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Top of the Wanted List
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…what is born between Hammer and Anvil.
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"You're early," said one of the weapon dealers.
"By the looks of it, I came right on time," replied the buyer. "So how about we get down to business, shall we?"
In the back alley of one of Vale's shadier neighborhoods, two groups of gangsters met for an arms deal. With the seller brought four of his affiliates, while the buyer brought only one. Each seemed especially paranoid and eager to finish the deal as quickly as possible.
"Money."
On a nearby crate, the buyer set down the briefcase and showed it was full of lien. In response, the dealer checked it, flipped through the bills, and even took the time to smell the cash. When he was satisfied, the seller presented a brown bag.
"A brown baggy? Really?" the buyer cocked his head. "I'm not buying drugs or some kid's school lunch, am I?"
"It's less conspicuous!" the dealer snapped back.
"It is?"
"Better than you! Bringing a briefcase full of cash, to this part of town, with only one guy? I'm surprised they didn't rob you!"
"Who's they?"
"You know who. Those wack jobs at Junior's place."
"Oh, Team ENMY or whatever. Uppity kids trying to play crime lords."
"Yeah. Them."
"Don't tell me they're the ones that got you all strung out."
"Geez, you guys really are from out of town, aren't you?" the seller shook his head, unamused. "They've been smashing and grabbing every major weapon's deal this side of Vale lately."
"I dunno. From what I heard, they don't sound so tough. Bet me and my partner could take 'em."
"Whatever, pal. Enjoy your merchandise. Unlike you, I don't plan on pressing my luck."
"Wait a minute."
"What? You want to put another order? Cause I ain't got the stock. That was my last bit of serious hardware. Check again in a month."
"Sure, but not about that. Why'd you risk doing this in broad daylight?" the buyer glanced up, shielding his eyes from the sun. "Not afraid of the cops or some average schmo catchin' the show?"
"No. Not compared to them. They don't work as much in the day, so the rumor goes."
"Funny how a bunch of brats got you and half this city's criminals spooked, ain't it?"
"Naw, man. It ain't funny," the dealer answered, refusing to fall for the taunt. "It ain't funny at all."
The man motioned for his gang to move out, and the two groups went their separate ways, down their own alleys.
…
"Wha—?!"
The dealers paused as they came face to face with the same exact buyers as before.
"How the hell did you guys get over here?" he puzzled. "You went in the other direction."
"What do you mean?" asked the buyer. "We're right on time for our deal. You got the merchandise?"
"…Shit!"
The dealer opened the briefcase in a panic.
Nothing but scrap pieces of paper fell out, carried away by the cold wind.
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X
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Along the streets of Downtown Vale, Emerald made a quick purchase at a clothing store, and dropped the brown bag into the shopping bag.
"Now, that's inconspicuous," she nodded to herself.
"(Town is dry.)"
"I know, Neo. I caught what the guy said, too. No more weapons."
Emerald snatched two apples from the fruit cart they passed. She bit into one and tossed the other to Neo.
"—Not that it matters, since I doubt we'll crash any more weapon deals after today."
"(Too famous.)"
"Yeah. Even the dumbest thugs are getting wise to us. I mean, gun deals in broad daylight? Some people do not care about the sleep schedules of others."
"(Rude.)" Neo nodded in agreement.
Right then, a slip of paper flew by, which Neo caught a glimpse of. She swiftly used the point of her parasol to pin it.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me…" Emerald pinched it in her hands.
"Looks like it's finally time to blow this stand."
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X
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In the past few weeks, Junior's club went through major renovations. Not only did they buy up and incorporate the buildings around them, security also went through significant overhauls. The place had more cameras, more guards, and those guards carried a new impressive grade of weapons. Not to mention the dancefloor, which had an actual Paladin mech DJing music.
And it was above the club, where Yang operated a soldering iron in their team's living room. Before her, was a client's weapon she was just shy of finishing.
"Masa," Yang called.
Sitting at another table with Mercury, the engineer was busy working on her own project.
"Yes, Miss Yang?"
"I'm having trouble with the finishing touches."
"This one fails to understand," Masa walked over tiredly. "Recently, you no longer required my assistance for such work, this one evaluates, averse to the idea of having to hold your hand through upgrading measures again."
"Hey! We are helping you, you know."
"Your statement is obvious, but also untrue at times, this one counters straightforwardly."
"And you know why I'm having trouble."
