Quinn Manta: Why do I have to do the disclaimer?
Thunder Hawk: Because Zack Rello said we need to help out or else. Since I've already done a disclaimer, it's your turn
Quinn Manta: I refuse. This is degrading for some one like me, the great Quinn Manta
Thunder Hawk: Do it, or I'll turn you into a fillet of fish.
Quinn Manta: O.K., O.K. Zack Rello does not own the Mega Man X series, much as he wishes he did. He does own all original characters and weapons in this fic. Now do the world a favour and jump off and cliff Thunder Hawk.
Zack Rello: (appears on stage in a flash of light): Stop fighting you two or I'll make your lives a living hell. Now on with the chapter! Oh yes, I will be using some Japanese terms in this chapter and I want to say my knowledge of the language is extremely limited, so I apologise in advance if I did something wrong.
Shadows of my soul
Chapter 6: The Legendary Assassin
Tokyo in the year 21XX. One of the earth's largest remain cites, it stands as testament to the achievements of man and reploid. This is a city of industry and commerce, of partying and fun, and is a place where any human or reploid could feel they belonged in either society.
Scycer made a mental note to destroy this first, once the Maverick Hunters were dealt with. "The only thing worse than humans are reploids who believe the two races can ever coexist." he thought to himself. Scycer had been walking thru the streets of this city looking for the residence of the assassin he had been planning to hire. Every time he saw Lumine's chosen people interacting with lowly humans, he felt like killing something, preferably a certain blue Maverick Hunter. "The honour of slaying X will be mine. When I am done with him, the scholars shall need to find a new definition for pain." were his thoughts as neared the building that served as the residence for the assassin.
As he walked thru the building's front doors, he was confronted by a female reploid. Scycer immediately determined that she was a plant type: her green hair was actually artificial vines and she wore gauntlets that were, in reality, pink synthetic flowers. Scycer noted her pale pink skin and yellow eyes, as well as the red dress she wore, but he thought little of it, as he cared not for such petty things. "Hello, I guess you must be…what was that name again…Scycer, right? It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, extending her hand for a handshake.
Scycer did not return the gesture and stated "I did not come here to exchange pleasantries with some girl. I came here to speak with Flare Kitsune (A/N: for anyone who doesn't know, kitsune is Japanese for fox). Now quit wasting my time and take me to him."
The girl put her hands on her hips and tilted her head on its side "geez you're impatient. But if you want talk to my sensei (A/N: means teacher or master, not completely sure), please follow me." She said, and led him to an elevator. She pushed the button 25 and said "The first 24 floors of this are actually empty, while the last five are one luxury apartment."
"I really don't give a damn." Scycer replied coldly. "This girl is beginning to try my patience. She had better shut up before I lose my temper."
The door of the elevator opened and Scycer stepped out into a large dojo. His female escort suddenly leaped into the air and landed in front of him. "Sorry, but I just want to see how good you are." she explained as she threw a smoke bomb to the ground. When it cleared Scycer was facing not the teenaged reploid girl from before, but a warrior clad in a black ninja uniform.
"Fine, if that's the way you want to play." said Scycer, activating his beam claws. The girl threw several shrikens (A/N: ninja stars) in the shape of flowers at him, but he cut them apart with a single slice and the fragments impacted the wall behind him. The ninja then charged at him with her katana made from intertwined vines covered in thorns. Blade and claws met and the two fighters were knocked back.
They were about to charge again when a voice rang out "Lily, that's enough!" the two fighters turned and saw the owner of the voice. Before them stood a bipedal fox reploid, his metallic fur tinged a beautiful sliver white. The reploid wore a red outfit (A/N: think Inuyasha) with a large yin-yang symbol in the center of his chest. On the palms of his hands were flame emitters, and his skills with them were unparalleled. He turned his shining blue eyes on the girl ninja and continued "We have discussed this before. You are not to attack my employers. Now go upstairs and prepare some green tea for us." Lily bowed her head and went headed up the stairs while the fox reploid walked up to Scycer. He made a respectful bow and said "My sincerest apologies for my daughter's behaviour. Lily has a bad habit of trying to test her skills against everyone who comes here."
Scycer returned the bow and replied "Think nothing of it. I needed the practice anyway. Now, whenever you're ready, we can discuss our business." Flare Kitsune nodded and the headed up to the 30th floor. As they went up, Scycer continued "Your daughter, she is quite skilled, I assume your trained her yourself. Was her mother as fair as she is?"
Flare Kitsune laughed "Lily is not my daughter by design, I adopted her. She is my protégé, and one the best assassins in the world after me." he said, voice filled with pride. The two reached the penthouse and found a table already set with three cups of tea. Lily sat at the table, already changed back into her dress and was reading a reploid teen magazine while listing to music on her com. link. Flare Kitsune and Scycer sat and at opposite ends of table and Flare Kitsune took a drink of his tea. When he had finished, he first turned to Lily and said "Turn your music off. We need to listen to Scycer." Lily grudgingly turned off her music and the fox turned his attention to the green leader of the Reploid Revolution Front and said "Now, what is your business with me"
"Flare Kitsune, you have been called the worlds greatest assassin, and for good reason. Over the years you have assassinated great leaders both human and reploid when no one else could, and to add to that you've never been caught. What would you say if I gave you the chance to assassinate the greatest Maverick Hunters ever?" Scycer asked.
