Rise of the Dusk
Chapter 3: Ghosts from the Past
Disclaimer: I do not own X-Ray & Vav or any of the characters involved
Another day in Achievement City, as Vav and the Dusk Boys went on patrol. As they walked the streets a though occurred to Treyco.
"Hey Vav," he began.
Vav half turned back to face him without breaking his stride. "What is it?"
"I was wondering: You had a partner before, right? What happened to him?"
Vav stopped and looked down solemnly. "He… left. He wanted to make a name for himself in his own city."
"Did you try to stop him?" Sauce asked.
"No… He… he left in the middle of the night and left a note for me that I found when he didn't show up for patrol."
"Oh geez. That sucks."
Vav shook his head to clear his thoughts before looking to his companions. "No, it's fine. X-Ray has his own agenda, just like us. We need to investigate a particular building at the request of the mayor."
Vav turned on his heel and continued leading the way down the street. Eventually the trio arrived a large complex: Concrete walls towered above them with sparking razor wire at the top, a gridded-metal gate stood before them, a soldier on the other side saluted Vav, who fired off an informal salute in return. The soldier swiped a keycard and the gate opened, allowing the trio inside.
"What is this place?" Sauce asked as they were led inside a massive concrete building.
"A prison." Vav answered darkly.
"For who?" Treyco asked.
"Him." Vav said as the soldier opened a door. The trio entered the room and found themselves face to face with an average looking, brown-haired man in a blue work suit. His bear was long and disheveled.
"Vav… it's been too long." He said, his voice confident and smooth.
"Mad King." Vav answered back.
"Wait! The Mad King? The guy who tried to take over the city?" Sauce asked, stepping in front of Vin.
"Yeah. The mayor had me and X-Ray check in on him now and then to make sure he was still secured here," Vav explained.
"Speaking of, where is X-Ray?" The Mad King asked as he stood and looked around, like he was expecting X-Ray to emerge from the walls.
"He's gone. Left to become a Hero on his own." Vav explained.
"A shame. You two made such a good partnership." The Mad King put his hands behind his back as he turned it on the trio. "Well, as you can see. I am still bound here, unable to leave and left to examine no one's mind but my own. I suppose you'll be leaving now?"
"Yeah. C'mon boys." Vav said, turning on his heel and strolling out of the room. The two young heroes followed quickly after him, casting doubtful glances behind them at the back of The Mad King as he remained standing in the room.
Vav and the Dusk Boys exited the building and nodded to the soldier at the gate as they began to leave.
"He's… frightening." Treyco said after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, he's pretty intimidating, but he can't do much while locked up in there." Vav said. The trio exited the complex, the gate slamming shut behind them.
"C'mon, we're almost done with patrol for today, and after words I'll treat you two to something nice."
"Hell yeah!" Sauce shouted as he followed after Vav.
Unbeknownst to the trio though, they were being watched. A Figure was perched on top of a large office building across the streets from The Mad King's prison. It looked up from them once they turned the corner and disappeared, its eyes focused on the top of the walls. Nodding to itself the Figure stepped back from the edge of the building, before sprinting towards it, stepping up on the ledge it launched itself out over the street, throwing its arms wide and pulling a small cord on its side, a thin layer of material spread out between its hands and legs, slowing its descent to a gentle glide. Flying over the walls harmlessly. It latched onto the stone of the main building before sliding down, leaving a trio of claw lines on the wall, it dusted off on the ground with barely a sound before quickly sprinting towards the guard house where the soldier had taken a seat. He pulled a lunchbox out from under his desk and pulled up a laptop, turning on the screen he typed in a web address and began to watch a video play out, taking a bite of his sandwich he didn't notice the Figure as it entered the guardhouse. Looking around it spotted the soldier's keycard discard on the opposite side of the desk, behind the guard's back. He quickly grabbed the keycard before rushing across the clearing again. Swiping it and opening the door, it bounded down the hallway before arriving in the King's chamber.
"Another visitor? So soon?" He asked as he turned around, taken aback by the sight of the Figure.
It was shorter than average, but very stocky and muscular. It wore a one-piece suit that was half orange and half purple, with matching boots on each side, a face with a cat-like design and matching color scheme hid its face.
"An… interesting visitor… how can I… help, you?" The Mad King asked.
The figure looked around, not seeing anywhere to swipe the keycard, the Mad King caught on to his perceptions.
"No way to let me out I'm afraid, they intended to let me rot in here," He explained.
The figure nodded and made a shooing motion with its hand. The Mad King took a step back from the wall while The Figure stepped back down the hall, soon The King heard footsteps padding rapidly down the hall as The Figure emerged from the doorway in a full sprint. Jumping up it curled its legs before delivering a powerful kick to the glass wall. Shattering a hole large enough for The King to step through. Alarms began to blare around them.
"Well done my friend," The King said as he stepped out of his cell and adjusted the cuffs on his work suit.
The Figure turned and began to sprint out of the chamber and down the hall. The King followed suit, hearing a brief burst of gunfire echo down to him, as he exited the building, he saw his guard unconscious on the floor with The Figure swiping the key card to open the gate.
"Not bad," The King stepped over the guard and walked towards the gate. As the pair exited the complex a black limo pulled up in front of them and stopped. The back door opened, and a voice spoke to them:
"Get in."
The two climbed into the backseat and the limo sped off. The King found himself sitting next to The Figure and staring at the cloaked figure and the Corpirate.
"Yar… your majesty, it has been a beat since we last spoke."
"Indeed, and I assume our mutual acquaintance here is the reason for our reunion?" The King nodded towards the Cloaked figure.
"Indeed, Rimmy, thank you for a job well done," The Cloaked figure produced a briefcase from under its robe and handed it off to The Figure who nodded in agreement.
"So, what's the cause of my sudden and unexpected release?" The King asked.
"I believe you're familiar with Vav and his two new companions?" The Cloak replied.
"I am…"
"Let's just say that I have a personal grudge against those boys and have conscripted the Corpirate's help in dealing with them, but we needed a little more… nuance, to execute our plan."
The King put a hand on his chin as he considered the idea.
"I… hope this helps persuade you," The Cloak lifted a gloved hand from under his cloak and held out a cracked crown towards The King.
"Oh… I think it might help," The King took the crown and put it on his head, suddenly his beard receded to a small fuzz on his chin, his work suit changed into a suit top and plaid-colored kilt. "There we are that's so much better." He said as he adjusted the bowtie.
"So then… do we have a deal?" The Cloak extended his hand.
"I think we do," The King took it and the two shook.