CHAPTER 5: SHOWDOWN ON THE STREETS!
"Ok." Joey said. "The Le Grance's are the worst kind of people. Rich, powerful, ruthless. Old man Le Grance runs the show; his son screwed up big time in the public eye bought a year back. But Old man Le Grance was very polite about it both on and off camera."
"That was the Whitewash scandal right?" Zander asked.
"The very same." Joey said. "Old Man Le Grance even sent him and his wife on a trip. Of course their 4 children Janet, Robert, Lee and Mononla stayed home. That's when Old Man Le Grance saw to it the plane crashed. He had it so it went down in a remote place even had goons there to off any survivors. Thing is Robert was suspicious, he ordered the plane crashed checked out even left to check it out himself about 10 months back, turned up in a dumpster 9 months ago. Lee went and married a girl Old Man Le Grance didn't approve of in private but Old Man Le Grance even gave them his own place on that Ivalice place. News spread quickly that some famous person killed him, turned out to be a frame up this person Yupa I think her name was, turned out to be innocent but still the finger was never pointed at him. You get the picture what a scumbag this guy is?"
"Yeah very nice." Vaughn commented. "Save if for his biography. What about him, his men, how well protected he is you know the important stuff."
"Well he has more bodyguards than he knows what to do with." Joey said. "You have 3 main problems, 3 main people you have to get rid of before you can even think of getting to him."
"Who are they?" Vaughn asked.
"First is Laurel Dent, old man Le Grances right hand man. Makes all the deals and stuff and is also sadistic as all hell. Second is "Muscle" Marko this guy is 450 pounds of pure muscle. Every corner in this town has a stain he left in it due to some poor sucker. Third is some import from Wu-Tai a guy who simply calls himself Red Dragon. Guy is a whiz at the martial arts."
"Bet Tifa could whoop him." Zander smirked.
"Well that's the thing about 3 years ago Tifa Lockhart ran a one day seminar on self defense, He not only took place in it, but also went head to head with Tifa herself. Did pretty good for being totally outclassed." Joey continued. "Since then he's only gotten better. One more thing, Old Man Le Grance has been seen with a guy with red hair and a red beard. Guy calls himself Mister Stone, Any info on him is hard as hell to find."
"So we have a crazed sadist, a muscle bound freak and a kung fu master." Vaughn said.
"That's the size of it." Joey said. "Now I'll be going, have fun." Vaughn grabbed Joey by the back of his jacket.
"Stick around buddy." Vaughn said.
"Your kidding right?" Joey asked. "I'll get shot!"
"You'll get your ass beaten if you leave you rodent!" Vaughn replied.
"Vaughn." Zander said.
"Hold on Zander." Vaughn said. "Your staying we need a stoolie."
"I'll so kick your ass!" Joey retorted.
"Vaughn!" Zander said more agitated
"Keep your shirt on Zander." Vaughn responded. "I'll leave you on a flagpole you little jackass!"
"Oh bring it meathead!" Joey replied.
"VAUGHN!" Zander yelled.
"WHAT!" Vaughn replied.
"We have company!" Zander said pointing out the window. Vaughn looked out and grabbed his guns. He and Zander exchanged looked as they loaded their weapons. Outside a thug army was coming towards them, they where just two men and a sniveling stoolie. Zander and Vaughn looked at each other and nodded.
"ShowTime." The said together as they left the safety of the truck for the men who waited for them on the streets of Kalm.
Tifa paced in the hideout her hands behind her back, she did so ever since the medics there got done checking her. Jan and Kara watched her do so, both said nothing somehow words where useless. What could they say to calm her down? Jan and Kara both knew how dangerous it was on the streets these days. Tifa heard a sound she paused, an elderly man passed by he saw Tifa and gave a polite nod and went on his way. They all gave paused when they heard the door open in the main room. Tifa listened but she didn't know any of the voices. Kara and Jan however both excused themselves. Tifa nodded they both gave her shoulder a supportive squeeze as they left the room. Tifa continued to pace, she let out and angry sigh as she continued pacing. She then saw something, it was a small notepad pocket sized. She noticed the writing on the cover.
