Humanity's Finest
Chapter 9
Dempsey quickly got off of Volteer's back before he unslung his M-14 and scanned his surroundings with the rifle raised and ready to fire. The cheetah and moles were quick to follow Dempsey's example as they pulled out their own weapons, the dragons led by the Guardians themselves were already on the move, with Terrador leading a small group ahead to scout the ares, leaving Volteer and Cyril alone to protect Dempsey and the others while leading the remaining dragons. Dempsey slowly walked along a stoney path as his eyes scanned his surroundings for anything unusual; the cheetah's seperated themselves from the group, jumping onto tree branches as they notched an arrow for their bows. The moles themselves burrowed under ground, leaving Dempsey alone with the group of dragons and hidden cheetah's; without looking back Dempsey pressed himself on passing through the trees, stepping over bushes and boulders. He stopped and slid into cover behind a medium sized boulder as a small group of human sized apes walked into view. He took a peak from his cover and was surprised when the moles suddenly appeared under their feet. The apes were taken completely by surprise, and were unable to react quickly enough to defend themselves. The moles with their swords and spears in hand were quick to make short work of the apes by stabbing and slashing the monkeys in their arms, legs, feet and the torso. The apes fell to the ground yelling in agony as they felt their arms and legs get chopped off, their blood spraying wildly in every direction as they tried in vain to stop the blood.
A volley of arrows emerged from the trees, and were easily able to find their targets, cutting down the ones that were beginning to fight back. The apes that were lucky, were quick enough to both see the arrows coming and raise their shields to deflect them. Those that weren't, the last thing they felt before they felt death's embrace was the feeling of their hearts, lungs and limbs being punchered. The moles were able to finish off the rest by stabbing, hacking and slashing the monkey in various places, leaving them to gag in their own blood. All of this occured within moments and the moles satisfied that the apes were dead burrowed themselves once more underground. Dempsey couldn't help but whistle in appreciation at the effectiveness that ambush displayed. Dempsey was currently happy that they were his allies for the moment, he didn't want to keep searching the trees and staring at the ground every five minutes even if it did make things interesting for him.
Dempsey walked to the corpses, he knelt and examaned it, with a shake of his head Dempsey sighed and stood up. "Well, a few less makes it easer for me." He mumbled with a frown. Volteer and Cyril who were flanked by the rest of the group came into view, panting as they stopped to catch their breath' Dempsey who was a few feet away from them snickered in amusement.
"Having fun?" Dempsey asked them with a smirk. "Or, should I slow down so you can keep up with me?"
Volteer stared at Dempsey with an amused look while Cyril glared at him but had a smile showing that he was also amused. "Why I never thought a human could outrun a dragon!" Volteer exclaimed with excitement. Dempsey gave the electric an uncaring shrug and pointed at the trees. "I'm smaller than you, and the trees were in your way. I can move through them easily; and if there wasn't many trees blocking my way, I could be able to pass through them without slowing myself down."
Cyril who was more focused on the pile of apes behind Dempsey widened his eyes. Dempsey noticed it and looked at the Ice Guardian with a questioning look written on his face.
"What?" Dempsey saw that Cyril was looking behind him and realised that the dragon was looking at the corpses. "Oh them," He threw a thumb in the bodies direction "I didn't take'em down. You can thank the moles and Cheetah's for that." Dempsey continued with a shrug, "Besides, it saves me from wasting the ammo I have."
Dempsey turned with a dark look, coldly staring at the corpses. "Then again, I think these may be the attackers you're looking for."
One of the dragons with red scales broke off from the main group and slowly walked behind Dempsey. Dempsey sidestepped away, allowing the dragon to get a clear view without any problems. After a moment of silence the fire dragon snorted in disgust.
"Apes, I am certain that these are our elusive ambushers." Cyril and Volteer stared at each other with their mouths hanging open in surprise. "I thought they were cursed upon Malefor's release...!" Volteer said as he bared his teeth.
"Wait, wait, wait. Apes, the very same guys that almost killed you guys off?" All the dragons nodded. Dempsey growled and twisted his wists, getting a sickening crack out of them. "I'll rip their guts out!" He declared violently.
Cyril shook his head to this much to Dempsey's disappointment. "No, if they are no longer cursed then someone must have freed them." Dempsey nodded seeing that the dragon was right in a sinse.
