Alright everyone. This chapter is allot different from the others. This focuses more on a character you all don't know allot about, Readagar. You'll learn a couple things about him in this chapter, figure you all should get to know him. Its a little different, kinda like a break.
Enjoy!
Chapter 22 Through Red's Eyes
Meanwhile, Readagar was keeping his end of the plan.
From the house, he took a taxi to Fort Benadey. Here, citizens are trained into marines in service of the Monstropolis Army.
Readagar starred out of the window of his seat as the taxi drove down the road towards the entrance of the fort. The reflection of the barbed fence showed over him as he watched the troops in the fort do their various drills.
"(So many......I remember this place....)" Readagar thought, his red tail moving more rhythmic than usual. Inside the fort, marines did their various tasks. Some kneeled in front of their drill instructor for the next assignment. One group stood in front of a trained marine who was showing a Mac. 27 machine gun.
Readagar starred aimlessly as if confronted with several things at one time. His thoughts stopped as soon as the taxi did. Through the window he could see a shadow of a monster. He rolled the window down to see the guard patrolling the gate.
"This is an restricted area for civilians" he said. Readagar smirked. "Ok...call me when you see one..." he said with a smile.
"Sir....don't make me escort you off the premises...." the guard said. "Keep your tentacles on boy...." Readagar said, presenting what seemed to be a card or I.D., at the guards eyes.
"Oh! Mr. Readagar! I'm so sorry!" he said. Readagar withdrew his card and made a deeper grin appear on his face. "Seems my reputation still stands here" he said.
"Oh yes sir!.....Um...Mr. Readagar uh sir.....could I ask you one question?" he asked. "What is it marine?" Readagar asked. "Um...could I have an autograph?" he asked, producing a blank note book. Readagar took it, signing his name in his own style. As soon as he placed it in the guards hands.....
"Hey you....we moving or what?" called the driver. "Yeah yeah yeah....drop me off there" Readagar said, pointing to a drill group.
When the car reached its end point, Readagar started cycling through a roll of bills. "5.....10.......just take a 50..." Readagar said, handing the driver a fifty. "Thank you sir!" he said, starring at the bill as Readagar got out.
He observed the scenery as the car pulled off. The drill group he had pointed to was currently kneeled in front of their instructor, who Readagar seemed to know.
"You are the worst bunch of maggots that has ever been my misfortune to train......you wusses can't even run a mile!" their instructor yelled.
The instructor seemed almost like Pete Ward form Randall's scare floor. This one was much bigger. His skin was orange with black stripes. His torso was covered by a blue army suit. On his left area, were two silver medals, and a gold one. His tentacle-like claws were brown along with his feet claws. His eyes were covered by glasses, making it unable to see his eyes.
"Now.....which one of you maggots think your even good enough to be a citizen!?" the monster yelled. "Depends on their determination.....".
The monster gave a disturbed and angry face before looking back. "!......Readagar!?" he said. Readagar stood with less accordance as the others behind him. The instructor's face turned shocked and almost happy.
"Maggots! I want you to meet one of Monstropolis's most renowned citizen's Readagar Viper!" he announced. The trainees seemed shocked a bit, mumbling to each other. "This monster is who you all should be at the end of your training!" the monster said. After a moment, he dismissed them, sending the few with many questions and excited feelings.
The instructor turned to Readagar, who was right behind him.
"Thought you'd never show your face around here Red...." he said. The two eyed each other. Then....slowly....smiles crept onto their faces. "Ahahah!".
The two hugged each other, as if they have seen one another for a long period of time. After realizing, they broke apart. "Ahem...eh..." Readagar said. "Ah...its good to see you again my boy...." the instructor said. "Yes....how long has it been?" Readagar started. "Oh...since 1993....I thought I'd never see you again...." the instructor said.
"Yep.....so long...hasn't it Skinner...." Readagar said.
"Yes....oh...my friend we have so much to talk about....but um...we should go inside, shouldn't let my trainees...you know" Skinner said. "Gotcha....".
Skinner and Readagar trailed down a hall of the training building. Readagar had his hands behind his back while Skinner started.
