YOSH! This is Squalo King with a new chapter of The Demon of Pandora.
Marcus: Alright you money making bastards, my favorite kind. If any of you who actually own the Borderlands series sees this, then know that the author doesn't claim he owns any of it. But of course he wants to take liberties with your crappy work, then he can as long as he doesn't make any money. If he wanted a dime he would just copy that werewolf vampire love garbage, not that there's anything wrong with a romance story, just write a good one!
AN: I'm gonna be on break for this story, nothing serious. Sorry if the fights are too short.
Frozen Ass Quests
Out in the snowy ice tundra were a group of Bullymongs down a path that led out inot the glacier where more bandits and dagerous sorts were waiting to kill. These Bullymongs in particular were curiously circling around a weapon's ending machine with a cartoonish revolver with arms and legs on it. Strangely enough it was tied to a large rock with rope, no idea why its there. Unfamiliar with this device the Bulllymongs began poke and prode at it, one of the larger and braver of them hit it with his fist and the vending machine began to make noise.
"Why have one gun when you can have five?" asked the machine in a gruff Russian accent.
The Bullymong the hit a button, prompting the machine to talk again,
"Lock and Load?"
It hits the machin again.
"Buy a gun already!" it said in an irritated tone.
The Bullymonsgs keep hitting it, enjoying the sounds that the machine would make, the lights from the vending machine, the rattling noises that it would make every time one of their large hairy fists would hit it. One thing to note is that they seemed to be having fun, jumping around like a bunch of children, excited about their nicest, flashiest new toy. All was well and good, and one could say that they were completely harmless in their merry making.
"HERE COMES THE ICE CREAM MAKER!"
That is when they hear the roar of a creature far more dangerous than them and louder than their new toy. As they turned their heads one of there is lopped of by a buzz-axe belonging to none other but Krieg himself. Before the other two could attack, the large psychopath swings his weapon at them as the blade of his buzz-axe spun grinding them into meat and piles of blood. As Krige began to rip, tear, grind at the Bullymong's bodies their blood splattered all over the ice and snow, staining them red. Their fur and flesh flew off in chunks that would ruin the most hardened bandit's appetite.
"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA H A!"
Krieg's laugh echoed through the area as he continued to carve away at his prey despite the fact they were long dead.
"Hey genius, you're not supposed to kill them like that." Krieg's saner half uttered to his psychotic self.
Krieg didn't listen to his calmer persona and instead continued his crazed actions. As he did Lee and Maya both watched as Krieg mutilated the corpses. Maya merely looking, not disgusted but simply wondering when Krieg would stop, Lee on the other hand narrowed his eyes annoyed at the situation before him.
"Maya, can you please stop him next time?" asked Lee.
"Its not his fault, Hammerlock told us we have to kill them so its fine," said Maya.
*Splat*
Blood spurts from the corpse as Krieg stomps onto it like it was a bug, Luckily, Maya and Lee moved out of the way so not to get wet. Lee then held up a skinning knife.
"You keep saying that, but I can't get the fur off their bodies," He turns his head to her, "Can't you just tell him to stop and let me kill them?"
Maya grumbled a little hearing that but it wasn't like Lee was wrong. She looked at Krieg as he was so enthusiastic about the killing, it was almost adorable if not gut wrenching due to how violent it was, though Maya was used to it. More importantly, for both Maya and Lee, this time away from the others was a perfect time for them to get some things across
Orphan and Marcus
"Are you really going to start this part with telling me what Mr. Lee and Ms Maya and Mr. Conductor are doing instead of just explaining what happened before this?" asked the Orphan. Marcus narrowed his eyes at the young lad angrily.
"Look, your listening to my story and you'll let me tell it to you how I want," said Marcu,
"I just think that its weird, I don't even know why they're out there," said Marcus
"I was about to explain that if you'd let me!" said Marcus. The orphan jumped a little hearing that. He looked down guilty at his constant annoyance. However Marcus, seeing his mistake, pats the boy's head to reassure him.
"No-No don't be like that, I'm sorry for yelling, its not your fault," said Marcus.
"Okay, I'm sorry," said the Orphan.
"I'll tell why they're out there," said Marcus.
"Back to story," said the Oprhan excited
Liar's Berg(30 minutes earlier in the story)
"Now there's a few inquiries that you all will need to help your survival chances on the way to Captain Flynt's forces" said Hammerlock as he spoke in front of the Vault Hunters "Luckily for you all and myself these are things that will be beneficiary to all parties willing to participate." said Hammerlock.
"This guy talks like he swallowed a thesaurus as a kid," said Salvador under his breath. Axton chuckles a little with Gaige and Lee elbowing him to shut him up.
"Dude, chill out," said Lee,
"Just give us the list, Hammerlock," said Gaige enthusiastic about the endevor. Deathtrap mimicked her energy by pumping his metal arms.
"Well first if you all are going to survive out here your going to need better shields," said Hammerlock. He marched over to one of the corpses of the bandits and took his shield off him, it shattered to pieces the moment he picked it up.
"Ones of higher quality than these ruffians have pinned to their breasts," said Hammerlock. Salvador, Krieg, Claptrap and Axton giggled hearing the word: breasts. This prompts Maya to shake her head with Lee and Gaige groaning. Zer0 put his hand to his mask, and shook his head.
"S-Sorry, um where can we get some shields?" asked Maya. "In town maybe?" Hammerlock shook his head.
"An understandable assumption, but I fear that you are mistaken," said Hammerlock. He pulled out a anshin shield. "This, I'm afraid, is the only remaining noteworthy shield that exists in Liar's Berg." he puts it away.
"In stead there's an outpost where the resistance would keep lookout over the area, but they've long since fled," said Hammerlock
Lee looked around and realized that most of the town was in a destitute state before they had even got here.
"The bandits and Bullymongs did a number on this place, huh?"uttered Lee. Hammerlock shook his head.
"I'm afraid not, while I refuse to sympathize, yet logically understand, with either parties following their primal instincts in attacking anything that moves," said Hammerlock, "Though you are wrong my dear Lee, Handsome Jack is the reason for the sad state of Liar's Berg."
