Draco could tell she was following, she indeed did just cool down and remained focused ahead.
"Now, we need a target." He announced scanning the area for anything that was around beginner's level of a target type and found one, an old rusty bucket with a few small holes laid up on a kickstand.
"Aim for that bucket, see if you can hit it off in just one shot. Best place to his is between the upper area and middle. A nice clean shot if you follow my instructions earlier." He replied as he waited, watching Gaby take aim as she took one shot, that hit the bucket somewhere in the upper area, but not on the best place, the bucket only slid back a few paces.
"Hmm, still need some work, but by that shot I'm guessing this is your first time?" He said glancing down to her, as she nodded with a disappointed frown pursed on her lips.
"Don't get so sad, not everyone can do well on their first try. If they did, it would be pure luck or something of a miracle." He commented with a shrug.
Draco walked over, picking the bucket up and moved it so the bottom side was up. Even with a few holes, there was still some part of it still open at with the right shot would send it flying down to the ground.
"Try again Gaby and this time, remain focused." Draco remarked as he walked over and stood behind her, crossing his arms over his chest.
Gaby once more took aim, peering deep into the end of the crosshairs, closing her left eye. She had seen how to do it before when other had tried from just regular old target practice. Pulling the trigger, she delivered a bullet onward and hitting the last flat untouched spot on the metal bucket. A loud 'Pwing' followed by the 'donk' of the bucket falling to the ground easily made Gaby's own jaw drop wide open and her eyes widened in surprise.
"See, you can do it, just relax within, that's the real key to success. I learned that the hard way when I almost got killed by Red Baron." He said, pulling a coat of his jacket up showing a scar.
"Yeah, but you beat him, why else do you own a trench coat of his?" Gaby pointed out with a giggle.
"Heh, I almost died in that battle Gaby. That was the first time I actually did have more of a fight. I basically ran for cover when my first three shots didn't kill him. That battle lasted a long time, til I realized how calm he was. It hit me then and there, that if I let my frustration get to me, I would be the next one dead. Keeping my cool and my eyes locked, I managed to pull off the bullet of victory with a shot to his head. That shot ended the bounty hunters life and made me into one highly feared outlaw known only as-"
"Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter... every amigo knows the story by now." A voice called out loudly.
Draco turned to see a sombrero man standing a few yards from him, glaring with a vicious smile as he started advancing towards them.
"Gaby, get to safety, if anything, you shouldn't be here." He whispered, Gaby giving one nod and stormed off in a blur.
Draco turned to the man with a arrogant glare, Blake only snickered seeing Draco's face.
"My, my, you really are worried aren't you? And you should, for I am Invulnerable Blake of the Gunsmith regents. It's time for you to die Draco." He said drawling out his magnum and opening fire upon Draco.
"Cut the crap bigshot, you're going down like the rest who have got in my way." Draco replied, easily avoiding the shot that was a few inches from his face. .
"Well see about that." Black said, and fired once more, Draco finally drawing his gun and opened fire back, aiming for the mans head as well.
He sidestepped along the open areas, keeping his eyes locked directly onto the creep.
"C'mon hotshot, give me your best shot." Blake remarked as he dropped his guns to the side of him, smiling desirably.
Draco cracked a smirk, taking aim to the head, knowing that a well-placed shot to the forehead was always an instant kill. Getting a nice good mark, he pulled the trigger and opened fire upon the target. The shot went dead within the middle of Blake's skull, the force pushing him to lean back a few ways and fall directly onto the ground.
In that very instant a snicker was heard, as Blake pushed himself off the ground and onto his feet, glaring sadistic eyed to the fool.
"What the fuck?" Draco said to himself in fear.
"INVULNERABLE BLAKE, nothing can penetrate my armor of skin. Your bullets are not even close to penetrating my first layer." He replied with a laugh, as he flicked the bullet off and onto the sand-covered ground.
"So what are you, immortal or just another damn guinea pig that was a success in Auron's development of super soldiers?" Draco mockingly commented.
"Hah, I am perhaps one of the ones that succeeded and now is part of the Gunsmith Regents. Yet it's time to finish this for good." He remarked reaching into his garment as he pulled out a knife and threw it directly at Draco.
Draco avoided the first thrown blade but the second was sent deep near his heart, around the left side. Draco breathed rapidly, feeling perspiration already increase with his heart. Something was happening; he felt the pulse beat strongly inside of him.
THA-THUMP
He could feel the pain, but something else was within in, something struggling to break free. Draco knew it had to be the same thing that Ryu had used to take out Jesse at Grandale. That same power now wanted freedom and Draco was going to unleash it.
With an ear-piercing cry he transformed, his forearms and legs exploded, nails growing sharper and larger, his back burst open with two wings, his scales were a deep green. His hair turned a light pink, his eyes yellow amber. He glared evilly towards the iron skin bastard. With a loud growl, he charged forth delivering a powerful blow to the face of the evil man.
Hard as he hit them, the hard fist was still not powerful enough to even break the mans face in half. The man slowly stood up, as he dashed over and grabbed his shotgun, and fired upon Draco. The gunshots easily went deep into his skin, but were only a pinch to Draco's steel skin.
"Your gun isn't doing anything to me, but my claws are going to tear you to shreds Blake." He shouted and advanced in.
Slashing furiously, his claws screeches with each swing and impact his sharp claws made as they made contact to the rough skin. Draco took a deep breath, noticing his claws did little to the man's own skin.
"Not a scratch, what the hell?" Draco muttered out clenching his teeth in frustration.
