A Cold Wind In Hell
Chapter Seven: Trouble In LuLu World
The next day came around, and after making some of the preparations, Charlie met with Sam, Vaggie, and Angel Dust in the lobby.
"Charlie, are you sure this is a good idea?" Vaggie asked with concern in her voice. "I mean, this is Cherri Bomb, we're talking about here."
"I completely understand, Vaggie; trust me." Charlie said. "I'm still worried about this, but If Sam's willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, then I see no reason why we shouldn't either."
"Plus, we've got free tickets!" Angel pointed out.
"Then there's the fact that those killers in IMP are coming along." Vaggie stated. "Seriously? Cherri Bomb was already pushing it, but those guys?"
"Hey, I'm willing to give this a go." Charlie said. "Besides, if anything goes wrong, they can act as backup!"
"Not like we need it, anyways." Sam said with a confident smirk.
"Must you bring that sword as well?" Vaggie said, gesturing to the sword at Sam's side.
"Must you bring that spear?" Sam countered, pointing at Vaggie's spear.
Vaggie made to retort, but found no good comeback, "Touché."
"I'm sure everything will work out." Charlie insisted. "Besides, those three gave their word that they'll behave."
"Hopefully, they stay true to it." Sam said. "And if we're lucky this will be a quiet day in a theme park."
"Buddy, we're going to a theme park that involves roller coasters and a lot of screaming." Angel Dust deadpanned. "Quiet ain't doesn't go well with theme parks."
"Anyways, let's get going!" Charlie declared, a big smile on her face. "Let's all try to have some fun today!"
The group of four soon exited the building, the limo waiting out front, with Cherri Bomb nearby.
"Sup, bitches." She greeted with a toothy grin. "Ready to have the time of your afterlives?"
"I forgot she was coming." Vaggie groaned.
"At least try to get along, Vaggie." Charlie said. "She is Sam's girlfriend, after all."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it." Vaggie mumbled with a roll of her eye.
The group then got in the limo, Razzle and Dazzle up front in the driver's seat, as the limo soon sped off.
Nearby, however, a lone Jaded Viper watched from the shadows with a set of high-powered goggles, watching the entire scene play out.
"Boss, this is Sneaking Rodent." The soldier said into his radio. "The target is currently on the move with the princess and several others, current destination is unknown."
"Keep following." Terumi replied. "Don't let them out of your sight."
"Understood." The soldier nodded, before going after the departed group.
The limo soon arrived at the entrance to the theme park that is Lu Lu World; a massive theme park that would put Disney World to shame, with its large variety of rides and concession stands.
"And here we are!" Charlie announced. "Lu Lu World; my dad's pride and joy!"
"Always wanted to come here." Angel said. "But Val never would let us have the day off or kept us too busy."
"Well, now's your chance to enjoy it." Sam declared. "I recommend trying the corndog stand; their batter is well made!"
"Wait, you've been here before?" Vaggie asked.
"About twice with Cherri, during out dates." Sam said. "It's a popular place for couples."
"And rightfully so!" Cherri agreed with a smirk.
Just then, a black, beat-up van with I.M.P. spray painted on the side skidded near the entrance, before the three Imps of I.M.P. got out, along with Loona and Gray Fox.
"Hope we're not late!" Blitzo declared. "Had to get everyone ready!"
"I still do not understand why you brought us along, Blitzo." Gray Fox spoke up.
"Yeah, why'd you drag us along?" Loona growled.
"Can't stay cooped up in the office all day." Blitzo said. "Gotta get out for some fresh air every now and then!"
"As long as everyone behaves, I don't have a problem with it." Charlie stated. "Alright, everyone have fun and be back by sundown!"
Once the group mostly dispersed for various areas of the theme park, Moxxie and Millie stayed behind with Blitzo.
"You're using this as an excuse to spy on that samurai, right?" Moxxie implied.
"Well, duh, Mox." The tallest Imp said with a roll of his eyes. "Gotta make sure the guy Fox hired is legit. After all, I don't trust anyone to be near my little Loony besides Fox."
"He's got a point, Moxxie." Millie said. "After all, we don't know nuthin' 'bout this guy, besides his reputation."
"I guess that's fair." Moxxie admitted.
"Obviously!" Blitzo said, seeing Sam and Cherri approach the Tunnel of Mad Lust ride. "Now, like the princess said, have your jollies, but keep an eye on the jaguar."
