"Thirty-two lead the way! Coming over trench and wire… Going through the endless grey! Standing in the line of fire… Moving on through the fray! Coming over-"
"What are you trying to sing?" Sinon stopped beside a large window that ran from ceiling to floor. Muck and grime covered it, preventing any view from the window. Perhaps it was for the best. As they were over twenty stories high by now. A fall would be fatal. Looking over the edge revealed a skyscraper with windows that lacked glass. Creaks followed each step.
"Oh, that? Just been in my head for a while. Keeps coming back. A good kind of catchy… No matter, here we are!"
Sabretooth kicked open a thin wooden door. It flew off the hinges with incredible violence. Wood splintered. Metal screeched in pain. However, one thing stood out, the door did not slam against the floor. It had… vanished. Some small pieces littered the carpet from where the door stood to the edge. This was the very floor where the skyscraper had split. Higher floors where dead ahead of them instead of above. Between the pair and the higher floors, a huge gap slept silently. Only a few steel girders spanned the gap. Sinon looked at higher floors. They creaked nervously. Sheets of metal dangled beneath, occasionally sheering off and falling helplessly towards the ground. "You sure about this?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course! This can easily hold the weight of two avatars. Besides, we need to get towards the centre for the best possible jump. That or… Well, getting stuck in another floor. Either way, it's time for action! C'mon!"
Thus, just like that, Sabretooth hopped onto one of the few girders with all hands and feet. It creaked harshly, pieces of thinner metals shattered. They ruptured outwards and downwards. The whole girder slid down an inch before stopping. Silence returned. "See? Nothing to worry about." Sabretooth slowly rose to his feet. After a few moments to adjust his balance, he simply walked on. He never looked back or down at the tens of metres below. The focus was all on the next section of concrete (or just what remained of an office's wall). Sinon only watched as the distance between them increased with each carefully placed step. "It's your turn. Take your time."
He had made it to the cracked concrete on the other side. All she had to do was follow in his footsteps. One at a time…
First step onto the girder. It creaked with pain. Still, it held strong.
Second step, nothing this time. Not a single sound escaped except for the near-silent breaths. She knelt down, grasping the girder with both hands. Sinon mimicked Sabre's motions from only moments before. One hand ahead of the other. One foot behind the other. One destination in mind.
Third step, another creak. Not as loud, but definitely noticeable among the still air. It was completely stagnant, sometimes hard to breathe in. All in the name of immersion or the general pressure of their situation. Twenty stories up on an extremely weak skyscraper and on a piece of loose metal. Perfectly safe, right?
BOOM!
A large explosion from below. Sinon dared to stop and look below. Focus… Focus on where the explosion came from. There! Right where the bike was dumped, smoke poured out the area covering everything around it. It quickly cleared. Smoldering ruins of the bike lay several feet away from where it once trembled. Now, something else joined it upon the road. A vehicle? It had wheels, four in total. Just not all of them were still attached. Same with many parts of the vehicle actually. A door here, an exhaust pipe there. Sinon took a closer look. She grabbed the scope from her Hecate and zoomed in. Faint flames littered the black soot and shards of darkened metal. Certain silhouettes were different from the rest. They were much more rounded and larger than the rest. She counted them… One was dead at the centre. Two were huddled together behind the rest of the wreckage. Lastly one far ahead of the rest. From this she could conclude, "Another four taken care of. Impressive… Though I am surprised they went over it."
"Wouldn't expect a bike to be filled with explosives, now would you? Now, let's get moving, the explosion may lure in more customers."
"What will we do then? Pick them off from up here and hope they don't notice?"
"We will give them the full course and hope they eat it all. Otherwise, it would be a waste, now wouldn't it?"
