Chapter 10: Ballad of the Fifth Moon
2 weeks later
Midvalley had his arms wrapped around two gorgeous young women and two others on the other side. He looked over at Legato who simply sat there eating ice cream. Midvalley shook his head and looked at the 6 women that threw themselves at his feet. Each he had taken a liking to.
" It's been two weeks, what do you attend to do?" Midvalley asked
" Nothing, I waiting for him to make his move," Legato replied, " It's simple logic to let the one being hunted make a move on the predator."
It was then that E.G. Mine had come to beg Legato for his chance to take care of Vash. Legato smiled simply and agreed to let E.G. Mine try his luck. Though he knew other wise that he would fail. Once gone Midvalley looked up again.
" Are you going to let him go on his own?" Midvalley asked
" Why would you think I would do a thing like that, it's more fun when the show has a twist," Legato said
Midvalley smirked and gave a chuckle.
" I must send an invite to the show, it's no show unless the guest of honor has a front row seats," Legato said
Midvalley smirked and went back to bathing in the attention that the women gave him. Midvalley smiled and flirted while Legato finished his delightful bowl of ice-cream. Midvalley walked with Legato to the rocky cliffs from afar, they would watch Augusta's quiet life turn into chaos once Legato sent his message to Vash. Midvalley looked at the city and felt a feeling run through him. Augusta held a place in Midvalley's mind, but he couldn't remember what exactly it was. He had found certain things he did that triggered off a thought or a false memory. He looked over at Legato who glanced over the city, he was in thought.
" It is done, we will now wait," Legato said
It was later that day that Vash had entered the city and began to clear the city. Midvalley walked down some way and looked at Rai Dei.
" Legato, wants you to go. Knowing E.G. Mine has failed already," Midvalley said
" Then I'll be on my way," Rai Dei said
He took off and Midvalley returned and Legato looked at Midvalley.
" He's off," Midvalley said, " Do you think he will succeed?"
" I don't know, it's up to him," Legato replied
Midvalley nodded and said, " Of course, since the others have failed the burden rest in his hands."
" If he fails, then there will be another," Legato said
" Knives won't be thrilled if he fails like the others," Midvalley said
" Yes, that is a great disappointment, but there are other ways to succeed," Legato said
Legato stared straight head hearing the sounds falling buildings. He smiled and Midvalley watched in amazement. He knew when he met Rai Dei that he wasn't using his full force, this surprised Midvalley deeply to see buildings falling by a powerful stroke. They could only see the falling buildings and destruction cause by the fight, but knew that Vash was refusing to kill. Legato smiled and lifted his hand.
" It's time for this secret of his to be released," Legato said
" What secret?" Midvalley asked
" Watch," Legato answered
Legato just stopped and smiled, Midvalley waited. It was only seconds that a sudden light appeared and disaster was taking place.
" What is that horrific light? Is that coming from him?" Midvalley questioned in amazement
" Yes, it's the same light that destroyed July 23 years ago," Legato said emotionless
Midvalley continued to watch and felt chills run up his spine. It was so horrifying that it made the hair on the back of his neck raise up.
" It's so powerful," Midvalley thought
The light burned into the fifth moon and Midvalley gasped in surprise. He was for once in his life afraid, afraid that, that light would be the end to any who crossed its path. He watched the city of Augusta fall as the light vanished.
" I can see why he is called the humanoid typhoon," Midvalley thought, " He's destroyed two cities and probably will find no remorse in doing so."
" There is nothing more we can do here," Legato said
Midvalley nodded and followed Legato as they left the cliffs that over looked the destroyed Augusta. Midvalley held tight to his sax feeling anger build up, he wanted his chance to destroy Vash, but it would look like he wouldn't.
2 years after the Fifth moon
Midvalley played at the local saloon in a town 50 miles East of Augusta. He had been there since Legato had vanished, but Legato had said that he would summon him once Vash the Stampede has surfaced once more. Midvalley had spent that two years only putting together the perfect performance to destroy Vash. The glory in that would just give him complete satisfaction. Midvalley was ready to finish Vash off and not have to worry about anything. Once the end came for Vash the Stampede freedom called his name. He was feeling awkward from time to time, getting dizzy and losing footing, flashes of images came to him. Mainly of two women, that he thought he knew, but wasn't sure. Certain towns or cities were mentioned…but they became blur as well.
