So cold it was, this lonely night. The sound of rain upon the people and
other objects outside could be heard through the silence within this small,
solitaire room. It was dimly lit, candles being our only light source.
There were only two people in that lonely room, my father and I. Pushing a
single piece of my silver hair from my eyes I looked down at the man lying
down upon his deathbed. This was my father, the model of how I should be,
my inspiration. But now....Now he is at his last breaths. Seeing him slowly
gasping was enough to bring me to tears but there was something worse that
was eating away at me. My father had been a great Outlaw in the prime of
his life, he was revered at the most cunning and dangerous man in space,
then HE came. Gene Starwind. Just his name filled my mind with hate and
anger, I clenched my fists. Gene had come from nowhere, just another
nameless Outlaw. With just a few lucky breaks and a crew that saved his ass
more then he did, he single-handedly took all pride from my father's name,
forcing him into his shadow. But as much as Gene shined above him, he never
let it get to him. He would simply vow that one day he would take the
revenge on Gene that he rightfully deserved. Unfortunately, this did not
come to be. Their final meeting was at the Galactic Leyline, this was
supposed to be the high-light of my father's life but the reality was much
different. Gene once again screwed my father over, almost killing him.
Luckily my uncle had been there to save him....Hmm, my uncle. He is a story
all in himself , a story that should not yet be told.
During one of his gasps for breath, my father spoke to me. "Dracon....There is something you must do that I couldn't."
I instantly grabbed his hand and pulled myself close to him. "What is it, father?"
"I need you.....To kill Gene Starwind. But not just him....No, that would be too simple.....I want you to also kill his crew. Everyone that was on his ship when he went to the Leyline, you remember me telling you about them, right?"
I nodded my head. "Yes."
"Heh, good.....One more thing. To make sure my revenge is absolute I want you to find and kill any family any of those bastards may have. Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, anyone...."
I again nodded without hesitation. "Do not worry father, you words here do not fall on deaf ears. Your revenge will be fulfilled."
He gasped deeply and grunted a bit. "Ugh....Dracon.....I know you have your weapons but there is one you will need to beat Gene.....It's in that desk over there...."
He tried to point to the corner but I stopped him, I didn't want him to waste any of his strength. I walked over to the desk and looked through it, finding some kind of weapon. I've never seen it before. It was long with two loops on each side of what I guessed was the top. It was painted a faded yellow. I took it back to my father. "What is this...?"
"My caster.....It's yours now, use it to counter Gene."
I gripped the caster tightly. "I understand father...."
He reached out for me so I took his hand with mine which did not hold the caster.
"Dracon....It's in your hands.....Now....Do this....For me..."
He eyes closed as the final breath left his lungs while his hand fell limply from mine.
I balled my hand into a fist as it shook in rage. I felt the burning tears drop from my eyes. He was dead, Ron McDougle was dead. Gene.....This is all your fault.
"So he's gone, huh? Damn shame we all can't live forever."
I turned to my uncle. "I hope for your sake that was not an insult of some sort, Uncle Harry."
He was leaning on the doorway, wearing the same body armor he used to fight Hazanko and everyone else at the Leyline. He loved that suit so much that he personally re-built every bit of it, with improvements of course. He had a second body in storage somewhere, That was his 'normal' body, his human looking body. He never liked looking human unless absolutely necessary.
He smirked and shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, I love Ron more then you'll ever know. I wish he just look my advice to go all the way machine instead of just implants. He's the one who refused, saying it would take away his 'humanity.' Pfft, just like Ron...."
I started to walk past my uncle. "Get the ship ready, we have some people to find."
He laughed lowly. "Here I come, Mel..."
I shook my head and headed for my quarters. "Business before pleasure, uncle. We kill Gene above all else."
"Yeah, yeah. I get it! Damn, you are you're father's son all right."
I opened my door but turn to him before entering it, grinning. "You better believe it."
I walked in and started to fully equip myself, tying the belt holding my two .45 Magnums and some clips for both. I added another holster to it just for the caster. Next I strapped my two shortened katanas to my back. After that I placed my dark red cloak over my shoulders and walked out of my room. I was now ready.
I opened the hatch to my uncle's ship. The ship that he and my father used to use long ago. The Shangri-la. My uncle kept it in perfect condition, the ship meant very much to both him and my father. I sat down in the pilot's seat. There were only two seats, the pilot's seat and a seat in front of his. My uncle never used the one in front of my seat, he always entered a tube behind me. He modeled it after the same tube Melfina uses to sync with the Outlaw Star, I think he built that just so he could somehow be closer to her. Harry was a strange man at times.
"Alright, Dracon. All systems green, ready for take-off."
"Rodger. Alright here we go." I leaned back in my chair and waited for the ship to launch off the rock we called 'home.'
The engines ignited and rumbled as the pushed Shangri-la up and into space. When the rumbling of the engines calmed down I asked my uncle if he knew where the Outlaw Star is.
"Heh, you think I don't!? I spent my whole life to know exactly what kind of trails that ship leaves. I don't even need a tracker on it."