"Jack-ass, should have known," said Salvador with venom in his tone.
"Yes he came through with his Hyperion forces in tow with a large Cybernectic man that towered above all," Hammerlock then brought out a pipe and began to smoke from it like the English gentleman he was. "Spouting dribble about bringing peace to the frontier whilst shooting men, women and children like it was going out of style." said Hammerlock as he let out a puff of smoke.
"Geez, I knew he was crazy but I didn't think it he was that nuts," said Axton in disbelief.
"Don't be too surprised, Hyperion's known for pulling this kind of shit, I read about it all the time back at school," said Gaige.
"Doesn't surprise me either," said Maya.
"Yes well, all who lived in this town and even the surrounding area fled due to his roaming conquest, even the resistance fighters led by Roland had abandoned several outposts in the area that are now being used by bandits," Hammerlock expels a puff of smoke, "Ha, Forgive me I'm spouting exposition again,"
"Its okay, Gaige did it after she tied us up," said Lee wincing at the memory.
"That just means he's smart." said Gaige.
"But I'm surprised that you didn't join up with these guys before meeting me and Salvador." said Lee.
"Eh, its probably cause it a boring place filled with Jack boots," said Axton. Gaige nervously looked away and doesn't answer the question.
"The nearest outpost is where you'll find your shields," said Hammerlock. "Its only a mile or so out of town, but they are only available by vendor so I suggest you, as they say 'pony up' "
"Meaning of course we need to go into what little cash we have," said Lee.
"Which leads to a more personal effect that is cohesive with another affair that is bares mentioning," said Hammerlock. He points off the a certain portion of town, "Certain times of the day a band of rabid bullymongs come into town and defile the graves of the townsfolk,"
"And you want them dead?" asked Lee.
"Yes, but more importantly you'd want their fur," said Hammerlock.
"What?" uttered Lee.
"Bullymong fur without exxag-" Before Hammerlock could finish.
"Its great, its warm, soft, snugly and its great for absorbing robot tears," said Claptrap as loud as he possibly could. Hammerlock groaned hearing Claptrap's voice.
"Well yes, as Claptrap annoyingly put it Bullymong fur fashioned into a coat will help you be able to better survive the cold out here." said Hammerlock "Especially considering how little some of you are in properly bracing the cold,"
"Not pointing fingers/But without a single doubt/He's looking at Lee," said Zer0. Lee groaned hearing that Haiku with Hammerlock befuddled at Zer0's manner of speaking. Hammerlock then pulled out a knife with a wide curved blade resting in a leather sheath.
"This knife will help you to properly skin the buggers of their fur," said Hammerlock. Lee took the knife and carefully put it away for later.
"What else?" asked Maya, "We'll need more food too unless you want us to eat he Bullymongs," suggested Maya as she gestured to a dead one. She nearly gags at the idea.
"I wonder how that would taste, actually," said Lee realizing that Bullymongs were indeed animals, something he forgot as the monsters were constantly trying to kill him.
"Nino's on board and so am I, I'll start the fire," said Salvador. However Hammerlock quickly stops them.
"No no no, Bullymong are not meant for human consumption! Trust me," said Hammerlock, "My suggestion was that you bravely storm a bandit base known as Blackburn cave, just beyond an electrical fence near outpost I made note of earlier," said Hammerlock.
The others looked among themselves and there was a singular expression on their faces: a smile, excitement in their eyes and an overall feeling of ease at this sense of danger. Well it was obvious what the best mission was.
"A bandit base, that that's more like it," said Salvador excited.
"Not only that my dear wanted friend, but their leader is a beast of a midget riding a top of of Bullymong clade in armor. By the name of Midgemong" said Hammerlock in intrigue, "A true act of symbiosis with two very different and very violent species killing others in tandem. Also the midget looks like a backpack and its funny."
"I call that job!" this was yelled by everyone aside from Lee and Zer0, though Zer0's mask had:! In a hologram.
"Ha, Such enthusiasm I would expect from the group that stared down Handsome Jack and lived." said Hammerlock.
Despite Hammerlock's glee at the situation Lee could only see the group arguing amongst themselves as the more exciting mission was laid bare before them. He then had an idea, one that he knew would fare better than his others.
"I"m going after midgemong you all can get the stuff we need," Axton points to Gaige and Lee, " 'cept her and Lee, I want the kids to see me in action,"
"Yes, come on D.T." said Gaige. Lee shook his head. Salvador then grabs Lee by his cloak.
"Forget it Ax, me and Nino are taking Midgemongus down," said Salvador as he slapped Lee's ass.
"Can we ju-"
"MY CANDY IN THE TOILET BOWL OF PAIN!" yelled Krieg as he swung his weapon around prompting everyone to back away from him. Well all aside from Maya who was patting Krieg's arm.
"Calm down Krieg, I want to go on the fun job too," said Maya, she then looked at the others with a smug face. "Well its official, me and Kireg are going after the Midgemong.
"PRETTY LADY HUG TEDDY CORPSE!" yelled Krieg.
"That as almost coherent, I'm impressed." Krieg;s sane half uttered. And of course this was when Zer0 stepped in and brandished his sniper rifle.
"I long for a fight/I will hunt Symbiosis/ I will take both heads," said Zer0 in his unique yet strange manner of speaking.
Before the inevitable argument got out Lee pulled out his deck of cards and stepped in.
"Were're not fighing over a midget," said Lee. He looked down nervously at Salvador, "N-No offence, Salvador,
"No el problemo," said Salvador.
"Lets decide like this," said Lee showing his cards,
"Whats with the deck, Jack?" asked Axton. Gaige shook his head.
"We did this before to decide where to go to get on the train, basically we draw and whoever gets the higher numbers win," said Gaige.
"Right, this time whichever pair gets the higher cards get the midgmong mission, the middle 2 gets the shields we need and last three go after the Bullymongs for their fur," said Lee.
"Perfect, another game of chance for me to win!" said Salvador.
