Hi all,
Sorry it took me so long to get you this chapter. I've had a lot on my mind most recent and ideas for my other stories seem to be coming to me more easily than those for Kaleidoscope. So, I'll make my A/N super short. I want to thank Grinsome who one aging took time out of her busy schedule to edit this chapter. She is an amazing individual who deserves our praise in every way. The wonderful spelling and grammar would not be possible with out her wonderful touch. Keep Up the super fantastic work that only you can do that helps my story but don't stunt my creativity!
*^*^*^*^ Thank you! ^*^*^*^*^
Ug.. ^*^* If your only on chapter 12 and you haven't gotten to any of the edited stuff. I make numerous apologies for my awful grammar and spelling and am still trying to improve every day. I know I'm the "English Teachers Worst Nightmare" but I've read much worse. I hope you find Grinsome's editing job much more acceptable than my own. She's my Editor Angel making the mistakes disappear.
HALOW ^**^ Yeah I realized that Wolfwood coming back like that was cheesy, but it's suppose to be that way. See in the beginning there was a sided plot that addressed this. There is something much more sinister to his resurrection at work. I might just have to writhe a sequel to address this. You can expect more of the dead to rises in this second story. And I guess Since Wolfwood and Knives have so little contact in Kaleidoscope He just ignores him. But in the back of his mind, Knives presence is felt and he hates the man, but stays calm for Vash's sake.
Loss Of Innocence*^* I fell your pain! My fan in my computer stopped so I recruited my Dad to come help me fix it. After the replacement fan blew out too he just decided to take it apart. It was like that for two weeks. I went through computer withdrew until he could get me a new power source. It was scary! Please don't disappear! What would I do with out you!!!!!?
Anh D-ao*^*^ Was the chapter short, really? I didn't even notice. I hope this one's longer enough. Sometimes I get carried away and miss my normal 5 or more page quota.
Faery Goddyss^^** I think I would go to the dark side if it was Knives who beckoned me to it. How could any woman say no to that man. Well except for Marvel, she hates his guts!
prettyface ***^ Thank you for loving this chapter. It gives me that warm fuzzy felling!
Opaaru Tsuki ^^^* I'm quite the Chi Chiri lover my self, but I'm more of a Tasuki kind of girl. The whole Amiboshi/ Suboshi dream caught me off guard. I woke up thinking *What the hell was that!* Then I grew to love the twin pair.
Kagome-angel2000 *^^* I fell like I'm always apologizing to some one for my lazy posing habits. This time it's you. I wish I was better at getting stuff out but with my after work naps sometimes it don't happen. Guess you'll just have to stand behind me with an electric cattle prod and keep me awake till I finish the next chapter.
sessygirl9950 *^ I hope you enjoy this chapter update as much as the last. And I did have a great Christmas! Thanks for noticing!
GothicBlacre ^^ Thank you for such enthusiasm! Nothing gets me going like an all cap review. It lets me know you're not kidding around. Did I mention I love your screen name? Well I did now!
WW ** The problem With having a lot of Anime and Manga is it makes you only want more! It's like Crack, super addictive and just as expensive. So when you have lost of money saved up most likely I will have used every penny I have on Anime. I think I may have a problem!
Lady Dark Angel ^* I hope this chapter subdues your withdrew systems till I can post again! I'll work extra hard just for you!
Arika* ***Haha…Yes I'm the evil cliffhanger monster! Fear me and my ability to leave you at the edge of your seat! Where have you been young lady I haven't herd from you in forever! I'm starting to worry! Now that I sound like you mother, I can go on. Did you get the second Trigun Manga, did you!? I got it and like the last, it was great stuff! Mark you calendar because the fist Trigun Maximum comes out May 19th.
Woo hoo twelve reviews, Thanks Guys!!!!!!
^*^*^*^*^*^
Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun…But man do I ever wish I did!
Note from grinsome: Please refrain from any undeserved criticism of Nova. It is my responsibility now to correct grammar and spelling, so blame me. My proofreading, much to my astonishment, is not strictly adherent to perfect grammar. This is because that would not only be dreadfully hard to accomplish, it could possibly interfere with Nova's writing style. When I leave a preposition at the end of the sentence or misplace a hyphen, I hope most care not at all. Mistakes will inevitably surface. However, I'm satisfied and happy to help. Enjoy your read! :)
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Chapter 21: Showdown
A frigid silence rolled over the small, desert community. The streets had cleared at the first sound of gunfire and not a soul could be found wandering the alleyways and paths of the city. The residents in this place knew the danger of a western-style shootout. No one wanted to be a casualty or fall victim to a stray bullet that had failed to hit its target. In the middle of whatever task that had been at hand, everything stopped and everyone disappeared to the places where they felt safe, and the silence spread.