DOCTOR HOJO'S LAB NOTES.
Tifa shivered. Hojo there was a name she would rather forget. Four years ago he was a ruthless mad scientist. He did all sorts of twisted experiments to her friends, Cloud, Aeris, Vincent and Red. Common sense told Tifa to leave it, but something compelled her to snatch it off the table where it lay and put it in her jeans pocket. Later she would read it, for now she paced. Tifa paused again she heard the door in the other room open, she heard a voice it was loud but at the same time kind. Tifa heard another voice it sounded like.. Tifa looked up she went to where she heard the voices. Tifa saw a large black woman it must be Big Angel, beside her was a black catwoman it was Ebon she got a lot of looks but some children who where playing went right to her. She was gentle with the children. Tifa thought the children would be afraid of the sight of an eight-foot tall cat woman but the children didn't seem to care either way. Beside Ebon was Yuna! Tifa smiled, Yuna saw Tifa and went to her.
"Your ok!" Yuna exclaimed. "I heard that you got shot!"
"We are fine Yuna." Tifa said. "I was worried more about you and Ebon." Yuna was about to say something when the hideout shook. The elderly man came running out.
"Carnage on the streets!" he yelled. "Two guys are waging hell with the Le Grance goons! They even have Muscle Marko and The Red Dragon with them! Also some odd looking people with them!"
"Grace be!" Big Angel exclaimed as she looked out. "Dat man look like he be on fire and de other, he looken like a reptile in white!" Yuna blinked, could Cyndir and Hail be here! She went to the door, she was followed by Tifa and by Ebon. Yuna went onto the streets there was a shootout going on. Solders saw what was going on, but Yuna saw something else, her heart caught in her throat. It was Mandrake! But to Yuna's surprise she leapt onto Hail, Yuna saw scars on Mandrake, she bled badly.
"Wildcard am I!" she yelled. "You tried to take me out of the damn picture! I'll kill you, you filthy stinking LIZARD!" Hail snarled as he tossed Mandrake from him, he forgot about his targets and went after the untamable catwoman. It was a small favor for Yuna but she knew when Mandrake was done with her revenge she would be back after her in no time. Yuna looked, many goons where heading towards them. They all smiled three woman against all of them to them it was simple, kill them and move into the hideout.
"Ebon?" Yuna asked. "Could you uh.. give me a lift?" Ebon starred a moment then nodded with a smile. She got down on one knee and cuffed her hands and placed them ahead of her knee. Yuna got a running started and jumped onto Ebon's cuffed hands, Ebon then gave Yuna a boost. Yuna flew threw the air shooing her guns at the thugs, when she landed she was in the thief garment and taking out thugs. In a matter of moments Yuna saw Tifa come flying down with a flying kick then Ebon did the same.
"They go down easy." Yuna commented. "But there are so many!"
"Just keep fighting Yunie." Tifa assured her. "If they are going to take us down we take as many of them as possible with us!"
"We can do this!" Ebon shouted. "I didn't stole away just to see you both die!" The three heard sounds of gunfire, the rebel from the hideout where joining the fray. Tifa looked, she saw faces in the windows of the homes, this was Kalm her home after she saved the planet. Tifa then noticed someone he was dressed in a red ninja outfit, he leapt above the grunt and landed in front of Tifa. Tifa paused in her fighting to her surprise no one took a cheap shot. In fact for the moment all fighting in the general area stopped. The man took off his hood to reveal a beard face and shot hair Tifa recognized him! His name was Lain Sian, three years ago he challenged her and put on an impressive display. Where not for his arrogance Tifa would have offered to teach the young man, however he lacked the humility thus she turned him away with the simple
"Come back when you're ready."
She looked at him, almost in awe.
"Do you remember me? Miss Lockhart?" he asked. Tifa nodded. "You see now, that I am ready. Agree to teach me and I'll call off these men."
"Your still not ready Lain." Tifa said. "Come back when you are and I will be more than happy to teach you."
