Right, everyone. You've gotten a taste of the daily lives of the assassins and the girls; now it's time to delve deeper into the story itself. Hopefully, it will progress at a fine pace. Not too slow, but not too fast, either.
Let's see! Enjoy Chapter 2!
The scene: The Assassin's Guild.
Life in the Guild after Ash's return had been rather dull. Barely anyone was out on assignments, and that was basically the only taste of freedom they ever got. Thus, Ash, Drew and Paul felt more restricted and bored than ever.
Usually at least one of them would be given a contract; and it had been days since Ash had returned. It was possible the reputation of the Guild was spreading upon wrong-doers, or something like that, there was no way of knowing!
Their superiors were hidden from them most of the time. Whether they lived in the world above or in a restricted area of the compound was unknown to the assassins; but either way, they rarely showed themselves in the hideout.
Ash, Drew and Paul passed the time in the Training Room. It was the only place down there they felt unbound and free. Whether they were slashing with daggers, practicing archery, or honing their acrobatics, it felt good; both physically and mentally.
It had long been a tradition for the Guild to use these types of weapons, no matter how ancient they may be. In Ash's opinion, it had been a wise decision to uphold this tradition. Using cold steel as a weapon was much more exhilarating and rewarding than a more modern firearm. Plus, it tested mental and physical skill.
"So, Paul," Ash spoke, panting slightly after performing a blinding series of slashes he had delivered to the neck of a dummy before swiftly holstering it. "I'm assuming you still haven't gotten any contracts either."
Paul, who was practicing quick, unseen backstabs, snorted. "After two days of absolutely no activity here, I didn't have high expectations for today, anyway." he sighed, "What are they doing up there, counting their money?!"
Ash didn't need to be told what 'up there' meant. No one literally knew; it was just a slang used by the Assassins for their secretive leaders. Paul continued, viciously stabbing his dummy. "I mean I know Secrecy is our Salvation, but towards other Assassins?! That's just blasphemous!"
"Cool it Paul, they'll come around eventually." Ash advised. "I don't particularly like sitting here doing nothing, but we should savor it while we can." Paul looked at Ash with disbelief written all over his face. "Savor it?! How are we supposed to do that?" The arrogant killer demanded.
Ash sighed, "Well, it's just a feeling. We might any rest after this for a long time." Paul merely smirked. "I look forward to it."
"To be honest," Drew cut in, who was perched on a balancing beam above. "I agree with Paul. There's simply no point in keeping us down here. It's like they're trying to deny us free lives."
"They are trying," Ash answered. "to keep us a myth. And that's the way it should be." He didn't really know why he was arguing against the other two. He did, after all, share some of the feeling of imprisonment.
"Says who?" Paul muttered, before returning his attention to training.
***
The scene: Eterna City.
"Well, we sure have overstayed our welcome, haven't we?" May said. "Weren't we supposed to be gone by now?" She, Dawn and Zoey were sitting on a bench at a park that was one of the places in Eterna City that proclaimed its natural beauty so well. It was an excellent place to relax, think, or simply spend time with your family. "Not that I'm complaining, it's wonderful here." May hastily added.
Dawn chuckled. "Neither are we, May. I don't see any problem with staying longer. The hotel isn't that expensive and the landmarks are plentiful. Not to mention the civilization here is modern, and there's lots to do!" The others nodded.
"If you want civilization," Zoey suggested. "Veilstone City is the place. It's the biggest city in the Sinnoh region and there's a huge variety of shops, restaurants and malls! When, or if, we finally decide to leave, that should be our next stop."
"Veilstone..." Dawn said thoughtfully. "Isn't that the place where meteorites are supposed to be exhibited?" Zoey's face lit up. "Hey, I forgot about that! Don't know why, though, it's only like the biggest thing to see there!"
"You've seen them, then?" May inquired. Zeoy shook her head. "I've read about them and seen pictures, but I guess it's been a secret wish to see them with my own eyes. Their history is said to be legendary." Her eyes misted with wonder. Dawn and May silently laughed into their hands.
"Well, Zoey!" Dawn smiled. "You've convinced me! Veilstone is next on the list. I dunno about May, though, she may not be able to comprehend such dazzling and wonderful history." Her tone became slow and sarcastic.