Words could not even be formed as the two observers below continued to gaze at the unbelievable happenings. Nothing made any sense, how could such a drastic change happen in such a short time? It's not like they'd been gone long! Maybe these changes had been going on right under their very noses, but they had all been so self-absorbed it hadn't been noticed. Now the whole result of their ignorance had come to light, not to be hidden in the dark any more.
Vash couldn't hold the emotions in. This was all so sudden, so confusing that it strained the boundaries of his normal grasp on reality. Meryl had become so much more to him than just an annoying insurance worker who would follow him to the ends of Gunsmoke to fulfill her duties. She was a friend, someone who constantly reminded him that there were things and people here he wanted to protect. He may not have been able to love her in the way she had loved him, but he still cared. Vash did love her as he loved all the people in his life. Why couldn't Meryl see this?
"Knives, take your hands off of her now!" An angry rumbling voice came out strongly through the teeth of the man on the ground.
"What brother, have you changed your mind? Do you wish it were you instead?" Knives stood thrilled at the sight of his brother's fuming anger.
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"
"Then what is it, my dear twin? Are you jealous of my new-found happiness?"
"Is this cruel joke what you call happiness?" Marvel spoke up from bedside the bewildered man with conflicting emotions.
"Why do you think we're all pawns in some screwed-up game?! Meryl doesn't deserve to be your lackey puppet! I won't let you do this again!" Marvel's speech was halted by another bullet grazing her left cheek, just above the other.
"Silence!" Anger raged through the much smaller woman. How could Marvel have anything to say about deception? Meryl didn't want to hear another word from the woman who knew nothing of the truth. Blood rolled slowly down the face of the cat woman from all three wounds. Meryl aimed the small guns solely at her. As one dropped to the ground, empty and discarded, another was pulled from the holsters in the tailored white cape of the vengeful woman.
"How strange, Marvel. I know for a fact your agility is unmatched. Bullets from such heights and gun model are easily avoidable by you. So tell me, why is it you continue to stand there and take such abuse?" Meryl looked up at the superior being next to her. If Knives were right, why would Marvel let herself be hit? Was this just a taunt? It didn't make any sense.
"Meryl, I know it hurts" Marvel still stood tall, full of some kind of strong emotion Meryl didn't understand. "I know it's painful to lose someone who means so much to you, that's so close."
"SHUT UP!" The tiny woman quivered a bit, causing her gun's position to drop. When fired, it grazed the top of Marvel's shoulder, this time ripping through the material of her shirt.
"Meryl, just because I'm not in love with you doesn't mean I don't love you! Let's stop this, don't let Knives use you like this." Those words, those kind words Vash spoke hit Meryl's heart hard. Pain coursed through her chest, was it heartbreak in Vash's eyes, did he really care that much?
"Stop it! Just stop your lies! Just stop!" An itchy trigger finger was ready to act once more but a loud crash stopped it in its tracks.
From the top of the large towering building, it was simple for her to see what had happened. In the alleyway below, a teenage girl lay next to an overturned trashcan with its contents spread haphazardly around her as she rubbed the large newly formed lump on her head.
"Emily!" Marvel rushed to the side of the fallen girl as Vash held his position like a rock. "What are you doing here?" What had been concern quickly turned to anger. "Didn't I tell you to stay put!"
"Hey, I just wanted to see what was going on. I planned on staying quiet and out of the way, but this trashcan had other thoughts in mind." The small blond girl picked the remnants of some kind of vegetable out of her short hair.
"Stealth and grace have never been any of your strong points." Even in this serious situation, Marvel was still able to poke fun at her younger comrade.
"Don't you have some battle to the death to worry about or something!" Emily huffed, crossing her arms from her position seated on the ground.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get back to that momentarily." The older woman outstretched her arm to pull the clumsy damsel in distress to her feet.
"Hey, do you think this is a game!? Face me!" Meryl pulled the trigger again, hitting not Marvel, but scraping instead the arm of the young woman she was helping up. With a yelp Emily fell right back on her behind, smacking it on the hard surface below.
"Lady, what is your problem!?" Hostility was apparent in the woman who sat on the ground's outraged voice. Rubbing the scratch below her wrist, Emily moaned as her rear end throbbed in pain. "Are you crazy, shooting at an innocent girl like me?!"
"You're hardly what I'd consider innocent."
"Marvel, Shut up!"
Vash still stood a few feet away watching the two as from a long distance. He sighed thinking to himself * Not even the fear of impending death can stop those two from fighting. I don't know who scares me more, Knives or those two when they're angry! *
"I've got an idea. Why don't all of you shut up!?" Knives finally brought his big black handgun from its position in his waistband.
