I still don't own anything. This is the sequel to my story Lycanthrope. It takes place ten years after the last chapter of Lycanthrope.
Lycanthrope 2: The Prophecy
Chapter Fourteen: Demolition Duo
"Where are the mutts?" Mana asked as she watched Rei walk aboard the plane.
"They are coming," the blue-haired woman said. "There was some trouble with Shinji."
"What kind of trouble?" Mana asked.
"This kind of trouble," Yuki said as she stepped into the plane and dropped a broken cricket bat. Touji staggered in behind her with Shinji slung over his shoulder. "He didn't want to leave."
"I see," Mana said.
"Well catch you guys later," Touji said. He turned and there was a sharp crack of wood and bone. Mana watched as Touji collapsed to reveal Asuka standing behind him.
"Why did you do that?" Yuki asked, massaging her temples. "Do you want him to come, or what?"
"I just wanted to hit him with a bat," Asuka said with a smile. "Now we can throw him out."
"That's Shinji's best friend," Yuki growled. "You are not throwing him out of a plane."
"But," Asuka whined.
"No!" Asuka pouted and collapsed into her seat.
"What hit me?" Mana turned and saw Shinji sitting up and looking around. "The plane? Why are we on the plane?"
"Because we needed to leave," Yuki said. "We can go back to Ireland after you save the world."
"Aw," Shinji whined. He pouted and stretched his arms over his head. "So where to now? Are we going to Spain, Germany, or Belgium?"
"Spain," Yuki said. "We can hang out on the beeches."
"Sold."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Shinji whistled to himself as he undid the buckles holding his bag shut and rolled it out. "Wow," Jen commented as Shinji's full armory was brought to bear. "That's impressive."
"I like to think so," Shinji said.
"Weird bag though," Jen commented.
"I like this bag," Shinji said. "It's fire-resistant to a temperature of eight hundred degrees Celsius, impact resistant up to twenty kilos traveling at one hundred miles a kilometer, water proof to a depth of three hundred meters, moderately bullet-proof, cold-resistant to negative six hundred degrees. . ."
"Not stain-proof though," Jen interrupted.
"Nope," Shinji said as he scratched at one of the dark, crusty stains on the bag's tan material. "It makes a good bludgeon."
"That's blood?"
"That is. This one's gray matter."
"Oh," Jen said as she slipped a one piece throwing knife from the restraining loops. "I don't think I've ever seen you use one of these." Shinji took the weapon by the blade tip and looked around for a suitable target. His eyes fell on Touji eating an apple. He wound up and sent the throwing knife whizzing through the air. It hit the apple and Touji plucked it out.
"Thanks Shinji." He cut a slice off his apple and ate it.
"No problem," Shinji said.
"What kind of shotgun is this?" Jen continued as she pulled another weapon from the straps.
"That's a Benelli," Shinji said. "The Nova series were made to fire the 12-gauge magnum shells."
"What is with you and magnums?" Jen asked.
"A vampire started it," Touji said. "Some fang bitch tried to put a .357 magnum in his heart."
"He was killing vampires left and right!" Mana exclaimed. "Of course someone would try to assassinate him!"
"They were in my territory," Shinji growled.
"It was their territory first!" Mana cried.
"Then it was mine," Shinji said. "They shouldn't have tried to fight me."
"Enough arguing," Touji growled. "How did I get stuck here?"
"You were stupid enough to turn your back on Asuka," Shinji said.
"A little late to remind me of that, isn't it?" Touji asked. He wound up and sent the knife flying at Shinji's head. He plucked it out of the air and wiped the apple juice off on his bag.
"This time we're doing things my way."
"When did we start taking turns?" Jen growled.
"Since I ran into those cool IRA guys back in Ireland," Shinji said.
"The IRA are terrorists!"
"All terrorists are somebody's heroes," Shinji said. "And those guys are mine. They sold me five kilos of syntax!"
"What?"
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"We are being hunted!"
"Calm yourself," Lorenz said.
"Half our numbers are gone," the other monolith snapped. "That is nothing to be calm about!"
"We must remain calm and collected," Lorenz said. "We have survived this kind of attempt before. We shall prevail again."
"What of the rumors that the Third Child is leading these attacks?" the first monolith asked.
"There isn't any proof to prove that these attacks are even related," Lorenz snapped. "Take whatever measures that you feel are necessary."
"Wait. . ." Lorenz cut the impending tirade off with the push of a button.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Shinji looked around the bar and shot back the glass in front of him. "Fenrir." Shinji nearly choked in surprise and turned to face the man who had sat down beside him.
"Don't do that," he managed as he set the glass down. Craven smirked and picked up one of the shot glasses in front of Shinji. "Bob said you had some information for me."
"SEELE is going on high alert," Craven said. "The one here in Spain has already left for his mansion out in the country side."
"How hard can that be?"
"He has zombies."
"Eh?" Shinji rubbed his ears. "Could you repeat that?"