"When are you going to open your eyes up and realize I am INVULNERABLE, your stupid claws can't make a dent on my skin of steel." He shouted out with a laugh.
Draco remained silent, it seemed no matter what he did, his blows had no affected whatsoever on the man of steel. No matter what he threw, Blake only absorbed it and laughed mockingly at him.
"Master Draco, use your gun!" Shouted Gaby from wherever she was hiding.
Draco glanced down, finding the gun of his strapped to his side, the triple six digits glowing an eerie tinted red, almost as if to call him for attention.
Grasping it, he pulled it out, taking aim once more, as he cracked a smile.
"Whaddya planning to do with that, shoot me again senior?" Blake asked with another gutful laugh.
Draco said noting, he had his target, the regents forehead in his sight. Pulling the trigger back, he shot forth, throwing some of his power into it, the bullet streamed out with a tail behind it, a blue streak that was heading straight for Blake's head.
The bullet impacted with a deadly force, Blake had only one laugh before his eyes widened and his laugh went to his final cry of pain. The bullet went through his head, and in a large flash of light did it envelope most of his body, as a fierce wind followed, sand blowing up and brushing against Draco's body for a few seconds before it finally settled down.
The only things that remained were two forearms and the lower torso down to the feet of the body. Whatever shot Draco made had completely blown the once invincible man in history down to atoms by now.
"Woah... talk about finished..." Draco remarked as he glanced the remaining parts of the regent over.
"Draco?"
He turned to find Gaby several feet from him, shivering in fear from his new look. Lecha stood next to her, almost as shocked, but her face maintained the still fearless soul that made her ever so brave.
"Don't get your hearts all emotional, I'm still the same Draco, only with a newfound power." He mentioned with a smile.
"Power? That power is to dangerous, who know what it can do if you can't fully control it." Lecha reminded him shaking her head.
"Speak for yourself; I can control it, that shot proves it." He mentioned as he slowly reverted back to his old self.
"Draco, please, that-"
"It will only be a last resort. That guy is probably the only one with the body of steel, the others won't be as much of a problem as he was." Draco mentioned as he glanced into her eyes.
"Hey, what about our training, can't we continue?" Gaby asked with a frown on her face.
"Tomorrow, right now it's time we packed up and started to get out of here." He reminded them, as he headed back to the hotel.
***
The three had their belongings, packed up as Draco started the jeep once more and drove out of the ever so pitiful town. For once it seemed that nobody would try to mess with him, why was beyond his judgment. Still, he remembered that feeling when he was hit with that knife. He really felt the cold hand of death trying to pry his very soul from his conscious, but the power of the dragon took control and prevented the Grim Reaper from taking his life.
"Lecha, what's the next town we should be heading to?" He asked still keeping his eyes on the endless road of sand.
"Well, by my map, the next one we should head to if we plan to reach Dragonier is Lester, not much I know besides a few rumbles between gangsters." She said with a sigh.
"Long as they keep their noses outta my face, then there's nothing that's a problem." He said with a smile.
"Yeah, and I can't wait to steal- err, I mean see the new items they have there." Gaby commented with a gulp.
"You better not try to steal anything young lady, otherwise I will punish you." Lecha mentioned, crossing her arms.
Gaby remained silent, not wanting to cause a stir, but did decide to kill time the way any kid would.
"Are we there yet?" She asked in a demanding tone.
"Gaby, we just got on the road, we got a long while before we get there." Draco replied angrily.
It was only five minutes later that she decided to ask again.
"Are we there yet?"
"NO!!" Draco and Lecha yelled at the same time.
Gaby only groaned, but like any kid, long rides were a bore without any good toys.
**************************************************************************** **********
Next Time:
Wes: A long time ago when I was young, there was a girl I stood up for when she was bullied by the other orphans. She never was the kind who fit in well with anyone, but i guess I felt pity on someone who was less of fighter and more of a bookworm. It's been many years since then, but now the two of us are together again.
Next Chapter: Reunited by Fate.
Lecha though wasn't too comfortable here. She always was a bit uneasy when in a town that had been a place where girls were rapped often. Even with the shotgun she packed, it was still nothing when she was snuck up on.
"Scumtown central... almost hard enough to find anyone you can trust here." Draco remarked taking a step forward.
"Were almost low on ammunition Draco and this town isn't no merchant's home." Lecha commented, glancing around the shackled-town, shivering disgustedly.
"I don't like it here either, but we both know how the deserts are at night. Perfect time for the bandits to roam and loot, we're just the perfect target to them." Draco replied as he walked into the inn making a arrangements to stay.
Lecha remained where she was, guarding the jeep to keep it safe from anyone who might run up and try to tear a few things off just to make a profit off chopping most of the car up. Mostly, the jeep wasn't one with a fully functional car alarm, but in the town of Kenton, it was nothing that would be reported.
Lecha remembered how this town became a hive for the vile pigs that lived here. It was the town that housed a few Black Marketing operations, but it was soon abandoned when a few Peacemakers and Soldiers of the Law discovered. They launched a raid, killing several of the members and many innocent lives. It was a stain to the Soldiers and Peacemakers, but rumors were spread that the townspeople kept it a secret and did try to attack them. Not many dared approach, nobody tried to rebuild, or repair all that was destroyed. Crooks fled and made haven to this place, knowing full well it was not a place many were near. All in the last decade did the area become a pig-style and not anyone would dare try to clean it up.