Nodding, the I.M.P. trio made off for the rides, all the while Sneaking Rodent was spying from outside the park, watching with a pair of high-tech binoculars.
"Boss, the target is at the theme park." He spoke into the radio. "What're your orders?"
"Standby, Rodent." The commanding voice of Terumi spoke through the radio. "I'm sending a squad to terminate them now."
"Them?" Rodent repeated with confusion.
"Sam and the I.M.P. fools." Terumi clarified. "Those worthless Imps have been a thorn in my side more than they should. High time we clean up the garbage."
"Oh, that's good, sir." Rodent said with a sigh. "I was worried you were targeting the princess."
"I'm not foolish enough to evoke Lucifer's wrath, Rodent." Terumi said. "Now, keep watch."
Nodding, Rodent went back to his observation.
Back with the group, they were each going on the various rides, having the time of their lives. Vaggie, on the other hand, had just left a corndog stand with food and drink in hand, leaning on the guard rail overlooking the ocean. The view was nice, although she could've sworn she saw something underneath the water.
Just then, Angel Dust walked up, letting out a breath, "Whoo, this is probably the best breath of fresh air I ever had!"
"It always helps to get out every now and then." Vaggie nodded.
"Ya know, One-Eye, it just occurred ta me that we never really talk much." Angel stated. "Hell, I don't think I know one thing about you in life."
"I wonder why that is…" Vaggie said sarcastically.
"Aye, ya know I just like bustin' yer chops." Angel shrugged. "Sides, I think it's only fair I get to learn about the one helping with my rehabilitation."
Considering it for a moment, Vaggie finished off her corndog and threw away the stick.
"Well, I was born in Salvador, and it wasn't any good." Vaggie said. "My father was an abusive fucker, always getting drunk and beating me. Would even rape me, whenever he felt like it. Then one day, I was saved by a man who I would later look up to as father."
"Damn, toots." Angel remarked. "So, what was the new papa like?"
"He was a man who was determined to change the world." Vaggie declared with admiration. "He was the one who trained me and taught me how to defend myself. He was also the former president of the United States, and when we died, he quickly became Lucifer's Royal Protector."
"Damn, talk about a promotion!" Angel said. "What's his name?"
Vaggie was about to say, but then she took notice of some suspicious figures stalking about near the bush area, armed to the teeth with high-tech gear.
"They don't look like they belong here." She said.
"And definitely not part of the park's security team." Angel added before smirking. "Interested in showing them the way out?"
"Gladly." Vaggie smirked back, the duo going after the suspicious figures, completely unaware of a cloaked figure following behind.
Meanwhile, Cherri had split off from Sam to look about the park on her own, before coming upon Loona, sitting by herself at a picnic table. Curious, the mad bomber walked over.
"Hey there, poochy." She greeted. "What're you doin' by yourself?"
"Fox went to get food." Loona said with a shrug, Cherri noticing the downcast look on her face.
"Why so down, Wolfy?" Cherri asked.
Loona considered the cyclops sinner for a moment before sighing.
"I just can't figure out Fox." She said. "We've been working together for a long time, but I still don't know a damn thing about him!"
"You got feelings for him, huh?" Cherri guessed, earning a nod from the hellhound.
"He saved me from a life of being someone's weapon." Loona said. "I was taken from my adoptive mom by this bitch after a botched job. I was trapped, before Fox and Blitzo saved me."
"So, you fell for your savior." Cherri stated. "And owe him one hell of a debt, huh?"
"I just wish he'd take a hint and say something." Loona said, frustration in her voice. "Be more open, ya know?"
Cherri could understand the frustration of trying to get one to notice the affections of the other, having experienced this sort of thing in her human years.
"I can understand that, chica; trust me." Cherri said. "Hell, it took me about two years before Sam took notice of me having an interest in him!"
"Seriously?" Loona asked.
"Oh, for fuckin' real." Cherri nodded. "Just give foxy boy some time. Prolly still adjusting to things down here." She then placed a gentle hand on Loona's shoulder. "Just be patient with him, girlfriend. He'll come around."
Loona considered this before nodding, before seeing Gray Fox return with a tray full of food.
"Is everything okay?" He asked plainly.
Loona looked at Cherri, who gave a thumbs up before walking off, leaving the two to their own devices.
"Yeah, Fox." Loona nodded, looking back at her coworker. "Everything's good."
Nodding, Fox sat down without a word, Loona fidgeting a bit before sighing.