A few minutes later, Subaru and Starbug were thundering through the wide streets towards the centre of the city. Subaru swerved the Humvee from side to side to avoid any and all debris. The occupants slid side to side as the vehicle was thrown about, all in the name of speed. Subaru enjoyed every moment of it, his eyes never left the road. Even when the inevitable moaning came from Starbug over his rough driving, both eyes faced directly forwards. He maintained perfect balance of: accelerator, brake and clutch. (The addition of clutches to vehicles is optional to all players. While increasing the difficulty of driving, it allows more experienced players to have greater control over the vehicle's movements.) Still, Starbug paid less attention to his driving than before. The focus of conversation quickly shifted gears.
"That explosion must have been them…" Starbug sighed, one arm on the door, "It was roughly in the same place as the centre of the city. Judging by the smoke and how loud it was. Just get us there as soon as possible."
"What on Earth do you think I've been doing for the last few minutes?" came a sharp reply from Subaru without hesitation, "We aren't too far out anyway. A few blocks at most. Say what should we do after-"
"Look out!" She pointed ahead.
From the rubble a figure arose. It was completely covered from head to toe in a long black cloak. Nothing upon the person could be seen. They were just… There. Without moving a muscle, they simply stood beside a wreck. Subaru slammed onto the brakes for only a second before swinging the Humvee to the left. The whole vehicle rolled violently as the tires struggled to keep their grip upon the cracked road. Screeches roared. A wheel lifted into the air as the whole vehicle veered to the left sharply. Parts of the doors scraped against raised concrete and wrecked cars. Sparks sprung into existence then vanished like distant lightning lighting up the distant skies.
The Humvee only just squeezed past the figure, however it was at a cost: one side had huge gouges embedded within the doors and the left side wing mirror was lost. Only a stubble of where the mirror sat remained. Yet, Subaru plowed onwards. These were only cosmetic loses, everything else felt as it should. The gearbox didn't rattle or resist his movements. Each wheel kept their traction equally without fail. Turning the steering wheel actually turned the vehicle smoothing and without juddering. So, with Subaru satisfied with the vehicle, he pressed on. "Metal to the Peddle" he smiled to himself, powering along. Behind them, in the settling dust and pieces of metal, the figure still stood. It had not changed position at all. The wind blew the cloak in waves, making it rise and fall softly. Parts of the ends were severally torn. Loose ends flapped in the gentle wind individually in their own directions. Their owner turned to face the vehicle that had just avoided them. Red eyes brightened and dimmed. Smoke poured from valves as if breathing.
"Their comrades… Where they go, the other two will be close behind."
Thus, with gusts still blowing gently, he walked on. He walked past the shattered wind mirror, past the rubble and past the wrecks he once stood behind. Death Gun took a quick glimpse at the road ahead. They were gone already. However, their destination was as clear as day: that half-collapsed skyscraper. The one Sabretooth mentioned… Also the rough location of that blast from a few minutes ago. The jigsaw was finally coming together. All he had to do was get there. Such an opportunity could not be missed. As long as the other three remained alive, Sinon could not be threatened. Death Gun had to take them out… One by one, until only she remained. Only then, the full plan could be put into action.
Gunfire echoed in the distance, in the same direction they left. Small arms rattled first before larger and deeper fire silenced them. This came and went as the minutes went by. All he had to do was follow the violence to his destination. Where him and those who fought beside him would call it 'familiar'.
"Only been a few years since then… But I, no we, will not allow our comrades to be forgotten. Our work shall continue undisturbed…"
"Another target, adjust by 3 degrees to 178. Approximately ten metres from previous, fire at will."
BANG! CLUNK!
A bullet shot across the street, striking a player hiding behind a bollard. He was struck from above and in the head. Instant KO. They fell to the floor, their AK tumbled with them. It broke free from the player's grip. Now, several feet separated them. The gun no longer had their protection. This was something anyone nearby would take full advantage of. Half a dozen nearby slowly closed the distance between themselves and the gun. Another one in the arsenal could mean the difference between victory and defeat. However, only failure would await them. Two had already fallen near each other, increasing the loot and opportunities for more equipment.
"Another two closing in, around three metres apart. Adjust to 185. Fire at will."
