Okay, disclaimer I don't own CB or any of Wantanabe's characters but I do
own Kahni. First, this chapter is mainly a cover of Real Folk Blues part
I, but its necessary to describe the events unfold this way for the rest of
the story. Second, I do not do an in depth description of the whole
episode, only those that have to do with my main characters, Vic, Kahni,
Lin and Shin. So any interaction between them and other CB characters is
for the progress of the story. Scenes left out were not needed for my
fanfic. Sorry, no Faye. Third, as for the dialog, I went with the English
Dubbed words, so if it doesn't match what you are used to that is why.
I've taken liberties with certain conversations, but did not change any
that were originally in the script. Okay, now that that's all out of the
way:
Chapter 7: Things Begin.
It was a typical Mars day. It was raining. It was a foreboding rain Julia thought, reminding her of past rainy days and bad memories. She looked up at the clouded sky from under her red umbrella. It seemed like a shock of color, like a bullet wound on the grey and dismal streets of Tharsis. Julia walked into her apartment and closed the door. She hit the button on her answering machine. The voice was familiar but not shocking. She knew this day would come. "The elders are making their move. You're in danger. Go quickly but quietly." Shin's voice told her. The answering machine stopped. Julia pulled off her sunglasses. It's begun, she thought.
Rain poured outside the building. Men walked swiftly down the hall guns ready in their hands. Vicious' bird glanced around warily. On of the men keyed opened the lock and the four of them went inside guns blazing shooting up everything in sight. Vicious walked in slowly as the men spread out around him, the bird resting lightly on his shoulder. Dust, feathers and fabric still floated through the air.
The lights flicked on and Vicious' men jumped, startled to see the Van's guards surrounding them from the second floor balcony. Vicious did not flinch as he gazed up at the elders perched at the top of the stairs.
The first one spoke. "What a foolish thing this is that you have done. Our fortune teller warned us, on the night of the red moon the snake will slither and strike bearing it's venomous fangs."
The second one added, "You look so pitiful Vicious, and you are."
"We have already informed you of our final decision. You cannot succeed us as a leader of this clan." The third one finished.
Vicious was not disturbed. "The syndicate doesn't need corpses who can't fight. Who've lost their taste for blood."
The first one glared at him. "Nor does it need callow upstarts. Your unbridled arrogance has sealed your fate. Take him to the chamber." Two of the Van guards come up one on either side of Vicious and grab his arms. He shook them off and the bird flew away squawking to settle nearby on the banister. The rest of the elder's guards cocked their rifles, ready for a fight. Black feathers floated down past Vicious' head and shoulders.
"Kill me." Vicious challenged the old men. "Just do it now."
"You cannot choose how you will die nor when. You must learn humility. When your pride is broken, then we will send you to the underworld." The first elder told him. Vicious allowed the two guards to place cuffs on him and turn him around. He stopped.
"Don't forget." Vicious glanced back on more time at the three old men. "A serpent's venom poison's slowly after the bite."
Other guards took Vicious' men out also in cuffs. The two walked Vicious out the door together still holding his arms. The bird blinked and stared at its master's departure.
Spike sat behind the counter. The Loser Bar, he thought to himself. What a fitting place to die. Jet jumped over the counter to land next to him. "Who are these guys?" he asked his skinny partner. Spike didn't have a chance to answer because a bullet tore through Jet's leg. Jet cringed in pain. Spike turned and took out the man that had shot Jet. As the man fell another person replaced him and ran down behind the counter towards Spike.
Spike hesitated, an image of Lin flashing in his memory. "Lin?"
"I'm Lin's brother." Shin said. It wasn't the time to harp on it, but Shin had always hated how Spike could never tell the twins apart. Gunfire splattered chunks of glass and wood around them as Spike and Shin ducked and covered their faces. Then Spike remembered.
"Shin, of course. You were both inside." Shin aimed over Spike's head and took out another of the Dragon's men. Spike sighted his gun back the way Shin had just shot as Shin covered their right side, over the bar. "Once you cross this line you can never go back to the syndicate." Spike said. Shin didn't say a word. Spike continued, "What happened Shin?"
Jet put a tourniquet on his leg and sat back to rest. Shin replied "Vicious is gonna be executed. He tried to pull off the coup but it backfired. They got him in the chamber. And you're a target now too. So's Julia. We all are, Spike."