"I'm in too, but you better not let him cheat again," said Gaige with a pouting face. Deathtrap nods his large body. Lee didn't bother to correct Gaige due to the fact it was impossible for Salvador to cheat last time. He looked at Axton and Zero.
"You two cool with this?" he asked. Axton shrugged with a smirk.
"I might as well play, but I warn you I'm a bit of a ladies man so Lady Luck might smile on this handsome face," said Axton. Zero merely nods.
"To live is gambling/No different than a job/ Just no skill, all luck." said Zero. Lee looked at Krieg who was twitching, afraid he would tear his cards apart he looked to Maya.
"Um Maya if your cool with this do you mind drawing for Krieg and yourself as a pair?" asked Lee.
"Was already planning on it," said Maya. She folds her arms, "Scared of getting paired with Krieg. Lee looks back at Krieg and saw him playing with a disembodied head with Axton and Gaige backing away from him.
"A little yeah," said Lee.
"Count me and Deathtrap as one person this time too," said Gaige.
"What, you drew for him too?" asked Axton.
"For strategy," said Gaige, "It didn't even work." she pouts.
"Fine by m-," Maya pauses for a moment and thinks on something, an opportunity that is presented to her, "Fine by me, but I'd like to ask you something later," said Maya. Lee was thrown off by this with Salvador chuckling,
"Hey good on you, kid," said Axton in a strangely supportive and joking fashion..
"Goddess," Gaige mused. Salvador laughs with Claptrap laughing with him despite not understanding what was happening.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Hammerlock, confused
"Don't ask," said Lee. He looks at the others. "And will you please just drop that," said Lee angrily.
"Never," teased Gaige.
"Its not like that, I just wanted to ask something that had been bothering me," said Maya, she looked directly at Lee, staring straight into his eyes. Lee felt a bit nervous hearing that, but he couldn't lie to himself about there being things he wanted to know.
"Maybe I can ask about her tattoos or even that book of hers," thought Lee. Rather than delay any further Lee held out the deck of cards for the participating parties to take from.
"Everyone take one card, and only one, then on three we flip them," said Lee.
Everyone agreed leading to everyone, including Claptrap taking a card. Krieg didn't do so with Maya being his partner and her stopping him. Gaige drew for herselv
"And please don't rip them," said Lee. With him being the last he draws his card. "Aces are ones, now flip 'em."
Present
"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" yelled Krieg. He finished turning the enemies into mugsh. Lee sighed and shook his head. Maya looked awkward knowing that their current failing was the fault of Krieg.
"Well, at least they'll stay out of town now," Maya mused positively, "And Krieg's having fun," said Maya.
"Maya, please just stop him next time," said Lee.
"Fine, but I want to ask you something now?" said Maya as she saw an advantage by being technically alone with Lee.
"Okay, but I've got some stuff I want to ask you?" asked Lee back as he looked over to Maya.
"Fine, I don't see why not," said Maya, she was a bit wary, even touched her tattoos knowing what the questions would be about, "But anything too personal and I'm clamming up," Lee nods.
"Fine, but the same goes for me too," said Lee. He failed to sound less defensive than he wanted to, giving Maya an obvious hint.
"So he is hiding something," thought Maya.
"I shouldn't get defensive, she may know something and lie if I answer her question wrong," thought Lee.
"Well for starters, where are you from?" asked Maya
*ROAR*
Maya and Lee quickly get their guard up when they hear a large roar around them. Krieg stops his maniacal merry making and looked around him. It seemed the group was now surrounded by a group of Bullymongs Growling, snarling, pounding at the ice and snow, ready to rumble. Maya quickly got her Hyperion SMG at the ready with Lee getting the knife Hammerlock had given him. Krieg in his uaual faction was
"Looks like questions are gonna have to wait," said Maya.
"Don't worry, I'll spill my guts after theirs" said Lee. "And please stop Krieg from curb stomping them into puddles,"
As Krieg saw the large number of enemies encroaching them his saner half spoke into his mind.
"Okay dumbass, don't hit the kid or Maya and, I have to stress, don't fight them like a blender, we need their fur!"
"I'm BLENDER RODRIGUEZ!" yelled Krieg as he waived his weapon around.
"Why'd I put that idea in his head?" said Krieg's sane half.
Elsewhere, the rest of our motley crew were further ahead of the path that Krieg, Maya and Lee were fighting for their lives. Our two other groups Gaige, Deathtrap and Axton, were headed toward the abandoned Crimson Raider outpost that was set upon frozen water scaling high above it while other metal supports that were connected to the glacier behind it to help keep it up. Bandits guarded the outpost with guns in hand with a few on the top floor looking out at the glacier that they could see. Next to the Axton and Gaige was the last group and the winners of the drawing: Salvador and Zer0, the shorter man with a respective grin on his face. Off to the left was a path with buildings and Midge Mogg's bandits and guarded by an electrical fence with a score of bandits behind and in front of it(For some reason.). To the right of the group was a path leading of and away to a further unknown area, and though tempting they had enough self control to head toward their respective goals.
"Looks like that's our target," said Axton. He got out his bandit pistol and cocked his gun, "Ready, Giage?" asked Axton. Gaige looked up at Axton,
* Fake Cough*
She fake coughs into her hand and pointed to Deathtrap as he floated behind him.
"And Deathtrap, I was gonna say his name, I wouldn't forget him," said Axton with pure certainty.
"*Sigh* I nearly forgot the deathbot, good save though," thought Axton.
"Right, off to get the shields," she pulled out a bag filled with their money that Lee had given her," got the loot to buy it right here," said Giage. She then looks at the electrical fence, she then saw the satisfied look on Salvador's face and she grimaced.
"I wish we won that stupid game though," said Gaige
"HA HA HA HA HA, WHAT A LUCKY MAN I AM!" yelled Salvador. Zer0 stood next to him with a Hyperion sniper rifle in one hand and a Jacobs pistol, he had picked off one of the dead bandits, in the other. Salvador them smaackedZer0's back."Ain't that right, ninja man!" said Salvador in a harty manner.
Zer0 inwardly sighed inwardly seeing Salvador's attitude and braced for the path forward.
