Chapter nine. Training.
Gen was whistling as he placed something in the fire pit. Hearing about the others gave him an idea that he had just enough material for. He pulled it out of the pit and took it to the water, dumping it in. He pulled it out and examined it, checking it out before tossing it into the tub of crimson liquid. It flew while bathing in it, the shining light dimming before rising up.
He grabbed it. "Heh...low mid grade. Expected as much with the meager amount of weak halos I had. It should be fine though." He grabbed his phone and made a call. "...hey it's Gen...doing fine, I'm requesting a gate...pride ring….it's late so take me to the hotel near I.M.P...no no not imp, just I.M.P. it's a company...got it?...yeah I'm in my workshop….waiting." he waged for the gate to open in front of his blacksmith door. "It's here. Thanks!" He placed the item I'm a bag and hoisted it over his shoulder. He hung up and walked through the gate.
Poch grumbled as Loona applied blue nail polish on his right claws. "So not fair."
"Shouldn't have made that bet." Loona told him with a smug smirk.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?"
"Very much, but by how much you keep losing, I guess you are too."
"How were you so good at that soccer game?"
"You just suck at soccer. That's all."
"Horseshit…"
"Now hold still while I add glitter."
"Glitter!?"
"I said I'd make them pretty. What? Thought I'd just stop with Shades of blue?"
"Just...make it a light amount."
"I'll try."
Jack came out of the break room, coming to the desk. "Hey Poch, boss said he-" he saw the brown hellhound with completed makeup and now getting his nails done. He snickered. "Um excuse me miss, off, have you, snark, have you seen Poch around? He looks like you but less, kek, less...womanly! Ahahahaha!"
Poch growled, took his red dagger with his free hand, opened a red gate next to him, reached his hand in and yanked back. His gate opened in front of the top of Jack's lower legs, so when he reached in he took a hold of one leg and yanked it back to make him fall.
"Ah!" The imp exterminator hit his head on the fall down. "Ouch!"
"Bitch." Poch said with a smirk.
"Alright. I asked for that." Jack got up. "Anyways, Boss and M&M are gonna join us for training, they wanna watch, Boss even gave us a great spot to train!"
"Train?" Loona asked.
"Yeah it's something we do at the last week of the month. Keeps us battle ready," Poch answered.
"Ah. Other hand."
Poch pulled back his now glitterfied blue nails and gave her his other claws to paint. "Wanna come?"
"Since the others are going I don't have much of a choice."
"Cool! What's the place jack?"
"Well since we're gonna meet up here so Solis and Shelly can give us our halos, we're gonna carpool in Boss's van," Jack said.
"Ah ok, guess I won't need my bike then."
"No you won't Mistress Pich."
"...I'm Chaos Blading you when we train."
"Bring it madom."
"Grrrrr."
"K, I'm done." Loona put the make up away and got her phone. "Smile."
"Ugh, I better not get tagged." Poch smiled at the camera forcefully.
"Nails."
Poch put up his right paw, showing his pretty nails.
"Both of them."
"Loona." Poch whined.
"Bet lost."
"...damn soccer game." He showed off both his claws, his eyes twitching as he forced his smile and heard Jack fail at holding his laughs back.
Loona took the photo. "And photos taken. You can now remove the make up." Loona grined while typing on her phone.
"Alright, where's the nail polish remover at?"
"Oh, I don't have any."
"What!? How do you not have any!?"
"Ran out, plus it doesn't work on that brand." She made her post.
"It doesn't!? Why didn't you tell me!?"
"Never asked. Don't worry, it'll come off in a week."
"Ooooh!" Poch groaned.
"Hey, if it makes you feel better I didn't tag you."
"Thanks." Poch smiled. The smile dropped when he heard Jack's phone take a pic.
"I will!" Jack laughed.
"..." Poch made a red gate, reached in and pulled out a red war hammer mini figure, holding the dagger to its neck.
"Hey that's mine!"
"Delete or the captain gets beheaded."
"Alright alright alright!" Jack showed him his phone screen, showing the picture he took, before tapping delete. "There it's gone! Now put it back gently!"
"..." He slipped it back in the gate before closing it. "I'm gonna go wipe my face." He got out his chair and went to the breakroom.
"Bastard."
"...want my copy?" Loona asked.