Marvel let out a low growl from the back of her throat and her pointy blown ears flipped back to rest flat against her skull. Round pupils narrowed to thin black slits while her canines and nails grew long and sharp. The fully transformed feline stood protectively between Knives and the young woman seated on the ground.
"Are you ready to take this seriously now that it's me with the gun in my hands? See, I knew that Meryl's guns are not threatening to you. The Derringer in a one shot gun. Every time it's shot, the shooter must grab another loaded one to take its place. A revolver in much more efficient, much more deadly." It was over, the childish game was over and now the real fight would begin. Knives aimed the long barrel of his gun at the two women below. "You weren't scared because that gun gave you no reason to be afraid."
"No, that's not it at all. I wasn't scared because unlike you, Meryl has a heart and soul. If she had wanted to kill me, she could have at any time as I stood still. But no matter what control you have over her, Meryl still has free will and she's no cold-blooded killer like you!"
A click rang out in Marvel's triangular ears, the sound of a gun cocking before it let loose the deadly projectiles it held nestled in its chamber. Faster than she had thought she was capable, Marvel grabbed the girl off the ground below her and thrust both of them up against the wall of the building the disturbed gunman stood atop, out of his range. In the same amount of time, Knives fired three times into the spot they'd narrowly escaped from.
"Leave them alone, Knives! This is between us, so let's settle this!" Not again, Vash didn't want to hurt him again. He raised his gun up and locked on to his target, his own brother. "Why's it is always have to come to this? Brother against brother. Aren't you tired of this, Knives, don't you wanna stop this?"
Knives mirrored his brother's actions and the two men stared into the barrels of the opposing firearm. It seemed as though this hostile encounter had hit a stalemate, neither of the skilled gunmen making a move. Tension filled the air as everyone waited for somebody to act.
"Emily, we have to make a run for it. Do you understand me? I have to get you someplace safe." All the adolescent could do was shake her head as she clung to Marvel in complete terror. It had sunk in, the true nature of what was happening sunk in, and Emily knew her life was really on the line now, along with Marvel's.
This was going to be a tough one. How could the two of them get anywhere safely? True, Knives and Meryl couldn't see the girls at their current location, but the set of rooftop shooters couldn't be seen either. Marvel had only her excellent hearing to track their location. The entrances to both buildings next to the troubled women were on the opposite side of their position. Even if they stayed close to the wall, if their movement was noticed, the safety point would be too far away for them to escape gunfire. The closest safe haven was actually the building right behind Vash, across the way. The distance was less than any other doors to the inside and Vash was good cover fire if something went wrong.
"Ok, this is what we have to do. Can you see the door of the general store across the street?" Pointing to the doorway, Marvel waited for Emily to respond.
"Yeah, I can see it."
"We have to make a run for it."
"Have you gone insane!" despite being hushed, the teen continued. "Do you not see that we'd be in the line if fire! I don't plan on spending the rest of my day...DEAD!" Marvel grabbed her by the wrist, prepared to drag the reluctant girl behind her.
"It's the only way. Don't stop running once we've started and for no reason look back." Emily laid her hand on the one Marvel had wrapped around her petite arm and used it to pull the older woman into a hug. "Don't worry so much, I'll protect you. Just don't let go of my hand and you'll be fine." Resuming her positions from before, the cat woman got ready to run, this time taking Emily's hand.
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"Ok, on my count... one...two...three"
Both women took off. The cat's speed was of course slowed by what seemed like dead weight she lugged behind her. A normal human girl just couldn't run as fast as one genetically similar to a cat, it was impossible. Emily tried to keep up, but the speed was too much. So, in true Emily fashion she stumbled over her own feet, tumbling forward and letting go of Marvel's hand.
Knives noticed the scuffling below and watched the pair out of the corner of his eyes. He waited, waited for the chance to act. The human girl tripped over her own feet, leaving her open. His right arm swung around,repositioning his gun and looking away from his brother. Knives movement caused Vash to look over abruptly. He saw everything as if the whole scene had played out in slow motion. The young blond girl was plummeting slowly towards the ground, a look of fear devouring her features as her fingers left the grasp of Marvel's. That's when Vash started to run, while he watched Marvel throw herself around Emily as a shield. The panicked man hoped he could get there in time.
Emily belted out a shrill shriek when her small frame made contact with the ground. It had all happened so fast and there was nothing that could be done now. In defeat, the young maiden curled her body into a ball to await the end, but nothing happened. Lying on top of the frightened girl was Marvel's protecting body, and shielding them both was Vash, kneeling over the two women. But, what was shielding him? It was obvious to him he hadn't been shot, first because he heard no gunshot, but also because he was lacking the pain he had braced himself for. Looking back slowly, he could see the shadow of a large cross looming behind him.