"Please state your problem in a concise manner."
Yang went silent. A slightly nervous twitch in her bottom lip. As if she were still contemplating bringing up the issue.
"You knew my mom, the one who raised me when I was little," Yang worded uneasily. "You knew Summer Rose… What was she like?"
"…Why would you ask such an uncomfortably heavy question of this one?"
Yang sighed loudly in exasperation.
"You know what? Forget it. This was stupid."
She turned back to the work with huffing resignation. Meanwhile, Masa continued to stare at her, before slowly pulling up a chair.
"You truly wish to hear about your mother?"
"Yeah…" Yang flashed an uncomfortable smile. "I didn't know much past what she let Ruby and me see. And I didn't understand a lot of things, because I wasn't old enough."
She paused, frowning at the weapon before her. The soldering iron still sitting to the side.
"I only remember the best parts. I didn't notice her flaws, what she was going through, what problems she was facing. She was just 'super mom' to me. Now, I know there was more to her. But after she disappeared, me and Ruby only grew up on the bits and pieces dad told us."
"Hmmm… interesting, this one ponders. Raven never spoke regarding Summer?"
"I tried asking once—like how they met— but all she said was they had the 'worst meeting ever', and didn't want to talk after that."
"Noted. Summer was indeed an exceptional individual. This one can understand the excruciating void she left in the hearts of those closest to her."
"Heh…yeah. Maybe, undershooting it a little, but yeah."
Yang's fingers traced the blade on the desk till they almost cut. It was a familiar-looking scythe that was near assembled. The only thing left, was to take a few choice parts from an older weapon, and incorporate them into the new.
The older weapon sitting nearby was a silver chakram. Its hoop was the diameter length of a person's leg, giving it an unwieldy impression. Its circular blade was forged with elegantly curved edges that mimicked thorns and vines. Among the countless weapons Yang had seen, this one was the most beautiful—which made it all the stranger knowing who its previous owner was.
One chakram of a pair, which the Huntress Summer Rose once wielded.
Eclipsing Rose.
…
Masa held Yang's hand without a word, and guided it along the weapon's surface.
She could only guess how her mother used to fight with something like this. Every little scar and mended dent gave voice to numerous battles. The deep impression in the grip screamed volumes of a warrior's resolve. The repeated effort to steel herself in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Masa once said she could learn more about a person through their weapon, than she would talking to them. Yang was beginning to understand that.
The more she examined Summer's weapon, the clearer the shape became of the Huntress her mother once was.
A white cloaked figure that stood tall against the evils that threatened to consume everything. Unwavering, uncompromising, defiant—a flicker of shimmering light in the world's darkest hours. There was no trace of fear in the end. A gentleness that was ever-present. A kindness. An honesty. A guardian.
Yang set Eclipsing Rose down with a forlorn smile…
She was very different from Summer. She had compromised. There were shades of dark to her soul, of which she didn't hesitate to admit. It was a stinging contrast, but this too, Yang accepted as truth.
Masa stepped away from the table with a knowing look, and Yang resumed refitting the blades of Eclipsing Rose to Crescent Rose.
After a few minutes passed, Yang finished setting in the upgrades for her younger sister's weapon.
"—Whew! Okay, Penny. Run diagnostics."
[Running…]
The laptop next to Yang, spat out a few graphs and values. At the same time, the crimson weapon surged with a silver glow—right before it sliced through the table and into part of the floor. A few rose petals left in its wake.
"Whoops."
[Diagnostics complete. Weapon: Functional.]
"Yeah, I'll say. Thanks, Penny."
[…]
"…Penny?"
[Friendly Subject Identified: Yang Xiao Long. Match for Ally Database.]
Yang hung her head low. Her hand, smoothing the edges of the computer screen.
"—Still trying to pull off the 'she's a real girl!' routine?" Emerald suddenly came in, speaking over her shoulder. Neo following from behind.
"She's in there, Em. I swear, she's in there somewhere."
"Face it, punchy. She's a computer. All zeroes and ones."
"She could generate an Aura. That has to count for something."
"—A phenomena this one has yet to decipher," Masa joined from across the room. "It is said the manifestation of Aura is evidence of a soul. But then, one must ask what is a soul, and if it alone constitutes a living—"
"Hey, Mazzie. I got you the thingy you wanted," Emerald interrupted, tossing the technician the brown bag.
"Satisfactory."
