The Darkness in the Sunlight.
By: Sylis "The Twilight Fox"
A/N: Well, the 3rd chapter. I am really enjoying the time I spend writing these up. I wish I could get more reviews from everyone who is reading. So please, if you read, review and give me some feedback. Suggests and so on will be taken seriously. If I like an Idea of yours, I will let you know. If I use it, I'll give credit to you at the beginning of the chapter.
Everything was quiet and calm on the Outlaw Star, you could hear a pin drop, or even a cat purring. Jim and Aisha were still sleeping, Aisha purring softly while her head rested on Jim's chest. Jim, although asleep, could feel the purring of Aisha. He instinctively started petting her head softly. This continued until Gilliam woke Jim.
"1 hour until we reach our destination, Katrino." Jim yawned, his eyes facing the ceiling.
"Huh?" Jim's eyes began to focus. This isn't my room, where am I? Jim felt someone laying on him, he looked down to see Aisha. "Oh yeah, now I remember." She had her arms wrapped around his waist. Jim reached down and kissed Aisha's forehead. Her eyelids moved slightly, opening up slowly. "Sorry, did I wake you?"
"Don't worry about it." Aisha yawned and stretched out. She looked over at Jim. "So where are we now?"
"Less than a hour from Katrino." Jim replied.
"Hmm, you know what that means…"
"Breakfast?"
"That's right!"
"Alright, but I need to take a shower first." Jim walked to the door, he looked back at Aisha, "and I'll see ya at the table." He winked.
"Nyao!"
------
After a quick shower, Jim headed to the mess hall were he was greeted by Gene, Melfina, and Suzuka.
"Good morning Jim," Melfina said with her usual smile, "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, pretty good actually." Jim sat down at the table. "So what's on the menu?"
"Well, what would you like?"
"PANCAKES!" Aisha screamed, running into the room. Everyone covered his or her ears.
"Must you be so loud?" Suzuka asked, glaring at Aisha. "Can't you see we were all quietly enjoying our breakfast?"
"Sorry, I was just excited." Aisha replied.
"Well I guess I'll have pancakes too." Jim said, getting up to get plates.
"Yeah, same here." Gene said.
"Alright, just give me a few minutes." Melfina started making the pancakes right away.
"So Jim," Gene leaned over to Jim and whispered, "Did you take my advice?"
"Yeah and I guess it's the first time your advice actually helped me out." Jim grinned. Gene's eye twitched slightly. "But serious, thanks. You have always been there for me. Thanks Gene."
"Hey, what are friends for? Besides, with everything you do, this is nothing."
"Nah, I think it was worth more than all that work." Both Jim and Gene laughed for a moment, and then Suzuka looked over at them.
"What are you two laughing about." Suzuka questioned them.
"It's nothing." Gene responded quickly. Suzuka went back to drinking her tea. After everyone was finished eating, Gilliam's voice was heard over the speakers.
"Attention, 15 minutes until we reach Katrino."
"Well, I guess we better get ready to land." Gene, with Melfina by his side, headed for the cockpit
"Hmm, I shall join you." Suzuka followed them.
"Jim," Aisha moved her seat closer to his, "So what's this advice that you and Gene were talking about?"
"Oh yeah, you could hear that, couldn't you? Well, let's just say, I wouldn't have been able to talk to you yesterday night if Gene wouldn't have came and bugged me." Jim rubbed her back slightly.
"So he knows?" Aisha looked at Jim.
------
Gene, Melfina, and Suzuka were all in the cockpit. They were approaching the planet's atmosphere.
"So you think those two are ok?" Melfina asked Gene.
"Yeah, from Jim's view, they are fine. I'm still kinda surprised, I mean Jim and Aisha? I would have never guessed that they would have gotten together." Gene said.
"Why, because Aisha is a C'tarl C'tarl?" Suzuka asked.
"No, it's not that." Gene shook his head. "It's more the fact that they are complete opposites. Aisha is carefree and Jim, well he is worried about everything."
"Well, does it really matter?" Melfina walked up behind Gene. "No matter how they act, they enjoy spending time with each other. They have a strong bond. I think they are great for each other." She placed her hand on Gene's shoulder.
"Yeah, you're right Mel." Before he could say anything else, Gilliam interrupted them.
"Gene, we are receiving a request for a communication link from Katrino's surface."