"It appears I need to show you I am ready." He said. "And call me Red Dragon!" with that he came after Tifa, she was forced to be on the defensive. Yuna and Ebon soon found themselves back in the heat of battle with the grunts. However the swarm was thinning Yuna noted that and felt a little relief, soon the last of the grunts fell. Yuna sighed as she looked around, Tifa and Red Dragon where still in a heated fight, it seemed that no matter what Tifa did he found a counter for it. Yuna wondered what made this man not ready for Tifa to train him? Yuna then heard a hissing sound as Cyndir attacked her. Yuna flipped out of the way turning into a black mage as she did so, she and him traded blasts of fire and water. Ebon tensed to help but found herself mauled by someone, she looked up but saw no one! She looked down and saw a short well muscled man.
"Times run out little kitty." He said his voice gruff. "You've run into Muscle Marko now and Ima make cat nip outa ya!"
"Sorry little guy." Ebon said as she kicked him in the face. "But I'm short on time." She turned to leave but felt her tail grabbed.
"I really hate short jokes." Marko snarled as he pulled Ebon back by her tail. She felt as if he tail would snap off, how could someone so small be so strong? She kicked at him again this time with quickness he shouldn't have he released her tail and grabbed her foot. He then swung the eight foot tall three hundred pound Vah Shir like a baseball bat into a lamppost. Ebon lay still, her body seemed to scream with pain, maybe if she stayed still he would leave. He went to her and sat down on her back. She cried out in pain! The little man chuckled as he got up, picked her up he threw Ebon again into the side of a building. He approached and she was trying to get up but her strength failed as she collapsed to the ground laying deathly still. Marko smiled as he approached the unconscious Vah Shir. Both Yuna and Tifa saw what was going on out of the corner of their eyes but neither of them could break away to help, Vaughn and Zander had vanished most likely to finish what they started. Only free one was Mandrake who had just chased Hail away, but would she help?
Mandrake smiled in a silent satisfaction, Hail ran away like the coward he was. Yuna and her friend where in battle; good they could do her work for her. Mandrake looked and saw her sister she lay there still a small man built like a house loomed over her. Mandrake found herself sprinting towards them and jumping onto the small mans back. She placed a hand on the bottom of his chin and behind the top of his head, she gave a twist but nothing happened. The man smiled.
"I gots one tough neck." He said. Mandrake snarled as she kicked off the ground and was in the air her hands still in position, this time using her whole body she spun around she heard a cracking sound and jumped down. She looked at him he smiled again as he cracked his own neck with his massive hands. This wasn't good, he should have been dead or at least in pain. Mandrake tensed the little man seemed to be in a playful mood, meaning he would only kill her after he was through having fun with her broken body, much like he did with Ebon. Mandrake shot forward she dove as him with an open palm. He smiled.
"Watcha gonna do?" he asked "Slap me to d.." he never got to finish as Mandrake palm smashed into his nose sending fragments of bone into his brain. He was dead before he fully realized what hit him. Mandrake smiled and went to her sister, she stirred but she was badly hurt and seemed to be in a great amount pain. Ebon's eyes flickered a moment but remained closed. Mandrake lifted her sister in her arms she heard her whisper
"Sapphire, sweet sister where are you?"
Mandrake smiled a brief moment before in an unexpected move from someone like her. Kissed her sister on her forehead she looked and saw some people she heard Ebon whisper again.
"Don't leave me sis."
Mandrake ran off towards the woods Ebon in her arms. No one dared follow the Vah Shir.
Yuna fought Cyndir, he flew around trying to roast her with his jets of flame. Yuna was on the defensive firing streams of water at the fire creature. However the water evaporated after coming into contact with him. She needed another plan, she needed it fast. Cyndir made another swoop by, Yuna dodged while firing a stream of ice at him. Cyndir screamed as he crashed to the ground. Yuna was about to put the finishing touches on him. When Hail flew down as grabbed Cyndir! Yuna tried to blast Hail but he proved to be too quick. Yuna sighed, she noticed Ebon was gone, and Tifa was still in battle. Yuna ran to where Tifa was fighting.