"How are you able to find it so easy?"
"I can sense Melfina as she controls the ship."
"Can she do the same thing with you?"
"No, I made sure it was only one way."
"Very well, find them."
"Scanning...."
I heard some beeps go off around the bridge, soon Harry was done looking.
"Found them." he said, almost methodically. "They're docked at some crappy space station. Maybe for a pit-stop or something."
"Little do they no what's coming for them, huh?"
He laughed. "They won't even see it coming!! Hahaha!! This is it, Gene! This will be your end!!" He stopped and lowered his voice. "And you, Mel....Oh you'll pay for choosing him over me...."
The boosters went to the max as we headed full speed towards the station. It couldn't have come into view any sooner. As I saw our destination in sight, my anger grew. I was going to kill Gene and I was going to do it with much delight.
We pulled into the bay and got off our ship, I turned to my uncle. "Harry, don't go too psycho this time, you might scare Gene off. Go crazy after he's dead."
"Hey! I haven't gone psycho!"
"Should I remind you of that 'Dela station' incident?"
"Oh come on, I didn't kill THAT many people."
"You wiped out half the station!"
"They were asking for it!"
"They were just playing in the park!!"
"It's the principle of the thing."
"They were five!!"
"Ok, I get it!! Maybe if that one dad didn't get so snippy."
"You broke his-"
"OK I GET IT!!"
I sighed and crossed my arms. "Whatever, just go find them. They may be older so make sure you double check everyone you walk by."
He 'hmphed' and walked away. I was lucky enough to find a bar as I walked around. I didn't drink as much as my father and uncle but I was pissed off enough not to care how much I downed.
I walked in and sat at the counter, slamming my fist on it. "I need something, anything. It doesn't matter..."
I turned around in my seat and rested my elbows on the counter. The bartender handed my drink after I paid him.
"Damn, you seem pretty pissed." A voice said to my right, I turned to him.
He was wearing a gray shirt and black pants. I could see a pistol at the back of his waist and two other fire arms around his side. His hair hung wildly around his head as its bangs fell over his dark, almost cold, blue eyes.
"Yeah, I am. My uncle can be a serious ass at times."
"Ohhh, family problems. Sorry I can't help ya there. Now if they were female problems that THAT I could help you with, I live with three of them. It can be real crazy at times."
I laughed. "My problem seems menial compared to yours."
He laughed back. "Yeah, maybe it is."
I turned my whole body to him. "Is that why you're here. Women problems?"
"Naa, not this time. We're just here for a re-stock then we're off. I'm just blowing off the time."
"You drink a lot?"
"Define 'a lot.' "
"Ok, do you drink everyday?"
"Ah come on. That's not a lot. Now drinking nothing BUT alcohol is a lot. I'm in the middle."
I nodded my head. "I see...."
He grinned at me. "So what's you name?"
"Dracon."
"Gotta last name?"
"Yes, but I do not give it to just anyone. I'm don't even remember how much wong I may be worth."
"Oooo, gotta bounty huh?"
"Yeah, but that happens to all Outlaws."
"Heh, you're an Outlaw, huh? How do you feel about Ka-Shinta and the Space Forces?"
"I'd feel a lot better if they were gone but I cannot let them get to me. As of now, I'm out for revenge."
He tipped his glass to me. "Well good luck to you on that. People usually don't think revenge is a good idea. I disagree. So when you kill this guy....Make sure it's painful."
I took a sip of my drink. "You don't need to worry about that....It'll hurt all right...."
He shook his head then called to the bartender. "Hey, barkeep! Get another drink for this guy, the best you have! He's going to need it!" He put some of his own money on the table when the bartender delivered the drink then started to walk away.
"Hey, thanks for the drink.....Um.....Hey, who are you anyway?"
He got to the door and turned to me. "The name's Strife. It'll be good if you remember that name. It'll be all over the place when I utterly destroy the Ka-Shinta and Space Forces. Think of it as my own personal revenge."
I tipped my glass to him. "Make sure it's painful."
"You don't need to worry about that...." After said, he walked out of the bar.
I sighed and shook my head. He seemed like an interesting person, perhaps I would see him again. Hell, he may even assist me in killing Gene.
A beep went off in my pocket, I reached in it and pulled out a small devise. It was like a phone but only Harry could call it. When I turned it on he only said three words to me but they were the best words I have ever heard in my entire life. "I found them!!"
I stood up off my stool. "Where are they?? Where are you?!"
He sounded like he was running. "I'm not sure where Gene and the others are but I found Melfina! I'm chasing her right now but there's some kid with her, he looks about your age. He's in some black robe thing, hurry and get down he-"
His voice was replaced by static. I ran out of the bar and hit some buttons on the devise I was carrying. Not only was it like a one-way phone but it could also pick up a tracker that was placed in Harry's body. He was a couple yards to my left, the red dot on my screen was moving all over the place. Who ever he was fighting must have been good. I ran down the road on my left and full speed. I needed to get to Melfina before my uncle did or she might be dead before I can question her.