"Alright, send it through. This is the Outlaw Star, do we have permission to land?"
"This is Katrino Spaceport, Outlaw Star, we will send a guiding beacon to landing zone 2. You are clear for landing." After making a successful landing, the crew their way to the docking bay of the ship. The door opened, where many women in sarongs greeted them.
"Welcome to the paradise planet of Katrino where the water is always clear!" The leader of the girls said. The other 2 put a lay of flowers around each of the crewmembers. "You have arrived at the perfect time. Today we are holding a Volleyball tournament, the winning team takes home a prize of 100,000 Wong!"
"100,000 Wong huh? Then I'll guess we'll enter. You guys ok with that?" Gene turned around. Everyone nodded.
"No one will be able to beat us!" Aisha stated with a grin on her face.
"I've never played before, but I will give it my best." Melfina said.
"Don't worry, we can teach you." Gene said, wrapping his arm around her. His attention turned to the girls, "So where do we go to sign up?"
"Right this way sir." The girl led them to the booth they needed to go to. After about 10 minutes of filling out papers…
"Alright, we are sign up for the tournament, we have less than a hour." Gene said
"So I guess we better get in bathing suits or something huh?" Melfina asked.
"Yeah, we aren't allowed to play in our usual clothes."
"Then I guess we go to the shops. I'm sure they'll have plenty of cloth stores in the area, let alone the entire planet." Jim said. The group went into the first shop they found, picking out their bathing suits. Jim found a pair of blue surfer trunks right away, Gene found the same style, just in a black color. Melfina found a red, 2-piece bathing suit with a white sarong. Aisha got a blue, 2-piece bathing suit, while Suzuka got a white one. They all met at the front of the store, Gene paid for their suits, except for Suzuka who had already paid for hers. Jim was waiting in the front of the store, looking up at the sun. Suddenly, he felt someone tapped him on the shoulder, it was Aisha. Jim glanced down for a second, then blushed and turned away.
"Nice ah… suit Aisha." Jim spoke nervously.
"So you like it?" Aisha asked, spinning around giving Jim a quick show from all sides. That's cute, he's blushing.
"Yeah, it looks good on you." Jim said, smiling.
"Hey, I hate to break up your conversation, but we'd better get going. We still need to find out where this volleyball thing is being held." Gene said, looking around for some kind of sign or flyer. "There we go," Gene said pointing at a sign on the beach. "Alright, lets go win!"
"Yeah, there is no way we can lose!" Jim said, following Gene. "Come on Aisha!"
"I'm right behind you Jim!" Aisha ran after him.
"They are all acting like kids…" Suzuka walked calmly in the direction they were going.
"But is that really a problem? I mean with all that has happened lately, I think we all can use this time to just forget all the pain that has been caused. Enjoy life without having to worry. Wouldn't you agree Suzuka?" She said, following her.
"You bring up a good point, I wouldn't expect anything less from you Melfina."
"Oh, why thank you." Melfina blinked a few times, surprised by what Suzuka said.
"Hey, you two coming?" Gene yelled from a distance.
"Yes Gene! Wait up!" Melfina came running after Gene. She and Suzuka caught up with the other 3, who were in the back of a large crowd that was forming. There was a young woman in front of the crowd, with long blonde hair. There were many volleyball courts behind her.
"Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to the 10th annual Volleyball Tournament here on Katrino! My name is Brielle, but you can just call me Bri. I will be your Host this year. First off, I would like to welcome back our top 3 teams from last year!" She turned to a group of 5 player on her right. The team leader was a young girl with green hair and a green bathing suit on. "Last years 3rd place team, led by Lilly, The Green Fiends!" The crowd cheered, homemade signs went up through out the crowd. "On my left, we have," she turned to a team of 6 players, the leader was another young girl with long brown hair. She was wearing a black bathing suit. "Last years 2nd place team, led by Britthamaru, the Mantis Team!" Again, the crowd was filled with cheering. Brielle tried to quiet down the crowd. "And finally. Last years Champions! Led by Ozneroli, The Knights of the Round Orange!" The crowd cheered again.
"What kind of stupid team name is that?" Gene said, looking at his friends.
"Well I guess you have to have a creative name… But it is a weird one." Jim said. He shrugged his shoulders. "By the way Gene, what did you name out team?"