BANG! CLUNK! BANG! CLUNK!
Another two shots in quick succession struck two more players respectively. They tumbled and tripped, falling face first into the tarmac. Both were out cold. Their equipment became added to the ever growing pile of enticing loot for those nearby. Yet, the bait had started to lose its attractiveness. The other three hid as the last two were knocked out of the match. Time was more valuable than the risk of ending their championship run there and then. They could wait for a chance, even if it meant running. Well, running the best they could. The whole street was a giant corridor and perfect for ambushes. One could easily run into another if not cautious enough. Thus, they stayed hidden for now…
"Tsk, they got smart." Sabretooth put down his binoculars before they vanished into blue pixels, "That spree is at an end, shame. I was enjoying that as well."
Sinon stretched slowly while still lying on a wall (which had become the floor), chest facing downwards. "So, what now? Starbug and Subaru still haven't arrived and we have long stayed our welcome. More will come, with bigger guns."
Sabretooth crouched and stroked his chin while thinking. Many had fallen already, but many still remained. Moreover, he could still be about somewhere. He knows that Death Gun will come for them eventually. But how and when? Did he have… other targets as well?
"Humvee approaching," Sinon began, aiming down her sights again, "Five bikes seem to be… chasing it. Should I open fire?"
"Only on the bikes, keep the occupants alive in the Humvee until you can identify them. It is most likely our ride out of here."
She nodded before pressing the trigger. Each of the targets were moving at high speed towards them, each shot had to be led perfectly. The first hit a bike, causing its fuel to ignite. Flames erupted out and its rider flew off backwards. Each bike swerved in an attempt to avoid the growing explosion. Yet, for two it was in vain. One was hit by shrapnel, forcing them to abandon the bike as it spluttered and fell behind. The other could not avoid the flames quick enough and plowed right into the explosions radius. They were knocked off with great force as well. Now three remained, frightened and confused.
"Finish them..." The ones that remained attempted a break off. Not on anyone else's watch. Sinon only watched as the Humvee swerved to hit the last three. First, it went left. One biker became trapped between the Humvee and walls of skyscrapers (along with other debris). The gap closed in an instant. Metal scraped against metal. The biker lost their grip and balance as the handlebars smashed into concrete. Violently, the bike steered into the building, sending the biker flying off. They slammed into a pillar. Their game was over. Two more to go.
One swung around the back of the Humvee, closing the distance. The biker sped up rapidly towards the rear of the vehicle. It swerved as the Humvee did. Gunfire suddenly burst out from the passenger's side, the biker in the firing line attempted to dodge by sharply breaking. This was in vain. A few bullets hit the front tyre. It burst in a roar of air rushing outwards. All grip that existed suddenly vanished in an instant. Uncontrollably, the bike steered itself into the Humvee while falling onto its side. The rider became stuck between road and bike. He could nothing but wait. Even with the biker curling up as much as he could, it would not change what was about to happen: driver and vehicle slid beneath the Humvee, right into the path of a rear wheel. An almighty thud past as the bike was ultimately crushed (with the driver still hanging on). The Humvee smashed over it at full speed like going over a speed hump, then forgotten about. One remained.
Finally, the biker made the jump onto the open rear. The bike stumbled behind and quickly fell behind. One arm reached in front of the other, finally they got a grip on the back and crouched down. They became hidden from view. Perfect for them as in the chaos, they vanished off the radar of their opponents for now.
The Humvee flashed its lights several times. Sabretooth grinned. "That's our ride. Time to jump." He grabbed a parachute and quickly wrapped it around his arms. Sinon followed suit after she stood up (with a stretch). She looked down at the street below again. No foe was caught her sights. The coast was clear, for now. She readied for the jump. It didn't seem too bad. There was plenty of space and distance to jump and deploy the parachute. Why would be the plan be thought out if it didn't work?