"Hey needle noggin, I thought you could use some help out here." And there Nicholas D. Wolfwood stood before the pile of people below him, Millie in tow.
"Just in time, too." Vash stood, wiping the sweat from his brow with a sigh of relief.
"What took you so damn long!?" Marvel also stood, taking Emily with her.
"Now that's not a nice way to say think you, is it?" Wolfwood only smiled.
"My hero!" Emily threw her arms around the attractive priest. Marvel groaned and rolled her eyes.
"We almost died and she's still thinking about men."
"What would you like me to think about?" The teenager still hung from the taller man's neck.
"I don't know, the two people who just risked their lives to protect you?!" The awful twitch Marvel acquired only from Emily's actions begged to be set free.
"But he saved me! Right Mr.?" Nicholas pried the young girl off of him then patted her on the head.
"Yep, that's right!" The cat threw her hands up in defeat.
"I don't even know why I try anymore!" Millie looked at her, puzzled.
"But it was Mr. Wolfwood who saved everyone. He should get the thank you, right?"
Knives stood watching the group below. Why couldn't he just kill them, why wouldn't they die? They were like insects, a whole swarm infesting everything he tried to pull off. He could never just fight one of them without the whole nest being let loose. This was quickly becoming a problem. Though his body had healed, Knives was far from full strength. Any type of telepathy or telekinesis would drain his body of energy and leave him unable to protect himself and Meryl if something went wrong. He couldn't risk it, so if they fled he could live to fight another day and grow stronger. It was decided. While the group below took little notice of them, Knives would take Meryl away from this place.
"Hey Vash, Knives is on the move." Marvel could hear it without even turning around as the rooftop gunman tried to make his escape. "There's only one way down so we can cut him off there."
"Millie, take Emily someplace safe. We can take care of this." Vash pushed the young blond towards the gentle woman.
As the party started to make its way around the building, the ground below them began to rumble. All three of them braced themselves for what seemed like an earthquake. But just like it started, it suddenly stopped. The two men were quick to restart the chase, but Marvel stood still.
"Come on, we can't lose them!" Vash tugged her arm but she still stood petrified.
"Something's wrong. I can feel it." She closed her eyes feeling the rhythms of Gunsmoke's pulsating.
"We don't have time for this, let's go!" Pulling harder, the devoted gunman was able to coax her into moving.
Knives and Meryl hadn't gotten far, so with Marvel's superhuman speed, catching up to them wasn't going to be much of a challenge. Meryl lagged far behind the man with much longer legs and had begun to grow tired as they ran through town trying to escape. Marvel closed in, swiftly tackling the poor woman, sending them both crashing down.
"What are you doing!? Get off of me!" The petite woman struggled trying to work her way out of Marvel's grasp.
"No way! This is over, Meryl! All of this stops now! I don't know what he did to you or what kind of crazy mind control he's got going on, but I won't let him do this to you any more! I won't let him do it again, I won't let you be like Legato!" Marvel suddenly pulled Meryl into her arms, holding her in a super strong hug. "I wont let him use you like that!"
"He's not using me! I LOVE HIM!"
"YOU WHAT!" This was inconceivable. The old cat woman didn't know whether to scream at her or try to slap her to snap the delusional woman out of it. How could she love that creature without a heart, without a soul?
That's when Marvel remembered the day that didn't seem so far away in her memory, the day she had almost killed Rai Dei the Blade. The whole confrontation had started with his simple comment. "How can you love Legato? That man has no soul." She almost killed him defending the man she loved. Marvel let go of Meryl and jumped back, crouching a couple of feet away from her.
"Meryl, you have to go."
"What?" the insurance woman sat confused on the ground, staring at the woman across from her.
"I have to let you go. So hurry up and go!" Meryl still sat dumbfounded.
"Why...I thought..." Meryl was never able to complete her sentence, for once again the ground started to shake, this time with much more force. When it came to a halt, a gruff male voice called out from behind Marvel,
"Nice to see you again, princess."
The cat woman reverted back to her human form nearly instantaneously and shivers coursed through her body. The look in her eyes was terror-filled. Marvel swiftly whirled around to see if her worst nightmare was true. Every taut muscle held rigid in panic suddenly went limp and she fell from her crouch to her knees, sitting on her legs.
"How can this be? You're...You're dead...I killed you...I KILLED YOU!"
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I hope you like the chapter I'm going to run off now and to some research for my other stories.
Every one go out and buy the Trigun 2 Manga and While you're at it pick up Fruits Basket 1 and any volume of X/1999.
See ya!!