The weapons tech took out the gun, then swiftly smashed it to pieces with a hammer. From the wreckage, she used tweezers to salvage a tiny microchip, before sweeping the rest into the trash.
"…What, this one asks, curious of all the faces you are making."
"I did all that, so you could smash the gun for one tiny little microchip inside?" Emerald scowled in disbelief.
"It is the only important component."
"Of course, it is."
"You will be compensated, as per usual."
"Guess I can't argue with that."
Following the events of Masa's rescue, Team ENMY had been helping the weapon engineer complete a long queue of job contracts that built since going into hiding. The reason being, the weapons tech refused to do much else until prior obligations were met. Her reason citing she had a reputation to uphold.
As such, Team ENMY was frequently hired to acquire rare weapon components. Their methods usually took the form of crashing arms deals and stealing merchandise. But as evidence of this afternoon's incident proved, their enterprise was less likely to continue.
"Hope that was the last extra, special, tiny part you needed, cause there won't be anymore," Emerald told her.
"—Something happen without us?" Mercury asked.
"No. The grift went without a hitch. To be honest, I'm gonna miss the fun of just plain stealing. You know, without all the muscle, and explosions, and the testosterone you and Yang bring to the table."
"Glad you're enjoying yourself while Yang and me are enslaved by Masa."
"Yeah, it's the best. Conning people is the BEST. Just makes me feel so alive!"
"—Clepto," Yang snickered.
"Hey, everybody's born with a gimmick and a vice. Luckily, mine go hand in hand."
Emerald's mischievous smile faded into a more serious manner.
"BUT, more importantly," she pulled out the paper they picked up a while ago, along with some others she found. "We no longer have the latitudes to do whatever the fuck we want anymore. The assholes raised the price on our heads…"
Multiple chairs screeched across the floor as everyone came to look.
There, they saw photos of each of them. Separate wanted posters issued by Vale, Atlas, and Mistral. A monetary sum printed at the bottom of their profiles, captured dead or alive. Including, a small description detailing their skills and traits.
"That's like… retirement money right there," Yang awed. "Are bounties even allowed to be that high?"
"I thought it would've stayed lower, but they must've upped it after we took Masa," Emerald added. "Apparently, our engineer is treated the same as a national asset."
"—Hmph, 'Considered among the top enemies of the Kingdoms,'" Mercury read with a chuckle. "Is it wrong that I'm actually proud of us? Cause I am. Top of the Wanted List has a nice ring to it. Buuuut I don't know about Yang's bounty being the highest. Is that cause she's our leader on paper?"
"That's why I put her there," Emerald leaned back in her chair. "The less bullets for me and meant for her, the better."
"—Hey!" Yang complained.
"Anywho, fellow enemies of the state. It's time we made ourselves scarce, real soon. All our go-bags were restocked recently, right?"
Neo nodded and gave a V hand sign.
Suddenly, they smelled something burning behind them. Masa finished installing the microchip into a weapon she was working on, and breathed a satisfied sigh.
"This weapon completes the last of the commissions. As promised, this one will begin dealings with your group, this one announces with lukewarm enthusiasm."
"Finally!" Emerald groaned.
"What work does your group wish to commission?"
"Yang needs a new arm and I need an upgrade for my Semblance."
"Ah, yes. The foolish one's arm. An adequate replacement will be constructed until a true weapon can be forged. Hm hm," Masa nodded. "As for your unorthodox request, improving your Semblance may prove impossible with my skillset, this one points out the obvious flaw of asking a weapons technician for advice, normally sourced to a Huntress or Professor."
"So you might not be able to help," Emerald turned and glared at her teammates. "Well, that was my main reason for saving your sorry ass…"
"Nonetheless, your requests have been accepted. A bill will be sent as soon as this one calculates proper compensation."
"Why do I feel like this is gonna cost us?"
"Because it will, this one confirms your suspicions."
""We helped you complete your work orders!"" Yang and Mercury shouted.
"…A small discount shall be applied to the fee."
Team ENMY only continued to stare.
"…Very well. The fee will be waived."
They breathed a collective sigh.
As Masa watched them, only one thing crossed her mind,
Not to mention it stands in this one's best interests to stay on your little group's favorable side.
A price is always collected in due time.
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X
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Perched on the rooftop of a building six blocks from Junior's Club—and outside the gang's territory—a large man spoke into his scroll.