I turned left when the road ended and started down an alley way. Half way down it I saw none other then Melfina herself running right at me. I pulled one of my guns from it's holster and aimed it at her. "Stay where you are!"
She stopped and stared at me in complete horror, I grinned.....That's what I wanted to see. Fear. I walked towards her, still pointing the .45 at her head. "Now tell me....Where's Gene?"
"Sorry but we're his replacement!" I heard from behind me.
I turned and saw a C'tarl C'tarl looking quite mad. Before I could get a good shot at her she kicked the gun from my hand and charged at me, throwing a sharp right hook. I blocked it with my forearm and rammed my own left into her stomach, with no effect.
She grinned at my attempt to hurt her then raised her foot up to meet my head but I was quick enough to just get under it, grabbing my other gun and getting two shots in her side. I watched in delight as her left side split open like rotten fruit. This is why I kept Magnum's with me, their sheer power.
I left the C'tarl for dead and ran after Melfina who had escaped as I had my little battle.
The alleyway opened to a main road as I looked around for Melfina. What I saw was a man in a black robe deflecting shots from the rifle in my uncle's wrist. Damn, he was really good at blocking those bullets. Let's see him dodge my blades.
I took out my katanas and ran at him, slicing at his back but all I got was air as he leaped behind me, bringing his wooden sword down on the back of my head. I raised both my swords and blocked his blow, twisting around and once again cutting at him. This time I was able to cut of a couple pieces of his robe, every time I was getting a little closer to flesh. He backed away and stared at me, without turning from him I yelled to Harry. "Go get Melfina! I'll take care of him!"
Harry ran off and I commenced my attack on my advisory. I was mostly on offensive as he just blocked, I didn't mind though. As long as he didn't attack then I wouldn't get hurt. I swung, aiming for his chest. He turned to my left and brought his sword down, directing once again for my skull. I put my katanas up in an X as the weapons clashed. We both pushed against the other's force, trying to get the upper hand.
I was paying so much attention to this person that I didn't notice another enemy come up behind me, whacking me with some pole. I fell to my knees, dropping my katanas. The man in front of me swung his sword around and hit me hard in the left cheek.
My shoulder hit the ground hard, followed closely by my head. I heard someone to my left start to shout something. "Hiro! Go help Kitty! Her side is ripped open! I left her in the alley behind us!"
"What about Melfina?! She is being chased by some psycho!"
"I took him out already, help Kitty!"
The man dressed in the black robes ran off to the alley. I grabbed my katanas and rose to my feet. That voice was familiar like I've heard it from somewhere. I turned to face the voice. It was the man from the bar.....Strife. Why was he helping Melfina? How did he know Melfina.....Did that mean he knew Gene, too?! There was also a blonde woman next to him, holding a metal pipe, she was probably the one who hit me.
I grinned slightly. "We meet again, Strife."
He looked shock at first but then grinned, wider then mine. "Well, if it isn't Dracon? So Mel's the person you wanted revenge on?"
"No, not quite. My uncle wants her more then I do. I just want Gene Starwind."
He grin faded. "You want to kill Gene? Why?"
"For the pain and suffering he put my father through. For forcing him to live in his shadow."
"Who's your father?"
"Ron McDougle."
He crossed his arms. "So I'm guessing I just took out Harry, huh?"
I nodded once. "Yes, you did. If you haven't noticed I take great pride in my family's name. If you hurt anyone within that name, then you hurt them all. I'm going to have to get you back for my uncle."
"Ahh, more revenge huh? Well, I told you before that I'm ok with revenge so let's go....Just hope your ready." He took the gun from behind his waist and cocked it, turning his head slightly to the girl next to him. "Jess, go make sure everyone's ok. Alright?"
"But what about you?"
"This just got a little personal...."
She nodded. "Alright but we'll be back so don't die alright?"
Strife stayed silent. Good, I thought. At least he wasn't undermining my strength. Although I do see why he would be so worried about me, he now knows I'm a McDougle and that he is nothing. Just another body lying dead by my hands.
Jess ran off and disappeared from view. I held my katanas to my side, waiting for him to make a move. He was standing there waiting for me to do the same thing. Well this wasn't going to get us anywhere. Without any warning I ran straight at him, raising my katanas up ready to strike.
Strife took the weapon in his left hand and shot a couple rounds at me. I jumped quickly to the right and avoided the shots but as I moved he continued his assault. I had to drop the katana in my left hand to put up my light shield.
He stopped shooting and sneered. "A light shield...."
"Yes, they are such a wondrous invention. You really should get one."
"Eh, don't worry about it. I'll just take yours when our little tiff is over."
"Hmm, we'll see about that."
I quickly pulled the .45 from my left holster and proceeded to shoot in Strife's direction as I got cover behind a parked car. Strife ducked down behind one a few yards away from me. I heard him call to me. "Hey, Dracon! That's a fancy light shield. You sure it can deflect any shots??"
"Any and all shots!"
"That's good to know!" He went silent after that.