"I just went with Outlaw Stars." Gene replied smiling.
"I guess it works." Aisha said.
"We have a special newcomer team this year. Winners of Heiphong's Space Race, the Outlaw Stars! Their captain is Gene Starwind!" Brielle said, pointing to the back of the crowd. The crew looked around for a second, not realizing what was going on. "Don't be shy Outlaw Stars, come on up, make room for our celebrity team!" The crowd cleared a path for them to walk up. "So this is your first year in the Tournament, how do you feel you will do?"
"Well how else do you think? We are going to win!" Gene replied to her question.
"That's a big promise to make, but best of luck to you! Ok, we are now going to have all the Team Captains come up and draw numbers. All 16 Captains, step forward!" Soon, 12 other captains had joined Gene, Lilly, Britthamaru, and Ozneroli by what looked like a television screen with a big red button on top of it. "Ok, this is how it works. When I tell you too, the screen will start rambling off numbers. When you feel like it, hit the red button, and it will stop on a number. From left to right, you will be placed on this board here. So first we will have the returning Champs! Ozneroli, you are up first!" Ozneroli, stepped up, watching the numbers flip. He hit the button. "9! Let's put them on the board!" In the 9th slot, an Orange appeared. "Next up. Britthamaru." Britt hit the button. "2!" A mantis appeared in the 2nd slot. "Lilly, you're up!" Lilly walked up and pressed the button. "5!" A Green little devil appeared in the 5th slot. "Ok Gene, your turn!" Gene walked up to the button, letting the numbers rapidly change. He quickly hit the button. "10! Looks like we have our first match up decided!" A red star appeared in the 10th slot.
"Great, we are facing the Champs in the first round." Jim said with a sigh.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine Jim." Gene said, trying to reinsure Jim. Soon, all the slot positions were filled. They were assigned to court #5. They headed over and greeted the returning Champs.
"Gene Starwind, I saw your performance at the Space Race. Well done. Best of luck to you in the game, although you have no chance of beating us. Such a rag tag group of people." Ozneroli said. "That beast doesn't belong here.
"Beast! I'll show you." Aisha said in response to his insults.
"Calm down," Jim whispered into her ear. "We'll get them back, I have a plan." Jim continued to whisper into Aisha's ear. She nodded every few second, after he finished Aisha laughed.
"I like it!" Aisha screamed, she looked to Ozneroli and stuck her tongue out.
"Alright, that's enough. Teams get to your sides and get in positions." The referee said. "Orange, your team is up." The referee tossed them the ball. They served it, the ball came towards Melfina.
"Mel, it's going to you!" Gene said.
"Huh?" Melfina looked up, she tried to hit it, but she missed. "I'm so sorry! I'm not very good at this, am I?"
"Don't worry, it's ok. You'll get the hang of it," Gene walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Trust me"
"Ok, thanks Gene."
"Is that the kinda of team we are playing? HA!" Ozneroli laughed. The ball got served again. Gene bumped it up to Jim, Jim set it up high for Aisha.
"Ok Aisha, just like I told ya!" Jim said.
"You got it Jim! AH!" Aisha jumped up 10 feet into the air, she spiked the ball directly at Ozneroli, striking him in the face and giving him a bloody nose.
"Point, Outlaw Stars!" The referee said.
"My nose! Damn you!" Ozneroli screamed in pain.
"Whoops I guess I don't know my own strength." Aisha said sarcastically, winking at Jim. Jim responded with a grin and thumbs up to Aisha. Gene was up, he took the ball, serving it to the other side, after a few sets it was sent back over where Aisha spiked it again, this time hitting the sand. The match went on like this till the score was 14 - 1 with the Outlaw Stars leading. Gene was up to serve.
"Ok guys, what do you say we end this right away?" Gene looked over to the others, they all nodded. "Ok, let's get it to Suzuka." Gene served it up, the ball cleared the net, the other team set the ball up for Ozneroli, and he jumped up to spike it. Suzuka then darted over to where he was, she jumped up and easily blocked his spike, bouncing it back to the other side of the court. Everyone watched as the ball hit the sand.
"We won!" Gene said. Melfina ran up to him, jumping into his arms and hugging him. "You did great Melfina."
"Thanks Gene." She and Gene shared a kiss.
"If we keep this up, we should win no problem!" Jim said.
"Well, lets win this." Suzuka said.