"Having last doubts?" Sabretooth asked, one step from leaving the safety of solid ground. Sinon nodded. "I understand, they come at the worst of times. You just have to leave them behind. Now, let's go!"
He jumped, feet first off the skyscraper. Then, after a moment or two of hesitation, Sinon followed with a leap and bound.
Below, the Humvee closed the distance rapidly. It sped over ditches and remained dead straight. Ahead, the skyscraper lay above the road in its fractured glory. As they drew closer, the street became more littered with debris and the occasional weapon dropped on the floor. The defeated avatars were long gone. They would be watching the ongoing events or logged off entirely. Such things did not matter to those that remained. Less than a dozen or so now filled the leaderboard. Their names were highlighted in yellow among a black background. Many still cheered and gasped as events unfolded. The crowds had watched name after name vanishing from the leaderboard as they were knocked out. Some were expected, others were surprising. Murmurs spread quickly during the matches when those that were popular fell in battle. Bets were quickly lost as others were won as the player numbers dropped in leaps and bounds. However, some bets still were in the air. They all hung delicately upon the several screens. One such screen, towards the side of the largest one, the humvee was the main focus. A camera kept the vehicle dead in its sights. From here, it would catch a highlight of the entire Battle of Bullets.
"Here they come!" Starbug yelled while peaking out of a hole on the roof. "Parachutes have just deployed! Steady as she goes."
"Roger roger!" came a reply from Subaru, always glancing above. "Just guide me so we can get gone, I don't want to hang around in the city for long."
Sabretooth and Sinon drifted downwards in gentle gusts. The air came and went like small waves on a quiet beach, only the whispers of the crashing waves echoed. Still, the distance closed gradually. Subaru slowed from maximum throttle, to about half. Rumbles and grumbles from the engine hushed to a hum. It no longer raced over the large holes entrenched into the tarmac. Each wheel rose and fell into these holes much more commonly and violently. With each hole that past, the steering had to be constantly be adjusted just to remain in a straight line.
Starbug called out command after command, always looking at the parachutes coming closer closer by the second. "A little left… Too much! Right!... More Right… Left! Slower! Keep it steady!"
Subaru followed every command thrown at him without hesitation. Not a word escaped his mouth, he only concentrated on the work in his hands. Finally, the Humvee was (mostly) in line for the pick up. All he had to do was keep the vehicle like this. However, there were other plans.
Sabretooth suddenly dived rapidly towards the Humvee, leaving Sinon higher and behind. His position was all wrong to land on the Humvee, the speed was too great and angle too steep. Sinon kept her distance. His unpredictability had just crashed into the scene. It was for the best to let it thunder through and keep out of harms way.
A rumbling came from the rear of the Humvee. Metal on metal clanged around a little. 'That doesn't sound too good…' Starbug turned around. There, beneath a brown cloak, a player crouched beneath looking right back at her with a pair of sharp blue eyes. The barrel of an AK also stared back, ready for action.
"I'd suggest you surrender this vehicle to me and quit while you don't have a bullet in your skull." Came a voice from the figure after a few seconds of silence. "Make it quick, I'm a busy man."
Starbug simply laid her arms on the roof, head on hands. "Oh it is you Patriot… You ain't getting this anytime soon. Besides we have a delivery coming any second and I don't want to miss it. It's gonna be epic!"
"Oh yeah?" Patriot swapped to a double-barrelled shotgun, "What package?"
"Oh, I think you would love it as we would. I'd say: 6 foot high, highly armed and extremely unpredictable. Also, first class delivery!"
Starbug ducked back into the vehicle. In a flash, a parachute blocked the sunlight. Darkness covered Patriot until he realised who it was: Sabretooth only a few feet away and ready for action. In one quick thrust of the legs, Sabretooth pushed Patriot off the rear of the Humvee and onto the street. His body became a ragdoll, constantly rolling against the tarmac before finally stopping face first. Pain rushed through the body in an unstoppable wave of agony. He could not move until the pain gradually faded. One arm in front of the other. Now, push gently. Very gently, nothing too strenuous at this moment. Now rise! Rise to your feet!