Tifa, was on the defensive, something a girl of her talents is rarely on. She was silently impressed with how much Lian had grown in skill. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Yuna coming. However she paused and backed off, Tifa smiled to herself, she was hoping Yuna would see it's a two-person contest. Tifa turned her mind back to the fight. She struck at Lian with several blows, in response he.. smiled? Tifa saw his glowing fist come at her a moment too late,
Tifa was struck her body flew into a nearby building! Then she lay still, Yuna gasped in horror! She had to resist every urge to run to her friend, she saw the man approach Tifa. Lian smiled to himself, he did it! After three years of training he bested his first opponent, the one who brought him untold of shame. He loomed over Tifa, she lay amongst the ruins of a door. He shook his head this could have all been ended if she just accepted to teach him. Lian bent down to take her pulse, better make sure she's done for. As he did, he saw her eyes snap open! Her wine colored eyes flared with anger as she grabbed and flipped him, he landed on his feet as Tifa sprung to hers. Her fist glowing.
"Little hint for next time!" she snarled. "FOLLOW…THROUGH!" with the she hit the Final Heaven, Lian flew back through the air. He sailed through a stop sign and into a building he kept going until he stopped a good ten yards into the building. Tifa sighed, she saw Yuna come to her.
"You ok?" Yuna asked. Tifa nodded but feel to one knee grasping her side.
"Dammit." Tifa swore, she looked up Yuna had her hand extended to her, Tifa managed a weak smile as she took her friends hand. As she did she felt a warm sensation flow through her body. As a result she felt much better, she knew that Yuna had cast cure on her. Curing her wounds, Yuna then pulled Tifa to her feet. Tifa stumbled some Yuna supported her, Tifa smiled and leaned on her friend for support.
"Thanks Yunie." She said gratefully.
"You did the same for me." She replied. Tifa nodded with a small smile she directed Yuna to where Lian was struggling to get up. Reluctantly Yuna did so, she was unsure of the wisdom of the idea. Once they got to where he was Tifa knelt by his side.
"I'll see where Ebon might have gone." Yuna offered, seeing Tifa needed time with her ex-pupil.
"Thanks Yunie." Tifa said she then turned her attention to Lian.
"Here to gloat?" he asked while wincing in pain. Tifa shook her head and actually cure a cure spell on him healing him. He looked confused.
"Why?" he asked.
"A rule I follow." Tifa said. "When the battle is over, attempt to make a friend of the enemy."
"You are a worthy opponent." He started. "I am not I am weak and foolish in my pride."
"Your also ready." Tifa stated. He looked at her in total shock. "All you needed to do was show humility." He nodded slowly as he got to his feet. Tifa offered her hand but he shook his head. He got to his feet and looked at Tifa.
"You say I am ready." He said. "but I don't think I am. I have much to find about myself. You have my thanks for showing me the error of my arrogance." He bowed to her. Tifa returned the bow, he turned to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Tifa asked.
"A meeting is planned tonight at an old warehouse on the edge of town. All of the Le Grance henchmen will be there as will Mister Stone." Lian said. "I trust you'll be there. I saw your friends going there, it might be over. Still I wish to impart this wisdom to you." Tifa nodded.
"Thank you Lian." She said, Tifa watched the young man vanish into the night, Yuna's voice snapped her out of her daze.
"You ok?" Yuna asked seeing Tifa jump.
"I'm fine Yunie." She responded. "Any sign of Ebon?"
"Well." Yuna started. "People are saying that some other cat woman came in and took her away after she took out the muscle guy."
"Other cat woman?" Tifa mused. "Mandrake?"
"I was thinking it might be her." Yuna agreed. "But what do we do?"
'Not much we can do Yuna." Tifa said. "We have no idea where they went. I do however have an idea where Zander and Vaughn might have vanished to." Tifa told Yuna about the meeting.
"So think we should go there?" Yuna asked. Tifa nodded, she left at run Yuna followed her. They went to the outskirts they saw a large warehouse in the distance. As they where about to get closer, they heard a sound, both whirled around to see a thin gentleman dressed in a suit. He had long hair, dark sunglasses and what looked like a small jewel in his forehead.