"Lets go already/I'm ready to hunt our prey/ The Deadly Midgemong." said Zer0.
"That's right!" said Salvador in a bragging tone.
"Yeah right, rub it in Sal, but next time I'm going after the big one," said Axton, "Speaking of which, you think our weirdo trio is doing okay?"
"Don't worry about Nino, there's a saying on Pandora, Ax." said Salvador.
"If its kicking shoot it?" asked Gagie.
"Bullets are life blood worth spilling?" asked Axton in a similar toneSalvador then looked back at Gaige and Salvador.
"What, no you boobs; its if there's a scream in the distance that means they're alive, for now, or better yet if something other than your friend is screaming then they're alright,"
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
They all look back down the path as they heard Krieg's roar and maniacal laughter. The sounds of Bullymongs
"Well in that case they're just dandy. Huh Sal?" Mused Axton with sarcasm.
"Now your getting it," said Salvador.
"Whatever, I still think you cheated," said Gaige, "We'll take the money and get the good shields while you two go fight," said Gaige.
"We'll probably be done before sundown, in case you need back up," said Axton egging on the idea of him and Gaige heading over to fight wit them.
"Not a chance, I won fair and square," said Salvador. He turned back to Zer0, "Come on Ninja-man, we-" he noticed that Zer0 was gone. The group looked around until Deathtrap spotted him and pointed in his direction. They saw that Zero was nearly a mile away, skulking on the ground, past the check point.
"Hey, wait for me!" yelled Salvador. He brought out a vladof rifle and a Bandit SMG. Salvador then ran as fast as he legs could carry him to catch up with Zer0.
"Guess its our turn," said Axton, he tried to show off as much enthusiasm as possible, with Gaige doing the same.
"On it, lets finish up so we can beat them to Midgemong," said Gaige as she pumped her fist. Deathtrap nodded his body pumping his claw like Gaige was.
*Spirited Robot Noises*
He holds out his claw to Gaige and Axton and they each give him a high-five. The three quickly approach the outpost. The few bandits that were guarding it quickly spot them but not before Gaige and Axton gunned all of them they walk up the platform to the lift Axton stretched at their simple endeavor.
"Well that was easy, think there's more upstairs?" he asked. Cracked her fingers and smirked.
"Only one way to find out," she said. All three of them stand on the lift with Gaige ready to pull the lever.
"You just sit back and let me handle the ones upstairs," said Axton. They heard gun shots in the distance with Salvador's hearty laughter. "
"Sweet," said Gaige, wanting to see Axton do more. She then pulled the switch, but rather than activating the pulley system it creates sparks and then smoke.
"Awe come one," said Axton
"What the hell, did a stray bullet hit it or what?" asked Gaige. "WH
"Don't worry kid, just a little set back," Axton shrugged, "You think you fix this?"
Gaige cracked her knuckles and walked over to the powerbox..
"Oh please, from the looks of it the it looks fuse is missing, wonder why." said Gaige.
"Well where can we get another one?" asked Axton.
*Gunfire*
Axton, Gaige and Deathtrap heard gunfire in the distance. They saw Salvador gunning down bandits with Zer0 fighting a distance away from him.
"HA HA HA, Magnifico!" yelled Salvador. He quickly rolls behind a large piece of ice that his hid his body.
"Kill him, Jack'll make us rich!" one of them yelled. He took a Bandit rifle from his dead friend's body and fired at Salvador's ice shield. The other bandits followed suit and began to shoot, quickly chipping away at Salvador's ice shielding. Sensing the danger he quickly rolls out of the way and runs to a large hollowed metal container. He runs to the end and begins shooting at the bandits. The bullets from his Vladof and Bandit Rifle ripped the bandits to shreds. He walkOned forward gunning down any bandits that he had seen; on the left with a shotgun, sneaking in from the left with an SMG, even charging in from the front with a rifle, Salvador guns them all down, moves his guns from left to right to kill as many as possible.
"Come on you cockless Cabrons!" yelled Salvador with glee.
Bandits on the ground were dying left and right, only able to take cover from Salvador's assault..
"He's crazy, snipe his ass!" one of them yelled from behind a metal scrap. Just then a bullet rips through his head.
A group of bandits behind the electrical fence went back inside and onto the upper floors of the building that houses the power-box for the electric fence. Each of them lined up the shot to kill Salvador.
*Pop*
One of them falls from his position to the snowy ground below. His fellow bandits see this and are shocked as Salvador wasn't even aiming at them for the moment. Salvador was handling the last of
"What the hell happened to-
*Pop*
His head was taken out. They scramble to look around for the source of this attack in a panic due to the suddenness of it. Before the oher bandits knew it, each of them earned a hole in their heads with their blood splattered everywhere.. They fall from their positions and onto the ground. Zer0 then comes out of thin air when his cloaking was deactivated after killing all of the rooftop bandits.. In a side glance he sees Salvador battling the remaining bandits below; wielding two pistols he fired like crazy, moving without tripping or missing a beat until there was none of them left.
"HA! What couple of small fries." said Salvador. He starts to loot the bodies for anything good.
"He has killed the rest/Now we will take on the best/ But first that damn fence." said jumps down from the building and walks near the electrical fence, well it wasn't really a physical fence as it looked like it was made by a thunder god. .
"Gracias, you dead bastards, I'll get back my stash of guns by night at this rate," said Salvador. He notices a machete that one of the bandits had dropped. He picked it up and swung it around for a bit.
"Eh," he said unimpressed. He looked around for Zer0 when he heard.
*Gunshots*
A gunshot was fired. Salvador then saw the fence was now gone and the way was clear. Standing with a gun in his hands Zero turns to Salvador and sees the shorter man walk over to him.
"There you are, I was looking for you Ninja-man." said Salvador. He then held out the Machete. "Happy birthday," he said in cheerful tone.
Zer0 looked at the blade and it only caused him to miss his own even more. Not to mention that the blade that Salvador was trying to gift him was bloody, rusty, dull and on its way to being broken. It was better than nothing, Zer0 takes the machete from Salvador and his mask shows this emoji; -_-
"Better than the ax/Bloddy, rusty, and heavy/ I'll use it for now."