I grinned. The fool, he was going to try and break through my shield. As fun as it might be to watch that I was going to have to end this fight quick and help my uncle. I took the caster from my side and made sure there was a caster in it. I popped open the barrel and looked inside. Yep, there was one shell in it, the only shell I had. Hope the shot wasn't a dud.
Strife once again called to me from behind the car. "Hey, Dracon! Check it out!"
I shook my head. What a feeble attempt to get me to turn around. If I wasn't armed with a caster I wouldn't have done a thing. I held the trigger down and charged the caster, quickly getting up, turning around and firing a bright yellow beam right at him.
My beam continued on it's path until it collided with something else.....But that other something wasn't Strife or the car. It was another caster shot. The two beams collided pushing each other into of ball of energy that quickly exploding into a harmless shockwave, they canceled each other out...
I ducked back behind the car. I heard him yell to my again. "So you gotta caster too, huh?! Well looks like we're at a stalemate!"
Damn him! He may have been right but maybe if I could get around to his car without him shooting at me then I could take him out.....Argg!! I've never had so much trouble with one person! He should be dead all ready, all those people should be dead....Well, I think the C'tarl was....
I placed my back against the car and waited for him to fire at me. What actually happened was much different then what I expected. I saw my uncle jump from out of no where and run at Strife who was trying his best to pierce my uncle's armor with his gun. He quickly pulled some sort of double barreled pistol sized shotgun to shoot my uncle but he was too fast and as Harry booted Strife hard in the head, knocking him to the ground.
I didn't realize it until right now but Harry had put a now unconscious Melfina down on the street before he attacked Strife. He went back and picked her back up, slinging her over his shoulder. "Let's go Dracon!"
I silently agreed and ran behind him. I could see the holes and other marks in my uncle's armor, he must have been in a serious fight with these guys. One noticeable point of damage was the deep hole in his left side, showing bare wires as they sparked from the damage. Suddenly our escape was halted. The man in black robes, who if I remembered correctly was named Hiro, also jumped from no where and put his foot deep into my uncle's face. As he kicked him I took out my .45 and shot at him, hoping to make contact but failing miserably.
I reached for my katanas to finish our melee fight that was abruptly halted but Harry intervened. "Ok, enough!!" He took Melfina's limp body in his left arm and pointed the barrel in his other wrist at her tilted head. "One more move and I kill her!"
Everyone stood still....And silent. The one blonde walked up to us with the C'tarl hanging onto her shoulder. Damn, she WAS still alive....This is why I hated C'tarl, they were too hard to kill.....Like cockroaches.
"Don't do it! Don't kill her! What do you guys want?!" The blonde yelled at us.
I answered her. "We want Gene. Where is here?"
"He's not here, plus if he was here I wouldn't tell you!!"
My uncle laughed with a somewhat insane tone. "So you do want to see Melfina die, huh?!?!"
"No, we don't want see anyone die!"
"Except for you two!!"
I was shocked by the new voice cutting into the conversation but I was more shocked that it had belonged to Strife who was now up and pointing his caster, half-way charged, at my uncle.
Then in the blink of an eye, everything slowed to a crawl. Within all the same moment my uncle took his right arm and pointed it towards Strife to counterattack. As he did this Hiro ran with incredible speed behind him, slashing Harry deep in the back, sparks flying from the newly made gash. The power of the attack forced Harry to drop Melfina giving Strife a perfect shot of him with his caster which he happily took. A scratchy looking blue-green beam came from the caster and hit Harry in the direct center of his chest, thrusting him far back and into a ravine that no one had previously noticed before he started to fly into it.
Hiro picked up Melfina and ran to his group who then started to run as fast as possible down a street. Well they all ran except Strife. He just stared at me....Grinning.
"This won't be the last time we meet, huh Dracon?"
I nodded slowly. "Is most certainly will not be....That you can count on."
He laughed slightly. "Well until then." After that, he ran off.
I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. Talking in a low voice to myself. "Oh, Strife....You will pay for this...."
Harry called to me from the ravine. "Heeey, Dracon.....Go get my other body this one's kind of.....Busted.....Good thing this one wasn't designed with emotion of pain...." He then yelled as loud as he could. "AHHH! I can't believe he got off TWO caster shots on me!!!!"
I started my slow approach to our ship never once forgetting about Strife or his brash attitude towards more OR how he just made Harry and I look like complete idiots for letting them get away so easily....Damn him! He even went so far enough to rub it in my face before he left!!
I started to shake my head....I am truly sorry, Father......But Gene will have to wait.....
------------------------*--------------------*------------------------*----- ------------------*----
Author's note: Ok, I changed the wooden sword to Boku since Macky said he saw it called that in some fics where as I was just going by memory (Which is really bad if anyone of you didn't know.) But if anyone thinks Boku is NOT the right name, please tell me. Until that happens, Boku shall be thy name. I also fixed Hiro's 'bark brown eyes.' Thank's to Mei for pointing that one out.
Ok, well that was my FIRST chapter of a different person's POV. Was it good? I tried hard to NOT sink into Strife's frame of mind. I'm trying to make Strife the loud arrogant one so Dracon would be his contrast, calm and cool but still egotistical....I think I did Dracon's perspective good enough. Just read the first paragraph. That's how I want him to be most of the time, somewhat dark but he seems to sound like Strife some of the times, sorry about that....