Spike looked at the younger man. "Julia?"
Another explosion made them duck and hide. Part of the counter was now gone making a separation between Shin and Spike.
"They're in Tharsis city. I'll cover your escape. Please, go now while you can." Shin told Spike.
"I owe you Shin. And. . . . I'll do what I can to save HER too." Spike put an arm around Jet.
"Good luck, and, thank you." Shin put down some cover fire as Spike helped Jet out the back door.
The large chamber doors closed with a loud clang. Vicious raised his head. There was a slight smile in his eyes. Perfection, he thought to himself. Just a little longer . . .
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Will you relax!" Lin told his sister. Kahni tapped on the windowsill. "And go sit down. Why are you being so stupid?" Kahni glared at him.
"Don't call me stupid!" She sounded childish saying it but that's how she felt when he used that tone with her. Lin smiled sadly.
"Look at what you are doing." He cautioned her. She furrowed her eyebrows* and looked around her confused. Then she realized what he meant. Even in a safe house you had to be pretty stupid to stand right in front of a window. And she couldn't remember for how long she'd been standing there. She came and sat down next to him on the couch.
"Your right. I am stupid." She sighed. Lin put an arm around her. Kahni leaned into him. They never shared much family time together anymore, although she always saw more of Lin than Shin. But once she'd been inducted into the Dragons, they became her family and blood relations came second.
"It'll be fine. Don't worry." Lin told her. She nodded. They sat in silence. Everything had been done. There was nothing more to prepare for. They just had to wait. "Lin-" Kahni started.
"What?" he mumbled. She glanced at him. His eyes were half shut and she almost thought of doing the same. But, she had to know.
"What's going on with Shin." Lin was quiet for a moment. Kahni didn't think he would say anything at first.
"What do you mean?"
"What's he doing?" she asked.
"He's on an assignment you know that."
"That's not what I mean. Why is-" she pulled away from her brother and sat Indian style on the couch facing him.
"Why can't I reach him. His cell number is changed. I haven't seen him since I got back. Something weird is going on, Lin." Lin wouldn't look at her. He crossed his arms and stared at the fireplace.
"Lin-"
Lin cut her off. "Shin can take care of himself. There is nothing to worry about." But his words did little to comfort her.
"I need to know Lin, before I go into this. I need to know what is between Vicious and Shin. Please." Kahni begged.
Lin turned to face her. "Just remember, that they both love you." Kahni stared confused into her brother's dark eyes. Lin pushed a stray piece of black hair back from her pale blue eyes.
"It's time" He told her. Kahni bit her lip and nodded.
The Van guards, and others, walked down the hall towards the chamber's center room. One of them whispered to the other, "All things are set."
Up on a high ledge by a small window the bird watched the affairs take place. The Van and its guard moved up as close as they were willing to get to Vicious, despite his being chained to the wall.
The first elder spoke again. "One who disturbs the general affairs of our clan must be executed according to the general will of our clan." Vicious stared at them silently.
"You may leave final words" the third one told him.
"Or you may bequeath your possessions." The second added.
"Nothing." Was Vicious' only reply. But it wasn't just a word, it was the catalyst for his plan.
The row of men standing behind the elders raised their rifles. Vicious cold eyes gazed at them silently. The bird squawked and tried to fly towards its master for the last time. Two small bombs exploded in a flurry of feathers startling the execution squad. A few of them, hand- picked of course by Vicious months earlier, started taking out some of the elder's loyal guards. One of Vicious' men fired two dead on shots at the shackles holding Vicious' arms. The locks shot off, Vicious seemed to float down and ran full out towards the three old men. One of the Van was already dead. Lin rushed in and threw Vicious his katana just in time to catch a bullet in the stomach. He managed to fire off one more shot before he fell, killing the second elder.
Vicious caught the sword and unleashed it slicing his way through the riot. He reached the last elder. All of the men seemed to freeze, pensively waiting for what would happen next. Vicious grinned, the edge of his blade at the old man's throat.. "And you will shed tears of scarlet." The elder shook and Vicious struck.
Vicious sheathed his katana. All of the man stood around blankly not knowing what to do.
"The leadership of the Red Dragon's has now changed hands. From this time forward, my power is the only power." Even his own men felt chills at the power of his statement. Vicious looked up at the large golden seal upon the chamber's wall.