"But we don't know who. Great, invesigate first' then punting monkeys second." Dempsey said with an evil smile. "Sounds like a job 'The Tank' can do."
"So what's the plan Sarge?" Polonsky asked making everyone stare at Roebuck. While he wasn't sure the Nazi and Jap could be trusted for what they did, but he didn't have much of a choice, and right now kicking the ape's asses is their number one priority.
"Well, first of all, retaking this village should be second priority on our 'to do list'." Roebuck begun getting an amused chuckle out of Miller. Ignoring the Private, Roebuck continued. "Our first would be dealing with these monkeys, and getting our weapons back."
"Vell, Nikolai and I can spare our own weapons for now." Richtofen said as he slung his MP-40 over his shoulder; before unholstering his duel wielded CZ-75's. Nikolai looked like he was about to protest but Takeo quickly smacked the Soviet across the head earning a glare that said "Do that again and I'll kill you!".
"Nikorai, these American's need all the herp they can get. Give them you're pistol!" Growled Takeo lowering his head while shouldering his 74 for effect. Groaning Nikolai gritted his teeth before unholstering his own CZ-75' and handed it to a surprised and reluntant Polonsky. Richtofen handed his own pistols to Roebuck and Miller, and handed them a few magazines and briefly gave them instructions on how they worked and the firepower they held. They were rather surprised when they learnt the weapons they held was capable of dismembering their targets. That and it carried more then eight rounds and it could go fully automatic!
"What about those weapons the Jap and Russian have? What kind of weapons are they? SMGs or LMGs?" Asked a now curious Polonsky, eyeing the weapons they had. It was only after he examaned his CZ-75 that he finally noticed they had more complex looking weapons than the ones they were used to.
"Big Russian Assault Rifles!" Nikolau slurred spreading out his arms in a vain attempt to make himself more dramatic. Zoidius and Spyro stared at the humans with raised brows; if there's one thing that they agreed on, Mankind were a strange yet violent people.
"Do we have any idea how big the village is?" Miller suddenly asked with a serious expression. "Because we haven't got the slightest idea."
"Actually. He found a map a while ago-" Zoidius said pointing a talon at Takeo. "And it showed the entire village on it."
At this everyone stared at the Jap with raised brows. Takeo merely shrugged acting as if it wasn't a big deal but he took the map out anyway and handed it over to Roebuck. Unfolding the map Roebuck took his time learning the buildings and how large the village was. It wasn't until Richtofen coughed that Roebuck decided he learnt enough make a plan to fight the monkeys.
"Ok, we'll have to a pincer move on these assholes." Roebuck said, he turned at Polonsky and he continued in a serious voice. "Polonsky, Miller and I will move through the middle." Both Miller and Polonsky reluctantly nodded to that, even if they didn't show anything Roebuck could tell they weren't happy, he didn't spend nearly four years in the army and learn how to read their body expression for nothing. But he put their unease aside for now as he addressed Spyro. "Think you can provide us some air support? Just put any apes down that intend to outflank us."
Spyro gladly accepted as he spread his wings open' Roebuck nodded at Spyro moments before the purple dragon took to the skies above them. Both Polonsky and Miller whistled in amasement when Spyro spread his wings in the sky just as the moon behind Spyro reflected off his scales, if they didn't know it was him they would have thought Spyro was some kind of demon.
"Vell, zat is rather amasing! Zhe vay the moon shines his scales; it is so wunderbar!" Richtofen said with excietment. Takeo shook his head although he didn't show it, he was very amused with Richtofen's reaction. Nikolai stumpled over to Roebuck and snatched the map from his hands, causing Roebuck to shout out in surprise at him.
Nikolai examaned the map for a minute or two while Miller and Polonsky tried to stop Roebuck from punching his face in.
"From this plan of yours I can see that you want to use that purple creature to outflank the enemy when he sees them, yea?" Nikolai asked looking up at a restrained Roebuck. Ignoring the glare he received from the marine Nikolai continued as he studied the map. "However, with only three of you on the ground, and one above this maybe doomed to fail." Nikolai stared at Zoidius and spoke to him with authority. "You there! Black scaled creature-"
"Dragon!" Zoidius said with irritation. "I'm a dragon."