The one in question was adorn with a set of heavily mechanized leg armor. The top half of his body was "bare", save for the sheet plates of metal embedded into his flesh. His muscles bulged with years upon years of training, which enabled him to move with his various augmentations. His arms were stained with burn scars. His face was ugly and distorted, which he usually hid behind the black iron mask of a bearded man.
"Yes, yes, I understand," he moaned into the scroll. "I know not to underestimate the lot. I read the report. Have I ever failed you before, brother? Have I? Hm?"
…
"Yes, I'll send you a selfie with the corpses once I'm done—if they're still recognizable. Vulcan, out!"
The man ended his call and turned to the small army of gangsters and mercenaries behind him.
"Sorry 'bout that, boys. Where were we?"
One of the mobsters with sunglasses stepped forward.
"You were about to go over the plan."
"Right! Yes, the plan! Real fuckin' simple, this one. I go, then you go. Eh? S'good, right?"
"…That it?"
"That's it. I go after the team. You fodder, keep the other fodder busy downstairs. Won't be hard. The second you start movin' past this block, the whole gang's gonna be on you."
"We aren't fighting the team? You said we'd get a share of the bounty."
"Right," Vulcan stopped to drag his giant hand down his mask in exasperation. "Look, you lot got your asses handed to you just weeks ago! Has anything changed since then? Anything? Don't be shy! Raise your hand if ya got somethin' to say. No? Right. So I'm thinkin', if ya fight them again, you're all just gonna lose again. Am I wrong, or am I wrong?"
No one responded.
"No? I got it right? Sure? I kinda just shat on all you, but okay. Movin' on. I fight them alone. Don't worry about me, I'm a pro. Real true and blood assassin, I am."
The gangsters looked Vulcan up and down, mainly at his giant figure and rippling muscle fiber.
"You… don't look like an assassin."
"Ey! I kill, who I need to kill. Bein' all sneaky is just a misconception of me profession. Anyway! You lot will still get your share of the reward. Truthfully speakin', I'm not in it for the green. It's a family affair, don't ask. So! All's you are gettin' paid just to scrap it with Junior's thugs. Easy 'nuff, aye? Team ENMY, you leave with me. Synch?"
"Uh… what?"
"Oh, for the luv a'—When I say synch, you say synch," Vulcan wrapped his giant arm around the gangster's shoulders. "You see this? I'm tryin' a learn you some bit a' tradecraft, you read me?"
"Yes?"
"Synch?"
"Synch."
"And the rest of you lot?"
""Synch""
"Alrigh', then." Vulcan turned, hoisted three large duffle bags over his shoulders and a larger than life hammer. "Bloody, fuckin' amateurs…" he whispered low.
"WAIT!" the same gangster shouted.
"What, now? Can't you see I'm tryin' to get into me zone?"
"What's the signal?"
"The what now?"
"The signal—to attack."
"…Have you lot not been payin' attention?! I said, synch. You said, synch. That's the fuckin' signal. It's go time, chum! This was simple, and now you've gon' ahead, muckin' it up. I'm fallin' off me rhythm. I mean, hey," Vulcan exhaled deep to stop himself. "Okay, is my fault, ya? Shouldn't've expected so much. You want a signal? I'll give you a signal." Vulcan pulled the other man to the ledge. "See, right there?"
He pointed at Junior's club.
"As soon as I get over there, you lot, fuckin' get over there. Got it?"
"Yeah," the nervous gangster nodded. "I mean, synch."
"Yesss! Synch. Now you're getting' it… You lot are drivin' me mad as bat shit. Here we go," Vulcan backed up.
"Wait, so are we going over there together or…?"
Not listening anymore, the gigantic assassin walked to the other end of the roof. Once there, he turned, and started an all-out sprint to the other side. Running past the confused gangster, the heavy-set man launched himself off the building with an inhumane leap into the distance.
The rest of them could only stare blankly in disbelief.
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X
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[Enemy Detected. Approaching immediate vicinity.]
"Penny, report enemy location," Masa replied.
[Incoming in 5… 4…]
"Maz?" Yang asked.
"A problem with the code? None of the other security measures have been triggered, this one—"
At that moment, the whole loft was knocked sideways from the impact. The ceiling collapsed, the east wall was decimated. And from a burning hammer— lava, fire, and brimstone seared the bodies of Team ENMY and Masa.
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NOTE
Double-chapter release.