TO BE CONTINUED
Yay, thank you thank you for all your reviews. Please keep them coming. Shouts out to Anymos-chan thanks glad you are still here for me. Jan-Lee wow, you still amaze me. Qwitch: you have redeemed yourself. And two new fans: thankythanky-Riorrette and Aragami. (* that was for you!) Hope you like it everyone!
Chapter 7: Things Begin.
It was a typical Mars day. It was raining. It was a foreboding rain Julia thought, reminding her of past rainy days and bad memories. She looked up at the clouded sky from under her red umbrella. It seemed like a shock of color, like a bullet wound on the grey and dismal streets of Tharsis. Julia walked into her apartment and closed the door. She hit the button on her answering machine. The voice was familiar but not shocking. She knew this day would come. "The elders are making their move. You're in danger. Go quickly but quietly." Shin's voice told her. The answering machine stopped. Julia pulled off her sunglasses. It's begun, she thought.
Rain poured outside the building. Men walked swiftly down the hall guns ready in their hands. Vicious' bird glanced around warily. On of the men keyed opened the lock and the four of them went inside guns blazing shooting up everything in sight. Vicious walked in slowly as the men spread out around him, the bird resting lightly on his shoulder. Dust, feathers and fabric still floated through the air.
The lights flicked on and Vicious' men jumped, startled to see the Van's guards surrounding them from the second floor balcony. Vicious did not flinch as he gazed up at the elders perched at the top of the stairs.
The first one spoke. "What a foolish thing this is that you have done. Our fortune teller warned us, on the night of the red moon the snake will slither and strike bearing it's venomous fangs."
The second one added, "You look so pitiful Vicious, and you are."
"We have already informed you of our final decision. You cannot succeed us as a leader of this clan." The third one finished.
Vicious was not disturbed. "The syndicate doesn't need corpses who can't fight. Who've lost their taste for blood."
The first one glared at him. "Nor does it need callow upstarts. Your unbridled arrogance has sealed your fate. Take him to the chamber." Two of the Van guards come up one on either side of Vicious and grab his arms. He shook them off and the bird flew away squawking to settle nearby on the banister. The rest of the elder's guards cocked their rifles, ready for a fight. Black feathers floated down past Vicious' head and shoulders.
"Kill me." Vicious challenged the old men. "Just do it now."
"You cannot choose how you will die nor when. You must learn humility. When your pride is broken, then we will send you to the underworld." The first elder told him. Vicious allowed the two guards to place cuffs on him and turn him around. He stopped.
"Don't forget." Vicious glanced back on more time at the three old men. "A serpent's venom poison's slowly after the bite."
Other guards took Vicious' men out also in cuffs. The two walked Vicious out the door together still holding his arms. The bird blinked and stared at its master's departure.
Spike sat behind the counter. The Loser Bar, he thought to himself. What a fitting place to die. Jet jumped over the counter to land next to him. "Who are these guys?" he asked his skinny partner. Spike didn't have a chance to answer because a bullet tore through Jet's leg. Jet cringed in pain. Spike turned and took out the man that had shot Jet. As the man fell another person replaced him and ran down behind the counter towards Spike.
Spike hesitated, an image of Lin flashing in his memory. "Lin?"
"I'm Lin's brother." Shin said. It wasn't the time to harp on it, but Shin had always hated how Spike could never tell the twins apart. Gunfire splattered chunks of glass and wood around them as Spike and Shin ducked and covered their faces. Then Spike remembered.
"Shin, of course. You were both inside." Shin aimed over Spike's head and took out another of the Dragon's men. Spike sighted his gun back the way Shin had just shot as Shin covered their right side, over the bar. "Once you cross this line you can never go back to the syndicate." Spike said. Shin didn't say a word. Spike continued, "What happened Shin?"
Jet put a tourniquet on his leg and sat back to rest. Shin replied "Vicious is gonna be executed. He tried to pull off the coup but it backfired. They got him in the chamber. And you're a target now too. So's Julia. We all are, Spike."
Spike looked at the younger man. "Julia?"
Another explosion made them duck and hide. Part of the counter was now gone making a separation between Shin and Spike.
"They're in Tharsis city. I'll cover your escape. Please, go now while you can." Shin told Spike.
"I owe you Shin. And. . . . I'll do what I can to save HER too." Spike put an arm around Jet.