Nobody could since only the outlaws lived and even anyone who tried ended up dead. It was worse then a town full of ghetto ass Negroes. Lecha took a sigh, but her guard up; she knew full well that she was not alone. In the shadows had the creeps of hell hid themselves.
Turning to her side, she double-take seeing a small girl running off towards the alleyway. Lecha noticed already she had stolen one of the purses holding her zenny. The girl though cloaked by a hood over her head, it was obvious she was young just by the way she accelerated as she made her way off into the alleyway. Lecha though wasn't going to let just some little punk run off. She started off pursuing the little thief, her eyes locked on to the trail of the little wench who had her money.
How she knew it was a girl was by the frame of the body that the girl had. Keeping her speed on the girl, she ran after and closed in on the girl, grabbing her by the hood, pulling it off of her head.
"What the hell?!" Lecha knew full well of there being many kids who robbed to live in the town, but harens, mainly the clan with rabbit ears were not considered to even live in the town, especially when the females were always a target for raping.
"Lemme go, lemme go!" The girl rasped as she struggled to break free.
"Uh-uh, drop the purse you little brat!!" Lecha demanded, pulling her closer to her.
"Bite me you wench!" She spat back, still struggling to escape.
Lecha had had enough resistance from the child, taking her shotgun in her hand, she whacked the kid over the head with the butt of her gun. The young haren fell to the ground, unconscious and asleep. Lecha picked up her purse and the kid, taking both back to the hotel.
"Where the hell have you been?" Draco asked, his arms crossed and glancing bitterly over to Lecha.
"Catching a red handed thief, so we got a room yet?" She asked, throwing the purse over to him as he caught it with ease.
"Yep, and we better take the car to garage nine, that way we can lock it up and keep it safe." He mentioned as he opened the car door, checking the interior and exterior for any sign of sabotage.
With no eminent fixings of danger, he opened the car door, getting inside, Lecha on the shotgun side, kid still in her hands. Starting the car up, Draco took it to the garage, glancing over the very secure area, as he closed the door, and locked it, knowing full well it was said to be the real secure area. Draco hoped that saying was true, as he looked at the still in mint conditioned garage.
"Lets get to our place; no telling what fucks may try and ambush us." He mentioned, making haste back to the hotel.
Even as the greatest outlaw, in a town of backstabbers, there was no honor in how they won, they would kill someone from a long distance in order to gain victory. He wasn't taking any chances and engaging into a fight with anyone who dared to even challenge him.
"So who's the kid?" Draco questioned looking the unconscious girl over.
"A little thief that tried to steal our zenny." She answered with a sigh.
" So why the hell you knock her out and bring them with you?" Draco asked, walking after her and standing beside them.
"Discipline... she really is a brat to try and steal from us." Lecha said with a evil smile pursed on her face.
***
Slowly the girls eyes awakened with a groan of awareness, as she glanced around the poor area, still partially asleep.
"Rise and shine, THIEF!!!" Lecha said pointing the gun at the little wench.
The girl spotted it, as she struggled to try to move, finding herself tied up.
"Like I was gonna let you move freely." The girl stopped, but put on a careless face, looking away from her.
"I don't know who you are, but you stole from the wrong person, 'cause we don't take kindly to people who do." Lecha mentioned pressing the gun against the girls face once more.
"Think I'm scared of you, ya old bat!! You can't kill little 'ol me." The girl replied glancing directly into Lecha's face and stuck out her tongue.
"Wanna bet?!" Lecha snarled back, as he index finger dwindled around the trigger.
"That's enough Lecha!!" Draco yelled, as he walked over to her.
"She needs to learn her lesson, the hard way if anything!" Lecha commented as she cast a tempered glare towards Draco.
"Bad enough you knocked her out, dragged her here, and tied her up, but I ain't gonna stand by and have you threaten to kill her." He said, pushing her gun aside, giving a fury glance at Lecha, as he undid the bonds to the girl.
Lecha said nothing, she stood there crossing her arms the shaking her head.
"You alright little one?" Draco asked calmly.
"Who you calling little!?" She snapped back, as she kicked him in the shin.
Draco jumped feeling her kick him as he grasped it, glaring angrily at her.
"You little-"
Draco was about to leap forward and strangle her, but was stopped as Lecha restrained him.
"Draco, what the hell are you planning to do, kill this child?" Lecha asked, trying to keep Draco back.
"No, just choke her 'til she is dead!!" He remarked trying to lunge forward at the girl.
The girl's eyes widen in surprise, as she looked the guy over.
"Wait, that guy's Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, and its gonna be one more to the kills list when I get my hands on you!" He growled, still restrained by Lecha.
He finally broke free, charging to the kid as the girl moved to the side when he leaped at her. Draco crashed into the Chester draws, a few of the draws opened as he collided into the set.
"Hee hee, silly Draco." The girl said, walking over and patting him on the head.
Draco immediately grabbed her, and wrapped his hands around her neck.
"Opossum gets its prey." He said, giving her a wink in the eye as his lighted his grip.
The girl knew what he was trying to do, since he winked at her with his right eye, the one that Lecha didn't see was on. Slowly she pretended to choke as Lecha ran over, trying to pull Draco's arms away. The girl seemed to act well, since she duped Lecha into believing he was.
The girl went unconscious, her tongue hanging from her mouth. Lecha growled angrily, casting a fury emotion to the guy, who smiled almost finding it hilarious.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SMILING ABOUT, YOU KILLED A KID." She yelled bitterly, but went half silent as she heard a small childish giggle.
"Gotcha lady!" The girl said sitting herself up as she gave a toothy smile to Lecha.