Nova Elizabeth Beam
Sorry it took me so long to get you this chapter. I've had a lot on my mind most recent and ideas for my other stories seem to be coming to me more easily than those for Kaleidoscope. So, I'll make my A/N super short. I want to thank Grinsome who one aging took time out of her busy schedule to edit this chapter. She is an amazing individual who deserves our praise in every way. The wonderful spelling and grammar would not be possible with out her wonderful touch. Keep Up the super fantastic work that only you can do that helps my story but don't stunt my creativity!
*^*^*^*^ Thank you! ^*^*^*^*^
Ug.. ^*^* If your only on chapter 12 and you haven't gotten to any of the edited stuff. I make numerous apologies for my awful grammar and spelling and am still trying to improve every day. I know I'm the "English Teachers Worst Nightmare" but I've read much worse. I hope you find Grinsome's editing job much more acceptable than my own. She's my Editor Angel making the mistakes disappear.
HALOW ^**^ Yeah I realized that Wolfwood coming back like that was cheesy, but it's suppose to be that way. See in the beginning there was a sided plot that addressed this. There is something much more sinister to his resurrection at work. I might just have to writhe a sequel to address this. You can expect more of the dead to rises in this second story. And I guess Since Wolfwood and Knives have so little contact in Kaleidoscope He just ignores him. But in the back of his mind, Knives presence is felt and he hates the man, but stays calm for Vash's sake.
Loss Of Innocence*^* I fell your pain! My fan in my computer stopped so I recruited my Dad to come help me fix it. After the replacement fan blew out too he just decided to take it apart. It was like that for two weeks. I went through computer withdrew until he could get me a new power source. It was scary! Please don't disappear! What would I do with out you!!!!!?
Anh D-ao*^*^ Was the chapter short, really? I didn't even notice. I hope this one's longer enough. Sometimes I get carried away and miss my normal 5 or more page quota.
Faery Goddyss^^** I think I would go to the dark side if it was Knives who beckoned me to it. How could any woman say no to that man. Well except for Marvel, she hates his guts!
prettyface ***^ Thank you for loving this chapter. It gives me that warm fuzzy felling!
Opaaru Tsuki ^^^* I'm quite the Chi Chiri lover my self, but I'm more of a Tasuki kind of girl. The whole Amiboshi/ Suboshi dream caught me off guard. I woke up thinking *What the hell was that!* Then I grew to love the twin pair.
Kagome-angel2000 *^^* I fell like I'm always apologizing to some one for my lazy posing habits. This time it's you. I wish I was better at getting stuff out but with my after work naps sometimes it don't happen. Guess you'll just have to stand behind me with an electric cattle prod and keep me awake till I finish the next chapter.
sessygirl9950 *^ I hope you enjoy this chapter update as much as the last. And I did have a great Christmas! Thanks for noticing!
GothicBlacre ^^ Thank you for such enthusiasm! Nothing gets me going like an all cap review. It lets me know you're not kidding around. Did I mention I love your screen name? Well I did now!
WW ** The problem With having a lot of Anime and Manga is it makes you only want more! It's like Crack, super addictive and just as expensive. So when you have lost of money saved up most likely I will have used every penny I have on Anime. I think I may have a problem!
Lady Dark Angel ^* I hope this chapter subdues your withdrew systems till I can post again! I'll work extra hard just for you!
Arika* ***Haha…Yes I'm the evil cliffhanger monster! Fear me and my ability to leave you at the edge of your seat! Where have you been young lady I haven't herd from you in forever! I'm starting to worry! Now that I sound like you mother, I can go on. Did you get the second Trigun Manga, did you!? I got it and like the last, it was great stuff! Mark you calendar because the fist Trigun Maximum comes out May 19th.
Woo hoo twelve reviews, Thanks Guys!!!!!!
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Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun…But man do I ever wish I did!
Note from grinsome: Please refrain from any undeserved criticism of Nova. It is my responsibility now to correct grammar and spelling, so blame me. My proofreading, much to my astonishment, is not strictly adherent to perfect grammar. This is because that would not only be dreadfully hard to accomplish, it could possibly interfere with Nova's writing style. When I leave a preposition at the end of the sentence or misplace a hyphen, I hope most care not at all. Mistakes will inevitably surface. However, I'm satisfied and happy to help. Enjoy your read! :)
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Chapter 21: Showdown
A frigid silence rolled over the small, desert community. The streets had cleared at the first sound of gunfire and not a soul could be found wandering the alleyways and paths of the city. The residents in this place knew the danger of a western-style shootout. No one wanted to be a casualty or fall victim to a stray bullet that had failed to hit its target. In the middle of whatever task that had been at hand, everything stopped and everyone disappeared to the places where they felt safe, and the silence spread.