------
The final round of the Tournament came up, it was Green Fiends V.S. Outlaw Stars. The score was 14 - 14, and the Green Fiends had the serve. Lilly served the ball up, it came over the net, and Melfina quickly bumped it to Gene, who set it up to Suzuka. Suzuka hit the ball over with relative ease, the ball fell quickly to the ground as one of the Green Fiends dove to the ground, just missing the ball. Melfina was up to serve, she made a perfect serve, scoring a point right inside of the boundary line. It was now 15 - 14, one more point and the Outlaw Stars will take home the Championship. Melfina served the ball up, it traveled over the net, coming to Lilly, she set it up to a front player, and they spiked it over. Jim dove into the sand, hitting the ball back up into play. Suzuka set the ball to Aisha, who spiked it for the win. The crowd went wild, at that time, Brielle walked on to the court, her microphone in hand.
"Alright, looks like the Champions this year are the Outlaw Stars!" The crowd was cheering very loudly. "So Gene, you and your team have just one the Championship and it was your first year competing. How do you feel?"
"Well, I guess I feel good. The money can sure be helpful, but now I just want to go relax with my crew." Gene responded.
"Well, we'll get you your cash prize and your trophy, then you can go relax. I would like to thank everyone that has come on this year. Thanks for playing!" Brielle turned her microphone off. "Ok Gene, if you and your team would follow me." Before he could move, Gene was stopped by Lilly of the Green Fiends.
"Gene Starwind…"
"Yeah?"
"Congratulation on winning the tournament." She extended her hand to Gene, and the rest of the crew.
"Thanks. You did a nice job." Gene shook her hand, as did everyone else.
"Well, I'll be waiting again next year." She walked in the other direction. They went back to following Brielle. They were almost to a small building when…
"Ah, Damn it!" Gene sat down, he had stepped on a piece of glass and cut his foot.
"Gene! Are you all right?" Melfina ran to his side.
"Yeah, it's just a small cut." Gene said looking at his foot.
"Here, we have a first aid kit." Brielle had one of the other girls bring a first aid kit over, cleaning off the blood of Gene's foot and wrapping it.
"All done Mister Starwind." The girl walked away with the blood-covered gauss and the first aid kit.
"How do you feel Gene? Does it still hurt?" Melfina asked, while helping him up.
"I'm fine Melfina, thanks." Gene said as he got up. "Let's just get the money and get going." After they picked up the money and the trophy, Jim and Aisha went and found a small building to buy so they could open up a Starwind and Hawking shop on Katrino. Suzuka had left on her own to look into any bounty heads there might be. Gene and Melfina waited out on the beach for Jim and Aisha to return. A shadowy figure was watching them from a distance.
"Gene Starwind huh? You've made quite a name for yourself among the pirates… But we'll get you now." The person laughed and disappeared into the shadows.
"Gene, it sure is peaceful, huh?" Melfina said, looking into the ocean.
"Yeah, it's something I'm not very use to. With all the Pirates, the bounties, all the dangers… It's nice to enjoy a relaxing moment."
"I love you so much Gene…" Melfina rested her head on Gene's chest, both of them lay down in the sand. Gene wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"I love you too Melfina…" Gene took a deep breath. "It's moments like this that I wish would never end." Gene began to run his finger through Melfina's black hair.
"Me too Gene, me too." She closed her eyes.
------
Meanwhile, Jim and Aisha had found a decent house for sale, it was only 10 Thousand Wong.
"Wow, the place is actually big, has a big area for a garage, 6 bed rooms, each with their own shower. The place is already furnished, even the kitchen already has everything in it, it's not even falling apart." Jim looked at Aisha, "This place is perfect!"
"Yeah I know. Should we go find Gene and tell him?" Aisha asked.
"Yeah, but we gotta wait for this guy to show up too." Jim said scratching his head.
"I could wait if you'd like." Suzuka said.
"Oh Suzuka, when did you get here?" Jim asked.
"Just now. There are no bounties at the moment, so I have some free time." Suzuka said with a smile.
"We would appreciate it. Thanks Suzuka." Jim said.
"It is no problem at all." Jim handed her the money that they needed to purchase the land.
"Alright, we are going out to check up Gene and Melfina. We should be back later. Take care Suzuka." Jim said, waving to her.
"Bye Suzuka." Aisha said as well.