Patriot rose to his feet with a wobble. The Humvee had travelled far away by now, however it still hung around just in sight. "Sabre… Quite the entrance you made. I'm impressed."
Only a few paces away, Sabretooth stood over Patriot (even though Patriot's avatar was taller). The parachute, now disconnected, still flapped in the breeze behind. It towered above them before vanishing into blue pixels with a silent wave goodbye. Without hesitation, Sabre placed the SPAS-12 against his foe's forehead and a finger on the trigger. "Give me one good reason not to end your game right here and now, I'm waiting."
The gun embedded itself deeper into the skin as the grip tightened on the trigger. Any remanence of comfort or patience disappeared while on the jump down. He did not want to waste any time. Every lost moment would be a step towards defeat.
"Oh, I can alright Sabre. Or, should I say 'Honda'?"
The gun was removed from his forehead leaving only a red rash. Sabretooth could only sigh while staring at the skies and skyscrapers above. "Second time within the same competition… Do I have my name written on my back or something?"
"No, nothing like that." Patriot finally stood up straight, rising about Sabretooth by a few inches, "For the longest of times, I have tried to forget you. But, I could not. Names may leave the backdoor, but events engraved in memory do not leave willingly. I remember… everything: the times we played together in the small park with Kei, the exchanging of trading cards and when you left without a goodbye!"
"The group, that group? No one would remember such a thing unless you were… Daisuke? Is it really you after so long?"
"Correct. You could always figure out stuff quickly, I always admired you for that. However, that day, I could never forgive for what you did. You left carnage in your wake then never said goodbye. All I wanted was an answer! Then, I got one… Not the one I wanted, but it was an answer alright. The reports all pointed to you, Honda."
"Reports... What reports?"
"Those involved in the crash, Honda. The reports on their injuries and causes of their deaths. All said the same. All suffered greatly by the incident. All eyes were on you. So, why… Why did you vanish without a trace?!"
Anger raged within body and soul. Daisuke shoved Sabretooth to the ground without resistance. All he could see was a still processing mind. The cogs frantically spun and grinded against each other. Too much information ran before his very eyes. His whole body became paralysed by questions and revelations. Finally, after dozens of questions ran through his brain, there was nothing. Just a blank slate slumping over to one side. "It wasn't my fault… It wasn't my fault…" the same lines rambled on again and again from Honda's mouth.
"Oh, it was." he summoned his double barrelled shotgun from thin air. Blue and red pixels quickly formed the weapon. Two shells were forced into the chambers. Metal clanged as the gun was loaded. "See you on the other side."
Suddenly, a gunshot. It came from far away. Glass rattled as a bullet sprinted across the tarmac. The bullet struck the shotgun, shattering it entirely. Nothing remained of it, even the pixels fled into the skies above. Daisuke's hands kept their positions without realising their weapon of choice had left them. He paused before looking over Honda's crouched body. In the distance, past yet more wrecked vehicles and large concrete barriers, the rest of Sabot Platoon had not gone too far. Here, Sinon lay upon the tarmac, between the parked Humvee and a wrecked armoured personnel carrier. In her hands, the Hecate resting on a bipod and aiming right at Patriot. "This isn't over!" he roared, "That Death Gun will kill you all! There is nothing you can do about it! Nothing!"
A few dozen metres away, where his shouting deafened to a whisper, Sinon only aimed at Patriot. She just shrugged off Patriot's little warning. "Do something about this…" She opened fire.
Writer's Notes:
Panzer_Bros:
With slow progress and much more things taking up my personal time, along with other important stuff, I have decided to take some time off and think over the events that will occur further into this story. No idea how long it'll take, but I know this will take a long time. I want to create a satisfying conclusion to this to the best of my ability. So, that is what I'm aiming for, hopefully.
Anyway, Merry Christmas (if you celebrate it) and a happy new year! New chapters will appear in the new year.