Words could not even be formed as the two observers below continued to gaze at the unbelievable happenings. Nothing made any sense, how could such a drastic change happen in such a short time? It's not like they'd been gone long! Maybe these changes had been going on right under their very noses, but they had all been so self-absorbed it hadn't been noticed. Now the whole result of their ignorance had come to light, not to be hidden in the dark any more.
Vash couldn't hold the emotions in. This was all so sudden, so confusing that it strained the boundaries of his normal grasp on reality. Meryl had become so much more to him than just an annoying insurance worker who would follow him to the ends of Gunsmoke to fulfill her duties. She was a friend, someone who constantly reminded him that there were things and people here he wanted to protect. He may not have been able to love her in the way she had loved him, but he still cared. Vash did love her as he loved all the people in his life. Why couldn't Meryl see this?
"Knives, take your hands off of her now!" An angry rumbling voice came out strongly through the teeth of the man on the ground.
"What brother, have you changed your mind? Do you wish it were you instead?" Knives stood thrilled at the sight of his brother's fuming anger.
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"
"Then what is it, my dear twin? Are you jealous of my new-found happiness?"
"Is this cruel joke what you call happiness?" Marvel spoke up from bedside the bewildered man with conflicting emotions.
"Why do you think we're all pawns in some screwed-up game?! Meryl doesn't deserve to be your lackey puppet! I won't let you do this again!" Marvel's speech was halted by another bullet grazing her left cheek, just above the other.
"Silence!" Anger raged through the much smaller woman. How could Marvel have anything to say about deception? Meryl didn't want to hear another word from the woman who knew nothing of the truth. Blood rolled slowly down the face of the cat woman from all three wounds. Meryl aimed the small guns solely at her. As one dropped to the ground, empty and discarded, another was pulled from the holsters in the tailored white cape of the vengeful woman.
"How strange, Marvel. I know for a fact your agility is unmatched. Bullets from such heights and gun model are easily avoidable by you. So tell me, why is it you continue to stand there and take such abuse?" Meryl looked up at the superior being next to her. If Knives were right, why would Marvel let herself be hit? Was this just a taunt? It didn't make any sense.
"Meryl, I know it hurts" Marvel still stood tall, full of some kind of strong emotion Meryl didn't understand. "I know it's painful to lose someone who means so much to you, that's so close."
"SHUT UP!" The tiny woman quivered a bit, causing her gun's position to drop. When fired, it grazed the top of Marvel's shoulder, this time ripping through the material of her shirt.
"Meryl, just because I'm not in love with you doesn't mean I don't love you! Let's stop this, don't let Knives use you like this." Those words, those kind words Vash spoke hit Meryl's heart hard. Pain coursed through her chest, was it heartbreak in Vash's eyes, did he really care that much?
"Stop it! Just stop your lies! Just stop!" An itchy trigger finger was ready to act once more but a loud crash stopped it in its tracks.
From the top of the large towering building, it was simple for her to see what had happened. In the alleyway below, a teenage girl lay next to an overturned trashcan with its contents spread haphazardly around her as she rubbed the large newly formed lump on her head.
"Emily!" Marvel rushed to the side of the fallen girl as Vash held his position like a rock. "What are you doing here?" What had been concern quickly turned to anger. "Didn't I tell you to stay put!"
"Hey, I just wanted to see what was going on. I planned on staying quiet and out of the way, but this trashcan had other thoughts in mind." The small blond girl picked the remnants of some kind of vegetable out of her short hair.
"Stealth and grace have never been any of your strong points." Even in this serious situation, Marvel was still able to poke fun at her younger comrade.
"Don't you have some battle to the death to worry about or something!" Emily huffed, crossing her arms from her position seated on the ground.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get back to that momentarily." The older woman outstretched her arm to pull the clumsy damsel in distress to her feet.
"Hey, do you think this is a game!? Face me!" Meryl pulled the trigger again, hitting not Marvel, but scraping instead the arm of the young woman she was helping up. With a yelp Emily fell right back on her behind, smacking it on the hard surface below.
"Lady, what is your problem!?" Hostility was apparent in the woman who sat on the ground's outraged voice. Rubbing the scratch below her wrist, Emily moaned as her rear end throbbed in pain. "Are you crazy, shooting at an innocent girl like me?!"
"You're hardly what I'd consider innocent."
"Marvel, Shut up!"
Vash still stood a few feet away watching the two as from a long distance. He sighed thinking to himself * Not even the fear of impending death can stop those two from fighting. I don't know who scares me more, Knives or those two when they're angry! *
"I've got an idea. Why don't all of you shut up!?" Knives finally brought his big black handgun from its position in his waistband.