"Take care you two." Suzuka went back to waiting for the property's owner to show up.
"So Aisha, should we go get Gene and Melfina?" Jim asked as they started walking down the street.
"No, let them have some time to themselves, they haven't had much time alone lately." Aisha responded. "Besides, we get to spend some time alone ourselves." Aisha slipped her hand into Jim's, holding it tightly. She and Jim continued to walk down all the streets looking for places to pick up supplies.
"Hey, there's a weapon shop. Should probably see if there are any caster shells. Also pick up on some ammo for my guns too." Jim said.
"Well you can look at your guns and such, I'll go across the street, looks like they have some weights and stuff. If I find anything, I'll come get ya." Aisha said, walking out to the other store.
"Hello sir, is there anything I can help you with?" The old man greeted Jim.
"Yeah, I'm looking for some caster shells, would you happen to have them?" Jim asked.
"Caster Shells? Never heard of them. Perhaps if you had one to show me. I could help ya."
"Hmm do I have one?" Jim searched his pockets. "No…" Jim continued to search, when he felt a shell in is jacket pocket. "Aha, here we go!" Jim handed the Caster Shell to the old man.
"Let's see here… Hmm… Oh yeah, I have these, quite a few of them actually, don't really know what they are for though." The old man searched his draws and cabinets. He came back to Jim with a big box. "Here we go." He placed the box down. "Pick which ever ones you want."
"Hmm…" Damn, look at all the shells he has! I think that… It is! It's a caster, it looks just like Gene's! "So what would you want for everything in this box?"
"Well, since I don't really know what they are for… I guess 300 Wong will do." The old man scratched this head as he answered.
"Alright, well then I'll take them, but lets see what else I need." Jim picked out a clip expansion kit for his gun, and many packs of ammo for his gun as well as Gene's handgun and shotgun. "You don't have Light shields too, do you?"
"Light Shields? I have those."
"Alright, I'll take about 5 of them." Jim put all of the stuff on the counter.
"Ok, your total is 2,000 Wong." The old man said.
"Alright, here ya go." Jim handed him the money.
"Come back any time."
"Ok, thanks." Jim walked out to find Aisha waiting for him. "Hey Aisha."
"Hey Jim, what ya got there?" Aisha pointed at the box.
"For starters, I found a Caster, and a ton of Caster Shells. So that should make Gene happy, otherwise it was just the usual stuff. Light Shields and ammo."
"Ah, I see. Well I found some workout equipment, even found a someone who was selling a car too." Aisha handed Jim the flyer.
"Hmm, we can look into it more later. For now, let's get back to the building. Let's see if they showed up yet."
------
An hour later, Gene and Melfina were both asleep on the beach, Melfina still had her head lying on Gene's chest. They were so peaceful just lying there. The only sounds that could be heard were the ocean's current, moving up onto the beach.
"Gene!"
"Huh?" Gene woke up to the yelling of his name, he yawned and stretched. "Wha?"
"I'd move if I were-" It was too late, a huge wave came and splashed both Gene and Melfina.
"What the hell? Gene yelled as he and Melfina were both wide-awake now.
"Huh?" Melfina looked around.
"I told you that you should have moved." Jim yelled as he walked over to them.
"Yeah, thanks for the great warning Jim." Gene shook his hair off. "So what's up?"
"Well we found a place at a low price, I stocked up on ammunition, I think you'll be quite happy with some of stuff I found, and I also found a car that I was able to fix up. We only spent about 15 thousand Wong."
"That's all? Wow. I can wait to see what you guys all got." Gene said while helping Melfina up and they all walked up to the street. Gene looked around for the car Jim was talking about. "Where is the car?"
"Didn't need it, this building is only a few minutes away. I'll show ya." Gene and Melfina followed Jim. 5 minutes later, they arrived at the place. Gene was surprise.
"It's huge! Jim, how much did you pay for this again?"
"Only 10 Thousand. Pretty good huh?" Jim replied with a smile on his face. Showing them inside. Gene and Melfina both looked around a bit.
"Excuse me, Jim?" Melfina spoke up.
"Yeah Melfina?" Jim looked over at her.
"I'm sure everyone is getting hungry, could you show me where the kitchen is?"
"Yeah, it's this way."