"Well, excuse me, Dawn Berlitz, for not being such a whiz at that sort of thing!" May said sternly with her hands on her hips, although she was clearly fighting to keep a smile off her face.
"No need to worry, we'll make you one yet!" Dawn exclaimed, rising and motioning for the others to follow. "Come on! We'd better do all we can while we're here!"
"By the way," May said as they walked, "have you guys thought about what I said before?" Dawn stopped and replied: "Well, I have and I agree, its something to think about. Later."
"Oh, come on!" May said gleefully. "You can't deny that you like the idea! It sounds nice, doesn't it? Just settling down with a new love and a new family." Zoey rolled her eyes and whispered to Dawn: "Jeez, when did May become the romantic type?" Dawn shrugged. "Not recently, I'm guessing."
***
The scene: The Assassin's Guild.
Finally! Ash thought. It had been two more days since their training session, but they had finally, FINALLY, been called for in the briefing room. All three of them, oddly enough. Usually their assignments were individual, unless there were a group of targets the client wanted gone. But who cared? They could finally get out of there and do something!
Drew and Paul seemed to share his enthusiasm, as they too walked with a brisk pace, eagerness visible on even Paul's face, though Ash suspected it was not as much for getting out of here after so long. Drew, on the other hand, seemed to be starved of the sight of daylight. "It'll be just the three of us!" he said energetically. "This is going to be good!"
On reaching the briefing room, they discovered they were the only Assassins there. Plus, the large communications screen against the rearmost wall was dark. That meant...
"Well, well! You three are quick. Come in, sit down." The voice came from a man sitting at a desk underneath the screen. Ash exchanged intrigued glances with Drew and Paul. Was this so important, that a messenger had to be sent in person? All the better, they decided. Perhaps it would all be worth the wait.
Once seated before the desk, Paul opened his mouth, no doubt to ask about the past few uneventful days, but the courier beat him to it. "We apologize for the lack of activity, and I can assure you this assignment will make up for it." Paul shrugged and dropped the subject.
"If you don't mind my asking," Ash asked. "are we the only ones being sent out today." The courier smiled. "For now." he said. "Apparently your benefactors seem to trust your abilities and efficiency a notch above the other Assassins." Drew raised his eyebrows, "Well, we definitely have Paul for efficiency." he muttered under his breath.
"Any more questions?" They shook their heads. The courier nodded. "Very well, then. I have been told to give you three a group assignment. Three targets, one for each of you, since you seem to work together considerably well." He gave them a slight nod. "The location is no issue. We have proof that they make for this very city as we speak, so that problem is out of the equation. Consider this a...test, if you will, of your coordination. It may prove invaluable in the future."
"Who are we after?" Paul asked, his arms folded. The courier held out three ID cards specially prepared by the Assassins utilizing information obtained from espionage. "They are close friends and seem to be inseparable. You will have to work out how to change that, since the client requests they be murdered alone, and hidden well."
The Assassin's studied the cards. Ash's belonged to a blunette with sapphire eyes, and a cheerful personality. According to the card, she was reasonably trusting to most people; that would make this easier. A victim's trust made them easier to ensnare.
Drew's was of a brunette with navy-blue eyes. Apparently, she was similar to Dawn in many aspects , though she was a bit more mature and cautious around strangers. A challenge, then. Drew smirked at the card.
Paul's card showed a redhead with amber eyes. She was strong, confident and bold. She didn't waver easily and was clearly the most mature of the three girls. Not the most tempting kill, Paul thought, but it would do.
Ash spoke first. "What have they done?" the courier frowned. "I'm sorry?" Ash frowned back. "Well, we're always informed of the crimes or wrong-doings of whoever we've been assigned to dispose of. It's standard procedure." he couldn't understand why the agent was hesitating.
"Well, you see, the client apparently told your superiors to keep that information classified, and so it has been done. You have your targets, and your orders." the courier told them firmly.
"What?!" Ash was bewildered, "Who is this client, anyway?! No, don't answer that, let me guess: It's also 'classified'?" he shook his head. The courier fixed him with a cold stare. "Yes, Ketchum, that is indeed also classified. I suggest you comply with these orders."