"Ok... 'Dragon'" Zoidius growled threateningly at Nikolai. "You are to accompany purple creature and these marines. Make sure the enemy falls before you." Nikolai continued with a sigh. "Takeo, myself and Richtofen will shadow you from the buildings." He added pointing at Richtofen and Takeo. "This pincer move of yours will need all avaliable support for it to work."
"Once again the Russian is wise." Takeo commented with a neutral look. But that expression quickly shifted into an evil look. "Too bad he isn't rike this arr the time."
"Indeed, zat vas rather refreshing. Useually Dempsey vas ze one to make these plans." Richtofen added.
"Roebuck, not to be a spoil-sport or anything like that. The soviet does have a point. We need all the help we can get in this." Roebuck looked at his team mate for a moment, and reluctantly nodded. Polonsky and Miller released their grip on their superior and watched as Roebuck walked to the three unlikely allies and spoke to them with all seriousness he could muster.
"Ok, I'll let you three and your friend here help us. But if you want to help us, you gotta stay in line and follow my orders. Understand?"
Zoidius growled threateningly at Roebuck, with his teeth bared and nostrols flaring. Nikolai was forced to scowl the black dragon. "Zoidius, mind yourself comrade. We don't need more enemies than we already have."
"Fine. But I don't like people ordering me around."
"Sometimes taking and giving orders are nessesary in teamwork comrade." Nikolai replied. Zoidius merely shook him off before taking off after Spyro who was currently watching them with disinterest.
"So..." Spyro said in a friendly manner. "How'd you end up with them?"
"I attacked one of them because I thought they were working for the Dark Master." Zoidius gorwled. His face began to soften when he saw the six begin to seperate from each other. "Strange bunch those three are though."
Spyro smiled to himself. Humans were strange yes, but they can be deadly Dempsey himself proved that to him and the Guardians. The smile was replaced with a frown, he still didn't know why Dempsey turned on them; but now that Takeo, Nikolai and Richtofen were back, maybe, just maybe, Dempsey is back too.
"It seems the Holy One wants to use you..." Grim said as he stared at a confused Cynder with disappointment. "Why she would want to use you in a mystery to me."
Cynder snarled at Grim in response who merely laughed in her face.
"Please, as if you could harm me!" He showed Cynder his sword 'Blood-thirst' causing her to stare at her own reflection as Grim continued. "With every kill this sword grants me the power to slay a full grown dragon. So. Do. Not. Test. Me, dragoness!"
"Grim!" Samantha voice echoed accusingly causing Cynder to jump and look around for the voice. "She is not to be harmed, UNDERSTAND!" She yelled making Grim protect his ears. After a moment of silence Samantha continued in a less threatening manner, making Cynder sigh in relief.
"Cynder, there has been a... slight change of plan." Cynder rose a brow in confusion, as she opened her mouth to speak Samantha interrupted her. "It seems Dempsey has friends, three scaled giants are protecting him."
"The guardians..." Cynder whispered.
"Indeed. Grim release Cynder at once!" Samantha ordered much to Grim's displeasure. "Do NOT disobey me, ape." She growled when Grim made to attempt to release the dragoness. Scowling Grim reluntantly placed his hand inside his pouch, after a few seconds of scuffling through his pouch Grim pulled out a small blue key and tossed it to Cynder; who stared at it with a confused look.
"What the heck am I meant to do with this?" She demanded looking at Grim with a fixed stare.
Grim chuckled as he crossed his arms while giving her a smug expression. "You eat it of course." He said bluntly, Cynder gave him a shocked stare that said "Are you crazy!" making Grim laugh at her. "I am completely serious, that key was made by The Holy One herself. There was a magical enchantment surrounding you, only the person that eats the key can cancel it out."
"As stupid as Grim appears to be Cynder-" Grim growled at her, but Samantha ignored him. "He is right. That key must be devouroured."
Cynder cringed at the thought of her eating the key, both her teeth and jaw being in unbarable pain as she tried to chew. At first she thought this was a sad joke on their part; but seeing the serious expression on Grim's face quickly put that thought aside. Cynder reluntantly entangled the key with her tail and reluctantly brought it to her mouth. Grim smiled when Cynder opened her mouth and placed the key inside, and smirked when Cynder tried to spit the key out of her mouth.