"Thanks Jim, I'll start getting everyone some food." Melfina said, heading into the kitchen. Gene went to his room and got dress, he then came back to find Jim.
"Hey Jim." Gene yelled through out the place.
"Over her Gene!" Jim yelled from the garage area. Gene followed his voice to the garage.
"Hey Jim, already got a workstation set up huh? What are you working on anyway?" Gene tried to peek over Jim's shoulder.
"If you really want to know," Jim turned around holding up a gray colored version of Gene's Caster Rifle. The parts that were red on Gene's version were blue on this one.
"Is that what I think it is?" Gene took a look at it.
"Yes, a Caster Rifle! I got it and a whole bunch of Caster Shells for only 300 Wong! I think I almost have it fixed." Jim said, taking is goggles off.
"Only 300 Wong? How many shells did you get?"
"About 30! Here take a look at how many different kinds I got." Jim handed him the box of Caster Shells.
"30! Are you kidding me!" Gene looked through the box, counting all the shells. "Wow you're not kidding. Everything is just going good right now huh? We now have 2 Caster Rifles, plus a bunch shells."
------
Everything was calm for the day, when night came around, Gene decided to treat everyone to dinner at a fancy restaurant for a change, seeing that they could afford it now. Everyone was out of his or her bathing suits and into their casual attire.
"So where is this place that was suppose to have good food Jim?" Gene asked, looking over his shoulder.
"I guess it is right down the street. We should be-" Jim stopped in the middle of his sentence, stopping dead in his tracks.
"You ok Jim?"
"Gene…" Melfina tugged on Gene's arm, getting him to turn around. Gene looked forward to see a woman with a sword drawn. A man who was covered in cloaks accompanied her.
"Gene Starwind I presume." The woman spoke.
"Who is asking?" Gene looked at her.
"I am Sango of the Kei Pirates. I am hear to kill you."
"Oh really? And who is your friend here?" Gene asked, drawing his caster and taking aim. As he did, the man in the cloaks also pulled out a caster and aimed it at Gene. "What, he has a Caster too?"
"Oh Gene… You and him have a lot more in common then you know." She laughed as she pulled the cloak off that was covering his face. Everyone was shocked when they saw his face.
"What? What the hell is going on?" Jim asked, pointing at the man.
"He looks just like him…" Suzuka said drawing her boken.
"Who is that! What is going on?" Gene yelled, moving Melfina behind him. "Why does he look like me?"
"Well I guess you could say, that he is you, a much darker version of you. Evil consumes his heart and he is enhanced with Tao Magic."
"He is like Hitoriga then." Suzuka said.
"No, he is nothing like that fool. I guess you could say this is a clone of Gene. His darker, more powerful side." Sango laughed. "Remember when you cut your foot on the beach? That's how we got your DNA. I think I've spent enough time talking. Now… You will die!" Sango charged at Gene, but Suzuka came up and blocked her attack.
"Gene, I can handle this one, you take care of the other one." Suzuka told Gene, he nodded. Gene looked at Aisha.
"Aisha, protect Melfina, don't let anything happen to her. Got it?" Aisha nodded. Gene then ran off to fight with his dark side.
"I'm coming too!" Jim ran after Gene.
"Jim!" Aisha yelled out. Jim looked back. "You better not die." Jim gave a thumb up to Aisha.
"Gene, here." Gene stopped and looked back and Jim tossed him a belt of 10 Caster Shells. They even were labeled with were with. "Now we are ready."
Back at Sango and Suzuka's battle, Sango seemed to have the upper hand.
"Well "Twilight Suzuka" you seem to be a bit rusty. Or maybe you are just that terrible of a fighter." Sango gloated.
"Well maybe I am rusty…" Suzuka pushed off, she began to charge at Sango and Sango began to charge at her as well. At the last second, Suzuka performed her Crimson attack. "But I don't waste time taunting my enemy. I finish them right away."
"So… that is the cause… of my downfall…" Sango collapsed.
Back at Gene's fight…
"Damn…" Gene thought to himself. No matter what I do, he predicts it and counters. "So you think you are so smart huh?" Gene pulls out his Caster and loads a #2 Shell, "Well take this!" Gene fires his Caster Rifle, launching a fireball at his dark clone. The clone does the same, the shots cancel each other out. "What!" Damn it all. Well there is no point wasting the shells. Before he could react, the clone fired another caster. The shell hit Gene, causing him to go to the ground, being stunned by small electrical blasts. "Damn, that must… be a #15." I can't move… The Dark Gene started walking towards Gene, laughing softly, but as he grew closer, his laugh grew louder. He was 5 feet away from Gene. He loaded his caster and took aim at Gene.