"Hey be grateful, that's a good blade," said Salvador in a defensive manner. He looked around at the dead bodies,"These cabrons barely had a bullet between them, maybe Midgmong's hideout will at least have some good drinks,"
Zer0's mask then showed : ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"Well lets get a move on then, the others will be done soon," said Salvador as he looked down the path. However when Salvador looked back to where Zer0 was standing, he was gone.
"Hey, don't have fun without me!" yelled Salvador. He ran as fast as he could.
Watching them from the outpost Gaige saw the ordeal and noted that Zer0 has shot at a fuse box mutiple times, thus destroying the a component that she, Axton and Deathtrap needed.
"Just freaking perfect, the fuse we could have used for the generator is busted," said Gaige angrily.. Axton shook his head., trying to keep his cool.
"I don't suppose you have a spare fuse on you" he points at Deathtrap, "or in D.T. that he can spare?" asked Axton in a near joking manner. Deathtrap shook its body frantically as to protest
"Nope, Deathtrap's power core would blow us up," Axton's eyes widen, Gaige then hugs Deathtrap, "And I couldn't do that, he's my best friend," said Gaige happily. Deathtrap hugged Gaige upon hearing that and she hugged him back.
"Well that's a nice hallmark moment but how are we getting up there?" he asked. It was then that Axton looked at Deathtrap, floating above the ground. It was then he got an idea.
"How much can Deathtrap lift?" asked Axton.
"He can left a lot, he once moved this jerk's car that was blocking our driveway." said Gaige proudly.
"Great," said Axton.
Lee was now standing over a line of 6 bullymong corpses. He looked to his right and saw the bloody mess that were the horde of Bullymongs that tried to maul them to death, with Krieg being responsible for the current state of their bodies. Lee looked over to Maya as she was sitting Krieg down, watching him play in the blood stained snow.
"Okay Lee, He's all calm now." said Maya. "That enough or should we wait for more to show up?"
"Thanks for that, seriously Maya," said Lee in a sincere fashion. He touches the white light blue fur of the Bullymong and it was far softer and warmer than what he had experienced when he was hitting them with his bare fists. He readied his knife "These guys are big enough to make coats for all of us."
"How do you know that?" asked Maya.
"I sew my own clothes." answered Lee.
"You do,?" asked Maya.. "So you made those clothes; the pants cloak and no shirt?"
Lee tensed up hearing that question, narrowing his eyes in annoyance and Maya's mentioning of him lacking a shirt. He put the knife down
"Well, no, the cloak is from Gaige and the pants I picked off some bandit I beat up," said Lee akwardly. "I had more clothes, but some old man and a pair of girls conned me out of them.
"Oh, that explains why they look a little baggy," said Maya as she patted Krieg's head. "And you didn't take his shirt, your probably freezing,Lee felt a bit perplexed by this line of questioning, not that it was bad.
"Is this what you wanted to ask me about?" asked Lee.
"NO, I thought I'd try to be nice and ease into it," said Maya. "Want me to get to the point?"
"Sure, I've got nothing to hide," said Lee.
"You get headaches whenever those earthquakes happen, why is that?" asked Maya.
Lee nearly dropped his knife. He turned around and look back to Maya. Rather than showing a worried of frightened look to her, Maya saw that Lee was as calm as he could be.
"I just get headaches, I used to get them all the time, at my old home before I moved," said Lee.
"Old house?"uttered Maya "What planet did you live on before coming to Pandora.?"
"Shinto 7, before then it was a planet called Hades3" said Lee, his tone was a bit somber. "I lived there with my moms for a couple years." He looked down as the ground as he spoke. He realized how he looked and immediately lifted his head back up and looked
Maya observed Lee as she spoke. He seemed uncomfortable even mentioning his planet or parents.
"I moved there with my moms once, back at Hades I would get headaches all the time." said Lee."It was out in the more wild planets,"
"I see," said Maya.
"Doesn't tell me a lot, but its something." Maya thought, "I think I've heard of both those planets "Why'd you move?" she asked.
"My mom said that Hades3 was too dangerous to raise me, so we moved to a big colonized planet," said Lee. Maya
"It doesn't feel like he's lying, so whats this bad feeling I have?" she asked herself.
"And you mom told you about the Vaults?" asked Maya. "And the Guardians?"
"Yeah," said Lee.
"Well did you tell them you were going to Pandora?" asked Maya. Lee didn't answer, his posture shifted a little, not wanting to look at Maya in the eyes and looking meak. Maya was the most curious about that. But, looking at Lee it was clear that he didn't want to talk about it.
"Can I ask something?" asked Lee.
"Sure," said Maya. She remembered agreeing to that before the drawing.
"What was Athenas like?" asked Lee. "I've heard of that place, but never been, I only had the cash to get from Shinto to Pandora."
Maya didn't hesitate to answer.
"It had a lot of nature, and trees. But the monastery I lived was in the mountains," said Maya.
"You lived with monks?" asked Lee.
"Yeah, and all of them were pacifists" said Maya, "And a lot of them liked the fact I was a siren," her answered seemed Krieg then took her arm and tugged on it to get her attention, like a child. Maya looked down and saw that Krieg had made a ball of snow with a smiley face on it, there was a name next to it that was spelled ;VKVW(Maya upsidedown).
"Hey, not bad." said Maya. "You made a little friend," Krieg nodded.
"Pretty lady!" he yelled. Maya looked closer and realized that the words were upside down and spelled :Maya.
"Aw, thanks big guy," said Maya. She was actually flattered.
"I told you she'd like it," said Krieg's sane half.
"Kind of cute," said Lee under his breath. However Lee had a question inch at the back of his mind.
"Maya, can I ask about that book you carry around?" Lee asked. Maya looked back to Lee.
"What about it?" asked Maya.
"Did the monks give it to you?" asked Lee.
"No, I stole it," said Maya. Lee was troubled by this answer.
"What, you stole from the monks?" asked Lee surprised.