Oh, so do you all think it would be a good idea to at least give one of each my main characters a chapter to themselves? Just so you know that would mean five chapters that are not from Strife, and yeah I counted right when I said five. I'm going to do one from Mel's POV too. Anyway just because it's from someone else's view doesn't mean the plot will just kind of stop for five chapters, on the contrary, some big stuff will happen that will happen through the eyes of someone other then Strife.
Anyway, just give me your thought on that.
This is Blades. "Good reading equals good times." I'm out.
During one of his gasps for breath, my father spoke to me. "Dracon....There is something you must do that I couldn't."
I instantly grabbed his hand and pulled myself close to him. "What is it, father?"
"I need you.....To kill Gene Starwind. But not just him....No, that would be too simple.....I want you to also kill his crew. Everyone that was on his ship when he went to the Leyline, you remember me telling you about them, right?"
I nodded my head. "Yes."
"Heh, good.....One more thing. To make sure my revenge is absolute I want you to find and kill any family any of those bastards may have. Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, anyone...."
I again nodded without hesitation. "Do not worry father, you words here do not fall on deaf ears. Your revenge will be fulfilled."
He gasped deeply and grunted a bit. "Ugh....Dracon.....I know you have your weapons but there is one you will need to beat Gene.....It's in that desk over there...."
He tried to point to the corner but I stopped him, I didn't want him to waste any of his strength. I walked over to the desk and looked through it, finding some kind of weapon. I've never seen it before. It was long with two loops on each side of what I guessed was the top. It was painted a faded yellow. I took it back to my father. "What is this...?"
"My caster.....It's yours now, use it to counter Gene."
I gripped the caster tightly. "I understand father...."
He reached out for me so I took his hand with mine which did not hold the caster.
"Dracon....It's in your hands.....Now....Do this....For me..."
He eyes closed as the final breath left his lungs while his hand fell limply from mine.
I balled my hand into a fist as it shook in rage. I felt the burning tears drop from my eyes. He was dead, Ron McDougle was dead. Gene.....This is all your fault.
"So he's gone, huh? Damn shame we all can't live forever."
I turned to my uncle. "I hope for your sake that was not an insult of some sort, Uncle Harry."
He was leaning on the doorway, wearing the same body armor he used to fight Hazanko and everyone else at the Leyline. He loved that suit so much that he personally re-built every bit of it, with improvements of course. He had a second body in storage somewhere, That was his 'normal' body, his human looking body. He never liked looking human unless absolutely necessary.
He smirked and shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, I love Ron more then you'll ever know. I wish he just look my advice to go all the way machine instead of just implants. He's the one who refused, saying it would take away his 'humanity.' Pfft, just like Ron...."
I started to walk past my uncle. "Get the ship ready, we have some people to find."
He laughed lowly. "Here I come, Mel..."
I shook my head and headed for my quarters. "Business before pleasure, uncle. We kill Gene above all else."
"Yeah, yeah. I get it! Damn, you are you're father's son all right."
I opened my door but turn to him before entering it, grinning. "You better believe it."
I walked in and started to fully equip myself, tying the belt holding my two .45 Magnums and some clips for both. I added another holster to it just for the caster. Next I strapped my two shortened katanas to my back. After that I placed my dark red cloak over my shoulders and walked out of my room. I was now ready.
I opened the hatch to my uncle's ship. The ship that he and my father used to use long ago. The Shangri-la. My uncle kept it in perfect condition, the ship meant very much to both him and my father. I sat down in the pilot's seat. There were only two seats, the pilot's seat and a seat in front of his. My uncle never used the one in front of my seat, he always entered a tube behind me. He modeled it after the same tube Melfina uses to sync with the Outlaw Star, I think he built that just so he could somehow be closer to her. Harry was a strange man at times.
"Alright, Dracon. All systems green, ready for take-off."
"Rodger. Alright here we go." I leaned back in my chair and waited for the ship to launch off the rock we called 'home.'
The engines ignited and rumbled as the pushed Shangri-la up and into space. When the rumbling of the engines calmed down I asked my uncle if he knew where the Outlaw Star is.
"Heh, you think I don't!? I spent my whole life to know exactly what kind of trails that ship leaves. I don't even need a tracker on it."
"How are you able to find it so easy?"
"I can sense Melfina as she controls the ship."
"Can she do the same thing with you?"
"No, I made sure it was only one way."
"Very well, find them."
"Scanning...."
I heard some beeps go off around the bridge, soon Harry was done looking.
"Found them." he said, almost methodically. "They're docked at some crappy space station. Maybe for a pit-stop or something."
"Little do they no what's coming for them, huh?"
He laughed. "They won't even see it coming!! Hahaha!! This is it, Gene! This will be your end!!" He stopped and lowered his voice. "And you, Mel....Oh you'll pay for choosing him over me...."