One evening as he played his sax he heard people talking about old rumors that mentioned Vash, though they weren't rumors. A drunk came in and spouted nonsense that Vash was alive and living two cities away, that he was on the move to New Organ. Midvalley sat his sax down.
" Sit down you old drunk," Midvalley said, " Vash the Stampede has been dormant for two years why would he surface now."
" No, it's true, I saw him with my own two eyes," the drunk said
" Your own two eyes need to be check," Midvalley said
Midvalley looked at the old man, who gave him a look.
" Let me tell you some you young wiper snapper, what these ears hear is the truth," the old drunk said
" Then, let me introduce you to some truth," Midvalley said
Midvalley smirked and lifted his sax to lips and began to play something, which ended in disaster. Midvalley walked out the saloon and looked up at a set of cliffs and saw Legato standing there.
" And here I thought once again you had abandon me," Midvalley said
" And why would I do that?" Legato replied, " You are after all a servant to my master too, I am to make sure that you don't betray us."
Midvalley smirked and walked towards the cliffs and stood there. Legato turned and looked at him.
" Come, we have much to do," Legato said
Once again after two years of rotten in a town full of drunks, Midvalley was revived again with the thought of killing Vash.
" Who will you send now?" Midvalley said
" I thought we could have a double feature, or perhaps a triple," Legato said
" That would be show worth putting music to," Midvalley said, " A crowd would kill to see it. Where will it be," Midvalley said
" On a piece of lost technology, a place close to Vash," Legato said
" Then let the curtain rise to another act," Midvalley said
Midvalley and Legato walked a ways not to far from New Organ. There a plan was brewing and another gung-ho-gun stood waiting, for his chance to kill Vash.
" Leonoff, are you prepared to start your game?" Legato asked
" Of course, I am prepared Master Legato, I won't fail you," Leonoff replied
" Good," Legato said, " We shall be watching you."
" Of course Master Legato," Leonoff said
Midvalley followed Legato on ward into the desert and Midvalley looked behind.
" Do you think he will succeed?" Midvalley asked
" We shall see," Legato answered
They were miles from the city and then arrived without a ride to where Knives was. Legato walked onward and Midvalley followed, a door opened and revealed an empty dark room. Legato entered and Midvalley hesitated to enter, but then did.
" What are we doing here?" Midvalley asked
" To watch the show of course," Legato answered
One of Leonoff's puppets walked into the room. Midvalley looked at the puppet as it held something in it's hands. An image appeared and there the whole situation became clear. Midvalley watched as once again Vash had slipped out of yet another one. Midvalley sighed.
" I guess it's up to the other two," Midvalley said
" It's not over yet, that was just his introduction," Legato said, " It's all in time."
Midvalley nodded and watched as Leonoff prepared for a second assault.
" Mater Legato, I have spotted Vash the Stampede, but there appears to be another man dressed in black perhaps he is…" Leonoff started to say
" He doesn't matter, keep an eye on Vash," Legato said cutting off Leonoff
" Yes, master Legato," Leonoff said
" Why didn't you let him finish?" Midvalley asked
" Because that man dressed in black was not who he was speaking about," Legato answered
They watched and Legato had sent two others, Gray the Ninelives, Hoppered the Gauntlet.
" Now, it will get interesting," Midvalley remarked
Legato smiled and watched action turn into drama. Midvalley could only smirk at the sight of weakness that he would have to fight soon if Zazie and Cain failed.
" I guess I'm near the end," Midvalley said, " Then I'll have Sylvia cleaned up to continue the act."
" Go on and send Zazie, there will be plenty of time to plan for another assault," Legato said
Midvalley bowed and walked off and headed to the city, but stayed away from it. He knew Zazie wasn't to far and Legato has sent him notice.
" Oh, it's you," Zazie's voice spoke over the silence
" You are an ungrateful little twit," Midvalley said
Zazie sighed and said, " Master Legato said he was sending another gung-ho-gun, but I expected someone with talent."