"Fox, I know you're probably still getting used to things down here." Loona said. "But if you need someone to talk to about any issues, I'm here."
Fox looked up at her, expression unreadable behind the mask, Loona anxiously awaiting an answer before he spoke.
"I appreciate your concern, Loona." The assassin declared. "My past is simply too painful to recall right now. Give me some time to prepare, please."
"Sure, no problem!" Loona said with a smile. "Take all the time you need, man!"
Nodding appreciatively, Fox went on to sort the food, as Loona's smile shifted into an uneasy frown.
'Just give him time.' She reminded herself the words Cherri said. 'He'll come around.'
Meanwhile, Sam left a gift shop, carrying a few items in bags, before running into Charlie.
"Whatcha got there, Sam?" She asked.
"A few gifts, actually." Sam said. "A gift, for helping me as much as you have."
Reaching inside, he pulled out a snow globe from inside the bag and presented it to Charlie. Inside was Lucifer and his wife, Lilith, posing as though they were dancing.
"Oh, it's wonderful!" Charlie said with glee, accepting the gift. "Thank you, Sam!"
Sam nodded and reached inside the bag-
Click!
Then he stopped as his ears perked at the familiar sound of a rifle locking and loading.
Click!
"Sam?" Charlie said in a worried tone. "Is everything alright?"
Looking over, Sam's eyes widened with shock at the sight of of an unfamiliar solder pointing a high-tech sniper rifle in his direction.
"GET DOWN!"
With that yell, he quickly grabbed Charlie and threw themselves to the ground behind a rock wall, the sniper firing, the sniper round taking off a large chunk of the wall.
Surprised from the act, Charlie looked back up as Sam practically covered her, his dark brown eyes looking back into her red eyes, the daughter of Lucifer blushing from how close they were.
"Are you hurt?" He asked in a concerned tone.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Charlie quickly nodded. "What just happened?"
"SAMUEL RODRIGUES!" The sniper called out. "COME ON OUT AND WE'LL LET YOUR FRIENDS LIVE!"
Peeking out from behind the wall, Sam saw several other soldiers join the sniper's side. Most of them seemed equipped with assault rifles, while there was a large solder covered head to toe in heavy armor, carrying a rather large minigun.
"It's clear these guys are after me, but why?" He mumbled. "What are they after?"
"Wait, surely we can talk things out." Charlie tried to speak up, but Sam was quicker to retort.
"You think these guys will be more reasonable than Katie Killjoy?" Sam asked, almost sarcastically. "Forgive my honesty, but these men are clearly not here to talk."
"What will you do then?" Charlie asked, before Sam drew out his sword.
"Self-defense, remember?" He said with a cheeky grin.
He then popped out of cover, casually walking towards the attackers, blade resting on his shoulder.
"DROP YOUR DAMN WEAPON!" The minigun wielding solder demanded. "OR WE'RE GONNA-"
Without warning, Sam dashed towards them, the solder then firing his minigun, only for Sam to suddenly vanish with the wind, before reappearing just a few feet off the ground and in front of the soldier, sword raised overhead, before bringing it down in one fast motion, splitting the soldier in half, before proceeding to slice the split corpse into multiple pieces.
Charlie's response? Gasping in awe and shock at such speed. One minute, Sam was at least several feet away from his target, then the next minute, he had closed in somehow and sliced the soldier into chunky salsa! Unless one had such incredible speed, there no way he could have closed the distance that fast…unless…
"Was that wind manipulation?" She asked aloud.
Despite the shock from what had just occurred, the remaining soldiers aimed all the weapons they had at the target, as Sam turned and face them.
Sam's response? Flash his trademark shit-eating grin.
"Show me a good time, fellas!"
He then proceeded to cut down two more of them, block bullet-fire from another before cutting down the next soldier, then easily cut down the next two with quick precise slashes from his blade. The last one tried firing at him with his assault rifle, but Sam blocked the bullets with his sword before closing the distance and slicing him in two.
Charlie watched in awe at the sight of the Brazilian in action, amazed by the speed and skill presented. This was the first time she saw a samurai of the modern time fight, but she never expected on to have so much skill.
Swing his sword to get the blood off, Sam made to sheath his blade, but he saw another group of ten armed soldiers emerge from the bushes. Smirking, he sheathed his blade before dashing forward, avoiding gunfire, and once he got close, Sam squeezed the trigger and swung, unleashing a powerful whirlwind that threw the soldiers up within the whirlwind before the wind sliced them up as though there were blades within the winds.