"What! This was joke?" Lecha spat in disbelief.
"Yep, to getcha back for trying to threaten the girl's life." Draco said standing to his feet.
"Why you!!" Lecha said, taking the gun and nearly striking Draco when the girl jumped in front, hugging Lecha purposely.
"Hey, get off 'a me!" Lecha said, shaking herself to try and get the girl off.
"Seems she taken a liking to you already Lecha." Draco said with a laugh.
"Grrr, you wait Draco, I will get you back for this?!" She replied angrily.
"Don't hurt Draky, he's just trying to teach you a lesson 'bout threatening me." The girl said innocently.
Draco's face went from humored to serious as he glanced at her annoyed.
"Draky? Kiddo, what is your name?" He asked trying to keep his cool.
"My mother named me Gaby, so that's what I am named truthfully." She said sliding off Lecha.
"Gaby huh? Well, how to say this without sounding harsh... Don't call me Draky or anything else that sounds cute!" He said raising his tone, as Gaby glanced sadly down to the ground.
"Sorry Mr. Draco." She replied with a frowning glance.
"M-Mr.? Okay, now-"
"She is younger then you Draco, so your practically an adult to her." Lecha mentioned taking a seat on the bed.
"I'd rather she call me just Draco and nothing else. I don't like being called anything cute or nicknamed." He replied angrily.
"Like Uncle Draky?" She said with a light giggle.
Draco didn't say anything; the girl was young and full of energy obviously. She was also being more innocent and cute just by mocking him to see him flare up.
"Yes... like that little Wrabby." He said with a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Hey!!" Gaby replied with a teeth clenched frown pursed on her face.
"So what you think about staying with us for the evening Gaby?" Draco asked with a more calm toned voice.
Gaby's face brightened as she nearly jumped high in the air and ran forth tackling Draco to the ground as she hugged him gleefully.
"You're the best Mr. Draco." She said, her arms around his neck hugging him tightly.
Draco slowly gagged as Gaby kept her grip around his neck.
"Gaby dear, your choking Draco." Lecha mentioned, Gaby slowly letting go, as she flushed innocently to the now air gasping Draco.
"Sowwy." She replied adorably.
"No need, your still a kid and I ain't got it in me to kill you at all." He said taking a deep breath.
"Lets get some sleep, while we still have a chance... but we better be careful, cause I got a bad feeling about the people here." Lecha said glancing around the weak, paint cracked walls.
"Gaby, do people here rob their customers during the night?" Draco asked glancing towards Gaby.
"Not sure, but anyone in this town ain't nobody to trust, 'cept me." She said with a devious smile.
"Better not, else we are gonna getcha for trying to rob us." Draco seriously replied, cracking his knuckles.
"Tell you the truth... I never did like this town at all... I just wonder from town to town and two years ended up here. I hate it here, having to fend for yourself every day and the hostility everyone gives ya. I can't stand it, but I can't leave." She said speaking on a depressed tone of voice.
"You were abandoned, weren't you?" Lecha asked laying down in her bed.
"Yes, I was." Gaby replied sadly.
"Well, we take you in, but we got enough problems as it is. I don't know if a kid like you can pull her own weight in battle, 'specially the ones were about to encounter." Draco stated staring outside at the half moon in the sky.
"You always seem to find your way out of bounty hunters, what's so different about this one?" Gaby asked full of questions.
"Were against... the Gunsmith Regents..." Draco stated seriously, as Gaby's face went from curious to shock out of her wits.
It was then that nothing more was said, it was almost too much for the three in the room to even consider. Draco though didn't feel at ease, he knew of the ratio of Gaby being a regent was very high. Even if she stole, it could only be a cover under the childish smile, the youth face; she could be very well their undercover operative.
Lying down, he looked over to his love, before feeling someone crawl up between them and rest her head at the side of them.
"I hope you don't snore loud." Draco remarked with narrow eyes.
"I bet it's not as loud as you." She remarked with a toothy smile.
Draco only turned away, closing his eyes, as he started to fall asleep. Somehow, Gaby seemed to be more of a kid then a dangerous problem.
***
At the nightclub known as 'Exotic Beat', a huge line of people stand before waiting to get in as each passes through the checkpoint bouncer.
"Name?" The bouncer asked glancing at them through his sunglasses, emotionless as they made him.
"Forest A. Clarence and a few of my friends Greg, Patrick, Nelson, and a few girls, Nancy, Clair, Florence, and Lulu." He mentioned, as the bouncer checked over the list over, taking a deep breath.
"Move along." He directed opening the door, motioning them to proceed.
A few tried to run past but the bouncer moved in front.
"Single file line now!!" He yelled waiting for one of them to reply.
"Fuck this!" one of them yelled, a white man dressed more likely like he was a ghetto man.
A few took out guns and took aim to the bouncer, who remained still.
"Best check dat list, 'cause me and my homboys are on it, names Devon, and da others are Blitz, Jerome, Bling, and Shorty. So check ya list already!" The white guy demanded, still holding the gun to the bouncer.
"You amigo's need to get yah heads on straight." A Spanish accent voice called out.
"Wut bitch dey cun mez wit us!" Cried one of the men.
"Invulnerable Blake of the Gunsmith Regents you desperadoes. Back off or you're dead." Blake mentioned walking forth.
He was dressed in a large mixed color garment that covered his chest that covered his long sleeved white shirt. , a long sombrero hat covering his head, but his yellow eyes glanced with terror towards the punks. His long indigo jeans hung down to his boots, as he held a magnum in one hand, and a shotgun, double barrel, in the other.