"Really?"
"Give it to you for ten bucks."
"Rat!" He grabbed his wallet. "Deal."
Poch and Loona sat on the couch, looking at his tablet. They came early and decided to catch up on JoJo. Poch didn't have make-up on anymore but the nails were still colored, much to his dismay.
"Bout time they got to Egypt," Loona commented as the episode ended.
"Yeah, it was not an easy trip," Poch said.
The front doors opened and in came Shelly and Solis, Solis carrying one bag while Shelly held two.
"Hey guys!" Shelly greeted.
"Hey Shell, hey Sol." Poch waved. "I'm guessing those are our Halos?"
"Yep! One bag for each! Dundy's on his way so we got his too!"
"Cool. Jack's in the living world, taking care of some early clients with the I.M.P imps."
"Neat!"
Solis approached Poch. "Here's your Halos." He set the bag in front of him on the coffee table. "And since you took care of the boss," he reached in the bag and pulled out a Halo with four white stripes, "you get this!"
"Holy shit! The boss dropped that!" Poch marveled.
"Yeah! It's yours!"
"Sweet!" Poch reached for it.
"I'll take that!" A voice came to the door.
Everyone looked to the source and saw Gen and Dundy standing there.
"Gen!?" Everyone said in surprise.
"Heya. Surprised to see me?" Gen said with a smile.
"Definitely surprised! What are you doing here?" Poch asked.
"Well when Jack and I talked yesterday and told me bout the others I thought I'd make something for you all especially since your training today."
"How'd you know we were training today?" Shelly asked.
"A big birdie told me."
"Oh Dundy did? Wonder when."
"..." Dundy stood there waiting to be acknowledged.
"Knowing him, probably recently." Poch surmised.
"So what did you make us?" Shelly asked.
"Uh, who's this?" Loona asked.
"Oh right," Poch turned to Loona, "Loona this is Gen. He's a blacksmith that makes weapons for us."
"Among other things," Gen approached, "please to meet ya." Gen extended his hand.
"Uh, pleasure." Loona shook his hand.
Whistling was heard from the meeting room. Jack came out of said room. "Hey guys I'm ba- Oh shit! Gen!"
"Gen!" Blitzø poked his head out.
"Hi there!" Gen waved, "you must've Blitzø with the silent o."
"That's me!" Blitzø came up to Gen. "You must be the crafty cat that made the GB holders!"
"That's me! Jack told me a good bit about ya. I've also seen your comercial, it's quite catchy."
"Thank you! Here that Mox?"
Moxxie rolled his eyes. "I did sir."
"You two must be the power couple, Moxxie and Millie." Gen addressed.
"That's us!" Millie told him.
"...I….I'm here too." Dundy said in a low volume.
"Now I gotta address the elephant in the room," Gen started.
'Finally.' Dundy thought.
"Poch...what's with your nails?"
"Let's just say, Loona's more good at soccer in a game for nerds than you think." Poch slumped.
"I...ok anyway," Gen set his bag down on his desk, "I got items for you all, except for Jack." He pulled out a light blue gun. "Solis, a new pistol. This one's got better accuracy and a power shot feature."
"Sweet!" Solis took the gun.
"Just hold the trigger to charge. Now Shelly," he took out a pair of blue shades with runes inscribed on the side, "for when you don't use Le-armes. It's a demon visor, it can even work with Le-armes visor."
"Nice!" Shelly Put them on.
"And for Dundy, who's silent for some reason."
"Yeah, why so quiet dude?" Jack asked.
"It's kinda creepy." Poch noted.
"Hmmmm." Dundy grumbled.
Gen pulled out two blue arm sleeves with a thick white trim. The trim had runes inscribed on it. "Stress armlets. They accumulate power when hit with any form of physical shock so put them on your forearms."
"Thank you." Dundy clamped them on.
"As for you fancy nails,"
"Hey!" Poch exclaimed.
"You get this!" He tossed some sort of light blue brace to Poch.
Poch caught it. It was about seven inches long and had a clip on the side. "What is it?"
"It goes on the bottom of your right leg. It's for your chaos blade."
Poch opened it from the side. "Like this?" He slipped it onto his right leg right above his ankles. It fit perfectly. "It fits but...what's it do?"
"Put the handle of your Chaos Blade on the clip."
