Chapter 5: Guns and Roses
Marluxia glanced over at his blonde companion. She had claimed the bench for herself, and was currently curled up with a copy of one of the Marquis de Sade's novels.
"So… we have to beat up this twerp?" she inquired, flipping a page in the book.
Marluxia nodded. "Yes, Larxene. Now that it's allowed, your assistance may be valuable. At the very least, it will make you look better in the Superior's eyes."
Larxene rolled her eyes. "Like I care what the Superior thinks…" The Savage Nymph shut her book and stretched lazily. Rising to her feet, she began to exit the labyrinthian garden. She paused at the edge of the grove Marluxia usually resided in, resting a hand on her hip. "What's the plan?"
Marluxia smirked and began to explain.
--Battle Tournament--
Wolfwood was scrutinizing the entrance to the garden. He had heard from other contestants, from spectators, about what was in that Garden. Monster flowers, demon trees, and a pink-haired man who seemed to be the orchestrator of the mad garden.
The gunslinger bit on the cigarette in his mouth. He knew that he had to get the man out and away from the garden, but how? And even if he could lure his opponent out, how was he to keep the man away from plants??
"You look a little lost… need some help?" a sweet voice cooed to him from the left.
Wolfwood turned to face a short woman. She had an odd glint in her eyes, and her entire demeanor had a false air. "I'm fine," he replied, his gaze returning to the maze's entrance. The woman peered over at where he was looking. "Are you waiting for somebody?" Wolfwood gave no answer. Right now, he had no time to deal with this woman and thus he missed the woman's lightening quick scowl. "A man already walked out of there already. Looked like he was in an awful hurry…"
The woman's word captured his attention. "A man did? What did he look like?"
The woman raised a finger to her lips, tilting her head as if trying to remember. "Pink hair… black robe… muscular… why, were you waiting for him?"
A part of Wolfwood was happy that the man was out of his den, but the practical part of him worried. If the man was gone, then where had he gone to? To another garden? To one of the numerous flower shops?? To a cafè??
"Hey, are you listening to me?" The woman's voice broke his chain of thought. "I said, it looked like he was heading for that flower shop down the way. You know, the one with all the roses…"
"Thank you," Wolfwood stated, eyeing the woman once more. He didn't have any objections to a woman helping him… but something about this woman seemed off. He paused before moving to see if the woman's advice was true. Something about this screamed trap, but it wasn't like he could not not fight the man. This was the only lead he had right now.
As the man began to walk, he justified his actions. "Vash has done stupider things…"
He didn't notice the blonde disappear into a black portal behind him.
--Battle Tournament--
Marluxia spread his arms apart in what appeared to be a placating gesture as he watched Wolfwood enter the small store, stopping at the threshold. "Welcome," he said grandiosely, "To the Red Rose. Do feel free to browse around…"
Wolfwood made no reply except to unsling the cross from his back, unwrapping it to reveal a large machine gun.
"Rather violent for a priest, aren't you?" Marluxia commented, making no move to defend himself.
Wolfwood shrugged. "Get that a lot…" he commented, before he fired.
The Marluxia before him burst into a shower of petals. Wolfwood cursed, looking around rapidly, before quickly taking a diagonal step back. If his movement had been a shade slower, his head would have been pierced by a kunai.
"Wow you're fast. This is going to be fun!" A voice giggled. Wolfwood whirled around to see the short woman from earlier staring at him. She was floating a foot above the ground, and between each of her fingers a kunai was held. Wolfwood distanced himself from the door of the shop, as the woman threw her kunai at him, apparently toying with him. She didn't even flinch when he fired at her, dodging with an easy grace. Wolfwood knew he had hit her, there was blood on the lower half of her coat.
He was forced to stop retreating when a scythe cut through the air behind him, neatly cutting off the back of his cross. Marluxia had returned. "Surrender?" the pink haired man inquired nonchalantly.
Wolfwood made no reply except to turn to fire at him. The nobody disappeared once more, reappearing at the woman's side. "Larxene, finish him." A malacious grin spread across the woman's face.
Lightning rained down around Wolfwood, showering the area in sparks. The smoker tried to distance himself from the machine gun, a large makeshift lightning rod, but the lightning struck first. It raced through his system, making him woozy and slow.
Marluxia slowly walked over, kicking Wolfwood onto his back. "Still breathing," he grunted. He looked over at Larxene. "Been practicing?"
The blonde smirked. "Demyx has been annoying me lately," she stated flippantly. "Now come on. I heard they have stores of every kind here and I have things I want to buy…"
"No handcuffs," Marluxia grimaced as he stared back down at Wolfwood. "You can go on your own. I have to finish up here."
Larxene shrugged. "Your loss…" she mumbled, leaving.
Marluxia stared down at the man, who was trying to recover. "I still have to finish you… wouldn't do for you to recover and try to attack me before the round ends…" The nobody summoned his scythe and slammed the butt of scythe's handle into Wolfwood's forehead. The man slipped into unconsciousness. Marluxia smirked. "One more round to go…" he stated, dismissing his scythe. He allowed himself a moment to gloat, before swiftly turning and leaving, his footsteps echoing in the air.
Disclaimer: I own nothing… nothing nothing nothing…
Author's note: So… um… yeah, definitely not my best. My apologies. Digressing, my opponent author in this round is jjp55, so good luck to him!! A few notes on Larxene… yes she is in character. She reads Marquis De Sade and is into… that… sort… of… stuff… yeah, moving on. Thanks for reading!!