"Invulnerable my ass, you probably were back en da day wen dem dragons were 'round, but now, ya ain't shit now bitch." He replied as they turned and opened fire, the shots impacting as black stuttered a bit but stood still.
The idiots glanced with horror, seeing as the man still stood, laughing mockingly to the five. The fives already had the faces of fear placed on their face.
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG.
The five fell to the ground, each shot within the heart, eyes open as the fell to the ground with a loud thump.
"Fools didn't have a clue what they were dealing with." He said, reloading his weapon.
A few people in the line scattered, as they ran off in the distance, obviously they were unarmed or just plain scared to even try and deal with the man who took already several shots.
"Thanks for your help Blake." The bouncer said warmly.
"Ah, no problemo, just doing what I do best." He replied remaining where he was, dusting the parts where the bullets hit.
The blunt pellets fell to the ground, as everything afterward went better.
Blake was more of the hero who helped nightclubs out, mostly when some posse of idiot gangsters tried to barge inside through threats. He did it mostly because he hated seeing so many die just for following the policy of their job. He was to invincible to ever be gunned down, no matter where he was hit, nothing penetrated him. Never pierce nor cut, was he indeed the man of titanium skin.
He knew pain, but only from his youth. At age twenty-one he participated in an experiment that they claimed would make him invincible, in exchange for a couple million dollars to be given to his hometown Yendor. After several test, it proved to be resistant to almost every type of force. Though they never tired anything atomic or dangerous enough to put radiation into the air and infect several towns.
"Senior Blake I presume?" The lady asked, handing him a telegram as he opened it up looking it over.
"Hmm, guess it has been a while. Draco "Hundred Kills' Carter, now there's a man I really have been aching to get my hands on." He commented crunching the paper up in his hands, laughing sadistically.
He long ago fought many dragons and slaughtered each with every shot. He now was aching to battle once more and craved a challenge such as the menacing outlaw.
"Hmm, if anything, they'd go and hide in Kenton, the run-down hold of scum. Well, time to pay them a visit." He remarked throwing the paper over to the trashcan and headed over to his yellow painted bike, revving it up as he veered out of the area.
***
Draco and Lecha remained asleep in the old crappy bed, snoozing slowly.
"Wakey wakey sleep head!" Gaby hyperly said jumping on the bed to easily stir them.
Draco groaned as he glanced up at her with still half closed eyes.
"Gaby, it's early, we adults need more sleep then you kiddies do." He grumbled rolling over to his side.
Gaby only frowned as she hopped off the bed, walking over to Lecha.
"Mrs. Le-cha, rise and shine." Gaby said shaking her.
Lecha glanced still drowsy eyed from her pillow, groaning as she stirred.
"Gaby dear, I need my beauty sleep." She groaned turning away from the girl.
"No you don't your pretty as you are. I hope one day I am as pretty as you." Gaby said almost sounding like she was sucking up.
"Humph, you really thing so?" Lecha said sarcastically.
"I do, really it's the truth." Gaby seriously replied.
Lecha smiled, turning to her with a pursed smile on her face, as she patted Gaby on the head.
"I do think your pretty... pretty ugly compared to other girls." Gaby said with good humor, as she ran off.
Lecha went wide eyed, leaping out of bed and chased the little imp who cackled at her reply.
"You little runt, I'll get you and your little rabbit ears too!?" Lecha said sarcastically.
Draco grabbed the pillow pulling it over his head, and clamping it on the ears. The sound of girlish giggles filled the room, as Lecha ran after the ever so fast Gaby. It easily ended, as Lecha surprisingly grabbed and restrained Gaby in her arms and tickled her in delight.
"You shall suffer my wrath my pretty." She said, tickling Gaby all over her.
"Stop... its... to.... Much..." Gaby begged, pausing between speaking as she laughed.
Draco, already fed up with hearing their sheer enjoyment of girlish giggles, chucked the pillow towards them, as it smacked Lecha face first.
"Guess Uncle Draky isn't a morning person, huh?" Gaby teased with a giggle.
"Lecha, could you please take Gaby and get her some breakfast!" He demanded angrily.
"I thought it was you that allowed her to stay with us. So why do I have to take her to get breakfast?" She demanded disturbed.
"Because I'm gonna kill her if I have to PUT UP with HER early in the morning!!" He growled a turning away from her.
"Fine then, be a grouch like you always are." Lecha spat walking out as Gaby followed her humming to herself.
As the door closed, Draco took a sigh relief as he set his head back down on the pillow.
"How can you put up with that sour puss, Mrs. Lecha?" Gaby asked almost intent on getting on Lecha's nerves.
"Why would you want to know?" Lecha sternly replied arrogantly.
"I don't know, maybe it's his handsome face that keeps me attached to him." Lecha said, now pondering on how she put up with him at times.
"He-he, Lecha-chans got a boy-friend, Lecha-chans got a boy-friend, Lecha- chans got a-"
"Well duh, what did you think me and him were, FRIENDS!?" Lecha shouted back with a disgruntled face.
"You seem embarrassed about it." Lecha said with a toothy smile.
"Gaby, tell me, why did your mother abandon you?" Lecha asked as Gaby fell immediately silent, glancing to the ground, her face more relentless in keeping it still balled up inside.
Lecha though was intent on keeping Gaby's mouth shut for some while, rather then trying to force Gaby into saying something she didn't want to be saying. The two walked into the dining hall that was around dead silent, if not for the cook near the stove. A few ingredients were spread along the table as the chef hummed to himself carefully dropping a few handfuls of salt and pepper into the pot.