"Ever since you saved my life boy....I never forgot you....." Skinner said. Readagar chuckled. "Yes...well.....seems I have a reputation around here now...." Readagar said. "Spread personally by me Red..." Skinner said. "After all....who's reputation is like yours......the son of the first reptile to ever be in the milit......" Skinner started. But he looked back. Readagar had stopped, looking at a glass case on the wall to his left.
Skinner turned back and stopped at his side, looking at the case. Inside was a plaque, a gold one with and inscription that read:
Victor Viper
Proud, Strong, and True
A Memorial To All Military Trainees
Readagar's reflection showed beside the object, Skinner's seem to not reflect. "Oh.....I'm...sorry Red...." Skinner said. "......Don't mind it Skinner....It was....probably my fault...." Readagar said.
"Oh Red....stop beating yourself up about that....your father....lord rest his soul...." Skinner started. "....I know...." Readagar said, heading over to the glass case, and placing.....a clawed hand on the case. "Huh......" Readagar said, looking at his claws.
"Well....at least you know you still have a piece of your father with you...." Skinner said. Readagar starred at them for a moment before sheathing them. "Just a constant reminder..." he growled. "Well....claws or not....your father was a good man....and your not responsible for his disappearance...." Skinner said. "Its just.....the last thing I said to him was......'I wish I didn't have a father'......." Readagar said, starring deeply at his claws. "......Hey....not because you just wished it doesn't mean its your fault" Skinner said.
"Red!"
The two turned back into the hall. Readagar's fronds shot straight up. A female reptilian monster was coming down the hall. She seemed to be allot like Leia, but wasn't her. She had yellowish green scales, two arms and legs, long yellow tipped fronds, short brown hair that seemed almost spiky, and light green eyes. Her front scales were covered with a suit similar to Skinner's. Readagar's expression fell with happiness in seeing a person he hadn't seen since he last saw Skinner.
"Dizzy!" Readagar yelled. He turned tail and ran up to her. The two headed toward each other with Skinner's joking expression on. Dizzy stopped straight in her tracks, as did Readagar, just before they hit each other.
The two held each other at arms length, then hugged for a couple seconds before breaking. "Dizzy! I thought you left the military!" Readagar yelled. "Nope! See..." Dizzy said, pointing at the similar suit she had on that looked like Skinner's. A medal with two diamond stubs and a crown.
"They made you a Colonel!" Readagar said. She smiled. "That's right Private...." Dizzy said, letting go of his hands. "Its been years Dizzy!" Readagar said.
"Yep....since you quit, I've stayed on.....I can't believe you haven't called me...." Dizzy said, turning her back to him. Skinner snickered as Readagar scratched the back of his neck. "Uh....." he began, spreading his arms out.
"I'm sorry Diz....its just that....well....you know....my dad and..." Readagar said. "Well........" Dizzy started, turning back. "Alright...can't blame you I guess....after what happened" Dizzy said, placing hands on Readagar's shoulders. Readagar smiled, seeing that he had won.
"So....you come back for me Red?" Dizzy asked. Readagar seemed a little distracted. But then his current issue hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Oh!....Uh....Diz....actually I need your help...." Readagar said. "What?" Dizzy asked, pulling back. "Skinner...." he said.
Skinner stopped between the two. "Listen...um....I've heard that something's going to hit Monstropolis pretty soon....." Readagar said.
"A tip or something?" Skinner asked. "No...but...Hey....remember I don't like a fight going on behind my tail when I have a chance to tell about it...." Readagar said. "...Well Red....I still owe you one, so I guess I could tell the Lieutenant about this...." Skinner said. "Thanks...." Readagar said. Skinner gave a smile to Dizzy before heading down the hall.
"So....".
He turned his attention back to Dizzy. "Oh...Diz...uh....well its just....its was an emergency and I didn't expect to see you here and...." Readagar said, looking at the ground with a little defeated look. That is until a kiss hit his right cheek. Readagar's fronds and tail shot straight up as he looked at Dizzy. "Diz......!" he said, surprised.
"Oh come on Red....your not that surprised are you?" she said, slowly walking past him. "Maybe we should catch up a?" Dizzy said. Stunned for a minute, Readagar didn't move. Dizzy shrugged and started up.