"Greetings!" he announced. "I am the visionary! I foresaw this moment. COLLECT THEM!" Yuna and Tifa both cocked their heads confused their confusion was short lived as a portal roared open above them. Unlike the previous ones this one seemed to pull them in. Both cried out in confusion as they got sucked into the yellow belly of the portal. The portal closed with a deafening BOOM! Afterwards the Visionary stood there a smile playing across his thin lips. He turned his head as a red haired man approached.
"The two girls?" he asked.
"Where collected." Visionary finished. "Our benefactor?"
"Set up went as planned." The red haired man said. "They are taking him away as we speak. They will be far to busy with him to notice the two girls missing. Everything else all set?"
"All set." Visionary responded.
"Our source?" he asked.
"She's willing with the right inspiration." Visionary replied.
"It's almost at hand." He said.
"First the avatars, then him." Visionary said looking to the sky. "Enjoy this full moon. Next time you see it, it will be stained with blood he spilled. Brimstone." Brimstone laughed and they faded away.
Cove of Honor for nearly two weeks they cooled their heels embarking on side venture after side venture. Now in the in where they stayed, Katejina and Marjorie sat, the two friends talked as Roxanne a child in Viera terms and Hastings a moogle watched with little interest.
Suddenly a roaring sound was heard as a portal ripped open. Katejina and Marjorie cried out as the seemed to get pulled in. Roxanne tried to grab Marjories arm but the same force that pulled Kate and Marj in seemed to keep Roxanne and Hastings from lending a hand. Thus they where helpless as they watched. The portal vanished after sucking the two in leaving no mark it was ever there.
Zanarkand, the city Spira called City of the Dead, destroyed by the malicious force known as Sin. Home to Lenne, one thousand years in the past. Now she walked the ruins, her friend Shaden by her side. She felt good the memories came back to her, her first performance, first kiss. Lenne smiled fondly as she remembered. The two then heard a roaring sound as a portal popped up. Both found themselves being pulled in, the quiet of the city was disturbed until both women got pulled in. Then the quiet returned minus the two women.
Mandrake brought her unconscious sister to a cave, she lay her on the ground she let out a gentle moan. Why was she doing this? She helped her sister? Why? What made her do it? Was it the thought of seeing her family again? Sadly Mandrake had no time to answer the question as a portal roared open! She saw Ebon get pulled in, she leapt to grab Ebon but found herself getting pulled in as well! She screamed as she was pulled into the abyss.
Lavastorm Mountains, a place on the world of Norrath, home of the lair of the Red Dragon Lord Nagafen. Here a band of men dressed in black armor waited. Their leader stood tall his dirty blonde hair made him look youthful.
"Ardonix?" a young man asked, he has short dark hair. He looked at his brother who carried an unconscious girl. Her raven colored hair spilled into Charx's arms. They had found her near a village by the harbor city of Cove of Honor. Feeling she might be a problem Ardonix sent 4 of his men from the rowdy Squirmishers after her.
Only one came back, he brought the girl with him, she was unconscious. The survivor recounted how fiercely she fought, his own maimed hands proved that, where ten fingers where, now there where only seven. Ardonix opted for the safe choice and bound her hands behind her back ad disarming her. Later before they came to the lava storm mountains he found out from some sources her name was Rimoru and she was a traveling companion of his target.
Thus that saved her life. Live bait was always more appealing than dead one. After that they took a yellow portal to this place. Ardonix's mind drifted back to the present. He turned to his brother.
"We should be able to set up a camp here." Charx said. "At least for the night. We'll post a watch and a guard to the prisoner."
"Put the prisoner with me." Ardonix said casting a gazed to his men together there where 6 dozen of them. Squimishers the cannon fodder, spearmen, archers, Shieldmen all of whom where elites and Swordsmen. The other dozen consisted of wisemen, tailors, armorers and medics. "I don't trust the others not to have fun with her. We need her alive." Charx nodded. He gave the order and systematically they began to set up. Ardonix was lucky to find three volunteers from the village they sought refuge in to replace the ones the girl had slain. For now the day was complete. Tomorrow they would set out.
END CHAPTER 5