Marvel let out a low growl from the back of her throat and her pointy blown ears flipped back to rest flat against her skull. Round pupils narrowed to thin black slits while her canines and nails grew long and sharp. The fully transformed feline stood protectively between Knives and the young woman seated on the ground.
"Are you ready to take this seriously now that it's me with the gun in my hands? See, I knew that Meryl's guns are not threatening to you. The Derringer in a one shot gun. Every time it's shot, the shooter must grab another loaded one to take its place. A revolver in much more efficient, much more deadly." It was over, the childish game was over and now the real fight would begin. Knives aimed the long barrel of his gun at the two women below. "You weren't scared because that gun gave you no reason to be afraid."
"No, that's not it at all. I wasn't scared because unlike you, Meryl has a heart and soul. If she had wanted to kill me, she could have at any time as I stood still. But no matter what control you have over her, Meryl still has free will and she's no cold-blooded killer like you!"
A click rang out in Marvel's triangular ears, the sound of a gun cocking before it let loose the deadly projectiles it held nestled in its chamber. Faster than she had thought she was capable, Marvel grabbed the girl off the ground below her and thrust both of them up against the wall of the building the disturbed gunman stood atop, out of his range. In the same amount of time, Knives fired three times into the spot they'd narrowly escaped from.
"Leave them alone, Knives! This is between us, so let's settle this!" Not again, Vash didn't want to hurt him again. He raised his gun up and locked on to his target, his own brother. "Why's it is always have to come to this? Brother against brother. Aren't you tired of this, Knives, don't you wanna stop this?"
Knives mirrored his brother's actions and the two men stared into the barrels of the opposing firearm. It seemed as though this hostile encounter had hit a stalemate, neither of the skilled gunmen making a move. Tension filled the air as everyone waited for somebody to act.
"Emily, we have to make a run for it. Do you understand me? I have to get you someplace safe." All the adolescent could do was shake her head as she clung to Marvel in complete terror. It had sunk in, the true nature of what was happening sunk in, and Emily knew her life was really on the line now, along with Marvel's.
This was going to be a tough one. How could the two of them get anywhere safely? True, Knives and Meryl couldn't see the girls at their current location, but the set of rooftop shooters couldn't be seen either. Marvel had only her excellent hearing to track their location. The entrances to both buildings next to the troubled women were on the opposite side of their position. Even if they stayed close to the wall, if their movement was noticed, the safety point would be too far away for them to escape gunfire. The closest safe haven was actually the building right behind Vash, across the way. The distance was less than any other doors to the inside and Vash was good cover fire if something went wrong.
"Ok, this is what we have to do. Can you see the door of the general store across the street?" Pointing to the doorway, Marvel waited for Emily to respond.
"Yeah, I can see it."
"We have to make a run for it."
"Have you gone insane!" despite being hushed, the teen continued. "Do you not see that we'd be in the line if fire! I don't plan on spending the rest of my day...DEAD!" Marvel grabbed her by the wrist, prepared to drag the reluctant girl behind her.
"It's the only way. Don't stop running once we've started and for no reason look back." Emily laid her hand on the one Marvel had wrapped around her petite arm and used it to pull the older woman into a hug. "Don't worry so much, I'll protect you. Just don't let go of my hand and you'll be fine." Resuming her positions from before, the cat woman got ready to run, this time taking Emily's hand.
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"Ok, on my count... one...two...three"
Both women took off. The cat's speed was of course slowed by what seemed like dead weight she lugged behind her. A normal human girl just couldn't run as fast as one genetically similar to a cat, it was impossible. Emily tried to keep up, but the speed was too much. So, in true Emily fashion she stumbled over her own feet, tumbling forward and letting go of Marvel's hand.
Knives noticed the scuffling below and watched the pair out of the corner of his eyes. He waited, waited for the chance to act. The human girl tripped over her own feet, leaving her open. His right arm swung around,repositioning his gun and looking away from his brother. Knives movement caused Vash to look over abruptly. He saw everything as if the whole scene had played out in slow motion. The young blond girl was plummeting slowly towards the ground, a look of fear devouring her features as her fingers left the grasp of Marvel's. That's when Vash started to run, while he watched Marvel throw herself around Emily as a shield. The panicked man hoped he could get there in time.
Emily belted out a shrill shriek when her small frame made contact with the ground. It had all happened so fast and there was nothing that could be done now. In defeat, the young maiden curled her body into a ball to await the end, but nothing happened. Lying on top of the frightened girl was Marvel's protecting body, and shielding them both was Vash, kneeling over the two women. But, what was shielding him? It was obvious to him he hadn't been shot, first because he heard no gunshot, but also because he was lacking the pain he had braced himself for. Looking back slowly, he could see the shadow of a large cross looming behind him.