Poch took out his daggers and put one into the other's hilt, forming his Chaos Blade. He lifted his leg up, placing the handle in with the blade facing up.
"Other way, the blade has to face outwards."
"Oh." He flipped it around and it clicked onto the clip. He kept his foot raised, not being able to put it down due to the blade sticking out. "Like this?"
"Yes. Now you can kick with the Chaos Blade! It slides off as easy as it slides in."
"Oh cool, I'm raiden!"
"No offense," Jack spoke, "but what good is that gonna do?"
"Hehe thought you'd ask." Gen reached in his bag and pulled out three balls. "Give the exterminator some space, please." He waited for those around Poch to back away. He tossed the black orbs to Poch, one by one.
Poch swiped his right foot, cutting the first ball, jumped and kept up his momentum to slice the second one, landed on his left foot, twisted and kicked forward, stabbing the last one, the edge of his blade nearly sticking out the side of the ball. Millie, Moxxie, Blitzø, and Shelly, clapped, impressed. Poch brought his foot back to remove his blade from the brace, taking off the ball before turning the blade back into daggers. "I love it! Can't wait for the finished product!"
"Finished product?" Moxxie asked.
"Yeah, with Gen the first creation is always the prototype, the next ones the finished product, and the rest are just the improved version," Jack explained.
"Can't expect perfection on the first try, especially if it's something new. There's always gonna be a few flaws." Gen said.
"I see," Moxxie said with some intrigue.
"Well now that Gen's given us our gifts, what's say we head over to train!" Jack said with enthusiasm.
"I'm coming too, best way to get feedback is to see the feedback," Gen told.
"Sounds good! Everyone to the Imp-mobile!" Blitzø cried.
"Imp-mobile?" Moxxie questioned.
"The name of the van."
"Why would we- nevermind. Is everyone gonna ride with us?"
"Yeah, Why?"
"We have an issue. There's not enough space."
"Course there is! I already thought it out!"
Everyone stood outside next to the van. "Alright! Here's where everyone goes!" Blitzø announced. "Dundy and Jack, take the back!"
"Hah, that rhymed!" Jack said, going to the back of the van.
"Glad this van is big," Dundy said.
"Not that big, Dund, so try not to elbow me."
"I will try not to do it by accident."
"Wait what?"
"Shelly, Solis, Millie, and Moxxie! Lap up in the middle!" Blitzø directed.
"Couples seat!" Millie and Shelly said in unison. Moxxie and Shelly got in first while their love's got I'm there laps.
"Gen you take the middle front seat!"
"Alright." Gen got in through the passenger side and set himself down in the middle.
"Loonie take the passenger!" Loona took the passenger seat. Blitzø got in the drivers side. "And I take drivers! See, everyone's in!"
"Uh, not everyone," Loona spoke up.
"Hey, what about me!?" Poch asked.
"Can't you just use a gate?" Blitzø asked.
"No, I cant use them to go to a place I've never been, even then I don't know where we're going!"
"Oh…"
"I knew you'd forget something," Moxxie commented.
"Shut it Moxxie!" Blitzø looked back. "Hmmm maybe we could...no you're not skinny enough...how bout- No that won't work...we could stuff you in the trunk?"
"I'll just ride atop the roof." Poch accepted.
"Sounds good!"
"Just don't drive too crazy." Poch was about to jump up on the car.
Loona was concerned over Poch riding on top of the van, especially with Blitzø driving. "...wait," she opened the passenger door.
"Hm?"
She unbuckled her seatbelts. "You…" she blushed, "you can sit right here." She patted her lap.
"Huh?" Poch blushed.
"Ooooh!" Jack cooed.
"Shush!" Dundy elbowed Jack in the face.
"Y-you sure? I mean, I don't mind going on the roof," Poch rubbed the back of his head.
"It's fine, now shut up and get in." Loona told him, not looking his way.
"O-ok." Poch climbed in and sat himself on Loonas thighs. She closed the seatbelt around them, placing her arms beside him.
They heard the sound of a photo snap. It was Blitzø. "Delete that!" She barked.
"Aww you look so cute with him!" Blitzø gushed.
"I'm serious! Delete it!"
"But it's already getting likes."
"You posted it!?" Loona and Poch said together, both their eyes going wide.