The boosters went to the max as we headed full speed towards the station. It couldn't have come into view any sooner. As I saw our destination in sight, my anger grew. I was going to kill Gene and I was going to do it with much delight.
We pulled into the bay and got off our ship, I turned to my uncle. "Harry, don't go too psycho this time, you might scare Gene off. Go crazy after he's dead."
"Hey! I haven't gone psycho!"
"Should I remind you of that 'Dela station' incident?"
"Oh come on, I didn't kill THAT many people."
"You wiped out half the station!"
"They were asking for it!"
"They were just playing in the park!!"
"It's the principle of the thing."
"They were five!!"
"Ok, I get it!! Maybe if that one dad didn't get so snippy."
"You broke his-"
"OK I GET IT!!"
I sighed and crossed my arms. "Whatever, just go find them. They may be older so make sure you double check everyone you walk by."
He 'hmphed' and walked away. I was lucky enough to find a bar as I walked around. I didn't drink as much as my father and uncle but I was pissed off enough not to care how much I downed.
I walked in and sat at the counter, slamming my fist on it. "I need something, anything. It doesn't matter..."
I turned around in my seat and rested my elbows on the counter. The bartender handed my drink after I paid him.
"Damn, you seem pretty pissed." A voice said to my right, I turned to him.
He was wearing a gray shirt and black pants. I could see a pistol at the back of his waist and two other fire arms around his side. His hair hung wildly around his head as its bangs fell over his dark, almost cold, blue eyes.
"Yeah, I am. My uncle can be a serious ass at times."
"Ohhh, family problems. Sorry I can't help ya there. Now if they were female problems that THAT I could help you with, I live with three of them. It can be real crazy at times."
I laughed. "My problem seems menial compared to yours."
He laughed back. "Yeah, maybe it is."
I turned my whole body to him. "Is that why you're here. Women problems?"
"Naa, not this time. We're just here for a re-stock then we're off. I'm just blowing off the time."
"You drink a lot?"
"Define 'a lot.' "
"Ok, do you drink everyday?"
"Ah come on. That's not a lot. Now drinking nothing BUT alcohol is a lot. I'm in the middle."
I nodded my head. "I see...."
He grinned at me. "So what's you name?"
"Dracon."
"Gotta last name?"
"Yes, but I do not give it to just anyone. I'm don't even remember how much wong I may be worth."
"Oooo, gotta bounty huh?"
"Yeah, but that happens to all Outlaws."
"Heh, you're an Outlaw, huh? How do you feel about Ka-Shinta and the Space Forces?"
"I'd feel a lot better if they were gone but I cannot let them get to me. As of now, I'm out for revenge."
He tipped his glass to me. "Well good luck to you on that. People usually don't think revenge is a good idea. I disagree. So when you kill this guy....Make sure it's painful."
I took a sip of my drink. "You don't need to worry about that....It'll hurt all right...."
He shook his head then called to the bartender. "Hey, barkeep! Get another drink for this guy, the best you have! He's going to need it!" He put some of his own money on the table when the bartender delivered the drink then started to walk away.
"Hey, thanks for the drink.....Um.....Hey, who are you anyway?"
He got to the door and turned to me. "The name's Strife. It'll be good if you remember that name. It'll be all over the place when I utterly destroy the Ka-Shinta and Space Forces. Think of it as my own personal revenge."
I tipped my glass to him. "Make sure it's painful."
"You don't need to worry about that...." After said, he walked out of the bar.
I sighed and shook my head. He seemed like an interesting person, perhaps I would see him again. Hell, he may even assist me in killing Gene.
A beep went off in my pocket, I reached in it and pulled out a small devise. It was like a phone but only Harry could call it. When I turned it on he only said three words to me but they were the best words I have ever heard in my entire life. "I found them!!"
I stood up off my stool. "Where are they?? Where are you?!"
He sounded like he was running. "I'm not sure where Gene and the others are but I found Melfina! I'm chasing her right now but there's some kid with her, he looks about your age. He's in some black robe thing, hurry and get down he-"
His voice was replaced by static. I ran out of the bar and hit some buttons on the devise I was carrying. Not only was it like a one-way phone but it could also pick up a tracker that was placed in Harry's body. He was a couple yards to my left, the red dot on my screen was moving all over the place. Who ever he was fighting must have been good. I ran down the road on my left and full speed. I needed to get to Melfina before my uncle did or she might be dead before I can question her.
I turned left when the road ended and started down an alley way. Half way down it I saw none other then Melfina herself running right at me. I pulled one of my guns from it's holster and aimed it at her. "Stay where you are!"
She stopped and stared at me in complete horror, I grinned.....That's what I wanted to see. Fear. I walked towards her, still pointing the .45 at her head. "Now tell me....Where's Gene?"
"Sorry but we're his replacement!" I heard from behind me.
I turned and saw a C'tarl C'tarl looking quite mad. Before I could get a good shot at her she kicked the gun from my hand and charged at me, throwing a sharp right hook. I blocked it with my forearm and rammed my own left into her stomach, with no effect.