"So what's on the menu today chef?" Lecha asked waiting for an answer.
"Only a brew of stew, don't like its, to bad for you's, ain't a damn better place that does serve food then here." He grumbles still mixing the food up.
"Better be beef stew, your other stuff tastes yucky." Gaby called out, the chef growling as he turned around.
"Well if it isn't that little brat and thief Gaby, you got's a nerve to show'es yourself here." The chef said turning from behind to gaze down at her.
"I'm with Mrs. Lecha's party, one other guy will join us, he's a bit big on sleeping in." She said whispering the last line.
"Right's, well he best get's himself down here's, 'cause I'm not waittin on him forever's you know." He replied dipping the soup scooper into the soup and taking a load of it and placing it into small but not so clean ceramic bowl.
"This town ain'ts fancy, so eates that's or starve yourselves." He replied, making a second bowl for Gaby, as Lecha tipped him a fair amount of money.
"I don't care, long as you ain't feeding me fungus. Then you'd be a dead- man you lazy bastard." Lecha replied walking off.
The chef said nothing, only glancing down at the pay did he decide to keep his mouth shut, considering her never got a fair pay these days.
"Lazy fat bastard!" Gaby repeated as she stuck her tongue out at the man.
"C'mon Gaby, lets eat this stew while it's still hot." Lecha replied taking a seat at one of the tables and eating it with proper table-manners.
Gaby though slowly took a spoonful and sipped it, having it be at least tasteful compared to the other stuff the chef made. He was the only one here, known to have been a man that easily ripped several people off by selling already past expired meat and other rotten things, he was run out of town and forced to live here in the rundown town of hell.
"Mrs. Lecha, I was wondering if you could do something for me." Gaby asked in a whisper rather then loud like she seemed to do in the morning.
"What do you need from me kiddo?" Lecha replied with stubbornness.
"Well, can you convince Draco 'bout giving me lessons on gun slinging? He's the best shooter there is in this land, and I want him to teach me to fire just as good as him." Gaby said desirably.
Lecha laughed, finding it a bit funny. Gaby's begging eyes now became flares of anger, hearing Lecha laughing at her.
"I WASN'T JOKING!!" She yelled almost freezing time as her shrill voice was heard.
"I really want to become a gunsmith as talented as he is. I have two guns, but I lack the skills to use them. Pwease Mrs. Lecha, pretty pwease with a cherry on top?" She said already her eyes getting ready for the waterworks.
Lecha took a sigh, Draco somehow wasn't the best when it came to being a teacher and he also had more trouble keeping his cool when the pupil was a newbie.
"I'll see what I can do. I am not sure if he will say 'yes' though. He is a bit strict and if things don't go his way, he dose get pissed off to the worst way." Lecha replied with a sigh.
"Oh, I can make him smile if he does, my cute looks are enough to make anyone feel sorry for me. Specially with the waterworks." She said wiping the tear that had fell from her eyes.
Lecha giggled as she still looked at the girl. She somehow reminded Lecha of her younger self, minus the rabbit ears. The girls long flakey locks of strawberry red colored hair, the rosy cheeks, the maple brown eyes, and the girls seemingly aging hands really brought back fond memories of her past as a girl who lived in middle class.
"Hey, Mrs. Lecha, when is Unkey Draky waking up." Gaby asked with an innocent smile.
"Knowing him, he should be out of bed already and should be her right about... now." Lecha said with a smile as Draco walked into the small dining hall.
"Wow, he is that predictable?" Gaby asked tilting her head.
"His morning routines are, unless we have something else planned." She mentioned taking another sip of her soup.
The two remained silent as Draco got his serving of the stew and walked over to where the two girls sat. He said nothing, only remained silent as he kept his eyes on the soup, not wearing his usual sunglasses.
"Draco... Gaby here wants to learn how to be an ace gunsmith like you, you think you could give her some training to hone her to... well... second place?" Lecha asked cautiously.
Draco glanced over with his dark blue eyes, taking a few blinks as he cast his glance towards where the innocent toothy smiled Gaby sat with her hands behind her head.
"Depends, Gaby must be willing to follow every order and command that I give. I don't like winners or funny screwball kids; you must be obedient, well-behaved and take this seriously as you would in a real battle. Understood Gaby?" He asked, with a serious glance in his eyes.
Gaby's smile dropped and became more solemn and aware rather then a goofballs charm. She nodded only once, trying to prove that even with her hyper-active manners, she still was able to control herself.
"Well then Gaby, bring your peashooters and join me outside in the back, and best be early if you want to get on my good side. You have around twenty minutes before the training begins." He replied as Gaby nodded and wondered off, obviously to get ready.
"You're not planning to train her are you?" Lecha said with a scowling glance over to Draco.
"If she's late, I ain't planning to keep the bargain. Now if you could please give me less chatter, I like to eat in peace you know." He said taking more sips of his soup.
***
Gaby went back to the room she had left her backpack in, as she checked inside, feeling around for the two short hand type guns that had the gunmetal colors. She had stolen them long ago from a shop that had a large quantity of handguns and these were the newest model.
She easily swiped them off the shelf when the store clerks were busy and almost made it out when one of them shouted thief. After that, she was running like hell from a few of the security guards, through alleys and across town. She eventually jumped onto a moving car and road it out of town and eventually reached the rundown town of Kenton.