"Yep, and a ship to get off planet as fast as I could," said Maya bluntly as she folded her arms. Krieg looked up at her and saw her visibly upset. He looked at Lee who he believed was the source of this and looked around for his buzzaxe. It was at this point that Lee saw Maya's posture an attitude change. She seemed angry and bitter, though Lee couldn't ask if it was justified or not. Although his curiosity toward Maya's home as well as her book, her powers were as peaked as ever, it was at this point he decided not to press any further. He didn't expect to get this reaction out of her.
"The reason I le-"
"That's enough," said Lee, stopping Maya mid sentence.
"Huh, I thought you were curious about me?" asked Maya.
"I am, but I think I stumbled onto a subject you didn't like, so I'll ask about it later." said Lee with a guilty conscience. Maya shook her head.
"Well your not the only guilty party," said Maya softly, "I'm sorry if I made you remember something you'd rather forget"
"Don't worry, its coo-"
*ENGINE REVVING*
Lee and Maya were startled by the noise. They turn to see Krieg charging at Lee with his Buzz-axe as the blade spun. Maya quickly grabs his arm to stop him with Lee shielding the bullymong corpses.
"No no no!"
"Krieg stop!
"SYRINGE NEEDLE IN THE EYE OF THE SUN!" yelled Krieg.
At this point in time Axton and Gaige were heading up the former Crimson outpost and that is by no means a mere play on words. Deathtrap was carrying both Axton and Krieg up to the top of the outpost with only centimeters left. Gaige was sitting in her robot's metallic palm and Axton was hanging onto Deathtrap's arm and putting his foot on the robot's side to support him. When they reached the top of the outpost Gaige and Axton jumped from the killer bot and onto the platform. In the outpost they saw three bandits who were lazing about. The moment that they notice the three anomalies that stepped into their base. Before they could reach for their own guns, Axton quick drew his pistol, like he was a cowboy and shoots each of them in the head.
"Yeah no, go back to sleep," said Axton. He puts his gun away.
"Nice shooting, cowboy" said Gaige. Axton tips his imaginary cowboy hat. Gaige then takes Deathtrap's hand and guides him onto the platform and inside of the base.
"Where do they keep the shields?" asked Axton. Giage then points at a strange vending machine. It had a mascot of a medicine bottle with arms and legs, leaning on a medical baster with blood and flipping a tablet like it was a coin with its bloodied hands. And on its body was a strange man with a surgical mask on.
Axton walked over to it and tried to get a shield, but it was without power.
"What again, did someone shoot this too?" asked Axton. Gaige shook her head and walked over to the machine.
"Deathtrap, could you turn this thing around?" she asked while pointing at the vending machine.
Deathtrap nodded his entire body.
*Agreeable robot noises*
He then floats over to the vending machine and turns it around revealing the back, in which some wires were tangled and snapped from each other.
"Knew it, bad wiring problem," said Gaige. She then pulled out a pair of plastic gloves out of her storage deck along with a box of tools. She then put her goggles over her eyes. "I can fix it, give me a minute."
Gaige then started to work on the vending machine. Axton could only stand and watch as Gaige effortlessly worked on the machine. Glancing over to Deathtrap, Axton felt as if thought he had to say something.
"You know, a kid as talented as you makes me wonder why you came to this mud ball." said Axton.
"Aw, you don't have to compliment me, you, Lee and that Hammerlock guy are just feeding me" said Gaige in a giddy tone, "And I'm 18." she continued to work with sparks flying off the machine.
"I'm just saying that you'd be running the guy thinking he's running the assembly line." said Axton.
"Not my style," said Gaige, Axton folded his arms in disbelief,
"Really, you don't want to be in charge of a place that makes places like Deathtrap?" asked Axton.
"D.T. is more than just a robot you know," said Gaige as she snapped back, "He's special and I don't want some greedy corp manufacturing him like he's a toy, even if I'm boss lady."
"Okay, I can respect that," said Axton. "Lot of kids can't say that their best friend was their science experiment., why'd you lose anyway?"
"A girl at school, 'Marcie'," she said the girl's name with disgust," the Bitch stole D.T.'s design and stole first from me!' yelled Gaige. She pulls on the wires causing the vending maching to nearly tip over, Deathtrap held it up with his robotic arm.
"Geez kid, I know you were robbed," said Axton cautiously. Although he understood Gaige's. "But careful while your playing with wires,"
"Of course I was, her robot didn't even work, she bought first place!" said Gaige. Her more articulate motions in fixing the vending machine became more aggressive than earlier.
"Hey Gaige, you better be careful," advised Axton, but Gaige didn't listen.
"Stupid Marcie, stupid science fair, cause of that shit I had to leave!" yelled Gaige as she pulled at wires. When Gaige has the tips of two wires touch large spark of electricity flares up. Then the vending machine began to light up and even spoke;
"Just so you know, I'm not a real doctor." said the machine in a southern accent. Gaige gets up, feeling a little embarrassed and puts her tools away and her goggles above her eyes.
"So, uh, machine's fixed," she said trying to feign confidence. She taps it and over a dozen shields pop out of the slot and onto the floor. "I think,"
"Yeah I noticed, it sounds fixed" said Axton. He walked over to it the machine and started to pick the shields off the floor. He then sees the embarrassed look on Gaige's face "You okay?: asked Axton.
"Yeah, I'm fine," said Gaige. Deathtrap gave her a hug as she spoke.
"Okay, but remember you can talk to me, I'm told that I can be a pretty smooth talker." said Axton with his winning smile
"Really, who said that?" asked Gaige curiously. Axton paused embarrassed at what he had said with a searing memory hitting his brain.
"J-Just a girl I know," he said. "An old flame of mine,"
"Well she's got taste," said Gaige. "Too bad for her she dumped an Adonis like you," Axton smirked as he got all of the shields in his arms
"Now your feeding me compliments," said Axton.
"What was working with Dahl like?" asked Gaige like a fangirl. Axton smirked.
"Well I was the ace of our group, loved by all, and led each mission to success." said Axton with pride.
"So cool, so why'd you leave?" asked Gaige with Deathtrap showing the same interest. Axton widened his eyes.
