Remedy Chapter 3: Woman In Red, a resident evil fanfic

Ch. 3 - Woman In Red.

So far, things had been pretty okay, Leon would tell you.

No monks or men had come his way even though Ashley and himself were wandering a large room, a fairly large room. Two statues hung upside down within the room, looking to be women covered by cloth, sparkles covering their stone eyes. Lifting the gun and with an ace shot and a small click, the sparkle fell onto the rich red carpet in the center of the room. Treasures were nice and it helped a lot that them just seemed to be all of the castle and other places, it made the American agent wonder but he paid no mind to thoughts like that, he was still on duty. Still on guard, The blond moved forward, picking up the small pink jewel, he put the spinel aside in his pocket as he moved on and soon a merchant gave his friendly greeting.

"Ah! Welcome Stranger!" He called out and moved his gloved hand to touch his coat and whip it open to show ammo and other supplies.

From the corner of his eye, Leon saw Ashley wrinkle her nose to the merchant man, remaining at a bit of a distance behind the agent. Shrugging it off, He bought a first aid spray and even upgraded the capacity on his handgun and trusty rifle as well as it's firepower. Shoving the clip into the handgun and triggering it to hold fire, the man looked to the dark cloaked merchant and thanked him as he turned to Ashley and passed her by to begin leading once again.

"How can you even trust that man?" The college girl asked with a small scowl on her pretty face, eyebrows knitted as her arms were raised into small fists against her chest. That made Leon shrug as he moved casually on his way, eying every little thing that could harm the girl.

"He isn't a threat to us and besides, I could use every bit of help from a person who's willing to not kill me." The comment was shot back and that easy going smile was back on the blond's face as he looked over his shoulder at Ashley, raising an eyebrow. Ashley blushed a bit, feeling that Leon had a bit of a point and followed after him as she directed her hazel eyes onto the carpet.

"So, um Leon, You're not mad at me from earlier are you?" Ashley spoke light hearted, still embarrassed, her cheeks burning.

"Heh, Not at all, you got quite the punch there, princess." Leon chuckled, acting friendly for the girl's benefit. The moment had been ruined however, by one small cough of blood. The sun blonde girl stared to her trembling hands as pain surged through every nerve of her small being. She couldn't breath, that's what she felt. She couldn't fucking breathe.

Leon looked over, concern smeared on his pretty boy features as he lowered his gun and moved to Ashley, reaching out a hand to give some sort of comfort as he asked,

"Hey, Are you okay?" Ashley glared to the agent as she shoved him away, she could take care of herself, after all it was just a stupid cough and a little blood.

"I'm fine! Leave me alone!" It was screamed and the stomp of the brown boots occurred across the red flooring.

"Ashley! Stop!" Leon instantly shouted and bolted after her, the damn girl was going to get herself killed if she bolted every time he asked her something. Rusted spikes shot from the floor, separating the two as Ashley stared fear stricken at Leon and instinct took over as she shuffled back until she was at a wall. Metal bars enclosed her and she screamed and struggled, she didn't want to be captured, she didn't want to go back to that room again. She would go mad.

"Leon! Help!" Were her last words before the wall turned itself to hid the daughter of the president.

Leon gritted his teeth as one thought ran through his head, his green-blue eyes hard.

Shit.

Salazar held a small black device in his hand as his gold eyes were locked on it, A radio.

"I suppose we should send our little American friend a message," The Castellan suggested with a raised eyebrow to his men, who were motionless in position as they stared with their red eyes to their master, saying nothing as they held their insignia staffs in hard grips. The transmission button was pushed and the tickle at the back of the villain's throat stirred but he held it back as he bit his tongue, watching as the fuzzy picture displayed at the other end was shown and soon perfected as Leon Kennedy took it's place and any source of hope of seeing a sane human faded as a hard glare beamed to the certain small plagus infected being.

"Salazar!" Was boomed into the radio and the Castellan sighed as he leaned his arm on his throne and then rested his chin upon the closed fist. "Surprised to see me? Of course, I'm sure you were informed we had jacked the line." He said in a some what cocky tone but that was his true character showing through. The look of a want to kill was then on the agent's face as the color purple was lightly colored under his eyes and the want to just leave Spain in hope of a happy ending seemed to be begging. Salazar then grinned as he hoped to crush that opportunity.