She had a couple of bullets she took in, mostly the small .32 types that were necessary to fit in her handgun. She though had to get a bit more and rumor had it that the shop in this town cared them, but he had everything behind the shelf.
"Hmm, looks like I better find a way to dupe the shopkeeper..." She said to herself as she put the guns in her pocket and walked off.
***
Draco headed out back, already had twenty minutes past, and when he checked five minutes ago, he didn't see any sign of Gaby, but since he did say twenty minutes, he stayed true to the deal.
He opened the back door, not expecting to see Gaby even there, but his surprise really rose as there a few feet from him was the little girl sitting on a trash can, arms cross and feet dangling off the top. She smiled glancing over to him as she hopped down.
"Well Master Draco, are we going to start?" She asked as she glimpsed up with a serious grin on her face.
Draco didn't know what to think, five minutes ago she was nowhere to be seen and now here she stood waiting for him to show himself outside.
"Okay, first hand, show me how you hold your gun, just one of them for now?" He asked, as if on cue she drew them out from her side pockets and took aim in a random direction.
"Hmm, you need to work on a couple of things; first off, you need to get a good grip on them. I mean grasp them tight and not so loose." He mentioned, as he moved a few of her fingers around.
Gaby easily let him demonstrate, as he positioned her hands in more comfortable and easy to use areas. She grasped it feeling the difference as the grips gave her fingertips more of a better secure feel.
"Good, second you need to remain focused on the target, clear you mind of all distractions, and keep a calm attitude; do not become aggravated in the middle of a battle." He replied as Gaby nodded taking a deep breath and a sigh of relief.
Draco could tell she was following, she indeed did just cool down and remained focused ahead.
"Now, we need a target." He announced scanning the area for anything that was around beginner's level of a target type and found one, an old rusty bucket with a few small holes laid up on a kickstand.
"Aim for that bucket, see if you can hit it off in just one shot. Best place to his is between the upper area and middle. A nice clean shot if you follow my instructions earlier." He replied as he waited, watching Gaby take aim as she took one shot, that hit the bucket somewhere in the upper area, but not on the best place, the bucket only slid back a few paces.
"Hmm, still need some work, but by that shot I'm guessing this is your first time?" He said glancing down to her, as she nodded with a disappointed frown pursed on her lips.
"Don't get so sad, not everyone can do well on their first try. If they did, it would be pure luck or something of a miracle." He commented with a shrug.
Draco walked over, picking the bucket up and moved it so the bottom side was up. Even with a few holes, there was still some part of it still open at with the right shot would send it flying down to the ground.
"Try again Gaby and this time, remain focused." Draco remarked as he walked over and stood behind her, crossing his arms over his chest.
Gaby once more took aim, peering deep into the end of the crosshairs, closing her left eye. She had seen how to do it before when other had tried from just regular old target practice. Pulling the trigger, she delivered a bullet onward and hitting the last flat untouched spot on the metal bucket. A loud 'Pwing' followed by the 'donk' of the bucket falling to the ground easily made Gaby's own jaw drop wide open and her eyes widened in surprise.
"See, you can do it, just relax within, that's the real key to success. I learned that the hard way when I almost got killed by Red Baron." He said, pulling a coat of his jacket up showing a scar.
"Yeah, but you beat him, why else do you own a trench coat of his?" Gaby pointed out with a giggle.
"Heh, I almost died in that battle Gaby. That was the first time I actually did have more of a fight. I basically ran for cover when my first three shots didn't kill him. That battle lasted a long time, til I realized how calm he was. It hit me then and there, that if I let my frustration get to me, I would be the next one dead. Keeping my cool and my eyes locked, I managed to pull off the bullet of victory with a shot to his head. That shot ended the bounty hunters life and made me into one highly feared outlaw known only as-"
"Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter... every amigo knows the story by now." A voice called out loudly.
Draco turned to see a sombrero man standing a few yards from him, glaring with a vicious smile as he started advancing towards them.
"Gaby, get to safety, if anything, you shouldn't be here." He whispered, Gaby giving one nod and stormed off in a blur.
Draco turned to the man with a arrogant glare, Blake only snickered seeing Draco's face.
"My, my, you really are worried aren't you? And you should, for I am Invulnerable Blake of the Gunsmith regents. It's time for you to die Draco." He said drawling out his magnum and opening fire upon Draco.
"Cut the crap bigshot, you're going down like the rest who have got in my way." Draco replied, easily avoiding the shot that was a few inches from his face. .
"Well see about that." Black said, and fired once more, Draco finally drawing his gun and opened fire back, aiming for the mans head as well.
He sidestepped along the open areas, keeping his eyes locked directly onto the creep.
"C'mon hotshot, give me your best shot." Blake remarked as he dropped his guns to the side of him, smiling desirably.
Draco cracked a smirk, taking aim to the head, knowing that a well-placed shot to the forehead was always an instant kill. Getting a nice good mark, he pulled the trigger and opened fire upon the target. The shot went dead within the middle of Blake's skull, the force pushing him to lean back a few ways and fall directly onto the ground.
In that very instant a snicker was heard, as Blake pushed himself off the ground and onto his feet, glaring sadistic eyed to the fool.
"What the fuck?" Draco said to himself in fear.
"INVULNERABLE BLAKE, nothing can penetrate my armor of skin. Your bullets are not even close to penetrating my first layer." He replied with a laugh, as he flicked the bullet off and onto the sand-covered ground.
"So what are you, immortal or just another damn guinea pig that was a success in Auron's development of super soldiers?" Draco mockingly commented.