"Yeah! I tagged you too!"
"Why would you- ugh!" Loona lamented, slinking back.
"At Least he doesn't know my tag." Poch said to himself.
"Oh, Jack told me it." Blitzø remarked.
"...imp must die!" Poch lowly growled.
"Just...drive." Loona said, annoyed.
Blitzø put the car in drive and headed to the place he mentioned, turning on the radio. "Oh I know this song!" He began to poorly sing to the rock song being played.
"Maybe I should've took that roof." Poch said, till Blitzø made a sharp turn. "Eep!" A few more turns and Poch took it back. "I take it back, I'm glad I'm in here!" He said holding onto Loona's arms which were around his waist. He noticed and let go. "Oh sorry."
"No it's fine...he's not the best driver so some security can help," Loona said, trying to hide her red cheeks.
"At Least he's not snapping photos."
"The only reason I'm glad he's driving."
A few clunky turns, broken speed limits and near crashes later they arrived at a large vacant lot with a cage on its edge along with benches.
"Tada!" Blitzø gestured to the place.
"The hell is this?" Poch asked.
"This that lot you told me about when you had that soccer craze?" Jack theorized.
"That's the one!" Blitzø answered.
"Explain?" Dundy asked.
"Long story short, Boss wanted to make his own soccer field but it was a short dream so he stopped here," Jack explained.
"Mainly due to cost. I Still own the place," Blitzø clarified.
"Huh. Well it seems like the perfect spot to train! Let's go guys!" Shelly said with enthusiasm.
Everyone got out of the car and Blitzø opened the gate with his key, though it took him a while to find the right one. Once they got I'm they found the place was pretty dirty, but surprisingly just from dust and dirt, now trash anywhere.
"Huh. Surprised there's no trash," Solis commented.
"Of course! I made sure nobody would come here!"
"How'd you manage that?"
"Spread a rumor that there was a death bug here. No such thing but they fell for it!"
"The power of rumors is dangerous," Dundy noted.
"Still this is a good place to keep from getting soft!" Shelly stated. "Who's going first?"
"Jack and I will. I got some aggression to take out," Poch volunteered.
"Sounds good! I get to show my Imp Parade!" Jack stated.
"Imp Parade?"
"You'll see!"
"What do you guys do to train?" Moxxie asked.
"Sparing. We usually just have one fight at a time so one of us can referee but since there's more joining us, we can do two fights! Who wants to volunteer Solis and me fighting?" Shelly asked.
"I'll do it," Dundy answered, "make sure you don't go from fighting to flirting to lovey dovey again."
"It was one time!" Solis commented.
"Two. Three if you count the private one."
"That was private! We only told you about it cause you wondered why Solis was so tired!" Shelly defended.
"Either way, I'll watch."
"I'll referee Poch and Jack!" Millie said.
"Damnit Millie, I was gonna volunteer!" Blitzø scowled.
"You can co-ref with her," Jack suggested.
"Deal!"
"Now that that's settled," Solis reached into the bag he brought with him, pulling out three cups, a liter bottle of water, and a salt container, pouring some of the salt, which was purple, into each cup before adding the water halfway for each, "dull them up guys."
"What's that?" Loona asked.
"It's a coating that lessens the sharpness of our weapons. Only works on blades weapons so it's mainly for me, Poch, and Jack," Solis explained. He took out his long sword and poured the contents of the cup onto it, the purple liquid sparkling when touching it before becoming opaque.
Poch and Jack took a cup themselves before pouring it on their respective weapons.
"Shelly, you got your rubber bullets?" Solis asked.
"Already in!" Shelly assured him.
"Sweet!"
"Alright. Now everyone to their respective sides," Dundy guided.
Jack and Poch took one side of the field while Shelly and Solis took the other being about eleven yards away.
Jack stood ten feet away from Poch, taking out his scythe and twisting its middle, placing it in mode two, the scythes multiplying into six blades. He wrote his black letters and called for Dust, having the mist demon grab two GB Holders and equip the scythe blades on them, having a clump of it beside him, holding up the weapons. "Ready?"
Poch pushed one dagger into the other's handle, forming his Chaos Blade. "Ready!"
"Both participants ready," Millie started, raising her hand.
"Both participants set," Blitzø added, doing the same.