"This guy is one sick bastard," Craven said. "He wanted the ultimate guards to protect him, so he developed a drug that creates zombie-like symptoms in those exposed to it."
"He doesn't own a company called Umbrella does he?" Shinji asked.
"Funny," Craven said. "And the answer is no."
"Define zombie-like," Shinji said.
"Well due to the fact that they feel no pain it takes a shot to the head to put them down quickly, they are about as blood-thirsty as either of us, and their mental capacities are at the same level as yours."
"Funny," Shinji said. "Well this is going to be interesting at least. You want to come?"
"Sure," Craven said. "It's been a while since I've gotten around to having some fun."
"You any good with a gun?" Shinji asked.
"I'm the best gunfighter in the vampire nation," Craven said.
"Really? I'm the craziest in the lycanthrope pack."
"I don't doubt it," Craven said. "The sun will be up in two hours. It will take us at least that long to reach the mansion."
"You can crash with us if you want," Shinji offered.
"Where are you staying?"
"The plane," Shinji said. "It's not great, but I've stayed in worse."
"Sounds fine to me," Craven said. "Most of my equipment is in my car anyway."
"One thing."
"Yeah."
"Keep your eyes on the redhead, but if you shoot her I'll throw you into one of the plane's turbines."
"Okay."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Mana listened as a particularly loud engine drew near the plane. "Shinji's back."
"Yeah!" Asuka cheered.
"There's someone with him," Yuki said from her seat by the window. "It's some guy. I think he's a vampire."
"Why do you say that?" Mana asked as she flipped the page in her book.
"He's pale and he's dressed in black leather," Yuki said. "Is that some kind of species-wide fetish?"
"Like you're one to talk about fetishes," Mana said.
"Wasn't Shinji into black leather a couple years ago?" Rei asked.
"Yeah," Yuki said. "I must admit that he looks good in leather pants."
"Yes," Rei said.
"Shinji. . .in. . .leather pants?" Mana asked.
"Uh huh. I think we have a picture of him before he went all hobo."
"I liked the way he looked when he went hobo," Asuka said. "He was funny."
"Too bad he still dresses that way," Yuki said. "What is with him and Hawaiian shirts?"
"Hawaiian shirts are cool!" Asuka said.
"And this is the passenger cabin." Mana glanced up as Shinji and his guest walked in through the door leading down to the cargo bay.
"Craven?"
"Hello Mana," the other vampire said as he set down his large black bag. "I see you're doing well."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"He's going to help me eliminate the next SEELE member," Shinji said.
"Why do you need an accountant for that?" Mana asked.
"She doesn't know?" Shinji asked.
"I wouldn't think so," Craven said.
"What are you two idiots talking about?" Mana demanded.
"Who do you think he is?" Shinji asked.
"He's the Elder's accountant and secretary," Mana said. "Duh."
"I'm Carl's body guard," Craven said. "I was selected due to my reputation as one of the best gunfighters in the world."
"What?" Mana asked. "You can use a gun?"
"Yes."
"He'll be crashing with us for the day," Shinji said.
"Why do you need a gunfighter?" Jen asked.
"Don't worry about it," Shinji said.
"I'm pretty good with a gun," Jen continued.
"What do you use?" Craven asked.
"A SIG-Sauer .40-caliber." Mana watched as both men snorted in amusement. Jen's face began to turn red. "My father used a 9mm and you like him!"
"Marvin has been using guns for a lot longer then you," Shinji said. "He knows the limitations of a weapon and how to work with them."
"He's really serious about his guns, isn't he?" Mana whispered to Yuki. The lycan nodded.
"Fine!" Jen spat. "What do you two use?" Shinji and Craven looked at each other and then looked at her.
"We use .45-calibers," they said together. Mana winched as Jen screamed in aggravation.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"Don't even think about it." Jen glanced up from Craven and Shinji to look at Yuki.
"Don't think about what?" she asked.
"You're thinking about going over there and demanded that you go with them," Yuki said.
"Well why shouldn't I?" Jen demanded. "I'm as good as they are."
"Well, the thing is," Yuki began, "you aren't. Shinji and Craven have been living by the gun for years. They've been in countless gunfights."
"I'm an excellent shot," Jen argued.
"How many people have you shot?" Jen's jaw shut with an audible click.
"Three people," she said finally.
"Back in America," Yuki said, "with Shinji." Jen nodded. "You can go over there and ask I supposed. In all likelihood Shinji will knock you unconscious."
"Why would he do that?"
"You father had a little talk with him about keeping you safe," Yuki said. "I didn't hear what was said, but I don't think I've ever seen Shinji that pale." Jen shrugged and walked to where the two men were staring at a map. She stopped behind Shinji and opened her mouth to speak.
"Here." Jen stared at the weapon Shinji was offering to her over his shoulder.
"What?"
"This is what you'll be carrying if you come with us."
"What is it?" Jen asked as she took the heavy pistol. It had the same styling as Shinji's hardballer.
"That's my first hardballer," Shinji said. "The guy who made my new one made that too. Merry Christmas."