Rising an eye brow, Flare Kitsune replied "I have no personal grudge against the Hunters, but it has been a long time since I've had any real challenge. I presume you want me to assassinate X and Zero?"
"Close. I want you to assassinate Zero and Axl and deliver X to me so I can deal with myself." Scycer corrected.
"Axl! That rookie! Lily could take him easily, alone, blindfolded and with a leg and an arm tied behind her back!" Flare Kitsune bragged as he threw his head back in laughter. When he had calmed down he continued "Very well, I accept your offer. Now it is up to Lily."
Lily carefully pondered the job and asked "What's the pay?"
Scycer handed her a cheque and said "That's half for now, and the rest will be give upon completion of the job." Lily's mouth fell open when she saw the amount written. "I trust it's enough?" he asked.
"It sure is! 10 million now, 20 million on completion, you really want us to take this job. I'm in." she exclaimed, handing the cheque to her sensei.
Scycer was extremely pleased and said "Now that's settled, here are your instructions. You have two hours to make preparations. When you're ready, come to these coordinates. My jet will be waiting. From there, you will be transported to Megaopolis to carry out your mission. That's all. I shall be on my way." Scycer got up to leave but, remembering, turned back and said "One last thing. I need samples of your blood."
"What!" yelled Lily "What are you, some kind of vampire?"
"Lily!" Flare Kitsune scolded. He turned his attention back to the green Maverick and said "My apologies for my daughter's rudeness. However, I too would like to know why you would need our blood samples."
Scycer raised his hands defensively "Sorry, I should have explained. We'll use your own D.N.A. data to increase your powers ten fold. It's a similar process to what Sigma did to Red Alert, minus the side effects of insanity. Don't worry, we know this process works perfectly, we've used it already on two…former employees." Opening a compartment in his green armour, Scycer withdrew two small vials and handed them to the assassins "Three drops of blood each will be fine." he finished.
Flare Kitsune used his claws to cut his arm while Lily took a hair pin and pierced her hand. When the necessary amount of blood had been collected, they wrote their names on the vile labels and handed them back to Scycer. Scycer then bowed and left, retuning the vials to his armour. "Now, even if they fail, the destruction of the Maverick Hunters is assured." he thought to himself as he left the apartment.
Meanwhile, Lily and Flare Kitsune were making preparations for the mission. Unable to stand the silence, Lily said "You broke your promise you know? You promised me you'd give up being an assassin after your last job."
Flare Kitsune nodded his head "I know, but…"
"No buts!" she practically yelled "You're the only family I have sensei, I don't want to lose you. Did you hear who we're up against? X and Zero have defeated Sigma and his Maverick hoards God only knows how many times now! What makes you think we stand any more of a chance?"
"Unlike Sigma, we actually plan ahead. All we have to do is find one weakness, and then use it as our leverage." he explained. He let out a sigh and continued "Besides Lily, I have my reasons for taking this job with R.R.F."
"Like what! I'll admit the money is phenomenal but that's no reason to go get yourself killed!" she argued
"Then why did you say that this job was fine once you saw what we we're being paid?" Flare Kitsune asked.
Lily glared at him and said "Because I it would look bad on your reputation if I refused." "And the cash was a good incentive to stay quite." "That doesn't matter sensei! What matters is that this is the most dangerous job you've every taken!"
"That's one the reasons why I took it." he replied. A smirk spread across his face and he continued "I know it sounds silly, maybe even crazy, but I needed to take this job. The last one I took wasn't worth my talents and I want my career to out with a bang."
Lily's eyes, which had dulled in anger, regained some of their sparkle "You mean?"
Flare Kitsune put his hand over his heart and said "I swear to you this day, Lily Shinobi (A/N: Ninja or stealth I believe), that will be the last assassination I ever do. After this I swear I will permanently retire."
A huge ear to ear smile spread across the girl reploids face and she grappled her sensei in a bear hug. Finally, she won't have to worry about her sensei, the closest thing she had ever had to a father, being killed every waking moment. She knew he meant what he promised, considering he used her full name when he did. She released her hug and said "Fine, but promise me one thing."
"Anything you ask." Flare Kitsune replied, glad his daughter was a bit more understanding of why he was doing this.
"I know live by the warrior's code of honour, but promise me that, if looks like you're going to die, you'll run away." She pleaded
Flare Kitsune pondered this request. Running from battle would be the ultimate disgrace to him but. But, he relented and said "Alright, I promise. Now can we get going, I'm ready to leave now."
Lily put a few items in her backpack and gave thumbs up. Flare Kitsune nodded and picked up his bag, and the legendary assassin and his daughter headed out the door.
Review Responses
Erckie: Thanks for the great review. I promise Scycer's obsession with Lumine and his ideals will be explained in a future chapter. As for Element getting pwned, you'll just have to wait and see.
Quinn Manta: Erckie, you have insulted me. For this you must die.
Zack Rello: You will not kill my reviewers, got it!
Racegirl: Check the next chapter title at the bottom of this chapter for a pleasant surprise. Please review again.
A/N: School sucks. The main reason I was able to update so often is because I was on March break. Now that school has started again, I might not be able to. But I will make it my goal to update at least twice week. Anyway, I'll see you all next chapter.
Next Chapter: X and Alia's first date