"Go!" They said in unison, swinging their arms down.
Poch charged after Jack and Jack sent his ball of Dust after him. Ppch was ready to cut through it before Jack smirked. "Millie!" He yelled. The clump of Dust took form, changing into a spitting image of Millie but all black, holding the bladed GB Holders.
"What!?" Poch said in surprise. The shadow Millie swung its blades at him. Poch blocked the first sipe before dodging the other by moving his head to the side
"I had M&M and Boss show me how they fight to sharpen my vision of them!"
"Vision?" Poch asked, kicking Shadow Millie away.
"Boss helped me find out that when I make a copy of someone I can have them move automatically just by giving them a command, but it's based on my vision of them, how I see them in certain situations!"
"Whoa...wait automatically?" Poch asked, blocking a downward swing.
Jack appeared behind Poch and compiled the scythe blades still attached to his staff, the one bladed having multiple layers with a purple trim, swiping it at Poch. Poch quickly pushed away the Millie formed Dust to block the attack at the last minute, sliding back. "This is my new style! Imp Parade!" Shadow Millie jumped in front of him and they both charged at Poch.
Shadow Millie stabbed wildly at Poch, who weaved side to side, using his sword to knock away some of the stabs. It jumped up, allowing Jack to swipe up at Poch, the Hellhound jumping back to avoid it before the Imp spun it around his neck and sliced it down. Poch raised his sword up to block and push back. He saw shadow Millie fall down to him, aiming its knives down on him. Poch angled his blade and bent to the side, sliding the scythe off him, managing to swing up and back to deflect shadow Millie. Jack was coming for a side swipe and Shadow Millie was composing itself, going for another attack. Poch acted quickly. In one swift motion he cut a portal beside him, stopping Jack's scythe, the collision throwing him off slightly, keeping up his momentum and twisting around, clipping the blade onto his brace and kicking it at Shadow Millie, stabbing it in the arm. He sent a flurry bladed kicks at it, the swipes of his foot cutting it up. He sent one last kick, finishing it, the head, arms, and torso now severed.
Millie cringed. "Ouch! I know that wasn't me, but I still felt that."
"Ragh!" Poch jumped and swung his foot down on Jack. He was blocked and had his blade pushed away to the side. He went with the push to send a swipe to his face, managing to nick him in the cheek. He landed on his left foot and drove his right towards his chest, almost getting Jack if he hadn't jumped back.
Jack reached his hand out. "Moxxie!" The dismembered shadow Millie came back together and took on the form of Moxxie. It aimed its guns at Poch and began firing on him.
"Shit!" Poch took his blade off the brace rolled to the side. He ran up to shadow Moxxie, dodging its shots, closing the gap.
"Where you goin?" Jack closed in on Poch from the side, swinging his scythe at him.
Poch jumped back and Shadow Moxxie shot at him. Poch managed to avoid some but got hit in the leg by a rubber bullet. He grunted at the sting. Jack took the opportunity and swiped low, kept going when Poch jumped and swiped in the middle. Poch ducked and he kept up the motion to swing downwards. Poch jumped back and was fired on.
He growled, dodging the shots, before writing quickly for Shiva. "Shiva!" He called upon his unique shadow demon. He pointed at shadow Moxxie and had Shiva form a few finger tipped darts, shooting them. Shadow Moxxie dive rolled out the way, continuing to fire. Jack came at Poch with a twirl of his scythe trying to nick the hellhound, who was focusing on dodging and keeping the Shadow at bay, waiting for the right moment. 'Wait for it….wait for it."
*click click* Shadow Moxxie looked at the GB Holders, realizing that it's out of ammo.
"Chance!" Poch jumped forward at Jack, cutting a portal before the scythe could hit him going through its end to appear behind Jack, double kicking his back. He opened another gate that led to behind Shadow Moxxie, punching its head to disorient it when he came through, landing in front of it, quickly placing his sword on the brace and kicking back, stabbing shadow Moxxie in the chest before twisting to his back and raising his foot towards, slicing his top half open.
Moxxie shivered. "Oh my."
"Better not get on his bad side, Mox," Blitzø told him.
"Well played," Jack complimented, "but I got one more imo for ya!" He used his scythe to call back his blades, grabbing them before they reattached, and stabbing them in the ground. He then flung his scythe to Poch. "Blitzø!"