"Well after all, We didn't want you telling everyone any unnecessary information." The grey haired man spoke, tilting his head a bit.

"Where's Ashley!" Was demanded at the other end and it was simply priceless to hear those words. The Castellan paused as his eyes widened and a smile was on his face, it had not only been a few moments after the two had escaped and already, Little Miss Ashley Graham was back into his mits and captured. That certainly put him back into a pleasant mood. Her precious figure at his grimly little fingertips, how interesting.

"Ah, So she fell into one of our wonderful traps." Rich words were spoken back, life certain was good.

"Don't worry Mr. Kennedy, We'll find her, don't you worry about that." Salazar assured as he showed his yellowed aged teeth of a cruel grin as he bowed his head a bit, bits of gray haired falling from beneath his rich blue and gold encrusted hat.

"Oh and Mr. Scott, I let our miserable insects from the sewer, they were causing such a fuss after all and maybe a little exercise could solve that."

Leon rolled his eyes as he shifted on the screen, bearing the look of annoyance, he mumbled.

"Thanks, That should keep me company 'cause all this boredom was killing me."

A frown was at the pasty skin of the villain, such a smart comment to such an act of kindness. The goose chase would end with him victorious, that was a fact Salazar would prove.

"Make all the comments you want Mr. Kennedy, I look forward to our next encounter, In another life." Before the American agent could say another word, the transmission was cut off and and small footsteps acted on tile flooring as the radio was left to rest on the cushion of the rich blue throne, the static noise soft, for the Castellan held more things on his mind.

He was off to see Ashley once more.

With small grunts and cries, Ashley tried to free herself.

Even thought the fact that the metal bars were bigger then her arm and not exactly breakable with her kind of standards, she wouldn't give up remaining as a captive. The room was certainly bigger as she seemed to be at the center wall, all the room's attention directed to her. A marble platform was low to overlook her as the light of the room held a light glow from the petite chandelier that held above her. In the shined tile floor below her, she could see her reflection, the struggling small form of which she was. This was just great. Yet she had Leon she could rely on and hopefully he wouldn't take as long to come and rescue her.

"Help!" The blond college student shouted loudly as she continued to shake her body against the cold steel bars that bound her to the wall.

"Leon! Help me!" Her legs felt like rubber, forcing to stand tall and straight as she could only wait for a hero to come back. Bits of sun blond hair fell into her cream colored face, hazel eyes annoyingly glaring to the surroundings of the rich colored room as she hated the place and every fucking gando and person in it.

As soon as she got back to her father, Something was going to be done with Spain and it's little 'virus' problem. Most of all, That little man that loved to torture her so much, wouldn't ever touch her again.

"Captured again, Miss Ashley?" Was heard from above and on that marble platform was the last person she wanted to see. Bearing that horrid grin and the usual two men beside him, Salazar looked down upon Ashley as his head was at a tilt and his arms behind his back, one hand in the other.

"It seems that you just can't ever win, can you?" He spoke in a soft mocking tone, shaking his head as if he expected more which of course, he didn't.

"Leon will come for me, I know he will!" She shouted back, the look of trustful determination read her features.

The golden eyes of the villain were hard as they glared to the girl, a look that almost made Ashley regret her words, almost. Salazar turned on his heels as he retreated back up the stairs of the platform and made his way to the main level of the room, his hand touching the railing as he paced about.

"You have so much confident in that agent, what makes you think that he can assure you'll get out alive," Was hissed and Ashley shuttered as those words touched her ears.

"Or even worse," Salazar suggested as he paused and then launched himself over the railing, his shoes smacking hard on the polished tile flooring, making the sun blonde girl jump a bit as her hazel eyes were wide in shock. Slowly, The short man raised his body to fully stand as a smirk played on his pale face and his eyes didn't move off it's target.

"When you become one of us," The footsteps became active in sound as they moved toward the young daughter of the president and soon, Salazar was before her.

"Will Mr. Kennedy save you then?" At that moment, the Castellan lifted his fingers at the bottom of the orange sweater and slid his fingers beneath the clothing, he could feel the warm skin of Ashley's belly underneath.