"Hah, I am perhaps one of the ones that succeeded and now is part of the Gunsmith Regents. Yet it's time to finish this for good." He remarked reaching into his garment as he pulled out a knife and threw it directly at Draco.
Draco avoided the first thrown blade but the second was sent deep near his heart, around the left side. Draco breathed rapidly, feeling perspiration already increase with his heart. Something was happening; he felt the pulse beat strongly inside of him.
THA-THUMP
He could feel the pain, but something else was within in, something struggling to break free. Draco knew it had to be the same thing that Ryu had used to take out Jesse at Grandale. That same power now wanted freedom and Draco was going to unleash it.
With an ear-piercing cry he transformed, his forearms and legs exploded, nails growing sharper and larger, his back burst open with two wings, his scales were a deep green. His hair turned a light pink, his eyes yellow amber. He glared evilly towards the iron skin bastard. With a loud growl, he charged forth delivering a powerful blow to the face of the evil man.
Hard as he hit them, the hard fist was still not powerful enough to even break the mans face in half. The man slowly stood up, as he dashed over and grabbed his shotgun, and fired upon Draco. The gunshots easily went deep into his skin, but were only a pinch to Draco's steel skin.
"Your gun isn't doing anything to me, but my claws are going to tear you to shreds Blake." He shouted and advanced in.
Slashing furiously, his claws screeches with each swing and impact his sharp claws made as they made contact to the rough skin. Draco took a deep breath, noticing his claws did little to the man's own skin.
"Not a scratch, what the hell?" Draco muttered out clenching his teeth in frustration.
"When are you going to open your eyes up and realize I am INVULNERABLE, your stupid claws can't make a dent on my skin of steel." He shouted out with a laugh.
Draco remained silent, it seemed no matter what he did, his blows had no affected whatsoever on the man of steel. No matter what he threw, Blake only absorbed it and laughed mockingly at him.
"Master Draco, use your gun!" Shouted Gaby from wherever she was hiding.
Draco glanced down, finding the gun of his strapped to his side, the triple six digits glowing an eerie tinted red, almost as if to call him for attention.
Grasping it, he pulled it out, taking aim once more, as he cracked a smile.
"Whaddya planning to do with that, shoot me again senior?" Blake asked with another gutful laugh.
Draco said noting, he had his target, the regents forehead in his sight. Pulling the trigger back, he shot forth, throwing some of his power into it, the bullet streamed out with a tail behind it, a blue streak that was heading straight for Blake's head.
The bullet impacted with a deadly force, Blake had only one laugh before his eyes widened and his laugh went to his final cry of pain. The bullet went through his head, and in a large flash of light did it envelope most of his body, as a fierce wind followed, sand blowing up and brushing against Draco's body for a few seconds before it finally settled down.
The only things that remained were two forearms and the lower torso down to the feet of the body. Whatever shot Draco made had completely blown the once invincible man in history down to atoms by now.
"Woah... talk about finished..." Draco remarked as he glanced the remaining parts of the regent over.
"Draco?"
He turned to find Gaby several feet from him, shivering in fear from his new look. Lecha stood next to her, almost as shocked, but her face maintained the still fearless soul that made her ever so brave.
"Don't get your hearts all emotional, I'm still the same Draco, only with a newfound power." He mentioned with a smile.
"Power? That power is to dangerous, who know what it can do if you can't fully control it." Lecha reminded him shaking her head.
"Speak for yourself; I can control it, that shot proves it." He mentioned as he slowly reverted back to his old self.
"Draco, please, that-"
"It will only be a last resort. That guy is probably the only one with the body of steel, the others won't be as much of a problem as he was." Draco mentioned as he glanced into her eyes.
"Hey, what about our training, can't we continue?" Gaby asked with a frown on her face.
"Tomorrow, right now it's time we packed up and started to get out of here." He reminded them, as he headed back to the hotel.
***
The three had their belongings, packed up as Draco started the jeep once more and drove out of the ever so pitiful town. For once it seemed that nobody would try to mess with him, why was beyond his judgment. Still, he remembered that feeling when he was hit with that knife. He really felt the cold hand of death trying to pry his very soul from his conscious, but the power of the dragon took control and prevented the Grim Reaper from taking his life.
"Lecha, what's the next town we should be heading to?" He asked still keeping his eyes on the endless road of sand.
"Well, by my map, the next one we should head to if we plan to reach Dragonier is Lester, not much I know besides a few rumbles between gangsters." She said with a sigh.
"Long as they keep their noses outta my face, then there's nothing that's a problem." He said with a smile.
"Yeah, and I can't wait to steal- err, I mean see the new items they have there." Gaby commented with a gulp.
"You better not try to steal anything young lady, otherwise I will punish you." Lecha mentioned, crossing her arms.
Gaby remained silent, not wanting to cause a stir, but did decide to kill time the way any kid would.
"Are we there yet?" She asked in a demanding tone.
"Gaby, we just got on the road, we got a long while before we get there." Draco replied angrily.
It was only five minutes later that she decided to ask again.
"Are we there yet?"
"NO!!" Draco and Lecha yelled at the same time.
Gaby only groaned, but like any kid, long rides were a bore without any good toys.
**************************************************************************** **********
Next Time:
Wes: A long time ago when I was young, there was a girl I stood up for when she was bullied by the other orphans. She never was the kind who fit in well with anyone, but i guess I felt pity on someone who was less of fighter and more of a bookworm. It's been many years since then, but now the two of us are together again.
Next Chapter: Reunited by Fate.