"Good luck, and, thank you." Shin put down some cover fire as Spike helped Jet out the back door.
The large chamber doors closed with a loud clang. Vicious raised his head. There was a slight smile in his eyes. Perfection, he thought to himself. Just a little longer . . .
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Will you relax!" Lin told his sister. Kahni tapped on the windowsill. "And go sit down. Why are you being so stupid?" Kahni glared at him.
"Don't call me stupid!" She sounded childish saying it but that's how she felt when he used that tone with her. Lin smiled sadly.
"Look at what you are doing." He cautioned her. She furrowed her eyebrows* and looked around her confused. Then she realized what he meant. Even in a safe house you had to be pretty stupid to stand right in front of a window. And she couldn't remember for how long she'd been standing there. She came and sat down next to him on the couch.
"Your right. I am stupid." She sighed. Lin put an arm around her. Kahni leaned into him. They never shared much family time together anymore, although she always saw more of Lin than Shin. But once she'd been inducted into the Dragons, they became her family and blood relations came second.
"It'll be fine. Don't worry." Lin told her. She nodded. They sat in silence. Everything had been done. There was nothing more to prepare for. They just had to wait. "Lin-" Kahni started.
"What?" he mumbled. She glanced at him. His eyes were half shut and she almost thought of doing the same. But, she had to know.
"What's going on with Shin." Lin was quiet for a moment. Kahni didn't think he would say anything at first.
"What do you mean?"
"What's he doing?" she asked.
"He's on an assignment you know that."
"That's not what I mean. Why is-" she pulled away from her brother and sat Indian style on the couch facing him.
"Why can't I reach him. His cell number is changed. I haven't seen him since I got back. Something weird is going on, Lin." Lin wouldn't look at her. He crossed his arms and stared at the fireplace.
"Lin-"
Lin cut her off. "Shin can take care of himself. There is nothing to worry about." But his words did little to comfort her.
"I need to know Lin, before I go into this. I need to know what is between Vicious and Shin. Please." Kahni begged.
Lin turned to face her. "Just remember, that they both love you." Kahni stared confused into her brother's dark eyes. Lin pushed a stray piece of black hair back from her pale blue eyes.
"It's time" He told her. Kahni bit her lip and nodded.
The Van guards, and others, walked down the hall towards the chamber's center room. One of them whispered to the other, "All things are set."
Up on a high ledge by a small window the bird watched the affairs take place. The Van and its guard moved up as close as they were willing to get to Vicious, despite his being chained to the wall.
The first elder spoke again. "One who disturbs the general affairs of our clan must be executed according to the general will of our clan." Vicious stared at them silently.
"You may leave final words" the third one told him.
"Or you may bequeath your possessions." The second added.
"Nothing." Was Vicious' only reply. But it wasn't just a word, it was the catalyst for his plan.
The row of men standing behind the elders raised their rifles. Vicious cold eyes gazed at them silently. The bird squawked and tried to fly towards its master for the last time. Two small bombs exploded in a flurry of feathers startling the execution squad. A few of them, hand- picked of course by Vicious months earlier, started taking out some of the elder's loyal guards. One of Vicious' men fired two dead on shots at the shackles holding Vicious' arms. The locks shot off, Vicious seemed to float down and ran full out towards the three old men. One of the Van was already dead. Lin rushed in and threw Vicious his katana just in time to catch a bullet in the stomach. He managed to fire off one more shot before he fell, killing the second elder.
Vicious caught the sword and unleashed it slicing his way through the riot. He reached the last elder. All of the men seemed to freeze, pensively waiting for what would happen next. Vicious grinned, the edge of his blade at the old man's throat.. "And you will shed tears of scarlet." The elder shook and Vicious struck.
Vicious sheathed his katana. All of the man stood around blankly not knowing what to do.
"The leadership of the Red Dragon's has now changed hands. From this time forward, my power is the only power." Even his own men felt chills at the power of his statement. Vicious looked up at the large golden seal upon the chamber's wall.
TO BE CONTINUED
Yay, thank you thank you for all your reviews. Please keep them coming. Shouts out to Anymos-chan thanks glad you are still here for me. Jan-Lee wow, you still amaze me. Qwitch: you have redeemed yourself. And two new fans: thankythanky-Riorrette and Aragami. (* that was for you!) Hope you like it everyone!