"Don't bother. Once the key is in you're mouth it melts almost instantly, hense the horrible taste in your mouth." Grim explained as he laughed when Cynder gave him an evil glare. Cynder licked her own scales in a vain attempt to get rid of the taste on her tongue, as she did this Samantha began to talk gently to her.
"It'll pass eventully."
"Is that meant to reassure me?" Cynder asked with sarcasim.
A moment of silence had passed with no one willing to talk, until Samantha spoke up' with a bluntly said "No." which made Grim fall on the floor laughing. Cynder gave Grim a disgusted look as she felt something foreign wash over her body. Although she couldn't see it Cynder had a feeling Samantha was smiling at her, she looked around the small part of the room she was in and noticed various lines surrounding her in a circle.
"That would be the 'enchantment' the key you've ate would protect you from." Samantha whispered in her ear, making Cynder shiver uncomfortably. "You can now see things that other people normally wouldn't. Enchantments being one of them." She added, her voice becoming distant with each passing second.
"So I can just step on through?" Cynder asked looking at the green lines with suspition, she still wasn't sure if the key she ate did anything; nor did she trust Grim. How would she know he wouldn't attack her once she escapes. Would something happen if she stepped through the lines?
Samantha answered the questions that were going through Cynder's mind, and answered her, literally inside of her own head.
"If you attempted to pass before you ate the key, your entire body would have been fried from the inside." Samantha said without any kind of emotion in her voice, something that made Cynder think she was not going to be fine. The evil glare that came from the now standing Grim didn't help to reassure her. Cynder blankly stared at the floor in silence for what seemed like hours to her, but in reality only a few minutes had passed before Cynder looked up and ran straight into the lines. At the last moment Cynder closed her eyes before she ran straight into the green lines, Grim looked on before shielding his eyes from a blinding light that caged Cynder from escaping.
"I-I'm alive...?" Cynder gasped in disbelief, Grim had unshielded his eyes and locked his eyes onto Cynder who was staring where she formally was; the green lines were there but they were more revealled, more intense. The lines looked like pure energy, shaped like an orb to trap the victim within.
"Of course your alive. You didn't think I was stupid enough to allow The Holy One's chosen to die would you?" Grim said with a sadistic smile. "Becides, what use are you too her dead?" He asked rhetorically.
Cynder growled frustratingly at Grim who laughed at her in responce. Without even thinking of what she was doing Cynder blurted out "If I wasn't helping 'The Holy One' right now, I would slit your throat!". Grim merely laughed even harder at her, Cynder didn't have to know that Grim didn't take her threat seriously, him laughing at her was proof enough.
"I swear by the ancestors Grim, I'll kill you." She promiced.
Dempsey was busy kicking corpses on their backs with his boot. He's scouted ahead with one of the earth dragons whom Terrador sent to keep an eye on him. Even if Dempsey prefered to by himself he was kind of glad he had some backup if things went down south. Dempsey nicknamed the earth dragon in question 'Rock' mainly because it was amusing for Dempsey to see the dragon get irritated, and it was easer than remembering his original name' that he had already forgotten.
"Find anything Rock?" Dempsey asked.
"For the love of my Ancestors! My name is Quake, Q-u-a-k-e." Dempsey stiffled a laugh although he had difficulty holding it in. "I don't know, 'Rock' sounds alot better than Quake!" Dempsey laughed, much to Quake's irriation.
Sighing triedly to himself Quake had told Dempsey that since the apes are in the area they have to be very careful from now on. Of course Dempsey, being the hot headed man that he is didn't like that but agreed with Quake on the matter. As Dempsey and Quake were busy examing the corpses they didn't notice a pair of sickly glowing eyes watching them with less than worthy intent.
The person in question was a new member of the undead, but not unlike the human's Dempsey was used to fighting. No this one was different entirely, the body of a dead fire dragon, with deeply cut scars that were barely closed, scarred blood red eyes were wide enough to actually bludge out. His remaining scales rebuilt to be almost impenetrable and his mouth hanging open with blood mixed with saliva dripping out. This zombie is one of the many prototypes created to combat the living.
As the dragon hunched down spreading out his broken wings he was about to make his first strike on the living. And he was going to make sure he succeeds in completeing his mission - "Strike at Tank Dempsey and Infect him."