"But if they've done nothing harmful, what's the point in taking their lives?! That goes against the tenants, and I don't care whether these girls are specified or not; no proof of criminal acts makes them innocent!" Ash was breathing hard, he didn't quite know why he was angry. Perhaps it was the impatience that had silently accumulated over the past few days.
The agent's cold stare did not waver, "But there is proof. You are merely not entitled to know of it. I suggest you do what the contract says; this client has specified grave consequences for failure." Drew snorted. "Consequences for failing at what? Killing innocents? I for one agree with Ash. Is this what you've been doing? Devising ways to convince us to take the lives of innocents?" He looked at Paul.
The arrogant Assassin had his eyes fixed on the ID card in his hand. "Ash, Drew," he finally said. "You two are overreacting." Ash's jaw dropped, but what had he been expecting from the truly cold-hearted one amongst them? "I doubt the Guild would accept a contract without a valid reason. They are the ones who follow the tenants even more devotedly than us, not to mention they comprehend them better." The courier smiled and nodded at these words.
Drew sighed. "Sir, I think if one of us would be unable to do this job, it'd be Paul." he nodded seriously. The agent frowned. "What makes you think that?"
"Well..." Drew snatched Paul's card out of his hand and examined it before Paul took it back. "Seriously, that is one good-looking girl that you've given to him and as we all know, Paul has always had a soft spot for the-" Ash facepalmed at the out-of-nowhere joke as Drew was interrupted.
"Shut it, Drew." Paul spat. "I told you before, the target's look matters as little to me as how many breaths they've taken during their lifetime." Drew rolled his eyes when Paul looked away. Ash merely stared at the cold Assassin, trying to figure out how he could not object to this in at least one way. But Paul did his job for the blood too, that much was clear.
"OK," Ash concluded, addressing the agent."We'll do the job," he held up a hand to Drew who had opened his mouth to protest. "Yes, we'll do it. But, not before we find out what these girls have done to cause someone to set up a contract against them."
There was cold fire in the man's eyes, but he nodded. "As you wish. But heed my warning, if you value yourselves. Dismissed."
As they paced down the hall away from the briefing room, Ash spoke to Paul. "Seriously, man, did they even look like they were capable of murder or drugs to you?"
"You need to pay attention when I talk." Paul returned. "I care nothing for the description, personality or looks of the target. I just get the job done." he sped up, leaving Ash and Drew behind.
"Frankly, I hope Paul's right about them having a reason to accept this contract. His attitude upsets me, sure, but," Drew paused. "I wouldn't feel comfortable if this got too complicated."
"I wouldn't put too much faith in them. This delay can't have been uneventful for them. They were doing something, they had to be!" Ash sighed. "I just don't know what."
***
The scene: Veilstone City.
Dawn, May and Zoey walked around the technological center of Sinnoh that was Veilstone City. Zoey clearly hadn't been exaggerating. Whether in the form of communications, appearance, leisure or even casual sights, everything about this place was modern.
"The meteorites themselves are said to have been preserved in the exact location and in which they were found, long ago." Zoey explained as they walked. "Fascinating, Zoey." May said absently, then frowned. "Hey what's with this place?"
Dawn and Zoey followed her gaze and saw what looked to be an old, abandoned warehouse. It indeed seemed very out place amongst the other magnificent glass plated structures. "I don't suppose it has any historic importance?" Dawn asked. "None that I know of." answered Zoey.
Dawn nudged Zoey, diverting their attention away from the warehouse and pointing at a particularly promising looking store. "A department store, by the looks of it. All in one!" Dawn exclaimed. "We'll have to check it out sooner or later. I dunno about you two, but after Eterna, I'm looking forward to it."
"You're not alone." Zoey replied. "I just have to see the meteorites, and then it's gonna be a shopping spree!"
The girls continued, leaving the warehouse concealing the Assassin's Guild behind.
Well, the targets have been sighted; and in Veilstone City, no less. But who would do such a thing to beings as innocent as Dawn, May and Zoey anyway? Oh yeah, it's classified...
As you can see, Ash and Drew have some respect for life. Paul, however is convinced he will have no trouble killing Zoey. Will they uncover any secrets about their seemingly innocent targets? Will they be able to keep their mind on their jobs when they meet the girls? We'll have to wait and see!
R&R, dear friends!
Daijobu!