Midvalley narrowed his eyes at Zazie, the little brat was insulting him. Midvalley took the liberty in showing Zazie who was higher and hit him with the back of his hand.
" Why you little bastard?" Zazie growled
Midvalley put his hand out and held Zazie back as he swung.
" And Legato wants you to kill Vash," Midvalley spat, " What a complete utter waste of time sending a kid to do a man's job."
" Why you arrogant bastard, I'm half the man you are!" Zazie exclaimed
" That's right you are half the man I am. You're a pint size little twit," Midvalley said
Zazie folded his arms and Midvalley looked at him.
" Your wasting my time they'll be here in minuets," Midvalley said
" What makes you think I'll take orders from a horn freak like you?" Zazie questioned
" Cause my orders come straight from the top," Midvalley answered, " Now get to work or I'll shoot you before he does."
Midvalley pushed Zazie out of his way and Zazie made a face at Midvalley. Midvalley narrowed his eyes.
" What a mama's boy," Midvalley said
He sighed and removed his jacket and sat it on the ground. He stared out and watched from the distance as Legato's prediction was right on target. He smiled and looked at the closed in city and knew he would make his own move on the sleeping city after Legato opened the gates. His deadly tunes were rewritten to suit the deadly atmosphere that the city offered. Zazie would take care of the rest in the morning.
" Only a fool would believe that asshole is a orphan," Midvalley said
" I have my confidence that Zazie will lead them into his trap," Legato said
Midvalley turned around and gave a slight smirk to see his master had come rather quickly to the sight.
" Where is he now?" Legato asked
" Making his first move," Midvalley said, " I suppose his childish tactics will dull Vash's senses so we can make our move."
" Yes, Vash can not resist helping the needy especially a child, that is why Zazie was chosen for this part," Legato stated, " You'll see."
By night fall Midvalley walked down to the walled city. He called up first before someone answered.
" Get out of here," the guard said
" Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't, you see I have a problem," Midvalley said
" Yeah, what's that?" the man called down
" Problem is your alive," Midvalley said
" Huh? What kind of shit are you pulling you drunk!" the man shouted
" Glad you asked," Midvalley said
Midvalley played a melody and forced the guard from his watch and then let Legato take control.
" How about opening those doors for us?" Midvalley questioned, " Got a melody that is to die for."
The doors opened and Midvalley smiled and stepped aside to not let himself be caught in the cross fire.
" Hey why are you opening the doors?" another came cried out
Those were his last words and then Midvalley stepped in and saw the people.
" Ladies and gentleman, there's nothing to see," Midvalley said
" Who are you?" some of the people said
Midvalley sighed and said, " I am you deadly entertainer."
" Get out of our city, your not welcomed here!" they shouted
Midvalley played a melody and forced the towns people back, and only by their ignorance, some were killed, but Legato did most of the killing.
" Idiots," Midvalley muttered, " You ask for respect and you don't get it….what bad critics."
" The stage is set for a tragedy," Legato said, " Now let us depart."
Midvalley nodded and followed Legato into the desert land and waited until morning to come.
By morning Legato and Midvalley watched the show, Legato watched intently and as it began he left. Midvalley gave a double take and then followed him.
" Don't you wish to watch?" Midvalley asked
" No, it's already becoming boring to me," Legato answered, " We have other business to attend to before the final act and the curtain rises for our master."
Midvalley nodded and followed Legato once more, and again Midvalley was sent to find Cain to have him prepare incase Zazie failed and he knew he would. Midvalley walked out miles into the middle of no where. He stood and looked in the distance.
" Cain, don't forget your loyalty to your master," Midvalley called, " Legato wants you to prepare."
Cain nodded and then vanished from sight
" He's an odd one, he freaks me out," Midvalley said
Midvalley walked off and did not say anything more. He now had to wait, and of course it was not long. Legato had returned and Midvalley was ready to question.
" I have invited another guest to join along," Legato said
" Who?" Midvalley asked
" Chapel," Legato answered, " Things are turning out as planned, soon there will be no one else to help Vash. It will be easy then to kill him."
" I like it," Midvalley said