"Wow...." Readagar said, touching his cheek. "Hey Diz! Wait up!" he yelled, heading after her. Dizzy slowed down as Readagar quickly caught up. She smiled as the two slowly started down the hall. After a few minutes, they didn't talk.
Then Readagar started the conversation.
"Its....been a while huh?" he said, slowly reaching over to place a hand over Dizzy's shoulder. "Hands where I can see'em Red...." she said quickly. Readagar quickly placed all his hands behind his back. "Emm.....hey....wait a minute....we use to be in the Rough Riders squad....you think you can order me?" Readagar smirked, stopping to place his back against the window wall. Dizzy stopped and turned to him, crossing her arms.
"Hmph.....that's what'cha get for not staying on with me Red" she smiled. Readagar smirked. "Heh.....last time I saw you......you were still in the infantry" Readagar said, a smirk growing on his face.
"Heh....you haven't changed one bit have you Red?......Nope....I guess your still that hot shot private" Dizzy shook her head.
"People change sometimes...." Readagar said, looking outside at the marines. Dizzy tried to see what he was looking at, but just concluded he was not trying to look at her. ".....I guess.....after all, I'm still in infantry if I want to be...." Dizzy added. Readagar didn't reply. "....Red" she said.
Dizzy moved over to him, leaning her right side on the wall, Readagar's top left hand on the window ceil. "Its been a long time....hasn't it Red?" she asked. ".....Yeah....it has......" Readagar said, still looking outside, the sun hitting his eyes, causing him to squint. "......Heh...I still remember that great night we had during the war.....you were so romantic..." Dizzy said, trying to get his attention. "Heh heh....sometimes I am I guess.....didn't know what war was like then......" Readagar said, cutting his laugh short.
Dizzy took a look outside to do the same as he was. ".....I guess this has to do with your father and Leon doesn't it?" Dizzy asked.
Readagar turned his hurt filled eyes to her finally. ".....Its just....coming here after a while and....well remembering things...." Readagar said. ".....Oh come on....how were you suppose to know it was a draft war?" Dizzy said. "......I'd rather not talk about my father ok Diz...." Readagar said, looking back out. ".....Remember that...".
Dizzy looked to our to where he gestured with a finger. Out on the field stood what seemed to be a maze, two flags on each side. ".....I remember that....'The Maze' heh....we called it" Dizzy said. "Yeah.....I remember when Leon won that for us....he was a good marine...." Readagar said. "Wasn't as good as you Red....you bet him at many things.....hehe....I would know..." Dizzy said.
Readagar smirked quickly. "Yeah......he was still a...friend I guess...." he said. He looked down, knowing he never wanted to use the word "was". Dizzy couldn't stand it and got off the wall. "Come on Red....." she said, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Stop this moaning and groaning......that's all in the past.....Neil and Russell are missin ya...." she said.
"Heh....they're still here?....Why am I asking....Neil wanted to still work for the pay and Russell wanted to make squad leader" Readagar smirked. "That's right Red....now get up" she said, nearly trying to lift him off his feet before he jumped away to her side.
"Hey! I'm not a statue" he laughed. "See.....still haven't changed...." Dizzy said, starting down the hallway again. Readagar caught up slowly behind her. "Reminding me Diz....after this is over...how about you and me stay a night in my mansion" Readagar said, slyly putting on a rival grin to Randall's. "Heh.....I'll think about it" Diz said. After a moment. ".....I didn't order your hands to be away Private" she said. Readagar's smirk grew as he placed an arm around her.
"So.....what have you been up to?" Readagar asked. "Oh Red......simple....just got in good touch with Skinner and became a Colonel......what about you?" she asked.
"Oh you wouldn't believe it......first I found those old old friends of mine....." Readagar said. "Who was it again? Started with and R right?" she asked.
"Right Diz......Randolph and......" he started. The two walked down the hall, Readagar's red tail coming close to Dizzy's.
As Randall said, rumors are that Red is making a story of his own. Look out for it if it comes! Oh! And another chapter of the Road Picture will soon be on.