Charlie watched as the whirlwind soon subsided, blood and gore raining momentarily before letting up, Sam then skillfully sheathed his sword before sighing.
"There they are!"
The princess and the samurai turned to see another group of soldier's approach; guns aimed.
"Get the samurai!" The soldier that seemed like the leader ordered. "Avoid hitting the princess, if it can be helped!"
Sam was about to draw his sword, but then he watched as some of the soldiers were gunned down by Angel Dust, tommy guns smoking at the barrels.
"Whatcha doing havin' a party without us?!" The spider sinner declared with a smirk.
The soldiers were about to turn and open fire, only for Vaggie to throw a set of throwing knives that punched right through the armor and piercing their hearts.
"Charlie!" The moth demon called with worry, quickly running over and hugging her girlfriend. "Are you hurt? Did they touch you?!"
"I'm alright, Vaggie." Charlie assured her. "Sam saved me."
Vaggie looked up at the samurai for a moment before offering a hand, "Thank you, Sam."
Smiling, Sam shook her hand, "Glad to be of service."
"Hey, who's having a shootout without us?!"
They turned to see the members of I.M.P. running on the scene, with Cherri Bomb running to Sam's side and wrapping her arms around him.
"Sam, what the fuck happened?!" The cyclops demanded. "Who the fuck are these guys?!"
"I'm not sure." Sam shrugged. "But it's obvious they know of me."
Moxxie examined one of the bodies, before holding up a badge.
"Jaded Vipers," He said before turning to his boss. "Sir, I think we've come across these guys before!"
"Thanks for pointing that out, Captain Obvious." Blitzo said with a roll of his eyes. "Had a feeling we'd run into those jack-offs again."
"You know them?" Charlie asked.
"Got into plenty of shootouts with these guys before, princess." Blitzo said. "These guys were in cahoots with the fuckers that had my poor Loona in chains!"
"Wait, where is she and Fox?" Vaggie asked.
Suddenly, several bloody bodies were sent rolling across the pavement, followed by Gray Fox and Loona, blades drawn and bloody.
"Dealing with uninvited guests." Loona said unceremoniously.
"Still, why were they after me?" Sam wondered aloud.
Sneaking Rodent gulped in fear as he watched the scene of his fellow soldiers getting killed so easily.
"Sir, he's relentless!" He spoke into the radio. "He's slaughtering our guys so easily!"
"Relax, Rodent." Terumi replied with no hint of worry. "I've already sent the Sting Ray."
Nodding, Rodent went back to watching the scene.
Back with the group, they were about to leave the carnage, before they suddenly felt a rumbling in the ground.
"Uh, what was that?" Moxxie asked with concern in his voice.
"Somebody order a dinosaur?" Angel Dust asked, seeing a glass of water shake.
Looking over at the ocean, Vaggie saw a small wave of water rising get closer to the railing. And this time, she was certain there was something in the water.
Rules of Nature plays.
Suddenly, something of massive size leaped from the water and landed with a loud crash, kicking up a lot of dust and obscuring their vision. Once the dust settled, with the exception of Sam, Gray Fox and Loona, everyone's jaws nearly dropped at what they were faced with next.
"What." Angel Dust said.
"The." Vaggie continued.
"Actual." Cherri said.
"Fuck!" Blitzo went along.
"Is!" Moxxie and Millie said together.
"THAT!" Charlie finished in sheer shock.
The massive machine towering above them appeared animalistic, as it reared its head up and let out an ear-piercing roar.
"That, my friend, is what we mortals call 'Metal Gear'." Sam explained, hand on the handle of his sword. "This one, specifically, is called Metal Gear Ray."
"The fuck is a Metal Gear?!" Angel demanded, cowering in the face of a machine of such size. "And where the fuck did it come from?!"
"Massive weapons capable of mass destruction." Gray Fox added in, gripping the handle of his sword. "And if I had to guess, these men had one in their possession."
"Charlie, why don't you get your friends to safety?" Sam said, stepping forward. "I'll deal with this beast."
"Sam, you can't be serious!" Charlie said, still in shock. "There's no way you can fight something of that size!"
"I've done it before." Sam shrugged. "I've also defeated someone who managed to lift one right off its feet!"
"Okay, I can see you beating a bunch of thugs with automatic rifles with just your sword." Vaggie spoke up. "But there is no way a normal man could do what you just said!"