"That's a very nice piece," Craven commented.
"It would have to be for me to carry it instead of one of my revolvers," Shinji said. "Do you have a shotgun?"
"Yeah," Jen said. She ran her fingers over the weapon's polished chrome slide and frame. "This thing is too heavy."
"Get stronger," Shinji said. "That thing carries eight rounds. You'll have to get used to that too."
"I've never shot a .45," Jen said.
"It had an internal compensator," Shinji explained. "The recoil will be about the same as your old .40 maybe a little less. The weight will also help with that."
"This thing is a hardballer?"
"Yeah."
"Why doesn't it look like yours?" Jen asked.
"Hardballers were originally produced by a company called AMT," Shinji explained. "My friend Jake just took that name because it sounded cool. These new hardballers aren't production weapons. They're modifications of previously existing weapons. Every chance Jake gets he tries new base models. The base model for mine is a Para-Ordnance P14-45. The base model for that one is a SIG Arms GSR."
"A SIG?" Craven asked. "Wow. Even unmodified those things will cycle empty shells. What did you say this man's name was? I might be interested in looking him up and commissioning him."
"Money well worth it," Shinji said. "I've had that hardballer for six years and it hasn't failed me once."
"You're talking a lot," Jen commented. "Are you nervous?"
"I'm not nervous," Shinji said. "I'm excited. This is going to be fun."
"What kind of fun?" Jen asked suspiciously.
"Lots of them, few of us, and a shit load of firepower," Shinji said with a grin.
"How do you want to get through the front gate?" Craven asked.
"The SS has certain. . .modifications," Shinji said. "It'll go through a brick wall."
"Literally," Yuki called.
"I only did it once," Shinji argued.
"You scared the shit out of me!"
"So what kind of security are we looking at?"
"Laser tripwires, buried proximity alarms, an extensive infrared and low-light close circuit monitor system, and about four hundred drug-induced zombies."
"Zombies?"
"Don't worry," Craven said dismissively. "You won't become a zombie if they bite you."
"But scream anyway," Shinji said. "These things are supposed to be pretty damn strong. I don't think you be able to pull one off yourself."
"You're trying to scare me," Jen said.
"Would that work?"
"Yes."
"Alright then, I'm trying to scare you."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"Craven has caught up with them."
"Well that's good," Bob said. "Are you sure sending him was a good idea?"
"Yeah," Carl said. "He and Shinji should work well together. I'm just worried that the amount of damage they can cause on their own will triple now that they have someone they feel they need to beat."
"Sounds like they'll be quite the demolition duo." Bob said. Carl just grinned.
"Yeah."
"Now I'm nervous," Bob said.
"Have you told him yet?" Bob winched. "No?"
"It's not time yet."
"When will the time be right?" Carl asked. "It is not really my place as a vampire to medal in the affairs of lycans, but I really feel that he is going to kick your ass."
"The Prophecy is a major part of the lycanthrope history," Bob said. "Shinji meets the requirements of the one named in the Prophecy, but we can't be sure."
"Out of death, desperation, and madness shall raise the savior of the world," Carl said, "or the destroyer. I am worried that his nature will lead him down the second path if he is not informed."
"Just a little longer," Bob argued. "There are three more members of SEELE left. I'll tell him after the second is dead."
"Make sure that you do," Carl said. "The Prophecy doesn't just affect lycans Robert, it affects all of us."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"Hey Craven?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think the Elder is keeping something from us?" Mana watched as the vampiric gunman paused in his movements.
"Since when have you questioned the Elder?" he asked finally as he continued loading the pistol magazine in his hand.
"I'm just curious," Mana said. "I never thought of it before, but then Shinji. . ."
"He pointed some things out to you," Craven said, "and now you can't help but feel suspicious as you notice all the things you ignored in the past."
"Yes," Mana said. Craven chuckled.
"Be careful. You're letting his bad habits rub off on you."
"At the moment I don't care," Mana said. "Is he hiding something?"
"When you live as long as I do," Craven began, "you'll find that those above you are always hiding things. It all really depends on how you react. Some are openly hostile, like Shinji. Others are just as hostile, but they keep it to themselves." Mana's eye twitched as she clutched the dagger sheathed on his belt.
"You're really starting to piss me off Craven." The vampire grinned at her.
"I guess it's far too late to save you from that lycan's influence."
"That's not a bad thing," a new voice said. Mana turned and saw Shinji standing in the doorway to the cargo bay. It was the only part of the aircraft without windows. Even closed windows could become open 'accidentally', as Mana had discovered. "Got the brews."
"Cool." Craven caught the bottle that was thrown at him. "We're leaving in six hours. You should get some sleep."
"I've slept enough," Shinji said. "I have somewhere to go. I'll be back soon."
-End
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
-Author's notes. The kill a SEELE every chapter was kind of shortening this story, so I had to put it on hold. Also I've been getting away from the Prophecy. That's what I get for letting my madness do all the writing.