With a gasp, The blond lifted her head up and her eyes were shut, She then began to scream.

Gotcha.

Was the exact thought Leon Kennedy had as he aimed his shotgun steadily at the invisible space before him, not holding back to shoot and make beige ooze drip onto the dirty flooring of what seemed to be the basement, a loud defeating hiss was mustered from the invisible being as what looked to be an overgrown bug viciously falling onto it's back as it squirmed and hissed in aching torment, it's emerald eyes no longer aglow with life. That seemed to be all of them since no footsteps were heard charging through the waters of the level and there was no faint hiss from the creatures which signaled they had found prey. Good, Leon thought with a sigh as he lowered his gun and moved forward to some barrels. Setting his gun aside as he took out his trusty knife and sliced through to find the gifts of some handgun ammo and ptas.

Which in the agent's mind looked more like more chances to escape death and to buy a niffy upgrade. Collecting the items, The American moved on, curiously observing the sounds coming from behind the next door as it didn't sound to welcoming but then again neither did the whole castle. Kicking the door open, Leon moved into the room and found the reason for the sounds. Giant pendulums swung through the room, each bearing the same impact of wind and creak. Moving closer, Leon kept time as each swing passed, reading himself to run. On the silver blade, The blond could see himself, his reflection. His blond hair not one out of place, his gun up and ready and his body in position to make a break for it and his blue-ish green eyes, they had burned nothing but red.

Shaking the sight from his mind, The giant blade passed and Leon ran swiftly to the next space where two pendulums swung. Why the hell would a room like this even exist in a castle? Leon wanted to question, flipping the hair from his face as he prepared himself again. Then again, This was Salazar's castle and all questioning stopped there. After landing the next run, the deep breath within the man's body was released and without turning his back to witness the things he had just gone through, he moved to a ladder and climbed his way to freedom of the dreaded basement. Once above the level, a beep was heard. Picking the radio from his pocket, the faint fuzzing picture of Hunnigan was on screen.

"Hunnigan?" Leon question, wondering if the woman on the other end had called for, the transmission was weak yet there had to be some important to the call.

"Leon-...I-...You must-..." The transmission became unclear as the fuzz interrupted every word yet the brown eyes of the brunette looked of some worry.

"A woman in red-..." With those words of concern, the transmission was shut down.

"Hunnigan!" Leon called out but there was nothing left to say. A frown was firmly in place as the radio was tucked away and Hunnigan's words lingered.

A woman in red, huh?

Salazar winced as he stumbled back from the action, his eye holding an annoyed twitch.

"Shut her up already!" The Castellan hissed as he turned his head back at his minions, his face twisted with a sneer as he demanded. The Verdugos moved swiftly along, one firmly smacking one hand over the college girl's mouth to silence the scream, the short villain sighed as he lowered his head, soaking in the quiet peace that his castle now bared. A sound of a rather unpleasant crunch was heard and Salazar looked up as he saw the hand of his left hand man begin to bleed a rather distasteful colored ooze. Ashley had bit him. The cloaked man blinked his red colored eyes and looked over to his master to complete another command, hopeful one that involved killing the girl.

"Do not harm Miss Ashley." Was spoken firmly and the cloaked beings nodded as they did not speak.

"I have further use for her but until then she is to be unharmed." With cold golden eyes, a hard gaze of hazel met the same glance.

"My my, You certainly are a selfish being Miss Graham but I'm afraid I have other company to attend to." The pale man grinned, finding it to be that time once again to keep a certain agent in check of who he was really dealing with.

"We must direct our attention of Mr. Kennedy," Salazar spoke aloud and the left and right hand men nodded as they followed after their master and left Ashley alone.

"I fear he is still alive." Was mumbled from the lips of the villain and left through a door that was slammed shut behind him, holding a staircase that led to high level of another room where many monks and other minions were held. All seemed to be in order, Salazar thought as he moved to the main railing and leaned as his hands touched it and the door below was opened as one entered the room.

"What a pleasant surprise," The Castellan exclaimed as Leon lifted his head, standing at the entrance of the very room.

"I'm afraid it's Ashley we need," A grimy finger was lifted as it was directed to the American, the small villain's head lifted.

"Not you, Mr. Kennedy." The blond gritted his teeth at that, moving forward a bit.

