Chapter 6: The great rescuer: Zero part 2 (To become a hunter)

The Count woke up next morning, put on his clothes and ordered Blaze and Silver to prepare themselves. The white hedgehog and the purple cat obeyed immediately, happiness filling them; because they knew one sure thing: The Count Has finally made up his mind.

They all went on their way to the Hunter base. Everything was just fine until they were suddenly attacked. Energy blasts were shot at the carriage and the Count knew whose they were. 'Reala!', he thought and ordered Blaze to head for Boulogne. There, he got out of the carriage and commanded her and Silver to go and get help from the Maverick Hunters. They both obeyed right away and went off to the Hunter Base.

The Count went on running deeper inside the forest until someone got in his way. It was a black hedgehog with indigo stripes:

?: Well, well, well, long time no see. The last time I saw you was when you ruined my fun with that weakling hedgehog.

The Count: Seelkadoom!

Seelkadoom: What? Aren't you happy to see me? This time, I'm going to cut you into pieces.

The Count: You won't get away with your crimes.

Seelkadoom: I think I've already got away.

Seelkadoom keeps striking the Count, making bruises and scratches all over his body. The Count could stand on his feet but weakly, and Seelkadoom rose his sword. "Any last words, shoesy?", he said with a smirk on his face. The Count closed his eyes waiting for his death. Surprisingly, he opened his eyes and looked at his hands. He didn't die! He then looked up and saw Zero blocking Seelkadoom's strike with his saber. He was shocked until Zero yelled at him: "Run!". The Count didn't respond to him, so he threw Seelkadoom backwards and turned around, "Go!", he shouted then ran away with the Count until they reached to an edge overlooking the river. 'Dead end!', the Count thought. Then, Seelkadoom appeared shortly and Zero stood in a fight position:

Zero: Stay behind me.

The Count: OK.

Seelkadoom(laughs): Looks like it's a dead end to you. Right, shoesy?

Zero: Can you ever stop calling people with a word you've just made up, shorty?

Seelkadoom(with anger): You're going to wish you haven't said that! Prepare to die!

Seelkadoom keeps walking towards them and they keep stepping back slowly. Then, the Count's foot slipped from the edge and he fell. "Count!", Zero shouted as he quickly sheathed his sword, grabbed the Count with one hand and held on to the edge with the other one:

Zero: Hang on!

The Count: It's no use, Zero! Let go of me!

Zero: No!

Seelkadoom: You heard him. Let go of him or else both of you are going to have bullets in your heads.

Zero: I said No!

Seelkadoom steps on Zero's hand which caused him to fall. But Zero is a saiyan, his stubbornness won't let him fall this easily. He used his fingers and pressed hardly into the rocks until he stopped. "Zero. Why?", the Count said looking down in depression. He continued: "Why are you risking your life to save me after all what I've done to you?"
"Because I'm a Maverick Hunter.", the Count looked up after hearing Zero's words. He saw the look of determine in the young hunter's eyes as he was tightening his grasp on him. "I'll never let go. Even if they ripped my body with bullets, I'll never let go Edmond!", Zero shouted the last sentence which made the Count's widen in shock. Does he really mean this?! "Zero.", the Count said quietly.

Then, a bullet hit Zero's waist which made him faint and loosen his grasp and fall. Fortunately, the Count acted fast and held Zero in his arms as they both fell in the river.
After that, he swam to the river bank pulling Zero with him. And when they reached there:

The Count: Zero. Zero. Come on, kid. Speak to me.(checks his breath)... Thank God, you're okay.

Seelkadoom(from behind): Not for long.

The Count(turns around): You! Stay away from him!

Seelkadoom(humiliatingly): Oh, no. I'm shaking of fear.(laugh)

The Count: Don't underestimate me, Seelkadoom! I won't let you hurt him!

Seelkadoom: Really?... Then come on, show me what you've got, shoes insect.

The Count(forms the fire spear in his hand): I'll show you the real power of the Count of Monte Cristo!

"What?!", Seelkadoom shouts as he notices the Count's increasing power. Before he could react, the Count dashed at him and stroke him with the spear. Seelkadoom couldn't hold on to the count's attack, so he was sent flaying backwards. 'This can't be! Where did get all this energy?!... Could be that this meddlesome hunter is the reason of this power?!', he thought. As he was about to do a counter attack, the Count's followers came. "You were lucky this time.", he said then he escaped.
When they reached him, the Count carried Zero and took him to his place in the Champs-Elysee.

Next morning, Zero woke up and fixed himself into sitting position. "You're finally up.", he turned his sight to the direction of the voice to see the Count sitting next to the bed:

The Count: I'm glad that you're still alive.

Zero: Yeah, me too. By the way, I could hear what you were saying while I was unconscious. Thanks for saving me.

The Count: Not at all. I'm the one who must be thanking you, Zero. You saved my life many times, i was just returning the favor.

Zero: Is that so? Then, it's fine to me.

The Count: Oh. By the way, your friends asked about you and I told them you're going to stay with me for a couple of weeks until your injuries are healed. They were really relieved with that, especially miss Iris and Mr X.

Zero: Really? Wow. They must've been worried-sick about me.

The Count: Sure they were. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you something.

Zero: What is it?

The Count: I think Vegeta and Double T still don't trust me. When they knew that you'll be staying here, they wanted to eat me alive but Ben hit them with the fan on their heads.

Zero: Well, I guess Vegeta will never be able to keep his 'pride' as the prince of all Saiyans.

They look at each other and laugh at how Zero simulated Vegeta. Then, they stopped laughing and the Count went to the window looking at the sky. "Zero. I want to ask you a favor.", he said nervously. Zero was excited to know what it was and said: "Sure. Anything you want.". He waited five minutes for the Count to speak up. "I was intending to say it for a while. I'd like to join you as a Maverick Hunter."

Zero's pointview:

"I was intending to say it for a while. I'd like to join you as a Maverick Hunter.", the Count said and I couldn't believe my ears. Did I hear it right?! Is he really joining us?! I turned to face him and I said it with all the happiness I had in my heart: "Are you serious?! This'll be great!"

He turned around to face me and looked amazed of my answer to his request. "You agree?", he asked. I just rised a thumd to him and cofirmed him of my agreement. He came to me and held my hand in between his and said: "Thank you, my friend. I'm really grateful to you...for everything." "Don't mention it. That's what friends are for, Edmond.", I said to him and assured him that I'll tell the others after I'm fully healed.

Two weeks passed fast. Today, we will be welcoming a new comerade. Everyone were excited. Vegeta trusts the Count now and Double T? Well, let's just say that he still needs some time to trust him. So, we were all in the meeting room as the General stood up and said: "Dear Hunters. Today we're adding a new friend to our community. Zero, the honor is yours."

"My dear friends, thank you all for accepting my decision. I really appreciate it.", I started saying then pointed at the Count's direction. "Hunters. Let's all welcome our new comerade, the Count of Monte Cristo."

And from that day on, the Count, Gin and I were the strongest trio in the base. We were known as 'the tripple force'.