She grinned at my attempt to hurt her then raised her foot up to meet my head but I was quick enough to just get under it, grabbing my other gun and getting two shots in her side. I watched in delight as her left side split open like rotten fruit. This is why I kept Magnum's with me, their sheer power.
I left the C'tarl for dead and ran after Melfina who had escaped as I had my little battle.
The alleyway opened to a main road as I looked around for Melfina. What I saw was a man in a black robe deflecting shots from the rifle in my uncle's wrist. Damn, he was really good at blocking those bullets. Let's see him dodge my blades.
I took out my katanas and ran at him, slicing at his back but all I got was air as he leaped behind me, bringing his wooden sword down on the back of my head. I raised both my swords and blocked his blow, twisting around and once again cutting at him. This time I was able to cut of a couple pieces of his robe, every time I was getting a little closer to flesh. He backed away and stared at me, without turning from him I yelled to Harry. "Go get Melfina! I'll take care of him!"
Harry ran off and I commenced my attack on my advisory. I was mostly on offensive as he just blocked, I didn't mind though. As long as he didn't attack then I wouldn't get hurt. I swung, aiming for his chest. He turned to my left and brought his sword down, directing once again for my skull. I put my katanas up in an X as the weapons clashed. We both pushed against the other's force, trying to get the upper hand.
I was paying so much attention to this person that I didn't notice another enemy come up behind me, whacking me with some pole. I fell to my knees, dropping my katanas. The man in front of me swung his sword around and hit me hard in the left cheek.
My shoulder hit the ground hard, followed closely by my head. I heard someone to my left start to shout something. "Hiro! Go help Kitty! Her side is ripped open! I left her in the alley behind us!"
"What about Melfina?! She is being chased by some psycho!"
"I took him out already, help Kitty!"
The man dressed in the black robes ran off to the alley. I grabbed my katanas and rose to my feet. That voice was familiar like I've heard it from somewhere. I turned to face the voice. It was the man from the bar.....Strife. Why was he helping Melfina? How did he know Melfina.....Did that mean he knew Gene, too?! There was also a blonde woman next to him, holding a metal pipe, she was probably the one who hit me.
I grinned slightly. "We meet again, Strife."
He looked shock at first but then grinned, wider then mine. "Well, if it isn't Dracon? So Mel's the person you wanted revenge on?"
"No, not quite. My uncle wants her more then I do. I just want Gene Starwind."
He grin faded. "You want to kill Gene? Why?"
"For the pain and suffering he put my father through. For forcing him to live in his shadow."
"Who's your father?"
"Ron McDougle."
He crossed his arms. "So I'm guessing I just took out Harry, huh?"
I nodded once. "Yes, you did. If you haven't noticed I take great pride in my family's name. If you hurt anyone within that name, then you hurt them all. I'm going to have to get you back for my uncle."
"Ahh, more revenge huh? Well, I told you before that I'm ok with revenge so let's go....Just hope your ready." He took the gun from behind his waist and cocked it, turning his head slightly to the girl next to him. "Jess, go make sure everyone's ok. Alright?"
"But what about you?"
"This just got a little personal...."
She nodded. "Alright but we'll be back so don't die alright?"
Strife stayed silent. Good, I thought. At least he wasn't undermining my strength. Although I do see why he would be so worried about me, he now knows I'm a McDougle and that he is nothing. Just another body lying dead by my hands.
Jess ran off and disappeared from view. I held my katanas to my side, waiting for him to make a move. He was standing there waiting for me to do the same thing. Well this wasn't going to get us anywhere. Without any warning I ran straight at him, raising my katanas up ready to strike.
Strife took the weapon in his left hand and shot a couple rounds at me. I jumped quickly to the right and avoided the shots but as I moved he continued his assault. I had to drop the katana in my left hand to put up my light shield.
He stopped shooting and sneered. "A light shield...."
"Yes, they are such a wondrous invention. You really should get one."
"Eh, don't worry about it. I'll just take yours when our little tiff is over."
"Hmm, we'll see about that."
I quickly pulled the .45 from my left holster and proceeded to shoot in Strife's direction as I got cover behind a parked car. Strife ducked down behind one a few yards away from me. I heard him call to me. "Hey, Dracon! That's a fancy light shield. You sure it can deflect any shots??"
"Any and all shots!"
"That's good to know!" He went silent after that.
I grinned. The fool, he was going to try and break through my shield. As fun as it might be to watch that I was going to have to end this fight quick and help my uncle. I took the caster from my side and made sure there was a caster in it. I popped open the barrel and looked inside. Yep, there was one shell in it, the only shell I had. Hope the shot wasn't a dud.
Strife once again called to me from behind the car. "Hey, Dracon! Check it out!"
I shook my head. What a feeble attempt to get me to turn around. If I wasn't armed with a caster I wouldn't have done a thing. I held the trigger down and charged the caster, quickly getting up, turning around and firing a bright yellow beam right at him.
My beam continued on it's path until it collided with something else.....But that other something wasn't Strife or the car. It was another caster shot. The two beams collided pushing each other into of ball of energy that quickly exploding into a harmless shockwave, they canceled each other out...