"Huh?"
"You said before that you left, did they do something to you to make you leave?" asked Gaige like an annoying reporter.
"Oh crap, its fine just lie," Axton thought in a panic.
"I just wanted to pursue other opportunities, so I left" said Axton, "And it was probably for the best, cause going after that Vault may be a bigger pay off than I thought if Hyperion is after it." said Axton.
Axton then held up a numerous amount of shields in his arms.
"Got 'em," he said. He then threw one over to Gaige, "Here you go kid,"
"Thanks," Gaige said in a cheery fashion," How much of our money did you need to use?"
"Oh none of it, I think when you messed with this thing you caused all the shields to drop without paying." said Axton wanting to laugh.
"Well that works for me, lets go-"
*EXPLOSION*
Our trio heard a large explosion outside. They all run out with Gaige nearly falling off the outpost, thankfully Axton grabbed her by her hood and pulled her back. They then saw a pillar of smoke in the distance.
"What the hell!" said Axton.
The smoke had climbed so high that Lee, Krieg and Maya could see it from where they were. The trio looked up at the black pillar of noxious fumes and wondered where it came from.
"PRETTY!" said Krieg.
"What happened?" asked Maya. It was then that Lee had a single thought in his mind and he could not deny it.
"Salvador." he uttered frustrated. "Did you blow yourself up, again?" Angel then appear on Lee's HUD.
"You may want to go help them," she said cautiously.
Moments earlier.
After making it through the electrical fence, Zer0 and Salvador had traveled to the bandit base. To describe it, think of many building caring rafts and connected to one another with ropes, welded metal and other fastenings. The only The base extended deep into a crevice that used to be a large cave, but had given away due to natural destruction. It would look like a trash heap for anyone looking further away. Of course this place was filled with food and other materials that our Group of Vault Hunters would need, which is where Salvador and Zer0 come into play. As the bandits patrolled, or for a better term laze around with nothing to do.
Unbeknownst to the bandits Zer0 was swimming in the ice cold water to their base, though some would have difficulty merely touching it due to suck low temperatures; Zero's training and his suit seemed to prepare him for this. As Zer0 reached the rafts he witness an armed bandit standing and looking off in the distance of the glacier. Zer0 quickly grabs the bandit by his feet and pulls him into the water and drowns him. Zer0 slowly pops his head up and looks on the platform, he saw the path, turns that led deeper into the cave. He climbs out of the water and keeps low to the ground. He witnessed the bandits patrolling and carefully thought of a way o take them out one by one.
"Buenos dias, Cabrons!"yelled Salvador.
All that seemed to crack the moment that Zer0 heard Salvador's gruff voice rip through the air like a mad tornado. This, naturally alerted all of the
"What the hell!"
"Hey, look at that little shrimp taking the crossing over here!" said one of them.
"HA HA HA, what a dumbass!" the bandits all got their weapons ready. "Lets kill him!"
As Salvador's platform reached the base he quickly pulled out a handful of grenades as he was met with resistance. Zer0 watched this and raised whatever eyebrow that was hidden behind his helmet or metaphorical since no one knew if he was human or not.
"Lets go!" said Salvador. He jumps from his moving platform, evading the bullets fired by the bandits and begins throwing grenades everywhere as he ran. They lend everywhere and blow up hitting buildings and bandits breaking both apart scattering their bodies and limbs if caught in the explosion. Salvador ran, throwing whatver grenade he had at whoever would pop up to kill him. Zer0 could hear the screams of their enemies fill the air as well as the sounds of their guns firing at the small man.
"Get him, he's gonna sink us to hell!" one of the bandits yelled.
"And where's he keeping those grenad- *Boom*" Salvador had thrown one at a bandit's face, causing it to explode.
"Catch!" yelled Salvador.
As smoke and fire filled rose from the base as desctruction ensued. The bandits deeper in the base heard the commotion and ran outward with guns in hand. Soon they caught up to Salvador and began to shoot at him. Salvador, being more nimble than he appeared , ducks behind a support beam to metal roof outside. Salvador then drew shotguns that he had taken from the dead and began to shoot any person he could see. They were bandit shotguns that fired a spread of bullets as he squeezed the trigger, alternating shots. Some of them were taken out by the bullets while others hide behind whatever cover they could. The crazed ones rushed toward Salvador with him shooting portions of their bodies off.
"Just wait surround his small ass!" one of the bandits said. Salvador smirked and ducked behind a crate and quickly changed weapons to a single Bandit Rifle.
"Nice and loud," said Salvador to himself.
He then pops up from behind the crate and started shooting more
As all of the bandits were busy with Salvador. Zer0 wasted no time in killing each one of them that he could. He got behind one of them and tried to cut his neck with his machete, the cut was not as clean as he wanted it, but it worked. Zer0 then repeated this actions and instead snapped his neck. With Salvador creating much visual and audible noise with his guns made for the perfect cover, he didn't even need to use his cloaking.
"He is loud and brash/ A perfect target for them/ While I strike them down," Zer0 thought to himself.
The killing continued with the loud ramblings of war echoed through the cave. Salvador was making tracks swooping in and killing anyone he could find slumming up steps. When he reached the edge of the base that reminded him of a dirty outside dinning restaurant. The more notable thing to him were the stairs that led several floors up to a room.
"That were midgmong, or there loot is?" he asked himself. He then looked around and saw other bandits that were armed and ready to meet him. He smiles and cracks his neck.
"Good, good, that welcoming party was weak sauce." he draws his pistols, one Vladof and one Bandit. He started shooting, splitting his attention to one hidden off to the left that tried killing him but a bullet hits him in the neck, killing him. More bandits were seen coming out to shoot Salvador but he rushes at them, drawing his shotguns and mowing them down. Just as fast as they all came out to kill the intruder, Salvador had decorated the floor with their corpses. He looked around and saw that no other Bandits were left.
"Bah, fizzled out like a bad cigar," said Salvador. He looked up the stairs and began to walk up the stairs when he sees Zer0 already ahead of him.
"Hey, I was waiting for you!" yelled Salvador. "Is midgemong up there!?"