Poch moved out the way for the scythe to see it be grabbed by a newly formed dust arm from the remains of Shadow Moxxie. The rest changed into a shadow Blitzø, looking over at Poch and smiling wickedly.
"Here we go!" Blitzø said with excitement.
Shadow Blitzø slammed the scythe into Poch's right. He managed to block but the fierceness of the strike slid him back some. It went for a downward strike and Poch responded with a quick formation of bone shield. He was about to kick at with his blade but noticed Jack come up from behind, having replaced GB Holders. He swung down on him.
Poch sliced a gate beside him and jumped through to Jack's side, punching the imp. Shadow Blitzø went for a heavy swing. He reacted by clipping the blade onto his brace and sending a hard kick, negating its force. He was about to attack again but he had to lean back to avoid gunshots from Jack. He did a backflip, tearing a new gate, jumping through to attack Jack from behind. The imp expected it and Ducked, raising the blades upward to try and nick Poch. When the hound jumped back, he stepped forward and swung down, meeting with his sword, locking in a power struggle.
Shadow Blitzø came from behind and Poch used his tail to form another bone shield, now locked in two power struggles. He grit his teeth, fighting against the two forces. He felt himself getting pushed back. He tightened his grip on the Chaos blade, its aura becoming even fiercer. "GrrrAGH!" Red and blue energy shot out the blade, and Poch spun, pushing his assailants back with a spiral slash of the energys.
Jack flew back and fell to his back. He looked up at Poch with surprise. "Whoa! When could you do that!?"
Poch was also surprised. "I have no id-EAAAAA!" Shock ran up his arms in the color of red and blue. He yelped in pain as he let go of his Chaos Blade, the weapon turning into Daggers as it fell. He dropped to his knees, holding his arms.
"Poch!" Both Loona and Jack said. Everyone stopped, even Shelly and Solis stopped their sparring, approaching the hellhound.
"You ok!?" Jack asked, dismissing his shadow demon.
"I'm...ok." Poch said through his teeth. "It's the feedback, though I thought I still had time."
"Maybe that attack increased strain?" Jack theorized, helping up Poch.
"Maybe. I think I should stop there and sir for a bit."
"Good idea," Loona agreed, taking Poch's arm and leading him to the bench.
"I'll grab your daggers," Moxxie said, going to the weapons that laid on the ground.
"Wait, hold on!" Solis shouted.
"Hm?" Moxxie grabbed the weapons and electricity rolled up his arms from the daggers. "GHSNEKFHHRKS!" He let go and fell back, smoke rising from his body.
"Moxxie!" Millie cried out, picking up her husband.
"What's cooking?" Moxxie said dazily.
"You gotta be allowed to take them or else...that," Solis informed, gesturing at the fried Moxxie.
"Ouch, glad I didn't go for them," Blitzø remarked.
"Sorry Mox." Poch came by to get his weapons before going back to the bench to sit.
"Well then," Gen said, "while Poch is resting let's continue. Solis and Shelly were still going, though they got to flirting again."
The two hounds blushed. "Sorry." They said in unison.
"Alright, Solis can fight Dundy then!" Jack said, puting the GB Holders away and turning his Scythe back to normal.
"Actually, let's have the lovey doveys spar a bit longer. This is a good time to talk to you and Poch," Dundy stated.
"Something up?"
"It's a private thing so,"
"Say no more," Blitzø but in, "we'll just stay on the other side to let you chat! Cmon crew!" Blitzø walked off with Millie, who's carrying Moxxie, in tow.
"Huh, surprised he's not trying to delve into your secrets," Loona commented.
"Maybe it's because he saw himself fight," Poch commented.
"You gonna be ok?"
"I'll be fine. Using the Chaos Blade for a long time puts a strain on me due to feedback. Just give me some resting time."
"Alright," Loona got up, "I'll be over there then." She went to meet up with the others.
Dundy and Jack walked to Poch, Jack sitting next to the Exterminator. "So what's up?" Jack asked.
"...it's about what I found during the purge," Dundy started.
Poch and Jack straighten up, their attention grabbed. "What'd you find?" Poch asked.
"Someone or something...was tearing a hole from Earth to Hell."
End.
Next chapter. Needed answers.