"Gene!" Melfina yelled out, she tried to run out, but Aisha stopped her.
"No Melfina, you have to stay here." Aisha held her back.
"He is going to kill him! I can't just stand and watch him kill the one I love!" Melfina started to cry.
"Well, you are just like me… Surprises every turn." The Dark Gene continued to laugh. "But there is one thing that you don't have right now."
"Huh?" The Dark Gene made a small grunting noise.
"Back up!"
"That's right!" Jim said, firing his caster at the Dark Gene. Dark Gene turned around, as a small black sphere slowly approached him. The black sphere turned into a miniature black hole.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" Dark Gene screamed in pain, as he was drawn into the black hole. A purple aura wrapped around the black sphere. It this disappeared.
"Ahhhhh!" Jim screamed in pain as the caster shell began to drain his energy. He fell to the ground, breathing heavily.
"JIM!" Aisha ran out to Jim, helping him to his feet.
"Wow… So that's what a #19 is like?" Jim was still trying to catch his breath.
"Ouch… That stings a little." Gene slowly stood up, as Melfina ran to him, holding him. "Thanks Mel." He held her tightly. "Jim… Nice shot." Gene grinned, then Jim grinned. At the same time, they both began to laugh, then Jim grabbed his side.
"Jim, don't push yourself." Aisha scolded him.
"I'm sorry Aisha, I'll try." Jim was finally able to stand up on his own strength. "Thanks Aisha." Jim and Aisha shared a small kiss. "We don't want to keep it too long, I'm sure Gene and Mel don't… want…" Aisha and Jim both blinked as Gene and Melfina were pretty much making out with each other. Jim made an interrupting cough. Gene and Melfina both stopped and blushed slightly.
"I'm sorry, I was just so relieved that Gene was alright." Melfina said, trying to cover her blushing face.
"Don't worry about it." Jim said, then looked around. "Has anyone seen Suzuka?"
"I'm right here. That person was no match for me." Suzuka said smiling.
"Glad to see you're alright Suzuka." Gene waved to Suzuka. He then looked at Jim. "Jim, I guess you got that second Caster Rifle working, but where did you get that #19 shell from?"
"Well," Jim pulled 2 more #19 shells out of his pocket. "We had a total of 3 from that guy I bought the others from. From what you told me it did, I thought that it was a good time to use it."
"No kidding it was, you saved my ass back there, Jim. Thanks"
"Yes, thank Jim." Melfina gave Jim a big hug. She let go quickly as not to get Aisha upset.
"Well what should we do now?" The minute Jim finished his sentence, his stomach growled very loudly.
"I guess that is our answer." Suzuka said, everyone started laughing, as Jim was blushing.
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After their meal at the restaurant, everyone headed back to the newest location of Starwind and Hawking. Suzuka had gone to her room and Aisha and Jim were playing video games at Aisha's request. Gene and Melfina were left alone. They were lying on the couch together and things were peaceful.
"Gene?"
"Yeah Melfina?"
"I was really scared… Today, when you fought that dark version of you… He almost killed you. If Jim wasn't there… you could be…" Melfina started to cry, her head buried into Gene.
"Hey now, don't cry." Gene tilted her head up, looking into her eyes. "I'm not that easy to kill. I am not planing on dying for along time. I'm going to be here, to protect you and everyone else. I love you Melfina and I'm going to keep you safe."
"Don't forget to keep yourself safe."
"I won't forget. I also have Jim, Aisha, and Suzuka to look out for me." Gene rubbed her back, hugging her. "I love you Melfina."
"I love you too Gene."
A/N: Ok, this one ends with everything kinda finished up. Thanks for reading so far, I hope you look forward to this series more. Thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave reviews.
Gene: Well so far everything is ok. We are enjoying Katrino, the money situation is doing well, and it's great.
Melfina: Gene… Something is going on…
Gene: What could that be? Hey… Is that…? No, it can't be… Gwen Khan? What is he doing here?
Next time, on Outlaw Star
A gift for Gene and Melfina.
You better get ready!