Zer0 didn't look at Salvador and opened the door to the building on the top floor.
*BAM*
The door swings opening, knocking Zer0 off the platform and to the lower floor below. He lands on his feet but sees a large brown furred Bullymong jump to the floor below. Zer0 evades the large creature before it could crush him and sees his opponent before him. It was covered in spike studded armor. On his back was a midget with covered in battle armor with a rifle in his hands.
"There he is!" said Salvador as he got his guns ready. He began to shot with Zer0 jumping up to the stair and out of the way so not to die. Unfortunately the bullets were ineffective. Midgemong then kicked his beast with his heels like he was a horse, signaling him to charge at Salvador. The tamed bullymong wildly charges at Salvador like a rabid animal. Salvador's eyes widen seeing how big the bullymong really was and jumped out of the way. With the Bullymong ready to turn around Salvador got his gun ready but was shot through the shoulder by Midgemong. His injury doesn't stop him as he takes his rifle and tries to shoot Midgemong off of his beast. Midgemongs armor and shield protects him, noting that Salvador was still alive Midgemong commands his beast to pick up a table and throws it at Salvador. It hits him, breaks and knocked him back. However Salvador stands on his feet and smiles.
"Ha! I've had hangover that hurt worse than that!" he proclaimed.
Salvador then sees Zer0 sneaking up behind Midgemong with his rusty Machete in hand. Zer0 jumps onto the Bullymong's back and tries to stab Midgemong, but his blade breaks against the bastard's back. Midgemong turns round drew his gun.
"Hiya!" yelled Salvado. He had kicked the bullymong's sides causing it to buck knocking Zer0's off. The Bullymong then swung its fist at Salvador, knocking him into a wall, creating a dent.
"Now that's better, hit harder." said Salvador.
While on the ground Zer0 saw a space between where the bullymong's armor was. He took his pistol and shot at it, wounding it. Midgemong's steed went wild and stood on its feet, wailing in pain. The bullymong slammed its arms on the ground in pain. Midgmong looked back at Zer0 and tried to shoot him only for Salvador to throw a grenade at the bullymong, with the explosion taking off its armor and knocks Midgmong off his beast.
With his master gone the bullymong began to move around in a crazed fashion; beating its chest, swinging its arms, roaring in pain.. Salvador saw his chance and while enduring pain, he uses his injured shoulder and holds a rifle in each hand. He shoots the bullymong at point black, denting and breaking its armor. Soon Salvador shaves off some of the bullymong's armor and begins piercing his body with a storm of bullets
*BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*
The beast falls to the ground dead and bloodied. Salvador gave a smug look. He looked over to Zer0 and saw the tiny Midgemong babble and angry point his gun at Zer0. Zer0 tilted his head, confused by the display. With no effort Zer0 shoots Midgemong in the head, killing him.
"Nice one," said Salvador. He looked at the rusty Machete, broken on the ground. "Hey, you broke my present to you,"
"It was too rusty/ Dull, dirty and too brittle,/ I need my sword back/" said Zer0
"Yeah, I guess, tell you what, if I see it I'll let you know," said Salvador.
Zer0 then nods and his mask shows this; :)
"Zer0, Salvador!" yelled Lee. Salvador and Zer0 turned to see the rest of the Vault Hunters had arrived.
"Were here to he- and the fights over," said Maya.
"THE SHIT STORM HAS SUBSIDED!" yelled Krieg. Lee wanted to chuckle.
"I understood that one," he said to himself.
They all saw the dead armored midget and brown furred bullymong.
"Aww man, did we miss the fight?" asked Gaige.
"Yep Robo- girl, me and Ninja-man had it handled." said Salvador with pride. Zer0 nods, agreeing with him.
'Well since this place is cleaned out, lets strip it bare, don't think they'll need it," said Axton.
"Unless there are coffins," said Maya.
"Ha, good one," said Axton. Salvador then pointed at the top floor where Midgemong came out.
"Loot's probably up there," said Salvador.
"Lets get it," said Gaige. "We've got enough hand, and we cleared all the baddies." said Gaige.
"What about the mongs?" asked Salvador. Maya and Lee point at Krieg who tilts his head and raises his buzz-axe.
"I'm sure they won't bother us on the way back, and we can handle them," said Lee.
"Good job, big guy," said Maya. She pats his back with Krieg smiling under his mask.
"AAAHHHHHHH!" he yelled in delight.
"Right, anyway lets get started." said Axton. "Deathtrap take us up!" said Axton with a smile, he poses with his finger up and his legs apart like a rockstar. Gaige shook her head.
"Or you can take the stairs." said Giage while folding her earned a raised eyebrown by the others, especially Lee.
"A-Alright," said Axton. The others begin walking up the stairs with Maya looking back at Lee.
"You coming," said Maya. Lee had walked over to the bullymong and began removing the rest of its arming.
"I need to skin this guy for what I can." said Lee. He pulled out his knife, "Go, I'll catch up,
Maya nods and walks up the stairs with Krieg to catch up with the others who had already reached the top.
"So your adopted?" asked Angel as she popped onto Lee's HUD, nearly startling him.
"Will you stop p- what did you ask?" asked Lee.
"I-I just overheard you talking with Maya, and I heard about your mothers," said Angel, Lee sighed as he couldn't exactly hide it or want too.
"Yeah, I'm adopted," said Lee.
"Does it bother you?" asked Angel. Lee shook his head,
"Nah, its just weird thinking about my parents while in the middle of all this," said Lee somberly.
"I-I see," said Angel. Angel seemed to be pondering something, but Lee himself didn't wnant to talk.
"Hey, if you want to ask a question like Maya, could you ask my about my moms later?" asked Lee, "Thinking about them doesn't really go well for me,"
"I-I understand, I won't ask without permission." said Angel "But if you want to talk to me about it, I'm here,"
"Thanks Angel, I appreciate it, we can talk later" said Lee. Angel then vanished from Lee's HUD.
I really had to squeeze this one out.
Anyway the Hiatus won't be for a year.
Working on another story too.
"This is Squalo King, signing off.