"If you don't need me then why don't you get off my back, old man!" Leon shouted back, not exactly loving this reunions in the least. That made Salazar chuckle.

"Did you say old man, Mr, Kennedy? It may come as a surprise but I am only twenty years old." The agent then smirked, giving a 'heh' as that didn't surprise him at all.

"So you're just like all the others? A puppet of the parasites?" Bits of blond blocked the man's cream colored features yet the visible eye was hard with all seriousness.

"Surely you don't think I'm the same as those diminutive ganados! The parasite, Las Plagus, are slaves to my will!"Salazar spoke in a disgusted manner yet his features soon softened on his pasty veined face.

"I have absolute control." The old power obsessed villain, as if Leon hadn't heard that one before, The agent only rolled his eyes at the comments.

"Well I really don't give a damn, rain or shine, you're going down." Now what sort of manners were that? Truly like an American, Salazar thought with a hiss and hidden parts of the wall were lifted as men with orange skull helmets were shown and scythes were bared. The man wouldn't be so tough outnumbered now would he? The Castellan glared hard as his pointed his finger to Leon once more before he walked away.

"Get rid of our American friend."

The bitter taste didn't seem to leave.

Still the nasty taste of the Verdugo man was at Ashley's tongue. The sour expression was on her pretty little features as she had tried to get rid of it, even by spitting on the nicely polished flooring, the taste just wouldn't fade away. There was no chance of her actually escaping on her own, this was just something she knew and it seemed that Leon was taking his sweet time getting to her. Yet she couldn't pull all that pressure on him, after all, this wasn't any of his fault. The American agent was doing only what was possible to keep her safe and she had to be grateful for that yet these bars weren't getting any loose from that. The vivid image of the blond stuck to her mind, he was so kind and protective, it didn't matter if it was his job, it just seemed like the kind of guy he really was.

"Leon..." The college girl spoke faintly and lowered her head, her struggle over as she was lost in her own thinking.

Her loose hands formed to fists, her mind racing as fast as her heart ever could, the many shades of red coated her cheeks. Well in the end, when all the gandos were defeated and that small creep Salazar had his head on a silver platter, maybe something could truly start from the little adventure. Maybe Leon could even do some 'overtime' with her. At that thought, The sun blond's cheeks were on fire and she could literally feel her heart thud out of her chest. Maybe being captured wasn't so bad in the first place, it sounded pretty silly. Yet that cold chill, Ashley shivered at the memory, the not so faint flashback of the Castellan's fingertips dancing at her stomach. It drove her nerves to be uneasy, a chill shook up her spine and even her fingers cringed at the memory. A memory that she somehow wish she would never forget. The cold touch that made her heart pound. Well of course out of fear! I mean, every time she saw that creepy pest, she would almost be raped!

Yet still, her heart was pounding. No, She had feelings for Leon. The damsel would have to live happily ever after with the hero and with Leon how could you not want something like that? That's why her heart was keeping such a steady beat. Ashley groaned, the corkscrew of pain twisted in her gut. That same feeling, just like before when she had ran from Leon. It is because of what the men had done to her? Something was shot in her neck, she knew that much. The parasite! That's what everyone keeps rambling about, right? Salazar even said himself that she would become one of them. No!

"Leon! Please, Leon Help! Help me!" Her soft voice screeched as she was wiggling again, her throat sore from all her past yelling. Why was freedom so hard to obtain? All she wanted to do was see her father again. Was that so wrong?

"L-Leon...please...I don't wanna be a monster!"

Leon loved dogs.

There was no hate in his heart for any creature and yet here was one that stood before him. A black furred dog, back ripped open as plagus tentacles lashed about, blood leaking from it as it's eyes were dead of yellow color, body ready to attack as it panted with it's tongue out. It should have been a huge hint from the call he had gotten from Salazar before he entered the hedge maze.

"Mr. Kennedy, still alive I see."

The shotgun seemed like the best choice. The gun clicked as it was lifted and the dog then launch into the air, leaping to tackle the agent with a vicious growl.

"So, do you like my garden?"

The gun was fired and the dog was forced back, landing with a thud on the ground as it seemed motionless but then moved to be back on it's paws, shaking off the gunfire as if it was nothing.