"You'd be surprised." Sam chuckled before drawing his sword, ready to fight. "As you should guess by now, I'm no normal man."
"Allow me to help, at least." Gray Fox offered. "After all, two blades are greater than one."
"How about three?" Loona added, a smirk on her face.
Sam considered it for a moment before shrugging, "Your choice."
The three readied their blades as the massive weapon of mass destruction roared once more, the weapons mounted all over its body beginning to activate and aim at the trio.
The three split up, avoiding the gun fire from the turrets, before Sam routed around, avoiding the massive foot of the machine stamping down, before the samurai then jumped up…
ZANDATSU!
…then time seemed to slow down for Sam, as he then started slashing the turret on the side of the Metal Gear's right leg. When time returned to normal, the slashed-up turret falling apart and causing the machine to flinch, but quickly recovered.
Loona ran to the left side of the Metal Gear, evading and blocking bullet fire with her sword, before jumping up and slicing the firing turret clean off the leg.
Gray Fox jumped up and slashed off the turrets off the arms of the machine, before proceeding to slash at the armor covering the head, exposing the lighter metal underneath.
The Metal Gear roared once again, before opening a few caps on its right arm, firing several rockets, but this did little to intimidate the trio, and Fox and Loona charged forward, one on each side of the machine, jumping up and swinging their swords, cutting the arms clean off.
Roaring in what sounded like stimulated pain, the machine fired what remaining armaments it had, as well as a plasma cannon within its mouth, but Sam only grinned before dashing forward, easily maneuvering around the missiles and plasma blast. Once he got close, he jumped up, then used his wind power to jump a second time while in the air to get higher than the Metal Gear, sheathing his sword and building up energy, and once he came down close to the machine's head, he used his quickdraw to deliver a powerful slash attack that sliced the machine clean in half, the two halves falling apart and exploding behind him as Sam landed before sheathing his sword and resting his arm on the handle.
Song ends.
Charlie was utterly awestruck from what she had just witnessed, at how easily the trio had succeeded so easily.
Angel Dust was stuttering the whole time, trying to utter a coherent sentence.
Vaggie rubbed her one eye several times, just to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
The Imps of I.M.P. were all going 'huuuuuuuhhh' as though they were about to perform an acapella, just from the scene that unfolded before them.
Cherri Bomb blinked her one eye in shock…
"THAT WAS TOTALLY WICKED!" She then suddenly screamed, scaring everyone out of their shocked state.
"Did that Brazilian guy just double jump?" Angel finally asked.
"That. Was insane." Vaggie said. "How is something like that even possible?!"
"I think my dick just got hard." Blitzo blurted out.
"I can't feel my legs." Millie said, legs clearly shaking.
"Holy shit." Moxxie simply said.
As the trio approached, Blitzo suddenly jumped at the fox and hellhound in a hug, showering them both with kisses.
"Oh, I knew you two had it in you!" He declared, keeping a strong grip.
"Can you get off?" Loona growled, clearly not in the mood for hugs.
"Thank you, sir." Gray Fox said. "But can you please get off?"
"But those guys," Vaggie said, pointing to the corpses of the attackers. "Who the fuck were they? Why were they after us and how the hell did they get a hold of a weapon of that size?"
"Well, I suppose it's our turn to explain some things." Blitzo said with a shrug. "Talk it over some drinks at the hotel?"
All wishing to get away from the scene, everyone decided to leave the park, Charlie walking next to Sam.
"Did you really fight something like that back when you were living?" She asked.
"I sure did." Sam nodded. "A combination of my exosuit and pure skills."
As they left, the cloaked figure watched from the shadows, before pressing a finger against his earpiece.
"Sir, did you get all that?" He asked. There was a pause before he got to answer. "Yes sir, the Jaded Vipers seem to be making moves again. Your orders?" Another pause. "Yes sir; will maintain observations."
Silencing his earpiece, the stranger watched the van and limo drive away, "About time for a visit, though. Been a while since I last saw Vaggie."
And there's the new chapter! I was really looking forward to writing this chapter, since it involves characters fighting Metal Gear Ray. Don't worry, if you seem confused, questions will be answered in later chapters. Hope you guys are looking forward to it!
And yup, Sam has powers; wind powers, to be specific. Really fits his 'Cool Brazilian Wind' codename.
Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward to more! Reviews are greatly appreciated!