I ducked back behind the car. I heard him yell to my again. "So you gotta caster too, huh?! Well looks like we're at a stalemate!"
Damn him! He may have been right but maybe if I could get around to his car without him shooting at me then I could take him out.....Argg!! I've never had so much trouble with one person! He should be dead all ready, all those people should be dead....Well, I think the C'tarl was....
I placed my back against the car and waited for him to fire at me. What actually happened was much different then what I expected. I saw my uncle jump from out of no where and run at Strife who was trying his best to pierce my uncle's armor with his gun. He quickly pulled some sort of double barreled pistol sized shotgun to shoot my uncle but he was too fast and as Harry booted Strife hard in the head, knocking him to the ground.
I didn't realize it until right now but Harry had put a now unconscious Melfina down on the street before he attacked Strife. He went back and picked her back up, slinging her over his shoulder. "Let's go Dracon!"
I silently agreed and ran behind him. I could see the holes and other marks in my uncle's armor, he must have been in a serious fight with these guys. One noticeable point of damage was the deep hole in his left side, showing bare wires as they sparked from the damage. Suddenly our escape was halted. The man in black robes, who if I remembered correctly was named Hiro, also jumped from no where and put his foot deep into my uncle's face. As he kicked him I took out my .45 and shot at him, hoping to make contact but failing miserably.
I reached for my katanas to finish our melee fight that was abruptly halted but Harry intervened. "Ok, enough!!" He took Melfina's limp body in his left arm and pointed the barrel in his other wrist at her tilted head. "One more move and I kill her!"
Everyone stood still....And silent. The one blonde walked up to us with the C'tarl hanging onto her shoulder. Damn, she WAS still alive....This is why I hated C'tarl, they were too hard to kill.....Like cockroaches.
"Don't do it! Don't kill her! What do you guys want?!" The blonde yelled at us.
I answered her. "We want Gene. Where is here?"
"He's not here, plus if he was here I wouldn't tell you!!"
My uncle laughed with a somewhat insane tone. "So you do want to see Melfina die, huh?!?!"
"No, we don't want see anyone die!"
"Except for you two!!"
I was shocked by the new voice cutting into the conversation but I was more shocked that it had belonged to Strife who was now up and pointing his caster, half-way charged, at my uncle.
Then in the blink of an eye, everything slowed to a crawl. Within all the same moment my uncle took his right arm and pointed it towards Strife to counterattack. As he did this Hiro ran with incredible speed behind him, slashing Harry deep in the back, sparks flying from the newly made gash. The power of the attack forced Harry to drop Melfina giving Strife a perfect shot of him with his caster which he happily took. A scratchy looking blue-green beam came from the caster and hit Harry in the direct center of his chest, thrusting him far back and into a ravine that no one had previously noticed before he started to fly into it.
Hiro picked up Melfina and ran to his group who then started to run as fast as possible down a street. Well they all ran except Strife. He just stared at me....Grinning.
"This won't be the last time we meet, huh Dracon?"
I nodded slowly. "Is most certainly will not be....That you can count on."
He laughed slightly. "Well until then." After that, he ran off.
I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. Talking in a low voice to myself. "Oh, Strife....You will pay for this...."
Harry called to me from the ravine. "Heeey, Dracon.....Go get my other body this one's kind of.....Busted.....Good thing this one wasn't designed with emotion of pain...." He then yelled as loud as he could. "AHHH! I can't believe he got off TWO caster shots on me!!!!"
I started my slow approach to our ship never once forgetting about Strife or his brash attitude towards more OR how he just made Harry and I look like complete idiots for letting them get away so easily....Damn him! He even went so far enough to rub it in my face before he left!!
I started to shake my head....I am truly sorry, Father......But Gene will have to wait.....
------------------------*--------------------*------------------------*----- ------------------*----
Author's note: Ok, I changed the wooden sword to Boku since Macky said he saw it called that in some fics where as I was just going by memory (Which is really bad if anyone of you didn't know.) But if anyone thinks Boku is NOT the right name, please tell me. Until that happens, Boku shall be thy name. I also fixed Hiro's 'bark brown eyes.' Thank's to Mei for pointing that one out.
Ok, well that was my FIRST chapter of a different person's POV. Was it good? I tried hard to NOT sink into Strife's frame of mind. I'm trying to make Strife the loud arrogant one so Dracon would be his contrast, calm and cool but still egotistical....I think I did Dracon's perspective good enough. Just read the first paragraph. That's how I want him to be most of the time, somewhat dark but he seems to sound like Strife some of the times, sorry about that....
Oh, so do you all think it would be a good idea to at least give one of each my main characters a chapter to themselves? Just so you know that would mean five chapters that are not from Strife, and yeah I counted right when I said five. I'm going to do one from Mel's POV too. Anyway just because it's from someone else's view doesn't mean the plot will just kind of stop for five chapters, on the contrary, some big stuff will happen that will happen through the eyes of someone other then Strife.
Anyway, just give me your thought on that.
This is Blades. "Good reading equals good times." I'm out.