"Sagacious as I am, even I get lost here sometimes."

Another fire of the gun and the dog cried out in agony, whining as it's body was still on the patch of grass and soon the remains sank into the grass until nothing was left.

"Even if it takes your whole life, you'll never get out."

Tch. Why did the Castellan have to be so sarcastic? The maze wasn't that big after all, a few twists and turns here and there but still, Leon wasn't stupid in the least. Pumping the shot off with more rounds, the agent moved on, having to find two of the moonstone pieces to be able to enter the next area. There always had to be a puzzle somewhere.

"Do you know that no one dies without a cause? You will satisfy the stomach of my cute pets."

Leon had to snort at that, what the man thought was cute was way off any definition.

"Now if you'll excuse, I need to tie up a few loose ends. Like chasing down a couple of rats."

There was only one other person that Leon knew that wasn't buddy buddy with Salazar, there was Luis but then, who was the other person? Heh, Another intruder beside himself, it simply had him curious. After collecting the two pieces, The American returned to the door, combing the pieces to make one as he placed it in it's shape and the door was unlocked.

The room looked like a bedroom, seeing a bed at the other end as well as a dresser and even some fine china plates through the room. Stepping through onto the blue carpet, the agent froze as he felt cold metal poke at his lower back. A sweet voice then spoke. "Put your hands where I can see them." The voice felt familiar yet he was on a mission and surrendering wasn't an option.

"Sorry but following a lady's lead just isn't my style." Cockiness dripped from his voice, he couldn't help it.

"Put them up, now." The gun raised and then was pressed higher on his back. Within a second, The blond turned, gripping the woman's shoulder as he lowered the gun down, reaching to take it. Instantly, as if by reflex, The woman kicked the gun into the air, her body taking flight as her body gracefully made a three sixty.

The gun began to fall and at that moment, Leon took his knife from it's holder and rushed to the woman in red as her feet touched the floor and she caught the gun. Now face to face, Leon looked at the woman who wore sunglasses, holding his knife at her throat.

"Bit of advice, trying using knives next time. Works better for close encounters." He said and took the gun from the woman as he clicked the clip out and tossed it carelessly, backing off to see the full view of the woman in the red dress.

"Leon..." The name played off her red lips as the glasses were taken off.

"Long time, no see..." The blueish eyes widened.

"Ada...so it is true." The man began to walk, feeling his heart ache a bit. The long red dress slimmed the Asian woman's figure, the design of butterfly fell from one side as a black scarf fell past her shoulders. Tan skin, black hair with those red lips, the eyes of the woman held the lust to kill.

"True? About what?" Her voice was rich in innocence.

"You, working with Wesker." Leon said, he could see through her. The glasses fell onto the carpet, slipping from Ada Wong's fingers.

"I see you've been doing your homework." The agent shook his head, wondering what could have brainwashed the woman.

"Why Ada?" The woman smiled sweetly.

"What's it to you?" The cold reply came yet that didn't stop Leon of his curiosity.

"Why are you here? Why did you show up like this?" The brown eyes of the woman of his past glanced down to her fallen glasses, a flash of white filled the room and she had made her escape as she rolled to the window at the end of the room. Standing, she looked to Leon.

"See you around." She spoke and then leaped to her freedom.

"Ada!" The blond called out but it was too late and he was left standing alone in the room. A beep sounded in the amidst of silence and Leon pulled out his radio, There was Hunnigan. Lips pursed as her eyes were hard.

"I see you met the other intruder. You two knew each other?" Was asked and Leon nodded, an eyebrow raised as a smirk was on his face.

"Yeah, Maybe. You seem a little mad Hunnigan, something the matter?" He asked and then woman shook her head as she cleared her throat, calming her features.

"Not at all, I'm just a little irritated with the transmission as it is-" She began.

"You're not jealous, are you?" There was a bit of silence and the transmitting brunette felt her cheeks blush a bit.

"Do I have to remind you that you are still on duty?" Hunnigan quickly mustered up and the agent chuckled, nodding.

"Yeah, Yeah. I'm working on the mission right now, Leon out." The transmission was cut off.

"Still on duty? Heh, story of my life."

Chapter Three Complete.