"Hey needle noggin, I thought you could use some help out here." And there Nicholas D. Wolfwood stood before the pile of people below him, Millie in tow.
"Just in time, too." Vash stood, wiping the sweat from his brow with a sigh of relief.
"What took you so damn long!?" Marvel also stood, taking Emily with her.
"Now that's not a nice way to say think you, is it?" Wolfwood only smiled.
"My hero!" Emily threw her arms around the attractive priest. Marvel groaned and rolled her eyes.
"We almost died and she's still thinking about men."
"What would you like me to think about?" The teenager still hung from the taller man's neck.
"I don't know, the two people who just risked their lives to protect you?!" The awful twitch Marvel acquired only from Emily's actions begged to be set free.
"But he saved me! Right Mr.?" Nicholas pried the young girl off of him then patted her on the head.
"Yep, that's right!" The cat threw her hands up in defeat.
"I don't even know why I try anymore!" Millie looked at her, puzzled.
"But it was Mr. Wolfwood who saved everyone. He should get the thank you, right?"
Knives stood watching the group below. Why couldn't he just kill them, why wouldn't they die? They were like insects, a whole swarm infesting everything he tried to pull off. He could never just fight one of them without the whole nest being let loose. This was quickly becoming a problem. Though his body had healed, Knives was far from full strength. Any type of telepathy or telekinesis would drain his body of energy and leave him unable to protect himself and Meryl if something went wrong. He couldn't risk it, so if they fled he could live to fight another day and grow stronger. It was decided. While the group below took little notice of them, Knives would take Meryl away from this place.
"Hey Vash, Knives is on the move." Marvel could hear it without even turning around as the rooftop gunman tried to make his escape. "There's only one way down so we can cut him off there."
"Millie, take Emily someplace safe. We can take care of this." Vash pushed the young blond towards the gentle woman.
As the party started to make its way around the building, the ground below them began to rumble. All three of them braced themselves for what seemed like an earthquake. But just like it started, it suddenly stopped. The two men were quick to restart the chase, but Marvel stood still.
"Come on, we can't lose them!" Vash tugged her arm but she still stood petrified.
"Something's wrong. I can feel it." She closed her eyes feeling the rhythms of Gunsmoke's pulsating.
"We don't have time for this, let's go!" Pulling harder, the devoted gunman was able to coax her into moving.
Knives and Meryl hadn't gotten far, so with Marvel's superhuman speed, catching up to them wasn't going to be much of a challenge. Meryl lagged far behind the man with much longer legs and had begun to grow tired as they ran through town trying to escape. Marvel closed in, swiftly tackling the poor woman, sending them both crashing down.
"What are you doing!? Get off of me!" The petite woman struggled trying to work her way out of Marvel's grasp.
"No way! This is over, Meryl! All of this stops now! I don't know what he did to you or what kind of crazy mind control he's got going on, but I won't let him do this to you any more! I won't let him do it again, I won't let you be like Legato!" Marvel suddenly pulled Meryl into her arms, holding her in a super strong hug. "I wont let him use you like that!"
"He's not using me! I LOVE HIM!"
"YOU WHAT!" This was inconceivable. The old cat woman didn't know whether to scream at her or try to slap her to snap the delusional woman out of it. How could she love that creature without a heart, without a soul?
That's when Marvel remembered the day that didn't seem so far away in her memory, the day she had almost killed Rai Dei the Blade. The whole confrontation had started with his simple comment. "How can you love Legato? That man has no soul." She almost killed him defending the man she loved. Marvel let go of Meryl and jumped back, crouching a couple of feet away from her.
"Meryl, you have to go."
"What?" the insurance woman sat confused on the ground, staring at the woman across from her.
"I have to let you go. So hurry up and go!" Meryl still sat dumbfounded.
"Why...I thought..." Meryl was never able to complete her sentence, for once again the ground started to shake, this time with much more force. When it came to a halt, a gruff male voice called out from behind Marvel,
"Nice to see you again, princess."
The cat woman reverted back to her human form nearly instantaneously and shivers coursed through her body. The look in her eyes was terror-filled. Marvel swiftly whirled around to see if her worst nightmare was true. Every taut muscle held rigid in panic suddenly went limp and she fell from her crouch to her knees, sitting on her legs.
"How can this be? You're...You're dead...I killed you...I KILLED YOU!"
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I hope you like the chapter I'm going to run off now and to some research for my other stories.
Every one go out and buy the Trigun 2 Manga and While you're at it pick up Fruits Basket 1 and any volume of X/1999.
See ya!!
Nova Elizabeth Beam